Capturing True Love

Chapter 4

I woke up with a start. It was the day of the wedding! Daylight was already shining in the cloudless sky, and I could hear the music of the birds chirping happily outside my window. I sat up in bed, looking blearily around.

"I must get ready!" I mumbled, as I pulled on my worn leather boots. "This won't do at all."

I ran out the door, and into the royal dining hall where Isabele, Thranduil, Thorin, Kili, and Legolas were sitting around the giant table.

"Where is Fili?" sighed Kili. "He's always late to everything. I'm truly sorry."

I coughed. "Right here, dear brother."

Thorin looked over and scowled at me. "You're late," he grumbled. "Come sit down. We need to get you cleaned up. AGAIN! You're always a mess."

"Look who's grumpy again," I said to myself. I went over by Isabele, and sat myself down, shoving several steaming sausage sticks onto my plate, along with a couple of eggs. "What time is it?" I asked.

Thorin glared at his uneaten vegetables. "Half past noon."

I glanced over at Thorin. "What has gotten into you today?"

Thranduil raised his eyebrows in question. "We do not know. Nobody knows."

I grinned, swallowing my last mouthful of sausage. "I need to get ready. See you guys later!" I kiss Isabele on her cheek lightly. I walk away to my room, where a nice outfit is waiting for me on my bed.

As I'm getting my stuff on, Thorin bursts into the room, with a wild look in his eyes. "A dwarven messenger has just come telling me there is a giant siege against Erebor. The Wargs, Goblins, and Orcs are allies now. It has been going on for 5 days, counting today."

I suddenly feel weak. "How is it faring?" I ask with concern.

Thorin looked down. "Badly. He says they may have to surrender soon. After your wedding, we must go back immediately. I'm truly sorry."

I nod, and come out of my room with Thorin. We walk in silence, our footsteps echoeing in the great hallways of the palace.

I see Isabele smiling at me, running towards us, her beautiful white dress trailing along behind her. Her makeup made her face sparkle in the sunlight, and her face perfectly smooth. I attempt a smile, but it must have come out strained, because she asked, "Is everything all right? What has happened?" Her smile dropped, concern filling her face. She grabs my hand, which is cold and clammy.

"We must go back to Erebor immediately after the wedding," I say. My voice is filled with despair, and is shaky. "It's going badly, and the dwarves may have to surrender."

A single tear flows down Isabele's pale face. She frowns. "Well, we must go back, then. I wish to come with you. You shouldn't leave your wife here where she is safe, and you are not."

I shake my head. "No. You cannot come. I don't want you getting injured."

Isabele's eyebrows draw together. "I am certainly capable of defending my ownself. I insist; I'm coming with."

A small, young elf runs quickly up to us. He bows deeply to Isabele, Thorin, and I. "Sir. Madame. The wedding shall start shortly. I suggest you make your way to the outside garden. Thank you." He bows once more, and scurries off, his small frame growing faint in the distance.

We make our way to the garden, the midday sun shining hard down on us. Isabele's dark brown hair shone in the sunlight, her face lit up by the light.

She looks over at me, and tries to smile. "It'll all be okay in the end," she whispers.

I nod slowly. "I sure hope so."

As we walked into the garden, people were sitting down, talking amongst themselves. I squeeze Isabele's hand, and stride over to the front, where a fountain was shooting out water from a fish. The beautiful blue water sparkled in the sun's strong rays, like the ocean during a sunset. It was a georgeous night, the wind a slight breeze, and everything perfect. I clasp my hands together to keep them from shaking. Even with the warm sunlight shining on my back, i was still feeling cold and my hands were clammy.

Thranduil coughed. "Attention!" he calls out to the elves. The talking turns into muttering, and soon dies off. "Today, we will be celebrating the marriage of Fili and Isabele."

After that, Isabele joined me, and we grabbed hands. Hers grip was strong and unfaltering. As Thranduil finished his speech, we both say "I do," and we kiss.

The feel of Isabele's lips on mine comforted me, and I became relaxed. Her lips were still incredibly soft.

I grabbed her neck and pulled her closer. I moved my mouth over to her ear. "I'm still quite frightened," I whispered.

Isabele pulled back and looked at me in the eye, her gaze unwavering. "It'll all be okay. Try not to worry yet."

I nod, and grab her hand. "I'm afraid for the dwarves. For Tauriel. For Erebor. If it were to fall, the race of the dwarves would fall with it."