Hello again~! Here it is, the chapter we've all been waiting for now the ball isn't over but this is the most important half and then on the next half there is a surprise guest to the story! Yay! Also thank you for all the support and please continue to follow this series as it progresses, I mean we've made it 30 chapters in so we might as well stick with it till the end! Please check out killthepain62's story out; she just updated and after I post this I'm going over to read it. It's called Welcome Home.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hobbit however I do own my own characters and the artwork I put into this series.
Chapter Thirty: The Spring Ball
Lian was breathless, if she thought the outside of the mountain looked good then the Entry Hall looked amazing; polished stone almost seemed to reflect the image of them walking along the corridor. Several dwarves were watching them in curiosity, whispering among themselves as the strange Men passed by causing her to momentarily forget her jitters. These dwarves seemed to be rather suspicious about them, as if we were wolves walking among sheep; it unnerved her to a certain degree. Sampson and Kelik were both openly gawking at the massive kingdom around them though Uncle Tundain seemed unimpressed.
"Lian!"
Said woman looked up the flight of stairs to see a small dwarf hobbling down the steps with several scrolls and books tucked into his arms; you could hardly see his head over the parchment. His sweet face hadn't changed a bit and he looked beyond excited to see her once more; Lian couldn't help but feel the same. Writing letters to one another wasn't the same as being face-to-face with them and interacting like normal human beings.
"Ori!" She laughed, stepping forward to snatch the lad up into a massive hug as soon as he stepped off the last step; parchment and books held a barrier between them but she savored the moment regardless. Rowan was squealing in Aunt Villox's arms and began her favorite pastime of blowing raspberries; the child looked almost rabid with the amount of bubbles forming out of her mouth to soak the front of her dress.
"It's so nice to see you again! I wasn't sure you'd show up since I didn't see you this morning; you missed the greeting ceremony." Ori told her after she pulled away and she couldn't help but feel a sheepish grin spread across her face.
"Sorry, lad. We had some difficulties after we crossed the mountains; Martha got hurt in the process so we had to slow down." She explained.
"Oh! Let's take her to Oin so he can look at her; plus I'm sure he'd be delighted to see you again." Ori offered and she was about to accept but Stevvin cut in.
"She's fine; it was just a flesh wound." He huffed with a scowl, Lian felt her own twist her facial features at the bitter attitude he had.
"Flesh wound? Flesh wound?! That beast tried to take my leg off, you great brute!" Martha yelled at the man, glaring daggers up at him. Dwarves were starting to gather around to see the newcomers and Lian couldn't help but sweep their faces in hope of seeing Thorin's amongst them; sadly he wasn't there.
"You're fine, woman!" Stevvin barked but despite this he was the one helping her walk with one arm looped around hers so she could use him as almost a crutch.
"I'm sure Dori wouldn't mind just looking at it-." Ori started again but Stevvin once again rudely cut him off.
"It's fine." He almost snarled, causing the dwarf to shrink back under his burning gaze and Lian felt bad for the lad to have to deal with Stevvin's short temper.
"He's just asking a question." Uncle Tundain butt in but before the sour man can snap off on him as well she chimed in.
"Stevvin!" Lian bit out, catching the man's gaze in order to send him a warning look; he simply pursed his lips but thankfully was silent. She gave Ori an apologetic glance before she placed a hand on his shoulder and began up the grand staircase.
"We can see Dori tonight, I think we'd like to settle in before we go and meet everyone." She explained; Ori's look of hurt morphed into one of understanding and he gave her a small smile.
"Of course, you'll be able to see everyone later at the ball. It should be starting in about three hours so that'll give you all time to clean up and settle into your rooms." The young dwarf informed, leading them up the stairs to the platform of the 'T' shaped staircase. He spoke with one of the maids that were passing by; Erebor was not in any way short of staff, dwarves almost immediately flocked back to their lost home and even ones who were looking for a new one. Their military on the other hand was in no way in shape for even a small invasion; this left them quite defenseless but they were doing what they could to rebuild what they lost.
"She'll lead you to your rooms; feel free to ask any of the maids or guards directions if you get lost." Ori smiled, his sweet face lighting up and Lian felt her own tug at her lips.
"I'll see ya later one, it was nice to see ya again, Ori." She said and they both waved their goodbyes with that before the meek dwarrowdam maid led them father up the stairs and through wounding corridors. They climbed several more stairs and went down one more corridor until they stopped at a simple wooden door at the end of the hall with another on just to its left.
"I assume that you'd prefer for the women and men to be separated." She explained; looking scared half to death that we'd disapprove but Lian told her it was fine before asking where the bathes were. She knew that her female companions would want a bath badly and even Lian felt a bit grimy from the days of travel. She was surprised to find that both rooms had their own tubs though you had to boil the water in the large pool before you could bucket it into the tub.
Martha was the first to take her bath as Aunt Villox, Nora and Lian placed their things by their beds; there were only two large beds so they decided that they'd share each bed between two women and a baby. Aunt Villox paired up with Lian and Rowan while Nora and Martha were to sleep with Tara.
It was amazing that though the walls were solid stone you could still hear Uncle Tundain's thundering voice as he complained about having only two beds as well; she doubt there were going to share beds like they were. The room was twice the size of Lian's back home and was hexagon shaped instead of rectangular; there were no windows but a dazzling chandler hung in the center of the room and lit up the stone walls. Thick forest green drapes hung from the walls as well as the ceiling; the fabric hanging down until it tucked under the medallion for the chandler.
A plush cream colored sofa was placed around a round wooden table in the center of the room with a matching pair of armchairs to go with it; not to mention the thick circular rug that took up over 2/3 of the room to match the drapes. The room was the perfect example of elegance and class, it was certainly one of the nicest rooms she'd stayed in.
A wooden privacy screen divided the bathing section from the rest of the room and each one of the women took their baths, Lian and Rowan bathing together. Lian was the last to take her bath so she was rather surprised to see that they were all dressed in fancy ball gowns; she hadn't packed anything like that for their trip.
"It's finally time I got you looking like a real woman!" Martha tutted, holding up a crimson colored dress; she looked far too giddy than Lian preferred. She felt her heart leap in her chest at the idea of being seen walking around in something so revealing as well as restricting; she would look like an utter fool!
"There is no way yer going to catching me wearing that." Lian spat but this didn't seem to deter the determination in her chambermaids brown eyes.
"For once let me have my way, girl! The last thing I need to see is you hulking around like some sort of brute! Men will be absolutely smitten with you in this." Martha tried to reason with her and for the first time she felt her resolve waver.
"They will?" She asked, instantly thinking of Thorin's reaction if he saw her in this; would he be shocked? Or maybe he'd be pleased.
"Of course! You're very pretty if you'd just let me polish you up." Martha's eyes lit up and before Lian had time to think about it her naked form was being dressed in the crimson gown as Villox took Rowan from her. Lian's chamber maid was all over her with only a slight limp in her step, pulling up a ruffled slip under the already full skirt of her dress; Lian was just thankful she wasn't being force into those metal skirts she saw some women wear.
"I'll make you a deviant vixen! No bachelor will be able to take his eyes off you the whole night!" Martha exclaimed as she yanked the strings of the corset impossibly tight, making it hard to breath for the young lass. She slowly slid into the red slippers she was given though it was hard when she couldn't bend over plus the woman was yanking a comb almost viciously through her hair until she rolled it into several wooden clips so her hair would curl.
"Do ya have to put that on my face?" Lian groaned, trying to pull away from Martha but she would have none of it and simply yanked her back so she could paint her lips the same red as her dress. She felt her back begin to ache from sitting so ram rod straight but she couldn't slouch in this cursed dress at all; it felt like she'd been sitting there for hours. And her scalp was aching now from what felt like needles being crammed into her hair and skull; she didn't know how much longer she could stand this even for the sake of impressing Thorin.
"When are ya going to be done?!" Lian finally snapped as Martha pinned a sparkling broach to the front of her dress. She had already placed earrings and a necklace that felt like it weighed a ton on her; this better be worth it.
"Calm down, you're done." Martha rolled her eyes before standing back to marvel at her living project; she must have been proud because she was beginning to get emotional. "I've waited years to see this day! You finally look like a beautiful young woman!" She breathed.
"I feel ridiculous." Lian murmured; pursing her lips tightly as her aunt and Nora turned around to marvel at the transformation their princess had just undergone.
"Nonsense; you look like the spitting image of your mother!" Martha argued, pushing Lian over to stand in front of the full length mirror that rested against the same wall as the washing area in the hexagon shaped room. She reluctantly peering at her reflection, expecting the worst but she was taken by surprise; there stood a woman that you'd think was born into the duties of a lady. She had red lips, sleek curls pulled half up and an even olive toned complexion to go with the sparkling of jewels adoring her ears, neck and broach.
The dress had looked a bit intimidating before but it was quite tasteful despite the abnormal amount of skin showing; sleeves of red lace weaved up her arms to dip down into a 'V' at the edges of her shoulder. The pleated silk bodice dipped down into a heart shaped around the bosoms before the red corset cover her waist, the dress then filled out at the skirt and reached the floor in a simple design. Lian fidgeted with the broach pinned below the dipped neckline with nerves suddenly increasing ten-fold; she didn't know what to do. If she looked clumsy and idiotic then no one would have very high expectations for her but she looked surprisingly well fit into the role which means she'd make an even bigger fool of herself when she showed how unpracticed she is in the role of 'lady'.
"Come, come! It's time to go!" Martha exclaimed, looking like a giddy child as she practically dragged Lian out the door to their room despite her injured leg. All the other women were already dressed and looked far more comfortable with themselves than Lian. Aunt Villox had twisted her hair into a long braid with wispy curls framing her face and long sleeved violet dress; a rich cape draped off the shoulders and to the floor. Nora wore a crisp green colored dress with a rather simple design but she looked beautiful none the less with her golden curls hanging loosely around her soft features and blue eyes.
They walked into the corridor and were met with the men as they waited outside impatiently; they all looked well cleaned up compared to their normal selves. Uncle Tundain still looked as intimidating as ever in his straight-laced garments; obviously matching his wife in color coordination. Sampson and Kelik resembled their father with their double buttoned coachmen jackets and refined air around them, the only difference was the differing colors.
Gordon looked rather awkward in his, tugging down on the coat so it covered more of his burly stomach and dress shirt underneath, his cropped, sandy blond hair combed to the side. Nora instantly flocked to his side with Tara in her arms; the infant adoring a yellow dress with a matching ribbon in her brown hair.
Lain took ahold of Rowan, clutching her tightly to her stiff torso for some sort of comfort as they walked down the corridor; following the maid that had come to fetch them for the balls. Rowan looked charming in her lacy white gown, tiny pale green ribbons stitched along the skirt and red curls pulled out of her face with a matching green bow.
Stevvin looked as sour as always though he too had combed his short cropped hair over and shaved the beard that had accumulated along their travels, showing off his chiseled jaw as it flexed. He wore his formal captain's attire that was like the other men but had a fur lined collar with several golden chains dangling from his pocket and connecting to the loop on his shoulder along his left-hand side. If he seemed sharp in his normal attire then he was a sight now, even Martha had given him a look over before turning her nose away.
Martha had her own hair pulled into a loose braid with a deep gold and white to dress bringing out the rich highlights in her dark tresses; she looked about ten years younger though the elegance was only thrown off a smidge by her limp.
They reached the Entry Hall to join the crowd as they filed up the right side of the staircase to the Ballroom which was parallel to the Dining Hall in the Entry Hall. They followed the crowd into the Ballroom and Lian couldn't help but run an appraising look over the elegant room; an amazing mural adored the ceiling with carvings twisting and weaving together to form and picture. Marble pillars lined the circular room and polished marble floors lay under them reflecting the people who stood atop of it.
A magnificent chandler hung in the center of the peaked ceiling, tiny crystals dangling and arching off the golden frame as shining gems lit up the room, several smaller chandlers circulating the main one in the center as well. Music was playing and people had even started to dance while others chattered and indulged in the drinks and food displayed on the tables near the entrance to the room.
"What a room." Sampson whistled.
"Don't do anything stupid." Stevvin hissed, stiff from the amount of people around him both dwarves and men; he obviously wasn't about to get comfy anytime soon. Uncle Tundain scoffed and escorted his wife away onto the dancefloor with their two sons behind them, Gordon gave Stevvin a sheepish smile before he too lead his wife and child out onto the floor so they could mingle, leaving Martha, Stevvin, Lian and Rowan standing there.
Lian shuffled with Rowan on her hip as she tried to get into a more comfortable in her dress but it was not happening; not to mention he awkward silence between Stevvin and Martha was deafening.
"Lian?!"
She turned upon hearing her name and before she could even turn completely she felt two arms wrap around her and lift her up; careful of the child she still held in her arms. She let out a small shriek at the surprise attack, causing several pair of eyes to look over.
"Bofur?!" She gasped after she was set down, letting out a breathless laugh at the sight of her old companion after so long. His floppy eared hat was gone to show his shoulder length light brown hair he'd combed back; he wore dress robes with frilled cuffs and Lian couldn't help but find it dreadful looking.
"It's so nice to see ya again! How have ya been?" She asked, a huge grin plastered on her face as she became overcome with joy so much that she forgot about her uncomfortable attire as the dwarf led her along through the crowd.
"Well you know, been a handful around here for the last few months; rebuilding and so on. I have to say though, you're looking good. Nearly didn't recognize you when I saw you." Bofur gave her a playful wink and she rolled her eyes at his teasing; however she felt the need to console with him about her appearance.
"I don't look ridiculous? I was never one to wear dresses or anything like that." She inquired awkwardly, causing the dwarf to stop in his tracks and give her a bewildered look.
"Never thought I'd see the day that you'd say that but yes, you look…lovely." He cleared his throat at the end, a small tinge of color coming to his cheeks form embarrassment. "Why? Do you ask? Got someone's eye you're looking to catch?"
Lian felt her cheeks color in embarrassment; that was exactly what she was trying to do and now she felt so stupid for doing it. Last time she wrote Thorin she has threatened to light a fire under his ass and now she was trying to impress him.
"Where are the others? I haven't seen Thorin yet despite him being the King Under the Mountain." She asked, trying to change the subject so she could rid herself from this nerve-wracking feeling.
"Ohhh, so it's Thorin's eye you're trying to catch; I should have known." Bofur grinned, wiggling his eye brows at her and she felt her lips purse; she shouldn't have said anything. "Don't worry, lass. I'm sure he's just entertaining Dain and the other clan leaders right now." Bofur laughed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Ah! Dori, Nori! Look who it is!" Bofur suddenly called, waving his hand over the crowd so the said dwarves could spot him; they did and within a few minutes she was going through another round of greetings and comments about her appearance.
"She's trying to impress Thorin." Bofur grinned, elbowing Nori with a glint in his eye; the dwarves laughed at this and Lian felt a scowl appear on her face at the teasing.
"Don't be like that, lass! Half the ladies here are looking to catch Thorin's eye; leaves us lonely bachelors rather hopeless." Dori sighed dramatically; his hair decorated with several braids and beads.
"I don't think your lack of company is from Thorin." Bofur snickered, causing the dwarf to punch the lad rather roughly in the arm.
"I don't see any young lasses flocking around your ugly mug!" He shot back and began to bicker back and forth with Bofur; Nori took this to lead her away so she could meet up with the other dwarves. She met Golin and his wife along with their charming son Gimli; it was amusing to see Golin's star-struck look when he gazed upon his wife. Like most of the dwarrowdams Lian had seen she was stout and had facial hair ranging from thick mustaches to full beards; she'd only seen a few with small sideburns.
Meeting Fili and Kili was the most rowdy, they had practically mowed the crowd down to get to her and by then she had handed Rowan off to Bombur for the dwarves to coddle over her. Last she saw they had forced her into Dwalin's arms, snickering at the awkward look on his face towards the giggling girl.
"We thought for sure you weren't going to make it after this morning, we've been anxious for your return ever since you left." Fili explained, flashing his pearly whites at her and she could feel the stares of dwarrowdams locked on her like a snake on their pray; Thorin obviously wasn't the only one being sought after.
"Well we got a bit delayed, not to mention my Aunt had to stop in Dale for a few things; which I know to be formal wear." Lian huffed, she was still a bit miffed that she didn't realize sooner that she would have to wear a gown; she was too focused on dreading the inevitable meeting with Thorin.
"Well if my heart wasn't already given away I'd be holding it out to you now on a silver platter." Kili knelt on a knee to further his dramatic statement, causing Lian to practically feel the hostility emitting off the dwarrowdams peering over from afar.
"Where is the lucky lass anyways?" Lian asked, curious as to where the she-elf was since she wasn't by Kili's side as she had expected.
"She's talking with Prince Legolas." Kili made an obnoxious gagging noise at the mention of the other elf, you could tell he was jealous of the diverted attention of his love from the slight scowl coloring his face.
"Maybe she's re-thinking her decision on marrying you." Fili snickered, receiving a punch to the shoulder that led to a round of bickering and half-hearted slaps. Lian laughed when Fili fell back into a platter of cheese and scaring the crowd of women who'd been around it; sharp screams mingling into the chatter and music.
"Gandalf, Bilbo!" She exclaimed when she saw the young hobbit and elderly wizard talking by one of the many marble pillars around the room. Bilbo looked just as stately as ever in his velvet vest and sleek overcoat; his curly locks slightly more tamed but those hobbit feet still stuck out as always. Gandalf wore the same robes as always, looking a bit out of place but never the less still at ease; his kind blue eyes glinted when they fell upon her and his lips parted to show a toothy smile.
"Lian! It's so wonderful to see you again, my dear. You look like the spitting image of your mother in that dress." Gandalf chuckled, noticing his hobbit friend was a bit speechless at the sight of the woman. Bilbo had never thought he'd see the woman in anything more than her shabby trousers and thick pelts; now she looked almost terrifyingly regal as she presented her title to the fullest.
"So I've been told, I must say that ya looked like ya spent a great deal of time on yer attire." She teased.
"When you're old you tend to set aside formalities and live in the moment; besides I'm afraid that these old bones couldn't quite present themselves the way they used to in such clothing." The wizard chortled. "Excuse me, it looks like I'm being signaled by our young princes; we'll settle down and talk again later."
With that the wizard was off, leaving Bilbo and Lian to themselves among the crowd; Bilbo fidgeted and played with the end of his coat while Lian marveled the marble design on the floor.
"You look well- I mean you don't look well as in healthy- wait I didn't mean that you aren't healthy! I meant you look pretty!" Bilbo rambled, his face heating up as he grew more and more frustrated, as well as embarrassed.
"Thanks." Lian replied sheepishly, not really used to the compliment though she was flattered by it none the less; sadly not enough to dress like this more often. "Ya look rather dashing yerself."
"Me? No, this is nothing really." He answered modestly as he took a drink from the glass he'd been holding in his hand. "Where is everyone else? I imagine you didn't come alone."
"Who knows what they're doing; Stevvin and Martha are at each other's throats constantly so I'm hoping that they aren't going to start a brawl in the middle of the ballroom. Uncle Tundain and Aunt Villox are probably dancing with Gordon and his wife while Sampson and Kelik stuff their face at the buffet." She replied with a snort, not really trying to keep up a persona of a lady at the moment.
"Wow, I didn't think you'd bring that many people along." Bilbo baffled and Lian couldn't help but laugh at this.
"I wasn't either but I should have known better." She chuckled but before the hobbit had the chance to continue their conversation Gordon staggered in between them laughing obnoxiously.
"Lian! Why ain't you dancin'?" He slurred, indicating that he was already drunk as he gave a loud belch.
"I don't care how drunk ya are, Gordon. Ya know I don't dance." She replied dryly but the burly man was having none of it and yanked her towards the dancefloor with new vigor.
"Lighten' up! It's a party!" He bellowed, pulling her away from Bilbo and into the middle of the dance floor just as an upbeat sound began to play, drums beating and fiddle screeching in its merry tune.
"Gordon, I'm warning ya-!" She began but before she could even finish her threat her was whirling her around and catching her before she could tumble to the ground. Her heart was beating a mile an hour as she was twirled and weaved around the dancefloor; people were clapping with the beat from the side as dwarves and men alike danced.
Several songs passed by before Gordon finally fell over from all the spinning, laughing in his drunken stupor and she took the chance to nearly run away and into a corner. Uncomfortable didn't seem to fully describe how Lian felt at that moment; suffocated was more like it as people chatted and shuffled about, others dancing around the center of the grand ballroom. She felt like her entire torso was stuffed inside a metal tube from how tight the damn corset to her dress was; Martha was beyond evil for putting her in this torture device. She waved upon seeing her uncle and his family across the ballroom.
Gordon's dancing made her beyond breathless as well as sweaty; the brute enjoyed her expression as she tried to stay balanced. She felt like she was going to vomit from the amount of twirling and shuffling she had to do while the lumbering man dragged her around.
She finally had enough of the crowded room and stiffly weaved through the crowd, trying to find an unoccupied space she could collect her bearings in before someone else attempted to waltz her away; she spotted a door and didn't hesitate to burst through the heavily carved double doors.
She closed the door tightly, pressing a hand against her tight bodice as she tried to calm her breathing; turning she noticed that she was in a small garden of some sorts with a small stream of water illuminated by glowing crystals protruding from the small cavern. It was beautiful and Lian forgot about her constricted ribcage as she walked down the stone steps and across the small stone courtyard surrounded by plants of all kinds; despite the fact that it was underground, the water provided a clean scent to fill her nose along with the fragrances emanating off the plants.
She felt her belly settle a little and went to take a seat on the stone bench but the sound of loud voices entering the garden alerted her and in a panic she hid behind one of the massive pillars bordering the path behind the large plants. She felt her stomach pinch when she clumsily fell on her behind against the pillar but she didn't dare reposition herself in fear that she'd be caught.
It sounded like a woman had come in and from how she was prattling on there must have been a man in her presence; the woman was practically dripping in flirtatious pheromones and despite her position Lian opened her mouth in a silent gag. Great; she was stuck having to listen to two hormonal people try to talk the knickers off each other for who knows how long, might as well get comfortable. She slumped against the pillar, looking down as she pushed her stomach out; wondering when the corset would bust and give her room to breathe.
She sat there for about ten minutes spaced out when she was snapped out of it by a sudden curt reply in the couple's conversation; looks like the two love birds weren't as lovey-dovey as the woman made it seem. There was a nagging feeling her in her gut though, the man's voice sounded familiar and she knew it was someone she knew. She was afraid to turn around and see Dwalin or someone kissing with someone; would probably put some nasty imagines in her head that she rather not have lingering in the back of her head for the rest of the night.
Lian heard footsteps leave the courtyard then the double doors open and close, sounds like they're going back to the party; that went by a lot quicker than she expected. Letting out a loud groan she stretched out; attempting to stand but her dress was so damn tight that she couldn't even bend her torso, never again would she have Martha try to make her a 'gorgeous vixen' again.
"Lian?"
She felt her heart freeze, eyes going wide as she sat stalk still; there it was, she was caught in the act though truly it was her own fault for hiding in the first place, she should have just excused herself or bolted for the doors. Looking up she held her breath, might as well face the awkwardness of the situation; sadly it couldn't just be Gloin or Bofur, no it had to be the one person that she had been dreading meeting all night.
"Hi." She breathed.
Lian trying to breathe: ᕙ(_)ᕗ