.
.
Hello and happy Friday to you all. This is chapter 15, which means if I keep to my anticipated schedule, we are now halfway through the story. But I won't say that for sure, since with me, you never know what I will add on, add in, or just plain old add to the story, thus making it longer. ha ha.
But at the moment, as it stands, you are halfway through.
.
.
Chapter 15
~X~
It was late morning when Jade rapped lightly on Kili's door, having received a message that the prince wished to see her. It was Dis who answered, giving her a welcoming smile as she entered.
"Kili said you'd be stopping in," Dis nodded, gesturing towards the bedroom. "He's right though there, and don't worry, he's quite decent. Oin even wants him up and walking around a bit later, not wanting his muscles to grow weak during his convalescing. I'm off to the kitchens to fetch him a treat." She rolled her eyes at the idea. "Apparently he never quite grew out of his sweet-tooth as a dwarfling. So, honey-cakes for breakfast it is." With that she headed out, leaving Jade to find her way to where Kili waited.
When she entered through the open door, she found the dark-haired prince wiggling around on his bed in an ill-fated attempt to reach something on the table beside him. When Jade saw him nearly tumble off onto the floor, she rushed to his aid.
"Let me get that for you," she insisted, helping him sit back against his headboard and handing him the oddly shaped stick he desired.
"Mahal bless you, lass," he sighed, taking the object and leaning forward just a bit as he used it to scratch the side of his foot. "I can't bend this leg without it hurting and I was about to go mad from this itch!"
"Glad I could be of service," Jade laughed, finding the look of pure joy on his face comical. "Yet, I hope that wasn't the only reason you asked me to come by."
"What?" Kili asked, apparently having found relief at last. "Oh, no…of course not. I wanted to talk to you about Fili."
"Fili? Why?" Jade's eyes instantly became concerned. "Is he all right?"
"Yes…and no," he admitted, looking somewhat troubled. "You see, I heard a rumor, one that concerns you two."
"A rumor? About what? We've not done anything objectionable!" Jade was instantly on the defense.
"No, nothing like that…the rumor is that you two are on the rocks, so to speak," he lied. "I overheard it from a few of the healers when they thought I was sleeping. It seems that everyone thought you and Fili were very distant with each other last night at dinner. Tongues wag like flags around here, and the scuttle is, you are going to turn down Fili's suit."
"WHAT?" Jade was shocked. "We can't have them thinking that! At least not yet!"
"I'm just telling you what I heard," he said with a helpless shrug. He knew he was lying through his teeth, for no one had said a word about them. Yet, Kili realized if he laid it on thick enough, her sense of duty would solve the problem for him. "Were you and Fili not talking enough last night? Not sitting close enough? Something had to make them think your affections were cooling off."
"Well…I did kind of…you know, tone it down a bit," she confessed, recalling her plan to build some walls in order to protect herself. Yet, in doing so, had she once more brought reproach on Fili? She hadn't meant to do that!
"It might be best if you kicked it back up a notch then," he suggested. "For the sake of the ruse, of course. Can't have those delegates thinking you two are breaking up so quickly, they might get the idea that Fili had offended you or something."
"I don't want to shame Fili!" she gasped. "Does he know about this? Do you think he's heard the rumors too?"
"Probably not," Kili summited. "He's been too busy with the delegation from Rohan all morning."
"Rohan?" Jade's interest was instantly piqued.
"Yes, King Thengel I believe," he replied. "He's in council with Thorin and Fili right now, or so Amad said."
Jade stood up and began pacing around the room in thought, looking rather agitated by the news. Kili watched her curiously, not quite sure what was upsetting her. At last she turned and stared at him.
"Do you think it would be possible for me to speak to him…or at least one of his warriors?" Jade questioned, looking hopeful.
"Whatever for?" Kili asked.
"I'm curious about my cousin, Brayden," she explained. "I haven't heard from him since he joined the Rohirim, and I thought maybe I could learn about his welfare."
"Oh…well, maybe," Kili shrugged. "But you would have to go through the proper channels and such, and I doubt they will be here long enough for that. Word is they'll be leaving by mid-afternoon, and Amad said that Thorin has ordered that no dams be seen by these men."
"What? Why?" Jade was confused.
"We dwarves take the safety of our females very seriously," he explained. "You may have grown up around the race of men, but until Smaug came and our people went into exile, not too many other races had ever laid eyes on a dwarrowdam. And while things are more lax now, it would appear that Thorin aims to revert back to some of the older ways of thinking…at least on that matter."
"That's silly! Does he think I would be in danger or something?" she huffed. "If these men are not to be trusted, why would he invite them to the mountain in the first place?"
"It's a dwarf thing," Kili once again tried to explain.
"Well, it's a foolish dwarf thing!" Jade grumbled, turning and heading for the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?" he demanded.
"To see the King of Rohan!" Jade called back, ignoring all his protests as she stormed out of his chambers.
.
.
Meanwhile, Thorin, Fili, Balin and Dwalin were just finishing up a very productive meeting with the tall king of Rohan.
"I thank you once again for agreeing to see me on such short notice," Thengel said with a bow of his head. "I know you are inundated with delegates from other realms, but my wife is due to give birth in the next several weeks and I do not wish to be abroad at that time. Thus, as our business is now concluded, I must take my leave, though I would greatly love to stay and admire your amazing kingdom further."
"It is quite all right," Thorin told him with an understanding nod. "A king has many duties, but first and foremost he is a husband and a father. I do not begrudge you your desire to be back home at that time."
"Have you any children, King Thorin?" Thengel inquired.
"Nay, I have never married," he informed the man. "Yet, I regard my sister-sons as my heirs, having helped raise them as if they were my own." Here he gestured proudly to Fili, who sat up a bit straighter at the praise. "My other nephew would be here as well, but he was injured in a cave in the other day."
"No permanent damage I hope?" The Rohan king sounded honestly concerned.
"No, just a scratch," Thorin said, waving off his worry. "Mahal made the dwarves strong, we heal quickly."
"I am glad to hear it," Thengel said with a smile, then rose to his feet. "I thank you once again for your time, King Thorin, this meeting has been very beneficial, and I look forward to further dealings with you and your people."
"As do I," the dwarf king agreed, also standing and coming around the table in order to see his guest out. "Allow us to escort you to the main gates."
"That would be kind of you. For I fear without aid, we would not be able to find our way out," Thengel chuckled. "Your mountain is not only very impressive, but quite vast."
"Then come, we will see you safely back to your horses," Thorin agreed, signaling for the guards at the door to open them and step aside.
Fili and the others followed close behind, making sure that the king and his escort did not stray from the path they had chosen, not wishing for anyone to see too much of the realm…or happen up on any of their females. Granted, back in the Blue Mountains they were not as strict over the old ways of doing things, and keeping their dams sequestered from prying eyes had mostly gone by the wayside. Yet, Fili could see Thorin's reasoning on this, and though he didn't think these men intended any harm, it was always better to be on your guard.
Unfortunately, not long into their trek towards the gates, all their well laid plans came crashing down around them, as none other than Jade herself appeared out of nowhere.
"Lord Thengel!" she cried, hurrying forward out of a side corridor, one that was apparently not guarded, for there was no one there to stop her. The four soldiers assigned to guard their king quickly stepped in front of him, offering protection, yet not drawing any weapons – feeling that doing so could be mistaken for an act of war. Even Dwalin and a few of his warriors stepped forward to block the approaching lass, knowing that Thorin had expressly wished to avoid this very situation.
"JADE!" Fili cried out, rushing towards her in an effort to make sure she was not accidently injured by mistake. "What are you doing?"
"I hoped to speak to the King of Rohan…if he will allow me," she begged, trying to pull away from Fili's grip on her arm, almost desperate in her attempt to speak to the man.
"I am not opposed to speaking with…the lass," Thengel spoke up, quite flabbergasted to actually be seeing one of the fabled dwarrowdams in person. "In fact, I would very much wish to hear what she has to say."
Thorin, who was already rubbing his forehead as if fighting off a headache raised his hand, signaling for the guards to step aside. The damage was done, no sense in making a scene by having the lass escorted out.
"King Thengel, may I introduce the Lady Jade, Prince Fili's consort and possible intended," Thorin said, gesturing to the lass in question.
"I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Jade," Thengel stated, bowing deeply, yet unable to take his eyes off her. He had heard outrageous rumors surrounding female dwarves, many of them being dispelled at the sight of the lovely, beardless lass in front of him. He would now be able to state for certain that there were such things as female dwarves…and the race did not spring out of the rocks like legends of old said. Yet, before he could inquire as to what the pretty little dam wanted, there came another feminine shout, followed by a second dwarrowdam hurrying towards them.
"Jade! Where are you?" It was Dis, who had apparently come looking for the errant lass.
"Why do I even bother making edicts if no one listens to them?" Thorin grumbled quietly as he shook his head in frustration. When the lord of Rohan turned a questioning eye to the dwarf king, he once again provided introductions. "And this, King Thengel, is my sister, Princess Dis, daughter of Durin and mother of Prince Fili and Prince Kili, my heirs."
"It would seem, King Thorin, that the treasure of Erebor does not lie in mere gold and jewels, but in the beauty of your fair maids," he said, once more bowing deeply to the new dwarrowdam. And then, quite unexpectedly, he went down on one knee, allowing him to be closer in height to the younger lass who had petitioned to speak with him. "And how may I be of assistance to you, Lady Jade?"
"I do not mean to bother you, My Lord, but I have need of information concerning my cousin, who had left our home some time ago to join your ranks," she explained, offering a very fine curtsy to him in respect.
"Your cousin?" Now the king was even more shocked and confused, turning to look up at his captain questioningly. "I fear that we have no dwarves within the Éoherë, thus you must be mistaken."
"No, not mistaken, only very poor at explaining myself," she stated apologetically. "For you see, I was raised in a village between the Dunlands and the Gap of Rohan. And since my foster parents, who were of the race of men, have since passed, I have been left with a female cousin and her son Brayden as my only family, adoptive though they may be. Might you recall the name, and perhaps give me some information about him?"
"Your tale is a fascinating one, to be sure, Lady Jade, and one I would dearly love to hear more about," he told her kindly. "Yet, I fear I am not familiar with every warrior, and there a hundred and twenty such men in each Eored, of which we have many." Once again he turned to his captain. "Falsted, do you recognize that name?"
"I do not, My Lord, yet it is not inconceivable, for we have had many new recruits from neighboring villages over the past several years," he informed his king.
"I am sorry we are unable to confirm the whereabouts of your cousin, Lady," Thengel told her sadly. "Still, I would be more than happy to make a thorough search and relay a message to him, if it be your wish."
"I would not want to burden a man of your status with such an insignificant task, My Lord," Jade insisted. "Yet, if you do happen to hear of my cousin, I would count it a kindness if you let him know I am living here in Erebor and would wish to hear from him. Otherwise I will begin to fear he might have dropped off the face of Middle Earth."
"It would be my honor to see your message delivered," Thengel smiled, placing his hand over his heart and inclining his head. "For if I were this cousin of yours, I would indeed be anxious to know of your whereabouts." He then stood and looked over at Thorin, who continued to appear less than pleased by all this. "With your permission, of course, King Thorin."
"Yes, by all means," he nodded, still not happy but at least understanding why Jade had broken protocol and showed herself to the visiting men. He didn't distrust the king of Rohan, and perhaps no harm would come from him seeing a couple dwarrowdams…even if they were two of the most prominent in Erebor at the moment. "And I thank you for your generous offer to my nephew's consort."
"We are allies, are we not?" Thengel grinned. "Consider this our first diplomatic endeavor." And with one final bow to both Jade and Dis, he continued on his way, being escorted out of the mountain and on his way.
.
.
Once everyone had left, Jade turned and looked at Fili, who had chosen to remain behind.
"Am I in a lot of trouble?" she asked, cringing a bit at the idea.
"Hard to say," Fili admitted, knowing that Thorin wasn't pleased, but at least he hadn't yelled. Still that could have only been because the Rohan king was there, and it wouldn't have looked good if he had. "Did no one tell you that Thorin had ordered that these halls be cleared during his visit?"
"Well, yes," she confessed, looking down at her hands that were now wringing together. "Kili might have said something to that effect."
"And that's what had me running after you," Dis explained. "He was attempting to hobble to the door when I returned with his breakfast, and he told me where you had gone."
"Is he all right?" Jade was now more concerned over Kili's injury than herself.
"I put him back in bed and ordered him to stay there," Dis assured her, yet a sly grin graced her lips at the thought. "Yet, knowing him, he probably obeyed me just as well as you did my brother. Still, I think no real harm was done, and Lord Thengel appeared to be very cordial. You needn't worry about being reprimanded."
"I didn't mean to cause trouble…I just dearly wanted to know what has become of my cousin, and this seemed the only opportunity I might get to find out," Jade explained. She then turned to Fili, trying to gauge his opinion on her willfulness. "Have I shamed you in any way by my actions?"
"Shamed me?" Fili laughed. "If anything, when this gets around, I'll be the envy of Erebor. Dwarves value strong and courageous dams, and you being willing to approach a visiting king, and a man no less, well, I will be congratulated for days, if not weeks because of it."
Jade gave a sigh of relief, having been worried that she might have inadvertently caused more negative gossip over what she had done. And while she still meant to make up for her behavior the previous night at dinner, the last thing she wanted to do was heap more shame on Fili in the process.
"Now, come," Dis insisted. "I think it best we head back to Kili's room and let him see that you are all good and well. I know he won't rest a bit until he is assured you didn't get your head bit off by Thorin."
"Uncle wouldn't dare!" Fili said firmly. "It's my duty to see to Jade's protection, and that includes keeping her safe from even the king."
"If King Thorin wishes to punish me for my disobedience, I will humbly accept whatever I have coming to me," Jade objected. "I will not have you at odds with your uncle over my foolish disobedience." Yet she looked up at him with admiration in her eyes. "Still, it is very kind of you to offer your protection, Fili. I thank you very kindly."
"It is my pleasure, My Lady," he grinned. "Might I have the privilege of escorting you back to my brother's room? I don't believe my presence is needed anywhere else at the moment and I would enjoy being in your company…if it be your wish." Here Fili held his breath, still worried that she might be acting a bit cool towards him, as she had the previous night. He had no way of knowing if Kili had taken care of the issue, as he has promised to do.
"Oh…yes," she nodded. "I would like that very much."
Her enthusiasm caused Fili to grin widely, heaving a sigh as it would appear things were back to normal. Well…as normal as they could be while conducting a false courtship and all.
"Well, I can tell when I'm not needed," Dis chuckled, loving the way the two youngsters seemed to have suddenly forgotten she was even there. And as a mother, she was beginning to notice things that others might not…specifically the glow of affection between her eldest son and her cherished maid. Could there possibly be something more than a ruse building between them?
Dis found she certainly hoped so.
.
.
Kili had indeed been relieved to learn that things had not gone ill due to Jade's impetuous behavior, and other than a raised eyebrow and a scolding look at dinner that evening, Thorin never said another word about it.
"That means he's impressed with you…as am I," Fili whispered in her ear, making her blush over his nearness as much as his words. "Even Dwalin said your actions took nerves of steel, and he does not readily pass out compliments."
"Just as long as you are not upset with me, Fili," she told him, reaching out and placing her hand over his where it sat on the table. "I have already done enough to ruin your reputation."
"Never," he assured her, bringing her hand up to his lips and giving it a gentle kiss. "And I must say, I'm very pleased to see you more lively and talkative this evening. Last night I feared I might have offended you in some way."
"Oh, no! Not at all…I was simply overly tired from all the excitement," she explained, though she knew it was a lie. Her plan to keep Fili at a distance had not worked, for she had dreamed about him that night despite her attempts to push him from her mind. Thus, all she had accomplished was making them the talk of Erebor, with wild rumors circulating that their time as a couple was coming to an end. And while Jade realized at some point it must…she knew it was far too soon for this to happen. "I enjoy your company very much, and you have been completely chivalrous the entire time."
This pleased Fili greatly, and he made a mental note to thank his brother for whatever it was he had said to her that morning. For it obviously worked! Thus, Fili sat back, prepared to enjoy a lovely evening with an even more lovely dam.
.
.
The next few days passed quickly, with Kili progressing to recovery. He still had to use a crutch, and Oin insisted that he try and take it easy, so the three of them spent a lot of time in the comfortable chamber set aside for meetings in the royal wing. Fili was happy to not only have his brother on hand, but the way Jade talked and responded to his questions pleased him to no end. Thing felt as if they were at last going the way he wanted, even if he still had no solid idea how he truly felt about the dam. All he knew at the moment was that he hadn't ever felt this way before, and he wanted it to continue.
One afternoon, Fili convinced Jade to bring the book Lord Elrond had given her about dwarves, wishing to see for himself what the elves believed about their race. Thankfully, the book was written in Western, so Jade didn't have to translate from Sindarin. Yet, only a few minutes into letting Fili and Kili inspect the book, Jade was ready to snatch it back and never let them see it again.
"The elves believe that dwarf women actually grow beards?" Fili laughed, nearly dropping the book in the process. "Where did they ever get that crazy idea?"
"Oh, can you just imagine Amad with a beard as long and full as Balin's?" Kili snorted, also finding the whole idea more than amusing.
"You know," Jade mused, her brows furrowing together. "That part always did have me worried. Until I arrived in Ered Luin, and saw that none of the dams there had facial hair, I kept waiting to see if I would sprout one overnight."
"And listen to this!" Fili roared, holding the book up as he pointed to a specific page. "It says that feeding meat to a male dwarf tends to cause them to grow violent and uncivilized!"
"So that's why they only gave us greens that first night in Rivendell!" Kili deduced. "They thought by doing so we would be less rowdy? Well that certainly backfired on them, now didn't it?"
"That's enough!" Jade huffed, reaching to take the book back. "You've had your fun, now give it."
"Oh no, this is far too interesting," Fili laughed, holding the book up over his head and away from Jade. This didn't stop Kili from reaching up and taking it from him though, still eager to read more about what elves thought of dwarves.
"I will not have you making fun of my book!" Jade insisted, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at the two brothers sternly.
"I'm sorry," Fili told her, and in truth he meant it. "I know it's something you treasure, so I'll stop. Honest." He took her by the hand and lead her over to the sofa, insisting that she take a seat next to him. "Yet, like I said, if there's anything you might want to know about the Khuzad, wouldn't it be best to go to the source? So, ask…anything you want to know. Anything at all."
Jade did have a million questions, but when she looked directly into Fili's blue eyes, not one of them seemed important. Yet, knowing that he was waiting for a response, her mind scrambled for a question…any question.
"Um…why…why has your uncle never married?" she blurted out at last, feeling rather foolish once the words were spoken, but there was no taking them back.
"Thorin?" Fili asked, not at all expecting such a question. "Well…I guess he just never had the time or the desire to look for a wife. I know many have attempted to attract his attention in the past, but none did. He was betrothed to a lass once, the daughter of Lord Baldar of the Grey Mountains, but I think I already mentioned that. However, her father sent a message dissolving the agreement before Smaug attacked, and no one ever found out why. Not that uncle was upset about it, for he had never even met the lass. Still, I think it worries him a bit, fearing it might have somehow been because of something he did, especially when Lord Baldar will be visiting the mountain soon to renew ties."
"Does Thorin fear that he will also wish to renew the betrothal?" Jade questioned.
"I doubt it…I mean if the lass has not wed by now, she probably doesn't wish to," he deduced. "Even though females only make up a third of our population, some actually don't wish to marry, preferring to be craft-wed instead."
"Craft-wed?" Jade asked. "What's that mean?"
"Its what we call those who have no interest in taking on a mate," Fili explained. "They devote their lives and focus on their craft and not the seeking of a husband or wife. Bifur is what you would consider craft-wed, as is Balin…and maybe even Dwalin, though he's never said so for sure. Then there are those of us who still hold out hope that we might indeed find a match." He left the words unspoken that he was one of those who wished to one day find a bride, but he was pretty sure she understood his meaning.
"Oh…that's very interesting," Jade nodded, finding that she had truly learned something, and something very important too. She could choose to never marry, to remain as she was. And given the fact that she felt she had little to no chance in having the one dwarf in all Middle Earth that she found appealing…that might not be such a bad idea. For while Jade had always wanted a husband and a family, she was not about to marry for anything less than true love. No, she had seen far too many men and women in her former village who had settled – be it out of desperation or simply the need for security and companionship – and then lived to regret their decision. No, for Jade it would be love, or nothing at all!
.
.
Meanwhile, Kili had been fully ignoring his brother and Jade, opting to scour the book about dwarves, hoping to find out what ideas Tauriel might have on the subject of his race. The fact that elves believed that their lasses had beards, or that meat was something that set them off, had been amusing, but soon he found things written in there that didn't set well with him at all.
Dwarves are incapable of marrying outside their race. The book stated. Having been made solely by Mahal they cleave to their own kind and do not engage in interspecies mating.
"Well that's a load of hogwash!" Kili mumbled quietly to himself. Was this what Tauriel believed as well? Could this be why she never chose to contact him? Did she imagine that nothing could ever come of a relationship between them? If so, he would need to set her straight on that subject! He knew of several dwarves in the past who had married daughters of men and had produced children. Why couldn't they do the same with elves? Just because it had never been done before did not mean it was impossible…right?
Still, when would he get the chance to inform her of this? She had not returned to Erebor, and Kili was certain that he was not welcome in Thranduil's halls. Yet it ate away at him to think that his lovely elleth might believe there was no hope for the two of them…assuming she thought of him at all.
This was beyond frustrating! And Kili didn't like it one little bit.
Yes, I think that book needs to be revised! It is very much out of date. ha ha.
And look at Jade, getting all defiant and going to see the king of Rohan like that...against orders even.
I think Dis is catching on!
Oh great, now Jade is thinking being craft-wed sounds like her only hope. I bet Fili can change her mind though. ha ha.
Thanks again for all your wonderful reviews. I enjoy each and every one of them.
Guest Reviews
Emrfangirl: Oh yes, Dis will be kicking herself for sure if she finds out what she interupted. ha ha. And I'm glad you are enjoying Kili in the story. I never have had the desire to write a full on Kili story, but I sure love giving him the role of Best Supporting Actor in a Fili tale. ha ha. He is rather adorable...but no, Jade only has brotherly feelings for him. ha ha. Thanks.
Aranel Mereneth: Dumb Durin's on the horizon...trust me. And now that I am so close to being done, the chapters should be coming more quickly. As you can see by this posting. ha ha. Thanks.