Thanks for all the fun reviews! This chapter is for lovers everywhere ... A T+ chapter, so be forewarned.

Chapter 46

While breakfast was served, Frain paced in front of the crowded dining table, trying to work off a restless energy that had become more and more difficult to manage. He tapped his foot next to where Balin and Dwalin sat eating meat pies and started off again. Walking around the long table, he stood in front of the dining hall's double doors with the stance of one waiting for unfashionably late guests.

"He's like a cook worried about his cheese puffs falling," Bombur whispered to Bofur who grabbed the very same from a nearby platter. Frain put his hands on his hips, let out another frustrated grunt—one of many since he started pacing—and marched back to where he began, ignoring the amused looks of his cousins, Erebor's new council, invited guests, and his betrothed. Thorin and his sister had been behind bolted doors for four days, and he was more than impatient.

"Are they planning on holing up there forever? What in Mahal's name are they doing in there?

The room's occupants were stunned into silence. Fili and Kili looked over agog, Kili's half-raised mug of ale holding position mid-air. Bemma stifled a squeak, and Lord Kerba stroked his beard, hiding his grin behind his hand.

"Do you really want us to answer that?" Fili asked. The others chortled with merry grins, and Bemma's cheeks burned. Frain flushed and threw up his hands.

"No." Of course he knew, but he wasn't ready to think about what his sister and Thorin were doing. However, he was more than ready to think about what he and Bemma could be doing. He stopped to gaze at his beloved who looked beautiful in a simple pink gown. He loved how her large brown eyes brightened whenever she looked at him. For the first time in his life, he had someone for himself, and it vexed him mightily that he couldn't be alone with her in the way he wanted. In front of a fire, with the light dancing in her limpid eyes, her hair skimming over her bare shoulder ... He shook his head, and the image disappeared. Instead he saw Dwalin chewing noisily on a plump sausage, its juice running down his beard. A warm desire was replaced by a pang of nausea.

"I just want them to get on with it," he said, unwittingly sending the others further into amused disbelief.

"I'm sure they are," Kili said with an elbow in his brother's side. Fili covered his face with his hand and chuckled.

"You know what I mean," Frain said with an irritated huff. "They have to come out sometime!"

The room burst into peals of laughter.

Behind closed doors the lovers laid entwined on their bed, this time in Thorin's room. The chamber was heavy with scent of love, and their covers were askew with sable and mink furs flung on the ground. Others were carefully arranged by the banked coals. The atmosphere was unhurried, even lazy, and Thorin took a candle and examined his wife's body in the glowing, golden light, marveling at what he saw. All her beauty was his alone, and he had spent the last four days feasting on it. His hunger hadn't abated though. Each time they came together, whether slowly and tenderly or urgent and ravenous, his appetite only grew. It drove him to wake her in the night again and again, and she welcomed him every time with eagerness. Very often, she kept him up, and he basked in her desire.

"Each day is more wondrous than the last," he said while kissing down his wife's neck. She rolled over and opened her arms to him.

"And every night," she said without a trace of embarrassment.

"And every night," he agreed, "but what about every morning?"

"We've stayed up too late to find out," she said. Thorin gave her a sly grin and moved to the foot of the bed. He pulled the fur coverlets and satin sheets down, but she wasn't cold. Their fire was more than warm enough. He took one small foot and kneaded it gently. She groaned, closed her eyes, and laid back with a smile.

"Wonderful," she said. He kissed her instep and she jerked away, but he held his mouth to her foot.

"Not so fast," and he kissed her ankle and then her calf. Behind her knee. She shivered, and he grinned to see her response. She was as responsive as he had imagined and hoped. "Don't move. I want to discover new ways …. Does this please you?"

"Mmmm, nice."

"Does this?"

"Yes."

"This?"

After a pause, she made a sound that Thorin hadn't ever heard from a woman before, but he knew for certain she was extremely pleased and felt a clench in his abdomen at her insistent moans. A little later on, she joined him at breakfast wide-eyed while he preened with male satisfaction. A basket of warm pastries, breads, and rolls was waiting on their small table along with the usual eggs, bacon, and sausages. They had written out their preferences and pushed them under the door, and dutiful servants returned with warmed trays for every meal.

"Are you hungry, love?" he asked with a smug grin. He seated her first and then sat down, split a roll, and buttered it thickly. She watched his every move, still somewhat dazed. "What is it?"

"I never thought you so adventurous," she said. "Were you like this … before?" He shook his head.

"You bring it out in me," he replied. After loading his plate and hers, he reached his hand across the table and squeezed her fingers. "Our love-making should be an adventure. I never want it to become routine."

"I can't imagine it could be after that."

They ate in the glow of their mutual passion and memories made in the past few days. It was always his nature to be protective of those he loved, but the love he bore his wife brought out a new and anxious tenderness. Thinking that Lord Kerba's advice might go further than their first time making love, he was careful to consider her comfort in all things. Every evening after they washed, he massaged her with rare oils and combed her hair with gentle strokes. If she seemed tired, he suggested napping together, and if she seemed hungry, he rang for treats to tempt her. It was his desire that she thrill to her life at Erebor and be fully satisfied in her choice of husband. He hadn't forgotten that her time spent in his home included poisoning, mob violence, slander, humiliation, oh, and attempted murder, and he wanted to replace those memories if such could be done. He stroked her often, running his hands along her shoulders and down her sides. If that led to more intimacy so much the better, but he was careful not to assume. His gentle nuzzling in the night was always followed by a pause to make sure she welcomed his attentions. It delighted him no end that she did and with enthusiasm. He delighted even more to feel her hands touching and stroking him in the night, rousing him once more to love her with abandon. He felt young. He felt powerful, and he felt more alive than he ever had before.

In their limited time spent out of bed, they shared stories and dreams, made plans for their lives, and played harp and pipe duets. Always on the run or weighted by duty and sorrow, they reveled in their freedom from responsibility and fear. After breakfast, she pulled on his hand and tugged him back to bed. "My turn." She kissed along his neck.

"Does that please you?"

He closed his eyes and blink sleepily. "Aye, love."

"This?"

"Yes."

"How about … mmm … how about … this?" He cried out incoherently and sucked in a big gulp of air.

"Don't stop. Mahal! Don't stop!"

After six days, Frain was about to burst when Relianna and Thorin walked into the dining room hand in hand. They were reluctant to leave what had become their private haven.

"I know our responsibilities are waiting for us, Thorin, but part of me wishes we could stay like this forever."

"Aye, love," he said with a kiss of her intertwined fingers, "I would like nothing better, but I am king, and our people are waiting for us."

"You mean Frain."

"Him too though he'll have his time soon enough."

They stood behind the door and looked back regretfully at the bed. The crackling fire beckoned them back, and his bed piled high with furs and crimson and gold pillows was a silky and sensuous refuge. The memory of her laying on the furs with her hair flung about her, her face flushed, and her mouth soft and wanting made his water, and he hesitated.

"Mmmm, time to go?"

"Time to go, love." She heard the sigh in his voice and decided that as his wife, it was her job to read his moods and act accordingly.

"Not quite yet," and she pushed him up against the door. He had no objections. After rearranging their hair and clothes, they made their way to the dining hall some minutes later, and the others noted a softness about them, not that Thorin could ever be considered soft. It was, however, the drop of his shoulders and relaxed gait that caught their attention.

"Well, don't you both look like cats who found the cream," Balin said. The happy and most satisfied couple smiled at each other. Thorin kissed her hand, holding it to his mouth and running it along his lips. Frain's mouth turned down, but Balin was delighted. "I've never seen you so happy, Thorin, lad, and glad I am of it."

"Yes," Frain said with a huff. "Glad you're out and about at last. I thought you said just a few days, Thorin."

The king shrugged, refusing to give Frain's irritation any concern. "What of it? Are you going to spend only a few days with your wife?" His argument reduced Frain to muttered grumbles.

"I suppose not, but now that you finally mention it, we want to wed tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Dain asked. "But wouldn't you want to …." He trailed off.

"Do you have any objections, father?" Frain's voice had an edge that made Dain retreat further. "No, don't back away. Have your say."

Dain inhaled and tried to find the right words. "Wouldn't you want to wed with Bemma's family present? At the Iron Hills?" Everyone knew what he was really asking and wondered if it would spark another confrontation. Frain shook his head.

"No, we discussed this. We can have a private ceremony for her family, but I don't want the month that Thorin had had with nobles and others weighing in on whom I should wed. I want to go as husband and wife. If they accept me, they'll accept her. I won't have Bemma go through what my sister did."

He had a point, and all agreed to it. Even Dain couldn't argue with his logic.

"Aye, you're right, son," he said after he thought things through. To be sure, he didn't want Frain to suffer the insufferable opinions of his nobles and council who would certainly haggle over acceptable brides, "and we'll do everything possible to make it special for you both."

"The hall hasn't been cleared yet," Balin said. "We could reuse it with fresh flowers."

Frain turned to Bemma. "Plum, what do you think?" All heads swiveled to her, and she blushed under their inquiring looks.

"That would work very well," she said. "Do you think we could have wildflowers?"

"Consider it done," Frain said. He looked around in triumph, and everyone pledged to do their best to pull it off with aplomb. "Don't worry about the arrangements, Thorin. We'll keep it small. We don't need another feast. It'll just be those we trust." Dain and Thorin shared a look.

"Far be it for me to postpone your wedding, Frain," Thorin began, "but it should be attended by my people."

"Why?" Frain's hands fisted, and his knuckles turned white, but it was Bemma who replied.

"Because it will help the dwarves in the Iron Hills accept us if Erebor does." She shook her head at his dismay. "It's not just about us now, is it, Frain? Not if you want to be prince."

"I want what you want, Plum," he said walking over and taking her hand. "You said you needed time. Have you made a decision?"

She looked around the room, settling on Dain who looked like his whole world depended on her answer. She glanced next at Relianna who gave her a little nod. She stood up and stepped into Frain's embrace. He turned them away from the others and pulled her to him.

"Truly, Plum," he whispered in her hair. "Whatever you want. Anything."

"We could help so many, Frain," she said looking up and stroking his face. "No one would ever live in fear again. We could make sure of that."

His face softened as he caught on, and he kissed her hands. "Never again." Wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against his side, he grinned and nodded to Dain and Thorin. "I hope you can offer another holiday for your people tomorrow, Thorin." Dain's eyes stung, and Thorin dipped his head in respect.

"What about the feast, Frain?" he asked.

"It can wait until after our honeymoon, can't it?" Frain asked with a trace of desperation.

"Aye, it can," Thorin said. Dain rushed to his son and slapped his meaty paw on his shoulder. After giving it a good squeeze, he turned to Bemma and bowed low before her.

"Thank you, my dear, thank you. I'm in your debt." He wondered if he should do something else, and Bemma extended her hand to take his. He kissed it and held it between his own. "I'm honored that you want to help my people."

"I know them well enough," Bemma replied with a smile, "although I'm sure most won't recognize me."

"So that's done," Dain said with a pleased rub of his hands. "Now tell us what else you need."

The others watched between large mouthfuls, a little surprised at the speed of the arrangements.

"That's the way to do it," Dwalin said with a nod of approval. "No fuss, no drama. I swear by Durin's tomb, I'd stand night watch for a fortnight before we go through another month like last month."

Balin smirked at his brother. "I didn't know you had opinions on marriage seeing you're not interested." His brother shrugged and drained his mug.

"But Frain has the right of it here. Clap hands and be done with it."

Balin grimaced. "So thoughtful, brother. What would you do then? Clock her on the head, load her into a wheelbarrow, and trundle her away?"

"It'd be simpler."

Balin pronounced him hopeless and addressed Bemma. "Well, we'd best enlist your friends again, aye?"

Frain walked out the door, his frustrated energy transformed to eager excitement. Thorin and Lord Kerba shared a look and pulled him aside.

"We have something we need to tell you," Thorin said.

The next afternoon, Frain and Bemma readied for their moment in the sun. She wore a violet dress worn by another maid at Relianna's wedding, and she was grateful, but she couldn't help wishing for something of her own.

"It's beautiful," she said, but her friends saw her wistful sigh. "I just wish, oh, it's not worth talking about."

"You're wanting something he hasn't seen?" Relianna asked.

"I have no right to expect that," Bemma was quick to say. "I'm content."

The maids eyed each other and plotted. They had about an hour by the clock.

"Let's do her hair differently than before," Plumma said.

"How about this?" Relianna asked, holding up a choker of flashing amethysts.

"We'll change out the black sash," Derlig added. "Is that an amethyst and diamond belt?"

"No, it's a long chain."

"Hmmm, I wonder if it's long enough to go around her hips."

They pulled off the gown's fussy frills and bows to make it simple yet sophisticated and draped the thick rope of diamonds and amethysts around her waist. It fell slightly below on her hips. With her dark, wavy hair styled away from her face and twisted to fall over her shoulder, and with her luscious gown and dazzling jewels, she looked like a princess. She turned to face them, and they gasped.

"My lady!" Plumma said, only half in jest. She stepped back to inspect her friend and nodded as she walked around. Bemma's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "My, the right gown really can really make the difference. I wonder what Nori's favorite color is?"

"Bemma, you look like a queen!" Relianna said. The two hugged each other. "I'm so happy for you and Frain. Are you ready?"

Bemma nodded and dashed a tear from her eye. "I can't wait."

"Who's going to walk you down?" Clea asked. "Not Lord Dain. King Thorin?"

Bemma gave a watery giggle. "Actually, I'm having two dwarves walk me down." Two knocks on the door by different hands sent Furla to open it. Fili and Kili stepped in with bright smiles.

"Are you ready, my lady?" Kili asked before taking a good look at his cousin-in-law. "Bemma! You were pretty before, but now!"

"Don't start, brother," Fili said. "You don't want Frain after you." They stopped before Bemma and kissed her hand in turn. "My lady, we're honored to walk you down the aisle. Are you ready?" They held out their arms, and she drew herself up and linked arms. Relianna handed her a fresh bouquet of daisies and purple asters. The maids walked out the door with Relianna behind as matron of honor.

"Your very impatient groom awaits!" Kili said.

Frain stretched his neck and yanked on his collar. He stood just outside the door of the hall. "No more, Thorin, father. If I put on another bauble, I'll pitch face-forward."

He wore a white velvet doublet embroidered with gold, which only enhanced his appearance. Dain looked up with pride at his son while Thorin and Lord Kerba held out his white fox robes. Frain made a face.

"I'm already sweating," he said with a grimace. "Don't make me wear more."

"Sorry, Frain," Thorin said. "You need to look like a prince today. Word of this will spread to the Iron Hills, which is just what we want."

"I wonder what Bemma will be wearing?" he said in a dreamy tone. He shrugged on the robes without thinking. "Is it time?"

Soon enough the music started, and Frain's goggled at Bemma's transformation. He was a little perturbed at seeing his cousins so close to her side, but his eyes drifted back to Bemma whose heart shone on her face. As before, the dwarves of Erebor filled the hall and hung over the balcony, and no one could deny that the couple looked like royalty. Being more openly emotional than Thorin, Frain wept silent tears as she approached, his nostrils flaring as he tried to hold together.

"Steady, old man," Thorin whispered in his ear. "We don't want you fainting in front of your bride." Frain swayed, and Thorin grabbed his arm. "Just a little bit longer."

Thorin chanced a look down the aisle and saw his Relianna walking behind Bemma. His hand fell limp. He was an awestruck groom all over again.

"Are you sure, you're all right?" Frain said out of the side of his mouth. "Don't drop on me, Thorin. You've had your time."

"Keep your wits about you for a few more minutes, my good lords," Lord Kerba said, stepping over after a glance up at the balcony. "Don't forget you've an audience watching your every move." Thorin and Frain gathered themselves, although Frain couldn't stop shaking. Thorin stepped up to the front as Balin had done the week before.

"Who gives this woman to this dwarf?

"Her cousins, Prince Fili ..."

"and Prince Kili," and they helped her up to Frain who nearly stumbled in his eagerness to meet her on the stairs. The crowd chuckled with amusement and sympathy at the besotted prince. It was a cheerful thing to see sincere love, and everyone felt a glow and even reassurance that the two kingdoms would prosper with loving couples at the fore. Thorin entertained a fleeting thought of prolonging the ceremony just to see the look on Frain's face, but he took pity on his cousin and kept the blessings to a minimum. In just minutes the lovers joined hands to say their vows.

"I can't believe it," Frain said. " I never thought love would come to me,"—the crowd murmured in disbelief that one so striking wouldn't have a multitude of admirers—"but here you are to be my wife, and I am eternally grateful. You have my heart forever. There isn't anything I wouldn't do to make you happy. I swear to be your protector, your lover, and ... and the best father possible to our children." He stopped and covered his eyes with his hand. After a few sniffles and Bemma's squeeze of his fingers, he took a deep breath and continued. "I will spend every day of my life ensuring your well-being, and I swear you'll never have cause to regret your decision. Thank you, thank you for accepting me."

Bemma looked down before she trusted herself to speak, and when she looked up, she saw Frain's adoring smile coaxing her on.

"I love you, Frain. I think I did from the moment I saw you and not because you are the handsomest dwarf who ever lived." Female voices around the hall echoed in agreement followed by a low mumble of grudging acceptance. "You are my life, my lord, and my husband in all things, and I can't wait to begin our life together and raise our children together. I swear to honor, love, and be faithful to you always. There is nothing I won't share with you. You are my lover and best friend, and this is the happiest day of my life."

The couple turned to Thorin who introduced Dain to pronounce the last blessing. He steeled himself not to sob, and his stomach cramped with the effort. Relianna made no such effort and cried softly from the side.

"All right there, Kili," his brother whispered with a nudge. Kili looked over with annoyance.

"There's nothing wrong with being happy for them," he retorted. Fili discreetly produced a handkerchief.

"Then wipe your nose."

With the final words, Thorin pronounced Frain and Bemma husband and wife. Cheers and shouts bounced off the walls, and Frain and Bemma turned to acknowledge them. After a final wave, Frain turned to Thorin.

"Don't come calling," he said, and he took his new wife's hand firmly in his own and walked down the aisle and out the door without a backward glance.

After all the angst I put you patient readers through, here's another joyful chapter to balance it out. I'm sending this out without careful editing since I have midterms, so please excuse any errors. Also, I leave it up to you what Thorin and Relianna were doing to earlier. I love happily married couples!