Chapter Text
"You wish for me to marry a Man," Kíli said, hoping he had simply heard wrong.
"Well, a woman, but yes," Bilbo said, from beside Thorin. He stood next to his husband, a handkerchief in hand that he'd been toying with as they spoke of a future Kíli wanted no part of, at all.
"An individual's gender doesn't matter to me, Uncle Bilbo," Kíli replied, shaking his head as he crossed his arms. After, he looked at Thorin. "Why, Irak'Adad?"
Thorin sighed, his wire rimmed glasses not concealing the weariness his eyes held.
"You are aware of the unrest between the Men of Dale, and our people. They mistrust us more, with each passing day. We need to give assurance that their needs are heard."
Kíli scoffed.
"How will a wedding achieve that? A private marriage means little without -"
Thorin cut him off, swiftly.
"It is only a start, Irak'dashat. You will be expected to learn more of Dale and spend time amongst those who live there."
Kíli frowned.
"That would only matter if…. " Kíli trailed off, catching onto an implication he really did not care for.
Bilbo's eyes were on him, so the Hobbit nodded at the question his face clearly held.
"This isn't simply a political marriage. It's a royal one, too," Bilbo said, with a level of distaste that Kíli felt in his bones.
"I am to marry the Crown Princess of Dale, then," Kíli stated, waiting for someone to contradict him.
Thorin and Bilbo nodded.
"You are," Thorin agreed.
"Does anyone else know?" Kíli asked, suddenly remembering the way Ori had reacted to his question earlier.
"Fíli and Ori do, as well as your Amad and Balin. They are being prepared, should this suggestion turn out well. Sigrid still has the option to disagree with it," the King replied, tone firm.
"What about me?" Kíli demanded, indignation spiking alongside his question. "Do I not get a choice?" He added, more angrily, after no one answered him.
Thorin considered him, before nodding. "You do, though, should you not be agreeable to this, it will fall to Ari."
"He's a pebble!" Kíli exclaimed.
It was absurd, really. The notion of marrying anyone off this way, but especially an actual child. However, if what Thorin said was true, Kíli would agree. If only for his own Irak'dashat to have his choices remain intact, once Ari became of age. Kíli would make certain Fíli and Ori understood the importance of that.
Thorin shrugged.
"This is merely a political marriage, Kíli. Nothing scandalous or untoward would be expected, regardless of who enters it." Thorin sighed, before adding, "In your case, should you agree, I hope you might find companionship that becomes love one day, but it is not a necessity."
Kíli frowned.
"Listen, I don't like this anymore than you do, but -"
"It is not your life's trajectory being dangled before you," Kíli snapped, glaring at Bilbo, silencing the rest of his sentence.
"You're right," Bilbo amended, before glancing to Thorin.
The King looked at him, then said, "Meet with Princess Sigrid, and simply talk to her. She is meant to visit Erebor in a few days to discuss it all."
"Wonderful," Kíli replied, leaving his uncles to their own devices, intent on finding a certain elder brother of his.
"Marriage?" Sigrid repeated, looking at Bain.
He nodded, gravely.
She exhaled heavily, her mind reeling.
"Da didn't mention that," Sigrid said, moments later.
"Perhaps he's looking for a way out of it," Tilda replied, looking up from her sock darning. Her daughter had torn them apart, playing outside the day before.
They were not so poor anymore, but old habits died hard, and Sigrid as much as their father had taught Tilda and Bain to make do where possible.
Though considered a princess, Sigrid was still modest in her attire and everyday life, as that was how she knew to live. This had endeared her to the Men of Dale, and earned her the moniker, "The Everyman's Princess." It was one she carried with pride and did not take lightly.
What they had collectively witnessed of the Master of Laketown and Alfrid, made everyone desire the opposite. Were it not necessary, even, Sigrid knew their father wouldn't have allowed himself to be called a king. However, there had been a vacant spot to fill, and had he not, someone else would have, perhaps more of Alfrid's ilk. Which given the tumultuous time, just about anyone could have stepped into the role with ill intentions were they to feign genuine care and concern, thus gaining popularity which would have led to further harm. At least in the long term.
Not wishing to repeat history, Sigrid, her siblings, and their father were intent on being different. Thus far, they had been, and so she considered the idea of marriage.
A political one, even.
Being thought of as royalty was still a new concept. To know she had the power to help or hinder her people simply through who she chose as a life partner, at least on paper, was an incredibly weighty notion.
However, the idea of it wasn't so surprising, and even if she was new to being royalty, Sigrid understood that came with certain responsibilities. Perhaps, whoever was chosen, they would be kind, and eventually a friend or someone to lean on.
Marriages amongst Men happened for far less, usually due to someone becoming pregnant. Love factored in only some of the time, while mostly, it was owing to lust or survival that people paired off.
Tilda's own marriage was companionable, but it was not fiery. Bain hadn't married yet. However, he had the luck of being second born, and a man. So, no one viewed him as too old or damaged goods yet. Whereas Sigrid had largely been content with being labelled a spinster and would have happily named one of her siblings' children as her heir. That was still on the table, after all.
Nevertheless, she was not opposed to the marriage, if it would help their people.
"I would consider it," Sigrid said aloud, after some time had passed, and she'd mulled it over enough to have an opinion.
Tilda's eyes raised from her task, her brow furrowing.
"You would?" she replied.
Sigrid nodded.
"It is no less than would be expected of other royalty, I imagine. I am the Crown Princess. It is not just a title, and I take my duty to Dale seriously."
"What if you hate whoever it is?" Bain asked.
Sigrid met his eyes, seeing the worry on his face.
"I'll hope that isn't the case. If it is, I was raised in Laketown, remember?" Sigrid said, grinning.