Disclaimer: I own nothin except the creativity behind Devina. The "poem" is actually a song entitled "King Beneath The Mountain" performed by Karliene & Juggernoud1.

Lament

Chapter IV

Strange Lodgings

Thorin and his company had traveled for hours, well past the Baywater. Through clouds were rolling in, giving the sunlight a dirty yellow cast, he knew it was still a couple of hours before nightfall. Fortunately the start of the journey had passed pleasantly, for the road had grown wide enough for four to ride abreast which found Ori, Bilbo, and his nephews riding side by side behind him, quizzing Devina about her world. She told them about her hobbies such as sketching and writing poetry and told them of her profession, her 'job' she had called it, of working in a library. She sounded reminiscent when she spoke of it and her love of a good book.

"You work? But don't you have a brother, father, or husband to look after you?" Though she laughed at Ori's shocked question, he felt her stiffen a little.

"In my world that may have once been true, but women now work as equals to men. Partly because they grew tired of being considered inferior and stifled and partly due to a great war thatDis took so many men, young and old away, that they had to if they were to keep food on the table for themselves and little ones." She explained that there was a great deal more that took place, over the course of many years, but ultimately that change things the quickest.

"It is too expensive for most men or women to afford to live and not work. Living situations very quite a lot," The most absurd to Thorin, and the others judging by their scandalized mummers, was men and women living together while courting, and sometimes never courting. There must have been few women without a ruined reputation in her world, and Thorin hoped he'd never live to see such times.

Ending the conversation, Thorin decided to give his arms a rest by teaching Devina to ride the pony. She was reluctant, but agreed.

"Only because I feel guilty that you have to put up with a riding partner!" she claimed, trying to sound as though she were doing him a service. She grinned up at him to show she was teasing and he found himself giving her a small smile in return. This was going to be quite a laugh, he thought to himself.

By the time they reached Bree, Devina had improved enough that the pony no longer tried to dart off in random directions, and while it was anything but a straight line, stayed on the road. Before entering through the gates of the little town, they all dismounted. Thorin allowing he to hold onto his hands as she brought one leg over the side of the horse and slide down. He couldn't help smirking a little when he noticed her blush.

Clearing her throat she side stepped him and followed the others into the town, walking with Bilbo and starting a conversation about cooking. Getting under her skin seemed all to easy for him, and had become unexpectedly amusing for Thorin. Especially when he considered how infuriating she could be.

Devina couldn't believe her eyes, or her senses for that matter. Bree was much dirtier than she would have imagined. The streets were muddy and half flooded from rain the night before, what looked suspiciously like cow pies, or more likely horse pies, littered everywhere. She avoided these more than the puddles. Everywhere it smelled like a Port-a-potty and farm all rolled into one.

Despite the filth and foul smells that invaded her nose, Devina was completely enchanted by the place. It reminded her of a midlevel strip mall or sorts. There were shops dedicated to clothing. Two smithies, one for weapons and one for tools and other essentials like horseshoes and saddles. These reminded her of the many sporting goods stores. Her favorite sight was the shop selling assorted goods. She could see brass candlestick holders, books, bits of furniture, and other bobs and trinkets. She would stop there before they left. Several of the dwarves chuckled at her as she turned round on the spot to take in as many sights as she could. It was Thorin and Ori who got her attention first.

"Lets get your supplies while the shops are still open, the others will meet us at the inn for supper," He informed her, motioning to Ori he continued, "Ori will escort you to the shop for clothes and take care of the expense. I'm sure you don't need to be told that dresses will not be needed for this journey?" he asked, reverting back to his condescending tone from the night before.

Devina rolled her eyes. "You mean there wont be any balls or a Prince Charming to fall madly in love with?" she replied with mock despair. "No, sir, you don't need to tell me that." She smiled sweetly at Ori turning away from Thorin, not understanding his sudden sour mood.

"Help me not look like a fool?" She asked the homely little dwarf. He puffed up his chest and offered her his arm.

"It would be my honor, my Lady!" he proclaimed proudly, and he steered off to the shop that sold an assortment of clothes. She wondered where Thorin would be off to as they entered the dimply lit establishment. She wasn't able to ponder very long as a portly woman wearing a dress in a drab shade of pink.

"How can I help you Miss, Sir dwarf, " she greeted kindly. Ori spoke up quickly, taking his task to make sure Devina was properly equipped with suitable clothes to heart.

"The lady needs a wardrobe for traveling, proper boots, a couple of cloaks, and... anything else a lady would require," he blushed and stammered over that last part, not wanting to come off improper about the details of ladies dress. The proprietress smiled sweetly at him before leading Devina off to a pedestal to gather her measurements while Ori sat in a rickety little chair off to the side. It made a precious sight since it was still clearly too large for him. She wished she had her sketch pad and pencils. Perhaps she could find something in that shop next to the inn.

After a few minutes, Devina was surprised at how quickly they made their purchases. The woman had brought back four shirts, two light weight tunics, one in a pretty navy, the other in a silvery cream. The other two a heavier material similar to wool but softer and in a mossy green and a beautiful wine color. Two pairs of women's trousers, similar to leggings in her world but much thicker. One pair of traveling boots made of soft black leather and lined with grey fur. She also produced two traveling cloaks. On a gorgeous grey with the same grey fur as the boots, and one in black that was lighter with no fur.

Devina was embarrassed by the rolls of cream fabric the woman brought out that she would need for binding her breasts since a corset was not the most practical for adventuring, and funny rags with thonged strips coming from the corners. She was mortified with embarrassment when she has asked what those were for and the woman looked at her as though she has a second head and explained them to her as if she were a simpleton. Lovely, she though bitterly, OrI and Thorin just inadvertently bought me pads.

They were about to pay when a simple emerald dress made of a material that looked like thick cotton. This gold bands sewn into the upper arms where the green fabric was slit to reveal white muslin as a lining were its only flare.

She was about to tell the woman that this would be all for them when Ori spoke up, "We'd like to add that dress and whatever else required for the lady," Devina sputters and tried to tell him no.

"Thorin said only the essentials, besides I'll never have an occasion to wear that. Really its not necessary" Ori only grinned at her.

"You clearly like it, besides, we don't know where the road will take us. As a lady, you deserve something feminine. And Thorin wont be able to say anything about it, this is my treat."

"Will we be purchasing the dress as well then?" the proprietress asked, mildly amused. Devina, full of reluctance and completely touched by Ori's generosity, nodded.

"Yes please." looking at him she said in all seriousness "I will repay you, but thank you so much, really it is too much." She leaned over to him and kissed his cheek.

Once finished, she helped him carry out her purchases and made their way towards the inn where they were met by Thorin, carrying several packages of his own and a light brown leather pack slung over his shoulder.

"Took you two long enough," he remarked, headed into the Prancing Pony. Following him, they were led up a set of stairs and not the dining area where they others were. He stopped outside a door and withdrew a kew from his pocket, unlocked the door and led them in.

The room Thorin led them into was bare apart from four simple wicker beds with hay mattresses, two on either side of the room. A wash basin stood on a table by the window, a dirty mirror hanging adjacent. The walls held no decoration, but one wall was inhabited with a large fireplace and two chairs sat in front of it. Gandalf sat in one of these smoking his pipe. Thorin nodded at the wizard as he crossed the room and deposited the packages onto the bed nearest the fire. He began unwrapping the items he purchased for the girl once she joined him, setting her burden down next to his when Ori did the same.

"I was able to find you a traveling pack to store your belongings, as well as a decent bed roll. You will let me know if it is too heavy for you and I'll take it back for a lighter one." He looked up to be sure she was listening to him, and was taken aback by the warm smile she was giving him.

"You have been far to kind to me, Thorin. Thank you so much for seeing to my needs." Her voice was soft and sincere. He scoffed and brushed her off.

"I am merely paying for my loss in a bet. It is nothing." He unwraped more items, smaller ones. Soap for washing, a boars hair brush, a small silver mirror, a soft towel, and he loathed himself as he unwrapped the next. A small bundle of navy ribbons and a few silver clasps like his own for her hair. He did have a sister, he knew the things women considered a necessity. Though now that he was giving these things to her he felt like a fool, and she just kept smiling at him!

Clearing his throat he quickly finished unwrapping the very last to reveal to long curved daggers in brown leather sheaths, and a belt to secure them to her person. He looked at her face to see her expression with these. Her eyes were wide and her small mouth slightly agape.

He handed one to her as she reached for them. "As you know, I ordered Kili and Fili to not assist you, to stay away from you." he began quietly. Something in him stirred, making him take pride in his choice of weapons for her. He had taken a long time debating what her strengths could be.

"Perhaps I was being hasty and protective of my kin. I will tell Fili to teach you how to use them." He stepped away and was going to make his way for the door when her quiet voice called out to him. Turning around she walked over to him.

"I know it is getting late, but I wanted to take a look around the shop next door. Would you come with me?" her hesitant request surprised him, but he nodded. Over her head he could see an approving smile on the wizards face and he watched them from the fireplace.

Feeling defensive over the wizards expression, he added a bit harsher than he meant. "Just be quick about it. Ori go ahead to supper, tell the others we will be a while still," Ori nodded and followed after them, splitting up at the base of the stairs.

Stepping out into the chilled night air Devina stopped before crossing to the shop she had spoked of. She was fiddling with something on her left hand and she chewed her lower lip. As if she were debating on asking him something. He realized it was a ring, as she pulled it from her finger and held it out to him. Would this afford me much here?" she asked, a strange defeated tone to her voice.

Taking the ring in his hand he examined it s best he could in the lamp light. He'd certainly never seen something so delicately made with such clear diamonds clustered throughout. Mincers and craftsmen in her world were indeed talented. At least with women's jewelry. He couldn't imagine why she would want to barter it away, but if would certainly afford her most anything in a town such at the one they were in.

"Quite a lot. But why would you want to barter such a finely made trinket? Surely you have everything you need?" he asked, truly puzzled.

He regretted asking as soon as she answered. "I no longer have need of an engagement ring. That ended when Eddie told me he was having an affair, and hit me for calling him names and calling the wedding off" she answered plainly, her eyes never leaving his. He wanted to drop the topic but she continued as though she couldn't help herself now that she had begun.

"We'd stopped on the side of the road. We argued, and he became violent. We'd both put in a lot of money for this grand wedding. We had known each other since childhood. I believed he was my soul mate, the real thing. When he hit me again, I ran. That was before I ended up here, before you found me," She said all this in a rush, he could hear the tears in her voice and he felt for her. She hadn't gone into great detail about why she was running from her betrothed, but he understood now. He thought of his sister back in the Blue Mountains, of his nephews mother, Dis. He felt a rage in his gut, and knew if he ever met the man, he'd run him through with his sword just as he would any man he came across abusing one of his people. However unwilling her presence might have been, she was a member of her company, his responsibility. He wasn't heartless, nor was he one to show large expressions of emotion but hearing her personal heartache made him feel for her. So, instead of hugging her, he stepped close to her and laid his arm across her shoulders, steering her to the shop she has wanted to visit.

"Lets see if we can find something more useful than a few stones, shall we?" he offered quietly to which she nodded, leading her head against shoulder.

Half an hour later they were entering the Prancing Pony again and making their way to the tables the company had acquired earlier. Devina felt lighter than she had the last forty eight hours. Thorin had bartered for her and she found herself with a satchel full of pencils, a large beautifully made red leather book full of blank pages, a few ink pots and quills as well as a pretty little silver necklace with a single black fresh water pearl hanging from it.

She felt embarrassed for nearly crying in front of the dwarf king but she was extremely grateful for his compassion.

"what is it you've got there lassie?" Nori asked. She smiled at him and withdrew the thick book and a charcoal pencil and showed him. "Ah thats fine leather working, will you be using it to keep a journal?" While Nori was being sincere, a few chuckled. Apparently diaries were still a feminine thing to do even in Middle-Earth.

Ignoring the amused looks on some of their faces she answered him "I actually plan to sketch and write poetry. It's something I did frequently before bed" she explained. That interested them, especially Ori and Bofur. Ori as it turned out loved to draw and was exceptionally good at it, and Bofur loved songs. Poems were frequently sung in many of their cultures.

"Will you sing some of them for us, once you've written them that is?" Bofur asked, sounding excited and hopeful.

Blushing she held her hands up in surrender. "N-no way! I am definitely not a singer. I'd probably make dogs bark and frighten the ponies." she explained, embarrassed to death about singing in front of a crowd. She only sang in the shower, or when she was home alone, cleaning.

"Oh my lady protests too much, sing for us!" came Kili's teasing encouragement, and as always his brother added, "Our hearts await being captured by a beautiful siren!"

Many of the dwarves laughed, Bofur claiming he believed she had a beautiful voice and would get her to sing for them at least once before the journey's end. Once everyone had finished their supper, a few went off to bed. Primarily Ori, Balin, Gloin, Oin and Bilbo. The rest of the company stayed up drinking and telling storied. Their laughter lifting her spirits.

Sitting a little ways from the group with Gandalf, Devina sketched. Sketched Bombur with his impressively long braided beard, pilfering a bowl of stew from the bar, Fili and Kili speaking animatedly with Dwalin, their faced bright with laughter. She drew what she remembered of Ori, sitting if the large rickety chair at the dress shop. She drew Bofur with his silly had, smoking away on his ever present pipe, with Nori, Dori, telling a story. She even managed to sketch Bifur carving at a piece of wood. On the second page though, she took her time. She secretly study the proud features of Thorin. Tried to imprint every detail of him onto the page. How his face has softened while he believed no one was looking. His shoulders finally relaxed, his short wide pipe held aloof in his left hand.

It had grown late and Devina had become engrossed her her book. She had no sense of time, not it the others still remained downstairs or if they'd gone to bed. She was startled out of her project when a hand touched her shoulder.

Squealing she nearly fell from her seat, her book falling with a thud to the floor. A soft laugh brought her sight to both Thorin and Gandalf standing next to her. Blushing she stood and brushed herself off. Before she could retrieve her book however, she was mortified to see Gandalf observing the pages inside.

She'd filled the first will small sketched of the company apart from them two and Bilbo. The second was a single piece of the dwarf king, with a poem scrawled beneath his portrait. She wanted to positively sink into the dirty wood floor when he began to read it aloud to them.

The King beneath the mountains,

The King of carven stone,

The lord of silver fountains

Shall come into his own!

His crown shall be upholden,

His harp shall be restrung,

His halls shall echo golden

To songs of yore re-sung.

The woods shall wave on mountains

And grass beneath the sun;

His wealth shall flow in fountains

and the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness,

The lakes shall shine and burn,

All sorrow fail and sadness

At the Mountain-king's return!

Blushing she stood there as he finished, closing the book with a smile on his old face. "Now that is a happiest song I've heard in what feels a very long time." he said, handing the red tomb back to her. Embarrassed and afraid to meet the subjects eyes, she offered a hurried thanks and rushed off for the stairs to bed.

She was disappointed though because her new things were still spread across her bed. The only other occupant being Bilbo, who was fast asleep. It was with this observation that she also realized who her other room mates had to be. She hurriedly packed her belongings into her new stiff pack, not bothering to unwrap her clothing she stuffed them in as well. All she wanted to do was get into bed and feign sleep before one particular dwarf came to bed and could question her. She was sure he'd be either offended at her liberty, or demand to know if he would succeed in his quest. Whichever it was, she did't have the nerve to face him. She felt like a school girl whose crush discovered her scribbling his name across her notebook. Shucking off her boots she jumped into the bed and pulled the blankets high to her cheekbones, and squeezed her eyes shut just as the door creaked opened.

No one said a word as the other two occupants prepared for bed and silently climbed into their own beds.

She didn't know how long she laid there, listening to the evening sounds of breathing and soft snores of Bilbo, but before she knew it she was drifting into an uneasy sleep.

She stood on the edge of a large flat rock facing the setting sun on the horizon. Wind whipped her hair around her. She could see a dark lone figure rising from in the distance. "The lonely mountain" she said to herself, and just as she said it, the world went rushing past. She still stood on the large rock, but Erebor stood before her, engulfed in flames. A winged beast flew overhead giving a terrifying roar and an menacing laugh. She turned to run and hide, only to see the ground littered with the still, bloodied, forms of the entire company. Crying out she fell to her knees. She couldn't have failed. Her eyes found the form that made her ache more than she ever thought possible, and all she wanted was for those eyes to open once more. To see the blue steel glaring at her.

Author's Note: There we go! sorry it is so late in the day! I had company over and errands to take care of! I'lm sorry if Devina's recount what happened with her now ex fiance is a bit of a let down. I didn't want to focus to much on that. Also, I love to sketch personally and wanted to add something personal for Devina. So many storied have their OCs sing. Devina isn't a singer, but while she isnt awful, she hates being center stage. But who knows, maybe Bofur will convince her to sing just once! I have a specific song in mind.