A.N. So what I said about my baby being a good sleeper? Yeah. Not so much. He now refuses to sleep during the day or night. Lol. I will continuously apologize for the slow updating, and hopefully my little one will learn to nap better in the coming weeks. Ah, the life of having a newborn. Thank you all for your reviews and patience! This chapter is a bit longer than the others, but hopefully that works out well for you all. I beg even more of your patience if this chapter has typos and/or doesn't have the best flow. I just wanted to make sure to get something out to you guys, because you have been fantastic.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.
Despite the fact that everyone would be getting up ridiculously early, the dwarves decided to make the best of the celebration that was still going on around them. More drink was passed around, and the more they consumed, the more, and louder, they sang. Danica allowed herself a little relaxation, falling into a pleasant haze of wine and good company. She laughed, sang and danced with them, blushing furiously when Thorin took her in his arms for a couple of those dances. Having had some alcohol of his own, his smile came easier, and his touch was warmer. He was more open with his affections, keeping them in contact with each other nearly the whole evening. They sat back against a wall, leaning into one another while Balin told stories of the dwarves' history.
"Your history is so rich and beautiful," she said softly when Balin took a pause.
"One day we will have to teach you all of it," Thorin said into her ear.
"I'd like that,"
"In return, you should tell us some of your people's history," Fili said behind a mug of ale. "You've told us some tales, but nothing real,"
"Some of the tales I've told you have had some basis in reality," she responded, knowing it didn't quite count. By the look on Fili's face, he knew it too.
Barely able to keep her eyes open anymore, she tried to excuse herself to go to bed, but Kili begged her to stay for one more song.
"Uncle should really sing it, since he taught it to us, but I doubt he'll comply,"
Thorin nodded. "You're right," but his face lifted in a smile. "If it's the song I think they're about to attempt, it's one I have known from childhood,"
"Then I am very intrigued," Danica just hoped she could stay awake for it.
"It's supposed to be sung by a male and female, but Fili has got a lovely soprano, so I doubt you'll know the difference," Kili had to duck as Fili chucked his mug at him, narrowly missing his head.
Still laughing, Kili broke into the song, and while Thorin did not sing, he hummed the tune so only Danica could hear. She would have enjoyed it more if not for her shock. She knew this song. She'd sung it to Thorin when she'd seen him as a child.
I'll swim and sail on savage seas
With ne'er a fear of drowning
And gladly ride the waves of life
If you would marry me
No scorching sun, nor freezing cold
Will stop me on my journey
If you will promise me your heart
And love me for eternity
Fili stopped mid-way through the last line as Danica sang it with him. To the surprise of all, she continued.
My dearest love, my darling dear
Your mighty words astound me
But I've no need of mighty deeds
When I feel your arms around me
Still shocked, Kili managed to pull himself together to sing his part. Thorin no longer hummed along with him.
But I would bring you rings of gold
I'd even sing you poetry
And I would keep you from all harm
If you would stay beside me
I have no use for rings of gold
I care not for your poetry
I only want your hand to hold
I only want you near me
To love, to kiss, to sweetly hold
For the dancing and the dreaming
Through all the sorrows and delights
I'll keep your love beside me
I'll swim and sail on savage seas
With ne'er a fear of drowning
And gladly ride the waves of life
If you will marry me
If you will marry me
A brief silence followed before the others clapped.
"How did you know it?" Kili asked, looking pleased even while his brow was furrowed in confusion.
"That song comes from my world," she responded softly, looking back at Thorin. His face was an odd mixture of shock and revelation.
"How is that possible?"
Kili's words were slightly buzzed in her ears as she remained frozen in Thorin's gaze.
"I heard that song as a child," he said in wonder.
The others continued to stare at them in silence until Balin stood. "Come on lads, there must be more wine and ale around here somewhere,"
As they got up and walked further into the hall, Thorin took Danica's hand and led her out onto one of the balconies. He didn't speak at first, just looked at her, occasionally stroking her cheek, eyes filled with emotion so deep she could get lost in them. Finally, he took her hand and kissed it before speaking.
"I remember. I remember you," he smiled, shaking his head. "How are you possible? I heard you as a child, then again when I was young. You were there the night after I lost my father, grandfather and brother. Was all of that from your dreams?"
Unable to speak, Danica just nodded.
"You have been with me my entire life, watching out for me in a way no one else could," he paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "The first I saw you on the road to Bree, I knew you, but didn't know why. That first night, I dreamt of you, and of hearing your voice,"
"You dreamed of me? Even then?"
"I have always dreamed of you, and loved you," the words broke the dam both of them had built, and his next words were like the flood of long-held emotion. "I loved you from the first time I heard your voice as a child, and it has only grown in the time we have known each other. With everything I am and could be, I love you,"
"I love you too," she responded breathlessly, then laughed. "All this time, I've wanted to convey just how much you mean to me, and now I'm struggling to find the words,"
"Your first three were enough,"
She was jumping off a ledge into a freefall she knew she wouldn't recover from. And she smiled. "I love you. You are my world now. Everything I am is yours,"
"Then marry me,"
His words had her breath leaving her lungs on a "whoosh." "What?"
"When this battle you have spoken of is over, marry me. I will not spend my life without you by my side,"
"I would be by your side no matter what, but would your people allow us to marry?"
"There are many who would disapprove, but I no longer care. You are mine, and I would have everyone know it," he pulled back slightly to study her face better. "Is that all that is holding you back?"
"Of course! I want to marry you more than anything. I just-"
"Then say yes," the doubt that had been on his face shifted to a charming mischievousness.
"Thorin, you can't just brush off the concerns of your people," she tried to keep her voice stern, but he had closed in, his lips brushing against her neck.
"I can if they are ridiculous,"
"But what about keeping our focus on the quest?"
"I am done putting life on hold for fear of losing it. I would rather hold on to hope. Even if this does end with our deaths, I would rather die with you by my side than alone, having kept you at arm's length," his warm breath skittered across her skin, clouding her already hazy brain. Tears sprung to her eyes when he began singing the same song she had just finished singing with Kili.
"This is coercion," she breathed with no real conviction.
"Say yes,"
Feeling like her knees would give away at any second, she gave in. "Yes," then she laughed. "Of course, yes,"
He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly as he kissed her deeply. "Now was that so hard?"
"Don't tease," but she smiled and leaned in for another kiss. "So how does this work? What are the wedding customs for dwarves?"
"There a couple of different ones, which we can always discuss later. The customs for nobility are normally much longer and more complicated, but considering our situation, we may be able to get away with a more casual ceremony,"
"That would be nice," the idea of avoiding a giant, dwarven ceremony was incredibly appealing. Even as she happily considered the possibilities, her eyes began to droop. "I don't want to leave, but I'm afraid I won't be able to stay awake much longer. I don't suppose you would come with me?" she gave him her sweetest, most pleading gaze, knowing it still probably wouldn't work.
Sure enough, he smiled, but sighed. "Propriety still demands that I leave you be, however tempting your offer is. Before you go…" he reached up into his hair, pulling out one of the beads. "It is custom for a dwarrow dam to wear the bead of her intended in a braid he plaited himself,"
"Well you've already accomplished the custom from my world," she said as he released her hair from its pins and took a lock in front of her ear and skillfully braided it. "Where I come from, a man offers a woman a ring when he proposes to her. If she accepts, she wears it on her left hand. When they get married, he also wears one,"
Once he finished, he looked up, then glanced down at her right hand, where his ring currently resided. "Why the left hand?"
"This finger," she tapped her ring finger, "has a vein that is connected with your heart,"
He took her hands, stroking them with his thumb before slipping the ring from her finger and placing it on her left ring finger. "Then it seems we should combine our customs,"
More tears welled up in her eyes, and, feeling ridiculous, she worked to hold them back. "Thank you. This means a lot to me,"
When she kept her gaze down, Thorin lifted her chin with a finger until she looked him in the eye. "You don't have to hide from me,"
"I know," so she let a few tears escape, leaning into his hand when he brushed them away. "I love you,"
"And I you,"
They made their way back inside, not wanting their absence to become too conspicuous. Thorin knew it wouldn't be too long before someone noticed the braid he'd put in her hair, but decided to let them figure it out for themselves. A shared glance with Danica revealed that she agreed. Before they could rejoin the others, the elf prince intercepted them, looking uncomfortable, but determined.
"Lady Danica informed me that your reason for having this sword was true," he said, nodding down to Orcrist in his hands. "I must apologize for my behavior, and believe you should have this back, seeing as how it was gifted to you by Lord Elrond,"
It was obviously one of the hardest things the elf had ever done, and Thorin took a moment to bask in his discomfort, before nodding his head graciously. "Thank you," he took the offered sword, glad to have it back in his possession.
Giving a stiff nod of his own, Legolas walked away to conduct whatever business he needed to do.
"Thank you," Danica said when they resumed walking.
"What for?"
"For not rubbing his face in it,"
He smiled and shook his head. "I believe there will always be times when your words make no sense to me,"
"Sorry about that," but she grinned.
"There you two are," Fili called from his spot on the floor. "We were just…" his eyes landed on Danica, and widened.
"That didn't take long," Thorin murmured low enough for only Danica to hear. She chuckled as some of the others saw Fili's face and followed his gaze, their own jaws dropping.
"Well, the other clans are sure in for a surprise," Dwalin commented dryly even while his lips curved upward.
"I can't wait to see the look on the Ironfists' faces," Bofur said, grinning from ear to ear before coming forward to offer Danica a hug. "Congratulations,"
"This calls for more celebration!" Kili grabbed some more wine and began passing it around.
Ice having been broken, some of the others came to congratulate the two of them. Thorin could see Dori, Oin and Gloin hang back a little, concern etched on their features. They eventually joined the others, but with far less enthusiasm. Danica passed him a concerned look of her own, to which Thorin just gave a small shake of his head. He understood where they were coming from, as did she, but he refused to go back on his decision.
"I am happy for you lad," Balin said while Danica talked and laughed with Fili, Kili, and Nori. "Whatever opposition you face, she will be able to handle it with grace,"
Thorin nodded, feeling a mixture of pride and sadness as he watched her. "I know she will. No matter her grace, or strength though, too many of our people would never accept her as queen,"
"What are you going to do then?"
"What I must," his words caused the older dwarf's snowy brows to pull together. Balin looked like he wanted to ask more, but gave a nod of understanding instead.
They spoke no more as Danica began to excuse herself, wanting to turn in for the night. Despite some not so subtle suggestive looks from his nephews, Thorin bade her goodnight just outside her room.
"Get some rest, everyone. We need to leave as soon as the sun is up," he said as Nori and Dwalin began pulling out more alcohol. Though they pulled disappointed faces, they did as he said.
He'd had every intention of remaining proper and staying out of Danica's room, but it only took a quarter of an hour for him to find himself back outside her door. She had been so tired before, but the thought of not being near her when he would have to leave the next day was unbearable. Omitting a knock in case she was asleep, he carefully opened the door and slipped in to the dim room. There was just enough light coming in from a lantern outside so he could move without bumping into anything. As he had predicted, she was already curled up under the blankets, but her breathing was the slightly irregular pattern of half-sleep. When he sat down next to her, the movement in the mattress caused her to stir, letting out a sleepy moan before turning to him. Eyes only half open, she smiled and opened her arms, inviting him to lay next to her. Needing no other encouragement, he joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I was hoping you would come," she said, snuggling into him.
"How could I not?" he asked, taking her hair from its nightly braid so he could run his fingers through it.
"Propriety might have won out,"
His lips lifted slightly, though she couldn't see it. "With you? Not likely,"
She made a sleepy sound that he could feel hum in her chest. "Not sure if that's a good or bad thing,"
"Neither am I," he said, to which she chuckled. He remained silent for a moment, enjoying the softness of her hair. "There is something I need to apologize for,"
"Mm?" she encouraged, still drowsy, but lifting her head.
"I want to apologize for my behavior in Mirkwood. Not only for the way I accosted you, but also for the way I left you not once, but twice,"
"The forest affected all of us. I forgave you a long time ago,"
He nodded, but even that could not ease his guilt. It was something he would have to make up for over time.
"We should get some rest before tomorrow,"
Letting out a small sigh, Danica nodded. "We really should," beyond that, she stayed awake long enough to kiss him before slipping into sleep.
It was still dark when Thorin woke, but he could see the sky lightning from pitch black to the pale gray-blue of dawn. There wasn't really enough time for him to go back to sleep; something he truly regretted. Danica was still pressed up against his side, sound asleep. When was the last time he had slept so deeply as to not change position? Though it had only been a few hours, he felt strong and refreshed. Moving very carefully, he slid to the side and propped himself up on an elbow so he could watch Danica's face in the growing light. He smiled and brushed her hair back behind her shoulder, fingering the braid.
"What have you done to me?" he wondered softly.
She stirred, moaning slightly before snuggling against him, then stilling again. He brushed a kiss to her temple, then carefully made his way out of bed. It sounded as if the rest of the house was still quiet, so he washed and changed in peace, finishing as the first yellow rays began to paint the sky. Members of the company were beginning to wake as well, so he helped them along, staying near until he was sure they wouldn't fall back to sleep. It all seemed so normal and mundane in practice that he nearly forgot the anxious twisting in his stomach. By nightfall, they would have reached the mountain, and would likely be facing down an angry dragon. Realizing that time was ticking away, he went back to Danica to find her sitting and stretching.
"I had hoped to wake you," he said, leaning against the door jamb.
Finishing her stretch, she lowered her arms and smiled, never realizing how alluring she was. "I've only been awake a couple of minutes,"
By the slow, groggy look in her eyes, she was telling the truth. Endeared, he walked over to give her a soft kiss on the lips.
"Mm. Good morning," she said, looking ridiculously pleased.
"Good morning," he smiled, then settled back to reality. "We haven't much time. The company should move out soon,"
She nodded, eyes growing somber. "Have Tauriel, Legolas, and the guards left yet?"
"I'm not sure. I saw no one besides the company,"
"Alright. I should get ready so I can see what's going on,"
He turned to go when she put a hand on his arm. The way she looked up at him through her lashes had heat pooling in his stomach.
"You could help,"
Durin save him. "I believe my helping would become rather counterproductive," he said around the lump in his throat.
"You're probably right," she mused regrettably.
"I will wait for you in the hall," and it was almost painful to do so.
By the time he got back to the hall, everyone was dressed and grabbing whatever food they could.
"Morning Uncle," Kili greeted, eyes alight with mischief.
"Do you know if anyone has left to begin evacuating the town?" Thorin asked, ignoring his nephew's wagging brows.
"The elves and Bard left a moment ago after arguing with the Master," Fili answered.
"Arguing?"
"Apparently the Master wanted to have a ceremony for our departure," Bilbo said dryly. "There was to be quite a speech,"
"He seemed rather put out when the elves told him evacuation was more important," Bofur grinned, his dislike for the Master making him more tolerant of the elves.
Even Thorin had to admit that the image of the Master being put in his place was deeply satisfying. "I suppose they can be good for something," he looked at Bilbo again, noting the lack of cough and runny nose. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you," the hobbit nodded. "Their healer, Meera, gave me a tonic. I have never gotten over a cold faster,"
"Good. We will need you alert and at your best today,"
"I will be,"
There was a strength in the little hobbit that Thorin found himself admiring. Bilbo now knew that Smaug would be waking up, yet he was still determined to keep his word. Just how many times was he going to be proven wrong by their burglar?
Once Danica made it down, a couple of servants arrived to help the dwarves with weapons and provisions. At Danica's inquest, one of the women said that Alfrid and the Master had left right after arguing with the elves.
"They were up all night shoveling gold into the boat they floated away in this morning," one of the women shook her head in disgust. "If he didn't have the promise of more gold, he would be halfway to Gondor by now,"
"Perhaps new leadership should be suggested once this all settles down," Thorin said.
After a brief hesitation, the woman shook her head. "We've been trying. Any time his snake of a servant catches wind, the Master threatens to suspend trade, which would sink us all,"
"You have never had a king behind you," both the woman and Danica looked at him with surprise. "If the Master decides to sabotage his own people, my kingdom will be behind you, not him,"
"I don't know what to say," the woman breathed, looking overwhelmed.
"Is there anyone among you your people can count on? Can follow?" even as he asked it, he knew the answer.
"Bard," of course. "His ancestor was Girion, Lord of Dale. He has more right to rule than the Master,"
His eyes slid over to Danica, who was studiously avoiding his gaze. "Well, we can discuss all of this later," he replied, turning his attention back to the woman. "Thank you for all of your help, and make sure you evacuate soon,"
Beaming, the woman gave a clumsy curtsey before walking away.
"Would you really help these people overthrow the Master?" Danica asked.
"I have no tolerance for a leader who would step on his own people to stay in power," he glanced at her again. "Did you ever have any intention of telling me that Bard was Lord of Dale? I heard it from him last night, then this woman today,"
"Honestly, I don't know," she sighed. "It hadn't crossed my mind with everything else going on,"
It wasn't good enough for him, but they didn't have the time to argue about it.
"We should get moving," Fili said, shouldering a shield.
They made their way down to a boat that was filled with everything they would need. The company was already saying their farewells and getting in the boat. Time was flying, and now that he was faced with leaving Danica behind, he wished he'd had more of it. He waited until she had finished her goodbyes, then pulled her aside.
"I've only had you for a day, and now I have to let you go again," he framed her face, memorizing every feature.
"Not for long," she said, covering his hands with hers. "I'll be by your side again before you know it,"
"I will hold you to that," he leaned his forehead against hers for a moment before stepping back. "I will do what I can, but please be careful,"
She nodded. "I promise," he turned to join the others, but she called him back. "Thorin!"
When he stopped, she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply. He returned it fully, taking what he could.
"Remember who you are," she murmured once they'd parted. "And remember how much I love you,"
"I will," he gave her one more quick kiss, then joined the others. As he passed Kili and Dwalin, he clapped them both on the shoulder. "Take care of her, and each other. I expect to see all of you in Erebor tomorrow,"
"We won't let you down," Kili said, face more serious than Thorin had ever seen it.
After a nod from Dwalin, Thorin got in the boat. He didn't look back until they were moving, and even then, the urge to jump out was strong. When Danica waved, he returned it, then turned and faced the mountain.
P.S. FINALLY. Lordy, this chapter has plagued me. As always, thank you for your patience, and reviews are greatly appreciated!