She could not believe what was happening. Natalia watched in shock as Fili threw one blow after another, grunting in exertion. The things Thorin said had not truly bothered her, she was used to hearing things like that by now, but Fili... He was taking his fury out on his uncle who was so surprised by the assault he was not even fighting back. The sound of the struggle must have carried out into the halls because two elf guards came running in to break up the fight.

Fili fought hard against the elf that held him back, cursing foul oaths at both Thorin and the elf. Thorin stood with the help of the other elf, his face bloodied and split, his left eye already blackening.

"Fili! Please calm down!" Natalia snapped herself out of her stupor and rushed up to grip his face in her hands, looking hard into his eyes.

Slowly Fili calmed, though his chest continued rising and falling quickly and his eyes never left Thorin. The elves pushed the two dwarfs ahead of them out into the hall, neither letting loose their tight grips. Natalia followed, her bare feet chilled by the cold floor and completely forgetting she was clothed only in Fili's long shirt.

"Where are you taking them?" She asked, afraid of what she might be told.

"It's deplorable behavior to fight under the king's roof, Thranduil will want to see them."

At least it was not the dungeons... yet. When they reached the kings throne room Thranduil was sitting upon his throne again, speaking with Kili and the rest of the company. The elven king stopped mid sentence to watch them coming with a raised eyebrow, an amused smirk on his face. The company followed his gaze and stood flabbergasted as a shirtless Fili, bloodied Thorin, and half dressed Natalia came to stand before the king. One of the elves spoke to Thranduil in elvish and the king burst out laughing.

"The barbarism of dwarfs never ceases to amaze me!" Thranduil waved the guards away. "I trust it was for good reason?" His eyes settled on Natalia again, his pointed gaze making her shift uncomfortably.

It was Dwalin who spoke first. He had come to Thorin's side to asses his injuries. "What the hell boy?!" He glared at Fili, stepping back again as Thorin pushed him away.

"Twas no ones fault but my own." Thorin said, spitting blood onto the floor.

"The fight I have with my uncle is with him alone, I apologize if I've offended you." Fili bowed his head to Thranduil, ignoring Thorin and the sting from his bloodied knuckles.

"Its been quite amusing actually." Thranduil motioned and a couple of elf maids came forward, bowing low to their king. "Show these fine folk to their rooms." The company turned to follow the elves as they led the way out of the room. "Skin-changer, stay, if you will."

Natalia and Fili exchanged concerned looks but knew there was nothing they could do. Thranduil waited until he was alone with Natalia before speaking again.

"What puts a rare gem such as yourself amongst... dwarfs?" He was taking his time to walk down and stand in front of her.

"I'm not sure what you're asking." Natalia said bluntly, taking a step back as Thranduil softly touched the side of her face.

"I could offer you so much more than that rabble... you remind me of someone I once knew..." He trailed off and turned his back to her.

"I mean no offense, but I'm quite happy where I am." She had no idea where this conversation was going, but she did not like it.

Thranduil chuckled. "Ah yes, I forget you are half as mad as they are. Yet twice as lovely."

"If I may be so bold, why are you helping us? All I hear from you is your distaste for my people."

Thranduil turned to look at her over his shoulder. "Your people? Am I not just as much your people as they are?"

Natalia was silent, frowning.

"I'm helping you because I want my wife's jewels back, it's as simple as that. I would also like to see your talent put to proper use..." When he received no response he waved her away. "Go, your misplaced loyalty is starting to bore me. Oh, and see to it no more fights break out over your 'honor'."

Natalia was fuming as she made her way back to the room she was sharing with Fili. She was starting to see why the dwarfs disliked elves, especially this one. It took Kili calling her name three times before she heard him and stopped.

"You okay?" He asked, noticing her foul mood. He was leaning against a table that looked far too delicate to hold his weight.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just starting to get a little tired of everyone pointing out how I'm not like them." She normally did not let herself open up, but Kili was starting to feel like family.

"If it's any help I like ya just fine, and apparently my brother does too." He winked at her.

Laughing, Natalia shook her head. If she had had any doubts about where she belonged, the ease in which Kili was able to put her mind at rest settled them.

Kili pushed himself off of the table and whistled. "Aye, looks as if my brothers finally met his match." He pointed at the bead in her hair that he was so familiar with. "You're engaged ta be wed."

Self consciously Natalia stroked her braid. "So he was serious?"

It was Kili's turn to laugh. "Of course he's serious! He gave ya his token, ya got no choice but ta marry him now!"

Natalia could not help but mirror Kili's grin. She rolled her eyes as him and turned to head into her room just across the hall.

"Careful, Thorin's in there." Kili threw over his shoulder as he too headed toward his room.

Hurrying now, Natalia threw open the door and ran in, fully expecting to see either Fili or Thorin on the ground unconscious. Instead Fili was sitting, looking up at his uncle with only love in his eyes. They both looked at her as she entered.

"Fili?" She took a few steps forward, confused and unsure.

Thorin faced her with his gaze lowered. "I wanted to apologize, to both you and my nephew." When he looked up Natalia saw a clarity in him that had been absent for some time. "I've been angry at everyone when the only one in the wrong was me." He sounded so very tired. "I see now that I let myself fall into the same sickness as my grandfather... I don't deserve, nor do I trust myself, to rule any of you."

"Uncle." Fili stood and put a hand on Thorin's shoulder. "No one blames you."

Thorin smiled sadly and put his head to Fili's. "But I blame myself." He sighed deeply. "I will gladly follow you as king, my sister's son. You will make a great ruler." He looked back at Natalia. "And you will be the greatest queen Erebor has ever seen."

Natalia could not help but tear up. The pain in Thorin's eyes made her want to weep for him. He was giving up everything he had ever wanted, everything he had ever worked for, because he knew he was not fit to rule. What great evil could cast such an inescapable darkness over such an honorable man? If Natalia had learned anything in her many years on Middle Earth, it was that the world was never fair, and hardly kind, even to those most deserving.

:Author's Note: Thank you for all the favorites and follows! It really makes me want to keep writing to see people enjoying it, even if only a little bit. I also appreciate the reviews, good and bad. I have not quite figured out how to respond to them yet but I'm working on it. :)