Welcome to Erebor

Already in advance they had known that this realm of the dwarves was big - of course it was, it caved a mountain... a mountain - but standing in it now, even if it's the entrance only, let Sandra's and Natalie's jaw drop almost to the floor. Douzens of pillars, which were higher than every tower they had ever seen in their lives, were lined up through the vast hall, on whose sides boulders over boulders piled in countless heaps. Remains of Smaug's entering, obviously.

After a long moment of gaping, Sandra slightly bent down to her friend. "You think with their huge constructions the dwarves want to compensate for anything?"

Natalie shrugged, her widened eyes still fixed to the ceiling. Then she understood and giggled, but cringed immediately afterwards, since the repercussion of her laughter was louder than she'd thought.

"Where are they actually?", Sandra whispered, anxious for her voice staying with only the two of them.

Natalie wrinkled her nose and took a look around, shaking her head. She considered whether the thought that had just crossed her mind was not a dumb idea, but since she knew that she had difficulty with actual considering in the presence of others and that it could take an eternity, she summarily decided to act. "HELLOO!", she shouted, making her companion wince.

Her voice still resounded around them, as Sandra was finally able to take a deep breath and say: "Are you crazy? Why, Natalie, why?", before she wheezily chuckled, embarressed by her own shock.

The sudden sound of heavy steps let them fall completely silent. The causer could be right around the corner or still some halls away, with this echo it was barely distinguishable.

"Wanna hide?", Sandra asked as neutral as possible, since the dull rumbling frightened her more than she'd like to admit.

"No, we'll stay here." But Natalie also heard her own heart pound in her ears out of fear, desperately trying to make her expression look resolute and open, at which she failed miserably. Her face rather resembled the one of a baby, just about to give its mother a nappy present.

The steps clearly came closer and suddenly all fear was gone, when they saw the dwarf come around the pillar and stomp towards them. He had white hair that framed his face like a fluffy mane, a bulbous nose which miraculously didn't disturb his field of view and, above all, the warmest, inviting and simply nicest smile the two of them could have ever imagined. They'd already seen him in Laketown. To their knowledge he'd been part of Thorin Oakenshield's company, but as much as they endeavoured to imagine him as warrior, so that they could give him an appropriate look, it didn't work. He was just too cuddly.

"Hello.", was his friendly greeting, as he came to a stand in front of them. He interlaced his fingers at his stomach, clamping his long beard thereby, which looked so cute that Natalie had to squeeze Sandra's arm. "What are two lovely ladies of Dale doing here under the mountain?" He eyed them shortly, raising his bushy brows. "... two armed ladies..."

For a moment none of them said a word, just gave the dwarf a look of astonishment. Then Natalie inhaled noisily. "Oh!" Her and Sandra reached for their weapons as if they had just noticed them, tipped on their foreheads and exchanged a look that said 'You also forgot about it!'. "No, no, we only carry them with us to defend ourselves.", the shorter one explained, wildly gesticulating with her hands, while Sandra nodded her approval. Then the first one paused and added swiftly: "Not against you, of course! Men and dwarves get along well again, right?"

As if to confirm the dwarf's smile grew a bit bigger, which lifted his cheeks in such an extent that both young women would love to poke them.

"We...", Natalie began once again, glancing at Sandra, who stubbornly kept looking at their counterpart, whereby she signalised that she would certainly not take over at this crucial point of the conversation - 'Fuck. You.', the shorter one tried to tell her through thoughts - and continued. "We came to ask for your help. I mean, we two only, not the Dale-people in general." She glanced up in the air, considering if one could say it that way and nodded then, contented with her choice of words.

"What can we do for you?" The dwarf seemed surprised.

"We need a map. Of all Middle-earth, if you have got one of those."

"Why? Don't your people have any?"

"Well, we don't know actually... You know, the thing is that... well... we didn't ask them..."

The bearded one kept quiet, just gave them a questioning look.

"The other humans... well..."

"They don't like us, because someone insulted them, as we left for our journey.", Sandra took up the thread eventually.

The dwarf obviously didn't bother this negative detail to his visitors, on the contrary, he seemed amused. "Well then, I understand why you left. And I am sure we have a map to spare."

The faces of the two lit up and Natalie instantly began to rummage about her pockets. "Oh, thank you! Is a piece of bronze enough?"

He, however, made her pause with a refusing gesture. "Don't! Stop it, dear! We have enough wealth within these walls. You can have the map for free." He barely noticed their little outburst of euphoria, as he looked past them, a bit of concern in his expression. "Nevertheless, I'd strongly recommend you to wait with your journey one more night. The orcs may be banished for now, but there are other bad creatures lurking in the dark."

He pointed behind them and as they saw the dusk falling, Sandra and Natalie slouched their shoulders. They would only be too pleased to head out this very day, but winter, at which days decrease in length more and more, upset their plans.

"I guess... we would overdo things if we asked you for accommodation for tonight?", Natalie said hesitantly. Before the dwarf had the chance to reply, she continued with her whiny voice: "We don't want to go back! They'll think we got scared and gave up and will laugh at us!"

The warm smile returned to their counterpart's face. "It should not pose a problem to house two young adventurers for one night. Come, I'll introduce you to King Dain and the others."

When he went off, neither of them hesitated a second to follow him.

"Thank you so much! You dwarves are so hospitable!"

"Good that someone realises that at last. I am Balin, by the way. And what are your names?"

"I'm Natalie. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Balin."

"And my name's Sandra."

Walking, Balin gave them another smile, before a shadow was cast over his face. "Unfortunately, the mood here is still dim, because of... the loss of ours. So, please, do not expect too many fair words." Since they didn't know what to say - the two had the feeling that they should try to comfort this adorable dwarf, though, they were terrible in such things - they simply kept quiet, just looked down to the ground in a sad way. But there Balin's tone got happier again, lifting their spirits. "Who knows, you seem to be two funny young women. Perhaps you manage to bring mirth back to these halls."

"Gladly!" Natalie looked at her friend, beaming with joy. "We'll make it. This is gonna beeee..."

With one voice they pressed out the words: "EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY!" and exploded with laughter.

Balin looked straightforward and shook his head, smirking. "Other beings, other manners, I presume..."