Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Everyone was happy she was back and Thorin had her sitting in during court, asking her opinion and teaching her everything he taught Fili. She spent a lot of her time with Kili and Tauriel, since you couldn't find one without the other, talking about the wide world and adventure. It was May before Dis finally cornered Thorin after court. Thorin had been watching Maranda talking with an Elf delegate from Mirkwood about the properties of Kingsfoil when Dis stood abruptly before him.

"Yes, Dis?" Thorin said dully. Great here we go.

"When are you going to ask her?" Dis demanded. Thorin turned bright red.

"Excuse me?"

"It's clear to anyone who looks you fancy her. When will you ask her to be your queen? You're not getting any younger," Dis reprimanded and Thorin covered his face.

"Dis, this isn't helpful."

"Ask. Her," Dis snapped and stormed off. Miranda watched her go and glanced at Thorin, cocking her head to one side in question. He shook his head slightly and she gave him an encouraging look. Oh Mahal, she was perfect wasn't she? The next day Thorin sat in his chambers, spinning the hair bead between his fingers. It had been one of the first things he had made once the forges were up and running. A single gold and sapphire bead.

"Just ask her on a walk and say it. Just ask her to be your queen," Thorin mumbled to himself over and over. It wasn't helping. For lack of a better option he ran to her room and banged on the door before he could stop himself. She answered the door with a smile and laugh. Kili was inside talking with her.

"Thorin!" she said grinning. Thorin's stomach flip flopped.

"Care for a walk?" he asked and she nodded.

"Sure. Close the door behind you Ki!" she called in and he let loose a loud raspberry. She laughed and went with Thorin to the main gates. "It's beautiful," she breathed looking across the side of the mountain. Thanks to Bilbo's diligence the year before, the ground was covered in green growing things and fields of barley and wheat. "The harvest is going to be dazzling," Maranda commented as Thorin spun the bead between his thumb and forefinger. Ask her. Ask her. Ask her.

"Ask her," he said out loud. Maranda stared at him. "Ask you," he corrected and she raised an eyebrow. "That is, I have something to ask you," he stumbled and she nodded in understanding, the smile back. He pinched the bead and held it out to her. She took it and looked at the carvings.

"It's gorgeous, Thorin! You made this?" she asked in awe, turning it in her hands.

"It's for you," Thorin said and she smiled at him.

"You didn't have to do that," she said and he sucked in a deep breath.

"Actually I did," he said and she frowned in confusion. "Dwarves loves but once," he said and she bit her lip.

"I know you told me that day..." Silence hung heavy in the air.

"It's called a heart song," he said and she frowned again. "We hear it. The song and the voices of our lover. Our One," he said and Maranda blinked.

"Wow that's canon," she mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing, keep talking."

"I believe I have found mine," he said and Maranda lit up.

"Ooh! Tell me, I want to meet her right away! She's so lucky, you're the best sort of guy!" she said happily, wings buzzing and kicking up dust.