The Lions Chapter Two

Chapter 2.

Several years had passed now. Luvan and you have become the best friends ever. And she fulfilled her promise to came back to play with you almost every day. She also brought you pastries. A lot.

Even if she was the Princess of the Iron Throne, Luvan was still visiting you often. You never had a real house, a real place to belong to, and you were always wandering, exploring. But Luvan had a special skill, and she always found you, no matter where you were.

« My Lioness ! »

You started, recognizing the voice which was screaming your « name ». It was Luvan who gave it to you. Luvan used to refer to you under the name of « her Lioness », arguing that you were just as untamed and wild. She never suffered the idea to leave you anonymous, but she didn‘t want to give you a real name either, thinking that your identity wasn‘t hers to decide. Hence this nickname.
You couldn’t express the way you were feeling about this wonderful gift. Embarrassed… unsure… but above all, unlimitedly grateful. You weren’t nobody anymore. You were « her Lioness ». Somebody finally gave you a word to react to. Somebody cared about you. That was worth all the pastries of Middle Earth.

As happy as the first day you met her, Luvan smiled and gave you a big hug.

« Hello, my Princess. »

« My dear roaring Lioness ! I need your help ! »

« My help ? What for ? »

« I need you to come over my place tonight ! »

You shivered.

« I don’t think it’s a good idea… You know that your father really dislikes me. »

« Dislike » was a euphemism. He hated you and never tolerated that his daughter had an orphan for a friend. A few times, Luvan tried to bring you into her castle to keep you safe from the rain or the snow. She knew that weather could be deadly to you without any shelter, but every time, her father caught you and get mad. He could have killed you if you weren’t so fast.

« Father won’t catch you. » She assured.

« He always does. »

She looked so sad that you complied. As usual. You never resisted to her puppy eyes.

« Why do you need me, Princess ? » You sighed.

« Erebor !! »

« Erebor ? »

« Yes ! Erebor ! You know that the Lonely Mountain has been reclaimed two years ago, don’t you ? Well, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, will come tonight with the Princes. Diplomatic visit. »

« I’m sorry Luvan, but I still don’t understand what you’re expecting from me. »

« My roaring Lioness… Thorin is a King, my father is a King…  It’s the biggest political meeting of this century ! The occasion to create bonds between the Lonely Mountain and the Iron Mounts ! Thorin and his nephews will be welcomed tonight by a gorgeous feast… I’m… I… I never been so nervous on my whole life !! »

« I understand… » You smiled. « You’re the Princess of one of the Dwarven Kingdom, everyone’s attention will be focused on the Kings, the Princes… And you. I still don’t see what I can do for you. »

« Be here ! Please my Lioness… Come. I… I’ll be more relaxed if I know you’re here. »

« Are you crazy ?! » You cried. « I can’t ! Your father will noticed me and I don’t think that one of his nervous breakdowns is an appropriate show for Erebor’s King and Princes. »

« You’ll be hidden in the crowd, all the town is invited ! And you’re really short, you can be totally unnoticed when you want. Please… Please… I need a real friendship right now… »

Damn her silver tongue !

« May I ask you how am I supposed to enter the castle dressed like a bum ? »

« I’ll lend you a dress ! I promise, everything will be okay ! »

« You really are… »

« Irritating, I know ! I assume that you’re coming. »

« I am… For you… But I swear to Mahal that if your father throw rocks to me or call me a slut again… »

« He won’t, I swear ! He’ll be too busy with Thorin and the Princes ! »

***

The Iron Mounts weren’t far by now. In less than one hour, they will be here. Frowning at the view, Fili sighed deeply, trying his best to not let Erebor’s delegation see his despondency.
He knew that it was his duty as the first heir of Thorin, the King Under the Mountain, but he couldn’t help himself to feel a little sad about this. Being betrothed to a Princess he never met just to strengthen bonds between two nations wasn’t the favourite part of his duties.

The hand of Kili landed on his shoulder, gently squeezing it. He gave to his elder brother a faint smile, knowing what was going on in his heart actually. He wanted Fili to be happy, and he knew that it wasn’t going to be with an arranged marriage. He felt sorry, and powerless, but just like his brother, he understood how important a union with the Iron Mounts was. Erebor was reclaimed but yet fragile and vulnerable. Alliances were vital.

Riding his pony ahead, Thorin said nothing. He wasn’t proud to inflict that on Fili, but he had no other choice. Many times he wanted to say something to him, to say how sorry and guilty he felt, but the words never left his mind.

« You’ll have to be careful, Fili. » Thorin said, suddenly broke the heavy silence.

« Yes, Uncle. » The blond dwarf answered automatically.

« The Princess you’ll be… betrothed to… doesn’t know that she’s about to become your wife yet. »

« P-Pardon ?! She doesn’t know yet ?! »

« No. Her father, the King Rogon and I had a long correspondence about both of you… From what he told me, his daughter is somebody very sensitive and he thought that speaking about you to her too early would just overstress her. He prefers you to come to her as if we weren’t planning anything… »

« You’re asking me to lie ? To my future wife ? »

« It isn’t lying, Thorin scold. King Rogon just thinks that it’s wiser to let you to introduce yourself in a less formal way… He’s expecting you to give her daughter the feeling of being loved. »

« So… You want me to court her as if we weren’t supposed to get married ? How am I supposed to manage that ?! « Hello miss, I randomly find you attractive… what ? You’re the Iron Mount’s Princess ?! By Mahal I didn’t know ! What a wonderful coincidence, we’re so sincerely in love and our union would be a great alliance for both our nations ! Aren‘t we lucky ?! » »

« Don’t get cynical with me, Prince Fili ! And tone it down a bit. We’re not alone. » Thorin said, eying the dwarves of their delegation.

The blond started, very aware that his uncle just used his title to remind him his duties. Silent, Kili offered him a pained gaze.