"Rose."

She turned from the beautiful view of the forests below to see Thorin standing in the entrance to the mountains. The wind had picked up and started to blow a few strands of hair out of her face and off to the side. Judging by the somber look in her eyes, Thorin could tell she hadn't forgotten what had happened that morning.
Before dinner was through, Fili and Kili told their uncle how they led her to the second entrance on the side of the mountain so she could be in the open air and not have to worry about leaving the city. He immediately stood and headed down the halls that led to the private door, his food still untouched.

"We thought it might help cheer you up," said Kili, showing her the doorway and guiding her forward. As he opened the door, cool air rushed across their faces. Rose locked her arms around his neck tightly in appreciation.
"Thank you so much," she said as she turned to give Fili a hug as well, "for everything."

They left her alone so that she could gather her thoughts and regain her composure. Her tears had subsided shortly after the two brothers had entered her room. She looked at the beautiful scenery, wishing there was a way to capture that moment forever. The sun's fading rays fell across the valley as the sky turned various shades of pink and orange. Smoke could be seen rising from the city of Dale just across the river, causing Rose to wonder what strange lives the race of men must have, and if their relationships with one another were nearly as complicated.

Rose was so lost in thought she jumped five feet in the air when someone with a gruff voice cleared their throat just behind her (and five feet is quite a ways to go for a dwarf). She wheeled around expecting to be thrown over another guard's shoulder and be carried off to the throne room again. Thorin stood with one hand on the stone door, taking a gradual step forward with uncertainty.

"May I join you?"

Rose nodded and gave him room to see the view. Thorin held onto the stone rail beside her, sighing heavily before turning to meet her gaze.
"I should never have said what I did," he finally admitted. "It was wrong of me."
"I wasn't thinking clearly either...I should have told you-"
"You have the right to do as you choose, even without my permission."
"Then how come...I mean, why did you...?" Rose tried to think of a kind way of asking why he had lost his temper and lashed out at her as if he were a child that was deprived of a toy. Thorin placed his hand carefully on top of hers.

"I know I have a poor way of showing it," he said slowly. Thorin knew that he had to tell her what he really felt, or suffer the infernal burning sensation in his chest as it consumed him. "But the mere thought of you in any sort of danger...Rose, when you left the city my heart stopped beating." He took a step closer, caressing her face in one hand. He watched as her eyes closed briefly. "I don't think I could ever bear to lose you."

She placed a hand over his and tilted her head slightly, leaning in to his touch.

"Thorin...you never did."

"I need to tell you," he began, "that I love you, Primrose. And if you will have me, I would be honored to bear the title of your husband."

For a moment she didn't say anything. The only audible sounds to Thorin were the birds chirping in the air and his heart frantically beating out of his chest. Then he felt her arms wrap around his waist and her soft hair against his neck as she embraced him.

"I love you, Thorin," she said with no hesitation, "and I would be honored to be your bride."
He felt the weight of the mountain lift off his shoulders as he held Rose tightly. Not being able to contain himself, he tilted her head back by her hair and gave her the smoldering kiss he'd been craving for hours, pressing her waist securely to his. She willingly allowed his lips to part hers and Thorin was open to explore her more freely. Feeling her warm breath on his, he pinned her to the rail and their kisses grew immensely as time wore on. Soon darkness fell over the valley and spread to the solitary peak of Erebor. Thorin was reluctant to release her, but he knew that nothing more could happen until the night they were finally wed.

"The hour is late," he sighed.

Rose brushed aside a stray hair from his face and smiled up at him, causing his breath to cease for a moment. He smiled back and offered her his arm. Thorin gently pulled her up from the rail and stopped at the entrance to let her pass first, only looking back to see the enchanted door swing shut and disappear into the stone.

Over the next few days it became very clear that the engagement was far from off. Each morning Rose's servants would enter her chambers to see a bright, cheerful girl eager to be finished with dressing and one step closer to being with Thorin. She never forgot to show her gratitude for their work, even in her love struck state, and the maids and hairdressers were quick to mention that she was most worthy of it.

Fili and Kili noticed the change in their soon-to-be aunt immediately. She no longer sighed to herself or looked as if she were a bird trapped in a cage. Rose began to be the way she was ages ago when she still lived in the Iron Hills (only better dressed and free of her mother's scolding lectures on how she should be wearing shoes). She taught the boys some of her favorite games growing up, like Durin Says or *Mahal in the Middle. It was as if she were a new person, and they quite liked the new Rose.

Every morning just before their first meal she would race the brothers to the training grounds and watch with them intently as Thorin went about his practice. They were his three biggest fans, applauding his success and mourning his losses. They did their best to refrain from disturbing the dwarves in the arena, but Thorin himself didn't mind it at all. He was pleased to look up and see Rose staring back at him in adoration. When the practice had ended, the trio would sprint to the bottom of the steps (Rose having to hoist her skirts over her ankles and silently wish she could wear trousers instead) and wait for the prince to make his leave. Thorin was always sure to greet Rose with a kiss before anything else, to which the young girl would gladly accept.

Unfortunately, things were not always so happy for Thorin. He was a prince, first and foremost, and there was some urgent business to attend. Though most dwarf clans made strong alliances with the elves and men, there were few who had wicked hearts and chose instead to to build up their allegiances with goblins and orcs. One such clan called themselves The Stonefoots, and they were a very cruel people indeed. Rumors had spread of their advances throughout Middle Earth, and King Thror thought it wise to tighten security around the borders as a precautionary measure.

"Would they seek to interfere with the wedding, you suppose?" Thorin asked, thankful that Rose could not hear. He had left her in the care of his nephews before being summoned.

"It is very possible," said Thrain, "Your marriage would mean a stronger alliance to the Iron Hills and a more powerful enemy for them to face down." King Thror nodded.

"If they were to find a way into the city-"
"That's ridiculous," said Thorin, "They wouldn't dare show their faces here."
"We must be ready for the worst," said Thror. "It is better to be fully prepared and have nothing happen than to be taken by surprise."
"I will inform the guard." said Thrain, cantering forward and leaving his son and father to themselves. Thror looked down at his grandson.

"How fares the bride as of late?"

"Her spirits have much improved," Thorin said, his mood lifting instantly as he spoke. Thror chuckled.
"As have yours. I cannot recall a time when you've looked this happy, save the night of the ball." Thorin smiled despite himself.

"I care for her deeply, grandfather."

"Oh I could've told you that," Thror said lightheartedly, "It's written across your face, clear as I'm sitting here." He laughed as his descendant bashfully ran a hand through his hair. "I'm very happy for you, lad."

Rose held fast to the mane of black hair against her neck, pinned to the wooden door and surrounded by his massive muscles. She let out a soft moan as teeth began to graze her ear lobe. Thorin's hips pushed against hers with twice the pressure, allowing her to feel his member throbbing from underneath his trousers. She wanted to feel the soft flesh begin to harden in her hands more than anything and had to use every ounce of self control to refrain from doing so. Instead she tilted her head back as he trailed a line of kisses down the base of her neck. With great effort, Thorin lifted his lips and straightened himself.

"I must be off to my chambers," he panted. Rose leaned breathlessly against the doorway, a tired smile on her lips.
"You're toying with me." Thorin chuckled before taking her by the waist.

"Until tomorrow, love."
He planted a soft kiss on her lips, reluctant to let go. As he watched her door close, Thorin's head was filled with visions of their wedding and the life they would soon share. The last thought to ever strike him was that his bride would soon be in grave danger.

*Mahal was the dwarfish name give to Aulë, meaning "maker." Basically, imagine Jesus waiting for God to create life, but ending up getting so impatient that he decides to create his own race while waiting for the children of God to be brought into the world. That's pretty much how the dwarves came to be. In short Mahal/Aulë = the Jesus of Middle Earth. And for the record, I'm not particularly religious. I merely see that as the simplest explanation of how Tolkien's dwarves were created.