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In my mind, the star-flowers resemble baby's breath, just with bigger petals. Very pretty, but also hearty and dries well.
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Get ready...this is a long one!
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Chapter 140
~X~
The following morning they were off once more, hoping to reach Dale before dinner, so that they might make it back to Erebor by nightfall. Fili and Kili were especially looking forward to seeing their lasses again, the thought of bright smiles and beautiful eyes driving them onward. Unfortunately, before they even reached Laketown, they ran into some trouble.
A merchant wagon had apparently busted a wheel, leaving the man stranded alongside the road. The two dwarf princes looked at each other, both knowing that no matter their hurry, they could not ride on without offering aid. So, dismounting, they approached, giving him a friendly smile to show they were not a threat.
"May we be of assistance, good sir?" Fili asked, gesturing to the broken wheel and dangerously leaning wagon.
"I would be much obliged," he answered back, looking extremely grateful for the offer. "I ain't got the knowhow to fix it myself, and I couldn't leave me cargo here alone to go for help."
"Well, turns out, my brother and I are pretty handy at working with metal," Fili assured the man, taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves. "And our friend, Dunner, here, well…I'm sure he's good at lifting things." He gave the soldier from Dale a wide grin and a sly wink, watching as he returned it with a withering glare at Fili. They might have made peace, but they still enjoyed needling him now and then…he was such an easy target.
And so they set to work, with Dunner and the merchant unloading the crates from the wagon while the dwarves started on the wheel. Kili carved out a couple new spokes from a few sturdy branches he found, and Fili took on the task of reworking the metal band around the wood. It was laborious work, and soon they were all sweating, even if it was only a mild spring day. Kili looked up at the sun, his brows furrowing in disappointment as he watched the sun making its way across the sky…he was starting to seriously doubt they would make it back to Erebor that night. Drat!
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Back inside the Lonely Mountain, Dis had left Tauriel in Sier's capable hands, while she stole away with Flinn for a bit. Both of them had been born in Erebor, but they were also very young when Smaug had sent them into exile. Flinn marveled at all they had done to restore the mountain kingdom, and Dis was excited to show him everything. Yet eventually she led him down to the royal burial chambers, wanting him to see the statue she had made in his honor.
"Well…it does bear a resemblance to me," he mused, staring up at the stone likeness as he stroked his beard in thought. "Though, I think you had them fashion it a bit more muscular than I was…and definitely better looking," he teased.
"Oh, hush," she groused, wrapping her arms around him as she appraised at the statue. "I think they did a fine job, it looks exactly like you. And for a long time, it was all I had to remember you by…other than our lads, of course."
"Well, now that I'm back…what do you plan to do with it?" he questioned.
"I don't know," she admitted, letting go of him and stepping forward as she ran her fingers over the cold stone. "I mean, it would be a shame to get rid of it, after all, I spent a lot of hours down here talking to it." She was quiet for a moment, lost in thought, and then she leaned forward, resting her forehead against it as she let out a sob. "Oh, Flinn…I was so lonely, so brokenhearted when you…left."
"Dis, my love," Flinn moaned, moving to wrap his arms around her from behind, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "I am so sorry, truly I am. I never meant to cause you pain…never."
"I know, I do not blame you," she insisted, turning around as they held each other close. "I'm just so happy you're back."
"And I am happy you were here to greet me," he whispered. "I was so afraid that you might not be…that you could have faded away, lost in your grief. But I kept telling myself that you were stronger than that, that you would not give up."
"I almost did…I know I certainly wanted to," she confessed, pulling back and wiping her eyes. "But I couldn't leave our lads alone. And every day they grew stronger, reminding me so much of you. They kept me going, they saved me from following you in death."
"And then they saved me from my living nightmare, bringing me home to you," Flinn pointed out with smile of pure gratitude. "We owe our sons much."
"That we do," she agreed, snuggling in once more for another hug, turning her head to stare at the statue once more.
"I don't think I can get rid of it," she confessed. "However, I don't like the idea of keeping it down here anymore, among the dead."
"We could put it in our chambers and use it as a coatrack," Flinn suggested, doing his best to lighten the mood. When Dis pulled back and scrunched up her nose in disgust, he added, "A doorstop perhaps?"
"I think we should have it placed in the hall of kings," she suggested.
"But I am not royalty, my love," Flinn pointed out with a laugh.
"You will always be a king to me," Dis assured him, yet after giving it some more thought, she spoke again. "How about we store it in one of the treasure chambers? Since to me it is a treasure…just like you." She then leaned her cheek against Flinn chest and closed her eyes. "I still don't want to let go of you for even a minute, afraid that you will disappear again."
"Never," he vowed, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I am home, where I belong, and with the family I love. Nothing and no one is going to take me away again."
"Good," she said matter of factly. "Now, how about we go check out a few other places that might interest you."
"Well…right now the only place that interests me is our bedroom chambers," he told her with a wicked grin on his face. "I have over ninety years to make up for, my darling, and I don't think anyone would begrudge us a little time to ourselves. Besides, I believe I will never tire of that particular room, or what it holds."
"And what might that be?" Dis asked playfully.
"Love…it holds love," he stated, tipping her chin up with his fingers so that he could tenderly kiss her lips.
"Then what are we waiting for?" she giggled, taking him by the hand and leading him out of the crypts.
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Tauriel was having fun with Sier, the two lasses getting along famously. The elf enjoyed the pretty dam's company very much, never fearing that she was not accepted by her at all. Flinn, Frerin and Freya were there as well, helping where they could in wrapping little favors to put on the tables at the wedding feast. Tauriel had settled on flower bulbs, brought up from Dale, which they wrapped in little silk squares and tied with a ribbon.
"This way, every time they see the flowers bloom…they will be reminded of the day Kili and I wed," the elf had reasoned, smiling as she wrapped another one up and set it in the basket with the others.
"Here, Tauriel," Frerin said, holding up a fist full of ribbon pieces to her. "Flinn and I cut some more for you."
"Oh, thank you, Frerin," she smiled, accepting the lengths from him. Granted, the younger dwarfling had only been allowed to hold the ribbon, while Flinn had used the sheers - they being deemed too sharp for Frerin to handle. "Thank you too, Flinn."
"You're welcome," he beamed back, sitting on the floor surrounded by tiny scraps of cloth and ribbon snips.
The two females had been so wrapped up in their work that they had lost sight of Freya, not noticing where she had toddled off to, until Tauriel let out a little gasp and reached her hand up to the back of her head.
"Ouch," she laughed, turning slightly to see Freya standing behind her chair, her fingers fisted in Tauriel's long red tresses.
"Pity," the little lass said in an awestruck tone, her eyes wide with excitement as she gripped at the long, red hair, tugging on it none too gently. "Pity!"
"Yes, it's very pretty hair, my lamb," Sier agreed, reaching over and extracting her daughter's fingers from it, pulling her up onto her lap. "But it isn't nice to pull on it like that. It hurts."
Freya looked completely unconcerned with her mother's scolding, and turned back to stare at Tauriel with a look of wonder.
"She hasn't met many elves, has she?" Tauriel asked, chuckling slightly.
"Oh, a few," Sier answered. "Glorfindel once or twice and perhaps Thranduil, but that's all. She is still far too young to be leaving the mountain very often, not that Fili would allow it anyway."
"Oh?" This perplexed the elf. "Why is that?"
"Dwarves are very protective of their females," she explained, repositioning Freya as the child stuck her thumb in her mouth and leaned back against her mother's chest, continuing to stare at the elf in wonder. "In older times, the dams were hardly ever seen in public, actually causing some to still believe that we don't exist at all. Yet much changed when Erebor was invaded by the dragon and their people were scattered across Arda. After that, dwarves began to have more dealings with men and other races, even us dams. Still, Fili is very cautious where Freya is concerned, which I think in some ways attributes to her shyness. He takes his lads everywhere, but he would much rather keep his daughter tucked safely away."
"Will Kili be the same way with our children?" she asked. "I was born in the forest, and was free to wander where I wished…within reason of course. I would hate to think of my little ones confined to this mountain, never to be free to run and explore the wide outdoors."
"Kili…confining?" Sier laughed. "He would be the first one to seek out wide open spaces, and I fear your children would have trouble keeping up with him!" Sier tied off another bulb bundle and started on another one. "I think Mahal knew what he was doing when he paired up you and Kili. That young dwarf has a thirst for adventure, where Fili is more cautious. Kili jumps into things with both feet, often before considering the consequences, and his brother plans things out and takes his time."
"The sign of a true leader, your husband will be a fine king one day," Tauriel smiled, making Sier blush slightly at the compliment. "Yet I would not trade Kili's exuberance for anything. I find it infectious, and I can't help but be happy every time he is near."
"Sounds like you're in love," Sier teased, it now being Tauriel's turn to blush. "And Fili and I can't be happier for the two of you. You know…Kili once spoke about you, though I didn't know at the time who he meant."
"Oh?" Tauriel was intrigued.
"Yes, it was at my first Durin's Day party," Sier told her, getting a faraway look in her eyes as she thought back, "Kili gave me some advice when I was having a hard time making up my mind about something," she purposefully left out the part about it being her love for Fili that had her so bewildered. "He said I should be brave and take a leap, stating that even if I failed, at least I would not live with the doubt and regret of never having tried. It was then that he told me about a lass he had met some time ago, saying the meeting was brief, yet there had been something about her he couldn't forget. I could hear pain in his voice as he spoke of how you two had parted, and not seen each other since. I am happy this has all been resolved, and that you two are finally together."
"Me too," she nodded, touched by the dam's words. "For he is my life…my whole world, and no matter how much time we might have, I wish to spend it with only him."
"I think Kili feels the same way," Sier nodded. "And with that scamp around, you will never find life dull, that's for sure."
"I believe you," Tauriel laughed. "And thank you very much, Sier."
"For what?" she asked, looking up at her questioningly.
"For being so kind to me…so accepting. I confess I was very worried about what Kili's family would think of me. And I still worry a bit about King Thorin. He has not been hostile in the least, and yet, I still feel that he is not completely accepting towards this union."
"Thorin is a perplexing dwarf," Sier mused. "Just when you think you have him all figured out, he surprises you. I don't think he is opposed to you and Kili marrying…but he is very cautious. It takes a while for him to warm up to someone, but when he does, you couldn't ask for a more kind and protective friend. Give him time…he will come around."
"I hope you're right," she sighed. "For Kili thinks the world of him, and I would hate to be the cause for any rift between them. I might have Flinn's approval…but even I know it is essential for family peace that I have Thorin's as well."
"True…he is the king, and the head of this entire family," Sier agreed. "A family that keeps growing and growing, it would seem. I mean look at all the babies that have been born in the past ten years, not to mention the new spouses, both new, and some who came back from the grave!"
This made both ladies burst out laughing, for everyone that knew Flinn was still shocked by his unexpected return. Word had spread quickly throughout the mountain about Princess Dis getting her husband back, along with news that the youngest prince was now betrothed to an elf! Many wrongly assumed that it was a political marriage, and that Thorin and the king of Mirkwood had arranged it in order to form a stronger alliance between the two kingdoms. Those were the ones who would give the pretty elf maid piteous looks when they passed her in the hall, believing that both would soon be trapped in a loveless marriage.
While others, especially those who were familiar with the dark haired prince, knew that he was just wild enough to have dreamed up the idea himself. Besides, it was not at all difficult to recognize the love the two shared for each other, leaving the strange couple to be the root of all sorts of intriguing gossip and speculation. Yet Tauriel didn't mind, for no one had been truly unfriendly towards her, and as long as she had Kili…she would be more than content.
"Do you have any more ribbons cut, Flinn?" Tauriel asked, finding that her pile was now empty.
"Lots more!" the blond dwarfling said proudly, handing the cut lengths to Frerin. "This is fun! We should have weddings more often!"
"I will remind you of this when it is your turn to take a wife, my son," Sier chuckled, watching as Flinn's eyes grew wide in horror.
"Me? Married?" he gasped.
"Don't do it, Flinn," Frerin begged, his tone full of disgust. "You'd have to eat husband-vegetables every night!"
"Ewww, I'll never do that!" the older lad stated firmly.
"Oh, give it time, my son," Sier said with a little smile, giving Tauriel a knowing wink. "Give it time."
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Meanwhile, evening was fast approaching by the time the three travelers had managed to fix the wagon wheel and get the merchant back on his way. When he had heard that Kili was to be married the following day, as a gift of thanks, he gave each of them a bottle of his best Dorwinion wine. Fili had at first tried to refuse, stating that they had not offered to help in hopes of receiving any compensation, yet the merchant was quite insistent. In the end, they thanked him warmly and mounted up once more, heading towards Dale.
"Dorwinion wine?" Dunner said, eying the bottle in his hand with surprise. "I've heard this stuff is quite expensive."
"Aye, it is," Fili nodded, pulling out the cork with his teeth and spitting it on the ground. "But very good too!" And putting the bottle to his lips he drank deep, savoring the rich flavor as it slid down his throat.
Dunner, not to be outdone, followed suit and also took a big swig of his own bottle. Unfortunately, he was not quite prepared and ended up sputtering and coughing on his first swallow. This had Fili and Kili laughing as they watched the man's eyes began to water.
"Smooth," he gasped, trying to salvage his dignity…but it was a lost cause.
"Smoother than you," Kili grinned.
"Aren't you going to open yours?" Fili asked, nodding to the bottle in his brother's hand.
"No, it's a wedding present!" he said in a scandalized tone. "I will save it to share with my wife." He stopped there and smiled even wider. "My wife! Tomorrow…I'm going to have a wife! I can hardly believe it, Fili…the lass I love more than anything in this world has agreed to marry me. Me!"
"Yes, I find it hard to believe as well," his brother chuckled, passing his bottle over to Kili, willing to share his own. "It seems like just yesterday you were learning to crawl and still soiling your nappies." He then got a devious look on his face. "Oh, wait, it was just yesterday…when you saw that dead spider! I swear, Kili, you screamed like a little lass when you saw that thing hanging there!"
"I can always count on you for a laugh, can't I brother?" Kili said with a roll of his eyes, yet he couldn't help grinning a bit himself. "And you would have been startled too, if one of those ugly things had tried to drag you off by your foot to eat you for dinner." His smile suddenly returned full force. "That is when my lady love came to my rescue, shooting an arrow in its head…and another directly into my heart."
"Leave the flowery speech to Ori, little brother, it's not your strong suit," Fili told him with a shake of his head.
"At least he has a lady to speak about," Dunner stated, his tone one of pure misery. The two dwarves looked over at him, watching as he took what appeared to be his fifth or sixth drink, if the emptiness of the bottle was anything to go by. "And what do I have? A dream! Nothing more."
"Hey, slow down there, Dunner," Fili warned. "That's strong stuff."
"Good, maybe it will help ease my sorrow," the Dale man grumped, taking yet another swig.
"Dunner, you have nothing to be sorrowful about," Kili stated, trying to ease the man's mind. "We told you, there is no reason why Tilda wouldn't consider you a fine catch."
"Right, and we also said we would put in a good word for you with Bard," Fili joined in. "You're a fine looking lad…as far as men go…you stand as good a chance as any to win Tilda's heart."
"A chance! That's all I have, and a slim one at best," the soldier lamented, plying the bottle to his lips once more.
Kili eyed Dunner with both concern and amusement before leaning over and whispered to his brother, "He's not a very happy drunk, is he?"
"He's just feeling low," Fili hissed back. "We need to cheer him up."
"Well, if Dorwinion wine won't do it…nothing will," Kili said with a shrug.
"How do I tell Princess Tilda about my feelings without her thinking I'm some fool?" Dunner went on, unaware of the whispered conversation going on beside him. "I can't just walk up to her and say it out loud."
"Well, saying it in your mind won't get you anywhere either," Fili pointed out.
"Do what I did," Kili suggested, taking another drink of the open bottle before handing it back to Fili. He was starting to feel a bit of heat rising in his cheeks from the wine, so he could only imagine what Dunner was experiencing. "Take a leap…just tell her the truth and see what she says. If nothing else, you will no longer have to mope around worrying if she likes you or not."
"But what if it's not?" he moaned, swaying a bit on his horse, causing Fili to reach out and attempt to steady him. "What if she never speaks to me again? How will I go on knowing that my heart's desire hates me?"
"Hates you? Well…that escalated quickly," Fili stated, his eyebrows shooting up.
"Love has a tendency to do that," Kili replied, speaking from experience. "And I would guess the wine had something to do with it as well."
"Indeed," his brother nodded back. "Hey, Dunner…maybe I should hold that bottle of yours."
"No! The merchant gave it to me!" he pouted, pulling it close to his body protectively. "You have your own."
"I wasn't going to steal it…just keep it safe." Fili laughed.
"Its safe right where it is," Dunner huffed, still giving Fili a suspicious look. He then straightened up and began to sing a very loud, and very off key, song that the two dwarves had heard many times in the local taverns. It was not one a person might use in front of a lady…but they were alone on the road and far from any delicate ears.
Fili and Kili looked at each other and just shrugged.
"At least if he's singing he can't drink," Fili whispered.
"Agreed," Kili nodded. And so the two brothers joined in, urging the Dale man right into another song when the first ended, and doing all they could to keep him from falling off his horse. They carried on like this for a few more hours, with Fili and Kili polishing off their own bottle of the wine, leaving the two with a bit of a buzz themselves…yet nowhere near as looped as Dunner. Fili used the empty bottle as a makeshift wind instrument, blowing into the top as he kept time with the songs.
When the dwarves's voices finally grew tired, and their bodies ached from the long ride, Fili suggested they stop and camp for the night. It was dark by now and they were still a ways out of Dale, guaranteeing that there was no way they would make it home to Erebor that night. Even Kili, who was especially anxious to see Tauriel once again, agreed, saying he saw no point in pushing on any further.
But Dunner would not hear of it!
"No! I intend to tell Princess Tilda how I feel…tonight!" he stated, taking the final swig of his wine, emptying the bottle. "I must do it now, before I lose my nerve!"
"Ummm, now might not be the best time to speak your mind," Kili pointed out. "Since apparently you are not exactly…well, sober."
"But I won't be brave enough to say it when I'm sober," he reasoned. "It must be now…tonight!" And kicking his horse into a gallop, he raced off ahead of the two stunned dwarves.
"Oh, this is not going to be good, is it?" Fili sighed, looking over at his brother with worried eyes.
"Uh…no," he agreed. "But it's sure going to be funny to watch! Come on, we don't want to miss it!"
"Not for all the gold in Erebor," Fili laughed, the two urging their ponies in pursuit of Dunner.
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By the time Fili and Kili caught up with their determined companion, Dunner was already dismounting his horse and beating on the closed gates of Dale, demanding entry.
"Who goes there?" came a call from atop the rampart, a sentry looking down sternly at the bothersome man.
"Captain Dunner of the king's army!" he called back, stepping away so that the man could get a good look at him.
"Oh…forgive me, Captain," the soldier stammered, "I didn't recognize you in the dark. And who is that with you?"
"Prince Fili and Prince Kili of Erebor," Fili announced, dismounting to stand beside Dunner, placing a steadying hand on the now swaying soldier. "We beg entrance for the night, good man."
"Aye, I will have the gates opened in a moment, Your Highness," he said, quickly disappearing from the wall. Moments later they were given admittance, the guards there offering to take care of their mounts as the three made their way towards Bard's home, since Dunner still insisting on speaking to Tilda that very moment.
"It's late," Fili tried to reason with him. "She's more than likely in bed. Do you think waking her is the best idea?"
"Women tend to get a bit cranky when you catch them not at their best," Kili warned, ducking under Dunner's right arm as he threw it over his shoulder to guide him up the hill more successfully.
"I don't care…Tilda could never not be at her best, she is beauty itself," Dunner insisted.
"Yes…use that line," Fili nodded, mirroring his brother's action on the man's left side. "Dams love that flowery kind of speech."
And so they continued on, both dwarves noting that the farther they went, the less coherent Dunner was becoming. When they were at last able to get the drunk man to the front door of Bard's home, he was barely conscious, and thankfully in no condition to be making any confessions of love to the princess, much to Fili and Kili's relief…and disappointment, for they had geared themselves up for quite a show. They were halted there by the door-warden, but when he recognized the royal pair, supporting the captain of the guard between them, he quickly sent a maid to fetch the lady of the house…Tilda.
They were shown into the entryway, where they didn't have to wait long before Tilda hurried down the stairs, tying her house-robe around her as she came.
"Fili, Kili!" she greeted them, sounding somewhat alarmed. "What is the reason for this late visit?" Yet, her expression turned to fear when she saw the man being supported between the two dwarf princes. "And what has happened to Dunner?"
"A bottle of Dorwinion wine," Kili confessed, chuckling just a bit as the man chose that moment to let out a loud hiccup, punctuating his point.
"You got him drunk?" Tilda hissed loudly, her eyes narrowing and her hands going to her hips in a scolding gesture.
"No! We tried to stop him!" Fili stated in their defense. "He got the bottle from a merchant we aided along the road. We had nothing to do with it!"
"Why do I not believe you?" she said with a shake of her head.
"Because you're a suspicious and mean lass?" Kili offered, grinning at her with all the charm he could muster that late at night.
"No, because I know you two far too well," Tilda responded, unable to stop the smile that teased at her lips. "Oh, for goodness sake, just take him to the parlor and drop him on the sofa, will you?"
The two dwarves complied, directing the stumbling man to the indicated room and flopping him down on the cushions. They next pulled off his boots and laid him out in a somewhat comfortable looking position.
"He'll have a whopper of a headache come morning," Kili said with a sympathetic look.
"If he does, it will be no less than he deserves," Tilda stated as she made a tisking sound of disapproval. "Now, you two head on up to your rooms and get some rest," she directed. "You're getting married tomorrow, Kili. You don't want to show up for that half asleep. Tauriel would not be pleased, would she?"
"No, ma'am!" Kili grinned, a dopey look spreading over his face at the mention of his beautiful bride.
"Come on, lover-bird," Fili laughed, grabbing hold of his brother's arm and pulling him towards the stairs. "Let's get you tucked in, so you can dream about your elf."
They waved goodnight to Tilda and headed for the rooms set aside for them when they often visited, leaving the princess alone with the sleeping Dunner.
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Tilda watched them go, shaking her head and chuckling to herself, she truly did adore those two. There was never a dull moment when Fili and Kili were around, that was for sure. She walked to the corner and pulled a quilt out of a trunk and returned to the sleeping Dunner, leaning over as she covered him up. Yet before she could straighten, his eyes flew open, startling her slightly.
"My Lady!" he gasped, also shocked to see the focus of his dreams suddenly there before is eyes. "I…I must speak with you!"
"I doubt you are in any condition to make coherent conversation, soldier," she told him, taking a few steps back as he threw off the blanket and rose unsteadily to his feet.
"But I must…I have to tell you…" he stammered, placing a hand to his head and blinking a few times as if he were trying to clear his mind and focus.
"To tell me what?" Tilda asked, now intrigued by his insistence.
"That…that I care for no one in this world more than I do you," he confessed, bravely putting into words the feelings within his heart. "That for years now I have lived only to behold the warmth of your smile, the lilt of your voice, and beauty of your form. In me you have a slave, willing to do your bidding simply to please you. And thought I know I am completely unworthy of such a gift…I could die here tonight a happy man, if only I could taste the honeysuckle of your lips. Just once."
"Dunner!" Tilda gasped, her eyes wide with shock at his forward speech. "We…we hardly know each other." Yet, this was not entirely true…for even though they had spoken less than a dozen times over the past year, she too had been watching him. Finding herself nearby whenever he was sparring with other soldiers, watching him ride out on patrol, and making certain he had returned safely before returning to her home that night. He had never been far from her mind or thoughts…though she dared not tell anyone of her secret affections. Her father would have locked her in her room, saying she was too young, and Bain…well, she was not quite sure how her brother would handle the news. But she was past the age of becoming a woman, far past in fact, so in all honesty, they had no say at all in her love life.
"I already know all I need to about you, My Lady," Dunner insisted, taking another unsteady step forward. "I know your kindness, your bravery, and your heart. None could deny your worth, and few would dare hope to be worthy of your favor…and yet, I do hope, I do desire. And even if you deny me, and I must live the rest of my days as a faithful dog at your feet, I will be content…if only I can have that one kiss. Would you reject me so cruelly without even a gesture of consolation?"
"Dunner…I…" Tilda stopped there, looking deep into his eyes and finding that she could indeed not turn him away. Her heart longed for this as well…and seeing as how he was more than likely not to remember any of it come morning, what would be the harm? So throwing caution to the wind, she stood on her tiptoes and quickly placed her lips to his, granting him his kiss before she could change her mind.
It lasted only seconds, but Tilda would never forget it as long as she lived. It was her first kiss…the only one she had ever wished to give. And as she pulled back, staring up into his somewhat glassy eyes, she knew then and there that this was the only man she ever wanted to share such an act with again.
"Oh…Princess," he moaned, reaching out to pull her close once more, yet this time it was only for a tender embrace, enfolding her into his arms as he breathed in the fresh scent of her. "You have made me a very happy man."
Tilda smiled at this, knowing that the feeling was mutual. Still, there would be her father and brother to contend with when she told them of her choice. Not that it would come as a big shock, she was certain, for her anger and stern words at dinner the previous night had been quite revealing…although she got the distinct impression they had already guessed. Otherwise why would her father have sent Dunner off with those rascally princes? It had been a blatant form of punishment, pure and simple.
Yet before she could think of what to do next, Tilda felt Dunner sway slightly, and looking up she could see that she was about to lose him once more to sleep. Giving him a bit of a nudge, she managed to steer him back onto the sofa before he was completely out. With a smile she lifted his legs back onto the cushions and covered him up.
"Sleep well, my brave soldier," she whispered, placing a feather light kiss on his forehead. "Pleasant dreams." And as she watched a smile spread over his face, she wondered if they would be of her. For she knew her own would certainly be of him.
Love is in the air! Wonder if he will remember any of this come morning? Wonder if he will remember his own name after drinking that whole bottle?!
Freya loves Tauriel's red hair...Frerin just loves Tauriel...and Flinn loves no one, espeicaly if it means eating husband-vegetables.
Good think Fili and Kili escaped Tilda's wrath...she just can't stay mad at those two.
I hope by now the ravens have delivered all your wedding invitations. Be sure to have nuts and berries on hand to give them when they arrive as a reward for their long flight.
See you all again on Monday!
Guest Reviews:
*crickets chirping in the distance*
Ummm, hello? Where did everyone go?