Epilogue
"My lady please wait!" Cried a small dwarven maid trying to keep up with the young women.
Claudia raced down the halls of Erebor, gathering the folds of her sapphire ball gown allowing her feet more freedom as she did so.
Claudia glanced at the maid waddling in her trail, Helena was an elderly dwarf getting up in her years she would never catch up with Claudia. A devilish smile graced the young woman's lips. Picking her speed the girl veered off into a side hall way, knowing exactly how to lose her maid. After a while Helena eventually slowed giving up all together as Claudia sped past the healers wing.
"I will tell your mother about this, young lady!" Scolded the older maid.
Claudia simply looked back, sticking her out at Helena childishly. Helena's face morphed with scandal as she disappeared down another connecting hallway. Claudia explored with laughter at the sight of her maid's petrified features. She had slipped from the stuffy party with relative ease. She had kissed her mother and father good night, and bid her friends a goodbye before heading in the opposite direction of her home when Helena had caught her. Claudia knew Helena would forget the incident before she even reached her parents, everything would be smooth sailing.
Making her way through the maze of hallways and tunnels, Claudia finally arrived at her destination. Moving past the warning sign, Claudia made her way into the mining hall that had been long abandoned. Claudia surveyed the rocky hall looking for a figure.
"Theoden, Alma." Claudia hissed.
Her call was answered by nothing. Her forehead ceased with confusion, they were supposed to meet her here. She ventured deeper into the hall, cautious as she did so. Reaching the corner, Claudia looked around the wall only to be met with another dark hall. Two hands caught her ribs, making her jump. Letting a scream slip from her lips she turned to be met with the bemused face of her cousin, Theoden. His deep green eyes sparkled with amusement, and his thin lips tugged into a bright she registered the familiar face, her lips pursed and she punched him in his arm.
"Ow!That hurt." Cried Theoden, rubbing his arm.
"Good, you shouldn't have scared me." Claudia huffed.
"I told him not to, but he never listens to me." The soft voice of Alma appeared from behind her.
Theoden glanced at Alma behind him, tugging on her arm to bring her closer. Alma was Claudia's closet friend besides Theoden, though he was obligated to be her friend by blood. The three young dwarves had grown up together and had been inseparable since then.
"Get lost on your way here?" Theoden questioned cheekily.
Claudia grinned at her cousin, shaking her head. She glanced at her cousin. His shaggy brown hair hung wildly on either side of his long face. He stood a good foot taller than herself, and was leaner than most dwarves she knew. Claudia liked both Theo and Alma more than most dwarves she knew.
"I was just so in thralled in conversation with this elf, I just couldn't drag myself away from the conversation." Claudia declared dramatically.
"Rowen, why are you here, and what have you done with your sister."Alma played along.
"I didn't even look at any of those pointy ears- no offence Theo- I stuck around the edge of the party, trying not to embarrass my family." Claudia muttered.
Theo held up his hands, shrugging. "None taken, what did you tell your parents to get away from the party?"
"I told them my stomach was beginning to hurt." She said slyly, placing her hand on Theo's shoulder for support as she slipped off her slipper.
"Your Ada suggested I might have the same bug as my dearest cousin." Claudia added vaguely.
Theo let out a deep chuckle, shaking Claudia off his person. "Ada bought my failing health act, Ama not so much. She warned me before leaving to stay in bed tonight."
"Yet you are here." Claudia pointed out.
"Yet here I am. Ama always says I am bad at following directions." Theoden teased.
Alma rolled her eyes at the two cousins' antics. A stranger might have mistaken the pair as twins.
"You got my clothes?" Claudia asked.
Alma reached for the pack on her back, placing it in Claudia's open hand. "Change quickly, I want to get going."
Claudia tisked her friend, shaking her head as she rounded the corner. "So bossy, Al." Claudia jested fully disappeared.
Alma was the planner of the three friends, Claudia and Theoden would never have made it this far in life had it not been for the wit of the dwarrowdam. Even still, the three followed trouble no matter where it led.
Claudia reappeared around the corner dressed in grey trousers, a blue long tunic fitted around her waist with a belt, and a pair of tall black boots. Leaving the deep blue ball gown in a haphazard mess along the jagged wall that would have made the semester kil over at the sight. Buttoning her cloak, Claudia pulled her golden hair over the black fabric.
A mischievous smile played at her lips as she asked. "You guys ready?"
Durin's Day was not a single day celebration in Erebor. Dwarves knew how to have a good time for a long time. It was three days before the official celebration of Durin's Day, and the lower level of Erebor were alive with music and joy. Claudia had just turned nineteen barely out of girlhood and had never experienced life in the lower levels of Erebor. She had decided a month prior that this ear would be different, that for once in her life she would go where she wanted to go and do what she wanted to do by herself. Her Ada and Ama would not be there to ruin her fun this time.
The atmosphere of the marketplace was bright and felt carefree as soon as they entered. Here no one worried about reputations, they were free to focus on their crafts and live without knowing the economic dwellings of the kingdom.
What a life.
Claudia had always yearned for a life beyond the mountain, seeing the great cities and kingdoms of Middle Earth. Making her own adventures as her parents and grandparents had done before her. Yet she was stuck inside the mountain with her studies and training. She didn't care for books like her mother and sister. Claudia preferred gripping a sword in her hands and the world before her.
"I will go get us a drink." Theo mumbled, disappearing into the crowd.
Around her dwarrows and dwarrowdams twirled dancing in tandem to the jovial music that carried in the air. Claudia laughed picking up Alma's hand as she dragged her friend to the dance floor. Alma groaned, she was far too serious to dance. The girls spun around each other, switching partners, following the movement of their fellow dwarves. Claudia was far from graceful, that was her youngest sister's specialty. But she glowed brighter than anyone else, as the worries of her day melted away and she simply enjoyed herself.
Theo reappeared with three tall mugs of ale. Claudia gladly accepted her cup, loving the sweet taste of ale as it ran down her throat. The trio sat at the edge of a water fountain watching drunken dwarves parade around, stumbling over one another.
"Our parents worry far too much. This is wonderful!" Theo proclaimed loudly as he gulped his third ale down.
Alma shook her head in distaste. Claudia giggled, hiding her smile with her mug.
"Must you me so loud, Theo. You are going to draw attention to us." Alma hissed at the tall boy.
Theo swung his arm around Alma's shoulders, pulling her in close. "My dearest Alma, must you be so glum. Tonight we celebrate." Theo grinned pulling Alma to her feet.
Theo spun her around, Alma didn't look amused as she pulled away.
"Let's go exploring." Alma said to Clauda before walking away from the cousins.
Theo stared after Alma. Clauida came behind him, reaching up pat her cousin's shoulder.
"Come on, lover boy." Claudia commented following after Alma.
For as long as she could remember Theoden had been in love with Alma. To anyone who didn't know Alma, it would seem that she didn't reciprocate the half-elven boy's feelings. But Claudia knew them both far too well. Though she always seemed annoyed by Theo's antics, Claudia always caught the glimmer of love in Alma's eyes.
Theo shook his head racing to check up with Alma as she surveyed the stands that lined a wide alleyway. Above them strings of light illuminated the atmosphere and vendors called out their products to passerbys hoping to lure someone in. Claudia watched at a distance as Theo brushed aside a lock of Alma's hair while she studied a bangle on one of the stands. She would never point it out to Alma, but Claudia saw a pink flush grow on her friend's skin as Theo whispered in her ear. They were so lovesick, it almost made her feel ill. Claudia rolled her eyes at the pair, they were worse than her parents. Decided they need sometime to themselves Claudia held back veering off course to one of the vendor's stands.
"Ahh welcome traveller!" Greeted a plump door.
Claudia nodded to the dwarf, her fingers brushing over the row of metal trinkets that lined the stall. Each was fashioned into different objects, but the one that caught her eyes was a small golden rose. Claudia picked up the rose twirling in her hand.
"How much?" Claudia asked lowly.
"For you I will offer two gold pieces." He said as if he was offering her a generous price.
Claudia smiled under the brim of her hood. Normally she would have bargained with the dwar, but she did not wish to tonight.
Pulling from the small purse at her hip, Claudia placed three golden coins on the stall plucking the flower from the row.
The dwarf scooped the coins with a jovial glow. "Thanks, my lady!"
Claudia held her hand up to the dwarf, heading back into the crowd. Clauida found that both Alma and Theo had mysteriously disappeared, she was sure they were off somewhere making out in a dark corner.
Now alone with her rose, Claudia roamed the lower level of Erebor. As much as she wished to see the world beyond her mountain she did love her mountain with all of her heart. A gaggle of children raced past her, chasing after one another. Claudia smiled at them, her heart glowed at them. Had her parents not been so against them going out by themselves, her oldest sister, Rowen, would have loved it. As the oldest, Rowen was much more serious than her sisters, believing she bore all the burdens of their family. She really had time to enjoy herself. There was a time when they were best friends, but nowadays they rarely saw eye to eye.
Claudia ignored the wave of sadness that swept over her, watching the crowd. From the corner of her eyes, she caught a peculiar sight. There stood a towering figure, cool eyes watching the dancing dwarves. Long platinum hair flowed over wide shoulders, stopping in the middle of his back. Dressed in fine fabrics Claudia found the figure of an elf. This surprised Claudia, the elves had arrived in Erebor only a few hours previous. The arrival had been a big show on the part of the king, offering the elves gifts upon their arrival. It was rare that the royal family offered an invitation to outsiders on the dawn of Durin's Days. But in recent years, more and more outsiders began to flood the mountain. This was the first year elves were invited in on the sacred celebration. Claudia hadn't thought any of the elves would join in the celebrations that were outside royal life.
Glancing to either side of the elf, she found that he was alone. Placing the rose in her pocket, Claudia glided over to the lonely elf.
"You seem lost, elf," Claudia spoke gaining the attention of the elf beside her.
Green eyes that reminded her of summer in the Valley of Girion stared down at her. He was strikingly handsome, his skin an alabaster color, and was unscathed. He appeared to be in his late twenties. Though Claudia took that with a grain of salt, elves never appeared to be as young as they seemed. He, like Theo, was taller than her by a foot. Towering over her lithe figure.
"I am not lost, my Lady. I'm merely observing." His voice was deep and rumbled under the lightness of the music.
Claudia tilted her head. "You must be one of the elf lord's servants then."
Standing close to him, Claudia noted the small flecks of gold that danced in his eyes. "How do you know that?
"I know most of the elves in Mirkwood, and none have bright hair like that except King Thranduil and Prince Legolas. As you are neither one I can only assume."Claudia shrugged.
"Plus none of the elven lords would dare venture this deep into the mountain. Most of them are still at the party the royal family is hosting." She added.
"Quiet the observant one aren't you." The green eyes flicked to her face once again, trying to make out her features from the depths of the cloak.
Claudia felt her heart tighten as he did so, feeling the need to retreat deeper into her hood.
"Though I would watch your tongue when talking about the elven lords. You never know I might be a spy, reporting to one of those elven lords you jest at." He noted his eyes leaving her face, turning back to the crowd.
"You sound like my father," Claudia grumbled, mostly to herself.
The two fell silent for a moment. Claudia racked her brain for something to say, she had no idea why she had approached the elf in the first place. Yet here she was standing beside the mysterious elf. It was the elf who broke the silence.
"Is there a reason you come to a celebration concealing your face?" He questioned, still not looking down at her.
"Perhaps I am just hideous and wish to save others the look of horror when they look upon my ugly mug." Claudia laughed.
Elf hummed, tightening his hands behind his back."I doubt that reality."
"You should never doubt a dwarrowdam, we only speak in truth, elf."Claudia offered.
The elf let a soft laugh out bowing his head.
He would eventually realize who she was. But for now, she would relish in the mystery. Everyone wanted something from her when they came to know her true identity. She liked being nobody, when she was a nobody there was no one to give her orders. She was free to do whatever she pleased.
A beat passed as her hands dug into her pockets. The cool and sharp metal poked her skin. Retrieving it from her pocket she looked at it in the low light. She found the trinket beautiful though could not place was mesmerizing about the golden flower.
"What is that?" Questioned the elf.
She held out the small metal flower to him. He furrowed his brow, looking confused at the small thing in her open hand. Claudia held it out to the elf, gesturing for him to take it. Careful not to touch her palm, the elf took the flower in his hand bringing it to his face to study it.
"What does it do?" He questioned turning the metal over in his grasp.
It was Claudia's turn to look confused. A wave of slight anger burned under her skin.
"It's just a flower, I thought it was pretty.."
"Pretty," repeated the elf hollowly.
The elf studied the flower with a fascination.
"You may have it if you like it." Claudia stated,
The elf hummed. "Is it customary to give useless trinks to strangers?"
Claudia's eyebrows raised up."It's not useless." "Then what purpose does it serve then?"
"Not everything needs to serve a purpose. A dwarf crafted that from his heart. It took hours to make and was special to him. And then it was special to me."
"That is a strange sentiment, why would you give something special to a stranger"
Claudia stares up at the elf flustered. She never felt like bursting into flames more than that moment. She huffed, turning on the heel of her boots, stomping away from the pompous elf.
She had never met a ruder elf in her life. Claudia hadn't met that many elves before, but this blonde ass was definitely high on her list.
Claudia stumbled forward feeling the weight of a body crash into her. Her head snapped to find a drunken dwarf staring up at the surprised elf.
"Excuse you." She called out to the dwarf, which ignored her.
"What are you doing here, elf!" Hiccuped the dwarf as he tried to appear intimidating to the elf.
"Think your bunch- Hiccup- can just stroll in here on this most sacred of days." Whaled the dwarf.
The elf looked between the dwarf and Claudia, unsure what to say. "It's not Durin's Day yet, dwarf." Claudia hissed at the dwarf in khuduzl.
The dwarf brushed off her comment. "You are disgraceful, all of you lot. And so is the king for inviting you into our home you beardless welp." Bellowed the drunken fool.
The elf looked as if it were about to say something, but Claudia had enough of the dwarf's mouth. Her blood boiled when the dwarf mentioned their king. Claudia reached for the dwarf's collar, swinging with all of her might throwing him on the floor. The dwarf struggled as Claudia pinned him to the ground. He yelled and flared under her weight, but Claudia was unfazed seeing raised as the dwarf threw slurs in her face. Reaching for her ankle, she drew her dagger slamming it into the ground right beside his head, nicking his ear. Crimson trickled onto the silver of her blade. In the process, her hood had fallen revealing her face to all who had witnessed the small fight.
"It would serve you well not to bully friends of the crown." Claudia spat.
She leaned in closer, the intrusive smell of ale assaulting her nose. "And it would serve you well to curb your tongue speaking about the king." She gritted through a locked jaw.
"Long live the king." Slurred the dwarf.
Claudia lessened her grip when the dwarf opened his eyes, bloodshot eyes looking up at her.
"Elves are spineless cowards and belong nowhere near Erebor."
Claudia pursed her lips, lifting the dwarf up by the collar before slamming his thick skull on the ground.
"Say that again, you bastard." Claudia snapped in the dwarrows face.
The wide eyes of the dwarf stared up at Claudia, now seeing her face in the light. He gaped at the face above him.
"I am sorry, Princess. Please forgive me, I did not know he was with you."
Claudia groaned, letting go of the trembling dwarf. She glanced over her shoulder finding a crowd had gathered around them. The elf could only stared at Claudia in awe. A loud commotion garnered some attention behind the crowd, parting to find the flushed figures of Alma and Theo.
"Go!"Alma yelled, running past Claudia, dragging an angry Theo along as guards appeared through the crowd.
"Shit." Claudia muttered, letting go of the dwarf as she stood up.
Her parents were going to kill her if they found out she had lied to them.
She glanced up at the elf's face, surprised to find no trace of worry. His striking features trained on her, looking at her as if she were a puzzle that he was trying to piece together. His eerie green eyes flickering over her face meeting her gaze. Claudia realized that the scrutinizing gaze of this elf might have been intimidating for some, but she would not back down. A shiver raced up Claudia's spine, she broke her gaze when Alma called her name.
Claudia looked at the directions her friend had disappeared in.
"I would suggest you start running… Princess." The elf added, almost teasingly.
Claudia glared at the elf, biting her lip not to snap at him. Pulling her hood up Claudia began racing into the crowd.
The nerve of that elf, how arrogant! I save him from a drunken dwarf and he teases me! She thought angrily, not looking where she was going.
The guards pushed through the crowd chasing after Claudia, Alma and Theo.
"What did you do!" Theo asked over his shoulder.
"I did nothing! That stupid dwarf couldn't keep his mouth shut about Da." Claudia grumbled.
"I'm sure your Da will be thrilled to hear you stared a fight in his name. Perhaps he will name a hall after you!" Theo yelled sarcastically.
"Will you two shut up and run! I will not be throwing out of guard training, because you can't keep your hands to yourself." Alma ordered racing past the two.
In the high halls of the royal wing the three stopped to catch their breath.
"I… Can't... Believe… We … Ran… Because… you started a fight." Theo glared at Claudia.
Claudia was doubled over, meeting the glare of her cousin.
"For an elf!" Alma added.
"Shut up," Claudia growled.
Theo and Claudia stared at each other angrily for a moment, before it melted away. Theo began to laugh, Alma and Claudia soon joining in. Their laughter carried through the halls, gaining the attention of two dwarves.
"And what are you two doing out so late?" Theo and Claudia froze, the laughter died on their lips. Their shoulder's tensing as the iron voice rang in the air.
Claudia and Theo turned to glance at each other's ghostly expression, before looking over their shoulders to find their uncle and the captain of the guard.
"Oh hello, Thorin." Claudia pressed a smile to her lips, her heart beating wildly in her chest. "Dwalin." She bowed to two older dwarves.
Theo stared at the ground, holding his tongue. He had never been good at lying, it was truly his fatal flaw. Alma stood stiff like a soldier before the king. The two men stared at them, their eyes surveying their clothing.
"Well, are you going to answer him?" Dwalin questioned, folding his hands over one another.
"Well, you see.." Claudia tried to come up with something.
"What Claudia means to say, uncle.." Theo talked over Claudia.
"We were just-"
"We were so sick earlier."
"Yes, that was why we left the party early."
"Our dearest friend, Alma offered to take us on a stroll hoping to help us feel better."
"Deamra suggested it truly."
"Truly," Theo added
The two began to ramble over one another, piecing together a half-true story. Thorin and Dwalin glanced at each other, not believing a word that slipped from the youngling's mouth. As they did a panting guard stumbled up the stairs, trying to regain his dignity. Thorin held up his hand silencing the pair.
Thorin waved the guard over, leaning down as he whispered in the king's ear. Thorin stood up straight nodding to the guard, who bowed as he disappeared. Claudia could feel her heart palpitate.
"It seems there was an incident in the marketplace, you three wouldn't know anything about this. Would you?"
Claudia gulped. No one spoke. There was no point they had been caught.
Thorin nodded looking down at his feet.
"Alma I suggest you get back to your parents," Dwalin commented.
Alma bowed quietly. "Yes, captain."
"I will see you in training in the morning." His voice was threatening as he spoke.
Alma bowed her head, stealing a glance at the two cousins before disappearing.
Claudia smiled at the two men nervously. "I think it's time Theo and I head off to bed. We just feel so pitiful."
Claudia wrapped her hand around Theo's arm, pulling him as they tried to pass the former king and captain.
Dwalin grabbed them by their necks stopping them in their place. Thorin walked around to stand in front of the pair.
"I think," He emphasized, "it's time we visit your parents. It just so happens we were on our way there. We escort you."
Claudia rolled her neck looking up at the ceiling praying to Mahal that her death would be short and quick.
Dwalin held both of them by their neck as he kicked in the door to the royal family parlor. He unceremoniously dropped them, Claudia knocked her head against Theo's melt armor rubbing her head as she looked up at the flabbergasted faces of her family.
"Look what I just found trying to sneak back into their rooms," Thorin announced as he entered the room.
The members of their family, the royal family, were scattered across the family parlor. Her eldest sister, Rowen, sat in front of the fire playing a game of chess with their grandmother, Dis. Her youngest sister, Odette, sat curled up in their aunt, Tariuel's lap. Kili stood behind her, his eyes staring at them wildly. Sitting on the love seat opposite to her aunt and uncle was her parents. The face of her father, Fili, stared at her like she had just sold Odette to a group of bandits. Her mother, however, was cool and a small smile played on her lips.
There was a moment of serenity before the room exploded with questions.
"Where were you two!" Fili shot up from his seat.
Kili moved around the couch standing at his brother's side.
Neither one answered until Dwalin shook their shoulders. Claudia glanced at the elder dwarf, his hair long greyed and wrinkles played on his skin. Dwalin was the closest thing she had to a grandfather besides Thorin. He often spoiler Theo, Claudia, and her sisters, but always made sure they stayed in line.
"We were in the lower levels," Theo muttered finally.
"What were you two doing in the lower levels?" Kili demanded, his eyes bulged.
Theo and Claudia shared a look.
"We just wanted to join in the celebration," Claudia admitted.
"You could have asked us, instead of lying and sneaking out." Fili said flabbergasted.
Claudia narrowed her eyes at her father."And what have a group of guards watch out every move!" She retorted storming over to sit herself on the lip of the fireplace.
Fili stepped back at the venomous tone she had taken with him.
"Watch your tone, young lady." Thorin commanded beside her.
Claudia folded her arms looking away from her father.
Her mother stood from her seat. She had changed from her ball down into her usual tunic and trousers. Her blonde hair was neatly braided behind her, silver strikes painted on either side of her temples. Though she was fifty, Magdalen didn't show it. Beautiful wrinkles touched her face, giving her an air of regalness. The faint outline of a scar ran from her forehead to her brow, Unlike her sisters, Claudia took after her father in many regards. She had his long thin nose, thick bushy brows and big dwarven ears. But the one aspect of her mother she had was her steel-colored eyes.
Magdalen stood beside her husband. "I think Theo and Claudia should explain themselves before we start a screaming match." She spoke to Kili and Fili.
"Because surely they would not be so stupid to go behind our backs." Magdalen pointed her words at her daughter and nephew.
Before they could speak there was a knock at the door, saving Claudia for a moment from whatever punishment laid ahead of her.
Thorin turned, opening the door. Standing back in surprise as a tall elven man entered the room. Claudia's eyes widened in shock as took in the sight of the familiar blonde elf. She groaned to herself, this day could not get any worse. A fierce blushed burned at her cheeks.
"Lord Glorfindel, is something wrong with your lodging?" Her grandmother spoke up, asking from her place beside the fire.
"No, everything is perfect, thank you for your generosity Lady Dis."
Glorfindel smiled kindly at the elderly dwarf.
"Prince Kili, Lady Tariuel." He greeted the royal family formally.
He turned to Claudia's parents, bowing deeply before them.
"King Fili, Queen Magdalen."
Both Fili and Magdalen nodded to the elf lord.
"May I inquire why you have come, Lord Glorfindel? We are attending to a family at the moment." Fili's eyes glared at Claudia and Theo.
"That is why I am here, King Fili."
Fili blinked confused by unfolding events.
"Though I was not so honored to meet your second eldest daughter at tonight's party, I was lucky to run into her at the marketplace."
Magdalen tightened her hand around Fili's arm, trying to keep calm as the elf lord spoke.
A small hand rested on her shoulder, as Odette leaned over to Claudia. At the age of twelve, Odette was far beyond her years. Her caramel hair neatly tied into a braid matching their mothers. She favored their mother's look in every aspect other than her nose, which matched that of their uncles.
"Oh you are so dead now," Odette whispered to her.
Dis placed a hand on Odette's shoulder, ushering her away from the chest set far from her sister's grasp.
Claudia glared at her sister as she was moved away. Odette stuck her tongue out at Claudia, sitting by the warmth of the hearth. Rowen moved to stand by Claudia listening to the story.
"The princess defended my honor, King Fili." Glorfindel's voice took her attention again.
Magdalen gaped at the elf's word.
"She defended your honor?"Magdalen repeated his word.
Glorfindel nodded."Yes, Queen Magdalen."
Magdalen didn't bother correcting the elf, looking at her husband with a mixture of pride and astonishment.
"Is that true, Claudia?" Fili asked his daughter.
Claudia found no words, nodding along to the elf's word.
"One of your drunken dwarves had some unkind words for me. Your daughter did not appreciate them and spoke up in my honor. Unfortunately, they got into a fight before I could intervene. I do apologize for not getting in sooner, I didn't even realize she was a girl or the princess for that matter."
"Hey!"
Rowen pinched her thigh, stopping her from saying anything further.
"It is I who should apologize, my lord. You are a guest of the crown and shouldn't be harassed in such away. That dwarf will be punished accordingly."
"There is no need. We all say things we don't mean sometimes. Besides I came here to assess the Durin's honor before I advised Lord Elrond in the signing of the treaty. Though I had a few doubts in my mind, your daughter has reassured me of that honor." He said this more to Claudia than he did her father.
"Besides I believe your daughter's words were punishment enough for the dwarf," Glorfindel affirmed.
Fili glanced at Claudia over his shoulder, before looking back at the elf.
"Thank you for your statement, Lord Glorfindel. Your kindness is appreciated. We are sorry if any discomfort has occurred in our kingdom." Thorin offered the elf lord.
Glorfindel nodded. "The short time I have spent in Erebor has been wonderful and I look forward to the week ahead, I assure you."
"If you would grant it uncle, Lord Glorfindel, I believe we both need time to speak with our children," Kili spoke with his eyes trained on his son.
Thorin agreed, offering to escort the elf lord to his room, to which the lord happily agreed. Glorfindel bid his farewells to the royal family, leaving Claudia for last.
He approached the girl, his hand caught Claudia's, and just like in the marketplace their eyes met once again.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Claudia." He brought her hand to his forehead.
Claudia paused for a moment, lost in thought before she spoke again. A wave of warmth tingled her cheeks.
"Don't call me princess." Spoke to the high lord.
Magdalen snorted behind them, while Fili quickly came to stand behind the two. Rowen looked scandalized by her sister's retort.
Once Thorin, Dwalin, and Glorfindel left the tension in the room became palpable.
"I am going to retire to my room," Dis announced, standing kissing each of her sons.
"Remember that you both were young once too." Dis reminded them before turning to pressed a kiss on each of her grandchildren's forehead.
" Girls let's go," Fili called leaving the parlor, heading to their apartment.
Magdalen stood at the door waiting as Claudia trudged behind her sisters. Magdalen walked alongside Claudia in silence. The walk back to their apartment seemed to take forever, as the silence and anger grew in the air.
Once they had finally arrived, Fili instructed the girls to go to their rooms. Though he told Claudia to stay behind. Sitting on their couch Claudia watched as her father paced back and forth.
"How you even…" He began through the words died as he continued to walk.
Magdalen returned from Odette's bedroom, sitting beside Claudia calmly.
"The audacity…" He mumbled his words still pacing.
"What your father means to say is how could you lie to our faces like that." Her mother questioned, her voice even.
Claudia sat back on the couch, her arms folded over one another.
"You have done a lot of crazy things, but lie!" Fili pointed out.
Fili began on a rant about lying and the road it led down. Though his point was lost even on his wife.
"Is there a reason you lied to us?" Magdalen asked.
Rubbing her face, Claudia sighed. "I have been stuck in the royal wing for ages. You and Ada talk about being in touch with our people and becoming the great leader I'm meant to be. How am I supposed to be in touch with my people if I have a gaggle of guards following my every move? And what if I don't want to be a great leader. I'm not Rowen I'm not going to be the perfect daughter. I'm sorry I'm not enough for you two." Claudia heaved.
Fili and Magdalen stared at their daughter, tears burning in her eyes. Fili dropped to his knees in front of Claudia, his hands on her knees. Heartbroken at the sight of his daughter, guilt weighed him down.
"Honey, I am sorry if I have been a bit overbearing lately." Her mother's hand creased Claudia's face, tears shining in her steel eyes.
"Sometimes I forget that you are a young lady and not a child anymore. It's just I'm just afraid of losing you. I have lost many things in my life and I could never bear losing you." Magdalen confessed pulling her daughter in tightly.
Claudia clung to her mother, pressing her face into her shoulder. All thoughts of heated anger disappeared as she felt her mother's embrace. A hand laid on Claudia's shoulder, making her lookup. She was met with the light smile of her father, giving her shoulder a light squeeze he spoke.
"Claudia, we are sorry if we made you feel like you had to be someone you are not. You will never disappoint us. Of course, you are not like Rowen or Odette." He bent down coming eye level with Claudia as Magdalen released her.
"You are yourself, and that is enough." He cupped either side of her face, knocking his forehead against hers.
"That will always be enough, Claudia," Magdalen added wrapping her arms around husband and child.
Claudia wrapped her hand around her father's wrist, and for a moment Claudia relished in the closeness of her parents.
"I'm sorry Mama, Ada. I shouldn't have lied." Claudia admitted.
Fili and Magdalen pulled back, accepting Claudia's apology. Magdalen brushed over Claudia's hair. "Ada and I will discuss your punishment tomorrow. For now, get some rest, you've had quite the night, my little bird."
Fili kissed his daughter's head, leaving alongside Magdalen. Claudia listened to her parent's footfall, laying back on the couch as they headed into their bedroom. Claudia sighed, though she was in trouble she felt slightly better. Claudia closed her eyes, trying to find peace in her mind. Until a hand poked her ribs. Claudia opened her right eye to find her sister's faces looking down at her.
"Mama and Ada finally kick you out of the mountain?" Odette asked, squeaking as Claudia threw a pillow at her.
Rowen rolled her eyes, gesturing for Claudia to move as she took a seat.
"What were you thinking, Claud?" Rowen sighed leaning back on the couch.
Claudia shrugged and rested her head on her sister's shoulder. "I don't know, I just wanted to have fun for once."
"We have fun." Odette spoke jumping to sit on the other side of Claudia.
"I mean really fun, you would have had so much fun, Row."
Rowen waved off her comment. "The elves are an important guest, I can have fun after they leave and sign the trading deal."
"I met an elf, even if he was rude I had fun."
"Claudia, that elf, is Lord Glorfindel. He is one of the most powerful figures in Riverdell, one of Lord Elrond's confidants." Rowen stressed to her sister.
"He was rude and arrogant. I don't care who he was." Claudia huffed.
"I thought he was handsome," Odette added.
"What do you know, your twelve." Claudia poked at her youngest sister.
From the doorway, Magdalen and Fili peaked in on the rare sisterly moment among their daughters. This was a common occurrence when they were younger, but as they grew older all the girls wanted to do was bricker. Just like Magdalen did with her own sister in her younger years. Magdalen laid her head on Fili's shoulder as he snaked his arm around her waist, watching in silence as the girls shared a heartfelt laugh.
"We raised really good kids, you know," Magdalen spoke.
Fili looked down at his wife, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "Expect when they sneak out and lie to us." He suggested.
"Well besides that yeah."
Magdalen shrugged her shoulder, smiling up at her husband. The pair shared a quiet chuckle. Magdalen sighed looking at her middle daughter.
"She tried to protect one of Middle Earth's most valiant warriors without a second thought. A warrior who could have taken down that dwarf with a flick of his wrist. Sounds like something you would have done." Fili pointed out.
Magdalen glared at Fili. "I can not help if the girls got all of their bravery from me."
Fili snorted, pulling his wife's head into his lips pressing a kiss onto her hair. They stood there for a long moment in silence in each other's embrace.
"She is still punished for the next two months," Fili said, squeezing Magdalen's shoulder.
Magdalen smiled. "Oh yeah, definitely. Probably four months, Theo can keep her company. "
Magdalen turned from the scene, grabbing her husband's hand leading them back to their bedroom for the night.
"Come, dear husband, we will deal with the rest of this in the morning. Let the girls be."
Fili hummed following his wife. Magdalen could tell from his standoffish expression something bothered him. Magdalen did not press him on the matter, after years of marriage Magdalen learned that Fili would tell her what was on his mind soon enough. He told Magdalen everything.
"Did you notice how a certain elf was looking at our daughter." Fili finally spoke.
Magdalen brought her hand to her face covering the smile that played on her lips.
"Fili, Lord Glorfindel was just being nice. I'm sure no one has ever tried to defend his honor before, especially a five foot one half-dwarf girl."
This answer did not help her husband's worry. His forehead creased as his thoughts became deeper.
"She is only nineteen. She needs to focus on her studies and training, not boys." Fili snarled.
"Lord Glorfindel is certainly not a boy, my love," Magdalen said dreamily.
Fili scowled at his wife's teasing. "Magdalen, I'm serious."
"Claudia is our daughter, she is just as pigheaded as both of us. If you think that you can't forbid her from loving someone think again. It is just best to leave things be, my love. She is young and has her whole life in front of her. She might one day find someone that makes her very happy, or she might be content on her own. Either way we will support her."
Magdalen poked into her husband's chest.
"I'm not afraid of breaking that elf's legs." He grumbled his face slightly pouting as he did so.
Magdalen shook her head. She knew Fili was having a hard time letting go of his daughter, just as she was. Giving her more freedom meant they could not protect as much as they liked. Magdalen took Fili's face into her hands, pressing a sneering kiss into his lips. Fili gladly obliged his wife, matching her passion.
Pulling away, Fili ran his hand through his wife's locks. Rubbing her marriage braid between his fingers.
"I love you, Dushin Mizim." He leaned in preseed butterfly kisses on Magdalen's eyelids.
"I love you too Fili."
Magdalen held the fur-lined collar of Fili's jacket.
"Enough talk of elves, let's go to bed I'm tired," Magdalen said firmly.
Fili nodded, wrapping his arm around Magdalen's waist leading her to their bedroom. And as they slipped into bed that night, tangled in each other's arms Fili spoke one last thought.
"At least, Odette will never grow up. I made her promise."
Magdalen laughed at her poor husband, tapping his chest lightly as she closed her eyes falling asleep to the beat of Fili's heart.