Sigrid, being the eldest, noticed her father's appetite was off by the way he pushed food around instead of in his mouth. "Da, don't you like the stew?"

"Huh?" Bard looked at her.

"The food, Da." She pointed to his mostly full bowl. After Bard moved with his children into the king's home, Sigrid took up her chore of fixing meals as when they were common folk.

"It's good, Sigrid." He looked at each of his children and noticed Bain already finished his first bowl and was ladling up another helping from a crockpot with one hand and reaching for a slice of bread with the other as only a growing teenager capable. He noticed the boy was outgrowing his clothing and wrists showed past his sleeves and trousers would show ankles if not shoved into knee-high boots the elves made for him when they saw him wearing a pair of boots from a much larger person.

"I may as well tell you all now," Bard began and kept his eyes on his son. "I had a long talk with Lord Elrond today after the meeting." Seeing all eyes on him, he divulged the topic. "He wants Bain to go with him to Rivendell and attend studies with young Elessar."

Bain almost choked on the mouthful of stew and his eyes grew wide. Quickly swallowing, he asked, "Are you letting me go?"

Bard glanced at his daughters and saw surprise on Tilda's and envy on Sigrid's face. He focused back on his only son. "It would be in your best interest. At the home of the elves, you will learn languages and more importantly, how to act like a king."

"I already know how," Bain objected. "I see how you do it."

Bard shook his head. "Much of what I learned, I mimicked from watching the dwarves and elves. You need to learn much that isn't available in Dale. Also, I was told that in about a year and half, you and Elessar would be taken to the sea where a place called the Havens exists. It's an elven settlement where those sailing to the undying lands leave."

Bain remembered the whale sculpture Elessar gave him and wondered what a sea looked like. "How long will I be gone?"

"I've been told you will stay for three years and come home when you are seventeen." The tightness in Bard's throat at those words made swallowing impossible and he wondered if his son would look him in the eye or he would be forced to look up into his eyes in three years.

Bain looked down at his now unappealing supper. "What if I don't want to leave here?"

"I won't force you away, son," Bard softly explained. "You will be king some day and I want you to be much better prepared than I am. The elves know this and have offered to educate and house you for free. I know because I asked Lord Elrond how much all this education would cost."

"And I would be with Elessar?" Bain's head was swimming and the fact his sister's hadn't said one word let him know they were as shocked as him.

"Yes. Lord Elrond assured me you would live in his halls and dine at his table as if you were his son."

"Elessar told me in three years he goes into the wild with Prince Legolas for training. That is when I come home?"

Bard nodded. "Elessar's path is different from yours. He is to be trained as a Dúnedain, like Erak. That requires several more years of physical training and leadership of a warrior. Lord Elrond told me his sons and Legolas left early this morning and won't be there for Elessar. They don't plan on returning to Rivendell until such time they take you and the other boy to the sea. Elrond didn't want Elessar to become too lonely."

"If you don't want to go, I'll go in your place," Sigrid spoke up. "I would love a chance to see the other side of the mountains and more than just from here to Lake-town."

Bard threw her a surprised look. "I can ask Lord Elrond to take you also…., but," he threw a stern look to his youngest, "I'll not part with my baby just yet, so don't ask."

"If you buy me a doll I saw in the market, I won't," Tilda bargained.

Bard smiled with love at her while her siblings laughed and joshed their father that he wouldn't be able to handle their little sister by himself.

"Agreed," he happily replied and sobered just as swiftly. "I'll miss both of you, but agree that you each need to see more than this narrow piece of land." He looked at his eldest. "Sigrid, I rely on you to help with your sister, but it isn't fair to you. I give my blessing and will speak with Lord Elrond at earliest convenience. He looked at his son. "It would please me to know you are learning more than I in the art of ruling."

Bain slowly nodded his head. "I will do you proud, Da."

"You children cannot do anything else."

Next morning, Bilbo broke the fast with the dwarves at break of day and was swiftly spirited away to be with Gandalf and the elves. He sat in on the final meeting of elves, dwarves and men and enjoyed their faux anger at being cheated, although from what he could tell, everyone was a winner at the table and supplies would once again roll east of the Misty Mountains on regular bases.

Galadriel kept her eye on the Hobbit. There was something about him that wasn't quite right, but her vision was clouded. His hand often went to a vest pocket and she wondered the contents. At the end of the day, when her insight failed her, she concluded she relied too much on Valar induced visions and was suspect of anything her mind couldn't reason.

Bilbo finally had a private word with Thorin at the conclusion of the meeting, where it was announced a feast that night at the fires of the elves to conclude another successful round of negotiations. "So, Thorin, tell me all about the lass you are to wed."

Thorin grinned like a dwarfling with a new sword. "I always scorned the ideal of being wed. I was content with being king and allowing the line to go to Dáin. Every lass I met didn't thaw me until I met Lióni." He smirked down at his friend. "I assume someday you will meet a Hobbit lass that will turn your head and I expect to be invited to your wedding."

Bilbo blanched and his head shook a vehement no. "I'm a confirmed bachelor."

Thorin chuckled. "So was I." He slapped Bilbo's shoulder. "Come, we have time for an ale before I escort Lióni to tonight's events. Sit with us and get to know her."

As they walked towards the mountain, Elrond overheard Bilbo say that he would be honored to dine at their table. He had been covertly eavesdropping and now knew Bilbo was back among the dwarves for the evening and wouldn't press him to sit at his table.

Nori spent the day doing what he did best; being inconspicuous among the miners, listening and overseeing where needed. Most of the newest miners came from the White Mountains or Jötunheim. They knew he was a Durin, but not his position, so left him alone in the depths of the mines.

Krag, a grizzled miner from the Iron Hills had seniority over the newer arrivals and placed himself as appointed head to instruct them where to mine. He didn't trust the Blacklocks, but was assured they were loyal to the crown. He heard rumors of their leader being tossed in the dungeon and then placed next to King Thráin as father to their soon to be newest princess.

Nori watched Krag covertly and decided to speak with the Company at next meeting about making him head of all miners. He knew Krag didn't really know who he was, so was able to move freely without everyone ceasing their conversations when he approached. Today, he was observing the meshing of different clans into one skilled workforce. He moved down another tunnel and paused when runes etched with smoke from lanterns wrote a message on the ceiling. He carefully read the cirth and thought it strange someone would plan a liaison with a lass in this tunnel, but smirked and continued on. Who was he to know how miners courted. He courted like a Durin and felt himself thawing towards lass Lambi. She told him she was on a diet and wouldn't wed him until as thin as Lióni; to which he replied he hoped she never got that skinny. Still, he was a ways from being wed as a lesser son and had to wait for Dori's much larger wedding. He figured a nice spring wedding would be about right.

The second time dining under the evening sky with elves, Lióni was more comfortable in her role and enjoyed her meal and conversation with the Hobbit. He told her many stories of Thorin on the journey to retake the mountain that she hadn't heard from the Company.

"Just don't tell her how I treated you," Thorin admonished. "She will refuse to marry me."

Lióni had heard snippets from the dams and laid a manicured hand on his arm that was covered by another Durin embroidered tunic of light grey threads over a darker shade of slate. "I have set my course to run with yours. And yes, I've heard those tales."

Thorin mock shuddered and laughter ensued around the table.

Gandalf sat at the far end, watching and talking quietly with Thráin, Balin and his wife. The Company was interspersed along the long table with their intended and he was most happy with events in Middle Earth. In four days, Thorin would wed and he looked forward to his small part and setting right the course of history. He felt in his soul that the line was not meant to pass through Dáin Ironfoot, but like the vague suspicions he harbored about Bilbo, couldn't quite form them into tangible thoughts, so he watched carefully and puffed on his pipe now that supper was concluded and visiting ensued.

The three rings of power felt a jolt of lightening run through their ring fingers. Celeborn had Galadriel's hand in his and felt it also. He whipped his head in her direction. "Hervess-nín, what is it?" He spoke aloud for the benefit of Bard, who shared their table, along with Thranduil, Elrond and his closest advisors.

Galadriel caught both the eyes of Mithrandir and Elrond in a flash. "Someone just used a Palantír close to the mountain."

Elrond nodded. "Yes, that's what I felt also." He saw Mithrandir make excuses to the dwarves and join them, sliding into the seat Glorfindel vacated. He and Thranduil exited silently and called for certain warriors to get mounted immediately to scout for danger.

"What did I just experience?" Gandalf asked quietly.

"Something you have forgotten from Aman and not been exposed to on these shores much," Galadriel, just as softly explained. "There is a Palantír nearby."

Gandalf's eyebrows disappeared under scraggly hair falling over his brow and down each side of his face. "The dark wizard must use it to contact Sauron or another dark wizard."

Elrond slowly nodded. "I'm sure the fell wizard is nearby just waiting to disrupt the wedding."

"We slaughtered his army," Gandalf reminded all at the table.

"He may have foul creatures left over from the years before the sun," Galadriel cautioned. "Remember Meglomain? and I'm sure Smaug is not yet a distant memory."

Elrond pondered the situation. "That we cannot detect or pinpoint this wizard indicates he is very powerful and maybe even Sauron. I'm going to suggest that Thorin and all ranking dwarves stay inside the mountain for now."

Bard was glad his children were dining at another table with their young friends. "Will my people be safe?" he asked nobody in particular.

Elrond responded. "I don't believe Dale is the target, but as a precaution stay behind your walls and inside for now."

Bard nodded.

"I will inform the dwarves." Gandalf rose and returned to the table of ranking dwarves. Taking his seat, he rapped on the table until silence fell and all eyes were upon him.

Thráin could tell Gandalf's abrupt departure from their table and return bode ill for dwarves, but held his tongue, waiting like the others.

"My friends. We have not vanquished all of Sauron's enemy. There is still a mighty foe nearby who would not have this wedding proceed. Lord Glorfindel, King Thranduil and part of the army are now looking for him. It is suggested that all dwarves remain inside the mountain for your safety."

Thorin reached for Lióni's hand. She felt his warmth and strong fingers grip hers and knew marrying him was right for her. She squeezed back in support and like him listened to his father's advice.

Thráin looked around the table and back at the wizard. "Aye, that sounds like ah reasonable request. I for one, never want ta see that kind of evil again. The wedding will proceed as planned though."

"Of course," Gandalf agreed.

Back inside the mountain, Thráin called a meeting of all lords. The chamber was bursting with bodies and he gave the news and ended on a lighter note. "Now, Thorin lad, I insist ye take this time inside the mountain ta familiarize yer lady with every dark corner."

Thorin reddened when calls came pouring forth of the perfect alcoves for a liaison and grope or two. He caught his father's eye and knew that was what his sire intended to convey. "You and Mother already knew of those locations," he accused and laughter resumed.

"Son, ye were ripped away from these halls long before being shown certain areas of seclusion. Yes, yer mother an I partook of forbidden pleasures before tying the knot, an I insist ye do also. Do I have ta chaperone ta make sure it's done properly?"

"Everyone knew days before the wedding, couples were encouraged to visit those halls," Balin quipped. "I regret not availing myself and Cát certain memories of these halls. We had to make do in the Iron Hills when I was sent east to find a wife."

Dáin and he shared a look and smile at fond memories of courting at the same time in the Iron Hills. After he wed, he took his bride from her home west to the Blue Mountains. Now she was reunited with her kin at Erebor and if he had any pull with the king, and he was sure he did, Cát's brother and his wife and young would remain in the mountain.

The elves were much more subdued and didn't even alert King Thráin to all the dangers lurking around the mountain. After the dwarves and men departed to their respective homes, Círdan called a meeting of the White Council. "All our Palantíri are accounted for, but there are at least two missing; the one from Gondor and we also lost the one at Amon Sûl. If the dark wizard has one, who holds the other?"

"If the blues have been turned, I would surmise the second belongs to the other wizard," Gandalf replied darkly.

"Due to them not being secure, as tonight demonstrated, we stopped using ours," Elrond reminded them. "Anyone with power can detect their use."

"Should we try and contact the wizard through our rings?" Gandalf asked.

There was silence around the table in Círdan's tent. Outside the tent, Celeborn and Erestor stood guard in place of the regular warriors. Nobody was allowed near enough to eavesdrop, but they could hear plainly the conversation. Celeborn wanted to rush inside and order them cease their stupidity. Playing with the kind of fire that could turn a wizard to evil wasn't something he could face if it happened to his loved ones.

"I think we should rely on Thranduil and Glorfindel's abilities first," Galadriel spoke for the first time and Celeborn breathed a sigh of relief. He knew her words carried great weight in the council.

"I wish Saruman were here to lend his expertise," Elrond commented vaguely.

"I didn't think to invite him for the wedding," Gandalf admitted. Truth was, he didn't think the leader of their order would lower himself to attend a wedding outside the race of the first born and he liked being head wizard at such functions, not wishing to defer to the white wizard.

"We will wait for a report from Glorfindel and Thranduil," Círdan deftly ended the meeting.

Thorin felt his ears burning when recalling the ribald teasing he was subjected to. He spent the night in the pools first and then sparing with late night warriors. He hated this new body full of passion on one hand and wanted to experience more on the other.

Dwalin entered the sparing chamber and saw his prince pounding the stuffing out of a hapless warrior with his fists. "Thorin," he called out and was relieved when Thorin came to his senses. "I see you an I have the same problem."

Thorin snarled, unable to control his temper. "I don't like being out of control like this."

"Do ya think I enjoy having my body ripped an pulled against my will," Dwalin countered and looked for sparing weapons. "Name yer poison."

Thorin pulled Orcrist. "I say we use our own weapons."

Dwalin pulled his sword and shed other weapons at the edge of the ring. He noticed Thorin was already pared down to the sword and a few knives that would remain, as did his. They slowly circled and the few warriors up stopped their training and moved to the edge of the ring. It was a rare surprise to see the ranking lords face one another and they would have stories to tell for weeks to come.

They traded a few practice blows, getting the feel of their opponent as they had done for over a hundred years. "I can't take Lióni to the mentioned locations any more than you can take Dis."

"Aye, I wouldn't sully her reputation with a tryst in a dark hall, although my body screams otherwise," Dwalin parried a blow and moved low, backing Thorin up two steps.

"I think you need to wed at the same time as me," Thorin issued each word with a blow that was met with Dwalin's mithril blade.

"I don't think the king would like that." Dwalin reiterated his words with identical blows.

"I would and it's my wedding. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have at my side than you, and Dis will be standing with Lióni; so I don't see a problem if we have a double wedding."

"Maybe we can surprise the mountain," Dwalin agreed and stopped his swinging, as did Thorin. They stood silently looking into each other's eyes. "You really don't mind?"

Thorin slowly smiled. "I think it should be a surprise for everyone, including Father. Only Gandalf need be told."

Dwalin laughed and then turned to the eavesdroppers. "How much for your silence?"

"Good places in the guard ta see the weddings up close," one warrior stated and another added, "and ta be part of the honor guard escorting ye ta the hall."

The lords looked at the two remaining warriors with raised eyebrows.

A younger warrior stammered, "All that an ah promotion in the ranks. I passed all my tests, but still haven't been chosen by General Lötun for advancement."

"What is your name?" Dwalin asked.

"Kip, Sir."

"I'll look over your record of service and if what you say is true, I do outrank General Lötun," Dwalin stated and saw the youth smile broadly.

"I'll serve ye all my days loyally," he pledged.

All eyes turned to the last warrior, an older dwarrow. "I don't need anything. Just seeing two masters spar tonight is reward enough."

"We'll see you get a prime spot for the wedding," Thorin promised and asked everyone their name. "I want everyone to pledge on their honor, not one word of our discussion will be spilled, or you will face us in the ring, and remember my soon to be brother-in-law? I'll give you two broken thighs."

Feeling better, both lords returned to Durin's Hall and their lonely beds.

Thorin slipped through the stables to fresh morning air outside the mountain. He was on a mission and didn't want a fuss raised for him disobeying the king or worse, Gandalf. He sprinted up a trail laid with rocks until in a meadow he used to play as a dwarfling. His eyes scoured the ground as he worked across the space and he found the objects of his perusal. Leaning down, he reached for a purple mountain flower just as an arrow passed where his chest would have been. He dropped to the ground and searched for the enemy.

With a howl of victory, a band of orcs rushed him and he heard many guttural black speech cries of, "The prize for the head of Oakenshield is ours."

"Not if I have a say," he screamed back and drew Orcrist. He easily blocked two arrows from rushing orcs and turned to flee only to find himself surrounded. Stopping, he prepared to fight to the death.

Roäc floated, wings outstretched, soaking up the first heat of the day. He was riding a thermal and spotted movement on the mountain below. With a loud squawk he folded his wings back and kept up his call, disturbing other ravens, that took flight to where he indicated. He saw a lone Durin on the rampart and all but knocked Dori over when he landed first on his chest and then managed to grip an arm with his talons.

Dori listened to his frantic message and cried out to the guards nearby. "Sound the alarm. Thorin is fighting orcs on the mountain."

As the sun rose over the hills, Glorfindel and Thranduil led their group into camp. They spotted the other lords and lady's already waiting for a report and suspected not one retired to a cot. Servants took the horses and they joined their fellow leaders inside Lord Círdan's massive tent to fill empty stomachs on fresh baked bread slathered with butter and honey, or jam. A side order of lake fish rolled in flour and fried with fresh herbs accompanied the bread and nobody spoke until all were filled.

"There was a darkness on the mountain." Glorfindel broke the silence and sipped from his cup of tea.

"Hard as we tried, we couldn't pinpoint a location," Thranduil added and his oft sported smile was absent.

"And you didn't see or sense any foul spawn of Sauron?" Elrond asked. He worried for his and Thranduil's offspring and remembered the human lads were asking for permission to explore on the mountain again. He would have to dissuade them with tours of Erebor with the dwarven lads. He now regretted allowing Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas their freedom. He pulled his attention back to the answer.

"We smelled orcs," Thranduil snorted with disdain.

"And wargs," Glorfindel added.

The deep cadence from the mighty dwarven horn sounding to arms had them rushing from the tent and seeking answers.

A guard pointed to the sky. "A flock of ravens flew up the mountain in a hurry and one went to the rampart, I'm assuming with a message."

"Erestor, go to the mountain for a report," Elrond ordered and saw horses already running to their location from where they bedded down for the night.

Thranduil's elk joined the horses and soon all male leaders were mounted, with Celeborn shouting for Haldir and his brothers to guard the elleth and see them to the mountain if an army was approaching.

Galadriel used her powers for foresight, but couldn't see more than a handful of orcs above them. She hoped mining shafts didn't hold an army they missed and didn't want another bloody battle this close to the wedding and them leaving.

As the doors opened to let Dáin lead the army from the safety of the mountain, Erestor slipped inside.

Dáin Ironfoot sat at the head of his table that Azie ordered the servants to prepare. She wanted an intimate breakfast with just her husband, mother, mother-in-law and dwarflings this morning. He looked at his son, who still looked half asleep. "What does Balin have ye doin taday?"

Thorin raised sleepy eyes. "He said I have ta be in his office first thing this morning. I'm not sure, but wish I could escape an hang out with Gimli, Fili an Kili."

"Well, ye ain't full grown and still a dwarfling…," Dáin teased and saw his son stiffen. "I could have ah talk with Balin ta cut ye some slack."

"Ye would do that?" Thorin felt his day might be looking up.

Dáin winked at Azie and nodded. "I'll remind him ye are just ah babe an not ready for the world of adult dwarves."

"Never mind," Thorin mumbled. "How long is my punishment again?"

Aneh snickered, but wisely kept quiet when her mother's stern gaze fell upon her.

"I will get ah report from Balin. If ye are doing as told, we can negotiate a release date, but…," Dáin pointed an index finger at his son, "if I get one bad comment, ye will be his assistant until I get ah perfect report."

Before Thorin could reply, the large horn on the mountain sounded an attack and Dáin was on his feet at the first note. Without a word, he grabbed his sword, buckled it on and snatched his Warhammer, while yelling at Thorin to find Balin and do whatever he ordered. Then he was gone, with his son, also decked in sword and carrying a lighter Warhammer, on his heels.

Azie sighed and looked at the females of Dáin's family. "Just once I wish we could get through a meal without an interruption. I wonder what could be foolish enough to attack with an army of elves at our door?"

Thráin sat at the head of the long table in the Durin dining hall. He expected Thorin to join him and noticed Dáin and his family were also missing. Balin and his family joined him and they visited while eating. Durin's and the Company was spread out around the room. When the horn sounded attack, Balin didn't move, but motioned others to see what was going on. He laid a hand on Thráin's arm, keeping his king in place. "I'll not risk you, so stay here."

"Are ye going ta babysit me?" Thráin groused and brushed the hand off.

"We don't know where Thorin is and he is the one to lead our army, not you," Balin reasoned. He heard commotion of the army mustering and preparing to leave the mountain and face whatever foe was descending on them. The elves just the night before warned them to stay inside the mountain, so he figured they should just keep the doors closed and didn't quite understand when he heard Dáin Ironfoot yell to open the doors and let the army out and close behind them. "I need to find out what is happening."

Dori rushed in and panted out, "Thorin went outside this morning and was ambushed by orcs."

Everyone forgot to protect the king and he ran from the room, up the stairs and onto the rampart, with Balin and Dori following closely. The rest of the Company, sans Bombur joined the army, as was expected of them and were now pushing up the mountain among an army of elves that joined them.

"Report!" Thráin looked for anyone who could give answers.

Young Thorin spotted Balin one step behind the king and ran unchallenged up the stone steps and onto the rampart. He stood at Balin's left side and took everything in.

"Roäc brought word orcs had surrounded Thorin and he had no escape," Dori supplied and held his arm out to a field medic that was now cleaning the punctures Roäc's claws made in his arm. In his haste, the bird didn't pull his momentum and Dori's arm took the brunt of stopping the bird.

"What was that idiot son of mine doing outside the mountain?" Thráin roared and nobody had an answer, so he peered up the mountain.

Balin looked at the elves and saw the leaders on horseback and Thranduil on his elk and they were riding along the edge of foot soldiers up the mountain and would be at the forefront by the time they reached Thorin.

"May I be of assistance?"

Thráin looked up at Erestor. "Nay, my friend. Thorin didn't heed the warning of the elves and was found by orcs."

"Is he alone?" Erestor was shocked the crown prince would be allowed to venture from the halls without guard.

"He slipped out unnoticed," Dori supplied.

Erestor mentally shouted a report over the din of the armies. 'My lords, Thorin Oakenshield is alone and fighting orcs. I would say follow the ravens.'

Gandalf assured for himself the ladies of Celeborn and Elrond were safe and hurried to the mountain and asked to be let inside. The gate opened just wide enough to allow him entrance.