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Congratulations to those who found the movie quote this time. It was Dunner saying "Fair enough" to Fili and Kili's threat to kill him if he broke Tilda's heart. Bilbo said the same thing to Gollum when he said "If Baggins looses, we eats it whole." ha ha.
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Chapter 139
~X~
Kili had everyone up at dawn, wishing to be on the way once more. It had been a short night, but things like that didn't seem to matter to a young dwarf in love. Where Fili and Dunner were yawning and only half awake, Kili was whistling a merry tune and eager to reach Mirkwood.
They traveled quickly, making excellent time, and soon they could see the edge of the forest in the distance.
"Will we need to go inside?" Fili asked, recalling the odd and creepy feeling that had overcome them the last time the set foot on Mirkwood soil.
"If that's where the flowers are…then yes," Kili stated stubbornly. "We just have to be very careful to mark our way so we don't get lost this time."
"This time?" Dunner questioned.
"Yes, the last time we traveled through the elf woods we lost the path and wandered around in that accursed forest for what seemed like forever," Fili explained, shuddering at the recollection. "That's when the spiders found us, and tried to make a meal out of thirteen plump and juicy dwarves and one hobbit."
"How did you escape?" Dunner asked, not having heard this story before, at least not from one who had actually been there.
"That would have been the work of Bilbo Baggins," Kili told him, pride for their hobbit friend clear in his voice. "He cut us loose of the webs, allowing us to get away."
"Upon which we ran directly into a scouting party of elves," Fili finished, a grumble in his tone. "Still, even if they did take us captive, the elves did kill the spiders, and at least they didn't want to eat us."
"That's when we met, me and my beautiful Tauriel," Kili said with a happy sigh. "She was so lovely, so brave, and deadly. Saved my life, she did. And from that moment on, I was lost."
"So, she saved your life…then tossed you into prison?" Dunner chuckled. "Yep, sounds like love to me."
"Well, it didn't happen all at once," Kili groused. "But later…after we got to know each other. We did a lot of talking in the cells, you see, formed a true bond."
"One that he did nothing about for the next fifteen years," Fili laughed, earning a scowl from Kili.
"Sixteen years…but who's counting," he shot back, returning his eyes to the horizon as he drifted into his daydream once more. "Sixteen years of seeing her in my sleep, of hearing her voice on the wind…of thinking of no one but her. Looking back…how did I not know it was love?"
"Because you have rocks for brains and the wit of a troll," Fili teased, enjoying the jabs he was getting in – even as sleep deprived as he currently was.
"And you have the breath of an orc and the face of…of…well, of something that looks pretty horrible," Kili replied in a flustered tone. "Now, shut up and let's concentrate on getting to the forest, all right?"
"Yes, oh, master of insults," Fili couldn't help getting in one last bit of teasing, before they all kicked their mounts into a quicker pace.
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Back in Erebor, Tauriel had also been woken early, by Dis, who had hurried her off to the dress makers for a fitting. The gown that Tauriel had described to them the previous day was coming along well, and they assured her it would be finished before the wedding…guaranteed.
After that, they had gone out to visit the orchards, allowing the elf to choose the perfect spot for the ceremony. It was a lovely time of year, for the trees were in full bloom, the pink blossoms creating a very pleasing effect. Dis was very touched that Tauriel chose to have her wedding beneath the cherry trees, instead of the apples, due to Fili's aversion to the fruit. The fact that the elf lass knew the story behind her elder son's aversion to such things was proof enough for the protective mother that her sons trusted her implicitly.
When that had been marked off their list of things to do, they moved on to the kitchen, having a meeting with Bombur about the food. It would be an outside affair, thus they decided on a cold meal, so as not to require a lot of running back and forth to the kitchen in an effort to keep things hot. Bomber was very pleased by this.
It was about this time that both Dis and Tauriel realized they had skipped breakfast, in their rush to make it to the fitting on time. But this didn't seem to bother the dwarrowdam, for she had a surprise prepared for her future daughter. Leading her down a few halls, she pushed open a large door and gestured for her to step inside. When she did, Tauriel was surprised to see a handful of dams, all milling around a small room sipping tea and talking. There was Sier, Marigold, Bergie, Dena and Ilin - though Tauriel knew the last two by name only, not having truly been introduced to them properly. When they spotted Dis and Tauriel, they all turned and smiled a greeting.
"Welcome to your first official meeting of the dams," Dis said, waving her arm out to encompass the whole group. "It's our way of keeping in touch with each other, and finding out the needs of those within the mountain."
"It's also a perfect opportunity for us to get together and gossip," Ilin laughed, taking a seat around the table as she poured herself another cup of tea, as well as snitched two more cookies for her plate. "So, now that everyone is here…shall we begin?"
"You seem quite anxious today, Ilin," Dena mused, joining her at the table. "You must have a juicy bit of news to share."
"That I do," the blond dam nodded. "Now, sit…sit!" she instructed, her face alight with excitement. Once everyone had indeed taken their seats, and all eyes were on her, Ilin spilled her news. "I'm pregnant…again!"
"Oh, Ilin!" Dis squealed, happy for her friend. "When?"
"I would guess in about nine months," she smiled, rubbing her tummy. "I got suspicious on our camping trip, I was feeling just horrible the entire time. Nauseous in the mornings, practically starving the rest of the day, and I couldn't get comfortable to save my life. But Oin just confirmed it!"
"We're so happy for you!" Marigold told her, leaning over to give her a big hug.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer pair!" Bergie beamed. "I must say, that husband of yours is a glutton for punishment though…four bairns? What will you do with them all?"
"Love them," Ilin stated with pride. "Each and every one!"
This had all the ladies laughing and talking at once, all that is except Tauriel, who quietly sipped her tea and tried not to look as uncomfortable as she felt. The dams were all very nice, but still, she felt a bit awkward…being new to the group.
"Tauriel," Sier said, leaning over to touch the elf lass on the arm. "Are you all right?" She could tell that the elleth was feeling uncomfortable, and that was something very familiar to Sier. She wanted to make Tauriel feel welcome.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine," the elf lass lied, pasting on a fake smile…one that Sier and Dis saw right through.
"I know that all of this must feel a bit overwhelming," Dis stated, taking pity on the red-head. "Not only are you contemplating marriage…but you are being forced to leave your home and your friends as well. However, we want you to know that you are very much welcome here…in the mountain and by all of us."
"Yes, we know what it feels like to be new to dwarf culture," Bergie insisted. "But these meetings are considered a safe place…you can say anything here, voice any concerns, and we will do all we can to aid you in settling in."
"Exactly!" Dena told her. "You must have questions. So ask us anything."
"And she does mean anything," Ilin clarified. "The meeting of the dams is the perfect place to speak your mind. Nothing is off limits." She punctuated her words by wiggling her eyebrows up and down, accompanied by a sly smile.
"Nothing?" Tauriel's eyes widened as she took the dams meaning.
"Not. One. Thing," Dena nodded.
"And she means it too," Sier said, rolling her eyes and blushing a bit, recalling how Ilin had once inquired about how Fili was in bed. "But don't let that scare you. We do know how to respect each other's privacy…don't we ladies?"
"Oh, yes," Marigold agreed. "But…I will tell you, as a hobbit who knew next to nothing about dwarves and their courting rituals, this is the perfect place to ask questions if you have them. I know if I had the chance to go back in time, I would have peppered everyone here with far more questions than I did. It would have helped Thorin and I avoid a lot of misunderstandings."
"Courting rituals?" Tauriel questioned. "Kili has given me these beads…is there more I should expect?"
"Well…not really," Marigold hummed, as if in deep thought. "But you have to know that dwarves know next to nothing about the language of flowers, and if they say you are their one…that basically means 'I love you' to their way of thinking."
"Kili has not been shy about saying he loves me," Tauriel admitted, blushing slightly. "Nor have I been lax in telling him the same."
"Yet, I am sure that there must be other differences between dwarves and elves you are curious about," Dis offered.
"Or what to expect on your wedding night," Ilin said with a wild giggle.
"Ilin!" Sier said with an exasperated sigh. "Don't embarrass her…or yourself."
"I…I am a bit curious," Tauriel began slowly, setting her cup down and looking at the expectant faces around her. "Are dwarves much different from elves…in that way I mean? I have never been married before, since elves only love once, much like dwarves I am told. So…I am rather nervous about our first night together, as husband and wife. Is there anything I should know?"
"Oh…" was all Dis could say, her face turning several shades of red as she took a very large drink of her tea. Once she was done swallowing, she cleared her throat and composed herself, putting on a very neutral expression. "I'm not sure if I'm the right person to ask this question of…since Kili is my son and all. But to answer your question in a general fashion, the answer is no. Though I have only heard of a few instances where elves and men have paired up, I understand that there is nothing odd…or different about our…mating rituals. That is to say, nothing that you need to be told of ahead of time."
"However," Sier broke in, knowing how awkward this was for Dis. "From what I know of Kili's character, you will have nothing to worry about on your wedding night. Kili is completely guileless, what you see is what you get. And if you have concerns, he will be the first one to encourage you to speak of them. He loves you very much, that is obvious, and he will do everything in his power to see that you are happy. I promise."
"Thank you for your assurance," Tauriel smiled. "Yet I knew this in my heart already. I just do not wish to disappoint him by not being what he needs. I do not know how to be a proper dwarf wife."
"Well, isn't that convenient…since apparently Kili doesn't want a proper dwarf wife," Marigold laughed. "He wants you…and all you have to do is be yourself."
"He would never ask you to be anything but that," Dis smiled. "And neither shall we."
"So you don't mind that I am different?" Tauriel pressed, looking around at all the faces, searching for any signs of rejection.
"We are all different," Bergie stated. "But we're still female."
"And we dams need to stick together," Dena nodded. "Otherwise the males will think they rule the world, and just go mucking it up!"
"Here, here!" Ilin laughed, holding up her teacup.
"Now this does not mean that things will be easy for the two of you…you might face a measure of opposition over your pairing," Dis told her with a look of sadness. "I wish I could say that all will be as accepting as we are…but that would be a lie."
"Kili and I have spoken of this possibility," Tauriel said with a nod of determination. "Yet we will face it together."
"And we will stand at your side," Sier promised, placing her hand once more on her arm in a reassuring manner.
"All of us," Dis agreed.
"And when children come…if they do, I know they can never be in line for the throne, Kili and I discussed that already," Tauriel began, suddenly nervous. "But, will they be accepted among Erebor's people…and by you?"
"Accepted?" Dis asked in shock. "They will be adored! Do you mean to say that you and Kili are contemplating children…already?"
"We have spoken about it, and both agreed that we would very much like to try for several," she told them with a wide smile.
"Oh, my dear, you've made me so happy!" Dis gushed, leaning over to give Tauriel a big hug. "Do you know how long I have worried that my Kili would never find his one? That he would be forced to spend his life alone? Some dwarves do, you know, never finding the one Mahal meant for them. And now, to think that I will have more grandchildren! Oh, I believe I'm going to cry!"
"You must understand," Sier laughed, catching Tauriel's look of slight panic at the older dam's reaction to this news. "Dis is a bit of a baby fanatic. She can't help but want more and more."
"It's true," Dis laughed, wiping her eyes and giving Tauriel her space. "I just can't get enough of them!"
"Well, Dis, until you are a grandmother all over again, you are welcome to babysit mine whenever you want!" Ilin laughed, patting her stomach with a smile.
"Gladly!" the princess agreed, a wide grin on her lips. "Gladly!"
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A few hours after midday, Fili, Kili and Dunner had reached the outskirts of the forest, tethering their mounts to some bushes with long enough leads to allow them to wander and nibble at the grass. Then they headed in, but this time, Kili was taking no chances of getting lost or turned around, and pulling out several large balls of string from his pack, he tied the first to a tree at the edge of the forest.
"This way, we only need to follow the string to find our way back out," Kili explained when Dunner eyed him curiously.
"So you truly do think we will get lost?" He sounded doubtful.
"Trust us…we will get lost," Fili assured him. "There's something about the forest…it plays tricks on your mind. And if we lose our way or get turned around, we could wander around in there for days…weeks even, without feeling the passage of time at all. The forest holds great danger."
"Are you sure that Thranduil didn't send you on this flower hunt simply in hopes that you never returned?" Dunner asked, eyeing the dark woods ahead suspiciously.
"If it were not for Tauriel confirming this tradition, I might have thought the same thing," Kili laughed. "But this string should do the trick. Now, let's get going before the hour grows any later. We need to find these star-flowers as quickly as possible."
And so they made their way in among the trees, keeping the string taut, wrapping it around a tree now and then to hold it in place. They had gone as far as the first ball of string lasted, starting on a second, and hoping that they would find the flowers before they ran out of twine. They were now far enough in that the quickly setting sun was barely making it through the denseness of the canopy above, and even Dunner was starting to look a bit nervous.
"Do we truly mean to remain in here even after dark?" he asked, looking around anxiously.
"We stay until we find the flowers…or we run out of string," Kili stated, eyeing the two remaining balls of twine in his pack.
"Well, let's hope we find them soon, because I'm with Dunner," Fili said, also keeping an eye out for any signs of danger. "I do not like the idea of sleeping under these trees…or hanging from them, if those spiders wrap us up again!"
"What was that?" Dunner asked, spinning around as something made a noise off to his left.
"Probably just a squirrel," Kili insisted, not even looking in the direction, but keeping his eyes ahead of him. Yet when the dwarf prince rounded a particularly large tree, he jumped back, stumbling over a root and falling on his backside with a cry of fright.
"Kili! What is it?" Fili yelled, rushing to his side, both his weapons drawn. Dunner was only seconds behind him.
"Look!" Kili stated, pointing at the enormous, black and white, hairy spider hanging directly in front of them. Thankfully, the beast was already dead, an elven arrow embedded in the vile creatures skull.
"By the Valar…what is that?" Dunner gasped, never having dreamed that such a thing could exist.
"Didn't believe us when we said there were man, and dwarf, eating spiders in Mirkwood, did you?" Fili asked with a smile, as he helped Kili to his feet.
"I do now!" Dunner stated, giving a low whistle as he stepped forward to inspect the arachnid closer. Within moments they discovered several more, all slain and lying about, among a plethora of webs.
"Looks like Thranduil's elves have been out hunting recently," Fili deduced, noting the precision of each shot. "Perhaps they did away with all those in this area, and we'll be safe."
"Maybe…but just in case, we should probably head in that direction," Kili suggested, pointing away from where the bodies lay. "I really don't wish to run into any more of these…especially live ones."
"Agreed," Dunner said, equally reluctant to engage any in battle.
And so they continued on, leaving the spiders behind…or at least they hoped so. Still, it wasn't long before another sound in the distance had the Dale man tensing up.
"I think something is following us!" Dunner insisted, drawing his weapon as he turned around in a circle, feeling very exposed and unsure of his surroundings.
"It's the forest…we told you it would play tricks with your mind," Fili reminded him. "Just relax…and don't start jumping at shadows." And while the blond prince tried to sound sure of himself…he was anything but. He too could feel the uneasiness creeping in, as if there were a million eyes watching him. The hairs on Fili's neck stood on end as he wondered if they belonged to elves, spiders…or something even worse.
"Just keep walking," Kili ordered, his mind set on one thing, and one thing only. "Concentrate on our assignment…nothing else."
"Kili! Stop!" Dunner cried out suddenly.
"What? Why?" the dark prince questioned, halting in his tracks and not moving an inch. "What is it?"
"They're all around you!" the Dale man announced loudly.
"WHAT ARE?" Kili shrieked, knocking an arrow and spinning about, looking everywhere for signs of danger. "What are they…can I shoot them?"
"No, Kili," Dunner stated, this time his tone more full of humor than fear. "The star-flowers…you're standing in a whole bed of them!"
"I…I am?" the dwarf prince stopped and glanced around him. And everywhere he looked were the delicate white flowers, as if snow had fallen on the forest floor.
"Looks like you smashed a good portion of them, though," Fili laughed, pointing to where his boots had done a fair amount of damage. "Good thing it's a big patch, otherwise you would be sunk."
"So these are star-flowers?" Kili mused bending over and picking a little clump of them to inspect. Tauriel had been right, they were a sturdy looking flower, with strong stems and very durable petals. And thankfully, there seemed to be no end to them in sight. "Well, this was easier than I thought."
"Easy or not, I say we pick a bunch and get out of here," Dunner insisted, stepping forward, eager to help and be gone.
"No! I must pick them…only me," Kili announced, holding up his hand for them to stay back. "Thranduil said my hand alone must collect them."
"Then get to picking, Naddith," Fili instructed. "I'm with Dunner…the faster we get out of here the better."
And so Kili set to picking, choosing only the freshest and brightest ones to take back to his love. All the while Fili and Dunner stood guard, scanned the forest for danger, and urging the picky prince to hurry up with his selection. When Kili had filled the box he had brought full to the top, he closed and latched the lid, making sure that his prize would not become crushed on their journey home.
It was only then that the three turned and headed back the way they had come, relying on the string to guide their way. It was a good thing too, for even though he would not admit it, more than once Fili felt they were going the wrong way, having become completely disoriented and turned around within the forest. Still, the string led them directly to where they had entered, causing all three of them to take a deep breath of fresh air as they emerged under a starlit night.
"I didn't believe you, when you said the forest would mess with your mind," the Dale man stated, bending down and placing his hands on his thighs as he continued to breathe deeply. "I will never doubt you two again."
"Of course you won't," Kili said with a wide grin. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Hmmm," Dunner hummed, looking up at the prince skeptically. "Do friends threaten your life…your manhood…and then lead you on a quest into a cursed forest full of man eating spiders?"
"The good ones do," Fili assured him, his face deadpan serious.
It took all of five seconds for the three to burst out laughing.
"Come on," Fili said when he could at last speak again. "Let's put a bit of distance between us and the woods before we camp for the night."
"Camp?" Kili groused. "Can't we just get going? I have a wedding to get to!"
"I'm not riding through the night!" the older brother stated firmly. "We have all day tomorrow to get home and still make it in plenty of time for your wedding. Besides, you got us up so early this morning, we need a good night's sleep!"
"Fine," Kili grumped, though Dunner looked relieved that the older dwarrow had won the argument.
And so they mounted up and headed in the direction of Erebor, each one feeling very pleased with the results of their quest…but none so much as Kili.
Well, it looks like our boys have found the flowers...but they are not out of the woods yet (figuratively speaking) they still need to get home in time!
And Dis introduced Tauriel to one of her 'Tea Parties'! I think our elf lass will make fine use of them as time goes on.
Oh, the wedding will be so pretty in the orchard!
Guest Reviews:
Guest: Yes I agree, Kili is a big old flirt...but he is an honest one too. He would never promise more than he was willing or able to give. And I don't know, in my universe I just see him as the "don't know, don't want to be told" kind of guy. ha ha. That's WHY they are rushing...they already waited 16 years...that and I really HAVE to finish up this story. ha ha. I suck at geography...but I am basing it on the fact that Bard and his people walked from Lake Town to Dale in one day. And Thranduil and his wagon of supplies arrived the next morning. And even if that is still an impossibility...I am going to ask you just 'buy into the premise' and say "They travel at the speed of Plot" ha ha. I don't know if Thranduil was 'mean' exactly...but he sure does love to watch dwarves squirm. ha ha. Thanks
abc: Dis will never stop bossing people around. ha ha. Because she IS the boss. ha ha. Kili will make a fine ambassador one day. Elves are not all hot for gold and stuff...well, maybe just a little...but not as a bride price. Oh yes, they don't go looking for trouble...it comes looking for THEM. I love to hear the three of them bickering and teasing. I would love to hear some of those stories as well! If there was still a TON of story left to write I might have come up with a way to define both Flinns, but I can keep calling them Little Flinn and older Flinn for the last few chapters without too much confusion I think. Thanks for two reviews!
Feu d'Argent: Oh, I was in California once when it snowed on the Grapevine! I was in a coat and wearing gloves at Disneyland! ha ha. OH good, since I was a little on the fence about The Force Awakens as well...I look forward to Rogue One getting me back in the Star Wars mood. Flinn and Sier will be very close. ha ha, yes, Tilda protects him like Tauriel protects Kili. Wait...what? That was not a 'Tea Party', it was just a little get to know you party. As you can see in this one...THAT was a tear party. ha ha. Cassian Andor is from Rogue One? I will let you know what I think of him when I see it. Rant away, just don't spill any spoilers! ha ha. As for Dis and Flinn...squish away, and they would probably love the extra protection. Freya and her brothers are a deadly combo in the feels department. Right? Gotcha...snow be danged, go watch the movie.
Aranel Mereneth: Yep Flinn and Sier are cut from the same cloth...and they both love Fili. Freya really is a daddy's girl too...so it was very hard for her, especially since he JUST got back. I will give you that Thorin is a snoop...but how was he a gossip? Everyone was telling stories...he only told a few. ha ha.