.

Monday is back! And so am I.

Here is your next chapter.

.

.

Chapter 132

~X~

"Flinn?" Dis called out, having woke in her bed all alone. At first she assumed it had all been a dream, and wanted to cry at the thought. But then she recalled everything else that had taken place that day, and realized that even her unconscious mind could not have dreamed up such fanciful things. "FLINN?" she cried desperately.

"I'm here, my love," he assured her, stepping into the room and coming over to sit on the bed beside her. He took her hand in his, kissed it and placed it against his rapidly beating heart. "I'm right here."

"Oh, Flinn," she sobbed, launching herself forward and into his arms, practically sitting in his lap in an effort to get closer to him. "I thought it was all a dream…that you were not truly back."

"But I am," he guaranteed her, holding her closer in order to prove it. "I've come back to you, and I will never leave your side again."

"How, Flinn?" she questioned, pulling back a bit, yet never letting her hands leave his body. "What happened…where did you go? Where have you been all these years?"

"I've been a prisoner, my precious diamond," he explained sadly. "The orcs that took me, sold me as soon as I was healthy enough to make them a profit. From there I was traded and sold to many different masters, working on land, rivers, and in mines. I…I even ended up in a fighting ring for a bit." Here he grew silent, his eyes troubled and he looked away in shame. "I have killed, Dis…and not in any way that would make you proud. They almost turned me into a mindless animal."

"Flinn," Dis stated, taking hold of his face in both her hands, forcing him to look her in the eye. "I could never be anything but proud of you! You survived…you came home to me. I love you. Never doubt that."

"I love you too, my one," he told her, his voice catching as he spoke the words. "I always have, and I always will."

"Did…did they hurt you?" she asked, her brows furrowing in a way that told him she feared the answer.

"Some," he nodded, trying to minimize the truth and not cause her to worry. Yet Dis was a shrewd dam and she could tell he was holding back.

"Show me," she insisted, scooting off his lap and sitting on the bed beside him. "Take off your tunic."

Normally having his wife demand that he strip off his clothing would have aroused Flinn…but not for this reason. He hesitated, giving her a pleading look.

"Show me," Dis stated again, yet softer this time, seeing his reluctance. "Please."

Flinn nodded, for he knew he must do so eventually, and he would not deny his wife's first request in over ninety years. So, slowly, he began to tug at the borrowed tunic, pulling the fine garment up and over his head, leaving his torso bare and exposed to his wife's discerning eyes.

Dis gasped, covered her mouth with her hand and felt the tears begin to flow once more. Her Flinn was riddled with scars. His front, as well as his back, were a roadmap of pain and misery, showing her just what he had endured in his absence. How he had survived it all amazed her, and yet her love for him grew tenfold at the knowledge of how brave he must have been.

Reaching out, she began to trace her delicate fingers over the largest one on his midsection…the one that had initially stolen him from her, the one they believed to have been his death blow. It was healed over now, but the lumpy scar told her just how close she had come to truly losing him…forever.

"Not very handsome anymore…am I?" Flinn spoke at last, doing his best to sound flippant, though his shame shone through. "Not that I ever understood what a fine dam like you saw in a poor miner like me."

"I saw the same things I still see…your heart, your kindness, your loyalty…and your love for me, shining in your eyes." Dis assured him, leaning in to steal a kiss. "You have always been handsome to me, and you still are. Besides, you know that scars are a badge of courage, and dams just go crazy for them."

"Then I must be the most desirable dwarf in all Middle Earth," Flinn chuckled, loving how his wife was attempting to put his mind at ease. "Yet, I know the truth…I'm a hideous mess."

"You are my husband!" Dis stated firmly, placing her hands on either side of his face and forcing him to look her in the eye. "Having you back with me, in any shape or form, is beyond anything I could have ever dreamed possible. I will never look upon you as anything but perfect…and mine!"

"You always were the possessive type," Flinn grinned, leaning forward and placing his forehead against her, shutting his eyes. "And I thank Mahal for that…since no other dam would want me looking like this…and I desire no other dam but you. Oh, how I've missed you, my heart."

"Show me," she instructed once again.

"Show you what?" he asked, looking down at his chest in confusion. "I'm already on full display to you. There might be a few more scars on my legs, but other than that, I have no more to show you."

"No…I mean, show me how much you missed me," Dis explained, reaching up and pushing her right sleeve off her shoulder and down her arm, doing the same with the left.

Flinn was left speechless, sitting there staring at his wife with his mouth agape. She was still in her stays, though her ample breasts were barely contained by them, and as she breathed in deeply, he could see them strain to break free. Oh, how he wished they would.

It was then that he spied the pendant she wore around her neck, the silver disk nestled in the valley of her cleavage. It was the one she had gifted to him on their wedding day, and though it appeared a bit worn from a great deal of handling, he would have recognized it anywhere.

"You kept it?" he asked, though instantly recalling that his sons had told him she had. "All this time?"

"Of course I did," Dis whispered, reaching up to remove it from around her neck, but Flinn stopped her.

"No…keep it," he instructed, placing his fingers on the cool silver as it lay against her heated skin. "It pleases me to think that you have treasured it this long."

"Just as I have treasured you," she told him, leaning in for another kiss, yet he stopped her.

"Dis…I…I'm not sure that I can…" he began, fearful that so many years apart had returned him to stone once more. "It's been a very long, long time."

"For me as well, my love," Dis reasoned, giving him a rather exasperated look. "Yet, I think if we just go through the motions, it will all come back to us," she assured him, reaching up as she let her hands run over his bare skin. Leaning in, Dis kissed one or two of the most prominent scars, enjoying the low moans she pulled from him with each touch of her lips. Spurred on by his reactions, she stood up and pushed the rest of her dress from her body. Now she was before him, in only her stays and petticoat, and with a slight tug on the strings, the lower garment fell to the floor beside her dress.

This time it was Flinn's turn to reach out and touch, to kiss and taste, loving every inch of her skin as it was bared to his greedy eyes. His wife was still modestly covered…but if he had his way, she wouldn't be for long. And as he stood, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him for a long and sensuous kiss…Flinn suddenly woke up! And from the way he could feel her lips turn up into a smile of satisfaction, he knew that Dis was keenly aware of this new development as well.

Impelled by a burning desire, Flinn scooped his wife into his arms, turning so that he could lay her down on the bed, watching as her darkened eyes stared up at him, full of lust and love.

"Will you permit me…my precious diamond?" he asked, fearful that she might somehow say no, thus effectively destroying him. Yet when she smiled widely and reaching up for him with her own hands, he knew this would be a night he would never forget.

"Welcome home, my husband," Dis whispered, as his lips came down to claim her mouth once more.

.

.

Thranduil and Tauriel had found a secluded spot just inside the entryway, where they could converse in private. Tauriel kept her head bowed, not sure if she was about to receive a reprimand…or something worse. She had hoped to speak to her king before word had gotten out about their engagement, but the Lady Dis had put an end to that idea. Still, she was not ashamed of her choice, and no one could talk her out of it, so she looked up at her king with a measure of confidence.

"Have you taken leave of your senses?" were Thranduil's first words once they were alone. "A dwarf? You choose to marry a dwarf?"

"I do, My Lord," she informed him, doing her best not to flinch at his harsh tone.

"Has he bewitched you? Cast some spell upon you, or does he hold something over you in order to force you to comply?" he asked, trying to understand her motivation.

"I am under no compulsion, save that of my own desires," Tauriel replied simply.

"Do you realize what you are giving up by doing this? What sacrifices you will be required to make?" he pressed.

"I know what I am doing," Tauriel assured him. "It is my choice."

"Yes, the choice of Lúthien, which in my eyes is no choice at all!" Thranduil said sharply. "Does this dwarf know what it is you must surrender to be with him? That by agreeing to wed a mortal, you condemn yourself to a life of loneliness and pain? You cannot expect the Valar to grant to you the same dispensation that was given to the Morning Star of our people. Eventually the dwarf will die and you will either fade from grief, or live on alone with a broken heart."

"Kili is still the one I choose," Tauriel stated, and though her tone held sadness, it was also firm.

Thranduil was silent for a long while, staring at her as if unsure what to say. At least he spoke, and for a change his voice was almost comforting.

"So you are truly in earnest about this…bonding?" the elf king spoke in a calm voice.

"Yes, I am," she told him in no uncertain terms.

"Is there no way I can convince you otherwise?" he asked, placing his hands behind his back in a regal fashion.

"None, My Lord," Tauriel assured him. "He is what my heart cries out for, what fires my blood, and sings to my soul. I never expected this…and for many years I feared it and hid, but now I embrace it. Please, know that I am certain. I'm not afraid."

"Ah, but you should be," Thranduil sighed. "Afraid of the day when you two will be parted by death. It is not a pleasant experience, and one I would not wish upon anyone, least of all you, Tauriel."

"I know you still grieve for your own wife, Queen Raina," the Mirkwood captain said in a sorrowful tone. "And yet…would you have traded your life with her if you had guessed you two might one day be parted?"

"You know my answer to that," Thranduil said with a pained expression, though he couldn't help but smile at the thought of his beautiful wife.

"Then you know mine as well," Tauriel answered firmly.

Again Thranduil was silent, his eyes boring into the elleth before him, doing all he could to read her thoughts in order to ascertain if her mind was truly made up. In the end, he must have found the answer he was looking for, giving a heavy sigh of resignation.

"I had once hoped that perhaps you would catch the eye of my own son, did you know this?" Thranduil asked, giving her a sad smile of regret.

"Prince Legolas?" Tauriel was shocked. "I…I never dreamed that you would allow your son to promise himself to a lowly Silvan elf."

"You may be Silvan…but you have never been lowly," the elf king stated firmly. "I have watched you grow into a fine elleth, a credit to our race, and essential to the protection of my kingdom. You have won my respect…and my affection. Yet it also became painfully clear that you and my son only looked upon each other as friends…never as lovers. Thus I gave up on that dream a long time ago."

"My…My Lord," Tauriel stammered, taken aback by all she was hearing. "I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing, for I desire no response on the subject," he told her, schooling his emotions once more. "You will remain in Erebor with the dwarf prince then? What will be your position, or are you simply to stand at his side and do nothing?"

"I…I do not know," she admitted, flustered over Thranduil's sudden questions. "Nothing has officially been decided as of yet, but I would not ask Kili to leave his family. He is a prince, he must have responsibilities he cannot abandon. While I…" Here she stopped, feeling rather unsure of herself. She didn't want to be simply a pretty thing on Kili's arm, she wanted to be useful, to have a purpose like she had in Mirkwood. Still, even without knowing what exactly would become of her, Tauriel knew she would endure it all for a chance to be with Kili. "Besides, for all I know, King Thorin might forbid our union, perhaps even banishing Kili for daring to take me as his wife."

"I think not," Thranduil mused, a sly grin spreading over his usual tight lips. "The dwarf king may be stubborn, and pig headed, and rude…not to mention greedy and loud." He stopped there, looking down at Tauriel as if realizing he might have been a bit harsh in his description. "Still…Thorin Oakenshield has proven himself honorable and fair. He will not so lightly toss your petition aside. There is a good chance that he will agree."

"Might my reason to hope have something to do with the fact that King Thorin's daughter now bears the name of your queen…Raina?" Tauriel guessed, wondering just how that had transpired.

"Perhaps," Thranduil nodded, unwilling to say any more on the subject.

"And you?" she pressed. "Do I have your consent to marry Prince Kili?"

Once more Thranduil was silent, thinking over his words carefully. He did not agree with this, and it pained him deeply to think of the sorrow that lay ahead for his ward. Yet, he also knew of the joy that came from being with your chosen one, and even he could not deny her this.

"If it truly be your wish," Thranduil nodded, letting out a long sigh. "And I suppose there is the benefit of me getting to see the look of pure shock on Thorin's face over your announcement. That alone might be worth the inconvenience of losing my best captain."

"I am sorry that I must leave your service, My Lord," she said with a bow to him. "I regret having to relinquish my position in your guard."

"Yet leave you must. And if you had to choose a dwarf…at least you picked one of worth and character. The line of Durin is highly respected, even among our people. Still, do not expect things to go easy, and gaining acceptance among his kind might prove a daunting task." When he saw her eyes become troubled by this, he reached out his hand and laid it on her shoulder. "Yet, if anyone can take on such a mission and succeed…I know it is you."

"I do not know how to thank you, My King," Tauriel said, her voice hardly above a whisper. She had always admired Thranduil…yet to hear him speak to her this way, it was quite overwhelming.

"Just remember, when the day comes, and you are left alone…you will always have a home in the Greenwood," he offered. "You and any offspring that may come from this union."

"You have my eternal gratitude, Lord Thranduil," Tauriel said, giving him a very low and respectful bow.

"Shall we join the celebration?" the elf king asked, eager to be done with this subject, for he was not one to speak so openly about his feelings, and it quite unnerved him. He turned and headed in the direction of the grand hall. "Thorin has promised a feast for all." He then got a rather disgruntled look on his face. "Though, I find it odd, that even though there seems to be plenty of meat at these celebrations, the dwarves only offer us elves breads, greens, and cheeses."

This caused Tauriel to snicker just a bit, making Thranduil look down at her questioningly as she fell into step with him. Once she had regained her composure, she looked up with a smile.

"You might find this meal a bit more to your liking, My King," she told him.

"We shall see," he replied, raising one eyebrow skeptically as he regarded her thoughtfully. "We shall see."

.

.

After the group had dispersed at the gates, all going inside and heading in different directions, Kili positioned himself behind one of the large pillars. He couldn't stop himself from keeping an eye on Tauriel and Thranduil, though doing his best to remain unseen and at a proper distance. He didn't want them to think he was spying…but neither did he want to be very far away. When he saw them end their conversation, he casually stepped out from behind the pillar, giving a bow to the elf king.

"King Thranduil," he began, doing his very best to sound respectful. He knew that any hope of gaining the elf's blessing on their union depended on it. "I would like to officially petition for Tauriel's hand in marriage. And since she has no immediate kin for me to appeal to…I felt that I should be asking your permission."

"Is that so?" Thranduil asked, halting in front of the dwarf and raising his eyebrow skeptically. "And is this a dwarven custom? That you must get the approval of a male in order to win the hand of a maid?"

"Yes…I mean…no?" Kili stammered, sensing that no matter how he answered he would be stepping right into a trap.

"Are females considered property to your race?" Thranduil continued, enjoying the look of horror that crossed Kili's face. "Do you feel that Tauriel does not control her own destiny…that you need my permission over hers?"

"No!" Kili stated very firmly. "Her word is all I need or desire…I just thought…I mean I didn't want to insult you in any way by…" Here he stopped, closing his eyes and shaking his head. He knew that Thranduil loved to play mind games with those he considered beneath him, for Thorin had often complained about this. Thus, Kili took a deep breath and looked the elf king directly in the eye. "It is a dwarven tradition to offer the lass' father some compensation for the loss the family will suffer when she leaves to wed. I will be questioned at the wedding if I have offered someone… anyone…this bride price. I would not shame Tauriel by neglecting this, for it shows that I value her and the contributions she will bring to me and my family. I know you are no official relation to her, but there is no one else for me to ask. So, name your price, King Thranduil…I can offer up to one-fourteenth of the treasure in Erebor, as is my right. No demand would be too great in my eyes, for I could never put a price on one such as Tauriel."

Thranduil stared at the dark haired prince, silently sizing him up – in worth, not height. He had heard of this tradition, this bride price, and to have Kili offering to pay such a thing to him was quite intriguing. What might he ask for? What would the captain of his guard be worth? Unfortunately, much like the dwarf prince, Thranduil found her value immeasurable.

"I will think on it, Prince Kili," he told him at long last. "I will need some time to contemplate your offer." It was just then that Thranduil caught sight of Thorin, making his way down the stairs to where they stood. The two kings gave each other a slight nod of recognition, yet said nothing.

"Kili…" Thorin began, stopping before the group, yet his nephew did not allow him to finish speaking.

"Uncle, how is Amad?" he questioned, both eager and worried to hear the answer.

"She is resting," Thorin informed him. "Your adad is with her, and Oin says she will be just fine. It was all simply too much for her."

"Should I go speak to her?" Kili asked.

"Nay, allow your parents their time alone," he instructed. "They have a lot to…discuss." Thorin blanched slightly, still uncomfortable with the idea of what Flinn and his little sister might very well be doing at that moment. He then cleared his throat and gave his nephew an unreadable stare. "Take the elf captain to the banquet hall and join the celebration. Someone from the royal family needs to be present."

"What about you, Uncle?" Kili asked, not sure what to think.

"I will be along presently, as I hope your brother will be as well," he looked around, not seeing Fili anywhere.

"He went to his chambers to change," Kili informed him.

"Good, then you will not need to play host for long," the gruff dwarf nodded. "Now go, I wish to speak with King Thranduil…alone."

"Uncle, may I just say that…" Yet Thorin cut him off.

"We will talk about this later Kili, right now I need you in the banquet hall." And turning, he headed in the direction of his council chambers, effectively telling Kili the conversation was closed.

Thranduil gave a bit of a snort, apparently not liking being directed by Thorin, yet his morbid curiosity got the better of him, and he followed – leaving Kili and Tauriel standing there speechless.

"I do not think your uncle likes me much," the she-elf stated.

"No…that's just Thorin's normal way, you kind of get used to it," Kili shrugged, a bit concerned, but not wishing to alarm his love. "And at least it gets us some time alone."

"Alone? In a room full of guests…all of which will be staring at you and me?" she questioned, looking a bit irritated.

"Well, if they are going to stare…I say let's give them something to really stare at," Kili said with a wide grin, taking hold of her hand. "Come with me!"

"Where are we going, Kili?" Tauriel asked, effortlessly keeping up with him, her long legs making it easy.

"To my room!" he announced, a wicked grin spreading across his lips.

Your room? Gasp, Kili, you dirty dog! ha ha, I think we all know he is not thinking what I think he is thinking...you think?

So, how did Flinn and Dis' talk go? I think they need some time alone. ha ha.

And did Thranduil shock you all with his eventual acceptance...and for his underlying affection for her as his ward?

The party is up next!

Guest Reviews:

abc: I think Gloin will be explaining that story for a long, long time. ha ha. Yep, Flinn and Thorin are bonding again, they were very close before he went away, I am sure they will be again. Well, Dis is awake...and so is Flinn - ha ha ha ha ha, get it? Did Thranduil's talk surprise you? Was it as you expected? thanks

Feu d'Argent: Yep, Dis fainted...I mean someone HAD to, and it was her turn. ha ha. Yes, I think Freya is a daddy's girl. And of course Flinn had to say HI to everyone! Yep, marrying off the baby of the family is the hardest. ha ha. Yep, Tilda is all grown up, even if Bard is not ready for that. ha ha. Was the Dis/Flinn talk all you wanted? Now they can live happily ever after, yes? Thorin was shocked, but he will get on board soon enough. ha ha. And yes, you may indeed have your own Flinn Jr. to hold and cuddle...just don't go making him eat any of those horrible husband-vegetables. ha ha. Thanks

Emrfangirl: Yep, kids have a totally different persective of fun than adults. ha ha. And of course Bombur will take good care of Ilin and watch the kids for her while she rests. Yep, Thorin is...ok...with the idea, not thrilled, but Ok. ha ha. Thranduil...well, I think you know the answer now. ha ha. Yes, everyone is tired, but there is a lot to be said and told and dwarves do love to party. ha ha. And Bard loves to drink the dwarves under the table. ha ha.

Aranel Mereneth: Thorin wasn't happy about thinking of his sister in that way either. ha ha. Ha ha, YES he is, "if there's a key there must be a door"..."What happened to the GATES?" ha ha. Maybe he just thought the gates were open? Yes? No? Yep, blond moment. ha ha.