Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 5

*Thorin's Pov-

Skyrena sat on my right, and Era sat on my left.  Era refused to speak a single word as the banquet began.  I bit my lip, knowing that she was still bitter from our disagreement earlier, but I knew she'd be in a better mood after the banquet.  Besides, the minstrels were already playing the music, and everyone, with the exception of my family and myself, were already dancing.

I couldn't contain my smile as Fili came up and spoke with Era.

*Era's Pov-

"Care to dance, princess Era?"  I'd been so lost in thought, I hardly noticed Fili's approach.  I turned to face him.

"I'd rather not, thank you..."  Beside me, Father chuckled.

"Oh, go on, Era.  One dance won't harm anyone..."  I swallowed back my sarcastic response and shook my head.

"Besides, I'm not much of a dancer..."  Fili took my hand and pulled me up from my seat.

"I can teach you, cousin."  With that, he lead me onto the ballroom floor.  At first, I stepped on his foot at least 5 different times, but, by the time the first song ended, I was actually swaying along without falling over.  He chuckled and shook his head.  "Sure beats fighting, huh, cousin?"  I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Had I been bigger and older when we first started training, I do believe I'd have picked up fighting faster than dancing."  He laughed and shook his head as the next song started.

"So, I take it Uncle still refuses to let you fight...?"  I nodded.

I wonder if he remembers me?  What would he say if I brought up what happened?  I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Gimili, Gloin's son.

"Excuse me, but may I have this dance?"  I shook my head.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but I was just about to go sit back down.  One dance has been more than enough..."  He shook his head and caught my arm before I could leave.

"Oh, what harm is one more dance, princess?"  I started to protest, but Fili spoke up.

"Come on, Gimili...  She said no."  Gimili turned to face Fili, his face turning red.

"Who asked you, boy...?"  I swallowed hard, knowing that Fili was going to lose his temper, and Gimili's would soon follow.  Fili's eyes narrowed.

"Who're you calling a boy?  I'm older than you by almost 30 years!"  I jerked my arm free and stepped between them.

"Gimili...  Fili...  Don't!"  Gimili grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the way.

"Stand back, princess, while I show him a lesson..."  I pulled free and stood between them again, facing Gimili.

"Leave us be, Gimili.  I said no, and Fili has nothing to do with my answer!"  He stood there, staring over my shoulder at Fili, before he finally smirked a little.

"Very well, princess."  As he turned to go, he shot a glare at Fili.  "We'll see what your cousin thinks of you by the end of the night, boy..."  With that, he left.  I frowned as I turned to face Fili.

"What does he mean, Fili?"  He refused to look me in the eye, which alerted me he was hiding something.

"Your father...  He's arranged a suitor for your engagement."  Anger blossomed in me as I felt myself color.

"He did what...?!?"  I turned and started towards the throne, where Father sat.  Fili followed closely behind me, trying to stop me.

"Era, I wouldn't..."  Ignoring him, I stood before Father.  He tilted his head at me as I glared at him.

"When were you going to tell me, Father?"  Beside him, Mother frowned and looked over at him and then at me.

"Era, what's wrong?"  I continued to glare at Father.

"Don't you know?  He's arranged a suitor for me, without asking me how I felt about it!"  She turned and looked at Father, who was staring me down with an amused look on his face.

"Thorin...?  Is that true?"  He nodded.

"So it is..."  He raised an eyebrow at me.  "Let me guess.  Fili told you, didn't he?"  I glared at him, feeling my anger rise higher and higher.

"Why didn't you tell me?  When were you going to tell me?  Well, who is it?"  No one spoke for the next few minutes.  I finally sighed and shook my head.  "Nice to know you trust me..."  He sighed and shook his head.

"You just hate it when no one tells you anything, don't you?"  He nodded at someone behind me.  "Why don't you ask him yourself?"  I turned and found myself face to face with Fili.  My anger burned brightly once again.

"YOU'RE THE SUITOR?!?"  He flinched slightly and drew himself back a little.  I turned and looked back at Father.  "He's my cousin!  Why...?!?"  Father stood and carefully approached me.

"You need a suitable husband, Era...  Fili is my heir and your kin.  It's a perfect match."  I stepped away from him, shaking my head.

"He's over 60 years older than me!"  Father shook his head.

"In dwarvish years.  However, you are part shapeshifter.  As of right now, you're both about the same age in the eyes of a shapeshifter."  I shook my head in disbelief at him and turned to face Fili.

"How could you?!?"  He backed away further, shaking his head.

"I didn't have anything to do with this, Era.  It was all Uncle's idea..."  I turned to face Father.

"I won't do it!"  He colored a little as he shook his head at me.

"Yes, you will...  The only way you'll be able to get out of it is if you know of another dwarf you'd rather marry or if you found another shapeshifter, which is impossible since you and your mother are the only ones left!"  I stood there, glaring at Father in defeat.  Finally, I shook my head.

"I hate you..."  Feeling as though I hadn't spoken loud enough, I shouted it at him.  "I HATE YOU!"  With that, I took off down the hall and ran towards my chambers.