The cloak was easy to explain; however, her trip to Dale was not. She had washed and cleaned the green fabric delicately so that it turned out to be pristine, in fact it was probably the cleanest it had been since he had first received it. It was Stala's all seeing eye which spotted the fancy material, and Ana's well practiced lie flowed easily from her mouth.

"Some one left it in the stables. And you know me, can't have anything too dirty lying around. I thought I'd bring it home to wash and then when some one comes to claim it, it'll be clean."

Stala's mouth pinched to the side. "It looks so fancy, though. Who do you reckon it belongs to?"

"I don't know, Stala. Winter's approaching, so I guess it could belong to anybody, noble or not."

The elder sister ran her hands through the soft fabric, and Ana felt a twinge of jealousy at how casual she was able to touch something so...royal? Either way, she didn't know the truth. And that was fine with Ana.

She and the prince had agreed to meet early in the morning in five days time, when her eye would be healed and where he'd take her out to Dale and she'd return the cloak. It was now the evening of the fourth night, and as her family sat around the fire pit she couldn't help but feel her heart start to flutter out of dread for her task to come. What was her family to think? Would they feel betrayed at the fact that she didn't tell them of her incident with the prince? What about her meetings with him for the past week?

There was nothing major to discuss, at least she didn't think so. She didn't want anyone jumping to conclusions, especially one that suggested a certain type of relationship with the prince. They were friends, if you could even call them that. Acquaintances was the better word for them, but they were fastly approaching friendship. She'd began to enjoy the company and laughs that the young dwarf brought with him, and in return she gave him a level opinion and quiet stories.

So, when the family fell into momentary silence, she knew that it was time to announce her plans. Quietly clearing her throat, she boldly dove right in and said, "Father, I'm going to Dale tomorrow. You won't see me until the day after next, most likely."

It was Stormal, the eldest sibling, who answered her. "You're going to Dale? By yourself?" The tall dwarf liked to take up the protective role in the family.

"Yeah," Stornic piped in. "We always go along with you."

Ana grabbed the back oh her neck, coaxing the knots out. "Well...I'm actually going with some one."

Stala practically dropped the needles she cradled in her hands. A smirk appeared on her lips as she leaned back into the chair. "And who might that be, dear sister? Maybe the dwarf who's cloak you've just washed?"

The youngest Hillins' cheeks burned. "No – "

"You've been seeing some one behind our backs?!" Storlac, the normally quiet brother, exclaimed.

Stormal's fists were clenched in his lap. "Who is he? Do I know him?"

"Does he work in the mines?" Storlac chimed in.

"He must," Stala answered for her, "Otherwise he's probably in the market with me somewhere. Mahal knows that there's no one in the stables for her."

Stornic tried to defend her. "How do we know it's a he? Una or Ula could be going with her."

"She wouldn't be this nervous if it was one of them, Nic. I mean just look at her! She's practically a tomato," Stala added.

"So it has to be a dwarf," Stormal said. "And you'd better tell me who it is."

Her father had been quiet for the majority of the sibling squabble, but then he spoke with an authoritative tone that silenced the others. "Let Ana speak, you lot. Stop putting words in her mouth."

Every eye was now focused on her, and she blushed even more. Even with a deep breath, the words tumbled out of her mouth. "Please don't overreact or be mad. I'm sorry for not telling you before, but it didn't seem like a big deal at the time. Obviously I was wrong, but I'd thought...and I couldn't find the words to tell you before and now I've run out of time. But I – "

"Spit the words out, girl," her father commanded. His mouth was set in a straight line.

Ana closed her eyes and sighed softly. Please stay calm. "Prince Kili is escorting me."

It was quiet for all of five seconds before the room erupted.

"The PRINCE?"

"When did this blasted thing happen? How do you know him?"

"How long has this been going on, Ana?"

"You've got to be kidding me. How?"

"Why didn't you tell us before?"

"This is huge, Ana. The Prince. Heir to the throne...Mahal, I don't believe this."

All the siblings were overlapping each other, talking circles around the others. Ana simply hung her head and let them rant at her, it's not like she expected anything different. Stala and Stormal were actually on their feet, now arguing each other about her life and why or how this happened. Stornic had his head in his hands, and Storlac was staring at her with wide eyes. Her father was silent.

Ana's heart was in her throat. Why did this have to explode upon her? If it was just a dwarf from the market, like Stala had predicted, none of this commotion would have happened. Her family would have politely nodded and questioned her about him and all would be fine. But Kili was a prince, and with royalty came talk and unwanted attention. And in the moment, Ana resented him for that.

"Please, will you all just stop?" she said to them, her voice louder and higher than it normally was.

The yells slowly calmed and silence came over the family. Stormal and Stala sat down with heavy breaths, and they all began to look at her again. Ana's eyes went to her father, who still hadn't moved since he spoke before.

"I'll explain everything, all right? Just please promise not to jump to any conclusions. I assure you that it's not what you think it is." The family reluctantly nodded at her, their mouths shut.

She took a big breath before jumping into her explanation. "Do you remember when I came home with that black eye? Well, it was because of Prince Kili. Not intentionally, of course. And no, Stormal, he didn't physically harm me," she calmed her brother before he could go out and strangle the dwarf, royal or not. "He spooked the horse. He felt terrible about it, and so the next day he came to me and offered to take me out for the day as a sort of...payment. I'm just going to Dale because I didn't want him fretting over something so small and what should be so unimportant in the eyes of a prince. There's nothing," she paused, willing the annoyingly reoccurring flush creeping up her neck to stop, "going on between us. It's just a way to say that he's sorry."

When she had finished, all eyes were upon her. Stormal's were cold, Storlac's questioning, Stornic's accepting, Stala's jealous, and her father's were strangely content. She looked at each of them, willing them for some sort of peaceful response. Ideally, they'd all nod at her and continue on with whatever gossip Stala had to tell them, but she knew that they'd be discussing her relationship with the prince for quite some time. She hated that word. It brought along so much baggage that wasn't needed.

"Thanks for letting your family know when all of this happened. We really appreciate it."

Ana sighed and shook her head. "Don't be like that, Stala. I didn't know what to say! I didn't think it was a big deal at the time – "

"Didn't think it was a big deal?" Stala interrupted her. "You conversed with the prince, Ana! That's huge! None of us have ever spoken with one of the heirs, at least not that personally! Mahal, Ana, use your brain."

Stornic defended her, again. Bless that man. "Now hold on, Stala. Just because you run home and tell us about your...interactions with other dwarves doesn't mean we all have to. Ana's quiet, we all know that. There's probably loads of things she's never told us about."

Curse that man. That brought a whole other load of questions thrown at her.

"What else have you been hiding, Ana?"

"Did you have dinner with King Thorin last month? Or was it Prince Fili?"

Ana hung her head. This was straight out of her worst nightmares – minus the orcs and swords, of course. She hated the fighting, it made her feel smaller and weaker then she already was. It didn't help the fact that she hated anything sharp or that could cause harm; the one time she tried training with a sword she practically bawled her eyes out because she was terrified of hurting herself or some one else. Thankfully, her brothers were always there to shield her from harm – so far.

"Stop it, you lot," her father's low voice commanded. "Ana's 81 years old, she's not a little dwarfling anymore, as much as we all would like that to be true. Who she spends her time with is up to her, not us. Even though it would be nice to know who she's being friendly with." He knowingly raised his eyebrows at her. "Leave the lass alone, she knows what she's doing."

Her love for her father bloomed in her chest, making her want to wrap her arms around his neck and squeeze until she couldn't anymore. She couldn't say it enough – it was not a big deal. And her father understood that. At least it seemed like it.

"Thank you, Father," Ana murmured in gratitude.

He grunted some response before attending to his pipe once more. After a moment, he said, "Just be careful what you're doing. Even if he's just doing you a favor, know that people talk about him and his brother. Especially dwarrowdams your age. Be prepared for word to spread about you."

She knew that there was a possibility of that happening, but it still wounded her when her father spoke it. She only talked to Una and Ula; none of the other female dwarves liked to converse with her. If they saw her with the prince, would they go out of their way to hate her, or to befriend her? It was something only time could tell.

"We're leaving early in the morning, Father, and then returning after dark. I'm hoping that we will go unseen."

"You best be going with a guard or two in addition to the prince. Some in Dale don't take to dwarves too well," Stormal added.

"Oh, hush," Stala quieted him, "Humans in Dale like dwarves just fine. I've had multiple men try to flatter me, but they just don't fit my standards. You have nothing to worry about, Ana. Especially if you're going with Prince Kili." She giggled.

Ana looked at the fire. "I hope so." She constantly worried about danger. And going out to Dale was definitely not one of her favorite hobbies. But it made the prince happy and afterward she could go back to being a fly on the wall.

"Is he coming here in the morning?" Storlac asked hesitantly.

She shook her head. "We're meeting down at the stables. I thought it would be easiest that way."

"Well we should be allowed to meet him, don't you think?" Stala asked.

"Leave Ana alone, Stala," Stornic said. "Just because she knows a prince and you don't doesn't mean you can eat off her fortune."

Stala glared at him, but said nothing in return. He did have a point, and quite a good one at that. Her sister was jealous, even if she was desperately trying to hide it.

"You will all be asleep by the time I leave, anyways, Stala. And I'm sure he cherishes his sleep just as much as the next dwarf, so neither of us will be up in spirits until we reach the city," Ana told her.

Her sister shook her head and turned her attention back to her needles. Ana looked around the room to see that each family member had resumed what they were doing before she told them of her trip; she breathed a sigh of relief. It was over. Finally.

Ana snuggled back into the chair she was resting in, legs drawn under herself. The quiet bickering and the flames slowly lulled her near sleep, and soon she excused herself to bed. She needed all the rest she could get before the journey tomorrow.

She lied to her sister; the prince was coming to get her in the morning. Even though she was a light sleeper, she wouldn't wake up unless something disturbed her. So, when she heard four sharp knocks on her door, she shot up from her bed and quickly ran to the door before some one could beat her to it, even though she knew her family was still slumbering.

She opened the door a crack, not letting herself be seen. "I'll be out in a minute. Stay close to the door." Her voice was strained and groggy, but still light in a whisper. She was refusing to call him simply Kili, and so instead she skipped formalities all together.

"Can't I come in?" he asked. She noted how the prince was speaking in his usual bright tone, as if not effected by the early time.

Ana thought for a moment. "Yes, but wait till my door closes. I'm not dressed properly right now."

She heard him sigh, but still said, "All right."

Nodding, even though he couldn't see her, she told him, "Okay."

A moment after the words left her mouth, she sprinted back into her room and softly shut the door, making sure that the prince could hear it. God, it was like they were children again, running around without their parents knowing. She couldn't help but smile at the similarities; things were so much easier back then. And they all needed a bit more simplicity in their lives in the moment.

A dress was folded over at the end of her bed. It was plain, but still one of her favorites; and she could easily move around in it. Quickly slipping off her bed clothes, she slipped the dark green fabric on and did as many of the laces as she could before having to rouse Stala from her sleep. With only the muttered words of help as her sister's guidance, Ana was on her knees as she blindly tied the laces tightly. Thank Mahal one of them knew how to do it. When she was done, Stala pushed her sister forward and fell back onto her bed, asleep in moments.

She didn't have time to brush her hair, so instead she hurriedly braided in back as best she could, lose strands hanging around her face. Slipping on her shoes, she took a deep breath before exiting the room, his cloak cradled in the crook of her arm.

He was standing in front of the door, looking down at his boots. And she couldn't help but notice just how young he looked; like a dwarfling waiting for his mother to return. In no way was he incapable of taking care of himself – Mahal, he helped reclaim the mountain – but his demeanor just shouted innocence. At least that was what she saw. In the eyes of another, they may see a great warrior or strong prince, but she saw a young, mischievous dwarf, causing as much trouble as he could before he was caught.

Hearing her footsteps, he looked up at her and grinned. "All ready?"

He was dressed in his normal attire, blue tunic, dark pants, and boots. All that was missing was his cloak, which she help out in front of her body. "I thought you'd like this."

It took a second to register, but eventually his eyes crinkled in quiet laughter. "I forgot about this." He gently took the fabric from her, careful not to touch her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she smiled softly back at him.

He made a complete turn with his body. "Nice place you've got here. Very...cozy."

"As much as I'd like to give you a tour, I believe that we have some horses to prepare." She was still worried about being seen, and she couldn't tell how dark it was outside.

"We've plenty of time," he reassured her. "But if you're really that worried, we can go now. Dawn will be coming in an hour or so."

She nodded at him. "Perfect. Can you tell me what's planned for today?" she questioned him as she exited the door he held for her.

Now in the safety of the hallways, he gave her a true laugh of his. "Oh, Miss Ana, patience is a virtue."

She gulped.

Okay, so this was supposed to come out tomorrow...but I couldn't wait. :) I love writing this story. Thank you for all the kind feedback! I'll take it all...everything makes me so happy. As some of you know, I LOVE talking about the story, so leave me a little review with some questions and I'll definitely get back to you. Nexto to come: Dale! It should be out in a few days!

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