Chapter Text
Admiration Love Song
“Princess Sigrid,” he said, bowing slightly at the hip, his eyes never leaving her. “Fíli, at your service.”
Sigrid acknowledge him with a short nod and moved further into the room.
“I hope you remember me,” sending her a grin that summoned the dimples upon his cheeks.
“Of course I do. You were part of the company that came to Lake-town and up my toilet,” she answered coolly. “You’re King Thorin’s nephew and the Crown Prince of Erebor; if I’m correct.”
Fíli was taken aback by her rigid demeanor, the grin fading fast and replaced with a bewildered expression.
“Is everything all right?” he asked. “You do not seem to be in high spirits.”
“Forgive me, it seems my mood has gotten the best of me.”
“I hope nothing has displeased you during your stay. If so, tell me and I will rectify it immediately.”
“No,” she dismissed, waving an airy hand as she drew closer. “This is all my own doing I’m afraid.” Fíli wasn’t completely convinced but decided it was best not to press the matter.
As their voices fell away, they stood staring at one another unable to find the words as silence hung in the air like a moment suspended. Only the soft ticking sound of the Dwarven made mantle clock broke the lull.
Sigrid felt transfixed; there was something about his eyes. She didn’t remember him having such a cerulean gaze back in Lake-town. They pierced her, like a cold midwinter breeze, freezing her to the spot, making her believe he had his own sky inside of him. The thoughts rattled her and she wasn't sure why.
“I hope your family is well and that the restoration of Dale is close to completion,” he finally asked breaking her reverie.
“Oh…yes,” Sigrid replied, turning her head before the sudden flush of color gave her away.
“Is that a yes that the family is well, or a yes that Dale is close to completion?” He teased.
A burst of laughter saw to Sigrid covering her easy smile with the back of her hand. “A yes for both questions I suppose.”
Fíli felt a jolt of happiness at seeing her laugh and it warmed his heart. The briefness of their last encounter was wrought with fear from orcs and dragon fire leaving no thoughts for anything else.
But Sigrid suddenly remembered her place and reined in her befuddled emotions, forcing her smile to leave.
“Um, well. I believe you’re my escort for the evening. Shall we go?”
“Yes, of course,” he answered, noting her capricious change in mood. “But first, may I say you look very beautiful this evening.”
Only silence followed his words and after a moment of awkwardness the princess gave him a weak but determined smile.
Fíli breathed deep before composing himself once again. “My lady, please,” offering her his leather clad arm to take. Reluctantly, she took it.
Young Mertha bobbed a curtsy as the couple passed her by and into the halls of Erebor. She quickly sent Dindora an exasperated look, a clear indication of the uncertainty she has of this woman of men before closing the chamber door behind them.
They walked in silence for quite some time as they went from one hall to the next. Feeling like he needed to break the ice again, Fíli decided to take a small detour.
As the last hall came to an end, it emptied into a fathomless room where the ceiling vaulted high within the mountain giving way to the myriad of levels where homes and shops and stairways were lit up by torch and lamp that flickered in the dark like stars. Sigrid’s mouth hung open in wonder as she gazed upward until Fíli brought her attention back down.
“I hope you don’t mind Princess, but I thought you’d like to see Erebor’s market. There’s a shop down the way you might find to your liking.”
Sigrid let him lead her through the alleyway of crowded stalls and stone front storehouses as Dwarves bustled about, bumping shoulder to shoulder, haggling over the finest of wares. The air hung heavy with the scent of spice and herbs and freshly baked goods all mingled in with the metallic stench of slaughtered meats hanging from iron hooks. Sigrid had never seen such a sight. It’s sheer size and organized chaos was no comparison to the small market in Dale. The cacophony from stall holders hollering in Khuzdul, unbeknownst to them of Sigrid’s presence, delightfully distracted her and that easy smile from before began to grow again once more.
“Oi - Fíli!” came a loud call from out of nowhere causing them to stop and look amongst the crowd. As a couple of Dwarves rolling barrels of ale passed by, a Dwarf Sigrid quickly recognized sauntered up to them from across the passageway.
“Whatcha doin down here lad? Don’t you have some sort of fancy feast or someth’in going on?”
“Bofur! It’s good to see you keeping out of trouble,” quip Fíli slapping him on the back of his shoulder. “Do you remember Sigrid from Lake-town? She’s now Princess Sigrid of Dale.”
Bofur gave her a low bow before taking her hand and giving her knuckles a quick peck. “I am at your service m’lady. I heard your father was coming but I didn’t know his enchanting daughter was here too.”
Sigrid blushed from his bold behavior, but quickly remembered how much Tilda enjoyed the “funny ” Dwarf and his childish jokes before the madness of orcs and elvish magic took over her long lost home on the lake.
“Good evening,” she said pulling her hand away.
“So, what brings you two down to the depths of the old market? Bofur enquired. “Shops are starting to close up for the night.”
Fíli looked to Sigrid with happy eyes, patting her forearm that rested gently around his own, “I’d like to show the Princess Uncle Bifur’s shop. I thought she might like to take some gifts back for her brother and sister.”
“Ah yes, I remember sweet Tilda,” Bofur said with delight. “She’s probably sassy as ever and I reckon grow’n like a weed.” The comment made Sigrid laugh out loud.
“You have no idea,” she answered.
Fíli was pleased. His plan was working. The tenseness that was there was fading away again as she chatted happily with his father’s cousin. Bofur had a knack for making people feel welcome and at ease and it was indeed very fortunate that they ran into him.
“Well lass, look at me talk’n your pretty little ear off. The two of you need to get away and I’m here bust’n your gut,” he cracked with a wink. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to tag along and say hello to the old mugrel.”
They followed an old lane that wove behind the market passing by little shops carved deep into the mountain. It was quiet and much darker but the lit braziers threw a soft golden light upon their path. Soon, the trio stood before an ancient and ornate wooden door. High above it and etched into the stone were the words “Bifur’s Shop of Toys and Confectionery.” As they entered, an elder Dwarf with black hair, a silvery beard and long mustache braids looked up from behind a workbench in the back; a half burnt candle stick nearby and a small wooden toy in his hand.
“Oi - Bofur! Fíli! Come. Come in and close that blasted door. If I see anymore snot nosed Dwarflings today I’m going to lose my patience.” Suddenly Sigrid poked out from between her escorts and Bifur’s eyes grew wide.
“I beg your pardon my lady, please forgive my foulness,” he accentuated bowing low in greeting. “I did not see you there behind the height of my cousin’s raggedy mess of a hat.”
“What are you call’n raggedy? This hat was given to me by the best hatter west of the Lune,” Bofur added in defense.
“That hatter was half blind and he thought his cat was a woodland elf. I’d say he was quite mad.”
He wasn’t mad Bifur, just a bit of a sot and I’d thank you very much if you left my lucky hat alone.” Great chuckles came from the three Dwarves but Sigrid was at a loss to their peculiar sense of humor.
Once their laughter diminished, Fíli gallantly presented the young woman. “Uncle, this is Princess Sigrid of the Kingdom of Dale.”
“Welcome Princess. I remember you and your family from Lake-town. I’m very sorry for what happened there. It was a dark and unfortunate time for all.”
“It was indeed darker for us,” she added, quickly regretting her words.
Bifur looked to her with compassion. “The people of Lake-town suffered greatly from our hands, this I know, but I believe now that out of the darkness came the promise of a better life. We should embrace our past and look to our future with renewed hope.”
Bifur’s wise words settled upon the group like a heavy cloud until Bofur gave him an exaggerated simper.
“Geez Bif, ever since you lost that axe in your head, you’ve gotten philosophical and if I might add, a bit strange ya know.”
Fíli came around to his uncle’s defense, throwing a comforting arm over his shoulder. “Oh come now Bofur, if your mind was rattled by an axe for that long, you'd be brimming with words of wisdom too.”
Sigrid started to wander while the others continued on with their good humor and tales. The store was immaculate and filled with all kinds of delicious smelling treats and far off in the back room, she could see wooden toys and little dolls displayed in rows upon shelves and tabletops.
“So, this is your shop? She asked interrupting their gab. “The sweets smell divine.”
A wide smile filled Bifur’s face. “Why thank you my lady. Every day my cousin Bomber helps me to make them. Our seed cakes are quite famous in these halls you know.”
Sigrid smiled back in response as she gazed upon the shelves with hungry eyes. Her stomach began to rumble making her well aware of how hungry she’d become.
“Fíli asked me to wrap up as many sweets as you want Princess, for you and the family. I’ll send the basket up to your chambers in the morning.”
“Don’t forget to throw in a few toys for little Tilda,” Bofur chimed with a grin. “No doubt she’ll love them.”
Sigrid took in their happy faces and it really warmed her heart. All the feelings, all the anger and resentment she felt for so long suddenly seem to disappear. It was so strange really; the things that her people have said over the years, the tales of greed, of their indifference to other races was just not adding up. Perhaps, it’s not all true. Perhaps, she should give them a chance.
“I’m sure my family will love all your gifts. Thank you. You’re so very kind and generous.”
“We should probably get on our way Princess Sigrid. I’m sure my Amad will be wondering where we are by now unless she’s already sent the guards for us,” Fíli said playfully.
“Yes, of course,” taking his arm again, this time without any hesitation. “I hope we can meet again soon.”
“Take care Princess,” Bifur called after her. “You’re always welcomed in my shop.”
After waving goodbye, Fíli and Sigrid headed for the feasting hall and the silence that was once there came back. But this time, it felt different somehow. Like some magical energy that quivered between them. Neither one could keep from wondering what the other was thinking, but it was Sigrid this time that broke the quiet.
“Your Uncle Bifur and your cousin, they’re really nice and quite funny. Thank you for taking me there.”
Fíli smiled. “You’re welcome my lady. I’m very fortunate to have such a family.”
“Do you have more uncles and cousins? I’m afraid I don’t have any extended family, it’s just my Da and us.”
“I have a lot of distance kin actually, but Bifur and Thorin are the closest to me besides my Amad and brother Kíli. As you know, Thorin and my mother are siblings but Bifur is my father’s younger brother.”
Sigrid’s eyes grew wide when remembering how Lady Dis acted in her chambers towards her own father. “And…is your father here? In Erebor?” she asked uneasily.
“No,” Fíli answered, his face growing solemn. “He died a long time ago in battle. I was only 10 years old when it happened. Even today I have a hard time remembering his face or his voice.”
“I know what you mean. I lost my mother the day my younger sister was born. I was only six at the time. The only thing I can remember about her was her love for lavender. We had bundles of dried lavender everywhere and when I come across the smell of it, it brings me great comfort.”
They continued on with their walk, lost in thoughts about love and lost when they finally turned a corner and was hit with the sound of music and lively conversations which rippled and hummed towards them.
As they approached the elaborate arched entrance way, flanked on both sides were guards in full regalia, standing firm and unwavering as the raven symbol etched upon their golden chest plates danced softly in the torch light.
Fíli stopped short before the giant doors, turning to Sigrid with a twinkled look in his eyes. “My lady, have you ever been to a Dwarf feast before?”
Following his amused intention, Sigrid smirked back. “No, I haven’t. Is there something I should know?”
“Dwarf feasts are all about eating and being merry and once the dancing starts,” rolling his eyes to accentuate his words, “we carouse all night until the drink runs out.”
Sigrid belly laughed but quickly covered her mouth with her hand out of habit.
“Don’t hide that beautiful smile Princess,” Fíli said softly. “You truly have a laugh that the whole world should hear.”
Sigrid cheeks flushed pink as she stared at his happy face while her giggles subsided. She wasn’t quite sure if it was his shinning eyes, that silly grin or his pleasant smell of spice, mixed with leather and smoke that made her feel so…different.
“Are you ready Princess?” He asked, giving her arm a gentle squeeze.
“Truth be told, I’m a bit nervous.”
“Don’t be. I have you.”