Chapter Twenty-Four: Thorin
T.A. 2876 Ered Luin
The call comes in the middle of the night, the horns of a patrol alerting the city guards that orcs are on the way. Winter still has them in its grip, the snow is thick on the ground, and the orcs are not unexpected. They attack every winter at some point, earlier some years than others, when the caravans have dried up due to the poor travelling conditions and the trappers have retreated into the larger settlements with their furs. Normally an orc attack wouldn't be a problem for the city of New Belegost, built as it was to house so many of the refugees from Erebor with a high, thick, wall and sturdy gates. It doesn't match the kind of defence being inside the mountain would offer but the stone in this area isn't stable enough to support a bustling city. Sadly, the walls aren't as stable as Thorin had once believed, an illegal tunnel was discovered early in winter under part of the southern walls. Cracks had appeared due to weakened foundations and somehow an orc scout had gotten past their patrols and discovered it.
That is exactly where the orcs strike. They manage to break through into one of the more affluent parts of the city before the wall guards are able to mount a proper defence. Their enemies always charge straight for the gates and none of the dwarves are prepared for the change in tactics. In some ways, the part of the city they have broken into is a fortunate one, this area is less populated than others and the residents are better armed and better trained. Unfortunately, because there are less dwarves to defend their homes the attack is all the more devastating. Many 'dams and dwarflings are killed before the orcs are finally slaughtered by a contingent led up from behind by Dwalin.
Frerin is at Thorin's side throughout. Fighting with his brother beside him has become familiar once more since Frerin was forced to stop travelling. Thorin hopes it will continue after the wedding to Ghruna takes place. The pair clearly despise one another, for all Fhrna will not be moved by even his daughter's pleas to put an end to the farce of the arrangement, and Thorin suspects Frerin will either remain in the family home with Dis or start travelling alone again rather than move into the new house that has been built for the couple. Frerin tries to put a good face on it, although he's lost so much as a result of it all, but Ghruna is so accustomed to getting her own way that she isn't making the situation easy on anyone. Frerin has even less patience with spoilt rich dwarves than Thorin, which is remarkable given his patience in other areas.
"We have a problem," Dwalin says as he approaches them once the fighting is over. "You been with Thorin this whole time?" He asks Frerin, who frowns.
"Someone has to watch the idiot's back," he shrugs. "What happened?"
"You aren't getting married anymore," Dwalin replies. "Fhruna, Hvai and Ghruna are among the fallen."
"Killed during the attack?" Thorin asks as Frerin stiffens beside him. He isn't expecting his brother to mourn the loss of his betrothed, but they will have to make at least a small show of it.
"Aye," Dwalin nods, "from the number of dead orcs around them at any rate. Doesn't hurt to check, though, you know that questions are going to be asked."
"Fuck off, Dwalin," Frerin snarls. "Do you really think I'd go to these lengths? Now? Eight months after it became too late to undo all the damage done by this sham."
Frerin doesn't talk much to Thorin about his Bella, so Thorin doesn't know the circumstances around her wedding, but obviously his brother had hoped their relationship could still be salvaged. Thorin admits he had hoped so as well. It would be nice for one of his siblings to get the loving relationship they deserve.
"Brother," he says, "this isn't the place."
There are sure to be those nearby waiting to hear Frerin's reaction, waiting to see if he will display any satisfaction at the news. Frerin's anger isn't ideal, but it's better than a grin or a sigh of relief. Frerin makes a crude gesture and marches away, leaving Thorin and Dwalin staring after him. Dis will have her work cut out for her later but she is the only one who can get through to their brother when he's like this. Thorin has other things to worry about. He will have to speak to Balin about the contract made when the agreement between Thror and Fhrna was drawn up. Provisions were made for Frerin's death, he was about to head to war after all, but Thorin isn't sure if the reverse was also true. As if he didn't have enough problems.
T.A. 2941 Beorn's Cottage
"This could cause problems," Balin says as he and Thorin watch Fili walking with Bluebell.
"I have given my blessing and support," Thorin replies evenly, "Mahal willing they will ask me to witness the ceremony. I gave Fili my word that he and Kili would be permitted to marry where they wished. I'll not go back on it."
"I don't think we considered hobbits when that promise was made," Balin points out.
"At least she isn't an elf," Thorin shrugs. "Think of the wonders they could accomplish with their gifts. You have seen what Bluebell can do when they work together, imagine what Fili might manage as well."
"And the old guard?" Balin asks. "The ones who believe a prince should marry where he is told for the good of the kingdom? And what of the succession? Our people won't be happy with a half breed on the throne."
Thorin has thought of a lot of this in the days since Frerin blithely announced that he had, in fact, gone against the convention of their people and married his widow. Dwarves are insular as a rule, something that they share with the hobbits, and no matter which member of the line of Durin chose to marry outside of their kind it was going to cause problems somewhere. Belladonna and Bluebell now openly wear the braids that announce their connection to Frerin and it had resulted in rather a lot of what remaining coin they have changing hands. Most of it went to Nori, which surprised no one, but a great deal went to Kili as well, which just goes to prove that his youngest sister-son isn't as stupid as he wants people to think. Nori, Thorin has come to realise, is often aware of a great many things that he shouldn't be, and he makes a mental note to talk to the thief after Erebor is reclaimed, they will have a great need of that talent in the coming years.
"The old guard don't have to worry about Dis castrating them," he replies, returning to the original subject. "And, perhaps, we could pass it off as a return to the true teachings of our Maker. Mahal creates One to match us and walk with us through the trials of life. Perhaps ignoring that has been part of the cause of so many of the problems that has plagued the people of Erebor."
"We could phrase it a little better," Balin muses, "but it won't solve all of our problems."
"I am aware. If the subject of Fili's heir becomes a problem there's always Kili, if he has them. If not-"
"There's always Dain," Balin sighs. "She could die before this is over you know," he adds. Thorin frowns unhappily.
"The thought has crossed more than one mind," his eyes fall on the couple who are now exchanging a kiss. "Which is why they have agreed to wait until Erebor is ours once more to finalise things."
"I would have thought it would make them want to move faster."
"As would I," Thorin agrees, watching as Kili bounds over to the couple and begins chattering about who knows what. "But I believe Fili is thinking of his brother, as always." Balin glances at him questioningly, then looks at Fili and Kili who are tussling together while Bluebell shakes her head in exasperation. "He would not cost Kili his future happiness for the sake of an heir if Bluebell is taken from him." Balin nods. "And, I believe, he is also terrified of what his mother would do to him if he were to marry the girl before she meets her."
That draws a laugh from Balin, which is reassuring. Thorin knows they will need his old friend's support as both advisor and steward if Fili's marriage is to go unchallenged. Frerin's circumstances have taught Thorin that the One created for another by Mahal isn't always what you might expect (a lesson Dwalin could also do with learning). Besides, Fili and Frerin aren't the first to have a One who isn't a dwarf. It's not common, Mahal knows it occasionally causes problems in some areas, but it isn't unheard of. It was only a matter of time before it happened in a prominent family.
If they all die before they reach Erebor it won't be a problem anyway. If Bluebell is killed before the mountain is theirs it will cause other difficulties but those can be overcome with time and necessity. As for the rest, Thorin has seen the strain put on a family when something like this is denied. He dreads to think of the further problems it will cause if Fili is denied the call of his heart in the same way that Frerin was. Erebor will need stability, and stability isn't achieved when the heir to the throne disappears to marry his One against the wishes of his uncle and king.
"Frerin and Belladonna," Balin interrupts his thoughts. "Do you also support them?"
"I have told Frerin that I do," he replies after a moment of hesitation. Balin breathes his name disapprovingly. "He is my brother, she is his One. What would you have me do?"
"We cannot be claiming to obey one of our Maker's dictates while ignoring another!" Balin exclaims.
"Frerin has never been married."
"And his widow?"
"She isn't a dwarf, and remarrying isn't uncommon among her people." He decides to keep the fact that hobbits typically die not long after their One passes from Balin. It may help Frerin's case, but it will be a point against Fili's.
"So, hobbits don't have Ones?" Balin mutters.
"You would have to ask Belladonna about it," Thorin shrugs, "or Bluebell. I'm not entirely sure what they call them or how they know them."
He knows that Fili and Bluebell discussed it. At the moment, however, how the people receive Fili's marriage (or even Frerin's) is not something that Thorin wants to put much thought into. He has given Frerin his word, as he has Dis, but, most importantly, he has given his word to Fili. Provided they survive this marriage will happen whether Erebor is reclaimed or not. Fili deserves no less and Bluebell, well, Bluebell deserves more than Thorin can ever give her. Supporting her marriage to Fili is the least that he can do.
A.N: Not much happens in this chapter and originally I wasn't going to include it (on account that this thing had hit roughly 120k and this was a bit of a filler chapter) it turned out to be more important later on for reasons that will become obvious when I get there.