Updated October 10th, 2021
Original Authors Note: You guys are so wonderful, I love you! Funny story, I have to make butter cake for my sister…who is a patisserie chef by the way…because it is her favorite. Especially with some rum flavoring and fruit on top…yum. Speaking of my sister, Viltarra was actually made for her, since she loves Fili so much and my sister is a baker so it is where Viltarra's inspiration began from. Though they are really nothing alike :D.
I truly do appreciate all your feedback! Every one so thank you. Without further ado…enjoy!
Chapter 10
The next few days were a regular pattern of Dis joining Fili in delivering meals to Tauriel and Kili, who were both ordered to remain in bed. Dis had declared once everything was settled, and Kili could get up and around and was not so bed bound, they would all be resuming breakfast together every morning in the royal kitchen just like they had done in Ered Luin.
There would be no more delivered meals and no more dining in the grand hall for breakfast. It was to be their time together each day. Naurfaer even helped Fili move Dis's table from the attached dining room to the large kitchen, giving it a more, nostalgic, feeling.
At the moment, Dis and Fili were eating with Kili and Tauriel in their bedchamber. Kili was beyond tired of sitting in bed. Not just because he hated sitting still, but also because he could not help with the ongoing investigation, so he was forced to rely on information brought in by Fili, Dis, Naurfaer, and even on occasion, Thorin. "Any news on who else was involved?"
Dis nodded at Kili, taking a sip of her tea before answering. "It appears we have everyone now. Aeodhen found five in his guard who came on Kaulithah's instruction. Otherwise, there was nobody else. It was much smaller and more contained than we had thought, and I am most grateful for that. Your uncle is still taking precautions, and meeting with a few others who may be associated, but we believe we have all we need."
Kili looked thoughtfully at his mother, then nodded. He was glad it was all over, or, at least, nearly all over. He looked over at his wife, who was scraping her plate, then to his brother who was watching the eleth with an amused twinkle in his eye. Finally, he looked to his mam, who was smacking Fili for not paying attention when she was trying to talk to him.
Fili winced. "Sorry mam. What?"
Dis rolled her eyes. "I said, there are some things I want done in the royal wing, and since we are here for a bit of time, I would like for you to help me with them. We really ought to try and get the other rooms cleaned out, and I want the window at the end of the hall mended so Kaw can come and go even if he is locked out of their chamber." Dis went on, giving a detailed list of what she wanted done, and Fili nodded away, only half paying attention.
At hearing his name, Kaw gave a loud croak from his place perched on the headboard. Kili smiled and reached up with his good hand to scratch his head before he turned to look at his wife while his mother and brother began gathering their things to begin their day.
Tauriel loved listening to her family as they first spoke about the ongoing investigation that was nearly complete, then about their plans for the afternoon. No longer on any type of diet, she would eat with relish anything and everything Dis and Fili made for her. There was always more than enough food brought in, so whenever Tauriel's plate had emptied, as it had been a moment ago, it was instantly refilled by Fili who would ignore his mam, brother, or anyone else in the room as he watched his sister dig back in.
After just four days of being sequestered in the bedchamber, and with the copious amounts of food she was given, rest, and with her surrounding family, Tauriel was feeling better and better every day, and her strength and spirits were almost back to their fullness.
The scene in the bedchamber had been the same every morning. The family would come in, eat, and talk. Then, Dis and Fili would collect the trays as the had just done, and leave to go to do…whatever they did…in the royal wing.
Tauriel sighed as she bid Dis and Fili goodbye. Now full and content, the eleth readjusted herself to rest her head on Kili's good leg, purring when her husband began running his hand through her hair.
It both amazed and saddened the entire family how little Tauriel actually got sick when not being poisoned. She did get the occasional dizzy spell, cannot even be in proximity of licorice or smoke (the latter the boys found out after Tauriel shoved Fili out of the room when he was just lighting a pipe with Kili), and of course, if Tauriel had just eaten two full plates of food and her little offspring decided it was moving time, her nausea came back with a roaring vengeance.
Tauriel had more than once ran to the washroom with that issue after which Fili would go back to the kitchen and remake her entire meal by choice, despite Tauriel's calls not to. He took his job as Tauriel's dietary executer very seriously.
If Kili caught on to the babe causing Tauriel discomfort after eating, however, he usually was able to intervene. He would sing while rubbing the swell of their son, and Tauriel would sigh in relief when their babe calmed long enough for her system to digest.
Although, sometimes Kili's voice had the opposite effect, such as when her child was sleeping, and Kili spoke. Then the babe would wake and immediately start dancing away, as if he was excited to hear his father's voice. Tauriel found it rather endearing, even when it made her nauseous. Her baby was alive and well, and she would happily undergo any discomfort to feel the evidence of that.
After two months of being alone, Tauriel was once again constantly surrounded by her family. They were always there, coming and going with food and updates on the case. Or, just spending time with her and Kili in the room. Sometimes, nobody said anything at all. Dis would work on some stitching or knitting, Fili would read or write, and Thorin would occasionally bring in an old small harp, to fill the room with soft music.
Her family was not the only ones to visit either, the company would come by too. Oin being the most prominent figure in the royal wing, as he would often come in and check on Kili's progress, and personally make sure they were both staying in bed until he released them.
On the first morning after the incident, when the old healer came by to look at Kili's numerous injuries, including the broken rib they discovered when they settled him in the room the night before, his now splinted leg, and secured shoulder; Tauriel had also asked if he would permanently take over her pregnancy care. He answered with a heartwarming, "It would be an honor lass." If a tear fell from his eye, he hid it and left the room. Never again would Tauriel trust another with her care, except for Ivethin.
When Legolas came to say goodbye that same morning, she made sure to send a note to her friend in Mirkwood, as well as one to the elven king. Legolas said he would be back with his father when she had the baby and for the great celebration with Dale.
Naurfaer too was a regular fixture in the rooms. He brought in a more entertaining element, telling them of his adventures, experiences in other cities, places he has been, and even came with Bofur one day to fill the chamber with lively music.
Naurfaer had found a lute in one of the empty rooms and brought it in to play, Bofur beside him with his clarinet, even Fili grabbed his fiddle and joined in. With his shoulder still strapped and held secure to his bandaged chest, Kili scowled when he realized he would not be able to play is own instrument, so he was instead forced to sit and listen. Though he eventually joined in by lending in his voice to a rather hearty song. It brought a smile to his face and filled Tauriel with warmth. When Kili was happy, she was happy.
One particular morning, Naurfaer came in, his normal disposition soiled by a frown as he sat hard on the chair across from Tauriel and Kili's bed. Tauriel eyed her grandfather who was slumped down, with his arms folded, as he looked out the window…pouting. Not sure she wanted to know, but deciding it was rude to not ask, Tauriel placed her book down and turned her full attention to the other elf. "Is something the matter?"
Naurfaer gave her a look just as Fili and Dis came in with lunch. Fili lifted a brow at the supposedly older being, who looked more like a tot having a tantrum. He placed a tray on Tauriel's lap, then turned a questioning eye to Naurfaer. "What, lembas gone soft? You look like someone just kicked your puppy."
For some reason this only made the elf slump more. Naurfaer looked around at everyone and huffed. "I found a pup wandering the valley alone, and I was told under no circumstances was I allowed to let it into this mountain."
This got Kili and Fili's attention. "A pup!? Really?" Naurfaer nodded at Kili.
"What kind?" Fili asked eagerly. Ravens he could not stand…except for Kaw, Kaw was fine...but dogs Fili could get behind.
"The warg kind." Another regular presence was Thorin. The king under the mountain had been in and out of the royal wing, but began joining in on breakfast each morning and the occasional lunch, that Dis and Fili took turns making. Or, he would simply come in to just be with the family, playing his harp or fiddle, going over his notes from the day, or reading aloud to the family. Thorin, was another voice that got her babe going. He loved listening to his grandfather, nearly as much as he loved listening to his father.
"Wargs have pups? I thought they were just, created like orcs, then let go to dwell wherever they please. I have never seen a warg pup before." Kili picked at his greens, Tauriel reaching over and scooping them off his plate and onto her own before spooning them happily into her mouth.
The elf through Kili a look. "Well of course they breed! Not all are used for dark nefarious purposes. They exist quite harmoniously in the wild, though they tend to be smaller than their orc ridden counterparts. A pack is not unlike a pack of wolves in character and size if not slightly larger. Very family-oriented bunch they are. Which was odd to find this one lost and wandering around without its pack, a runt I believe and quite small. Wargs are not traditionally creatures to abandon their young regardless of size or defects, protective as a Durin they are!"
Naurfaer smirked at the family around him before continuing. "It took a bit, but I found the pack...completely slaughtered I am afraid, every one of them. I think hunters may have gotten to them, or a bunch of ignorant towns folk who know nothing of the creatures who were native to the land they decided to build their cities on."
Naurfaer huffed and scowled. "Humans and their superiority complexes. always assuming that everything belongs to them, and that they have a right to live wherever they please. They often forget who and what dwelled in the land before they took it over." He sighed. "Regardless, I could not just leave it, so I have it in a pen outside near the stables. She is quite a character, even at her young age."
Fili scrutinized the elf. "Wait, you still have it? I thought uncle said you couldn't keep it."
Thorin sighed and rubbed his temples. "I thought I did. But apparently, I simply said he could not bring it inside the mountain, which he is saying means he could keep it...outside."
"If you still have it, why are you so upset?" Tauriel sat her tray aside and folded her arms. Her grandfather was such a petulant child sometimes.
Naurfaer looked forlornly out the window, watching the deluge currently pouring from the sky and bouncing on the veranda floor and railing. "It is raining out. I do not want her to be stuck in the rain alone."
"Nobody is stopping you from going out yourself, and sitting with it." Thorin grumbled before tucking into his own lunch. The room went silent after that, the only sound coming from the scraping forks, the rain, and the rumbling thunder in the distance.
Having a tray passed to him from Fili, Naurfaer also joined them in eating, then gathered the scraps and left to feed the pup he named Hirilhelvicorn.
Fili snorted and Kili laughed, which had Thorin and Dis looking at the two in question. "Her name means Lady Fur Ball in Sindarin, more or less." Fili volunteered, and another round of laughter filled the room.
"He isn't going to get rid of it is he?" Thorin groaned.
Tauriel shook her head apologetically. "It is not likely." The king folded his arms in response and grumbled louder, finished his meal, then left to go continue his investigation…or what was left of it.
Nobody ever mentioned Viltarra, and the few times she asked Thorin about her, the king deflected, glared, or would simply stand and excuse himself. From Bofur, she was able to get that her friend had been released to her chamber, but was still being watched closely despite her family being given permission to leave and resume their business. Bofur went on to say that in the last three days, they had yet to open the bakery, choosing to stay in their rooms for whatever reason. He knew nothing else.
Fili never wanted to talk about it, so she did not push it. But for the most part, Tauriel was surprised to find her brother to be rather…normal. Well, Fili normal, that is. He laughed, cooked, and frequently force fed her all manner of foods. Still, Tauriel kept a watchful eye on her brother. If she had been forced to be separated from her Kili, she would be in a right state. So, it astounded her how good of a mood Fili was in, all things considering. Or so she thought.
After a week of being in the royal wing, Oin had finally given Tauriel the okay to get up and move around at her leisure, as long as she did so being mindful to her bodies limits. It was one of the first days she was up and around that she found Fili sitting at the table in the dark kitchen staring at nothing. He had not seen her yet, so she watched and took him in when he was not wearing the mask of jovial happiness. It hurt her to realize she had been reading Fili wrong this entire time. He was not his normal happy self; he was putting on a mask for his family. He was better at being an elf then she was.
"Fili?" The prince jumped at the sound of Tauriel's voice and plastered a smile on his face as he turned to her.
"Tauri! Old Oin finally let you free huh? Well, what can I do ya for? Got a craving? Can I make you something in particular?" Fili walked to the kitchen and turned up one of the lights as he began pulling bowls, pots, and utensils out of the drawers and cabinets.
Fili turned to wait for her bidding, but Tauriel only gave him a sad smile and made her way over to him. She took Fili's hand and pulled him to the table, releasing it only so she could settle herself in one of the six chairs, then gestured to the chair beside her. Fili eyed her warily, but took a seat; the mask gone once more as he stared into the table, arms folded on top where he leaned in.
Tauriel grabbed his hand again. "I miss her too. I saw her more than anyone this last month with my nearly daily visits to the market for her cheese buns. It feels as if something is missing from my day now."
Fili continued to stare at the table but spoke softly. "I can't even get a message to her. I am not sure she would want to receive one from me anyway. With how she was recently treated."
Tauriel chewed her lip. "What did Viltarra say Fili? When you told her your feelings for her."
Fili let out a loud breath and stared into the hand Tauriel held on the table. "No. She said no."
Tauriel furrowed her brows at her brother. "Did she give a reason."
Fili nodded and laughed mirthlessly. "A few in fact. Me being a crowned prince and future king had a lot to do with it, and…our family."
Tauriel's brows lowered in surprise. "Our family!? Whyever would she say such a thing!?"
Fili gave her a look, lifting one of his eyebrows as he tried not to roll his eyes. "Tauriel, she was the one who told me to find you. She even tried to tell me you were dying, and that your healer was wrong, well before you collapsed in the raven room. I brushed it off and ignored her warnings." Fili sighed, pulling his hand from hers and looking across the room. "If I had listened, you would not have gotten as bad as you did. She has every reason to judge us as she does. We, were not there for you as we should have been."
Tauriel used her freed hand to pinch him, hard. "OW! Mahal Tauri! What was that for?!"
"Stop it." Tauriel sniped, glaring at Fili. "Enough self-loathing. I already have to put up with it with Kili, I will not do so with you as well. What is done, is done. Let. It. Go."
Fili huffed but continued, choosing to not address it, despite the fact he grossly disagreed with his sister. He had a lot of making up to do, and he will continue to do so regardless on what his sister said…or threatened. "Viltarra said her family was close, and she doesn't think she could be part of a family who abandons one of its members to watch them slowly die."
The room fell silent as Tauriel considered his words. Staring at Fili, she smiled warmly, taking his hand in hers once more. "Well. We cannot do anything about you being a future king. It is just who you are Fili, and you wear it well brother. It is also something she has time to acclimate to. Thorin is not going anywhere for quite some time, something I am most grateful for." Fili nodded in agreement but said nothing.
"As for the family, my dearest and most treasured brother, you know as well as I that her perception of us is completely wrong." Fili lifted his eyes to her and opened his mouth to protest but Tauriel shoved her free hand over his lips ceasing any words of the contrary about to come out. Honestly. Dwarves. Slow to even forgive themselves.
"What she saw was not who we are and you know it." She pulled her hand from his face and narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to contradict her. Before he could say anything, however, Tauriel smiled and added, "YOU know how close our family is Fili, how close you, Kili, and I are. Our family is odd, yes, I give you that. Our uncle is more like our father, I am, well, an elf, who has been practically adopted by Dis and Thorin…and the dwarven people, and should I even mention Naurfaer?"
Fili finally let a low chuckle escape his lips as Tauriel continued, giving him a firm look. "Do not give up Fili. Perhaps friendship is all she is ready to offer, or maybe she just needs a push in the right direction, or a reassurance that what you feel is real. It won't take her long to realize her misjudgment in our family dear brother. We are much too close to hide it. The last few months were…"
"Atrocious? Miserable? A testament of what not to do?" Fili supplied with a teasing smile.
"There is the Fili I love, and yes. All of those. How about this? Thorin is not going to keep us in here forever. It is only until the trial and whatever follows. He has gone into complete overprotective mode, and I actually understand why this time. He nearly lost both Kili and I, at the hand of someone he thought he knew, and another he trusted with my care. I do not think he does it to harm, more he is doing it because he cannot handle the thought of losing any of us. Frankly, I cannot either. You all mean too much to me."
"I know little sister. The feeling is mutual. The idea of losing anyone in our family, especially you or Kili is…painful to even consider." Fili sighed, squeezing her hand. He sat silently thinking, then perked up. "She did mention wanting to speak to me. Maybe, there is something." He turned hopeful eyes to Tauriel who smiled wide.
That was good news, Tauriel thought. This just might be the perfect ending to the last few troubling months. "That, is wonderful, Fili. Go down and speak to Viltarra when the trials are over. Thorin will let you out then, I am sure. I do not wish to leave Kili so I will likely remain here until he is a little more mobile. I know how…miserable…he is and I don't want him to endure it alone."
Fili leaned in and kissed her on the temple. "Thank you Tauri. I could not ask for a better sister and friend. Thank you for this."
Tauriel smiled wide in response. "So, will you go speak to her?"
Fili nodded. "Yes. I think I will."
Tauriel beamed then looked at him with a sheepish grin. "You couldn't by chance make some butter cake…"
Fili laughed heartedly and rose, kissing her forehead as he made his way over to the preparation area of the kitchen to get to work making Tauriel's precious cake. He would never ask it out loud, but he does wonder if there was ever a choice between Kili and the cake…if Tauriel would have a difficult time deciding which she prefers more.
Another two days went by, and Thorin had still not let Fili or any of them leave the wing. Though, he had begun allowing Leotti in to visit with Tauriel. She was the only one apart from the company allowed up, and Tauriel suspected some of the reason being her need for tailoring. Whatever the reason, Tauriel loved having her friend able to come up, and Leotti was there nearly every day for at least an hour or two, usually coming for tea, and always held a bundle in her arms as she entered, which ended up being either a new dress, or one of her own taken out.
On Fili and Dis's cooking, Tauriel was growing out of her clothes at an alarming rate. Well, alarming to her. Oin seemed quite pleased and patted Fili on the back for a job well done. Dis just smiled, passing Tauriel another platter of butter cake which was present at every, single, meal.
When out of the rooms, Thorin spent most of his time correcting dwarrows who kept offering condolences. "Tauriel and the baby are both well. We had a scare and thought her lost, but thanks to Oin's skills and some help from a visiting elven healer, she is fine and resting. She will be back down soon." He had probably said it now to over half the mountain.
The rumor had done its job, and since there was no official death announcement, his statement was met with a hearty and joyful response…from most. There were still a few not thrilled with having an elf in the family, but they were few and far in between. The more time they spent with her, the more the dwarves of Erebor loved her. Thorin was even sure had he not loved the elf for what she had done, given the chance, she would grow on him too.
"Thorin. They are waitin' inside. Lass is beside 'erself though. Yeh don' think they had somethin' to do with it do yeh?" Thorin shook his head at Dwalin who stood beside his brother.
"Doubt those two could orchestrate something like this. Poison is a jealous lasses weapon. No' honorable in any way." Balin added.
Dwalin shrugged, neither agreeing, nor disagreeing. "Still, brother, best to question as we can. They could have known and chose teh turn a blind eye. We will find out soon enough."
The two brothers looked to Thorin who remained silent, before considering the white bearded dwarf. "Balin, I need you to write down what they say, Dwalin, look for chinks in their armor. We have a few meetings today. Do either of you mind staying?"
Dwalin immediately gave a nod while Balin declared. "I am at your service wherever you need me most Thorin." Thorin clapped Balin on the shoulder and stepped to the door after acknowledging the two other guards. Inside stood Lord Krygo and his sobbing wife who sat at the table.
"I thank you for coming and meeting with us." Thorin indicated for the old dwarrow Lord to take a seat as he and Balin did the same across from them, Dwalin opting to stand behind them. They were in the same meeting room Thorin had met with Bard when they first came to the mountain. He felt it a good place to conduct these, questionings.
Lord Krygo spoke solemnly almost as soon as Thorin sat down. "First, we want to give our most heartfelt condolences…"
Thorin waived him to stop. "They are unnecessary. Tauriel and the child are both fine. It was quite the scare, and it seems a rumor of her death has filled my halls, but they are only that, rumors, nothing more. The only deaths in this mountain this last week were two of your guards. Tell me. Why were your family's guards dressed in Erebor's uniforms and what do you know about Kaulithah and Gildridd?"
"Gilly?" Gilda answered. "Gilly is a traitor. She poisoned my child, and I am afraid we did as well."
Thorin sat silently waiting for her to continue. "As you know, Krygo and I, we tried so hard to have a child. Years, and decades went by. Finally, we had given up. Then, by some miracle, I fell with child. It was a difficult pregnancy being so late in years as I am and Gildridd was with me every step of the way. She brought Kaulithah into this world and stayed on as her personal nurse."
Thorin could hear the scratching of Balin's quill as he wrote out her thoughts, and Dwalin shifted, giving the dam a questioning look. "What do you mean you poisoned the lass?"
Gilda lifted red rimmed eyes to Dwalin. "She was a miracle to us. A daughter. You know how highly our people favor daughters. Every one is a true blessing from Mahal. Why, if the princes Kili and Fili had naut but females, they would in no way be considered lesser for not producing a direct heir."
Thorin sat back and Balin sighed. "Aye. Tis true. So few dams born every day. It would do the line of Durin good teh have a volley of lasses born to it."
However, Thorin was not interested in such a thing. He already knew his grandchild was a boy, so an heir was currently accounted for. Not that they knew that. He would be just as proud of Kili if he were to have a daughter, but, he would never trade this child for another. "That is not the point. My nephew's offspring have little to do with this. Answer Dwalin's question. Why do you think you poisoned Kaulithah?"
Krygo took over. "We doted on the lass. She was all we had. In our age, we will never have any other. Whatever Kaulithah desired, we gave. I wish now I had taught my daughter humility. We spoiled her, that was how we poisoned her."
"And Gildridd?" Thorin hedged.
"Gilly loved her, as her own child. It was another blessing. Krygo and I are well seasoned and running the clan often took us away from home. Gilly was always there to care for Kaulithah when we could not. It was not until she reached near adulthood, that we realized the danger in their relationship. We sent Gilly away to other clans for longer periods of time, hoping the distance would do Kaulithah good. It appears it did not."
Thorin clasped his hands on the table, he leveled the two dwarves across from him with a stern look. "I will ask you this once, and once only. Know this, if you lie to me, and I will find out if you did, you will be beside your daughter in conviction. Did you have anything to do with the poisoning of my daughter and grandchild?"
The tension in the room could be cut with an axe. "No my Lord. We knew nothing of it." Krygo answered honestly. "Gilda?"
"No." Her answer was honest, but painfilled.
There was a moment of silence, then the king under the mountain relaxed and nodded. "Do you have anything to add or any information that can help?"
"The two guards, they were not just Kaulithah's, but they were Gilly's as well. They often followed her when she went to visit and work in other cities. I do not know how they got Erebor's uniforms, I am afraid, nor how any of the others did." Thorin nodded at Krygo and turned to Gilda.
The dam was forlorn, but still looked Thorin in the eyes as she spoke. "I know nothing else I can add, your majesty. I do offer one great regret however, and that is bringing Kaulithah here in the first place. If I had just kept her home, I, I would not be losing my only child."
"Nay lass. She was fixed on her choice. One way or another, she would have tried something." Balin's words offered no comfort to either the Lord or Lady as they were promptly dismissed and left the room. The two guards who had accompanied them to questioning, ushered them back to their temporary chambers in Erebor to continue their assignment.
Throughout the day, Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin met with several other guards, but none had any information. A few other kitchen workers mentioned seeing Gildridd adding things to the food, but as she was a healer, they thought nothing of it. With all the evidence, there was no doubt in Thorin, Balin, or Dwalin's mind the old dam was the one directly at fault for Tauriel's poisoning.
Kaulithah, however, was a bit more difficult to convict on her own, but with Kili's own testimony of the events combined with Tauriel and Leotti walking in on what she was about to do, nothing more was needed.
There was, however, a matter of Birkin and Tilny to consider. Birkin had, in a way, been blackmailed. Not completely, he still had a choice, but when it comes to their ones, their mates, many will go to great lengths and even kill to protect them. Thorin wondered if he was any different when it came to his family, and he did not like the answer. It meant he could not fully fault the dwarf for his choices, as wrong as they were.
At Fili's request, he even got the information on Birkin's wife and gave it to Oin. Oin had said there was nothing he could do, but Tauriel, being in the room at the time, looked at the symptoms and said it was something the elves were rather knowledgeable in. Ivethin would no doubt have the skill to save the dam, who according to Birkin, was in one of the ruined houses in Dale.
A raven was sent to Bard who discovered the lass and had her taken to Mirkwood once Ivethin and Thranduil approved and agreed to help. Birkin knows nothing of this yet, but he will tell the dwarf at the trial.
Tilny, the little lass, will be allowed to go. She would never be allowed back within Erebor's walls again and likely be forced to find a new position. After meeting with the maid, Thorin came to the conclusion that the timid creature only did as she was told. Balin and Oin said she had an illness of the mind and was easy to manipulate and take advantage of. She has kin in a small settlement, they will be sending her back to them.
"Looks like we have all we need." Balin was about to stand when Thorin stopped him.
Thorin looked at the two dwarves, then to the door. "Nearly, there is one more."
Viltarra stood outside the room waiting. The guards were eyeing her, but none said anything as she adjusted her vest and skirt Leotti had made for her. She was still getting used to wearing one, but thought it was best to appear nicely dressed when summoned by the king.
The door opened and a white bearded dwarf with friendly eyes invited her in. "Come in lass. Go ahead an' have a seat."
Viltarra brushed passed the elderly dwarf and sat down across the surly king, the balding dwarf behind him giving her a raised browed look making her square her shoulders. Just because she was nervous, did not mean she had to show it. Viltarra said nothing and waited, her heart beating wildly, but her face set in a state of calm.
"Thank yeh for coming lass. We just have a few questions." Balin began, giving her a smile.
Viltarra nodded. "Of course. However I can help."
Thorin leaned forward, his eyes cold and calculating as he looked at her over steepled fingers. "My nephew seems to believe you are innocent, but I cannot get past the flowers you had both on you and in a vase. Why were you housing the flower responsible for poisoning Tauriel?"
The young dam sat back, looking from Balin to Thorin, then to Dwalin, then back to Thorin who was narrowing his eyes at her. "I had no idea it could even harm anyone. I keep flowers, whenever there is a season."
Thorin lifted a brow, skeptical of her answer. "The greenroom is full of flowers, there are countless gardens between Erebor and Dale, as well as many who are selling them in the markets. Yet, you only had the morning glory flower. Why?"
"I…I cannot answer that without sounding as if I had something to do with this. I was looking for wild herbs, my family has always chosen wild over domestically grown, they have a deeper flavor. I came across the flowers and their coloring has always been one of my favorites. It is for no other reasons beyond that. Had I had any knowledge they were harmful, I would have let them be." Viltarra paused, and took a deep, calming, breath. She could do this. "Though, you are mistaken, they have not been the only flower I have kept. Just two weeks ago I had a vase of roses, the week before, lilies. Although, I have been keeping the morning glories regularly as they were growing in abundance."
"You made the cheese buns Tauriel loves?" Thorin asked, after a moment of silence.
"Yes, it is a family recipe, a very old one, but for the last several years, I have been the one making them. I help with everything else, but those I do make myself." Viltarra tried to make sure her voice remained steady, she did not fidget, and she kept eye contact. In no way did she want to be considered untruthful. Her mother said to tell them everything they asked for, even if it was the family's most secret recipes. Nothing was worth her being convicted of something she had nothing to do with.
Thorin, however, was still staring accusingly at her. "Did you ever put any part of those plants, petal, stem, or seed in anything you made in this mountain."
Viltarra vehemently shook her head no. "No. My flowers are only to brighten the room, not to cook with."
There was palpable silence in the room and Thorin folded his arms across his chest and just stared at the dam. Balin had stopped writing after just a moment of her testimony. The old records keeper did not believe for a moment this lass was guilty of anything but picking the wrong flower. A quick glance back at his brother behind him and he knew he was thinking along the same lines. Yet, Thorin looked ready to convict the lass. He let out a breath of relief when Thorin finally spoke.
"Alright. You are released from connection to this, attempt, on Tauriel's life. Your family is approved to stay and run your bakery in the markets for however long you wish." Viltarra felt her heart finally slow down. It was over. Then her world cracked.
Thorin leaned forward, his eyes boring into Viltarra as he spoke. "However, I do not trust you. Come near my daughter, or any member of my family again, and I will reconsider my decision. I cannot control whether they choose to go down to the markets to see you. But I can give you a fair warning that if I catch you near the royal wing, you will be right back in that cell. Do you understand?"
Balin sighed and Dwalin lifted his eyes skyward. Thorin could be as stubborn as a troll, and twice as immovable.
It was also Balin who saw the look of despair in the young lasses eyes, before the dam could cover it. "Yes, your majesty." She was warned by her father to use proper etiquette with the king, so she knew she needed to wait to be dismissed although all she wished to do was run from this room as quickly as possible. She tamped the urge down and waited.
It was only another moment later when Balin gave her the alright to leave. Neither he nor his brother missed the tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, and Dwalin gave Thorin a look when the door closed behind the young blonde baker.
"I know that look and I do not need to answer to you, Dwalin. The last lass we trusted, ended up only bringing pain and harm. I will not be making mistakes with strangers among my family again." Thorin rose from his chair and left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"The poor lass." Balin shook his head and gathered the parchments, Dwalin nodding as he followed behind him out the door.
Viltarra kept her eyes forward and shoulder squared as she walked to her family's designated chambers. It was the first time they actually had chambers in a settlement, city, or mountain they were staying. Usually, they lived in whatever stall or storefront they could acquire in whatever city they were in. Sometimes she slept in a cot, sometimes she slept in furs under the stars. There were even times she slept near the stove on the floor.
The young baker stopped before the door and looked at the wood, leaning hard against it as she let the tears begin to fall. What kind of fool was she to think she ever had a chance to be with Fili? When Fili came to the cells, Viltarra allowed her hopes to rise. He obviously cared for her, to vouch for her as he did.
But, how can they ever be together when the king forbids her even seeing them. Unless they came to her in the market. Even then, will she be constantly watched by guards? Will they cart her back into a cell if she speaks to Tauriel or Fili?
Viltarra knew what she needed to do. The idea made her legs feel like they were filled with molten iron, but she could not think of an alternative. Not waiting another moment, Viltarra opened the door and entered into the warm sitting room.
"How did it go? Oh. My gem." Viltarra could never hide anything from either of her parents. Instantly, her father was pulling her into his arm's, and she burrowed her head in Vin's broad chest. Her mother's arms were soon wrapping around her as well, and she broke down completely as they held her tightly between them.
Viltarra's voice was small and came through broken from the sobs that wracked her body. "Can we leave, please? I cannot stay here."
"Did the king banish you?" Vin leaned back trying to see her, but his little lass refused to look at him, though she did shake her head no.
Vin looked to Tarrah who had her sad eyes focused on Viltarra's thick waves. It took a moment before Viltarra was composed enough to tell them everything that had happened.
"I know leaving would make us look suspicious. But, adad, I cannot stay here. It hurts too much. I did nothing wrong, but they will forever treat me as I did. I, I know you wanted us to find a place to settle, but, I just…" Tears began cascading once again down Viltarra's cheeks and Tarrah immediately grabbed her daughter.
Vin placed a hand on Viltarra's trembling shoulder. "Shhh, no my little gem. If you want to go. We can go. I will go speak to the king to let him know and give him a list of cities he can find us. It will be alright. We can pack up and leave within a few days." Viltarra nodded and extracted herself and went to her room and begin gathering her few belongings. The sooner they leave, the better.
True to his word, two days later, Vin stood before the king who did eye him with more than a little suspicion as he held a piece of parchment in his hands. "I can find you at any of these cities?"
Vin nodded. "Aye my Lord, any. And we will come back at a moment's notice. You have my word. My daughter has been through…too much. I do not wish her to suffer any more."
Thorin eyed the parchment, then gave a nod of approval, setting the paper down on his desk. "I thank you for this. When will you be leaving?"
Vin stood straight, happy that this was going better than he had hoped. "Today, if it pleases you my Lord. We have already packed, and the cart is ready. I, I hope it will be alright if I leave this with you to give to Tauriel? It is a cheese bun I personally made. It is clear I swear it. Viltarra wrote a note for her and begged I make one of my own hands, as she has been warned not to have anything to do with Tauriel. You may have it checked if you wish. Viltarra wanted it given to the princess after we leave, as a goodbye. They were friends you see. I have never seen my gem take to anyone before as she did to your Tauriel."
Thorin eyed the small box and attached note warily. He nearly told the baker to take it with him and never come back, but, something in the dwarves kind eyes made him accept the box and promise to consider giving it to her. The king rose, clasped hands with the dwarf, and watched him leave the office.
Making sure they left as promised, Thorin then watched from the guards veranda over the gate as Vin, Tarrah, and their daughter left the mountain for good. He allowed himself to watch for a moment, before calling Aeodhen to gather all of the convicted in the cells. It was time for them to receive punishment for their crimes.
All the dwarven Lords sat in the hall acting as a jury while Thorin took his place in the throne with the crown upon his head. At the kings bidding, the four prisoners were dragged into the golden floored room.
Kaulithah looked nothing like the regal dam who he had known since she was a dwarfling. Her hair was matted, and she had an unhealthy sheen about her. Thorin had been warned the dam could not walk. It was apparent now as the guards had her by each arm, her useless feet dragging on the ground. The dam was beyond diminished in every way, and fell hard to the floor when the guards released her.
Gildridd too looked as if she did not leave the cells unscathed, she held great bruises under her eyes and her nose looked as if it had been broken, but recently set.
Thorin gave Aeodhen a questioning look. "The blonde lass gave 'er a right hook to the nose." He answered. Thorin hummed and watched as they brought in Birkin then a shaking Tilny who kept looking around and whimpering.
"Come forward Gildridd, and kneel before the king as you await his word and the word of our Lords." Gildridd did as the captain of the guard ordered, and knelt down before the king under the mountain.
Thorin rose from his throne and stared down at her. "You are convicted of poisoning and attempting to kill Tauriel, daughter of Findyyr and Ithildin. Wife of Kili son of Dis. The princess of Erebor who carries a possible heir. What do you say to this?"
"Only, that I am sorry she lives." Gildridd answered without missing a beat.
"GILLY! NO!" Kaulithah cried.
"Silence!" Aeodhen called, stopping any other words from leaving the young dam's mouth.
"It shall be written this creature will be stripped of all her clans names, her titles, and forever be known for her dishonor. May her final judgment be decided by Mahal as her fate in middle earth is sealed. On the morn, she will make the journey to our maker." Thorin bellowed.
They pulled Gildridd away and the guard called Kaulithah forward. Unable to move herself, the two guards who had brought her in, once again came forward to drag the dam across the ground and deposit her before Thorin. From where the Lords sat, Krygo and Gilda looked at their daughter with mixed expressions of disappointment, disgust, and sorrow.
Thorin glared down at the dam on the ground. "Kaulithah, daughter of Krygo. You also are convicted of being an accomplice and orchestrator to the poisoning of the Lady Tauriel in addition to attempting to take prince Kili's life. What say you to this?"
The dam's wide blue eyes looked up at Thorin with solemn resolution. "I, I am guilty of the charges. I deserve whatever death your Lordship may bestow on me."
Thorin looked at the dam and stepped down to stand directly before her. Kaulithah's blue eyes watched him with fear as the king stared down at her. He took her in, and seemed to come to a conclusion, as he turned away from her and stepped back up to the throne before spinning forward to deliver his decision.
Thorin's eyes flicked to Krygo and Gilda who were both watching as they sat at the edge of their seats. He gave them a nod, then turned back to the dam. "Kaulithah, you too shall be stripped of your titles. I was ready to deliver the same fate as Gildridd, but, I feel a more severe punishment for you would be to let you live out the remainder of your life. Your pains will serve as a reminder of your deeds. You are henceforth banished from not only these halls, but all clans and kingdoms of the dwarven people except that which your family calls home. "
"NO!" She sobbed. "Kill me. I deserve death. Do not make me live like this, please, please don't make me live like this."
"You should be kissing his shoes you ungrateful child. There are many who are in far worse conditions then you who consider each day a gift." Krygo turned from his daughter and back to Thorin. "My Lord, I cannot deliver the gratitude for your mercy. Know she will be room bound. All shall know of her shame."
Thorin nodded. "She is to leave immediately."
The Lord bowed his head respectfully. "Aye my Lord. We will travel within the hour."
Thorin instructed the guards to take her to Lord Krygo's rooms and not leave her until they depart. Since they were not allowed to have a say in the trial, as there was a conflict of interest and Thorin did not trust them, Gilda and Krygo were also escorted out.
When Kaulithah and her parents were removed, Aeodhen stepped forward. "Birkin an' Tilny, yeh may now come forward."
The two fell to their knees before the king who looked down on them. "Neither of you killed or delivered the poison, but both of you are accomplices. My decision has been difficult, but, I cannot sentence death for your crimes. Both of you shall be banished from these halls. Tilny, you will be sent to your kin." The small lass cried out her gratitude. "Birkin, your wife is already under care and well on her way to recovery."
The dwarf looked at the king with wonder. "Truly? Bu' Gildridd said only she could 'elp then said she was withou' hope, tha' she would die."
Thorin shook his head. "She was mistaken, and I am afraid used your situation to her benefit. For this reason, I can only banish you. I warn you now, if I hear of you causing any other harm, you will not escape a punishment of death. I should also tell you, the aid and healing are from none other than Mirkwood's elves. If I were you, I would reconsider your hate for them, as it is they who are saving your wife's life. You will join her today." Birkin sobbed out his relief as Thorin turned to the remaining bound figures.
"The remainder of the guards will too be stripped of their titles and banished from Erebor. You are to never work as a guard in any settlement, clan, or kingdom. Get them out of my sight." Thorin sat on the throne, elbow on the arm of the chair and his head resting on his hand as Aeodhen had the convicted all removed from his throne room.
Each of the Lords had a chance to speak their peace, but each remained silent throughout the entire trial. Even Lord Dryok sat back, approving of the judgments rendered by the king under the mountain.
Before the trial, they each had given fealty to Erebor and Thorin, despite Dryok's warnings he would not. All six Lords backed Erebor and the sons of Durin. Thorin dismissed the council of Lords officially that day.
They would all be gone within a few days journeying home, though they all will be in attendance at Gildridd's execution as witnesses. Not barely even a year and already an execution necessary. Thorin sighed, staring into the now emptied room. He sat for another moment, before rising and following the paths behind the throne room up to see his family.
Dis lifted her eyes from her knitting as he entered the family's main sitting room. "Is it over Thorin?"
Thorin watched Dis and nodded, then he took a seat on the chaise, resting his head against the tall back of the sofa. "Gildridd will be sent to Mahal at sunrise. Kaulithah, Dis, has been rendered lame and twisted from the axe to her spine. She begged for death. I sent her to Krygo and Gilda. She will live the remainder of her years with the repercussions of her choices."
Dis moved to sit beside Thorin and took his hand in her own. Her brother was stubborn, and often can come across as cold and uncaring. But the truth was, he had a big heart. He loved his family, his people, and his home.
One of the greatest burdens of wearing the crown is dealing sentences such as these. Even the greatest of kings must go through it, her Fili will too one day, and the little princeling Tauriel carries, if Fili does not bear sons. These great dwarrows are not in any way heartless and she could feel the weight of the day on Thorin's shoulders. She leaned against him. "At least it is done. We can move on from this and learn from our mistakes. Which were many. Are the Lords leaving?
Thorin nodded. "The baker did too. I have something for Tauriel though I wanted your opinion on giving it to her." Thorin placed the box in Dis's hands. "I leave this final judgment to you dear sister. This is a cheese bun from Vin, the note, from his daughter Viltarra. Both are for Tauriel. They wished her to have it today."
"Thorin. I do not think they would do something foolish. I will give this to Tauriel. If she trusts it, then so shall we." Thorin gave her a curt nod and watched Dis leave the communal sitting room and go down the corridor to the suites.
Tauriel laughed at Kili's story. "You jest. There can be no way that is true."
Kili used his good arm to clutch his chest dramatically. "You wound my honor, amralime. For I tell you it is very much a true tale. Fili had heard from one of the dams that Vanilla is primarily made with brandy. So, naturally, we took mams vanilla and poured the entire bottle into the batch of cookies. We thought we were being clever, as mam refused to allow us to drink until we reached a proper age. Turns out, alcohol cooks out, and too much vanilla makes the cookies taste something awful."
"They made a right mess of my kitchen too." Dis knocked on the open doorframe but smirked at her son, remembering all too well walking in on them that day.
"Aye, and not only did we have to clean it up, but Fili and I were forced to eat the entire batch of cookies." Kili sighed. He was unable to look at another cookie for months.
Dis looked quite proud of herself. "Never did it again did you?" Kili shook his head and Tauriel laughed once more.
Dis moved towards her daughter, sitting beside her on the bed. "I have something for you my dear. It comes from the baker's family. Thorin and I will defer the decision to consume it to you."
Tauriel looked at the small box and opened it up carefully, a small flat bun with the sweet cheese custard she loved so much coming to view. "Viltarra gave you this?"
Dis shook her head. "Thorin did. Said Vin, the baker, had brought it to him with the note. He was the one who had made it."
Tauriel looked at the enclosed, sealed, note and pulled it out. She misses her other friend. Leotti is still the only one allowed up here, not even Shaada or Taada can come up yet. Tauriel cannot wait to be able to go down to the markets and see the small family. She let her fingers unfold the parchment, her eyes scanning the document. From beside her, Kili watched as Tauriel's face went from excited to devastated in seconds.
"Amralime? What is it?" Tauriel studied the note quietly, reading the words over and over again.
My dear friend Tauriel,
I do hope this note finds you well. First, I want to say how thankful I am to have had such a friend in my life. In all my travels, I have yet to find one I have connected with so well as you. I will cherish those memories we had together, always. I was hoping to see yours and Kili's little one enter this world. I am sure with parents such as yourselves it will be a beautiful child, and very spirited.
By the time you receive this, I and my family will already be on the road. I cannot stay Tauriel. There is too much pain inside that mountain. I hope you can give Fili a message for me. Tell him, I am sorry. Tell him I will never forget him and that I hope for all the happiness and love for him in his many years to come.
My thoughts will be with you and may you and Fili forgive me for departing like this.
Yours,
Viltarra
Tauriel looked up at Kili and passed the note to him with trembling fingers. He scanned it and stared wide eyed at Tauriel. She jumped from the bed and grabbed the note once more, hastily moving towards the door, but paused to look back at Dis who was watching her curiously. "I need to find Fili. Amad, where is Fili?"
Dis lowered her brows in question as she stood from her place on the bed, but answered as she moved towards her. "In the kitchen dear, what is it?"
"Kili, tell her meleth nin. I am going to give this to Fili." Kili nodded and patted the bed beside him, Dis eyeing him warily but sat back down nonetheless.
Tauriel tore from the room and all but ran into the kitchen. Naurfaer had his feet up on Dis's table and a bowl of some sort of batter in his hands as he spooned the remnants into his mouth while reading a book. She meant to ignore him but did push his feet off the table, pointing at him severely. "Dis will sever that leg if she saw it on her table like that. There is a sitting room designed for lounging in such ways. Go there or sit properly." Naurfaer gave her a look but continued reading and eating from the bowl with his feet now on the adjacent chair. At least they were off the table.
Tauriel turned into the kitchen area where Fili was pulling Kili's favorite cookies from the oven. "Tauri! What is it?" Fili took in Tauriel's frown and look of sorrow and placed the cloth he was using to pull the hot pan from the stove on the counter.
Without speaking, Tauriel lifted the parchment and handed it to Fili, who took it and read it through. She waited patiently for him as he read it over and over. The note fell to the floor before Fili looked up at her with a look so filled with sorrow it brought a fresh round of tears to Tauriel's eyes. The eleth pulled her brother close, wrapping him in her arms.
Naurfaer put his bowl down and gave the pair a concerned look. "What has happened?" He stood up and retrieved the parchment from the ground, and read it through, turning to the golden-haired prince. "Do you like her, Viltarra?" The elf eyed the prince, who nodded as he stepped away from Tauriel. "Then why are you still standing here?"
Fili sighed. "Thorin said we had to stay in the royal wing. I have not been allowed to leave yet."
Naurfaer rolled his eyes, and gave Fili a look. "That never seemed to stop you lot before, has it? Told over and over to not go back to the lonely mountain…sons of Durin went anyway. Mingling with elves forbidden…son of Durin married one who is now carrying an heir to the dwarven throne. Told to stay in a bloody room nearly after dying…moves a shelf to sneak out a hidden door and straight down to imminent danger. You Durin sons and daughters do not understand the meaning of 'no' and 'stay'."
Naurfaer dared them to deny it, but the room remained silent. Seeing Fili contemplate his words, Naurfaer gave him a little nudge towards the door. "The way I see it, they probably took a cart which means they are moving slow. If one were to say, take a horse and speed off, they could reach them within the hour." Fili stared back at Naurfaer then ran.
"You are such a softy." Tauriel smiled at her grandfather who shrugged.
"It was either tell him to go after her, or deal with a son of Durin with melancholy for who knows how long. They are already a volatile bunch, I prefer the golden-headed prince with his cheerful disposition. Now your prince, I still have to figure out how to keep him from trouble, or at least from harming himself. Have you considered putting him on a lead? Seems to be working for Hirilhelvicorn." Naurfaer smirked.
Tauriel laughed and sat to watch as Naurfaer took over finishing lunch, while she took over eating the cooking batter in the bowl, lifting her legs onto the seat beside her and humming in contentment.
Fili ran down the hall and was about to pass Bofur when the hatted dwarf grabbed his arm. "Sorry lad, Thorin said no leavin'. I can no' let yeh pass until he clears it."
Fili shook his head. "Please Bofur, she is leaving and I can't let her go. I have to go after her."
Bofur lifted his hat and scratched his head in confusion. He hoped he was not referring to the Lord's daughter. "Her? Not Kaulithah! Tell me lad tha' yeh have better taste than tha'? Did no' she try an kill our Tauri? Whyever would yeh wan' to go after tha'?'"
"NO BOFUR! Viltarra! The baker's daughter." He corrected.
Bofur smiled. "Ah, yes. Blonde, wavy hair. Kind family. She be a good lass. Poor thin' bein' put in a cell. No' once did I believe she 'ad anythin' ta do with it. Even tried ta vouch fer her, bu' you know yer uncle." The hatted dwarf eyed Fili for a moment. "Well off with yeh. Go get yer lass." Bifur gave him a smile and Fili was once again on his way towards the stables. Nobody stopped him or asked any questions when Fili grabbed Kit from the stall, threw a saddle on him and jumped on his back, kicking him into a run.
Two hours, they had been on the road, and they were just outside Dale. Viltarra vehemently refused to look back at the mountain. She was going to stare forward, and keep looking ahead…only ahead. There was nothing to see behind her. Her mind was so lost that she did not even register her father stopping the cart until after he had done so. Both her parents were looking at her then back at Erebor.
"Da? Why have we stopped?" Her father pointed back and Viltarra forced her head to turn towards Erebor's peak. The path behind her was in no way void of life, as racing towards them not far off was a cream-colored horse and the prince of the mountain himself.
"Fili?" Viltarra was almost afraid to say the name, as if speaking it aloud would cause the vision of the racing prince to disappear. She climbed down from the cart just as Fili reached them, jumping from Kit and running over to her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Why did you leave?"
Both questions came at the exact same moment, one from the young baker, the other from the prince. Viltarra stared at the ground. "You know why I left Fili."
Fili took another step towards her, shaking his head. "No. No I don't. Look, I understand what you went through was…it was horrible. But I swear, it is not always like that. Please. Give Erebor another chance. Please come back. I need you there. Tauriel needs you there."
Viltarra sighed, her head already giving her answer as she shook it no. "You don't need me Fili. There are so many more who would be better for you than I. I am just, the daughter of a baker. I have no place in a royal family."
Fili stepped towards her and placed his hands on her cheeks, his fingers gliding through the soft hairs on her beard along her jaw. "You are wrong. I do need you Viltarra. I need you for Erebor to feel right. For two years I have watched my brother with Tauriel and wondered how someone could feel so deeply for another being. I watched him come to need her as he needs the air to breathe. I could not fathom such feelings and thought them to be self-inflicted and unnecessary. An attachment created in their heads to bind them to someone so they would not be alone for the remainder of their lives. I for one had no desire for such things. But I was wrong Viltarra. So very wrong, and I did not figure that out until you came along."
Viltarra's brown eyes gazed into Fili's blue orbs. "Fili…"
"Shhh, I am not done." He leaned his head down, placing it on Viltarra's brow, pushing their foreheads together. "I do not care if you were the daughter of an orc, a human, an elf, or a troll. I will have you any way you come. You are my one Viltarra. I feel it."
Viltarra could feel the tears beginning to fall from her eyes. Mahal, she hated crying, yet she was doing it more now than she had done in many, many years. It appears she had a choice to make, and she was losing reasons to not go back, quickly, and it was difficult to think with him so close. "Fili your uncle. He forbade me from seeing any of you. He hates me Fili."
Fili smirked. "My uncle is an ogre sometimes and hates everyone he first meets. You should have seen him with Bilbo. He made the poor hobbit nearly miserable for the entire first half of our journey to Erebor, but they became the closest of friends. My uncle is protective, nearly to a fault Viltarra. He will come around sooner or later. After all, he considers Tauriel to be his daughter, and she, is an elf. Anything else?"
Viltarra grasped for reasons, but he just kept staring into her. "I…." She began, but nothing came to mind, so she shut her mouth.
Fili smiled knowing he was winning, and pushed his nose against hers. "Court me. Officially and openly, Viltarra."
Vin and Tarrah sat with bated breath on the cart. They liked the lad, even if his uncle was more than intimidating.
But Viltarra once again shook her head. "No."
Vin and Tarrah sighed deeply and dramatically.
Fili was at a loss of words as he pulled back, his hands sliding off her cheeks. "Why? What other reason could you give?"
Viltarra squared her shoulders, and pushed some of her wild hair out of her eyes. "You have not asked my father for permission."
Fili blinked, then beamed and spun around, running to the cart and stared up at the baker. Vin tried putting on his most intimidating face and looked down at the prince who looked hopefully back up at him with wide, endearing, blue eyes. This dwarrows mother must have never been able to deny this dwarf anything. He has such an earnest look about him.
Fili began, his voice steady and official, as if he was heading a royal meeting or making an announcement to his people. "Vin, son of…"
"Hyrik." Vin added when Fili paused.
"Thank you." Fili nodded with a grin. "Vin, son of Hyrik. I wish to formally request your permission to court your daughter, Viltarra."
Vin ran his hand through his beard, looking to his wife who smirked, and nodded her head. It was her way of agreeing to whatever decision he made…or was it her telling him to say yes? Whatever it was, Vin looked back down at Fili. "Do you promise to care for her, respect her, and treat her right?" Vin watched the prince carefully.
"With everything I am." Fili answered truthfully.
"Then, I defer the choice to my daughter. I support whatever decision she makes." Fili turned hopefully back to Viltarra who was staring at him.
"Your family…" Viltarra began.
"Will love you, in time. Tauriel already does, Kili is happy when I am happy, mam…well, you may have to be patient with her, and Thorin we already established…is an ogre…but he loves me, so I know he will accept my decision…eventually." Fili stepped closer, lifting his hand to brush away some hair blowing into her face.
"Your crown…" Viltarra sighed, already leaning into Fili.
"Uncle is barely 200, he has at least another 200 years before I have to take over, plenty of time for both of us to learn." Fili leaned down, his lips a breath away from hers. "Say yes, Viltarra." She did not move. She did not speak.
Unable to wait, he closed the distance between them, and took her lips with his own. He could feel the gasp leave her mouth and the sigh as she melted into the kiss. Her hands reached up to pull at his vest as his hands buried themselves in her thick, golden, waves.
After several heartbeats, Fili released her and pulled back, looking into her closed eyes and she finally whispered, "Yes."
Tarrah jumped up and wrapped her arms around Vin who was beaming, and Fili laughed and swung Viltarra around before claiming her lips with his own once again.
"So, are we going back to the mountain?" Viltarra pulled back from Fili and turned to look at her father still on the cart, then nodded. "Thank Mahal. I like it there, and having a sitting room grew on me."
Fili laughed as Tarrah snorted. Fili pulled Viltarra close and grabbed Kit's reins as they turned towards the mountain. He knew they had obstacles to face, in some ways not unlike those trials Kili and Tauriel went through. But if Tauriel can be accepted, he sees no reason Viltarra won't be with time. He felt Viltarra slide her hand into his own and she sent him a smile.
Fili immediately returned it with his own grin, then leaned down to capture her lips once more as they made their way back home, hand in hand.
Original Authors Note: So funny story. I came home from work yesterday and my younger sister stormed up to me and started yelling at me about Reforged (The first story). Apparently, she had just finished it and was not happy with Tauriel almost getting executed or Fili sacrificing himself. I got yelled at for a good 15 minutes. Worth every second :D.
Anyway. TBH I was not initially sure how I wanted to handle a trial for Gildridd and Kaulithah and I ALMOST felt bad for what I did to Kaulithah…but I don't because….as my sister says…she made her own bed. There will be an execution in the next chapter, but it is pretty tame, just a heads up though so you know. I am no George RR Martin.
Viltarra and Fili right?! Finally together. What will Thorin and Dis say? Guess you have to wait until I post the next chapter to find out. AND were getting closer to BABY! More Durin time, baby prep, and more ahead.
See you guys soon!