This chapter is a strong T or light M.

"We've been expecting you."

"I'm sure nothing escapes the two most powerful elves in Middle Earth." Gandalf entered Círdan's tent. He noticed only Galadriel and Círdan were present. "Where are the others?"

"After your outburst in the mountain, Thranduil and Elrond took a group of warriors and are riding patrol around this area, and all our subordinates preferred to ride with them and leave us defenseless."

Gandalf snorted a laugh at Círdan's description and just as quickly sobered. "Someone has gotten past our defenses and into the mountain. We thought nothing could harm the dwarves if we locked them away." He paused. "We were wrong."

"Wine?" Círdan held up a carafe.

Gandalf sat across the table from him. "No, thank you, I can't stay long. A meeting has been called of the Company and Generals. I have to return. I came to see if someone could summons the eagles and get Radagast here ASAP."

Allowing her companions to hear, Galadriel focused on the table with her eyes and reached out mentally. "Lord Gwaihir, we have need of your services tonight. Find Radagast the brown and bring him to Erebor. He must be here by daylight."

Across the spans of over two hundred miles, they heard a reply. "I will fly tonight and bring the wizard to you."

"Thank you, my friend," Galadriel replied.

"Will the wedding proceed?" Círdan halted Gandalf's rising from his chair.

Settling back down, he replied. "Thorin's body is awake, so unless the lass is dying, I say let them wed." Gandalf didn't come this far to lose to Sauron. After all, it was he that set everything in motion over a year before when he waylaid Thorin in Bree.

"Is there a backup if she isn't able to bear offspring?" Galadriel asked the next question.

Gandalf didn't plan on being grilled by these two and started fidgeting. "I only stopped by to inquire of any insight you two might have. We will wait for Radagast before making the final decision. I don't think Thorin is interested in any other than Lióni. We would have to wait for the next lass to come of age and Thorin isn't getting any younger. We may have to seriously consider Dáin Ironfoot as the backup plan." Gandalf saw his suggestion was met with surprise by the way the powerful elves looked at each other.

"And you will inform Thráin tonight?" Galadriel asked. Before he could answer, she raised her hand to halt him. "No, my mirror is silent on the dwarves."

Gandalf nodded that he understood and rose. "There is a meeting I must attend. I will talk with Thráin." Before they could stall further, he made his escape into the night air with skies bejeweled by stars.

Thorin started the meeting. "I'm sorry to bring all of you together again for the second time today, but we have a development." He filled everyone in on what happened to Lióni, all the while holding tightly to her hand. "It is apparent our infiltrators are malevolent and intend on harming my intended, if they haven't already done so. I want everyone found and by morning. I don't care if you have to tear the mountain apart and use the army to do so."

"We can't afford any rumors that Lass Lióni isn't in perfect health." Balin tried to be the voice of reason and the room immediately took sides and volume increased to shouting.

Thráin let everyone vent their anger. It was a noisy conclave of shouting and finger pointing that Gandalf walked into. He quickly gained silence when once again he darkened the room and bellowed, "SHUT UP!"

Thráin broke the silence with a chuckle. "That's better," he commented in a normal tone. He motioned for Gandalf to take the empty seat at the opposite end of the long table.

Leaning his staff against the wall, the wizard took his customary place. He looked at the Company and Generals, Dóvad and assorted others. "Radagast will be here by light. By your vociferous tone, I ascertain there is a disagreement on how to proceed?" He looked around the table and continued. "Having all dams routed from their beds on the eve of the most important event this year is unwise. We need to find the dam that injured Lass Lióni, but need to rethink our strategy to achieve our goals."

"That's what I've been trying to tell these hard-headed lunks," Balin added.

Thorin interjected, "I think we need to find the dam and her accomplice tonight and with force." He was sitting to his father's left.

Across the table, Dáin, shook his head. "We just need ta know which doors ta bang on. I can be discrete an the mountain will never know we hauled this witch away ta the dungeons."

"If you wish to be discrete, Lord Dáin; I suggest you bring Thekk here immediately and nobody better be the wiser." Gandalf issued his order and saw Dáin rise and stalk off without one word of protest.

Guards wondered why Lord Dáin was stalking the lower levels that housed the unwed soldiers. Nobody dared asked why he was in their halls at a time most dwarves were readying for bed; and he looked sober. Everyone knew a wedding or funeral was a time for getting drunk and merry and the lord looked anything but happy. He scowled at all he met and they stepped aside. He stopped before a door and shoved it open. He looked around at the handful of dwarves in half undressed state. Seeing his target, he ordered, "Thekk, you're with me."

Thekk quickly pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and stomped his feet into boots. His tunic on a hook was quickly in his hands and he pulled it on as he hurried to catch Lord Dáin.

Dáin marched two steps ahead until he stood at the door of the king's business chamber. Then he turned and looked the warrior over. "Straighten yer suspenders."

Thekk looked at his shoulders and saw one twisted under his tunic. He reached underneath and flattened the strap.

"When ye enter the room, stand beside me. Answer truthfully any question presented ta ye." Without waiting for a reply, Dáin thrust the door open and marched inside; stopping several feet from the king and behind his chair.

At his side, Thekk looked quickly at those present and then at a room most warriors went a lifetime without viewing. It, like all the royal's chambers was filled with wealth.

"So we have ah plan?" Thráin asked Gandalf and saw the wizard nod. Then all eyes turned to Dáin and his sidekick.

Thráin motioned Dáin to step where he could see them with his one eye. "Tell us everything ye can remember of yer encounter with the dam that pricked Lass Lióni."

Thekk focused on the speaker, the king. He told all he remembered.

"Were ye sure the floor ye met the dam on was the one she resided in?" Thráin asked.

Thekk searched his memory. "I don't know. I was standing guard ah few nights ago when ah lad handed me ah note. On it was written the offer of fifty gold coin in exchange for bringing ah dam ta the lower levels an into the tunnel marked for lovers ta meet. I just figured the dam was meeting someone not her husband. I know I should have immediately reported the incident, but fifty gold coin is more than I make in ah year. With it, I could buy my own place an maybe court ah lass."

Thráin signaled Dáin. A hand was laid on Thekk's shoulder and he was escorted to the door. "You are hereby on probation without pay until we decide your fate." Dáin spoke formally and Thekk now regretted his greed. With a nod, he left and Dáin rejoined those at the table.

"I think he is telling the truth," Dáin stated. "He's been grilled twice now an his story hasn't changed ah word."

"We have two or more dwarves that need ta be found an fast," Thráin declared. "I want feelers put out. I want ta know where every dwarf came from an it verified. We are missing something. Someone got into the mountain an the only new arrivals are caravans."

"If we protect Thorin and Lióni until they are safely tucked away in their honeymoon chamber with extra guards, we can then start our investigation," Gandalf added to Thráin's decree. "I suggest everyone get some sleep, for tomorrow is going to be a big day and the wedding most likely will proceed on schedule."

As the room emptied, Thorin held Lióni's hand and hadn't risen from his seat. He saw Dóvad give him a questioning look. "I'll escort her to your place in a while. I am getting my pre-wedding night liaison; even if Radagast has to cool his heals until I'm done."

Those still lingering laughed and all departed leaving the couple alone with Aneht and Cát loitering by the door. Only then did Thorin rise and escort Lióni from the room and down the now deserted hall. He entered his office and marched to his own balcony, quickly slamming the door behind them. He barricaded it with a chair under the handle. With a triumphant grin, he commented, "Not hard to outsmart those two."

"Or they were slow on purpose," she replied and turned to look out over elven tents and up at the night sky. "I so missed the stars." The elven campfires were burning low and they could see a field of white diamonds sparkling in a background of obsidian. Thorin moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, drawing her back against his solid frame. He looked for the star that moved and pointed, drawing Lióni's eyes to where his finger led. "I've been told that star is actually a ship in the heavens flown by Lord Elrond's own father."

"And you believe such a fable?" she teased.

"I've seen enough elven magic to believe almost anything they tell me. I don't think they have to embellish much. If I remember; tomorrow I'll ask Lord Elrond if the tale is true." As he spoke, his hands moved upward until cupping her breasts with too much material separating his fingers from her soft mounds. That small forbidden pleasure sent lava to his groin and he knew she could feel the effects she had on him. "Do you feel the yearning of our souls to become one?" He murmured into her ear and dropped a kiss on the exposed neck under an earring that dangled from her lobe, keeping his lips from sucking on it.

Lióni backed into him and pressed her buttocks into his rigid pole. "Now I know why we are chaperoned. I want you right now and waiting until tonight seems so foolish."

Thorin looked at the sky. "It is after the witching hour and today is officially our anniversary. We'll call it our zero anniversary."

Lióni turned in his arms and hers automatically circled his neck and fingers laced through his dark locks as she pulled him down for a deep kiss. After several long minutes, they ceased for air and she answered. "We need a memory that mentioning our zero anniversary will bring a flush to both our cheeks."

His deep laughter in her ear sent chills down her spine. He took her hand and placed it over his manhood. "You're the first to ever cop a feel, so make it one I will revisit until my grave."

Her fingers found his belt and the buckle parted as did the buttons to his trousers. Pushing down his woolen drawers left his ridged pole exposed for her inspection.

"I need to know if I present an endowment you approve of," he huskily stated and moved her hand in a rhythm he never wanted to stop.

"Oh, I approve and long for when it is inside me. And yes, I feel us uniting, but not all the way." She felt herself responding and wanted him inside her and his scent marked all over her body.

"You do know that happens when we join?" He wanted to make sure she had been educated to the forming of souls that not even death sundered.

"Mother and Grandmother gave a detailed description of when our souls unite for eternity." She couldn't believe they were still capable of coherent thought or conversation in such a compromising situation and felt juices flow and uncontrollable yearning to be touched by him. She felt his hand over hers quicken and then stop. Her eyes flew open and she saw his were closed and breathing harsh.

"No, no, no," he cursed and withdrew and put his hardware away. His eyes opened. "I won't defile my soon to be wife and dishonor my family name. I too have been instructed on just how far a dwarrow can go and what is improper. You, lass, almost made me break a promise to my father. If I am blessed with a son, he will be grilled, as I, the importance of honor and saving certain things until the wedding night."

"Maybe we should unblock the door then," Lióni stated and watched him buckle his pants.

"In a moment. I don't want to give those old crones too much of a show."

She laughed and he joined her. Together they returned to star gazing, holding hands and stealing chaste kisses. She sobered. "I hope Radagast can reverse this spell or curse placed on me." She felt her fingers briefly strangled and then he let up his crushing grip. "I don't feel much different; just calmer. Normally, I would be ready to bolt for the hills for being placed on display before so much of the mountain. I was terrified when you introduced me on the balcony and figured a public wedding would be much worse."

Grateful for a mood dampening subject, Thorin released her hand and slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against his side. "I heard all about Radagast driving evil from the mountain when we retook Erebor from Smaug."

"Speaking of Smaug; is that what is tattooed on your back?" She still had erotic dreams of running her hands over his sweat soaked torso and stroking the dragon.

He grinned down at her. "I got it after we won. It took a week for Mov to draw and color the skin. I paid a hefty price for the red and gold inks because they are rare, but worth the cost."

"Yours is the first tattoo using red and gold I've ever seen. Where does it come from?" She was intrigued.

"From a shell fish of some sort in the ocean for the red and actual gold diluted until just the color remains. Mov has contacts all over Middle Earth…" He broke off when the pounding at the door became insistent. "All right," he hollered and moved the chair.

Aneht looked with knowing eyes at him and signs of spillage on Lióni's gown. Seeing none, she imparted her wisdom. "Time to get you home, lass. It's been an hour and that is all that is allowed on this night."

"Fastest hour of my life," Thorin commented and escorted the ladies through the halls where guards smirked after they passed.

Thorin allowed for one final, tongue laced kiss. "Next time I do this we will be husband and wife," he muttered against her lips.

"Sleep will be impossible," she replied and with a last look into his blue eyes opened her father's door and slipped inside. She wasn't surprised to see her parents and grandmother still waiting up.

"Is he having second thoughts because of yer curse?" Dóvad queried.

Lióni was startled by her father's question. "Of course not. He can hardly wait for our joining." She meant to say vows and felt heat rise into her cheeks.

"That's ah relief," her father stated and relaxed. "We are too close ta gaining top positions in the mountain ta have ah disgruntled dwarf screw everything up. I'm going ta kill whoever tried ta spoil our plans."

"Go to bed, Lióni," Lári commanded. "Radagast will be here in a few hours."

Thorin entered his bedchamber cautiously. He turned up all the lights, looked under the bed and in the water chamber and all his walk in closets. To his relief, no lass was lurking, waiting to crawl naked into his bed after he undressed and laid down.

The soft mattress felt good on his back and he relaxed with just a dim light in case he needed to relieve himself in the night. A soft knock at the door had him stiffening. "Who's there?"

"Yer father."

Thorin relaxed again. "Come in." He reached for the lamp and raised the wick illuminating the room for his one-eyed father to navigate better.

Thráin grinned down at his son. "This will be the last night I can just barge in."

"And you get what you want the most, me wed."

Thráin sat on the edge of the bed. "Not everything yet. I desperately need ye an the lass ta not dawdle an get her pregnant. Gandalf met with me after we left, in my chambers. He spelled out that the Durin line will go to Dáin Ironfoot should the lass come up barren; either naturally or due to this spell."

"How can a wizard have that much power?" Thorin didn't think Gandalf had the right or power to dictate that kind of decision. "We still have the boys in the line."

Thráin shook his head. "Not once has the line from Durin I to me been through ah dam. Gandalf is scared Durin VII won't be born unless we follow tradition. I agree with him. Fili and Kili will not inherit the throne."

Thorin absorbed this information that he knew in his heart to be true. "Then we better hope the lass isn't affected. For your sake, I plan on the line going through me." He gave a wide yawn.

With a pat to his arm, his father turned down the lamp and went to bed.

"Lióni, Lióni, time to wake, dear."

Lióni struggled from her deep sleep where a dream was in progress; one where she saw Thorin dragged away by the other lasses and she left alone. It was a great relief when her eyes opened to see her mother shaking her shoulder. "I'm awake," she muttered.

"Radagast is here."

Lióni moaned and pressed her face into her pillow. "I hoped that was part of a bad dream."

"Get dressed. He is impatient; keeps saying he needs to check the mountain again."

Lióni motioned her mother from the room and quickly dressed. She saw the other wizard for the first time. His short stature and long brown coat with a strange hat and something running down the side of his face. His eyes didn't quite track and she couldn't look him squarely in the eye, so focused on just one.

Radagast felt the spell enter the room with the lass and allowed his considerable insight to identify the source. He walked around her and then stopped before her and she tried not to puke; glad she hadn't eaten, for it would be bad manners to spew down the coat of one trying to assist her. The stench of bird droppings was overpowering.

Finally he laid a gnarled hand on her shoulder and then slid it down until holding the injured hand.

He rolled his eyes backwards and mumbled a strange set of incantations and suddenly her head cleared and she felt an overwhelming wave of nervousness. "Oh, Mahal, I'm getting married in a few hours," she cried and pulled away from the wizard.

Silently in the background, Gandalf smiled. "Even I felt the spell lift, Radagast."

Done with his assigned task, Radagast focused solely on his fellow wizard. "Gandalf, I sense more spells once again in the mountain. I cleared these halls. How is this possible?"

"Very good questions, my friend, and the king is waiting for us to report." He tipped his head to Dóvad. "Get her to the wedding on time."

"Everyone assumes the increased guards are for the wedding," Nori announced and sat at the long table in his assigned place. He was the last to arrive for this morning's meeting which was scheduled before the wedding and after Radagast arrived. He noticed Radagast was present and sitting near Gandalf.

"That's what we want them to think," Thráin replied and nodded his head. "We need ta find those responsible for re-infecting the mountain an put ah stop from it ever happening again. We don't want another dragon being drawn here or me or Thorin succumbing ta dragon sickness again. He focused on Radagast. "Thank ye for coming ta our aid once again. What can we give ye as payment?" He held out his hand and a servant rushed to drop a large bag of coin in it. Thráin tossed it down the table to Radagast, who with equal agility caught it. "Here is another bag of gold, but what else can we provide for ye clearing our halls out once again?"

"I would like a bag of your Mescalshrooms," Radagast hastily replied. "And, I wouldn't turn down a bag of food."

Thráin grinned. "Those we can provide. I'll send all you want." He pointed to Bombur. "Bombur is in charge of all foodstuff, so you two get together an raid our pantry."

Bombur smiled at Radagast. "When you are ready, I will be your personal guide."

"Right now, Radagast needs to search for more spells," Gandalf interjected before Radagast got sidetracked.

"Yes, yes," Radagast snapped; peeved his thoughts of food and mushrooms had to come after work.

"Radagast, Gandalf, do either of ye know how the mountain might have been re-infected?" Thráin once again asked the question and his lords let him lead the conversation. It was early and none had had so much as a cup of tea.

Balin's mind was on a hot beverage and signaled a servant to bring the tea for all.

Bilbo, who was part of the Company and automatically invited to all meetings, smiled his thanks across the table to Balin.

"There were no foul beings in the mountain. I checked every level," Radagast reported. "What is here came with the dwarves; either a dwarf or with them in disguise."

Thráin gave Gandalf a long stare and then chose his words carefully. "I've been sworn ta secrecy, but here's what I can tell ye."

The fact the king was privy to a secret didn't set well with those at the table and those starting to murmur. Gandalf slapped his hand down on the hard surface and the room quieted. "Listen to your king and stop being so nosey. Yes, the king is entitled to knowledge he doesn't have to share."

Thráin threw a grateful smile at the wizard. "As I was saying; I happen ta know that the elves are helping us right now in rooting out any foul thing taking harbor in abandoned mine shafts. That leaves something we missed inside the mountain. The wedding will go on as scheduled. Tomorrow, with our Crown Prince safely guarded inside his honeymoon chambers, I will tear this mountain apart, room by room if needed."

"I feel like I should be part of the effort," Thorin protested.

"Lad, ye will be so drugged up with mood enhanced drinks, ye won't care if another dragon visits," his father reminded him. "Didn't ye pay attention to our advice the past few days?"

Everyone at the table laughed and Thorin grinned and shook his head. "I'll take the advice from everyone who knows, that intimacy is better than finding spies."

"It is," Dáin deadpanned and once again those married threw out appropriate japes at Thorin's expense.

Thráin sighed loudly. "This has ta be the toughest weddin ever in the history of dwarves."

"I assure you, King Thráin, it is." Gandalf's comment drew more laughter and comments. He looked around the table. "Well, since we have a plan, I say we get ready for a wedding."