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Two things:
1. I think it really sucks that good characters have to die...BUT I would feel even worse if I didn't acknowledge their deaths. Thus, I am very sorry that so many of Tolkien's characters must pass on (and even a few I created) due to old age. And I'm also sorry their deaths will be littered throughout the next few chapters. It can't be helped.
2. If you would like to see a picture of what one reader thought Tam looks like, go to Deviant Art and look up the artwork by LKivihall. On her page she has a picture of a beautiful red haired girl holding a bowl, entitled "Innkeepers daughter". I thought her drawing made a wonderful looking Tam! Thanks madnessdownunder2 for finding it.
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Chapter 177
~X~
As more years seemed to fly by, both joy and sorrow touched the lives of those in the mountain…as well as Dale. On a routine patrol, a group of Erebor's soldiers were ambushed by an army of Easterlings, resulting in a devastating massacre of the dwarves. Riding high on their victory, the bloodthirsty villains next chose to attack Esgaroth, it being the less fortified of the two cities of men. By the time Thorin was able to rally his troops, and Bain could do the same, most of the lake city had been overrun. In the battle that ensued, the current king of Dale was gravely wounded, having to be carried to safety by Dunner, his second in command shielding his friend and kin with his own body.
The Easterlings had eventually been defeated, and any who had escaped were driven back to where they had come from, but the death toll was high. Bain lived, but he had taken a nasty sword wound to his leg, and soon after it began to fester from infection. Dale's healers could not seem to control it, and soon he was burning up with fever, causing Brenna and Tilda, as well as Brand and Dunner, a great deal of distress.
In the end, it was Frerin who saved both Bain's life, and his leg, for it had been decided that the only thing to do for the king of Dale, was to cut it off. Yet the young dwarf prince had been diligent with his studies, as well as soaking up any and all medical procedures known to dwarves, men, and elves. His methods were frowned upon by the elderly healers in Dale, but Brenna and Tilda begged the young dwarf to try, for they both knew should they have to amputate, Bain would have been devastated.
It took several days before the king showed any signs of improvement, but Frerin's diligent efforts paid off, bringing the man back from the edge of the grave. The young dwarf prince was hailed as a miracle worker, and some suspected that he might have even studied under Gandalf and Elrond, his techniques nothing short of miraculous. Frerin did his best to brush off the praise, saying that he was simply glad that he could at last return the favor, for all the help Bain had given them back when he and his brother had stowed away in the supply wagon. Regardless of his attempt to avoid recognition for his aid, Tilda and Brenna showered the dwarf with kisses and tears, claiming that they were in his debt ever more.
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Unfortunately, Erebor and Dale had hardly recovered from the Easterling attack, when more devastating news arrived from the Shire. With tears in his eyes, Thorin gathered those together who knew the hobbit well, reading Bilbo's letter out loud to everyone.
My dear friends in Erebor,
It is with great sorrow I write to inform you of my beloved Daisy's passing. It was a shock to us all, but a comfort that she went peacefully, with me holding her hand, and her friends and family at her side. We had a lovely service for her, and she was laid to rest on the hill behind Bag End. I will miss her terribly, and find myself feeling lost and alone without my sweet wife. Our home is so empty now, and I am getting the urge to take another journey, to see the mountains again, and walk the paths I trod when I was a much younger hobbit.
The Shire will always be my home, but without Daisy, I'm not sure I will wish to return…in fact, I mean not to. I've been working a lot on my book lately, and I simply desire a nice quiet place to finish it. Somewhere I won't be bothered by those prying Sacksville-Baggins, or by confounded visitors always hanging on the bell. I need peace, Thorin, and I would like to see Erebor again…if you'll have me.
In a few months I will turn one-hundred and eleven, and when I do, I intend to bequeath everything I cannot carry on one pony to my heir, Frodo, including Bag End, and then slip away quietly. Traveling will be slow, but I will keep you up to date on my progress. I intend on stopping in Rivendell for the winter, then paying a visit to Beorn in the spring, as well as inviting myself for tea in Mirkwood as I pass through. I look forward to seeing you all sometime next summer.
Your friend and burglar,
Bilbo Baggins
"Poor Bilbo," Marigold said, wiping away her own tears. "He dearly loved Daisy, and he sounds so lost without her."
"Daisy was a great cook and one spunky lass," Dwalin said, having thought very highly of the hobbit. "I grieve for Bilbo's loss."
"I'm glad that he will be coming here," Fili nodded firmly. "He needs to be among friends."
"Aye, and when he arrives, we'll pull out all the stops, and show him one hum-dinger of a good time!" Bofur insisted.
"Is that your solution to every problem?" Dis huffed. "Getting snockered?"
"It might not solve the problem…but it can certainly make you forget there is one," Nori pointed out, always an advocate for ale.
"I wish there was enough time to get to the Shire so we could travel with him," Kili said, knowing a journey of that size would be lonely if Bilbo chose to go alone.
"There still might be," Thorin considered. "If he intends on remaining in Rivendell throughout the winter, we could make plans to at least meet him half way in the spring."
"Perfect!" Dis agreed, pleased by her brother's idea.
"Then it's settled!" Thorin said firmly. "Bilbo will come to Erebor, and we will take care of him."
Everyone present unanimously agreed.
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Yet, often things do not work out like planned, and while the adventurous little hobbit had indeed stopped to rest in Rivendell for the winter…it quickly became apparent that he would go no further. Even before the snow had melted, Thorin received a message from Elrond, informing the dwarves that due to his age and health, Bilbo was extending his stay in Imladris…perhaps for good. The dwarves were grieved to hear this, but understood, not wishing for their dear friend to push himself and come to harm. Erebor was a long distance to travel, even in the best of health, and their esteemed hobbit was no longer a young fauntling. Thus they sent word back to Rivendell, wishing Bilbo the best, and promising to visit him the next time they traveled his way.
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Meanwhile, Tam, while still at the tender age of seventy-four, had grown into quite the lovely dam, one that Bombur and Ilin felt should get out of Erebor and mingle with others of her kind, in hopes of finding her one. A group of crafters were heading for the Iron Hills to share ideas and techniques in weapon making, and Bombur insisted that Tam make the journey as well. She would only be staying for a short time, and even if the young dam already knew in her heart who she desired as her one, she was not about to tell her parents that. Still, it really didn't matter to her, since Tam knew she would not be accepting any other suits, so she agreed to go. Getting away for a few months might be fun, and seeing Jorun so often, without him showing the least bit of interest in her, was becoming a bit painful.
Thus, Tam did indeed journey to the Iron Hills, safely making the trip with the highly protected caravan. Unfortunately, not long after they arrived, reports of rampaging orcs and more Easterlings became widespread, causing both Thorin and Dain to close the roads that led to and from their respective kingdoms for safety reasons. The result…Tam was trapped in the Iron Hills for the foreseeable future.
The stranded dam would send messages to her family by raven, and now and then even daring to stick in a short note for Jorun, hoping that he was missing her as much as she was missing him. But other than one or two hastily written lines, with no mention of any feeling for her, the raven keeper didn't seem big on answering her back. Thus, as the years ticked by, Tam began to wonder if the idea that Jorun was truly her one had simply been her imagination. It was a lonely time for the young dam, but eventually she made some very good friends in the Iron Hills, ones who kept her spirits up whenever she became homesick.
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Thankfully, by the year 3007, travel was once again considered safe, and journeys to and from the dwarf kingdoms were resumed. This was very fortunate, since Dain had been invited to the coronation of Prince Brand in Dale. His father, Bain, had chosen to step down early, due to health reasons, passing the crown to his son. He also decided that it would be a much smoother transition this way, with Brand not having to mourn the passing of his father so close to him taking kingship, like Bain had been forced to do when Bard died.
Tam was among the company who traveled from the Iron Hills, eager to see her parents and home once again. It had been nearly five years since she had went away, and the lass was certain many things had changed in that amount of time…though her feelings for Jorun had not. Still, Tam was older and wiser now, nearly a dam who'd reached her majority. And with nothing but a few hastily written notes to encourage her feelings, she decided that if things were meant to be with Jorun, he would need to be the one making the overtures from here on out. Tam was tired of doing all the work!
The coronation went well, and Bain stood proudly at his son's side, crowning him personally as the entire city looked on. Dunner and Tilda's son, Geir, had followed in his own father's footsteps, and knelt before Brand, pledging his service to his cousin as his second in command. Both Bain and Tilda had remained close, and their children had grown up together, thus creating a very strong bond themselves.
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It was a week later, as Tam and Tae were shopping at the indoor market near the center of the mountain, when they unexpectedly ran into Jorun, and Gimli. The raven keeper and the son of Gloin had become very good friends, since somewhere in their past, they shared an ancestor. The two had been palling around for the past several years, working on weapons skills as well as frequenting the local taverns on occasion. Yet their merry talk immediately ceased when Jorun recognized the lass in front of him.
"Lady Tam?" came his shocked tone, after not having laid eyes on her a number of years. "You're…you're back from the Iron Hills!"
"Yes, Master Jorun," she replied doing her best to appear friendly, yet attempting to keep all emotions out of her voice. "I returned a week ago. How have you been?"
"I…I've been fine," he stammered. Tam had changed a lot, in his way of thinking. Where was the child he remembered? For now, before him stood a very lovely and grownup dwarrowdam. "Why have you not been up to Ravenhill to visit? I've…I mean…the birds have missed you."
"Oh, I'm certain someone else brought them their usual treats, causing them to hardly bat an eye over my absence," she said with a bit of a laugh. And while she had only made mention of the ravens, Tam had really been directing her words at Jorun personally. She then turned her attention to his companion, giving the red bearded dwarf a warm smile. "It is good to see you as well, Master Gimli. I do hope your parents have fared well over the past few years."
"Very well," the dwarrow nodded. "Thank you for asking. But how about you, lass? Your father made no secret as to why he and Ilin sent you to the Iron Hills. Might you have found your one?"
"Only time will tell," Tam laughed, enjoying the look of shock that spread over Jorun's face at Gimli's question. "Though I have missed Erebor a great deal, there were many things in Lord Dain's kingdom that any dam would find attractive."
"You simply have to take me with you, the next time you go, Tam," Tae insisted, having found her sister's tales of the Iron Hills fascinating.
"You are a bit young to be searching for a mate, Tae," Gimli chuckled. "While I would say that you, Tam, would be a prize for any dwarf."
"Why, Master Gimli…are you flirting with me?" Tam teased, watching as the dwarf's face turned as red as his beard.
"Not me, lass," Gimli assured her. "I was just saying that if Bombur isn't careful, he will be throwing a wedding very soon…and I don't mean for Bram."
"I should say not!" Tae giggled. "That blockhead brother of ours wouldn't know his one if he tripped over her."
"Be nice, Tae," Tam admonished, though she didn't exactly contradict her sister's words either.
"So…so you will come up and visit…the ravens, I mean?" Jorun spoke up once more, determined to get her pledge on the matter before parting ways.
"I'll see what I can do," the pretty red haired dam promised. "But since I've come back, I have been working more in the flower mill than the kitchens.
"Oh," he responded, sounding a bit disappointed by the news. "Ummm, did…did you enjoy your stay in the Iron Hills?"
"It was nice," she nodded, though in truth she was rather overjoyed to be home. "I met a lot of new dwarves, and made some very good friends."
"Oh?" For some inapplicable reason, the idea of Tam associating with other dwarrow did not exactly sit well with Jorun. "And…were any of these friends of the male persuasion?"
This caused Tam to let loose a merry laugh, one that struck the raven keeper to his core.
"With our race being over two-thirds male, the odds would greatly be in favor of that," she told him. "And I do hope to go back at some point to visit. Perhaps next spring, when the flowers are in bloom."
"And love is in the air?" Gimli added, waggling his eyebrows a bit and making the two dams laugh. Jorun however did not find any humor in his friend's statement.
"Well, we best be going," Tam said at last. "Amad will be wondering what's keeping us." She stepped forward and placed her hand on Jorun's arm, the action apparently startling him. "It was good to see you again, Master Jorun." And before he could even respond, the two sisters disappeared into the crowd.
When Jorun just stood there, staring at the spot where Tam had touched him, his eyes wide and his breath coming out in labored gasps, Gimli became concerned.
"What's wrong with you?" he demanded, waving his hand in front of his friend's eyes. "You act like a bee flew up your nose."
"Did you see her?" Jorun asked, his voice hardly over a whisper. "Did you see how lovely Tam has grown?"
"Ummm, yah, sure," Gimli said with a shrug of his shoulders, apparently having already put the two dams out of his mind. "So? What's it to you? I mean, it's not as if you find her…." The dwarf stopped right there and stared at his companion, his mouth falling open. "NO! Do you? Is she your one?"
"I…I don't know," Jorun gasped, now more agitated than ever. "I didn't think she was…but just now, when she touched me…I felt something. Something strange…and wonderful."
"By Durin's beard and ax!" Gimli all but shouted, causing several dwarves to look in his direction as they passed, giving him a disapproving glare. "You've been struck, my friend! Struck by Mahal!"
"I have?" Jorun was starting to panic now.
"Plain as day!" He was now laughing, holding his stomach in an effort to help him catch his breath. "You should see your face!"
"What should I do?" the raven keeper begged, gripping Gimli's vest and giving him a bit of a shake. "I don't know anything about finding my one…or how I should act!"
"Thankfully, my father has told me all I need to know on the subject," Gimli stated proudly. "So…let me ask ya, did her touch feel like a bolt of lightning going through your body? Making your blood hot and your mind spin?"
"Y-y-yes," Jorun nodded, once more staring at his arm where Tam had touched him.
"And when you think of her, do you find you fixate on one certain part of her more than any other?" Gloin's son asked.
"I…I…" Here Jorun stopped talking, his face growing beet red as he stared down at the floor in embarrassment.
"Oh…I see," Gimli laughed, pretty sure he knew exactly what fascinated his friend about the buxom lass. "Say no more."
"So, does that mean Tam's my one?" Jorun demanded, needing a firm answer.
"Have you had any dreams about her? About your wedding or possible children?" his friend questioned.
"I…no, at least not that I remember," he admitted, is expression turning to disappointment. "So…she's not my one?"
"Not every dwarrow dreams of his one…or his children," Gimli countered, not wanting the dwarrow to lose hope. "The only true way to know for sure, is if you wake up," Gimli informed him. "Yet, from what you've already said, I'm willing to bet good money that she Mahal's choice for you."
"Tam is my one?" Jorun murmered, his voice weak and his face still pale. Then a wide grin spread over his lips and he stated it once again, but this time with confidence. "Tam is my one!" He grabbed Gimli by the arms and stared him right in the eye. "I know she is…I can feel it!"
"You…you can?" the red bearded dwarf took a step back, his wide eyes darting downwards in mortification.
"No, not like that…in my heart!" Jorun laughed, too happy at the moment to be embarrassed. "I have always liked her…as a friend…but now, well, now I know there's always been more. Even Lord Simek saw it."
"He was a very wise bird," Gimli nodded, the elderly corvid having passed on several years before, leaving his son, Omak, to lead the Erebor ravens. "So, now that you know she's your chosen one by Mahal…what are ya gunna do about it?"
"I…I don't know," Jorun's smile quickly faded into a look of uncertainty. "Am I worthy of such a lass? Would her father even accept my suit? Would she?"
"Too many questions will muddle your brain," Gimli huffed. "Action is what's required now. So, first thing tomorrow, march over to Bombur's chambers and ask for Tam's hand. Don't go lettin' the grass grow under your feet…be brave!"
"Brave?" Jorun repeated with a nervous laugh. "I've never been so frightened in all my life!"
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Yet that night, as Jorun slept, he was gifted with another sign that Tam was indeed his intended. He dreamt of her!
Jorun was dressed in his best tunic and trousers, his hair neatly braided and he was standing at the front of a long aisle way. He was oddly nervous, his palms sweating, and his collar feeling as if it were cutting off his airway. As the raven keeper looked around, he saw an unidentified sea of faces, all crowded into the room, and looking directly at him…it was a bit unnerving. Still, that did not appear to be what was causing him to feel uncomfortable. However, before his unconscious mind could figure out what he was doing there, a vision appeared out of the mist, walking towards him with a radiant smile on her face. Tam!
She wore a pretty gown of white, with many gems braided in her hair which sparkled in the light. She was lovelier than anything he had ever beheld in all his one-hundred and twenty-eight years, causing his mouth to go dry and stealing his ability to speak.
Bombur was at her side, escorting her with a teary-eyed smile, the proverbial father, both happy for his daughter, yet sad to be giving her way. When they at last arrived to stand before Jorun, he watched as the rotund dwarf kissed her cheek and then held her hand out to him.
"Take it, Jorun," Gimli hissed, stepping forward and whispering instructions in his friend's ear. "Don't leave the lass hanging."
Snapping out of his trance, Jorun did indeed receive Tam's offered hand, their fingers intertwining as he continued to gaze upon her beauty.
"Have those in attendance come here out of loyalty, honor and a willing heart?" the voice of King Thorin asked, suddenly appearing out of nowhere and looking directly at the pair.
"Aye," Jorun replied, while he watched Tam nod her head as well.
"And who stands for the bride?' he questioned, looking out at the crowd gathered there. "Who among you speaks for her character and recommend her to this dwarrow?"
"That would be me," came Bombur's proud reply, standing up from where he had taken his seat next to a weeping Ilin. "I will speak for my daughter and challenge any who would dare dishonor her."
"And has the groom offered you, her father and champion, the proper compensation for Tam's hand?" Thorin asked.
"No…he hasn't!" Bombur revealed, as suddenly all eyes turned and looked accusingly at Jorun.
"WHAT? No…I…I…" he stammered, panic taking over. "I will! I promise…whatever you ask, I'll pay!" Jorun swore, his voice rising in fear. "WAIT!"
Thankfully, his own voice crying out woke him from his sleep, leaving the dwarrow breathless as he realized it had only been a dream. There was no way for him to deny it now, he had dreamed of Tam…she was indeed his one. But if he didn't want that last little bit, about him failing to supply the proper bride price, to come true, Jorun would need to find out what Bombur might demand of him…and pay it quickly!
As he lay back down and did his best to calm his beating heart, a little grin spread over his face. Tam had been so beautiful in his dream…so utterly captivating, and he couldn't wait to see her in such a dress for real. Oh yes, Jorun, son of Jorus, had found his one at last.
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The next morning right after breakfast, Bombur and his family were all getting ready for the day. Over the past several decades, the ginger bearded dwarf and his wife had been blessed with two more children, after Bolund, bringing their count to a now impressive six! The youngest two were, Baldur at fifteen, and little Theá at only ten. As Bombur, Ilin, Bram, and Tam prepared to leave for work, the younger ones were getting ready to head off to class. So, it was a bit of a surprise when there came a hesitant sounding knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" Bombur asked, setting down his mug and rising from his chair at the table. When he opened the door, and saw a very nervous Jorun standing on the other side, causing the royal cook to get a perplexed look on his face. "Has there been a message for me? One brought by raven?"
"Ummm, no, Master Bombur," Jorun told him, his words stilted and unsure. "I…I was hoping I could speak with your daughter."
"Which one, lad…I have three, you know," Bombur laughed, rather proud of his brood.
"With…Lady Tam," Jorun said at last, doing his best to sound confident.
"Oh? And what about?" Bombur questioned again, not at all catching on.
"Who is it, Bombur?" Ilin called from within the room, unable to see past her husband's rather bulky figure.
"It's that Jorun lad…the raven keeper," the cook answered over his shoulder.
"Oh? Have we received a letter?" came her further inquiries.
"No…he wants to speak with Tam," was his reply.
There was silence behind him for a bit, and then his wife all but squealed out her next words.
"Well, let the lad in, you fool!" Ilin cried, all but running to the door and practically pushing Bombur out of the way. "Come in, come in, Jorun. Would you like some tea…a biscuit perhaps?" She then grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside.
"No, thank you," he told her, nearly falling over his own feet as he stumbled forward. "I was hoping I might speak to…"
"Tam?" Ilin finished for him. "Of course…please, have a seat." She directed him to the sofa and then went around the room, shooing her four youngest children out the door, telling them to be good and study hard. However, Bram stood firm, refusing to budge, as he eyed their guest with a look of suspicion.
Tam had been stunned into silence ever since her father had announced who had come calling. And having him say he wished to speak with her…well, that had her giddy with excitement. But what if Jorun only wanted her to start bringing treats for the ravens again? What if he had come simply to request her services? Oh, Tam was not sure her heart could take such a disappointment.
Bombur, who still appeared ignorant of what was going on, moved to sit in one of the cushioned chairs opposite the sofa, eyeing Jorun in confusion. Bram walked over and stood behind his father, his arms remaining crossed, and a scowl on his face.
Jorun had not dared to look at Tam once since entering, and he feared if he did so, only to find her not pleased by his visit, it would destroy him. No one spoke…no one moved, but soon, Jorun cleared his throat and found his courage at last.
"Ummm, might your daughter and I have a moment alone?" he almost begged, still unsure he could say this in front of Tam, much less any spectators.
"No," came Bram's staunch refusal, earning him a glare from his sister.
"Anything you wish to say to her, you can say in front of us…we are her parents after all," Bombur pointed out. Ilin, who didn't want to miss a moment of this momentous occasion, nodded vigorously. "Sit down, lass," he told his daughter. "You look as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs." At this, Tam did indeed take a seat at the far end of the sofa, easing herself down at a painfully slow pace.
Jorun swallowed hard, willing the fear in his belly to settle. Now that she was only a few feet away, he turned and looked at his one at last, a wave of relief washing over him when he saw her bright smile and eager eyes. Maybe he could do this after all.
"Master Bombur…Mistress Ilin," he began, nodding respectfully at Tam's parents. "I have come here, with my hat in my hand, to ask your daughter's permission to court her." There, he'd said it. Now…what would they say?
"You…you what?" Bombur blurted out, stunned by this sudden and unexpected request.
"It has recently became abundantly clear to me that Tam is my one," Jorun stated, this time looking the lass directly in the eyes as he took her hand in his. "When you touched my arm yesterday…I knew. And I was given a sign from Mahal, in the form of a dream, that you are the one he has destined to be my wife. Will you accept me, Tam? Will you bestow upon me the chance to win your heart?"
By now, Ilin was covering her mouth in an effort to stop from squealing with glee, so excited to see her oldest daughter finding her mate. It had been rather obvious to her that Tam had favored Jorun for a number of years, and she had no fears at all that her daughter would say yes.
Oddly, however, Ilin was wrong!
"No, Jorun," Tam replied, causing her mother to gasp in shock, her father's eyes to widen in surprise, and Bram to beam with brotherly pride.
"N-n-no?" Jorun stammered, feeling as if a knife had been plunged into his heart.
"I don't need to give you a chance to win my heart," she explained, a sly smile gracing her lips. "Because you've already won it years ago. I've known you were my one since we first ran into each other at Prince Kili's wedding. I've just been waiting all this time for you to figure it out as well."
"You…you knew way back then?" Jorun asked in disbelief. "But you were just a child."
"I still knew," she grinned.
"Then…you will accept me? You'll allow me to place a courting bead in your hair?" the raven keeper was now beside himself with joy.
"I would be proud to wear your bead, Jorun," Tam told him, throwing her arms around him as she brought their lips together, sealing their bond for all time.
This time Ilin did let out a squeal, unable to contain her joy. However, Bombur and Bram let out a noise as well, but theirs's were far from happy.
Still, Jorun was oblivious to everyone and everything around him, except of the kiss that Tam was giving him.
"That's more than enough, lad!" Bombur stated, rising to his feet and pulling the young dwarrow away from his daughter. "And while I can't argue with Mahal's will, or Tam's obvious approval, I can set a few boundaries where the courting of my child is concerned." The ginger-bearded dwarf's eyes suddenly grew wide as his gaze fell upon Jorun's lower regions. "And right now, I think it best you head back to your chambers." So with Bombur on one side and Bram on the other, the two of them effectively ejected the love struck dwarf out the door. "And take a cold bath, lad…it appears you need it!"
"We'll be expecting you for dinner tonight, Master Jorun!" Ilin called, doing her best to see around her husband and son, waving at the confused dwarf. "Be sure to bring that courting bead!" And then the door was slammed shut.
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Jorun stood outside Tam's home for a good long while, staring at the door that now hid his love from view.
Tam had kissed him! She had kissed him of her own free will, and it felt…amazing! A wide grin slowly spread over his face, and Jorun felt as if he were floating on air. Granted, he had been tossed out so quickly that he was not quite sure if he had officially secured Tam's hand or not. Yet, if Ilin was telling him to bring back a courting bead…he assumed he had!
Suddenly though, Jorun became aware of a rather odd feeling in his lower extremities, and looking down, his mouth fell open in shock. He was awake! Tam was for sure his one…his only! Unfortunately, his joy over this revelation was short lived, dampened by the fact that being left in this state, and offered no means of release, was a bit painful. Oh, this would be pure torture until he married the lass. Yet just the idea that one day - and one day soon, if he had any say in it – he would see Tam walking down the aisle towards him like she had in his dream, put the goofy grin back on Jorun's face. So, whistling a happy tune, the love-struck dwarrow did indeed head back to his chambers…to take a cold bath!
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In four months' time, after he had gifted Tam with both the courting bead, as well as the engagement bead, a wedding fit for a queen was held in the large banquet hall. Dis planned everything, with Ilin's input and final say so, of course. The groom had made sure to gift Bombur with a fine new set of cooking pots as the bride price, as well as promising Ilin that Tam would never know a day of sorrow. Tae, who'd just got her sister back from the Iron Hills, was not at all happy to know that she would be leaving once again. Thankfully, Tam and Jorun would be remaining in Erebor, so that soothed the younger sibling's ruffled feathers a bit.
Bram finally became used to the idea, and at last accepted Jorun into the family, as did the rest of Tam's brothers and sisters. It was a lovely ceremony, overseen by Thorin himself, for he was starting to really get the hang of this marriage stuff. And when the bride and groom disappeared for their week-long shut in, no one could mistake the looks of utter happiness on Tam's face.
She had finally landed her dwarf!
Well, I hope I left you on a happier note, especialy after that sad begining.
So, Jorun and Gimli are buddies now!
And after not seeing Tam for a bit, I think our drwarf finaly sat up and took notice of her. Good for him...and for her!
Did you enjoy the 'signs' as well as his 'proposal'? I think Ilin helped a lot. ha ha.
I am so sorry about Daisy...but Bilbo HAD to leave the Shire, and he had the ring keeping him alive at such an age, where she didn't. So I had to do it, she was a hobbit, and really, they don't live forever. So sad.
Guest Reviews:
arrondissement: Yep, Tor and Holly are hitched...and now Jorun and Tam! See what talking to birds has got him? A great job, a bit more money, and now a wife! I see you are one of the ones that managed to read chapter 175 AFTER I posted the update on Thengel. Yes, it is very sad. Yah...I've kind of had enough babies cropping up in the line of Durin, don't you think. I might have one...or two more planned, but I can't say for whom or when. But thanks for your wish that Fili and Sier have more. Can the poor dwarf handle another little run-away? Really? ha ha. Thanks.
abc: I do try to balance out the happy and the sad, and I hope I continue to do so. It was a bit jam packed too...that's what happens when you cover lots of time quickly. Got to cram it all in. I totally should have had Thorin come back and yell "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GATES" and have Fili and Kili hem and haw a bit, saying "Well...its a long story...and it involves Gloin." ha ha. What I have planned for Flinn and Frodo is...ha ha, I can't tell you! ha ha. Thanks
Feu d'Argent: Oh boy, a Flinn original? Bring it on! I would prefer both flowers AND jewels...I'm greedy like the dwarves. ha ha. I am glad you like the whole button thing. It started as a lark, but I have grown rather attached to it myself. I think Fili and Kili did a pretty fair job at carving that stone for the mountain after they blew it up...I will have them make one for you. Glad you liked the wedding. And it was Dwalin's job to help his son...and give him the talk. ha ha. Thanks.
darkone7142: It is hard to tie up all the loose ends without forgetting one or two, ha ha. But I am grateful when readers point out something I missed. Yep, I'm gunna let Nain rule Ered Luin with Rose at his side to help him, and Raina will be going to the Shire...I think I said that in the story...didn't I? Thorin and Marigold will make it back to the Shire soon enough...lots to do before that happens. ha ha. Thanks.