Chapter 11
Down in the dungeons the dwarves are amazed when the elves come to let them out.
"What? Has the king changed his mind?" Thorin asked.
"Your nephew has found favour with the king," one of the guards said.
Thorin couldn't believe it. Did the guard mean Fili or Kili? He followed the guards to another room where the dwarves were given clean clothes and their weapons returned to them. A short time later Kili and Primrose joined them.
"Uncle it will be alright. I've made a deal with the King," Kili said.
"What is the deal?" Thorin asked.
"You won't like this but I promised that if I should one day become King Under the Mountain that he would get that which he desires," Kili said.
Thorin could not believe his ears.
"HOW DARE YOU OFFER HIM SUCH A DEAL," Thorin shouted.
"Uncle it was the only way to get the King to help us and we need his help. Even now the orcs will be coming through the forest to find us," Kili said.
"Kili you aren't even the crown prince. I am," Fili said.
"Would you have offered the King the same deal?" Kili asked.
Fili had to admit Kili was right. He too had become concerned about Thorin becoming greedy.
"Uncle it will be all right. This way we will make it to Erebor in time to find the secret entrance and Primrose can kill the dragon," Kili said.
Thorin had to admit Kili was right. The dwarves needed all the help they could get.
"I'm sorry I shouted at you Kili," Thorin said.
"Uncle it was Primrose who actually started the ball rolling," Kili said.
She followed us in here and was taken to Thranduil and they talked which led to me talking to Thranduil. Thranduil was not being unreasonable when he offered to help you if you gave him what you wanted. But I fear you are going the way of my great uncle and my great great uncle. I say that with the utmost respect," Kili said.
"Kili is right. Family and provision for our kin is more important than wealth. As is strong ties with our allies. This hostility between us and the dwarves has gone on long enough. It's time it ended," Fili said.
Thorin glowered but said nothing. The other dwarves were nodding their heads and agreeing with the brothers.
"They are right you know," Balin and Dwalin said, "If it wasn't for greed we would still be in Erebor today. It is time to mend old wounds," they ended.
"Thank you Primrose you're becoming a real asset to us? But how was it you were not captured with us?" Thorin asked.
Primrose looked at Kili not sure how to answer that. She wasn't sure how Thorin would react if she told him about the ring. Kili nodded to her to tell him.
"I found this ring," she held the ring up, when I encountered a strange creature while we were in the Goblin King's realm. This ring if I put it on my finger makes me invisible," she showed him, "so I was able to avoid detection until I showed myself to Legolas, the king's son," Primrose said.
"Keep the ring secret and keep it safe. If it should fall into Azog's hands it would be disastrous," Thorin said.
Primrose already knew that but she nodded and slipped her ring back into her pocket. She and Kili talked with the dwarves until it was time for them to attend the banquet. At this time an elf appeared and told them he would escort them to the banquet. Kili had been given a new travelling coat and his sword returned to him. He'd lost his bow before he had been captured so it wasn't able to be returned to him. He looked very smart as did the other dwarves. Primrose had been given an outfit similar to the she elf that had saved Kili's to wear. Her outfit was brown and consisted of leggings, a short dress which was fitted, a leather cuirass that went over the bodice of the dress and leather vembraces. She also had knee high boots to wear and the whole outfit was elegant and practical. The vembraces would offer her protection when she used her bow and her quiver and scabbard would go beautifully with it
"You look beautiful my love. Your beauty takes my breath away," he said.
"I'll let you help me take it off later when we are in our room," Primrose said.
Each of the dwarves were to be given lodgings and treated as guests. As they were married Kili and Primrose would of course be sharing a room.
"I look forward to that," Kili said.
It had been some days since he and Primrose had been able to enjoy some privacy and he was looking forward to it.
"Come they are waiting for us," Primrose said.
Kili nodded and slipped his arm around Primrose's waist. The physical closeness felt amazing and he grinned at Primrose.
"Mahal it feels so good to be able to have my arm around you again," Kili said as they began to walk.
They made their way to the banquet hall where Thranduil and Legolas received them. The she elf that had killed the spiders and had saved Kili was also there and she came up to them.
"Greetings I am Tauriel and I am pleased to make your acquaintance," she said.
"I greet you. I am Prince Kili of Erebor and this is my wife Princess Primrose," Kili said.
"It is nice to meet you Tauriel. And thank you for saving my husband from those spiders," Primrose said.
"It was no problem," Tauriel said, "But how do you know about that?" she asked.
"I was there. You couldn't see me though," Primrose said.
She briefly explained about the ring and Tauriel nodded.
How did you a hobbit become involved with a dwarf? It is a most unusual union," Tauriel said.
"We met when we arrived at her uncle's to see if he'd be our burglar. I was attracted to Primrose from the start," Kili said.
"I ended up coming on the quest as Uncle didn't want to go and I wanted to go where Kili was going. So I signed the burglar contact and came with the dwarves. Kili and I were married in Rivendell without Uncle Thorin knowing. He found out though and after I proved I was as tough as any of the dwarves he accepted our union. We now have a child on the way," Primrose said.
"Wow congrats. I hope you aren't going to be putting your unborn child at risk," Tauriel said.
"I hope I won't and I know Kili, Fili and Uncle will protect me," Primrose said.
"I will protect Prim with my life," Kili said.
He and Primrose were seated near to Thranduil and Legolas. Tauriel was also seated near them so they were able to continue their conversation. Over the meal Thranduil told them he had a plan to get them down to Lake-Town the town at the edge of the lake.
"What is your plan King Thranduil?" Kili asked.
"My sentries in the forest have reported that there are orcs moving through the forest and I know they are looking for you dwarves. So I propose to send you down the river in barrels. We have an arrangement with the men of Lake-Town where we send our empty wine barrels down the river where the men of Lake-Town refill them then send them back. I will send a message to the Master of Lake Town to expect you and he will provide accommodation for you in Lake Town until you're ready to go to Erebor," Thranduil said.
"Thank you King Thranduil," Kili said.
He and Primrose continued to talk with Thranduil, Legolas and Tauriel until the end of the banquet at which stage they returned to the dwarves' lodgings where they shared the plan with the other dwarves.
"Thank you Kili and Primrose for your efforts," Thorin said.
"No problem Uncle," Primrose said.
"Kili you're becoming real King material. Showing initiative and making a deal with the elf king even though I had turned him down. And you made a wise choice of wife even if I couldn't see that at first. You are clearly wise beyond your years," Thorin said.
"Thank you my uncle. But don't forget Fili is my elder so is the crown prince. He will be king not I," Kili said.
"Don't be so sure of that. Thus far Fili has not shown me that he is worthy of being the Crown Prince," Thorin said.
"You wouldn't Uncle," Fili said.
"What I mean is if something should happen to Fili and I you would become King under the Mountain and I think you'll make an excellent king. But I am not sure if Fili would make a good King should he succeed me," Thorin said.
"I would be a fine king," Fili protested.
Thorin looked at Fili.
"There is also the fact that Kili already has an heir on the way. You are yet to produce an heir," he said.
"You know I have Anifried waiting for me back in the Blue Mountains. We will be betrothed at the end of this and once married we will start a family," Fili said, "And Kili's heir will not be full dwarf. The line will be intermixed with a Hobbit bloodline," Fili said.
"That does not matter. Primrose has proved that she is as brave and honourable as any dwarf. I am honoured that her bloodline should be mixed with the line of Durin," Thorin said.
"Agreed," Fili said.
He had regretted what he'd said about Kili and Primrose's child the moment the words came out of his mouth. He turned to Kili and Primrose and apologised. Fortunately they assured him they hadn't been offended.
"How exactly can I kill the dragon if he is still sleeping when I get inside the mountain?" Primrose asked.
"There is a scale missing on Smaug's left breast. All you'll need to do is drive your sword into the gap and it will pierce his heart killing him," Thorin said.
"I see," Primrose said.
It sounded easy enough.
"Once he is dead I would like you to bring me the Arkenstone," Thorin said.
"What is the Arkenstone?" Primrose asked.
"It's a large white jewel. It shines like silver in the firelight, like water in the sun, like snow under the stars, like rain upon the moon," Thorin said.
Primrose nodded and as it was getting late she and Kili withdrew to their quarters.
"Why does Uncle want the Arkenstone so badly?" she asked.
"It is the family heirloom of Durin's line," Kili said.
"So he would value it highly," Primrose said.
"Yes he does," Kili said.
"And you?" Primrose asked.
"Fili and I don't care for such things," Kili said.
He smiled and kissed Primrose.
"Enough talk. It's been awhile since I've you all to myself my beloved wife," Kili said.
His fingers were working at the ties of her cuirass and once he had it off he loosened the ties of her dress, letting it fall to the floor. She divested him of his jacket and undershirt at the same time as their lips clashed, their kisses deep and intense. Soon they had divested each other of the rest of their clothes. Primrose smiled seeing Kili's desire for her and they quickly got in the bed. After it they lay together in a mess of sweaty bodies and tangled sheets.
"That felt so good. You're amazing my love," Kili said.
He was tracing lazy circles on her stomach with a finger and kissing her gently.
"I love you Kili of Erebor," Primrose said.
"And I love you too Primrose of Erebor," Kili said.
"You're amazing in bed. You made me feel so good," Primrose said.
She smiled at Kili. Both were still in a state of bliss from the intense pleasure they had experienced. They drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms waking the next morning feeling refreshed. After breakfast the dwarves were led down to the store room and helped to climb into the empty barrels there. Unfortunately there are only enough for the dwarves and Primrose looked at Kili aghast.
"You can cling to my barrel," Kili said.
"What if I lose my grip and get swept away. You could lose me and our child," she said.
"I promise I won't let that happen," Kili said.
The elves opened the trap door that released the barrels and they rolled down into the river one by one. Primrose jumped into the water after the last one was gone the cold water instantly soaking her. She swam to Kili's barrel and gripped it as the barrels began moving down the river. At the same time she heard shouts and turning her head saw elves and Orcs fighting.
"This is going to be one crazy ride," she called out to Kili.
He had Primrose's bow which she'd given to him to avoid it getting wet and he was using it to shoot the orcs. As the barrel went through rapids Primrose was drenched repeatedly. She coughed and spluttered and hung onto the barrel as tightly as she could. A horn sounded and Primrose spotted a set of gates ahead of them below a bridge. She could see Legolas fighting Orcs on top of it. As they floated under the bridge and through the gate Primrose saw more Orcs and saw the dwarves swinging swords and axes at them.
The battle continued all the way down the river and when Kili ran out of arrows he used his sword to fight the Orcs. Finally the dwarves seemed to have lost the orcs.
"Primrose are you ok?" Kili called out?
"I'm fine, still here," Primrose called out.
"Not far to go now. We're heading for the shore," Kili called out.
After some paddling the dwarves reached the shore. Kili clambered out of his barrel and helped Primrose to clamber up on the shore. Everyone was soaked and Primrose shivered involuntarily. Kili wrapped his arms around her pressing his body against hers. Primrose let out a moan as their bodies rubbed together, pleasure shooting through her.
"You don't know what you're doing to me," she muttered to Kili.
Luckily none of the others had heard her reaction to Kili pressing his body against hers.
"Are you feeling warmer?" Kili asked
"A lot warmer," Primrose said.
She blushed.
"If we were alone we could continue this," Kili said softly.
"We must keep moving. We have a pack of orcs on our tail," Thorin said.
The dwarves quickly wrung themselves out as best they could and at the same time a man approached them.
I am Bard of Lake Town and the elves told me to expect you," he said.
"I am Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror, King under the Mountain," Thorin said.