Chapter 17
After dinner Kili and Dain returned to the throne room where they sat with Fili and Thorin. Primose, Dis and Anifried went to the royal quarters where they spent time reminiscing about Fili and Thorin.
"What will you do now?" Primrose asked Anifried.
"I am not sure. It is going to take me time to come to terms with Fili's loss. He had promised to marry me after coming back from the quest you know," Anifried said.
"You aren't pregnant to him are you?" Dis asked.
"No of course I'm not as we never lay together. It wouldn't be proper," Anifried said.
Primrose dropped her hand to her belly suddenly feeling uncomfortable. She had no idea how Anifried would react if she knew that she was with child.
"I'm sorry you never had the chance to bear Fili's children," Primrose said softly.
Anifried began to sob again and Primrose moved to comfort her. Suddenly Anifried looked at her.
"Is… is that the motherhood braid in your hair?" she asked.
"Yes… Yes it is. Kili and I are having a baby. I'm 2 months pregnant," Primrose said.
"That's fantastic news! Congratulations," Anifried said.
"I'm to be a Grandmama? That's lovely," Dis said.
"Yes. Thorin and Fili will live on in our child," Primrose said.
"They must both have been so excited about the prospect of becoming an uncle and a great uncle respectively," Dis said.
"They were," Primrose said.
"I would have been an Aunty after I married Fili," Anifried said.
She started to sob again inconsolable about her loss.
Thorin and Fili lay in state for two days during which time many dwarves as well as others who had known Thorin came to view them. The dwarves also bowed respectfully to Kili and acknowledged him as their King. He was slowly coming to terms with now being King. When Gimli came to view the bodies he paid his respects then greeted Kili warmly.
"I can't believe it Kili. That you're now king and will be ruling us all. I always thought Fili would become King one day," Gimli said.
"That's what I thought too but Mahal had other ideas," Kili said, "I miss him terribly and I wish he was still here. The only thing that comforts me is that I'm to be a Papa in 11 months," Kili said.
"You're going to be a Papa? I didn't even know you were courting anyone let alone married. I know Fili was courting Anifried and she must be devastated," Gimli said.
"Yes I am. And I got married during the journey from Bag End to here. My wife is not a dwarf. She is a hobbit and the niece of the hobbit we had hoped would be our burglar," Kili said.
"Tell me more. What is her name? What did the others think of her? Did your Uncle approve of your marriage?" Gimli said.
"My wife's name is Primrose and no Uncle didn't approve. Kili found himself telling Gimli the whole story of their courtship and marriage and how Thorin had reacted to it.
"That's not right. Women are not punished with the armath taur! What was your uncle thinking? I hope you didn't hurt her," Gimli said.
"No I didn't she actually took 7 strokes of the armath taur without crying out," Kili said.
"And earned the right to use the armath taur," Gimli said.
Kili nodded.
"She hit me with it as it was only fair. That was after Uncle used it on me for not telling him that we were getting married. She wouldn't hit me any more than 7 times," Kili said.
"Ooh I bet that hurt," Gimli said.
"Yeah it did. I didn't cry out though," Kili said.
"Mahal you're tough. I remember when I had it used on me. I could only bear to have 3 or 4 hits before asking Papa to stop," Gimli said.
Kili wasn't at all surprised that Gloin had had to discipline Gimli as he was known to be mischievous.
"Well I hold the record now apparently. I beat Dwalin's record when Fili and I were disciplined when we lost two of the ponies," Kili said.
"How did Fili do?" Gimli asked.
"Not good. He didn't manage even one hit without crying out and when Uncle allowed him to sit up after giving him four hits he touched his rump so he got another one," Kili said.
"That was foolish of him," Gimli said, "Anyway I would like to meet your wife. It is unusual for a dwarf to marry a non-dwarf but you obviously love her," Gimli said.
"You will be able to meet her tomorrow at the funeral. She's keeping Anifried and Mama company at the moment," Kili said.
The funerals were held the next day and Kili wore brand new formal robes which had been hurriedly made for him. His outer robe had fur on it as befitting his new status and the under robes were made of dark blue velvet and edged with the Durin motif. He looked very regal and handsome and Primrose couldn't help but smile when she saw him in the new robes for the first time. She was wearing a dark blue velvet gown made from the same material as Kili's under robes.
"You look beautiful my love," Kili said.
"You look amazing too," Primrose said.
"This is going to be so so hard. I don't know how I can say goodbye to Fili," Kili said.
"This will be hard but you don't have to do it alone. I will be with you the whole time," Primrose said.
She hugged Kili gently and he smiled.
"Thank you my love I don't know what I would do without you," Kili said.
"Do you receive another braid to signify your status as King?" Primrose asked.
"Yes it will be done during my coronation and it will have a very special clasp. That clasp is passed down from one king to another. It is in Thorin's hair at the moment but will be removed before he is placed in his tomb," Kili said.
"Do I as queen get a braid too?" Primrose asked.
"Yes and it too has a special clasp. The last time that clasp was worn was when Grandmama was Queen. Uncle never married so there hasn't been a queen since Grandpapa and Grandmama were King and Queen under the Mountain," Kili said.
He offered Primrose his arm as it was time for them to go down to the throne room where the funerals were being held. Primrose took his arm and together the two made their way to the throne room. When they got there they waited until Balin announced their arrival.
"May I present Kili King under the Mountain and his wife and consort, Primrose Queen Under the Mountain," Balin said.
Kili and Primrose entered the throne room and everyone stood and bowed respectfully as they went past. Kili sat down on the throne and Primrose sat with Dis and Anifried. The funeral then got underway and was led by Kili. He began by greeting everyone who was there and acknowledging the special guests who included Bard, Thranduil, Legolas, Tauriel, Gandalf, Elrond and Radagast. He then spoke about Thorin and Fili sharing about their lives, his memories of both and how Thorin had been like a father to him and Fili. He broke down while speaking and Primrose joined him, comforting him as best she could. Finally gathering his strength Kili continued. Through his tears he continued to share about Thorin and Kili.
"I will miss them both especially Fili who I was extremely close to. I still cannot believe he is gone that I won't hear his cheeky voice again," Kili ended.
After he had spoken Dis spoke about her brother and son. She shared of the close bond she had with Fili as her first born and how she'd bought him into the world and nurtured him. She also spoke of her bond with her brother and how Thorin had looked after her and Fili and Kili after Borin had died. When she was done speaking Dis sang a lament for Thorin and Fili. Both Kili and Primrose were in tears at the end.
Over the next few hours many dwarves spoke about Thorin and Fili sharing happy moments, funny moments, sad moments and touching moments. There were smiles and laughter and tears as everyone remembered the two dead dwarves. Finally Anifried spoke and she paid tribute to the dwarf who would have been her husband and talked about how much she had loved him and how much he had loved her. Primrose was with her to give her support as she was tearful throughout the entire time she spoke. Once Anifried was done Primrose then spoke. She began by sharing how she had met Thorin and Fili and how she had taken her Uncle's place on the quest. She shared about the journey she had been on and how she'd grown to love Thorin as a friend and then her Uncle. She shared about how her friendship with Fili had grown and how he had become like a brother to her. Then she sang a dirge as her way of farewelling the two. When she was done she re-joined Anifried and Dis. Both were sobbing so she comforted them as best she could. Kili too had tears running down his cheeks. Thranduil stood and looked at Kili.
"I am greatly saddened by your losses and as a token of my goodwill and willingness to form a friendship with you I would like to return Orcrist to you. Perhaps it can be buried with your Uncle," Thranduil said.
He approached Kili and bowed then handed him Orcrist.
"You have my thanks Thranduil, Elven king. In return the white gems you desire shall be yours. And the necklace that should have been a gift to your late wife will also be yours. It should not have been kept from you," Kili said.
"Thank you Kili, King under the Mountain. You are indeed wise and just," Thranduil said.
Bard then came forward and bowed then held out a small casket.
"I would like to return the Arkenstone to you. It belongs to your family and I believe your Uncle would have wanted it back," Bard said.
"You also have my thanks. That which Smaug took and rightfully belongs to you shall be returned," Kili said.
"Thank you Kili, King under the Mountain," Bard said.
Kili walked over to Thorin's body and placed Orcrist on his chest and wrapped his hands around it's hilt. Then the bodies of Thorin and Fili were placed on litters and carried deep into the mountain in a sombre procession where a burial chamber had been constructed. Stone tombs had been prepared to receive their bodies. Their bodies were placed gently and reverently into their tombs and a dwarf holy man blessed the bodies. Then Kili spoke a few final words committing Thorin and Fili into Mahal's care until the world was renewed. After that the lids of the tombs were placed on top of them and sealed. Kili and Primrose sobbed together along with Anifried and Dis. Ceremonial plaques with Thorin and Fili's names and deeds upon them were affixed to the lids of their tombs. Kili then withdrew the Arkenstone from the casket it had been returned to him in.
"I am going to affix this to the lid of Uncle's tomb. I care not for it and I believe it would be appropriate for it to be here with Uncle since he cared so much for it," Kili said.
That said Kili set the Arkenstone into the lid of Thorin's tomb and affixed it there. A feast was held immediately after the funerals at which the lives of Thorin and Fili were celebrated. Much reminiscing about the two took place by all who partook in the feast. At the end of the feast those who had to travel back to where they had come from said their farewells and left.
Gimli came up to Kili and Primrose after the dinner and Kili introduced Primrose to Gimli.
"Gimli this is my wife Primrose. Primrose this is Gloin's son Gimli," Kili said.
"Nice to meet you," Primrose said.
"It's nice to meet you too. I've heard so much about you from Kili. He told me how tough you are and all about your courtship and marriage. Congratulations on the pregnancy by the way," Gimli said.
Gimli was very like his father to look at and Primrose had guessed who he was before Kili introduced her.
"Thank you," Primrose said.
"I was so annoyed when Kili and Fili got to go on the quest and I wasn't allowed. I'm not even all that much younger than them," Gimli said.
"Believe me you didn't miss out on much," Primrose said.
"Are you going to return to Hobbiton and let your Uncle know you are alright and tell him he's to be a great uncle?" Gimli asked.
Primrose nodded.
"We will be leaving after Kili's coronation," Primrose said.
"That will be a sight to behold," Gimli said.
Kili's coronation was 3 weeks after the funerals. By that time all the dwarves of the Longbeard Clan from the Blue Mountains had returned to Erebor and made it their home once more. Representatives from the other dwarf clans also attended the coronation as they had the funerals of Fili and Thorin. Kili and Primrose wore their formal robes as they had done for the funerals. The coronation began with Balin carrying in the crown of Erebor and the special clasp to go on Kili's braid on a red cushion through the throne room and up to the throne. There he waited while Kili and Primrose made their way through the throne room passing all the various delegations. When they reached the front Balin made a speech welcoming everyone to the coronation. Then he turned to Kili.
"Do you Kili, son of Dis, daughter of Thror promise to rule this kingdom with wisdom, ruling your people justly and well?" Balin asked.
"I do and will," Kili said.
"Do you promise to restore this Kingdom and make it prosperous once more," Balin asked.
"I do," Kili said.
Balin then moved behind Kili and taking a section of his hair braided it.
"I have placed within your hair the braid of Kingship. Wear this clasp and wear it proudly," Balin said, sliding the clasp onto Kili's new braid.
"I will," Kili said.
Balin then took the crown from the cushion and lowered it onto Kili's head.
"I now crown you Kili King under the Mountain," Balin said.
Everyone cheered and Kili smiled. Balin handed him the sceptre Thorin had held before him and Kili sat down on his throne. Primrose then walked forward and knelt at Kili's feet and took his hand in hers
"I Primrose of Bag End swear to be loyal and faithful to you, Kili King under the Mountain as your queen and consort. I swear to support you in all you do and to never oppose you in anything," Primrose said.
"Thank you my love," Kili said.
He took the circlet made of mithril with white gems set in it and crowned Primrose queen.
"I give you Primrose my wife and consort. Primrose Queen under the Mountain," Kili said.
Primrose stood and taking her hand Kili turned Primrose to face the assembled dwarves and other guests. Everyone cheered and the two smiled. Kili then moved behind Primrose and swiftly braided a section of her hair.
"I have placed within your hair the braid of Queenship. Wear this clasp I now place upon it and wear it proudly," Kili said.
He slid the Queenship clasp onto Primrose's new braid and everyone cheered again. The two then sat down on their thrones and Balin knelt in front of them and swore fealty to them. The other dwarves that had been part of the company then followed suit.
Then Dain stood and faced Kili and Primrose.
"My Lord and Lady I swear to you that our axes are yours if you should ever need them," Dain said.
"Thank you Cousin Dain," Kili said.
"My Lady I am proud to now call you kin. I wish you every happiness here in Erebor," Dain said.
He raised Primrose's hand and kissed it gently.