Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien. Please don't sue me, I'm but a mere grad student trying to escape my homework.

Chapter Three

Idyllic Affairs

The cool rush of night air hit her face as she stepped out onto the balcony. Claudia released Brand's arm as they walked out on the stone walkway, putting a great distance between herself and the human prince. A roll of chaos crashed through her painfully, Claudia could hardly string a single comprehending sentence together. A deep rich navy color blanketed the sky, dozens of stars glittered above her almost teasingly. They taunted her with their freedom.

The crest moon shone brilliantly down upon their peaceful valley. Claudia was envious of the valley below her, the distant lights of Dale illuminated the distant hill that faced the mighty mountain. She rushed forward, placing her hand on the cold steel that separated her from the plunging, and jagged cliff. Looking down she wondered, for a brief moment, how much it would hurt if she would simply jump from the rocky balcony. Anything to end the flush of humiliation and dread that was coursing through her like a broken dam. The familiar warmth of a hand on her shoulder dragged her from those tempting thoughts. Sighing Claudia rolled her head looking up at the concerned eyes of Brand. He gently squeezed her shoulder, giving a soft small smile. And just like that, the horrible burning of tears came rolling in.

"I'm sorry, Brand." She mumbled, looking away from the handsome prince.

What is wrong with me? She wondered looking away from the man.

She waited, reading herself for the harsh tongue lashing that she rightly deserved. From what she understood a marriage proposal was supposed to be something that sent people into squeals of joy and showers of kisses. Claudia was a coward, but this was a fact that she had long learned to deal with.

A soft chuckled accompanied the distant orchestra of crickets. Claudia's eyes widened at the sound, it was not the sound she was expecting. Turning Claudia met the kind of her Brand.

"I should have known better than to listen to your sister. I should have, also, known that you would hate my surprise." He laughed, looking away embarrassingly.

Claudia stared at Brand wordlessly. But this did not phase the prince, filling up the empty words between them.

"I just wanted this night to be special for you, Claudia," he reached forward cupping her face with his hand.

"You deserve something special. Please don't be mad at me," he pleaded quietly, bringing her hand to his chest as his lips brushed hers.

Claudia's eyes fluttered shut, the chaos that had ruled her mind quieted as she felt the familiar heartbeat of the man in front of her. Her hand curled around the fine fabric of his jacket pulling him in closer. His kisses were comforting to her, it reminded her of safety and comfort. Brand's thumb brushed the high of her check, she sighed as he pulled away.

"Though I do think you are at your most beautiful when you are mad." He whispered to her.

Claudia glowered up at Brand as he spoke. She pulled away from his touch, knowing that he was trying to distract her from the thought at hand. "Brand this is serious, do you even know what you're asking me?" She spat, retreating back to the rail that overlooked the valley.

Much to her irry, Brand laughed again. Two hands wrapped around the dip of her waist, flushing her back against his chest. "I would hope so, I wasn't against you to become my sister." He whispered into the shell of her ear.

Claudia drove the point of her elbow into Brand's gut, a painful groan pulled from his lips making him release her from his hold. "This is not a joke, Brand. I'm serious. Why would you ever want to marry me?" She asked seriously.

The mirth drained from Brand's face as he stood taller than before. As a full-blooded human, Brand was much taller than Claudia's five-one frame.

"Claudia you can't mean that. You know that you're all I've ever wanted." Brand admitted honestly.

She cringed at the sweetness of his words, she knew he meant it in earnest.

Claudia's head hurt. She reached a hand up rubbing the pulsing pain behind her temple. Guilt sat on her shoulder whispering in her ear, that she was surely the most awful person in Middle Earth. Even the orcs would look at her love-struck prince and take pity on him. Apart of her wanted to foresaken the other part that was screaming at her to run, and just say yes.

"Brand, I'm all you've ever known," Claudia answered, rubbing her arms around herself. She had never felt so small in her entire life.

Brand threw his arms up in the arm turning away from the princess in frustration. "Don't start this again," he begged.

Claudia looked away. It seemed that the headache that had attacked her, had now moved on to Brand. His large hands rubbed into his face, trying to release his frustration. He spun on his heels, scooping Claudia into his arms in one swift motion. His hands once again holding Claudia's hands, forcing her to look into his pleading eyes.

"Marry me, Claudia." His thumb brushed circles into her hand. Claudia figured it was supposed to be a comforting gesture, though now it only heightened her anxiety.

"It all makes sense," he insisted. "Claudia, we've known each other for thirteen years. I always knew I loved you, why not make it official?"

Claudia wrapped her hand around Brand's wrist. He spoke before she could. "We will be uniting two kingdoms for generations. We can ensure peace together."

That was a fact she had known for a very long time. Balin had been over the moon when Claudia and Brand had begun courting. It was no secret that if the two married what it would mean for their kingdoms, and though her parents would never force her into a marriage, it had been a welcomed coincidence.

"Brand, I'm only twenty-one," she made up an excuse.

"And I'm twenty-four, why are we stating our ages?" He joked.

Claudia, however, did not find this funny.

"What if there is more out there for us?" Claudia questioned pulling away, again, from his touch. She stepped toward the edge of the balcony looking at the dark horizon, past the valley. Deep within she felt something calling her, a siren pulling her into the unknown. The voice had been there her entire life, and as she had grown older it had been hard to deny them.

"What more could there be, Claudia? I have you, my family, and my kingdom. Things are perfect." Brand claimed.

Claudia did not look back at Brand. The guilt was too much to handle, but his words had angered her. Everyone in the valley had begun to ignore the world just outside of their own. Claudia had heard the rumors and stories from travelers, and merchants. People going missing without a trace. Elves running from their homes. Villages burning down in the middle of the nights. Things beyond their peaceful valley were not okay.

"Things are far from perfect, Brand. " She warned. "Mirkwood seems to get darker with every passing year. Caravans seemingly go missing without a trace. There has been a rise in orc attacks-"

Brand stopped her, placing a hand over her mouth."Claudia, those things, while terrible, don't have anything to do with us. The valley is safe. Dale is safe. Erebor is safe."

Claudia shook off his hand.

"They have everything to do with us. Dark things are happening in Middle Earth, and no one seems to care. Something is infecting our lands." Claudia spouted, upset that he would dismiss such a big issue.

"Plus, I'm too young, in my mother's homeland people who get married this young are usually miserable for the rest of their lives. I don't want us to be miserable." She pointed out.

Brand shook his head, not believing that the two could ever feel miserable together. "You're my best friend. I'm the Prince of Dale, you're the Princess of Erebor. It only makes sense."

He paused wrapping his arms around the small of her waist. "I've always loved you since I first laid eyes on you. Even after you punched me."

He leaned in pressing a kiss on her forehead, then down on her eyelid, and then the high of her cheek Claudia sighed leaning into the touch.

"You deserved that punch, you said I looked like an orc."

His heart offered warmth and safety. She could reside herself to sweet love and be complicit in the idyllic role of Brand's wife, and Queen of Dale. She could see her life, rolled out on parchment before her. They would marry in the spring, they would have a few children in the coming years, his father would step down as king, and crown them. They would rule over the people of Dale until it was time for their child to inherit the throne. Life would go on exactly how it was supposed to.

Brand dug in his pocket, pulling out the ring- her engagement ring- holding it out to her.

"It's yours if you want it." He said simply.

Claudia stared at the gaudy ring. She knew what power that ring held for her. Accepting the proposal behind the ring guaranteed her a good life. Security was something that most people yearned for, especially women in Middle Earth. Women, even in her position and rank, weren't guaranteed safety at all times. Marrying a Crowned Prince as the second born daughter would mean that guarantee, and she would be fulfilling her duty to her people and family.

"Can you give me time to think this over?" She challenged, her dull blue eyes begging him.

Brand said nothing leaning forward to place a kiss on her lips. "Take all the time you need, love."

Taking her hand, Brand pressed the ring into her palm, "You can give it back to me when you've made your choice."

"All I can hope is that you choose the right thing." He said with all the hope in his heart.

Claudia simply nodded, and with one last brief kiss, he began dragging her back to the party. She dreaded as he pulled her along. She wasn't ready to face her family and friends, she already could feel their disappointment from the balcony. She glanced at her prince and could help but think of his words.

I hope I can make the right decision too.

The party hadn't been near as lively as it had been when she first arrived. When Brand had announced that Claudia was going to think over the proposal there had been a mixed reaction. Dwalin, Kili, and Theodon had nearly jumped for joy at this news, they all had thought along the lines of herself. And thought that she was just too young for marriage, but Claudia also suspected that they all believed she should never get married. More and more were beginning to agree with them. Their joy, however, had been shadowed by almost everyone else in the room. When the music began again, the converse had turned to whispers and glares in her direction. Though no seemed more upset than poor Balin and Rowan. Balin looked as if Claudia had just stabbed him in the back, quickly wishing her a happy birthday before retiring for the night.

Brand didn't seem phased by the dampened mood, twirling her onto the dance for. She giggled as he spun her around and around, placing a kiss on her cheek as she faced him. It was a talent of Brand's to lift the spirit of others. He had a talent with people, something she seriously lacked. One by one people began to join them on the dance floor, and just like that, it was as if Claudia had never made an embarrassment of herself. After one last spin, she spotted her father making his way to her person. Fear shot through her like an arrow, quietly she slipped from the crowd of people to the edge of the room, grabbing a tankard of ale and quickly slamming it back. The warmth of the spice liquor rushed down her spine, leaving her light on her feet.

Just ten more and I will feel fine. She affirmed to herself, searching the crowd from more ale.

She moved through the crowd, she had caught more than one eye of the noble that stuck mostly to themselves. Claudia had never enjoyed the company of the nobles, she had grown up listening to their critiques of her family. They despised her mother and in turn her and her sisters. They thought they were unworthy of the Durin clan, despite her mother being named the Champion of Erebor. They would never say anything to their faces, they loved their lives of luxuries far too much to risk an exchange of words with the Durin women. But that didn't stop them from glaring at her as she moved about her own party. She had learned to outgrow the childish need to be liked. Claudia had Alma, Theo, Brand, and Dag. She didn't need anyone else to like her. Though it would have been a lie to say that she didn't care completely about the thoughts of others. She knew she was seen as the least favorite sister in the eye of the public.

Avoiding her parents, Claudia drank her way around the party's edge coming to sit on one of the benches that lined the room. The warmth quickly became sweat under the heavy layers of her dress, and slowly the room filled with dwarves was becoming far too much for her. She felt the bench move as a person settled beside her. Claudia leaned forward placing her face in her hands, hoping whoever they were they would not want to speak to her.

"That was brilliant, Claudia." Chipped a deep female voice beside her.

Claudia looked up from her hands to find the far to the gleeful face of her youngest sister, Odette.

"Truly, I have never seen Da's face go through so many emotions in such a short amount of time. " Odette smirked next to her sister.

Claudia glared at her youngest sister, who smiled smugly at her. At eighteen Odette had matured from her once pudgy, childish features. The years had melted the baby fat that once clung to her face and replaced it with the sharp features of their mother. Her icy blue eyes glowed almost unnaturally against her sunset hair. In her burnt orange frilly dress, she seemed so delicate and fragile. This was one of her most coveted assets, Odette was the furthest thing from a dainty flower. She was a mischievous devil, who could take down a full-grown dwarf in a matter of seconds. She was a horribly fearsome child, but Claudia was older and just a little wiser.

"I'm sure that could change," Claudia stated, picking at the silky fabric of her dress. "I could tell him about that time I saw you leaving the armory with one of the guards, in the middle of the night." Claudia placed her elbow on her knee, laying her chin in her palm looking up at Odette's mad face.

"Tell me, how many emotions do you think Da will go through then? Hearing that his little angel isn't such an angel." Claudia questioned innocently.

"You told me, you would never tell anyone." Odette accused.

"That was before you came over here just to taunt me.' Claudia pointed out.

Odette shot up towering over her sister, Claudia followed suit.

"You wouldn't tell Da?" Odette demanded, rather than asked. Odette was used to getting her way. Claudia knew she would never tell her father any of her sisters' secrets, but it was nice having something to hold over her sister's head.

While Odette was a skilled warrior, she still had her flaws. The biggest flaw, among the few, was her balance. So when Claudia's hand reached out to connect with Odette's shoulder and pushed lightly, Odette toppled over. Odette looked out a yelp of surprise as her backside met the floor. A vexatious smile crossed Claudia's face.

"Oops," Claudia said innocently turning away from Odette, who stuck her tongue out childishly.

Hours had passed and most everyone was drunk beyond belief. Most of her family had already retired to their homes tonight, leaving the party to the next generation. Claudia had successfully avoided both her parents for the night, only bidding them a good night and a thank you as they traveled out the door. Rowan completely avoided her, Claudia suspected that she already knew the length of her sister's anger for placing the silly surprise proposal in Brand's head, leaving as soon as she and Brand had returned with their news.

Now she sat at a table alone, drinking her latest ale. The liquor was beginning to replace the blood in her veins. She watched as Brand, Theo, and Gimli, a family friend, danced to the off-tune music, yelling their happy conversation to one another. Odette sat in the corner drunkenly giggling with her favorite guard. Claudia rolled her eyes. Soon the golden liquid was gone, leaving her the heavy feeling of regret in her chest. Staring down at the empty cup, it was quickly shoved aside and replaced by a full cup.

"That was terrible." Alma, Claudia's dearest and longest friend, said, settling down beside the princess.

Claudia grumbled, throwing back the tankard of ale Alma handed her. She glanced at Alma over the brim of her cup. Alma was the daughter of her mother's dearest friend and chief healer, Deamra. Deamra had fallen pregnant with her second daughter around the time her mother had found out that she was pregnant with Claudia. They have been destined to be friends since birth. Unlike her older brother, Kori, Alma had taken after her mother. Beside her slightly lighter skin, the resemblance was uncanny. A smattering of freckles touch every inch of her face, and her coiled red hair was braided carefully into breathtakingly interacting rows back into the fluff of hair that sat behind her ears like a fiery halo. Her wide dwarven nose and stone set lips gave her a sense of seriousness about her.

"Thanks for reminding me." Claudia laughed, dropping her face into her hands.

"What was he thinking?" Alma remarked taking a swing of her own drink.

Claudia shook her head. "What was I thinking? Seriously Alma, what is wrong with me?"

Claudia moaned, the burning liquor intensifying her feelings. Alma shrugged, "I've been asking that question about you and Theo for years." She said simply.

Claudia glared at her. "I'm serious. This is the sensible choice, it makes sense so why am I not engaged to the man I love right now?"

She turned to her friend for answers. Alma rolled her eyes, "You are dramatic have I ever told you that? I think you didn't say yes, because you didn't want to. Plain as that, Dia." Alma answered.

"But I should say yes, everyone wants me to. It will be good for the kingdom." Claudia retorted, drowning herself in her drink her features twisting at the spiteful liquid.

"What you should do and what you need are different things. I'm not here to tell you what to do, Claudia. I learned a long time ago that you won't listen. You'll choose the right thing." Alma assured her gently.

"Now I should go make sure those idiots get Brand back to his room. Happy Birthday, Claudia." Alma offered as she chased after her cousin and could have been fiance.

She watched as Theodon and their friend, Gimil, drunkenly stumbled out of the hall dragging a sleeping Brand behind them. She was sure they would continue on with their celebration long into the night. Soon Claudia got her only birthday wish, she was finally let alone. The musicians had drunkenly left, and only Claudia occupied the once filled hall.

She had almost fallen asleep at the table she occupied when the sound of boots approached her. The face of Dag appeared over her shoulder. She smiled up at her guards, the loud hum of her body keeping her calm.

"Hello Dag," she greeted him warmly. "I didn't realize how late it was." She looked around at the empty room happily.

Dag chuckled. "It's very late, princess. I think it is time I escort you back to your room." Claudia nodded sleepily, standing up to join her guard.

The way back to her apartment was a sobering experience. The sleepiness seemed to overtake her drunkenness. Glancing down the royal hall she noted that her father's study lights were dripping into the hall. Dag quickly pulled her to the door of her apartment, opening her door for her.

"That was quite the performance, princess," Dag commented quietly, hoping not to upset her.

Claudia ignored his comment, not wishing to ruin her drunken bliss. "I'm going to bed, Dag. Why don't you make sure that Kosor made it back to his home." Claudia winked staggering to her couch.

A blush fell over the guard, he bowed taking the hint that Claudia did not wish to speak anymore on the matter. Sitting in silence, Claudia blinked, turning to look back at her apartment door. If her father wasn't going to sleep, then either would she. Standing up Claudia marched toward the king's study.

She stood outside his door, glancing through the crack of the door. While the room was illuminated, her father didn't seem to occupy the space. She knew the guards would be changing shifts soon and she wouldn't have enough time to decide where to go, so she slipped into the study without a word. Claudia had always loved the king's study. The deep mahogany of the bookcase that covered the walls reminded her of her childhood when her father would let her sit in there with him as he and uncle Kili went over documents. She would sit on wolf fur carpet drawing pictures, bathing in the warmth of the hearth. She would show him her pictures and he would proudly hang them on the wall behind his enormous desk like it was the finest art he had ever seen. Claudia missed those days when things were not so complicated.

Claudia went to the messy pile of papers that littered his desk. Her eyes scanned the documents, but it was a certain broken seal that caught her eye. Reaching out she picked it up, written in common a sour taste filled her mouth. It read:

Dear King Fili,

Time has come that I would call upon the heads of the Dwarven clans.

Your presence is needed in Rivendell, a great danger threatens Middle Earth,

and I fear, your home as well. I cannot explain further my friend, but all will be'

explained at the meeting of Houses of Middle Earth. I have called upon your

Kin but I believe my call has fallen on deaf ears. We need the support of the

Dwarves, I hope to see you in Rivendell soon, my friend.

Lord Elrond

Claudia's brow furrowed. It explained the elf's appearance in Erebor this afternoon, she figured. What did Lord Elrond want with her father? The feeling of dread sunk in her veins. She thought back to her words with Brand, things beyond their valley were not all beautiful. She had worried that there would be a day when those things would sink their teeth into her home.

"You were never a good spy, you know," laughed the bearly voice of her father behind her.

Claudia yelped, dropping the letter on his desk unceremoniously. In the doorway of the study stood her father. Her face redding like a child who was caught. A forced smile graced her face, embarrassed by what she had done. She had known better than to go through her father's things without asking, but the alcohol was skin tingling in her blood and she cared little about consequences.

Seems to be the theme of the day.

"Your Ma can't seem to stay still while she sleeps, so I thought I would come and work for a little while until she decides to stop kicking me," Fili explained rounding his desk, and taking a seat. He picked up the letter that Claudia had been reading.

"I saw the elf come in today." remarked her finger's tracing the pattern of the wood.

"What do you think Lord Elrond wants, Da?" Her father hummed, his hand rubbing his beard covered chin.

"I don't know, and I do not care to find out." He replied, flipping through the pages of a document.

"Da, you don't mean that," she chastised her father.

Fili sighed rubbing his face. "You sound just like Magdalen," he stated mostly to himself.

Claudia sat in the seat in front of the desk. Claudia studied her father, slumped in his seat and he looked older than he was. Though times were peaceful, that did not lift the weight of the crown her father had to bear. What he and her mother did for their kingdom was not a job for the weak. Though they were loved by many, some still held hate for the royal family. Opening the once secretive world of dwarves up to the rest of Middle Earth was met with much resistance. Her parents never flinched when they were faced with trials, Claudia wished she had gotten an ounce of their bravery.

"Lord Elrond won't call on all the dwarven clans for no reason, Da," Claudia reasoned.

Fili brought his hands to his face, he was tired. "This wasn't how I expected my night to end."

Guilt pierced her body, leaving shockwaves of sadness in its wake.

She lowered her head, concentrating on her fingertips as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you," she muttered.

Claudia couldn't bring herself to look at her father in the eye. She was now twenty-two, and she had never felt more like a child than she did at that moment. Her tongue was dry as dirt in a drought as she heard her father approach her. Fili bent down, meeting Claudia's watery gaze.

"You could never embarrass me, Claudia. Do I want you to find love, and marry someone who will make you happy, of course. But what you did tonight, could never embarrass me." He reached forward, pinching Claudia's chin between her fingers. "I love you, Claudia."

Claudia nodded, knowing that if she spoke another word the tears would come pouring out. She knew her father was honest in his words, the pride in his daughter would never weaver. But she still felt as if he was holding back, believing that, eventually, Claudia would give and say yes to Brand. She wasn't so sure she could.

"Now," Fili stood up breaking the heavy silence, "come on, it's time for bed. I'm sure your Ma is done kicking." He joked.

Claudia forced down her tears, pressing a smile when she spoke. "She's probably moved on to her snoring."

Fili chuckled wrapping his arm around Claudia's shoulder leading back to her apartment.

Claudia stared up at the inky black ceiling, her fingers roamed over the thin gold band of her engagement ring. She wondered how something so small and dainty felt like a thousand gold bars crushing her chest. Perhaps, Claudia was just being selfish. A wild young whim that would cause her great heart ache for the rest of her life. But something inside of her told her she couldn't accept the offer, though it gave her no reason as to no to. Turning on her side, Claudia's mind drifted from her thoughts. As she settled in, she listened to the steady beat of her heart. A part of her wished that when she woke next she would be far from her problems, anywhere but inside of her mountain kingdom.

Claudia

She hummed a haunting melody as she began to drift. Slowly the room around her faded into the dark void, her dresser, then her vanity, followed by her bookshelf. And soon she felt floating into her dreams.

Claudia, come my darling flower, I've missed you.

A sweet whisper of her name lulled her to sleep. A familiar dark figure welcomed her with open arms.

And for once she felt at peace.

Shout out Rin for reminding me of this story! I've decided I'm going to start uploading the first book up on Ao3, so I'm going to revise that story. But I'm going to be keeping up this story as well (JBM will live on this site for now)! I'll let you know when I start on ao3.

Magdalen was not a full dwarf, so her children have human blood in them. Like Magdalen, they will age slower than other humans but will not live as long as dwarves. So they reach maturity like humans do around 18. As for Susan's daughter... You'll just have to see who pops up on this journey, remember Magdalen's story was just the start.