"Nothing is more deceitful...than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast" - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.
Lifa stood on the escapment, watching intently for Lady Dis' arrival. The mountain had been buzzing all week with excitement and preparations. The king's sister had been gone for nearly six months to Ered Luin on an errand to bring the wives and children of many of Erebor's miners to their new home.
The noonday sun shone hotly on Lifa's perch and she felt her neck growing damp in the heat. May was just a few days away and the unusually hot air had taken a swampy feel that made standing outside the mountain nearly unbearable.
Half-heartedly fanning herself with her handkerchief, Lifa considered heading back inside and watching from the massive gates below where she could remain in the shade. Movement on the lake stilled Lifa's retreat and she squinted her eyes to get a better view.
It seemed that the half a dozen barges from Dale had lined up at Esagroth's docks. As the first one had finished loading, it slowly steered away and began its unhurried trek to Dale's trade docks below. Lifa could not see how many persons had boarded the barge, or how many trunks were stacked as well, but some quick calculations in her head told her that it could easily take all day to transport the caravan of dwarves across the lake.
At least she would be granted a few more hours reprieve before she had to meet Fili's mother.
Lifa groaned as she felt her stomach lurch. She wasn't sure if it was the thought of the handsome dwarf or that of his intimidating mother that caused the queasy sensation that had been plaguing her repeatedly since Thorin announced that Lady Dis would soon be reaching Esgaroth.
Where was Fili? Did he know that his mother and company were in sight of Erebor? For a moment, she considered leaving the wall to find the prince and drag him back to watch with her as well, but she remembered that he said he was going to train during lunch so that they might have a walk before his mother arrived.
Lifa bit her lip and felt her face warm when she thought of him sparring. In the Iron Hills, Lifa and Signi were welcome on the training grounds, often participating themselves and sparring with the young dwarves. She was no stranger to seeing dwarves shed their shirts, their torsos glistening in their exertion, as they heaved their axes. This was a sight that never affected Lifa in the slightest - it was as normal as the sun rising in the east or Lord Dain taking ale with his supper. But the thought of Fili in the same situation, twin swords flashing as he thrust his opponent to the ground…Mahal.
She had to stop thinking like that. It was indecent.
Shaking her head, Lifa forced her thoughts to her sister. Where was that imp? Signi had made herself scarce most of the week, only appearing for supper where she spent the entire evening in conversation with the king. Lifa was still annoyed with her sister for tipping Fili off on her musical abilities (yes, she was well aware that Signi had spilled the beans), but she couldn't stay angry with her when Fili had shown such appreciation for her songs. His eyes shone with such admiration when she played her fiddle, and afterwards he held her hand and whispered requests in her ear, sending chills down her spine.
No, no, she had to stop thinking about him.
But where was her sister? Usually she spent her days by the lake with Kili and Gimli, or she holed up in the library reading those blasted books on the history of man. Lifa could not fathom what interest Signi had in those dry tomes, pouring over the weakness and misfortune that seemed to follow mankind through the ages. Dwarven history was rich and noble, and elven history was long and romantic, but the history of man was nothing but poverty, sickness, and war. Why would a dwarf maid waste her days reading such things?
Glancing over the lake once more, Lifa saw that the second barge was on its way. It was going to be a long day indeed.
Fili braced himself to break another swing of Dwalin's axe but the Captain's axe never fell. Glancing up, He saw that the dwarf was distracted by something at the other end of the arena.
"Durin's beard," Dwalin muttered, looking over Fili's shoulder.
Slowly the prince turned, wary that this might be one of Dwalin's tricks, and was shocked to see Lifa storming through the training arena, her hands fisted and eyes blazing.
Fili felt his heartbeat thundering in his chest at this sight. Never had he seen Lifa, his sweet Lifa with her fluttering smiles and maidenly manners, so enraged. Something akin to fear glimmered in his mind, but it was soon washed away with the flood of rather indecent thoughts that followed. Mahal, she always lovely, but this fire was something else.
Sheathing his sword, Fili climbed out of the ring and met Lifa halfway. Ignoring the wolf whistles coming from the other dwarves, he took her hands and led her to stand just inside the doorway of the armory.
"Is everything alright?" he asked softly, his thumbs rubbing gently over the backs of her hands.
Lifa snorted. "No," she said scathingly. Fili did not flinch, but raised an eyebrow to indicate that he wanted her to elaborate.
"Do you know where your brother is?"
Fili frowned, confused by her question. "He and Gimli went to Dale to help escort the travelers," he answered.
Lifa's scowl deepened. "Did he take anyone with him?"
What was with these questions? Why would Lifa care what his brother was doing and who he was with?
"I believe he sent some guards down ahead of him," answered Fili, "and then he and Gimli went down after lunch. Why do you ask such questions?"
Lifa groaned and pulled her hands from his to cover her face. It was a reflex, at least that is what he told himself later, but Fili reached out to Lifa and drew her close, wrapping an arm around her back and nestling her head against his shoulder.
"What is wrong?" he murmured into her hair.
"Signi," she answered, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I can't find her anywhere. I wanted her to come watch them travel across the lake with me, but she is nowhere in the mountain. I have checked everywhere."
"Have you checked with the king?" Fili asked, his mustache braids twitching with a smirk. Many of the dwarves had noticed how Thorin had changed in her presence. He dominated her conversation at dinner and his heated stare when she sang made all of the dwarves blush.
Lifa pulled back her head to glare at him. "As a matter of fact I did check with the king," she snapped. "I had to pretend like I was lost to justify barging into his study like that."
Fili laughed, tightening his grip on Lifa as he pictured Thorin's reaction to the intrusion.
"Mahal, You and your sister are determined to get sent back to the Iron Hills."
"Don't even joke about that," she moaned. "I think Signi might be in real trouble this time."
Fili stilled. "What do you mean?"
Lifa pulled away, turning so that her back was facing Fili. He frowned at this change, but allowed her space so she might tell him what was bothering her.
"Signi has been itching to go to Dale since we have arrived. It has been getting worse since she started reading those books…"
Fili felt his breath catch. "What books?" he asked in a low voice.
"Those books in the library. The history books. She keeps reading about mankind and I think she might have some unhealthy obsession with Dale."
Fili relaxed. Reading about history was nothing. In fact, he often meant to read more of those books himself, but there were never enough hours in the day.
"There is nothing wrong with a little knowledge, my Lady," he said.
Lifa shook her head. "You don't understand. She had a disagreement last night, with the king. She wanted to go to Dale with Kili and Gimli, but he said absolutely not. She acted like she was not upset at dinner, but in our rooms…let's just say she had a few choice words for our king."
Mahal, thought Fili, closing his eyes. His uncle was so old fashioned about allowing dwarrowdams to leave the mountain. The only reason Dis was allowed to leave was because she would have Thorin's balls if he tried to stop her. But to forbid Signi from travelling to Dale under the protection of the king's guard, that was just about archaic.
But it was also the king's order and if he discovered that Signi had disobeyed him, he would certainly see that she was returned to the Iron Hills. And Lifa as well.
"Dammit," Fili swore. For a second he felt embarrassed that he lapsed in front of Lifa, but seeing her gaze as she looked over her shoulder at him he realized that the sentiment held true for her as well.
"I have to go get them," he said. "Thorin will call for us as soon as Mother gets here. He will be irate when he discovers that Signi is in Dale." His thoughts were a flurry as he tried to formulate a plan to get down there in time without the king's notice.
"You will have to hurry," Lifa said, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "The third barge was nearly across the lake when I came down here to find you."
"Mahal," he groaned. Grabbing her hand, he quickly pressed his lips to the soft skin, before letting go and running out the door.
Thorin surveyed his sister as she moved about the room, shedding her travel cloak and sending her maid for tea. She looked well despite her travels, dressed in a fine red gown and brown furs, her gray-streaked black hair perfectly in place and her short braided beard ending with a silver House of Durin bead. They were so similar in appearance, tall and imposing, both taking after their father where Frerin had the blond features of their mother. She had the same blue eyes as Thorin, but the mischievous glint they carried rivaled that of Kili.
It was good to have his sister back, but Mahal, she drove him to insanity.
"Did you find everyone well in Ered Luin?" He asked when she finally took a seat. Following her lead, Thorin settled upon the blue sofa across from her, his leg jiggling restlessly.
Dis eyed his fidgeting. "Aye, all was well. Our aunt sends her love, as does her daughter, Ana."
Thorin growled, fixing a glare on his sister. He knew she was teasing, but over the last two years he had heard far too much of his aunt's plans to make Ana his queen.
Dis laughed openly at his expression. "You seem perturbed by this, brother dear. Do you not want a queen from Ered Luin? Perhaps we should turn our attentions to the Iron Hills."
Thorin scowled again. She hadn't even been off the boat ten minutes and she was already taking it out of his hide.
Giving his sister a small smile to take away her satisfaction of annoying him he said, "I have no need for a queen."
"Nonsense," scoffed Dis. "Now is the perfect time to find a wife. You are the most desirable bachelor in the seven kingdoms."
"That title goes to your eldest son," countered Thorin. "And it is high time he fulfills his duty."
Dis chuckled as she took her tea from the maid. Slowly, she stirred sugar into her cup. "Where is my son? I hoped he would be glad to see me after so much time away."
Thorin frowned, ignoring the tea that was poured for him as well. "I sent for him, the moment your barge hit the docks. I don't know what could be holding him up."
"Based on the ravens I received from Kili, I think I can guess what, or whom, should I say, is holding his attentions," Dis chuckled.
Thorin's lip curled as he thought of Lifa and Fili. Their infatuation was too quick, too reckless. He had warned Fili about distraction from maids. It may be fun in the present, but that it could not continue in such a fashion. That was not the way of marriage for a future king.
"Now you stop that," snapped Dis, waving her spoon at Thorin's scowl. The king feigned confusion, but Dis was not fooled. "I know that look. You will not control every aspect of Fili's ascent to the throne. Remember, he was never intended to be your heir. If he loves the girl, let him have her."
Thorin looked rightfully abashed, casting his eyes downward when his sister sussed out his true meaning behind the scowl. Fili and Kili deserved everything he could offer: the throne, the mountain, the gold, everything. But they had to proceed carefully or all of his hard work was for nothing.
"I worry for him," said Thorin quietly.
"Fili is a smart lad," replied Dis, waving her hand to dismiss the conversation, a technique, Thorin noted, that she had learned from him.
Thorin shook his head. He would not be dismissed as though his thoughts were that of a dwarfling "Fili is enamored by a beautiful dwarrowdam –"
"She's beautiful is she?" interrupted Dis. Thorin knew by the pointed look in her eye that she was trying to distract him.
"Aye, she is," he growled. "And she has no competitors. She is the prettiest Dwarrowdam in Erebor and Fili was taken with her the moment they met. Something isn't right about that."
Dis shook her head, giving him a disbelieving stare. "Are you listening to yourself? It isn't right that he has fallen for a beautiful dwarrowdam? I am afraid that I don't see the logic in that line of thought, brother."
Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to think of the best way to explain his suspicions. "I am just saying that she doesn't come from the best of families, and that the coincidental nature of her appearance in Erebor just as it is starting to prosper again, paired with her beauty, indicate that a marriage to the prince would be advantageous to her and her family."
"Of course their marriage would be advantageous!" Dis said indignantly. "Fili is set to inherit the largest dwarf stronghold in Middle Earth. Such a marriage would be advantageous to any dwarf maid, no matter what their status might be."
Mahal he hated fighting with his sister. They both had tempers as fiery as the forges below and just being in each other's presence billowed the flames to raging anger with unnerving speed. Giving her a grumbling sigh, Thorin decided to quell the fight before it got out of control.
"We are getting ahead of ourselves," he sighed. "The girl has been here just over a month. Fili may well tire of her as we speak."
Dis smirked at her brother and he knew that she counted his peace offering as a triumph on her part. Over my dead body, he thought.
"Perhaps we should move on to other topics," said Dis lightly, setting her teacup back on the tray. "I hear that Fili's love interest bought a sister to Erebor."
Groaning, Thorin lolled his head back on the sofa and rubbed his face with his hands. Whatever Dis had heard about Signi from her ravens, he was sure that Kili would be begging Mahal for mercy after the king got a hold of him.
Signi trailed behind Kili and Gimli, her eyes searching the dark alley ways and lighting on barefoot children as they hid from the dwarves, instead of keeping up with the King's soldiers. She had expected Dale to be dirty, the buildings still crumbling as they waited for stone. She expected the streets to be teeming with children, filthy and starving, begging for food or coin. She expected men and women who would never recover from the injuries that Smaug brought upon them attempting to sell their wares in makeshift tents.
She did not expect, however, the stench that permeated the air and burned her nose from the inside out. A chamber pot dumped out of the window above answered her unspoken question. Leaping out of the way, Signi just missed being covered in excrement.
The hem of her skirt, however, did not. Letting out an involuntary sound of disgust, she attempted to wipe her skirt on the nearby stone wall, but it made no difference.
"Keep up," laughed Kili up ahead. "You shouldn't have worn your finery if you didn't want it mussed up."
Signi looked down at her plain green dress and brown boots. Finery indeed!
As she continued walking with the dwarves, she noticed that a small collection of children had taken to following them, but when she turned they all dispersed. It had been this way since they entered the front gates and the group grew larger with each alley they passed.
Kili slowed to fall into step with her. "They are hoping you might drop some gold," he murmured.
Signi realized with horror that her purse sat in her room at Erebor. "Should I have brought some?" she whispered.
"Mahal, no," said Kili, his eyes piercing hers. "You are much safer without it. If you gave away one or two pieces, all of the tramps in the city would be on you to get every last piece you had on your person."
Signi did not like his tone when he called the children "tramps". Could he not see that they were hungry? Did he not care that these children barely had clothing, much less a shelter? Signi felt anger bristling through her as she thought of the prince beside her. What right did he have to judge the misfortune of innocents?
Kili however, was unaware that he had angered her. "Ah, the King makes his appearance," he said, throwing his arm around Signi's shoulders, his voice mocking.
For a heat-stopping moment, Signi thought he was referring to Thorin. But when she looked around, the dwarf was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, her eyes settled on a man standing before them, his back straight as an arrow and his arms around two young girls, presumably his daughters. Signi could not believe that this man was king, yet the dwarves greeted him with a bow, including Kili, who yanked her down as well.
He spoke briefly to the dwarves, welcoming them to Dale and thanking them for their kind service. He spoke plainly, no airs or flourishes necessary. Even his attire indicated nothing of his position except that he had bathed that day and put on a clean shirt for the dwarves. He was a king of the people and for the people and it gave Signi chills to be in his presence.
"He is a good king," she whispered, not aware that Kili could hear her.
"He is no king," Kili growled.
Signi was quite taken aback by this. She had never seen Kili angry or disrespectful, yet he stood before this humble king and showed nothing but distaste for the man.
"How can you say that?" she hissed. "He is clearly a working man who came by his post honestly. He was chosen to be king instead of claiming it as his birthright. How many kings can claim that?"
Kili lowered his brow, his face growing redder as she spoke. "What kind of king lets his people starve when he has all of the gold of Erebor available to his kingdom? You saw the squalor they live in here. What kind of king allows that to go on?"
Signi's eyes widened. All of the gold of Erebor was available to him? Glancing once more at the man, she searched him for some indication that the plain clothes she saw was a ruse. But nothing he or his children wore was better than the other people roaming the streets. Cleaner perhaps, but the quality was the same.
"What makes you think that he has that much gold?" she asked.
A muscle twitched in Kili's clenched jaw as he thought of how to reply.
"I do not know the details," he said measuredly, "But I know that Uncle has been trying ever since the Battle of Five Armies to give Bard gold to rebuild the city. He accepted enough to buy food and to build basic shelter, but he refuses accept more than that. Uncle is beside himself with guilt for bringing ruin to the people of Lake Town, annd he will not accept that Bard does not want to form an alliance with him."
Kili's last comment did not make sense. "If King Bard did not want to form an alliance, then why did he come out to welcome the guard today?"
Scowling again, Kili looked back at Bard before answering. "Because we paid ten gold coins apiece for those for those barges, per trip across the lake. That is an awfully high rate for a ferry, but it is good earned money that even Bard's pride can't turn away."
Not sure how to respond, Signi opted to keep her mouth shut until something new happened. Kili's scowl did not fade, nor did the crowd of children behind them. Twice, she saw Kili's hands twitch towards the daggers attached to his belt when one of the beggers got too close, but Signi stilled the movement with her hand on his and warning glance.
The trio had missed the first two barges coming in, but the third one was being tied off at the dock when Fili arrived, pushing angrily through the crowds.
Signi was shocked by his sudden appearance. He was dressed in a plain shirt and trousers, his braids askance and his face flushed from exertion. Judging by the way he breathed when he reached them, bending over to take great gulps of air, he had run all the way from Erebor.
"Durin's beard! What has gotten into you," asked Kili clapping his brother on the shoulder.
The look Fili gave him was murderous. "You and I will talk later," he said tersely. Kili raised his hands in feigned innocence and took a step back.
"You," he growled, turning to Signi, "Are coming with me." Grabbing her arm, Fili attempted to pull her through the crowd.
But Signi put up a fight, digging her heels into the paving stones and yanking her arm out of his grasp.
"What is wrong with you!" she yelled, drawing looks from townspeople standing nearby. Signi did not care. She would not allow herself to be treated in such a way, even if it was the prince.
Fili rounded on her, his eyes blazing. "You disobeyed the king's orders," he said in a low and deadly voice.
Signi flushed. She did not know that anyone else had heard about her conversation with the king.
"You should be thanking Mahal that Lifa came to me when she did," he continued. "My mother has returned and the King will be sending for you as well as my brother. If we do not get back to Erebor right away, he will know about your…indiscretion."
Groaning, Kili nodded to his brother and took Signi's other arm. The brothers moved quickly through the crowd, escorting a shamefaced Signi out of Dale.
"This is ridiculous," grumbled Kili. "When did Uncle become so uptight?"
"Probably about the time he found something he liked better than gold," answered Fili.
Signi did not try to decipher that comment, nor the conspiratorial look shared between the brothers, as her head was swimming with anger and fear. Anger and fear that only Thorin Oakenshield could cause.
Whew! I got it finished faster than planned. I apologize if it seems rushed. Let me know what you think! I love all of the wonderful reviews. Thank you for supporting me and my little fantasy :)