Chapter Twenty-Two
A day went by, it came for the wedding/coronation ceremony. All that morning, Bernadette had been busy getting ready for the ceremony, with the help of Dis, and several other female dwarves, one among them is Gloin's wife, Nyla. Sigrid and Tilda also present, as they too assisted with Bernadette, and they too were also chosen to be part of the Bridal party as well. "You look nervous, Bernadette." said Tilda. "Me? Nervous?! I'm not really all that nervous." said Bernadette. "Bernadette, you are nervous, I can tell." said Dis. "Alright, I am just a little. I never been married before, or a queen." said Bernadette.
"You'll be just fine, Bernadette. Trust me. You and my brother love each other very deeply, and that goes a long way, and your love for people, and how you stand up to speak for yourself! You have all those qualities as a good queen, Bernadette." said Dis. Bernadette smiled. "Thank you." said Bernadette. "You are almost done. All we need now, is the flowered tiara." said Dis, and she planted the tiara on Bernadette's head. "You'll be wearing this tiara temporarily until after the coronation, and from there, you'll wear a real tiara!" smiled Dis.
Meanwhile, Thorin sat in the private parlor room, dressed in his formal wedding attire, a dark blue fur coat, a tunic with gold buttons, and his long hair flowed passed his back, and his beard braided. Thorin sat alone in the room, playing on his harp, humming softly to himself to pass time. Dwalin, Bilbo and Kili entered the room, and they saw their king sitting at the harp, but quickly stood up when Thorin saw his friends entering the room. "Wow, looking magnificent there, old chap!" beamed Bilbo. Thorin smiled. "Well this is it." said Thorin.
"You're not nervous, are you?" teased Dwalin. "No, not as nervous as I feel Bernadette is right now." said Thorin, with a sly smile. "I can imagine her being very nervous." laughed Bilbo. "She's your sister, you should know her by now." said Dwalin. "My sister-getting married. I'm here to see her get married!" sighed Bilbo, cheerfully. "You're giving her away, aren't you?" asked Thorin. "Yes. Since our father isn't here, I have to take on the job of giving her away!" grinned Bilbo. "Well, we can't just stand here like trees, lets make way to the Throne Room!" said Dwalin, leading them out of the parlor room.
Already arriving in the Throne Room, many people already arrived.
Even the elves and men came to watch this beautiful wedding. Standing ahead of them, was Gandalf, Elrond, Thranduil and Galadriel on the right, in the center stood Balin and Dain, and beside Balin and Dain, stood Fili and Kili. Kili kept looking at Tauriel as she smiled at the dark haired dwarf prince, in his formal clothing. She had never seen Kili dressed in formal attire. Kil looked at Tauriel, whom also dressed in her elven formal gown of lavender, with a yellow belt, and her hair adorned with flowers. "Is it me, or Kili is staring at the flowered elf?" asked Dwalin. "Yes, he's staring at her. That's Tauriel, Dwalin." said Thorin.
"Captain Tauriel? Thranduil's Captain?!" gasped Dwalin, as he looked at her. "What?" said Bilbo. "I never seen her in formal dress, she is rather ravishingly beautiful!" gasped Dwalin. Thorin laughed. "Sorry, Dwalin, she is taken. And take a guess who!" said Thorin. Dwalin laughed. "I know-Kili! His eyes are glued on her." said Dwalin, as they made their place with the others near the large throne. "I see nervousness in your eyes there, cousin!" teased Dain. "Oh shut it! I'm not nervous." said Thorin. "Yes you are." said the dwarf, grinning. Suddenly, a small orchestra began to play music, as they watched the beautiful bride, and her bridal party marching down the aisle, with Bilbo escorting his sister, trying not to openly cry with joy.
As they approached the Throne, Bilbo and Bernadette stopped, now standing directly in front of Balin, Gandalf, and Thorin. Gandalf and Dain, both presiding the ceremony and coronation, began the event. "Who gives away the bride?" asked Gandalf. Bilbo stepped forward. "I do!" said Bilbo, and he bowed, slightly moving Bernadette in front of him, as the hobbit stepped back, allowing Thorin to stand in front of his sister. Bilbo sat down, wiping a tear away from his eye. "Bilbo sure is a softy isn't he?" whispered Fili with a chuckle. "Shh! The ceremony is starting, Fili!" hissed Dis. "Sorry." said Fili.
"Thorin II Oakenshield, do you love, cherish, protect Miss Bernadette Evangeline Baggins, with your heart, until death do you part?" asked Gandalf. "I do." said Gandalf. Gandalf asked the same question to Bernadette. "I do!" said Bernadette. "Take this ribbon, tie it around your wrists as token of your bond to each other as one." said Balin, stepping forward, tying the ribbon around Thorin and Bernadette's wrists. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Thorin II Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror, you may kiss your bride!" announced Gandalf. "Yes!" grinned Thorin, and he swept Bernadette into his arms, and they kissed passionately.
Everyone cheered at the kissing, and the entire room roared with the cheers and whistles coming from family and friends. When the kiss broke, Gandalf raised his hand, signaling to quiet the room, as they begin the coronation ceremony, announcing the King and Queen of Erebor. "Bring forth the crowns!" announced Gandalf. Dain stepped forward with two crowns. The first crown, Thror's original crown, and the second a smaller crown made of gold. Gandalf took Thror's crown, placing it on Thorin's head. As he done so, Dis wiped a tear from her eyes.
"He looks so much like papa!" said Dis softly. Fili and Kili looked at their tearful mother, and then at Thorin. "Oh, heavens! He does look like grandfather!" gasped Kili. Gandalf shortly placed the golden crown on Bernadette's head. "Here stands King Thorin II Oakenshield, our King Under the Mountain, and his wife, Queen Bernadette Evangeline Baggins!" announced Gandalf, as the husband and wife stood up, standing facing the crowd in the room. Bard stepped forward. "All Hail, King and Queen Under the Mountain!" announced Bard loudly, and everyone joined in the chanting. Bernadette could feel tears of joy swelling in her eyes as she heard this.
She couldn't believe it. She's now not only Thorin's wife, but a Queen.
"Now let the feasting began! Follow us to the Great Hall!" announced Thorin, as he and Bernadette, leave first entering the Great Hall, followed by many of the guests, family and friends as they entered the Great Hall for the feasting. Thorin and Bernadette sat at the head table, alongside with Dis, Balin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili, Bilbo and the companions who followed Thorin on their quest to Erebor. "Was your nervous before the ceremony, Bernadette?" asked Thorin. "Me? Nervous?! I don't think so!" smirked Bernadette. "Don't you say that, Bernadette! You too were nervous!" grinned Fili. Bernadette stuck her tongue out at Fili.
"Quite immature of you, Aunt Bernadette!" grinned Kili. "You two are going to get it later!" joked Bernadette. "Oh, what are you going to do?" said Fili. "Hang you two on a tree by your under garments!" grinned Bernadette. "You wouldn't dare!" shot back Kili. "She would, if you push her!" grinned Thorin. "Hey! Who's side are you on anyway, Uncle?" grinned Fili. "Your Aunt's, because I just married her!" said Thorin. After eating a nice dinner, and everything cleared up, the dancing and music started. Thorin stood up, taking Bernadette's hand. "We should lead the first dance!" grinned Thorin. Bernadette smiled, as she followed her husband onto the floor.
Soon as the music began, they begin dancing around the room. "I cannot keep my eyes off of you, Bernadette. You look so beautiful!" purred Thorin. "How long is the party? Because I cannot wait to be alone with you!" said Bernadette. "I'll decide when that time comes!" purred Thorin, as they continued to dance. Shortly other people came out and joined in on the dancing. Kili approaches Tauriel. "May I dance with you, my lady?" asked Kili. Tauriel smiled and curtsied. "I will be honored to take this dance with you, Prince Kili! My Prince Kili!" smiled Tauriel, taking Kili's hand, and they shortly joined Thorin and Bernadette.
Dwalin smiled at Dis, and the two also went out and joined them, followed by Fili and Sigrid, and Tilda and Bilbo. "You've grown into a fine young woman, Tilda!" smiled Bilbo. "Thank you, Mister Baggins." smiled Tilda, blushing. "Please, just call me Bilbo!" said the hobbit as the two danced. "Thank you, Bilbo!" said Tilda. Later, Thorin and Bernadette sat down, as they observed their guests, friends and family dancing to lively music. Fili and Kili tried to out dance each other. Thorin and Bernadette laughed. "Are those two always that competitive?" asked Bernadette. "Yes, especially when it comes to drinking competitions. Don't get those two started!" grinned Thorin.
After a while of dancing, Thorin stood up and called attention to everyone. "I have composed a special song for my wife Bernadette here, and I like to sing it for all of you. Dwalin, you wouldn't mind bringing in my harp?" asked Thorin. Dwalin nodded, and he went into the parlor room where the harp is sitting. The dwarf shortly returned bringing in the harp. Thorin walked over to the instrument, sitting down on a stool, pulling the harp close to his shoulder and chest. Thorin placed his fingers on the silver strings, and he started to play. Bernadette sat beside him.
Thorin started to sing, as he played, his beautiful baritone rising above the enchanting music he played on the harp. The song was quite moving, especially for Bernadette, as she felt her heart racing in her chest. She couldn't believe how handsome and magnificent he looked, sitting there, as his blue eyes lovingly gazed at her, as the beautiful loving words of the song, coming from the lips of her husband. Dis smiled as she watched her brother sing his love song for Bernadette. On the last verse of the song, he sung in his native language. Shortly, striking a final chord on the harp, Thorin ended his song.
Everyone cheered and applauded. Thorin stood up, followed by Bernadette.
Bernadette threw herself into Thorin's arms, wrapping her arms around her neck. "The song is beautiful, my love." whispered Bernadette. "I written it especially for you!" said Thorin softly, as he leaned forward, kissing Bernadette passionately on the lips. "Can we retire to our room, Thorin?" asked Bernadette. "Yes, lets do so. The others shall continue their feasting. Its time for us to have our alone time!" said Thorin. Thorin went to tell the others they can continue their feasting and letting them know they're retiring for the night.
No sooner as Thorin and Bernadette left, Fili and Kili looked at each other. "I bet they're going to wrestle, and Thorin's going to win!" chuckled Kili. "Kili! I cannot believe you said that!" said Tauriel. "Hey, maybe you and I can do that!" beamed Kili, winking at Tauriel. "Kili!" said Tauriel. "Oh, sorry!" said Kili. Meanwhile, Thorin carried Bernadette to their new bed quarters, Thorin closing the door behind them. After the two of them undressed, Bernadette sat on the bed, shortly followed by Thorin. "I'm so glad that dress is off. I felt so hot in it!" sighed Bernadette.
Thorin laughed. "You now look very, very comfortable! And now its time to make you even more comfortable!" purred Thorin, taking Bernadette into his arms.
And they continued kissing some more. Thorin shortly climbed on top of her, pressing his body against hers, as they begin their love making. Bernadette released a soft moan, as Thorin gently begin caressing her body. The two had been like that for hours, until their bodies became tired, and now Thorin holding Bernadette closely to his chest, as Bernadette laid her head on the right side of his chest. "This is the happiest moment in my life, Thorin, my king!" said Bernadette. "Mine too!" said Bernadette. The two laid silently in bed. "Things really turned out the way they planned!" said Bernadette. "I never would've done it without you, Bernadette! It was you, thanks to your loving kind heart, and your determination, that help us got here, where we are today!" said Thorin, smiling.
"You're leaving out one person, silly." said Bernadette, giving Thorin a playful glare. "Who?" asked Thorin. "My brother, you idiot!" said Bernadette. Thorin laughed. "Yes, your brother too!" said Thorin, kissing Bernadette on the lips.
End.