Durin's Day Party...Part 3
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Congratulations to Thoronsul Belegmegil for being my 800th reviewer!
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* There is an important message at the end of this chapter - please take a moment to read it. Thank you*
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Chapter 36
~X~
"Cousin Bilbo?" came a small voice off to the hobbit's right, causing him to take his eyes off of the dancing, and look down.
"Hello, Frodo…and Flinn," he greeted the two adorable lads before him. They looked oddly sullen, worried even, setting Bilbo a bit on edge. "What can I do for you?"
Flinn and Frodo exchanged supportive glances, both having decided that the best way to approach this was simply to ask politely. They had briefly considered borrowing the blade without permission, but wisely decided against such trickery. Neither lad wished to get in trouble, even if this appeared to be the only way to become sword brothers.
"We were wondering…" the little hobbit continued, shuffling his bare feet as he worked up the courage to ask his question. "…wondering if you might loan us your sword, Sting, for a little bit? Please?"
"Loan you Sting?" Bilbo sat up straight, concern showing on his usually happy face. "What on earth for?"
"Not to stab anything!" Flinn quickly assured him, remembering all the warnings his adad and Uncle Dwalin had given him during weapons training. "We just want to hold it for a moment…so that…that me and Frodo can become sword brothers."
"Sword brothers?" this was a bit confusing for Bilbo.
"Yes, you see, Flinn does not have any brothers," Frodo explained. "And I don't have any brothers either. But we both want one."
"So we thought if you loaned us your sword…that maybe he and I could become sword brothers together." Flinn finished, giving Bilbo his most pleading puppy-dog look, one that could rival even Kili's.
"I see," the older hobbit nodded, sitting back as he contemplated the lads' request. He could tell they were in earnest, and he hated to deny them such a boon. "Might I inquire as to why you asked me, and not your father or your uncle, Flinn?"
"I am not allowed to touch Adad's swords, and…well, as much as I love him…sometimes Uncle Thorin can be scary," he replied, lowering his voice to a whisper as he said the last part.
This admission caused Bilbo to chuckle to himself, thinking back on all the times when he thought Thorin wanted to leave him behind, feed him to trolls, or even toss him off the battlement. Yes, indeed…Thorin Oakenshield could be mighty scary when he wanted to be.
"I see your point, Flinn," Bilbo nodded. "So it would appear that Sting is required to perform the honors in this case." He had almost left his weapon behind in his room, yet Gandalf had insisted that it would be seen as ceremonial, and not worn for protection, and insisted he strap it on. Now he was glad he had. Yet, as he looked around, seeing far too many prying eyes, and motherly ones to boot, he knew that this was not the place for such a ceremony. Standing up, he turned to Primula and Drogo, who had been sitting far enough away not to have heard what their son and the little dwarrow had been talking about. "Drogo, Prim," Bilbo began, getting their attention. "I am going to step out for a few moments and get some air. The lads would like to come with me, if it is alright with you?"
"Perfectly fine with us," Drogo nodded. "I was hoping to share a dance with my wife, and this will provide an excellent opportunity."
And so, with permission granted, Bilbo jerked his head towards a side door, indicating that the two eager youths should follow. Once in the hallway, the older hobbit looked around, and while he had spent a little time in Erebor on his last visit, things had changed considerably since then, leaving him unsure as to where there might be a good place for privacy.
"Let's go…in here," he suggested picking the nearest doorway at random. However, much to his surprise, and the lad's amazement, they found themselves in Thorin's throne room!
"Are we allowed to be in here?" Frodo whispered to Flinn. When the little dwarrow just shrugged his shoulders, he let it drop, figuring that his cousin Bilbo knew best.
"Well, now," the older hobbit said, letting out a long breath of air as he considered turning around and finding another location altogether. Yet, what better place could there be to hold such an auspicious ceremony as this, he thought to himself. And what could Thorin do…banish him? He had already tried that once before, and see where it had got him. "Shall we begin?"
The two lads nodded enthusiastically, eager to officially become brothers.
"What do we do?" Flinn asked, looking up at Bilbo with great anticipation.
"You…well…" here he stalled. He had no idea if there even was a ceremonial standard for such a thing. He could fake it, he was certain, for how would the two younglings know? But still, he didn't wish to make a mockery of it either. "Well, the way you become sword brothers is to…to…"
"First, you both kneel," came a stern voice from behind them, causing all three to whirl around with wide eyes.
"Thorin!" Bilbo almost squeaked, looking like the cat that had just killed the prize chicken.
"If you truly wish to become sword brothers, you will be needing your king's blessing," the dwarrow continued as he stepped closer, reaching out to gently cup his youngest nephew's chin. "Of which you have."
"But…I don't have a king," Frodo lamented, looking quite forlorn.
"Will a wizard do in a pinch?" came another voice from the doorway.
"Ahhh, Gandlaf," Thorin nodded, motioning for him to enter and join them. "I believe that after a king, a wizard is the next best thing in this instance."
"Yaayyyy!" Flinn cried, clapping his hands and jumping up and down.
"Now that all the participants are in place…shall we begin?" the king under the mountain suggested, giving Bilbo a wink before he straightened and drew his sword in one swift motion. "Flinn, son of Fili, prince of Erebor…take a knee." At this the little dwarrow sank to one knee and placed his fist over his heart, just as he had seen his father do before Thorin on several occasions. "Frodo, son of Drogo, hobbit of the Shire…also kneel." All watched as he followed suit, copying his friend down to the last detail. "Bilbo, please place your sword, Sting, across both their knees," the king instructed, pointing at the small blade hanging at his side.
With a nod of agreement, the hobbit did as he was told, very grateful to both of his friend for helping to make the two lads' wish come true. Pulling it out with as much of a flourish as he could muster, he gently laid it across their legs, balancing it on the very edge as they stared down at it in wonder.
"Don't either of you touch that," Bilbo warned, aiming his finger at the two, watching as they both nodded in silent agreement - though it was more than obvious that their eyes gleamed with the secret desire to do so.
"Now, Flinn, do you hereby take on the solemn duty of naming Frodo Baggins of the Shire, as your sword brother?" Thorin began in a loud and authoritative voice. "Will you protect him, stand by him, and be his friend until the end of your days?" When Flinn only nodded his head up and down, Thorin leaned in and whispered, "You must say 'I do hereby swear'."
"I do hereby swear!" Flinn almost yelled, eager to get it right.
Then Gandalf stepped forward and drew his own sword, Glamdring, repeating the words that Thorin had just spoken.
"And you, Frodo of the Shire, do you take on the solemn duty of naming Flinn, prince of Erebor, as your sword brother? Will you protect him, stand by him, and be his friend until the end of your days?"
"I do hereby swear!" came Frodo's equally enthusiastic reply.
"Then by the powers conferred upon me, as the king of Erebor," Thorin stated.
"And with my blessing, as a member of the White Council and wizard of Arda," Gandalf added.
"We do officially name thee, sword brothers." Here Thorin stepped forward and tapped the flat side of Orchrist on each of their shoulders, followed then by Gandalf using Glamdring. "Bilbo, you may now remove your sword."
The stout hobbit quickly did so, quite eager to get anything sharp or dangerous out of the reach of the two lads. Lest they accidently cut themselves and both their mothers give him a stern dressing down for it.
"Rise, Flinn and Frodo…brothers now in all but blood," Thorin commanded, watching as they both did so, their smiles so wide they might have split their faces.
"We are brothers now!" Flinn told Frodo, turning to embrace his new sibling, the two of them jumping up and down, happy as larks.
While the dwarfling and the hobbit continued to celebrate, Thorin, Gandalf, and Bilbo, stepped away to speak privately. The king gave his hobbit friend a pointed look, accompanied by a raised eyebrow.
"Thought you could sneak away and do this all by yourself, did you?" he asked, folding his arms over his chest.
"Well…how was I to know there was so much pomp and circumstance involved?" the hobbit shrugged. "I guess it was good that you came along when you did…otherwise I would have made a real mess of things. I had no idea there were actual words, and all that ceremony stuff with the swords…yes, I would have botched it up quite royally."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, my dear hobbit," Gandalf told him in a reassuring tone. "I am sure you would have done just fine. After all, Thorin here was certainly flying by the seat of his pants."
"What?" Bilbo asked, looking at Thorin for confirmation. "You mean you…you made all that up?"
"Not too bad for off the cuff, wouldn't you say?" he chuckled. "Maybe I am getting the hang of this king thing after all."
"Remind me never to play cards with you," Bilbo grinned, causing Thorin to roar with laughter. "You either, you wily old wizard!"
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Thorin, Bilbo, and Gandalf slipped back inside the banquet hall, doing their best to act as if nothing had happened. Yet one look at the madly grinning lads told another story. Thankfully, everyone was too busy to notice, and no one appeared the wiser.
Dis was quietly speaking with Marigold and Bergie, while Kili, Bofur and Nori were busy trying to see just how many mugs of ale it took to get a few of the male hobbits fall-down drunk. Apparently, in Hamfast Gamgee's case…six. While the rest of the Shire folk seemed to be matching the dwarves drink for drink.
Fili fulfilled his promise and danced with Tilda…twice. While Bain took Sier for a turn around the dance floor, the two of them laughing happily the entire time. Kili had kept an eye on his brother during this, between his own mugs of ale, making sure that no signs of uncontrolled jealousy reared its ugly head. When he saw none, his nadad acting as if he were perfectly content to see the two dancing, the dark haired prince returned to his drinking.
Not long after, Gandalf captured everyone's attention when he stood in the middle of the room, his gnarled staff raised high as he put on a remarkable display of lights and wizardry. Flinn and Frodo stood in amazement and wonder, as shapes and colors appeared out of nowhere, whizzing around the room and encircling many of the guests amid a chorus of ooos and ahhhs. There were stars, rainbows, soaring eagles, and a myriad of butterflies, all dancing around in an extraordinary exhibition of Gandalf's skills and imagination. He ended the show with a loud explosion of sparks, each one morphing into a rainfall of gold and diamonds, causing everyone to roar with appreciation, clapping until their hands stung from the effort.
"Do it again! Do it again, Mister Gandalf!" Flinn cried, running up to the aged wizard and tugging on his long robe in a pleading fashion.
"Perhaps another time, my little princeling," he laughed, reaching down to tussle his blond hair. "I can't reveal all my secrets at once, or your Uncle Thorin will grow bored with me, and ask me to leave the mountain."
"No he won't!" Flinn insisted, his look of pure admiration telling everyone that the little dwarfling thought Gandalf was the most exciting person alive…next to his father, of course.
"Still, I will keep a few tricks up my sleeve, just in case," the wizard laughed, exiting the floor and returning to his seat, much to the disappointment of the two lads.
"They stare at you the same way I did when I was their age, you know," Bilbo told his oldest and dearest friend, as he sat down beside him.
"And am I still able to impress you, Bilbo Baggins?" Gandalf laughed, accepting a pinch of Old Toby from the hobbit's smoking pouch, as he lit his own pipe.
"More and more every year," he assured him with a wide grin.
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Not long after this, Thorin and Bard joined the hobbit and wizard, the four comrades laughing and talking about old times. It was then that Flinn and Frodo came running up, the little dwarfling excited to introduce Bard to his new friend.
"Hello, young Flinn," the king of Dale greeted him, leaning forward in his chair as he smiled down at the lad. "And who might this be?"
"This is Frodo, he is my sword brother!" the tiny dwarrow announced with pride.
"Your sword brother, you say?" This notion seemed to please the tall man. "And have you two seen much action in battle?"
"No, not yet," Flinn said, matter of factly, as giving the idea a great deal of thought. "But we will be ready when the time comes."
"What?" Frodo asked, looking up at Flinn with wide eyes. "I thought we only had to hold a sword to become brothers…no one said we would ever have to use one!"
"Don't worry," Flinn assured his frightened friend. "My adad has been teaching me how to fight, I will protect you."
"And from what I have seen, young Flinn, your father's skills are unmatched, thus you could not ask for a better teacher," Bard complimented, making Flinn's chest stick out with pride.
"Did you see my crown?" he asked, a beaming smile on his lips as he pointed to his head. "My adad made it for me! He made my ama one too…but I think mine is better."
"He did a fabulous job…on both," Bard laughed, being diplomatic. "I wore my crown tonight as well, just for you, Flinn." He then gestured at his own, causing the little dwarrow to inspect it carefully.
"It is really shiny!" he told him. "It reminds me of Uncle Thorin's."
"There might be a reason for that," Bard replied. "You see, it was discovered in the vaults of the city, buried under years of rubble, and is the very one worn by Girion, the last king of Dale. And if I remember my history correctly, it too was crafted by dwarf hands, and gifted to one of the kings who had ruled before him."
"Aye," Thorin nodded, pleased by Bard's knowledge. "Nain the second, if memory serves me. He was a master at metal work, and very handy at the forge, or so I have been told. One of your ancestors saved Nain's life, defending him in battle at great personal injury to himself. As a gesture of gratitude the current king under the mountain crafted the crown himself, presenting it to him upon his recovery."
"I am now even more honored to wear it, knowing it's history." Bard said with a respectful nod to the dwarf king. He then looked back at Flinn and Frodo. "May you enjoy your royal symbol for many, many years to come, Flinn. As well as your friendship with Frodo, for I have come to learn that a hobbit is a very handy comrade to have. Treasure this bond."
"I will," Flinn assured him, not fully understanding the wisdom and meaning the king of Dale wished to impart. Yet with a wide smile, he grabbed Frodo by the hand and scurried off, the two of them more than likely heading back to the dessert table.
"You are very fortunate, Thorin Oakenshield," Bard said once the youngsters were gone. "Children are truly a gift, and to see your mountain blessed with the likes of Flinn," he then looked over at Bilbo, "As well as Frodo. It would appear that I envy you both. My children are growing up so quickly, and it breaks my heart to think that I will never again see them as children."
"Ahhh, but do you not have your own grandson just about Flinn's age, through your eldest, Sigrid?" Gandalf inquired. "That indeed is something to rejoice over."
"Yes…yes it is," Bard nodded, pride returning to his eyes. "Though I have not seen the lad since he was a babe in arms, what with my daughter now living so far away in Rohan."
"Well, I predict that one day young Théoden will play his part in great and song-worthy deeds," Gandalf said, his tone leaving one to conclude that his words were more than mere speculation - yet no one dared to question him on this.
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As the dancing began to wind down, the songs and storytelling quickly began, with Bofur and Nori, both now heavily into their cups, taking the lead. Thorin had just poured himself another glass of wine, and turned to offer some to Dwalin, when he saw his friend's eyes widen suddenly. Following his gaze, he quickly noted the reason, as Bergie stepped up onto one of the far tables, her fury little hobbit feet tapping out a beat as the musicians did their best to keep up. She began to sing a lively song, one that made the crowds roar with laughter and clap along, her lovely voice, and comedic expressions, luring everyone in.
"Not a shy one, is she?" Thorin stated, a wide grin on his face as he watched his friend closely.
"You have no idea," Dwalin muttered, unable to take his eyes off of her.
It was then that the older hobbit lass reached down and dragged her pretty little niece up beside her, urging her to join in the song. Marigold protested for a moment or two, but at last gave in to her aunt's pleading, her bell-like voice melded perfectly in a very pleasing duet. Thorin was once again drawn to her like a moth to a flame, finding her outgoing spirit and fun-loving attitude rather addicting. A lass such as she would never be boring, never leave him wanting for more, and he found he craved such a fire in his life. Oh, she was indeed a jewel.
When the song ended, the two lasses gave a flamboyant bow, causing the whole room to erupt in applause and calls for more. Yet, much like Gandalf, the hobbits chose to step down and leave the audience wanting more.
As the grinning aunt and niece made their way back to the high table, they were greeted with compliments and much fanfare, leaving them both blushing slightly.
"That was quite a show," Dis told them, smiling in approval of the two lasses. "The dwarves of Erebor will be talking about you two for weeks to come."
"As long as the talk is good," Bergie laughed, dabbing her glistening neck and décolletage with a dinner napkin. "I do hope we did not make a spectacle of ourselves and embarrass anyone, but I just could not help myself. I have not had such a wonderful evening in…well, I can't remember when!"
"I think it is safe to say that everyone, from old to young, enjoyed your performance," Fili laughed, he and Sier just arriving back at the tables after enjoying a lighthearted dance.
"Speaking of the young," Sier commented, looking around the area and not seeing any sign of her son. "Has anyone seen Flinn and Frodo?"
Her query was met with several smiles and nodding heads, as Kili stepped forward and lifted the floor-length table cloth to reveal the two lads lying in a little dogpile, sound asleep…a half-eaten plate of pilfered sticky-buns resting beside them.
Drogo and Primula grinned at the sight they made, both extremely pleased their hobbit lad had made such an excellent friend so quickly.
"I think it is time we head off and tuck Frodo in for the night," the hobbit mother said, doing her best not to yawn herself. "It has been a very long journey, and while we hate to leave a party such as this, I fear we must."
"Let me grab Flinn and I will join you," Dis spoke up, seeing that Sier was about to suggest the same thing. And while she wanted nothing more than to see her son and his lovely bride locked away in their chambers…it was still very early by dwarf standards, and having the crown prince and princess leaving so soon would not sit well with Thorin.
"Are you sure, Amad?" Fili asked, grateful for the offer, yet not wishing to foist his responsibilities off on her. "Do you think it is wise to be carrying a dwarfling with your twisted ankle?"
"Then allow me to ferry the lad for you," Bilbo spoke up, coming to Dis' rescue. "I think it is time that I turn in as well, and this way I will get an escort back to my chambers, for I fear this mountain has changed greatly since my last visit."
"There, see? Problem solved," Dis smiled, grateful to the older hobbit for his quick thinking.
"All right, if you insist," Fili nodded with a chuckle, lifting his sleeping son and giving him a kiss on his forehead, before passing him to the waiting arms of Bilbo.
The hobbit smiled warmly as the little dwarrow snuggled into his embrace, the adorable Flinn already having stolen Bilbo's heart. After a round of farewells, the little group headed off to their respective chambers, with both lads never waking once.
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The night continued on, with more dancing, more songs, and lots more drinking. Kili had pulled Sier out onto the dance floor, claiming that it was simply not a Durin's Day celebration without having shared at least one dance with the best looking prince in Erebor.
"But I have already danced several times with Fili," Sier argued, trying to keep a straight face as she spoke.
"Oh, such a cruel sister you are," Kili pouted. "Yet if I recall, not long ago you called me kind and handsome. Has your opinion changed so drastically in such a short period of time?"
"Nay," Sier laughed, enjoying the sibling-like banter they were sharing. "I stand by my words, and any dwarrowdam would be most fortunate to catch your attention, Kili."
"Like my brother has captured yours?" he probed, having long begun to suspect that more than simple admiration was shared between them. When she blushed and looked away, he knew he had hit the mark. "It is nothing to be ashamed of…you are married after all," he pointed out. "Kind of handy if you ask me."
"Does it show…I mean, does everyone know?" she was not sure if she should be mortified or pleased that her emotions were so much on display.
"Only to those who know and care about you," he gave a contemplative hum. "So…I guess that means everyone!" This got her to laugh and he smiled proudly at the results of his efforts. "But seriously…if you love Fili, you should tell him. I would hazard a guess that he already suspects, but my nadad can be rather dense at times."
"Not the keen and observant type, like you?" Sier chuckled.
"Exactly! See, we understand each other, you and I," Kili nodded smugly.
"But…but what if he does not feel the same way?" Sier's smile faded and she looked down at their feet, as the two slowed in their steps. "What if…if I am not his one…and he never grows to care for me in that way?"
"Sier," Kili said in a low voice, tipping her chin up so that she was looking at him once more. "Trust Fili. Trust your heart. And don't give in to foolish fears. Be brave and take a leap, and even if you fall…well, just enjoy the sensation while it lasts."
"Until I hit the ground with a sickening thud?" she questioned, raising her eyebrow skeptically.
"Not the best analogy, was it?" he surmised, flinching as the sound of his words reached his own ears. "Still, you take my meaning. It is better to try and fail…than to live with doubt and regret."
The last part Kili had said with a hint of sorrow, leaving Sier to wonder if he spoke from experience. When she cocked her head to one side and eyed him questioningly, he gave an embarrassed shrug and elaborated.
"I…I met someone, once," he revealed, not daring to look her in the eye as he spoke. "The meeting was brief, and not what you would call amiable…but, there was something about her. Still, neither of us pursued it, and we soon parted, never seeing each other again." He was quiet for a moment, the two of them almost now standing still in the middle of the dancers, no one giving note to their odd behavior. Then, in a flash, the smile returned to his face and he was back to his usually jovial self. "Oh, don't mind me. I am far too content being a bachelor anyway to think of marrying. No, that was Fili's dream, not mine. Besides, if I were to wed, think of all the brokenhearted dams I would leave crying in their ale!"
"Yes, a tragedy to the highest degree," Sier laughed, yet filing away this story for later consideration. "So…so you think I should leap, do you?"
"Exactly!" he nodded, getting a mischievous look in his eyes. "And don't tiptoe around with it either, throw yourself in with both feet. Leave no question in his mind, and then see how he responds. And with as well as I know my brother…I don't think you will be disappointed."
"Thank you, Kili," she nodded, mulling over his advice. "I just might do that."
"That's the spirit, sister dear," he then leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Now, if you will excuse me, I see a lovely dwarrowdam sitting all alone in a corner, just waiting for a handsome prince such as I to come to her rescue."
"Then fly to her aid, fair prince," Sier laughed, bowing at the waist and making a sweeping motion with her hand. "I send you off with my blessing."
Yet even after Kili had bounded off, his words continued to ring in her ears. Throw yourself in with both feet…leave no question in his mind. Did she have enough courage to do so? Or would she lose her nerve at the last minute and make a mess of it all? Well…there was only one way to find out!
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A little bit later, Fili was standing on the sidelines, sipping at a mug of ale, when he felt someone sidle up beside him, linking their arm with his. He looked over to see Princess Tilda grinning down at him - her having grown to at least a half a foot taller than he over the years.
"It has been a wonderful evening," she told him, looking around the room in appreciation. "And your mood seems to be greatly enhanced over last year…or the year before that."
"Hobbits in the mountain tend to liven things up," he laughed, noticing that at least five of them were currently passed out at their seats, courtesy of Bofur and Nori.
"True," Tilda nodded. "However, I am putting my money on the presence of Sier and Flinn, as the true reason for your improved state." She then gave him a look of sympathy. "It broke my heart to see you looking so sad the past few years…and now I know why. I am glad she is back, and nothing warms my heart more that to see the two of you so deeply in love."
"It…it does?" Fili asked, staring up at her in shock.
"Of course," she told him with a gentle nudge. "You have to know, that even if it was my sister who had hoped to catch your eye, it never stopped me from loving you as well."
Fili's eyes grew wide, and he began to choke on the ale he had just taken a swallow of.
"Tilda…I…I am far too old for you," he began, thinking of any reason to let the lass down easy. "And…and I am married now."
"Like a brother, Fili. I love you like a brother," she laughed merrily, finding his fluster amusing. "And I feel the same way for Kili. All of your company has meant so much to my family, ever since the day my father smuggled you into Lake Town in those barrels filled with fish."
"Don't remind me," Fili chuckled, knowing that next to apples, raw fish was the second most repugnant odor to him.
"Well, despite the means by which you appeared, you, Fili, son of Durin, will always be one of my dearest and most treasured friends," she leaned in and gave him a sisterly kiss in the cheek. "And I couldn't be happier for you and Sier. Truly."
"And…and you think it is blatantly obvious that we are…in love?" he asked, testing out this newfound thought.
"It is as plain as the nose on my face!" she laughed, watching as Fili's eyes automatically swept the room and landed on the lass in question. Sier was currently dancing with Dain, the wild and rough dwarrow spinning her around in wide and erratic circles. "And if I were you, I would march right over there and cut in, saving her from being used as a broom to sweep the floor by that overstuffed king of the Iron Hills."
"Dain is not as bad as all that," Fili chuckled, though he had to admit that Sier did appear rather winded.
"You have not had to dance with him!" Tilda scoffed, giving him a gentle nudge in the right direction. "Now go, my fine prince, and rescue your fair maiden from the horrors that is the Ironfoot. For that is truly what he has…two iron feet, and both of them are his left!"
Fili chose to take Tilda's advice, hearing her laughter fade behind him as he made his way to the dance floor. He gave his cousin a strong tap on the shoulder, causing him to halt mid-step and look at the young prince, raising an eyebrow in question.
"May I cut in?" he asked, his tone telling the red-bearded king that he would not take no for an answer.
"Aye, lad," Dain said with a rolling belly laugh, pulling Sier back to him as he handed her over to his blond cousin. "I fear the young dam has completely worn this old sod out anyway. She is all yours." And with a bow, he happily strutted away, heading right for the nearest keg.
"Are you all right?" Fili asked, as he slipped his arm around her waist and took her hand in his, the two of them gliding across the dancefloor in one fluid motion. "According to Tilda, you were in desperate need of rescuing."
"I think I was holding my own," she grinned. "Though the respite is very much appreciated. Thank you."
"Ever at your service, my lady," he nodded, before gently twirling her under his arm a few times, before bringing her back against his body, the sensation pleasing him greatly. He loved dancing with her – well, to be honest, he loved doing anything with her – but having Sier in his arms just felt right. He looked into her eyes and did his best to decipher what she might be thinking. Was she by chance entertaining the same ideas as he? Was she feeling the same sense of completeness at being locked in each other's embrace?
"Would…would you like to go back to our chambers?" she asked suddenly, making Fili think that perhaps she was reading his thoughts.
"Are you tired?" he inquired, worried he might have worn her out before they could have their all-important talk. "Has the celebration been too much for you?"
"No…I just think it is time to tell you what I…what I wanted to say," she told him, lowering her eyes as a pleasing blush kissed her skin.
"I see," he responded, doing his best to keep his voice low, and the sheer joy he was feeling from creeping into it. Looking around he made a mental note of where everyone was, betting that should they slip away, and no one would even notice they were gone. He had remained in attendance long enough to have fulfilled his duty as crown prince…now he had other responsibilities to see to. Those of himself…and his wife. "Come," he whispered, as he slowly led her over to a side door, doing his best to not appear suspicious, until they dashed through, laughing and giggling as they raced down the hallway like a couple of newlyweds.
And not one dwarrow they ran into dared to stop them.
Whooohoooo, on their way to 'talk'! Hope nothing happens on the way there!
So, how did you like the sword brother ceremony?
Kili and Sier's little talk and dance?
How about Tilda's observations?
Do you think Sier will take Kili's advice and 'leap'?
Important announcement: When I began writing this tale, I had only planned for Fili and Sier's love story - and to see how Fili would be as a daddy. But as I went along, Thorin and Dwalin just seemed to need romance too. And since I decided it would be with hobbits, I HAD to introduce them when Bilbo and the others arrived. I did my best to give them a good start and get you interested, but from here on out, I intend to follow my original story line and focus on Fili and Sier to the conclusion I always had in mind. (around chapter 43 - if my calculations are right, but I do get wordy, so you never know). Then, after I take a much needed break, I hope to come back and pick up where I left off, giving Thorin and Dwalin my full attention. I have so many wonderful ideas and situations for them to find themselves in that I can't wait to write it all down. But I have to write most of it before I can start posting at the pace I like. That is all.
Thanks for reading and I will see you all tomorrow for THE TALK!
Guest Reviews:
kaia: Oh, yes, there will be lots of laughs and other feelings as well. I hope you like them all. We are nearing the end! Thanks for your review.
nursenan: There was a nice partner switch there during the dance, was there not? ha ha. Dis and Bilbo will prove to be very sneaky and manipulative...oh what fun! Fili is a gonner for sure, he is so smitten with his wife. Flinn and Frodo are so much fun to write!
enilorac44: I KNOW...you would think with all the gold they have to count, they could do a little bit of math there! But I think that the issue is that Thorin already feels old - having lived several of her lifetimes already ...FIVE of them in fact. So he sees her as YOUNG, but does not realize they will end up old at the same time. ha ha. Yes, just yell MALES, and that should cover everyone. ha ha.