A/N: I'm so excited for this chapter! Let's get to it!
Chapter 7
Fili groaned when he was told another Challenger would be arriving that afternoon to seek his favor. He dreaded the afternoon when he would have to arrive in the throne room to deal with the problem again. Instead of wasting his morning in despair, he went to the training yards, letting Dwalin beat him to a pulp until the noon bell rang. After he ate, he returned to his room as the same foreboding settled into him again. He changed into fresh clothing, something fitting for the throne room but not his finest. No point in seeming eager to please.
He dragged his feet all the way to the throne room.
"Cheer up Brother," Kili said just outside the doors. "Perhaps this one will have some sense."
Fili cast a dark look at him. "Doubtful," he groused and then stood straight as the door was opened for him.
Their guests had not arrived yet it seemed. Pity. He always took a sort of vindictive pleasure showing up late for such meetings. Sighing, he went and took his place standing next to his uncle. He dropped into the depths of his own mind, ignoring his surroundings.
Kili's elbow jabbed into his side sharply, pulling him out of his thoughts and he glared at his brother who was grinning excitedly. "What did I tell you, Fee?" he asked softly so Thorin wouldn't hear them. Fili turned his attention to the group striding toward them. Sigrid caught his eye briefly but then glanced to the side of him.
Sigrid was the one? The one coming to ask to Challenge for him? He could have jumped for joy if it wouldn't have been unseemly. He did heave a relieved sigh. He'd started to wonder if she'd changed her mind of their scheme. Instead, he held his peace and his place, hoping Thorin would consider the proposal seriously.
Balin received the scroll Bard handed over and read it aloud. Fili ignored the formal declaration of intent, his eyes remaining on Sigrid as she stood proud and tall next to her father. Thorin spoke to Bard and Fili dimly registered the debate of the reason for their decision to come forward at this time. He heard Bard speak of making ties between Erebor and Dale stronger through marriage, increase in trust between their peoples and so on and so forth, all the political nonsense that all Challengers brought forth that didn't matter. Finally, after a half hour's deliberation, Thorin turned to Sigrid.
"You know what you ask child?" he asked.
"I am aware," Sigrid said. "I come seeking the opportunity to court Crown Prince Fili, Son of Dis."
"So be it," Thorin said. "Let the trial begin. Dwalin."
Fili blanched and looked to his uncle's other side. He hadn't realized who was standing there. Of all the days for Dwalin to be Thorin's personal guard (admittedly a common occurrence), it had to be today. None of those pursuing Fili had beaten Dwalin yet. He knew Sigrid's level of skill. She didn't stand a snowball's chance in a dragon's mouth.
The captain of the guard stepped forward, pulling his axes off his back. "I'll not go easy on you, lass," he warned.
"I wouldn't want you to," she said as those around her stepped back to give them room on the narrow walkway. Dwalin rushed her as soon as he felt the others were far enough away.
Fili leaned forward, a shout on the tip of his tongue for her to move.
It wasn't necessary.
Sigrid met Dwalin, drawing her sword and guarding against his downward strike in the same motion, her feet spread for balance and surety of footing. She jerked her sword up and back with a wordless yell, trying to catch the ax's head and rip it from Dwalin's hand only to abort the move and bring her sword around to the side to stop the swing of his other ax. She parried and blocked Grasper and Keeper, keeping her feet and pushing forward against Dwalin, trying to get too close for the axes' reach. She found an opening and swung, slipping inside his guard only to be buffeted to the side by Dwalin's knee to her ribs. She grunted and rolled away, keeping her sword out of harm's way and coming up close to the edge of the walk, grimacing in pain from the blow but she stepped forward again, not waiting for the dwarf to come to her and push her off the edge.
The fight continued, both combatants striking and parrying each other in turn. Sigrid managed to twist into a blow, clipping Dwalin along the side of his head with her elbow as she got around behind him. He turned with her, snarling and coming in with both axes raised. She blocked, twisted under his arms, and went down, Dwalin's steal-booted foot stomping on her right ankle. He stepped on her sword with his other foot when the weapon hit the ground. He shifted and snarled when she let go of the blade, twisting her body and wrapping her uninjured leg around his knees and heaving. He dropped his axes and caught himself. Quickly, he lurched back to the girl and wrapped a hand around her neck. Fili felt sick, knowing how easily Dwalin could and would break her. Sigrid gave a sharp, two-note whistle and snapped her fingers on one hand and raised the middle finger on her other, directing the back of it towards Dwalin.
Magnus barreled into the large dwarf, knocking him off Sigrid. The hound lunged forward, biting down on Dwalin's armored forearm and pushing the dwarf onto his back. Sigrid took up her sword again and limp-raced to where Dwalin was shoving at the animal's head, trying to get free.
"Magnus," Sigrid called. The dog's eyes rose to look at her without releasing Dwalin. She made a circling gesture with her finger and the dog let go of Dwalin to come to sit at her side. Before Dwalin recovered, she set the edge of her sword on his neck, pressing down just hard enough to draw blood. "Do you yield?" she panted, sweat streaming down her face, soaking her hair and plastering the loose strands to her neck, cheeks, and forehead. Pain lined her features as she tried to stand balanced without putting too much weight on her injured leg.
"Aye," Dwalin growled and climbed to his feet when Sigrid moved her blade away. She pulled a cloth from her pocket and wiped the blood off her sword. "You cheated," the old dwarf growled.
"I was told to bring what weapons I would need in a fight," Sigrid said primly. "Magnus, for all that he is as dear to me as a friend, is still a weapon of protection." She bent to scratch the dog's head and face. "Aren't you Magnus? Yes, you're a good boy," she cooed, obviously just to annoy Dwalin. Kili snorted where he stood next to Fili as the dog licked her chin happily.
Bard returned to Sigrid's side, the rest of their entourage following and Dwalin returned to his place next to Thorin, not bothering to stop the blood dripping down his neck. Fili knew he wouldn't bother, wearing the wound as a reminder of his own failure in the fight. Eventually, Oin would find him and make him clean it out at least.
Words were exchanged as Fili watched Sigrid. She favored the leg Dwalin had kicked to get her to fall, keeping her weight shifted to the other. He motioned a runner over. "Send for Master Oin," he instructed quietly and the dwarfling ran off.
"I have a gift for his royal highness as well," Sigrid said, her voice drawing Fili back into the conversation. She turned and accepted a bundle from someone behind her and limped forward to hand it to Balin. It was quickly inspected for anything harmful before being handed to Fili for him to inspect.
He unfolded the coat, his eyebrows rising at the garment. The main part of it was the softest material he'd ever felt, with designs favored by his people embroidered along the edges with real silver and gold and the tiniest of gemstones. The inside of the coat was lined with long, soft fur.
"What fur is that?" Thorin asked.
"Wolf, Your Majesty," Sigrid said.
Thorin's eyebrows rose. "And where did you get it?" he asked.
"Off the two wolves I killed last winter," Sigrid said.
"You killed wolves?" Dwalin asked. "Or did your hound do it?"
Fili bristled at Dwalin's tone. The entire mountain had heard the tale by now. Why didn't the guard acknowledge her accomplishment when he already knew of it?
"Magnus was only a few months old," Sigrid said. "I was caught outside when they first attacked. He held one off while I killed the other and then I killed the first."
"Smart girl," Kili murmured to Fili. "A gift that shows a craft, knowledge of our ways, support for our craftsmen in the materials, and her skills in combat all wrapped up in one. She must really want this marriage to happen."
"Shut it, Kee," Fili hissed, not taking his eyes from the coat, assessing it as he should and checking the quality of her work. He waited, knowing it would be unseemly if he accepted it too quickly. Finally, when he couldn't wait any longer, he looked up. "I accept," he told his uncle. To support his words, he removed his own coat and shrugged the new one on. Discreetly, he sniffed at the collar, recognizing Sigrid's scent in the fur. She would have been handling it for weeks for it to smell so strongly of her and no longer of the wolves. He cast a smirk at his brother before looking back at Sigrid. "Thank you, Lady Sigrid. The quality of your work speaks of your desire for success in our courtship. I will strive towards that success."
Sigrid curtsied to him, their eyes meeting for a moment and humor and happiness peaked back at him from her gaze, a small splash of color in her cheeks. It wasn't until that moment that he realized she had fought Dwalin in a dress and his admiration for her skills in combat increased. "I thank you for your consideration, Prince Fili," she said.
Thorin stepped down from his throne. Fili and Kili followed him. Once he reached the Men, he extended a hand. "I look forward to the possible joining of our families, Lord Bard," he said.
"As do I," the Bowman said and took Thorin's hand.
Thorin released Bard and turned to Sigrid, looking up a few inches. "Congratulations Lady Sigrid," he said. "You're the first female to best Dwalin since my sister."
"Only because she cheated," Dwalin groused.
"Don't be a sore loser Brother," Balin admonished. "Sit down lass before you make the injury worse." He pointed to the steps leading to the throne. "I'm pretty sure I saw a runner leave to fetch a healer after your match?" he looked over at Fili and Kili for confirmation. Fili nodded.
Sigrid limped over to the indicated step and sat. Magnus took his place at her side and she dug her fingers into the scruff around his neck. Fili had a moment to notice the tremor running through them. Oin rushed into the room the moment she was sitting.
"All right. What poor lass do I have to patch up after Dwalin beat her to a pulp in a failed attempt to court the prince this time?" he asked.
"You are mistaken Oin," Balin said loudly. "She beat him, though it is her leg that needs looking after."
Oin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Did she now?" he asked and settled down in front of her. He took her foot and removed her boot without addressing her. The swelling around her ankle made Fili cringe. She shouldn't walk on that, he thought. It's probably broken by the looks of the swelling.
"Next person to repeat that is going to have their arms ripped off," Dwalin growled.
"Oh no," Sigrid said, shaking her head and giving the large dwarf a wide grin. "I beat you in a fight. I'm taking those bragging rights with me to the grave. If that day arrives sooner than I'd prefer and I'm short a pair of arms, then so be it."
Kili snorted before falling into a fit of laughter, leaning on Fili who was admittedly not fairing much better. Bard laughed as well, years dropping off his face in his mirth. Dwalin's scowl deepened but a hint of humor tugged at the corners of his lips.
"A bad sprain," Oin finally said after poking at Sigrid's ankle. "Stay off it for now. We'll get you some crutches. Once you have them, come to the infirmary and I'll wrap it up for you."
"Thank you Master Oin," Sigrid said. She loosened the straps on her boot and carefully pulled it back on over the injury.
"We shall allow the time it takes to retrieve them for the two of you to be alone," Thorin told Fili quietly. "I suggest you make the most of it." He smiled a little before turning to usher the others in the room out, ordering Kili to go and get the crutches.
Fili grabbed Kili's arm before he could leave. "Take your time Kee. Please."
Kili wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at him and nodded, snickering as Fili smacked the back of his head. He left at a much more sedate pace than was strictly necessary.
Once the room was empty, Fili turned to Sigrid. "You did it," he breathed in awe.
She grinned in return. "I can't believe it," she said. "When I saw Dwalin standing next to your uncle, I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to win."
"You are amazing," Fili said, taking her hands in his. "I was terrified for you. I was afraid I'd have to step in and then all would have been lost."
She curled her fingers around his. "It's a good thing I didn't fail then."
Fili laughed. "A good thing indeed." He leaned back so he could look at her face. "We are officially courting," he said after a moment.
"We are," Sigrid agreed with a content sigh. "No more brutish suitors coming to call. No more awkward outings between strangers."
"No more watching Dwalin beat up dwarrowdams and shoddy gifts."
"Should we be alone?" She glanced around for anyone to act as a chaperone.
Fili's grin just grew wider. On impulse, he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her up, and spun her around.
"This isn't proper!" she cried with a laugh.
"You're in the mountain now. Dwarrow courting rules apply," he said, still holding her up. "We're allowed a little time together but not so much that we can get in trouble." Sigrid kicked her feet up behind her to keep them off the floor and Fili spun them around again, laughing in success. They lost themselves in their joy until someone cleared their throat nearby.
Fili jerked in surprise and glared at the intruder while carefully setting Sigrid back down. Kili grinned and held up the crutches he'd retrieved. "Sorry Fee," he said. "I gave you all the time I could."
"Thank you, Prince Kili," Sigrid said evenly despite the blush raging across her cheeks. She accepted the crutches and managed to stay upright on them without falling over. "Shall we?" she asked, nodding towards the doors where the others had left.
Fili and Kili walked with her to the infirmary, Magnus keeping pace on one side of her. "So, what happens next?" Sigrid asked quietly, ignoring the stares of the dwarrow they passed.
"Now your courtship begins," Kili said with a grin. "Fee has to start working to win and keep your affections."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning every day I will be allowed to step away from my duties to see you or work on gifts for you. Which also means Kili gets to take on my duties as well as his own." Fili grinned over at his brother.
Kili made a face at him then added. "It also means negotiations, courting gifts, parties, and, most importantly, everyone focusing on the crown prince's courting a human instead of my courting an elf."
"You're delusional if you think people are going to stop looking at you and Tauriel," Fili said as he opened a door and led her inside. She told Magnus to stay outside the door, knowing an animal in an infirmary was typically unwelcome, no matter how well groomed.
"But scrutiny will diminish," Kili said with a grin. "And speaking of the world's prettiest elf." He bounded across the room to where Tauriel sat at a table preparing supplies for use in the infirmary. He greeted her with a loud, showy kiss on the cheek.
Fili led Sigrid over to where Oin waited at another table, supplies set aside for caring for her leg. After sitting on the table as indicated, Oin removed her boot and started working on her ankle, applying a poultice and wrapping it. As he did, Sigrid looked to where her father was talking with Thorin.
"Should I be worried?" she whispered to Fili, indicating the two.
"Probably not," he said. "If my mother were with them, then there'd be cause to worry."
Sigrid looked at him, her eyes growing a bit wide. "I didn't even think of how she'd react," she said, a bit of panic rising in her.
"We'll need to go and tell her. I think she's in a council meeting right now considering she wasn't present for your challenge. She usually comes to those."
"It surprises me that your mother wasn't there."
Fili grinned. "Don't worry. She'll be there for all the negotiations and everything after."
"You better go see her the moment that council meeting ends," Thorin said, coming over to them as Oin finished the wrap on Sigrid's foot.
She pulled her boot back on and accepted the crutches again, standing a bit unsteadily until Fili placed a hand on her back to help her balance. "Of course Uncle," he said.
"Lord Bard has already accepted an invitation for your party to join us for dinner this evening," Thorin said, looking at Sigrid. "Until then, feel free to have Fili show you around. You should learn your way if you are to live here." He turned to Fili. "On second thought, interrupt the council meeting and tell your mother first. The last thing we need is for her to find out from someone else."
"Yes Uncle," Fili said with a grin. "Lady Sigrid?" he asked, indicating the door.
"Kili, go with them."
The younger prince looked up from where he was talking with Tauriel while staring into her eyes, a besotted smile on his face until the moment his uncle addressed him. He nodded, leaned in to kiss Tauriel, and then followed Fili and Sigrid as they walked out of the infirmary. Magnus stood to attention the moment they were out the door. Sigrid called him and he followed as they headed deeper into the mountain.
Sigrid eyed the stairs they'd led her to dubiously, trying to figure out how to climb them while on crutches. Fili paused after the first few steps up, looking back at her. "Right," he said. "Kee, get her crutches."
"Wait, what?" Sigrid asked as Fili came back over to her.
"Allow me," he said and before she could protest, Kili took her crutches and Fili swept her up into his arms before heading up the stairs again.
"Put me down," Sigrid ordered but didn't squirm. She didn't want to be unceremoniously dropped on the stairs after all. "This is most undignified."
"But a lot faster," Kili said.
"I should have Magnus tackle you," she groused, looking over to the younger prince. He grinned at her and patted the dog's head.
"Then you'd lose your crutches and Fili would have to carry you around for the rest of the day. Your choice."
Sigrid groaned and covered her eyes theatrically with one hand.
At the top of the stairs, Fili put Sigrid down and Kili handed her the crutches back before they started making their way along the hallways. As they moved, less and less dwarrow passed them until they passed into halls where guards were posted every once in a while. The crowds considerably thinned. Sigrid tried to remember the twists and turns but failed miserably. Fili and Kili pointed out marks on the walls on occasion but gave up after Sigrid told them she was already lost.
Finally, they reached a door with a pair of guards standing outside. "Please inform Princess Dis we require her immediate presence," Fili ordered one of them. Sigrid glanced at him, unfamiliar with the tone of voice he used. The guard bowed and went into the room. Moments later, he returned with Dis.
"Fili?" Dis asked. "What is it?"
Fili motioned for his mother to follow him into the empty office across the hall. Kili and Sigrid followed after them, the former grinning and the latter starting to feel a bit sick to her stomach if she were to be honest.
"You missed a Challenge," Fili told his mother once the door was closed.
"There have been so many I didn't think you'd mind," Dis said and leaned against the desk in the middle of the room. "You've turned down the few dwarrowdams that have made it past Thorin's guards. Did something different happen with this one?"
Fili swallowed against the sudden nervousness climbing up his throat. "Lady Sigrid beat Dwalin and I accepted her Gift."
Dis tilted her head, looking at her son, taking in the new coat. She reached out a hand to finger the garment, examining the embroidery and material. "It is a fine gift," she said and turned to Sigrid. "You are very skilled."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Dis cast a half smile at her before turning back to her son. "So you are courting now. I don't know whether I should be proud, appalled, or sad."
"I had hoped you would be happy for me Amad."
"Kili? Would you take Sigrid into the hall for a moment? I'd like a word alone with your brother."
"Yes, Amad." Kili motioned for Sigrid to follow him out the door.
Once they were alone, Fili looked at his mother, eyebrows raised.
"Are you sure about this Fili?" she asked. He opened his mouth but she held up a hand to stop him. "Don't tell me how it's a good match and will strengthen ties with Dale. I don't care about the politics that come attached to the match. All I want to know is if you think you'll be happy with a human for a wife."
Fili leaned against the desk next to his mother. "I'm tired of it Amad," he admitted. "Tired of the Challenges, of the shoddy gifts of nobledams that have never had to work a day in their lives, of the stress of wondering if I'll even like the first one to make it through the initial Challenge and Gift. I don't have to worry about any of that with Sigrid."
"What of your One?"
"You know I've never had the Longing."
"Fili-"
"I never have. I never will. I don't have a One." Fili rubbed a hand down his face. "Amad, I don't want to be stuck with a stranger. Sigrid's a good match for me. She's kind, smart, strong, and a born leader. She already has good relations with our people that work in the markets at Dale. I'm sure I'll be happier with her than with any others that have come to Challenge or any that will. I like her."
Dis sighed. "Does Sigrid feel the same way?"
"I wouldn't have accepted the gift if she didn't. This is what I want. What we want."
"Mahal knows you're old enough to make up your own mind," Dis said with a sigh. "Good luck then, my little lion prince. I'll not stand in your way. I wish you joy with her."
"Thank you Amad," Fili turned and pressed his forehead against his mothers, touched by her use of an endearment he hadn't heard since he was a dwarfling. "May I come to you for advice if there's something I don't understand about her?"
Dis smiled. "I'm glad you feel you can. I'll answer what I can, but remember we come from different cultures. You may try asking her or her little sister if it's appropriate and I can't answer." Fili nodded. "Good. Let's go back to your lady and you can tell me about your plans for braiding and beads."
"Beads," Fili said, his face losing color. "I forgot to finish preparing beads."
Dis heaved a sigh. "You've been receiving Courtship Challenges without a set of beads prepared? Why am I not surprised?" She shook her head. "I swear if you didn't have it screwed on, that rock head of yours would fall right off. Head to your workshop. Kili and I can entertain you intended for a while."
They went out into the hall where Kili and Sigrid stood chatting. Dis pulled Kili a few feet away and watched as her eldest talked to the human girl. After a moment, the girl laughed while Fili rubbed the back of his neck. Sigrid nodded to him with a smile and he took off down the hall at a jog, heading towards his workshop.
A/N: Progress! There is progress! Please leave comments. I love you all! You're amazing.
If you have any prompts you want to be filled or you want me to explore something mentioned in this story further, let me know. A good prompt or two might help keep the ideas flowing freely. Don't worry, there won't be a delay in posting. I'm actually quite a few chapters ahead in rough draft.
Happy reading everyone!
