Thank you all again for the wonderful reviews! There is a lot going on in this chapter, but we are building up to some of the bigger events. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think :)
"I have been used to consider poetry as "the food of love" said Darcy.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is
strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I
am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
―Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice
More than a week passed before Signi felt bold enough to leave the mountain. Never had she seen Thorin so angry. And for once it seemed to have the desired effect - for the first couple of days at least.
It was Lifa's suggestion to get some fresh air. "Just a walk to the lake," she begged, as she dragged Signi out of the gloom of the library. "I am desperate to get away from Galen for an afternoon."
The day was hot and humid, as days in late-July tend to be. Both girls had sweat trickling down their necks by the time they reached the rocky banks of Long Lake. Stripping off their boots and stockings, it was a relief to sink their toes into the lake and to splash their faces with icy water. In the distance, they could hear the sounds of men and dwarves working on the construction site.
"Mahal, that dwarrowdam could drive Durin, in his grave, to madness," Lifa groaned, as she flopped back onto the damp shore. "Doesn't she understand that the prince would be a lot easier to let go if she would stop talking about him? If I have to hear 'maybe tomorrow his letter will arrive' one more time, I swear I will tear my braids out."
"Surely you haven't given up yet," Signi said, lying on the ground beside her sister. Picking up a smooth stone, she rolled it idly in her hands. Her heart was breaking with Lifa's, but she was determined to keep encouraging her to think positively.
Lifa scowled. "You doubt me. I mean it, I will not be deterred. The prince has made it clear that our relationship has come to an end. I shall forever hold him in my memory as the kindest, most loving dwarf I have known, but that is all. I have nothing to hope or fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Praise Mahal that I do not have that pain! He is to be king and it is only to be expected that his queen will be of equal birth. I can understand and appreciate that. I just need some time – I will certainly try to get better."
"Oh Lifa," Signi moaned sympathetically. "You are far too kind and accepting. I still believe there is hope for you."
Lifa looked away, biting her lip to hold in the sob that attempted to surface. Signi's hope was in vain. At least she was given a farewell of sorts, even if the note was not written by Fili directly.
"Lady Miri has been keeping our weaving group posted on the prince's travels," she said quietly, her eyes focusing on the lake's ripples rather than turning to see Signi's reaction. Anything to keep the tears at bay.
"Miri? That wench?!" Signi snapped, sitting up quickly. "How would she know about his travels? He hasn't even written Kili."
Lifa sighed and sat up as well, drawing her knees to her chest. "She said that he has been sending ravens to her. Just this morning she said that he had reached Beorn's home and was spending a couple of days resting before going through the mountains."
"That is ridiculous! There is no way that she could know that!" Signi cried, frantically trying to piece together an explanation.
"How else would she have learned about Beorn?" Lifa insisted. "Fili didn't spend enough time with her to share the stories of their quest. And she even mentioned Tauriel escorting him through the forest. How would she have known that?"
"She is lying," Signi growled. "Or else she has been spying on the king. Obviously Fili has been keeping him updated on his journey."
"I don't know," Lifa sighed. "I don't know what to believe anymore. One day I believe that we will be married after the king sorts out his problems, the next I hear the king's valet telling the other servants that he is determined to marry the prince off to Miri. If anyone would know the king's most guarded secrets, it would be Nadir."
"Nadir is a busybody who clearly has too much time on his hands if he is spreading slander like that," Signi said, tossing the stone she had been fidgeting with into the lake with a satisfying splash. "I bet he is the one who told Thorin that I was going down to the construction site."
Life rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing he did too. I still can't believe you were going down there and talking to all of those men. Haven't you listened to any of those stories Stonehelm has told you about their taverns? I would be too afraid to that they might get indecent ideas if I got too close. It was bad enough to just be in their presence at the ceremony."
"Durin's beard, you sound as archaic as Thorin," Signi grumbled. "Stonehelm's rowdy soldiers cause more problems in the taverns than the men of Dale, and why would I be afraid of them? They are starving and have no weapons training whatsoever. They are no match for me."
"It is still not appropriate. You should at least try to act like a lady. Even Stonehelm would be mortified to discover that the dwarrowdam that has his heart spends her days in the company of men."
"For Mahal's sake, you make it sound so sordid!" Signi cried, hastily grabbing her boots and yanking them on without her stockings. "Is it so wrong to make sure that another living soul has enough food to eat? Maybe if the king had planned this better, I would not have had to take over making sure his workers were fed!" Muttering in disgust, she stood and began stomping back toward the mountain.
Lifa jumped up and hurried after her sister with boots in hand. "You know, maybe if you had made the king aware of this problem instead of tackling it yourself, he could have dealt with it accordingly! This is not the Iron Hills, Signi. You can't just clean up the king's messes and expect him to be pleased like Dain would be. He is a King and has something to prove. It wouldn't look good if a dwarrowdam half his age came in and started doing things without his consent. Mahal, he can't even do anything without the council's consent!"
Signi did not slow down as she ran up the hill, trying to get away from her sister's dose of reality. "The king is too full of his own damn pride to accept help," she shouted over her shoulder. "I could tell him about the food shortage in Dale until I am blue in the face, but it would make no difference. The day Thorin Oakenshield pulls his head out of his ass is the day that I will ask before acting. If it means helping the people of Dale get what they need!"
Lifa was out of breath halfway up the hill. Scowling at her sister's retreating back, she flopped down in the grass to put her boots on properly. "No, Signi," she muttered, "It is you who is full of your own damn pride."
Signi's irritation with her sister lasted nearly a week after their disagreement. Their family was thankful that the girls were no longer inclined to settle their disputes by song. Instead, they avoided each other's company as much as possible, and refrained from speaking when seated in the same room.
During this time, Lifa did break her silence on just one occasion. It was after dinner, as the girls readied for bed, there was a knock on the door. A servant had come bearing a package wrapped in red silk and addressed to Signi.
"What in Durin's name…" Signi muttered as she took the gift with the hesitancy of a cat to water. "'For the enrichment of the beautiful mind of a beautiful lass. – Thorin'" she read, staring at the note in bewilderment. Slowly she pulled away the silk to reveal a book of poetry – love poems.
Immediately she dropped the book on the floor. "Thorin?! This came from Thorin?!" she screeched, glaring at the book as though it might bite.
Lifa watched her sister from across the room, muffling her snickers in the sleeve of her robe. "Which Thorin?" she asked, her smirk just shy of evil. "The note does not specify."
Signi felt horror wash over her when she realized that she hadn't considered the other Thorin. The question was, which Thorin did her sister think that she meant?
"I think it is obvious which Thorin sent it," Signi scoffed, praying that her sister could not detect the panic in her voice. Which one did send it?
"No," Lifa said, her grin growing wider with each passing beat. "It is not obvious to me. One Thorin is interested in the enrichment of your mind with books; the other is interested in the enrichment of your mind with romance. I haven't the faintest idea which one it could have been."
Signi's heart pounded as she searched the note for another clue. But of course, the note was written by an unfamiliar hand.
"Such a thoughtful gift," Lifa continued. "He must have spent hours poring over the books in the market to find that."
"I doubt that," Signi said, rolling her eyes. "It is more likely that he sent Nadir to the market –"
"Aha! You thought it was from the king! I knew it!" Lifa cried, nearly jumping on her bed in excitement. "You are falling for the king!"
Signi felt sick. She had never meant to reveal that Thorin Oakenshield had been her first thought on the matter. How was that possible? It was far more likely that Stonehelm had sent it to her, and frankly, it was far more pleasing to receive it from him.
Angry once more with her sister, Signi sent an expertly aimed pillow across the room and into Lifa's face. Grabbing the book off the floor, she stomped out of the room for some solitude and reflection.
Kara and Vifil were married in the Temple of the Everlasting Forge under the watchful stone eyes of Mahal, Yvanna, and Durin. The ceremony was officiated by Lord Balin, who could recite the words of their maker from memory. Whispers snaked through the crowds as the King and his sister made their presence. It was rare that the King viewed the marriage ceremonies of those in the merchant class, but as Vifil was employed by Thorin's aunt, he was bound by duty to his family to make an appearance.
Signi and her family were in attendance, though they opted to stay in the back out of respect for the bride's disagreement with Signi.
The ceremony was surprisingly short as Vifil had taken his employer's advice and did not read the entirety of the Khazad Covenant of Marriage and Estate Act as written in the first age, as well as the edicts made during the second and early third age in regards to marriage law. Instead, the couple shared vows of love, posterity, and prosperity until returned to stone they shall be. Gifts of silver and gems were exchanged, and Balin declared them husband and wife.
Lifa was polite enough to ignore Signi's tears during the ceremony, but she did not hesitate to nudge her each time the king looked her way. By the end of it all, Signi's arm was black and blue from Lifa's digging elbow.
Mikel walked with Signi behind the crowd as they made their way down to the feast in the great hall. Lifa walked ahead with Gloin and his family, Gimli acting as a buffer between his poor cousin and his mother.
"So, Signi," Mikel said, in a mildly amused tone. "I find that your sister has been crossed in love, and I must congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think about when the day is too long, and it gives her a little distinction amongst her friends should any of them be so bold as to fall for a seemingly worthy dwarf. So when will it be your turn? You never could let yourself be outdone by your sister. With all of the fine officers on Erebor's lawn waiting to disappoint the mountain's young ladies, let Stonehelm be the dwarf of your downfall. He has grown to be an agreeable fellow and would jilt you as well as the next young lad."
"Thank you, papa," Signi answered sarcastically. "But a much less agreeable dwarf would satisfy me. We can't all have Lifa's good fortune to be left waiting by a son of Durin."
"That is true," Mikel chuckled. "But we can be comforted that to think that whatever misfortune comes at the hand of a dwarf, you have an aunt and mother to make the most of it."
Signi groaned at the mention of her mother. She had been surprisingly silent on the matter of the prince's disappearance, making Signi suspect that she had not been informed.
"Have you told mama about him leaving yet?"
Mikel frowned. "No, but I imagine that she will find out in due course. A raven arrived this morning. Your mother and sisters will be joining us in two weeks time and will stay until Durin's Day."
"Why?" Signi cried. "Oh, Papa! This is not the time for them to come. With Lifa being so heart broken, and Elin so eager to find herself a soldier…it will be a disaster!"
"Come now," Mikel chided, wrapping a comforting arm around Signi's shoulder. "They are coming early to be here in time for your birthday. You must look on the bright side. I am sure your mother would be far more distracted by that book you received than the offer of marriage you refused."
"Mahal, papa," Signi groaned. "Your bright sides need a little polishing."
Night had fallen and Ori had left his post hours ago, but still Signi lingered in the library. Curled in the Thorin's favorite chair by the fire, she flipped aimlessly through the book of poems she had received three evenings prior.
The mystery of "which Thorin" still remained. In all of their years of friendship, Signi could not recall one instance in which Stonehelm had willingly picked up a book. Instead he teased her mercilessly for spending hours in the library when she could be sparring. He even went so far as claiming that too much reading could infect the mind, making your brains as addled as the old prostitutes in the villages of man. The possibility of him buying a book for her was negligible at best.
But the only alternative was that Thorin Oakenshield had made the purchase. The possibility that the king was involved in sending the book was even more unlikely than Stonehelm sending the book. In some ways she was not surprised that the king would send a gift, although that uncomfortable thought made her stomach flutter like a belly full of moths. After their most recent conversation, Signi half expected Thorin to be pounding on her door the next morning to make amends. Of course he would be too proud for an apology.
But surely he knew her better than that. Never had poems or stories of romance appealed to Signi. She turned to books for wisdom and knowledge, not petty entertainment. The king may have been her regular acquaintance for only a few short months, but somehow she felt as though his icy glare could see easily into the darkest crevices of her mind. Thorin Oakenshield knew her better than her closest friends and family - including Stonehelm. He would know better than to send a book of mushy poems.
But the note put a real kink in her suspicions. Did the king himself not say that a dwarrowdam must enrich her mind with extensive reading in order to be truly accomplished? It was too good of a coincidence for Stonehelm to have written it. But the king would never be so brazen.
The worst part about the whole confusion came in the form of a revelation while talking to Kili the following night. Desperate for clues, Signi decided to scour the king's nephew for any information. She was horrified when Kili, like Lifa, immediately deduced that she suspected that the book was from the king.
"I don't think Uncle would get you something like this," Kili said, as he flipped through the pages, his face contorting in disgust. Signi found it rather ironic that a dwarf that had fallen for an elf maid would be so unamused by love poems. But she decided it was best not to mention it.
"No, he definitely wouldn't get you this," Kili said again, pushing the book back across the table to Signi. "He would be far more likely to give you a book on self-defense or forging."
"That's what I thought," Signi sighed. "It definitely wasn't from Stonehelm. He would be far more likely to send a cask of ale."
"Your friend Stonehelm would," Kili said, his dark eyes dancing with mirth. "Suitor Stonehelm is a whole different story. I have heard that he is quite charming with the ladies."
This was not news to Signi. In the Iron Hills she often wondered how he managed to supply his affections to so many dwarrowdams at once. And she did not dare imagine what he was like in the taverns as the army traveled. This was part of the reason her attraction to him had taken her by surprise. Signi knew better than to fall into the hands of a rake, but Stonehelm seemed to have outgrown his childish ways in the months since she had last seen him.
But for some reason, that attraction was fading. He was still unbelievably handsome and Signi felt the deep pull of arousal when she saw him. But that was not enough. He had grown in maturity and composure, but there was a certain air of conceit about him that he could never shake. Stonehelm was well aware of his good qualities and he expected others acknowledge those qualities with each encounter.
"Signi," Kili said, breaking her from her thoughts. "I know you are a sensible lady, unlike so many of the dwarrowdams I have known in the Ered Luin." The seriousness in his tone piqued her curiosity more than it stirred worry. "I must beg you not to fall for him. I can't say why I have my doubts, but you must not let your sense get away from you."
"My goodness!" Signi cried, choking back the laughter that threatened to surface. Never had she seen the prince so serious. "If that is not the pot calling the kettle black. Who are you, Prince Kili, to accuse me of allowing my sense to get away from me?"
Kili grinned sheepishly. "I get it, I get it. But I am serious. I don't want you to fall for his manners and smiles like so many other ladies have."
Signi sighed before answering. "I am not in love with Thorin Stonehelm, nor shall I ever be," she said resolutely. "Yes he is handsome, and I have always considered him to be my dear friend. But it could never work. My father has grown quite fond of him, and Dain has always wished that we would marry. I must disappoint them. And him, perhaps, if he sent this book."
"Aye, it would be wise to return it if he is the one who sent it," Kili said, nodding in agreement. "And perhaps it would be good to follow uncle's orders and stay away from him. It would only encourage him further if you snuck away from under the king's nose to see him."
Signi scowled at Kili's reference to the king. Of course he was right. If she began sneaking out of the mountain, even if it was just to spite the king, Stonehelm would consider it a clear declaration of affection. But she couldn't let Thorin win this.
"What are you going to do if uncle sent it?" Kili asked, a little too nonchalantly.
This was a question she was not prepared for. Since there was no possibility that the king sent it, Signi had not considered how she would respond. To return it would be a clear rejection of his attachment, just as keeping it would be a clear acceptance. Signi's felt nauseous as she realized that she could not outright reject the king if he had actually sent the gift. Life in Erebor was so different that it had been in the Iron Hills, and yet she could no longer imagine her days without the infuriating Thorin Oakenshield.
"I don't know," she groaned, slumping forward and hitting her head repeatedly on the table.
"Well, that's good news,"Kili chuckled, reaching across the table to affectionately pat the back of her head. "At least Uncle has a sliver of hope."
A knock on his study door made Thorin jump, sending the needle he was pushing through leather into his thumb. "Come in!" he called after a few muttered swears. It didn't seem to be bleeding, but he popped the digit in his mouth for good measure.
Lady Dis entered the room with a smirk, her eyes instantly lighting on the king's project.
"I see you have taken up sewing in your free time," she teased, "You don't have to do it alone. You could always join my needlecraft group."
Thorin scowled and tried to set the project aside, but Dis was too fast. Yanking it out of his hands, she held the black leather holster just out of his reach.
"Hmmm, this is definitely too small to fit you. In fact, it is too small to fit most dwarves in the mountain. You must be making it for either a child or a slim lass…Surely not who I am thinking of…."
"Who says it is for anyone," Thorin grumbled, trying unsuccessfully to get it back from his sister.
Dis' eyebrow shot up in doubt. "The Thorin Oakenshield I know has never crafted anything for someone upon his own volition. No, this is definitely for a certain lady. And I am guessing it pairs nicely with those daggers that bear your mark." Dis gestured toward the twin daggers sitting beside the king's elbow. Both were expertly crafted with geometric engraving and inlaid rubies on the hilt. Thorin's emblem could be seen on the ends, mirroring that of his belt buckle.
"Never you mind who they are for," he growled. Reaching across the desk again, he was finally able to get the holster out of her grasp. Quickly, he stuffed it under his chair and prayed that Dis would forget that she ever saw it.
Rolling her eyes, Dis sat back in her seat and folded her hands demurely on her lap. "Nadir said you wanted to speak with me," she said.
Thorin nodded and pulled a piece of parchment out of his desk drawer. "Another message from Fili has arrived," he explained, handing the note to her.
"Oh good," Dis said as she read it. "He is in the mountains now. Oh no, that is not good at all. The place is positively teeming with orcs. Mahal, Thorin, why did you not send more of the guard with him?!"
"We couldn't risk being detected," he said quietly. If the circumstances were different, he would have gladly sent half of Erebor's army with Fili as he made the journey. But situation was far too tight to risk his council catching word of his true motives. "Fili is a strong fighter and he is travelling with six of our finest warriors. He will make it just fine."
"I still don't have to like it," Dis grumbled.
"No, you don't," the king agreed. "But I need you to do me a favor."
"Of course," Dis said in surprise.
"I need you to take that note and hide it in your rooms. Someplace that no servant or guest will find it."
"Alright, I will," she consented, "But why?"
Thorin sighed, lowering his voice to answer lest anyone was listening at the door. "We have a thief in the mountain. When Fili's first note went missing I thought that I had misplaced it. When the second and third notes went missing though, I definitely knew that they were being taken. No matter where I have placed them, they have been taken without a trace."
"Do you think someone is breaking in to take them?" Dis asked.
Thorin shook his head. "It is far more likely that a servant has been paid to take them. I don't know who is behind it, but I want to keep that information from certain dwarves in the mountain."
Dis' lip curled, her expression mirroring her brother's frequent scowl. "I would not be surprised in the slightest if Brasi is behind this."
"I agree," Thorin said. "But I can't do anything about him until Fili has done his job."
Dis groaned, but bit back a retort. Reaching across the desk, she picked up one of the daggers to inspect its design. "Signi is going to love these," she said quietly.
Thorin frowned. Was he truly that obvious? "If I ever get the opportunity to give them to her," he answered, not meeting his sister's eye. Why was this so hard to talk about? If anyone could give him advice it would be Dis.
"You certainly aren't making it easy on yourself," Dis teased. "Mahal, forbidding her from going to the construction site. Look how much good she was doing!"
"I didn't have a problem with her feeding the men," Thorin defended. "That's why I continue to send food each day. I had a problem with her spending time alone with that rat commanding them."
"Tell her that!" Dis cried. "She will never know what the issue is unless you tell her your concerns…Or perhaps you would rather she find out the way Vara did."
Thorin's eyes flashed in anger. "Do not even suggest it," he growled. "It is not my story to share, but I will be damned if Stonehelm lays a single hand on her. I was not there to protect Vara from him, but here I have the power to keep him far away from Signi."
"Not if you think locking her up in the mountain will work," Dis snapped. "Mercy, you have managed to go about this ass backwards. You had better be thanking Mahal for my little push. Signi would have been angry with you for the next century if she hadn't of received a certain surprise."
At his sister's words, Thorin felt his stomach drop. What surprise? Little push?
"What did you do," he asked, his voice edged with warning.
"Nothing much," Dis answered lightly, smirking at his deepening glare. "I just sent her a little gift from a certain king."
"Mahal almighty!" Thorin shouted. "Can't you leave anything be? And what exactly did this gift entail?"
Dis fought diligently to hold back her laughter. "I sent her a book of love poems for the enrichment of her mind, of course."
Thorin instantly unleashed a string of curses, his sister's smile growing wider with each one. Love poems after they had so recently argued? It was a wonder that Signi had not taken his head over the dinner table. "That is the last possible thing I would send her! Signi would sooner shave off her braids than read something like that."
"Exactly," Dis said triumphantly. "She will be so shocked by the gift that she will have to confront you about it. Then maybe you can finally tell her how you feel."
"There is nothing to tell her," Thorin growled.
Dis clucked her tongue in disapproval. "Don't lie to me, Thorin. I have never seen you so wound up by any dwarrowdam. You even went so far as to banish her from the construction site in case she might use the opportunity to visit with another dwarf. If that is not the symptom of jealous suitor, then I'll eat my beard!"
Groaning in annoyance, Thorin leaned his elbows onto the desk and massaged his now aching temples. "Fix this, sister. Or I swear to Durin I will make you sit through a month of grievances in my stead."
"You wouldn't!" Dis cried in mock horror. Dwarves were known for their general disagreeableness and dissatisfaction, thus making the King's daily sessions with his subjects the most tedious job in the mountain.
"I would," Thorin growled, the corner of his mouth turning slightly in amusement. "You had best tell Signi the truth first thing tomorrow if you don't want to spend the next month settling marketplace disputes."
Life was getting very interesting in the servant's hall. Reports from all areas of the mountain, from the forges to the kitchens, circulated through the staff. As the stories traveled from on mouth to the next, little details were added or removed until the gossip had taken on a life of its own.
Lady Lifa was spending her days in the watchtower, looking out over the landscaped watching for travelers. She was seen on more than once occasion visiting Hfran with a basket of sweets. The servants who had seen her suspected that she was asking the old raven-keeper about Fili's messages. They shook their heads sympathetically as they discussed it. Everyone knew that the old dwarf's mind was too far gone to remember a single message once it had been written.
Lady Signi had received a most intriguing gift. It had been sent by Lady Dis, but the servant who delivered the gift claimed that the tag said it was from the King. The servants who hauled water to the forges each day also reported that the king had been working diligently on twin daggers. They were definitely a gift for a lady as they were too small in hand for the king or any other warrior.
But the most intriguing bit of gossip came from the night guards. It was reported that King Thorin had been seen lurking each night for a week outside the treasury. Each time, he came closer and closer to opening the door, but never did gather the courage.
Since reclaiming the mountain, the king stayed far away from the treasury. It was fear of the Gold Sickness that kept him away from the riches. It was rumored that in the early months of his reign, Thorin would vomit at the mere mention of gold. He begged Balin to hide the Arkenstone and delegated all other monetary concerns to his Master of Coin. Thorin knew that his mind was weak, so he did everything within his power to stave off the sickness that overcame his grandfather.
So what did it mean if Thorin was trying to enter the treasury alone at night? Some of the servants thought that his illness was returning, and that someone should let Balin know so he and the other council members could stop him. A few even suggested looking elsewhere for employment so they were not living in Erebor when the madness finally struck.
But others were of a different mind. The king was stronger now, they argued, he was trying to address all of his responsibilities. If he had not cured his illness, he had most likely replaced his obsession with another. What that obsession was, no one could be sure.
Nadir found the entire dialog rather amusing as he brought the king's orders to the kitchen. It was obvious to him that Thorin long ago replaced his gold obsession with a certain young lady.