Ch Three
An hour before the Winter Dance, Fili examined his appearance in the glass mirror in his chamber. Fili had pulled the braid out of his hair, beard and the two braids out of his mustache; having neatly combed his long tangled blonde hair that fell boundlessly past his shoulders and his mustache and long beard. Fili had dressed in a long sleeve royal blue tunic and trousers; the sleeves of the tunic cuffing his wrists and the tunic's hem tucked into his trousers. Fili looked down at a simple, but beautiful snow Lilly sitting on top of his dresser he leaned against. Fili hoped Sigrid would like the flower: rare and beautiful; one of a kind, just like her. Fili tenderly pinched the many-petaled plant in his fingers. "You can do this." Fili told himself, and he left to go meet Sigrid at the front gate.
Sigrid was in a deep discussion with Kili, Tauriel, Bilbo and his mother when Fili approached; Thorin standing not far from them. Fili was glad that Sigrid hadn't seen him yet; giving him the chance to drink in Sigrid's appearance. Sigrid's long honey brown hair fell down in tangled curls to her waist, her light olive toned skin glowed against her simple, but beautiful white skirt and bodice with very light blue trim. Fili sucked in a deep breath when Sigrid's beautiful brown eyes glittered with joy when she turned her head his way.
Sigrid couldn't contain her joy when she saw Fili. A bright smile spread her light pink lips and she beamed at Fili. Color painted Sigrid's cheeks when she took in Fili's appearance. Fili's long tangled blonde hair fell boundlessly past his shoulders. Fili had neatly combed his beard and mustache. He wore a long sleeve royal blue tunic that he had tucked into his trousers and the tunic's sleeves cuffed his wrists. Sigrid felt her heart leap into her throat when her eyes took in Fili's defined jawline that was Thorin's, then his piercing blue eyes that was Thorin's and Dis'; strong face and rugged facial features that was Thorin's and Frerin's. The only difference was the blonde of Fili's hair, beard and mustache; his late father's.
Sigrid dipped into a curtsy, but cast a look of surprise up at the Dwarf Prince when he informed, "you don't need to do that." Sigrid rose to full height. "Isn't it customary?" Thorin was about to say something but Dis elbowed him in the ribs.
"Sigrid." Fili took a deep breath and held up the snow Lilly for her to see. "You are a kind and caring woman with such an intense love for your family and people. When I saw this snow Lilly, I immediately thought of you: beautiful, sweet, and one of a kind. I give this snow Lilly to you as a way to show how much I love your kind and caring nature…how much you mean to me. Will you accept my gift?"
"Oh, Fili." Sigrid lightly brushed a hand against his cheek. "Yes, of course I will." Sigrid beamed at Fili as he tucked the white flower in her hair just above her ear. To Sigrid's surprise, Fili lifted both of her hands to his lips to kiss them. "I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you." Sigrid have a sad smile.
Fili caught her chin between his thumb and index finger. "You're letting me escort you to the dance, love. That's good a gift as any."
"And accepting your flower?" Sigrid brightly beamed once more.
"Especially that." Fili pressed Sigrid's fingers to his lips once more.