Lióni shyly showed her father the porcelain swans while Lári and Risári gushed on about Thorin taking their lass to the market and she was the only one.
"I tell you, Dóvad, Lióni will be chosen. I just feel it," Risári, his mother-in-law firmly stated. "I've been around the Durin's a good part of my life and they all act the same with their One."
"Has anyone been to see Tóvad?" Lióni asked, ending all conversation surrounding her future status as Thorin's wife. She was skeptical, but for the first time hoping to be his One. She thought he cut a fine figure and the few grey strands distinguishing and giving him an air of authority his nephews lacked.
"I ran into ah healer in the halls an he said Tóvad's been sleeping all day," Dóvad answered.
"I'm going to go and spend some time with him," Lióni affirmed. "I saw a game in the market we could play since he is an invalid for weeks. She held her hand out for coin from her father.
Never being one to deny his only daughter, Dóvad fished several coins from his pocket. "Keep the rest for yerself."
She kissed his cheek. "I don't need an escort just for the market and Healing Hall."
"Well, there are plenty of guards now that Erebor is at full strength," Dóvad agreed. "We'll come in ah while an see him. Tell him that."
Lióni saw all eyes turn in her direction when she entered the vast marketplace, but nobody accosted her. She followed the path Thorin led her down and veered to a second row until at a booth selling games and artwork. It was one row back from the main attractions, but she spotted the colorful booth while on Thorin's arm. "I would like the marble game," she requested and pointed to one with bright colored glass marbles on a painted board.
The vendor took her coin and placed the item in a box made just for that game. Thanking him, she turned to leave when a commotion drew her attention. She pushed to the edge of the gathering throng and saw Thorin at a booth with the last lass. She took a good look and didn't remember seeing this one before, so assumed she came in with the latest arrivals. Surely Thorin wouldn't be interested in slightly plump, ginger haired lass, she thought with a sinking heart. They looked to be having a wonderful time and she was relaxed around the prince and he grinning back at her.
Tears burned Lióni's eyes, making them smart. She longed to be the only one his smile was aimed at. Still, like everyone else, she couldn't take her eyes off the couple. She saw the lass pick up an item and watched Thorin fork over coin and order it wrapped. Then Thorin took her elbow and escorted her away, probably to the rampart, Lióni thought bitterly. She quickly departed the area, hoping she wasn't spotted. Several dams saw her and pointed.
"So, you aren't the only special lass," one chortled in her direction.
Ignoring them, she hurried to the Healing Hall, thankful it was mostly empty. Stopping outside the door that housed her brother, she tried to compose herself. It wouldn't do for Tóvad to tease her, for she was close to tears at the thought she came so close only to lose the title of princess and future queen. She wiped a single escapee off her cheek and calmed her aching heart and willed her hands to stop shaking. Head held high, she entered. "Hey, I brought a game to help pass the time."
Tóvad jerked his head in her direction. "I've slept most of the day. I'm fuzzy on what happened ta put me here."
"What happened, big brother, is you crossed Prince Thorin with your tongue and nothing else." She pulled a chair near the bed and set the game on her lap.
He groaned. "I remember now. Rightly made ah fool out of myself, didn't I?"
This time a smile wouldn't come and a fresh memory of Thorin taking the elbow of the lass and smiling down at her filled her mind. "I don't want to think or talk about the arrogant prince." She opened the box and took out a board with holes so marbles couldn't roll away. Setting it on the bed, she fished a handful of marbles out. "What color do you want?"
Tóvad looked at the choices. "I'll take blue, but first help me set up with more pillows." He watched her set a pyramid of ten marbles closest to him and saw she chose yellow marbles to oppose his. The goal was to move all the marbles across the board to the other side and first with everyone in the opponents space won. Jumping any marble was allowed so long as a hole was present for the marble to land in.
Lióni grabbed a wooden disk with Go First on one side and Go Second on the other. She flipped it out onto the board and Go Second landed face up. She grimaced and tossed it back into the box.
Tóvad made a move. "What did ye do today?" He looked up in time to catch a look of pain. "What happened?"
"Prince Thorin did his courtship walk with all of us." She moved her piece.
"And?"
"And I'm sure of the one he has chosen. I saw them together in the market when I purchased the game."
Tóvad moved again and kept his eyes on her face. "You like him?"
She shrugged and moved. "He can be very charming."
"So you'll go to another?"
"Most likely. I hate not having a say in who I marry or my fate of a place to live. Part of me wants to run away and strike out on my own." She and Tóvad were close, in spite of his teasing and condescending tone when expressing outrage his sister wanted to be a warrior.
"Where would you go?" Tóvad for once took her serious.
"Into Mirkwood where they would never find me. I'm sure King Thranduil would help me escape."
"Huh?" He missed so much being cooped up in the dungeon. "Start from the beginning and tell me everything."
While they played, she did just that until their parents and grandmother invaded and joined in.
Tóvad listened to his parent's enthusiasm that Lióni would be chosen next queen and kept their private talk to himself. He doubted a half Blacklock would be chosen.
Thorin led Gerti to the Formal Hall with its gold floor.
She looked around in awe. "The letters written back to the Blue Mountains didn't come close to describing its gilded opulence and I've so longed to see it."
Thorin glanced back and moved to put space between them and their chaperones. "Dori waylaid me yesterday." He lowered his tone and saw her blush. "He said with so many to choose from, surely I would save you for him." He kept his voice down so it didn't travel across the empty floor.
Her heart quickened and she pulled away a step and spun back to look him in the eyes. "And you said?"
He smiled kindly into her hazel eyes. "I told him, I hope you and the One I've chosen are good friends. I'll introduce you when the announcement is made."
Gerti looked happy and sad all in one and he hoped he didn't break her heart. She looked him in the eyes and softly replied, "Dori is a good dwarf. I've had my eye on him for a long time, but Uncle Garad wouldn't hear of it. He isn't going to be happy."
"You leave Garad to my father and me. Father has the final say, but I'm sure I can sway Garad on my own." He ended with a smirk. "Just so you know, you were my second choice."
She laughed and both glanced back at the group watching them. The elves seemed to hear everything and looked most pleased, while the dwarves with their lesser auditory abilities weren't sure how this match was playing out."
Dis wasn't sure Thorin would be happy with Gerti and knew he never pursued her while living in the same halls at Ered Luin.
"I've heard rumors all day. Have you matched everyone with a dwarrow, or just the one you chose and me?" As they talked, they slowly walked to the stairs gold ran down and descended to the lower level.
"Yes," was his cryptic reply.
"Not one hint of your chosen?" She all but pleaded for a small bone.
He gave an enigmatic smile and said nothing as he led her around and showed her many common rooms, such as the library before turning her over to her mother. With a nod goodbye, he left.
Thráin looked up from his book when Thorin hurried in. "We have time for a good swim before we dress for tonight?"
Thorin nodded and they descended to the lower levels, guards fore and aft when both top rulers stepped out together. They heard laughter before reaching a private area set aside for lords and Durin's. Inside the mineral pools were Fili and the banged up human lads. Elrond and Círdan were in the hotter, deeper part of the pool, along with Glorfindel and Erestor.
They stripped and dove into the pool, swimming to the elves. Thráin greeted them with, "Good ta see ye taking me up on my offer."
"One of the benefits of Erebor," Elrond replied. "This is Círdan's first trip here, so I'm showing him the sights that interest me the most."
"Ye've been on ah tour of my wine then?" Thráin joked and saw the elves smile. He addressed the lord from the sea. "I'll give ye ah tour when time permits; say day after tomorrow?"
Círdan nodded his acceptance.
"I for one would like another tour." Elrond invited himself.
"May I ask what tonight entails? I hope I'm not desecrating a dwarven custom by asking," Círdan inquired as he slowly moved his arms and legs to stay afloat.
"Aye, I'll tell ye, but first I need ta get out of the hot side." He swam to cooler water, followed by elves and Thorin. Both dwarves grabbed cakes of soap. "We need ta be clean for tonight. Part of our custom for honoring the dead."
Elves helped themselves and Elrond called for the boys to start bathing.
Suddenly several Durin's entered and stripped. "I see the pool is cluttered with elves," Dwalin commented.
"And about to have two more," Elladan spouted when he, Elrohir and Kili joined them. "We were instructed by Daeradar that we could find you here."
"After King Thráin tells us about his activities tonight, I want a report from you….."he looked at Kili," ….three boys. He glanced at Thráin. "Your grandson's are spending so much time with my sons; I may adopt them also."
Thráin laughed. "There are days I would gladly ship them ta ye." He looked around at his rapt audience. "We dress in our finest clothes an the family gathers in my chambers for songs, memories an ah feast. Óin an Glóin will escort, Meeli, their mother in. She hasn't been seen since Gróin passed an Glóin told me she has been ill with shock an grief. I fear she won't last long either, for the trip was hard on her. Tomorrow, ah Durin will stand at the head of Lord Gróin an answer questions an serve as honor guard for when everyone starts coming ta pay their respects."
"The elves would like to do so after breakfast. Is that acceptable?" Elrond asked.
"Yes, that would be ah good time," Thráin agreed. "I'll make sure I'm the one standing watch."
The elves looked pleased.
Elrond looked to where his sons were swimming in the hotter part of the pool. "Boy's come and report."
With identical strokes they soon were near everyone.
"I didn't go far and joined myself to Legolas and we patrolled close by," Elrohir started his report.
"You were supposed to stay and provide escort for your daernaneth and sister back to camp," Elrond gravely reminded him.
"Adar, elven tents are practically to the gate," Elrohir objected. "I find it impossible to believe two powerful elves cannot walk a few feet before being swallowed up in a sea of white. Maybe you didn't want them lost trying to find the center of the compound."
Elrond's look said he was displeased without him uttering a single word. Instead, he turned his stern visage on his eldest.
Elladan stayed silent, waiting for an uproar that never came. Finally, with all eyes on him, he began. "I took Kili and we rode over a few lower hills towards the backside of the mountain. We hadn't gone far when Kili informed me he was expected in the mountain tonight. We cut several orc and Warg tracks, but didn't pursue. I informed Demythel they would most likely veer into Mirkwood during the night hours. He took several warriors from all houses and will hunt tonight. Other than wishing I was leading the hunt, I have nothing further to report."
Elrond didn't respond, but left the pool and grabbed a thick woolen towel provided by the dwarves.
Erestor addressed Thráin before joining Elrond in dressing. "We will give you a report tomorrow when we meet for a couple hours. The conclave will convene when we see the dwarves at Lord Círdan's tent. I know your morning will be very busy and look forward to meeting Prince Thorin's future wife."
Thráin laughed and winked at Thorin before answering. "I'm sure his choice will be interesting, but even I won't be informed until breakfast. Tonight we honor Gróin, and Thorin gets a reprieve from thinking of his intended."
Thorin dragged his weary body into his father's chambers for a private breakfast. After Picket served them, he was dismissed from the private conversation. "You didn't have to have Picket wake me so early," he complained.
"Yes I did. We have another full day an feast with the elves tonight. Tomorrow, I'll let ye sleep in like ah dwarfling. I'm taking first watch at Gróin's visitation, so wanted this over before nine. That's when the elves will arrive, so hence the six o'clock breakfast."
Thorin glared at him and shoved a mouthful of mush in his mouth. He grabbed a piece of toasted bread and soaked it in the goat milk. They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Are ye going ta keep me in suspense?" Thráin finally couldn't take any more not knowing his son's choice.
Thorin stopped eating and looked at him. "Since you are forcing this unwanted union off on me, I choose the lass, Verdi."
Thráin looked stunned for a second and then laughed heartily. "Had me going there for ah moment. Now the real choice?"
"I find the one I'm drawn to is Lióni. She is my choice." He waited almost in suspense at what his father would say. Strangely, he wanted his father's approval. When Thráin didn't respond immediately, Thorin added, "I also like her spirit and independent mind also."
Thráin knew Thorin waiting, eyes almost pleading, like the times he made something and wanted approval of his burgeoning skills. Slowly he smiled. "I think she would make ah wonderful queen in time; or first female General, whichever comes first." He laughed at the look Thorin gave him; half relieved and half irritated.
"I was hoping you approved. I couldn't see myself with any of the others….except maybe Yurna, but the elf convinced me her eyes are on Kili only. Dis told me last night; Asli and Yurna for years figured one would wed Fili and the other Kili."
Thráin chuckled. "I gave Yose the ultimatum of her wedding Dóvad's boy, Tóvad, or waiting fifty years an trying her luck with Kili."
Thorin joined him in a laugh. "I have a few matches to run by you."
Thráin motioned for him to continue.
Thráin, decked in his golden raven crown of king, sat on his throne and had all families in a line before him. His countenance disclosed the seriousness of the moment. The Durin's lined to each side of the large stone throne and Bifur and Bofur stood proudly in the lineup to Thráin's right.
Off to one side, Gandalf tried not to interfere. He broke the fast with the elves and took his leave not wanting to miss this important moment.
In her tent, Galadriel poured water into her wash basin and hoped for divination. She hated being away from her mirror for so long. Rarely did a basin spill any secrets, but if dire circumstances were upon Middle Earth, it would. She actually hoped the Valar would allow her into the mountain to see the proceedings. It was a dwarven matter and elves weren't invited.
"We have one small decision for Nori," Thráin broke the silence. He looked to his right where the dwarf in question was sandwiched between Dori and Ori. "When we get to the two that might wake ye, make yer decision. If ye need ah walk like Thorin had we will place ah hold on the two lasses until ye decide."
Nori smirked and nodded. He knew his mother would be beside herself if two of her son's found mates. The Durin dams and lasses were in the family viewing booth off to one side and up where they could see the entire proceeding.
In the booth, his mother, Dioari, had tears in her eyes. She knew Dori would get a wife before her second born, so she was gaining two daughters she always wanted.
Standing between her parents, Lióni, felt sick to her stomach. She ate one small piece of toast and was sure she wouldn't keep it down. She felt like a slave on an auction block and wanted to bolt, especially when Thorin made it clear the ginger haired lass was his One.
"Not to keep anyone waiting for Thorin's choice, I'll let him announce it," Thráin decreed, but with a smile. His eyes didn't settle on any of the lasses, so nobody knew the one Thorin chose.
Thorin let his eyes rake each lass before moving back to Lióni. In his deep voice, he announced, "I choose Lass Lióni of Jötunheim."
There was a collective gasp from all the females in the line, both dams and lasses.
Lióni's eyes grew very large and she felt rushing in her ears. Still, she saw his eyes on her alone. She remembered his flirting with the other lass and wondered at his game. She felt her mother's hug and father arms around both of them in a tight squeeze.
"I never doubted ye would win, lass," Dóvad whispered in her ear.
Garad and Fárin looked livid and both thought about protesting when Thráin moved along.
"Next up is Lord Dori. Dori, I'm sure ye will be happy that Lass Gerti is paired with ye."
Both Dori and Gerti's eyes met and they beamed at each other.
Gerti ignored a snort of outrage to the left from her uncle.
"Nori, I'm skipping ye for the moment an focusing on Bifur. The lass we chose, isn't ready for wedding anyone, little lone ah Durin." Thráin looked at Lord Rádsvid. "Can ye tell me why yer daughter is obese?"
Rádsvid looked ashamed. "I admit ta not caring about my family as I ought when I found out I was hoodwinked with peyote root an came ta be married against my will. My son was killed at the Battle of Five Armies and with him, all I care about."
"Da, you don't mean it?" Verdi cried out, while Verda glared at her husband.
"I do, Lass," he replied, a slight pang of remorse for hurting his daughter. For his wife, he only felt anger and betrayal. "If I cared, do ya think I would have allowed ye ta put on all that weight?"
Verdi looked down at her large body. "I always knew, Da. You never paid me any mind and I ate to fill the void. Your life was wrapped up in Vid. Sometimes, weeks would pass before I saw you."
Everyone hearing, felt sorry for the girl and her plight. Thráin took charge. "Verdi, look at me," he commanded kindly. When she raised teary eyes to his, he gave his ultimatum. "If you lose ten to fifteen stone, I will allow ye ta court Lord Bifur."
Bifur was stunned. He never expected any lass to ever glance at him. He saw the lass turn her head and give a watery smile. His heart melted. It wasn't her fault her mother destroyed her chances of a normal life. He hoped the king would do something. His wish was answered.
"Lady Varda," Thráin commanded in a formal tone. Everyone looked at him. "You caused this mess. Lord Rádsvid, do you wish to remain married to this dam?"
Rádsvid looked at his overweight wife and back to the king. "Nay, my king. My life ended with the death of my only son. He didn't have ah wife or heirs. I might have had ah proper relationship with my daughter, but Verda always intervened with her whinny demands until my home was as much ah prison as yers at Dol Guldur."
"As king of all dwarves, I hereby dissolve this marriage. Lord Rádsvid, ye can either take the treatment and return to stone, or find another lass who will have you."
There was silence in the hall and Verda felt her world crumbling. "My brother's will avenge this, Rádsvid," she threatened.
"What? They will attack me?" Thráin scoffed and the Durin's laughed. "I'm the one who ruined your day and all your tomorrows. Take your petty anger out on me, if you dare." He glared at the dam. "You are a detriment to your family and hereby banished to the Red Mountains. You can take your pick of communities, Carni or Jötunheim. Never again will you be allowed to come west and you forfeit contact with your daughter."
Such a harsh sentence was rarely carried out on a dam and Gandalf hoped Thráin wasn't being too much like his captors. He would talk to him later, he decided.
Varda was escorted away by the elite guards.
"That was unexpected," Thráin commented. "What do ye say, lass? Do ye have it in ye ta lose weight an marry ah high ranking lord?"
Verdi nodded. She felt alone and then her father's arm came around her shoulders. "With yer mother gone, maybe we can find kinship an ye gain ah father and I ah daughter."
She sniffed. "Maybe."
"Okay, we are back ta Nori," Thráin announced. "Take yer pick between Lass Lambi and Lass Arli."
"What?" Arli spouted and looked at Lord Fárin. "You guaranteed me queen of this mountain." She looked at her father, Lord Teki. "Do something."
"Lord Nori, for peace in your bedchamber and hearing; choose Lass Lambi," Teki entreated, knowing his own bedchamber would be a long time coming.
The Durin's laughed and ribbed Nori. "I don't hear Lambi's father calling for you to choose Arli," Dwalin joked.
Nori looked at Lambi and shrugged. "Well, lass? Are ye as opposed ta ah union with me as she is." He pointed to Arli.
"No. I will marry you," Lambi accepted. She knew Thorin wasn't to be hers and was afraid she wouldn't get any Durin.
Thráin slapped his hands together and with a satisfied smile announced Arli's fate. "Lass Arli, you will court an wed Lord Bofur."
"No way," she screamed. "I'm going back to the White Mountains and marry Dárin."
"Did I just hear her take a lesser lord over me?" Bofur, the vociferous one, spoke up.
"Sorry, I couldn't get you a better lass," Thorin commiserated.
"You know, the common lasses are superior to most in this lineup," Bofur stated loudly. "I didn't know taking on the title of lord would give me a hag for a wife. Do I have to take her?"
Arli was stunned. She was the one wronged, not this mongrel pretend lord.
Balin answered for Thráin. "Many lords have unwilling lasses at first. She will stay and either wed you or we'll find a common soldier for her."
"Say something, Father," Arli demanded of Teki.
Teki spoke again. "Ye want me ta say something. Fine, I will. My daughter; sons are much easier ta raise. Go with Lord Bofur or I'll be the one looking for a common soldier here at Erebor. Ye are staying here, for I'll not take ye home. I need the rest."
Again laughter rang out.
Yurna noticed she hadn't been chosen and her hopes lifted. Maybe she would get Kili after all. He and Fili were in the lineup, but overlooked by their grandfather.
Thráin called out the next name. "Lass Asli, we didn't forget ye. I understand ye have yer eyes on Fili?"
She blushed and nodded.
"Are ye willing ta reside in these mountains as lady in waiting ta Lord Balin's daughters?"
"Yes, King Thráin," she squeaked out.
"In ten years, if ye haven't wed, we will reassess your potential choice of Fili's wife."
Her face lit up in a smile. She felt like the luckiest lass in the line and was sure she got her choice above all the rest.
"And lastly we have Lass Yurna," Thráin quickly moved on and wanted this over. Dealing with females wasn't his favorite duty. "Ye will wed young Lord Tóvad when his leg heals. Ye will go with him and live yer life in Jötunheim."
The pretty lass blanched. She had thoughts of staying in Erebor, even if wed to a lesser lord. "Sir, may I find favor in your eyes to wed a different lord in this splendid mountain. I see now, Erebor is the heart of all dwarvendom."
"I trust the elves, lass," Thráin quietly reminded her. He didn't want to say more and have her shame spread through the mountain. So far, only the chaperones and her parents knew anything and they were discrete.
"He's a Blacklock," she finally spat out in disdain.
"Only half and remember, his sister is the future queen," Balin interjected; miffed at her selfishness. "Your dwarflings would be first cousins to princes and princesses."
"What about Kili?" she played her final card.
"Kili is traveling these lands for decades," Thráin retorted, losing patients with her. "Either take Tóvad or join Lady Varda in a trip to Carni."
Yurna thought about her options. Beside her, the parents were silent and she looked to them for help. "Can I just go home?" she asked them.
"The king has final say?" her father stated gently. He didn't like the thought of his only daughter going so far away were he would never see her again.
"What if I married a commoner?"
Her father, Lord Yose, looked at Thráin. "How about if she stays and weds a lesser lord? Her mother and I don't want to lose her so far away, even ta wed one who will eventually rule Jötunheim."
"No, I've made my decision," Thráin snapped. He sighed and looked again at Yose. "I will assign your family as lords in Jötunheim so ye can be near your granddwarflings. Think about it and give me your answer." He looked at those gathered before him. "In the history of Durin marriages, this is the first of its kind and I sincerely hope the last. Thorin will go down in history for having more choices than any other Durin."
"I want to go down in history for driving the worm from the mountain," Thorin protested and more ribbing and merriment came from his fellow Durin's.
Yurna tried once more. "What about Ori?"
"Get her out of here," Thráin roared.