Thorin and Shobha had joined the company for breakfast early the next morning, to announce their news that she had formally accepted his courtship. He had received many pats on the back, and a few ribs about getting a few heirs of Durin churned out quickly. This made her feel somewhat nervous. She wasn't certain she wanted to have children immediately, but wondered whether Thorin felt differently. It also made her realise that she didn't actually know how old he was. And given he had a fair few grey streaks in his beautiful raven hair, she assumed he was no longer young, and so perhaps he wanted children sooner than she did. That was something she would need to think about maybe even talk to him about. But there were other things that worried her, that she hadn't considered.

"Amralime, does anything trouble you?" Thorin leant in from where he sat next to her and whispered to Shobha at breakfast. "You have barely eaten a thing."

"Will this become news throughout Erebor?" She didn't like the idea of being gossiped about, and particularly not by the more snooty noble dwarrows and dams. She had dealt with stuck up people in her old life. Mike and his family had been surrounded by plenty of such people, making snide remarks, cutting and underhanded, but these nobles were a rather a different species.

"My lady, you wear a courtship braid and bead bearing the King's mark. It will only be a matter of time.." he looked worried and slightly upset. "I thought –"

"Will I be mobbed by those who disapprove…? The nobles…?" She felt like she was being surrounded. She didn't think about this side of things. She stood up from the table. "Sorry please excuse me. There is something I have to do urgently."

She rushed out of the informal dining hall followed by Zodar, and Thorin. Just as she reached the corridor he grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into another adjoining quiet corridor, and then embraced her tightly, stroking her hair and hushing her against his chest. She clutched onto him in return.

"Leave us Zodar. And can you prevent anyone coming through here please." Thorin spoke to Zodar, who compiled rapidly.

"I'm sorry Thorin," she spoke into his chest. "I felt a bit panicked. There are so many things to think of. And I don't want Dis hearing from someone else. Please we have to send a Raven now."

"Amralime, it is fine," he kissed her head, and squeezed her in his arms reassuringly. "I have already sent a raven from the both of us, last night."

"Really?" Shobha looked up at him, relief flooding her face. "Its been a real stress for me. I have been carrying that bead with me everywhere, since I got it from Kallon – because I didn't want anyone to find out. I even swore Kallon and Zodar to silence."

"Oh aye? Well Zodar normally tells me everything you have done each day. Even the times you have dodged him and escaped to the terrace to do your.. he said you call it 'Yo-gar'." He smiled down at her in his arms. "But apparently he is most loyal to the Queen… And it explains why Kallon looked very carefully at my warrior beads when paid him a visit to pick up the matching earrings for your necklace."

"How did he find out?!" She gasped. "It is only ever a very short time to stretch on the days after more intensive training…"

"My Lady, he is one of the King's guard –"

"Are you having me spied on, my King?"

"I just want to know that you are safe Shobha. And why do you fear the nobles, my beautiful one? You need not have any dealings with them more than you need to. And when you do, you can have one of us present to support you." He pressed his lips to hers lightly trying to ease her worry.

"Ok, that is reassuring," she finally smiled at him softly. "And I still want to work with Bifur and Oin please."

"Aye you can. Although, you will have to make time for planning our wedding, as I guess you will wish to include customs from your land..?"

"Oh, I didn't know I could do that… there is so much we need to talk about, Thorin." Suddenly she felt ashamed. They had been spending so much time together, but there were still so much she was yet to know. Instead she had often buried herself in a book or they had been spending time kissing like hormonally fuelled teenagers.

"And that is why I rearranged the parlour for us." Thorin bore his intense eyes into hers, searching for signs a change of heart. "You need not marry me until you are comfortable. Forgive me for pushing you into it quickly. My duty towards you as your suitor is to protect and provide for all your needs and wishes.."

"It's not that Thorin. I need you just as urgently as you seem to need me, so a wedding is not a bad thing." She had finally relaxed enough to quip, much to his relief, bringing a big grin to his face. "I will finish work with Oin early tonight and join you… there are quite a few things I need to ask from you."

And then seeing a shadow of worry drifting across his face again she tiptoed up to kiss him and added "Things about OUR future together, my King. But now I still have to rush, I have a raven to send."

"To Dis? Again?" He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, my King. Things to know, dates, auspices… wedding fluff."

He kissed her hand lightly once more, as she turned to rush off, and Zodar turned to him and slapped his fist against his breast plate before turning to follow Shobha.

Later in the afternoon, after finishing work at the infirmary, Shobha decided to find Balin and Glóin. Thorin had sounded slightly worried last night, when he had mentioned that he had been exposing himself to the Arkenstone. If she needed to adequately support him, she had to know about it and the signs of the sickness.

They were leaving the Throne Room, Fili leading looking exhausted, presumably after a very busy morning of court.

"Shobha?" Fili smiled. "Uncle is in a meeting in his study. It's my turn in court today. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, just busy that's all. You look like you could use a rest."

"Aye – I think I need a tonic for headache after that! And I know what you're worrying about, I saw you this morning with Uncle. But we will protect you… and the nobles aren't that bad. Once you are Queen, they will all be clamouring for your favour." He laughed. Fili was always very perceptive. While he looked very different, his demeanour at times reminded her a lot of Thorin. "Anyway Amad sent us Ravens this morning! She said that things are quite stable in Thorin's Halls, and will set off as soon as the worst snow melts."

"Oh! I didn't receive a raven!"

"Well she said she sent you one. Maybe you haven't got it yet. You have been at work all morning."

"Of course. Anyway, I had better let you have a break, my Prince." Shobha smiled as he gave her a mock bow and walked away.

"Shobha, you were looking for us I take it." Glóin looked at her. "Look lass, don't take it too much to heart about what I said about an heir. I am sure it will all happen in good time. Mara scolded me for putting too much pressure. I suppose it was so long since we courted, I have forgotten about the nerves…"

"No, I think you are right. I need to talk to Thorin about it… it's not really a subject we have discussed."

"Aye lass, but it will be as much your decision. In fact in Dwarven courtship, and marriage it is the lass who has the most power. Even if you are married to the King." Balin placed his hand on her shoulder. "Even if he wants to take control."

"Dwarves as suitors and spouses can be very possessive, and will want to make you theirs as soon as possible. Particularly when you are their One." Glóin added nodding.

"There is a lot for me to learn…" Shobha looked thoughtful. She could really use Dis' help now. There would be certain things she would rather talk to a dam about rather than a dwarrow. Perhaps she may approach Elin or Mara in the meantime.

They then went on to describe the steps of courtship. Thorin was supposed to ask to court her, which he had done, the exchange of hair beads and braiding was part of that, but also a consort can show her favour for a suitor by gifting him flowers. Hearing this had made her cringe, as she recalled how she had given him a bouquet of wild flowers from the field she had picked with the younglings early on.

Gifting of jewellery was a subsequent present, usually after courtship was accepted, and was intended to demonstrate that the suitor is able to provide for his consort. But she realised he had done that back on Durin's Day. And jewellery in particular, due to dwarves love of gold and jewels, is a particularly prized gift, with great depth of meaning, that the heart of the dwarf gifting such a treasure, belonged, in no doubt to the one he gifted it to. They had all noticed her gift from Thorin, and in his case, as he had been even more prone to greed of treasure, it had the greatest meaning of all. She realised that he had very deep feelings long before she even realised them herself. She wondered what the significance of him dressing her in his tunic had been on the first night that she had been brought back to Erebor. After all Oin had plenty of tunics that were used for patients in the infirmary. They could have dressed her in one of those.

They had gone on to explain the final steps of courtship were for Thorin to build them a home, which explained why he clearing his parents suite, including their bedroom, which had become hers now, and their parlour was the equivalent of this. And before they were to marry, she would need to craft a gift for him. That would be how the courtship could then progress to marriage. But there would still be time for that, she just had to work out what to make for him.

"If not about courtship, then what was it that you wanted to find out?" Balin realised they hadn't answered all her questions.

"A more scary topic… I need to know about the dragon sickness and the Arkenstone." She looked from Balin to Glóin, noting their nervousness around the subject.

"Where would you like us to start lass?" Glóin spoke first.

"Well I have read about it being found deep in the mountain.. and I have read some accounts suggesting it may be the Silmaril that Maedhros stole and buried with him when he dove into the fiery chasm." That was as much as she had found in Thorin's library. Most of the other texts had been in runic language. There was a lot of historic text however. "But I am interested in the symptoms, particularly how Thorin was and if you recall Thrór."

This prompted spectacularly pained looks on both their faces.

"Oh lass! Thorin was completely different: Cold, callous and uncaring. He put the treasure ahead of everything, even life." Glóin led again. "If you ever ask him, the worst he feels is remaining within the mountain, while Dain began to fight in the battle against Azog and Bolg."

"Bilbo told us, he even mistrusted his own kin, believing us to have stolen the Arkenstone from him." Balin recalled looking quite distressed.

"What about Thrór, how was he towards his wife?" She asked looking worried. "And to Thráin?"

"Well, Thrór was madly in love with Raena." Balin smiled. "They were a bit like you and Thorin.

He also loved Thráin, Thorin, Frerin and Dis. I don't believe his dragon sickness set in till since after Thráin had grown however…"

"It grew worse after Raena passed away." Glóin agreed. "Then he became distant even from Thráin, although he always trusted Thorin, and was raising him as his heir."

"And what about Thorin now? He told me he held the Arkenstone…" Shobha asked.

"Aye he seemed fine. He was more concerned in finding you matching earrings." Glóin laughed.

"Either way I will be hiding it after each time." Balin confirmed. "Why lass? Do you note anything different?"

"Not that I can think of, but I want to keep an eye, so I can spot it in advance." She admitted. "We are going slow right?"

"Aye lass, wouldn't have it any other way. Thorin comes to the treasury twice a week, and on one of those visits we had him hold the jewel for the first time since before the battle, and that was last night." Balin confirmed.

"How soon will the snow ease in the blue mountains?" She asked hopefully.

"In another six weeks, lass. Our snow will ease in another month, unless the weather remains poor unseasonably longer than expected." Balin continued knowing fully what she was thinking of. "I would suggest a March wedding lass. We are now in December, Dis can journey back in February and help in the final month or so."

"You will need to think of who will reside over your ceremony. It is usually a close friend or member of family." Glóin added smiling. "And of course you will have either Dwalin or Balin give you away."

"We will all be there to help lass, and think of whether there are any particular aspects of your culture you would like involved in the wedding ceremony. Dwarven ceremonies are simple, because the courtship is the long complicated part." Balin patted her arm gently.

Thinking of merging cultural aspects of wedding ceremonies made Shobha feel genuinely sad and guilty. It had been almost seven months since would have disappeared in Wales, without a trace. And her parents must have still been looking for her. It should have been her father that should have given her away. She had planned a similar fusion wedding mixing aspects of modern marriage ceremonies with her husbands families Welsh traditions and her own families Hindu traditions. Mike and his family had wanted to wear Saris and Nehru Suits, setting the venue in a Castle in the Vale Of Glamorgan, where their family home was. She would have Myrtle in her bouquet; and Mike's brother had planned to tear a part of her wedding sari, which was considered good luck for the Welsh. They even planned a blessing from a Hindu priest; And would exchange rings, but he had wanted to place sindoor vermillion powder in her hair and put a marriage necklace on her; They had even planned to have a ceremony to decorate her in henna patterns the evening before.

She didn't much feel like planning anything anymore. Perhaps it would be better for her parents if they thought she were dead. And yet the thought of leaving Thorin felt equally painful. And then she thought of a time that she might have a child with Thorin. Her parents would have loved another grandchild, but they would be cruelly denied of that.

The situation was agony, and apparently she had become very good at torturing herself. She would need to speak with Gandalf about how she could send a message or in some way, ease their mind.

Later that evening Shobha arrived in the parlour Thorin had arranged for them. He was seated in an armchair, looking through some scrolls, and seeing her enter he looked up and smiled warmly. He looked worn out.

Thorin stood and walked over to Shobha, holding out his hand for her.

Elin had noticed she had not arrived for supper, and had prepared two platters of light finger foods for them both and sent it to their parlour. He too hadn't eaten that evening, he had several meetings including one in Dale, and Dain had sent a general over to discuss matters on the attacks, as he too had suffered a similar cave in affecting his Iron mines.

"You have not eaten tonight my lady," he walked her over to a small table in the corner, laid out with a few small plates of finger food, and seated her in a chair, before taking a seat himself.

"Did Zodar rat on me?"

"Elin noticed, that we both haven't eaten." He picked up a small finger sandwich and put it whole in his mouth, and reaching over poured them both a glass of water and wine.

"Ah.." she picked at a small slice of pie, but was more preoccupied with all the various things she had to find out about.

"Dis sent a raven." He watched her closely.

"Oh! Fili said he had heard from Dis!" She smiled at that. "What did she say?"

"Its addressed to us both, Amralime, so I thought I would wait to read it with you." He looked at her, eyes intense, observing her for a reaction.

"Us both…?" And then she understood. "As a couple?"

After a bit of food, he lead her to one of the sofas, taking their glasses of wine with him, and once they were comfortably seated together he picked the folded sealed parchment that was on the floor leant against the legs of the table. He handed it to her, and she gently broke the seal and unfolded it, as they leant in close together to read.

My Dearest Shobha and Thorin,

I wanted to be the first to send you a raven as an official courting couple!

And I also want to wish you my heartfelt congratulations. May Mahal bless you with everlasting happiness.

I will set off as soon as the snow eases, and Mahal willing this will be in February.

Therefore may I suggest a wedding in late March or early April.

You may have to beat Thorin off you with a stick in the meantime!

Fili and Kili informed me of the terrible attack while I travelled, and I am so grateful you were there to save my brother's life. Kili mentioned that Thranduil himself and another Elleth named Tauriel, healed Thorin.

I will send you several Ravens with some of the things you will need to get arranged for the wedding, and some of the main customs that will be required.

I am counting the days to February.

May Mahal bless and protect you all.

All my love,

Dis

"Aw! That is so lovely!" Shobha said. "And our first Raven together!"

Even though, she looked tired, the way her face lit up on reading that made his heart soar. Even if he had robbed her of her family, he saw she had begun to acquire one of her own here in his closest friends Dwalin and Balin, his sister, and his sister-sons. Even Bifur, Bombur, Elin and little Lena had viewed her as their kin. And how he loved to watch her with the little youngling, it awakened a newfound yearning in him that he wasn't aware of.

She then noticed how he had been observing her. Perhaps she understood, he had led such a solitary life always placing others needs ahead of his own, and now she was his chance at a family, something to bring him happiness of his own. She smiled and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Thorin…" Shobha wasn't sure how to broach the subject. Perhaps better to get straight to it.

"Aye my beautiful?" He took the letter out of her hands and took her hands in his.

"How old are you?" She watched as his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"One-hundred and ninety-seven, Amralime." He looked at her questioningly.

"So I guess you will want children soon…?" She asked.

"Do you want children, my lady?" He asked, but she could tell he was curious about her age.

"Yes. Many if I can." She smiled. "I am twenty-nine, and will turn thirty in January. So perhaps I don't have as such time as I think, particularly since medicine is not as advanced here as it is back home."

He had been sure she had been younger than that before, but if she were older and wished for several children then perhaps she would be happy to start a family early in their marriage also.

"Now correct me if this is wrong but dwarves reach full adulthood at forty? And of course humans at eighteen. So I would imagine a human-dwarf halfling might reach adulthood at say thirty years…?" She calculated as he nodded in agreement. "So any children that we had, would not be fully grown until I was at least sixty! Gosh!"

He watched her unravel her thoughts, taking delight as she referred to any future children they may have.

"Thorin, you still haven't answered my question."

"Truly, I would love you to myself to begin with, but I would equally love to watch your belly grow with our babe. And I have watched you with the younglings, how they dote on you." He gently cupped her chin and brushed his thumb across her cheek. "It's difficult to see you so, and not dream of you as the mother of my young."

"Well, from what I gather you need to have sex more than once usually to conceive. And we will enjoy that," she watched as Thorin blushed fully as she used the term. "Maybe it's something we should think about over the next few months before we get married."

"Aye, my lady," he didn't want to push the issue further, the fact that she was happy to even consider was enough for him. So he took her face gently in his hands and kissed her.