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.)
After I had finally cried my last, and the shuddering sobs slowly left me, Thorin carefully re-thread his ring and tied it securely once more around my neck. He pressed a nearly bruising kiss to me then and brushed away the remaining tears on my face.
"We will go to dinner now," He said, firmly. I opened my mouth to argue and he shook his head fiercely.
"No. We will go to dinner, and you will be at my side." He took my small hand in his much larger one, lacing his fingers through my own, and led me out of the room and down the hall.
When we arrived at the doors of the dwarven hall, he let go of me for a mere instant. He put a hand on either door and shoved ferociously. The doors swung open forcefully and the room, which had, moments before, been deafening, fell silent. The eyes of the dwarves fell to their king, who eyed them severely before gripping my hand tightly in his once more. He led me to the front of one of the long tables and paused momentarily to tug a chair next to his place at the head of the table. He held it out for me and I slowly sat down, feeling very awkward. He fell into the seat next to me with more grace than I could have managed.
Thorin looked out at the dwarves before him, brows cast down and his mouth drawn into a stern line.
"If any has a problem with my intended, speak now." He growled out. A few of the younger dwarves flinched and I noticed Fili and Kili glance up sharply in my direction. There was little grumbling from near the end of the table where the dwarves from earlier muttered.
"Speak!" Thorin snapped.
"She may be a fierce little warrior," One finally said. "But how does that make her worthy of being your queen? She isn't even a dwarf!"
"My daughter is of age! She has good child-bearing hips and a fine beard! And yet you would not even entertain the thought of meeting her!" Another called out.
"I did not realize that it was for you to decide who I wed." Thorin replied testily, jerking his chair back and standing. He leaned on the table before him.
"Perhaps it is time you were told of just what this woman has done for us."
I ducked my head then, as Thorin told my whole story. He left out the part of me knowing about the quest because of a book, but otherwise, told them that I knew of their fates. Of how I risked my life to save them, despite the fact that I owed them nothing. How I had brokered peace between the dwarves, the men, and the elves. How I had called them 'my people' and assured that they would be provisioned for winter. By the time he had reached the end, the dwarves of our company were smiling fiercely at me while the rest stared with an almost awed shock on their faces.
"Tell her story, and tell it well, kinsmen. For she deserves your respect, if not because she is to be queen, but because of what she was willing to sacrifice for a people not her own." Thorin finished. He reached down and took my hand in his. He pulled me to a stand next to him and I looked across the table at all of the unfamiliar faces. I smiled as, one by one, my eyes fell to each of the dwarves in our company, to dear Bilbo, and finally to Dain, who was grinning proudly across the table at me.
"I never intended to be anyone's queen, despite what everyone seems to think." I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. "I don't expect anyone to bow down before me. I don't expect everyone to kiss my ass and treat me like royalty. I am a solider. I always was, and I always will be. The only thing I ask is that you judge me fairly. Not because you think I'm here to aspire to heights I don't belong. Not because Thorin tells you to respect me. But because I fought alongside you. Because I was just as willing as any of you to give my life for the sons of Durin."
I fell quiet then and glanced at Thorin, who was smiling warmly at me. He reached out and squeezed my hand and I felt a lightness then, in me, that I had not felt in ages.
"Are you sure you didn't bewitch my cousin?" Dain called teasingly. His laugh eased the tension somewhat. "I have never seen him smile like that before!"
I let out a short laugh and shook my head.
"I'm sure, Lord Dain. Despite the rumors, I highly doubt I am a good enough 'sparring partner' to make his stubborn highness forget himself."
There was a round of masculine laughter at that and I finally sat down, Thorin following suit.
"Now eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow, we go home!" He called out, lifting a mug in the air. We all raised our glasses then and while I knew there were some who would still doubt me, it didn't matter anymore. I had Thorin. I had the company. And hell, I even had Dain.
I took a sip of the ale and set it down with a thunk in front of me. Plates were passed around and, as I took in the sight of fresh meat, I let out an embarrassing groan, realizing just how hungry I was. It reminded me of our travels and I blushed furiously when I remembered the discussion of me just needing dwarven meat.
"What has caused you to blush so?" Thorin asked, chuckling at my side. He had begun to fill my plate as well as his own with thick steaks, potatoes and mushrooms. When at last there was no more room, he pushed the plate to me.
"Ah… nothing." I grumbled. I picked up a knife and fork and began to cut into the thick steak laid out before me. The center was blood red, the outside seared only slightly and I felt myself grin. I picked up a chunk and popped into my mouth. After eating nothing but fish, fruits, and vegetables provided by the elves, the fresh venison was more than welcome. I closed my eyes as I chewed, letting out a long and contended breathy sigh. Thorin cleared his throat next to me and I opened my eyes to glance at him.
"Are you quite alright?" He asked, amused. I swallowed and nodded slowly.
"I think I will be," I answered truthfully. Thorin offered a smile then, and I realized it was one that was solely reserved for me. It made my heart melt and I could not believe I had been so ready to give him up.
We fell silent then as we finished eating and once my plate was nearly clear, I pushed it away, full. I took a long draw from my ale and then let out an equally long belch. Thorin eyed me with a small smirk and I shrugged as others laughed.
"Is that a challenge?" Called Gloin from down the way. I grinned fondly down at him and I watched as he screwed up his face and let out his own loud and long burp. I rolled my eyes as the dwarves quickly fell into a burping contest.
After dinner we gathered around the large fire and drank. The dwarves passed the time much like they usually did, telling stories and singing songs and insulting each other. I settled myself on the floor, leaning against one of the nearby walls. Bilbo came to me first, sitting down just to my left.
"I'm glad to see you smiling again," He said after a moment. "You've been so distant the past week."
I smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Bilbo." I offered. "I let busy throwing myself a pity party."
"I would not call it that," He said, "It's been a long road and you have faced enough to warrant feeling as you do."
"I tried to give Thorin his ring back." I admitted slowly.
"What?" Bilbo asked sharply, looking up at me startled. "Why on this good green earth would you do such a thing?"
"Because I'm not a dwarf. Because I was feeling guilty. Because of what I heard the dwarves muttering behind my back." I shrugged. "I felt like I had to give him up to make things right."
Bilbo shook his head.
"Ah, Talya," He lamented. "I still do not think you realize what you mean to him. You've changed him, and for the better. The way he smiles at you. The way he acts when you are around..."
"So what are we talking about?" Kili asked, wandering over, Fili, Nori, Bofur, Balin, and Ori in tow. He plopped down next to me, his arm free from the sling it had been in. I felt a moment's jealousy as how quick he had healed before I shrugged.
"Nothin…" I started to say. Bilbo was quick to interrupt me.
"Talya was just explaining how guilty she was feeling over things beyond her control and how she thought she had to give up Thorin in order to make things right."
"And you say we are stubborn." Fili commented, exasperated, as he settled himself next to Bilbo. Nori, Ori, Bofur, and Balin sat down as well and shook their heads at me.
"Oh, lass," Balin huffed, "You are truly thick-headed if you think it would be in anyone's best interest for you to leave him."
"Hey," I grumbled softly. "I resemble that remark,"
"Uncle has already lost so much. I think you are the only thing that truly makes him happy anymore." Kili said softly. I flushed, Thorin having said nearly the same thing to me earlier.
"Alright, I get it. I am an idiot." I grumbled. "Can we just all shut up and stop talking about feelings?"
Bilbo let out a sharp snort.
"Considering how often you have been the one to offer words as encouragement, or as council… coming from you that is just…" He shook his head.
"Funny." Nori finished. He procured a bottle from within his vest and offered it to me. It was clear and I eyed it warily.
"Its moonshine." He answered, grinning.
"I think I've had about enough of liquor." I groaned.
"Nonsense! This is the last night we have to relax before we head off to Erebor. Then it'll be rushing to and fro, trying to prepare for Thorin's coronation, and then your guys wedding…"
I made a face and reached out to tug the bottle from his hand.
"Fine, fine. I'll drink. As long as you don't mention the word 'wedding' to me for the rest of the night."
"Someone getting cold feet?" Bofur asked teasingly. I glared at him, the words stinging just a little.
"No," I answered. "Thorin is stuck with me now. I just really hate weddings. All the dresses and ceremonies…"
"What about the wedding night!" Ori piped up. I puffed out a breath at him and tugged the cork out of the mouth of the bottle with my teeth. I spit it out at Nori, who deftly caught it in his quick hands.
"You are a bad influence on him," I said accusingly. Nori flashed a winning smile at me and Ori winked in my direction. I shook my head and took a hesitant sip of the moonshine.
It was smoother than I thought it would be and I took another long draw of it before passing it to Bilbo.
"Ah, no…" He trailed off.
"Come on, Bilbo. It's not that bad."
"Are you scared, laddie?" Balin asked. Bilbo narrowed his eyes and wagged a finger at the dwarf.
"That sort of talk doesn't work on me." He grumbled. He took the bottle from me and glanced down at the contents.
"I'm doing this only because Talya asked." He took a mouthful and swallowed it, wincing at the taste. Nori laughed and tugged the bottle from him. We sat and passed around the bottle and, like before, the rest of the company soon joined us. We talked and joked and the dwarves told stories to Bilbo and I.
"Ah, so that is where you have disappeared to," Thoin said, walking up behind Balin.
Everyone shuffled to the side to make room for him and he gripped Balin's shoulder briefly as he passed. He sat on the floor next to me, leaned against the wall, and stretched out his legs before him. He tugged me so that I was sitting between his legs, my head pressed against his chest, and I was momentarily surprised, since he was not usually one for public displays of affection. He wrapped his arms around my waist and settled his chin on the top of my head and I relaxed against him. Who was I to argue with a king?
A second bottle of moonshine was opened and passed around, and before long all of us were pleasantly drunk, myself perhaps a little more than others.
"Come on, then, Talya," Oin called out once the story Gloin had been telling was ended. "You hardly ever tell us about stories from your own home."
I glanced over at Oin.
"I wouldn't even know where to begin." I answered.
"How about a legend of some sort?" Ori asked, eyes bright. I looked at him for a minute trying to think.
"Well… we have stories of dwarves where I'm from," I started slowly, a grin forming on my lips. "Even if we don't actually have dwarves."
"Oh?" Gloin hiccupped. "Tell us of them, then."
"Well… I suppose it starts with a beautiful princess named Snow-Whie. See, her step-mother, the Queen, was wick.. wik…" I frowned as I stumbled over the word. "She was fuckin' jealous 'cause the princess was prettier than her. She was so jealous, in fact, that she wanted to kill the princess, and so Snow White was smuggled out of the castle."
"Did she have a beard, this princess?" Nori called out. Bifur grumbled something in dwarvish and winked, motioning at his chest. I rolled my eyes.
"No, Nori. She didn't have a beard. And no, Bifur, she didn't have huge tits." I answered. "Now sh..shu…hush.
"The princess took refuge in the forest where a host of seven dwarves offered her their cottage to stay in. While at first, they weren't too sure about her, they grew to love her cause she cared for them. Cooking and cleaning and such."
"Is that all?" Bofur asked, waggling his eye brows.
"Yes. That's all. Not everyone is a pre…per…" I grumbled. "Dirty as you are, Bofur."
"Perhaps. But seven dwarves ignoring a beautiful princess in their midst? Unlikely. I imagine one of them would pluck her before long." His statement was met with raunchy laughter and I threw my hands up in the air.
"Am I telling this story or not?"
"Ah, go on, then," Gloin called out, smacking Nori in the back of the head before he could speak.
"So… Snow White stayed with the dwarves and they all became rather fond of each other. She would cook and clean and tend to their things while they were off, working in their mines."
"Well at least that part is believable." Called out Dori. I shot him a look and he smiled apologetically.
"Anyways.. One day, while the dwarves were off in their mine, and old peddler woman approached Snow White and persuades her to take a bite of this bright red and shiny apple. Well, Snow White quickly fell to the ground, in a death like state."
"Must have been one fine apple," Bombur commented.
"It was the Queen!" Ori said. "She hired someone to poison the princess!"
"You are half right," I shifted against Thorin, who was listening to the story with a bemused expression. "It was the Queen. She had used magic to disguise herself."
"So what happens then? That can't be the end of it."
"Well no. The dwarves all rush home, having been warned by the forest animals…"
"What, is Beorn in this story?" Bilbo asked with a wink at me. I rolled my eyes.
"No. Princess and forest animals just… go together, alright? Hush. So... The dwarves all rush back and they are saddened greatly because they think Snow White is dead. Using their amazing craftsmanship, they build her a glass coffin in a clearing and mourn for her there."
"That's a romantic thought and all, but who would want to look through a glass coffin and watch her rot?" Nori asked. Ori shushed him loudly and Nori stuck his tongue out.
"Would you shut up?" I grumbled. Thorin chuckled behind me and I plopped my head back on his shoulder. "She wasn't really dead. Just in a sort of enchanted sleep."
"Why would the Queen put her under an enchanted sleep if she originally wanted her dead?" Balin asked.
"No idea. I didn't write the story, folks. I'm just telling it to you. Now let me finish, dammit."
They finally shut up long enough for me to tell about the prince who had fallen in love with Snow White, and how he had found her in the glass coffin and kissed her back to life.
"That must have been one hell of a kiss," Thorin muttered behind me. The words fell from his lips easily and I chuckled as I usually did when I realized that he had adopted some of my words and phrasing.
"It was." I said, sagely.
"So what where their names, these dwarves?" Fili asked, passing me the bottle of moonshine. I took a sip and grinned.
"I thought you'd never ask." I paused a moment, making a mental tally of the seven dwarves. Sad, but I could have easily rambled off the names of the dwarves in Thorin's company before I had come here, but I found it difficult remembering the name of seven.
"There was Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Happy, and Dopey." There was a general outrage then.
"What in Mahals name!?" Gloin growled out.
"Those aren't dwarf names!" Sputtered Oin.
They broke into a fierce discussion then, complaining about everything from the dwarves names to how ridiculous it was that the Queen didn't just send someone to slit the princess throat. I was laughing so hard I was nearly crying.
"You are much like this Snow White," Thorin said softly from behind me. He wrapped his arms a little tighter around me and I scoffed.
"I'm not a princess, and I am not the 'fairest of them all'."
"Not a princess, no. But you are quite beautiful," He mumbled into my ear. "And you have quite won over the dwarves here."
"Maybe. But I didn't get sucked into an enchanted sleep, and I did not have a prince kiss me to life."
"You were near death, though." His voice was momentarily sorrowful and I shushed him.
"And the thought of a king is what brought me back to life," I whispered back to him. He smiled then and brushed a kiss against my brow.
"Well, Oin, it's obvious you'd be Doc!" Bilbo called out. Apparently, they were now arguing over who would be named what.
"Fili and Kili would need to share the name 'Dopey'!" Cracked Nori. Fili flipped him off and Kili launched himself at Nori, tacklng him to the floor.
"Ah! Who would Thorin be?" Bofur asked.
"Grumpy," I answered easily, much to the delight of everyone. Thorin's lip twitched and his arms tightened ever so slightly around me.
"Grumpy, hmm?" He asked, lips brushing against my ear. I shivered as his lips trailed down to my neck. I realized too late he was trying to distract me as his fingers suddenly caught my sides and I shrieked with laughter as he tickled me mercilessly. I squirmed against him, near breathless, when he quite suddenly stopped and held me tight against him.
"Thorin…?" I asked, confused at how tense he suddenly was. He cleared his throat.
"Perhaps this was not the best idea," He admitted, his voice strained. I frowned and he shifted under me. I was suddenly very aware of how close we were and could feel his straining hardness against me. I let out a shaky breath. Oh.
"Will you come to bed with me this night?" He asked softly, nuzzling his face against me. I nodded slowly and he his grip on me eased, content for now with my promise.
"If you think that's bad," I finally managed to say. "You guys should hear the stories of the shoe maker and the elves, or Santa and his."
There was much laughing then as I relayed the story of the shoe maker and the elves. Thorin laughed so hard at one point, I had to stop and look back at him. He shook his head and smirked up at me.
"I apologize for the interruption, love. I, however, was just struck with the image of the Elven-King running around with a bevy of warriors on his tail, attempting to find the tailors' scissors…"
I laughed along with him then and finished the tale. Thorin stood up, leveling me with a searing look. I quickly followed, his hand searching out my own.
"We have an early day tomorrow," Thorin said. "I suggest you all find your rest sooner rather than later."
"If only we could all go to our 'rest' like he is," Bofur commented, jerking his head in Thorin's direction. I blushed furiously as Thorin tugged me along.
A lemon that follows this scene has been posted in A Night of Passion. Enjoy!