That night Dis house was full of merry people. Ours had returned to his family, but Garain and Gwain, as well as Oda and Dwalin had joined her family for dinner. Oda tried to make herself useful, but Dis could see that the young woman felt uncomfortable in the kitchen. With a smirk Dis watched as Oda nearly broke a cup and nearly garnished the meat with her fingertipps when slicing it. As elegant and skilled that woman was with a sword, she was a catastrophy in the kitchen. Thorin could not watch it any longer and stepped behind Oda, taking her hands holding the meat and the knife and softly guided them. The slices of meat turned out much more smooth and Odas fingertipps were not in danger anymore. Subconsciously Oda leaned back against Thorins broad chest, enjoying the warmth radiating from the dwarfs body. As she realised what she was doing she stifened and moved away, clearing her throat. With a shy smile she thanked Thorin and quickly walked out of the kitchen. Oda shook her head as she had arrived in the living room. She had never behaved that way, so...girly. She had been attracted to men before, but like in case of Dago things had just happened. It had never been awkward. Thorins closeness made her sweat and feel insecure and Oda hated herself for that. Taking a deep breath Oda took a cup of water and sat down with Fili and Kili who were laughing at one of Garains stories.

In the kitchen Thorin frowned about himself. He did not know what made him walk over and put his arms around Oda, he had just followed his instincts. For a short moment he had felt her lean into him before she reacted like he had expected and had fled the kitchen. Thorin scolded himself mentally. He was the king under the mountain, no young dwarfling, and yet he felt as if his body was on fire everytime he saw Oda. Her smile and her laugh made his toes curl and the warmth of her eyes made his blood boil. Right now he could hear her laugh along with Fili and Kili in the living room and Thorin jumped as he felt Dis hand on his shoulder.

'Dinner is ready, brother.' Dis told him with a knowing smile.

The next weeks passed quickly. Thorin had taken over the rule over the Blue Mountains and life went back to normal. The knights of Duath, now half men half dwarves patrolled the lands around the mountain and no orc pack dared to attack the Blue Mountains again. The number of seven knights was secured and by chance the dwarves had perfectly replaced the fallen knights as far as the type of fighter was concerned. Artos had been the bowman and was replaced by Kili. Dago had fought with a warhammer like Dwalin and Lance had been a swordfighter like Fili. Fili had even asked Oda to teach him how to fight with two swords. This sort of combat suited him and he learned fast.

One day Runa got a letter from one of the neighbouring counties and presented it to Oda who felt her world crumble below her feet. Lord Ragnor had asked her sister for her hand. Oda knew the man, he was a young lord with alot of power. He was tall, handsome, blond and strong. Many women fancied him, but Oda had no interest in him. What made it all worse was the fact that Oda knew that Ragnor would never grant her as much freedom as she was granted in the Blue Mountains. She would never be allowed to carry weapons again or ride through the woods unprotected. Neither would she be allowed to walk around freely. The women of Ragnors clan were all timid little housewives, with no rights to speak their minds freely or even act on their own. Oda could not imagine living like that. On her daily patrol Dwalin rode beside her and looked at her closely. He could see that Oda was not concentrated. Despite their initial problems the two had become friends quickly and Dwalin cared for Oda nearly as much as he would for his own daughter, although he would not show it.

'What´s with you, little girl?' he asked in his usual rough tone. 'You have been staring holes into the forest for hours now.'

Oda sighed and wished that Dis was there to talk to. But there was only Dwalin and she needed to talk to somebody.

'My sister wants to marry me off to lord Ragnor.' she murmured.

'Hmmmmm.' Dwalin wished he had not asked. He had no idea what to reply. In his eyes, Oda needed a husband sooner or later and lord Ragnor was a mighty lord. Dwalin saw nothing bad in this. 'Hmmmm.'

'Hmmm. Is that all?' Oda asked him amused. 'I do not want to get married. I do not want to leave the Blue Mountains. I do not want to give up my freedom.'

'You are the princess of your people. It is your duty to secure new alliances for their sake.' Dwalin mumbled. 'You will have a strong and goodlooking man to care for you.' Dwalin grumbled. 'I thought thats what most women wished for?'

Oda smirked amused. 'I am not most women, master Dwalin.'

No, indeed. You are not. Dwalin thought as the two passed the gates of the Blue Mountains and Oda left with a sad expression on her face.

'But you are right, master Dwalin.' Oda sighed. 'It is my duty.'

Thorin made ready to meet the lord of the South, lord Ragnor. They had met briefly in the past, but this time his visit had a different purpose. He wanted to take Oda back with him as his wife and Thorin felt a sharp sting in his stomach when he thought about Oda marrying that man. He had witnessed a fight between Oda and her sister and had overheard that Oda was not happy about this marriage herself. But she was a princess and she had to marry to ensure that her bloodline was carried on. Musing grimly Thorin walked to the throne room and saw that Runa and Oda were already there. He stopped in his tracks as they bowed to him and his gaze moved to Oda, who wore a beautiful blue dress. Her hair hung over her shoulders freely as a sign of her being a single woman and she was wearing the princesses crown. A beautiful silber belt hung around her waist, underlining the soft curves of her hips. She looked beautiful, but sad. Thorin bowed back at the the two royal women and sat down to greet lord Ragnor, tearing his gaze away from Oda.

As lord Ragnor stood before the throne Thorin could see him take a look at his future bride and the lords blue eyes widened in pleasure. The dwarf king felt his hands squeeze into fists and concentrated on his guest.

'Lord Ragnor, it is a pleasure to welcome you as our guest once again.' Thorins voice sounded majestic and deep, sending shivers down Odas back. It were pleasant shivers, not like the ones she had felt as Ragnor had looked at her. Oda felt faint and cold and the whole evening passed by her without that she had payed attention to one single word spoken. As Ragnor had left them Thorin bowed to the two women, signaling Runa that she and her sister were free to leave. As he looked at Oda he could see her look back at him with an unreadable expression.

'Congratulations, mylady.' Thorin told her quietly and winced as he saw her pained face.

'Thank you, king Thorin.' Oda answered hoarsely. She wanted to leave the cold and dark room, but Runa had a bone to pick with her sister.

'You did not even look at him!' she whispered furiously. 'He came here to court you, Oda. Many women would wish to trade with you.'

Oda looked at her sister and suddenly she saw it. Runa was one of the women who envied her for her luck to marry Ragnor. But Ragnor had asked for Oda. Closing her eyes in defeat Oda turned away from her sister and walked down the streets to Dis house, the only place where Oda felt secure. Thorin felt her desperation and fought the urge to take her in his arms for comfort. He knew that she would be comforted by Kili and Fili, knowing that his nephews could not bear seeing Oda sad like this. But this time Thorin was afraid that his nephews merryness would not be enough.