Oh my goodness, I cannot wait...just read! Please! Read!

Thorin crept quietly out into the open, a chilly wind instantly touching his face. His eyes instantly found Mirima standing at the edge, face tilted up to the moon with her hair neatly braided, only a few strands catching the wind. Taking off his cloak Thorin approached Mirima from behind then placed his cloak around her shoulders, pushing it around so that it covered her neck and shoulders.

"Finally find me?"

"I had to stop and ask for directions." Thorin answered, reaching out with one hand to stroke her cheek. "What did I do?"

"You know we can't…be like that in public. People won't like it." Shrugging as he came to stand next to her, Thorin sighed and turned his face up to the moon.

"Many people won't. Most of them men who want to fight me for you." Mirima blushed richly then looked away, making Thorin smile. "You never blush."

"You have a strange effect on me. Don't make it a habit." Mirima answered stiffly, snuggling closer into the cloak as her silver lit eyes gazed upwards. "We have too many of those as it is."

"What? Like this?" Thorin reached out and gently turned Mirima's face to him by the cheek, lowering his head to capture her lips with his in a warm and loving embrace. Mirima smiled into the kiss then answered with slow and deliberate teasing, one hand snaking from under the cloak to rest against Thorin's chest.

Without warning Mirima stopped then pulled away, a melancholy look in her eye as she took a step back then looked down into the darkness and towards Dale. "What is it? What's wrong?" Thorin asked her softly, resting a hand on her shoulder but she shrug it off.

"I can't keep doing this. It feels wrong." Thorin panicked for a moment but kept himself under control, taking a deep breath before answering.

"How?"

"All this secrecy. I feel like I'm betraying my people, the council and I feel like I'm betraying you. I should be your loyal servant, not your…whatever I am." Thorin listened intently, glad that she had not meant a far more serious route he thought she was going to take. "I'm not royalty or nobility. Most of the women look down at me with my greasy hands then move as far away from me as possible."

"You've never allowed that to matter before."

"That was before I mattered. To you. To my people." Mirima answered, turning to face him. "Thorin…"

"Miri." She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, flinching as he used her nickname.

"Thorin you…whatever happened on the road for us to get like this, I'm glad it did but perhaps it should stay on the road. Pretty soon your stupid council will want you to marry and have heirs and I know that you have to put your duties as king above anyone and anything…"

"Miri, be quiet." Mirima blinked at Thorin in surprise, placing a hand on her hip and giving him a filthy look.

"Excuse me, I was in the middle of something." She informed him but he merely smiled.

"Well, I'm finishing it now." He reached forwards without another word, her left hand, then massaged his fingers to entwine with hers. For a while they just stood there, fingers woven together as he rested his brow against Mirima's, his other hand touching her neck as they revelled in each other's presence. "I have a job for you." Thorin murmured softly.

"I'm at your disposal, my king." Mirima answered teasingly, a little smile on her face as she kept her eyes closed, knowing Thorin was looking down at her.

"I need you to make a crown fit for a queen and then…" Leaning forwards Thorin placed a kiss on her cheek. "I want…" a kiss on her other cheek "you," one on her forehead "to," finally he placed a lightly lingering kiss on her lips before drawing away only a small distance. "Wear it."

Mirima's eyes shot open as well as her mouth, gaping widely at Thorin who smirked slightly. "Huh?" She squeaked dumbly. "Come again."

"That's your charge. I entrust you will make it your top priority. I need it as soon as possible." Thorin continued dismissively but retaining a playful tone as he continued to look at Mirima's shocked expression.

"Me? In a crown? You've got to be joking! What about your council? They'll murder you!"

"They all wanted me to marry their daughters. One of which was as old as Balin." Thorin answered with a small shrug. "But I refused to move from my position. I told them there was only one woman I would ever consider marrying. That I would ever marry." Thorin leaned down and whispered huskily in Mirima's ear. "And she's standing right here, right now."

"Stop that! I hate it when you seduce me like that!" Mirima groaned, pushing him away slightly. "Thorin, please think about this. No one would want me as their queen…what would I even have to do? I don't even know the first thing about being queen!" Mirima threw her hands up in the air as she began to pace, the volume of her rant gradually but steadily rising in volume.

"I mean, sure I know how to swing a hammer and beat metal but ruling an entire kingdom? I struggle with my shop as it is! That's another thing, what would I do with my business? It's not like a queen could be seen working metal goods otherwise she would be a laughing stock and also, most of the courtiers absolutely hate me anyway because I'm a clumsy slob with appalling manners! Besides that I would be absolutely hopeless at the job because there is no way I'd let you order me around like some brainless moron and, to the point, we argue enough as it is but if we were married then, hell, we'd be arguing twenty four seven! Honestly, I have no idea what has kept me from smashing your thick skull against a rock all this time, apart from my stubborn honour. You and I will argue over the smallest matters and then what happens if we have children? Really, can you see me with kids? I'd sooner lock them in a chest to drown out the noise they make so you tell me, what sort of queen would I make? You are making a huge mistake Thorin Oakenshield!" Mirima threw her hands up into the air a final time with her back turned to Thorin who arched an eyebrow.

"So that's a yes, then?"

"Of course it's a bloody yes! You moron!" Mirima yelled, grinning from ear to ear as she whirled around then grabbed Thorin, dragging him to her so that she could kiss him. He hardly needed encouraging. As their lips and tongue fought an insane war Thorin found Mirima's ring finger and slipped on the adornment, pushing it all the way down until it was secure.

Mirima pulled away and lifted her hand up to the moon, allowing the opal to gleam with the light, the three gems both alight with withheld colours set on the golden band, two smaller opals either side of the centre, larger opal, each one gleaming. "It's so beautiful." Mirima murmured as Thorin pulled her into his arms, leaning his head against hers as she continued to admire the ring. "And I was afraid you would choose one of those ridiculously oversized rocks the other ladies wear." Thorin chuckled then kissed the top of her head.

"You know I know you better than that." He whispered, holding her hand and rubbing his thumb over the ring. "You'd better get started on that crown." Mirima laughed then turned, punching him as hard as she could in the shoulder.

888

"Stop squirming!" Indilwen flicked Mirima on the back of her head for the hundredth time before continuing to style Mirima's hair.

"I'm nervous! I'm allowed to be nervous on my wedding day!" Mirima snapped back, shifting again in her seat as Indilwen continued to unroll the curlers from her golden hair, freshly scented with almond oil.

"What I wouldn't give for some curling tongs right now." Indilwen muttered under her breath. "They were so much easier than these ridiculous things."

"Curling tongs?" Mirima frowned in the mirror, her brow creasing.

"Something from my world we used to curl our hair with. Took a few minutes at most if you were an expert." Indilwen answered. "And don't frown, you'll create wrinkles." This only made Mirima frown further.

"What if I fall over?"

"I won't let you. I'll be standing close by. Right next to you in fact."

"What if I massively screw up?" Indilwen laughed.

"When haven't you?" Mirima shrugged in agreement, relaxing slightly. Indilwen unrolled the last curler then shook out Mirima's tamed mane, scooping it up at the sides to twist in a few golden leaves and dried flowers before securing the two large pieces at the back of her head with her usual simple emerald studded clasp. Mirima stood, wringing her wrists as she walked over to the full length mirror to look at herself. "I don't feel like a queen." She announced worriedly.

Indilwen came to stand beside her, looking into the same mirror reflectively. "The point is not to look like a queen, Mirima, whether you wear a crown or not you are still who you are. The point is to earn your people's respect which you have already done." Indilwen knelt down and twitched the hem of Mirima's angelic white gown with gold and green threads hemming the patterns up her right side in ivy and flowered patterns. "As long as you have your people's respect and earn their love by being king, just and loving, they will love you in return. There is still so much hurt in this land, you have to help heal it."

"What if I can't handle it? What if…"

"Mirima." Indilwen cut her off firmly. "If you can face an entire kingdom of goblins as well as an orc back and a dragon, I think you can handle anything. Besides," she leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll always be there for you to call upon."

"I hope so. I'm bound to need you at least a hundred times before I begin to get the swing of things." Mirima muttered before taking in a deep breath and nervously smiling. "I look like a woman today."

"I should hope so. I put a lot of work into this dress and your hair, don't you dare go and mess it up by joining in with the drinking games and wrestling matches." Mirima gave Indilwen a broad and innocent smile, one she knew too well. "Dis didn't teach you your duties as a queen for nothing. There are times for such fickle entertainment in private and other times you must remain regal and civilised in public. Please remember this, Miri."

"I will mother, I won't let you down." Mirima answered, reaching out to hold her hand and give it a tight squeeze. After a moment Mirima frowned again. "Are you crying?" Indilwen sniffed.

"It's not everyday you get to walk your daughter down the aisle." Indilwen, wearing her dark blue robe of simple design had also put on a disguise. She was now blonde haired and green eyed, very similar to Mirima and also…a dwarf. Mirima looked Indilwen over then laughed.

"I can't get over this. I prefer you being tall."

"I do too." Indilwen grumbled then sighed. "Well, only one last touch." Indilwen went over to the dresser, opened a drawer then lifted something from within. Mirima stayed at the mirror as Indilwen came to stand behind her. She lifted her hands over and instantly Mirima stared at the pendent that Indilwen was fastening to her neck. The pendent shone with a light green glow which then faded back to simple emerald, the large pear shaped jewel hanging from the gold, with swirling patterns adoring it in simple yet elegant design.

"From your brothers in arms." Indilwen murmured softly, kissing Mirima's cheek again. "With a little touch of my own."

"What does it do?"

"Oh, nothing really. It's just a way for me to look out for you. So long as you wear it, I'm always with you." Mirima touched the stone and found it to be warm, almost humming with life. Indilwen lifted the small stone from around her neck and rubbed it with her thumb, smiling as she closed her eyes. Suddenly the pendent grew hot, not painfully so, and there was a definite thrum of life as Indilwen saw through Mirima's eyes and the same in reverse, each other's feelings pouring into one another.

"It's beautiful." Mirima whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Thank you."

"If there was anything else you wished for, you know I would give it to you." Mirima smirked then leaned forwards, gesturing for Indilwen to come closer so that she could whisper her request in her ear. When there was a knock, Mirima turned just as Dis entered.

The dwarf lady smiled broadly then nodded. "It's time." Instantly Mirima grabbed onto Indilwen's hand, making her laugh.

"Don't fret. You were made for this kind of thing and worse." Indilwen reminded her. "Just remember, before anything else, you will always be my daughter. It is vital that you stay true to who you are. Don't listen to what anyone else expects."

"I'll remember." With a deep breath of air, Mirima nodded then began to stride forwards.

Ha. Ha. Ha, ha, Hahahahaha! I love Miri's character so much! Wow, I'm so glad I waited to get this written because otherwise I would have rushed and then it wouldn't be how I wanted it to happen. So, this is really close to the end but don't worry, I still have a little more that needs clearing up, just to finish the knot.