'Slut!' Brann yelled through her chambers. Nori had told Dwana what Dara had done and Dwana had told Brann. As Brann ran out of human curses she switched to Khuzdul. Dwana looked at her queen in shock.

'Where have you learned these words?' she asked her queen. 'My mother would have washed my mouth with soap!'

'Well...' Brann grinned sheepishly. 'To be honest I caught them from your father.'

After Dwana left Brann changed into her nightgown and grabbed a book while waiting for Thorin. But she was more tired than she had thought and fell asleep after a few pages. Thats how Thorin found her, lying on her stomach in their bed over a book. Her nightgown caressed her curves and her hair was spread over the pillows, the beads shining in the lights of the candles. The braid with the golden bead was dangling over her breast, near her heart. Thorin smiled lovingly at his sleeping wife and began to undress silently. Although he did not make a noise, Brann stirred in her sleep and murmured something against the mattress. Thorin froze and held his breath, afraid that the slightest noise could wake Brann up. He nearly got a cramp as he climbed into the bed, trying not to disturb Branns sleep. As he lay down onto the mattress he let out a relieved sigh.

'I thought you'd never make it into bed.' Thorin jumped as he heard Branns voice, wide awake and amused.

'You're awake?' Thorin rolled his eyes. 'Why didn't you say so?'

Brann turned around and grinned at her husband. 'It was much more fun that way.' She moved close to Thorin as he huffed and kissed him passionately. 'I've missed you so much, husband. You came back early, did something happen?'

Thorin did not want to worry Brann, but he had made the experience that lying to Brann always backfired and he did not want to lie to his wife.

'I missed you. And Dara...she...you know.' Thorin worried that Brann might really kill the lady dwarf for what she did this time. 'You sent Nori after me.'

'Actually I sent him to have an eye on the floozy.' Brann corrected him. She knew what had happened, but she wanted to hear it out of Thorins mouth.

'Dara came down to the thermal baths as I was seeking some solitude.' Thorin sighed. 'I told her to leave, but she didn't, so I left. Nori made her trip into the water with all her clothes afterwards. He seems really loyal to you.'

Brann looked at her husband with big eyes. She had not known that Nori had made Dara trip and fall back into the pool. Not being able to fight back a grin Brann chuckled. 'He is your spy. You have very loyal dwarves around you. So I should thank you for your precaution.'

'Lord Mara will be here at Durins Day and he asked me to also invite his daughter. I declined. He was not happy.' Thorin sighed.

'Maybe we should reconsider the banishment, for the sake of peace?' Brann asked quietly.

'No.' Thorin shook his head. 'It was your right to ban her. And to be perfectly honest, I do not want her here.'

Brann cocked an eyebrow at Thorin. 'Oh really? There was a time when you thought differently.'

'Yes, but I was stupid and blind. Stupid, stupid, stupid.' Thorin started nibbling at Branns neck and muttered against her skin. Brann gasped as his teeth sank into her shoulder and his hands roamed over her body. They made passionate love that night until the two candles had burned down and peacefully fell asleep in the warmth of each others arms.

Thorin frowned as Brann dressed into trousers and a tunic the next morning.

'What in Durins name are you wearing?' Thorin sat up in bed and watched his wife slid into a pair of trousers which revealed too much of her body for his taste.

'I have my first lesson of weapons training today.' Brann told Thorin who raised his brows at that information.

'I thought that you would never touch a weapon? That you heal people instead of hurting them?' Thorin smirked as Brann frowned at him.

'I'd rather heal than hurt. But I have realised that I need to be able to defend myself and protect what is dear to me.' Brann sighed. 'I will never use a weapon unless its really necessary.'

'Who will teach you?' Thorin asked.

'Dwana.' Brann smirked. 'I hope that I will survive that.'

Thorin grinned from one ear to the other. He would spare a few hours of his time to take a look at this.

'Move your feet! You´re too slow!' Dwana swung at Brann with her axe and Brann barely managed to duck before the axe nearly gave her a new haircut. She was sweating like crazy, her sword in her right hand and a shield in her left hand.

'Wait!' Brann stood up straight and grinned as Dwana stopped a swing only an inch before it hit her in the face and yelped. 'This is slowing me down.'

Brann let go of the shield and tossed it towards the rim of the arena. With a relieved sigh she stretched her arm and took the dagger Thorin gave her into her left hand. 'Continue.'

'You want to stand against a dwarf with an axe without a shield?' Dwana looked at her in disbelief. 'Thats suicide!'

'This shield is suicide! It takes all my strength to hold it up! Three of your blows and my arm would break. I am not a dwarf made of stone, Dwana!' Brann exclaimed and ducked as the next swing came for her.

'Maybe the queen needs a break?' an amused voice came from behind Brann and made her jump. As she turned around she saw Thorin Stonehelm stand behind her and look at her with an amused expression.

Brann frowned and imagined how she must have looked to the young dwarf. A queen who could not fight, trained by her courtlady. But Brann did not care about her image at the moment. The morning had begun by learning how to even hold a sword and how to step while fighting. Dwana was a good teacher, but also a bit impatient. Their sparring was more for Dwanas benefit who needed to move and wanted to show Brann how dwarves fought. Her motto was "learning by doing" and she had completely exhausted Brann. Although Branns pride did not stop her from training with her courtlady it did make her endure more than under normal circumstances.

'I don´t need a break.' Brann snarled and tried not to sound too much out of breath. Thorin Stonehelm only smirked at her and sat down on one of the benches, eyeing her. Soon he was not the only Thorin who watched the training. Thorin Oakenshield stepped into the arena and watched closely as Brann tried to block some of Dwanas blows and tried not to pant too obviously.

'Keep breathing, thats the trick, your majesty. Breathe.' a dwarf from the neighbouring arena called out to Brann. It was master Gloin who trained with his wife. Their son Gimli, who was about Filis age, played with some miniature axes and watched his parents. 'Out there you need the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox!'

'You keep on yelling like that and everyone knows where to strike even at the dark of night!' his wife snarled at him and his little son chuckled.

'Breathe. Right.' Brann panted and decided that she would dare an attack for a change. Either way she wanted the fight to be over. She charged at Dwana who was surprised at the sudden - and desperate - attack and stumbled lightly. But Brann was not quick enough and Dwana gave her a soft kick which sent Brann sprawling to the floor.

Both Thorins jumped up worriedly and while Thorin Oakenshield rushed into the arena to help up his wife, Thorin Stonehelm scolded Dwana.

'She is your queen, watch it!' he whispered to her, but Brann heard him.

'Your worry is charming, young Thorin, but I told Dwana to not hold back. My opponent would not hold back in a true combat either.' Brann sighed.

'That is true, my queen. But lets hope that you will never get into a real combat situation.' Thorin Stonehelm stated and bit his tongue as soon as the words were out.

'Excuse me?' Brann was amused about his open words, but she wanted to tease him a bit. 'Are you saying that I am weak?'

Thorin Stonehelm gasped and inhaled to utter an apology, but Brann could not hold back her amused grin and blinked at him.

'Do not worry, Thorin Stonehelm, I also hope that I will never have to touch a weapon. But better be prepared.' Brann stated and stretched her limbs. Great Durin that would hurt tomorrow.

'Nevertheless, I am sure your training for today was sufficient.' Thorin Oakenshield muttered and nodded at Dwana so that she could take over the care of the queen. 'You fought well, I am proud of you.'

'Suck up.' Brann whispered and smirked at Thorins grin.

'Are they always that annoyingly sweet in public?' Thorin Stonehelm whispered into Dwanas ear, who only snorted and nodded.

The next day Brann could not even blink without flashes of pain and muscleache flaring through her body.

'Oh my goodness, I am dying!' Brann gasped and tried to move, but she only hissed in pain.

'Your muscles will need some training, before they get used to combat.' Thorin smirked. He had wanted to wake Brann up in a way they both had found quite desirable during their stay in the mountain, but he had guessed that Brann was too much in pain for any touching at all.

'I have never been in so much pain before...' Brann groaned and tried to roll out of bed. 'Listen to me, I am whinning.'

'I remember my first training with Dwalin. You have every right to whine.' Thorin grinned and started to get dressed for the day. 'You can stay in bed a while longer.'

But Brann shook her head. 'I promised Dis that we would go to the market of men today and get some nice things for Durins Day. Decoration and drapes and flowers...'

'Decoration?' Thorin rolled his eyes. 'So woman stuff?'

Brann cocked an eyebrow at her husband. 'Yes, indeed. How did you want to decorate the feast if I may ask?'

'Decorate?' Thorin grinned at his wifes desperate expression. 'Dwarves do not need decoration. We like roaring fires, ale and meat. Thats actually all it takes.'

'Don´t forget, you also invited the lords of men.' Brann insisted. 'They shall never forget the Blue Mountains and their beauty.'

Thorin smiled warmly and took his wife in his arms, carefully to not disturb the aching muscles. 'My thoughtful wife. Will Dwana accompany you?'

'Yes, she is my courtlady after all.' Brann nodded. 'And I am sure that Dwalin will be thankful when I can keep her away from young Thorin for a day or two.'

'Young Thorin. And what am I?' Thorin asked playfully.

'Old Thorin.' Brann stated as a matter of fact and shrieked as "old" Thorin started to tickle her mercilessly.

'Ow...' Brann needed some time to get onto her pony that day. Dis and Dwana only blinked at each other and smiled as Brann sighed as she finally sat on the pony. Fili and Kili accompanied them and rode on the ponies with Dis and Brann. 'Come here, munchkin.' Brann took Kili out of Dis arms and sat him in front of her. Fili climbed onto the saddle in front of his mother.

The three woman turned back to the mountain before they rode out of sight and looked back to the two Thorins who looked after them. They rode down the road north, passing some small villages of men. Brann thought about Bree and their friend Dorn and Elsa and worried. She had writen them a letter weeks ago and there was no answer up until now. She would have loved to ride to Bree, but it was a weeks ride. A snort from Dwana woke her up from her musings.

'Elves.' Dwana sneered disgusted.

On the road aheed a small group of elves passed the road heading to the Grey Havens. Brann watched them for a short moment and lowered her gaze as she saw the elf Lindir with them. He saw her, too and bowed his head in greeting. Brann greeted him back, but then turned towards their destination.

'Not curious this time?' Dwana asked surprised.

'I promised Thorin that I would not interfere with elves again.' Brann said stiffly.

Dis sighed. 'My brother hates elves. It is understandable, really, but often I think that his hatred will keep us from alliances which could be helpful for our people. A bond to the elves of Rivendell would have been wise. Or even Lothlorien. They are wise and kind and would not have watched our home being taken from us.'

'How do you know?' Brann asked her sister in law.

'I don´t know.' Dis replied. 'But I heard that lord Elrond of Rivendell is a wise and powerful lord and always welcomes those who seek his help. The Lady of Lothlorien has sent diplomats to Erebor when I was a small dwarfling and she sent a letter to my grandfather, with her condolence for loss of our home. I appreciated the sentiment, but our hearts were hardened towards elves. The rumors regarding that elf lady are mysterious, also. She is supposed to be a great sorceress who invades peoples minds and ensnares people who fall under her spell. Personally, I think that she is so beautiful that every male falls in love and starts spinning adventurous stories to excuse his weakness.'

'Are these elves from Lothlorien?' Brann asked and pointed towards the group of elves behind them.

'I think they are from Rivendell.' Dis mused. 'But I am not sure. At first the grey elves from the land around the Ered Luin left for the Grey Havens to embark to Valinor. It seems that the elves of Rivendell also leave Middle Earth for good.'

'Why?' Brann felt safe asking Dis all those questions. Her voice was not filled with scaring hatred as Thorins when she talked about elves.

'They embark to Valinor.' Dis told Brann and the queen remembered that Dwana had told her about this place, as well as Thrain.

'Its the home of the Valar, west of the great sea. Some think that the halls of our fathers are in Mandos Halls in Valinor and that these halls will hold our souls and the souls of elves and men until they are set free to live in Aman. Elves will live in Aman forever, whereas men and other races would still die there, but their lifespan would be extended.' Dis explained.

'So...people go to Valinor to...die?' Brann asked quietly. 'I know that elves are immortal, but would their life in Valinor not make them dead to all who they leave behind?'

'You could see it that way.' Dis nodded.

'What about dwarves?' Brann swallowed. 'I am no dwarf, does that mean that I will be seperated from Thorin in the afterlife?'

Dis gasped quietly as she saw Branns broken eyes. Brann was right, as a human, she would not be granted access to the halls of their fathers.

'Why are you talking about such things all of a sudden! This is depressing! We are all alive, thank you very much, and you´re scaring our little ones.' Dwana snarled and made Dis and Brann smirk.

Dwana was right. They were alive and they would focus on the present. It was then when Fili cried out and pointed ahead. 'The market, I can see it!'

'I want sweets!' Kili exclaimed and squirmed on Branns lap.

They got a handful of sweets for Fili and Kili who would not sit still anymore until they had their sugar. They did not sit still after all the sugar either, but at least they had their mouths full and were happy.

Sadly, their fun and peace was soon interrupted. A group of female dwarves walked towards them and Branns mood instantly fell. Dara was with them and turned back to her friends with a sneer, pointing at Brann. Brann could not hear what she said, but their expressions were obviously mean. Dis snarled as she saw Dara and Dwana demonstratingly put her hand onto the hilt of her sword. But suddenly Brann had to chuckle.

'Have I already told you about what Nori did?' she asked and soon the three women from the Blue Mountains as well as Fili and Kili were laughing wholeheartly and Daras expression darkened as she realised about what they were laughing.

They stayed away from Daras reach and managed to have a fun day. Dis and Brann already had a plan for the decoration of the great halls and found mostly everything they needed at the market. The Blue Mountains stone shone in a blueish grey and that color was very depressing for human standards, so Brann decided to get a few white drapes and white flowers to enlighten the dark halls inside of the mountain. Durins Day would be celebrated in the biggest hall under the Blue Mountains and they planned to let the white drapes fall along the ceiling from the middle of the room to the edges, so that it would look as if inside of a huge tent. The pillars would be clad in white drapes and the flowers would set a bright course in the hall. Brann looked forward to the celebrations, although she was nervous. How would the lords of men react at her union with a dwarf king? Would their love backfire on them or would they strengthen Durins Folk?