"Halt! Goods inspection. Papers, please." The gatekeeper shouted, opening his office door and stepping out, hand outstretched. "Oh, it's you, Bard." he exclaimed in a friendly manner upon seeing the bargeman.

"Morning, Percy." Bard remarked.

"Anything to declare?" Percy asked.

"Nothing," Bard replied, grabbing out his papers and handing them over, "but that I am cold and tired, and ready for home."

"You and me both." The gatekeeper said, then paused, leaning to the side and peering past Bard as he finally noticed me sitting at the back trying to blend in. "And who is this?" he asked, his voice kindly but his eyes squinting with suspicion.

"Ah, her charges had arranged for me meet me them at the river," Bard began, stepping up onto the platform and grabbing the gatekeeper's arm. He then spoke quietly into his ear, no doubt explaining exactly who I was. Percy's eyes snapped to me for a moment, then he frowned, looked away and nodded sadly.

Without further preamble he proceeded to step into his office to stamp Bard's papers.

"Here we are. All in order." he said happily when through, handing them back. Yet before Bard could take them, a sauntering, ill-favoured looking man had stepped out from behind the toll building and swiped the documents out of Percy's grasp.

"Not so fast." he said, sneering slightly and reading them over.

I gaped at the man, yet luckily he had not yet noticed me. It was Alfrid. I distinctly remembered him as a greasy, bad-tempered boy that none of the kids liked to play with. He had been prone to snitching, oftentimes weaving intricate lies to get us all in trouble. I remember one occasion being lashed on the wrists when he told the baker I had stolen a pastry, when it was him who had taken it and shoved it into my hands, claiming it was a present. Of course I was caught red-handed, icing spread over my fingers. I had tried to avoid him after that incident, and hadn't had much interaction with him in the years leading up to my leaving, but there was no mistaking him, he hadn't changed a bit. I couldn't quite understand why he was here now though, acting as if he had some kind of authority.

"Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm." Alfrid remarked, gazing over the barge, and then back to the papers. "Only, they're not empty, are they, Bard? If I recall correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman." He stepped forward and grabbed one of the large fish from the top of the nearest barrel, holding it up to Bard in emphasis.

"That's none of your business." Bard replied, standing very still.

"Wrong." Alfrid retorted. "It's the Master's business, which makes it my business."

"Oh come on, Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat!" Bard half-pleaded, clearly at his wit's end.

I tried to hash together a plan, and an idea taking shape, if only I could pull it off. I quickly undid my hair and ran my fingers through it, trying to smooth some of the tangles.

Alfrid motioned some guards forward. "These fish are illegal."

Before they could move to tamper with the barrels, I stood up, remembering to grab Bofur's hat, and stepped off the barge in front of Bard.

"Excuse me?" I said loudly, smiling as brightly as I could manage. "Alfrid, is that you? I can't believe it!"

He just stared at me blankly. I bit my lip but then pushed on, smiling at him once more.

"You may not remember me, but I could never have forgotten you… the boy who would steal me treats. We used to play together as children. You look… well." I commented, trying desperately to keep my voice polite even though I couldn't quite prevent myself from sneaking glances at his overgrown eyebrows.

He squinted at me a moment longer, his mouth hanging open, but then he grinned and tilted his head. "Well, well." he said, stating my name in disbelief. "So you did manage to come back after all." He looked me up and down. "The years have changed you." he added with smirk.

I wasn't sure if his appraisal was meant to be an insult or praise, nevertheless I tried to act coy under his gaze.

"I apologize for my travel-worn appearance." I added. "I would preferred to have met you in... more appropriate clothing."

Bard hung back, looking back and forth at us. I shot him a quick glance, hoping that he understood I was bluffing. I looked back to Alfrid and attempted to infuse my next words with admiration.

"You're working for the Master now?"

He nodded and smiled a broad toothy smile. I tried not to grimace at the sight of his unclean teeth.

"I see to all of his administrative duties when it comes to managing this town." he explained rather proudly.

"That makes sense; you always were the smart one." I fawned, leaning forward and placing my hand on his arm for a moment. "Listen, I have some matters I think you can assist me with. I wasn't sure who to bring them to, but it seems like you are the most qualified person I could speak with."

I shot another glance at Bard, then took Alfrid's arm and led him a few steps away from the barge. I leaned in closer than necessary and spoke more in his ear. "As I'm sure you're aware of, my mother has passed away... I'm interested in obtaining my family estate, being the sole heir."

Alfrid nodded but then paused and looked back towards Bard and the illegal barrels of fish. Before he could order the guards to do anything rash, I sighed mournfully, and turned to press myself against him, holding my breath against the rancid smell his coat emitted as I put my arms around his neck in mock anguish. He made a disgruntled noise of surprise.

"I'm sorry." I said in a breathless voice into his neck. "It's a bit overwhelming being back here, with all the memories, you know… and if I can't secure the house, then I just won't know what to do."

I pulled away slightly and reached up a hand to place on his cheek, keeping my eyes cast down to hopefully hide the revulsion I felt being so close to him. "Can you help me, Alfrid?" I whispered.

He cleared his throat, stiffly extracting himself from my embrace - much to my relief. "Ah, yes, I am certain we can get the proper documents in order." he said before shooting a final glare towards Bard. "My attention is needed elsewhere Bargeman, lucky for you. Watch yourself though. I know where you live." He then made a sweeping gesture to the guards. "Leave them."

The gates opened, and the barge coasted into motion once more. "It's a small town, Alfrid." Bard responded as his vessel slowly entered the town. "Everyone knows where everyone lives."

Alfrid scowled and waved a dismissive hand at him. "Follow me then." he shot at me as he turned and began to stamp off.

I wished I knew what the plans were regarding the dwarves currently being smuggled illegally into my home town and looked questioning towards Bard. He flashed me a small smile of thanks, but I could linger no longer and rushed to catch up to Alfrid.

We spent a good hour in the archives as he filed through drawers, sifting through countless old rolls of parchment.

"Ah, here it is." he pronounced finally, spreading out a yellowed document. "Your father's last will." I got up and looked over his hunched shoulder at it.

"What does it say?" I asked, too anxious to properly read the small script.

Alfrid scanned it. "It would seem that you are fully entitled to the property and its contents." he said somewhat sceptically.

I smiled. "I knew you would be able to help. Can you bring me there now?"

"I'll need to fetch the keys from the vault; the house has been under safe-holding by the township since your family's death. You're lucky it hasn't been auctioned off."

Soon we were weaving through the maze of pathways towards my childhood home. The docking under my feet was comforting and familiar... but I was no longer used to the smell. The overwhelming odour of rotting fish and tar was almost affronting and I swallowed hard against it. Even so, I eagerly looked around, trying to take in everything. It was all exactly how I remembered it, nothing seemed to have changed.

Yet that was not quite true, the harder I looked, the more I noticed it. The decay. The deterioration. Shingles were rotting, colours had faded, dock boards were crumbling. And the people, did they always look so impoverished? No one smiled, even if I smiled at them, they were stooped and busy and foul. Had it always been like this?

"That is an interesting hat." Alfrid remarked, looking down at it at my side.

I lifted it up to show him better. "Yes, it is." I said with a smile. "It's not mine though."

He didn't seem interested enough to ask anything more about it.

We eventually came to a stop in front of the door and Alfrid handed me the set of keys.

"Alfrid, what is there for employment in this town?" I asked, leaning up against the door frame, stalling. I was suddenly nervous about going in.

"That depends." he said with a tilt of his head. "What are your skill sets?"

I frowned. "Well, I can fish." I began. I was cut short when Alfrid snorted, loudly.

"Everyone here can fish." he sneered. "Besides, the lake is almost spent."

I chewed the inside of my cheek, then when I could think of nothing more I hung my head in defeat. "I don't know then." I finally admitted.

"The tavern might be hiring-" Alfrid offered, but this time I cut him off.

"No. I will never work in a tavern again." I said sharply.

"Then it seems your options are limited unless you find a husband to support yourself, and quickly I might add. We don't tolerate beggars in this town." Alfrid said coldly.

"Well I don't suppose you can procure me a list of eligible bachelors then?" I snapped, moving to unlock my door.

"No." Alfrid turned to leave, but then swung back around and studied me more critically. "But now that you mention it, the Master has expressed interest in finding a bride."

"What?" I asked, looking at him in disbelief.

"I can set up a meeting for you," he continued, ignoring my rather horrified expression. "Who knows, maybe you'll actually impress him, and then you won't have to lift a finger for the rest of your days. I think he always fancied your mother, and you almost look like her now actually."

I wrinkled my nose in distaste.

"What about you then?" I asked, not at all interested, but curious as to whether or not some poor girl had been saddled with him.

He smiled lazily. "I'm married to my work." he said almost apologetically. "I wouldn't have the time."

"I see." I said through my teeth as I turned the lock and pushed open the door. "Oh, Alfrid, what day is it?" I asked as an afterthought before I stepped inside.

He stared at me a moment as if I were mad. "Lost track while travelling, did you? It's the first day of autumn."

I forcibly kept my face calm even though I was shocked to learn that we had spent nearly two months either lost in Mirkwood or locked in the elven dungeons. I nodded politely. "Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I really should clean up."

"Yes, do, and I shall inform the Master of your arrival. He might even call on you this evening; I'll have a message sent."

I tried to smile and nod but mostly just grimaced and hastened inside, shutting the door behind me with a quick snap.

It was dark, and cold. I took a few tentative steps forward into the room, letting my eyes adjust to the dim light coming in from the dirty windows. It wasn't a large house by any means. The main floor consisted of a fireplace and sitting area and along the side wall were two off-branching rooms, a tiny bedroom and a bathing room. On the opposite wall was the cooking area, with a few cupboards, hanging cast iron pots and pans, and an old iron stove. Nearby was small square table with four chairs for dining. There was also a narrow staircase at the back that led upstairs to the main bedroom, where my parent's used to sleep.

I walked to the fireplace, the floorboards creaking as I did so, and gently set down Bofur's hat before checking the wood box. I was pleased to see it was still full with cut logs and on the mantle I found a match. Soon the chill and loneliness was leaving the house as a fire crackled happily in the hearth. I spent the next while tidying up, which in some backwards fashion helped me keep my mind off what I was actually doing and why. I swept and pulled the sheets off the furniture, wiped down the surfaces thick with dust, shook the rugs off outside and then spent over an hour boiling water to fill the bath. It was painstaking work, but I was used to it, having done it regularly for customers at the Bree Inn. While soaking, I wondered if the dwarves were at Bard's. Would they leave without saying goodbye? I decided I would visit his place that evening to see if they were still there. I took my sweet time in washing, even cleaning under my fingernails, a luxury I had not had time to do lately. Even more luxurious than that, I had found a razor in the bathroom and was finally able to render my legs smooth once more after an age of neglect. The sun was nearly setting by the time I was through.

After drying off I wrapped a towel around myself and tiptoed into my old bedroom. My chest still contained a few outfits, but they were all from when I was little. I ran my hands over a small dress, nostalgia burning through me, then left before I fell into memories.

I eyed the stairs, then set my jaw and climbed them, entering my parent's chambers. I wandered to my mother's wardrobe and swung it open, hoping that moths hadn't destroyed anything that remained. I was surprised to find many of her clothes still within, and carefully separated the old garments, looking longingly at each, before finally pulling out one of the finest she owned; a dark scarlet dress with golden trim about the wide-set collar. It had been a wedding gift; we could never have afforded such an outfit otherwise. I hugged it to my chest, pain lancing through me as I remembered her wearing it only on the rarest of occasions, and each time my father would gaze upon her with such love and pride. I wondered if her new husband had appreciated her like that, and hoped for her sake that he did.

I gently set the dress across the bed and looked through the bottom drawer until I found an underskirt, a wide belt, and even a pair of shoes that fit well enough.

I studied myself in her standing mirror, my mood slightly melancholy as I saw my mother before me in my own reflection.

The dress fit, with the aid of the belt to cinch it more tightly around my waist. I was thinner than she was after years of hard labour and the strenuous journey. I had brushed out my blonde hair and was grateful to finally be able to keep it down; the locks with their gentle wave tumbling down to the level of my breasts.

I was considering making my way to Bard's when I heard shouting from outside. I sprinted to the window and looked out to see a group of people whisking by below. I undid the latch and pushed the window open. Cold snowflakes melted on my warm skin as I leaned outside.

"What's happening?" I shouted, causing an older woman to slow and look up until she spotted me.

"Dwarves!" she exclaimed incredulously. "Taken by the guards apparently. They are being brought before the Master right now."

I cursed under my breath as I slammed the window shut. After scrambling to find a coat from the wardrobe, I sprinted downstairs and had almost made it out the door when I remembered Bofur's hat. I quickly retrieved it, then ran outside and followed the people to the town centre.

The crowd was thick by the time I arrived and I couldn't see any of the dwarves through the mass of bodies in front of me that were being held back by the lining of guards that circled my companions as well.

The door of the mansion suddenly swung open and the Master himself bustled outside. As with Alfrid, the years had definitely not been kind to him.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded loudly while still pulling on his coat.

"We caught 'em stealing weapons, sire." one of the guards replied.

"Ah. Enemies of the state, then." the Master declared.

"This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire." I heard Alfrid add.

I rolled my eyes while trying to shove my way closer to the front.

"Hold your tongue." That was Dwalin, his vicious accented voice unmistakeable. "You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal. This is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"

The people beside me started whispering and fidgeting, and I was finally able to push my way up to just behind the guards, where I could see Thorin standing in the middle.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor." Thorin said loud enough for all to hear, causing even greater restlessness amidst the crowd as people craned to see. "We have come to reclaim our homeland."

The Master looked around almost worriedly as his townsfolk became increasingly tense.

"I remember this town and the great days of old." Thorin began, slowly turning, earnestly addressing the people, and the more he spoke, the more excitement began to hum through the crowd, he knew exactly what to say to them. "This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the centre of all trade in the North. I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"

At this the group erupted into cheers and clapping, I smiled, especially at the perturbed face of the Master when Thorin turned to garner his response.

"Death!" A voice shouted from somewhere behind me. Bard then stepped forward, gently moving me aside as he stepped past me and entered the ring of guards. He stopped in front of Thorin. "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all."

Without missing a beat Thorin shot him down. "You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this…" he took a moment, taking a few steps towards Bard before he continued, "if we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain." Then his voice rose over the excited din of the townsfolk. "You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"

After the applause finally subsided, Alfrid spoke up.

"Why should we take you at your word, eh? We know nothing about you." The crowd quieted immediately and I felt a slight tension spread through it, I bit my lip nervously. "Who here can vouch for your character?" Alfrid asked.

Quiet, nervous murmuring began as no one immediately spoke up. I huffed, then grabbed my skirts and shoved past the guards.

"I can." I said loudly, stepping into the clearing beside Bard and trying not to feel nervous as over a hundred nearby faces all snapped to land on me. Thorin slowly turned to look at me, his expression only showing the smallest hint of gratitude and relief, but it was enough. I smiled at him then lifted my chin to the Master.

"I am one of you, born and raised in Laketown." I said, projecting my voice as best I could. "And I have travelled far with these dwarves, through great danger. If it weren't for them, I would not have made it home." I turned and looked at the dwarves fondly, my gaze resting a moment longer on Bofur's, he grinned at me and I continued, looking back towards the Master. "This town is a shadow of what it was, soon it may fade entirely. We are a proud and strong people, but we need help." I lowered my gaze back to the leader of the company. "And if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word," I said with finality, "then he will keep it."

I smiled, my heart pounding in my chest, as the crowd was exalted once more. Thorin looked at me, his eyes soft, and then slightly bowed his head in appreciation causing me to surge with pride.

The moment, however, was broken once more as Bard began shouting. "All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?! Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm? And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain-king so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"

"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame." The Master admonished, pointing his finger like a teacher scolding a classroom. "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!"

I quickly glanced to Bard and saw his face fall in shame as he looked away.

"It's true, sire. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark." Alfrid added in bad taste.

Bard strode forward and addressed Thorin directly, his tone laced with anger. "You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!"

"I have the only right." Thorin growled, staring up at him with equal intensity. He then turned and looked to the town's authority. "I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people?"

A stillness fell as the people watched with quiet anticipation.

"What say you?" Thorin demanded when the Master failed to reply.

The Master paused and thought for several seconds, likely more to be dramatic. Finally he smiled, pointing his finger at Thorin.

"I say unto you... welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!" He spread his arms to herald the eruption of cheers from the crowd. I noticed that Bard, however, remained silent, glaring as Thorin climbed a few steps and turned to face the excited townsfolk.

"Let us celebrate!" The Master proclaimed, slapping his hands together. "Alfrid, have ale and food brought to the hall for our esteemed guests! And let there be music!"

Alfrid did not look entirely pleased about being delegated work at this late hour, but he bobbed his head and swaggered back into the mansion.

I hung back as the crowd thinned out, many going home, some following Thorin and the Master inside to begin the festivities.

Bofur hung back as well. Our eyes met and he beamed at me. I took a few small steps towards him.

"You look..." he began when I came to a stop in front of him, his eyes bright and his voice low as he studied my face, "lovelier than all the gold in the world." he finished.

I smiled and looked down, then my gaze settled on what I was still carrying and I lifted it up in front of me.

"Here. Now that you're not covered with fish slime." I said with a grin and holding out his hat for him. "I promise I never put it on."

He took it from my hands and looked down at it, his smile somewhat sad.

"Well that's a shame." he said after a few moments, causing me to frown in confusion. He looked back up at me, his expression brightening. "It would probably look good on you."

My jaw dropped as he swiftly reached up and placed it on my head. I felt the soft wool fall down over my ears and forehead, then droop over my eyes. It smelt pleasantly of leather. He laughed.

"Well, maybe it's a little big." He raised his arm to tip it up, then his hand wrapped around my neck and he pulled me down into a kiss. I smiled against his lips.

"I'm sorry." he said when he let me go.

"For what?" I asked, taking off his cosy hat and placing it atop his head, in its proper spot.

He took my hand, looking up at me. "For being an arse. I haven't been fair to you." He slowly kissed the back of my hand, his soft moustache tickling my skin.

"...and for ruining your hair." he grinned up at me from over my hand.

I smiled and shook my head, a hand subconsciously lifting to brush down any stray strands back into order. "Bofur, it's alright."

"No, it's not." he retorted. "I've been trying to ignore what I feel for you," he smiled, "but I'm beginning to find that I can't."

"Then don't ignore it." I said, raising my eyebrows at him and smiling shyly.

"Come. Let's join the party." he said with a grin, not letting go of my hand and leading me up the steps into the Master's mansion.

We stepped inside and proceeded to follow the obvious sounds of merry-making, yet as we neared the end of the hallway our way was suddenly blocked by a large girth.

"So this is the one then?" The Master asked, looking at me critically.

"Indeed sire, she's the one I told you about." Alfrid said, sauntering into view as well.

"You're quite right, Alfrid, the resemblance is -" The Master paused a moment, uncomfortably swallowing and patting his chest before continuing "-striking." He then looked down, seeming to notice Bofur for the first time. "Ah, dwarf, you should join the others. Alfrid, show our guest to the dining hall will you." he added, dismissively waving his hand in front of Bofur's face. Bofur made no move to follow and looked up at me questioningly.

"I'll join you in a moment." I said quietly, releasing his hand as Alfrid impatiently shifted his weight from foot to foot.

When they were out of sight the Master took my arm and began to direct me towards a large desk.

"Let me be one of the first to welcome you home. Truly, our humble town is made better by your presence." he droned as he forced me to take irritatingly slow steps. "You're mother was quite the woman, you know. And you, my dear, are even more beautiful than she. That dress was my gift to her, you know. I'd always imagined she'd wear it at our wedding though... pity."

I frowned, and honestly didn't quite know how to respond as he released my arm and shuffled to the back of the desk. He sat down heavily on his chair then pulled out a decanter and two crystal glasses.

"Oh, I can just grab a drink-" I began, trying to refuse but he interrupted immediately.

"Nonsense! All you'll find out there is cheap swill! You deserve something finer. This," he said, handing me a full glass of amber liquid, "this is a drink worthy of kings. Taste it. What do you think?" He asked excitedly, twirling the end of his crooked, thin moustache.

It took an enormous amount of effort to keep my face composed as I took a large drink of the brandy. The Master stared at me expectantly so I nodded my head and tried to smile.

"Very- very good." I managed to say. "Thank you, you are most gracious."

"Interesting company you've kept lately." he said after draining his own glass. "I'm sure it must be a relief to be back among your own kind?"

Again I didn't reply and instead took another drink.

"Listen, if you should be in need of anything, anything at all, I want you to come straight to me." he continued, pouring himself one more splash and looking at me rather intensely. "Understand? I would very much like to see more of you."

I managed to down the rest of my brandy and set the glass down on the desk with a heavy clunk.

"Thank you, sir." I stammered, taking a few steps back but trying to smile politely. "That would be... You are too kind. If you'll excuse me, I should take my leave. I'm quite weary from travel, you understand."

"Yes. Yes of course." he said, heaving himself up and coming around to stand in front of me. He grabbed my hand before I could hide it behind my back and brought it to his mouth, kissing it sloppily.

"Right, thank you." I said, pulling my arm away from him rather quickly when he was through. "I am just going to speak with my, ah, travel guard for a few moments. Good night, sir." I fumbled through a quick curtsey then swept past him in the direction Alfrid and Bofur had taken.

I found the dwarves already well into drinks, unceremoniously grabbing food off the Master's well-stocked tables. A fiddler was playing a lively tune at the front of the hall that could be barely heard over the loud and excited voices and laughter of both dwarves and humans. I approached the familiar faces, trying to shake off the slimy feeling caused by the Master. Bofur stood up and came to greet me, mug still in hand.

"What was that about?" he asked, noting my distasteful expression.

I frowned. "It was nothing." I shuddered slightly. "May I?" I asked, indicating his tankard of beer. He wordlessly handed it to me and I tipped it back, forcing myself to chug it all. I wiped my lips with the back of my hand and shoved the empty mug back into his outstretched hand as he stared up at me with wide eyes, his mouth hanging open. I smiled.

"Well, come on, let's celebrate then." I said cheerily, leading him back over to the rest of the company and settling in.

Ori brought both Bofur and I fresh drinks after we squeezed onto the bench.

Thorin caught my eye than raised his mug. "I owe you my thanks - we all owe you our thanks." he said gruffly. The others quieted down to listen, looking at me curiously, though I was too busy staring at Thorin in shock to notice. "You were never part of this company; I showed you no special kindness, and still you proved your loyalty many times over. The bargeman informed us you saved our backs at the gate, then again this evening." he paused, his light blue eyes holding my own. "I am sorry for not treating you with respect." he added, his expression growing kinder. "We were lucky to have you with us, and we are in your debt."

He then took a drink, and the others raised their mugs to me and drank as well. I was completely flustered, my cheeks burning. I looked beside me to see Bofur smiling at me.

"Maybe he's finally warming up to me..." I mumbled to him with a grin.

I felt Bofur's hand grasp my thigh under the table and almost gasped in surprise at the bold gesture.

"You deserved his praise, love." he said, squeezing my leg and causing me to fidget despite myself. "Though I don't know if I approve of you flirting your way out of problems for us."

"Trust me; it wasn't very pleasant on my end either." I remarked with a laugh.

I helped myself to a bit of the food while the others focused more on emptying the drink barrels. The volume of the room continued to rise and a few of the dwarves were becoming quite rowdy. Dwalin began arm wrestling with any who would challenge him. Food was beginning to be tossed around a bit more enthusiastically; the table was becoming slick with spilt drink.

I watched as Nori's fist was slammed down, Dwalin winning yet another match.

"Arm wrestle me." I said to Bofur with a smile, scooting away from him a bit to lift my elbow onto the table, but he made no move to grasp my hand. "Come on!" I urged, looking at him provocatively.

"Alright lass, but it's not really a fair fight."

I snorted as he took my hand and positioned himself.

"Go." Bofur said.

I put every ounce of strength I had into trying to move his arm, but it didn't budge. I held my breath and thought angry thoughts, giving it everything I had, my arm straining against his, my muscles nearly shaking with the effort of it. Nothing.

"Go." Bofur egged on lazily. I let out my breath in a huff, shooting him a baffling glare.

"I am going!" I half shouted, wrenching once more, then I grabbed his arm with my other hand as well but even using both I could not move him. Ori burst out laughing and some of the others chuckled as well at my desperate efforts.

Bofur smiled at me, then with what seemed like no effort at all he slowly, carefully, lowered my arm to the table.

"I'm just having an off-day." I grumbled through a defeated smile when he let go of my hand.

"Ask Bilbo, you might stand a chance against him." Bofur said with a wink and we both leaned forwards to consider the hobbit. Our attention did not go unnoticed, as Bilbo gave us a baffled, questioning look while narrowing his eyebrows and shaking his head slightly. 'What?' he mouthed over the noise.

I shook my head innocently and turned my attentions elsewhere, to where Ori was now cheering on Bifur as Dwalin's newest challenge. The older dwarf was screaming unintelligibly, and I was not certain it was even dwarvish. Dwalin, on the other hand, faced his foe with silent determination. Perhaps it was because he had already won against Bombur, Fili, Nori and Gloin, or perhaps Bifur was stronger than the rest, but Dwalin seemed to take longer than usual to finally touch Bifur's hand to the table. Ori applauded gleefully at the outcome and patted Bifur on the shoulder despite his loss.

"What about Ori? I reckon I could take him on." I suggested and looked at Bofur once more.

Bofur, who had also been watching the new match, looked back at me piteously shaking his head.

"He would win, dear." He said simply, and while I looked for a hint of jest in his features as he said it, I saw none.

I swatted him reproachfully, but knew he was right. He laughed and pushed my plate of food back towards me.

"Your hair," I said to Bofur after a few moments, glancing at him between bites. He looked at me, raising an eyebrow. I studied the dark wavy locks hanging loose about his shoulders. "It's different... It looks good like that." I added. He was in new clothing too, an overly large dark blue coat paired with a large studded belt. "I miss your old coat though," I continued, grabbing the large floppy sleeve of the new one, "it was cosier."

"Aye... and somehow I doubt this one's had a soaking, scantily clad lass wear it about. Wonder if we could remedy that?" He added the last part in a whisper with a wink.

I opened my mouth, then closed it, and slyly bit my lip recalling the time Bofur had lent me his coat to cover my nudeness when my own clothing had conveniently disappeared while I was bathing.

"But I'm still plenty cosy in this one, see." He said cheekily while wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into him. My bottom slid across the smooth bench until I was pressed close into his side, he then turned as if to kiss me but I tilted my head away from him.

"Bofur, they'll see." I muttered quietly by way of explanation.

"Let them see." he said with confidence, reaching up and grazing my smooth jawline with his rough fingers, turning my head and tipping my chin up to kiss him properly and in full view of everyone else.

I heard some shouting and table thumping and broke the kiss quickly, smiling down at my lap and grabbing my mug to busy my hands. I peered up at the company, a few seemed to have missed the display entirely, too inebriated to likely notice much. Thorin was frowning slightly. Kili, however, smiled at me, but my heart stopped when I took in how ill he looked. His black hair hanging dank over skin paler than snow, his eyes dark with shadowed pain. I tried to smile back at him through my worry, but the smile never came, frozen as my gaze moved on to settle on the room's new occupant: the Master. He had, at some point during the evening, entered the hall and was eating at the head table. I must have been too preoccupied to even notice his arrival. He was looking at me over the half picked bones of a whole chicken, and his expression no longer held the friendliness of earlier.

I picked at my food for a while longer and finished my drink, though all the while I felt increasingly stifled under the judgemental glare of our host. My world was slowly becoming slightly blurred, and I was becoming very distracted as Bofur's large warm hand again found a resting place on my leg, and after another drink it was moving up a little higher, unaware of my current strife. When yet another set of full mugs was set in front of us, I frowned and pushed them away. Bofur looked at me curiously.

"I think I need some air." I admitted sheepishly, not wanting to cut his celebrating short but feeling the need to free myself from the scepticism of one of my own kind.

He nodded and got up, helping me to my feet as well.

"Bofur." Thorin said sharply, causing us both to stop and look at him. "We gear up in the armoury at daybreak, and we leave shortly thereafter." he said gruffly. "Don't be late."

Bofur nodded, but frowned in confusion. "Aye, but we'll be right back, just stepping outside a moment."

Thorin looked at him with an odd expression. "In case you are not." he said slowly "Remember, daybreak." than looked away from us.

I couldn't meet Bofur's eye as we began walking away from the table, hardly believing that Thorin would even imply...

"Wait." I said, stopping in my tracks. "No, you go on, I'll meet you right outside, just give me a minute." I told Bofur who nodded and carried on out of the hall. I turned around and walked back to Kili, squatting down beside his seat.

"What are you doing?" he asked in a startled voice, indicating towards the exit. "You probably don't have long before he falls asleep. Go! Don't waste your time here!"

I rolled my eyes, my face likely as red as it would ever get. "Oh please, we were just going to get some fresh air."

He raised his eyebrows at me, grinning, but I frowned at him then lowered my voice.

"Kili, have you let Óin look at your leg?" I asked seriously. He didn't answer. "Please, Kili, you must let him see it. You don't look well." I insisted.

He reached forward and gently grabbed a strand of my hair. "Tell Bofur to braid it for you." he said.

"What?" I asked, annoyed he didn't seem to be listening.

"Braid." he repeated. "He needs to braid it."

"Kili, did you even hear me?"

He laid his hand on my shoulder and leaned forward, looking at me intently. "Listen, I'm fine. I'll let Óin take a peek at it if you promise to go now. Don't waste tonight. None of us know what will happen when we reach the mountain. So go. Have fun... He may not get a chance to after tonight."

I hesitated, biting my lip, then finally nodded. I gave him a brisk kiss on the cheek before rushing out of the dining hall. I noticed the adjoining hallway was deserted and, before leaving, I sauntered over to the Master's desk. I deftly grabbed his bottle of expensive brandy, tucked it in my coat, squared my shoulders, then ran outside after Bofur.