Summary: The Champion is chosen and Dwalin meets Bulgrim
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is fiction
Champion
"Thorin, have you written that letter to Dain yet?"
"No. And I do not think there is any need to."
The dwarf lords muttered to themselves. Surely, their king was joking. Kilor spoke up.
"Thorin, what do you mean? You have no heir and if what I have heard is correct, you have not been in Bazani's room for the past three days. We need Dain."
"My friends, Bilbo is with child."
Silence. Finally broken by laughter and shouts of congratulations. The happiness was broken by Lord Kuldduum.
"That child is not your heir. Bilbo is not even your second wife, he is a concubine."
Thorin growled.
"First, never speak about Bilbo in that way again. I love him more than I love my first wife. Second, an old law has been found. If a Champion of Bilbo beats a Champion of Bazani, then my child with Bilbo will be seen as the legitimate heir to the Erebor throne."
"And let me guess, you already have a champion picked?"
"Not yet Kilor. I have a list. It is up to the Council to pick the Champion."
He handed the list to Kilor and stepped away from the table. Thorin had no say in this matter. The list was unsurprising. Members of the Company, including the Princes, some elves(the law didn't say the champion had to be dwarven) and even a man or two. After what felt like hours to Thorin, he was called back to his seat. Lord Kuldduum handed the list back.
"Our choice. We think it's a good one."
Thorin looked at the list, surprise written on his face. He looked at his councillors.
"Truly? You will have this person fight for Bilbo?"
"We like Bilbo. He is generous, kind, intelligent and keeps you calm and in control, everything a consort should be. If this person wins, you have an heir and Erebor has a suitable consort. We see nothing wrong with this."
"Very well. I shall tell Bilbo your decision. I think he'll be pleased."
Bulgrim wandered the training grounds, searching for any dwarf that might be a threat. From what he had seen, he was confident that he could take these dwarves. He would struggle against the Company that took Erebor back from Smaug, but he would win. His attention was diverted when he heard a roar. Now there was a challenge!
The dwarf was strong, muscles straining as he fought his two opponents. He was covered with tattoos, even on his bald head. His axes looked dangerous and heavy, but he weilded them the well, dextrous, able to hold off his two opponents with little trouble. Now he would be fun to fight. Bulgrim hoped if it came to it, he got to fight this guard. He grabbed the sleeve of a dwarf and pointed to the fighter.
"Who is that?"
"Dwalin. He is not a dwarf you want to fight. He will destroy you."
Bulgrim laughed and threw the dwarf away from him. Dwalin, he was a part of the Company that took back Erebor. He was the King's persinal guard. A worthy foe. Bulgrim would have to keep an eye on Dwalin. If it came to it, he was confident that he could take the other dwarf. And beat him easily. With a smirk on his face, Bulgrim left the training grounds. He had seen everything he needed.
The Company and Royal family gathered in the Royal Rooms, eager to hear who had been chosen as Champion. As he stood in front of the large group, all eyes on him, Thorin was reminded of the Council. Mahal, he was sick of the Council. He was still shocked at who they had chosen to be Bilbo's champion.
"So, who have they chosen as my Champion?"
Thorin looked to his friends. He knew they all expected him to say Dwalin. He doubted Dwalin would be happy with what he had to say.
"Bilbo, your Champion is to be Tauriel of Mirkwood."
A/N Done. R&R please. Next chapter, the competition is announced and the Ironquarry family react. Readers, I'm warning you know, there will be no fight scene. I can't write fight scenes or sex scenes. So unless someone volunteers to write it for me, I will instead be writing the reactions of the spectators during the fight.