Off we go and please review!
Chapter 27
Relianna hissed with annoyance but resisted the urge to bat away the various hands that were pulling, poking, and prodding to get her ready for Thorin's announcement. Her ordeal started more than three hours previous when Oin and Nella readied a bath for her with finely milled soaps and bottles of scented washes and oils. She scrubbed until her skin tingled. She knew that many if not most of the dwarves would be grievously offended by Thorin's choice, and she was nervous.
"Oh, bother," she had exclaimed after the soap squipped out of her hands and plopped into the bubbles. Biting her bottom lip, she toed around in the water until her foot found the slippery cake. Suddenly, a wave of fear pinched her chest, and she bent forward with a grimace. Breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose, she recalled Thorin's hot kisses that traveled down her cheek and along her jaw down to her neck. His passion thrilled her. From the very first, she yearned to melt into him, to give him everything he wanted. It was only her own sense of self, something that her mother carefully instilled and her grandfather resolutely reinforced, that kept her from yielding to her intense pleasure at his touch. Her virtue was precious to her, and she would give it to him only after they were joined together forever. Her lips turned up at the thought, and she wiggled her toes as she laid back against the high, copper tub.
Ah, just a few more minutes alone ...
A loud crash outside the door made her yelp, and she listened carefully to Nella asking what was in the sacks. Apparently, her friends had come with satchels carrying every possible beauty treatment. Slapping at the water in frustration, she tried to recapture her equilibrium.
"Just breathe," she told herself. "He loves me. He does. It won't be easy, but he's worth it. It's worth it."
However, her nerves refused to listen to her mouth, and they sent along jolts of anxiety that raised goose bumps on the warm skin of her arms and legs. Sighing in resignation, she slowly slid down under the water seeking quiet and serenity. She closed her eyes, blotting out Zozer's rage and her imaginings of the furious faces still to come. The fast patter of her heart slowed to a rhythmic thumping, and all her tension dissolved with the suds.
Suddenly, hands dove under the water, and she felt rough fingers grab her arm, yanking her up. Spitting soapy water out of her mouth, she sputtered and glared up at Frain's frantic face.
"Is it too much to ask a moment's peace!" she yelled at her now apologetic brother who dropped her arm and stepped back with a sheepish roll of the eyes. "Honestly!"
Her twin backed away and averted his gaze.
"I didn't see you in all those bubbles, and I thought that maybe, well, you know," he said by way of explanation. His hands jerked and twitched and found no place to rest. "Reli, I'm sorry, but with everything that's happened today …."
She heaved a sigh and asked him to bring her new, thicker robe. Frain insisted on it after her last bath when he said he almost had to pick up Thorin's "blue orbs" off the floor. He handed it to her with his face turned away.
"I feel like a bear," she said, not yet willing to forgive him for ruining her moment of relaxation. "Did you kill one to make it? I can promise you I'll not be wearing this after my wedding." She glanced over her shoulder. "You can look now."
He turned, appraised her appearance, and shrugged. That she looked like a well-fed muskrat didn't bother him a bit.
"Aye," he said after giving the robe an approving nod, "you look like a proper dwarf now. Perhaps you should wear this to the announcement. Ow!"
He rubbed his nose while her upper lip curled in satisfaction. The heavy sash had some uses after all.
The Great Hall shimmered with the refracted light of diamond wall sconces and great chandeliers that spread out their twinkling arms like densely packed stars. Huge rectangular tapestries hung on the walls depicting the valor of the dwarves of Erebor and especially that of Thorin Oakenshield and his company. On one side of the hall hung tapestries showing the fall of Erebor and the march of the dwarves to their new home of Ered Luin. One had Thorin standing on top of a rock with his people behind him. Another showed him wielding his oaken branch before the downswing of an enraged Azog at Azanulbizar.
On the other side of the hall was the story of the fight to reclaim Erebor. Smaug reared his huge, horned head in one tapestry, his open maw with all its creamy, polished teeth bearing down on those below. The next panel depicted him spewing silk-thread flames in the forges while Thorin leaped off the ledge to grab the massive chain below. Another tapestry showed the mighty charge of the company, with Thorin at the head, racing out from the rubble toward the orc army. The last panel had the mighty Azog laying on blue ice with Thorin sitting on his chest, his blade piercing both orc's huge body and the ice below.
Triangular flags hung from the balcony overlooking the floor below. They were made of royal blue velvet and emblazoned with the Durin crest of two crossed axes over the Lonely Mountain. Made of gold thread with sapphires and diamonds woven throughout, the gorgeous flags dazzled the eye and announced the restoration of the power and wealth of Erebor. Balin shook his head slightly at the impressive but ostentatious display, although he knew it was important. In this, the hated council did them an unwitting favor. His friend and king needed every advantage to defend his choice. Having checked on the arrangements and refreshments to be served at long banquet tables, he headed back to the infirmary.
"Now hold still," Bemma said while she and two other maids worked to tame Relianna's thick curls into some order. "We want ringlets, not riots."
Relianna puffed up her cheeks and blew her breath out her mouth.
"I don't see why I need to be gussied up like this," she said impatiently. "It's not going to matter what I look like. They're going to hate me anyway."
Bemma hummed with hairpins in her mouth.
"Aye," she replied with some difficulty. Using a brush, she deftly twirled a section of red-gold hair into a long curl. "But you need to look like a queen regardless. They need to see that you belong by his side."
Relianna knew in her heart that Bemma was right, but she feared that looking her best wouldn't be good enough. She'd almost rather be rejected for her normal self than try her best and still fail. Then she shook her head to throw off those thoughts. If Thorin didn't think the opinions of others mattered, then neither would she. She would follow her king and soon-to-be husband's lead in this, and her spine stiffened with resolve.
"Hold still!" Bemma said. "You may be my queen soon, but right now I'm giving the orders!"
After much brushing, tugging, and yanking, Relianna's hair fell in long, ordered coils that dropped over her shoulders to the middle of her back. She wore her usual maid's dress that was thoroughly examined by all before she put it on. Another maid bustled in with a small box, her breaths puffing with excitement.
"From His Majesty!" she said breathlessly, like she had run with the box in hand.
Dwalin stood immediately and took it from her hands. Oin and Nella crowded around warily.
"Where did you get this from?" Dwalin asked, one eyebrow cocked with suspicion.
The maid bowed, a little put off by his glower, and squeezed her hands together. Then she recovered her exhilaration.
"From His Majesty himself!" she trilled with a little giggle. Then her eyes glazed over, and she spoke as if in a dream. "He called me into his study and handed me the box, saying that I should bring it here directly. His fingers touched mine when he gave it to me. His fingers touched mine! Oh, Reli, he's ever so handsome!"
The other maids rolled their eyes, and Oin and Nella exchanged an amused glance.
"Er, aye, lass," Dwalin said, "you have our thanks and now you can go."
She bowed quickly and giggled again. Then they heard a male voice in the back.
"Is she ready yet? Can I come out now? It's more than boring back here, and Balin's helpful "History of the Durin Clans" nearly put me to sleep."
Frain came out of another room, and the maids turned and gasped. He wore a light blue tunic, and his golden hair fell in long, curling waves down his back. He winced when he realized that the maids hadn't left yet and that he was found out.
"Curse my impatience," he muttered. Dwalin rolled his eyes upward, but Frain shrugged.
"We've only hours to go now anyway," he said, "and Zozer's not looking for me."
Then he bowed to the maids.
"Trust you not to keep still," Relianna said warmly. She held out her arm, and he walked over with a large smile, took her hand, and kissed it. The maids stood stock still, and Bemma dropped her hairbrush.
"You're my closest friends," Relianna said happily, "so I trust you to share this with no one else—no one else. This is my brother, Frain, also known as Bear."
The maids said nothing while staring up at the dwarf in front of them. His crystal-blue eyes flickered to each, and they blushed under his gaze. He shifted on his feet, surprised and a little uncomfortable with their frank appraisal.
"Um, do I have something in my teeth?" he asked finally.
The maids sighed as one at his tender voice. Then Bemma inhaled sharply and curtsied. The others quickly followed suit.
"My lord!" she exclaimed. "Please forgive our poor manners."
Frain looked around bemused.
"There's no need for this," he said. "I'm just a simple healer."
Bemma shook her head with her eyes on the ground.
"You're also crown prince of the Iron Hills," she said. "Forgive us, my lord."
He scratched at his temple and grimaced, uneasy with their deference.
"Please rise," he said dryly. "You'll get a cramp otherwise."
They stood and eyed him curiously. So this was the mysterious Bear. Now they knew why he kept his face hidden! Without a doubt, he was the most striking dwarf they had ever seen—and so tall! The maids agreed without saying that Relianna was extraordinarily blessed to have the love of two of the handsomest dwarves ever born.
"I'm only Relianna's brother for now," he said, "and maybe forever."
Bemma nodded, and her mouth scrunched with disgust.
"We know that Lord Dain refuses to legitimize Reli," she said.
"Aye," he replied while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Bastard," she said under her breath. Then her eyes flew open. "Oh! Forgive me, my lord, Relianna!"
Frain laughed heartily while his sister pursed her lips, struggling not to give in to her own thoughts on the matter.
"Aye," he replied with heavy irony, "that seems to be the general consensus. But, in truth, he doesn't know about me. My family did its best to hide us from Zozer and, so far, he only knows about my sister."
Then he fixed his gaze on each of the maids, and they blushed and clasped their hands against their chests.
"So I ask you all, I need you all, to keep my existence here secret. Only then can I be of use to my sister."
"Oh, my lord," one maid fluttered, "we wouldn't dream of exposing you."
Relianna hid her smile behind her hand.
"Uh, aye," he said, refusing to meet his sister's grin, "I, erm, thank you for that."
Then he bowed over their hands and kissed them slowly. Their eyes widened as his lips touched their skin and his blond beard brushed the back of their hands. Each one tittered her thanks and promised undying loyalty. Even Bemma wasn't immune, and their eyes trailed him back into the room.
"That's your brother?" Bemma exclaimed after he disappeared. "Oh, my! Any other stunningly handsome relations hiding in the stonework?"
Relianna shook her head and looked over to see Nella laughing.
"Don't go on now!" she insisted. "He's insufferable enough as it is!"
"Now for the dress," Nella said.
Thorin and Balin walked down the hall to the infirmary together while discussing last minute contingencies. They knew that the difference between victory or tragedy might be a scant few seconds. Suddenly, they heard Frain's muffled voice.
"Get your meaty paws off her! If anyone's going to do it, it's going to be me!"
They hurried down the last few feet and tried to open the door, but it was locked. Thorin pounded on it with his fist and ordered them to let him in. Oin hurried over to open the door, and they walked in and headed to a private room to see the most improbable sight of Dwalin shoving something down the back of Relianna's dress while Frain pushed something below her neckline. They were both concentrating hard and struggling to do something, but Thorin couldn't imagine what.
"What in Durin's name do you both think you're doing?" he asked with deadly quiet. He leaned forward with his hands on his hips, his eyes blazing with incredulous anger. Balin peered over his arm and blinked.
"I thought that dressing our future queen was supposed to be the maids' job," he said curiously. "You both don't seem to have the knack."
The dwarves looked up in surprise at their unexpected appearance. Dwalin jerked back, pitching Relianna forward so that Frain's hands plunged into her cleavage. She grabbed the front of her dress to her, and he whipped out his fingers and held them behind his back like a guilty child who was hiding a sweet.
"I don't care what you say, Dwalin," he said while his face turned bright red, "it's not going to work."
"What's not going to work?" Thorin asked angrily. "And this had better be good."
Dwalin stepped back with Frain in a show of embarrassed solidarity.
"I thought that putting steel plates into her dress might give her more protection," Dwalin said with a cough at the end.
She huffed and held the front of her dress more closely to her chest. The straps of her undercorset showed over the dropped shoulders.
"They've been trying to fit armor into my dress, Thorin," she said, "but the pieces were made for a dwarven figure, so they don't fit."
Balin put his hand on Thorin's arm.
"It's a good idea, that, but perhaps we can find something else in the armory that might suit," he said, "something that would fit the midsection of a child perhaps?"
Thorin walked around her with one arm propping his fist against his mouth. A wide piece of flexible steel was wedged halfway into the back of her bodice while another piece peeked out her front. He quelled his urge to wrap his hands around Dwalin's neck, knowing that his trusty captain was only trying to save her life.
"Not steel pieces, Dwalin," he said, "instead, what do we have in the way of chainmail? Did we ever find Dis' mail shirt? We gave Frerin's to Bilbo, but what about hers?"
Dwalin straightened up immediately with a sharp nod and left the scene as fast as his legs could carry him.
"So ..." Thorin began.
"So," Frain answered brightly, "it was a good idea he had."
"Aye," Balin replied, "although the execution was a bit off."
Relianna rolled her eyes and began to laugh, and Frain grinned and laughed with her.
"At least it's not as bad as a few hours ago ..." he began.
She gasped and then laughed harder until tears ran down her face, leaving Thorin looking from one to the other with chagrin.
"Some things are better left alone, Thorin," Balin said with a sidelong glance. "Besides, you have a few of those with her yourself, laddie."
Thorin waited until she was properly dressed and then took the box from the excited maids.
"I asked your friend here," he started.
"Plumma, my lord," she interjected eagerly.
He blinked and then looked over with nod.
"Plumma, then," he continued, "to bring this here, but I decided that I'd rather put this on you myself."
He took the box from the dazzled Plumma, opened it, and took out a necklace and pair of earrings that matched Relianna's honeysuckle pin.
"I had the jewelers working night and day to finish this," he said. "I want you to have no doubts while you waited."
A breathy sigh from the gaggle of maids met his words, and Frain stepped up to watch him put the necklace on his sister. Even wearing a maid's outfit, she was beautiful, and the earrings picked up the sparkle in her eyes. Thorin and Frain moved to stand in front of her, and their eyes were soft while they watched her finger the necklace with awe.
"You're the luckiest woman ever, Reli," Bemma said while shaking her head, "but after The Oinker, you deserve them."
Finally, the time had come. Bemma and the other maids hid Relianna in their numbers as they made their way to the hall with members of the noble clans and their encourages. Dwalin had found a small, mail shirt to help Relianna, and then he pulled Frain aside.
Thorin had changed into a blue tunic and velvet jerkin embroidered with gold. A thick chain of sapphires set in gold hung around his neck. He wore sapphire rings on his fingers and a heavy belt of gold with a large buckle of sapphire and diamond. His dagger hung from his belt, and he had two more down his boots and another up one sleeve.
"You look like you're ready to wed," Fili said evenly as he came to stand with him.
"I am," Thorin replied grimly, "but I have to make sure my bride isn't murdered first. He'll make his move here. I'm sure of it. He'll have no where else to hide once everyone leaves."
Fili rolled the tension out of his shoulders and shook out his arms.
"We'll be waiting for him," he replied. "Kili and Frain are already in their positions watching the floor below to make sure someone doesn't come in beforehand. The clans should be filling up the room any minute."
Thorin nodded and yanked on his sleeves. His emotions were too turbulent to share, but Fili's support helped him find the words.
"I feel like we've been playing chess this whole month," he said slowly, "and now the game will be won or lost because of a single move."
Fili clapped his hand on his uncle's shoulder, gripping it hard.
"And that'll be ours."
Lords and ladies one and all entered the sparkling hall and gaped at the enormous tapestries.
"By Mahal," one stout lord said, "Oakenshield looks like one of the Valar." His daughter giggled coquettishly.
"Oh, aye, father," she simpered, looking up at an eight-foot-tall Thorin charging out of Erebor with his sword drawn. "He's so dashing and was the perfect dwarf when we spent our time together."
Her father hummed.
"He'll pick you if he knows what's was good for him," he replied.
More than one courtier gulped after looking up to see Smaug eyeing him hungrily, and a few scuttled out of the way of the long banquet table underneath the voracious dragon. One lifted a tankard only to drop the silver mug when he saw Smaug licking his chops at him over the rim.
"You think they set up the table there to keep the food from being eaten too quickly?" Frain commented from behind a curtain on the balcony. "Quite scary that."
Kili chuckled and wiped his upper lip. Smaug seemed to be glaring at him as well.
"You notice how he always seems to be looking at you no matter where you stand?" Frain said while ducking and weaving. "See? He's following me with his eyes. It's unnatural."
Kili winced and waved his hand.
"Can we talk about something else?" he asked irritably.
Frain heaved a sigh.
"I am talking about something else!" he replied.
The vaulted ceiling looked like the expanse of a cloudless night, and the noble guests craned their necks to gaze at its opulence. Dain strode in most of his retinue, although Onkra remained behind because of something wrong with her gown. The events of his stay had unnerved him, and he wasn't sure what to believe anymore. Onkra was worse than he had ever seen, yet he realized that she had been that way for years, but he never wanted to admit it. What else had he missed in his efforts to erase the past?
A single horn sounded, and a ripple of excitement spread through the crowd. The main doors opened, and Thorin's personal guard entered and lined the walls. On Dwalin's command, they held aloft small flags hung on swords.
"Does he expect to go into battle, Lord Bruffen?" asked Lord Meldin of Ered Luin.
Lord Bruffen shrugged his heavy shoulders. His daughter, Lady Bruffa, stood next to him and huffed at Lady Carba who was taking copious notes of the proceedings off to one side.
"I don't know," he replied. His many years of battle-hardened experience told him that something was amiss. "He's preparing for opposition, I think."
Lord Meldin hummed and looked around him.
"Aye," he replied, "it makes sense. There are more than a few here who'll be insulted if they aren't chosen."
Then Thorin entered with Fili by his side and walked up to the dais. Fili stood one step down and scanned the crowd. Members of the company came in richly dressed and began to spread themselves out in the crowd. Oin stood around the corner from the main door with Nella.
"Remember lads," he said group of dwarves who carried stretchers and medical supplies, "wait for my word. Some of our ladies may faint, and a few fights may break out, so wait for my word." Nella counted her kits of supplies.
Then Onkra made her appearance with more guards, each of whom wore a Durin uniform with a notched ax head.
"Well, that tears it," Kili said from his position above. "He's called our bluff. Look at uncle."
Thorin's face looked like thunder. He furiously eyed each and every guard, looking for something to expose his nemesis, but none gave anything away. Members of the company looked to Dwalin and Balin for instructions and, at their nods, slowly made their way to stand near each guard. Meanwhile, Onkra made her way to her father. She wore something like a turban on her head and a huge, floor-length shawl over her gown.
"I guess Bemma and the seamstresses got to her wardrobe then," Frain said after casting a quick look.
Kili shook his head and kept scanning the crowd.
"I don't care about her anymore," he said resolutely. "We've bigger problems now."
Frain nodded in agreement and pulled his first arrow out of his quiver.
I cherish each and every comment. They're little rays of sunshine!