I do not own any of the characters or The Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC). Those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other fan fics would not be in existence.

Please review, favorite and follow- I love them, especially constructive ones!

Warning- there are some references (not overt) to female biology and also to growing up "birds and bees" type talk (again, not overt, just alluded to, and pretty innocent). Please be forewarned.

The dwarf king could not help feeling a bit like a child as he leaned over the table on his knees in order to look at the old map Beorn had spread out upon the wooden surface.

"You need to reach the Mountain before the last days of autumn?" the skinchanger asked, and Thorin nodded.

"Aye," he said. "Before Durin's day falls." The skinchanger gave the dark haired dwarf a slightly blank stare, and Balin quickly spoke up.

"It is when the last sun of autumn and the first moon of winter appear in the sky together," the old dwarf clarified, and Beorn nodded. Looking back at the slightly dusty map, the skinchanger frowned.

"You are running out of time," he stated bluntly, his eyes busy roaming over the map even as his words were directed at Thorin. "To go round the forest would take you until Yuletide at the least, and that's if the weather is favorable. I'm sure you know that the snows usually come far earlier north of the forest than that. And it will take you even longer to go south to the main road. That road hasn't been used in many long years except by foul creatures, and is very dangerous. You would be very foolish to take it."

"We will take the elven road," Gandalf spoke up, having entered the house in the middle of their discussion. Three startled pair of eyes turned toward the wizard. Beorn seemed unsurprised at his intrusion, the skinchanger's hearing far keener than dwarves. "That path is still safe." Beorn looked sidelong at Gandalf.

"Safe?" he asked incredulously. "The woodelves of Mirkwood are not like their kin to the west. They are less wise, and far more dangerous. They isolate themselves amongst the dark trees of the wood, and seldom leave unless at great need, save to trade with the men of the lake. They do not like dwarves at all, from what I have heard."

"Yet it is the only path through the forest that would get us to the Mountain in time," Gandalf respectfully retorted, casting a sidelong glance toward the skeptical dwarves in turn. "The elves rarely use that road now, and we may yet avoid detection long enough to reach Laketown and pass beyond the borders of the elven king unseen. Any other remotely safe route would take us nearly four hundred miles more to the north, or twice that distance south, and we would not arrive at the Mountain by Durin's Day."

"And you must be there by then?" Beorn asked, and Dwalin nodded.

"Aye," he said. "Or everything that we've done so far has been in vain." The burly dwarf glanced at Thorin, his gaze saying what his lips did not.

Would you be willing to use Thranduil's road, or risk defeat?

Memories assaulted the dwarf king- of an elf army turning their backs on the flames. Of a cold and aloof elven king turning his back on those he had called friend when they begged for aid. Of women and children dying of starvation and cold, of husbands weeping over their wives after they died in childbirth, of the wails of Azanulbizar when husbands, fathers, and sons did not return.

Later memories then entered his mind- memories of wandering the wilderness, of hunger and pain, of being forced to work for less than ideal wages and accept less than what their craft was worth. Of watching his nephews grow up in poverty, and watching his sister, a princess of the line of Durin, forced to go without food so her sons could eat.

We cannot lose Erebor, not now- not when we have come so far.

Looking up, he found that five pair of eyes were now watching him, awaiting his decision. Clearing his throat, he spoke up.

"We shall take the elven road," the dwarf king declared. "And hope that the elves take no notice of us." Beorn nodded, looking back down at the map.

"My ponies can reach the elven gate in about five days' time, if you ride fast," he stated after a moment. "After that, you must go on foot. I do not know how fast dwarves can travel, but it is sixty five leagues or so from the elven gate to the eastern reaches of the forest." Thorin nodded.

"And we can gather more supplies in Laketown, before we continue on up to the Mountain," Balin continued, following the route Beorn stated on the map with his gloved finger. "That will minimize what we have to carry through the forest on our backs." Beorn shook his head.

"That forest is not what you remember," he said sadly. "There is a darkness on it that was not there before. Foul things creep beneath those trees, and there is nothing fit to eat in that wood- not even for the bellies of dwarves. Nor is there water to drink, for what little is there is unfit for man or beast."

The dwarves sobered greatly at this new information. At least in a healthy wood they had the hope of being able to hunt or even possibly gather berries and nuts to supplement their meager food supply, but now it would seem that they would have to carry everything on their backs through the largest forest in Middle-earth.

"We will have to have some way to make packs to carry everything," Balin spoke up, quickly taking charge of their supplies. "Blankets, food, water-everything must be carried, and we need to pack along as much as we can to last until Laketown."

Not for the first time did Thorin appreciate the ability of the elder dwarf to swiftly and efficiently make arrangements where arrangements were needed. Balin had always been a valuable asset and mentor to him, in addition to being one of his closest friends. The elder had managed far more in his time as Thorin's advisor, and he was quite grateful for the experience the elder had gained in his duties over the years managing the various affairs of Ered Luin and Erebor prior to its fall.

"Aye," the dwarf king agreed. Turning toward the skinchanger, he nodded his head in respect. "What foods do you have that can be taken on a long journey?" Beorn hummed, thinking to himself for a moment.

"I can give you many crocks of honey, some sacks of oats, twice baked bread, some honey mead, dried beans, and some other dried fruits and vegetables," the skinchanger replied. "I can give you some freshly harvested things as well, though most won't keep long. And I can give you some waterskins as well, as you will not reach fresh water once you've entered the forest until you come out again on the other side." Thorin nodded gratefully.

"I thank you," he said, bowing his head slightly. "We would also need some blankets- at least one for everyone, some packs to carry everything-" The skinchanger cut him off.

"I have baskets that would work well enough for some things," he interjected. "And I have cloth that you can make more if you need, providing you make them swiftly." Thorin nodded. Glancing outside, he noticed Cira heading toward the outhouse. "And some bandages and healing herbs- as many as you can spare." No one's wounds will go without proper tending from now on.

"That I can give you as well," Beorn agreed. Rolling up the map, he glanced at the wizard. "Will you need a map to guide you?" Gandalf shook his head.

"There is no need," he replied. "I've used the elven road before. Though it has been many long years since I've journeyed in this part of the wild, I am confident I can find the elven gate with little trouble."

Beorn nodded. Rolling up the map, he set it once more atop the mantle of the great hearth.

"Very well then," he finished. "Gather your supplies. I will make bridles and saddles for my ponies as quickly as I can, as I am sure you are accustomed to using them when riding ponies. If your company also works quickly, I expect you will be ready to continue on your quest in the morning."

Thorin nodded gratefully even as the other two dwarves bowed their heads.

"On behalf of my kin, I thank you." Turning toward the door, he exited the house. Approaching the group of dwarves seated in various places outside, the dwarf king stood to his full height.

"Balin has the list of supplies we need," he stated firmly. "Bombur, I need you, Bofur and Bifur to gather the food supplies. Dori, you, Ori and Nori need to gather enough baskets for everyone in the company, and tie some straps on them so we can use them as packs. Bilbo, I need you to..."

XXX

Cirashala leaned up against the door of the outhouse, wide eyes staring blankly ahead of her as she thought frantically about her new...predicament.

How on earth could I have forgotten about this?!

She knew it happened every single month, and had dealt with it since she was fifteen years old. She wasn't always exactly timed so it often caught her a bit by surprise, but in her grief and fighting for survival, knowledge that this particular event was inevitable at some point hadn't even crossed her mind. Nor had it crossed her mind how she was supposed to manage it now that she was nowhere near a modern store back in the world she came from that carried supplies for this particular event. She thought about the kindness of Lord Elrond and the foresight he had to provide items to take care of it in her pack, but the things he so thoughtfully provided for her was now somewhere deep in Goblin Town and there was no way in all of Middle-earth she was going back THERE to retrieve it!

How on earth am I supposed to handle this HERE?!

Her mind went back to her history studies, and how ladies had managed this very...problem in the past, also before the convenience of a store just around the corner. Looking up at the large cottage ahead of her, she knew she only had a limited amount of time before what she was experiencing was rather...obvious to the others.

Rags- that's it. I need to ask for rags that Beorn doesn't want back.

Blue eyes quickly noticed the sudden flurry of activity as the dwarves and Beorn began preparations for their impending departure, and she realized that she'd have to approach the skinchanger in order to ask for rags for this...nuisance.

The men aren't likely to think about asking him, and in all honesty, I really don't WANT them to.

Mustering up every ounce of courage she could, she slowly made her way to where the skinchanger seemed to be braiding strips of woolen cloth, her arms wound tightly around her abdomen. She was sure her stomach was full of butterflies that had been given a great deal of caffeine as she came to a halt in front of the large man.

"Um, m-mister Beorn?" She asked, shrinking a bit as the golden eyes met her own. "I, uh, I have to ask..." The young woman trailed off as she noticed several bewildered dwarves staring at her, her eyes wide.

"Ask what?" Beorn replied bluntly, and loud enough to draw the curious gazes of the rest of the dwarves. Cirashala was sure her bright red face could be seen for miles, but there was no getting out of it now.

I NEED them- I don't have a choice.

"I,uh," she began, swallowing heavily. "I...I need..." Beorn interrupted her, clearly becoming impatient at her red faced stammers.

"What do you need?" he asked, setting his braiding aside.

Great- now he's annoyed, and EVERYONE is staring at me.

"I..." she trailed off. Taking a deep breath, she scrunched her eyes shut as she spouted off her request in one breath. "Ineedsomeragsyoudon'twantanymore." The skinchanger's eyebrow went up as he looked at her, and she desperately wished the earth would swallow her whole.

"Rags?" he asked loudly, and she nodded. "What on earth do you need rags for? Cloth is hard to come by, and your healer already has plenty of bandages." Her eyes widened as far as they would go as she blushed to the roots of her hair.

"Ah, um, er..." she stammered, too mortified to speak as she avoided everyone's gaze. A hand suddenly rested on her shoulder, and she about jumped out of her skin with fright. The young woman hadn't even noticed Gloin come up beside her.

"Cira, if I may?" he asked, before looking at the skinchanger. "She needs them for lady reasons, Master Beorn." Beorn's eyebrows raised as her eyes widened comically. He looked at her, then back at the red haired dwarf.

"Lady reasons?" he asked, and Gloin nodded.

"Aye," he said, gently squeezing her shoulder. "I don't expect you to understand, you not having a wife at all like I do, but ladies do need them." Beorn's eyes narrowed.

"And they are absolutely necessary?" he asked. "As I said, cloth is hard to come by, and I only get the chance to get more twice a year at most." Gloin nodded.

"Aye, I'm afraid they are," he replied, and the skinchanger nodded, sighing.

"There is some extra cloth in the house," he replied, picking up the woolen strands once more. "Take care that you only cut what is needed, and not a strand more." Gloin nodded, gently steering her toward the door.

"Don't worry, Master Beorn," he replied respectfully. "We will only take what she needs."

As they passed through the door and out of sight of the rest of the company, the young woman turned toward the dwarf, gratitude shining in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered as the dwarf pulled out a bolt of thick woolen cloth. Gloin nodded.

"If you need something, just say so," he replied, pulling a small knife from his boot to cut the fabric. "It happens to all women. 'Tis nothing to be ashamed about." He sliced a three inch wide, about four foot long strip, before folding it and handing it to her with a much thinner and shorter strip that she guessed was for tying it in place.

"There. Go do what you need to do, and I will cut the rest for you," he stated, glancing at her broken hand. "How many do you think you will need?"

His expression conveyed empathy, and she found herself relaxing despite her embarassment. He was married, he obviously knew what to do, and she desperately needed the aid as she'd never managed it this way before. And she was finally convinced that Gloin's shift in demeanor toward her was genuine, as there was no longer any hostility in his countenance. She added up the numbers in her head, knowing that she'd have to wash them, but also knowing that she'd need to conserve water as much as possible.

"I don't know- perhaps about a dozen or so?" she asked. He nodded, cutting more strips without a second glance. That answer must have been what he expected.

"Mr. Gloin?" she asked, and he glanced up. "H-how did you...?" The dwarf chuckled.

"You've been with us for about a month or so," he replied. "It didn't take me long to figure out what you were asking for, and why." The young woman reddened a bit, but nodded her thanks. As she turned to head back to the outhouse to take care of her business before it showed, the dwarf behind her quietly spoke up.

"You're welcome, lass."

XXX

Fili and Kili busied themselves with stuffing potatoes, carrots, and dried fruit into baskets after Ori had tied the straps on as Thorin had asked them to do. The dwarf king had cautioned them to not lift too much weight so as to strain their injuries, so the others had gone back and forth bringing the large pile of fruits and vegetables to them to place in the makeshift packs so everyone could contribute to the process.

They had clearly heard the exchange between Beorn and Cira, as had everyone else in the close vicinity of the conversation, and were shooting puzzled looks at each other. Kili had no idea why a lady would need rags of all things, and neither did his brother.

She obviously didn't need them for bandages, else she would have asked Oin, the youngest dwarf thought to himself, completely bewildered at her request.

Growing up, their mother had felt that Thorin should be the one to teach them about...certain things as they would be men someday and Thorin had taken the role of their father after he perished while they were still very young. His uncle was most certainly not willing to do so, but their mother's wrath was a force to be reckoned with, and had succumbed to teaching them with about as much enthusiasm as one goes to face an army of wargs unarmed.

The young dwarf's mind went back to Ered Luin, and that first day when Fili woke up to a rather...embarassing event. His astonished shriek was enough to wake Kili from a very deep sleep after a restless night, and the younger turned over grumbling at the unwanted intrusion into his slumber. His eyes squinted open, only to widen considerably at his brother's white, shocked face.

"Fee? What's wrong?" he asked, bolting upright in their shared bed. His brother's mouth moved, but no words formed. He could only gesture toward where the little problem was, and Kili's eyes also widened in shock.

"W-what's that?" he asked, and Fili shook his head.

"I-I don't know," he asked, his blue eyes wide as they filled with fear. "Kili, get-get mother. She may need to send for Oin." The younger's brown eyes widened in fear.

"Fee, are you sick?" he asked, immediately reaching to check his forehead. The elder batted his hand away.

"Just-just get mother," he stammered shakily. Kili immediately moved to do as bidden, only for the door to smack him right in the face as his uncle burst through the door.

"Ow!" he cried out as he fell back on his rear end. Holding his nose, his mother immediately knelt down in front of him, having been right on their uncle's heels.

"What's wrong?" Thorin stated once his eyes roamed around the room, and Kili knew he was instinctively checking for intruders as his hand had gone to where the youngest knew a knife was hidden inside his tunic. Fili's lip wobbled, and he gestured down to his lap.

"T-this," he stammered, close to tears. "U-uncle, mother- am I going to die?" Thorin and his mother both glanced in the direction he gestured, only for his uncle to get quite red in the face and his mother to sigh.

"Thorin, I think it's time to tell them," his mother said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Both brothers looked wide eyed between their uncle and mother.

"T-tell us what?" Kili asked as he fixed his gaze on his mother. Thorin cleared his throat awkwardly, and Dis put her hands on her hips and fixed him with a glare that Kili knew from experience NOT to argue with.

"Thorin, might I speak to you outside for a moment?" she asked, and he immediately followed her out to the hallway beyond their bedchamber door. Kili crawled up into their bed and wrapped his arm around his trembling brother's shoulders.

"What do you think she meant by, 'It's time to tell them'?" the younger asked, and Fili shook his head. Kili could see that his brother was terrified, but trying to be brave for both of them.

"I don't know," he answered, his voice wavering. Their uncle returned after a moment, clearly uncomfortable.

"I, um," he began as he paced about the room. "Your mother...asked me to tell you...some things you need to know." Both brother's eyes widened, and they looked at their uncle in bewilderment.

"A-am I going to die?" Fili asked, and Thorin shook his head.

"No," he said, staring out their window. Neither brother could figure out why, as their heavy curtain was drawn closed. "You are simply...growing up, that's all." The dwarf king turned to meet two blank stares, and he pinched his nose, sighing loudly.

Thorin had proceeded, through many throat clearings and awkward pauses, to tell them what would change as they continued to grow into young dwarf men. The boys had listened, astonished, embarassed, and perplexed in turn as they learned what they would be experiencing was quite normal and simply a part of growing up. By the time Thorin seemed to have finished telling them about the transition from boys to men, they finally understood- well, mostly, but as the years passed by and they fully matured into their adult bodies, they finally understood everything he had told them.

However, both HIGHLY suspected that their mother had threatened him severely if he didn't talk with them about this particular subject, because as soon as they asked about what girls went through, the dwarf king clamped his mouth shut and abruptly left the room, leaving two very bewildered dwarflings in his wake.

For an entire year afterward, they tried to find out what girls went through. They obviously "changed" too, because girl chests were different than grown women, and their voices deepened a little bit too (though not as much as theirs did). But though they asked, Thorin outright refused to tell them. He would always say, "Go ask your mother- I have no obligation to speak about such things, and she would know better than I."

But everytime they went to Dis, she would say, "Your uncle knows all about it. Our father told him everything, just as my mother told me everything. Go ask him." And the cycle would repeat. Eventually they gave up asking Thorin, and tried asking Balin, Dwalin, Oin, and Gloin. But Balin would tell them that, as their uncle and father figure, Thorin really should be the one they asked. Dwalin would turn red in the face, and say that he wasn't married and had no idea (though they suspected that he, too, did know and just didn't want to tell them). Oin would just brush them off and say that he had patients to attend, or ointments to mix up, and ask them, "Why don't you just ask your mother?". And Gloin and his wife both stated that their mother and Thorin should be the one to tell them.

Finally, after a year or two of trying, the brothers finally gave up completely on ever understanding girls, and the matter was dropped. That did not stop the youngest dwarf's curiosity about the subject, but he knew that he was likely never going to get the answers he sought. And as far as he knew, Fili never learned either.

"Fili?" Kili asked as his brother handed him three large potatoes. "Why do you think she needs rags?" His brother's bewildered look told him he had no idea.

"I don't know," he said as he stuffed some carrots into his basket. Ori looked up from bringing another pile of food, this time a sack of oats.

"Lady reasons," he said matter of factly. "Gloin said as much." The scribe's eyes widened a bit as the brothers shared a blank look.

"You don't know?" he asked, and they shook their heads.

"Thorin's never told us," Fili said, and Kili nodded. "Our mother didn't either- she felt that Thorin should be the one to do so." Ori's eyes widened again as his face turned crimson.

"Eh, maybe you better ask him then," he muttered quickly, before hurrying away to retrieve more food. The two heirs looked at each other as their shoulders slumped, before Kili caught Bilbo out of the corner of his eye.

"Bilbo!" he called. The hobbit looked up from where he was tasked with rolling woolen blankets into bedrolls. Kili motioned him over, before leaning in a bit.

"Why would Cira need rags?" he asked, his eyes begging for an answer. "She doesn't need more bandages, does she?" Bilbo's eyes widened as his own face flushed a bit.

"I, uh..." he stammered, and Fili sighed in frustration.

"Do you know why?" he asked, and Bilbo nodded. The brothers looked at each other, then back at the hobbit.

"Y-yes," he stammered. "You don't?" The brothers shook their heads.

"No one ever told us," Fili replied. The hobbit's ears turned red.

"Well, maybe you'll find out when you get married," Nori said as he dumped a bag of oats in front of them. The former thief turned and went to get some more supplies as he had been ordered to. Bilbo immediately went back to his task as well, leaving the two young dwarves no closer to their answer.

The word married hit Kili like a thunderbolt, and the pain in his heart threatened to overwhelm him. He felt a slight nudge on his arm, and looked up to meet the knowing gaze of his brother.

"Kee," Fili said quietly, eyes searching his face. Frowning at what he saw, the elder sighed. Leaning in, he whispered, "We need to talk." Kili's eyes quickly glanced at the activity around them, before returning to the basket in his hands.

"Later," he said, haphazardly stuffing a couple more potatoes into the already full basket hoping to make them fit. A hand reached out and gently grasped his wrist, halting his attempt.

"Now," his brother replied gently. "Now." Brown eyes raised to meet blue, and Kili swallowed heavily.

"What about the baskets?" he whispered. "We have to get them ready to leave by morning." Fili's hand rested in his brother's shoulder.

"They can wait for a few minutes," his brother replied. The elder leaned in close so his words would not carry. "We won't get another chance to talk alone." The expression on his face left no room for argument, and the young prince reluctantly let go of the basket in his hand. Nodding, he stood up and followed his brother into the grove of oaks to the west of the cottage without another word.

XXX

Fili knew that Nori's comment was likely to cause his brother to react, and he had been very correct in that assumption. The younger hadn't even noticed, but his grip on the basket had tightened so much at the thief's words that it began to creak ominously. Had the elder not stopped him, Fili feared that his brother would have broken the basket and not even realized it.

It took one glance for Fili to see the pain in his brother's eyes at the mere mention of the word married, and he knew that if Kili didn't do something to hide his emotion now, Bofur may not be the only dwarf who starts to realize that the youngest amongst them was beginning to think of their female companion in a way that went well beyond friendship.

Bofur's words from earlier that day also worried him. He could definitely see that the miner was so terrified to mention even the slightest chance that Kili was actually considering a courtship with her that it took him several minutes just to get him to speak about his concern. If Bofur of all dwarves was concerned about her status as a widow and Kili's feelings for her, then Fili hated to think of what others would say should they find out as well.

His promise to Bofur went through his mind as they walked, and Fili knew he must let Kili know that he couldn't have her. He was quite certain that his brother was aware of that fact, but felt he needed to make sure. Her honor and that of his brother's depended on it.

Stopping when he knew they were out of earshot, the elder turned toward his brother.

"Kili," he began, seeing how his brother closed off from him. The younger interrupted before he could get any further.

"If you brought me out here to chastise me brother, you don't need to," he said quietly, an audible waver in his voice. "I-I already know." The younger turned toward him, eyes brimming with tears.

"I-I know I cannot have her," Kili choked out. A tear slipped down his cheek unbidden, but unhindered as well. Fili's eyes misted as well as he beheld the raw pain his brother was in.

"I-I just..." he began, his throat also catching. His heart ached to see his brother suffer like this, but there was nothing he could do but listen, and be a shoulder for him. "Kili, how? How...could you fall in love with her?" Kili sniffled, before looking away.

"I-I don't know," he whispered, shame filling his features as he looked back at his brother. "I-I didn't even...realize it at first. S-she was always kind to me, and she has a good heart...she's everything I ever wanted in a girl, Fee. E-everything." Fili's face fell, and he swallowed heavily.

"But, Kee," he began, tears threatening to spill from his own eyes. He wanted to tell her that dwarf maids had also been kind to him, but that was untrue, and they both knew. "When...when did you know?" Kili sniffled, and was silent for several minutes before answering.

"When...when the lynx attacked me, she told Meril that I was her brother so she would help us," the younger dwarf whispered. "I-I thought she told her I was a human-" Fili's eyes widened considerably.

"She what?" he asked, anger stirring within him. He knew how much Kili despised being taken for a human. Kili's eyes widened, and he held up his hand.

"But she didn't," he finished, and Fili felt his anger subside, replaced by confusion. Kili looked at his brother, before his eyes filled again with tears.

"She-she told Meril she was a dwarf," he whispered, and Fili's eyes widened considerably in shock. "I-I asked her if I look like a human- if she thought my beard was too sparse or that I wasn't strong. She-she told me that she couldn't find my broken ribs at first because my muscles were too thick, a-and...that my beard was full and someday would rival Gloin's." Fili's eyes widened as far as they could go, his mouth gaping like a fish.

"She-she said that?" he asked, unable to believe his ears. Kili nodded, sniffling once more.

"A-aye," he said, his voice small as his eyes filled up with tears. "Fee, I-"

His brother couldn't finish as his voice cracked, but he didn't have to. Fili could see the deep emotions plain as day on his face. His brother found the one woman who accepted him for who he was, the one woman he could ever love- and he could never have her.

"Oh, Kildár," Fili whispered in Khuzdul as a tear threatened to trickle down his own cheek. He reached out a hand to his brother's arm, and Kili immediately wrapped his arms around Fili and buried his face in his shoulder like he had when he was a small dwarfling. His younger brother's body shook with uncontrollable sobs, muffled by the leather jerkin and woolen fabric of his tunic, and Fili brought his arms around to hold him.

"It's all right, nadadith," he whispered in Kili's ear as he rubbed circles on his back. "It's all right."

XXX

Gandalf sat watching the preparations as he smoked his pipe.

We will leave on the morrow, and must make haste to the forest.

His mind turned, thinking of the riddle he'd solved and the perplexing questions it raised. Glancing toward the house, the wizard spotted Gloin exiting...without the young woman. Quickly realizing she was alone, he knocked out his pipe. Grabbing the long wooden staff, the wizard inconspicuously entered the house.

It did not take long for him to find Cirashala. She was back in the stall that served as her makeshift bedchamber tying the articles he knew were given to her at her earlier request and stuffing them into a small bag that would function as her pack. Gandalf realized that this would likely be the last time he would be able to speak with her alone, and the questions plaguing his mind must be answered. Clearing his throat, the young woman looked up at him.

"I admit you had me quite puzzled," the wizard began. "I imagine a hobbit would have fared far better than I. But though it took me a while, I finally solved the riddle you gave me back in Rivendell." The young woman's face drained of color as her eyes widened with a gasp, and he could tell she was about to bolt. Leaning on his staff, the wizard's gaze met hers, his expression dead serious as he blocked her path of escape.

"I think you and I need to take a brief turn about the garden, don't you?"

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Nadadith- little brother

A response to guest

reviewer Ri-chan: Yup :) And I hope that things slow down for you! I am familiar with Día de los Muertos- I live in the United States, and in some southern areas of my country, those who are Mexican-American still celebrate it :) Good luck! To answer your question- in dwarf culture, they only take one husband or wife in their lives, and if they can't have the one they want, they will have no other. So I realized that dwarf marriage vows last into death (not "until death do us part", like human marriage vows do) based on my research in Tolkien's appendices. And since the dwarves weren't likely educated in human love and marriage customs (it not being relevant to them for the most part), they don't know that Cira is able to love again and remarry once she's healed from her grief. So, since they don't know otherwise, they would assume that the same goes for humans- love once, marry once. Therefore, if she remarried or Kili pursued a relationship with her, they would consider it adultery (unless they find out that human customs are different from dwarf customs and she is in fact free to love and remarry without dishonor). And adultery is a grievous offense in dwarf culture. So until they learn that human customs, love, and marriage vows are different, they will assume that, as a widow, she is already married and thus unavailable to both love and marry Kili. While I appreciate your idea, I would respectfully rather leave reincarnation out of my fic :) And in Middle-earth, the only people who come even close to reincarnation as we think of it are elves- in that their souls get a new body if they die in Middle-earth before they reach Valinor, but it's identical to their old one and their souls still remember everything. Doesn't apply to dwarves or anyone else in ME ;) Best wishes to your family as well, and congratulations on your parents' anniversary :)

A response to guest reviewer Guest: You are welcome :) I will update as soon as I am able to find time to write :) I'm sorry- this chapter was supposed to be tense, but I'm glad you're still enjoying it :)

Thanks to all who read, favorite, and follow- you guys are the best! :D :D :D