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I am so happy you liked the elves coming to Erebor. I just could not see those poor hobbits clinging to the backs of the eagles all on their own. That and I love Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir!

If they are my flight attendants when I choose to fly the friendly skies, then sign me up for first class!

Now on with the story...I hope you laugh a lot during this one.

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Chapter 76

~X~

Once they had entered the mountain, Thorin, Balin, and a few customary guards, guided their four guests to chambers designed to accommodate people of their size. Visiting men from Dale and Esgaroth often required lodging, and so a few rooms had been set aside and specially outfitted with adequate sized beds and furniture. Gandalf, knowing the way to his preferred lodgings, parted with a bow and headed off to his room.

"These will suit our needs perfectly," Glorfindel assured the king. "Your hospitality is greatly appreciated."

"I would also like to extend an invitation to dine at my table tonight," Thorin offered, still amazed that the words did not stick in his throat and choke him. Yet this Glorfindel intrigued him, not only due to the fact that he took on a balrog singlehandedly…but that he also returned from the dead! There had to be a few interesting stories there...even for an elf.

"We will be pleased to attend," the elf lord assured him, as Thorin and Balin took their leave.

Yet while the white haired dwarf headed off, apparently to make sure the items the hobbits had brought with them were delivered to their chambers, Thorin stayed behind. Signaling to one of the guards, he leaned in and whispered something into his ear, causing the soldier to pull back in shock.

"Truly, My Lord?" he asked, apparently unable to believe what he had just been ordered to do. "It will not be easy…and I fear that some may be injured in the process."

"You have your orders," Thorin stated sternly. "Take as many guards with you as needed, but I expect you to get the job done. And do it quietly…I do not wish for the whole mountain to be made aware of this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, My King," he assured him with a low bow, hurrying off to complete his unsettling assignment.

Thorin only gave an evil grin as he turned and headed for his council chambers. He needed time to think, both about what he had just set in motion, as well as what he was going to say to Marigold's parents. Until today, he had imagined he had more time to contemplate such things…but apparently not. He could tell that Rorimac and Menegilda were fiercely protective of their daughter, and even Saradoc's opinion made him slightly nervous. It was all well and good when they were half a world away, tucked securely in the Shire…but now, to have them all here, looking at him as if he were a warg on the prowl, well that was not to Thorin's liking at all. Still, he knew he would have to speak with them at dinner, and many more times after that, if he wished to convince them that he was worthy of Marigold's hand. Now if only he knew what to say!

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An hour or so passed and Thorin had been informed that everyone was settled in nicely, and the other hobbits had been notified about the new visitors. Dis, Fili and Sier had already been by Marigold's chambers to check on them, and to make sure they had all they needed. Thorin wondered if he should make an appearance himself, but he figured that dinner time would be soon enough. Besides, the king was certain that of all the topics her parents wished to discuss with Marigold, he was most likely on the top of that list. And the last thing they needed was for him to be hanging around while they tried. Still…he did worry about what they might have to say. Would they attempt to dissuade her from marrying him? They claimed to have traveled all that way to attend the wedding…but had they possibly come to stop it instead? He truly hoped not.

"Thorin Oakenshield!" Balin's voice roared as he stormed into the room, not even bothering to knock. "What in Mahal's name has gotten into that thick head of yours?"

"Whatever do you mean, Balin?" Thorin asked in a dry tone, not even looking up from the papers he had been absentmindedly shuffling around.

"You bloody well know what I mean! You had Dwalin thrown in the dungeons!" he bellowed, his face now red with anger. "Why?"

"He purposefully disobeyed a direct command from his king," Thorin explained, sitting back and looking straight at his councilor. "His actions were tantamount to treason."

"Have you lost your senses?" Balin huffed, planting both hands on the desk that separated them and glared at his king in fury. "Dwalin is your most loyal subject, and your closest kin…well, next to me! What on earth could he possibly have done to betray you?"

"He told Marigold about the dangers of me going to the Shire," Thorin said, quickly filling the dwarf in on the exact details of what had taken place after the battle with the orcs that morning.

"He was only trying to protect you!" Balin yelled. "And does it even matter anymore? Marigold's family is here, and there is no longer a need for you to travel to the Shire, danger or no. And what do you think Bergie will have to say about this when she finds out that her husband has been imprisoned? Will you be the one to explain all this to Marigold when her pregnant aunt is inconsolable and in tears?"

"No, I will not," Thorin said in a calm and reasonable voice. "Because I fully intend to see Dwalin released before dinner tonight, thus there will be no need to inform her…or her aunt."

"You…you what?" Now Balin was completely confused. "You mean to release him?"

"I only had him tossed down there temporarily to make a point," Thorin informed his irate cousin. "Even if he was doing it to protect me, a king's commands cannot simply be ignored. As my war-chief, captain of the guard, and my cousin…he should know that." He then got a rather evil look on his face. "Besides, I owed him one for a little prank that he and Bergie played on me a while back. That too might have been for my own good, yet what sort of king would I be if I let it go unrepaid?"

"So…this was all a prank?" Balin questioned, yet still not simmering down. "You mean you let me think you were truly angry with my brother and that he would rot in prison for disobeying you?" He threw his hands up in frustration. "And people wonder where Fili and Kili got their affinity for such childishness! I swear, I am tempted to march right down to Marigold's chambers and tell her, and Bergie, exactly what you have done! If my hair had not already turned white years ago, I swear you would have given me a whole head of grey ones for sure!"

"Calm yourself, Balin," Thorin laughed, rather enjoying the agitated look on his kinsman's face. "I was only going to let him stew down there for an hour or so, no longer. I will go now and see to his release, no harm done."

"No harm done? Oh, I highly doubt that!" the elder dwarf said with a chuckle, apparently at last able to see a bit of humor in all this. "According to the guard who informed me of my brother's incarceration, Dwalin put up quite a fight, and it took over half a dozen strong dwarrow to wrestle him into the cell. Most walked away with only bruises and a few minor cuts…but you might not get off so easy. I would be very cautious when opening that cell door, you might quickly find his hands wrapped around your neck over such a prank. My little brother is not known for being the joking kind…especially when they are at his expense."

"I will be careful," Thorin nodded, grinning to himself as he tried to imagine Dwalin being set upon by his own guards. Yes, indeed…he was not going to find a very happy dwarrow when he arrived.

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Dwalin sat in the cell, his knuckles still a bit bloody and his cheek sporting a rather nasty looking bruise. The dwarves who had apprehended him - on the way to the privy no less - had all been personally trained by him, so they knew exactly how best to subdue their captain. When he had demanded to know why he was being locked up like some common criminal, the poor soldier in charge had claimed that the king had accused him of treason. Treason! As if he, Dwalin, son of Fundin, would ever disobey his king!

And then it hit him…he had done just that when he told Marigold Thorin's secret. Yes, it had first been done out of shock and fear over his king being attacked, and almost losing both he and Marigold in the process, but that still made it no less of a betrayal of Thorin's trust. So there Dwalin sat, stewing over this conundrum, and trying to decide if he should be furious…or remorseful.

"Well, well, well," came a familiar voice outside the bars, one that caused Dwalin to close his eyes and let out a low groan. "Isn't this an interesting turn of events?"

"What do you want, Nori?" Dwalin growled, not even looking in the dwarf's direction – for he did not wish to see the smirk he knew was on the thief's face.

"I just had to come down and see if what I heard was true," the brown haired dwarrow said with uncontrolled glee. "The mighty Dwalin, locked up like a common criminal? No, wait…not common at all, for treason is a crime that even I have yet to commit, and I thought I had done them all."

"Why don't you step a little closer to the bars and then maybe they can add murder to my list of charges as well," Dwalin threatened.

"Tut, tut, now," Nori laughed, though he did take a cautionary step backwards. "And here I came down to offer you my assistance."

"Assistance? Sounds more like you came to gloat!" the bald warrior huffed.

"Oh, I came to do that too," he assured him. "You can't imagine how ironic it is for me to be on this side of a cell door, looking at you languishing there inside. I'm almost tempted to drag Ori down here and demand he sketch this little scene for posterity. I know I would love to have a framed copy mounted on my wall." He let out a long and exuberant laugh, before sobering at last. "But, all jokes aside, Dwalin, I also came to help. If you would be willing to accept it, that is."

"What kind of help?" Dwalin asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"This kind," Nori offered, holding up what looked to be a very oddly shaped key.

"And what does that unlock…as if I didn't already know," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Just every jail cell in Erebor…and maybe even a few in Dale," Nori laughed. "And though I have yet to find a reason to use it personally, I thought if you asked nicely, I might be willing to give it a try for you."

"And what is the catch?" Dwalin asked, rising to his feet and walking over to wrap his fingers around the bars.

"No catch," Nori assured him. "I just happen to think you got a raw deal is all. And I would rather you be free than stuck here in prison. Getting away with a crime is no fun if there is no chance of getting caught. And you, my friend, are the only dwarrow on Middle Earth who has ever managed to catch me at anything."

"Multiple times, if memory serves me correctly," Dwalin stated. "But I was under the impression that you ended your criminal ways when we retook Erebor. You are now one of the richest dwarrow in all the land…why would you need to steal any longer?"

"Not out of need," Nori corrected him with a shrug. "But for the thrill of it. Or at least the thrill of knowing I could…if I wanted to. Can't say I have felt the desire in quite a number of years, but if I suddenly did, and there was no one to catch me…well, that certainly won't do!"

"You can forget it," Dwalin stated firmly, leaving the bars and heading back to his seat against the wall. "There has never been a jail break in Erebor since I took over as captain of the guards, and I refuse to let the first one be me! I am staying put until I have either served my time, or Thorin comes to his senses."

"That long, huh?" Nori replied with a grin. When he got no response from Dwalin, he grew silent for a moment, apparently lost in thought. Finally he spoke, his tone now one of uncharacteristic sincerity. "I figured you would be too bloody noble to accept my offer, but I thought it was worth a try. And I do hope you get sprung soon, since I truly think you don't deserve this. Chances are, this is just some elaborate joke of Thorin's, but if not, I want you to know…I think you did the right thing. Marigold needed to know about the dangers, and keeping it from her was wrong on Thorin's part. I have never said this to anyone before, and if you ever tell a soul, I will deny it. But I am proud of you, Dwalin, son of Fundin. Proud of you for putting the safety of your kin and king above all else…even yourself."

The war-chief was literally stunned. Nori had been a thorn in his side for close to half a century, in and out of prison for years back in Ered Luin before they all set out to retake Erebor. Since then, Dwalin had reluctantly come to consider the supposedly reformed thief as a friend…not exactly a trusted one…but a friend nonetheless. However, until now, he had never realized just how strong that comradery was, and it touched him deeply to have heard him speak such words. Of course he could not let Nori know this…that would be unthinkable.

"Well, you being proud ain't going to help me get out of this mess," he snorted. "And neither am I going to add to my crimes by busting out of here with the aid of your blasted key."

"Suit yourself," Nori shrugged, secretly glad that his gruff friend had not chosen to get all mushy on him. "But if you change your mind, I could always ask Dori to bake you a cake and slip the key inside. Just don't go all wild and gobble the blasted thing down by accident." The dwarrow was rather pleased with his joke, but before he could even manage to get out a laugh, a deep and foreboding voice startled him from behind.

"Nori?" Thorin said, stepping out of the shadow with a stern look on his face. "You wouldn't be down here planning anything nefarious, would you?"

"Me? Of course not, oh honored king," he assured him with an over exaggerated bow. The perfunctory gesture did little to set Thorin's mind at ease. "I was only checking to make sure everything was secure. And it is…the prisoner is locked up tighter than a drum. So, if you will excuse me…I best be going." Without another word, the pointy haired dwarrow made a hasty exit.

Once he was gone, Thorin walked over to a chair near the wall and brought it to the front of the bars, sitting down and crossing his arms over his chest. He then stared at his cousin in the cell, neither one speaking for a long time. Thorin broke the silence first.

"Nori came down to gloat, didn't he?" the king asked, jerking his head towards where the thief had gone.

"Something like that," Dwalin replied, unwilling to betray someone's confidence a second time that day. Especially when the first one had landed him in prison.

"Do you know why you're here?" Thorin asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Aye," Dwalin nodded, looking down at the floor, unwilling to make eye contact.

"Do you feel my actions were unjustified?" he pressed.

Dwalin did not respond for a few moments, apparently warring with himself over the answer. Yet with a deep sigh he replied at last.

"Nay…you were right in doing so," he assured his king. "I disobeyed your orders, I spoke out of turn, and I betrayed your trust. I deserve this and much more."

"Aye, you do," Thorin nodded. "You deserve my undying gratitude, honor and respect."

"What?" This was not what Dwalin had expected.

"I have been trying to teach Fili how to be a good king for many years now, giving him lessons and instructions since he was still a dwarfling," Thorin told him, getting a rather faraway look in his eyes. "And yet, the one thing I have attempted to drill into his head since the death of Smaug, is never to think too much of yourself, or your position, that you do not listen to those who only have your best interest at heart. I know I told everyone to not say a word to Marigold about the journey's danger, but I now realize I was a fool to do so. You, Dis, and Balin, could all see it was a mistake, and yet I would not listen…to any of you."

"You are our king…we are supposed to obey your commands," Dwalin insisted, rising from his seat once more and coming to stand before Thorin, the bars still a barrier between them.

"But not when my commands are flawed," he reasoned, standing up as well, so that they stood eye to eye. "Before the battle, when I was consumed by gold sickness, you tried to reason with me, to see the folly of my actions, and I ignored you. More than that, I threatened to kill you, should you continue to speak against me. I was wrong then, and I was wrong this time as well. A king does not need to be surrounded by those who only tell him what he wants to hear. He requires those willing to stand up and tell him what he needs to hear. I know that Dis and Bilbo went behind my back to try and fix the problem, but you were the only one willing to say such things to my face…and to Marigold as well. And for that, I thank you."

Dwalin was once again rendered speechless. Had Thorin just apologized to him? Granted it was not said in those exact words, but the sentiment was there, nonetheless. Yet one thing perplexed him.

"If that is how you feel," Dwalin asked, confusion written all over his face, "then what in Mahal's name am I doing in here?" He spread out his arms as he gestured to the cell around him.

"Call it payback," Thorin laughed. "Retribution for drawing blood during our sparring session, and spouting all that hogwash about how I should send Marigold back to the Shire and forget her. Those were rather harsh words, my friend."

"Again…it was all Bergie's idea!" Dwalin bellowed, running his hands over his bald head in frustration. "I only spoke the words and played the part she had told me to!"

"True as that might be, do you think me so cruel that I would put a pregnant dam down here in the dungeons? What kind of monster do you take me for?" Thorin laughed, watching as a slow grin spread across Dwalin's face at last.

"Fine, fine," he agreed with a shake of his head. "I will shoulder the blame on this one. But enough is enough, you've had your fill of fun, now let me out of here. I hated being locked up in Thranduil's dungeons, but I find it an affront to my pride and dignity to be tossed into my own prison cells!"

"Aye, I suppose you have suffered enough," Thorin nodded. "But before I let you out, you must promise me two things." Here he turned deadly serious, leaning in as if his next words were of great importance.

"Anything," Dwalin nodded, noting his cousin's grave demeanor.

"Don't tell Bergie about this," he whispered. "I don't think I would survive the beating she would give me if she found out."

This caused Dwalin to burst forth with laughter, knowing full well that Thorin had every reason to fear his little hobbit wife. And to think, soon his cousin would have a little hellion of his own to answer to. How fitting was that?

"Agreed," the tattooed warrior guaranteed, far too embarrassed by the whole mess to dare tell her anyway. "And your second request?"

"Will you stand up for me at my wedding?" Thorin asked, all humor leaving his expression, letting Dwalin know that he was deadly serious. "If Marigold requires a maid of honor like your wife did…I figure I better lock down my choice for her escort now. Will you do this for me…brother?"

"I…" Dwalin began, unable to speak around the lump that had formed in his throat. "I would be honored, Thorin…you know that."

"I had hoped you would agree, but I did not want to take it for granted that you would automatically say yes," a sheepish grin crossed his lips. "Especially after I was so horribly mistaken that Marigold would say yes to my first proposal."

"Live and learn?" Dwalin snickered.

"Aye…and learn I have," Thorin nodded.

"Although, you know, asking me over a pint of ale might have been a better choice than while I am still behind bars," the bald warrior pointed out.

"Yet this way I could use your freedom as incentive for you to agree," Thorin laughed. "See, there is a method to my madness."

"Madness is right!" Dwalin scoffed. "And now that I have agreed to all your terms…the key?"

"The key?" Thorin's face fell, as he quickly patted his coat pockets and looked around sheepishly. "I…I seem to have forgotten to bring one."

"You what?" Dwalin hissed, now thoroughly frustrated.

"I have never had to open a prison cell…that has always been your job. I just assumed that someone would be down here who had one, or there would be a key hanging on the wall?" Thorin admitted with a shrug.

"What kind of prison do you think I am running here?" he demanded. "Keys hung on walls? You would just be begging for a jail break!"

"Here," came a jovial voice from down the hall. "Allow me to be of service, My King." They both watched as Nori reappeared, apparently not having gone as far away as one might have hoped. And taking the strange looking key out of his pocket, he inserted it in the lock and turned, grinning widely as it made a loud clanking sound and swung open. "Hey, it does work!"

"But this does not count as a jail break!" Dwalin insisted sternly. "And if you ever tell a soul about all this…I too will deny it with my dying breath!"

"Deal," Nori laughed, twirling the key around on his finger as he headed back up the hallway, whistling a happy tune as he went.

"Do I even want to know where he got that key?" Thorin asked, staring after Nori with a look of suspicion.

"No…best not to ask," he said with a sigh. "In fact, probably best you just forget you ever saw the blasted thing in the first place."

"Agreed," Thorin nodded, throwing his arm around his sword-brother as the two of them made their way out of the dungeons and headed for the dining hall.

Sooooo? Did you laugh? I just couldn't let Dwalin go 'unpunished' for his 'betrayal' to Thorin, and we all know that Fili and Kili got their love of pranks from their uncle. Thorin...you cheeky dwarf. ha ha

Sorry there was not much of the elves though, more of them next time.

Do you think Bergie will find out about all this and squish Thorin into jelly?

Nori is so much fun...I just love him. Him AND his little key. ha ha.

I hope Balin recovers from the small heart attack Thorin gave him there. ha ha.

Guest Reviews:

abc: I rock huh? Cool! Glad you liked it. I did have a lot of fun with the elves. ha ha.

Aranel Mereneth: Well that means you get three points out of four. You just didn't guess the elves, huh? Thanks, glad you liked it.

Emrfa: Surprised you with the Eagles and Elves, huh? And I love Glorfindel and the twins too. I am more worried about how they will interact with Fili and Kili! ha ha.

Feu d'Argent: Yep, Thorin learned his lesson about not keeping secrets. ha ha. You might be right on the "I" verses "me" thing, I will look into it and see what my WORD programs says it should be. But I did have to laugh when you called Kili "Kiki" in your review, that was cute. Ha ha, wedding of five races. Lets see...Dwarves, Men, Hobbits, Elves, Wizards...and there might be more, you never know. ha ha. From the way Dis is talking, she will have it planned in a week! ha ha. I would be flattered if you wished to write about my characters (well, the ones that don't already belong to Tolkien, that is). It would be like you were writing fan fiction of MY story. ha ha. And I would love to read it, if you do work up some 'drabbles' as you call them. Not sure how I would though, unless you got an account on the FF site, and you said before that you can not do that. So have fun writing and I hope you enjoy Fili and Seir as much as I have.