Lióni was ready to scream. Once again she was wearing her wedding dress with all her chosen accoutrements for the dams of Durin's Folk. Dis seemed to take great delight in making her parade around, for them to have one last look and ensure all was perfect. When Dis leaned to her ear and whispered she was so glad to be spared this torture, Lióni almost hit her. She growled back, "Careful, I could blackmail you."

"I'd just deny it." With a broad smile, Dis moved out of striking range.

Dis' personal servant, Hali, quickly rushed to the door when a loud banging ensued. Peering through a crack, she saw it was Piket, the king's own servant. She quickly squeezed through the door.

"I'm ta inform ye that the dwarves are all up and have bathed. The presenting of the dowry will begin in one hour in the main vault chamber."

"We will be there," Hali informed him.

"How come ah comely lass like yerself isn't wed?" Piket boldly asked. He heard the rumors when the Blue Mountain dwarves came that the personal handmaiden to Princess Dis was available and she was comely. He was shy by nature and this was the first he found himself alone with her.

She looked at the dwarf with his fine clothes and brown braided hair and beard and decided he wasn't bad either. She had several servants try and set her up with him and this was the first time she had private communication. To show her interest, she didn't just dismiss him and re-enter her mistress' chambers.

He took heart when she replied. "I worked very hard for my lofty position. I wasn't about to let a grubby handed dwarrow take it from me."

"Yer still young enough for ah family of yer own," he pressed. "My parents were both in the service of King Thrór an I grew up just fine. I'd be willing ta court ye if ye be obliged."

"Maybe when the wedding is over and Princess Dis is also wed, we can start a courtship walk an see if another generation of dwarves be like yer parents."

He smiled at her and with a formal bow that had her giggling, he departed.

"Well, I didn't see that coming," she said aloud and went to tell Dis the dwarrow were almost ready. They would have just enough time to redress Lióni in her pre-wedding attire. The day before the wedding was almost as important as the prodigious day that followed.

For this last day of freedom, Lióni chose a simple black gown with a full length white ermine vest that swept the floor. It belonged to the old queen, Zairi, and had been gifted to her by Dis only that morning. On her brow was a simple black mithril diadem cut into the shape of ravens, with outstretched wings that touched to hold the delicate item together. She wore jewelry of azure gems and a belt that matched the necklace and like earrings. Her white pearl handled dagger was tucked in the belt.

Dis was sporting a ruby red gown and likewise wearing a like vest that flowed to the floor, but hers was black mink and her jewelry complemented the soft fur with like black color. Thus ready, they waited for the dwarrow to show up.

Thorin led the group of semi-sober dwarrow into Lord Dóvad's home. His eyes lit upon his intended and he wondered at his foolishness to remain single. He hurried to her, ignoring all others. His hands found her slender waist and he pulled her to him for a long kiss, oblivious to his audience.

Gandalf stepped through the open doorway, with Bilbo at his side and saw amused looks of dwarves and followed their gazes. He slammed the base of his staff into the stone floor and it amplified with his help a loud bang, drawing the couple apart.

Thorin looked around with a peeved expression at being interrupted. He snorted. "I should have known a wizard would be brass enough to interrupt the Crown Prince."

Gandalf smiled. "You can wait one more day and then I won't INTERRUPT. He emphasized the last word, drawing laughter from all in the room. "I believe Lord Dóvad is waiting to retire on what he will get for his daughter."

"I can wait until they exchange vows," Dóvad protested flippantly. "And then as father-in-law, I will demand a high price for the future queen."

Thorin sighed into Lióni's ear. "If we are blessed with a daughter, I will own Middle Earth before letting any dwarrow lay a hand on her." He stepped back and looked at her attire. "My great, grandmother's vestment never looked this good on her."

Lióni colored slightly, both from his complement and the fact it was given in front of everyone. She raised her chin and looked into Thorin's amused eyes. "I suggest not keeping my father waiting for his loot any longer."

Thorin led the merry band though the halls and downward to the riches of Erebor.

Thráin quietly walked beside Gandalf and Bilbo. "My long years in captivity are becoming ah distant memory when days like this drive them far away."

Gandalf looked fondly down at him. "If I could erase those years, I would. I say let Thorin and Lióni shower you with so many dwarflings, you have your heart and mind so full, you will never think of those dark years again."

Thráin nodded that he agreed. "My biggest fear is Sauron overcoming the mountain again an dragging me back ta that place. I'd go mad an die at my own hand before letting that happen."

Gandalf placed a hand on the king's shoulder and squeezed. "Let me tell you a secret. It mustn't ever be disclosed."

Thráin, now curious, nodded and signed he would keep the wizard's secret.

Gandalf continued, assured his faithful friend would honor his word. "This morning, Lord Celeborn and Lord Glorfindel led a large contingent of warriors against your remaining enemies. "They were located in an abandoned mine on the northeast side of the mountain."

Thráin absorbed the surprising information. "I suppose wine will be bartered for their service ta me."

"As king, I felt you should be aware of what is going on outside your mountain. However, I also wish you to put all that from your mind today and let Thorin's dowry lighten your mood. I'm sure Lord Dóvad is rehearsing his faux outrage over Thorin's gifts as we walk to the vault."

Thráin laughed. "I still remember Lord Hárin blustering an declaring me ah cheat. It was all part of the game, an everyone would have been disappointed if he meekly accepted my offerings."

Gandalf smiled in remembrance. "I was there and wanted to strike Lord Hárin with my staff. When King Thrór made his declaration, your father-in-law quickly agreed he had been dealt fairly."

Thráin smiled at the memory. "When Father ordered all White Mountain dwarves to leave his mountain and never return, Hárin, knew his role was to change and he grumbled that the dowry was sufficient, just barely."

"I am curious as to what Thorin is giving Lord Dóvad," Gandalf pondered aloud.

Thorin kept giving Lióni covert glances as he held her hand. Finally, he murmured into her ear, "I want a last walk with you tonight under the stars." Before she could remind him that walking in the open was forbidden, he added, "I know a place where we can be alone and nobody will know we are outside."

She cast a curious look into his sincere eyes. "What about our chaperones?"

His smile said it all. "I know how to evade them."

"Well, then I guess a midnight stroll on the eve of our wedding is to my approval." She was looking straight ahead as she accepted and felt her hand briefly crushed in his that he heard.

The assemblage entered the massive chamber where the wealth of Erebor was housed. Thorin motioned everyone to sit at the long table where months before Thráin hosted the elves and king of Dale.

Gandalf looked suspiciously about. This was the moment Thorin's return from madness would be manifested absolutely. He took his customary place at the opposite end of the table from the king. He was satisfied to see several elves in the company, including Lord Erestor, sitting between the ladies, Galadriel and Arwen.

Thorin seated Lióni and remained standing, as did Lord Dóvad. Thorin formally started the proceedings. "Lord Dóvad, I bring to you for your daughter's hand in marriage the following:" He pointed with a hand and everyone watched as a stallion pony was led into the room along with three mares. "The third ranking stallion and three mares of average breeding. The three are all carrying foals."

"I think ah hire ranking stallion is in order," Dóvad started the age old game.

"You rode the fourth ranking stallion here," Thorin countered. "I own the second one and the king the best. You also brought many more stallions and mares, so the king is forced to barter with you to increase our stock. You will mint a small fortune in breeding rights and sales of foals."

Dóvad smirked that he won that round and nodded he agreed to the pittance of an offering. He knew full well the few horses of Erebor paled compared to his numbers. "I think ye chose my daughter ta increase yer pony numbers."

There was general laughter from the table and even Thorin smiled. "If I wished your horses, I could have slaughtered you on sight and taken them."

"But ye needed them ta help move Longbeards back ta the mountain?" Dóvad succinctly replied.

Thorin moved the dowry process along by not replying. Instead he motioned again and a large boar was ridden into the chamber. It was decked for battle and it's tusks sheathed in razor sharp points of iron. "One of Dáin Ironfoot's finest battle boars. I paid plenty for it and it has already sired hundreds of piglets."

Dóvad's mouth salivated at the sight. Dáin Ironfoot's boars were some of the finest in Middle Earth. "How many sows come with him?"

"Twenty."

"I accept." Dóvad was too stunned to barter for more.

Thorin motioned again and a crate with squawking chickens and another with quacking ducks were carted in. "This is an example of poultry I am offering. Along with these are a thousand more. They will be carried in crates over the next few years from the Blue Mountains until all are accounted for."

Dóvad knew he was supposed to protest, but even he didn't have near those numbers in Jötunheim and was sure Thorin knew exactly to the foul what he owned. "Agreed," he stated.

Thorin motioned again and several wheelbarrows heaped with something covered was pushed into the room. As one, the servants stripped the coverings and most in the room gasped. "I give you five heaping loads of gold coins and one load of precious gems."

Dóvad wanted to hug Thorin. He closed his eyes and stated with a growl, "Ye sit on ah mountain of wealth an that's all ye think my only daughter worth? I am mortally insulted. Nay, I'll take my kin back ta Jötunheim with our pride intact less it be stated I thanked ye like ah beggar for tossed scraps."

"I also am bequeathing you fifty handmade items from our finest crafters to sell in the marketplace or grace the body of your wife or future offspring."

"I get my choice of the items?" Dóvad wanted reassurance.

Thorin nodded once.

Dóvad made a pretext of looking the coin over. He went to the containers and hefted a handful of coin. Never had he seen such riches. "Where am I ta keep all this wealth?"

"I have a vault just for you," Thorin quietly replied.

Dóvad swung back on him. "Is this all you are giving me for the future queen of Erebor and all dwarves?"

"I also give you credit for being the maternal grandfather of any offspring we produce. Your name and place in the mountain will be secure. You will have access to my home and life, as will your dams. Take my offerings or leave the mountain and I'll select another."

Gandalf nodded his approval. All was proceeding as he expected.

Bilbo wrote everything down and the words that were exchanged. He took his task seriously. He noticed young Tóvad didn't put ink to parchment and wondered how he kept it all sorted.

"I want ah share of the gold mined," Dóvad requested.

Thorin started to draw his sword when Thráin stood. "Thorin doesn't have the power ta grant that, Master Dóvad. Ye don't have ah daughter for me ta wed, so I suggest ye take what my son is able ta offer."

"But as king, ye can provide what yer son cannot," Dóvad quickly answered and all eyes fell to the king.

Thráin looked at the piles of gold coin. "Thorin, take five more loads from my vaults an add ta the offering. That is all I'm willing ta share."

Dóvad caught a hand signal from his wife to not push the Durin's too far.

"What if I run out of money while still performing my duties as grandfather ta future king?"

Thorin and Thráin exchanged swift glances and Thráin answered. "If you are so foolish ta spend all ye are offered in ah lifetime, ye will be kicked out homeless and without ah title. However, there will be upcoming business arrangements for those affluent enough ta buy into, that will keep money coming in until long after yer great granddwarflings are dead."

"An ye guarantee that I'll have opportunity ta buy in? I want that in writing."

Balin held up a piece of paper. "The contract is here waiting for your signature."

"Ye were going ta withhold that from me?" Dóvad accused in anger.

"Not exactly," Thorin tried a calming cadence. "It would have been offered in the future, but now is as good of time as any."

"What else are ye withholding from me?" Dóvad demanded.

"Nothing. I am done with my dowry offering." Thorin stood proud, waiting for his future father-in-law to either accept or refuse.

Dóvad paused and hoped it was long enough to keep face. "Well…..I guess I can let my only daughter, which is the world ta me, go ta ye for what is offered."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and Thorin closed the gap and they exchanged a warriors handshake with hands to each other's forearms.

Risári relished in the moment. All her life, she dreamed of becoming one of the Durin Ladies and in one more day it would happen. She sensed eyes on her and focused across the table at the elves. The two indomitable ladies were looking right into her, but the male spoke. "We too have suffered loss and waited long spans for our dreams to be fulfilled. Your journey is over and dreams will become fact tomorrow. On that we congratulate you, grandmother of the bride."

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Erestor. "You said your dreams have also been fulfilled. What are those if I may be so bold as to ask?" She always thought elves expressionless and hard to read, but in his eyes she saw the same vacant expression as in those that ran from the mountain and made the long trek east to Jötunheim, and was sorry she asked.

"My life has been full of adventure and blessedness at having seen this land since the First Age of this world, but now the elves are leaving Middle Earth. We have one more devastating war with loss of loved ones and then we shall be as you, home in Aman and at peace."

She saw the elf, Arwen, look confusedly at him, but had one final question. "Will I live to see this final battle?"

"I doubt it, M'lady," he replied kindly.

She smiled. "Good. I want Lióni and Thorin to have a long life together and many dwarflings. When I was a dwarfling, I heard a tale that when the elves were no more in these lands, the dwarves soon followed and then both were forever gone never to return."

Erestor nodded. "Yes, it is true. First the elves leave and then the dwarves are led by Durin VII to the west and to a land prepared by Lord Aulë. Whether or not the elves and dwarves will have contact in these lands, I do not know."

"But the dead and living will be reunited?" She desperately wanted to know.

"That is the story I was told as an elfling," he reassured her and saw a smile.

They turned their attention back to the proceedings. Galadriel spoke mentally to Erestor. 'I have heard of a place that the dwarves are to live when they leave here. It is a continent with a short spans of ocean from Aman. I don't know if a gulf is fixed so elves and dwarves cannot be together, like the one between man and elves.'

'It is comforting to know men get their own place after death. That is the only way I can go on knowing the fate of our beloved elfling.'

Galadriel reached out and clasped his hand for a brief moment.

Thorin looked down upon his intended, eyes feasting on her beauty. He thought she grew lovelier each day. He let his mind wander to when he got to see all of her and felt a tightening in his nether regions. Strangling back a curse for his lack of self-control, he offered his arm to her. "I believe lunch is served for all that wish to partake. And then I will take you on a tour of my chambers and on to the market where you will purchase anything our home will need."

Lióni's cheeks flushed a rosy hue. "I would like that very much."

"Of course, it's going to cost you," he teased with his tone.

She raised her eyebrows. "Are you suggesting my father part with some of his newly ill-gotten gains?"

Thorin laughed. "I should make him pay, but no, I was thinking more along the lines of stealing away from our chaperones and making my last night as a free dwarrow memorable."

This time the flush went all the way to her scoop neckline and he wondered just how far down the blush went and let his eyes follow her gown and stop at the small dagger in her belt. "I've led such a frugal life, I hope I'm not stingy in showering gifts upon you."

Her eyes followed his and he reached out and let his fingers slide along the sculptured pearl handle. She covered his larger fingers with her own slender ones. "More than gifts, I want a place in your life."

Their eyes met and he drew her in for a kiss to the delight of all present. They were mingling in the dining hall waiting for Bombur's chefs to deliver covered platters of food. Everyone left the couple alone, but kept close eyes upon them, thus allowing Dwalin to draw Dis away to a secluded wall.

"Are ye nervous, Lass?" Dwalin whispered in her ear.

She laughed softly. "I am actually enjoying myself and no, I'm looking forward to tomorrow, especially the looks on everyone's faces when our announcement is presented by Gandalf."

"Well, I'd rather be fighting a troll than be part of the large ceremony," he confessed. "Maybe we can have Gandalf marry us with just those present right here?"

Dis, ever sensitive to others, looked at him seriously. "If you don't want to be part of tomorrow's events, just say so. I'm sure we can arrange another day."

Dwalin felt he said something wrong by her tone. Thinking was never his strong suit and he wished Balin were here to translate what she really wanted. He knew females often said the opposite they were thinking. "Um, I just hate being put on display."

"And that's why I agreed to share the day with Thorin and Lióni. That way, we will be minimized as most of the focus will be on them."

Dwalin listened to her sound words. "When are you coming ta work with me in the office? I could use your input."

Dis' face lit up and she quickly stole a kiss of her own. "That's the nicest thing you have ever said to me. Most of the time, dams are considered less intelligent because of our gender."

"I know you're way smarter than me," he quickly added and hoped his blunder was over.

"We still on for tomorrow?" She questioned.

He nodded and pulled her in for a longer kiss.

Thráin had been talking with the elves who asked to be present for the dowry giving and had a perfect view of his daughter and Dwalin. "I see another marriage of one of my kids happening very soon."

Galadriel gave him a brilliant smile.

Thorin escorted Lióni into his private chambers. In the middle of the floor were several trunks.

"My parents had my things moved while we were at the dowry event," Lióni told him.

"Upon orders from the king," Thorin replied and grabbed a trunk, hefting it on his strong shoulder. "Where does this one go?"

Again Lióni felt a blush come creeping. "The bedchamber."

"Follow me."

The chaperones were Azie and her mother, Theri. They exchanged knowing smiles.

"I can't believe this is over so soon," Theri commented. "I do however remember you moving into Dáin's home and the fun we had teasing you."

Azie settled on a plush couch and kicked her feet up onto an ottoman. "I hereby will allow you to go and make Lióni turn a shade redder than Thorin has managed. You know, with her fair complexion, she is easy to read."

"That will pass. You were quite easy to read when getting wed also," Theri reminded her.

Thorin came back and grabbed another trunk. "I may have to have another closet carved into the stone. When we had nothing, it was easier to unpack."

"You just do the hauling and leave the unpacking to us," Theri ordered.

"Yes, Ma'am." Thorin laughed as he hurried away.

"I remember trying to embarrass Dáin, but after the dwarrow got done with him, all he would do was laugh…..much like Thorin just did."

Thorin sorted all the trunks to their proper location for unpacking and showed Lióni her new home. He opened several doors down a long hall. "There are four bedrooms besides ours. This one was mine and Frerin had the next one."

Lióni looked around with interest the place Thorin spent part of his youth. It looked just like when he left as a dwarfling. Along opposite wall was a bed and dressers and hooks that once sported clothes. "What happened to all your personal items?"

"They were packed away on the off chance that I may have a son to give them to." They exchanged a smile.

"You know, Thorin, Dáin already had his hands slapped a dozen times this far into showing Azie his home." Theri reminded them they weren't alone.

Without taking his eyes of his intendeds, he answered, "Dáin is an uncouth animal with no manners. I have enough restraint to last until my wedding night." He winked at Lióni and hand signaled, 'After shopping and supper, we will have a few hours to ourselves. I bet we can evade our dungeon masters.'

Lióni smirked.

Celeborn looked disgustedly down at the bodies of the dwarves. They encountered them trying to make Erebor before the day got too hot.

"Turn around and go back to where you came," Celeborn ordered them.

"We don't take orders from elves," the leader sneered back. He saw Glorfindel beside the other elf and addressed him. "Golden hair, why are ye back?"

"To kill you," Glorfindel calmly replied. "You had your one chance to turn about."

"I demand ta be taken ta the king of Erebor," the dwarf cried out and those with him started drawing weapons against the much larger group.

"We know you are from the halls of Sauron," Glorfindel explained.

"Nay, that's ah down an out lie," cried a dwarf. "We are independent miners."

"Yes you are," Glorfindel reasoned. "Who just happens to work for the highest payer. We fought your kin during the War of the Last Alliance and recognize your markings."

"Ye don't understand," the leader dropped pretense of seeking employment. "Sauron will kill our families if we don't get the girl for him."

"I take it the girl is the soon to be the Crown Prince's wife?" Glorfindel asked, although he knew the answer.

"Aye, she must not be allowed ta marry an have an heir. Lord Sauron said the heir would help destroy him."

Celeborn mentally stated to Glorfindel, 'Galadriel hasn't disclosed an heir coming from Thorin Oakenshield at all.'

Without looking at Celeborn, Glorfindel asked, "Tell us what you know about this heir?"

"All I know is something about ah Durin reincarnate. I assume Thorin will be father to the next Durin ta carry that name."

'Interesting that Sauron would know something Galadriel does not,' Celeborn ruminated privately to Glorfindel.

'They could be lying,' Glorfindel supplied.

Celeborn looked into their minds without much success. "I don't care. Your fate is sealed. You should never have come here. When Sauron cut you loose, you should have gone elsewhere and started over." He drew Faenrúth and Glorfindel Agarwaen.

They put up little resistance and soon all were dead. "Burn the bodies and their gear," Celeborn commanded. He and Glorfindel took the majority of warriors and hurried on to their next target. He had little sympathy for dwarves and memories of that fateful day in Menegroth haunted his ride.

"Forgive my intrusion into your mind. This is the first time I've glimpsed the carnage that befell Doriath," Glorfindel spoke after several hours. "I can see now why you slaughtered those dwarves with no remorse back there."

"They killed everything in their path that day," Celeborn spoke in anger. "They showed less mercy than I did when I gave them their one chance to leave and never return."

"Word had no sooner reached our hidden city when we were also sacked. What did you and Galadriel do after Thingol was slaughtered?" Glorfindel hoped to draw his riding companion out of his angry musings.

"We stayed close to Dior and Nimloth, helping them raise their three elflings. We were honorary aunt and uncle." Celeborn issued a small smile and Glorfindel felt his fëa relax slightly. "That only lasted a few years before those blasted Fëanorians finished what the dwarves started. Galadriel took five year old Elwing and fled on our fastest horse to Sirion. I stayed and fought, killing my first elves. I now consider myself worse than Galadriel, for she has never taken the life of an elf. And to think I broke up with her when believing her a kinslayer, when I turned out to be the one."

Glorfindel chuckled softly. "Fate plays cruel tricks on us."

"Yes."

Thorin proudly displayed his fiancée on his arm as they strolled the crowded marketplace. Good wishes followed their every move and Thorin nodded to all they encountered. Lióni was too busy shopping to pay much attention to those pressing in to get a look at her. Their guards kept anyone from getting too close, however, one did slip through the ranks to Thorin's side.

Nori laid a hand on Thorin's shoulder and hand signed he needed a private word…now.

Thorin kissed the back of the hand he kept possessively in the crook of his arm. "My love, I will be right back. Anything your heart desires is yours and I will settle up when I return."

For the first time, Lióni took note of her surroundings and their guards. "Forgive me, Thorin. I'm so caught up in all this merchandise that I've rarely seen, I'm ignoring you and now running you off."

Thorin laughed and to the delight of the onlookers, kissed her. "Never. I haven't had so much fun in years. I love watching you."

She saw him take Nori and disappear in the throng. Her two chaperones for the market were her mother, Lári and Cái. She turned her gaze back to the table they had stopped before. Her mother and Cái quickly moved to her sides now that Thorin was preoccupied.

"Have you noticed that everything you declared an interest in was purchased on the spot," Lári quietly stated and Cái had to listen close to catch it.

Lióni nodded. "He said for me to choose anything I wanted for our place. I'm packing some of his parents things up and moving them into the king's chambers for him to sort through, as they belonged to him first. He told Thorin to take me to his chambers and retrieve some of Thrór and Dás' things, so I will own several generations of household items."

"I wish we could have brought more, so you could also have some of ours also." Lári lamented her daughter had to rely on her husband's family to supply necessities.

Lióni quickly replied, for she caught the undertones of regret. "As you well know, they are just things. I'm doing it for Thorin a lot more than me."

They moved on to the next table without making a purchase.

Thorin went to his rarely entered office that was beside his father's larger version. "This better be an emergency to take me away from gazing upon the lass to look upon you."

For once Nori didn't rise to the bait, but remained focused and sober. "Last night while I was taking watch, Thekk, the guard you called out at the competition, escorted a female by my position. I didn't think much of it, but know he isn't married, but it was the middle of the night an no decent lass would be alone unescorted. I grew suspicious that he was with a married dam, so had him followed. He led the female down into the deep caverns where I saw soot messages on the walls an ceiling of certain tunnels. The guards stopped them an the female wasn't known to anyone. She claimed to have come with the group from Jötunheim an wasn't married or didn't have any kin to chaperone her. Thekk said he was going to marry her and that was the only time they had together."

Thorin was getting impatient. "I hardly think a nighttime meeting is cause to interrupt my daytime tryst in front of the entire community."

"I had a chance encounter with Lady Risári a few minutes ago an mentioned one of their unescorted lasses was also getting wed soon. She informed me no lass from Jötunheim was without family. I told her the name of the lass and she said she never heard of her and knew all the females that came."

"Well, that sounds like we have a case of O-zalafaurkhas and the dam doesn't want anyone to know her true identity. Most likely she gave a false name. I still don't see why you have ruin my day with something this petty."

"Because," Nori got to the point, "I tracked Thekk down and threatened to kill him for defiling a married dam an he confessed he had just met her and was hired by her for an escort to the deep tunnels. He said he was paid fifty gold coin and didn't think anyone would find out. There she met another dwarf who gave her something and then Thekk escorted her back to the community. He didn't take her to her home because she wouldn't allow it."

"Did he get a name of the unknown dwarf?"

Nori shook his head. "I fear we still have infiltrators inside the mountain that wish you or Lass Lióni harm."

Thorin stroked his beard, not something he did often, only when perplexed. "Who did we miss?"

"I'll find out," Nori vowed.

"Inform the Company privately and Gandalf. For now, I'll stay close to Lióni."

He hurried back to the market.

Lióni nodded to a woman standing at the booth she wished to visit next and motioned for the guards to leave the other alone. So far they had moved a couple dwarrow who gotten too close to her group. On the table were items for a baby and she gently fingered a knitted cap and booties. The other reached for an item just as Lióni and their hands collided. Lióni felt a prick and saw blood on the side of her hand.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," the dam exclaimed. "My ring doubles as a weapon lest any dwarrow get too friendly. My husband insists I wear it when out of our warren." She quickly handed Lióni a handkerchief.

Lióni examined the pinprick. "No harm done. It seems we like the same outfit."

"I'm expecting in about seven months," the dam explained and patted her still flat stomach. "I want to have all my baby things long before walking becomes a chore. I'm sorry; I shouldn't be so forward with you."

"Nonsense; any of my soon to be subjects shouldn't apologize for talking to me."

"Thank you, dear. Well, I better shove off. My Padik will be waiting for supper." She turned to push through the guards.

"Wait, your handkerchief," Lióni quickly handed it to her.

"Thank you, M'lady."

The crowd parted for Thorin and he saw Lióni hand something to a female. He stared at her, memorizing her face. Since learning his disturbing news, all females near his intended would be treated as a threat.

The woman looked up into the scowling face of Thorin Oakenshield and dropped a curtsey. She turned and pushed her way into the crowd and was swallowed up.

"What was that about?" he demanded.

Lióni stiffened her back. "Nothing that concerns you, Thorin."

"Everything you do concerns me," he replied in a kinder tone and saw her relax. He would have to remember never to order her about, but ask nicely if he wanted a warm, willing dam in his bed.

"Are you still finding staples we need?"

"I'm done for now. I don't want to be so tired, I won't enjoy tomorrow. I think I would like to sit a spell."

"I know just the place." He took her elbow and led her to a garden chamber she hadn't yet seen. He pointed up. There is a crack over our heads and sun shines in for hours every day in the summer. We chiseled vents and windows with shutters and here we grow fruit from imported trees and vegetables not conducive to these higher altitudes." It was a very long tunnel and had benches scattered about. He led her to one and she sank onto the metal, glad to be off her feet.

"You continually surprise me."

He took her hand and saw her wince.

"I got pricked," she confessed and held her hand up for closer inspection. There was an open sore that had a fresh scab.

"How did this happen?" Thorin raised the mark to his lips and kissed the spot. He smiled. "There, all better."

She giggled. "That only works on the very young."

"I don't know. I would prefer you to kiss all my boo boos," he replied and while had her close leaned in for a long kiss.