Well the moment of truth is here. All ther months ofv waiting are finally cummliating into a proposal, again. If you remember Thorin had asked her when they wee at Beorn's house. Shed said only when his people accepted her. Will she finally say yes. Read on and find out.
Disclaimer I do not own any of the hobbit character's. They belong to Tolkein I only own my
O/Cs.
Chapter 59
The Betrothal
Thorin was between that stage of sleep and alert when he felt a warm body pressed up against his chest. His digit's softly began stroking the bare arm that lay still at her side. Last night's dash through Erebor trying to lose the guards came back with full clarity. "Good morning Kurdue." Thorin's warm breath brushed across the back of her exposed neck. Philicia moaned in her sleep turned over and her arm slowly came around his waist.
"Hey handsome." She wispered as her brilliant Amythest eyes greeted him. "Mahal you are so beautiful." Thorin said as his palm pressed against the back of her head bringing their mouths together. The kiss was slow sweet and full of so much love Philicia felt tears welling up in her eye's. "I have to go before Grettah sends Gloin to pound on your door. " She told him slipping off the tunic Thorin lent her and slipping back into her own clothes. By the time she had finished dressing and answering a most urgent need Thorin had dressed also.
"Come I will walk you back." The hour was early and most of the kingdom still slumbered. There were a few dwarves out and about getting thing's ready for the feast this evening. Thorin and Philicia after a short walk arrived at The door to Gloins house. "I will see you later." Thorin kissed her once and was gone. She watched his retreating form till he turned a corner.
"Gretta, Gloin, I'm home." She called shutting the heavy door behind her. "Ah in here lass." Philicia heard Gloin call from the kitchen. "We were wondering when you would be here. King or not Thorin had better do honorably by you. I'll box his ears off if he don't." Gloin huffed pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Here lass ye look look you need it." Gloin said handing her the steaming cup. "Put your worries to rest Gloin. You know Thorin and he would not take advantage of me." Philicia said sipping her coffee. "Well he had better not."Grettah added. "Morning." Gimli said coming into the kitchen to join them. Gretttah and Philicia fixed breakfast and then she helped clean up . After that Grettah measured her for more dresses. I like the one with the Silver trim and Sapphire Blue velvet." Philicia told her as they went through Grettah's pattern book.
"That would be lovely to wear to the feast tonight." Grettah said laying the trim along side the blue velvet."Oh could you have it done in time?!" Philicia asked clutching the smooth fabric in her hand. 'I will do my best now I must get started so to finish for this evening." Philicia hugged her and thanked her also before heading to her room. True to her word she slipped on her blinged out black skinney jeans and her sweater along with her black high heel boot's. She slipped some make up and nail polish in her purse and told Grettah she would be back in time to get ready for this evening.
"I have a meeting with a lady who's daughter is shy and I agredee to help and then more Kazadul lessons with Balin and lunch with Dis at twelve-thirty." She said as Grettah warned her to be here early. "I will not forget." Philicia took off down the passiage way saying hi and good morning to everyone she saw. She ignored the funny looks she receivesd as she passed people by.
"A Philicia my dear,what may I ask do you have on?" Dwalin said stopping her as she came shoooting over the bridge that crisscrossed the Galllery of the King's. "A, my jeans and sweater ,why?" Dwalin who was joined by Bofur and Nori all commmented on her choice of attire for the day. "I just felt like being myself for the day. I know it seems crazy but the people need to see me for me not pretending to be something I am not." Dwalin and Nori and Bofur just laughed saying that Thorin was going to have his hands full with her. "See ya." She said before quickly walking away.
Philicia was just about to head down to the main market area when she was stopped by Lord Silus's Daughter. "Oh Lady Philicia ,how are you?" The lovely dwarf woman greeted her. "I am good and how is your daughter's recovery progressing?" Philicia kindly asked her voice filled with compassion."She is up and about as if nothing ever happend." The woman informed her. "
"She really enjoys your weekly story time. That is a wonderous thing you do, for the dwarfling's." Philicia and her talked a little while then said their goodbys . By the time she was done visiting all the dress shops and various other businesses the afternoon was apppproaching. She and Dis Met for lunch and more lessons on queenly behavour. The lessons with Balin were coming along slowly. He had said however that her grasp of the foreign language was rapidly improving. After lunch Philicia knocked on the door of the Dwarven woman she had met.
In here my Lady." Philicia followed the woman into a small but clean sitting room. And just as she was turning around a young dwarrowdam that appeared to be maybe thirten or so in human years came slowly up to her. Philicia stayed and talked with the young girl for a while .She learned that the girl's mother was a widow. Her husband had been killed by orcs almost three years ago and each day had been a struggle. They had come from Erid Mithrin and settled in Erebor knowing they would have a chance at a better life.
"I hope I am as pretty as you someday." The girl who Philicia had learned was named Helene took a liking to her instantly. Philicia also learned how Helene thought she would never marry cause she was not pretty enough. So for the next hour Philicia transformed the golden haired green eyed girl. They tried on several dresses then Philicia applied some light make up and did her nail's.
"Now wa=la!" Philicia said turning her around to stare at herself in the full length mirror. "Oh thank you." Helene cried hugging her gently. "Now remember beauty comes from the inside." Philicia thanked Helene's mother and started back home The time to get ready for the fest was at hand.
Thorin paced back and forth in his chamber." Thorin if ye don't sit down your gonna fall on your face before the night's over with." Dwalin told him. "I can not. I am just... "Oh I don't know." Thorin sighed. "Nervous laddie?" Balin finished for him. "Indeed. when I last asked her this it was only the two of us. Now I am doing it in front of the entire kingdom." Thorin thought back to last week when he had asked Gloin for Philicia's hand. Gloin had immediatly agreeded and had given Thorin a pat on the back. Now the time was drawing closer Thorin Balin and Dwalin all made their way down to the grand feasting Hall together. They were met by Fili and Kili who also picked up on their uncle's nervousness.
"Here Thorin, this might help." Oin said handing him a cup of warm tea. Thorin sipped it slowly as the doors to the feast came into view. They were all seated at the high table when Gloin and Grettah showed up with Gimli and last to Enter was Philicia. Thorin stood and went to meet her. The breath left his body as his eye's took in the vision that stood before him. Her hair had been done up in a very elegant dwarvish style her coutship braid hanging loose over her left shoulder. She was wearing a deep blue velvet dress with silver trim. Rosettes were delicatly placed over the neckline.
"You are stunning." thorin breathed taking her hand and placing a chaste kiss on her palm. Philicia bent into a graceful curtsey." My King." She said looking into Thorin's eye's. "Come." He said leading her to their table.
Half way through the meal Thorin stood and raised his hand slowly lowering it till the hall fell quiet. "People of Erebor." The king began. "As you all know several week's ago I had stood here in this very spot and asked The Lady Philicia in courtship." The hall grew quiet as Thorin spoke. "Thorin reached for Philicia's hand as he led her to stand in front of the table with him.
"Philicia you are the very breath I take. I never thought to be where I am now. I was always putting my people and their need's before mine. First the exile,then the kingship and building a new life for them. I have always been alone. Till you came one dark stormy night into my life. I loved you from the moment I saw you and now I want to share my life with you." Suddenly Thorin dropped down on one knee and taking her hand in his he asked. "Philicia Renee Anderson, I love you with my whole heart and soul, would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?" Philicia stood there tears streaming down her face as Thorin reached into the black doublet he had on and pulled out a sparkling diamond ring.
"Say yes my heart for I will have no other." Thorin' heart beat quickly within his chest, everyone held their breath. "Ye-yes, oh a thousand times yes." Philicia fell to her knees facing Thorin as he slid the diamond and gold band on her finger. "Thorin." She began. "I loved you when you were just a you know and I love you so much now and I am so very happy. "She threw her arm's around the neck of King Under the Mountain and kissed him on the lip's. Thorin grabbed handful's of her hair kissing her back caring not who saw or what was said. Afterword's Thorin and Philicia stood and faced all of Erebor.
"TO THE KING. TO THE QUEEN. " The shout's went up. Balin brought in a chair and just as before Thorin sat Philicia in the chair and began plaiting a small section of her hair oppisite the courtship braid. He then placed the bethrothal beads in her hair and then stood, Philicia by his side.
"I am honored and a bit overwhelemed Mahal help us to lead you all into a new era. One of prosperity and tolerance. To new begenning's." The king raised his goblet in a toast the citizens of Erebor feast continued and the ale and elvish wine flowed freely. Thorin kept Philicia by his side the rest of the evening. Congradulations were offered all evening as the newly engaged couple danced the night away. Thorin and Philicia were taking a break when Balin leant over and wispered in his ear. 'I have the bethrothal contract ready . We can take a look at it come morning and if all is in order. Well all that will be required is your signature's." Balin informed Thorin. So It begins.
