That's Another Story For Later

I Do

"I love you too, adad." I answered, and the doors swung open with a push of our hands. The march started to play, and everyone stood. Dwalin and I walked at a relaxed pace, when really I was tense as a spring. His other hand was resting on mine, and he tightened his grip on it. My eyes locked with Kili's at the other end of the aisle. It helped take the nervousness from my thoughts.

He visibly started upon seeing me walk. A beam was on his face as I walked, ever closer. He wore a formal tunic that much have been his father's. His hair was brushed, and he looked clean-cut, and very attractive. My heart started beating fast, and I couldn't believe this was happening. We finally reached the stairs to the altar, and I saw the tears running down his face. He had been crying. The thought touched me, and I felt my own eyes glaze over. He reached his hand down for mine, and I took it as Dwalin released me, taking his stand next to Thorin.

I handed Tilda the bouquet, and put my other hand in Kili's. I looked at Balin, who started the ceremony. "We are gathered here today..." Was all I remembered for a while. Nervousness settled in again as I tried to remember my vows. My hands were squeezed gently to get my attention. I snapped my eyes to Kili's, and all I saw was love. There were green flecks in his eyes, and he smiled gently.

We went through the seven blessings, changing the last one. "Ni dûmê zasamkhihiya zahar, ni kurduzi zâmkhihi azhâr. In my Halls you will find a house, in your heart I will find a home." Kili said in honestly, never breaking his eye contact. I smiled, and recited my part, which I changed.

"Ni dûmzu zâmkhihi zahar, ni kurdumê zasamkhihi azhâr. In your Halls I will find a home, in my heart you will find a home, and in your heart I will find a home." I answered. There was silence, before Balin spoke up.

"Bilbo, the rings." The Hobbit stepped forward, and Kili picked up his ring. We decided against traditional ones, being as we were far from that. It was gold, with five gems inset to the metal. There was a medium sized onyx in the center. Flanking the gem, were two quartzes slightly smaller than the onyx, and then two diamonds on either side of the other two gems. It was absolutely beautiful. "Kili, your vows."

He took the ring into his hand, twiddling it in his fingers. "Iridian. I feel like I need to explain this ring. While onyx is for mourning sometimes, it tells me of your mysteriousness, and your love of night. The quartzes look like the moon, which I've always seen you as. The diamonds are for the stars, of which you are as precious as. You're as beautiful as the moon, and you're a huge part of my life, as everyday as the moon. Your kindness is derived from that which hurt you. You're a brilliant warrior, and I'd rather have no one else in battle with me.

"I find you gorgeous no matter what. I knew what it felt to be without you, and that was something I wasn't willing to go through again." He paused, his voice breaking. He took his hand from mine wiping his eyes, covering his mouth for a moment. Tears sprung to my own eyes at seeing him choked up.

"There was never a question whether or not I loved you. I'd always known you stolen my heart, and I admitted it in Rivendell. I knew then I wish to spend the rest of my life beside you, my One. And now I can. I love you Iridian, forever and always." He said, his voice breaking again. "I'm sorry for crying." He said, and I laughed gently. He took the silver ring off, putting it on my right ring finger. He slid the gold ring onto the left ring finger, where it was meant to be.

There was a stunned silence, and I knew I was going to start crying. "Iridian, you vows." Balin prompted when I didn't move. I took the ring, fiddling with it as well. I couldn't mess this up. I probably would anyway.

"I've said this so many times, but I had never imagined this day. I had always imagined being with Dwalin my whole life in the Blue Mountains, with no love, and that was okay. I was fully prepared to accept that. And then, I went on this journey with the company, and there you were. I fell hard, admitting it to myself in Rivendell too. I had imagined it was one sided either way, that you would never love a hybrid such as myself. I suppose I was wrong..." There was a slight ripple of laughter at that.

"I love your loyalty, and how you cared for me. You still do obviously, right?." I stammered. A low chuckle broke his lips, and he nodded in response. "Even in the Blue Mountains, when you would wave to me while I was reading, you showed me kindness I rarely received from anyone. I never even knew your name. But I felt special with you. I felt like I was home, like you were what I was missing. You are what I've been missing after all this time. I-" I stopped, my voice breaking. I pressed the back of my hand to my eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing. So I let them.

"I can never imagine a life without you in it. I just can't anymore. You're my partner in battle, and I am yours. I am in your soul, and you are in mine. With this ring, it is another part of us that belongs to the other. We are one, and yet we are separate. I will be there for you at all times, that I promise. You're my One. You always have been, and you will be forevermore. I love you, Kili." My voice cracked again, and I was smiling through my tears. I took the ring from his finger, putting it on the right index. I slid my gold ring onto his finger, and gripped his hand.

I looked out of the corner of my eyes to see Dwalin crying. It was silent, but I knew he was. We looked to Balin, who had tears in his own eyes. Tears of joy. Thorin approached with a ceremonial tankard. The two of us drank, Kili first. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." He wasted no time, cupping my jaw, pressing my lips to his in fervent happiness. My arms snaked around his neck, deepening the kiss. There were loud hoots and cheers, with many whistles as well.

I pulled back, my head resting against his. Tilda was smiling and clapping excitedly. Sigrid was grinning as well. I saw Fili with a wide smile, seen under his moustaches. Thorin had a proud look upon his face. I put his hand in mine, and we walked down the aisle, toward the great hall. The company followed, and then the citizens of Erebor and Dale. There was a table for the two of us, as well as Thorin, Fili, Dis and Dwalin.

Everyone else spread out, the company in the nearest tables, as well as Bard, his children, and Thranduil. He nodded at me. I nodded in response. The feast began, and many people came up to give their words of congratulations. I thanked every single one of them. Kili handed me a half tankard of ale, and we piled our plates with the food Bombur had made.

"Kili. Iridian." Thorin said, and we glanced over. Dis, Dwalin and Thorin had small boxes in front of them. I raised an eyebrow quizzically. "It is traditional of a father or parent to bestow a gift upon the bride and groom. And so, Dwalin has something for you, Iridian, and Dis and I have something for you Kili." Dwalin opened the box, inside was a necklace with an onyx. He put it on, and rested right in between my collarbones.

Dis and Thorin presented a very similar necklace, an opal in the center instead. "They're beautiful. Thank you." I said on behalf of us. I took Kili's hand, and smiled at him. He was my husband. I could finally call him that. I pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I'm never letting you live down the fact you cried." I whispered.

"You did too."

"I'm a girl. I can. I'm also the bride, I'm practically supposed to." I said smugly. He kissed my lips gently.

"Of course. But you're a warrior, so that's no excuse." He answered, the look in his eyes nothing short of love and adoration. I rolled my eyes, and couldn't keep the smile from my face. We continued talking, plans about the reconstruction of Dale, other little things. Despite it was royal duties, it was ones that we took as conversations as an everyday dinner talk. We exchanged jokes, memories of the journey, and many laughs. I had only had the equivalent of one tankard of ale.

The cake was amazing. It was vanilla, and perfectly fluffy. I had pushed a piece of the desert into Kili's mouth, who sputtered in shock. I laughed, and he took the opportunity to get revenge, shoving a piece into my mouth. It only made us laugh harder. Everyone else guffawed at our happiness and antics. Despite how much the journey made us grow up, we were still the same people who left the Blue Mountains. Silence started to ensue, and I knew I would have to dance.

*Hey guys! Just a quick translation in case you need it:

Nathith: Daughter in Khuzdul

Adad: Father in Khuzdul