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Bella was bored.
Okay, that was an unkind thought but it did not make it less true. She sometimes truly marveled at Thorin’s ability to remain perfectly composed during some of these truly dull meetings. Although in this case a closer glance at her husband revealed his eyes to be completely glassed over.
Bella was willing to bet her best pie recipie that Thorin was mentally back in the forge. Balin at least did seem to be genuinely paying attention.
Finally the elvish representative appeared to be wrapping up. His final statement almost made her jump but she kept her face smooth at least until he left the room. Then she rounded on Thorin, “What did he just say?”
Thorin shook himself slightly as if trying to draw himself to the present. “I am afraid, I have no idea, bless Mahal that elf was long-winded.”
The glare from Balin would have once bothered Bella but this was the sixth meeting today, she was tired for Yavanna’s sake!
Balin sighed, “King Thrandeul plans to visit in the next year or two. You agreed.”
Thorin blinked, “I did? That seems highly unlikely Balin.”
Balin snorted, “That is what I thought as well but since clearly Your Majesty was not paying attention, we will be having elvish guests in the next year. Perhaps next time at least one of Your Majesties will be paying attention?”
Fili from the other side of Bella pipped up, “Hey now Balin, I was paying attention. Until they got to the flowery stuff at the end.”
Balin appeared to be appealing to Mahal for patience Bella absently noted.
“Who is next on the agenda Balin?” Thorin sighed, “Is it at least a dwarf?”
“And is it someone that I can make Kili fill in for me instead?”
The glare from both Thorin and Balin could have cut glass.
Balin took a deep breathe and turned to Thorin, “Your majesties are free from the Throne Room. Her Majesty has a meeting with the ladies of Dale this afternoon and Thorin, you have a meeting with Bard. Fili will be getting to enjoy remedial lessons on the importance of not playing pranks on the dignitaries.”
The groan from Fili was definitely miserable but just this once, well he was on his own. Bella reached out for her husband’s hand and rushed out of the Throne Room towards her private meeting room. She collapsed onto the sofa next to Thorin.
“Why did you not tell me that ruling would involve so many meetings?”
Thorin groaned, “They were a lot shorter when you are a king in exile. I was not aware there would be so many meetings.”
Bella poked him in the side, “Surely you noticed how busy your grandfather and father were?”
Thorin sat up and appeared to start seriously consider her point, “You have to remember Bella, my grandfather was unwell for a very long time. Some called it gold-sickness. Others simply called him ill which I am more inclined to believe. Balin however does believe the other and he was older than I was so perhaps he has a point…Yet I do believe that I knew my grandfather better and…”
“THORIN!”
Thorin shook himself, “My apologies, so he was unwell which means that other than ceremonial functions that only my grandfather could do. My father ran the kingdom and I was very young to be much help as heir. My uncle died in battle shortly after I was born so there was only myself, Ferrin and Dis to provide help along with my mother. However we were very young and my mother was already serving as Queen. So while my father did seem very busy, even I knew that it was because of my grandfather's illness not because it was supposed to be that way.”
Bella felt Thorin pull her up against his chest, “It will get better Bella. But Erebor cannot be rebuilt in a day.”
Bella snorted, “But it can be rebuilt in endless meetings?”
Thorin snorted, “Perhaps not. But go enjoy your afternoon meeting with Sigrid and her sister. Meetings that build friendships can rebuild almost anything.”