'Gwen, mommy and daddy told us not to go there' Galolyn whispered. She tried to follow her big sister as she made her way through the hallways of Erebor.

Where they weren't supposed to be.

Gwendolyn made an annoyed noise. 'If you are scared that we will get caught, then go back to our halls. I want to go to Master Berin like we did yesterday with mommy.'

Galolyn wasn't going to go back. She had also loved to see the books in his shop.

They didn't have much time yesterday because you had been summoned by Thorin to stand by his side when the elves came to visit.

Women and children were meant to stay in the halls because it was much safer for them. So Gwendolyn and Galolyn had to return to their halls when you had to leave.

Your oldest had pleaded for you to let them stay in the bookshop. 'It is some sort of a hall' she had said. But you had to take them with you.

Thorin got nervous when he knew his two young daughters were out of his safe hall. Especially when you weren't with them.

Galolyn had always listened to her parents' warnings. She wasn't allowed to go outside without a guard or one of her parents present. She was a princess and had to be protected.

She had always listened, until today. In her defense, Gwendolyn was the one who wanted to leave their halls and she had to protect her.

'Gwen!' she shout-whispered. They had neared a split in the hallway. Her older sister wanted to continue to run while Galolyn could clearly see a guard coming from the other side.

Gwendolyn looked up and froze. Both of them tried to stand still so that the guard wouldn't see them. They were still partly hidden because of the wall that separated them from the guard.

When he turned around, Gwendolyn grabbed her sister' hand and pulled her along with her. They giggled when they came close to the bookshop.

'Daddy's guard aren't the smartest dwarves around' Galolyn said in between giggles.

Her older sister shook her head. 'They were so easily distracted with one of the powder bombs from master Balin.'

The market was rather silent today. Many dwarves had to work so the princesses were less likely to be seen.

They crossed the small market to get to the bookshop. It was an old shop that was only partially restored after Smaug's desolation. The owner was happy with the way it had looked before. He was simply happy he could have his old store back.

Some of he old books that were still there were displayed on a special shelf. They weren't for sale but were there to remind the dwarves of the place they had come from.

And now they had their mountain back.

'Hello master Berin!' Galolyn yelled excitedly as they entered the shop.

'Galolyn' Gwendolyn warned. It was rude to run into a shop and start screaming.

A chuckle erupted from behind the counter. Berin came up from behind it with a wide smile. 'It is an honor to see the two princesses here in my shop again. But wait, where are your parents?' he asked.

Gwendolyn' cheeks turned red. 'Well, uhm, ...'

'We wanted to come and see your books master Berin! Mommy and daddy were busy so we came by ourselves!' Galolyn explained happily. She ran around the counter to hug Berin's leg.

'Gwen and I loved to see your books yesterday. Can you tell us another story? Please?' she whined.

Berin bend to pick the young girl up. 'Of course we can, but first, I will tell one of the guards to tell your parents where you are.' He walked towards the chair to put the princess down.

'Why do they have to know?' Galolyn asked in a soft voice. 'They will get mad at us and then we can never come here again.'

Gwendolyn had thought the same thing. So she made her way to the back of the shop to look at the books she hadn't seen yesterday.

Berin was right back after informing the guards about the whereabouts of the princesses. 'Right then, which story do you want to hear today?' he asked.

Galolyn got up from the chair so Berin could sit. 'Can you tell a fairytale about love?' Galolyn asked.

Gwendolyn smiled. Her little sister had been obsessed with the stories about dwarves and their One since a few months ago. That was the time where you had tried to explain it to your youngest daughter.

She couldn't stop asking questions about it ever since.

'Of course, there are plenty of stories about that' Berin said.

Galolyn crawled back up on his lap. 'I want to hear about Gror and Fain!' she said excitedly.

The old dwarf laughed. 'Have I not told you about them yesterday?' he asked.

'I can not hear enough about them master Berin!' Galolyn cried out.

'Alright then, where did we leave off yesterday?' he asked. He was getting older so his memory sometimes abandoned him.

He let his eyes wander over the many shelves in his shop, trying to remember what he had told the princess already. It was an old tale that was often used as an example for dwarf courting. Parents used these stories to make the courting rituals clear to their dwarflings.

Galolyn pulled on his collar. 'You were telling me about the time Fain almost got beheaded' she said in her sweet voice.

Berin kept silent for a moment. Had he really told that story to the young princess? Oh... well, the damage was already done.

'I remember now, thank you princess Galolyn.'

She giggled when he adressed her by her title.

'Now, for the story' he said, staring his story.

Galolyn made herself comfortable on his lap.

'Gror heard his love call out for him from across town. He had been looking for her when the orc's first attack but there was no sign of her. Gror was afraid that he might be too late to save his love. 

Knowing that she could stand her ground, he prayed to Mahal that she was still alive. He rushed towards the other side of town, killing orc's all around him. But there was only one thing on his mind; hope that Fain was still alive.

As he ran through the blood covered streets, he realised that he had not heard her cry out again. Fear took a hold on his heart. There was no time to waste.

Dwarves came running his way from the other side of the tree. He yelled at them that they needed to follow him. No one knew how many orc's there were and he didn't want to risk Fain's life.

They neared the field that lay just outside the town. Gror held axe tighter as they came closer. He could already smell the afwul stench from the orc's. But no sign of his love. 

He turned the corner and sa-'

'GWENDOLYN! GALOLYN!'

Gwendolyn dropped a book she had been reading when she heard her father's voice booming through the store. 

Galolyn was surprised when she was scooped up by two strong arms that clutched her tight to a warm chest. 

Thorin was red-headed and panting because he had been running all the way from the throne room to the bookshop. Dwalin had already informed him that his children were missing before the guards were able to inform him where they were.

A search was already set in motion. Thankfully, Berin had been smart enough to tell the guards where the king's children were. Otherwise, the king could have had a heart attack.

'Are you alright?' Thorin asked, checking his youngest daughter for possible injuries.

'Aye daddy, I am fine. It is just a little hard to breathe' she said in a muffled voice. 

He quickly loosened his hold on her so that she had more room. 'I was so worried. Why did you leave our halls against our rules? Who knows what could have happened to you' Thorin said. He sounded very worried.

'Are you alright sweetie?' you asked. Galolyn reached out her arms towards you. You took your youngest daughter from your husband.

'I am still fine mommy. Master Berin was telling me a story' she said proudly.

You smiled at the older dwarf. 'Thank you for taking care of them. And for letting us know where they were' you said, thankful to have your children back.

He nodded. 'Any time, my queen. They are always welcome in my shop.'

Gwendolyn put the book back on the shelf. She didn't want to face her father.

Thorin crossed his arms, kneeling down so he was eye to eye with Gwendolyn. 'Gwendolyn?'

She closed her eyes in defeat. That tone in his voice... wasn't a good sign. 

Hesitantly, she turned around, keeping her eyes on the floor. She came closer to him until she was standing right in front of him.

'Look at me' he ordered.

Gwendolyn met her father's eyes.

'Why didn't you stay in our halls?' he asked.

She shrugged.

Thorin took a deep breath. 'You know why we want you to stay there. It is only for your own safety.'

'You always say that! We weren't in danger!' she shouted through teary-eyes.

'That is not the point. Just because you were safe now doesn't mean it is always safe to go out on your own.'

Her lower lip began to tremble. 'Galolyn was excited about the books too. You couldn't come with us today but we wanted to go back' she explained.

Thorin put his hands on her shoulders. 'You are the oldest of the two of you. That means that we expect you to look after your sister. If she wants to go to the bookshop, you tell her that she should ask a guard to come with her.'

'But, daddy' Gwendolyn started.

Thorin narrowed his eyes. She kept quiet.

'You will stay in your room for the next two days. Think about the dangers that are out there and why you should look after your sister.' He turned around to face Berin.

'Like my wife just said, thank you for looking after them.' They both bowed their heads.

'Never a problem king Thorin. I hope you have a good day.'

Together you left to back to the royal halls. 

Gwendolyn walked behind her parents and her sister, who was still carried by you. 

Galolyn looked back to see how her sister was doing. She was sad to find she was looking down at the ground. Gwendolyn was walking a few paces behind them. Like she wanted to distance herself from her family. 

You noticed and signaled Thorin. He took Galolyn from you with a sigh. He wanted to have a good relationship with his oldest daughter but it just seemed to be impossible after that one night...

Thorin continued down the hallway with Galolyn. 

You slowed down so that you could walk next to Gwendolyn. 'What is wrong love?' you asked.

Gwendolyn shrugged. You could see she was about to cry. It broke your heart to see your daughter like that.

'Are you mad that you couldn't look at the books today?'

Gwendolyn shrugged again.

'Gwen, I am your mother but that doesn't mean I understand what you are saying when you're only shrugging' you said.

'I just' she started but didn't continue.

You put a hand on her shoulder to stop her from walking. 

'You just what?' A warm smile spread on your lips to comfort you daughter.

'Daddy is just so mean to me' she said and started crying.

You leaned down to hug her. Gwendolyn wrapped her arms your neck and let you pull her up. Gently, you stroked her hair to calm her down.

'He doesn't mean it that way. Your father is worried for your safety. You mean a lot to us' you said. And it was true.

Thorin had become even more protective over you after your first pregnancy. He had already lost so much in his life and he wouldn't risk losing what he had now. 

Galolyn didn't seem to mind staying in their halls. But Gwendolyn, like you, felt the need to explore.

'I just don't want to stay in our halls all day long mommy. Not after... not after that orc' she murmured.

You pulled her closer. 'We will never let another orc come close to you. But I understand why you don't want to be there all day long. I can talk to your father, see if we can make some arrangements.'

Gwendolyn nodded, her tears finally drying. 

'Now, no more tears. Bombur has baked some cherry pies today. They are your favorite, right?'

Gwendolyn's face lit up. 'Can we have some milk with that mommy?' she asked. 

You chuckled. 'You can have everything you want little one.'