Evie came downstairs that evening in a light green dress which she had bought because it reminded her of springtime in the Shire. For as much as she always wanted to get away from it, she did acknowledge that there was something utterly beautiful about the place – and it was a beauty she appreciated more and more both as she aged and as she removed herself from it. Yet Ered Luin was not so far away, and the healer was confident in the prospect of new channels opening up between the mountain and the Shire. When she entered the drawing room and joined with everyone preparing for dinner, she immediately caught Thorin's eye and was forced to do everything she could not to blush as his piercing blue gaze fell upon her.
"My lady…"
He greeted the hobbit, his voice like velvet. It was beginning to be the sound of comfort to her, that deep tenor… It reassured her and strengthened her. It made her feel like she had just settled into bed after a long, hard day and was letting the soft blanket of sleep fall over her – a striking impression of absolute relaxation and security. That was what he had become to her, a balm on a wound she had never known she possessed before he was there to heal it.
"I see Belinir has joined us for dinner."
She observed quietly, wanting to address the issue while it was just the two of them talking before everyone else joined them and the party moved into the dining room. Thorin nodded, his eyes growing cold for a moment as they tracked hers toward where Belinir was speaking with some of his cohort, but then brightening again as they returned to her face.
"He has accepted that he cannot contest the matter of our marriage."
Evie's eyes were large as she stared up at him in surprise. Her soft, pink mouth fell open, and it was all Thorin could do not to kiss it. Instead he took her hand in his and pressed his lips poignantly to the smooth skin there.
"We will announce the banquet tonight; it will be in a few days, and will serve as a general proclamation to our people that we are to be wed. There are some traditions associated with this, including an exchange of gifts, but Dis can help you select something proper. The banquet will be a grand affair for a large number of guests, and then exactly one month later we will be married. There are some formalities to take care of in the interim, but we shall deal with them as they come."
He explained, and Evangeline took a deep breath. She supposed they would have to.
"And Belinir? Might we convince him to support us?"
"Perhaps."
Thorin replied darkly, yet there was less ill will in the thought than Evie had predicted. She recognized disappointment as the driving force of his sentiment. She was sorry for it, and for Belinir's opposition, but she guessed they would overcome it as they had so many other obstacles. In a little over a month they would be married, and nothing else seemed to matter so much anymore.
"I suppose this will be very difficult…"
She conceded, yet her words were countermined by the wry smile which tugged at the corner of her mouth, gaining sweetness by the moment.
"I suppose it will."
"But we will prevail upon him?"
"I believe so."
Evie's eyes shone as she looked up at her dwarf, and something connected between them as they stared into each other's eyes. The edges of Thorin's lips twitched up into a smile, and the hobbit grinned widely in response. They were torn from their silent understanding, however, as Balin cut in and suggested they should move to the dining hall, as the full company was now present.
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At dinner the table reacted well to the news, although almost everyone present had already been informed of the decision. Dwalin raised a toast, Balin gave his hearty congratulations, Dis was positively aglow with excitement and Fildur humored her by nodding and smiling at her side, Telchar was finally able to laugh again, it seemed, and even a few of Thorin's advisers appeared to be pleased with the news. Belinir, of course, did not, and his influence had visibly taken hold of a few of the other dwarves. Yet overall the table was occupied in cheering and toasting and Evie could not have hoped for anything better. Thorin was at her side, there was good food on the table, and everything was looking more and more like it would be for the best.
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Evie spent the next afternoon hard at work, reading more about the histories of the dwarves (much of which she had already learned while on her travels, as she had made the line of Durin her particular interest), receiving instruction from Dis on how to behave at certain types of ceremonies and what would be expected of her at the wedding, and, her new grand objective, learning dwarvish from Balin. He was a helpful and patient teacher (unlike Dwalin, who occasionally thought to help but usually got too frustrated to continue after the first hour of the lesson). Evie was very grateful to the white haired dwarf, as the healer found she was not very naturally adept at learning languages. It was not something she had known about herself before, but as she struggled with the proper runes for certain sounds she realized quite quickly that her task would not be an easy one. She would work on it, however, and endeavor to know as much as possible as quickly as possible, as aggravating as the process seemed to be. She could never thank Balin enough for his studious perseverance, guiding her along no matter how exasperating it became for either instructor or student.
Time passed, and the days marched on, sunset after sunrise, as surely as they always had. Evie had begun to be styled in the way of the dwarves, with braids in her hair and in colors more traditional to Durin's Folk. She kept a few of her older dresses as well, unable to fully give up the bright colors of her native people. The transition was not altogether so great, however, and Evie never felt uncomfortable in her new clothes or her new quarters. Whenever she felt out of place in the least, all she had to do was find Thorin and look into his eyes – in them was the promise of a future beyond her wildest dreams. A little bit of cloth couldn't define who she was; Evangeline Took was a hobbit of the Shire and there was no hiding that or covering it up. It was clear enough that she was not a dwarf, no matter what they dressed her in or how they did her hair. But she refused to be embarrassed of the fact. She would not be false with herself or Thorin's people, and who she was as a person was so undoubtedly tied up in the story of Durin's Folk that she doubted anyone could deny her past, even if she was of a different race.
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The banquet went as they had hoped and expected; it was a jolly gathering and although many of the guests seemed surprised at the announcement of Thorin's proposed marriage to Evangeline Took of the Shire, most seemed at peace with the idea. The reception was warm and the dwarves were kind to her, although the hobbit sensed that many were rather resigned to the idea than supportive of it – perhaps some had long harbored the hope that although Thorin always claimed he would not take a bride, had he changed his mind he would have selected one of Durin's blood. To marry outside their race was unheard of and unimaginable before now. Even in such extraordinary times, the concept seemed wrong to them, at its core.
Despite the hesitation of many of the dwarves who greeted the hobbit, most tried to show her their best selves for they knew that if she did indeed marry the king, they would need to be in favor with her. And so, all grumbling or internal disagreements aside, they came to Evie and bowed to her, offering their service and their friendship. The hobbit tried to take all this in stride; there were many people to meet and it was strange being treated so differently, yet with such respect. She had never been anything more than Evie Took, and to be acknowledged now as a future queen was altogether peculiar indeed for the humble hobbit.
When it came time for the ceremonial part of the evening, just before dinner, she felt more in her element. Evangeline had been prepared from the start with her gifts to Thorin. She offered him a brightly colored squash, a small barrel of Longbottom leaf, and a collection of lavender cakes from the Shire, as well as one of the ravens she had received from the toymaker at the market a few days before and a jeweled cutting knife fashioned by one of his best blacksmiths. Thorin was greatly impressed by this assortment, and was even more so when she announced that these were simply representations of the true gift – she had worked to open up trade between Ered Luin and the Shire. Their first shared market day would be the day before the wedding, to introduce the two races to one another through the mutual benefit of exchange, and open new pathways between the two settlements.
"The Shire has much to offer us; they harvest foods in the fertile soils there which cannot grow in the harsher climates of the mountains, and in return the masterful crafts of the dwarves will be in great demand. Our two races will come together in one month's time in more ways than one, and I endeavor to always encourage that connection and see it grow to the benefit of both peoples."
The dwarves were very impressed by this, although a great murmur went through the crowd at her announcement. Those who were still suspicious might always be, but Evie was gratified by the impressed expressions on many of the faces which looked up at her as she stood and spoke. This trade would be a prodigious step forward in the further development of their mountain home, and at the very least no dwarf could deny the joys of Shire pipe-weed, which was well known in much of Middle Earth, even to those who had never heard the word 'hobbit' before.
Thorin's gift was much more extravagant than hers, but such was perhaps to be expected. He offered her a brooch with the finest, largest opal she had ever seen, no doubt salvaged from a greater age than this one. It was cast in a brilliant golden frame, and she found it hard not to let her mouth fall open in awe of the dazzling stone. Small, sparkling rubies were set into the gold surrounding the opal, and a smaller opal hung daintily from the bottom of the structure. The entire piece glimmered in the candlelight. She was honored by his gift, and pinned it to the front of her rich purple dress without hesitation.
The couple sat together at the head of the table, and as dinner progressed affairs seemed much more akin to normal as those who were sitting near the head of the table with them were their familiars – Dis and Fildur next to Evie and then Balin and Dwalin. Thorin's advisers sat beside him, beginning with the ever charming Belinir and continuing on. Belinir seemed of a heavy heart throughout the evening, yet Evie appreciated that he said little in conversation and nothing on the subject of the marriage. Perhaps he had finally submitted to the directness of Thorin's will, as the king had previously mentioned, or perhaps he was waiting for the right time to further attempt to dissuade them. No matter the reason, Evie was thankful for his silence.
In any case, as dinner continued without interruption and the reception followed just as jovially as any celebration should have, Evie began to relax a little. She felt more comfortable in her own skin as she watched the dwarves begin to dance together and the effects of the seemingly bottomless tankards of mead present demonstrations of jollity amongst the company. She was charmed by the merry atmosphere of the gathering and the free way that the dwarves associated with one another. While their ceremonies pretended every pretense, their parties did not. All was good spirit and good company, and the hobbit was glad to be a part of it.
The night wore on with much laughter and happiness, and the only sadness Evie could find in the affair was that the couple set to wed was not permitted to be too close to each other – they were supposed to keep their distance from one another until after the wedding. Evangeline found it a silly rule (particularly after everything she and the dwarf king had already shared, far beyond the limits of propriety), but she was bound by it. Even so, there was nothing regulating how much the pair could look at each other. Evie's eyes seemed stuck to him throughout the evening, and often she caught Thorin's penetrating gaze upon her as though she could feel it physically.
They were, however, allowed one dance. Most of the dancing was the sort of revelry one could expect from a society which was composed of mostly males, yet the riotous affair calmed after a while and the makeshift band which had sprung up (many visitors seemed to have instruments on them – Evie realized that dwarves were very fond of music and each had their own instrument of choice, although she had yet to see Thorin take part) began to play something a little slower. The hobbit smiled as Thorin took one of her hands in his and placed the other at her waist; she felt rather like a young girl playing dress up as a princess in a dress two sizes too big rather than a future queen preparing for her wedding day in a dress which no doubt cost more than all her others combined and was tailored just for her. Instead of her father swinging her around the floor of their hobbit hole she was led into the open space serving as a dance floor by Thorin Oakenshield, King at Ered Luin and her future husband.
Trying not to be stunned by the thought, she breathed in deeply and let her silver eyes meet his sapphire ones for the hundredth time that evening. As always, she found immediate relief in his gaze, and her heart was calmed. Nothing mattered when her small hand was held fast within his much larger one, and the heaviness of his other hand just above the bell of her hips made her breath stick in her throat. This was the closest they had been for days, and she was intoxicated by the warmth of him so near to her, the sweet, earthy scent of him.. He was just beyond her reach – she wanted to lean up and kiss him, to feel his thin, perfect lips brush her own just one more time… The aching desire throbbed through her heart like a vice, and when she shivered against him and he squeezed her hand in response she knew he was struggling similarly. And so they danced together, the beautiful material of her rich purple gown flowing around them as he turned her, her tiny hand still unsteady in his. He breathed in deeply as they came closer again, his nose brushing her cheek and making them both tense with secret longing. Not so secret, she supposed, if they weren't more careful, although it seemed most of the dwarves were now too drunk to notice much of the couple. Even Belinir was speaking chirpily with his cohort, although he shot the pair a wary glance every now and again as if he was honor bound to do so.
Evie was all sweetness and smiles for the rest of the night, talking with everyone who approached her and saying hello to those dwarves she recognized from previous occasions. She even danced with a few of Thorin's advisers when they asked for her hand and Thorin gave permission that such a thing was appropriate. It was, all and all, a marvelous evening, and a wonderful introduction for Evie to many of those who would soon be called her people.
The party lasted well into the night, and then, one by one, the dwarves began to lumber back home, bellies full of food and drink and good thoughts upon their minds. Thorin begrudgingly sent Dwalin and Telchar to bring Evie up to her room, since he himself was not permitted. This, at least, she understood, as much as she would have ached to steal a kiss from him, to feel his hands upon her one more time… At first a month had seemed like such a short breath of time, after so many years of waiting, yet every day it seemed to stretch longer and longer to the anxious hobbit. No matter her feelings, however, time would pass as it must, and she had much to do independently before the wedding.
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The next morning, Evangeline had promised to meet Dis at the bottom of the stairs outside the main fortress of the mountain, near where the market had been set up. The dwarf was to bring her to the stables so they could go riding together. Evie had been looking forward to the experience – after so many introductions and dinners and ceremonies she was ready to go outside and breathe in some fresh air. The healer enjoyed living in the mountain, but the air could be oppressive at times. Whether that was because of her current circumstances or because of the climate of the peak, she could not be sure, but she had an idea which was the more influential upon her health.
She hopped down the stairs one by one, feeling free of all her cares for a moment as she enjoyed the simple fact that she was alone, for once. Always with an escort, always being watched… Other than when she went to sleep at night it was a rare instance the hobbit was on her own. It was exceptionally liberating, to be out and about without supervision, and although even now she should have been with a small party she thought it would be fine just this once if she snuck out to meet Dis on her own.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, however, a shrill, inquisitive voice stopped her in her tracks. The song she had been humming died on her lips and the healer turned to approach the visitor, curious.
"Are you the one?!"
"Which one might you mean, madam?"
She asked, a little surprised when she looked up at the older dwarf and saw the dark grey curls tumbling around her face and the eager gleam in her light eyes.
"That… that hobbit who has come to ruin us."
Evangeline went cold at the words, and was rendered completely speechless for a moment. Her heart stopped in her chest, and in a panic the blonde was at a loss as to how to start it back up again.
"It is you, isn't it?!" The dwarf demanded, looking the hobbit up and down and scorning her with a scowl which could have scared off a dragon.
"I would send in a petition, but there is no use in it. It will be ignored like the others. Like all decency already has been. There are many fine dwarves who deserve King Thorin's hand in marriage. Who could make him happy, who could give him heirs… What can you give him?! What can you give us?! Trouble, that is all. Trouble and despair, to see such a great king fall to the likes of you. He deserves a fine queen, one of his people, who can lead us in the days ahead and who has earned the right."
"I- I was at the Battle of-"
Evie tried feebly, but the old dwarf cut her off almost immediately, slicing her withered hand through the air and shaking her head with angry vigor.
"You think you are so special because you were at Azanulbizar. Let me tell you, lass, that is nothing to boast about. We were all there, or we have all lost someone there. Fathers, sons, husbands, wives… So many were lost there was no counting the bodies. Do not think yourself so grand for being a part of our heritage – you are no more one of us than a passing wasp who happened to sting an orc on the battlefield. I do not know what siren's spell you have cast over the king, but know that you will never deserve him, nor the respect of his people. You are not of Durin's Folk and you have no place amongst us."
She spit onto the dirt below, narrowly missing Evie's feet as the hobbit stumbled backwards, away from the irate female. The healer's breath cracked in her throat as she panicked, her arms reaching out in front of her as if in surrender, or to protect herself from an attack. But her assailant would not strike a physical blow, only a crippling verbal one:
"He cannot break off the marriage, not now, even if he wanted to. He is honor bound to fulfill his promise to you, despite his own feelings. But you – you my little Shireling – it is for you to set him free and to release him from this tainted marriage. He should marry of his own kind and give us a queen who can rule – not a witch who thinks only of herself and her own happiness, not that of those who she would rule over with such disregard. You will never be queen of us. You can steal a crown, lass, but you cannot steal a kingdom."
With that the dwarf tugged at her beard and turned on her heel, stalking away and muttering under her breath. Evie stood for a moment, trembling, unable to fully process what had just happened. As she did and the words sunk in, however, the hobbit tripped over herself, falling down onto the stone steps behind her and sitting in a crumpled heap, straining to convince her lungs to keep breathing. She struggled for a moment, trying to get a grasp on what she had just heard and begin to unpack the insult and the truth, to comprehend how much of what she had heard was real and valid and how much was simply an old, bitter dwarf claiming a grudge against the hobbit. Perhaps she had a daughter who she had hoped would marry the king, perhaps she hated outsiders, perhaps… Evie had been dealing with Belinir and his associates all this time, why was this female's accusation so much worse? Why did she feel so disrupted by it in her very heart? Evangeline had always known there would be some dwarves who rejected her, who refused her as their queen, and yet…
Perhaps it was because the healer noted the truth ringing in her accuser's words. She was right, wasn't she? Evie was not of Durin's Folk. She could not give Thorin an heir. Almost every family had been touched by Azanulbizar, and while it was important that she had been there, any suitable female dwarf would have had a connection to the events of the hobbit's past just as powerful as hers were, if not more. Worst of all, what if she was correct about Thorin? He could not turn her away now that he had publicly announced their marriage, no matter the backlash. What if enough people despised her that the dwarves of Ered Luin would come into conflict, or disown their king? Had there really been unanswered petitions for Evie's removal from Ered Luin? How many?! The elder dwarf had been right about one thing, for certain – Thorin could do nothing, his decision was made… It would be on Evangeline's petite shoulders to call off the wedding and rescue Thorin's kingship. What if it came to that? Would she be able to do it? How many more dwarves felt as this one did?!
Evie had begun to hyperventilate; she wheezed as each breath fought to enter and exit her small body. The hobbit clung to the steps beneath her, fingernails digging into the stone. Her shining grey eyes closed and she forced back the prickling starts of tears where they began at the back of her eyes. She couldn't understand it, how it had come to this, how, after everything… She felt the weight of it on top of her, forcing her down into the cool, unforgiving rock and reminding her that she was soft and weak and made of something other than the enduring stone of the mountain. For once she wished she had been, and that everything could be different… She imagined that future for a moment, one with dwarven children and one in which she was not glanced at sideways as she walked down the streets, sticking out like a scar on the face of a society still rebuilding itself and always true to its exclusive nature.
What can you give him?! What can you give us?!
The thought rung in her ears like the echoes of a drum, too loud to be silenced and thumping through her tender heart like a blast. She was usually so confident, so sure of herself and what she wanted – but what about what they wanted?! The dwarves, her people…. No, not her people. Thorin's people. They might never be her people. Perhaps they shouldn't be. She was paralyzed and stunned to her very core, completely off balance and utterly shaken.
You can steal a crown, lass, but you cannot steal a kingdom.
Was that the truth of things? Was that the reality she had been hiding from herself, and that her friends had been hiding from her?!
Evangeline did not know what to do, but, almost immediately, she knew where she had to go.
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Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well! I've been very busy lately, and will be for the next few weeks as well, traveling and getting ready to move in mid-August. I'll try to update as I can, however! We're in an interesting place with Evie and Thorin right now, and I am curious to see how it unfolds. I hope you're enjoying it so far, and that this longish chapter is worth the wait! Drama at the end! Much love to all of you and I look forward to hearing from some of you if you have the time or interest to comment! Xoxo!