"Next subject. Your new niece." Balin tapped the edge of the ink well with his quill. Absently he ran his other hand over his beard in a smoothing motion, something that dwarrow usually reserved for moments when alone or completely at ease.

Thorin, caught mid-yawn, paused. He stretched in a leisurely manner and shook his head, though in denial of what he didn't say. Instead he turned toward a highly burnished mirror and inspected his beard. He had kept it shorter while out in the above ground world, for practical purposes mostly. However, there had also been a deeper motivation. As if he had not seen himself as worthy as a king until he had taken back Erebor, and not worthy of a beard as fine as Thror's had been. Dwalin had once pointed out that perhaps Thorin was trying to distance himself from Thror and his weaknesses to himself as well as to other dwarrow.

Deep thoughts. Thorin sighed and lifted his chin, scratching thoughtfully. Idly, he wondered what dear hobbit would think if he grew it out, then shook the thought off as silly. It only mattered what he himself thought.

Behind him, in the mirror's reflection, Thorin saw Fili sit up at the mention of the word 'niece'. He watched as the elder brother roughly elbowed the younger. Kili woke with a startled little jump, looking around quickly. The duo were at this morning meeting to learn. Much like he had as a younger dwarrow. Unlike him though, they weren't used to staying silent and merely observing without speaking. This was hard on them, and part of Thorin got an evil sort of thrill making the duo suffer after all their various courtships had cost him in lost sleep this past several months.

Kili mouthed a question at his brother, but Fili's eyes were on Balin. The older brother mouthed back the name of his sister-by-marriage. Kili stiffened, his attention going over toward Balin as well.

Dwalin grumbled a bit and laughed. "Which niece? Nevermind, no, is she pregnant ? That is the important question. Thorin, stop preening."

Fili stiffened sharply at the implication and almost spoke up. Kili's swiftly put his hand over his brother's forearm. He gave a small shake of his head.

Thorin cleared his throat and pointed at the bald warrior without looking away from the mirror, though their eyes met within the reflection. He blatantly ignored the presence of either of his sister-sons. "Tauriel has been married to Kili for six months now. Not new. Silverstone isn't my niece ….yet. Not preening. Who was it looking at gold embroidered cloth yesterday when he was supposed to be teaching new recruits?"

"I was punctual, others were late." Dwalin reminded him with a decently threatening laugh as he too studiously ignored the rising flushes coming from both brothers. "And that cloth was for Dis. As to the other bit, same question. She pregnant? Question applies to either lass."

Fili's face went red with the effort not to speak, half-way rising in his seat despite Kili's attempt at restraint. He stopped only when Balin subtly shook his head at him. Slowly, with great effort, he managed to contain himself and sit back down. His sapphire-blue eyes sparked with temper and his mouth was a tight line.

Thorin gave a great mock sigh while trying not to chuckle at the lad's plight. He remembered these days with his own father and grandfather with a mixture of fondness and regret. Surely he hadn't been such a pain to his sire as these two could be, though he loved them with all he had.

Thorin threw off the thoughts of the past, focusing instead on Dwalin. "Since when do you shop for my sister? And that question best not pertain to the unmarried lass." Thorin made his point clear as glass even without directly addressing Fili.

Balin cleared his throat slightly, to get the attention back. "Tauriel. And no, I've heard no news along the family way. For either of them. Oh and gossip has Fili courting several, not just Silverstone, so he's paying heed to your rules at least. " Balin paused, letting Fili collect himself a bit more, then he grinned slightly and threw his brother before the king. "Dwalin wasn't shopping for Dis, he heard she was using that type of material in her pillow and was getting a good like at it."

Thorin grunted in amusement, but could say nothing lest Dwalin bring up the fact that he'd asked the warrior to get a glimpse of whatever Bilbo was crafting. The hobbit, bless him, wasn't forthcoming with that information.

Dwalin started to speak and Thorin tensed until he heard the topic shift away from the blasted pillow hunt. "So, what is it now? Did the she-elf make good on her threat against Osterhus and remove her tongue and lips? For the life of me, as bad as that is, I can't say the lass wasn't begging to be brought down a peg or two from all I've heard."

Kili sunk down in his chair, his own mouth held in a tight-lipped line. This teaching experience was for the orcs, in his opinion. They'd sat in on many planning sessions over the years and decades prior to the quest to free Erebor. They'd been part of the discussion, their opinions while not held as high as the more experienced warriors, hadn't been discounted. Why did they have to pretend not to be present now?

Balin tutted his tongue in disapproval. "Rephira's family is still back in Ered Luin, even left the dwarfling with her mam. The husband is here though, and making noises. No one pays him much mind. Too many witnesses heard and saw her rudeness to Tauriel."

Fili reached over and tapped Kili's hand that was squeezing the blood flow out of his forearm. His brother didn't lessen his hold. Fili thumped the back of his brother's hand smartly and Kili's head whipped around and then seemed to realize what he was doing. His glare gave way to a rather sheepish half-smile and let go his grip.

"So." Thorin sighed. "What's the she-elf gone and done now? Besides demand quit-claims that are unnecessary. Shock my entire race by marrying my sister-son. Destroyed all harmony within any and all family portraits, and cause the Lore Keeper to have nightmares about memorizing elven ancestry?"

It was Fili's turn to put a restraining hand on Kili's knee, which had begun twitching up and down in some agitationDwalin got in on the list too. "She got us to hold a hay maze bonfire party, and an old fashioned pillow hunt all while trying to rebuild, repair, and defend Erebor."

Thorin nodded, turning towards the others as he ran a hand over his short beard. "Threatening to maim a dwarrowdam and yet making friends with Kili's former betrothed."

Dwalin nodded and pointed at his monarch. "Yes. She has managed to win over Dis for all that too. I keep waiting for your sister to start demanding quit-claims from my past as well."

Thorin barked out a short laugh and made a rude hand gesture meant to tell Dwalin he was an idiot.

Balin sighed. "Tauriel. The problem is, she is not haggling when she shops. Pays what is asked."

Dwalin's mouth opened and yet he said nothing, closing it again as he sighed. "Tell Kili. She is his problem."

Balin pursed his lips. "Royal family. We accepted her and she is now an extension of the crown. Several dwarrow have grumbled, their long noses out of joint. Pure rudeness. They hold back, knowing she's an elf and may not realize, but they see it as a lack on our part for not instructing her. Or if we did, is she being rude on purpose?"

Kili glowered and opened his mouth, jumping to his feet. He only managed a strangled sound when Fili jumped up and stuffed his napkin into his brother's mouth.

"Kili." Balin's tones sounded round, plum and lofty as he ignored the lad's strangling sounds. "Has asked for my help. For the love of life, he can't get his wife to understand haggling, or even that there are negative numbers."

Thorin and Dwalin shared a lengthy look of disbelief.

"I thought her educated." Thorin sounded uncertain. "Aren't elves supposed to be …intelligent? Then again, she did marry Kili."

The brunette, having gotten the napkin out of his mouth yelped as Fili stomped on his foot. Kili hissed at him "I wasn't going to say anything!"

Dwalin suddenly snapped his fingers as he walked over to the brothers, staring at them until they sat. He stared into Kili's brilliantly red face, as if daring him to make another sound. "Tauriel is from the Mirkwood. Didn't they say they haven't interacted with other races outside of their home in centuries? A smart husband may have then gathered that she hasn't been exposed to the etiquette of haggling, or advanced maths. He might not have waited to ask for advice until after good dwarrow had to grumble and point out the lack."

Thorin grunted in agreement, making a quick decision. "Balin. Teach her about negative numbers, then explain to her about haggling at the market. Er … maybe feel her out for any other lacks in her education perhaps?"

Balin tilted his chin down and peered at Thorin over his long nose. "In what spare time? We meet with the guild masters in less than thirty minutes and that cannot be put off."

Thorin waved a hand. "After that."

Balin gave a weak smile. "After that, I have a full day of meetings." He held up a list that was indeed crammed with notations.

Dwalin grimaced and spoke up to forestall Thorin. "I have the guard roster to go through, now that Dain is taking half his force home with him. Who do we trust to teach Tauriel?"

Kili half-way stood from his seat, leaning over the table to glare menacingly at Dwalin. He even managed to take a breath in order to say a thing or two when Fili reached up, wrapping his large hand over his brother's mouth. Kili began pulling at Fili's restraining hand, but to no avail as the elder dragged him back into his seat. The ensuing struggle caused Fili's chair to topple and the table to move several inches.

"Fine." Thorin snapped, ending Balin's long list as the white-bearded advisor gave a soft grunt, closing his mouth. "I don't have the time either. Dwalin is busy with the guard rotations and training. So pick someone else." He took a small pause. "Fili? Take your hand off your brother's mouth, he can't breathe."

Shocked, the blonde prince let go, not having realized Kili hadn't been struggling to speak, he had not been unable to breathe.

Kili gasped, sucking in deep raspy breaths, his eyes glaring at one and all.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Tauriel picked up the wooden bowl with interest, her fingers loving the satiny finish even as her eyes went for the contents. Beads. Glass beads so small and sparkly, catching the light of the sun delightfully. No color, no rich jewels. Just plain glass beads and they were perfect.

A passing cloud dimmed the light for a second while Tauriel stirred the beads with a one finger and a soft hum of pleasure. Soon all these impromptu markets would be held within the walls of Erebor. She wondered if the beads would sparkle as prettily under the lights of lanterns and torches?

Noise rose and fell behind her as merchants hawked their wares and dwarrow argued back and forth about quality and quantity. Tauriel had lived all her two centuries within the enclave of elves deep inside the Mirkwood. Even since living among the Dwarves she had not experienced such raucous gatherings, not even at her wedding, which she'd once considered crowded.

Dwarves were arriving daily, almost hourly. The population of Erebor was surging as dwarrow everywhere were returning home. Moving in so quickly there wasn't space to spare and markets such as these had moved outside for the room. But the pace on cleaning and preparing the kingdom was moving quickly. Soon they'd all be indoors rather than enjoying this early Spring weather.

"Fifteen coppers for a bag of those." A gruff looking Dwarf said, looking a bit uneasy as he stared up at her height.

Tauriel nodded and paid the amount requested, wondering at the sour look the merchant gave her even as he pocketed the coins. Wasn't she supporting his trade? Or did he not like having an elf at his counter? Perhaps he had heard of her threat to Rephira Osterhus and he disapproved.

A chuckle had Tauriel looking to one side. There was a Dwarf with a soft looking beard and eyes that sparkled with mirth, and questions. The clothes were male, but to the she-elf's eyes the curve of the cheeks and softness of the mouth made her suspect a dwarrowdam.

"You insult him." It was a statement as well as a question.

Tauriel stilled, looking back at the dwarrow merchant. "How?"

The possible dwarrowdam shrugged. "That was perhaps three times the actual price. Those are expertly crafted, as are all our goods, not worth fifteen coppers though. But what would you know of our goods if you don't engage in a good haggle? Learn about the crafter, his family and bloodlines and share your own." A slight pause, then, "or are you ashamed of your own?"

Tauriel stiffened with instant denial and affront.

"Ah, I see not." The dwarrowdam placed a hand on her chest. "Jianar Forcutt, and I made those beads. We are newly arrived just this morning and are selling off some backlog of items to raise cash to replace things we had to be leaving behind."

Tauriel looked back at the merchant and his reddening face. "We can't just share this information in conversation? Why must we haggle as we do this?"

"It's considered polite. It shows an interest, in the goods and the people." Jianar said, her head tilted slightly as if she didn't know how her words were being taken. "Also it would give you the knowledge that those glass beads aren't for hair work or threading. Not decorative."

Tauriel just blinked, staring a bit at the dwarrowdam. She wondered if the Dwarves were thinking her silly and ignorant for buying an item used for things she had no connection with, mainly industry?

"They are used in paints used deep in mining shafts, giving the markings a reflective surface. In the darker tunnels and shafts, it makes the messages easier to spot and helps orient the miners as to where they are."

"They are lovely." Tauriel replied slowly, her voice quietly tight. "I simply have taken a liking to them." Not for the life of her would she admit to not knowing they couldn't be strung. "I like the way they catch the light."

The dam's eyebrows rose slightly as did the ends of her mouth. "Ah, see, that would be acceptable and something to be learned if you'd engaged in haggling."

The gruff seeming Dwarf appeared to blush slightly as he reached over and slid a smaller bowl toward Tauriel. She looked in and saw some decorative beads. Multicolored and ornate. In the meantime he began to bag up some of the glass beads.

Tauriel sighed and then made a snap decision. "How much for the whole bowl. With the bowl itself?"

Both Dwarves paused, staring at her.

"I like the satin feel of the smooth wood and the way the glass beads look within it. It catches the light in a pleasing way." Tauriel glanced at both the merchant and the dwarrowdam. "Light is very important to elves, and I simply enjoy the play of the light on them. The colored beads are pretty, but the plainness of these glass beads give a reflection that would draw in any elf. I suppose those qualities are what makes them so useful in paints."

That seemed the right thing to say as the merchant began a discourse on how the beads were also used in cold metal cleaning among other industrial uses. Tauriel spoke on light, and he waxed on about the reflective properties of beads that held no bubbles within them. It was truly a surprisingly pleasant talk and as they wrapped up, she found herself owning the bowl, all it's glass beads and a glass bird that an apprentice had made all for only three more coppers.

Tauriel also leaned she had something to offer the Forcutt clan. As they were newly arrived in Erebor, they'd not yet learned that there was a merchant in Dale who had a supply of fine sand. "But you might want to hurry, I know that the builders were bargaining for the sand. Something to do with plaster and other purposes."

The merchant signaled for his sister to take over the sales counter and rushed away, bellowing for others in their clan to be ready to hurry into Dale. He was bowing and offering thanks all the way away.

Tauriel raised an eyebrow and Jianar Forcutt. "I hope that I haven't just insulted the builders."

The dwarrowdam laughed and shrugged. "Perhaps. Depends. My brother can be quite persuasive. Even if we don't get the sand, he might be able to set up a possible trade route. It would help establish us here. Also, we now will probably put out more of the plain glass beads in shallow bowls when Elves are visiting the market."

Tauriel smiled with a slight laugh. "I'm glad. Though it is now past lunch, and I can smell something wonderful baking over there." She nodded toward the east. "I don't know if my stomach will let me haggle for long."

At her words there was a swift spate of hushed whispers behind them and Tauriel stiffened, turning her head only slightly and using her fine peripheral vision. Three younger dwarfs, but older than dwarflings. She knew this without close inspection, they'd been following her most of the morning.

Tauriel glanced over at the dwarrowdam watching her. "They seek to get information on my pillow, I suppose. They don't know that I won't be using beadwork on it."

Hushed whispers and shuffling feet had the trio running off. Though Tauriel doubted they went far.

"They know now." Jianar shook her head at the trio who had rushed off with their news. "I heard about the pillow hunt." The dam said with a slight tone that Tauriel wasn't sure of. "And a word of warning. We haggle over goods, but not food. That's considered rude. Unless you are wanting to be rude?"

"No."

"Not even to dams you've threatened to take out their tongues?" Jianar leaned forward, clearly wanting more information.

Tauriel sighed and shook her head. She didn't want to discuss that. "Only arrived this morning and you already have that piece of news?"

Jianar shrugged, appearing disappointed but still smiling.

"Will you be participating in the pillow hunt? It is tomorrow, with a banquet." Tauriel asked. "All are invited. A chance at making friends." She said, thinking of the ploy to get closer to Kaja Thunderaxe and not make her husband suspicious as to why. It had grown out of proportion, with more and more dams getting involved.

Soft blue eyes blinked at her, though her expression was bland. "All? You seek to make each dam a friend?" She sounded unsure of the idea. "You do know that not all clans are …friendly with each other."

"No." Tauriel said slowly, hearing a reason behind the words but not knowing what that might be. "I make friends more cautiously than that. But it is a good way to meet dwarrows and dwarrowdams. Though friends here would be welcome. And I have no ill feelings towards any clan."

Those soft blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully, but the dwarf said only one thing. "Osterhus." Her voice trilled the "R" in a strange, lilting manner.

The she-elf hesitated. She didn't like Rephira, true speaking. Here she chose her words most carefully, keeping in mind everything Kili and Dis had been teaching her. After discussing it with her husband, she had agreed not to hold Rephira's family responsible for the dam's words and actions. Not unless given reason.

"I hold nothing against the clan itself." There. That showed that while she may have some animosity toward an individual, she was not starting a royal feud with the Osterhus clan. She may not be in line for the throne, but she still represented the family and needed to be careful.

That thought led to another. What had Dis said? If she made friends with the Clayburn dwarrowdam the Snowsons might not be friendly to her. Next she connected this to Balin's lessons on the various clans. The Forcutts were related to the Snowsons, and had a shared marriage with the Steelforge clan.

So what did that mean? She couldn't make friends with Jianar? Should she take back her invitation? No. No, that wouldn't do. Tauriel's mouth firmed and she straightened and pinned the Forcutt dam with a direct look.

"I have decided to be friendly with Fenna Clayburn and Zelke Steelforge isn't thrilled with my marriage to Prince Kili. That doesn't make me unfriendly to you and yours. If you can get along, you are welcome to join in the pillow hunt. Now, do you want to join in on the festivities tomorrow?" Tauriel said in an even tone of voice that didn't betray how unsure she really felt.

Jianar blinked, once, twice, then coughed and dropped her head as she laughed a bit. "That's rather straight to the marrow now isn't it?"

"Is it?" Tauriel asked disingenuously.

"Yes. Yes it is." Jianar looked up and sighed. "I really don't know what to make of you she-elf."

"There is a way to find out." Tauriel said plainly.

"I don't know. It is late to put together a decently decorative pillow. The hunt is tomorrow evening." Jianar said with a rather studied casualness. "My clan only arrived this morning. We are still unpacking much. This," she waved at the make-shift counter, "is to get some cash for things beyond the basics as you know. And I have no need to be swanning around hoping for a suitor. I have plenty already."

Tauriel nodded. All that could be true, but she thought about everything she'd heard and seen in the past few days.

"I have invited Clayburn, Feverbridge, Groscore and Kaja Thunderaxe among a few others, all for an evening in tonight. Princess Dis will be with us. We are pooling resources and materials for those who don't have much or the skill to work that quickly. You would be welcome. At least I would welcome you and those that don't may wear out their own welcome." Tauriel smiled slowly. "Also … Can there be enough suitors? If you haven't found the right one then the others you already know are already wrong. Dwarrow are arriving all the time, from all over. A pillow hunt is just the thing to meet many you haven't already rejected. Including a crown prince."

Briefly Tauriel felt a pang of guilt for dangling Fili like a piece of bait, but felt he would understand. Besides, though he seemed enamored of Silverstone, he was under orders to meet and offer courtship to a wide number. She was really just helping here.

Jianar Forcutt's eyes nearly bulged out while Tauriel was speaking and although she fought not to laugh again, she failed. Finally she wiped her eyes and nodded. "You are ….very strange. And I have a marriage kinship through a cousin with Zelke Steelforge."

"You claim the bloodline, but not friendship?" Tauriel let her voice lilt into an invitation. "No. Don't answer that. I apologize. Even if you don't feel you are free to seek the crown prince's attention due to your cousin, there will be plenty of others about. All with fine names and bloodlines."

"More than probably. And Zelke is something of a pain at times, though I of course stand with my family." Jianar nodded slowly, and then sighed as if throwing caution to the wind. "Yes, you odd, odd person. I accept a royal invitation for tonight. Might I bring a friend?"

Tauriel nodded slowly, instinctively knowing that it wouldn't be Zelke. "Though I will say, I know nothing of past Dwarven feuds or clan allegiances. I won't recognize them in my sitting chamber. I only ask that all be polite when with me. Gelmag." She said, putting in a recently learned word of Khuzdul, meaning making peace.

Jianar stood up straight, staring at Tauriel as if in shock.

Tauriel gave a decisive nod. "I learn Khuzdul at the king's permission. I hope my accent isn't horrid."

"It does have an odd sound, our language in your mouth." Jianar said a bit breathlessly. "But you said it proper, and it is meet that you learn. Being married to the prince and all."

Suddenly Jianar grinned and shook her head. "This ought to be interesting." She pointed at Tauriel. "I will bring my supplies to your sitting chamber tonight and we will see how it goes, I make no promises in joining your gelmag grimsthadnsmer."

Tauriel was about ask about the unfamiliar word, though by context she was pretty sure it meant some sort of making peace gathering, when Ori rushed up to her all out of breath.

Next came explaining to Ori she had already made her purchase and yes, she had haggled. Then came a step by step recounting of who had made what offer when, and what had been added to the purchase. Jianar made her excuses and moved over to make another sale, this time of some glass bowls with bold geometric lines in contrasting colors. Very Dwarven.

Ori had then explained, for the third time, he was there to 'rescue' her from offering insult while shopping. Tauriel smiled as she and the younger dwarrow moved off to another stall so that he could show her the proper techniques and etiquette of haggling. Nevermind that she really wasn't interested in purchasing the buttons he was pointing out to her. Ah well, perhaps they could be of use, or maybe a gift.

Tauriel forgot the strange word as some decorative buttons caught her eye. Upholstery buttons. Should she buy them for tonight's decorating party? She gave Ori a glance, then instead of asking the price, asked the merchant who had crafted the pieces instead. Both dwarrow beamed at her in pleasure.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"I've got this Thorin." Balin assured his monarch.

Thorin shook his head and pointed at Balin. "Go. Eat something. You have three meetings back to back. I've got this."

The white-bearded advisor bowed, and then sent the two princes an apologetic look as he took his leave.

Finally alone, Fili sighed. "Can we talk yet?"

Thorin grinned even as he poured himself a glass of wine. When Kili would have reached for the bottle, he moved it away from the brunette. Kili frowned.

Thorin sighed as he looked at his two sister-sons. "You both have been raised far differently than I ever was. Frerin and Dis too."

Fili sat back, crossing his arms and looking like a thunderstorm just over the horizon. "We followed you. We still do. We helped take back this mountain. Two of the fortunes held in the treasury are ours. We are your heirs."

Thorin nodded. "All true. But I was raised as a prince in training. You were raised as a warrior and leader in a mean little cabin that was drafty and ill-made."

"You made that cabin." Snapped Kili irritably.

"Thus I know its fallacies." Thorin said reasonably. "You two know how to lead dwarrow to war. You can guard a caravan better than anyone. Your weapons training is exemplary. You can field dress a deer or a battle wound."

Fili gave a hard little frown. "Your point?"

"Kili thinks being married is having sex in every out of the way corner he can find. You think courting is falling asleep while a dam tells you about her hair combs."

Fili let his eyes drift half-way closed. "It was ribbons, not combs. And I'd put in a full day with Bofur learning about mining techniques. I apologized."

"Thror would have had strips off your hide for being so impolite to a lass of her connections." Thorin shook his head. "My point is neither of you has any social polish. Neither of you know how to court."

Kili growled and Thorin wagged a finger in his direction. "My fault."

That had both princes keeping silent as they eyed their uncle.

"All that I've seen of you two lately has proven to me you can hold this kingdom against enemies, but you'd lose it in trying to manage the guilds, the families, and the politics of ruling. Not the laws, but the manners necessary to keep things smooth and trade alliances from blowing up in your faces."

Fili huffed out a sigh and shrugged. "You taught us what we needed to know."

"As exiles, yes. To survive, yes. To not fall asleep at the first boring story? No. There are tricks to stay awake, to keep track of who said what, when, and to whom. You need a Balin. Each."

"An advisor?" Kili sounded appalled.

"An advisor, secretary, gatekeeper, timekeeper, whatever is needed." Thorin sighed unhappily. "I have trained you in staying alive. Now you need to learn how to live like a royal. Protocol. How to hear insults and not erupt immediately, but to plan your reactions to the best outcome."

"People will insult me around you. Your wives, your mam, Dwalin, the mountain, the food, the wine, the bedsheets."

"Bedsheets!" Fili laughed.

Thorin pinned his heir with a stare. "The feud between the Steelclaws and the Blacklocks that went on for four hundred years started over bedsheets."

Fili shut his mouth as he grimaced, recalling the history lesson now. What had started as a dam's insult had escalated into a guild war and four centuries of hard feelings only ending in a common war against a common enemy.

"That is why it isn't adorable and cute that Tauriel doesn't know how to haggle properly. She offers insult to the wrong person who doesn't accept that she isn't doing so on purpose ….or someone who ignores that and takes offense as a false reason all to start ill feelings, can lead to disruption of clan allegiances."

Kili, about to speak up on his wife's behalf, slunk back into his chair sputtering a bit. "I will speak with her."

Thorin nodded and moved the wine bottle toward his sister-son with an apologetic look. "All the things you two need to learn, is what I hated as a young prince. Hated."

Fili's mouth tightened, but he nodded to show his understanding.

Thorin eyed his crown prince with some sympathy. "There have been kings that were bollocks with politics, but the kingdom never ran smooth that way. But that was when Erebor was well established, with the guilds in place. Alliances in place. The structure of our society was sound. Now? Now we are piecing together a society that has been autonomous up above ground."

"You ….no." Kili shook his head at his uncle. "You held them together!"

"No." Thorin smiled his appreciation for Kili's support though. "I tried. I tried to make sure that far flung families and communities stayed in touch. I tried to make sure that none starved, and I didn't always succeed."

"Look at how few answered uncle's call to re-take Erebor." Fili added with some bitterness and a half-smile. "They come back, delighted to be home. They will be part of the rebuilding, but who gets put in charge of mining? Trading? Negotiating? Who gets the contracts for building, opening business routes? Whose clan is more important when they have all been out there in the above world for so long?"

Kili groaned. "Like how the Stonebrace family fell in prominence in Ered Luin, although brewers, and yet the Graybeams rose in the same field. All because one family had more resources outside of Erebor when she fell to Smaug."

"Both struggled, but one had a family connection in the Iron Hills. Should the Graybeams be set above the Stonebrace even though their positions were reversed before Erebor was lost to us?" Thorin nodded at the story. "The Stonebrace clan had a royal seal to provide ale for Thror's tables. I've had no less than six requests from other clans to overtake those contracts, all claiming to be in a better position to provide."

Kili groaned. "If you give it to the Stonebrace clan, some will see it as payment for Hedal's quit-claim."

Thorin shrugged. "So be it. The Graybeams weren't forthcoming with assistance for others except grudgingly. Two of the other clans haven't even arrived back in Erebor yet. The Rockfords has an uncle that feuded with Dain."

"Who hasn't?" Fili scoffed with a quick laugh.

Thorin grinned, nodding in acknowledgement. "The Stonebrace clan always supported me, and Hedal, well. She is a friend to this family. I will accept their contract on this for her friendship, and a thousand other small kindnesses over the years above ground. I will be granting a lucrative trade route to the Rockfords though, as that uncle was a friend of my father and Dain was wrong in the first place."

"Will Dain take offense?" Kili asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"He suggested it." Thorin grinned with a wink. "Though say nothing, he would deny it if asked. Prickly thing, Dain's pride."

Fili and Kili both nodded.

"Now. Tell me what you two learned in today's meeting?" Thorin sat back, crossing his arms and listening as the two began dissecting the business of the day. He interrupted here or there to correct, but in general was pleased at how Fili picked up on nuances and how Kili showed decent insight into some of the knottier problems.

Their manners might be lacking polish, and they needed guidance into the murkier waters of clan politics, but they were a source of pride to Erebor.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Dis laughed and patted Dwalin's arm as he carried two heaping baskets of decorating supplies for her. She caught her breath as he described how Kili hadn't been able to breathe while Fili had struggled to keep his brother quiet.

"They never grow up." She said with a mother's deep affection.

"They grow." Dwalin grumbled. "Slowly. But they will have a chance to grow into their roles. Thorin leads and the kingdom restores. Everyone is in awe of the Company members and they were a large part of that. The stories grow ten times larger each day."

"Dwarves love a good hero, living ones only slightly less than dead ones." Dis sighed, her mirth deflating a moment. "I'm awed myself that we lost no one."

Dwalin let the moment lengthen, knowing her thoughts were on how worried she'd been to let everyone that she loved go off to face a fire-breathing death lizard. "We lived."

"It was a close thing." Dis nodded, her voice cracking a bit before firming. "I'm thrilled to be home. Even with an elven daughter."

Dwalin lifted his laden baskets with a grin. "A pillow hunt. In the middle of rebuilding."

Dis shrugged. "It's ridiculous, yes. But then, it's also kind of perfect. Even throwing the hunt open to couples already wed. Old ways and new. It really is a grand chance to bring many clans together that haven't spoken in a generation. To expose dwarrowdams to more suitors than they'd dreamed possible. To give poor bachelors a chance to even meet a few dams."

"As long as too many don't meet you." Teased Dwalin in his stoic way.

Dis smiled. "No, I won't tell you what my pillow will be looking like."

"Bilbo said gold cloth."

Dis sputtered and sent her companion a harsh look. "Oh did he now? Or did I give him a false trail?"

Dwalin paused as they approached the door to the large suite of rooms designated to Kili and his wife. Several dwarrow were bringing up trays of food. He grunted in approval at the stuffed mushrooms, fried kippers, and cheese wedges with raisins and nuts. The wine got a sniff, but the ale keg had him smiling.

Tauriel came to the door while talking. "The crepes are perfect, but I asked for some berries and cream to go with them, can you check on that for me please?"

Dis smiled as the servant hurried off. "Looks like you have things well in hand."

"Could use another keg of ale." Dwalin commented.

"You won't be staying though, so there should be plenty." Tauriel replied, deadpan. The two stared at each other and Dwalin finally grinned.

"There is a lot of food and seats." Dis said, turning in a circle as she looked about the spacious sitting area. "How many are coming?"

"Thunderaxe sent her acceptance." Tauriel said, pleased at having another chance to speak with the strange dwarrowdam. A dam she should hate, but who fascinated her in an odd way. She was actually looking forward to chatting, which wasn't like her at all. "She accepted after you were successful in inviting the Groscore dam."

"Hin Groscore and Kaja had a grandmother in common, and her brother is a good friend of Gerak's." Dis waved a hand at the other seats. "It only makes sense that the presence of the one will ease Thunderaxe's reticence. But there are a lot more seats here."

"You said others being invited would also lessen Gerak's jealousy and suspicion." Tauriel said slowly. "And we know that Jalessa pointed us toward a connection with Feverbridge."

Dwalin's eyes widened. "You invited Llasa Feverbridge? Not bad, not bad. I should have thought of that."

Dis rolled her eyes. "He did, and mentioned it to me. But you had already taken care of it." She said to Tauriel. "But that leaves quite a few more seats."

"Fenna Clayburn."

At Tauriel's mention of the name, Dwalin stilled. "Not bad. Might tweak the nose of the Snowsons, might not. Ori has a crush on her years ago."

"Jianar Forcutt said she would come by, and bring a friend." Tauriel said next, wondering how this would change things. "I got a note from her just a moment ago. Her friend? Dreandra Snowsons."

Dis' face clouded with concern while Dwalin's mouth tightened.

"I told her upon inviting her that Clayburn was coming and I would not have this night recognize any past … bad feelings. That this was to be a peaceful night." Tauriel added in the explanation quickly, still unsure, but not willing to back down. "I think it a good thing."

Dwalin blew out a harsh breath and shrugged. "It's not necessarily a bad thing."

Dis asked Tauriel to repeat what she'd told the Forcutt dwarrowdam, and then finally nodded. "Sounds reasonable. I just ….am surprised."

Tauriel pointed at the added seats. "After that, I was approached by two fathers, a grandfather, and an aunt. Ori was with me, he saw. They all struck up conversations that just happened to all meander back to tonight and all mentioned having a daughter, granddaughter or niece that would be interested in such an evening. Sewing on their pillows."

Dis' eyebrows rose. "Who?"

"Sterling, Tipcutt, Tripson, and Viggdon." Tauriel looked back and forth between Dwalin and Dis, waiting their reactions.

Dis suddenly laughed. "No Viggdon needs any help sewing anything. In fact, I hope she does come, she has an excellent hand at embroidery."

"The Tipcutt clan may be looking to make alliances. They truly struggled in the outside world, nearly starved only three winters back. They need the granddaughter to marry well. Lost her father and all uncles following Thror." Dwalin grimaced, mentioning lost friends. "The grandfather had his arm crippled in Smaug's original attack, yet he is as brave as they come."

Dis held out her arms and pointed at Dwalin to deposit her baskets of supplies to one side. "This. This may be just the thing. A pillow hunt. All that Thorin has been struggling to do to bring the clans together, and this thrown together pillow hunt may outstrip his efforts."

"Can we help the Tipcutt dwarrowdam?" Tauriel asked, touched by the small story. "Without hurting her clan pride?"

Dis nodded. "We can, and we will. I forget her craft though. Tonight we will all reconnect. Well done, daughter."

Tauriel smiled in relief. "Oh, and Ori talked to me about haggling. Truth, so did Jianar Forcutt. I think I have a better understanding of why it's necessary. In the Mirkwood, it would be rude to challenge a price, it would mean the merchant was unsavory in setting his prices. I was even warned not to haggle over food."

Dis gave a small look of surprise. "I'm glad. I'm sorry I didn't go over any of this with you. Look at what you bring about by assuming everyone sees things the same way you do."

"I also used a word or two of Khuzdul today." Tauriel informed them. "I know that King Thorin gave his permission, but there were many shocked looks among those in the marketplace."

Dwalin winced but nodded gamely enough. "It will come as a shock to many, but it needs to be brought home that you married the prince. You are of us now, in all ways. I hope you got the accent right though."

Dis shushed the bald dwarf with a look, but didn't look completely certain herself.

Tauriel spoke the words she'd used while shopping and talking and both dwarrow relaxed.

"You have a good ear." Dis complimented her.

Dwalin scratched his neck while nodding. "Gelmag. I suppose you used that when talking about tonight?" At the she-elf's nod he continued, "it's usually a more formal word. Such as when crafting a peace treaty or alliance."

"I'm sure it's fine." Dis filched a grape from one of the trays.

"Everyone seemed to understand me at least." Tauriel said with a soft smile. "Though when they spoke back to me, most of it I couldn't catch. They spoke too quickly, and some of the words I didn't know at all." She said a phrase that had caught her attention.

"Peace of the day onto you." Dis translated with a smile.

Another phrase had Dis pinking up and Dwalin laughing. "That one was to wish you growing." His hands rounded over his stomach with a wink, his meaning obviously meaning pregnancy.

"Oh, but if they wish that on me, does that mean they approve of my marriage to Kili?" Tauriel asked.

Dis shrugged. "Perhaps. Or it could be someone trying to make you like them, and by extension, getting on the good side of the royal family. Not everything said will be completely sincere. I'm sorry for that."

Tauriel nodded and smiled. "No apologies necessary. I was a guard for King Thranduil for a long time. I have seen much of that sort of thing. Too much."

Dwalin grunted. "Cozying up to those to make a gain is nothing new in any race it seems.

Tauriel smiled as a servant approached with another tray, this one filled with berries and cream. "Perfect." She pointed toward the tables with the other foods. "Oh, and then there was another word. Grimsthadnsmer."

Dis froze. "What?"

Dwalin turned and stared. "Who said that?"

Tauriel, feeling the change in the atmosphere, stilled. "The Forcutt dam. But she was being nice, and accepted the offer to come tonight. She didn't appear to be saying anything rude."

Dwalin slid his eyes to Dis, who pointed at Tauriel. "What was said, exactly?"

Tauriel, who had an excellent memory, recounted the discussion in great detail.

Dwalin ran a hand over his bald head and whistled. "Gelmag grimsthadnsmer."

Dis crossed, then uncrossed her arms. "Who was invited before this was said? Whom after?"

Tauriel told them what they asked.

Dwalin whistled. "Forcutt, Snowsons, Sterling, Tipcutt, Tripson, and Viggdon. Now that list makes sense."

"Did I do something wrong?" Tauriel asked, feeling lost and not liking it at all. "Have I stepped afoul?"

Dis shook her head. "No. I don't think so, but … Tauriel, it appears you're setting up a court."

"No." The elf denied.

"Yes. Grimsthadnsmer. Making peace by forming a court outside of normal clan hierarchy. You are a princess, having a court isn't unheard of at all. In fact, I have been approached by several and I told them I wasn't interested yet." Dis blinked and then suddenly grinned and laughed. "I was wrong."

Tauriel made a small sound of distress. "I did not mean to start anything like this."

Dis flapped her arms and shrugged. "I said no, because Bilbo was against the idea when it was broached to him. Dear hobbit. He was appalled at the very idea. I then turned it down because I …I as very young when we left Erebor. I've never had such and don't feel the need to put on airs. Plus, with Bilbo not having one it didn't feel right."

"Besides, there was too much to rebuild. I remember you telling me about it." Dwalin groaned. "You said it seemed too frivolous while we were struggling with winter supplies."

Tauriel groaned and sought out a seat. "I've messed this all up."

"No, no you haven't." Dis grinned. "Bilbo doesn't want it, that's fine. Not every consort ever did. I didn't, but I am a known quantity to the dwarrow. I never had put on the trappings of a court life. You. You married the prince. For you to do this …."

"Makes me look foolish. And I suppose I am." The red-head took a deep breath to steady herself. "How do I fix this? Do I cancel? Spread word that I'm not looking for a court? What is this court anyway?"

"Don't you dare cancel!" Dis said sternly. "You wanted a way to help the Tipcutt dwarrowdam? You already have. The word is out, mistaken as it was, that you seek a court. Which is just a fancy way of say you want friends and those that will help you in the day-to-day running of your role as a princess of Erebor. Not servants. These are dams of good standing, good names, and excellent blood."

"By accepting her to be considered, you have elevated every name that you have invited." Dwalin said, clearly trying to think through all the angles as he spoke. "This isn't the formation of that court, not with Thunderaxe and Dis coming. But it a …."

"An audition. A meeting, to see who might suit." Dis affirmed. "Especially with me here, as a mother, to guide you. No wonder Forcutt took this to be a grimsthadnsmer."

"It will look like I am stepping above myself. I only wanted to marry Kili. Not rule over a court."

Dwalin gave a startled chuckle. "Not that kind of court. This will be a grouping of your friends, confidants. Those that can guide you, warn you, help you. We should have thought of this before. These dams can make sure you know what to haggle for, not to, when to step, when to hold."

"Thorin did think of it, but wasn't sure that any family would let their dams so close to an elf. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh to you, Tauriel." Dis gave her an apologetic look. "It seems his fears were unwarranted. He thought the only ones that might apply would be favor seekers only."

"Of the names mentioned, only Sterling might fall into that category." Dwalin waffled his hand back and forth. "I know nothing bad about her, but her uncle on her father's side is rather unsavory."

Tauriel shrugged helplessly. "I know nothing of this. I will only make things worse. I will form a court if you deem it wise, but the only dams that I know and trust are Dis and Jalessa Silverstone."

"And they cannot join." Dwalin said plainly. "Dis because she is family and outranks you."

"And Jalessa because she might marry Fili and outrank me?" Tauriel guessed.

"No." Dwalin corrected her. "Because she used to be betrothed to Kili. You did well making friends with her, as far-fetched as that feels. You outrank her now and have taken her place. If you had her join your grimsthadnsmer it would seem as if you were putting her down again. It's not fair or right, but it is reality."

"If Jalessa hadn't been betrothed to your husband, and if she were just another dwarrowdam of the kingdom …then you could have invited her."

Tauriel remembered how Jalessa had smiled at her, while politely declining the invitation. "I hope she knows that I wasn't trying to put her down when I invited her."

"I'm sure she knows, but I will let her know if she doesn't." Dis reassured her much taller daughter-by-marriage.

Tauriel nodded slowly, still feeling raw on the inside. "Everything I do is a mistake. Except for Kili."

Dis smiled at her, liking the softness in the elf's tone when she mentioned her love's name.

"The quit-claims. From there, I have pushed the crown into so many negotiations and throwing parties, and now forming a court? It's not right."

Dwalin moved over to Tauriel, cupping her shoulders with his strong hands. Wither her seated, he had no problem looking into her eyes. "It started, when you took us prisoner."

Having expected other words than that, the she-elf was startled into a small laugh. She nodded. "Yes, you're right."

Dwalin kept her looking at him, tightening his hold gently. "Who knew then where we would be now? But no mistake you have made could have served this kingdom any better. You keep being you, and all will be well. This court? You may not like the idea of it, but you get to choose. These dams? You don't have to accept them or not. Get to know them. Pick one or two, it can grow or not at your discretion. But it will give you dwarrow on your side. People to look out for your interests. Make sure you won't make too many more missteps. That is if you choose wisely."

"I will." Tauriel promised.

"I don't know." Dwalin said in his deadpan way. "You chose Kili."

It took the elf a moment to realize he wasn't trying to provoke her, but it was a tease. She reached up and pushed him away with a laugh, pleased to see him smile with her.

"I did indeed choose Kili." Tauriel stood and straightened her clothing, then checking to make sure the mithral hair piece was lying properly on her head. "And if you haven't already, place your bets. I'm getting pregnant. I am a member of this royal family, I am Kili's only wife, and I am going to have his child."

Dwalin's grin grew and he slapped the outside of his thigh loudly. "About damned time lass!"

Dis hurried over to her elvish daughter, unable to stop smiling. "Dwalin. You warn Kili about this and I will nail your hide to the doors of Erebor."

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Fili and Kili clinked their mugs of ale together, downing them quickly.

"Being a prince is bothersome." Kili moaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Far more meetings than I thought could exist in a day."

Fili snorted unhappily. "Try being king."

Kili actually shuddered. "No thank you. I'll die first."

Fili looked up as Dwalin rushed past the doors to the open dining area. "Wonder what he's in a hurry for?

Kili shrugged and watched Dwalin find Nori and pulling him away to talk privately. A few waved hands between them had the prince frowning. "Something's up. Go find out."

Fili shook his head. "My brain is fried from all of Thorin's meetings and lessons. You go."

Kili groused, but refused to get up except to fetch more ale. Whatever was going on, he didn't need to know that badly.