I realise that these chapters are getting shorter and shorter. I am sorry.

Anyways, i'm thinking about doing a time jump, just so I can get back into this story. Thank you for sticking with me though.

Special thanks to the following:

UKReader

Borys68

C.G

lillalil

creepyLotRfangirl55

Just4Me

WOW!

Thank you again for all your support!

Chapter 16: Zeleg

Thorin and Dis' presence in the settlement's market had caused an uproar. Every dwarf had to wish their king a happy New Year, ask how his travels went, and if he would be attending the festivities. And as a king, Thorin would reply always with a 'thank you', 'well', and 'indeed'. Because of this, it took both of them nearly three times the amount of time Dis said it would take.

That, and the woman that Dis had wanted to buy the clothes from- not only for the deals Dis could get from her, but because she would be able to keep silent about the whole affair; if she asked questions- was not at her store and therefore was closed. So, both had to track the owner down in the market. However, thank Mahal, just as Thorin made to object going through the market, again, Galida, the owner, came around the corner.

A few pleasantries were thrown back and forth before Galida was convinced to open her shop and let them browse. Not that many would say no to their king when asked to something. The she-dwarf had many bits and pieces of cloth scattered across the building's floor and walls. Thick furs hung in the windows and others cut up and piled on a desk. One gown was propped up in the middle. A dress of ruffled blue cloth that was trimmed and patterned with a silver thread displayed Galida's craftsmanship.

Thorin wandered the store, picturing Ahvain in the blue dress. His Ahvain… He grinned at the thought. She would become his wife someday. He would push the matter to his court, but the soonest they would be wed would be next year, on Durin's day. The only problem, aside from the possibility his advisors would not allow him to marry Ahvain, was what the wizard, Gandalf had said to him. Telling him to recruit men for a journey, a journey to reclaim Erebor! If he and his men left in the spring, they would arrive at the mountain near the beginning of fall. But Thorin needed to send word to the other kingdoms; that would take some time.

Dis returned, carrying bundles of cloth, colors ranging from blue to brown and just a bit of black. Thorin smiled and left with his sister, wishing Galida success in the upcoming new year. Once out of the shop Dis passed her purchases to Thorin, who took them without thought. Things could have been worse; at lease Fili and Kili weren't there to try and trip him up, though, that had been many years ago…

Either way, both siblings had to pass through the main market, again, where the same praise and cheer and conversations were directed to him and his sister, again. Normally, Thorin wouldn't mind interacting with his people, but he had Ahvain to get back to, and she was sick, alone in a place not known to her. And after what had occurred, she could be frightened out of her mind as he speaks (thinks?). Thorin willed his feet to move faster, his sister giving him a questioning gaze as he passed her but stayed silent.

The seed or worry was planted into Thorin's mind, and he planned to remove it before it grew.

~Karak~

After talking to each other, to the point neither of them believed that they were going to kill the other. Ahvain, Kili and Fili started the process of gutting the dead boar. It was a nasty thing, well to Ahvain, but it had to be done. She had insisted that they should take the body outside, but the boys argued that if Óin were to catch her outside then it would be the death of them all. So, they disemboweled the thing on a cleared off table in the kitchen.

When the hide was removed, Kili had taken it somewhere and was gone for a while. Fili had taken up a knife he'd been sharpening and handed another to Ahvain. She started cutting down the beast's chest making long clean cuts. Fili plunged the blade into the rump and her focus was torn away.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh. cutting its leg off," Fili left the knife embedded, but let go and looked at Ahvain.

"You're going to roast it, are you not?" He nodded. "Then you can't just go and cut its leg off. You need to leave it on so that you can use it to tie it on the spit."

"Oh."

Ahvain grinned, "You don't know what you're doing, do you?"

"I know the concept. But, no."

"I thought so." The half-elf moved closer to Fili and removed the knife from the boar's hindquarters. "You have to gut it first, and then you can stuff potatoes and onions into it, add whatever herbs will taste well…" She trailed off.

Kili returned and the three made quick work of the boar, it was ready. Together, they carried it outside, the brothers leading Ahvain to a back area away from the main entry.

"We can put it here, start a fire, and surround it with large rocks. You can add the stones to the inside so it starts cooking before the feasts tonight."

"How do you know all this?" Kili asked. He had begun to search for large rocks while Fili started a fire.

Ahvain smiled, "I have my ways."

Both boys turned and gave her grins with Kili's being the most childish.

None of them heard or saw the elder dwarves who had just returned from the market.

What are your opinions on translations from common to Khuzdul?

How would you guys like to see it?

"ku ganag yom?" (Who goes there?) She said.

"ku ganag yom?" She said. (and then put translations down at the end)

"Who goes there?" She said, speaking in the dwarrow's tongue.

I don't know how you guys prefer it done, I don't mind. But let me know please.