.
Well, here it is...let the truth be revealed.
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Chapter 16
~X~
If Réann had thought the room had been quiet before, it was now as silent as a tomb. She dared to raise her eyes to look at the others, only to find a mixture of shock and disbelief on their faces.
"His name is…Dwalin?" Thorin asked, wishing to make sure he had heard her correctly. "Dwalin?"
"Yes, My King," Réann confirmed.
Here Thorin turned to his adviser and gave him a pointed stare, one that Balin understood well and all but ran from the room.
"And you say you met him where?" Thorin further pressed, mystified about how his friend, cousin, and commander of his armies, could have been keeping such things from him.
"On the battlement," she replied. "I went out there to send a letter to my father by means of the snowy owls we keep in the Grey Mountains to deliver messages. Dwalin discovered me and mistook me for a spy or a traitor…that is until he read my letter and realized who I truly was. He then allowed me to send my message…and we've been kind of seeing each other ever since."
Thorin gave Dis a look of utter bewilderment, one that his sister returned full force. It was apparent that neither one of them would have ever thought Dwalin capable of such a thing, their cousin more the letter of the law kind of dwarf than one to let his loyalties be swayed by a pretty face…even if she was his One. Still, why would this dam lie? Thankfully, before he had to come up with anything more to say, the door reopened and in came Balin, followed by a puzzled looking Dwalin.
"You sent for me, My King?" he asked, for apparently Balin had not bothered to explain anything to him.
"Yes," Thorin nodded, gesturing with his hand for him to come closer. "Might you know this lass?" Here he pointed at Réann, who was now looking up at the new dwarf with not even a hint of recognition.
"Her? Can't say that I do," he confessed. "Should I?"
"Well, according to her, you are her One," Thorin stated firmly.
"HER WHAT?" Dwalin sputtered, taking a step away from Réann as if she were a diseased orc.
"NO! WAIT! There's been a mistake! You have the wrong Dwalin," the Grey Mountain lass spoke up. "I met and fell in love with Dwalin, son of Fundin, the commander of your army. I know it was wrong and we shouldn't have been sneaking around in order to be together, but we didn't know what else to do."
Once more, the four dwarves took turns staring at each other in utter confusion. Then suddenly, something occurred to Thorin and he shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation.
"This Dwalin wouldn't by any chance be a dwarf with brown hair, done up in three points, would he?" he asked.
"No…that sounds more like Nori," Réann confessed. "Dwalin has blond hair, blue eyes, is about my height, and has two small braids at the ends of his mustache." Here she looked around at them in utter amazement. "I don't understand how you could not know of whom I speak. How many Dwalin's reside in your mountain?"
At this, Balin began to choke violently, having apparently breathed in wrong or swallowed incorrectly. His brother began beating on his back, trying to help him regain his composure, while Thorin shut his eyes and leaned back in his chair, looking as if he were suddenly very, very tired. Dis just began to giggle, doing her best to cover her mirth by clearing her throat.
"Yes…we do know the Dwalin you speak of," Thorin at last revealed, though his tone was quite unreadable. "It was simply that I had not thought one so close to me would keep such things a secret is all…thus it was easier to first assume it was another dwarf you spoke of."
"And I take full responsibility for that, for he was doing it to protect me…not in any way to deceive you," Réann was quick to state. "I know he's a relative of yours, and the last thing I would ever want is to come between you and your kin. Neither Dwalin, nor Galin, are to blame."
"Galin?" Dis pressed, not sure who the lass was referring to now.
"Yes, his nadad," she responded. "And if I ever questioned his claim of being a kin of yours, King Thorin, that was put to rest when I saw the striking resemblance between you and Galin. It was almost uncanny the way you two favor each other, right down to the distinguished looking streaks in your hair."
"I see," Thorin said, another mental picture forming in his mind as he recalled the bit of grey Dis had seen in Kili's hair just yesterday. "Yes, well, our similarity in looks are where any resemblance between me and Galin ends, believe me."
"Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say that," Dis broke in, still unable to halt her giggles entirely. "I think the two of you are more alike than you realize. And the way you now choose to handle this situation, will only confirm it, I believe."
"Do you now?" Thorin asked, eyeing his sister questioningly, trying to discern her deeper meaning. When it hit him at last, he too couldn't help but grin wickedly. "Oh…I see your point. I should endeavor to think like Galin in this instance. Is that it?"
"Exactly," Dis nodded.
"I couldn't agree more," Dwalin broke in, also catching on to Dis' subtle message.
"I…I don't understand," Réann spoke up, completely in the dark over what was being discussed. "Is that a good thing…or a bad thing?"
"A good thing, I assure you," Dis told the worried dam, reaching out to pat her hand comfortingly. "And nothing you, or Dwalin, need concern yourself with. Trust me."
"My sister is correct," Thorin confirmed. "And I want to thank you for coming to me with this news. I know it took courage on your part, and I do not want you to distress yourself over it any further. Mahal's will takes precedent in all matters, thus you no longer need worry about your position here as a candidate for the prince. You will be excused from meeting with him, and if you only agree to remain until the selection is complete, I will see that you are given the promised amount of gold for your time and trouble. In the meantime, I would ask that you do not speak to anyone about this, especially the other dams."
"I…I fear that the Lady Dola already knows of my situation," Réann moaned, feeling as if she had yet again betrayed the king. "I didn't tell her…but she is very astute and guessed the truth herself."
"That is fine," Dis assured her. "The Lady Dola is in our confidence and understands the meaning of secrecy. We do not fear her knowing."
Réann gave a sigh of relief over this, having imagined that one more wrong step and she would be tossed out on her ear for sure.
"Now, cease any fretting over this, and know that you have not angered me, nor have you given me any cause to rescind my offer of a trade agreement with the Grey Mountains," Thorin insisted, rising to his feet and calling for the female guards who waited outside. "Go back to the Lady's Chambers, wait out the final few days, and as I said…do not concern yourself about anything. All is well."
Réann couldn't believe her good fortune! It was almost too good to imagine, especially when going into the conversation she feared she was about to ruin everything! Dola had been right, thus leaving her in awe of the king and his kindness. If she didn't imagine it to be a complete breach of protocol, she would have rushed forward and hugged him! Yet that would never do!
"King Thorin…" she began, barely unable to speak. "My father has spoken of you a great many times, praising your wisdom, bravery and right to rule. But today, you have proven to me that he vastly underestimated your qualities of kindness and forgiveness. If I were not already a loyal supporter of your kingship, it would be solidified in stone forever after this meeting. I will be eternally grateful to you over this."
"And I thank you for your support," Thorin smiled.
"Now, let's get you back before the other dams think I kidnapped you," Dis smiled, guiding her to where the dwarrowdam guard waited by the door. "And feel free to speak to Dola if you have any concerns, but to no other. Understand?"
"Yes. Perfectly," Réann assured the kind lady. "And I do hope that your son chooses a bride that will only strengthen the fine qualities I've seen your family display here today."
"Oh, my Fili might be a bit of a scamp at times…as is his brother, but I can say without a doubt that he will not let me down in this endeavor," Dis grinned. "And I can assure you that I will approve of his choice in brides." And with a final wave she handed the lass over to the guard, shutting the door behind them as they left.
Dis walked slowly back over to where the other three dwarrow stood, each one saying nothing until they were certain they would not be overheard. Then, as if a dam broke, each one practically doubled over in gales of laughter.
"Can you believe it?" Dis cried, when she was at last able to catch enough breath to speak. "Fili has already chosen his bride and has been keeping it from us all this time!"
"You did say you wanted him to pick a lass who would make him act stupidly," Thorin said, reminding Dis of her words from the previous day. "One that turned his insides to mush and his brains to jelly. Well, I would say this little ruse of his certainly qualifies as stupid. And to think, here I've been kicking myself over this whole affair, while he's been fooling us all along! I'm tempted to start kicking his backsides for a bit, just to see how he likes the feeling!" Thorin laughed, far too pleased over this news to truly be upset.
"So, he's been using my identity to woo the lass right under our own noses?" Dwalin clarified.
"With the help of Kili it would seem…and Nori too, I'll wager," Balin pointed out.
"I knew that streak of white in Kili's hair was suspicious!" Dis grumbled, always trusting her motherly intuition. "I can't wait to hear the whole story behind that!"
"Then why wait," Thorin asked, sitting down and turning to look at Balin and Dwalin. "Might I impose upon you to go fetch my deceptive nephews, and bring them here, post haste?"
"It would be our pleasure," Balin grinned, as he and Dwalin marched out of the room, determination gleaming in their eyes.
"Oh, Thorin," Dis said once they were gone. "I had prayed that Fili would find his One, but I had never dared hope it might actually happen. And not only has he found her, I believe her to be a lass who is more than worthy of him."
"I agree. For though I have yet to meet the other dams, I doubt that any will prove to be as kind, resourceful, honest, and loyal as Réann," Thorin stated approvingly. "Now, we just need to figure out a way to punish Fili for tricking us this way. We can't simply let such actions slide…can we?"
"Nay! It is only right that he pays for his crimes," Dis nodded firmly. "So, what's the plan?"
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Meanwhile, Fili and Kili were heading for the training rings, intent on getting in some practice before Thorin filled their day with princely duties. When they saw Dwalin and Balin coming towards them, they greeted the two with a smile.
"And where are you two heading, this fine morning?" Fili questioned joyfully. Yet his expression turned to confusion when they neither responded, nor stopped in their determined approach. Without breaking stride, Balin and Dwalin each flanked the blond prince head on, linking an arm under each of his own. And when they began to drag him backwards, his legs outstretched before him, he started to suspect that something was wrong.
Kili quickly spun around and followed, watching as his brother was hauled between their cousins, the heels of his boots scraping along as he went.
"What's going on?" Kili mouthed to his nadad, the blond prince unable to do anything but allow himself to be carried along.
"I have no idea," Fili whispered back with a shake of his head. "But I'm willing to bet I'm about to find out."
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Dis and Thorin were waiting anxiously when the doors to his council chamber were kicked open, revealing Balin and Dwalin dragging Fili inside. They walked around the chair in front of the king's desk and deposited the prince none too gently on the wooden seat. Now, with the two standing on either side of him, arms crossed and still not speaking, Fili looked over at his mother and uncle, feeling very much like a naughty little dwarfling in for a scolding.
"Good morning, Amad...Uncle," he greeted nervously. "To what do I owe this rather abrupt meeting, pray tell?"
Kili, who had slipped in and was now standing at a safe distance - though prepared to jump in to defend his brother – also waited anxiously to hear their reply.
"Your mother and I have been talking," Thorin began, sounding dead serious and looking just as stern. "We decided that she and I are best suited to choose your future bride, thus we have picked the dam you will marry."
"WHAT?" Fili barked out, springing from his chair in shock and horror. Yet a strong hand on either shoulder from Balin and Dwalin quickly had him back in his seat. "You…you can't be serious!"
"Oh, but we are, son," Dis assured him. "After all, what do you know about love and the responsibilities associated with marriage? Thus, your uncle and I have met with each of the candidates and we have chosen the Lady Mirev for you to wed." She then looked at Thorin quizzically. "It was the Firebeard lass we selected, wasn't it?"
"I thought we decided on the dam from the Ironfist clan," Thorin countered. "She's the one that got my vote."
"No…I'm certain it was the Mirev…not Gorta," Dis argued. She then looked up at Balin. "Which one did you say would suit Fili best?"
"The Lady Feren…definitely the Stonefoot lass," the white-haired advisor stated, catching on to the game quick enough.
"That's not fair!" Kili spoke up, stepping forward in a show of solidarity. "You promised that you'd let him choose!"
"Kili's right, you swore I would get to pick!" Fili protested, crossing his arms over his chest in protest. "I won't do it! I won't marry any of those lasses and you can't make me!"
"Oh? And why is that, my son?" Dis asked innocently. "We're only doing this for your own good. Unless you have a good reason why the dams we've chosen aren't right for you. Might you have your own opinion on the subject? But how could that be, after all you've never laid eyes on any of them…have you?"
Here Fili began to stammer, apparently undecided if he should come clean or run for the hills.
"Or…perhaps you could simply explain to us why the Lady Réann has been sneaking out of her chambers to be with a dwarf named Dwalin…one who, oddly enough, from the description bears a striking resemblance to you, Fili?" Thorin asked, leaning forward on his desk and lacing his fingers together. "Because your mother and I have given it a great deal of thought, and the only reason we can come up with is that you have been lying to us."
"NO!" Fili balked. "Not exactly lying…just, well…withholding certain facts," he countered, though even to his own ears it sounded lame. It was then that he realized this had all been a big joke on him, and that none of them honestly meant to force him to wed the dams they had suggested. With a mixture of relief and resignation, he sunk back in his chair, knowing the jig was up. "How did you find out?"
"The Lady of the Grey Mountains was honest enough to confess this to us when we spoke with her this morning," Dis said in a scolding tone. "Something I would have liked to believe my son would have informed us about far sooner! How could you do this to us? Your uncle and I have been in mental turmoil over the idea that we might be forcing you into a loveless marriage, and here you have fallen in love with one of the very dams you are supposed to choose from?"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Fili assured them, feeling about as small as a Hobbit child. "It all began by mistake, but as more time passed, the deeper I fell – both into my deception and in love with Réann."
"Well what in Mahal's name kept you from revealing your true identity to her?" Dwalin demanded. "Did you think you could go on dragging my good name through the mud by playing false to the lass?"
"No! I only told her that my name was Dwalin because I at first thought she was the maid of one of the dams brought to the mountain," Fili continued in his defense. "And by the time I learned who she really was, I had also found out what she thought of me - or at least what she thought of the Prince. Saying I was…how did she put it…a spoiled dwarfling with the manners of a troll."
"Well…she wasn't all wrong," Kili chuckled, but shut his mouth repentantly when his brother shot him a glare.
"She assumed there had to be something horribly wrong with me if the only way I could find a wife was to go through all this," Fili continued, gesturing wildly with his hands. "That I was too obnoxious, or too ugly, to catch a lass's eye otherwise. And since I didn't want to add liar to her long list of my faults, I kept my mouth shut and let her go on believing I was Dwalin."
"And then you fell in love with her," Thorin concluded in a knowing tone.
"Yes…I fell in love with her," he agreed, his expression changing to one of utter joy. "And not just any kind of love, Uncle…the kind a dwarrow only feels when they've found their One. I'm not sure when I realized it, but once I did, there was no denying it. And thank Mahal, she feels the same about me. I want to marry her, Uncle. And only her."
"Yet, she believes she's in love with my commander, a Dwalin, son of Fundin…and not the crown prince," he pointed out. "How do you think she will react when she finds out the truth?"
"I don't know, and that's what been eating away at me day and night," Fili moaned, leaning forward and burying his head in his hands. "I love her so completely and yet I can't tell her the simplest thing about me…my true name!"
Here Thorin's expression turned to one of sympathy, feeling the pain his nephew was going through, but also reminding himself that it was all his own doing. He then lifted his eyes to Kili.
"And what part have you played in all this?" he demanded. "And don't try that innocent look either, because we know you've been masquerading as his older brother…a dwarf named Galin."
"I just wanted to be part of the fun!" Kili explained, his tone almost a whine. "Especially when Bard caught the two of them in the woods and blackmailed Fili into bringing Réann and his older brother to dinner the other night. So, I got dressed up to look older in order to go see how they interacted…and to watch Bard make Fili squirm."
"Bard is in on this as well?" Thorin bellowed. "I'm the king of this mountain, unless everyone has somehow forgotten, and yet I seem to be the last to hear about everything! Who else knows?"
"Well…um…" here Kili stalled, not sure who he should name. Yet one look at the throbbing vein in Thorin's forehead had him spilling his guts. "Nori, Ori, Bofur and Oin! As well as Sigrid, Bain and Tilda. But that's all…I think."
"So, not only did you and your brother sneak inside my wardrobe in order to spy on the dams when they were being questioned, you also took the lass out of Erebor and down to Dale?" Balin squawked, shocked at the brazen actions of the prince. He then looked over at Dwalin. "I'm beginning to question the security of the mountain, Brother."
"You can't blame Dwalin or the guards," Fili spoke up, not wanting anyone else to get in trouble on account of him. "We had Nori helping us. So really, you should be praising our resident spy's skills, not questioning Dwalin's."
"I knew that thief agreed to get my message to the lass far too quickly," Thorin muttered, recalling how odd that meeting had felt. "I bet he was laughing at me the whole time."
"Knowing Nori…probably," Dis nodded in understanding.
"So, now that you know, what do you plan on doing about it?" Fili asked. "Am I in a heap of trouble?"
"The amount of trouble you are in far exceeds even the amount of gold that lies in the vaults of this mountain," Thorin assured his despondent nephew. "I would think by now you would realize that your foolish shenanigans never lead to anything but woe. Sadly, this time we are not the only victims of your prank…you have wronged the Lady Réann as well."
"I know, and please don't blame her for any of this," Fili begged. "She didn't set out to deceive anyone, it was all my doing."
"It is an honorable thing that you both wish to shoulder the blame on this, for she too said the same about you," Thorin told him, a proud smile crossing his lips. "It speaks of her fine character, as well as your repentance. And the fact that your mother and I feel she is a fine choice will go a long way in getting you out of hot water. Still, your actions have consequences, and we have come up with a fine punishment, one that fits the crime."
"Oh?" Fili asked, dread taking hold of his stomach.
"Yes. For the next several days you will be denied the fine company of the Lady Réann, and instead, be subjected to hours on end of conversation, dinners, and long walks with each of the other five dams," Dis informed him with a rather pleased smile. "Doesn't that just sound lovely?"
"But why? I already know my choice!" Fili protested. "Why do I need to go through such pretence?"
"So no one will become suspicious and find out that you've been decieving half the mountain all this time!" Thorin barked out sternly. "You will entertain each and every dam just as you should have, and that's by your king's command!"
Here Fili fell back in his chair, throwing an arm over his eyes, and moaning loudly.
"Sounds like he's all for the idea," Balin chuckled.
"In the meantime, your mother will inform all the candidates that they are not to speak to each other, for fear they give anything away to your Grey Mountain lass," Thorin continued. "She must be kept in the dark about your true identity, for should she find out, there is the distinct possibility that someone might learn of your previous meeting and then cry foul on that account. No one can know that the dwarf she believes to be Dwalin…is you."
"When will I get to tell her the truth? I mean I can't allow her to go on believing otherwise, especially when I'll inevitably choose her as my future bride," Fili pointed out.
"When and how, will be discussed later," Dis assured him. "At present, you only need to focus on playing the interested prince in front of the other dams. And do not let them even suspect that they are not still in the running. Understand?"
"Yes, I do," he said, yet still unable to let things lay. "But what about Réann? What did you tell her? Does she still fear that the prince…I mean, I…might pick her?"
"I told her she need not be concerned in that regard," Thorin stated. "And while I never said you wouldn't be choosing her - I did reassure her that she didn't need to worry about it any further. For one would hope that when you do pick her…she will be happy."
"Or more likely, mad as a wet Hobbit when she learns of my deception," Fili muttered.
"And whose fault is that?" Dis asked pointedly.
"Yeah!" Dwalin broke in, reaching out to slap Fili on the back of his head, eliciting a cry of pain from the prince. "And don't you go using my name for any more of your foolish pranks either! I'll not have you mucking up my reputation, yah hear?"
"But can't I just see Réann for a little bit in order to explain?" Fili pleaded.
"No! The less she knows of the truth at the moment, the better," Thorin insisted. "You have already put this whole marriage arrangement in jeopardy, and unless you want all the clans to say we didn't act fairly, you will stay as far away from Réann as possible." Here he leaned forward and gave him one of his famous Durin glowers. "And that goes for your brother and all your other cohorts as well. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"
"Yes, Uncle," Fili said with a longsuffering sigh. "You have."
"Good," Dis stated with a tone of finality. "Now that all this messy business it settled, there's only one thing left to say." Here she leaned over and grabbed Fili's hand expectantly. "Tell us everything!"
So poor Fili has to pay the piper now. Serves him right.
Did you like how Thorin and Dis handled the situation, and how they teased him about marrying one of the other lasses?
Oh, and Dwalin got to give Fili a slap upside the head for using his name too!
Sadly, Réann is still in the dark, though she feels a bit better about all this having come clean to Thorin. So Fili better start practicing his groveling!
Guest Reviews:
new fan guest: You binge read ALL my stories? Even the 191 chapter one? Wow, I hope your eyes still work after that one. ha ha. Thanks for reading my works, it makes me very happy to hear you liked them. And yes, I have heard that song and it's very moving. Also, thanks for reading this new one as well, it's always nice to hear from readers. T.O.W.G.
Travelbug: Yeah...that was a very mean cliff hanger...but it made you want to come back for more, right? ha ha. Oh, yes, a Balin spit-reaction moment would have been awesome. Sorry he hadn't been in a bar when he heard it and spit ale all over Thorin. ha ha. I do hope you liked everyone's reaction this this piece of news. ha ha. Her family will play their part...wait for it. I really think Thorin will try and keep the other dams from finding out that Fili broke the rules. Don't want him in any more trouble than necessary. And as you saw, Fili and Kili did get dragged into the reveal...though maybe not exactly as you imagined. Still...there will be yet another reveal, one where Réann finds out! I hope this update came early enough for you. Thanks for your continued reviews.
Emrfangirl: Oh, let's just say poor everyone...since no one is not effected by this in some way or another. ha ha. But what fun it is. Thanks.