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Yes, this is an early posting...but only because I am going to be very slammed for the next two days and this might be my last time near a computer until tomorrow evening, and I can't be LATE in posting! I can't!
Also, I have a special off for you at the end of the chapter, be sure to read it. Thanks
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Chapter 49
~X~
The following day, dressed in her warmest winter leggings, a long tunic and coat, Marigold waited by the two ponies that had been saddled in preparation for their ride out to survey the fields. She had been up since dawn, checking and double checking that she had everything ready, not wanting to seem unprepared for their outing. Hobbit lasses' feet were smaller than their male counterparts, and a bit less hairy as well, but they were no less tough or impervious to cold, requiring no need for protective footwear. She had several charts and maps tucked away in her satchel, as well as sweet biscuits, cheese, fruit, and some dried meat she had retrieved from the kitchen, just in case they decided to stop for a bite to eat while out. The small wine skin hidden in another saddle bag would be a nice touch to their little winter picnic. Marigold had everything she needed…except Thorin.
Pacing back and forth a few more times, she wondered if she had misjudged the time. The dwarves did everything by bells here, not by hours or minutes, and she had yet to see a timepiece anywhere in the whole mountain. Not that she had seen every room the kingdom had to offer of course, she chuckled to herself. At least not on the very strange tour that Kili had given her.
"I am sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Marigold," came a voice from behind her, causing her to spin around with a smile on her face and a greeting on her lips. Yet her expression crumbled, when instead of Thorin Oakenshield approaching, it was Prince Fili, dressed in his warm furs and riding leathers. "Something has come up and my uncle sent me in his place today. I hope you do not mind."
"I…" Mari began, feeling as if her whole world had just come to an end. She had been so looking forward to spending some time with the king…and here he had bowed out once again. It was almost enough to crush a lass, if she were the kind to allow such a thing. Yet Marigold Brandybuck was not the type to let a few setbacks deter her, so pushing down her disappointment, she pasted on a brave face and shook her head. "Not at all, Your Highness. I will be most glad for the company."
"Please, call me Fili," he insisted, coming forward and assisting her into the saddle of her pony. "We really don't stand on ceremony very much, unless it is a political function or some such dull thing. My brother and I might have been born princes, but until we arrived in Erebor, no one ever bothered to bow or use our titles. And I, for one, have never quite gotten used to it."
"Very well, Fili," she nodded. "As long as you will return the favor and call me Mari."
"Deal," he laughed, swinging himself into the saddle. "Shall we go? My uncle said I was to give you the grand tour of every field, stream, gully or ditch that piqued your interest. Your wish is to be my command."
"He said that, did he?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at his words. Sure, Thorin gave strict instructions that someone else fulfills her desires, and yet he seemed incapable of granting any of them personally. "Just as long as we steer clear of the crypt room, I do not think I could handle another tour of that nature," Marigold laughed, watching Fili's right eyebrow shoot up in curiosity. "I will tell you as we ride," she assured him, kicking her heels a little to get the pony moving.
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From the battlement, Thorin stood there and watched Fili and Marigold ride off. He cursed his cowardice, sending his nephew out in his place. He would never have sent another into battle in his stead, but for some reason, facing this sweet and engaging hobbit lass frightened him more than a whole battalion of orcs. For they could only wound his flesh…where she, well, she had the power to wound his heart.
Thorin closed his eyes and recalled the marvelous dream he had of her the night before, of her leaning in and kissing him, of the sweet child he had held in his arms, and the sight of her carrying his unborn babe. Why couldn't he just accept that this could be his fate…if only he would allow it? But he couldn't…not for her sake, or the sake of his people. Erebor needed a king, not a lovesick puppy who followed a lass around begging for her attention. And that is exactly what he would become, he knew it. And what kind of life would he be offering Marigold in return? Granted, she would be a queen, yet was that what she wanted? And what of their age difference, or his damnable temper, or a million other things that plagued his mind. No, he had to keep his distance, for if he were to simply give in to his feelings, there would be no turning back. Throin would need to remain strong, avoid her at all costs and not relent.
He had been right to send Fili…hadn't he?
With a heavy sigh, Thorin turned away and headed back inside the mountain, ready to throw himself into yet another day of mind-numbing paperwork and boring meetings. Anything to distract him from the soft, green eyes of a certain little lass.
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Meanwhile, Dwalin was battling his own temptation…in the form of Bergie Bracegirdle. It had been almost two weeks since he had spoken directly to his feisty little hobbit – and while she was obviously keeping her distance and giving him the time she had promised, that had not stopped her from sending him precocious winks, or leading smiles whenever they happened to run into each other. And each time, it never failed to take his breath away, the lassie capturing his attention like he never thought possible. Yet, still…there were no physical signs that she was without a doubt his one! He had found himself hoping each night as he lay down to sleep, that he would dream of her, on their wedding day, or perhaps their future children…but no such visions came. Nothing to offer him proof that Bergie was the mate that Mahal had selected for him. Maybe it truly was all in his head, like Thorin had said. Was his reaction to her simply the fact that she was something new? He had to admit that her chasing after him was extremely flattering, but was that all it was?
"Brother?" Balin called from the kitchen, having come by that morning with the offer to fix the two of them breakfast. "Will you be wanting sausages this morning?"
"No…I am not very hungry," he replied with a heavy sigh. "I will just have some ham, half a dozen eggs, bacon, porridge, a couple of griddle-cakes and one or two biscuits."
Balin stuck his head out of the little doorway and eyed his nadadith with concern.
"You are not taking in enough to keep a bird alive," he fussed, setting out plates and a pot of coffee on the table as he watched his brother sit down rather dejectedly. "You will be skin and bones before you know it, if you keep this up."
"I just don't have much of an appetite these days," Dwalin confessed.
"And I think I know the reason why," the white bearded dwarf replied with a huff. "You are fretting over that hobbit lassie…Miss Bracegirdle."
The tattooed warrior did not even bother denying it, and simply looked away, slightly embarrassed that his nadad could read him so well. But then again, Balin had not been appointed as Thorin's councilor for nothing – he had a way of uncovering secrets and finding solutions to them. He only wished there was a way he could help him with this one.
"I see how you follow her with your eyes every time you are in the same room together, and the fact that you even agreed to dance with her at the celebration was a dead giveaway," Balin went on, as if trying to justify his line of thought. "It completely eludes me, however, why you have chosen to do nothing about it. What is stopping you, Brother?"
"What do you think is holding me back?" he all but roared, pounding his fist on the table and hearing the dishes rattle. "Every part of my mind and body feels as if she is calling out to me…all but one! And damned if that is not the most important part!"
"Ahhhh," Balin nodded, sitting down in the chair next to the frustrated dwarf, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "I think I see your concern. And while I do commiserate with you…I also understand your hesitancy to act without solid proof. You do not want to lead the poor lass on, especially if there might not be any chance you are a fated pair. Still, what if by keeping your distance, you are in fact derailing a chance for progress? You heard what Gloin and Bombur said…physical contact is often what it takes in these matters."
"But how much contact is required? I can't just snatch the lassie up and toss her in my bed!" And while his tone revealed his horror over the idea…his mind whispered otherwise. "Can I?"
"Of course not!" Balin scoffed, though after having spent a little time with Miss Bergie himself, he was not completely sure she would object. "That is not what I meant at all. I was just suggesting that perhaps you two sit beside each other at dinner, or take a walk together, and maybe…hold hands? That would not be too scandalous, and it might allow you to know if things have a chance to progress."
"Do…do you think it is even possible for a dwarf and a hobbit to be compatible…in that way?" he asked, giving his older brother a hopeful look.
"Why in the name of Mahal wouldn't it be?" the older dwarf scoffed, looking rather shocked by the question. "You are a male, she is a female…I see no problem in that!"
"But…can we have…bairns?" he asked, looking rather embarrassed by the question.
"Do you…want bairns?" Balin was not sure why the idea shocked him so much. Perhaps it was because they had both lived as bachelors for so long…that the idea of either of them ever having children had never been a consideration. Yet, as he looked into his younger sibling's eyes, he could tell that it was indeed something Dwalin desired. Suddenly the older dwarf felt a lump form in his throat, as visions of rambunctious dwarflings running around at his feet and calling him Uncle flooded his mind. "Oh, Brother!" He reached out and gripped his arm, giving it an enthusiastic squeeze.
"Now, don't you go getting all sappy on me!" Dwalin growled, pulling away and crossing his arms over his chest as he did his best to look gruff. "And there's no reason for any such talk as it is, since there ain't been no signs yet that Bergie is my one! I might find her alluring, captivating, and just so darn tempting that I can hardly think straight in her presence…but I have yet to awaken!"
"But if you are even thinking along these lines…that has to mean something!" Balin insisted, still all a twitter at the idea of his nadadith with a wife and children. "You have never felt like this before…have you?"
"Nay, and if I had, I probably would've killed myself," he lamented, releasing a low moan. "You don't know what it is like, Nadad! She occupies my every waking thought, her voice is like a siren's song and, by Mahal's ax, her feet…don't even get me started on those fuzzy little feet!"
This caused Balin to let out a cross between a snort and a laugh, finding it rather amusing that his brother was so fixated on the hobbit's bare feet.
"I think it is quite time that you stopped waiting for things to happen to you…and start making things happen!" Balin suggested. "All you are doing is making yourself sick by wondering and worrying. Now, I am going to go finish making breakfast, and then we will have a nice chat about all the ways you can help speed this bonding along…without compromising yours, or the lass', reputations!" And with one final sympathetic pat on his brother's shoulder, he headed back into the kitchen.
"Balin!" Dwalin called after him, causing the white bearded dwarf to stick his head around the doorway once again. "Maybe I will have some sausages with my breakfast after all."
"That's the spirit, Brother!" he smiled, giving him a wily wink.
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After breakfast, Dwalin headed down to the practice ring like he did each morning, hoping to work off his pent up frustrations and severe disappointment. For even after his brother's little pep talk, that is what he still was…disappointed. However, Balin had been right about one thing, he was getting nowhere doing things Thorin's way. And if his king's own surly attitude was any indication as to how things were working out for him…Dwalin was having no more of it. Tonight, at dinner, he would seek Bergie out, he would sit right next to her and if he could manage it, he would find a way to accidentally touch her hand, or her knee, or Mahal…even her foot!
Suddenly feeling the need to smash and hit something, or run the risk of going insane, Dwalin sped up his pace towards the practice ring, eager to find a willing opponent. He pitied the poor sod that drew his lot for sparring that day.
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Later that day, Dis decided to check in on her brother, whom, she noticed, had skipped both breakfast and the noonday meal. Bilbo had informed her about the tour he had agreed to take Marigold on, and she was hoping to learn how things had gone. Yet as she silently peeked around the door to Thorin's council chambers, she spied him sitting at his desk with a look on his face that spoke of mental distress. From her hiding place, the princess sadly shook her head, quickly assuming that something had gone wrong on their outing. Had he said something foolish? Or possibly not said anything at all, giving the poor lass the silent treatment? Why was he fighting this so? It was obvious, at least to her, that his heart was already involved, yet it would appear his mind was warring against it. She had hoped by sending Kili on the tour with Marigold it might have spurred her stubborn brother into action – and while she had heard the previous night from Bilbo, that Thorin had indeed followed the two, nothing had come of it. Dwalin was proving equally stubborn, and Dis was beginning to think her slight meddling had been a complete failure. Or…perhaps it had simply not been enough? She had held back in Fili's case, and see where that had gotten her? Well, she would not let Thorin suffer needlessly…not if she could help it. Slipping away silently, the princess decided that this was war! And Dis had never been one to back down from a fight!
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Fili enjoyed his time with Marigold immensely, having already held a deep admiration for the lass ever since the day she had saved his life in battle. Still, even though she had kept up a steady stream of questions and engaging conversation, he could tell that the hobbit was distracted…troubled even. Fili, however, having only recently figured out his feelings for his own wife, and admittedly was no expert on females, didn't even attempt to make heads or tails of her reasons. Perhaps his mother would be a better one to field this question to, seeing as they probably both spoke the same language. And the last thing Fili wanted was for any of their hobbit guests to feel unhappy in their temporary home, especially after coming all this way.
He had been impressed that she had thought to pack a hearty picnic, extremely grateful for the food and ale, since they ended up staying out until near sunset. Mari had been very thorough, mapping out every border of the planting area, and even showing him a few places nearer the woodland areas that would be perfect for a nice grove of fruit trees. It was obvious that the right hobbit for the job had been selected, and Fili had no doubts that she would see this project succeed.
When they at last made it back to Erebor, both of them exhausted but extremely pleased, they dismounted and handed the ponies off to the stable hand, eager to get inside the nice warm mountain. That was something that impressed Marigold about Erebor, that it was not a dark, cold mountain…no, not at all. The fact that they were mostly underground kept the temperatures within very agreeable, keeping the cold out and a very moderate climate within. She was told that in the summer months that worked to their advantage as well, by keeping the heat out and a comfortable temperature within. It was ingenious really!
"Thank you again for taking me out today," Marigold told Fili as they stopped in the grand foyer, obviously heading in different directions from here on. "I have a much better understanding of the layout and can't wait for the snow to melt and the ground to thaw so we can begin plowing the soil."
"It was my pleasure, Miss Mari," he told her, giving her a slight bow. "My uncle Thorin will be sorry he missed out on such a fun time."
"Oh…I don't know about that," she replied, looking downcast for a moment, then straightening as she smiled up at him. "No matter though, we got the job done. Now if you will pardon me, I must go transfer my notes and drawings to my original plans while it is all still fresh in my mind."
"Will we see you at dinner?" Fili asked.
"Perhaps…we will see," and with that she was gone, hurrying off in the direction of the wing where the hobbit's chambers lay.
Fili hummed suspiciously to himself as he watched her go, feeling very uneasy about her last few comments. He definitely had to speak to his mother now.
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Marigold burst through the door, slamming it behind her, and threw herself onto the sofa in tears.
"I hate him!" she screamed into the pillow, beating her fist against the cushion in frustration. "And that is just fine, since apparently he hates me as well!"
Bergie, who had been reading a book by the fire, looked over at her niece and shook her head sadly before rising to her feet and coming to her side. Sitting down on the sofa, she rubbed her back, doing what she could to ease the pain in Mari's heart.
"Now, I doubt that either of those statements are true," the older lass said, trying to sound sympathetic, yet firm. "Tell me what happened. Did you and Thorin get into a fight during your ride today?"
"What ride?" she blurted out, a whole new series of tears coming forth. "The great and mighty king of Erebor stood me up! Again! Claimed that something came up, and he sent Prince Fili in his place."
"Something came up?" Bergie's eyebrows drew together, she knew how much Mari had been looking forward to spending the day with King Thorin. "Did he say what?"
"Oh, he didn't even have the decency to come tell me himself. He just sent Fili with his lame excuse," she snorted, sitting up and wiping at her eyes. "But it obviously had to be something more important than me…and let me guess, perhaps someone's bootlace broke and he needed to personally see it mended. Or maybe the cook was not sure which to bake, apple muffins or blueberry…how about which color napkins or table cloth to use at dinner? Take your pick, since it is painfully clear that any little old thing takes precedence over five minutes spent in my company!"
"Now hush," she reprimanded, though not harshly. "It might seem that way at the moment, but I am sure it is not as dire as all that." She reached into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a handkerchief – for a good hobbit always had one handy – and gave it to the lass to wipe her eyes.
"But he has been doing this for weeks now…weeks!" Mari continued. "And just yesterday, didn't Bilbo say that he and Gandalf were trying to find ways to keep Thorin from being bored?"
"And you know how Bilbo often tends to exaggerate," Bergie replied with a roll of her eyes. She then looked long and hard at her tearful niece and broached the subject that was probably long overdue. "I know you have been eyeing our fine dwarf king ever since we arrived…and don't you even try and deny it," she added, when Mari opened her mouth in what appeared to be words of protest. Effectively silencing her with a stern look, Bergie continued. "But do you truly have your cap set on him, Mari? I mean if he were to take notice of you, would you be agreeable to his suit? Being pursued by a king comes with a great deal of responsibility, you know. Things might not be easy, I mean just look at all the trouble I am having with Dwalin, and he is only Captain of the Guard…not royalty."
"Apparently it does not matter what I think or want!" she moaned, throwing herself back on the sofa as she draped her arm across her eyes. "And how would I ever know if I want him to pursue me…when he won't even agree to being in the same room with me? It is obvious that he hates me, Auntie, so why even bother thinking about any responsibilities that might come with it? From now on, I will simply do my job, mind my own business, and not even try and speak with him again. Then everyone will be happy."
"Everyone but you, it would seem," the older hobbit said with a shake of her head.
She had held off telling her niece about what Ilin and Dena had said, figuring that she would save such a sensitive subject only for when it was needed. Well, perhaps it was time. But first…she needed to make a visit to the king himself, and find out for sure just what was going on in that thick skull of his. Was he blind? Was he a complete idiot? Or maybe just rude and obnoxious? Either way, she was going to find out if he had any feelings whatsoever for Mari, and then act accordingly. It was one thing for her to sit back and wait patiently on Dwalin, knowing now what she did, but it was quite another thing to watch her pretty little niece suffer - especially if she could do something about it.
"The dinner bell will be ringing soon, would you care to join me?" she offered, actually hoping Mari would decline.
"No…I think I will just make myself something here," Marigold said with a shake of her head. "I really do not feel like seeing anyone right now…I might just bite their head off."
"Well, perhaps I shall go then, while mine is still securely in place," she joked, giving her niece a wink. Her words got a small smile out of her, albeit a half-hearted one, but it was enough to bolster Bergie's resolve to seek out the king. "I will be back as soon as I can, and if you still wish to talk about it, I am all ears."
"Thanks," she nodded. "But I doubt talking will do any good. I think I should just give up and stick to what I know…gardening. This romance stuff is far too difficult and painful. I am better off forgetting him."
"Now, now, let's not be too hasty," Bergie counseled, grabbing her shawl and heading for the door. "You know what they say, nothing worth getting comes easy, and something hard won is much more appreciated."
"You sound just like the Old Took," Mari laughed. "They say he was always spouting words of wisdom and things like that."
"Well, then, it would seem I am in good company," Bergie grinned, opening the door and heading out. Once in the hall, the smile faded from her lips, being replaced by a look of pure determination. "I hope you are in the mood to give out answers, oh mighty king…because I am not leaving the dining hall without them!"
And off she went to seek her prey.
Oh dear...you are in for it now, Thorin. Bergie is coming for your head!
Don't you love Balin...he is such a good brother. And looks like Dwalin got his appetite back and has made up his mind to test the waters!
Fili is so sweet, he worries about Marigold, and is off to find his mommy to have a chat.
Big things to come next chapter!
And I tell you what...I will offer a bonus chapter this weekend if your wonderful reviews push me over the 1200 mark (which is only a few away). Deal?
Guest Reviews:
ValarenOfGondor: Bilbo has loose lips. ha ha. And as you can see, that DATE did not exactly work out, now did it? Apparently it takes MORE than a 'one' dream to convince THAT stubborn dwarf. Kili will recover, he is young, and it will be good practice for himself one day. Oh yes, Fili and Sier have not complaints. ha ha. Oh, what will happen with Thorin and Dwalin next is...oops, I can't tell you. ha ha.
Guest: I do not want that to change either...but don't worry, I got it all worked out. Fear not, my Fili will one day be king! (way, way, way in the future) thanks for the kind review! Hope to hear from you again.
Aranel Mereneth: It is easier this way, and also as you saw on the last chapter, you were my only guest review and if you had not written in, it would have been very lonely here. ha ha. Durin bro fluff is what I live for! I will take the Sier and Kili bonding thing under consideration. Thorin is WORSE than Fili. ha ha. Or maybe too similar? I don't know...you will have to be the judge. ha ha.