"So Nori's back in Ered Luin? Why didn't ye bring him by?"

Nola took Bofur's hat and cloak and waited for her elder brother to answer as she stowed them in the proper place.

"Oh, he came to visit with Ori," Bofur explained as he headed into the kitchen where Bombur was preparing the evening meal, "I'm sure he'll be by soon enough to see you an' Bombur."

"Bifur is goin' to throw a fit," Bombur said as he stirred a massive, boiling pot, "Ye know he's never liked that one!"

Nola chuckled, picking up a knife and chopping up vegetables; "True. Hopefully he'll have one or more of his silly knives on him! Last time Nori almost had his fingers bitten off!"

Bofur couldn't help but chuckle until Nola asked: "You weren't harmed were you? I heard about what that fool tried to do to you in the market place."

Bofur sighed and started to explain when his words stopped short and he quickly asked: "how'd ye know about tha'?"

Nola shrugged; "The same way I knew about Nori. Thorin told me when I took some lunch to him," She explained without looking at her elder sibling, "He says he'll speak to that oaf if you like."

"I can handle me own business, sis!" Bofur spat, "Why'd ye take him some food any ways?"

Nola sighed and stopped cutting up carrots long enough to look at her brother; "He likes Bombur's cooking," She explained, and she smiled when Bombur laughed triumphantly.

"Nola…Ye can't…Yer a commoner!" Bofur complained with an exasperated sigh.

Nola rolled her eyes, grabbed an onion and began to dice it up without looking up at her older brother.

"And he is an exiled King to whom I'm employed and who has helped us quite a lot recently!" Nola argued, "Bofur, please, like you just said I think I can handle my own business as well."

Bombur made a frightened sound as he watched his two siblings argue back and fourth, wondering if he should continue stirring the pot, or step out of the kitchen.

"Ye know they say he was a frequent visitor to the Madam Jinna's brothel, before you, right?" Bofur asked coldly, "Doesn't that…give ye some qualms?"

"No," Nola responded assuredly as she stopped chopping the onion and her fingers clasped the jewel hanging from her neck, "Because I'm not…Thorin has been nothing but a gentleman towards me. By the way, He says to let you and Bul know he will be by tomorrow, as planned."

Bofur tensed; looked from Nola and then at Bombur whom seemed delighted at the idea of Thorin coming for a visit. "Fine," He said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll lay down fer a while."

Nola took a deep breath and nodded as she exhaled, her face suddenly contorting and she lurched for a moment.

"Are ye alright?" Bombur inquired, "Sis? Are ye sick?"

"N-no," Nola chuckled, "um…I think I'm going to uh, go to the apothecary."

"What? Why?" Bofur asked, and he noticed the agitation on his sister's face that often rose when he started being overly protective.

"Just to see how the old dwarf is managing," Nola replied as she hurried to the front door, "He gets rather flustered without any extra help. I'll be back shortly."

I.

"You know you still are one of the very best. Matter of fact, it was you that let Staric's little flunky know about the black rose root, right?"

Dori sighed and lifted the lid of the pot, checking the soup with only his eyes to judge its consistency, before closing the lid and removing the pot from its spot to cool.

"How'd you figure that out?" Dori asked as he wiped his hands on a towel that hung from his belt, "Let me guess…bribes and threats until you found your way here?"

Bul smiled proudly and nodded.

"Had I known why and for who the poison was to be used…" Dori's voice trailed off, "You think I helped kill my old comrade? I only thought I was helping Staric take care of an enemy."

"You did," Bul hummed, checking his face in the reflection of a shiny ladle, "You just didn't know it was meant for Boheeka and besides…Boheeka was always a fool."

Dori shot a narrowed glare at the dwarf whom only grinned; "Had he not been so overcome with grief…he'd still be here," Bul explained calmly, "But, even so, his death…the murder of Thorin's secret body guard…oh it gives us quite an opportunity."

Dori smirked; "us?" he said, "what are you playing at Bul? What do you want? Stop wasting my time."

Bul chuckled and hung the ladle back upon the hanging rack and, as he approached he ran his finger across the hanging utensils and whistled along with their noisy clanging.

"Somethin' big is comin'," He explained with a cold smile, "My operatives, obedient as they are, are still inexperienced…I need someone mature and since Boheeka is dead I~"

"No."

Bul snorted and leaned his head to the side; "Why not?" He asked, "I'm well aware you still take…contractual employment from time to time. When the restaurant business is slow, I mean. Matter of fact…I hear that's how Staric's family came to power all those years ago."

Dori sighed heavily and bowed his head; "I can't," He explained, "I don't want Ori ever thinking the things I did are a proper way of life! You have Nori no doubt he'll do anything for Bofur and Nola and that includes serving under your authority!"

"Exactly why I can't trust his loyalty," Bul pointed out, "He's loyal to them, not me. He'll serve me, obey my orders, but only fer their, and his own, benefit and besides, as I said, you could help them where weaponry is concerned."

Dori moaned and placed his hands on his hips as he cast his eyes down and thought for a moment.

Just as Bul thought he would have to threaten Dori with the information he had, pertaining to the poisonings of the first ruling family of Ered Luin, the dwarf nodded slowly.

"Very well," Dori agreed, "But no more than as a consultant and trainer."

Bul grinned wildly and he clapped his hands happily; "Excellent," He exclaimed, "Now…let me try that delicious smelling soup!"

II.

"Here, sit lass, it's nothin' to be frightened about."

Oin sat Nola in the comfortable arm chair in his office at the back of the apothecary and knelt beside the pale young dwarf woman.

"You're young and healthy," Oin pointed out as he patted Nola's trembling hand, "and Ye have a great family that will help ye."

A great shiver went through her and she bowed her head as tears began to fill her eyes.

"There, there," Oin said, and patted her trembling hands, "It's not a bad thing."

Nola sniffled; "I know," She explained lifting her head and wiping away a rogue tear, "I just wonder…if He'll want the baby."