I can't believe it! The last chapter put this story over 200 follows and 100 favs! I have the most incredibly awesome readers :) Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews. I sometimes wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew, but you keep motivating me to type away and finish the story. We are getting closer and closer to having certain mysteries revealed. I am missing Fili already :( I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much as the last one. Let me know what you think :)
"My good opinion once lost is lost forever."―Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice
Signi and Lifa were silent as they sat in Gloin's front room, each with their respective crafts abandoned on their laps. Neither sister had had much to say since the ceremony two days prior. They were too wrapped in their own thoughts to offer the other sympathy. Mikel was also seated across the room, too content in his letter writing to notice the weighty mood the room carried.
"Would you believe it!" cried Galen as she stormed through the door, her arms laden with shopping bags. "I have just been down to the market and what do you think that silversmith was telling his customers?"
Signi groaned as she braced herself for the answer. In all of the confusion of Fili's disappearance and Gloin's secrets, she had not shared her friend's news with the family.
"He says that Kara is to be married to our dear friend Vifil! Can you believe the nerve of him? Not even a month has passed since Vifil has proposed to Signi and he is trying to steal him away for his daughter –"
"It is not a lie," interrupted Signi, desperate to stop Galen's shrill tone. "Kara has accepted his offer."
"Oh, I know that now," Galen continued, her anger increasing with each word. "Do you know what I said to him? I said 'Oh no, sir, you are most certainly mistaken. Vifil is quite intent on marrying my Signi.' How mortifying it was to be informed that Vifil had in fact made an offer to Kara and she happily accepted. I couldn't stay in that shop a moment longer. My poor nerves…"
"Perhaps it was fortunate that you were not able to stay. I hear Kara's father charges a high price for his wares and Gloin keeps a tight hold on his purse strings," Signi joked, hoping to distract Galen from her ranting.
"I promised your mother, you dreadful child," Galen snapped "And you pass off a perfectly good husband to that shopkeepers daughter! Can you imagine that girl as mistress of Tourmaline Hall? Durin's beard…"
"Kara's father is a reputable silversmith of great means," Mikel said without pausing as he wrote. "Vifil gains more from this marriage than he ever could by choosing one of my daughters."
Galen snorted, choosing to ignore the accuracy in Mikel's words.
"Besides," said Lifa, finally breaking her own silence, "She wouldn't be the mistress at Tourmaline Hall. I believe Vifil has an apartment near Lady Katlin's home."
"This marriage will not last," Galen huffed. "I find the whole notion absurd and will not believe it until the marriage has actually occurred. Obviously Vifil was tricked into this. Kara is far too old; I can only imagine what sordid techniques she used to convince him to offer marriage. No, they can never have a truly happy marriage. Vifil needs someone with spark, someone to bring life to Tourmaline Hall. Yes, this engagement will certainly end soon, and then you, Signi, can –"
"Can we talk about something else?" groaned Signi.
Instantly she regretted her plea when Galen began to berate Lifa about Fili's whereabouts. "I have heard that the prince has left Erebor. When shall we expect his return? It's strange that he did not at least call before leaving…"
The fire crackled as Thorin sat on a stool before it sharpening a pair of daggers. The methodical scrape of a blade across the whetstone did little to soothe his troubled thoughts. Two days had passed since Fili's early morning departure, and the king could think of little else. Would the prince's efforts succeed? Would they finally gain the support they needed? Would Signi approve?
Thorin scowled into the flames. Why did Signi's approval matter so much? The girl influenced his every action of late, and the council was beginning to notice. Mikel had been the first to acknowledge that the king's plans were based on his conversations with the girl. Dain had also picked up on this and made it known to the other council members that Thorin had fallen prey to her sharp wit and tongue as well. Even the daggers he carefully sharpened were forged with thoughts of Signi in mind. Would she like the design? Would they be light in her hand?
At the sound of the door opening, Thorin set aside the blade and stone, and rose to meet his visitor.
"A raven has arrived, Sire, from the prince."
Thorin accepted the message from Nadir which had been scribed carefully in the old raven keeper's hand. Hrafn was a relic of the old days, one of the few Erebor residents to return. His quarters were located at the foot of the raven tower and he spent his days caring for the birds and carefully recording the messages they brought from the other dwarf kingdoms.
"Does the prince send good news?" Nadir asked as he refilled the King's wineglass sitting on the mantle.
"Aye," Thorin nodded, tossing the message onto his desk. "They have reached the Mirkwood Gates. Apparently Thranduil is allowing them to pass through the forest with an elf escort."
"Ah, Lady Tauriel is a most gracious guide for the dwarves," Nadir said, smirking at the king's snarl. "Such a pity her efforts are in vain."
"If you are going to start meddling in Kili's affairs, then you can leave right now." Thorin was tired of his valet's constant need to needle him about Signi or about his decisions regarding the princes. He wondered if it was time to remind Nadir of his place, but it seemed like more effort than he was willing to put forth.
"I will not meddle, as you say, with Prince Kili's affairs. I will, however, ask if Prince Fili has made any mention of Lady Lifa? The poor girl misses him dearly, and I can only imagine how he is faring without her."
Thorin cocked his head as he surveyed his valet. "Do you think Lifa misses him? I cannot tell."
"Surely not," Nadir said, rolling his eyes. "Tell me that you are not that blind. She misses him desperately, but her good breeding keeps her from showing it to the public."
But Thorin was not convinced. He had watched her closely since Fili left, and there was no obvious change in her appearance or demeanor. She was lovely as ever and always carried a smile at dinner. She continued to join the other ladies for tea and visited the soldiers at camp with Signi. In some ways he wished that he could show Fili this indifference instead of writing it in a letter. Perhaps then the prince would consider some of the more suitable ladies of court.
"I have seen her walking with one of those soldiers at camp and she spends as much time with Kili and Gimli as she did Fili. She is not affected by his absence. Certainly not enough for a bride to be," he said gruffly, sitting back on the stool to resume sharpening.
"You only see what you wish to see, sire," Nadir said, turning to leave.
"What is that supposed to mean?" the king growled, jumping up to stop Nadir from leaving.
"I mean that you see Lifa walking in camp with soldiers and enjoying their company, but others see Lifa going to camp to chaperone her sister as she visits Thorin Stonehelm."
Thorin's stomach felt like lead at Nadir's words as she braced himself against the stone wall. "She is visiting Stonehelm?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
Nadir nodded. "Aye, she was seen slipping away with him during the feast. They went to his tent alone, with no chaperone in sight. According to Gloin's maid, Lifa was absolutely livid with her sister when she found out. She has been going to camp and the construction site with her every time to make sure Signi isn't alone with him."
Thorin pressed a fist to his mouth to stave off the nausea that threatened to surface. She was alone with him in his tent. Did she not know what the despicable dwarf was capable of? Had she not known him his entire life? It was no secret in any crowd that Stonehelm indulged in drink, gambling, and female company.
"But that is not all," continued Nadir as he pretended not to notice Thorin's reaction. "Lady Miri was seen sneaking into Stonehelm's tent not three nights ago. Prince Kili himself saw her, Prince Fili as well."
Thorin's expression hardened at those words. Standing upright again, his mind began whirling with thoughts. It seemed that Stonehelm had quickly outstayed his welcome.
"…You can't expect Prince Fili to agree to marriage after seeing that. Miri has proven herself to be as sneaky as her –"
"Enough!" Thorin shouted. "I don't want to hear another word about it, and you would do well to hold your tongue. There are enough rumors in this mountain without you contributing."
"Yes, sire," Nadir said demurely, a smirk hidden by his bowed head.
"I've got to put an end to this nonsense," Thorin muttered, as he grabbed his fur cloak from the hook and swung it around his shoulders.
"Where are you going?" Nadir asked.
Scowling again as he stomped to the door, he answered simply, "To find Signi."
"How are you holding up?" Signi asked as she and Lifa walked through Erebor's front entrance. Signi thought that having Lifa join her as she took refreshment to the working soldiers and men would cheer up her sister, but it seemed to have the reverse affect. Lifa was more withdrawn than ever, her quiet smiles only surfacing when with company.
"I'm fine, Signi. Really," Lifa said, rolling her eyes. "I don't know why you are making such a big deal out of this."
Signi scowled. "You are obviously not fine. You aren't eating and you haven't taken tea with Dis once since he left. Why don't you want to talk about it?"
"Because there is nothing to talk about!" Lifa snapped, her voice echoing in the hall and earning a disapproving look from the guard standing post a few feet away.
Others in the mountain were no better. Balin spent much of dinner discussing the fickleness of a young dwarf, while Dwalin refilled the girls' wineglasses until Signi's head was swimming. Kili remained silent about his brother's absence, but he did not hold back in tearing apart Vifil's upstanding reputation, describing the little dwarf as yellow-livered goblin who had less personality than the stone they sat upon. Any other time Signi would laugh and agree, perhaps adding a few insults of her own. But she was far too depressed about losing her friendship with Kara to appreciate Kili's efforts. Stonehelm had been sympathetic as they discussed the situation over a drink in his tent, but even he could not understand that she was more upset over losing a friend than a potential husband.
Thorin had remained curiously silent over the situation, choosing instead to watch her each night from the head of the table as she picked at her food and pretended to be amused at Kili and Gimli's jokes.
But Lifa's reaction had her completely taken aback. Despite the tears she shed at first, the girl was quick to turn around her disposition and put on a smile for all to see. She always was a good actor, and this would be no different than any other time that she had to feign pleasure in the presence of company. Only Signi could see her listlessness when she thought no one was looking. Only Signi knew that she continued to cry herself to sleep.
It was Lady Dis who was able to truly decipher the girls' true feelings on their respective troubles.
"How is your sister holding up?" Dis asked as she and Signi sparred on top of the watchtower. "She puts on such a brave face at dinner, but she must be hurting badly."
Signi bit her lip as she dodged Dis' swing, careful to not burst out with her first thought. Of course Lifa was in pain, she had pledged her heart to the prince and he left without warning or promises to return.
"She yearns for him, but does not weaken for him."
Dis nodded in understanding, thrusting her sword again as she spoke. "Good. No young lady should allow herself to be brought down by a single dwarf. Fili loves her with his whole heart and will return as fast as he can. Until then, she needs to enjoy life in the mountain before she starts waking up beside my old goat of a son…he really is turning into Thorin."
"I take that as a compliment, sister."
Signi and Dis both turned, startled by the sound of the King's voice.
"Really now, isn't it a little dangerous to be sneaking up on ladies as they are sparring?" Dis asked, giggling slightly to hide the flutter still lingering in her voice.
"Perhaps it is," Thorin smirked, "but as neither of you have a blade to my throat, I think it was a safe decision,"
Signi rolled her eyes, but chose not to comment.
"Have you come to see us spar, brother?" Dis asked, her voice teasing as she wielded her sword with flourish. "I must warn you to be prepared. Signi has trained me so well that even your fiercest of opponents are no match for me."
"I do not doubt that," Thorin chuckled. "But it will have to wait. I need to speak with Signi. Alone."
Dis' smirk matched her brother's. "Of course. I will take my leave at once."
Signi scowled as she watched Dis hustle across the stone floor and disappear into the stairwell. Being alone with the king was the last thing she wanted.
Turning away, she walked to the battlement looking out over the army camp below. The final shift of soldiers were coming in to wash up for supper in the orange glow of the setting sun. Their voices carried high above the mountain, merry from hard work and the ale already making its rounds.
"You do not wish to speak with me." Thorin's voice rumbled through Signi's thoughts, making her heart thunder in her chest against her will. How could he tear her down so easily, with just a few words?
"With our conversation history, it is no wonder that I do not wish to open myself up to your scrutiny and derision," she answered, not turning to face him.
Thorin's sudden grip on her arm was a surprise. Pulling her away from the battlement, his grip did not loosen as he turned her toward him and pressed her back to the stone wall. "You face no scrutiny or derision that you do not make on your own," he said, looking down his long nose with an expression of contempt. "Do you not trust me as your king? Is it true that you and your sister are visiting the soldiers and men in their work each day?"
Signi the icy chill of dread wash down her spine. It is true that they had visited the soldiers and men each day that they worked on the construction project. It was the small offering that they could provide to the men of Dale working alongside the dwarves. Where Dain's men had enough food to feed an entire battalion, Dale's workers shared stale bread a few scraps of rabbit of fish between themselves. It was no wonder they could not keep up with the dwarves. So Signi had taken to bringing food from the kitchens to the men, and with Stonehelm's permission, distributed it each day. Lifa went with her, but was too afraid to get near the men. So she amused herself by joining her friends from the Iron Hills while Signi worked.
But Thorin would not understand that. Scowling at the king, Signi quickly deflected his question with one of her own. "And how is it that you know what Lifa and I are doing each day? Are you spying on us?" A silly question, she knew. Of course he was spying. He was king and there were guards stationed every five feet.
"I do not need to spy on you," the king growled. "You have made yourself the source of gossip. I heard it from a servant that you have been visiting the site. You know that it is a violation of our traditions and laws for ladies to enter an establishment of man with no escort."
"Who says I have no escort?" Signi snapped, her eyes wide in anger. "Stonehelm has accompanied me with each of these visits and ensured my safety amongst the Dale workers."
Thorin let out an enraged yell, slamming his fist into the stone wall beside her head. "Stonehelm," he snarled, leaning closer so the tip of his nose nearly brushed hers, "is more of a danger than fifty of Bard's men. Tell me, Signi, what happened when you ventured into his tent alone? Where was your chaperone then? Stonehelm has no sense of propriety, but I expected better of you."
"How dare you!," Signi shouted, pushing against Thorin's solid chest with all of her might. But the king would not budge. "You accuse me of indecency for having a conversation with my childhood friend, but you corner me alone and lay your hands on me. It is you who has made yourself a source of gossip. I have heard what the others on the council say. They say that you are spineless, that you are cowering to Lord Brasi and to King Bard. They say that you are too wrapped in jealousy and fear to welcome the help that Stonehelm is offering. What kind of king allows that kind of gossip to circulate about him? How can you be more concerned about what the servants are saying about me than what your own council says about you?"
Signi's words cut to the bone, and Thorin instantly drew back, allowing her to pull away from his hold. He knew what they were saying, but to hear Signi say the very words pained him more than a thousand morgul arrows. She was disappointed in him. Cowering - the word stung far more from her lips than any other.
Steeling himself against his warring emotions, Thorin knew that he could not let Signi go without a warning. "I can see you will not heed my advice," he said, his voice low and deadly. "Let me inform you then that you are hereby forbidden from visiting the construction site again without my permission and presence."
"But, sir…" Signi sputtered, her cheeks reddening with anger.
"Furthermore," Thorin continued, "You are forbidden from seeing Thorin Stonehelm. If you cannot do what I ask, then I must prohibit you to prevent further injury to your reputation. Do not disobey me again, Signi. I cannot be as forgiving as I have been in the past."
Signi watched in horror as the king stomped away and headed downstairs for dinner. Slipping down to the sit on the stone floor, she finally allowed her tears to spill over and pour down her cheeks.
The morning sky was still pink and gray from dawn, but that did not deter Bombur or his kitchen staff in the slightest. Up since the cock's first crow, Erebor's kitchen master ran his kitchen like a drill sergeant to complete his king's last minute order in time.
Just before the noonday bell on the construction site, the workers were surprised to see a cart travelling down the dirt path, driven by Prince Kili. King Thorin rode beside him on his pony. Even without his crown and dressed in plainclothes, his majesty was undeniable to all present.
Stonehelm had been reviewing the blueprints with his workers when the king appeared. Stepping away from the table, he mopped his brow with his sleeve before giving Thorin a half-hearted bow.
"We did not expect to see you, your majesty," he said in his usual mocking tone. "What an honor to have your presence this morning."
Thorin did not reply as he dismounted. Turning to the kitchen staff and Kili, he said, "Distribute the food. See that Bard's men are fed first. They need their strength far more in this heat."
"Where is Signi?" Stonehelm asked, irritated that the king was not falling for his mockery. "She has been most diligent in feeding the men of Dale."
"Signi will not be coming to this site any longer," Thorin said, his blue eyes piercing as he glared at the captain. "She has other duties in the mountain more appropriate for a lady of Erebor."
"You have forbidden her from coming here," scoffed Stonehelm, shaking his head in disbelief. "You don't know Signi as I do. No amount of threats will stop her from doing something once she makes up her mind. She knows the people of Dale are starving, so nothing will stop her from trying to help them, even if it means getting thrown in the dungeons or banished from the mountain."
"Do you think I don't know that?" snarled Thorin. "It is not the men of Dale that worry me."
"Aw, you are worried about me? I'm touched," Stonehelm said with a sadistic smirk.
Thorin was fast despite his age, and before Stonehelm could react, the king grabbed the front of his tunic and lifted him off of the ground, slamming his back against the neighboring tree truck. "You will stay away from Signi," he snarled. "You will stay away from her if you value your life."
"Are you afraid?" Stonehelm asked, winded from the king's sudden action. "You hid the Arkenstone, begged my father for soldiers, sent the prince away, made deals with the King of Dale, and now you are threatening me. Fear does not become you, Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin growled in disgust and let Stonehelm drop to the ground. "Signi has a mind of her own, which is a blessing from Mahal. But she will try to defy me in any way possible, even if it means sacrificing her good judgement."
"And by that, I am assuming that you mean visiting me is against her good judgement," Stonehelm said, the smirk returning. "Perhaps you should tell her how I have lost your favor. I am sure your story is most entertaining."
"No more entertaining than your story," Thorin said darkly. "Perhaps you should see Signi again so I will finally have a reason to strike your name from the family record."
Stonehelm laughed at this, shaking his head in amusement. "Your threats me nothing to me, Oakenshield. I don't need you or your family to get what I desire anymore. But fear not, I will not seek Signi's attention. However, she is free to visit me anytime she likes."
"We shall see about that," Thorin growled. Turning away, he stomped off to join his staff in distributing food and visiting with the workers.
His conversation with Stonehelm replayed in the back of his mind all afternoon and long into the night. The captain was right – he needed to tell Signi the truth. But it was not his story to tell. No, it would have to wait. The only way he could stop her now was by showing her that her concerns were his as well. The sun rose the next morning to find Thorin slumped at his desk, a new plan to present King Bard written in Thorin's own hand. His council would object, but it was time for Thorin to prove that he was not the spineless king they accused him of becoming and that the Arkenstone could not sway him like his grandfather before him.