He stormed down the corridor and along the steps into the outer parts of the mountain where the stables had been carved.

A set of stables had been set aside for the white leopard alone, but he was surprised that the beast had not found a way to enter the rest of the holdings and devour a pony!

Each day she fed Rajah with cooked meat no less! And morning and night! Then she even found time to replenish the grain for the ravens in the keep. If she ever missed the latter, Roac himself would arrive early in the morning and tap at their window, regardless of whether he was balls deep in her, and persist in his tapping until his mistress had come to the window. On the other hand if the creature noticed his mistress asleep, then it would slink away. It had begun to amuse Thorin as much as it had irritated him at first.

As he drew closer the lights were dimmed, so he stopped to pick up a lit torch.

And as he turned the corner and into the stalls, he found his rage boiling within him.

She was not meant to attend to her beast so late. Instead he had expected her to be waiting for him in his bed, undressed. Ready to fulfill her wifely duties to him.

Tonight he had not only found an empty bed, but also he had waited for too long.

"I should tie you to the bed posts!" He muttered to himself, almost in approval of such an idea. "I am a patient dwarf but this is -"

As he walked into the stables his words and rage were all lost as he saw her.

She lay with her head against the beasts belly like it was a pillow, her long dark hair cascading around her, soundly asleep. It was cooler inside the stalls, but she wore a large cape which she had used like a blanket over them both.

Even the beast looked at ease, like a large furry child sleeping soundly.

Seeing her like this, made him pause for a while. She looked so vulnerable as she lay there, it made him feel like an utter brute for considering the things he had in mind for her body that night.

And just as he felt the fire in him calm, she seemed to make a soft sighing sound in her sleep.

It was so gentle, that suddenly his desire seemed to be renewed. His own mind and thoughts and thoughts were often dark and confused of late, and she was like the cooling waters that quenched those fires.

He needed her, and that was it.

Despite his best attempts to renew his desire for Elise, a night with her was as appealing as eating Bomburs meals from last week. Stale.

But he was determined. He would not be enslaved by this woman. And he intended to treat her cruelly enough to drive her away.

He scooped her up into her arms, wrapping her cape around her body.

She was as tall as him, which made it awkward but she was thin, and for a dwarf blessed with Mahals strength, it was certainly nothing.

At first he was gentle instinctively. But he soon took less care, even being rough on purpose so as to wake her.

But contrary to his expectations, as he carried her along the many corridors back to their chambers, she nestled against his neck still sleeping softly.

This spurred him on even more. As he returned to their bed chambers, he all but threw her onto their bed.

Then very quickly he pulled away her cape, followed by her shoes and bloomers, before bunching up her dress and burying himself in her, having unlaced his own very throbbing member.

He closed his eyes as he felt the calmness wash over him for it, even though it made her cry out due to the sudden, rough intrusion.

She was very much awake now, and she clutched at his jacket in surprise.

"Good. Since you have fallen asleep outside of our perfectly comfortable bed..." He carried on without any regard for her. "I fear I have no time to attend to your needs..."

But she seemed too shocked, and in pain to fight him, instead screwing her eyes shut tight.

And to his own dismay, his own enjoyment seemed lost without those eyes looking back up at him.

It appeared that without seeing the pleasure and the pain etched in her eyes, his own satisfaction was lost.

"Open you eyes and look at me..." He grunted, stopping to unlace her bodice and grasp her breasts roughly.

But she seemed too focussed on her own pain.

"Open. Your. Eyes..." He commanded this time biting down hard on her left nipple.

Her eyes flew open, as she gasped, the sensations he inflicted on her were in contrast to the soft hair that fell onto her skin.

He moved again, speeding up, chasing after his own completion. But something seemed to stop him once more.

So with a groan, he slipped a hand down to begin playing with her and soon found her responding sufficiently for him to carry on.

Speeding up once more, he still had no intent of allowing her to find release.

She bit her lip as he continued to ascend higher, this time a hand reaching up to cradle his face.

He was still suitably rough enough that what little pleasure she seemed to feel was dosed with equal measures of pain.

And most importantly he could swim in those deep, dark pools, that bore into her very soul.

He climaxed with a groan continuing a little longer until he had spilled himself into her completely.

"Take you dress of and return to bed in your undershift..." He grunted at her.

"But my Lord...I have not bathed..."

"Tonight you will sleep with my seed inside you." He finished conclusively. He too stood only to beging undressing yourself. "Besides, I may have you another time yet before daybreak..."

She didn't seem to contradict him, as she stood up and began to undress, slipping her breasts back into the top part of her soft shift.

And then something seemed to draw her to the window.

It appeared that the large Raven from the keep was outside.

"Good evening Master Raven...I have not seen you in some weeks..." She stopped in her tracks as the creature cawed to her gently. "Thank you for telling me..."

Although the bird was quiet, Thorin had heard what he had to say.

She listened carefully and shut the window, as the large bird disappeared into the night.

"Come here..." He held out his hand, now undressed and in bed.

She slowly returned to the bed.

"You should be happy that Arun is on his way back should you not...?"

She briefly looked up at him surprised he heard the birds much quieter cawing today.

Then with her eyes lowered she made her way back to his bed, carefully getting in.

"My father was injured in an attack. He is not badly hurt...but his eldest son, from his first consort will ascend to take the throne early, until he is completely well," she explained quietly.

"And you are worried?" Thorin asked, feeling stupid that he even cared so much as to ask. "About your father...?"

She glanced up to meet his cold, blue gaze and nodded.

"But you yourself stated it was only until he was better..?"

"The attacks must have been worse than I was informed of for my father to ride out with them." She explained quietly again as she lay down on the pillow beside him.

"It is good for a King to do so in times of greater trouble. It makes his people fight harder."

She turned to face him, laying on her side and studying his face better in the dark. It made the shoulders of her flimsy sift dress slip away, and threatened to allow her breasts to fall free again.

It was starting to make him hard again, and he could not being himself to cause her any more pain tonight, when she was clearly upset by her news.

So he lay there looking up at the ceiling this time. But he could feel her eyes on him now, carefully studying his face apparently.

"It still worries me, my Lord. He is not young...and sustained a terrible injury fighting the sandworms, which often plagues him even so many years later. If makes it such that he cannot ride him horse well and fight.."

Thorin lay there silently listening, and then let the silence prevail for a little.

"Tell me...why do you not address your eldest brother as such?"

"He is the firstborn son of my father's first Queen. She is the most important and powerful of his wives. And she had made it clear sometime ago that I am never to address him as my brother..." She finally replied back in response. "My mother is merely his favoured courtesan, Sire..."

It made him pity her a little, because her voice was tinged with sorrow.

Still not looking at her, he slipped an arm around her frame and pulled her close against his chest and closed his eyes.

He did not wish her to think he greatly cared but all the same he could bring himself not leave laying there so cold and alone after he had used her body so, and thoroughly enjoyed it too!

She smiled against his chest, and ran her hands gently through the soft dark hairs on his chest.

"Go to sleep now, or I shall wish to have you again. And this time I will be harder." He warned her, pulling her tighter against him. "Here..."

He grasped the wrist of her wondering hand tightly and pulled it down to press on his now hardened manhood, pressing firmly through his undergarments.

"This is what your body writhing against me does to me..." He growled low. Then he took her hand and slipped it down inside so his burning cock lay in her hand. "Now you can finish off this job, as I have taught you before...or I will have your mouth finish it for me..."

She attempted to get up onto her knees, so that she could get better purchase. Her body had suffered enough tonight, and her heart felt too heavy with worry to displease him.

But he stopped her from moving away, bringing his free hand over to slip down into the top of her shift and begin playing with her breasts.

"No." He grunted. "You can learn to do it as you lay there..."

...

She wondered around the market stalls in the grand hall with Dwalin, Balin and Dis. Karan had insisted that he was present to ensure her security, but Dwalin had insisted on taking over his role that morning.

The dwarves who had moved back had already begun to occupy and open up small trading shops. Of course not all the stalls were still occupied and many were being prepared but this underground market hall had been a completely different place a mere week ago when she had mistakenly found herself there.

"I cannot believe this!" She looked around in wonder. "An indoor market? It is such a wonder!"

"Our ancestors were the most skilled of builders, lass..." Balin explained with pride.

"Most impressive Lord Balin! But I actually meant that having a market hall entirely protected from the elements...well...is surely excellent for the monetary success and growth of the kindgom! It means there must be excellent sales all year round - even in the height of summer or the height of winter or on rainy days for instance...?" She looked around still amazed.

But her explanation seemed to have surprised Balin.

"That is a very fine observation, lassie..." Balin sounded genuinely impressed.

"See! I told ya brother! Her face isn't the only beautiful thing...the princess has a 'fine' noggin too!" Dwalin waggled his eyebrows and elbowed his brother, apparently very pleased with himself. "I told you - that I why Thorin can't control himself around her!"

"Alright brother! This excessive gloating is getting rather tiring!" Balin complained to him. "Yes, yes brother. You were indeed wise in choosing her -"

"Well - it would be nice for once to be acknowledged properly when ye've been bested. Otherwise he would have been saddled with that dumpling!"

Shobha stepped away from them annoyed. The truth was that it was Dwalins reason she had to tolerate marriage go such a could tempered beast! She was still sore from his rough coupling last night. And to make matters worse she had felt frustrated by it. In spite of the pain, he had initially brought her frustratingly close to her own completion only to stop in her final moments. So she had been unable to sleep for some time.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Dis' arm slipping through hers and pulling her away.

"Come... Leave them to bicker like old women." The dam winked at her. It was unnerving how similar she looked to Thorin, and yet how different they were in temperament. "And you will come to see that they bicker about everything..."

Shobha glanced back at the two dwarves who were now arguing about it indeed! Balin was openly rolling his eyes and tutting, while Dwalin was now poking a finger into his brothers chest.

"Come let us have a wonder about here..." Dis ushered her away. Slowly, they began to walk around the various stalls, until they stopped at a stall which sold fabrics. "Perhaps there is something that catches you eye here. We could have Dori or one of our tailors make something up for you?"

She looked at the various beautiful silks and velvets.

"You get soft silk here?"

"Aye, your highness...all the way from...well...Rhun..." The dam that ran the stall waved her hand over a section of materials behind her counter. "From Agar..."

"How is it possible?"

"I have a trade consignment with Hamza -"

"He supplies silk to the Maharajah!" Shobha cried surprised. "But he does not trade with simply anyone..."

"Aye. He came out to meet me once. I had to travel to Bree...but a kind gentleman he was too, your highness..." The dam explained. "And he has his deliveries sent to me every three moons. I wish he would not charge me such taxes though..."

"Lelin, there is no need to discuss, all our business..." A dwarf stepped forward from further inside the stall, stepping away from a book he was reading, only to halt as he saw Dis and herself, and bow deeply. "Melin, son of Trelin at your service, your highness."

"We will buy some of your silks Lelin - there is no need for your help, Mellin..." Dis stepped in, gracefully tilting her head - very much like Thorin often did!

The dwarf seemed to disappear into the back again as they looked at some of the silks.

"I think Dori often dresses you in pink. Perhaps these turquoises and teals may suit you too..." Dis smiled gently. "And you do have such a pretty deep complexion...not like most of those from Rhun..."

"No...I take after my mother I guess...she was from Umbar..." Shobha replied hesitantly. She did not readily open up about herself out of habit. Back at home, she and her mother were a well known scandal. The King could have courtesans and as many as he wished. But it was not expected that he would move a favoured courtesan into his personal apartment, nor was it considered proper that he sired a child with one and openly accepted such an illegitimate child alongside the many children of his proper wives. There were those in Rhun who despised her consequently and yet there were those who considered her the fruit of their kings one true love.

"And a fine thing it is too...one thing Dwalin said is right. My brother is rather taken with you. Even if his rockbrained mouth cannot say so..." Dis waved at several materials which were brought down for their perusal. "And those clothes from your homeland would look so pretty in these colours..."

"What additional taxes are you charged? Hamza is usually a very fair and honest man. Perhaps it is his middle man that is taxing you?" Shobha frowned as she looked at the pretty silks. But she had dealt with Hamsa many times, as she hated being dressed for events, and knew him very well.

"I have arranged my trade directly with him. Mellin says he has even raised the taxes recently..." Lelin replied sadly. "I have been giving myself a pay cut to keep going but may not be able to keep trading if this carries on...so I am hoping our stall here will help sell more."

"Have you not written to Hamza? He is very reasonable. And I did not think he would charge such high taxes let alone taxes at all!" Shobha asked now getting suspicious.

"Well...truth is your highness...I...cannot read or write..." Lelin confessed, lowering her voice and looking back over her shoulder. "So I am lucky to have my brother to help look after all this...and he did write to Hamza but said he did not hear back?"

"Well you tell your brother that he is to immediately write and let Hamza know that you are now my favoured supplier to me for my clothing. And he is to immediately halt any taxes upon your trade. Or I will ask the Maharajah to look into this matter." Shobha replied. "And please could you kindly send all these silks over to Master Dori...and have your account books sent to Master Gloin? I will arrange for you to have your taxes refunded..."

The small dam who looked thinner than most looked up at her as if some sort of miracle had just passed, with tears in her eyes and bowed her head deeply.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, your highness... I have two little ones, and I could not afford to bring them with me. And it has been breaking heart...now I shall send for them immediately before the snow deepens." She bowed again holding one hand to her chest.

She moved away from the stall and looked at Dis, surprised to realise that Dis seemed to know what was going on all along.

"That poor dam is being cheated by her own brother?" Shobha asked. "And why does she not know to read or write?"

"It is not permitted for dams to continue in school beyond adolescence. And some are not sent to school at all, if their parents cannot afford it." Dis said clearly disgusted by it. "It happens everywhere. In fact there are so few dams that in the iron hills they are required by law to be married by the age of seventy, which is slightly prior to the adulthood, so that they may have young early and continue our population."

"But even in our society where a man is permitted many wives who are often treated like chattel, girls are still allowed an education. Of course some do not believe in education, but many others learn well..." She was genuinely shocked. "Did you know about this?"

"I had my suspicions..." Dis raised an eyebrow at her, but showed little emotion. "Lelin's situation is not unique, sadly..."

Suddenly Shobha looked around the market place. There were many dams working but none were alone in their stalls. There was often a dwarf who appeared to be taking a more authoritative role, while also doing very little!

"Are these dams not being paid as they should because few can read or write..?" She felt riled by it.

"Or because they are unable to settle their account books..."

"And Master Gloin - he is now the treasurer. Does he support this?"

"No... In fact Mara is one of the few other dams like me who did receive an education..."

Suddenly Shobha realised what Erol was hinting at.

"And...Thorin...? He is in agreement with such archaic rules?"

"Not really - our grandfather did not agree. But he had much opposition, particularly from the Iron Hills. It affected some of our trade between clans. It was an old grudge and a long standing one. It was the reason Thorin received no support from them to reclaim Erebor, but they only came later to aid him with hopes that my brother may fall in battle leaving a perfect opportunity for a power grab..." Dis sighed, sounding exhausted. "So Thorin is hesitant in taking action..."

"But a few changes will help all of society, surely..." She needed to do something about it. "Maybe I can convince Thorin...? But this cannot go on! Many men in my land treat their women horribly. But they would not deny them a book or the chance to write a letter to their loved ones!"

Dis watched her silently, her face revealing nothing still.

"And this is similar to what I have been told of inheritance then, my lady?"

"Aye. Women have little power over their own family's estate. It is provided, often as a much smaller allowance through a process of custodianship."

"I need to find Thorin right now..." She suddenly felt a complete conviction of her being to change this. If he could have her body as he wished and clearly derive pleasure from her, then he could also grant her this.

"I hope you don't mind, but I will stay here...and maybe I shall keep Dwalin and Balin off your trail..."

"I am quite good at giving my guards the slip - well, let's just say that I have good experience." She looked around the market hall, which was slowly receiving new customers walking around, milling around in places chatting and those buying various items. Then she looked back to find Dwalin and Balin were still arguing animatedly.

Finding a way out without Dwalin or Balin seeing was easy. She would need to find a way to convince Thorin now.

...

She had found herself in such a temper over the educational facilities for these dams that she had walked straight into Thorins office without even pausing to knock.

He stood by his desk with Bofur and a several other dwarves, apparently from the mines (given how much they were covered in dust), all pouring over a large map.

Her interruption, initially seemed to surprise him, but his expression quickly shifted into something else. It was not quite irritation, but nonetheless should have scared her.

"I need something urgently, my Lord," she blurted angrily. His reaction made little difference to her, as she was still so riled up that she stood there with her arms crossed.

Bofur seemed to look at her worried, still paused with his finger over the map for several long moments, when Thorin grunted something at them, clearly in Khuzdul. And the dwarves surrounding him were quick to leave, shutting the door behind them.

Thorin himself, seemed to leave her standing there in silence for what felt like a very long time as he carefully rolled up the map from his desk, placing it in a chest.

It gave her some time to calm down, and as she did, she began to realise the rashness of the actions she had taken.

Her heart was still racing. But his presence often did that. And she couldnt have him savage her body again. She was already still sore from the last night.

Finally, after what began to feel like an agonizingly long time, Thorin turned to her.

"So, my wife...you have interrupted an important meeting, to request - no, demand, something from your King?" He spoke slowly, moving towards her. "Is that correct...?"

It was hard not to feel like she had just entered a lion's den. But she could not remain silent about this. There were few things that she asked of him, and it was her intent that he granted this.

"Yes, my lord. And it's urgent that there is no delay in this."

"Hmmmm." He smirked as he took a step towards her, scrutinizing her closely, his eyes moving to the neckline of her dress and then down to her waist. "Very well..."

He strangely enjoyed seeing her like this. There was a wildness in her, a fire, that he wanted to tame. He had seen it on the first night they had met, and then every time she wilfully disobeyed him.

He took another step towards her and reached up to the ties on the bodice of her dress, only for her to push his hand away.

"No Thorin. This is important to me and to your people." She spoke firmly. She would probably pay for it dearly, for she had never denied him from touching her before.

"Oh? Is that so?" He was now openly irate, but contrary to her expectations he did not try to touch her again.

Instead he walked back to the large chair that stood behind his desk and moving it away from his desk, sat down.

"Very well then...as you are so inflamed by this, my Queen, I shall grant you anything you wish..." He had initially worried about how young and inexperienced she was in life, but her rebelliousness and optimism was now enthralling. Equally, at times he felt like she was a naughty child, in need of a thorough spanking.

"And you do not wish to know what it is...?"

"Aye. Anything... As I said before - it must be very important for you to have interrupted a meeting, instead of waiting to speak with me tonight...and you will be waiting for me tonight because of this rude interruption. Completely unclothed and ready with your legs spread for me, is that right?" He smirked. It was an much a warning as a counter demand. She understood enough of negotiation to realize that.

She stood silently contemplating what it was that he wanted from her. It was stupid of her to wonder, in truth - for the answer to that was blindingly obvious.

"You are no longer a naive, innocent little girl. And we both know you are probably clever enough to give many of the best minds in both our kingdoms ample challenge..." He smirked again, glad now for the chance encounter with her. His day had been very challenging indeed, as they had planned to begin some of their mining activities. It had required some inspection and considerable discussion regarding which mines to choose and so on. She was exactly what he needed to help revive his mind. "So...I think you know what I require of you in return, my wife..."

Hesitantly she moved towards him. She didn't like it that he did not care to hear what it was that he wanted.

"Come now...I have not got all day," he beckoned to her. "Take your bloomers off. And this time YOU can untie your bodice, since you do not wish me to..."

"Do you not wish to hear what it is that I require?" She asked standing in front of him.

"Very well, if you wish to tell me then you may. But only while you bring me to completion..."

So she slipped off her bloomers as he watched before carefully unbuckling his belt and releasing him from his trousers.

He sat forward in his chair at first, as he watched her touch him, only to have her sit on top of him, grabbing hold of his shoulders and push him back.

"I need to set up a school..." She began lifting her skirts and guiding him underneath her. She had done this a few times before now, and could confess to enjoying this, so she focussed on what she had to say as best as she could.

"But we already have a school..." He slipped his hand between her legs. "You grow more wanton when you are angered about something...did you know that? Right now you are sopping wet..."

"No I want to ensure that girls are taught properly. But I also..." She stuttered briefly as he began to stimulate her further. So she pushed him back and kissed him firmly, biting his lip as she lowered herself completely onto him. "I want the dams who had no chance to learn. Many work and run stalls but cannot do simple numeracy or even read..."

"Faster..." He grunted, now wishing for their conversation to be over and partially regretting his decision to grant her request. "They have been fine all this time. Why do you believe there is a new need ?"

"Your agreement was that I brought you to completion. We did not enter into an agreement on how fast." She slowed her pace down a little more until he grasped her hips in frustration pressing her down harder onto him. So she began to unlace her own bodice, opening up the top of her dress, which appeared to make him forget about any hurry he was in, as he watched her somewhat hungrily. "Many dams who work hard are being forced to rely upon others to perform the necessary book keeping tasks, which mean they are often being cheated out of what they deserve..."

"A bit like the agreement I made with your father then...where I must pay him to have the privilege of looking after you and keep you...?" He took her hands away from her clothes and placed them on his shoulders, only to continue unlacing her dress himself, until he could slip his hands in. "Get moving..."

"No you received an army led by a great warrior who defeated a firedrake that plagued your kingdom for half a century, when even your own kin wouldn't dare to come to your aid! And you now have a consort who must bear you a child to ensure that you claim the unwavering allegiance of your subjects! And she is not paid anything for her part. I would say that you got the better of those negotiations..."

"Is it not the same for women in your land?"

"No. We may be down trodden, but at least we are taught to read, write and run a household, which means looking after money. And mothers who are educated will be better able to help their children learn. Even their sons would benefit." She continued to hold his gaze, watching his once blue eyes now darkened by his dilated pupils.

"I must maintain my support with the Iron Hills - and this will not help..." He admitted the truth, slipping his hands either side of her legs before he thrust up to meet her movements. "I will permit you a school for the girls, but I will not allow it for dams. Besides they cannot spend all day at school when they have work to do. And that is my final offer."

He planted his feet firmly on the ground, picking her up in his hands before stepping forward against the desk and laying her down on the desk top.

She had held onto his neck, wrapping her legs around him for fear of falling, but that only helped him further.

"No more negotiations now. Let us see how your school goes first," he kissed her roughly to silence her. Watching her come undone would be the delicious death of him. "You are close...so now I shall conclude matters for the both of us..."

...

She unpacked the freshly washed shifts and tunics that had been left for her and Thorin on the large armchair by the door.

Her day had been filled with various meetings to plan and arrange many things for Erebor. As per her husband's requests she was to organize a grand feast to celebrate Durins Day within the next few weeks. And she was also busy with arranging the set up of the school for girls.

The latter had led her to an introduction with Mara, Gloins wife, who as it turned out was a very beautiful, cultured and educated dam indeed! She had made the perfect pairing with Dis to help with planning the school. They would keep the timetable simple for now, but Shobha hoped they could add some loftier lessons in time; At home, she had been privileged enough to learn some science and the teachings of the wisdoms of the Guardians, as it was referred to, by the old one, Alatar, one of the Blue Wizards. He would travel on occasion to Agar, and stay at her father's request for several months on end, during which time he taught her brothers. And her own curiosity had been piqued when she had met him for the first time as a little girl, such that the kindly old one, very much like Gandalf, had welcomed her to stay and listen.

Mara would make an excellent teacher, as she herself had volunteered, and they had found Gloin very generously supportive in funding the school (which was a little unlike him considering how usually stingy he was as Treasurer)!

Arvind had still not arrived yet, and his journey had been delayed, which made her feel very lonely indeed, particularly since Bilbo was visiting the Greenwood elves.

And Thorin had taken to dining with Elise on occasion. She had known this day would come, but it didn't help her. And despite it all, he would still arrive in their bed chambers hungry for her, which made her feel worse! As though she was nothing but a consolation prize.

She shoved his tunics in his dresser drawer, as that image entered her thoughts, and pushed it shut with enough force to make the sturdy piece of furniture wobble. Then she chastised herself for thinking about it - after all this is what she wanted! Wasnt it?

Carefully she placed her own shifts and clean undergarments in her own small dresser. She had hoped for her own room by now, but to her surprise he had moved in additional furniture for her. It had made her stay in his chambers a longer for now. But it still did not feel permanent. It was as though she were his courtesan being made comfortable for now, but her place in his chambers was much like in his heart, only temporary.

It was was yet another thought that should have made her feel happier. After all it was a union that had been almost forced upon her. So why did she not feel happy about an end to it?

She picked up one of the dresses that had also been washed. It was one of the thicker winter garments she wore often of late. But as she hung it, noticed a small parchment protruding from a pocket, and had no memory of placing it there.

Laying it on the bed, she took it out and opened it, wondering what notes she had left in there:

Princess of the East,

Your life is in danger.

Seek counsel with the wizard or his friends, but keep it secret (even from your husband).

Trust no one unless you are certain of their allegiance to you.

From one who cares for your welfare.

The writing was neat, and small, but none that she recognized.

She popped her head out of the door, but found only Abdi on guard.

"Princess? Is anything the matter?" He stood up as she looked around.

"Who delivered our laundry, Abdi?"

"It was the woman from Dale - Leena, as always..."

This only made the note more mysterious. Leena lived in Dale, and would have gone home by now. She would need to question her about this - but in secret.

What did the note mean..?

...