A Ruby's Glow (Thorin Oakenshield x OC)

7. Brothers

I followed Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur as they lead me away from the Toy Stall, apparently this had to be officially presented before Thorin, the council, and have several witnesses before being archived in Erebor's halls for all to know I am officially a member of the Firebeard Clan. I was a bit nervous as Bofur showed me how to braid what is called a Family braid among the dwarves, and attached the clasp in my hair. Along the way, Bofur began to explain what these privilege's would now allow me, and I was astonished at them.

"For all intents and purposes, Mena, every dwarf in Erebor and outside of Erebor will see you as a Dwarf. It's been done before in the smaller clans, The Stiffbeards, The Stonefoots, but this is the first time this has been done in the Firebeard clan. Still, all such claims have to be notified to the King. Don't worry though, we set a meeting with Thorin and his council, and Thorin already knows what it will be on, we showed him the letter. All the Company will be there too, as well as a few other dwarves beyond the council as witnesses of the new statement to be released to the mountain. You won't have to say anything, Bifur is just going to read the official note from the Head of our house before handing it to the King and his councilmen." Bofur said as we walked towards the council hall.

"But, among the privilege's this now gives you, even though you have already won several of them by respect alone, this allows you to learn Khuzdul, learn our history, our culture, participate in any and all Dwarven Traditions like the festival of Durin's Day, The Mark of Summer, The Mark of Winter, etc. You are allowed you gain Dwarf braids of Bravery, Honor, Strength, the braids of a warrior and more if you earn them, which in my opinion you have earned several and more, but beyond that you have all privilege's we do, to every dwarf in the Seven Kingdoms, Mena, you will be seen as a part of our secretive community, and allowed to partake in all dwarf customs." Bofur finished as I stared forward with wide eyes, glad that my eyes dried enough to hide the fact that I embarrassingly cried at this great gift given to me by my brothers. My brothers. I felt my eyes burn again and pushed back the feelings attempting to swamp me.

Bifur, holding the letter, stopped before the doors, Bombur and Bofur falling into step beside him, me standing between Bifur and Bofur as the guards on station at the Council Halls nodded and pushed open the doors. Clearly Thorin and his council have been waiting for us, as Thorin smiled brightly when the four of us stepped into the room from his seat at the end of the grand table, a throne carved from wood far more fitting for the king he is than that stupid thrown room. I looked at Thorin's council, keeping my expression blank.

Thorin's council is small at the moment, containing some of his grandfather's former representatives who ran to the Ironhills in Erebor's fall to the dragon, plus the new council members Thorin added. Balin, Ori, Dwalin, and Nori. Balin as the people in charge of all laws old and new in Erebor and seeing to it that they are properly written, Ori as the scribe for all things spoken of in the council meetings, Dwalin as the knowledgeable dwarf of fighting, of strategizing, and of war, and Nori as the dwarf in charge of silently watching the internal affairs of the mountain, keeping an eye on any inside the mountain attempting anything towards lords, ladies, and the royal line, as well as in charge of watching everything that comes into the mountain and leaves it. Fitting for Nori, since the dwarf is adept at sneaking around and getting into basically any vault or locked contraption known of.

"Thorin, we came to present you with the official decree of the Head of our house." Bofur said as Bifur stepped forward and held the letter out to Thorin as Thorin accepted it, meeting my eyes for a moment with happiness in them... for me. Oh, what did I do to deserve this group of dwarves that care so much for me? Nori, Dwalin, Balin, and Ori were all smiling as well. Clearly, word gets around.

Thorin unrolled the scroll and read it aloud for the rest of the council, though clearly he had already read it. It warmed my heart more than I could stand to see the happy grin on his face, the pride in his voice just barely contained as he read, "Upon the Decree of I, Lord Bornur of Ered Mithrin, Head of The Firebeard Household, I hereby state that Philomena Vauthlariel is officially accepted as one of The Firebeard Clan, under the wing of the household pertaining to Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. I hereby state Philomena Vauthlariel is to be given any and all permissions granted to a Firebeard. She shall be seen no different than any other dwarf in our household. For, in the eyes of the Firebeard clan, she is, and now will forever be, a part of our grand household. To Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and our new member of the household and sister in all but blood to the three Firebeard brothers, letters shall be sent out to every wing of the Firebeard household with this decree, so none shall doubt this as my final decree." Thorin finished, glancing up at me as his eyes fell on the new family clasp in my hair.