I watched Rose walk away with Luna, stroking her main as she spoke to the mare soothingly. Being more alert was refreshing, I could hear all the smaller noises, smell everything. I could see for miles, and I could also see Fili shuffling on his feet, edging away from us slowly. He thought he was being sneaky, but alas.

"Where are you going?" I said plainly fixing my eyes on him. He quickly stopped to turn and looked at me with a nonchalant expression. His eyes shifted between me, Kili and Rose

"Nowhere. Just...going to help Rose. You know..." He trailed off trying to find the right words and failing miserably.

"Hmm. Sure." I muttered narrowing my eyes at him. He smiled giving me a thumbs up and cheesy grin before plodding off in search of my sister. I hadn't really given it much thought, but I could see now the affection he felt for her. It made me slightly uneasy.

I placed a hand on my abdomen feeling the ache shoot back through my stomach. The wound was now clean, but it didn't mean it hurt any less. I winced and hunched a little at the stabbing pains. I was in not fit state to be dishing out rules in this state. Kili quickly closed the distance between us and helped steady me.

"Cara, are you ok?" He rubbed my back soothingly as I gripped his hand. Breathing heavily, I trying to regain my composure. I tried so hard to be strong all the time. It was exhausting.

"I'm ok... I'm ok. Just going to take time to heal." Kili looked at me with a worried expression like he knew I wasn't ok. The ache began to dull a little, but it still lingered reminding me of its presence.

"Kili, I don't think I'm going to be able to keep up with you all..." I willed away the sudden fatigue. I'd been sleeping so much; how could I still be tired?

"What? No, Cara, we won't leave you like this. Thorin won't leave without you, trust me. I certainly won't." He said smiling at me. His smile was enough to make me forget the pain. By the Valar I knew I had it bad for him. My wolf clawed at me from the inside just being close to him. I felt my skin tingled with that familiar feeling when I felt the urge to shift, but it was different.

"I know you won't." I smiled softly at the dwarf. The space between us has lessened significantly. Any closer and... well I didn't want to find out what would happen if I lost control. But his eyes had captured mine so gently, my wolf didn't want to let this moment go.

"I think I should get something to eat." I said pushing the urge back down. Well, more like punch it back down. It was almost intoxicating being around him. Kili, none the wiser, nodded leading me back inside to find the others. His smile faltered a little.

"Yeah, course."

We walked slowly back inside, and Kili led me to an outside balcony area where all the dwarves were seated finished the last of their food. Once I approached, they all seem to brighten. Bofur came over to me first gently wrapping his arms around me in a warm hug.

"You lass, are impossible." He was jolly as ever. I let out a chucked as he rocked us a little. As we parted, he grasped my face in his hands and planted a kiss on my forehead. In all honesty I hadn't spent much time with Bofur in my younger years, but he was always wonderful company.

"Nope. Just sore." The dwarfs chuckle shuffling about while they made room for me on one of the chairs. Thorin lingered back seeming unsure of how to approach me. I didn't know what to make of him anymore. Leaving me like that. I understood why...but that didn't make it any easier to accept. He walked over to me slowly almost trying to gauge how I was feeling. Pissed off, for starters.

"Cara...I can't ask you to forgive me..." Mahal this was painful.

"Thorin...I'm angry. And I will be for some time. But I do. Forgive you that is." I didn't smile but made my way over to hug the dwarf. He froze a little but soon wrapped his arms around me gently and rested his head on mine.

"I'm so sorry." From Thorin, that was a lot. He never said sorry. I nodded feeling like he understood. There was a something that lingered behind his eyes that felt unhinged, but I didn't ponder on it too much. Thorin has been through enough to make any man lose hope.

We parted and he brought a hand up to my cheek stroking it gently. He reminded me so much of my father. Stubborn. But cared deeply for his family. I knew guilt weighed heavily on his mind, so I offered a small smile. Mostly because I was glad to see him again.

I was guided to a seat beside Bilbo and had a plate of food placed in front of me. I smiled grasping the plate with both hands and stuffed my face feeling like I hadn't eaten in days. Which was slightly true.

Bilbo leaned over to me patting my shoulder gently. I turned my head my head to face the Hobbit curiously.

"I'm glad you're alright." He spoke softly, enough for me to hear but not so the other could. He was genuinely a little ray of sunshine.

"Me too." I smiled back at him. I had grown quite fond of our burglar. He had grown so much since we left the shire. In spirit and in courage.

"So, how are you feeling?" Balin perked up as I ate. Hmm. I definitely couldn't tell them my wolf was going rabid for one of the princes. I say my wolf as if it isn't me. My true feelings. Best I didn't entertain them.

"Much better. A little sore but that's about it. And tired. I'm so tired." As a listed my ailments Dawkins head perked up.

"You slept for quite a while. Maybe you need a little longer to heal." Dwalin stated turning to look at Thorin. Thorin raised a brow but soon rolled his eyes. Ah Dwalin, as always, the big softy.

"We cannot stay much longer. We must be on our way soon, Durin's day will be upon us, and we have to be at the door." Thorin offered as the company nodded.

"Hang on did I miss something?" I asked my mouth a little full of food.

"Lord Elrond deciphered the moon runes on the map and we have to find the door to Erabor on the last light of Durin's day." Bofur explained.

"Oh...so not much then." I muttered sarcastically.

In the midst of our conversation Rose and Fili joined us again. Rose took a seat across from me and Fili made a move to sit beside her.

Now I'm not an unreasonable person per se, but I have never reacted faster than when I kicked my feet up onto the chair beside her. Fili gave me a confused look but didn't press me on it. He sat beside his brother who was holding in his laughter.

Fili creased his brows at him and gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs. This only made things worse when Kili had to put a hand over his mouth to hold in the heavy chuckles. He soon stopped when I raised an eyebrow at him, and he coughed and folded his arms. Didn't stop him for smirking at me though. Damn.

Rose looked rather cross at me. Mahal, I needed to calm down.

"Cara?" Rose dragged her chair over to me. The others were deep in conversation so we wouldn't be bothered.

"Hmm?" I turned my head to her as I munched on the food.

"Back at the troll hoard...you saw something. In the bones. In their memories." Rose spoke quietly but unbeknownst to us Thorin and Dwalin were listening in. I paused not really knowing how to put it.

"I saw our mother." I spoke softly. Roses eye widens as she sat up straighter. A morsel of hope flashed across her eyes before it quickly disappeared beside a sad face.

"I saw her death. Father was lied to. Lord Andür murdered her...for the crown." As I spoke tears welled in my eyes but dared not let them fall. Rose was white as a sheet. "He has her crown Rose."

Thorin and Dwalin's heads turned rather sharply at the mention of our mother. They knew her well, as did the older members of the company. And Dis always had many lovely stories about her.

"Lord Andür was her advisor...are you positive" Dwalin spoke not believing what I had said. I turned to him not realizing most of the company had heard our conversation. I simply nodded my head. Everyone had been lied to. Anger bubbled inside me.

"Hang on...can we back track a little. You two are princesses?" Bofur asked looking from us to Thorin whose expression hadn't changed.

I didn't say anything, I just looked at him. Not needing to say anything. Fili leaned forward on his knees now understanding.

"Mahal you are. Hold on, you're the oldest?" He questioned.

"By 5 minutes..." Rose mumbled slouching in her chair. Had to always have the last word.

"Yes. First in line. Not so different after all, are we?" He slumped back in his chair stunned into silence. He looked at me as it were the first time, he truly saw me. I felt there was a little more respect there, rather than just seeing me as just the little sister.

"So, Arren is king?" Kili asked finding the whole situation a bit bizarre.

"No. Only the matriarch can rule. But since the crown was lost...that never happened. Our farther is the alpha of our pack, but Lord Andür took up the mantel of ruling the all the clans separately. Now we know why...

"You never said." He stated his eyes searching one for some understanding.

"I... I'm sorry. It just never seemed important." I couldn't come up with a good excuse because there wasn't one. He nodded but lowered his eyes from mine. He was hurt I hadn't told him. Really?

"Crown or no crown. It's one more thing you have in connection with your mother." Kili stated almost matter of fact like. I was shocked he had even spoken at all let alone something so comforting to me. A small smile crossed my face. I couldn't gauge his emotions they were all over the place. Shocked definitely. Maybe even a little excited. But at the centre was a warmth. A caring.

"I suppose so. It's not something we really dwelled on much. After our mother...life changed so quickly, and we were so young. I'm not sure I'm ready." I said as I felt Rose's hand gently take mine. I looked at my sister seeing a gentle smile on her face.

"You can't escape your duty no matter how much you run from it." Thorin piped in. There he goes sounding like my Ada again. I clench my jaw feeling that sense of dread raise its ugly head again. I never talk to anyone about these things apart from Rose. Always trying to ignore it but that's proving harder and harder. I looked up to Thorin wanting to have a retort, but nothing came to mind.

"I don't know what I'll do. The council will challenge my authority. They praise the ground Lord Andür walks on. And they have control of the armies." I said hugging my arms around my middle trying to fend off the sicky feeling in my stomach.

"Well, you have our backing. And your pack. And the other dwarves. They would rally. I'm sure of it." Balin spoke softly. It warmed my heart. These men were my family. Everyone was quiet for a moment soaking in the new information, but I saw Rose smirk to herself.

"At least you won't have to marry Marlen anymore." She chuckled but that soon cut out as I elbowed her to shut up.

"You have to marry someone?" Bilbo asked incredulously. Kili's head shot back up to look at me. But maybe I was just overthinking that reaction.

"I don't have to marry anyone."

"You don't know that. Even if we manage to convict Lord Andür and get him collared, his son still holds that title. The packs may want you to follow through. You might not have a choice. Royalty must marry into a prestigious family." Rose spoke the truth, not that I wanted to hear it.

"Umm...sorry, what does collared mean?" Bilbo asked quietly.

"It's a device that was created year ago by the skin changers of old. It's a metal collar that's made out of Mithril and enchanted with old magic. It can stop any skin changer or Wolfblood from shifting. If you wear it for long enough it can repress your powers completely. Turn you human. That's why there's not many of them in existence. They were deemed too dangerous if they got into the wrong hands. It could decimate our race." Bilbo looked frightened once I finished. The darkness of the real world was a lot to handle for the Hobbit. He nodded solemnly.

The setting sun cast a golden glow on us reminding us of the new day approaching. I looked off into the distance knowing there were bigger challenges ahead.

"You want to leave in the morning, don't you?" My gaze turned watched Thorin intently. I knew he didn't want to linger here much longer. He simply nodded. The journey was ahead, and we must go to meet it.

"Everyone should get some sleep. Especially you." Dwalin said pointing to me.

"Alrighty then. Come on your majesty." Rose said to me pulling my arm a little to get up off the chair.

"Aahh never say that again." I grimaced at the images that conjured up. Blegh!

A round of 'goodnights came from the dwarfs as we headed off. Fili stood giving me a little side hug almost as a peace offering, but I gave him a stern look through a smile.

Kili last but not least gave me a gentle hug. I breathed in his sent feeling calmer the longer I stayed in his arms. He smiled warmly at me as we parted.

"Good night...your majesty." I was going to kill him. My smile faded and was replaced with a blank expression. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face but unfortunately, I don't think my methods would be family friendly. Certainly not in front of the company. I rolled my eyes and stormed off with Rose.

"Oh, come on, I didn't mean it." His laughter grew quieter the further away we got.

Once we reached the halls near my room Rose turned to me sharply.

"What was all that about on the balcony. You were acting so weird." She looked so grumpy. It was kind of funny to watch. But I had no idea which bit she was referring to.

"I'm not being weird what are you talking about."

"Getting in between me and Fili. I certainly wasn't imagining that."

"Oooohhh. No, you weren't. I just think a little space between you two would be good. You know?" Her brows shot up in response to my statement, a full blush settled over her face.

"Mahal I'm not a child anymore. I don't need to be supervised." Her hands flailed around her as she spoke.

"Well after your episode earlier, yes, I think you do. I'm not trying to ruin things for you, I just think you need a little time that's all."

"It's been years I don't need time; I need...I, I don't know what I need." She came to a stop huffing out a breath as we locked eyes. I pulled her into a hug giving her a light squeeze.

"You'll get there. Your mind is betraying you at the moment. You might snap." I said brushing a stand of hair behind her ear so I could see her face better as we continued to walk.

"How do you do it? Keep everything in?"

"Oh...it's not easy. Practice, I guess. The right people make it less of a struggle though. Mina was my emotional support. We learned together how to find that serenity within your mind. It's not about pushing down urges. You work with your wolf. It just becomes instinct."

"I miss Mina. And Cadür, and Ada. Everyone. I wonder if they're looking for me."

"I think it's safe to say they have probably tried after you literally ran away!" I scolded. We reached the bedroom doors, and it actually took both of us to get them open.

"But you're with me, and I won't let any harm come to you. Ada knows that. Cadür on the other hand, well...I won't be much help." I said chuckling as we entered the room.

The first thing we noticed was the two basins of hot water poured for us. I happily made my way over towards the steaming bowls and quickly going out of my dress so I could properly wash my hair. I could finally wash the grime out. Once we were clean and fresh, we braided each other's hair. Braids in Wolf Blood clans are only to be done by your family members and your significant other. It's a time for bonding. They show what clan you're from or who you belong to.

I noticed our regular clothes had been washed and dried. Thank you, Lord Elrond! We pulled on some sleeping gowns and clambered into the giant bed, snuggling down for the night. It was refreshing to have something comfy to sleep on. We wouldn't be getting much comfort once we left so I was going to relish in it a little longer. I closed my eyes felt myself sink further into the soft mattress. I hoped for a dreamless sleep.

"Good night, Cara...I love you."

"...I love you too petal."

A/N

Hello, I'm so sorry this update took such a long time to get to you. It's an extra-long part just for you guys. I've put so much time into editing (there will definitely be mistakes I've missed; I just know it) and perfecting the story line. I actually wrote some of the last pages, so I know what I'm leading up to. It's all very exciting.

once again thank you for reading.
love Roguewendigo
xxx