A/N: My continued thanks to the followers and reviewers. Y'all keep me going. :) And now ... you are all invited to the wedding of Thorin, King Under the Mountain, and Rhaella of the Dunedain. I hope you enjoy. If you have read "To Seek the Pale Enchanted Gold" you will recognize the wedding ceremony as I didn't feel like reinventing the wheel (and I just really liked the way that ceremony turned out). It is a combination of Celtic/Pagan marriage vows I found on the internet. Brunuhville has some great music that suited this chapter but I mainly listened to "New Dawn: For a True Love," "Birth of Love," and"Magic of Love."

.

Sophia Kaiba: Yes! Its time for a wedding!

angel897: Thanks!

BlondiezHere: It's so hard to find the words that I want in Khuzdul but I'm glad that worked. :) I have always thought Thorin's younger brother might be a bit more carefree so I felt he would want to teach his brother's bride some interesting words. And yeah ... Dis could plan for years and not feel completely ready. :)

Leona2016: I don't know if I'll outright mention what Frerin teaches her but it might be fun to dance around it. Haha. Dis was much more uptight about the wedding than the bride and groom, that's for sure!

Guest: Yes, Rhae is pretty clueless when it comes to fancy, girlie things but she's willing to learn if that's what's required of her. And you'll have to hurry to get your seat, I suspect it will be very crowded.

SilverGhost: Thanks!

alliesmiley2: I'm glad to hear it! I hope you enjoy!

.

Before I wake up in the morning I imagine that I own the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings ... but then I open my eyes and have to face reality. Its all Tolkien's and I can only dream. :)

Rhae was frozen in the center of her room, afraid she'd be scolded if she even breathed too hard, as Dis and Dori walked around her in a slow circle, silently inspecting their work. For the past few hours the two dwarves had been overseeing every step in preparing her for the ceremony, barking out orders to the maids that were running back and forth bringing whatever was requested. She had been bathed and perfumed and dressed in several layers and then had sat while one of Dis's ladies had braided and styled her hair.

"Perfect. Now for the finishing touches," Dis finally proclaimed with a huge smile. One of the maids stepped up and handed her two items, one a gold filigree belt and the other a gold necklace made up of moonstone cabochons set in delicate filigree plates. They were beautiful and Rhae wasn't sure what to say as Dis put them on her. Her friend prodded her forward. "Go. Look in the mirror." Dori clasped his hands together, his face radiating excitement. Hesitantly she moved towards the wall, not sure why she felt so apprehensive. It wasn't like it was the first time she'd donned a dress - Lord Elrond usually required them for dinners - but for whatever the reason she felt her heart begin to race as she turned to face her reflection in the glass.

For a moment she wasn't sure what to think as that woman she was seeing couldn't possibly be her. Her hair was left mainly loose in the back, decorated with thin strands of gold strung with tiny gem stones, with two thin braids looped over her ear on each side of her head. Her cheeks glowed and there was a sparkle in her eyes that she couldn't remember ever seeing before ... and then there was the dress. Yes, Dis had coerced her into fancy dresses a couple of times during her year in the mountain but this? This was something completely different. Dori had outdone himself. The more form fitting blue silk underdress, embroidered with countless crystals, peeked out from the sleeves and front of the white damask overdress. The blue sleeves fit tightly to just beyond her wrist while the white sleeves were gathered by tiny golden ingots around her shoulders before draping almost to the floor. Lifting the hem of the overdress she examined the design embroidered in gilt thread that encircled it, belatedly realizing it was Thorin's sigil repeated over and over in an interlocking pattern. She was speechless for a moment ... until she caught sight of Dis in the mirror.

Turning she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She reached out and grabbed Dori's hand. "I can't thank you enough for what you have created here. I've never seen anything so fine."

"Well, thank you, lass. It was my pleasure to make it for you. Its not every day you get asked to make the wedding dress for the Queen Under the Mountain."

She stepped towards Dis and wrapped her arms around her friend. "And I have no words to express how thankful I am for you."

"I couldn't do anything less for my brother and the one that will be my sister within the hour." Dis returned the embrace. "I couldn't have picked anyone better for Thorin no matter how long or far I looked."

"You look beautiful, muinthel."

She spun around in surprise, eyes wide. Seeing Araden, Galen, and Deo in her chambers that morning was the last thing she'd expected. There had been no word from them and she had begun to think they weren't going to make it after all. Overjoyed at seeing them she nonetheless approached a bit cautiously. Her departure from Rivendell had not gone well, at least where Araden was concerned, and she wasn't sure what to say. It was clear he was not comfortable, the tension in his face was clear, but he was trying to smile and that made her breathe a little easier. Still wanting to be careful with him, she first greeted and hugged Galen and Deo, the two insisting they didn't want to muss up her dress but returning her embrace gladly. Then it was time to face the one who had worried her the most over the past four months. From the corner of her eye she saw the dwarves along with the other two Rangers step quickly into the front room in order to give them a bit of privacy.

"Gi suilon muindor."

"Manen le?"

She was a bit disappointed at his stiff way of speaking but answered kindly. "Im meren."

An awkward silence fell between them. It hurt her heart, knowing how they had always been so close, to witness the effects of their estrangement. She would have given anything to see the teasing, sarcastic Araden she had always known.

"Peditham hi sui vellyn?"

"Oh muindor ... I never thought we weren't friends."

"Goheno nin," he said with a sigh. "None of this is easy for me but I promised Galen that I would at least talk to you."

"I had hoped you would. I wanted to before I left Rivendell but thought it would be best if I didn't. You needed time to ... think about things."

"My feelings have not changed, Rhae, but I am trying to come to grips with the fact that you cannot and will not return those feelings." He could only look at her sadly. "I am assured by many, Lord Elrond and Halbarad included, that eventually those will fade and I'll see that what we have always had is infinitely more precious. I hope they are right."

"I am sorry, Araden. I wish I knew what I had done to bring this on."

"It wasn't anything you did. I was in the middle of it before I even knew what I was feeling. I had such dreams of ... never mind." He waved off whatever he was going to say. "Galen insisted I come, saying I would end up regretting it if I didn't. I don't know if I'll be able to stand there and watch what is to come but I did want to see for myself that you were well and happy, that this was truly what you wanted."

"This is where I belong and I've never been happier."

He pressed his lips together then nodded. "Very well. I give you my word that I will not say anything about this again and I will do nothing to mar your happiness." Stepping up to her he gave her a quick hug and then backed out of the room without another word. Rhae stood there with her emotions thrown all over the place. That had gone better and worse than she had anticipated.

"It is time, Rhae," Balin said from the doorway, breaking through her thoughts. She turned to him with a smile banishing the confrontation she'd just taken part in to the furthest parts of her mind. Now was not the time. The white haired dwarf had to cough back the tears that stung his eyes at the sight of her. He had never thought to see Thorin on the throne of Erebor let alone a husband. They had fought through so much - hard headed as they both were - and had somehow come out the other side stronger for all their trials. He couldn't be more proud of either of them. "And may I say that you look magnificent."

Her cheeks reddened as she took his arm. "Thank you, Balin. It is a beautiful dress."

"Aye, the dress is lovely, lass, but the person wearing it makes it that much more so." She just ducked her head a bit as they entered the corridor outside her chambers, Dis and the other Rangers following. Thorin's company was waiting, all armed as if for battle, and formed two lines on either side of Rhae; it was an impressive sight. As they wound their way down to the Gallery of Kings she let her mind wander, thinking back over the past year or so. It amazed her how much her life had changed in so relatively short span of time. Last spring she had been patrolling the boarders of the Shire, happy with her life, or so she thought. And now ... now she was about to take her first step onto a completely different path. When they reached the entrance to the Gallery Balin, Dis, and the Rangers left them, slipping through the massive door that closed behind them. Rhae took a deep breath, clutching her hands in front of her, and tried to remain calm.

"You are good for him, lassie, and I will be proud to call you my Queen," Dwalin said in a low voice, coming to her side as they waited. She looked up with wide eyes, never having expected to hear such words from the gruff warrior. With a wink he patted her on the shoulder before stepping back into line. No sooner had he done so than they heard the drums and the doors before them swung open. Sucking in another deep breath to steady her nerves Rhae began down the aisle, her eyes riveted on the one in all the crowd she cared to see. There had been many times she'd thought he looked magnificent but her breath was taken away by the sight of the dwarf waiting for her. She had thought nothing would become him quite as well as his leather traveling coat but the dark blue overcoat and dark grey tunic edged with blue and gold were quickly causing her to change her mind. In the glow from the candles she caught the glint of gold lined sleeves peeking out from under the overcoat and the golden raven crown shone on his brow. A smile stretched across her lips and she increased her pace.

.

Thorin had been waiting impatiently ever since he'd taken his spot at the front of the great hall. The past month had seemed to drag by, the days full of meetings with his Council and with his sister. Looking back the dealings with Dis as she planned the wedding had been more taxing than the meetings with the Elders that always seemed to drag out needlessly. Now that the moment had arrived he could barely contain his eagerness. When Balin and Dis, followed by Rhae's Rangers strode down the long aisle and took their assigned spots he thought he would go mad from anticipation. Then the drums sounded and he watched the doors at the other end swing open ... and there she was. It felt like everything around them suddenly disappeared as all he could see was Rhae as she strode confidently towards him. Never had he seen anything as beautiful. She sparkled as she moved through the light, the crystals and silver and gold threads on her dress and hair catching the glow from every candle as she passed. He wanted nothing more than to dash down the dais and grab her to him but he restrained himself and instead sent up a prayer of thanks to Mahal for the greatest blessing he'd ever been given.

.

Thorin and Rhae stood facing each other in the light of the setting sun streaming in from the few windows far above them in the Gallery of the Kings. The hall was awash in a golden light, the huge tapestries spots of darker color along the sides. Candles flickered all around, causing flashes of light to jump off of the jewels and metal adorning the guests as they moved. Balin stood before them on the dais, the guests in rows stretching all the way to the far walls behind them. Rhae didn't know how it was possible that she was standing there, about to be wed to Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain, but she silently blessed and thanked whoever was responsible. All her nervousness had fled. She knew she was where she belonged. It had certainly taken her, well, both of them, quite some time to get their heads out of the sand. Balin smiled at them as he started the ceremony that would bind them together.

"Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life it has its cycles, its up and downs, its trials and triumphs. With full understanding of this Thorin and Rhaella have come here today to be joined as one. As a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I simply ask if she comes here of her own free will." He looked at her with a gentle smile. "Rhaella, is it true you come of your own free will and accord?"

"Yes, it is true."

"With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?"

"She comes with us and has our blessing," Galen said with pride. Deonyc grinned from where he was standing at the front of the crowd. She tried not to notice the pained look on Araden's face as he stood there with the other two Rangers. Before everything that had transpired in Rivendell she would have chosen him to stand in the place of her father, but she knew it would have been too cruel to subject him to such a thing when his own feelings were still so raw.

"Please join hands and listen to what I am about to say." Thorin clasped Rhae's hands, which were trembling slightly, and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time does pass remember: like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of your love and desire make you happy and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Possess one another yet be understanding. Have patience with one another for storms will come but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear for the Gods are with you always." Balin turned to Thorin. The look on his face was as a father would look at his son on such a day and Rhae was glad he was the one to join them.

"Thorin, I have not the right to bind you to Rhaella, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."

"It is my wish." Thorin's voice cracked as he said the words and his hands were shaking as he took the ring from the tip of the sword Dwalin held out to him. Rhae had been amazed when she discovered that Thorin had made the golden rings himself, dwarven patterns and runes picked out in silver detail. He placed it in her hand and gently wrapped her fingers around it.

""Rhaella, I have not the right to bind you to Thorin, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand." She eased the second ring from the tip of the sword and it placed it in Thorin's open palm, closing his hand around it.

"It is my wish."

"Thorin as it is your wish for Rhaella to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger and repeat after me..." He slipped the ring on her finger and captured her gaze with ice blue eyes full of more love than she'd ever thought possible. A shiver went down her spine as she heard the words that would bind them together spoken in Thorin's deep, velvety voice.

"I Thorin, by the life that courses through my blood and the love that resides in my heart, take you Rhaella to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen One. To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you and be possessed by you, without shame for it cannot exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and without restraint, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you in any way. I shall respect you and your ways as I respect myself."

It was her turn and she slipped the ring onto Thorin's finger, never looking away from him as she repeated the same words. "I Rhaella, by the life that courses through my blood and the love that resides in my heart, take you Thorin to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen One. To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you and be possessed by you, without shame for it cannot exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and without restraint, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you in any way. I shall respect you and you ways as I respect myself." Rhae tried to fight it but she began crying as she said the words.

"Thorin, it is time for you to place a braid in your bride's hair as another sign that the two of you are joined." She stood still as his fingers deftly wove a plait on each side of her head and placed a bead at the end of each.

"One braid shows that you are the wife of Thorin Oakenshield and the other marks you as a member of our family," he told her softly, letting his hand run down the length of her unbound hair.

"Finally, there is one vow left and you will repeat it together." He once again took her hands, pulling her closer to him as their voices blended together.

"I pledge my love to you and everything that I own. I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from my cup. I pledge that your name will always be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night. I promise to honor you above all others. Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forever more, equals in our marriage. This is my wedding vow to you."

"It is my joy to announce that you are husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you," Balin finished, getting a bit choked up on the words. As soon as the words were out of the elderly dwarf's mouth Thorin crushed her to him and claimed her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless and the crowd cheering around them. After a moment he laid his forehead against hers.

"Men lananubukhs menu Rhae."

"I'm glad my lessons in Khuzdul are coming along, my lord, or I wouldn't know what you just told me," she replied with a laugh.

"I'm glad to hear it. As Queen Under the Mountain you need to know our language so you understand what is being said in meetings ... or what I whisper to you in the dark." His words caused a shiver of anticipation to shoot down her spine. After running the words through her head a few times she attempted the phrase herself, earning a soft chuckle from Thorin.

"Not bad for your first attempt, marlûna." He laughed again at her raised eyebrow. "Basically, lady love." He ran a hand down one of the braids he'd placed in her hair, pride showing on his face.

Balin cleared his throat a bit, a subtle reminder that the ceremony wasn't quite over yet. Thorin squeezed her hand and then turned to face the crowd. When he spoke his low baritone carried easily and echoed throughout the hall.

"Erebor requires not only a strong king but a strong queen, a queen who is strong enough to shoulder the burden of governing if required yet gentle enough to comfort in the Healing Halls. Igyidî! We are blessed by Mahal himself to have been gifted such a person. I present to you today, Rhaella of the Dunedain, my chosen wife, as your Queen." Balin stepped forward, the Queen's golden crown in his hands. Thorin took it and placed it carefully on Rhae's head, uttering some phrases in Khuzdul. He met her eyes and she thought her knees might finally buckle at what she saw there. He took her hand and the two turned to fully face forward.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!" Balin proclaimed and all the dwarves echoed the cry. Thorin pulled her into another delicious kiss as the Gallery of the Kings erupted into loud cheers.

"Come on, you two! There's mead calling our names!" Bofur jokingly scolded from his spot off to the side.

muinthel: dear sister

gi suilon: I greet you

muindor: dear brother

manen le: How are you?

im meren: I am happy.

peditham hi sui vellyn: May we speak as friends now?

goheno nin: Forgive me

men lananubukhs menu: I love you

marlûna: lady love

igyidî: rejoice!