Chapter 21

It nearly broke Erlic's heart to see his adopted daughter flee her husband's room horrified. Kíli was right; this was an adopted custom that needed to end. He couldn't even meet the young King's eyes at the moment.

The colorful curses Kíli had hurled at them when Tauriel had broken free of his grip and ran out of the room were extensive. Kíli's own council had only given the sheet a cursory glance to satisfy the protocol.

Dáin, Brun, and Mûlka had also barely looked at it. It was when it got to Hagen, and he began examining in as much detail as he could that the embarrassment Tauriel was exhibiting reached the point she could no longer stay in the room.

Despite Kíli's cursing Sífir and Grindle also examined the sheet far too critically. Erlic took it from Grindle with a cursory glance before tossing it back in the basket Grund held.

Erlic looked at the glowering young King. Kíli was trying to calm his breathing, so upset he'd become. He then turned to face the Dwarf Lords. "Was it necessary to make this more invasive than need be?"

"You have to admit, Erlic," Grindle held up his hands, "that the claim of a dwarrowdam cycling when she had not yet lain with a dwarrow is highly unusual. I must say, the evidence that she went to his bed virgin and ready to conceive is in truth evident on the sheet." Grindle looked at Kíli. "You win Erlic. Your claim in council yesterday that Mahal returned his wife is proven. I still say the child better be a daughter or there will be a vote to see who heads the Council."

Erlic sighed. "You forget something critical in this. The exile of Durin's line has ended. On Midsummer we witness the crowning of King Kíli, our High King. He heads this council once that happens. He has the option to name a representative rather than sit on it and can name who leads the council in his stead."

Hagen frowned. "I would have preferred to see my daughter join the Line of Durin than a former elf. She was cheated a chance to be properly courted."

Kíli huffed. "Until the death of Thorin and Fíli you all thought me beneath wedding your daughters. So don't pretend this is anything but political posturing."

Erlic looked his King in the eye a moment and then lowered his head in shame. Kíli was right, even if Elís had chosen the lad, it was despite the fact he had not sought to present her to Thorin's younger heir.

"The look on your face, Lord Erlic, tells me you know of Elís' choice." Kíli's tone was cold. "Had she not died what would you have done when she approached me? I'll admit when Fee hinted she was going to announce her choice of me, I thought he was teasing me. I would have been honored had she done so. Of course had that happened, it would be Dáin you'd be crowning instead."

The nervous shuffle of the other dwarves in the room increased the tension. Erlic cleared his throat. "My King, I learned of Elís' choice when I heard Ailís tell Tauriel after she was presented to you. You have been wronged in so many ways."

"And if Elís had not had that accident?"

"It is always the dam's choice ultimately. The fact she intended to choose you, who she was not presented to, above all she was presented speaks of how much you impressed her. You weren't trying for her hand and yet she found you worthy of her heart." Erlic smiled. "She was wiser than your elders. I'm beginning to see who you are, and no one should have marginalized you."

Kíli sighed and swept a hand in front of him. "It's all the past now. We need to move forward." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You are all here now, so why don't we just hold both meetings."

Erlic felt pride in his young King. Not afraid to dress down the Lords that were his elders even sitting in his bed. Not only that, the lad had just took charge of both Councils and he was going to let the lad do it. "A fine idea my King." Erlic inclined his head. "What business would you like to start with?"

"I would like to start with the reports from Erebor's council." Kíli sighed deeply. "But before we do that, Grund, can you see that tea is brought in for everyone. Also, have my mother see to Tauriel."

Grund bowed and left the room.

Erlic watched as Kíli organized the scrolls he had been reviewing in silence. The lad then reached for a journal and opened it. He retrieved his quill and began writing.

"I have read everything presented to me." Kíli looked up. "Mahal knows I had time with being stuck in bed and Lord Erlic keeping Tauriel busy with lessons and duties most of the day."

That elicited a few chuckles amongst the assembled dwarrow, as the young King's tone hinted He'd rather have been spending time with her than doing his work.

"I have also read the reports sent from Dale. Smaug did a great deal of damage to the soil in the area. As the most capable farmers I know of are Hobbits, I am drafting a letter to see if we can manage to coax a few to come help us grow crops in the coming years or find some willing to teach those we can send to them, which is more likely," Kíli sighed. "The question I have for the assembled Lords, is what aid can you send in food stores until we have established ourselves here?"

"Surely there are more pressing needs with repairs, Kíli," Lord Grindle's tone was flippant.

"Lord Grindle, you are not familiar enough with me to address me by my name alone." Erlic watched Kíli straighten up in the bed where he reclined against pillows. "And what good are repairs to structures when my people are starving to death come winter?"

Grindle glared back at Kíli.

"May I suggest we all send for reposts of the state of our own holdings to see what aid we can give Erebor." Erlic looked at each of the assembled Lords. There was a mumble of agreement.

Kíli nodded. "Balin, can you sit with Bombur and Glóin and figure what we can afford to pay for from Rohan? They seem the closest area to get the grains we will need at least."

"Milord." Balin said a smile beaming on his face as he inclined his head.

#

Dís had followed after her distressed daughter-by-marriage and her Handmaid. The three dams made their way to the front gate. Once they were outside the guards assigned to them stood a discrete distance away. Tauriel finally looked at the two with her. "I don't think I have ever been more humiliated in my entire life!"

"What happened, dear?" Dís pulled Tauriel close.

"They were all looking at the dirty linen from Kíli's bed from yesterday. It was embarrassing, but then one of them started spending a great deal of time staring at and he sniffed it!"

"He what!" Dís patted Tauriel's back. "Dear heart, that was uncalled for. No wonder Kíli was cursing as you came out that door."

"Disgusting," Ailís huffed.

"There isn't anything else they can do at this point," Dís smoothed Tauriel's hair. "Kíli will place the Queen's crown on your head in less than a week, and those old badgers won't trouble you again."

"Lord Hagan is just bitter because Kíli won't be wedding his Cami," Ailís tiscked. "Not that Cami wants it. She was willing enough if you hadn't arrived, but no dam wants to be wed to a dwarrow who does not love her."

Dís could feel Tauriel's deep sigh as she held her. She turned her head nestled beneath Dís' chin. "Then what of the ones Braita spoke of that had wed when their loves were lost?"

"Oh, I'm sure the dwarrows they wed did love them. It is the dams that would have been much like Kíli would have been, kind and a friend, but unable to fully love them even with the bond. There had to be bond at least, or they would not have cycled for their new husbands." Ailís shrugged. "I have never heard of it, but Braita is no liar and she has traveled more with her brother."

Dís nodded. "It was common after the loss of Erebor and those lost at Azanulbizar. It isn't widely discussed as it goes against the way Mahal made us," she sighed, "It wasn't continued after we were firmly settled in Ered Luin. Though, Braita's Aunt on her Amad's side was one who had."

"I did not think this is where my history lesson would begin." Tauriel pushed away from Dís and dried her tears.

"Shall we get you to your tutor then?"

"Aye."

The three dams headed back inside, arm in arm with Tauriel in the middle.

A/N: Ok, after this I'll probably be back to one to two updates a week. :-)

Thank you for the CatherineAgain and Nenethiel (I inspired someone else's name ;-D ) for following the story. :-)

There's few quiet regulars, hope I didn't lose anyone during the lull in posting. Haven't heard from JP in a long while before then. Hope you're still reading.

Summerald, I know you're out there even if quiet.

Hand on heart,

Nenithiel