Chapter 1—Preliminary Interviews
It was a time honored tradition that when a young dwarrow of royal bloodlines turned the age of 100, he would be expected to marry. If not already attached to a female dwarrowdam, then the dwarf's wife would be chosen for him. A conclave would come together, presenting the eligible dwarrowdams, who were all high class, noble dams that came from the best families, seven in total, one to represent each of the dwarf clans.
And that is how Fili found himself grumbling to his uncle about the potentially disastrous months ahead of him. Thorin himself had escaped the traditional courtship by leading his people to safety after Smaug's desolation of their kingdom and engaging in war against orcs. He also made it known that he was more interested in reclaiming their homeland than settling down in Ered Luin with a wife and dwarflings of his own.
Somehow, to Fili's chagrin, his uncle was exempted from the rule.
But Fili, at Thorin and the council's insistence, would be forced to go through the entire conclave. The dams were usually princesses or noble ladies themselves, often with as many brains as a thimble, Fili judged. He just couldn't understand why he wouldn't be allowed to choose another dwarrowdam besides the seven that showed up.
Sure, he had the first 99 years of his life to figure it out, but he had been busy himself. And, to be honest, none of the lasses that he had ever met had really caught his eye. And so, he was planning on resigning himself to a completely loveless marriage, at least at first. He knew that there was every chance that the dam he ended up marrying would grow to care for him and he would grow to care quite a deal for her in time, but still…
The main reason why he had even agreed to it, even with all the complaining, was so that Tauriel and Kili could finally marry. The council had said that if Fili married first and to a dwarrowdam only, then Kili and Tauriel would have their permission to marry after.
Fili only snorted at the comment—The two lovers were practically married anyway. It would only make their relationship official, and their children legitimate.
But still, Fili would do it in a heartbeat for his little brother and the elf maiden that had so easily captured Kili's heart years ago. They were completely committed to each other, and Tauriel, was not only loyal to Kili, but to the entire royal family. She had since become a member of Dwalin's guard, and protected Lady Dis. She had even thwarted a plot to assassinate Thorin.
Tauriel would be one of the guards that watched over the noble dwarrowdams that were due to arrive. Fili was hoping that Tauriel would be honest with him on the kindest and least dim-witted of the female dams that would flock to Erebor for the interviews, meetings and balls to get to know him. The only official time that he would be able to see them was during balls, and even then, they would be surrounded by everyone. It was hardly a time for him to really get to know any of the lasses that came. Still, he hoped for a dam that his mother would agree would be good for him—a dam that could challenge him, yet be supportive of him. That's what he needed.
Thorin himself had already told Fili that a year after he married, he would abdicate the throne to him. He wanted to live the rest of his years in peace and harmony, with no more big decisions to make, so he would hand the job over to Fili. Fili felt this was a bit unfair due the fact that his uncle was not that old. And still, Fili knew that he would accept because he it was what he had been raised to do.
He looked around at Kili, Tauriel, Dis and Thorin around the dinner table and listened in to the conversation.
"The dams are all coming tomorrow, then?" Thorin asked, slightly glancing at Fili, who only seemed to sigh and poke at his food, even more. He didn't like having to do this to Fili, but his nephew had not found a lass on his own, and so, the council deemed that a marriage was due, and, of course, their line, hopefully fruitful at last.
Dis also glanced at her eldest son, feeling slightly pensive, and said, "Yes. All seven, though I believe those traveling from Orocarni will be here a little bit more in the evening."
Thorin stiffened at the idea of delegates from the Red Mountains attending the meetings. He wasn't sure how he felt about one of those combative, blood-thirsty lasses marrying Fili. And yet, although the conclave was tradition, in the end, Fili would be the one to choose from the seven available dams.
"Are you sure you haven't found your one yet, brother?" Kili asked quietly. It was how Kili had managed to get out of the whole thing. Several dams had tried to strike his fancy, but when Tauriel figured out the belief that there was only one other dwarf or creature out there for a dwarf, then she used that as a way to get the dams to back off of her dwarf.
"I'm sure," Fili said, taking a bite of his food before giving a swift smile to Kili in thanks.
Dis looked over at Fili and then at Kili. "Not every dwarf is fated to find his or her one, my dear. These things are rare, but that doesn't change Fili's responsibilities to wed and have children."
Fili only continued to eat dejectedly, trying to ignore the enthusiasm in his mother's voice. How embarrassing, that she was so involved in the process.
"Fili," Thorin commanded suddenly. Fili steeled his resolve and kept his back straight as he stared at his uncle.
"Yes, uncle?"
"I expect you to treat each dam with respect and honor. None of this moping about while they're here, understand?" Thorin only gave him one of his majestic glares.
"Aye, uncle. I'll do my best to look the proper image of a future king." He ended his statement sarcastically and Thorin only narrowed his eyes further.
Dis interceded. "Of course, Fili, this doesn't have to last that long. You can choose the one that strikes your fancy the most when you meet her."
Fili looked at his mother and said, "I doubt that will happen."
"Do you have such little faith in dwarrowdams?" Tauriel asked quietly, before adding in, "Perhaps an elf or-"
Thorin grunted as his eyes narrowed at Tauriel who only smiled mischievously at King Thorin. She really knew how to press his buttons, even after all these years.
"Kili likes the lasses that are taller than him, not me, thank you." Fili replied, nodding at Tauriel in thanks. Tauriel was quite talented at diffusing situations between the three dwarves. And often, she didn't resort to violence, like Dis did.
"So, shorter than you then?" Tauriel asked, actually sounding quite interested in the prospect of finding a dwarrowdam for Fili.
"No, no, no..." Fili started to say, realizing that Tauriel was looking forward to the idea of being a matchmaker, but his mother bowled over him.
"Keep an eye out on them, Tauriel. They don't know how close you'll be with Fili at first—I'm sure that you'll be able to tell me how they really are in private." Dis commented to her, feeling enthusiasm ride over her. She was going to like dressing down all these dams that were coming to Erebor for her son's hand.
Fili only looked between the two females with wide eyes and a concerned expression on his face. His eyebrows were furrowed slightly and his lips pursed. He wasn't sure how to respond.
"Balin and Dwalin will help too, of course, with the rest of the company. I believe that between all of us, we'll be able to give you a good recommendation as to which dam will be the most agreeable to marry," Thorin commented quite seriously.
Fili was torn between wanting to laugh in derision at their words or run far, far away.
"Remember, Fili, what the conduct is-" Dis began to say. This was getting to be too much for poor Fili.
"Just keep them away from me too, amad! I don't want any of them trying to trap me in a marriage!" Fili answered, his hands in the air, "May I be excused now? I need to..."
"Look your best?" Dis' eyes roved over him critically. "Yes, I think that's for the best."
Fili gaped at his mother and then shook his head. What did it matter what he looked like? None of the lasses would see him for the first two weeks unless they sought him out, and they were to be barred completely from the royal quarters. They would only be staying in the guest quarters on the level lower than them.
He decided not to comment though, and stood up as quickly as possible, practically running to his rooms.
It wasn't as if he didn't want to marry. He knew that he did—he longed for a companion, but he didn't have much hope that he would be able to find the lass he needed in the seven representatives that came to the meetings. But, there wasn't much hope. Thorin and his council had decreed that he would be married in the next three months, and so, he would do their will, no matter how much it bothered him. He would never let his family, and especially his uncle down.
It was just over a day later that Dis walked into a large waiting room, followed by Lord Balin and Lord Dwalin, and a few others—Nori, Dori, Ori, Bofur and Gloin. They were going to be conducting initial interviews with each of the lasses. The rest of the time there, the lasses would be going through other tasks—diplomatic relations, war tactics, mine inspections and other duties that would teach them about the mountain and the running of the kingdom alongside their potential husband.
There were seven young lasses gathered around the room. There were two groups of three and a lone lass, off to the side, standing against the back wall. She looked as though she didn't want to be there at all, while the rest of the lasses were still chatting with another. The lass against the wall inclined her head to Dis and then dropped into a polite, albeit stiff curtsy. She then crossed her arms again, and settled herself in an armchair, still separate from the rest of the lasses.
Dis waited for a few more seconds before suddenly, as if they had just realized it, the lasses all stood up at once, as if suddenly realizing that she was finally there.
They stood and gave curtsies as one whole group, and apologized profusely.
"It's alright, my dears. I'm glad to see that you've all made it here in one piece. As you know, I'm Lady Dis. One of you, in three months time will be my daughter by marriage. In the next three months, I hope we can all get to know each other quite well and become good friends."
Dis looked from one dam to the other. With a critical eye, she took in their clothes, and appearance. The lasses all smiled at each other kindly except the dam that sat in the arm chair, still apart from the rest of the group.
Dis narrowed her eyes. If she remembered correctly, that lass was from the Ironfist clan.
"This morning," Dis continued, her eyes sweeping over the rest of the dams gathered, "we will be meeting in private to interview each of you. Please await your turn, enjoy some tea and take refreshment. After you are finished, you have the rest of the day free for your own leisure."
Dis stopped and cleared her throat. She then looked between the dams and warned them, "Be warned, though. Any of you who wish to trap my son in a marriage by seducing him, will be automatically disqualified."
There was a deathly silence as the dams all turned bright red, except the solo one, who only laughed silently at the looks of horror that her peers had on their faces. Dis wasn't sure what to think of this Ironfist lass, who was so very different, it appeared from the rest of the group.
"Brynn, dear. You first." Brynn, a lovely dam with dark brown hair gathered around the nape of her neck stood up and exited the room, followed by the seven dwarves who trailed after her and Dis.
"Blimey, she's lucky." Freya, from the Firebeard clan, broke the silence. Freya was a lass with hair the color of a wildfire. She had a lovely beard and dark brown orbs that twinkled behind a sit of intelligent eyes and shrewd eyes. Her red beard dangled under her chin in an impressive braid that was laced with rubies.
"I heard they grew up together," the tiny, blond beauty stated. Her name was Iona, and was the lass chosen from the Broadbeam clan. She and the princes were distantly related by marriage, it was said. Her light blond hair was even fairer than the crown prince's. She had bright blue eyes that managed to bring out a naivete and innocence that one could hardly find fault in. Of course, she managed to use that wide-eyed innocent look to the best of her ability.
"Maybe he hates her then. I mean, I could hardly stand her and I was just with her for a few minutes. Can you imagine?" Dark hair, a dark brown, thin goatee and dark eyes—she was a Blacklock through and through. And, quite mean, it appeared.
"I didn't catch your name," the lass sitting in the arm chair said suddenly, looking at the dam with disgust written all over her features.
"Siri, at your service," the black haired dam replied, before firing back, "I'm sure that you would know that if you actually tried to talk to someone else."
The dam stared at the Blacklock lass, and then just shrugged, as if she wasn't worth her time.
"Full of yourself aren't you?" Helle commented, another lass with dark brown hair as she looked fully at the dam in the arm chair. "What's your name?" Her lip curled as she took in the modest and obviously dated blue gown that the lass wore.
"Raela is her name," Erika commented, giving a slight wink to the dam in the arm chair before turning to the other dwarrowdams. Erika was the only one that Raela knew, although she had heard of several of the others by name. Their settlements were right next to each other in Orocarni, and so, they had met each other quite often growing up.
"That's right. Raela of the Ironfists, at your service." Raela put a hand over her chest and gave a slight bow to them.
"Perhaps we can do you a service and get you a new dress." Siri commented with a loud laugh from the rest of the dams except Erika and Iona, who only looked at Raela in kindness. Raela only smiled at Siri's taunt, showing her teeth and the fact that the slight hadn't bother her in the least.
Siri turned her back on Raela in reply.
Lady Brynn's interview took over twenty minutes, and then, one by one, they were all called back in some specific order. Finally, it was just Erika and Raela sitting together.
"I can't believe your uncle managed to get you to come," Erika commented to the dam siting by her. After Iona had been called in, Raela left her armchair in order to sit next to Erika.
Erika only knew it was because Raela was quite shy, and she wasn't around a lot of nobledams a lot. She was probably feeling a bit out of place.
"I didn't have much choice," Raela commented, fingering the skirts of her gown as she tried to smooth out any wrinkles.
"It will be alright. The prince will choose someone else, and then we can both get back to Orocarni." Raela only nodded, not believing what Erika had said. Erika was more like the other dams than she was like Raela.
They had all heard tales of King Thorin and his nephews, with their company of dwarves, a halfling and a wizard, reclaiming the kingdom of Erebor for the Longbeards. Prince Fili was the type of dwarf that most of these dams dreamed of marrying.
Most of them, except Raela.
The door opened only a few minutes after a silence descended between them. "Lady Erika." It was gruff, male voice that said it. He was looking at the two dams and he had no hair on his hair but a fine beard on his face. Raela only smiled at Erika who shrugged apologetically and then stood up and left the room.
Raela was left to her own thoughts as she stared at fire with dying embers, waiting to be called into the parlor last and wondering how she was going to get out of this mess.
Lady Dis spoke comfortably to Lady Erika who was sweet and kind, and very refined. While she was a member of the Stiffbeard clan, her own beard was quite thin, and she was a lovely little thing with light brown hair.
Perhaps Fili would like this one, she thought to herself.
She exchanged some parting words with the Lady Erika, and then the young dam left the room. They were all quiet, until Dwalin broke the silence with a gruff statement.
"She said all the right things, didn't she?"
The dwarves only nodded. Gloin especially approved of the conservative lass.
"One more to go, and then I'll start some training with them tomorrow." Dis said. She turned to Balin, who was sitting to her right.
"Please let Lady Raela in for me, Balin." Balin only nodded.
The dwarves had all taken turns welcoming the lasses and seeing their responses to the different dwarves helping them.
Bofur even got a pinch to his bottom from one of the dams. He was so taken aback by a noble dam acting in such a manner, he was actually quiet throughout her entire interview afterwards.
Balin stood up and walked through the small hall, and entered into the room. That was the lass there, sitting at the table by herself. She held her hands together and looked awfully small in that large room all alone.
"Lady Raela," he said. She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. Her eyes softened at him and she stood up, almost tripping over the chairs and her skirts. She smiled at him and he offered her his arm. She hesitated and then took it. He led her into the room, where there was a table that Dis and the advisers sat around. She was to sit in the chair in front of the table. It almost felt as if she was marching to her death, except, one way or another, she really didn't care what they thought of her.
Dis took in the sight of the young dam. Her gown was outdated, but clean and modest. Her hair was cut to her shoulder blades with longer braids hanging down in an interesting style. She wasn't quite sure what to make of her hair to be honest—most dams kept their hair long as it was a sign of their pride and lineage. And hers was slightly shorter than Fili's. She had broad hips and a large bosom, but she still seemed to lack the softness of the other dams. She looked Lady Dis straight in the eyes, and it almost made Dis uncomfortable to see this young dam meet her gaze so openly.
"How old are you, Lady Raela?" Dis asked, doing her best to hopefully make the dam feel welcome.
"Does it matter? I'm of age." Dis blinked slightly at the response. All the other dams had told her their ages easily enough. She had said it politely, but the rest of the dwarves around the room began to fidget in their chairs. One did not refuse to answer the Lady Dis' questions.
"Yes. It matters. Is it so wrong to ask a dam her age, especially when you may be my future daughter in law?" Dis replied to the young dam.
"Then may I ask how old you are, my lady, if you're to become my future mother-in-law?" Raela shot back, an eyebrow raised at the older dwarrowdam, almost as if she as challenging the princess.
Someone coughed behind Dis, Nori, by the sound of it, trying to cover his laughter at the disrespectful question.
Dis decided it would be best to move on.
"What is your chosen craft dear?" Dis queried, hoping that the smile was still plastered on her face.
"I don't have one." Ori's quill faltered once again on the parchment. He looked at Dis who was still staring at Raela in annoyance.
"Come, my dear. There's nothing to be ashamed of." Dis told her, feeling her temper starting to rise. The gall of this dwarrowdam.
"If I had a chosen craft, I doubt I would be ashamed of it, my lady. But I do not have a chosen craft. I'm frankly, unskilled at many things." Raela replied, her head held up high and meeting Dis' eyes. She was telling the truth, from what Dis saw.
"Then you have nothing to offer the kingdom, skillwise, besides raising my ire?"
A smile flickered across Raela's face "Apparently not."
"Then, why are you even here?"
"My uncle asked me to come. So, I came." Raela said simply with a small, fond smile on her face. She liked her uncle then. That was good.
"You were raised by your uncle?" Dis asked, hoping that perhaps there would be some common ground that this lass had with Fili.
"No. My father passed twelve years ago, with my mother following shortly after. I was already of age. He's only recently taken guardianship of myself and my brother." Dis closed her eyes. Of course, she had almost forgotten. She knew that already. Balin shared a glance with her and Dwalin.
"How old is your brother then?" Dis asked her, trying to remember the lad's age. After all, the lad was the future leader of the Ironfist Clan.
"11". Raela stated.
Dis looked up, and stared at the lass in the eye. Her green eyes were bright and intelligent.
"If you only came because your uncle commanded it, do you wish to be married to Fili?" Dis asked abruptly, wondering if there was anything positive she could tell Fili about this one.
"No." Raela replied. The dwarves around the room shifted once again. One of the dams wasn't even interested in marrying Fili. So why was she even here?
"Then you're wasting my time, aren't you?" Dis inquired, feeling satisfied that this lass was finally somewhat forthright with her.
"My lady, you're the one that asked me to come in for this interview. And to be frank, you're the one that made me wait for over two hours to meet with you. And I will continue to attend, because it is expected of me, even if I have no desire to marry your son."
Dis stared at the lass with a perplexed expression on her face. "Why?"
"Because, my uncle would be displeased if I didn't at least follow the protocol." She shifted suddenly and then glanced at Balin. "My uncle won't hear about what's being said in here, will he?"
Dis didn't answer.
"You have our discretion lass," Balin answered, looking at the spunky lass in a new light.
Raela looked at him and nodded her head, "My thanks, Lord Balin."
Ori was continuing to write everything down on the parchment. Raela sat patiently, waiting to answer any more of the questions that Dis posed to her.
"What do you think of your uncle making you come here?" Dis finally asked. It was obvious she didn't want to be there. But she liked her uncle enough to agree to the conclave.
Why?
Raela looked around the room and then at Dis, finally, for the first time looking uncomfortable.
"I feel like an object, more than a person. It doesn't seem to matter what I say or what I want. I'm here because it was commanded of me, like all the lasses here. And I feel as if I will be paraded around like a prize. To be honest, I think it's completely distasteful."
Dis narrowed her eyes and said, "It's a time honored tradition, Lady Raela."
"That doesn't make it right—that I may be forced to wed someone that I have no desire to marry. I wonder if Prince Fili might possibly feel the same way."
Dis immediately smoothed her features. The nerve of this lass!
There was something that she said that struck Dis' nerve. She knew that Fili was completely against the idea of marrying someone for a political alliance. Dis couldn't interced on her son's behalf; Thorin and the council had decreed it.
Dis realized that the silence had stretched longer than she intended. "Very well, Lady Raela. Anything else that you may want to add?"
Raela paused and then shook her head no.
"Alright. I do assume that you're older than 55, correct?"
She nodded her head. That was the age of consent and adulthood for dwarves.
"Are you older than 100?"
She shook her head this time, silence filling the room. Dis stared at her and was still curious about the younger brother. Perhaps he would provide some common ground. She decided to ask one last question.
"Will your brother attend the schoolhouse here while he is present?"
"I believe so, my lady." Raela replied directly.
"Well, it is a good school. Does he usually attend a school or is he tutored by a governess?" Dis asked, feeling her maternal instinct come out. The lad had never known his mother, after all.
"I tutor him, usually," Raela responded.
"How nice. And what do you teach him?" Dis asked, curious about the lass, who appeared was softer than what she first expected. (Or perhaps it was just for her brother).
Raela hardened her gaze at Dis' nosy question. "Reading, writing, languages, maths, geography, history and weapons."
Dwalin scoffed slightly. Dis looked over Dwalin and said, "Oh go on cousin. I know you want to ask it."
"Are you skilled enough yourself to be teaching the lad how to use weapons?" Dwalin asked the lass with his arms crossed over his chest.
Raela only shrugged, once again. "I know the mechanics, Lord Dwalin, but I'm doubtful we'd find as renowned a warrior as yourself in all of Orocarni."
There was a deep silence that followed her statement. Balin smiled at the lass brightly, and Dwalin, surprisingly, blushed at her compliment.
"He's more than welcome to train with me, Lady Raela." Dwalin told her gruffly. "After his schooling, of course."
Raela smiled at the dwarf and Dis was astonished at the transformation that came over the young dwarrowdam's face.
She was prettier than Dis initially thought, and her smile practically lit up the room.
"I'm sure that will make him the happiest little lad, Lord Dwalin. My thanks to you for the offer. I will have to run it past my uncle though." Raela said. Dwalin only flushed slightly at Raela's reaction and grunted something inaudibly.
Dis looked once again between the lass and Dwalin. She cleared her throat.
"Well, then." Dis looked over the lass and commented, "You are more than welcome to leave and enjoy the rest of the day, Lady Raela."
Raela stood up, and gave a short curtsy to Lady Dis and the present dwarves before practically sprinting out of the room.
They remained sitting as Raela left and after a few moments, began conversing quietly amongst themselves as Dis sat with her hands in her chin, pondering over something.
"Lady Erika, then," Gloin said loudly, bringing everyone's attention to him. "She's the most appropriate, that's for sure. Had all the right answers, and comes from the best family."
"Except she's a Stiffbeard," Nori replied, and visibly shivered, "You can trust the stiff'uns."
"Well, then, Nori, which one would you choose for Fili?" Dis asked, looking over at Nori with a curious expression. She agreed with Gloin. So far, the one that she felt would suit her eldest son the best was Lady Erika.
"Isn't it obvious?" Nori gestured his chin out the door, "Lady Raela, of course. Blimey, Lady Dis, she managed to piss you off good and well, didn't she?"
Dis bristled slightly. She felt that she had handled the lass quite well considering the dam's poor attitude about everything.
"She has no respect for tradition." Dis sniffed to them.
"She respects strength though. You heard what she said about Dwalin." Ori piped up, glancing at the bald dwarf while still taking notes. "I liked her the best too."
Dis blinked slightly and then stared at quiet, sweet Ori.
"You too, Ori?" Ori felt himself flush and put his quill down.
"Aye, for Fili, of course. She doesn't want to be here, and he doesn't want to either. He'd like honesty like that."
"But-" Dis protested, looking around the room. They all—except Gloin and Dori—were nodding in agreement with Ori's words. Only Gloin and Dori disagreed, who were by far the most conservative ones.
"Balin?" Dis gasped slightly, looking at her cousin in betrayal. "With that compliment for Dwalin, I thought that he'd like her, but you too?"
"Dis," Balin answered quietly, "she's the only one that addressed us each by name, knowing who we all were ahead of time. She'd be excellent for diplomacy. She was the only one that even took a second glance at me in kindness. She offended you, yes, but she's a good lass, I know it."
Dis only shook her head. "Well, thank Mahal it's Fili's choice in the end, we can only recommend names."
Dwalin, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since Raela left commented, "Also, Dis, she was the only one that refused to be intimidated by you. I'd say that is something Fili would like—a lass not too afraid of his amad."
Dis only grunted and then dismissed them all with a wave of her hand. It was now time for her to brief Thorin, Fili and Kili on her first impressions. Balin would be there too and would no doubt mention Raela. Dis only sighed in exasperation.
"And, that's it, so far, Thorin. Most of them are quite lovely and ladylike." Dis said casting a smile at Fili and Kili. Tauriel was also sitting around Thorin's office, along with Balin. Kili sat next to her and Fili was staring into the fire with a brooding expression on his usually handsome face.
"Most?" Thorin asked his sister, an eyebrow raised in humor. Dis was always honest, so if she used the word 'most' instead of 'all' then there had been at least one who had managed to not give a good impression.
There was a silence that stretched until Dis answered, "Yes. Most. There is one lass who refused to give me her age, told me she had no craft or talent and that it was an outdated and pointless tradition."
Thorin only raised both eyebrows this time, and glanced at Fili, who was still sitting in his armchair, not listening at all.
"Which clan?" Thorin asked curiously.
"Ironfist. She has an interesting haircut too." Dis replied as she settled herself to sit in a chair across from her brother.
"Raela?" Thorin guessed off the top of his head. He was never the greatest with names, and although he knew her father, he never had the opportunity to meet the dam before. "Her uncle is polite but quiet around me."
Kili looked at his uncle and then gestured his chin toward Balin.
"What do you think Balin?" Kili asked.
"They all seem like good lasses, even Lady Raela, Thorin. Dis is only upset because the lass managed to turn her own words on her. She has a little brother, quite young, who is here with her. Dwalin has already offered to give the lad some lessons in weaponry."
"Dwalin likes her too then?" Thorin said, staring at Dis fully. "Why didn't you tell me that? Dwalin is hard to please, you know that."
"She would be eaten alive by the council, Thorin. She doesn't want to be here, she's only here because her uncle requested she participate. Plus, she complimented Dwalin—you know how arrogant he can be, especially in regard to young, pretty dams." Dis answered.
"She's pretty then?" Tauriel asked, curious about this old-fashioned courtship that poor Fili was having to endure.
Dis refused to answer, taking in solace in the fact that Fili wasn't paying attention to any of the words that had been spoken.
Meanwhile, Balin only smiled and nodded his head in answer for Tauriel.
Author's Note: This is inspired from a few different books: a bit of Pride and Prejudice, a little bit of The Selection, Princess Academy and a few other great books. This is my side project for when I hit writer blocks. Enjoy!