AN: Thanks for the likes and subscribes, I apologize about the gap and will try to write more as time allows.

I don't own anything affiliated or associated with The Hobbit or LOTR.

"Where there's life there's hope."

J.R.R Tolkien- The Hobbit

Morning was at a slow crawl for the dwarves, even Balin was getting nervous. What if the Elf-queen changed her mind and sent them away back in the cold? All the dwarves stunk of nervousness, but Thorin was just angry. Her final words to him plagued him all night and he hardly slept. A plethora of questions haunted the small party, and they wanted answers.

After what seemed like years (centuries for the younger, impatient dwarves) Thare approached them in the dining hall and said with a frozen, practiced cordial greeting " Good morn, did you slumber and sup well this morning?"

Oin, without thought, replied "The only blessing is that we weren't thrown out into the cold to the wolves and such!"

Thare replied darkly "there are worse things than wolves out in the cold, dwarf…"

Bofur gave Oin an elbow and replied humbly "Master Thare, Oin didn't mean it, honest-"

Thare cut him off "Oh. But I did… and I did originally come out here to let you know that Lady Nimue is well enough now to see you. Don't upset her, and for your sakes… let your appointed emissary speak, for I'd hate to see what happens to the dwarves with loose tongues and yes, that is a promise… Follow me to her chambers."

The illuminated hall seem to go on forever, and there was a number of doors all elaborately painted and illustrated. Each door seem to tell a story, and once in awhile, they would see silken tapestries adorning the walls, polar bears and arctic creatures decorated most of these. Elven armors of different makes silently lined the walls, staring at them as they passed. The pieces of furniture itself was also works of art, the craftsmanship excellent, the wood and metal shined as if it were brand new.

The Queen's door was most beautiful of all. A pack of wolves were baying at the full moon, the scene before them looked like it would come to life. The door opened revealing a large, canopy bed adorned with various furs. A roaring fire was going, and a large bay window peaked over the valley and down below the ship yards, and various villages as well. It was a sight to see, but not as beautiful as the woman standing at the window.

She was wrapped in a furry robe that seemed to drown her. Her hair was tied up in a simple bun, showing off her graceful, swan-like neck. She wore no jewelry, and her skin seemed even paler than yesterday, giving off a lunar glow. She gestured for Thare and the dwarf company to come in. They sat in plush, velvety chairs, while Thare stood in the corner eyeballing them all like a hawk.

Nimue's voice was silky and gentle when she addressed them "The room you are in is sound proof, any information spoken today will not leave this room. You are safe here, I hope you all slept well this morning?"

Balin, the appointed speaker, replied "Yes your ladyship, this is the most hospitality we have received since we started our journey, we all thank you kindly."

Her lips curved into a small smile and replied off-topic "You know, out of all the races in Middle Earth, besides ours of course, dwarves are my favorite… would you like to know why?"

Balin dipped his head and she replied "They are the most resilient, the stubbornness of dwarves, scholars say, is their downfall. Me however…" She paused and sipped from a blue and white tea-cup, then continued " I think it's what saved you all this time from your worry, your grief, and it has fueled your hope, and passion for your home under the mountain."

Balin replied slightly taken aback "Milady, how could you know such things?"

Nimue looked up at Thare, when he nodded she replied with a somber face "When I was a little girl, my mother told me a story. Now, I didn't believe it at the time but, it is very real and very true now. All the women born into the Valisilwen family have what you call "The Touch" we sense things, and see things how they happened, while they're happening, and before they happen. It all started at the beginning of time, many generations ago a woman in our family drank from the forbidden waters of Lunar lake, and was cursed by the moon with this 'touch.' I have been watching you for sometime now, but the touch itself comes and goes, and sometimes I miss things…that in itself is the curse. It drove my grandmother mad, and she threw herself from the balcony when my parents…descended into the west. She couldn't foresee the accident and was mad with grief."

Balin replied with a small frown "My condolences your majesty, but why us? And why now do you seek to give us aid?"

Nimue replied " My parent's solely believed that if they hid our race from the world, we could be protected for all time. They sat on the sidelines as war plagued the land, and destroy the world I fell in love with. When I ascended to the throne I made a vow, that I would help those I could with what I had. My mother chose not to use her gift for the good of the world, but I aim to change the myth's and legends of our people. Tell me Balin, do you speak for the feelings of all your kinsmen?"

Balin replied a little stiffly "Yes, with our and your best interests at heart. I don't-"

Nimue replied with a nod "Please, don't think that you need to shield me from your thoughts. All of you can speak freely, I am afraid sometimes Thare becomes to over protective. I may look like a delicate, young woman but I assure you I am well aware of the plight of the world-"

Thorin spoke up " Do you really, or is that all talk?"

Thare unsheathed his sword ready to spring when Nimue replied " Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain, the savior of his race… yes. I know that Smaug came and destroyed everything you worked so hard to protect. I know both your father and grandfather went mad with grief, greed, and rage. All the responsibility fell on you to regain the pride, honor, and heart of the dwarves of Erebor. Along with the touch, I can feel emotions…the suffering of you and your people do not go unheard. I heard your cries, and tickled your mind with the thought of help from the winter mountains. Speak freely yes, speak plainly even if you must but please, do not address me as a fool. For we both know better.."

Thorin look down, knowing he was just put in his place, and he replied deeply " I apologize your majesty, I had no idea that you knew, I thought that-"

Nimue finished his sentence, which she didn't need foresight for, " I was ignorant to the falling of the free world? I can understand your reluctance for help from tall tales and legends. But I am here to help you, and give you whatever you need for your journey. I have been visited from someone you are quite familiar with: Mithrandir, who has been like a father to me since I was a little girl."

Kili spoke up " Is he here then?"

Nimue looked over to him, her heart skipped a beat slightly, making her hand grasp her chest, she answered quietly "No, I am afraid he has moved on already, said something about a burglar in the lands of green."

Thare asked from across the room "Are you alright my Queen?"

Nimue replied off-handily "Yes Thare, I am…fine."

Ori blurted out "When you touch people, can you see things?"

That defiantly earned a glare from Thare, Nimue replied with a small chuckle "Sometimes yes, all it takes is a small touch on the hands to see a millennia of things. Like I said, it comes and goes-"

Thorin said with a small smirk "And causes headaches?"

Nimue gave a small nod and replied "Now to the business at hand, what do you need from me? I missed that part of your journey."

Thorin replied succinctly " A small regimen wouldn't hurt our feelings, supplies, food, water, and any information you have on dragons. We lost all of our tomes on wyrms when Smaug burned it all."

Nimue stood, looking out the window towards the mountains and replied thoughtfully "Did you know that dragons were more abundant years ago? Ice dragons used to make their nests and homes on the tops of the mountains? They did that so no one could reach them. Their greed for treasure seems the most likely source of their dwindling numbers. Our librarian should be able to point you in the right direction. Anything else you might ask or need of me? I am at your full service Lord Oakenshield."

Thorin replied with a practiced smile " Lady Nimue, please, call me Thorin. For I am your guest, not your host."

Nimue chuckled "Most gracious of you, could I encourage you all to stay a few more nights? A blizzard is coming and I am afraid to see you stuck in it."

They whispered amongst themselves and Balin replied with a deep bow "Your Grace, it would be with the utmost honor to trouble your palace with our presence."

Nimue tipped her head and said with a gentle chime of a laugh "Like I said, besides our race, dwarves are my favorite race. Help yourselves to our pantries, kitchens, stables, and the like. I will join you later for now, I need to palaver with my council."

Thare escorted them out back to the dining hall, and left the dwarves to their own devices, making Ori reply " So, I don't know about the rest of you, but I am curious about the bears… shall we?"

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