At first, he couldn't approach her. An entire day went by, they ate dinner joked around and slept peacefully but she was detached, she spoke to no one unless spoken to and something was clearly wrong with her. The entire time, Fili was wondering what he should do. Eventually, he found himself following her one morning after breakfast, determined to somehow fix what had happened the day before.

Fili was waiting anxiously behind the trees, weighing his options and going through all contingencies in his mind. Pros, cons, yays and nays, all of it was swirling through his mind while he watched Mizimel sitting by herself on the large wooden stump in the clearing in front of him. The clearing was still within sight of the house, but out of the way enough that those who were practicing in the yard wouldn't be able to see her. She had run out here after the debacle with Nori and Bofur, and the braids. Mahal, the braids.

He didn't think he could get so jealous, but when the request to have Bofur braid her hair left her lips he had been close to throttling the hatted dwarf. In that moment, he feared that her affections had been turned elsewhere, and that the connection he thought they both felt was nothing but a one-sided effect in his mind. Fili had felt so relieved when it was clear she hadn't realized what she asked and when she tried to inform Bofur that she wasn't interested in a romantic way. The darkness that had washed through him had lifted and his hopes were renewed. Maybe the connection wasn't one-sided as he'd thought, but now, there was only one way to make sure.

Fili wasn't sure when he'd fallen for her, really. After all, she was just 'Ms. Took' at first, nothing more than an oddity; a very beautiful, amusing oddity but that was all she was. It certainly wasn't when he'd first met her when she'd stood before them in a rage, knife in hand and covered in creamed spinach. And it wasn't when he'd happened upon her in nothing but a night shift and a thin robe (it was an amazing sight but one he hadn't been attached to at the time). Maybe it was after he'd recognized her eagerness to learn of the culture she'd been denied, or perhaps noticing her stubborn refusal to admit weakness during their journey despite the fact they all knew she was miserable in such unfamiliar, harsh conditions. He knew that he held a torch for her one night during his watch when he'd looked across the fire to find her awake, staring contentedly at the sky. The flames caused shadows to flicker across her beautiful skin, illuminating her dark green eyes and freckles, framing her perfect face in a way that made his heart stutter and he nearly dropped his pipe. By the time they made it to Rivendell and he was teaching her Khuzdul, he knew she was his One.

It wasn't the lightning-struck, soul-shattering sort of love that had hit him as soon as he saw her. It was gradual, undeniable and soon the fact that he loved her just was, as sure as the sun rising. And it had terrified him. He hid it well, and the only one who knew was Kili (who had taken one look at him during their stay in Rivendell and just knew). She was so unsure of herself, and Fili's demeanor and their need to act as though she were already taken had made him keep his mouth shut and his emotions hidden deep inside himself. Even when they'd left her behind in Rivendell, which made him feel as though he'd left half of himself, or when she was facing Azog alone; hell, he'd managed even when she hugged his uncle intimately on the Carrock. But now? He just couldn't hold it back anymore. He longed to hold her, make her laugh and watch that beautiful blush spread across her dark skin as he praised and complimented her like she deserved. Mizimel, jewel of all jewels, she was aptly named and he was almost desperate to treat her as such.

The only thing left was to let his intentions be known. If she turned him down, he could live with it; he'd be heartbroken and could never love another but he could live with it and bear the pain. But if she were swept up by another without her knowing how he felt he would never be able to forgive himself and the what-if's would be the end of him.

Mizimel wasn't crying but she did look upset, absently staring at her hair as she brushed her fingers through it - it remained free of braids, flowing free and curly and beautiful. Fili made up his mind then, nodding and walked into view, clearing his throat loudly to announce his arrival.

"Mizimel."


"Mizimel."

Luckily, he'd cleared his throat before saying her name otherwise she might've screamed. Still somewhat startled at his sudden appearance, she looked at Fili curiously. He seemed intensely nervous about something and she couldn't fathom why. After all, he hadn't made the awkward mistake she had. He was fidgeting - an action she'd never seen him use before - and there was that slight pink tinge to his cheeks.

"Fili." She replied, lowering her eyes back to the ground and clearing her throat much like he had. "What can I do for you?"

Mizimel could practically feel the agitation coming off the young dwarf in waves and he didn't respond at first. He seemed to do that a lot; she'd ask him a question, and it always took a little while for him to answer like his mind was elsewhere whenever she was around. She wasn't sure if this was a normal thing for him or just happened around her, but she didn't really mind it. After a few more moment of silence, she looked back up and was shocked when she saw how intense his gaze was, transfixed on her and clearly conflicted about something. She felt a little flustered at the fierceness in his eyes and was about to turn her gaze back to the ground when he stepped forward, catching her attention again. There was now a noticeable blush on his own face but he seemed determined, no longer conflicted or hesitating.

"Mizimel, I want to know what you're feeling, after what happened yesterday." He started, his voice strong and sure. Fili strode over to her and stood in front of her to better look at her. His closeness and tone of voice made her start to blush and her shyness rose like a tidal wave, crashing against her senses and causing her to look away from his serious stare.

"I'm...embarrassed. Extremely so. I didn't mean to ask Bofur to court me."

"Does he not catch your eye?" Fili asked, "I know he is a jovial dwarrow, with handsome coloring; well, according to some females I've met."

Mizimel shook her head, "He is all of those things, and more. But I'm afraid I'm not romantically inclined toward him."

This appeared to make him thoughtful, pursing his lips and nodding.

"I want you to know, Mizimel, that you should not be embarrassed by what you did today. These help us know what we need to teach you, and please ignore Nori, he lets his mouth run at the wrong times."

"I...I know this, on some level, I suppose." Mizimel lowered her head and sighed. "You must understand, romance is a sensitive subject for me. Love, companionship, marriage, all of it."

Fili sat beside her without asking but she found that she didn't mind it. She couldn't mind it, she simply found it comforting and unbidden she pressed her side into his, seeking his warmth. Fili urged her to continue with a nod and she nodded back before speaking again.

"In the Shire, when I was around 50, or so, I led myself to believe I fancied one of the most eligible bachelors in Hobbiton. His name was Saradoc Brandybuck. Oh, he was a handsome hobbit, with curly blond hair, happy brown eyes, and very prominent, furry feet. I attended one of his birthday parties with Bilbo, who was a distant relation to Saradoc through his grandfather's side. I'd ordered a beautiful, wisteria colored gown in the latest fashion, curled my hair and pinned it just right to show off my neck, and I felt beautiful. Now, you must understand, Saradoc was not intentionally trying to be cruel, just honest about his preferences when his friends had asked him. Pale, short, furry feet, and above all a fine Hobbit lady; he went on to say that he'd not found a single female yet to catch his eye.

"I was heartbroken, or thought I was, and went home very near to tears. Mix that with the whispers of oddness and ugliness I'd heard during my childhood and I just...gave up, that night. I was determined that love was not for me because no one would want me, I didn't think to meet a dwarf because I had no way of doing so, and I focused entirely on keeping a fine home for my nephew so that he might find a hobbit lass of his own. I supposed that if he found his love, I'd be able to live precariously off that and I'd be happy."

"You don't believe that anyone could possibly be interested in courting or marrying you?" Fili asked softly and Mizimel nodded miserably.

"I've not considered it at all, even if...if someone has caught my eye." She didn't know if she could ever open up to anyone. She was so awkward, any dwarf she'd met treated her almost like a child and it didn't help her feel confident with her feelings. She was a hobbit raised, almost clueless dwarrowdam from the Shire, would a match ever be considered for any male dwarrow?

"Mizimel, someone's caught your eye?"

Tears began to well up in her eyes and she rubbed at them almost angrily, refusing to answer. She didn't know her own heart - she'd shut it off so long ago and now she felt things she'd thought were long since buried. They were silent and still for a few moments before she felt Fili's hand slide into hers, and grasping it tightly. Her watery gaze turned to his, bottle green met ice blue, and he smiled warmly at her.

"Mizimel, you were raised around hobbits who have very different views of beauty compared to that of dwarves. Every dwarf may prefer different things, but any dwarf with eyes could see how stunningly beautiful you are."

Mizimel thought she'd been blushing before; she was wrong. She turned cherry red and tears welled up in her eyes again as she gasped a couple of times at his kind words. He always knew what to say to cheer her up, he knew how to comfort her and she valued this in him. Her heart was hammering and her stomach felt like it was burning, but in a pleasant way. It made her want to grin but she didn't, she didn't want to smile stupidly at him. Mizimel didn't want him to think her some stupid, simpering girl.

"I know what you've grown up believing, but you're wrong. You deserve companionship, affection that sweeps you off your feet. You are strong, kind, smart, and I have never met a dwarrowdam more beautiful or deserving of love as you are. Your laughter is music, your eyes are starlight, and your hair is as luxurious as mithril. You would be a woman any dwarrow would be honored and blessed to be called your One."

Mizimel felt a thrill in her heart at his heaped on praises, tears pouring over her cheeks and she smiled brilliantly at him. They were the most beautiful words she'd ever heard and she felt as if the weight in her heart had lifted. Fili was one of a kind, a treasure, and she surged forward to hug him tightly to her, cutting off what he was going to say next. She felt him freeze, obviously not expecting her to react this way, before winding his arms around her and holding her close. She could feel his heart pounding away against her chest, and she had no doubt that he could probably feel hers as well and it was a beautiful feeling. Two hearts beating almost in tandem. She hadn't felt this happy in a while, she pulled back and smiled at him but faltered when she saw the look on his face. He was so serious again.

"What is it?"

His eyes searched hers and she was so caught in his gaze that she flinched ever so slightly when she suddenly felt his hand grasp a lock of her hair. Her cheeks were once again aflame and she gaped at him, the implications of his actions striking her heart like a hammer. She felt confused, but also intensely pleased, her thoughts racing.

"Mizimel, may I braid your hair?"


Mizimel was standing by the fireplace while the rest of the company were at the dinner table, winding down with some honeyed mead and spice cakes that she and Bilbo had made earlier that day. Her hair was flowing free and unadorned around her, and she stared alternatively between her hair and the flickering flames in front of her. Her mind swirled and she thought of one person and one person only; Fili. His request to court her and been the most shocking thing she'd ever experienced and she was thrown by it. After he had asked, she'd gotten dizzy and had withdrawn from him. She couldn't answer him, not yet, she wasn't sure about her feelings for him or if she should accept his suit. Mizimel remembered his disheartened look when she told him that she needed time to consider, but he was kind and told her he understood before leaving her to her thoughts.

Mizimel cast a furtive glance toward the blonde haired prince and blushed when she found him already looking at her. He smiled warmly when their eyes met and she looked away quickly, heart hammering. She'd be lying if she said he wasn't attractive or that she felt a pull toward him, but she worried still. The same problems she'd thought of before echoed in her mind; she was an orphan, with no idea what her background was like and raised in the Shire among hobbits. He was the crown prince and would inherit the throne of Erebor, should they be successful in taking the mountain back from Smaug. Who would approve of their match? Thorin was her biggest worry, because if he didn't approve then it simply wouldn't happen and she'd be heartbroken all over again. Bilbo was her next biggest worry because he would no doubt be offended if he weren't aware of what was going on or asked for his blessing.

"You alright, lass?" Bofur asked, having been one of the first to leave the table to set up for the night. He kept a respectable distance, however, because Dob was standing next to Mizimel and the demon had made it a habit of kicking or headbutting any male who came too close to Mizimel when the goat was with her. Mizimel looked at Bofur with a sad smile.

"I suppose so. I'm...conflicted, is what I think I am. I suspect you know why."

Bofur wasn't stupid, and she had a feeling that he knew what was going on between her and Fili. The hatted dwarf simply nodded.

"I do. It's not my place, but if I may say so, you make a handsome couple."

Mizimel blushed slightly, "I just, I don't know. What would the others think? If-if Fili or the others disapprove, I couldn't be with him. After all, he's the crown prince and I'm just, well, a Took."

"You are. But that's more than enough, and you deserve what only Fili could offer you."

Mizimel didn't think her heart could take all the compliments she'd received today and she felt tears prickle in her eyes for the umpteenth time that day. Oh, confusticate and bebother these silver-tongued dwarves. Bofur patted her arm and took his leave of her in the opposite direction to avoid Dob who was eyeing the other dwarf warily. Mizimel patted the goat's back, grateful for some company while she considered her options. Before long, the company was bedded down for the night and she slept beside Bilbo who seemed to also be deep in thought, staring at the ceiling.

"Bilbo?"

Her nephew looked at her, responding in a similar, almost silent whisper, "What is it?"

"I...I am considering...well, that is, I…"

"Does this have to do with another handsome member of our company?" He asked. Mizimel stared at him in surprise, before smiling and lightly hitting him in the arm.

"You already knew."

"You underestimate the sneakiness of hobbits, dear aunt. If you decide to court him I won't stop you. I will even give you my full blessing, if he asks for it."

Mizimel snuggled against him like they used to when they were young, before they'd lost his parents and were left all alone. Bilbo rested his head against her shoulder and sighed.

"If it were anyone other than him, I might have said no. He's the luckiest dwarf in Middle Earth to have won your attention."

"Hush, dear nephew. I don't know if my heart can take anymore honeyed words today, and my addled mind is screaming for rest. Let us sleep."

Bilbo snorted but did as she asked, both of them dozing off into a deep, content sleep. Later, when all the dwarves were sleeping, Beorn entered his home, satisfied with the information he'd found during his travels.


Ahhhh shiiiiiiit fam. As predicted by Zyenna, Fili made a move and frankly, if Mizimel doesn't give the up ghost or have an aneurysm, it'll be a miracle. But what is the aftermath of his attempt? ;A; we'll find out soon in my next chapter. Sorry for the long ass wait, haha. I just...wasn't satisfied with a lot of what I wrote for the story and have been revising, as well as figuring out all the stuff married life throws at you - literally none of it has met my expectations but it's still a good life if a little hectic. XD

Also, thank you for those kind people who wished me well on my news. I wasn't expecting that, but it meant a lot. :) Lemme know if you've got questions, in messages or reviews. I'm always grateful!

Mephistominion out ! xx