Ila finally fell asleep again, but it took her so long to do so that she slept well past breakfast. Dwala was eating breakfast at the table on the other side of the room when Ila finally woke.

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. As she looked at Dwala she sighed. "I missed breakfast again?"

Dwala couldn't answer immediately thanks to having a mouthful, so simply nodded instead. Ila rolled her eyes at herself, angry that yet again she had missed breakfast with Thorin. She hoped he did not think her lazy.

Ila forced herself out of bed to join Dwala, being very hungry this morning. She hadn't eaten much at dinner the night before as it was difficult to do so with her veil on, but here in the confines of her room she could eat freely. She poured herself a glass of milk and grabbed some muffins and fruit as Dwala managed to speak.

"I did try to wake you before breakfast came, but you were in such a deep sleep I saw that it was futile."

"I don't even recall that so you must be right. I just hope that the king does not think I'm lazy…"

"Hmpf. I doubt he thinks poorly of you in any way at all." Dwala said, continuing to enjoy breakfast.

"Really? Why do you say that?" Ila said, her curiosity peaked.

"Why, do you not see the way he looks at you?" Dwala asked.

"No…..I try not to look at him for fear of staring…..You mean he looks at me?"Ila asked.

Dwala couldn't believe that she didn't notice.

"Why, he looks at you all the time. Last night during dinner I thought he was going to make himself dizzy as many times as he turned his head towards you."

Ila felt that army of butterflies awaken in her stomach. "Really?!" she asked and Dwala made a surprised face at her.

"You are very excitable this morning," she replied. "But yes. Really."

Ila smiled broadly down at her food and then began to eat, wondering when and where she would encounter him today. More importantly at the moment, Ila wondered what outfit she would wear. Then, suddenly, Ila remembered that she meant to ask Dwala a question the night before.

"Dwala, what were you blushing about last night when we left the supper table? You seemed so out of sorts the entire evening." Ila asked.

Dwala immediately tensed and cast her eyes towards her food. "I blushed?" she asked timidly.

"Well, yes a little bit. But I am sure only I noticed. What was that about?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just overwhelmed I suppose by dining with so many strange males. Their conversation was not exactly something I could lend to." Dwala said, but obviously trying to avoid the question. That is, she was not answering it entirely.

It was true that they had usually only dined with other female dwarves, though occasionally Ila dined with her brothers but they kept very different hours than she did, training and such. Still, that did not account for Dwala's behavior.

Ila had a thought, but it seemed very unlikely. Though, stranger things had happened…..

"You sat next to Thorin's nephews last night. Were they nice?" Ila asked carefully.

"Oh, well yes I suppose. The older one is friendly and fairly talkative, though not as much as his elders as you saw. The younger one however I cannot account for. He is so quiet and reserved, but I cannot tell if it is unfriendliness or discomfort that makes him so."

Dwala was right there. There did seem to be something odd about the younger one that she too could not put her finger on just yet. It was as if he made it a point not to interact with her. Not that Ila cared. There was but one dwarf whose attention she desired.

"So….are you sure that it wasn't one of the king's young and handsome nephews that caused you to blush last night then?"Ila asked.

Dwala made a face that suggested she wanted to spit the gulp of milk she was taking all over the table, but thankfully she didn't. After a hard swallow, she addressed that accusation.

"Ila, really. That I would try for the attentions of the princes….not that they would have me anyway but I assure you that is in no way the case." Dwala said, flustered.

"Dwala, you can find them attractive for Mahal's sake! There is no crime in that and I contest that comment about them not wanting you. Why shouldn't anyone want as faithful and strong and fair a dwarf maiden as you?" Ila asked and Dwala blushed again.

"You flatter me, princess. And besides…..I don't fancy either of them."Dwala said having calmed down and gone back to eating.

"Really? I find them both very attractive. Especially the younger one. Well, I would find him the most attractive were it not for his disposition." Ila corrected herself. "And Prince Fili is very attractive in his own way as well."

"You know," Dwala said between chewing, "I don't think your betrothed would care to know that you fancy his nephews." She teased Ila.

Ila narrowed her eyes at her as she drank her milk.

"I don't fancy them, not nearly as much as their uncle anyway. And no one but you and the mountain will ever know that." Ila said.

Dwala smiled and so did Ila as both of them set about thoroughly enjoying their breakfast.

Later that day, after feeling that she had been in her chambers for far too long and needing to make an appearance, Ila went downstairs to the main hall. This was after the careful consideration of what to wear, and Ila had settled on a deep emerald green gown that made her hazel eyes look spectacular.

She had no idea where Thorin would be or what she was even going to do with herself, but had to stretch her legs. She was getting cabin fever being stuck in her room so much. She was used to roaming the Iron Hills at her pleasure and desperately wanted to go outside, even though she had only been inside the mountain for two days. How did some dwarves stay in there all the time without running mad?

Making her way down to the great hall, not knowing where else to start and with Dwala in tow, Ila was greeted by a most surprising sight. There were humans under the mountain. Not very many humans, but seeing any human here must be a rare sight. Ila wondered why they were there, and turned to Dwala who was equally surprised.

"Men, here?" she said.

Dwala shook her head. "I wonder why. Erebor was never known for entertaining many visitors, but perhaps they are aiding in the restoration?"

"Perhaps…." Ila said, walking closer to the entranceway of the great hall and craning her neck. She was short of course and couldn't see very much. She looked around for Thorin naturally but could not find him, though he may very well have been there. She walked closer to the men, there being about ten of them, not used to such a sight and eager to be closer, when she heard her name.

"Princess Ila," called Lord Balin. She turned and smiled to see him, though he couldn't see it. Her demeanor was so warm however that he could tell she was happy to see him.

"Lord Balin," she returned and gave him a quick curtsy and immediately asked, "What is going on? I see Erebor has visitors."

Balin practically waddled over to her, but with a quickness.

"Official visitors, from Dale. Come, walk this way." Lord Balin seemed more serious than usual and Ila walked with him and away from the doorway.

"The king won't want you getting too close to them." He said before she could ask what was the matter.

"Oh, why ever not?" Ila asked confused.

Balin gave her a little smile. "Because you are his intended, and he will not want you exposed to them, or for their eyes to linger on you."

Ila thought that was funny since she had a veil on and they would only see her eyes, but she did not say that. That she would be exposed to them also seemed odd to her, since when she was queen she would surely receive guests at Thorin's side, wouldn't she?

"Lord Balin, what effect could they have on me? I have laid eyes on a man before."

"I am sure you have. However, I am merely doing as the king commands."

Ila blinked at him. Thorin had commanded that she be kept away?

"Oh…..well, I suppose the king is with them now?" Ila asked.

Balin nodded. "Yes, and he will be for the rest of the day. Perhaps for the next few days…."

Ila felt her eyes go wide. The next few days? What could take that long? And she was not to be near them, and thus not near Thorin for the next few days?

"But….my lord, what could be so incredibly important that it would take so long?" Ila asked in a disappointed voice.

Balin took a split second to account for how innocent Ila was, and how much she had yet to understand of the world and what it meant to be a queen. That was to be expected however, she was so very young.

"Perhaps I shall take the next few days to give you a bit of a better understanding of Erebor's recent history, my dear. The men were very…..helpful in the retaking of the mountain, and now we have an agreement we them." Balin tried to explain but saw that Ila was still disappointed and didn't fully understand.

"Come, princess." He said trying to lead her away from the great hall completely, and before Ila would allow herself to be lead away she looked one last time into the hall in attempt to catch sight of her betrothed.

She thought she caught a glimpse of the back of his head, that mane of long wavy black hair. But she couldn't be sure and Balin was insistent. As she turned, resigned to not getting to see him, she nearly collided with Prince Kili.

She gasped, as they were so close their noses almost touched. He too was caught off guard and seemed very out of sorts for a moment.

"Sorry…" He mumbled and quickly ducked out of the way and into the great hall. What a strange and impolite dwarf he was, Ila thought before she dismissed him altogether. She then followed Lord Balin through the great lobby as he took her aside to the one of the great corridors that branched off from there, Dwala close behind as always.

"Lord Balin, could we venture outside perhaps? I have not been out since I arrived here." Ila asked and saw Balin's face answer the question immediately.

"The king won't want you out of doors, my lady. Not without proper protection or himself even."

Ila was becoming more and more disheartened.

"You mean, that I am not allowed to go out of doors whenever I want?" she asked.

"No my lady, not anymore. The freedoms you enjoyed as a princess of the Iron Hills would expose you to too much danger now. You will soon be a queen, and much will change."

Much has already changed, Ila thought.

"What does 'proper protection' mean? Who must accompany me if I wish to get a breath of fresh air?"

"Why, a company of at least ten guards, I would think, if I know the king as well as I know I do." Answered Balin.

Ten?! Surely the area surrounding Erebor could not be that dangerous. Balin had said they had an agreement with the men from Dale which was very close. Ila didn't understand.

Ila sighed. "Well, how far in advance must I submit a request to the king to venture outside?" she said with a hint of sarcasm and Balin suppressed a smile.

"Normally, probably the day of. But during a time such as today, it will probably be a week before the king will want to spare the guards or have you out of doors when his attention is so otherwise monopolized."

"I see," said Ila as she walked slowly next to Balin, her hands clasped in front of her and seeming very disappointed indeed. Not only could she not see Thorin for days, but she could not even go outside. Balin saw her dampened mood and tried to make her understand.

"The king has lost many who are near and dear to him, so he can be a bit overprotective at times. But, understandably so I think." Balin said gently and Ila felt her heart hurt a bit for Thorin. She knew he had lost his father and grandfather, both in a terrible manner, as well as brother and his brother-in-law too. She could not imagine losing her father and brothers at all, much less as Thorin had lost his.

"Yes, understandably so Lord Balin." Ila agreed.

"As for the duties he must presently attend to, I assure you he would much rather be in your company my lady." Balin said with a kind smile.

Ila immediately blushed. She felt like that was all she did these days.

"And I can also assure you that he would not be without your company unless it was necessary. You have no idea how the king has changed just in the little time you have been in Erebor." Balin continued.

"But Lord Balin, I have only been in Erebor for two days. He cannot be much changed." Ila said though hoping she was wrong.

Balin chuckled. "You have quite the effect on him, I promise you." He said and Ila cast her eyes to the floor, determined not to turn any redder as she smiled under her veil.

"Now, I believe I said I would educate you on Erebor while you are sequestered from our guests. Let us to the library then." Balin said and Ila followed, knowing there was no argument to be made otherwise.

After having been brought up to speed on the specifics of Erebor's most recent history and all the way back to Thorin's grandfather's grandfather, Balin allowed Ila to return to her chambers for dinner. As long as there were men under the mountain she would have to take her meals privately. She would not receive guests officially until she was queen. Until then, she was apparently to be guarded as closely as the arkenstone itself, except the arkenstone was allowed in the throne room presently.

"I will be glad when I am finally queen, so that I will be free of this veil and not kept from the world like some secret treasure." Ila remarked to Dwala as they ascended the royal staircase back to her room.

Dwala laughed. "When you are queen, you will be the most protected treasure in all of Thorin's kingdom, very much like you are now if not worse."

"This is ridiculous. The outdoors cannot be so dangerous. I wouldn't be surprised if Lord Balin told me I am not so much as allowed to walk out on a balcony at this point. I feel almost like a caged animal." Ila said, on a roll with her complaining now. She had been eager to learn about Erebor, and still was, but her private tutoring lesson with Lord Balin had been so tedious and gone on so long that she was annoyed and tired now.

"I'm sure it is all done with your best interests in mind, just as Lord Balin said." Dwala said, always trying to see the positive side of things.

"What if he just wants an excuse not to have to see me for a few days…perhaps he grows tired of me already….." Ila speculated and Dwala rolled her eyes.

"Now you're the one being ridiculous. You heard what Lord Balin said about that too."

Ila huffed and they entered her chambers finally. Supper was already laid out for her on the table, covered to keep it warm. Ila found that she was not hungry however. She walked right past it and tore off her veil as she always did upon entering the privacy of her rooms.

She sat down on the edge of her bed and folded her arms, agitated.

"You're not going to eat?" Dwala asked as she eyed the food.

"No, but you should. I am too restless to do anything."

It was Dwala's turn to sigh but she did not hesitate with regards to supper. She sat down and dug in.

Ila got up and paced about the room, finding it impossible to be still or get comfortable. Dwala eyed her between bites of food.

"You're making me nervous doing that." She said between chewing mouthfuls of potato.

"I can't stand this. What am I supposed to do with myself for the next few days?" Ila pouted.

"You could read. That always makes you happy. And you haven't even looked through the library yet." Dwala offered.

Ila huffed. "I am too restless to even read. I miss the sunset so much….the smell of the trees and thick summer air. I feel like a prisoner in this mountain." Ila was becoming more and more upset by the moment as she contemplated Balin's words from earlier. Many things would change now. She could not even go outside when she wanted to, not without asking in advance and being accompanied by so many guards. She was used to much more freedom than that, and such a sudden change was difficult for her to come to terms with.

"Maybe…" Ila began, her back to Dwala who was still at the table. "I could just slip out on my own for a little bit. With the men from Dale here and everyone so occupied no one would even notice." Ila said with a twinkle in her eye as she turned to face her companion.

Dwala nearly spit her water upon hearing that. As she was recovering, Ila continued.

"Oh Dwala, it's not like I suggested that we run away or something. I just want a breath of fresh air. I will be back before anyone even knows I am gone."

"First my lady, I doubt very much you could slip past all of the guards, especially since there are eyes on you wherever you go. Second, I could not let you go by yourself! I am sworn to serve you and it would be too dangerous. And third, can you imagine how angry the king would be?! First for defying his word and second for all he knows you may indeed be trying to escape! Imagine the shame it would bring on your father, not to mention how embarrassing it would be…." Dwala kept thinking of reasons why this was the worst idea she had ever heard.

Ila rolled her eyes. "Oh Dwala, it's not quite that big of a deal. You are making it much worse than it is."

"No, Ila. You of all the dwarves in Erebor must obey the word of the king. You are not just his subject but his wife—"

"—Future wife," Ila corrected, "when I will have even less freedom than I do now."

"Ila!" Dwala said standing up and walking over to her. "You can't be serious. It will cause so much more trouble than it is worth. Simply ask the king when the visitors have left if you can spend some time out of doors, perhaps he will even accompany you." Dwala all but pleaded.

Ila saw how upset Dwala was becoming and knew she would not win this one.

"Please Ila, promise me that you will not attempt such a thing. Just be patient, I'm sure the king dislikes being parted from you as much you do him."

Ila rolled her eyes again, but blushed despite herself. When she didn't answer, Dwala pressed, "Ila?"

"Alright, alright." Ila said looking defeated.

"Good." She said and turned back to the food. "Try and eat something please. You already look thinner since we have been here."

Ila sat down opposite Dwala and picked at the supper, all the while thinking of how she could sneak out past Dwala. Dwala was always with her, so she would have to get up earlier than her or got to asleep after her. The latter would be hard to do, plus she did not particularly wish to sneak out at night. If she got up early before Dwala rose, she could perhaps watch the sunrise, which she had not had the chance to do since being here either. That was harmless enough was it not? Ila thought on this as she ate, Dwala never the wiser.

Ila assured Dwala that she was tired and wanted to turn in a little earlier than usual. Dwala seemed satisfied that that was the case and bid her goodnight. As she left for her own chambers, Ila climbed into bed. It was a little early, but she would need to be sure and rise early enough to see the sun rise since she would have to guess at the appropriate time, not having a window to look out at the sky and gauge such a thing.

Ila laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, willing herself to fall asleep. All she wanted was a little bit of fresh air and to see the sky again. Well…what she really wanted was to see Thorin, but since that was not possible for the next few days, she would settle for a quick trip outside…

What could possibly be wrong with that?

AN: So, I am a day late but I spent the last three days at Dragon Con! Graham McTavish and William Kircher are so kind and so funny, but you know who is the nicest guy ever? Manu Bennett. Really, he couldn't be sweeter or more genuine (or more buff). There were lots of LOTR/Hobbit sessions, one of which I went to was devoted completely to Thorin and his film vs. book interpretations that you all would have enjoyed.

I will leave you with his gem, which my husband typed while I made the mistake of leaving Word up as I took a bathroom break. At least he has a sense of humor about my fangirling.

"And afterwards perhaps you could Thorin all over my Oakenshield…