Welcome back to another chapter and one you all have been waiting on for a good long while. It is finally here. So without further ado, enjoy!

Mels xoxo

Adaira's POV

That night was a whirlwind of activity at least for those of us who had to prepare for the wedding that would now take place the next day. Dori assured me that he could finish my dress in time, but I still needed to prepare a cloak to use during the ceremony. Thorin offered up his spare cloak to me which was the nicest of what we had left and Dori and I got to work our heads buried over the candle lit corner of Beorn's house that we had first taken up residence in.

We were deep into our work, but I noticed when Dwalin left cups of water or mead beside me or plates of food for me to nibble on as I worked on my needle point. I could smell lots of food being made in the kitchen and the others were laughing boisterously, downing mead as they traded stories. Dwalin and Nori got us to move in front of the fireplace with some amount of badgering and this is where they left us, the others working around us.

Bilbo sat beside me, a huge pile of freshly clipped flowers in his lap which he began to weave together. Everyone seemed determined to make this the best ceremony we could even if we didn't have much and we were on the road. It warmed my heart to see just how much everyone cared about Dwalin and I. The hour was very late when Dori and I finished our work and my hands were stiff and sore, but I was proud of my work.

I had embroidered the cloak with Dwalin's personal sigil and my own, the sigil of Durin's line and the ever present oak tree in my life. I also included various geometric patterns and symbols from Hegg, thistle flowers and the claddagh. It fit our union perfectly. It was simple if you considered that I was a princess, but I didn't want finery. I was marrying Dwalin and that was all I cared about. I didn't need more than what I had here, family.

Beorn was still awake, when I finally rose from my bent position in front of the fireplace and he stood from his chair and intercepted me as I moved to return to where I had been sleeping. He offered me his room and while at first I protested, he insisted that I take it for the night. I thanked him for his kindness and he showed me to his room, picking me up and putting me down upon the bed before leaving me. The mattress was stuffed with feathers and fresh hay and was softer than anything I had slept on in awhile and I fell asleep almost as soon as I laid my head down, a smile on my face.

When I awoke the next morning it was to the late morning sunshine streaming in through the window in Beorn's room. I stretched languidly and sat up yawning. I spent a few moments laying in bed and getting my bearings before I hopped down from the bed and to my feet. The door to the room was slightly ajar so that I could open it and when I did I found Thorin sitting on the other side smoking his pipe. He turned and smiled at me before getting to his feet.

"Mizimith," He greeted me, bumping foreheads with me and I smiled back at him, hugging him tightly. "How did you sleep?" He asked as I yawned once more.

"Better than I have in a long time," I admitted honestly and Thorin nodded.

"Aye. Wait here. I'll send Dwalin outside," Thorin informed me and I nodded once before he slipped away.

I heard Dwalin's voice from somewhere around the corner, but wasn't able to catch a glimpse of him. It sounded like he was arguing with Thorin and their voices only grew louder which made me frown deeply. Then I heard Dwalin's voice getting closer and at that Thorin seemed to rush ahead of him to head him off. The door to Beorn's room suddenly swung shut with a loud bang and I squawked in surprise, stepping back a little from the door as it shut in my face, nearly closing on my nose.

"You know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," I heard Thorin say on the other side of the door, no doubt to my fiance.

"I just wanted to talk to her, I think I'm entitled to that," My dwarf argued with my uncle, sounding rather exasperated with the situation. He also sounded tired and there was a note of something in his voice that only made me frown more deeply in concern.

"You'll see her soon enough," Thorin shot back in annoyance and before Dwalin could retort I decided to step in and end the argument over who could and who couldn't speak to me. If anyone could make that decision it would be me.

"Adad, I'd like to speak to my One if you don't mind," I spoke up and I heard shuffling on the other side of he door before Thorin answered me sounding defeated.

"Fine, but this door stays shut," Thorin commanded and I rolled my eyes at his antics. Most likely he was trying to keep me pure before we were actually married seeing as he was technically the defender of my honor and Dwalin and I were a little handsy with one another. "You have two minutes," Thorin added before I heard him walk away. There was more shuffling on the other side of the door and it opened slightly and a hand slipped through the small opening made and I instantly grasped Dwalin's hand.

"Ghivashel," Dwalin breathed out in a soft voice, sounding as if a big weight had been lifted off of his shoulders and I felt as if a weight I hadn't even known I was holding had been lifted off my own shoulders.

"Abbad, amrâlimê," I assured my One, squeezing his hand tightly. While I had slept well I had missed laying in Dwalin's arms the night before. "I missed you," I told Dwalin honestly, and I heard him chuckle slightly.

"Aye, I missed yah too hôfukel," Dwalin told me and he squeezed my hand back. "Are yah… I mean… are yah sure we aren't being to hasty?" Dwalin asked me then and I frowned and I decided that tradition be damned, this was a conversation we needed to have face to face, especially if Dwalin was worried that we were doing things wrong.

I opened the door to Beorn's room and saw that Dwalin was looking down at his feet, an expression of uncertainty on his face. He looked up and an expression of surprise crossed his face as he saw me and I pulled him towards me. He didn't resist and I pulled him into the room, closing the door behind him so that we could have a little bit of privacy.

"What's bothering you, azaghâlûh?" I asked Dwalin as I put my chin on his chest and looked up at him, Dwalin wrapping his arms around my waist and sighing as he buried his face into my neck. I heard him breath in deeply several times and I reached up rubbing gentle circles on his back to calm him.

"I never thought that I deserved this. A wife, a One, the happiness that comes with it…," Dwalin mumbled above me and I frowned deeply and pulled back to look at him, taking my arms which were wrapped around him and placing them on either side of his face, forcing him to look at me.

"You deserve as much happiness as anyone else. I love you Dwalin son of Fundin and I am so ready to be your wife. Whatever happens next, we'll do it together as a team. Menu tessu," I told Dwalin firmly, many emotions flooding me at that moment as I looked at my One. A smile lit Dwalin's face as he looked down at me and he caressed the side of my face several times, studying my face as if he was afraid I would disappear if he looked away.

"Menu tessu amrâlimê," Dwalin told me before he leaned down and kissed me deeply, pulling me off my feet and I wrapped my arms around his neck, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "Are you sure yah wouldn't rather have a proper ceremony with a dress and everything that goes with it once we reclaim the mountain?" Dwalin asked me as he pulled away and set me down on my feet once more, checking for a second time that I was okay to move forward with the ceremony.

"All I need is you," I told Dwalin and he smiled at me warmly and leaned down, kissing me once more.

At that moment, Thorin returned and began banging loudly on the door and Dwalin rolled his eyes as I opened mine and he broke the kiss. I sighed, mourning the loss of our little moment already and shook my head. Seeing my momentary frown, Dwalin placed a kiss on my forehead which made me smile once more. He squeezed my hand before he made for the door and slipped out of the room. I heard a few muffled comments made on the other side of the door before Thorin entered the room looking peeved. He fixed me with a stare and I only shrugged at him.

"If you'd like to be mad at someone, be mad at me. I was the one who broke tradition and opened the door," I told Thorin before he could speak. "I could sense something was bothering Dwalin," I explained and Thorin's expression softened slightly.

"Did you two work it out?" Thorin asked me with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"There wasn't much really to work out. Dwalin was only concerned if I was happy with this arrangement and well...he doubts himself. Or rather, he never expected to find his One or to marry so he feels as if he doesn't deserve happiness," I said and Thorin sighed as he came to stand before me and he placed his hands upon my shoulders.

"Dwalin's an honorable dwarf and it is because of that honor and loyalty that perhaps he never pursued any relationships before you. He never had time as he was always guarding me and refused to let another aid in the task," Thorin told me as he paced the floor and he shook his head smiling slightly as he looked up at me. "Which is why he will no longer be guarding me. Once we reclaim Erebor and everything is settled I will have Dwalin train someone new to guard myself and your cousins. Dwalin's task will be to guard my heir and the future Queen," Thorin informed me and I smacked him on the shoulder.

"Stop calling me that. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm your heir, but I've not yet wrapped my head around the fact that I might someday have to be in a position of power. I'm just me. I'm awkward, I say the wrong things and I doubt the Dwarven Lords would listen to a woman if they are half as bad as they sound," I told Thorin and he shook his head chuckling slightly.

"You need not worry about it yet mizimith though I think you will be a fine Queen. Come we still have yet to get you ready and the sun is already almost high in the sky," Thorin told me and he ushered me outside of the bedroom and led me to the kitchen where Bombur had a large breakfast waiting for me.

There were fried eggs and more fresh bread and honey cakes which were heaven. I ate as much as I could, knowing that food like this would be scarce on the road and once I was stuffed I was ready to dress and begin the ceremony, but Dori seemed to have other plans, the older dwarf appearing from nowhere and ushering me back towards the barn where we had been sleeping.

In the back of the barn, Beorn had set up his tub which was carved from a large boulder for me. It was filled with steaming hot water and a makeshift screen made from a large white sheet had been set up. Dori ordered me to bathe and dress in the shift he had managed to also sew for me. Apparently Beorn had provided him with more material than just for my dress so that he could make some clothes for me. I carefully climbed into the large tub which was only partially filled using the step stool to get in and I sat back in the hot water, sighing in relief. The bruises on my side were still a dark purple, but showed some improvement.

The hot water felt nice on my limbs and I enjoyed the chance to bathe in hot water again. I took my time, using the honey soap which had been provided and once the water grew tepid I climbed out of the bath and dried off with a huge towel. I found a new set of breast bindings which I wound around myself tightly before I pulled on a new pair of small clothes and finished with slipping into my shift. I poked my head around the curtain and found Oin waiting for me.

He had me bring the stool over and sit on it in front of him before he took care with looking over me once more since I had neglected coming to see him for several days. He applied salve to the large slashes on my face and once he was finished he told me to wait for Dori. Dori returned shortly thereafter and I was brought back to Beorn's room, not meeting with anyone else. I was helped into the dress Dori made for me and once it was on, I held back tears.

It was absolutely beautiful. The dress fell down to my ankles and it had long sleeves around the bottom of which was embroidered elegant geometric patterns. The neckline was squared and there were more geometric patterns and flowers embroidered into the material all done in golden colored thread. Dori provided me with a belt which cinched the dress in at my waist and I remained barefooted as I had since our arrival here. A small knock sounded on the door then and I looked over my shoulder towards it as Dori fussed over me.

"Come in," I called and the door was pushed open slightly and Bilbo nervously entered the room, carrying a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a flower crown in the other.

"Everyone is nearly ready," Bilbo told Dori before he turned to me. "You look beautiful," He complimented me and I smiled brightly at him.

"Thank you Bilbo. Are those for me?" I asked the Hobbit, gesturing to the flowers and he nodded, bashfully offering them to me.

"I hope you like them," Bilbo said as I took the bouquet from him and inhaled deeply. It was made of wildflowers, my favourite. Sunflowers, asters, poppies, and cornflowers made for a fragrant and colorful bouquet all brought together with blanket flowers and baby's breath and lavender.

"They're perfect. I can't thank you enough. Either of you. You've made this...I never expected much from a ceremony on the road, but this is more than I could ever imagine," I told both Bilbo and Dori as Dori stopped fussing with my dress and I held both men's gazes as tears filled my eyes.

"You're welcome, my dear," Dori told me as he took the flower crown from Bilbo and gently placed it on top of my head. "Now don't cry. You'll make your eyes all read," Dori fussed and I laughed, gently wiping my eyes with my hand and Bilbo reached in his pocket and rooted around before producing his handkerchief which he offered to me.

"I think you might need this more today," Bilbo told me as he offered it to me and I thanked him as I accepted it from him, drying my eyes and taking a few breaths before pinching my cheeks to entice some color into them. I smiled then and nodded and Dori smiled back looking pleased.

"There, now perfect," Dori told me and I couldn't help the smile that now refused to leave my face.

"Are you nervous?" Bilbo asked me and I turned to look over at him and shook my head.

"No. I never thought I would ever get married, but now that I've met Dwalin, I know he is who I was always meant to be with. He's my One. It's...I just feel lost without him. Like I'm only half of who I'm supposed to be. I wouldn't have it any other way. I have everyone I need right here today," I answered him and Bilbo smiled back at me as another knock came at the door before Thorin poked his head into the room, his hand over his eyes.

"Is she ready?" He asked Dori as the tailor stood back, still admiring his work.

"I am. Is Dwalin?" I asked my uncle and he nodded before he entered the room, lowering his hand as he came to see Dori and Bilbo's handiwork.

"You look...beautiful mizimith," Thorin told me, smiling slightly as Bilbo and Dori slipped out of the room, giving us a moment alone together.

"Thank you," I told my Uncle, reaching out with my free hand and Thorin placed his in mine. I squeezed it as I looked up at him, from under my lashes. "When I was a little girl I always thought adad would be the one giving me away today," I began and Thorin nodded, frowning slightly at my words and he patted my hand gently.

"Your adad would be so proud of the woman you have become mizimith. He lives in you, in everything you do," Thorin told me firmly and I nodded in agreement with his words, squeezing his hand once more.

"He does and I feel him here with me today," I told Thorin honestly before shaking my head and sighing, looking up at my uncle. "Thorin, I've called you adad recently and I want you to know, I've come to see you as a father too. I want you to give me away," I told Thorin firmly, clearing up any doubts that he might have had that it wasn't my wish for him too or any doubts of my meaning behind calling him adad.

"I'd be honored to, mizimith," Thorin told me after a moment, leaning in and bumping his forehead to mine gently. "Are you truly ready for this?" He asked me with a slight frown on his face and I nodded.

"I'm ready. Dwalin and I are of the same mind on this. I'm not doing anything I don't want to do," I assured Thorin and he proffered his arm to me.

"Then let's not keep him waiting," Thorin told me and I slipped my hand through his arm and he led me from the room. Kili and Fili met us in the main room and their mouths fell open in shock as they saw me.

"Wow, you look…," Fili said, trailing off as he tried to find the right word.

"Incredible," Kili finished for his brother, the two brothers smiling. "Dwalin doesn't deserve you," He added and I rolled my eyes at that.

"He's my One and I love him so any doubts the three of you may have, please, remember that this is my choice. You may not like it, but Dwalin has proved himself to me. He's loyal, and honest, and a good man and I know I will be happy with him," I told my three male relatives, trying to clear away any doubts they still might have and Thorin heaved out a sigh before nodding in agreement.

"Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart. I can speak for Dwalin and he is all that you say he is, mizimith. I only wish you would have waited for this quest to have come to an end before you thought of marriage," Thorin grumbled and I turned to him with an earnest expression upon my face.

"We don't know what lies ahead of us or at our journey's end. We've faced so many near death experiences already. Neither Dwalin nor I want to move forward from here without being married. If the worst were to happen at least...at least we could say we were married," I explained to Thorin and he nodded, Fili and Kili frowning as well as they realized what I meant.

I had just nearly died and so had Thorin. We all could have and we still had quite a ways to travel before we reached the mountain. Any of us could die. Ours was a desperate reason for why we were marrying now and not waiting because we could die at any minute upon this quest, but today was a day for joy, not a day for fears or worries about the future.

"Is everyone ready?" I asked my cousins, nervously smoothing out my dress and fidgeting with my flower crown.

"Everyone is in place. Dwalin's out there waiting for you," Fili assured me before he held up the folded cloak I painstakingly embroidered the night before. "I have your cloak. Everything is ready. Are you?" He asked me and I looked down at my bare feet and back up the length of my dress, taking a few deep and steadying breaths and trying to get my thoughts together.

Was I really ready to get married to Dwalin? Was I ready to be a wife to him and everything that it entailed? Yes, I answered those questions right away. While I didn't know Dwalin all that well yet, we had time to get to know one another, a whole lifetime hopefully. I loved Dwalin. He had been so rough around the edges at first and yes he had been mean and he had pushed me away but he had been kind too afterwards. The Dwalin I knew now...I was ready for him to be my husband of that I had no doubts.

"I'm ready, do I look all right?" I asked nervously and I was met with three immediate assurances. Fili and Kili walked outside first and then Thorin led me out into the sunshine. I turned my face up to the sun and Thorin led us around the side of the house. I turned my gaze forward, taking more deep and steadying breaths and concentrating on keeping pace with Thorin feeling my heart begin to race with nervous energy.

Dwalin was waiting for me just around the corner, standing in the garden. Balin stood next to him, standing up as head of the Fundinson family. Thorin and I stopped walking just out of view of the others as Fili and Kili headed down the aisle first, standing on the bride's side to represent my family since Thorin would be the officiant of the ceremony. The Company were all straining their necks to try and see me, Bilbo, Gandalf, and Beorn standing to the front of the party. I heard someone count and suddenly a soft fiddle started playing a slow sweet song and I looked to the front to see Bofur playing for me. A tear welled up in my eye and I brushed it away with Bilbo's handkerchief as Thorin looked to me and I nodded breathing out a slow breath. We walked around the side of the house and into view and I heard a few sighs and gasps as we did so.

Dwalin's mouth fell open when he saw me and I beamed brightly as I took in the sight of my One. I was so excited that if it wasn't for Thorin walking beside me I would have sprinted down the aisle to him. Dwalin seemed nearly as antsy as I was because as soon as we got close to him he stepped forward and reached out a hand for me. There was a chorus of chuckles at this and the music came to an end as Thorin took my hand from his arm and placed it into Dwalin's outstretched hand before stepping forward and turning to face us.

I stepped forward and turned to Dwalin, the both of us beaming at one another. Bilbo stepped slightly forward and I handed my bouquet off to him before Dwalin and I looked to Thorin, both of our hands clasped tightly in each others. Thorin was trying so hard to look stern, but his expression softened as he held up his hands to end any chatter and began the ceremony which would be conducted partially in Khuzdul. First, Thorin began with the Seven Dwarven blessings.

"Mamahdûn Mahal ku' muha sullu khama akrâzu Sulladad" (Blessed are you Mahal who has created everything for the glory of Eru.) Thorin began and I could hear Gandalf quietly translating his words for Bilbo and Beorn.

"Mamahdûn Mahal ku' muha kâmin, abbad ra hanâd. Mamahdûn Mahal ku' muha îbin ra ritîh ni kurdû id-abad. Mamahdûn Mahal ku' muha khazâd ra barraf haded. (Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the earth, the mountains and the hills. Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain. Blessed are you Mahal who fashioned the dwarves and the seven houses.) Thorin recited and I turned to look at Dwalin who had his eyes on me. I squeezed his hands and he lightly squeezed mine back. I was giddy with joy, slightly unable to believe that I was marrying Dwalin.

"Mamahdûn Mahal ku' gashara khazâd atrâb d'amzur îbin ra ritîh ni kurdû id-abad. Mamahdûn Mahal ku' mahgayada dûmmâ tur naddanhu. Mamahdûn Mahal ku' mahgayada mayasthûn ra mayasthûna." (Blessed are you Mahal who taught the dwarves the skill to work the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain. Blessed are you Mahal who gladdens our Halls through his children. Blessed are you Mahal who gladdens groom and bride.)Thorin finished before he looked to Balin.

"Do you Balin son of Fundin as Head of the House of Fundinson, vow to protect and cherish this darrowdam as she is brought into your family?" Thorin asked Balin who stepped forward and bowed lowly before smiling at me.

"This I vow easily. She shall be a namad to me always," Balin vowed and Thorin nodded before smirking slightly.

"I Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror consent and gladly give my nâthuê kurdu into your care Dwalin son of Fundin," Thorin vowed and I felt Dwalin's body sag slightly in relief at this point. Thorin turned to Fili who was standing behind me then and gestured for him to step forward. He stepped forward and presented the folded cloak, waiting.

"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection," Thorin told Dwalin who looked to me, as if expecting me to say no. I nodded for him to go on and he broke his hold of my hands to accept the cloak from Fili. He unfurled it and smiled as he took in my handy work before he gently laid it over my shoulders and tied the clasp in the front. "You may recite your vows," Thorin then told us as Dwalin took my hands in his once more.

"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done," Dwalin recited the traditional vows of a marriage between Ones before reciting the most important vow in Khuzdul. "Ni dûmê zasamkhihiya zahar, ni kurduzi zâmkhihi azhâr." (In my Halls you will find a house, in your heart I will find a home.) Dwalin vowed as he stared into my eyes and I could tell the conviction of his vows in his voice and I smiled at him fondly.

"You may present your bead," Thorin informed Dwalin who smiled and he took out his mother's marriage bead and presented it to me. I turned around and he unclasped the chain from around my neck and slid my marriage bead onto it. "I believe you have something else to present," Thorin said then and I frowned in confusion as Dwalin reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring which he presented to me.

"Ori mentioned to me that yah said yah give rings at weddings on this Hegg. I thought maybe…," Dwalin mumbled and I tried not to cry as I offered him my hand. "Which finger does it go on?" He asked me in a quiet voice.

"This one," I told him, showing him and he slid the chunky dwarven ring onto my left ring finger. It was a bit too big for me, but it was obviously reworked to be smaller than it originally had been. I smiled up at Dwalin loving my ring. "It's perfect. Thank you for thinking of it," I told Dwalin and he nodded before holding my hands in his once more.

"You may recite your vows," Thorin told me as soon as we were ready and I nodded, looking at Dwalin and staring into his eyes with a beaming smile on my face.

"My love, you are the one person with whom I can share all that I am. I promise to trust you and to be honest with you. I promise to laugh and play with you, respect you and support you. I promise to cherish you every day we have together. I promise to do all this through whatever life brings us: riches or poverty, health or illness, through good times and bad, until the end of my days," I vowed to Dwalin, choosing more traditional vows from home seeing as Dwalin accepted me, a woman of two worlds. "Tha gaol agam ort agus bithidh gu brath. I love you and I always will. Ni dûmzu zâmkhihi zahar, ni kurdumê zasamkhihi azhâr." (In your Halls I will find a house, in my heart you will find a home.) I told Dwalin, my voice unwavering as I poured my love into every word, my eyes locked with his.

Before Thorin could continue Dwalin leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine firmly, his hands coming to slide down around my waist and draw me closer to him as mine slid around his neck. Thorin cleared his throat loudly and there was a loud chorus of laughter as we broke apart, Dwalin raising his eyebrow and looking slightly peeved.

"You may present your bead and place your braid in Dwalin's hair," Thorin informed me and I nodded, giving Dwalin a look. He rolled his eyes, huffing out a breath and he released me.

I took out my marriage bead for him and presented it to him and he inspected it. It was similar to his courting bead if a little less lopsided since I made it second. He nodded and turned his head to the side and I reached up sectioning off some of his hair before I began to intricately braid his hair, securing the end of the braid with his marriage bead. Once I was finished I tugged the end of his hair slightly and he turned back to me, pulling me to him again and kissing me deeply. Thorin once again cleared his throat and this time when we broke apart Dwalin was very peeved.

"Let it be known that Dwalin son of Fundin and Adaira daughter of Frerin son of Thrain son of Thror are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder. I proclaim you yâsûn and yâsith. You may kiss your bride," Thorin proclaimed and Dwalin looked grumbled at Thorin.

"What do yah think I was doing?" Dwalin asked him before he turned back to me and kissed me for a third time. I smiled into the kiss and Dwalin lifted me off of my feet, his arms locked under my butt and we broke our kiss as he spun me around before he raised a fist in the air and cheered. I laughed brightly as he lowered me to my feet and cradled my face in his hands. "Are yah happy yâsith?" He asked me and I bit my lip as I smiled when he called me wife for the first time.

"Happier than you can imagine yâsûn," I told him and he shook his head slightly, a grin on his own face.

"I think I know how yah feel," He told me and I grinned before I reached up on tiptoe to kiss him once more. This kiss was soft and sweet and over too soon as we had congratulations to accept from our friends and family. Dwalin's hand was in mine the entire time and I knew he would keep his vow to stay by my side forever. Our forever had just begun.

Though Dwalin and I wanted to slip away and enjoy some time together now that we were married, it seemed like our family had other ideas for us. They had planned a large picnic on the front lawn for us and I discovered that Beorn and Bombur had made a special cake for our wedding. I was blown away by how much work everyone had put into making this perfect for us.

I sat reclining against Dwalin on the grass enjoying the sunshine and the good food along with the company. Bofur got the music going and Dwalin looked at me and offered me his hand and we reeled around on the grass in our first dance. I laughed and threw my head back as he spun me around, his hand on my hip and I looked up into his eyes as the music stopped, breathing heavily with my arms thrown around his neck.

"Men lananubukhs menu," I told Dwalin before I leaned in and kissed him on tiptoe. Dwalin returned my kiss, pulling me close to him and lifting me off my feet slightly. I heard the others taking the mickey out of us but I just played with the hair at the nape of Dwalin's neck and tried to tune them out even as Bofur and Nori made exaggeratedly loud kissy noises.

"Men lananubukhs menu kurduluh," Dwalin whispered against my lips as he broke our kiss before he pulled away from me, one arm still wrapped around my waist as he turned and flipped off Bofur and Nori. The two dwarves roared with laughter and Dwalin turned back to me shaking his head, his cheeks suspiciously red. I reached up and splayed a hand over one cheek and smiled up at my new husband.

"Ignore them, they're just jealous," I told Dwalin as he stared down at me, an odd expression on his face.

"Aye, they are," Dwalin told me and I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"So...I believe you owe me a ravishing in the shrubbery," I told Dwalin in a low voice, a mischievous smile on my face as I blinked up at him through fluttering eyelashes and Dwalin growled slightly as his hand on my hip tightened slightly.

"Yer pushing my self control woman," Dwalin warned me as he looked down at me, lust and heat in his eye, his pupils blown wide and he shook his head slightly before he slid his hand from my hip into my hand. "Come, let's get yah some more of those honey cakes before the lads eat them all," Dwalin told me, changing the subject and I frowned slightly as he led me back to the others having wanted a moment alone with him.

"I don't think I can eat any more. I'm still full from earlier," I told Dwalin and he chuckled.

"I'm sure yah can. How about we share one?" Dwalin asked me as he led me to a small stretch of blanket next to Bilbo and I shrugged as he sat down, squeaking as he pulled me on top of his lap, making some of the others laugh. I could tell why he did so right away though by what was pressing into my backside and I wiggled my hips slightly in an inviting but innocent sort of way, only for Dwalin to wrap an arm around my waist, stilling my movements.

I sighed and leaned back against Dwalin's reclined legs and listened to the others talk, sharing another honey cake with Dwalin and playing with his hair as I lounged against him, no longer trying anything. Kili and Fili were seated close by and they kept shooting Dwalin and I odd looks and finally Kili spoke up asking his questions.

"So, do we still call you Uncle Dwalin or…?" Kili asked Dwalin as I opened my eyes and looked at my cousin, inhaling the calming scent of wood smoke, cedar, and lemon along with something that was distinctively Dwalin.

"Just Dwalin is fine," Dwalin grunted out as he sipped a mug of hard cider and I hummed before I sat myself up. Dwalin pulled me up the last little bit, spreading his legs out wide and tugging me backwards so that I was sitting between them with his arms wrapped around me. I smiled as I snuggled into his hold, feeling safe and warm in his arms.

"Is no one gonna say just how weird this is?" Kili asked, looking around at the others who were watching our exchange now and Dwalin growled a little bit. I rubbed his knee which was in reach and he calmed slightly and Bofur laughed loudly as he looked between us and Kili.

"Tis' the true nature of love, lad. Often the beauty calms the beast," Bofur said, smiling brightly as his joke was met with hearty laughter and I rubbed Dwalin's knee once more, knowing that it wasn't fun to constantly be the butt of someone's jokes.

"Well...if you're all so good looking where are your lasses then?" I piped up and the dwarves fell silent, looking amongst themselves and Balin, Gloin, and Bombur chortled.

"She's got you there lads," Balin told them and I smiled brightly as I made an over exaggerated gesture of just remembering something and pointed to Kili.

"No wait, isn't there an elf lad pining away for Kili back in Rivendale? I asked the others and Kili's cheeks turned pink as the others including Dwalin began to laugh uproariously.

"They all look the same!" Kili shouted above the laugher, but no one seemed to be listening to him and Fili patted his brother on the back as he sat down, properly embarrassed.

"Keep telling yourself that," I told Kili as the laughter quieted down, a bright smile on my face before I frowned and looked at the others. "So, none of you have lasses waiting for you back home, truly?" I asked the others in the Company with a slightly raised eyebrow and they all shook their heads.

While I knew darrowdams were few in number, I would have thought that at least one or two of them would have a lass waiting for them to return safe.

"Fili's got one alright!" Kili suddenly said, clapping Fili on the back and my eyebrow raised slightly higher as Kili laughed boisterously as Fili hid his face in his hands.

"Shut up!" Fili told his brother, trying to quiet him or strangle him as he tackled him and began to fight with him until Thorin broke up the fight by simply calling their names. Fili grumpily sat back upright as Kili tried to fix his hair and I leaned forward and caught Fili's eye, narrowing my own slightly.

"Spill the beans. I want details nadad," I told Fili and he huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"There's nothing to tell. She's no one," Fili told me grumpily and Thorin stepped into the conversation then, filling me in on who this mysterious darrowdam was.

"She's one of the Dwarven Lord's daughters, Naren. Lord Boren is determined to arrange a union between Fili and his daughter," Thorin told me as Fili sulked and I nodded in understanding, making an "ah" sound as I sat back, playing with Dwalin's hand once more.

"She's not a looker mind yah and she's vile," Dwalin said from behind me and I frowned knowing that Dwalin really wasn't one to make insults lightly.

"That's a bit harsh," Balin jumped in, chastising his brother and Dwalin snorted and rolled his eyes.

"She's horrible. All she cares about is frivolous things. She treats everyone whom she thinks is beneath her horribly," Fili informed me and I frowned deeply at that and shook my head.

"Adad told me once, "If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals,"" I told Fili and Thorin smiled at that as did Balin.

"That certainly sounds like something your father would say," Thorin commented and then he nodded. "And he is right. The Quest only delayed any discussions the Dwarven Lords are likely to have. No doubt they will commence when we reclaim Erebor," Thorin said with a heavy sigh and Fili grumbled a deep frown on his face as he crossed his arms and pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging them.

"Well, I think that it is likely that Lord Boren won't be pleased to discover that Fili isn't first in line for the throne any more, am I correct?" I asked Thorin and Balin raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly as he looked at me. "After all, there's been no time to inform the Dwarven Lords of my existence. I did write to Aunt Dis, but I doubt she'll inform the Dwarven Lords of the news," I added and Thorin looked thoughtful as he processed the information that I just said, stroking his beard slightly.

"Indeed the Dwarven Lords will not be pleased that they were not informed immediately of your existence," Thorin confirmed and I nodded before looking to Fili.

"You might be free of Naren. It's likely Lord Boren will push less to arrange a union between you and his daughter when he discovers that you are second in line to the throne. That's sure to put a kink in any plans he might have had. In fact, it's sure to put a kink in a lot of people's plans," I said thoughtfully and Balin looked to the hopeful Fili and nodded in agreement.

"She's right lad," Balin told Fili who looked relieved that he might not have to marry Lord Boren's daughter any longer.

"Thank Mahal," Fili sighed out and I smiled as I leaned back into my husband's arms, Dwalin chuckling.

"I don't see why you can't push back against these Dwarven Lords' demands. Doesn't Thorin, as king, have the last say?" I asked aloud and Balin and Thorin sighed and I realized that I had stumbled upon something that bothered the both of them.

"Without the Arkenstone, I remain only king in title. The Dwarven Lords are under no obligation to follow my rule. They follow me because it is in their best interest, but if I make one wrong move they could overthrow me," Thorin informed me and I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I digested that information.

"It makes no sense to me. Durin was king long before the Arkenstone was discovered and Thror was king before it was found too. How is that now the only way the Dwarven Lords will recognize you as king is if you have the Arkenstone?" I asked Balin and Thorin, once again asking the question which I felt had not been sufficiently answered from the get go.

I knew our quest was to reclaim Erebor from Smaug but from the beginning, Gandalf had mentioned the need of a burglar to find the Arkenstone. A stone did not a king make. It was ridiculous. No matter how pretty or shiny it was, it still was a rock. A stupid pointless rock. It wasn't some big sign saying "Whosoever holds this stone, if he be worthy, shall become the king of Durin's Folk."

"Many of the Dwarven Lords served under Thror or are the sons of those who served under Thror. When Thror claimed the Arkenstone to be the King's Jewel, a symbol of his divine right to rule, he created a problem he did not foresee. Now the Dwarven Lords…," Balin said trailing off and I pinched the bridge of my nose as I finished his words.

"See Thorin as their king because he is of Durin's line, but because he doesn't possess the Arkenstone they think they can pick and choose what to listen to," I said and Balin nodded in agreement and Thorin sighed deeply.

"That's why this quest became so necessary. Without the Arkenstone to unite the Dwarves of the Seven Kingdoms there is little I can do, but remain a king in exile," Thorin said, looking down at his hands and I patted Dwalin's hand and he released his hold on me. I scooted forward across the blanket past Bilbo who had been quietly listening to our conversation and I reached Thorin, placing a hand over his. He looked up at me and I squeezed his hand tightly.

"You are far more than a king in exile. You're an honorable dwarf. You're a brother, an uncle, and a friend. A rock does not a king make. If they want a fancy rock. We'll give them a fancy rock. Erebor must be filled with them," I told Thorin firmly and Dwalin laughed loudly from behind me and I turned back to look at my husband who seemed highly amused by my words.

"She'll be a spitfire in the counsel meetings," Dwalin said as he gestured to me and Thorin chuckled at that.

"Always. I have some reforms in mind after all," I said as I scooted back over to my husband.

"Reforms?" Thorin asked me with a raised eyebrow, both he and Balin looking interested.

"For miners and for essential workers in the mountain. The Dwarven Lords are used to a life of luxury and refinement, perhaps it is time some of their wealth goes to pay those who made what they so desire. The Dwarven Lords and the Guild Masters, the corrupt ones anyway, won't like it, but there needs to be better pay and benefits for those who work essential jobs in the mountain," I said as Dwalin rubbed circles on my arm, listening to me talk.

"Aye, you're right lass. We ask miners to do a dangerous and dirty job, they should at least be paid well for their efforts. The same goes for those who do the jobs we often forget still need doing. Do you have any other reforms in mind?" Balin asked me curiously and I nodded.

"Apprenticeships need reforms. There are those who can't also pay to be in an apprenticeship. There needs to be a scholarship fund set in place so that everyone can pursue their Craft. It will pay itself forward in the long run with more skilled craftsmen who will most likely be willing to take an apprentice under their wings," I said and Dwalin leaned down and kissed my cheek then. I frowned slightly and turned my head, looking up at Dwalin and smiling as I did so.

"What was that for?" I asked my husband, a little confused as he looked down at me with an odd expression on his face, his eyes shining through with adoration as he looked down at me.

"Yah never stop surprising me with how compassionate yah are for others," Dwalin told me before he leaned down more closely to me, wrapping his arms around me and picking me up as he slid his legs together before setting me down so that I was sitting in his lap. "Men lananuhukhs menu, Adaira," Dwalin said in a low voice near my ear making me shiver and I reached up with both hands and slid them over his cheeks, cupping his face as I lightly scratched his beard with my fingers.

"Men lananuhukhs menu, Dwalin," I told my husband before he crashed his lips to mine. I sighed into the kiss and Dwalin took full advantage of this fact to slip his tongue into my mouth. Our kiss was slow and soft and sweet and over far too soon. When I pulled away from him, Balin was smiling a knowing smile, Fili and Kili were making disgusted faces, Thorin was pointedly looking away, and Bilbo sighed, looking happy for us.

"No wonder they've not got any lasses back at home if they can't even stand a bit of kissing," Dwalin said, laughing loudly as he took in Fili and Kili's faces and he planted another kiss on my cheeks before holding me to his chest.

"That's not kissing, that was disgusting," Kili said as he put his shoulders up to his ears and rolled them a few times as if he had a shiver down his spine. "It looked like you were trying to eat her face," He added as he stuck out his tongue and made another face.

"Not to mention, that's our sister," Fili added in agreement with his brother's assessment of the situation.

"Aww, I love you both too," I said as I crawled off of Dwalin's lap and over to my cousins, wrapping an arm around both of their necks and pulling them into a tight hug. "Here," I said before I pulled them each to me in turn and planted a big wet kiss on their cheeks. I released them after they wrestled their way out of my arms, everyone laughing behind me as I made my way back to my husband, Fili and Kili wiping my spit off quickly on their shirts.

"Ugh, don't kiss me with lips you just kissed him with," Kili complained as he pulled a disgusted face.

"Why? He doesn't have cooties. I'd know by now if he did," I told my cousins, waggling my eyebrows as I implied that we did a lot of kissing and Thorin joined Fili and Kili in pulling a face and he raised his hands and held them out, to stop me.

"I don't need to hear any more," Thorin said quickly, and Dwalin barked out a laugh at that.

"Well there certainly was no ravishing in the shrubbery," Dwalin said and Thorin fixed his best friend with a glare as I giggled.

"Okay, we shouldn't antagonize Thorin that much. He's been very gracious to us," I reminded Dwalin and he shrugged and kissed the top of my head as Beorn made his way over to us.

Beorn told us that he had something he wished to give us and while I tried to protest against any gifts and assured him that everyone had given us more than enough, especially him for being such a gracious host, Beorn insisted and wouldn't take no for an answer. It seemed this gift was away from the house as Beorn led Dwalin and I past the fence and beyond the trees. Just when I began to worry about our safety, the trees began to thin and we stepped into a clearing. Inside the clearing was a large pool, steam rising up from the surface of the water.

"This is for you, little bunny," Beorn said as I took in the clearing which was more beautiful than some things I had ever seen before. Flowers grew in beautiful fragrant blossoms around the hot spring and the grass was long and lush, gentle and soft underfoot. "I patrol these lands often. It will be safe for you to linger here," Beorn told us and I realized what he meant as I noticed that near a rock there were two bedrolls, a few blankets and a large basket. Even though he wasn't outwardly saying it, he was offering this place to Dwalin and I for a short honeymoon or at least for a little privacy from the others.

"Thank you, this is beautiful. I've never seen anything like this before," I told Beorn and he smiled, nodding his head before he turned and left the way we had come. I turned to Dwalin, a bright smile on my face and jumped about half a foot when another voice spoke.

"It's also my gift to the two of you," Thorin said as he trudged out of the woods on the same path as Beorn and crossed his arms over his chest. "We set out for Mirkwood on the dawning of the fourth day from now. I need both of your minds on the quest when we leave from here," Thorin told us as he looked between Dwalin and I.

"They will be," Dwalin assured Thorin, placing a hand on Thorin's arm and Thorin nodded at that.

"I hope so. You'll find food and supplies by that rock," Thorin told us, nodding to the supplies I had already seen. "I'll take my leave of you," Thorin told us, looking antsy to get out of there and he turned around and began to leave quickly, probably wanting to get way out of ear shot before anything happened. I strode forward and placed a hand on Thorin;s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks and he turned to face me and I wrapped my arms around him, folding him into a hug.

"Thank you adad. For arranging this. For everything. I know that we don't have much on the road, but it truly was everything that I've always wanted," I assured Thorin as he wrapped his arms around me and he hugged me tightly for a moment before pulling back and bumping his forehead to mine gently.

"I'm glad that it was everything you hoped for mizimith," Thorin told me before he nodded his head towards Dwalin. "Your husband is waiting for you," He told me and he hugged me tightly once more before letting go and turning around and walking away. I stood for a long moment staring after him before pivoting on my heel and turning around to look at Dwalin with a shy smile on my face. He was standing where I had left him, his hands down by his side, watching me closely as if assessing my body language.

"So," I said as I took a few steps towards him.

"So," Dwalin answered me, closing the distance between us and wrapping his arms around my waist.

"We're finally alone," I sighed as I leaned my head against his chest and breathed in the calming scent of cedar and lemon which even now still clung to his clothes.

"Aye," Dwalin said as he rubbed soft circles on my back.

"Can I ask why you seem uninterested in my advances earlier?" I asked Dwalin in a quiet voice as I put my chin against his chest and looked up at him, wondering why Dwalin hadn't seemed to like what he always had before. He sighed deeply and brought one of his hands up to my head and he ran his fingers through the fringe of my hair.

"Cause yah deserve better than some romp in the hay," Dwalin finally answered me in a low voice and I frowned and unwound one arm from around his waist and reached up, cupping the side of his face, gently caressing it. "I didn't know about all this. I kept trying tah figure out a way tah give yah more than just a ravishing in the shrubbery," Dwalin told me and I sighed and pushed myself up on tiptoe and lightly pressed my lips to Dwalin's before pulling back.

"I don't care where I am as long as I am with you. A house, a shack, a palace, even a barn. I don't care. This is certainly a step up from a barn shared with the entire Company, but I know we are on the road. I know privacy is hard to come by. As long as I get to have your arms around me, that's all I care about," I assured Dwalin and he sighed deeply before he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine as he wrapped his arms tightly around my waist.

Our soft slow kiss turned heated all too quickly as I reached up with free hands and began to comb my fingers through Dwalin's beard. He growled into the kiss and he picked me up, wrapping my legs around his waist as he backed me up against a rock. I continued to play with his beard as I felt him grow hard against me and his hands began to explore higher than my waist, slipping over my sides,and reaching even higher than that. His hands finally found my breasts and I gasped out a sigh which turned into a moan.

Dwalin used this to his advantage and slipped his tongue into my mouth, and I shuddered as his fingers danced over my hardening nipples through my clothes and I rocked down on his hard length. Dwalin growled and broke this kiss, the both of us breathing heavily and I tried to regain my senses, caught up in all the new sensations and feelings that were coursing through my body.

"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for amrâlimê," Dwalin told me as he rested his forehead against mine and I reached up with one hand, placing it on the side of his face.

"And if I am ready?" I asked Dwalin in a soft voice, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise before he regained his composure.

"Then we'll go as far as yah wish," Dwalin told me and I nodded, humming as I carded my fingers through his hair while Dwalin rubbed his hand up and down the length of my back. I looked into his eyes and nodded.

"I trust you," I told Dwalin and he sighed out a long breath before nodding and he cupped both hands around my cheeks and kissed me fiercely before we wrapped ourselves so close in one another that it was hard to figure out where I began and Dwalin ended.

Khuzdul-

Mizimith- Little jewel

Adad- Father

Ghivashel-Treasure of treasure

Abbad, amrâlimê - I'm here, my love

Hôfukel-Joy of all joys

Azaghâlûh- My warrior

Menu tessu- You mean everything to me

Namad- Sister

Nâthuê kurdu- Daughter of my heart/ Heart daughter

Yâsûn-Husband

Yâsith- Wife

Amrâlimê- My love

Azaghâlûh- My warrior

Men lananubukhs menu- I love you

Kurduluh- My heart

Nadad- Brother