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 (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).
Chapter 19
December 2769,
I believe the king has gone mad.
Well, way too starting heavy Harion. Magdalen thought as she read the first line of the journal.
He wanders to the treasury every night, spending hours reveling in his mountains of gold. I hear his whispers, as he speaks to the treasures of Erebor as if they were our late queen. Prince Thorin followed him the other night, he did not know I was there, but I saw the pain in his eyes. I fear our fair king will no longer be if this sickness continues to spread. I fear for our king.
Magdalen flipped the page continuing to read December's log. She enjoyed reading the guardsmen's diary, he wrote about the happenings of Erebor, his friends, and family. She laughed when he logged all of his failed woohooings of various dwarrowdams. Harion was quite the ladies man, or so he wrote anyway.
I believe I know what he is up to….
Then there was the curious case of the thieving noble. If Magdalen had known Harion, she would smack him upside the head. Harion continuingly wrote of the noble "He," it never once stated his name, and it drove her crazy. Magdalen's interest was peaked as she delved into the mystery surrounding the noble. Harion was convinced that the scumbag was up to something.
Last night I abandoned my post. I'm sure Commander Dwalin will have me punished for this but I must find out what he was doing. He snuck out of the gates and met a cloaked figure at the edge of the forest. He gave the man a sack of gold in exchange for a small package. The man told him a small portion and the deed will be done. I approached him at the gate of Erebor, demanding to know what the man gave him. He attacked me, I managed to cut his hand at point and then his neck. He dropped the drop the package on the stone. A beautiful gem slipped from the package shattering in front of me. To my horror I recognized the stone, it is known as a dragon's eye. It is said that with a small piece of the stone can kill an elf. I yelled for the guards of the gate, he cursed me and told me I would pay for what I had done.
There was a knock at her door that broke her from her trained thoughts. Harion had mentioned Dwalin; she would have to ask him if he remembered this soldier.
"Come in," Magdalen stood up from her chair that she had curled up in, setting the journal on the side table. The door creaked and in slipped a dwarrowdam. The woman was elderly and was small even for a dwarf, only coming to Magdalen's chest. Her brunette hair was braided into a tight bun at the nape of her fat neck. Thick silver strikes shined under the lights of her room. Her lips were small and pulled into an unmoving frown.
"Oh hi, I'm Magdalen." Magdalen smiled at the girl.
The woman's face was pinched as if she smelled something sour. Picking up the sides of her skirt she curtsied.
"M'Lady, I've been sent by Lady Dis to help you get ready for the Festival of Forge." Her voice held an air of authority to her. Her wrinkled hands clasped in front of each other.
"O-oh okay, but please it's just Magdalen. Or even Maggie. I'm not a lady." She stepped toward the woman, who was unimpressed by her request.
"Of course Miss Magdalen, I am Mysdora. I will draw you a bath, and then I can wash your hair." Crowing as she hobbles down the hall toward her bathroom.
Magdalen followed after the older woman, what was it with these dwarves and wanted to bath her.
"Oh no that is fine, I washed after training this morning." Magdalen offered, stopping the woman in her tracks.
Mysdora took a step toward Magdalen picking her loose hair, rubbing it between her spidery fingers. She brought it to her nose taking in a deep breath. Why are dwarves so weird!
"I think not! You need a thorough cleaning; you smell like a washed orc." Shaking her head, Mysdora captured her wrist she dragged Magdalen into the bathroom.
Magdalen wondered if she should be offended by the old women's comment once the copper tub filled with warm water. Mysdora set to work, she collected jars of soap and oil Magdalen's used to wash with. The woman ordered her to strip and get into the water. Magdalen groaned feeling strange getting naked in front of the maid. Mysdora rolled her eyes averting her gaze from the girl. Magdalen was thankful quickly ripping of her tunic and pants. Settling into the water Magdalen relaxed the bubbles of soap gave her some privacy. Mysdora poured the oil into her hands dosing Magdalen's bare skin. The old women's talons had rubbed Magdalen's skin raw; she had felt clean on a whole new level. She heard Mysdora snide comments as she racketed through her wet tangled locks until Magdalen's eyes began to water.
"Your hair looks like a wild animal." Mysdora spat getting out the last tangle.
"Geez, thanks….Ow" Magdalen mumbled feeling her hair pulled tightly into strains. She had a feeling Mysdora did that on purpose.
"You may act like an orc, but you will not look like one when I get through you." Mysdora began braiding her hair.
Ahhhh I'm definitely going to have a headache.
Magdalen felt awkward sitting at the edge of the crowd, as the party around her came into full swing. She felt honored to have been invited, even if the invite came only from Dis and Kili. She had begun to feel slightly giddy as Mysdora helped her slip into her dress. As a child, she dreamed of going to balls as princesses did in her storybooks. In truth she felt like one. Hailor had finished the final touches on the dress and had it delivered to her apartment. It was a beautiful sapphire gown that fit her perfectly hugging the curve of her body. The swooping neckline rested on her shoulders and was decorated with strings of gold. The sleeves were long and fitting; a small puff of white fabric allowed her elbows to move freely. Dwarves patterns of deep blues and gold fashioned down the panel in the front and bottom of her Dis had also sent a pair of slippers to match the dress; Magdalen instead slipped on her boots feeling far more comfortable in them than any else. Mysdora styled her hair beautiful leaving half of the ash blonde hair down and the other delicately braided. Small golden butterfly clips rested at the crown of her hair.
She swayed to the upbeat music filling the hall. She missed Kili. A guard had escorted her here leaving her to her own devices. Magdalen had asked where Kili was the guard informed her that the royal family sat above the crowd and that she was not permitted to up to them. She saw no sign of anyone she felt comfortable talking with. She had seen Thorin a few times but elected not to go up to the dwarven king and the gaggle of dwarves following his every move. They were on okay terms, but a small part of her knew he still believed her to be a spy.
"You look beautiful tonight, Maggie." She turned to find the blushing face of Ori.
Her face lite up, she had felt alone swatching as dwarrows and dwarrowdoms moved about the party. She felt alone among the sea of bodies. Ori bowed slightly; Magdalen did the same taking in the scribes new apparel. An elegant red coat with grey fur trim hung off his frame. Golden chains sat on his chest, showing off his status within Erebor. Magdalen saw the groups of women follow his stride as he walked to her. It wasn't a surprise, during her time in Erebor she had discovered that the company of Thorin Oakenshield had significantly awarded for their loyalty, giving titles and places among Thorin highest rank. Ori's name carried weight around Erebor, even if he didn't want to acknowledge it. She had seen how women partially threw themselves at Dwalin or had interrupted Kili and here's conversation to get a sliver of attention from the young prince. While Ori did not have Kili's good looks or Bofur's charm women still saw him for his status. It had angered her a time or two when they walked through the halls, and a women came along and partially push her out of the way to get to her friend.
"Seems you have the pick of the ladies to dance with tonight." Magdalen winked. Ori's eyes widened looking around to see the stares of some the women who stayed closer to the edge of the dance floor.
"I'd rather not dance with any of them," Ori muttered.
"I don't blame you; they look like she-wolves ready to devour you." She teased. Unlike many of the dwarves, Ori had grown used to her crude humor.
"Is there someone you want to dance with?" She wiggled her eyebrows poking his side.
She watched as his eyes roamed over the crowd landing on a familiar face. A stupid grin grew on her face; she held back a scream. Her hand hooked around Ori's arm shaking him slightly.
"ORI! I knew it; I told Kili. HA! I was right." Magdalen danced in her spot gaining a few odd looks from the dwarves around her.
"Shhhh!" Ori smiled at the dwarves who had begun to stare at them pushing Magdalen further toward the edge of the grand hall.
"How long have you liked her!" Magdalen jumped with glee continuing with her diatribe. "I can't wait to tell Kili I was right; he owes me money." Ori was becoming redder by the moment.
Ori held his hands up silencing her. "Magdalen, please I haven't even told my brothers. I just… I just think she is lovely and kind and sweet and fierce…."
Magdalen laughed at her friend's reached out resting her hand on his shoulder "Why don't you ask her to dance?"
Ori blushed turning away from the girl. "I don't want to bother Miss Deamra."
"Ori, it will make her night." Ori looked up at her with stars in his eyes.
"You think?"
"I know, now go before I make you two dance with each other. I cannot hand the sexual tension anymore." Magdalen pushed Ori through the crowd.
He yelped and covered his face at the rudeness of her last words. With one final shove, she sent him into the crowd watching as Or stumbled his way to Deamra. She looked lovely in a pink and white gown, though her wild red hair was still held up in its usual messy bun. Deamra had spent most of the evening around her family; she had introduced Magdalen to her lovely mother who had continuously sent her the sweets. And her brother, Magnus, who was a tanner in the market. Not wanting to intrude in Deamra's time with her family Magdalen had slipped away. Ori bowed to her mother who stood beside Deamra, before holding out his hand to her. Magdalen watched Deamra's expression morphED from boredom into excitement. Magdalen held her hand over her heart watching her two friends dance together. She sighed smiling at the sight.
Kili is going to have a stroke when I tell him!
Though her happiness was short-lived when a body knocked into her, Magdalen furrowed her eyebrows sharply turning to whoever hadn't been watching where she was going. She inwardly groaned when she caught the sight of gold and gem covered beard. A large calloused hand covered her elbow pulling her slightly into the fat man's space.
"I am sorry, my dear. You are so small; I didn't even see you." His dirty blonde mustache curled as he smiled.
I will show you how small I am. She imagined punching the ogre in the face. She forced a smile "It's fine." She stated hoping her would get the hint she didn't want to speak with him.
"No, you must let me make it up to you; care for a dance." Lord Amrus bowed holding his hand out to her.
"Oh, I don't know how too." It wasn't a lie she had been observing the festivities from a distance. The dance was unknown to her.
"No problem just follow my lead."
Magdalen inhaled knowing there was no one around to save her from this, nor could she outright refuse him. She bit the inside of her cheek slipping her small hand into his. He clapped his sausage fingers around her forming a cage. She swallowed as he took her Lord Amrus dragged her into the sea of dwarves, his arm encircling her waist roughly as he swung her around like a ragdoll.
His beady eyes roamed her face, she tried to look anywhere but him.
"How have you liked your stay in Erebor, Lady Magdalen." His uncomfortable hot breathe hit her cheek. Her stomach flipped.
She cleared her throat, grimacing through her discomfort. "It is more lovely than I ever imagined." She answered shortly.
He looked at her with a surprised look on his face. "I was told you didn't have any memories before the princes found you?"
Her cheeks burned at her mistake. "I have bits of my life, but many things are fuzzy. Someone, even without a memory, would know of the greatest dwarves kingdom." She covered quickly.
If he thought she was lying, he didn't make it known. Instead, he had chosen to continue on with his conversation.
"Of course, forgive my ignorance I merely go off rumor. You remain a mystery to most of Erebor." He smiled his hand pushing into the small of her back, pushing her body against his.
His eyes strayed from her face to the necklace eating in the center of her chest. His eyes locked on the locket, his grip tightened painfully on her hand. A terrifying darkness swarmed his eyes. Her hands began to ache with pain; Magdalen cleared her throat. The dark drained from his eyes when he looked back up at the girl. Lord Amrus pulled her against him; his large nose brushed her cheek. Pressing his face into her hair, she tried to jerk away, but he held her in her spot.
"What a beautiful little mystery, you are." He whispered into her ear. She gulped wanting nothing more than to run.
Her fingers tightened the grip on his hand feeling an uneven skin on the top of his hand. Her head snapped looking at his hand. There on the top of his hand was a thick scar that ran from the top of his hand to under his sleeve. She studied the injury, a warning alarm went off in her head. Some dwarves had scars, just because he had a scar on his hand didn't mean he was the noble Harion had written about. Lord Amrus followed her line of sight.
"Oh that, a scar from a stubborn dwarf who didn't know when to back down." He chuckled his belly jiggling.
Magdalen wiggled slightly hoping he would let go of her soon. "There you are; I have been looking for you all night." A voice boomed behind them.
Lord Amrus froze looking over Magdalen's head. Magdalen twisted smiling like a fool at the sight of Dwalin. Dwalin stared at Lord Amrus murderously; he seemed to get the message releasing her like she burned his skin. Magdalen had never been so happy to see the grumpy dwarf; she took a step freeing herself from the creeps grip.
"I am sorry Dwalin, Lord Amrus asked for a dance," Magdalen replied moving to his side.
Dwalin didn't look impressed his arms folding over each other.
"I couldn't resist the dance with such beauty, Mister Dwalin." Lord Amrus met his challenging gaze.
"I hope we may speak again." A chill raced down her spine.
Lord Amrus stepped closer planting a kiss on Magdalen's cheek, her entire body froze. Her eyes snapped to his neck, horrified that she spotted a long scar.
He was the noble Harion had written about. Lord Amrus took a step back, Magdalen heard troubling noises from Dwalin. He was seething. Dwalin grunted grabbing her elbow turning away from the Lord.
Once at a distance Dwalin released her. His face was red and ready to murder.
"Don't go near that ass again. He is vile and a disgrace of a dwarf." He snapped.
Magdalen was taken back by his tone. She hadn't heard him that angry since that day in the council room when she threatened Fili.
"Trust me I wouldn't go anywhere near him willingly." Dwalin nodded satisfied.
"No one will bother you here," He muttered eyeing the crowd around them. He took her to a small corner of the hall; a fireplace sat in the corner. No dwarves seemed to linger there and gave a nice view of the party happening yards away. "I need to get back. I will have someone escort you back to your room when you are ready."
Her heart melted, behind all of his gruffness Dwalin cared for her in his own unique way. In many ways, he reminded her of her grandfather, while Dwalin was rougher around the edges than her grandfather. He was still sweet and protective. Magdalen nodded hiding a smile that had grown on her face. Without another word, Dwalin disappeared into the crowd.
So she sat watching the people around her celebrate, nursing a cup of ale watching the fire dance to the music that floated about the chamber. She had thought about slipping away back to her room, but she hadn't wanted to be rude to her host, so she sat becoming lost in her thoughts, the party around her melted away. She sighed rested her cheek in her palm. She felt a small tug on her dress breaking her concentration; she turned coming face to face with three pairs of familiar bright green eyes.
"Miss Magdalen!" The voices exclaimed in chorus. Magdalen smiled at the Ur children, they were all dressed in beautiful clothing, and their hair looked like it had been brushed.
"Hello, don't you all look pretty tonight."Her voice cheered at the sight of the friendly faces. Bomfur dressed in a green tunic stepped forward folding his arms around his chest, he looks too much like Dwalin standing like that. Magdalen laughed at the thought.
"I'm not pretty, pretty is for babies like Rampur." Bomfur pouted his bottom lip.
Rampur took no offense in his brother's words. Instead, he climbed to sit beside Magdalen resting his head in her lap.M agdalen bowed her head placing her hand over her chest.
"My apologies Master Dwarf, I didn't realize how old you have gotten since the last time I saw you. You do look quite handsome tonight." Daisy giggled pushing pass her brother coming to sit on the other side of Magdalen, her feet swinging off the ledge.
Bomfur 's chest puffed with pride at Magdalen's complement.
"What do I owe the pleasure of your graces tonight?" Magdalen asked her fingers running through Rampur's thick mane.
"You said you knew stories," Daisy whispered loud enough so only Magdalen could hear. Magdalen nodded, "Yes I know quite a few stories, would you like to hear one?" Daisy nodded vigorously, Rampur looked up at her through thick lashes, flashing her a grin.
"Daisy and Rampur wanted to hear a story, so I brought them over to you," Bomfur said with maturity in his voice.
"I see and will you be joining us for our little adventure. Or will you be going back to talk to the grown-ups?" Bomfur looked back at the groups of dwarves laughing and talking about this or that. Bomfur came to sit at Magdalen's feet leaning his head against her knee.
"I think I can stay for a while; Mama did tell me to watch over Daisy and Rampur." He mustered looking up at Magdalen waiting for a story.
"Good. Now what kind of story would you like to hear?" Magdalen asked.
"One with a lot of action," Bomfur requested hurriedly.
"Adventure," roared Rampur excitedly.
"A princess, please." Begged Daisy quietly.
Magdalen tapped her chin going through the stories of her childhood through her head. "Hmm, action, adventure, and a princess. Let me think."
Magdalen smiled looking down to find the three pairs of eyes trained on her, excitement whirling in their eyes. "Yes, I think I've found the perfect one."
"Are you all ready," The three head nodded scooting closer to her, ready to hang on her every word. Magdalen grinned, maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Our story begins in a far country, called Imperial Russia…"
"What is wrong with you, brother?" Fili questioned falling back to his seat the head table. Kili looked positively grim as he stared out at the dance floor.
"I don't think I can dance anymore with Lady Brynra, or my feet might fall off." Kili huffed leaning back into his seat. Fili laughed Lady Brynra, an elder dwarf lady, had an infinity for the brothers and a dotted over. It wasn't a well-kept secret that she hoped her daughter, Miradora, would catch the eye of one of the princes. Both princes knew Miradora very well and knew that she didn't want to marry much to her mother's dismay. That didn't seem to stop Brynra from trying anyway.
Fili clasped his hand on his brother's shoulder shaking it slightly.
"You could go make the rounds with me," He suggested.
Fili knew his brother hated the political aspect of royal life, but as the crowned prince Fili need to make sure his people were happy. Kili groaned rolling his head against the back of the chair.
"I think I'd rather take another round with Lady Brynra." Fili laughed standing up to rejoin the party once again.
Fili turned to his brother as he made his way down the steps.
He called up to Kili "I think you're wish came true."
Watching at Lady Brynra snaked her way closer to the brothers. Fili quickly darted into the crowd before Brynra could snatch him up. He chuckled to himself the picture of his exhausted brother painted in his mind.
For the next hour, Fili weaved his way through the great hall stopping to talk to groups of dwarves along the way. He did his duty, listening patiently and understanding his people. Making promises to see what he could do to aid in their troubles. Some were far fetched, and useless. Those were mostly from the upper class of dwarves who complained about their maids or their services when they weren't delivered on time. Some were real concerns that he promised he would oversee, like from a kind older dwarf who wished to move his store closer to his home so the walk could be more comfortable for him. Once in a while, he caught a glimpse of Thorin doing the same as him. He had seen his mother talking with Poppy, who held her very pregnant stomach close. And he watched from a distance as Kili was thrown around the dance floor by Brynra, Miradora hanging off to the side looking embarrassed by her mother.
He watched as an angry Dwalin stormed passed him. He reached out stopping the warrior. He was taken back by the fire in his eyes.
"Dwalin what's the matter?" Dwalin huffed.
"Lord Amrus needs to learn to keep his hands to himself, or I will teach him too. How dare he take such liberties with her! She is a child, not one of his whores." Rage pledged his words.
Fili's heart pounded. Lord Amrus had always been trouble the thought of him touching one of his subjects in raged him, especially if she was only a child.
"Who did he offend." Dwalin didn't meet his gaze.
"Magdalen, I saw him dancing with her and holding her like she was a doll, whispering into her hair. " Fili stepped back, blinking at the warrior before him.
A spark of fire grew in his stomach as Dwalin described what he saw, now he too wanted to break Lord Amrus's arm. He could help but feel like Dwalin was acting like the girl's father, though he understood Dwalin's anger. Dwarves were a protective race, especially when it came to family. Had Dwalin accepted the girl? That didn't help Fili's case for wanting to hate her. Getting the approval of the Captain was a great feat, that he and Kili had worked years for. And she had done it in months. Had he not been so angry he would have been impressed. It seemed to be a running theme with the girl.
Fili shook his head patting Dwalin's shoulder. "I will speak about this matter with her, inform uncle about this."
Dwalin clenched his fist stomping away. The girl seemed to be a magnet for trouble. Fili sighed walking in the direction Dwalin had come from. First Thyum now Lord Amrus, was he going to have to teach every man in Erebor to behave themselves around the girl. Sure some found her pretty, she was human that meant she was exotic to some of the dwarves. But that didn't mean all thoughts of decency went out of the window. Fili's thoughts were broken by a course of giggles, and shrieks. Many of the dwarves didn't wander close to this part of the hall, other than a few drunks who were fast asleep in chairs. Fili followed the sound of childish laughter, he was surprised what he came upon. There seated around the fireplace was the Ur children who were gathered around Magdalen. Rampur's head resting fast asleep in her lap, her fingers running through his hair. Drool running down his cheek onto her dress. Daisy and Bomfur stared at the girl in wonder consumed by her words. They held each other hands holding on to one another in anticipation.
"Anya took the blade a stab it into the vile creature's heart, and for a moment there was nothing but darkness," Magdalen explained her free want gesturing wildly. Magdalen looked different, he wasn't sure what it was about her, but she looked different. The blue dress clung to her body; she didn't have the same voluptuous body as many of the dwarrowdams did. Instead, her body was lean, and soft, though she had gained some muscles since her training with Dwalin. Her hair burned bright from the fire dancing behind her; golden butterflies floated around her crown. Her skin glowed the divine light outlining her figure. She looks like a little elf. Fili blinked and felt a strange tightness in his stomach.
"What happened next," Daisy begged clinging to Magdalen's arm. Fili's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had known Daisy since she had been born; she was a bashful and quiet girl and didn't take to well to strangers. Yet here she was hanging off of Magdalen like she had known her forever. Magdalen smiled down at the girl, "The darkness fled as a burst of life erupted from her blade. And the people of Russia looked up at Anya to see not an orphaned girl, but their long lost princess. The dark curse had been lifted. Demitri ran to her kissing her, giving her true love's kiss. "
Fili felt a presence by his side; he turned to find the kind face of his hobbit friend, Poppy. Her glowing face watched her children, who were so taken with the girl. The soft curls framed her lovely face. Poppy held the ample swell of her stomach; she was approaching her due date.
"They love her; they haven't stopped talking about the human girl with lots of stories since they met her." Poppy laughed her hand resting on her back. Fili watched the children as they let out a sigh of relief at the ending of her story.
"I think Bomfur has a crush on her, though I do suppose he has good taste just like his father." Poppy giggled at her son's foolishness, Fili grinned. He had always liked Poppy; she reminded him of his mother though she was nowhere near as outspoken as Lady Dis.
"Mama!" Daisy cried upon seeing her mother. Daisy jumped from Magdalen's side hugging her mother's leg. Magdalen watched Daisy sprint to mother telling her the story Magdalen had just finished. Bomfur soon joined his sister helping with the details of the story.
"And she forgot she was a princess, so she grew up in an orphanage," Daisy said almost winded from how fast she was going.
"That's where children with no Mama or Papa go in Magdalen's world; it's very sad." Added Bomfur.
Magdalen laughed picking up Rampur's sleeping body, holding him close to her chest. As she came over to Daisy and Bomfur, she looked up to meet Fili's gaze. Magdalen held his gaze for a moment unable to decipher what his gaze meant. It wasn't filled with hatred as it was the first time he met with her, nor was it as curious about her as it had been in Dis's room that morning a week ago. It was softer and made Magdalen tingle all over.
"You are right my loves that is quite the story," Poppy said a fond look, brushing her fingers through Bomfur's wild mane.
"What do you say to Miss Magdalen for telling you a story?" Poppy questioned looking down at her little ones with the look only a mother could give.
Daisy and Bomfur turned to Magdalen."Thank you, Miss Magdalen." They spoke in tandem.
Magdalen bowed her head, resting her cheek on Rampur's head.
"Will you tell us another one?" Bomfur begged tugging on the side of her dress.
"It's getting late my loves, time for bed. Perhaps, if Miss Magdalen wants, she can tell you another some other time." Poppy suggested.
"I think that would be lovely, in the meantime I will think of another story to tell you. Okay?"
"Yes, I can't wait," Daisy exclaimed with glee.
"Papa!" She called racing toward her father who was approaching the group.
Bofur opened his arms swinging the child side to side, placing a wet kiss on her forehead. "Hello, little flower."
Bofur let go of his daughter tapping Fili's shoulder before wrapping his arm around the small women kissing the side of her head. "And where have you all been?"
"Miss Magdalen was telling us a story of a long lost princess and how she won back her kingdom. There was an evil wizard, grand dances, and romance and sword fights." Bofur blinked at how fast his daughter was talking. Bofur looked at his wife who smiled gently at her husband. Bofur looked at the young women who held his youngest son.
"I believe you; Miss Magdalen is the best story I've ever had the pleasure of meeting," Bofur said bemused taking the girl's hand and pressing it into her forehead. Magdalen blushed bowing her head at the dwarf.
"You are too kind, Mister Bofur."
Bofur laughed "I only speak the truth."
Daisy jumped in front of her father."Papa Miss Magdalen is going to tell us another story, tomorrow."
"Daisy, Miss Magdalen never said she was free tomorrow." Poppy scolded her daughter.
"I think Ori might need me tomorrow, but I will see what I can do."
"I'll tell Ori you have other business to attend to; I'm sure he wouldn't miss you for one afternoon," Fili said for the first time since he had approached her.
Magdalen was taken back by his words. Bofur raised his eyebrows looking at his grinning wife. Fili felt a heat rise in his chest, he wasn't sure what came over him, but he couldn't stop his mouth from moving.
"Miss Magdalen please," Bomfur begged to look up at the women with stars in his eyes. Magdalen smiled, "If Ori is okay with it we would love to have you for dinner." Poppy offered.
"I think that sounds lovely," Magdalen affirmed.
"I will take this," Bofur remarked holding out his arms taking in his sleeping child.
Magdalen brushed the boy's hair out of his face. "I will see you all tomorrow then."
"Bye Miss Magdalen," Bomfur yelled waving wildly at her.
"Goodbye Miss Magdalen," Daisy added. Magdalen nodded waving to the Ur family as they disappeared into the crowd.
"It seems you have a growing list of Allies here under the mountain." A voice behind her noted. Magdalen turned to see Fili his hands resting over his chest leaning against the fireplace. Magdalen stared at him shaking her head returning to her seat on the ledge.
"I don't have allies; they are my friends." Magdalen snapped. Fili raised his eyebrows letting out a small laugh.
"I meant no offense, Miss Magdalen; it was only an observation." He paused taking out his pipe from the depth of his over jacket.
"You have managed to snag some powerful al- friends." He gave her a grin which she returned only with a scowl. He looked down at her from the edge of his smoking pipe. Magdalen ignored his gaze and looked out among the crowd, spotting Thorin sitting at the royal families table. Mindless fiddling with her necklace.
"I know you think very little of me, but everything I said is true. I didn't steal from you, nor would I ever. Your story was my childhood; it's the only thing I have left of my grandpa."
Fili looked down at the girl his mouth gaped as he tried to find the words to speak to her. He looked away slightly ashamed of how it had treated her. He rubbed his hand over his heated neck.
"I believe we have started on the wrong foot, while I have my reservations. I shouldn't treat you like an orc, and that was unfair of me." He paused unable to bring himself to look at the girl beside him.
"I would like to offer my apologies. I would have done the same if I found myself in your situation. I h-hope that maybe we could be friends" Fili rambled feeling the heat rush through his body. He felt like a dwarfling, agh why did the girl make him feel like a child.
Magdalen was quiet for a moment; she observed the prince. His blonde hair looked like gold in this lighting. The light of the fire dancing on his face, highlighting his features illuminating the blues of his eyes into an unnatural color, that brightened his aura. He was certainly not the harsh prince she had punched all those months ago. He had treated her like a donkey's ass, and she wasn't going to forget that.
"You are right you treated me like an orc, and I don't forget easily." She warned him giving him a pointed look.
"But you're not the only one to blame; I did punch you," Magdalen admitted sheepishly.
"I think if you are willing to move past that, I am willing to overlook your stupidity." She stated making Fili tense beside her.
A look of amazement written on his face. Her steely eyes met his. He felt his hands shake at the glint of humor that played in her eyes. The corner of her lips tugged into a smile, the apples of her cheeks becoming more prominent when she did so. He could see the faint freckles that painted her nose and cheeks.
"You want to be friends." She asked her eye raised.
Fili nodded slowly, swallowing his own tongue. Magdalen stood up from the ledge standing in front of the prince placing her hands on her hips.
"Fine, we can try being friends." She held her hand out to the sitting prince.
Fili stood up slipping his hand into hers. Magdalen twitched at the touch, Fili's hands were nothing like Lord Amrus's. While still large and calloused, a trait shared by many dwarves, his touch was not possessive and greedy. But rather gentle and careful, as if he was afraid he would hurt her. Their touch lingered until Magdalen's mind cleared, remembering her purpose for the exchange. She cleared her throat pulling on his hand, bringing his chest to touch hers. She prayed he could not feel the pounding of her heart. Magdalen put on her brave face looking directly into the eyes of Fili.
"But if you treat me like that again, I will not hesitate to break your nose this time." Her eyes narrowed when he laughed throwing his head back.
"I wouldn't expect anything else, Dushin-Mizim."
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I had such a fun time writing it!