And here is the second chapter about the ball. Enjoy!
"We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement."―Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice
Signi watched the King leave, her eye daggers digging mercilessly into his back. Never had she met a dwarf so infuriating. He sought her attention, just as he had many times before, and they fought within moments of first speaking. It was as though the king had no concept of enjoyable conversation. That did not surprise her – she knew that he was never a likable person.
The mist had grown heavier and raindrops spattered across her cheeks. Quickly, she ran inside to stay dry. Stopping in the corridor, she slumped against the wall, sliding down until she was sitting on the stone floor. It was dark in the corridor except for the torches placed periodically along the wall. A guard stood at the corner, but he made no move to acknowledge Signi as she wallowed on the ground.
She did not know how long she stayed on the floor. Music continued to play in the great hall, transitioning through a series of waltzes. Signi tried to imagine what she would be doing if Stonehelm had made it to the ball, duplicating in her mind the feel of his arms and warm hands as he guided her around the dance floor. But for some maddening reason, the memory of the king catching her about the waist before she fell some weeks before kept surfacing in her mind. She had been too embarrassed in that moment to revel in the feeling of being pressed against his solid chest, his large hands splayed across her back. Now that she wanted nothing more than to strike the memory from her mind, it stubbornly dominated all thoughts.
Quiet footsteps approached in the darkness and stopped in front of her. She recognized the black suede boots with silver beading, but made no effort to greet Lady Dis.
To Signi's surprise, Dis also slid down the wall, settling on the cold stone beside her.
"My brother has fled the ball. Am I to take it that your conversation did not go well?" She asked, fixing her gaze on Signi. Her eyes were so similar to Thorin's, but at the moment they had taken an amused glint rather than icy sharpness.
Signi snorted, unable to meet Dis' stare. "Do our conversations ever go well?"
Dis sighed, leaning her head against the wall, and closed her eyes. "We Durins have skulls of stone and our pride is just as impenetrable. It is certainly our biggest downfall and the most I can do is humbly beg for forgiveness on all of our behalf." Her speech was stilted as though her own pride resisted the confession.
Reaching across to squeeze the lady's hand, Signi gave her a reassuring smile. "Trust me, I do not hesitate to forgive you," she said softly. "I am afraid that I have been afflicted with the very same traits."
"That you are," chuckled Dis. "Is there any way you can extend your forgiveness to Thorin?"
Signi frowned and looked away. If Thorin Oakenshield wanted her sympathy, he would have to ask for it himself. He freely gave orders with no explanation and allowed his opinion to weigh too heavily on his actions. Although she believed him the rightful king of Erebor, she could not ignore his shortfalls.
"I know it is not easy," said Dis, correctly reading Signi's silence. "Mahal, I continue to struggle with it and I love him more than words can speak. But know that his actions always have a reason, even if he does not share it."
"Then how does he explain the way he has treated Stonehelm?" Signi snapped, her words harsher than intended.
Dis' warm expression retreated and was replaced by a stony glare. "I do not know the details of Stonehelm's expulsion from Ered Luin," she said slowly, carefully. "But I know that his presence there did not provide the security he had hoped to offer. I know he is a dear friend of yours, but the dwarf I saw there left his honor in the Iron Hills. Whatever he did to upset Thorin, I assure you that my brother's actions were justified."
Signi groaned and rocked her head against the stone behind her. She respected Lady Dis too much to argue with her, and now that they were speaking for the first time since their last disagreement, she did not want to get the silent treatment again. But it was ridiculous to have her friend painted in such a light. Stonehelm was a good son, a close friend, and a fierce fighter for his people. True, his good qualities were hedged with the exuberance of youth, but all dwarves went through such a time in their lives. Even Thorin must have had reckless days between battles.
"Come back to the ball," Dis said, pushing herself from the floor and extending a hand to Signi. "You don't have to worry about seeing Thorin anymore tonight. He hates these things and you gave him the perfect excuse to escape."
Signi sighed and took Dis' hand. She would not let the king ruin her fun. Stonehelm may be stuck in camp and Thorin stuck in her mind, but the band was still playing and there was plenty of drink left to make the night merry again.
Kili lounged in the chair his uncle had vacated some time before. He and Signi we gone for a long while, long enough that he and Gimli had placed bets on the state of their return. Kili expected them to come back with silly grins, red faces, and disheveled hair. Gimli expected Thorin to come back with a black eye and Signi with bruised knuckles. Unfortunately, neither could claim winnings as Signi returned with his mother and it was reported that Thorin had stomped angrily up to his study.
As far as he could see it, they were both acting like dwarflings. Perhaps there was a certain freedom to the affair he had with Tauriel. He did not hesitate to tell her that he loved her. It was such an unlikely, forbidden match that there was no reason to deny it. He supposed that Thorin was set in his ways and Signi did not like to be ordered about by anyone, even her own heart. But to keep fighting such a doomed battle was a waste of their precious time together. Thorin was far too old to wander green pastures.
He was deep in his musings when Lord Brasi made his way over and settled on the other side of Lord Dain. Kili did not like the dwarf one bit, and his predatory daughter was even worse. Under normal circumstances, Kili would not pay any mind to Dain's drunken prattle, but any conversation with Brasi was worth overhearing. Feigning mild interest in his brother dancing again with Lifa, he listened sharply for any hint of Brasi's deceit.
"It seems the ball was a success," he said smoothly, clinking his wineglass against Dain's tankard. "It is a shame your son could not come."
"Aye, he would not miss a party if he could help it," Dain said, his words slightly slurred.
Brasi smiled tightly, his eyes not matching the expression. "Yes, he was always keen on celebrating in Ered Luin. As I recall, the king did not take to Stonehelm. I was surprised to hear that he summoned him to Erebor."
"Well, that was my doing," chortled Dain. "I've told Thorin to let bygones be bygones. He was a lad and he was stupid. He's paid for it many times over, but my cousin still won't let it go. When Thorin asked for soldiers, I made sure to bring Stonehelm's regiment. It's all I can spare, you see, so he is going to have to get over their little spat."
"Hmmm, that is a wise plan indeed," Brasi said. Kili could hear the contemplation in his voice. What schemes did the dwarf have now?
"Maybe now he will get some sense in him," continued Dain, ale running down his beard as he greedily gulped. "I told him it's time he settled down. Time he get himself a wife. That should knock some humility in that thick skull of his."
Brasi smirked. "Are we talking about your son or the king?"
Dain roared with laughter. "Both, I suppose. Erebor is full of eligible ladies now, surely they can find one willing to put up with them long enough to sire an heir."
"And have you any ladies in mind?" asked Brasi, stroking his gray beard as he looked over the sea of dancing dwarves. "For your son, I mean."
Dain nodded and pointed into crowd. "That one over there, Signi. Her father is my record keeper. Never met a lass with fire like that. She has knocked me down more times than I can count. I'm sure she is the only one who is willful enough to keep Stonehelm in check."
Kili inhaled sharply, but made no move to turn toward Dain. He knew Signi had long been a friend of Stonehelm's, and he gathered by their behavior early in the day that their attraction was a recent development. If Dain was pushing Stonehelm toward Signi, how genuine was the dwarf's affection?
"I am sure a marriage could easily be arranged," Brasi said, nodding politely to the servant refilling his wineglass.
"I would have had them betrothed years ago, but her father doesn't believe in that sort of thing. He says it doesn't foster a marriage of quality if it is forced upon them."
The dwarves chuckled as though it was a ridiculous belief to have.
"And have you any recommendations for the king as well?" Brasi asked, daintily sipping his wine as Dain let out a massive belch.
"Aye, Signi as well," laughed Dain. "Thorin would have my head if he heard me say it, but we all can see the way his eyes follow her. She is a smart one and knows more about running a kingdom than I could ever hope to. Most dwarves won't look twice at her, shame she isn't prettier, but I think we both know that looks alone are as good as pigshit after the babes are born."
Kili scowled into his drink as Dain roared at his joke. He spoke of marriage as this trivial sort of thing. Dain may have been a sucker for love songs, but he still stood by customs of old. He had been part of an arranged marriage, one in which he was married to a lovely Erebor lass with large bosoms as well as large treasure halls. She was not known for her wisdom or her wit, but she decorated Dain's arm and gave him an heir.
"Who is it that the prince has spent most of the evening dancing with?"
Kili shot Brasi a furtive look and saw that the dwarf was watching Lifa and Fili with and appraising glare. He was well aware of Brasi's desire to marry his daughter, Miri, to one of the princes. Fili was the obvious choice as the eldest and the future king.
"That is Lifa," said Dain. "The rose of the Iron Hills, I say. Such a beauty."
"And she comes from a good family?" Brasi's voice had a hint of sneer at the word good.
"I like to think so," said Dain, unaware of Brasi's insult. "She is Signi's elder sister. Their father may not have wealth, but he is certainly the best member on my council. I couldn't do it without him."
"I see," Brasi said coldly.
Kili had heard about enough of the conversation. While Brasi had not revealed any underhanded motives, the prince did not want to continue listening to him derail Signi and Lifa. They may not come from money, but their father was a Lord just the same. Unlike Brasi, Mikel deserved such a title with his years of service and honorable contributions to the Iron Hills.
Stalking away from Brasi and Dain, who will still conversing over mindless matters, Kili made a beeline for Signi. He was able to rescue her just in time as Vifil was also heading steadfastly in her direction.
"Come dance with me," he murmured grabbing her hand and dragging her through the crowd.
Signi did not resist this time and allowed Kili draw her to him for a couple's dance.
"Are you alright?" she asked finally as they twirled. His face was still twisted in a scowl from his irritation at Brasi.
"I'm fine," he muttered. Fixing his dark eyes on hers he added. "Promise me that you will not allow your opinion of my uncle to be littered by the prattle of dwarves."
Signi stared at him with a bewildered expression. "I have no idea what you mean," she sputtered.
"There are dwarves here that would see my uncle fail," he growled. "They want his wealth or they want revenge for something that happened long ago. Do not listen to their talk or it will make you resentful. If you have to be angry with him, which you usually are, then only be angry about his actions here and now."
"The king is doing a good job ruining my good opinion of him on his own," she said with a smirk.
Kili chuckled. "Good, let's keep it that way."
The sound of music carried faintly down winding stone corridors leading away from the Great Hall. Slow songs played with reverence marked the end of the ball and gave lingering couples one last dance to embrace. Lady Dis was one of those remaining on the floor, enjoying a final dance with Dwalin. Dain had left long ago claiming that his old bones could not stand much more festivities. Signi, Kili, and Gimli had gone to the watchtower with a gallon of ale and a pouch of back-alley pipe weed to welcome the morning sun as it rose.
A hidden alcove was tucked away in the stone wall of the corridor, disguised by a tapestry depicting the lineage of Durin. Fili's hands shook as he pushed it aside and gently urged Lifa to follow. There was a small window in the alcove, the pink rays of dawn refracting off of the beveled glass and bathing the couple in glowing light. After a night of dancing with his lady in the crowded hall, Fili wanted nothing more than a small moment alone with her, safe from prying eyes and court rumors.
Lifa sensed the prince's nervousness. With a shy smile, she closed the distance between them and squeezed his hand warmly. At some point in the evening she had shed her gloves, and Fili was grateful for the comforting feel of her skin on his.
Raising her hand, he pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, softly brushing his lips down over each of her fingers as well. Lifa giggled lightly at his attentions, but did not pull away. Instead, she lifted the hand he held and rested her palm against his cheek.
His heated gaze was entreating, begging for permission, as his hands wandered to her shoulders, brushing down her sides, and settling lightly on her waist. They had been in this very position multiple times that evening, but this was different. This held promise and intent.
Lifa did not answer his unspoken question with a nod or a word. The moment his hands reached her waist, his palms burning through the fabric of her dress, she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his. Her chest rose and fell heavily as the fires within her raged. Blood rushing in her ears drowned out the final chords that played in the Great Hall, and all she could hear in that moment was the thudding in her chest and the equally labored breath of Fili.
Fili was slow in his actions, although his body begged him to hurry up. Gently, he nudged his nose against hers, allowing her time to pull away. Apparently Lifa was more impatient than he. Before he could complete the kiss he had spent weeks agonizing over, Lifa pressed her lips to his with fervor.
Fili's grip tightened on her waist before one hand migrated to sink into her copper curls. His lips moved on hers, eagerly deepening the kiss. He finally had her in his grasp and nothing could separate them now.
Lifa was reluctant when she finally pulled away. She loved kissing Fili – it was everything she had hoped for and more. She loved how considerate he was, even in when sharing such an intimate moment. She loved the feeling of his hands holding her close and heat of his body moving through hers. She loved the cold bite of his mustache beads pressed against her skin.
But she had to show some restraint. Bitterly, she considered how easy it would be to take Kara's advice. Perhaps a night with Fili would keep him out of the arms of one of the other ladies. She did not doubt for a moment that his affections were genuine as they lingered in the light, her head nestled under his chin as his hands stroked her back. But the King was unpredictable, and Lifa just knew that at any moment Fili would be exchanged like a pig in the market for a meager contract or trade route.
"That was nice," Fili said, his voice warm and thick against her hair. "Mahal, that was more than nice. I have wanted to do that since the day we met."
Lifa chuckled into his tunic. She too had been anxiously waiting for the moment to arise. She supposed that she should have refused him at least once, but that took much more strength than she possessed.
Signi and Gimli sat on the ground of the watchtower, leaning against the cold stone wall and sharing a bearskin blanket. Kili lay on the ground, his head on Signi's knees, as he took a draw from the pipe they shared. The sun was just starting to show on the horizon, pushing thick fog off of the lake as it rose.
Despite her disastrous conversation with Thorin and Stonehelm's absence, Signi found the evening to be enjoyable. With her friends' assistance, she had managed to thwart Vifil's numerous attempts to stay close to her side. She drank heartily and danced with gusto until Kili mentioned sneaking out to greet the dawn with a smoke. It was Signi's idea to use the watchtower as their refuge – the perfect place to be outside and remain hidden from guards at the same time.
They were on their second pipe when Lifa and Fili joined them. Even the rosy sunlight could not mask her sister's blush and Fili's grin. The couple was up to something and Signi could not wait to needle the information out of Lifa when they returned to their rooms.
"How did you know about this place?" Fili asked, filling a cup with ale and passing it to Lifa. "I don't think anyone has been here since before Smaug."
"Your mother showed it to me," Signi answered, grinning at the princes' shocked expressions. "I have been giving her swordsmanship lessons up here."
"What!" sputtered Kili, sitting up suddenly. Clutching his swimming head, he turned a suspicious glare on Signi. "You have been teaching our mother how to use a sword?"
Signi snickered at his surprise. "Yes I have, and she is quite good at it."
Kili's eyes widened and he began muttering incoherently to himself as though he was trying to reconcile this information with the mother he knew.
"Does Thorin know about this?" Fili asked seriously.
Signi nodded a little too enthusiastically. "He does. He has been up here to inspect my lessons."
Fili joined his brother in attempting to process this knowledge.
"Do you ever feel like everything you know in this world is a lie?" asked Gimli pensively as he stared at the moon and stars still lingering in the fleeting darkness. "I mean they say I will know the day by the sun, but how can I call it day when the moon and stars remain?"
The group burst into giggles as Gimli stared back at them in utter confusion.
"Do you even know what we are talking about?" Signi chuckled. Gimli did not reply, but burrowed deeper in the bearskin so only his nose appeared above the fur.
Kili leaned against the stone beside Signi, his brow still furrowed at her previous statements. "If mother wanted to learn how to wield a sword, why didn't she ask me or Fili to teach her how?" His voice sounded hurt and Signi felt a twinge of sympathy for him.
But it was not enough sympathy to keep her from teasing. "I believe that your mother wanted to learn from an expert in swordsmanship, not a couple of amateurs."
Kili and Fili roared in disagreement. Gimli joined him in their noise without knowing why.
"Amateurs!" huffed Kili. "We have killed loads of orcs. That's more than you can say."
"Hear, hear!" said Fili, clinking his cup against his brothers.
Signi snickered at their defense. It was true, they had actually used their swords in battle whereas she had only sparred on training grounds. But their need to defend themselves so adamantly against her teasing was far more amusing in her present state.
"It is true, I have yet to fell an orc," she consented, shaking her head at their smug grins.
"I killed an orc once," piped up Lifa.
Signi could not breathe from laughing at the comical speed in which Fili whipped around to stare at his lady, his eyes wide in awe.
"Truly?" he asked, his voice breathy and hopeful. "You killed a real orc?"
Lifa nodded, her own smug expression in place. "I did. I shot it right between the eyes," she said, using her fingers to illustrate an arrow hitting her forehead.
Fili's mouth opened and closed a few times as he tried to find the words. His hands grappled for her hers, begging her to elaborate.
Giggling, Lifa explained. "It was in the Iron Hills. I was on the wall with my bow and some orcs came too close. So I shot one. The guards took care of the rest."
If she wanted to elaborate further, she was not given the opportunity. Fili came to his senses it seemed and in matter of seconds he had latched his lips securely to hers, not caring who was present to see.
Kili and Signi cheered loudly at their siblings' embrace, while Gimli dosed unaware under the blanket.
"About damn time," muttered Kili, hitting the pipe once more.
Signi surveyed her sister's red face and bashful smile when Fili finally pulled away. She had a pretty good idea what they were up to before they showed up on the tower.
"Yes it is," she replied, taking a deep draw from the pipe as well.
No one spoke of the state of King Thorin's study the next morning. The servants were given strict orders from Lord Balin to remain tight lipped as they cleaned broken glass and stains from inkpots smashed against the walls. Nothing was said when chairs and cushions were removed, one by one, their horsehair stuffing spilling out of gashes in the fabric. Or when the Orcist, which never left its spot on the wall, was mounted once more, freshly sharpened to take hide the nicks from striking stone.
King Thorin was known throughout the mountain as an impassioned dwarf. He was temperamental and humorless to a fault, but he was not the type of king to destroy his study in anger. Many times before, when Kili had snuck out of the mountain or King Bard was being difficult in negotiations, the servants saw him sparring in the training grounds. His nephews and Dwalin were the only dwarves brave enough to face him in those moments. Other times, they would find him slinking away to the solitude of the library or the watchtower ruins above the mountain. Never had they seen him in a state like he was after the ball.
Luckily for the staff, Lord Balin's orders did not extend beyond the topic of his study. Many of the servants and guards in Erebor had joined Dain's soldiers the night before. They did not know the nature of the king's displeasure with Stonehelm, but many had heard about their stiff necked greeting the day before. They had also seen Signi and Stonehelm sneaking away from camp.
In the kitchens, these stories mingled with news from the night staff. Guards had watched the king closely and were surprised by his appearance on the dance floor, followed by his walk alone with the Iron Hills girl. Although the staff had been intrigued by Prince Kili's rumored elf maid and Prince Fili's adoration for the poor but lovely dwarrowdam, nothing was more exciting than the love triangle they were spinning as they gossiped. What other reason would the king have for being so rude to Stonehelm? And if the stories from Dain's staff were true, Stonehelm and Signi had been betrothed since birth. The poor king had been through so much in his years, surely Mahal would not have him fall for a maid already promised to another.
I hope this chapter made sense. I am worried that I might be jumping to conclusions in the story but I don't notice it since I know what it going to happen. For those not familiar with P&P, I will say that it is a long road for our main characters, but don't give up on them :)
The morning sunrise scene is loosely based on the morning after Marie's birthday on Marie Antoinette (I haven't seen that movie in a long time…might have to watch it again, lol). I see our princes and sisters (plus Gimli) being good friends and acting as many their age (assuming it equates to early to mid-twenties) would after a party. Ok, and perhaps loosely based on my college days…
I forgot to credit Ms. Austen again for some of her dialog in Signi's conversation with Thorin in the last chapter. In P&P they were dancing, but I couldn't see Thorin dancing, especially with just one person since it would have been very noticeable in his position. I did paraphrase the dialog a lot, but it is moderately true to the book.
Ok, I think that is enough rambling. I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much for the reviews/favs/follows. Do not hesitate to pop on down to that review box at the bottom ;)
