I sat on the table in our main hall, the dwarfs were celebrating our recent win with the maze corridor. My brother was nowhere to be found, Aulton and Gandalf were watching over us as I sat by the fire on one of the many large cushions we had.
I was watching the fire dance and twirl, I feared wildfires. Resting my hand on my leg where Smaug once burned me I frowned slightly.
I looked up seeing hobbit feet appear in view and I smiled at Bilbo,
"Hey," I smiled as I patted the cushion space next to me, Bilbo joined me as I leaned back into the cushion and relaxed, "I feel like I've barely had chance to sit and think lately." I looked at the fire, "it's just been, go, go, go…" I sighed,
"Well, you've got tonight and tomorrow. We then are moving into the Shoreline as Aulton planned when reinforcements arrive, correct?" Bilbo asked, I nodded and looked at him.
"Thank you." I smiled as Bilbo looked at me curiously,
"For what?" Bilbo asked
"For being a good friend." I spoke and sat up, "I feel like I will need more support as this goes on." I sighed, "if I do anything stupid… if anything goes wrong. Can I count on you to help me see sense?" I asked, Bilbo looked over my face and shifted in his seat,
"What are you asking? I-I don't understand…" Bilbo spoke,
"My anger… it's directed at myself… I can feel something dark is coming Bilbo. I just have this feeling." I explained, Bilbo nodded and took my hand in his,
"You'll be fine. We are here with you." Bilbo smiled genuinely as I nodded.
I saw Thorin over Bilbo's shoulder watching us, I smiled and looked down,
"We need more of what the dwarfs are having." I smirked and rested my chin on my fist as I smirked at Thorin. The dwarfs were drinking ale and I soon noticed people from the town were coming in, I sat up and looked at Aulton as he walked over.
"Hope you don't mind my lady. We've brought in some people from the town to celebrate your engagement to King Thorin." Aulton leaned down over Bilbo and I. I smile,
"That's okay. I…" I saw the musicians started playing songs as I smiled,
"I know how much you like to dance and sing." Aulton smirked as I looked away, "I kept tabs on your exploits outside the mountain." Aulton spoke quietly as I laughed awkwardly,
"Oh… yeah." I grinned as he stood up,
"Enjoy the party. After everything you've been through, you deserve a fun night." Aulton spoke as I nodded. I stood up and helped Bilbo off the ground,
"Come on, Bilbo." I smiled.
I walked over to the dwarfs as I walked around the table to Thorin, he grabbed me by my hips and pulled me on his lap as I squealed in surprise, Thorin wrapped his arm around my waist as the dwarfs laughed.
"To King Thorin and to our Lady Aurora!" Dwalin cheered, the other dwarfs cheered as ladies of the halls brought in more ales for the party. I moved my arm around Thorin and kissed his head as he smiled and took a jug. Bofur who sat opposite us pushed a jug forward towards me as I stared at it. I flushed, I didn't really drink much, and what I did drink was wine, one or two glasses normally at a dinner.
"I… erm…" I stuttered as Balin on my left put his hand in front of the jug,
"Don't feel pressured to drink it, my lady." Balin spoke as I nodded,
"Wouldn't hurt to try it though… I will not be able to chug it like you all do!" I laughed, I then looked around and saw Aulton walk over. He took one of the jugs of ale and started drinking it.
I'd never seen Aulton drink!
My jaw hit the floor as he downed the drink quickly and he put the jug politely on a tray as a lady of the hall went by,
"I like our ale. The brewer makes it sweet like mead." Aulton spoke as I just watched him walk away.
"I have no words…" I spoke as some of the dwarfs laughed, Aulton and Gandalf spoke quietly in the corner as I looked back at the ale. "Well, if Aulton's joining in. I may as well have a go." I smiled and picked up the jug by the handle and put my other hand on the side, I glanced at Thorin and could see he was waiting with the others to see my reaction.
I put the jug to my lips and started tasting the bitter liquid, I frowned at the taste and pulled it back,
"What in hellfire's name? How do you drink this?" I asked as the dwarfs laughed, I used my water ability to lift the rest of my drink into the air and I opened my mouth and streamed it inside without it touching my tongue so I couldn't taste it. The dwarfs were all silent as I did that, I burst out laughing as I finished, "Just because I don't like it doesn't mean I'm not going to drink with you guys. I'll just do it on my terms." I smirked as the dwarfs cheered.
Music started playing and I looked at Thorin as he took a drink, some of the dwarfs started having a chugging competition.
"I think you'd beat them with that little trick of yours." Thorin spoke as I peeled my eyes away from the game, I chuckled,
"I think I would too. But wouldn't it be cheating?" I smirked,
"Probably." Thorin nodded as I felt his hand move to my ass, my eyes scanned his face, Thorin seemed relaxed. Everyone did, as I looked around, they all seemed to enjoy themselves.
A few women came over to the table and offered their hands to the dwarfs to dance, I couldn't help but smile,
"Hey! You guys made me drink this! It's your turn to dance now! Dance the Shoreline way!" I laughed as some of the dwarfs went and joined the circles that were created.
I moved from Thorin's lap and went to join a circle as I moved between Dwalin and Bofur. It was enjoyable as I kicked my legs forward, pulled it back and spun in a circle. I kept my hands on my hips as I skipped side to side, the two dwarfs tried to copy me. I moved back as a woman from the band grabbed me and pulled me next to the other singers.
A few men joined us as a beat started and a flute started as the men sang the back beat, the song was Dúlaman. As I went to sing the flute stopped and the beat carried on, some of the women had grabbed the dwarfs to dance with them in pairs. It was nice to see them learn about our ways and culture. Our people love song and dance.
"A 'níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí;
A mháithairin mhín ó, cuir na roithléan go dtí mé;
Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." I sang, the flute picked up again as I finished the first part and the women danced with the men and dwarfs. The song was mainly about a seaweed we harvested on the coast, a song our people used to sing while they worked.
"Tá ceann buí óir are an dúlamán gaelach
Tá dhá chluais mhaol are an dúlamán maorach
Bróga breaca dubha are an dúlamán gaelach
Tá bearéad agus triús are an dúlamán maorach" I saw down the line that Thorin had been grabbed by Claudette, the little girl who gave me the flower crown the other day. I smiled as I saw her laughing and trying to teach him to dance
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." I carried on as the line moved along and Thorin got closer to the band.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." I repeated and the chorus, Thorin made eye contact with me for a moment as I smiled,
"Góide a thug na tíre thú? arsa an dúlamán gaelach;
Ag súirí le do níon, arsa an dúlamán maorach;
Rachaimid chun Niúir leis an dúlamán gaelach;
Ceannóimid bróga daora are an dúlamán maorach," I carried on as other women and men moved to my side,
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." Everyone in the group sang.
"Ó chuir mé scéala chuici, go gceannóinn cíor dí;
'Sé'n scéal a chuir sí chugam, go raibh a ceann cíortha" The violins joined in the song. The line moved up again.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." The men in the group sang.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." The women joined in this time.
Thorin had made it down the line in front of me as I looked at him, Claudette pushed him into me as I took his hands and smiled,
"Cha bhfaigheann tú mo 'níon, arsa an dúlamán gaelach" I sang, Thorin laced his fingers with mine, he pulled me into the line and as we pulled apart, we put our wrists together,
"Bheul, fuadóidh mé liom í, arsa an dúlamán maorach" A man sang from the group,
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach," both myself and the man sang as he joined a woman in the line.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." The women joined in this time and the beat started to pick up.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí, be'fhearr a bhí" All the people of Shoreline sang, I moved with Thorin down the line, the beat picked up again.
"Dúlamán na binne buí, dúlamán Gaelach;
Dúlamán na farraige, be'fhearr a bhí, be'fhearr a bhí;
Be'fhearr a bhí in Éirinn." At the end of the song everyone cheered as the music stopped for a few moments as the band readjusted.
I looked over Thorin's face and smiled at him, Thorin scanned my face. I felt him wrap his arms around my waist as I moved mine around his shoulders and neck, I moved down and kissed him gently, resting my forehead against his Thorin relaxed,
"Amralime." Thorin spoke gently,
"Yes, my King?" I responded,
"Your voice is beautiful to listen to." Thorin lifted my chin gently,
"Thank you." I nodded,
"Teach me some of your language." Thorin stepped back as I looked at him, I smiled curiously,
"You want to learn Shore?" I asked as Thorin nodded; I pulled him to sit down on the cushions by the fire. I pushed Thorin on one and jumped on it next to him.
I smiled at Thorin as the people and dwarfs started dancing again.
"Say something to me in your language." Thorin spoke as I thought about what I could say,
"Is tú mo Solas Lae" I spoke and looked at Thorin, he listened closely,
"Is to-" Thorin tried,
"Tú" I interrupted him,
"Tú." Thorin repeated,
"Mo Solas Lae." I finished,
"Mo Solas Lae." Thorin thought about it. "Is tú mo Solas Lae." Thorin repeated, I smiled at him, "what does that mean?" Thorin asked,
"You are my Daylight." I answered as Thorin smiled.
"Careful, she'll get you to saying your vows already if you aren't careful." Aulton walked around with a smirk,
"Hey! I… I'm teaching him our language, it's the first thing that came to mind." I looked at Aulton. Thorin just smiled at me as I flushed, "We are engaged, he's going to have to learn a bit about our language and culture. As I know some Khuzdul and a lot about their culture." I added, Thorin just put his hand on my leg as I looked at him,
"I hope to learn and see your home soon. We will reclaim it, together." Thorin looked between Aulton and me.
I looked at Aulton,
"Aulton, when are the armies of Mirkwood going to arrive?" I asked him, Thorin looked at my face for a moment,
"They are supposed to arrive tomorrow. They will rest and then the next day we head out to the Shoreline." Aulton spoke as I nodded and looked to the outside, Aulton walked away.
"What are you thinking?" Thorin asked as I glanced at him,
"I think we need to scout some of the area before the army heads out." I explained, Thorin moved from the cushions and stood up,
"I agree." Thorin offered his hand, and I took it as he pulled me off the ground, "but let's enjoy this night." Thorin spoke, we watched the people dance and the dwarfs were laughing and enjoying the music as I smiled, enjoying the scene of the hall.
I nodded and I went to join the dancing again, but Fili and Kili grabbed me in the middle of the crowd and pulled me to the table,
"Join us, Lady Aurora! Since you are going to be our Auntie soon, you may as well join in on a game!" Fili smirked and pushed a mug of ale in front of me, I looked between the brothers and didn't know how to react,
"I'm going to lose! You know I can't do this!" I laughed, the brothers smirked and just held their mugs ready as Bofur and Bombur looked between us, "Fine… so it's just a case of who can drink it the quickest?" I asked, Fili and Kili nodded. Thorin sat next to me and leaned in towards my ear as he moved my hair out of the way,
"Don't cheat, I can see you planning to use your ability." Thorin whispered as I had my fingers waving gently, I looked at him as Thorin smirked and I sighed,
"No fun…" I muttered and grabbed the mug,
"Go!" Bofur smacked his hand on the table, and I lifted the mug to my lips, there was no way I was going to be able to do this. I wiggled my fingers and tried to use my ability, but Thorin suddenly grabbed my hand. Luckily, I was using my other hand to manipulate the drink down my throat. The brothers did finish before me though as I stopped and put the mug down. I sighed and put my head on the table as the dwarfs laughed with me, this wasn't something I was used to, but with having Thorin and his company around, it was something I got used to seeing with all the travelling we did previously.
"Nice try." Kili had moved around the table and as I sat up he smacked my back and I burped quite loudly in response. I covered my mouth and felt my face flush bright red as I covered my face,
"Oh my!" I was embarrassed as the dwarfs laughed even harder, I felt Thorin move his hand around my waste as he was laughing,
"Was definitely a good try." Thorin smirked and I moved the mug in front of him, there was still half of the ale in there,
"I'm not going to be able to finish that now." I spoke from behind my hands as Kili moved to sit on my left, he put his hand on my shoulder and shook me gently.
The other dwarfs moved away as Thorin took the rest of my ale to drink,
"I've been meaning to ask as well." Thorin looked at me, "Why are the people who serve you called Ladies and Men of the halls?" Thorin asked,
"We don't like using the term, servants or maids or anything like that. The people that are here caring for us are here by choice, because they want to be with us." I explained, "the people choose to help us because we help them." I explained, "the only reason they call us Kings and Queens is because of Aulton, he chose the royal family. He came to our land thousands of years ago. The royal family then was corrupt and ruined the land, until our great, great, great, great grandfather took a stand and Aulton helped him. Gave him the powers of fire, earth, air, and water." I explained as Thorin listened, "we come from common blood. So, we treat everyone fairly. We may be blessed with power, but without those powers, we'd be no different than the people in this room." I explained and pulled Thorin to a tapestry on the wall. It showed a figure in the centre, half male, half female with the four colours of the elements. "Anyone of our family can have these abilities, but they will only ever have them if their path requires it." I explained.
"But… what about your ability to change?" Thorin asked as I thought about it,
"I don't know… it's unique." I looked at Thorin, "It's something I never thought to ask Aulton…" I frowned.
"Come with me." I smiled and took Thorin's hand, and I pulled him out of the main hall, I led him down the corridor to the other side of the mountain, I put my hands into fists and punched the wall at the same time and dragged my fists down the wall. An archway appeared showing stairs heading up. I stood up and looked at Thorin, "follow me." I offered my hand and Thorin took it.
We moved upstairs and it took some time as the top was somewhere I used to go as a kid when I was very little.
After we reached the top, I opened a door that led into a small office, Thorin looked around and I walked over to the window. The curtain looked old and worn but I pulled it aside and the moon shone in, I smiled and pulled the window open,
"Here," I spoke and looked out, we could see a view of Shoreline, and in the distance a small peak of a building, "see that, in between the two hills?" I asked, Thorin had to focus but he nodded,
"I see it." Thorin acknowledged,
"That is Cósta, our home, the city of Shoreline." I smiled, "that building is the main hall, to the left behind the one hill is our home." I explained as Thorin nodded.
I looked back into the room and saw a painting on the opposite wall. It took me by surprise as I forgot it was there. My eyes stung as I looked at it, Thorin looked around and saw the painting too. I furrowed my brow and bowed on my knee,
"Ma, Pa. I'll do you proud." I spoke as I looked up at the painting. I felt Thorin kneel next to me and mimic my position as I smiled, Thorin bowed his head for a moment, I waited for him to look up,
"I hope you would approve of me marrying your daughter, she's one of the bravest and most beautiful women I have ever met." Thorin spoke as I just listened, it shocked me that he was supporting my sudden change seeing their painting, "I will help your son and daughter reclaim the land they once lost. I will help them rebuild and bring prosperity to their people." Thorin kept his head down as I smiled, "that I promise, as King Thorin, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror." Thorin lifted his head as I was already crying.
Thorin making that promise in front of me, made me incredibly happy,
"And then I'll take your daughter's hand in marriage, if she doesn't get fed up with me by then." Thorin smirked as I pushed him over laughing,
"You know I'd never." I laughed, Thorin looked at me from the floor and smiled, "Thank you, for that." I stood up and pulled Thorin with me, he looked back at the painting.
My Ma's platinum hair still shone on the faded paint,
"Your parents were a handsome couple." Thorin spoke as I smiled,
"They were beautiful." I nodded, "My mother was called Teresa, as you know. My father, Lionel." I walked forward towards the painting and stopped at the desk.
I looked down and noticed something strange in one of the books, I moved two books on top of the bottom one and lifted it up. A small knife fell out of the black book, and I recognised it,
"This… this was my ma's, a gift from pa." I muttered and looked at the small knife, Thorin raised an eyebrow. I opened the book and saw his handwriting, as I scanned the pages, I realised what it was, "my… it's ma's spell book…" I looked over everything inside and took a breath, "this little knife was made to write hidden notes, there are things in this book that only my ma could read. There could be something in here to help us against Thalia." I looked at Thorin as he moved next to me and looked at the book,
"Would Gandalf be able to help?" Thorin asked, I nodded, I then grabbed his wrist and he stopped and saw the fear on my face,
"Don't tell anyone about this… can you hide it under your tunic?" I asked, Thorin nodded, he moved his shirt and tunic to the side, and we hid the book.
Making our way back down the stairs I closed the wall back up. I kept my ma's paging knife in the pocket of my own tunic. I felt lighter wearing it for some reason…
We walked through the halls together and tried to find Gandalf, with no luck,
"When you need him, you can't find him… always the way." I muttered and folded my arms in frustration,
"Can't find who?" Bilbo asked as we both jumped,
"By Jewels of Ally… Bilbo!" I stomped my foot, "you made me bloody jump." I huffed as Thorin chuckled at me, "what?" I looked at him,
"You're normally more aware of your surroundings." Thorin smirked,
"Yes, well… I've got things on my mind." I folded my arms, "we can't find Gandalf." I answered Bilbo's earlier question before he could ask it again,
"Ah… I can't help you there. A lot of the others are either passed out in the main hall now or headed to bed. It's been a fun party." Bilbo spoke as he walked between us and away, I sighed and nodded,
"Makes sense… let's find him tomorrow." I spoke and Thorin nodded.