Well I made it to chapter 50 . The dwarves are finally returning to the mountain and one specific dwarrowdam is going to make her apperance. Also it is Christmas time and Thorin has a special surprise for his lady love. Now,let's keep going with the story.
Disclaimer I don't own any of the Hobbit characters only my O/Cs.
Chapter 50
Christmas in Erebor.
Thorin rounded up the company the very next morning and explained to them what he wanted to do. "Balin I want you to distract Philicia somehow while we prepare everything. Also I would you to play Santa Clause, for the children." Thorin said to the white haired dwarf. "Bifur,Bofur I want you both to make the toy's for the children thing's for a boy or a girl. Dwalin , you go with Fili and Kili to get a tree. As big a you can carry." Thorin also told his nephews to make sure they took a wagon to bring it back in. Bombur you are tasked with the food." Thorin then told him what to cook for the Christmas Dinner. Ori Nori and Dori were in charge of rounding up help to make the ornament's. "Gloin you are going to be overseeing the placing of the jewels on the tree and the gold coins in each stocking for each child." Thorin then turned to Oin." I want you to help Balin distract Philicia.""And some one needs to sew a red suit with white fur trim and a hat to match for Balin." Any questions if so bring them to me now." Thorin said in his stern voice. "A, I have one." Bofur asked. "What is it?" Who's going to hang the red fabric out front.?" Thorin looked at everyone the twelve that had followed him through everything." I am certin you will come up with a solution."
So once task's were assigned everyone started working on the enormous project instantly. The hard part was keeping it all from Philicia. Balin and Oin had deceided they were going to have Philicia help them in the library sorting out old book's. that would keep her busy long enough so they could get everything ready. Thorin was going down to the forge to construct a large tree stand an he was also going to be placing the smaller tree in Philicia's chamber. So for the next three days every one worked on the secret project . Christmas eve morning found Philicia talking with Tillie .The girl had been diligent and her and Philicia were slowly becoming friend's. She also had kept Thorin and Philicia's courtship to herself."Do you think it will snow more today?" Philicia asked as she went to the balcony doors and turned the handle stepping out into the cold December morning. "What the heck are they up to now?" Philicia said as she saw Fili,Kili and Dwalin riding away in a flatbed cart toward the forest . "Tillie can you finish up I need to get out of here?" Tillie finished tucking the blanket's in then turned to Philicia. "I am nearly done." She answered noticing Philicia's depressed mood. "Is all well with you Philicia?" Tillie asked. 'I am fine thank you." With that Philicia shot out the door. The first person she encountered was Balin as she met him on the stairs going down. "Oh there you are my dear." Balin said giving her a warm smile. "Hi, have you seen Thorin this morning?" Philicia asked as she stopped opposite Balin. "I think he is in the forges inspecting the recently placed new grating. My dear I was wondering of I could enlist your help in the library a to help me sort out and shelf the book's?"Balin asked the question falling from his lip's smoothly."I would love to help you it would be a ,oh nevermind." she sighed. "When do you want me there?" Philicia asked. "Right after lunch would fine my dear. See you then."Balin and her continued on their way. Philicia ran into Thorin a while later. She had ran into a dwarf woman who's son wanted to touch the beardless lady's face. So Philicia had stooped down while the child ran his fingers over her chin giggiling at the smooth skin he found there. 'He is a handsome little fella. "She told the boy's mother."You know for a human you seem very kind." The dwarrowdam told her. "Philicia". She said. "And you are?" " I am Marena." The golden haired woman said. ' I have just come from the Blue Mountain's. It was a dreadfully long trip one I hope to never make again." Marena had struck up a conversation with her caring not that she was a human. "I hear you,it seemed like forever when we were making the journey." Suddenly Marena gasped. "Oh my you are the human woman that traveled with the king's company on the way to reclaim the mountain and slay the dragon."The dwarrowdam looked on at Philicia respect and admiration shining in her hazel eye's. "I am and I must say I hope to never do that again either." The two women laughed and Philicia agreeded to meet her for tea at her house tomorrow afternoon at three. She still had no idea what was happening right under her nose. After spotting Thorin coming toward her sweaty and dirty from being in the forges he walked strait up to her." Philicia." He said telling the two dwarves he was walking with to continue on and he would catch up. "Did you find Balin?" Thorin asked. "I did ,he asked me to help him in the library sorting book's." Philicia said reluctantly. "And?" Thorin asked trying to hide a smile. Clever Balin that should keep her busy just long enough. Thorin thought silently. He saw the sad look on Philicia's face and quickly pulled her into the closest room. "Are you alright ,what is troubling you?" Thorin asked holding his huge hands cupping her cheeks and the sides of her head."I'm ok just a missing thing's that's all." Thorin brought their lip's together in a soft kiss . "I know my love thing's will get better I do not want you to be unhappy. " Thorin quickly kissed her again saying he would see her later.
For the rest of the day she was sequestered in the library with Balin and Oin sorting book's and parchment and organizing document's. Meanwhile around Erebor massive changes were taking place. In the Gallery of the King's red silk fabric had been strung from one side to the other hanging in graceful swag's. Fili and Kili along with a Dwalin had returned right after lunch with the biggest pine tree they could find. It was now being set in the stand Thorin had made just that morning. There were also crates filled with colorful jewels to simulate thr lights and yard's and yard's of garland. Out on the main front gates three dwarves were in the proscess of hanging the giant wreath complete with a red bow on the front gate. There was also red swagged fabric hanging from the upper terrace and two poles shaped into candycanes with red and white striped paint placed on both sides of the entrance. Thorin the only one besides Philicia knowing how everything should look after being in her world right around the holiday . For the rest of the afternoon things went quickly ,the tree was nearly completed ,the pies were being made for tomorrow and the toys were almost done. Bifur and Bofu had rounded up six more toymakers from Erid Luin to help and after telling them the king's plan they all agreeded to help. Now as the evening was closing in a hush fell over the kingdom as the dwarves came out of their quarters with awe on their faces. In The Grand Entryway stood a fifty foot Christmas Tree. The jewels hanging catching the light from the lanterns throwing a colorful spectrum of light upon the stone walls. The silver garland was draped around the tree in a cascading pattern and the red tree skirt was placed at the bottom. There were wreaths and candles place along the upper terrace railings hanging where the red draped garland joined together. Thorin when he was satisfied with everything took Fili and Kili to set up the tree in Philicia's chamber. For her tree They chose colors of purple an blue and in no time the task was done. 'The dwarves of Erebor were all wondering what was going on and why there was a huge tree standing in the entryway. "The king will explain everything in a little while." Balin said . 'Are we under attack?" Another dwarf hollered. "No, all is well this is a joyous event one I am sure the children will most enjoy." Balin spoke to the quickly gathering crowd as Thorin went to fetch Gloin and Philicia from the library. "Get the company here also Balin. I will return shortly." Thorin quickly took off down the corridor that led to the massive library near the back left corner. Gloin was just helping Philicia place the stack of now sorted book's on the shelf when Thorin came into the room and gave Gloin a quick nod. Gloin with a smile on his face Philicia had never wittnessed till now quickley left them alone. 'You have done excellent work in here I should make you Erebor's official Librarian." Thorin breathed coming up to her."Philicia do you know how much I love you?" She just stared at him wondering what was going on."I think so." She answered just before Thorin's lip's came crashing down over her's. He kissed her with so much emotion she was left gasping for air. "Come with me there is something I want to share with you." Philicia didn't see the wide smile that had spread across the King's face. They walked hand in hand and once they reached the archway that led to the main throughfare Thorin suddenly stopped. 'Philicia will you permit me to cover your eye's?" Thorin asked holding a thick black cloth. 'Thorin, what's going on?" She asked trying to understand the fact that he was acting really strange. "You will see in a moment my love." So Philicia let Thorin lead her the rest of the way. 'Mmmn, I smell Pumpkin Pie." Philicia said. Thorin looked alll around . The light s were twinkling the company was all there and Thorin nodded and swiftly pulled the cover from Philicia's eye's. She was completly speechless as her mind refused to believe what her eye's saw. Thorin had stood her in front of the massive tree now standing in the Grand Entryway. "Oh my god,Oh my god. it's ...Oh Thorin is this what you have been up to?" She gasped as she spotted the wreath hanging from the rampart's of the upper terrace. "I knew I could not take you to your world for Christmas, so I got everyone together and brought Christmas to you." Thorin said. From the balconies and their homes they watched as the spectacle unfolded. "I love you." Thorin breathed and not caring anymore who saw pulled Philicia into his embrace and kissed her in front of the whole kingdom. All went silent as the dwarves wittnessed their king and the human woman sharing a passionate embrace. 'I love you so very you for this." Philicia said as tears flowed freely down her face.
"Well since it is Christmas Eve Thorin, is their any way we can get all the children to gather in the Geat hall? She said still stunned at Thorin's surprise. "Why my heart?" He asked. "I would like to tell them a story." So Thorin had Kili and Fili go to the family section and ask parent's to bring all their children to the Great Hall. 'After about thirty minutes led by their curious parent's The children all poured into the large room and seated themselves in a semi circle on the plush carpet. "My Lady may I be permitted to ask what is going on?" A mother asked as she nursed an infant while seating a toddler next to her. "Now," Philicia began. "I would like to share a story with the children so everyone put on your listening ear's. Ok." The children all nodded as Bombur came out bearing hot cocoa with candycane sticks for stirrers on a cart. He passed them out as Philicia began her story.
"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring,not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care."At those word's some of the children turned their heads finally noticing the stockings all hung on the Grand Fireplace mantle. "In hopes that soon would be there..The children were all nestled all snug in their bed's while vision's of sugarplum's danced in their head's." Philicia during the story had used various hand gesture's to further describe the story. The dwarves all had gathered in the huge room and around the entrance trying to catch a word or two of her unsual tale. "And ma in her kerchif and I in my cap had just setteled down for a long winter's nap." Philicia concluded the story wishing all the Children a very merry Christmas. Thorin made the announcement to have parent's bring their kid's in the Grand Entryway tomorrow morning at nine am. "Thank you my Lady that was a wonderful tale." Some of the other parents just left without a word. "Do you think they liked it Thorin?" Philicia asked as they made their way to the royal wing. "I am sure they did. The children were most intrigued." Thorin said kissing her hand. "Well here we are My Lady. Thorin opend the door for her and Philicia brought her hands to muffle the cry that came from her mouth a she took in the Christmas Tree standing in the Ante Chamber of her room. "It's beautiful." She cried throwing her arm's around Thorin's neck and twisting his hair in her hand's. "I am pleased that you like it my love. "Thorin said bringing their lip's together. Philicia opend her mouth as their tounges brushed eachother. A soft growl came from Thorin's throat as he let his emotions wash over him like a wave of water. "Oh Mahal help me?" He moaned into her mouth deepening the kiss. "Oh Philicia my heart,my love. "Thorin said reaching for her shirt and pulling it over her head. 'He brought her even closer till they were flush against eachother. Thorin shucked off his silver tunic and then his undershirt till his naked chest was pushed against her. "Thorin, Thorin " she gasped a his hardness rubbed up against her. "Oh I," Suddenly he pulled back. "I am sorry." he wispered laying his head in her shoulder. "Get some sleep." He turned to leave." Thorin, stay with me?" She softly asked her eyes tearing up. "I miss you holding me I miss sleeping in your,your arm's." Thorin took two step's and he was wrapping his arm's around her carrying her to the connecting door. Twisting the lock he pulled the door shut behind them. Thorin placed Philicia on his large bed and sifted through a drawer and handed her a dark blue tunic to sleep in. The soft mattress gave beneath his weight and Thorin blew out the candles . With the soft light from the fireplace being the only light in the room the king tucked her head beneath his chin and brought his arm's around her. Thorin waited till she was in a deep sleep and quietly slipping off the bed he lifted Philicia in his arm's and carried her to her room. Thorin lightly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and let her sleep. Softly creeping over to the door that ajoined her chamber to his he reached for the box and placed the gifts from the company under the small tree standing in the corner of the Ante Chamber.
Christmas morning came with the snow falling softly over The Lonley Mountain. The whole kingdom was a buzz with from the events of last night. The kiss Thorin had planted on Philicia left people wondering what the beautiful human woman and the king meant to eachother. Was King Thorin already spoken for and would this girl be their future queen. Only time was to tell. Philicia jumped up upon realizing she was in her own bed. She pulled the blanket's up to her chin still wearing Thorin's blue tunic when Tillie entered the room. "Oh you scared the heck out of me.! Philicia stammered as Tillie sat her breakfast tray on the table. "Thank you." Philicia told her. "Tillie it is Christmas, a holiday where I come from. Please take the day off, go and spend it with your family." Philicia said to her Lady in Waiting. "Oh,Thank you so very much and I will see you later at the Feast " Tillie hugged Philicia and dashed out the door. She watched till she slipped through the big oaken doors at the entrance to the royal wing. "Oh I am not even hungry yet." Philicia sighed removing the cover from the steaming plate of food. She turned to look at the tree and that's when she saw the packages all wrapped in colorful fabrics placed around the bottom of the tree. She stooped down and read the tags attached to each gift. She stood and went to her closet and pulled out the gifts for each company member except Bilbo and Gandalf. Philicia had given them to the wizard before they left and the gift for Arwen also since she knew they would be passing through Rivendell on the way home. Philicia's special gift for Thorin she would present to him in private.
She was just about to slip off her robe to dress when there was a knock on the door. "Hold on ,be there in a sec." She said. "Philicia"? Thorin called. "Thorin, Merry Christmas!" She said pulling him into her room. "The same to you my love." He greeted her with a kiss on her cheek. I was just about to get dressed and then I .. " she trailed off her hand waving to the tree. A big smile spread across the kings face as his eye's drifted to the tree."Ah yes there is one from each of us. just be careful with Bombur's ." He said grinning. "I know you have got me really curious." Philici giggled. "Well go unwrap them." Thorin said. "Wait I have got something for all of you too." She said as Thorin sat on the chair ."I want to wait till the company is here before I start. Would you maybe go and get them.?" Philicia asked and Thorin agreededhe said he would be back in a while to get ready. It took almost an hour to get everyone together and she had no sooner slipped on the Emerald Green and Gold dress when the king returned . Fili and Kili were first followed by Balin and Dwalin then Bifur ,Bofur and Bombur . Then Ori Nori andn Dori and last were Gloin and Oin Thorin was very last with a huge package in his hand's. "Thank you all for sharing this most special day with me." She began her eyes stopping on all present. "I have something for each of you so if everyone would get comfortable I will began passing these out. Once everyone had their gift in hand Philicai said "Ok start unwrapping." Fabric flew everywhere as the content's of the packages were revealed. Over the last months Philicia had painstakingly made Tunics for all the company in their favorite colors. "I hope you like them."She said hugging each company member and wishing them a Merry Christmas. "Well lass you are next." Balin said. So while Philicia sat on the floor Thorin sat next to her an handed her each gift one by one. "Oh I don't know what to say." She said as Thorin handed her Bombur's first. Bombur had made her a whole plate of his honey cakes which he had dyed red and green. She passed one out to everyone and still had a plateful for later. Next came Gloin's gift. He had a small cup filled with gold coins saying she had a heart of gold so she should have some of her own. Oin came next. He had a box of medicional herbs he had given her with written instructions how to use them . Bifur and Bofur's gift came together they had made a porcelin doll complete with purple eye's for her with a beautiful yellow dress and bonnett. Ori Nori and Dori were next. From Ori she received a journal ,Nori a blouseand Dori a skirt. Balin gifted her with a bottle of perfume and lotion and last was Thorin's gift. He stood up and brought the big present in wrapped in Sapphire Blue and a Silver trimmed bow to her. Philicia stood and stared at Thorin then at everyone's smiling faces. "What." she said her hand reaching for the pretty ribbon. 'I am so keeping this, all of it." She laughed as the corner of the fabric folded to the floor. "Oh my my god!" She gasped her hands cupped over her mouth. Thorin had comissioned a painting of him and her standing on a balcony with the Los Angeles skyline lit up in the background." I thought this would be a way to always remember where you came from." Thorin embrace her as she burst into tears. "It's beautiful ,but how?" She asked wiping her eye's. "I know someone who happens to be quite the artist and I had it done just in time it would seem." Thorin kissed her sweetly then getting the hook out of his pocket The company helped him hand thepainting over the fireplace. "Perfect" She said throwing her arm's around him. 'Well we better get going time to meet all the children in the Grand Entry for more gift giving." Thorin said as everyone stood. "Balin,do you have the red suit ready?" Philicia asked. "Aye lass I do, but what need I say again?" Balin smiled at Philicia. 'You simply come out with the bag of candies and say in a happpy voice Ho Ho Ho,Merry Christmas." Then hand out the goodies and stockings to the children." Aye lassie I am most looking forward to this." Balin said his face beaming.
They were all waiting for just a few minutes when the children led by their parent's came trickeling in to the Grand Foyer. 'Good morning your Magesty. The dwarves and dwarflings greeted him with bows and curtsey's. Once all the children were there Thorin and Philicia started passing out the gift's. "Now once you each have something you may unwrap it." Thorin said smiling at the children. Happy smiles looked upon the king and the human woman as the children began removing the fabric from the boxes. There were oosoo and aaahas as toy sword's dolls and treats of all sort's were unwrapped. "Get ready Thorin, here comes Balin." Philicia said he came around the corner. "HO,HO,HO Merry Christmas."Balin said droping the bag in front of the children. The Santa suit was perfect down to the white fur trimmed hat. "I have a gift for you all. Have you children been naughty or nice this year?" Balin smiled from underneath his long white beard. "NIce." the children said in unison. So as the parents looked on in amazement more toy's were passed out along with gold coins an candycanes and all kinds of treat's . "Now hopefully I willl see all your happy faces at the feast this afternoon." The king said as he started helping Philicia and the company with the clean up. The fabric that was salvageable was put into one pile and the other was set for discard. "Welll my dear that was quite a display there." Balin said as he stuffed fabric into a bag.
So the word was all over the kingdom what had taken place that morning. The children were joyful as they pretended to swordfight and the girl's played with their dolls. The time for the feast was upon them and everyone was making their way to the Great Hall for what King Thorin called Christmas Dinner. The hall had been decorated in colors of red and green and wreaths hund from the walls a did red and green ribbon. "Come Philicia , Thorin said a he led her into the dining hall. "This looks very festive."Philicia smiled as she took in the red and green color scheme. 'Indeed it is. I am most enjoying this day." Thorin turned to her and they took their seat's. "Fili and Kili have something for you also .They will give it to you later."Thorin informed her. 'Oh that woud be fine." Philicia said. The feast was finally served Bombur had taken Philicia's suggestion and there was ham ,sweet potato's. roasted vegetables. mashed potato's turkey and Pumpkin addition to the Christmas trimmings there was also lot's of ale and the best elvish wine. Bombur and his crew had really outdone themselves with the food and after a while everyone that attended was quite stuffed. "That was an incredible meal My Lady." Thorin said wiping the corner of his mouth with the fine linen napkin. "I am glad you approve." She said. "And do you do this every year?" Thorin asked. "Yes tell us ,do you?" Kili said already wearing the new tunic Philicia had made for him. "Well we have Thanksgiving first then Christmas then we celebrate New Years eve on Devember Thirty-first."She said as everyone at the king's table listend attentivly. "And what is New Year's eve like for you? Fili asked. "Well you all would all love it. We have a big party we wear hat's or tiara's that say Happy NewYear and we blow toot toot'sand throw confettiand sing Old Lang Syah. And when It get's close to midnight we all start a countdown of the last ten second's of the old year and then we celebrate the new one toge..." Philicia stopped as a guard came charging into the great hall shouting. "YOUR MAGESTY, THERE IS A LARGE CARAVAN OF DWARVES COMING UP THE ROAD FROM DALE!" The guard spoke directly to Thorin. Thorins scooted his chair back and ran out Kili Fili and Dwalin with Philicia right behind him.
The front gates were pulled open and from a distance Philicia could see the dwarves carrying bag's and bag's of their belonging's inside. From amoung the twenty or so dwarves and dwarowdam's came a lone dwarf slowly making her way to Thorin. Philica was standing behind him next to Balin and Dwalin as she approached. Her hair was as black as night and she was dressed in an elegant gown befitting royalty. She had two braids on each side of her head and gold beads in her hair. It was her eye's that caught Philicia's attention tho. They were a deep Sapphire Blue like his and a wisp of a beard covered her chin. The beautiful dwarf woman came up to Thorin and without warning reared her hand back and smacked the king so hard across the cheek his head jerked back. "Welcome home Dis," Thorin said embracing his sister as she wept openly.
