It was finally here – although Evangeline Took would not yet be a queen until the next day, today was her first true day as a ruler. She had done everything she could to make sure the shared market day between Ered Luin and the Shire would go as smoothly as possible, but knowing the two peoples as well as she did at the moment she was hoping only for the lack of any great disasters. There was nothing so obstinate as a dwarf and nothing so nosy and proud as a hobbit, and bringing the two together was sure to be an adventure the likes of which she had not yet experienced.
The sun had just barely shed its first rays of light across the horizon line when Evangeline stepped out onto the plains at the foot of the main settlement of Ered Luin, the site of their grand market. She had already eaten as much as she could (as if she needed a sure sign of the stress she felt, her appetite was only a fraction of its usual ardor), and was as prepared as she would ever be. Hobbits had been washing into Ered Luin like a wave breaking upon a shore, and they seemed to only come in great rushes rather than any sort of sensible trickle. Families arrived together, and Evie thought she could recognize representatives from almost every area of the Shire.
Tekar, one of Thorin's advisers, had been managing the dwarven market since its foundation a few years past, and he had been very kind in offering his services to Evangeline. He was her right hand in all the affairs of the day, helping her with every element of the proceedings – from how the market would be decorated to how it would be arranged (by section, so that all attire would be in one area, all food in another, all goods and services in another, and so on – this way the dwarves and hobbits would be forced to mix together according to their trade, and, so Tekar and Evie hoped, to begin to share stories and suggestions and start to get to know one another better, since their wares were different enough that the threat of competition should be low). The hobbits had mostly camped out here over the past few days as they arrived, for the mountain halls were not quite large enough to accommodate so many visitors at once. To supplement their lodgings, little cottages had been built to house the hobbits as best as could be made. Groups of dwarves came to meet with the newest arrivals and show them around the mountain, greeting the guests and answering questions with as much patience as they could muster (they had been specially selected for this particular trait, which was not naturally overabundant in dwarves).
Tekar had helped Evie design little banners to hang above the stalls, and she was quite proud of the way they had turned out – it was a design of a raven and a flowering branch of purple sage on a blue plain. The raven, of course, represented Ered Luin, and sage had always held particular favor for Evie as a sign of the Shire; it grew copiously in many areas and hobbits enjoyed cooking with the herb. Evie had also used it in her healing more than a few times. Altogether it was a very lovely image, and she thought it symbolized the union of the two races as well as anything. These banners fluttered gracefully in the gentle wind as it swept across the foothills, also capturing the dark swaths of the dwarven stalls and the bright and multicolored fabrics belonging to the hobbits which they hung from their booths and their carts. It was a strange sight to behold – so much color beside the somber palettes of the dwarves, but in a way it cheered the healer's heart. They were such different cultures, but surely they enjoyed the same things, whether that be the simple comforts of home, a good serving of pipeweed and an ale, or a hearty meal. As terrified as she was to see how the day would unfold, Evie's heart also pulsed with the anticipation of seeing what good could come from this great event.
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It was still early in the morning, but Dwalin was already out managing his assorted company. Evie had put the warrior in charge of security for the event, although she doubted there would any great trials ahead of them she preferred to know that there were people looking out for those who decided to participate. If it could be avoided, nothing would be stolen from any of the vendors and should any fights break out, there was someone she trusted to break them up fairly and respectfully. Although she worried about having dwarves patrolling the areas for how it might look to the Shirefolk, she also felt assured that since the market was in Ered Luin, they were well within their rights to protect it and that many hobbits might appreciate the extra security since they were in a new place. In any case, anyone who wanted to complain had to do it to Dwalin himself, and Evie highly doubted they would be quite so bold to the tall, battle worn dwarf as they would have been otherwise.
She also had representatives from both peoples to answer questions and assist with any problems which might arise. Balin and Telchar represented the dwarves (although Telchar had taken some convincing, Evie was very happy to have him in the position as he was a very good mediator), and Hubert Proudfoot and Violet Took were in charge of organizing the hobbits, a task Evie was quite glad to place in their very capable hands. Violet was Evie's aunt, and although they had never been close, they had always gotten on well, and she was one of the leading figures in the Shire due to her indomitable attitude and quick nose for gossip. She was truly a force to be reckoned with, and since she had separated herself just enough from her more adventuresome family members, on the whole the Shirefolk respected her. Hubert was reputable in every way, and Violet had suggested him as her partner in arranging everything for the market because of his uprightness in the community and his celebrated pragmatism.
Everyone was in their places and things seemed to get off to a rather smooth start, although there was one small fiasco with a disappearing cart. After a swift search, however, Dwalin and his band found it had been moved to another area by mistake and the blunder was quickly righted and the goods restored to their master.
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It was not until early in the afternoon that Evie began, finally, to relax and to enjoy the day she had worked so hard to make possible. Everyone had settled into their roles and any initial hiccups had been remedied by the team she had assembled, who proved their worth time and time again whenever any disruption arose. Violet was a paragon of hardheaded sense, able to calm any hobbit whose feathers were ruffled by being in a strange place, and with Balin at her side they were able to talk down even the most redfaced protesters. Telchar and Hubert, meanwhile, wandered the market, assisting with what they could and taking care of any immediate concerns. Tekar watched over everything with an eye as sharp as a hawk's, careful to always seem the respected administrator and using all his skill at detached intimidation to keep everyone in their proper place no matter whose toes had gotten stepped on due to cultural differences or unanticipated disputes. With all these capable people behind her, there was little Evie herself had to do except make sure that there was little anyone needed help with and that nothing got too out of hand.
Once the sun had begun to make its slow decent down the other side of the mountain, she lost some of the tenseness in her shoulders and let herself talk a little more with the vendors, not only making sure they were happy but also reconnecting with many of the Shirefolk she had not seen in years (and deftly avoiding any awkward questions) as well as the dwarves she had been introduced to only a month before. She met with Boldar, the toymaker who had given her the raven figures, and was very pleased to see that his stall was nearly empty of his fine creations due to their instant popularity with the hobbits. He thanked her more profusely than anyone else, a persistent smile lighting up his face. She was touched by his deep feeling and the intense gratitude he projected toward her for making the dream they had discussed of a shared market day come true. As he shook her hand for what must have been the sixth time, Evie was suddenly struck by the reality of what she had done. She looked about at the buzzing marketplace around her, at the dwarves and hobbits talking with one another and the goods being exchanged and she realized that she was truly making a difference in people's lives, just as she had hoped to. She wanted today to be the beginning of an open trade route between Ered Luin and the Shire, and from the seeming success of the bustling market around her that destiny might happen just as soon as she could have hoped. Many of the carts were emptying out as vendors sold their goods or traded them for others, and although there were plenty of arguments and misunderstandings between members of the two different races, many of those present wore smiles on their faces, or at least the pleased understanding that even if they did not agree with how the other lived, they could appreciate the value of good business.
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"You should be very proud, Miss Took… Even I am impressed by today's market and I must confess I once had my doubts not only about the event itself but about your ability to manage it."
She had grown to recognize Belinir's aged but authoritative voice out of anywhere, and Evie grinned as she turned to face the dwarf, pleased with his compliment. Everything seemed to be coming together all at once – her market was going well, the plans for the wedding were in place, and she had even won Belinir's approval, or as much of it as was in his power to give her. Her hopes and dreams for a life at Ered Luin were all coming to fruition, and the seeds she had planted not so long ago with such fear and care were now springing up into the well-developed fruits of her labors, ready to be harvested.
Evie curtseyed to the adviser, thanking him for his kind words and sharing her own appreciation of the way the market was progressing. She also exchanged pleasantries with Nrerin, who accompanied Belinir, although the younger dwarf did not seem so genuine in his commendations. Belinir's good favor meant he would accept the hobbit into their fold, but it did not mean he had to truly think well of her. Evie tried to ignore his shallow praise and focus on the real prize before her, the triumph of her great efforts.
Another dwarf shortly joined them, and his praise made Evie forget any reservations or worries she may have still harbored about Nrerin or anything else, for that matter. Thorin explained that he had been wandering the market speaking with the assembled groups, and that he had not wanted to disturb his bride in carrying out her important work. All the same, he felt he must come and congratulate her, as he had not seen such a lively dwarven market since the days of Erebor. Evie held her breath as he spoke, letting his acclaim fill her up and warm her to her very core. Her smile was explosive as she turned back to her work, helping her team close down the market as the sun began to set and everyone settled in for the evening. She would have planned a celebration for that night, but with the wedding the next day and a large reception to follow it, both dwarves and hobbits made their way to their beds early with the day's success in their sleepy footfalls and the promise of a considerable celebration ahead of them.
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Once the market was cleared out and everyone was tucked in for the night – hobbits back to their makeshift quarters and dwarves returning to their homes, Evie thanked her team with as much overabundant gratitude as Boldar had recognized her earlier. She could not express what their assistance meant to her, and she gave what she considered a proper, albeit improvised speech celebrating their success and their commitment to improving the lives of their friends and neighbors. She also gave them gifts to reflect that appreciation: to Dwalin and his associates she gave barrels of some of the best Shireleaf she could get her hands on, and to Dwalin individually the boar he had once favored at Boldar's shop, which she had particularly gone to find for him. He pretended shyness in receiving it, but she knew it was more than a kind gesture and that despite his boisterous nature he would treasure the finely crafted figure. To Telchar and Balin each she gave a beautiful, thick scarf, Balin's in a dappled red and Telchar's in a deep green. Tekar, who Evie had discovered in their many conversations leading up to the market day was an accomplished chef, received a collection of Shire spices and herbs for his cooking, including a healthy portion of Shire salt, a special salt which vastly surpassed all others in taste and flavor. Hubert Proudfoot and Violet Took received spectacular sets of cooking knives (nothing could possibly slice their fine vegetables and meats more neatly). Evangeline's supporters prized their gifts and thanked her for them, and together the group went over some of the highlights of the day and certain aspects of the market which could have run more smoothly – there was talk of making it an annual event, and if not it was good to learn from the experience and use that knowledge for future markets in Ered Luin.
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When all was said and done, Evie heaved a sigh, sitting down at the edge of the staged area they had been using as a central hub and slowly letting the realization hit her that it was all over. Everything appeared empty and barren now, with darkness hanging over it like a veil over a memory, but it was all too easy to recall the loud appeals of mothers looking out for their children in the crowd, the boisterous shouts of vendors hawking their wares, the giggles of ladies as they were charmed by their suitors with flowers or other niceties (she wondered how Dis and Fildur had enjoyed the market; it was hard not to think of them after hearing Fildur's story about their introduction)… The market was still alive in her mind as she remembered the sunlight streaming through the banners she and Tekar had designed, the mouthwatering smells of Shire spices which instantly made her feel five years old again, sitting on her mother's stepping stool and watching her cook… Small moments from the day flashed before her eyes and Evie became awash with a deep gratitude for everything her friends and acquaintances did to make the day a success, and for the great future set ahead of Eriador's internal trade.
The blonde was brought from her musings back into the current moment by a sudden attack of kindness – she was nearly bowled over by Dis as the dwarf fell on top of the hobbit, hugging her tightly.
"You did it! I can't believe you did it! Well, of course I knew it would go well but still I never imagined… It was absolutely perfect, Evie… Everyone will be talking about this for years to come! You're a genius!"
The healer laughed, returning the hug and sliding to her right so that her friend could sit down beside her before they both fell over onto the dirt.
"You are far too generous in your compliments, my dear Dis. But I will accept them and give you my great thanks… It was really only possible because of Tekar, and Balin and Telchar and Dwalin and my aunt Violet and Hubert Proudfoot and so many others who-"
"But you brought them all together, Evie. You did this, and now you need to sit back and take the credit for it. I demand it of you. Not that you will have long to revel in your success – today you're the talk of Eriador for your market, but tomorrow there will be an entirely different subject on everyone's tongues!"
Dis had such a way of making everything cheerful with her youthful exuberance, yet there was also something about her easy nature which brought out the most worryful parts of Evangeline. Rather than relaxing as the female dwarf advised, her companion's words made a knot of tension grow in the hobbit's stomach. Evie had been so concerned about the market and her work that she had pushed all her worries about the wedding off… But now there was nothing to distract her. The wedding was tomorrow, only hours away, and as much as it sent a thrill up her spine to realize that in less than a day she would be the wife of Thorin Oakenshield, King at Ered Luin, it also terrified her beyond belief. In a day she would be a queen, responsible for the lives of hundreds of others and the dignity of an entire race of people. In a day she would face everything that came with that, and with marriage… What if she did something wrong? What if she said the Khuzdul words improperly during the ceremony, or tripped over her dress? No, she could not start that again. She could not begin to cycle through the what ifs and the maybes… At the end of the day tomorrow she would be Thorin's wife. That was all she could think about, all she could focus on. Nothing else mattered.
"I'm so excited I could burst!" Dis interjected, although she noticed the grimness curling at the corners of Evie's smile. "Oh don't worry, everything will go perfectly tomorrow! I am so glad I will be able to call you my kin… This is truly a new beginning, Evangeline. And it will be full of wonderful things, I am positive! Look at the market today… Surely you have been sent to us from Durin himself."
It was a very high compliment, and Evie nearly blushed at the thought that their ancestor's spirit had somehow selected her to come be a part of his line. It was a laughable thought, really, and its ridiculousness was not lost on the hobbit, but as much as she felt out of place surrounded by these dwarves and unaccustomed to their way of life, she also felt that somehow this was exactly where she was meant to be. That perhaps Durin, or destiny, or whatever other force had a pull over her life, had been leading her here ever since she was a young girl and had received the opal she still wore around her neck from a grandfather long since lost.
"Come now, Dis! Evie needs her beauty sleep. She's got a big day tomorrow."
Fildur had arrived to collect his wife. He winked at Evie as he got closer, holding out a hand so he could help Dis up from where she was sitting. Behind him trailed Balin, who smiled widely at the hobbit but said nothing (they had already traded words earlier), and Thorin, who was also speechless but for an entirely different reason. He came alongside his sister's husband and also extended his hand, but to help Evie up. She took it, shivering as they touched. There was so much between them; their gaze was a conversation, their clasped hands a kiss.
"You did very well today."
He said simply, his voice rough as unsanded wood. She prickled upon it, realizing all the while exactly why he sounded as he did – she wasn't the only one nervous about the day to come. There was so much she wanted to say to him, to reassure him and comfort him just as she was trying to do for herself… Perhaps he felt the same way. They were so close and yet there were miles between them. Yet tomorrow… One last night apart and then they would never have to be separated again. Evie's grip tightened on his hand as they walked back toward the fortress of Ered Luin.
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The assembled company reached the halls of the settlement all too quickly, and what little small talk Dis, Fildur, and Balin had tried to maintain finally died out. They had spared Evie and Thorin the trouble of speaking, for they understood the complex sentiments the couple was sifting through on such an evening. At last it was time to separate. Dis and Fildur were to escort Evie to her room, and Balin and Thorin were to discuss a few final matters in preparation for the following day.
Thorin sighed, and the longing in the sound made Evie's heart take an additional searing beat. The king kissed her hand, that all too familiar gesture which still had the inebriating power to make her knees weak and her head feel faint.
"Until tomorrow."
He whispered into the soft skin on the top of her hand, and Evangeline was instantly reminded of their final moments out on the balcony, just after he had asked her to be his wife. Those fleeting, fluttering, heady heartbeats, each one promising another tomorrow. She remembered that potent flood of joy, the feeling that her life could never be as rich or as full as it was in that single second when his lips met hers for the first time and then the rush of having it immediately and intoxicatingly eclipsed by his proposal…
Thorin had made her a promise, long ago, and just over a month ago he had finally reaffirmed that vow. Tomorrow he would see it fulfilled, and see her become his wife. He would have her by his side in the years ahead, come what may, and that thought reassured him more than anything else could have. Nothing meant so much as her smile, as her gentle lips upon his, as her fingers against his skin… She was to be his, and only his, for the rest of their days. The thought sent a thrill through the dwarf.
"Until tomorrow."
Evie affirmed, curtseying. Her grey eyes were large and hopeful as they met Thorin's amorous sapphires one last time before they were each forced to go their separate ways, as they had too many times before. Even with the knowledge that they would come together once again, it was too hard to leave one another… But tomorrow they would be united one last time, body and soul, to be bound together under Durin's eyes and those of all dwarves of the Seven Kingdoms. And so both Evangeline Took and Thorin Oakenshield resigned themselves to one final night alone, pacified with the knowledge that it would be their very last time wishing for tomorrow.
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Author's Note: I noticed the other day that 1/13/14 (today!) is the one year anniversary of when I first began posting this fic… It's been over a year that I've been writing the story of Evie and Thorin – over 125,000 words, with 36 contiguous chapters (and much more to come that I've already written but is out of order). Nearly 400 of you are following along (and if that is true that is staggering and I can't express how amazed and grateful I am to you), and you have left me over 275 reviews. Each one means the world to me and encourages me to keep writing no matter how hectic my life gets or what is going on. Sometimes I just need to sit down and write, and it is your support that gets me to do it – if it was just on my own time I definitely would not have written so much or so consistently, and I really can't thank you enough for that. I really love this story – the way that it is unfolding and the slow romance between Evie and Thorin, the hobbity prose and the things which surprise me even as I write them. That is all because of your encouragement and the challenges you offer to me, and I hope that you are enjoying this process as much as I am! Anyways – that's enough sap for now. But thank you thank you thank you! And I am proud and very excited to say that the next chapter, after all this time, will finally be the wedding! I'm nervous to write it now that I've built it up so much, but I am also excited to see how it turns out. But just as Evie is telling herself – at the end of the day two people in love will be wed, and that's what counts! I can't believe we've finally gotten them there! Although there is so much more to come after that! xoxo, M 3