Guess what? I'M BACK!
Man, I'll tell you, I've been on a MAJOR writer's block for freaking months! So not fun! And all this covid craziness...don't even get me started! Luckily, I managed to get some of my writing mojo back to get this chapter pumped out! I hope you all enjoy part of the wedding celebration for Thorin and Aelin!
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"Presenting their Majesties, King Thorin and Queen Aelin!"
Cheers and applause rang through the air of the grand hall of Erebor as the King and Queen Under the Mountain graced their guests with their presence for the wedding celebration. They entered the room, hand in hand, and smiling brightly at their guests.
Naturally, Fili and Kili were the first to greet them, sprinting at full speed towards them and practically jumping on Thorin and Aelin as they made their way towards the crowd.
"Durin's beard!" cried out Aelin through a snicker as Kili leapt and hugged her, making her stagger back.
"Welcome officially to the family, Aunt Aelin!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
She happily laughed. "I am honored to be a part of it, nephew."
When he pulled back, he asked, "Those four Dwaves: those were the ones who betrayed you?"
Aelin nodded in response. "Though, Kardur defected to my side in the end and stood up to them, defending me, so I would say his betrayal has been forgotten."
"How do you feel after everything that just happened?"
She sighed. "I feel...free. To be able to punish the other three and get rid of them in a way that I chose felt highly satisfying. It's as Thorin said to me: I can now move on from my past completely. There is no longer anything holding me back."
"That's the spirit!" cried Fili. Then he stated to both Thorin and Aelin, "By the way, Kili and I realized: due to the disturbance caused by those other Dwarves, an important part of the wedding ceremony was excluded."
Puzzled, Thorin asked, "What did we miss?"
It was then Bilbo stepped up from behind them and Kili answered, "You forgot the rings! Poor Mister Baggins here has been diligently carrying your rings for you and had no chance to fulfill his wedding duties."
"Oh blast, you're right!" cried Aelin. She gave Bilbo a sad look. "Bilbo, my apologies! I hadn't realized we had forgotten."
To her surprise, he just grinned, waved a hand dismissively and replied, "It's no matter. The display that happened during the ceremony was much more entertaining than me just handing you rings."
"That may be, but you are still an integral part of the wedding," said Aelin.
"And our lives," added Thorin.
Bilbo's cheeks flushed a little, embarrassed by such sentiment and said, "I truly am honored that you both feel that way. You both are my friends, too, and I am grateful to share this day with you." He then withdrew two silver rings from his pocket, held them out in his open palm, bowed down and stated, "I present to you your wedding bands, your Majesties."
"You are a Hobbit of great virtue, Master Baggins," Thorin commented.
He then took Aelin's ring from his hand and proceeded to slide it onto Aelin's ring finger. Then she repeated the same action with his ring and put it onto his ring finger, the both of them beaming brightly as they did so.
Aelin looked back to Bilbo and said to him, "Thank you, Bilbo. Not just for being our ring bearer, but for being our friend and helping us so much in the quest to reclaim Erebor."
"It was my pleasure," said Bilbo with a bow of his head as he then moved aside and flourished his hand out. "Your guests await you."
Both Thorin and Aelin nodded graciously to him and then proceeded, hand in hand once again, through the line of people now before them. Everyone had lined up to offer their congratulations to the King and his new Queen and to wish them well in their new marriage. Thorin and Aelin thanked each and every one of them for their kindness.
First, it was the Dwarves from Ered Luin, followed by Dain and the Dwarves of the Iron Hills.
As they approached him, Dain gave Thorin a hearty grab on the shoulder and said, "Oh cousin, I used to think I had more of a chance at getting married than you ever would and that chance was slim to none!"
Both Thorin and Aelin chuckled.
"This is a day I never thought I would see...and yet here we are, celebrating your marriage to a woman I can only describe as one of a kind, with both fire and compassion in her heart." Then he grinned widely as he turned his attention to Aelin. "I still do not know you as well as I would like, my Queen and cousin. I hope this means you can convince Thorin to visit the Iron Hills more often now so we may become better acquainted, now that we are officially family."
"I think that could very well be arranged," said Aelin, grinning back as she cast a mischievous look at Thorin.
He gave a groan and said while smirking, "Aelin, don't make me go back there."
"Come now!" replied Dain. "I seem to recall during your last visit, we were quite hospitable."
"Well, even if Thorin doesn't wish to go, I, for one, look forward to seeing the Iron HIlls. I have never been there before."
"You will find it may not be quite like Erebor, but the Iron Hills has a splendor all its own."
"We look forward to the day," Thorin told him with a smile. "Thank you for being here, Dain."
Dain smiled proudly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Thorin. Congratulations to you both."
After speaking with the Dwarves of the Iron Hills, then came the people from Dale and then Bard and his children after them.
"I never believed I would live to see the day when the Lonely Mountain would be restored to its former glory and the King Under the Mountain would roam its halls once more," said Bard after he bowed to Thorin and Aelin.
"There was once a time where I, too, believed that," replied Thorin.
"The mountain has come a long way in recent weeks. As of this moment, I feel it is complete now that there is a Queen to grace the kingdom with her presence," Bard added, casting a pleased look at Aelin.
Her cheeks flushed red. She still was getting used to such compliments about being the new Queen. "You are too kind, Bard, I would also say Dale is all the better than it ever has been with a benevolent King instead of a dreaded Master."
Bard and even his children all rolled their eyes. "Do not even mention that pathetic excuse of a man," he stated.
"Da is a far better ruler than the Master ever was," added Sigrid.
"Indeed," said Thorin.
Turning back to Thorin, Bard said thankfully to him, "I cannot thank you enough, my lord, for your generosity and the gold you gifted to us to help rebuild our city. It has truly helped us in obtaining more supplies needed, feeding my people and restoring their lives."
"I only wish we could do more," Thorin stated.
"Trust me, your efforts have been more than enough," Bard countered. "We are in your debt."
"On the contrary, King Bard: it is I who am in your debt. Were it not for your help today, the wedding could have gone much differently. Those archers you stopped could have potentially harmed my wife or worse, any civilians. You helped thwart them and for that, I am grateful."
"As am I," added Aelin.
Bard's face turned a little more serious as he said back, "Of course, I had to help when I heard Aelin was in danger. The future Queen Under the Mountain was who saved my children from the wrath of the dragon and the destruction of Laketown."
"It wasn't just that, Da," said Bain. "It was also that mad Dwarf who came to our home and threatened all of us."
Aelin fists clenched behind her as the memory of her horrid father holding a knife to Kili's throat and threatening her friends, Tauriel and Bard's children returned to her mind. She hadn't thought of that wretched Dwarf since that time, after she had finally ended his miserable existence.
Tilda clutched the rag doll that she was carrying close to her chest as she then lamented, a fearful look in her eyes, "Were it not for Aelin, who knows what that Dwarf could've done to us before the dragon?"
It pained Aelin's heart to hear such a young child say such a thing. Someone so young should not have had to experience that kind of fear. Fear of the dragon had been one thing, but to fear that someone who lived her town could've killed her and those that were with her was unthinkable for someone her age. The fact that Norin had stooped so low to even threaten children just to get to her only angered her even more.
However, she kept a calm expression as she crouched down in front of Tilda and reassured her, "I know you were scared, Tilda, but from what I remember of that night: you were the bravest young girl I had ever seen. You did not let that mad Dwarf see how scared you were and you even stood up for Kili. I was very proud of you."
The fear in Tilda's eyes faded and a happy light filled them as she asked in awe, "You...were proud of me…?"
Aelin smiled. "Absolutely," she replied, brushing a strand of hair from Tilda's face before standing back up.
Tilda smiled sheepishly, seemingly excited about the fact that a Queen was proud of her for being brave.
"Thank you," was all Bard then said to her.
"Thank you, likewise," Aelin replied as she and Thorin then moved down along the line.
Next in line was Thranduil and Tauriel, who kept their praises short and simple. They both simply bowed their heads and offered their congratulations. Afterwards, the Dwarves of Thorin's company were all lined up. All of them had basically said everything they wanted to in the days leading up to the wedding. Each of them simply bowed their heads and said, "Congratulations", "I'm so happy for you" or "May Durin bless your marriage." Both Thorin and Aelin hugged each and every one of them tightly in response.
Fili and Kili had moved themselves to the end of the line, having already greeted the newlyweds at the door. Before them was Dwalin and Dis...and Dis had her arm interlaced with Dwalin's.
Aelin smirked at the two Dwarves. "What is this I see?" she inquired, gesturing to their linked arms.
In reply, Dis smiled brightly, gave Dwalin's arm a pat with her free hand and answered, "Dwalin offered to be my escort for the evening...and he has been a true gentleman." As she said that, she looked up at Dwalin, grinning from ear to ear at him and he returned the smile to her.
Both Aelin and Thorin exchanged devious smirks, knowing full well what was going on. Aelin snuck a look over at Fili and Kili and, sure enough, they both were burying their faces in their hands in embarrassment.
"It's inevitable, lads...you'd best be preparing for a step-father someday!" she thought to herself as she watched them.
Then Dis stepped forward and placed her hands on either side of Thorin's face. "My dear elder brother...words cannot even begin to accurately convey the joy I feel for you this day. I only wish the rest of our family could be here to witness it, too."
"They are here, Dis," stated Aelin. Then she put a hand over her heart. "They are always with you."
"Aelin speaks true," added Thorin as he took hold of his sisters hands and lowered them in front of him. "Our family is here in spirit."
"They would be so proud of you," said Dis, her eyes filling with tears. Then she looked to Aelin, reached out and took her hand, as well. "And I know they would have loved you, Aelin. I predict they might have been skeptical at first, but I am certain after getting to know you, they would have grown to love you as much as my sons, the company and I do."
Aelin chuckled. "That reassures me greatly, Dis," she said.
Right then, they heard the musicians begin to play a fun, upbeat tune to signal that the dancing portion of the celebration could now commence.
All of a sudden, Fili leapt forward, took Aelin by her other hand and declared, "I claim the first dance with the Queen!"
Before she could protest, he pulled her towards the dance floor, causing her to laugh in amusement.
"Fili, how dare you steal away my bride!" Thorin called after him teasingly.
The young Prince simply cried back, "You have all night and your whole lives to dance with her, Uncle! You'll just have to deal with it!"
Aelin looked over her shoulder, shrugged and said, "The Prince has spoken." Then as Fili led her to the dance floor, she said to him, "You better be good at leading, lad, because I'm rubbish at dancing."
"Worry you not, Auntie," Fili said in reply. "Just follow me."
She couldn't help but smile at hearing him call her "Auntie", despite the fact he had been doing so ever since her and Thorin's engagement had been announced. Knowing it was now official just made her feel so happy inside.
The two of them were the first to begin dancing to the tune being played and others began to join right away. Fili led Aelin around the room, bouncing merrily, and then gave her a couple twirls. Soon, they stopped and walked in circles around each other while their right hands were lifted and connected at the wrists. Then they switched hands and went opposite ways. After a few beats, they resumed bouncing and gliding around the room.
"I never knew you were such a skilled dancer, Fili," commented Aelin as they stopped and began circling another.
"I suppose I have a few secret talents you've yet to learn about," Fili replied with a witty wink.
She grinned back at him. "Is that so? Well, I'm impressed. I don't suppose it was your uncle who taught you, was it?"
Fili snickered. "I wish I could say 'yes', but alas, it was not Uncle Thorin. It was Mother who taught Kili and I to dance."
"How wonderful," said Aelin as they then resumed going around the room.
This pattern repeated for a couple more minutes until the musicians brought their music to a crescendo and then to a close, where Fili twirled Aelin one last time and then bowed low before her. She curtsied in response, thanking him for the dance.
As the applause was going, suddenly Kili emerged from the crowd and claimed the next dance with Aelin, which only made her laugh in amusement. It seemed these boys and maybe some of the other Dwarves would get a dance with her before her actual husband could, but she didn't mind it at all. She felt the happiest she had ever been in her entire life; she was with people she loved and who loved her in return. More importantly, she knew in her heart that these people would be with her always.
She would never be abandoned or alone again.
She had a real family now...and a true home.
This was all she had ever wanted and now, her dreams were coming true, at last.
Aelin danced her next dance with Kili, who was just as good a dancer as his brother. It was another fast and upbeat dance and by the end of it, she was starting to get tired. As much as she was enjoying the dancing, she needed a breath of air. Once the dance was over, she excused herself and made her way to a nearby veranda.
Just as she got to the railing and leaned against it to take a breath, she heard a female voice speak, "Her Majesty is already tired?"
When she looked behind her, she met the smiling face of Dis.
Aelin snickered. "Your sons certainly run me ragged."
Dis laughed back and replied as she made her way to the railing beside Aelin, "If they run you ragged, imagine what they've done to me over the years."
In response, Aelin chuckled and shook her head.
Then, strangely, Dis' expression became more serious as she then said, "Aelin...I know about what you did for my boy...for Fili; how you saved his life from Azog."
This was something Aelin didn't entirely expect. She replied in a quiet voice, "Who told you?"
"Thorin," answered Dis.
Aelin nodded. Naturally, it would've been him. However, there was something he had unknowingly left out and she felt Dis had the right to know. "What he does not know is I also saved Kili from Azog's spawn in that same battle. I don't say this to boast; merely just because you should know."
Dis' eyes widened upon hearing that Kili had nearly been killed, as well. Seeing the terror in her eyes, Aelin was afraid she was about to get emotional, but instead, Dis said in disbelief, "You saved the lives of both my sons and my brother...you are literally the line of Durin's guardian angel!"
Aelin shook her head. "I may be a guardian, but I am certainly no angel."
"Rubbish!" exclaimed Dis. "My entire family would be dead were it not for you and hope for the line of Durin would have been lost with them. Not only did you save their lives, but you spared our royal legacy. Aelin, we owe everything to you, especially me! I would be lost without my sons and even more so without Thorin. Losing Frerin years ago was hard enough...I would not have been able to bear it if I lost Thorin, too, along with my two boys."
"Well, I took a liking to your sons right away. They seemed more innocent of the world and I just felt this natural urge to protect them; to keep them safe. As for Thorin, despite my disdain for him in the beginning, I knew I couldn't let him come to harm either. That just is not the kind of person that I am. The only…"
Aelin cut herself short as she realized what she was about to mention, unsure of what Dis would think of the matter.
"The only what?" asked Dis, noticing her abrupt stop.
Hesitantly, Aelin told her, "The only person I ever hated and did wish harm upon was my father."
"Oh yes...I know about Norin." As Aelin cast a shocked look to her, Dis explained, "Fili and Kili told me. They explained how he was a horrible Dwarf who abandoned you and then wanted you back in his life for criminal reasons and also how he threatened them if they did not take him to you."
"There are many things he did besides that, but yes, he was an evil person."
"They also told me you killed him yourself."
This was the part Aelin wondered if Dis would judge her for. She answered timidly, "Aye."
Surprisingly, Dis simply shrugged and stated, "I cannot say I blame you. He may have helped bring you into the world, but he was no father. To you, all he was, was a threat."
"So you understand why I had to do it then?" Aelin inquired.
"I do," said Dis. "Had he lived, he would have continued to hunt you down and pose a threat to those you love. He's lucky he didn't meet me, though."
"Oh, he would not have survived the wrath of the daughter of Thrain," commented Aelin with a smirk.
"Indeed!" added Dis.
A smile crept up on Aelin's face. She really did enjoy Dis' company and she could see where her sons got their liveliness from. That thought caused her to then say, "I want to thank you, Dis."
The Dwarven Princess tilted her head curiously. "What have you to thank me for?" she asked.
"For your sons," answered Aelin. "Those boys have truly become a light in my life and I love them with all of my heart. They brought me such joy on the journey. They helped take care of me when I was injured in Rivendell and they looked after me as much as I did for them. They accepted me before they knew about my past or my history with Thorin. They were the first to help me realize that you can find a family with anyone, before I even knew they eventually would become my actual family." She smiled even brighter. "You brought two beautiful boys into this world and raised them to be fine young Princes. I cannot imagine doing that alone was easy, but you did very well. You should be proud of who they have become."
Dis beamed proudly, tears welling up in her eyes, and placed her hands over her heart. "I am incredibly proud of my Fili and Kili," she said back. "They have grown up to be more than anything I could have ever hoped for them. They are brave and compassionate and, most importantly above all else, they are fiercely loyal and will defend all that they hold dear. It warms my heart so much to hear how special they are to you." It was by this time, she couldn't hold her emotions back and her tears fell, a soft sob escaping her mouth.
Aelin went up to her and put her arms around Dis' shoulders. "Oh, Dis, please don't cry. I did not mean to make you emotional," she apologized.
"These are happy tears, my dear," said Dis, brushing her tears away. "When you become a mother one day, you will understand the true, ultimate happiness that comes with your children and that your emotions will run rampant with them sometimes."
At this comment, Aelin couldn't help but grit her teeth just a little. She was just only a few hours married and someone was already talking about children. Coming from Dis, though, she couldn't fully fault her, but at the same time, she just felt it was way too soon to even be entertaining the thought of her and Thorin having children yet.
Luckily, Dis was quick to move on and say as she calmed down, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to react like this. Perhaps we should return to the celebration. I am sure your husband is missing you." She said the last statement with a mischievous grin on her face.
Aelin smirked back. "Perhaps we should. Your escort will be missing you, too."
At the mention of Dwalin, Dis grinned and her cheeks turned bright red.
"You fancy Dwalin, don't you, Dis?" Aelin inquired curiously.
Dis stammered in reply, "I...I-I suppose I...I mean, I-"
"Dis…," Aelin said a little more firmly, raising her eyebrows at her now sister-in-law to signal that she need not be so nervous.
She let out a sigh and said, "Yes...I do."
With an amused chuckle, Aelin said back, "I see. Will we be expecting another celebration like this one in the near future?"
"Durin's beard, Aelin, we haven't even begun courting yet!" Dis cried out in surprise.
"That may be, but he has also known you for most of your life and he knows you well already, yes?"
"Well...yes."
"Then do you really need an official courtship?"
Dis straightened out her dress and simply stated, "It is tradition to have a courtship prior to marriage."
"Thorin and I didn't," Aelin stated in return. "In fact, what we had was almost the exact opposite of a courtship...and we're currently celebrating our marriage."
To her slight dismay, Dis knew she couldn't argue against that and she grimaced just a little.
Seeing this reaction, Aelin knew she got her. "Dis, if you love Dwalin, why don't you tell him?"
Dis opened her mouth to protest when she heard the word "love", but then knew she couldn't. It was true...and she felt like a silly young girl trying to deny her feelings.
"I do now know…," she told Aelin. "I have not had these feelings for another Dwarf since my late husband. I don't know if I'm ready for that again. Besides, I doubt Dwalin returns my affections and only sees me as a Princess."
"On that, we beg to differ. I saw how he looked at you when we saw you two in the line," Aelin commented, but then she held up her hands and said, "However, if you don't feel you're ready, then that is entirely up to you. Though, if I may add one thing: you shouldn't have to be alone anymore...and I think Dwalin would be more than willing to love you, take care of you and be a proper husband for you...if you will only let him."
Dis found herself unable to reply. She was feeling overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions and thoughts on what she should do.
With that, Aelin gave her a warm smile, bowed her head and made her way back inside, leaving Dis to ponder her thoughts on a very tough decision.
Aelin weaved her way through the crowd outside of the dance floor, accepting many "congratulations" on her way, looking for any familiar faces. She spotted Bofur, Kili and Nori all participating in a group dance, dancing a merry jig with some of the guests, so she decided to wait near the side and wait for the dance to conclude, clapping along to the music with the rest of the onlookers.
However, a few seconds later, he gaze happened to wander a little to the side and she froze in fear as she saw a figure glaring at her from in a corner behind the crowd...drenched and with a bloody gash straight across his neck.
Norin.
With a gasp that was drowned out by the music, she turned away, her breathing heavy and her heartbeats increasing rapidly. "No, no, no...this can't be!" she thought in shock. "He cannot be here! He's dead...I killed him...he can't be here!"
She turned back with wide eyes and looked in the corner again. He was gone.
Puzzled, she began to look around some more, but saw no sign of him. What had happened? What was going on?
In that moment, his voice came to her mind speaking his final words to her before his death: "Just know this, Aelin: I will always be a part of you...and I will haunt you for as long as you live."
"No, no...he can't be haunting me. This can't be…!"
She slowly walked backwards until she found an alcove she could duck into as her breathing started quickening and growing short. She clutched at her chest as she tried to calm herself, flashes of her father racing through her mind's eye.
His voice spoke again, but within a couple of words, it morphed into her own voice, saying, "You will never be free of him. His blood is your blood. Norin lives on through you."
"No, not you again...no, I refuse to acknowledge that! I have renounced Norin."
"You may have renounced him, but that does not magically cleanse your blood of his. You are still his daughter, no matter what you do. You killed your own father...that will haunt your forever."
"It will not. I wanted to do it. I feel no guilt."
"Don't you?"
For a brief moment, Aelin hesitated, but then responded resoundly, "No, I do not. Besides, Mahal saw fit to resurrect me to the mortal world. Surely, that means such a sin has been forgiven."
"Has it, though?"
"Stop it! Stop messing with my mind! Who are you?"
"I am you."
"No...no, you're not. I know who I am and I no longer have any doubts."
Then, for the first time, her voice in her head actually laughed. "You really believe that? That is a lie and you know it."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You have doubts about being a mother."
Aelin was silent.
"Yes...you don't deny it. You do not want to be a mother. You do not want children...and yet, you are now the Queen Under the Mountain; the Queen of Durin's Folk...which means, now that the King has taken a wife, you must produce an heir for him."
"That's not really true. He has declared Fili as his heir."
"That was because he had no wife and therefore, no son and heir of his own. Now that he has married you, it will be expected of you to give him a son."
"I...I don't know."
"You have no desire to be a mother...and Thorin does not know. You fear he will resent you and regret ever marrying you."
"He wouldn't."
"You don't think he would turn away the woman who refuses to give him an heir for her own selfish reasons?"
"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about! Get out of my head!"
"Aelin?"
Aelin broke out of her trance when she realized she heard Nori's voice beside her. The dance had finished and was now there just outside the alcove, looking at her with concern.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
Without a word, she took his hand and pulled him inside the alcove, catching him off guard.
"Aelin, what-what's wrong? You look a bit shaken up," Nori pointed out.
"I just saw Norin…!" she quietly exclaimed.
Nori's expression turned to shock and then immediately to anger right after. "He's alive?" he growled.
"No…," said Aelin.
Her brother gave her a puzzled look.
"I...I saw his ghost…," she clarified.
"What? His ghost?" he repeated.
She gestured with her head to where she had seen him. "I saw him...in that corner," she said breathily, "and he was drenched and had a bloodied gash across his neck. He stared at me with cold, dead eyes. I turned away in shock and when I looked back, he was gone."
Nori looked around cautiously outside the alcove before replying, "Aelin, it sounds like Norin is haunting you."
"That can't be. You're only haunted if you regret killing someone and I had no regrets in killing him."
"It can also happen when a ghost is angry, especially at the one who killed them."
"It's been months since that day, though. Why am I just now seeing him?"
He let out a hum and said, "My thought is: maybe he's angry at seeing you happy and now officially Queen on your wedding day. He wants to ruin your happiness like always and make you miserable just as he was in life." Aelin's breathing began to speed up again, so Nori took her by the shoulders, looked her square in the eyes and stated, "He wants you to feel guilty about ending him, but I say: do not give in to fear. You're stronger than Norin ever was. He is dead and you are now Queen Under the Mountain and wife to Thorin Oakenshield. You have already won...don't let him steal your victory from you, even in death."
It was then Nori pointed out to the crowd and Aelin noticed he was pointing to Thorin, who was gradually strolling around the outside of the crowd with his hands behind his back, observing the dancing.
"That Dwarf right there is your future, Aelin, not the ghost of our dead father. Remember that," Nori told her. "Norin cannot take Thorin away from you. He cannot take away him or me, the company or even this entire mountain. You have gained a kingdom and a people as well as their love and respect. Those are all things that a ghost cannot touch. Remember all that you have and what Norin does not. Do that and he cannot get to you."
Aelin looked around the room again to see if Norin was anywhere to be seen, but luckily, there was no sign on him. A wave of relief swept over her as she let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, Nori. I just...was startled by him," she said.
"I know," he replied.
"I just hope I won't see him again."
"If you do, tell him to go back to hell where he belongs and stay there."
She snickered lightly. "Now that, I can do. Thank you, brother."
In response, he simply smiled and bowed his head. Then he gestured with his head out towards the dancing and stated, "You should get back that out there, your Majesty. I believe your King is awaiting a dance with you."
It was in that moment that the current song came to an end and the crowd was applauding the dancers as well as the musicians. As she gradually stepped out from the alcove, Thorin spotted her and a reverent smile full of love crossed his face upon seeing her. He held out a welcoming hand to her as the next song began.
Aelin couldn't help but smile upon seeing him, despite her worries in the moment. Nori had put it perfectly: standing before her, beckoning her to him, stood the Dwarf who was now her future. He was a living, breathing being and Norin could not take that from her. She had what Norin only ever wished he could've had in life...and that was love.
"Nori was right: I've already won," Aelin thought to herself as she gazed at her King a few feet away. "Dis claims that I am an angel...I may not fully believe it, but I know this for certain: I am more of an angel than Norin will ever be. I have a home, a family, a husband and most importantly: I have a life. Even if he may be haunting me now, I can't let him affect me even in death. I almost let him win once; I can't let that happen again. His time is over. I am now Queen Under the Mountain...and this is just the beginning."
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A fun celebration, yet there are some new concerns a-brewing. Just what exactly is in store for Aelin's future as the new Queen? Will she be able to handle what is expected of her?
Find out in chapters to come!
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Love you all! Stay safe and take care of yourselves!
