"Are you trying to tell me I am forbidden to leave the Mountain?"

"Errr... No, not forbidden, My Queen! I am just trying to make you understand how unwise that would be." Balin's tone was as always soft and solicitous. He preferred to win his battles by negotiation and was obviously much better than Azlyn in this skill.

"Am I still the Queen? You just called me so. I can ORDER my escort and be out, if I want to!"

"Of course, My Lady! But do not forget that I operate under the strictest orders of His Majesty King Thorin, who made me responsible for keeping you and Master Filli safe until his return. The defence of the entire Kingdom was left to me. These orders, of course, do not detract in any way from your authority as a Queen, but serve only to help you and protect you and our people."

How she hated feeling like a scolded child, yet how comforting has been to have someone so solid and kind as Balin to watch over her in the days of Thorin absence. How smoothly has everything been running with Balin knowing exactly what needed to be done to return the ruin of a kingdom that Erebor was to his previous order and magnificence.

They were standing in front of the great fireplace in the chamber of The Privy Council, a magnificent room, built for other times when the ruling of the Kingdom had required the advice of multiple royal councillors and they had needed a comfortable place to confer.

Balin stepped closer to her with an apologetic smile underneath his long beard and lightly stroked her sleeve. "I am sorry, my dearest Azlyn, I understand how frustrated you must feel being constantly underground after your free childhood out of doors in the Blue Mountains. But we simply cannot ignore the presence of a gang of maraudering orcs in the vicinity of the Mountain."

"I fear no orcs! You know I used to fight them back in Ered Luin."

"I know how brave you are, My Queen. But even such a warrior-princess like you cannot face a gang of orcs all alone, and our defences are down to just a few men after Thorin led most of our warriors away with him. We cannot allow this to become known to our enemies! So you see, it is not that I am trying to be overly protective and deprive you of your pleasure. It is the safety of the Kingdom we must think of first."

There she was, feeling like a capricious child all over again. When will she learn how to be Queen? Will she ever be as wise as Balin? It seemed impossible, no matter how hard she tried.

"No, I am the one who should be sorry, my dear Balin. Please forgive my selfishness. I won't insist on going out again until you deem it is safe. Let me know if I can help you in any way concerning the defence of the Mountain. Now - what news of Thorin? I was told you have received a bird."

Balin looked thoughtful for a moment, then bowed gracefully to her.

"Ah, the bird, yes, indeed! Master Thorin is in good health and assures me he will write to you personally very soon. Safe are also all those who went with him."

"Mahal be praised! But what news of the war, Balin, surely there must be more he writes?"

"The war continues still, unfortunately, My Lady. The dwarven settlements in the Grey Mountains are under attack. Ordes of fearless and cunning orcs keep on coming in the night and penetrating even the most secure dwarven fortresses. Nobody knows where they come from and which invisible dark will they are obeying. The old defence skills do not seem to work anymore, and until this riddle is solved, Dain Ironfoot still needs the reinforcements of Master Thorin's army."

Azlyn could not hide her disappointment from the watchful eyes of the old advisor. Balin patted her sleeve again, his voice soft and full of sympathy as if she was a child who had just broken her favourite toy.

"We all miss him, Azlyn, but you - more than everyone else, I know. Young bride, left all alone in a strange land, so far away from your family. And all the responsibilities of a Queen on your shoulders. It is bound to be very tough on you... But take heart, my Lady. Lastly, Thorin writes he will send back to us Master Dwalin with a small group of warriors to protect us from any wandering orcs. It must only mean that Thorin himself is not planning on extending his stay at the Grey Mountains for much longer..."

Young voice, ringing shrill and clear as a silver bell under the high ceiling, interrupted him - "Did you just say that your brother is returning to us, Balin?"

Startled, Balin coughed discreetly into his sleeve and stepped away from the young Queen.

"Ah, Master Fili! We were expecting you to join us, but the guards should have announced your presence, of course!"

"Nah, I stopped them from doing it. No need for formalities, I told them. I hope you two are not keeping any secrets from me, are you?" With a smile and a wink, Fili approached the table and poured himself a mug of ale.

It was as if the fire in the heart was now burning more brightly, its light bouncing off the shiny blond curls of the young prince. As always in his presence, unbidden smile bloomed on Azlyn's lips. She felt the anxiety and foreboding trickling out of her mind and unexplainable lightness taking their place.

"Keeping secrets? How is that even possible with you eavesdropping on private conversations, Fili?" - she teased.

"My manners are terrible today!" - said Fili, putting aside his mug and bowing deeply to Azlyn and Balin. "My Lady, My Lord! I beg your forgiveness for being late for the royal council and barging in unannounced. Now, please enlighten me of the news about Master Dwalin's return!"