Chapter Twenty
The next evening, Bernadette had finally finished her painting, and she decided to unveil it over supper to everyone. "Hey, what is that you got covered up, Bernadette?" asked Gloin, after they ate. "That's what I'm about to show you. I've been working on this for the past few weeks, every night to be exact, and I finished it earlier today. I'm ready to show it to you." said Bernadette. "I never knew you painted!" smiled Thorin. "I just recently took it up, Thorin. The painting I have worked on is of our home." smiled Bernadette, and she uncovered her painting. Everyone looked it in awe and amazement. "Bernadette, that is beautiful! I never seen anything so beautiful!" gasped Dis, wiping a tear from her eye.
"And we're going to have it on display!" smiled Thorin. Bernadette smiled, and she hugged Thorin. The thought of having her painting on display made her happy, and proud. She sat there realizing the wedding and coronation wouldn't be that far from now. She considered her painting as an early wedding present for Thorin, as she told Thorin that night while they laid in bed together. "That is the best early wedding present!" said Thorin, kissing Bernadette on the lips. "Thorin-!" began Bernadette, but Thorin already had turned over and he fell asleep. Bernadette sighed. Several weeks later, Thorin had to stay in another room because according to their culture, he isn't allowed to see the bride in two days. So Bernadette had to go a few days without seeing Thorin. Dis had kept Bernadette busy however with learning the language of the dwarves, prepping her for the ceremony, and also fitting her for the gown, so Dis could make any alterations if needed for the gown. Bernadette even had to eat dinner, alone, but she always had someone with her to keep her company in the meantime.
Bernadette's nerves already felt rattled. Between all the pampering, Thorin's absence, spending nights alone in the bedroom, it started taking its toll on her. She wished she could go for a walk. She decided she wanted to talk to someone about this. Finally she managed to find Bilbo. "Bilbo, you're my brother! You're the only one I can talk to! I just need someone to talk to right now!" said Bernadette. "My dear sister! You don't look so good! Are you okay?" asked Bilbo. "Its my nerves. Between all the pampering, the prepping, learning the dwarven language, not having Thorin around, its all taking its toll on me! What should I do? I'm a wreck! I'm considering of going for a long walk. Maybe into Lake Town." said Bernadette.
"A long walk could do you some good, Bernadette. But I suggest you shouldn't go alone!" said Bilbo. "Can you come with me?" asked Bernadette. "Of course I can." said Bilbo. And so Bilbo and Bernadette leave the Mountain, making their way into Lake Town. "You're not very good at rowing, Bilbo. Let me take over!" teased Bernadette. Bilbo laughed, and he allowed Bernadette to take over. "Where did you learn to row?" asked the hobbit. "Bofur taught me!" said Bernadette. Bilbo laughed.
When they arrived in Lake Town, they strolled through the village. Bernadette told Bilbo of how she felt. "You feels as if he's not paying any attention to you?" asked Bilbo. "I understand that he's tired after a long busy day, but he could at least take some little time out, you know, for me." said Bernadette sadly. "Do you think it would help it I talked to him? Maybe tonight I will talk to him about this." said Bilbo. "Bilbo, really you shouldn't! Its between me and Thorin, don't!" said Bernadette. "Bernadette, I like to see you happy! I don't' want to see you sad all the time, it makes me sad!" said Bilbo.
"I understand your intentions, Bilbo! But I can fix this on my own, you know! I'm a grown hobbit, not a child." said Bernadette. Bilbo sighed.
"If that's what you wish, so be it." grumbled Bilbo. Later, Bilbo wanted to stop at a pub for a drink, since they had been walking for quite some time. "Do you think its really a good idea to come in here right now? Usually in the evenings, they get pretty crowded." said Bernadette. "Bernadette, everything is going to be fine! If someone tries to pull anything on you, I will fight them, I will!" said Bilbo. Bernadette nodded, as she followed her brother into the pub. Bernadette sat down at a table, while Bilbo went to ordered their drinks.
As he approached the bar to order drinks, he wasn't prepared for what he was about to see. At the corner of his eye, he saw Thorin, sitting at a table surrounded by many people, humans and dwarves. But it wasn't the only thing that shocked him. It was a dwarf woman, with light blonde hair, kissing on Thorin, and he allowed her to do so! Anger clouded over Bilbo as he stood and watched this. He wanted to go and tell this dwarf off. Bernadette felt impatient, she was wondering what took her brother so long in bringing the drinks to her. She stood up, and as she was about to approach the bar, Bilbo stood in front of her. "Bilbo! What took you so long?" asked his sister, placing her hand on her hips.
"Bernadette, I think we should be heading back!" said Bilbo nervously.
"Bilbo, what about our drinks?" said Bernadette sharply. "We can have our drinks when we get back. We really should be going." said Bilbo quickly. "Bilbo, you seen something. What is going on? I'm really thirsty, Bilbo! I'm going to order us the drinks!" said Bernadette. "Bernadette! No! Don't go in there!" cried out Bilbo. But it was too late, Bernadette was already head of him, making her way to the bar, but as she approached it, she saw Thorin, whom was still kissing on the dwarf female. Bernadette let out a loud scream in anguish. Bilbo quickly ran to her, grabbing her arm. "We're going back! Come on!" insisted Bilbo.
"NO!" barked Bernadette, pushing Bilbo back. But Bilbo wrapped his arms around her waist. "We're going back! Come on!" said Bilbo. He pretty much had to drag his sister out of the pub. Thorin heard the shriek, and he scanned around the room, finding where the anguish cry came from, because he recognized the yell. "Excuse me!" snarled Thorin, pushing the dwarf woman away, as he left the pub. By the time he stepped outside, he saw Bilbo dragging a very distressed and angry Bernadette back to the mountain. Thorin's heart sank. He realized now, what he had done is wrong. As he could see the anger and rage in Bernadette.
By the time they arrived back at the mountain, Bilbo kept dragging Bernadette in.
Fili, Kili, Dis and Balin approached them, as they witnessed a very angry Bernadette screaming and cursing Thorin's name. "Bilbo, what happened? What's wrong with Bernadette?" asked Dis. "You need to talk with your brother!" barked Thorin. "What did Uncle Thorin do?" asked Fili. Bilbo explained his story of their stroll, and of Bernadette's mixed emotions, which was the reason why they wanted the walk. And then, he told them what he and Bernadette had witnessed in the pub. "WHAT?!" exclaimed Dis, Balin, Fili and Kili together.
"Oh, when he does come back, I'm going to punch that bastard in the nose!" roared Dis, angrily. Bernadette, now on her knees, weeping hysterically. "Dis, you better take her to her room. I will have a talk with Thorin." said Balin. "Come, Bernadette. I need to take you to your room, and get you to calm down, so we can talk about this, okay?" said Dis gently. Bernadette nodded, as she allowed Dis to help her to her bed quarters. Meanwhile, Thorin quickly entered the Mountain, and Balin angrily approached the dwarf king. "Thorin, a word with you, now!" scowled the older dwarf.
"Go ahead, yell at me, curse at me. I deserve it." growled Thorin, still feeling the effects of the alcohol he had at the pub. "What has gotten into you, lad? This behavior! You will be married in two days, what is wrong with you?! Not to mention the lack of attention you've been giving Miss Baggins weeks before this. Tell me this, Thorin! Do you love her?" asked Balin. "Of course I love Bernadette! Why are you asking me this?!" snapped Thorin hotly. "Well, first tell me why you were kissing that woman in the pub!" snarled Balin, crossing his arms. Thorin fell silent.
"She was an old flame I met in the pub." said Thorin softly. "Tihelle Fire Forge, daughter of Bweil Fire Forge?" asked Balin, remembering the name of Thorin's old flame. "Yes, that's the one. Her father, made a promise to my father and grandfather of our betrothal. Apparently her and her father had not forgotten it." said Thorin. "Thorin, what about Bernadette?" asked Balin. "I don't know, Balin. I'm really confused. Remember, we have our laws. Once you agreed to the betrothal, even if it has been years, we have to keep it." said Thorin. Balin snorted.
"That is such a stupid law! You and Bernadette had been courting for a long time now, by right you should marry Bernadette. You really don't love Tihelle, do you?" asked Balin. "No, I don't. I like her as a friend, nothing more than that." said Thorin. "Then why in Durin's name did you kiss her?" barked Balin. "She kissed me first, Balin!" Thorin argued back. "Thorin, you allowed her to kiss you! You should've walked away from her! That woman is trouble! I never liked that family much, to be honest with you! They are cons!" protested Balin.
Suddenly, Balin looked at Thorin gently. "Trust me, you need to be with Bernadette! She truly loves you and cares for you! She's the one whom you should be with. Thorin, she is hurting." said Balin. Thorin bowed his head low. "I know. I've hurt her, I don't think she'll ever speak to me again. I have to find a way of winning her back." said Thorin. "I know a way you should win her back!" spoken up Bilbo, now entering the room. "Oh, how would I do that?" asked Thorin, smiling at Bilbo. "Well she loves your singing you know. You should compose a special song for her." grinned Bilbo. Thorin grinned. "I shall do that. But I will arrange a candle light dinner for two and flowers as well!" said Thorin.
"There, lad! You got yourself a plan!" said Balin.