Ch 52: Year of Firsts – Serenity
A small feast was had, bringing about lively tales and song for hours to come.
The mood was joyous with lighthearted banter and happiness as the night came to a close. As quickly as pain and death plagued all, merriment replaced any ill will as the dwarves focused on food and ale and cheer. There was much to be grateful for that evening. Those from the Iron Hills and Ered Luin respectfully paid homage to their king in turn, acknowledging the unity the Arkenstone represented now that all had been returned to its rightful place. Word would soon spread across Middle-Earth of their deeds, for the king had returned. By his side, Fili was now properly viewed as the next in line to the throne of Durin's Folk. His brother too, although leniency showed.
With food cleared and more wood added to a fire, the dwarves split off into their respected groups, some retiring for the evening and others lounging in another room by the golden glow of the hearth set ablaze. Discussions kept low, the dwarves took a seat by the fire. Fili began cleaning out old ash from his pipe, scraping and twisting a small wooden pestle before adding fresh tobacco from a small pouch. Dwalin passed a candle towards the prince to light the pipe. He nodded in thanks, puffing a few times to get the smoke started and set the candle down on a nearby table. Kili entered not long after, fresh mug of ale in hand, taking a seat next to his brother as he looked around. Balin was lost in conversation with their newly appointed queen-in-waiting. Though, it would be some time before the kingdom would consider Éla their queen. Paperwork needed to be drawn up, reviewed, and signed. So for the time being it was not a priority, given her status as the wife of their king. It hadn't bothered her nor anyone else meeting her for the first time unless a dwarf wished to be on the receiving end of their king's wrath.
And so here they were, huddled next to the warmth of a fire with idle chatter to wind down for the night.
Balin reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a folded piece of parchment and handed it to Éla. "Here."
"What's this?" She asked, looking for any hint as to what its contents held but instead Balin gave a genuine smile, nodding for her to open it. As she unraveled the paper a list of names appeared written in several columns, all ordered by family status, work and credibility. She glanced up at the dwarf, seemingly confused. "What am I looking at exactly?"
Balin took a gloved hand and motioned for her to keep reading as he pointed further down the page, her eyes following his trail. "What you're reading is a registry of bairns born within certain families. There are records of all births before the dragon attack, along with any relevant information about working families and respectable lines. There are other scrolls that pertain to jobs, harvest numbers, mining, and more, but in my early search I came across this."
He pursed his lips in a fine line as he watched her skim through the names.
"Balin, these are all names of women." Then it dawned on her as eyes settled on her own near the bottom of the list next to her father's and brother. She shook her head slowly in disbelief. "Why am I on this?"
She kept reading through the faded writing, reviewing her family's information scribbled in a far-right column next to her birth date along with irrelevant notes dated some years before Erebor was lost. Éla opened her mouth only to close it. She was at a loss for words. Darting back up to the top of the page, whatever list this was, was unidentifiable from smudged ink and a torn headline.
"From my understanding, this was to be used for women eligible for marriage once they became of age, or simply to update those statuses accordingly." Balin patted her forearm in comfort. "This means nothing lass, however, we were able to use this to save you. Therl used to work with the scribes, keeping everything in order. Most of these notes came from his master when he was but a young lad in training."
"What?" Éla's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't understand. How could this have saved me?"
"Falo stepped down from his accusations." Fili piped up, adding to the discussion. "Day before yesterday."
Éla turned back to Balin, eyes clouded with questions as her hands fell in her lap.
"Aye, Therl was a scholar. He shed some light over this for us before Thorin went to you. You no longer have to worry about the council. They're a grumpy lot, but this was enough proof of your family's status for them to step back from hounding your relationship with Thorin any further."
"I-" Words evaded her as she allowed everything to sink in. No more watching her back, no more cautiously choosing words to prevent the councilors from throwing her out by any opportunity they deemed worthy.
"I hoped for a better way to go about bringing this up, lass." Balin gently squeezed her arm in reassurance. This was a night of celebration and he hoped the scroll would bring about more joy than sorrow.
"No, it's quite alright. Thank you." Éla folded the paper and handed it back to the elder, relaxing a bit more knowing some good news had come from her union.
"Since we're on the topic of sharing," Kili offered, a playful look eyeing his new aunt and cousin before receiving an elbow to the ribs. His brother silently warning him not to say anymore but Kili swatted the invasive arm away, not caring to seek any approval. "We might've sent a carrier raven with a message."
Kili took a long chug of his ale as all attention rested on the young prince.
"A message to whom?" Dwalin narrowed his sight on the mischievous heirs as the brothers stole glances with the other.
"Our mother." Kili clarified. He tried hard to keep a straight face as Dwalin choked on his own drink and Balin closed his eyes exhausted. He could only guess the contents and feared to ask.
"We've been writing well over a month now." Fili attempted to diffuse any false pretense of rage that could come their way at any moment. Now was not a time for fists to fly. "Mother is happy to know everyone's in good health."
The siblings paused, watching their elders mixed expressions study them. Dwalin scoffed to himself, taking another swig from his mug as Balin and Éla waited patiently for more news. Fili nodded to his brother to continue instead.
"She's in the next caravan with a small group of healers and soldiers." Kili explained, grin widening as he turned to Éla. "Don't be upset but we also told her about you."
"I don't think that was wise, lad." Balin interjected. "How much did you tell?"
"Well..." the young prince looked to his brother for support.
"Kili." There was warning in Dwalin's point to edge the prince on.
"She knows." He finally aired.
"You did not." Dwalin straightened in his seat, ready to pounce on the brothers over their stupidity.
"Knows what, exactly?" Éla asked nervously. "Should we be worried?"
Balin sighed, defeated by the young naivety of their antics. "Well, that's that then."
"What's the matter?" Fili chimed in. He did not expect their relatives to be trouble by them contacting their worried mother at all. "Mother only knew of Éla being part of the Company. Nothing more was said. Right, brother?"
Kili gave a nervous laugh, hiding behind his ale as they waiting for an answer. As he lowered the mug, he focused on his reflection in the murky liquid rippling from its sway. Taking a deep breath, he lost his innocent as he addressed the dwarves with as much seriousness as he could muster. "I sent out another letter a few days ago once we knew about the wedding. There."
He slouched in his chair like a child as Dwalin cursed.
"I didn't think anything by it, I swear!" He quickly added. "It's just, we were happy by the news and I figured mother would be too!"
The room fell in awkward silence as they absorbed Kili's words. Éla knew the two meant well, but the thought of their mother knowing about her in greater detail became worrisome. The two had never met officially and to find out her brother was married after so long, could come across as a bit of a shock.
"Mother always hoped Thorin would marry so she could have a sister-wife. For thirty years she begged him to take one. He never forgot about the Lonely Mountain. She was too young to know any different when Erebor fell, yet our uncle never forgave himself for what had happened. Apparently it was his way of dealing with great loss." Fili spoke calmly, breaking the still air. He tried to remain encouraging. "She'd be surprised either way to hear of such news though."
Éla laughed nervously, returning a polite nod to the prince, "that is true."
Kili shot his brother a surprised glance. "Mother never begs. How do you know this?"
"I asked her once. You were still very young back then." Fili playfully nudged his brother. The sight heartwarming to witness. The blonde dwarf faced the trio before them. "I wouldn't worry about mother."
"Easier said than done, lad. You'll be answering to her again in no time." Dwalin rose, chugging the last bit of ale before waving them off, turning in for the night as he left them to ponder their words. Balin followed shortly after, patting the female on the shoulder as he vacated his seat next to her.
Éla relaxed into the sofa, sight drifting towards the flames as the brothers fell silent. The three stayed behind a little while longer, watching the flames die down. The day had been long for them all and the quietness was soon welcomed more than idle conversation. Fili and Kili appeared to have settled down except for the occasional whisper here and there. Éla found it soothing to be unbothered by anyone as the lowly fire lulled her into a restful state. Shutting out the world, she rested her head on a palm propped up on the armrest, listening to the crackling wood and small movements from her nephews opposite her.
Some time must have passed for she no longer heard the wood burn. Heavy boots tread across the stone floors and yet she didn't open her eyes. Most likely the brothers got up and left. She would too shortly, only her position was rather comfortable at the moment so she hadn't bothered to raise her head to say good night. Whispers were exchanged in the quiet room and then warmth touched her shoulder, rubbing across the velvety fabric of her sleeve. She opened her eyes to the dimly lit room, adjusting to Thorin kneeling before her with a gentle smile.
"Walk with me?"
Éla stretched tired limbs as he stood, extending a hand for her to take.
"Where have you been since supper?" She asked as they left the lounge into the cold empty halls of the night. Stepping away from the warmth the hearth had provided, she sought to move closer to Thorin, hand resting in the crook of his arm as they began their trek towards the upper levels.
"There were some matters of state that required my attention." He rested his opposite hand over hers on his arm. "I wished to join you earlier -"
Éla shook her head. "Don't worry. I was in good company."
Pleased to hear, Thorin escorted his wife into the calm of the night. They made way towards their chambers to retire from the day's busy schedule. Leading her onward past her own door, they walked up to his. Thorin observed what reaction he could when the door to his room was opened and Éla scanned the bed chambers peculiarly. It was different from before, the air was calming unlike its previous smell of death weeks earlier.
What felt like a lifetime, she never thought she would find herself back in this very room. She wasn't sure what to expect, whether she would remain in her own quarters until the pair could fully reconcile missed feelings or be left alone together each night. Éla walked into the room, memory flashing back to him lying immobile as the healers tended to him day in and day out. Dark orbs darted towards the chair by the fireplace, a distant revelation of her first meeting with Falo and his words of caution. The memories were there and yet the feeling was different. The room itself had been tidied, fresh linen and blankets made the four-poster bed as she walked up to the frame, casually tracing the wooden rim as Thorin closed the door.
Éla scanned the room for any new change. A vanity had been cleared out for her, some items familiar, some foreign. Thorin moved into her line of sight where he removed the crown from atop his head and set it aside on a nearby perch. Without a word, he approached her, cautiously reaching for her hair to unfasten her headdress, placing it next to his on the engraved pillar. Éla blinked as his back turned to her, realization settling in by what this day truly meant. When Thorin returned, his face contorted between hurt and sadness as Éla held back an unexpected sob, a hand coming up to her mouth as tears began to stream from her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Vexed by the sudden onset of tears, she wiped her face dry. "I don't know why I'm crying."
Thorin edged closed, cautiously bringing an arm around her lower back as a nervous laugh escaped her while trying to reason with so many stray emotions from the past few days.
"It's alright." He soothed, allowing her any comfort she desired. Inhaling a shaky breath, it didn't take long for her to calm herself. The emotion ended as quickly as it came. She still had much on her mind and remained grateful for Thorin's patience as they moved forward in uncharted territory that was now marriage.
"What will become of our future?" Glassed eyes looked up to meet his, steadying herself into his warmth.
Thorin gently rubbed her lower back, pondering the question. "For the next while it will be busy as the mountain continues fortification. Most of my time will be spent with the council and Dain."
He separated from Éla, holding her by the waist with a devious smirk. "But in the evenings, I will be yours and yours alone." His gentle confidence was addictive in its reassurance.
She swatted a hand over his chest in defiance as it made her laugh. A stray hand began fiddling with the octagonal shapes where chain-mail met leather. "You can be just as bad as your nephews, you know!"
He pulled her back to him into a hug with her arms wrapping around his back. "They are your nephews now. Do not forget that."
The comfort provided by his steady breathing in her ear and sturdy embrace was enough to put Éla into a deep sleep standing. Though her mind was filled with too much to succumb to slumber just yet. Loosening her grip beneath his cloak, she lifted her head towards the bed. What came after a union hadn't escaped her. Thorin seemed to have picked up on her diverted attention and released his hold, bringing a hand up to caress her cheek.
"Do not trouble yourself with that." He moved his hand to tilt her chin so she would face him. "Rest until you are ready."
Thorin gave her a loving smile before walking towards a closet filled with clothes, shedding his cloak in the process and tossing it across a chair, leaving her to stand alone in the cool embrace of darkness where the fire barely reached. He soon returned with a nightgown for her to change into, as he began unfastening his belt and buckles on the other layers of his own garb.
Éla reached for the soft cotton material, eyeing the dwarf stripping in front of her without a second thought. "What should I do?"
Thorin paused mid button, observing his wife just standing there at the foot of the bed seemingly lost within her own mind. "What do you mean?"
"I would like to remain useful rather than stay cooped up in a room." She added, beginning to loosen the ribbon tied on the back of her dress. "If I won't see you most of the day, what would you have me do with my time?"
"Do whatever you like."
"Really?" She watched him remove the last shirt from his torso, the clothing tossed on the same chair next to the vanity. Eyes gawked over his bare chest, his torso still bandaged. For a moment, she forgot how much he had healed between their time apart. While it would've been a more welcomed sight on any other day, guilt riddled her core for allowing herself to linger too long on his masculine physique. She averted her gaze to the floor while fighting with the ties that bound her from behind.
He chuckled in response, noticing her tired struggle. "Yes, really."
Making his way to her, he motioned for her to turn around, Thorin took over to undo the corset. "You've suffered enough. I would like you to do as you please. Have freedom in your choices. Do not let this kingdom hold you back."
"The council may not think that wise to have your wife running amok." She teased, worry slowly fading from her mind as the pressure around her mid-section loosened.
"That is true. King's wives are meant to produce heirs. Not much excitement aside from wearing beautiful clothing adorned with jewels or tackling duties in the kitchens." Thorin eased the corset off her, undoing the buttons to the velvet fabric next. He had no reason to bed her that night, though it did not stop him from grazing fingers down her spine as the fabric came undone by his doing.
Éla went ridged under his touch, his voice a husky echo in her ear as he moved to wrap his arms around her from behind, trapping her flush against him. "You have my full support, Éla. Anything you need or that is of interest to you, do it."
With a heavy exhale she relaxed into him, taking the moment for what it was.
"In due time, I am willing to try."
"What do you speak of?"
She rested her hands over his. "You know of what I speak."
Thorin leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her bare shoulder as the fabric of her dress threatened to expose her. "Come. Let us rest tonight."
Thorin released her to change. As he got into bed, a burning question still itched for an answer. Éla swiftly traded the heavy weight of her gown for the cotton material as she slid under the covers following him. "I do have one question."
Thorin raised a brow in amusement. "Ask away."
She propped on her side to face him head on as he lay on his back, head turning to look at her. "Why were you crowned after we were wed? With so many in attendance, was it not custom to wear it throughout the occasion?"
His eyes rested on the necklace still around her neck. He reached up for it as its weight rested above her chest, fingers brushing over it. Éla looked down to what he was doing, not realizing she forgot to take off the piece of jewelry.
"You are king." She sat up to remove the jewel, placing it on the bedside table. "Thinking back it seemed odd."
"It was a foolish thought." He rested his hand over his abdomen, turning away from her.
Éla leaned closer, resting her head on an arm. "I'd like to hear it."
Thorin took a moment to think over how he could explain his symbolic reasoning. "You have only ever known Thorin Oakenshield. Our courtship also came about during our quest."
"But you were always a king, Thorin." She corrected, shifting onto her pillow, delicate fingers brushed across his jaw so he would look back at her.
"A king of Durin's Folk, not Erebor. Not our homeland."
"Still a king no less." She spoke quietly, hand falling to his chest as he returned an exhausted smile.
"It was one last deed of Thorin Oakenshield. To say you were mine before a crown. A wife that would be queen."
Éla lifted her head, rising enough to hover over him as her hand returned to stroke his jawline, blocking his view of the ceiling canopy in the process. Thorin was forced to look at her as she smiled warmly down on him. "There is nothing foolish about that."
Hesitating a scared moment, she lent down as eyes crossed between his and that of his mouth. Her heart pounded in her ears when she lowered herself enough to gently plant a kiss to his lips. Her affection was reciprocated when Thorin reached an arm around her waist, not wanting to scare her off by any sudden force.
All too soon she broke away as he followed a bit, refusing break the sweet contact so soon. Éla adjusted her position and settled closer by his side, allowing sleep to wash away their worries from this new life they would share.
Somewhere in the cold heart of winter, a group of dwarves got a fire going amidst the white canvas of snow all around them. Tents were propped up to shield their bodies from the harsh winds as a stew was brewed for warmth. A raven had arrived not long ago, a letter attached to its clawed foot bringing news from the Lonely Mountain. Lady Dis had been in contact with her sons for quite some time now and was eager to learn of their recovery and progress about the reclaimed kingdom.
As she tore open the letter, eager hands shook from the night air, quietly thanking the raven for its long journey as she skimmed through markings written by her sons. Eyes widened in disbelief with each passing phrase as the letter was brought closer and closer to her sight, unable to comprehend what she read.
"He did WHAT?!"
A/N:
Thank you all for the continued reviews and support! I know this isn't exactly the wedding night some of you had in mind, but specific events will follow soon! (Sometimes I forget this is an M-rated fic, and I will try not to embarrass myself like the first writing attempt...) ^-^
-the more I continue, the more I want to re-write this after completion (into a second story), following the movies instead of the book that'd give myself an excuse for correcting scenes that were rushed/don't make sense. (Martin Freeman's Bilbo is perfect to write, tbh.)