That evening they all stayed at the cottage so they could catch up and visit with each other until they became tired . Tia was givin the bed to sleep in while all the men slept in the loft , which in the morning the three awoke to the smell of food cooking down in the kitchen. Bofur was the first to go down and saw Tia stirring porridge and browning some bread for toast. He quietly walked over softly clearing his throat so not to startle her and not loud enough to wake the others up.Tia turned to look at who made the sound and saw Bofur with hair messed up and shirt partially undone baring some hair on his chest. As he got closer he saw where her eyes had wandered and he gave a lopsided grin to her which she blushed at being caught looking and she turned around. Tias heart began to pound and she felt the heat in her cheeks form. " Mmm.. i like that lassie.." she glanced over at him and saw him looking into her eyes. Her heart pounded so hard she thought everyone would hear and felt the heat in her cheeks get hotter as she spoke.

"W..w.. what you like ?" she stuttered while looking in his eyes.

" The food ..it smells good " he figured it was wise to say he meant the food.. for now. She nodded not trusting her voice at that moment and it was about then that the others got up. As they ate she didnt know why she felt dissapointed..he loved her cooking..but why did it bother her. Did she want him to say it was her that he liked ? She didnt get to think to long about it for it was time to get back to town ..they had to leave the next day for home. They all promised they would get back together soon as a family.

"Rasup gamut khagam (farewell father). she leaned in and kissed his cheek goodbye and Tohlm semi-embraced him.

" Rasup gamut men berch vel makk (farewell my daughter and son). Tak yemu (until later)." they parted and got on thier ponies heading back into town.

They were halfway to town when out of no where three orcs attacked them. The pony threw Tia from its back and she landed hard knocking the breath from her body. Bofur and Tohlm dismounted without incident running to her as the orcs closed in on her since she was the closest . Tia looked up and saw a sword descending towards her and she cringed in fear expecting to feel the blade slashing her when suddenly she heard metal on metal and she looked up again. There stood Bofur over her with his mattock in hand stopping the blade from reaching her. he pushed the beast back and swung the axe side of the mattock at the orcs head chopping it off, Another orc rushed him but he quickly dispatched it by disembowling it before it could do any harm. Bofur turned around looking down on Tia who still laid there and reached his hand out to her with worry evident in his eyes." Yeh alright lass?"

She suddenly had a flash back to a dream long ago of something similiar happening and just like in her dream there stood Bofur pulling her into his arms to hold her close comforting her . Bofur looked over to where Tohlm was at and saw him dispatching the other orc with ease while holding Tia close still not letting her go till his heart calmed down . He sighed with relief that they were all fine when suddenly he felt her jerk in his arms and cry out in pain. The orc that he had cut open ,with his dying breath ,stabbed her in the back then it collapsed dead on the ground. Bofur looked into her eyes as she whimperd in pain in his arms and he let out a roar "No Tia!" she collapsed and passed out in his arms and he felt fear unlike he had ever known sweep through him. Hearing Bofur scream Tohlm spun around and saw his sister collapse in his arms. Bofur picked her up in his arms looking around for thier mounts and saw his and Tohlms not far. "Tohlm get the horses.. we have to hurry." he shouted and Tohlm retrieved the mounts . Bofur handed Tia over to Tohlm so he could mount and he reached for her. As soon as she was in his arms he spurred the pony into a run as fast as it could go ..racing for Dahls home hoping Ahmi was there to save his heart from dying.

" Please hang on lassie..please hang on ..were almost there." he kept chanting as the ground blurred under them in thier headlong flight to the healer. As they got closer he started shouting " Ahmi! Kechi! Help..Tias hurt!"

Mahal was with him that day for as soon as shouted the door flew open and Ahmi and Alysi came running out. Bofur didnt even wait for the horse to come to a full stop before jumped out of the saddle with Tia in his arms still. Ahmi saw how pale she was and directed him quickly to the couch to lay her down on her stomach... removing the knife from her back. As soon he laid her down he grabbed her hand holding it tightly in his own while praying to Mahal to not take her from him. Ahmi worked feverishly through the day and into the night applying herbs to the wound to battle infection and wrapping it to stop the bleeding. Bofur stayed with her through it all holding her hand vaguely noticing when Tohlm , Dahl, Alysi, or Kechi came thru to check on them.

" Tia rose dont leave me.. men tessu menu (you are my everything)..Men lananubukhs menu ghivashel( i love you treasure of treasures). " as he was kneeling there by her side, head bowed .. it was late in the night..he felt her hand squeeze his and he looked up into the green eyes he longed to see since she had been struck. He stopped breathing for a moment until she smiled and he suddenly could breath again. He felt a tear winding it way down his face and he didnt even care ..he let it fall.

"I heard you..i could hear you the whole time but i couldnt talk" she whispered as her hand gently wiped the tear from his face." men lananubukhs menu (i love you ) also. " With those words his heart sang from joy and he leaned over to kiss her head. She sighed in displeasure at him not kissing her lips and he chuckled as he placed his forehead against hers.

" Amralime( my love)..if i were to kiss yah i wouldnt ever stop." he smiled as he looked deeply into her eyes.

" Ahh-hmm.. if your done declaring your love can I have a look at my patient please?" Tias face went red as Bofur turned his head to see Ahmi standing there smiling at them.

"Of course" he started to get up but realized their hands were still entwined still. He looked down at her and smiled that sweet goofy smile of his that always made her smile." I'll be in the other room..call if yah need me or want me back by yer side." She let his hand go and he stroked her cheek with his finger before walking away. Ahmi gave her a smug look as Tia blushed even further.

"So..he's wanting to court you ?" Tia hesitantly nodded and smiled." Its about time" she chuckeled and smiled at Tias blushes." Now let's get you better so he can court you properly"

***********************************

Several days later they were slowly making their way back to Gondalond. Tia was riding in a small cart with her cousins because she still wasn't up to moving about to much and Tohlm, Bofur,uncle Dahl, and her father Kahrn were riding ponies escorting them back. It took them day and half to make the trip instead of one but the trip was peaceful without incident. They all talked about some things that occurred to them and of course braiding a yeti came up ..it seemed to be everyones favorite. While they traveled Bofur picked a pink rose and gave it to Tia who placed it into her hair as she blushed and smiled a sweet smile to him. Everyone smiled at them as they tried not to pay attention giving them some privacy but still keeping an eye on them especially Tohlm who remembered what happened before they left.

Earlier before they left on this trip Bofur approached Tia in private looking all nervous . Tia was sitting in the family room in a chair by the fire waiting till it was time to go, forbidden to do anything that could possibly undo the healing Ahmi had done .

"Tia?" Bofur came over to her chair and knelt in front of her to be on better eye level fiddling with something in his pocket.

"Yes.. Bofur?" Her voice came out shy as she looked into his green brown eyes .

" I was hopin yeh would allow meh to court yeh in the proper way." he gazed into her soft jade green eyes . Her smile was all the answer he needed as he pulled out a dark rosewood beaded clasp with jade inlay . He nervously braided her hair and put the clasp on the end to hold it together , proving that she was no longer available for anyone else to court her. Tia looked at the beaded clasp and tears formed in her eyes at the beauty of it for she knew he spent a long time in making it for her. She suddenly threw herself into his arms wincing from the pain but not caring and placed a kiss on his lips before he could react. As soon as he felt her soft lips on his own he gave up on trying not to kiss her and surrendered to the pleasure of her touch. He deepened the kiss as he felt her body tremble in his arms and he drew her into his lap straddling him . A moan escaped him when he felt her tongue sliding across his , tasting him, teasing him with her sweet mouth imprinting her taste in his mind. They wouldnt have stopped if it wasnt they needed air.

Bofur leaned back away from her and saw her eyes were glazed over with passion and her lips were swollen ,all begging for more of him. He wanted to keep going..kissing her forever..feeling her body cuddling his hips perfectly...hearing her breathy gasps of desire just for him. His hands roamed over her body as he started to drag her close once again to kiss her when suddenly she whimpered in pain from his hand touching the wounded area and it brought him back to his senses.

"Oi, ghivashel im so sorry i hurt yah.. I shouldda stopped ." he leaned his head in till their foreheads touched. At that moment there was a cough behind them and Bofur quickly turned his head and saw Tohlm standing there giving him a piercing look over Bofurs transgressions with his sister. They both blushed as they realized how intimate the position of thier bodies were to each others. Bofur gently lifted Tia off his lap and helped her get settled back in the chair before he moved away passing Tohlm who was starring at him sternly.

8 years pass.

It had been eight years since they had found her family and started courting each other. Tias family was overjoyed that they were going to make things permanent as soon as she finally came of legal age..which wasnt far off from now..and they visited often. Tia had healed up perfectly and all she had to show was a tiny scar on her back. Her life was absolutely perfect to her..she was going to marry her men andr torak (other half of soul) and best friend soon, ...they made sure they kept it proper for a woman had to wait till she wed .. her an Ognir made amends before he had passed away (which was the only cloud in her life)....and she was now a master jeweler herself. Things coouldnt seem any more perfect.

Tia was working the shop that she shared with her master..now partner.. helping a man pick something out for a girl he was courting when suddenly Bofur came into the shop breathing hard and looking pained.

"Excuse me for a moment sir." she moved out from behind the counter and hurried over to him worry evident on her face. " Bofur.. whats wrong?"

"Its Master Grieg. Hes..Hes....dead." his voice broke on the last word as he pulled her close and held her tight. Tias body went stiff for a moment then went limp as she passed out from shock.

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"Wake up lass." Tia could hear Bofurs voice softly calling her back to consciousness. Bofur saw her eyes fluttering open and he breathed a sigh of relief as he helped her sit up on her bed." Come on amralime..sit up..I got you." As she sat up she realized she was on her bed in her room with Bofur sitting on the edge of it.

"What happened? How did I get here?"she felt fuzzy headed and couldn't think for a moment. Bofur held her hand as he related what happened after she fainted.

"I carried yeh up here after yah fainted in me arms and I closed the shop up for yah lassie." She looked at him with questions in her eyes so he took a deep breath as he continued. "He was on his way back from making that special delivery when a group of goblins attacked..Ah love..I'm sorry about master grieg..he was a good man." Tia suddenly started to sob and he pulled her into his arms holding her tight as she cried. He held her in his arms all night as they mourned over the loss of a good friend and mentor. Morning came to soon for either of them and they knew they had to deal with the arrangements and necessities. Bofur was the first to wake up ,finding Tia wrapped around him sleeping on his arm that was falling asleep. He tried to slide out from under her but every inch he moved away she wiggeled closer. Watching this made him chuckle rousing her a little.

"Hmmm..what you laughing at?" Her eyes stayed close as she snuggeled into his arms .

"Yeh look so cute luv..laying here with your nose scrunching up." He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose which made her sigh wanting more..he leaned back down and kissed her lips and was rewarded with a soft moan. After a bit he lifted his head and gazed into her stunning green eyes that were filled with desire for him. "Men eleneku menu o bepap opetu ezirak( i desire you more than an endless vein of mithril) "

"Men tessu menu (you are my everything)amralime (my love) ." she smiled as she pulled his mouth back to hers softly kissing him .

"Mmmm..." he groaned as her body pressed against his. He forced himself to lift his head and pull away from her tempting mouth and body as he sighed in frustration."But right now is not the time me love." he stood up and walked into the kitchen to find food for them. She groaned in frustration but knew he was right so she got up and went to help him but he shooed her away ."I got this lassie..yah go and relax till im done luv." he lightly stroked her cheek with his finger. She turned away with a smile and went to the bathing room to freshen up for the long day.It didnt take her long to finish with the smell of breakfast luring her back into the main room quickly. The sight of Bofur setting the table for her made her feel cherished by him when such sadness was all around her.

*****************************************************

The funeral was a very private affair , attended by his family and friends to mourn him. As everyone gathered around to say thier goodbyes there was a murmur from the back of the room and a few gasps. Tia turned around to see what was up and spotted a tall dwarf with dark hair being trailed by two younger yet equally tall dwarves walking towards her as the crowd parted to let them through .She looked at them closer as they walked up to her. The older dwarf had long black hair with a braid on either side and he had a regal demeanor about him as did the other two. He inclined his head in greeting and respect towards her then took her hand as he spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"My condolances lady on your loss . Grieg was a good man of my clan and we will miss him greatly. Even tho he is now by Mahals side , he will be remembered and missed." Tia bowed her head back to the man. Everyone said thier goodbyes to Grieg and then the older dwarf began to sing a song.

The night is black, the sky is blotted out, we have left the holds of our fathers,

And grieg has returned to the maker. the light becomes dark,

The night and again night, the day with sorrow tomorrow

For grieg has returned to the maker.

The old ones have passed away, thier homes are the stones far off, below,

Their spirits are laboring free. Where are thier spirits laboring?

Only the rocks know, or the passing wind.

And grieg has returned to the maker.

Are they below, the old ones?Are they here?

Do they labor warm by his forge, do they see our offering?

Tomorrow is naked and empty, for grieg has gone

He is no longer seated with us at our fire.

As he sang tears started to fall from her eyes and she reached for bofurs hand listening to the beautful voice singing the dwarven burial song. As the song ended the man bowed his head and everyone else followed suit , then the man turned around and walked away with Tia and Bofur following. Bofur was escorting Tia back to her home when there was a voice that called out to her and she turned around to see who it was. It was the older dwarf who sang and he was walking towards her with the other two younger ones following.

"My lady. May we intrude on your hospitality for awhile?" he softly spoke to her. She looked at Bofur as he bowed deeply to the man saying " Thanu men ( my king)." hearing those words starteled her into looking back at the man before her who waited for her to say something. she found her voice quickly.

"Of course. You are welcome in my home." she bowed to him then gestured the way . As they walked, her thoughts kept spinning over this man and she kept sneaking glances at him and his companions. ~This must be king Thorin...the exiled king under the mountain Grieg had told me about..and my third cousin. Who could the other two be?~ she looked at them a little bit closer. They were both tall but the one on Thorins right was blond with two braids on both sides of his face and he had a braided mustache that made him look just as regal as the king. The other young dwarf that walked on Thorins left was almost opposite of the blonde.. his hair was a dark brown but he had no braids in his hair that she could see and he had a very scruffy almost non existent beard which made him look sorta rogue like. As she glanced at them the dark haired one looked at her and smiled..she had been caught looking...and she could here a chuckle come from him. Thorin turned his head and looked at him with his eyebrow cocked but at that moment they arrived .

******************************************

"May i get you something to drink?"She asked the three of them as soon as they entered the living area above the shop. "please..thank you." he said. and she quickly went to the kitchen to pour ale for them leaving Bofur to talk with Thorin and the other two. As she was pouring ale into the mug she remembered doing this for grieg and her vision blurred for a moment causing the mug to slip from her hand. She watched it fall knowing she couldnt catch it in time when suddenly a hand shot out and caught it.. it was the dark haired one who grabbed it in time. She looked at him as he straightened up with the saved ale in hand. "There you go miss...?"

"Tia. Thank you mr..?" she asked him as she took the mug from him.

"Kili..at your service." with that he bowed to her and she nodded her head at him. "I came to offer my help ,to you, miss Tia." which earned him a smile and thank you again as she went back to pouring the ale.

"Im sorry if i was starring earlier..Im just not familiar with who you all are...Men gajamu (i apologize)." she bowed her head in embarrassment over this and got a chuckle from him.

"Then let me be at your service again lady..The older gentleman is my uncle King Thorin as you can guess. The other gentleman is my older brother and the heir Prince Fili ..and im Prince Kili." he smiled at her charmingly. She was so surprised hearing who they were that she blurted out before stopping to think.

"Your my cousin also?" she blushed at her outburst and heard the conversation pause in the other room. She grabbed the other two ales leaving a stunned and speechless Kili to bring the others. As she entered the room she stopped seeing the looks of surprise on two pairs of faces and Bofur looking kind of sheepish. " I think im in need of explaining this." she handed Thorin and Bofur thier ale as Kili came into the room giving Fili his and heard Thorins speak with authority in his voice.

"Please do." everyone sat down as she started telling them about what her father had told her several years ago. As she finished she saw doubt in thier eyes over her tale so she stood up and went to her room to retrieve the ring that was her mothers and she handed it to Thorin whose eyes went wide. " This is a royal ring of Durin..no other but the royal family has this" he showed her one of his rings on his hand..they matched almost perfectly. After starring at her, then the ring, then back again for a few moments he nodded his head at her and doubt left his eyes.

"It seems i have a new cousin...Welcome to the family Tia Durin." she smiled but started to shake her head which made him look questioning at her.

"Not just me King Thorin..." he held up his hand Thorin..just Thorin.." Thorin. " she corrected." Im not the only one ..theres my older brother here in town and In noglond i have a father ..Kahrn and my uncle Dahl who has three daughters . " there was choking on ale at the mentioned of three girls..which having one was a rarity much less than three of them was a miracle.

Kili sputtered out Three before he started coughing again. Tia tried to hide her smile as they gathered thier composure again so she looked at Bofur who just sat there smiling that smile of his that made her heart dance everytime. It took Thorin a few minutes to absorb her words before he spoke to the room.

"I think we need to stop in Noglond and visit this family of yours. So what can i do for you little cousin? " he asked her.

"Nothing really. Im happy just knowing i have family close by " she smiled sweetly at them truly happy about finding her Khaham (clan) which made even Thorin smile and he stood up with his arms streched out gathering her to him in a hug.

"You do.. You will always have a Khaham in us." he smiled and saw Bofur getting a little bit perturbed behind her so he released her with a knowing look at him. As soon as he let her go she was suddenly embraced by the other two with a welcome to the family . The moment they let her go Bofur pulled her to him and held her hand tight refusing to relinquish it. She smiled with love in her eyes for him not seeing the others exchanging knowing looks with each other and a nod from Bofur who spoke to Thorin.

"Actually there is something yeh could do." Tia looked up quickly with curiosity at him and Thorin inclined his head for him to continue." Im going tah marry her and i know we both would like yah to give us yur blessin on it " seeing her eyes light up made him smile.

" Is this what you want Tia?.Do you want to marry this man?"He solomnely asked her.

"Yes. I do wish for you to bless our marriage when the time comes...Im still not quit of age yet..but soon." she blushed over asking for such a gift of the king. Thorin smiled and placed a hand on each of thier shoulders as he spoke.

"Then so shall it be. When you come of age come to me and i will give you away with my blessing to such a fine warrior and friend." at his words she smiled with joy. Thru the day and into the evening they visited with each other till it was time for them all to retire for the evening. Bofur invited them to stay with him and Tohlm at his place ,since his brothers were gone for a few weeks visiting the family back home, to rest up before thier trip back to Thorins halls in the morning.

Nearly 2 years passed 3 months till Durins day.

It had been almost several years since Grieg passed away and Tia was extremely busy trying to keep up with the demands of special orders for Durins day gifts. She also was busy getting ready for her marriage to Bofur after Durins day passed,which also happened to be her birthday and she was excited. It was getting close to the evening when she closed shop when suddenly there was a commotion going on outside. She went out from behind the counter to maybe see what was up when Tohlm came rushing inside and the look in his eyes brought a chill to her.

"Tohlm? Whats..." he didnt let her finish as he grabbed her hand and started to drag her out the door.

"Its Bofur Tia. Hes been in an accident." a chill went thru her as he pulled her along towards the edge of town where there were some mines at, and she ran faster. As tia ran she remembered that Bofur said he was going to help out in the mines for a bit to earn extra income while leaving Tohlm to help mind the shop since he was good enough to manage on his own now. She told him he didnt need to do that but he really wanted to make sure he could provide the best for her and he came from a mining family so it was in his blood didnt you know. As they got closer she started praying Please...oh ..please..oh ..please..Mahal let him be ok.. please dont take him away from her ..her heart was pounding in fear that she may have lost her one love. There was alot of people gathered at the entrance of the mines helping to dig out any survivors that may be alive. They both joined in by grabbing shovels and helping while people related what happened..it seemed that one of the tunnels had collapsed and trapped a few of the miners who didnt get out in time...and Bofur was one of them trapped.

Shortly there was a shout coming from over by one of the diggers..they found someone...it was a body. Tias body started to shake and Tohlm held her to him as they brought the body past..it wasnt him..then another shout and another. They kept pulling miners out..some alive and some not so lucky..but still no Bofur. Tia felt her heart breaking as she realized that he was gone from her when suddenly there was a cry as a dust covered man who was hobbling came into view being supported by another man who looked no worse for wear. Tia looked at the hobbling man and saw two braids that defied gravity and she felt her heart cry in joy.

"Bofur?..BOFUR!" she started to run to him screaming his name in joy as she saw his smile upon seeing her. Her and Tohlm got to his side as he was set down on the ground by the man who left to seek his own healers attention and she collapsed at his side sobbing from relief of him being alive. he reached out and pulled her into his arms holding her tight to him stroking her hair as she cried hard into his chest.

"Shhhh..me luv..Rasup men amralime (i am okay my love).. shhh..ghivashel..me sweet rose dont cry anymore..its justa leg..ill heal." He kept whispering into her ear trying to calm her down ."My Tia..you gotta stop yur breaking me heart with yur tears." after a few moments she finally calmed down. Tohlm reached under Bofurs arm to help him up and took him over to the healers tent to get checked out.