It was one the best gifts Thorin had presented to her.

As she smoothed the pony's mane, a small smile graced Nola's lips as she stepped back and closed the gate of the chute and prepared to head home for the evening.

"Oh, hello Nola," greeted a voice behind her. Cringing, Nola turned slowly and offered a bow to the dwarf woman, and a smile at the small dwarf child at her side.

"Lady Dis, how are you this evening?" Nola asked softly, "and how are you as well, Master Fili?"

The little boy smiled shyly and shrugged; Dis, however, observed Nola coldly; as she often did when Thorin was not near.

"I brought him to see the ponies," Dis explained, her free hand coasting down her swollen belly, "I, if it matters to you, I had to get some air."

Nodding once more, Nola began to take her leave, but Dis held up her hand for her to stop and wait.

"Your…your with child!" Dis gasped releasing Fili's little hand and coming inches from Nola, "aren't you?"

Nola, forgetting Bul's training, let her face deceive her and Dis let out an exasperated sigh.

"How could you possibly~"

"This," Dis explained tracing her finger down Nola's jaw so roughly she flinched, "you're hair fell out…as it will…when your two months along…am I right?"

"Excuse me," Nola said, "but I really must be heading home or Bofur will~"

"Why don't you…root it out?"

Nola jerked backward, her face one of shock and disgust while Dis kept her cold, cruel expression.

"It does not concern you!" Nola spat, her anger rising.

Dis moaned suspiciously, "How does he know it's his?" Dis asked and, knowing whom she spoke of, Nola's face reddened with anger yet she remained silent.

The Dwarf princess scowled in utter disgust; "You're feyd!" She hissed, "When there were women among their ranks…they were very, very professional…if you get my meaning."

Nola clenched her fists and tried to keep her voice level. "Please, let me pass, I must get home."

Dis put her hand up once again and Nola had to stop herself from pulling out the hidden dagger tucked up her sleeve.

Calming herself instead, she inhaled sharply and looked at Dis curtly; waiting for whatever it was the princess had in mind to say.

"My sons are the rightful heirs," Dis hissed, "Not your insignificant, accidental, Bas~"

"DIS!"

Dis yelped and spun around. "Uncle Thorin!" Fili cried and ran up to the officious dwarf whom took the boy by his tiny hand.

"Fili, be a good boy, and wait outside for a moment" Thorin ordered, and cast the boy a look when he started to protest.

When Fili had gone, Thorin's piercing eyes fell upon his sister.

"I'd forgotten," Thorin started softly as he approached, "How power hungry you are."

Dis swallowed and said nothing as she stepped aside so Thorin could come and stop beside Nola.

Thorin looked at Nola and when he was satisfied she was no longer distressed, turned to face Dis once more.

"Even with the loss of your husband"-Dis lowered her eyes-"even when you still wear the colors of mourning…you should be ashamed of yourself. Being that you're with child yourself I can't believe you would strive to upset Nola!"

"I was thinking only of you and my children!" Dis declared, "Of what…y-your affiliation with her would mean for us if we ever take back Erebor!"

"Your sons will remain in the line of succession," Thorin spat flatly and sternly, "Just as my own child will."

"You would humiliate the line of Durin then?" Dis questioned, "Thorin…she's the daughter of a killer and a killer in her own right!"

Thorin chuckled suddenly; "You've relied on childish gossip and cruel accusations," He pointed out, "Nola has since been relieved of her duties."

Dis opened her mouth to speak, but seeing the icy glare of her brother, bowed suddenly to Nola.

"Forgive me," She offered, and then with a shrug added: "hormones."

Nola nodded, said nothing, and without another word shared between the two women, Dis turned and hurried from the stable.

When she had gone, Thorin's large hand found purchase on Nola's abdomen, and he smiled to himself.

"What did Oin say?" He inquired, "Is everything alright?"

Nola nodded, knowing Thorin strove to help her forget the situation that had just occurred.

"He thinks the baby is a little big at the moment," She explained, "but other than that, he says everything is going along splendidly."

"Has Bofur started speaking to you?"

Nola's reply was a sigh and a shake of her head.

"I could speak with him," Thorin suggested, "he shouldn't be so cold to you."

"He'll come around on his own," She explained, "He's only worried after all. Deep down, I imagine, he's excited at being an uncle. As a matter of fact, he can't wait until Bombur and Sela start having their own."

"Have you given any thought to my question?" Thorin asked, tracing a finger down her soft cheek.

"Yes," Nola replied with a soft smile, and she let Thorin pull her close.

"Well?" Thorin pressed, and Nola broke into laughter as she pulled away and looked up at him.

"That was the answer," She said, "when I said 'yes,' that was my answer to your question."

"Oh!" Thorin chuckled, "Well, it's been a long day after all…Staric agreed to have a banquet for Durin's day, Dain's coming, and Bul's planned everything."

I.

"Quit yer squirmin'!" Bul snapped, and he tugged hard at the braid he was working, "It's Yer own damn fault!"

Nori huffed; "I liked my hair the way it was!" He griped, "I don't see why it had to be re-done!"

"Because," Bul mewled, "Yer supposed to be nothin' more than a server! A caterer from yer brother's restaurant and I can't have ye walkin' in all braided up like yer some kind o' royal! Now hold still!"

Nori growled when Bul gave him another tug and looked at Bofur whom sat across from them at the dining table, munching an apple and observing the situation with a smile.

"Shut up!" Nori said, and Bul jerked his head back into place, "Least you get to look posh!"

Bofur looked at his fine silk, green tunic and black trousers, and said with a mouthful of apple: "Imma muffian! Gora 'ook da par'!"

His hair clean and neatly braided in a perfect plait down to his shoulders, Bofur shrugged: "Learn to play an instrument," He advised after he swallowed, "Then ye won't be sufferin' so much!"

"Aye!" Bul agreed, "Nor will I! Bo, do ye have the guest list?"

Bofur rolled his eyes, reached inside his tunic and pulled out the tightly rolled parchment. Holding it up for Bul to see he said: "As always, kept it on me self ever since ye got it."

Bul smirked; "What are yer duties?"

Bofur rolled his eyes once more and took another bite of his apple.

"Well?" Bul demanded as he started to braid Nori's hair, "Tell me!"

"I'm a bloody flute player and I stay with the band!" Bofur spat, bits of apple flying from his mouth, "and I watch the people at table six because they're closest to where my arse will be sittin' and because they're blood related to Staric!"

"Very, very good!" Bul cooed, "I could've done without the dramatics but…eh! Now yer self, Nori?"

Nori winced as Bul pulled hard on his hair yet said: "Caterer, I mince with the c-crowd and-OW!-watch the other hall workers. OW! DAMMIT!"

Bul rolled his eyes, and looked over his shoulder at Bifur, shaking his head. "Styling hair," He explained, "Gettin' ready fer tonight."

Bifur's tired and glazed eyes looked down at Nori and he lifted his eyebrows; Bifur croaked,

Bul groaned and pushed Nori gently; "Get up and get dressed. Bofur, deal with 'im please."

Before anything could be done or said Bifur howled in rage and Nori barely had time to move as the wounded dwarf tackled Bul who gave a startled cry.

Bifur was growling and grunting savagely, his hands held tightly around Bul's neck and the other dwarf struggled and gagged desperately.

Bofur hurried over and, as he knew to do, gently wrapped his arms around Bifur's shoulders and began talking to him calmly in his ear; Delicately ordering him to calm down in their ancient tongue.

Bifur's eyes softened and he made a soft chirping sound; he let go of Bul quickly and the dwarf, hacking and gagging, wasted no time getting to his feet.

"Crazy feckin' fool!" Bul spat, "I told ye! I told ye a thousand times to be done with 'im!"

"It was my fault!" Nori argued, "I was crying out…you know what that causes him to do! I'm sorry Bofur!"

"BOFUR?" Bul shouted hoarsely, "I'm the one that got throttled."

Bifur offered softly, still held about his shoulders by Bofur,

Bofur sighed and squeezed Bifur by his shoulders, turning to lead him back to his room just as Nola appeared.

"Is Bifur alright?" She asked sleepily, "I heard shouting."

Bul groaned and rubbed his throat, muttering something nobody heard.

Bofur said nothing as he led Bifur past Nola, and his sister's face dropped and she sighed deeply.

As Nori rose, he gestured at Bul, "He had a go at Bul," He explained, "Just another fit is all. You should go on to bed, you look tired."

Nola smiled softly, thanked Nori and headed back to her room just as Bofur reappeared; An amused smile on his face as he watched Bul cough and rub his throat.

"Tha's a first," He pointed out, "normally He has a go at Nori!"

Nori chuckled and turned to look at Bul. "I feel so close to you right now!"

The two young dwarves burst out in laughter while Bul sneered angrily at both of them;

"He coulda killed me!" He snapped, only to be drowned out by tight lipped chuckles, "'ave ye even thought of Nola? What if he hurts her?"

Bofur grew quiet suddenly and Nori sucked in his breath; knowing full well what argument if any, was about to ensue.

"Well," Bofur offered, "He, Thorin I mean, could do the right thing and wed her."

Bul groaned and waved a hand at Bofur; "Never mind," He griped, "Just…just go and get our purses!"

"What?" Bofur persisted, "too much to ask of our dear king? I guess, since he is after all royalty, he can just lay with whomever he pleases and not honor the lass later? It's alright to leave 'er all by herself and let others call 'er a whore while she comes home to someone that, though not all his fault, could harm 'er and his baby!"

"Bo," Nori said, trying to calm the situation, "Come on…she's trying to rest and we're wasting time. The banquet is set to start in a few hours and we've got to go and speak with Thorin any ways."

"Agreed," Bul sighed, "Now, be a good lad, and get the damn purses!"

II.

"Are ye sure it was a wise choice? Employing them I mean?"

Thorin, sipping his wine thoughtfully, slowly nodded. "They've yet to let me down after all," He explained, "Besides, Balin, you know of them back from your days in Erebor. My grandfather regarded them highly."

Balin said nothing to this and looked to where Thorin was staring.

Where the orchestra was assembled, the old dwarf lord observed the one in the green silk tunic, fiddling with a flute.

"He's one of them, isn't he?" Balin asked under his breath, "Either that or you've given up on females."

Thorin gagged on his wine and looked at Balin with wide eyes; "of-of course not!" Thorin hissed, "as a matter of fact I'm going to be…"

"Yes?" Balin asked. Thorin waved his hand; "Later," He explained, "But, between you and I, yes. His name is Bofur-eh-Boheeka's son. Ever heard of him? Boheeka I mean."

Balin sighed and nodded; "Yes," He answered, "Kran, the old leader, adored Boheeka…a fine young dwarf wholly devoted to Thror until he wed and, apparently, had children. Whatever became of him?"

Thorin's eyes darkened; "Dain didn't tell you?" He asked, "You…you never got word?"

Balin jolted in surprise and asked: "My diplomacy keeps me quite occupied. What's this all about?"

"Balin," Thorin started, then took a large gulp of wine, "I regret to inform you that…Boheeka died…not long after his wife."

Balin's eyes grew dark; "So sad," He observed, "even while an operative he was an honorable fellow."

"They all are," Thorin argued peacefully, "Especially his daughter."

From across the way, from he sat, Bofur was bored beyond description. The night was going well; most of Staric's kin were too drunk to be considered any danger and, Bofur wondered, if Bul had meant for that to be the case as Nori had made sure their goblets never got too empty.

Every once in a while Nori would make an aggravated face, causing Bofur to smile and forget the troubles that weighed in his mind at the moment.

"Do you play professionally?"

Bofur turned and his breath caught in his throat; a dwarf, not much older than he, smiled kindly his smile lit his dark blue eyes as he waited for Bofur to answer.

"Uh…n-no," Bofur stammered, "I-uh-I'm fillin' in fer the night."

The dwarf nodded and set his violin aside; "May I?" he asked, and extended his hand.

Bofur looked at his flute before handing it over to the dwarf and He watched him study his instrument.

"Very nice," the dwarf observed, "you made this?"

"Me father," Bofur corrected, "When I was born…he taught me to play."

The dwarf, his sandy blonde hair hanging loose and past his shoulders, handed it back to Bofur with an adoring smile.

"Sweet," He offered, "I'm Sol by the way. I traveled here with Dain. He's picky about who plays during festivities and being that I'm his music director…here I am."

"Bo," Bofur said, then shook his head, "I mean Bofur…my friends and kin call me Bo though. So…ye supplied the sheet music?"

The one called Sol, nodded; "like I said," He explained and gestured toward the burly, rough looking dwarf next to Thorin, "Picky. Music soothes the savage beast; especially when it's to his liking."

Bofur grinned and chuckled, enjoying the joyful feeling that had long since alluded him, and nodded at Thorin.

"He doesn't seem to share Dain's interest," He observed, "been scowlin' all night!"

Sol chuckled and picked up his violin again; "that would be Thorin Oakenshield, correct?" He asked, "I've heard of him. Handsome fellow, whose the woman with him his wife?"

Bofur snorted; "His sister," He explained, "Dis is 'er name. He's unwed but has a nephew, Fili."

"Ah!" Sol mused, "and you Mister Bofur? Have you a wife or children?"

Bofur shook his head quickly; "I take care of my siblings is all," He explained, "Which means a lot of work and little play."

"I'd imagine, being a toymaker, you'd want children of your own," Sol pointed out with a soft smile, "But I know what you mean. I've no wife of child either."

Bofur nodded just before noticing Bul gesture toward him from his hiding place and he sighed; it was time.

"Eh, excuse me but I've got a…wait…I never told ye I was a toymaker."

Sol, tuning his violin, hesitated briefly before breaking into an embarrassed smile. "Forgive me," He confessed, "but-eh-I-I inquired about you when I saw you enter the great hall."

Something warmed in Bofur's stomach and he nodded; "'s alright," He offered softly, "but fer now, I've got to go and chat with someone."

He met up with Bul and Nori, in the afore mentioned, torch lit corridor that would lead them to the balcony of the mansion; there, Bofur assumed, they would find him waiting.

"Where's Thorin?" Bofur inquired impatiently, "He should have been here by now and I doubt Staric is gonna wait much longer."

Bul, lighting his pipe, shrugged off Bofur's complaint. "We stick to the plan," He said through a cloud of blue-grey smoke, "Anythin' else and we loose everythin'."

"How do we know Staric doesn't have guards? Someone watching us right now?" Nori asked, tugging at his single braid, "This all seems too easy!"

Bul chuckled and inhaled another puff of smoke from his pipe. "ye can thank yer brother fer that," He explained, "Whatever guards Staric had mindin' the corridors, just in case, Dori made sure they got a pleasant meal. They'll wake later with no idea of what's happened."

Nori chuckled and cast Bofur an astonished look to which the latter dwarf smirked.

"Dori's here?" Nori asked, and Bul shook his head, "Took his leave earlier," He explained, "He's from the old days and we couldn't risk Balin recognizing him and growin' suspicious~"

"Let us finish this," Thorin said in a sharp, soft tone as he approached. Looking at Bul, then toward the stair case he asked: "Are you ready?"

Bul nodded and tapped the ash out of his pipe before wrapping it and stowing it away. "Nori," He ordered, "Stay here and keep watch. Bo, yer with us."

Nori nodded at Bofur and mouthed 'good luck.' Bofur smiled and followed behind Bul and Thorin and quickly ascended the stair case and out onto the stone balcony.

Staric turned slowly as the three of them made themselves known and his stubby nose crinkled.

"Took you three long enough!" He snapped, turning and leaning his back against the stone wall, "I almost gave up. What is it that you want? And do be quick about because I hear that Madam Jinna has supplied a lovely array of her best ladies!"

Bul snorted while Thorin sneered. Bofur however, at the sight of him, felt a familiar rage growing inside of him.

Bul approached Staric quickly, extended a fist inches from the stewards face and said: "Well, an explanation would be good. Revenge is even better though."

Bul turned his fist up and opened it; Staric looked at the trinket in his hand, and very slowly met the dwarf's twinkling coal black eyes.

"Did ye watch him die?" Bul asked, and Bofur stirred uncomfortably behind him, "After ye swore ye would leave well enough alone?"

Staric chuckled and slapped Bul's hand away so suddenly that Bofur lurched, his right hand; going for his left sleeve only to be stopped short of pulling his blade by Thorin.

"A braid bead?" Staric questioned, "How do you know it was not planted?"

Bul gave a wry smile and looked over his shoulder at Thorin whom nodded at him to continue; "Because we spoke to the one that subdued Boheeka," He explained calmly, then his eyes went very dark and he asked in a hiss, "Yer still such a coward that ye had yer flunky shoot a dart into Boheeka's back while his grief distracted him. What kind of ruler are ye?"

Staric blinked, fidgeted for a moment and then looked over Bul's shoulder at the two other dwarves.

"Wh-what flunky?" He demanded, "I don't know of whom you speak!"

Bul grabbed Staric by the shoulders and spun him violently; poking a finger over Staric's stiff shoulder he acknowledged the outline of the forest that surrounded Ered Luin.

"The one I buried out there four days ago!" He explained, almost joyfully, "I spoke to the one who gave ye the black rose poison…found yer flunky and…well, his usefulness ran out rather quickly, ye see."

Stepping back, Bul allowed the dwarf lord to spin around and observe the three of them again; obviously his mind was racing with what to say next.

"Dain informed me, as he promised me he would," Thorin explained, "Of the many secret letters you sent to him. Begging for his help one last time….in one more attempt to murder me. Not even a promise of Erebor's fortune dissuaded you?"

Staric swallowed hard and slowly shook his head. Bul laughed in amazement and clapped Staric on his shoulder. "Now that's ballsy!" He chuckled, "Finally admittin' to bein' a cold blooded killer all fer the promise of more wealth than what was first promised! I'm impressed!"

"Bul," Thorin said, his voice harboring impatience, "Please…others will start to wonder if we take much longer."

Staric's eyes widened; "You can't!" He spat shrilly, "I've got guards everywhere! A-and the suspicion that will come against you, Thorin, there's no way~"

"Ach! Now yer just bein' annoying!" Bul griped, "Calm yer self! If we meant to kill ye we would have done so long ago. Thorin…get on with it."

Thorin looked at Staric, his piercing blue eyes studying him deeply for a moment he breathed one word without hesitation: "Abdicate."