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Chapter 9
~X~
"So, old friend," Thorin began sitting back in his chair as he lifted his glass of Dorwinion wine to his lips. "What was your assessment of my nephew's choices of a future bride? Any prospects?"
"One or two," Balin nodded, pouring another glass for himself and then handing one to his brother, the three relaxing in Thorin's private chambers later that night. "Though, I would not write off any of the dams, for they are all lovely and each have qualities that Fili might find appealing."
"Yet you won't tell us your thoughts on the matter?" Thorin questioned, raising an eyebrow at his adviser's tight lip.
Here Balin gave a heavy sigh, downing his own glass in one shot.
"You want my opinion, do ya? Well here it is. If that lad chooses anyone but the Stiffbeard lass, then I might be packing up and heading back to the Blue Mountains!" he grumbled, having been dying to speak out ever since the meeting. "Not that the Blacklock dam, or the Broadbeam one, would be horrible, mind you…but my money is on Lady Réann from the Grey Mountains."
"I see," Thorin smiled, finding his cousin's strong opinion to be rather telling. "Impressed you that much, did she? In that case I'm looking forward to meeting with her as soon as my sister arrives with the seventh dam." Here he got a thoughtful look on his face. "Which reminds me, we need to get her a message about that, but doing so without any of the others getting wind of it. I don't want it to appear that I'm playing favorites."
"Well, I am!" Balin laughed.
"Were the other three truly that bad?" Thorin questioned.
"Only if you don't mind isolating your people from the rest of Middle Earth, becoming warmongers, or the instituting the total reconstruction of Erebor's military force," Balin said with a roll of his eyes.
"Over my dead body!" Dwalin barked.
"Well, don't cross the Firebeard or Ironfist lass, or you might just find yourself laying on a slab down in the memorial tombs!" Balin warned. "They even fought and bickered among themselves so much I had to cut the meeting short and have them escorted out." Here he pointed his finger at Thorin. "I meant what I said. It's back to the Blue Mountains for me if either of those two sit on the throne."
"I would hope that Fili isn't so foolish as to actually see them as candidates," Thorin said, a worried expression on his face.
"Something tells me that after he…" her Balin stopped, having almost let the cat out of the bag, by saying Fili had been listening, "…after he reads what I transcribed from the meeting, he will be on his guard."
"Good," Dwalin nodded, settling back down as he continued to enjoy his wine. "After what the lad was asking me yesterday, I can see that he's beginning to take this whole match-making thing seriously."
"Oh? In what way?" This was good news to Thorin.
"He was digging around for information on how to attract and woo a lass," Dwalin explained.
"He wanted information on courtship…and he came to you?" Balin gasped, almost spitting his mouthful of wine onto Thorin in shock. "What did you tell him?"
"I gave him excellent advice; I'll have you know!" Dwalin growled, not at all liking his brother's insinuation.
"I'm sure you did," Thorin broke in, not wanting to clean up any blood off the floor, should his two cousins decide to let this lead to blows. "And it's good to hear that Fili is at last accepting his role as heir and future king."
"Dams have a way of making a dwarrow grow up, you might say," Balin smiled. "Turns a lad into an adult rather quick."
"And rounds off the sharp edges as well, or so Dis says," Thorin agreed.
"Well, I'm fully grown, and I can assure you, it didn't take no lass to make it so," Dwalin stated firmly, thumping his broad chest with pride. "Training and battle did that for me. And I have no need of a lass to soften any of my edges, I like them just the way they are. Sharp!"
"Perhaps, but had you been courting a lass all those years ago, maybe she might have talked you out of cutting your hair in that odd fashion. Or warned you off from using that stiffener that eventually led to it all falling out!" Balin reminded him, causing the now bald dwarf to look away, his hand unconsciously going to rub at his bare head forlornly.
"Now, now," Thorin broke in again. "What's done is done, and there's no sense in rehashing it now. Besides, those visible tattoos on his head makes Dwalin look twice as fierce." He had said this to bolster his commander's spirits, knowing very well this was a sensitive subject – one only a brother would dare bring up.
"Yeah!" Dwalin agreed, a wide grin coming over his face. "And the lasses find it fascinating as well. Trust me, there ain't no shortage of dams who want to touch my noggin." He then gave Balin a sly smile. "And when was the last time a sweet young thing wanted to touch any part of you, Brother?"
Thorin was now sure this would end up in a fight, so rising to his feet, he quickly stepped between them.
"I think it's time we called it a night. The wine has dulled our minds and I won't have the two of you brawling on my chamber floor like a couple of wargs." He reached out and took the two glasses from their hands, setting his fine stemware out of reach for safety reasons. "Now, off with you, and get some sleep. That's an order from your king."
The two dwarves stood and did as directed, heading for the door with a cursory wave behind them as they left.
"What got into him?" Dwalin huffed as they headed down the hall. "We were just having a bit of fun, is all."
"I know! I think our king is wound too tight these days," Balin agreed. "Too afraid that a bit of brotherly ribbing was going to lead to bloodshed."
"Going soft, he is," Dwalin nodded. "Going soft."
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Fili had been left with a great deal to think about after having overheard the dams, as well as re-reading their answers that Balin had provided him. All of this caused him to be walking the halls late that night, pondering his choices. He had no qualms of marking both Gorta and Mirev off his list of prospects, with Feren close behind. Jorhild and Estur seemed pleasant enough, though a bit self-absorbed perhaps. Still, Fili knew he would have to give each lass serious consideration and spend some amount of time with them before officially making his choice. However, none of that detracted from the fact that he knew in his heart he had already chosen. Réann was the only one he wanted. The only one who could make him happy.
His wandering feet eventually led him to the alcove on the battlement, a smile crossing his lips as he stepped inside. He didn't expect to find Réann there, but just the idea that this was where they had met so often in secret made his body tingle with anticipation. Yet, sadly, no one was there, leaving Fili to stand alone at the wall as he stared out into the night. He wondered what Réann was doing right then. Was she perhaps composing another letter to her father, telling him of the meeting she had today? Getting ready for bed? Or maybe thinking of him, as he was now thinking of her.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by the fluttering of wings, and looking up, he was surprised to see Jareth sail overhead and land on the ledge behind him. Well, this was unexpected! Fili had been doing his research and had learned that owls of this size could fly about the same speed and distance as a raven, and even more if the need was great. Still, the message he carried must be important if Réann's father had deemed it necessary to get it here at such speed.
"Hello there," he said in a soft tone, hoping the bird would allow him to get close enough to retrieve the letter. "I wish I had thought to bring some food with me tonight, but we weren't expecting you so soon." It was just then that he recalled having a few pieces of dried meat left over from his stash during their wait in Balin's wardrobe. Pulling it out, he held it up to Jareth, hoping it would be to his liking. Apparently, it was, and soon the great white owl was munching away, paying no mind to the fact that Fili had successfully retrieved the letter. It was indeed from Lord Darmin, his seal making it quite clear. Yet, dare he open it in order to find out what might be so important?
Fili was tempted, yet the more he thought of it, he knew it would be a violation of her privacy. He had once dared to read one of her personal letters, having thought her a potential spy, but he had no legitimate reason to read this one…other than pure curiosity. So, leaving the message sealed, he decided it best to simply give it to Réann the following day when they went riding.
Unless….
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Nori was woken from a deep sleep, one helped along by a large amount of ale, by a loud pounding on his door. When it didn't seem to be stopping any time soon, he at last stumbled from his bed and jerked it open, ready to give the unwelcomed guest a piece of his mind. However, he didn't get the chance, for Fili cut him off before he could speak.
"Nori, I need your help," he stated, pushing his way inside and shutting the door.
"Most do," the sleepy dwarf said with a wide yawn and a scratch at his side. "But usually they wait till a decent hour to ask for my aid."
"This is important…or at least it could be," he admitted, not knowing for sure what the letter actually held. "I need to get a message to Réann…now!"
Nori glanced upward, letting the internal clock, which all dwarves who lived underground possessed, gauge the time.
"At this hour?" he questioned. "She's bound to be asleep in the Lady's Chambers by now. How do you expect to accomplish this without being caught or anyone finding out that you've been meeting in secret?"
"I don't know," Fili confessed. "That's why I came to you."
"Of course, you did," Nori grumbled, heading over to where his jacket and boots had been flung when he stumbled into bed that night. "Every time someone needs something sly done around here, they come to me. 'Nori do this, Nori do that.' But do they ever hand out medals for such jobs? No! Just once I'd like to be shown a bit of appreciation for my contributions to this mountain and its royal family."
"You help me get this message to Réann and I swear that the next time they're honoring soldiers, I will hang one around your neck personally," Fili promised.
"Don't you dare!" Nori groused, pulling on his final boot and stomping towards the door. "Can't have the whole mountain knowing I'm legit! I've got a reputation to protect. Now come on, let's go see what we can do about your problem…one that somehow suddenly became mine as well."
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Réann too was awaked from sleep by the light tapping on her outer chamber door. Not sure if Amara could hear it from her own room, she jumped up and grabbed her dressing gown, rushing to find out who it might be.
"What's going on?" came Amara's sleepy voice as she exited her room, apparently having heard the knocking as well.
"I have no idea, but I'm about to find out," Réann told her, sliding back the locking bolt and peeking through the crack.
"Lady Réann?" said one of the female guards, bowing apologetically. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but there was a rather frantic dwarf here a few moments ago, begging us to see that your maid, a Miss Amara, received this letter. I got the impression it was of a romantic nature from the way the dwarrow spoke." Here she handed a letter through the small opening in the door. "I do hope you don't mind that I agreed to deliver it. He was very adamant."
"No…no, it's fine," Réann assured her. "I'm happy you did. Though I can't imagine why my maid would be getting a love letter, and especially at this hour."
"Nor can I, My Lady," the guard said with a shrug, taking her leave as Réann closed the door.
"A letter…for me?" Amara questioned, looking both shocked and confused. "From whom? I haven't had much opportunity to meet anyone, especially since I've been cooped up inside so much while impersonating you." Here she held up her hands in protest. "Not that I mind in the least, it's been rather nice just lounging around pretending to be a lady of nobility. But still, I can't imagine who it's from."
"Then open it and find out," Réann suggested, handing her the message, just as eager to learn who the sender was as well. Amara did as directed, unsealing the rolled up letter and read the outer page.
"It's from your Commander Dwalin!" she announced with a squeal. "Listen to this!"
Amara,
I am having this letter delivered to you, instead of Réann, in hopes of not giving away the fact that your lady and I have been meeting in secret. A letter was delivered by Jareth tonight and since it came so quickly on the heels of the previous one, I thought it might be of importance and wished for her to receive it right away.
Please forgive the ruse of this coming from an admirer of yours, but I convinced my friend, Nori, to pose as a lovesick dwarrow, desperate to get his petition to you. I do hope this hasn't inconvenienced you in any way or damaged your fine reputation. I also pray that what the letter has to say is not bad news and that all is fine in the Grey Mountains.
Tell Réann I look forward to our ride tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Dwalin
"The letter is for me?" Réann was now both touched by her handsome commander's efforts and worried about what it might say. "Let me read it."
And taking the offered scroll, she broke the wax seal and scanned the message with eager eyes. After a few paragraphs she let out a sigh of relief.
"What? Tell me!" Amara pleaded. "Nothing's happened to Gimrin, has it?"
"No, nothing of the sort," Réann laughed, once more letting her eyes peruse the words in front of her. "I just have three silly ninnies for brothers, and one over-protective father is all. Here, listen to this."
Your brothers insist that I send this right away, all three of them fearful of what this Dwalin fellow might have in mind. They suspect he is only aiding you in your endeavors in order to gain your confidence and then use you for unscrupulous reasons. I, personally, would like to think better of him, yet I too worry about your safety so far from home and out of our protection.
"Can you believe them?" Réann laughed, leading Amara over to the sofa where they could continue this in comfort. "What do they take me for, some dwarfling who can't even lace her own boots? As if I would ever allow some devious dwarf to use me for…how did they put it?" Here she scanned over what she had just read. "Ah, yes. For unscrupulous reasons."
"They think Commander Dwalin is trying to…what? Swindle you somehow?" Amara questioned. "Or perhaps seduce you?"
"I guess," Réann said with a shrug, turning the page as she kept reading aloud.
Some time ago, I came into contact with a dwarf from the Longbeard clan also named Dwalin, and I'm left wondering if the dwarf who is helping you is indeed the same one I knew. His father's name was Fundin, and he did have an older brother if I recall correctly, though I fear his name has slipped my mind. It would do my heart good if you could find out a little more about this Dwalin fellow who is helping you, and perhaps learn something of his character. It would help ease my concerns if I knew this dwarf, and the one I met, were one in the same - for at least then I could vouch for his character. I know you are obliged to keep your contact a secret, but perhaps Amara could aid you in learning more without raising suspicion. I also find myself wondering, if it is the same Dwalin…does he still sport that rather odd hairstyle?
"Odd hairstyle?" Réann questioned, wrinkling her brow as she looked up at Amara. "What could he mean by that?"
"Well, does Dwalin's hair look different in some way?" she asked, having never actually seen the dwarf herself.
"Not in my opinion," she stated, recalling his appearance each time they had met. "His hair is blond, and while that's a bit rare for a dwarf, I wouldn't consider it odd. Oh, wait! He does have these two very adorable mustache braids, one on either side of his mouth, hanging down to about here." She used her fingers to demonstrate to Amara what she meant. "Maybe that's what Father is talking about?"
"Perhaps," Amara mused. "Yet I've seen other dwarrow sporting them as well. Though maybe not too often."
"I think they look very fetching on him," she said matter of factly.
"Keep reading," her friend encouraged, eager to hear more.
Taurin is very worried for you, but mostly because his two older brothers have him worked up with their wild ideas. Gimrin was taking things well enough, until you mentioned that this Dwalin has a brother…one that Amara might be interested in. I suspect you tossed in that little tidbit simply to needle your Nadad, and if so…it worked. That's when he began to rant and rave about how the dwarves of Erebor are out to seduce the both of you.
At this piece of news, Amara let out a little squeal of glee and clapped her hands together before falling back on the sofa cushions.
"See," Réann laughed. "He does care!"
"Oh, my sweet, jealous Gimrin!" she said with a romantic sigh. "And to think, it only took me leaving the Grey Mountains, a bunch of subterfuge, and you breaking all the rules, in order to get him to sit up and take notice."
"Dwarves can be rather thick headed, you know," Réann pointed out.
"Does he say anything else about Gimrin?" Amara demanded eagerly, sitting back up.
Réann scanned the final bit of the letter, shaking her head as she did.
"No, just the usual warnings to take care, and that he and my brothers send their love," she replied. "Yet, you have to admit, what he did write was rather telling. Couple that with what the last letter said, and I can almost guarantee a marriage proposal will be waiting for you when you return."
"Oh, I hope so," Amara said in a dreamy tone. "And you shouldn't think badly of them for being concerned over you," she pointed out tactfully. "You are the only dam in their family, and after losing your mother, they can't help but be protective."
"I know, and I do love them for it," she assured her friend. "Still, I hardly believe Dwalin is after anything nefarious. He's just being helpful and kind, that's all."
"Oh, really?" Amara questioned, looking a bit concerned. "Did you, or did you not, kiss him just the other day? I've never known you to act in such a way around a dwarrow before. Are you sure there wasn't some sort of persuasion on his part? A look? A word? Some action that prompted you to behave so brazenly?"
"I…I don't think so," she replied, remembering back to the moments before she had all but attacked his lips. "I just felt…well, like kissing him."
"If you say so. But I believe your father has the right idea of it," she told her mistress firmly. "You need to find out more about this Dwalin fellow, as well as his character. And I'll help you all I can. Next time I go out, I'll covertly ask around about him, all the while not letting on as to why I might wish to know."
"All right," Réann sighed. "But don't go getting anyone suspicious."
"I'm sure they'll just believe I'm trolling around for a new suitor," she pointed out. "After all, I apparently already have one dwarf vying for my affections…this Nori fellow who brought the letter to the Lady's Chambers."
"I'm sorry about that, truly I am," she moaned. "I do hope this doesn't start a bunch of rumors about you."
"And why would I care if they did," Amara shrugged. "It's not like we live here, and as long as this doesn't get back to Gimrin, I can handle a few whispers behind my back."
"Thank you, my friend," Réann said, giving her a big hug. "Now, if there's nothing to truly worry about back home, I say we get some sleep. Looks like I'll be grilling our poor Commander Dwalin tomorrow while taking that ride."
"And I'll be doing the same…just behind his back, is all," Amara laughed, heading for her own room. "Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams," Réann called back. "And I bet they'll all be of Gimrin."
Looks like Balin has picked his choice for Fili's bride. Thankfully, his thoughts are the same as Fili's.
Oh dear...the idea that 'Dwalin' has strange hair is now out in the open. What will they learn about THAT?
And good old Nori sure knows how to get a job done. Even as sleep deprived as he was, he was Johnny on the spot.
Hope Gimrin doesn't hear any of these rumors about Amara!
Guest Reviews:
Jillian Baade : Too bad they were not in Rivendell to watch their dad feed the dwarves only greens while they were there. All that writing and they didn't get to enjoy the fruits of their labors. And yes, I could see Kili hitting the pub before their little wardrobe escapade. ha ha.
Emrfangirl: (2) Good to see you again! And sorry about the storm...reading on the beach would have been MUCH nicer. So you thought it was Réann who was going to be the 'one in disguise' not Fili. Fooled you! I'm with you, if I got stuck marrying Dwalin, I wouldn't be complaining much either! (3) They are in deep LIKE right now. Kili is going to 'help' a lot. Trust me. (4) Nori is either more help, or more trouble than Kili...you pick. (5) Oh, I love that quote! Never seen Game of Thrones, but I'm going to write that quote down and remember it forever. ha ha. (6) Yep, there was kisses! You caught that whole "when the prince has chosen his bride, I want you standing beside me" thing. Good thing she didn't. ha ha. Of course something's going to happen with them in the closet...just maybe not what you were expecting. (7) I HAD to let Dwalin have some 'screen time' as himself, didn't I? He is my fourth favorite dwarf after all. Thanks for all your kind reviews! And I hope the weather gets better for you...wherever you are.