The King and Queen of Old

"I have found the one whom my soul loves…" Song of Solomon 3:4

Upon this day, Erebor was thrown into a mild frenzy. The Lord and Lady of Dale had arrived early to help, but couldn't get over the fact that everyone was bustling about so quickly. The sun was out on the last day of the dwarves' New Year with little to no cloud coverage; it was a bright sunny day. Bard saw Dís dart past him, shouting at her kin to move along. His betrothed gripped his arm tightly when the voices answered back to the princess.

"It's all right, Iris," Bard calmed, patting her hand.

Iris was soon to be his wife. She was an altruistic woman by nature, and it shown in her hazel eyes. Iris only reached his shoulder with long coal black hair that was straight. She wore a silver dress with sheer shawl over her small shoulders. He had taken a small emerald off of the Emeralds of Girion and set it into a ring for his Iris. It flickered in the sunlight when she moved her hand to grip his arm tighter.

"Insanity," Iris whispered in his ear. Bard smiled wryly as her grip loosened. "How do you deal with them?"

"It will take charm, and no small bit of finesse." Bard chuckled. Iris smiled up at him; a smile that warmed his heart. Long had he missed the company of a woman. In fact, when he met Iris, there was little he could do to get her off of his mind. Now, she was his. However, this day wasn't about him and his love. It was about two people that had been chasing after the other for months… Quite possibly for years in spirit. He wondered what it must be like to marry someone who you truly loved, and fought for. Bard assumed it was like having your best friend at your side no matter the cost. His attention snapped down to Dís when she stood before him.

The princess wore a gown of dark purple with silver stitching depicting her family's crest. Her hair had been artistically braided with a silver ribbon and it came to rest on her shoulder. She gave him a bright smile, motioning for him to follow her down a long corridor that had intercut banners of blue and silver draped on its walls. Dís stopped before a wooden door and tapped on it.

No answer came to her.

"One moment," Dís grumbled as she slinked into the room. Bard waited with Iris, who was slowly releasing her tight grip on him. There was a loud thump followed by a series of voices from within. One of them sounded familiar; a wise, kind voice followed by Dís' yell. "For the love of Mahal, get up!"

Much to Bard's surprise, Balin came out of the room and let out a sigh. The warrior's eyes rose to Bard's, and he gave him a low bow. "Greetings, My lord and lady. I am terribly sorry for the yelling; minor inconvenience."

"Surely didn't sound like that," Bard mumbled.

Balin let out a nervous chuckle. "The King has been more focused, but currently he is everywhere at once." It seemed to Bard and Iris that there must've been a miscommunication between the children of Thrain. Balin motioned for them to follow him. Before he started walking, he looked up at Iris, giving her a bow of his head. "Now, who is this lovely young lady? I don't believe we've met."

Iris glanced up at Bard, who spoke for her. "This is Lady Iris, daughter of one of my generals. She and I are to be married in a year's time."

"Wonderful, that's always good to hear," Balin laughed as he walked back the way they had come. "There is little to do right now; I can see if Lady Coruwen would like to see the both of you."

"Oh no, she's most likely busy,' Bard dismissed. "Knowing her…"

"Naruhel, ouch," Coruwen cursed. The healer tightened the braid more making her wince. She had woken up early and thus Naruhel had spent the last few hours working on her hair; trying to make it prefect. This wasn't going to work as well as the healer woman had thought at first. Coruwen's hair did as it pleased; becoming a tangled mess after it had been washed. It was still damp, but it was starting to become a pain in Naruhel's side. Thranduil had stayed far from his kinswomen, playing with his sleeves or watching the sky outside on her balcony. Coruwen had no idea was Naruhel was doing to her hair besides pulling on it.

"It's not cooperating," Naruhel snarled tugging on a braid that was on the right side of her head. Coruwen let out a growl. "Stop it, that doesn't work."

Naruhel left her side for a moment and when she was far from sight Coruwen darted over to Thranduil and sat in front of him. "Fix this before she pulls my hair out." She pleaded.

The Elvenking complied and began to fix the mess of braids into the exact braid Dís had formed the other day. His fingers were gentle, almost feather like. She relaxed as Thranduil wove the braids together to form the waterfall braid that tumbled down her back. He tapped her shoulder signaling that he had fixed it. She stood and walked over to her mirror to see that her gold hair had been braided back to reveal her pointed ears and all of the hair was removed from her eyes. Amazingly, Thranduil had managed to control the frizz of her wavy hair.

Naruhel reentered the room and grunted at the sight of Coruwen. "I wanted to do it," She whined. Thranduil smirked and turned back to watching the outside. The healer rolled her wrists in thought. "You want to go ahead?"

Coruwen's stomach filled with nervous jitters. "Yes, best do it now." Coruwen replied walking into her bedroom with Naruhel.

There, upon her bed, was the gold dress that Thranduil and Naruhel had brought with them from Mirkwood. It was an off the shoulder dress, though the sleeves that wrapped around her shoulders were made of a sheer material making it look like there weren't any. Beside it sat a snow white cloak with gold designs depicting swirls. Naruhel helped her into the gold dress and tightened it around her so it fit her like a glove. She fixed the back so it laid flat on the floor several times before deeming it fine.

Naruhel followed Coruwen out of the room and watched as Thranduil stood to observe her. He circled her once before taking her hands in his own. The Elvenking smiled and took her face with one hand, looking into her eyes. Coruwen saw the flash of his heart scar again, which made her place her hand on his wrist. He removed his hand and gestured for Naruhel. The healer wrapped the cloak around Coruwen's shoulders and attaching its gold chain around her collarbone.

"Thranduil," Coruwen said quietly. The king responded with a simple noise. She saw him not look at her, and she took his face with one hand. "You seem unsettled again."

"I am fine, my dear." He replied gently. His eyes searched her face with a great deal of fondness in his gaze. "You look beautiful, and the King under the Mountain is lucky." He let out a small laugh, "Very, very lucky, indeed."

"How long do we have to wait again?" Naruhel asked. Both king and lady looked at the healer, who was draped over the side of a sofa, twirling pieces of her auburn hair. "I'm now bored."

"Until Dís fetches me, I suppose. The two of you are fine to run about, but I have to stay in here." Coruwen stated, slightly frustrated. When she started to walk she felt the cloak and dress slightly lag behind her since they both touched the floor. Moreover, the cloak was similar to a train in that it followed after her. Thranduil sat back in his chair, and Naruhel left the room to go investigate Erebor. "Seems a bit ridiculous to be caged in here."

"Tis a tradition of both races," Thranduil told her. Coruwen played with the tips of her hair; boredom playing with her mind. "It is believed by our kin that if one sees the other; their children will be cursed with death before majority. Dwarves, on the other hand, believe that Mahal won't condone their marriage, thus not allowing their loved ones to follow them into the Halls of Aulë."

Coruwen swallowed her nerves. "Seems a bit, uh, macabre for both races," She whispered. Thranduil sighed heavily. "What is wrong?"

"I saw my wife on the day of our wedding before we were supposed to meet; I believe that is one of the reasons that my son passed."

"Thranduil, even you told me that his death was a freak accident." He looked up at her with a small bit of sadness lingering in his eyes. "You have Legolas. You should be blessed with a son like him."

"I suppose."

"Do not mourn your son's death. For this day is meant to be happy," She walked over to him and took his hand. "You are an Elven Lord, and thus should not mourn anyone. You were blessed with a second son, who is more than you will ever need." A knock at her door made her turn to face it. "Who is it?"

"Me," Fili's voice replied from the other side.

"You can come in, Fili," Coruwen said.

The door cracked open so Fili could slip in, and he straightened out his blonde hair a bit before looking at her. His eyes widened with a bit of pink dusting his cheeks. "Uh, we're about ready for you outside." Fili stammered. Coruwen walked toward him, taking his face to make their gazes meet. He physically relaxed and looked her over. "Uncle has been driving Amad crazy… I think she's about ready to strangle him."

Coruwen let out a small laugh. "Why would you say that?"

"There was a tiny communication problem this morning and they got into it then, and it happened again not too long ago when she was trying to make sure he stayed away from this wing of corridors." Fili explained, a small snicker escaping him. "Dwalin finally had to remove Uncle from the entire equation."

"That will keep him out of trouble, I suppose." She left his side, feeling anxiety and nerves get the better of her again. She was ungodly nervous to the point where she thought she was going to faint a number of times. She came to sit in a chair, ringing her hands in order to calm herself. "Thranduil, we best finish it off."

"Ai, Rîs nîn," Thranduil replied, standing to walk over to a glossy, mahogany box. He opened the lid and removed the crown he had given to her. He gingerly placed it on her head and then proceeded to fix the strands of beads and metallic leaves. The Elvenking walked around her, and offered her his hand. She took it coming to stand at his side. Fili smiled big and opened the door the rest of the way for the two to leave. She gripped his arm tighter as they approached the main hall where she could hear the voices of people she knew… Her allies, and close friends. "Are you going to be all right?"

"Once it begins," Coruwen whispered back. She watched as Fili opened the door to reveal Freya lying around the stone pillars with her flicking tail nearest the door. Around her neck sat a gleaming tiger's eye and she smiled at the sight of Coruwen.

Thorin stood beside Freya's right paw wearing a coat of dark blue rimmed with grey wolf fur. His raiment was that of a high king, colors of silver and blue identical to that of his eyes. Beside, on a lower step, stood Kili dressed in garbs of jade and black. Fili stood on the step low step as his brother, but stood on the opposite side nearest Freya's back haunch that was covered by one of her wings.

It seemed as if the voices that had been so loud earlier became drowned out by the blood that pounded in the elleth's ears. When Thranduil's arm slid out from hers, she felt like she had been dropped into a pit of wolves. She heart stopped when her hand was covered by one meant for wielding sharp blades. Her eyes met Thorin's and the nervousness within her died down, but she still could not hear any words being spoken. It was as if the world around her had gone mute. Her eyes wandered up to Freya, who was speaking aloud looking outwards into the crowd of people. The elegant dragoness shifted her weight to her elbows before speaking again. Slowly, Coruwen returned her gaze to Thorin, who was watching her with a fond gaze. She gave him a small smile, which was returned to her.

And from there, time seemed to drag on.

Finally, through the screaming silence came Freya's gentle voice. The dragoness watched the elleth intently before speaking. "By the mark of the Great One, Daughter of Ainulindale, do you promise to protect one of the children of Aulë?"

Coruwen looked up at Freya, giving her a nod. "Of course," She said clearly. Her own voice's clarity mentally surprised her.

Freya let out a rumble before glancing down at Thorin. "And by the mark of the Great One, Son of Sigin tarâg, do you promise to protect this child of Ainulindale?"

"Yes, Great Queen," Thorin replied.

The dragoness swished her tail, a swish that started from her abdomen and rattled the chain around her neck. "So be it," Freya smiled. "Voices of both sides have conjoined, and together let them be heard from every inch of land on this Middle Earth. Long live the King and Queen of Erebor!"

The words were repeated by a small, mouse like voice in the very front. Bilbo slipped through and gave the two a big smile. "Long live the King and Queen!" Bilbo shouted.

The words slowing webbed out into the crowd until it became a great cheer of clapping and shouts. Coruwen smiled and looked down at Thorin, who smiled out at the crowd before them.

"Together, dear," Thorin whispered, squeezing her hand. The two stepped down from the dais, watching the people split away like a great divide. Before people approached them, Freya let out a thunderous roar and smiled down at her smaller allies.

"I honor the two of you with the graces of my father and his father before him," Freya stated. The king and queen turned reaching out to the great dragon as she touched both of their hands. Upon the backs of their hands glowed a gold symbol that neither knew of the origin of; in fact the runes went up their arms ending at their elbow. "Askk, Brii, Dun." Freya removed her nose and heaved a deep breath. The gold runes faded away and their hands returned to normal.

"What does that mean?" Coruwen asked.

"Aspects that will grace your lives. I gave you three words: love, beauty, and grace." Freya stated. Coruwen took Thorin's hand again before turning back to the people in front of them. "Do not forget those words, dear ones."

"We will not, Freya," Coruwen replied as the two walked back into the crowd. The first person who walked up to them was Dís and Bilbo, who hugged the king and queen tightly. "Bilbo, you made it."

Bilbo smiled as she ran a hand through his hair. "Wouldn't miss the two of marrying for the world!" Bilbo laughed. "I was a bit late getting here, so I stayed with Bard and Lady Iris."

"Of course," Coruwen rose from her kneel and caught Dís' fond gaze falling on her. "Dís…"

The princess gripped Coruwen's elbow in a firm grip with her blue eyes shining brightly. "Sister," Dís stated with a small huff of laughter. The namesake made the elleth laugh with the princess. Dís saw two more people out of the corner of her eye and grabbed Bilbo quickly so others could talk. Granted, the hobbit didn't know what was going on as he was being dragged off, but he merely blinked in shock.

Coruwen intertwined her fingers with Thorin's feeling relief wash over her soul. What nerves she had come to possess were sent away by the feeling of her king beside her. No, Thorin had always been her king… He was her husband now, and it felt strange to hear those words coming from her inner most thoughts. She knew that one day she would marry, but never to a king. In fact, she thought she would marry a man similar to her father. It never ever crossed her mind that she would marry a man like Thorin.

Much of the day became taken up by the feast, which ended late at night. However, as the people of Dale returned home to their own city, the company slowly wandered into the main hall to be with their new king and queen in a more peaceful environment. The last dwarf to enter the hall shut the door keeping out others. Everyone gathered around Freya while Coruwen and Thorin sat upon the dragoness' paws.

"How does it feel to be queen now?" Ori asked as he set down his sketchbook.

Coruwen smiled down at him, but deep within herself she did not know how to answer such a question. She played with her fingers, which bore no ring upon them anymore. "It feels...Strange," She replied. "To be honest, I never thought I would end up ruling over a kingdom with someone."

"You're cut out for it," Dori pointed out. "I see no other to take up that place." Dori watched Ori for a moment before swiping his sketchbook from his hands since he wouldn't leave it be. Ori tried to grab it, but was stopped by Nori pushing him over onto his side like a toppled over vase. "Anyway, I do not mean that since the two of you are together. If I think of someone to rightfully take up the throne beside Thorin, it was you."

"Aye, same," Came the reply from the others. Their words were kind, making the elleth feel rather lighthearted. She felt a hand wrap around hers. Her eyes flicked back to Thorin, who was peering down at his fellow dwarves as they all laughed with the other.

"How come you spoke, Freya?" Coruwen asked looking up at her dragon. The daughter of Ancalagon chuckled, wrapping her tail around her back legs. There was a mischievous glint in the dragoness' amber eyes that made Coruwen wonder what all Freya had done. "Freya…"

"It was an idea given to me by a little raven," Freya said blissfully. "And no, I'm not telling you who that person was." The elf smacked Freya on the shoulder, though it did not faze the dragon at all. Freya merely let out a booming laugh at the feeling. "My Dear one, you cannot hurt me."

"Aye, we've tried," Gloín put in as the laughter subsided. "Dragons don't feel an awful lot through that thick hide of scales."

Freya let out a scoff, rolling her eyes. "I could say the same for your people, Gloín," Freya's voice became steely. "However, your race has proved me wrong before."

There was a small grumble between the group as Freya teased them. Thorin glanced up at Freya, who was smiling down at them with a few pointed teeth poking through her lips. The dragoness had been kind enough to speak for them earlier; a kindness that surprised him. However, he not asked Freya to perform it any other day; she might not have done it. He wanted this day to be different and special for his love. Freya was close to Coruwen, and for the dragon to speak on their behalf was something he thought she would hold close to her.

He had been correct. He look of love in his queen's eyes was something that made him beyond overjoyed to behold. She had before him appearing like a goddess in corporeal form; a sight that he had not expected at first. In his eyes, she was always beautiful; today there was a certain ethereal quality she possessed that about made his heart stop. Thorin had decided that Varda had blessed Coruwen herself with this beauty.

Beneath his hand, he felt her thumb run across the heel of his own. Through the rolling gold waves of her hair, Thorin saw one blue eye looking at him. Strands of her hair were falling free of the braid that she wore, and gently he tucked them back behind her pointed ear. He could feel the eyes of his friends on him. Coruwen smiled at his touch.

The hall was oddly quiet, so quiet one could hear the wind rustle the banners hung in the room. Thorin looked at Gloín, who slightly narrowed his eyes at him. The king gave Gloín a nod, and then the dwarf disappeared into the shadows of the room. There was something that he needed to give Coruwen before the night was done. His hand loosened around Coruwen's own when the conversations started again.

Gloín disappeared for a long while; most thought he might've gotten sidetracked with Gimli somewhere. Dori and Ori had fallen asleep leaning on the other, and a few had decided to wander off. The peace that now had come over the mountain was almost soothing. There hadn't been a long silence like the one currently since the beginning of the week. Dís had been driving everyone crazy, and since then there had been little to no peace. It seemed that everyone was just taking it in currently.

Even Thorin was expecting his sister to drag him off somewhere, but she hadn't appeared since Bard and Iris had left. It was strange… Unnerving even. The door cracked open revealing a sight that made Coruwen and Thorin leap down from Freya's paw.

In the doorway, stood a tall elderly man with a long grey beard, storm grey hat and robes, a staff of knotted wood in hand, and striking, light blue eyes peering up from the rim of the hat. Gandalf….

"Mithrandir!" Coruwen laughed. She picked up her skirts and hugged the Istar tightly. Gandalf laughed as she embraced him. "How in the world did you know?"

Gandalf chuckled. "How would I not? It is not every day that one hears about a queen returning to Erebor's throne. I thought of no other than you, my lady." His blue eyes twinkled happily as the company swarmed him. Coruwen stepped back, waiting for Thorin to greet the wizard. "Many greetings to you, King under the Mountain." Gandalf bowed slightly to Thorin.

"You're late," Thorin said bluntly. Gandalf chuckled at the deadpan tone of the king. "Nonetheless, I am glad to see you here."

"I was merely delayed, Thorin," Gandalf stated with a light tone. "And I am glad I made it with some time on my side. Your marriage has corralled many races to this great hall. You even brought the Elvenking here, which is a rarity."

"No other would represent the elves," Coruwen said. Gandalf let out a hum, looking at her in mild curiosity. "I have been put aside by the elves of Imladris and Lothlórien."

"Have you assured the latter?"

Coruwen shook her head. "No, but I am sure that Elrond has spoken to my father about this." Her voice became soft as she curled her hands into the folds of her dress. "My father and I haven't spoken since the return to this mountain."

"Then I will fix that," Gandalf motioned for her to follow him. The wizard slipped through the door, and when Coruwen tried to follow him, a hand stopped her. Thorin held her wrist in a firm grip with his eyes narrowed.

"I need to do this," Coruwen told him. He shifted his weight backward, bringing her closer to him. "Thorin…" His grip released at her voice dropping to a slightly irritated one. She followed Gandalf out of the main hall, down a flight of steps to the main gate. The wizard's horse stood, greeting him with a happy whinny. Gandalf approached the horse and fished something out of his saddlebags. He brought forth a letter for her.

"It is from your father," Gandalf said gently. Coruwen stared up at him in horror. "Go on; open it."

Dread crept underneath Coruwen's skin as she pried the letter loose of the envelope. Her father's handwriting was before her; his writing was clearly focused because it wasn't scrawled and lopsided. No, it was uniform. As she read the letter over; her heart felt as if it were being stabbed with a lance. She held back her sadness, shoving it to the back of her mind. Her heart shattered into a million pieces when she read the bottom of the page.

-I'm sorry, Coruwen.

Haldir had not signed the bottom; which was very strange for him. The letter seemed to be forced as if he were holding back an emotion. Her hands dropped the letter and Gandalf took her hands in his own. The Istar looked at her hands, running his long fingers over the top of hers. Gandalf's blue eyes became serious, and he let out a sigh.

"You gave it away then?" Gandalf inquired in a quiet voice.

Coruwen swallowed her wave like emotions. "I cannot picture a life without him with me…" She said sadly. "It was either give it away, or fade when he passed."

"I will not go against your decision, Lady Queen… Tis your life to live," Gandalf replied. "Come on, we best get inside before the others start worrying." He walked back inside with Coruwen left to stand outside. She looked up to the sky looking at the great bright star Elbereth that hung in the sky. Sadness gripped her heart in a python like hold making it feel as if her breathing was being cut off.

"Ada… I'm sorry," Coruwen whispered, clutching her sides. She mentally told herself to not cry. However, that did not stop her weeping internally. The door behind her creaked open and she whirled around. The white cloak she wore touching the tips of her feet. Fili stood in the doorway, looking at her curiously. "Fili…" The dwarf walked up to her hesitantly and took her wrist.

"Is everything all right?" Fili asked, peering up at her. She saw how much care was visible in his eyes. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. He pulled her close to him, leaning his head against hers. "Coruwen, did something happen?"

Coruwen shook her head and pulled away from him with her hands resting on his shoulders. It was better to have Fili here than Thorin. She knew if Thorin knew of this letter there would be a problem between him and Gandalf, who was simply a messenger. "It was my father…" She murmured. "He is rather upset at me..."

"Angry?"

"No, rather ashamed."

Fili sighed. "He shouldn't be; his daughter is a queen now. By far the prettiest queen we've had." Coruwen smiled at his remark. "Granted, if my daughter ran off with a group that I knew nothing about and suddenly became married I would question her as well. However, I would not hold it against her; it was her choice."

"My father is a strict man, and believes in all of the customs of the elves. I should have known he would do this to me when I married Thorin." She cast her gaze downwards, feeling grief tackle her down.

"No, no no no, don't be upset." He patted her shoulder, giving her a smile. "You look shouldn't be upset… Why don't you go find Uncle? He was starting to bug Gandalf when he came back inside without you."

The elleth nodded and stood to return back inside. "Fili," She said. He looked up at her, tipping his head to the side. "Thank you."

Fili chuckled, "You're my aunt now; I've gotta be good for something."

Coruwen walked back into Erebor and heard Thorin's voice to her left towards his chambers. She walked off towards the direction of his voice to find him talking with Bilbo. The hobbit was clearing forcing himself awake because his brown eyes were slightly droopy and his appearance skewed.

"Ah, Coruwen, you're back," Bilbo said in relief. "Is everything all right?"

Coruwen patted his head, "Everything is fine, my perian." She assured him. "You look a bit tired."

Bilbo hummed, "I feel it, trust me."

"You and I will catch up tomorrow; go and rest." Coruwen replied. The hobbit nodded and sauntered off in the direction of the guest chambers. She glanced over her shoulder at Thorin, who motioned for her to follow him. Once inside, his hand wrapped around her waist. "I'm sorry for worrying you. Gandalf gave me a letter from my father."

"I figured he had given you something," Thorin replied. He led her over to a sofa, where he pulled her down next to him. The look in his eyes became fond, identical to the one he wore earlier. His hands rose to her face and cupped her cheek. "You are most fair, love."

It was then that he kissed her lips softly, feeling her return his love with the same amount of softness. She remembered when he had kissed her in Mirkwood, feeling his emotion pour into her like a river. He was withholding his emotions, coaxing love's fire to the fore front of her mind. Coruwen kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck at the feeling of love grow in her heart. One of his hands rested on the side of her face while the other held her waist.

Thorin broke away from her and placed small kisses on her lips and spoke as he did so. "Let us venture elsewhere, my queen."

A/N: All I can say is: YAY!

Ainulindale: Child of Ainur, or the Music of Ainur.

The language Freya is speaking is from Skyrim: The Elder Scrolls, and I do not own it in anyway.

Please review!