Chapter Text
After the conversation with the King and his Consort, Ori felt a bit more certain of what he had already decided. Fíli had defended not only his right to marry him, but he made it clear that Ori was his only choice. Fíli deserved to have a choice in it, after all. Ori had chosen Fíli, and now Ori had been chosen in return.
Ori needed the confidence that conversation had buoyed up within him, because directly after, he would need to tell his siblings. Neither of them would be too pleased about what he would be doing, and so for that, he had asked Fíli to remain elsewhere without the scribe while he went to his own family.
At first, Fíli had seemed concerned that Ori thought he might not be able to handle it, but that was far from it, really. Ori knew it would be easier to discuss without the Crown Prince lingering, possibly further inciting Nori’s wrath, in particular. So, they agreed to each tell their family members at the same time.
Ori exhaled heavily after he had closed the door to their family quarters. They, too, were placed in the Company wing, but further away from where most of the royal family’s chambers resided.
He padded through the empty receiving area, passing various empty corners, then found Dori seated in their dining room. He was, of course, drinking tea of his own. Dori also had papers in front of him that he seemed to be reading until Ori walked in, and he glanced up from them. Nori was nowhere to be seen, but that did not mean he was not home.
“Is Nori in?”
Dori pursed his lips, then set his tea cup down on its saucer.
“He is.”
“Nori,” Ori called out, knowing if this were to happen, it needed to happen right then.
There were plans to be made, and the newest couple would eventually have to be paraded around the kingdom to assure their fellow dwarrow that while no heir was being readily presented just yet, one would be on the way eventually.
The idea of being a parent was something difficult to stomach; while the act of creating pebbles was pleasurable enough, what came after was nothing to underestimate. Ori had heard more than enough about how he was as a child, being raised by his brothers. They had chosen to do so, even when it was hard. Unlike them, Ori knew he at least would not be so alone. At least, that was the hope he was clinging to, alongside the one that just their marriage alone would quell the unrest long enough for them to sort themselves out beyond the cursory beginning they had thus far.
Soon, Nori was sauntering out of the hallway that connected the dining room to the rest of their shared home.
“You called?” Nori seemed at ease, as he leaned against a wall, crossing his arms while he did.
Ori nodded.
“I need to talk to you. Both of you.”
“What is this about?” Dori asked, looking more serious than he had before. His face was drawn into a tight-lipped frown as he took to scrutinizing Ori with renewed interest.
Nori’s face was unreadable then, but Ori could tell he was looking for any hint that something was wrong, as well.
“I need to remind you both that I am my own dwarf over twenty years past majority, and not a pebble anymore. I can make my own decisions, whether you like them or not. I am a Master in my field, and I will not accept you treating me as if I were freshly carved. Do you both understand?”
Dori tsked while Nori narrowed his eyes.
Ori waited, then continued on when no one else spoke. It was the best opening he was going to get.
“I offered my hand in marriage to Fíli, and he accepted.”
“You did what?” Nori hissed.
Dori’s hands began to shake, while Ori glared at Nori.
“You heard me, Nori.”
“Why would you do that?”
Ori crossed his arms in front of his chest, trying to stand as tall as he was able.
“I care about him, and I cannot see him marry someone he does not know or does not even like.”
Nori’s eyes took on a somewhat manic quality as he stepped forward a bit closer, and asked, “He likes you, does he?”
Refusing to be cowed, Ori nodded.
“He does, in fact, and I like him.”
Ori’s claim was truer now than it had been earlier. For all of Fíli’s faults, he was a good dwarf; dependable and loyal. That alone made Ori’s estimation of him rise. Then, of course, there was the way Fíli had spoken about Ori; he could almost believe that Fíli had some affection for him already, if Ori was not determined to think otherwise. That would only complicate matters and force him to face his own, long buried thoughts, too.
“He will be expected to carve a child with you,” Nori continued, a look of disgust on his face.
“I am aware.”
Ori’s mouth formed a grim line as he placed a level stare at Nori, then glanced at Dori, before resting his eyes back on Nori again.
Nori’s mouth twisted into a horrible grimace.
“Has he tried anything with you before now?”
Ori shook his head resolutely.
“No, but I do not find the idea displeasing, nor do I care for the rise in stations, either. If I am to marry anyone, though, I’d like it to be him.”
Ori said it, and in that moment, he truly meant it. Fíli meant him no harm, nor did he seem inclined to anyone outside of the random beddings he undoubtedly had on occasion, given his estimation of what had occurred between them years before. The thought of someone else touching Fíli briefly made Ori’s chest hurt, but it was not time for that, nor did he have a right to his jealousy either. Ori had never intimated wanting more, and Fíli was his own dwarf, too, with wants and needs entirely his own. If all went well, Ori would never have to suffer the idea of Fíli with another, as odd as him being worried about that felt.
Dori finally spoke up, his voice quiet.
“You’ve never mentioned a preference for anyone before, even him. What brings this out now?”
Ori grimaced.
“The idea that anyone but me might marry him if I chose to keep quiet.”
That was true enough, as much as the claim that Fíli had never tried anything with Ori, because he hadn’t. It was Ori who had come to Fíli of his own free will, looking for something, anything, to calm his mind as it writhed in agony. That he had thought of Fíli first had disconcerted Ori only until after they spoke that night, and he realized Fíli was truly the right dwarf to seek solace with. Not once did Fíli poke fun at Ori or even seem to mention what had happened to anyone in all the years since. That, too, spoke well enough of his character, given what Ori knew of others; that not every dwarf was that kind about that sort of thing.
“A passing fancy is not reason enough to marry, especially him in particular,” Dori said, louder than he had been before.
Ori scoffed.
“This is not a passing fancy, Dori. I would hope you both think well enough of me that either of you would know I did not make this decision lightly. I asked him to marry me because I care for him and want him for myself, for reasons only he, Mahal and I should know. I did not come for you two to make me regret the decision, only for you both to be aware of it."
If Ori's chest was heaving a bit from the exertion of having to defend his choice to the two who mattered most to him, well, that was his business. He knew they would not like what he had done, but they had to at least accept it. Dori was right about one thing; he had little preference for other dwarrow. Except for the fact Ori had developed a fondness for Fíli he had carefully tucked away. That had been the case for some time, regardless of how much Ori might have internally or externally protested otherwise. Ori had taken to calling Fíli a distraction long ago. He was one, but not always in the way everyone, including Fili, had assumed as the years went on. It was just as well, really.
“You’re not even 100!” Nori hissed.
“I’m two years from it; far past when our own Amad began having pebbles, or did you both forget that?”
Both Dori and Nori looked at him as if they were just seeing him as something other than their baby brother for the first time. Ori glared back at them both, daring them to continue the argument, as if either had a leg to stand on.
Dori cleared his throat.
“Even if I were to agree on this, which I do not, what do you think the King will say? He and the rest of the council already drew up a list of candidates, and you were not even on it,” Dori asked, in a tone he always used to placate tense, diplomatic discussions.
Briefly, Ori wondered how Dori knew about that, given the guild heads were not at the meeting. Perhaps his brother was keeping secrets of his own. That was for consideration another time, though.
Rather than dignify the underhanded comment for what it was - a subtle chastisement, Ori smiled.
“He’s already approved of it. The contract must be drawn up soon, which I imagine you would want to be involved with.”
Dori’s mouth dropped open while Nori’s eyes widened.
“You went to Thorin before your own brothers?” Dori asked, sounding genuinely hurt.
Despite his insistence on the inevitable, Ori did feel guilty about that. He loved his brothers, but he also needed them to see that they could not shield him from everything, nor sway his decisions closer to an outcome of their liking, either.
“We had to make sure he knew of what we wanted before any other agreements could be put forth.”
A tense silence followed, wending its way around the room, between all three brothers. Nori still looked angry, but somehow, a bit less so as a whole after that information. Dori continued to drink his tea primly for a time, before he finally set his cup down again and looked up at Ori, his face no longer stricken with fear or hurt.
“You’re serious about this then; about Fíli and all of what it entails,” Dori said, diplomatically.
“Yes. If I do not marry him, I doubt I will have another. For all of Fíli’s faults, I think we will be well-suited to one another. More to the point, he isn’t seeking to rise above his station by being with a 'Hero of Erebor,' or simply bed me for my pretty face.”
In another time, Ori would have been shocked to speak this way of his private life, but he had to appear unaffected then. He had to be seen as capable and willing to accept what he had chosen, which he was. However, it was not in Ori's nature to discuss bed activities much out loud, especially not with his brothers. His private life was about to be put on display for the whole of Erebor though, so he supposed he would have to become used to it in some capacity. There were certainly others who would have no qualms in speculating about him and Fíli, one day.
Nori scoffed.
“What did the King say when you both sought him out?” Dori asked.
Ori shifted back and forth on his feet, his hands lacing behind him. If Dori considered it a nervous gesture, then that was on him. In that moment, Ori simply needed to stim, for lack of having a quill or knitting needles in his hands.
“He questioned whether it was what we wanted and said he would not accept it unless I could see myself loving Fíli, one day. Arranged marriages might have been built on less before, but Thorin did seem to care about Fíli’s happiness as well as my own.”
Dori sighed and rubbed a hand to one of his temples.
“I suppose there’s nothing more to say. I only hope you do not live to regret this decision, Ori.”
Ori smiled again, hoping that might ease his brothers’ minds.
“I don’t intend to.”
“Amad?”
Fíli’s mother’s arms swarmed around him after he had closed the door to her own receiving room. He felt the tears that had already fallen into her beard and down her face as she pressed against him. She was as tall as Thorin, and looked his mirror image, save for how she adorned herself both in clothing style and braids. The two held each other for a moment in silence.
“I am so sorry, Fíli,” she muttered into his neck, her face pressed against his hair.
He held her for a bit longer, soaking up the familial touch like it was air.
Afterwards, they stepped within an arms’ length of each other. Fíli reached out and wiped away the remnants of what tears he could from his Amad’s face before he smiled up at her.
“There’s no reason to be sorry. In fact, I have news.”
His mother’s eyebrows rose, as she seemed to be cataloguing every single part of his face, before she said, “Oh?”
“I chose my intended. Or, well, rather he chose me, as a matter of fact.”
Confusion knitted his Amad’s eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
Fíli exhaled, then said, “I plan to marry Ori, Amad.”
“Little Ori?”
Fíli smiled.
“He’s older than me, by three years.”
Dís gave him a considering look, then said, “Yes, that’s right.”
His mother looked at him, and did as Thorin had, whilst taking his hands in hers.
“Is this what you truly want?”
It was both startling and comforting to hear the same phrase twice in one day. Fíli might be prone to jokes, but had he not proven he knew his own mind enough that something like accepting a marriage proposal would not be seen by those around him as a misjudgment on his part? Despite his minor frustration though, he appreciated that he had others who cared about him enough to ask about something so serious.
Fíli held her gaze, hoping he could instill within it a look of confidence that was growing within him by the second, after he and Ori talked with his uncles. The way Ori had reacted to him gave him hope, as much as what the scribe had said about him. Ori was not one to mince words, or lie, for that matter, to assuage someone else. For all of Fíli’s surprise, he knew how Ori had acted was genuine.
“Yes. I think he is the best choice, and the right one. He and I are suited to one another, I suppose.”
A small smile graced his Amad’s features whilst she raised her left eyebrow.
“Is that so?”
Fíli nodded. “I think so, and it appears so does he.”
“He was not on the list of candidates,” Dís said, almost absentmindedly.
Something about that did not sit right with Fíli either, given what he knew of Ori; he had meant what he said - Ori was more worthy of his hand than any he knew. Whoever they might suggest did not have their Mastery before 100, nor would they have come to reclaim Erebor alongside his family. Why would Fíli want to marry someone who had turned away from the quest, leaving those who had shown up to fend for themselves, in favor of their own self interests? The more he thought about it, the less he liked those who might have been on that list, even if he was not privy to the names that had been placed on it just yet.
“No, but he is who I am choosing to spend my life with. I believe he will benefit not only me but the entire kingdom.”
His Amad nodded; a calculating look on her countenance as she did.
“He is accomplished for a dwarf of his age, and one of the few who bothered to aid Thorin in retaking the mountain. You could do worse, I suppose.”
Fíli nodded. He knew his mother would see sense, eventually.
“This is not the way I would have chosen to marry. However, I find the idea less daunting if it's him I must have at my side. He is not a stranger, nor someone wishing to marry me for my title or the privileges being married to a future King would afford him.”
Dís smiled at him, more widely than before.
“I am glad to know there is someone you find who interests you enough that the idea is not so terrible, anymore."
She lapsed into silence for a moment, probably remembering prior discussions where Fíli had vehemently opposed the idea of marriage, regardless of what Kíli and Tauriel were up to. He had sworn he would do so in his own time, and not any sooner.
The quiet that had descended before was pierced with a sigh.
"Perhaps, this is the best outcome we could have hoped for. Though, you might consider telling your nadadith before Thorin grabs him by the beard and drags him to a sparring ring.”
Fíli chuckled.
“I intend to. I only thought you should know before he does.”
Dís reached out and caressed Fíli’s cheek; the rings on that hand did not scrape, though he felt the hardness of the cold metal pressed against him as she held on for a moment still.
“I appreciate that, truly, but give the mountain and your uncles some peace, please.”
Fíli smiled.
“Alright, I’ll go find him next, then.”
“See that you do,” Dis said, then expelled a throaty laugh, after.
“Nadad?”
Kíli, who Fíli had scarcely seen since the council meeting, opened his door for Fíli. When it parted, Kíli’s hair was more disheveled than normal, and it was clear that he had been crying, much like their mother.
Once Kíli had stepped aside for Fíli to come in, and then shut the door, Fíli was engulfed into his brother’s arms. Fíli wrapped his arms around Kíli as best he could in response. For a moment, the two simply stood there, embracing.
Then, Fíli broke away from the tight hold, after patting Kíli’s back long enough to signal he was done with the touch.
“Nadadith, I have news.”
Kíli looked at him, a deep frown etched into his features. His eyes were red rimmed, and he looked more upset than Fíli had seen him in a long time.
The sight of his brother looking so broken over what happened made Fíli feel both sad and glad. He had never doubted Kíli’s love for him, but it still warmed his heart to see how much Kíli truly cared about him. He would always protect Kíli, but it felt nice to have Kíli protect him every now and again.
“Has Uncle called off this farce, then?”
Fíli shook his head.
“No, but something good has come of it.”
Kíli, for all his anger, did look curious at that.
“What do you mean?”
“Ori and I have decided to marry. I won’t be married to a stranger, nor to someone I dislike, either.”
Kíli’s eyes widened.
“Ori?”
Fíli smiled.
“Yes, Ori.”
“You’re happy about this?” Kíli asked, uncertainty evident in his then drawn expression.
“Yes, I am.” Fíli paused, looking for the right words to say because his brother wouldn’t care about Ori’s accomplishments as much as the other nobility of Erebor would, then said, “I think we could make each other happy, and I don’t want to do this with anyone else. The longer I’ve thought about it, the more I realize that I do not want to.”
Something about the statement felt right, and it was really all Fíli had to offer right then. His mind was still wrapping itself around the entirety of it all; marriage, siring a child, and being with Ori, of all dwarrow, for the rest of his life. Even so, he could recognize that he had developed a certain fondness for the scribe that he had not thought much about, until he was forced to. What could he say, really - hearing Ori say nice things about him and blush because of him pleased his ego and his heart.
Kíli crossed his arms in front of him.
“What does Uncle say?”
“He approves.”
Kíli exhaled.
“I still don’t like this, but this is your life, Fíli. If Ori is who you want at your side, who am I to judge? I only want your happiness, you know.”
Fíli nodded. “I know. Thank you for speaking up for me, but I do believe this may have been the best outcome.”
After, he clapped his brother’s left shoulder to give it a squeeze then bonked their heads together.
It was only then that Kíli smiled as he playfully shoved Fíli’s left shoulder.
“Who knew it would be you and Ori?”
Fíli stepped back and stretched a bit, then said, “Mahal's balls, not me. I thought he might've actually hated me all those years ago in Ered Luin.”
“And now?”
There was a teasing lilt in Kíli’s voice, though his mouth formed a concerned grimace, while his eyebrows furrowed, after.
“I think he likes me a bit, actually. He all but told our uncles he might even love me some day.”
Fíli might have preened a bit more, if he weren’t still reeling from the incredulity and wonder he felt about it all. It’s something he had wanted, at one time, he had latently realised after Ori had come to him that one night. He liked it when Ori saw him as something more than a distraction, or otherwise. It made his heart beat faster, in ways he hadn’t felt around anyone else. Even so, he had long given up any hope that Ori might feel anything of the sort, until everything that happened renewed that gentle tug he had always felt to the scribe, again. He didn't seek to annoy just anyone, after all.
Kíli’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.
“Ori did that?”
Fíli nodded.
It had taken Fíli by surprise, as much as everything else that had happened, probably even more so than anything else. He had felt such dread when that council meeting had devolved into discussing his marriage prospects, which was what had made him walk out to begin with, only to find Ori had followed him. Ori was a Master Scribe, but Balin was still the official Royal Scribe. It would be some years before their elder's seat would be filled. Despite the discussion pertaining to his future, Fíli was not necessarily needed there. It was comforting to leave that meeting and not have to be alone. He imagined, if Ori had not followed him, then Kíli would have, eventually. However, Fíli was glad for whatever had made the quiet scribe seek him out. It had led to a much better outcome than he could have hoped for, especially if each of them harbored some sort of burgeoning fondness that might one day become love.
Kíli shut his mouth for a moment and tapped a finger against his own lips before speaking, again.
“What about you, though? Could you love him in the way Uncle Thorin and Uncle Bilbo love each other? The way we have heard Amad and Adad did?”
With no hesitation, Fíli found himself saying, “Yeah, I think I could. He’s truly something special.”
Kíli beamed, then a relieved expression followed suit.
“Good. You deserve the chance for that, just as much as I do.”
Fíli sighed.
“Not all of us can find love on a life-changing quest.”
At the mention of Tauriel, Kíli’s eyes glittered as he grinned at Fíli.
“You can’t do everything first, you know.”
Fíli rolled his eyes.