"How do you feel about getting married, big brother?" Kíli teased Fíli as the older dwarf clasped the silver buckle from his fur cloak, finally ready to go to Dale and meet his bride-to-be.

"Quit it, will you" Fíli sighed in annoyance at his little brother.

Kíli was having the time of his life, he could tell. Since Thorin had announced the wedding, the younger dwarf had seized every opportunity to make fun of his brother.

"Oh come on, it's not that bad, Fee. She's rather cute, for a human."

Cute? Fíli frowned. He had not even thought about her appearance. To tell the truth, he had been more angry at the fact that the whole matter was decided without his knowledge or participation. Even Dís had been annoyed with Thorin and had tried to get him to change his mind. Arranged marriages were not the rule for dwarves and it would be a first in the line of Durin. But the deal was made and nothing could be done about it.

Fíli waved his brother away. "Laugh all you want. It's going to be your turn soon enough."

"Oh no, it won't. I'm not heir to the crown" Kíli replied with a wink.

"You always had it so easy. One day, it's going to change. Believe me."

Fíli had always been a little jealous of his brother. As heir to Thorin, he was always expected to act a certain way, do certain things. His childhood had been filled with lessons on all sorts of tedious subjects while Kíli had all the fun. As a result, he had grown more mature and faster, but less happy. Or so he thought. It was a bit unfair, although his brother had nothing to do with it. Inheriting the Blue Mountains was enough pressure already, but since they had reclaimed Erebor, Thorin had been even more demanding, if that was possible. Fíli would have done anything to please his uncle, though. If there was one quality that defined him, it was his loyalty to his family, to the line of Durin. But marrying that human girl? What had gone into Thorin? Was it some remnants of the dragon sickness? In that case, Fíli dared not oppose him. Who knew what damage the madness had left? Maybe Thorin was not completely cured.

Fíli left the room he shared with his brother and met his mother and uncle in the hallway. Why did they have to pay Sigrid a visit? Why couldn't they get over with the wedding as soon as possible? He had no more mind to her as she to him, he supposed. But they both had a duty to their King, to their people. And probably courtship was to be expected. He had no idea how it all went. Maybe he should have brought a gift, now that he thought about it. It was too late now.

As they climbed the stairs to Dale, Fíli spied some flowers growing in between the steps. It was early spring and snow still clung to the ground. With the desolation left by the dragon, it was a miracle anything grew at all. He took it as a good omen for the meeting to come. He stopped and bent, picking some of the flowers as an offering to Sigrid. They were blue, of that pale but vivid blue that rivers showed when glaciers melted. Beautiful, he thought. He hoped she would like them.

He looked up at the many towers, trying to guess which one was Bard's. Many of the lodgings had been destroyed, including the ancient Lord's palace, but the people of Laketown were already busy rebuilding what they could. They needed all the help they could get, he could see. Why was this masquerade necessary? Why not give them the gold they needed? Many dwarves had come from the Blue Mountains, even from the Iron Hills. They could lend a hand in good friendship. Why trade what they could give? The results would be the same. Unless Thorin was somehow afraid that Bard was not trustworthy. In which case, tightening the agreement with a marriage was necessary. But it would mean there were still traces of dragon sickness in his uncle, Fíli thought, unsettled. He did not want to think about it. Mostly because they shared the same blood and the disease seemed hereditary.

They made it through a street still cluttered with rubble and Fíli watched with wonder as the people of Dale bowed and took off their hats in front of his uncle. The lords of silver fountains, he heard them whisper with awe when they passed. He would never get used to it, how those men believed the dwarves would solve all their problems. If only they knew the sacrifices he and Sigrid were about to make. But dwelling on what he could not change did no good. He had to embrace his fate. Do his duty. Maybe it would not be that bad.

Bard was already on his doorstep to greet them. His house did not look like much, but the people of Laketown had lost everything and Bard had to make do with what was available. The lord himself looked a bit weary and anxious in his worn-out clothes, even though he wore the golden circlet of his function with pride and dignity.

"Lord Bard" Thorin said, bowing slightly.

"King Thorin" the man replied, bowing as well. "Prince Fíli."

Thorin waved at Fíli's mother. "This is my sister, the lady Dís."

Bard bowed lower. "My lady."

An awkward silence followed as Sigrid came down the stairs. Fíli looked at her intently, remembering his brother's words. Was she pretty? He truly had no idea. He had never looked at girls before. They had never been his priority. And the last time he had seen Sigrid, he had not really paid attention to her appearance. He had been busy with other matters.

Bard broke the silence, introducing everyone. "You remember King Thorin and his nephew Fíli, I'm sure" he told the girl. "And this is the lady Dís, Thorin's sister. My daughter, Sigrid."

She stood for a moment, silent. Then she saw the table laden with refreshments and started to pour a clear liquid in nice tin goblets. Her hands, shaky at first, soon stopped their tremor and she handed everyone their drinks with a constrained smile and a small curtsey. Fíli thanked her with what he hoped was warmth when she gave him the goblet. As he took it, his fingers involuntarily brushed hers. She removed her hand in a hurry as if she had been burnt.

He was suddenly painfully aware of how large his hands looked next to hers and he wondered how it would feel like to hold her fingers. They looked so tiny and thin, although she was almost a full head taller than him. But she had bolted away from him, as if repelled by his touch, and it hurt him more than he cared to admit. Did she act like that because he was a dwarf?

Fíli suddenly remembered the blue flowers he had picked earlier on the steps. He felt stupid now, as he handed them to her. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Good-natured. Innocent. What would she think? Would she discard them as well?

"I'm sorry I don't have a better gift for you, lady Sigrid" he said. "But I dare hope these will please you."

The flowers were the exact same shade as her dress, he reflected as she took them, voicing her thanks in a murmur. Their fingers touched again but this time, she did not jerk off her hand and let it linger a while on his. Her skin was warm but not exactly soft or smooth, betraying her years of toil. He was surprised to find the touch not entirely unpleasant.

She brought the flowers to her face, smelling them, more a reflex than anything. Did he see a flicker of delight in her eyes? He was not sure. What a strange girl, he thought. She was so silent, standing awkward in that plain blue dress of hers. There was nothing notable about her. She was too tall, too thin, too shy. Not underfed but not really robust as well. Her hair was tied back in a knot, showing her round cheeks, as smooth as a baby's. No, she definitely was not pretty by any dwarf standards.

When they had all taken a sip of their drinks, Thorin went in a corner to talk with Bard and Dís, leaving Fíli and Sigrid alone. What could he tell her? She stared at her feet, her eyes refusing to meet his. How could he talk to her? He looked at the table. The tray on which she had taken the goblets was filled with some sort of cakes. He seemed to remember Thorin telling him the girl liked to bake. She saw his gaze and quickly grabbed the tray.

"Would you mind a cake?" she asked in an undertone.

"Did you make them?" he inquired.

Maybe showing an interest in what she liked would make her less defensive. She nodded.

"They're raisin scones" she explained, delight in her eyes, finally meeting his gaze.

"In that case, I'll have one" he said.

She was clearly very proud of herself, and with reason, he thought as he ate the scone. He never had anything so delicious in his whole life.

"Great Mahal!" he exclaimed, grinning at her as he finished the cake. "It's the best thing I've eaten in ages!"

Her eyes brightened at the compliment and she smiled. But he could see she did it only out of politeness. He clearly made her uneasy, but he couldn't see how. He had put on his best clothes, and Dís had even combed his hair, smoothing the knots as she braided it and tied it with silver beads. His hands were clean and he had donned a new pair of boots. All in all, he thought he did not look too bad. He knew he had a countenance that dwarf girls usually liked, not that he had been very interested in them. But he had noticed how they looked at him, speaking in hushed tones and giggling. But this human girl - she was so very different. He had no idea how to please her. And why should he? He was forced into this, as much as she. Why could she not make a small effort, as he had?

The awkward silence went on for long minutes, with Sigrid stealing glances at her father. At last, Thorin stood up, shaking Bard's hand, and they took their leave. Bard and Sigrid walked them to the door and arrangements were made for the girl to come and meet Dís about the wedding.

As they walked away down the street, Fíli turned back to look at the house, trying to figure out which window was the one to Sigrid's room. He noticed one was open and he could make out a figure in a pale dress placing a vase on the windowsill. A vase with blue flowers in them. He smiled. At least, the flowers were not unwelcome. He would find a better gift next time. Maybe a jewel from the immense treasure under the mountain. No doubt she would like that.

Why was he eager about their next meeting? He did not even think she was beautiful. And they barely had exchanged a word. He knew he had upset her somehow, but for a moment when their hands had touched for the second time, he had felt a thrill in his heart. What did it mean? Had she felt it too? Was it proper to ask her? He had no answer to his questions and he doubted anyone he knew could help him.

"So, how was the meeting?" Kíli asked. "Not too boring, I hope."

It was evening and he was settling the plates on the table for dinner. Even though they were all royalty and rich beyond measure now, they still kept to their humble habits. Dís made a point to have her sons to eat with her every evening, as they did in the Blue Mountains.

"It was awkward" Fíli answered. "I don't know what to think of her."

"But did you think she was pretty?"

"No, not really" Fíli paused, uneasy. "I don't know. Maybe. If she smiled."

Kíli chuckled, tossing his brother the cutlery. Fíli caught it in the air and placed it on the table.

"I bet you frightened her with your horrible manners" the younger dwarf put in, still laughing. "You big oaf!"

"Yours are no better than mine, in that case!" Fíli exclaimed. "And watch out what you say about our mother's education!"

They sat down and Fíli got some bread and cheese while Dís poured the wine.

"No, but seriously" he continued. "I think I might have offended her. But I honestly don't know what I have done."

It still bothered him, although he did not see why it should. His mother and uncle had given him the best of education. He was proud of being a dwarf. Proud of being a descendant of Durin, founder of the Long Beards, the first tribe of Dwarves to ever grace this earth. Why should he change anything to please this plain girl? She did not even have a proper dress! No, that's not fair, he chided himself. The people of Laketown had lost everything. How could she be expected to have rich clothes? He should know better. He had not always been so well-off. Back in the Blue Mountains, they had not always thrived as they did now.

"Oh, I'm sure it's only in your head" Dís said. "Who wouldn't like my son? My pride and joy. You look so much like your father and he was the best-looking dwarf ever."

"Not to mention that you also have Mother's perfect manners" Kíli chimed in.

"Will you stop it with that!" Fíli exclaimed, still vexed, throwing a chunk of bread in his brother's face.

Kíli threw it back to him. "By Mahal, I was serious!"

"Kíli!" Dís exclaimed, indignant. "You will not swear at my table!"

But her face showed a large grin and she tossed an apple in his direction. Kíli caught it deftly and threw it back at Fíli who held out his hands in protest.

"No, not the apples! You know how I hate them since that barrel ride!"

They all laughed and ate their meal with mirth.

Still, before going to sleep that night, Fíli could only think of the touch of Sigrid's hand, and how pleasant her fingers had felt against his. Maybe - maybe this marriage would prove less of a buden than he had thought.