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Congratulations for earning a bonus chapter! Hope you like it.

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Chapter 50

~X~

Fili finally located his mother in her study, going over her own stack of paperwork dealing with requests from families, mothers and the elderly. Dis took her role as Erebor princess very seriously and loved every minute of it, knowing that she was working hard for the betterment of her people. Yet she still set it all aside when she saw the concern in her oldest son's eyes.

"What has you looking so perplexed?" she asked, extending her hand to offer him a chair beside her desk. "Is everything all right with you and Sier? Nothing is the matter with Flinn, is there?"

"No, nothing like that," Fili quickly assured her, watching her face relax in relief. "I was just out riding with Miss Brandybuck, showing her the lay of the land, and…"

"Wait! You took Marigold out this morning?" Dis broke in, suddenly sounding very upset. "Where was Thorin?"

"He arrived at my door quite early and said something came up, asking me to go in his place," Fili answered.

"Why, that dirty rat!" she huffed, her eyes narrowing into slits. No wonder her brother had looked so troubled…it wasn't due to having spent time with the lass, it was because he was purposefully avoiding her! "And I am certain that our hobbit lass was less than pleased by this change in guides, was she not?"

"I…I guess that could have been why she seemed a bit odd today," Fili surmised, now seeing things a little clearer. While she had never said anything, or acted in any way unfriendly, he could now tell that she had seemed a bit upset by the change in plans. "But why would Uncle bowing out have caused her any distress?"

"Can you not guess?" Dis asked, leaning back in her chair and looking at him with a wry grin. "You will be king one day, and it will serve you well to sharpen your deductive skills."

Fili looked at his mother for a moment in complete bewilderment, and then he let his mind drift back to his uncle's first meeting with the hobbit lass. Or how Thorin had glared daggers at Kili when he danced with Marigold, and even how interested he had been during Gloin and Bombur's talk about finding their ones. Suddenly, Fili's eyes grew wide with understanding, and it all made perfect sense.

"Uncle Thorin is in love?" he blurted out, leaping to his feet as his hands flew to his head in shock. "And Marigold…she fancies him too?"

"Near as I can figure," Dis nodded, proud that her son had figured it out so quickly. "And the fact that even you noticed her disappointment at being stood up by your uncle, tells me I am more right than not."

"I…I can't believe it," Fili stammered walking around the chair he had been sitting in and leaned on it, his hands gripping the tall wooden back tightly. "Uncle…in love. And with a hobbit no less!"

"Does this bother you?" she asked, getting a little furrow in her brow. "If…and at the moment, that is a very big if…Thorin decides to pursue this, he will undoubtedly get a bit of resistance from those who hold to the old ways. He is a son of Durin, a king, and there are some who will not take too kindly to him choosing a hobbit as his mate. Still…if Mahal sees fit to bless him with a one…who are we to argue her race? He will need the support of his family and friends…does he have it from you?"

"What?" Fili looked up at her as if she were speaking Sindarin. "Of course he has my backing! Why should I care who he chooses to love? A one is a one…and no dwarf can argue that fact. Certainly not me, for I am by far much happier now that I have come to accept Sier as my own. It is Mahal's choice, would they dare to disagree with that? Uncle has my full and unswerving support, and I am sure he will get the same from Kili, and everyone else who knows and loves him."

"I am very happy to hear you say that," Dis smiled, visibly relaxing. "Then I can count on your help in trying to get those two star-crossed lovers to admit their feelings and do something about it?"

"They are fighting it?" This caused Fili to blanch just a bit and retake his seat. "Trust me, I know from experience, that will not work. If I had not been so blinded by worry over that blasted elixir, I would have realized Sier was my one immediately, and nothing would have prevented me from making my feelings known. If Marigold is Thorin's one, why in all of Middle Earth would he want to fight it…or for that matter, why would she?"

"Why indeed?" she replied with a heavy sigh. "I gave up long ago trying to figure out the inner workings of my brother's mind, though I am certain in his mixed up sense of logic, he has a very rational reason. Trouble is…he is flat out wrong. As for Marigold…well, I am not sure hobbits have ones like we do. But she is most definitely interested, that much I am sure of. Still, how to get him to stop ignoring her, and her to make it plain that she would welcome his advances… that is where I need help."

"Well, count me in!" Fili told her, getting a wide grin on his face. "And I am sure that Sier and Kili will volunteer as well."

"I have kind of already enlisted your brother's help, though I doubt he realizes it," she laughed. "I instructed him to give Marigold a tour of the mountain, right in front of Thorin. I thought my poor nadad was going to swallow his tongue!"

"Well…you might want to clue Kili in a bit," Fili laughed. "Since it is quite unlikely that he will make Thorin jealous by taking Marigold to visit the stables or the tombs."

"He did what?" Dis barked, shutting her eyes as she shook her head in exasperation. Bilbo had also revealed that Thorin had followed them on the tour, but he had failed to mention where Kili had taken her. "Where does that son of mine get his crazy ideas? I swear, he takes after your father in that way, not a devious or scheming bone in his body. What you see is what you get with Kili…just like with Flinn." She then looked at Fili and gave him a wink. "And I loved your father dearly because of it."

"And does the fact that I am willing to help you out in your schemes, mean that I take after you in this manner?" Fili laughed.

"You are the spitting image of your father, just like Flinn is of you," she nodded with a mischievous grin. "But in your way of thinking…you are all Durin, through and through."

"I will take that as a compliment," he chuckled.

"Of course you will…it was meant that way," she told him, looking a bit shocked that he would have thought otherwise. "Now, if you will excuse me," Dis said, standing up and stacking the papers on her desk into a nice neat pile. "I have a thick-headed brother to find and knock some sense into. I will let you know how it goes, and to what extent your services will be needed. So be at the ready."

"As always, Amad," Fili told her, standing up and taking her hand as he leaned forward, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I am forever at your service."

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Bergie Bracegirdle strode into the dining hall like a hobbit on a mission…for that was what she was! Spotting Thorin sitting at the head table, talking to Bofur on his left, she immediately walked around to stand at his right, pulling out the chair directly beside him.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked, causing the king to look up in surprise, stammering a bit before shaking his head.

Had Thorin not been so stunned by her sudden appearance and startling question, he might have had the good manners to rise and assist in seating her. As it was he only had time to barely make it to his feet before she had plopped down in the empty chair.

"May I help you with something?" the king asked, still unsure of why the hobbit lass had singled him out to sit beside.

"That remains to be seen, Your Majesty," she told him, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her upper cheek on her knuckles, staring at him with great intent. "I was hoping to get some answers from ya, but I am not quite sure how to go about it."

"Oh?" Thorin asked, looking from Bergie to Bofur, and watching the perplexed miner give him a shrug of confusion. "And why is that?"

"Well, I am a plain speaking lass," she began, sounding neither apologetic nor regretful. "And when I want something, be it information or anything else, I go after it with both hands. However, you being a king and all, I don't want to step on any political toes here, if you get my meaning. Would you be offended by my directness…or will you allow my questions without being insulted by my manner of asking?"

"Miss Bracegirdle," Thorin began, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "I am a plain speaking dwarf myself, and I would prefer it, as opposed to beating around the bush. I welcome your candor and will do all I can to alleviate any concerns you might have. Is there some issue with the storage facilities? Something you see that needs improvements?"

"All that has been dealt with by your most efficient aide, Mister Balin," she quickly assured him. "No, my concerns are of a much more…personal matter." She raised her eyebrow and looked from the King to Bofur. "Still wish for me to speak plainly?"

Thorin, suddenly realizing where this conversation might be headed, turned to his old friend and gave him a slight jerk of his head, indicating that he wished for Bofur to make himself scarce. Picking up on the signal right away, the hatted miner scooped up his plate and ale and quickly disappeared.

"Now," Thorin began, once they were alone…or as much as one could be in a room full of dwarves, "what seems to be the trouble?"

"You know that one of my reasons for coming on this trip was to look after my niece, Marigold," she began, watching Thorin tense up at the mention of her name. "Well, it would appear that she is…a bit confused at the moment. And, pardon me for saying so, but I blame you."

"Me?" Thorin asked, sounding a bit affronted. "What have I done?"

"Nothing…and that seems to be the problem," she pointed out. "Bilbo tells us that he and Gandalf are taking turns keeping you occupied, saying that you appeared to be bored. And yet, you have been avoiding Marigold at every turn, even backing out on the ride you had scheduled with her. Has she offended you in some way?"

"Certainly not!" Thorin was quick to object. "I have no issue whatsoever with Miss Brandybuck."

"Well, if that is the case," Bergie mused. "Then tell me, King Thorin, are you morally opposed to hobbit lasses?"

"Am I what?" Thorin was seriously regretting having told her she could speak her mind.

"Does the idea of courting a hobbit lass offend you?" she went on, not waiting for a reply. "I mean, is there some law or code that says a dwarf can't pursue a lass of another race? Would you be looked down upon if someone, let's say me for argument's sake, chose to pursue you with a mind towards marriage. Would you be insulted by my suit simply because I was not a dwarrowdam, or would you welcome my attentions?"

"Bergamot Bracegirdle!" a deep and booming voice came from behind them both, one that did not at all sound pleased by what he had just overheard.

"Dwalin!" Bergie gasped, a bit startled, since she had not seen him approach the table.

Dwalin had spent most of the day thinking about how he would find a way to become more…physical with Bergie. And the more he had thought about the idea of finding an excuse to touch her hand or brush his shoulder against hers, the more excited he became. He had entered the dining room with an eager smile, anxious to find her and try out his new found resolve, only to see that she was sitting next to Thorin! And while he told himself that it was nothing to get all worked up about, when he quietly came up behind them, and heard what his little hobbit lass was saying…well that made his temper shoot through the roof! Was Bergie propositioning…Thorin?

Suddenly everything made perfect sense! Hadn't his friend told him to try and forget Bergie? Suggesting that his feelings for her were only some passing fancy…that a hobbit couldn't possibly be his one? Yet all the while his own king was trying to undermine his efforts…so that he could have her for himself! And the worst part was…she was buying into it! Well, he was not one to be played for a fool!

Not giving Thorin even a glance – the traitor – Dwalin glared at Bergie with eyes full of rage and fury.

"Miss Bracegirdle," he seethed, "I would like a word with you…in private. NOW!" He then reached out and took her by the hand, practically dragging the hobbit lass out of the dining room by means of one of the back exits, effectively avoiding most of the crowd.

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Bergie tried to speak, to ask what had him in such a snit, but a quick glare and a low growl from the bald warrior silenced her questions. And so she simply followed, or at least tried her best to, for his legs were much longer and he had the advantage of knowing where they were heading. The frustrated little hobbit was about to re-institute her protests when the gruff dwarf pulled her into a small room and slammed the door shut behind them. There was a little window at the top of the entrance, allowing light to filter in, and revealing that Dwalin had chosen a linen closet in which to bring her. While this did seem odd…she still had no idea why he had insisted on speaking to her now…and so forcefully! She turned around to ask that very question, only to see her wild warrior advancing on her with a strange fire in his eyes. Making a hasty retreat, she quickly ran out of room and found herself backed against the furthest wall, with Dwalin less than a foot away, looming over her like some vengeful wraith.

"What exactly do you think you were doing back there?" he bellowed, making her flinch at the ire in his tone. "Was it all a game to you? First I find you out touring the mountain with Bofur, and now I chance upon you propositioning Thorin? Is your heart so fickle that you can't wait more than a day before you dance off to flirt with the next lad that catches your fancy?"

"What?" Bergie was flabbergasted. Was he serious? "You…you think I was making a play for the king? That I was seeking his attention?"

"I heard you do so with my own ears!" he argued. "And though my right one is missing a big chunk out of it, I assure you that it has not affected my hearing one bit!"

"Dwalin," she began, attempting to keep her voice calm. Looking back, she could see how he might have misunderstood – she was sure it must have appeared very damning, especially if he only overheard the last part. "I was not making a play for King Thorin. I was, however, doing my best to ascertain if he might be interested in my niece…Marigold. Perhaps you might not have noticed, but he has been ignoring her for the past few weeks, avoiding any contact with her? And while it is all well and good if he wants to hole up somewhere like a silly cave troll, I will not stand by and let him cause my kin mental anguish. So, what I was doing was trying to find out why he is acting this way…asking him if he has something against hobbits. That was all, I promise."

"Then…you were not flirting with Thorin?" Dwalin asked, wanting desperately to believe her.

"No. The only dwarf I want to give my attentions to…is you!" she told him with a huff, placing her hands on her hips and giving him a shake of her head. "Have I not made that abundantly clear from the moment I set eyes on you?"

"But…I…what I overheard…it just…" he couldn't quite form a complete sentence.

"Upset you," she nodded, a small grin coming to her lips. "And while I do love this whole jealous, possessive side of you, don't you think it is time we move past it all, and just get on with the fun stuff?"

Dwalin, once again stunned by her frankness, allowed his poor bewildered mind to contemplate her words for all of five seconds…before he grabbed her by the arms and pulled her against his hard chest, causing her to emit a small squeak of surprise.

"And by fun stuff…do you mean this?" he asked, seconds before he brought his lips down on hers, silencing any reply she might have given with a bold and passionate kiss.

Dwalin had seen and done many things in his one-hundred and seventy-eight years, but nothing in all that time had prepared him for this! It was like experiencing Gandalf's fireworks…but while standing directly in the center of the explosions. He could feel a warmth fill his body, a light-headedness making him feel weak in the knees, and a strong yearning for…for more! If he had known kissing could feel like this, he would have definitely put more effort into finding his one years ago!

And then, he heard it, a soft moan coming from the pliant little lass being crushed against him, the sound completely turning his mind to jelly. However, what he felt next, while difficult to describe, Dwalin knew it was exactly the sign he had been waiting for! Now it was his turn to let out a low moan, one that only seemed to feed the hunger that was now growing between them, yet he forced himself to step back, taking in a shaky breath.

"Oh, lassie," he murmured, relishing the feeling of her in his arms, wanting nothing more than for them to remain this way forever. "I…I think you have finally done it."

"Done what?" she asked, worried that she might have misjudged the situation somehow…for she had thought things were going along swimmingly.

"You have…what I mean is…I am awake now," he answered, a bit of color coming to his cheeks at his words.

Bergie, however, was unfamiliar with this term - for Ilin and Dena had never used it specifically when describing a dwarrow's transformation from stone. So misunderstanding his words, she simply nodded.

"I feel the same way," she smiled. "I too feel as if I have been living my life in a dream…waiting for the right one to come along and wake me up."

Dwalin began to chuckle softly, realizing that he needed to make his words plainer.

"No, lass…what I mean is that you have awakened me…from stone," he told her, putting a bit more emphasis on his last word, even nodding his head in a downward motion for good measure.

Now that term Bergie did understand, and as her eyes grew wide, his grin did as well.

"I did…I mean, you are?" she stammered, pulling back just a bit as she dared to let her eyes drift south in surprise. "You mean all it took was one kiss?"

"Skin on skin," Dwalin nodded, wondering why in the name of Mahal he had not tried this sooner! "Sometimes that is what it takes to make a dwarrow sit up and take notice."

"Well then," she hummed, snuggling herself back into his eager embrace, laying her head against his chest with a contented sigh. "Does that mean that I am officially your one? No more wondering…no more stalling?"

"No more of anything that does not involve you, my lovely lass," Dwalin assured her, placing a kiss on the top of her tawny-haired head. "And I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that you are my one…and only. The one that Mahal created just for me, to love, care for, protect, and cherish to the end of my days."

"I like the sound of that, very much," she agreed. "And you, my proud warrior, were very much worth the wait."

"Well, there won't be any need for waiting any longer," he told her, pushing her away from him just a bit so that he could look her in the eyes. "You once said you were not long on patience, well neither am I. And now that I know for a fact that you and I were meant to be a mated pair…why wait a moment longer?"

"What are you saying?" she asked, her mouth suddenly dry and her heart racing like a war horse.

"I am saying, let's get hitched…right now!" he told her with a huge grin. "I don't care for the idea of some long engagement, or any engagement at all, for that matter. I love you, and you love me…so what say you? Will you be my wife, Bergie Bracegirdle?"

"You bet I will!" she squealed, throwing her arms around him in a fit of joy. "I have dreamed of nothing else since I first saw you, almost getting your head lobbed off by that orc! I would be pleased as punch, and twice as happy to be your wife, Dwalin, son of Fundin!"

"Great! Then let's get out of this broom closet and go get the job done!" he told her, turning as if to head for the door, but her hand on his arm held him back.

"Or…" she offered, a wicked grin spreading across her lips as she crooked her finger at him in a come-hither fashion, "we could stay here for a few more minutes and celebrate the moment. I mean, it is not every day a lass gets proposed to…and I might want to relish the moment a little longer."

"Well now," Dwalin replied, a wolfish smile peeking out between his mustache and beard. "Who am I to turn down an offer like that, especially from such a pretty little lassie like you?" And gathering her into his muscular arms, they lost themselves in the taste and feel of each other's heated kisses.

OH BOY! A wedding! I better stock up on tissues...I always cry at weddings!

So, how did you like Dis and Fili's talk? Looks like Dis has recruited another into her ring of spies. ha ha.

Poor Thorin...he was caught between a rock and a hard place for sure. Good thing Dwalin came along.

So...what did you think of Dwalin's 'wake up party'? Talk about taking the bull by the horns. Balin will be so proud.

More on Monday and things only pick up from here!

Guest Reviews:

enilorac44: Poor Thorin...yes, it is hard to have sympathy for him when he is bringing this all on himself. Dwalin would have been impressed with Bergie...if he had saw her yelling at Thorin, but he thought she was doing something else. ha ha. I did have a lovely weekend, and with his bonus chapter, I hope you did too. ha ha. And I did not get a chance to respond to your review to chapter 47, my mail was sporadic for a bit and I didn't see it until now. Yes, Kili will get his turn...in Part 3. Right now, part 2 is all about Thorin and Dwalin. (part 1 was Fili) I can't handle three romances at a time...so our adorable archer will have to wait. ha ha.

Kendall Merritt: Thanks for ALL the love...but you know, eventually I WILL come to an end here and HAVE to stop writing. ha ha. But I hope you will like what I do in the meantime! Thanks and keep those reviews coming!

Guest H: I think Thorin's days for blockheadedness are numbered...hold on a bit longer. No, a skinny Dwalin would be sad, AND I don't think Bergie would be happy about it. She would see it as her personal duty to fatten him up...hobbit style. OH BOY, I love your resolution to leave tons of reviews...they make me so happy.

ValarenOfGondor: Nope, breaking a date is a no-no! Did you like Bergie's half rant? Dwalin kind of cut her off there. NOT that she is complaining. ha ha. Yep, Dis and Bilbo need to step up their game. Balin is the smart one of the bunch for sure, and he knows what is best for his brother. And are you pleased with HOW Dwalin took Balin's advice? Bergie was!

Guest: Well, you didn't have to wait long! Did you like what DID happen? Thanks.

Aranel Mereneth: Did you enjoy your bonus chapter? Thorin is only dumb when it comes to women...and arkenstones. ha ha. But having people call out "All Hail the Dumb Durins" might be just the threat to wake him up...no pun intended. ha ha. I hope you got lots of sleep! ha ha.