And I am back with another chapter. The one you have all been waiting for. Without further ado, enjoy!

Adaira's POV

The next morning, I rose early and started to try and figure out what type of bead I wanted to make for Dwalin. I had decided that if he was going to be to stubborn to pursue me himself and was too concerned about things that didn't matter to me to ever ask to court me himself, I would pursue him and ask him to court me. It might not have ever been done before, but there was a first time for everything. I was deep in thought during breakfast, noticing the curious looks that everyone shot my way as I was not my usual talkative self. I calmed myself by watching Ori sketching and he offered to show me how to draw, an offer I took him up one.

I had never been the best at drawing, but being able to sketch out the anatomy and plants that were used for certain ailments might come in handy in the long run, especially as over time I might forget it all at least where anatomy was concerned. Thorin approached me after he was finished with his own morning absolutions and requested for me to join him.

"Mizimith," Thorin said and Ori and I looked up from my lesson. "Are you ready for me to show you how to hone your weapons?" Thorin asked me and I made an "ah" sound, catching on to what he really meant.

"Yes!" I told Thorin a little too excitedly and I was rewarded with some unusual looks before I cleared my throat and tried again. "Yes," I told Thorin more calmly before turning to Ori. "Dolzekh menu, for the lesson," I told Ori who looked surprised by my thanks.

"Oh, it was nothing," Ori told me, blushing slightly and I smiled at him and shook my head.

"I appreciate it. Now I might be able to draw more than a stick figure," I told him with a laugh, and he frowned at me in confusion. I picked up my charcoal piece and leaned down, drawing a stick figure on the spare parchment I had been using and showed it to Ori.

Ori realized what I meant and nodded in understanding. I straighten up and joined Thorin with a grin on my face, glad to see that Dwalin wasn't around. He had gone to the training area with some of the others and I had politely declined even if that earned me a bit of ribbing from my cousins who had said I was just too afraid to be beaten in a fair fight. I needed this to remain a secret for as long as I could. Knowing Nori…it might not be for long.

"Lead the way," I told Thorin and he smiled at me and shook his head at my excitement before leading the way to the forges. Thorin had actually inquired as to where they were from Lord Elrond and I was so proud of him and immensely happy that he had done it for my benefit.

"Have you thought of what to use for your bead?" Thorin asked me as we walked, and I hummed thoughtfully before frowning. I knew some things that I had learnt from my father about metallurgy, but I was by no means skilled in it myself. I had never actually been allowed in my father's forge as he was too afraid that I would get hurt.

"Well, I obviously want something that would last," I began explaining to Thorin and he nodded in agreement. "Dwalin is a warrior and I knew that is a big part of who he is. Obviously not gold. It's too soft of a metal and it's too flashy for him," I reasoned and Thorin hummed in agreement. "Silver is another good choice, but it isn't a very strong metal either. On the other hand, it isn't as flashy. Iron would also work, but I want this to be special. I just…I want to do this right. What do you think?" I asked Thorin as we arrived at the forges. They were burning hot and a thin sheen of sweat arose on my forehead though Thorin looked completely comfortable.

"Nâthuê kurdu," Thorin began and I looked up at him as he looked at me fondly. "I have carried this with me through all of my wandering to remind me of my home, but it will serve you better than me now," Thorin told me as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sanzigil-kaiku, a mithril chunk. He placed in in my hands and my eyes widened in surprise and I hastily tried to give it back to him.

"I can't take this adad kurdu," I told Thorin and he closed my hands over the mithril.

"You can and you will," Thorin told me firmly before he bumped his forehead with mine in a show of affection. "The greatest joy in my life is you and your irak'nadads," Thorin told me and I closed the distance between us, throwing my arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly. Thorin hugged me back and pulled back, bumping foreheads with me again.

"Dolzekh menu adad kurdu," I told Thorin, my heart overfilled with joy. "This means everything to me," I added, and I hugged Thorin once more. He chuckled as we pulled away again as the excitement grew within me again.

"Do you know what you wish to make for Dwalin?" Thorin asked me as we stood before the table filled with tools. I put the paper and charcoal I had been carrying onto the table and began to sketch the roundabout image of a bead as I spoke.

"The bead should be simple. Dwalin only likes to show off when he is fighting. Kili showed me the stone that imad Dis made for him. I want to etch the same runes into this bead. That way Dwalin always remembers the promise I hope he will make to me, to always return to me no matter what battle he goes off to fight," I explained to Thorin and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully as I wrote the runes out over the face of the bead on the paper.

"It is a promise he is sure to remember," Thorin told me before he began to show me how to prepare a mold for the bead using carefully packed soil. This metal casting mold would form the shape of the bead. I wished I could use soil from the foothills of Erebor to make it, but this elven soil would have to work. "Have you thought of what to say to him?" Thorin asked me as we worked. He showed me how to start and then watched as I worked, correcting my hands when it was necessary but for the most part, the work was done by my hands as was customary.

"I think I kind of have it worked out in my head, but when the time comes, I might just end up winging it," I told Thorin as I pulled a face and Thorin put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed in slightly.

"If it is from the heart, Dwalin will listen," Thorin assured me and I smiled back at him.

"Of that I can assure you it will be," I told Thorin, feeling reassured that I would at least get a chance to talk to Dwalin and have him listen to me.

Dwalin's POV

Dwalin returned to their quarters after a good spar and a bath. He had needed to work off some of the tension he felt. While his shoulder still pained him, it was improving, and he was sure to listen to Adaira's instruction to rest it and not use it much. Baalin approached him as soon as he had returned and while Dwalin was still angry with him for having told Adaira the truth, he knew it had been him, he approached his brother and sat down.

"What did Thorin say to you?" Balin asked him immediately cutting to the chase. "I know you too spoke," Balin added after Dwalin remained silent, thinking if he ought to say anything.

"He's given me permission to court her," Dwalin finally told his brother who sighed in relief.

"I told you he would if you just asked," Balin remarked and Dwalin glared at him.

"I still dunna know if it is a good idea," Dwalin told him and Baalin raised an eyebrow at him.

"You know that she knows and Thorin has given his permission, what more is there to consider?" Balin asked his brother and Dwalin swore under his breath,

"She knows, aye, but there's no telling if she feels the same. I'll not be made a fool by going to her without knowing her thoughts on the matter," Dwalin grumbled and Balin sighed once more before he pulled something out of his pocket and held what was in his hand out to his brother.

"I've waited to give these to you until the time was right," Balin told him and Dwalin frowned before plucking them out of his brother's hand. There were three beads, a courting, engagement, and marriage bead, each made of mithril and with the symbol of the House of Durin etched into the beads. Sapphires also adored the crown of Durin. He recognized these beads, his Amad had worn them until the day she had died.

"I can't take these," Dwalin protested and he tried to hand them back to his nadad.

"Amad would have wanted you to have them," Balin informed his brother, refusing to take them back. "You'll never know how she feels if you don't ask her," Balin added and Dwalin sighed deeply before tucking the beads away in his pocket where he knew they would be safe.

"Did I ever thank yah?" He asked Balin then, the last remaining member of his immediate family. After their adad and amad had died, Balin had finished raising him. It hadn't been easy to do it alone, especially with how stubborn and headstrong he had been, but his nadad had done it all the same.

"No, but you never had too," His nadad answered him, and Dwalin nodded.

"Thank yah all the same. It couldn't have been easy raising me all on yer own," Dwalin properly thanked his nadad for the first time. This Quest and finding his One had thrown a lot into the light. Dwalin had always been welcome in Thorin's house and he had helped raise Fili and Kili, but at the end of the day he had returned to an empty house.

"It wasn't but I am your nadad," Balin told him before knocking foreheads with him and Dwalin chuckled before Balin leaned in closer to him. "Have you thought of a courting gift?" Balin asked him with an eyebrow raised and Dwalin shrugged in answer.

"No. Nothing I have is worthy of her," Dwalin informed his brother who frowned at this answer.

"You have your Craft. Make something for her," Baalin reminded him and Dwalin had a thought then of what might be the right thing to make her. He would happily be a blacksmith for the rest of his life in order to support her. He had not had much time to work on his Craft of late, but he had something he could offer her.

"Something to protect her when I canna," Dwalin finally said and Balin smiled and nodded.

"You have your answer then," Balin told him and Dwalin nodded before he got up and walked off, determined to find the forges so that he could start to craft his courting gift.

Adaira's POV

"I'm telling you, it's off center. And this side is too thin," I criticized my work as I wiped the sweat from my brow. Thorin had carefully helped me melt the mithril down in the coals and then I had poured it into the mold I had made. I had waited for the metal to cool before revealing the bead and now Thorin was going to show me how to etch the runes into it, but I felt as if my work was subpar.

"For your first work it is well made. It will stand up to daily wear and tear," Thorin assured me as I grumbled to myself. I carefully etched each rune into the bead by heating up the metal and a pick tool and carefully carving the runes into the slightly moldable metal. It was a bit wonky and my lettering wasn't really straight, and I put the bead down in dismay.

"This is horrible. I've ruined it," I said in dismay as tears weld up in my eyes. I angrily wiped them away with the heel of my hand and Thorin put a hand on my good shoulder and squeezed it.

"It is not horrible. For your first time it is well done. Dwalin will be proud to wear something that has come from your hands no matter how it looks. Dwalin is a little rough around the edges quite like this bead. It represents him as much as it represents your love for him. You've poured you heart into this work and he will be proud to wear it," Thorin reassured me and I nodded, wiping a stray tear away before I inhaled deeply and nodded. "We'll make a smith of you yet," Thorin told me with a laugh and I smiled back at him.

"Thorin!" Dwalin called then from behind me and I squeaked in surprise, turning around quickly and hiding the bead in my hand.

"Dwalin, come to repair your armor?" Thorin asked as he greeted Dwalin, the two knocking foreheads together, Dwalin clapping him on the back. Dwalin did indeed have his armor with him and his axes.

"Figured if the elf was letting is use his forge I might as well make use of it," Dwalin answered him gruffly before he seemed to notice me.

"Adaira," Dwalin said slightly in surprise before he frowned. "What are yah doing here lass?" He asked me and I smiled at him as he looked around. I had already grabbed the bead off the table as he approached so it was no where in sight and with slight of hand, I had hidden it in the pocket of my pants.

"I'm teaching Adaira the basics of smithing so she can care for her own gear," Thorin answered got me and Dwalin nodded still looking like he suspected me of something.

"Is that right?" Dwalin asked me and I smiled back at him and met his gaze, daring him to call me out on something.

"That's the truth," I told him before I looked away and at Thorin. "I have lessons with Master Balin to attend to Idad," I told him, and he thankfully caught on and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, you've missed many of them since we arrived here. Run along," Thorin ordered me and I nodded before leaving, nodding my head towards Dwalin as I passed him.

Once I was adequately away, I had to force down a giggle that was rising to the surface. Now I was on a mission, to ask Balin for permission to court Dwalin and to make something for a courting gift. I found Balin back with the others, he and Ori discussing the particulars of their craft. After all, Balin was head of the Scrivener's guild and Ori was his apprentice. I approached Balin, worrying my lip between my teeth and he looked up, raising an eyebrow curiously. I decided that the best option was to just talk to him and tell him the truth.

"Can we talk for a moment, Master Balin?" I asked the older darrow and he seemed to consider me for a moment before he nodded. Ori packed up his things and smiled at me knowingly before he left us to have a private moment to talk. The sunshine was warming the balcony and while I was still hot from the forges, it was nice to relax in the sunshine.

"Every time I look at Dwalin I feel a fire grow within me. It's a feeling of peace and comfort that I've never felt before," I began as Balin waited patiently with his hands folded in his lap and he nodded, encouraging me to continue. "Dwalin is my One. I'm certain of it now. I don't care that he is older than me. I don't care if he does not hold the same position as I do. I love him. Nothing else matters than that. He has more to offer than he thinks he does, and I have much to offer him as well. I will always be there to listen to him, to comfort him, and to heal him when he is injured. He will always be able to lay down his burdens at my feet and I will help him through them. I love him," I babbled, getting it all out as Balin listen intently and he smiled at last when I was finished.

"Well, are you asking if you may court him or making a declaration?" Balin asked me with a raised eyebrow and I smiled at him before asking my question.

"Yes, I'm asking for your permission to court Dwalin properly," I told Balin and he stood up and put both hands on my shoulders as he gave me his answer.

"In the best interest of my brother. I accept. He'll never admit it to himself or you that he cares for you so it will have to be on you," Balin told me and I smiled brightly before knocking my forehead against his.

"Dolzekh menu!" I cried joyfully before hugging Balin. I pulled back and composed myself, but he was only smiling, unphased by my actions. "I don't have a courting gift…," I told him frowning before I pulled out the bead I made. "It's not as good as it ought to be, but I made it myself from mithril that came from Erebor," I informed Balin and he took it from me and pulled out his glasses before inspecting the bead.

"This is good work for your first time," Balin assured me before handing me back the bead. "I highly approve," Balin told me with a smile before he leaned in and talked lowly to me as the others began to return from sparing. "You know, cooking is considered a Craft and my nadad quite liked your food," Balin informed me and we shared a conspiratorial smile.

I knew what I could do now for my courting gift. Dwalin was one of the Company who was most vocal about the fact that the food was considered unacceptable by their standards and I could understand why. Between sparring and the differences between races, Elves could sustain themselves on their vegetarian diet, darrow on the other hand needed protein to sustain themselves. I had a feeling that if I asked nicely, I might be able to work something out with Lord Elrond, but I would need help. You could commander help for courting gifts so long as you did the bulk of the work. For this I would need the only two people in the Company that were as in to cooking as I was, Bombur and Bilbo. With a plan in mind I grinned brightly and thanked Balin before I hurried away to collect the two men, who were more than happy to help after I explained everything to them.

I had gone on a bit of a search and had found Lindir of whom I requested to speak with Lord Elrond. With my co-conspirators in tow, we were led to his study. I explained to him our dilemma and he was very good natured about it. While elves of the Noldor race as they were did not partake of meat as the Silvan elves did, they would provide meat for us so long as they killed it themselves and thanked Oromë, the Huntsman and Lord of the Forests for the blessing of the food. It was easy to see the similarities between this and the way halal food was prepared back at home, so I easily agreed. Lord Elrond sent his own sons Elladan and Elrohir to hunt for me and I was assured that they would be back with the meat before dinner.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the kitchens preparing dish after dish with the company of Bombur and Bilbo. The elven kitchen staff were slightly taken aback when we first had arrived, but I had carried with me a sealed note to give to the head of the kitchens. We were allowed to use whatever we desired, and I had come up with a dinner that the others, especially Dwalin would like. Bombur, Bilbo and I also made separate dishes which were packed away in a basket. Tomorrow I would approach Dwalin and have a picnic waiting afterwards. It would take a bit more prep tomorrow, but it was well worth the work.

"Are you sure they're right, Bilbo?" I asked as I pulled the first batch of cookies out of the oven., They were the same as the ones Dwalin had pilfered from the cookie jar when he first arrived at Bilbo's house.

"These are amazing. I never thought to crush down the cinnamon sticks and add it to the top," Bilbo told me as he ate one of the still warm cookies. It had been made known to me that while cinnamon was a thing here, it only came in full sticks and no one really knew how to use it when it came to food. I knew that come apple season they were all in for a treat as I loved to make apple pie.

"Cinnamon is my favourite," I told Bilbo with a smile as I ate my own cookie. They were little sugar cookies with a dash of cinnamon on top and were quite good in my opinion. The hunters returned with baskets of fish and an entire deer. I had them butcher it for me and then I got an awfully good idea as they were gutting it. "I should make haggis," I remarked and Bilbo and Bombur frowned at me. "It's well, you use the entrails and interal organs to make offal which is mixed with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning and then boiled in a bag. Traditionally the bag is made from the animal's stomach," I explained and while Bilbo made a face at the description, Bombur looked intrigued. "if it's done right it's good. Usually it is made with sheep, but I could make it with venison," I remarked and Bombur put a hand on my shoulder.

"It's never made poorly if you put your heart into it lass. I would certainly say that you are a fine cook. He'll like whatever you make him," BOmbur assured me and I wiped my hands on a towel before directing which organs I needed them to save and having them hand me the stomach. This was gonna be a lot of haggis. Too bad it wasn't being made form a certain sheep.

I had gone from being o unsure of myself, dropped into this world and having to decide to come on this quest or not, to finding the other half of my soul which Mahal had created for me. We had almost been eaten by trolls, run down by Wargs and Orcs and now we had a slight time to breath before we started our journey through the Misty Mountains. It was hardly the best time to start courting Dwalin, but it couldn't be helped. Any of us could die on the road and even if one of us fell pray to the dangers, at least I could say that I had pursued happiness. I knew with Dwalin he and I could find that happiness and maybe I was determined to prove to him that he deserved to be happy.

That night at dinner, I wore the green dress that was my mother's once more. It gave me a feeling of comfort and courage all at the same time. My mother had been of Nordinbad and my father a prince of Durin's line. Not knowing who my mother's family was, our situations very well might have been similar only in reverse. I sat down across from Dwalin at dinner and this time, we didn't look away from one another. The elves began bring out platter after platter of the food that Bombur, Bilbo, and I had slaved over hot stoves to make all afternoon. There were looks of confusion as fried fish platters were placed in intervals down the tables with baked potatoes and candied yams, blueberry and blackberry pies and platters of venison which was roasted with garlic and butter until the juices dripped down into the pan. The smells coming off the food were amazing and the looks on the faces of all present made me feel happy and joyful.

"Where did all this come from?" Dwalin asked as he took it in while platters of vegetarian dishes were placed in front of Lord Elrond, Gandalf, his sons, and Strider. I had also made a strawberry vinaigrette to splash over the salads. Lord Elrond raised his wine goblet to me and bowed his head and I raised my wine goblet in return and bowed my hand back.

"I made dinner," I told Dwalin as he looked up and at me. "I had help of course, Bombur and Bilbo lended a hand," I added as I grinned, and the dwarves tucked in.

"How did yah manage to get the Elf to give up the meat?" Dwalin asked as he began to fill a plate up with a little pit of everything, piling it on.

"I asked to speak with him and he listened to what I had to say and provided this for my use," I explained to Dwalin and I picked up my plate and went to fill it, only for Dwalin to take the plate from me and handed me the filled plate.

Our hands touched and we locked eyes with one another before Dwalin purposely rubbed a finger over mine before he let go of the plate. He broke eye contact with me and began filling is own plate and I smiled fondly as I put my plate down on the table. and picked up my fork to begin eating. The meal actually was lovely with no outbursts from the Company as their mouths were too full to do much talking. I received the compliments on the food humbly, making sure that credit also went to Bombur and Bilbo who had been the most excellent companions in the kitchen.

Time seemed to move slowly after that night. Dwalin disappeared the next day so I was unable to approach him and the day after it was the same. Our time in Rivendell was almost at an end and I was beginning to think that Dwalin was avoiding me. I continued to cook and provide the Company with meat for dinner all the while beginning to lose hope for finding a moment to talk with Dawlin. On the morning of the day on which the map could finally be read, Dwalin was once again back to being amongst the Company. After breakfast, I stood to approach Dwalin and at the same time, Dwalin stood as well. He looked slightly confused, but I walked towards him, worrying my lip between my teeth before I shook off my nerves.

"Dwalin?" I asked at the same time he asked, "Adaira?"

"You go first," We said in unison and I noticed the waggling eyebrows and the "oooohs" of the Company and I blushed, Dwalin also suspiciously a bit pink around the cheeks. Dwalin gestured for me to speak first and I smiled at him as I found my confidence.

"Will you talk a walk with me?" I asked Dwalin and after a moment of consideration he nodded.

"Ooooh-oh," Kili and Fili called after us as we began to walk away trying to embarrass me further. I looked up at Dwalin and arched my eyebrow and he nodded before we both turned around and each of us flipped off Fili and Kili. Dwalin offered me his arm then as we turned back around.

"Lead the way," Dwalin told me and I slipped my arm into his as some of the others chuckled wildly behind us. We walked off together, Fili and Kili sharing horrified looks as they finally realized why we might be talking alone and because Thorin was actually smiling. Dwalin and I walked side by side and I led him back to the garden where he and I had talked recently, Dwalin making his apology to me. Dwalin sat down on the bench, but I remained standing, needing to be on my feet for this.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I think we both know why I asked you to walk with me. We've both been skirting around the situation or ignoring it and I think it is time we talked about it," I told Dwalin almost all in one breath as I fought to get the words out. Dwalin considered my words for a moment and then he nodded in agreement.

"Aye, I know why yah asked me and yah know why I accepted," Dwalin said and I nodded before I reached up and pulled the hair stick out of my hair, which had twirled it up in a knot. I had worn my hair like this for the last few days, waiting for an opportunity. Dwalin just stared at me, frozen in shock as my hair tumbled freely down my back, my hair falling in curls to my waist. I kept my eyes on Dwalin's as I carefully unbraided my family and warrior braids and then knelt down in front of him.

"Dwalin son of Fundin, I come woefully unprepared before you, but I cannot wait any longer. I am a daughter, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a healer, a new warrior, and a princess of Durin's line. I come before you as a darrowdam who loves you," I began and Dwalin just stared at me, his eyes wide and seemingly frozen. He suddenly moved then, the spell broken, and he moved to stop me. "Please," I said, and he sat back nodding. "I first Recognized you while watching you fight my adad kurdu. I know for certain that you are my One," I told Dwalin and he sat there for a long moment before he stood and reached down, taking my hands in his and lifting me to his feet. He stood so close to me and he shook his head in disbelief.

"I've got nothing to offer yah. No titles and nothing worth a damn," Dwalin told me and I shook my head, reaching up and putting a hand to the side of his face and holding it to his cheek.

"You do have titles to offer, loyal, guard, protector, comforter…," I listed before I turned my head slightly to the side, smiling at him fondly. "And you have something worth everything to me, yourself," I told him firmly and I slowly rose up on my tip toes and put my forehead to his. "I don't need anything more than who you are," I told him truthfully and he hummed slightly as he put his hands on my waist and pulled me slightly closer to him. "I know you are my One. I didn't understand everything at first, but I spoke with Thorin and I know now why you pushed me away," I told Dwalin and he looked away from me with a guilty look crossing his face.

"I have no excuse for how I acted, so don't give me one. I was downright cruel, and I know it," Dwalin told me as he looked back at me, remorse filling his eyes.

"You were not cruel, harsh maybe, but never cruel," I told Dwalin as his hands tightened slightly on my hips. It felt so nice to be this close to him, able for me to touch him and it be okay. The fire within me burned brighter than ever and I was afraid it would scorch us both where we stood. "If you think you are too old for me, I don't care about that. If you think you have nothing to offer me, you're wrong," I told Dwalin firmly and he put his head on my shoulder, turning his head away as he hugged me.

"I pushed yah away partially because of that, but also because I was running away," Dwalin told me as I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. "I was a coward, afraid to accept my One," Dwalin told me, lifting his head and looking at me once more.

"You're not a coward, Dwalin. You could never be one either," I told him and Dwalin bumped his forehead to mine. "Dwalin, son of Fundin, will you make me the happiest darrowdam alive and let me court you?" I asked Dwalin and he pulled back slightly and looked down at me, mouth slightly open in surprise before he laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest.

"I think that's my question," Dwalin laughed and I raised an eyebrow at him and stepped a bit back from him. His arms went with me and he pulled me back closer to him and I giggled.

"We'll I asked your nadad for permission to court you and I made you this," I told Dwalin as he let me pull the bead I had made from my pocket. He carefully took it from me and inspected it.

"Return to me?" He asked as he read the inscription I had engraved onto the bead.

"So that you always remember whatever battle you go off to fight, to come back to me," I told Dwalin firmly and he stared at me before a loving look came over his face.

"You made this for me?" Dwalin asked me in a low voice and I nodded with a loving smile on my face as I looked at him with fondness.

"Thorin helped me quite a bit. It's really sloppy," I confessed, worrying my lip with my teeth as I frowned slightly.

"Yer no natural smith, bit for your first work this shows promise," Dwalin told me as he held up the bead and I stopped worrying my lip as he cupped my cheek in his hand.

"It's a bit rough around the edges like us both," I told him, and he stared at me for a long moment before he spoke once more.

"Adaira, daughter of Frerin, son of Thrain, son of Thror," Dwalin said before he stepped back slightly and knelt before me. "I have sought out the permission of your adad kurdu. I come before yeh unarmed, just a simple warrior. I am a brother, a cousin, a friend, a warrior, a guardsman, and as a darrow who loves yeh. I've not got much to offer yeh, save for myself. In my arms yeh'll always find a home. I'll always protect yah and love yah and listen to yah when yah need it. I knew yeh were my One the moment yah spoke to me. Yah are my atamanel. Menu tessu," Dwalin vowed to me and I began crying as he spoke to me and I lifted him to his feet like he had me.

"Menu tessu, amrâlimê," I told Dwalin through my tears and he reached a hand up, wiping them away more gently that anyone might think him able to.

"Don't cry, âzyungel," He told me, and I laughed at that as I pressed my forehead to me.

"They're happy tears," I assured him and Dwalin picked me up as he sat us down on the bench, the two of us wrapped up in each other. Dwalin reached into his pocket and pulled a bead out. It was a gorgeous silver color with the mark of Durin's line engraved into it with little sapphires representing the stars above the crown.

"This was the courting bead my adad made for my amad," Dwalin told me as he passed me the bead to inspect and he looked at me expectantly.

"Men lananuubukhs menu, Dwalin son of Fundin," I told Dwalin with a big smile as I expressed my love for him for the first time.

I put my free hand to his face, and I hesitated for only a moment before sliding my fingers through the beard on his face. He growled and pulled me closer to him so that I was practically straddling him before he slid his hands up from my hips and stuck them both into my hair, running his fingers through my tresses. I shivered at the feeling and I sunk my hands into his own hair, and he growled again before his lips crashed onto mine.

It was a heated kiss, mixed with joy and love as well as the frustration that both of us felt for it having taken this long. Dwalin's tongue ran along the seam of my lips and I gladly opened my mouth, letting his tongue battle for dominance with mine. I moaned as Dwalin's hands scraped my scalp and Dwalin froze, the both of us a bit surprised. Dwalin pulled back and I blushed at my reaction. Dwalin looked very pleased with himself though. He gently picked me up and placed me beside him on the bench, so I was no longer sitting in his lap. If I wasn't mistaken something else had risen to the occasion which only made me blush more.

"Best not give yeh idad reason to kill me," Dwalin said in his rumbling voice and I laughed, feeling embarrassed. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," Dwalin told me, catching on to my mood as he looked down at me and he lifted my chin gently, so I looked back at him.

"I'm just afraid I like it too much," I admitted to Dwalin in a quiet voice and he groaned at my words, muttering something about me being the death of him. "Dwalin?" I asked and he instantly turned back to me. "Were you asking to court me when you made your Declaration?" I asked Dwalin as he had in fact made a proper Declaration.

"Aye," Dwalin told me in a low voice and I smiled at him as I

"I accept your courtship if you will accept mine first, amrâlimê," I told Dwalin who looked very happy as he looked down at me with love in his eyes.

"Aye, I accept your courtship," Dwalin told me and I grinned and leaned in, stealing another kiss from him only this time it was no more than a quick kiss and Dwalin smiled back at me as I leaned away again. "May I braid yer hair?" Dwalin asked me and I smiled up at him as I passed him back his bead for me which I had slipped quickly into my pocket before we kissed for the first time.

"Only if I may braid yours," I told him, and he laughed as he passed me back the bead, I had made for him.

"What's left of it," He joked, and I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"From what I have heard you used to have a mohawk," I mentioned and Dwalin nodded, the smile never leaving his face.

"Aye. I cut it off after Erebor fell and then the Battle of Azanulbizar. We lost too many," Dwalin told me with a grim face and I nodded in understanding.

"Thorin keeps his beard short for the same reasons," I said in agreement and Dwalin nodded. "We'll have our home back soon," I told Dwalin and he nodded before smiling once more.

"Aye," He said before I scooted closer to him and turned slightly away from him, presenting him with the right side of my head which was the side meant for a courting braid.

My two family braids, one that showed my family line and the other to show my status as both a Princess of Erebor and a darrowdam of Nordinbad, were on the left side of my head and on the right I had my warrior braid. Dwalin picked up my loose hair and wove an intricate braid of his own chosen design into my hair and secured the end with his courting bead. That it had been his mother's, was even more precious to me. I ran my hands carefully over the braid once it was finished, smiling to myself before I stood and walked to the other side of Dwalin so I could braid my own courting braid. A courting braid didn't have to be a specific type of braid, but each person could choose which braid they thought represented their One. Not that all darrow married their Ones.

I sectioned off a piece of Dwalin's coarse hair and I gently braided a simpler braid into his hair which utilized five strands before I secured my bead to the end of it. Dwalin wrapped one arm around my waist and pulled me down so I was sitting on his knee and then he just turned his head and pressed his forehead into my chest, just holding me. I gently ran my fingers through his hair and then I leaned down and kissed the top of his bald head and he hugged me tighter as we just enjoyed the moment and being together for the first time. Whatever might come next, we would be doing it together.

Khuzdul:

Mizimith-Little jewel

Dolzekh menu- Thank you

Nâthuê kurdu- Daughter of my heart
Sanzigil-kaiku- mithril chunk

Adad kurdu- Father of my heart

Irak'nadads -Cousins (male)

Imad- Aunt

Amad- Mother

Nadad- brother

Adad- Father

Atamanel- Breath of all breaths

Menu tessu- You mean everything to me

Amrâlimê- My love

Âzyungel- Love of loves

Men lananubukhs menu- I love you