Funny story. This morning I awoke to over 25 e-mails from the FF site! I was like "there is no way I got THAT many reviews in one day!" Turns out my e-mail server had been holding back a bunch of alerts, notifications, reviews and PMs for some reason, and plopped them ALL in at once...some from last week even! So if you thought I had missed your review or PM, I am sorry. I have them now, and I will be answering them all!

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PS. I got THREE new chapters written this weekend! And thank goodness one of them was pesky chapter 30! That one gave me fits!

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Chapter 21

~X~

At last the day of their trip to the bazar in Dale arrived, though far too slowly for Flinn's liking…or Kili's, for that matter. It had been decided that they would go on the second of the three days, reasoning that all the booths would be set up and functioning by then, but still early enough to guarantee that there would still be plenty of wares and goods to look at and buy. So it was, right after a hearty breakfast, Fili led the small group out of the mountain gates and onto the road leading to Dale. Flinn rode with his father up front, leaving Dis and Sier on ponies side by side, and Kili, Bofur and Nori bringing up the rear, singing merrily and sharing plenty of laughs. Following them was a contingency of eight guards, all strong and sturdy dwarves, armed to the hilt.

The trip would not be a long one, but Fili decided it was best to stop and water the ponies, allowing the company to rest a while. While Kili and most of the others, had no need for a travel break, Fili felt that Flinn and Sier did. So they halted for a bit and allowed his son to run around and stretch his legs, the two brothers having a bit of sport with him by playing tag.

"What a beautiful day for a trip to Dale," Dis mused as she stared up at the blue sky. "Thankfully, it would appear that we will have an extra month of good weather this year, allowing everyone ease of travel to and from Erebor for the Durin's Day celebration."

"It is too bad that King Thorin could not come with us," Sier said, thinking that the overworked monarch could have used a day off.

"Yes, but with both Fili and Kili out of the mountain, not to mention little Flinn, there was no way he could come as well," Dis explained.

"Oh?" This was confusing to Sier, for Thorin had left the mountain before, when he came to Himros in fact.

"Erebor must have a king to rule at all times," the older dwarrowdam explained. "Thorin can only leave when Fili or Kili are there to take over for him. So never will you see all three of them away at once. It is just not done."

"I…I suppose I can see the wisdom in that," she nodded. "Though I still think it would have done him good. He often seems overtaxed."

"I agree, but he is the king, he does what is expected of him," Dis said with a rueful smile. "My father, and his father before him, were the same way. Erebor always came first. That is until they both took wives, then at last they seemed to wake up and see that there was more to life than just ruling a mountain. I only wish Thorin would seek out a mate as well, maybe then he could learn to take it easy now and then. And had he come, it would have been a perfect opportunity to wear his wonderful new coat!" Dis added with a smile of admiration.

"I do hope he really likes it," she said, blushing just a bit over the dam's words.

"Of course he does, he couldn't be more pleased with your work," Dis assured her. "But really, did you ever think he wouldn't be? After all, he had already seen your best creation, and admires it greatly." With that she gave a nod towards Flinn, causing Sier to laugh merrily.

"Well…I had help with that one," she told her, enjoying the light hearted way they were able to converse.

Dis then turned her gaze away from Sier and towards Fili and Kili, playing in the grass with her grandson. "I have to say, it truly warms my heart to see my sons so happy,"

"I know what you mean," the younger dam agreed. "Flinn seems very content since we came to Erebor."

"There is nothing like family," Dis nodded. She then got an apologetic look on her face and turned to Sier. "Forgive my thoughtlessness. I know you said you were alone in the world, but I fear that I know very little of your background. Do you not have any family to speak of?"

"None, my lady," she answered with a shake of her head. "My parents were the last of both their line, leaving me with no uncles, aunts or cousins."

"Well, we are your family now. Fili, myself, Thorin, Kili, Dwalin, the rest of the company…and of course you will always have Flinn," Dis assured her with a warm smile.

They were quiet for a moment, their attention called away by the laughter and squeals of a happy little dwarf who had managed to tackle his father by grabbing him around the knees and knocking him into the grass.

"Tell me of Fili's father…of your Flinn," Sier asked suddenly, catching Dis off guard. "Little Flinn often asks me things about him, and I must always defer him to Fili for answers, yet I myself would like to know more about him. What was he like?"

"Oh, that is quite easy to describe," Dis laughed, gesturing towards the three dwarrow before them. "Take Fili's looks, Kili's boyish charm, and Flinn's zest for life…roll them all into one, and you would have the Flinn who stole my heart."

"Was it love at first sight? Did you two know you were each other's one immediately?" Sier found herself more and more curious about such mysteries these days…she wondered why.

"Not at all," Dis answered, leaning back as she supported herself on her open palms, her arms straight out behind her. "Flinn was a good friend of my brother, Frerin." She stopped there and looked over at Sier skeptically. "You know that Thorin and I had a brother, did you not?"

"Yes, I heard several stories told of him on our journey to Erebor," she revealed, wishing that she had been privileged enough to have met such a fine and renowned warrior.

"Well, Frerin and Flinn were shield-brothers in Ered Luin. My husband had originally come from miner stock, born and bred in the deep tunnels of Erebor. Yet when the dragon rousted us all, scattering us to the four winds, there was not as much call for miners, as there were warriors. So he put down his pick, and took up a blade. He and Frerin were inseparable, and for years he was always around, yet not once did we take note of any special attraction. That is, until one day, I was walking down a flight of stairs and I tripped on my hem. I would have taken a nasty tumble, I am sure, but Flinn reached out and took hold of my hand, steadying me in the nick of time. It was that one touch that sparked something within us…a fire that both shocked and confused."

"A fire?" Sier was now even more attentive than before.

"That is the only way I could describe it, though we both pretended nothing had happened and went on about our lives as usual. I was hardly over the age of consent, and Flinn did not think himself good enough to court a princess, even one in exile. So we ignored each other for months, both too foolish to admit what was plain as day. Then, Flinn and Frerin went out on a long patrol, not scheduled to be back for several weeks. I worried every day they were gone, losing sleep at night as I feared for their safety. And what shocked me most, was that my concerns for Flinn were just as strong as those for my brother. When they returned at last, I could no longer deny what was in my heart, and I met the company at the mountain gates, throwing my arms around Flinn in a very public and unladylike manner. Thankfully, Flinn had come to the same conclusion while we were parted and returned my affections wholeheartedly, much to the shock of my father and brothers." Here she stopped and smiled fondly in remembrance. Those were good times, memories she would cherish forever.

"That sounds lovely," Sier told her, letting lose what could have easily been a sigh of longing.

Dis, still battling with the urge to meddle, suddenly decided that just dipping her toe into the murky waters of his son's romance might not be too dangerous. Perhaps disguising her interference as a simple story of her experiences would help jumpstart things? So clearing her throat, she turned and gave Sier a very pointed look. "Do you know what my Flinn told me had finally convinced him that I was his one?"

"No…what?"

"He said he had dreamed about me while on patrol," she revealed, watching Sier closely for any reaction. "He said that while asleep, he envisioned our wedding day, of seeing me in my dress, and how I looked walking towards him. I am told that it is something quite a few dwarrow experience after meeting the one that Mahal made for them. Later, Flinn said he also dreamed of our first child…of Fili. It would seem that while his mind had yet to understand his feelings for me, his heart knew instantly, and revealed these things to him while he slept."

"How very romantic," Sier sighed. "And you…did you dream of Flinn as well?"

"Only when I was awake, it seemed," she giggled, recalling the number of times she had been shaken from her thoughts by others, having been lost in a daydream about her one. However, Dis was very disappointed that her tale had apparently not held any significance for Sier. Obviously, her son had not told his wife about the dream he already had of her. Did Fili even realize the meaning of such a thing? Dis had never talked about romance with her sons, the inner workings of a dwarven courtship being very private, and only passed from father to son…or mother to daughter. Had Sier's mother passed on before she could broach such a subject with her daughter? And Fili and Kili…they too had no such male parent to tell them these things…only Thorin, who had yet to experience this wonderful mystery himself. She instantly turned and looked at her two sons, still both being chased by the rambunctious little dwarrow. If Fili had no idea, and Sier was just as clueless…oh, Mahal, would they ever figure it out?

"It's about time we headed out," Bofur announced, as he and Nori walked up beside them, capping the water skin they had just been drinking from…one that Dis was certain contained something stronger than mere water.

"Don't want all the fun to be over by the time we get there," Nori added, giving Sier a playful wink of his eye and making her blush.

As everyone made their way towards the ponies, anxious to be back on the road, Dis decided that she would give the couple until Durin's Day to discover the truth on their own…after that, she was stepping in! It might not be her place, but a mother had to do what a mother had to do!

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Dale was filled with color, laughter and more eye-catching things than a dwarf could shake a stick at. Flinn's eyes could not open wide enough and Sier was afraid his head would come unscrewed from his neck if he turned it any faster, attempting to see it all at once. There were booths of every shape and size, selling things from the mundane to the exotic. Bolts of cloth and leather pulled Sier's attention, while merchants demonstrating and selling weapons were more to the liking of the male dwarrow in their company. It was not long after they rode through the gates that they were met by Bain and several guards, bidding them welcome and asking if they would follow him to where his father, King Bard, waited. They got quite a few looks as they rode through the streets, many not having seen the crown prince outside the mountain for a very long time. There were surprised gasps as they caught sight of Flinn, riding in front of his father, with Sier just behind, next to the king's sister. She watched as Fili seemed to sit up just a bit straighter in the saddle, proudly showing off his son to whomever wished to look. It made Sier smile.

"Ah! Arrived at last," Bard greeted them, stepping down from the small canopied dais that had been built at the end of a wide open courtyard, allowing the king and his guests to watch the proceedings in comfort and style. Bain had just dismounted and went to stand beside his father, but on the other side of the tall lord of Dale, was a young woman that appeared to be in her late teens. She had large expressive blueish-green eyes and beautiful sandy brown hair, falling over her shoulders in a rivulet of curls. Yet it was truly her smile that made her beautiful, a warm and welcoming one that put Sier instantly at ease. "Please, take your ease and rest from your journey. We are truly glad you chose to come, for my daughter, Tilda, has talked of nothing else but meeting the new princess and prince of Erebor since I returned."

"I have indeed," the young woman, whom Sier now identified as Princess Tilda, said with a smile.

As the others stepped down from their ponies, handing them off to a few awaiting men, Fili set Flinn on the ground before he came around and assisted Sier. She was more than capable of dismounting, but she found it touching that he would offer her a hand. She did notice that once she was safely down, he immediately released her and stepped away, putting a fair amount of distance between them as he turned to speak to the others. Fili dismissed the guards, telling them to get some ale and take their ease, but to remain close in case he should call. They then joined Bard and his family under the canopy as they spoke about the bazar, complimenting him on all the wonderful exhibits they had seen thus far. Bard, very familiar with Thorin's original company, glanced over at Nori, whos eyes were already surveying the crowd as if they were sheep to be fleeced.

"And keep those sticky fingers in your own pockets, Master Nori," he warned good naturedly. "I would hate to have you spend a night in the stockade for filching."

"What?" the spikey haired dwarf asked in a shocked voice. "I am just admiring the view is all…just admiring."

"Well, admire with your eyes, and not your hands this time," Bofur laughed, elbowing his friend in the side. "I got plans for us today and it don't involve a jail break."

This of course caused the males to all break out in a round of laughter, leaving the accused dwarf looking a bit embarrassed, but still smiling.

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"Please, come sit beside me so we can talk," Tilda told Sier, having linked her arm with the dam's on the way to their seats. "Ever since my sister, Sigrid, left for Rohan to marry their prince, I have been left alone in a house full of men. At least you have your mother-in-law to speak with, I have no one. And I was so excited when my father told me that the new princess was not only talented, but pretty as well."

"I think your father was being too kind with his flattery," Sier said, blushing at such words. "But I have to say, I am sorry I did not get a chance to meet your sister as well," Sier had heard tales of the beautiful new Rohirim princess, even in Himros. "She married Prince Thengel, did she not?"

"Yes, she did," Tilda replied. "He and his troops made a visit to Dale not long after we were established, and they both fell madly in love. They wrote to each other for a while, but all too soon the prince was back and in great earnest, making a sincere petition for my sister's hand in marriage. Da of course said yes, for if he had not, I fear that Sigrid would have throttled him. They now have a little boy who looks to be about your son's age, named Théoden. I can't wait until spring, for Da and I have made plans to go visit them and see how much my little nephew has grown."

"Children are indeed a blessing," Sier nodded, putting her arms around Flinn, who was sitting in her lap, but his eyes were glued on the crowds and activity in the square.

"And it would appear that you have one of the most adorable dwarflings I have yet to encounter," Tilda gushed, gesturing to Flinn. "He is so sweet I could just gobble him up!"

This statement caused Flinn's head to whip around, eyeing the new lady with both fear and suspicion. He had lived around the race of men all his life, but never had one ever threatened to make a meal of him!

"She…she wants to eat me, Ama?" he gasped, leaning back into his mother's arms, in hopes that she would protect him.

"I am only teasing, of course," Tilda laughed, finding the little dwarfling's expression priceless. "I only meant that you are very delightful, and I look forward to getting to know you better, Prince Flinn." When the lad seemed to relax and stopped eyeing her as if she were a hungry troll, Tilda continued her conversation with Sier. "You know…my sister, Sigrid, had once been a bit infatuated with Prince Fili herself, when they first met."

"Oh?" Sier was shocked by this piece of news, no because she did not think her husband warranted such female admiration, yet it was strange to think it would come from a daughter of men.

"Yes indeed," Tilda nodded, her eyes bright with humor. "When my family originally met King Thorin and his company, my father had just smuggled them into Lake Town. And my sister and I caught our first glimpse of them as they came up out of our toilet, in an attempt to make it into our house unseen."

"Your toilet?" Now this Sier could hardly believe.

"To be sure! Granted it was just a wooden hole that led directly into the lake, but still, it was a very odd sight to behold," the young princess laughed. "However, out of all the dwarves, Prince Fili appeared to be the most dignified doing it, and I think that is when Sigrid set her eye on him."

"Well then," Sier laughed, enjoying her new potential friend greatly. "Perhaps I should be happy that the prince of Rohan ensnared your sister's heart, for I fear I would not have been able to compete with such a beauty, if she looks anything like you, Princess."

"Now who is the one speaking flattery?" Tilda laughed. "And don't be silly. It is more than obvious that Fili is completely devoted to you, it was evident to me the moment I saw you together. The way he smiled at you, how he helped you off your pony, not to mention the way he has let his gaze drift over at you half a dozen times already since we sat down. A girl can tell these things," she nodded sagely. "How could you ever doubt his devotion? Besides, in all my years of knowing him, I have never seen Prince Fili even look at another female - dwarrowdam, woman or elf." Here she stopped and tried to stifle a giggle, hiding her smile behind her hand. "Now, Prince Kili, on the other hand, is notorious for flirting with just about anything wearing a skirt."

"Hey!" Kili suddenly spoke up, leaning forward from where he sat, a few chairs away. "I can't hear everything being said over there, but I think I am being maligned. Are you declaring war, Lady Tilda?" he accused, giving the still laughing princess a playful glare.

"If she is, you are sure to lose," Fili answered, turning towards his wife and the lass from Dale. "Yet, from what I overheard…I believe she spoke nothing but the truth." He punctuated his last words with a quick wink in Sier's direction, before turning his attention back to Bard, who had never stopped talking during the whole exchange.

"See," Tilda whispered, nudging Sier gently.

"I…I…" was all the flustered dwarrowdam could manage to say, completely taken aback by the implications of what Fili had just said and did. Had he truly heard all that Tilda had insinuated - that there were actual feelings between them? Or was he simply playing along so as not to rise suspicion? Either way, Sier could feel her face grow warm with embarrassment, and she lowered her head, praying that no one could see her the little smile of hope that played across her lips.

Soooo, Dis is getting wise to them and their reason for not acting like a couple in love. And she has set a time limit...they have till Durin's Day to figure it out on their own...and then she takes over!

Did you enjoy Dis and Sier's discussion of her and Flinn's romance? Too bad Fili didn't hear that, right?

And now you have met Tilda, growing up and looking all queenly in her own right.

So how much do you think Fili really heard of what Tilda said?

Now points to you if you saw how I played a bit loose and free with Sigrid and Rohan's history there. But it is my story and I can replace a princess here and there if I want to...right? Just exercising my artistic license. ha ha.

Guest Reviews:

Laura en eryn: Well it is nice to know you are around, silently watching my back, like a protective soldier. Thanks for reading and feel free to pop up every now and then and say HI.

Summer Solstice: Hmmm, they have been saying in Rohan that it has been a rather chilly summer lately. Wonder why? ha ha. Bard and Bain, and now Tilda, just HAD to be in there. I chose to exclude Sigrid since I have read a lot of awesome stories where she and Fili get together, and I just couldn't handle having her around to confuse my poor dwarf boy. ha ha. And nope, Fili has a few brain cells that the "one" thing has not fried. ha ha. Thanks!

Guest: After all the stories Flinn has heard about Bilbo...he can't wait to meet him either!

enilorac44: Don't be sad...just go find a barrel of wine from Mirkwood...drink it all...cut open the top and BAM...you have a bathing barrel too! if you ask nice, Fili might even hand you the soap. ha ha. You are welcome for the unexpected update. I do like to treat you all very well. Thanks.

Mjean: Ok, I must confess, I liked your line about martyrs so well...I shamelessly stole it and put it in the story! Look for it in a later chapter! All credit goes to you.

Reader10000: Thanks! And wait no longer, a full week of daily updates is upon you!

Guest: Now, now, I know it FEELS like you are going to die...but I assure you that Oin would not let that happen. ha ha. Bath Barrels for everyone! Awww, Flinn protecting Tae down the rapids, how cute. But it won't happen...remember, boy and girl dwarrow are not supposed to see each other naked. ha ha. I bet Fili is worried about more mornings like that one with Flinn now sleeping in his own bed. Poor Fili. OK, Fine, I am sure Dis WOULD love a granddaughter...but that does NOT mean I will give her one. ha ha. And what you do with a baby girl dwarf is hand her off to Thorin...since it would cause the biggest stir and the most fun. ha ha. Yep, Bain and Tilda are 10 years older now...Bain is hot stuff. Now...please remember the date in which I am writing this. My story takes place in 2950 (or 1350 by Shire calendar)...now go look at your copy of the Baggins, Took, Brandybuck and Gamgee family tree and see who was, and was not, born at this time. Just saying. And a prince getting his first crown is a big deal...but again, Daddy has to MAKE it first. ha ha. Your imaginings of what happens at a Durin's Day celebration is a bit different than what I picture happening - hope you are not disappointed. And I loved your little 'may I court you' thing...so cute. Thanks for your entertaining reviews, I look forward to each and every one!