.
**BONUS CHAPTER**
Do not read out of order.
See how nice I am?
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Chapter 29
~X~
Fili had worked through the night, not even noticing the time or his own exhaustion. His shoulder ached something fierce, but he was too absorbed in his crafting to notice. This was undoubtedly a labor of love, and when he at last finished, holding it out before him, he knew it was the best thing he'd ever made. It was perfect! Absolutely perfect! Jade was guaranteed to say yes once she saw all the thought and hard work he'd put into it. If Fili thought the daggers he'd made, or the chain for her pendant, was fine…well this was extraordinary - if he did say so himself.
Placing it carefully inside a leather satchel and throwing the strap over his shoulder, the exhausted prince headed out of the forges and towards his uncle's council chambers, figuring that is where he could be found at this time of the morning. Yet, when he arrived, he saw not only Thorin, but his mother, Balin, Dwalin, Kili and Tauriel all looking rather upset.
"What's the matter?" he asked, a knot forming in his stomach at the dark expressions they all wore. "Has something happened?"
At his voice, several pairs of eyes turned his way, each one filled with pity.
"Oh, Fili…I am so sorry," Dis stated, coming over and engulfing him in a comforting hug. "I don't know what happened."
"What do you mean?" Fili suddenly felt sick. What was she talking about?
"It would appear that Lord Baldar has left Erebor late last night in order to journey back to the Grey Mountains," Thorin spoke up, gesturing to a letter he held in his hands. "And while he signed the treaty for the coal…he also informed us that Jade wished to accompany him. I'm afraid she's left as well."
"WHAT? NO!" Fili was devastated. "She can't have gone! She wouldn't have done so without saying goodbye! We're courting!"
Here Dis pulled away and held out her hand, opening her palm so he could see the small bead that rested there. It was his bead. The one he had given to Jade when they began their fake courtship, and the one he had hoped to replace with a marriage bead very soon. He reached out and took it from her with shaking fingers, unable to believe what he held. She had called off their courtship. Jade had rejected him.
"Was there any note? Did she say why?" he asked in a quiet voice, unable to take his eyes off the circular object that meant so much.
"No." Thorin answered. "Only that the treaty is still valid, but the courtship has been terminated. He does say it was her decision though, that he did not force her to leave."
"This makes no sense!" Tauriel spoke up, unable to keep silent any longer. "Why would she want to leave when she confessed to me only yesterday of her feelings for Fili?"
Everyone turned and looked at the she-elf, her words causing surprise, confusion and hope all at once.
"She…she told you that she has feeling for me?" Fili begged, taking a step closer to his brother's intended. "What kind of feelings?"
"The same ones you so obviously have for her," Tauriel explained in an exasperated tone. "Love!"
"Jade loves me?" Fili couldn't believe his ears. "She actually loves me?"
"Why are you dwarves so difficult to convince of this?" the she-elf asked in puzzlement.
"Oh, you don't have to convince me," Kili laughed, looking at his stunned brother. "I could tell there was something there a long time ago, I just had no idea how serious it had become."
"When I spoke to her yesterday about this, she admitted that she was in love with Fili and headed off to inform him of exactly that." Tauriel turned and looked at the crown prince in confusion. "Am I to assume she never located you?"
"No! I never saw Jade last night," Fili protested, his eyes growing wide as he looked around the room. "Did any of you?"
"I thought she was with her grandfather," Dis spoke up.
"Aye. We received a note saying that she was spending time with him and didn't wish to be disturbed," Thorin offered, looking back at Tauriel in confusion. "What time was it that she left to search out Fili?"
"Not long before dinner," she explained. "We went to the training rooms, then to the dining hall to have a bite to eat. She left right after that and said she was going to search out Fili in the royal wing."
Thorin gestured to a nearby guard, calling him over.
"Find out who was stationed at the royal chambers around dinner time yesterday and have them brought to me at once," he ordered, causing the dwarf to scurry off to do his king's bidding.
Everyone waited anxiously, perplexed by this odd turn of events, but thankfully it didn't take long for the dwarf to be located and brought before Thorin.
"Did you see the Lady Jade last evening? Did she come looking for Prince Fili in the royal wing?" the king demanded.
"Yes, My Lord," the guard said with a bow. "She inquired if I knew of the prince's whereabouts, and I informed her that he had just made his way up." He looked from the king to Fili questioningly. "Did I do wrong?"
"No, of course not," Thorin assured him. "Yet I find it strange that she didn't actually speak to him."
"She left rather suddenly only a few minutes after she had gone up, My Lord," the guard continued. "She came running down the stairs and out into the hallway at quite a pace. I called out to her, asking if she needed assistance, but she did not respond, and I could not leave my post." Here he looked over at Fili with a grimace. "I couldn't see her face clearly, but if I had to say…I believe she looked to be crying."
"WHAT?" Now Fili was really upset and confused. "Why would she be crying? Who did she speak to? What had her so upset?"
Kili, who had been mulling over the events of the previous night, as well as the timeline they had pieced together, suddenly gave a strangled cry and slapped his hand over his forehead in dismay.
"Oh, Mahal! She must have overheard what we said and took it all the wrong way!" he moaned, a pained look on his face.
"What did you say?" Dis demanded, suddenly imagining all sorts of idiotic things coming from the males in her family. "What did she misunderstand?"
Fili and Thorin were quick to catch on, both looking ill at the idea of what had been spoken in jest. Yet, it was Fili who ended up stumbling over to a chair to sit down, mortified by what she had inadvertently overheard.
"It was all a joke! None of it was true!" he groaned, just imagining how Jade had taken his foolish words. "Oh, what she must think of me now!"
"WHAT?" Dis was now on the verge of hysterics. "What did she overhear?"
"Baldar stated during our treaty meeting that he would only sign the agreement if I promised Fili's hand in marriage to Jade, "Thorin explained, when Dis' eyes grew wide with both shock and rage, he quickly added. "He said he was certain that Jade wanted the marriage as well. And knowing that Fili desired nothing more than to wed the lass, I…" Here Thorin cringed, imagining how his commanding words must have sounded to the poor lass. "…I jokingly told Fili that he would have to wed her for the good of our people. It was all said in fun though!"
"Yet, what Jade heard was you forcing Fili into a political marriage," Dis demanded, her hands going to her hips as she glared at her idiot brother.
"Oh, but that's nothing compared to what I said," Fili moaned, leaning forward as he buried his head in his hands. "I played along with it, stating that I would agree to the arranged marriage…even going so far as claiming I would make the supreme sacrifice in doing so!"
"YOU DIDN'T!" Dis yelled, her hand flying to cover her mouth. "How could you all have been so stupid?"
"We didn't know she was listening," Kili said in defense, though still appeared guilt-ridden by the part he had played in it. "Honest, we didn't!"
"And now she thinks I don't love her!" Fili stared at the bead in his hand, as if it alone held the power to destroy him. "She left Erebor imagining that I only agreed to marry her for political reasons." Suddenly he stood up, fisting the bead with a look of determination. "I must go after her!"
"You are going nowhere!" Dis argued, stepping forward as she shook her finger at him. "It was you three males who messed this all up. And now it's a female who will see it fixed!"
"Amad! I can't let her leave thinking the way she does!" Fili protested. "And you can't stop me."
"Can't I?" Dis questioned, raising an eyebrow at her eldest son. She then turned to the guards who stood nearby. "Please see that Prince Fili is escorted to his chambers and kept there. Post a sentry by his door if you must, but see that he does not leave."
"AMAD!" Fili gasped, looking almost as shocked as the two dwarrow who tentatively came to stand on either side of the prince as they had been ordered.
"Dis, you would confine your own son?" Thorin asked in a shocked voice.
"I will not see this travesty go any further, and him running after her will only cause more harm than good," Dis explained. "This needs to be handled with tact and finesse."
"But you can't be serious about locking me in my chambers…and with a guard posted at my door no less!" Fili further protested.
"No, perhaps you're right," she nodded, turning to the still flabbergasted soldiers. "On second thought…post two guards. My son is rather sneaky. Now go, you have your orders."
"Please, Your Highness," the guard said to Fili, gesturing towards the door. "We do not wish to use force."
"Yes, do be careful with his left arm, he is still nursing a wound," Dis added, waving them off as Fili allowed himself to be led away, his mouth still open in shock over his mother's apparent betrayal. Once he had left the room, she then turned back to the others, who also looked as if they thought she had lost her mind.
"Amad?" Kili asked, unable to formulate the words he wished to say.
"Kili, I want you and Dwalin to take a garrison of dwarves and go after Lord Baldar's party and bring them back immediately," she ordered.
"That could be seen as an act of war," Thorin pointed out, still unsure if he should step in and put a halt to his sister's mad plans. Still…she was usually right more often than wrong. "It could cost us the treaty for the coal."
"And what is more important to you, Brother? Getting the fuel we need for a better price, or the future happiness of your nephew?" Dis demanded. "I suggest you think carefully before you speak, for the wrong answer will not sit well with me!"
"I need no time to think on my reply, and you know very well that Fili's happiness is all that matters here," Thorin huffed, rubbing his chin for a moment before looking over at Kili and Dwalin. "You heard her! Get going, and don't you dare come back without them in tow!"
"Aye, Uncle!" Kili said with a wide grin, eager to obey any order that would assist his brother in getting back the dam he loved. It appeared that Dwalin was of the same mind, and the two of them turned towards the door at great speed.
"Wait!" Dis called after them, causing them to skid to a halt. "Take Tauriel with you, just to make sure you hot-headed males don't mess things up…again!" She gave the elf lass a roll of her eyes. "And make sure there is no bloodshed! We don't want to add injury to insult. This can all still be sorted out, if done correctly." Next, she turned to Thorin. "And this is how it shall be done."
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Baldar had been watching his granddaughter out of the corner of his eye for the past several hours, yet she had yet to lift her gaze beyond the mane of her pony. It broke his heart to see her so sad, and he had a good mind to turn the entire company around and march back to Erebor and run that good-for-nothing prince through with his sword. It was surprising how quickly he had become attached to his daughter's child, feeling as if he had known her all her life, instead of merely a few days. He knew that he would do anything for her, and he only hoped that whatever that was would be enough.
They had only traveled a moderately short distance from Erebor, in comparison to how far they still had to go, when the sound of hoofbeats came thundering behind them. Turning around, he watched as his soldiers formed a protective circle around him and Jade, their weapons drawn and ready to do battle. Yet when their pursuers came into view, Lord Baldar gave a sigh of relief, seeing that it was a garrison of dwarves and not the orcs they had feared it might be. Still, what these dwarrow from Erebor were doing overtaking them this way was a mystery…and one that had his brows furrowing in anger.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" he demanded as soon as the troop of dwarves were within ear shot. "ARE WE UNDER ATTACK?"
"Of course not, Lord Baldar," Kili called back. "Yet it is by the order of King Thorin that you and your party return to Erebor at once."
"Return? What for?" the older dwarrow angrily inquired, his gaze drifting to his stunned looking granddaughter. He could tell she was frightened, but he wasn't sure if it was due to the amount of warriors the prince had brought with him, or the idea of going back to the mountain. "And who is Thorin Oakenshield to make demands on me?" Baldar sneered.
"He is the king of the Lonely Mountain, heir of Durin, and the leader of an army far superior to yours!" came Dwalin's gruff reply. "Now, you will either come along peacefully…or by force!" At this he pulled one of his axes off his back and fingered it suggestively.
At this, the Grey Mountain dwarves began to brandish their own weapons, murmuring amongst themselves in anger, apparently ready to fight. Kili, who had been prepared to make a reply before Dwalin butted in, rolled his eyes and looked over at Tauriel.
"I'm beginning to understand what Amad was talking about when she called us hot-headed males," he grumbled quietly. Then raising his voice, he did his best to defuse a potentially volatile situation. "Lord Baldar, we mean you no harm or insult. Yet, it is my king's wish that you please return to the mountain…only for a short time, and then you will be welcome to continue on your way back to your home. I promise."
Baldar was torn. While he would have liked to go back and give Thorin and his other nephew a piece of his mind, he feared the effect this might have on Jade. She had been so desperate to leave, could he now drag her back to face the idiot dwarf that had hurt her so badly?
"I leave the choice in the hands of my granddaughter," he announced at last, causing Jade's head to snap in his direction. "For she is the one who is the injured party here."
"Grandfather! I…I…" Jade stammered, unsure what to say.
Kili sensed her hesitancy and nudged his mount forward, closing some of the distance between them, yet remaining safely out of harms way.
"Jade? Please come back," he begged. For a while now, he had been thinking of her as his soon to be sister-in-law, and the thought of it no longer happening tore at his heart.
"I assure you, Jade, that no harm will befall you or your kin if you agree to return," Tauriel added, riding forth to stand beside her beloved. "You have my word…as a friend."
Jade stared at the two of them for a long while, wanting so desperately to believe them. Yet, could anything they said, or anything that would happen, change how things stood? Fili had agreed to marry her, which had been exactly what she had desired…but for all the wrong reasons! If they expected her to overlook that fact and just go along with things the way they were, well they were in for a big disappointment. Still, she wouldn't be the one that caused war between the Grey Mountains and Erebor.
"I…I will return with you," she said at last, lowering her head as she fought back the tears. "That is, if my Grandfather agrees."
"It would appear we have little choice," Baldar huffed, signaling for his soldiers to sheath their weapons, and fall back into formation. "Lead on, Prince. But do not think such insults will be overlooked, and your king will be getting an earful, that you can be sure of."
"I'm sure he expects no less," Kili said with a slight flinch, imagining the tongue lashing this older dwarrow had planned for his uncle. For about the millionth time, Kili thanked Mahal that he had not been the firstborn and heir to the throne. This ruling stuff was not for him!
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The travel back to the mountain was done in silence, with no one wishing to speak a word, either to each other or those escorting them. Lord Baldar tried several times to get Jade to tell him how she was feeling, but she waved him off each time, unwilling to say a word. Even when they stopped to rest their mounts, she shied away from everyone, not even wanting to speak to Kili or Tauriel. So it was they at last reached the mountain gates, just as the sun was beginning to set, casting a rosy hew over the stone figures on either side.
They all dismounted and were escorted into the main hall, with Baldar, Jade and Hakim being the only three who were led up the stairs towards the throne room. Kili's eyes kept drifting to where Jade walked beside him, yet not once did she look his way or give him one of her usual smiles. He could tell that she had been hurt badly by Fili's unknowing words, and he only hoped this could all be sorted out in the end.
When they reached the throne room, two guards pulled the doors open, allowing the party to enter. Thorin sat on the raised dais at the far end, looking every inch a king in his raven-wing crown and royal robes. Dis stood at his side, with Balin next to her. The only one missing was Fili.
"I DEMAND TO KNOW THE MEANING OF SUCH AN INSULT!" Baldar roared as he stormed forward, eager to sink his teeth into the king. "I have never been treated so rudely in all my life! I have a good mind to dissolve our treaty for the coal!"
"There is no need for that," Thorin informed him, his tone deep and threatening. "For I do hereby end it myself." At this, he stood up, took the scroll he held in his hands and ripped it in half, dropping both pieces in a dramatic gesture. Everyone watched as they float down the steps to land silently on the floor, not a word being spoken.
Just then the door to the side opened and Fili was escorted in by two dwarrow, both on either side and holding onto his upper arms. The blond prince looked furious, yet the moment he spotted Jade, his expression changed to one of shock and remorse. Jerking free of the guards' hold, he stepped forward.
"Uncle! What is going on?" he demanded, having no idea what had transpired during his time in confinement.
"I have just informed Lord Baldar that I no longer wish to engage in trade with the Grey Mountains," he told his nephew, yet never once taking his eyes off the older dwarrow in front of him. "I will be getting the coal we need to fuel the forges from the White Mountains instead. Thus, we have no reason whatsoever to form an alliance with Lord Baldar's people, political or otherwise."
"And you drug us all the way back here just to tell us that?" Baldar barked, his face turning red from anger. "You have some nerve, Thorin Oakenshield!"
"Uncle…what are you saying?" Fili was very confused now.
"I am saying that since I want nothing from the Grey Mountain kingdom, and we have nothing of value to them, then you are free to choose whomever you wish to marry," Thorin told him. "You are under no obligation to pick a bride for any other reason but love, just as I always promised you could."
At this, Jade's head came up, her eyes falling on Fili as pain etched its way across her face. Had she been brought back simply to have salt rubbed in her open wound? Was she now to be forced to hear from his own lips that he would be ending their courtship so he could marry another? Oh, how she wanted to simply curl up and die right there on the spot.
"You are free to choose, my son," Dis prompted, knowing that his next few words would change things for everyone. "So…choose."
At last, the blond prince seemed to understand what his mother and uncle were telling him. This was his chance to set things straight. Thus, Fili began to slowly make his way down from the dais, his eyes never leaving Jade's, though he could tell she was fighting back tears. Oh, how he had hurt her, and it felt like a knife in his chest. He only prayed that he could convince her of his love and make things right at last.
"Jade, if I had all the dams of Middle Earth lined up before me at this moment, and each of them willing to give me their hand in marriage…I would choose only you," Fili said, stopping but a few feet from her. "You are the only one for me, and if you will forgive me for my foolish words the other night – words that meant nothing – I would spend the rest of my life convincing you of my undying love." Here he reached into the satchel he had been carrying since he left the forges and pulled out his final courting gift for her. "Jade, I want to marry you, and if you accept this last gift, you will make me the happiest dwarf in all Middle Earth." And holding out the intricately crafted royal circlet, he dropped to one knee, holding it out to her as a heartfelt offering. "Please Jade, accept my final courting gift?"
Jade was stunned, not only by Fili's proposal, but over the fact that he had gone to the trouble to make her such a lovely offering as well. Thorin had said he no longer wanted the treaty…that Fili was free to choose his own bride. And now, here he was, on one knee before her and asking her to become his wife. How had things gone from good, to horrible, and back to amazing in such a short time? Could she believe his words? Should she still believe what he said the other night, or what he was saying now? She was so confused.
"But…but I thought you said…" she began but was cut off by his look of utter misery.
"NO! I never meant a word of that!" he all but begged her to believe. "Thorin knew I had every intention of asking you to be my wife all along. He knew I had fallen head over heels in love with you and no longer considered this a fake courtship. That foolishness you overheard about it being a hardship and a sacrifice was all said in jest."
"It's true, Jade," Dis spoke up, her hands clenched together over her heart. "Fili was devastated when he heard you had left the mountain. I literally had to lock him in his chambers in order to stop him from wildly chasing after you."
"For which I'm still very upset about, Amad!" Fili broke in, turning his head slightly to glare at her. "What was that all for anyway?"
"If you had run after her without proof of your love, or at least proof that you were not being forced into it, you would have had a very hard time convincing her of the truth," she explained with a roll of her eyes. "Yet now…" She gestured towards Jade, letting her sentence trail off.
"Yes…now?" Fili asked hopefully, looking back up at Jade. "Now do you believe me? Now do you understand that I am unable to live without you? That you are my life, Jade?" He continued to kneel there, his heart pounding with both hope and fear.
"Oh, come on, Jade!" Kili called from where he stood off to the side. "He'll be impossible to live with if you don't take him back! He'll spend all his time moping around as if his life is over. You wouldn't want to put me through that misery, would you?"
This got everyone laughing, even Jade, who was currently wiping at her cheeks.
"Well…I suppose…if it will make Kili's life easier," she stammered, doing her best to smile through her tears. "I…I will take you back, Fili." And before any more could be said, she sank to her knees as well and wrapped her arms around him, bringing her forehead to his as she looked into his misty blue eyes. "As long as you promise that you truly do love me…at least half as much as I love you."
"I do! And more!" he swore, bringing his free hand up to cup the back of her head, slowly bringing her closer until their lips met, sealing his promise with a kiss.
Jade couldn't categorize all the emotions she was currently feelings, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was happy…no, elated! She was back in Fili's arms, right where she always wanted to be, and the fact that he was also giving her the kiss of a lifetime, well, that only made it better.
"I'm so sorry about this whole mix up," Fili told her when they parted for breath. "I feel terrible that I caused you even a moment's pain or doubt."
"Shhhh," she instructed, placing her fingers against his lips. "That's all in the past. I know this courtship all began as a hoax, a way of saving our reputations…but somewhere along the way it has turned into the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you, Fili son of Flinn. And right now, only our future matters…a future that for me will only be with you."
"Just where I want you to be…always," and once more he brought them together with a heated kiss, never wanting to be more than a breath apart from her.
"Ummm, we're happy for you and all…but this is getting kind of sickening," came Kili's disgruntled voice, breaking in on their precious moment.
"KILI!" both Dis and Tauriel gasped simultaneously, shocked by his insensitivity. The red-headed elf maid also gave his arm a smack, causing him to flinch as he rubbed it tenderly.
"Well it is! I mean I'm happy they're back together and all, but come on…he's my brother!" Kili whined. "It's creepy seeing him kissing like that."
"So, you wish for me to censor my affections when around you, Naddith?" Fili chuckled, sparing a moment from gazing at his love to eye his brother. "If that's the case, then I will be expecting the same from you in your displays of affection for Tauriel."
"WHAT? No!" Kili was aghast at the idea, looking up at the elleth at his side in horror at the idea. "On second thought…you have my full permission. Kiss away!"
"With pleasure," Fili grinned, prepared to do just that.
"Hold on!" came another gruff voice from behind them. "I do believe, as Jade's grandfather, I should have a bit of a say in who will, or will not, be kissing her." The two young lovers looked up to see Lord Baldar glaring down at them with his arms crossed over his chest. "According to dwarven tradition…you two will still be needing my permission to marry."
At this, Fili stiffened, then taking hold of Jade beneath her elbow, he helped her to her feet. They faced the lord of the Grey Mountains with fear in their eyes, knowing that they had one final obstacle to overcome before they could be happy.
"Lord Baldar," Fili said, crossing his arm at his waist and giving a deep bow. "It is with my whole heart that I hereby beg you for the hand of your granddaughter. I swear to treasure her above all else, to love her to the end of my days, and never, ever, cause her another moment of sadness. Please…will you grant me this kindness?" When the older dwarf appeared unfazed by Fili's heartfelt plea, Jade made her own petition.
"Please, Grandfather?" she asked, stepping closer and placing both her hands on his folded arm. "I do love him…very, very much."
At this, his countenance melted, and he gave her a knowing smile.
"It was not hard to figure that out, my little jewel," he assured her, reaching out to embrace her in a gentle hug. "And if this dwarf makes you happy…then you do indeed have my blessing." However, before either could react to his words, he turned to the group and held up a hand. "Upon the condition that until the wedding, Jade shall return to the Grey Mountains. I would like to introduce her to the rest of her kin, as well as the dwarves of her homeland." He looked from Jade to Fili and back again hopefully. "Is this acceptable?"
"I would love to meet my Uncle and his family, as well as see the lands where my mother and father came from," Jade smiled, reaching up to kiss him on the cheek.
"And you, lad?" Baldar questioned, looking at Fili.
"It will be a trial to be parted from her, but I would not deprive her, or her family, of such a visit." He gave another bow of subjection. "Just please…don't let the separation be too long. I don't think I could live without her for an extended period of time."
"Then go with her, you fool!" came the gruff voice of Thorin. "It's not as if Erebor will fall apart without you around for a month or two. In fact, it might fare better."
"Do…do you mean it, Uncle?" Fili asked excitedly.
"Of course he does," Dis assured him, smiling proudly at her brother. "He is the king, after all, so you have no choice but to obey." She then looked at Lord Baldar. "That is, if my son is permitted to accompany you. We would not wish to encroach on family matters."
"Since it seems the lad will be family soon enough, I see no harm in him tagging along," Baldar laughed. "However, I will personally see to it that they are well chaperoned the entire time."
"I would hope so," Thorin nodded. "For it has been my experience that the two of them together cause more trouble than is healthy. It will be a burden lifted from my shoulders as well, if you would take them to the Grey Mountains until it's time for the wedding."
"Which I will be planning the entire time you're gone," Dis stated, clapping her hands in glee.
"Wait…what about our wedding?" Kili asked, looking up at Tauriel with a worried expression. "Ours is supposed to be in three months. You can't expect us to wait longer just because Fili finally got his love life back on track!"
"Why not have a double wedding then?" Balin suggested, speaking up for the first time. "It would be the event of the century! Two dwarf kingdoms untied in marriage, as well as a union between the mountains and the woods. People will come from all around to see such a spectacle."
"Sounds fine with me!" Kili grinned, looking up at Tauriel for confirmation. When she also smiled and leaned down to kiss her dwarf, everyone figured they had their answer.
"I'm all for it as well," Fili laughed, taking Jade's hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "Just as long as Jade is happy with the idea."
"I would marry you today if I could," she assured him, loving how he stared at her as he spoke.
"Well, that I fear cannot be arranged," he told her reluctantly. "Yet, may this final courting gift leave no doubt in anyone's mind that very soon, you will be my wife, and the new princess of the kingdom of Erebor." Here he held out the circlet once again, allowing her to view the carvings around the band. "For here I have engraved your titles," he said, pointing to the dwarven runes she was still struggling to learn. "It says, 'Lady Jade of the Grey Mountains and Princess of Erebor, only love of Fili, crown prince of the line of Durin'." And before she could open her mouth to say a word, he reached up and placed it on her head. "There, now it's official. You've accepted my gift, thus we are now engaged to be married."
"Oh, Fili!" she nearly sobbed, throwing her arms around him once more as he twirled her around, the two of them breaking out in laughter.
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While the two continued on, hugging everyone in the room as talk of the double wedding took precedence, Thorin stepped down from the dais and came to stand beside Lord Baldar, noting that Hakim was dabbing his moist eyes with a handkerchief.
"So…may I assume that the Grey Mountains will not be declaring war with Erebor over my slight insult?" he asked the older dwarrow, lacing his hands behind his back as he smiled at his nephew's happiness.
"You call bringing a garrison of soldiers to round us up like bandits and force us to return to the mountain under duress slight?" he growled, looking at Thorin as if he had lost his mind.
"For the record, this was all my sister's idea," Thorin said in his defense. "Still, it got the job done, did it not?" Here he gestured towards the laughing couple. "And as they say, the ends justify the means."
"Aye…I suppose you're right," Baldar nodded, smiling at how joyful his granddaughter appeared to be. "I guess true love always wins in the end."
"It would appear so," Thorin agreed. "Now…about that treaty for the coal. Since Fili and Jade are already engaged, do you think we might be able to revisit the idea of purchasing fuel from you in the future?"
"I could see my way to reopening negotiations," Baldar said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But don't you go expecting any family discounts."
"Mahal no! I wouldn't dream of it!" Thorin gasped, the two dwarves staring at each other for a moment before they too broke out in laughter.
"Thorin, I think this might be the beginning of a very profitable friendship," the lord of the Grey Mountains stated.
"I thoroughly agree," Thorin smiled, holding out his hand as the two shook on the deal.
Yipppeee, everyone is happy now! And I promise not to throw in any more impediments to that fact.
Dis took charge like a boss, and everyone else fell in line like they should. But wow...locking up your own son, that's hardcore Dis...hardcore.
Did everyone like the third courting gift?
Guest Reviews:
Aranel Mereneth: Ok, FINE...you've begged enough...was their talk satisfactory to you? Did they get things straight at last? (wink wink). See, all you had to do was ask nicely and I gave them their moment to speak. ha ha.
Emrfangirl: Missed you lately...you were my 300th review and then fell off the face of the earth for a bit. ha ha. Glad you are back. Yes, I am a bad author (hangs head...but only for a second). But see what I did here? I fixed it! I really, really did! Do I get a "good author" now?