Chapter 27-The Proposal
Thorin groaned and rolled over the warmth of Philicia's back pressed against him. She turned over and her eye's bore into his. He planted a soft kiss upon her lip's before getting up and rushing to the bathroom. "Hey",she sat up" what ever happend to ladies first." Philicia called as he dashed past her. "I can wait if your need is greater." Thoin stopped and caught the smile spreading across her beautiful face. "That's ok you go ahead, I am going to go make some coffee." She said a cheerful sound in her voice."I will be out soon."Thorin called from the bathroom." Do you need anything before I go?"She inquired. 'Is there anymore of that stuff you call toothpaste?" Philicia handed him the tube and a toothbrush and left him to his bath. When she got to the kitchen Bombur was already starting breakfast.
What can I help with? "She asked the portly dwarf. "Ye can go and collect the fresh eggs." Bombur suggested." And then peel the potatos don't forget to set them to fry.I like the ye make them lass. While you do that I will get the sausages ready." So she headed out the door off the kitchen and there was a little path that led to the hen house. Philicia seeing the lever on the side unhooked the latch and lifted the long board exposing the nest's. She grabbed the eggs and put them in the basket and took them to Bombur. "Think this is enough?"She asked placing the basket on the counter. "That should be plenty, Now do you know how to peel with a knife?" Bombur asked handing her the pearing blade." I sure do." She said reaching for the bucket of rinced potato's. Philicia had them peeled ,chopped and frying in a short time. Bombur was impressed at her skill in the kitchen."Who taught you to cook lass?" He asked his curiousity getting the better of him. "My mom had me in the kitchen since I was little. She would show me easy things like how to make toast, macaroni and cheese and when I got older more complicated things like receipe books . She taught me how to make Lasagna, Beef Provencale, how to grill a good steak .Lot's of thing's." Her eye's misted over as she thought of all the times they spent in the kitchen together. Philicia got the plates out while Bombur made the egg's. "How does Thorin like his?" She asked Bombur going to the old fashioned stove. "Aye lass he likes them fried and don't bust the yolk's." Bombur answered her as she cracked the egg's in the pan. "Make him three alright." So after a while Philicia called to everyone. "Breakfast is ready." They poured in from all direction's. Fili and Kili from outside Thorin from the room and Balin from the forge. Ori,Nori ,and Dori from the front yard. Gloin and Oin from the front room along with Beorn and Gandalf and the rest from everywhere. Bombur and Philicia had cooked a feast. Sausage, egg's, Fried Potato's and fresh fruit along with more of those delicious honeycake's. "Hope there to your liking."She said placing Thorins plate in front of him."You made these?"He emitted ,surprise upon his face. "Thank you ." After everyone had their plates Philicia and Bombur fixed their's. "Bombur these are not your potato's." Bofur said taking another bite." They are delicious none the less." "Thats because I did the potato's. " Philicia 's face beamed. She wanted to show Thorin she could cook ,clean and make thing's with her hand's. She wanted to be worthy to be his queen one day. Little did she know the king had already been planning for that very thing.
So the day's passed peacefully for the company . Every day they would train and then break for lunch then more training. Dwalin was rentless when it came to keeping your skills sharp and your blades and bow's also. Oin had deemed Philicia's arm healed and she had started sparring with them again .Her progress was slow but she knew enough now she could defend herself or someone else if necessary. And every night she would lay within The Dwarven King's embrace they would share kisses and would talk of her world. "So tell me what do you miss the most?" She asked one night turning over to meet his face." Hot Shower's, Chineese Food and car's." Thorin laughed. "Gosh I swear no matter what or where you all are from,guy's and car's." Philicia snuggled closer to Thorin her head laying on his chest." Do you miss it?" He asked stroaking her chin. "Sometime's I miss everything about my world but there is nothing for me there anymore. In my world you would be gone and i couldn't bear it. "Thorin's strong arm's wrappped around her."It is good you came back with me for I could not be without you either." He said placing a soft kiss on her crown. "I love you Thorin Oakenshield, now and forever." The morning sun shown into the room rousing them from their slumber. Philicia gasped and suddenly sat up. Reaching for her purse she felt for her phone. Powering it on the chiming noise woke Thorin up even more."Sorry "she said checking the screen. She slunked the phone back in her bag and fell back on the pillows. "Oh wow" she said quietly. "What is it my love are you alright?" Thorin sat up suddenly . "It's nothing it's just today is the Sixth of August." Philicia exhaled as she she fiddled with the bed covers. "What of it." Thorin asked propping himself up on his elbow one hand resting on his cheek. "Today is my Eighteenth birthday." Thorin shifted sitting up he cupped her chin in his massive hand's. "Well then today is a very special day indeed." He kissed her lip's and dressed then went to find the other's. Philicia deceided to take a bath this morning figuring she deserved it since it was her birthday. Thorin came into the large parlor and everyone was already up. "Good ,you all are here." Their king spoke a serious tone in his voice. "Philicia has just told me today is her birthday." Thorin beamed. "We must do something for her." Balin suggested. "Yes somthing special after all one only turnes Eighteen once." Thorin raised his hand silencing them all. "I want this to be a surprise so don't let it slip." Bombur you can make the cake and everyone else well you can present her with something if you wish too." The company all nodded their heads in agreement. "Aye and yes was heard from everyone. So Beorn distracted her while the thing's were being prepared. Thorin went to find Balin. " It is finished. "He told him. "Aye laddie let's have a look at it?" Balin 's eye's moistend up when Thorin pulled the ring out of his pocket. He had it encased within a small box covered in blue velvet the diamonds in the middle shining like the halls of Erebor itself. "Do you think she will accept?" Thorin's words stumbled out his heart pounding. "Well laddie there is but one way to find out." Balin patted Thorin on the shoulder. "You have always been there for me no matter what and I pray that you will continue to do so." Thorin said as he went to find his future queen. She was sitting outside petting a shaggy dog who seemed ready to drop a litter of pup's any day now. "Philicia a word with you please ." Thorin held out his hand. "Is everything ok?" She asked as he led her away from the house. "Will you walk with me?" He asked his hand clutching her's tightly to keep it from shaking. "So how are you doing? " Thorin turned her to face him. "I'm fine it's just if anyone had ever told me I would be spending my Eighteenth birthday with a king I would have laughed them off the face of the planet." She stood ramrod straight in front of Thorin. "And now." He asked his lip's claiming hers tenderly. "Philicia I love you so . I have never felt this way about anyone and I never thought I would. As you know I was betrothed to someone through an arrangement between my grandfather . A dwarrodame from the Iron Hills ,then the dragon came and that was that. As you know I never met her so it does not matter. What does is here and now with you. with this that is between us." Thorin took both her hand's in his his thumb's brushing over her knuckles tenderly. "I love you to as I have said, I loved you in my world when you were but a person from a book and movie. You stole my heart away and when you died I died with you. My beautiful Thorin was gone. Then I ended up here and you found my and I really fell in love with you, and I'm scared of losing you of not doing what I was brought here to do. How could I ever go on without my heart, without you." Thorin let her hand go and she reached up and caressed his bearded cheek going to her tip toes and kissing him softly . "Menu tessu, azyungal. " Thorin breathed." You are everything, my love." He told her in the common tounge also." Suddenly Thorin dropped to his knees before her in the soft grass. "Philicia I have loved you since I first saw you that morning. I desire no other , only you." His blue eye's were seeking her's and when they found them their stares locked. " Thorin what are you trying to say." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. "I want you beside me for all of my day's not as my lady but as my queen."Thorin clasped her hands in his again bringing them to his pounding chest. "Oh my Gawd Thorin ,are you serious?"Philicia's breaths came in gasps as she took in the sight of the king on his knees before her."Say yes and make me the happiest Dwarf in all Middle Earth."Thorin said tears streaming from his fathomless blue eye's. He took her left hand and started to slip the ring on her finger .The ring he held before her was stunning. It had three diamond's in it the largest in the center and two smaller diamonds on both sides all set beautifully into a gold band. Philicia started to cry then composed herself she had to think. "Thorin I want to so bad you couldn't even began to imagine how much. Please let us talk first." He patted the grass gesturing for her to join him."Now the matter." She cast her eye's to the ground not being able to meet his."Thorin I, there are other thing's to concider here not just you and I." She said trying not to cry seeing Thorin's face all full of tears. "What other thing's?" He asked the hurt showing in how he spoke. "Well for instance your kingdom, what will they think I know dwarves are very secretive about their ways and traditions and I , what if they don't like me I'm not even a dwarf I am a human ,what if they don't accept me?" Thorin thought for a second. "Philicia there are a lot of what if's in the life what if. " "Ahhha" He got up his hand's raised in the air in frustration. "Thorin If we do this anyway they could have you removed from the throne, the kingship given to Fili. Fili would be an awesome king I know his uncle prepared him well. But that does not change the issue at hand. What do you think your people will say when you want to place a human woman as your queen on the throne? Answer me Thorin I need to know, please." She stood up and faced him. "Please look at me don't turn away. Thorin I do want this I just want your people to accept me." She reached for him then. "I feel so foolish I should have known." He grumbled to himself. "You were only following your heart and I am not saying no."He turned and his eye's met her's . "Then what are you saying?" Thorin's shoulders shook letting the pain show. He was taking deep gulping breaths holding the sobs at bay. "I am saying that I will accept the ring as a promise and I will be your queen but I want your people to love me as they do you .What kind of king would you be knowing your people dispised me. I couldn't do that to you I love you too much." She cried then great sobs and gasps coming from her mouth the tears breaking free flodding down her cheek's."Thorin." she cried out reaching to him. "Oh my heart please do not cry I cannot stand to see your beautiful face all streaked with tears." Thorin held his arm's open and she ran into them. He enclosed his limb's around her rocking her gently as his own eye's overflowed. "So will you wear the ring ,as a promise for the future." "I will Thorin." They walked back hand in hand the diamond ring on Philicias left ring finger shining brighly in the summer sun. When they got to the house Thorin opend the door and what Philicia found caused her to squeal in surprise. "Happy Birthday lass ,Lady Philicia" they all called in unison. ."Did you know about this?" She asked Thorin as a smile spreas across his regal face. "I did indeed."Was all he said as Bombur wheeled the biggest Birthday cake Philicia had ever seen out into the dining room. Philicia looked at the cake it had white frosting alll over it with lime green and pink trim and roses adored all around the three tiers. There were Eighteen candles on the top lit and dripping wax all over. "Make a wish dearie." Balin said. Everyone cheered as Philicia was silent for a second then blew out the candles in one breath."Thank you everybody for making this the best birthday ever I love all of you." Bombur scooped stew in bowls foreveryone and after they ate Phlicia cut the cake serving all a hearty portion. "I hope you have enjoyed this day my heart? "Thorin leaned in and wispered in her ear. "Now don't go running off theres more." Balin said. From Bombur she had the cake. Fili and Kili presented her with a bow and arrows, Oin offered to teach her the healing art's, Ori presented her with a drawing he had scetched of her and Thorin, Balin and Dwalin gave her wood carved roses, Bilbo presented her with a bouquet of fresh picked flower's. Next it was Gloin's turn and he gave her a pair of earrings made from the amythest jewels of the Blue Mountains. Beorn had promised her a puppy once they were born and weaned and Dori and Nori gave her gold coins three from both of them. Bifur gave her an iron carving of two heart's entertwined together. And Bofur had painstainkly sewn her a shirt of deep emerald green. "Now all there is now is Thorin's gift." Balin smiled at his king knowingly. "As you all know I have come to care for The Lady Philicia very much." Thorin placed his hands on her shoulder's."And I have done the same." She looked up at Thorin then. "I have asked Philicia to marry me..." Before he could finish shout's of to the king were heard all over. Thorin raised his hand ordering everyone to be silent. "Philicia thinks it would be wise to hold off on an official betrothal till we are sure the people will accept her . however she wear's the ring I gave her as a promise." "I need to be accepted then and only then will this happen I can not risk Thorin being removed from the throne. He has fought too hard for it." She thanked everyone then scooped up all her birthday gift's and took them to her room. Beorn stopped her in the corridor. I do hope I am invited when the times come's. Oh Beorn you gotta know it." She hugged the Skinchanger and shut the door. Just then Thorin entered the room a serious look upon his face. "We leave for Mirkwood in the morning do not wait up for me I might be late." "Ok." She said and began packing their thing's away. "Thorin don't worry we will get thorough this. Philicia hugged him tightly. "I know. "And he shut the door.
So while she got everything ready for tomorrow's journey Thorin Bilbo ,Gandalf, Beorn and the dwarves were gathered around the table discussing the plan for the rest of the quest." So you are going to try and reclaim the mountain?"Beorn affirmed. The Skinchanger poured more milk for the company and laid out some of the leftover Honeycakes from supper. "You need to reach the mountain before the last day's of Autum."Beorn said pouring milk in a bowl for the kittens on the floor. "Before Durin's Day ,yes." Gandalf added catching Thorin riviting his eye's at Beorn. He stood with his back against the post deep in thought. His rib's were still a little tender from the warg attack a few week's ago. Beorn had been kind in his healing advise and the herbal tea he gave him to drink did indeed help the bone to mend faster. They only bothered him when he put too much strain on them. Philicia would get on his case and make him sit for a while. Even tho she was overbearing at times he knew she cared. "You are running out of time." Beorn let his gaze linger on his houseguest. "That is why we must go through Mirkwood." Gandalf told Beorn .Thorin brought his attention back to the present at the mention of the Elven King's domain. "A darkness lies upon that forest. Foul things creep beneath the trees. There is an alliance between the orc's of Moria and The Necromancer in Dol Goldur.I would not venture there except in great need." Thorin listend to Beorns warning and his thoughts turned to the conversation he had with Philicia several day's ago about Giant spiders in Mirkwood ."We will take the Elven road. Their path's are still safe."Gandalf looked at Thorin then back to Beorn . "Safe! " The giant man went to his feet."The Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin, less wise and more dangerous." Beorn spoke his voice strained with worry. "But it matters not." Beorn slowly circled around the massive table till he came to a stop next to Thorin . Philicia had finished packing their thing's up leaving only her laptop out for later. She had wandered out into the hallway and quietly listend to the meeting going on in the dining room."What do you mean?" The Dwarven King asked Beorn. "These lands are crawling with orc's, their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the mountain alive." Philicia let out a gasp of breath and Thorin turned his head catching her standing there tears streaming down her face. "Philicia." He called to her. She hurled herself into Thorin's waiting arms buring her face in his chest her fingers reaching up to twist in his ebony locks. " Shhh,shhh." He wispered to the distraught girl his hands splayed across her back rubbing up and down trying to soothe her. Beorn looked at the stunning young woman in Oakenshield's embrace and his heart ached for the two of them. "I don't like dwarves they are greedy." Philicia turned in Thorins arms to look Beorn in the face."Not all of them. " She said . "Thorn could have left me there to fend for myself,but he didn't, He took care of me he tended my wound on my head, he kept me warm and , so please don't think these dwarves think less of anyone that's not their kind. I am nothing but a human girl from far away but Thorin has trusted me with his heart and in my book that stand's for a lot. I would be lost without his love." She let the fresh tears that had been threatening fall freely. "You speak with much love in your heart for The king." Philicia nodded her head at Beorn. "Orc's I hate more, what do you need?" So while Beorn and the rest of the company saw to the provisions for the rest of the journey Thorin followed Philicia back to the bedroom. "Sorry I did not mean to listen in it just kinda happpend." Thorin came and stood before her taking her head between his palms his head leaned in till his lip's were upon her's. The kiss was swift but no less tender. "It is alright my heart, Now we need to talk about what you know of Mirkwook a bit more." He said sitting on the bed. "I figured you would so I got my computer booted up and ready. Philicia sat down next to him her laptop at the ready. "See this is Mirkwood every place there is a red dot there are spider's nest's." Thorin leaned in to view the screen. "And what is this?" He asked pointing to the line that ran throught the forest image. "That is the elven path, the trail you are meant to take. but if you go this way for sure we will run into spider's" "No!" He said his words breaking. "We must avoid them at all cost's their venom is a sickening poison." So for the next hour Thorin and Philicia plotted a new path through Mirkwook . They would bring Gandalf in on the change come morning.
