AN: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or followed this story! Also, please tell me if anyone's out of character and if so, how I could improve it.

Oh, and Desolation of Smaug: HOLY HELL!

To the anons :]

Laura En Eryn: Thank you! It's hard for me to tell if people will find the comedic scenes funny or not XD

Guest: Funny you should mention that, because I honestly did plan on having her roots grow in and Em be all annoyed whereas everyone else is relieved as its not permanent. Her color's also going to fade a bit—not sure if it'll end up as white/silver since it's only a few month's time. But nonetheless, I'm glad it didn't bother you too much.

Haha, I was hoping that would come as a surprise as much as it had for Emily lol.

Redhouseclan: Thank you! Ooh, that definitely sounds probable that he'd have a whole group of Dwarf-maids drooling over him. I mean he's a king without an heir so… it's probably expected that he'd get hitched. Hahaha, golddigger! Nice! Hmm, I think Emily's more protective of Thorin than anything—she hasn't quite had any romantic feelings for him but she respects him and wants his approval. It's very probably that she'd tell the harpies off lol. I'll definitely consider throwing that scene in, thanks!

I assume that feinting spell was caused by Fili and Kili? Lol. Well, I'm glad you liked them! I kind of feel like they're OOC but, I'm aware and I think it's because they haven't established a relationship with Emily—friend, guest, prank victim, fangirl, ect. Hopefully they'll be more true to character in a bit once they warm up to Em.

Chapter XI

Sight-seeing and a Slight Setback in Silver

The feast tapered off into a pleasant murmur of conversation, clunking ale mugs and laughter. I was able to metaphorically slink back into the wall and be the observant fly. It seemed like everyone had the sense to leave me to my embarrassment, which was more than I could ask for. Gandalf was the only one to occasionally throw a comment in my direction but I was able to get away with one word responses.

Perhaps it was the great effort I put into rethinking how I could have spared myself the humiliation and conjuring up different scenarios and answers I could have given, but by the time the feast had ended (officially, at least), I was damn well exhausted. After a few people left the head table, I excused myself and quickly departed. I half expected the princes to ambush me in the halls for a proper interrogation, but, thankfully, they didn't. With only a few times of having to ask a drunken Dwarf for directions, I found my way back to the guest quarters without incident.

I kicked off my shoes and flung myself into bed, barely taking notice of the fire burning in the hearth or that my dirty clothes were missing. I huddled under the thick blankets and furs and hid my face in the pillow.

In the time that it took me to get back to my room, a tightness in my chest had been building to a dull ache. It started first with my embarrassment and the total ass I made of myself in front of the royal family but that soon passed and I realized that that really wasn't the reason I felt so crappy. The incident at the feast was only the catalyst, the gateway to misery so it would seem.

Everything seemed to crash upon me at once, just as I had predicted it would. The fear, despair and sorrow washed over me in waves, retreating just enough to let anger and indignation set in. My first thoughts were to Thrain and how in his absence, I felt vulnerable and alone. He had always been with me, since my very first days in Middle earth; Thrain had been my rock to lean on. Even when he wasn't coherent, he was still there. I could look over and see him and hear his voice and I'd know that, even if we weren't safe, we were at least together in this shared nightmare. But he was gone now. And not only that, he was gone in the worst way possible.

I had deluded myself for so long, thinking that I'd escape with my friend intact, mentally and otherwise. To have seen him crumble before my eyes, to watch his mind deteriorate was worse than any torture we endured under Sauron's hands. I knew that there wasn't anything I could've done to change it, that when I came to Dol Guldur, Thrain was already too far gone. I tried to think of Thorin's words to me, that I had been there in his father's darkest hours and had been a comfort to him. But it just didn't seem to matter. Guilt plagued me more than anything, making my stomach churn and my heart twist. When I sat in silence for too long, I could still hear his cries and whimpering in our cell. When I closed my eyes, I could still see him lying in the stone labyrinth, dead and bloody.

With a misplaced and desperate thought, I wondered if Thrain had become a ghost. If he was wandering Middle Earth or if he'd cruelly be trapped in the old fortress. I wanted to return there one day, to make sure, in the off chance that I'd see my friend again. Because if he were there, I would be sure to help him move on and finally free him from his prison as I had failed to do before.

The thought of returning didn't scare me, actually. The looming threat that Sauron presented seemed to be no more than a fact filed away. Yes, he was growing in power. Yes, he was massing an army. Yes, he knew of my knowledge. Yes, he vowed to break me. Yes, I should be terrified. But what was that even? It seemed so abstract that I couldn't quite dwell on how I should be feeling. Instead of fear of facing him again, of being tortured or killed, of letting my secrets slip and damning all of Middle Earth, I only felt rage. I couldn't focus on the pain that he inflicted upon me, although I was still very aware and reminded of just what he had caused, of who he had taken from me.

I wanted to kill him. I wanted to make him suffer like he had done to Thrain and me. I wanted revenge.

But I knew there was nothing I could possibly do to him to equal my pain and grief. Sauron wasn't like me, plain and simple. He cared for no one but himself. He craved only power, not companionship or love. He had no body to inflict pain on; nothing could get to him. He was a cold, manipulative, evil bastard—and there was nothing I could do to him.

Well. Except maybe ensure his downfall. But even that didn't quell my fury. I pictured his demise. The Ring being cut from his hand, his helmet imploding. The great, flaming eye going out, the black tower crumbling to the ground. But it did nothing for me.

It wasn't fair, everything that had happened... How has it happened? Was there a greater purpose to all this? Or was it all for nothing? And the most blaring of questions: why? Why was this happening?

I had no answers of course which only made it more infuriating. I could only imagine how everyone back home was feeling… Would Jen beat herself up for letting me walk home alone? And my parents! Dear god, my parents. Their daughter goes off to school then never makes it back home, disappears without a trace. Did they feel guilty? Thinking things like, 'If only I had been there or done something differently'. Would I end up on missing child posters, my parents torn between not believing that I had run away and not wanting to believe that I had been kidnapped? Or killed. The trauma they must be going through right now—police reports, search parties, calling every person in town asking about me. Have you seen my daughter? Emily Parker. She has blue hair; she was wearing a black and white coat, the purple hat I bought her last Christmas… Have you seen her?

Was that really what I was going to be remembered as? The missing girl?

Or has none of that even happened yet? How long had it been back in my world? The same few odd months I had been here? Or none at all? When I jumped back to my world, it had been like no time had passed. No, wait… I tried to recall everything that had happened. When I went back to my own world, time had rewound. Just a few minutes, mind you, but still. And then when I came back, ninety-one years had passed. What did that mean?

Why was I here? Why me of all people? Little Emily Parker who was stupid enough to walk home in a blizzard, who was stupid enough to go into the woods by herself, who was too stupid to phone home or the police when she knew she was in danger. Little Emily Parker who couldn't save her friend from torture and death, who couldn't even save herself. How was she supposed to save anyone or do anything meaningful?

How? How? How?

I repeated the question so many times in my head, the word lost all meaning. How? I didn't know and it was very possible that I'd never know.

I'm not sure how long I cried, but when I cycled my tortured thoughts for the umpteenth time, I had entirely exhausted my tear supply and my ability to think coherently. I reduced myself to gross sobbing and the occasional dry heave which threatened for the feast to make a nasty second appearance.

As much as I hated the way I felt, giving in to grief and self-pity, it was very necessary. If I hadn't been able to release all of the pent up emotions and thoughts that had plagued me for so long, then I'm sure I would have imploded. I was beyond fortunate that I was able to do so in the privacy of a room to myself rather than in the middle of a camp of Dwarves or huddled in poor Bilbo Baggins' bedroom. Very fortunate, and very grateful.

When I awoke later that night, I couldn't say I felt better. These thoughts and feelings weren't just going to go away or resolve themselves but now they were out in the open. And instead of being tormented and overpowered by them, I could see them clearer and try to make sense of them and maybe, if I was lucky, accept them. But I figured that may take a very long time.

I sat up in bed, letting the furs fall beside me as I was feeling a little hot with them and the heat of the fireplace. After a few minutes of simply sitting there, cross-legged, and collecting my thoughts, I rose and found a mirror in the form of a finely polished silver plate. As I thought, my eyes were red and puffy and my eyeliner had started to run. I stared passively for a moment, studying my face, before putting down the mirror to undo my hair. As I was throwing it up into a ponytail, my braid fell down and rested on my shoulder. I paused, arms up, still holding my hair atop my head and then, after a moment of debate, continued through and secured the elastic around my hair. I smiled slightly, running a hand through my fringe then down the braid to rest on the gold ornament. I glanced around the room as if expecting to see someone and the weight in my chest made itself known. But I forced myself to keep smiling.

"Hi, Thrain," I said aloud, my throat constricting. "I don't know if you're here or if you can hear me but… I just wanted to say… Thank you. And… and I love you. Um." I had to stop as my composure slipped. "And I'm really sorry I couldn't help you and..."

Wiping at my eyes, I continued, "I met your son. I met Thorin… And I remember the promise I made. I don't know how I'll do it but… I will. I'll find a way."

I turned slowly, hoping to see or sense my friend but nothing struck me. I drew in a shuddering breath. "I just wanted to let you know that and… I really hope you can rest in peace and move on… And I hope you're happy and not in pain and um, thank you. Thank you for everything."

I couldn't stay alone with my thoughts anymore and all efforts of going back to sleep were futile. So instead, I decided to wander. I didn't really care that I'd probably get lost and look like an idiot trying to get back. I just needed to keep moving so I left my room and went wherever my feet took me.

It wasn't to serve as a distraction, per se, just as I means of having my body move at my mind's pace. Back when my friend, Charlie, died (I mentioned him before, I think), I always used to go off for walks, normally in the pine forest by my house. It would help me sort through my emotions and work out my thoughts.

Now was the time to tackle the most pressing question that had been ricocheting through my mind since I came to Middle Earth: how did I get here?

Okay, I wasn't going to prance around the possibilities here. I knew what it looked like. The first person I met here was Sauron, the Necromancer. The thought had crossed my mind so many times while I was in Dol Guldur...

I could be dead.

Think about it! A guy who can summon the dead runs across me within ten minutes of landing here? How is that a coincidence? Well, I guess it could be… Him being an undercover evil bastard probably meant he was a little paranoid about who got near his evil lair… Still, it seemed more than coincidental that I'd get landed there in the first place.

But there were a few things that didn't fit with that theory… One: when I first met Sauron, he seemed as if I were an unexpected anomaly, not as if I were part of his grand scheme. Two: when I jumped back to my world for those brief minutes, I was fairly sure that I was alive seeing as was fleeing the hunter as I had been before. And three: I was pretty sure I wasn't dead now. So maybe I didn't die and go to Middle Earth.

Then what?

Gandalf was out of the question seeing as he seemed exasperated at my being here, and frankly, if he had brought me here via spell, after five minutes of talking to me, I'm sure he'd have sent me right back. Galadriel was another slim chance… Didn't a lot of people peg her as the destiny magic mumbo jumbo sorceress? I didn't really think she had anything to do with it, to be honest. I figured she would have given me some crazy premonition by now… or at least, you know, not dropped me on Sauron's bloody doorstep.

I sighed and crossed my arms, taking a quick look around the new hall I was in. I was relatively unsuccessful in thinking up an answer but that was expected, I suppose. This was just so that I could lay all the cards on the table (at least my cards). I felt like I was missing something, a big part of the picture so to speak…

I needed to have another talk with Gandalf. He might not have known much about me or my situation but, I was confident that he could conjure up a few theories—if he hadn't already. I highly doubt the Wizard would just let my mystery sit there and collect dust. He was the type that needed to scope out every possible answer before reaching a conclusion. But that would have to come later.

As morning dawned, Ered Luin began to stir and a number of Dwarf-folk could be seen in the halls, all in different states of waking. I wasn't bothered by the company as my mind had decided to settle down, having deemed it thought hard enough for one sitting. I watched the passerby with mild interest and they in turn, either stared or outright ignored me. I was okay with it though; no one seemed to be trying to be rude, just that they didn't know what to make of me—the King's weird blue-haired guest.

In almost no time, the tantalizing scents of breakfast wafted through the air, making my stomach spring to life and growl. Was that… bacon? My mouth was watering as I followed the bacon's siren call. Come to mama… It, and the few straggling Dwarves, led me to a cavern that I recognized as the one we passed whilst heading to the bedchambers. It was much smaller than the dining hall and not as extravagant. There were a few wide wooden tables which were filled with various breakfast foods as well as a decent amount of Dwarves eating—the majority of them, men. I shrugged and took a seat on a bench, close to but not next to a burly looking Dwarf with a black beard split down the middle.

I wasn't sure if there was another hall I was supposed to eat in but I didn't think much of it as I piled bacon onto my plate. Like the feast, there was also a great amount of other foods like extra large eggs, sausages-links, sausage patties, toast, rolls, butter, jams, and a few other dishes I couldn't recognize or see from my end of the table. Also, like before, ales were the main beverages served but I got lucky and grabbed the kettle that was going around. It was a rich, black tea, that was somewhat bitter but its warmth quickly spread as soon as I took a sip.

I ate like a monster for awhile, totally going gung ho with the whole 'no forks' thing. It's very possible that there was silverware but I was too enraptured in devouring my plate to look. I started scanning the room, looking for soon-to-be members of the Company—I wanted to get on the good sides of as many of them as possible before we started questing. I didn't expect to find any but as I was in mid-sip of my tea, I spotted one. On the other side of the room, sat Dwalin, eating even more enthusiastically than I had been, a sausage in one hand and a mug of ale in the other. I immediately shot down the idea of going over to sit with him—being on his good side most likely meant keeping out of his way. At least then, I had a chance of appearing competent.

Dwalin shifted in his seat and his gaze suddenly met mine. His chewing slowed and he simply fixed me with a hard look. I didn't want to seem like a creeper, just staring, so smiled in return. And my tea spilled through my teeth and down my shirt.

Fuckity shit fucks!

Real fucking competent, Emily! Craptastic!

I face palmed, grabbing a cloth from the table to dab at my dress. Perfect. I see Dwalin and I turn into a lovesick Harry Potter. You're a real winner, Em.

Dejectedly, I took another sip of tea, making sure not to look at him.

"You wouldn't happen to be planning on eating that salted pork, Miss?"

I choked on my tea, almost spraying it across the table at hearing the guy's voice.

"It was only a question! No need to get all bothered!" the young Dwarf continued, about to turn away.

"No, no, wait!" I cried, calling him back. "Have at it…Please…"

He grunted happily in reply, plopping down beside me and tearing into the slab of meat. I gaped at him sidelong, unable to contain the stupid grin that crept on my face. He finally noticed my staring and looked at me uncomfortably, a piece of pork hanging in his ginger beard.

"What?" he asked, mouth still full.

"I'm Emily…" I said in a stupor. "At your service…"

The Dwarf nodded in relief. "Gimli, son of Gloin, at yours."

I kept smiling. "Oh, I bet you are."

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

You can't believe how stoked I was! I was having breakfast with Gimli! He was much younger than in the Fellowship but he was unmistakable. His voice for one had the same gruff texture, only it wasn't quite as deep. His beard wasn't as long or bushy, only an inch or two at best, and his ginger hair had only grown a bit past his ears. Gimli's facial features were definitely less harsh and as soft as a Dwarf could get—save, maybe for Kili, har, har, har—and his large nose and small eyes, relatively unchanged.

"So what brings you to the mountain, Miss Emily?"

"It's just Emily. And uh, business, I guess. Well, my friend has business with the king," I explained vaguely.

Gimli looked at me critically. "Is that right? Well, I suppose it's a bit of a secret still, yes?"

I gave a noncommittal shrug.

He hm-ed. "I suppose news'll be out soon enough. Can't keep something like that outside the mountain for long, eh?"

I tilted my head in confusion. Did… Gimli know? Had Gloin found out and told him? "I…guess."

"It'll probably come as a shock to most, I imagine. Many thought our King Thorin would never take on such a commitment."

"Well… that's Thorin for ya," I chuckled. "Always doing the impossible or… whatnot."

"Hm… well, I've enjoyed eating in your company and I hope you found mine fine enough," he nodded, standing. "I wish you the best."

"Oh, yeah. Definitely, Gimli. You too," I responded. "Hey, do you wanna hang out later?"

Gimli paused. "I'm afraid I'm not one myself for heights, Lady Emily," he replied for leaving. "Good day."

I blinked. Uh… slang, right. Wait a sec. I said 'just Emily' and now I've been promoted from 'Miss' to 'Lady'? I shook my head. Whatever, I guess.

Once my stomach was full and my hands were wiped clean, I decided to leave and venture elsewhere. I really hoped I ran into Gimli again.

Not to my surprise, I didn't make it very long before I heard a "There she is!" call out from behind me. I stopped to see Fili and Kili catch up, looking very accomplished at finding me. With a distracted interest, I noticed that they only came up to my chin—adorable.

"We've been looking for you all morn," Kili told me. "Didn't think finding a blue-headed human would prove so difficult."

I laughed. "I'm a master of disguise, I guess."

"Hardly," Kili retorted. "It's just I've barely woken up; my tracking skills aren't fully functioning."

"Mmhmm," I drawled, giving the brunette a skeptical look.

Kili's pert gaze flickered away from mine and was drawn to something by my neck. His eyes widened in shock. "I know that cuff!" he exclaimed and I realized that he had found me out. "It was Grandfather's! Fili, look!"

The blonde was already eying Thrain's ornament with unease. "However did you come by this?" he asked slowly, a hint of suspicious in his voice, almost matching Thorin's the first time he had seen it.

I shifted my weight to the other leg as they looked at me expectantly. "I knew Thrain for awhile. We were friends," I explained. "He gave this to me as a gift."

Kili's brow furrowed. "You knew Grandfather?" he asked, his face scrunched up in confusion. "How?"

"It's… a long story."

"Oh, but you must tell us," he insisted.

"I really don't want to get into it. You could ask Thorin if you want; he knows the story," I dismissed.

"And he knows of the cuff as well?" inquired Fili, fixing me with calculating look.

"Yeah, why?"

The brothers shared a sidelong glance. Fili spoke up, "Did Thrain tell you the meaning behind this?" he asked, nodded to the gold bobble.

"Well, no, I guess not. It was just a gift, I thought… What does it mean, then?"

They paused for a moment, debating telling me.

"What?" I urged, getting impatient. I crossed my arms and waited.

"Well, it's an old custom but, uh," Fili began tentatively, "It's more of a tradition than actual necessity."

"Well, that clears that up," I droned, pursing my lips at his vague answer. He rolled his eyes at my sarcasm.

Kili sighed. "A father presenting a woman with one of his family's hair cuffs signifies that he deems her worthy," he explained.

"Worthy of…?"

"Of marrying into the family," Kili said matter-of-factly.

Wha…?

"It's so his sons know that she'll be accepted into the line if any choose her. Oh, it's not an engagement," Fili clarified at my shell-shocked face. "It's still the son's choice and hers as well. Very rarely will you see an arranged marriage amongst Dwarves."

"The women are too precious," Kili chimed in, "And too few. No point in making a pair unhappy."

My mouth hung open like a fish out of water, opening and closing several times before I could manage a sentence. "You mean this… This means I…?"

"Are worthy," Kili finished with a shrug. "No idea why Grandfather would think so, no offense, of course."

"Offense taken, thanks."

Kili looked sheepish as he continued. "It's just from what I heard of him, Grandfather was against marrying outside of the clan. He'd want to keep the line of Durin pure; only Longbeards, you see? It's odd that he'd pick you… You must have made quite the impression."

"I must have…" I agreed slowly, the gears turning in my head. I let out a bark of a laugh suddenly as a thought struck me that bordered between irony and bad luck.

Of course, the day I decide to be proud and prancer-fucking-cise around Ered Luin with my braid on display is the day I find out what it means! I must've looked like I was trying to sleep my way to the throne! Had that been what Gimli was hinting at? Not the quest but a marriage? Just my luck! Dammit, Thrain, why couldn't you clue me in?

Or… was that his plan all along? Oh my god… it was! I'd bet on it!

Thrain, you sneaky old bastard! This wasn't just a gift for sentimentality's sake, it was insurance! How could he ensure that I'd be stuck around to keep the promise I made! He basically plugged a giant neon sign over my head saying: Lookit, Thorin! Keeper here! Whether or not it worked, it'd be enough to get Thorin's attention, at least. I shook my head. Thrain, you Slytherin bastard, you. I'm not sure if I wanna hug or hit you!

"I wouldn't get your hopes up," Fili said, breaking my inner victory dance. "I highly doubt Uncle Thorin would consider the marriage, no offense. To be honest, I can't image him settling with a Dwarf-maid either, if it's any consolation. He's a solitary type."

I shook my head, laughing. "Please. I do not have the hots for your uncle. Plus, I've no desire to become a queen anyway—too much responsibility. I can't even decide on a college major, for goodness sake."

The brothers didn't react on my strange comments, probably summing it up to me just being weird.

"Well," began Fili, with a smirk (he seemed to have lightened up tenfold after realizing I wasn't some blue-haired seductress, trying to claw my way to the crown), "You do recall our bargain from the other night, yes?"

I sighed. "Yeah… Uh, well. As I said, Thorin and Gandalf have a common goal… and we're here because they're planning it out and such. I imagine it's all top secret at the moment but you'll hear about it soon enough…"

Fili clicked his tongue. "I thought we made a deal."

I sighed again. "Fine, fine! Geez. I'll give you a hint but you can't allow Thorin to know I let anything slip about the quest."

"Quest?" they repeated in unison, stopping dead in their tracks.

I bit my lip.

"What quest?" Kili asked, his eyes alight with both curiosity and confusion. "Uncle hasn't told us anything about a quest."

"Uh."

"A quest to where? What for?" Fili demanded.

"Whoa, now! Hold your horses, boys," I said, raising my hands.

"Now isn't the time to jest," Fili dismissed, impatiently. "What is this quest you speak of?"

"I… am so not going to be responsible for telling you guys," I shook my head.

"You promised us, Emily," pouted Kili, trying to win me over with puppy eyes.

"Nope. Sorry. I'm not having Thorin bite my head off. You'll have to ask him yourselves."

And with that, the Durin brothers shared a knowing look, politely excused themselves with the promise to meet up with me again later to show me around, then promptly ran off to no doubt pester Thorin. Bless.

Sweet Merlin, I hope I didn't get blamed for involving them…

In the time that they were gone, I had simply ambled about without direction, taking in some of the scenery. I managed to get back to the Hall of Kings with its beautiful golden floors and looked around. I headed towards a merchant area just to get a better view of the waterfall. It was huge and illuminated by the glowing crystals around it, casting patterns of blue light against the walls.

There were a few shops and stations set up, all displaying various crafts and goods. I walked through, taking in everything with a small smile.

"Right here, miss," called one Dwarf. "Turnips straight from Buckland! Take a gander!"

"Oh, that's alright, thank you," I declined. I didn't want to get his hopes up. I only had about ten dollars and some change with me and I had a feeling that Ered Luin didn't have a currency exchange for American money.

Movement caught my eye as two figures approached and I grinned for a moment until I saw Fili and Kili's dejected faces. "That bad, huh?"

"Uncle says he'll consider it," Fili muttered. "He thinks we're too young… and inexperienced."

"But how else will we gain experience if not in a quest?" Kili posed, angrily. "Would an outright battle be more sufficient?"

Fili put a hand on his brother's shoulder to calm him. "We asked mother to persuade him but even she is uncertain of us…"

"We have every right to go on this quest, the same as any Dwarf here," Kili scowled.

"Hey, it's alright," I told them. "I'm sure it'll work out for the best. Thorin's just being overprotective… He'll realize you guys are awesome fighters."

Kili smiled slightly, seeming to take a small comfort at my words, but Fili still seemed put off by his Uncle's rejection. He probably found it insulting that he was counted with his younger brother.

"Really, Fili," I said, nudging him. "It'll be fine. You'll see."

The smirk returned to Fili's lips. "And if it's not, I'll hold you personally accountable," he teased.

I snorted. "Sure thing."

"I suppose a proper tour's in order," Kili beamed. "Right here should be a good place to start. We've some of the finest craftsmen in all of Eriador right here in the mountain."

"Name anything you want in the villa and I'll buy it for you," Fili stated.

"And then I shall get you one twice as valuable!" smirked Kili.

I laughed. It seemed more like they were competing to outdo each other than to get in my good graces. "That's alright guys."

"No, we insist!" Kili exclaimed, suddenly looking afraid that I'd argue.

"We've never had a royal guest before," Fili went on. "For our sake, if not yours, let us pretend to be courteous and welcoming."

"In fact, you may insult us if you refuse," Kili said smartly.

I sighed dramatically and they grinned, sensing my defeat. "Okay, fine!"

"Great," Kili beamed, clapping his hands. "What's your jewel of choice? Sapphires?"

"To compliment your hair," Fili added with a sly look.

"Or emeralds?"

"Diamonds?"

"Rubies?"

"Uhhh…" I twisted my lips to the side.

"Perhaps a precious metal, instead?" Kili offered.

"Gold?"

"Silver?"

"No, silver would clash with Grandfather's cuff," Fili shook his head. "It would have to be gold."

I tapped my chin in thought. "Actually, I was thinking of something a bit more… steel."

The brothers followed my gaze to a stand with a number of various axes and swords displayed. They shared a mischievous glance and turned to look at me as if I had gotten loads more interesting.

Fili raised a brow. "I think we can help you there," he smirked.

The three of us left the merchant's area grinning and I had a short sword under commission, curtsey of the princes, Durin. I had insisted that I just choose a premade one but they weren't having any of it. The sword-smith told them (he only spoke Khuzdul) that it should be done in two day's time. I was so excited though! My own sword! I couldn't wait.

We went outside so they could show me other areas in Ered Luin, apparently Thorin's Halls weren't the most interesting of places. It was cold and had just snowed so Kili graciously gave me his overcoat. I pretended not to see the wink Fili shot his brother behind my back. I rolled my eyes. Boys.

"This is our Uncle Frerin's Court," Kili announced as we stepped into a circular courtyard.

There was a tall statue of a Dwarf that I remembered seeing when I first arrived. I approached it and tried reading the plaque in front but found it was in Dwarven runes.

"What does it say?"

"It tells of his bravery so all may honor his memory," Fili answered solemnly.

"His memory?"

"Frerin was slain in the Battle of Azanulbizar."

I shivered at the name. It was the battle where Azog the Defiler beheaded King Thror… where Thorin gained the name 'Oakenshield'.

"I'm so sorry," I gasped. "I didn't know."

"It's fine," Kili supplied. "He died fighting alongside our father and Uncle Thorin… It was an admirable death. I could only hope for one as meaningful as his… defending those you love."

My stomach twisted at his words. Fucking hell, Kili…

"Wouldn't you agree?" he asked me suddenly.

I paused and had to look away. "I suppose so… yeah," I agreed softly. "Yeah, that'd be good."

But god, I hope you don't get that death for many, many years. I saw the brothers exchange a concerned look and realized that their worry may spark questions. I crossed my arms. "So, what else is there to see around here?"

Kili gave me a slight smile, glad that I wasn't as gloomy as before. Fili; however, continued to watch me closely, clearly not buying my fast change of mood. I suppose being an older brother made him adept at picking up on these things. Still, he had the sense, and the decency, to not call me out on it.

"You couldn't visit a Dwarf Kingdom without seeing one of our mines," Kili told me. "Which do you think?" he asked Fili.

The blonde pursed his lips in thought. "How about Silver Deep? It's fairly active. Pretty too."

Kili looked to me in question and I shrugged. "Sounds good to me," I smiled.

Silver Deep was a set of mines on the Eastern side of the kingdom. The entrance was a large squared off door of crimson and gold which led to rocky tunnels, much darker than any other part of the kindgom as the natural glow crystals were scarce there.

"The best part is farther in," Kili told me, leading us down a pathway.

We crossed an iron bridge that stretched to the far side of the mines, where most of the work was going on. There were a few miners, chipping ore from the walls with pickaxes who gave us nods of acknowledgement as we passed.

Deeper into the mine, the walls were veined with raw silver that ran up and across the ceiling. The shimmering rivers danced in the crystal-light like stars streaking across the night sky. I smiled in awe at the sight. It was simply gorgeous, and I said it.

"It's gorgeous," I breathed.

Fili nodded, "Yes, I suppose it is. We'll have to show her the caves back in—"

Bwroom.

The whole ground trembled and a low groan filled the mine. The three of us froze, alarmed but unsure of what was happening.

"Was that an earthquake?" I asked, looking between the brothers with unease.

"No," Fili answered, not looking at me but the mine.

"Then what was it?"

He finally turned towards me, a grim expression set in his face. "Nothing good."

Bwroom.

"Everyone out!" came a voice down the tunnel. "We must evacuate!"

I recognized his voice before he came bounding towards us. "Gimli!" I cried. "What's going on?"

"Lady Emily? Cousins, Fili and Kili?" he exclaimed. Gimli seemed most surprised at my being there but quickly recovered. "I'm not yet sure," he answered, looking around nervously. "Something foul is afoot!"

Bwroorooroom.

The mine started to rumble again and without another moment's hesitation, we bolted for the exit. Instead of dissipating like before, the tremors only increased in ferocity. It became so bad that my feet could hardly touch the floor enough to walk. It was like the ground was bucking and throwing us around and only our clawing at the cave walls propelled us forward.

And then it happened.

We hadn't even reached the bridge when a loud, sobering noise reached our ears.

Kak-kak-kak-kak-kwrooom!

The ceiling above us fractured, sending rocks raining down on us from boulders to pebbles. Fili reacted almost immediately, grabbing me around my waist and throwing us out of the way of falling rubble. We landed hard on the ground but didn't have time to make sense of anything because then the ground itself gave out and we plummeted down into the depths of Silver Deep. It occurred so fast- less than a blink of an eye! All I recall is the sound of rolling rocks and the feeling of being crushed by them.