Back at the throne room, Fili walked over to the guard and helped him stand up, "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes. Thanks." The guard answered.

Dain turned to Calium, "That is what happens when a prisoner tries to escape. So ye will not speak? It could save yer life."

"I'll speak if you let me and my men go." Calium offered.

Dain laughed, "I don't think so."

Calium shrugged, "Fine. Then you won't get the information you want."

Dain hesitated. "Fine." He agreed reluctantly. "I will let you and your men go, if you tell me what I want to know."

"Agreed." Calium smiled, "So, what do you want to know?"

"Well, first of all I would like to know what ye were doing in these parts." Dain asked.

"Well, we were just heading to the village of Sador, but when we found that blond dwarf," Calium gestured to Fili. "I figured we could make some money off him." He explained honestly.

"Why were ye headed to Sador?" Dain questioned.

"I live there...as do my wife and kids."

Dain nodded. "How do ye know the other prisoner?"

Calium swallowed and licked his lips, "Who?"

"The other prisoner who was just dragged out." Dain was skeptical. The man seemed too nervous.

"Oh, uh I don't know him." Calium answered.

Dain smirked, "Did I forget to mention that if you lie I will not let you go? I know that you know him."

Calium swallowed again, "Uh...okay...I do know him."

"Why were you with him?" Dain prodded.

"I wasn't...? We weren't...uh...traveling together." Calium flicked his fingers nervously.

Dain exhaled shortly in anger, "What did I say about lying?!"

"Well, he's...my son." Calium exhaled.

Dain raised an eyebrow in surprise. It did seem true. The man was definitely older and it seemed likely. "What were you two actually doing?"

Calium snorted, "I already told you! We were heading home."

"Why did yer...son...pretend to have an army?"

"Who knows...he's a foolish boy. He was probably trying to help me." Calium crossed his arms, readjusting.

Dain looked skeptical. The story seemed like it could be true...but Dain was not fully convinced.

Worried by the uneasy silence, Calium blurted, "But...he doesn't have to be part of the deal...seeing how he kinda made a mess of things..." Calium offered hopefully.

Dain shifted, "Your own son?" He asked for clarification.

Calium nodded vigorously, "Ya, I mean...he's been nothing but trouble since birth."

"What do you mean?" Dain raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Just that he's a foolish boy." Calium looked around the room at his men and back to Dain. "So, is the deal finished yet?"

"Not yet." Dain replied shortly, "I do not believe that he was just, as ye say, a foolish boy. I want the truth, understand?"

Calium sighed, "You're awfully nosy, aren't ya. That's kinda prying into my family affairs. I don't see how it effects the deal."

Dain glared at him, "Alright. You and your men will stay the night here, and tomorrow the deal will be finished." He paused. "One last question. What were ye and yer son talking about over here? Keep in mind the deal will not be finished until you answer my questions."

"He was telling me to kill you so we could escape." Calium answered calmly.

Dain guffawed, "And I take it ye didn't listen? As I'm still alive." He laughed again.

Calium shrugged nonchalantly, "Well it was a stupid idea."

Dain waved his hands at some guards. "Take him away." Four guards stepped forward and secured Calium between them. "Do not let him see or speak with the other prisoner."

"Yes, sir." They answered. "What about the other prisoners?" One of the guards gestured to Calium's men.

"Take them to the dungeon. Don't let them speak to each other. Post two guards for each prisoner to watch their cells." Dain ordered, turning to Calium he said, "If there is any other important information, I will pay you for it." He raised a questioning eyebrow, seeing if Calium would say something.

Calium's eyes lit up at the prospect of money, "Yes, be very careful with that boy of mine, he's dangerous. He has a very devious mind."

Dain nodded, "Go on."

"That's it. That's all I have to say. I can't say exactly how he's dangerous, but trust me, keep him in the most secure place." Calium insisted.

Dain nodded, "Thank you. You will get paid for that." Dain turned to the guards, "I want five guards posted at the other prisoner's cell. Do you know which prisoner?" The guards nodded.
"Good." Dain nodded. "You may all withdraw. Cêlnir, Kítra, Thorin, Kili, and Fili, you may all stay."

Suddenly, Kili had a thought, "Kítra isn't here!" He exclaimed. Dain paled. Fili looked around for the dwarf girl. She was nowhere in the room.

Kili thought back, "Cêlnir, you told her to run... But I don't think she did." He frowned, "I guess she might have."

Dain called for guards. "I want a search party of twenty warriors sent out to look for her. Cêlnir, you will accompany them."

"Maybe she's still here, but just left the room?" Fili suggested.

Kili shook his head, "She wasn't with us at all. But, maybe she just went straight to her room."

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Ithildae, Evara, and Aris