A few days later, after breakfast, they had all been gathered together by Balin and Glóin. And they all sat around the large dining table in the Royal Dining Hall. Thorin and Shobha had spent a few days, returning their routines almost back to normal.

"We have very little time left, and many decisions left regarding the wedding and coronation ceremony." Balin began. "So these have to be made immediately."

"Firstly there is the matter of the guest list and invitations." Glóin looked down at his scroll. "Thorin, you had some objections recently…?"

"Have the invitations to Gandalf and Bilbo been sent?" Thorin stepped in.

"Aye." Balin nodded and looked at Shobha. "And to Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel. I hope you have no objections, Thorin."

"Not if my Queen wishes it," Thorin spoke calmly, his face maintaining its stone mask, but Shobha could tell he was not particularly thrilled.

"And Tauriel and Legolas, which means we will need to extend an invite to Thranduil." Shobha confirmed. She could see Balin and Dis visibly wince as she spoke.

"My lady, why are we inviting all these elves?" Thorin spoke, irritated now.

"Because in the future there will come a time when they will be important alliances. I doubt that Lord Elrond or Lady Galadriel will attend themselves." She tried to place a calming hand on his balled fist that rested on the table. "Please, trust me on this matter. It would be short sighted not to."

He nodded conceding the matter.

"That raises the final invitation matter of those going to Dale…" Balin began.

"Ah Yes… I would like to deliver the invites to Sigrid myself," Shobha spoke up. "I have been meaning to visit her, but there has been too much going on."

"No." Thorin was firm.

"Why do you say that, Thorin?"

"You are the future Queen of Erebor, it is beneath your station, and more importantly, Shobha, it is dangerous." He looked at her sharply, evidently irritated.

"So am I never to leave Erebor again?"

"No, my lady, you will have an escort and guards… and only travel on necessary journeys. Not just on a whim as all dwarrowdams do."

"But this is a necessary journey." She pressed.

"It is too much of a risk."

"And yet you would have me locked up in here to bear your children… even though childbirth is highly dangerous."

"What is wrong with wanting a family? I recall you expressed it was your wish." Thorin was now getting angry. She knew how dangerous Dale could be, why did she challenge this.

"And I would gladly bear your children, cook your meals, clean, keep your home and service your bed, all with a smile. But in exchange for some freedom…"

"No. It is my duty to protect you –"

"Thorin, they are our closest neighbouring settlement and trading station. I would be taking Zodar and any other escorts you deem necessary –"

"I could go brother." Dis stepped in to support her.

"And me too!" Fili added in further support.

"Don't encourage her further sister. And you will have other duties." He warned Dis and Fili. "And my answer is still no, my lady. I have conceded to you on allowing the elves –"

"In my land only the lowest, most uncivilised peoples, keep their women locked up like animals or slaves to reproduce."

"No! You are permitted great freedom here. But on this matter my answer is final." He bore into her with his electric eyes, still angry. "If you must think of me and your people as lowly and uncivilised, then so be it."

"The invitations will be ready and sent in two days time. This will allow ample time for replies and travel." Mara spoke up, trying to defuse the situation, but also giving Shobha a sympathetic look. "I myself will be penning them."

"Thank you, Lady Mara." Shobha spoke defeated.

"Speaking of invitations, you have received well wishes and intention to visit Erebor by Lord Elgin, from Dunland." Balin added, looking over his scroll. "Word of your betrothal has spread, as you know."

"Dain sent a message through his general that Elgin has proposed his daughter to Stonehelm. And is traveling on the way. So let's hope this is a stop off," Dwalin smirked. "You will have to be careful baheluh."

"Ugh." Thorin shot a disgusted look at Balin and Glóin. "Must we entertain them?"

"We have an old alliance." Balin explained.

"But they eventually turned us away, and even after we suffered great loss at Azanulbizar. Elgin, who named himself Lord after Nar, only offered us a home based on my marriage to her." Thorin spat.

"Well I heard you bedded the beautiful Lady Lira.." Fili chuckled.

"Hardly. Elgin plied me with ales, after my grandfather was entombed. And then she must have crept into my bed while I was inebriated."

"Aye. We all shared a room." Dwalin laughed. "And Mahal knows with the amount he had drunk, Thorin would not have been able to do anything but snore, and heavily. Not to mention we would have heard something, given we slept in the same room.."

"Aye it was done to force my hand into marriage, or else to sully my name." Thorin clenched his fist. "And now he wants to visit."

"If you do not entertain them as anyone else, it will be seen that you hold some grudge. So that the rumours were true." Dis said sternly. "Let them come, and leave the rest to me brother."

"Are we happy with the menu for the feast?" Glóin asked.

"I think we should leave that completely to the discretion of Elin and Bombur." Shobha smiled at Elin, who nodded returning her smile.

"Thank you Shobba." Bombur said with a big grin.

"And Dis will arrange the decorations." Balin concluded.

"Shobha and I have decided on all that some time ago." Dis rubbed her arm warmly.

"There is one last matter." Glóin added. "With many nobles and guests expected, we will need to clear more quarters and have them prepared. But we do not have enough time or enough workers to have them all prepared by the time the first visitors and anyone arriving to settle. The first will arrive from our own Blue Mountains."

"Well how many more people are needed?" Shobha asked.

"I guess we could use between five and ten more." Mara said, mentally calculating the situation. "I guess when more workers travel from the Blue Mountains, then we can pay them extra to help straight away, and that can help to prepare for any others including the Iron Hills Dwarves."

"Well, I can help. But I will need to let Bifur know I won't be able to work with them for a bit. And maybe we could have help from Dale… those that are recommended by Sigrid." Shobha spoke. "It would be good for their trade also. Unless you forbid that also, or believe it below my station, my King."

"Not at all, my lady. Your help is very admirable," he retorted irritated. "And asking Sigrid for their most trusted workers to help is also an excellent idea. But it does not change the matter that you are not required to travel to Dale and speak directly to her regarding this matter."

"Well it is all decided then." Balin quickly concluded before they started a disagreement again.

"I should have brought that chess board." Dwalin groused getting up.

Shobha stood quickly and arranged to meet with Mara to get started with her clearing duties, then rushed off followed by Zodar, before Thorin could reach her. So he found Dis instead.

"Please will you have Shobha look through the jewellery I have had made for the wedding and coronation. If any changes are needed, we will have little time to let Kallon know… Why must women be so vexing." Thorin quickly spoke to Dis and then muttering the last bit sulked off.

"Probably because you clip her wings too much!" Dis called after him, before turning to leave muttering herself.

After several meetings on security with Dwalin and Bard, and the inspections of the mines, Thorin made his way to the forges. He was still irritated from his argument with Shobha. He had felt terrible about what he must have put her through over the last few weeks, but he didn't want her in any further danger.

Why did she need to be so persistent?

She had been learning about Dwarven culture, and how important their female population was. It was no different for her. And possibly more important as she was to be Queen. And yet she insisted on doing whatever she wanted.

Their population had already diminished after the fall of Erebor and Khazad-dûm, there were even fewer dams. The females and the young needed to be protected with everything they had. Surely she understood that.

He tied his hair back and tied on his leather apron and began to fire up his forge. He recalled how he would often come here fascinated as a youngling, and then how he revelled in forging his first blade. By the time he was fully grown he had developed the hands of a blacksmith, and his blades were always sharp and perfectly balanced.

The irritation still didn't wane, but he would spend time here, until he was suitably calmer.

Meanwhile Dis and Shobha stood outside the Great Gate by the stone bridge. The guards were due to arrive, which would allow the younglings from lessons to play in the last of the snow close to Erebor under their careful watch. Permission for this special trip had been granted by Fili with a bit of convincing from Shobha, and after some initial resistance he had finally given in with a bit of convincing from Dis. Thorin didn't know, and today had been selected as a day that he was set to be busy. What he didn't know, wouldn't hurt, at least for now.

Dis was also expecting Kili to arrive soon, so they all stood there soaking up some of the warmth from the winter sun.

Zodar and the guards had been through the surrounding area scouting for any trouble, and having satisfied themselves they gave the nod to the two tutors Master Lindon and Master Rowan both escorted the children out slightly nervously.

The last outing they had ended in disaster, when they were attacked by those large black dogs, a thought that made Shobha shudder. But she was prepared now. She had several belts under her skirts and around her waist under her coat fitted with eight lightweight daggers. And she had become rather adept at throwing daggers. Most of her last few sessions she was able to hit the targets almost exactly. When faced with a live person, she knew she would hesitate in aiming to kill, but if she could cause enough injury to slow them or stop them, it would give her time to escape and if she had to kill to protect the younglings, then that she would do.

The dwarflings all piled out in an orderly line, and then once they reached the nearby snow they all scattered, enthusiastically diving straight into the pristine powder.

"I shall miss my lessons with them," Shobha smiled sadly at the group. After the coronation and wedding, she would not have time between any work and any state duties.

"Go on then…" Dis looked at her and smiled. "I know you want to, go on… my brother isn't here. Go and play with them."

She didn't need to be told twice, giving Dis her best 'good girl' smile, she ran out after them across the snow.

Dis watched as she reached the younglings, hearing them all squeal with excitement to have their former classmate back with them. Some immediately jumped on to her and others gathering to give her hugs before then dragging her by the hand to engage her in something.

In the distance she could see a horse, it bore two hooded figures, they were too far to discern anything further but it had to be them. She still was uncertain about how she felt regarding them.

She didn't worry about status, she herself had to deal with criticism, as the sole princess of Erebor, who rejected the many high ranking noble suitors in favour of her One, a low ranking soldier. Even her grandfather, one of the greatest Dwarven Kings in their history had fallen to criticism when he had fallen in love with Raena, her grandmother, who was of mixed Dwarf and Easterling heritage, even if she had been of a high birth.

No, she was more concerned about the political issues surrounding an heir of Durin entering into a union with an Elf, from Mirkwood no less. They had been allies many moons ago, until Smaug, and Thranduil's betrayal as seen by her people would never be forgotten. Dis was fully aware it had been more complex than that, and surrounded the starlight jewels that belonged to the Elves, but somehow were taken into possession by the Dwarves due to some contract loophole.

As the horse neared, she could see the rider in front was tall, and wore Elven clothing, so her son would have been behind.

Ever the gentle-dwarrow allowing the Lady in front!

She knew Thorin was against this, but she trusted Shobha would keep him in check. She saw the changes in her brother. It would never have bothered him before, forbidding someone from doing something such as going to Dale, but this argument they had, clearly bothered him, even if he did get his way for now, Dis was sure he would give in to her soon. Shobha wasn't a silly woman who did things on a whim, and he knew that.

When the horse was closer, both riders dismounted. She was first and landed with as much grace as he did, and he had been a well trained rider. They both took their hoods down. She was in no doubt an Elleth, looking tall and lean, with extraordinarily long red hair. Kili walked beside her holding her hand, grinning happily. He was not much shorter than her. While Dis had her misgivings, she could see she was his One, and it appeared he too held an equally important place in her heart. They were relaxed together. This shouldn't have surprised Dis really, Kili was always the hot blooded of the two of her boys, often chasing after dams, getting himself into trouble.

They walked over to her, Kili requesting his love to check he was presentable on the way, before returning to his Amad.

"Amad!" Kili cried smiling as he quickened his pace dragging her with him to stand before Dis and giving her a big hug and pressing his forehead gently to hers. "Amad, I would like you to meet my other most favoured Lady, Tauriel, Captain of the Elven Guard."

Tauriel bowed her head and curtsied before Dis. "My Lady Dis, it is an honour to meet you. Kili has told me so many wonderful things about you." She then stood tall smiling hopefully. Her brilliant blue eyes betrayed her slight nervousness. But she was beautiful for an elleth, with high cheekbones, a slender face, twinkling eyes and full lips.

"It is a pleasure to meet the lady who has won my son's heart so dearly, Tauriel," Dis smiled back warmly.

"I hope His Majesty, is much recovered now." She smiled. "And is Lady Shobha well also.. I thought she would be here."

"Aye lass, and Shobha is over there…" she looked towards the young who were now building a bear like creature out of snow with her. It made them all chuckle.

"Ah, my other most favoured Lady!" Kili laughed. "Come, Tauriel, lets join them…"

"My apologies but I am unable to, my patrol is to begin shortly, and if I am missing Our King will be most displeased," she sighed. "We have been experiencing trouble with goblins of late."

"Well I do hope you will return to visit us again soon." Dis smiled warmly.

"Yes of course my Lady. It would be my honour."

Then Kili kissed her hand softly, and placed his forehead to hers gently. He then steadied her horse as she jumped on and turned to ride off. He smiled dreamily watching her leave, and she continued to look back for some distance.

"Have I told you what a brilliant Archer she is, Amad?" He linked his arm in Dis'.

"Aye my boy." She kissed his head. "And clearly able to tolerate your foul bodily odours – do they not have bathing facilities there?!"

"We do not stay in Thranduil's palace!" Kili grinned. "Um.. does Uncle know Shobha is out here playing with the younglings?

"No. He would only overreact. It's perfectly safe."

"Aye. And have you seen her throw daggers Amad… she is almost as good as Uncle." Kili chuckled.

"You clearly favour women who can fight, don't you my son…?"

"In my defence, I had the best example raising me at home. But I did like Shobha even before she was trained." He winked at his mother. "Amad, she is my One. And I want to ask for her hand."

"Is that truly your wish my son..?" She put her hands around his face and searched for any signs of doubt, but it was clear.

"Aye, you know it is Amad.. Now come, let's get Shobha with a snow ball.. someone has to punish her for disobeying her King!" He grinned mischievously and ran towards her and the other dwarflings.

Mahal certainly had a strange sense of humour! She thought.

Glóin approached the Royal Forge, he could hear Thorin.

"Thorin, are you alright?" Glóin cleared his throat in the doorway. Thorin had been busy, he was covered in soot from working the bellows, and grime and sweat from the smithing.

"Aye." He muttered. "If Shobha sent you, then forget –"

"No, no. Mara sent me." He smiled understandingly. "She wanted me to give you the advice that we both received from my father. And that I hope to pass on to my own lad one day if Mahal blesses him with his One."

"Aye. But in this case, I am right Glóin."

"It is not a matter of who is right and wrong Thorin. It bothers you, because you have not discussed this amongst yourselves…"

"There is no need for discussion." He looked up irritated again, putting out the fire. "What is so wrong about forbidding her to go to Dale. None of our female folk travel unless necessary. Equally I would not permit her to take a babe out like that to Dale, if the time comes that we are blessed."

"Aye, but I suspect Shobha wouldn't want that either."

"And are you here in her defence then?" He snapped. "Perhaps I should let the new Queen out to Dale to be attacked like last time."

"Thorin you know she has never been out to Dale unescorted, and I doubt that she had any desire for that either. I doubt many hardened dwarrows would desire that."

"Then what is your point Glóin?"

"She has always had a steady head on her shoulders, thinking clearly and intelligently. I suspect she worked so in her own land, and held much greater responsibility that she does here. I think you were drawn to her, as you see she is capable and possibly your equal." Glóin paused, to allow Thorin to counter this. And he did open his mouth but then closed it, as the words Glóin spoke were true. " It is that which we all admire in her, including those of your subjects who have met her and grown to love her… and your subjects who will come love her in the future."

Thorin took off his apron and gloves and hung them up silently.

"And dare I say, it has even led to easing of tensions between Erebor and Greenwood… Thranduil has communicated in letter asking after your health since you were healed, and inquiring after your future Queen, thanking her for gracious generosity."

"Urgh," Thorin glowered. "That is not helping her case Glóin."

"My point is… well, this may not be your first disagreement, but it also will not be your last if you are to wed. She may be of men, but she has the fire inside her of a dwarrowdam, that's for certain." Glóin brushed his beard with his hand thoughtfully. "Talk it through with her. Try to see why she feels that way about something.. and try to explain why you feel so strongly yourself."

This point Thorin could accept. He had never been a good communicator and was usually known to bark orders at people. He bowed his head in gratitude, the difference in age between them was only slight but clearly, Glóin was the more experienced with matters of the heart. And capable of diplomatically restoring humility to their King.

"Besides, making amends after an argument in the bedroom can not be bested." He winked at Thorin. "Not that you will find out until after your wedding."

In truth Thorin has felt terrible about his mistreatment towards many but in particular Shobha, his One through his dragon sickness. And he wanted to give her everything he could to make it better, even this. But this was something all dwarves did in protecting their females and children. His grandmother and Dis always hated it, and claimed it was too stifling, and often lonely, but they had so few females, it how things were always done.

Thorin inspected the gold hair bead he had forged and engraved, bearing his own stamp. It was for her. He would still want her to wear the warrior bead from Thrór that he had given her in the first place, but he had made this for her. He wanted her to know, he was nothing without her.

Placing the hair bead he had carefully made in his pocket and mopping his brow and the excess soot and grime off his face and arms he turned and followed Glóin out of the forges. He would find her straight away.

As Glóin and Thorin walked past the entrance, there, they came across them all: Laughing and giggling as they all came in from the snow followed by Dis' guards and Lindon and Rowan. The whole class of younglings amongst them all rushing to get to their class and warm up, followed by Dis, Kili and Shobha, skin pale and hair dripping wet from having fallen or played in the snow!

The problem was not the that they had done it but that they had concealed it from him!

He should have known; he and Dwalin should have been there at the ready in case the young were attacked again.

Thorin, who had been composed a moment previously, now felt the anger rising in him like the fires of Mount Doom.

They all noticed him standing there fuming silently and froze immediately. Their faces suddenly serious, eyes widened as though they had been caught attempting to steal the Arkenstone itself.

"I must take my leave, Thorin, Mara is expecting me to help with invitations." Glóin patted Thorin on the back and hastily retreated.

"Uncle!" Kili tried to behave as though all was well, but that wouldn't work with him today.

"To my study all of you!" He commanded, fists clenched by his sides, muttering curses in Khuzdul.

They didn't need to be told twice they all began marching ahead briskly.

Dis should have known better, he thought irritated.

And Zodar had become an accomplice in this matter!

Dis, Shobha and Kili, all piled into his study and stood, neither wanting to get water on the furniture from the melted snow. He would draw this out, and make them suffer for a bit before addressing them.

He had ample practice dealing punishments to his nephews for some time now. And most of the tension came from the apprehension, after being caught. As for Shobha, he really wanted to get her out of those clothes and warm her up with his own bare skin and kiss the pallor away from her cheeks, but she was an accomplice and had to be address first.

Still leaving them standing there he walked over and started the fire, in complete silence, getting it roaring so they would warm up.

"Remain here, while I think." He left the study and walked into his room quickly washing his hands and face thoroughly and changing his clothes fast, placing the bead carefully in the box on top of his dresser.

He returned to find them still there, having not moved. Shobha appeared to have faired the worst, and was starting to shiver intermittently, although biting on her lower lip to hide it.

He added more wood and kindling quickly to get the fire roaring further. And then stood in front of them.

"So what on Mahal's good Earth did I just witness?"

"Um…" Kili was always used to wriggling out of things, and tried to speak first but didn't appear to have any explanation. Thorin had seen it all with his own two eyes. There was nothing that could be explained away!

"It was all me." Shobha said, steadying her voice to stop her teeth from chattering. "My idea completely, Thorin… I take full responsibility."

"And you didn't stop her Dis." He continued.

"I convinced her to hide it from you." Shobha interrupted. Thorin knew fully that Dis would have been in on this scheme.

"No, we are both armed, and my guard were there on full alert." Dis spoke up.

"And on whose authority did you take the younglings…?" He stood close to Shobha maintaining his glowering look, trying hard not to hug her and warm her up. He could feel the cold from her body and clothes, as she continued to stifle her shivering.

"Mine.. as Lady of the Blue Mountains." Dis said.

"No it was me. Dis is worried you will be upset with me now," Shobha covered for her.

"Right you and Kili. Leave here." He growled. "I am thoroughly disappointed. And Kili, you will not be permitted any further hunting trips until this matter is resolved."

"But it wasn't me! I was an innocent bystander." He cried, and received a clip around the head from Dis for his betrayal.

"Leave!"

Dis was about to protest, when Shobha shook her head, looking her in the eye, which seemed to convince her. It made him wonder who else they were covering for this breach of authority. After all he himself had issued the order that the tutors would not be allowed to take the younglings out.

After they had left, he turned to her.

"So… I tell you that you are not allowed to travel to Dale, and what do you do? Take the younglings out." He shook his head. "Do their parents know?"

"Y… yes." She looked down at her hands rubbing them together.

"So you had this planned, secretly, under my very nose. And everyone agreed to it." He felt somewhat betrayed, but he was impressed that she had clearly won over the parents of the young. Dwarves with children were particularly protective of their families, so for her to have convinced them would have meant they trusted her as their kin.

"Well it was planned while you were more concerned with other matters." She meant the dragon sickness. "And it was…sort of my leaving treat."

"Hmmmm… and where are you leaving to, pray tell?" He bore her with his piercing gaze, but seeing her cold and trying to stand there defiantly made him melt inside.

"Well I doubt I will have time for lessons now.." she looked down. She clearly appeared to love the time she spent with the young. She was right though. His anger was beginning to dissipate slightly.

"And how did you get so wet?" He said in a softer tone now, cupping her chin to lift her face up to meet his. He desperately wanted to kiss her in that moment, but he couldn't let her think all was forgiven so easily.

"We had a snow ball fight."

"Ah, Kili is the culprit for that then," he said knowingly. Kili had an excellent aim. It came with the territory of having grown up in the Blue Mountains surrounded by snow.

"So you thought… what Thorin doesn't know… won't hurt hmmm?" She winced as he spoke. "Do you enjoy vexing me, my Shobha?"

"No, Thorin, if you allowed me some freedom then this wouldn't happen."

"So this is my fault then my lady?" He continued to keep his eyes fixed on her. She pursed her lips still stifling her teeth chattering. "And how were you going to protect yourself?"

She was too cold now, so rather than explaining, she took her coat off revealing the belt with a plethora of lightweight throwing daggers around her waist. Then rubbing her arms again to warm herself, and looking lovingly at the raging fire, she bent down and grabbing her sodden, icy cold skirts, she carefully lifted them up to reveal several finely crafted straps around her deliciously shapely thighs holding a pair of smaller daggers on the outer part of each. He stood there staring for a bit in clear appreciation of what he was looking at, imagining for a moment what she would look like laid bare for him, wearing only such belts and weaponry.

"Go and warm yourself by the fire." He spoke sternly turning his back, in an attempt to conceal his developing erection.

She reluctantly went over to the fire and kneeling down began to rub her arms.

"So are you upset with me?" She spoke staring into the fire rubbing herself to warm up.

"Is that what you think?" He walked over to her and threw several more logs on the fire.

"Well, it's your way or nothing else." She spoke matter-of-factly.

"I am only concerned for your safety and that of the little ones." He looked at her, but she continued to look at the fire.

"And I wouldn't want to put anyone in harms way on purpose Thorin." She looked at him, now shivering. "I can appreciate that there would be those who would want to capture me or the young. But there will always be some threat like that. And you have to understand that I would not decide to do the things I do, unless I thought it important or suitably safe."

He knelt down and took her small hands in his and began rubbing them. He should not have let her stay in those clothes for so long. He now imagined how much enjoyment the younglings must have derived from their play with her, and imagined that if they were blessed with young of their own, she would sneak them out to play also.

"And I don't believe that our protection comes from keeping me locked away, but rather from gaining as many good allies as we can. And if you really see me as your Queen… and not just your sex slave to keep your itch satisfied, then you have to listen to what I think too." Those words made him blush completely and did absolutely nothing to calm his arousal.

"Even if I had you in every single way possible, I doubt I would still be sated." He smiled brushing some of the loose strands of hair off her face. "But I accept the point you are trying to make, my beautiful one. And I want to add to that. I will always be protective of you. You mean everything to me, and I will die defending you if need be. So I need you to share these things with me, and tell me of your plans, so I can be happy you are safe. Please, Amralime. I beg of you."

She looked at him and nodded.

"Now should we get you out of those clothes?"

"Oh, you would like that wouldn't you?" She stood up. "I'm not sure I have still forgiven you for keeping me in these wet clothes all this while…"

"What if I offered you similar ministrations to the last time, my Lady…?"

"And what conditions would that come with, my King?" She gave him a mischievous look as she led the way to her room.

"I would rather like that you keep only your dagger belts on please?" He whispered close to her ear as he followed her through.

She walked into her room, dismissed Zodar early, and shut the door. Then turning to him and placing her small hand flat on his chest, she smiled.

"Ok, I will agree, if you agree to a few terms of my own," she gave him her best 'come-to-bed' look. Not that she had been very good at that before.

"Aye, my Queen." He took her hand and kissed it. "Name them."

"You need a wash… why are you so grimy?"

"I was in the forge – A bath together perhaps?" He looked hopeful, and she nodded.

"And I need to visit Sigrid and Thranduil…"

He stopped and screwed his eyes up with a pained look.

"A visit to Dale, Aye… but why must you visit Mirkwood?"

"If we have any elves that attend our wedding, then I expect they will feel more comfortable staying with their own kind. And unless you are hiding another Elven kingdom nearby, that will be our closest." Then she thought to soften the blow. "If you allow me this, I will let you do to me what you would like."

"My lady, what I want to do to you goes beyond just today.." then he looked at her suspiciously. "You were quick to take the blame and my sister allowed it. Although I know she loves you like her own and would never allow that unless, you were both protecting someone else… Fili!"

"No! He's not even here!" She was never very good at bare faced lying. Perhaps not revealing all the information, but not outright falsehood.

"And would he deny this as fast as you do? I would wager that he would have a desire to protect you and Dis just as much… even if you have everyone else wrapped around your little finger!" He found it endearing that she cared for his family, like she would her own. "So, now I know… I accept your terms with a slight amendment: I will be permitted to do as I please with your beautiful body on our wedding night… my Queen.."

"Um.." she bit her lip, thinking of all the pleasure he had given her so far. "Ok..."

He opened the door to the wet room and turned on the taps to the large stone tub. Then hastily kicking off his boots he walked over to Shobha, who was still standing in the doorway daydreaming of what delicious things he had planned for her. He had been, in truth, the most generous lover she had ever had so far. Thorin held out his hand to her.

"It's too late for misgivings now, my lady. You have agreed." He smirked, as he took her hand and began to unlace her. "And do not worry, I am accumulating a list of things you will need to pay for on our wedding night.."