The Queen of Mirkwood
Author's note:
Some changes from the Hobbit book and DOS:
Kili does not get hit with an Orc arrow at any time prior to BoFA
Thorin, Kili, and Fili survive BoFA, but not without some scratches
Dwarves and elves like each other
Dwarves were well hosted in Mirkwood on their way to Erebor
Chapter 1
"My lord, there is a message from Her Royal Highness the Queen of Mirkwood." A page entered the king's hall, carrying a scroll.
"What is the message?" King Thorin asked.
"That she is agreeable to your visit with the princes and King Bain next month. She is prepared to host you for at least a fortnight, if not longer."
"Good, good." The king nodded, and drank from a golden goblet sitting on a table next to the throne. "It's long past time for the princes to get more exposure to diplomacy and negotiations with other realms. It is not enough that they lead and direct the rebuilding of this kingdom. We must deal with the wider world, after all."
"My lord, the Queen also sent a package to Prince Kili." He left the room, and came back in carrying a long wooden crate.
Thorin's brow creased in puzzlement. "Set that on the table, please. I wonder what it could be?" He walked over to the wooden box, and looked at it closely. It was rectangular, not very tall, but wide. He wanted to open it, but held his curiousity in check for the present.
"Is there anything more, my lord?"
"Oh. Yes. Please send the princes here, right away," Thorin replied absently.
"Yes, sir." The page bowed and left the room.
Thorin sat and waited for his nephews to arrive. He realized suddenly that today one year since the Battle of Five Armies had started on the very doorstep of Erebor. One year since Orcs and goblins had slain Bombur and Dwalin and Nori. Bifur had never been found anywhere after the battle. The rest of the company, full of injury and sorrow, had buried their valorous dead with all honor. Then the survivors had begun the monumental task of healing their grief and making the mountain a home for their people.
A difficult few months had passed. Some injuries could not be cured, in spite of all that the healers and Gandalf could do. Ori succumbed to fevers and poisoning two months after the battle. Bofur's leg below the right knee had been injured in such a way that it could not heal. The poisoned leg had needed to be amputated. Three young children, exploring the kingdom, had stumbled down steps in need of repair and had fallen to their deaths.
In spite of tragedy, his people were well and happy. The rebuilding was still going on, but it was time now to develop strong alliances with the neighboring kingdoms. The dwarves were already doing that with King Bard of Dale, by helping him rebuild his city. Bard was deeply grateful to them, for their gold, and their expertise in building. Thorin knew Erebor would have a friend for life in the people of Dale.
The elven queen was a bit different story. Once the great battle was over, the great Queen of Mirkwood had taken her people and retreated to her forest kingdom. They too had suffered great hurt and injury, the queen herself needing healing from Morgul arrows in her shoulder.
Thorin got up to pace around the long table in his private hall, as he tended to do when thinking. He had known the queen for many years, before Smaug had come to Erebor and destroyed it. She had been young, compared to the age of other elves, and was so fair to look upon. On a few occasions, she came with her ambassadors to Erebor for state dinners and events, to speak with King Thror about trade. She had seemed rather mysterious to him at the time, intelligent and powerful, watchful of her interests. Using her charm to gain much and give the impression that she, too, was giving up something. As a green princeling, untried in the ways of diplomacy, he had been glad he did not have to negotiate with her.
He recalled being furious at her refusal to help the dwarves take back the mountain when Smaug had first attacked. "I cannot risk the lives of my people against a dragon," she'd said to a bloody and burned King Thror, her voice quiet yet brisk. "We will help you and heal your people. You may stay in Mirkwood as long as you wish, we will work out the arrangements. But I will not send my people to their deaths for gold."
In time, Thorin had come to see the wisdom of her words. The swords and arrows of the elves could not have slain that mighty armor, they would all have been destroyed. It had been with only the highest and best luck that the beast had been slaughtered. One shot. One Black Arrow.
In the past year, Thorin had seen her a few times, when out hunting in the forests, as she had graciously given his people leave to hunt in her lands. She was cool and polite, still fair with the gifts of the elves.
She did correspond with him, via messenger. She also corresponded, at times, with Kili. Thorin did not exercise his right as king to read Kili's letters, but he was curious as to what they discussed. Archery was an interest between them. The Queen herself was an excellent shot, with arrow as well as daggers. She had fought in the battle and acquitted herself bravely.
He continued his pacing around the long wooden table. Thorin sometimes wondered if there was something else, from when they all had met the Queen when the company had traveled through Mirkwood. He recalled seeing Kili and the queen talking alone together. One evening, the night before the dwarven company left for Laketown, he had seen them together on a balcony, looking up at the night sky. There had been other times, since the battle, where they had all seen her. Odd looks between the two of them, something of regret and longing. He'd gotten the impression Kili was smitten with the beautiful queen. Thorin could hardly blame him for that. Her charm was legendary. And her beauty was stunning. But when he'd asked, his nephew had simply said, "She's lovely to look at, isn't she?" He had never been able to get any more details out of Kili. And neither had Fili.
It would not do to have a lusty, reckless young dwarf prince chasing after a powerful elven queen. "The boy bears watching," he said to himself.