-Author's Note- First I want to let everyone know I've taken a few minor liberties with my story. Everything isn't perfectly the same as the book or movies. If you can't handle that then don't read. :) I've already completed the story, but will be uploading it chapter by chapter. Also, there will come to be some very intense, adult situations that some may find uncomfortable. Here is my one and only warning. Other than that, enjoy!
The chill of being under the mountain was something I wasn't sure I could ever get used to. I rolled onto my side and pulled the fur blanket tighter around my bare shoulders, refusing to open my eyes to what instinctively I knew was morning.
"Ten more minutes." The sleepy grumble and soft breath on my neck gave me goose bumps as a well muscled arm was draped across my waist.
It had been four months since we reclaimed Erebor, my new home. It wasn't that I disliked the mountain, I just wasn't used to it yet. My entire life had been spent among the race of man, Edoras being where I, more often than not, rested my head.
"We're supposed to be welcoming the Ironfoots and their refugees today." It took no small amount of strength for me to leave my warm bed.
"Says who?"
"Says your uncle, and OUR king." I quickly pulled the dress on that had been set out for me to wear. It was a beautiful blue and gold gown that swept the floor and cinched my waist tight. "How does anyone get anything done in these things?" I asked as I inspected myself in the mirror, self consciously running my fingers through my long dark hair.
"Would it help if I said you looked gorgeous?"
Grabbing a book off of the ground I chucked it at my soon to be husband, narrowly missing his golden head. "Fili! Get dressed, I'm not doing this alone today!"
I couldn't help but watch in the mirror as he dressed, the tunic he pulled on matched my dress almost perfectly. How strange it was, to see him in something other than armor and dirt. He came up behind me and braided sections of my hair, a habit he'd gotten into recently. He pulled them around to the back of my head and fasted them with his own silver bead. How strange it was, to see his hands do something other than wield a sword.
He kissed the back of my neck, sending a chill down my spine. "You won't be alone, my mother will be right beside you." He dodged out of the way just in time to avoid my swing, smiling like the lovable fool he was.
My smart remark was cut off as a knock sounded at our chamber door. "My prince, my lady?"
I cast one last playful glare back at Fili and opened the door. "How many times do I have to tell you Ori?!"
Ori, one of my newest best friends, blushed slightly and nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry. Fili, Nora, Thorin asked me to see to you both today."
"Does Thorin think Fili can't find the great hall on his own this morning?" I chuckled and put my arm through Ori's, using him to help my unsure steps. He was such a patient dwarf, never once getting annoyed as I tripped and stumbled my way down the stone halls. "Damn these things." I muttered to myself after the latest stumble almost sent me tumbling down a set of stairs.
"Shall I carry you?" Fili was obviously holding back laughter as he walked behind us.
We reached the great hall with no real incidents, though I had come very close to accepting Fili's offer. The doors were pushed open for us by two bowing guards, another thing I would never get used to. The hall was bustling with early morning activity, the smells wafting in from the kitchen instantly making my stomach growl. The rest of the royal family was already seated at the head table, Thorin in the middle with Kili at his right, Dis next to her younger son.
"Thank you Ori." I smiled at my friend as he gave a small bow and left me to my fate.
I wish people wouldn't bow to me all the time. Not too long ago I was the one always doing the bowing. Thinking that, I smiled as I remembered the first time I met my new family. I'd just arrived in Rivendell with the horses Lord Elrond bought during his latest visit to Rohan, my then stomping grounds. I was bowing to the elf lord when a ragtag group of dwarfs, a hobbit, and a wizard came stomping along. After learning of their journey I managed to talk them into taking me along, I rarely had anything to do with my own kind, I felt like I had an obligation to help.
Kili's outburst of laughter brought me back from my thoughts. Apparently he found the sight of me in a dress amusing.
"Hush!" Dis smacked the back of her son's head and nodded at me in support.
Fili held out his hand for mine and led me around to the table. He sat directly to the left of his uncle, the position of greatest respect, or so I'd learned. I sat awkwardly next to Fili, the corset making it hard to bend in the middle.
"Looking good, brother!" Kili said, leaning forward across the table, his wink at me making me roll my eyes.
"Shut it!" Fili shot back as he dug into a plate set in front of him.
An identical plate was put before me, but I quickly pushed it away, my stomach turning sour. As everyone else ate I looked out over the hall, the raised table allowing me a sweeping view. At least a hundred dwarfs and humans were seated around rows of beautiful wooden tables, gifts from the carpenters of Laketown. After the great fire drake, Smaug, fled Erebor and devastated the nearby village, Thorin had opened his gates to anyone needing a home. Dale was being rebuilt, but until then humans walked among dwarfs in Erebor, an amazing sight to behold.
"We need to get moving if we plan on meeting Dain." Thorin stood and gave a pointed look to his nephews before leaving the great hall.
Fili leaned over and kissed me gently. "We'll be back before you know it. Don't miss me too much." He smirked and left, he and Kili hurrying after Thorin.
Problem was, I was going to miss him too much. I sighed heavily and sat back against my chair best I could. By trade I was a horse trainer, not a princess, and even though Fili and I weren't married yet I had been thrust into the position of royalty with no safety net.
"Don't look so nervous."
I startled, not having noticed Dis move to sit next to me. She was such a regal presence in her dark red dress, her dark hair tied up into a knot and a large emerald sparkling at her throat. She smiled at me warmly, a smile that made her eyes scrunch at the corners. "You're doing great."
"That, I'm not so sure of." I said helplessly.
"Come now, let's see to tonight's feast." She laced her arm into mine and led me through the doors that adjoined the kitchen with the great hall. "While the boys play politics we can make sure they don't make fools of themselves."
Once we were inside the kitchen I could feel myself relaxing amongst the chaos. Everywhere I looked there was something being sliced, spiced, or in some other way prepared, people running around boiling pots and smoking ovens. This was the kind of environment I thrived in.
"What's your favorite food?" Dis asked, waving what looked like the head cook over.
"My favorite?" I thought of objecting for a moment but realized it would do no good. "When I was very young my mother would make the most amazing rabbit stew with wild onions and garlic."
"Do we have that on the menu for tonight?" Dis asked the cook.
"No my lady, but it won't be a problem ta add it."
"Oh please no, not on account of me!" I couldn't stand the thought of more work being put into an already labor intensive feast just for me.
"My lady, it would be a pleasure ta cook for such a rare creature as yourself."
I blushed and shook my head, then I noticed an apron hanging on a wall nearby. "At least let me help then."
The cook looked to Dis, who was chuckling lightly. "If that would keep you from fretting away the day, then by all means."
With a grin I tied the apron over my dress and rolled up my sleeves, looking for a clear station to work. Grabbing a basket, I hurried around the busy room, deftly avoiding hot pots and sharp knives as I filled my basket with all of the ingredients I would need. I could feel Dis and a few cooks watching me as I worked, but I didn't care. As I began to gut the rabbits I found, everyone got back to work, a renewed sense of pride going into their dishes.
"Be sure to meet me at the gate before nightfall !" Dis called. "Preferably without blood on your dress!"
I was too busy chopping vegetables to reply with more than a nod. It felt good to be working again, even if it was just in the kitchen. As soon as Fili had made it clear to everyone that he was courting me, my entire life changed. I was used to hunting my own game, gathering my own herbs, even making my own bed! But it quickly became apparent that in Erebor, if you sat at the royal table, there was rarely time for such things.
Once my stew was on the fire I went to helping the cooks with whatever projects they were working on. They seemed a bit apprehensive at first but soon everyone was laughing and hollering back and forth, betting on who would pass out drunk first at the feast. I put three gold coins on Kili. Perhaps this princess thing wasn't going to be so bad.