"Fili, this is Chala. Your bride." Thorin introduced them. Chala was pretty but no where near Dalila.
"Hello." Fili sighed.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you Fili." She did a curtsy.

Gilund was standing by Thorin. He didn't know where Kili was and they needed to get rid of her now! She's not really his type and to stuck up for him. She's going back home! He needed to think of something quick.

"She's prettier than the one you had last night." He said to Fili. Thorin glared at him. Fili was shocked and didn't know what to do.
"Last night is in the past. We'll move forward." Chala said. Thorin sighed relieved. Fili just nodded. He didn't have any emotion.
"Maybe the one you'll have tonight will be prettier. With a longer beard." Gilund said.
"Gilund I think you need to go help your Father do something." Thorin growled.
"He's taking a day off." Gilund said. Thorin grabbed Gilund's shoulder and pulled him away.

"You know my reason for this and unless you want your friend to end up the same way I suggest you go. I know what you're trying to do and it's not going to work." Thorin growled in his ear. Gilund sighed. He didn't know what to do. He knew why Thorin was doing this but he wanted his friend to be happy.
"Alright. I understand. But Fili will never go through with it. He loves Dalila. You understand that."
"Yes I do. But I understand what will happen if he marries Dalila."
"Thorin just because that happened to you doesn't mean it'll happen to him."
"Yes I know this too but I'm not going to risk it. I promised to protect him and I'm protecting him from heartache."

Gilund decided to let it go and go home. He wasn't in the mood to fight with Thorin. He knew how Fili felt and he knew he wasn't going to marry Chala.

~back at Ironhill~

Dalila was on her bed reading. She loved reading. Especially stories about adventure. She always wanted to go on an adventure. But her parents hardly even let her go into the woods. The books were her escape. She pretended she was in the books. She even wrote her own books. She never shared them with anyone. Her latest book is more of a letter than a book. She wrote it for her future husband, who she knew would be Fili. She wrote things she wanted him to know. Things he needed to know about her that she would never say out loud. But we'll talk more about this later.

"I can't take this. I have to talk to him." She sighed. One thing you don't know about Dalila is she has a Raven. As you know, the birds in Middle Earth can talk. Back in the days of Erebor Ravens were used as messengers.

She opened the birds cage and it hopped on her finger.
"Astrid, I need your help." She said to the bird.
"What is it?"
"You know my trouble with Fili. I need to hear from him. You're my only hope. Can you take him a message?"
"Yes. But keep it brief."
"Thank you! Just tell him Fili, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult but it's real.
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess.It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes". But tell him wait for his brothers signal."
"I will tell him Dalila. But I except a treat when I return."
"You get a treat everynight."
"I want an extra one."
"Alright. But be quick." The bird flew off.

Dalila laid back down and continued reading. She was trying to escape her problems but even the book wasn't taking her away. She closed the books and let out a sigh.

"My Lady, your mother is coming up. A seamstress is with her and they're going to make your wedding dress."
"Ok. I don't understand. Isn't Thri suppose to court me first?"
"Yes. But this is a special thing."
"Only the King can let someone get married without official courting." She mumbled.
"Yes."
"Thorin wanted this done, this is his doing."
"I can say no more" Ragna lowered her head.