"Well, Lióni wanted ta catch his eye an that gown certainly did the job," Dóvad boasted as soon as the doors banged shut behind his family after the day's events ended. A servant informed them that Prince Thorin would escort them to a supper with the king that evening, but first the prince wished a word in private with Lióni. He looked at his son, now back in residence. It was quite the surprise when during the second day of the games only that morning that Tóvad was carried outside on a stretcher to watch and have Thorin tell them he could move from the healing halls to their chambers. He replayed in his mind the conversation.

Thorin and Lióni approached Tóvad. Thorin stated, "No hard feelings for what I did to you?"

Tóvad looked up at him and then let his eyes catch the gaze of his sister and back again. "I guess I deserved what I got for taking on ah Durin. I was hoping I could stay ah spell an take lessons with your elite guard."

"I expect you to stay until spring, an yes, I'll make sure you get preferential treatment and you can live with your family and get about on crutches, but I've been told to tell you that every day you must go to the elves for more healing. As for lessons; you've already been included in this winter's sessions. After all, you are returning to Jötunheim the ranking lord and must be able to fight like one."

The moment was over when King Thráin approached the stretcher. "Good ta have ye back with us, lad. Which Durin do ye wish ta take on when ye are up on both legs?"

Tóvad looked sheepishly at the king. "Maybe one of the lasses."

Everyone within hearing roared with laughter and the king patted his shoulder and moved on breaking the party up.

Now Dóvad beamed with pleasure at his children. His son was maturing nicely and his daughter the fiancé of the crown prince, and he and his family were invited to dine with the king and his guests. It was a far cry from the dungeon that was his abode only a few days earlier.

"Stand still," Lári commanded and Dóvad stopped fidgeting. "That's better." She adjusted his diadem and smoothed his tunic. It was one of his finest and she wanted her family to make the right impression. "Thorin and Lióni will be here soon and we won't keep him waiting." She looked at Tóvad next. "Are you sure you're up to sitting through a long dinner?"

Tóvad so wanted to attend, but when she put it that way he shook his head. "I just don't want to be left alone again. Maybe they can prop my leg up. I can eat that way."

"I'll ask Thorin," Dóvad said. So far he let the females direct all conversation and wondered why Thorin insisted Lióni walk with him so soon after the matches concluded for the day.

Thorin guided Lióni to the private chambers of the king. Picket was the only one in the main chamber.

"The king is changing for tonight," Picket told them. "He will be out momentarily."

"In that case, a glass of wine for all of us," Thorin ordered cheerfully.

They were sitting around on plush sofas and chairs when Thráin entered. "And what brings ye an yer chaperones ta my rooms?" He took the offered glass of wine and sat in a free chair.

Thorin was sitting beside Lióni on a sofa and spoke for them. "I asked Lióni to marry me and she said yes, with your permission that is."

Thráin stood and motioned everyone to their feet. "This calls for a toast. My son, and lass Lióni; as High King of all dwarves, I give my permission and blessing to your union." He raised his glass, "To the future princess of Erebor, Lióni, and my son."

The chaperones toasted the couple and each other with smiles and they sipped the rare wine Thráin ordered broken out for this auspicious occasion.

"I was hoping to announce it tonight and have a wedding soon," Thorin informed everyone in the room. "I think a dance tonight is in order to celebrate our engagement."

"Aye, Picket, see to it," Thráin instructed and added, "Not one word either."

Picket huffed indignantly. "I am trained never to divulge what is said in this room." He stomped out the door and let it slam behind him.

Thorin took Lióni's glass and set them on a table. Shall we inform your family?"

She took his arm and liked how her hand fit just right in the crook of his arm.

Thráin looked at the escorts. "Ye are dismissed. I'll see him to the lass's chambers…and remember, not one word to anyone, including your spouses."

Mif dropped into a deep curtsey when the king stood before her upon answering the door. Tongue-tied, she motioned them inside.

Dóvad was shocked to see the king acting as chaperone. "M'lord, welcome ta my home."

"I'm here on ah small matter of yer son," Thráin announced. He looked at the lad, sitting with his leg propped on cushions. "Are ye ready ta swear allegiance ta me an all Durin's?"

Tóvad grabbed his crutches and struggled to his feet. "I'm sorry I cannot kneel, but I swear on my life to protect you and all Durin's and apologize for my pernicious words and actions." He spoke formally like he heard the king do the night he was tossed into the dungeon and hoped he had leave to do so.

"I accept your sword," Thráin replied just as formally and then waved him back down.

"I was hoping my son could join us for supper, but his leg would have ta be propped like it is," Dóvad gestured and spoke at the same time.

"No problem," Thráin stated and motioned to Mif to join him.

Stunned the king wanted something from her, she curtseyed again before him.

"Instruct one of my guards in the hall ta summons servants an carry the lad ta the dining hall an back here again."

"Yes, M'lord," she barely answered above a whisper and rushed to do his bidding.

"Thorin, I've kept ye from yer announcement long enough," Thráin said with humor.

The ladies rushed to hug Lióni upon the announcement and everyone looked in awe at the ring.

Dóvad offered his hand to Thorin. "Do ye really think ye can pull off ah wedding by next week?"

"Gandalf is here to officiate and so are all the guests, so I don't see why not."

Dwarves mingled with elves waiting for dinner to be announced. A band played in the corner and was instructed to only play somber music so not to offend the elves with livelier tunes. Bard and his children entered and were getting used to impromptu invites and even had new clothes sewn from cloth brought by dwarves moving back to Erebor. Bain was still growing and had a new pair of black knee high boots the elves made for him when they saw his heel flapping in an old pair taken off a man that died the year before in the battle.

Bain sought Elessar out. "Did you hear? We get to spar each other in the arena tomorrow."

"Really?" Elessar looked around for confirmation from his family. "Nobody told me."

"Da told me on the way here. He was asked if I was ready by Lord Elrond when the dwarves were sparing this afternoon."

"I haven't seen Adar. He was with the other lords and we were together until you left for home. I came tonight with my mother and she was escorted by Figwit."

"I've been practicing with Prince Legolas," Bain boasted.

"I haven't been practicing at all lately," Elessar replied glumly. "Stonehelm and Gimli are better sparer's than I am and Glorfy is too busy."

"I'll go easy on you then," Bain laughingly replied.

Elessar grinned back. "I doubt you can beat me."

"I'm three years older and taller and stronger, so I have the advantage."

"I learned some tricks from Prince Thorin when he was at Imladris," Elessar bragged. "He was my last sparring partner before we left for here." He spotted Elrond and called out. "Adar, is it true, Bain and I get to spar tomorrow in front of everyone?"

Elrond wandered over to tower above them. He smiled down at both boys. "Bard and I thought you two might enjoy a round with each other. Of course, you will have to use wooden swords."

"Gimli told me wooden swords were what the very young use," Elessar protested.

"Dwarven youths use wooden swords until thirty years of age," Elrond educated them. "They have to have mastered throwing and catching all manner of items before being allowed anything sharp. I know we let you spar with a blunted metal sword, but I've yet to see you actually come close to an elf when practicing and they know to not harm you."

"When do I get to use a real sword?" Elessar sullenly asked and hated that he sounded immature in front of Bain, who was smirking at him.

"In a few years." Elrond walked away.

Kili sat by himself and looked at the elves. He wondered how Tauriel would have been treated in this august gathering and let his fingers play with the stone in his hand. Since his mother was in the mountain, she didn't have much time for him and he missed her company also and now she was marrying Dwalin and seemed to grow further from him. He felt left out and wasn't in the mood to play nice. He decided to slip out come nightfall and sit on the mountain and look up at the stars. He liked to watch the one that moved across the night sky and was told by the twins it was their grandfather flying a ship called Vingilótë. He wasn't sure he believed the tale, but it was a good story to be told around the campfire.

"May I join you?"

He jerked his head up to see Elrond looking compassionately down at him. "I seem to be intruding on your wish to be alone."

Kili motioned to the bench he was sitting on along the cavern wall. Burned tapestries were replaced and they had one to their back to lean against. "I was thinking of Tauriel and if she would be welcome among elves at a feast like tonight."

Elrond wished to be tactful yet truthful. "She would have been recognized as your intended, but not as our equal. She was a valued member of elven society for the working class."

"Our cast system is much like yours then," Kili spat out disdainfully. "Arranged marriages for lords with lasses from the ruling class and none of them wish to be bartered off like chattel, but that's not their lot in life. Even my uncle succumbed to the temptation to wed a lass almost half his age just because she had the right bloodline."

"Your uncle deserves your respect. For decades he led your people wisely and worked towns of men on top of being leader. I admire him greatly. I'm sure their marriage will be one of love and devotion to each other."

Kili snorted. "I bet if I tried, I could draw her from him and show everyone what a farce arranged marriages are. If the lass could wed for love, like Tauriel and I would have, then and only then would she know true love."

Elrond listened to him ramble. "Love is something that grows. You had but a small taste of the bud. In time, Thorin will get to sample the flower in all its glory. Give Thorin and Lióni time to fall in love."

Their eyes naturally were drawn to the entrance when drums sounded the arrival of the king. Thráin led a small group into the room that included Thorin, Lióni and her entire family. Even Tóvad was in the group, although carried on a chair with his leg strapped to a board. Elrond went to impart healing when they sat the dwarf down.

Thráin raised his hand for quiet. In a booming voice he announced. "It is my honor an delight ta announce that this evening, Thorin proposed ta Lass Lióni an she accepted. They are planning ah wedding in ah few days."

There was deafening clapping and a line formed to congratulate the couple. Gandalf stood in the back of the room, watching events through narrowed eyes. He looked around for Celeborn, but the lord was absent. Spotting Galadriel, also letting others congratulate the couple before her, moved to her side. "And how much of this announcement is your absent husband's provocation?"

"They were working towards this event. Celeborn just gave a little nudge."

"Have you spoken with him?"

"Tomorrow is our anniversary. I'm sure he will be an attentive, doting husband all day, especially when word that his plan is succeeding reaches him." As Galadriel talked, she kept her eyes on the newly betrothed.

"The stubbornness of elves matches that of dwarves to perfection," Gandalf groused. "I have final say in this union; not Thráin or Thorin."

Galadriel finally turned to face him, a smile gracing her face. "You are upset to be finding out with the rest of us."

A strangled growl came from Gandalf's throat. "He could have let me know in advance. Now I have to leave before I wanted on an errand. I trust you will take over for me and guide events until I return?"

Galadriel looked back to Thorin and his arm around Lióni's waist. "I will help prepare for the wedding, but you better be back to perform the ceremony. I have foreseen you doing so."

"Oh, I'll return in time."

Fili and Kili found themselves in the greeting line together and at the end of a long procession. Fili greeted Thorin first. "Thorin, now I see where Kili gets his impulsiveness." He turned to meet Lióni and was surprised at her choice of gowns. It was almost indecent and he frowned. "Lass, take good care of our uncle."

Thorin watched Fili carefully and saw his disapproval in her attire. He decided the lad wasn't smitten with her and turned his attention to Kili.

Kili grinned broadly and winked at her. "Do you need my expertise with women, Uncle? I seem to have more than you, at least that we know about."

"Brat," Thorin countered.

"So you're the one who will be my aunt," Kili looked brazenly over Lióni's bodice. "I can see why Thorin asked you to marry him today. Next time, why don't you just bare everything and he will wed you by morning." His head flew back and cheek stung where Thorin slapped him, bringing the chamber to a halt as everyone heard the resounding smack.

"Apologize or leave," Thorin ordered in a low tone.

"I feel sorry for you, Thorin," Kili spat. "Grandfather is pushing one of them off on you and you don't even have a say. I say this for her…. Lióni….isn't it?" he spared a brief glance at her and looked back to Thorin, "She isn't playing hard to get. One walk and you propose. Didn't the chaperones do their job? Or did the lass lead you to the point of no return? This isn't normal, Thorin. She has placed a spell on you and I bet it's from dark forces like Dol Guldur."

"Yes she has cast a spell on me and can answer for herself," Thorin responded to the outburst with a calmness unnatural to dwarves and Gandalf had a bad feeling.

Kili turned to Lióni and saw fire in her beautiful eyes. She struck swiftly and he had a matching mark on the opposite cheek. "I would say the problem with my gown is yours alone. Everyone else complemented the gown and wished Thorin and I happiness. I'm quite surprised a young stud such as yourself is so prim and proper. I also saw you were passed over for any consideration with other lasses. If that is your attitude, I can understand why the king wouldn't subject them to you. I don't know you, but we will be seeing a lot of each other and I have no desire to cause a rift between you and your uncle, but I am going to marry him and I will bear him dwarflings. I'm just thankful you are too old to care about them so won't contaminate their lives."

Stunned that his uncle had a smile and looked at her fondly, Kili backed down. "I'm sorry, Uncle, Lass Lióni. I'm having a bad night and in a vicious mood. I was thinking of Tauriel and what I said was unconscionable. Forgive me, Lióni. I do wish you both happiness and was out of line. I really don't know what came over me." He looked at Lióni. "I like the gown. I had a girlfriend who died last year and I miss her."

Lióni's face softened and she squeezed his arm. "I offer my condolences then."

Thorin carefully watched them interact and looked for signs they were drawn to each other and had to know before he wed her. He looked around the room until his eyes fell on the witch. "Excuse me." He left Fili and Kili alone with Lióni and sought out the one he knew who could help him. "Gandalf, Lady Galadriel, a word if I may?"

"What was that about, Thorin?" Gandalf demanded.

"I want to know if Lióni is O-zalafaurkhas. Can I trust her?" His eyes beseeched them to tell the truth.

Galadriel looked deeply into Lióni's mind, while Gandalf laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Both waited for her proclamation. "She is falling in love, Prince Thorin. All her thoughts are on one dwarf and it is him she wants and yearns for."

Thorin felt his heart plummet into his boots. "Fili or Kili?" he asked.

"No, it is you she desires."

He looked dumbfounded at her. "But I'm too old for her to actually love."

She smiled down at him. "Love isn't rational. My husband loves me and I challenge him for rule of these lands. No man likes a woman to usurp his place, but I cannot help myself. Soon I will sail and he will have uncontested rule. I hope his heart doesn't grow cold and he never follows. Lióni will challenge you and keep you young at heart. Never shut her out or doubt her love."

Thorin looked to where Thranduil was now towering over the lass. "I figured she would have her place with the dams and leave me alone. Love demands attention to be fed and grown. That's a commitment I am unprepared for."

"Yet she is falling in love with you and no other dwarf or any race holds her affections. Well, she is intrigued by Thranduil and would like to know him better."

"She will be instructed to avoid that woodland sprite," Thorin snarled.

"I doubt she will listen to you and hope she never does when you issue unreasonable demands, like that one," Gandalf supplied and pointed.

Thorin watched as the king led Lióni to chairs and they sat, deep in conversation. He sighed. "I did tell her to be herself around me…..but why him?"

"Because he saved her life," Galadriel supplied. "I would see you heal the breech with Thranduil. I know he can be abrasive, but you need alliances with the elves. No longer can dwarves cloister themselves away from world events and hide in their mountains. The world is changing, Thorin Oakenshield. Build on the friendships your father is cultivating." With those prophetic words, Galadriel left him and Gandalf and glided to Thráin.

"Lady, please sit and be my guest again tonight while we dine," Thráin offered.

"I must take my leave of you. My granddaughter may stay, but I must be with my husband this night."

"Do you require an escort?" Thráin was about to motion for Dáin to see her to the elven tents.

"Nothing will dare touch me. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he echoed and watched her leave.

"I was ready to spring to your defense against that young bore," Thranduil began and had the pleasure of watching Thorin's nephews scurry away when he approached her.

"I think both are still feeling put out they were passed over for a direct line to the throne," she replied and allowed him to escort her to a chair. After all that standing, her feet needed rest. Her shoes were not made for standing, but matched the color of her gown and today's events didn't make her think of her uncomfortable footwear once.

"When you find living with Oakenshield too onerous, come to my halls for a break," Thranduil offered.

"Thank you. I'm curious…." she started to say and looked in his face and then down at the glass of wine in his fingers. "Your wife was so beautiful, why didn't you protect her?"

Thranduil drained the glass and motioned for his servant to refill. "Because she acted much like you. If I tried to clip her wings, she wouldn't have been my wife, but another servant. Don't let Thorin do that to you either. Spunk is part of your nature and I do prefer it to servile women."

"I feared no male would ever like or tolerate that trait in me. I would have liked to have known your wife." She smiled at him and took her own glass of wine off an offered tray.

"Elrond told me that King Thráin was given books on elves. In them is the tale of my tumultuous beginnings with Ríllas and you can know her through them. Did you know, for example, that in the books I won a shooting match against her. Only recently did Círdan let it slip that she actually won, but he and Galadriel and half of all elvendom was plotting for us to wed and knew my friable ego wouldn't have tolerated a loss to her. When I see her in Aman, I will concede the match. I've matured greatly since then."

She laughed, "And how many centuries did that take?"

He laughed with her. "About two thousand. Her dying and leaving me with an infant son to raise did much to alter my opinion on life and what is important."

"I think you may still be learning those lessons," she wisely replied, for she saw a shadow pass over his face.

He nodded. "My son is now estranged." He looked down at her. "When you have dwarflings with that princeling, don't let him drive his young away with his pompous attitude."

"I'm not you, Thranduil," Thorin stated and reached for Lióni's hand. "You've monopolized enough of her time and it is time to eat."

With a heart lighter than he ever remembered, Thorin sat beside his intended and showered her with attention and several chaste kisses. He whispered in her ear. "All your dances tonight are with me."

"I don't ever wish to dance with anyone but you, Thorin," she whispered back in his ear. The raucousness of dwarves drowned out normal conversation and they could only talk in each other's ears.

The elves and men departed when the tune livened to celebrate the engagement. Thorin danced until Lióni begged her feet hurt. He scooped her up in his arms. "Then I will carry you to a private place and act like a fiancé should."

"But who will chaperone?" she half-heartedly protested as he cleared the doorway.

"Don't care."

There was a rush to find suitable chaperones and Balin's wife volunteered to his displeasure. She called for their daughters to join her.

Azie wanted to go, but Dáin put his foot down and said he wasn't risking his unborn dwarfling over a possible liaison of the crown prince and his intended, even if they were going to put on a good show of forbidden touching.

"I'm sure Thorin won't act like you did, Dáin," she protested and then laughed at his expression. He grinned and stated, "Let's go home and resurrect some of those memories."

"We have dwarflings here," she reminded him.

He looked around and spotted Aneh, "Come, lass, we're going home."

"But Da, the party isn't over," she complained. "Does Thorin have to come home also?"

"Nay, lass. He is older an yer too young ta be left at this function on yer own.

"You let me go off with Thorin on the caravan," she protested and realized that was the wrong memory to invoke. "All right, I'm coming."

Galadriel slipped inside her tent and stopped to admire the setting. An intimate dinner for two was waiting. The wine was poured and candles leaving a soft glow around their tent. In the center of the table was a gleaming box of gold and diamonds.

Celeborn sat against a wall and watched her reaction. "Am I out of your dog house?"

She let her fingers stroke smooth metal and lifted the lid. "My heart is still broken you destroyed what your hands made. You know I cherish your work over any others."

He stood and in two steps was at her side, close, but not touching. "I can make tonight one we will add to our favorite memories."

Her eyes lifted to meet his. "Here? In the territory of those you distrust?"

"I have a surprise if you'll allow me."

"And it's not this box?"

"Replacing that damned box was the least I could do. First, we dine and then I'll surprise you with a night to remember."

She tried to probe his mind, but he developed the skills to block her millennia ago. She allowed her fingers to find his and felt a renewing of their fëas that she missed terribly. He seated her and they ate fresh salad that arrived from Thranduil's halls just that day and the fish came from Long Lake and wine a vintage she knew was as the table wine in Aman. Afterwards, he buckled on Faenrúth and laid a wrap around her shoulders. Without conversation, he led her through the sea of tents and into the mountain. Without stopping, he guided her down many flights of stairs, deep into the mountain. She heard a waterfall and realized she had never seen this part of Erebor. He led her into a large cavern with water cascading from the darkness far above. Torches were spread all about and reflected their meager light off troubled water.

"This is where the Durin's spend their honeymoon. It is normally closed for bathing and utilized for romantic interludes by Durin's and their wives. When I bought the jewelry box from Thorin Oakenshield, he offered it for our anniversary and I accepted. Our servants spent today making ready."

"Tell me, melethril-nín, what would you have done should I have remained in the mountain?"

"Vellon would have invented a story to get you here and informed me when you left the mountain."

"I wondered why he was at the dinner." As she spoke, she started disrobing and watched him do the same.

"All part of the plan."

Naked, they waded into the pool and she exclaimed in delight, "The water is warm." They swam to the falls and saw benches behind with just the right amount splashing down upon them for warmth.

As he reached to pull her close, he asked, "Will this be a favorite memory?"

"Depends on what happens next," she purred and reached for him.