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A Whisper in the Forest

The door opened and there stood Thorin and Mäetharanel, the latter looked rather grumpy while the dwarf looked smug. Bilbo, who had only heard tales about the elves, stared at the woman with wide, surprised eyes. She smiled gently. 

"Gandalf, I thought you said this place would be easy to find", the king marched inside and the elf ducked right behind him, and looked around while approaching Gandalf, "I lost my way, twice. I wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door", the dwarves bowed down to their king, and Bilbo, who was still mesmerized by the elf inside his home, came back to earth.

"Mark? There's no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!", frowned the Baggins.

"There is a mark; I put it there myself", said the wizard, and Mäetharanel smiled discreetly at the hobbit's face, "Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield", Thorin looked him up and down and stepped towards him, judging Bilbo.

"So, this is the hobbit", the elf sat down and Thorin's nephews each took a stand by her side, "Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?"

"And so it begins", Mäetharanel couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Must he frighten the poor creature? He is evil, that uncle of yours", Kili snickered and she smiled while rolling her neck.

"Pardon me?", the ginger raised an eyebrow. Fight? Him? Ah!

"Axe or sword? What is your weapon of choice?" Oakenshield kept on walking around him and the hobbit arranjed his posture.

"It's quite hot in here, isn't it?", Dís' younger son shook his head, but still, he went to find something so Mäeth could fan herself.

"Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant", the dwarf crossed his arms. What did he want? Bilbo was not about to be bullied, inside his own home no less!

"Thought as much", Thorin smirked, and looked back at his family, "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar", the dwarves laughed and the elf gave them a reproving look while waving herself with a book Kili had given her. 

But their leader's warm smile would never matter less than her look. Thorin walked inside and everyone followed. They sat around the table inside the sitting room, curious to hear what their king had brought. A metting had been held, back at their home, with representatives from all the dwarf kingdoms, and Mäetharanel.

"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin? Did they all come?", asked Balin, and their elf couldn't help but smile. Of course he'd be the one to worry about what was truly important.

"Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms", everyone murmured, excited. Thorin shared a look with his partner, that now sat by his side, and looked down. 

"What did the dwarves of the Iron Hills say?", Dwalin had a smile in his face, "Is Dain with us?", oh, how Mäetharanel wished he was! 

Smirking, she remembered how the lord had yelled, indignantly, as soon as she appeared after his cousin. 

"What's that thing doing here!?", he had said.

"Mäetharanel is my One, cousin, and you will respect her", Thorin had defended her, but she wasn't known to be quiet when insulted.

"A pleasure to make your acquitance, lord Dain", of course, he had glared. He had no care for Thorin's words, "Perhaps I could give you a tour of the Blue Mountains? It seems I have a different effect in you, and it interests me so...", and the color in his face had rivaled his hair, he had tried to answer but all that came from his mouth were stuters, from how angry he had been.