Heavily advise you go back and read the past few chapters at least - apologies for the two year gap but I'm back.


Dwalin cursed once Balin had left. His older brother had cornered him while eating in his private rooms and given him another firm reminder (though it was more of warning) to be friendlier to Erebor's guests. He always understood Thorin's spare time over the coming months would be limited and accepted his days of sparring with his friend would have to wait, but he didn't realise he would actually have to be involved in the process of choosing Thorin's bride.

"We need to be keeping an eye out, taking notes on these dwarrowdams. Talking to them when we see them to find out what kind of dwarf they are."

"Sounds like yer have it handled."

"Every one of those Ladies know that you're one of the King's closest confidants! They want to talk to you and you must be receptive! I've seen Ladies greet you in passing and you've just scowled at them. Poor things are frightened of you!"

"I've got places to be, who do they think is protecting this mountain?"

Balin let out an exasperated sigh and threw his hands in the air. "Just for the next couple of months brother, try to be more accommodating. This is to help Thorin! It's not like he can undo his marriage so we need to help him select the right bride."

Dwalin nodded just so he could leave. He supposed he'd have to be somewhat tolerant of Thorin's wife, but truth be told, he didn't plan on having too much contact with her. He led Erebor's military and defence and Thorin was always involved in those matters. Many late nights were spent discussing battle strategies over ale. Dwalin didn't know what Queens did with their time but he doubted it would concern him.

Stuffing the last of his meal in his mouth, he roughly grabbed his coat and made his way through the stone halls to the training grounds. Dwarves jumped out of his way, not wanting to test his patience - just the way Dwalin liked it. He wasn't always angry, but wearing his signature scowl brought him peace. When he wore it, there weren't many who would strike up a conversation with him. Dwalin passed a group of Ladies who all curtsied and batted their lashes at him, greeting him in unison. He didn't know if any of them were Thorin's guests. He only remembered Lord Dalkin's daughters (the older one was quite pretty) from when he found them in the Snake Pit (the common name given to the twisted halls deep within the mountain). He also knew Ila, a horrid dwarrowdam he wished he could forget. Remembering his older brother's words and not wanting to receive yet another lecture, he softened his scowl and nodded once at them. The Ladies instantly burst into a fit of giggles and Dwalin picked up his pace so they didn't have a chance to start a conversation. He would talk to some of them eventually.

The grounds were full when he got there and all eyes turned to him as soon as he entered the large room. Full of pride, Dwalin couldn't help but puff out his chest. This was a feeling he would always (privately) treasure - he knew he was like his Father when he could walk into a room and have the immediate respect of every dwarf in there.

"As you were!" He bellowed.

Walking alongside the walls to avoid the sparring dwarves, Dwalin approached the group he was training that day. Ten eager lads who wanted to join the Guard.

"Alright, Bron and Frig to the centre. Choose your weapon - no doubles."

As the dwarves busied themselves, Dwalin glanced around the room. His keen eyes scanned the platform above him. This was where Ladies often sat to watch dwarves sparring, whispering to each other and throwing flirtatious eyes to the young dwarves below. He hated when it became too crowded. His soldiers would lose concentration, the Ladies would point and wave, and some young dwarf would always try to pull a stunt during a spar to impress watching eyes. Thankfully though, today wasn't too busy. There were only a few pairs of Ladies scattered about and a group of older dwarves with cups of ale, placing bets on who would win the spars. Closest to him was a lone, small figure leaning on the railing above them, notebook in hand. Raina. Dwalin turned to one of his newest recruits beside him.

"How long has she been standing there?"

"About an hour now, Captain. She watched the Princes train earlier this morning and it looked like she was writing at one point."

"Anyone with her?"

"No Sir."

"Anyone approach her?"

"Not that I've seen."

Dwalin grunted and turned back to the group. Bron and Frig stood facing each other with the rest of dwarves standing around them in a circle.

"Attack!"

Immediately Bron, the shorter dwarf but with a far more solid frame, swung his heavy axe against Brug's sword, a loud clang echoing across the grounds. From the corner of his eye, Dwalin saw Raina swing her head around and lock eyes on the spar. Even from a distance, Dwalin could see her studying the movements, not looking away for even a second. Dwalin internally groaned. He wasn't daft, he knew this was about him refusing to train her yesterday. Since he said no, she was now studying his recruits.

"The Lady has started writing again Sir, would you like us to remove her?"

"Let her be, she'll leave eventually."


"How was your walk with Lady Kaia?"

Thorin turned to his sister and sighed. Dinner had not even been served yet and already this conversation had started. He felt like it was all he ever talked about for the past few months and though he knew it was a dire situation (that he had put himself in), Thorin wanted nothing more than to go on a hunt. As soon as Dis asked, all other dinner conversation ceased. Fili and Kili smiled gleefully at him while Balin looked disapprovingly at them. Dwalin looked bored and poured himself another ale, filling it to the brim.

"She was bold, very opinionated. A quality I admire if she can control her tongue. Otherwise she's pleasant."

"She's also quite witty and quick thinking. She has a strong personality, good for a Queen," mused Balin.

"No doubt she would also put you in your place when needed," Dis said to her brother, unfazed by his glares. She turned to Balin. "But do we want a Queen who is so blatant about who she dislikes? My main concern is her temper. She can become very short which isn't a charming quality in a Queen, especially when my dear brother is also quick to anger."

Thorin huffed, not appreciating being talked about as if he weren't in the room. He was ignored.

"Have you seen her temper?" Balin asked.

"She joined me for tea the other day and she was perfectly polite to me, though she seemed to have some grievances with Lady Ila. I'm not sure what their history is but they clearly dislike each other. She was bordering on rude towards the end, throwing poorly disguised insults around."

"Lady Ila mentioned she was seeing you for tea when we spoke to her," said Fili. "She was very…talkative."

"Thank heavens you invited her for tea Ma, it was the only reason she finally left us alone," Kill chimed in. Thorin smiled at that. He had many thoughts about Ila, but he knew Dis and Balin would disapprove if he started that conversation. It wouldn't be 'productive' in their eyes.

"Who else did you invite to tea?" He asked instead, reaching for the jug of ale.

"Lady Rowen and Lady Elli, both of them were delightful. Did you know Lady Rowen has trained before? She mentioned she was quite taken with archery."

"She didn't mention that on our walk."

"Oh yes! How was your walk in the mines?"

"It went well, she was quiet at times but pleasant."

"You cannot call every dwarrowdam pleasant. We're going to need more details please."

Thorin held back rolling his eyes but couldn't deny she was right. "She was nervous, not very talkative. I suppose I wasn't either, she asked if I was feeling well." Kill snorted at that while Fili gave him a quizzical look.

"How was the conversation with Rowen? Be honest Thorin," Dis said gently.

Thorin took a moment to think before answering. How was the conversation? What did they talk about? He could remember talking to Bofur briefly, then he taught Rowen about the history of the mines and she asked questions from time to time. He could tell she was intelligent by the questions she asked which made her good company. Far better than the start, when he could sense how stressed she was by the silence.

"She was more aware of my state than some of the others. I was quiet, so she was quiet - likely assumed I wanted silence. We mainly discussed the mines rather than ourselves." Thorin said the next comment carefully, as he didn't want to cause offence. "I didn't dislike spending time with her, but I wasn't captivated by her company either."

Balin remained silent and looked at Dis. "I was hoping for a far better answer," Dis admitted. "She is one of our favourites, there is a gentle strength to her."

Thorin nodded. "I agree, she would make a fine wife."

"What if you were to marry someone not selected?" Fili asked suddenly.

"He cannot," Balin said immediately with fervour. "Dwarven tradition dictates he must marry one of the Ladies invited to the Mountain."

"I'm not saying he will, I'm just asking what if he were to," Fili said again. "What are the consequences?"

Balin looked infuriated by Fili's line of questioning and Thorin was impressed Fili hadn't backed down. He held Balin's gaze coolly and as his mentor, Thorin couldn't be more proud.

"It would be an insult to every Lady we invited to the Mountain. Dwarven society would judge the marriage, you know how much we value tradition so both Thorin and his bride would be shamed and Mahal himself would cast judgement. Why are you asking this?"

Fili nodded. Thorin knew why he was asking and he silently willed his oldest nephew to not press the matter further. Balin was going red in the face and he might just move to the Iron Hills if he found out Thorin was spending time with a Lady who wasn't selected. Not just spending time, but enjoying time with said Lady. He needed to change the subject before Fili, who he knew was trying to help, made things worse.

"Enough," Thorin said, a note of finality in his voice. Again, the room stilled. He turned to Dwalin who was pouring his fourth cup of ale.

"Are you here to drink my ale or contribute?"

"I'm 'ere because Balin forced me."

"Who have you spoken to then?"

Dwalin shrugged. Fili went to speak but Thorin raised a hand, indicating he was not to talk. He turned to Dwalin and stared until his friend grunted and slammed his cup down.

"I spoke to Raina."

It took everything in Thorin to not punch Dwalin.

Instead he ran his hand through his hair and sat back in his chair. He tried to look unbothered by her name but Thorin found himself thinking of her eyes and her smile and his mouth suddenly became dry. He stared at the table and tried to look bored by Dwalin's comment.

"Rowen's sister? When did you speak to her?" Dis asked.

"She came to the fighting grounds, taking notes. Just watching dwarves fight, she wants to learn."

"Has she spoken to you?"

"Aye, stubborn one she is. I said no, next day she comes back just watchin' spars."

"What does she want?"

"A training session."

"That may not be a bad idea, Dwalin," said Dis. "You could find information about her family, Rowen, even Elli since they have become friends. Raina is very close to her sister and though they don't look the same, they probably behave the same so time with her would be beneficial."

Thorin started to shake his head before he caught himself. Raina and Rowen weren't alike. Of course they had some similarities, they were both polite and gracious with a gentle demeanour, but those traits had been taught by their mother. Rowen exemplified all the traits of a perfect Lady — kind, clever, courteous. Thorin also knew her character had strength, but Raina had a fire in her eyes. Thorin sensed she perhaps wasn't quite as polite as her sister, instead a little more daring and stubborn. Her presence was gentle yet commanding, and oddly enough it put him at ease during their conversation. Deep in his thoughts, Thorin didn't see Dis staring at him from the corner of her eye. He hadn't stopped himself in time and she saw him start to shake his head. Coupled with Fili's line of questioning and the glazed over look in his eye, worry formed like a heavy rock inside her..


"Mother is worrying again," Raina said as she walked into her older sister's room. "She's been fiddling with her braids all day but denies anything is on her mind."

Raina had spent the morning watching Dwalin training young dwarves, taking notes as best she could, then retreated to the library to collect some books recommended by Master Ori (one of the sweetest dwarves Raina had ever met). She had wanted to wander around the Mountain, but she was too scared of running into the King again. She needed to stay away from him and focus on Rowen. So instead she stayed in her family's rooms and read several books about Erebor's history, thinking perhaps she could teach Rowen ahead of her next walk with the King. She tried to stay out of her fretting Mother's way as she read by the fire, but Mother's silent worrying was loud.

"It's obviously about me, the King has barely noticed me." Rowen said as she brushed her hair. She sat in a nightgown in front of the mirror, studying her hair and face. "Do you think he prefers brunettes?"

Raina hesitated. She wanted to tell her sister about her time with the King in the Galleries - not telling her felt like lying - but she also didn't want to hurt her. But perhaps she was reading too much into it, perhaps nothing really happened? She just felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. When her sister was looking for any chance to spend time with the King and impress him, it just seemed spiteful of her to have spent quality alone time with him. Raina felt even worse for enjoying the time she spent with him.

"I actually spoke to him yesterday evening," Raina said slowly, sitting on her sister's bed. "In the Galleries."

Rowen set her brush down and turned in her chair, confusion written all over her face. "You did? Did he invite you?"

"No! I was there trying to find the statues of his company, the dwarves who battled the Dragon. He saw me and I admitted I couldn't find them so he offered to show me."

Rowen nodded, staring at her sister blankly. Raina continued.

"I just asked about his statue since it was unfinished, Bilbo's feet since he didn't have shoes, Jora who created all of them," Raina babbled. "He made a joke about me getting lost all the time then Prince Fili came to find him for a meeting."

Rowen didn't say anything at first, processing what her sister had said. Raina was about to speak again when her sister finally spoke up.

"He made a joke?" she asked quietly.

Raina nodded, not quite sure why that was the part Rowen was focused on.

"Yes, about me not having a good sense of direction. He was referring to when he found us in the hallways I think."

Rowen nodded again. She turned back in her chair and faced the mirror, her eyes dazed and expression blank. "He didn't joke with me," she said. "He barely smiled."

"I'm sure I just caught him in a good mood," Raina said quickly.

"Was he quiet when you spoke to him? Bored?"

Raina didn't answer. King Thorin wasn't quiet or bored. He seemed relaxed and somewhat interested in their conversation. She couldn't say this to Rowen, but she couldn't lie either.

"He isn't interested in me," Rowen said.

Raina leapt off the bed when she saw tears forming in her sister's eyes. She threw her arms around her sister, placing her head on her sister's shoulder and meeting her eyes in the mirror. "I'm so sorry Rowen, I-"

Rowen shook her head, tears falling onto her rosy cheeks. "You don't need to be sorry. It's not your fault you didn't do anything. It's me. He isn't interested in me."

Raina felt her own tears start to form and she was furious with herself. She had no right to cry, not when her actions had hurt her sister. Her sweet, kind-hearted sister who was trying to make her feel better. Rowen rose from her seat and hugged Raina. The two held each other for a minute longer before Rowen pulled away.

"I can't say this is a surprise," she said quietly. "He was never really interested in me from the start, he spent time with me out of obligation."

Raina opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to reassure her, but Rowen shook her head and continued.

"I'm embarrassed, yes, and sorry that I couldn't bring this family honour by marrying the King. But it's not what you think." Rowen paused and took a deep breath in before continuing. "I'm not heartbroken that he doesn't like me."

"What do you mean? Don't you love him?"

"If I tell you a secret, do you swear not to tell anyone else? Truly, especially Mother."

"Of course," Raina said. "You know that."Rowen nodded, wiping her tear stained cheeks with the back of her sleeve. She looked at her sister with wide eyes and whispered, "I didn't feel a spark. I know it was a long shot, but there was no spark. He isn't my One Rai, I don't think I want to marry him."