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I know I introduced a lot of new characters in the previous chapter, I needed to draw myself a map to keep track of them all haha
Enjoy the next chapter! Let me know your thoughts. :)
Raina bit back a laugh as she watched her sister. Poor Rowen was trying her hardest to feign interest in Ila's long, dramatic story involving a rare, olive green jewel, her maid and a pipe.
After all the families had been introduced to the King, the royal family invited them all to join them for a drink in a smaller (but no less extravagant) room. As soon as Thorin entered, the Lords gathered around him wanting to reminisce about 'old times' and of course, talk about their family's accomplishments. Fili and Kili drank and laughed with Einar by the fire while Lady Dis moved around the room talking to each of the Ladies. Raina, Rowen, Ila, Kaia and Kalea sat together exchanging pleasantries over a glass of wine. Raina didn't drink too much, she was incredibly hungry and didn't want to drink on an empty stomach in case she became light-headed. Her Mother had warned her and Rowen to speak wisely as saying the wrong thing to the wrong person could come at a cost. She silently hoped the maids would perhaps offer some food soon.
"I'm just so lucky to have found my precious jewel again!" Ila finished. "Did you know there are only three in existence? All of them were of course found in Erebor."
"Goodness Ila, imagine if you hadn't of found it, how would you have been able to cope?" Kaia said dryly.
A giggle escaped Rowen and Ila threw a glare at her. Raina quickly took a sip of wine to hide her smile.
"Those of us, like my family and the royal family, take care of our wealth and treasures," Ila said in a lowered voice. " I don't expect you to understand what having such a rare treasure is like Kaia."
'Oh I do have treasures, I just don't feel the need to boast about them. I prefer more intellectually stimulating conversations, but don't worry, I don't expect that from you."
Raina exchanged a worried glance with her sister. Surely these two dwarrowdams were not going to argue, especially with the King so close by.
Like her family, Ila also hailed from the Iron Hills so Raina knew quite a bit about her. She was a proud, demanding dwarrowdam who never accepted 'no' as an answer. Raina was used to hearing her boast about her riches and she could manage Ila's haughty attitude. What bothered her was when Ila was unnecessarily rude. A few years ago she saw Ila loudly berate a young maid who brought her cold tea. The maid had apologised profusely and left in tears as Ila shouted for her to be fired. Raina had been so furious her mother had ordered her to leave the room to avoid an argument.
Kaia hailed from the Grey Mountains so Raina was not well acquainted with her. She had heard only a little about her - she was known for being pretty (which Raina did agree with, she had lovely black hair), but she was also known for her fiery attitude which Raina hadn't heard until now. In hindsight, it perhaps wasn't a good idea to sit with both Ila and Kaia. Silence fell over the group and Raina held her breath hoping one of the dwarrowdams would relent.
Raina watched as Ila's face started to become slightly red. "If you ladies will excuse me," she said through gritted teeth, a forced smile on her face. Ila didn't want for a response and slammed down her cup before walking quickly to her mother.
"That was rather bold," Kalea said quietly.
"She was intolerable," Kaia replied, not even bothering to lower her voice. Raina looked around and lucky for her, there wasn't anyone close enough to hear. Kaia turned to Raina and Rowen. "Surely you two didn't enjoy that ridiculous story about her jewel?"
Raina stayed quiet and looked to Rowen. She was inclined to agree with Kaia, but she knew talking about the ladies behind their backs was rude.
"I didn't even realise such a rare jewel existed," Rowen answered. "I don't possess anything as valuable as that."
Kaia let out a bark of laughter. "What a wonderfully diplomatic answer!"
Rowen only smiled back politely and took a sip of wine.
"Mother is beckoning for us," Kalea murmured to her sister. "Excuse us please," she said to Rowen and Raina.
Once they had left, Rowen quickly glanced around before leaning in to speak. "Isn't he handsome Rai?" She asked excitedly.
She didn't have to clarify who 'he' was. Raina looked over to where King Thorin was standing with Lord Nurin and Lord Madlen. They were deep in discussion so he didn't notice her staring. The King was certainly an attractive dwarf. She always heard ladies talking about how handsome he was so she wasn't sure why she so surprised when she first saw him. Perhaps it was because he looked so intimidating on his throne. When she found his piercing blue eyes staring at her she was startled and she felt herself blush. Raina cringed thinking about it. He was tall for a dwarf, easily the tallest dwarf in the room. His heavy gold crown was a stark contrast against his raven black hair and she was surprised at how young he looked. Of course she knew he wasn't old (Mother said he was just over 160 years), but she was expecting to see someone who perhaps had a few grey hairs. If she hadn't of known his age, she would have guessed he was closer to 100 years than 200.
"He is very handsome," Raina replied. "A fine match for you sister."
Rowen swatted her arm and looked around again to make sure no one had heard. "Raina! You shouldn't say that!" she whispered.
Raina laughed. "You're the most beautiful dwarrowdam here, how could he not choose you?"
Rowen smiled and shook her head. It was true though, Raina thought. With her curly, light brown hair, bright green eyes and soft voice dwarves fawned over her in the Iron Hills. Combined with her sweet nature and courteous demeanour, Rowen was the epitome of a Lady. Raina knew she herself was also considered pretty, but when she stood next to Rowen, Raina couldn't quite see how her black hair and dark, brown eyes were comparable. She loved her sister dearly and was happy for her, Raina just sometimes wished she had also been born with fair hair or lovely eyes.
Conversations died down as Thorin held up a hand and stood in the middle of the room.
"Thank you all again for joining us," Thorin said, his deep voice filling the room. "My sister, nephews and I must leave, but you are all most welcome to stay for a few more drinks."
A few of the Lords let out some cheers and everyone raised their glasses to their King. Thorin held up another hand as a sign of thanks before leaving. Dis smiled politely and quickly left the room not far behind him. Fili and Kili followed laughing loudly and holding a full mug of ale in each hand.
Almost as soon as they left, a maid walked in holding a couple of letters. She silently handed one to Ila and another to Elli.
Ila tore open her letter and let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh Mother, King Thorin has offered to take me on a tour of the mountain tomorrow!"
Lady Yvette beamed and hugged her daughter. "Of course he did darling, you look radiant in that dress!"
Ila looked over to Kaia, a smug smile across her face. Kaia was glaring back at her. Lady Taliea gripped her daughter's arm tightly while Kalea was whispering in her ear. Raina hoped it was soothing words.
"Did you receive a letter also Elli?" Neli asked.
"I did," Elli said, blushing furiously. "King Thorin would like me to join him on a morning walk outside the mountain."
Ila's demeanour dampened a little upon realising she wasn't the only one who received a letter. Before anyone could reply, another maid entered and handed Kaia a letter. Kaia's scowl disappeared as she read it.
"Princess Dis has invited me to have lunch with her tomorrow!" She exclaimed. Lady Taliea smiled but Raina could see it was forced smile for her daughter. An invitation from the King was preferable, Raina knew private time with the King was what everyone wanted, but surely an invitation from Princess Dis also meant something. She would have to ask her mother later what it meant.
Conversation slowly resumed amongst the ladies, but Raina noticed all the Ladies glancing at the door every time a maid came in. Rowen became excited when a maid approached her, but she only refilled Rowen's wine glass. After another hour passed it became apparent no more letters were coming. With Yesna, Rowen and Neli not receiving letters the atmosphere in the room quickly became awkward as they tried to not let their disappointment show. The Lords were quickly becoming drunk and showed no signs of leaving, so the dwarrowdams excused themselves and retired to their rooms.
As soon as their mother shut the heavy, wooden door Rowen burst into tears.
"Why didn't he like me?" She cried.
"He did like you, I'm certain of it," Lady Helma soothed, brushing Rowen's hair out of face as she held her. "I'm sure the King will send an invitation soon, a man of his status has very little spare time. He will likely send an invitation within the next few days."
Rowen still sniffled in her mother's arms. "But why wasn't I one of the first? Did I do something wrong?"
"Of course not, you were absolutely charming."
Raina stood next to them and reached out to squeeze her sister's hand. "Also you heard Ila boasting, her family is very close with Lord Dain," she said. "I'm sure he invited her purely to please his cousin, no doubt if he hadn't of she would have had something to say about it."
Rowen laughed lightly at her sister's quip and wiped her eyes.
"Perhaps our family needs to become better acquainted with the royal family," Lady Helma mused, still holding her daughter in her arms. "It would help Rowen's chances if they saw first-hand what a loyal, honourable family she came from."
"Is that perhaps why Princess Dis is also extending invitations?" Raina asked. "Does she want to learn more about us?"
Lady Helma hummed. "I think so, though we can't be sure. An invitation from the Princess would be ideal, everyone knows how close the King is with his sister. If she spoke highly of Rowen then the King may be more inclined to spend time with her."
"Can we not invite her to spend time with us?" Raina asked.
Her mother shook her head, her black curls bouncing. "No my dear child, if members of the royal family would like to see us they will invite us. It would be improper and quite rude to request their presence."
"So what can we do?" Rowen asked, finally pulling away. Her glassy, red eyes flickered between her mother and Raina.
"We must be seen, remind them we are here. Spend your time where you are likely to see the King and Princess, even the two Princes. When you do see them, greet them warmly and keep them engaged in conversation for as long as possible. Perhaps even speak to Lord Balin when you can, he is a close confidant of the King and sits on the King's Council. We will also need to keep a close eye on who the King speaks to and see who his friends are. Between the King's notoriously busy schedule and five other ladies vying for him I fear you won't have much time to spend with him Rowen, so you must try to speak to as many people as possible to fall into his good graces."
Rowen nodded slowly but Raina could see how unsure her sister looked.
"We can roam the mountain together," Raina offered. "I want to explore it anyway and see how much of what Father said is true. Perhaps the King will be impressed if you show him how well you know Erebor."
"Perfect!" Lady Helma exclaimed smiling at her youngest. "We will also need to have some more dresses made while we are here, for all of us. The fashion at Erebor is a little different to the Iron Hills and we must show that we belong here. Perhaps we can buy some jewellery also. Remember darlings, we must look our best at all times, which means no pants Raina!"