Background:The Lonely Mountain had been reclaimed by the party of Thorin Oakenshield. After the slaying of the dragon Smaug, and the Great Battle ending with Azog's demise, the Arkenstone was reclaimed and all of the Dwarf Lords once again pledged their allegiance to Thorin, son of Thrain, the rightful King Under the Mountain.
Chapter One
Thorin sat in his study on his 200th birthday, signing yet another pile of contacts for raw gold ore shipments to the Men of Gondor. He began to reflect on how his life had unfolded, the losses he'd suffered, and the sheer will it took to salvage what remained of his kingdom and turn it into a more prosperous kingdom than even Thror had ever imagined. It was five years to the day since the secret door had been opened; "Five years…" he spoke aloud, then continued to trail off in reflection. He was middle-aged now, for the Line of Durin – a suitable time for a Dwarf to take inventory of his life and ponder what the future may grant him. He had accepted a long time ago that he would never father an heir, but was satisfied that his nephew Fili would make a suitable king someday.
King Thorin, indeed, had many things to be thankful for, but there was one thing he had never been able to bring to fruition. She had always eluded him – his One. Through the years there were lovers, and even passionate affairs, but never had he been able to find his equal, the One that was meant for him and him alone. It didn't bother him that much, really, in the past. He never had anything to offer his One should he find her. He was glad to not have to bear the further burden of not being able to provide his One with all that she deserved, along with the heavy burden of resettling his people. But, in this reflective moment, he found himself wondering how, now that he was in a much more comfortable situation…how he might go about even beginning this new quest.
Truly, there weren't a whole lot of choices in the royal lineage. Most Dwarrow Dams were already spoken for, being so rare already. Indeed, all of the eligible females were very young and much more suitable for the likes of his nephews. He closed his eyes and mentally walked his way through the Dwarf Kingdoms…"The Iron Hills? No... The Orocani? No… Amon Rudh? No..." He counted all of the royal lines until he came to "The Grey Mountains…Ered Mithrin…"
Ered Mithrin lay just to the north of the Lonely Mountain. It's wealth and innovation rose above all others after the fall of Erebor, "but we're giving Her a run for Her money, again." Thorin chuckled. "Her…" he trailed off in thought..."I wonder if the rumors about her are true…they even say that she has no beard!" Thorin knew first –hand that rumors in the Royal Court were not always to be trusted. If one took literally the rumors swirling amongst the lesser Dwarf lords and ladies about himself and that Hobbit… well… he would rather not even muse about how deep the mines of their depravity would go.
He took in a deep breath and leaned his head against the back of his chair, staring into the fire crackling away in the hearth. He let out a groan. "That is probably not a good idea," he mumbled to himself. Still, he was curious about her, why she'd never married, how a Dwarrow Dam could handle running such a powerful kingdom as Ered Mithrin.
A loud knock at his study's door jilted him from his thoughts. "Uncle! It's time to start the party!" Kili was excitedly yelling through the door, "You haven't forgotten that it's your birthday, have you? And, it's Durin's Day, of course!"
"No, nephew, I have not forgotten," Thorin growled with tepid enthusiasm, "Tell Dwalin to get the party started and I will join you before long." He began to tidy up the documents on his desk and stood up to leave when a small letter that had fallen far under his desk caught his eye. "What is this? Ugh, I hope it's not another complaining rant from that blasted Thranduil."
He opened the envelope to find an intricately decorated coin of Mithril and a beautifully penned note upon handmade papyrus:
"Dearest King Under The Mountain,
It is my pleasure to congratulate you on your incredible feat of reclaiming Erebor. Please accept this small token of my congratulations. I hope that you and your people will prosper once again and will someday find a need to re-start the great trade routes that existed between our two industries and true friendship that existed between our two grandfathers.
Should you need to seek council with me on running a thriving kingdom, please know that I am at your disposal.
With Respect and Sincerity,
Queen Heloise of Ered Mithrin"
Thorin's eyebrows rose at reading the last bit, "Should I need to seek her council?" He let out a loud guffaw filled with self-righteous pride. "Perhaps some of the rumors are true about her after all…" He picked up the Mithril coin and studied it. It bore the raven symbol of Erebor, not of Ered Mithrin. She must have had it specially commissioned. "Well, that was a thoughtful gesture…and an odd coincidence to find this letter after…"
Thorin picked up his quill and began to write a reply:
"Dearest Queen Heloise of Ered Mithrin,
Thank you for your congratulations and your kind gift. Your letter came at an opportune time as I was thinking of ordering the rebuilding the Ancient Trade Road between our two kingdoms once again. Are you aware of any impediments that may delay the quick reconstruction of this road?
Thorin held in a deep breath as he penned the next part
On an aside, it is my 200th birthday today, and as such, I was wondering if you would grant me the gift of being my female confidant. You see, I have none in my kingdom that I can fully trust with this subject, and as you must know the pressures of being the ruling royal, I was hoping that I might draw from you some guidance regarding courtship.
He let out his held-breath and continued…
I hope you don't think of this request as inappropriate. It is not my intention to embarrass you, only to glean your insights.
Most Sincerely,
Thorin, son of Thrain"
Thorin folded up the letter and closed it with his royal seal. He had never acted so spontaneously before, but something felt correct in his gesture. He left his study to join his party, already quite lively in the Hall of the Kings. On the way, he called to Nagaer, his most trusted Raven courier, "Deliver this to Queen Heloise of Ered Mithrin. Make haste to leave before I regret my decision."