Aria Goldbeard was only a few years old when the dragon had forced her clan out. Painstakingly, they followed the Durins to this land or another, settling on a land near a human village. Then king Thror led the men to Moria, and only a few came back with Prince Thorin now king. Her father had not been so lucky.

As Aria grew up, she quickly learned that she needed to work for her meal day by day. Mother began to take her to the human village, hoping Aria would pick up on a trade like others of her kind, but Aria would much rather stray through the streets. It happened quite by accident that Aria found her taste, quite literally. As usual, she was strolling through the human village, hunger aching her stomach.

Her nose stumbled upon the most delicious smell, and she followed it to a window where a loaf of bread was cooling. Stealthily, Aria nabbed a piece and hunched below the sill to eat. She got caught on her second helping. The woman of the house scolded Aria for stealing, but the dwarrow explained herself and begged the woman to teach her how to bake. Day by day, Aria visited the lady, and learned a new recipe each day. Over the years, Aria developed her skill and even opened her own stall selling baked goods.

Years passed, even mother had died, but Aria had enough to support herself. Her talents reached the notice of Dis, sister of the prince. She sent for Aria one day, asking her to bring along a pastry of hers. Nervous about meeting the princess, Aria made her own favorite cakes to take up to lady Dis. The dwarf village wasn't extravagant, but clearly the best had been reserved for the royals. Lady Dis herself opened the door to Aria, making way for a lifelong friendship.

Aria rarely saw prince Thorin; he did long shifts as blacksmith for the humans. Though she did get to see more glimpses of him when lady Dis became pregnant. Aria's career came in handy, as she was the only one who could cater to the princess's cravings. Aria was also one of the first people who got to see the new prince Fíli. He was a copy of his father, all blonde hair and blue eyes. Prince Thorin gifted each house a pack of meat in honor of his nephew's birth.

Aria visited Dís and Fili almost every day, and she grew to love the little boy. Fili was just over a year old when Dis was expecting again. With a new baby occupying Dis's time, it left Fili in the care of Aria. She'd become like a second mother to him. Aria began to stay longer at Dis's place, creating more opportunities for her to cross paths with Thorin. Sometimes, he would even walk her home, though they'd have nothing more to talk about other than Dis and the babies. The second baby was also a boy, though Kíli was much more his mother's son, with brown hair and brown eyes. Once again the royals passed out food to the whole village in honor of the birth.

Years passed and so stayed the relationship between Aria and the Durins. The boys, Fili and Kili, were very fond of Aria, especially the older one. Aria and Thorin however were hardly more than close acquaintances, something Dis hoped would change. Sometimes, Fili went to work with his father and uncle, but the kid was much more interested in running through town, and always end up at Aria's stall. The first time it happened, Thorin was worried sick, almost wrecking the town in search of his nephew. By the third time, it had become a habit, and Thorin would finish his usual work day before picking up Fili from Aria's house at night.

When the boys were 10 and 8, Dis and her husband took their family to the Iron Hills to visit some family. Fili most hated leaving Aria and Kili would miss Thorin, but the dwarrow and prince promised to make up for lost time when they returned. Aria made the boys their favorite pastries to take along for their travel. Uncle Thorin gifted them small weapons he'd made for them, asking them to take care of their parents.

With Dis and the boys gone, Aria had even less reason to cross paths with Thorin. His Highness spent longer hours at the workshop, but almost every night came home to fresh food. A week later, Aria found her dishes returned along with a new set of beautiful silver utensils. They kept up their anonymous games, each taking care of the other. It was happy times, without even seeing each other. But tragedy would bring them face to face.