.
.
Chapter 28
~X~
It was long after lunchtime when the meeting with Lord Baldar ended, causing Thorin to grab Kili as the two headed off to track down Fili. He was eager to speak to his oldest nephew about this new and interesting concession – one he knew the blond prince would readily agree to. Yet when they went to his chambers, they found it empty, with no indication as to where Fili might be. They looked in all the usual places, searching for the missing prince, but he was not found in the sparring ring, the kitchens, the stables, or any other place he might frequent. After over an hour of fruitless looking, they stopped messing around and called for Nori.
"Do you have any idea where my nephew is?" Thorin demanded, his frustration level near the top.
"If you mean Kili…well, he's right beside you," Nori grinned, pointing at the dark-haired prince. "On the other hand, if it's Fili you've misplaced…well, I might be able to help you there as well."
"You know where he is?" Thorin asked hopefully? "Then don't just stand there…tell us!"
"He's in the forge rooms, working on some project," the thief said in a lazy tone, absentmindedly inspecting his fingernails. "He's been there all day, in fact."
"WHAT?" Thorin grumbled, not having thought of looking there. "Why on earth is he in the forges, and doing what, may I ask?"
"Making something is my best bet," Nori shrugged. "If you offer me a coin or two, I could find out."
"I don't require such knowledge, and what need do you have for a coin anyway?" Thorin huffed. "You own a fourteenth of all the gold in this mountain."
"True, but it's not the coin I want…simply the pleasure of knowing I wheedled it out of you," Nori laughed, loving how his king's face turned a lovely shade of red over his words. He enjoyed getting Thorin's dander up, he truly did. "Or for the same coin, I could easily go fetch him for you."
"You will get no gold from me this day, Thief," Thorin snorted, his tone a cross between anger and amusement. "Now, send a guard in on your way out. I think it's time my nephew emerged from whatever it is he is working on."
"Suit yourself," Nori nodded, turning to leave. "But I could have done the job in half the time of one of your soldiers, and I'm willing to bet Fili would actually listen to me."
"Are you saying that Fili will disregard the express orders given to him from his king?" Thorin balked.
"I'm sorry…have you met Fili?" Nori asked in mock surprise. "Or Kili for that matter?" And with a jovial laugh, the dwarf left the room, sending in the confused guard as he exited.
.
.
Later that day Jade and Tauriel chose to head down to the training rooms, where the elleth wished to get in some practice with her bow and arrow. Jade had considered finding Dwalin and seeing if he was willing to give her some axe wielding lessons, but she was reluctant to give up her alone time with her new friend. Thus, she sat on the sidelines and watched as the red-headed archer struck the target time after time, never once missing her mark. After a while, Jade began to shout out challenges, all of which Tauriel accepted with confidence. And as each target was struck, and each trick executed with precision, the two females began to bond over gales of laughter. Once they had spent enough time in the training ring, they made their way to the dining halls, deciding to get a quick bite to eat.
"You will have to teach me to shoot like that," Jade remarked, duly impressed. "I've been taking lessons from Fili with the sword, and Dwalin with the axe, but I have yet to try my hand with the bow." She then got a thoughtful look on her face when recalling the size of her friend's weapon. "Though I believe I will need to find a bow much shorter than yours, for it was nearly as tall as me."
"Kili would be happy to aid you in that department," Tauriel smiled, buttering a piece of bread with the golden spread. "He has spoken of your aptitude with weapons, and I would be pleased as well to aid you in learning."
"Kili said that about me?" Jade asked in surprise. "That was kind of him."
"He is very impressed with your skills and has come to have great affection for you as well." When Tauriel saw Jade's eyes grow wide in alarm, she quickly added. "As a sister, that is. You need not fear any jealousy from me…I am quite confident that Kili's affections for me are true."
"Good…since after watching you with your bow, I don't want to make an enemy out of you!" Jade laughed in relief.
"Nor do I wish to be anything but friends with you as well, and perhaps in time, sisters?" Tauriel questioned, looking at the young dam hopefully.
"Oh, I don't know…you see…" she wasn't sure if she should confide in the elleth about how her courtship was a sham or not, though she desperately wanted to. It would be nice to have another female besides Dis to talk to about such muddled up things.
"You fear that since your courtship with Fili began under false pretenses, that there is no way his feelings for you could now be real?" she questioned in a low voice, giving Jade a wink when the young dam looked surprised over the elf having such knowledge. They had chosen a table in the corner, away from others, but they still were careful not to allow themselves to be overheard. "For if that is the case, you can rest assured that is completely untrue. Fili has great affection for you…and in no way like one would feel for a sister."
"What? How do you know? Has he told you this…or told Kili?" Jade was both in shock and unmitigated joy over Tauriel's words.
"No one needed to tell me, for the evidence is as plain as day," the elleth scoffed. "Dwarves are very easy to read, at least for us elves that is. That is how I knew Kili spoke true when he confessed his love for me…the proof was in his eyes. It is the same way I see Fili looking at you…with love."
"Really? Do you truly think so?" Jade asked hopefully.
"I can guarantee it," Tauriel stated firmly, giving Jade's hand a comforting pat. "And since I see the same look in your eyes, it makes me wonder why you have not spoken to him of your feelings. You do care for him in the same manner…do you not?"
"I…I believe I do," Jade stated with a blush. "I know it's not logical, what with how different we are, but I honestly do have very deep feelings for him."
"Different? How so? You are both of the same race, and now of the same social status," Tauriel pointed out. "Your grandfather is the ruler of his own kingdom, and you are one of his heirs. What could possibly be standing in your way of being together?"
Jade was now rendered speechless. What was holding her back? Was Tauriel right bout Fili and his feelings for her…or was it all just wishful thinking? Yet, if she analyzed the situation from an outsider's perspective, she had to admit that the signs were all there. He had been nothing but attentive and kind, he had gone out of his way to protect her and her reputation, and he had shown genuine distress when she had been in danger during the cave-in, as well as the orc attack. Couple that with how often he made it a point to hold her hand or give her innocent touches…not to mention him asking if he could kiss her, well, the evidence was overwhelming. Did Fili truly love her? And if it wasn't quite love yet, could it one day be? If what Tauriel said was true, then she had nothing to fear in confessing her affections for Fili. And even if she was wrong, keeping her mouth shut on such matters was not getting Jade anywhere either. At least by confessing her attraction to Fili she would know where she stood…right? And anything was better than living with this worry and wonder, not knowing if her feelings were requited or not.
"You know what? You're right!" Jade stated firmly. "The only thing stopping me…is me! Yet not anymore!" At this the dam stood up. "I love Fili! And I'm not wasting another moment on doubt or fear. I'm going to find him right now and tell him exactly how I feel."
"Good for you!" Tauriel smiled, proud of her friend's courage.
"Ummm…any idea where he might be?" she asked in a nervous voice.
"No, I don't," Tauriel giggled. "However, I would start your search in the royal wing, since there's a good chance he might be resting there from his wound."
"Then that's what I'll do," Jade nodded, circling the table quickly to give Tauriel a warm embrace. "Thank you for giving me the courage to act."
"What are friends for?" the elleth laughed, squeezing her back before the dam took off in the direction of the royal wing.
.
.
In true Fili fashion, he did delay in the forges after being summoned. Not out of spite or anything, but due to his desire to continue working on his gift for Jade. He would have preferred to stay and see it fully completed, yet his king had summoned him, and the last thing he wanted to do was rush things and make a mess of it. His wound had slowed him down considerably, with Fili at last giving up and removing the sling in order to have more control of movement. It caused his shoulder to burn with pain, but he had ignored it and had pressed on. However, when he came to a spot where he could at last bring himself to stop, he did so.
Checking the time, he cringed, realizing that the guard had delivered his uncle's summons nearly a full hour ago, and he was now horribly tardy. Still, once he explained his reasons to Thorin, he would appreciate Fili's need to keep working. He might be the king, but Thorin was a crafter as well, and understood the deep desire dwarves had to see their project to completion…often to the detriment of all else.
So, after shutting the door to the forge room, he headed off to find Thorin. It didn't take him long, locating him and his younger brother in the family's communal chambers in the royal wing. The two had been talking, but stopped the second Fili entered, giving him a rather uneasy feeling.
"Forgive me for being late," Fili began, doing his best to read the expressions on both his relative's faces, attempting to determine if he should brace himself for bad news…or good. "I was working on a project in the forges." Yet before he could even begin to describe it, Thorin spoke.
"Fili…have a seat," he instructed, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "I have some news."
Oh no…this was it, Fili thought to himself. Jade had requested to return to the Grey Mountains, choosing her long-lost family over him. He felt his stomach drop, and he feared he might become sick.
"Don't worry, Brother," Kili broke in, obviously reading his nadad's expression well enough to understand he had feared the worst. "It's good news…or at least I think you will find it so."
That eased Fili's worries a bit, but he still wanted to hear it outright.
"I met with Lord Baldar this morning to discuss the treaty for the coal," Thorin began.
"I am sorry I didn't join you as I promised," Fili broke in, honestly having completely forgotten the meeting in the face of working on Jade's gift.
"I am not upset about that," Thorin told him, waving him off. "Yet, what I am about to say could impact your entire future, so listen up."
.
.
Jade went directly to the royal wing, stopping to ask the guard if he had seen the crown prince.
"Aye, My Lady," the dwarrow bowed reverently. "He just returned a few minutes ago." He then pointed up the stairs the way Fili had gone.
Thanking the guard, Jade headed up, stopping first at Fili's room, but when no answer came, she tried Kili's, and then Dis's room…but to no avail. Unable to locate the prince, and not willing to disturb the king, she checked the only other place she thought he might be. Yet as she approached the royal meeting room, she stopped when she heard voices, the small crack where the door had not been properly shut affording her a way to hear what was being said within. Her heart leapt to her throat when she heard Fili's voice, excited to have found him at last. Still, she was not about to interrupt when she heard the king speaking as well. No, she would wait patiently to tell Fili her news when he was finished. Jade had just turned to leave, when she heard something that caused her heart to stop in her chest.
.
.
"What is it, Uncle?" Fili asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"I spoke with Lord Baldar today about the treaty to obtain their coal," Thorin spoke up, his tone deadly serious. "And it would seem that the one condition he will not budge on…is that in order for it to go through, you must take his granddaughter, Jade, as your wife."
Fili stood there in shock. Had he heard correctly?
"I…I must marry Jade if Erebor is to gain the coal we so desperately need?" he repeated, hardly believing his ears. "Is that what you're telling me, Uncle?"
"Aye, it is," Thorin nodded, his tone deadly serious, yet he couldn't help the slight tug at the corners of his lips. "I know it is a hardship for you, my sister-son. Forced to take a wife in order to seal a treaty, but I wouldn't ask it of you if there were any other way." By now his grin had grown larger and his eyes twinkled with humor. "Will you do this for your people? For the good of all Erebor?"
Fili could have shouted his joy from the rooftops, but instead, he chose to play along with his uncle, as well as his goofy brother, who sat there doing his best not to burst from holding his laughter in.
"You do ask a lot, Great King Under the Mountain," he began, his tone also one of seriousness. "And while I had hoped you would hold to your promise never to force Kili or I into a political union…I can see why you ask it of me now. Thus, I will make the supreme sacrifice and offer up myself as a husband to the Lady of the Grey Mountains."
"You do your king and your people proud this day, Nephew," Thorin nodded, rising as he came forward and threw his arms around Fili – being careful of his injury - the two of them more than pleased at this rather unexpected, yet joyous, turn of events.
.
.
However, outside the room, Jade was anything but joyous…in fact, she was both mortified and pained beyond belief. King Thorin had all but forced Fili into agreeing to marry her, and from the sound of it, the crown prince had only done so for the good of his people! This was not how Jade wanted things to be! She was well aware of how dutiful the blond prince was, willing to do anything if it meant pleasing his uncle or helping his people. Yet, if Fili didn't wish to marry her for herself, then she would not accept!
Covering her mouth with her hand, Jade raced away, running down the stairs and out of the royal wing as if the Nine were on her heels. She heard the guard stationed at the bottom of the steps call out her name, but she didn't stop, not wanting anyone to see her cry. She had at last convinced herself that Fili truly cared for her…that the overwhelming feelings of love that burned in her heart were requited. Yet, the last few minutes had dashed all hopes of that being true.
Jade stumbled down the hallway, thankfully avoiding any who might be out and about, until she found herself a quiet alcove where she could stop and pull herself together. Leaning up against the stone wall, she covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly. She couldn't stay in Erebor any longer…not if Fili didn't love her. And going back to work for Dis was out of the question as well, for that would only mean she would see the dwarf she loved so ardently on a daily basis, only deepening the wound that now tore across her heart. No…she had to leave. Leave Fili. Leave Erebor. And she knew of only one person who could help her with that.
.
.
"Jade, what a nice surprise!" Lord Baldar greeted her when Hakim admitted her into the room. "Come, join me for dinner, they brought enough to feed an army." He stood and faced her head on, only then noticing her tear-streaked face and quivering lip. "JADE! What is wrong, my little jewel? What has happened?"
"Oh, Grandfather," she sobbed, racing into his now open arms. "I…I want to leave. I want to go back to the Grey Mountains with you. Tonight!"
"What? What nonsense is this?" he questioned, leading her to the sofa where he assisted her to sit. "I thought you wished to marry the prince? Has something changed?"
"Yes," she moaned, unable to look him in the eye. "It would appear his feelings have. Or perhaps they never were what I imagined them to be. Whatever the case…Fili doesn't love me. And I can't remain here if that's the case."
"Oh, my poor dear," Baldar moaned, pulling her into his embrace once more. "I fear I have done you wrong then," he confessed. "For I told King Thorin I would only agree to the treaty if his nephew offered you his hand in marriage. I thought this might speed things along…that it would get him to admit his feeling for you as well, but apparently I was very wrong. Please forgive me."
"You couldn't have known how Fili truly felt, any more than I did," she reasoned, absolving him of all blame. "But I do not want to marry a dwarf who is only doing so to seal a deal. I want love!"
"Of course, you do!" Baldar could feel his heart being ripped from his chest at her words, recalling that his own daughter had said nearly the same thing to him the night before she ran away almost ninety years ago. If only he had listened, then. But thank Mahal he was listening now! "And if leaving Erebor is your wish, then so be it. We will depart this very moment, and Thorin Oakenshield and his faithless nephew can obtain their needed coal someplace else!"
"NO! I don't want that," she begged, pulling back as she stared up at him in horror. "I refuse to be the reason that Erebor suffers. Please, agree to the contract, but leave me out of it. It will be a profitable bargain for the Grey Mountains, and I would not have you lose out on that because of me. I just want to go…"
"Home?" Baldar supplied. "For that is where you belong, my child. The Grey Mountains will welcome you back into its fold, for you are one of us. Now come…we will be packed and ready in no time."
"Can…can we leave without anyone knowing?" Jade asked hopefully. "I truly do not want to make a scene, and I really don't wish to say goodbye to anyone. I will miss the Lady Dis…as well as Kili and Tauriel, but I just can't bear the idea of facing Fili."
"Yes, of course," Baldar nodded. He then called for Hakim, who had respectfully made himself scarce in order to give them their privacy. "See that word is sent that the Lady Jade and I are spending some family time together this night, and we do not wish to be disturbed." When Hakim nodded and headed off, he returned to sit beside Jade. "Now, we will wait until nightfall and slip out with as few knowing as possible. There will of course be the guards at the gate who will know, but hopefully, the king and his kin will not hear of it until morning, giving us plenty of time to put some distance between us and Erebor. Does this make you happy, my dear?"
"Oh, Grandfather…I don't think I will ever be happy again," she mourned, leaning against him as she gave a deep sigh. "Do broken hearts ever mend?"
"In time the pain might lessen…but no, I have found that sadly, they do not." And while he wanted to tell her they would in order to spare her feelings, the old dwarf couldn't bring himself to lie to Jade. And so, he simply held her while she cried.
.
.
Back in the royal wing, Fili had been overjoyed by news of Baldar's request, and unable to contain himself any longer, he gave a loud whoop of glee, before turning to give his brother a one-arm embrace as well.
"I can't believe it!" he laughed. "Her grandfather wants me to marry her! What could be better?"
"Actually doing it?" Kili suggested, slapping his brother on the back. "I couldn't be happier for you, Nadad."
"I too am delighted that your happiness coincides with the betterment of Erebor," Thorin informed him. "I was as shocked as anyone when Lord Baldar requested such a thing, but I can see you are more than pleased that he did."
"That's an understatement! And here I thought you called me in to tell me that Jade was leaving Erebor," Fili revealed. "You really had me going with that straight face of yours, Uncle. I only hope when I'm king I can master such a look as well."
"It does take practice," Thorin mused. "But having to stand before the two of you as dwarflings and attempting to look upset when all I wanted to do was burst forth in laugher was a good teacher. Oh, the trouble you two got into, I honestly don't know how your mother and I survived."
"So…when can I speak to Jade about all this? When can I present my third courting gift to her?" Fili asked expectantly.
"Whenever you deem it proper," Thorin said with a nod. "Do you have a gift to offer her?"
"I've been working on it, but I'm not quite finished yet," he told them. At last going into a long and very detailed description of the masterpiece he was currently working on. Both Thorin and Kili asked many questions and watched with great interest as Fili took the time to draw out his design on a piece of parchment for them to see. "It will only take a little more time, perhaps less than a day if I can return to my work."
"Then what's stopping you, Brother?" Kili laughed, giving him a playful shove towards the door. "Now get going, and don't you dare come up from the forge rooms until you're done!"
"Wait…what about Jade? Shouldn't I at least go speak to her, and let her know of my intent?" Fili asked.
Yet before he could get an answer, there was a knock at the chamber door. A page stepped inside when Thorin gave him leave to enter, holding out a piece of paper to the king. After giving it a quick read, Thorin turned to Fili.
"It would seem you will be afforded more time to work on your gift, for the Lady Jade is spending the evening with her grandfather," he informed him. When Fili looked disappointed, he gave a warm laugh. "Cheer up, Lad. What is one more night apart when you two will have the rest of your lives to spend together? You should be happy!"
"Oh…I am!" Fili nodded, his wide smile returning to his face. "And when she sees my gift, she will be as well. I hope."
"The lass will love it, I'm sure," Thorin assured him. "Now, do as Kili says and get going. The sooner it is done, the sooner we can make this all official."
"Yes, Uncle!" And off he went, eager to put the finishing touches on the gift that would secure the hand of the woman he loved.
.
.
It was in the wee hours of the morning that Lord Baldar, Jade, and the rest of the Grey Mountain delegation departed Erebor. Granted, the guards at the mountain gate found it rather odd that the envoy would be leaving so unexpectedly and at such an odd time. However, a quick lie about how they had received urgent news from back home seemed to ease the soldier's mind. Baldar knew that the king would be informed of their departure first thing in the morning, but that was no longer his problem.
He had left the signed contract in his room, right next to the small bag that contained the courting bead that Fili had given Jade. Both items would leave no doubt in anyone's mind that the courtship was officially dissolved, but the treaty for the coal was still in place. Baldar had considered ripping the contract into pieces and refusing to deal with the royal family of Erebor ever again, but one look at his despondent granddaughter and he knew he would do no such thing. She was in enough pain already, the last thing she needed was to have the guilt of a broken treaty heaped upon her lovely shoulders. Still, it would have made Baldar feel better if he had at least punched that idiot lad, Fili, right in the nose for the hurt he had caused Jade. How could that pompous prince not love her? Baldar had only met her a few days ago, and she had already wrapped him around her little finger without even trying. Still, voicing his animosity towards the Durin prince would not help Jade to heal, thus the deal would go through, and she would return with him to the Grey Mountains. Baldar would be more than satisfied with that.
Hakim led the procession on his pony, with Baldar and Jade right behind on their own. The guards flanked them on all sides, but thus far they had not spotted any danger along the road. It would be nearly a week before they reached their southern home, and while he was not looking forward to the trek, Baldar couldn't help but be excited about the prospect of learning more about his beautiful granddaughter along the way. If, that is, she would ever raise her head and speak…for she had been painfully quite for the first several hours of their journey. He tried to blame it on tiredness, seeing as it was very late and neither one of them had slept. Yet, he knew it was her broken heart that had stolen her voice, and he could only hope that time would bring it back.
*T.O.W.G. stares at the screen in frustration* Well...THAT didn't turn out like we all planned, now did it?
WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? WHO'S RUNNING THIS SHOW? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! Oh, wait...that would be me! Eeeep...should I go run and hide?
Nahhhh, you wouldn't throw me in the dungeons or anything, since if you did, you wouldn't get the next chapter! So, I'm going to assume I'm safe for now.
Don't you just love a good misunderstanding? You don't? Well, I do!
Guest Reviews:
Travelbug: Yeah...it better be worth all the wait. But it can't be daggers, since that's what he gave her for their first courting gift. A nice map to where all HIS daggers can be found would be nice. ha ha. Yes, Baldar is a cool dwarf...yet, no matter what happens, when one meddles, it never ends well. Thanks.
Nala: I do hope his third courting gift does not disappoint...it's hard to dream up something sentimental, useful, and enough to make his intentions clear. Yes, Baldar knew who his daughter ran off with...just not where they went. And he is a nice granddad...he learned his lesson. Or did he...I mean he IS meddling in thing, but for the right reasons at least. Nope, I am not one to let things go toooo smoothly. But I'm also not one to leave things in turmoil for long either. Thanks.
Guest B: Yep, meddling never ends well. Unless it's Dis doing it...she meddles good. I'm with you...just lock them in a room and not let them out till they talk to each other. BUT, sorry, not gunna happen that way. Kili tries not to think too much, or if he does, it's only of Tauriel. So yes, his idea about them being cousins did hurt just a bit, and almost made Fili sick to his stomach. ha ha. More to come! Thanks.