Oi, I'm so sorry for the wait. I'm trying to make the gaps a bit smaller between updates from now on but I'm always busy here in Ireland, so I'm not sure if I can actually manage it. Anyway, I hope you're all still with me and bear with me as long as updates are a bit sporadic :D
By the way, there won't be so many chapters left. At the moment, I'd reckon about three to five, maybe. We're slowly getting to the end of this story, just so you can prepare yourselves :D
kaia: The apple of Ori's eye comes up in this chapter, so you'll find out soon enough :D
Thanks to Borys68, Kuphela, Eruwaedhiel95, MaxRideandPercyJackson4ever, The EarthSong, TerraMacMillan, Teshka, Angel of the Night Watchers, SilverZelenia (Yes, you'd be quite right with that assumption :D), Prost and S.H.E.I.K. for your lovely reviews! I'm glad you liked the last chapter and enjoyed reading from you! :)
Thanks to those who followed and favourited, as well! I appreciate it!
Now, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and leave me a little comment if you like… Guess what the next one is going to be about? (I'm already excited :D)
It was the day before Durin's Day that Tarya was walking along the stalls in the marketplace with Bofur and Ori by her side. The hatted dwarf had finally managed the time to take the Amarok to the market and Tarya was having a lot of fun as he showed her around the many little stalls. Ori had decided to accompany them when he had heard of their plans for the day, claiming that he needed to purchase some new pots of ink anyway. Tarya didn't mind, on the contrary she enjoyed the company of her two friends immensely as her gaze wandered over the selection of products of the stall she had just stopped in front of.
"I used to make things like that, as well," Bofur spoke as he came to stand next to her, his gaze focused on the wooden toys spread on the table before them. He carefully picked up a painted wooden horse that had a tail and a mane made of hay before he looked over at Tarya who was letting her fingers graze lightly over the back of a wooden toy wolf. "Why don't you buy it?"
Tarya shook her head with a small smile as she retrieved her hand. "Oh, no. What would I need a toy for?"
"Well, you'll be marrying Kili in a few months' time," Bofur answered with a grin as he put the small horse back down on the table. "Surely there are going to be some little dwarflings on the way soon enough… or little wolves. Dwalves, as you might say."
"Dwalves?" Tarya inquired with a raised eyebrow, shaking her head in amusement as Bofur merely shrugged in reply, before her expression turned more serious again, one hand unconsciously coming up to the spot where the scar on her lower belly remained. "I do not know what the future holds, Bofur. And I would rather not think about it too much. I am content with taking things step by step as they come."
Bofur nodded slowly, shortly glancing down to where her hand lay before he gave her a bright smile. "Fair enough. For now, I'm looking forward to dancing at your wedding," he said as they moved along and left the toy stall. Tarya just smiled in return.
"First, you'll be dancing at the festivities tomorrow," the Amarok answered and Bofur agreed with a chuckle. Some time had passed since the day of the announcement by now. Tarya remembered how the crowd had cheered – much to her surprise if she was being perfectly honest – upon Fili's announcement of his little brother's forthcoming wedding that was to be held six months after Durin's Day in the beginning of summer, so that everyone from near and far may attend it. It was Durin's Day tomorrow, and in only a few months' time there would be another celebration in Erebor. Tarya shook her head slightly to get her thoughts back to the present and away from her upcoming wedding as she looked around the market.
"Where's Ori?" she eventually asked as she realized that she couldn't see her friend anywhere. He had been with them just moments ago, she was sure, but now he was nowhere to be found. Bofur turned to her, his eyes quickly scanning the area as he frowned slightly. Tarya looked to him, seeing his mouth opening as he was about to reply when suddenly, Bofur's eyebrows shot up to the brim of his fur hat and a large grin plastered his face.
"Well, I suppose our dear Ori has a new-found interest in knitting tools," the hatted dwarf muttered and as Tarya simply gave him a confused frown in return, he took hold of her chin and turned her head in the direction he was looking. Tarya's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of Ori standing by a stall a little distance away that was filled with wool and knitting needles, conversing quietly with a red-haired she-dwarf. A small smile came to play on her lips as she shot Bofur a sideways glance.
"He's always had an interest in knitting, Bofur," the Amarok said. "I suppose it's the lady that he has a new-found interest in."
"Let's go meet her, then!" Bofur grinned confidently and Tarya quickly grabbed his arm as he made to move towards Ori. The hatted dwarf shot her a confused look, causing Tarya to raise one eyebrow at him pointedly.
"Leave him alone," she stated sternly, making Bofur's face fall slightly.
"I had no intention of embarrassing him in any way, be assured, I merely wanted to –"
"Butt in."
"Well, now that's…" Bofur started with a rather sheepish look but Tarya cut him off again before he could think of another excuse. She gave the dark-haired dwarf a pointed look.
"Leave him to take care of this at his own pace, Bofur," she stated quietly as she shot the scribe a short look. He was still talking to the she-dwarf, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm sure he'll tell us everything when he's ready to."
In return, Bofur let out a small sigh before he nodded slowly. "Aye, I suppose you're right," he said. "Always you have to be so reasonable. Though I am quite curious about this, aren't you?"
"Very," Tarya merely said with a small grin before she hooked her arm with Bofur's and pulled him over to another nearby stall. Ori rejoined them after a while when both the Amarok and the hatted dwarf had bought a few things and made to walk back to the mountain. Tarya and Bofur both shot the scribe inquisitive looks as he came to walk next to them while they made their way back, but Ori merely gave a small and rather shy smile in return, so neither of them pried any more.
As they passed the front gate into the mountain, the guards that stood there greeted them calmly and Tarya shot them a friendly smile as her two friends accompanied her down the halls further into the walls of Erebor. Bofur excused himself after a little while and left them to see after his sister-in-law in her chambers.
"I'll see you at the feast tomorrow," the hatted dwarf grinned excitedly before he waved them goodbye and disappeared around the next corner, leaving Tarya and Ori standing by each other in silence for a moment. The Amarok gave the scribe a small smile before she went to move down the halls again. Ori followed her example and fell in step next to her, walking in silence by her side for a while until Tarya heard him clear his throat quietly. She shot him a sideways glance, seeing the scribe looking at her with a rather insecure expression on his face.
"May I ask you something?" Ori uttered quietly and Tarya just nodded encouragingly at him with a small smile.
"Of course, you may ask me anything you wish, Ori."
The scribe fidgeted for a moment and Tarya merely watched him in silence, slowly walking on beside him, as he seemed to mull over his thoughts. It was a few moments before Ori spoke again.
"What is it that you… you love about Kili?"
Tarya's eyebrows rose in surprise and she shot the scribe an inquisitive look upon this unexpected question. But Ori merely looked at her curiously and nervously in return and so the Amarok cleared her throat quietly and brought her gaze straight ahead, thinking about his question. A small smile came to play on her lips as she answered slowly.
"Well, he is kind and courageous. He's honest and even though he tends to be rather reckless at times I trust him more than anyone I've ever known. Ever since I first met him he has been my friend and he has always been there for me when I needed him, even when I didn't know that I needed him..."
She trailed off and brought her gaze back to Ori who was staring at her with a thoughtful look on his face, a small frown on his forehead. Tarya raised her eyebrows questioningly at him but Ori stayed quiet for another few moments before he finally spoke up again.
"So, it was not his… well, wealthy status and good looks that drew you to him?"
Tarya couldn't supress the small snort that erupted from her mouth, and neither the little giggle that Ori's words caused. She grinned at the scribe.
"Ori, I was a wolf when I first met Kili. I couldn't have cared less about his status and his looks," she laughed lightly, though she sobered quickly as she saw a faint blush creeping on Ori's cheeks as he quickly averted his gaze. She smiled knowingly. "Now, since I don't think you've suddenly taken a fancy to Kili yourself, I can only assume that this conversation has something to do with the lass from the market. You know, the one with the fiery red hair?"
Ori merely gave her a sheepish look in reply. Tarya's smile widened slightly as they walked.
"You like her," she stated matter-of-factly after a little while of silence, causing the scribe to nod beside her, a small sigh escaping his lips.
"Is it that obvious?"
Tarya just shrugged nonchalantly in reply. She didn't really want to tell him that any blind man would be able to notice his infatuation with the lass, knowing that it would only result in Ori's embarrassment, considering how shy he was being about the whole thing.
"Her name's Glinna," Ori muttered after a while, coming to a halt as they passed by the doors of the library. Tarya came to stand next to him, giving him an inquisitive look. "She's the daughter of one of the miners and has come to the mountain a few months ago with her family."
"What exactly is it that worries you, Ori?" Tarya asked gently, putting one hand on the dwarf's forearm in a comforting manner. "From what I have seen today, she seemed very pleased to converse with you."
"Yes, but… but what if that's all?" Ori answered and Tarya felt her heart go out to him upon the sad tone of his voice. She gave him a reassuring smile and shook her head at him.
"Ori, listen to me," she uttered softly and smiled as the scribe's gaze cautiously wandered up to meet hers. "It is not wealth or status that causes someone to love another, it's your personality that counts. She likes you; that much was obvious even from the distance Bofur and I were standing. There is no need for you to feel insecure in any way, Ori. If you like her, if you think you might love her, then go for it. What do you have to lose?"
Ori shot her a pointed look as if the question was somehow very stupid. "If she rejects me, I'll lose both her friendship and my face."
"Oh, rubbish," Tarya countered with a wave of her hand and a roll of her eyes. "You won't lose your face in admitting that you like her. Telling someone how you feel about them demands a great amount of courage and more importantly, no matter what her answer might be, just think about what you might be missing if she were to return your feelings and you never said something."
That sent Ori into a momentary state of silence and Tarya looked at the dwarf steadily as he studied her face for some kind of deceit, for some form of lie that she had uttered because she was too nice to tell him the truth. But Tarya had never been one to lie to people, no matter who they were, and would never be such a person. And as it seemed, Ori knew that, for after another little while he nodded slowly as he thought about her words, gracing her with a grateful smile. Tarya returned it warmly.
"But… what – I mean, how do I go about… all that?"
Tarya looked at Ori blankly for a moment, feeling like she wasn't exactly the most qualified person to ask about the way to go about courting a dwarrowdam. Even after all these months of being in a courtship with Kili, there were still things that Tarya did not quite understand the meaning of and that were completely new to her, though Kili always took his time to explain all the things that she was curious about. Nevertheless, she gave Ori a little shrug in reply to his question before she told him what she thought to be the most obvious first step.
"Well, for starters, you could ask her to go to the feast with you tomorrow?"
Kili remembered the festivities of Durin's Day that they used to have in the Blue Mountains, a great celebration had taken place every year to honour their great ancestor and Fili and him had always looked forward to the feasting, the drinking and dancing. This year was the first time in Kili's life that the arrival of Durin's Day did not stir only happy thoughts within him.
There were now other things than only drinking and laughter that he associated with the date. One year ago, to the day, the secret door to Erebor had been opened and Thorin and Company had entered the mountain. Of course, Kili had not been there at the time, however, it was the things that happened afterwards he remembered most, anyway. The night that the dragon had buried Laketown in a sea of flames and smoke was still embedded deeply in his mind and the horrors of the few weeks that had followed still haunted him at times.
It seemed strange to him that they were celebrating Durin's Day now. That one year later that everything was so different, but it was good. Kili couldn't help but think that this day marked the beginning of a new time, a happier time for them.
With a small sigh, Kili notched another arrow and aimed at the target that stood several metres away in front of him. He had come to the training ground early that day, when the sun hadn't even been fully up yet. He hadn't been able to get much sleep that night and instead of lying in his bed for several hours, waiting for Durin's Day to begin, he had decided to spend a few hours in the training yard. Archery had always helped him clear his thoughts ever since he had started it as a young lad under Thorin's instructions.
Kili released a deep breath as he let the arrow loose and watched as it hit the target's centre with a familiar force. A few others were sticking out of the mark, all of them only a few inches from the bull's eye. Kili hadn't shot any arrows in a rather long time and doing it now, feeling the familiar resistance of the string, the sound of the arrow hitting its mark, caused a strange feeling of serenity within the young dwarf. It was familiar, calming, relaxing, and that was just what Kili needed to get his mind off the upcoming festivities of today.
He had just notched another arrow and aimed it at the target when someone behind him cleared their throat. It didn't make Kili jump but his hold on the bow tightened for a second before he let the arrow loose, causing it to land a bit further from the bull's eye than usual. He slightly drew his mouth askew in an unsatisfied manner before he lowered the bow and turned to look at the person standing behind him, eyebrows rising as he recognized who it was.
"Master Borin," he acknowledged quietly and a bit stiffly, his voice sounding rather reserved even to himself.
"I didn't mean to distract you. I'm sorry," the young lad uttered with wide eyes, before he quickly added in a nervous splutter, "… your highness."
Kili stared at the boy for several moments before he shook his head in reply to signal that it was no problem. He then let his eyes stray from the young dwarf before him and looked around the empty training yard. The sky was illuminated in faint pink and red colours as the sun was rising behind the mountain. Kili brought his gaze back to Borin, one hand still wrapped around his bow as the other came up to stroke slowly over his stubbly chin.
"What are you doing here so early?" he asked, seeing Borin's eyes widen slightly upon his words. Kili wasn't sure whether it had been caused by the question or the fact that he was speaking more than two words to the lad at all. He usually avoided talking to Borin as much as he could.
"Uh, I… I came to train," Borin stated awkwardly and Kili raised his eyebrows at him in slight amusement.
"Yes, I figured you weren't in the training yard to bake a cake," the brunet prince answered and gave the dwarf before him an imploring look. Borin shifted slightly and only now Kili noticed the sword that was strapped to his back, much the same way he had carried his own sword over months during the journey to Erebor.
"I come early to train on my own from time to time," Borin explained quickly. "The yard is usually empty then, but I suppose you know that. And well, I thought since Tarya won't have any time to train with me today, I would use the opportunity to train on my own so I don't miss as much."
Kili pondered the dwarf's answer for a moment before he gave a short nod toward Borin's sword. "Does she teach you well?"
He watched as a smile came to play on the young dwarf's face as he nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, aye, your highness, she's a great teacher. I wouldn't be anywhere near the skills I gained over the last months if it weren't for her." He paused a moment, his gaze shortly wandering to the bow in Kili's hand. "I asked her to teach me archery as well, but she said she had never quite mastered it and wouldn't be able to teach me a whole lot."
A small smile tugged on the corner of Kili's lips as he remembered the few lessons he'd given Tarya during their journey before he nodded. "Aye, archery is not really her thing. I taught her the basics but I don't think she ever quite got the hang of it. She certainly favours blades over the bow."
Borin just nodded in reply obviously not quite sure what to say to the royal dwarf before him. Kili sighed quietly to himself as he looked up to the mountain before he turned and walked over to the target he'd been shooting at. Expertly, Kili pulled the arrows out of the mark before he put them back in his quiver and shouldered his bow. He looked back at Borin then, realizing that the young dwarf had been staring at him the whole time. Kili raised his eyebrows in question as he walked over and came to stand before him.
"You don't like me very much, do you?" Borin suddenly spurted out then and Kili's eyebrows rose a bit further towards his hairline as the lad's eyes widened in shock at his own words before he quickly continued speaking, his words a nervous blabber. "I'm sorry. No, I didn't mean that, your highness, I –"
"You're right."
There was an awkward silence between them upon Kili's words and Borin stared at the young prince for a few seconds before he nodded once, taking in the words, though Kili could see the impact they'd had. He sighed unwillingly, shrugging slightly to get the strap of the quiver to settle more comfortably on his shoulder before he continued slowly.
"I mean no offense," Kili stated quietly, thinking that now that the boy had asked him directly, it would only be fair to tell him the truth. Tarya seemed to like him, after all, so he couldn't be all that bad. "But I don't know much about you and your acquaintanceship with Tarya has developed rather abruptly and quite fast. I have my reservations, that is all."
Borin frowned at him upon his explanation before his eyes suddenly widened slightly as he understood what the prince was saying. "You don't trust me with her? Do you think… that… I would hurt her?" he asked in slight disbelief. Kili studied the dwarf before him for a long moment before he answered.
"Tarya considers you a friend," he muttered after a while, giving Borin a stern look. "She trusts you and her trust is not so easily earned. She has a good instinct when it comes to people, and I do not think she was mistaken when she thought you worthy of her friendship. However, she is my One and soon she'll be my wife, and I cannot help sometimes but worry for her. Tarya has been hurt before, and too many times for my liking, by people who did not understand or respect her, as she deserves."
Borin nodded silently, taking in Kili's words with a solemn expression as he listened to the young dwarf prince.
"I would not see her hurt again," the brunet dwarf said earnestly. "Ever. And I would personally see to it that whoever causes her pain would pay for it."
"I'd expect no less," Borin answered after a little moment, nodding at Kili who watched him with interest. "Tarya is my friend. And I value her friendship greatly you can believe that, I'm honoured by it. I would never intentionally cause her any pain, your highness; I hold great respect for her and everything that she's done for our folk. And for what she is doing for me now, helping me with my training and all. And I am not the only one, either. I mean the whole mountain has opened their hearts to her."
"Aye, they seem to like her," Kili agreed as he remembered the day that his betrothal with the Amarok had officially been announced to the people of the mountain. He recalled how nervous Tarya had seemed that day, the way her hand had squeezed his tightly as Fili spoke to his people. And he remembered her face and the touched smile she'd worn as the crowd had cheered them loudly upon the announcement.
"Of course they do," Borin interrupted his thoughts with a grin. "She's the Wolf of Erebor."
Kili's eyebrows rose slightly upon the name Tarya had apparently been assigned with but he said nothing, instead his gaze flickered to the mountain again. He gave Borin a short nod.
"I should be getting back," he uttered with a small but friendly smile. "I suppose I'll see you at the feast tonight?"
"Of course, your highness," Borin smiled, relief obvious to see on his face as Kili spoke friendly with him and not as reserved as usual anymore.
"Kili," the brunet said with a small quirk of his lips before he reached out and patted the young dwarf's shoulder once. Borin gave him a grateful and slightly surprised look as Kili turned and walked from the training yard without another word, leaving the boy to himself with his sword.
After his morning encounter with the young dwarf, Kili found that the day passed rather quickly and before he knew it, he was standing in front of his brother's door, fully clothed in a festive dark blue tunic and a black leather jerkin that matched his breeches. He knocked briskly two times, glancing down the corridor. He was running a little late, having been supposed to pick up his brother about ten minutes ago so they could go together and collect Tarya from her rooms in order to consort her to the feast. And although Kili knew that the Amarok would not be angry if she was left waiting for a couple of minutes, he didn't like doing it.
"Oh, Kili," a female voice uttered as the door opened before him and Kili quickly turned his head back as he recognized it to be Tarya's. His eyebrows rose in silent question as he saw her standing in the doorway to Fili's chambers. "Fili's not quite ready yet, I suppose we'll be running a bit late."
Kili just hummed incoherently in reply as she stepped back from the door and he followed her into the chamber, closing the door behind him. He looked around for his brother then, finding Fili sitting on one of the large chairs, tying up his dark boots. The blond dwarf shortly glanced up and shot his little brother a small nod before he returned to his task. Kili frowned slightly as he brought his gaze back to Tarya who was standing by the table, clad in a dark red gown that hugged her upper body in a rather tight, flattering way, before it flowed softly around the curves of her hips and down her legs. His gaze shortly lingered on the neckline of her dress, not entirely plunging but low enough to steal Kili's focus for a moment before his eyes found the necklace dangling around her neck. It was a gold chain adorned with several rubies that he had given to her on the day of their wedding announcement, for it was tradition for the man to give the woman a token of his love, a present. Normally, this would have been done at the beginning of courtship, but considering that they had been on the road to Erebor at that time, Kili had never had an opportunity to forge her something of her own. Only during the last months, with the mountain flourishing and the kingdom recovering from its past, did he have the time and possibility to go into a forge and make his beloved something to present her with.
A small smile tugged on his lips as he saw her wearing it now, the piece of jewellery matching her outfit, her bronzy skin and her warm golden eyes perfectly.
"I wasn't expecting you to be in my brother's chambers, if I'm honest," the brunet eventually said as he walked over to Tarya who was leaning against the table behind her, smiling warmly at him.
"I was ready early and slightly bored, so I came to see if either of you was ready as well," she explained and with a short nod towards a small table between two armchairs, she added, "Fili and I have been playing cards for the last hour."
Kili followed her gaze, seeing the cards spread out and left there forgotten. He nodded in understanding. "Who won?"
"I did," Fili joined in, now fully clothed as he walked over to them, talking quietly while he grabbed the shiny mithril crown that rested on a small cabinet near the fireplace. "Though she almost had me at one point, I'll admit. I was lucky she was bluffing in the end."
Kili watched as his brother's gaze shortly became distant as he held the heavy crown in his hands before he looked up at the two of them with a hesitant smile. Fili shook his head slightly. "I don't really like wearing this thing," he muttered quietly, almost as if to himself. Kili exchanged a small glance with the Amarok next to him.
"You're king," Kili said matter-of-factly and his big brother nodded slowly, though the brunet heard a sigh escaping from his throat as he weighed the crown in his hands. Tarya elbowed him softly in the side and Kili shot her a slightly indignant look before she approached Fili slowly. The blond glanced up as she came to stand next to him, the crown still in his hands.
"You don't have to wear it if you don't want to," Tarya proposed softly, giving Fili a compassionate look. "As Kili said, you're king. People will recognize that without you wearing a crown on your head. But just know that there is no need to feel as if it were a burden or unbefitting. It's a great crown for a great king. And it suits you."
Kili smiled silently to himself as he caught his brother's gaze as Fili looked over Tarya's shoulder towards him for some sort of reaction. He gave the blond a nod to confirm the Amarok's statement, the smile still plastered on his face as Fili's gaze lingered on him sceptically for a moment before it flicked back to Tarya. A few seconds later, Fili nodded again, this time with a bit more confidence than before, and finally placed the mithril crown on his head. It still seemed rather strange at times to see his big brother in as mighty a crown as this at times, but Kili knew that he deserved it and that Fili was a righteous and fair king even after he had only ruled over the mountain for a year.
"Well then," Kili said, clapping his hands together before he reached one out for Tarya to take. "Let's celebrate, shall we?"
There were times that Tarya was somewhat oblivious to the fact that she was a creature of the wild, and there were times that she was reminded of it rather forcefully. She had witnessed several big events in Erebor to this day, such as Fili's coronation and the gathering when her betrothal to Kili had been announced. Both these days had she been impressed, however, it did not compare to the festivities of Durin's Day. While Fili's coronation ceremony had been grand, the mountain had still been under repairing constructions then and the halls had not been filled with as much light and life as they were now, several months later.
As Tarya was sitting beside Kili at the large table that the royal family was gathered at along with the companions that had by now gathered a certain amount of fame and wealth themselves, since they had all been paid their share of the treasure by Fili as the contracts had suggested, she could not help but feel overwhelmed by what was before her. She had already been stunned by the decorations and lights that had been put up in the halls when she had walked down to the throne hall together with the two Durin brothers, but none of it compared to what was happening in the throne hall itself. The high walls were adorned with torches that illuminated the whole tremendous chamber, beautiful decorations could be seen in every corner and there were so many people gathered in the hall, drinking and feasting at their tables, dancing and singing along to the music that was being played.
While Kili was conversing amicably with Gloìn and Bofur beside her, laughing and exchanging jokes, Tarya's gaze was set on the musicians that were keeping the dwarves on the dance floor. The Amarok did not know much about music, only ever having known the songs that her own kin sang to the moon, but she liked what they were playing very much. Fast rhythms were kept up by drums, flutes, whistles and violins, and Tarya found herself tapping her foot in time with them as she observed the people dancing. She wasn't sure how late it had become or how long they had been celebrating. As it appeared, dwarves had a specialty in keeping their festivities up over hours and hours without it ever becoming dull for even a moment.
She wasn't really listening to the conversation going on beside her, and it was only when her view of the dance floor was blocked by a brown tunic did she look up, finding a red-haired dwarf standing before her table with a small grin on his face as he looked down at her.
"Care to dance, lassie?" he asked and the Amarok's eyebrows rose in surprise at his request. But before she could even open her mouth to answer, another voice from her side beat her to it.
"That is no way to address your future princess, boy!" Gloìn scolded a bit drunkenly, raising his tankard of beer accusingly at the dwarf before them. He just grumbled in reply before giving Tarya a pointed look. She just observed the scene with an amused smile on her face.
"Aye, Pa, I'm sorry," said Gimli to his father before he slightly cleared his throat. "Would ye care for this dance, Milady Tarya?"
"Much better," Gloìn now praised loudly with a broad grin and raised his tankard in silent cheers to his son who simply rolled his eyes at his father's antics. Tarya gave the redhead a small smile, reluctant to join in the dancing. She waved her hand in a friendly dismissal.
"I appreciate your offer, Gimli, but I would rather –"
"Oh, come now, lass," Bofur interrupted before she had even finished her sentence. "A bit of dancing will do you good! Join in the fun instead of sitting here with us old bores!" And with a quick look towards Kili, he added, "No offense."
Tarya bit her lower lip slightly as she looked from Bofur to Kili who was shaking his head at the hatted dwarf before he turned his head and found her gaze. He raised his eyebrows slightly at her, a silent question to which Tarya could just shrug in reply.
"I have never danced before," Tarya admitted quietly, thereby explaining her reluctance to join in. Kili smiled in understanding, a bright and happy little smile that illuminated his face as he leaned towards her, speaking quietly so that his words only reached her ears.
"Just another thing worth learning. Now's as good a time as ever," he murmured before he leaned back in his chair and gave a little nod to Gimli, grinning at Tarya's little yelp as the redhead pulled her out of her chair by the hand and led her nonchalantly through the crowd and onto the dance floor. The musicians were just starting a new song and the slowly building sound of flutes and drums echoed in Tarya's ears as Gimli pulled her into the right position, one of her hands in his and the other on his shoulder.
"I don't know the steps," she uttered nervously as they started moving amongst the other dwarves and the music fastened, the rhythm becoming more cheerful. Gimli grinned broadly at her, a small chuckle escaping his throat.
"No worries, lass, just go with it," he answered with a laugh and Tarya couldn't help but return it, though still nervous now simply following his lead. "Don't think!"
And not think, she did. Her feet moved almost of their own volition as Gimli manoeuvred them across the floor, hopping and twirling here and there. Tarya's smile grew as the music turned more energetic and so did her movements. She laughed brightly as Gimli gave her a little push and twirled her away from him, only to then pull her back into the first position. Only faintly did she notice the clapping that had started to sound around them, she was having far too much fun to care about her surroundings at the moment. She simply followed the rhythm as Gimli hooked her arm with his and they danced in a little circle around themselves before she was swept along by another elbow and another dwarf time after time, dancing in the same motion as they went around a larger circle that had formed by now. By the time she was dancing with Gimli again, she couldn't contain her happy laughter anymore although she felt the dancing take its toll on her energy after this time. She wasn't quite sure how long she had been on the dance floor when Gimli pushed her into a final twirl as the music came to an end.
Cheers erupted from around them and as Tarya finally looked around, she realized that the crowd had gathered around the dance floor and she was now faced with dozens of smiling faces. Her smile quickly grew shy as she returned their gazes, her breathing heavy after the exercise and her skin feeling heated. As Gimli patted her roughly – but amicably – on the shoulder, her eyes suddenly found Kili making his way through the crowd with a large smile on his face. He reached her quickly and before she could say or do anything, he had wrapped his arms around her legs right beneath her bum and lifted her up. Tarya could only gaze down at Kili from her position against him, marvelling at the happy laughter that spilled from his lips and the cheers that came from the dwarves around them. Kili held her in that position for another few moments before his grip loosened and he let her slide back down towards the floor, all the while keeping her pressed against him.
"What is happening?" Tarya asked, her eyes wide with surprise as she looked from the smiling crowd to Kili. The brunet prince merely smiled happily at her.
"The Wolf of Erebor has danced with her people," he muttered quietly and Tarya's eyebrows rose questioningly upon his words. "And she has danced more beautifully than anyone I ever saw."
"But I just… I mean…" Tarya stuttered, not knowing how to reply, not even quite able to grasp the situation. Kili held her in a loose hug as the crowd slowly dispersed around them, some going back to their tables while others joined the dancers on the floor. Once they were not the immediate centres of attention any longer, Kili leaned down and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips, making Tarya's knees buckle slightly as her fingers dug into his shoulders.
"Dance with me," Kili murmured against her lips as he pulled back, and Tarya could only nod silently as his arms moved her into the right position while the music changed into a different tune, slower this time, though equally as cheerful as it had been before. Looking up at the dwarf prince, Tarya couldn't help but return his warm gaze with a smile as he moved them across the floor. Kili was obviously an experienced dancer, but Tarya found herself able to keep her footwork coordinated with his without stepping on his toes. And after a few moments she could actually focus on other things than keeping in rhythm, and so she leaned her head against Kili's shoulder as they danced, her eyes roaming over the room. It was only when her gaze found Ori standing in a corner together with the red-haired lass from the market that her head jerked back from Kili's shoulder.
"What is it?" Kili asked in confusion upon her sudden movement and she shortly glanced up at him before she brought her gaze back to the pair in the corner a little distance from the dance floor. Kili spoke up again once he had followed her gaze, his hand gripping her hip a bit tighter as he turned them slightly so he could see better. "Who's that he's talking to?"
"Glinna," Tarya said, observing with a small smile as the two dwarves conversed quietly with each other, both of them with matching soft expressions on their faces.
"You know her?"
Tarya shook her head, shortly looking up at Kili to smile slightly at him. "Only what he has told me about her," she explained turning her head away from the couple and instead moving it so her face was only inches from the brunet's neck. "She works down by the markets and his the daughter of one of the miners."
"And he likes her?" Kili asked curiously, to which Tarya could only nod with a small grin.
"And he likes her."
They danced in silence for a little while until Kili spoke up again, his hand slowly trailing from her hip to her back, keeping her close to his body as they moved. "It's good for him. He deserves to find someone after… everything."
Tarya just nodded in reply, knowing very well what Kili was referring to. Ori had never been quite the same after the loss of his two brothers, and though he had slowly managed to come out of his shell of isolation over the past months, Tarya knew that he needed someone else than only his friends to keep him there. Ori needed someone he could share his deepest thoughts with, someone who loved him truly and deeply on a level that they could not reach. And if Glinna was the one able to give him this, then Tarya was more than ready to welcome her into their circle.
It was when the music picked up its pace again that Kili released her and took her hand instead, leading her from the dance floor. The Amarok spared Ori and Glinna a last glance before Kili had pulled her away so they were out of her sight. The brunet prince guided her back to their table where she was greeted by wide smiles and friendly compliments from the people who had seen her dance.
"One would think you had lessons before, my dear," Dis commented as Kili sat her and himself down beside his mother. Tarya could only give a slight shrug in reply as she gratefully took the tankard of ale that Fili offered her, she was quite thirsty after all this dancing.
"I suppose some things come to me more naturally than others," she replied after having taken a few big gulps. "Though I cannot really say why. It's fun, though, I guess that helps."
"Whatever the reason, it was very nice to see you dancing alongside all those people," Dis said and Tarya looked at her over the brim of her tankard as she downed the rest of her ale. "Celebrating Durin's Day like this with the future princess of Erebor certainly gives them a lot of joy."
Tarya just smiled in reply and reached out as Bofur shoved another tankard in front of her without asking. Before she could lift it to her mouth, however, a pair of hands grabbed it from her grasp and put it back on the table a little distance away from her.
"I think she's had enough for one night," Kili said to Bofur with a small scolding look that the hatted dwarf ignored happily. Tarya just rolled her eyes slightly at the brunet as he set down a cup of water in front of her instead. Kili gave her a pointed look. "If I remember correctly, the last time you were drinking, you woke up with a nasty headache the next morning. Assuming that you don't want to repeat that, I suggest you don't argue with me."
"I would never, your highness," Tarya answered with a slight quirk of her lips that had Kili raise one eyebrow at her warningly. He shoved the cup into her hands, shaking his head.
"Don't get cheeky with me, love," he muttered sternly, though Tarya could see the corners of his mouth twitching up in silent amusement. The Amarok took a sip of her water before she put the cup back down on the table. With a small sigh, she shuffled closer towards Kili and leaned into his side as her gaze wandered over the gathered crowd that was still feasting, dancing and celebrating deep into the night. A small smile came to play on her lips then as she shortly met Dis' gaze from beside her, the dwarrowdam giving her a warm look before she brought her attention back to the conversation she was having with Dwalin and Fili. As she sat there, one of Kili's arms draped absently over her shoulders and the noise of happy dwarves filling the hall, Tarya felt something that she hadn't really ever felt before. There was no more fear in her that people might not accept or like her, for she had now experienced their goodwill and kindness.
There was only warmth left in her for those around her.
This was what her future would look like, Tarya now knew and with a happy smile on her lips, she finally realized that this was it. This was home.