Sigrid woke the next morning and luxuriated in the delicious feeling that her bones had melted away during the night. She stretched and opened her eyes, and Fili was there, dressed in shirt and breeches and lying on the bed beside her, tenderly brushing strands of hair from her face.

"Good morning, beloved," he said softly. "How did you sleep?"

"Mmmmmm." She wanted to speak, but her muscles wouldn't obey her. She stretched again and smiled. "Mmmmmm. Fili. What did you do to me?"

Fili grinned, equal parts mischief and carefully banked desire, with a hint of smug self-satisfaction, and all blue eyes and dimples. He leaned in and kissed her.

"Only what you deserve, my love. Are you hungry? I got us some breakfast from the kitchens while you were asleep." He motioned with his head towards a tray of food at the end of the bed. Sigrid realised she was famished. She sat up and slid the tray towards them. Fili had brought thick slices of new bread, butter and honey, and they sat up in the bed and ate their fill. Fili captured her fingers to lick the last drops of honey from them, then sighed.

"As much as I want to stay abed with you, my love, it's already mid-morning and the feast is today. I'll be needed downstairs. And we need to speak with your father."

"It's not his consent you need, Fili, it's mine, and you have that."

"I know, my love. But I would have him know from us before he hears it elsewhere."

Sigrid laughed. "Are we the talk of the Mountain, then?"

He captured her fingertips for another kiss. "Not yet, but when I look at you, I don't think there could be a dwarf, elf or man in the kingdom who could mistake the love I have for you."

Sigrid pressed her palm to his cheek, her eyes soft and full of love. "My love. My Fili."

He leaned into her touch and gazed at her a moment longer. "I'll go find your da. Now stop looking at me like that or I'll never leave."

Sigrid bathed and dressed, and went down to the kitchens to check on her shipments of provisions. The head cook escorted her through a hive of busy staff, already peeling, chopping, pounding and stirring in preparation, and showed her the crates of food that had been received.

"It's all here, my lady, and we do greatly appreciate your generosity," she said.

"It's the least we can do. Are you sure there isn't anything I can help you with?" Sigrid looked around the room fruitlessly for a job that needed doing.

"Not at all, my lady. Everything's running right on schedule here."

Sigrid nodded. "Of course. I'll leave you to it." The cook bobbed her head and went back to her tasks. Sigrid stood in place a moment longer, wondering what she ought to be doing, when she heard Tauriel call her name.

"Sigrid. Fili told me I might find you here." Tauriel helped herself to two warm drinks, and handed one to Sigrid. "Come on. Let's find somewhere we can talk."

Sigrid followed Tauriel to the West Hall, which was deserted at this hour, and they seated themselves at a bench.

Sigrid sipped her drink and tried to appear nonchalant. "You've seen Fili?"

Tauriel smiled. "Yes, I have. He came to our room early this morning to tell Kili something. Can you not guess what it was?"

All at once Sigrid's pretence at reserve collapsed. "Oh, Tauriel, I don't deserve such happiness."

Tauriel took hold of her hands. "Indeed you do, mellon. I could see you were suffering, Sigrid, and I thought Fili would be able to help you, but I didn't foresee this. It's much, much better than I hoped."

Sigrid stared at Tauriel. "You? You planned this?"

"Not all of it," she laughed. "I talked to the healer in Dale about your situation. He had seen similar cases and gave me some valuable advice. Then I asked Balin to bring you to supper and seat you with Fili. The healer told me you would benefit from talking about it, and he seemed the best choice. The two of you managed the rest on your own."

Sigrid was struggling to find words to express her gratitude, when Kili burst into the room, followed more sedately by Fili himself. Kili swiftly wrapped his arms around Tauriel and kissed her neck, then turned to Sigrid.

"Sister!" He embraced her and kissed her cheek. "I suspected something was going on the other night at supper. I'm glad you've been quick about it." He grinned as he dodged Fili's half-hearted cuff, and returned to put his arms around Tauriel. "It took a long time for me to convince Tauriel to trust in our love, but I knew she'd come around." He raised his eyebrows and grinned at the two of them. "Doesn't look like you two had any such trouble?"

"Thanks, Kili. If you've finished taunting us, we need to go. Sigrid, love, your da's waiting." Fili took Sigrid by the hand and she stood up to go. She turned back to Tauriel and held out her free hand.

"Thank you."

Tauriel grasped it. "You're welcome, mellon."

Fili led Sigrid by the hand through the corridors of the Mountain. "Your da's in his room. He arrived yesterday from Mirkwood with the elven host."

"It's the anniversary of the help the elves gave to Laketown," said Sigrid. "Da went to thank them in person. It's a wonder we didn't run into him on the road yesterday."

Fili stopped short at the thought of being found on the grass yesterday by Sigrid's father. Then he grinned. "Sigrid, I don't suppose your da has any black arrows left, does he?"

Sigrid laughed. "No, of course not. And in any case, he'd have to go through me if he wanted to put one through you."

Fili laughed and squeezed her hand. "See? You have more courage than you give yourself credit for."

"That's because you're beside me. Now come on, let's get this over with."

Sigrid knocked softly on the door. Her da's voice called her to come in. She grasped Fili firmly by the hand and led him into her da's room. Bard was sitting on the bed with Tilda, surrounded by dozens of the most cunningly crafted wooden toys, trinket boxes and puzzles. They looked up and saw Sigrid, and Tilda leapt off the bed and ran to hug her sister.

"Where've you been, Sigrid? I've been having the best time. I've just been showing Da what the toy makers gave me yesterday. And Kili and Tauriel showed me how to shoot arrows from horseback, and Lady Dis took me down into the mines, and I had a go with a pickaxe, and you should see the room Balin gave me…"

"I'm glad you're having fun, Tilda. I want to hear all about it. But first, I'm sorry, I need to talk to Da. Can you give us a minute?" Tilda gave Sigrid a last hug and jumped back on the bed to arrange her gifts.

Bard got up from the bed to embrace his eldest daughter. "Sigrid. What's Tilda talking about? Have you not been here?" He looked at Fili and held out his hand. "Fili. What are you doing here?" Fili let go of Sigrid's hand to grasp Bard's, and Bard looked between the two of them, suspicions clearly growing in his mind. "What's going on?"

Fili cleared his throat. "Bard, sir, we've come to tell you, I love your daughter, and she has consented to be my wife."

Bard's eyes widened. He turned to Sigrid. "Sigrid, is this true?"

"Yes, Da. I love Fili, and he loves me."

Bard's voice was cautious and measured, but his eyes betrayed how stunned he was. "I've been away three days, and you're betrothed?"

"Yes, Da."

"That's a bit sudden, don't you think?"

"Yes, it might seem a bit sudden. But please, Da, hear me out. It's not sudden to me. I have loved Fili ever since the night you killed the dragon, a year ago. That night, under the worst of circumstances, I saw the best of him. His kindness, his loyalty, his courage, his honour… how could I not have loved him? Then three days ago, we sat down to supper together." She smiled at Fili. "I was so nervous to be around him. But he was nothing but considerate, and kind, and understanding. I was afraid, Da, and he took my hand and made me feel brave. And for some reason, he loves me. And that makes me the happiest woman in the world."

Bard looked at his daughter for a long time. Finally he turned to Fili. "And you, Fili? Have you anything to say about this?"

"I think Sigrid underestimates herself, sir. She is so generous towards me, and so hard on herself that she can hardly see her own worth. But I see it. I've seen her sweetness and generosity and courage demonstrated time and time again. She has my heart, now and always."

Bard drew in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. He regarded them both. "Sigrid, long ago, your mamma's father opposed our match. Your mamma stood up to him, and let him know how much she loved me. I swore then that I would never oppose the happiness of any of my children if they truly loved." He looked at Sigrid with tears in his eyes. "Just now, you sounded just like her."

"Oh, Da." Sigrid ran into her fathers' arms and hugged him tightly. Tilda jumped off the bed and threw her arms around both of them. They laughed through their tears and hugged her. She turned to Fili.

"Are you going to marry Sigrid, Fili?"

He bent slightly to bring himself to Tilda's eye level. "I am, Tilda. I hope that's all right with you?"

Tilda threw her arms around Fili's neck and hugged him. "It's great news. I'll be able to come to the Mountain all the time!"

Fili laughed. "You'd always be welcome here in any case, Tilda."

Bard released Sigrid to bend down and embrace Fili. "I've always had the highest regard for you, Fili. This turn of events is certainly a surprise, but there's nothing like children for that. Meanwhile, we still have a feast to attend tonight, and it seems I now have a wedding to plan. But first, Tilda, I want to talk to you. What was that you said about shooting arrows from horseback?"