Thorin sat on his throne with Fíli and Kíli standing at either side. They watched King Thranduil make his slow approach, and took careful note of the elves who followed bearing a large wooden chest. The elf's eyes were fixed on Thorin, and he seemed even more suspicious than his usual untrusting self.

"King Thorin," Thranduil said with the slightest of bows. "I must say I could hardly believe the message I received from Dale inviting me here to trade."

"Indeed, you brought half your army." At least a hundred elves had accompanied Thranduil, to protect their King or what he sought to bear away, Thorin couldn't say.

"That's not close to half," Thranduil said coolly. "I wonder what precipitated this change. When last we spoke you seemed unwilling to trade, to say the very least."

"Call it a change of heart."

Something flashed across the elf's features that said he doubted Thorin had a heart to alter. It was no matter. He didn't do this for Thranduil, he did it for himself. He nodded and one of his guards stepped forward bearing a small box carved out of dark wood. Thranduil's eyes were sharp on the guard's approach. He looked like nothing so much as a cat about to pounce on its prey.

The guard stood before Thranduil and opened the box. The elf was immediately transfixed. He moved forward and reached out long fingers as though to touch the necklace within but paused and turned his eyes on Thorin. "What trick is this?"

Thorin stepped down from his throne and suddenly Thranduil stood at full height with one hand fast upon his sword hilt. "It's no trick," Thorin said, making no move to respond similarly.

Thranduil seemed reluctant to believe him but was drawn back to the necklace as though entranced by moonlight itself. Moving slowly, he allowed one finger to lightly touch the gems. He breathed his wife's name, a sigh in the silent hall. When he took the box from the guard, he clutched it to his chest, the last relic of his wife's memory. A mountain of grief furrowed Thranduil's brow and darkened his gaze, but it was gone again in a moment. Guilt twisted through Thorin until it became something like pity for this elf he had long despised.

Thranduil made a slight motion, and his entourage stepped forward to lay their offering at Thorin's feet. The chest was thrown open, revealing axes, knives, bows, and the elven sword Orcrist.

"Are we agreed?" Thranduil asked.

"We are."

Thranduil nodded, and his guards turned as one to depart. The elf still looked as though he expected an ambush, but Thorin stood like stone. Once Thranduil was out of sight, Kíli dropped to one knee to examine the small store of weapons. He tested his old bow, and ran his fingers along the string.

Thorin had borne some small belief that returning the gems to Thranduil would free him of the last of his torment. He'd carried his grandfather's mistakes and made them his own; perhaps finally amending them would set his mind at ease. A weight was lifted, but he knew he would bear regret for his failings until his dying day. Perhaps it was better this way. He could remember where he had fallen, to avoid a similar fate the next time. Or so one would hope.

"It was the right thing to do." Fíli stood beside him as they watched Kíli plunder the trove of weapons they had last held years ago in Mirkwood.

"I will never be a perfect dwarf, Fíli, but I can try to be better than the one I was yesterday."

The fire in the dining room hearth crackled, and in its pleasant warmth Idunn thought she had never been so comfortable. She sat tucked up against Thorin's side, his arm draped around her as the family's after-supper chat lingered on into the evening. Some part of her realized she was now making the same shows of affection with Thorin that had once so bothered her when displayed by Astrid and Fíli, but she couldn't quite bring herself to put a stop to it.

"Astrid, do tell your parents they are welcome to join us for supper any time," Dís said as she worked on embroidery in the glow of a candle's flame. "It's a shame they've avoided us these last weeks."

She cast a sly glance at Thorin, who they all knew was the reason for Aunt and Uncle's absence at the supper table. Groa had refused to speak to Idunn for three days after Thorin's proposal, and feigned sickness in her rooms. Perhaps she truly had been ill, considering how all her grandest hopes for Astrid - and herself - had been dashed. Thorin had somewhat made it up to her by arranging a nursemaid to tend Heidrun and Brunin for the next year as a gift to their family, and although they had expressed their gratitude, Aunt and Uncle had not yet returned to the royal dining rooms.

"I'm sure they'll join us again," Astrid said, "but they have...much acquaintance in the Mountain." Her mouth twitched as she spoke the small lie, but no one called her on it. As difficult as Aunt and Uncle could be, it was as Idunn had long suspected - everyone in the royal family now loved Astrid too much to hold anything her parents might say or do against her.

"Perhaps when Dáin and his family arrive," Fíli said.

Thorin shifted slightly at her side. She could just imagine how dining with that group would go - Aunt and Uncle vying for recognition of their perceived status, Lord Dáin telling the loudest and most embarrassing stories imaginable. It would likely be a noisy, overlong ordeal, but an unavoidable one all the same.

"Have you heard anything from our neighbors yet, Thorin?" Dís asked.

"Bard and his family will attend," he said. "As to the others, I cannot say."

The others would go nameless so long as everyone wished the conversation to remain light and cheerful.

"How is it, Uncle, that Astrid and I must wait the full betrothal year before we are wed, but you and Idunn will only wait eight weeks?" Fíli asked.

"You are young," Thorin said, "and need to learn patience. I have already learned that lesson several times over."

Dís suppressed a chortle as Fíli's mouth twisted into a wry grin. "Then the reward for patience is impatience?" he asked.

"So it would seem," Thorin said, a shadow of a smile at the edges of his mouth. Waiting the traditional betrothal year had never so much as been discussed between them. While she was sure he would have waited had she wished it, Idunn had no such desires.

A knock sounded at the dining room door, and a soldier entered. He went straight to Thorin. He bowed, delivered a note, and departed again.

Thorin released Idunn as he read the brief note. When he was finished, he gave Fíli and Kíli a significant nod, and the three quickly rose from their seats.

"What's this?" Idunn asked as she, too, stood beside Thorin.

"A small matter, but one long overdue." He took her hands in his. "I will see you in the morning."

"You're going out to fight them." Dread twisted in her stomach until it tightened into a knot. She was dimly aware of Fíli bidding farewell to Astrid and Kíli giving his mother a quick embrace, but all she could think about was Thorin.

"It's just a small band, but I would be no sort of king if I did not join my warriors in the fight."

However small the band might be, he was about to march out to battle just weeks after they declared themselves to each other. He had said he didn't want her to leave him, but now he was the one preparing to depart. It was so like him she could hardly stand it. Still, she knew he was right, that his duty lay with protecting Erebor and leading his people.

"You are king first," she said. "I wouldn't change that if I could."

He pulled her closer to press his forehead to hers, and a trembling rush of love swept through her. She saw his lips curve slightly before he closed the distance between them for a kiss. When he pulled away, his eyes were filled with firm resolve. Her own pricked with waiting tears for this first parting, but she would not cry for him going off to fight a few wandering orcs. If she was truly to be queen, she must set aside any such display of fear for him. He was King Thorin of Erebor - orcs would flee his axe.

Despite her attempt at stoicism, Thorin must have seen through it. "No tears," he said softly.

She shook her head. "I am only sorry for the orcs you are about to destroy."

He gave her a tender smile that made her heart leap. "Rest easy tonight. I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it."

"I love you." She drew in a great breath and raised her chin higher. A fierce pride curled through her to know he now joined the fight he had once scorned. However much she might hate the chance of him coming to harm, she had seen firsthand how deadly he could be. "Dispatch these, and return as quickly as you can."

"On my honor." He kissed her fingers and finally drew away. He turned and left the dining room, followed closely by Fíli and Kíli.

Astrid came up beside her and took her hand. "They'll be back in the Mountain before morning."

"Off to bed with you both," Dís said from behind them. "A few orcs are nothing to the Sons of Durin."

Their confidence bolstered Idunn's newfound worries for a warrior she loved. She wasn't likely to sleep well, but neither had she any great cause to fear. Thorin would return to her.

Fíli drew his sword from the fallen orc's body as he glanced around. Weapons clashed together in the night, their bearers all but invisible under the sliver of moonlight. Not far from him he caught the shape of a familiar shadow where Kíli struggled against his own foe. He struck it down at last, but his focus had allowed another orc to come up behind him. The orc raised its blackened blade even as Kíli realized the danger too late.

Fíli rushed forward to thrust his sword up to the hilt in the orc's back. The creature released its last gasp, dropped its sword, and fell. Kíli's look of shock quickly turned to a satisfied smirk. "That was lucky," he said.

"I think our childhood bet has been squared away." Fíli clasped him on the shoulder, double-checking for himself that his younger brother was sound.

"Gladly," Kíli said.

Fíli turned in time to see Thorin rushed by two orcs. Uncle stabbed the first through its chest before spinning to dash the head off the second. When he paused to assess the fight, he caught Fíli's eye and gave a nod of reassurance before he found another foe to combat. He'd given that nod a hundred times before in a hundred different battles, but never had it meant so much to Fíli.

The noise and tumult of just moments ago faded away as the company felled the last of the orcs. The stench of them stung Fíli's nose and clung to his clothes just as surely as their thick, black blood. This group had been larger than they'd expected, and when they split up, the dwarves had been forced to give chase in the darkness. Running after enemies he could barely see, not knowing if others were concealed in the black of night was never an easy fight, but they had come through it well enough in the end.

He watched as Thorin slowly made his way through the recovering dwarves, greeting soldiers and asking after the few wounded. His limp was worse after the long walk out and the ensuing chase, but whatever pain he felt he kept well concealed. For their part, the soldiers alternately bowed and bellowed greetings to their king, with some striking up victory cheers as he passed. Thorin received their shouts of approval and offered commendations of his own, as he used to do in the Blues.

After he'd spoken briefly with each warrior, Thorin joined Fíli, Kíli, and Dwalin where they'd stopped to catch their breath. "The guard's estimate was off," he said. "This was twice what he'd reported."

"Aye," Dwalin said, "his eyes were mistaken. That, or they met up with another group before we reached them."

Thorin glanced around them in the semidarkness. The flames of the orc-pyre cast strange shadows among the stand of trees and played tricks on the eyes. "I hate to think there are more laying by so close to our halls."

"There may be a stronghold to the north."

"If there is, Bard's scouts haven't found it yet." Fíli had heard the latest report from Dale just the day before. So far they'd had no success in tracing the orcs back to a central cave. By all accounts, they appeared scattered and leaderless.

"These aren't well-prepared fighters testing our defenses before an attack," Dwalin said as he returned one of his axes to its belt on his back. "We're just catching the ones too stupid to keep themselves well hidden when they pass."

"Pass?" Kíli said. "Pass to where?"

"They're on their way south, if I had to guess," Thorin said. "Things must be grim in their own caverns that they would risk such journeys so close to the Mountain. Wherever they're from, wherever they're going, they've trespassed here for the last time. We'll make our lands too dangerous for them to dare cross. Let them find another route to join their kind."

"And if there is a stronghold to the north?" Kíli asked.

Thorin clapped him on the shoulder. "Then we will find it and destroy it."

Pride and admiration surged through Fíli to hear his Uncle speak so. After a long dark walk through bitterness and regret, Thorin was truly king of Erebor.

Idunn clasped hands with Thorin in the center of a circle of their closest family and friends. The Great Chamber of Thrór was full to overflowing, the residents of the Lonely Mountain pressed tightly together from the corridors outside right up to the dais on which the circle stood. Somehow thousands of dwarves managed to be still and silent as they listened to Idunn and Thorin repeat the same marriage promises dwarves had made since the Seven Fathers took their wives.

"My house will be your home," Thorin said in his rich voice, his strong hands warm around Idunn's own, "and my home will be your heart."

"My heart will be your strength," she said, her words ringing out clear, "and your strength will be my joy."

"My joy will be yours, and your sorrows mine."

"You are mine, and I am yours."

In the brief silence that followed, Idunn's vision blurred at the edges so that all she could see was Thorin. He wore his deep blue velvet tunic that exactly matched the dress she wore, symbolizing their unity. The sword she had made for him was at his side, just as she wore its mate. His dark hair was loose apart from a single braid that fell from in front of each ear. And above all else were his pale blue eyes gazing into hers with an intensity that left her trembling.

Suddenly the chamber erupted into deafening applause. The brief ceremony was over, and Idunn was now Thorin's wife. She laughed for the sheer joy of the moment.

Astrid and Fíli were the first to congratulate them as the circle broke and the celebration began in earnest. "I wish you many children," Astrid said, whispering the traditional blessing in Idunn's ear. "I am happy for you."

"It will be your turn on this dais soon enough," Idunn said. Astrid glanced sideways at Fíli with a besotted grin.

"My Queen," Fíli said, taking Idunn's hand in his and kissing her knuckles, "I wish you joy."

"And I have it," she returned with an equally besotted grin at Thorin.

Kíli, too, came forward. "I can't say how glad I am for you both. Surprised," he said with a rakish grin, "but glad."

Dís was next with a generous hug. "I gain a sister and daughter this year. I am blessed beyond measure." The glisten of a tear in her eye was more tender emotion than she usually let herself display, and somehow it caused Idunn's own eyes to fill. She dashed the tears away as Dís embraced Thorin.

"I am happy for you, Brother," she said. "I knew you had it in you."

He cast an indulgent smile on her. "Your confidence in me was overwhelming."

She briefly touched his cheek before leaning forward so that he might press his forehead to hers. "You're in better hands than mine, now," she said when they parted. "I wish you both every good gift this life has to offer."

Others of their family and Thorin's Company came forward to congratulate them until the crowds at last took over, eager to offer their own good wishes. Idunn stood at Thorin's side, her arm linked in his, as they received blessing after blessing from what felt like the whole of the Mountain. Despite his past aversion to being among his people, Thorin accepted their kindnesses and attention with cordial thanks.

After countless greetings she turned and spoke low to him. "You are handling this well, husband."

He raised one eyebrow. "Only because when we have greeted every last resident I will be free to take you to my rooms, wife."

His reminder of what awaited them sent a shiver across her skin. It was only after the betrothal ceremony that the bride and groom were expected to stay and celebrate until the last guest departed; after the wedding they were expected to leave early, to seal their marriage pact in private.

He quirked one corner of his mouth, and leaned closer to whisper against her ear. "Have you nothing impertinent to say to me?"

His breath in her hair sent a tugging sensation through her belly, fanning the flames that seemed always running through her in his presence. "Let us greet our guests swiftly, then."

"As an arrow," he said before turning his attention back to the waiting throngs.

After some time, Thorin led her to where King Bard of Dale stood with others of his kingdom. Several of them held mugs of ale and watched the nearby dancing as though they were debating whether or not to join in.

"King Thorin," Bard said with a nod of his head, "I wish great blessings on your marriage."

"I thank you," Thorin said with his own slight nod.

"I think I begin to see the reason behind the recent changes in the King of Erebor." Bard's eyes glinted with merriment as he smiled at Idunn. "My congratulations to the new Queen."

"Thank you, King Bard," she said, although the title did not yet sound like something that truly belonged to her. "Thank you for being here with us."

"I wouldn't have missed such a sight for anything. This may be the first time I have ever seen Thorin smile."

What mild look of pleasure that had been on Thorin's face vanished at the comment, but Idunn laughed softly. "May it not be the last."

The two kings nodded to each other once more before Thorin led her away again. "Let's get this over with," he grumbled.

Standing off to the side of the festivities were several elves. Unlike the way King Bard blended in among his Men, the elven king was easy to identify for his markedly more elegant dress. All the elves had a cool demeanor about them, as though they couldn't possibly be interested in the joyous proceedings going on all around, but the king looked absolutely icy. Even so, he had accepted Thorin's invitation, and must be greeted along with their other guests.

"King Thranduil." Thorin's voice was even, neither gracious nor derisive. It was probably the best he could do under the circumstances.

"King Thorin," Thranduil said with the barest nod, "you have my congratulations." His voice held no more warmth than Thorin's had done.

"King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm," Idunn said, "it's an honor to have you among us."

When he turned his eyes on her she fancied she saw something like kindness in them. He held out a hand to her, and although Thorin placed his free hand over hers where it rested on his arm, she slipped her other hand into the elf's. His slim fingers were cooler than she expected, but there was now no chill in his expression.

"May your years be long and your joy great," he said. He pressed her hand gently before letting it go again. To Thorin he said, "May you never want for more." His favors conferred, his demeanor slipped again into one of studied disinterest.

Thorin slightly inclined his head, all the thanks he could muster for King Thranduil's words of blessing. They left the elves to themselves again and walked away into the crowds. She squeezed Thorin's hand as she looked on him, pride swirling through her at how well he had handled their meeting. While she did not know the whole of their history, she knew how much effort it had taken for him to invite the elven king, and how much it meant that he had accepted.

"Well, Thorin," Lord Dáin said as he approached them with open arms. "You're good and married now. Never thought I'd see the day. You waited long enough."

"The greatest treasure is the hardest to find," Thorin said.

Dáin laughed heartily at that. "Oh ho, pretty words, too! Idunn, my girl, you've made quite the conquest."

"Don't I know it," she said. The scent of pipe smoke and ale enveloped her as he gave her a warm embrace. "And I am just as conquered."

"Oh, don't ever let him think he has the upper hand, or he'll soon forget how lucky he is."

"There's little chance of that," Thorin said with a tender look that made her forget everyone else in the room.

Dáin glanced between the two of them and suddenly clapped his hands. "All right folks," he shouted into the din. His voice carried as well as any battle horn, and the chamber quieted immediately. "I think we've kept these two long enough! Let's send them on their way, they've enough yet to do this night!"

Thorin shot him a riled look but she saw the smile that tugged at his mouth. It perhaps wasn't the send off they'd been expecting, but it did the trick. Thorin took her hand in his, they bowed their thanks to the crowds, and left the celebration as husband and wife.

Winter

Long after everyone else had gone to bed, Idunn padded down the dim halls of the royal corridors. But an hour longer, he had said, and that two hours ago. She had used up all her patience with that dwarf.

The door to his study stood open. He sat at his desk reading over papers while one hand absently kneaded the muscles in his leg. The oil lamp cast his face in a golden light, illuminating his furrowed brow and the thin line of his mouth. She leaned against the door frame and watched him a moment. A ripple of pride mixed with awe washed over her just to see him so. She loved these little glimpses of him when was at ease and had no idea he was being watched.

"Are you going to lurk, or are you going to come in?" Thorin asked without looking up.

On second thought, perhaps he always knew when he was being watched.

She went to him and laid her hands on his shoulders. They were taut beneath his tunic, and she started gently working them almost without thinking. He placed a hand atop one of her own but made no move to hinder her attentions.

"What keeps you up so late?" she asked.

He laid the papers aside and bowed his head as she kneaded some of his tension away. "This potential trade agreement with the Woodland Realm." Try as he might, he couldn't yet keep the distaste from his voice whenever he mentioned their elven neighbors. "Fabrics, furs, food. It's more for show than need."

"But it's progress."

He rumbled his affected disinterest. She knew how important this tentative alliance with the elves was to him, and why he still pretended not to care. That he tried to maintain the illusion with her was amusing, since they often lay in bed late into the night speaking of his hopes for a Rhovanion united in purpose and strengthened against any enemies. Together with the Men of Dale, Erebor's expanded patrols were working to eliminate the last of the orc threat that lingered in the valley. If they could secure such an alliance with the Woodland Realm, Thorin was sure the peace they won would be a lasting one.

"We cannot expect troops from him," he said. "They still only protect their own lands. Bard thinks he will be swayed in time. I don't expect either of us will live long enough to see that day."

"Even kings can change their minds, can they not?"

Thorin grumbled in response.

She leaned forward until she rested her chin upon his shoulder. She let one hand trail from his neck to the loose ties of his tunic. "Come to bed, Thorin."

"I cannot disobey my Queen." Taking her hand that rested on his chest, he pulled her around him and into his lap. He lightly held her about the waist, his hands warming her skin through her nightdress.

"You always disobey your Queen," she said as she drew her fingers through his long, dark hair. She lightly traced his brow to his temple and down along his jaw. He did not carry so much strain around his eyes as he once did, and the flint that used to mark his features had worn away. Even so, there was no cause for him to stay up so late into the night adding worry where it wasn't needed. "You were supposed to come to bed hours ago."

A smile tugged at his lips. "I didn't realize it was a summons."

"Are you always going to be so difficult?" she asked.

"Very likely."

He pulled her face down to his and they remained in delicious silence for some time, elves and trade agreements utterly forgotten.

Spring

Astrid was sure the smile she wore would never leave her face. She could not have asked for a more perfect day, and it had not ended yet. She had clasped hands with Fíli amid a circle of their family and friends, and now they stood receiving blessings and good wishes from their gathered guests. Thrór's Chambers were filled with countless dwarves of the Mountain but she only had eyes for Fíli.

"You're radiant," he said in a gap between the many compliments. "I'm a lucky miner."

"And I'm a lucky jewel to be found by such as you."

She still could hardly believe that this joy they shared was real. Each day brought her some new reason to love and admire him, and now he was her husband. She felt she could light the whole Mountain with her happiness.

They moved through the crowd arm in arm, receiving murmurs of congratulations from the folk they passed. Father was somewhere in the throngs, probably listening to some enthusiastic tale of Lord Dáin's, but Mother and Heidrun did not mingle with the others, and stood together as though they didn't quite belong among the revelers of Erebor.

"Are you not going to dance, Heidrun?" Astrid asked.

Now that Astrid would only ever rank a princess, Heidrun had softened somewhat towards her. At any rate, she had learned to veil her perpetually sour expression with an over-eager smile, to ill effect. She painted that smile all the wider, but it was strained. "Bruni is occupied."

Astrid followed Heidrun's gaze across the room to a table laden with food, where Bruni ate as though he had never seen meat before.

"I'd be honored to dance with you, Sister," Fíli said.

Heidrun's color rose. "I thank you, but no. It's time I check on dear little Brunin. He must miss his mama. It's such a blessing to have a son, you know, and the first son in both families is said to be sent from Mahal himself."

Her eyes darted to Astrid's to be sure her point hadn't been missed. Astrid's heart was filled with too much joy to deny her sister's wish to be the victor. "He is a blessing, Heidrun, and I envy you."

She seemed somewhat heartened at this. "Goodnight," she said to Astrid and Fíli, "and congratulations. I wish you many..." She faltered the traditional blessing as though she didn't know the words.

"Children," she finally said before darting away to collect Bruni.

"Children are a blessing," Mother said. "Little Brunin most of all. Although I shouldn't be surprised if there is another such blessing in our family's future." She nodded significantly over Astrid's shoulder.

Astrid turned to see Idunn and Thorin speaking together, their heads bent towards one another as though no one else were in the crowded room. Although no announcements had yet been made either in public or private, Idunn's belly had begun to strain against the front of her dresses in a way that generally signified one thing.

Fíli raised his eyebrows at Astrid as though such a possibility had been unknown to him. She supposed he didn't eagerly watch for those signs like she and Dís, who had privately taken bets on when Idunn would finally confide in them.

"It is a wonder, though," Mother went on, "for she's quite a bit older than many a new mother, and I doubted she would ever enjoy such blessings."

Astrid shared a glance with Fíli. Now that Idunn was Queen, Mother would never openly insult her, but she still doled out subtle hints and criticisms behind her back without fear.

"Perhaps that's why they married without a betrothal period," Mother mused. "One would have thought they already had a little blessing on the way, they married so quickly. They were so affectionate, you know. I suppose I should wish them joy."

"Mother, please say nothing of Idunn's condition," Astrid whispered. "She will tell us in her own time."

"There's no harm in a discreet word of congratulations," Mother said as she pushed away into the crowds.

"Is it true?" Fíli asked as they watched Mother trundle over to Thorin and Idunn. "Are we to welcome a little princeling?"

"They could well have a daughter."

"Do you really think Thorin would have anything but a son?"

Astrid laughed at the idea. "Idunn would have a girl just to pique him."

Fíli grinned. "A girl it is, then."

Whatever Mother was saying, it was accompanied by a profusion of gentle pats on Idunn's arm. Thorin said something brief but it must have hit the mark, for Mother excused herself and left them.

"She really never will learn," Astrid said.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Dís, who pulled her into a hug. "I'm proud to welcome you as a daughter," Dís said as she kissed Astrid's cheeks. "You make a fine addition to our family."

"Speaking of additions," Fíli said, and he bobbed his eyebrows towards Thorin and Idunn.

"Figured that out, have you?" Dís said.

"What are we talking about?" Kíli asked.

"I'll tell you when you're older," Dís said with a laugh. "As for the two of you," she said to Fíli and Astrid, "shouldn't you be greeting your guests?"

"Let him rest, Mother," Kíli said as he tossed an arm across Fíli's shoulders. "He only has so much stamina for one night. Can't you see he's already exhausted? The poor thing is about to collapse. I'm afraid he has no energy left for the rest of his evening's duties."

Fíli squeezed him about the ribs until Kíli winced. "Thank you for your concern, Brother, but it's misplaced." He released him and took Astrid by the hand.

As they moved through the crowd they were greeted with words of congratulations and wishes of a joyful future. Standing beside Fíli as his wife, Astrid didn't have to wish for her future - she already had everything she could hope for.

For the third time in a year, the Great Chamber of Thrór was packed with dwarves of the Mountain eager to celebrate and look to the future. Thorin thought perhaps some of them were most eager for the barrels of ale and tables packed with food, but they were still united in their joy. Fíli and Astrid received the crowd's good wishes, their smiles shining brighter than jewels as they gazed at each other between brief words of thanks.

He turned to look for Idunn and found her close by, speaking with Bard. Ever since her eager confidence some weeks ago, he seemed always to need to know where she was. Now at last he understood why dwarrowdams were hardly allowed to leave their homes in days of old. Thorin wasn't so foolish as to try to stop her from doing as she pleased, but neither could he rest easy when they were far apart.

He approached them and slipped an arm around Idunn's waist.

"It's remarkable what you've done in such a short time," she was saying to Bard. "I'm thoroughly impressed by your markets."

"It's long been a goal of mine to have dwarves and men side by side in our markets again," he said. Then he turned to Thorin. "I only wish you could have accompanied your wife on her visit last week to see the results of our efforts."

"My apologies, but I could not get away that day. I will visit them shortly."

"It was convenient that so many of your soldiers also had need of our markets on the day the Queen sought them out," Bard said with a knowing quirk of his mouth.

"Exceptionally so."

"Even on solitary walks within the Mountain I am never far from a soldier's sight," Idunn said with a wry look at Thorin.

"Strange how they wish to protect their Queen," he said dryly.

"And obey their King."

He just gazed back at her, their argument won long before it ever started. His instinct to keep her safe was non-negotiable, as she well knew. She and the new life growing inside her were ever on his mind, even when he must be occupied with other business. Once, he might have thought such a devotion would divide his loyalties, but it seemed only to make him more determined than ever to serve his people well.

"I think I will speak with our neighbor," Bard said, tilting his head slightly towards the corner where Thranduil and his guards stood. "Dale's markets could benefit from elvish wares, could they not?" He bowed to Thorin and Idunn before striding away to greet the elves.

"Once again Thranduil joins the festivities of the Mountain as though against his will," Thorin said low to Idunn.

"It must be seen as a concession that he accepted another invitation into the Mountain," she said.

He watched Bard and Thranduil a moment, and suddenly his mind flashed with the image of the two at the gates of Erebor, ready to declare war on him. But no - that was another time, another situation, another Thorin. He would ensure such a day would never come again.

"Yes," he said, turning his gaze back to Idunn, "I will take his presence as a concession. One might even call it a victory."

Their attention was caught by Dáin's loud laughter as he greeted Fíli and Astrid. He was not shouting this time, but even from here Thorin could see the blush wash over Astrid's cheeks - leave it to Dáin to let no couple forget their ultimate duties on their wedding day. He strode off again and Fíli bent low to whisper something in his new wife's ear before they departed the chamber to much applause.

Thorin's own wife held him closer. "Have I ever thanked you for choosing Astrid for Fíli?" she asked softly.

"I don't believe you have." He wrapped his other arm around her, letting his hand graze over her swollen belly as he did so. A son. He was sure it would be a son.

"I couldn't have asked for a better husband for Astrid from Mahal himself."

"And you?" he asked. "What of your husband?"

"It's remarkably lucky he thought me too old for his nephew."

He hugged her tighter to him. "You will never let me forget that, will you?"

"Not likely."

He kissed her temple in the midst of his people, eager to create a better future for them all.

THE END

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