An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 18

Kili glared at Dain annoyed that Dain was kissing Primrose's hand. No dwarf but him should kiss her. He then realised he had no need to be jealous and Dain was just showing Primrose respect by kissing her hand.

Dain stepped back and bowed then returned to his seat. The representatives from the other dwarf clans then swore fealty to Kili and Primrose as did representatives of the dwarves from Erebor. Thranduil then came forward and made a speech.

"As King of Mirkwood I wish to congratulate you both on your coronation. Until recently I harboured mistrust and enmity towards dwarves as a result of past grievances. However you have both showed me that not all dwarves are to be mistrusted or are greedy. I wish to extend to you Kili King under the Mountain and Primrose Queen under The Mountain the offer of friendship and an alliance. It is my hope that we can trade with one another and fight together if the need should arise. Our bows and swords are yours should you need them. May this be the beginning of a long and prosperous friendship," Thranduil said.

"It is my wish also to be friends and allies," Legolas said, joining his father.

He too had realised that not all dwarves were greedy and not to be trusted.

"And mine," Tauriel added.

Kili nodded.

"I would be honoured to call Thranduil, the Elf King my friend and ally," Kili said.

The elves then sat down and Bard stood. He made a similar speech to the one Thranduil made.

"As Lord of Dale I wish also to extend the offer of friendship and it is my hope that you will help us rebuild Dale and restore it to how it was before Smaug came. I believe we can be of great help to one another. I have a song to sing," Bard said.

He cleared his throat and sang: "The King beneath the mountains,The King of carven stone,The lord of silver fountainsShall come into his own! His crown shall be upholden,His harp shall be restrung,His halls shall echo goldenTo songs of yore re-sung. The woods shall wave on mountainsAnd grass beneath the sun;His wealth shall flow in fountainsAnd the rivers golden run. The streams shall run in gladness,The lakes shall shine and burn,All sorrow fail and sadnessAt the Mountain-king's return!" Kili smiled and Primrose clapped when Bard was finished. Some of the words of the song were the same as the prophecy they had heard while in Lake Town."I was wrong about the prophecy. It wasn't suggesting that the return of the King under the Mountain would bring sadness to us but that he would bring in a new time of prosperity," Bard said."Thank you for the song and yes I indeed intend to make this kingdom prosperous again," Kili said, " I would be glad to be friends and allies with you and help you rebuild Dale," Kili said."Thank you Kili King under the Mountain," Bard said.He bowed and returned to his seat. Gandalf then said a few words as did Elrond. The final person to speak was Beorn."Until recently I have hated dwarves because they are greedy. But I have come to see that you Kili King under the Mountain are not greedy. You and your wife did a very brave thing keeping the Arkenstone from your Uncle. I am glad you are now King under the Mountain and I believe you will make a very fine king. I would like to consider you a friend and my home is your home should you ever visit. You will be safe and protected from all harm there," Beorn said."Thank you Beorn. I would be honoured to call you a friend. Kili then stood again."It is with great joy and delight that I wish to officially announce that Primrose is with child. Our child will be half dwarf half hobbit and will be my heir. He or she will be born in just over 10 months' time and I trust that his or her bloodlines not being full dwarf will not be a problem for anyone," Kili said.Everyone cheered as the two smiled happily. Then Kili and Primrose were blessed by a dwarf holy man and the coronation was over. Kili and Primrose led the way out of the throne room and a feast was then held to celebrate their coronation. After the feast was over Kili and Primrose retired to their quarters for the night. They were now using the Royal Quarters which were reserved for the King and his Queen. Thorin had used them for the short period that he lived in Erebor and they were now Kili and Primrose's. The two had been given lots of gifts including a brand new bow and some arrows for Kili made by Bofur, and golden armour for Kili that had been handed down in the family from Thrain to Thror to Thorin. It was ceremonial armour and would only be worn on special occasions. For Primrose there was a shirt made of mithril which would protect her should she ever be in battle and beautiful jewellery. At the end of the night when the two retired to their quarters Primrose turned to Kili."I really should let Uncle Bilbo know that I am ok. He must be really worried about me," Primrose said."Do you wish to return to the Shire and visit him?" Kili asked."I would like that very much but not until our bubba is born. I would like him to be able to meet his great niece or nephew," Primrose said."I will have a message sent to him telling him you are here at Erebor and are well. I will tell him that you are now my wife and living with me here and that you are with child and that we will visit him once our baby has arrived.