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Chapter 17

I was home. It had been such a long day. I flopped into bed face down, and immediately proceeded to heave a long, satisfied sigh.

Saph jumped into her bed with a bark of contentment, just as I heard a voice.

"Welcome back!"

I looked up with a smile. "Thank you, Erillin! It's so good to be back- even if I have to leave again soon." I sighed.

She smiled back. "There is a letter for you." She said, handing it to me. I sat up and opened it.

Narylfiel,

Greetings from Erebor. I would like to ask you to come to Erebor for the annual ball, held for Fili and Kili to meet suitable dwarven women.

Will you come?

Thorin Oakenshield.

I moaned. "Poor boys. I empathize with them!" I flopped back onto my bed.

"I'll go tomorrow." I grumbled.

"Goodnight, then, my lady." Erillin floated out and I fell asleep, not even bothering to change my clothes.

...

I bolted up in shock, hands reaching for my baby brother. I slumped in relief when I saw that there was nothing, that he was safe.

I still had nightmares from that event with Estel, and it happened once in a while. It had been a long time since he had visited, and I missed him.

There was a knock on my door, and I stretched with a yawn, trying to smooth down my disheveled hair.

"Come in!" I called, still a bit sleepily.

The door opened and shut. I rubbed my eyes and looked up to see a pair of familiar clear green eyes set in a youthful, tanned face, surrounded by brown locks that tumbled down shoulders past smiling lips.

"Estel!" I cried, pulling him into a hug. "Baby brother! What are you doing here! Why haven't you visited me!?" I asked, scolding and laughing in the same breath.

"Come to visit you, of course, dear sister. I'm sorry I haven't visited." He laughed. "I was going back home when I decided to drop by." He replied with a smile. I smiled back.

"I'm planning to go to Erebor today, would you like to come?" I asked. His eyes lit up.

"Yes, I would!" He replied eagerly.

I laughed and floundered out of bed. "Yes, that's the little brother I know." I said amusedly. "Give me a moment!" I said over my shoulder, going to get prepared.

...

"Is anyone here? I'm expecting to see a certain pair of Nadadiths here!" I called, poking my head into the door of a certain pair of rooms, to see a blonde and brunette head pop up.

"Narylfiel!" Fili and Kili called. Estel and I walked in as they tackled me in a hug. I burst into laughter and hugged them back.

"Kili, Fili, meet my little brother, Estel. Estel, this is Fili and Kili Durin."

They greeted each other and Saphira, whose tongue was currently being used as a washcloth, to their chagrin and my amusement.

"So, how are you two doing?" I asked, sitting down on a stool, as did Estel.

"Not too well." Kili grumbled.

"I can empathize." I replied knowingly. They stared. "Yes, I can."

"That's a new thought. How old are you?" Fili asked.

"1250."

There was a silence. "Oh."

I sniggered. "Ha. I'm ancient, yes?" I teased.

They vehemently protested, until they realized that I was just joking. Then they decided to pummel me. Yep. This was going to be a weird couple of days.

...

It is the day of the ball. I groaned as the lady Dìs tightened the corset strings and tied them firmly. I wheezed. "Do they have to be that tight?" I asked breathlessly.

"Oh come, my dear, of course they do. It makes your figure better!" She exclaimed, looking me over critically.

"Figure!?" I asked, looking down, horrified.

"Hold still! Of course!" She scolded. I admit that I had grown, but what did I care for accentuating my figure!? "Besides, you should be dressed well for the event." She said decisively. "Especially to show your status as their sister-in-arms." She added.

I moaned. "But Amad, (Khuzdul for mother) I can't breathe!" I complained.

"Nonsense. Now then, put this on and you'll be done." She retorted, handing me my coronet.

I gingerly stepped off of the block I had been standing on, trying to take small breaths so that I wouldn't be suffocated. I had worn corsets before, and I was expected to do more often now, but this one was so tight! The dress was elven in style, but completely Dwarven royalty in design. It hugged me tightly, too much in my opinion, and flowed elegantly, but the coronet was also clearly dwarven.

The dress was a deep blue, same color as Kili usually wore, and was decorated with a golden lion for Fili, a brown wolf for Kili, and a red Phoenix for me. It had silver edges as well, and unlike elven dresses, had tight sleeves. The coronet was made of Mithril and was thick and broad, decorated with blue, golden, and red gems.

I settled it around my head and took the deepest breath I could manage, then winced at the strain. "Oh surely you've worn corsets before, my dear." She said incredulously.

"Of course, Amad, just not this tight!" I replied, walking around and somehow managing elven grace even with my shortness of breath. I brushed Saph's fur and hung her collar on her neck, and buckled my own dragon belt on my waist.

Lady Dìs decided to ignore that comment and proceeded to drag me out into the hallway to the throne room.

"Come, my dear. You remember all the necessary protocol, don't you? Oh listen to me, you're an emissary, what am I saying? You will keep and eye out for any potentials, won't you?" She babbled, straightening me up.

I laughed softly and recovered, gliding down the hall next to her. "Yes, Amad. I will, I promise." She nodded, mollified, and the great doors swung open.

"The Princess Dìs, and the Princess Narylfiel!" Announced a dwarf by the door. We entered to the bows of many dwarves, and we made our way to the throne. I curtsied at the foot, and lady Dìs went up the stairs and seated herself at her spot.

"Come, sister-daughter." Lord Thorin rumbled. I stood and glided up the steps, sitting gratefully on the small chair that was set for me next to Kili and Fili's.

"Well, sister, you look- different. Pleasantly so!" Kili hastened to add. I gave him a private wince.

"I'll die happy, then. I'll have you know that this torture is all for you two. I can't breathe." I retorted with a tiny moan. He and Fili snickered at me.

"Sorry, sis. We appreciate it, though, don't we, brother?" Fili said. Kili nodded.

"Aye, that we do, brother." He replied. They knew what the symbols on the dress represented.

Estel suddenly came in. I stood and held out my hand to him in a gesture of welcome. He came to the foot of the stairs and bowed. I went down the stairs. He offered me his arm. I took it and led him up the stairs.

"Uncle Thorin, this is my younger brother in all but blood, Estel of Rivendell." I introduced formally. Thorin nodded.

"Welcome."

"Thank you, lord Thorin." Estel replied. I sat him down next to me.

"You look good, Ren." Estel noted. I gave him a grimace.

"I can't breathe." I replied with a sigh. He chuckled.

"Oh. Apologies." He said sympathetically.

"Tell me I'm not alone." I begged. He laughed as quietly as he could manage.

"Yavi also goes through it, if that's what you are asking." He replied with a chuckle.

"Sweet relief." I sighed. "And if you don't hush, you will effectually put off all potential candidates." I scolded the two princes. They gave me an apologetic look. Lord Thorin's lips curled up amusedly.

"Now, go, mingle." Lord Thorin commanded, waving his arm vaguely to the full room. Kili and Fili got up dutifully and walked down, disappearing in the crowd.

"You too, Naryl." He added, giving me a meaningful look. My eyes twinkled in reply, and as I stood, Estel escorted me. Well. Time to look around- scout around, rather.