"You told him no, didn't you?" A voice called out into the sounds of nature around her, momentarily breaking the sense of serenity that the entire room seemed to emanate from its very core. It had startled her slightly, for she was so lost in her thoughts that she did not hear anyone approach.

Opening her eyes, she gazed calmly down at him, in return, he was scowling back up at her, his brow set in a deep line over his eyes. When she realized who it was, she lay back down, hands resting behind her head.

"I didn't say no, Dwalin. I asked him for more time to think about it." She herself frowned slightly from her place, her eyes staring up at the branches overhead and how the sunlight filtered down through the leaves to leave little warm pools upon her skin, "Is this what you came all the way up here for? To yell at me?" She asked, feeling annoyance begin to trickle into her own system. And then she paused, something clicking on in the back of her mind, "How did you find me anyway?"

"Footprints." He told her simply before sighing and walking over to the marble bench. "Wasn't exactly a hard trail to follow, lass." The dwarf explained, the anger seeming to melt out of him as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as he sat down.

It was quiet for a moment between the two of them, the chirping of birds and the quiet babbling of the small waterfall and stream filling the empty air.

"Did someone set you up to this?" The elf asked quietly, lowering her arms so that they instead rested on her stomach, her fingers interlocked over the soft fabric of her worn tunic. "Send you up here to guilt me into agreeing?"

"I came on my own accord." He ground out in his gravely voice, taking a moment to scratch at the top of his bald head. "Though, I suppose, for the sake of the Company, I came as well." There was a beat of silence between them before he sighed heavily, "What do you think you're doing, lass?"

"Thinking." She said quietly, her thumbs twiddling together. A gentle breeze suddenly swept across the mountain side, causing it to go drifting through the room and out the open doors that led into the garden, filling Erebor with more breathable air and less dragon stench.

"About what, may I ask?"

She blinked, staring unseeing at the branches above her. Turning on her side, she curled up slightly on the thick branch beneath her, her back towards him, "I don't know, Dwalin..." Were her quiet words, her arm tucking itself under her head, "The future... I suppose."

"And what exactly does that future entail, hmm?" He asked her, crossing his thick arms over his chest, "One of stone halls, a crown on your brow, and a place to call home?" When she failed to reply, he felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance, "Or is the little princess to leave and be a wandering creature once more?"

Again, she was quiet and this only caused the warrior to sigh heavily. However, after a moment of contemplation, he raised his head up from where he had been staring at the grass beneath his boots, realization dawning on him.

"You're scared."

His words rewarded him with a response this time.

Turning back over, she sat up, bracing her hand against the branch as she sat up slightly, her eyes seeming to blaze slightly with a quiet fire. "And what of it?" She nearly snarled at her, "What if I am, hmm?"

Dwalin could only sigh again before raising his hand to rub over his tattooed scalp once more. He had never been one to offer comfort, to anyone really, and had always had a hard time expressing his emotions, besides annoyance and anger, both of which he conveyed physically what with his blood-chilling glares and tight grip on his weapons.

"You don't have to be afraid, lass." He said gently and when he glanced up at her, their eyes met for a moment before she was turning away again, her hair curtaining her and hiding her away from him. When he watched her reaction, all he could do was let out a soft snort. "Of all things, I wouldn't imagine that you would be scared of something so... insignificant."

Ren herself laughed, though, the dwarf could tell it was a bitter sound. "You think marriage is trivial?" She turned back slightly to look at him out of the corner of her eye, "You think my marriage to Thorin, who is to be king, therefore making me the queen and his consort is irrelevant?"

She was now fully facing him and he could see now that she looked tired. There were slight shadows beneath her eyes, as if she hadn't been sleeping well the last few nights. She hadn't slept a wink at all the previous night, he figured, having noticed that she was still in the same clothes she wore yesterday and that she hadn't been at breakfast either.

"And besides, what do you know about marriage and love?" She snapped, causing the gruff dwarf to slowly close his mouth, seeing as how he was ready to bark right back at her. Almost instantly, she was regretting her words, knowing that it was probably very hurtful and yet, she kept her stony facade up.

"Aye... I suppose you're right." Dwalin began quietly, his eyes downcast so that he was gazing at the patch of grass before him. "I may not know a great deal about love or marriage or any of that sort of nonsense but I do know that I've never seen Thorin as happy as he is with you." At the thought, the gruff dwarf couldn't help but allow his mouth to curl up slightly in fondness, "He'd never been one for romance and courting rituals. Was always too busy taking care of his people to settle and be a proper dwarf, the old goat." He then looked up at her, meeting her gaze once more. "Now, I think, he finally gets a chance at happiness with you." He tried offering her a smile to ease the tension, "He deserves to be happy for once. And if I'm selfish for wanting you to accept his proposal, then so be it. I'm just a selfish, old bastard who wants my friend to be happy. To see both of you happy."

It was quiet for a moment as he simply watched her before deciding to speak again.

"You do love him, don't you?" Ren was immediately blushing as she allowed her gaze to fall away from him, suddenly becoming sheepish. The dwarf let out a devious little chuckle, "Well, if that wasn't an answer enough. Besides, it's not like I haven't noticed before. You're always making eyes at him when you think no one's looking." Leaning forward, he once more rested his elbows on his knees, "So, I'll ask again... What has changed that has you so scared to marry the man you love?"

Pulling her own knees up to her chest, she simply sat on the wide branch. Internally, Dwalin could tell that her mind was a storm; a hurricane of thoughts and emotions.

The she-elf regarded him for a long moment before she decided to tell, knowing that perhaps, she could confide a bit in the warrior dwarf as well.

"There's a war coming." She said quietly, her blue eyes distant as they instead flickered upward to stare across the room. "One that there will be stories about for generations. And not just with Thranduil and the Men from Laketown but with legions upon legions of orcs. And I'm scared." She admitted out loud, her voice nearly a whisper.

At this news, the warrior's brows furrowed in concern, "A war?" She nodded her head and this news seemed to unsettle the dwarf. "And you're scared of losing Thorin in the battle?" He asked her gently, easily enough coming to the conclusion.

"Not just Thorin… all of you." The blonde briefly glanced back at Dwalin, momentarily meeting her eyes. "For I've had my fair share of war and bloodshed and I do not wish that upon any of you."

"It will be very hard to keep us locked in the mountain if there is a battle being fought outside, mind you. Dwarves are born with war in their blood." When he saw the disheartened look in her eyes, all he could do was sigh before a sudden thought struck him, "How do you know about this?"

Contemplating telling him for a moment, she felt her resolve crumble, knowing that she might as well just give him the whole truth instead of trying to hide it from him. "Back when I… died, I was sent off to Valinor." She began slowly, uncertain as to if she would believe him or not. "And there, I was sought out by the Valar." Dwalin's brows rose into his hairline at this news but he didn't say anything, just continued to listen. "And I pleaded and begged them to send me back and they agreed only on one condition; that I stop the coming war, or change the outcome at least."

"So…" He rumbled after a moment of silence, contemplating what she had just told him. "You weren't sent back to have a happy ending? Out of the good graces of their heart?"

"No. I have a job to do."

"And do you know the outcome?" He asked her hesitantly. He didn't know if he actually wanted an answer to that question.

"Bits and pieces of it." She swallowed thickly and at the thoughts of her visions the previous night, she felt her eyes began to grow glassy. "The… The boys…" She tried to finish but her lip began to quiver; for she could still feel their blood upon her hands.

"Fili and Kili." Dwalin's eyes softened slightly as he frowned at this new information, grunting in understanding. "Lass..." He called, watching as she covered her mouth as her body shook with a silent sob. Slowly standing up from his seat, he walked across the clearing until he stood beneath the tree where she had been perched so casually. "Why don't you come down here, alright?"

Blinking her glassy eyes down at him, he just frowned in concern. However, after a moment of silent contemplation, she slowly began to descend the large tree.

It took her only a minute but when she once more reached the ground, she simply turned to face him, the tears gone from her face but her eyes were still a bit red.

"Come, let us sit." He gestured back at the bench and allowed her to lead, for she was hesitant for a moment before she was making her way back across the clearing so that she could take a seat like she had the night before.

And they just sat for a long while, simply beside one another. The she-elf was staring straight ahead, her eyes distant as if she were leagues away but she had yet to shed another tear. The dwarf didn't want to push her to speak, knowing that it probably wasn't best given the circumstance and her state of delicateness so he would allow her to come to him if she so wished to. So instead, he decided to make a promise to her.

"I won't let anything happen to Fee and Kee. Not while there is still breath in my breast." He told her, hoping to ease her mind a bit. "And I will not let Thorin leave my sight for one moment." He vowed, watching her face for any reactions, "You have my word."

"Thank you, Dwalin." She said quietly, feeling slightly better after having told the gruff dwarf one of her secrets.

For awhile he just sat back slightly after his promise, allowing her time to gather herself further as he gazed around at the spectacle of the room. It truly was a beautiful place, so quiet and serene. So bright compared to the rest of the mountain.

"Rather pretty in here, isn't it?" He asked her quietly and the blonde ever so slowly turned her head, her eyebrow raised in question. And after a moment, her lip curled slightly upward in amusement.

"Yes, I suppose so." She responded in turn.

And again, it was quiet, the air a bit awkward between the two of them. Dwalin had never been a man of many words but spoke more easily through his actions. However, he knew that what he had to explain to her could not be said through actions so he steeled himself, allowing his mind a chance to organize his thoughts.

"Do you know what this place is?" He asked her.

"No." Was her reply, though she just paused for a long moment, "It's just a garden."

He chuckled quietly, a smirk curling his mouth, "Not just any garden. Says it right on the doors." Crossing his arms over his chest, he straightened out his back. "This is the Pasture of Yavanna."

"Yavanna?" Ren's eyes grew wide and she just watched as he pointed across the room. She followed where he motioned to and found that a large, white-marbled statue of a beautiful woman stood resolute in a stream of sunlight across the way. And again, the resemblance to what the elleth remembered of the Vala was remarkable.

"Doe she actually look like that?" He asked her, nodding towards the statue.

"Exactly so." She told him and the dwarf simply gazed at the marbled lady for a long while. "Just as the statue of Mahal in his temple resembles him perfectly." She then turned to look at her companion with a slightly furrow in her brow, "But this is like a temple of worship to her?" Dwalin nodded in answer, "I thought that the dwarves only worshipped Mahal?"

"We do but we cannot ignore the Maker's Beloved." He explained, "For despite us being creatures of stone, we cannot overlook his fair lady, for she is the Giver of Fruits and and the fertilizes our crops. And as the story goes..." The warrior began slowly as if trying to remember the tale as it had been told to him. "When Mahal returned from Valinor to visit his children, he brought with him Yavanna, and, to prove his love for her, it was said that he created the most beautiful garden for her in amongst all the stone and marble. Supposedly, this is that garden."

The blonde sat for a moment, allowing her mind to process Dwalin's words, "Does Thorin know about this?"

"Aye, I would certainly hope so. For it's the duty of the King to tend to the Pasture as well as maintain Mahal's Temple." He then turned to look at the female, "Why do you ask?"

Swallowing thickly, she couldn't help but feel her heart warm slightly at the thought, "He gave it to me."

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, the bald dwarf then honestly realized that he was not as surprised as he should have been. So, he sighed, "A fitting wedding present, I suppose."

"He give it to me, an elf, when it should so rightfully belong to another of Durin's folk?"

"Because he loves you." The large dwarf sighed, seemingly a little frustrated with the situation.

Reaching into his coat, he then pulled out a flask and popped the lid off, only to tilt his head back and drink some of whatever was in it. Once he had his fill for the moment, he wiped his lips and burped quietly.

"And he doesn't care that you're a pointy-eared brat." She shot him a dark look but he chuckled good-naturedly and elbowed her in the side, causing her to jolt from the sensitive nerves there. "None of us care about that anymore. You've proven yourself to be a skilled warrior as well as a just and kind leader, one that is worthy of the crown and title, that is, if you're willing to except it."

He extended the flask to her and she eyed it for a moment before taking it from his grip.

"An elf as a dwarven queen?" She murmured before drinking some of the liquid inside, not entirely surprised that she found that it was honeyed mead. "A creature of immortality ruling a race of mortals… When you think about it like that, it makes me sound manipulative. Like I purposefully married Thorin for the title." She sighed, leaning forward so that she could rest her elbows on her knees, the flask still in her hand. Shaking her head slightly, she just gazed down at the bangles upon her wrist, thoughts of all that was left in her wake now beginning to trickle back into her mind. "It's the thought of losing him that terrifies me, Dwalin. Not the war." She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling so tired. "I never want to live a day without him."

Her words caused a new somberness in him once he realized the implications. And what else she was entirely worried about.

"Well then…" He began slowly, "That's all the more reason to live now, I suppose." He told her, his eyes softening slightly as he gazed down at her from the corner of his eye, wanting to gauge her reactions. He couldn't imagine what it had been like, to have grown and lived amongst people and to watch them grow older while it appears as though you hadn't aged a day. "No one can live forever, lass."

She was quiet as she thought about his words, for they caused an uncomfortable burn around her heart.

"Very little will change if you do decide to marry him." Her companion told her, filling the silent void between them. "Sure, there will be a crown and no doubt gowns to wear; a title that will take some getting used to, as well as new responsibilities. But, in the end, you'll still fall asleep in the same bed each night next to the one you love."

When she didn't answer, he just heaved a sigh before patting the tops of his knees, standing up shortly after. He had said all that needed to be said. The dwarf then began to walk towards the entrance but paused to look back at her again, wanting to make one final point.

"And ask yourself this, princess..." She simply listened as he spoke, her index finger reaching out to touch the cold metal, upon her wrists, "Would you rather spend a hundred happy years with Thorin or spend thousands alone regretting that you didn't?"

She finally turned to look at him and for a moment, her eyes met his and suddenly they looked clearer than he had ever seen them. As if he had answered every question she had ever had in life.

The she-elf then turned to look back at her hands but he could still sense a lightness about her person, as if her spirit had been lifted slightly. "Thank you, Dwalin."

"No need to thank me, little princess." He murmured, his eyes softening for a moment as he watched her form, "But please, for the love of Mahal, would you just marry him so that he stops being such a mopey little shit?!"

She turned to him suddenly, a shocked look on her face at his sudden and rather vulgar language.

"Oh don't give me none of that propriety nonsense." He chastised her, pointing a thick finger in her direction but he felt a devilish grin begin to draw back his features, "You ain't no proper lady and we both know that."

At his words, a bright smile bloomed across her face and at the sight, he felt his heart warm slightly. He then decided to take his leave finally, turning and proceeding to the large archway across the room.

"And Ren?" She raised her head up and gazed at him as he paused with his hand on the doorway, peeking back in to speak again, "I would be more than honored to serve you as my Queen."


She was felt uneasy as she walked towards the room, the whole treasury seeming to radiate gloom and a sense of heaviness in the air. As if one couldn't breathe properly while visiting.

For a moment, she wondered if she was the only one to notice, for the others never complained about it or had mentioned it.

Coming upon the large archway, she paused for a moment, taking time to allow her eyes to rove over the vast sea of gold and treasure before her. She could feel it then, the haze that loomed over the room.

But yet, she still walked on, through the door and down into the large chamber.

Ren heard him before she saw him, his voice quiet and indiscernible as he muttered absentmindedly to himself as he shuffled in amongst his treasures. And then he was suddenly stopping, freezing in place, as he felt some one else's presence filling the room. Felt another pair of eyes upon him.

His muscles tensed before he was rolling out his neck, turning back to face her a moment later.

He regarded her for a moment, his irises dark in the low, glittering light of the room. There were bags beneath his eyes, for she could only assume that he hadn't had much sleep the previous night either. His whole person seemed darker to her, as if a shroud had been cast over him in her absence.

"Galaren." Came his rumbling voice, although, it sounded more like a growl. He then straightened out his back and his chest puffed out slightly, his eyes trailing over her for a moment before they rose back up to her face. "What business do you have in the treasury?"

"Business with you." The elf replied quietly. "I needed to find you and I knew that you would be here. As you have been... increasingly so."

"Oh?" He raised one of his brows and his voice lifted as if he was almost mocking her, "And what business would that be?"

"Business concerning an answer to the question you posed to me last night." The blonde just shifted in place, her boots moving the gold and causing it to clink against itself. "Concerning our marriage."

His face suddenly darkened further and she saw his jaw clench as he turned away from her, "What of it?"

Ren took a deep breath, steeling herself for the displeased emotions that were no doubt to come.

"Of all people, I would imagine that you would understand. That your kingdom and your people are exceedingly important. And your friends are important and will become more so in the coming months, for you will need their help and support. Love and marriage, above all things, should be placed behind your duties and other relationships." His hands clenched into fists as he listened. "And right now, battle is imminent. I would hope you understand that war and love should not mix."

"War has nothing to do with our marriage." He growled back, still facing away from her.

"Love shall all be for naught if the war is not won first. So, hypothetically speaking, war has everything to do with our marriage." Was her sharp reply, her brow furrowing softly as she struggled to help him understand. "If we do not prevail, Thranduil will not hesitate in marrying me to Legolas. However…" She took a deep breath, steeling herself and hoping that her words would be her saving grace. Would save their relationship. "I am still accepting your proposal."

He tensed for a moment before his head snapped back around to look at her. And she saw the hardness melt and was replaced with the warmth that she had come to know in him.

"But, I am asking that we wait, at least until after the war is over." She saw the brightness dull slightly but for the most part, it remained. "We have time, Thorin. And other, mightier, things to worry about now."

Gazing at her for a long moment, he allowed the corners of his mouth to pull up slightly before he moved to stand in front of her, taking her hands into his as he went. And they just stood there for a moment, his thumbs rubbing across the backs of her hands. His eyes were watching these simple actions and Ren could see, behind his eyes, his mind was racing.

He then let out a single bark of quiet laughter, breaking the silence hanging in the air, "What would you say if I asked you to marry me… tomorrow?"

She felt her heart absolutely stall in her chest, "Tomorrow?"

"There doesn't need to be a big celebration or a huge feast." He told her, looking up finally so that he could search her eyes, his own seeming to shimmer with both excitement and happiness. "Just a small ceremony where we exchange vows in the Temple of Mahal before our friends and companions."

Blinking out of the daze she was in, she licked her lips before looking down, shaking her head, "Thorin… It's not a good time-"

"The war is not upon us yet." He released one of her hands so that he could tuck a strand of stay hair behind her ear before he cupped her cheek, forcing her gaze to meet his. "And if we are to perish in this war, I would wish to have loved you and been married to you when I depart Middle-Earth. For I love no one as much as I love you."

All was quiet for a moment in the vast room as the she-elf stood wide eyed, staring blankly at the floor for a moment as her mind tried to comprehend all that he had said.

And then she looked directly at him, "Okay."

A wide smile bloomed across his features, one of the widest Ren had ever seen him produce.

He leaned in, seeming happier than she had seen him in their entire time spent traveling together. Ren herself smiled at him, though her's was considerably smaller, for she was still mostly in shock that she actually accepted. And he leaned in and gently kissed her, grinning the entire time. His large arms circled around her and he was lifting her easily, spinning the both of them around in pure elatedness before carefully returning her boots to the ground.

Breathless, she could only stand there as he pulled her towards him to embrace her, simply wanting to hold his beloved. "Let me hold you, my love."

She did as he bid her and circled his arms up and around his neck, her hand moving to stroke his thick hair absentmindedly. However, a bit of apprehension washed over her face once she was hidden from Thorin by their hug, a fine coincidence, she reasoned.

"I need to find a dress." She breathed, her mind just now registering all that needed to be done to prepare. It was tomorrow after all!

Beneath her, the dwarf just chuckled.

He drew back then, still smiling and raised his hand to stroke her cheek, "You can wear your trousers and boots if you wish. You will be beautiful no matter what you wear."

"I need to find Dori." She muttered, her eyes widening as she raised a hand to clutch at her hair. There was so much to do, even if it was a simple ceremony! She then realized something and looked the king directly in the eye, "We need to tell the Company."

"Dinner is not doubt almost ready." He told her as he took hold of her hand and began to pull her along, only to pause for a moment before he reached into the pocket of his jacket and was withdrawing a silver chain that he had found during his day of brooding as he awaited her response. He then slipped his ring off his finger, the one he had offered to her the night before, and threaded the chain through the loop. Turning back to look at her, he held it up between his fingers, "May I?"

The she-elf smiled in return and turned so that her back was to him. Raising his arms over her head, he looped it around her throat and clasped it. He then pulled her hair free from its entrapment, allowing it to hang freely down her back once more.

Facing him once more, her own eyes were sparkling with happiness as she carefully ran her fingers over the ring that rested between her collarbones. And Thorin simply admired the view for a moment before he was reaching out and brushing her hair back and away from her face, "So beautiful..." He smiled at her again, his fingertips tracing her cheek. "Ma gisherva..." His eyes flickered over her face a moment long before he was taking hold of her hand, the smile still upon his lips, "Come, we have joyous news to deliver."

Together, they walked hand-in-hand out of the treasure room and made their way towards the dinning hall, the boisterous voices from their companions easily reaching their ears before they even turned the corner of the final hallway.

Upon entering, they were only spared a few glances from the group, little flickers of acknowledgement before they returned to their dinning and talking as if it were any other day. However, Ren could feel eyes upon her and instantly knew it was Dwalin.

Her eyes flicked his way and she found him watching her over the rim as he took a hearty swig from the mug in his hand. In return, she furrowed her brow slightly and pursed her lips.

"My good dwarrow..." Thorin called out, loud enough over the chatter in the room. All of them stopped talking but Kili shoved his brother's shoulder one final time, the older of the two having just finished teasing his sibling about something. "I have jubilant news to share with all of you. We both do." The dark haired dwarf just smiled and snaked his arm around Ren's waist, drawing her closer to him. He took her free hand into his, offering her a bright smile as he spoke, "Last evening, I asked for Galaren's hand in marriage."

Liquid suddenly sprayed through the air as Kili chocked on his ale, having taken a drink at the wrong time. Fili was the only one to shoot him a mild glare at the interruption but nonetheless, was quiet.

The air in the room was tense for a moment, all of them waiting to hear what the she-elf had said, though, giving the light mood that circled the two of them, it wasn't hard to guess her answer. "And she accepted. We intend to wed on the morrow."

A round of cheers filled the air, all the dwarves overjoyed at the news. Flagons of ale were raised into the air as a toast, another excuse for the dwarves to drink. Much joy was to be had as they threw their heads back and drank to their king.

The Company members then got up from the table, after having finished their drinks, and made their way over to congratulate the two on their proposal. For it would certainly be the first of many celebrations that would take place within the mountain. And their wedding would be the first.

However, only four of them remained seated at the long dinning table; Bilbo, Dwalin, and Thorin's nephews.

It wasn't as if they themselves weren't elated.

For Bilbo, it simply took a moment to register what was happening before his slack-jawed, open mouth began to curl into a smile, bewilderment still lingering on his features. This news certainly was cheerful! By the way Thorin was smiling so widely, perhaps, this was going to be the end of his foul moods and the looming haze hanging over all of them. And Ren could finally be happy, he surmised. For that was all he truly wanted for her; a happy life, one that she deserved.

Dwalin had already known, for he could see the decision in the elleth's eyes the moment he turned to leave the Pasture after they had their discussion. So, this news was not so much a surprise for him.

Fili was simply looking on with slight concern, a tight lipped smile on his face, giving the appearance that he too was happy, though, he hadn't expected a proposal so soon. Not to mention that the wedding was tomorrow. It wasn't a good time to be having a wedding, what with an army standing at their door. They should settle the mountain first and worry about their union later.

Kili... well, Kili was still just perplexed beyond belief but internally, he was bursting with joy. Finally! Thorin had finally asked! It wasn't as if they hadn't waited long enough already! Sure, it was a bit earlier than planned, given that he had envisioned a spring wedding in mind for them but it would have to do, he supposed.

After a few moments, he regained function of his body and he then turned to his brother, a smug smirk twitching at his lips as his dark eyes narrowed slyly.

The older prince just grumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes before reaching into the pocket of his vest, knowing what his brother was getting at with that smug look on his face. Withdrawing a small purse, he dropped it into his siblings waiting palm, who was, by the way, grinning like mad, "Thank you, Fee." He tucked it away into his own jacket before he was standing up, clapping the blond's shoulder soundly as he went, "I told ya so. You know, you should listen to me more often."

The younger dwarf just left, a cry of delight coming from him as he approached his uncle and soon-to-be aunt, arms thrown wide to embrace the both of them.

Fili simply watched, the joy in the room nearly overwhelming but it wasn't unwelcome, not in the slightest. No, the cheeriness was absolutely wonderful and the older prince just continued to watch the scene unfold before he too smiled, thinking that perhaps, things would all change for the better now, staring off with the marriage of the King and Queen.

So, he rose too and approached, going to bid the couple congratulations as well and to give them his love.

And for a moment, all was well.


"Are you a witch?"

"Kili."

A loud bark of laughter escaped her throat at his question, "What?!"

"I asked you if you're a witch." The young dwarf explained, sitting by the fire with his drink in hand, whispering the last word as if it in itself would curse him for eternity.

"Kee, you can't just ask someone if they're a witch!"

"Well, I'm sorry that I seem to be the only one who seems to be concerned about the well-being of our family."

Ren just laughed once more, bringing her own drink up to her lips even as she continued to smile. Taking a sip, she lowered it back so that it rested in her lap before she looked at him, "And what exactly gave you the idea that I might be a witch?"

For a moment, he looked sheepish, pulling his own drink into his lap and holding it close, as if it offered him some form of comfort. "Well... the other day I heard Gloin talking about Lorien and he said that your mother... the Lady Gal-Galam-Glamdr-"

"Galadriel." Fili corrected, his arm resting on the back of the settee.

Kili pointed his index finger at his blond sibling, looking all the world serious. "Yes. That's the one. Anyway..." He looked back at the elf maiden, "Gloin said that she's a... well, an elf witch."

She thought for a moment, pursing her lips in thought as she stared at the flames ahead of her, "I wouldn't exactly call her a 'witch'. A proper sorceress perhaps. She has this ring that allows her great powers... but all elves are born with a bit of magic in their blood." Rolling up her sleeves, she showed them her bared forearms. "Remember this trick?"

And with that, the scars upon her body began to bleed back into existence, becoming both dark and light marks upon her flesh. Both boys just watched with interest, the two of them leaning forward as they marveled how her skin changed like that.

Kili reached out and rang the tip of his finger over one of the more raised scars near her elbow, still bewildered by the strange magic. He looked up at her face, "Does it hurt when you do it?"

"In the beginning it did but not anymore." She rolled her sleeves back down and once again sat with her hands in her lap. "With time, wounds heal, scars fade, and pains dull."

"What else can you do?"

"Not much… A few healing spells and warding off some dark magic. Sometimes I can see visions in the water-mirror but… that's about it." She snorted then as she took another swig of ale, "You'd think after traveling with Gandalf for the better half of a century, he would have taught me much more than that."

The dark haired dwarf narrowed his eyes, his foggy mind taking a moment to consider her words, "Interesting."

He took another sip of his drink, having had plenty all ready. He had been acting silly all night, rather giggly, in Ren's opinion, for they had confiscated a small barrel of ale and it was nearing emptiness. Up until the witch business, he had been so warm and bubbly, and then he became rather stoic as if it were the most serious subject in the world. And it amused the she-elf to no end.

Fili himself seemed to be having a fine time, more or less just enjoying sitting back and nursing his own drink in quiet, boots off and bare feet propped up on the short table before them.

The two princes had been given watch duty, to 'guard Ren' as they had been told. For it was an old dwarven tradition that the closest living male relatives of the marrying female were to keep watch all night, so as to not allow her betrothed to see her before the ceremony the next day. Seeing as how none of her close kin was present, she would have to make due and chose her guards who just so happened to be the dwarves that would become her nephews. And so, arrangements had been made earlier and the lady was to stay in Frerin's old room for the night, given that Dis' chambers had yet to be cleaned out and Kili was currently sharing a bed with his brother.

"Did you find a dress, then?" The blond dwarf asked, raising his brow as he gazed down into his mug, inspecting the liquid a moment before he took a swig.

The she-elf just gazed at him for a long moment, "You'll see."

"I'll take that as a yes, Fee." Kili said, still serious as ever as he shifted in his seat, leaning back slightly. "What's it look like?"

"I said that you'll just have to wait and see but yes..." She sighed, eyes raising so that she could watch the flickering of the flames before her, "Dori and I did find one. Right in your mother's old chambers. He's altering it as we speak."

"You're wearing our mum's dress?!" The dark haired dwarf cried, leaning forward once more.

"No one's using it." She explained, her brow furrowing softly, "It wasn't overly large when it came to size wise and it's a dress. I wasn't going to get married in my trousers." She sent a mild glare Kili's way, "Despite the fact your Uncle did offer me that option. And besides, no one has to know."

"If you didn't want anyone to know, you shouldn't have told us." The younger prince told her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he fought off the haze clouding his mind.

"We won't tell Mum." Fili assured her, rolling his eyes slightly as he propped his elbow on the back of the settee and rested his hand in his palm. "You have our word."

It was then quiet for a moment between the three of them before it was the younger dwarf who decided to speak, "And hey! You never said if you were a witch or not?"

Oh, he was knackered.

It was then that Ren decided to have some fun with him. Tipsy people were always the most fun to play with. "What will you do if I say that I am one, hmm?" She raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes, making her look slightly crazed as she gave him a deranged smile.

And he just sat there and stared at her for the longest time, his mouth opening and closing a couple times as he furrowed his brow. "Nothin'... probably."

"Oh, how fearful I am." She replied dryly, smiling as she sipped her drink once more.

"You know... We could use a witch in Erebor." He slurred, pointing a thick finger in her direction as he swayed slightly in his seat.

The female raised a brow, "How so?"

He then smiled and began to laugh slightly, giggling to himself once more as he had been before he had become serious. "You could... like give Thranduil a set of horns or like... give the prince a pig's nose..." Again, he began chuckling, leaning back in his seat, his hand clutching his stomach as he continued to laugh. "Or!" He sat up suddenly but a grin still pulled back his lips, "You could find the Arkenstone for us! Make our jobs a lot easier!"

The she-elf absolutely froze in place, her eyes snapping up to lock on the merry dwarf.

Fili had been watching her and when he heard what his brother had to say, his own eyes widened and he began to panic, "Alright, Kee. I think that's enough ale for tonight." Rising from his seat, he approached the brunet, who was still laughing, and took the mug from his hand. "I know you'll want to be sober tomorrow and will already have a fine enough headache as it is. Best get you to bed."

"Oh, come on." He whined, suddenly sobering as he watched his brother approach, "Awww, Fili, no!"

"You're to the point where you're 'stupid drunk' and we both know that's when it's time for you to hit the hay."

"But, Fee!" He cried out again as the blond dwarf circled behind him and put his arms beneath his armpits to lift him up. "I still have so many questions!" Once he was back upon his feet, Fili walked behind him again and began directing him back towards their bedroom, hands upon his shoulders. Kili then shrugged out of his sibling's hands, sending him a mild glare, "Oi! I can walk myself!"

"Alright, fine by me." The blond simply held up his hands in surrender, watching his brother stagger towards the large doorway, only to get about five steps before he was falling to the side and landing in a heap upon the ground.

Ren couldn't help the snort that came from her at what had just happened. Covering her mouth with her hand to hide the grin, she sat up on the couch and her eyes flickered towards the older prince who had his lips pursed, showing just how unamused he was.

"Kili..." He nudged him with his foot and only got a grunt in return as the dwarf turned over, eyes still closed as he evidently chose to slumber there on the warm rug.

With a sigh, Fili just turned back and walked towards the settee, taking his seat from before and picking up his cup. The she-elf just continued to smile, though she continued to glance back, worried about the young dwarrow. "Should we move him?"

"Nah. He's fine." Taking a long swallow of his ale, the prince momentarily ignored the gaping female beside him. However, he couldn't resist forever and he turned and looked at her, only to be met with a disbelieving look, "What?"

She jerked her head in the direction of his sibling.

"I'll get him a blanket later. He does this all the time. You'd be surprised how many times he's come home, cold-stone drunk, and has fallen asleep on the floor of our sitting room." The blond snorted as he took in his brother's sleeping form, "Lightweight."

"You know..." Ren began slowly, her arm resting on the back of the settee as she twisted more to face him, "I was once given this same duty. Of guarding a bride the night before her wedding. For it seems as though elves and dwarves share one similar tradition between them." Fili raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "It was the night before my sister married. We had no brothers and our cousins had yet to arrive so an exception was made."

"And I'm sure you served and protected your sister better than any male ever could." The dwarf smiled slightly before taking another drink.

"I can only hope I did."

They then settled comfortably into silence, both of them content to just sit for a while and watch the flickering flames before them. And it was a long couple of minutes before Fili decided to speak, a question lingering in his mind, as it had been since she and the king had even entered into courtship with each other.

"Are you scared?"

"Mmm... I don't know... Don't think so." She told him, sighing quietly through her nose. "When I was younger, I never expected to ever marry anyone but now... I think it's time that I finally settled down. I've waited so long for something that I only dreamed about, only to find it right before me."

He just smiled at her, "Well, I'm happy for you, Ren. Truly. And more than pleased that you are joining our family." Fili grinned then, showing more teeth than before. "Only Mahal knows that we'll need you." She gave him a small smile in return but for a moment, he saw a bit of apprehension appear in the blue pools of her eyes. "You will be a great queen, as was always intended of you. You have nothing to fear." He reassured her, reaching out and placing his larger hand over her own for a breath. "For you have the love of your friends, husband, and nephews. If the rest of the dwarven kingdom does not accept you, then at the least, we will stand faithfully by your side."

It was then that she felt all her fears suddenly melt away, not that she had been overly concerned beforehand, given that she had already had one talk with one of the dwarves that day. And he alone had already instilled the thought of his loyalty in her mind.

"Thank you, Fili."

"It is truly no problem..." He then grinned brightly, his eyes sparkling with great mirth, "... Auntie Ren."

She laughed then, her face lighting up with her own amusement, raising her mug up to her lips to drink the rest of her ale in hopes of leaving her cup empty. "We still have a few hours of precious freedom, Nephew." The she-elf teased right back, rising from her seat and setting her cup down. "And I'm going to spend those few hours asleep, getting my 'beauty rest'."

"Aww but you're already so pretty Uncle can't take his eyes off you." The she-elf rolled her eyes but nonetheless beamed at his antics, ruffling his hair was she walked behind the settee so that she could head towards Frerin's chambers. "Oh and I'm sorry if the bed smells a bit odd. Kee hasn't quite gotten the hang of bathing on a regular basis again."

"Thank you for the warning. And hopefully, you won't have such a hard watch duty to fill."

He rolled his eyes and sighed, "I trust that Thorin can keep away from you for one night. And besides..." When she got to the door, she turned back to look at the young prince, "Dwalin is keeping watch outside his door."

Smirking mischievously, she couldn't help but toy with the poor dwarf, "And... do you suppose that he there to keep Thorin in... or me out?" She waggled her eyebrows seductively, eliciting a quiet chuckle from the blond while he shook his head.

"Eww. I'll be spared the details, please. I don't know if my innocent, little heart can take it." He feigned weakness as he clutched the fabric over his chest, his teeth gritted for dramatics.

Ren herself let out a bark of laughter, "Goodnight, Fee."

"Goodnight, Ren." He smiled one final time at her, raising his own cup in a toast as he settled in for a long night of watch, "I'll see you in the morning."


Wow... so that took forever. And that was scarily short.

Hey, guys! This chapter is way overdue! I've been really busy these last few weeks, what with finishing working at my job and going on vacation. Also, I'm getting ready to move back into my dorm on Sunday so that I can start up classes on Monday!

So, that will be fun.

Anyway, I have a reason why this chapter is so short. The next chapter is going to be crazy, let me just tell you know. You can imagine what happens next but a lot of other eventful stuff will happen! Twists!

Again, I apologize for the shortness. This was a filler chapter but hey, sometimes you need fillers to make the good chapters more dramatic. Plus, if I did add on more to this chapter, it would have been like 20, 000 words so... I wasn't gonna do that to you guys.

But don't worry! I'm really excited to write the next chapter and it will (hopefully) be long and wholesome!

Thank you to all who reviewed and to those who favorited/followed! And to all of my old readers who are still following this story! I love each and everyone of you guys so much! You guys are the reason why I love writing so much!

Alas, I need to go, I have to work on some stuff for my cosplays so away!

So... YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, READ AND REVIEW!

Love,

Blue

Again, adore you guys so much. I wouldn't be anywhere without you :)