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...
Adjusting the armchair in your sitting room you turned back to your sketch book on the stool beside it and eyed your tin of various pencils for sketching. A knock at your front door brought a smile to your face as your nerves failed to settle once again. Months together and the elder Durins you traveled with still left you feeling a bit uneasy when you were left alone with them. Ages the Dwarves had shied away from outside races so you with your muddled mix from your half breed parents left them baffled at whether to claim you at all. Soon you were welcomed among them, gaining their trust and affections, especially one in particular.
Opening the door your smile deepened as you said, "Good evening Lady Gorgo." Bowing your head to the Dam who led the walk inside as her Husband Gloin followed timidly sliding his fingers over the pattern stitched into the hem of his shirt. Leading them through after re-locking your door your smile returned as Gorgo eyed the room as if she had expected a den of iniquity. Her shimmering cerulean eyes met yours with a sternly jealous expression masked with her forced flick of a smile as she asked, "So where will My Husband be stripping at?"
Moving closer to the pair her eyes trailed over you reaching for your sketch book as you said, "Actually, I only really needed to see the tattoo on his arm." Her shoulders untensed as she glanced at Gloin, "When we were in Rivendell the Men all proudly showed their Kin's markings and earned ink for their achievements. The only one I remember on Gloin was his arm, and perhaps a better look at his freckle on his shin as well, the one that looks like a fish."
Gorgo's head tilted slightly, "I thought this was to be a portrait of them streaking and swimming in the fountains."
You smiled again, "It is. But, not to seem rude or upset you, I got a clear enough image of their basic forms from the distance the first time, enough to fill my basic sketches. Here," you tilted the book to show them the sketches you had made already of Gloin seated on the edge of the fountain watching the game of chicken, nearly complete but with a bare section on his arm, "Even through the clothes I have a good idea of their body shapes, though a few have asked for minor changes all I really did need was the details on the tattoos to get the correct." Turning your head a whistle drew you to say, "That'll be the tea, I'll be right back." Walking in the kitchen leaving the book in her palms she eyed the sketches as Gloin peered over her shoulder to mumble, "See, told ya she wouldn't dare cross my One."
Gorgo turned firing a playful glare at him then faced you with a softer smile spreading to her eyes as she eased through your pouring her tea while you said, "I know this must have been a strange request, and I do hope I've handled it properly, sending you the request I mean. But Tho- Sorry, King, Thorin, requested one of our time in Rivendell were the others are a matter of borrowing the layers wished to be worn in the portrait, I could do those in my sleep with all the details sealed away of their appearances."
Her smile returned as they finished their tea and she patted Gloin's leg saying, "Go ahead and take off your outer shirts, the blue one should be easy enough to roll up for the details." Then turned to you accepting your refill as he followed her allowing his posing, "You handled it properly, thank you for the kindness of it. Normally for the King's requests you wouldn't need to. We all must conform to sate his preferences."
You smirked at her, "I'm sure with King Thorin it isn't actually enforced like that when it concerns something like this."
Your eyes turned to Gloin's arm as Gorgo eased his sleeve higher in a tight fold as you flipped the page starting the sketch as he went into full detail on what each of the elements of the tattoo meant, just as all the other men had done. They both stayed for a short time after as Gorgo came to see just how enjoyable your company was agreeing with her Husband's opinions of you from your Journey together before they both returned to their home to make lunch and return to their duties after.
..
Cleaning up the cups you added the completed sketches to the pile and went to grab the sketch books to join the King in his rooms as per his earlier agreement. Knocking lightly you obeyed his stern call of "Come in." Walking through the main hall you found him in his sitting room building the fire, already shirtless, barefoot and in loose pants, turning to you with a faint smile as he dripped with exhaustion from the long day of training he had shared with Dwalin and the Princes, "Are these suitable?"
You nodded accepting the stool across from his chair he had settled it at the motion of his hand, "They are, pleasant day attacking your kin?"
He chuckled weakly aching even at the smile growing across his face, "Yes, very pleasant. How has yours been, did Gorgo give you a hard time?"
You chuckled shifting closer as he did the same allowing you a better view of the tattoos across his upper arms and shoulder blades, "I assume she had the idea I would have him naked and posing on a pedestal or something."
He chuckled again, "Not that you haven't had a clear enough image from our months of travel. Even though you seemed to linger on only one of us."
Chuckling again you caught his mischievous twinkle in his eye making you roll yours, "If he didn't want anyone to stare then why did Dwalin strut and flex like that. Honestly, and he wasn't the only one, you included did your fair share of flaunting for Bilbo. Don't think I didn't catch that 'accidental' slip you had where you practically slid across him after your spooning landing around his back when you were drying."
He chuckled again nodding his head, "True, but our ways were so different, I had to see if he deemed me attractive."
You scoffed, "Anyone with eyes would deem you attractive." Making his smile deepen.
"Not for Dwarves, far too lean. Thank you for the compliment though."
Finishing your sketches you rose and helped the King to his feet as well, "And thank you for sitting through this. I know you must be aching terribly."
He smiled again, "Nothing too terrible. So was I the last one?"
You shook your head, "That strutting Cousin of yours seems to flee when I get too close, haven't managed to ask him to pose yet."
Thorin nodded, "Hmm, I'll have a word with him."
"Nah, I'll figure it out. No need to add to your troubles." He smiled again accepting your hug, "I will let you rest. Good night Your Majesty."
He chuckled again, "It's still Thorin to you, no matter the Company." Making you smile again before turning to leave him to his rest.
..
Morning came and with it brought the Iron Hills group of Dwarves trailing the newly arrived King Dain into the main meeting hall as you claimed your seat between Ori in his new position as official scribe, donning the latest of his handmade scarves in a bright purple, and Bilbo at the King's left. Eyeing the group of Dwarves your eyes landed on the one sending a stern scowl straight at Ori drawing a soft growl from him unable to be heard over the loud greetings the King shared before the firm claps on each other's backs before the notes were spread across the table and they delved into the trade plans in thick Khuzdul, soon breaking into pleasanter shared stories between disputes over the figures.
A gentle tap on your shoulder shifted your eyes from the lingering scowl and glare from the same Dwarf that did so each time they visited to the King's Consort with a soft smile as he whispered softly in Hobbitish, "How are we to understand what they're saying?"
Your smile grew as you replied softly in the common tongue so you could easily be overheard, "Well, Dain is reminding the King of a story about them learning to cartwheel." The dark haired Dwarf on Dain's right interjected and you added, "And he's claiming he's been the reigning champ for twenty years now." Bilbo's smile grew as he sat back enjoying this game of yours over watching them silently in curiosity. Ori's smile returned as he paid just enough attention to write their true words as he smiled at your translations.
The burly blonde held his glare with his icy green eyes locked on Ori as his darker haired Cousin added on leading to you saying, "Now he's shifted it back to trade, saying they should trade more wind up toys." The redhead at his side spoke up, "And he's arguing for ping pong paddles."
Thorin silenced their squabble, "Now Thorin's reminding them of the giant Ping Pong debacle of '23. Won't allow it to happen again. Not in Erebor."
The brunette spoke causing you to say, "Now that one's suggesting they should move the statue of Thror to allow more light for the markets."
With the next Dwarf came another claim as Ori bit back his chuckle while he fired a timid glare in return to the blonde's, "And Thorin is saying he doesn't want any fish in the markets on Tuesdays."
Dain spoke again, "For some reason, Dain's brought up a story about his childhood giant boar Truffles." With that the redheaded King pointed his finger at you with a playfully stern voice saying, "You leave Truffles out of this!" Before turning back to the argument.
The blonde glaring spoke up with widening eyes as you added for Dain's previous words, "And now Dain's said they're also in need of finely crafted winter wear." With the blonde's words Ori's grin grew as you added, "Now they're all in argument over tasking the Dwarf who made Ori's scarf." Their argument grew again as you added, "Now they're fighting over who loves his craftsmanship more. The blonde especially won't stop going on about it, how it brings out the twinkle in his eyes." Ori's cheeks started to heat up as you continued, "Of course now he's obviously winning, he can obviously see Ori's the most talented yarn craftsman in the Mountain."
The blonde's mouth quirked up into a smirk before he fired another glare at Ori earning one in return as they shared a blush that drew the fiery haired King's eyes back to you mid translation causing him to call out, "Would you kindly take your gossip elsewhere?"
Thorin eyed you both before you fired back, "We're not gossiping King Dain, the King's Consort had asked me what you all were saying, and I was merely obliging."
Dain's brow rose, "And how does my Truffles come into that discussion?"
You smirked back noticing the sullen look on Dwalin's face still holding his glare at you while your scowls at the blonde had stung him deeply in his chest, "Honestly for all he knows that is what you could have been discussing. There are seven others here who I have a good opinion that are unable to understand Khuzdul and yet you all jumped straight into it. So if you insist on Khuzdul I will at least include him in it."
Exhaling softly he eyed you again with a softening expression chuckling softly before asking, "And exactly why would King Thorin not want fish in the markets on Tuesdays?"
Your smirk grew deepening Dwalin's glare, "He checks the forges on Tuesdays, meaning he has to pass through the markets. The Ravens linger there and gossip about which Dwarf has the shiniest jewels on, and under his thick furs his are harder to see, and as King he should win hands down. So no fish, no gossiping Ravens to spoil his mood."
Thorin couldn't help but halfway snort at your nonsensical answer as the Dwarves slowly broke into soft chuckles as their Kings rubbed their faces and switched to the common tongue giving you playful smiles as the meeting continued.
..
Lingering after the meeting you waited on Ori, at his request, as he spoke with the now no longer glaring blonde as they shared nods and a hushed conversation as the dark haired Cousin waited nearby until they broke and Ori happily rejoined your side curling his free arm under yours. Guiding you back to the dining room in the Royal Wing Ori bounced happily on his toes as he filled you into the plans to have lunch together the following day, "And his name is Terren and he's incredible and we're having lunch together and I owe it all to you."
The Princes joined your sides saying, "So, Ori, heard you finally got Terren to ask you to a meal."
Ori chuckled, "Actually Jaqi here did, mentioned my yarn crafting in the meeting."
Fili curled his arm over your shoulders with a chuckle as Kili grinned while Fili said, "Never took you for a matchmaker Jaqi."
Your brows pressed together, "And just how is that matchmaking, anyone can see he's incredible at it."
Kili, "Yes, but in Dwarf culture unless he's purchasing something Ori's crafted Terren's not supposed to comment on his craft unless it's brought up by kin or a loved one. Which makes it hard to start a courtship when you can't compliment your intended."
"But what about that whole glaring and scowling thing, Ori even growled at him earlier."
Kili elbowed the blushing Dwarf curled around your arm as he said, "Man, well done Ori, make him work for it!" firing a wink at Ori then glanced at you saying, "Seems we've got to fill you in. Growling is sort of an add on to the glaring and scowling we use to show our interest."
Fili, "Though it's a lingering glare or scowl, not to be confused with normal ones for just strangers or people you don't like. And if you growl back it means they've got to make the first move."
Kili, "Though just growling on it's own is a sign of affection before a courtship is set out."
Walking through the markets Thorin joined your group with a smirk hearing your instructing conversation as you said, "Well if that's the case then Dwalin's got to be madly in love with me then."
Fili smirked knowingly asking through a chuckle, "What makes you say that?"
"Every time I compliment him on something or speak to him he gives me a glare and growls at me."
Your eyes hift as you spot Dwalin walking by with his axes firmly in their home across his back and you turn to him and call out, "Your axes are looking spectacularly sharp today Master Dwalin." He glares and growls at you before turning away. You turn back to Thorin who has missed this his whole short reign so far with a growing smirk. "See. Like that. He's lucky I think he's adorable when he does it."
Thorin chuckles, "I wasn't aware he'd started the growling. Thought he'd at least compliment you on your craft by now."
You rolled your eyes, "He'd have to stay in the same room as me for longer than two minutes first to do that."
...
The male Durins were all seated in the smoking room after they finalized the check on the forges, smirking you stepped in the open doorway eyeing the group spotting the unknowing Dwalin eyeing the fire until he turned to the doorway following Thorin's gaze with a scowl forming across his face noticing it was you. Leaning in the doorway you smiled at him saying, "Master Dwalin," A glare slid onto his face as you added, "I'll be expecting you for dinner tonight. At 7, don't be late."
His glare dimmed as he asked, "What?"
"Hey, you're the one who wants to walk around glaring and growling at me all the time. No more teasing, either you show up or I'll come hunt you down and tear your clothes off. Either way they're coming off."
A slightly terrified look slid onto his face as he glanced over the group of smirking Durins, knowing he should have made a move sooner and what you would be removing his clothes for. Returning to your room you couldn't help but giggle glancing at the clock and starting dinner after setting up your sketching supplies waiting for the reaction from the adorably tense Dwarf would assume would be happening.
...
7 came brining a knock on your door as you set out the last of the dinner, giggling softly you went to answer the door spotting the stunned Dwarf at your door flashing a quick smile before he walked through your door unable to think let alone fire off another glare as he normally would have done. Strolling in timidly you led him in through to your sitting room saying, "Alright, just go ahead and start stripping."
He eyed you curiously slowly curling his fingers around the fur vest he was wearing, "You, right here? I thought it would happen more in the bedroom, not a couch." Smirking you cross your arms, "Not, not that It wouldn't be amazing here as well. As long as you are enjoying it I suppose here is good as well."
Slowly he laid his vest over the back of the nearby armchair curious why you hadn't done anything then tensed as you asked, "Any position you wish to start with?"
His eyes slid over to yours growing wider, "Um, I, hadn't put a plan for it. Just, the normal ones I suppose." Swallowing as his fingers landed on the belt holding his shirt down as he spotted you grabbing the sketch book he'd missed, "What's that for?"
You smirked again sitting on the couch sitting the sketchbook on your lap, "For the sketches. You're the last of the group pose for me."
Turning to face you he asked, "Pose?"
You nodded, "Yes, you remember, Thorin asked me to paint a portrait of our times in Rivendell. Including the bits with the fountains, meaning I need a better look at all your tattoos, so whenever you're ready." Smiling wider as his shoulders drooped to a relaxed position.
"So we're not going to-."
"Make sweet passionate love on the couch in my sitting room?" he timidly nodded, "Not right now at least."
He blinked again, "Wait, what?"
You chuckled softly, "Found out what all that scowling and glaring meant," setting the sketch book aside you stood and raised his shirt, "You really are lucky you're so adorable when you growl."
A playful spark shot through his eyes that quickly dimmed, "I thought you'd more likely spend your time with that blonde you've spent weeks scowling at."
Giggling you tossed his shirt onto the chair before you raised his arm to remove his knuckle dusters and leather braces, "Terren? No, he's apparently been after Ori, thought he was just being rude to poor Ori, somehow I managed to set them up."
His body relaxed as a soft smile started to slide onto his face as he replied in a hopeful tone, "So you don't care for him?"
You smirked tapping him on the nose, "How could any other Dwarf compare after seeing you strut and flex for months like a massive muscular peacock. Though I do have to admit I am liking the new Mohawk."
He chuckled watching you toss his brace onto the chair before claiming his other arm, freeing his bare arm to draw you closer, sliding his hand around your lower back through his loving gaze that slowly grew darker as he purred, "And when exactly would we be making, sweet," you giggled as his beard brushed your cheek through his gentle peck on the cheek, "Passionate," pressing another kiss lower on your cheek, "Love?" Drawing another giggle from you as his lips found your neck as his other hand gently tilted your head to the side.
Lifting your hand you lowered his hand with a playful smirk setting it on your side allowing his arms to curl tighter around you while yours slid around the back of his neck, "You, at least owe me a proper kiss first." Landing your lips on his for a quickly deepening kiss. Gripping you tighter your feet left the ground as he purred, "The sketch can wait." Drawing another muffled giggle as he carried you to your bedroom where you spent most of the night before you slipped on his shirt.
Leading him to the long abandoned meal to eat before you led him back to the sitting room to get the sketches of his tattoos you needed while he sat on the stool you'd set up. Giggling again you watched as he crept closer sliding his hands over your propped up legs on your lounging position on the couch with a growing smile as he purred, "I never thought I'd get to see you laid back in nothing but my shirt." Making you bite your lip as he slid his hand higher on your thigh brushing his shirt up while his other set your sketch book on the table nearby, "Makes me want to try out a tumble on this couch."
Giggling again you fired a playful glare as he eased over you kneeling between your legs, "For that I might need to hear a few more growls from you Master Dwalin."
In a single move his hands curled around your hips pulling you up onto his lap with your arms curling around his neck to keep yourself upright through another giggle as he firmly kissed your neck again letting out a muffled growl sliding his rough hands gently under his shirt against your skin playfully cupping you through the following growls before his lips landed on yours again through a final muffled growl. Sliding his nose against yours he purred again, "And none of that Master Dwalin bit. You're my One Love," Kissing you again firmly, "If anyone here is in charge it's you."
Giggling again your lips landed on his sliding your hands through his beard causing him to lay you back down flat as your legs curled around his waist for another loving round that soon shifted from the cramped couch to the thick rug on the floor. Right before the dying fire casting the only light in the slowly dimming room as his scattered growls drew more giggles from you making him chuckle in return before stealing more breath stealing kisses.
Laid out around your side his lips landed on your cheek again while his fingers ran through your hair, "My Dearest Love would you do me the honor of wearing my beads?"
Giggling again you slid your hands around his neck kissing him again, "Thought you'd never ask. Of course, I'll wear them proudly."
His smile grew rising to claim the beads from his discarded pants pocket after rebuilding the fire, "Will you be in the meeting in the morning?"
You shook your head smiling at him as you sat up, curling your legs before you with your arms wrapped around them while he settled behind you starting your braid, "No, I have to finish the portrait. Yours were the final details I needed before the big reveal."
He smirked curling his arms around your middle kissing your cheek, "I hope at least you're covered in it, I don't want anyone getting any glimpse of you undressed."
You giggled again as he rubbed his cheek against yours through a tight protective hug, "I'm not in them. Just you all and Bilbo."
"You're not in any of them?" His body shifted as he gave you a curious glance.
You shook your head, "Your legacies have to be recorded, though Thorin did insist on a single one with me and Bilbo on Myrtle though. And she was grateful for the apples through her sitting for the sketch."
He sighed, "I'm going to talk to Thorin, you were a much larger part of our Journey than you realize, you deserve to be recorded properly Love. Much more than just landing a lucky shot on Smaug, as you have claimed." Kissing your cheek again, "Besides, you're a part of my legacy now, one we'll be passing on to our pebbles." His arms gripped you tighter drawing another giggle when he growled against your neck, "Speaking of pebbles.." Playfully you squealed as he spun you around to land his lips on yours when he tackled you to the ground again through your muffled giggle.
..
Redressed Dwalin left for his meeting after claiming one last lingering kiss. Closing your door you turned adjusting the sleeves on the sweater you had pulled on over your favorite pants returning to your spare room you'd set up as your painting room to start the finishing touches on the painting. Finally it was completed and you set it aside to finish drying as you focused on the last of the single portraits, adding the completed ones to the self portrait Thorin had insisted of you that you had done first to get it over with before starting on the others. Boxing up the last of them your eyes left the box when Ori rushed in with a giddy chuckle as he crashed into you with a large hug before proudly showing off the bead now added to his hair.
Grabbing your arm he led you into your sitting room as he filled you in on the entire day and night together that him and his One had spent together as all the details were squared away. Including working a deal with his Brothers and the Bur brothers next door to allow Terren to stay in Bifur and Bofur's spare room until Terren and Ori could get their own apartment when the courtship was completed. Glancing at the clock for the time another knock sounded at your door bringing the small group of Iron Hills Dwarves into view as their leader said, "King Thorin sent us to collect the paintings."
You nodded showing them inside as Terren stole another brief kiss from Ori before bowing his head to you with a large smile when he left to help set up everything for the reveal. Joining the rest of the Company and their families the great hall filled with Dwarves waiting to enter the banquet hall for the last of the celebrations for the return to Erebor. Finally all the Dwarves had found their homes and old shops along with the addition of portraits commemorating the Journey the new King had taken to get them home. Group after group filed past the large wall of massive images of the major points along the way, with the largest being the fountain portrait bringing laughs from all that passed when they imagined the faces of the Elves at their antics. With the final being a shot of Smaug falling and Bilbo clutching the Arkenstone beside you holding your makeshift bow for the black arrow in the burning Laketown with Kili and Fili holding it steady for you through the shot.
Arms curled around your back while a familiar beard brushed your cheek as a deep purring whisper sounded by your ear, "They're excellent Love. Couldn't have found a better artist to capture out travels."
Thorin at your side smiled at the pair of you, "I couldn't agree more. And congratulations, bout time you started your courtship Dwalin." Chuckling softly as Dwalin shot him a playful glare.