Dwalin kept looking at the mountain while he walked over the wide, paved path that led up. He couldn't deny he was a little nervous, even though he felt irritated about it and he did not understand why he felt that way. All he needed to do, was finding a trustworthy dwarf to whom he could give Kíli's message, so that it would end in the hands of Thorin. He suspected he could disappear in the crowd, for he had not a shining appearance and he hadn't caused trouble leaving the city. He had just left some day and besides his friends there would probably not be many dwarfs who had noticed his absence.
Dwalin stepped through the great gate. Although his departure had been his own decision, it was strange to come back.  It was still his home. He had gone through a hell to get back this city and it felt not right that he had left it so soon. 
The atmosphere in the city was just as grim as before he had left. Clearly not much had changed. Dwarfs walked through the streets hastily and they glanced over the shoulder continuously, while guards were watching every move they made, hoping to caught them during a mistake. 
"Master Dwalin," a voice sounded behind him. 
He turned around and stared into an unknown face. 
"Have you returned from your little excursion?"
Dwalin glanced at the young man with contempt. He couldn't be working for Thorin for a long time and he acted way too arrogant.
"I want to speak to Thorin."
Actually he didn't want to talk to him at all and he didn't expect to get permission, but he hoped to be send to a person who had more to say about all the matters within Erebor than this twerp. 
"King Thorin is busy."
Dwalin placed his hand on his sword. If that little idiot thought he would be turned down so easily, he was wrong. "I neither have all day."
Two uncertain eyes glided over his face. He was a famous warrior and there were not many dwarfs who wanted to do a trial of strength. 
"If you want to visit him, you'll first need permission from his personal guard."
"Fine."
While he spoke, his thoughts went on. Since when had Thorin a personal guard? Was it Vaughn? That slicker who had thrown his brother into the dungeons? The muscles in his upper arms swelled while he followed the young man deeper into the city. 

A few moments later he stood before a dwarf woman. 
"Iorwen," he said surprised. 
She watched him with fixed eyes. She must believe he was a traitor. 
"Are you his personal guard?" He felt ashamed of his baffled tone, for he had fought side to side with her for years and he knew what she was capable of. She was assigned as a commander for good reasons, but it was hard to imagine that Thorin wanted a woman to protect him against his servants. 
"That's how it is."
"Good," he mumbled. "I was afraid Vaughn had appropriated that privilege."
The man had saved Thorin's life once before. 
"I'm glad he has not."
Dwalin breathed in relief. From the look in her eyes he concluded she disliked the man as well. 
"You've been gone for a long time," she noticed.
Dwalin was a little confused she had noticed his absence. They hadn't seen each other much since they lived here again.
"I won't stay long," he admitted. "I am here to send a message from Kíli. He wants to talk to his uncle, but he refuses to come to Erebor. He wants to meet him in Lake town."
"That will be a hell of a job," Iorwen mumbled. "He's been avoiding daylight for years."
"He could travel at night," Dwalin reacted. He could hardly imagine they were talking about the same adventurous man who had led them through forests and over mountains. 
"What's it about?" Iorwen wanted to know. 
The look in her eyes was so obtrusive that he almost told her about Alyssae, but he stuck to the plan. It was tempting to trust her immediately, but she might consider this undertaking to be dangerous and she was after all his personal guard.
"Family matters," Dwalin mumbled. "Kíli is willing to give his uncle one last chance."
Iorwen kept looking in his eyes. For some reason sweat drops rolled over his neck. He felt uneasy under her glance, but got the feeling she emptied a bottle of ice water above his head when she asked her question. "It's not only Kíli who is willing to give him one last chance, am I right?"
Her voice had lowered into a whisper, from which he concluded that she knew how important it was this news wouldn't spread.
"Have you brought her here?" The expression of his face was condemnatory nor nonplussed. Her eyes however were winking of curiosity. 
"She wanted to come." He took a deep breath. "Thorin and she have a child. I believe Vaughn tried to cover that up. Alyssae finds it is about time he takes his responsibilities."
"And she's right," Iorwen grumbled. "I will make sure he gets there. What are your plans? I think Thorin runs away when he sees her."
"We'll make sure that doesn't happen." Dwalin gave her the rolled up parchment. "In this letter Thorin finds the date, place and time. Make sure he's alone."
"I will be with him. I am his guard."
Dwalin shrugged. He didn't think the others would have problem with that. 
"Fine."
He stared at her for a few seconds, wondering if he had to say something. He however couldn't think of any intelligent or funny comments, so eventually he only nodded to her and walked away.