Thorin took the book to his chambers and placed it in a drawer. He looked in the mirror and everything was still in place. He tried to remember the next lass and hurried back to the king's sitting room. Entering, he spotted Yurna and her family.
Emboldened after meeting pathetic choices and sure she would easily win, the spirited lass latched onto his arm without an invite. "Thorin, show me the wonders of Erebor."
Thorin glanced to see who his escorts were and was surprised to see both elves, Bard's daughters and Dis, along with Gellett. He glanced back at the lass and decided she was fair to look upon and he could see her as his queen and moved her to the top of his mental list. His father mentioned in passing the elves knew the one he would choose and figured that's why the elves were attending. He led her from the chamber and decided to walk in the direction of the mines so not to be distracted by the market. He figured, like his father before him, the one he chose would be the one he paraded in front of everyone. There would be plenty of time to woo the lass publically. On the way, he snapped an order. "Why would you make a good queen and wife to me?"
Startled at his brusque tone, Yurna shrugged it off and replied. "I'm by far the prettiest and the subjects should look upon one whose carriage speaks of royalty. I am after all, the daughter of one of your chief lords."
"Well, your father inherited his title when your grandfather died in this mountain at the fire of Smaug. Yotam was hardly a chief lord and Yose, your father, fared slightly better at Ered Luin. I will concede you are easy on the eyes. She was beautiful, with shinning black locks, flowing freely with only a white diamond clasp on one side. Her blue eyes matched his for color and brightness. He had a stray thought they would make pretty babies.
"I won't be a demanding wife, Thorin. A few nights in your bed to produce heirs and I'll be content serving our dwarves."
Thorin almost felt his body respond at the mention of bedding her, but her offer to avoid the royal bedchamber brought to memory a rumor he heard about her on the journey. "It is well known you have a crush on Kili. You're not thinking about becoming a O-zalafaurkhas are you?"
Her cheeks flamed and before she could stop herself, her hand spun him and a slap resounded down the corridor.
Miners nearby started snickering and one called to Thorin. "Yer life won't be dull with that one ready ta take ah Warhammer ta ye on the first walk."
Yurna's mother and aunt started to push by and confront Thorin, when Galadriel's firm voice halted their steps. "Thorin is correct. I read her mind and that is exactly what she is planning. It is not unheard of in dwarven lore for one married dwarf to find the bed of another married dwarf. If both are wed, it is very difficult to determine infidelity."
Dis listened in shock at Galadriel's revelation.
Thorin looked back at the dams and roared, "Neexxxt."
Everyone watched him stalk off.
Yurna's mother pleaded with Dis. "My lady, I'm sure the elf got it wrong. My Yurna would never have such sorted thoughts. Why I doubt she knew what the term even meant. She is a virgin and no dwarrow has laid one hand on her."
"I am aware your daughter threw herself at my son for years; even before both were of age," Dis countered. "We all know Kili is a handsome devil and with the wave of his hand can have any lass he desires. Lady Galadriel's insight has been most helpful." She smiled up at the tall elf and led them back to the king's chamber. Waiting was the third group and Picket serving tea and ale.
Lady Burneda, Yurna's mother glared daggers at the retreating backs of the royal dwarves and their company. She spun on her daughter. "Is what the elf says true?"
"Absolutely not. I'll not have my reputation smeared by the likes of an elf. Do something, Mother." She pleaded, now realizing she was precariously close to losing the Durin title. "I was sure the title was mine. I did as you and father instructed and gave Thorin space on the trip; especially when we saw him cringe every time Lord Teki threw his daughter, Arli, in front of him. I didn't expect wizardry of an evil elf tongue to be believed by Thorin. He of all dwarves distrusts elves."
A hand stopped her rant. "Yes, we will get your father to protest to the king we were treated unfairly. We will get you another chance and discredit the elves when Thorin chooses you. They'll never believe those lying, cheating, stealing pointy eared stringbeans again."
Asli didn't want to be bartered to any Durin outside Fili, but knew her duty; try and land Thorin for pride and bloodlines. She would much rather have Fili, but his ten year wait for a wife doomed her to marry another. She couldn't remember Thorin ever speaking directly to her and was always terrified of him and Dwalin.
Thorin stepped quietly into his father's sitting room and looked around. He started to make a caustic comment and saw the girl was already frightened out of her skin. She looked vaguely familiar and he looked to the father for her identity. 'Oh yes, Asutri's lass,' he placed her and remembered she was friends with Balin's eldest daughter, Cái. He joined Austri in an ale before tackling another walk. When he couldn't stall any longer, he offered her an arm and felt her fingers quake against the material.
Quietly escorting her out, he decided to have mercy and not parade her through the market, filled with dams flocking to catch a glimpse of any lass on the prince's arm. He directed her to an alcove he remembered finding Bilbo holed up in. He motioned for her to set and took a seat opposite so he could observe her. "Why do you wish to marry me?" he ordered in a stern tone. When she blanched, he decided that was enough scaring the lasses and felt a pang of remorse at his rough tone.
Asli squeaked out, "My father wants me to marry you."
In a kinder tone, he asked, "Who catches your eye?"
Her own went wide. "You, my lord."
He grinned. "You are a terrible liar. I'm guessing either Fili or Kili."
Her cheeks burned red. "Fili is cute," she whispered.
He laughed.
Just out of hearing from their posts across the wide hall, the dams either frowned or smiled in delight. Asli's dams were sure that was a good sign. Thorin's escorts, Cát, Balin's wife and Theri, Azie's mother, frowned. Neither could see him married to the mousy lass who would make a horrible showing as queen.
A few minutes later, Thorin escorted Asli from the alcove and turned her over to her mother and sister-in-law. He looked longsuffering at his own dams and in a quieter tone than with the previous lass, stated, "Next."
Dis preceded over the women of all races in the king's family chambers, having given a tour of the Durin home to the elves, Sigrid and Tilda. They were sipping tea, fastidiously prepared and served by the finest servants to come to the mountain. Most served the royal family in Ered Luin or came from the Iron Hills. A knock sounded and the next family was ushered in by Picket.
Dis looked at Galadriel for a sign she wished to join the group. She told them the next lass they chose to follow and she would come along with Balin's daughter, Cái; for the lass was almost of age and needed instruction on how courting was conducted.
Aneh, Azie's daughter was shy around the tall elves, but found kinship with Sigrid and Tilda. She was sure she would do or say something to embarrass the family, so stayed out of any conversation between the elves and older dams. Her mother told her that morning she wasn't old enough for escort duty, but she could be in the chambers, watching how the dams comported themselves. She took note of everything from their manner of speech, to how they held a tea cup and of course the fine gowns and opulent jewelry. She also noticed the human lasses were likewise reticent to talk to the older dams or elves, so they formed a coterie, along with Cái and Bát and sat on furniture at the far end of the room to give the older dams plenty of space.
"I hope I don't have to do chaperone duty," Bát grumbled to them and sipped her sweetened tea.
"And I am excited to be next," Cái countered and her heart leapt for joy when Dis announced her turn.
They didn't have long to wait when a knock rang upon the heavy door.
Picket let Lord Lofar of the Iron Hills and his wife, Colna and daughter, Lambi, into the king's chambers. He formally announced the new arrivals and instructed them to sit and wait for Thorin to return. With a wave of his hand, servants appeared before the family with ale for Lofar and tea for his ladies.
Thorin took one look at the plump Lambi and started planning who she should wed. Anyone but him, he decided and thought it foolish to go through the motions. He wearied of the game. 'I am Crown Prince; I can change the rules,' he thought and sat across from her. "I will talk to you right here."
"Now wait ah blasted minute," Lofar shouted. "Ye can't spark ah girl in your father's chambers."
Thorin rose. "I can and will." He made a shooing motion with his hand. "You can leave, lest it be said you were part of the courtship party."
Dis asserted unyielding control, as was her right. "I apologize, Lord Lofar. Of course Thorin is taking your daughter for a stroll." She threw an unsympathetic look in his direction. "Lady Anhet and lass Bát will provide escort for our family."
Bát looked surprised and saw the elves smile at her. She knew then everyone heard her remark of not wanting to participate and sure that's why she was chosen.
Sigrid dared a question. "Lady Dis, may Tilda and I also go with them?"
Dis threw a compassionate look at the human girl and once again wished she had a daughter. "Of course. You may accompany any party with our dwarves you desire." Her moment of generosity ended when her eyes riveted on her brother.
Thorin looked like he might refuse as he stared into her eyes. Instead, he snorted and rose. "If I must." He offered his arm and hoped it survived the clutching of nails and this lass was no exception, sinking them to the point of pain in her nervousness.
Lofar grumbled something about protesting to the king the insult and left.
Thorin led the lass along the long Durin Hall, down the wide staircase and skirted the market towards the main entrance. He needed fresh air. Once outside, he looked at the lass for the first time, ignoring gawkers. "I'm not marrying you, lass. I refuse to play games with you. I will choose the dwarrow best suited for you and if ratified by the king, you will have a husband."
Colna angrily jumped in. "Thorin, prince or not, I'll not have it said you didn't give my daughter a fair chance."
"Her chances of marrying a Durin or lord goes down with each word you utter," Thorin retorted and spun back towards the entrance. He looked down at the crestfallen lass. "I'm sorry you were caught up in all this court intrigue," Thorin sincerely told her. He gently disengaged Lambi's hand from his arm and stalked away without another word. He slammed the door to his father's chamber and thumped his head a few times against the wood.
"Careful, big brother," Dis jokingly cautioned, "you'll break the door."
He spun around, leaning against it. "How many more?" He quickly moved aside when it pushed open to admit his chaperones, who smirked as they passed him.
"Arli is next and then Lióni and lastly Gerti," Dis rattled off the names. "You do realize you are spoiling our fun?"
"Tell you what, I'll throw Arli off the rampart, spar with Lióni for the chance to be my queen and send Gerti in Dori's direction."
"Or you could take a short walk with Arli and pretend manners, match wits with Lióni and see if her tongue is sharp as her sword and send Gerti to Dori," Dis countered, drawing a smile from her brother.
"After lunch. Courting is making me hungry."
"Food is waiting in the private dining room." Dis rose and everyone with her. "Are you sure you want to eat with a table full of dams?"
"The only other option is my chambers alone, so I'll manage." He offered his arm and they led the way through double doors into a large dining room set for company.
"You could eat with warriors," she teased, enjoying a moment with her busy brother.
"Dwalin and Lötun will lead the ribbing, so I think not. At least Dáin is with father."
He sat at one end of the table with Dis at the other and dams, humans and elves between them. He noticed Galadriel chose to set at his right hand.
A platter of fresh caught trout was offered to him first and he took two, refused the green salad and scooped plenty of sweet potatoes from a bowl and grabbed a slice of bread. Nobody talked for a couple minutes and then dams started talking about the lasses and their families and who they felt was a better fit to join them. Thorin listened and had a question.
Reading his mind, Galadriel spoke softly before he could utter anything aloud. "Follow your heart, Prince Thorin. You know the one Aulë chose for you."
Bain and Elessar explored broken down ruins and his guide showed him where various battles took place.
Elessar jumped on a catapult and it swung with his weight. "Let's make a swing."
Bain looked around. "If we can drag it to the edge of the wall, there will be enough room underneath for a great swing; that is if you're not scared of a little height."
Elessar stood to his tallest and was impressed he was almost as tall as the older boy.
Together they struggled to push the large catapult on wheels to the edge and hoisted the sling over the side, happy the beam stuck several feet over the ledge.
Bain looked around. "We need to fill the counterweight with more rocks than we weigh."
"No problem. They are everyplace." Elessar grabbed a large rock he could barely lift and dropped it on the platform. They worked diligently until Bain thought they had enough.
They looked over the edge at the sling about ten feet below.
"Guess we climb down," Bain said. "We have to get to the end of the beam and down the chain."
"Okay," Elessar didn't hesitate. He walked out on top of the beam, unconcerned of the sharp rocks forty feet below. His agility training with elves made this easy.
Bain watched impressed and wasn't sure he could dance along the beam like his new friend just did. He watched Elessar drop to straddle the end of the beam and slide over the edge, legs wrapping around the chain. Fingers gripped the links and he climbed down until standing on the pouch, hands gripping the chain. His motion caused the pouch to sway and he looked around with glee. "Come on down, Bain. This is fun."
Bain scooted along the beam and looked over at the chain. He copied Elessar's movements and soon joined him on the pouch. They started moving back and forth, picking up motion until close enough to the wall so they could push off with their free hands.
Bain started using a foot and they swung out further.
"My turn," Elessar cried and gave a mighty shove with his foot, taking them in a large arc and their backs broke the swing when they didn't get turned before reaching the wall. "Try and stop with your feet so we don't splat again," he called.
Bain was able to turn them and they both pushed off together, laughing as they flew through the air. A dozen kicks and the wall above gave way raining boulders down on their heads.
Erak stopped for a bite with the good people of Dale when they spotted him wandering through their town. Everyone wanted to speak with a Dúnedain and he promised to return some night and tell stories. "I'm keeping an eye on Bain and Elessar," he stated and Theigard said he saw the boys heading in the direction of the catapults. Both men hurried through narrow streets, knowing the boys were at an age where trouble found them with little help.
Theigard stopped and looked at one with the boom over the edge. Loose rock made another dent in the wall he was sure didn't look that way last he traveled this path. He hurried to see the damage. "Boys, are you hurt?" he called down when he spotted them clinging to the chain, trying to climb it. Each was standing on the pouch with both hands on the chain.
Erak quickly joined him and shuttered at the sight that greeted him. The boys were bloody around the head and he feared they might faint and fall to their deaths. "Hold on, I'll toss a rope for you to tie around your middle." He looked for anything and spotted nary a tether. He looked at Theigard. "We need help."
Theigard nodded and reached into the pouch that hung around his shoulder. He pulled a small trumpet and gave three short blasts. "Our signal someone is injured."
Erestor finished reading aloud the contract from the last major summit involving all races when Thorin was a baby and the recent one so Círdan was brought up to speed with developments.
The elves were again hosting the summit and resided in Círdan's large tent. Tables and chairs were brought from Dale and many more elves attended. Thráin, Dáin and Balin represented the dwarves and Bard from Dale, all men. Erebor generously added a keg of ale and fine wine that was liberally shared, starting with Glorfindel, who was leaning against it, flute dangling insouciantly from the tips of his fingers.
Bard wanted desperately to ask about the beard Círdan sported, but didn't want to offend the great lord, for he needed charity from the elves.
"With Rohan cut off, where will we get grain?" Thráin was instructed that be his highest priority from all lords within the halls of Erebor and those visiting from the Iron Hills. Their carefully designed contract with Celeborn was now defunct and they were starting over negotiating for their needs.
"I brought four wagon loads of seed," Círdan replied.
"The farms will produce as before," Elrond assured them. "If every available man in Dale were to work the land until more men arrive, there will be bread and ale for all by next year."
"What about protection from orcs?" Bard quietly asked.
Everyone looked at Thranduil. "I would have to borrow warriors from Celeborn," admitted, giving nothing else away in tone or features.
Celeborn knew Thranduil's depleted numbers and nodded his head. "You can have those that guarded the wagon trains from the Riddermark."
"I wish the return of my son also. He can oversee them."
Celeborn gave Thranduil a cold stare. "He is working for my wife. You will have to ask her."
Thranduil snorted scornfully. "What a convenient deflection, cousin. Your word is law with her when it suits your purpose."
Celeborn shrugged nonchalantly.
Círdan sought to move the meeting along and avoid a war of elves. "Legolas can choose for himself. He is of age."
"Then have the twins stay and oversee the protection of men," Thranduil snapped. "They are of age to get out from under the thumb of their adar."
"You notice none of them are in the meeting." Círdan stated the obvious. "Although grown, all three have yet to mature beyond Glorfindel."
"I'm right here," Glorfindel objected.
"You're here because of that barrel." Círdan pointed to the keg holding the golden warrior upright.
Glorfindel smiled and raised his flute in a toast to the speaker.
Thráin started talking and everyone quieted. "Let's leave the ledgers for tomorrow. I want trade agreements hashed out today if at all possible."
"I concur," Círdan quickly agreed. "Men are filling the towns vacated by sailing elves all along the coast. They trade locally, but the lure of far off lands will bring them much faster than elves ever moved. I am willing to send word and hash out contracts in your name, unless you have a dwarf in mind?" He didn't want to step on Thráin's toes and make an enemy.
Thráin scrutinized him carefully, looking for guile. "Normally, I would send Balin ta negotiate our trade agreements."
Balin nodded. "Aye, but I'm needed here."
"My next choice is Glóin, but he has ah family also an won't want another year parted. I know it was hard on you, Balin, being away from yours for years on end."
Balin sadly nodded. He remembered too many lonely nights, longing for his wife and daughters.
"We could send Thorin," Dáin spoke up. "That way he could avoid marriage."
"Or take his bride with him," Thráin countered. "I think that is ah good idea. Ye have so few, Dáin, it always takes me by surprise." His grin let everyone know a jest when they heard one.
"Just for that, I'll do the contracts; take Azie an young Thorin an leave ye here with ah son that doesn't want ah marriage bed an my daughter an the new baby. All should be ah bundle of joy ta be around."
"No, I think Thorin should take his bride on an extended tour of Middle Earth. I know he is tired of traveling, but most likely any lass hasn't seen more than the track they used ta get here."
"I'm waging Thorin will bail before any wedding," Dáin teased.
"I'll take that wager," Gandalf inserted himself into the conversation. "If Thorin sets one foot outside the mountain on his pony, I'll use my sorcery and put him in the healing halls until the day he pledges loyalty to his bride."
"And he still has ninety nine years and fifty one weeks of a jail sentence in my dungeon," Thranduil reminded everyone.
The dwarves scowled at Thranduil and Gandalf while the elves laughed at the dwarves.
"There will be no wager," Thráin grumbled. "Now back to important business. I have ah list of supplies we need from the land of elves." He motioned for Balin, who produced a sheet of parchment and gave it to Círdan first.
The lord scanned it swiftly and slid it to Elrond at his right hand. Elrond took more time and passed it along the elven side of the table.
"When supplies are delivered, we will take full payment for the goods and shipping," Thranduil opened negotiations. "I am not able to fulfill your requested barrels of wine this year. Would half suffice?"
Thráin examined the woodland elf carefully. With Thranduil one never really knew the reasons for his desired alteration of a contract. "And the reason?"
"We lost too many warriors fighting your battles for you," Thranduil brusquely retorted, trying to place blame on the dwarves.
"How close are spiders?" Thráin swiftly fished.
Thranduil scowled. "Close enough that little dwarves shouldn't come into my woods."
"We will have to renegotiate all wine contracts and of right now, not one more barrel leaves the mountain until I get my inventory replaced."
Glorfindel howled a long, "Noooooo," from his place at the barrel.
Everyone glared at Thranduil.
He looked around. "Hey, I'm affected by this also. I don't have the elves to pick the quantities of berries needed for my realm and the dwarves. Since they prefer ale; they won't suffer."
"No wine from the mountain, Thranduil, and I won't loan you my warriors," Celeborn vowed with anger in his eyes, although his tone was civil.
"We can always raid the caravans of Elrond and Círdan," Thranduil reasoned with Celeborn and they both paused to consider such action.
"You would alienate thousands of years of friendship over a few barrels of wine?" Elrond asked, flabbergasted they would even consider such action.
"You married my beloved daughter," Celeborn countered. "You are on the same level in my estimation as the dwarves."
Thranduil laughed.
"This is getting us nowhere," Gandalf cut in before the two lords had another famous fight; although entertaining, served no useful purpose.
"I offer my warriors as berry pickers," Celeborn told Thranduil, and everyone looked at the other two lords.
"Well… to keep my wine from being stolen from my own kin, my warriors are also at your service," Círdan offered and nudged Elrond.
"I have enough wine for hundreds of years if I loan Glorfindel to the pickers and close my borders," Elrond haughtily announced.
"I take that as your warriors will be ready to hit the slopes of Mirkwood Mountains in the morning," Gandalf ended the discussion. He looked at the dwarves. "You will get your requested barrels of wine and next year plan on having your dwarves do their own picking of berries and wild grapes."
Thráin nodded and saw Erestor making notes for a new contract for them all to sign.
A horn sounded from Dale and everyone looked at Bard.
"That's a signal that someone is injured and needs help," Bard supplied.
"Didn't the boys head in that direction," Erestor asked Elrond aloud.
Celeborn mentally reached out to his wife. 'hervess-nín, what is happening in Dale?'
Galadriel focused on the town of men. 'The human boys are injured and trapped on the outside of the wall far above the ground.'
When she didn't elucidate, Celeborn looked at Elrond. "The boy you are raising got injured with King Bard's son."
Bard jumped up and actually beat the elves to their feet.
"We will continue tomorrow morning," Gandalf called out to retreating figures. He joined Celeborn, Thranduil and Círdan in a glass of fine wine. "What did Galadriel say?"
"Are you into reading minds now?" Celeborn quipped and drained his glass and reached for the carafe.
"No, but I know how you operate."
"I repeated close enough to what she told me. Galadriel is more interested in playing dress up with dwarves as her dolls today. She is actually interested in who the princeling will choose."