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Mending the Broken Pieces	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 13613 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story. Tolkien and Jackson are the ones who own the characters and world.

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Author’s Note – I’m glad I have chapters stockpiled because if I’d had to write this today, it wouldn’t be as light hearted as it is. For those who have been waiting to find out, I got the results from my disability hearing today. I was told no so as soon as I got home from the post office, I called my lawyer and spoke with his assistant. She told me that he would read the papers from the judge and then write a brief to appeal the decision. He’s got sixty days to get it done, and I really hope he’ll do it sooner than that. Please keep me in your thoughts because I’m really struggling to stay upbeat and this has got to end favorably for me.

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make any money from this story!

Chapter Seventeen – Courting Picnic

Hawthorn had spent the entire morning in the kitchen to prepare the courting gift of food for the picnic, cooking and baking the hours away, and she hummed softly to herself as she prepared the basket to carry out to meet Thorin and Gloin. She knew that her cariad had been busy since her conversation with Balin. He had been cloistered with his sister-sons and Balin for a while before requesting a meeting with Elrond the night before.

The meeting with Elrond had taken place taken place this morning, and she hoped that everything had gone smoothly. The last thing she wanted was for something to go wrong. Too much really hung on this quest, and their time here would potentially help with rebuilding the kingdom.

Once the food was done and everything packed away, she carefully carried it back to her room and cleaned up, choosing a dress from the many that had been waiting for her when she’d arrived. Elrond enjoyed doting on her, and she knew Arwen often aided him in ensuring she had pretty things to wear when she visited.

Today, Hawthorn chose a dark blue dress that had been made in the elvish styles with long flowing sleeves. The hems were embroidered with hawthorn blossoms in silver and as she stared at herself in the mirror, a part of her wondered if Thorin would like how she looked.

Today, she’d left her hair down, except for the three braids she’d been given, and it flowed to her waist in rich tawny colored curls. Usually, the hobbit didn’t keep her hair down but today, she had felt like a change.

Hawthorn was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a knock on her door and her uncle’s voice greeting her. With a small smile, she went to open it and found him waiting in the hallway for her.

“There you are, lass. I had thought to find you in the kitchens but was told you had come here to clean up,” he said, smiling at her. “You look lovely, little topaz. Are you ready to go?”

“I am,” Hawthorn answered. “Where is Thorin?”

Gloin spotted the picnic basket and retrieved it before she could try to pick it up, offering his free arm to her so she could have something to lean against if she needed it.

“He and I found a nice spot for your picnic, and he’s setting everything up. We will be meeting him there,” the red haired dwarf told her. “I know your father and I haven’t had time to say much about this, but we are very pleased you found your One. Thorin is a good dwarf, and he will love and honor you for the rest of your days together. We’re rather happy with the fact he is your One since it will keep you close to us given he’s our cousin.”

Hawthorn went on tip toe, kissing his cheek. His approval meant a great deal even though he hadn’t been her uncle for long.

“Thank you, Uncle Gloin. It means a lot to me that you and Calon-Tad approve,” she told him, using the paternal name that she had not used for Bungo so as to keep the relationships unique between the two men who were her fathers.

“You’re welcome, Hawthorn,” he replied, guiding them out of the main building and out into the gardens.

Gloin led them to a small area in the gardens that was not widely used; there was a small creek pouring over stones to create several small waterfalls. Trees lined the creek, casting a nice shaded area over lush grass.

Thorin had spread out a large blanket and had placed plenty of cushions on it, seeing to her comfort, and Hawthorn gave him a small smile as they approached. He had chosen a lovely spot, and the picnic site was set up so she would not feel any pain while seated on the ground.

“Thorin, it’s beautiful,” she called to him as they approached.

“Not as beautiful as you look today, Hawthorn, but I am pleased you approve,” he smiled back, offering his hand and helping her to sit on a soft cushion. “If you need more cushions, let me know. I have no wish for your leg and hip to play up while we enjoy our time together.”

“Thank you,” Hawthorn told him, getting comfortable before accepting the basket from her uncle. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Ravenous,” the dwarf lord replied as he and Gloin made themselves comfortable on the blanket. “The meeting with Lord Elrond lasted longer than I expected.”

“How did it go,” she asked, opening the basket and setting out the containers of food she had prepared.

“Much better than I expected,” Thorin shared with the two of them as he watched her open the containers. He accepted the bottles of wine and cider to open and pour into glasses for them to enjoy.

“How so?”

“Apparently, he already knew of our quest and despite his obvious misgivings, he said he knew this was important and had to happen. Tharkûn told me later that the elf has the gift of foresight, which explains how he knew what was going on.”

The dwarf lord handed Gloin a glass of wine, setting Hawthorn’s glass of cider next to her while he continued explaining what happened during the meeting.

“Since he has some knowledge of what is to come and knows that we need help, Elrond said that he would do all he can to ensure the success of the mountain once we reclaim it. He’ll be sending a message with us to hopefully ease any problems with the damned elf king, and he told me that he would make arrangements with the Dúnedain to ensure my people get from Ered Luin to Erebor safely.

“He will also send supplies with them to help ensure our people have food to last us for winter and early spring, and he said he wants to negotiate a treaty for trade and alliance once the mountain is ours again.”

“That’s fabulous news,” Hawthorn told him, handing him a plate that held battered chicken that had been fried, mashed potatoes, and salad. When she offered him the basket with bread in it, he realized what it was and looked at her.

“Is this the bread from the night in your smial?”

“It is; Balin said you enjoyed it so I wanted to make it for us today,” she replied quietly, handing Gloin a full plate as well. “Also, try the salad. I made the dressing for it and hopefully, you two will like it.”

Thorin was the first of them to try it, forking up a mouthful and taking a bite. His eyes widened for a moment, chewing eagerly and swallowing.

“You put strawberries in the dressing? It works so well and isn’t too sweet; the vegetables don’t taste like leaves!”

The comment surprised a loud giggle from her, the first sound of unrestrained laughter they had heard from her since meeting the lass. Her own eyes were wide as she pressed a trembling hand to her heart.

“I’m glad you like it,” she managed, voice very soft. “What do you think, uncle?”

“He’s right, lassie. This doesn’t taste like leaves at all. I think you’d even get Dwalin and Ori to eat this, and you know how they are about green food,” he drawled, eyes dancing with merriment.

“I might bring some to dinner tonight since they always serve salads along with the meals,” she suggested, eyes showing her delight when both dwarves nodded and insisted she do so.

Hawthorn watched them eat, nibbling on her own food, and giggled again when Thorin defended the bread she had baked for today when Gloin tried to take the last small loaf. Apparently, he was more than fond of that particular recipe and she hoped she would have the ability to bake this for him again. It felt amazing to know she now had someone to cook for and take care of.

Once the main courses had been eaten, she pulled out the cake she had baked as well. The hobbit cut three pieces, dousing them with sweet cream and strawberry sauce before handing them to her uncle and Thorin. She didn’t take a bite of hers until they had each tried it, feeling happy at the looks of awe on their faces.

“You like it?”

“Aye, this is fantastic. When my wife arrives at Erebor, can you please give her the recipe?”

“That one I can,” she said to her uncle, looking over at Thorin.

“This is amazing, Hawthorn. The strawberries in the cake help cuts the sweetness. Balin must have told you I like strawberries,” the dwarf lord asked.

“He did when I asked him what your favorite foods were,” Hawthorn answered. “I enjoy strawberries too, and hobbits often use fruit in their baking. It’s also why I added it to the salad dressing. They’re sweet and tart so they complement a lot of different foods.”

“Everything you have made is delicious,” Thorin said, giving her a smile. “Thank you so much for this courting gift.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. “I’m just happy you enjoyed it so much. I do have a question; will I have access to a kitchen of some sort when we reach Erebor?”

“If the King’s Hall hasn’t been damaged too much, you should have access to a kitchen of your own fairly swiftly. Every suite in the Hall has its own kitchen,” he told her. “If I remember correctly, each one is rather spacious and allows for cooking for large gatherings. For those who don’t have time to cook, the hall has a royal kitchen to cater to the people living within the hall.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “I enjoy cooking when I feel up to it, and it’ll be nice having family to cook for again. I used to cook with Mama and Papa when I was a fauntling, and it’s not been enjoyable having to cook for myself.”

“Just don’t expect Fili or Thorin to cook,” Gloin laughed. “The two are disasters in the kitchen. Dis lets them wash dishes, nothing else.”

“That bad?”

“Worse, Fili set fire to the kitchen twice and Thorin gave the family food poisoning three times before Dis banned them from food preparation. Kili, fortunately, inherited his mother’s ability to cook so the family wouldn’t starve whenever she was too busy to prepare meals,” the red haired male snickered, ducking a swat from his cousin.

“Everyone has accidents in the kitchen when learning how to cook, but I don’t think I ever did that while learning,” she admitted, looking wide eyed. “I only ruined the bottom of Mama’s favorite sauce pan because I got distracted by a book Papa had brought home from Bree.”

“So no books in the kitchen except cook books,” Thorin asked, laughing when she threw a napkin at his head and then Gloin’s for laughing at the king’s teasing comment.

“Pests! I am surrounded by pests,” she exclaimed, shaking her head as the laughter grew in intensity.

It felt good making them laugh, and Hawthorn hoped and prayed moments like this would come more often as time went by. Thorin deserved to smile and laugh, and she truly wanted to see the lines of sorrow and stress be replaced by those caused by joy.

Author’s End Note – Since I am using Welsh for Hobbitish, I will be using Calon-Tad for Oin when Hawthorn speaks of or to him. It means heart-father, which I felt would be appropriate considering their building relationship. Again, I used several sites to verify the words so if it’s wrong, please tell me since English is my primary language! Welsh is one I’d love to learn; it looks gorgeous! The sauce pan incident actually happened to me in real life. Part of my health issue is that I tend to forget things during bad days (foggy days) and in high school, I started making tea and forgot the pan was on the stove. Fortunately, I didn’t start a fire but the pan had to be thrown out. Mama wasn’t happy with me, but she was grateful I at least tried to do something nice for her for when she got home since she loved drinking iced tea. Back in those days, I didn’t cook…at all. LOL!!! Please let me know what you thought of the chapter, and thank you for reading. See you all next week. ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces