Chapter 21

Figrid shippers rejoice!

Sigrid's POV

I had to fight the urge to go running into his arms the moment he came into view. Honestly, I had to resist running out the city towards Erebor the moment I saw the little dots traveling down the plain from my balcony. My heart already felt fully committed and the suspense of not knowing his feelings was torture. I knew he fancied me but the lack of time spent together, coupled with the distance made me feel like a foolish school girl. I hated it. I was so distracted by his regal blue eyes staring through my soul, that I curtsied low to break the eye contact. I was nervous enough about my new position, I didn't need to be worried about making myself look daft. Tauriel was glowing, a life in the mountain was suiting her well. I embraced my friend trying hard to keep my mind, and eyes, off Fili.

Tauriel gave me a few tips on the more complicated rules of court while we walked towards my home. We could hear the boys making some sort of a fuss behind us, but Tauriel just rolled her eyes and we continued on.

She was rattling off rules to help me with the day's events, "... Remember to be careful with the elves in the envoy, all of them will be from the court in Greenwood. So if they offer to escort you or dance, be sure to only touch them with your fingertips. It would be considered improper if you took an arm, maybe best you just politely decline until you're comfortable..."

I silently tried to remember everything she told me as we made our way into the estate. Dìs & Dwalin were already waiting in the lounge with my family. I insisted my friends get a tour of our home, the artistry of the interior was certainly a sight to see.

"Sigrid," Tauriel gasped, "the work in this home is unlike anything I have seen. Even Mirkwood's halls are not so ornate."

She touched an etched wall in Bain's room that was filled with tiny crossed leaf crests, painted in golds, reds, and greens. Last we entered my room, not nearly as colorful or elaborate as the others. The room had white stone walls with wood accents along the door ways. The molding and trusses were designed with a simpler theme. White flowers with golden vines weaved together in a continuous line. The balcony was the appeal to the room and each person commented on the view when they saw it. The wind whipped up the loose strands of my hair as I gazed out into the plain, when I felt a hand embrace the small of my back.

"Are you nervous?" Fili asked gently tracing his fingers softly along the curve of my spine, "your life has changed so much since the dragon, today will be another big change."

I looked around and realized the others were gone, we were alone.

"Very nervous," I turned to look at him, his hair was a soft wavy gold and the braids in his hair were smooth and perfect. As if in a daze I reached to caress the braid by his mouth, running my fingers down to the bead, "very nervous."

Fili let out a shaky breath as his body shuttered from the touch, the shock of his reaction brought me back to reality.

"I'm sorry," I looked down at my feet embarrassed, "I didn't mean to do that."

He pulled me into his arms and brushed his fingers under my chin to bring my gaze to his face, "Don't be sorry, dwarves and their hair."

I had no idea what that meant but I was too concerned with his closeness to think much of it. I hesitated slightly before closing the gap to his lips, in a soft but passionate kiss. Pulling away much faster than I wanted to, anyone could walk in on us alone in my room.

"We will be missed." I held his hand as I pulled him behind me.

When we reached the final stairwell he pushed me into the wall and kissed me once again. At first this kiss was confident and purposeful, but it followed with much more delicate sweet kisses across my lips. He may have been shorter than me by a few inches but his strength was surprising and his body felt solid, pressed up against me.

He pulled away smirking, eyes dark with playful emotion, "we will be missed."

He walked down from the stairwell and into the dining room, leaving me holding on to the wall for balance as I attempted to recover from his passionate attention.

As soon as I made my way into the dining room, Elanor started serving lunch. My father had avoided having a household staff for as long as he could. With his older children requiring more time doing stately business, it was no longer a feasible request. Tilda had essentially chosen Elanor before da even knew he was going to need a housemaid. Elanor had been one of the midwives in Laketown when we were born, the older woman and my mother had been close before her passing. She was always kind to us, checking in over time, and making little trinkets for us to have. It only seemed fitting that she be watching over us now caring for our home. The dwarves tried to make small conversation during lunch, but my head was swimming with inappropriate thoughts. Most of which concerned a blonde dwarf, sitting two seats away from me. Before I knew it, I was walking down the cobbled streets to the city common hall. Bain, Tilda, and I looked out onto the large courtyard where the coronation would take place in a short time. Banners and wreaths adorned every open space and the people were all in jovial spirits. I could hear soft songs playing and see a few people starting to dance in preemptive celebration. The air was chilly, with temperatures starting to drop with the sun. Inhabitants had already started to light bonfires around the area for warmth and light. Heavenly aromas were wafting from the kitchen in the hall and workers were rolling out an exorbitant amount of ale, wine, and whiskey.

"Now children," My father came over and brought us all in to a tight circle, "I know much in our lives have changed, you have become leaders to our people, and you have all made me a very proud father."

"We love you da," Bain embraced him, as my father playfully cuffed his ear.

Tilda squealed excitedly, "I always knew I was a princess!"

Da looked to me as I took in an exaggerated deep breath, exhaling slowly, "I think I might be the only one who is as nervous about this as you."

Bard laughed heartily and kissed my forehead, "You may be the spitting image of your mother but in spirit, you take after me."

"Nothing to be nervous about my friend, you are a natural leader. Ruling the city of Dale runs in your blood," Gandalf spoke, having arrived just in time to lead the coronation ceremony.

"We were getting worried you wouldn't turn up," my father teased the wizard.

"Nonsense!" Gandalf protested, muttering the rest while exiting the hall, "A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."

The ceremony went by surprisingly fast. Before I knew it the newly crowned sovereign of Dale, had crowned Bain as his successor and was getting ready to crown me a princess. I closed my eyes to curb my anxiety, counting out my breaths so I didn't hyperventilate. The gold circlet felt cold as it was placed upon my brow. I opened my eyes to see my father smiling wide at me before he moved to Tilda. The crowd cheered loud a moment later and music kicked up, cueing the start of the festivities. It seemed every semi important person felt the need to greet my father and introduce eligible ladies and gentleman with the intention of making a match. Each suitor was worse than the next and I squeeze my da's hand to indicate my uneasiness with the whole ordeal. By gods, I had been a princess for less than 30 minutes and I already hated it.