Different Worlds
Chapter 11 – "A Nice Day for a Wedding"
Thea wakes me gently, my wedding dress hanging by the door. "Time to get you ready Ruunya. I told Gandalf I would have you at the alter before noon. First thing first, I have some scented oils for you." Thea runs to the vanity all giddy.
"Can I have a moment first Thea." Putting my feet to the cold stone floor I find I need to relieve myself. Thea points me to the room at the end of the hall.
Once I'm back in my room Thea is upon me like a swarm of bees. She sits me at the vanity and commences brushes my hair. My long silvery hair looked like a rushing waterfall after she had pulled up the sides with the silver jeweled combs. She curls my red streak away from my chin, letting it rest on my cheek.
"Your skin is magnificent. It shimmers in the sunlight like a thousand diamonds. The red tips of your hair are unusual but beautiful." The front of my hair falls over my shoulders and the back swaying at my waist.
The bottle of oil smelled like the most fragrant flowers, the scent of sweet pea most present. Thea dabs it behind my ears, down my neck and over my cleavage. I give her a shy smile as she does so; knowing Kili would enjoy that later.
I see a pair of silver slippers by the bed, the shoes breathtaking. "Are those for me?"
Thea brings them and the dress over to me, placing them on the bed. She helps me out of my white under dress, leaving me standing completely naked before her. She turns her head slightly, handing the dress to me. I slip it on, the fabric so smooth it glides up. Thea buttons up the back, the dress scooping low enough to expose the top of my shoulders.
The front has a pale blue panel in the front that forms a V-shape down to my waist. The silvery material flows from my waist curving around my feet and fanning out to the two foot train. I look down to see more cleavage than I was used to expose. Thea adjusts the white slip underneath, making sure I do not show off anything else.
A servant girl brings in a tray of food. I nibble on the bread as I enjoy my tea. "You have to eat more than that?" Thea hands me a fork with a sausage at the end but I kindly refuse.
"I am sorry Thea but I really do not care for meat. Thank you just the same." I take another bite of bread watching her face change from surprise to embarrassed.
She quickly sends for some fresh vegetables and berries, hoping I'll eat something. I appease her by taking a bite or two from the tray, too nervous to really eat.
The sun climbs higher in the sky as she puts the finishing touches to my hair and dress. I take the Lorien Leaf broach from my cloak, hanging it from a silver necklace Thea had found for me. "That is beautiful, is that elven?"
"Yes, it was a gift from my adopted grandmother. Galadriel pinned it to my cloak and it has never left it, till today. I intend to give to Kili as a symbol of my love and loyalty to him. It is customary to exchange rings but I think he will value this more." My fingers stroke the smooth green leaf, the metal cool to my fingers.
"You are ready and truly a vision. I do believe Kili will be so pleased." Thea clasps her hands together, holding them in front of her.
We walk to the Great Hall, Thea holding my train. Thengel greets us at the door, taking my hand. "Allow me to walk the bride in and may I add you look ravishing."
Fili is waiting by the door, his smile soon disappearing. "Ruunya?"
I take my hand from Thengel's, reaching down to take Fili's. He looked very handsome in his new vest and pants. I guess from the look on Thea's face Kili was dressed the same. The gold trimmed vest was long on Fili, hitting him at his knees. His new gray shirt and dark pants made him look taller. He flashes that Fili smile and I smile back. "Shall we Fili?"
"Kili has been pacing the room all morning. Gandalf told him not to worry; the ceremony will please both of our people." Fili kisses the back of my hand, holding it to his chest.
"I hope that is the reason he is so fretful. Does he truly want to marry me?" Fili's hand strokes the back of my head, his blue eyes gazing into mine.
"He says you are his reason for being. He was born to be with you." We both turn when we hear Gandalf walk in with Kili.
Thea and Thengel stand on each side of Fengel's throne, the king looking on. Gandalf had prepared a small altar at the foot of the steps to the throne, a golden rope and tree sapling branch on the table.
Kili looks more handsome than he had a right to, his shoulder length dark hair was untied, framing his handsome face. I hold my breath for a moment and I see he does the same.
Fili tucks my hand in his arm and we walk toward him. I see Fili give his brother a devilish smile, Kili shaking his head at him.
Gandalf takes my hand from Fili, Fili kissing me upon my cheek. He places my left hand into Kili's as he drapes the golden rope around our necks.
The ceremony is performed in both elvish and dwarvfish, both of us repeating the vows. I stumble over the dwarvish words, Kili helping me pronounce them. I find him gazing at my cleavage from time to time, knowing exactly where his mind is going.
Gandalf places the sapling branch between us, having us pick it up after we repeat our vows. Upon the branch I place my Lorien Leaf necklace, presenting it to Kili. He places it around his neck, his brown eyes shining like the setting sun.
Kili takes my hand, kissing the ring on my finger. The feel of his soft lips makes my skin tingles as if a feather is being ran over it.
As the rope is lifted from our necks, Gandalf turns us to the king. "I know give you Kili and Ruunya in wedded bliss."
My heart beats with excitement; I was his wife and he my husband. I embrace him, my arms wrapping around his neck. He kisses my neck, his nose rubbing my jaw. "You look too beautiful to be mine. I am a lucky dwarf."
"I could say the same, my handsome husband." I can feel him smile, his heart now in tune with mine. His every want, his every desire would now be known to me. Already I can feel a warmth inside me that was not there before. He needed me, needed to bed his wife.
I try to think of a way to escape the feast planned for us but Gandalf gets to us first. "Come you two, we must not waste a moment of sunlight."
We both look at Gandalf confused. "What?" We say in unison.
"The king has planned a wedding feast for you but I told him it is urgent we get you back to the Blue Mountains. Go gather your things and join Fili by the stables, hurry." Gandalf takes his staff while giving us a very fatherly look.
We hurry down the hall hand in hand, Kili helping me pack my things. "The first time we are alone I plan on peeling that dress from you."
Walking to his room I stand by the door while he grabs his pack. "The first time we are alone I plan on sliding the dress up and having my way with you."
Kili looks over to me, his motions frozen. "Really?"
I nod my head, my hair tossing about. He takes my hand as we hurry back down the hall. We dodge into the stables, Fili standing there with three small horses. "Thengel said to take these three; they would be big enough for us. I think he means for them to be a wedding gift."
Kili helps me upon our horse, tying the packs to the saddle. The small brown mare was young but strong, she stood perfectly still as Kili jumped on her back. I adjust my dress, letting the train cover the horse's rear. Fili nudges his horse, the sandy mare taking off like the wind.
Soon the hills of Rohan are fading, the sun still holding light for now. Gandalf leads our escape, his large white stallion storming down the hillside. Our horses gallop toward the Gap of Rohan and I know Gandalf means for us to travel to the Ford of Isen that joins the North-South road. I was about to travel farther from my home than I had even been. The Blue Mountains were so far away and it seemed it would take many months to get there.
Once we lose the light Gandalf decides to make camp for the night. The boys make a fire as I ready our beds for the night. Gandalf sits quietly, pipe smoke circling his head. Sitting down by him, I hope to learn more of our journey. "I have so many questions but the one that sit on the tip of my tongue is where are we going. There are no homes or towns for miles. Exactly where are we?"
With a twinkle in his eye he blows out a small puff of smoke. "Enedwaith of course. We will travel this road till we reach The Shire. I have business in Bree so you and the dwarves will travel on to the Blue Mountains. We will part ways at Sarn Fords. There are many kind people in The Shire that will take you in till you reach Thorin. Ruunya, remember what I said and do not forget. It is most important you are first to speak to Thorin."
"I must admit Kili's Uncle Thorin frightens me, what is he like?" My curiosity was peaked at this point and I had to know more.
"I knew his father Thrain; he was a good dwarf and ruled his people justly. I have not seen Thorin since his father's passing. To give you recollections of him know would not be fair. Ask your husband, I'm sure he'll tell you." More smoke gathers around his grey head, making a perfect circle.
The fire is soon lit, the brothers skinning some rabbits they had caught. I see Gandalf talking to them, my elven ears picking up enough of the conversation to make it out.
"Kili … Fili … what brought you to Mirkwood forest. Are you not far from home?" Gandalf places a hand on his hip, the other gripping his pipe.
Fili hands the fresh meat to Kili, looking up at Gandalf. "Thorin sent us to trade with Golin. We have been bugging him to let us travel till he gave in. Come to think of it, we left Golin at the Old Ford. He was supposed to meet with a trader there but we got bored and decided to hunt. Golin told us to stay out Mirkwood forest but once Kili saw Ruunya we had to follow her."
"Was Gimli not with you?" Gandalf holds his pipe out, his eyes set on Fili.
"No, Thorin told Golin to take us but to watch us like hawks. I think we may have let our curiosity get the best of us."
Gandalf gives them both a scolding look as he grabs his staff. "I met Golin not long after you left him. He was very angry with you but I sent him back with my friend Beorn. He saw him safely back to The Shire. You two are much too young for such adventures but I suppose all things happen for a reason."
I knew Gandalf rarely said anything that did not have a meaning behind it and this was no different. What purpose could all of this have?