I wonder if I will need to hide behind the sofa after this one?

Poppy finally gets married and we come to the end of part of the story. This will be followed by a few more stories before we get to the real end with a postscript for Lostwithiel.

I'm not very good at ratings but I suppose that some people might consider that Poppy's wedding night teeters on the verge of an M.

Thank you, everyone, for following my stories all this way. The reviews have been lovely and are much appreciated!

.o00o.

THORIN AND THE END

Pt I

Thorin was working in his forge when Poppy suddenly appeared in the doorway. He was faintly surprised because it wasn't often that she visited him there. It was hot and dirty and noisy and wasn't exactly the sort of environment that appealed to his daughter's fastidious tastes.

"Are you busy?" she asked.

"Yes, I am," he smiled, "but I shall make time, just for you." And he wiped down a bench with a rag and bowed her in.

She was wearing a pretty white dress and she sat down cautiously. "Can I talk to you?" she said.

Thorin sat on a stool, leaned forward and waited.

"I've got a problem and I need your advice," she continued.

Thorin raised a surprised eyebrow. "Well, I'm honoured that you're asking me," he said, "but are you sure that your mother wouldn't do a better job?"

"Mother's too kind to me," she shrugged. "I'd rather ask you."

"Ah," he grinned, "does that mean that I'm the UN-kind parent?"

"Yes," she said bluntly. "You never tell me what I want to hear - you can be quite cruel sometimes – but you're always honest."

"Well," snorted Thorin, "that was a bit of a back-handed compliment."

"It wasn't supposed to be a compliment," said Poppy. "It was meant to be the truth."

"So, fire away," her father said, rather amused that his daughter preferred the brutal truth on this occasion and wondered what it was that was bothering her.

Poppy folded her hands neatly in her lap, looked down at her shoes and then up at her father's face. "Promise me you won't be angry with me."

Thorin frowned: "Why should I be angry with you?"

"Because I want to talk about something that, six months ago, you and mother said you didn't want discussed for a year,"

"Aha,"said Thorin. "A clue. It's not about Lostwithiel and Roger, is it?"

"Yes, it is," she pouted. "I really can't wait any more and I need to discuss it with someone. It's keeping me awake at night."

"No wonder you've got bags under your eyes," grinned her father.

Poppy's hand flew to her face and she looked horrified. "I haven't, have I?" she gasped.

"Only teasing," he laughed and she bent forward and dug him in the ribs.

"Now, stop it, father, or I shall go away."

He held up his hands and pulled an apologetic face. "Sorry, Poppy," he said and he gestured to her to continue.

"Well, both Lostwithiel and Roger are worth marrying but I don't know which."

"You could always do what Rose did and wait for a tall, dark and handsome stranger to come along," said Thorin. "There's no compulsion on you to marry either of your current suitors."

"I know there's not but I'm not like Rose."

That was true, thought Thorin, a little sadly.

"Rose wanted an epic love, just like you and mother," continued Poppy. "She wanted passion. And she has been prepared to put up with all sorts of dangers and discomforts in order to achieve that. Now me," and she also looked a little sad as she analysed her own nature, "I'm very, very practical. I think that some great passion might just be a nuisance."

Thorin widened his eyes and let out a burst of laughter. "A nuisance?"

"Yes, it seems to me that if you really and truly love someone unconditionally and they feel the same way about you, then it just gets in the way. If there's a lot of love, there's potentially a lot of pain. I would also have to give so much of myself to that person, it could stop me from doing what I wanted with my life."

Thorin felt just a little shocked. "That sounds a bit selfish, Poppy."

His daughter smiled wanly. "But I AM selfish, father. I thought you worked that out a long time ago."

He nodded curtly and she continued.

"I think that Lostwithiel and Roger love me just enough."

Thorin was aghast. "And you would be content to be loved just enough?"

"They love me enough that they would look after me and care for me and give me just about everything I want from life without expecting too much in return." Poppy saw the look on Thorin's face. "I think I could be happy with either of them, so it's not worth waiting for that grand passion which I don't want anyway."

Thorin stared at her and found he had to acknowledge that his daughter was a taker and not a giver. And he also acknowledged that, if this was the way she really was then both Roger and Lostwithiel were suitable mates.

"Do you understand what I'm saying, father?" she asked. He nodded slowly. "So, now, my only problem is: which one of them do I choose?"

He went to open his mouth and she held up a hand: "And before you suggest that we all sit around the table like we did with Rose whilst each suitor lists all his qualities and competes for my hand, then, no! Absolutely not!"

"So, what ARE you suggesting?"

"I just want to talk it through with you – my very honest and sensible father. And then I think that it will all become clear." And she smiled and patted his hand.

"So, let's start with Roger," said Thorin tersely.

"Well, I see Roger as a bit of a package deal. He comes with a big house, plenty of money and a father who thinks I'm totally wonderful. They could also offer me the sort of lifestyle that would suit me. They want an attractive hostess and that quite appeals to me. I'm not interested in being a smith or a guardian of our borders but I am interested in wearing beautiful gowns and arranging dinner parties and entertaining fashionable and elegant guests."

"Sounds perfect," said Thorin. "So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that I like him as a friend but I don't love him."

Thorin felt confused. "But I thought you said that you didn't want love?"

"I said I didn't want a grand passion," Poppy corrected him. "But I would prefer to love the man I marry if only a bit. And you remember when you found us in the library?"

"Yes, I remember," Thorin said grimly.

"Well, I let him kiss me in the library to see what I thought...And I didn't like it very much. He was very forceful and he stuck his tongue down my throat."

Thorin held up a hand and shut his eyes. "Too much information," he said, wincing.

"No, it's not," said Poppy firmly. "How are you going to advise me if you don't know all the facts?"

Thorin looked resigned.

"You'll be pleased to know that I was glad when you walked in that night. It was getting a bit scary. And I have thought since then: Do I want to marry Roger and be obliged to go to bed with him every night even if he comes with a big house and a generous father?"

Thorin frowned as he thought about the matter. He didn't want to dismiss Roger when the alternative was Lostwithiel. "He's only an inexperienced young man at the moment," he offered. "Surely the two of you can learn about the physical side of love together?"

"Yes, that's what I thought," nodded Poppy. "And that's why I haven't crossed him off my list."

"And what about Lostwithiel?" Thorin asked.

"I've always wondered about you and Lostwithiel," Poppy suddenly said.

"I thought this was about your relationship with him, not mine," growled Thorin.

"But you have a bias against him, don't you?" persisted Poppy. "So, I'm wondering how you can advise me when you don't seem to like him." And she cocked her head on one side and looked at her father curiously.

"Lostwithiel is a friend," Thorin answered stiffly. "We've been through a lot together. So, don't you worry that I'll be unfair."

But Poppy persisted. "Rose told me that you beat him up once, before I was born – about that time that you made your famous stand against the orcs."

Thorin spluttered. "I didn't beat him up. We just had a fight – and we forgot about it afterwards."

"I wonder what the fight was about," Poppy mused. And when her father just compressed his lips and looked away, she laughed. "You know, I'm not so stupid that I can't read the undercurrents between you two." She stared at him a bit longer and Thorin coloured up. "Hmmm," she said. "Perhaps I should ask my mother about it."

Thorin's head snapped up. "Don't you dare, Poppy," he barked.

"Then you'd better give me a fair opinion about Lostwithiel or I shall wonder why," she said with a sly grin. "And," she said softly, "perhaps all that to-do is a good example of why I'm avoiding a passionate love."

"So," said Thorin, keen to change the subject, "tell me about Lostwithiel."

Poppy smiled. "Well, I've loved him all my life, even if you would probably say that it's not the sort of love that you feel for mother or Rose for Telbarad."

"So, what sort of love is it?" asked Thorin curiously.

Poppy thought hard. "I've always been very comfortable with him. I like sitting on his lap and holding his hand and snuggling up to him. I like being in his company and he makes me laugh."

"Is that enough?" asked her father.

"Perhaps not, but when I kissed him six months ago, it was more than just very nice. I felt safe with him and I wanted things to go further. So, I suppose that must have been a good sign."

Thorin didn't like the idea of his daughter going "further" and was glad he had interrupted them at the waterfall but he had to agree that this seemed promising. And so he said resignedly: "Well, it seems to me that Lostwithiel is the one, and so...?"

Poppy sighed. "Can you imagine me living in those spartan married quarters up at the outpost, helping to clean the farmhouse and cooking for the men for a whole lifetime?"

"No," said Thorin bluntly.

She reached out and touched his hand. "You see, this is why I wanted to discuss it with you. Mother would have argued backwards and forwards, trying to persuade me that I could cope – all in the name of love. But, you understand me, father. You know that I'm not a very giving person. I'm not even very nice."

Thorin squeezed Poppy's hand. "Yes, I do understand you but I think you're very hard on yourself. There are a lot of wonderful things about you and I don't want to hear you say such things again."

He stood up and pulled her to her feet and hugged her. "Now, if you don't mind, I think it might be useful if I were to go and visit Lostwithiel and have a little chat with him."

Poppy hugged her father back and gave him a kiss. "Yes, please," she said. "I feel as if I need a bit of third party interference here, particularly when the third party is you."

.o00o.

Pt II

Thorin told Tauriel the whole story in bed that night. "I'm glad she spoke to you and not to me," she said. "She's right when she says that I would be too nice about things. And I like both Roger and Lostwithiel, so I would have swung from one to the other until the poor girl would have been more confused than ever."

She put her arms around him. "But perhaps she's more in love with Lostwithiel than she thinks. After all, I like kissing you and holding your hand and sitting on your lap and snuggling up to you, just like she does with Lostwithiel." And she demonstrated this with a snuggle.

"Ah, yes," murmured Thorin, "but does she like doing this...or this...or this?"

"Give her time," giggled his wife. And his blue eyes turned black with passion as he pulled her into his powerful arms.

.o00o.

Thorin set off for the outpost the next morning after kissing his wife and daughter good bye. Lostwithiel was surprised to see him but he was made very welcome by the elf lord and the rest of the troop.

"I've come to have a few private words with you, Lostwithiel," he said. The elf looked startled and the dwarf's stern countenance made him feel uneasy. What now, he thought? But he showed him into Tauriel's office, then sat down to await his fate.

"Don't look so worried," said Thorin. "I'm not here to tear you off a strip about anything – unless, of course, you know something that I don't know." He raised an eyebrow and the elf looked guilty. Thorin burst out laughing. "I seem to have this knack, Lostwithiel, of making you squirm even when you've got nothing to squirm about." And he clapped him on the shoulder.

"You might be pleased to know," he continued, "that I've come to talk about Poppy." But this news made the elf look more anxious than ever.

Thorin gave him an amused look. "Are you frightened of me, Lostwithiel?"

"Yes," answered the elf bluntly. "I never know which way you mean to jump and you always look as though you want to punch me on the nose."

Thorin let out another bark of laughter: "Well, perhaps that's because I do. But, I suppose, since you might be joining my family, I'd better start working on my people skills." And he adjusted his face into a pleasant smile whilst Lostwithiel looked more wary than ever.

"Your family?" he asked.

"Yes, I've come to discuss whether or not you should marry Poppy."

The elf's mouth dropped open. "But I thought we weren't supposed to discuss this for another six months?"

"I've changed the rules," said Thorin calmly.

"See what I mean about not knowing which way you will jump next?" muttered Lostwithiel.

"Keeps you on your toes," grinned Thorin. "Now let's get down to business." He leaned back in his chair. "Well, she loves you but she's thinking of marrying Roger."

The elf looked confused. "But, if she loves me..."

"Well, in Poppy's world, that's not necessarily the way things work. You must know her after all these years – and if you don't, then you really shouldn't be thinking of marrying her or marriage might turn out to be an unpleasant surprise."

"Of course I know her," Lostwithiel retorted. "She's very pragmatic and a bit selfish."

Thorin gave him a look.

"All right – very selfish. But she's also brave and kind and she's capable of real love. Just look at the way she feels about you and Tauriel."

Thorin grinned to himself. Perhaps this elf would make a better husband for his daughter than he had first thought. He decided to be nice. "Since she loves you, I suppose I would prefer it if she married you rather than Roger whom she merely likes. But he can offer her a luxurious life-style, the sort of life-style that you really must concede would suit her better than what you could offer her up here."

The elf looked downcast. "I want the best for her," he admitted, "because I love her. And so perhaps she would be better off marrying Roger." And he slumped in his chair looking miserable.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, man," snapped Thorin. "Don't you believe in fighting for what you want?"

"I want her to be happy," Lostwithiel snapped back. "If she's unhappy with me, she'll just pack her bags and move back down to the forge. Or, even worse, go running after Roger in the Grey Havens. And I couldn't bear that!"

And Thorin remembered how he had been afraid that Tauriel would get bored with her life at the forge. He remembered how much that thought had tormented him, and he suddenly felt a connection with Lostwithiel.

"How much are you prepared to give up for Poppy?" Thorin suddenly asked. "You're a wealthy elf lord. When I first met you, you were a courtier from Mirkwood - elegant, suave, beautifully dressed – much more Poppy's thing. Couldn't you return to that life?"

There was a long pause.

"Or, to put it another way," continued the dwarf, "is Poppy worth it?"

"Of course she's worth it," Lostwithiel sighed, "and I've already seriously considered giving up my position here and returning to an idle life either in the Grey Havens or Mirkwood. But, in the same way as I'm worried that Poppy won't be able to cope with the outpost, so I'm afraid that, in the end, I won't be able to cope with a return to my former life of ease." He stood up and walked to the window.

"You know," he continued, "I've learned so much up here both from Tauriel and the experience itself. I'm not the same person I was and defending our borders has given me a purpose. I'm frightened that any discontent for me in the Grey Havens would result in constant bickering and unhappiness for both of us."

Lostwithiel had obviously thought about things seriously and Thorin, for the first time, found himself feeling some respect for the elf. He leaned forward: "Then what about a compromise?" he said.

.o00o.

A few hours later, they came riding down together from the farmhouse. Tauriel and Poppy were expecting only Thorin so they were surprised when Lostwithiel came too.

"He's come to talk things over with Poppy," Thorin said and somehow expected that they would all have a family conference. But Tauriel shooed her daughter and the elf out the door. "It's lovely down by the river," she said. "I expect you two have got a lot to say to each other."

Thorin glared at Tauriel. Not the river bank again! But she just ignored him and waved the pair off. "You're just encouraging them to get up to mischief," he muttered.

"No, I'm encouraging them to sort their lives out," she replied. Then she made him sit down and then she perched herself upon his lap and asked him how his chat had gone with Lostwithiel.

"Well," he said, "we discussed how he and Poppy could reach some compromises."

"Such as?" she asked with interest.

Thorin kissed her lips and then he kissed her throat. "Do you think they'll be gone for some time?" he said huskily.

"Such as?" repeated Tauriel, trying to ignore him.

"You're a hard woman," Thorin sighed as Tauriel brushed away a caressing hand. But then he looked quite pleased with himself. "I think I came up with some good ideas," he said. "One of Poppy's complaints is about the rather grim accommodation at the outpost. And so I suggested that, if nice accommodation doesn't exist, then he should build her some."

"Like a lovely house rather than just one room: a small manor in a nearby, pretty glade with a beautiful view," Tauriel put in excitedly.

"And I think that the two of them should design it between them so that Poppy feels it belongs to her and is proud of it," continued the dwarf.

"Right. And he should let her buy some lovely elven furniture so that it all looks elegant and charming. Perhaps you could make a financial contribution there," she said, "as a wedding present."

Thorin made a quick calculation in his head and wasn't so sure about that. "I know what you're thinking," tutted his wife, and she gave him a look that made him feel a bit mean.

"Now," he said, "the most important thing is that she should have servants to clean and cook and keep a garden looking beautiful – servants she can order around so that she can feel like a lady and not a housewife. I expect that some of the young dwarves from the settlement or a few girls or lads from the Grey Havens would be very pleased to get a job there. And then, with the help of these servants, she can organise some nice little dinners and even some elegant soirees for the troop and people from round about so that she can live out her fantasy of being a successful hostess. And I'm sure, actually, that everyone will be pleased that she has brought a bit of fun to the area."

"And," chimed in Tauriel again, getting quite carried away, "they could buy that derelict plot at the Grey Havens where you had that forge and they could build themselves a lovely weekend house there with a view of the sea and then she could join in all the parties going on down there on a regular basis."

Thorin looked grumpy. "I wanted that plot," he said. "I thought we could have a weekend house there ourselves once all the children were gone."

"Don't be selfish," she said. But Thorin continued to glower. So, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him into a good humour. "Those are brilliant ideas," she whispered. "Poppy should be really grateful that she's got you for a father. If this marriage doesn't work, it won't be for lack of trying."

Down on the river bank, Poppy was feeling very excited with the compromises that Lostwithiel had suggested. The thought of an elegant little manor house all of her own up in the hills had really appealed to her and now she was showing her appreciation. She shut her eyes as Lostwithiel took her in his arms and his kisses were just as delightful as they had been at the waterfall. "Will you marry me?" asked Lostwithiel when he managed to drag his lips away from hers for a few moments.

"We'll exchange rings tomorrow," she breathed against his mouth. But when they returned to the forge, Tauriel insisted that first they had to go together to tell Roger and his father their decision. They looked at each other. They guessed that this would be a difficult and embarrassing task, but they knew that Tauriel was right.

"And then," said Thorin, "we can start on the house and, as soon as it's finished, you can get married. Perhaps in six months and not a year."

The two left for the Grey Havens the following day and Thorin and Tauriel found themselves alone, a foretaste of what it would be like after Poppy got married. When Poppy and Lostwithiel's horses had disappeared off down the road, they stood blinking at each other. "It's a strange feeling," said Tauriel.

"We can kiss each other and do OTHER things without any fear of being interrupted," grinned Thorin.

"But, can we be bothered, now that we can?" sighed Tauriel, with a yawn. "Somehow, all the excitement goes out of things once there's no danger of being caught."

"Well," said Thorin, "you can leave me to feel all the excitement for both of us if you like." And he threw his giggling wife over his shoulder and made for the bedroom.

.o00o.

Pt III

The next few months passed in a whirl for the family. Lostwithiel and Poppy designed their house and Thorin organised a group of dwarven masons to build it up on the fringes of the farmhouse. Tauriel and Poppy went regularly to the Grey Havens to organise the furnishings for her new home and potential servants and gardeners were interviewed and chosen for when the work was finished. Lostwithiel checked out the burned down house and purchased the plot for a good price. He arranged to have the area cleared but they would build their home there after they were married.

The interview with Roger and his father when they had explained that Poppy was going to marry Lostwithiel had been a bit upsetting, mainly because Barnaby had been quite distressed at the thought that Poppy would not be joining his family. But he had his own adopted daughter, Cat, now to focus on and, after Poppy had coaxed him along, by the time they had left, he was wishing them well.

Much to Thorin's relief, although they were betrothed, the two had not asked if they could make up the double bed when Lostwithiel came visiting. However, they were sometimes found a bit flushed and dishevelled in a dark corner. "Well, there's always the river bank, if you but knew it," Tauriel had said to the dwarf.

"But I don't know it," said Thorin, "and that's the way I like it."

When Arion came to stay and sussed out the situation he said: "See, I told you that Lostwithiel could always be expected to behave properly."

If only you knew, thought Thorin. But he had NEARLY forgiven the elf lord for that incident with Tauriel all those years ago.

He sent messages to Bilbo, inviting him to be a guest, and to Elrond, asking him to perform the ceremony. Large silken pavilions were set up in the flower meadows surrounding the farmhouse and, at last, everything was ready and the day came.

The wedding guests began to assemble at the outpost and, although the new house was finished, not all the furniture had arrived. But, some beds were set up there and, between the farmhouse, the guest accommodation, the manor and the tents, there was sufficient space for everyone.

The day before the wedding, Rose and Telbarad arrived, much to everyone's joy. They had collected Dis on the way and, following them closely, came Elrond and Bilbo with a great troop of elven lords and ladies. These greeted the happy couple and gave them gifts but then they passed onwards down to the Grey Havens.

"I want to speak to the whole family about something important," said Elrond, the night before the wedding. And so they all gathered around the table and waited, wide-eyed with curiosity, to hear what Elrond had to say.

The elf lord looked at them one by one and his face was very grave. "A great evil threatens Middle-earth," he said, "and it is doubtful whether or not we shall stand or fall. The power of the elves is waning along with the power of our rings: Narya, Nenya and Vilya. Our time here grows less and, over the coming years we must decide whether to leave and go into the West to the Undying Lands or stay and fade and die." Tauriel guessed what was coming and she reached out and clasped Thorin's hand.

"The company of elves who came with me today have passed on to the Grey Havens," he continued. "There, they will take ship and go into the West. They are the first of many. Only the elves may sail on these ships," and he paused and looked at Lostwithiel and Tauriel, "or the half-elven, like myself and like Arion and Poppy. For the men of Numenor, like Telbarad, and for the race of Men, like Rose, there is no place."

"And no place for any dwarf either," grunted Thorin, glancing at Dis.

"Ah, Thorin," smiled Elrond, "there you are wrong."

Tauriel looked startled. "You are going to name him elf-friend," she said.

"Elf-friend?" asked Thorin.

"The Council of Elves have decided to name you elf-friend for all that you have done for Middle-earth. There is a place for you and your elven wife on the ships to the Undying Lands whenever you choose to take it."

Thorin stared at the table for a long time. "It was easier when I had no choice," he finally said. "In about 50 years, I was going to die and Tauriel would live. We had learned to accept it. And now," he said almost angrily, "you offer me a choice. I must choose whether to go on the ships with my wife and live for all eternity with ELVES!" And he let out a bark of laughter. "Or I can choose to stay here and lead a mortal life with my sister, Dis, and with my daughter, Rose." Then he turned to his wife. "How can I make such a choice, Tauriel?"

She touched his hair gently. "We are all faced with a choice here, my love, whether to go or whether to stay."

Arion was looking upset. "I don't want to go without Rose," he said. "It's not fair." And Thorin could see the stubborn dwarven set of his jaw.

Elrond raised a hand. "You need make no decision yet. But there is a place for you on the ships, Thorin, when the time comes." He looked at them all gently and with love. "This is supposed to be a gift, on the night of Poppy's wedding. It is not meant to make you sad or miserable. And you have a few years to think about it before the last ship leaves. I myself will not go until the very end but, after the wedding, I shall travel to the Grey Havens to bid my friends farewell."

The wedding was a very beautiful and very joyful occasion. Poppy looked lovely in a flowing cream dress covered in tiny silk flowers. Rose accompanied her and carried a large basket of petals that she cast upon the wind as Thorin led her to the table where Elrond awaited them before the largest of the silk pavilions. Lostwithiel looked so handsome that Poppy sternly told her heart to be still: it would be really inconvenient if she fell TOO much in love with him.

And then they feasted and danced and sang into the night until the stars and moon glittered brightly upon them. Finally, Lostwithiel and Poppy withdrew to the guest accommodation which had been transformed with flowers by Tauriel and Rose into a lovely bower in readiness for the happy couple.

"Much against expectations," said Thorin as he squeezed into the narrow bed at the farmhouse with Tauriel, "I think they'll be happy. But," he amended, "not as happy as us. No-one could be as happy as us."

And then they both remembered their first night together in Lake Town and, thinking of young love, Tauriel said: "Let's recapture the moment, Thorin." And he made love to her very gently and very tenderly and both of them tried not to think about the future and the choices that Elrond had given them.

.o00o.

The door had shut gently upon the newly-married couple and Poppy and Lostwithiel found themselves alone in the flower-strewn room. They stood either side of the big bed, its coverlet scattered with rose petals, and they both suddenly felt very shy. For the past six months, they had snatched breathless moments together in quiet corners and had felt flustered and guilty whenever anyone had caught them kissing each other.

But Poppy had realised that her father preferred and even approved of such furtive goings-on and so had not asked to make up the double bed. Lostwithiel was in total agreement. "Goodness, no!" he had exclaimed when she had discussed it with him. "The thought of sleeping with you and - um – doing things, with Thorin only a short distance away, on the alert for every creak – well – it just makes my toes curl." And a shudder ran through him.

And so they had carried on, stoking up their passion, gasping and panting and feeling quite desperate at times, but the thought of Thorin always managed to throw a bucket of cold water over things when they teetered on the edge of going too far.

Poppy was surprised at how aroused Lostwithiel made her feel. "But it's just frustration," she assured herself. After they had done the deed, she was pretty confident she would be in control again. She didn't much like the dizzying sensation of being swept off her feet and she would be glad when it was all done and dusted.

Lostwithiel was also surprised at the intensity of his feelings. He thought he had loved Rose but that feeling was as nothing compared to what he now felt for Poppy. The wedding-night could not come fast enough for him and he had taken a whole load of cold baths in the past few weeks to cool his ardour.

Apart from the thought of Thorin, the other thing that controlled his actions was the memory of that horrible time when he had forced himself upon Tauriel. He would never - ever – treat a woman like that again. And he was determined to follow Poppy's wishes and desires in all matters related to the bedroom.

But now they faced each other and neither knew how to start.

"Err," said Lostwithiel. "Would you like a glass of wine?" And he gestured to a decanter by the side of the bed.

"No, thank you," said Poppy primly.

Lostwithiel edged around the bed and took her hand. He bobbed his head down to kiss her just as she jerked her head up to kiss him. Both were determined to take the bull by the horns and only managed to knock noses together.

"Sorry!" they both muttered at the same time.

Then Lostwithiel noticed a very beautiful lace nightgown that was draped across the pillow.

"Umm, that's very pretty," he said. "Shall I help you on with it?"

She nodded and her hands began to fumble with the silk buttons on the front of her bodice.

But the elf lord gently moved her hands away. "I'll do that," he said.

She looked up at him and he looked down at her, his fingers trembling slightly as he released her from the bodice. How very handsome he was, thought Poppy. She suddenly had an overwhelming urge to kiss those finely-chiselled lips and began to look forward to what was coming next.

All the buttons were undone and Lostwithiel carefully slid her dress off her shoulders so that the garment slowly slithered down around her ankles to the floor. Poppy stepped gracefully out of the pool of shining material and was left standing in a silken undergarment that clung enticingly to her shapely form.

Lostwithiel felt quite light-headed and took a deep breath.

"Shall I undo your shirt now?" Poppy asked.

He nodded, not able to speak. And so she undid all the buttons down the front of the elf's silken shirt and pushed it from his shoulders to fall upon the floor along with her dress. He was now naked from the waist up and her eyes widened when she saw how beautiful he was. She reached up to touch his strong, smooth chest and then she ran her hands down the muscles of his arms so that he quivered.

"You feel lovely," she breathed.

"And now it's my turn," he whispered. He took the short undergarment by its hem and drew it slowly over her head. She was startlingly naked underneath and Lostwithiel swallowed hard at her loveliness. Poppy shyly crossed her arms in front of herself but he took her by the hands and stared at her. "I've never seen a woman naked before," he said, "and I didn't realise..." And he stuttered to a halt.

Her golden hair fell upon her shoulders and he reached out to touch it gently. And then he let his hands drift slowly down to cup her breasts. He shut his eyes as a great wash of desire ran through him. "It feels...it feels so..." And again he couldn't find the words but, instead, he just decided to experience the exquisite sensation of that soft flesh yielding in his palms.

He gave a great sigh, his arms went around her and he pulled her to him. Their lips came together at last and they kissed each other fiercely. Her naked breasts pressing against his naked chest made them both feel dizzy with longing.

He picked her up and laid her upon the bed, and the pretty nightgown was brushed, forgotten, onto the floor. He sat down and pulled off his boots and then his breeches and, when he turned around, it was Poppy's turn to be startled. The next part of this love-making business was going to be unknown territory – for both of them. And she wondered what sort of a mess they would make of it.

Lostwithiel lay on the bed facing her. He kissed her gently and said: "I'm sorry that I'm so ignorant and I hope I don't hurt you because of it but – um – I haven't done this before."

"I know," she said, "but let's try to work it out together. My mother and father had to do the same once themselves and they survived it." And they both giggled together and Lostwithiel found it almost impossible to imagine the oh-so-masculine and arrogant dwarf ever having to fumble around in bed like he was sure he was about to do.

Their laughter relaxed them a bit. Lostwithiel's hand went back to her breast and his thumb caressed her nipple. "Let's just do what we feel like doing," he said, and she murmured an assent.

"This is what I feel like doing," he whispered and his head dipped down to suckle at her breast.

She squirmed with pleasure and panted out, "And this is what I want to do." And she ran a curious hand down the flat and muscled planes of his belly and grasped the very interesting object protruding from between his legs. Then she laughed softly as he groaned and flinched because his reaction made her feel her power.

There followed a time of exploration until they were both breathing heavily and gasping for breath. "Shall I try now?" said Lostwithiel.

"Yes, please," she said and her body pressed against his yearningly.

He fumbled between her legs. "Sorry - umm - sorry," he kept muttering but, in the end, their own bodies showed them the way and he suddenly slid inside her.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked anxiously.

"No, no," she panted and she began to move against him.

He rolled on top of her and a rhythm built up naturally. Poppy clutched at him, enjoying the sensation and yet feeling she was chasing something elusive. Lostwithiel became caught up in a private world of intense stimulation that swept over him in waves until his body felt completely out of control.

Suddenly he jerked in spasm after spasm that were so violently pleasurable that he couldn't stop himself from crying out and then collapsing upon his wife. And to think he had waited more than a thousand years for this moment! He lay upon her, gasping and trembling and Poppy stroked him gently, experiencing a strange feeling of tenderness. But, Lostwithiel thought that he had failed her. "You should have felt that too," he said.

"It doesn't matter," she said softly. But he didn't hear her because he had fallen fast asleep.

She snuggled up to his beautiful body, gently touching and caressing him as he breathed softly beside her. She knew there was something more which she had missed out on, but even without that elusive unknown, it had all been pretty wonderful and she giggled to herself at the thought of getting into bed with Lostwithiel and his lovely body night after night. She fell asleep then but was awoken a couple of hours later by her new husband nuzzling her breasts once more and gently nudging open her legs.

"Let's try again," he murmured. "And, this time, it's for you."

It certainly was, thought Poppy some time later. And, as she exploded and splintered into a thousand shards, she only felt the slightest annoyance that she was now as much Lostwithiel's as he was hers.

.o00o.

The next morning, many of the guests departed but all the Oakenshields, as well as Bilbo, planned to return to the forge for a family celebration together. Elrond intended to accompany them as far as the crossroads before travelling onwards to the Grey Havens. The young lovers emerged from their guest suite, holding hands and looking shyly at each other. There was a lot of gentle teasing around the breakfast table and both of them blushed and protested at the jocularity. Thorin was amused to see how demure Poppy had become and thought that her behaviour was a likely sign of how successful the wedding night had been. He grinned across the table at Tauriel and she smiled back. A feeling of relief swept over him that he had now unloaded both his daughters, apparently quite successfully. Two children down and one to go. But Arion seemed bound up in his job and a long way yet from being interested in getting married.

After breakfast, Thorin, Telbarad, Arion, Lostwithiel, Elrond and Bilbo mounted their horses, while Tauriel, Rose and Dis climbed into the trap so that they could have a good gossip and share in a blow by blow analysis of the wedding. But Poppy didn't want to be parted from Lostwithiel and he set her before him on his horse. They lagged slightly behind the party, spending a lot of time gazing into one another's eyes. "Yuck!" said Arion to Bilbo. "I never imagined that Poppy would become so soppy!"

But Bilbo just laughed in response and said: "Well, if you think that's soppy, then you should have seen your mother and father in Rivendell before you were born." And Arion looked at Thorin and Tauriel and found it difficult to imagine that his grumpy father or his sensible mother could ever have been soppy together.

Lostwithiel was now whispering intimately into Poppy's ear and Poppy was giggling. Arion cast his eyes up. "Well, you don't have to look, you know," laughed Telbarad. "When it's your turn, you'll be just as bad."

"No, I won't," said Arion airily, "because I'm not getting married." And he looked across at the hobbit. "Bilbo seems to be having plenty of fun all on his own."

"Ah, yes," said Telbarad, "but let me tell you, young man, that it's a lot more fun when there are two of you." And he winked at Thorin.

And so, laughing and chatting and gossiping, they made their happy way down the side of the hill towards the forge.

.o00o.

Pt IV

As they got nearer the forge, Thorin was struck by a wave of emotion. He was coming home. This is where he and Tauriel had started their life together and this was where they would end it. He found it difficult to imagine that he would want to run off to the Undying Lands to escape his fate. Soon, his children would all be gone and he and Tauriel would be together, on their own, at last. The forge was full of memories and he was looking forward to creating yet more memories there with his wife.

He smiled softly to himself. Could there be a happier dwarf in all of Middle-earth?

And then they turned the corner.

A band of fully-armed orcs, including three warg-riders, straddled the road and more were pouring out from the nearby woods. Elrond and Telbarad and Arion drew their swords; even Bilbo pulled little Sting from its scabbard. Thorin unhitched both his axe from behind his back and Orcrist from its sheath while Tauriel reached for her killing knives. Rose, Poppy and Lostwithiel were carrying bows and all three swiftly nocked arrows to the string. Dis had been a shield-maiden in her youth and Rose passed her the sword from her belt. Even her rusty sword-play would be needed.

Much to Thorin's surprise, the orcs didn't attack at once but their leader stepped forward and spoke. "Aaarrch," he sneered in his harsh, guttural tongue. "After nearly 20 years, I have returned, T'orin Oakenshield, and I will have my revenge for that night's work at your forge."

And, to his horror, Thorin suddenly realised that this was one of those orcs who had escaped after the raid at the crossroads.

"If only we had Warg with us,"Arion was thinking. He was counting the enemy and could see that they were badly outnumbered. But his thoughts were made flesh as Warg suddenly loped out from between the trees. Just as on that day when his pet had deserted him and the enemy wargs had spoken and stopped Warg in his advance, so today, Warg yowled and grunted and, as the orcs tried to force their steeds forward, their creatures refused to move. Seizing his opportunity, Arion recklessly galloped forward and, in one long and continuous motion, swept the heads from the riders' shoulders with his sword. Once they were riderless, the wargs howled to the albino and ran off into the woods from whence they had come.

Thorin yelled and plunged forward and suddenly, all was action. The three archers let loose arrow after arrow, Warg set about him with his razor-sharp teeth and swords and axes and killing knives flashed brightly in the sun. Such was their onslaught that, soon, many of the orcs lay dead and others had run away. But their leader stood firm and, at last, Thorin found himself face to face with him. The orc was larger than Thorin and his desire for revenge filled him with a bloodlust. "Prepare to die, dwarf," he taunted him. But Thorin was more skilled and he drove the orc back until the creature was pressed against a tree. And then, with a great shout, Thorin lifted his axe to strike off his head. But the orc, not fearing death and, reckless of his fate, threw himself forward and, moments before the axe bit into him, drove his sword home.

Thorin felt as though someone had punched him hard in the stomach and, immediately, all strength drained from his body. With a feeling of surprise, he staggered backwards and collapsed on the ground. The fighting all about him was nearly over and Tauriel cried out as she saw him fall. She rushed to her husband's side with Elrond close behind her. Thorin gave her a look of dazed incomprehension and she sat in the middle of the road, cradling his great head in her lap. Telbarad came then and cut away his clothes so that Elrond could examine the wound. The fighting had come to an end and the others gathered in an anxious and silent circle around them.

Finally, the elf-lord stood up and said quietly: "It is a fatal wound. The sword penetrated his gut and, soon, his blood will be corrupted. There is nothing I can do for him and, in the end, he will die."

Tauriel looked up at him. "How long?" she asked.

"He could last until tomorrow," Elrond said.

"Then we must take him to the Grey Havens," she said.

The wedding party, bloodied and bruised, had been standing around Thorin in a stunned silence, but now they moved purposefully. Carefully, they lifted Thorin into the back of the trap, Tauriel climbed in with him, Rose drove and the others mounted their horses. Arion called to Warg but was not surprised when the beast turned away and sloped off into the trees. He sensed that he would see him again.

Then, as quickly as possible, they made their way to the Grey Havens.

.o00o.

Thorin drifted in and out of consciousness. "Where are we going?" he asked.

"Into the West," Tauriel said firmly, "to the Undying Lands."

"But I had made up my mind not to go," he said weakly.

"Well," said the elf, "that was before you received a mortal wound. And I am not going to lose my husband at the same time that I lose my children."

Thorin could see the sense of it and he argued no more. Now that death stared him in the face, he wanted more life and he wanted to spend it with Tauriel.

"All those elves," he said, and he smiled faintly.

Tauriel smiled back and ran her hand gently down a plait. "You'll get used to us," she said.

They arrived at the Grey Havens in the late afternoon and an elegant ship was preparing to leave, waiting for the turn of the tide. A litter was brought to the quayside and Thorin was laid upon it. He stared up at the clear sky and watched the white gulls wheeling and crying there.

"The ship has come to carry you home," said Elrond. But not home to the forge, Thorin thought. "We shall meet again," the elf lord said and he clasped the dwarf by the hand.

Then Bilbo said: "It was a good adventure, old friend, but it is time for you to set out on another." And he bade him farewell.

Then those who knew they would see him again came before him. Poppy knelt and put her arms about him and kissed him. "What shall I do without you, father," she cried.

"Live a happy life," said Thorin. "This parting is only for a time."

"I'll look after her," said Lostwithiel.

"You'd better," said Thorin, "or I shall punch you on the nose when next we meet." And they grasped each other silently by the arm.

Arion knelt beside his father then. "You're a fine lad," said his father, "and one that I've always been proud of. You'll be a man by the time we meet again." Arion could find no words and silently backed away.

Then came those whom Thorin would see no more.

"I wish you could come with us, Dis," he said to his sister.

"But I have no desire to come," she smiled. "When I die, I shall go to the halls of waiting where I hope to be reunited with my sons." And she kissed him softly goodbye.

And then Telbarad came forward. "Guard well our borders, Ranger," said Thorin, "and keep my daughter safe." And Telbarad bowed gravely to him.

And, last of all, came Rose, and bitter was the parting. Thorin reached up to touch her cheek and his eyes filled with tears. "Goodbye, dearest Rose," he said. And she wept and her tears fell upon his face.

"It is time," said Elrond and Tauriel embraced them all. Then four elf lords came from the ship and carried Thorin on board whilst Tauriel walked beside the litter and held his hand. And the sails were unfurled and the wind blew and the ship passed out of the harbour into the high sea and on into the West.

And Thorin lay under a silken canopy upon the deck and, as they sailed towards the Undying Lands and the moon came up, it rained, making the air smell sweet and refreshed. And then it was as if the silver curtain of the rain was drawn back and he heard the sound of singing drifting to him over the water. "Look," whispered Tauriel. And suddenly the sun arose and, in a shaft of piercing light, they could see the white beaches and the green hills of their new land.

But those they left behind and who stared into the darkness after them saw nothing except the blackness of the night and they heard nothing except the sussuration of the waves upon the shore.

And, at last, the friends and family of Thorin Oakenshield and Tauriel the Elf turned their backs upon the Grey Havens and, taking comfort in each other, set out on the weary journey back to the forge at the crossroads.

.o00o.

Next episode: Thorin Amongst the Elves.