Despite the rain that was pouring over them over them. Bilbo managed to keep in lightened spirits, that was until Dori set the mood for complaining to Gandalf.

"Mister Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori called from behind and Bilbo looked at Gandalf expectantly.

"It is raining master dwarf, and it will continue to do so until it is done. If you wish to change the weather you might have to find another wizard." Gandalf said.

"And are there any?" Bilbo asked.

"Any what?"

"Other wizards?"

"The greatest of our order is Samuran, the white. Next are the two blues, although I've quite forgotten their names. The last of our order is Radaghast, the brown."

"Is he a great wizard, or is he?" Bilbo hesitated. "More like you?"

Dori and Ori both stiffled their laughter as Gandalf looked quite offended at the question.

"He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others, he keeps a watchful eye over the woods to the East, and it's a good thing too, for always evil will look for a foot hold in his world." Gandalf warned.

There were rustles and crashes and a rider burst through the bushes to the right off the company, drenched, hood pulled over the riders head. Their horse reared and they stopped infront of the company.

"Mekh'at! Du behkar!" Thorin shouted.

"Stop! I mean no harm!" The rider shouted.

"Who are you, show your face!" Thorin ordered.

The rider dismounted and knelt bowing, head down low.

"I am Tharwen, daughter of Karin, I do not wish any harm to any of your company." She said, hood falling from her head as she stood.

"Tharwen?" Both Gandalf and Bilbo said, quite shocked.

"Ah, Mister Gandalf, and my Master Bilbo it has been a long time I might say." Tharwen said, glancing cautiously at Thorin.

"Thorin Oakenshield, may I introduce you to Tharwen Karewin. One of the last of the Tharken, protecter off these parts. Tharwen, may I introduce you to Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror."

"Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain. Tharwen Karewin, at your service."

"Thorin Oakenshield, at yours." Thorin said gruffly.

Whispers passed through the company, as Tharwen moved to Gandalfs side.

"Gandalf, why are there orcs, coming so close to these parts?" She hissed.

"Well that may be us, we're merely-"

"No excuses Gandalf, move on before I make you, there have never been any orc attacks since," She hesitated. "Since Fharwen and Darien. And we all know what happened then! Leave these parts." She growled.

"Gandalf! We should either move on or make for shelter." Thorin said.

"Listen to the dwarf and go." She warned and turned to make leave.

"Don't leave Tharwen, I don't think I could stand these dwarves much longer." Bilbo pleaded, pulling on Tharwens cloak sleeve.

"I can see why." She muttered, plonking onto the hard stone next to Bilbo, wringing the water out of her dark hair.

"Insufferable, annoying, inconsiderate, disastrous dwarves." She huffed.

There were twin thumps as the two princes joined the two sitting on the ground.

"Fili, and Kili, at your service." The two said smiling.

"Nice to meet you both."

"So, how do you know Master Bilbo?"

"How old are you?"

"Have you been to Erid Luin?"

"Are you princess?"

"Have you been courted yet?"

Kili got an elbow to the ribs as Fili gave him a dissapointing glance.

"I've known Bilbo since he was a fauntling, I'm sure it's rude to ask that, even if you both are princes, yes I have been to Erid Luin, it could be seen like I am a princess, not what I'm called, but close enough in the common tongue, and no Master Dwarf, I am not being courted, there have been offers, but I am simply not interested anymore." She said and Kili's face went bright red in embarrassment.

"How did you know we were princes?" Fili asked.

"I know the Durin crest when I see it, I also know the Durin bead when I see it as well." She said carelessly.

"Tharwen pleaseee, answer my question pleasee?" Bilbo asked, pleadingly.

"Oh fine Bilbo, I will."

"Thank you."

"Getting tired off our company already Bilbo?" Fili asked.

"Just nice to see someone familiar."

"Can you tell me more stories of the Tharken?" Bilbo asked. "Like when I was younger?"

"Of course Bilbo. Now the one about the Tharken prince who betrayed his brother, or the Tharken warriors, The Battle against Dhearow?" She asked.

"The Tharken prince of course, I never found out the ending." Bilbo said, wrapping a blanket around him as the two princes both cuddled together against the rocky wall next to Bilbo."

"The Tharkens were awaiting another coronation day, their king, King Harien, a girlish name I know, was stepping down, so his eldest son could become king. Prince Warren II, was a wonderful prince, now since Tharkens are decendents from both Dwarvish and Elvish ancestors, their looks were quite stunning, long dark rivalling hair that flowed down to his waist in intricate braids. His azure eyes capturing the light as it shone through the day. Now the prince was bound to have a princess, but Prince Warren did not, for his consort, was his younger brother, Prince Karren III, they were simply and utterly inlove. But it did not work to their favour, Tharkens have nothing against love formed through bonds in family, they excepted it infact, with open arms, but for Warren to become king, Karren could not be allowed next in line to the throne if he was to be his consort."

"But that's not fair!" Kili pointed out.

"Indeed it isn't my dear prince. But it was what it was. As I said, Karren could not be the next heir and he was jealous, very jealous, he ran off in the middle off the night when the anouncement came, envious, jealous, anger and his brothers pity only fueled his raging temper. He'd join forces with the orcs and tried to kill his own brother on his own coronation day."

"What?! But that's cruel!" Fili interuppted this time.

Tharwen only glared at Fili before continuing without a stumble.

"Warren saw Karren fighting through the crowd and he ran too meet him with his sword, screaming, pleading with Karren to stop this madness. Orcs had aimed their arrows from the highest vantage points, on the eastern towers of the castle. Their arrows let fly and instead of Karren using the distraction to his advantage, he flung himself infront of Warren, arrows piercing his back, they didn't kill Karren, not instantly, but the howls and cires of Warren stilled the fighting around them as both Orcs and Tharkens watched as the soon too be king, knelt on the ground holding his brother, his loves head in his lap, cradling it and Karren apologized, over and over again, begging for forgiveness, Warren did, he did forgive, he forgave Karren with one last kiss, whispering words of comfort to the dying prince."

"So his brother died? That's unfair!" This time it wasn't any of the three who interrupted but Bofur, who seemed to be listening to the story as well.

"Let me finish! Now what Warren didn't see was the mark on Karrens right forearm, this mark was a branding, the sign off darkness. Tharkens do not fear many things, but brandings of the Kiz'lan were one off the few we did. Kiz'lan were, dark forces, they ruled over all things evil, and being branded was, was to have your mind entered, every memory tainted, spoilt to the worst of nightmares. The prince only noticed the mark as he looked up from his brothers necklace, one that he'd given at the start of their courting, and he shook violently as the tears fell faster, as if there was already no end to his grief."

Tharwen looked solemn as she paused, looking at the four faces that stared in awe and tragedy.

"A king cannot ruled to the fullest of his wonder with his mind consumed by grief, but still, King Warren II, son of Harien, had sworn to avenge his brother and keep his kin, and any other kin that knew the Kiz'lans wrath, safe. King Warren died not long after his coronation, at such a young age too, but his cousin, Dairen I, became king, and took over what Warren had started, a beautiful, proud, kingdom of warriors. The two brothers, lovers, lay side by side in their tombs, buried together, their stone coffins engraved with their courting vows. They both held a love so deeply, Aule help them if they were not to be admired. They're love was all that mattered to them, even Karren, with bitterness invading his mind, rests peacefully in the tombs of Tharthen."

Tharwen turned and saw that most off the company was infact listening to the story she had told, including Thorin.

"Didn't you mention someone called Darien to Gandalf earlier?" Kili asked before Fili could stop him.

"Aye, that, would be my younger brother. Darien IV he was named after King Darien, the one I mentioned in the story..." She lowered her head.

"Shouldn't you be with family instead of out here? Lady Tharwen." Balin asked from the side.

"If I, never mind, Fharwen can fend for himself, he is my older brother after all, and as Gandalf would know, a skilled swordsman."

"Tharkens are descendents of both Elves and Dwarves? What are your Elvish features?" Ori asked, realizing the topic was quite uncomfortable for the Tharken therefore switching the subject.

"Pointy ears for one, our height is another, our poker faces, that's mainly it, besides from speaking many languages. Our Dwarvish side is much more noticeable although majority did inherit Dwarvish tempers, but we're warriors, craftsman, we're light on our feet and like Elves we have the ability to walk on snow. Many other things Master Dwarf, perhaps you'll be interested in books from the Tharken libraries, instead off hearing my voice. As annoying as it is, I think I'll shut up." Tharwen said, moving to her horse.

"Back to work, come on Bombur we're hungry!" Thorin ordered and Tharwen sat back in her place next to Bilbo, holding an amulet in her hand.

"Keep this safe Bilbo Baggins, this was made for you and you alone, it was not made for any dwarves and it shall keep you safe." She warned.

"Thank you Tharwen."

"Now get some rest Bilbo." She said, nudging the hobbit playfully.

"Gandalf you bastard of a wizard!" The sharp shriek shook the company awake, including Nori who fell asleep on watch.

"What?" Thorin had half drawn the Orcrist when he realised that it was only Tharwen, now cursing an absent Gandalf.

"Blasted no good, meddling ith'kun var no hasth'roth gah!" She muttered.

"Milady, what is the matter?" Dwalin came over to observe the now very annoyed Tharken.

"I swear on the tombs of Tharthan I'll kill that ith'kun var no wizard!"

"Gandalf, why?"

"Master Dwalin," She said. "Gandalf, it seems has taken about all of my maps, anything that would have made your journey easier, and well, my pack. is now. empty." She said, dropping the empty pack to the floor and kicking it.

"Why would Gandalf?" Thorin questioned.

"Because he's a wizard that meddles where it's unnecessary." She grumbled before checking the pack on the other side of her horse.

"Still here, at least he did not mess with the rest of my stuff."

"The rest of your?- woah!" Fili and Kili said, peering into the pack. "Weapons galore! Tharwen, you have to let me look at these." Fili exclaimed, eyes gleaming.

"Not now." Thorin said, moving to the closer to the centre of the comotion. "We have to get moving."

"Right." Tharwen gave Bilbo a glance as if to say 'do I really have to be here?'

'You promised' he mouthed to her and her shoulders slumped.

"Milady, will you be joining us?" Dwalin asked curiously.

"It seems I might have to." She said, unfolding a piece of parchment.

'My dear Tharwen,

I am asking you, as a friend that you acompany my companians to the Hidden Pass, or at least to the foot off the Lonely Mountains, please stay with them, and look out for that hot headed fool of a dwarf Thorin.

Yours dearly,

Gandalf.'

Dwalin read the note over her shoulder and chuckled at the mention of Thorin.

"Then welcome to the company lassie." Bofur said with a hearty grin.

'Oh welcome indeed.' Thorin thought as he watched Tharwen move through the company as if she was there from the start.

No he did not trust her, if there was some elvish blood in here then no, she was not to be trusted. At least not yet.