Chapter 6 An Unexpected Suitor

Thorin finally recovered from his wounds and was very enthusiastic about it. He worked so much these days, secretly hoping to do everything about the Mountain reconstruction, so that he could leave it for some time in care of his nephews and sneak to the Shire… Oh, how he wanted to get there, even if just for a day…

Thorin had a small "circle of trust", the members of which knew about his affections for the halfling. And only one person in this circle knew it because Thorin wanted him to know, though it was ale that made him want it that time... Dwalin, his good and loyal friend.

Kili and Fili were in the circle too, but they found out this information thanks to their usual curiosity and impudence. They just entered Thorin's room at night, deciding to spy on Thorin and Dwalin when they were going to have a little party. It turned out that the party was called out, because just before it started Dwalin almost got killed by dwarven women, though nobody knew about it except for his brother Balin and Thorin with whom they promised to keep each other's secrets. (The princes thought he was wounded in a battle somewhere near the Mountain.) So, the boys entered Uncle Thorin's chambers, and found him in his bed in the moment of kissing Bilbo's letter for the Company which they thought they lost during the struggle after reading it. So everything was clear to them from that moment too.

Balin knew too. He had influence on his brother these days, because he was the one to save him from the kitchen women and so he knew his biggest secret. It was not a great task to barter his silence on this subject for Thorin's secret. Though Balin was a very decent dwarf and wouldn't tell anyone, Dwalin felt awful after that and tried silently to make it up to Thorin, so he decided to write a letter to the Shire. He was very much trying to be polite in it. But it didn't work obviously, because he never got an answer. Neither did any other Company members who wrote to their Halfling. They even started worrying when … well, later about that.

Now when everyone was aware that Erebor was in the hands of dwarves again, it was a new honeypot in the Middle-Earth; and as everyone knew King Thorin was still a bachelor, a lot of different males and females – dwarven and human - decided to try and get him. Thorin though was absolutely oblivious to so many people trying to flirt with him, or probably he liked to make it look like he was oblivious, it was quite easy, he was wearing his famous deadpan-face and everything went smooth.

That afternoon he was sitting in his throne room, when Balin entered, saying that the Elven King Thranduil came visiting again (Mahal, the third time this week!) and wished to see him.

Many months passed since the final battle for Erebor and the Lonely Mountain looked magnificent. It was grand as ever, much cleaner and absolutely beautiful, stunning, terrific, picturesque, grand, gorgeous…And so on, and so on. To dwarves, of course. Elves liked greenery more than stones, so they would probably not find it that terrific. So it was very surprising when the Elven King and his people started visiting Erebor more often. Much more often. Everyone knew Thranduil liked jewellery, Mahal knows he was a bit abnormal for an elf… what with his love for gems and inexplicable affection for elks. But still, with all this he was never very fond of dwarves, at least everyone thought so, so why he started visiting Erebor so often was a mystery.

"Fine," sighed Thorin. He needed to have steady relationship with the Elven neighbours, so, fine, he would have to suffer these meetings with Thranduil.

The Elven King strode into the hall with grace. He was wearing a very beautiful white floor-length gown and so many leaves and flowers on his head, that Thorin wondered how he could walk and see what's around him at all…

Just like a freaking bride, thought Thorin... This idea scared him really much, so he decided to forget about it as soon as his mind would let him…

The relationship with the elves was much better now. So he would be polite and nice.

"Hello, Thranduil. How can I help you?"

"Hello, Thorin, honey…" Thranduil started lazily.

Excuse me… Honey?

"I was just passing by… thought I would come for a moment, see the Arkenstone again and you, and your nice place... Do you mind?"

Thorin exchanged glances with Balin, who was still near him. Balin's eyes were amused, Thorin's – absolutely horrified. What? "You and your nice place…" Oh Mahal…

Thorin desperately tried to compose himself and maintain what was left of his appearance after words like these and like that "honey"…

"Welcome to Erebor again, King Thranduil, your elves and you are welcome to visit us whenever you like and stay as long as you wish." said Thorin, trying to be polite. He was a king after all, he needed to stay calm. Calm and regal – Thorin's recipe for everyday life.

He regretted those words almost as soon as he said them.

"Thank you, my king, your offer is much appreciated." Thranduil beamed at him, he looked so… pleased.

And… "My king"?

"I'll stay for a few days, if it is alright with you." continued the elf. "Beautiful place your Erebor is. I want to see more of it." He smiled sweetly and winked. "And as tradition demands, today we are going to have a royal social evening, I guess? I'm sure you've already organized everything - offering me to stay? That's so courteous of you. So, anyone to show me my chambers? I'll need to change for the evening…"

Thorin was absolutely stunned, pale, jaw dropped, eyes wide. Balin had to even poke him in the ribs.

"Ah… Balin, tell someone… to see King Thranduil to... the Royal Guest Chambers." He finally managed to say. Balin nodded and left, Thranduil and his escort behind him. But before that the Elven King smiled at Thorin even wider, said "See you soon" and winked again.


Meanwhile, two travelers were passing Mirkwood.

"I think we should visit the Elven King as well," said Gandalf. "He won't think it polite if he knows we were here and didn't come to see him."

"I guess you're right, Gandalf" answered his hobbit companion. When they were nearing the Elven Castle, a group of Elves came out of it and approached them.
"Mithrandir, welcome to Mirkwood," a very beautiful blonde elf said and smiled.

"Legolas," Gandalf bowed his head a little. "We're happy to see you! This is my friend, Bilbo Baggins from the Shire, and this, Bilbo, is the young prince Legolas of Mirkwood."

"Yes, and probably soon-to-be prince of Erebor too…" mumbled Legolas. "I hope it'll never happen though…"

"What do you mean?" asked Gandalf.

"Later."

"I'm happy to meet you, prince Legolas!" Bilbo said blushing a little, meeting royalty was always unnerving. No matter how many of them you already knew.

"I've heard a lot about you, Bilbo Baggins, and I know about your great deeds. It's an honour to meet you in person."

Bilbo blushed deeper. Legolas smiled at them and offered to follow him to the castle.

"I'm sorry that father can't greet you today."

"Why?" Gandalf asked looking concerned. "Is he well?"

"Yes, physically he's quite well, Mithrandir, but mentally – I wouldn't be so sure…" Legolas smiled sadly.

"We actually were hoping to see him."

"It's impossible at the moment, because he's not in the castle. He's not even in Mirkwood. Actually…" Legolas dropped his gaze and was silent for a moment. "Actually he left for Erebor… He... Oh, Mithrandir, I don't even know how to say it... It's so absurd... He... Well, he..."

"Is he starting a war with Erebor?" Gandalf exclaimed. "If so – we need to hurry, we need to prevent it somehow… it's terrible…"

"What? A war? squeaked Bilbo.

"No, my friends, much, much worse than that..."

"What can be worse than a war?"

"Believe me, there are things far worse than a war… He… well, he… Oh, I can't make myself say it… " Legolas paused and covered his beautiful face with his palm. "Mithrandir! He's there to court their King!" he finally blurted out.

"WHAT?" cried Gandalf and Bilbo together.

"He's there to court… Thorin?" Bilbo asked hoarsly.

To court my Thorin?

"Yes. And I really hope he won't succeed," Legolas answered. "But he's quite… inventive… and resourceful… I don't really know..."

It was impossible. It was a nightmare but in waking life.

Bilbo fainted.


When Balin came back, Thorin was still sitting where he left him, jaw still dropped and eyes even wider if it were possible.

"Thorin…" Balin tried to start a talk with his King.

"Balin!" Thorin whispered. "What on earth did I get myself into?!"

"Well, nothing too bad, my king, don't be afraid," Balin said. "At least for now it's fine… You'll have to organize that social evening though I guess…" Balin looked at Thorin's deadpan-face and added hastily. "Well, I can organize it myself, it would be better in the current situation."

"Current situation? Balin, tell me… What are you thinking? What does it all mean?"

"Well, Thorin, you're always so blind, I wonder how… Never mind… I guess THIS means, that King Thranduil is … um… that King Thranduil is interested in you…"