I cannot thank all of you enough for the encouraging reviews! I have been wanting to get this chapter posted for a while, but my Master's Thesis got in the way. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect; but she could not approve him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal, or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. - Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

She had not expected the king's guard to continue to accompany her to Dale, but evidently Thorin had not retracted the protection despite her most disgraceful rejection of his affections. The bruises from that night had faded to a yellowish hue, but the scarf wrapped tightly around her neck reminded her how close she had come to meeting her end in Dale. She was grateful for guards as she made her final trip to meet with King Bard and his family.

Thorin's letter had in fact instilled a feeling of guilt, despite his efforts otherwise, as well as anger and distrust toward a dwarf who had long been her friend. How foolish she had been to turn a blind eye toward Stonehelm's faults. Perhaps a handsome face had a greater impact on her judgement than she realized.

In the days following Durin's Day. Signi stayed her room, too consumed by her shame to face others within the mountain. She read and reread the letter so frequently that she was likely to have learned it by heart. Each time she read it, a new feeling erupted, changing her ever evolving opinion once again. When she thought of how he spoke to her on the tower, she felt her temper flare. But when she remembered her own barbed words, knowing what she did after receiving the letter, she felt remorse and a fair amount of compassion for the wounds that she inflicted.

After four days in this manner, she was finally pleased to learn that her time in Erebor was coming to an end. Initially, it was only to be her parents and young her sisters returning to the Iron Hills. But Lord Mikel was a perceptive dwarf. He could see that his two eldest daughters needed a chance to get away from Erebor. Just two days before their return, Mikel announced at the breakfast table that Lifa and Signi would be joining the family, stating that he would miss his daughters too much to leave them behind. Bara insisted that the girls must stay in Erebor, for where else would they find such profitable husbands, but Mikel was firm in his insistence. It would not do. The girls must return to the Iron Hills.

Signi could not thank her father enough for the chance to put some distance between herself and the king.

Others in her company did not agree. Gimli was surprisingly glum after the announcement, and only after some persistence on Signi's part did he admit that he enjoyed having their company. Kili was also surprisingly distraught by their plans to leave and insisted that he and Fili would be visiting as soon as his brother returned. Dwalin, who had arrived just in time for Durin's Day, was gruff in his farewell address, but Signi caught him wiping his eyes on his sleeve when he thought she wasn't looking. Overall, Signi learned as she was saying goodbye, just how many friends that she had made in Erebor.

Saying goodbye to her friends in Dale was not any easier. Tilda cried openly, to the point that Signi struggled to hold back her own tears. Bain's grimace was similar to Bard's as he said that he looked forward to seeing her again, whether it was in Dale, Erebor, or the Iron Hills. King Bard had expressed a similar sentiment and stated that she would always be welcome in Dale as the city would forever be in her debt.

Sigrid had remained quiet as the others all expressed their sorrow at Signi's leaving. She finally insisted that Signi stay for dinner, giving the girls time to speak alone. Signi agreed without hesitation, grateful to spend as much time with her dear friend as possible.

"You never told me what happened after you left," Sigrid said, when at last the two were alone, sitting in the quiet kitchen with a final glass of wine.

Signi chewed her lip as she deliberated how much she wanted to share about that night. Part of her wanted to spill all of the details, desperate for a female friend to help her analyze her actions. But part of her also wanted to keep the nature of her conversation with Thorin to herself.

"You were seen," Sigrid finally said. "And the other dwarf, though I was not able to see his face."

"You?" Signi questioned, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. "You were supposed to stay safe inside the house."

Sigrid shrugged. "I've never been particularly good at listening to Bain. Besides, I wanted to make sure you got out okay. Obviously you didn't."

"I did…eventually," Signi said, her fingers gingerly rubbing the bruised flesh on her neck. "It was that awful Brasi. He cornered me and made lewd accusations. He threatened to kill me and throw me in the lake."

"It's a good thing you had those daggers. How does he still live? Da would have taken his head that night for laying a hand on you. I can't imagine that King Thorin would have given him an inch of mercy."

Signi scowled at her wineglass. Thorin would have killed Brasi the moment that she revealed what had happened. But for some reason she protected him. Why? Did she hope to do the job herself?

"You didn't tell him?" Sigrid hissed. "Why ever not? Brasi deserves to be punished, if not for hurting you, then for interfering with the agreements between Erebor and Dale."

"Brasi will get what he deserves," Signi said "But he needs to be punished for the crimes he committed against men and dwarves, rather than the crime he committed on a lowly dwarrowdam."

Sigrid did not respond, taking a long draw from her wineglass as she considered Signi's words. Justice would be served, and Signi was determined that everyone would get their chance at the despicable dwarf, not just her.

"How did Thorin react to all of it?"

Signi closed her eyes briefly, sighing as she remembered events that happened atop the watchtower. Thorin had been angry and fearful, never a good combination for him. And yet, he found it within himself to strip down to his basest of desires, to confess to her his wish for them to marry and to take full control of his kingdom. He was the most vulnerable that she had ever seen him.

And she had rejected him in the worst way possible.

"Thorin was angry, but not how I expected," she answered slowly, not quite able to meet Sigrid's eyes.

"And you accepted him?"

Signi whipped her head up, her eyes wide with question. How did Sigrid come to such a conclusion?

Sigrid rolled her eyes. "Seriously Signi, it wasn't too difficult to work out. I could see that the king is in love with you as plain as the nose on my face. Something about nearly losing the love of your life is quick to bring out the confessions and proposals. You should have seen Kili after Smaug came, all moon eyes and dwarven declarations of love at Tauriel…"

"I refused him," Signi whispered. "And I called him a coward."

"Oh no," Sigrid groaned, her hand fluttering to cover her mouth in disbelief. "He wouldn't have taken that well."

"He didn't," Signi confirmed. No, he had not taken that rejection well at all. "And he wrote me a letter, outlining all of the ways I was wrong in my judgement of him. "

"Ouch," Sigrid said, reaching over to pat Signi's hand. "It sounds like your return to the Iron Hills couldn't come at a better time."

"You could say that again."

"Maybe you should tell me exactly what you told him when you refused."

"Why should I do that?"

Sigrid grinned wickedly, throwing an arm over her friend's shoulder. "You should tell me so I know exactly what to say when I need to refuse a king's proposal. Valar only knows if I will get the opportunity, but I sure would love to at least once."

Lady Katlin learned of Signi's plan to return to the Iron Hills and demanded that she join them for dinner one last time before she left. Signi was repulsed by the very thought of spending her last night in Erebor with the king and his horrible aunt, but after Kara's confirmation that the king would not be attending, she finally conceded.

Lady Katlin and Ana was there, as was Dis, Kara, and Vifil. Signi could not help but to think throughout the meal that had she chosen it, she would have been presented at this very meal as Katlin's future niece. The thoughts of Katlin's opposition to such an announcement did little to lift her mood. Instead, Signi found herself to be uncharacteristically quiet and glum.

Naturally, this shift in demeanor was noticed by Lady Katlin. She was quick to conclude that Signi was obviously distraught over her father's command to return to the Iron Hills.

"You must ask your mother to allow you to stay longer," she insisted, holding off any argument with a wave of her hand. "Kara greatly enjoys your company and it would do her well to have a female companion."

"I appreciate your consideration," Signi said. "But I must return with my family. I have been away from home for far too long."

"I would expect Erebor to become your permanent home," Katlin huffed. "There is far more available for a young lady here than there could ever be in the Iron Hills. Yes, you must stay a few weeks longer. With any luck you will have found a husband by then."

Signi nearly choked on her drink at Katlin's response. "I'm afraid I cannot stay," she insisted, coughing into her napkin. "My father has been without my company for far too long. He wishes me to return with him."

"Daughters are of little consequence to fathers," Katlin scoffed. "You can and you will stay. At least through winter."

Signi bit her lip rather, hoping to avoid encouraging Lady Katlin further. She was relieved after dinner when Lady Ana became overtired by the company and they were all free to leave. She was followed out by Dis, who took it upon herself to walk her home.

They were silent as they walked, though Signi found herself mourning over the loss of the princesses company. They had become close over the months, despite their ups and downs, and Signi knew that Dis had become a companion that would be greatly missed.

"I wish that Aunt Katlin had been successful in her efforts," Dis said quietly as they reached Signi's door. "You and Lifa should consider staying just a bit longer."

Signi sighed as she leaned against the door. She stared at her toes, afraid that meeting Dis' eye would bring the tears she had been fighting all evening. "I can't," she whispered. "Don't ask me to explain it. I just can't stay any longer."

Dis frowned as she studied Signi, her sharp eyes not missing anything in the girl's recent change in behavior. She knew something had happened, and based on Thorin's disagreeable attitude, Dis could only assume that they were connected.

"I must apologize for my brother," She said quietly, "Whatever he has-"

"Don't," Signi interrupted, "There is nothing to apologize for."

Dis nodded, pursing her lips to keep quiet. She desperately wanted to beg Signi to reconsider, to stay and to give Thorin's offer more thought. But she knew that speaking up would only push Signi further away.

"You will be missed," she finally said, reaching to pull Signi into a hug. "By all of us. And you are always welcome in Erebor. I pray to Mahal that you will find your way back.

Signi embraced Dis tighter, unable to shake the feeling that she was losing a sister as well as a friend. "Mahal willing, I will see you again."

Lord Mikel and his family left at dawn. Thorin watched from his balcony as their carriage and ponies clattered along the stone path away from the mountain. No one had informed him that the family would be going back to the Iron Hills. It was only when Dain had let it slip the night before that his record keeper would be leaving in the morning that Thorin knew that he was losing Signi for good.

It was better that she left. He didn't need such distractions when he had a kingdom to run. How foolish he had been to think that a dwarrowdam would give him strength to fight the madness flowing through his veins. She was nothing more than fool's gold, glittering at him in the darkness and giving him hope of wealth within. He had misread her behavior, assuming that her impertinence was familiarity and her attention was respect. He didn't need her after all.

And yet there was a small part of him that mourned for her, the flicker of hope he couldn't bear to put out. He had given her the letter, and he knew her too well to actually expect her to toss in the fire. Signi would have read every word, and she would have had the good sense to discern the truth from the fiction when it came to the accusations that he protested. But he also knew that her pride would prevent her from coming back to him.

Thorin did not turn as he heard Dis' footsteps on the stone behind him. She joined him at the balcony rail, watching as the carriage disappeared into the fog.

"It's time," he said, his voice rough from the rising emotions that he fought. "I need you to give Hfran that message from Fili today."

"So soon? Are you sure you are ready?" Dis asked, nodding toward the path to Dale below. Thorin scowled at the implication that Signi's leaving weakened him. "Did you even have a backup plan?"

"I was mistaken," he growled, turning away from the rail and squeezing his eyes shut. There was no back up plan because he was foolish enough to believe that Signi would accept him. "I do not need a dwarrowdam to hold my hand."

"Maybe we should wait-"

"We can't wait any longer" Thorin interrupted. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a message that had arrived that morning from Dale.

"Another witness testimony?" Dis guessed as she unfolded the parchment. "I thought King Bard had sent them all over days ago?"

Thorin shook his head. "This is a different incident."

Dis raised her eyebrows but did not question her brother further as she read the message aloud.

"Because I know she will not tell you herself, I have taken it upon myself to describe the incident I witnessed in Dale that resulted in Signi's injuries. When news of the riot reached us, my brother and I were unable to convince Signi to remain safely in the King's House as my father had ordered. Instead, Signi felt that it would be safer for her to return to Erebor under the cover of night. She was not aware that I followed, after some time, to make sure she managed to get out of the city quickly. By the time I reached her, the she had managed to get out of the monster's grip, but I was able to recognize the dwarf by his voice and gray beard. Lord Brasi attempted to strangle Signi and threatened to throw her body in the lake. She was able to use a dagger to cut his left cheek. Brasi released her and she escaped. Brasi disappeared quickly into the night, but I am sure that the scar on his face that he undoubtedly carries came from Signi in self-defense. My father would very much like the opportunity to hang Lord Brasi himself, but he has chosen instead to pass on the judgement to you. However, if you do not arrest him by the end of the week, soldiers from Dale will march on Erebor to remove Lord Brasi from the mountain and take him to trial under our jurisdiction. May Mahal bless you as you finally remove this despicable dwarf from your council chamber. Princess Sigrid. "

Dis was shaking as she finished reading the letter, her anger mirroring Thorin's. "Brasi has tormented us far too long," she said, shoving the letter back into Thorin's hands. "This had better be the end of him."

Thorin nodded as he tucked the letter safely into his pocket. "This testimony and evidence of his espionage will be enough for the council to agree to the punishment he deserves."

The walk to the dungeons was silent – not that Kili expected to his uncle to suddenly become a conversationalist. Something was different, a no matter how many side-eyed glances he gave Thorin, he couldn't quite figure out what had changed. Fili had never had to deal with Thorin's sullen silences. As the crown prince, the golden nephew, he had always held the king's attention. But even in the rare moments that they were alone, Thorin had at least asked Kili about his training, or his lessons, or any of the few hobbies that he approved of.

In the weeks after Fili left for Ered Luin, Kili had found himself thrust into more of the king's business than he had ever dreamed to see. He had slowly worked his way into the position that Fili usually held as one of Thorin's closest confidents. And he did not like it one bit.

Sitting on the council, facing Brasi's derision week after week wore on his confidence, but it was nothing that he couldn't bear. He didn't mind handling the grievances of the kingdom while his Thorin handled other matters. He didn't even mind listening to Gloin prattle through the expense reports and Bofur updating on the state of the mines. He did mind, however, the silences that stretched between he and his uncle ever since the night of the Labor Day celebration, when Kili found Thorin struggling to open the door of the treasury. He minded the fact that Thorin was becoming secretive, just like he had been just before blocking the entrance to Erebor and turning away the people of Dale. He minded the fact that no one seemed to see these changes but him.

Just like the rest of the mountain, the dungeons were dark, and there was little that the torch Kili carried could do to light their path. There was the rich smell of earth that lingered around the edges of the room, but the overpowering stench of mildew and waste left even the strongest of dwarves gasping for air. Kili longed to pull his collar over his nose, but seeing as Thorin made no such move, he decided against it.

There were few within the cells, mostly dwarves sleeping off drinks from the night before. Thorin paid no mind to them as they moved deeper into the dungeons. In the last cell, a pitiful dwarf sat before them, slumped in the corner, his white tunic stained with streaks of blood.

"How fortunate am I that the king has graced me with his presence," the prisoner said, his voice cracking as his spoke. Thorin motioned toward the water bucket nearby. Kili quickly scooped a ladle full of water and passed it through the cell bars. The prisoner accepted it, gulping the water greedily.

"I see that lashings have done nothing to stay your impudent tongue," Thorin said, his tone unaffected as though he expected nothing less.

"Or perhaps they loosened it," Kili offered, his lip curling in disgust as the prisoner laughed.

"Hardly, dear cousin," he said, the smirk lingering on his face. "Fili still hasn't returned? Perhaps there will be a new crown prince after all."

"And yet it's still not you." Kili new the gibe was childish, but hearing his own worries voiced out loud by Stonehelm made him want to strangle the dwarf himself.

"Enough!" Thorin barked, drawing both of their attentions back to him. "We came down here today to inform you, Stonehelm, that a new charge has been laid against you."

"Of course it has," he grumbled, crossing his arms.

"In addition to the charge of inciting a riot in the Kingdom of Dale, you are now being accused of attempted murder." Kili stared unabashedly at his uncle as he delivered the news. This was new information to him, and as far as he could see, there hadn't been any information from Dale that suggested that this had happened.

"Murder?!" Stonehelm shouted, rushing forward and grabbing the bars. "Now I may have thrown a few punches after a drink too many in Dale, but I have never attempted to kill anyone."

The corner of Thorin's mouth curled into a cruel smirk, his face looking more menacing than usual in the flickering torchlight. "One of our own was injured that night and witnesses place you at the scene of the crime."

Stonehelm's brow furrowed, his eyes darting back and forth between their faces. "Who? Who was injured? I know nothing of this."

Thorin's smirk shifted into a scowl, and within a second he had Stonehelm by the throat. "Don't lie to me!" he roared, his grip tightening even more. Stonehelm's face darkened as he frantically clawed at the king's hand. "You were there that night! It was you who strangled Lady Signi, just as I am strangling you now!"

Kili gasped, unable to keep his shock hidden any longer. It was true that he had seen little of Signi in the last few days, and he hadn't seen her at the Durin's Day festivities at all. But she had been strangled? Somehow he couldn't picture anyone, dwarf or man, who would have the balls to lay a finger on her, and he definitely couldn't picture anyone keeping their fingers for long if they dared.

Stonehelm seemed to be thinking along the same lines because the moment her name was uttered, he quit struggling against Thorin and wasted what little breath he had on a gasp similar to Kili's.

Thorin's hand dropped. Stonehelm collapsed, breathing heavily as he instinctively rubbed his raw throat.

"If not you, then who was it."

Stonehelm didn't answer right away, his eyes darting toward the bucket of water. Kili filled the ladle again and passed it to him. Stonehelm winced as he drank, and Kili could only imagine the searing pain he felt with each swallow.

"Signi," he finally croaked. "Is she alright?"

"She will live," Thorin growled. "Now answer the question."

Stonehelm closed his eyes and breathed heavily through his nose, deliberating his response. "I was not alone in Dale that night. A dozen or so of my soldiers joined me, and…" He hesitated, and again Kili got the impression that he was calculating the consequences of a confession.

"Who else was there," Thorin said, his impatience wearing thinner with each question.

Stonehelm scowled as he met the king's eye. "Brasi was there, and I can guarantee that bastard was the one who did it. He hates Signi and Lifa, they interfere too much with his schemes. "

"Schemes that you were also involved with," Thorin snarled.

"Mahal, yes, schemes I was involved with! Brasi is…that's just his way. He has his ways of getting you involved, and then he makes it so you can't get out when things go bad. Yes I was foolish enough to get involved in his schemes when I was younger, but I didn't want to this time around. I know what he is capable of. He could destroy me if I refused him."

Thorin did not respond, his eyes cold in the flickering light as he studied Stonehelm.

"What do you mean he could destroy you?" Kili asked. There was something that he wasn't saying.

Stonehelm frowned as he glanced toward Kili, his gaze immediately returning to Thorin. "Please, your highness, please understand that Brasi is a depraved dwarf. He stole all of those farms back in Ered Luin, and got rich off of others' misfortunes. He doubled my debts and threatened my life when I tried to refuse him. And don't even get me started on that whore of a daughter –"

"What did you refuse to do?" Kili asked, his annoyance growing as Stonehelm continued to evade his questions.

"Please, Thorin, I have tried for so long to –"

"Answer Kili's question," Thorin said, his tone low and deadly.

Stonehelm jumped up and began pacing the cell, kicking at the dirty straw in the corner that had served as his bed. "It was so long ago," he said dismissively. "I was different then. You know how I was." He paused as he glanced toward Thorin, gauging his reaction. "I wanted more than I deserved, and I was willing to do terrible things to get what I wanted. But there are some things that even I can't do.

"It was Brasi's idea. He had been working with Gundabad mercenaries for years. They are cheap and bloodthirsty. Always willing to burn down a farm or kill off someone who gets in the way. Orcs are notoriously evil, they kill for fun. No one suspects that their services can be bought.

"I told him no. I threatened, I begged, I was ready to give up everything I had to stop him, but Brasi was too powerful. He took me to Bree himself, taught me what to say in Black Speech, and in the middle of the night, as you gathered with your company in Hobbiton, I was forced to reveal the secret of your journey to Azog."

The roaring rush of blood filled Kili's ears as his anger surged. Stonehelm had sent Azog after them on the quest. It was thanks to him that Kili was shot with a morgul arrow, that Fili was stabbed through at Ravenhill, and Thorin nearly killed by Azog. It was thanks to him that Kili would forever remember the look on Tauriel's face as she watched him die.

Kili was ready to kill Stonehelm where he stood before him. Surprisingly, Thorin appeared unaffected by this confession.

"And Brasi continues to scheme, as we know," he said. "And what is his newest plan that you have refused despite threat of life?"

Stonehelm seemed to be as puzzled as Kili by Thorin's lack of reaction. "It's the Arkenstone, Sire. He has tasked me with taking it."

"Ah, well perhaps it is wise that you have resisted so well this time around."

Stonehelm tilted his head, curling his lip as he glanced back and forth between the royals again. "You are mocking me."

"Have I not reason to be amused?" Thorin asked with feigned innocence.

"Perhaps you should enlighten me," Stonehelm sneered. "I fail to see the humor in my confession."

"And I fail to see the truth!" Thorin roared, slamming his hand against the metal bars. "You claim that Brasi's threats and blackmail forced you into colluding with Azog, that he tried to force you to steal the Arkenstone! You may be innocent of attempting to take Signi's life, but your other crimes are keeping you locked in this cage. You will be released in due time, but you are no longer a member of the line of Durin!"

Stonehelm fell back as Thorin's words washed over him. His expression was unreadable as he slipped back into his corner, slumped against the wall at the edge of the light. Kili knew that this feud was far from over, but there was an air of defeat lingering in the cell that Stonehelm had never carried before.

Kili hurried after Thorin back through the dungeon and into the corridor. The king seemed to be invigorated by this new interaction with no trace of anger. It was so unlike him that Kili was sure that the madness had completely returned.

"What are you scheming," Kili asked, suspiciously eyeing the sliver of smile forming beneath Thorin's beard.

"I'm not scheming," Thorin chuckled. "But I have the information I need."

"For what?"

Thorin hesitated, glancing at his nephew before launching into an explanation. "I now own Brasi's lands and his army. The same army that Fili is taking to our new fortress, Thakalgund."

"To stop the orcs," Kili said, the memory of their conversation months ago surfacing.

"Exactly. And with Brasi gone, and when I finally have the Arkenstone in place-"

"No, Uncle," Kili said quickly, his hand grabbing Thorin's wrist. They would not go through that again. Hiding the stone had worked wonders on curing Thorin's madness.

Thorin smiled, reaching for Kili and pressing their foreheads together, a sign of affection that he had always saved for his youngest nephew. "Trust me, Kili. I am strong now, and with the Arkenstone in place, none can question me."

Kili didn't argue, waiting until they had fallen in step again to speak. "Do you think it will be enough?"

Thorin smiled. "It will be enough. No more questioning me, no more fighting me on every decision. Erebor will be fully restored, Fili will be back, and maybe by then your elf maid will have returned from her posting."

"Tauriel," Kili breathed, hope fluttering in his stomach. "You mean?"

"Aye," Thorin chuckled. "With the Arkenstone in its rightful place, my heirs can marry whomever they like.

"Sire? You, uh, are not going to believe this."

Fili followed the guardsman out of his tent, fastening his belt as he went. It was the morning that he would be marching for Thakalgund with 2000 troops under his command. Fili was dreading this trip. Nothing was worse than commanding an army who had not volunteered their service. Unless that meant commanding an army as they march through orc country in the dead of winter. That was much, much worse.

"What am I not going to believe," he grumbled as they came to a stop before the field of soldiers and their tents. Everything appeared to be how he left it the night before, and he was irritated that he gave up his last chance for a drink of warming liquor to follow the guardsman into the freezing cold morning air.

"Over there, sire," the guardsman said, pointing far beyond the field.

Fili squinted, not quite believing what he was seeing. There was a distinctive movement on the horizon, paired with a looming dust cloud that could only mean one thing – an army. "We are being attacked?" he asked, his mind trying to comprehend how his scouts and night watchmen could have failed so badly.

"Not an attack, your majesty. Bannermen."

Fili's eye's widened as he turned to the guard. Had he heard correctly? Fili was sure that he was dragging and unwilling army to their deaths. How could it be that there were more joining their cause voluntarily?

"Aye, bannermen," the guard chuckled. "The ravens came this morning. The Firebeards and Broadbeams have joined us."

"Why would they do that?" Fili wondered out loud, his eyes drifting back over to the army marching across the plain.

"Thorin Oakenshield has saved us all," the guard answered reverently. "It's an honor to serve the rightful King of Erebor.