Chapter Text
Thorin hid behind the column leading to the main hall. His eyes fell upon the gleaming figure of the Elven-King, regal and majestic, Thorin had never seen someone so tall, or so pretty in his whole live. His big, blue eyes opened wide at the sight of such a beautiful creature standing his full height in front of his father and his grandfather speaking about subjects he was not interested in yet.
He glanced at his hands, biting his lower lip at the flowery crown he had made with his own hands and the little wooden figure he had crafted for more than a month. His instructors had scolded him for the figure, telling him he shouldn’t be crafting an elk but a war-goat or something more Dwarvish looking. But Thorin didn’t care, he had seen how much King Thranduil loved his elk, and he had seen the softening of those usually cold features whenever the huge animal was nearby. Thorin glanced at his gifts, then back at the Elven-King, he had planned it everything, made sure he wore his best clothes and that his mother put upon his head the crown of the Prince of Erebor.
He felt his stomach filled with a strange tingling, his hands sweating a little while he hid behind the column. He almost dropped the crown, a gasp escape his lips but soon he held his breath, when he went to look his father and grandfather were leaving and the Elven-King was standing there waving away to his guards. Thorin gulped stepping back looking at the flowery crown and the wooden elk, putting on a serious determined face he stepped forward only to find the hall empty. His heart dropped and he couldn’t hide his disappointment when he realized he was late.
"Are you looking from someone, Prince Thorin?"
Thorin turned around startled to see Thranduil standing in front of him, his lips curling up and his grey eyes gleaming amusedly. The great Elven-King knelt down tilting his head. Thorin gulped straightening himself up while stretching his arms holding up the gifts he had brought with him
"I made this for you." He said with his voice trembling a little, Thranduil was taken aback by this he glanced at the gifts then back at Thorin who soon was unable to keep shut.
"I made them myself. My mother says they are pretty, Father says I should work more on my abilities. My instructor says I should do more dwarven things." Thorin took a deep breath, flushing a little when Thranduil chuckled leaning forward.
"You made them for me, why?"
Thorin pursed his lips, then his big, blue eyes locked with those silvery orbs, “Because you’re pretty. You’re prettier than the Arkenstone and a Prince should always start the courting.”
Thranduil was suddenly left speechless, his eyes stared at Thorin long a hard until Thorin was starting to doubt his gift was appreciated. The Elven-King softened lowering his head, Thorin watched with apprehension and a hint of curiosity at this.
"Can you put the crown on my head, Prince Thorin?" Thorin beamed at the King, he lifted his chin and placed it with care on the golden hair sticking his tongue out as he stood on his tiptoes.
Thorin step back admiring his job before nodding, “You look even prettier with my crown.”
Thranduil laughed at this placing his right hand on his chest, “Thank you for this Kingly gift you have giving me.”
"This is also yours." Thorin handed the wooden elk, rubbing his foot on the ground rather shyly all of a sudden.
"Does …does it mean you accept the courtship?" Thranduil took the wooden elk admiring the details and how much alike to his own mount it looked.
Then Thranduil turned to Thorin who was looking at him expectantly, a hint of emotion in his blue eyes. The Elven-King felt his heart shrank at the sight of such innocence, he wondered how Thorin had come to this conclusion. He could tell him about the absurdity of this union, or how his family would be enraged by this gesture. But Thranduil couldn’t do it, the dwarling was just presenting to him his heart and Thranduil was not so cruel as to break it.
"I cannot accept your courtship, Prince Thorin." Thranduil said softly, tenderly while placing his hand on the child’s shoulder. Thorin tensed his face falling and his eyes showing the signs of a broken heart. "However, I would like for us to start by being friends. You are far too young and I am far too old to start a courtship so suddenly."
Thorin swallowed pressing his lips together, Thranduil leaned forward. Until Thorin could not look away.”Would you grant me the honor of your friendship?”
And Thorin thought this long and hard, before nodding. He felt tears in his eyes but the pain was soon forgotten when the Elven-King smiled brightly at him.
"Thank you, I will treasure this gifts you have given to me." Thranduil lifted the dwarfling’s chin with a fingertip. "Would you like to see my elk? Perhaps accompany me on a short ride?"
"Can I?" Thorin was suddenly exited the moment of sorrow soon forgotten.
"Of course, we’re friends now, right?" Thorin swallowed and nodded grabbing the hand being offered to him. While Thranduil let the young Prince to the stable, Thorin promise himself and the whole world he would make sure to be ready by the time he was old enough to continue with his courtship.