Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)
A/N: A bit of a fluff chapter just to make up for all the heartache in the last few chapters.
We finally made it back to the rooms and I immediately took my sword from its place at my side and made my way to the bed where I flopped, face first, into the softness of the mattress. I let out a very unattractive grunt as the air left my lungs, but made no move to adjust myself other than to turn my head and spit out a mouthful of hair.
"You pushed yourself too hard," Thorin scolded, gently. He sat next to me on the bed and I peered up at him. I rolled over, scrunching my face as I did so.
"I didn't do anything other than sit in that uncomfortable chair for entirely too long." I grumbled. I propped myself up on my elbows and let out a long sigh.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you guys." I started, then paused. "Well, no. I'm not particularly sorry that I snapped at Thranduil. But I do apologize for speaking out when I had no business doing so."
Thorin's lip quirked ever so slightly when I amended my statement, but then he shook his head.
"I am not sure when the cows come home, Talya, but I do believe that it would have taken far longer than a simple afternoon for us to finally come to any sort of agreement. While I do not… appreciate having to give up anything to that 'pointy-eared prick'," He glanced at me wryly as he said that and I couldn't help but grin a little. "I must admit that you settled the matter admirably."
I shrugged then.
"I was never much for politics," I admitted. "But I really hate all the dancing around everyone does. No one is ever willing to compromise on anything and you guys are all too damn stubborn to give even an inch."
"You are a shrewd negotiator, truly. There is nothing that you offered that I would not give, despite my misgivings. Not only that, but you have secured provisions for our people and have assured good will between us and Master Bards' people."
He smiled warmly at me then, his tone slightly teasing.
"Perhaps I will have you sit council in my stead if you always handle business so thoroughly."
I gave him a mock-glare.
"You aren't funny," I grumbled. I reached up and undid the clasp of my cloak. I let it fall away before making my way further up the bed and dropping my head unceremoniously to the pillow. Thorin moved to stand and tugged the covers up and around me.
"Rest your head," He said softly, brushing his lips over my brow. "I will go now to speak with Balin and the rest to discuss the meeting. We have many plans to make ere we return home."
"When will we be going back?" I asked, eyes closed now.
"I have been assured that you will be well to travel in another week." I popped my eyes open and turned my head to look at him.
"You guys have been staying behind just for me?" I asked. He offered a slight shrug.
"In part, yes. Do not forget that Fili has a broken leg. He is prideful and would not take kindly to riding the back of a wagon on his return home."
"Two weeks is hardly enough time for his leg to heal." I argued. Thorin shook his head at me.
"You have travelled with us for months now and have yet to realize that we do not heal as slowly as your race?" He asked. I frowned then and tried to think back to a time where one of them was really badly injured. Kili immediately came to mind and I realized that, despite how horribly infected his leg had gotten, he had been up and ready for battle with nary a limp. Even the nasty gash across Thorin's face had already begun to fade and I didn't not know how I didn't notice it before.
"Bastards," I mumbled. "And here I am with busted ribs that are going to take weeks to heal."
Thorin chuckled at that and opened the door.
"Rest, Talya. I will be back soon," With that, he closed the door behind him and I closed my eyes, still grumbling to myself.
The next several days passed unbearably slow. I spent most of my time in my rooms, resting and relaxing. It was not something I really appreciated doing but Merileth reminded me that I was healing not only from battle wounds, but from nearly bleeding to death. While she did not directly mention the miscarriage, I understood well enough and stopped arguing, a painful knot forming in my chest.
I had withdrawn myself from everyone once again and while I acted outwardly in a light-hearted manner, I could feel a sort of depression fall on me. Thorin had noticed my change of mood, but I brushed it off as just being tired and in pain. I wasn't sure if he really believed me, but he was so busy making preparations for leaving and mapping out the details of our deal with Bard that he was often not around. The others were usually helping him with this detail or that, and so, with the exception of Bilbo and Gandalf, I did not usually have much company.
Bilbo and Gandalf were with me that afternoon, puffing easily on their pipes and making light comments on this type of pipe weed or that. They often argued teasingly over one another's taste and, at the very least, it made me smile slightly and shake my head. I did not comment, finding the stuff dreadful no matter the brand.
There was a commotion in the hall way, then, and I glanced up from my spot in bed. Gandalf puffed out a particularly large ring that floated up merrily and joined the rest, forming an intricate figure eight with another ring that he had puffed out moments before.
"Ah," He said. "That must be Dain,"
"What's he doing back?" I asked, glancing from the door to the wizard.
"No doubt to check once more that his cousin and kin remain free of the dungeons," Gandalf answered sardonically. He put out his pipe and upended it over a small ash-tray. He then stood and tucked the pipe within his robe.
"Last time he was here, he nearly got into a fist fight with an elf," Bilbo volunteered. "He had drank a bit too much and mistook a male elf for an elleth. I don't think I'll ever forget the looks on either of their faces when Dain grabbed his bottom."
I laughed out loud at that, imagining the absolute shock on the elf's face, and the disgust on Dain's when he realized the elf was not a she. Gandalf chuckled along with me.
"Come, then. Dress yourself and we will make our way to the common rooms the dwarves have been given for such occasions."
Gandalf and Bilbo went outside my room and waited for me to change.
I slowly pushed myself out of bed. I had been wearing the linen bed clothes the elves had given me for a few days now, not bothering to dress myself in much else since I hadn't gone anywhere. I slowly began to change, glad that I had bathed that morning. It had felt nice to soak in a hot tub of water instead of using a small basin and cloth to wash myself. I had even been surprised to find that my ribs were healing well, no doubt the aid of the elves allowing for nearly a months' worth of healing to happen in a matter of two weeks.
I dressed in the same clothes as I had at the meeting, having worn them only once and not having much in the way of options. No doubt it would be just as warm in the common room as it had in the solar, so I definitely did not want to wear the long-sleeved shirts and thick vests I had been given for when we travelled.
When finally I had donned the last scrap of cloth, tugged my boots on, and strapped my sword once more to my side, I stepped out my door and, together with Gandalf and Bilbo, headed towards the commotion down the hall.
"Dain has been quite eager to meet with you again," Bilbo said as we walked. "He's been telling stories of what he had seen of you in battle."
"Yeah?" I asked, glancing at the hobbit who seemed quite amused. "No more comments about sandwich making, then?"
"If he was a reasonable dwarf, he would be hesitant to ever speak anything but kind words about you," Bilbo started. "But, as Gandalf made mention… of the two, Thorin is truly the more reasonable."
"Yeah? What's he saying now?"
Bilbo blushed furiously and I felt myself grin a little.
"That bad?"
"He.. ah… made a few comments," Bilbo sputtered. "Alluding to your prowess in other fields."
"Wha…?" I asked, then choked out a laugh. "Hes been wondering what I'm like in bed?!"
Bilbo sputtered again and blushed crimson. Gandalf shook his head and pretended to ignore our conversation.
"I'll bet Thorin loved that. What did he do, glare and grumble? Or did he blush furiously and pretend like he didn't hear Dain?"
"Neither," Gandalf surprised me by answering. A smile played at his lips. "He commented something along the lines of you being an equally fierce sparring partner, though I highly doubt sparring is quite what he meant."
My mouth dropped and I flushed.
"He did not!" I let out a puff of breath. "What happened to him being all stoic and broody?"
"You," Gandalf said, glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes. I huffed then, but had no answer.
We continued on, the din of voices growing louder. We finally passed through a large set of doors and into a fairly large space, lit brightly and, as I assumed before, quite warm between the number of bodies present and the grand fire lit. I looked over the occupants, my eyes finding quite a number of new dwarves I had never seen before. In the center of the room stood Thorin and Dain, forearms clasped in each other's' hands.
"Ah, there you are, Talya!" Nori called brightly. He made his way over to me then stopped, offered a dramatic bow, and offered me his hand.
"My I escort my Queen to the King's side?" He asked, lips quirked in a teasing smile.
"Oh shut up," I grumbled darkly. He let out a laugh as I took his hand and he tugged my along, parting the way of the dwarves before him as we came to stand by Thorin.
Thorin eyes' fell to me and he gave me a heart-melting smile that warmed me from the inside out. He took my hand from Nori and cleared his throat. The room quieted and he glanced around for a moment before he looked at Dain.
"This is the one who you have named Shadowbane," He said, loudly. "Talya Conner. A fierce warrior of Men. A true friend of dwarves. And my intended."
I tried not to flush as every last dwarf in the room, which must have been at least four dozen, turned to gaze at me. And I thought being stared at by the elves was bad.
"Talya Shadowbane," Dain called out with a hearty bark. "And so, we meet again."
"Hail, Lord Dain of the Ironhills," I answered, my voice much steadier then I felt. I dipped my head to him politely and he shook his head.
"If my cousin speaks true, I suppose I ought to be bowing to you, the future Queen of Erebor." He said, throwing a grin at Thorin. "You are much smaller without all that armor, you know."
"Yeah and you are much shorter without those massive boots you were wearing." I threw back.
"Shorter in height, perhaps. But ask any dwarrowdam and you will know I am not short where it matters." He comment right back, grinning lustily. There was a round of laughter at that, and the silence of before broke. The bustle of activity returned and I found myself suddenly surrounded by dwarves as they came by to greet their King's intended. Hands were shook and many 'at your services' were spoken, and I was nearly overwhelmed with the amount of names and titles passed my way.
"I'm not going to remember a single one of their names, Thorin," I whispered loudly to him when finally the rush died down. He chuckled slightly and ran a hand down my back, soothing the obvious tension I felt.
"Nor am I," He admitted with a conspiratorial chuckle. "To be honest, no one will truly expect you to. Everyone is merely eager to meet you and find out what sort you are that I willingly pushed aside a bevy of marriage offers for."
"A bevy, huh?" I asked lowly, raising a brow at him. "That sort of thing is enough to make even a king's head turn. Still no doubts?"
"Not a single one," He replied, his voice suddenly low. He pressed a near searing kiss to my lips. "I will have you, or no other."
"And why is that?" I asked innocently, my own voice husky. "Does it have anything to do with how fierce a sparring partner I am?"
Thorin head snapped back in surprise, and suddenly he was laughing loudly, a sound so full of life and joy that it made me melt.
"I shall beat senseless whoever it was that told you that," He said finally, shaking his head and dropping it low. He peered up at me throw his lashes, the look smoldering.
"Though I must admit, that is one of your many appeals." He reached out to fist his hand in the front of my shirt and he drew me closer. Our mouths were inches apart and he let out a short breath, the smoky scent of pipe-weed mixing with the sweet smell of mead. I licked my lips, having found they were suddenly dry.
Thorin was suddenly jerked backwards, an arm wrapped loosely around his throat as Dain tackled him solidly.
"A fierce sparring partner, indeed, to make Thorin, son of Thrain, so distracted!" Dain called out, laughing. Thorin grinned wryly and swung around, his fist connecting solidly with Dain's chest. The dwarf let out a loud grunt and let Thorin go. The two stepped apart and regarded each other seriously for a moment before they shared a laugh. Dain came over to me and wrapped a solid arm around my shoulder, jostling me lightly. I raised an eye brow at him.
"Being the wife of a king certainly has its appeals," He mock-whispered, teasing, "But it is a boring affair. Perhaps you would instead prefer to be a lords' wife?"
Thorin watched the exchange, amused.
"Ah, Dain, that is almost tempting. But alas for you, I have seen what a king has to offer and I'm afraid whatever you might have would be sorely lacking." I mock-whispered back. Dain threw back his head and laughed loudly, a sound reminiscent of Thorins'.
"Oh, Thorin, cos, I do not envy you."
"Why is that?" Thorin asked, coming to my rescue.
"You'll have to introduce her to Dis!" Dain exclaimed, clasping Thorin solidly on the shoulder. I swear, Thorin's eye nearly twitched.
"Am I missing something?" I asked, glancing between the two. Thorin let out a short breath.
"My sister can be… difficult." He finally said. Dain grinned at me.
"I am not sure if I wish to be privy to that meeting. 'Difficult'," Dain guffawed at that and wandered off, slapping his thigh as he disappeared into the crowd. I glanced at Thorin.
"Thorin….?" I asked questioningly.
"You are both… stubborn and I fear her tongue is just as sharp as yours."
"Ah. So either we'll get along famously, or we'll end up killing each other. Gotcha."
"I would hope it does not come to that," Thorin answered dryly. "I am rather fond of you both."
Nori came up to us then, a goblet in each hand. I took one gratefully, and Thorin took the other. I took a sip of the brew and realized it was not the elvish mead that we had been drinking of late. It was the thick and heady dwarven brew we had drank in Erebor before the battle.
"Dain brought barrels of the stuff," Nori explained when he saw me glance at the goblet. "Brought some of our fine whiskey, too."
I frowned at that.
"I think I'll pass. Last time I drank that I ended up with a tattoo." I said with a snort.
"Ah cousin! Come here!" Dain bellowed from across the room. Thorin rolled his eyes up the ceiling and shook his head.
"I think I may be in need of some before this night is through," Thorin grumbled. He sighed and bowed his head to us before he turned and headed towards Dain. I watched the crowd part easily around him before he disappeared.
"Come, Talya. No doubt the others are eager to see you up and about." Nori said, clasping a hand on my shoulder. He turned and led me towards a table off to the side where Fili and Kili sat, Bofur, Dori, Ori, and Gloin gathered around them. As I neared, the two brothers shifted apart, making a space for me between them. I settled between them, leaning my arms back against the table behind me. There was a long awkward silence as we all sipped at the ale in our hands. I realized that no one knew what to say to me and I frowned.
"Come on, guys." I muttered, "What gives?"
"You saved our lives," Fili finally said, frowning and shifting his leg slightly. "We were fated to die… and you saved us."
"So?"
"'So'?" Kili asked, nearly exasperated.
"Yeah, so? Nothing has changed." I fumbled a little at the words, "I knew exactly what I had to do to keep you guys safe. It wasn't that big of a deal. All I had to do was keep you guys from going in the tower. Keep you safe, Fili, and Kili never would have rushed ahead to fight Bolg. Asking Bofur and Nori to accompany you was more of a failsafe than anything. Keep the two of you safe, and Thorin would not become so grief stricken as to go to his death gladly. Dwalin is the one…" I trailed off, a lump forming in my throat. "Dwalin is the one who gladly gave his life to save his king. I did nothing."
"Dwalin did what any of us would have to save the life of another," Gloin said fiercely. "We are warriors, and we would gladly go to our deaths if it meant saving one of our own."
"Well, then, why is what I did so different?" I asked, exasperated. Fili and Kili glanced at one another and seemed at a loss for words.
"Exactly." I said firmly. "Now shut up and drink."
I tiled my head back and drank the rest of the ale in one go. The dwarves exchanged glances, then followed suit.
"Alright, Nori. Maybe I need some of that whiskey after all..."
Nori grinned and grabbed a bottle of the hell-fire. He tugged the top off and took a swig, then offered it to me with a shrug.
"We don't' have any glasses," He said. I sighed and took the bottle in hand. I wrinkled my nose in distaste.
"Well, here goes nothing…" I muttered. I took a huge mouthful and swallowed painfully as the liquid burned a path down my throat. I thrust the bottle to Kili who laughed and took it from me.
After a while, we began to talk of what had occurred to each of us during the battle. I do not know how long we sat there, but it wasn't long before the rest of the company, save Gandalf, Bilbo, and Thorin, joined in, a fresh bottle of whiskey joining the nearly empty one we had been passing around. Ori and Nori refilled our ale glasses as we spoke and I could hardly tell how many glasses of ale I had, or how many shots I had taken out of the bottle.
Kili and Fili were talking about their part in the battle when I grinned cheekily at Kili.
"Ah, and hows the lady love?" I asked, rolling my head against Fili's shoulder. The two brothers were leaned against the table now, legs stretched out in front of them. My head was plopped on Fili's shoulder, my legs stretched out in Kili's lap.
"Tauriel is… uh… well," He sputtered. He cleared his throat then. "She's a bit too shy to join us. Didnt think her presence would be much welcome among our kind."
I leaned forward and patted his cheek.
"Ah, don't worry 'bout it." I hiccupped. "Dwarves are just giant pain in the asses. They'll come around eventually."
"Talya… We are dwarves," Fili said, rolling his head to bonk against mine. I snorted.
"Yeah but… I like you guys." I stressed. I waved my hand at the rest. "Those guys… Psh. Don't think I don't see them glancing my way, all pissy 'n stuff that their king wants ta marry me."
"They're just jealous," Fili said. "Can't believe our uncle is so lucky."
His voice was flirty and I glared at him, one eye closed.
"Just wait until he hears you talking about me like that." I threatened. Fili laughed.
"No worse than you admiring us shirtless," Kili shot back. I popped my head up and groaned.
"He told you that?" I smacked my head with my palm. "Tha' jerk."
Nori snorted from behind me and I rolled my head to look at him.
"No comments from the peanut gallery, there you," I muttered. I reached out and snagged the bottle of whiskey out of his hand before he had a chance to take a sip. I took a huge mouthful, wiped the back of my hand on my mouth, and passed it back to him.
"Im gonna kick his ass. First going on about me being a good 'sparring' partner, then telling you guys I was checking you out in Rivendell." I grumbled.
"Oh, I'd pay to see that," Bofur commented.
"Don't encourage her," Fili warned. "I don't think she could even stand right now, let alone even attempting to take on Uncle."
"Hey! I could stand just fine." I groused. I crossed my arms stubbornly over my chest and my companions laughed at me.
"Ah, there you are!" Dain called out, parting through the crowds with Thorin trailing behind.
"You missed quite the drinking game," Dain commented, glancing amongst us. He raised an eyebrow when he took in how I lay between Fili and Kili.
"Ah, curse the line of Durin that they have so solidly secured your affections!" He teased. "If you can sate the three of them, then no doubt you truly are a worthy 'sparring' partner!"
I frowned then, taking a minute to realize what he was implying. I jerked up solidly and nearly fell on my ass in an attempt to distance myself from the two of them, sputtering. Dain laughed loudly and I glared daggers at him, then glanced at Thorin who appeared entirely too amused, seemingly used to his cousins raunchy sense of humor.
"Don't you be laughing!" I ground out, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You're already in trouble, there, mister."
"Uh-oh." I heard Nori whisper behind me. I ignored him.
"And for what reason am I in trouble, Talya?" He asked, brow raised. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and peered down at me, a smirk playing at his lips.
"It seems our dear Talya is quite incensed that you spoke so boldly of her other talents." Bofur answered.
"That and you made mention of the fact that she couldn't keep her eyes off us in Rivendell." Fili added, smirking. It seems that he and Kili, too, were used to Dain's sense of humor and hardly seemed bothered by his implications.
"I do believe she threatened to, what was it? 'Kick your ass'?" Nori finished, winking at me. I glared daggers at the dwarf.
"Is that so?" Dain asked with a laugh. "Looks like a challenge has been laid down, Thorin. What say you?"
"I would say that it would not be fair to her to accept such a challenge." Thorin answered, eyeing me as he said it. I knew he was goading me and I frowned.
"I think you're just scared," I shot back. Thorin stilled and raised an eye brow very slowly.
"Is that so?" He asked.
"Yup," I popped the 'p' as I said it. Dain chuckled.
"Ah, I think I like this woman of yours." He commented. "Come on, then, clear a path!"
The dwarves around us looked up startled and began to clear out, leaving a large circle like area open. I frowned and glanced back at Fili and the others. They were grinning and I began to feel like I had stepped into something.
"Come then," Thorin said, holding a hand out to me. "A challenge was laid down, and a challenge has been accepted."
I frowned further and Fili pushed me forwards. I took Thorins hand and he smiled at me then.
"We shall spar then, in truth. And we will see who the victor is." He said softly, laying a kiss on my knuckles.
"That's not…" I started to argue.
"Now it is you, I think, who is afraid." He commented lightly, tugging me towards the circle. I grumbled. He tugged Orcrist from his side and handed it off to Dain who took it, smirking. I undid my own and passed it off to Ori, who had stepped up to my side.
"My intended as challenged me," Thorin called out, glancing at the dwarves around us. "And so I must accept, or have my honor questioned."
I swallowed thickly, sobering a little quicker than I thought possible. Thorin turned to face me.
"Do not fear, my love. I will go easy on you." He said softly, laying one last kiss to my knuckles before stepping away. I felt a chill and wondered just what the hell I had gotten myself into. Thorin tugged off his cloak and I followed suit, the cloaks quickly gathered and taken out of our way. Thorin began to circle me slowly and I watched him carefully.
He jerked forward suddenly to a cheer of the dwarves and in no time at all, we were grappling, twisting and turning in an attempt to pin the other. My heart was racing, adrenaline coursing through me as I blocked his moves and jerked out of his light grasps. I realized very early on that he was going easy on me. I frowned a little at that, my pride a little hurt. I easily jerked my arm out of his hand and he lunged after me, attempting so grab at my waist. I ducked low, one knee hitting the ground as I swung my leg out and swept his legs out from under him. Being already unsteady from his attempted grab, he fell forward and fell solidly on the ground. I launched myself forward and landed squarely on his back. He twisted under me and I found myself sitting on his chest.
Whereas before, his eyes had been light and teasing, there was a sudden fire there and I shivered. Quicker than I anticipated, he threw himself forward and had me pinned under him. I squirmed as he easily caught my wrists in his strong hands.
"Are you so easily caught, love?" He asked teasingly. "And I thought you meant to challenge me."
I growled at him then, much to the amusement of the dwarves watching.
"Is that a woman you intend to take as a mate, or a she-wolf?" One called out, laughing. I struggled under him and he grinned down at me, having entirely too much fun. I glanced down between us and I smirked.
While I struggled, I casually positioned myself so that I was between his legs. In a quick jerk, I brought my knee up and stopped just under his bits. He froze above me as I jostled him lightly.
"Now that is not fair," He muttered.
"Who said this was supposed to be fair?" I asked.
"Aha, she has you now, Thorin!" called out a dwarf. "I suggest you give up before you end up with as high of a voice as our elven hosts!"
There was much laughter and Thorin shook his head. He loosened his grip on my wrists slowly and I lowered my leg. He stood then and offered a hand to me. I took it and he pulled me to his feet.
Dain came up behind me and clapped me hard on the back. I stumbled a little under the weight and he pressed a bottle to my chest. I grabbed it and took a swig, offering it to Thorin. He took it and sipped from it slowly, his eyes not leaving mine.
"A toast, then, to our fierce queen-to-be, Talya Shadowbane!" Dane called out, raising his mug to the crowd. There was much laughter and cheering then, and I hoped like hell it would be this easy to win over the rest of his people.