II – Dessert

"Ye don't eat much meat, do ye?" Dís asked, eyeing Alora's plate. The hobbit was happily feasting herself on a medley of vegetables and rice.

"No, few hobbits do. Our stomachs aren't strong enough nor our hearts cold enough to kill our cows and chickens. Fortunately, elves do not generally cultivate either."

"And yet ye have the stomach to gut a man, if what my cousin says rings true."

Alora raised an eyebrow. "What else did Cibby tell you?"

"Well, other than some personal, unpolite details, nothin' much."

Alora grinned and looked down at her plate. She turned her eyes on Legolas, who was getting a little pink in the cheeks.

Gimli chuckled quietly into his soup. "Forgive me, Ada, but half of your existence would not be proper etiquette to discuss at a meal."

Lamli groaned, his mouth full of venison. "Could ye please change the subject? We're tryin' to eat over 'ere!" Narendy fiercely nodded her agreement. Gimli helplessly snorted back a few laughs as Legolas turned a deeper shade of red.

"D-Dís, when were you planning to tell Gimli and Alora?"

"Tell us what, Ada?"

Dís wiped her mouth with a napkin and pushed back her chair. "Actually, Legolas, none of the dwarves here know, either. Anyway," she said, clearing her throat. "Cousin, Queen Greenleaf, dwarves, as ye know, Thorin Stonehelm is my da."

Dís' statement was greeted by nods. That's rather obvious, Gimli thought to himself.

"Well, guess who the heir presumptive is?" The room was silent. No one had any true idea who could succeed the Stonehelm.

"Well… as ye may or may not know, my da really has no able-bodied male relatives," she said slowly, dragging out the words. "My friends, look upon the first High Queen of the Dwarves!"

The small dinner party burst into conversation.

"Well well well! Good on you!"

"Ada, you never told me!"

"My Lady, how wonderful!"

"Nan Elbereth! Are you serious? How did this come to pass?" Alora shot Varno a surprised look. I didn't think that elf knew how to swear! she thought with grim satisfaction. Why is he so shocked? He almost sounds like he disapproves.

Alora voiced her thoughts. "What does it matter to an elf guard who the next dwarf-lord is?"

Varno opened his mouth to retort, but quickly composed himself. "Forgive me, Lady, I meant no disrespect."

"Then be still."

"Quite easily, actually!" Dís said, answering Varno's question. "My ma had no desire to see another child burst out of her, an' my da agreed with her. I am their only child – why not make me the King's heir?"

"But what did the nobles have to say about this? Did they not object?" Gimli asked, hardly believing his ears.

"No, cousin, not really. My countrymen were surprised, but not shocked. The vote was overwhelmingly in my favour."

Narendy jumped up from her seat and squeezed her mistress. "My Lady, ye will be our greatest Lord since Durin Deathless!"

"Yer father is a fool, but I have hope still in ye." Lamli held out his hand. Dís grinned and accepted the offered congratulations. Hakoldef smiled but said nothing.

"Jus' don' let no human – or elf," Lamli said, shooting Legolas a glance, "tell ye how to rule."

"Dís, this is incredible! I am overjoyed that the council did not object."

"Indeed, cousin! Women were never truly denied the throne among my fathers, there was jus' never a need for us."

Gimli was ecstatic beyond words. "I'm just so proud that this is going to happen in my lifetime!"

Dís walked over to her cousin and gave him a fierce embrace. "Cousin, so am I.

"Anyway, that doesn' change anything, at least not for the moment. I'ma still a dwarf princess on a diplomatic mission, nothin' more. Legolas, can't a dwarf get some dessert around here?"

Legolas smiled. His son's voracious dwarven appetite prepared him for such things. "Of course, if everyone is finished."

"What did I tell you, my love? Isn't she great?" Legolas called from the washroom.

"She seems nice."

"Isn't it wonderful? The first dwarven queen," he said wistfully.

"Yes, it's very good, Leggy."

Legolas poked his head through the door. "That was not very enthusiastic!"

Alora smiled to herself. "I'm happy for her and Cibby, but I personally don't see what all the fuss is about."

Legolas nodded. "I understand. You are not royal born, so it probably seems silly to you that we are excited so."

"Exactly! Wait – did I miss something?"

Legolas smiled. "No, my bite-sized love, I meant no offense."

"None taken."

Legolas walked over to the bed and gave his wife a long, soft kiss. "Come, Alora. Let us retire. We have a long day tomorrow! Four dwarves to entertain."

Alora's eyes went wide in faux shock. "Legolas, do be careful! Their… enchanting musk might rub off on you!" Legolas laughed.

"I think that Narendy might fancy you! Do be careful around her," Alora said, relishing in her husband's tormenting.

"You know that you are the only woman for me," Legolas said, suddenly serious.

"Oh, I know! I'm just playing around with you. I am tired, though, for once."

"Yes, so am I. Let's sleep in tomorrow, hmm? I'm sure Gimli wants to spend time alone with the dwarves for a while, anyway."

"Sounds good to me, Leggy-love. Elei velui and goodnight." She gently kissed his neck and pulled the covers over herself.

"Goodnight."

Sindarin:

Ada – dad

Nan Elbereth – by Varda
Elei velui – sweet dreams