Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Thorin had been busy having meetings with his cousin Dain and his dwarves, alongside with the other dwarves of Thorin's group. Bernadette had spent most of the day talking to Bilbo. "When are you returning home, Bilbo?" asked Bernadette. "I was thinking after you and Thorin's wedding/coronation ceremony. "You are going to look so beautiful, Bernadette. I wish you could wear our mother's dress." said Bilbo. "Mother's wedding gown!" exclaimed Bernadette. Bernadette had an idea, since it will be a while until the coronation/wedding ceremony, she thought maybe Bilbo would return home, to get the gown, and bring it to her.
"You know that is a good idea. I'll do that!" said Bilbo, smiling. But Bernadette sat, and thought it over. "Bilbo, scratch the idea. Dis has already working on making a dress for me, so don't worry about it!" smiled Bernadette. She realized that Dis had went all her way to make a gown for her, she didn't want to refuse it. "Okay." said Bilbo. Later, that same day to Bernadette's surprise, she sees Thorin walking out of the tent. "You're up and walking!" exclaimed Bernadette. Thorin smiled.
"I hate having to lay there all the time! I was getting restless!" said Thorin. "And getting on our last raw nerves!" mumbled Thranduil. "We gave him orders he needed to lay bedridden for two more days and he won't listen." said Tauriel, folding her arms across her chest. "Have you guys forgotten he's stubborn?" grinned Bernadette. "No. I most definitely not forgotten he's stubborn, he will always be stubborn!" said Thranduil. "You shouldn't be talking, your highness. You have your moments too!" smirked Tauriel. Thorin and Bernadette burst into laughter.
Thranduil snorted. "You should join us in the camp. We're just about having lunch." smiled Bernadette, taking Thorin's hand. "Okay." said Thorin, and he walked over to Bernadette, sitting with the others. "Look who's joining us!" exclaimed Kili, running over to his Uncle, alongside with Fili. "Give the lad room to breathe!" said Dwalin. Thorin smiled, and he embraced his nephews. "I am happy you two are safe." said Thorin softly. Bernadette looked at Thorin, giving him a nudge. "Don't you have something to say to the two of them?" said Bernadette.
Thorin smiled at Bernadette and nodded.
"Fili, Kili, about the words I said to the two of you in Lake Town before I left, I never meant to say them." said the dwarf softly. "Don't worry about it, Uncle! You had to continue the quest and I was injured, although I wanted to go, but my injuries stopped me. But thanks to Tauriel, she saved me, and we returned once I healed, like you said." said Kili. "We will never stay mad at you, Uncle. We love you." said Fili. Thorin smiled. "Come here, you two!" grinned Thorin, and as he hugged both of them, he ran his fists in their hair. "Hey! Not the hair!" exclaimed Kili. "You're messing up my braids! Uncle!" exclaimed Fili, as they laughed.
Bernadette laughed. Later, it had been decided that Thorin and the dwarves will stay in Lake Town for a while, before moving into Erebor to start rebuilding. A guest home was set up for them, and Bernadette felt happy having a room, she could share with Thorin. "Will you be okay here alone, Bernadette? We have a meeting to attend to." said Thorin. "I will be okay, Thorin. Besides I'm thinking of going to a market to get me some accessories to go with my gown. Dis is going with me. I won't be alone actually!" said Bernadette. Thorin smiled, happy at the thought Dis will be with Bernadette while he and his companions attend a meeting.
It had something to do with the Master. She knew that the Master was up to no good.
And she was worried of the outcome of the meeting. "Well, are you ready to go, Miss Baggins?" asked Dis. "Yes." said Bernadette. Bernadette enjoyed the company of Thorin's sister, and the two talked for a long time. "How is your brother? He hasn't left to the Shire yet has he?" asked Dis. "No, not yet. He is with the others at the meeting. Bilbo will be returning home after the wedding and coronation. He doesn't want to miss that for the world." said Bernadette. Dis laughed. "I can imagine." said Dis. After a few hours of shopping, they decided to stop at a pub for a drink and to relax for a little bit.
"This isn't like the inns and pubs we have back at home." said Bernadette, feeling quite intimidated at the feel of the place. "You'll be fine, Bernadette. Here come our drinks!" said Dis. The bar maid brought them their drinks as they sat quietly for a little while. "Why is that man staring at us?" asked Bernadette. "I don't know. Just ignore it, Bernadette. He's up to no good. I believe that is Alfrid, the Master's assistant." said Dis. Alfrid approached their table. "Hello, ladies. You don't mind me joining you?" asked Alfrid. "No! This table is reserved!" said Dis.
"Sir, you are rude, and we don't deal with rude people. Please go away!" said Bernadette.
Bernadette reached for her sword hilt. "Oh, you're not the type who likes men, are you?" purred the man. "Get away from me, you filth!" snapped Bernadette, standing up, aiming her sword at the man. "You know, if you kill me, you will be punished for this." said Alfrid. "No, you will be the one that is punished! You are dealing with Erebor's future Queen here! She will soon marry Thorin Oakenshield, so beware of you words, Alfrid!" snarled Dis. "She won't be queen for long, as long as the Master as a say in the matter!" growled Alfrid and he left the pub. "The nerve of that son of a!" shouted Dis.
"I should've killed him when I had the chance." growled Bernadette. "Bernadette, don't worry about this. You will marry Thorin, don't allow some idiot of a human to get in your way." said Dis. Suddenly to their delight, Bofur, Fili and Kili entered the pub, and they noticed Dis and Bernadette sitting there. "Hey! We didn't expect you two to be here! What a coincidence!" beamed Bofur, sitting with them. "The meeting over already?" asked Dis. "Well, things are starting to get pretty ugly at the meeting, so we left. Thorin and Bard are ready to kill the Master. Alfrid had just shown up there." said Fili.
"I know, he was starting to bully poor Miss Baggins here." said Dis.
"That is why Bard and Thorin are angry. The Master said he would try anything to stop the wedding. He believes that hobbits should marry their own, and that Thorin should either find a human or dwarf. For some reason he has it out on Bernadette." said Fili, sadly. "That's not fair! I have done no wrong to that idiot!" cried out Bernadette. "Calm down, Bernadette! They will handle this." said Dis, as she wrapped her arm around Bernadette, as tears slid down Bernadette's cheeks. "Don't worry, Miss Baggins! You will marry Uncle Thorin! Bard is Lord of Lake Town and Dale now, and the Master and his ugly assistant will be punished for this." said Fili.
"Come, lets go on back home." said Dis. "I'm getting exhausted." said Bernadette softly. And they made their way back to their guest house, followed by Fili, Kili and Bofur. By the time they arrived, Thorin and the others already returned from the meeting. "I'm going to lay down." said Bernadette softly. "How did the meeting go?" asked Dis. "The Master and Alfrid are banished, they are sent away! So there is no need to worry about the wedding being stopped." said Thorin kindly, and he turned to Bernadette, taking the hobbit woman's hands. "Oh, that's a relief!" sighed Bernadette.
Bernadette leaned towards Thorin. "You need some rest, Bernadette. Let me take you to our room." said Thorin, and he picked her up, carrying her to their room, gently placing her on the bed. "I had a long day, especially having to deal with Alfrid." said Bernadette. "Yes, I have heard all about that." said Thorin, sitting down with her, gently brushing Bernadette's hair with his hand. "Don't you worry, you will never see those two again." said Thorin. "Good." said Bernadette, as she drifted off into sleep. "Just think, in a week or so, we will be moving into our home." smiled Thorin, as he climbed into bed, taking Bernadette in his arms.
A week went by, Thorin and everyone moved into their home. Thorin and Bernadette set up their room, in Thorin's old room, with his office adjoined to it. "Oh! A walk in wardrobe! How nice!" exclaimed Bernadette. "I've already ordered some new clothes for you, Bernadette. They will be arriving today!" said Thorin. Bernadette saw the large bed in the room, and she flopped on the bed with excitement. Thorin laughed. "I see you're enjoying the bed already!" teased the dwarf. Later in the evening, Bernadette and Thorin enjoyed their first dinner in the dining hall with their friends and family.
Thorin also announced that the dwarves of Ered Luin will be arriving in a couple days, moving here as well, and to help rebuild. Bernadette knew this entire week and beyond that, will be very busy. And indeed it has. She rarely had seen Thorin during that time line, except for at nights when he joined her in their bed quarters. And by the time he would be in bed, he would already had fallen asleep. She understand with him being King now, she had expected him to be really busy, but she also felt very lonely, in spite of her companionship with Dis, Fili and Kili, and the others.
So the first few weeks had been very difficult for Bernadette, but she got by, and decided to stay busy, talking with Dis, having fun with Fili and Kili, and she took up painting and drawing. At times, she would sit out in the courtyard, and she began working on her painting of the Lonely Mountain, as she been doing every night. She knew it would take a while to finish the painting. She even had to send Ori into town a few times to get more paints and brushes for her. He didn't mind it all, because he loved the idea that Bernadette took up becoming an artist.