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Congratulations to Aranel Mereneth for being my 200th reviewer!
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Chapter 19
~X~
Jade had been sad to see her cousin leave, yet she knew he couldn't remain in Erebor forever. He had a life, and a king to serve, thus she found herself standing at the gates, waving farewell as he and the other men he had come with disappeared over the horizon. However, while he had been in residence, Brayden had afforded Jade the distraction necessary to keep her mind away from the rather startling request Fili had made of her the previous week…that of a kiss.
Fili had been a model suitor while Brayden had been around – doing and saying all the right things and not acting in any way remotely inappropriate – yet she couldn't get that one incident out of her mind. Had she misunderstood his motives, or perhaps his intentions? Had it all been for show? And yet, there was no one around at the time for him to put on such an act. Jade couldn't say that she had been opposed to his entreaty, and to be perfectly honest, she had often wondered what kissing Fili would be like. Still, the last thing she wanted to do was misinterpret things and make this fake courtship any more awkward than it already was. And so, without knowing what she should do, the poor dam decided to speak to the only person she felt might offer her some helpful advice.
Dis.
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"It's is so nice to have a few minutes alone with you, my dear," the princess stated as she poured the two of them a cup of tea in her private chambers. "Between your cousin's visit, and all the time you are required to spend with Fili, I find I've missed your company a great deal."
"I have felt the same way, Lady Dis," Jade told her, spooning in some sugar and stirring the liquid around in her cup. "However, things have become a lot more complicated, I fear, and I don't quite know how to react."
"Oh? Were you unable to placate your cousin enough to ease his mind about your position here in Erebor?" Dis asked in a worried tone. "It pains me to know that you had to tell him a falsehood, concerning your potential engagement to my son, but I do thank you for not shaming Fili by confessing the truth of the matter."
"Oh, no, that's not the issue. My cousin is quite content with my explanation of what is going on, as well as my promise that I can call the whole thing off at any time I wish. Besides, I would never do anything to bring further reproach on Fili," Jade assured the older dam. "I respect him far too much and would rather cut off my hand than hurt your family."
"Well, I thank you for the sentiment, but let's not go that far, shall we?" Dis chuckled. "Yet, if it has nothing to do with your cousin, please tell me what is bothering you. What complications have you so perplexed?"
"Well…I…I'm not sure what it is that Fili wants…or expects of me," she confessed. "I mean, I was under the impression that this was all a sham, and that we were expected to maintain a somewhat chaste courtship during that time."
"You are," Dis assured her. "A dwarrow cannot impose upon his intended in any way if she objects to physical contact. Yet, hand-holding and small shows of affection are quite acceptable as long as they are done while being well chaperoned." Her eyes then narrowed a bit as she stared at Jade. "Has my son been acting inappropriately towards you? Demanding more than you are comfortable with? If so, I swear I'll chop off his beard and feed it to the ponies!"
"OH NO! Not at all!" Jade gasped, knowing that Dis would do just that if she felt Fili hadn't conducted himself properly. "Fili hasn't done anything wrong, I assure you!"
"Then why the question about propriety?" Dis asked, now quite confused.
"Because…well…I just wanted to know if it would be…acceptable if I were to…well, kiss Fili," she hedged, stumbling over her words as her cheeks flared with embarrassment.
"Well, that would all depend on if you wanted to kiss my son," Dis replied, holding her breath as she felt a smile tug at her lips. "And if you did, do you think he would like for you to kiss him?"
"I…I kind of got the odd feeling that he meant to kiss me in the hallway the night that Kili and I were rescued from the cave-in…but I'm not sure," she began. "And then just last week, he came right out and asked…sort of," Jade confessed, looking down at her hands as she fiddled with her skirt nervously. "I mean, at least I think he asked if he could kiss me…or more specifically that I would kiss him. Still, I could have completely misunderstood."
"Tell me Fili's exact words, as well as where you were when he supposedly asked?" Dis pressed eager to hear it recounted.
"We were…laying in some tall grass in woods, hiding from Kili's cadets who were looking for us," Jade explained, realizing just how inappropriate that sounded, though in truth it hadn't been. "And his exact words were…well, 'kiss me'. I guess it could all have been for show, or maybe he was just asking if I would be open to the idea of doing so later on if we had to prove to someone we were emotionally invested…oh, I don't know!" she moaned burying her face in her hands and leaning forward.
Dis couldn't help but feel both elated and worried at the same time. She couldn't imagine her son doing anything inappropriate towards Jade - at least not intentionally. Nor was he the type to trifle with a dam in such a manner either. So, she could only assume that Fili had indeed requested such a gesture out of pure interest, the very kind that could lead to affection, if not love. It had been very easy for Dis to grow to care for Jade as if she were a daughter to her, and to think that Fili might actually be showing signs of fondness for the lass as well was a sheer delight. Still, Dis knew she mustn't push, or move too quickly, fearing that she might spook the couple and drive them apart. Best to let such things grow naturally, if there be a chance they might grow at all.
"Jade, my dear, I understand that this is all new and confusing for you, and I sympathize with how you are feeling," Dis stated in a tactful yet ambiguous manner. "However, I believe you are making mountains out of molehills, as we dwarves tend to say. You've been thrown into a very odd situation, one that even I am unsure how to navigate successfully. A fake courtship is unheard of, and thus has no set rules in which to be governed by. We're all treading on new territory, to be sure. Thus, my only advice would be to speak with Fili, ask him what he meant by such a request and then tell him honestly how you feel about it. It could have been a simple misunderstanding, or exactly what it appeared to be, a sincere request for a kiss. Either way, you are still the one in charge, you hold all the cards, and Fili will have to abide by whatever you say."
"For someone who is supposed to be in control, I sure feel anything but," Jade said with a sigh. "Yet, I know you're right. I need to speak with Fili…though I fear I might die of embarrassment in the process. What if I'm completely off the mark and he thinks me a raving lunatic?"
"I doubt he would ever think such a thing about you, my dear," Dis chuckled. "And if he did, I would fall back on my original thought and shave the lad bald!"
This had Jade laughing a bit as well, though nervously at best. Dis always did have a way of putting things into perspective.
"Thank you for listening to me," Jade said with a smile of gratitude. "I do feel better now."
"Excellent! Now, how about you tell me more of what happened when you two were hiding in the tall grass," Dis encouraged, scooting even closer with a look of gleeful delight on her face. "But most important, do you ever think about kissing him?"
"Dis!" Jade gasped, her face growing warm as she looked away. "I'm not certain this is the proper thing to discuss with…with his mother!"
"Forget that he's my son and just imagine I'm a friend, one who is desperate to hear any scandalous gossip about the dashing crown prince," Dis urged, her tone almost a begging one. Yet, before Jade could utter one word, there came an unexpected knock at the Princess' door. Giving a sigh of frustration, Dis rose to her feet, yet pointed her finger at the younger dam as she did. "This is not over. I fully expect you to fill me in on all the juicy details later. Do you hear me?" Not waiting for a response, Dis went to answer the door, finding one of the pages waiting anxiously outside.
"Lady Dis," he began with a bow. "Your presence is requested by King Thorin in the throne room. We have just been notified that Lord Thranduil of Mirkwood has been spotted on route to the mountain and he wishes you to be present when he arrives."
"The elven king…already?" Dis sounded both shocked and intrigued. For she had heard many stories about this perplexing monarch and she was anxious to get a look at him herself. Had her brother's longstanding hatred of the elf and his race colored his opinion of him, or was he indeed as irritating as Thorin had insisted? She figured she would find out very soon. "Inform the king that I will meet him there shortly," she told the dwarf, shutting the door and turning back to Jade. "Go put on your best gown, my dear, for I think you would find this meeting very entertaining as well."
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Fili stood to the right of his uncle's throne, waiting for the doors to open and the elven king to present himself. They had all known for a while that Thranduil would be coming to the mountain to begin negotiations concerning the treaty Gandalf had insisted upon. Still, from the frown on Thorin's face, Fili could tell it was not something his uncle was looking forward to.
Kili had also come to support his king, standing at Fili's right hand, armed and prepared to do battle, if the need arose. Thankfully, the younger dwarrow had healed nicely over the past weeks, having abandoned the crutch several days ago and had since returned to full duty. Dwarves were a hearty race, and injuries did not keep them down for long.
Fili knew that Thorin had sent word to his mother to join them, yet his eyebrows raised in surprise when he saw that she had brought Jade along with her, instructing her to stand behind her chair in a position of honor as she took her place beside Thorin. Fili figured it was only right that she be there, after all, Jade was courting the crown prince, and even if she still believed it was all a ruse, he hoped that would soon change.
Yet before Fili could think any more on the subject, the large double doors at the end of the room opened and the elves of Mirkwood were invited in, led by none other than King Thranduil himself. Never having met an elf in person until their quest, Fili and Kili had not grown up hating the race of the Eldar the way his uncle had. And while the fact that his son, Prince Legolas, and their soldiers had taken them prisoner and thrown them in the dungeons had initially soured his opinion of them a bit, due to their support and assistance during the Battle of The Five Armies, Fili was willing to set that aside and focus on the pursuit of peaceful relations.
"Look!" Kili whispered excitedly, leaning closer to his brother so that none could overhear him. "Look who came with him!"
Fili did indeed scan the faces of the others in his group, noticing that Prince Legolas had accompanied his father, yet that was not whom he suspected his brother was referring to. For just behind the two royal elves, was the red-haired captain of the guard…the very maid that Kili had inexplicably become enamored with. Tauriel.
"Yes…I see her," Fili stated with a sigh of resignation. He was not against his brother's feeling, yet he was also fully aware of how impossible the situation was, and it pained him to think of Kili in such emotional turmoil over it. "Just keep your mouth shut and don't give anything away, you hear? Now is certainly not the time or place for you to go acting all moony-eyed."
Kili had been about to ask when was the time and place for such things, when Thorin spoke, drawing all attention to him.
"King Thranduil of Mirkwood…it is indeed a…pleasure to have you here," he managed to get out between clenched teeth." And from the way that Dwalin gave a snort or derision, Fili could tell his uncle had practically forced the words out.
"Is it indeed?" the elf king questioned, raising one dark and perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the dwarf's greeting. "Then, in the same spirit, let me also say that I am…honored to be here."
At this, Fili rolled his eyes, thinking that it was going to be a very long and tedious conference. Thankfully, Dis rose to her feet and stepped in, smoothing things over for her stubborn brother.
"King Thranduil, I am delighted to renew your acquaintance once again," she told him in a sincere voice, one that further surprised the tall elf. "I have greatly wished to express my gratitude for the service you rendered my brother and sons during the battle which took so many lives…that of dwarves, elves and men. Without your aid, I fear that I might be standing here today bereft, having lost some, if not all, of my family. For this, you have my most sincere thanks."
"Your words are appreciated, Lady Dis," Thranduil stated, easily deducing the dam's identity from her likeness to her brother…though the elf king had to admit he found Dis much more appealing. He was also genuinely impressed by her diplomacy, something Thorin could stand to work on. "I must say that I am rather taken aback by your civility, given the history between our two races. I do hope that negotiations will continue along this same vein."
"As do I, King Thranduil," Thorin interrupted, not wanting his sister to appear more congenial than him. "We are living in a new age, one the children of Mahal wish to see begins with peace and prosperity…for all our allies. Thus, we welcome you in friendship and hope you leave the same way." It was a kind gesture, yet everyone there could read between the lines, recognizing Thorin's desire for the elves to simply leave. Still, Thranduil didn't rise to the bait, and instead only nodded his head in compliance. "If you will follow my councilor, Balin, he will see that you are taken to the guest quarters, where accommodations have been arranged with your race specifically in mind. I would also like to invite you to dine at my table this evening…you and any high-ranking companions who traveled with you, of course."
"We would be pleased to accept your hospitality, King Thorin," Thranduil stated, bowing slightly as he turned to follow the white-haired dwarf as he led the elves out the side door and towards their quarters.
Once he believed them safely out of earshot, Thorin let out a grumbling sigh.
"Elves…residing within the walls of Erebor!" he all but spat. "My grandfather is most likely tearing apart the Halls of Mandos with his bare hands!"
"Now hush, Thorin," Dis scolded. "Being king does not always mean getting your own way. It is about doing what is best for your people…and right now that is forming strong alliances with your closest neighbors, even if they are elves." She then turned and looked at her two sons sternly. "And let this be a lesson to you as well, for one day, you will rule in Thorin's place and the ties you make now will only strengthen your reign in the future, do you hear me!"
"I have no issues with the elves," Kili insisted, holding up his hands in defense.
"And I will not let past prejudices blind me to the greater good such unions can afford," Fili assured her. "Yet, nor will I stand by placidly, should this elf king choose to offer insult to my king, kin, or people." For his words, Fili won a wide smile of gratitude from Thorin for his loyalty.
"Then we will simply need to hope it does not come to that," Dis huffed, signaling for Jade to follow her as she headed for the side door. "Now, I expect you all to be on your best behavior at dinner tonight, do you hear me?" And not waiting for a reply, she left the room.
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Fili spent the rest of the afternoon looking over trade proposals and other pertinent things concerning the alliance agreement with the elves, wanting to be prepared for whatever they threw at them. As the crown prince, he knew his uncle would be looking to him for input and suggestions, and he didn't want to let Thorin down. Still, more times than not, he found his mind wandering to thoughts of Jade, recalling how lovely – and right - she had looked in the throne room. Her dress had brought out the color of her eyes, making it nearly impossible to tear his gaze from her when the elves arrived. He could imagine her sitting in his mother's chair one day, ruling beside him as he addressed his people or visiting dignitaries. She would be an asset to his kingship, the voice of reason when he too became hot headed and stubborn like his uncle often did. Yes, Jade would make a fine queen, he just knew it. Yet all of this hinged on whether or not the two were compatible as a true couple, and if she would accept him, should he ever grow a pair and confess his budding affections.
Giving a sigh of frustration, Fili turned his attention back to the parchment in front of him, once more attempting to force his mind on what needed doing, and off his beautiful Jade.
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Kili had chosen other pursuits in order to distract him from the visiting elves, heading straight for the training ring, where he fired arrow after arrow at a target until his muscles ached from the exertion. It was there that Jade found him, waiting patiently for him to expend his quiver before breaking into his thoughts.
"Kili? Are you all right?" she asked, making the dwarf jump at the sound of her voice.
"Jade!" he responded, quickly schooling his anxious expression as he headed for the target to extract his arrows. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well…for one thing, it looks as though that practice dummy has very little straw left inside him," she pointed out, noting how more of the filling littered the floor than was still contained within the cloth shell. "And second, I'm not blind. I saw how you stared at the pretty elf lass who came with King Thranduil. Might I assume that is your Tauriel?"
Kili froze in place, shutting his eyes and giving a sigh of defeat. It would seem that Jade was more observant than he gave her credit for, having believed her completely blind to such things due to her inability to recognize his brother's interest in her. Yet, he had confided in her about his feelings for his red-haired captain, and there was no sense in denying it now.
"Yes…that was her," he confessed, turning around and staring at Jade. "The maid of my dreams is here within the mountain and I can do nothing about it without risking my uncle's wrath…or causing a diplomatic incident. Do you know how frustrating that is?"
"I…I can imagine," Jade responded. And in truth, she could easily imagine, since she was experiencing something similar herself. Having these unidentified feelings for Fili, and yet unable to do anything about it. Oh, it was truly maddening. "Is there anything I can do to help, Kili? Anything at all?"
"Can you magically turn Tauriel into a dwarf?" he asked with a snort of sad humor, coming over to stand in front of her.
"Would you actually want me to?" Jade asked skeptically.
"No…for though it would make things much easier, I would not change a hair on her head for anything in the world," Kili confessed, a wistful smile gracing his lips. "To me…she is perfect just as she is."
"Now, those are words I think you should be telling her…not me," Jade laughed.
"Really, and exactly when should I speak such expressions?" Kili questioned. "For it is highly unlikely that I will be afforded even a moment's time with her in private, and I fear these are words her king and prince would not appreciate hearing."
"The road to love has never been a smooth one, Kili," she informed him, speaking as if she were most knowledgeable on the subject. "At least that's what my mother once told me, and I've never found a reason to discount her advice. But, don't give up hope. Things might turn out all right in the end."
"I wish I had your faith, Jade," Kili told her, slinging his bow and quiver over his shoulder as he pulled her into a friendly embrace. "But thanks for trying to make me feel better."
"Did it work?" she asked with a hopeful grin.
"A little," he admitted. "And right now, that's better than nothing."
"Always happy to be of service, My Prince," Jade smiled.
"Don't let Fili hear you calling me that," Kili laughed, as the two of them headed for the door. "He seems to be under the impression that he is your prince."
"Can't I have two?" Jade questioned in a teasing manner.
"Greedy, that's what you are!" Kili accused. "You're apparently embracing your dwarf heritage faster than I thought!"
Jade joined in Kili's laughter, thinking that dwarves might indeed be accused of being greedy, or at least very protective over what they feel is theirs, but there was another characteristic she had heard applied to her race…scheming. And if she could just find a way to pull it off, Jade was determined to live up to that title too!
Oh dear, what does Jade have planned? I hope it turns out better than Kili's helpful ideas. ha ha.
Well, Tauriel is in the house...er...mountain. And Kili is tied in knots not knowing what to do about it.
Fili is still having trouble figuring out what to say to Jade.
And Dis is now in the 'know' so to speak...so watch out!
Guest Reviews! They're back!
Aranel Mereneth: Hey look! You were my 200th reviewer! Congratulations. As for Thorin doing something as smart as locking them in a room together...well, I just don't see THAT happening. ha ha. Maybe Dis...
Nala: I'm so happy you decided to stop and take a peek at my story. I often hesitate to read something that is unfinished, especially if the story has been going on for several months with little sign of updates. But hopefully, you saw that I am very fast on updating my story...and I've officially finished writing it as well. I'm glad you like Jade, it's very hard to create an OC and not make them TOO perfect. You want them believable, as well as likable. I also noticed that you sent me three reviews...each a little different, could it be that you posted your review and then didn't see it show up in the review section and thought it didn't go through? That's because Guest Reviews have to be moderated, meaning I have to go in and hit 'send up' for them to be posted - its a safety device, just in case some guest sends out an obscene review full of foul language or something, I have the power to choose whether it goes public or not. Anyway, I got home, noticed them, and hit publish right away! So thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you again as the story continues...which it will...quite quickly. T.O.W.G.
Emrfangirl: Ahhhh, yes, binge reading is fun. But then, sadly, that 'next' button does go away, right? Well here is another chapter to make you feel better...or if you are reading this, you probably already devoured it and need more! Insatiable, that's what you are! ha ha. Yes, Brayden was a pretty good guy, and other than a bit of a stir at dinner, he didn't cause any trouble. Fili even got on his good side. Oh yes, Jade didn't mean to get Fili all hot and bothered, but when in the heat of the moment, you can forget what your doing...like laying on top of a sexy dwarf. ha ha. Kili is silly, but that's what he's there for, to make you laugh. He's good at that. Oh, yes the Grey Mountain gang is coming, but looks like Thorin must deal with the Mirkwood gang first. ha ha. Thanks