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 41

The day of their courtship announcement had arrived, and Fili felt no trace of happiness. Perhaps it was nerves or just the simple acceptance that his fate was tied to Tearsa's for the rest of his days. Though it was not such a terrible fate, he would be king. Helping to ensure the future of his people, making sure they were safe and taken care of. If that meant Tearsa was the one by his side then he was willing to make that sacrifice. Or so he kept telling himself.

The morning of their courtship announcement had been a whirlwind of servants buzzing about making sure everything was perfect in preparation for their party. Yet everything seemed to pass in slow motion for Fili. It was like a sickening haze had overcome him. The words around him bubbled and popped with no real meaning to them in his mind. His thoughts always wandering back to the question: "Why was Magdalen leaving the mountain?"

It had been like a knife to the gut when Kili had told him of Magdalen's plan. At first, he had felt numb letting the weight of the situation wash over him. Then came the anger. He just couldn't comprehend why Magdalen would want to leave the mountain. Yes, they weren't on the best terms as of right now. But leaving the mountain because of him was just madness. There were dangers in Middle Earth that not even Magdalen could defend herself from. Imagines of Magdalen's bloodied body from the warg attack flashed in his mind. She could meet a worse fate all on her own.

Was uncle going to let her make the journey alone? Surely not, his uncle was a sensible man. He would never let a young lady out into the wilds by herself, no matter how stubbornly she would most likely insist. Then who would make that journey with her? A spider-like chill crept up his spine. Fili didn't want to imagine any dwarrow traveling alone with Magdalen, his blood boiled at the thought. Magdalen knew how to protect herself, she has proven that time and time again. Still, the mere thought of her in Middle Earth traveling with a dwarf that was not him or one of his close friends, sent him panicking. Of course, the dwarves of Erebor are honorable, but Thymun was once an honorable dwarf too.

He clenched his fist trying to calm his sudden rapid breathing. He had made his choice, he had to leave behind Magdalen. For the good of his kingdom.

"Prince Fili?" A voice broke his spiraling thoughts.

He blinked focusing on the older woman's face in front of him. Clearing his throat he stood up turning his attention on the maid.

"Forgive me I was lost in my thoughts. What did you say, Milly?" The maid blushed looking down at the prince's feet.

"Lady Tearsa is here, she wishes to see you." Milly bowed before scurrying over to his door.

Fili sighed waving for the maid to open the door, pouncing through the door came his fiance, draped in fine furs. She truly was a beauty, he would be stupid to deny that. Where as Magdalen was taller than the average dwarrowdam, Tearsa was short and built like a stone wall. Her raven hair was in stark contrast to Magdalen's golden locks. The pair were as different as could be. While he should have found himself attracted to the full dwarrowdam who was renowned by many as a beauty and a brave warrior. Yet his heart yearned for the quart-dwarf human girl who had antact for running head-first into danger. The stupid human girl who had the biggest heart he had ever had the honor of wittnessing Who would do anything for her loved ones, even if that meant putting herself at risk.

A warm hand touched his check, his glance drawn down to the golden pools of Tearsa's eyes. "Prince Fili, are you alright? You look pale." The deep tones of her voice echoing in the quiet room.

Though he took no notes of real concern in her voice. Pressing his lips into a tight line Fili forced a smile. Cupping her rough hands in his Fili led them into the valley between them. He squeezed them gently.

"I'm fine, Lady Tearsa. I'm just thinking about our future." The words settled heavily in his chest.

Tearsa let out a frustrated sigh.

"I've told you, we will be married soon Tearsa is fine." She smiled up at him.

Fili grimace when she spoke of their marriage. He pressed on.

"Of course, forgive me… Tearsa." A brilliant smile spread across her square face.

Releasing his hands, Tearsa spun taking note of the room around her. His room. She placed her hands on her hips, examining the small bookcase to her left. Running her fingers along the spine of the books.

"When we get married we'll have to get these moved to our home." She flashed him a smile over her shoulder.

Fili almost flinched at her words. Though she didn't seem to care as she continued on. "I assume it will be a little bit bigger." She teased.

Fili stepped forward his hands knitted tightly behind his back. "Of course, Tearsa. Anything for the future queen." Her tawny skin reddened at his words. Though they may have sounded perfectly pleasant to Tearsa, they were anything but that to Fili.

In a sudden flash, Tearsa stepped forward ceasing a simple kiss from Fili's bearded cheek. The skin where her lips had touched burned, but not in the way it once had with Magdalen. Quickly he cleared his throat, taking a step back from his fiance. This did not offend the Lady in any way as she turned on the balls of her feet trailing back to the door she had come from.

"We'll talk more about it later." She called over her shoulder, carrying herself with a verbose pride.

"But you need to get to finish getting ready for our party tonight, my love." She tested the pet name. Though at that moment it seemed more like a jab at his own pride than something shared between loved ones.

He simply nodded watching as Tearsa left his room. He crumbled back into one of his lounge chairs. His hands pressing into his skull, trying to push away the oncoming headache.

Magdalen refused to wear a dress. She had insisted that to the maid that had swept into her apartment with a gorgeous dress. The maid was taken aback when Magdalen had politely declined that dress. The maid had been standing in Magdalen's apartment for the last 15 minutes trying to explain to Magdalen that Princess Dis had sent the dress just for her.

"I understand that I have another dress that I will be wearing." Magdalen gritted through her teeth as she explained for the umpteenth time.

A knock on her apartment door echoed throughout her house. Magdalen huffed, mumbling under her breath about how she couldn't wait to get out of the mountain.

"But, Lady Magdalen." The maid frustratedly let out a sigh following Magdalen as she came to her door.

Opening the door she found her favorite prince and current savior.

"Ahh, Kili it's so nice to see you." Magdalen rejoiced.

Kili laughed taking a deep bow in front of her. The maid gasped upon seeing the prince, she scurried behind Magdalen giving her prince a bow.

"Why don't you take that dress back to Princess Dis. She will understand I promise." Magdalen gently guided the maid out of the door, ignoring her protests.

As soon as the maid was out of her apartment, Magdalen closed the door. Leaning against it as she took a moment to find her peace again.

"Interest morning?" Kili joked watching his frustrated friend.

Magdalen glared at him. "I don't want to talk about it." Magdalen emitted dropping into one of the chairs around her table, nibbling on the piece of fruit she had.

Kili laughed taking the spot next to her. As Magdalen was eating she felt the heavy gaze of Kili, she knew the look written on his face. It was the same look he had given her when she first arrived in the mountain and told them her preposterous tale.

Magdalen reached forward patting Kili's hand. "Stop looking at me like I'm about to die. I'm fine, Kee."

Kili didn't find her jab funny as he stood up, taking her face in his hands. "Maggie, you don't have to go to this. I'll tell mother you weren't feeling good." He consoled.

Magdalen smiled batting away his hands. She stood up dressing out the imaginary dust from her tunic and pants. "I appreciate that Kili, I really do. But I'm a grown woman I know what I have to do." She tried to comfort him.

Her time in the mountain was drawing to a close, the week she had promised Kili was soon only a couple of days. Kili dropped his head nodding at her.

"It will be okay, Kili. I'll write to you every chance I get." She patted his cheek. Kili didn't look satisfied with her statement, but he let the subject go.

"When will you be ready to go?" Kili implored.

Magdalen gave him a questionable look. "What are you talking about?"

"The party, of course, your my guest," Kili stated as if it were obvious.

Magdalen gaped at Kili. "You can't be serious."

Kili raised an eyebrow. "Of course I am, Maggie. If you insist on leaving, you should at least be close to your friends before you go." He acknowledged.

Magdalen gave him a small smile before wrapping her arms around his middle, giving him a tight hug. Kili responded squeezing his friend. Magdalen snapped her eyes open looking at the door.

"Your mother will definitely notice I'm not wearing that dress." She raced to the door, hoping to catch up with the disgruntled maid.

The party was held in the small hall as Durin's Day. Every dwarrow, dwarrowdam, and dwarfling was welcomed into the hall to celebrate the finding of their future queen. Magdalen sat at the highest table overlooking the full hall. She took in the deep red colors that filled the hall, the color of the Rus clan. She tried her best to avoid stealing glances of the prince, though it was alway inevitable. She was always drawn to him, she had always been.

He looked breathtaking draped in grey furs and red robes. His golden crown sitting proudly atop his head. Magdalen had always preferred him in his normal clothes. Thorin stood at the center of the high table giving thanks to the Rus clan for their support of the union and their partnership moving forward. Tearsa smiled proudly at her father, and then at Fili. Tonight her raven hair was curled and braided with great details of ruby gems and golden beads. Magdalen shivered at the awful words Tearsa had spat at her in the library. It was evident to Magdalen, that Tearsa was not going to be a very involved queen when it came to her people. She had seen the handful of occasions Tearsa had been outside the noble wing, she didn't seem to care for those who could not offer her any gains in life.

That's none of my business. Magdalen decided, when she left the mountain she would be rid of Tearsa and her hateful glares.

She heard the thundering applause as Thorin finished his speech. She joined in smiling at the king. Music began to swell in the hall as the celebration began. Kili offered her ale as he recounted to one of the noble dwarves around them the time his dear Magdalen had out drunk him. She wasn't really paying attention, though smiled or laughed when was necessary. Magdalen's leg began to twitch, screaming at her body that she needed to stretch it. She told Kili that she was going for a walk when Kili asked if everything was all right she simply smiled. Walking away from the table into the mass of dwarves, she knew everything wasn't alright.

How could anything be alright, anymore? Was Lord Amrus right, will they all forget about me when I'm gone? She worried looking around the room.

Magdalen spent most of the night staying far away from Fili and his bride as possible. Taking time to visit her favorite dwarves. Of course, Bomfur and Rampur insisted that she danced with them. Which she happily obliged. Daisy asked for a story, which she gave. Nori offered her wine, Ori and Deamra greeted her with the warmth of her family. Her heartache each time she walked away from the dwarves. It was like she was saying goodbye all over again.

"Care for a dance, girlie?" A familiar voice grumbled behind her.

Her chest lifted as she spun to find Dwalin's outstretched hand. Magdalen slipped her hand into Dwalin's bowing before him.

"It would be an honor to dance with the Captain of the Guard." She teased him.

Dwalin rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic." He mumbled pulling her to the dance floor.

Magdalen laughed falling into step with the steady fast music. She smiled up to Dwalin, and much to her surprise he smiled back.

"You know don't you have to go." His smile faded, he looked away.

"Dwalin, I won't be gone forever just for a bit." She lilted, trying to make light of the situation.

Dwalin didn't answer still looking over the crowd. "I know you can take care of yourself. Just be careful, the world isn't all roses." He professed.

Magdalen was touched by his understanding and belief in her. "You are so much like my sister was. I know if I try to make you stay it will only make you want to leave more." He stared down at her with glowing half moons.

"Just make sure you are leaving for the right reasons." He bowed as the music came to an end.

Taking her hand he pressed it into his head, before turning to leave.

"Dwalin!" She called stopping him in his place. Magdalen ran straight into him, leaching herself onto him. She pressed her cheek into his solid chest. Dwalin didn't throw her off of him like she had expected him too. Slowly they seperated Dwalin placed a hand over his heart nodding, then disappeared into the crowd. Magdalen stared into the sea of people making her way along the edge of the crowd. At a distance, she found the daunting figures of Amrus as he hugged his niece, Tearsa. Magdalen felt sick remembering watching her grandfather's word dissolved in the water as Amrus tore them apart.

Now he had gotten what he wanted, and she had gotten what she wanted: to be as far away from him as she could.

A chill crawled up her spine, feeling the weight of someone's gaze. She searched the crowd until she found the source talking to a group of dwarves a few yards away. Fili's eyes met hers and for a moment either looked away. Magdalen swallowed feeling her throat suddenly become dry. Her heart pounded painfully, she brought her hand to her chest looking away from the prince. Tears stung her eyes, her steps a little quicker as she grew closer to a familiar hall.

The sounds of the party became muffled as she walked down the long, cold corridor. The jolly music replaced with the beating of waterfalls. She sighed remembered the night Galndalf told her she had been brought here for a reason.

What was that reason, for the gods to tourter me? She thought bitterly.

Magdalen heard quite steps as someone entered the space. Magdalen did not turn around, she couldn't. She could feel his presence. She stared into the empty cavern the ghosts of them dancing quietly to distant music played in her mind's eye.

"Magdalen," Fili called.

The two content ghost evaporated in front of her. Magdalen scowled her pointed look aimed at Fili.

"What do you want? I'm sure your fiance will be missing you." She offered walking over to the rails that overlooked the small waterfall.

Fili ignored her jab walking close behind her, stopping a few feet from her. "Magdalen, why are you leaving the mountain?"His tone with frustration.

Magdalen's head snapped in his direction. "Because I want to Fili." She spat.

Fili narrowed his eyes. "That's not a reason! Why are you leaving this mountain? Have we not given you everything? Protection, love, attention? Or was that not enough for you?"

A white-hot wave of anger crashing into her. She pushed herself off the rails, barreling toward Fili. Magdalen pressed her finger into Fili's chest. "Oh how dare you!" Her scream echoing on the cave walls.

"Oh dare I. You're the one leaving us." He bit back.

Her eyes began to burn, as she shoved into his chest. Though he didn't move. "Yes, you! Why do you think I'm leaving? IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU." Once the words left her lips, it was like a weight had been lifted off her.

The sweet release of the truth.

Fili straightened up, quickly looking anywhere, but at her. Her chest began to slow, hearing the pumping of her blood in her ears.

"Fili, I'm sorry. But it's true, I can't be here anymore. I'm not being selfish, so you can stop that bullshit right now. I'm doing this for everyone. Even if I was being selfish, that would be my decision, not something for you to shame." She tried to explain carefully, though moments of her anger slipped through.

Fili rubbed his face, his skin paled as he if had faced death once again. At that moment he saw the whole span of their complex relationship. From the sweet moments of them holding each other in the gardens with only the stars as their witness to the screaming matches they once had in the early days. And for the first time in the last couple of months, he felt clarity. His eyes shot up to Magdalen's.

"No." He said plainly.

Magdalen's face became pinched, her fist curling ready to punch Fili. Quickly he reached out wrapping his hand around her fist. Her sour face faded, looking down at their connected hands. Remembering the thrilling sparks of his touch.

"Fili, what are you talking about." Her voice was quiet.

"Magdalen, I hurt you." He began. "I hurt myself because of duty and my pride. But nothing hurts more than the thought of you leaving Erebor."

He took another step closer. "Your family is here, Magdalen. Your life is here. And I have made you want to turn your back on that. I'm sorry for that." He dropped to his knees, letting go of her curled fist which softly released.

She watched as he brought out a small knife, taking one of his braids in the other hand. Before she could say anything he began to chop at the braid, letting the braid separate from his mane. When he was done, his fingers ran over the still tight braid. His eyes wandered up to hers, he held any outstretched hand with the braid in it.

"Fili, what is this?" Magdalen asked carefully taking his hair in her hand.

"It's my honor braid, I broke a promise I made to you along time ago. Keep it until you have decided to forgive me, Dushin-Mizim." The nickname hung in the air.

Magdalen stared down at the neatly done braid, her fingers taking in the feeling of the metal bead at the end of the knot. A single tear fell down her reddened cheek. She fell to her knees, taking Fili's face in her hands.

"You hurt me, Fili. Do you understand that? I cried night after night because I felt like I hadn't been enough. You treated me like I never had existed" She sobbed.

"I knew it wasn't your fault I know it was your duty, but I still needed to blame someone."Her throat tightened as she spoke.

His eyes became saucers as she spoke.

"Ask me again why I want to leave." She ordered him.

Slowly his hand came up to cup her hand, pressing her skin into his. "Please, Dushin-Mizim, why do you want to leave the mountain?"

She let out a shaking breath, closing her eyes to focus on her next words. "Because, my love, I couldn't watch you marry Tearsa. Because it would be like watching my heart being ripped from my chest."

He butted his head into hers, wrapping an arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. One of her hands pressed into his chest, feeling the steady beating of his heart. Opening her eyes, she looked to Fili. Closing the distance between them she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"Fili, you have to let me go. You are getting married, and I have to go." She breathed into his skin.

Fili only pulled her closer, relishing in the feeling of her body pressed into his. He turned his head to face hers, their lips almost touching.

"Dushin-Mizim, I would be a fool to believe I could let you go. I have been a fool. Wherever you go, I will always follow." His thumb brushed her face, trailing to the base of her neck.

"My Magdalen, I love you with my enter soul." He whispered to her.

Magdalen felt as if her heart could burst. Though she wasn't sure if it was from love or from sorrow. Then she realized she had longed for this moment for a while, she wasn't going to let the worries of the world ruin it.

She pressed her lips to his. Her stomach knotted and twisted feeling the light touches of his hands as he held her. She squeezed her eyes so tightly she saw bursts of fireworks behind her eyelids. Her heart soared, his words echoing in her mind. She loved him and he loved her. She had always felt complete, but with Fili, that feeling glowed throughout her. She felt him smiling, before ending the kiss. Their breathing mixing as they took in the sight of each other.

"I love you too, Fili."

Fili couldn't hold back his grin, he stood up taking Magdalen in his arms. She swung around, letting her laughter float in the air. Fili let her down, resting his head on hers again.

"Does this mean, you'll stay?" Fili asked.

Magdalen smiled, letting out a small chuckle. She nodded, patting his cheek.

"I think I can stay awhile." She joked.

And for a moment it felt like they were same Fili and Magdalen who shared secret kisses and quiet nights under the stars.

"What are we going to do, Fili?" Magdalen questioned.

Fili sighed. "We'll figure it out, Dushin-Mizim."

Magdalen hummed, and that was enough for now.

Two dwarves, even a quarter dwarf, in love become consumed with each other when left alone. So much so that the world around them fades away. Had the dwarven prince and the quarter dwarf not been catching up on longing kisses and whispers of forgiveness they would have noticed the shadowy figure racing away from the loving scene.

Sorry for the delay! I just moved and I'm trying to get ready for school. But here it is, hope you enjoy!