.
Yep, you guessed the movie quote correctly. "All light is sacred to the Eldar, but the Woodelves love best the light of the stars."
.
Now another journey starts! And there is a wedding to plan!
.
.
Chapter 138
~X~
It had been difficult for both Fili and Kili to part with their loved ones, especially so soon after getting back, but at least they would not be going far, nor would they be gone long. In fact, by Kili's estimation, they would be at the borders of Mirkwood by midafternoon the following day, if they got in some solid travel time that day, and started off early the next.
"Don't forget me while I'm gone," Kili told Tauriel as he prepared to leave.
"As if that could ever happen," she grinned, leaning down for a very chaste kiss. After all, there were children watching. "Remember, be careful and don't antagonize the spiders."
"Would depriving them of dwarf for dinner be considered antagonizing?" Kili joked.
"No, that would be considered smart," she replied, missing him already. "Just hurry back, I have no intentions of postponing our wedding."
"Me either," he assured her. He then turned serious. "I will miss you amrâlimê."
"As I will you," she told him. "My heart shall weep until I see thee again."
.
Fili also spent a long time kissing Sier and telling his children goodbye. Of course Flinn and Frerin wanted to come along, but one stern look from Fili put an end to that.
"You two will already be swamped with helping Bombur in the kitchens and doing all the chores around the house for your ama," Fili told them. "You will have to work hard to earn back our trust and certain privileges."
"Yes, Adad," the two lads nodded, looking contrite.
"But that does not mean I don't love you," he reminded them, bending down to take them into his arms for a big hug, one they returned with great enthusiasm. "I'll see you in two days."
Freya was not at all pleased with the idea that her adad was leaving again, and put up quite a fuss, clinging to him and crying quite loudly until she was pulled from his arms by Sier.
.
"I hate goodbyes," Fili grumbled, wiping a tear from his eye when his daughter's cries at last faded into the distance. The sun would be setting in only a few hours and they hoped to put a few more miles behind them before making camp.
"I'm not seeing any benefit to such things either," Kili nodded, also having hated to be parted from Tauriel. He then turned a bit in his saddle and looked back at Dunner, who was following dutifully behind them. He had been waiting at the gate just as ordered, though he didn't exactly seem pleased about it. "How about you, Dunner?"
"Saying farewell to someone would first require me having time to say hello!" he grumbled. Though in all honesty, having the princess Tilda there had been a rather nice parting gift in his mind. "Besides…I thought you weren't allowed to talk to me," the soldier said, somewhat sarcastically.
"Oh, Tilda was only joking," Fili laughed, enjoying the rather flippant man's humor. "She loves us, always has. She can't stay mad at us for long."
"Well, I can," Dunner responded under his breath, but dwarf ears were keen and his words made both Fili and Kili snicker. The two pulled their ponies up just a bit, allowing them to fall back on either side of the Dale soldier's horse.
"Now don't be that way," Kili whined. "We didn't really mean you any harm. We were just having a bit of fun is all."
"Fun?" Dunner questioned, looking from one to the other. "I know how lethal you two are with both blade and bow…and I do not take threats to my life lightly."
"Threats to your life?" Fili said in shock. "We never threatened your life!"
"Your anatomy, yes…but not your life," Kili agreed.
"I value both equally," Dunner huffed.
"Will you forgive us if we say we're sorry?" Kili asked hopefully.
Dunner seemed to think it over for a bit, before answering.
"I suppose so," he said at last, giving a heavy sigh.
"Then we officially apologize," Fili spoke up. "As princes of Erebor, you have our solemn word that we will not do you any bodily harm…unless you toy with Tilda's affections. Then we will dice you up like a vegetable."
"Hey!" Dunner balked. "That is not exactly a comforting promise!"
"It is as long as you keep your promise to us…that you mean Tilda no ill will," Kili pointed out. "This trust thing has to go both ways. We trust you will not harm the princess…and you trust that we will harm you if you do."
"You two are insane," Dunner said, rolling his eyes. He suddenly straightened, realizing he just insulted Erebor royalty. "I…I mean…that is to say…"
But Fili and Kili simply began laughing, finding the man's candor refreshing.
"We have been told such things before," Kili chuckled, watching as Dunner's horrified expression turned to one of embarrassed relief. "And to some extent, it could be true. I mean what sane dwarf would have tried to retake a mountain infested by a fire breathing dragon?"
"You have a point there," Dunner laughed. "However, since you did succeed, your argument is invalid."
"Ahhh, but we had a fair amount of help," Fili was quick to say. "If it hadn't been for your king, Bard, and his good aim, we might all now be dead and Smaug would still control Erebor. So the possibility of insanity still stands."
"I was only a lad when the dragon was killed," Dunner informed them, finding himself becoming more and more at ease around the dwarf princes. He had seen how comfortable Bain had been around them on the journey, and he highly respected their skills and rank, but he was finally seeing them as less of a threat and more like comrades. "My father's shop was in the center of Esgaroth, so it was one of the first to burn. We made it to one of the boats; me, my mother, and little brother all being herded by my father to safety. Bain and I had been pretty good friends, fishing and hunting together as we grew up, but after Bard became king, my father said it really wasn't proper for me to pal around with him anymore, now that he was a prince. Still, we remained close, training together and keeping our friendship strong regardless of my father's archaic ideas. Can't say I ever really thought about Tilda at the time, she was always just Bain's little sister."
"Yes, but little sisters have a tendency to grow up, don't they?" Kili grinned slyly.
"That they do," Dunner agreed, getting a faraway look in his eyes. He soon focused though, realizing just how love sick he had sounded. "Not that I would ever do anything about it," he quickly assured them, blushing slightly. "I mean if my father believed being friends with a prince was reaching above my station, what would he think of me courting a princess? Besides, she is royalty, and I'm just…"
"Now hold it right there," Fili interjected. "You are not just anything! First of all, your deeds have been brought to the attention of your king, and you saved Bain's life, did you not?"
"He would have done the same for me," the man humbly protested.
"More than likely, but that makes your act no less noteworthy," Kili pointed out. "And if I read Tilda correctly…and I think I do, she is kind of sweet on you as well. I mean, she threatened both me and Fili with bodily harm if we weren't nice to you on this trip. She wouldn't do that for just anyone."
"She…she did that? For me?" Dunner asked, looking from Fili to Kili in hopeful surprise.
"Well, she didn't do it for Thranduil," Kili laughed.
"So…do you think that maybe, just maybe, the king might allow me to court her some day?" He quickly drew himself up to his full bearing. "I mean, when I've proven myself and can care for her properly, that is."
"I think you stand as good a chance as any," Fili nodded. "Even more so if the lass herself has any say in the matter. And from what we know about Tilda, Bard would never dare deny her. She can be rather forceful…and scary."
"Yes, she can!" Kili agreed with a shudder. "Are you really sure you want to court her, Dunner? I mean, Smaug has nothing on Tilda."
"That's what I find so fascinating about her…her fire!" the young man assured the two. "Tilda can do just about everything, from fighting, to dancing, to sewing, to cooking, and she's not afraid to speak her mind."
"Oh, we know all about that," Fili said, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled the scolding they had received just the other night from her.
"But…I don't know how to tell her of my feelings," Dunner bemoaned. "She is so…so perfect!"
"Glad you think so, lad," Kili grinned. "But, even a perfect lass needs love."
"Of which Kili is more than happy about, since otherwise he would never have stood a chance with a dam like Tauriel," Fili teased, watching his brother's eyes narrow dangerously.
"Says the dwarf who had to practically blackmail his own wife into marrying him," Kili spat back, causing Fili's grin to vanish.
"Hey now…I thought you two were supposed to gang up on me, not each other," Dunner interjected, doing his best to defuse a potential argument.
"Right," Fili nodded, giving Kili a warning look. "We were talking about you, now weren't we? And from what I have seen so far…you're all right in my book."
"Mine too," Kili agreed, all anger for his brother vanishing just like that. "And we will even put in a good word for you with Bard, if you do decide to ask to court Tilda."
"You…you will?" Dunner was stunned.
"Of course, after all, you're here helping us find a flower in order to secure the hand of the elf that Kili loves," Fili stated. "The least we could do is help you acquire your own heart's desire as well."
"But…" Kili said in a warning tone. "If you ever prove false, and hurt our Tilda…we will be honor bound to kill you."
Dunner was silent for a few moments, considering his newfound friend's threat.
"Fair enough," he replied.
.
.
When the royal party arrived back at Erebor, Tauriel found she was at a loss as to what to do. The previous night, Tilda had taken her under her wing, and with both she and Kili gone…the elleth felt out of place. Thranduil had been invited to stay in Dale as King Bard's honored guest, so she was now the only elf inside the mountain. Something she knew she would have to become used to once she was married to Kili.
"Come with us, my dear," Dis invited, leading her soon to be daughter-in-law towards the royal chambers, with her husband by her side. "You shall dine with us tonight so that we might get to know you better. I have so many questions I wish to ask."
"Questions?" Tauriel stammered just a bit, worried the dam wished to interrogate her. "About what?"
"Everything," Dis insisted. "You, your family, your life…your love for my son. If we are to become family, I want to know all about you, and I would hope you would like to know about us as well."
"Might we join you?" came a voice from behind them.
Turning, Dis was hardly shocked to see Sier, Bergie, Dwalin, Balin and Marigold standing there looking hopeful. The children were also giving her hard to turn down puppy-dog eyes. But what did surprise her, was the fact that Thorin was among them, silent and arms crossed, yet no less eager looking.
"Of course you can!" Dis laughed, waving them all on. "We shall make a party out of it."
"A party?" Little Flinn asked, eyes wide. "With cake?"
"I think I might have a little something stashed away in my pantry," she assured her grandson, taking him by the hands as she led the group towards her and Flinn's chambers. It made her smile to think of it that way…their chambers. She had her husband back, she was no longer alone.
.
.
"Well, now you will have a very large family, my dear," Flinn told Tauriel, patting her hand reassuringly after her telling them of the death of her parents so many hundreds of years ago. "And let me assure you, even though they often seem daunting…you will never find a more loyal or loving bunch."
"Even if I am an elf with no royal blood in my veins?" she questioned.
"Royal blood holds little sway with this family," Sier joined in, coming over to sit beside Tauriel, a sleeping Freya in her arms. "I believe that Flinn and I are prime examples of that." She gave a warm smile at her father-in-law, loving how his eyes crinkled at the edges when he was happy…which so far had been every time she had seen him – other than at the funerals.
"And as for being an elf," Marigold spoke up, also coming to sit near Tauriel, having just finished feeding little Raina. "I will welcome a bit more diversity in this mountain. Being one of the only two hobbits in a sea of dwarves has been nice, but I think Erebor could use a bit of shaking up."
"I would have thought an invasion would have been quite enough shaking for quite some time," Tauriel reminded them with a small grin.
"Yes…well, I meant a good kind of shaking up," Marigold laughed.
"I suppose our wedding will do just that," Tauriel said with a bit of a sigh. "I just hope it is for good, not ill."
"Erebor will accept your union...in time," Dis stated firmly. "Change is nothing new, and even if it tends to come slowly, dwarves can adapt. The Mirkwood elves have done much to aid us over the past decade or so, and though our races have been at odds in the past, even the most stubborn dwarves can see the benefits of a strong alliance." Here she paused and looked directly at Thorin, causing him to raise an eyebrow at her piecing glare.
"This marriage will do much to forge new bonds between the dwarves and the elves," Balin stated, a satisfied smile on his face.
"And if it makes my son happy in the process…then more's the benefit," Flinn agreed with a laugh.
"I thank you all for your support," Tauriel said with a grateful nod. "It means a great deal to me…and Kili."
"You are more than welcome, my dear," Dis assured her.
"Now," Flinn began, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Why don't you all tell Tauriel some stories about Kili?" For he was eager to hear a few of them himself. In fact, he was as new to this group as the elf, in many ways, and Flinn would love to be filled in on what he had missed.
"Kili stories?" Dwalin gave a robust laugh. "Where do we start?"
.
.
The rest of the evening was spent laughing, talking, and sharing story after story. Both Flinn and Tauriel were riveted, completely delighted by the things they were told about Kili and Fili. Everyone contributed, with even Thorin getting in a few tales of his own, much to Flinn's delight. By the time the fire needed re-stoked, and they drained the last bottle of wine, they had all began to settle down, just enjoying the quiet company around them. Dis, Marigold and Bergie had Tauriel surrounded, and were talking about the wedding preparations, something the elf seemed to be enjoying very much.
Flinn rose and approached Sier, who was at the table helping her sons get one last small piece of cake each, telling them that was it for the night. As they scurried off to gobble it down, he cleared his throat quietly, causing her to turn towards him.
"I was hoping you and I might find some time to speak together, my daughter," he said, looking at her with expectant eyes. "Fili has spoken of you so much on our return trip home, that I feel as if I know you already…but I would love to make it official."
"As would I," Sier smiled warmly, gesturing to a corner of the room where two chairs waited. "Over the years I have heard so much about you as well, and I am overjoyed that I now get the chance to know you personally." They both sat down and got comfortable, before Sier began. "And what would you like to know? I promise that my life is anything but exciting…well, that is until I met Fili. He has a way of turning one's whole world upside down with just a smile."
"I would like to say he gets that from me," Flinn chuckled. "But I think that is Dis' influence. She could always charm a snake out of its hole."
"That's Fili, all right," the dam laughed. "And to say he charmed me would be an understatement."
"He…he told me of how you two met," he admitted to her, hoping she would not take offense. "I have to say, you were a very brave and resourceful lass, running off and raising your son alone like that. If I had been here I would never have…" he stopped there and looked down at his hands, a bit embarrassed. "Well, I would like to think I would never have doubted you, but who am I to assume myself any better than those who were here. But I'm so sorry things started out rather rocky for you and my son. You deserved better, of that I'm sure."
"It was no one's fault," she quickly assured him, placing her hand over his. "Well, that's not completely true. We all blame Bina."
"A more wretched viper you'll never find, as far as I'm concerned," he spat out, hating the vile hag who had caused his family so much pain.
"But I never once blamed Fili," she continued, touched by his stalwart loyalty. "And the moment I laid eyes on little Flinn, there was no possible way I could ever regret what had happened."
"Fili told me how you named him after me, all on your own," he said, his eyes growing a bit misty at the thought. "I am touched…truly."
"Yet now I feel it might become a bit confusing, having two Flinns," she giggled. "Thorin already grumbles about having to share his name with Dain's son, we might have to think of a way to clarify which Flinn we are referring to."
"I'm sure we will sort it all out in the end," Flinn assured her. "So, my dear, tell me about your family," the older dwarf next asked, sitting back and lacing his fingers together over his stomach, as if ready to hear a long tale. "Fili said they were miner stock? I was a miner myself, and I would love to hear about their craft."
"Oh, well, then you are in for a treat," she told him, pride sparkling in her eyes. "For they were fine folk, and I think you and them would have gotten on famously." And so, as he listened with rapt attention, she told him the story of her life, with Flinn coming to like his new daughter-in-law more and more as the night wore on.
Awwww, Flinn and Sier are getting alone. As if we ever had any doubt. ha ha.
And Kili and Fili are still being a bit mean to Dunner...but in a nice, friendly way.
Looks like Dunner has been bitten pretty hard by the love bug.
Tauriel is being accepted...by most at least.
Tomorrow the hunt truly begins and so do the wedding preparations!
Guest Reviews:
Emrfangirl: Yep, Thorin should have held his tongue and let her fume a bit more and get it out of her system. ha ha. Yes, Thrandy was pretty nice with what he asked for. Those two kings DO love to argue. ha ha. Humor at least...we don't have toooo much time for any major desasters, but lots of laughs for sure. OH man, I can just see Tilda marching into the forest with her blade and hacking down those three from the trees, where they are hanging all wrapped in webs and drugged out of their minds. ha ha. And yes...you found the movie quote! Points for you. Thanks
Feu d'Argent: I have always know that Thranduil was cheezy and a big old softie. Tilda is outmatched by Bard, Fili AND Kili. Dunner is on his own. Thorin's hatred for elves has turned to a mild dislike...kind of. You got to see snow falling for the first time? I have been staring out my window at it for days and days now. Winter wonderland my eye! I still need to see Rogue one...but I hate driving in the snow. ha ha. Thanks
dojoson41: Oh, man...THAT would have been a funny compromise too. Trouble? What do you mean trouble? Fili, Kili and Dunner can't possibly get into trouble...can they? ha ha.