Tolkien reader inserts/one shots

Never Been Courted (Thorin x fem!reader)

Your parents looked at you expectantly. What were you supposed to say? "Y/N, dear?" you mother began and you indicated that you needed a moment. You wondered how they could spring this on you so suddenly. "You want me to travel to Erebor, practically alone, to try and win the heart of the King Thorin?" You'd never heard anything so ludicrous.

"Yes." Your father's tone left no room for argument, but you figured you try anyway. "Mother, Father, I'm not certain this is the best idea. Do you know how many young women will be fighting for the king's hand? He is the wealthiest king in all of Middle Earth and I've heard he is quite handsome as well." Your mother sighed dreamily. "Indeed he is." Your father arched a brow at her and she chuckled sheepishly. You rolled your eyes. "I really don't want to do this."

Your parents didn't listen to your objection. They shipped you off to Erebor the next morning with your eldest brother and your lady's maid. "Come on, Y/N! Smile! It increases your face value!" your brother quipped, earning a glare. "Y/N, I know this isn't ideal, but you have a chance at the king. You're of noble blood after all. You deserve the best."

You scoffed. "I do not deserve anything of the sort. I did have not earned anything simply by being born into our family." You fell silent after that, refusing to the talk as the nervous butterflies fluttered in your stomach.

You arrived at Erebor a few days later and, just as you suspected, the halls were full of young women eager to have the king court them. Among them were some of the most stunning creatures you'd ever seen, dwarrowdams and human women alike. There was no way the king would even notice you, the quartz in a sea of diamonds. Sighing, you followed your brother up to the throne to curtsy before the king.

"King Thorin, allow me to present my sister, Lady Y/N." You curtsied and glanced up at the king. His aqua eyes were beautiful, but he looked bored beyond measure. He looked at you and gave you a small smile, but you could tell it was forced. "Thank you for opening your home to us, Your Majesty," you said your rehearsed line. You really just wanted to get out of there.

If you were being honest, you would admit that it was neither the other women nor the fact that Thorin didn't seem interested that bothered you. It was the fact that you had no idea what you were doing. Not only had never really left home before, but you had never been courted before. You'd never tried to woo anyone. How in all of Middle Earth were you supposed to woo a king?

"You are welcome in Erebor, Lady Y/N." You did your best to smile as Thorin instructed one of the maids to escort you to your chambers. "There will be a feast tonight, my lady. Until then." You curtsied once more and followed the maid. As you walked, you scanned the vast halls of the mountain kingdom. You hadn't seen it before Smaug's attack, but you were certain it looked even more glorious than it had before.

Once you were settled in your room, you decided to rest from the long journey. Not to mention, you had to compete for the king's attention at the feast that night. You laid down for a quick nap and, when you woke, you felt more refreshed. Now you had to prepare for the feast. You got ready as quickly as possible and headed down to the dining hall.

You stood in the doorway of the hall, frozen in place. So many people, most of them women, were crowded around the table. There was one empty chair left next to your brother, who was flirting with one of the women. That chair was at the opposite end of the table from Thorin. This was hopeless. Still, you knew what you had to do, so you made your way over and sat down.

"There you are, Y/N. I was beginning to think you'd overslept." You rolled your eyes at him and glanced down at your plate. The conversations continued all around you, but you didn't participate. The women were talking about things you had no interest in, such as the latest fashion trends and, of course, how handsome Thorin was. You didn't realize that Thorin was watching each and every one of you.

"Lady Y/N," his rich, deep voice sudden cut through the din, making you jump and all the other women glare jealously at you. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty?" You looked over to find his startling blue eyes looking at you in curiosity. "Is the food not to your liking?" You smiled. "It is wonderful, Your Majesty." Thorin hummed. "And what of the company? You have not spoken much." You felt yourself flush. "The company is amiable. I simply have no interest regarding the topic of conversation."

You could feel everyone's eyes on you and did your best to keep yours on Thorin's face. "And what, pray tell, is the topic of conversation at that end of the table?" You panicked and began stuttering. Thorin chuckled darkly and you hoped he was simply teasing you. "You know it is a crime to lie to your king?" Your eyes narrowed at him. He was definitely teasing you. "Very well. These charming ladies were simply discussing how handsome your majesty is."

Thorin arched a brow. "Oh? And you have no opinion on such a topic?" You shook your head. "Indeed I do. Your Majesty, you are attractive, but nowhere near the fairytale version these women portray you to be." Dead silence. That was all there was in the room. Silence echoing through every inch of the space.

You could have sworn you saw a slight uptick in Thorin's mouth, but you couldn't even rejoice in that. You had embarrassed yourself beyond measure. Clearing your throat, you rose from your seat. "Please, excuse me," you nearly whispered before turning and leaving the room. There went your chances.

You made your way through the winding halls, only to end up lost. Groaning loudly, you turned and tried to go back the way you came. That only ended up with you getting more lost. "Great," you muttered before adding a swear. Before you could even realize what you were doing, you found yourself standing on the ramparts that overlooked Dale.

You breathed a sigh of relief just being out of the stifling space. You decided to stay there for a while. Better to be outside in the cool air than being lost inside the mountain. You rested your arms on the ramparts and watched as the city below began to grow dark with the sunset. Torches outside of homes were being lit, indicating that the citizens below weren't quite ready to retire. It was a peaceful place to be, especially because the guard on patrol ignored you.

"How did you manage to find your way up here?" a voice made you stiffen. Thorin. You glanced over with eyes. "Forgive me, Your Majesty," you pleaded with a curtsy. Thorin raised his hand. "Nothing to forgive." You sighed. "But there is. I was unnecessarily rude before." He chuckled. "Not at all. I found it quite refreshing actually." You didn't respond. You simply nodded and turned back to look at the city. Thorin came up next to you and copied your stance.

"Why are you here?" he asked you suddenly. "I got lost," you admitted sheepishly and Thorin laughed again. "No, I mean, what brought you to Erebor?" You tried to fight off your frown, but couldn't. "Oh. My parents. I'm certain it is no secret that you are the most eligible king in Middle Earth. I came because I wish to-to-to...I'm not very good at this," you muttered the last part.

"Indeed you aren't," he said and you actually did frown. Thorin snorted back a chuckle at your reaction. "Although I have to say, I find it endearing that you aren't. I get so tired of those women in there. The ones that only tell me what they think I want to hear. Anything to get to me or the crown." You shook your head in disgust. "That's why I was against coming here in the first place. I've never been courted before and to try and compete with all those women for your hand seems ridiculous."

Thorin looked at you. "My lady, after this, I do believe it is all those women who will have to compete against you." Your face heated up again at the compliment, but you sighed. "What? Do you not believe yourself worthy?" Your jaw dropped in surprise. He seemed to be able to read your mind. "I am not." Thorin's brows furrowed. "You are of noble birth. By law, that makes you worthy to marry a lord or even a king." You groaned. "Being born of nobility doesn't make me worthy of a king's love! I want to earn the right to your hand, not have it given to me."

Thorin merely stared at you in disbelief. Then the words clicked in your head. You were definitely being rude again. "I am sorry, Your Majesty." Thorin reached over and took your hand. "There is nothing to apologize for. I have never heard another noblewoman speak to me that way. You have certainly put this whole ordeal into perspective. However, it is getting late. Allow me to escort you back to your chambers?"

Nodding, you followed Thorin back inside. As you walked, he continued to ask questions, your general opinion on things, and he told you about himself. When you reached your chambers, you were surprisingly sad to see him go. "Well, goodnight, my lady." You smiled as he kissed the back of your hand. "Until tomorrow." He began walking away, but before he got too far, he looked back. "And Y/N?" You tilted your head and he continued, "In case you are wondering, I do believe you are worthy."