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Do I hear wedding bells? Do I? Ummm, no, not yet.
But I think you will see we are getting very, very close!
Hope you enjoy what I did in this chapter.
It was fun!
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Chapter 80
~X~
The days leading up to the wedding seemed to fly by…at least for Dis. She was busy from sunup to sundown, planning, figuring, and making sure that every small detail was seen to personally by her. She was very careful to include Marigold and her family in the plans, knowing that their desires and input were crucial to making this all a success. She mostly spoke with Menegilda, since Marigold was very busy with either the farming project, or Thorin. Now that their date was set, the two of them were very rarely out of the other's company, and never out of each other's thoughts.
The dress that Dis had suggested was an heirloom from her own mother, passed down from generation to generation, and one Dis had once hoped to wear herself when she had wed. Yet it had been left behind when Smaug attacked, a dress being very low on the priority list of things to grab as they made their escape. Thus, Dis had been married in a simple gown she had stitched herself, yet looking back…she regretted nothing. Flinn had told her she looked beautiful that day, and that is all that mattered.
She had considered offering the gown to Sier on the day she had married Fili, but with how quickly Thorin had arranged the secret ceremony, there had not been time for fittings or alterations. But with a few nips and tucks here and there, it would be perfect for Marigold, and Dis knew her ancestors would be proud.
Balin and Ori had worked tirelessly on the invitations, seeing that each one was sent out immediately by raven or rider. They made sure the ones traveling the furthest distance were delivered first, going as far east as the Iron Hills, and as far south as Rohan. No one knew just how many would be able to attend, but they made sure that no one was overlooked…not even Thranduil.
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Thorin, having long put off the task of speaking to Rory about the bride price, decided it was time at last. So inviting him to his chambers one night, he set out another fine bottle of Dorwinion wine…just in case. When Marigold's father arrived, he could tell the hobbit was wary.
"So, lad, what is this all about?" he asked, eyeing the wine with both eagerness and suspicion. "Might you be planning on telling me something I am not going to like hearing?"
"I am unsure," Thorin admitted, pouring the wine and handing him a glass.
"You have not done anything inappropriate with my little girl, now, have ya?" Rory questioned, eying him sternly.
"NO!" Thorin quickly assured him. It was still very unnerving how this hobbit, who was both younger and smaller than him, could intimidate him so much, simply because he was his beloved's father. In a fight, Thorin knew he could grind Rory into the dust, yet the very idea of how Marigold would feel should he ever dare insult the hobbit, kept him properly in his place. "I would never dishonor her in any way, believe me!" His words seemed to ease Rory's mind and he sat down, taking a sip of the wine with a small grin.
"Then what is it?" he asked, waiting patiently for Thorin to speak.
"I need to offer you something," he began, not quite sure what to say. "What I mean is, it is dwarven tradition that before I wed your daughter, I am supposed to offer you gold, silver or precious gems."
"What on earth for?" Rory asked, looking rather perplexed.
"For your daughter," Thorin responded.
"You…you mean you wish to buy her?" Rory asked, sounding both shocked and aghast at the idea. "You would dare to put a price on my little girl…to barter for her like she were mere chattel?"
"No! That is not it at all," Thorin was quick to argue, yet Rory would not be placated.
"And how much would you offer me? What is my daughter worth?" he demanded, setting his glass down and standing up in a huff.
"I would pay whatever amount you set," Thorin assured him. "To me, she is beyond price…beyond measure. Yet, I am not wishing to buy her, I would hold no claim over her, other than with my love. It is a custom that dates back long ago, to show the family of the bride that the groom values the worth of the dwarrowdam. That the one taking her from her family understands what a hardship such a loss would mean for them. I mean no disrespect to Marigold, or you…but during the ceremony, it is a question that will be asked, and I will need to confirm that I have indeed offered you this bride price."
"And you thought it best to broach this subject with me before the actual day?" Rory accused. "Hoping to avoid a scene?"
"I thought it wise," Thorin nodded. "Bilbo accepted the money that Dwalin offered for Bergie's hand." He realized it was a weak arguing point, but it was the only one he could think of at the moment. "I would have thought he might have mentioned it to you."
"Oh…he did," Rory admitted, his face going from upset to amused in a blink of an eye. "And he fully explained the whole custom to me as well."
"He…he did?" Thorin asked, his mouth dropping open. "Then why did you sound so shocked when I brought it up?"
"Oh, just having some fun with you, lad," Rory laughed, sitting back down and taking another sip of his wine. "It might be years before I have a chance to visit with you and my Marigold again, so I thought it best to get in as much ribbing now as I could. If you take my meaning."
Thorin stood there and stared at the hobbit before him for a long time. Was he serious? Did he truly think pulling pranks on a dwarf king was the wisest thing to do? Had he not just tossed his own kin and war chief in the dungeons but a scant few weeks ago…and yet this hobbit had the nerve to dare trifle with him…Thorin Oakenshield? And yet, as he stood there, watching the sly little grin spread across Rorimac Brandybuck's face, he didn't have the heart to be angry. Not one little bit. Perhaps Gandalf was right…he was beginning to mellow somewhat.
"So…will you accept my offer for the bride price?" he asked, a slight huff in his tone.
"I suppose, since it's your tradition, I will," Rory nodded.
"And what is it you require I pay for the honor of taking your daughter's hand?" Thorin questioned.
"I only ask what is fair," the hobbit assured him, pursing his lips in deep thought. "You claim that to you, my Marigold is priceless? That she is the very breath you breathe and the heart that beats inside your chest. Then I demand no less than that, Thorin. I ask that you love her until you give your final breath, and give to her your heart forever. And if you cannot offer me those things, then you may not have her."
Thorin was silent for a long while, considering Rory's words. It was not how things were done, he was supposed to ask for gold, silver, or gems. And yet the hobbit asked for so much more…all of which Thorin was more than willing to give.
"You have my word, Master Brandybuck," Thorin swore. "She shall have those things and more. My sword to protect her, my hand to guide her, my feet to run to her aid, and my arms to comfort her when there is a need. Every part of me shall be hers to command, and I will do so until only death separates us. Of this I swear. And yet, you must ask me for something else…something tangible that I might offer to appease the customs of my people. Just please, do not ask for livestock…they are rather hard to come by these days and rather messy, if you ask me."
This had the little hobbit laughing, yet when his eyes fell upon the bottle of wine before him, his eyebrows shot up as if an idea had occurred to him.
"Tangible you say?" he asked, looking up at Thorin. "Then how about a nice case of this wine to take back to the Shire with me? Give me that, as well as all the other things you just swore to do, and I say we have a deal."
"It shall be done," Thorin agreed, reaching out and shaking Rory's hand.
"Now, what say we not let this bottle go to waste?" he suggested, reaching out and topping off his own glass, while pouring Thorin one as well. "How about you and I have a nice chat and get to know each other better. And do you by any chance have a spare pipe and some Old Toby? I fear I left mine in my other jacket."
"Of course," Thorin laughed, reaching above the mantel and taking out a couple of hand carved pipes, passing one to Rory along with a full bag of the Shire tobacco. "So what do you wish to talk about?" Thorin asked as he took a seat opposite his guest, filling his own pipe as well.
"Tell me about your own parents, lad," Rory suggested, sitting back and putting his feet up on the little stool in front of him.
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After that, things between Rory and Thorin became easier, their relationship having taken a positive step towards peaceful coexistence. He was no longer living in fear of his future father-in-law – well, not much anyway – and Rory had stopped eying Thorin with suspicion.
Thus, when the day before the wedding finally arrived, Thorin felt rather confident about attending this customary bachelor party, where his future in-law would not only be present, but be presiding over the activities that evening. Thankfully, all he was told he needed to do was show up, drink, laugh, and not leave too sloshed. Thorin figured he could handle that.
What he was concerned about was the following day! Not so much the ceremony, or all that came with it, for Dis had been her usual well organized self and had everything quite under control. Granted, the fact that he had been informed that Thranduil had accepted the invitation, did put him out of sorts. However, what truly had him on edge, was the fact that he would be taking on a whole new role come sundown tomorrow…that of husband. He had been a son, a brother, a leader, and a king…but he had never been something this important to another person. He would effectively be hers, and she would be his, and he had no idea how to act. Dwalin had said it would all come naturally, that their love would guide them in all things. He could only hope his cousin was right.
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"So, what exactly does one do at a bride's night?" Dis asked, taking one of the glasses of wine Bergie was serving - to everyone except herself and Sier, that is.
"Lots of things," Prim told her, enjoying the freedom a night away from her husband and son afforded. Both Frodo and Flinn were being watched by one of Dis' maids, the two lads currently enjoying a sleepover before their big day as ring and bead bearers. "But the most important part, is that we all get to offer helpful suggestions to the bride!"
"Suggestions on what?" Dena asked, her face lighting up with anticipation.
"Anything really," Esmerelda offered. "From sewing tips to cooking ideas. Although, to be truthful, the information I recall using the most was what to do on my wedding night," she told them with a slight blush, doing her best not to make eye contact with her mother in law.
"No need to be shy, Esme," Menegilda laughed. "There were a few things I was told at my bride's night that I still use to this day."
This got all the lasses giggling, breaking the ice and getting the ball rolling. Dena and Ilin proved to be the most…um…helpful, causing poor Marigold to blush scarlet more than a few times.
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"No! You are joking, Ilin!" Dena gasped, after a particularly revealing tidbit that her friend had just shared. "In the kitchen?"
"Yes, right there on the floor under the big table," she laughed, watching as everyone's eyes grew wide in shock. "Yet the funniest part was, that during it, someone came in!"
"Who was it?" Dis asked, leaning in a bit, eager to hear more.
"I'm not completely sure, but from the look of their boots, I think it was Kili," she chuckled. "Bombur and I just stayed perfectly still and didn't dare breathe for fear they would hear us and lift up the table cloth. Eventually, they got what they came for and left…and we just picked up right where we had left off."
"Oh, my," Sier laughed, fanning herself with her hand. "I don't think I will ever be able to look at Bombur quite the same way again!"
"That's fine…I don't mind you looking," Ilin beamed. "Just remember, he is all mine, so no touching."
Once more this had all the lasses in stitches, until Bergie stood up and made an announcement.
"Well, I would bet that the bachelor party is in full swing by now," she said, getting everyone's attention. "And you know what that means!"
"No…what does it mean?" Sier asked, feeling as if she were missing out on a crucial piece of information.
"It is time to go kidnap the groom!" Prim laughed, standing up as well.
"Kidnap the groom?" Dis asked in a shocked voice. "What on earth for?"
"To give the bride one final chance to kiss a single hobbit…er…dwarf!" Gilda laughed, also vacating her seat and looking just as eager to join in the fun.
"How will we do it?" Ilin asked, all for the idea.
"Well…first we have to find a good excuse to get Thorin out of the room and alone," Bergie stated, ticking off the steps on her fingers. "Then we tie him up and blindfold him."
"Oh, that will not go over very well," Dis laughed, trying to picture these diminutive little hobbits taking down the mighty Thorin Oakenshield.
"Perhaps, but once he learns what his reward will be, I doubt he will give us much fuss," Esmerelda stated.
"All right, but how about you let me be the one to broach that part to him," Dis suggested, not wanting anyone to get hurt on the day before the wedding. "Once he has been informed of the reasons, as well as the reward, then you can all move in to subdue him."
"Just please don't hurt him," Marigold begged, yet her eyes were alight with anticipation. "I would rather not have my groom bruised or limping on our wedding day."
"We promise to treat him very gently," Prim assured her.
"Right, but what you choose to do with him afterwards in completely up to you," Dena offered with a wicked grin.
"Dena!" Marigold gasped, yet after looking around the room and seeing all the laughing faces, she quickly joined in as well.
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Thorin was on his fifth…or was it sixth…tankard of ale. And while that might sound like a lot to a hobbit or a man, for a dwarf it was hardly anything. Fili and Kili, not to mention Dwalin, had already drunk twice that, and were still on their feet. Rory and Saradoc were carefully minding their cups, having been threatened within an inch of their lives by their wives, saying that there would be no weaving and bobbing by either of them come the morrow. Especially Rory, as he expected to escort his daughter down the aisle!
Hamfast, Drogo, and many of the other hobbits that had come to Erebor, were in one corner, drinking and singing some ridiculous Shire song, while Bofur, Fili and Kili were doing their best to join in. It was nice seeing all the comradery, and the way the two races managed to coexist so well. Sure, it helped that they were relatively the same size and that they appeared to like many of the same things. Yet, all of this was simply icing on the cake for Thorin, for tomorrow he would embark on the most important interspecies relationship he could think of. And he couldn't wait!
Dwalin and Balin were also doing their best to sing a dwarf drinking song, yet the group in the corner were effectively drowning them out…though no one but Oin seemed to care, having to aim his ear trumpet in one direction or the other just to catch the words to either song. Bilbo and Ori were already looking droopy eyed, while Gandalf, who had downed a few tankards himself, was happily smoking his pipe over by the fireplace and conversing with Dori. Bombur, who had prepared a large spread of food, was doing his best to make sure that none of it went to waste, though Nori, Bifur and Gloin had done their part to help with that as well. All in all, everyone seemed to be having a fine time.
Thorin had just asked Saradoc to pour him another ale, when there came a pounding on the door. Looking around, he took a mental head count, determining that everyone from the company, as well as his other invited guests had already arrived. So who could this be?
"You best get that, lad," Rory told him, giving Thorin a rather unsettling grin.
"It better not be someone telling me that Thranduil has arrived early," he mumbled, heading to the door and yanking it open. "What?" he demanded harshly, making the poor guard take a step back in fear.
"Your…Your Majesty," he began, bowing reverently. "Your immediate presence is requested in your council chambers."
"By whom?" he questioned, knowing that everyone he would willingly leave for was already in the room.
"I…I am not at liberty to say," the young guard stammered. "Please, sire, I was ordered to fetch you…and quickly."
"Very well," he grumbled, putting his tankard down and turning back to his guests. "I will return as quickly as possible," he promised, heading out and following the nervous lad down the corridor.
"Oh…I don't think so," Saradoc laughed. "Something tells me after he gets his bride alone, he won't be rushing back any time soon."
"Saradoc!" Rory scolded, elbowing his son in his side. "That is your sister you are talking about!"
"Oh…right," he realized, looking a bit sheepish over his rather crude comment. "Sorry, Father."
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Thorin was getting more and more perturbed by all the secrecy, and was just about to stop right there and demand that the guard tell him who had wanted to speak to him. Yet when they turned the next corner, there stood Dis, her hands on her hips and a determined look in her eyes.
"Thank you, Tomer," she told the guard, waving him off with her hand. "You may go." And with that the young dwarrow all but vanished, eager to be as far away from his king as possible.
"Dis?" Thorin asked, eying his sister curiously. "What is this all about?"
"You, brother dear," she began, a little smile tickling at her lips, "are about to be kidnapped."
"What?" Thorin was certain he had misunderstood her…for nothing else made sense.
"It's apparently a hobbit custom," she explained, signaling to someone behind him. "You don't want to disappoint your bride this late in the game by not going along with tradition…do you?"
Thorin turned and saw Ilin, Dena, Prim, Esmerelda, Sier and Bergie all standing behind him. Dena was carrying a small, empty flour sack, while Ilin held a pair of iron shackles, yet all six of them wore wide smiles.
"You can't be serious!" Thorin balked, taking a step back from the four advancing lasses.
"Oh, but we are," Bergie laughed, seeing the uneasiness in Thorin's eyes. "Like Dis said, it's hobbit tradition. And it would be best if you came along quietly, for your bride to be is waiting for you…and the kiss you get to bestow upon her."
This bit of information seemed to settle Thorin's nerves, causing him to rethink this whole kidnapping idea. And after a few more moments of thought, he gave a sigh of defeat and held out his hands before him.
"Do what you must, ladies," he nodded, giving them permission to bind him.
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Marigold and her mother had found a very nice little room just down the hall from her own chambers, most likely used for storing supplies, but it would do nicely.
"Now, remember, you get only one final kiss, so make it count," Gilda laughed, handing her daughter a candle and a few matches. "Just remember to keep your hands to yourself…and make sure he does the same thing," she warned, shutting the door and taking her post outside, waiting for the captured king to arrive.
When he did at last appear, Gilda could not help but snicker at the picture Thorin presented, very stiff and uncomfortable in his predicament, yet trying not to show it.
"Is she ready?" Esmerelda asked, her eyes twinkling with merriment.
"All set," Gilda assured them, opening the door as they all but shoved the disgruntled dwarf inside.
"You have ten minutes!" they called before the door was shut and the two were left in complete darkness.
Not that Thorin knew this, for he could see nothing with the bag still over his head. Still, when he heard the sound of a match being struck and the distinct smell of candle wax, he got the idea that they were in a dark room. When his hood was removed, he couldn't help but smile as he saw his beloved standing before him, a little blush on her cheeks and a worried look.
"I am sorry if this upset you," Marigold told him, reaching up and caressing his cheek and neatly bearded chin. "Being kidnapped and all."
"Not if this is the end result," he assured her, loving how beautiful she looked in candle light. "I am willing to endure anything, if it means spending a few moments alone with you, my love."
"We have been rather busy lately," she nodded. "And I can't remember the last time we had a moment alone."
"Two and a half weeks ago," Thorin informed her. "Bilbo and your parents all went into the kitchen to check on dinner, and we had a blessed two minutes to ourselves before they returned."
"Well, now we have ten minutes," she grinned. "But we best not waste them."
"Agreed," he told her, holding out his hands, which were still shackled together. "Might you have a key?"
"Oh, yes," she laughed, digging into her pocket and producing the little metal object that would free him.
Once they were off, he set them aside and wrapped his hands round her waist, pulling her to him with a hum of delight.
"Now, what was this about me getting to kiss you?" he asked, eyeing her lips with great interest.
"We only get one kiss," she reminded. "My last opportunity to do so with a single dwarrow. Yet I fear if we actually held that kiss for the full ten minutes, we would both pass out from lack of air."
"I am willing to risk it if you are," he joked, leaning in as he rested his forehead against hers. "Can you believe that our day has finally arrived?"
"I thought it would never come," she grinned. "But it has."
"By this time tomorrow, you will be my wife," Thorin added, the word like honey on his lips.
"And you will be my husband," she agreed.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, looking into her eyes for any sign of fear.
"No, not even a little bit," she assured him. "I want to be your wife, Thorin. I want to take care of you, remain by your side, and become the mother of your children."
"I want all these things as well…and more," he told her, his voice deep and husky. "And tomorrow, we will begin each and every one of those adventures."
"But now…tonight, I get only one kiss," she reminded him.
"Then let's make it last," and with that he claimed her lips, savoring every delightful flavor.
Unfortunately, a knock at the door came all too soon and the two reluctantly parted. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled. Tomorrow felt like a lifetime away, but they knew that it would come soon enough. And then, after the vows were spoken, the toasts were made and the dancing was done…that was when their true lives would begin. With each other.
"Time's up!" Bergie called from the other side. "We need to get Thorin back to his own party."
"I am having a much better time in here," he called back, a chuckle in his voice. "And Bergie, if you value your husband's freedom, I would suggest you give us one more minute." He was not sure if Bergie had managed to worm the truth out of Dwalin about how he had got that bruise on his cheek, or that Thorin had tossed him in the dungeons. But from the moment of silence, followed by the sound of a disgruntled huff, he guessed she was well aware.
"Fine…one more minute, but not a second more, do you hear?" Bergie told them.
"Aye…and thank you, lass," he called back, leaning in for one final kiss. "It is much appreciated."
Well, that was fun! For Thorin and Mari at least...but I think the other lasses enjoyed the hunt just as much.
How did Thorin do negotiating the bride price? Did Rory get his money's worth?
Well, now all that is left is to get these two love birds hitched. That is up next!
Guest Reviews:
WhoWould'veGuest: I know you have not caught up to where I am posting, but this is the only way I can reply to your kind reviews way back on chapter 43 and 63. I just hope you notice them once you get here. (please let me know if you do, so I won't worry) Binge reading for 24 hours straight? Wow! I do like having a nice balance of fluff and angst. A story that had a tragedy every single chapter makes me sad and full of anxiety. I mean you do HAVE to have some kind of issue to solve, but do it in a happy way...right? ha ha, I shocked you with Thorin and Marigold, did I? Well, good! But yes, it was kind of obvious from the first moment they met that Dwalin and Bergie were going to be an item. ha ha. I did have a lot of fun with Dwalin and Balin in baby reveal chapter...and fear not, Bergie will be devouring her favorite cheeses again soon...as well as everything else in sight. ha ha. Thanks.
Kendall Merritt: And I adore that you adore it. I am having a lot of fun writing it as well. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Feu d'Argent : I agree, I am completely baffled at how Thorin succeeded on the quest without her valuable direction. ha ha. And yes, that comment WAS in reference to all the stories out there where a lass goes on the journey with the company...but mostly a nod to my beta reader's story where Beryl the hobbit went along. I have enjoyed many of those tales myself in the past. I am glad you like my writing and again, feel free to gush all you want. ha ha. Well, Kili won't be the ONLY one in those 40 chapters, but I can't see doing him any less than Fili and Thorin. ha ha. I would suggest you read fan fiction for Phantom, since the original book ended BADLY! ha ha. and that is the REASON for fan fiction, to fix the original authors slight oversite...as in not letting the musical genius get the girl, or killing off three hot dwarves! I hope you thought the bachelor/bride's night parties were fun!
Emrfangirl: Well...did I trick you? Was the bride's night party a bit more wild than you thought it would be? Thorin thought so. ha ha. I love what you are anticipating about Thranduil and the kids...wait for it...
abc: Yep, and as you can see, the wedding is next! That was funny that you lumped Kili in with the pregnant women and the kids. Too funny. I see where he rates in your eyes. ha ha. exactly! Frodo will be a natural to be the ring bearer later on this way. It will already be on his resume. I couldn't think of a better person to marry them than Gandalf himself. Well, now you know where the dress came from...but the dress and ring will be described later.
sorrellkaren: I totally understand, believe me. When I got on here the first time, I had to fumble through all on my own with no help. So here is a little hint. You just have to switch ON the Private Message (PM) option on your account page. On the left hand side there, under Account, choose Setting. Then scroll down to the bottom of that page and it will be the second to the last button that says "Accept Private Messages (PM)" and click YES and then SAVE at the very bottom. Then BOOM, you can get a PM sent to you. You can always go back and click it off if you don't like getting them. Nothing is set in stone. Glad you are enjoying it and still reading!