Elrond watched Thorin scarf down a meal from the mountain consisting of pork ribs and deep fried chips, with a desert of berry pie from the many plants growing on the mountain. "I guess since you are devouring food like a growing boy, I will allow you back inside the mountain tonight." He held up his hand when Thorin started to get up. "That is my way of inviting myself to your bathing pools. Also, if Sauron is so desperate to kill you, the best place for you is inside the mountain."

"For once, you are making sense." Thorin brushed off the helping hand and stood straight and tall as he could. "Now, I want this bandage off before entering the halls. It won't be a good omen for the Crown Prince to be bandaged right before his wedding. I must appear strong and invincible."

Elrond unwrapped the dressing just as Erestor and Glorfindel entered at his silent summons. They stood quietly while he ran glowing hands once more over the injury. "Most of the swelling is down and unnoticeable. You will, however, be uncomfortable wearing a diadem all day on your wedding."

"I'll survive." Thorin took a step to the tent flap and then hesitated, looking up at Elrond. "I would much appreciate more healing daily before the wedding…..and you know I don't ask lightly anything of the elves."

Elrond glared down at him. "And I don't give my healing to just anybody. For my services, I expect to be well rewarded."

Erestor's eyes went wide while Glorfindel grinned like an elfling.

"More of the wine they are hoarding is my recommended recompense." Glorfindel called out as he rushed to beat Elrond's demand.

Elrond held up a hand to stop his advisors. "I was thinking more along the lines of housing all our females until we are gone; just in case there is an attack."

"I was going to tell you, Elrond," Glorfindel replied, "the ladies are safely inside the mountain as I speak, because I was one of their escorts, but we can still barter for wine."

"I suggest we get the prince back inside the mountain before dark," Elrond ordered to stop further dawdling and bartering of his seneschal's for worldly goods.

The gate swung out just far enough to allow them entrance. Dáin was taking a rare turn as Durin on call and called out to Thorin. "Thought ye were going ta cozy up ta the elves tonight?"

"And why aren't you cozying up to your wife?" Thorin gave it right back and heard laughter from the dwarves milling about the opening.

"She's at the stage of her pregnancy where it is my fault she is in her limited capacity. It's more peaceful fighting orcs and lonely watches from the rampart than in my chambers right now."

"What did you do this time?" Thorin jokingly threw out.

Dáin grinned, knowing anything he said would be all over the mountain by morning and most likely his own chambers as well. "I may have commented on the massive dowry my daughter would fetch me an suggested she is ready ta marry."

This time the laughter also came from the elves.

"I tell ye, Thorin, nothing like ah wedding ta get everyone thinking of the next one." Dáin's grin had everyone knowing he was jesting about his daughter.

"And just who is next?" Elrond asked.

Thorin shrugged. "Probably my sister." With a smile and his disinformation now floating freely among the dwarves, he headed to the bathing pools.

Thorin floated freely on his back drifting with the slow current. When reaching the far rock wall where water lazily drifted downwards into fist sized holes for drainage, he would turn and swim to the far end, a long distance, and begin the process all over again.

The elven lords watched him while they relaxed and then bathed. "We bid you goodnight," Elrond called out.

Thorin raised a hand that he heard and went back to drifting on the current.

"I heard ye were deep within my halls." Thráin intercepted the departing lords.

"To be clean is reward enough for helping Thorin this morning," Elrond graciously replied.

"No it's not," Glorfindel whined from behind Elrond.

Thráin laughed and pulled a wine-skin from his inner vest pocket and tossed it to the Balrog slayer. "Just for ye, an whoever can swindle ye out of ah glass."

Glorfindel pulled the cork and took a sip; a smile of bliss covering his face. "A skin for my very own," he crooned and avoided Erestor's halfhearted attempt to swipe it.

"You spoil them," Elrond complained just as passively and didn't attempt to take the prize away.

"I can never repay all the elves have done for us," Thráin quietly told them, keeping his voice away from Thorin.

Elrond motioned to the water. "Since we entered, Thorin has distanced himself and seems in a world of his own."

Thráin looked and nodded. "Aye, he is preparing himself for the wedding. All dwarrow do much the same. It is ah major step from being one ta becoming two that are one. Lasses don't have the same trepidation we dwarrow are cursed with. By morning, Thorin will have worked through his demons an be completely prepared. I was hunting ye down ta plead that he be allowed in the mountain tonight for that very reason. I was pleased ta learn ye brought him here. I would have joined ye, but Gandalf pressured me into supper with him."

"I hope our ladies are welcome, as before?" Elrond hadn't had the chance to personally insure their welcome.

"Yer lovely ladies are welcome anytime," Thráin reassured them. "I also invite ye an the other lords ta say inside where it is safer."

Elrond shook his head. "My place is at the head of my army, especially since you have insured my general won't be at his best." He threw a glance to Glorfindel, who looked hurt all of the sudden, as only he could secure.

"I'll walk ye out then, if I can't persuade ye ta stay," Thráin stated and looked back to Thorin. He shook his head. "Brings back memories." As he walked beside Elrond, with Erestor and Glorfindel a pace behind, he explained the ritual. "Before the wedding, ah dwarrow reflects on his life an what he is giving up an gaining. He has ta be at peace in his heart or the marriage will suffer. Most do their ruminating alone, but ah few choose ta share with their intended. I wish Thorin would do so."

Alone in the pool, Thorin's mind was still in his early years when all was good and right in his world. He yearned to go back and relive his life and wish Smaug never came. Keeping his head soaked in the warm mineral pool dulled any lingering pain and it only twinged if touched or bumped. With a sigh, he turned over and swam to the edge of the pool, bathed, and climbed carved steps out. He dried off and dressed in clean clothes Picket brought to him. Securing Orcrist, he sprinted up the long flights of stairs until before her door. The guard came to attention and saluted when Thorin rapped.

Mif grumbled at who was bothering them this time of night and shuffled to the door.

Dóvad sat in his chair, pipe between his teeth and he was focused on a board game with his son. However, when Mif dropped into a deep curtsy, he sprang to his feet.

Thorin entered. "As you were, Lord Dóvad. I came for a walk with Lióni."

"My dams an lass are with your dams. They are going over clothes for the wedding an I'm told visiting yer vault ta find the perfect baubles an diadem." Dóvad motioned to Thorin's head. "How are ye feeling? It was ah nasty wound only this morning."

Thorin waved him off. "Elven magic made me like new." With a nod, he left.

Galadriel and Arwen were invited to join the Durin dams that evening and they quickly accepted. Now seated along a wall with a long stemmed glass of ruby red wine, they enjoyed watching and listening to the dams pick jewelry.

Risári was beside herself with joy. To be in the famed Durin vault that housed all their priceless jewelry was a dream of hers. She never ranked high enough for a trip into this chamber until now. The older Durin dams pulled out pieces and held them against the gown Lióni wore. It was her wedding gown of royal blue silk and had a modest scoop bodice with long sheer sleeves of the same color that ballooned to her wrists. The cuffs were about three inches in length and tight. The folds of the skirt were full due to a thick petticoat to make her look more robust. The dams agreed another thin princess would start the rumors of an impending disaster all over again.

In a chair out of the way, but where she could direct, sat Lady Meeli. That she was declining was evident to all, but they didn't dampen the festive mood by asking of her health. Even the youngsters were there and enjoying their first glimpse of the royal jewels.

Aneh was telling Cái, Bát and Lióni of her encounter with the king when she walked in on him half-dressed while retrieving several boxes of jewels.

"Lióni, dear, what do you favor for a necklace?" Old Dwin, Balin and Dwalin's mother, drew her attention from Aneh's story.

Lióni was quite overwhelmed and loved everything her eyes lit upon. Thirty of the most expensive necklaces were arrayed on a table in their boxes and she walked the length of the table many times. Finally her hands reached for a necklace made from the starlight gems of Lasgalen. "May I put this one on?"

"Of course," Dis replied and unfastened the clasps. It fit snugly around her slender throat and the finest silver craftsmanship displayed five streamers of the rare and precious gems flowing over her bodice. When she moved to look in the mirror, the gems drew everyone's eyes.

"That is the one," Dioari gushed and others agreed.

"That has never been worn in a wedding and belonged exclusively to Queen Zairi. She wore it for formal functions." Aneht, Dáin's mother, gave the history lesson. "I'm sure she is looking across the great gulf and nodding her approval."

"One piece down," Lári laughingly replied. "What piece do we look at next? The boxes were carefully closed and many hands placed them back in their marked slots.

"Next should be a girdle," Theri, Azie's mother, stated and started pulling boxes from a different cabinet.

Talk of weddings flowed freely and many tales were told, some causing the younger lasses to blush, but they laughed just the same.

Lióni saw many long boxes opened and instructed not to help, but drink her wine until called upon to choose. She sat beside the elves and listened as Galadriel regaled her with elven marriage customs. Her job was only to choose and be pampered. Once again she looked at more beautiful items than her mind could process. Finally her hands once again picked up a long item studded with gems. Her mother rushed to help wind it around her slender waist. Buckled, it left a long tail of wide gems flowing down the outside of her right thigh to her knee. It was made from a silver belt studded with dark blue sapphires and each gemstone was an oval, and an inch and half long and half that wide. The buckle was a larger single diamond, twice the size of the sapphires.

Even Bát, Balin's youngest, who stated she would never marry, whispered how beautiful Lióni looked.

Boxes were hastily put away and another cabinet opened. Diadems were pulled and Lióni didn't even hesitate. She snagged up the matching pair to the girdle and let her grandmother, Risári place it on her head.

The older woman had tears of joy in her eyes. "You are the most beautiful lass in the mountain. Thorin will have eyes only for you."

"My grandmother is paid to say that," Lióni sang out and the room erupted into laughter.

Thorin heard them long before entering the hallway between his chambers and those of his father. He knocked on the vault door.

Being closest, Azie, who had been sitting in a chair and resting her sore feet, opened and then slammed it in his face without a word. She whirled as fast as her pregnant body could and yelped, "Thorin is here."

"He can't see Lióni in her wedding finery before the wedding." Dis called out, and all the dams were distraught, hoping he didn't throw the door open and barge in.

Galadriel subtly insured the door couldn't be opened by him, but held that information between herself and Arwen.

"Quick, Lióni lass, step behind the curtain," Aneht instructed. With their bride out of sight, Dis opened the door and slipped out to see what he wanted.

Thorin was standing in the same place, but with a smirk on his handsome face. "Nobody is home and I heard voices. Where are all the dwarrow?"

"They are all as our forefathers, shirking any duty and drinking until the wedding, where they will then do serious drinking. We instructed they were to have Thorin Stonehelm and Gimli with them at all times also. We don't need any male distraction this week. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to take a walk with Lióni." He looked lost all of the sudden and Dis' heart melted.

"Can it wait until tomorrow? It is getting late and we still have much to do in that room."

He nodded. "I suppose, but tomorrow I am commandeering her for most of the day. I too have nothing to do until the wedding, so will go and join the dwarrow, who I'm sure are trying to get poor Bilbo drunk, and Gandalf, if he is with them."

"You do that…., and don't come back until someone comes and tells you we are gone."

Thorin glanced at the door. "Just one…," he made a move to open the door in jest to find his sister hadn't lost her strength as she smacked his arm away. With a grin and wink, he departed.

"That was close," she murmured and slipped back into the room. "He is gone."

Lióni stepped back into the light. Part of her disappointed she didn't get to see him.

They finished the ensemble around midnight and all agreed she made the most beautiful bride. The jewels were removed and placed on the table and a long black cloak covered her gown and cowl pulled over her head for the walk back to her father's chambers. When the dams stepped into the long Durin hall; a contingent of guards still standing like stone, stepped out to escort them home.

Likewise, a handful of elven guards stood as still and straight as the dwarves and circled the ladies they were entrusted with. Not trusting dwarves, they hurried their ladies first down the long hall, but not before Galadriel and Arwen thanked their hosts for a lovely evening.

Dis pulled one guard aside. "Go to the king's private tavern and inform the drunken Durin's they can stumble to bed anytime now."

The guard's eyes popped wide open. "Nay, I cannot say that ta the king."

"Well then improvise." She disappeared back inside Thorin's chambers and made her way through the private hallway to her rooms. On her bed was her own wedding gown and the secret she was bestowed with just that evening. 'A secret double wedding that even Father doesn't know about.'

She quickly slipped into the beautiful gown and ran back down the hall to the vault. While Lióni was choosing, she marked the jewels she would wear for her second wedding and hoped Dwalin approved. Her gown was a rich cream with Durin crest embroidery of gold and cut much like Lióni's, except her sleeves were of the same material as the gown. Her jewels to match were blood rubies and diamonds set in gold instead of silver. She gathered the boxes and slipped off to her rooms before the dwarrow returned.

Inside their guests chambers, Arwen opened up. "Now, I'm in the mood to work on my gown and jewelry. Everything was so beautiful and it was so kind of the ladies to let me try on many pieces also."

Galadriel smiled indulgently. "I'm sure our ellon didn't have a good evening at all. In fact, I sense they are on guard scouring the mountain for an enemy that won't attack now."

"How do you know, Daernaneth?"

"I no longer sense the Palantír. The dark wizard has ridden far away. I'm sure he was sent by Sauron and has failed so left in defeat. The wedding will proceed and I'm sure the wedding night will produce the heir King Thráin desires for his son."

"Is it another Durin reincarnate?" That was the only reason Arwen could surmise why Thráin was so adamant Thorin marry and have his own offspring.

"I haven't been given much insight into dwarves so do not know," Galadriel replied. "I'm going to lie down and talk with your daeradar for a bit. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Wearing a nightgown, Galadriel sank onto the large comfortable bed made for tall beings. She kept the lamp dimmed, but not out, for she didn't like pitch blackness; it reminded her of dark times. 'Meleth-nín, are you awake?'

'My bed is lonely,' came the abrupt reply. 'How did your evening go?'

'Arwen is now thinking of matrimony. We spent an enjoyable evening in the Durin vault.'

'I was there with Thorin not long ago.'

'We weren't looking at boxes, but their contents. I feel like a pauper with all their riches. Only my adar's vault can match theirs.'

'I'm sorry I was never rich enough to match your adar's wealth.'

'I wouldn't trade one minute for all he has. The journey we've taken is far more valuable to me than all the wealth in Aman.'

'Our journey is coming to an end,' he reminded her and felt a pang of sorrow through their linked fëas.

'Where are you right now?' she adroitly changed the subject lest they wallow in misery.

'On a knoll overlooking the camp. Tonight the stars are bright and the Vingilótë is flying low and almost over our position. I bet Eärendil is watching the dark wizard.'

'If he is, he is watching him ride away. He is no longer nearby. Why don't you try and sleep a little. Arwen and I will come back to camp in the morning for breakfast.'

There was silence for a moment, then he replied. 'Alright. I'll think about it.'

'I know you sometimes miss the days before the sun. I myself, love the light, having grown up with light. Goodnight, my dark Moriquendi.'

'Goodnight, my golden queen.'

Thorin woke late and looked at the tall grandfather clock with a dim gas flame illuminating the hands. "Crap," he muttered and threw back the thick fur blanket. He quickly dressed and ran a brush through his hair and short beard. Today, only two days before his wedding and he slept half of it away, and after promising Lióni a long walk. Running into his private latrine, he did his business and ran a toothbrush hastily over his teeth.

His next stop was to find his sister. "Who are my chaperones today?" He spoke impatiently upon finding her alone in their father's sitting room.

"Today you are using me and Dwalin."

Thorin choked on his saliva and started coughing.

Slapping him on the back, she asked if he was okay.

"And Dwalin agrees to this?" Thorin had never heard of a male chaperone. That was a job for females.

"It is customary for either male or female elves chaperone courting couples. I think Father needs to make another decree."

Thorin looked at her smooth cheeks. "And banishing beards isn't causing enough turmoil? Too many changes of that nature and everyone will think he got his head rattled while in Dol Guldur."

"Balin is fetching Dwalin right now. I was going to wake you."

"You should have two hours ago," he protested.

A tap had Picket moving before Thorin got his head cleared. Balin and Dwalin entered; Balin with a wide smile and Dwalin looking much like Thorin. "I have arranged a place where both courting couples can have privacy to talk while a close eye is kept on you."

Thorin finally started thinking from his night of drinking. "And who are the real chaperones?"

Balin's smile grew. "Why myself and my wife. We will all walk to the area and you two can each part to opposite sides of the room for the private talk I know each of you desire with your intended."

Dwalin looked uncomfortable and shuffled his feet. "I'm no good at talking," he grumbled.

Dis glided to him and took his arm. "We've known each other all our lives, so don't need to become acquainted. I was hoping you would just like to be alone with me."

"Ah, Lady, I always want that." Dwalin smiled down at her.

Another rap sounded and Balin waved Picket away. He opened to his wife, Cát and Lióni.

Thorin rushed to take Lióni's hand. "I'm so sorry I let a night of revelry cause me to oversleep."

She squeezed his hand back. "I too overslept from my night and even we had too much wine."

He smiled in relief.

"Let's get going," Balin instructed and offered his arm to Cát. On the way out the door, he asked her. "Do I want to know what our daughter's are up to?"

Cát laughed. "They are both involved in decorating the wedding hall and will be occupied and under the watchful eyes of many old Durin dams."

"Good. This evening we will inspect the hall," Balin announced and looked at the two couples, who were silent and listening in. "Cát and I will be your escort all day and even tonight when you dine in our first restaurant with Gandalf. We are inviting ourselves."

Thorin and Dwalin looked at each other in surprise. Thorin signed behind Balin's back. How can we talk to Gandalf with Balin present?

Maybe we should tell them. I know my brother will keep our secret.

I'll think on it today, Thorin signed back.

Balin led them past many guards to the large central cavern where Smaug piled all the stolen loot for a bed. "Cát and I will be up on the balcony." He pointed upwards. "You two couples may take whichever table you prefer an lunch will be served for us."

Everyone looked around and on opposite sides were two small tables with tablecloths and place settings for two. Servants were standing by with covered silver trays.

"Balin doesn't have many good ideas, but I do approve of this one," Thorin joked and smirked at his friend and kin.

Balin and Dwalin laughed as they led their ladies away.

Thorin seated Lióni and approved of the intimate setting and candle between them, giving off a romantic glow on a gold embroidered tablecloth. They didn't speak until several bites into the delicious fair. Bombur personally cooked for the three couples after being roused from his bed by his wife at what he considered an ungodly hour after drinking for half of the night. They were dining on pickled fish sautéed in a garlic sauce with potatoes and turnips.

Thorin spoke softly so his voice didn't carry and relieved the servants disappeared allowing for a private conversation. He realized it was their first since that night on the mountain month before in Jötunheim. The few times they conversed privately on the trip was nothing more than a greeting and talk about the weather or progress of the wagons. "I wanted to walk with you last night, but didn't want to spoil your good time. You realize you made history?"

Lióni almost choked on a turnip and turned wide, blue eyes to him. "Like written up in the books type of history?"

Thorin nodded. "You are the first dwarf to have female elves at your wedding for one and that they were in the vault will also be noted."

"I wish we had a book like the elves do when their royals marry."

"We do. It just doesn't jump off the pages and turn into a play."

"Why wasn't I told about it? And I want to see the book," she demanded.

He smiled. "It usually isn't made available until the wedding night. You are not allowed to see how other weddings unfolded until yours is done."

"But you've seen the book?" She was sure he had.

He shook his head. "It is kept under lock and key until the next royal wedding. We will get to read what was written about my ancestors and someday our firstborn son will read about us when he weds. It is usually taken on the honeymoon and I'm told is a bit risqué in places where the honeymooning couples added parts about making love."

A flush crept over Lióni's cheeks and Thorin grinned.

"Is that what you wanted to tell me last night?" she asked and busied herself with a bite of fish.

Following with his own forkful, he chewed and swallowed before answering. "No. I want to tell you about me before we wed. There might be something about my past that will make you call off the wedding. I'm not a young buck without a history; just an ex-king with a bad temper and penance for finding trouble."

"You're someone that had a gate named after him," she countered and saw him flush and gave her own smile of triumph.

"That was folly on the part of the Blue Mountain dwarves and exiles. I was working in the towns of men when they finished the gate and community and I came back to find it called thus in a decree signed by Lord Estoras, leader of the elves at the Refuge of Edhelion and Lord Gróin, as acting ranking dwarven lord. It was completed after Azanulbizar and I was king." He stopped talking and smirked across the table at her. "I was quite humbled."

"I find that concept hard to believe about you." She watched as he took several more mouthfuls and washed them down with ale.

He pushed his empty plate away and looked at her. "I was a pampered prince for barely more than twenty years. I was only half my size now when Smaug came. I had leadership thrust upon my shoulders that day and my dwarflinghood ended."

"I can't imagine a youth that young taking charge," she replied quietly.

"It didn't last for more than a few hours until Grandfather came to his senses and father regained consciousness. I didn't have to take the mantel of leadership again until becoming king a little over fifty years ago. Looking back, I think maybe some of Thranduil's reticence to help us had to do with my age. We walked and starved and suffered and buried our dead along the way. I watched Father and Grandfather age before my young eyes and lost my ability to laugh and be a dwarfling. It was at that point I started distancing myself from dwarves my age and became the shadow of the king and prince. I learned all I could so I could help our people and would run among the dwarves lending a helping hand wherever needed. I don't think most of the dwarves remember me as a youth. I barely remember being one. At night, I would sleep with Frerin and put Dis between us to try and keep her warm. To this day, I'm glad our flight was in summer, or the losses would have been much more. I would listen as Frerin and Dis cried for the loss of our mother and other family members, but I never did. I vowed even at that young age to reclaim the mountain in my lifetime. I only saw Father cry once and that was when he came to and realized Mother and Grandmother was dead."

"I'm so sorry for you," Lióni quietly interjected. She too pushed her now unappealing plate away. To think he starved while she never missed a meal in her life.