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Chapter 7
~X~
Réann did indeed worry and stress most of the following day, her anxiety over the interview only lessened by her almost constant thoughts of Dwalin, and by rereading her father's latest letter. It was funny how she could almost hear his voice as she scanned his words, feeling as if the message carried a warm hug to help sooth her nerves.
My darling Réann,
It was with a happy heart I received your letter, assuring me not only of your health but your safety as well. The news that you were caught sending your letters destressed me greatly, though I was pleased to hear that the one who did was willing to overlook such a thing, and even aid you in doing so. However, I am obligated to write that Duffin insists that I warn you against accepting assistance from strange dwarves, as he put it. And while I trust you implicitly, I too urge you to be warry of anyone being overly helpful…just in case.
His letter then went on for several more pages, all of which she devoured with great interest, especially the parts about the antics of her brothers - making her both smile and miss them terribly. But what made her laugh out loud was what her father had written at the end, the double meaning in his words not lost on her.
Taurin and Duffin say hello and that they miss you terribly, while Gimrin wanted me to write that he looks forward to having you, and Amara, home soon. I pray for your continued protection, as well as the success of your plans. But mostly, I just want you back in my arms.
All our love,
Your adoring father and brothers
That last little part about Gimrin making mention of missing Amara still caused her to chuckle on her third read through the letter, almost making her regret what she had said in her latest message…almost. Gimrin had long been dragging his feet where Amara was concerned, and while Réann simply figured he was still too young and foolish to recognize what was right in front of him, she knew it pained her friend that he seemed reluctant to commit. Perhaps this time apart would make her rocks-for-brains brother realize what he had, and what he stood to lose. Of course, Amara had her read that last part out loud to her several times, the wide grin not leaving her face all day.
However, what put a true smile on Réann's lips was the thought of meeting up with Dwalin for a trip outside the mountain. She wondered if he planned on acquiring a mount for her as well, or if they might instead share one. The idea of her sitting in his arms as they rode brought a blush to her cheeks. Still, what truly had her face turning red was the memory of how brazen she had been on the battlement the night before.
Had she truly kissed him?
Réann still couldn't believe it. What had come over her to act so boldly? And while a small voice inside her heart whispered it's reasonings…she did her best to ignore it. She was on a mission, with a duty to perform and a treaty to instigate! Her father was counting on her, and she had to be very careful not to let any romantic fancies derail it all.
Still…Dwalin was everything she had always been looking for in a potential mate. His kindness, loyalty, and magnetic personality left her helpless to resist. The fact that he was extremely handsome, and a fine kisser to boot, was not lost on her either. More times than not, she found herself daydreaming about the next time they met, wondering if he would initiate such a thing himself…or if she should actually let him. Yet, each time she shut her eyes, all she could think of was his warm lips on hers, holding her like he had and making her never want for them to part.
"You're doing it again," came the voice of Amara, pulling Réann from her thoughts.
"Doing what?" she questioned, sitting up straight and clearing her throat.
"Grinning like mad and making those happy humming noises," her friend teased as she brought in a fresh set of towels, laying them on the neatly made bed. "Thinking of Commander Dwalin again, are we?"
"Maybe," Réann huffed, hating that Amara could read her so well. "And so what if I am. I'm not betrothed to anyone and won't be if I can help it. And it's not as if he's taken either." Here she stopped and looked up in alarm. "At least not that I know of. Do you think there's a chance he is just toying with me, while he's officially courting another lass openly?" As her mind began to spin out of control, her eyes darted left and right. "I mean, he is so handsome, so strong and well built, and a commander to top it all off…what lass wouldn't want to be courted by him?"
"Now you're just borrowing trouble," Amara scolded coming over to sit beside her friend, placing her arm around her shoulders. "If Commander Dwalin is all you've said he is, I'm certain he's doing no such thing."
"Still…he has been pushing me rather strongly in Prince Fili's direction," Réann recalled. "Talking him up as if he wants me to pursue a relationship with him instead. And it was me who kissed him first, and perhaps he simply plans on letting me down easy when we go riding?"
"Now you're just being ridiculous!" Amara stated firmly. "I'm sure he's simply being loyal to his prince, and as for the kiss…" here she stopped, her eyes growing wide. "YOU KISSED HIM? Why am I just now hearing about this? When did it happen? How did it happen? Tell me more!"
"Oh, Amara!" Réann exclaimed, her words a cross between a sigh of pleasure and a moan of embarrassment as she flopped back onto the bed, covering her face with her hands. "We were talking last night, saying nothing really of consequence…and then suddenly I grabbed him and kissed him! I don't know what came over me!"
"I could hazard a guess," her friend snickered.
"But even though I was shocked to the core over what I had done…it felt so right. So very right and wonderful," she admitted.
"Then why ruin it with wild ideas and mere speculation?" Amara rationalized. "You have no basis to believe he's playing false with you. And no reason not to believe he isn't head over heels in love with you, just as you are with him."
"Now hold on," Réann protested, sitting up quickly. "I never said I was head over heels in love! Just that I…I…" Here she stopped, for she had no idea what she was.
"You…you..?" Amara prompted.
"I just don't know!" came her grumbling response. "Yet! But you can bet good gold that I plan on finding out. Still, I must do so carefully, since until the prince chooses a bride, I'm expected to behave as a respectable candidate."
"But just wait until that betrothal bead is slipped into place, and then wham! You'll be on Commander Dwalin faster than a dragon on gold!" Amara laughed.
"Well…something like that," Réann giggled, her good mood returning. "I mean, as long as he wants me to, that is."
"While I've yet to meet the dwarrow personally, I don't believe I would lose any money betting that he will," the maid said with a sly wink.
"You are the best friend I've ever had, Amara!" Réann told her as she gave her a big hug. "And one day, I hope to call you my sister!"
"If that lazy Gimrin would only get off his hind-end and do something about it!" she replied, making the two dams laugh even harder.
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Later that night, back in the Grey Mountains, Lord Darmin was given news that another letter had just been delivered by Jareth. Figuring their feathered friend had flown all night, he opened it quickly, worried it might be important, or Mahal forbid, bad news. His three sons all gathered round as he began to read out loud.
Dearest Adad, and brothers,
I have splendid news! Commander Dwalin has found a way for me to get my petition for a meeting to the king at last. He won't tell me how he plans to go about it, but I trust him implicitly, and am assured that it will be done soon. He and I have been meeting in secret the past few days in order for him to keep me up to date on his progress.
Here Duffin broke in, not liking this bit of news in the least.
"There! You see!" he accused. "That Dwalin fellow is taking advantage of her!"
"Oh?" Darmin questioned, scanning over the part of the letter he had just read. "I don't see anything in here that says that."
"Then you're simply not reading between the lines, Father!" the oldest brother huffed. "He is aiding her in getting close to the king. He is keeping her in the dark about how he plans to do it. And he has been meeting with her in secret…for days now!"
"It all sounds innocent enough to me," Taurin spoke up, a quizzical look on his young face.
"That's because you are innocent," Duffin insisted.
"Insinuating that you're not, Nadad?" Gimrin laughed, earning him a glare from his older brother. "Might you have used such techniques on a lass yourself? Perhaps a wolf can only be recognized by another."
"Shut your gob, Gim!" Duffin growled.
"No, you shut yours!" Gimrin shot back, hating it when they used that nickname.
"Why don't you all shut up and let me finish reading your sister's letter?" Darmin suggested, his tone telling them he was deadly serious. When they complied, be it a bit reluctantly, he continued.
Commander Dwalin has been showing me around a bit as well, at least as much as possible without either of us being seen by anyone else. I was able to tour the ballroom the other day, and you would be amazed at the grandeur of the place. The whole mountain in fact is breathtaking, and would take a lifetime to properly inspect and appreciate. I'm learning a lot more about my guide as well, and the more I see of him, the more impressed I become. I learned that he has an older brother too, which interested Amara greatly, for after my flattering description of Dwalin, she was keen on meeting him as well.
"SHE WHAT?" Gimrin broke in, jumping to his feet in horror. "Why would she want to meet with him? For what reason?"
"Oh, calm down, I'm sure it's all very innocent," Duffin said in a deadpan tone, one dripping with sarcasm. "Just like Réann and this Dwalin fellow. Purely innocent, with nothing at all to worry about."
"Calm down? Are you insane?" Gimrin fumed. "Isn't it obvious that both Amara and Réann are being seduced by the dwarrow of Erebor?"
"So now you agree with me, do you?" Duffin huffed, throwing up his arms in rage. "You worry more for our sister's maid than you do for our sister herself!"
"Adad, is Réann in danger?" came Taurin's worried voice, his eyes looking as if they might be filling up with tears over the idea.
"No, she is not!" Darmin stated adamantly, wishing to put an end to all this fuss. "Duffin, Gimrin, cease this nonsense, you are upsetting your brother for no reason. First of all, if this is the Dwalin I met before, he is practically my age, far too old for her to be forming any sort of romantic attachment with. And second, if that's the case, then it would make his brother old enough to be her grandfather! And I would think Amara would much prefer a dwarrow closer to her own age, don't you agree, Gimrin?"
"Well…I suppose," he nodded, beginning to feel a bit embarrassed over his outburst. "Still, I'll be much happier when they're both back here under our watchful eye."
"As will I," Darmin agreed. "But until then, we need to put some faith in your sister…as well as Amara.
"But what if this isn't the same Dwalin you met before? What if it's another dwarrow completely?" Taurin asked, unable to shake the worry his fretting brothers had placed in his mind. "How can we be sure?"
"The only way I know is to ask Réann in my next letter to find out, which I will be writing as soon as you allow me to finish reading this one," their father insisted, clearing his throat as he continued on.
I still can't stand a few of the lasses I am forced to be confined with, and if it weren't for Amara I would have gone stark raving mad by now. I find myself thanking you on a daily basis, Adad, that you didn't raise us to be spoiled and selfish! Making us work and pull our own weight might have seemed a hardship when we were children, but as an adult, I see your wisdom in doing so.
Here Darmin paused, smiling a bit at the compliment, for what father doesn't like to hear that he did a good job raising his children.
We got news just a bit ago that the prince has made up a list of questions that he would like to know our answers to. The king says it will allow him to get to know us better before actually meeting us face to face. I'm worried about what I'm to say and hope to speak to Dwalin tonight when I go out to send this letter. He knows the prince well, and I pray he can give me some direction on how to respond while still not making myself seem interesting or desirable as a bride. I've considered lying or saying such horrible thing that Prince Fili would be sent running, but I would never want to disgrace or embarrass you, Adad. I will seek Dwalin's advice and hope for the best.
It is growing late, thus I must end my letter if I am to send it tonight – assuming Jareth arrives on schedule. I send my love and hope this finds you all in excellent health.
Missing you terribly,
Réann
Once he was finished, Darmin folded the letter carefully and stood from his chair, heading for his writing desk with great purpose.
"I think it best that I discern exactly who this Dwalin is, and what his motives might be," he said in a low voice, one he reserved for only the most serious of situations. "While I do not believe your sister to be in any danger…" Here he gave a smile and a nod to Taurin, hoping to reassure the lad a bit. "It bothers me somewhat that she seems to be relying on him and his opinion a great deal."
"Aye," Duffin agreed, coming to stand behind his father. He watched eagerly as his Adad took out paper and ink, dipping his quill generously as he began to write. "Tell her that if the prince can grill her about things he wants to know, she can certainly do the same to this Dwalin fellow. And if I don't care for the answers he gives, well…it's less than a week's ride to Erebor, and I've got no problem making the trip."
"Not without me!" Gimrin spoke up, also coming to stand beside their father's desk.
"Or me!" Taurin insisted, not wishing to be left out of anything. "She's my sister too!"
"Let's not put the cart before the pony, now shall we?" Darmin said, holding up his hand to halt all this talk of an unwarranted trip to Erebor. "First let me write to your sister, get the information, and then I will decide if a trip is in order. Understand?"
"Yes, Adad," Duffin agreed.
"Of course," Gimrin nodded.
"Whatever you think is best, Father," Taurin chimed in.
"Now, if that's settled, go see that Jareth is well fed and rested, so I can send this letter off as soon as possible." And with a wave of dismissal, the elderly dwarrow set to writing.
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Fili had been antsy all day, first from knowing he wouldn't be seeing Réann until their schedule ride outside the mountain, but also due to the anticipation of sneaking into Balin's office and spying on the meeting with the dams. So, by the time night fell, he was practically humming with pent up energy. Thankfully, his relief came in the form of his friend and mentor, Dwalin.
"I've been watching you all day, Lad," the bald warrior stated, following him out of the dining hall that evening. "You're wound tighter than an elf's bowstring. What's eating you?"
Of course, Fili couldn't tell him the truth, which he found rather ironic. Especially since it was the borrowing of Dwalin's identity that had landed him in this whole mess.
"I just feel restless, is all," he confessed, figuring it wasn't exactly a lie. "Been cooped up in the mountain too long, I guess. Maybe I'll take a ride or something in the next few days."
"Good idea," Dwalin nodded, throwing his arm over Fili's shoulders and steering him down a hall to the right. "But for now, how about you and I get some practice in. It's been a while since we sparred."
"I'm all for that," Fili said with a wide grin, knowing that would indeed help him expend some of his excess energy.
"Then let's see if you've been keeping up on your training, Lad," the warrior laughed. "All your princely duties have been keeping you out of the ring lately, and I fear you'll forget how to use a blade if you ain't careful. Can't have you going soft."
"I'll show you how soft I am," Fili challenged, eager to get his hand on a sword and prove his strength.
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An hour later, both dwarves were dripping with sweat and grinning from ear to ear. For a dwarf, there was nothing more invigorating than trying to take your opponent's head off, and when you were battling a truly worthy adversary; it made things twice as fun.
"Ready to give up, Lad?" Dwalin yelled, dodging yet another strike from Fili. "You look a bit winded."
"Me? You're the one who's huffing and puffing like an old dragon," he countered, leaping backwards, just avoiding a slice from Dwalin's axe. "Sure you don't need a rest yourself?"
"I'll rest when I'm dead and in the halls of Mandos, you little scrub!" Dwalin growled lunging forward with lethal aim. "Which won't be for a long, long time. Especially if I never battle anyone more challenging than you. I could defeat you in my sleep."
"Oh, now you're truly dreaming," Fili laughed, enjoying the friendly banter between them. It was always like this when they fought. Saying things they didn't truly mean in hopes of taking the other off guard. "You haven't landed a decent strike on me all evening."
"Well, your uncle would scold me something fierce if I killed his heir, now wouldn't he?" the bald warrior said in defense. "And what about you? There may be sweat dripping off me, but I don't see any drops of blood."
"I didn't want to add yet another scar to that already ugly mug of yours," Fili told him, making Dwalin duck as his blade came dangerously close to the top of his head. "Though the lasses already run screaming when they see you, so I suppose marking you up a bit more wouldn't do any much harm."
"Oh, I think you're the one who should be worried about scars," retorted Dwalin, his face turning rather red at that last jab. "What with you having to woo the visiting dams and all, you'll need all the help you can get. And trust me, I've no trouble finding, or keeping, a lass's interest…if you know what I mean."
Here Fili took a step back, looking at Dwalin as if for the first time. He had always seen him as his mentor, his friend, and cousin. Yet now, he tried to see the burly dwarf through the eyes of a lass…if that made any sense at all. Was Dwalin truly a favorite with the dams?
"Hold!" Fili called, raising his hand to cease the fight.
"Ahhh, ready to admit defeat?" Dwalin asked with a grin.
"No, but I wonder if I could ask you something…of a personal nature," he pressed, reaching up to wipe at the sweat that was running down his brow and into his eyes. "About lasses."
"Oh?" This apparently intrigued Dwalin and he lowered his axes, signaling for them to make their way to the water barrel. Once they had drank their fill, the two sat down on a bench, both wiping their faces with dry rags. "Whatcha wanna know?"
"I…I was wondering what you do to catch a dam's eye?" he began, a bit hesitant, but this was information he needed to know. "And once you have her attention, how do you keep it?"
"First of all," Dwalin grinned, proudly gesturing towards his bare chest and bulging arms. "This is what catches a dam's eye. A lass likes to know the dwarrow she's with can protect her. That he can defend her honor and life, if called upon."
"But that can't be the only thing a dam finds desirable in a mate," Fili countered. "I've seen Ori sporting a few lasses around the mountain from time to time, and he's about as muscular as one of the lead sticks he uses to write with."
"Well, there ain't no accounting for taste in some dams," Dwalin huffed.
"And Dori is stronger than just about anyone around, but I've never seen him with a dam," Fili continued.
"That's different, he's too busy mothering those two brothers of his to ever bother attracting a lass," Dwalin explained gruffly. "I suppose all dams are different. Each likes something unique in a lad. You just have to find out what that might be for the one that's right for you."
"Alright, fine," the prince conceded. "But once you've attracted a lass with your brawn, brains, or whatever, then what do you do? How do you keep her interested? What should I talk about? What should I say to her?"
"I don't know!" Dwalin grumbled, suddenly feeling both frustrated and ill-equipped on the subject. "It's not as if there's some script you go by. Each dam wants to hear something designed especially for her. Once I was with a lass who loved poetry, so I borrowed a book from Balin and read it to her for hours. Another wouldn't shut up about herself and I never even had to say a word. While yet another just wanted to snog all evening, with no talking required by either one of us."
"So…I'll have to find out what she wants and just go with that?" This wasn't helpful at all, giving him no sound ideas on what to converse with Réann about. Yet, to be fair, he had already spent quite a bit of time with her, and so far they had not found themselves lacking in topics of conversation. And the one time she had kissed him, well…Fili found he wouldn't mind a repeat performance of that for hours and hours. Still, he had hoped that Dwalin could offer him something helpful, just in case he ran into a wall.
"Look on the bright side," Dwalin told him with a slap on the back. "You got your lasses lined up like sitting ducks, all looking to attract you. One smile in their direction and they'll be falling all over themselves to get at ya. Like shooting fish in a barrel, you might say." And with one final grin, the bald warrior rose to his feet, hefted his axes on his shoulder and bid Fili goodnight.
"Unfortunately," Fili said to himself, once his friend had left the room. "The one fish I desire, wants no part of me. Or, at least wants no part of the prince. So…I guess I'm going to have to keep being Dwalin for a bit longer and hope the perfect moment presents itself for me to confess my ruse." Leaning forward, Fili buried his face in his hands. "I just hope that time comes soon."
Sorry Fili...we are having too much fun watching you squirm to have your secret out in the open just yet. ha ha.
And that was nice of Dwalin to help him work off some of his pent up energy...and give him advice on dams. Cuz he's the expert. ha ha.
Looks like her father and brothers are planning to get down to business in finding out who this Dwalin fellow is...this could be a bad thing for Fili.
Guest Reviews:
Guest: I'm very happy you are so excited about my story. Thankfully for Fili, fans haven't been invented yet, so it won't be hitting one any time soon. ha ha. (I made a joke) I'm tickled to hear you like my writing style too. That makes me smile. Yep, we have official lip-lock! And Fili was grinning just as much as you were. You send any and all reviews you like, scattered or not, I love them all. Thanks! T.O.W.G.