Last night, Thorin was happy that she did not tell him that she didn't want to marry him, completely ignoring the fact that she did not say she wanted to either. But now he finds himself standing on the dais, his face blank and his hands clasped behind his back, waiting for his bride, and he wonders if he is doing the right thing by marrying her. Not that he does not want her as his wife, he wants her more than anything in the world, but he is afraid he can never make her happy and their marriage will be one solely for the purpose of having an heir, cold and lifeless beyond that.

However, nothing can be done about it anymore now, as the doors open and Emma is escorted to the dais by Melo. She is dressed in a rather tight fitting, silk dress with a long train. Around her middle is a belt made of gold with thousands of sparkling diamonds on it, accentuating her tiny waist. The vail that is flowing over her crowned head is made of lace and is almost as long as her train in the back while it covers her untill just under her bosom in the front. Thorin can only barely hold back an audible gasp, mesmerized by her; his doubts forgotten.

Melo puts her hand in Thorin's and takes his seat. Balin leads the ceremony, and when the vows are made, he proclaims them husband and wife and a crown is put on her head as a sign she is queen. Now it is the time for Thorin to make a decision. He can either just lift her vail a bit and kiss her, indicating to her that she has to keep wearing a vail in public, or put the vail back completely and show her face to everyone present, indicating that she does not have to wear a vail anymore. He choses the latter, and as he lifts the vail back, he is left breathless for a moment as he looks upon her beautiful face. Besides from the dark, deer-like big eyes he has already seen, she has a perfect nose and full lips that remind him of rosebuds. He composes himself and presses a soft kiss on them, which leads to cheering from the crowd. Then, they proceed to the great hall where a banquet is served for all the guests.

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Elrond has been mesmerized from the moment Thorin lifted Emma's vail. He has not layn eyes upon his own daughter's face before that moment, and he can not believe how the best of Eliana and him can be united so beautifully in a living creature.

But his thoughts are also sobering. His daughter is 63 and he has never seen her face untill this day. For what may be the millionth time in his life, he seriously doubts the sanity of the decision he made so many years ago. If only he had gotten Eliana away from her husband before she gave birth. If only he had gone back to get his daughter. Then he would not be sitting here now, marveling at the first sight of his daughter's face and a mere spectator to her marriage instead of the one giving her away and leading the ceremony.

Guilt overflows him

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As everyone eats and feasts, Thorin sits next to Emma, thinking of what to say. All day and night, he had not heard a word from her directed to him after the vows. He can not come up with anything but: "You look incredibly pretty."

"Thank you, your highness."

"Your dress is also very nice. The seemstresses must have worked very hard to have it finished within such a short amount of time."

"I think they have, your highness."

He wants to say something else, but is interupted by Dis. "Thorin, may I have a moment?"

"Yes?"

"Not here, come with me."

He follows her to one of the chamber adjoining the hall and closes the door behind him.

"First of all, congratiolations with your marriage, nadad. I am sorry I arrived so late and have to leave again tonight."

"Thank you, namad. What do you want to talk about?" he asks, a bit unpatiently as he wants to go back to Emma.

"I wanted to have this talk earlier, but as I only arrived this morning, I did not have the chance. But Fili and Kili wrote to me that your bride is not exactly warming up to you yet."

"Eeeeeh, yes, well, lets hope that will improve as we go along."

"Then perhaps you should consider not consumating the marriage yet. Taking her virginity without her even liking you is something she might find hard to forgive, as she is probably not ready for it yet."

"Not ready? Which bride is ever ready?! And you know as well as I do that proof that the marriage is consumated has to be given to the counsel."

"Proof that can easily be forged. Think about it, nadad, I am only trying to give you advice."

"I know namad, and thank you for it. Now, I am tired and I am going to retire. I trust that you will make sure that your sons don't shame Erebor?"

"You know as well as I do that I can not."

They both laugh as they walk out of the room, knowing that Fili and Kili are even more uncontrolable when they drink. Thorin sits on his throne and turns to Emma.

"Shall we retire now?"

"As you like, your highness."