Dain and his family, as well as his delegation, were welcomed by Brann and Balin. While Dain smiled at the queen, his family looked upon the human queen in slight distrust. Especially lady Mya looked upon Brann with a frown, but at least she stayed polite. Dains daughters were Dwanas age and young Thorin looked older than his actual age. He had a stern look and a grim mouth, piercing grey eyes and straight blond hair falling over his shoulders and his beard was neatly trimmed. Since lady Mya had dark brown hair Brann guessed that Dain had had blond hair as he was still young.

'My lord Dain, lady Mya, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the Blue Mountains,' Brann decided to ignore the distrust from Dains family. They had every reason to be sceptical and they were not hostile towards her. 'My husband, king Thorin, sends his regards, but he had to travel to Ered Luin in an important matter. Your chambers are made ready, please fell at home.'

With an elegant gesture Brann pointed towards the mountain and Dwana led them to the guest wing. Of course not without gazing at young Thorin once again, much to Branns amusement. Thorin Stonehelm also looked at the queens courtlady, but his eyes reflected none of his emotions. Only a nervous twitch of his hands indicated that Dwana had caught his interest.

Dwalin did not notice his daughters interest in their guest until later that evening when he overheard Dwana talk to Brann and Dis.

'Thorin is so strong and majestic! And he is handsome!' Dwana sighed and Dwalin looked at her in horror. 'And I am sure that he likes me!'

'Dwana! How can you speak of Thorin that way! And in front of his queen!' Dwalin exclaimed.

The three women looked at him in surprise, but then Dis laughed. 'Not my brother Thorin! Dwana is speaking of Thorin Stonehelm!'

'Thank goodness!' Dwalin took a deep breath before he paused again. 'Wait, you were talking about Dains boy?'

'We talked for about an hour before he was dragged away by his mother.' Dwana grimaced. 'I love flirting with him...'

'Flirting?' Dwalin looked at her with big eyes. 'No way my daughter will flirt with some...dwarf!'

'Why not? Its innocent flirting, Dwalin.' Dis shook her head.

'Flirting is never innocent, Dis.' Dwalin glared at his daughter. 'No flirting, daughter. Never. Again. Flirt.' With these final words Dwalin turned around on his heels and stormed down the corridor leaving a fuming Dwana behind.

'Never flirt again, my ass!' she exclaimed and jumped as Brann slapped her on the back of her head.

But that evening, Dwana got her revenge on her father. Dwalin, who had laid an eye on one of lady Myas courtladies, was flirting himself, much to his daughters fury. But Brann, who watched the captain of the guard for several moments had to fight back a grin. The courtlady was complaining about her beard and that it resembled a male dwarfs beard.

'I happen to like male dwarves.' Dwalin commented. At the courtladys frown he began to stutter. 'I mean the beard. You know I don't actually like male dwarves. I like the beard. Your beard.'

'Alright.' though her tone was somewhat relieved the courtlady looked at Dwalin in bewilderment.

'Uhm...would you like a tour through the mountain?' Dwalin tried to change the subject. 'I could show you the mines. I cannot show you the silver mines though...last week some miners have digged too deep and found gas. You know that smell gas has?'

Brann pressed her hand against her mouth to chocke her yelp. Dis grinned and Dwana looked at her father in desperation.

'Yes.' the courtlady frowned.

'Its not nice. Alot of other gas smells...' Dwalin could not help but blabber on.

'Oh the humanity!' Brann nearly suffocated herself. 'If this is the way all the Fundins flirt, we do not have a problem.'

Dwalins glare made her laugh even more and Brann had to hide behind a pillar bursting into laughter with Dis.

In the meantime Thorin had reached Ered Luin. He was greeted by lord Mara, but his daughter was nowhere to be seen, much to Thorins relief. They would begin negociations the next day and Thorin decided to relax from the travel in one of the hot termal baths of Ered Luin. It was late at night and he was alone in the deep caves. Thorin stripped out of his travel clothes and stepped into the hot water, sighing in relaxation as the water closed over his head. As he emerged and leaned back against cold stone he let his mind wander. Brann would love these baths. At the thought of his wife Thorin closed his eyes and imagined what she would do to him if she was here with him.

'Good evening, my lord.' a female voice startled him and as he turned to face it he looked straight at Dara.

'Dara.' Thorin frowned, he should have known. 'What are you doing here?'

'Enjoying a bath.' Dara said in false innocense and started undressing to Thorins shock. 'Hopefully more than a bath.'

The dwarf woman stepped into the pool seductively. Thorin could not tear his gaze away from her nakedness and he hated himself for that. Dara was a beautiful dwarf with a perfect dwarven body. Strong hips and legs, a curvy waist and heavy breasts slowly lowered into the water and away from his sight. Thorin swallowed hard and recoiled to the opposite side of the pool.

'Why so shy?' Dara smirked. 'This is all yours, it always has been. You only need to take it.'

Thorin had to clear his throat before speaking. 'My wife, Brann, has already warned you to keep your distance...and I have told you that I have no interest in you anymore. I love my wife. Please leave or I will.'

But Dara was determined and shook her head. 'You are so strong and bold. Handsome and majestic. Your little queen surely has no idea how to please you. She would break under your hands...I have longed for your hands on my body for so long...'

Dara had approached Thorin and suddenly urged forwards to press herself against him. Her shock was enormous as she realised that his body did not react to her closeness like it had years ago. Thorin growled and shoved her away, emerging from the pool.

'I said that I love my wife. She is honorable and loyal and I will never betray her again. My heart belongs to her and only her. The sooner you understand this the better.' Thorin grabbed his clothes and turned to leave. 'I will not tell your father of the dishonorable way you approached me this evening. Please refrain from doing so in the future.'

Dara was stunned and absolutely speechless. Thorin had rejected her! She had hoped that he would only remain faithful to his wife as long as she was near, but apparently the human witch had ensnared him with her power. Grinding her teeth Dara stepped out of the pool and dressed. As she began walking towards the exit of the caves she tripped over something and yelped as she fell back into the pool with all her clothes. Sputtering and cursing she looked up, but there was nothing there. And nobody.

Thorin frowned as he heard a yelp and a loud splash from the caves. As he turned around to see if Dara was alright he ran into Nori.

'Master Nori! I did not know you were here!' Thorin frowned. 'In fact, I do not recall assigning you to my delegation.'

'You did not, your majesty.' Nori answered with a sly smirk. 'I am here to ensure your safety.'

'My safety?' Thorin did not buy one word.

'There are dangerous creatures down here. But I am sure that you have already taken care of that yourself.' Nori smiled slyly. 'Goodnight, your majesty.'

He quickly retreated into the shadows and Thorin frowned at the spys presence. He figured that Brann had sent him with him and he felt torn between hurt and amusement. Did she not trust him? Thorin had sometimes sent Nori after Brann when she left the mountain, for safety. Apparently, Brann had done the same, just that their idea of safekeeping was different. Shaking his head Thorin left for his chambers and closed the lock behind him. He did not want any more surprises.

'You are a fiery dancer, my lord.' Brann tried to supress a curse as Dains foot stomped onto her toes. Dis and Balin had organised a small party to welcome their guests and Dain had offered to dance with Brann, of course only after dancing with his wife. Brann was sending her thanks to Mahal as the dance was over.

Mya watched Brann, who tried to hide her limping as they returned to the head of the table. 'You are a brave woman, queen Brann. Not every woman dares to dance with my husband.' she smirked as Brann looked at her with a confused look. 'But I am sure that now you know why my husband was named Dain Ironfoot.' Dains wife chuckled.

Brann smiled at Myas information and watched as the lord of the Iron Hills kissed his wife before he sat down. Thorin Stonehelm rolled his eyes at his parents open display of affection and reminded Brann of Dwana when she reacted to Thorins and Branns kisses in Bree. The two younger dwarves seemed quite fond of each other. Dwanas eyes gleamed when she looked at Dains son and young Thorin glanced at Dwana when she was not looking.

'You are a good queen to Thorin, son of Thrain.' Mya remarked and surprised Brann with her open words. 'I hope he knows what luck he has.'

Brann smiled warmly at lady Mya and let her mind wander. To Ered Luin and Thorin. And to her.

The metallic clang of a heavy dwarven belt echoed through the silence of the room. Muscular arms and callous hands reached out for Dara and pressed her against a hairy and toned chest. The dwarf woman smiled triumphantly and her head fell back as sensual lips caressed her skin. Her hands moved through a thick mane of black hair and over broad shoulders. Dara moaned as hands stroked over her breasts and moved down her sides. She arched her back in pleasure as he entered her hard and hot. Lustful thrusts pressed her into her bed and Dara knew that she had won.

'Thorin...'

Brann woke up with a strangled cry. She needed a while to realise that she had dreamt. She had dreamt of Thorin and Dara. Brann felt her hurt and anger fill her heart over Thorins betrayal shortly after their wedding. But she also knew that he loved her and that he would not hurt her ever again. Still trapped in her dream Brann decided to get some fresh air. She ran into lady Mya at the big balcony above the gates.

'Queen Brann!' Mya looked at her in mild surprise. 'What are you doing up at this hour?'

'I could ask you the same, lady Mya.' Brann smiled warmly.

'My husband is snoring.' Mya smirked. 'I left before I could punch him senseless.'

Brann laughed quietly. 'I see. Have you tried to turn him onto his side when he snores? Often the snoring comes from lying on the back.'

'You have seen my husband, queen Brann?' Mya chuckled. 'Try to roll over a mountain and then suggest this again.'

Both wives chuckled. Thorin rarely snored and if he did Brann was not bothered, she was a tight sleeper.

'You certainly miss the king?' Mya asked Brann, who nodded. 'To be perfectly honest I have never expected you as a human queen to fit so perfectly into the society of dwarves. And to love one of us with so much passion. That must have been incredibly ignorant from my part, but I can admit when I was wrong.'

'Thank you, lady Mya.' Brann smiled at her warmly. 'Your acceptance means alot to me.'

'You will have to fight alot of intolerance and inacceptance, my queen.' Mya warned Brann. 'The dwarves of Ered Luin are not the allies your husband wishes them to be. They are greedy and lust for power. These dwarves have caused the rift between elves and dwarves long ago and they have not learned from their mistakes. They seek a strong dwarven kingdom to rebuild a force to go strong against men and elves in the future. They saw a chance for that in Thorin and Durins folk, but now that he married a woman from the race of men he is a danger to their plans. You need to be careful.'

'How do you know all of this?' Brann was surprised and shocked. But she was also thankful that Mya told her all of this.

'Women talk, my queen. You'd be surprised what there is to learn out of small talk between the wives of the councildwarves.' Mya blinked at Brann.

'My husband is in Ered Luin...smack in the middle of these dwarves.' Brann whispered. Shew as terrified that Thorin might pay for their love.

'Don't worry, my dear.' Mya tried to comfort Brann and switched to a more personal adress. 'They will not dare to attack him. At least, not yet.'

'Thorin and I have strong and loyal allies in you and your husband, lady Mya. Thank you.' Brann took Myas hand and squeezed it.

'There is no need to thank us, queen Brann.' Mya smiled. 'We are family and family sticks together.'

'The women of Durins Folk have always been strong, my ladies.' Thrain had heard Myas remark and strode towards the two women. He could not sleep either, for he could still hear a voice inside of his head which urged him to reclaim Erebor and the gold of his people. He felt better since he had returned to his family, but he still heard the voice now and then. Absent minded he turned the ring of power around his right ring finger. He was the last dwarven lord who still had the ring, the other rings of power had been lost over the centuries. 'The real power of our lords and kings lies in our wives. We are nothing without them. A shame that so many dwarves retire to their crafts instead of their women.'

Thrain sighed and looked at the lady of the Iron Hills and the queen of the Blue Mountains. 'The dwarves of my kin have many faults, but their choice of women had always been wise. I am glad that Dain and Thorin follow that road. They have chosen wise and their choice will influence the future of our people.'

Brann lowered her head shyly. She was still feeling embarrassed when others talked as highly about her. For her, Thorin was her life, the air she breathed and the blood in her veins. She could not imagine being without him ever again and his absense hurt her physically.

'My husband might be incomplete without me, but I also am incomplete without him.' Brann stated quietly and Mya nodded in agreement.

Thrain smiled and turned his gaze to the north. To Erebor and to the grave of his love.

Thorin returned to the Blue Mountains sooner than expected. After Daras assault on him he did not want to give her any further chance. He invited her father to the Blue Mountains and hit the road two days earlier than planned. He arrived at the Blue Mountains at night, tired and depressed. He could not understand how his broken relationship with Dara could interfere as much with his diplomatical goals. Lord Mara had sworn allegiance to Thorin and he would be present at Durins Day, but Thorin sensed his hostility and the hostility from some of the other lords. Thorin longed for friendly faces and the loving atmosphere within his family. As he approached the gates he could see Brann, Dis, Fili and Kili standing there to greet him. His nephews rushed towards him and threw themselves into his arms.

Brann stood at Dis side and wished nothing more than to throw himself into the strong, warm arms of her husband, too. But she was the queen and she had to behave like one. She walked towards Thorin and welcomed him warmly.

'Welcome home, melekuh.' she said quietly. 'We are glad that you return to us safely.'

Thorin looked at his wife and asked himself if she could possibly know of the strained atmosphere between the Blue Mountains and Ered Luin.

'I am glad to be home.' Thorin stated calmly and tried to hide the excitement in his voice. Fili and Kili clung to him as he walked into the mountain and Dis hugged him briefly as he passed her. He was home again.

Although Thorin wanted to directly go to his room to be with Brann, he first met with his father and Dain. They had to use the celebrations for Durins Day to calm down the atmosphere and demonstrate strength. Dain and his delegation would stay in the Blue Mountains until Durins Day and Thorin Stonehelm would stay at his fathers side. His wife Mya and the daughters would return to the Iron Hills, for Mya needed to look after their kingdom in her husbands long absense. Thorin then learned that Brann and Mya had developped a strong friendship during his absense and he had to smirk as Dain told him that he was scared of this union.

'Seriously, cousin, these two women together are a menace! If they would not love us they would overthrow us and rule over our kingdoms and soon over Middle Earth!' Thorin laughed about his cousins outburst and patted his shoulder. He knew Mya since they were dwarflings and he knew that the dwarf lady could be very powerful and head strong. But she and Dain loved each other deeply and their daughters and son would follow into their parents footsteps as wise and strong rulers. Thorin asked about Thorin Stonehelm and earned a desperate sigh from Dain.

'The boy behaves strange at the moment. I haven't seen him smile that often since he...actually never!' Dain shook his head. 'He truly scares me. But I think its because of your wifes courtlady, the pretty thing with the mohawk - there is a sentence I never thought I would say.'

Thorin looked at his cousin in astonishment. Thorin Stonehelm and Dwana? Dwalin surely loved this.