Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the Hobbit, that honor goes to the wonderful J.R.R Tolkien.

The Tragic Life of a Dwarf Maiden

Simila had admittedly done many questionable things in the past. Like the time she allowed Kili to talk her into declaring her undying love for his uncle (while heavily inebriated, of course), or the time she and Fili danced throughout the mountain while singing about their love for ale (again, while heavily inebriated). None of those things ever made her feel as if dwarves were mining away inside her head, though. She had also been able to recall every detail of what happened the next day as well.

Not this time.

There was nothing but a blank space where her memory should be, and that only left her with a growing sense of fear, and the obvious question of 'What in the name of Mahal did I get myself into?'

She couldn't even begin to imagine the trouble she must have caused, or what Fili and Kili could have talked her into doing. She had never been one to back down from any form of challenge while deep in her cups. As a matter of fact she was more likely to pass her tankard to the nearest dwarf and say, "Hold my ale," before charging in without a second thought. It was undoubtedly the reason Fili and Kili made sure she had a drink in hand before starting their games. She was far more agreeable that way.

A groan escaped her as she relaxed into the mattress, her muscles aching with every move she made. Simila couldn't help but wonder if she had been challenged to a fight. It certainly felt as if she had. As a matter of fact she felt as if she had been challenged multiple times and lost every one of them. Her father would be disappointed if that were the case. She'd be forced to spend her days on the training grounds for the rest of her life no doubt, and it would be justified. Imagine, the daughter of the great warrior Dwalin losing multiple fights in one night. The shame! Though in all reality Simila knew if any one dare harm her in such a way her father would never stand by idly and allow them to get away with it. He would hunt them all down and give them a bludgeoning they would never forget for even thinking of harming her in any way.

Her father has always been protective of her. Simila did not doubt that if he had it his way, she would never leave the safety of their home, though that could also be narrowed down to the fact all male dwarves were naturally protective of all dwarf maidens. They are rare amongst the dwarrow, and cherished above all else, so much so that they rarely leave the safety of the mountain. Simila herself has only been permitted to leave under the supervision of someone her father approved, and that list only held three names; his own, her uncle Balin, and Thorin. Not that the latter would ever condone to let her travel with him again after her profession of love. He was far too cautious of her for that, and it honestly bothered her. She had enjoyed traveling with him to villages for work, even if the men sometimes lacked all honor and respect.

Simila resigned herself to have another word with him about the matter, and turned her attention to the window above the bed. If she had to guess, she would say it was about midday though it was hard to tell exactly from her position. She would know for sure when she stepped outside. Until then she figured it would be a good time to get out of bed. Simila had never been one for sleeping in, hating the thought of wasting good time when she could be working. The only time she had ever slept in were the rare days she fell ill, and even then it was a battle to keep her there. And to think, she not only missed breakfast, but lunch as well! As if following her thoughts, her stomach gave an indignant growl, and she gave it a pat in full agreement of the injustice that had been done. Why did her father not wake her? He normally would, even if he had to pour cold water on her.

"Oh, look, you're awake," A snide voice said from the doorway, drawing her attention. "I was almost beginning to worry."

A grin crossed Simila's face as she turned to face the woman who had raised her as if she were her own daughter. Dis was regarding her with a look of both disapproval and amusement, having long since come to terms with her sons and wards antics. Simila wondered what exactly they had gotten themselves into the night before to draw Dis' attention. Usually she would wake to be thoroughly chastised by her father, sometimes it was both her father and Thorin. On rare occasions Dis would bother visiting to remind her that she was a lady and should act as one. Most of the time she would just ask for the details to amuse herself with. Dis had always been one for a good tale and humor, but when angered she was a force to be reckoned with.

"It's always good to hear you care."

"Not about you, dear girl. I do have places to be, you know. I can't always be here to nurse you every time you decide to go jump off a cliff into a river and knock that incredibly hard head of yours against a rock," She said with a roll of her eyes before taking a seat at the side of her bed. It was then that Simila realized she wasn't in her home at all. She was at Dis', in the room she used to stay in when he father went away with Thorin. How did she get here? As if reading her mind, Dis went on. "You lost consciousness before you hit the water. Luckily, Fili had enough sense to stay at the bottom to fish you out. They decided to bring you here rather than take you home. Didn't want to risk physical injury by bringing you back to Dwalin in such a state."

That explained why her head hurt so much. And why she wasn't in her own room. She would have to speak with Fili and Kili later, Simila decided, wanting to know exactly what they had gotten into the night before. She doubted they would tell her the full story, though. They would most likely add in false tales and exaggerations as they did when they were dwarflings trying to pull one over on her. Simila couldn't even begin to remember how many times they had ran up to her with wild tales of adventures and death defying moments they experienced while exploring the forest that surrounded the mountain. Being young Simila would be drawn in to their stories. She had even believed them. Eventually she figured out that their tales were no more than exaggerations, and learned to gather the truth from them.

"Smart thinking on their part," Simila commented, wincing as she forced herself into a sitting position. "Da never did think logically when it came to me getting hurt. Its always attack first and ask questions later." Dis nodded her agreement, a smile crossing her face as she reached over and gently touched the right side of Simila's face. It hurt. A lot. It took all her willpower not to pull away, and Simila was thankful Dis didn't take too long to come to the conclusion she needed.

"You're bruised and have a small wound on your temple, but that is all. You will be fine," She assured, retrieving water from the side table that had gone unnoticed until then. Simila didn't hesitate to drink. Her mouth was dry and her throat was beginning to ache with thirst. Talking hadn't helped none, either. After she finished off the water, Dis set it aside and gave a stern look that spoke volumes of the chastisement she was about to receive. Simila, having undergone this many times as a dwarfling, mentally prepared herself. Though Dis accepted the jokes and pranks, she was never one to allow blatant stupidity. Jumping off a cliff and injuring oneself fell under the latter. "But it could have been worse. There was a chance your injury could have been far more severe than it was. The possibility that Fili wasn't able to reach you in time. You could have died, Simila! Do you have any idea what that would have done to the ones who love you? Your father?"

The emphasis of the last word made her stomach clench in guilt. That was something Simila didn't want to even begin to think about. After her mother died bringing her into the world her father succumbed to a great depression. She had been told that he would often sit in her nursery for hours doing nothing more than holding her, gazing down at her; taking comfort from her presence. For the longest of times he cared for her by himself, refusing any help from Dis and Gloin's wife when they offered, often going days without rest to ensure Simila was properly cared for. He had feared that, if he left her too long unattended, she would somehow be taken away from him just as her mother had been. In that time she became his world; his precious baby girl and his reason for living. Simila knew that if anything would have happened, that if she had died, her father would have been utterly crushed. There would be nothing for him to take comfort in. Not this time.

Simila looked down at her hands in shame, tears welling in her eyes at the mere thought of hurting her father like that; forcing him to go through the same pain that nearly destroyed him when he lost her mother. That was something she couldn't bear to do.

"I'm sorry, Dis," She replied softly after a moment. "I wasn't thinking-"

"No you weren't, child,"Dis interrupted sharply. " You were thoughtless in your actions and completely reckless! Had I not been present when you came of age I would have thought you to be no more than an ignorant dwarfling!" Simila flinched. Truth be told she felt like a dwarfling in that moment, and had she been one she probably would have received a good hiding by now. That was one thing she could take comfort in at least.

A tense silence fell upon the room then. Simila couldn't think of any words to properly express the remorse she felt. Whatever had been going through her mind the night before she was sure held no intent to harm, but she was certain she had not put one thought into the possible consequences. What she had done was, in fact, entirely reckless and wholly ignorant. A dwarf maiden of nine and seventy should know better.

Dis gave a sigh and stood, pulling out a small vial from her pocket. "I sent the boys to retrieve this from Oin before you woke," She said gently, all admonishment gone from her voice. In its place was the tender care of the loving mother figure Simila was raised by. "For the pain, though I don't think it will last long. I kept Fili and Kili from entering long enough. Now that you're awake there will be no keeping them out." With a grin, she left the room, and as Simila wiped the tears from her face she could only think it was a reasonable punishment. Unbelievably cruel, but reasonable.

Simila quickly popped the cork as she heard footsteps racing down the hall, and downed the contents in hope that it would set in before they could reach her. By the time she lowered the vial, grimacing as she forced herself to swallow its vile contents, Fili and Kili were at the door pushing and shoving each other to be the first to enter. It ended with Fili on the floor and Kili sprawling at the end of her bed, that endearing grin on his face as he gazed up at her. She marveled at their childishness, especially after questioning her own.

"Good morning, fair maiden! How are you feeling?" He questioned brightly. Too brightly for her taste. Simila wondered how he could always be so cheerful. It was slightly disconcerting. And charming. Oh how she adored him.

"Like I just took on a cave troll and lost. Terribly."

Fili scoffed from the position he took up on the floor. "Do you truly believe we would be so careless as to allow you to fight a troll by yourself?"

"Yes."

"You have such little faith in us," He responded despondently, a look of hurt crossing his features at her answer.

"Partially."

Fili's brow furrowed at this, a frown crossing his face in confusion. Simila could tell he was struggling with some inner thought, and based on the look they shared so was Kili. She figured she would let them contemplate her meaning for a moment longer, if only for her own amusement which she was in desperate need of. She was feeling far too wretched after her admonishment, not that it wasn't deserved. Simila had never been good with negative emotions.

After a moment they both turned back to her.

"Partially?" Kili asked. Simila gave a nod as her only answer, causing the two heirs to look at her in frustration.

"And by partially you mean...?" Fili pressed. Simila decided to relent and tell them.

"I mean, my dearest Fili, that no matter what trouble you get me into, I can trust in you to get me out when it is needed," She said, surprised at the level of sincerity in her voice. "Your mother told me you pulled me out of the river last night. Thank you."

Fili's face flushed, and he looked away, giving a small shrug of his shoulders. He had mumbled something, but Simila had been unable to hear what it was he had said. Kili, seeing his brothers flustered response, gave a grin and sat up, scooting himself to the edge of the bed. He nudged his brother with the toe of his boot, which was answered with a fierce glare, before casting Simila a look of pure mischief.

"Well he couldn't very well allow his precious Simila drown now could he?" He questioned smugly. "We would be positively crushed if anything were to truly happen to you." Kili added with a seriousness that stunned Simila. She had never really contemplated the strange relationship she held with the Ili's. They had been raised together. They had played together as dwarflings and got into all kinds of mischief. They trained together and suffered through vigorous hours of pure exhaustion and pain. They had bandaged each others wounds when hurt, and comforted each other when needed. They had even fought and defended each other when one of them was wronged. Fili and Kili had always been there for her just as she had been there for them when they needed her. Sure there were times she wanted nothing more than for them to leave her alone, a time in which was expressed by her hiding away, but there were also times when she could rely on them to be there for her. To make her laugh and smile when she needed it, or even to be the shoulder to cry on. She trusted them; cared for them, and judging by the severity of their expressions they felt the same.

Simila's stomach clenched as raw emotion swept through her, and before she could stop herself she found herself launching into Kili, an arm wrapping around him before reaching for Fili. In the end they found themselves on the floor, arms wrapped around each other with Simila in the middle, laughter filling the room in perfect remembrance of their childhood. It was nice to be held like this again, and Simila began to question just why she has been hiding away from them. She felt comfortable in that moment. As if she belonged.

As dwarflings they had spent most of their days together, running about slaying dragons and pretending to take back Erebor. They had been inseparable. Simila could recall the times she had slipped out of her bed during storms while staying at Dis' and met Kili in the hall before they raced into Fili's room to hide under the covers, their small arms wrapping around the other in comfort, none willing to admit they were afraid.

"This brings back memories," She found herself saying, a smile working its way on her face as she looked between the two heirs.

"That it does," Fili replied, and silence descended upon the trio as they lost themselves in some distant memory.

Not long after Simila found herself leaving Dis' house in search of food. Her father would already be off training young dwarves by now, but she was sure he would have left her something to eat, and if not she could easily make a good meal for herself. Her stomach gave another growl at the thought of food, and it was no wonder. She had missed dinner the night before, and breakfast that morning. And lunch. She was lucky to be up and moving at that moment instead of being stuck in bed withering away from starvation! If it was one thing Simila loved more than ale, it was food.

As she suspected she found a plate full of all her favorite breakfast foods upon entering her home; eggs, bacon, sausage, and right beside it a piece of parchment signed with her fathers name. Simila wasted no time, and sat, grabbing a piece of sausage in one hand while the other took the note. She chewed as her eyes scanned the words. It was short and to the point. Dori needed to speak with her, then she was to go to the training yard to have a word with her father. She could already guess what Dori needed to speak to her about. He, Nori, and Ori would soon be leaving to visit towns of men to sell wares. Simila, having come upon an agreement with him, often forged and crafted wares for them to sell, and they would split the profit made. It was a fair trade.

Her father, however, was less predictable. He could just wish to see his daughter, or he may need to ask something of her. There was also the chance that she had gotten into more things with Fili and Kili than just going for a late night swim and bringing herself bodily har- Simila's eyes widened in horror. Perhaps he had been told about her little adventure outside the mountain. An adventure that had not been given permission to go on. An adventure that neither he, Balin, or Thorin had been on.

Feeling a little more than worried, Simila quickly finished up her breakfast and cleaned her dish before heading down the hall to her room. She decided she would freshen up before going to speak with Dori and, inevitably, her father. There was no need to worry them by appearing before them only bruised, but disheveled as well. Grabbing a clean tunic and trousers from her wardrobe, Simila quickly dressed and went to the vanity in the corner of her room in hope of gaining some sense of control of her hair. Normally her black tresses fell in loose curls, but after her late night swim Simila's hair resembled her fathers greatly. She set to work combing the knots out, wincing when she pulled too hard, before quickly braiding her hair and rushing out the door.

Dori lived closer to the market not far from the entrance of the mountain, which was quite the walk away from where she was. It would be the opportune time to buy some much needed materials while she was close by, she thought. Plus it would buy her some time before she had to face her fathers wrath. Call her a coward, but Dwalin was downright frightful when angered. She would glady face a pack of orcs before her father while he was upset about something, and that was the truth of it. Simila could still recall the few times she had made him cross with her, quite vividly, and it was not an experience she wished to relive. As a matter of fact she would much rather avoid it.

A shudder tore through her, and she forced herself to think of something else. Like the fact Fili's admirer that always followed him about(Dulgura, she believed), was currently glaring daggers her way. She was also sporting a rather unattractive black eye, not that Simila was one to judge. She had a rather nasty bruise that extended from her temple to her cheek bone herself. Still, Simila couldn't help but wonder exactly what she had done to have earned such a hateful glare. Sure most of the dwarf maidens despised her for the fact she seemed to have the favor of the two heirs of Durin, but none have ever openly showed their dislike toward her. At least not anymore. It honestly baffled her, but Simila shrugged it off. She could question it later when she actually had the time. Right then she had business to attend.

Upon reaching Dori's, Simila rapped her knuckles against the door and waited. It didn't take long for her to hear shuffling on the other side before the door was opened to reveal a rather flustered Ori.

"Miss Simila," He greeted with a sweet smile. "Are you here for Dori?"

Simila gave a nod in reply and Ori stepped aside, allowing her entrance. Much like her own home, Dori's house was cozy, with three chairs facing the fire place and a small table in front. Behind that was another table with with chairs surrounding it, food still covering it surface. Dori sat in the middle chair with Nori on his left while Ori took his place at the right, picking up his journal where he began to scribble something down.

"Mister Dori, Mister Nori," Simila addressed politely. "My father said you wished to speak with me?"

"Yes, I had-" he froze when his eyes landed on her "-By my beard, child! What happened to your face?"

"Had a disagreement with a rock last night." Her response gained the reaction of a snort from Nori, and Dori's disapproving shake of the head. Ori was grinning into his journal, oblivious to all, and it made her wonder what exactly he wrote down. She knew he liked to document things, but as to what she had never really been privy to. Ori had shown her his sketches on many occasions, though, which was an honest privilege. He was exceedingly talented.

"We will be leaving on the morrow," Dori continued. "I wanted to make sure everything was in order."

"Everything is in order," Simila assured. "I will have someone help bring everything here for you later, if that is all right?"

Dori nodded his approval.

"Would you care for some camomile?" Simila couldn't help but smile at the question. Unfortunately, while she would normally accept, she was short on time. She still needed to go to the market, not to forget the daunting task of meeting up with her father. Feeling a little more than dejected, Simila declined and excused herself. Her father wasn't Fili and Kili, she couldn't hide away from him so easily. Nor would she. Mainly because he could find her without the slightest of problems. It was better to face him and be done with it. No matter how much she wanted to revert back into her inner dwarfling and hide under her bed.

A/N: This took FOREVER to get down right, and to be quietly honest I still find it slightly disappointing. I want to thank those who followed, reviewed, and favorite this(: I will be working on getting chapters uploaded faster and it should be picking up soon. I honestly can't until they begin the adventure. Again this is self edited so please forgive any mistakes, and please review and let me know what you think(: