A/N: Chapters 8-11 have been updated.
Fili stopped just outside of the archway leading to the healing wing. He took a deep breath attempting to slow the pounding in his chest, letting it out as a short sigh. Reluctantly he stepped inside. The wing was mostly empty save for a handful of dwarves laid out on cots and a few stray healers slowly going about their morning routines. He scanned the room hoping to catch a glimpse of familiar dark hair among them.
He wheeled around as someone cleared their throat beside him.
"Prince Fili, good morning." Risti bowed "Can I help you with something?"
He shifted awkwardly for a moment "I was...I am looking for Nimera. She said I needed to have the dressing on my stitches changed this morning."
"Nimera…. is not here." Risti shook her head "I can change the bandages for you."
Fili frowned slightly but nodded, following Risti back to a small row of chairs. He paused mid step, in the back passage he could see light coming from under the door of Nimera's study.
"Th..this way Prince Fili." Risti called nervously, drawing him away from the passage
He sighed deeply as he sat down onto one of the stools, pulling his arm from his tunic as Risti pulled a bottle and bandages from the shelf.
"How much did she tell you?"
Risti paused for a moment before resuming her work "Some."
"Enough to warrant lying to the crown prince it would seem."
The healer's eyes snapped to him, worry evident on her face.
Fili shook his head "You need not worry Risti, I know she does not wish to see me."
She relaxed slightly as she pulled the old dressing away, pouring a few drops of liquid onto the wound before wrapping it in the clean cloth.
Fili looked over at her "If I went and knocked on the door do you think she would answer?"
She thought for a moment before shaking her head "No I do not think she would."
He sighed
"If it is any consolation," Risti shrugged "She would most likely not answer regardless. I do not think she is even awake in there."
He frowned, casting a glance in the direction of the passage "Why do you think that?"
Risti tied off the bandage before looking at him "When she arrived this morning she looked as though she had not slept all night. And I have not seen or heard any sign of her since she went in there."
Fili shook his head "I have hurt her."
"Nimera is not an irrational person. If you truly ask for her forgiveness and mean it, she will come around."
"Thank you Risit." Flii nodded "Would you send word to me when she is awake?"
Risti shook her head "I am sorry, but I will not put Nimera in a position she does not wish to be in."
Fili sighed "I understand."
"It is not that big of a mountain, Prince Fili, there are only so many places she can hide before you find her."
….
Dis rapped lightly on the door to Nimera's quarters. She frowned, hearing no signs of life from inside.
She turned back to Steg "You are sure Balin said she was here?"
Steg nodded vehemently
Dis frowned, knocking harder this time, heaving a frustrated sigh as the door remained closed.
"Nimera it is rude to keep visitors waiting on your doorstep!" Dis called
There was a beat of silence before the door was cautiously pulled open. Nimera's head peeked through the opening.
"Oh Dis, I was not expecting you…" Nimera pulled the door open fully ushering them inside.
Dis gave her an exasperated look "Yes well you have been quite the scarcity lately. I have looked high and low, It is a wonder I even found you at all!"
"I am sorry Dis, I have been…busy." Nimera shook her head
"Well you are lucky I found you!" Dis motioned her maid's forward "Unless you had planned on attending Durin's Day in your trousers."
Steg set the parcels in her hand down on the table, carefully laying out each item.
Dis unlaced the twine securing one of the packages, releasing a flurry of crimson fabric.
Nimera leaned forward, taking one of the sleeves in her hand, running her fingers along gold embroidery "Mahal, you were not joking about Ophila's skill."
Dis smiled broadly "It may be her finest work to date!"
Nimera paused as she glanced over the top of the dress. She looked up at Dis, eyebrows raised.
"I do not recall adding this when I last spoke to Ophila." Nimera hooked a finger on the neckline "You are going to throw Balin and Dwalin into a fit."
Dis laughed. "Oh come now, it is nothing too scandalous! Besides," She shrugged "When wearing jewels you need to make room to show them!"
"I may have a few trinkets but I do not think they are going to fill up all that space!" Nimera snorted
Dis waved a dismissive hand, picking a large box off of the table "Which is why I have brought this."
Nimera's eyes widened as she opened the box. Nestled on the velvet inside was a long jeweled necklace, the dark sapphires imbedded in the gold glinting Dis tilted the box towards her.
Steg stepped beside Dis, pressing a matching box into Nimera's hands. Nimera held her breath as she undid the latch. A small intricately linked gold headpiece lay inside, a single matching stone set in the center.
She looked up at Dis, feeling as though her eyes might bulge out of her skull "Dis I cannot wear this…"
Dis frowned slightly, "If they are not to your taste I have others from my collection you can look at… "
Nimera shook her head emphatically "No, no they are beautiful…But it is far too much for me."
Dis handed the box to Steg, placing her hands on her hips "I have never heard such utter nonsense!"
Nimera sighed looking down at the head piece "I would not even begin to know how to put this on."
Dis gave her a smile that made Nimera feel as though she had just fallen into some sort of trap.
Dis gestured to the maid beside Steg "I thought you might say something like that, which is why I have brought Una here to help you get ready!"
Nimera looked up at Dis, noting the triumphant look in her eyes. Dis had backed her into a corner and she knew it.
"Durin's beard you must be one of the most cunning tacticians in this mountain!"
"Oh my dear you do not know the half of it!" Dis laughed stepping towards the door. "I look forward to seeing you this evening."
….
Risti could not have been more wrong, Fili thought as he stomped through the hall. It had been two days since the tournament and he had yet to even see a glimpse of Nimera.
He slammed the door to his quarters shut with a jarring rattle, slumping in the chair closest to the fire.
He sighed, running a finger along the rim of the empty glass beside him as he watched the sputtering flames. Even now he could still see Nimera's face staring back at him, a look of hurt spread across her features.
He glanced over as a knock sounded on his door "Enter."
Kili's sauntered inside.
"What do you need Kili?" He asked, slowly pushing himself from the chair.
"Oh I just thought you might want this…" Kili twirled a thick band of silver around his finger. "You must have been quite distracted earlier to leave it behind in the study."
Fili frowned, his eyes darting to the empty spot on the dresser where the head piece generally rested.
He snatched the circlet from him, settling it into place.
"I am guessing you have not found Nimera then?" Kili sighed
"I have looked everywhere for her." Fili shook his head "She is avoiding me."
Kili shrugged, settling a matching band onto his own head "Well you know where she will be tonight do you not?"
He pushed open the door motioning for Fili to follow "Come, it would look bad if we are late."
….
"My Lady?"
Nimera looked over as Una's head poked into the room.
"Una is everything alright? I thought you had gone."
The maid nodded "I just wanted to inform you Lord Balin and Lord Dwalin are in the sitting room."
Nimera jumped up from the dressing table "Oh thank you."
She gathered the hem of her dress in her arms, taking the short steps two at a time as she hurried into the sitting room.
"Well you both certainly look that part of heroes of Erebor!" She grinned looking over the pair's finely tailored coats, each dyed the deep crimson color of their house.
Balin hooked his thumbs into the ruby studded belt around his waist "Oh flattery does not work on old men like myself."
Dwalin flexed his arms irritably, shifting the coat around as he made for the door "The least they could have done was let the shoulders a bit."
Nimera smiled, jogging a few to catch up to him, adjusting the collar of the coat to lay flat. "Well I think it looks nice."
Balin took a step back as they entered the hallway "Here you are piling us with flattery when you are the true vision!"
Nimera blushed slightly, "Dis' seamstress is quite talented."
She looped her arm through Dwalins as they joined the sea of dwarves and men, wading through the crowd as they made their way toward the opposite passage.
"Hold on now." Balin called, breaking away from them, disappearing into the throng.
After a few moments he returned.
"I've caught a straggler!" He said Bilbo towing behind him.
"Bilbo!" Nimera smiled as he joined them
"Thank the great green for the three of you." He puffed "This mountain was impossible to navigate even before it was filled with the masses!"
Balin chuckled, "Aye, this place can be a daunting challenge."
The crowd finally began to thin out as they reached the passage where a small group had begun to gather.
"And here I thought we would be the last to arrive!" Gloin's booming voice echoed around them
The remainder of the company and their families stood behind him, their chattering filling the empty hallway.
"We had best press on then." Balin announced
"Aye," Gloin nodded, taking his wife's arm.
Balin looked over to Bilbo "Well Master Baggins, it seems as though you are unaccompanied. Would you care to escort an old dwarf on his way?"
Bilbo chuckled, falling into step beside him.
Nimera felt an elbow nudge her side, drawing her attention. Dwalin offered his arm.
She smiled, linking her arm around his, following behind Balin and Bilbo.
As they reached the doors to the main hall they group paused. Muffled conversations and laughter echoed from behind the door, abruptly cutting off as a loud horn blast sounded.
The great doors opened in front of them, as the silence was replaced with a loud cacophony of cheers and applause.
Nimera glanced up at Dwalin, smiling as they waited a few steps before following Balin and Bilbo into the room, "I do think we clean up to be quite the respectable pair."
"Aye, you look lovely... Though that dress makes me think I should have come better armed." Dwalin snorted, casting a glance around at the dwarves and men surrounding them.
Nimera smacked his arm lightly "Oh come now, we both know you could scare off any one of these gentlemen with a simple look if you really wanted to."
Dwalin smirked "I will keep that in mind."
….
Fili's heart raced as the fanfare began again, heralding the arrival of the company. The great hall doors opened as the gathered crowd erupted into a near deafening roar.
Balin and Bilbo entered first, the two chatting as they walked, seemingly unaware of the large celebration going on around them. Fili sat up straighter, just behind them was Nimera, her arm linked lightly around Dwalin's.
She smiled broadly up at Dwalin as he spoke to her, playfully smacking his arm as they approached the head table.
He flexed his hand nervously as they approached, barely registering that Dis was speaking next to him.
"See I told you she would be absolutely radiant." Fili heard her whisper to Balin, as he took a seat beside her.
Balin sighed "Aye that she does, though was that neckline strictly necessary?"
Dis scoffed "When wearing royal jewels you need space to let them shine."
Fili looked again at the gold set Nimera wore, the Durin blue gems were unmistakable.
Nimera looked almost uncomfortable in the elaborate piece. Her fingers straying to her head absent mindedly as if to ensure it was still there.
She waited as Balin pulled out her chair, smoothing her skirts as she sat down. For a moment he sat perfectly still, attempting to catch her eye. His hope quickly deflated as Dwalin took up the chair beside her abruptly cutting off his view.
..
Nimera relaxed slightly as Dwalin sat down beside her, temporarily blocking the other side of the table.
She sipped her wine, purposefully angling her body towards Bilbo as they chatted.
"Are you alright?" Bilbo looked at her suspiciously
Nimera looked at him with a start. "Of course! What on earth would make you say that?"
The hobbit did not look convinced "I can feel Fili's stares from here."
Nimera snorted into her drink "He can stare until his eyes fall out for all I care."
Bilbo cocked his head slightly "Oh?"
"Prince Fili merely clarified some things for me, that is all."
"But…"
"Leave it Bilbo." She frowned
"Well now lass you look far too radiant this evening to be sitting there with a frown on your face." Bofur leaned on the table in front of them.
Nimera raised an eyebrow "I supposed you have a remedy then?"
"Oh aye," Bofur waggled his eyebrows "A dance with the most dashing miner in all of Erebor should do just the trick!"
Nimera laughed, pushing back from the table "The most dashing miner in all of Erebor you say? Well how can I refuse."
..
"I did not take you for such underhanded tactics."
Dis looked over at Balin. "I am quite sure I have no idea what you are referring to."She said, hiding her smile behind her glass.
"Oh aye? So It is merely a coincidence that Nimera showed up this evening wearing jewels that were made for the line of Durin?" Balin raised an eyebrow looking over to where Bofur and Nimera danced.
"I simply thought she could use something to break up all of that Fundin red." Dis shrugged "Those colors go well together do you not think so?"
Balin sighed, "I am not getting involved in whatever scheme you have going."
"No schemes dear Balin, I am simply setting up a few matches and hoping for a spark."
..
Nimera curtsied to the man in front of her as the song ended
He bowed, flashing her a charming smile "Thank you my Lady, it was a pleasure."
"Of course. Though I must excuse myself."
The man bowed again, melting back into the sea of people.
Nimera inched her way through the crowd, finally reaching the high table.
"I thought you might come back for this." Bilbo handed her her glass.
Nimera smiled, leaning over the table to take it from him. "Ah, you hobbits are gentlemen through and through."
Bilbo gave her a side-long look as he took his own glass "It would seem you are in no short supply of gentlemen this evening."
She took a sip of wine "You are quite bold for a hobbit Bilbo Baggins."
"I learned it being around dwarves for so long." He shrugged
Nimera laughed "I doubt that, something tells me you have been like this from the start."
She paused as Bilbo sputtered on his wine.
"Nimera…"
Nimera's posture went rigid. She tapped a contemplative finger on the table, wondering just how much of a scene it would be to storm away from the Crown Prince of Erebor in full view of the entire mountain.
"Nimera." Fili said again louder.
She grimaced for a moment before replacing it with a natural expression. She turned to face him, a frown playing at the corners of her mouth.
He cleared his throat awkwardly "I believe it is tradition for the victor and victress to share a dance."
"Of course your Highness." Nimera said flatly, passing over his outstretched hand, following him to the dance floor.
As the music picked up he reached his hand out again. Nimera took it with all the enthusiasm of a dead fish, as he began to lead them through the steps.
"You look lovely this evening." He said breaking the long silence
"Your Highness is too kind." She sighed, her eyes fixed on the wall behind him.
"Are you enjoying the celebration?" He tried again, attempting to catch her gaze.
Nimera looked at him coldly, "I was."
She dropped his hands as the song ended, giving him a low bow "Thank you for the dance, my Prince."
She turned, walking briskly from the dance floor.
"Nimera wait!" Fili called, catching her wrist turning her to face him. She looked at him expectantly. "I was hoping we could talk… in private."
She nodded tersely, allowing him to lead her out of the hall, far away from the prying eyes of any party goers, only stopping as they reached the overlook.
Nimera gave a long suffering sigh "What do you need from me, your Highness?"
"Stop that." Fili frowned
"Stop what?" She deadpanned "I am addressing you as I should, my Prince."
He gripped the edge of the railing tightly, attempting to rally his words.
"If there is nothing you need I will take my leave." She curtsied "Your Highness."
"Nimera enough. I'm sorry!" He yelled, turning to face her.
She looked up in surprise as he stepped to her, closing the gap between them. "I am sorry.. I was wrong, I spoke to you in anger…. What I said, I did not mean it...I do care about you."
He reached up, placing a hand on her cheek, his voice growing softer, "More than you know. Mahal I….." He stopped suddenly, his posture going rigid.
"Nimera, get behind me."