Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable. JRR Tolkien's estate, New Line Cinema, and I'm sure a lot more people who have way more money than I do own them and I'm just playing a bit. No infringement is intended or implied. And I promise to put them back when I'm finished with them. :)

Author's Note: If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for romance. Hopefully this one suits!

Dedicated to my darling Amy. "Don't say we have come now to the end. White shores are calling. You and I will meet again."

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Part Four

It was a good thing his pony knew the way home, Fíli thought idly as he realized the Gates were in sight. He'd not been paying much attention. Too caught up in his thoughts, in the fact that not only had she touched him, she had KISSED him. And her skin had been so soft under his fingers...

He needed to control himself. She wasn't for him, and that was simple fact. She was human. She was a King's daughter. And she most certainly was NOT for a quick tumble in the hay, so to speak. As much as he'd enjoy it, and he'd see that she did too.

He groaned in disgust. He had to get her out of his thoughts and she wasn't leaving.

Kíli's appearance at the gate at least distracted him for a moment. "Welcome home, brother," he said happily as he clapped Fíli on the back. "I hear you had some adventure. Why don't you tell me about it?"

"I have to talk to uncle first, Kíli," he answered with a smile of his own. Yes, he needed to report and maybe that would help take his mind off that vixen he'd left in Dale. "Then we'll talk." Maybe if he told Kíli about her, it would help. Then again... probably not. It would only put her more firmly in his mind and that he did. Not. Want.

"I'll walk you down, then." Kíli fell in step beside him and they went to the Council Chamber. Thorin wasn't his grandfather; he didn't expect everyone to come to him in the Throne Room, although it did have its uses.

The guards posted at the doorway gave him pause but he'd say nothing. It wasn't normal. They passed him through and he moved to stand against the back wall, and the nod Thorin gave him was the only acknowledgment that he was even present.

Strange, that. Although what he was hearing in this meeting, not surprising. Rumors of unrest, concern over the slavers. Discussion of the prisoners he had sent back. Decisions of what to do with them.

For the moment, they would be held. Maybe they could provide a little more information. Then one of the councilors motioned for attention and Balin frowned. Which of course made Thorin scowl.

"Surely sending your heir on this errand wasn't the wisest course of action," Torli said evenly. "If he were to be lost..."

"I have confidence that my nephew can protect himself," Thorin replied dryly. "Fíli, what news from Dale?"

"Not the best." Fíli seated himself at the table and regarded the others steadily. "The slavers seem to have a specific interest in causing Bard pain. The captive we rescued was his daughter." He waited for some of the murmurs to die down. "That's not really our concern. What we should be worrying about is finding their leader. He slipped through our fingers." Even to himself, he sounded surly. That they hadn't captured this Dario more than annoyed him.

"If these raids are designed to harm the human King, why should we bother?"

Thorin sat forward, the vicious scar running down his face suddenly thrown into sharp relief, and Fíli sat back slightly. This was not going to be amusing. Thorin was furious, though he made no outward sign. "Because these humans are our allies," he said simply, though his words were clipped and full of heat. "Because if not for King Bard, Smaug would still hold these Halls. Because if not for Bard and his Men, the Orcs and Goblins would have taken our home from us once more." He wouldn't mention Thranduil's help during that battle. It hadn't been the Elven king that had stood against Azog at the last, defending the fallen Durín while Men got him to the healers. It hadn't been the Elven king who had provided the healers that had saved Thorin's life. And it hadn't been the Elves who had traded with the Dwarves of Erebor when they needed clothing and foodstuffs they couldn't produce themselves even after beginning to rebuild.

If it hadn't been for Bard, Thorin would be dead.

"My apologies, Majesty," Torli returned evenly. "I meant no insult. Of course we must protect our allies." But Fíli could clearly hear the insincerity in the words and if he could, he KNEW Thorin did.

"Then I will hear no more objections." Thorin dismissed them and waited until they were gone before turning to Balin and Fíli. "Let's hear the rest of it, lad," he said to Fíli.

"A human named Dario seems to lead these slavers," Fíli said quietly. He knew Balin had remained as advisor to BOTH him and Thorin; as the heir, he would need to deal with these things when Thorin was gone and it was a learning experience. And Balin was the best sort of advisor; he would let one talk and think until the best decision was reached. "The one who came after me in Dale let it slip. And he was very clear that Nialla was taken, not for ransom, but as a slave. Because it would hurt Bard."

"You were attacked in Dale?" Thorin was concerned but not overly so. Fíli was obviously all right and Thorin was well aware that he could take care of himself. "And how did Bard take THAT?"

"About as well as could be expected," Fíli replied with a shake of his head. "He wasn't pleased. But the point is, this isn't about stealing goods, or women. Not any more. Now it's a personal attack on him. And until Dario is found, he'll continue to attack Bard in any way he can. His family, his friends. His people. His allies. No one will be safe."

"If we withdraw our people back to the mountain, they would be safe at least," Thorin began slowly. Balin gave him a sharp glance and then forced his face to calm.

"No." Fíli's response was sharp and quick. "That would withdraw our support as well and Bard needs that now. We owe it to him if for no other reason than you're alive." He shook his head. "We can't abandon him. We should put more of our troops along the trade routes, to protect the caravans, and maybe some in the city itself. If he will accept our help, that is."

"A sound plan." Thorin nodded acceptance. His nephew had learned well. Never abandon an ally. And NEVER a friend. "Very well. Take a troop, offer them to Bard as protection for the caravans. Take Dwalin and have him watch over Bard, since we do not know which Men we can and cannot trust." He gave a small, rueful smile. "And send Nori to see what he might discover. He is more than suited for subtle investigation." The thief might be able to find what they had not – the identity and location of their quarry. Dario might not be a true name; and they had no idea where to begin looking.

"No, Dwalin stays with you." Fíli wasn't going to compromise. "There's no guarantee Dario won't come here looking for victims, either. And I won't leave you unprotected." He got up and headed for the door. "I'll take Kíli with me, too. He could be useful."

"It would certainly make things quieter here." Thorin gave him a rare true smile. "Take your brother and go to Dale. Send word when you can." Suddenly he gave Fíli a stern glare. "But keep the mischief managed within bounds, please."