All righty then! We're almost to a wedding and wedding night, but first the pesky matter of politics and family tensions must be resolved, so hang tight. Many thanks to my readers and reviewers who have hung in there with me. I have a lot of doubts about this chapter and think that I might have piled in too much, but well, I wanted to get it out and get moving, so here it is, scatter-brained and all.

Chapter 41

After coming up with a simple but clever plan, the princes left to find Thorin, and the maids headed with Relianna back to the infirmary to prepare.

"Everyone saw me already in the Great Hall," she said with a doubtful shake of her head, "and they had enough to say then."

No one spoke while they thought back to that awful, horrible day. The threats the lords shouted and their utter contempt for her had shaken them. More than one maid and servant were tempted to exact retribution in creative ways, and a number succumbed.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. Did Lord Bromin mention anything about his food before he left?" Derlig asked. Plumma tittered and lifted her chin proudly.

"Not a thing," Plumma said, "although I think it was because he spent two days in the privy. How about Lord Figlin, Clea?"

Her friend grinned and straightened her veil. "We found the boils potion. I'm afraid he was very uncomfortable sitting his pony. Shame too that Delvin loosened the girth. He hadn't gone twenty yards out the gate before he fell on his bulbous, boiled behind."

"What have you done?" Relianna said, stopping and staring each of them in the face. "They'll cancel their trade agreements."

"Don't fret, dear," Derlig said. "They were never the wiser. Lord Bromin already had an upset stomach when he arrived. I don't know why he insists on eating such spicy food, but we just prolonged the situation is all. Maybe made it a bit worse, maybe more than a bit, and his groom tends to drink, so there you go."

"And Lord Figlin, bless him, is prone to terrible rashes when he's anxious," Plumma said, "and these last few weeks have been reason enough for him to bloom like roses."

"It's not like we were the only ones doing this, Reli," Furla said, "and it was only to the worst offenders. We couldn't get to everyone in the hall."

"We didn't have the time." Plumma lamented. "They left too soon."

"Not soon enough, I say," Derlig said. The maids nodded their agreement. "Don't you fret, Reli. These are King Thorin's people now, and they'll have to accept you. Now to make you look like a queen. What do you have on hand?"

"There's a bronze gown I wore when King Thorin proposed."

Instantly distracted, the maids clamored for details. "Oh, you can't keep everything to yourself!" Furla said. "Did he get down on one knee?"

She nodded and they squealed. Looking around at their excitement, she grinned and gave them one tidbit to tide them over.

"He told me to have mercy on him."

"Ohhhh!"

"Ladies, pipe down," Derlig said after several dwarves stopped to stare. "She'll lose respect for certain if they discover she's still dressed as a maid. It's a touchy thing, politics is."

"I'll bet a month's wages they have no idea how frisky their king is," Plumma said with a shake of her assets. "Now, Reli, you must share what happens on your wedding night. I need to assess his diplomatic skills. "

Relianna rolled her eyes at her inquisitive and resolutely inappropriate friend, but Plumma merely smirked.

"Now don't accuse me of stirring up trouble when King Thorin will give you plenty with those glorious eyes and tight …."

"Don't!"

After a fit of giggles, they decided to visit the tailors. A number of noble ladies had left various items in their haste to leave Erebor. Happily, they found a sleeveless gold robe.

"I did want to see Frain first," Relianna said.

"Yes, but this will only take a minute." Clea said. "I think it belonged to Lady Talar." She fingered the rich embroidery. "She has good taste for a troll."

Spiriting it away to a dressing room. Relianna tried it on. Turning in the mirror, the maids chorused their approval.

"No one will see your figure in that," Derlig said, "but you shouldn't have to disguise yourself."

Relianna fingered the exquisite designs and fastened the front. She turned in the mirror. "They'll have to compromise a great deal to accept me, so the least I can do is meet them half-way."

Meanwhile, Kili and Fili ran into Lord Kerba on his way to the infirmary and shared their idea.

"Well thought on," he said with an amused shake of his head. He stroked his chin and looked about the hundreds of dwarves going about their business. Erebor's nobles conferred a group near the council chambers while servants and merchants made their way to their various places. A rumble of voices echoed in various chambers, and the Great Hall was a din of activity.

"Now that the noble-borns are gone," Kili said, following Kerba's gaze, "everyone's trying to make up for lost time. It's the perfect opportunity."

Kerba nodded. "I agree, but it needs to look spontaneous, so as long as it's timed well, it should work."

Kili and Fili clapped each other on the back, and the older dwarf waved his hand and smiled. "I think you both enjoy this sort of thing too much. Well, off with you then. We'll be ready to do our part when the time comes."

After finishing some last-minute business, Thorin also headed back to the infirmary, promising himself that it was the last time he'd set foot there for at least a year. At the counter was Lord Kerba busy grinding herbs and mixing fresh medicine for Frain. Oin and Nella had decided that a daily dose might lessen bleeding. Of course, they and their helpers would have prepared it, but several early births and a couple of training accidents were keeping them busy.

Remembering his conversation with Relianna, Thorin approached the counter. "Lord Kerba, you've done more than most for Frain, and I can't thank you enough for your steadfast support."

Kerba looked fondly at Thorin with a smile that he recognized had always been there. "It's been my genuine pleasure, Thorin. Did you find your lady? Ah, I see that you have."

"Relianna and I had a long talk and resolved everything."

Kerba laughed and shook his head. "You're wrong there," he said through chuckles. "There will always be issues."

"I expect there will be," Thorin replied, "but we covered the most important ones for now. We talked of many things, including a a conversation she had had with you."

At once, the lord's deft fingers stilled, and he looked down. "Oh? What conversation might that be?" Thorin watched his shoulders stiffen and knew then that what she had told him was true.

"She said that you thought of me like a son. You never said so."

After a pause, Kerba sighed and turned to face him with the melancholy air of one awaiting sentencing. "I wasn't about to push in on your family, Thorin, on Thrain. It wasn't proper, and I didn't want you to feel you owed me anything. Later, well, I didn't want to take away from their memory. Besides, you had enough to deal with in those days."

The two faced each other until Kerba dropped his eyes and fiddled with his mortar and pestle. "I don't ask anything of you, Thorin," and he turned away, pulled more leaves off dried stalks, and mashed them with the pestle. Thorin watched him work the herbs into a fine powder, turning the mortar occasionally to make sure that everything was uniform. As always, he was careful, thoughtful, and dedicated. He could have been taking his ease with his daughter and a glass of Erebor's finest port in the library or wherever else he wanted to be. His rank alone merited such deference and, indeed, free rein anywhere in the mountain, but instead he stood at a grit-covered counter working so that Frain could rest easier.

"I know, but I would ask something of you," Thorin said. Pushing the mortar away, Kerba turned and nodded.

"I'm at your service," he said in an even and more formal tone. He clasped his hands in front of him "What can I do for you?"

Thorin held out his hand. "I never had an uncle, Kerba, and I'd be honored to call you kin. I daresay that Relianna and Frain would as well if you agree." The lord's mouth opened, and his pinch spectacles fell off his nose and swung on their chain. Blinking rapidly, he grabbed at them, pushed them back on his nose, and stared at the proffered hand before shaking it hard with both of his.

"You've made me very happy, Thorin," he said. Clearing his throat several times, he fished a handkerchief out of his pocket, dabbing his eyes before cleaning his spectacles. "Carba will be delighted. It is our great honor, our very great honor."

Putting his hand on Thorin's shoulder, he shared what he and Queen Relia had talked of so long ago.

"She worried that you were so serious," he said, "and that you saw no value in love." Thorin bowed his head. She was right, of course, right until not long ago. "Your mother and I were close, and we talked often."

"Close in what way?"

Kerba smiled and patted Thorin's arm. "Not to worry. We were much like favorite cousins, and my Renna and Thrain got on famously as well. We would talk of nature, art, and literature, and they would talk of smelting, weapons manufacture, and battle strategies."

Thorin threw his head back and laughed, and Kerba joined in.

"In truth, we were the oddest pairs, but our differences kept life interesting."

He kept Thorin entertained with stories about his parents until Relianna arrived, but he barely caught sight of her since the maids hustled her past him and into a room.

"Beggin' your pardon, my lord," Derlig said, "but we'll be ready in a jiffy." The jiffy took until the half-hour bell, and Thorin paced impatiently in the meantime.

"Thorin," Kerba said, "I don't know if you're aware, but your sister-sons have a plan to help Relianna make her debut. Of course, they wouldn't do anything without your permission, but they thought that planting allies to publicly declare their allegiance might be more effective than simply walking out together."

"Very well. Are you a part of it?"

Kerba shrugged. "Marginally. I have to wear my more formal attire. They want to reset the board and have the king and queen meet on the floor of the Great Hall with all their defenders around them."

More footsteps hurried down the corridor, and Frain and Bemma came through the door holding hands.

"So are we on?" he asked. "Fili and Kili filled me in."

Bemma blushed and curtsied to both Thorin and Lord Kerba. "My lords."

"So you've done it," Thorin said. "I'm very pleased for you both."

"You've chosen well, Frain," Lord Kerba said.

Frain stood straighter and smiled down on his love. "It is my privilege," but then his mouth turned down. "She doesn't want to be announced today though—despite my expressed wishes."

"I need to tell my friends first, Frain," she said, "and it's Reli's time now anyway."

Both Thorin and Lord Kerba agreed, and she lifted her chin while Frain groused, but after one last harrumph, he allowed himself to be primped and robed like the royal he was.

"I'm only tolerating this to be close to you, Plum," he said looking down at himself. She held out a long overcoat trimmed with golden fox that was made for him, and he grimaced. "Tell me again why I have to wear this?"

"So women of all ages will swoon over my swain," she said. He laughed at her pun and shrugged the coat on.

"Well?"

She took a step back and shook her head.

"No?"

"Oh yes," she said, "it looks marvelous, but I just can't believe how handsome you are. Like out of a dream."

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "So long as it's yours, Bemma, so long as it's yours."

Blushing, she fussed some more then left to help Relianna.

"I look like I've been dipped in gold," he said while tugging on his gold-on-gold velvet robes. "Have anything a little less blinding, Thorin? I might lose my eyesight over this."

Thorin didn't answer, looking past him at his love beyond. Relianna wore her bronze dress with amber pins set in gold woven throughout thick braids that hung over her ears. The rest of her hair was braided and coiled on her head. She looked queenly and entirely unlike herself. He couldn't hide his dismay, and her game smile dropped at his expression.

"You don't like it?"

The maids' triumphant grins disappeared, and they dropped their eyes to the floor. Thorin's lips tightened at their reaction, and he held his hands out.

"You've all done splendidly, ladies, but I don't want her to hide herself to be accepted."

"Told you so," Derlig muttered, but Relianna remained unmoved.

"Don't they need to see an effort on my part though?"

Everyone waited for him to speak, and he took his time walking around her, assessing every aspect of her ensemble. "Come with me," he said at last and gestured for her to follow him. Once alone, he turned to face her with his mouth set in a tight line.

"I won't have you concealing who you are to please anyone, Relianna. It's not your place anymore."

"Thorin, you can't possibly think that everyone will change their minds overnight. Besides, I'm used to looks and comments."

Thorin worked his mouth as he struggled to master his frustration. She was thinking like a servant, not a queen. Leaning forward, he stroked her cheek, and his gaze softened.

"No, not anymore, not as my wife. Disrespect to you is disrespect to me as king. Their loyalty to me extends to you, and you mustn't accept anything less. I will take you to our bed, Relianna, and make love to you enough to fill our chambers with children. Would you have them subject to disrespect you've allowed to fester? How can we and they rule without honor?"

Her brow wrinkled, and she licked her lips. "And if some stand against me? What would their punishment be?"

Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for her response. "Expulsion from the Longbeard clan and exile." Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Putting one hand on her chest, she stepped back, shaking her head.

"You can't mean that!"

"I do," he said. His voice was firm and sure. "Trust me, love. Trust me in this."

He watched her struggle to reconcile such a change of perspective. Looking down with her hands on her hips, she fought to calm herself. Finally, she took a deep breath, and put her hand in his. "I will, I do. It's just, it's just hard to think differently, but I have to get used to it. Do you want me to change?"

"No," he said, "just leave the robe unfastened, and in the future, I prefer you wear your hair down, love. Such a cascade should be allowed to run free."

The maids held back as Thorin and Relianna walked out together, but their smiles reassured them.

"We're ready," he said.

"After you," Frain said with a bow. "Relianna and I will wait for the signal."

Thorin headed toward the Great Hall and acknowledged Fili and Kili walking toward him.

"There you are, uncle," Kili said. They spoke for a few minutes, and no one seemed to take special notice other than their usual respectful acknowledgement. After a few more minutes, Lord Kerba and Lady Carba appeared and made their way across the floor. He was dressed in black breeches and a black velvet jerkin heavily embroidered with mithril and encrusted with diamonds down the front. He stifled the urge to tug at his collar. Lady Carba was dressed in the same style wiith a glittering diamond necklace and diamond and jet pins in her hair. More heads turned, but since the residents of Erebor had seen dozens of noble-borns over the past month, they didn't stop to watch.

"Ah, Thorin," he said, playing his part to perfection, "I need to talk to you about the new mine we opened and if you want a percentage of its yield in exchange for a supply of diamond drill bits and gold bullion."

The brothers bowed to Lady Carba who grinned widely.

"This is such fun," she said in a low voice. "I can't wait to see them."

Lord Meldin came out next with his daughter, Ariella. They were dressed in crimson with ruby pendants. He bustled out to the floor with his hands outstretched while she trailed behind.

"Ah, Kerba! Just the one I wanted to see. I want your opinion on a water problem I have in one of the mines."

His jolly charm was quenched somewhat by Lady Ariella's cold demeanor. She came forward unsmiling and pulled her longtime friend aside as soon as she was in reach. Lady Ariella couldn't understand how Carba could be so accepting of mixed-bloods at all, much less as Queen of Erebor and Prince of the Iron Hills, but she came in obedience to her father's command.

"Are you sure about this, Carba? I mean, the stories one hears about their kind."

"Perfectly, Ari," Lady Carba said. "Goodness, they're not monsters after all. They're no different than us. Truly. Give them a chance. I promise you won't regret it."

Lady Ariella shrugged, still unimpressed. "We'll see."

Little by little, more servants filled the hallways, seemingly on important business. Balin walked up with papers for Thorin to sign, and the rest of the company found reasons to be in and around the area. Only the most perceptive would think that there was anything planned in their happening to meet up with each other.

Back in the infirmary, Frain paced while yanking on the hem of his tunic.

"Keeps on riding up on me," he said. "I don't see why."

"Hmmm. Perhaps a few more pounds, brother?"

"Are you suggesting I should lose them?"

"Mahal forbid," she said with a grin. "So brother, do you have any news for me?"

He ducked his head but couldn't hide his joy. He didn't have to say anything for her to understand everything, and they laughed together with her clapping her hands with glee and him shaking his head in amazement.

"She loves me! Relianna, she really loves me and agreed to marry me! Can you believe it?"

She reached for her brother's hand and rubbed it against her cheek.

"Of course, of course I can."

They hugged each other hard, their eyes glistening with happy tears.

"It's really going to happen," he said. "We really will live in the open now."

"Never to hide again," she said.

A knock at the door signaled that it was time to go.

"I'll tell you the details later. Ready, sister?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Walking out the door, Frain clamped his sister's arm against his side. He had already been seen in public not long ago and was given something of a temporary pass by many owing to his bravery and exceedingly good looks. The fact that he was probably leaving shortly also weighed in his favor.

"Heads up, sister, we're rounding the bend."

Together, the splendidly dressed pair made their way forward with practiced smiles on their faces. A loud gasp met them at the entrance to the Great Hall, and all motion stopped. Everyone turned to watch them, and Thorin excused himself from his conversation to meet them halfway. Up above on the surrounding balcony, dwarves shoved and pushed in to see what was happening until the entire upper level filled. More dwarves crowded the entrances to the hallways to watch.

"So that's her, is it?" said one merchant on the upper balcony to another. "What's your thought?"

His companion leaned over the balustrade. "Comely but not a proper dwarf. Couldn't the king have picked one of the others?"

"Aye, well, it could have been Princess Onkra," his friend said with a cocked brow.

The other shuddered. "Anyone or anything would have been better. Her brother's done well enough, but I don't know. What's your call?"

"Does it matter? King Thorin won't abide dissenters, and you know what that means."

Down on the floor, Frain grinned with relief as Thorin drew near.

"My lord," Thorin said with easy familiarity. Then he turned to Relianna, bowed deeply, and kissed her hand. "My love, I'm so pleased to have you join us." Frain released her to him, and Thorin reached out with one finger, caught one of her braids, and kissed it.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered with a caress of her cheek. Stepping back, she curtsied elegantly. Fili and Kili clapped Frain on the back and hugged Relianna.

"So what are we doing tonight for entertainment, uncle?" Fili asked. Frain couldn't help a hearty laugh, and a ripple of excitement swept through the halls.

"That would be the ladies again," Kili said grudgingly.

"I think we are the entertainment, cousin," Frain said trying not to look around. Lord Kerba bowed as well and kissed her hand.

"My dear," he said, "you have our everlasting devotion." Lady Carba was next, and she kissed Relianna on the cheek and pulled her away with Thorin's permission.

"We're so sorry we can't stay longer after the wedding," she said with a bright smile, "but you must come and visit often. In the meantime, I'd like you to meet my very good friend, Lady Ariella. I don't believe you had the chance earlier."

Relianna looked to the only face that wasn't delighted by unfolding events and curtsied.

"Lady Ariella, it is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Lord Meldin's daughter slid her eyes to the side and caught her father's expression. He never could hide anything, and the look on his face was clear.

"And I yours ... my lady. I would be ... glad of an opportunity to know you."

Relianna stepped in closer and pretended not to notice Ariella's instinctive retreat. "I see what you're thinking, and I appreciate how hard this is for you, but I hope we can find common ground somehow."

Lady Ariella looked up at the taller woman with surprise and watched Frain put his hand on his sister's shoulder.

"Please, my lady," he said almost in a whisper. "We aren't any different where it counts."

Though both knew that she wouldn't dare make a scene, she could ruin their moment with a hint of dissension.

"I will ... try," she said just as softly. The beaming smiles from brother and sister sparked a reluctant one of her own. "Father's always been more open-minded, but I will try to follow his example here. It's not easy for me to put aside what I've heard, but I will try."

"Everything all right here?" Lord Meldin said with a warm smile at Relianna and a more pointed look at his daughter.

"Yes, father," she said. "We're just getting acquainted." She took Relianna's hand and pressed it. "I believe we have much to talk about."

"Good," Lord Meldin said. "My dear, we couldn't be more pleased for Thorin. Please let us know if you need anything."

One by one, the company came up to greet the group and kiss Relianna's hand.

"My lady, I'm heartened to see you well again," Dwalin said after taking his turn, and she giggled at his courtly demeanor. "Now, lass, don't make it harder now. I'm trying to do this right."

She laughed even more, and Frain joined in. The others looked over to see what was so funny and were treated to Dwalin's bald head turning red.

"Now there's a sight you don't see everyday," Balin said. Dwalin gave him the evil eye, but Balin merely waggled his brows.

"Don't have much practice, do you?" Frain said with his hands on his hips. Dwalin marched around to where he was and flexed his muscles, but Frain simply straightened to his full height and looked down. "You were saying, Dwalin?"

They faced off for only a few seconds more before both guffawed, and their laughter caused the crowd to murmur.

"You've cheek, lad," Dwalin. "Hmmm, where did you find your getup? In the treasury?"

Before Frain could make an equally smart remark, he was interrupted by servants streaming in from every passage while others made their way through the crowds and filed down the stairs. They made their reverence first to the Durins then gathered in front of Relianna and Frain. Alone and in groups, servants and maids swore their allegiance to the future Queen of Erebor. Her friends and allies were especially enthusiastic, and even though she knew what had been planned, she was overwhelmed to the point of tears. With a quick wipe of her eyes, she drew herself up and nodded graciously.

"I thank you for your good wishes," she said. "Erebor is indeed blessed to have such generous-hearted citizens."

Thorin walked over and tucked her arm in his. No one could deny the genuine feeling between them. "Your future queen is correct," he said while gazing at her, "and I am blessed to have the love and loyalty of Lady Relianna Durin, Crown Princess of the Iron Hills."

The merchants turned to each other and shrugged.

"Well, that does it, but where's Lord Dain then?"

"Well, that should do it," Frain whispered to Fili.

Fili nodded, but Kili grabbed his arm.

"What?"

"It's the council, Fili, and they're spitting fire."

Fili grabbed Frain. "Get ready. It's time to unleash your father."

I suppose it might have made sense for Dain to have come out sooner, but I want him to be the exclamation point. The council should have kept to its chambers!