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 28
The winter season, no matter what earth you find yourself in, is dreadful. Even back home on the farm, Magdalen hated the coldest season of the year. She could remember the sun beating against the glistening snow, the crunch of it underneath her boots. The wet seeping into the layers of clothes keeping her warmer than she preferred. Winter was a time of death and hibernation. A time in which the world lets its greens wilt away. Making a path for new life to be born when the sun and the warm breath of spring returns. She's preferred the warmth of the sun tanning her skin and the feeling of soft grass between her toes to the bitter coldness of winter. Being in Middle Earth seemed to make her hatred all the worse.
Magdalen kept up with appearances in Erebor during the winter months. By attending dinners with the Durins, training with Dwalin, and working closely with Ori. In front of them, she was the figure of a content girl. She smiled, laughed and was still every bit of her fiery self. Yet when night came and she was alone, ghosts of her past haunted her. Her nightmares had only escalated since Durin's day, there were some nights when she didn't sleep at all, afraid of what she would see if she closed her lids.
Durin's Day had gone off without a hitch, other than Magdalen's personal tragedy. The visiting dwarves had slowly trickled out of the mountain. Bilbo had decided to stay over the winter months, stating that it was nice to have a place to rest his feet for a while. And the dwarves had given him a warm welcome for that. A blind man could see the bond the company shared with the hobbit, they loved him as one of their own. It was heartwarming to see.
Magdalen remembered the morning Gandalf set out. She watched with weary eyes as he said his goodbyes, part of her wanted to scream at him to figure out how to send her home. She had envisioned doing so many nights. But she knew that would do nothing, that she was stuck in Middle Earth for the foreseeable future. Magdalen cleared her throat straightening the hem of her tunic. Only looking up when grey robs came into her vision. A large hand caught her chin making her meet his ancient eyes.
"You were brought here for a reason, you have a purpose to serve. Don't forget that, my dear." He said.
Magdalen said nothing, bowing her head watching as wizard disappeared on horseback through the Valley of Girion. She quietly left the group of dwarves conversing among themselves. She listened intently to the echoes of conversation and laughter. Yet even the safe and inviting voices of her friends couldn't block the memories of blood-soaked snow dancing at the back of her mind. Death followed her in her dreams. Each night different but just the same as the last.
"Magdalen." Deamra brought her back to reality.
Weeks had passed since Gandalf's departure, slowly everything went back to normal in the mountain. Well as normal as you could get in Middle Earth. Deamra had joined Magdalen for an early lunch, Deamra needed a moment away from Oin. As he had been barking orders at her for weeks, winter seemed to be a stressful time for the healers. New patients came through the healer's wing hourly. Deamra needed a moment to herself.
Magdalen blinked looking to find the concerned face of her friend. Deamra's thick eyebrows arched as she took in the blank face of Magdalen.
Magdalen smiled placing her hand over Deamra's.
"I'm sorry I zoned out, what did you say?"
Deamra sighed.
"I asked you to help me with the wedding."
Magdalen grinned. True to their words Deamra and Ori had made their courtship public following Durin's Day. The whole mountain nearly shook when Ori told his brothers. Nori and Dori were so happy for their younger brother, you couldn't find them frowning for nearly a week after the couple's announcement. Magdalen didn't know much about dwarvish weddings, but for Deamra she was willing to learn.
"Of course, I don't what I'm doing but I'm here for you… Always."
Deamra's face lite up with a smile, her cheeks pushing her eyes into crest moons. Clasping her hands together Deamra jumped with joy.
"It doesn't matter, Maggie. Having you by my side will make things all the easier." She grinned with glee before standing up brushing off her dress.
"Tomorrow we will go to the kitchens to try cakes. I would ask Amad to make the cakes, but I don't want to worry her any more than she already is. Oh, Maggie, this will be wonderful." Wrapping her arms around Magdalen's shoulder giving her a gentle squeeze.
"Oin will be looking for me, I will see you tomorrow in the kitchen!" With that she scurried from the room, leaving Magdalen alone.
She smiled to herself quietly picking up the plates that had been left. She missed her world, but her friends in the mountain made it a little easier.
XXXXX
The next morning after an exhaustive session with Dwalin, Magdalen tried to find the will in her to gather herself out of bed after her bath. She knew Deamra would be waiting for her, but her bed cried her name. She sighed relaxing into the comfort of soft sheets for only a moment. Last night brought another round of gorish nightmares. She had found some peaceful hours of sleep, but it wasn't a good full nights rest. In the quiet hours of the mornings when the mountain slept, she moved about her apartment trying to keep her mind occupied.
She had reread her grandfather's journal at least a hundred by now and could almost recite his words by heart. Magdalen had thought about taking it to Thorin, trying to make a case for her grandfather's innocence. But knew it was only going to lead to trouble, so she left the matter alone for now. Magdalen took to adding entries in the journal, sweet memories of her life with her grandparents. Reading about a simpler time in her life left her calm and lighter.
Finally, Magdalen heaved herself out of bed starting her day. She dressed in a pair of thick grey tights, though the mountain was fairly insulated the coldest of winter still found its way in. The cold didn't seem to bother the dwarves, but she wasn't a dwarf… Well not a full dwarf anyway, her skin was not as thick as theirs. To keep her body heat up she wore a long blue tunic, and a simple grey belt that cinched at her waist. The belt held her dagger and a small pouch, which had a few coins in it. Over the top of her tunics long sleeves, she wore leather braces that keep cold air from chilling her body. Lacing up her boots she set out into Erebor.
Magdalen loved walking through the halls in the morning, watching as the dwarves moved about their day. Even in the mornings' dwarves were lively and focused on their work at hand. She admired many things about the dwarves: their strengths, their loyalty to one another. But she admired their passion for their craft the most. She understood where her grandfather got it from, he was always focused on one project or another. And he was good at it. Now seeing the dwarves forge beautiful pieces was like having a small part of him with her.
Magdalen made her way through the halls and over bridges, simply wandering. Waving and greeting familiar faces. On her way to the kitchens in which she was supposed to meet Deamra, she spotted a gaggle of finely dressed dwarrowdams giggling as they gathered around something. She didn't pay to much heed of them, the noble dwarves didn't take too kindly to her presences. And made no effort to get to know her. She was about to head toward the bridge leading to the lower level of Erebor when a voice called out to her.
"Ahh Maggie, my dearest friend I've been looking everywhere for you."
Magdalen stopped looking over her shoulder to find Kili pushing his way out of the pack of dwarrowdams. Who were not pleased that the prince ran so quickly from them. Kili smiled at her coming to her side, though she noticed his smile was strained. It was the smiled he used when around the nobles, polite but not too friendly. He was trying to get away from the lovesick girls.
Magdalen grinned, she was going to have fun with this.
"Oh it's fine Kili, you know I can do that thing without you really."
Kili glared at her, before swinging his arm around her shoulders tuning back to address the girls.
"Nonsense, you need me I can't abandon you." He shook his head, before looking back at the beautiful women.
" If you will excuse me, ladies, it was wonderful speaking with you as always." With that, he quickly turned himself and Magdalen speeding down the hall.
The dwarrowdams huffed but dipped into a lower curtsy before their prince.
Magdalen giggled as he grumbled about the women. She glanced over her shoulder only to find the gaggle of women staring at her with hatred in their eyes. Her laughter died out if looks could kill she would dead by now. The dwarrowdam's made no effort to avoid their gaze, glaring openly at Magdalen as she looked over her shoulder. They turned to one another whispering.
"Why are they staring at me?" She whispered to Kili.
The cold looks melted away when Kili turn to look at the pack of women. He offered them his signature charming smile and small wave before turning his back on them.
"You may not appreciate it, but you are in the presences of royalty. Many women would kill to be in your position." He smirked puffing out his chest.
Magdalen rolled her eyes, brushing off his arm off her shoulders.
"They can have it if they think they can handle being around you all the time."
Kili held his chest, a faux wounded look gracing his face. Magdalen laughed shaking her head. Silence fell between the two friends as they roamed through the hall, Magdalen had explained she was going to meet with Deamra. Kili happily accepted to go with her, though she never invited him.
The girl's glares still lingered in her mind as they descended the stairs.
"I've heard what they've said about me. The nobles I mean..." She said without looking at him.
Kili stopped mid-stride, turning to Magdalen.
"Maggie." His voice filled with concern as he reached forward.
Magdalen waved him off continuing on her way.
"I mean I don't understand some of what they say, I really need to learn khuzdul. They think I'm after the gold, that I'll betray you like-like my grandfather did." Her voice quieted.
Kili sighed muttering something in khuduzl. "Magdalen we all know you would never do that."
Magdalen glared at him as they reached the bottom of the stairs. They walked in silence as they made their way to the kitchens. The smell of warm bread and sweets hit her like a wall as the large wooden doors opened. Warm tawny wood ran through the room made up with stone counters and enormous stone ovens. Bags of flour and rice rested in an open pantry. Bowls of colorful liquids covered every surface of the room.
"Please Neal, I just want a blueberry cake." A voice whined from the pantry.
A dwarrow appeared from the door covered in flower and stains of icing on his smock. A scowl was written across his wrinkle-riddled face. A distressed Deamra appeared behind him, frowning at the cook.
The dwarrow shook his head furiously. "No Miss Deamra, I could never do something so simple for a wedding of this degree." He spat pushing passed Kili and Magdalen without rearguard.
Deamra sighed pinching her nose at the annoyed cook.
"I can see everything is going well here," Magdalen said.
Kili and Magdalen shared a look, muffling their laughter. Deamra glanced up the new arrivals, shoulder slumping in defeat.
"He refused to make a simple cake, he said that the Ri family could never have a simple cake." She mocked the rough man's voice.
Kili howled with laughter. "The Ri family would eat a stone if you put enough sweets on it."
Deamra held out her hand wiping away flour that dusted her forehead.
"That was my point, Ori and I don't need anything fancy. But Mister Neal would have none of that, he insisted that we have a cake that would touch the ceiling." Panic grew in her eyes.
"This is all wrong, I hate this!." Deamra began her panic tangent.
Magdalen came to her friend's side, rubbing her arms soothingly. "Mra, everything is going to be fine. It's just a cake."
Deamra screamed into her hands, her face red and blotchy. "It's not just a cake, it a sign that this is going to get out of control. I'm not meant for this life, Maggie. I'm not a lady, I'm me. A miners daughter" She pouted her lip, trying to gain control her breath.
Magdalen gripped her shoulders making her look into her eyes. "Deamra, listen to yourself. It's just a cake. I know it's important, but it's doesn't matter. Your marrying Ori you could have the worst cake in Middle Earth and it wouldn't matter. It will be perfect because you'll have each other. Or doesn't want a lady, he wants you Deamra."
Deamra smiled, her breathing becoming normal once again. "Your right, your right. It's just a lot to think about." She said sheepishly playing with the hem of her sleeve.
"That's why we've come to help you think less, right Kili?" Magdalen turned to find Kili's finger cover in fresh chocolate.
Kili has wandered around the kitchen picking up the bowls of batter that had been left out. Dipping his fingers in for a taste. Kili grinned licking the chocolate off his fingers. Magdalen rolled her eyes.
"Well, I'm here anyway." Deamra sighed throwing her arms around Magdalen.
After releasing Magdalen from her grip Deamra looked around the half-full bowls.
"What are we going to do with all these cakes, they are going to go to waste. And I don't think Mister Neal will be coming back anytime soon."
Magdalen hummed making her way to Kili who held a bowl in his hand. Plucking it from his grasp she began to stir the sweet smelling goodness.
"It would be a damn shame to let something so good, go to waste." She said looking between the prince and the healer.
Kili nodded. "It truly would be."
Deamra agreed. "It seems like we have one option here."
And with that, they began baking and nibbling on the sweets.
XXXXXXX
Their stomachs began to ache as they covered the lopsided cake with icing. While it was nowhere near the mastery and artsy of the royal baker, it still tasted wonderful in their mouths. In the midst of their fun, they didn't notice the door open, until someone cleared their throat behind them. Magdalen quickly swallowed the glob of icing turning to find Bilbo with the small pack of Ur children behind him.
"Oh hello, Bilbo." Magdalen greeted hiding the spoon covered in chocolate behind her back.
The hobbit smiled bouncing Marigold on his hip. Bilbo raised an eyebrow at the three red-faced adults, who looked like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Maggie, Kili, Deamra. What are you all doing here?" He asked as the children yelped with joy swarming to Kili and Magdalen's side.
Rampur buried his face in Magdalen's leg. She laughed patting the top of his wheat hair.
"Deamra was tasting cakes for the wedding, Kili just tagged along," Magdalen explained to the suspicious hobbit.
"Cakes, can we have some!" Rampur shouted jumping up and down.
Magdalen laughed glancing up at Bilbo wrangling Marigold, who tried to escape his grasp. Bilbo sighed hanging his head.
"I don't see why not, your mother didn't say anything about sweets." He said in defeat as the children cheered.
Kili and Deamra cut out pieces of cakes for the children to try. Magdalen moved to Bilbo's side taking Marigold from his grasp. Marigold squealed lightly tapping on Magdalen's chest, as she always did when she was in Magdalen's arms.
"What are you in trouble for?" She asked playing with Marigold.
Bilbo knitted his expressive eyebrows. Magdalen snorted holding onto Marigold's tiny hand.
"You have all four of the Ur children, surely you did something bad to be left in charge of these wildings."
She winked elbowing Bilbo. He rolled his eyes batting Magdalen away.
"No, I'm simply trying to spend more time with them before I leave." He said matter-a-factly, scrunching his face.
Magdalen was going to say she only teasing when Bomfur, Daisy, and Rampur approached them. All three had a mischievous grin, Bilbo and Magdalen shared a look.
"We brought you some cake." Daisy held out a small plate.
Bilbo smiled leaning down to grab the plate. "Why thank you Dai-"
As Bilbo reached out for the plate Bomfur let out a war cry smashing a huge slice of cake into the hobbit's face. Magdalen held a hand over her mouth in surprise, Kili and Deamra bent over their laughter filling the room. Bilbo blinked wiping away some icing from his eyes, Magdalen couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. Bilbo huffed glaring at her, she laughter quieting. The children stared down trying to hide their smiling faces.
Bilbo leaned down taking the plate from Daisy, he studied the cake for a moment before carefully picking up the piece. Without a second thought, he smashed the cake into Magdalen's face. Heavy cream icing covering her chin and check. She gasped as the children giggled.
"You think this is funny? Why don't you have some cake too!" The children screamed running away from Magdalen.
Chaos erupted as splatters of colorful icing decorated the walls, batter, and pieces of cake littered the counters. Kili and the boys hid behind the counter making their next plans. Bilbo chased after Daisy a bowl of pink icing in his hands. Magdalen was cover head to toe with sweets, a spoonful of chocolate in her hand. She jumped around the corner of the counter flicking chocolate at Kili and Bomfur, who were closest to her. Rampur ran toward Bilbo for protection. Deamra sat in at one of the tables along the wall with Marigold, playing finger paints with the colors of icing. Their laughter filled the room as they all had their fun. So caught up in their fun none noticed the door behind them open.
"And what is going on in here?" A voice boomed behind them.
Everyone froze, they all knew that voice. The children gasped quickly gathering in a line, covered head to toe in flour and sugar. Kili behind them mouthing gaping as his chocolate hair became white. Deamra jumped up like someone had just shot her, and Bilbo's face blushed as he looked away from the owner of the voice. Magdalen slowly turned to find Thorin, not amused by their antics. However, behind him, Fili was stifling a laugh. Magdalen stared up at Fili a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. Marigold screamed with delight upon seeing the king, wiggling her hands out to Thorin.
"Hello, uncle." Kili greeted Thorin.
Thorin hummed eyeing the mess before him. Much to her amazement Thorin, still stoic face, didn't yell at them. Instead, moving to Deamra taking Marigold from her arms. Deamra bowed her head giving a small curtsy. Marigold giggled pulling at his beard.
"I will ask again what is going on here?" His voice stern but not too harsh.
Fili tilted his head his eyes still trained on Magdalen, emphasizing his uncle's question. Magdalen broke eye contact, stepping forward to speak.
"We were just tasting cakes for Deamra and Ori 's wedding." She stated.
Thorin, still unimpressed by her statement, looked around the messy room.
"This is how you taste cakes?" He directed his question to Deamra, who looked like she could die from embarrassment at any moment.
"N-no, my king." She said meekly.
Magdalen was about to open her mouth when Bilbo stepped forward taking Thorin's attention.
"It was only a bit of fun, Thorin." He muttered.
Magdalen stared at Bilbo, that was why they got along so well. He too never paid much attention to people's titles. Especially Thorin's. She had noticed they shared a strange relationship, and she appreciated the dynamic between the hobbit and the king.
The room grew icy as Thorin stared at the hobbit until the king cracked a small smile. He dropped his head glancing back at Fili, who never stopped smiling at the scene before him.
"It looks like it wasn't just a 'bit' of fun." He pointed out.
Bilbo looked away blushing.
"It was a lot of fun," Daisy spoke up.
Thorin raised an eyebrow, Daisy was a quiet creature and had rarely spoken to him.
"Yes, it seems so Miss Daisy." He said gently to Daisy.
"Why don't Bilbo and I escort you and your brothers back to your mother. It seems like you will be in the need of a bath." He suggested.
The children groaned but did not fight the king.
"Kili that means you as well. After you and Magdalen clean this mess." He ordered.
Magdalen looked at Kili over her shoulder as he groaned rolling his head. Thorin turned to address Deamra.
"Miss Deamra, I have no doubt this was their doing. So why don't you go back to your home, I'm sure some rest and a good lunch are in order."
Deamra bowed her head muttering a quick thank you before darting from the room. Magdalen always found it funny seeing people act how people should behave in the presences of a king. Thorin nodded at Bilbo signaling him to gather the children.
"I expect this place to be clean before dinner." He gave the room a once over again, a small amused smile playing at his lips.
"Good luck." He teased.
Fili nodded at his uncle as he walked passed staying in his spot, Magdalen's eyes meeting his.
"I'm going to go find a mop," Kili grunted shuffling out of the room like a child.
Fili rolled his eyes at his brother moving to take his spot next to Magdalen.
"Always making trouble." Fili teased watching as his uncle and Bilbo wrangled the children out the door.
"I don't make trouble, it just seems to follow me," Magdalen replied gathering the bowls that littered the counter.
Fili laughed taking the bowls from her arms putting them into the kitchen sink. Magdalen smiled to herself picking up a towel beginning to clean the messy counter. Soon the children and their guardians were gone leaving them alone. Fili watched her for a moment, before stepping into her space, the sounds of laughter echoing in the hall behind them. Magdalen stared up at him, the towel lay forgotten on the counter. Her breath caught in her throat when he reached up brushing the pad of his thumb over the corner of her lip. He pulled away from her, a piece of chocolate on his fingertip. Her eyes racketed up from his hand to his lovely face, he winked.
"You missed a spot."He said before sucking the chocolate off his thumb.
Magdalen felt her face heat up, her skin pulsed with unexpected excitement. She felt his heavy gaze on her. She bite her lip staring down at the bowl in her hand, ignoring Fili's smug face.
"What's wrong, Dushin-Mizim? Cat got your tongue?" Fili question his sight unmoving from her.
Her eyes traveled to meet his, the bright jewels shined with playfulness. She snorted shaking her head.
"Hardly."
His face morphed with a serious look.
"You've been very quiet lately, Dushin-Mizim."
She shrugged turning back to her work on the counter.
"I'm just a quiet type of person, I guess."
It was Fili's turn to snort. "Yes, and I am King under the mountain."
"You will be one day." She looked over her shoulder smiling.
Fili held out his hand stopping her motions.
"Don't change the subject." He warned.
He always did that. He always was making sure she was okay, it drove her crazy sometimes. She liked being left alone, she didn't need someone checking up on her every five seconds.
"It's nothing thing Fili, really I'm fine." She insisted, moving away from him.
Fili followed her closely, grabbing her by her arm turning her to face him.
"But are you happy?"
Her face contorted."What?"
"You said you're fine, but are you happy?"
She swallowed, she didn't know why but that question felt loaded.
"Yes, I am happy." Magdalen answered honestly.
She was happy, sometimes. While the pangs of sadness still filled her days, happiness came in short rain storms. Leaving her warm inside, happiness always came when she was around her friends... her family...him.
"Good." He nodded, slipping into his princely facade.
She shook her head looking at the toe of her boots.
"Does it scare you?"
"Not much scares me, but what are you referring too?" He joked.
She ignored his jest training on her question.
"Becoming King one day?"
Fili rubbed his hand over his chin and mustache braids. His face softened leaning against the counter his thigh brushing against hers.
"It uses to. I hated the idea of being the heir to the throne. I loved our lives in Ered Luin. Yes, it was hard sometimes, but no one there treated me like… well like a prince. I was normal." He continued, "Here everyone has an opinion and thinks I should know it. I'm never alone."
"Yes, I noticed the pack of dwarrowdams that follow you." She muttered thinking on the glaring women from earlier.
"Those are the ladies of the court, and they would kill each other to get to me or Kili." Fili elbowed her.
She rolled her eyes."Think very highly of yourself don't you, prince?"
He pushed staring at the wall for a moment.
"I just don't know if I will be ready to be king, I want what's best for my people. And I don't know if that's me. Uncle nearly sacrificed his life for Erebor, what have I done?"
She was taken back by his answer. Magdalen stared at him wilding, she stood in front of him trapping him against the counter.
"You did the same thing! Fili, don't sell yourself so short. You helped rebuild Dale, you helped strengthen an alliance. That's something." She pushed his arm,
He laughed dropping his head, shaking it at her words. But she had been serious, Fili had done so much how could he think he wouldn't be ready to be king.
"For what it's worth I think you will be a great king." She whispered.
His laughed stopped abruptly, his head slowly lifting to stared at her with wide eye. Beats passed and neither said a word. Fili let out a small breath, standing up from the counter. Causing his body to lean against hers.
"That is worth more than all of the gold in this mountain."
Magdalen's brain went haywire feeling the warmth of his body burn into her clothed skin. It took her back to the night of the Durin's Day as they danced for hours.
"Are you happy here?" His voice was thick and heavy.
His closeness causing goosebumps to course through her body.
"Why do you care." She challenged his gaze.
"Because you are my friend. You're very important to me."
Friend. They were friends now, yet part of her wasn't satisfied upon hearing those words. She blinked pushing away from his body, creating a small valley between them. She turned away picking up the towel once again ignoring the fire in her belly. She quickly changed the subject.
"You know my grandfather always tried to make cake my grandmother for her birthday."
Fili showed no sign of disappointment in the quick subject change.
"Tried?" He questioned.
Magdalen laughed. "Yeah, he could never get it quite right. I remember he burn a cake one year and yelled at it for burning. Grandma laughed so hard that day. She loved that he tried for her. So after making her cake he always gave her fresh blue tulips, her favorite flowers. Even after she died we visited her grave every year and put down a bouquet of tulips for her."
She stared off remembering the fond memories of her childhood. Fili reached out for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"He sounds like a good man." He admitted staring into her eyes.
Magdalen, however, stared down at their joint hands. Part of her screamed to show him that journal, to prove everything she knew to be true. It's not the right time. The time would come, but it wasn't right now.
She smiled up at him.
"He was."
Magdalen's smile faltered staring into his eyes. She had found herself much closer to him lately, and she didn't hate it. She loved the way the warmth of his body radiated from him. She loved tracing the lines of his face with her eyes….She loved the way his lips always looked so inviting.
What!
She blinked at the staringly thought. They were friends, and here she was trying to make something out of nothing. She didn't want to lose Fili, because of some silly crush. Crush, you have a crush now? Magdalen felt her throat tighten at the realization. Have a crush on the handsome prince, how cliche.
Realizing how close they were Magdalen broke her graze moving away from him. She picked up a towel-throwing at Fili's chest.
"Don't think you can just stand there, there's a lot to be done." She winked at him.
When she turned away she didn't see the look in Fili's eyes. However. Kili, who had been hiding in the connecting hall, did. Kili did not say a word, watching his dear friend and brother interact for a moment. He wasn't sure of what to make of it. He was going to leave them alone when Magdalen caught sight of him, welcoming him into the messy kitchen.
Kili would have to watch this more closely, to get to the bottom of it.
Sorry, I've not posted in a hot second, but I've been cramming for finals and projects. Plus I got sick over the weekend. College just gets to you sometimes. Next week I'll probably only post one chapter, depends on how crazy somethings get. But I promise after next week I'll be back to posting twice a week. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I love hearing what you guys think and suggestions so keep those wonderful reviews coming.