Chapter 9

Dinner had been more of a planning session for Thorin to remind his family how to run the mountain in his absence. He labored over every detail and emphasized the importance of being king to Fili and Kili. The boys, who normally joked and played during dinner, were at full attention and hanging on Thorin's every word. In Kaleria's eyes they matured ten years in the matter of one planned absence of the king.

Dis tried to lighten the mood a few times, but Thorin would have none of it. As she watched her husband go over his lists, she knew tonight would not be the night to share her good news. She decided to wait until they returned from the Iron Hills. Maybe by then Thorin would relax back into his routine and be more at peace when she told him they were going to have a child.

"Am I missing anything, Kaleria?" Thorin asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"What? Oh, um. No, I don't think so. I believe you covered it all." She lied, having no idea where he had left off on the list.

Thorin eyed her momentarily, but flashed his eyes back to his list. Dinner continued until every topic had been covered to Thorin's liking. The family dismissed for bed, and Thorin escorted his wife to their chambers. They were walking arm in arm when he started to speak.

"Are you excited to travel tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yes. I'm excited to see the Iron Hills for the first time."

"It will be good to see my cousin, and to strengthen the bond between our kingdoms. I haven't seen him since he left Erebor after we won the battle."

"I'm glad I get to meet more of your family. What is Dain like?" Kaleria looked up at Thorin's face.

He shrugged. "Dain is a good leader. He's strong and capable."

"But…" Kaleria prompted.

Thorin glanced at her. "But he can be loud and abrasive, and he doesn't know when to stop talking, even when he has gone on so long to embarrass himself."

"So the complete opposite of you?" Kaleria teased.

Thorin snorted. "Yes, actually. That is why we didn't get along so well as boys, and why I need this trip to go smoothly, so that he may be on our side."

Kaleria squeezed his arm tighter and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Thorin. You are a great leader and a good man. You'll work it out."

Thorin kissed the top of her head. "You make me a better man everyday. I hope one day I can repay you for all the good you've brought into my life."

You already have. Kaleria thought to herself, her free hand drifting to cover her stomach.

Standing at the gates of Erebor were fifty guards armed and mounted on ponies or surrounding the caravan. Ten of the twenty wagons were filled with gold and other trade goods to pay for the weapons and armor from the Iron Hills. At the front of the caravan, Dwalin had already mounted his pony and was checking the edge of his axe, ensuring it was sharp enough. Balin mounted next to him with his saddle bags full of documents to share with Lord Dain.

Thorin and Kaleria stood with Dis, Fili, and Kili, bidding their family goodbye. Kaleria hugged Kili tightly.

"Remember for the next few weeks you are brother to the king. Don't antagonize him, or cause him grief. This is as much a test for you as it is for Fili." She pulled back to look at his face. "Understand?"

Kili nodded. "Yes, maam."

She moved to Fili and gave him a long hug as well. "I expect to hear great things about you when I return. I know you'll make us proud."

Fili blushed. "Thank you, aunt."

As Dis was the last one in line, Kaleria half expected a sarcastic comment to come from her mouth. "Be careful. Both of you. I would prefer all of my family to stay within one mountain, but I can see I will not get my wish."

Kaleria hugged her tighter than ever. "We will be reunited soon. I'll miss you."

Dis released her and nodded, unable to speak. She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned to Thorin, who had finished speaking to the boys.

"You better take care of her."

Thorin smiled softly. "I promise, sister."

Dis pulled him down to her for a big hug. "And don't do anything stupid."

Thorin chuckled as she released him. "I'll keep myself out of trouble."

"Please, Kaleria will be the one keeping you out of trouble," replied Dis.

They said their final goodbyes, then Thorin led Kaleria to their ponies near the front. He helped her mount, and when he was sure she was situated, he joined her on his pony. Thorin motioned for the guards to open the gates, and once they were unobstructed, the caravan marched forward.

The trek up the large hill bordering the entrance proved no match for the strong ponies of Erebor. They topped the peak in a few minutes and started the journey across the plain to the Iron Hills. A breeze blew across the plain and through Kaleria's hair. She raised her face to catch more of the fresh air.

Thorin smiled at her. "Enjoying your freedom already?"

She laughed. "I don't think of the mountain as a prison. I just miss being out in the open air sometimes."

"Maybe we can make plans to enjoy the open air more, when we return."

"I will hold you to that, Thorin Oakenshield." She gave him a challenging look.

Thorin looked around once more at the open plain and the caravan behind them. "Do you know what this reminds me of?"

She shook her head.

"It reminds me of our journey to the mountain, when I made you fall in love with me." He smirked, his eyes flashing seductively.

"Ha! You think I fell in love with you on our journey to the mountain?" Kaleria teased. "If anyone fell in love, it was you. Always following me around. Asking if I needed anything."

"Saving you from the lake?" Thorin added, though his eyes darkened at the memory.

"I did appreciate your warmth at that particular moment." Kaleria reflected his seductive gaze back at him, making him fidget in his saddle.

"If you must know, I fell in love with you from the first moment you jumped out of that wagon." Thorin grew serious as he reflected on the moment they met.

Kaleria smiled, so full of love she thought she might burst. "My memory of that moment is a little different than yours."

"You were not enchanted by the dashing rogue who saved you?" He teased.

"Not entirely," she thought about their journey, "At first, I appreciated having you as a friend. I could speak to you more easily than I could with anyone else I knew. You gave me time to heal. And when we reached your mountain and I saw how proud of it you were, I realized I was in love with you."

Thorin held his hand out between their ponies and she placed her hand in his. He gave it a brief squeeze before releasing it.

Behind them, Dwalin and Balin watched their interaction.

Dwalin scoffed. "Can you believe the dwarf in front of you is the same dwarf who defeated the dragon and Azog and took back our mountain?"

"Love does strange things to the mind of a dwarf. Our king is no exception." Balin smiled, watching his oldest friend in his new found happiness.

The caravan moved forward with a brisk pace set to reach the Iron Hills. Most of the dwarves had never seen the Iron Hills and looked forward to the scenery their cousins enjoyed. With their eyes set on the horizon, the caravan advanced across the great plain hoping to strengthen the bond between dwarves.