"But Da! You can't do this!" Sigrid said, indignant.

It was still early spring and her hands were tearing at the edges of the woolen shawl she kept on her shoulders to warm her up. Bard looked at her kindly, knowing full well she would not understand but trying to explain as patiently as he could.

"You are a lord's daughter and he's a prince and heir to Erebor. We need the help and the gold. It's the best offer they would take."

"So I'm to be exchanged for gold" she cried out, almost spitting the words with contempt. "I thought you cared for me."

Bard sighed. It made him highly unhappy that he had to treat her that way. Sigrid was his eldest daughter and her life had not been easy, especially after her mother's death. She had had to care about her siblings, taking a place that she was too young to hold fully. And again, he had to force on her decisions that weren't hers to make. It troubled him greatly and he wished he could make her see he had no choice in the matter. Thorin had made the negotiations harder than they needed to be. Even now that he was cured from the dragon sickness, he would not let go of so much wealth without any compensation. Bard had nothing but his good faith and the promise that his people would work hard, but it had not been enough.

"Look, Sig, I had no choice. If we are to live here, there's a few concessions we need to make."

He didn't mean to sound so harsh, but he realized he could have been gentler when Sigrid's eyes filled with tears.

"How can you say that, Da?" she asked. "Must I give up my happiness so that our people can carry on?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she understood. She was now Lady of Dale and it was her duty to do just that. She was expected to care more about her people than herself. And that meant she would have to marry where her heart did not belong. All her life had only been about duty. She had thought that maybe now she would be allowed a little pleasure but it seemed that it would be denied again. She sighed heavily as her father took her hands, his eyes pleading for her to understand.

"It could have been worse, I suppose" she finally said, chest heaving as she swallowed back her tears. "At least, I'm not marrying Alfrid."

Bard could have chuckled if he did not know how utterly miserable he had made her. She was only trying to face her future with as much dignity as she could. He patted her on the back as she hugged him.

"I love you, Da" she muttered against his shoulder. "You know that I do."

What else could she say or do? Her feelings did not count. Dale had to be rebuilt. With the dwarves' gold. She had no choice.

"I know, little princess" Bard said. She was still his princess even though she was now Lady of Dale.

"I will do what I must" she continued, head held up high, holding back her tears. And make you proud in the process.

When her father left and she was alone in her room, Sigrid fell down on her knees on the hard stone ground, her hands still clutching her shawl, her whole body refusing what her mind was telling her to accept. She remembered the young dwarf prince from their brief encounter before the destruction of her city. She had not really paid much attention to him in particular. There were so many of them dwarves, she had not cared to know who was who. But he had come back with his sick brother and orcs had attacked. She had been frightened but not enough not to notice how he had shielded her and Bain from them. With his own body, as he did not have any weapon. Brave, he certainly was. Caring, also. She had seen how he worried about his brother, how he always put others first. These were qualities she could admire in her future husband, but would it be enough?

He was so different from her. She did not know anything about dwarves but for the folklore of Laketown, and many people there had not seen one in ages. She was curious, she had to admit, but also a bit fazed. He was royalty. He had been raised for power from childhood. With her simple upbringing, she was afraid she might disappoint him. She was ordinary compared to him. There was an air of nobility about him, she could see. Even in those adverse times, he had borne himself with pride. Even though the people of Dale now called her Lady and looked up to her as second only to her father, she knew Fíli would not be fooled. She was no lady. She had none of the manners which could be expected of one.

And she had other worries. She was young, certainly, but not so young not to know what kinds of duties she would have to perform once they were married. She had to admit she was not quite prepared to them with a man, much less with a dwarf. To be honest, she could not see how she would ever be. The mere thought of having sex with anyone at all disgusted her and her body heaved as she almost threw up. But maybe that was because no one significant had ever shown an interest to her. The only one who had ever tried to court her was Alfrid, and he disgusted her even more than the thought of bearing Fíli's children.

At least, she did not despise Fíli as she did Alfrid. She felt glad in a remote part of her heart that she would be rid of the disgusting man. He had been pursuing her relentlessly, even after Bard had told him it would never happen. Well, good riddance, she thought. He would not dare resume his courtship once he knew she was engaged to the dwarf prince.

The door opened in a burst and a whirlwind of blue linen. Before she knew it, her young sister Tilda was in her arms, face bathed in tears, hugging her fiercely.

"Oh Sig" the younger girl sobbed "I don't want you to leave."

Fighting not to let her sister's sorrow contaminate her, Sigrid sighed. She brushed the tears from Tilda's face with deft fingers then rocked her, humming a sweet tune to soothe her.

"I'm sorry, Tee" she finally said. "There's nothing anyone can do, unfortunately."

"I don't want you to go. Please. Say you won't" Tilda managed amidst her sobs.

Sigrid shook her head. "This is not about what we want, Tee. You're strong. You will be alright."

Tilda raised her wet face towards her sister, confused.

"This is unfair, but what can we do when our fates are decided by circumstances?" Sigrid continued.

"I don't understand."

The older girl sighed. "And I hope a long time passes before you have to."

More than having to marry the dwarf Prince, it was the fact that she had no say in the matter that bothered Sigrid. If she could have spent some time with him before, to talk to him so they would get to know each other, she would not have felt so miserable. She wondered how Fíli felt about all this. Was he even consulted? Did he want to marry her or had it also been forced on him? From the little she has seen of Thorin, King Under The Mountain, proud and unyielding, she guessed the young prince must feel as helpless as she.

She got up and took her sister's hand.

"Come, Tee. Dry your tears and let's go down. I'm not going far." She pointed at the mountain from the window of her room. "It's not the end of the world."

Tilda smiled at her. "You're so wise, Sig. I hope one day I'll be as wise as you."

But what else was she supposed to do, Sigrid thought. She was no longer the daughter of Bard the bargeman, but Lady of Dale, and if she wanted her new city to regain a little of its old glory, there were sacrifices that were expected of her. She only hoped she could find the strength that would help her tolerate it.

The next day, Sigrid was in the kitchen making loaves of bread when Tilda called her excitedly. Sigrid wiped the flour from her hands on her apron as her sister pointed at three silhouettes climbing the stairs to Dale. Even at this distance, their height and beards left no doubt as to their identity. Sigrid's face contorted at the thought of meeting her fate so soon. Why had they come? What could they want?

"I'd better change into a proper dress" she said before heading to her room, followed closely by her sister.

The little girl suddenly broke up in tears. "Oh Sig, I don't want you to go!"

"I'm not leaving today, Tee, I promise. Go find Da. He needs to be there to welcome them."

She searched her wardrobe for a suitable dress while Tilda was out but had to settle for the least worn-out. They had lost almost everything in the fire and although she had managed to trade for some new clothes, nothing she owned looked fine enough for the King Under The Mountain and his family. Surely, there was nothing to be ashamed of, considering the first time she had met them they were coming out of their toilet, she remembered. The thought almost made her cheerful. However, things were reversed now, and Bard was the one in need. She eased the wrinkles on her skirt before checking herself in the mirror. Her thick brown hair was braided and tied in a knot on the nape of her neck. The dress was blue, a bit faded from use, but she thought the colour became her. Did she look pretty? She had no idea, having never given much thought about her appearance.

When she was ready, Sigrid made it down the stairs where her father was waiting with his guests. He had apparently sent Tilda and Bain out. She felt lonely without her siblings. Well, she would have to get used to it. She tugged nervously at her dress, suddenly aware of how poor she must look to the dwarves, all dressed richly in furs and silver belts. But there was nothing to be done about it. She did not own any better gear.

"Ah, Sigrid, finally" Bard said as she appeared.

She could sense his nervousness in the tingling air. Why did he look so tense? Fortunately, Sigrid had always been the "woman" of the house and knew her duties as a host. Old habits die hard, they said, and it was true.