There and Back Again

Chapter Twenty-Four: A Secret Wedding

"Are you sure that you wish to do it this way?" Balin asked standing next to Thorin, his eyes venturing over the small gathering that had come together for this moment. 

He was not surprised by those in attendance and Balin would have bet a small fortune on the current attendance being there. 

The company had been an expected addition as well as some ladies that could be trust to not speak of this unless they were called on as witnesses to testify that Thalia and Thorin had been wed. 

"What other way is there? I wish for Thalia to be my wife before this cursed war takes anything from us," Thorin replied with a shrug, he was dressed in his finery and the only thing missing was a crown upon his head. 

He did not come here today to be a King wed to his Queen but a dwarf being wed to his one, he cared not for how his council would decry his actions for they did not matter in a moment like this. 

Balin frowned at his words, there was something about Thorin's actions that disturbed him and he wished he could ease his friend's worries about the dark days ahead. 

None could be sure how this war would end but for the future of the mountain then certain risks were going to have to be taken; Balin did not wish to ponder what would happen if they failed. 

"You fear that you will not return," Balin guessed, though he was sure that Thorin would never acknowledge such things; he was not as young as he once had been and the grey that had started to appear in his hair was the least of his issues. 

The very last thing that Balin wanted was for his friend to be felled in battle, the mountain would be left to his son who was far from of age to take the throne. 

When Thorin did not reply, Balin turned his attention to looking around the room at the gathering; it was late and the secrecy of this event had meant that there was a lot of sneaking around. 

Only Dis entering with her most trusted lady interrupted the quiet conversation, the only daughter of Thráin looked regal in her dress and she offered but a nod to her brother before moving to her position to stand by her sons. 

The hall was silent as Thalia entered the hall, the white gown that she had chosen for her wedding was in keeping more with her own customs than those of the dwarves but it was the one thing that had been allowed.

It was Dwalin who had taken the position of her father, offering to give her away as it were since her own would not be attending; Thalia had been a little surprised by his offer but had found that many of the company had also offered to do this for her. 

Once they were in the centre of the room, Dwalin started the actual ceremony by holding up a hammer in the air as a sign that the gathering should form a large circle around the bride and groom. 

It symbolized the staying of Mahal's hammer by the grace of Eru and signifies that the gathering will shield the couple from harm. 

Once the circle had been formed around Thalia and Thorin, it was time for Dwalin to read the zarb, which was the Dwarven Marriage Contract that both the couple had agreed to. 

Dis had nearly thrown a fit when she realised that they had not had one in place last time and had almost strangled Thorin when he announced that he planned on marrying Thalia a lot sooner than planned. 

Thalia stared across the circle at Thorin who seemed to be staring at her quiet intently, she prayed her short lessons in his language would be enough to get her through this ceremony. 

The room silent except for Dwalin while he red the zarb and she could almost feel her heart pounding in her chest, her hands felt clammy and she wished she had paid a little more attention to Dis that morning when she had explained what would happen during the ceremony.