Hello again my lovely readers. Sorry it is taking so long to update, but college classes are now eating up more of my free time. I just want to let you know that I am still building the framework that is leading up to the LOTR events. I know it seems like it is taking forever, but the build-up is needed so that no one gets confused about who is who or why somethings are not following the books or movies. Also don't be afraid to ask me questions in reviews. I am more than willing to clarify things for one or more chapters.
Khuzdul word or phrase. Sindarin word or phrase.
This chapter is rated with a high T-rating. Blame it on a particular dwarf getting a little frisky.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or its characters.
Remember that years are approximate and rounded.
Count down: 42 ¼ years till LOTR events. Roughly 13 more chapters to go till then.
Aliena- 20 ¾ years old.
Frerin & Durin- 15 ½ years old, look 13 years old.
Kelda- 11 ½ years old, looks like a 10 year old.
Balder- 10 years old, looks like a 9 year old.
Toril- 9 ½ years old, looks like an 8 year old.
Freya- 8 ½ years old, looks like a 7 year old.
Rìka (pronounced Reeka) & Kilian- 6 ¾ years old, looks like 5 year olds.
Karys & Fergys- 4 ¾ years old, look like 3 ½ year olds.
Mother and Papa,
It feels like years have passed since I saw you last. This coming spring I am planning on returning to Erebor. My stay in the Shire has been well, and Bilbo has been a wonderful host. Yet I miss living in the mountain with all the hustle and bustle of the people. Here in the Shire it is so quiet and peaceful, and the only thing that has any excitement is the Green Dragon.
How are my siblings doing without me? From your last letter, it sounds like I will be having a new sibling. Frodo has been asking Bilbo when he will be getting a sibling. It is quite comical to watch Bilbo's reaction. Every time Frodo asks, Bilbo drops whatever it is that he is holding. I think the lad does it just to rile up poor Bilbo.
Before I forget, Lord Elrond will be sending escorts to take me from the Shire, and escort me to Rivendell. I know Bilbo promised to come with me all the way to Erebor, but poor Frodo broke his leg recently, thanks to his cousins Merry and Pippin. From there, Gandalf will be bringing me to Beorn's. Then Beorn will be escorting me to Mirkwood. It is there that I will be meeting up with whoever you send to escort me home.
Give everyone my love,
Aliena
Thorin's Office inside of Erebor...
While Thorin is reading the letter from Aliena, he is also walking around the room. He has been up since before the winter sun had risen into the sky, and had come down to his already warm office to conduct official business. Yet Thorin is not alone in his office.
"Your namad will be coming home this spring." Thorin says as he looks down at the small bundle in his left arm. "She has spent almost a year in the Shire. That is why you have not met her yet."
Inside of the blue and white blanket bundle is a small dwarfling with thin brown hair, and dark brown eyes. His ears are more human in nature than his dwarf heritage. His body is also a little longer than the average dwarf bairn, but the body was all dwarf build.
About a month ago, one of the newest members of the royal family, Vân, was born. His birth was one that Oin and Ori took notice on, and had already written the event into a small saga.
Flashback...
Inara and Thorin had been traveling back from the Iron Hills, when a bad snowstorm hit. As the storm progressed, Thorin noticed that they had lost sight of their guards. Both of them had decided to walk before the storm got worse, and that was when he noticed the guards' absence. That was well over four hours ago, and the skies were starting to darken to night.
"We need to get out of this storm." Thorin shouts to Inara as he pulls her closer to his body with his right arm. He makes sure that his heavy traveling cloak covers him and Inara. In his left hand, Thorin is holding the reigns to his pony.
"Where? There is nothing here for us to take shelter in, Thorin." Inara says as her left hand moves to cup her belly through her tanned fur coat. A wool, fur lined scarf is wrapped over the hood of Inara's heavy traveling cloak to help keep her warm. In her other hand she is holding the reigns to her pony as well.
Thorin looks about and notices the dark shadow of a ridge through the snowstorm about a quarter of a mile to the northwest.
"Over there. There is a small cavern just on the other side of the ridge. Most of the merchants use it during bad weather." Thorin says as he tries to help guide Inara and their ponies. "Will you be able to make it?"
"I am with child, not disabled." Inara growls out into the blowing winds.
The two royals had been arguing about Inara coming on this trip since before they left Erebor. Thorin had been against it, but Inara was adamant about going with him. She even had Oin, Ardith, Skuld, and Dis check on the pregnancy to help ease Thorin's mind to let her come. Thorin had agreed after being bombarded with the group. So at seven months along, Inara traveled with Thorin to the Iron Hills. They spent three weeks there before heading back to Erebor.
'Stubborn female.' Thorin thought to himself with soft chuckle as they headed towards the ridge.
As they walked, Inara felt a sharp tug shoot across her rounded belly, which causes her to stumble.
"Inara?" Thorin asks as he helps keep Inara on her feet. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Inara shouts quickly. "Just our child doesn't seem to be enjoying all this walking."
"Only a little while longer. Then we can rest for the night." Thorin places a kiss onto Inara's exposed, red cheek.
It takes them a bit to wade their way through the snow that has accumulated onto the ground before they reach their destination. Thorin leads them into the mouth of the shallow cavern, which is only as big as the sitting area of their rooms. About 10 ft in length by 6 ft width, and 6 ft in height which is in a dome shape. .
Thorin takes the reigns of Inara's pony and pulls the two ponies to the left side of the cavern. Once he ties the ponies together and starts to remove some of the saddle packs, he hears a groan from the back of the cavern.
"Inara?" Thorin calls out as he moves away from the ponies with one of Inara's packs in his hand.
Inara is leaning against the rock wall, bent over, and holding her belly. She is taking shallow, but quick breaths.
Thorin rushes towards her, dropping the pack in his hand as he reaches her side. He notices that her face, now uncovered fully from her scarf, is pale.
"Inara. Speak to me, Amrâlimê."
"You're going to need to get a fire going." Inara turns to look at Thorin. "The child will not wait. It's coming."
Thorin feels his stomach drop at hearing this for it is now what he had feared since leaving Erebor. Yet, Thorin knows that arguing about it now isn't going to help Inara.
"How long till..." Thorin asks wearily. He is hoping that this is just a false alarm.
"How should I know!" Inara yells at him. "Each time is different. Each child is different."
Thorin quickly unpacks Inara's spare traveling cloak, and one of her traveling cloaks. Then he starts to get a fire started in the middle of the cavern. It a while, but Thorin was able to keep the fire from being blown out by building a make shift barrier, out of small rocks, between the fire and the mouth of the cavern.
Night had fallen hours ago, and Thorin is beginning to worry. Inara had taken off her traveling cloak, traveling coat, and some of her traveling clothes including her short corset. The only clothes she had on now was a warm underskirt and her shift. By the fire, on her hands and knees with her bedroll between her and the floor, Inara is panting with sweat dripping off of her chin.
Thorin is kneeling next to Inara, and rubbing her mid-back. He isn't sure how much longer they will have before his child comes into the world. Earlier he had placed Inara's spare traveling cloak near the fire to help keep it warm. Also by the fire is both of their water-skins and one of Thorin's spare under tunics.
"Last one." Inara growls before looking back to Thorin. "This is the last one. No more after this."
"Whatever you want." Thorin says softly with a small smile on his face.
Inara lets out a growl to keep herself from screaming. This is not how she pictured giving birth to this new child. However, life doesn't give you what you want and, Mahal was going to make sure Inara doesn't forget it.
A change in the contractions causes Inara to let out a small scream, which she tries to turn into a growl. She knows this is it, and moves to a crouched position that puts her onto her feet. Her knees are bent towards her underarms. Her hands are still on the ground, and fisting the material of her bedroll.
Thorin notices the change, and moves from her side to kneel in front of Inara. He places his thighs under Inara's shins incase her legs give out. Reaching down, Thorin takes Inara's hands and bring them to his shoulders.
"You can't faint on me, Thorin." Inara growls out through the pain, as tears fall down her cheeks. "It is just you and me, so that means you have to be able to help bring out child into this world."
"I will be here, and will help our child." Thorin whispers to Inara as he places his forehead against hers. As he hears Inara groan as she pushes, he whispers to her again. "No matter what happens, I will love you both till the end of days."
Both Inara and Thorin know that this child is coming earlier than it should, and they know that there is a risk that the child may not survive after being born.
End of Flashback...
A soft sound brings Thorin out of his memory and he looks down to see Vâns' dark brown eyes looking towards him. A yawn comes from the babe, and Thorin smiles down at his son. It took everyone by surprise that Oin had stated that the lad was healthy when Inara and Thorin had gotten back to the mountain two days after the birth.
"Tired already, azaghâlithûh?" Thorin says with a chuckle. He walks over to his desk, and sets the letter down. "Shall we go see if you Amad is awake and ready to feed you?"
When Thorin walks over to the door, there is a quick knock from the other side of it.
"Who is that?" Thorin says to the now wiggling bundle.
Opening the door, Thorin sees that it is a disheveled looking Kili.
"Fili has a son. Born just after sunrise." Kili gasps out while trying to catch his breath.
This news catches Thorin off guard. "Why wasn't Inara informed that Sigrid had started her labors?"
"No time. From what Fili says Sigrid wanted to bathe before bed, and not even a few minutes after she got in the tub, she called for him. He didn't dare leave Sigrid's side out of fear for her and the child's safety. He woke myself and Tauriel up only a few minutes ago to tell us. I would guess that his son was in a hurry to come out." Kili says with a chuckle.
"Indeed." Thorin says as he steps out into the cool hallway, and the bundle in his arms begins to fuss at the change in temperature.
"Sounds like someone wants his amad." Kili says with a chuckle as he watches his uncle shift the bundle closer to his body.
"More like he is hungry for a meal." Thorin says as he holds Vân closer to his chest. "Let us head back to Inara; then I would like to meet Fili's new son."
Balin's office...
Balin is sitting at the large desk in his office. The fire has died down a little, causing the room to lose some heat. He is scribbling the names of Fili's son into the records book. As he waits for the ink to dry, Balin reads over the other names of the royal children. He is happy to see that the Durin is prospering once again in Erebor. After losing the mountain, Balin had feared that Thorin and his siblings would never be able to raise their families in the ancestral halls. After losing Thror and Frerin at Moria, Balin had given up hope that the line of Durin would ever continue. When Thorin had told him of his wanting to retake Erebor, Bain never thought that the journey would give the line new hope. That new hope took the form of a woman, who is now there queen.
"Tali, take this book down to Ori." Balin says as he finishes up writing in a large book. He had just finished adding the bairns' names to the family records of the Durin line of Erebor. Balin closes the book before handing it to Tali.
"Of course." Tali says as she takes the closed book from Balin. Her cheeks flush at the request.
Balin watches as the dwarrowdam flees from his office. Letting out a light chuckle, Balin gets up from his seat with a smile on his face. He knows why Tali blushed and who is the cause of the blush. Nori had already told Balin to be prepared to have to deal with council member Tarek. Especially since Tali and Ori were courting in secret.
A knock on Balin's door pulls him from his musings.
"Balin." Bofur says as he opens the door. "May I have a word with ya?"
"Of course." Balin stands in front of his desk with his hands folded together.
Bofur closes the door and slowly walks further into the room. His hands are fidgeting with the cuffs of his shirt.
"Did you need something laddie?" Balin asks when he sees that Bofur is nervous.
"Aye." Bofur answers nervously.
"Well?"
"Has anyone asked Thorin for permission to court the lass?"
"You mean Lady Aliena?" Balin carefully looks at Bofur as the dwarf looks to the ground. "Aye. A few have sent messages asking. However, Thorin has made it clear that she is free to choose whoever she wishes."
"Has she decided yet?"
"Not yet. Is there a reason why you are asking?"
"I was thinkin' on askin' Thorin if I may court her." Bofur says carefully.
Balin lets out a sigh, before approaching Bofur. "Laddie, I understand you want to protect the lass. But this is not the way. What would happen if Thorin found out what you and Bifur did? You both were lucky that Nori and I covered your trail when Castor asked for his sons' murderer to be found."
"You needn't have done tha'. Bifur and I would have had the law on our side." Bofur says in an angry tone. "No male forces himself on a female. Tha' is what the law says, and that lad had what was comin' to him."
"Laddie, I am going to advise you against asking Thorin for permission. You would do well to let her go." Balin says calmly.
"I cannot do that." Bofur says with surety.
"You just might have to, Bofur."
Bofur starts to shake his head, and walks towards the fireplace with his back to Balin. "Ya don't understand. I cannot just let her go."
Realizing what Bofur is eluding to, Balin lets out a gasp. "Surely you don't mean.."
"I am. Have been for a while. Wasn't till Angfel tried to hurt her did it become so clear." Bofur says as he looks into the fire. "She is my One."
Erebor's Library...
Wintertime is a busy time for the library. Not only does it hold important and vital records; it also houses the many schoolrooms for the every growing dwarfling population. Today, however, is a slow day since the schools are closed for break.
Ori is finishing up on repairing one of the old tomes that had been damaged by one of the council members. As he closes the large tome, one of the large doors creaks as it is opened. Looking up, Ori sees Tali enter into the large main hall of the library with a records book in her arms.
"Tali." Ori says with a light blush on his face as he comes out from behind the main desk.
"Master Ori." Tali says as she walks towards him. "Master Balin is done with this record book."
Tali hands the book over to Ori, and has to calm her breathing as their hands touch. She knows that both of them must be careful not to show any signs of affection towards each other. Especially since her father wishes for her to marry another.
"Let me show you where the records are kept. That way when Master Balin sends you down here with one, you will know where it will go." Ori says loud enough so that the few dwarrows and dams that are sitting in the main hall aren't suspicious.
"Of course." Tali agrees before following Ori along one of the massive bookshelves. (Think Hogwarts library.)
As Ori leads them further into the large library and up a flight of stairs he keeps looking back at Tali. He knows that their courtship can only stay secret for so long. He wishes he could tell everyone of his desire to wed Tali, but he already knows that it may never happen. Not unless something changes. Knowing that the records area is off limits to nearly everyone, Ori decides to take a chance.
Once he is sure that neither of them will be seen, he sets the book onto a small table. Then he turns to pull Tali into his arms and kisses her. Since Tali reciprocates the kiss, Ori takes his chance as he moves his hands to grab her waist. He presses his body to hers knowing that she will back away as he continues kissing her.
Tali feels her back hit the end of a bookshelf and gasps, which Ori takes advantage of to deepen their kiss. Then she feels on of his hands pulling at the front ties of her amber colored bodice. She breaks the kiss as the need for air becomes too great when Ori slips a hand inside of her bodice.
"Ori." Tali gasps out softly as the said dwarf kisses down her neck. "Ori. We can't.." She can barely speak once Ori pushes his hips against hers. Through the fabric of her brown skirts, she can feel Ori's desire for her.
Ori comes back up her neck till he reaches her jawline, and lifts his head so that he can look into her eyes.
"I am tired of the sneaking around. Tali I want to be with you always. Please. Let me be with you." Ori says with love filled eyes. He knows that she is afraid of her father, but Ori wants what he wants. "I want no other but you."
Tali sees the love, but also the sincerity in Ori's eyes. She knows that they may never get another chance. "You have me, Âzyungâl. All of me."
Ori understands what Tali has told him. With the bookshelves as witness, Ori and Tali take each other.
Main Dining Halls of Erebor...
The dwarves of Erebor are all are celebrating and feasting in honor of the birth of Fili's new son, Solen. Since the feast started in the early evening, many dwarves aren't drunk yet.
At the head table, Thorin is taking a few bites of stew. To his right sits Inara with Vân in her arms. Thorin had held the bairn so that Inara could eat first, and now it was Thorin's turn to eat.
"I am amazed that he can sleep with it being so noisy." Inara says to Thorin over the echoes of merrymaking in the hall. Vân had fallen asleep while being held by Thorin earlier.
Thorin looks at Inara with a small smirk on his face. "Is he not of Durin's folk?" Thorin teases.
Inara chuckles lightly so that she doesn't wake the sleeping bairn.
"Uncle."
Both Thorin and Inara look over their shoulders' to see Kili standing between their chairs. By the look on Kili's face, something is wrong.
"What is it, Kili?" Inara asks, wondering if perhaps there is something wrong with Sigrid or Solen.
"Balin is asking that you come to your office immediately. It has something to do with Ori." Kili says in a serious tone.
Thorin takes another bite of his stew, and a quick swig of mead. "I will be back" he tells Inara after he swallows his food and drink.
"Let me know if I am needed." Inara says as Thorin bends down to give her a kiss on the lips.
"You will not be needed. Especially when you are child leave from your duties." Thorin says as he places a hand at the top of Vâns' head. "You still need rest and relaxation." With a smile on his face, Thorin leaves the table and follows Kili out of the hall.
"What was that about?" Dis asks as she moves to sit in Thorin's empty chair.
"I don't know. I hope it isn't anything too serious." Inara says to Dis.
Dis chuckles softly. "If Balin sent Kili instead of a guard, then I would say it just might be that serious."
Both ladies chuckle till Dis offers to hold her newest nephew so that Inara may eat unimpeded. Once she has a good hold of Vân, Dis takes a good look out at the tables. At one of the closer tables, she sees Dwalin sitting there with Karys and Fergys eating.
"I never thought I would see such a great warrior caring for children." Inara says to Dis as she takes a bite of the stew Thorin left behind.
"You should have seen him when Fili and Kili were little." Dis replies, knowing which warrior Inara is referring to. "Thorin tried to be there for them, but sometimes he was too busy with affairs of state. So he would send Dwalin to check on them. I would come back to our halls in the Blue Mountains, and find Dwalin play wrestling with Fili while Kili was crawling around on the floor. It was like that for a while, and I thought to myself that perhaps Dwalin could fill the empty place that Vrili left in our lives. But something changed, and Thorin would keep the boys with him when I was busy. Then when the boys were older, Dwalin did offer courtship to me, and my boys nearly burned down the place we were living. To this day, I still think Thorin encouraged them to do it."
"I am just happy that your relationship with Thorin is healing." Inara says as he gives her sister-in-law a smile.
"I am just sorry that it took your children and my Kili and his family getting hurt to get Thorin to let go of his pride." Dis says with a sad look as both women took to where Durin is sitting with his cousins. "I still can't believe that he will have that scar for the rest of his life."
"I would rather that he has the scar than not be here with us." Inara says softly before taking a drink of her tea.
Durin looks towards his amad as if he knows what the two ladies are talking about. The scar is still a reddish pink color that stands out on his light tan skin. He gives Inara a smile before looking back to the dice game that he is playing with his cousins.
Thorin's Office...
Thorin is sitting at his desk with Kili and Balin standing off to the side, a little bit behind him. On one side of the room stands a disheveled Ori with Dori and Nori standing with their brother. On the other side is Tali with her mother while her father speaks to Thorin.
"I want justice, my lord. Justice to that whelp who has soiled my daughter's reputation." Council Member Tarek shouts as he gestures towards where Ori is standing. "She is promised to Eagan of the Iron Hills."
"Adad I don't love Eagan. I love Ori." Tali shouts at her father.
"What do you know of love?" Tarek says sarcastically. "What you feel for him isn't love. My lord, I ask that this Rukhsul menu is punished for taking my nathiths' virtue."
Dori and Nori start shouting at Tarek when he insults their brother, and Kili runs over to help Dori hold Nori back from trying to hit Councilor Tarek.
"Enough!" Thorin shouts as he rises from his chair. "To give merit to your claim, will you allow a midwife to check Tali. If what you say is true, then there will be a punishment." Thorin looks to Tarek for agreement.
"I will not allow it. For all I know, most of the midwives would say she is with child at his insistence." Tarek says with anger in his voice. The look that he is giving to Ori is one that would cause a fight at a pub.
"What if I am?" Tali says loud enough for everyone to look towards where she is standing. "Adad, who is to say that this is not the first time we have laid together. For all anyone knows, I could be carrying his child right now. Adad, I choose Ori. Doesn't our laws state that the female chooses her mate? If this law hasn't changed, then I choose Ori."
"Lass." Tarek growls out to his daughter.
"Tali is right, Councilor. Our laws have not changed the law that states that females choose their mates." Balin says in a neutral voice.
"If she is carrying our nadadiths' child, then we will fight for her and the child." Dori says as he looks from Ori to Tali and back again.
"Aye. We would see that the child and the lass join our family." Nori looks to Thorin for acceptance.
"Tali. It is your decision." Thorin says to the young dwarrowdam. "I will not take away your law given right."
Tali looks at Thorin, then at her own mother and back to Thorin as she speaks. "I wish to be with Ori, my king. I am sorry Amad, but I love Ori and he loves me." Tali then looks towards Ori and his brothers. "I wish to join your family."
Dori nods his head in agreement, while Nori gives her a smile.
"I recognize your choice, Tali." Thorin says while giving Tarek a pointed look. Then he looks towards Ori. "I would suggest you sit down and discuss wedding details soon."
Tali gives her mother a hug before walking towards Ori and his brothers. However, Tarek places a hand on her arm to stop her.
"If you go with them, you will not have my blessing and will not receive any bride price from me." Tarek growls out to her.
"At least I will be loved then." Tali says as she pulls her arm free from her father's grip. She walks up to the three brothers, and Ori pulls her into a hug.
Tarek and his wife leave Thorin's office without much noise about losing their only daughter.
Thorin walks towards Ori and Tali with a small smile on his face.
"I wish you both happiness." Thorin says before walking to the door. Just as he is about to close the door he hears Nori's voice, and chuckles.
"I never thought you had it in you Ori." Nori had said, which earned him a slap on the back from Dori.
Thorin begins to walk down the hallway, when a voice calls out from behind him.
"Uncle!" Kili calls out as he rushes after Thorin. He had watched the whole exchange with bated breath to see what Thorin would do. Kili was more than pleased to see that Thorin had kept to the laws.
Thorin hears his nephew running to catch up to him as he walks down the corridor. Once Kili has caught up, Thorin looks over at Kili.
"How is your family?" Thorin asks quickly before Kili can say anything about Ori and Tali.
"They are well." Kili says with a smile on his face. He knows that Thorin is trying to distract him from making any jokes or comments about Ori "Balin said you received a letter from the Shire. How is Bilbo and my cousin?"
"Aliena's journey home will have a few changes. Bilbo will be unable to bring her. It would seem Frodo has a broken leg thanks to his cousins." Thorin says with a smile, however is isn't pleased with the idea that the elves will be escorting Aliena back.
"So has anymore inquiries for my cousin's hand come?" Kili asks cautiously.
"I had one from Gondor recently. An older cousin of the Stewards family is looking for a wife for his son. I have yet to send a reply or invite them to meet Aliena." Thorin says with a thoughtful look on his face.
As they get closer to the dining hall, Kili can no longer keep his mouth shut.
"Has Bofur spoken to you yet?"
Thorin stops walking and turns to look at Kili with a quizzical look on his face. "What has he done now?"
When Kili doesn't answer, Thorin turns and notices that Kili has disappeared from the hall. Letting out a sigh, Thorin continues walking back to the dining halls and his family.
Just outside of the Shire in the Spring...
Hôfukel,
I hope this letter finds you before leaving the Shire. If not, then hopefully it will find its way to you. Fili, Bofur, Bifur, and Dori will be waiting for you once you have passed through Mirkwood.
I know you do not wish to think about this, but you need to start to think about the possibility of suitors. Your mother and I have held them back, but now that you are of age we can no longer do so. Recently I have received another request from the Steward of Gondor's cousin about a suit. When you arrive, we shall sit and talk about all of this together.
Give Bilbo and Frodo our good wishes, and take care while you travel.
Papa
Aliena smiles as she sits upon her black stallion on top of a grassy hill. Gently, she folds the letter and places it into her riding skirt pocket. Her hair, which only has two dwarven braids, flows gently in the wind, and the sun causes her hair to take on a brown with subtle hints of a caramel color.
"Are you ready, milady?" The young escorts says as he brings his own dark brown horse towards hers.
Turning towards one of her escorts, Aliena gives her him a soft smile.
"We should not delay." Comes the voice of her other escort as he approaches. "The dwarves will no doubt have their suspicions if we are late."
"My Papa is already suspicious of you, Legolas." Aliena says with a chuckle. "Especially after what happened in your fathers' kingdom. So it is a good thing that Lord Elrond sent Estel with you to be my escort."
The younger male, Estel, cracks a smile to the young woman's teasing of his friend. "Just what did happen between your father and hers?"
Before Legolas can answer Estel, he hears Aliena's horse gallop away from them.
"Another time, then." Estel says with a chuckles before getting his horse to chase after his ward.
Legolas watches as Estel goes chasing after Aliena, before letting out a sigh. Then he too gets his horse to chase after the two wayward young ones.
You weren't expecting that at the end were you? I couldn't help myself, but I wanted to tie-in some of the LOTR characters into the chapters before the LOTR events.
So now we all know that Bifur and Bofur were the ones who took care of Angfel. It was a bit tricky for me. The way I see it is if Bifur was already aware of Bofur's feelings towards Aliena, then he would have done anything to protect Bofur's crush.
Also, way to go Ori! Finally made a move. Sorry if he was a little OOC, but I think that he would be able to act like that if given the right girl, and the right situation.
Reviews are welcomed. Even negative ones.
Selene