MMMG: I'm back! I'm alive! Life sucks! Here's the chapter!

Okay, I actually am and am not following the movie for their time in Rivendell. The movie events still happen, but at different times then what the movie had. I guess you could say I'm following the book timeline with movie events. Elrond will still read the map, towards the end of their stay.

40 reviews! Sweet Eru Ilúvatar! That's the most reviews for this story ever! Thanks!


Nataly S. Potter: Levels of Gandalf bashing has been duly noted. Yeah, I liked that change as well, and the Khuzdul. The Hobbit and Dwarf greetings were supposed to be similar. It makes great ground for a jealous Thorin. Tee-hee-hee!

Isil-gawien: Whoa! Different language! Hold on. -Runs off to the translator "I love your fic, I look forward to Bilbo's reaction when Thorin make his declaration"- Oh! Glad you like it, Bilbo's reaction is in this chapter.

Enkii: I know, perfect line!

BloodyRiley: Momma Bilbo? LOL! Guess the instincts from raising Frodo still like to pop up.

hiddenintentions: You're about to find out Bilbo's reaction.

Anime Princess: He knew what buttons to push this time. Bilbo was definitely not expecting any returned feelings from Thorin

0TruestBlue0: Glad I could make you laugh in your heatstroke. And squeal at Thorin and Bilbo. That means I'm doing a good job. Courting bead yes, Dwori no. Maybe next chapter.

Killer-Fangirl: Yes, they'll get together.

Chibi Tsuki Hikari: I've already had a couple ideas of when Bilbo could get injured. Protective Thorin would be fun to right.

Alaiana Potter: I already have baby/orphan ideas, not saying which though. -grins evilly- No, Bilbo isn't thrown off, thanks to Balin in this chapter. Only one will be able to guess, Beorn. And the fauntlings got their hands on all of Gandalf clothes, so they're all maroon colored.

Malo919: Not sure if I'll hook up anyone else. Maybe. Oh funny! Good idea with Thranduil, maybe I will do that.

TheMysteriousAgentX: Don't worry, I'm not stopping this story.

Guest: Who doesn't love snarky Bilbo? He's awesome to write that way! Loved rainbow Gandalf as well. And I love long reviews! Thanks for the length.

Beloved Daughter: I like Thorin this way as well.


MMMG: I don't own the Hobbit and I never will! What I'm doing to it probably has poor Mr. Tolkien rolling in his grave in horror. Eh... enjoy!


Chapter 11


After the area had been cleaned of any traces of a food fight, the dwarves sat down to finish their meal, most glancing at Bilbo as if they were scared he would scold them because of the way they were holding their fork or cup. Elladan and Elrohir found it amusing until Bilbo kicked them both in their kneecaps and scolded them for their impolite senses of humor.

When Elrond asked if there were any other things he could assist with, Gandalf jumped on the chance to say that they had a translation problem they needed assistance with. Bilbo rolled his eyes, knowing Elrond would see, before noticing that poor Ori had nearly fallen asleep in the remains of his dinner. And he wasn't the only one.

"I'll look at this map later." Elrond promised. "For now, it would be wise for the dwarves and hobbit to retire before you fell asleep at the table."

"Thank you." Thorin said shortly as he stood and hauled a drowsy Fíli to his feet.

Bilbo pulled Kíli up, seeing Bifur pull on Bofur and Bombur, Dori coddling Ori, and Glóin and Óin supporting each other. Nori had slipped off, and that made Dwalin twitchy, and that made Balin tap his foot at his brother's actions. They followed Lindir back down the halls to their rooms and bade the elf good night. Bilbo helped Thorin get Fíli and Kíli tucked under a blanket together, biting his lip to keep himself from awing.

"G'dnight Uncle…" Fíli mumbled before he started snoring.

"Thanks… Uncle Bilbo…" Kíli hummed as he snuggled into his brother and One.

Thorin froze with his eyes wide. He knew that from the shocked look on Bilbo's face, he had heard what Kíli had said to. There was no way we would be able to convince the hobbit that Kíli had been talking to both of them. Oh, this was bad! Wait a minute… Bilbo was kneeling next to Kíli, a soft look on his face.

"Good night Kíli." Bilbo whispered, and gently touched his forehead to the younger dwarf's before he pulled away.

Any dwarf who still had their wits about them was staring at the hobbit as he stood back up. Bilbo was looking at Kíli with a sad look full of longing. Dashing his hand across his eyes quickly, Bilbo sniffed and turned to the rest of the room.

"He reminds me of one of my cousins." Bilbo explained before anyone could ask. "Frodo's parents drowned when he was just 12 years old. I think that's around age 30 for you dwarves. He was shy and timid after that, but for some reason he opened up and called for me… Uncle Bilbo…"

Bilbo sighed as the memory flashed before his eyes. The scared blue-eyed boy with brown hair who didn't completely understand why his parents weren't coming back, Bilbo sitting in the room with him and talked about him losing his parents when he was younger, and then losing good friends later after he left the Shire on an adventure. Frodo opened up to Bilbo, and the older hobbit had ended up taking the little one home to Bag End with him.

"He's now living with some cousins close to his age now." Bilbo finished his 'story' with a sigh. "As much as I wanted to care for him, I had just lost my parents and wasn't of age yet. But he's happy, and that's what truly matters."

There was silence for a few moments before Thorin drew Bilbo into his arms and held him. Bilbo stilled in shock. The action was out of place, especially for one as broody as Thorin.

"After Víli died, Fíli and Kíli's father, Fíli and Dis became withdrawn." Thorin murmured. "Kíli was only a baby, but his mother and brother were practically dead to the world. It took a lot of patience, but they both eventually started living again. Fíli's first words after the news of this father's death were 'Uncle Thorin'."

Bilbo blinked rapidly to hold back tears. He and Thorin had more in common than he had realized. Then again, they had never really talked about their pasts last time, so a lot of things that were happening on this trip were new. But Bilbo didn't want to change it, especially if it meant he got more hugs from Thorin.

"Get some rest." Thorin ordered quietly as he pulled away. "We've all had a long day."


On June 8th, the dwarves and hobbit staying in Rivendell did absolutely nothing. They were all too tired to do anything but sleep, including Bilbo. Despite the fact he got a couple of hours on Thorin's chest the day prior, he had still been awake for near two days straight and was just as exhausted as the rest of them. So most of the day was spent with snores shaking the foundations of Rivendell, letting the elves know that their guests would not be joining them for the day.

Bilbo was one of the first to wake as the sun rose on June 9th. With a stretch, the halfling looked around to see the familiar bundles of dwarves passed out on beds or the floor, Thorin parked at the foot of his bed with Fíli and Kíli. Deciding to let his friends sleep a little longer, Bilbo stole into the bathing chambers to get clean.

Ooh! An in the ground tub! The hot water was simply heavenly. Most of the scent of troll was gone when Bilbo entered the water, but he still needed to scrub to get rid of the remaining smell. Now where was the…

Oh great. The elves just had to put the soaps on the top shelves, didn't they? They probably did that to irritate the dwarves, but it was mostly irritating him right now. Glancing around, Bilbo didn't see anything that he could possibly use to boost his height, so he would have to jump to get the soaps. Climbing out of the warm water, shivering at the cold air, Bilbo quickly scuttled over to the shelves that were right next to his tub. Popping up a few times, Bilbo growled as he nearly had a bottle, but didn't quite get it.

"Need help?"

Bilbo squeaked in shock and slipped. Water closed over his head. A pair of hands grabbed his arms and pulled him up out of the water. Bilbo coughed out a small bit of water that had gotten into his lungs before looking directly at Thorin.

"Thanks." Bilbo panted, keenly aware that he had no clothes on.

"You're welcome." Thorin nodded.

The dwarf let Bilbo slide back into the water as he easily reached up and snagged the soaps off the top shelf. Thorin had actually walked into the bathing area to get a really nice view of Bilbo's backside as he jumped up to try and grab the soaps. Yes, he did ogle a bit at the sight of Bilbo's bare arse, but quickly composed himself before calling out to the hobbit… which had led to him slipping on the wet floor and tumbling back into the bath.

"Are you alright?" Thorin asked as he set the soaps down.

"Yeah." Bilbo nodded as he coughed a little more.

It was then that Thorin noticed the three long scars across Bilbo's chest. The started up by his left shoulder and ran at a horizontal slant across his upper body. His nipples had barely been missed by the metal claw that Azog used as a left hand, but the white scar tissue looked as if it had been well cared for and didn't look as bad as some other scars he had seen.

"Thorin?" Bilbo's voice brought Thorin out of his thoughts, and realized that he had been staring.

"Yes?" Thorin asked.

"Is everything alright?" Bilbo questioned, and Thorin nodded slowly.

"I… I've never seen your scars before." Thorin whispered.

Bilbo touched his chest. He had always been a bit sensitive and wary about others seeing his scars. Once upon a time and way back when, hobbits found that scars were badges of honor, but that was before they settled in the Shire. Now it was considered scandalous. Along with ear piercings, tattoos, and going on adventures.

"It's not your fault." Bilbo sighed, seeing the guilt in Thorin's eyes. "You weren't the one who tried to cut me into ribbons."

"But my actions caused it." Thorin replied.

SMACK!

Thorin stared at Bilbo in shock as he put a hand to his now stinging cheek. Bilbo had hit him. Bilbo had hit him… and it really hurt!

"Feel better now?" Bilbo asked.

Thorin couldn't help it. He started chuckling, and it soon grew into an all-out laugh. Bilbo was puzzled, not understanding what was so funny. Finally, the snickers died down as Thorin caught his breath and looked back to Bilbo.

"When I offered to let you to hit me, I didn't know that you would really take me up on it." Thorin said with a grin.

Bilbo chuckled himself, recalling the conversation they had the last time they talked about what Azog had done. At least Thorin seemed to be able to relax about it a bit more now.

"Thorin, can I get your aid in a small matter?" Bilbo asked suddenly.

"With what?" Thorin asked, interested and wary at the same time.


"I don't believe this." Thorin growled.

"Believe it." Bilbo replied.

"Now hold still and it will be over soon." Óin said with a grin.

"You're enjoying this far too much." Thorin groused.

"Blue bush?" Óin questioned. "You might want to look in the gardens, but they won't help here."

"Are you going to do this or what?" Bilbo huffed.

"Hold still." Óin smiled.

"Wait, you're using that?!" Thorin gasped.

"Ow!" Bilbo yelped.

"Done." Óin hummed.

Bilbo lifted his head from Thorin's lap and sat up with a grin. Now he really had trashed the Baggins reputation. Up in the cartilage of his left ear, Bilbo was now sporting an earring, which Thorin had made for him. It was a silver stud with a blue topaz gemstone, which represented courage and overcoming fears and obstacles. Bilbo getting this piercing was an ancient hobbit way of saying, 'I was attacked and survived'.

"It suits you." Thorin said as he watched the new blue gemstone sparkle amidst the golden curls.

"Thanks for the help." Bilbo replied.

To be honest, Thorin couldn't believe that he had agreed to help. He had made an earring for Bilbo when he hadn't even made a hair bead yet. But Bilbo asked him for his aid, stating that he wanted to rile up his relatives when he returned to the Shire, since piercings were a scandal amongst hobbits. But still, now Thorin really wanted to get the hair bead done. It was too bad making the stud had taken all day.

He'd have to wait until tomorrow.


The next day, Bilbo spent the entire time in the garden. He had heard from Dwalin that Thorin was in the forges and didn't want to be disturbed, so he respected that and wandered about the city before stopping in the flower gardens. Many of the blooms were blossoming beautifully, and Bilbo stopped when he spotted several different flowers. The cornflowers, the violets, and the gladiolus.

As Bilbo wondered if he should or should not follow a hobbit tradition in telling Thorin he was interested in courting -hey, the dwarf had started it by giving him Deathless and he wanted to court the broody King of Durin's line- when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, Bilbo wasn't that surprised to see Elrond in the gardens with him. Elrond had come upon him in the gardens multiple times in his last life, so Bilbo had learned to listen for elven feet.

"Not with your companions?" Elrond asked once he was close.

"Not right now." Bilbo replied with a smile "Just need some alone time to get rid of the images of naked dwarves running into the bathing chambers."

Elrond nodded, the elf's mouth pinched shut. Bilbo wasn't sure if in horror at what the dwarves had done or if he was trying to keep himself from laughing at their odd sense of humor. It could have been a combination of the two.

"I have heard that hobbits are very resilient." Elrond changed the subject quickly so there wasn't an awkward silence.

"Heard or witness my mother?" Bilbo asked with a cheeky grin.

"Both." Elrond chuckled. "I've also heard that they are fond of the comforts of home."

"Well I've been told not to go to the elves for advice." Bilbo whispered conspiringly. "Because they will answer with yes and no."

Elrond raised an eyebrow in what Bilbo didn't know was amusement or from feeling insulted. Last time it had been amusement, but things were a bit different this time around. Oh wait, Elrond was smiling. All was good.

"If you feel the need to stay here, you may, if that is what you wish." Elrond said before he left the gardens and the hobbit.

Bilbo watched the elf leave before looking back to the flowers. He may have wanted to stay the first time around, but not this time. The company was his family and they always had been, even if they didn't know it. Well, Kíli seemed to get it, but he had been half asleep.

Bilbo wanted to be courted by Thorin, but he was fairly certain that dwarves didn't give flowers as 'I accept your courting proposal' gifts. He needed help.

"Hello Master Baggins." Balin greeted as he walked by.

"Balin." Bilbo nodded his head. "Wait."

"Yes?" Balin asked as he turned back.

"I was wondering something." Bilbo said as the dwarf sat next to him, even though he already knew the answers to his questions. "Why did everyone get quiet when Thorin gave me his sword after the trolls? Is what he did not normal?"

"Not really, no." Balin replied, a bit hesitant, as if he wasn't sure if he should even be telling Bilbo. "What Thorin did was… well…"

"Yes?" Bilbo prompted.

"In dwarven culture, the way Thorin gave you Deathless was him saying that he would like a chance to court you." Balin sighed as he watched Bilbo's eyes widen. "I know that this is probably quite the shock for you."

"That's putting it mildly." Bilbo mumbled, even though he wasn't surprised. "Why me?"

"Well, dwarves are pre-destined to have one person that truly and wholly completes them, and I believe you are Thorin's." Balin explained. "He has never been so relaxed around anyone before, not even around myself or Dwalin. I think it's because you're his One."

Bilbo hummed and went into thought. He had only heard of Ze's, as called by the dwarves, Soul Mates by terms of men, and Anime Gemelle in the ancient language of Hobbits. Hobbits, if they were lucky and had met their Anime Gemelle, actually received a 'tattoo' of their name somewhere on their body one year after their first meeting. But if their Anime Gemelle died, they had an annual burning itch instead of a permanent name tattoo.

Bilbo had experienced the itch in his last lifetime. It had dulled as the years went by, but Bilbo knew that he had met and lost his Anime Gemelle, and he had a good hunch of who it had been. He had been in denial for all of his past life, but now he would never deny Thorin Oakenshield the chance to be with him.

"So, what do I do?" Bilbo asked.

Apparently, that wasn't exactly what Balin expected him to say, but he wasn't that surprised. Bilbo had smashed the stereotype of what a hobbit was and should be that the dwarves had in their minds and continued to keep smashing it.

"Well, this is what you do." Balin replied, and Bilbo listened intently.


Thorin had gone back to the forges after he ate breakfast and began his work. All day he labored and strove, getting the silver to melt and mold the way he wanted, and then carving the design and inlaying small stones into the hot metal. It took many attempts to get what he was going for, but was extremely pleased with the end results.

The two silver beads were obviously dwarven made. Etched into the metal were vines and leaves, and the design was inlayed with diopside gems, which represented love and commitment, and was also an aid in the healing of trauma, and peridot gems, which signified love, romance, the ability to work in harmony and promote unity with others, and fertility.

Looking up, Thorin groaned as he realized the whole day had gone by, and the chances of him getting Bilbo alone without someone following them now was and even less chance then Smaug leaving Erebor of his own free will. He would have to do it tomorrow.


When Bilbo arose the morning of June 11th, he immediately noticed that Thorin was not in the room. While he wondered, he didn't worry. Rising, Bilbo pulled on his clothes and went out to the garden. Moving swiftly, he picked three flowers; deep purple violets, blue cornflowers, and red-pink gladiolus, along with purple gladiolus with white markings.

The deep purple violets spoke of faithfulness and loyalty, and their color meant uniqueness and specialness, and was also a color of royalty and nobility. The blue cornflowers, or bachelor buttons, meant devotion, hope, and love, and the color spoke of peace, openness and serenity. The gladiolus' meant strength, sincerity, and integrity. The red-pink gladiolus flower meant passion and love as well as admiration and thankfulness, and the purple flower with white markings meant loyalty as well as hope and respect.

By making this bouquet, Bilbo was telling Thorin how he felt about him. The flowers represented his feeling for Thorin.

"Master Baggins." Thorin said.

Bilbo turned from his kneeling position to see the dwarf was walking towards him. Bilbo gulped as he stood, clutching the stems of the plants tightly. Oh, he didn't want to mess this up. He couldn't mess this up. He had unknowingly spent an entire life pining for his Anime Gemelle, and he was not going to goof it up this time.

He hoped.

"Yes?" Bilbo asked quietly.

The dwarf stared at him. Before he lost his nerve, and swallowing quickly, Bilbo held out his bouquet of flowers.

"The violets mean faithfulness and loyalty, their color meaning uniqueness and specialness." Bilbo said quickly. "The cornflowers mean devotion, hope, and love, and the color means peace, openness and serenity. The gladiolus means strength, sincerity, and integrity, and the red-pink ones mean passion and love as well as admiration and thankfulness, and the purple flower with white markings mean loyalty as well as hope and respect."

Thorin stared at the bouquet, not quite understanding what Bilbo meant by all that, but guessed that it was part of, or he hoped it was part of, hobbit courting. Thorin watched as Bilbo took a deep breath and looked the dwarf right in the eye.

"These flowers show my feelings for you." Bilbo said firmly. "I offer them to you… to declare my interest of courting you."

Thorin gently took the flowers into his hands. Bilbo watched with his emotions out of whack. He had declared that he was open to courting Thorin. Even though the dwarf had given him his sword yesterday, what if that wasn't his intention at all? What if he just saw Bilbo as a brother in arms? Oh… how he wished he knew what the dwarf was thinking right now!

Thorin fidgeted, yes, fidgeted, and then held out one of his hand. Bilbo stepped forward and looked at what the dwarf was holding. Two silver beads with green stones inlaid to make the outlines of leaves. It was obviously dwarven made, but told of a plant lover's life.

"Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, I, Thorin Oakenshield, offer you these hair beads as a sign of my interest in courting you." Thorin said slowly, his eyes never leaving Bilbo's. "Will you accept?"

Bilbo stared at the beads, blinking rapidly. He would not cry, he would not cry, he would not cry! Damn it Thorin! He didn't want to cry and here he was tearing up in happiness. He couldn't keep them back… damn it! Thorin stepped forward in alarm as Bilbo jumped forward and threw his arms around the Durin dwarf, holding him in a tight embrace.

"Yes." Bilbo whispered. "I accept you offer."

Thorin smiled as his arms wrapped around Bilbo as well. Mahal was smiling upon him today. Gently pulling them apart, Thorin led Bilbo to a nearby bench and sat them down.

"Will you hold these while I braid the beads into your hair?" Thorin asked as he offered the flowers.

"Of course." Bilbo nodded and took the blooms.

Thorin kept smiling as he gathered hair behind one of Bilbo's pointed ear. Pointed like an elf's, but not as thin and nimble, more full and thick. Thorin braided swiftly, his hands easily weaving the bead into a five stranded braid before clasping it with one of his own spare clasps.

"Do the braids and their location mean anything?" Bilbo asked quietly.

"They do." Thorin said slowly as he moved to Bilbo's left side, eyeing the blue topaz stud in his ear. "The location tells that you are currently being courted by someone, and the five strands of the braid represent the five stages of courtship: 1. attracting attention/flirting, 2. reading body language, 3. verbal communication, 4. physical touch/intimacy, and 5. engagement."

"Should you have told me this?" Bilbo asked, suddenly worried that he had forced Thorin to break a law concerning his culture. "I know that dwarves a secretive about their culture and…"

"I won't get in trouble." Thorin chuckled. "While dwarves don't tell outsiders of our culture, we tell those we are courting certain aspects, like what the braids they're wearing and their locations mean."

"Oh." Bilbo nodded his head. "I swear by my grass I won't reveal what you have told me to anyone other than another dwarf."

"Thank you." Thorin frowned as he tried to puzzle out what Bilbo said. "No, I'm lost."

"'By my grass' means 'by the hair on the top of my foot'." Bilbo explained with a giggle. "Hobbit's call the hair on the top of their feet 'their grass' to remind them of their promise."

"What promise?" Thorin asked as he finished the second braid and clasped it off.

"Let's get the others, I'd rather only tell this story once." Bilbo replied.


It took a good two hours to get the dwarves to settle down. They kept calling for a party to get started so they could celebrate Thorin finally choosing someone to court. Finally Thorin got them all to sit down and shut up.

"Atkât! (Silence!)" Thorin bellowed.

Bilbo recognized the word as the one Thorin had yelled his last life back in Bag End, but he still didn't know what it meant. Maybe he could ask later.

"Bilbo has a story he would like to share with us." Thorin said.

"Thank you." Bilbo nodded his head as everyone turned their attention to him, Fíli and Kíli grinning impishly. "This story comes from a question Thorin asked me earlier. He wanted to know what I meant when I swore an oath, 'by my grass'."

"Huh?" Kíli couldn't stop the sound or his look of confusion that was mirrored by so many others.

"Our grass is the hair on the top of our feet." Bilbo explained. "Hobbit have hair on top of our feet to remind us of our promise."

"What promise?" Ori asked, his quill poised to write.

"You all know what the Ents are, correct?" Bilbo asked.

"The walking trees Yavanna asked to be made after Mahal made the dwarves." Balin answered.

"Good." Bilbo nodded. "The story starts in the second age, after all races of middle earth were awake and Morgoth had been defeated. The Ents were not as Yavanna had originally intended them to be. They were the shepherds of the forest, but they had forgotten to care for the other green and growing things outside of the trees. The Ents had wives that loved to care for all growing thing and had made a garden in the Brown Lands. It was there that Yavanna and Eru Ilúvatar appeared to them.

"Peace to you my children, Yavanna said.

"The Entwives cheered at her presence. They believed that she was to return their husbands to the way they were supposed to be. But it was not so.

"I come to ask a new task of you. Yavanna said. The Ents are not fulfilling their duties as they should, and have been offered another chance to do as they should, but doing so walking in a different skin.

"The Entwives grew quiet, and talked amongst themselves for a long while. Finally, the one called Fimbrethil came forward with their answer.

"Long have we waited for our Ent husbands to see sense, and know that they never will. We will now permanently leave them and do the duty you have given us, the duty that was always ours.

"Yavanna nodded and stepped back as Eru Ilúvatar stepped forward. The creator of all raised his hands, and fire burned the bark from the Entwives. They screamed, for it was a painful experience. When the fire had died down, their garden was destroyed. Now, instead of tree people walking about, there were short folk with clothes made from the remains of their tree bark and sap, standing between 2 and 4 feet tall with thick curly hair, pointed ears, and large feet with hair growing atop of them.

"My little Hobbits. Yavanna crooned. You have curly hair like the curling vines, pointed ears like the pointed leaves, stand lower to the ground to be able to tend to all growing things, and have your own blanket of grass on top of your feet to remind you to care for all plants that grow. Go now, and fill the world with all that is good and green.

"And so Yavanna and Eru Ilúvatar left them. The newly born hobbits wandered about for many years, growing many plants and tending to all green things before finally settling in the Shire in the Third Age, in the year 1600.

"But every hobbit fauntling is told how the first hobbits came into existence and how important it is for us to grow all green plants, and that the hair on the top of our feet, our grass, is the reminder of our vow to Yavanna, our creator."


Anime Gemelle- Italian for Soul Mate, (correct me if I'm wrong please!)

Fimbrethil- Treebeard's wife


MMMG: And there is my take on how Hobbits came into existence. Bilbo and Thorin are officially courting, yay!

For the ancient Hobbit language, I'm using Italian. I don't know if the online Italian translator was right or not, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just so you're not confused, here is what happened each day they were in Rivendell. So far.


June 7: Warg chase, arrive in Rivendell, dinner

June 8: Sleep all day

June 9: Bathe, Bilbo gets the tip of his hear pierced with Thorin and Óin's help

June 10: Thorin starts and finishes the hair beads, Bilbo spends the day in the gardens wondering if he should give Thorin some flowers, talks with Elrond, and talks with Balin about dwarven courting

June 11: Thorin presents Bilbo with the courting beads and Bilbo presents Thorin with a bouquet of flowers, they both accept the gifts and begin courting, (5 stranded braid representing the 5 stages of courtship: attracting attention/flirting, reading body language/feeling uncertain, verbal communication/commitment, physical touch/intimacy, and intimacy/engagement) [Violets: commitment/faithfulness, Gladiolus: strength, Cornflower: devotion, hope, and love]


MMMG: And I know that jewels and flowers and their colors all have different meanings. I took the info from different sites so it could suit my purposes, but it is all accurate to at least one website, just not all the same sites.

That didn't make any sense did it? That's what you get when I stay up writing until 2:30 AM.

Please review!