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Here we go, another chapter! Many of you asked if this chapter would show what Bergie...and Dwalin, have been up to...well, yes it does. ha ha. Enjoy.

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Chapter 46

~X~

Meanwhile, in another part of the mountain, Bofur had just finished giving Bergie a tour of the gem cutting room, a place he was sure would interest any female. Unfortunately, the hatted miner was quickly realizing that what fascinated a dwarrowdam, did not necessarily captivate a hobbit lass…especially one like Bergie Bracegirdle.

"I thank you for the tour, really, you have been a very entertaining guide," she assured him, yet her words were accompanied with a heavy sigh. "But could we skip any more crafting halls or gem encrusted caves, and go check out the storage facilities?"

"Really…that is what you would like to see?" Bofur asked, beginning to think perhaps he had been all wrong about this pretty lass.

"I would like to see the rooms you have set aside for harvest storage," she explained. "Marigold and the others are hoping for a bumper crop, and it is my job to make sure you have adequate root cellars to keep it all winter."

"All business, I see," he told her with a wide smile. "I like that in a dam. And if it is the storage rooms you would like to see, then see them you shall." Extending his arm to her, he proudly marched her down the corridors, heading for the rooms she requested.

However, on the way there, they passed a room that caught Bergie's attention, well, not the room so much as the sounds coming from inside it.

"Where does that lead?" she asked, pointing at the thick wooden doors.

"To the practice ring," Bofur explained, turning to continue on their way, but he noticed that she seemed to linger, eyeing the place with a measure of interest. "Would you like to take a look? I mean it is nothing more than a big arena where the warriors go to train and let off a little steam."

"Sounds intriguing," she grinned. "Perhaps we could just pop in for a moment?"

"Whatever you like, Miss Bracegirdle," Bofur nodded, eager to please his charge. He pulled on the door and stepped aside, allowing her to enter first.

Right off the bat Bergie was in awe of what she saw, for they were on an upper deck that ran the circumference of the room, allowing a perfect view of the fighting ring below. There were also benches beneath them for spectators to sit and watch at eye level, telling her that this was a popular place. And while she was impressed with the size of the room, as well as the amount of weapons, targets and practice dummies, her attention was quickly stolen away by what she saw in the center of the ring. Dwalin…bare chested, axes in hand, and working up quite a sweat. All he wore were his trousers, boots and his wrist guards, leaving his upper body and bulging muscles exposed to her greedy eyes. Oh, yes, without a doubt, this was now her favorite room in all the mountain.

As she watched, Dwalin swung one ax and then the other, steadily advancing on a tough looking dwarf, who was also wielding twin axes - yet not as well as her bald warrior it would seem. Dwalin quickly had the dwarrow backed into the corner of the ring and the other male was barely able to keep up a defense, let alone land a blow himself.

"I give!" he shouted at last, dropping his weapons and putting up his hands in surrender. "What is with you today, Dwalin? If I did not know any better, I would think you were actually trying to kill me!"

Erebor's war chief stepped back, taking several deep breaths as he let his bloodlust fade, finally seeing his opponent for what he truly was…a friend. In his mind he had been battling with orcs, goblins, and more times than not, Thorin. Dwalin knew that his frustrations were not solely the fault of his king, but a good portion were and he only wished it was his cousin he had been sparring with. It would have been very satisfying to see Thorin walk away with a black eye, or at least a few bruises, courtesy of Grasper and Keeper.

"Forgive me, Havar," Dwalin said, coming forward and placing his hand on the weary looking dwarf's shoulder. "I allowed myself to get lost in the fight."

"Well, I am glad you stopped when you did, or else it would have been me who would have been lost," he joked back, reaching down to pick up his axes as he made his way to the other side of the ring, taking a seat next to Dwalin's previous opponents, all looking just as bedraggled as Havar.

"Any more takers?" Dwalin asked hopefully, looking around the room, yet no other dwarrow would meet his eye or accept his challenge. It would appear that they valued their lives a bit too much to take him on in such a dangerous mood.

When no one spoke up, Dwalin nodded to them in understanding and went over to a nearby water barrel. Grabbing the edges with both hands, he leaned forward and dunked his head beneath the frigid water, all the way past his shoulders. Pulling himself back into an upright position, he allowed the cooling liquid to pour over his face, down his beard and onto his chest and back. He then reached for one of the provided water skins and tipped it to his lips, closing his eyes as he savored every drop, guzzling it down like it was the king's best ale. However, when he opened his eyes, his head still tipped back from the drink, he saw her - Bergamot Bracegirdle leaning forward on the railing directly above him, a wide smile on her face and a teasing glint in her eye.

"When you asked for any takers…did you mean in battle only, or might I tempt you with a more pleasurable form of activity?" she offered, giving him a wicked little wink.

The handful of dwarves who sat nearby, all nursing bruises and cuts from battling with their captain, snickered at her words, amused by this forward little lass.

Once again, Dwalin stood stunned by Bergie's shocking offer, his mouth now dryer than before he had taken his drink. His feet were frozen in place and all he could do was gawk at the lassie that stared down at him. Oh, she was a vixen, all right…and he found it irresistible.

"No response?" she asked, looking somewhat disappointed. "Still have not made up your mind? Very well…I will give you more time to think about it, my handsome warrior. But in the meantime…you can't fault a gal for eyeing the goods, now can you? And trust me, I like everything I see." And giving Dwalin a final once over, from his tattooed head to his booted feet, Bergie let out a hum of approval, then turned back to her guide. "Now, Mister Bofur…you promised to show me those storage rooms. Shall we?"

The hatted miner, having heard every scandalous word from Bergie's lips, just stared at her for a moment before he nodded slowly, gesturing to the door. She headed out with Bofur hot on her heels, suddenly very eager to learn a bit more about his charge. Had she just propositioned Dwalin? If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it. Dwalin?

"I hope you do not think less of me for what I just said," Bergie began as they made their way down the corridor. "I have never been one to beat around the bush, you could say."

"Aye, I can see that," Bofur nodded, the shock wearing off and the humor of the whole thing hitting him square in the funny bone. Just wait until Bifur and Bombur hear about this! Sure they had seen Dwalin dancing with the hobbit lass at the Durin's Day party, but none of them ever dreamed that she was actively pursuing their crotchety old friend. Did Balin know about this? "So…you have set your cap for Dwalin, have ya, lass?"

"That I have…yet whether he returns my interest or not, remains to be seen," she muttered, looking a bit concerned. "You have known him for a good many years, have you not?" When he nodded in the affirmative, she continued. "Tell me, has Dwalin had others in his past?"

"Had others?" Bofur repeated, looking confused. "Had them how? Do you mean dams chasing after him?"

"Yes," Bergie nodded, wondering why her guide seemed not to understand her simple question. "Has Dwalin been involved with any other I should know about?"

"Of course not, otherwise he would be married to the dam right now," Bofur laughed, finding her question very humorous. But then he stopped laughing and looked a bit guilty. "Or were you asking if he had ever had a mate who had died? The answer to that is no as well. He is quite unattached, I assure you, Miss Bergie."

"Well, that is good to hear," she nodded, though she found his way of getting to the point a bit odd. Still, what Bergie knew about dwarves was quite limited, and maybe that was how they tended to muddle things through in their minds. "And as his friend, you do find it strange or offensive that I wish to pursue him?"

"Strange? Perhaps a little," Bofur nodded thoughtfully. "I guess I never saw Dwalin as the type to be chased, is all…or ever one who wished to be caught. But if that look on his face was any indication, I would say he is not opposed to the idea. And the only reason I might be offended by it, would be to wonder why you didn't choose me instead!"

At this they both let out a roar of laughter and walked arm in arm to the storage rooms.

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Less than half an hour later, after having thoroughly checked out each and every storeroom, Bergie was jotting down notes on making them more efficient, leaving Bofur scratching his head in wonder. This hobbit really knew her stuff. He was most excited about her lengthy explanation on the proper temperature to store kegs of grain ale in order for them to mature at the most optimum time. He was beginning to see how his friend might actually be tempted by this pretty little lass.

He was just about to suggest they make their way back to the dining halls, for lunchtime was now upon them, when he heard someone clear their throat behind him. Turning around, he was hardly surprised to see Dwalin standing in the doorway, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

"Mind leaving Miss Bergie and I alone for a bit, Bofur?" he asked, and while it was in the form of a question, the other dwarrow knew it was nothing less than a direct order.

"I…uhhh," he stumbled, looking from his friend to the hobbit and back again in confusion, unsure what the correct answer should be.

"I don't mind," Bergie assured him, making a little shooing motion. "Off with you now."

Bofur gave a shrug of compliance and made his way to the door, squeezing past Dwalin, who did not give an inch and kept his eyes trained on Bergie. When Bofur was at last gone, Dwalin reached back and closed the door behind them, sealing them in the dimly lit room, apparently wanting their conversation to be a private one.

"That was quite an entertaining battle back there," she complimented, walking over to take a seat on a nearby crate, looking up at him with all the innocence of a newborn lamb. "I truly felt sorry for your opponent. Might I ask what had you so worked up that you felt the need to practically behead your sparring partner?"

"You!" he barked out, his emotions apparently very near the surface.

"Me?" Bergie asked, looking somewhat shocked by his answer. "You didn't even know I was there watching until it was all over. How could I have upset you?"

"By heading off with Bofur for a tour of Erebor!" he grumbled, hating to reveal so much of what he was thinking, but he was not one to play games or bandy around words like a sword or ax. "Did you ever stop to think what the sight of that might do to me? Only two nights ago you were showing your attentions to me, and then I find you going off with Bofur…alone…through Erebor!"

"I…" she began, yet quickly closed her mouth as she thought about the best way to respond. It was obvious that Dwalin was upset, and while she did not understand how it was suddenly her fault, she did not wish to belittle him or disregard his feelings either. Perhaps dwarves took these kinds of things more seriously than hobbits. She really needed to find a book or something on dwarven customs. "I apologize if my accepting Bofur's offer caused you distress, yet what was I supposed to do when it was set up by the king's sister?"

"Oh, I am fully aware who was behind this whole thing," Dwalin nodded, knowing just how Dis had a tendency to plow right over people in order to get her way. "Still…I didn't like it!"

"Again, I'm sorry," she told him, placing her hands in her lap and doing her best to look contrite.

Dwalin stared at her, sitting there with such an endearing look on her face that he felt the overwhelming urge to grab her and kiss her. Then, he looked down and saw that she had crossed her ankles, those adorable little fur covered feet swinging back and forth in such a tempting manner that it nearly drove him insane. Oh, this was madness! Pure madness!

"I…I have to go," he blurted out suddenly, turning for the door and grabbing the knob. He had wanted to say more, to scold her for toying with his affections – confused though they may be – but he found he could no longer remain in the same room with her if he wanted to keep his sanity. Yet when he pulled at the door, it wouldn't budge. He tried again, turning it the other way, but still got no response. Next he put his shoulder to it and pushed with all his might, almost willing the door to open with the strength of his anger and frustration…but again, nothing.

"Is something the matter?" Bergie asked, hopping off the crate as she came to stand behind him.

"The door," he huffed, stepping back and looking at it as if it had somehow betrayed him, "it won't open. It is stuck shut!"

"Oh?" came Bergie's reply, her eyebrow raised in interest. "You mean we are locked in here? All alone? Whatever shall we do?" And even Dwalin, who was somewhat oblivious when it came to subtle innuendos, could detect the insinuation in her tone.

"I swear I didn't plan this!" Dwalin was quick to assure her, giving the stubborn barrier one more shove with his shoulder. "This was not some sly maneuver of mine."

"Even if it wasn't, what say we take advantage of it anyway?" She was giving the big galoot an open invitation, what more did he want? Yet when he turned and stared at her as if he had no idea what she was saying, she gave up with a heavy sigh. Stomping back over to her crate, she sat down, crossing her arms and eyeing him expectantly. "Then why are you here? You obviously sought me out, and asked Bofur to leave us alone for a reason. Was it just to tell me that I had upset you by accepting a tour from another dwarrow? You confuse me."

"And you have my mind spinning around so fast, that I feel like I can't see straight!" Dwalin bellowed, throwing up his hands in agitation. "One moment I am fine, in complete control, then I see you, and I can't even breathe. It is all your fault!"

"The way you are acting, I don't know whether to be upset or flattered. But I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and choose the latter!" Bergie shot back. "Come on Dwalin, it isn't a hard decision. Do you want to court me or not? I'm a fully grown hobbit, not some shy little miss who will break down in tears if the answer is no. Just tell me straight out. Do ya, or don't ya?"

"I…I…" Dwalin gaped, his mind still a clouded mess and his heart pumping a mile a minute. "I don't know! There haven't been any signs…not anything conclusive yet, and I just don't know for sure. And Thorin says…"

"Thorin?" Bergie interjected, looking frustrated. "What does he have to do with anything? This is between you and me." Here she took a few deep breaths and lowered her voice. "Now I told you that I am willing to wait, but only if there is real hope for us. If you don't think this will work out, or you are afraid your king would not approve…well then, we can just call it quits. I might be a bold and forward thinking lass, but even I know when to cut bait and let an unwilling fish swim away. So which is it?"

Dwalin looked at her, allowing his eyes to roam over every inch of her face, body, and feet…oh, those tantalizing little feet. Was she his one? Could a hobbit be that for a dwarf? Or was Thorin right, and it was all just intrigue over something new? Yet Dwalin knew it all came down to one burning question…could she awaken him from stone? Mahal…if only he could know for sure!

Bergie, however, wrongfully interpreted his silence and hesitancy as a rejection. So with a heavy sigh, and a dejected look, she hopped off the crate and pushed her way past Dwalin to the door. Taking hold of the handle, she turned it left and then jerked up on the knob, resulting in a clicking noise as the door easily swung open.

"Bofur warned me that this door sticks at times, and showed me how to open it should I ever get locked in," she explained.

"Why…why didn't you say anything before?" Dwalin asked in a confused voice.

"I was rather hoping you might enjoy being stuck here with me for a bit, but apparently I was wrong." Squaring her shoulders and giving him her bravest smile, she looked him in the eye. "I will be in this mountain for close to ten months, and I hope in that time you can figure out your own mind. I do not see me changing mine any time soon, but once fall comes, and I set my face west, towards the Shire, I won't be coming back. And just so you know…I am a damn fine catch, Dwalin of Erebor. You won't find better." And with that she turned and marched out of the room, leaving the stunned warrior gawking at the empty doorway.

"I believe yah, lass," Dwalin whispered into the silence. "I believe yah."

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When Bofur came racing into the dining hall, many heads came up, expecting trouble of some sort. Yet when the miner spied his brother and his family, he ran towards them with a big, goofy grin on his face, setting everyone's mind at ease as they casually turned back to their meals.

"What has you grinning like the cat in the creamery?" Bombur asked, his wife currently distracted as she split her time between counseling her two oldest on table manners, and trying to keep, their youngest, Tae, from building a food sculpture with her unwanted vegetables.

"You will never guess, not if I waited until Mordor fell, you would still not guess!" Bofur told them with a wide smile.

"Then just tell us," Bombur insisted, hating it when his brother had a secret and insisted on a bunch of silly games before he would give out the information.

"Normally I would make you at least try and guess…but I just can't stand it!" the miner laughed, obviously tickled with his news. "Someone we know, and very closely, I might add, has a female admirer!"

"You?" Ilin asked, instantly ignoring her children's antics and focusing all her attention on Bofur.

"No! Not me," he fussed, waving Ilin off as if she was being ridiculous. "Someone you would never imagine!"

"Kili?" this next guess came from Bombur.

"Nope…even better," and since he could not keep it in any longer, he just blurted it out. "Dwalin! Old, hard-nosed, unbending, brawl with you as soon as look at you, Dwalin!"

"WHAT?" both Bombur and Ilin spoke at once.

"I told you that you would never have guessed!" Bofur told them, sitting back as he laced his fingers behind his head. "So what do you think of that?"

"Who…who in the world would…" Ilin began, her eyes darting around the room as if taking stock of all the dams in Erebor, and trying to figure out which one had completely lost their mind.

"Our own lovely Miss Bergamot Bracegirdle," the overly pleased, and helpful, miner supplied the answer.

"A…a hobbit?" Now this was just too much for Ilin and she fell back against her chair, staring at her brother-in-law as if he was now speaking Sindarin.

"And the best part is…I don't think that Dwalin is overly opposed to the idea!" he added. "In fact, he hunted us down during the tour and asked to speak with her…alone."

"And you let them?" Ilin was back to sitting up straight. "How could you? Did you not consider their reputations? What if this Bergie is some kind of temptress? She might bewitch Dwalin, and the next thing we know she is robbing him of his wealth, his title, and his good name!"

"I really don't think it is Dwalin we need to be fretting about, here," Bofur argued, his eyebrows pursing together as he looked at his sister-in-law in confusion. "If anything, we should be worried for Miss Bracegirdle. I mean does she truly have any idea what she might be getting into? Besides, it is not very likely that she knows anything about that wake-up potion everyone assumed Fili got slipped. Thus, we needn't worry about her taking advantage of our irritable old friend…still, it was certainly entertaining to watch her flirt so openly with him."

"Well…entertaining or not, I think that a little warning is in order!" Ilin stated, standing up from her seat.

"I really don't think Dwalin would take too kindly to being warned off of Miss Bergie," Bombur told his wife, giving her a worried look. "Especially if it came from a female."

"Oh, I have no intention of talking to Dwalin," she informed him in a matter of fact tone. "However, I do plan on warning Miss Bracegirdle that we don't take kindly to those coming into Erebor and thinking they can easily bamboozle one of our own with an attractive face and a few pretty words! Now, you watch the kids while I go find Dena. There is work to be done!" With that she stormed away, leaving the two brothers staring at each other in wide-eyed fear.

"Mahal have mercy," Bombur whispered, watching his wife head out the door.

"Yes…but on whom?" Bofur responded.

Oh dear...more dwarrowdams are involved...the poop is going to hit the fan now for sure!

Did everyone like how Bergie propositioned Dwalin? That is one hobbit lass who sees what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it with both hands. And Dwalin better figure out his own mind soon, or he is going to miss out on a wonderful gal. And I think he knows it.

Bofur is such a gossip, running to spread the news as fast as his legs will let him. ha ha.

Next chapter up on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Guest Reviews:

enilorac44: Ha ha, yes, Thorin is blocking himself and his war-chief. I think Dwalin should just push him out of the way and go after Bergie. I think in a fight Dwalin could take Thorin...right? *shrugs* I am happy to be back again as well, I missed our dwarf boys, and all your wonderful reviews!

ValarenOfGondor: It is so nice to know I was missed...well, that my story was missed at least, ha ha. I have heard quite a lot of readers call Thorin a dolt, ha ha. Seems to be the word of choice. Kili being clueless just adds to his adorableness. Dis is such a fun character to write for, she rocks. She is playing the jealousy card to the T. Yes, no one likes that Frerin and Flinn the first died, Dis lost two great fellows in her life. Of course Kili is going to be Fili's wing man and take care of the little dwarfling for them. What are uncles for? Thanks for your wonderfully detailed review!

dojoson41: See...yet another reader who thinks Thorin is a dolt, ha ha. And yes, we all pity poor Kili. but he is so cute that way. Thanks!

Mjean: Yes, I often feel like I am incarcerated (wink, wink) when I lock myself in my computer room and type away for hours...very similar to breaking rocks, right? And my husband does say it sounds like I am pounding on the keys when I type, but really, it is just a very loud keyboard...honest! ha ha. I think all men, regardless of their species, are reduced to idiots when girls are involved. ha ha. Thorin and Dwalin are no different. Thanks for the review!

waistedyouth: REALLY? Best story EVER? I am extreemly flattered! And you want a little brother for Flinn? Hmmmm, I will see what I can do. ha ha. Thanks!