Surprise! Here's another chapter~~ more information! ;) ;) I'll try to post the next before the weekend too. {{Hugs}}
Chp 60
Kili escorted Tauriel around other places in the Market. After they passed the current cluster of shops they kept walking in a clockwise circle and the next was a large, opulent building with large doors and gold columns at the entranceway. Many dwarves were going in and out of here already; it seemed to be the most bustling place in the entire Market. Tauriel also noticed two larger dwarves standing at the entranceway, heavy axes in their ready hands. As they passed, Tauriel asked Kili what that building was for. He replied matter-of-factly, "That is the repository for our coinage. A safe keeping place for your holdings, if you will." Tauriel nodded still a little puzzled. She said, "I am familiar with the concept of monetary based system; however, we elves do not use coinage in our society, except however when we are dealing with other cultures."
They continued walking arm in arm, looking at all the buildings, only a few which were occupied and had customers coming in and out. The rest were either dark and empty or a few in the process of being stocked up with some ware or sundry. Kili cocked one eyebrow and inquired further into Tauriel's statement, "Hmm," he said, "So, how...how do you know how much worth one has... I guess to say...how is status determined in elven culture?" Tauriel herself replied matter-of-factly, "Everyone in our society is considered equal, my Lord, as we all share in the fruits of everyone's labours, therefore we have no need for wealth, nor ways to measure it." Kili seemed dumbstruck by her words and was having a hard time processing what she said. She could see he was still puzzled, so she continued, "I suppose, certain lineages have precedence, of course. And in our society, the most talented in various fields such as the making of objects, the best at honoring the Valar with words and music, or the most skilled fighters are usually the most celebrated...if that's what you mean." Kili was seeming to understand but pressed further, "I guess in all my travels and dealings with Elves I guess I never questioned the fact that you did not use coinage in your society; as any I've ever met were always well prepared to barter with us for goods and items we were transporting. So yes...it does come as a bit of a surprise. So, let me ask you a question Tauriel...do you find us dwarves a bit silly and overly preoccupied with things of material worth?" She looked appreciatively down at her Prince and replied thoughtfully, "Yes, it is foreign for us to view such things as only having a value that can be measured materially. But we can still appreciate the hard work, effort and skill that took for the treasures to be wrought; and for that we can value them." Kili looked on his love with a new and deeper understanding of her culture and he gave her sweet smile and patted her arm with his other free hand, to which she returned.
They continued walking along, viewing the clusters of buildings. They passed buildings that seemingly had shops for selling clothing and textiles. The next cluster had all kinds of furniture and homely goods. And the next cluster seemed to be for specialty foods, treats and other ingredients for those that wished to prepare their own meals. The next ones they passed seemed different than the others. Only one story buildings they were, but had immense chimneys coming out of them and going up into the rock walls themselves. As they got closer, Tauriel picked up on the distinctive smells and sounds of blacksmith shops. At least two or three were already up and running as the clanking of metal on metal could be heard. Just then, the pair realized it must be well after lunch and they found themselves feeling rather hungry. They decided to head up to the Dining Hall for a bite to eat, as they might not get the chance later. The last cluster of buildings they passed by seemed to be for toys and other sorts of little machines that moved of their own accord. They stopped in front of one shop where Tauriel was amazed by the little dwarf figures seemingly made of metal who's moving parts were performing various tasks-chopping an Orc with an axe, digging for gold or hammering a tiny metal sword. After they lingered for a bit so Tauriel could see all the little toys, Kili then led Tauriel down a long hallway with many other passages leading off of it. It took them awhile but they finally began to ascend to the upper floors.
They eventually reached the Royal Dining Hall and took their seats. The servers told them dinner was to be served soon and did they prefer lunch faire or would they like to wait for dinner? Kili looked at Tauriel and asked what she preferred. She thought for a moment, and said it would be fine for them to wait for dinner. The servers hurriedly returned with some bread, butter and water. They quickly began to eat as they missed lunch and were pretty hungry by this time. They enjoyed pleasant conversation and with the few dwarves that stopped to talk to Kili and after a little bit, dinner was brought to them. It seemed like tonight's meal was roasted fowl in gravy with cubed, herbed bread and some bright purple roots to the side. They both enjoyed the meal. While they were eating a very tired looking Ori and Balin came in and took their seats along side the pair. Since Lady Dis had not come for her meal yet, Balin took the seat to the right of Kili. "How's goes it lads?" Kili asked. Balin replied, "Yes, all the preparations are almost ready...and just in time too. Oin has told me that fortuitous portents will only last another evening or two, so...we would like to hold the Coronation on the morrow, next. Word has been sent out far and wide, but many have arrived already or are almost here anyway." Kili asked, "Have invitations been sent to Lord Bard? I would very much like to have him here and thank him once again for his hospitality and care in front of everyone." Balin replied, "Yes, he has already sent his response and will be happy to be here in the Mountain to see you crowned King." Kili nodded, "Good...good." he happily replied and chewed.
The food was brought to Balin and Ori and they tucked in and Kili and Tauriel's dessert was brought to them to which they looked down at the six round hard cookies with nuts and fig bits on each of their plates with some surprise, but nibbled on them and found them to be very tasty. Tauriel leaned over to chat with Ori, so Kili took the opportunity to lean in Balin's direction. He talked quietly, but bits could be overheard if one were to pass by..."Are you sure Kili? Thorin would not permit it...but...if you feel that is best...I will summon Gloin to fetch them..." After not too long a page came rather quickly in the Hall and wasn't sure who to give his report to, Kili or Balin, so he faced both of them and said, "My lords...i have just come from the escarpments, a large party traveling very slowly out of the forests yonder has just been spotted...and...and, well even as night it just beginning to descend...they, well, seem to be glowing with such light as I had never seen." Balin replied, "Very well. Send word to Master Dwalin and Twain that I will be on my way shortly to greet them." The page bowed and quickly exited the way he had come. Balin finished his dessert, but said to Kili before he exited, "We shall see when the party will be ready to have a meeting as you instructed. They may need awhile to set up camp first. I will send word as soon as I am able." Kili nodded to Balin and the older dwarf hurried out of the chamber.
Kili and Tauriel exchanged knowing looks, but went back to finishing their dessert. As usual, a few dwarves came and wanted to talk with Kili, so Tauriel politely waited for him to finish, so they could decide what to do with the rest of their evening. She leaned over and asked Ori how the preparations were coming. He replied, "Well, yes, everything is just about ready. All of the benches brought in for Queen Dis' message are still in the Gallery of Kings, plus a number of other chairs...some regal looking ones fer sure, have been placed near the front. And the lads have done a great job of restoring the statues and tapestries in there so that everything looks all very spiffed." Tauriel then asked, "Will it be a long ceremony? I mean...I've never been to a Coronation before." Ori replied, "Neither have I, but I've been studying up on them. Thank goodness we found a few volumes in that wrecked library that detail precisely what should happen. No...it shouldn't be overly long. Kili has already picked out the members of his Council...ahem...um, those of us in the Company, so that's one less thing out of the way. But, as the transfer of power occurs almost always after the last King has died or been killed, his closest relative who wouldn't be King or a suitable representative, then takes the tokens of Kingship and ceremonially hands them over to the new King. The King then says some words about how he intends to rule and he executes a prisoner in front of the gathering..." Tauriel almost choked on the bit of water she had just sipped. "You can not be serious Ori? Do you expect Kili to do that?" Ori looked sheepishly down, "Well...it is only intended to be an orc that is sacrificed...but no...I can't see our Kili wanting that tradition to continue. Balin is supposed to ask him if he intends to include that bit in the ceremony or not." Tauriel made a face and couldn't imagine him doing something like that, tradition or no.
Ori continued, "Lastly is a blessing by our priests and then there is the giving of gifts." Tauriel was a little taken aback and then worried she would not have anything to give to Kili. Ori seemed to sense her anxiety and reassured her, "Well, no...my Lady...The Royal Couple will be the ones giving out the gifts- to show everyone's appreciation for their continued loyalty and fealty." Tauriel gulped hard..."You mean...I will need to be a part of the ceremony too?" Ori replied sheepishly, "Well, yes my'Lady... as Kili has already picked his bethrothed; as he is crowned King, you will also be crowned Queen, and you both will be honored."