I forgot to say in the previous two chapters. That picture on the right -------->
is Yue :3 Erica's Inner spirit that is light. Whoopsie....carry on....:D

"How the hell do you keep winning?" Dwalin asked in disbelief. So far Erica had won five games in a row and won some of the boys possessions. Fili's favourite dagger some gold coins, a gem necklace, Bofurs hat which she was wearing and somehow Dwalins axe to which he wasn't so happy with.

Erica smiled innocently "I've had my fair share in experience with poker" she said. Bofurs hat fell over her eyes making the men chuckle as she shifted it up with a blush.

She decided to pull out and go and see what else was going on, or possibly have a bath. She stood up stretching and put Bofurs hat back on his head "I don't want the stuff guys, I just wanted to annoy you" she said sweetly. Fili and Kili looked at her in disbelief and stood "you made me almost think I lost my favourite dagger forever!" Fili roared playfully. Erica eeped and ran with the brothers chasing after her

She twisted and dodged skillfully, sliding under the table and out, surprising Gandalf who laughed joyfully at the nephews game of chase.

"Jeez when did she get slick!?" Fili growled in disbelief. Erica giggled and jumped from beam to beam, avoiding the two Durin brothers

"Get er Kili get er!" Ori cheered

"Faster Erica!" Bombur laughed. Erica swung down from a beam and flipped over Kili and Filis heads and landed swiftly on her feet. Before they moved she smirked and sped up to them, freezing their feet in their place.

"Gah!" Fili cried, struggling to get loose

"Soooo not fair" Kili grunted.

Erica giggled and slipped down the halls and into a spare room. She noticed her bag on the bed so this must be her room. She sighed and flopped onto the bed, facing the ceiling. A few bumble bees buzzed above making her smile.

The warm sun on her face made her sleepy but she really really wanted a bath so she sat up and grabbed her bag, going in search of Beron. She finally found him in the kitchen " um Beron, is there any chance of me getting a bath?" She asked politely.

"Of course! But I'm afraid it will take a while to heat the water" he said.

"Oh I can take a cold one. I am ice remember. The cold never bothered me" she said smiling. Beron laughed and filled two large buckets with cold water and carried them to a washroom that had a large bathtub sitting in the middle of the room. He filled them up and pointed towards the scented oils then left her be.

She sighed and stripped down, stepping into the tub, hissing as she felt the coldness relax her tense body. She felt her scars from her previous battle sting a bit from the bath salts but she bared her teeth and cleaned herself up with a pine and jasmine scented oil.

"Found you!" Kili yelled bursting in the room with Fili behind. Erica screeched and threw a bar of soap at them "get out!" She screamed covering herself, her long hair getting tangled around the taps.

"Oh dear Mahal w-we are so sorry!" Fili yelped blushing while Kili stood with his mouth open.

"Well don't just stand there get out!" Erica yelled again. A pair of hands grabbed them by the scruff of their necks "you two out! I'll deal with you later" Thorin growled, flinging them out. He covered his eyes "Erica are you alright?" He asked in concern.

She let out a sigh "Yeah I just got a scare...but I'm stuck..." Erica mumbled

"Your stuck?" He questioned.

"Umm yeah um my hairs caught around the faucet...can , can you help me?" She asked timidly.

"But your umm..." He said awkwardly.

"It's okay, the bubbles are covering. Please it really hurts" Erica whimpered. Thorin slowly removed his hand from his face and chuckled at her situation. He took a stool and sat by her, his fingers working on untangling her hair. He noticed her scars going red raw and figured it was the bath salts so once Erica was free he reached over for some herbal cream. "Sit still and I'll treat your scars" he said softly.

She nodded and relaxed as he gently rubbed the cream over her back. She shivered at his warm touch against her cold skin. He smiled and leaned forward, kissing her neck gently "you have no idea what you do to me my love" he whispered huskily. Erica gulped feeling her cheeks grow red from embarrassment. He rubbed her shoulders and continued kissing her neck. She sighed and leaned against him.

"Tell me what Erebors like" she asked suddenly. Thorin smiled "it's beautiful. Halls lined with emeralds and rubies, warm rooms and beautiful views. When we reclaim it, you will have the finest gowns to wear and riches beyond your wildest dreams" he said thoughtfully.

"Riches and dresses don't interest me love. Only seeing you happy" Erica said softly. Thorin paused and laid his chin on her bare shoulder "and do you not deserve happiness love?" He asked.

"Happiness...is foreign to me. Living with my fath...I mean that man all those years...broke me...I just focus on making others happy before myself sometimes" she admitted sadly.

"Erica, look at me" Thorin said coming to her side. She looked into his eyes which where serious "I will do everything I can to make you happy. After Erebor is reclaimed we will find your real family and reunite you. Focus on your happiness...I want you to be happy all the time. Your smile just makes it all better. It has since I first laid my eyes on you" he said. Erica smiled and kissed his forehead "thank you Thorin" she whispered. He smiled and grabbed a large towel, handing it to her "I'll let you be" he said walking out the door. Erica stepped out and wrapped the towel around her. She returned to her room and changed into comfortable clothes that Beron left for her. She was wearing a pair of brown trousers and a white shirt.

She took the brush to her tangled hair and struggled to get the knots out. She growled in annoyance until a pair of hands took the brush from her. She looked up into Berons kind eyes and smiled. He smiled back and began to brush her hair from knots and braided it to the side for her "dinner is ready if you wish to join us." He said. She nodded and stood.

She looked at the fish tail braid and touched it but yelped when frost lined it. She laughed to herself then walking out the room behind him.

She smiled at her friends upon entering but glared at the two brothers who blushed and looked down at their food. She rolled her eyes and sat at the table to enjoy her food.

When everyone finished they gathered round the fire exchanging stories and songs and dance to fill in the evening. Erica was once again pulled up by Bifur and Bofur to dance in a jig with them. She smiled away, enjoying herself while she could. She was suddenly pushed into Thorins chest and giggled as he grasped her hands and danced with her. She became out of breath and sat on the hay next to him.

"Hey. Erica! Fancy playin us a tune!?" Dori asked.

"I don't have my violin...I lost it back up there" she replied sadly. Dwalin smirked and nudged Ori. He blushed and reached into his satchel and pulled out the familiar instrument "I-I kept it for you " he said shyly. Erica squealed and hugged the dwarf tightly "thank you thank you thank you!" She said in glee. Ori patted her back and pulled away with a red face. She sat next to Thorin and strummed her strings.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnJ7uOK4nY...

The company around her clapped and whistled as she took a bow "that was amazing Erica!" Nori complimented. Erica blushed and mumbled a thank you.

"Go on give us another lass!" Bofur begged.

" don't make her play If she doesn't want too..." Thorin reminded him. Erica laughed and ruffled his hair. "One more that's that" she laughed.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ki8hN7AWsZ...

"Way hey" they dwarves cheered. Erica smiled and moved off to the side as Bofur got himself up to sing.

She decided to go out for some air but she really wanted to just skate. It was her most favourite thing to do.

So she snuck outside and went towards the large lake behind Berons house. It had many trees surrounding the water. She grinned and stamped on the water, transforming it into ice and sent waves of frosty winds and flurries of snow, lining the trees beautifully with frost. She made ice blades appear on her shoes and glided on, basking in the wind tickling her face.

"Wow Erica! Your a natural!"

She stopped and turned to find a Fili, Kili and Dwalin smiling at her. She smiled and skated over to them "come on! Come join me!" She urged

"Oooooh no no no I don't think...." Dwalin began but spotted his weakness. The puppy eyes between the Durin brothers and Erica. He sighed and gave in.

With a wave of her hand ice blades appeared on their feet and they were dragged on. Dwalin struggled and almost fell a few times but a few gusts of wind kept him in balence. Soon the others came out and witnessed the skating lesson and laughed at Dwalins terrified face when Erica's back was agains his, blowing wind with her hands to make them move.

"OI! Aren't we gettin in on the fun!?" Bofur called. The ice girl smiled and made ice blades appear on their shoes. They all glided on including Beron and Gandalf.

Thorin skated towards her shakingly making her giggle "you haven't skated before have you?" She asked. Thorin smiled shaking his head. "I'm afraid not love." He admitted.

She took his hands and skated back "my turn to teach you then" she smiled pulling him further onto the lake.

"Glide left then, right and count 123 between each glide" she instructed. He did as told and soon he was skating like a pro. He glided with his lover, hand on waist and holding her hand.

They took a break and sat on a log together, watching the company have a good time skating away. Thorin took a deep breath and turned to Erica "Umm Erica, I was wondering if um...well" he stuttered

"What is it?" She asked. He sighed and took out two beads from his pocket "in dwarf custom, the males braid their lovers hair and fastens them with these beads to show that they are courting. May I braid yours?" He asked nervously. Erica smiled wide and nodded. He grinned and sat behind her, brushing her long ebony locks and made a complicated braid. He fastened the beads that adorned the Durin line symbol. She fingered the beautiful braid and turned to kiss him.

It was a happy moment for everyone and It made them forget what lies ahead...