Well, this chapter surprisingly came along a lot quicker than I had thought. So, I won't let you wait any longer and hand it over to you :D
The Big Day has come! Hooray!
EquusGold: Yeah, the physical things are quite Tarya's milieu I guess :D The Big Day has finally come and I'm excited, too! I hope you'll like it!
Demona Evernight: I know, I left you waiting for a while. I try not to, but it doesn't always work out, unfortunately. I was quite quick with this chapter, though, and it even features the wedding :D The question of children will come up and be answered at some point in the coming chapters, let's see what fate has in stock for our couple ;)
Thanks to MizunoOujou.1967, Eruwaedhiel95, Angel of the Night Watchers, MaxRideandPercyJackson4ever, S.H.E.I.K (I highly enjoy reading your reviews as you're slowly approaching the present point in the story :D), Prost and kaia for your lovely reviews! I really enjoyed reading them, as always! :)
Thanks also for the follows and favourites! Always appreciated!
For those of you who wonder, a lot of the ceremonial wedding stuff was taken from an amazing article on dwarven weddings called 'Who's the Bride?' by the Dwarrow Scholar. I'm sure if you'd google that, you'll find it immediately. It's absolutely amazing and helped me immensely for this chapter. So, kudos to them because it made my research on the topic so much easier :D
Also, the wedding night is featured in this chapter and there are some 'sexy bits' (that sounds awful) at the end. It is nothing too explicit because it just would have felt weird if this story suddenly went full on porno but if you're uncomfortable reading that sort of thing, feel free to skip it!
Alright. Now go ahead, and read, and review if you like! :D
Tarya had had to learn a few things in her life, such as hunting and finding tracks to follow. But she couldn't remember there ever having been a time in which she'd spent so much time studying as she'd done during the last weeks. Dis had spent most of her time educating her about all the traditions and rituals that a dwarven wedding entailed, making her learn the vows that she would have to say and the things she would have to do during the ceremony. Tarya had found those lessons to be quite hard, for there were far more things to know than she had initially thought and her patience tended to run low when she still couldn't remember something after a certain amount of time.
"Again," Dis ordered from beside the Amarok as she brushed a comb through Tarya's thick black hair, her fingers gentle and soft as she worked. Tarya's eyes shortly flickered through the room, nervously scanning the light blue wedding dress that hung by the wardrobe opposite her as she tried to remember the words to the Seven Dwarven blessings that Dis had had her reciting for the past days.
"Uhm, yes. Well… Blessed are you Mahal who has created everything for the glory of Eru," Tarya started with a small frown, her gaze still set on the beautiful dress that had layers of blue and white and was adorned with gold threads in several places, giving it a very royal attire. The Amarok hadn't really noticed that she had trailed off until Dis stopped combing her hair and gave her an inquiring look from the side.
"And?" she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly as Tarya jerked out of her thoughts. The Amarok turned her gaze away from the dress she would be put in tomorrow, the day of her wedding, and looked at Dis with a small sigh.
"I'm sorry, I don't seem to be able to concentrate very well today," she muttered apologetically, earning herself a warm smile from Dis as the dwarrowdam put the comb away and instead brought a warm hand to Tarya's shoulder. She didn't say anything, but by the way she squeezed her shoulder gently, Tarya knew that she understood how nervous she was beginning to feel.
For the past months, the Amarok had been kept busy with preparations for the wedding, visits at the tailor for her dress, deciding whom she wanted to invite, which had been a rather short conversation for Tarya, for she did not really have any family or friends to invite who weren't already in the mountain. Of course, the Amarok had thought of Bilbo immediately as the topic had come up but her friends had convinced her not to send for him in the end, for they were sure that the hobbit did not have any wish to make such a long journey for Erebor again so shortly after arriving home. It seemed logical to Tarya but made her sad nonetheless. She had felt overwhelmed sometimes by all the things that were expected of her for the upcoming wedding, but up until the day before now, she'd at least had Kili to rely on. Kili gave her calmness and clarity when her thoughts and emotions were whirling within her.
However, tradition demanded that bride and groom be separated two days before the wedding until the ceremony when they would see each other again, both of them undergoing several traditional customs during that time. Tarya hadn't really felt Kili's absence for the first day, for she had been presented for the first time with the finished wedding dress and had spent the day and evening with several dwarrowdams that she by now knew better and considered dear friends.
Today, however, Tarya was very aware of the nervous knot that had built in her stomach over night and though she tried to remember and recite all the words that Dis had taught her correctly, her brain refused to cooperate. She would have liked to have Kili around to help her ease her mind.
"The bath is drawn, Milady," a voice from across the room suddenly spoke, ripping Tarya out of her trail of thoughts and she quickly looked up at Delifra standing in the doorway to the separate bath chambers, giving Dis beside her a soft nod.
"Well, then, let us forget the Seven Blessings for a moment and clean you for tomorrow," Dis spoke with a gentle smile, standing from where she'd been sat with Tarya on the edge of the bed and guiding her over to the bath chambers instead.
The room was filled with a pleasant, flowery scent and though Tarya felt slightly self-conscious, undressing with four other people in the same room, she knew that none of them thought anything of it; it was tradition, it was normal. She heard Glinna, who had become a good friend of her through Ori over the last months, take in a sharp breath as she tugged her tunic over her head and revealed her upper body to them along with the scars that adorned it. Tarya glanced up at the young dwarrowdam to see her eyes trained on the ragged scar on her abdomen. Dis cleared her throat behind her, making Glinna jump slightly and her gaze flick up to Tarya's eyes immediately.
"I'm very sorry, I did not mean to stare," she stammered, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks, but Tarya just gave her a calming smile in return.
"Don't worry," she just murmured before she quickly walked to the large tub and let herself slide into the warm bath water. A small sigh escaped her lips at the comfortable feeling, the scented water coming up to beneath her collarbones. Tarya shortly glanced at the scar that adorned her left upper arm, remembering the orc blade that had sliced through her flesh all this time ago in Laketown. "The journey has left a few marks on me, none of them shameful."
"Indeed not," Dis spoke as she came to sit by the tub together with Delifra, while Rimma and Glinna busied themselves with the preparation of what was needed once Tarya came out of the bath. Dis' gaze lingered on the scar on the Amarok's arm for a moment before she looked up at Tarya warmly. "Kili has told me of how you saved his life in Esgaroth," she said quietly as she picked up a soft sponge and gently began scrubbing down the length of Tarya's arm with it.
"Aye," Tarya muttered with a small smile toward the dwarrowdam. "That's worth a scar or two, I'd say."
Dis just smiled proudly in return as she and Delifra continued cleaning her body with small soft towels and sponges, and after a while, Tarya just let herself sink back against the bathtub and let her thoughts wander. It was only when she was fully relaxed that Tarya heard Rimma speak up from where she was sitting with a large towel on her lap.
"This is the cleanest you'll ever be," she jested and Tarya shot her a small glance as she turned her head slightly on the brim of the tub to look at her.
"I think it's the cleanest I've ever been," she answered with a small smirk. "I must admit, scented baths are somewhat of a rare thing when you grow up as a wolf in the woods."
"I still find it amazing," Glinna joined in their conversation shyly. "That an Amarok would go on a journey such as yours and end up princess of a dwarven kingdom."
Tarya didn't have time to comment on the princess part of Glinna's sentence before Delifra spoke up with a broad smile. "An honour to the kingdom, I say."
"Rightly so," Dis said, meeting Tarya's gaze with a quiet understanding in her eyes. The dwarrowdam knew about Tarya's reluctance to let herself be declared princess, of course, Tarya was aware of that. She had no doubt that Kili had told her about it at some point. The Amarok decided not so say anything now though and simply listened with a small smile as the four women kept talking while she finished her bath, before she wrapped herself in the towel that Rimma handed her as she got out of the tub.
While she dried herself up, the four dwarven ladies left her in the bath chambers alone in order to burn a few leaves in her bed chambers, for luck, as they said. When Tarya walked into the room dressed for the night, she saw that merely Dis was still there as it had become quite late already and the four of them would come back in the morning to prepare her for the wedding.
Tarya gave the older woman a small smile as she approached her, and Dis quietly got up from where she had been sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling back the blanket so Tarya could get in. The Amarok sat down hesitantly, letting Dis pull the blanket back over her legs before she was met with the dwarrowdam's piercing gaze.
"How nervous are you, dear?"
Tarya swallowed tightly, giving the dwarrowdam a shaky smile. "Moderately."
Dis chuckled kindly, shaking her head at her. Tarya watched, as her gaze grew distant for a moment before she started to speak. "I remember how nervous I was the night before my wedding with my Vìli," she uttered with a small smile. "It felt like hundreds of butterflies were turning my stomach into a fuzzy nervous mess. It's perfectly normal for you to be nervous about tomorrow, Tarya. You're stepping into the unknown. Marriage. But there is no need to worry, for Kili will be there with you for every step of the way."
Tarya nodded slowly, at least a bit reassured by Dis' words. The Amarok held the she-dwarf's gaze silently as Dis continued.
"I know that you have no family to speak of, pardon me. But that will have changed as of tomorrow, my dear. You'll not only gain a husband but also a mother-in-law with me and a brother in Fili, though I know that he has already regarded you as his little sister for a long time now. There is no need to be afraid, Tarya, for there are so many people in this mountain who love you already, for they know that you helped defeat the dragon and defend Erebor against its enemies. We know the price you paid for it, and we all hold you in high respect for it."
Dis gently reached out and brought her hand to Tarya's cheek as the Amarok lowered her gaze, touched by her words. As Tarya looked back up, she saw the warm glow in Dis' pale blue eyes as she looked at her kindly.
"Now, as you know, many of the traditions of a dwarven wedding involve members of the bride's family. The bride's father usually leads her from her chambers to where the ceremony happens and hands her over to the groom. I haven't asked you yet if…"
"I've asked Dwalin," Tarya interrupted her quietly, observing as Dis' lips parted into a bright smile as she nodded for her to continue. Tarya cleared her throat slightly. "Kili has told me this before, because he was worried that I would… well, that I would have no one. So, I've asked Dwalin if he would do it and he agreed."
"I'm sure he's very honoured by it," Dis smiled genuinely as she stroked her hand over Tarya's cheek once more before she leaned back, moving to leave her for the night. However, Dis stopped by the bedpost once more and looked back at the Amarok with a small frown on her face.
"Just one more thing," she said slowly, her voice still soft and kind. "What Glinna has said, about you becoming our princess? I know that you are not entirely sure about the whole business. Kili has told me as much, though he thinks that you would make a formidable princess and I agree with him on this. This kingdom loves you, Tarya; I've seen it with my own eyes."
And before Tarya could answer, Dis had shot her a last smile and walked to the door, leaving the Amarok with her own thoughts as the door shut behind her. Tarya let herself fall back into the pillow, staring up at the ceiling of her room thoughtfully. Several months ago, the thought of becoming princess of a people that didn't accept her had terrified her more than anything but Dis was right; things had changed. She'd made a life here by now, friends, and people were accepting and kind to her. They liked her. Maybe her doubts about becoming a princess were not so important, after all.
The night passed quickly and without much sleep for Tarya and before she knew it, it was the day of her wedding and she was sitting in front of a mirror with dwarrowdams hovering around her, hands in her hair as they weaved thin threads of gold into her black strands, while leaving one section of hair untouched for the braid Kili would put in her hair later. Tarya's hands were fisted into the fabric of her wedding dress, layers of blue, white and gold surrounding her.
Delifra was just closing one of a few bracelets around her wrist when the door opened and Glinna came in, a large smile plastered on her face. Her red hair was done up in an intricate style, bringing several braids together in a large bun on the back of her head. Tarya glanced at her reflection in the mirror as the young dwarrowdam came towards her, the smile still playing on her face.
"Have you seen Ori, or why are you so chipper?" the Amarok asked with a small grin, chuckling slightly as Glinna's cheeks reddened with a soft blush. Over the past months, Ori had made an effort in pursuing the she-dwarf after he'd finally gained some confidence, spending a lot of time with her and giving her little presents here and there. They had entered a courtship only a few weeks ago and Tarya could not have been happier for her friend. Glinna made him very happy.
"No, I'll see him at the ceremony later," Glinna replied finally, slightly nudging Tarya's shoulder as she came to stand behind her. The Amarok watched her through the mirror. "In fact, I've just seen the groom make his way to the Great Chamber with King Fili and his companions."
Tarya's eyes widened slightly in return, her fingers twisting the fabric of her skirts nervously when Rimma spoke up, pulling her hands out of Tarya's now intricately done hair. "Just as well," the dwarrowdam said with a proud smile. "I think we are just as about done here."
"You look beautiful, my dear," Dis spoke from the edge of the bed, standing and walking over to them. She placed a hand on Tarya's shoulder, motioning her to stand from her chair, which the Amarok did slowly. The gold threads in her hair made her head feel heavy and the embroidered wedding dress seemed to weigh her down. She only had time for a last glance at herself in the mirror before a loud knock suddenly sounded from the door.
"Mahal, khael," Dwalin spoke as he was granted entrance and he looked at her from where he was standing on the threshold. "You look… well… Very nice."
"Very nice?" Rimma repeated with raised eyebrows raised in disbelief as they walked up to him, Tarya in between Dis and the large warrior. Dwalin grumbled slightly into his beard, shrugging his shoulders uncomfortably.
"She looks radiant," he muttered then, quickly and lowly, but Tarya heard it nonetheless. She gave him a shy smile as he looked from a now very satisfied looking Rimma to her and saw him return it from beneath his bushy beard. "You're a beaming beauty, little wolf."
Tarya just inclined her head, seemingly unable to find her voice at the moment. She hoped that would fade before she was meant to recite her vows in front of hundreds of people. Dwalin took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow and Tarya's feet moved of their own volition as the little group left her chambers and made for the Royal Chamber. The way was short but it offered enough time for the knot in Tarya's stomach to tighten almost painfully and her muscles tensed as the large grey stone doors came into view.
The doors slowly swung open as the guards saw the group approaching and Dwalin stopped shortly to let Dis, Rimma, Delifra and Glinna walk ahead and enter the hall before them to find their places before they would follow. Tarya watched them go, her heart slamming against her chest. She could fell her pulse throbbing quickly in her veins, could hear the blood whooshing in her ears. All her instincts were telling her to turn around and run.
Her grip on Dwalin's arm tightened considerably, her nails digging into the fabric of his dark green tunic as the noise within the hall quieted down in expectation of the bride, and though she knew that she probably squeezed the dwarf's limb a bit to hard, she felt him pat her hand on his arm gently in return.
"Ready?" Dwalin whispered, leaning his head down to her when the doors were standing open completely before them and Tarya's eyes widened as she saw the crowd gathered within the hall, leaving a narrow path between them for her and Dwalin to pass through to the front where she could see the High Priest standing.
"No," Tarya breathed almost soundlessly, wide eyes trained on the sight before her. Dwalin looked at her from the side as she stared straight ahead. She was staring at the High Priest until her eyes caught slight movement next to him and her gaze suddenly found Kili. The brunet dwarf was clad in a regal blue tunic that looked about as heavy as her dress felt with the golden embroidery it had. On his brow shone the thin silver crest of a prince as he stood there at the end of the aisle with his hands joined in front of his body, waiting for her with a small smile that she could see even from this distance.
"Ready?" Dwalin repeated his question after another short moment and this time the Amarok released a shuddering breath before she gave a small but firm nod. She shortly turned her head to look at the bald warrior who gave her a small smile in return before he made the first step, Tarya following his lead as he gently guided her along the crowd.
Kili couldn't remember ever having seen Tarya look more beautiful than when he saw her walking towards him on their wedding day. Everything about her was radiant and glowing, a dream of blue and white and gold. Kili's gaze wandered over the golden embroidery on her dress to the golden jewellery she was wearing to the thin gold threads that had been woven into her dark black hair. It all matched her perfectly and it all led his attention to the warm gold of her eyes that shone brightly as she approached him.
He shot a short glance to Fili who was standing next to him, finding a warm smile on his brother's face. Fili met his gaze after only an instant, sending him a small smirk and a wink before Kili turned back to look at Tarya once more, feeling his chest swell with pride.
His heart was hammering against his chest, and he would have liked to cross the distance between them now immediately and kissed her there and then if he could have. It seemed almost like an eternity until she was finally standing right before him, her eyes locked on him as Dwalin took her hand from his arm and held it out for Kili to take. A deep breath left the brunet's throat as he reached up and wrapped his hand around her small one, feeling her fingers slightly colder than usual against his.
"Honour her. Always." Dwalin spoke, not entirely loudly but loud enough for the people in the first few rows to hear, which were mostly family and friends. Kili nodded in reply and saw Dwalin grant him a small smile before he retreated back into the crowd around them, finding his place next to Balin who was smiling kindly at the scene before him. Kili squeezed Tarya's hand slightly for reassurance before they both turned to look at the High Priest standing before them.
The ceremony began as the priest lifted a large hammer into the air above their heads, symbolizing the staying of Mahal's hammer by the grace of Eru. The hall was filled with hundreds of dwarves and yet complete silence reigned around them, as everyone followed the ceremony with the utmost respect. Kili felt Tarya's fingers twitch slightly in his hold as the priest lowered the hammer and began to speak.
"Kili, son of Vìli, Prince of Erebor," he began with a deep, resonating voice that echoed through the silent hall. Kili focused his gaze on the priest. "Do you accept Tarya, daughter of Arkin of the Amarok, into your halls as your beloved wife?"
Kili silently turned towards Tarya as tradition demanded, and slowly he got down on one knee before her, holding her hand in his as he looked up at her. The Amarok stared down at him, gentle warmth shining in her eyes. The brunet prince lowered his gaze and lifted her hand to his head, pressing the back of it against his forehead softly in a sign of acceptance, respect and appreciation of her. As he looked back up, Tarya had a small smile playing around her lips and the High Priest nodded contentedly. Kili stood back up, all the while keeping Tarya's hand firmly in his. He wasn't sure if he was technically allowed to do that, for their hands would be joined later on during the ceremony officially in a symbolic way. Kili didn't really care though, he just wanted to hold on to Tarya during the ceremony, to give her the reassurance that he was there with her he knew she needed and himself the certainty that this was not in fact a dream, that she was actually there beside him, marrying him.
"Now, we shall move on to the final words of this joyous ceremony, the recital of the Seven Blessings," the High Priest spoke loudly, so that even the last dwarf in the hall could hear. Kili straightened himself slightly as the priest began. "Blessed are you Mahal who has created everything for the glory of Eru. Blessed are you Mahal…"
Kili didn't really focus on the Priest's words, for he knew the words exactly and found them rather boring. He would be the first to recite the blessings after the priest and Tarya would follow his example before finally, they would both say their vows. He shot a short glance toward Tarya who was staring at the High Priest's hands as they moved slightly with his words. As if she felt his gaze on her, her gaze suddenly shot up and found his. Kili shot her a soft smile, his thumb stroking slightly over the back of her hand as the priest went on. She returned his gesture silently and that was the moment that Kili truly felt everything settle within him. There was no more nervous flutter in his stomach, no more unreasonable fear that she might turn and run at the last minute. There was only love for the woman next to him and nothing else.
When it was his turn to recite the Seven Blessings, he held Tarya's gaze, stifling a laugh as she slightly cocked her eyebrow at him. It took a while to recite all the words and Tarya followed his example swiftly. Kili watched a small frown appear on her forehead about halfway through the Seven Blessings, and she hesitated for only a moment before she picked up again, reciting the words impeccably. Kili couldn't help the broad smile spreading on his lips as she spoke the last words.
"Blessed are you Mahal who gladdens groom and bride."
The High Priest gave Tarya a satisfied nod before he motioned towards Fili who was standing a few feet behind his little brother, smiling happily at the scene before him with a twinkle in his eyes. "It is now time to exchange the rings."
Fili immediately stepped forward and Kili shortly saw him winking mischievously at Tarya before he held out his hand, two simple gold rings lying on his outstretched palm. Kili reached out and gingerly took the smaller one that was intricately engraved – his own handiwork – with markings of the clan of his family, the clan of the Longbeards, Durin's folk. It was a symbol that Tarya would from now on be a member of his clan, his family. He slid the ring onto Tarya's finger with a short glance up into her eyes. He couldn't see any more nervousness in them anymore, only silent affection.
"In my Halls you will find a house, in your heart I will find a home," Kili recited the traditional vow spoken at dwarven weddings. Tarya's chest rose as she took a deep breath and released it, taking the bigger ring from Fili's hand and sliding it onto his finger. His was a plain gold ring with no engravings, and Kili felt her fingers tremble slightly as she returned the vow.
"In your Halls I will find a house, in my heart you will find a home."
Next to them, Fili made a little excited noise, causing both Kili and Tarya to shoot him amused looks, before he quickly stepped back to his former position again, quietly clearing his throat and adjusting the collar of his tunic.
"And now, if the groom and bride would bind hands," the High Priest spoke then, though his eyebrows rose slightly and he gave Kili a small look as the dwarf simply raised their already joined hands. Kili just grinned slightly in return as the priest produced a thin gold string and wrapped it once around their hands with a small smile. "And thus, seal this marriage with a kiss."
Kili's grin turned into a smirk as he met Tarya's gaze and used their joined hands to pull her towards him, wrapping his free arm around her waist as she bumped into his chest and kissing her deeply. They both smiled into the kiss as the silence around them ended abruptly and cheers erupted from all around the Chamber, filling the air around them. Kili had to admit that he might have kissed Tarya a bit longer and with a bit more ferocity than was entirely considered proper in front of a High Priest, but he couldn't have cared less at the time. His cheeks hurt from how much he was smiling when he finally released her, seeing her cheeks slightly reddened and her eyes bright with joy.
"My wife," he murmured against her lips, only for her to hear and his heart gave a little flutter when he heard her breathy laughter in return.
"Husband," she smiled, one hand coming up to stroke lightly over his cheek. Kili smiled as he felt the ring on her hand softly brush against his jaw. She was swept away from him then as Fili wrapped his new sister-in-law up in an enthusiastic hug, making her happy laughter echo over the crowd that was now bringing forth tables, chairs, benches, ales and food to celebrate the concluded wedding ceremony of their prince and princess. Kili watched with a smile from the side for a moment as Tarya was swept up in congratulations and hugs from all the people she loved once Fili had released her. Bofur planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek, his smile so bright it could have rivalled the light of the sun. Gloìn and Oìn both wrapped her in a hug simultaneously, both looking as proud as if one of their own children had just gotten married. Rimma and Gimli along with Delifra and her children spoke their best wishes to her with broad smiles. Balin patted her cheek affectionately with a small wink that had her chuckle before Ori walked up to her with Glinna by his side, both of them smiling happily. From this distance, Kili could have sworn that the scribe's eyes were a little wet.
"Congratulations, lad," a voice from beside him suddenly ripped Kili out of his thoughts and he turned his head to see Dwalin standing next to him, arms crossed over a chest that was swelled with pride. The large warrior was watching the small scene before them as well before he looked at Kili, a small smile on his lips. "You've tamed the wolf."
Kili shook his head with a small grin as he watched Tarya be released from Ori's hug and her gaze shortly wandering through the crowd before she found him, a smile splitting her face as her eyes found his.
"No man could truly tame a wolf, Dwalin, especially not her," Kili spoke with a smile to the warrior who simply nodded and clapped his shoulder in return before he pushed him towards his new bride. Tarya took hold of his hand as he reached her and immediately was bombarded with the words of happy dwarves just as she had before. Kili didn't quite know how long they had stood receiving congratulations from people with grateful smiles before finally they were sitting down at a table, ale and food before them.
"You look beautiful," Kili said, leaning his head down so Tarya could hear him over the noise and chatter that filled the hall. At their table alone, which was assigned to friends and family of the couple, the mood was merry to say the least. Fili and Bofur watched as Ori downed a whole flagon of ale in one giant gulp, civilly directing his burp away from Glinna who sat beside him once he'd finished. Laughter flowed along the table as Tarya leaned into his side while she answered him, making it easier for him to hear her.
"I think I might be getting used to dresses, after all," she uttered with a small smirk and Kili laughed, pulling her close and dipping his head to plant a quick kiss on her lips. Tarya smiled brightly when he pulled back and she was about to say something else when the discussion to their left suddenly became too loud to overhear anymore.
"Oh, please," called out Fili with a slightly mocking smirk towards Gimli. "If we'd taken you on the journey, you'd have got killed on the first day."
"Rubbish!" Gimli retorted indignantly, slamming his tankard on the table. Kili raised his eyebrows and leaned forward in curious amusement, feeling Tarya wrap her arms around his elbow that rested on the table as she leaned her head against his shoulder, following the scene as well. "If anything, you lot would have gotten into a lot less trouble! No danger would have slipped past me. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
Kili heard Tarya snort quietly by his side before she spoke up. "Take it from someone who has the eyes and ears of a wolf, Gimli. You breathe so loud, you could be shot in the dark."
She gave Kili's shoulder a little nudge and chuckled as Gimli sent her an indignant look, and Kili couldn't help but laugh out loud along with the rest of the dwarves at the fact that she'd rendered the burly redhead utterly speechless. He grumbled something into his beard before he lifted his tankard back to his lips with a huff; completely ignoring the broad grin Fili was sending him from across the table. Kili grinned, shortly turning his head so he could press a small kiss to Tarya's temple while she'd gotten caught up in a conversation with Balin and Dis by now.
Kili didn't really know how many hours they spent in the Great Chamber, celebrating, laughing, drinking and feasting. One of his hands was always touching Tarya in some place, was it her own hand, her waist, her hip, her back, simply enjoying the freedom of showing affection to his wife right out in public. He danced with her several times, and later watched as Bofur taught her one of his many drinking songs before he went on making her judge of a drinking contest he was having with Gloìn, all the while a happy smile on his face. The ale had by now done its business of warming his insides pleasantly and relaxing him without actually being drunk. Kili didn't want to get drunk and he kept one eye on Tarya's consummation of alcohol during the evening, discretely putting a cup of water in front of her every now and then instead of another ale. The Amarok merely graced him with a sweet smile when she noticed, gratefully taking the cup he'd pushed in front of her. Kili had never felt happier than that night.
It was when Tarya began leaning into him more heavily than before, having to stifle a yawn every now and again, that Kili silently took her hand and leaned his head down to speak quietly to her. "Would you like to go to bed?" he asked, without actually realizing the implications of his words as they came out of his mouth. Tarya's head lifted from his shoulder and Kili smiled at the look in her eyes, sweet and innocent and sleepy as she nodded slightly. He shortly lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles before he pulled her up from the bench they'd been sitting on.
Kili turned to the dwarves at their table, excusing them both with a small smile on his face even as Fili shot Tarya a broad grin and in a slightly drunk way slurred for her to be gentle with his little brother, making her cheeks redden in return. The brunet dwarf simply whacked his big brother over the head for that comment, ignoring Fili's laugh as he gently pushed Tarya towards the doors with his other hand.
He held her hand until they were out of the hall, and as soon as they were out of sight, Kili wrapped his arms around Tarya, one around her back and the other beneath her bum, and lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist almost automatically. She laughed quietly, bringing her arms around his neck as she looked down at him, her skirts ruffled around her legs. Kili looked up at her face hovering a few inches above his, smiling softly at her as he carried her along the corridors toward their new chambers, their home.
Neither of them needed to say anything. They were happy, she was his and he was hers, and nothing could change that now.
Tarya closed her eyes as Kili carried her away from the Great Chamber, leaning her head on his shoulder silently. She was relaxed and happy, and only when she felt Kili struggle slightly with the opening of a door did she open her eyes again, though he had already managed to open it and carry her over the threshold by the time she had lifted her head. The Amarok met the dwarf's gaze as he loosened his hold on her and she slowly slid back down onto the floor, standing right in front of Kili as he pulled the door closed behind him without breaking away from her gaze.
Tarya smiled as his hand came up to rest on her cheek, his gaze trailing over her face before he leaned back against the door with a content sigh, his hand never leaving her cheek. "My wife," he murmured quietly, the low tone of his voice a welcome change from all the noise from before to Tarya. "After all this time and everything we've been through… Finally."
"Finally," Tarya repeated softly, following the light pressure of his hand as he pulled her in for a kiss. It felt different than the ones he'd given her before, not filled with any sort of rush or hurry. This kiss was slow and patient and filled with the knowledge of a life together, the knowledge that they had all the time in the world.
Tarya didn't protest as Kili pushed himself gently from the door and her with him, his arms wrapping around her waist as he slowly, carefully guided her backwards into the room. He smiled at her as he pulled back.
"I don't know about you but I really need to get rid of this crown," he said then, grabbing at the silver circlet on his head. "It's awfully uncomfortable. I don't know how Fili does it, his is about ten times as big."
Tarya just chuckled as she nodded and Kili took her hand, leading her from the living room into the bedchamber she had already seen when he'd first shown her their new chambers. As the brunet dwarf took the small crown from his head and put it on a nearby chair, Tarya sat down on the edge of the bed, her hands coming up to pull carefully at the golden threads that were woven into her hair. She flinched slightly as one got caught before she suddenly felt the mattress dip slightly beside her and a pair of warm hands pulled her fingers from her hair.
"Let me," Kili simply muttered as he pulled her so that she was sitting with her back to his chest, his fingers starting to gently remove the threads from her hair. Tarya sighed gratefully, leaning back against him as he worked without hurting her once.
"They start to feel really heavy when you have them on your head for so long," she said into the comfortable silence between them and felt Kili's chest vibrate slightly as he hummed his understanding.
"It looked beautiful, though," he answered as her hair slowly came undone beneath his deft fingers. "I didn't think I could find you more beautiful than I already did, but as it turns out, I was wrong."
"Your charm won't work on me, good sir," Tarya chuckled as Kili pulled the last thread out of her hair and gently combed his fingers through it, making her sigh with contentment. She could practically feel his grin as he leaned his head onto her shoulder, turning it slightly so his lips could meet the skin of her neck.
"Oh, but it already has, my love," he muttered into her ear, his voice low and almost resembling a purr, making Tarya shiver slightly. "Got you to marry me, didn't I?"
"You got lucky."
Tarya smiled silently as Kili chuckled against the skin of her neck before he leaned his face against her, inhaling deeply as his arms tightened slightly around her. "Aye, I suppose I did."
The Amarok turned her head on his shoulder then so she could look at him and Kili met her gaze with his for a moment before she leaned in and kissed him, gripping at the dwarf's forearm when he deepened the kiss after a few moments. She felt him move and gently lower her onto the mattress so that he was lying next to her on the bed, half of his weight on top of her. Their kissing continued and Tarya's hands came up to stroke over Kili's cheeks to his neck into his soft brown mane of hair as his tongue asked for entrance into her mouth. She granted it all too willingly, sighing against Kili's lips at the intensity of the kiss. Kili's hands wandered from her waist to her hips and then down to slip beneath the hem of her wedding dress. Tarya abruptly pulled back from the dwarf's lips in slight surprise as his hand travelled up her calf and reached her knee. It halted immediately in its journey when Kili found her eyes with his, gazing down at her with a small frown. Tarya could see the worry in his warm brown eyes as he used his other hand to stroke a few stray strands of hair from her face.
"Nothing has to happen tonight, Tarya," he spoke softly, holding her gaze so she could see that he was being genuine. "I know that this is all new to you and I understand if you don't feel ready for it yet."
Tarya held Kili's gaze as she thought about his words. He was right; the experience that a wedding night commonly entailed was completely new to her. But so had been many things in her human life before this and Kili had taught her every single one of them in a patient and loving way that had made her enjoy all the little things she'd grown accustomed to by now. Tarya had no doubt that he would take as much care teaching her this.
Without breaking eye contact with her husband, Tarya leaned up until Kili slowly retreated backwards into a sitting position, one hand still on her knee while the other reached up to support her back as she came to sit on his lap. Her own hands came up to frame his face, her thumbs stroking gently over his stubbly jaw. The Amarok leaned down to press a short but sweet kiss to Kili's lips before she pulled back and looked him in the eyes.
"Show me," she whispered, watching as his expression changed from worry into something else entirely, something warm and gentle, as she tugged on the hem of his heavy embroidered tunic and he lifted his arms so she could pull it over his head. Tarya's hands came to rest on Kili's bare chest after she'd mindlessly thrown the tunic to the side and she took a small breath as the brunet's hands came around her back and started carefully undoing the laces of her dress. Kili held her gaze as his fingers ghosted over the naked skin of her back as the dress loosened around her.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly and Tarya simply nodded with a smile before he pulled the dress off her shoulders and began placing kisses on every inch of skin that he revealed. Tarya let him push her back onto her back as he continued disrobing her and undoing anything that needed undoing while she did the same to him, helping him with his laces and layers as he helped her until they were both bare. Kili kissed every single part of her body until Tarya was laughing beneath his touch and she could feel him smile against her bare skin.
He let her explore him as he explored her. They took their time, getting used to each other, finding sensitive spots on each other, loving each other. He kissed her scars and she kissed his. And when he was in her, there was no fear or discomfort left, because it felt good and right. They were one as they moved into each other, breathed into each other and by the end, Tarya couldn't have said in which direction earth or sky were as Kili's face was buried in the crook of her neck and her cheek rested against his, nothing more left in them but sighs and smiles.
It was a while later that Tarya lay comfortable against Kili's chest, both of them lying on their sides, looking at each other. His arms were wrapped around her in a protective circle, one hand splayed on her naked hip and his thumb trailing small circles on her skin. Tarya smiled silently as she returned his gaze in the dim light that surrounded them.
"Your eyes were glowing," Kili murmured quietly after a while, smiling down at her as her eyes widened slightly, she hadn't even noticed it happening. "But it wasn't with the fiery force as they usually do when you're… No, it was just… warm. Unbelievably warm."
Tarya stroked one hand softly over his bare chest, her fingers grazing the large scar on his torso gently as they moved. She smiled warmly, answering him with a slight shrug. It was obvious that Kili wasn't bothered by it but rather fascinated, and Tarya had a feeling that this would not be the last time he'd see it happening. She followed the movement of her fingers with her gaze as she lightly grazed his shoulder, though she suddenly halted in her tracks when her eyes fell on a small mark on his skin. Her mouth opened slightly as she let her fingers stroke over the lightly reddened spot before her gaze shot up to Kili's eyes.
"Did I bite you?" she asked in disbelief, eyes widening as a broad grin illuminated his features in reply to her question. Kili's arms tightened around her as he pulled her closer, chuckling quietly.
"Only a bit," he said and Tarya scowled at him when his grin didn't vanish from his lips. "It was more of a little nip than a bite."
Tarya felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment at his words and she shook her head slightly as Kili brought one hand up and stroked it gently over her cheek and into her hair. His grin had turned into a smile by now.
"I suppose that is what you get for loving a wild thing…" he murmured softly and Tarya couldn't help the small smile his words brought to her lips before Kili pulled her head towards him and kissed her again, rekindling the passion between them as he rolled them so she was lying on top of him. Tarya laughed quietly, leaning her elbows on his muscular chest and looking down at him with one of her eyebrows raised slightly. Kili just shot her a questioning look as his hands ran up her sides, ghosting lightly over her skin and making her squirm slightly.
"I thought we were meant to braid each other's hair?" she muttered, remembering Dis' words of how groom and bride were supposed to weave a marriage braid into each other's hair after the wedding. She turned her head slightly, seeing the beads lying on the small stand next to the bed. Kili's hands splayed on her waist, pulling her against him and making her return her focus to him. The brunet prince grinned up at her roguishly.
"Aye," he said as he moved abruptly and rolled them around again, pinning her to the bed with his weight. Tarya raised her eyebrows with an amused smile as he grinned down at her. "We will. Later…"
Tarya sighed quietly as he leaned down and pressed a few delicate kisses to her neck, murmuring against her skin. "We have all the time in the world, Tarya…"