Chapter Text
Erebor, November 6th, 2941
From: Ori
To: Ari
Dear mama
Guess what, we took back Erebor, and we didn't die! It means Gweron owes me one gold coin, so don't hesitate to ask it of her.
Sorry, that wasn't a very good joke. But I need a laugh here, because our last few days have been an horror. There's been troubles, and a battle, and lots of people got hurt or died... but all's fine, I'm fine, and so are Dori and Nori, and Erebor is ours again!
Also, I'm in a courtship with prince Kili.
Well, that's said now. Dori has agreed to it, even if we can't get properly engaged until you and princess Dis give official permission, so it's pretty serious. Dori wouldn't have allowed it if it had just been a flirt! So I hope you will give us permission. I love him very much, and he loves me too, and we are so very happy together! I was a little wounded during that battle and he took care of me, and I'm helping him with his new duties as a prince, and everyone says we are a good match. Even Thorin says so. I mean, king Thorin. He's proper king now, with a crown and the Arkenstone!
So, you see, things are quite fine here. Except for the fact that things are a little tense with the elves and the humans, but it isn’t so bad, so don’t worry, everything is under control. As soon as spring is here, Thorin says he will send some messengers back to Ered Luin to organize the travels of those who wish to come here. You are going to get home, Mama! And not just home, but we are true nobility now, because Thorin granted us a title, and Dori is now a member of his council.
Nori says the king did that only because Thorin couldn’t let his nephew be involved with a commoner, but that is only because he is now forced to have responsibilities, and we all know how much he enjoys that. Really, everyone who took part in the quest was ennobled. We had a hobbit with us, and even he was offered to become our emissary to the Shire… but he had to leave quickly with the wizard Gandalf before he could accept.
But really, everything is mostly fine, we are all very busy, and I cannot wait for you to come here and meet Kili. You’re going to love him. Everyone loves him. Even the elves like him… he’s tamed one from Mirkwood… or maybe she tamed him. They’re great friend anyway, and it’s really funny to see them together, because sometimes they argue like Nori and Dori.
This is all the news I have for now
I hope to see you again soon, because I miss you terribly.
Ori.
PS: please, please, please allow Kili and me to continue our courtship? He wrote to his mother to inform her, and he’s the one who said I should ask you as soon as possible, so please?
PPS: The other letter is for Gweron, could you please give it to her?
Erebor, November 6th, 2941
From: Ori
To: Gweron
Hi Gweron!
Guess who got himself a boyfriend, and not just any boyfriend but a prince?
If you guess ‘Ori’, then you are right. Your prize is to be my witness when I marry him, which we hope to do as soon as we can.
You might wonder how I ended up in such a situation. Especially with how we used to laugh together at everyone who was after romance. Well, I didn’t try to end up like this, if you must know. It’s just that Kili and me hit it off right from the start, and he was a great friend (not as great as you, fear not. You still have best friend privileges). I had a lot of fun with him and his brother, though I really liked Kili best from the start, because he always made me laugh, whereas his brother Fili is a bit more… not exactly gloomy, but clearly not as much fun as Kili.
So, yes, I had a crush, and a pretty bad one too, and I swear I will never again make fun of the way your sister was with her spouse before she dared talk to zir, because I swear I was just as bad. I was however sensible enough to not let it show too much, because he’s a prince and I’m not a complete idiot. Except a ton of bad things happened, and we almost died a couple time, and we even had to be rescued by eagles…
And it’s after that that Kili said he loved me, and wished to court me, and of course I said yes. And it’s been wonderful ever since. It’s just magical, being with him. He’s so sweet and caring and careful and nice, and even Dori likes him, which is saying a lot I think. And we’re getting married as soon as our mothers arrive and allow it. Which they’d better do, or we’ll run away all the way to Ered Luin and get married there!
Well, that’s enough on him, or you’re going to call me a bore and tease me crazy… don’t deny it, you would do it.
But I don’t have much else to say. I thought going to Erebor was hard, but it’s nothing compared to all the work we have to do now. The dragon just destroyed everything, there’s many unstable area… all the parts near the main entrance are beyond repair, according to Bombur (that’s our architect) but thankfully it’s a big mountain, and we should manage anyway. There’s places that almost didn’t get any damage, and we live there for now.
So as you can see, apart from Kili, there’s not anything really exciting going on in my life at the moment.
What about yours? How is your sister? And the rest of the gang, how are they doing? Is Nadir still apprenticed? Is Griet’s leg better? Tell me everything! I miss you all so much, you know. I love Kili, and his brother is fun enough when he has time, but it’s nothing like when we all were together!
I miss you tons,
Ori.
Ered Luin, December 1st 2941
From: Ari
to: Ori
My darling boy
I never doubted that you would survive, not with your brothers near you. But I am still glad that you are well, my darling, and seeing that thrush on my window was a happy surprise indeed!
Well… and in love with a prince? Now that’s a surprise. Gweron says it’s the best joke of the century, after the number of times the two of you swore that romance just wasn’t your thing. Are you sure it isn’t just an alliance born of the fear of that quest? It has happened before, and I do not want you to rush into his too fast, only to be hurt later…
However, if by the time I can come, you and your prince are still so in love, the lady Dis and myself have decided that we would allow your engagement. She came to see me a few days after I received your letter. She told me her son was quite taken with you, and she wanted to be sure that the feeling was mutual. I assured her that it seemed to be. She’s a very nice lady, and I would not mind seeing her as your mother-in-law.
I hope things will turn out fine for you, my darling. I want nothing more than to see you happy, and if it turns out marriage is what you need for that, then so be it.
Here, things are quite fine. The news of your success is spreading fast, and almost everyone is celebrating. The ones who aren’t partying are those who realize that going back to Erebor means losing the ties forged with Broadbeams over the years. Some people, especially among the married ones, are considering staying here after all. It is no Erebor, but it has become home.
But think not of that. Work hard, my darling! Rebuild our kingdom with your prince, and make me proud, once more!
I miss you, and your brothers
Ari.
Ered Luin, December 1st 2941
From: Gweron
to: Ori
You slimy little troll’s fart of a betrayer.
What happened to our plans of never getting married and living as free dwarrows for the rest of our lives, breaking hearts with how pretty we are? You betraying traitor!
You’re going to have to send me a portrait of your stupid prince. I want to know the face of the dwarf who’s taking my best friend from me! And then I’ll kill him, and you’ll come back to Ered Luin to be with me and the gang, happy ending.
Not but seriously, I’m happy for you. Anyone who could make you fall in love must be pretty neat. Maybe I’ll meet him one day? Who knows.
Here, things are fine. Everyone’s partying at the moment… everyone but Deron, because Kazer is a Broadbeam and ze doesn’t really want to move to Erebor… So Deron says she might stay, which upsets Da something terrible, because he wants the family to stay together of course. Things are pretty rocky at home at the moment, but what else is new under the stone?
About the others, Nadir’s apprenticeship should end next month. Griet’s leg had to be cut a little after you left… it was pretty awful, but she’s got a nice prosthesis now, and she’s getting used to walking with it. Also, she’s now dating Hored, so you lost your bet. And Hored’s got himself a job with his uncle, hunting and all that. It sounds pretty boring if you ask me, but he’s fairly happy about it, so there’s that.
Anyway, I’m happy for you, and I hope you keep me updated. Even if it turns out that I’ll stay in Ered Luin, we’ll still be friends, right?
I miss you, even if you’re a horrible person who dares to be on the other side of the world instead of by my side.
Gweron.