Ch Two
"You want to do what?" Bard had nearly collided with a very excited Fili on the way to the city's square to help his children decorate a tall pine tree they had come across in the woodland not far from Dale. Fili had come barreling into the city. Once the Dwarf Prince had found him, Bard had a hard time making out Fili's question; he was so excited.
"May I take Sigrid to the Winter Dance this evening?" Fili managed to take a deep breath so he could repeat his question. Bard let out a sigh as they walked. "Truth is, Bard, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Sigrid since she helped tend to my brother's leg wound; since the battle - especially how she looked after my uncle, younger brother and I." Fili saw Bard give a single nod.
"Just to dance?" Bard asked interrogatingly. "That's your only intention?"
"Just to dance," Fili assured. "Dwarves are taught to respect women. Any disrespect ends with our head being removed from our shoulders - especially any disrespect towards Dwarf women, since there are only so few female Dwarves." The city square lay just ahead. Fili watched the people bustle about while decorating the square.
Fili directed his attention to the tall pine tree being decorated by two familiar young people: Tilda and Bain; two of Bard's children. "If that's your only intention, then you have my permission." Bard clasped a hand on Fili's shoulder.
Tilda was the first one to spot Fili approaching she and Bain with her father. Tilda excitedly ran up to Fili and gave him a big hug. "Fili! It's so good to see you!" Tilda flashed the Dwarf a warm smile. "How are you? How are your brother and uncle? Are they okay? Are you okay? Is everyone okay?" Her brown eyes were filled with concern mixed with joy. Fili loved the kind, caring nature Tilda always showed. Tilda's kind caring nature were two of the same traits he loved about Sigrid.
"Jeeze, Tilda." Bain had walked up to stand beside his sister. "Give the guy time to respond to your question before you bombard him with more."
Fili couldn't bite back the laughter that escaped. "It's okay, Bain. Hello, Tilda; yes I'm okay, Kili is doing okay - everyone is doing okay - Thorin included."
"I'm so glad to hear that. Sigrid will be too."
"Thank you - I'm actually here to talk to Sigrid. Do you know where she's at?"
"I think I got enough decorations to finish the tree." A familiar voice informed while coming around the corner; the owner of the beautiful voice came into view. Fili felt his heart leap into his throat at the sight of the woman before him. Sigrid. Bard's oldest daughter wore a simple, but beautiful green skirt and matching bodice. Her beautiful honey brown hair fell boundlessly to her waist. Sigrid's beautiful warm brown eyes twinkled with such life that echoed her very body and soul. Tucked under her arm, was a basket filled with various ornaments and decorations; nearly dropping the basket when her eyes landed on Fili. "Fili." Sigrid gasped out, her cheeks blushing a deep red.
"Hello, Sigrid. You look beautiful today." Fili gave a bow.
"Thank you…" Sigrid allowed Tilda to take the basket from her before she dropped it. "How are your brother and uncle? Are they okay? Is everyone okay?" Sigrid's eyes locked with Fili's. "Are you okay?"
There it was again: Sigrid's kind and caring nature that Fili loved so much about her! To Fili, Sigrid's kind and caring nature was even more beautiful than her looks; going hand in hand - almost, since Sigrid's beautiful complexion couldn't quite reach the level the beauty of her kind and caring nature had.
"Yes Sigrid - we're all fine."
"I'm glad to hear that." Sigrid approached Fili. "I was worried." Fili's disciplined mind forbade his aching hands from touching Sigrid's shoulders or resting under her chin or grabbing one of Sigrid's hands and pressing it to his lips.
"So what brings you here?" Sigrid's question snapped Fili out of his thoughts.
"I came to ask you something - if you have a minute."
"For you, Fili, I have all the time in the world." Sigrid beamed at the Dwarf Prince. The news pleased Fili and he felt confident to continue.
"Sigrid, will you go to the Winter Dance with me tonight?"
Sigrid's mouth slightly fell open in shock, her cheeks growing a deeper red from blushing. "Yes! Yes Fili, I would love to go to the Winter Dance with you." Sigrid pressed a kiss to his cheek and Fili blushed.