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A New Friend:

The sun was barely emerging over the southern half of the Lonely Mountain peak, casting its soft yellow hue down over him and filtering its rays upon Dale. Last night, much like the past few, had been long for Thorin. He had known little else but sleepless nights which were filled with images of her keeping him awake since their last encounter in the garden. What spell had she cast on him he grumbled to himself-this child of the race of men. Thorin stood outside his chamber on a vast stone balcony which over looked the city of Dale. Darned in a thick dark blue dressing gown, richly detailed with embroidered gold and silver threading, unloosed in the front. His hands, palm down, on the cold stone fencing. Winter had arrived to the Lonely Mountain.

It had been nearly three months' time since he had last seen her. Yet she was ever there in the back of his mind-his thoughts. Nearly three months' time since he had allowed his temper to….. he sighed heavily closing his eyes tight. The young prince dropped his head down- his long thick dark locks cascaded down concealing his face-he shook his head and fisted his hands into tight balls. How could he? How could he have taken her over his knees and struck her as she did? Thorin didn't feel his knuckles meshing against the stone surface as he whispered her name over and over-Lúthien. He slowly raised his head casting his eyes once again towards Dale-crystal blue orbs straining over the buildings and towers. He wondered what she might be doing. Allowing himself to imagine her sleeping or partaking in first breakfast of the day. Suddenly he pushed off with great force spinning himself around and growling heavily. Thorin stormed back into his chambers scolding himself-willing himself to forget her, this female of the race of men.

Xxxxxxx

Lúthien snaked under the protection and warmth of the thick furs that covered her bed. Indeed winter was here. Her eyes and nose twitched and scrunched as she tried to waken. Her hand slid under the pillows, her bottom arching upward as her knees tucked themselves under her body. How she did not want to wake. Sleep. Just a little longer she desired its company. Just as she nearly drifted back into a quite slumber there came a loud knock at her door. She groaned. "Go away." Then she heard the creaking of the hinges as the wooden structure opened.

"Tis morn my sweet lamb, and you must rise." Varada sang as she entered Lúthien chambers. "The first day of the new moon and you know what that means."

She grunted -crawling further towards the head of the bed pulling the furs with her. "I do not wish to go to the market today Varada."

The elder shook her head with a chuckle as she walked to the window flinging back the heavy drapery. "Well you are not a princess and such luxury tis not yours to enjoy." She walked over to the bed and fisted the furs pulling them off Lúthien. "Your father expects your presence….so you best rise up and face the day….with a smile."

Although Varada could not see her Lúthien smiled with all her teeth showing in protest. "You vile creature why do you torture me so?" Lúthien bellowed from under the pillows-balling her body up in to a fetal position. "Tis cold!"

"Up you go lazy bones." Varada laughed as she made her way to the wardrobe. "Let's see which dress shall you wear today?" She stated as she opened the doors and began rummaging through the choices. "Ah this one will do nicely. Tis thick and lush with color." She grabbed a dark green dress which was decorated with gold and scarlet trimmings. "And twill make your eyes sparkle."

Lúthien groaned. "What care have I if my eyes sparkle?" She sat up pulling a pillow into her lap and hugged it tightly. "Tis not as though I am trying to impress anyone." She flung her legs over the side of the bed dangling them.

"True." Varada made her way to the bed laying the dress next to her. "But one never knows whom one might encounter -so…" she reached out to cup Lúthien head-sliding it gently down to cup her chin-raising Lúthien face to meet hers."So a lady must always be well prepared to impress."

Lúthien crinkled her nose, rolled her eyes and pouted her lips crossing her arms over her breasts. "You cannot be serious." She slipped off the bed tucking her feet into plush fur slippers. "I assure you there is no one I desire to impress." She headed to the basin poured water from the pitcher into it before cupping a hand full. She paused knowing the water would be freezing once it hit her face. She bent down and braced herself then splashed and rubbed. Her body shook and teeth chattered. Reaching over to the side of the basin Lúthien took a debarked twig and dipped it into the minted powered mixture. She brushed her teeth after which she ran her tongue over to ensure she removed any texture from the surface.

"Come." The governess commanded as she pointed to the stool in front of the fire - holding a brush in one hand and ribbons of emerald green and rust color in the other. "Sit." She smiled as Lúthien did as she requested without protest. Varada unbraided the younger's hair and began running the brush through golden thick curled tresses. Lúthien smiled and closed her eyes. She thoroughly enjoyed having her hair brushed. Varada pulled tight the braids swooping them up pinning and tying them with ribbons. "There….all finished." She braced her hands on either side of Lúthien cheeks and pressed gently. "Now get dressed."

Lúthien dressed turning to allow Varada access to lace the bodice. Afterward she helped the younger slip on her boots and her heavy fur trim hooded cloak. Spinning her around the elder smiled prodly. "You are truly a beauty Lúthien and any man would be counted lucky to take you to wife.

Lúthien stiffened at the thought. "Varada," she whispered, "I do not wish to marry."

Varada placed the brush and extra pinning's on the table, turned and gazed for a few moments at the young woman before her. With her hands clasped behind her back she strolled over to Lúthien and cleared her throat. "One day… soon… you will have to marry. It is expected of you Lúthien." A heavy long sigh came from Lúthien as her head looked down. The kindly woman lifted her chin with the tip of her finger so she might gaze into the younger's eyes. "Lamb….I know where your heart lies. But it can never be." Lúthien jerked her head away and moved toward the bed cursing to herself that Varada knew her almost as well as she did her own self.

"I do not care a thing for him. He is rude….arrogant…and boorish. I do not care if I ever lay eyes upon him for as long as I live."

Varada chuckled and headed towards the door. "Oh course you do not. That is why you never scan your surroundings in hopes to catch a glimpse of the young prince…. Or stare for hours at Erebor." She looked over her shoulder. "Or call his name in your sleep." She smiled at Lúthien's wide eyes and slacked jaw. "Close your mouth Lúthien tis not very lady like." She opened the door standing in the threshold waiting for her charge. "Come lamb… your parents await."

Xxxxx

As usual with the first day of the new moon the market was bursting with activity, even in winter. Lúthien followed just behind her father, mother, brother and varies members of his cabinet. Booth to booth-trader to trader examining the goods, sampling the food and conversing with the merchants. Lúthien walked slightly behind with Varada and of course Peregrin closing up the ranks. The assembly weaved and crisscrossed from vendor to vendor. Her father, Lord Éomer stopped to converse with the high captain of trade from Erebor. She took the opportunity to bypass the assembly and press forward through the market. Lúthien looked over her shoulder relieved when she spotted her brother, Banazîr.

Lúthien and Varada stopped by a vendor whose table was covered with rich precious gems crafted deep within Erebor. She closed her eyes softly as her fingertips gently caressed the stone wear and precious metals. When she opened her eyes her head turned slightly to the right and found herself staring straight into the face of a kindly dwarf. "Balin," he inclined his head, "at your service."

She smiled and inclined her head. "Lúthien, at yours."

He picked up the most beautiful necklace of emeralds and diamonds, placing it near her neck. "They match your eyes, m'lday."

She blushed and smiled. "Tis kind of you master dwarf." She then noted the royal chest of the line of Durin on his breast plate. And immediately knew he was a member of the royal guard. Her heart raced. Her eyes immediately began scanning the area praying that the prince would be no where around.

"Something troubling you m'lady?" Balin inquired as her twisted around trying to survey whatever it was she might be searching for.

She shook her head and smiled softly. "Nay master dwarf." Lúthien bowed slightly and bid him good day before moving around him to continue her stroll through the market. She took several paces and looked over her shoulder at the dwarf and once again allowed her eyes to scan the market for any sign of him sighing with relief when she found none. Lúthien crossed the path to a pottery vendor- admiring a lovely vase. After a few moments at that vendor's trades she crossed back over, suddenly noting out the corner of her another dwarf royal guard two tables down. He was tall for a dwarf with tattoos on his skull and a stripe of spiked dark brown hair down the center of his scalp. She held her breath looking around to the outskirts and shadows of the market-simultaneously reaching her hand out to touch the fabric laid upon table. Lúthien's head whipped around when her hand made contact with another. Next to her was a female dwarf with lovely blonde curls and piercing blue eyes. The pair quickly withdrew their hands and smiled at one another giggling softly.

Lúthien looked to the fabric then back at the dwarf-back to the fabric lifting it in her hands and pulling it to just under the chin of the dwarf-maiden. "Tis lovely against your complexion." She smiled.

"How kind of you." She inclined her head and smiled taking the fabric allowing it to tumble down in front of her. "It tis lovely weaving is it not?"

"Indeed it is." Lúthien smiled again. Something about her made Lúthien feel at ease.

"I am called Dis." The young dwarf-maiden smiled.

Lúthien smiled brightly back at the sweet kindhearted stranger. "I am called Lúthien."

The pair smiled at one another for a few moments, conversing about all the lovely goods in the market. Each telling the other of her favorite. Moments passed and their conversation went on until Dis' expression changed as her eyes slowly moved upward. She took a step back. Lúthien noting the expression of concern and the sudden movement toward them of the tattooed head dwarf guard, turned her head back and up- rolling her eyes at the sight of the towering brooding Peregrin.

"Pay him no mind." Lúthien whispered as she reached out taking the she-dwarf's hand, squeezing it gently.

"Little mouse," he growled taking her elbow. "Your father commands your presence back at the manor." Before she could say a word he flung her around escorting her through the market. Lúthien looked behind her noting curiously that both royal guards had flanked the female dwarf and were speaking to her with concerned expressions. Varada was also there= seemingly apologizing for Peregren frightening the young dwarf.

"Must you always be so foul Peregrin?"

"Always." He hissed.

They took several paces more Lúthien looked over her shoulder.

"Do you know who she is?" Lúthien inquired. "Why were the royal guards around her?"

He stopped suddenly flinging Lúthien back just a little when he haulted. He looked down at her curiously before his sinister eyes began to clench. A tight wicked smile crossed his lips and he lowered his head to whisper in her ear. "Why little mouse…. she princess Dis- the sister of the prince dwarf who thrashed your bottom that glorious eve."

Lúthien jerked her arm loose and stared wide eyed at the titan.

TBC