I was led to a large room with a bed on the far wall covered in a canopy. There was a balcony that had a bench on it, and vines covered in purple and white flowers looped around the railing. Behind a standing screen was a bathtub.

I almost cried when I saw that the tub already had warm water in it and soap on a table next to it. There were fresh towels and a dress that would fit me perfectly hung on the wall.

"Wow..." I breathed.

The servant smiled and bowed her head. "Lord Elrond can see what is to come and foresaw your coming. This was prepared for you this morning. Except the water- that's fresh."

I smiled at the servant and said, "Thank you. But...what about me is so special that I am being treated like this?"

"I don't know. Only Lord Elrond does." She bowed her head, then left the room, closing the doors with a click.

I looked at the tub and peeled off my clothes, dumping my weapons and satchel on the floor, and every bit of clothing I was wearing went into a pile on the floor along with my scarf. I got into the tub and sighed contentedly at the warm water.

I began to scrub the weeks of dirt off of me and dunked my head under the water. I stayed in the water until it was cold, then got out and dried off, then changed into the dress waiting for me. It was a soft blue and had matching slippers. I slid those on as well.

I looked in the mirror and stopped. Out of the dwarvish clothes of furs and dark colors, I looked like an elf. I guessed that was ok, since part of me was, anyways. But it was a strange feeling. In a way, I no longer envied the dwarf women who boasted braided beards and mustaches as I gazed at my blemish free skin and smooth cheeks.

I brushed through the curly hair, the only thing that made me dwarvish other than my height, and braided it back in tight braids on the sides to show off my pointed ears. The dress and bath gave me a new wave of confidence, and for a moment, I thought about Thorin's reaction.

No. I needed to stop that. Did I actually like Thorin, or did I just not want Dwalin interested in me? I didn't know. All I knew is that I cared for Thorin and Dwalin was my longest friend. And when I went out to join them, they'd see me in this dress and probably drool.

I guess I'd make my decision based on the way they behave around me as an elf.

Because whoever I end up with has to accept all parts of me. Dwarvish, Elvish, and whatever it means to be a Dracari. And I am not cheap.

I let out a slow breath, then opened the doors to my room to find the servant waiting for me. She smiled warmly at me and nodded for me to follow her.

I did so, and knew instantly where the dwarves were by the sounds of the ruckus they made.

But when I entered the room, all sounds ceased. They all stared wide-eyed at me. Thorin immediately stood up.

I found my face going red and I grumbled, "What? The second I'm not in trousers it's like you all remember I'm a woman and can clean up nicely when I want to." I said with an awkward laugh.

Fili grinned and Kili said, "That, dear sister, is because I don't remember seeing you in a dress until now." He laughed and a few of the others did, too.

"Ye look wonderful, lass!" Bofur called out and several others all began to nod and say "aye" in agreement before going back to their salads, trying to "find the meat".

I looked at Dwalin and be just sat there staring at me with an unreadable expression. I couldn't tell what he thought about me looking like this.

"What do you think, Dwalin?" I asked as I sat down across from him. Thorin only sat down once I was seated, I noticed.

"I...don't know what to say, Freya." Dwalin said and cleared his throat. "Ye look beautiful."

I smiled a little. "Thank you. I guess this part of my heritage is a reality, too. I rather like it."

"I think yer personality suits better to trousers." He says with a shrug and digs into his plate of food.

"My personality." I repeated, biting back my offense and irritation at the comment. "Does my more feminine side make you feel uncomfortable, kharm?" I asked, using the word in Khudzúl for brother.

He seemed to stiffen at what I called him, but merely replied, "No. I merely think the other you is more real."

I clenched my jaw, but before I could make a move to defend myself, Thorin spoke up.

"I see Freya sitting here, Master Dwalin." He have him a pointed look. "Last time I checked, there was only one Freya, and she is magnificent no matter what. I suggest you watch your tongue."

The two began to glare at each other, but part of me was wondering if I had shared my thoughts from earlier out loud, because here I was having my unspoken question answered.

I steeled my nerves and reached across the table and took Thorin's hand, squeezing it once. "Don't worry about it, Thorin."

I released his hand and just looked to my plate. I felt Dwalin's burning gaze on me, but I refused to look at him.

Suddenly, an elf broke apart the awkwardness when he came forward and said, "Freya and Thorin, your presence is requested by Lord Elrond."

I nodded and stood, tossing my napkin onto the table, too angry with Dwalin to even look at him.

Thorin stood and came to walk next to me, and when we were out of eyesight and earshot, I took his hand and just whispered, "Thank you."

He squeezed my hand back and said, "For what?"

"You know what." I said.

He stopped walking and looked at me, not releasing my hand. "I was thinking and watching your actions around him over the rest of the day from the morning after the trolls. How you are so careful not to exclude him in anything you say or do or how you act...and yet, he hurt you. That led me to believe there was something more going on here." He looked at me and held my hand in both of his as he asked, "Has he threatened you, Freya?"

He looks me in the eyes, oceanic gaze capturing and holding my attention just as he held my hand. I didn't know what to say. What was I supposed to say? Question him about watching me? He was my king. He's just looking our for me the way I looked out for him all those years traveling east of the Blue Hills where the rest of our kin were.

But I didn't let go of his hand. Because this was Thorin. The man I've always trusted with my life. The one I knew would never hurt me. But I had once thought that was Dwalin. And he threatened me. He threatened to spill the last thing I had that would sever what respect the Company had for me. If they found out I let that dragon take the gold...that I was the reason for it all...

I squeezed my eyes shut and stiffened as his arms immediately wrapped around me. I didn't even hesitate to wrap my arms around him, clinging to his fur coat and burying my face into his shoulder.

"Threatening you was a mistake." He whispered. "You will not live in fear, Freya. Not while I breathe. He won't be allowed near you. And that's the end of it."

I didn't answer because how could I? I didn't even know where to begin or how to refuse my king. But, I wondered what he'd think of me if he knew my secret.

And I knew that even if I had to sacrifice this...this feeling of comfort I've never known before, it would be worth it. Because I wouldn't have to endure a look of pain, betrayal, or anger from those blue eyes.

Because I was more scared of him finding out and losing him than I was of lying to him. And I guess that makes me just as awful, but I just didn't know how to tell him I bartered away his kingdom.

I gently pulled away and wiped the unexpected moisture from my eyes, then said, "Thank you. We should go see what Lord Elrond wants."

He nodded, not saying anything more, and instead offered me his arm. A formal gesture. As if I were some important noble and not a body guard for the King of Erebor.

But I looped my arm through Thorin's and we followed the elf to the balcony that was even more stunning than ever.

Sitting around a table with Elrond were Bilbo, Gandalf, an old man I didn't recognize, and a beautiful golden-haired elleth. Her blue eyes caught mine and I heard her voice but her lips didn't move.

But the name she called me made me pause.

Freya Arodiel, you are finally dressed the way someone of your station should be.

I blinked. "My...station? What does Arodiel mean, my lady?" I asked out loud. The others all stared at me, but the elleth merely gave me a warm smile.

"It means 'daughter of nobility'. You look much like your father, Freya. Your brother, too."

"What? You...you knew my father?" I asked breathlessly, releasing Thorin's arm to step towards the table. He came up behind me to pull out a chair for me to sit and I did. He took the seat next to me, Bilbo at my left.

"Lady Galadriel. You can't mean..." Elrond breathed, eyebrows furrowed and mouth slightly parted. Gandalf looked just as much surprised as Elrond, as did the old man.

"Yes." Galadriel said with another knowing smile. "Freya is the daughter of the dwarf Clarissa and Thranduil, King of Mirkwood."