- Chapter 10: The Prancing Pony (A.K.A: Uncle Thorin?) -

Thorin easily made his way through the thick forest, leading them both to an old isolated inn he had been to many times before. As they walked through the bushes, they came upon a path. Looking to his left, Thorin saw they were only a few yards away from the establishment. Helping the woman out of some bushes, the dwarf took a few moments to reflect upon the feeling of her hand in his before the two had to untangle her long hair from the vegetation.

-I really should braid it... He mumbled.

-What? Belinda asked, certain she had heard him say something.

-N-Nothing! The dwarf replied quickly, holding back a blush as best as he could. We're there.

Belinda looked up ahead and saw a fairly large construction. It was made out of wood and the roof essentially consisted of straw. The walls and other parts of the inn were quite uneven and she wondered how the whole thing wasn't collapsing on itself. On the side of the road, there was a panel where she read the name of the establishment.

-"The Prancing Pony"?

-Aye, a fine place it is. Thorin said, hiding a smirk. I stopped by this inn many times and it's always a bit crowded. Do you think you'll be alright with it?

-Sure. Ponies are nice, so this must be a nice place, right?

She looked up to him with large hopeful eyes and the dwarf was struck at just how innocent this woman was. He so began to question whether or he should go through with his plan. But thinking back, he reasoned himself that if he didn't, he'd most likely be caught and executed. The image of his head chopped clean of his shoulders convinced him. "Beside, it'll do her good. If she doesn't learn to be wary of strangers, she could get herself killed." He thought. "Of course, it's not like I care..." He quickly added. And he then realised that his charge was expecting an answer, and was looking at him confusedly. "I have to stop getting lost in my thoughts so much." He told himself before answering her.

-Not necessarily for everything, but in this case, yes. He told Belinda before talking her hand and leading her towards the entrance.

The young woman was exatic. This would be the first time she went to an inn! She had read about it in some adventure books her father had given her and she couldn't wait to experience it for herself. She could just picture it: A lively atmosphere, people drinking and singing and dancing to energetic music, a delicious smell of food coming from the kitchen, and as Thorin opened the door she took in a deep breath and got in a lungful of... Smoke? Belinda gasped and coughed, trying to expel the burning air from her lungs. As she tried to ventilate her face, her guide gently took her inside the building and they were plunged into a gloomy darkness as the door shut. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust and when she finally managed to make out what was happening, she froze at the scene. There was no music, no dancing, no singing and the air was practically suffocating her. She looked around and saw many people all sitting in small groups, either drinking or eating or smoking their pipes. The place was lit by a few chandeliers that casted dark and oppressing shadows and heightened the smallest frown. That was when she noticed that many of the occupants were all armed.

Thorin smirked as the little female clutched her frying pan in her hands and her eyes widened comically. He was quite pleased with the results. Not even a few feets in and she looked ready to bolt back up her tower and lock herself inside.

-Ah, it's exactly like I remember it. Though I'm a bit surprised to see some of the customers haven't been arrested yet. He mumbled loudly enough so his client would hear, leading her further in. Oh, look. He gestured to a man on the side. This one fought recently, there's still some blood left on his face. Usually, a good washing only leaves a faint smudge, but since you can still see some spots pretty clearly... Are you alright? You seem tense.

And she was, as they had walked forward, she became paler by the step and her heart felt as if it had just ripped out of her chest and made a run for the hills, and she was very close to following it's lead. Gandalf, on her shoulder, was watching everything in mild panic and anger towards the man currently blabbing about how effective a sword could be at cutting flesh, even if it was rusty.

Thorin, for his part, was very pleased with himself. And having quite a bit of fun as well. He could read every thought on the woman's face and was greatly amused as she went through different states of panic and fear. Just five more minutes and she would be practically begging him to take her back to her tower. As he looked for another source of trauma, his eyes arrived on a certain table that had his stomach twisting in shock, closely followed by fear and panic. "Get out of here, and get out of here NOW!" His brain was practically shouting at him. He hurriedly turned around and marched quickly towards the door, startling the young woman who's shoulders were lodged firmly in the crook of his arm.

-Oh, you know what? We should probably leave. This place changed quite a lot. The clientele isn't what it used to be! I'm quite shocked at what kind of delinquent the innkeeper let's in these days! He spoke, trying to at least justify his rash change of decision.

Belinda was quite confused. He had been saying the exact opposite not a few seconds before. What had suddenly changed? She looked over her shoulder to try and see something that seemed odd but Thorin had hurried his pace. They were almost out the door when a voice resounded.

-Thorin!

The dwarf halted and cursed his luck. Most of the occupants were now watching the scene unfold. The one who had spoken had gotten up and was marching straight towards the duo, Thorin discreetly stepping in front of Belinda to shield her from the advancing person. In the gloom of the inn, the young lass was unable to see the exact features of the person, but she could clearly see he was bulky and very dangerous-looking. The caller stopped right in front of Thorin and everybody could practically see the tension crippling in the air. After a long tensed moment, the person spoke:

-Ya great lumbering troll, it's been years! The large bald man exclaimed as he dragged the dark-haired dwarf into a bear-like hug.

-Indeed it has, old friend. Thorin sighed, seeing no way out anymore.

-Lad, it's good to see you in one piece. Another person with a long white beard said, appearing beside the first. We haven't heard of you in so long we thought something bad had happened.

Belinda was quite confused as a group of person rose from a table and joined the three men already having some form of reunion. Who were these people? How did Thorin know them? As the group happily chatted, she noticed they were all the same size as Thorin, and so, concluded that they were dwarves as well. Thinking about it, she wondered how she had not took in the bulky frame and short stature earlier. But it didn't matter. Why had Thorin been so anxious to leave if he obviously knew them? Two other dwarves, a blonde and a brunette, practically shoved their way through the group to get closer to Thorin. Belinda couldn't see them very clearly, but she heard very well what they said:

-Uncle Thorin!

-"Uncle?!" She nearly shouted, how unexpected the term was to her.

All eyes turned on her and she felt her cheeks take flame.