v

Lorena lifted her skirts with both hands and ran along the paved road. She cursed lightly at the weight of the dress dragging her down, however she did not slow her pace. Whatever annoyance her clothes proved to be, the girl decided, she would deal with them later. As for the moment, Thorin had arrived and she was eager to see him. Make haste, her mind ordered her body.

She found him where he said he would be, her feet slowing down. A man of his word, Lorena though happily, as she spied him from behind a pillar. He was speaking to a much older man, short and bent. Lorena hardly paid any attention to the elder but for the short moments it took to assess him; she was more concerned with Thorin. He had changed, somewhat. No longer did he keep any of that boyish appearance of his youth. He looked a man. The heart in her chest leaped at the sight of him. Shyly, she stepped out from her hiding spot and ambled in his direction. And that was when he turned around.

While not attacked by any violent sensations at the sight, Thorin was undeniably happy to see Lorena. Of course he'd known it was her. Though time had added some inches to her frame, she remained ever reminiscent of the little girl he had fished out of the water. It was a strange thought that she should inspire in him the desire to settle down. Theirs hadn't been a case of love at first sight. Oh, he'd been fond of her from the first moment he held her trembling in his arms. But from there to wanting to wed her it had been quite a long road.

At first there was concern and a certain regard that prompted him to ask after her when he'd returned to the North. With time they'd established a correspondence that turned to be a long-standing tradition. He had practically seen her grow through those letters; it had been almost like being by her side. It could have been just as easy to adopt a paternal position; but he hadn't for some reason, whichever that was. What had been at first an easy friendship developed further, crossing into the sphere of tenderness. It had been gradual, a steady growth. Perhaps it held little of the thrill first loves did, but Thorin was well past losing his head over a woman. Yet that did not stop him from truly loving Lorena.

A slow ascent it had been for Lorena also. Not given to sudden proclamations of earth-shattering passion for someone and quite used to Thorin throughout her life, the young woman could not say she'd fallen in love with him in an instant. As a little girl she saw him as somewhat of an older brother, a mentor even. As she'd grown so had her admiration for him. And when she was of an age to discern her own feelings in a proper manner she could say she loved him. Mind you, she was not in love with him. For that one had to be in the close proximity to their chosen, yet the only contact between herself and Thorin were the letters.

Love was a much more tranquil affair for Lorena. It was not that she lacked passion. But she had never been inspired to that particular feeling. Quite down to earth she much preferred a union to a man capable of valuing her mind. Of course that if they suited physically too, it was all the better. She wasn't quite so unknowing that she though a marriage could work properly without the bedroom component, yet neither could it do so without trust and an agreement of intellects. After all beauty was measured in decades and could only last so long. Ingenuity suffered no such restrictions. A handsome face had never been enough for Lorena. To her any attachment was a full one. She did nothing in half-measures.

"I'd not expected to see you here," he said by way of greeting, wrapping her in a loose embrace. Indeed he had though he'd catch her somewhere in her guardian's home.

For a short moment Lorena held onto him. "But you are glad nonetheless," she ventured, her upturned face smiling at him.

"Glad indeed." Thorin let her go, resting his eyes on her visage. "I would like to introduce you to someone." Her nod prompted him into action. Stepping aside he regarded the old man he'd been speaking to. "Lady Lorena, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Master Balin. Master Balin, I present to you Lady Lorena."

Curtsying towards the elder, Lorena pasted a soft smile on her lips. This man had been Thorin's teacher as a child. "I am much obliged."

Balin bowed back to her, murmuring his pleasure. While not very vocal it could be seen he approved of his former student's choice. She looked to be a fine lass with a good head on her shoulders.

"Have you given though to what I've said?" The slight worry in his voice could have passed unobserved had Lorena not known him so well.

"Naturally," she replied, astonished he'd have to ask. "I have given it all due consideration. I shan't keep you waiting for my answer for it would be senseless and unpardonably rude. It is my belief that we should deal famously together."

"We've always been much in agreement, you and I," he uttered calmly after hearing her. "No doubt we shall do so even from now on. Might your guardian be persuaded to leave you in my care sooner rather than later?"

"Sooner I'd hope," Lorena imparted with an impish smile. "I dare say my aunt never refuses me anything and between herself and her husband she is more likely to have the last word of it."

"But I still have to appeal to your uncle," Thorin reminded her with a chuckle. It was not to be done otherwise no matter whom truly ruled over the household.

"I'm afraid that is so." Lorena hooked her arm through his in a gentle motion. "Can you bear it? For me?" The amusement in her voice tipped him of the true nature of her words.

"Silly of you to think otherwise," he countered just as wryly, no malicious intent included; in fact he offered little in the way of a proper answer. His mien had been a serious one that would have thrown off another who knew him not so well.

"Very," she agreed heartily, almost natural about it. She had rather enjoyed his subtle challenges. But she'd long known him to be a lover of irony and its uses. It was one of those finger qualities she enjoyed discovering in others. "I do believe we are off to a good start."

Thorin kissed the top of her head briefly. It was his tacit agreement if she was not mistaken. They'd suit.

vi

Of kind heart Yaviel might have been. But she would not allow herself to be stomped over. Gentleness was by no means weakness. Regarding her husband in cold fury, the Lady-Queen fairly snapped. It had been years through which she'd had to suffer his abuse. Barathion hadn't been excessively violent by way of fists. Words had been more cutting and less likely to leave visible bruises.

But bruised and battered she was; the wife of Barathion. Years on neglect and silent contempt had taken their toll on her. Every small jab and puncture had gathered to form a large wound, festering in hatred. So it was with little regret that Yaviel watched her Lord husband drink his poisoned mead. It would not be hours until the effects showed.

It had been despicable of him, yet Yaviel had to commend him. Barathion had played his role so well that even she had been taken in by it for some moments. Knowing him like she did the ruse became apparent and thus she moved in to block him in whichever way she could. The Lady was not above letting his drink poison. When Thorin had come to ask for her niece's hand, Yaviel had smiled kindly, encouragingly even. Lorena would be better off his wife than Barathion's daughter. Still surprise had taken over her when she'd seen Barathion act civil, even joyful at the proposal. That had made the alarms ring in her head. And right she had been to be alarmed.

Satisfaction burned deep inside her breast. It was not to be applauded that she wished the death of anyone however Yaviel had been pushed too far. It was clear that Barathion was on the path to destruction, so why not let him relieve everyone of a problem while foolishly thinking he was completing his plans.

"My dear, I do believe congratulations are in order," Yaviel whispered to Lorena, taking her hand as she did so. "Even now I can foresee you happy."

"I shan't have reason to be unhappy, aunt," Lorena pointed out good-naturedly.

"So sure of your happiness. Bless you child." Lorena reminded her of herself at her age, dreaming of a charmed ever after.

"No, not that." Lorena glanced at Thorin, sitting next to her uncle. "It is barely the knowledge that what I have is a partnership."

"You could not have chosen better."

"No, indeed! Aunt I do believe I chose wisely."

Nodding her head Yaviel threw a look at Barathion. Inwardly she cheered as she saw the contents of his cup growing less and lesser still. It served him right, it did. He would pay for all his sins with his life.

Meanwhile Lorena floated in her own elation. It was not so much the fact that she was getting married as to whom. It would be exceedingly surprising if she did not fall in love with her future husband. She had no misconception about the man. He was easy to anger but not unfair and quick to judge but not unkind. She wasn't perfect either, so she would not hold those above him. All in all he was a good man, deserving of the love she bestowed on him.

"Must you leave so soon?" Yaviel questioned if only to distract herself from her husband's ultimate fate.

"That is so. You see Thorin's family has never met me and they are ever eager to, he says. You have the advantage of them there aunt." Playfully winking, Lorena smiled. "I am curious too. Did you know that snow lasts many months there? We rarely have it here."

"Plain old rain is not good enough for you?" The mock indignation only served to make both women laugh. "I suppose you want an adventure. I cannot begrudge you that."

"I promise I shall write to you and Beren too should be like it." She meant to do just so. Lorena sneaked a glance towards her soon to be husband, his head inclined when their eyes mer.

"Pray don't bother. You will be too busy to think of writing letters, especially in the first few months," Yaviel intoned. "You shall be missed."

"I shall miss you too," Lorena confessed.

"But you'll be undeniably happy with your new life?" Yaviel patted her hand.

"Hardly new to me. I have known for a long time it was to come." She really had, Lorena thought.

"Believe me when I tell you that you shall be surprised. Let it bring you joy." Yaviel seemed so sure of it.

"Certainly it will." There was little doubt in Lorena's mind that it would not be so.

Her future, while not unexpected was thoroughly appealing. A woman of sense, Lorena had not expected any day of her life to be swept of her feet. Those were stories. Enjoyable, but just stories nonetheless.

Fiction offered a great reprieve, but one could not live locked in it. There was no such thing as perfect for them, yet that did not make happiness impossible. Strangely enough it made it more reachable. Contentment was made more human, therefore easier to understand and treasure.

"You will always have a place here, Lorena." Yaviel embraced the girl that had been almost a daughter o her. "I do wish you would visit still."

"Should my duties permit it, I will visit you monthly," Lorena joked. "I am glad to be getting married, yet a part of me is crying."

"Such is the way of the world, my darling. You let go of something and gain another. Do not fret and take it in small steps. You will do just fine."

"Do you really believe so?" Lorena was contented with the nod she got in reply. "I fuss over nothing. Apologies, I am simply overwhelmed at the moment." But so very happy too, she though.

A/N: There now, I have completed it. I leave whatever entails the happily ever after to your imagination, dear reader.