Chapter Twenty-Two

"Thorin, you can't see Tabitha, remember? You're not allowed to see her until the seven days are passed. We are in our fourth day." Dis reminded her brother. "Well then I'll write her a letter." said Thorin. But Thorin also had another thing in mind too besides writing Tabitha a letter. He also wanted to bend the rules a little bit. He has to fix things now before there wouldn't be a wedding at all. That same night, Thorin sat down and began writing his letter to Tabitha:

Dearest Tabitha,

I wouldn't blame you for being upset at me, inur. As you can see heavily intoxicated from alcohol, and the dwarves wanted to throw a big party to honor my last days as a bachelor. Kissing that woman, is not like kissing you, and I promise you, Tabitha, it would never happen again. You're the only one I love, and nothing is going to change that.

Tomorrow night, meet me in the Gardens around nine thirty, and make sure no one sees you. This is a secret meeting, and we want no other person to know that we have seen each other. I pray that you forgive me.

Love, Thorin.

After writing the letter, Thorin sealed it, and went to find Balin. "Hey, Balin. Give this letter to Tabitha, if you don't mind." said Thorin. Balin smiled. "I will laddie." said Balin. "Thank you." said Thorin, and he walked away and he went to continue to set up his special meeting place for him and Tabitha. Later that evening, Tabitha read the letter, and she agree to meet up with Thorin after reading the note. When the evening came, Tabitha entered the gardens, and she found the Dwarf King, now sitting at his harp, and he was in the process of tuning the instrument as she entered.

Thorin looked up as Tabitha entered, with a hard expression on her face. "Tabitha, come! Sit with me!" said Thorin, his voice broken with emotion and guilt. Tabitha sat down. "Its really difficult to say how I'm feeling right now, Thorin. What you had done-is the most despicable thing you had ever done-and hurt-I thought I trusted you? I thought you loved me?" said Tabitha. "Of course I love you, Tabitha. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't be sitting here in the gardens with you right now, with the harp nearby." said Thorin.

She seen the harp, and she knew what this was leading up to.

"Tabitha, I feel like an idiot for the things I done at the pub, and the rest of my kin feel the same too, whom have encouraged me to join in with them on the drinking. Maybe this song, will help you change your mind." said Thorin gently as he placed his fingers on the strings, and he began to play. After plucking and strumming several notes, he began to sing, his deep, ,velvet voice blending with the floating melodies of the harp.

As Tabitha listened, she mainly focused on Thorin's expression, and she could see the guilt and remorseful look in his eyes, and it also filled with pain and sadness. And she sat and realized he truly loved and cared for her. And then she remembered her father once told her, Everyone makes mistakes, nobody is perfect, even some of us elves! And those words still echoed through her mind. And it was the sound of voice, that always sent chills down her spine. She loved his voice.

Striking the final cord on the harp, the song ended, and Thorin looked over to her, as he saw tears in her eyes. Thorin pushed the harp away from him. Tabitha walked over, as Thorin pulled her onto his lap. "You have my forgiveness, Thorin." said Tabitha, softly. Thorin smiled, as he leaned towards her, brushing his lips over hers, with a deep passionate kiss. "I love you, Tabitha-I hope you know that." said Thorin, gently.

"I know, Thorin!" said Tabitha, as she laid her head upon Thorin's broad chest. The two sat there like that for a while, and Thorin could sense Tabitha feeling tired, as she nearly dozed off on Thorin's chest. "You must go to bed now and rest-and be patient, imur, four more days can pass quickly!" said Thorin. Tabitha nodded, as she stood up and wished Thorin a good night, and she went back to the chambers.

Five days later

The Royal Wedding/Coronation.

All that morning, Tabitha had remained in Dis's chambers, as the Dwarf Princess assisted Tabitha in getting cleaned up and ready for the wedding. And it seemed hours and hours as they been preparing. First with putting on the wedding gown, and it was the hair styling that took the longest. The wedding gown is beautiful, made from the finest white silk, and a very long train which had to take two dwarven maids to carry, as Tabitha would march down the long aisle of the Throne Room.

After getting dressed, Dis started on Tabitha's hair, with many braids. Tabitha now wore a braided bun leaving a braid resting on her shoulder.

Tabitha felt very nervous, considering this would be a very big day for her and Thorin both.

And she thought to herself if she's ready for it or not. Its too late now, you cannot back out. Besides that Thorin wouldn't be too pleased if I done that, and I love him way too much to do that, anyway! thought Tabitha. Meanwhile, in a private study, Thorin sat down by a fireplace smoking his pipe in deep thought when Balin and Dwalin entered the study.

"You look magnificent there, laddie!" said Balin smiling at his friend, as they entered the study. Thorin stood up and smiled at his friends. Dwalin grinned as he placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You're going to be King and become a husband in one day! How does it feel?" asked Dwalin. "Feels great! Well lets get going! I don't want to be late for my own wedding and coronation!" said Thorin, and they walked out of the study, and headed towards the Throne Room. Once they entered, they could see the Throne Room already packed with people.

Ahead of them near the throne, stood Gandalf, and Dain also there as well, on the left hand side of the wizard. On the right hand side, stood Fili and Kili dressed in their formal attire, and Thorin took notice Kili staring at Tauriel whom is also there alongside with Thranduil and Legolas. It surprised Thorin that Thranduil even bothered coming at all.

I suppose there is good in that elf after all, its his niece that is getting married, thought Thorin. Also there is Tabitha's parents, Elleniel and Telemarin, which Telemarin had planned on giving away the bride, and of course Bilbo was there, sitting up front with the elves. Bard and his children also came as they wanted to see the new king being crowned, and of the wedding as well.

Thorin took his place in front of the Throne and turned to the large crowd, as he waited for his bride to arrive. Soon as the dwarven musicians began playing music, the large double doors of the Throne Room opened, and Tabitha entered, walking slowly down the long aisle leading to the Throne. Thorin smiled, and admired how beautiful Tabitha looked in her wedding clothes, as Thorin stood dressed in his grandfather's ceremonial golden armor, waited for her to approach. Once Tabitha stood in front of the Throne, the ceremony began, which is presided by Gandalf and a Dwarven priest.

"Who gives away this bride?" Began Gandalf. "Her mother and I do." spoke up Telemarin, as he kissed his daughter on the forehead. Suddenly, Thranduil stepped forward. "I also have a gift I've been meaning to give to the couple." said Thranduil, as he presented a silmaril, placing it in his daughter's hands.

Thorin's eyes widened in surprise. Then Thranduil turned to Thorin. Its time to that our people will be at peace once more! I wish you both the best of luck!" said Thranduil. Thorin smiled and nodded, as the Wedding ceremony continued. When the wedding ceremony potion concluded, the Coronation ceremony began, as Dain approached with Thror's Raven crown resting on a red cushion, as he presented it to Gandalf, and Gandalf places the crown on Thorin's head.

After Thorin, Gandalf placed a golden tiara on Tabitha's head, and Gandalf declared Thorin and Tabitha as King and Queen of Erebor, and the crowd cheered. Soon the room quickly fell silent, as Tabitha could hear dwarves began playing on drums in a slow, steady bit, and to Tabitha's surprise, Thorin began to chant in his language, shortly joined in by the other dwarves. Tabitha watched and listened in amazement, but her eyes remained focused on Thorin. Once the chanting ended, Thorin led everyone into the Great Hall for the Feasting celebration, which began with speeches, and then a dinner.

After supper was eaten, the merriment began with music, dancing and drinking, while some of the guests crowded around the King and Queen, congratulating them. During that time, Tabitha laughed as she saw Kili and Tauriel dancing together on the floor.

"Look at those two bumbling idiots." said Thorin grinning, as he pointed at Kili and Tauriel. "And to think we're the only ones who are love struck. It makes me wonder if Kili was trying to copy you!" said Tabitha playfully. As the evening progressed, Thorin had silenced the crowd as he decided to perform a song, he had composed himself especially for this night, and its about Tabitha. The song was called, "Tabitha's Ballad'.

And it was about the day the two met, and their many ups and downs they had together, while in California, and when they started their quest, and arriving in Erebor, and the Battle of Five Armies. Thorin's deep voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, blending beautifully with the low tones of the harp. When the song ended, there was long and loud applause and cheering came afterwards. Tabitha stood up, and she approached Thorin, wrapping her arms around him, in a tight embrace.

Later, Thorin and Tabitha decided to retire for the night, so they could also spend some alone time as well, as the celebration continued in the Great Hall. There was also celebrations going on in Dale and also in Lake Town. Soon as Thorin and Tabitha entered their chambers, they headed for the bedroom and removed their clothing, and climbed into bed together, while Thorin held Tabitha close in his arms.

"Finally some alone time after getting bombarded by friends and family." sighed Tabitha. Thorin laughed. "I'm glad everything worked out for the both of us, Thorin. There was a few rough patches. But we overcome them." said Tabitha. "And I'm glad we did, Tabby. You know why?" said Thorin, as he kissed her neck.

"Why?" said Tabitha.

"We're fighters and survivors." smiled Thorin. "I love you, my King." said Tabitha softly. "I love you too, inur!" whispered Thorin as he kissed Tabitha on the cheek.

End.