I am crushing it. All these chapters are flying by and I am enjoying finally getting to write this story. Woot woot! Enjoy!
Mels
The next morning dawned with rosy hued skies. I sat up, watching the sun rise from the balcony. To assuage Thorin's fears, I had been given a room near the Company. When Dwalin and I had returned the night before, we found the Company somewhat subdued. They all apologized to me and I apologized myself for being so harsh. Dwalin left to sit with Balin while I sat between Kili and Fili, enjoying some time with them before Thorin called for lights out.
Thorin escorted me to my room and while I thought it was unnecessary for him to set up watches, I knew that I would be hard pressed to convince him that it wasn't necessary. So, I ended up with a guard at my door. I had slipped nodded at Dwalin that morning who was sitting on his bed roll in front of it and let him lead me back to the balcony. My plan for today was to talk with Thorin about the map. I knew that Thorin just wanted to go as soon as Oin deemed I was ready, but we weren't going to get far about figuring out where the hidden door was if we had no clue where and what to look for.
I realized I wasn't alone and looked to my side to find Bilbo standing next to me, watching the sunrise with me. He had a smile on his face and was looking out into the valley below. I smiled down at the Hobbit, realizing that Bilbo and I hadn't had much time to talk to one another since we got to Rivendell.
"Morning," I said in a low voice and Bilbo started before looking up at me.
"Good morning. How are you feeling?" Bilbo asked me with a look of concern, and I smiled down at him.
"I'm great. I mean it still hurts, but it could be worse," I told the Hobbit honestly and he nodded, humming.
"You did take down one of those beasts," Bilbo commented, and I smiled, nodding.
"Don't worry about being scared. I take it you have a personal history with wolves," I commented, and Bilbo looked up at me with a frown on his face.
"How did you know?" Bilbo asked me and I gestured for him to follow me. I led Bilbo to the little garden that was near the balcony and sat down on the grass amongst the flowers, patting the place beside me. Bilbo sat down, looking happy as he closed his eyes, letting the early morning sunlight fall on his face as bees buzzed about, pollinating the flowers.
"I know because you looked terrified yes, but there was something else to it when we heard them," I answered Bilbo's question as we enjoyed the sunlight and garden.
"I…yes," Bilbo stuttered, and I nodded, sighing.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Bilbo, but I know sometimes it helps to talk about it,"
"It was during the Fell Winter, the rivers in the Shire had frozen over. The harvest was terrible that year, we didn't have much food. We were starving. Hobbits don't eat seven times a day just because we love food," Bilbo told me, and I stared at him a little wide eyed.
"Seven times a day?" I asked him and Bilbo nodded enthusiastically.
"There's breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper," Bilbo informed me, and I hummed before nodding and gesturing for him to continue his story.
"I was still a faunt, Hobbits come of age at thirty-three you know. I was thirty at the time. My parents decided to brave it outside, hoping to find food as our pantry was bare. A warg found them, wargs and orcs had been making their way into the Shire to find food of their own. My mother fought it off, she traveled out of the Shire to Rivendell before she married my father you know. She was even named elf friend. Well, my father died from his injuries and my mother died of a broken heart not long after. I found myself owner of Bag End. There's always been a Baggins, living under the Hill in Bag End," Bilbo told me, and I put a hand over his and squeezed it slightly.
"I'm sorry about your parents, Bilbo. I can sympathize with you," I told him, and he nodded, patting my hand.
"I know," Bilbo said with a slight smile on his face and from here we could hear the sound of the others rising, loud already as it sounded like Fili and Kili were fighting over something.
"Best get back before they notice I'm gone," I told Bilbo reluctantly getting to my feet and he nodded.
"Yes, they're quite protective of you," Bilbo told me before he laid back in the grass. "I think I'll spend some time here. I might look around the valley later," Bilbo told me, his eyes closed and a lazy smile on his face.
"Have fun," I told the Hobbit and I walked back to the others. I walked in on Kili and Fili wrestling on the floor, the others egging them on as Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose, looking fed up with the situation. "Oi!" I shouted and Kili and Fili stopped fighting, Kili falling on top of Fili who groaned as he was elbowed in the nose. "Not everyone is a morning person," I told my cousins as I picked my way towards Thorin. I sat next to him and bumped his shoulder with mine. "Good morning idad," I said as Thorin massaged his temples.
"Morning," Thorin grumbled and I hummed as I caught on to the problem. I knew that if Thorin had a headache he wouldn't want to talk about the map, so I bit my lip, determined to help. I nodded to myself and got to my feet heading over to Oin.
"Oin, do you have feverfew, willow bark, valerian, and rosemary?" I asked the Company healer as he sat with his brother and he hummed deeply as he processed my request.
"I know I have everything save for the rosemary. Might have some lavender though. Yer welcome to take stock of the herbs and use what you need lass," Oin told me and I smiled and thanked him before I raided his supplies.
I found the herbs I needed and mixed in some lavender flowers as I ground the mixture together in a mortar. Bombur, seeing what I was doing, boiled some water for me. I took a small bit of cloth bandage and tied the herbal mixture up in it before tying it tightly closed. Bombur poured me a cup of hot water and I let the herbs soaking the water, their essence seeping into the water. Once I knew it would be potent enough, I brought it over to Thorin and sat down next to him again. I offered him the cup and he frowned at it before taking it. He took a sip and seemed slightly surprised by the pleasant taste.
"Lavender sweetens the mixture. Should help soon," I told Thorin who nodded in thanks before I went and helped Bombur make breakfast.
Apparently, Nori had raided the kitchens so we had fresh baked bread, butter, jam, and sausages that were part of our supplies that we had picked up in Bree and wouldn't last much longer. Bombur passed me the first plate with a smile and told me to go sit as he finished. I sat next to Balin as Dwalin walk up to get his breakfast, the older Dwarf smiling at me as I settled in.
"Lass," Balin said as he watched his brother, looking slightly suspicious. I raised an eyebrow at him as I bit into a butter and jam slathered piece of bread. "We…," He started but Dwalin returned then, sitting down on the other side of him with an eyebrow raised as he shot a sort of glare at his brother.
"We need to continue your lessons. Best time to teach you more etiquette," Balin told me and I hummed and nodded my head knowing that something was up. I looked past him to Dwalin then, smiling brightly at him, but he started to shovel his food in his mouth. I hummed slightly and nodded at Balin knowingly while he wasn't looking.
Something was obviously wrong with Dwalin and Balin wanted to talk to me about it. I didn't know how much I could help. After all, it seemed like Thorin would be the better option seeing that they were best friends, but Thorin didn't seem to want to do much talking. I sighed and ate my food, closing my eyes in delight as I finished the buttery, jam smothered bread. I picked at my food before passing it to Kili covertly.
I rose and brought a plate to Thorin who thanked me, looking a little better before accepting another plate from Bombur for Bilbo. Balin seemed to decide that this was a good time to talk as he caught up with me, the two of us walking back to the garden. Bilbo was still sitting in the grass where I had left him, and he thanked me profusely for bringing him his breakfast before Balin and I walked arm in arm through the halls.
"You're worried about Dwalin," I began, broaching the subject and Balin hummed and nodded at my side.
"Aye lass. You see," Balin began, sighing as we stopped in the middle of the garden and seeing a bench nearby, he led me over to it and had me sit down. "My nadad is more stubborn than most darrow as you've no doubt realized by now," He said, and I nodded as Balin sat down next to me.
"He's even more stubborn than Thorin if that is what you mean," I said and Balin chuckled, nodding.
"Aye, that he is. You see lass," Balin said and I gestured for him to get it out. "I said I wouldn't tell you, but I know he'll be too stubborn to say anything. He refuses to act upon it mind you. "
"Act upon what?" I asked Balin with a frown and he took my hand in one of his own.
"Dwalin has told your uncle and me that you are his One," Balin told me, fginally getting it out and I frowned.
"I'm his One?" I asked and Balin nodded in confirmation.
"He thinks he's too old for you. Not good enough for you. He told me that he thinks you are his One, but he is not yours. He'd never secure his own happiness. He'd never tell you because he thinks that you hate him," Balin informed me and I frowned at this shaking my head.
"I don't hate him, Balin. I was hurt about what he did, but we talked about it, last night. I forgave him for it," I told Balin and he nodded, smiling at this news. "I… I don't know how I feel about him Balin. I like him…as a friend. And last night there was just something between us. It happened for only a second and then he pulled away. I'm not sure what it was," I told Balin truthfully and he looked pleased by my words.
"Well, you need to ask your idad about that lass. I thought you deserved to know. Whatever you do with that information is your own choice to make," Balin told me, patting my hand as I frowned.
"And if I did nothing?" I asked him and Balin hummed and tilted his head as he looked at me.
"Then I think you'd both be unhappy," Balin said and I hummed. We rose from the bench and I played with my hands as I tried to process everything that he had just told me.
This explained so much. The looks, Dwalin sitting by my side and brining me food and just looking out for me. Mahal had told hinted that my One was someone close by. A One was the other half of your soul. I could see it. Dwalin was fire and strength. He burned hot and when no one was around to cool him he dove right in, not caring if he could get hurt. He was loyal to Thorin, his shield brother and to Durin's line. He probably thought that as he was only Thorin's personal guard he was not in the proper position to ask to court me. I knew about royal families after all, just not about how to be in one.
Dwalin was of Durin's line though. A third or fourth cousin to me. I was like the water. Soothing and with a kind word. Someone who could possibly reign in and cool his fire. Last night, I felt that if something more had happened, I would have liked it to have. I felt safe around Dwalin. He had a different sense of humor, but I felt like I could express myself to him. I was confused though. If I was his One, why would he not fight for me. Did he not want me? Was that it?
When I looked up, I noticed that Balin was gone and I knew that I had to find Thorin. If anyone knew how Dwalin felt it was Balin and Thorin and Thorin apparently knew the truth. I worried my hands as I made my way through the gardens and back to our balcony. Bilbo was gone, as were the others, only Thorin still sitting on his bed roll, studying the map. He looked up as I approached him and frowned worriedly.
"Mizimith?" He asked as I sat next to him, hugging my knees.
"You knew that Dwalin thinks I am his One," I stated, and I turned to look at Thorin and he nodded, putting the map away.
"I did. He told Balin and I that he thought you to be in Bree," Thorin informed me and I nodded. "Did you Recognize him as your One?" Thorin asked and I shook my head.
"No, Balin informed me. Dwalin thinks he is too old for me or not good for me or not enough for me," I said incredulous. "Why wouldn't he fight for me if I am his One?" I asked and Thorin sighed deeply and held up his arm, offering for me to cuddle next to him. I scooted over and tucked myself under his arm and Thorin chuckled,
"Dwalin is…stubborn to a fault. He is also loyal. Dwalin is my friend first and my guard second. Dwalin sees the opposite. Dwalin is also older than me by a few years. It isn't unheard of for a darrow to have a younger One, but Dwalin sees you also as another Durin to protect. He thinks that he has nothing to offer you. You are my heir. He knows that if something were to happen to me, you would be Queen," Thorin explained to me and I nodded.
"He wonders if he would embarrass me you mean. Him being a guard and me being a princess," I said and Thorin nodded in agreement. "Isn't that for me to decide though?" I asked and Thorin nodded again.
"Do you love Dwalin? I know you have your differences, but could you love him?" Thorin asked me and I inhaled deeply and sighed out a long breath.
"I think I could love Dwalin. I can't say I love him now, we've only spent a handful of time alone with one another, and last night was our most pleasant exchange with one another," I told Thorin who seemed to balk at this slightly.
"I'm aware," Thorin grumbled and I chuckled, nudging him in the ribs.
"Nothing happened," I assured him and Thorin grumbled at that again. "I think that it is my decision if Dwalin is good enough or not for me. He can think what he likes, but I have a choice too in the matter," I told Thorin who begrudgingly nodded. "Do…do you disapprove of that?" I asked a frowning Thorin and he shook his head.
"I wish you and Dwalin all the happiness in the world. However, I have begun to see you as I do Fili and Kili, like my own child," Thorin told me, sounding a bit embarrassed. "If any dwarf tried to court you, I would be a little reluctant to let them," Thorin informed me as I looked up at him and I grinned before burying my face into his coat.
"Men lananubukhs me, adad kurdu," I mumbled into Thorin's arm, calling him the father of my heart, something I honestly felt, and he wrapped his arms around me tightly and hugged me to him.
"Men lananubukhs me, nâthuê kurdu," Thorin rumbled near my ear as I turned in his arms and flung my arms around his neck. When we finally pulled back from one another, both our eyes were misty. "If you wish to pursue Dwalin, I will not stop you. If anyone is worthy of marrying you, it is Dwalin son of Fundin," Thorin told me before he leaned in and bumped foreheads with me.
"If I was going to…how would I go about that?" I asked Thorin, the father of my heart and he chuckled slightly and knocked foreheads with me.
"Typically, the darrow would approach the darrowdam. He would have made a pair of courting beads by his own hand or present the beads of his amad. He comes to the darrowdam with his hair unbound, laying out each of his titles for her. He kneels at his One's feet and ask if his love is returned. If it is, he braids the courting braid into your hair, and you braid one into theirs. Certain events in a darrow's life are done in ritualistic fashion, certain words and phrases must be said," Thorin informed me before sighing deeply. "I've never gone through it myself so perhaps I am not the best person to tell you what is to be done. Ask Glion or Bombur, both are married. Whatever you need, ask it of me," Thorin told me and I hugged him tightly once more before getting to my feet, a bright smile on my face.
"I'll go and find Master Gloin then. Things were a bit different where the Wizard sent adad in me. Usually a man would buy a ring and get down on one knee and propose that the two wed. It has a few similarities. I always found it a bit romantic. Of course, adad never told me about marriage. He probably didn't want to think about it," I said, snorting a little and Thorin nodded, looking slightly grim.
"I know the feeling," Thorin grumbled and I laughed before ducking down and bumping him on the forehead with my own. He looked up at me and smiled and I laughed before I went on my way off to find Gloin.
A male elf was passing nearby, and I asked him if he knew where the other dwarves were. He looked a little harried by the question and only told me that they were at the Fountain of Varda. I frowned, not knowing where that was until I recalled that the fountain that Dwalin and I had gone to last night had a statue of a woman. It was as good of a place to start as any.
I retraced my steps in the direction of the fountain and grinned brightly as I heard them as I got closer. I hummed to myself as I walked. I never thought I would get married or have a family again. True, I needed to get to know Dwalin better to find out if there was love there, but if Dwalin was sure that I was his One, I must be his as well.
As I came around the corner and the fountain came into view, my mouth fell open in pure and utter shock. Clothes littered the ground around the fountain and as I stepped around the corner, the very naked Fili and Glion came sliding down the waterfall and into the fountain as Bombur jumped into the fountain from an elevated position near the statue's arm. Ori was on top of Dori's shoulders and Kili was on top of Dwalin's, Kili and Ori trying to push each other off. Oin sat by himself off to the side and I watched as Nori walked around outside the fountain and smacked Bofur on the ass with a belt, Bofur responding in kind, still wearing his hat.
I squeaked loudly in surprise and turned around quickly as Kili pushed Ori over, he and Dori falling into the pool. I tried to leave, my cheeks flaming, but I could hear Dwalin shouting for the others to stop behind me and I flushed a deeper red as I hurried away. I almost ran straight into Lindir and Lord Elrond and I stopped short, Lord Elrond nodding his head in greeting.
"Man aur nin híril," Lindir said as he bowed slightly to me and I curtsied a little bit better than the night before.
"Excuse me," I told them, and Lord Elrond bowed his head before I hurried off, vowing to hide.
I ducked into a hall off the path as I heard my name being called behind me and I hid inside the room. There was a statute inside that held a sort of shelf, upon which was a broken sword. It was shattered in several pieces and the blade looked to be made from mithril. I reached out to touch it but retracted my hand as a young man stepped into view. His hair was dark brown and fell to his shoulders. He was fresh faced with grey eyes and he wore a dark tunic and trousers. While he was tall his ears were visible, and they weren't pointed.
"Mae g'ovannen nin híril," The young man greeted me with a bow of his head, and I bowed my head back at him. My name was called again, and I ducked to the side, hiding. The young man raised a finger to his lip and hid as well and when my name was called again it was from further away. "Why are you hiding?" The young man asked me with a smirk on his face as I straightened up and smoothed down my skirts.
"I caught my companions in an awkward position and I don't wish to talk about it at the moment with who was searching for me," I told the young man who nodded.
"Ah yes, the fountain," The young man said, and I blushed and nodded. "Goheno nin," The young man said as he stepped closer to me. "Forgive me. I should introduce myself. I am Strider," The young man told me, and I smiled slightly at him.
"Adaira, daughter of Gloin, son of Groin. It's strange to see someone other than an elf her," I remarked, and Strider raised an eyebrow at me and smirked.
"Stranger still to see a dwarf in Imladris," Strider said, and I snorted, rolling my eyes. "I am a ranger. I patrol the lands of the Shire and Bree. Lord Elrond is like a father to me. The sword is called Narsil, forged during the First Age by the famed Dwarven-smith Telchar of Nogrod. During the final battle between the Last Alliance and Mordor, the sword was broken when Elendil and Gil-galad fought Sauron themselves and were slain. Taking up the handle-shard of Narsil after his father's defeat, Isildur cut a ring from Sauron's hand, defeating him," Strider informed me and I studied the sword closer at his mention that it was a Dwarven smith who had made it. It was most definitely made of mithril.
"I am a healer's apprentice from the Blue Mountains. My family is escorting me to my betrothed in the Iron Hills," I lied, knowing that anything could get back to Lord Elrond.
"My congratulations to you then," Strider told me with a bow. "I overheard that a dwarven woman was injured. You?" Strider asked me and I nodded.
"A warg. I killed it thought before it killed me," I told him, and he chuckled.
"Forgive me, my lady, but you don't look like a dwarven woman. I've heard that they have beards. You look more like a Hobbit or a shorter woman of the race of Men," Strider said, and I chuckled at that.
"Well, I'm definitely a dwarf or else my mama has some explaining to do," I told Strider before shaking my head as he frowned a bit at my words. "My cousin doesn't have much of a beard himself. I take after my mother," I explained, and Strider nodded in understanding.
"My cousins and I will be training later. You and your family are more than welcome to make use of our training halls and our weapons," Strider offered, and I smiled brightly at him.
"Dolzekh menu," I told him, slipping into Khuzdul, in my excitement and Strider raised an eyebrow at me. "Sorry, thank you. I know that they will be very grateful to have a place to spar," I told Strider and he smiled back at me.
"You are very welcome," Strider told me before bowing his head once more. "I think the coast is clear, my lady," Strider told me, and I chuckled at that.
"I guess I have to face them sooner or later," I told him, and he nodded with a chuckle.
"Galu. Na lû e-govaned vîn. Good luck. Until next we meet." Strider told me in both English and Westron before I ducked out of the room and back on the path. I made my way back to our balcony and found out that the others were searching Rivendell for me if the comments from the few Elves I passed who were talking to one another were true. There were a lot of stares and passing glances. It was ultimately Ori who found me, thankfully clothed, and he looked very red in the face himself as he came running up to me, looking relieved.
"Adaira," Ori said, catching his breath as he stopped before me, growing a darker shade of red that tinged his ears as well. "We're so sorry. None of expected that you would see that," Ori said in a rush and I raised my hand, stopping him.
"I'm sorry for overreacting and hiding. It's…fine. Next time you may want to use the bathing hall," I told Ori, blushing myself and somehow he grew even more red. I heard a cheer shouted and turned around, Kili barreling towards me up the path.
"Fee! I found her!" Kili shouted and I heard several answering calls and I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "We're so sorry," Kili began and I stopped him as the rest of the Company sans Balin, Bifur, and Thorin came up the path making their apologizes as well. I held up my hands, halting them and sighed.
"It's over. It happened. You all wish it hadn't and so do I. It's fine," I told them all and many of them sighed in relief. "I was looking for you actually Master Gloin," I said as I looked at the older Dwarf who stepped forward through the throng. I blushed as I made eye contact with Dwalin who seemed to be blushing slightly himself.
"What do yeh need lass?" Gloin asked me gruffly and I tried to forget how…big Dwalin was and push the images of him naked from my head.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" I asked him and he frowned at me before nodding. Dwalin looked at me curiously and I met his eyes once more and smiled before nodding, trying to convey that I was okay as I slipped my arm into Gloin's and walked away from the others. "I have some questions and Thorin told me that I should talk to you since you are married," I began as we walked to the room I had been given. When we entered the room, I closed the door and walked over to the bed, sinking down on the soft mattress. Gloin pulled up a chair and sat across from me waiting for me to speak.
"I need to know about courting," I said with a blush rising once more to my cheeks and I looked down at my hands which were folded in my lap.
"Well lass, there are certain rituals that occur when a darrow goes to court a darrowdam," Gloin began and I nodded in understanding.
"That's what Thorin said," I agreed and Gloin blew out a breath. "He knows you're asking then?" Gloin asked me and I nodded once more. "Took yah long enough," Gloin commented and I spluttered at that.
"Took me…it's Dwalin who knew and won't tell me himself," I said and Gloin grinned widely.
"Eh hey! So, it is Dwalin," Gloin said cheerily and I put my face in my hands, embarrassed. "Now lass, nothing to be embarrassed about," Gloin told me, coxing me to look at him and reading my face. "Well, I guess the first thing that happens is that a dwarf will approach a parent or a guard and ask them for permission to court his One. If they don't have permission, they still could marry but marrying without permission is seen as unseemly. Of course, your aunt Dis married without permission herself. Vili was a miner, Guild Master mind yeh. The two met when Dis was trying to get miners more rights and higher pay," Gloin explained to me and I hummed knowingly. Basically, they eloped.
"Yer grandfather got over it soon enough once he saw her happy and gave them his blessing. If you've not gotten permission, a blessing works just the same after the fact though that's most often used in situations where a babe is already on the way," Gloing explained and my eyes widened and I made an "ah" sound as I realized what he meant. He seemed to realize what he had told me, and I grinned. So, Fili was the product of a shotgun wedding.
"Anyway… after permission is granted, a dwarf will come before his One empty handed and he presents himself without titles to his One, just a simple khazad. All his titles and every name he has worn in his life is presented as well. That part is very important so that his One sees everything about him laid bare before she enters into an official courtship with him," Gloin continued and I sighed. It was a lot to remember and a lot to consider.
"Once she accepts his courtship, a khazad must fight a chosen member of the darrowdam's kin to prove he can protect her. Most often it is her father, but a brother or an uncle can fill in if her adad is in no shape to fight or no longer with us. There are no limits to how many times a khazad can try to fight for his One's hand. Only once he can win in one on one combat can he braid his bead into his One's hair and the courtship begins," Gloin explained as I nodded, taking mental notes.
"Then comes a series of walks or dinners which are chaperoned. Gifts will be exchanged between the two during courtship of course. They're to be created by your own hands. The courtship can last as long as each couple wishes to. Either can declare they wish to marry and then more gifts are given, and an engagement braid is given with new beads. The comes just arranging everything and the actual marriage," Gloin explained and I nodded and sighed heavily.
"So…can a darrowdam ask for permission to court a darrow?" I asked and Gloin hummed and rubbed his beard.
"It's never been done before, I can tell yeh that," Gloin told me and I nodded in understanding. "It's not been done before, but there is a first time for everything lass," Gloin told me as he rose and patted my shoulder. "You'll figure it out lass," Gloin told me before he slipped out of my room, giving me a lot to think about. I groaned and rolled over, screaming into a pillow.
Why did this have to be all so difficult. Couldn't we just say we just decided to enter into a courtship? I sighed knowing that it wouldn't be possible. Like it or not I was a princess and Thorin's heir. If I wanted to even approach this, it needed to be done properly so no one could contest it. Before I did anything though, before I approached Dwalin, I needed to know how he truly felt. I need to watch him and see if he expressed any interest in me. If and only if he did then I could admit to myself perhaps that I felt something for him too.
Khuzdul
Nadad- Brother
Idad- Uncle
Men lananubukhs me- I love you
Adad kurdu- Father of my heart
Nâthuê kurdu- Daughter of my heart
Khazad- Dwarf
Adad- Father
Sindarin
Man aur nin híril – Good day, my lady
Mae g'ovannen- Well met
Nin híril- My lady
