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Thanks for your suggestions on stories I should read. Keep them coming, I need new things to entertain my mind when I'm not writing.

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Chapter 22

Bâhzundushuh = Raven

~X~

When Fili and Jade arrived back at the banquet hall, they could see that Thorin and Thranduil were indeed sitting at the head table, speaking somewhat civilly over the matters of a political marriage. However, without any warning, Fili swept Jade towards the dance floor.

"Trust me, we do not want to go anywhere near that conversation!" he told her as they spun around in circles. "And let's just hope they listen to Amad and get it settled quickly…and before they kill one another."

"Oh, Fili…I did it again, didn't I?" Jade said in a worried tone, biting her lip as she leaned her forehead against his chest. "I made a mess of things and brought shame on the Durin line all over again. I only wanted to give Kili a chance to talk to Tauriel. I never meant to put Erebor and Mirkwood on the brink of war!"

Fili pulled away, tipping Jade's chin up as he looked her in the eyes, shaking his head in denial.

"You did no such thing!" he insisted. "If anything, you may have found a way to actually make peace between our races. Uncle was never going to do so without a fight, even though he knows the importance of having your neighbors as your allies. Yet if Kili and Tauriel marry…there is no way he can deny the alliance. If anything, you might have actually prevented a war!"

"I…I did?" Jade gasped, yet her eyes held doubt. "Are you sure you're not just saying that to make me feel better?"

"If I was, which I'm not…do you feel better?" he questioned hopefully.

This earned him a reluctant laugh and a smile from Jade, causing Fili's lips to turn up into a wide grin. He would happily spend the rest of his days making her smile.

"Believe me, you did nothing wrong," he continued, wanting to make it clear in her mind. "In fact, I can't thank you enough for what you did do. I love Kili more than anything and seeing him so happy tonight was…was…well, better than I can even tell you. It hurt me deeply to see my little brother pining away like that and unable to do anything about it. But you found a way to make his dreams come true." And with a single word from your lips, my lovely Jade, you could make mine come true as well, Fili thought to himself, yet dared not utter out loud.

"Do you truly think so?" Jade asked hopefully. "Will your uncle and the elf king actually allow such a match?"

"They will have to, or else risk the wrath of my mother," Fili laughed. "And if they thought Smaug was difficult to deal with, they won't know what hit 'em when Amad gets done with them."

"I would not want to get on Dis' bad side, that's for sure!" Jade agreed. "She has done a great deal for me, and I owe her so much. Thus, I will do all I can to see that her wishes are carried out. Besides, the mountain would seem very quiet without Kili around."

"Quiet? Oh, yes, that's a mild way of putting it," Fili nodded, though the thought of his brother having been forced to leave Erebor gave him the cold shivers. "And I have you to thank for keeping him here with us, and not out traipsing across Middle Earth with his elf lass."

"Elleth," Jade corrected him with a sly grin.

"Yes, his elleth," Fili chuckled. "You not only made my brother happy this night, you have also done me a great service by finding a plausible way for him to remain here with us, as well as keeping Tauriel with him. It would have killed me if he had left."

"No, it wouldn't," Jade pointed out. "For, knowing you as I do, I'm certain you would have gone with him."

This made Fili pause for a moment, then a laugh began to bubble up from his chest. She did know him…and very well it would seem.

"You're probably right," he admitted. "Still, doing things this way makes everyone happy." He then turned his head towards where Thorin and Thranduil appeared to be locked in a heated debate. "Well…almost everyone."

"Maybe we should keep dancing and never stop," Jade suggested, cringing just a bit when one of the monarch's voices raised to a near shout.

"If it means keeping you in my arms, then by all means…let's dance the night away," Fili agreed, whirling her around the floor a few more times, causing her to laugh out loud with pleasure.

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A few minutes later their happiness was interrupted by Nori, stepping up beside the couple and pulling their attention to him.

"So, what's this I hear about your brother marrying an elf?" he hissed, his eyes wide with shock, if not disapproval.

"What? How did you…" Fili began, but cut himself off with a knowing sigh. Nori knew everything, and usually before most everyone else. Why not this as well?

"Is it true or not?" he demanded. "If so, I'll need to start damage control right away. So, tell me everything!"

Thus, with a roll of his eyes, Fili led Jade and Nori from the dance floor to a small out of the way table whereupon they filled the resident spy in. Once he had all the details, he gave a wicked smile.

"Political marriage…smart, lass," he complimented Jade on her idea. "This will go over well with our people, for no one would have ever bought that it was true love. Perhaps those of us who know the lad and recall how he'd lost his mind over the tall red-head during the quest, but no one else."

"Well, it is true love, and in time everyone will simply have to deal with it," Fili insisted, ready to defend his little brother against the world.

"Sure, sure," Nori waved him off distractedly. "But until that day…this whole political union and martyrdom thing will placate the masses. Always helpful to put a positive spin on things, and the folks will just eat it up with a spoon!"

"They can eat it however they want, just as long as they swallow it whole," Fili stated firmly. "Now, if you will excuse us, I think it's time we checked on Thorin and Thranduil and heard how things are going."

"No need for that, lad," Nori said with a snort. "Look."

Fili and Jade turned to see that Dis had just approached the table herself, having returned to the banquet hall without them noticing. They all held their breath as she confronted the two kings, apparently demanding to know what they had come up with. And while they both still didn't appear to be happy about it, their answer seemed to satisfy the stubborn dwarrowdam. Giving a nod of approval, she spoke for a few more minutes, then excused herself, apparently turning in for the night.

"I should do the same," Jade informed Fili. "She might wish to talk about this…or yell at me…whichever one I deserve."

"You deserve to be congratulated," Fili insisted firmly. "Do no berate yourself in any way. You did a good thing."

"And good or bad, at least since you came, things have been much livelier, that's for sure!" Nori joked. "Now I'm off, for I must start the rumor mill and get as many on Kili's side as possible. Have a nice night." And with a final wink, he disappeared into the crowd.

"Nori is someone you don't want to have as an enemy either, is he?" Jade remarked, it being more of a statement than an actual question.

"No, he's not," Fili agreed, having come to respect the sneaky dwarf more than he thought possible. "And once you have him as a friend, you're set for life." He then let his eyes fall on the doorway that his mother had just exited. "Now, let me walk you back to your rooms, for it wouldn't do to allow my future betrothed make her way on her own."

"And we must keep up appearances," she added, slipping her arm through his as the two left the banquet hall.

Yet, while to Jade their walk was done in companionable silence, Fili's mind was spinning. Appearances be damned! This was no longer pretend for him, and it was high time Jade knew this as well. Still, he couldn't fight the fear that ate at him, wondering if such a confession would be well received…or rejected. He stewed about it all the way to her door, realizing that if it was going to happen, it would have to be now.

"Thank you for walking me, Fili," Jade smiled, not realizing the inner turmoil going on inside the prince.

"You are very welcome," he answered, clearing his throat as he summoned the courage to speak his mind. "I…I have something for you."

"You do?" Jade questioned, her eyes lighting up with delight. "What is it?"

"Your second courting gift," he informed her, pulling the small box from his pocket and holding it out to her. "It's not much, but I did make it with my own hands, and I hope it pleases you."

"I have no doubt it will," she assured him, taking the small wooden box from him and slowly opening it. What she saw made her gasp in shock. "Fili! It's…amazing!" Jade reached in and pulled a long, braided silver chain from the box, holding it up as it caught the lights from the wall sconces and flashed brightly as it twirled. At the center of the loop there was a larger link with two green stones on either side, and six more diamonds flanking them.

"It's for your pendant," he explained, gesturing to where he knew the item lay hidden beneath the neckline of her dress. "I noticed that you have it on a piece of cording, and while I'm certain it's strong enough to hold it, I thought this would be much more fitting for such a priceless memento."

"You…you made this for my medallion to hang on?" Jade was deeply touched, never having considered stringing it on anything sturdier than the piece of leather. Yet, as she looked at the amazing chain before her, she could feel her eyes misting up at the thoughtfulness of his gift. "Oh, Fili…thank you. Thank you so very much."

"It's made of mithril," he pointed out with pride. "So, you never have to worry about it breaking or tarnishing."

"Fili! Mithril is worth a king's ransom!" she protested, nearly dropping the chain in shock.

"Well, then who better to gift it to a lady than a prince?" Fili laughed, taking the item from her hand and holding his other out palm up as he waited for her to withdraw her pendant. Once she had, and had slipped the precious item from the cording, he expertly fastened it to the mithril chain, pleased with how it looked, sitting there surrounded by precious gems. "Now, that looks much better," he announced, stepping around behind her as he draped it around her neck.

Jade quickly pulled her hair aside, her hands shaking just a bit, and allowed him to secure the clasp. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin and she closed her eyes as a shiver of pleasure ran through her. Tonight had been full of surprises, both exciting and fearful, yet nothing could compare to what she was experiencing right now. Jade held her breath, praying that this moment would not end, and yet, the words Fili spoke next caused all time to stop.

"Jade," Fili whispered, stepping around until he was standing in front of her once more, though this time far closer than he had been before. "The other day I asked you a question, and while you never got a chance to answer, I was truly hoping that you might have at least been thinking about it," he continued, leveling his piercing blue eyes directly at hers. "I don't want to pressure you, nor do I want you to accept if it's not what you want, but I need to know Jade. Would you…would you please allow me to kiss you?"

There, he'd said it at last. Now, all she had to do was deny him or bless him with what he desired most. How would the next few moments end? Fili had to know.

Jade stared at the blond prince, unable to believe her ears…he had asked her again! This time there was no mistaking his request, no possible way she could misunderstand what he was asking. There was no one nearby to impress, no one they needed to fool into thinking they were a couple. Fili was asking simply for the sake of wanting a kiss…or at least that's what she hoped. But either way, she was tired of denying her feelings and if it was a kiss Fili wanted, it was a kiss Fili would get! So, summing up all her courage, Jade leapt forward, throwing her arms around Fili's neck and pressed her lips to his in the most urgent and unskilled manner possible.

Fili was nearly bowled over by Jade's sudden enthusiastic display of affection, and for a moment he almost forgot to breathe. Yet, within seconds, his brain caught up with his body and he realized if he didn't do something besides just stand there, this was going to end far sooner than he wanted. So, letting his own arms snake around her shapely waist, he put his heart and soul into the kiss, responding with near desperation in hopes of getting his feelings across.

Oh, she felt divine, a perfect fit against him and it was as if her lips had been fashioned by Mahal himself only for him. This was what he had dreamed of…this was all he had ever thought it could be between a lad and a lass. Kissing had been a game up until now, something to play at as he flirted with a dam or two in his past, but at this very moment, he knew all of that was behind him. He had found the one he wanted to be with for all times. He had just had his very last first kiss…ever.

Correction…he was still having his very last first kiss, and if he had his way it would never end! Slowly, Fili backed Jade against the door, loving how her body molded perfectly to his, as well as how her fingers were now fisting in his hair and pulling him down to her in an almost desperate manner. She was fire and ice, wind and rain, sky and earth all at once and Fili couldn't get enough.

Jade too was lost in the sensations brought on by the touch of Fili's scorching lips. She figured that had to be what was causing this wave of heat to wash over her, starting at the point where they were joined and spreading throughout every inch of her right down to her toes. Jade had never been kissed like this. Never. And if she had known how wonderful it would be, she would have taken the opportunity to do so that day in the healing halls, as well as in the grass when Fili had asked before. Oh, what she had been missing!

Still, she had very little idea what this all meant. Yes, it was wonderful. Yes, it felt right. But what did it mean? What would happen the moment they parted? She could already feel her face heating up from embarrassment, imagining the awkward moment to come. Had Fili felt what she had, or would he be unimpressed, playing it off as some joke or test to see if they could pass as a believable couple? She was both afraid to end the kiss…and afraid to keep going. She just prayed that he would fully explain himself when it did at last come to an end. But until it did…Jade intended to enjoy every second of it.

"JADE! FILI!" came a joyful voice, shouting their names from down the hall, causing the two to break apart as if they had been caught doing something wrong…which they weren't. "CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?" It was Kili, of course, whooping and hollering as he leapt in the air and pumped his fist wildly. "I'M COURTING TAURIEL!"

By now he had reached the two and without noticing he had interrupted a very important moment, he swept Jade into his arms and spun her around.

"I'M IN LOVE! I'M IN LOVE AND SHE LOVES ME BACK!" he continued to shout, setting the now laughing Jade down and doing the same thing to his brother…though unable to hoist him up as high has he had the more slender dam. "THANK YOU! THANK YOU BOTH!"

"Yes, yes," Fili chuckled, his brother's enthusiastic nature rubbing off. "I was there, I know what happened."

"And we are both very happy for you, Kili," Jade broke in. "Truly we are."

"I owe it all to you Jade!" he continued, pulling her to him in a big hug. "I thought for sure I would be packing my bags and leaving the mountain with her this very night, but now I'm allowed to court her and even marry her! Uncle said so! I have his permission!"

"That's wonderful, Naddith! When's the big day?" Fili was honestly overjoyed for his little brother.

"Not for three months," Kili said with a hint of disappointment. "But that's because of elf traditions and whatnot. Something about the moon and stars' position in the night sky or some nonsense, but I honestly don't care what the reason is. It could all be due to some little bug that lives in a tree! I'm just thrilled I get to marry her at some point!"

"Three months isn't a very long time, you know," Fili reminded him. "It will barely give Amad enough time to work up a wedding. Time will go by faster than you think."

"It couldn't go fast enough for me!" Kili grinned. "I'd marry her tonight if they let me."

"I think it would be wise to have Thorin and Thranduil announce it first before you go taking her hand and all," Fili laughed. "Don't appear too eager or all of Nori's well-planned gossip will go to waste. You must give the appearance that this is a political marriage, not something you actually desire."

"BUT I DO!" Kili shouted, once more spinning around in glee. "I desire it, and her, more than air or water…or even ale!"

"Now that is something you must keep to yourself," Fili hissed in a comically dramatic way. "That's pure sacrilege!" This caused the two brothers to burst forth in laughter once more, unable to contain their joy.

"What is going on out here?" came the voice of Dis, who's head poked out her own door a few feet down the corridor. When she saw who was making all the racket, her frown was replaced by a smile. "Oh, it's you."

"That's right, Amad! It's me! Your son, the one who's in love and can't wait to marry!" Kili announced.

Which could easily be me as well, little brother, Fili said to himself, his eyes drifting unconsciously to Jade.

"And while I'm very happy for you, my little Bâhzundushuh, I doubt everyone from here to the peak of the mountain needs to hear it…especially at such a late hour," she scolded gently. "Now, either lower your voice, or take it somewhere else…a loud pub or something."

"That's a great idea!" Kili agreed, throwing his arm around Fili. "Care to celebrate with me, Nadad? We could go find Dwalin, Bofur, and Nori, making a real party of it! What do ya say?"

Fili was torn. On one hand, his little brother didn't get engaged every day, and drinking with him over the event did seem the socially acceptable thing to do. And yet, he desperately wanted to talk to Jade about the kiss they had just shared and find out if she was harboring similar feelings for him as he did for her. Yet, before he could make up his mind, his mother solved the problem for him, just not in the way he had wanted.

"Jade, may I speak to you?" Dis asked, gesturing for her to follow her into her chambers. "I won't keep you long, for I know it's late, but your knowledge about elves and some of their customs would truly come in handy right about now."

"Oh…yes, of course, Lady Dis," Jade stammered, also reluctant to let Fili get away without talking things through.

"Excellent," she nodded, turning back to her two lads. "Now off with you, and have fun, but remember there will be official announcements to make tomorrow, so don't you go drinking too much, you hear?"

"Yes, Amad!" Kili grinned, already planning to do just that.

"I'll make sure he limits it to one or two kegs," Fili said with a roll of his eyes.

"See that you do," Dis smiled, loving her lads so very much. While it still worried her greatly that Kili would jump into such a commitment this quickly, she had to admit that she was not there when the two had first met. She was not privy to the interactions, or the life-saving acts this elf had performed on her son, so who was she to judge? Still, she found it warmed her heart to see her youngest so happy…and to think, it only took one pretty elleth to make it all possible. Who would have guessed? "Come along Jade, let's leave them to their frivolity."

So, it was, as Jade was led into Dis' chambers, and Fili was swept away by his brother, they exchanged one last longing glance at each other. Both silently wishing things had not ended so abruptly…or at all.

And there we have it folks...yet another interruption! But at least this time they DID get the kiss in! And I am not counting when Kili and the lads broke in on their picnic as an official interruption...so this would officially be Kili's shot at it. Hmmmm, now, who is left?

Jade also accepted his second courting gift! Only one more to go in order to make it a done deal.

So, Nori is on the job...and you can bet he will get it done with flying colors! He don't mess around.

Looks like the wedding is on! Kili has his heart's desire. Now Fili needs his.

Guest Reviews:

Travelbug: Yes, them walking in on the kiss sure had their jaws dropping to the floor. ha ha. And Jade is learning the fine art of politics...and how to get her way. Was this enough Jade and Fili fluff for you? How about madness and cuteness? I do love to make a reader laugh, as well as say Awwwwww. ha ha. Thanks!

Guest B: Thanks for your ultra kind words, it's nice to know my story can warm a reader's heart. Trust me when I say that your reviews do the same thing to mine. I appreciate that you distinguished yourself by signing your review with a B. Thanks very much. T.O.W.G.

Guest: And thanks for giving me reviews to respond to! ha ha. I probably had Kili and Tauriel get together too fast, but this IS a Fili story, and those two already had the beginning of their romance in the Mirkwood dungeons, so no need to rehash all that. And Dis will do anything to make sure her lads are happy, even if it means marrying an elf. ha ha. Thanks for adding LSoD to your favorite list, and that you admire it's depth and width...but really, I would think it's LENGTH is it's biggest attribute. ha ha. As for your other suggestions, I have read half of them, reading Journey Ahead right now, and will check out the rest as time permits. Thanks for all your suggestions, I can't wait to read something new. Oh, and since I like to be able to decipher who is who among my guest readers...I am going to be calling you Guest 101...Ok? I hope you like your new name, and if not, feel free to change it. ha ha. T.O.W.G.

Emrfangirl: Yep, already read that one, so it looks like we have similar tastes. If you think of any others, do let me know! Thanks as always. T.O.W.G.

Guest: Thanks for enjoying my story, and considering it cool. I appreciate your readership. If you review again, I have chosen to name you Guest C...for Cool. OK? Thanks. T.O.W.G.