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skypalacearchitect · 3 years

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Sandy Saeteurn grew up in Richmond, California, where Chevron’s massive 3,000-acre oil refinery reigns supreme. She’s no stranger to the refinery’s chemical flares, and she spent many of her childhood days home sick. She’s not the only one who has learned to link the refinery and the presence of illness in her community: A 2008 study (co-authored by Grist board member Rachel Morello-Frosch) found that almost half of all homes in the area had indoor levels of refinery-related particulate matter pollution that exceeded the state’s air quality standards.

Every day for nearly 120 years — longer than the city has existed — the refinery has processed thousands of barrels of oil. Its flares regularly paint the sky burnt orange before thick grey clouds of smoke cover the city. Chevron’s influence stretches beyond its pollution and the 3,500 refinery jobs it provides as the city’s largest employer — it also showers money on local elections and even runs a local newspaper, the Richmond Standard, which has been known to cast a positive light on the company.

Ever since Black residents first arrived in large numbers in the 1940s, people of color have been relegated into low-quality housing surrounding the city’s large industrial zones. Today the city, which is 82 percent non-white and home to large groups of migrants from Latin America and Southeast Asia, has worse air pollution than 94 percent of the country, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, which has cited the refinery for environmental violations roughly 150 times since 2016. The city’s childhood asthma rate is more than double the national average and, in the immediate aftermath of an explosion at the refinery in 2012, more than 15,000 people were forced to seek medical treatment for respiratory distress.

Chevron funds around one-third of Richmond’s annual budget through taxes and municipal services the company provides, which includes education and workforce development programs. When the company wanted to modernize its facility in 2008, it offered the city $11 million for the Richmond Police Department to “increase the number of police officers on the street,” according to a document outlining Chevron’s community benefits agreements with the city. The modernization project was eventually blocked after community groups sued the city for failing to do a proper environmental impact analysis, but a 2015 agreement between Richmond and Chevron ultimately set aside $2 million for Richmond police. Over the past decade, Richmond police have arrested hundreds for protesting the plant’s emissions.

As a child, Saeteurn and her family didn’t think to connect the Chevron plant and their disposition to illness. “Growing up there was a lot of explosion drills, and we never understood what they meant,” Saeteurn told Grist. “In elementary school, Chevron would come and have certain programs for kids, giving us money for books and school supplies. I left elementary school thinking ‘oh wow, Chevron’s a great company,’ when in reality they were slowly killing us.”

Saeteurn’s lighthearted view of Chevron didn’t last long. By age 14, she was a dedicated organizer and member of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, or APEN, which is based in both Richmond and nearby Oakland. She’s used her struggles against environmental injustices to fuel her work, helping to organize influential campaigns such as the first-ever county-wide multilingual warning system, which now warns Richmond residents of looming chemical flares in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Lao.

In response to questions from Grist, Chevron provided a statement saying that its Richmond workforce “takes its role as good neighbors seriously and continually works to reduce our environmental footprint and to improve reliability.” The statement listed modernization projects, such as a new hydrogen processing unit, which have contributed to reducing the site’s “air emissions by 86 percent over the last 40 years,” according to the company.

Because of the way issues like a growing housing crisis, immigration, and police violence intersect in the San Francisco Bay area — where more than 350 refineries and fossil fuel companies are based — Saeteurn and other organizers at APEN have been at the forefront of reframing the environmental justice movement to incorporate all aspects of residents’ encounters with their lived environments, whether that’s unwanted interactions with the police or gentrification and the displacement of poorer people from their home communities. This is a reimagining of the traditional focuses of environmental organizations that have long prioritized organizing around issues like toxic waste or access to public parks, while leaving issues like housing and criminal justice to different organizations.

“We think of environmental justice as being about how our communities get to be in relationship with our environment,” Alvina Wong, APEN’s campaign and organizing director, told Grist. “That means trees, air, and water — but also our neighborhoods, our homes, and how we get to be in relationship with each other.”

Saeteurn, a local political director with the group, said that this message resonates with the residents APEN serves.

“When the community talks about the environment, they’re not talking about clean air or water — what they’re really talking about is their struggles,” she explained. “So when we talk with the community about how the environment is impacting them, they’re not saying ‘oh yeah, Chevron’s in my backyard.’ They’re saying, ‘I can’t afford my rent. Oh yeah, the energy bill is going up and now I can’t afford food.’”

Besides continuing a long struggle with Chevron in Richmond, APEN has also been a crucial part of recent campaigns to move millions of dollars away from Richmond and Oakland police to do things like building new supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness, as well as increasing residents’ access to healthy food through affordable markets. The organization has worked on recent campaigns for rent control and tenant rights in both cities, including mutual aid projects to crowdsource funds for rent and food for community members. It has fought to pass the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would grant tenants two months notice and the first opportunity to purchase their home if their landlord plans to put their building on the market.

“Our work is trying to make the connection to a bigger kind of struggle related to racism,” said Saeteurn. “We’re here next to a refinery because of racism, which is the same reason why our members get stopped by the police or harassed on the streets. Environmental justice is about who we can call community, and what access we have to the environment around us.”

APEN came to fruition after a proposal at the First National People of Color Environmental Justice Leadership Summit in 1991, when summit participants noticed that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were largely underrepresented. The summit was attended by activists from everywhere from Puerto Rico to Vietnam and Laos, as well as other territories struggling with American chemical waste. During and following the American bombing of Vietnam and Laos in the 1960s and 1970s, thousands of Southeast Asian migrants fled to the Bay area and Richmond in particular. Connecting the dots between environmental injustices in America and the environmental fallout from American firebombing and the use of Agent Orange in their home countries, Bay area delegates decided to form an organization centered on the leadership of Asian immigrant and refugee communities.

“APEN is so successful because our organizing incorporates our cultural heritage and our own legacy fighting aggression and chemical warfare in our homelands,” Wong said. “For us, this memory of how our homelands were affected both physically and culturally by environmental violence and war allows us to really address the root causes of injustice.”

Since 1991, APEN has been an unstoppable organizing force, working to pass bills mitigating pollution, like SB32, which in 2016 laid the foundation for many greenhouse gas emission goals we see today. In 2018, they were part of a coalition that helped push Chevron to pay out a $5 million settlement for its 2012 explosion. Most recently, APEN helped spearhead the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force in Richmond, which just passed a reallocation of $10 million away from Richmond police to fund various community services. (In a short phone interview with Grist, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt acknowledged Chevron’s mighty role in city life and said that the city council is doing everything in its power to act as a counterweight to the fossil fuel giant.)

APEN is hardly alone in its expansive approach to environmental justice. It’s a member of the California Environmental Justice Alliance, which includes Bay area groups like Communities for a Better Environment, or CBE, and People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights, or PODER. Two weeks ago, APEN, CBE, and PODER led Richmond’s participation in the 8th annual Global Anti-Chevron day of protest, drawing more than 100 people who participated in chants and painted murals in front of the refinery to protest the refinery’s emissions and hold it accountable for its alleged commitment to racial justice.

Denny Khamphanthong, an APEN community organizer who worked on the campaign to reallocate funds from Richmond’s police budget, says APEN’s approach to justice is not only about saving the environment around him, but also about building a safer future for his family’s next generations.

“What we’re all trying to do is build a better world so that our community can thrive,” Khamphanthong told Grist, “which requires our community to be funded and resourced in a way that feels most important to us, whether it be less police on our streets or less pollution in our air.”

#APEN #Asian Pacific Environmental Network #san francisco bay area #environmental justice #environmental activism #intersectionality #skypalacearchitect #idk what else to tag this

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toartemis · 5 years

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Come on Love, Draw Your Swords - Part 6

Look at me, I’m posting this here the same day I posted on Ao3! You can read this chapter there if you’d like.

Feel free to listen to Maester by Ramin Djawadi while reading this chapter, it sets the mood.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & 4, Part 5.

Summary:

Sing to me, Moonlight For you, dear, are honey-tongued I dream just for you.

Or: The one where Jude finds out she's pregnant, and Cardan begins collecting a thousand plants.

Word Count: 1,851

Warnings: None

Preview:

And then the sun breaks over the land, warmth overflowing with it, and Jude gasps. It’s one of the most breathtaking things she’s ever seen.

-------

Three weeks until the baby is supposed to arrive, Cardan spends an entire day not-so-subtly suggesting that Jude visit his greenhouse. It surprises her when she realizes that she’s never been, because It’s something that’s become so important to him over the months. Though Jude’s felt incredibly bored as time passes and she gets farther along, able to do less and less of what she used to, she hasn’t given a thought to visiting in her increasing amount of free time.

She supposes she’s placed it into a box, like she does with most things; she filed it away. Cardan’s greenhouse seemed off-limits, like a sacred place she wouldn’t dare step foot into so as not to disturb anything. Also, the plants are annoying and mean and very, very strange, apparently.

“One of my most recent flowers sprouted almonds,” Cardan says out of nowhere, leaning in to her ear as they sit next to each other during a gathering of their Council. Nothing important is being said at the moment, or at all, really. Jude decides to play along.

“The way those horrible things grow, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Cardan leans back, affronted. “They’re not horrible. They’re unique.” The pride in his voice causes Jude to snort, which earns her a few stares. They settle after that, like children in a classroom. Jude suppresses a smile for the rest of the meeting.

-------

“I’m raising a Venus flytrap that developed the ability to laugh,” he says as Jude does her stretches around midnight, sheets of paper strewn before them. The emphasis he puts on the name of the plant makes her lips twitch up.

“Really?” she asks, voice indifferent. Her mind is foggy from hours of negotiations with the Court of Moths. They’re currently looking over written agreements for… something. Jude hasn’t been paying all that much attention. It’s harder to, lately. Her mind is understandably elsewhere.

“Indeed, I think it sounds rather like yours,” he drawls.

Jude glares at him, trying to imagine it. A plant with her laugh? Is he making fun of her? Cardan’s gaze stays on the papers. His tail is out, curling near his leg. It’s like that most days now.

“What do you do to them?”

He ignores her. “I find it amusing when I hear it.”

Jude huffs. He doesn’t seem to want to say anything else, his silence speaking for him. They get back to work.

-------

She’s reading in a newly cushioned nook in the corner of their bedroom, candles placed along shelves near her. It’s near moonset when Cardan whispers, “They’ve grown so beautifully.”

It takes Jude a moment to catch on to what he’s saying. She looks up from her book when she does, taking in his appearance. He’s dressed in a loose, cream-colored, silk shirt. It cuts low enough to expose his sternum. His plain trousers match with a long, thin coat that she sees him wear often when he wanders off to tend to his plants. “Have they? They used to annoy me. They were obnoxious.”

Cardan’s brows furrow, and after a moment he says, “They were, yes.”

He looks as if he will say more, but he stays silent, bare feet gliding silently over the floor to sprawl on a futon made of fine fabrics and plush pillows near the fireplace. Jude takes a few more minutes to read—this book is for her own pleasure, but not one of her usuals that focus on strategy and war. This one's about interpreting the stars—before she gets up.

She puts on a thin slip dress for bed, because soft, loose fabrics are much more comfortable for her to wear in her current state. Cardan’s eyes are on her as she takes her hair from its long, intricately woven braid, combing her fingers through swooping waves. When she walks into the main room of their chambers, he follows closely, stepping around her to make for a wardrobe full of coats and shoes.

Jude assumes he’s going to look after his plants when he pulls on a pair of smudged boots, the telltale sign of once being mud-clad, but are now wiped clean. She’s rifling through papers at a writing desk when he leaves, pulling one of the doors open to the hall. The guards stationed outside straighten to attention, and Cardan lingers before the in-between of the doorway. Jude stills, watching.

“You’ve yet to visit with me,” he says, eyes front at hall, but it’s directed at Jude and she can hear his message loud and clear: Come with me this time.

It’s what she’s been waiting for.

Jude only nods and makes to grab a velvet hooded cape from the wardrobe, slipping on her favorite pair of riding boots and waddling to stand beside him. Cardan hides his happiness in his eyes, his face a neutral mask. Jude can see it all the same.

He laces their hands together and they walk past the guards further into the palace, then outside a Northern exit. They’re silent as they make their way, passing only a few fey and knights. The former all seem startled to see both of them, especially dressed the way they are. Jude couldn’t care less.

Dawn is in the midst of breaking outside, soft orange and lilac spilling over the horizon beyond the hills. The grass is wet beside the stone path they walk on, its pleasant scent soothing to Jude. She’s seen the greenhouse before, so she isn’t fazed when they come upon it. It’s a strange building; small and made of gold and glass, dark wood paneling spread throughout. It has sloping crystal-paned roofs on either side of the main entrance.

They stop before the thin glass doors. Jude can make out the faint outlines of green from within, but not much else. She glances at Cardan in question and finds him looking uncertain. Then, he tilts his head up and pushes the doors open.

Jude notices the air first. It is thick, a strange mixture of soil and attractive aromas hitting her senses, and it’s almost as if she can taste it all. And then the sun breaks over the land, warmth overflowing with it, and Jude gasps. It’s one of the most breathtaking things she’s ever seen.

Greens, blues, whites, and more sit before her. Light refracts through crystalline walls that look like massive gems from her perspective inside. The room hums with a distinct magic.

And all at once, Jude finally understands. Everything she can see, all of the swaying, docile things, they’re all proof. Maybe for her, maybe for himself, she doesn’t know, but they’re a testament nonetheless.

Each one of these plants, once unremarkable from the mortal world, now twisted and strange after being in Cardan’s care, is thriving. The room itself is alive, magic flowing through each root, stem, and leaf of its occupants.

“Do you like it?” Cardan asks, voice hesitant, interrupting her wonder.

“Cardan,” she says, “This is incredible.” Jude pads to the nearest bunch of flowers. They look delicate, all a soft blue color, but a sticky, clear goo coats them, dripping onto jade stones that sit on top of the soil. The substance flickers, like tiny shards of iridescent glass is sprinkled throughout it. The flowers bend towards her, not menacing in any way, but like a cat purring for a scratch on the head.

She moves further down, weaving through vined plants hanging in ceramic bowls from the bright ceiling. The appendages brush against her like fingers. One strokes through strands of her hair, alive and curious, and she laughs in amazement. Cardan follows at a distance.

Jude stops in front of a cactus with so many spines it looks like a porcupine. Oak loves those creatures. The succulent flexes and relaxes as if breathing.

“How?” she asks, an overwhelming ache in her chest. She wanders to a small tree that twists and swirls around itself, berries like teardrop candy hanging from its coiled branches. When she turns to face Cardan, she feels the urge to cry.

He stands some feet away, watching her, hands behind his back. Every living thing in sight reaches towards him, stretching and curling. It would be a disconcerting sight if not for the fact that she knows these plants are alive and it is out of clear affection. He has breathed life into every one of them, coaxed them into friendliness. This is what he’s been doing almost every day at this hour; he’s been out here working, learning, helping them grow. Jude’s throat feels tight at the thought.

“I was… afraid,” he says. “I wanted something to challenge me. I wanted to make something without magic. So, I thought if I could raise a few plants from the mortal world, in a way I might have a chance at being a father.” He smiles bashfully, shaking his head. “It sounds strange, now.”

Cardan reaches for one of the plants sprawling from the ceiling, its tiny leaves wrap around his finger like a child. There’s a fondness to his eyes when he looks at it.

“It ended up not being a few, as you’ve noticed. Though I was certain I was keeping them alive by mortal means, I couldn’t keep my magic from corrupting them. They began to act out. It upset me… I felt like I failed.” He pulls his hand away, grazing a sparkling bush near his waist. The foliage rumbles at him, startling Jude, but Cardan is unperturbed, as if he deals with it frequently.

Oh. He does.

“Then, after I moved them in here, I began to figure them all out. Each was a puzzle of sorts. Every one distinctly its own. I’ve grown to care for them, genuinely.”

He steps in front of her, hands by his sides. “They are for you. None will lash out any longer; in fact, they all have rather gentle personalities.”

Jude’s heart feels close to bursting. She takes Cardan’s hands in hers and brings them to her belly, pressing them lightly.

“You will be the most wonderful father,” she says, and she means it with everything she has. The smile he gives her is blinding, and Jude marvels at how beautiful he is. Truly, it leaves her breathless.

“You like them,” he states, still grinning and looking around at his creations, because, yes, that is what they are.

“I love it all.” She leans up on her toes to kiss him, hands going to his shoulders.

They spend the early morning in the greenhouse, Cardan showing her around, introducing her to so many interesting and pretty things. She can’t keep her eyes off of him for more than a few seconds at a time. Her thoughts stray to what he will be like with their baby, how he will look with a child in his arms. One of her hands stays resting on her stomach during those hours, the other stays clasped in his.

Jude realizes she’s happy. She couldn’t make the content smile leave her face even if she tried.

-------

Big oof. This chapter was my favorite of all of them, even though it was so short. I just love the idea of Cardan freaking out over having a kid and trying to raise plants as practice. It’s so dumb, but :’)

Thank you all so much for reading even with absolutely 0 plot. There’s only one chapter left and it’ll close out the entire series, I’m excited!

#tfota #tfota fanfiction #the cruel prince fanfiction #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #tcp #twk #qon #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #judecardan #jurdan #jurdan fanfiction #i hate tagging can you tell #cardan with plants!!!#pregnant jude waddles!!

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blankdblank · 5 years

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Anaticula Pt 19

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 - Pt 10 - Pt 11 - Pt 12 - Pt 13 - Pt 14 - Pt 15 - Pt 16 - Pt 17 - Pt 18 -

Passing the shops in the airport you eyed each magazine along the way in a small figurine shop revealed to be a magical one. On display you eyed the front of the Raven’s Writing Desk Paper you eyed the title ‘From the Mouth of a Babe’. Below that was a picture of you in a semi peaceful expression from earlier in the day. Over a four page spread with detailed quotes on all you had said and done before the fifth page prattling on about your appearance comparing you to your mother who was in the few years after graduating a famous Wizarding performer and model for a few choice magazines.

A pen was flashed in your view and your eyes raised to the shop keep with a wide grin asking, “Could you sign this please?”

Awkwardly you nodded forcing a grin as Regulus snapped a picture with your camera of the first autograph you had ever given you passed over to him only to have a copy of each paper and magazine covering your words handed to you by his wife, who offered you a copy of each for free. Along with a picture Regulus freely offered. Curiously Muggles eyed the interaction wondering just who you were, with a few asking for autographs in return on your path to the gate.

One by one once you boarded the flight you read through all that had been printed. Most commenting on the rights topic with the growing number of them wondering just what profession you would have, each alluding to some mystery as to where your father was, a well known supporter of lycans still counted as missing by your Ministry adding more mystery to your initially tragic tale.

By the time your flight had landed word had crossed the pond and you were met with a flurry of papers and magazines being put in your way with more and more silent passers by with subtle grateful expressions for what you had said.

Home again instantly you rushed to your father’s arms in his place lounged across his usual chaise lounge, crashing into his chest feeling his arms ease around your back after hovering his book and mug away. Tightly he folded around you as your hair darkened and your sniffling began, Remus arrived not long after to join in your snuggling pile through the group of men all praising your brave words.

Out of the pile you sat up on your father’s lap between the men asking after drying your cheeks, “Are they going to expel me?”

Sirius couldn’t help but snort as Remus laughed out loud. Waving his hand to draw a copy of the Daily Prophet over to find a quote from Dumbledore himself he read aloud. “This has been quite an act of such admirable quality, that to deny an education to such a bold determined young woman in the defense of the silent masses forced into hiding and subjugation would be a harsher crime than what was committed and punishment dealt for such sobering words spoken.”

Sirius, “Dumbledore is not going to expel you. Fighting Riddle, defending Basilisks, Dragons, Unicorns, Chimeras and Werewolves. Trust me Pumpkin, it is far more terrifying a thought to leave you to your own defenses than to train you your final four years.”

Remus, “Besides, if he trusted a Werewolf on campus before this new potion of yours a Werewolf supporter is no hassle at all.” He said with a chuckle, “New batch, no odd tingling after the seventh dose. Fairly soon, no side effects. I will miss the pineapple though.”

Regulus chuckled, “No rules saying you can’t still have your juice in the morning.”

Sirius chuckled and kissed your forehead, “You should have heard the twins and Percy, burst into a frenzy, scoured for all the cauldrons we had, with all the orders you got they had to send out a weeks doses each and are currently brewing more. With how many papers are going mad over you even Snape wanted to stay the night to help out all he could. Shouldn’t take long.” Locking his eyes on yours his grin doubled proudly, “You are an immovable force, and I will say, I couldn’t be prouder, fully knowing you will continue to astonish and befuddle myself the world. Mum would be proud, so proud.”

Remus, “Not of the babe comments.” You giggled as he said, “She would be up in arms over that.”

Regulus mimicked her voice poorly, “Not my Baby! Nobody dares objectify my Baby!” He chuckled as the men all did at your weak giggle, “She would be livid. You’re only 14.”

Their heads turned hearing a muffled wave of chatter making them chuckle and help you to your feet asking, “Why don’t we see if we can check on the boys, hmm?”

You nodded and giggled, “We can share all about the trip.”

Through the halls you walked until you found your home office where Snape, the twins and Percy were all tending to the latest batch of potions ensuring they were turning the proper shades. All turning to greet you with a tight hug before asking all about your trip, all of them showing you their progress on the well documented orders assigned to charmed numbers to keep the deliveries straight. All that was left to do was wait freeing you to head to the kitchen for a late dinner before going upstairs to collapse onto your bed. Upon which Draco and Neville raced in to greet you as early as they could manage while breakfast was being prepared. On your back you caught Draco’s eyes when you blinked your sleep away as he finished sharing his portion of their latest joint project in the greenhouses. “We left the actual painting to you since Opal said the clay needed to breathe.”

“Hmm.” Sitting up in the bed you looked between them, “What color were you wanting?”

Neville, “Well the Whisptail prefers orange for its burrowing hole. We think she’s laid eggs though, by the noises she’s making, that’s how the vipers sounded making their nests.”

“Ooh, goody. I will have to check that.”

Distantly you heard Molly call out, “Breakfast!”

Furrowing your brows you mumbled, “Guess Molly’s come by early.”

Draco chuckled, “Got here yesterday. Something about Arthur being called into work, all the Aurors have, no doubt Dad has too along with Remus, Sirius and Regulus. Some big talks of how Werewolves are to be treated ‘in house’ I believe they said. Heard that new potion of yours and a copy of your card was put in the papers. So, tons of new publicity.”

You chuckled brushing your covers down exposing your heavily wrinkled flannel pants, crawling to the edge of the bed you followed the boys to the door brushing your baggy shirt down over your middle. The early chill on the marble floors reminded you to add your moccasin slippers for the trot down to the long table packed with all the Weasleys. Neville and Draco plopped around you with Ginny claiming the seat across from you still peering up at her mother through the table being set asking, “When can we go shopping Mummy?”

Molly chuckled, “Not today, soon though. Perhaps the middle of the month nearer to your birthday. Let this commotion calm a bit first so we won’t be trampled in our shopping.”

Ginny sighed resting her chin on her crossed arms on the table making you say, “Sorry Ginny.”

She looked at you raising her head, “It’s not your fault. Just eager to try out my new wand.”

You chuckled and Molly raised a brow, “Now you know no using that wand-,”

Ginny nodded, “Not until I get to school. I know. But I can get tips on proper waving techniques.”

Molly chuckled and rolled her eyes floating the food out to the table, making her way around it to you to claim a hug of her own, “Well done deary. Don’t you go apologizing. You have done nothing wrong. About time something is done.”

Each day the news continued to stir until the latest of the news of the Werewolf dress code was dropped and there was talk of their Auror escorts to the shops were being lessened to one per group until the confidence in the new potion and bracelets were accepted publicly. A small win and step towards a better future but a win none the less.

And every day the crowds seemed to dim a bit while the headlines shifted to more pressing matters than you slowly but subtly freeing you back to your privacy. Two weeks had come to a close and with a sigh at the early hour an odd dream of what you assumed to be the Dursley home you groaned and showered early and went down to start on breakfast. Beating Molly into the cramped kitchen of the Hollow to aid her in prepping everything for the early meal to fuel your day, through which Arthur got a notice to head in early. Today was the day you were going to head to Diagon Alley to shop for all your supplies, this list being far more expensive than any other at the Defense Against the Dark Arts required books.

Furrowing your brows you eyed the list asking, “Why in hell would we need these books?”

Fred chuckled, “Looks like the new teacher is quite the fan of Lockhart.”

George chuckled, “Too bad Charlie can’t see this. He’d be livid.”

Clearing up your plates you heard Molly ask, “Off to the Dursley’s first dear?”

You nodded, “Ya. Though they’re going to have company.”

Privet drive, nice and orderly where proper people are meant to live. This is what Mr and Mrs Mason were being fooled into believing upon first inspection. Lovely and presentable the Dursleys all filled their allotted roles until a doorbell pursed Petunia’s lips and drew a weak chuckle from her as she stood, “Pardon me. I wonder who that could be.” Gracefully she made her way around the room with a pleased grin that dropped into a scowl at the door parting her and the great disturber of her perfect evening. Easing the door open her lips parted seeing you with a flashing grin in your mother’s blue star coated sleeveless dress over thighs and tall black booties making you her height in her short heels. Under your tipped back fedora your curls pooled out over your chest in a tolerable shade of maroon curls.

Without a word from her you inched closer saying, “I understand you have guests, just two minutes please.” Sighing softly she inched closer as you continued lowly, “Now, there’s been a bit of an outbreak,” her brow inched up, “There’s a creature loose, picture a rhino but larger with tentacles on its face,” parting her lips for a moment, “Well they’re normally very docile and there’s a great deal of people searching for it however, I brought you this.” The small crystal apple rested in your palm.

“An apple?”

“Well, I’m not sure if you know but when Lily died there was a charm put on your house,” she drew in a sharp breath, “It makes sure other’s like us can’t find your home until Harry is 17, now, about the creature, they are docile but a location undiscoverable would make a lovely nest, hence the apple, it will keep any creatures away as well.”

“We have never had any creatures-,”

At your grin her voice cut off, “Harry told me about that bat of yours few years back, the shimmering green one. Plus, I can leave you to your dinner and fetch my cat.”

“Cat?” your eyes flinched up to Harry’s room and her head turned back to the sitting room where she heard Vernon call out, “My Dear, who is it?”

In your peek upstairs you caught Harry peering around the corner who darted back towards his room quietly at your mouthing to pack before she glanced at you in your whisper, “Right in and out again, no trouble, I swear.”

Exhaling sharply she replied, “Fix your eyes.”

You nodded and blinked them to a solid green making her flinch when she looked back seeing her baby sister in her young teens before her again as she ushered you inside and closed the door quietly. Drawing her grin up again she said, “Jaqi is here Dear.”

Around the corner she led you and you grinned at the guests with a brief wave before looking to Vernon and Dudley saying, “Uncle Vernon, Dudley, Sorry to intrude, won’t be a moment. I just wanted to thank you for looking after my Harry.”

Mr Mason looked to Vernon as Petunia moved back to her seat asking, “Harry?”

You replied for Vernon, “My cat.” Freeing a calming breath from Vernon, “See I had to take a trip to the states and usually my Dad watches him, however there’s been a crazy, crazy few weeks at his job so he couldn’t watch him.” Petunia’s face flinched with curiosity at hearing about what she was missing in your life between your letters.

Dudley eyed the apple in your hands as Mrs Mason did asking, “What took you to the states? You do not seem old enough to work, my Dear.”

You giggled drawing up her brow as you replied, “No, I’m only 14. However, my Uncle, I help him with his snake hunting, mainly rare breeds for anti-venoms and such. Well there was a mishap with this one out in this big zoo. It really is a fascinating breed, spits a sort of acidic venom, huge fiasco since it resembles a certain variation of African Vipers, she was pregnant and nesting so obviously less than friendly so we had to go and help with the transfer.”

Mrs Mason, “You?”

You nodded widening your grin, “I might be young but I have a knack with deadly creatures. Just have to know how to calm them.” You looked to Vernon, “I really didn’t mean to intrude. I did bring you this.” You said passing the apple over he inspected and thanked you for on his way to set it on the mantle as you looked to Mr Mason.

“Does this summer job send you traveling often?”

You nodded and caught Petunia’s hand waving to offer you the empty seat beside Dudley’s you eased down into brushing your skirt against your thighs, crossing your ankles with your knees tilted to the side after you grinned at him moving your satchel to your lap crossing your arms over your legs, “Usually, oh if I had my albums. We went to the Amazon, and it is phenomenal. I doubt I’ve seen so many colors and that was before we even got a mile in.”

Mr Mason grinned asking, “Have you ever been to Paris?”

A weak giggle left you as you caught your aunt and uncle relaxing seeing you were actually easing their night into a better path, “Well, Paris exactly, no. South of France yes. Last summer, there was this rare breed of sea turtle, its shell shines like opals in the sunlight, gorgeous. It got tangled in some nets and had an injured fin and again we got called in because it started biting people that were helping it. It takes special medicines and equipment to help heal its fins, and well it’s never not fun to see my uncle getting bitten by random animals.” You said with a giggle making Mr Mason and his wife chuckle.

For a few more minutes you shared more of your travels until you caught the muffled clatter from upstairs making you giggle and say, “No doubt my cumbersome cat has been bumping around since I was gone. It was a last minute trip so shots weren’t able to be had. I should probably go and fetch him before he starts yowling.” The pair gave you pleasant goodbyes and you gave Petunia a timid hug and Vernon a pat on the shoulder with one for Dudley on your way to the stairs.

Quietly you trotted up waving your hand at Harry after a press of your finger to your lips shifting him into a silver fluffy long tailed cat with his same green eyes. With a low grumble he settled into your arms after you eased his trunk and Hedgewig’s cage into your bag before you turned and made your way downstairs again saying goodbye on your way out through the door Dudley was holding for you. His eyes looking you both over curiously while Mr Mason was commenting on the size of your cat explaining the noise it had made.

Outside you made your way back to the powder blue enchanted car packed with Weasley teens in their approved usage of the car by Arthur, who alerted you to the loose Graphorn. With a chuckle Ron accepted Harry into the back seat between him and Fred as you sat in the front seat closing the door behind you saying, “Sorry, they had company.”

George chuckled saying with Fred as he started to drive down the street, “Ooh, schmoozing, bet that went well.”

You nodded with a giggle, “Had to try and Muggle proof our travels, changed a few of our creatures to snakes and turtles.”

With a chuckle rippling through the car you turned around to head off to the street of shops with the alley where Molly and Arthur would meet you at to head off to Diagon Alley.

Tightly cramped you all squeezed into the back of the car unable to keep from giggling all the way to the bumpy landing in a shielded lot taking you through a path to the Leaky Cauldron holding the brick entrance into the shopping center. Easing your palms against your skirt over your thighs you moved to the side to let Percy climb out only to feel Ginny fold into your side stirring a grin onto your face in looping your arm around her shoulders while she fidgeted with the vest over the top of her pale green dress Molly had tailored for her from the wardrobe supply in your attic she had shopped through readying for school. Her nerves growing the nearer you got to the first shop for cauldrons her grin grew and her raised hand folded her fingers between yours dangling in front of her through Draco stealing your other hand spotting his father in the distant crowds.

Stop by stop you all filled in your lists wondering through the crowds milling about you at the larger crowd growing in the book shop. Just barely you made it through the door when a number of Wizards turned hearing your name being whispered. Weaving through the others you wondered at why it was so crowded only to let out a groan seeing Gilderoy Lockhart himself dressed to his finest. A tap on the shoulder brought Ginny to Molly’s side near the equally as swooning Hermione eyed the blue eyed blonde haired buffoon spouting off about himself to a photographer and reporter.

“And to the matter of my place here today. I have taken up the fabled position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor in Hogwarts.”

Harry inched closer to your side mumbling, “He can’t be serious, can he?”

Your head tilted for a moment only for you to notice the grin on the buffoon’s face dimming for a moment seeing you and Harry together. “Harry Potter and Jaqi Black.”

The photographer turned as a few others did to peer over at you, his arm extended nudging you closer to Lockhart after tugging Harry sending him in a spin to Lockhart’s chest. Hurrying over you took his free side as he spouted off, “I bet when these two walked into Flourish and Blotts to buy my autobiography, Magical Me, which continues on 27th week best seller list they did not realize they would both be leaving with my collective works, free of charge.” Pulling you both nearer to his sides he mumbled, “Nice big smile, together, you two and I are worth the front page.” Flashes grew blinding you for a few moments until the pictures stopped and as soon as you were both alone holding the tall stacks of books in your arms as you walked back to the Twins.

Curiously you peered down at the range of titles, Magical Me, Gilderoy Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests, Break with a Banshee, Gadding with Ghouls, Holidays with Hags, Travels with Trolls, Voyages with Vampires, Wanderings with Werewolves, Year with the Yeti, The Travel Trilogy (collection of Holiday with Hags, Voyages with Vampires and Wandering with Werewolves), Marauding with Monsters, Who Am I?. The final one based off his latest bout of travels that found him trapped by a pack of Wampus Cat that had used their mental abilities on him and stolen his powers, a group which he could not identify leading to a life of explorations towards a book on the world through the eyes of a powerless Wizard.

Rolling your eyes you watched Harry pass his books over to Ginny, “Here, you can have these.” Molly’s mouth fell open, “I can afford my own.” His face still pink at the uncomfortable situation while you tried to shake off the fear of being exposed as a fraud from the humiliating tug into another headline you certainly didn’t want.

Ron followed after him to go fetch their own supply of bound collections required for the course, only to pause watching you hand yours over to Hermione, who grinned and thanked you getting in line for them to be signed watching as you went to grab a second hand collection of your own. For Molly’s relief the twins had their own galleons to cover the 34 galleon purchased set and Percy had earned money from both helping in your budding my mail shop and a short time summer job in a shop near the Grimmauld Place entrance leading to his living with you all summer. All that a great relief on the mother of 7 needing supplies for 5 of them, partly why you all had decided to start so young on the shop and summer jobs to help the amazing woman out who loved you all so fearlessly.

Ron, “You could have fried an egg on your face.”

Harry, “Shut up. You try having some stranger grab you for a picture in front of a crowd sometime.”

Ron chuckled, “No problem. Can’t wait till my face is in the papers.” Making Harry shake his head before he looked to Draco, now several inches taller from summer break pitifully trying to hide behind you to pay for your books to avoid being noticed by Lucius, who was currently bickering with Arthur near the entrance.

Paid and on your way out you eyed Lucius drawing Ginny’s worn journal from her cauldron insulting Arthur once again, “If you are going to associate with trash, they might as well pay you well for it. But by the looks of this,” he dropped that and a second journal into her cauldron your group had missed, “I would say not.” His eyes traveled to Draco at your side whose hand clutched the strap of your satchel over your back. “Draco.” His eyes rose to the supposed Professor peacocking for his fans, “It is a pity you will be wasting a year listening to that pincushion. Your mother has copies of our course manuals from our second year. We will send it along so you do not lag behind next year when a more suitable replacement is found.”

Leaving it at that he turned and walked through the door making you glance down at him as he said, “Not half as bad as I expected.”

Arthur shook his head, “At least we agree on one thing. Albus must have something planned to have hired him.”

In a low mumble you replied, “I would really like to be able to vote on these plans of his beforehand.” Making them all chuckle.

Arthur glanced at Ginny saying, “Now, our final stop, Ollivanders.” Spreading grins on your faces in Ginny’s eager bounce. Through the streets you passed the bustling shops until you entered the darkly painted building where you took hold of Ginny’s cauldron spreading her grin as Ollivander eyed your group with a grin of his own, “Ah, another Weasley I see. Finally a daughter too.”

Shifting your hand from the handle to the bottom of the cauldron you peered down ensuring it would not tilt only to see a familiar book edge. Glancing up you ensured no one was looking then you shrunk the journal and slid it into your bag and looked up to see the first wand being offered. Curved and black a wave of dust through the back room at her testing swish had her handing it back for him to turn and trot up his rolling ladder to try for another. Surely by now he would have had a supply of testing items so his shop wouldn’t be destroyed with each try to get it right but soon enough a second had blown a door off its hinges and the third turned the back wall into a mural of ponies. An action thoroughly stumping him at the result but the sheer power of the spell aimed him in the right direction.

Tan and long with a woven handle all out of the testy yew with a smudged note as for the core a bright glow formed around her brightening her smile as he stated, “I see, I see. How fitting, six elder brothers to raise your strength for the future. This wand shall see you through thick and thin should you mind your studies well.”

Bouncing on her feet she replied, “Thank you so much!” Beaming at the wand in her palms and then back up at him again in his wave of his own wand to repair all her browsing had brought about. The wand was paid for and his eyes had traveled to you, remembering your own trials that had taken just shy of half an hour after the twins had taken barely ten minutes combined. Wand after wand obeyed you but none fit right until your eyes by chance had risen to the wiggling and glowing box shimmying itself free of a long since touched rack.

“It is regarded as an unstable, if not the most difficult substance to use in wand making,” the Thestral core of your wand had always been a rough match for any, as those who have witnessed death and are able to see Thestrals are found able to even attempt to wield these. The wood itself posed an altogether more complicated chance to ever match, “for cherry wood often makes a wand that possesses truly lethal power, whatever the core.” For his assumptions of what the match could do he was still eager to see how well you could test it and hearing of your powerful spell to cast Riddle out done alone he could tell that was just a scratch at the surface of what you could do. A well needed force in the brewing wars to come.

Another month was all you had left and when you got back home you focused on trying to read through the assigned books for your new Professor’s class. Each one more unbelievable than the last at the end of each night firing off letters to Charlie sharing just who you had been left under the charge of and how he had said he lost his powers. All earning more than a few howlers in return just filled with his laughter and that of his friends out there at what was claimed.

Bill especially made certain to share his matching reaction and stated if you needed anything just to write to him and he would try to hurry home to your enchanted doorway if the bumbling buffoon got you all into any trouble.

Pt 20

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mareebrittenford · 6 years

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The Extra Fakes- Shadow Mirrors Chapter 5

The story so far… Lyse is drawn to the charming old house over on Orangethorpe, but when she tries to point it out to others, it’s like they can’t even see it. After a terrifying moment when her little sister disappeared into the house Lyse seeks out the one person who has been acting just as weird about it as she has. David, the twitchy new guy on the running team. Who turns out to be a werewolf, or something like that.

Now the two of them have decided to take a closer look at that strange house.

Here’s links to the previous chapters 1, 2 , 3, 4

Please let me know what you think, I love feedback!

The house seems to shimmer in the moonlight. As if it could flicker out of existence at any moment. Or perhaps that's my imagination, the power of suggestion is a wonderful thing. But it smells real, a warm humid greenhouse scent that beckons me in from the hot dry air outside.

Beside me David shivers.

What do we think we're going to achieve here? And why didn't I suggest calling in some backup? Lionel and Georgia are part of this too. Whatever this is.

"What do you see?" David whispers, despite the street being empty and silent. Cars hum through the intersection at the end of the block, but here it's as if time is holding it's breath, waiting for us.

"I see a wall. Made of scraps. A wooden gate with peeling paint. And I see the roof of a house behind, with lots of trees and plants." The shingles on the roof are wooden, and so dried up and old that they're curling up in different directions. "Can you see something different now?"

"No, that's what I see too. I was just checking. I still kinda feel like that other place, the train store, is still here too. I can sense it."

"Out of phase," I mutter.

"What?"

"It's something I read earlier, when I was doing some research, trying to figure out what this thing is. I found some stuff about people who can see ghosts. Something about being a little out of phase, like you can see into another dimension."

"So you think we must be out of phase to see this place? Because we're a little different from everyone else."

I don't want to think about that.

"Let's climb the fence."

"What?"

"Please, it was your idea to come here. Did you plan on just looking?"

Now that I'm standing here the pull to do it, to get in there is almost irresistible. And why should I resist? It's just a front yard. The worst thing that can happen is that we get seen and chased away. I have no doubt that we can disappear before police get here.

Besides, the house wants me to see it. Surely it wants me to come closer?

"Wait," David says, his hand grazing my shoulder. "Let me go first."

I watch more closely this time as he seems to fade into the shadows. I know he thinks he's a monster, but I'd love to be able to do the things he does. I follow him, trying to imitate his smooth silent movements.

He stops when he reaches the fence, and I slip up beside him.

He grins at me, his teeth very white in the shadows. He's enjoying this. It must have been so lonely, and as much as part of him would rather be running the night as a wolf, it's better to have a friend. A pack mate. Not just better. Thrilling. He doesn't care that what we're doing could be dangerous, so long as we're doing it together. I need to be careful with him, because that feeling is infectious, and it's probably going to get us into trouble. For example we might try getting into a strange out of phase house.

He gestures silently. Do I want him to climb over first?

I grab onto the wall and start pulling myself up. I sense, rather than hear David coming up beside me.

It's very strange. From the ground the wall appeared to be only about eight feet high, so we should have been up and over with a few steps. Instead we climb and climb, and my back is starting to feel very exposed.

Finally I my fingers find the top edge, and I pull myself up, expectation humming in my chest.

And I see... nothing.

Nothing interesting at least. Mostly I see a screen of greenery. I don't remember plantings that went higher than the wall, but I don't remember the wall being so high either. I glance back down, but strangely the ground is only a few feet below my feet.

I look across at David, his eyes are wide and his face is pale in the moonlight.

"Do we want to go over?” he whispers.

"Can't chicken out now."

My heart is pounding and my whole body is buzzing with adrenaline, but I can’t stop. I scramble up and over, or at least I try to, but the next moment I'm flat on my back on the ground, trying to gasp in a breath with lungs that are refusing to cooperate.

After a few seconds of sheer terror I manage to draw in a breath.

I stare up at the wall which looks towering from this angle. I fell. I must have, I'm on the ground. But I can't remember it happening. One moment I was swinging my leg over the top, the next I was on the ground trying to breathe.

I can see David far above me, still at the top of the wall. He doesn't seem to have noticed that I'm gone. He swings his body over the top with smooth lupine agility, and then he's gone.

I blink. Not gone as in jumped over, gone as in he disappeared. Just like Melody did yesterday afternoon.

And then he slams into the ground beside me, almost as if he was thrown rather than fell.

He rolls over and clutches at his chest, he's as winded as I was. I roll over and rub his head, and he manages to take in a big gasp.

I look around to see if anyone saw our strange humiliating attempt at breaking and entering. I feel like we’ve been as loud as elephants.

A human shaped silhouette in the dark. Perhaps they saw us fall and are coming to help.

Or maybe they're the one who did the pushing.

I don't want to stick around to find out. I pull on David's arm, trying to get him upright, and he staggers to his feet.

"Someone's coming," I whisper, and he comes to full alertness.

"Yeah," he whispers back, looking past me. I spin around to see a truly massive shape, like a blob of shadows at least ten feet high coming towards us from the other direction. Coming fast.

I start backing up, not letting go of David's arm.

Tires screech behind me, and I swivel my head, trying to keep my eye on all the threats.

A car has pulled up to the curb. I almost run toward it, hoping that somehow they're here to help, to get us away from those ominous shadowy creatures that are are still advancing toward us.

David grabs my hand, squeezing tightly, and then without warning turns and dashes off down the street, away from the car and the larger shadow. The smaller figure, the human sized one doesn't try to intercept us.

Bang.

Bang! Bang!

"Are they shooting at us?" I scream.

"Come on!" David says, and darts down a tiny narrow space between two buildings. I follow, and shouts ring out behind us, and more gunfire.

David leads me on a wild race through silent industrial estates, drainage ditches, and alleys. At first I hear pounding footsteps behind me, but we quickly outdistance them.

We come to a stop in the shadow of a couple of trash cans in a back alley a few blocks away.

"Someone just tried to kill us!" I gasp out, as soon as I can talk.

"Shhh!"

I go to ask why, when he presses me into the alcove in the rickety paling fence behind the trash cans, his hand across my mouth, his eyes wide and panicked.

Wolf senses. He must hear something, or smell something.

All I smell is rotting garbage, but I nod, and try to quiet my breathing.

While I'm not used to wild panicked sprints I am a strong runner, and so as I focus on taking long slow breaths I am able to silence myself quickly.

We huddle there in the shadows, waiting, waiting so long that I think he must be mistaken, or just rattled. Who could blame him. I busy my mind trying to figure out exactly what kind of garbage is rotting the trash bin beside me. I can definitely smell oranges. And rotting meat. Is that curry? Or is it--

David presses me into the fence suddenly. I freeze up again, straining to hear or see something.

There’s a scraping sound. Like a furtive footstep. A small light flashes around, bouncing across the motley row of block and paling fences. Coming closer.

I the light catches David's eyes. His cap is gone, lost somewhere in our mad dash. I reach over and slide my hand over his eyes, and he gets the idea, his eyelids dropping closed. It feels like an eternity until the slow careful footsteps pass us by, and even then we stay in place a while longer.

Finally, my muscles cramping, I lean forward and murmur in his ear, "I think they're gone."

His eyes pop open, he cocks his head to the side for a moment, listening, and then he nods.

"Best go over the wall rather than out the end though."

"Yeah. But it’s not very late. People will be still outside? Can you find us an empty yard without a dog?"

Bigger dogs will probably react like David’s dog did, but last thing we need is to set off a Chihuahua who thinks he can take on a wolf.

David slips away, but returns almost immediately, gesturing silently for me to follow. He swings himself up and over a six foot high block wall, disappearing on the other side. I wonder if I can follow, my muscles feel shaky and useless.

“I’ve got you,” David whispers, reapearing, balanced on the top of the wall.

I reach up and he grabs my hand and helping me pull myself over. We drop down into the far deeper shadows of a backyard. I almost get tangled up in a kids swing-set, but David pulls me sideways, a chain clinking softly as I knock it with my arm.

I let him lead me, two shadows flitting silently across a lawn and down the the side of the house, and through the gate to the street.

I feel horribly exposed by the streetlights, and I break into a slow jog. David keeps pace with me. We're out of the house-tract and at the next intersection before I figure out where we are, only a block from my house, which we seem to be heading in the direction of.

David is crowding close to me with a tense outward alertness, scanning for threats I can’t see or hear.

"Someone just tried to kill us,” I whisper.

"Seems like," he says, his attention focused on our surroundings.

He's a strange guy. I mean if anything is going to induce a panic attack then that was it, yet here he is being all cool and take charge. But I guess he did get to follow his instincts and run away.

We walk the rest of the way to my house in silence.

If you’ve made it this far thanks for reading! As always I appreciate any support for my writing, so if you’re enjoying this please check out my novels #1, #2, patreon and ko-fi!

tagging @pinehutch @focusdumbass @timeenoughforamasterpiece @maximillianvalentine @q-oetry @rosy-writes @sunsetsrmydreams @goddessofnothingatall

As always if you’d like to be added or removed from this list please shoot me a message or comment on this post!

#wip boost #the extra fakes #werewolves #other creatures too #superheros #super powers #chapter 5 #shadow mirrors

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faintlykatie · 6 years

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people make vision boards, i make vision lists

1. hardwood floors worn down from years of running and slow dancing

2. a garden full of crops, from which i can make homemade food with

3. beehives

4. the bottom of the garden will be overgrown with wildflowers of a dozen species

5. fairy lights

6. so many mugs but none of them match

7. a big fancy double staircase so i can feel like a queen

8. a big fancy double bed so i can feel like a queen

9. somewhere around the woods/forest, beside a little river or brook

10. a loyal canine companion

11. a hammock nestled between the trees, where i can read peacefully, cuddle or fall asleep under beams of sunlight

12. stables (& a beaut horse)

13. a greenhouse full to the brim with flowers and plants

14. a spacious shed, which also acts as a miniature lab

15. a room filled from floor to ceiling with books, preferably with a window so i can sit next to it and read to my hearts content

16. a roaring fireplace on cold blue nights

17. stacks upon stacks of photo albums, picturing the story i have lived so far, reminding me to be appreciative of those who were and are in my life

18. dancing barefoot at midnight

19. succulents, cacti and plants everywhere, as if i won’t have enough outside

20. a handwritten recipe book, perfected from trial and error over years of experimenting

21. eating breakfast outside, breathing in late spring air

22. blanket forts every weekend - no exceptions

23. real hot chocolate, made on the hob with orange and cinnamon and cacao

24. sketches of the people and things i love, no matter how terrible they turn out

25. making cookies with my friend or s/o, always ending in a flour fight

26. one of those cool overhead waterfall showers

27. shared baths with bubbles, candles and lush bathbombs

28. braiding freshly picked flowers into her hair

29. breakfast in bed

30. open windows, fluttering curtains

31. board games on the living room floor in our underwear

32. ballet dancing to vinyls in the living room, for fun rather than anything else

33. scrambling onto the roof to watch the sun go down

34. unmade beds

35. going to the market rather than tescos, supporting local farmers

36. reading each other to sleep

37. walls adorned with polaroids of memories i would never want to forget

38. stargazing and talking about scientific theories

39. pressing flowers and keeping a scrapbook about their properties

40. shopping sprees that result in trying to fit all books and clothes we buy in the boot of the car

41. camomile and honey tea before going to bed

42. messy buns and no make up, not feeling the need to impress anyone

43. but on somedays, spending hours doing my make up and hair because it feels good

44. sitting at the dining table together energetically scribbling down novel ideas at 2 in the morning

45. impulsive road trips with the windows down and singing along to the karaoke playlist we’ll make

46. making fresh bread every week, leading to weekend mornings being the best because the loaf’s still warm

47. finding our own little spot where no one goes, sitting there and talking about anything and everything for hours

48. vines growing up the walls of the house, making it looked more lived in

49. going to the lake on a hot day, drinking strawberry lemonade and splashing each other with the water

50. sending handwritten letters to the people i love, wax seal and all

51. having tons of scented candles for all occasions. burning pumpkin ones at fall and lavender in the spring

52. stealing my s/o’s clothes, so when we’re not together or have to work, a part of her is always there

53. waking up every morning to a faint glow through the curtains, birdsong and a body pressed against mine

54. going to a pebble beach and finding rocks that look like their eyes

55. going ice skating, holding hands, drinking hot chocolate to warm up

56. giving names to all my plants

57. a little balcony with french doors where i can sip tea and watch the trees dance

58. having game nights with all my friends, new and old

59. having a proper skin care routine. indulging myself with lotions and oils and masks and rose water

60. people watching with someone I love, making up stories about their lives

61. dinner parties ending on the sofa with a few bottles of wine

62. curled up with the love of my life and our dog, binge watching movies

63. spontaneous day trips to iconic places and quaint little towns alike

64. socialising with strangers met at coffee shops, getting their number, making new friends

65. getting up early and doing yoga. watching myself and my body improve

66. carrying around a journal and painting whatever i can see whenever i have spare time. the journal filling up with portraits of strangers and drawings of my coffee

67. having the time to cuddle the love of my life for hours on end, stroking her hair and breathing in her shampoo

68. making surprise breakfast for my love before she wakes

69. making candles and collecting honey in my spare time, selling them as a little side job

70. passionate kisses in the living room. being out of breath afterwards, but smiling nonetheless

71. cute little matching tattoos

72. all-out christmases/yule. decorations everywhere.

73. waking up early in the morning because the dog jumped onto the bed and curled up on top of me, rather than because of nightmares

74. spying on my s/o from the doorway, watching them sing and act like a dork

75. going out at sunrise to water the plants in Summer

76. cleansing the house every now and again, feeling refreshed at the positive energy

77. museum dates and cafe dates and library dates and castle dates and garden dates and picnic dates

78. christmas shopping with my s/o, having silly disagreements on what to get a friend so ending up getting them both

79. paint fights while decorating the house

80. going to the local pick your own farm every year to pick strawberries and making them into pink lemonade or jam

81. giving each other massages after long days at work

82. going on walks with my friends down the routes we went on as teenagers. climbing familiar trees and befriending sheep

#dream #soft #cosy #list #aesthetic #future #concept #idea #vision board #mood board

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marauders1971-1978 · 7 years

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Marauders 1971-1972 Chapt. 2 (Part 2/3)

Harry Potter book canon - Marauders Era

Characters: James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, Severus Snape (+ Marauders Era background characters)

Genre: Friendship, Close to canon

Rating - same content warning as original series (K+)

After Potions, which had concluded with a decent amount of scowling on James’ part while Slughorn praised the pair in front, the Gryffindors had Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs. Snape and Evans were basking in the glory of Slughorn’s praise, until they split for their next class, for their ‘innovative’ addition of lemon rind in an attempt to ward off the acrid smell of their boil solution. Sirius rather thought that students should only be praised for successes, since the pair’s potion has turned a lurid orange colour as a result and was useless for any purpose other than painting a Chudley Cannons banner, but Slughorn seemed to value innovation and experimentation.

Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, gave the impression of being a by-the-book individual. Sirius sat through her introduction to the subject, trying to ignore James fidgeting next to him, but approved greatly of her systematic awarding of house points to the few students able to turn their matchstick into a needle (he and a Hufflepuff girl with yellow ribbons in her hair and the surname Rodd). James spent most of the lesson scowling at Evans, trying to see if she’d succeeded in her own transfiguration without her noticing him. As a result, he achieved little other than a disdainful look from Professor McGonagall.

She and Remus, who shared their dormitory, appeared to be helping Peter, who by the end of the lesson was in a fretful state – from what Sirius could tell, he was panicking about his lacklustre performance in both morning lessons and Lily and Remus were attempting to reassure him.

The Gryffindors went to collect their dragon hide gloves in preparation for whatever could be waiting for them in their first Herbology lesson, chattering loudly about their first lessons and steadily getting swallowed up in the crowd of much taller students also changing classrooms. Sirius thought he saw the shoulder-length white-blond hair of Lucius Malfoy who, along with his father, Abraxas, had appeared in his drawing room over the summer. If he remembered correctly, he was a Slytherin prefect. Sirius attempted to identify the students around him – was Andromeda with him? But he had difficulty distinguishing one older student from another over the shoulders of the crowd.

The walk to Herbology was their first real chance to look across the grounds in full light. The grounds of Hogwarts stretched far out around the castle and Sirius couldn’t distinguish any clear border. Past the greenhouses was the Forbidden Forrest they had been warned about the night before by the headmaster. Despite the Autumn sun dappling the ground at the fringe of the forest a mix of greens and oranges, it seemed that the darkness solidified only a few feet in.

There were three greenhouses, the one furthest to the forest being locked. A short woman with a round face was waiting outside the closest one. She welcomed them into the greenhouse and introduced them to the various tools and plants around the room. Sirius had never worked with magical plants before, other than those from the apothecary needed to Potions. 12 Grimmauld Place didn’t have a garden and his parents never took a particular interest in it, so he felt some excitement to be experiencing something unknown.

Professor Sprout (after having explained the classes of plants in terms of danger, how to recognise species of the same family, and how those similarities reflected the potions they were often used in) had them organise a set of cuttings into families based on the information provided in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. To James’ amusement, Sirius was visibly disgusted by some of the available plants. It was only the barrier of his thick, dragon-hide gloves that allowed him to even touch a small section of mimbulus mimbletonia, a little green tuber covered in greenish boils. He had to stop himself from vomiting when a bumbling Hufflepuff called Benjie Fenwick lost ten points for his house by accidentally dropping a handful of bouncing bulbs on the floor. Apparently, they did more than bounce, as Sirius and James discovered when they exploded over their shoes and small shoots started growing around their ankles – effectively trapping their feet to the ground and causing James to lose his balance and topple over backwards onto the greenhouse floor. Sirius thought he saw Remus Lupin snigger and point for Peter’s benefit.

~*~

Lunch was an excitable affair and the Gryffindor prefect had some difficulty in controlling the first years and keeping them from running across the Great Hall to hear stories of lessons they hadn’t had yet from other houses. Sirius contended himself to scan the crowds for members of his own family. He saw his older cousin Narcissa have the top of her head kissed by Lucuis Malfoy and saw Andromeda standing at the Ravenclaw table talking to a round faced student he didn’t know who was roaring with laughter.

James was absentmindedly stuffing his face with ham and mustard sandwiches while watching incredulously as Lily, the ginger haired Gryffindor girl, grabbed a slice of corned beef pie and walked across the hall to the Slytherin table and sat down next to a black-haired boy Sirius assumed to be Severus.

“Can you believe her!?” Asked James indignantly. “Going and sitting at the Slytherin table on the first day. I mean, why sit down on You-Know-Who’s table when you’re a muggle-born? Hasn’t she read up on anything since getting her letter?”

“The other boys, their parents are all starting to side with him too, I think,” Sirius noted. “Those boys-” he pointed over “Rodolphus and Evan, their parents are thought to sympathise with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Slytherin is going to become a dumping ground for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s followers and their children, especially if first years who would otherwise go to Slytherin ask the hat otherwise based on politics.”

James narrowed his eyes at Sirius. “Okay, first, how do you know about the Slytherin first years and second, how do you know for sure you can ask the hat what house you want to go to? I thought it was supposed to look at your traits and see where you belong?”

Sirius hesitated – he couldn’t be certain which way his new friend would take his answer. He considered James’ stances up until now, despite his pure-blood status.

“Well my mother told me to ask for Slytherin,” he confessed. “I’m not like the rest of them and she doesn’t want me to… stray, I don’t think. I reckon she thought that if I got into Slytherin, I’d come around eventually.”

He risked a glance at James to gauge his reaction and felt a relief like warm sunlight when he saw James’ mischievous grin – a hundred times more reassuring than any familiarity of Grimmauld Place.

“And you asked for Gryffindor?” James seemed delighted at the very idea of Sirius deliberately disobeying his parent’s blood purist idealism.

“Oh no,” Sirius smirked, “I didn’t even have to ask – the hat was quite offended that I’d even suggest it’d place me in Slytherin.”

James slapped the table in utter joy and attracted a few curious stares with his uproarious laughter and Sirius found himself joining in, thinking for the first time that he wasn’t as strange as he’d been made to believe he was for the past eleven years. In some kind of personal act of final rebellion, when they left the table to make their way to Flying Lessons in the grounds, he filled his pockets with handfuls of mint humbugs.

“Are you excited for flying lessons?” Asked a boy with shockingly ginger hair and an obscene amount of freckles called Edgar Bones, who’d been in their Herbology lesson and had met the pair in the Entrance Hall. “Personally, I don’t see why we should have to if we don’t want to sign up for the Quidditch team next year – there are more direct and practical methods of magical transportation.”

“Like what?”

A group of Gryffindor girls had caught up with them, including Lily. “I hope it’s a bit more graceful than flying looks – I’m Dorcas, by the way.” She introduced herself to Edgar.

“You can use the floo network,” Remus suggested, having joined the group along with Peter as they passed a squat hut near the forest border on their way to the Quidditch Pitch. “It’s much faster than brooms. Or you could apparate, but you have to be seventeen to get your license.”

“No!” James interjected, “you can go by side-along if you’re underage, remember?”

Explanation of magical transport carried the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first years down to the flying instructor on the pitch, a woman with sharp eyes who looked a bit like a hawk. Next to her lay a pile of broomsticks and while his parents had often scorned Quidditch and brooms as some fanatical idiocy of the lower classes, he still thought that, given the choice between the two, they’d rather the school offered something a little sleeker than these ratty brooms. He amused himself for a few moments, imagining Hogwarts trying to teach his stern, eleven-year-old mother to fly on a broomstick. It was an absolutely absurd image and it was for this reason that he often wondered if his mother had entered the world the same loud, snobbish adult that she was now.

James pouted at the broom selection. “If I have to ride a broom,” he whined, “why couldn’t I just bring my Cleansweep? Will these things even hold us up?”

The teacher clapped sharply and directed them into a line facing her – there was a fair amount of pushing and shuffling as students attempted to stand next to their friends. Sirius ended up squashed between James and Peter.

“Good afternoon first years,” the teacher greeted the, handing out the shabby brooms. “My name is Madame Hooch, and I won’t be having any silliness, thank you. As you might know, broomsticks are an important part of wizarding tradition and Hogwarts believes that it evens the playing field between students for everyone to have some command over the art, along with apparition which will be taught in sixth year.”

There was a shadow of excited whispering at the promise of apparition lessons. Peter, on the other hand, was looking disdainfully down at his broomstick. Sirius watched as Remus snorted at Peter’s expression good-naturedly. Despite James’ complaints, Sirius noted him hanging on Madame Hooch’s every word. She talked them through commanding and mounting the brooms and Sirius self-consciously followed her instruction. James seemed to be perfectly at home with the idea, Peter, though nervous, looked like he at least was familiar with the process, but Remus and Lily looked to be in a similar dilemma to him. As much as Remus had laughed at Peter’s unease, he looked suitably awkward standing squarely on the grass holding what looked like a glorified sweeping brush between his legs.

‘Kicking off from the ground hard’ turned out to be a lot harder than Madame Hooch made it sound. For students like James and Pater, who were at least familiar with broomsticks, they had no qualms with the notion that an object would hold them up of they did. Remus quickly got over the nervousness that came with the questionable instruction and looked utterly surprised that he’d made it two foot into the air. Sirius only made it off the ground on the thought of what his mother would say about him being so undignified and the disgust of his own cowardice after proving to his new friend that he was a true Gryffindor. Once in the air, flying seemed distinctly less difficult as he hovered obediently at the height Hooch had deemed appropriate and watched her try to convince Dorcas to get in the air.

“Will you try out for the Quidditch team next year?” James asked, indicating the small group of Sirius, Remus, Peter and Edgar.

Peter looked positively repulsed. “I’d probably smash my head open and be sent home first game, I don’t think so. I’m so clumsy. I reckon my mum would like it idea, but my dad doesn’t see the point in Quidditch, so…”

“Yeah, but would you want to?” James insisted. Peter looked a little taken aback.

“Well, I don’t really know. I mean, I asked her and she said she didn’t care either way when it came to Quidditch… But my brothers…” Peter trailed off nervously and risked a fall in letting go of the handle to wipe his sweaty hands on his robes. “I don’t know...”

James seemed to consider Peter for a few moments, before appearing to giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“Well, you’ve got all year to decide. I suppose that’s why they open trials in second year. We’ve got this whole year to practice. And I suppose muggle-borns would have to familiarise themselves with the sport… But then you’d think they’d let us bring our own brooms.”

“I heard,” said Edgar enthusiastically, “that some kid a long time ago, in first year got dared to fly home and smashed into the wards around the castle grounds and got turned into a slug!”

“Yeah, I heard that too,” said James. “My dad told me, but he was laughing so I think it was just a story.”

Once Hooch had coaxed the whole class into the air, they were instructed to fly in a circle around the pitch, which resulted in Lily Evans crashing into Remus, which distracted Peter and caused him to lose his grip and flip upside down. The class ended in a fair amount of alarmed screaming and James and Edgar complaining about the inferior ability of the rest of the class.

#harry potter fanfiction #marauders era #james potter #sirius black #Remus Lupin #peter pettigrew #Lily Evans #severus snape #hogwarts #first year #marauders 1971-1978 #beckett simpleton #flying lessons #hufflepuffs #edgar bones

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blackpjensen · 7 years

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Hustler Turf Enters Utility Vehicle Market: This Week’s Industry News

Want to keep up with the latest news in lawn care and landscaping? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the green industry.

Hustler Turf Enters Utility Vehicle Market with MDV Hustler Turf Equipment has announced its Maximum Duty Vehicle (MDV) is available for purchase. The MDV signifies the company’s first entry into the utility vehicle or side-by-side category. Designed for heavy-duty applications, the MDV features LeveLift technology, a patented, labor-saving cargo box that allows users to lift up to 750 pounds from the ground and dump material from any point in its arc of motion. It has a Kohler Diesel engine and a 14-gallon fuel tank. It is now available at select independent dealers and will be on sale nationwide by year’s end.

Bayer Releases New Insecticide for Greenhouse Growers Environmental Science, a business unit of the Crop Science division of Bayer says that Altus insecticide will be available for purchase through authorized agents beginning May 1, 2017. Altus introduces a new insect management solution to greenhouse growers that controls major sucking pests while offering flexibility of applications before, during and after bloom. Flupyradifurone is the new active ingredient Altus insecticide.

Target Specialty Products Unveils New Corporate Brand Target Specialty Products’ new comprehensive rebranding effort features a refreshed logo and upgraded website. The revamped website will serve as a source of valuable information and education for its customers. The reimagined look reflects the integration of Residex into the Target Specialty Products brand, further its position as a principal distributor of pest management and turf & ornamental solutions and supplies across a growing network; currently 41 branch locations in the United States and Canada.

Takeuchi Announces New Regional Parts Coordinators Compact equipment manufacturer Takeuchi-US recently hired one and promoted two team members to the position of regional parts coordinators. Mario Reese was promoted to northwest regional parts coordinator and Mary Towsey, with 15 years of customer service experience, is the company’s new southeast regional parts coordinator. were both promoted, while Dustin Reed is a new hire. Dustin Reed came to Takeuchi after working for an equipment dealer as parts and sales representative/warehouse manager.

Snowposium Trade Show in Ontario Returns Sept. 28 Landscape Ontario’s Snow and Ice Sector Group and Landscape Trades magazine announced its Snowposium on Sept. 28, 2017. This single-day event will feature a trade show, outdoor demonstrations, speakers, educational sessions, and networking opportunities for professionals responsible to keep our roads, sidewalks and parking lots safe during the winter months. The Snowposium will be held at the Landscape Ontario Milton office, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Explorer, Economist, Environmentalist Featured at OPEI Meeting The Outdoor Power Equipment Industry annual meeting June 20-22 in Kohler, Wisconsin, features Ben Saunders, world record-breaking polar explorer; Ann Marie Buerkle, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics and TV host of “With All Due Respect;” Dr. Alan Beaulieu, award-winning economist and author; and Margaret O’Gorman, head of the Wildlife Habitat Council.

Hardscape North America Awards Now Accepting Entries Hardscape North America is now accepting entries for the 10th Annual HNA Awards to be presented on Thursday, Oct. 19. The 2017 HNA Awards presentation will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center and is included with registration for HNA 2017. The HNA Awards recognize outstanding hardscape projects in all sizes in residential and commercial applications using a variety of products including concrete pavers, clay pavers and segmental retaining walls.

Consumer Horticulture Contributes $196 Billion to U.S. Economy Horticulture positively affects people’s lives where they live, work, shop and play, according to a new report from the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture. Consumer horticulture contributes $196 billion to the U.S. economy and creates more than 2 million jobs. But its benefits go way beyond that, said Casey Sclar, NICH Chair. According to the NICH report, plants benefit society in many ways:

Plants in the workplace reduce employee sick time by 14 percent.

Well-landscaped homes are more valuable; since homes represent 25 percent of personal wealth, outdoor plants pack a powerful personal finance punch.

American’s are growing more of their own food—25 percent of all Americans grow berries, veggies or fruit trees.

Shaded roadways save 60 percent of repaving costs.

America’s public gardens generate $2.3 billion in tourism spending.

ENP Welcomes John Gruneisen ot Sales Team Illinois-based specialty fertilizer manufacturer, EnP, announced the addition of John Gruneisen to its sales team. Gruneisen most recently served as territory sales manager at Holganix. In his new role at EnP, Gruneisen will continue to work closely with Holganix, serving as a technical advisor on EnP technologies that are used in Holganix PB1, Holganix PB1-LTO, and other products. Gruneisen graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in turfgrass science and a minor in plant pathology. As a former distributor sales representative and assistant golf course superintendent, John Gruneisen brings a valuable perspective to EnP. John will serve as EnP’s Midwest territory sales representative focusing on the Foliar-Pak line of specialty turf and ornamental fertilizers.

Ditch Witch Organization Gives More Than 300 Customers the Ultimate Orange Iron Experience Exclusive event draws customers worldwide to test and see latest equipment and technology innovations. Ditch Witch treated more than 300 customers worldwide to an exclusive, VIP experience at the company’s headquarters in Perry, Oklahoma, on March 28 and 29. The annual, two-day Orange Iron Experience included an equipment program that introduced customers to the latest Ditch Witch, Subsite Electronics and Hammerhead products and hands-on equipment demonstrations. Attendees also received a full tour of the Ditch Witch manufacturing facility and campus, an adrenaline-pumping Super Witch show, and a meet-and-greet with the designers and engineers who build the equipment they rely on every day.

2017 NARI National President’s Awards Announced Every year the NARI National President has the opportunity to recognize key individuals who support him/her in their position. During the 2017 Spring House of Delegates meeting, H. Dale Contant, MCR, CRPM, UDCP, National President, 2016-2017 presented his awards. Dale began the presentation by saying, “I am so proud of my team, about how business runs so smoothly when I’m traveling for NARI. I could not have possibly volunteered my time with NARI and run a business all these years without the assistance and loyalty of my team members.”

Read last week’s industry news: NMSU’s Professor Appointed to Post at Netherland’s University

The post Hustler Turf Enters Utility Vehicle Market: This Week’s Industry News appeared first on Turf.

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blankdblank · 6 years

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Decision Pt 2

Ok, spotted the first Gif and i just wanted to use it, though it really doesn’t fit as part of the story, but kind of more for the attitude of the Dwarves...Hope you guys like this!!

Decisions – Thorin fic Pt 2 -

Part 1 Summary - King Thorin finds himself under the obligation of honoring his arranged marriage from childhood finding himself at odds with his One and earning a bit of advise from an unpopular source.

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Tags –

@himoverflowers, @theincaprincess, @evyiione, @red608

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Your words ringing clearly still in Thorin’s mind as he headed for his Rooms to retire for the night, settling in to the dinner you’d once again left in the oven for him to keep it warm until he finally arrived, shrugging his way out of his jacket before laying his crown on the table beside him grabbing his fork to dig in. Each bite drawing happy hums from him as he finished the entire meal you’d prepared, a deep pang filling his chest knowing if he accepted this terrible betrothal and allowed it to continue then he could no longer enjoy your cooking except at the group dinners for the Company each week, forced back to the tedious, tasteless Dwarvish cooking he knew his future betrothed only knew how to cook.

His mind racing through each and every line of the betrothal contract he’d memorized in hopes of learning some way out of it, relenting once again at the fact he’d be forever torn between his duty to upholding that contract his Grandfather had penned himself and eternal happiness with his One, the expectations from the forced bond triggering an urge to shave himself and claiming exile rather than sharing a bed with that woman, not even ever considering children, only forcing him through that painful betrayal of his burning love for you once, only once to consummate the relationship then never again.

Balin arrived with another stack of papers and books he’d been asked to pour through in hopes for a loophole, the deep bags under his eyes proving his eagerness to assist Thorin from making this terrible mistake, sighing as he set the papers down and settled into the empty chair slowly resting his aching hips, “I’ve read it all Thorin, the only way out now is to either accept exile, or.” Thorin’s eyes darted up eagerly to meet his with a hopeful expression, “Prove she’s unworthy of the title of Queen.”

“How would I..”

“You need to prove she’s unable to fulfill the duties, the people won’t accept her orders already, so that’s a start, but we need to prove she is incapable of becoming your Queen.”

Thorin nodded, “I could send her to speak with the Elves and Bard for the trade agreement, she’s been asking to prove she can be trusted for the workload, they should be able to gauge if they will work with her or not.”

Balin smirked at him, “Good idea, they’re nearly solely loyal to speaking only with Jaqi, any misstep could break our trade agreements though.”

Thorin let out a sigh, “Jaqi will have to go as well then, to, keep everything intact, or at least get them to believe she’d taken my place on her own, I’m sure Thranduil at least will be more than willing to look past any foolish ideas she brings up at the meeting to follow Jaqi’s prior agreements.”

After their brief meeting had ended Balin left to get some sleep leaving the research with the King as Thorin headed to the kitchen with his dishes to wash before crawling into bed, slipping once again into dreams filled with thoughts of you while ignoring the knocks he knew had come from his intended to wish him goodnight.

Through your evening you found yourself alone again, eyeing the wall across from you, enjoying the roaring fire, doing your best not to listen to Thorin’s deep snores through the thick walls separating you, spending the entire night frozen in that position, your eyes darting to the fireplace when it gave it’s last crack before the flame died completely, leaving you in darkness until morning shone through the cutouts in your ceiling. Bathing before changing into a fresh grey sweater as you started your small breakfast and heading to join the Company in the Large joint sitting room on the Royal floor, settling into the empty chair at a small table grabbing the small deck of cards and shuffling it.

Your slightly pointed ear twitching at the sound of Lady Dahlia, Thorin’s intended, striding into the room with a smug grin she wore especially for you when she was in your company, her eyes tearing your every detail apart, evaluating you as no threat physically to her, still perplexed at how you’d gained her intended’s undying Loyalty. Never admitting it could be possible that Thorin could ever fall for a Half Elf/Hobbit, Mutt, being her word used for referring to you in her close group of friends, the four Dams behind her that shadowed her every movement, her feet carried her over to your table in the hopes of proving once and for all that she was your superior.

Smirking at you before claiming the empty seat without asking permission tilting her chin higher as her dull brown eyes, paired with a painfully orange set of hair with a long set of braded sideburns, dropped to your cards, “Deal me in”, her shadows all pulling chairs up behind her to watch the show as all the Dwarves around you watched with shocked expressions.

Their reactions telling you her behavior was not proper for a woman of her standing, holding your blank expression you easily dealt out four cards face down to both of you then another two face up, her eyes darting to her cards unable to contain her smirk as she slid three back to you, “3” the dullness of her eyes darkening as she glanced at her new hand as you kept the cards you were dealt before she laid hers down, smugly grinning with an excited squeak, “2 pair.” Your eyes dropping to her cards seeing the 2’s and 5’s making her best possible hand before you laid down your four Aces with a pair of Kings forcing her mouth to drop open before shooting you a scowl grabbing the cards and handing them to her friend, “Kidde shuffle”, once again keeping your hand as she got a low set of pairs while you got a full house, repeating it again with her demanding Dain, Balin and Dwalin to take their own turns shuffling before relenting that she’d been beaten before ordering you to play her in a game of chess as Dis settled into a closer chair to watch your contest.

Her second challenge ending within a few minutes at her choice to sacrifice her Queen for a pawn leaving her King wide open, you sat calmly through her ordered rematch before she’d ordered a game of checkers as well before storming away nearly in tears glancing between Dis and Dain at her ten straight losses to you with her friends following her with shocked expressions frozen on their faces. You stood giving a quick stretch before running your fingers through your hair in the loose bun that had drooped nearly free from its former spot to the back of your neck, untying the band securing it and looping it around your wrist while you pulled your long curly hair back into another bun as Dis came to sit in the chair closest to you as Dain did the same.

Dis smirked at you happily, “You have my blessing for your courting of my Brother Lady Jaqi!”

Your eyes locked into hers as Dain let out a bark of a laugh before saying, “She failed miserably at asserting her claim over yours. You have my blessing as well, though it was never a question of choosing against you, something she’ll naught be getting from any of our kin after that devastating show.”

Your eyebrows raising, “What are you two talking about?”

Dis let out a chuckle patting your hand gently, “Dear Sister, she just tried her best to prove she can best you in a mental challenge and failed.”

Dain, “Aye, if she challenges you to a physical challenge you best accept that as well, you’ll surely best her.”

Dis, “Though since you took out Smaug and hundreds of Orcs nearly alone in battle she’s not likely to make that mistake, she never was one for axe challenges.”

“She’s challenging me for what exactly?”

They both smirked at you saying, “Thorin.”

Your eyebrows rose as the others circled around you filling you in on all the ways she’d be attempting to best you with in the upcoming days, only having a week once the first challenge is issued to try and win Thorin’s affections and respect from you before having to leave the Mountain when she inevitably failed. Your mind racing as the list grew and each Dwarf around you eagerly gave you tips about the more subtler forms of Dwarvish courting, their blessings forcing your smile to grow until the large wooden clock along the wall chimed loudly signaling you to head to a meeting in the greenhouses connecting Erebor and Dale.

Your meeting ended well though as you headed back to your Room you could hear the Dwarves all through the Mountain already proudly buzzing at Lady Dahlia’s first failed attempt at overthrowing you, her next challenge however arriving much sooner than you’d expected, while returning to your Rooms she’d made it a point to flash the bow in her hand shooting you a large grin. The thick boots her friend was holding paired with the wide arrowheads revealed her intended prey.

You shot her a forced smile as she stepped to cut off your path, “Let me guess you’re going to hunt a boar?”

Her eyes furrowing at you while her chin tilted to the side, “Yes, What is it to you, it’s not like you could do better.”

You tried your best to withhold your curt chuckle, “Not a wise decision, Thorin doesn’t eat Boar since the Journey.”

Her foot stomping drawing the attention of the Dwarves around you who were trying their best to act like they weren’t watching your interaction, “I don’t need you advice to keep MY intended happy!” Her head jerking to the side as she stormed off with her friends trailing behind her once more.

You let out a quick breath as a smirk fought its way onto your face, The Princes both walking around the meat stand they were hiding behind, as you continued your path, Kili asks. “Where are you going?”

Your eyes darted to meet his as your steps paused, “Hunting, Thorin will be hungry when she offers him her dry tasteless Boar.”

Kili let out a chuckle as Fili rocked on his feet asking, “What are you going hunting for?”

You smirked at both of them, “Something a lot bigger than a fucking Boar.” Heading to your room to grab your light jacket and your enchanted bag with your weapons inside for your hunting trip.

They both nudged each other’s elbows eagerly as the other Dwarves around them buzzed happily and darted away to spread the news before the Princes rushed to find Thorin.

Darting through the crowded hallways, smiling at each bow they received before finally crashing through the large doors into the meeting room Thorin was in, both being met by a room full of curious stares while they panted for their breath.

Thorin, “You’re both late.” Glancing up at them both from the notes in his hands, his body shifting towards them noting their large excited smiles, “What am I missing?”

Kili let out a breathy chuckle, “Only the best news you’ll get all day.”

Fili, “Lady Dahlia is going hunting for Boar.”

Thorin let out an unimpressed grunt as Kili raised his finger, “There’s more, earlier, she challenged Jaqi to a mental competition.”

Fili, “In front of Mother.”

Both, “And Dain.”

Thorin leaned forward dropping his notes on the table before him as the others around him did the same, as Fili continued, “And she lost.”

Kili let out a chuckle as the Dwarves around them started buzzing whispers, “Ten times.” All their eyes darting back to the Princes widening in shock.

Fili swayed from side to side proudly, “And guess who Lady Dahlia announced her trip to just minutes ago.”

Thorin smirked up at him, “She issued a hunting challenge to Jaqi?” Biting his lip to contain the loud laughter attempting to force its way free from his chest.

The Princes nodded and Kili continued, “Jaqi called her out on her cooking skills as well” Inferring to your disbelief at the possible Future Queen’s chances at pleasing her possible Husband and King, a major Dwarven insult to issue to a potential rival suitor.

Thorin’s eyes shot out a happy twinkle before Fili said, “Said you would be hungry after she offers you her dry tasteless Boar.”

Thorin, “She’s gone hunting? For what exactly?”

Kili, “Her exact words, ‘Something a lot bigger than a fucking Boar.’”

Thorin let out a loud laugh joining the others around him, “Can’t imagine what might have gone through her mind to assume Jaqi couldn’t best a Boar, she did take down Smaug.”

Fili chuckled, “Maybe she thought with the lack of Dragons Jaqi’d be unable to find anything bigger.”

After a few more questions from the group they settled into their seats for their meeting as Thorin beamed thinking to himself, She’s actually challenging Jaqi for my betrothal…Not a contest at all…

Sitting through a thankfully Hobbitish meal gifted by Bilbo, at your request, his night went slowly, his mind racing about you, your safety and what could possibly be running through your mind, eagerly pacing while guessing at what you would choose to prove your skills at providing for him and the meal and gift that was expected to follow, as many parts of the kill was to be used, the meat for a meal and as much as the rest for a gift for your intended. Silently hoping that Lady Dahlia would be unable to find any Boar, hoping for anything but that and hoping it would be something small he could flat out refuse, early the next morning on the way to his Throne room he caught the buzz around him, turning to spot Lady Dahlia’s servant carrying a rather scrawny looking Boar, barely half the size of the Boars you’d managed to hunt for them along the Journey, her proud expression dimming at the slightly disappointed stare he’d given her and her kill before getting a full view of his back, turning to head for his meeting.

Another buzz breaking through the Mountain as Lady Dahlia headed down to the Markets, doing her best to gain the favor of Thorin, possibly gaining another chance to hunt for him again, forcing a proud expression on her face heading over to greet him as the crowd at the other end of the Mountain eagerly parted and their voices rose into an excited roar. The Company, Dis and Dain, all grouping around Thorin eyeing the massive black object parting the crowd, the large grin growing on Thorin’s face was unmistakable finally realizing it was you with a Mortar Bear draped across your shoulder. Their eyes scanning over the creature noting its head reaching down to your mid shin as its back feet dragged across the floor behind you, stopping a few feet from the King with a small smile, “Hungry?”

He let out a quiet laugh, “I will be,”

Gripping the head of the bear, raising it showing its size nearly the same as his chest, as you asked, “I was either thinking rug or blanket.” Sliding your free hand along the soft fur along its large arm that was draped across your chest.

“Blanket should do nicely.” Shooting you a sparkling gaze.

You nodded, “I’ll have your dinner ready at the normal time, though the blanket should take a few days at least.”

“Take your time.”

You nodded and headed up to your rooms to prepare the courting meal, each Dwarf available swarming to catch a glimpse of your courting prey, each noting your clear victory, as Thorin headed for his table he was greeted by the familiar scent of your cooking before spotting the full table, curiously heading for the cooling hatch in his pantry spotting the barrels of the meat from your prey, all prepared so they would last for weeks to come. Scanning the table happily not seeing any Boar at all in the spread, eating as much as he could before putting the rest up for later and heading to bed after sending word through Dwalin that he’d accepted your courting meal and your adding to his pantry. As per Dwarvish custom him and his Suitors being unable to communicate privately unless through a messegner, then heading off to sleep, drifting off deeply making up for his sleepless night before.

Your schedules went normally through the next few days, each slipping back into your roles while you spent your nights finishing your gift to Thorin, offering the head to Oin to have mounted properly for the Royal Floor’s Sitting Room wall, his expertise being much greater than yours in mounting heads, consulting an expert to assist you, at Dis’ instructions, is well within the allowed ground of courting gift preparation.

Heading to bed on the third day he was greeted with a large box on his bed, a large smile spreading across his face as he opened it and drew out the massive blanket with Dwarvish Runes used to secure the second layer to the underside of it, eagerly spreading it across his large bed and sliding his hands across the soft thick black fur nearly covering his entire bed, proudly going to inform Dwalin to inform you that he accepted your first courting gift before stretching out across it again smiling at your apple scent that was wafting out from the blanket.

His heart racing as he stretched out across your gift, wishing he could rush over and pull you in for a passionate kiss to thank you for it but relenting to Dwarvish tradition of no private contact with his suitors, relaxing as his mind wandered to your first cold night on the Journey and seeing you draw out a similar, yet smaller, blanket and lay it over Bilbo, his Nephews and Ori as they huddled together in the cold.

The stern King keeping his eyes on you while you spent the night on watch without a blanket or thick coat, unfazed by the cold and yet he wanted nothing more than to curl you against his chest under his thick furs and his coat as you’d selflessly seen to assuring the warmth of the youngest of his Company, eventually succeeding in curling around you the closer you’d gotten to the Mountain with your sleeping circles closing in at the newly cramped spaces to keep warm.

Remembering his heart racing when he’d secured his spot at your side the first time and the burning heat that covered his cheeks when you’d woken him from his position draped across your chest with his arms gripping you tightly, each night after aching to have you in his arms again until week later when you’d finally felt tired enough to sleep again. Though the second time, much to his joy you’d settled down against Kili and Fili’s pile at his side allowing him to forcibly share his blanket with you even though the cold had no effect on you, then allowing Thorin to snuggle closely with you for a short time until you had to assist Bombur with the breakfast before accepting the seat at his side that he’d saved for you.

…

Waking as the sun rose your smile still in place at learning he’d accepted your courtship gift and practically outright refused the dinner Lady Dahlia had made for him along with her poorly crafted Boar skin belt that ended up being not even large enough to wrap halfway around his waist at the small size of the poor creature.

After a quick breakfast you pulled on your clean long green button down shirt with a dark grey vest over it paired with your dark pants and tall boots, pulling your hair back into a long ponytail as you headed for the meeting, silently joining Lady Dahlia’s group along the way. Her slightly defeated expression fighting to hide itself from your view, through your racing mind you’d chosen to remain the polite one in the situation, true your heart nearly shattered when her Father had arrived with Dain’s Men and brought the betrothal back to Thorin’s attention, but you’d preferred to have him in your life however you could, even accepting your place as just an advisor and friend.

None of the Dwarves would have blamed you or even gotten mad had you challenged her outright or even barred her from entering at all, your place at his side paired as his One in their eyes long before she arrived and still after, respecting you for your quiet patience waiting for her to eagerly challenge you and fail. The entire Mountain certain that you’d surely win, and everyone, even Lady Dahlia knowing that once a Dwarf has chosen a favorite there is no breaking that alliance, so her chances were doomed from the start at securing the vast armies’ hearts.

Through her attempts though you still tried to be as polite and accepting as you could manage through her judgmental stares and rude comments aimed at you while even trying to get Thorin to attempt to be civil with her until he’d managed free from the courtship or fled the Mountain last minute. Your eyes spotting her hands curling across her middle covering the broach on her thick leather belt, drawing in another quiet breath and saying in as polite a tone as possible, “Has Thorin granted you another shot?”

Her eyes along with the Dams around you jerking their heads towards you in shock, her voice coming out barely concealing the break trying to force its way through, “What’s it to you, you clearly won, what could I find larger than a Mortar bear?”

“Anything would be better than leaving it at a Boar of that shape.”

Her eyes darting over to you again, “What do you care what I’ve chosen, you’ve bested me, again!”

You shifted your head to meet her glare with a straight face, “You searched on the eastern passes of the mountain, correct?”

She nodded timidly, “Yes..”

“You should try the Southern passes on your next run, the stripped cave lions should all be gathered this time of year, though you should wait for the ones to take their patrols, aim for the males with the grey stripes along their ribs, they’re the older ones, the meat is better and they only patrol after they’ve mated with as many of the females as they can manage, choosing any of the younger ones will gain you size but the taste will suffer.”

Her mouth dropping open as you spoke, “You’re serious?”

You glanced at her again, “You’re new to the area, had you lived here before you could have easily chosen wiser than that Boar, I’ll talk to Thorin about the second chance, You and your Family deserve respect through this, it must have been daunting for you spotting their reactions to the betrothal.”

Her head faced forward again pursing her lips while her friends kept their gazes trained on you all trying to guess why you were being so kind, “Why are you saying all this? You should be screaming at me or chasing me wit an axe or something.”

You let out a quick chuckle, “Thought about it, but you have a longstanding betrothal, something that shouldn’t be taken so lightly.”

Her smug grin came back as her ego spiked again, “True, I won’t be needing your assistance in gaining another chance, I can manage it on my own, we are betrothed after all, certainly after this meeting he’ll have to see I’m the clear choice.”

You bit the back of your bottom lip to hold your face still along with keeping your silence while you entered the large meeting room in Dale smiling at Bard, Tauriel, Legolas and King Thranduil along with their few choices from their Counsels they had asked along for the day, each smiling back while you took your seat before gazing at Lady Dahlia and her group with forced small smiles and intent gazes of un-interest at her presence. Your mind connecting with Thranduil’s as he took a sip from him glass of water, “Be nice Duil.”

His voice smoothly replying in your mind, “I am always nice.” His eyes locking with yours showing a flash of amusement hidden within them before turning to Lady Dahlia dully as she cleared her throat to start the meeting. Nearly an agonizing two hours later your head was pounding, eyebrow fixed in a constant twitch as you counted the steps between you and the large sword on display of the wall across from you, having spent the entire meeting mentally arguing between you and everyone else but the Dams around you about how best to get rid of the Woman who refused to let anyone else speak between her long list of insults and demands. Each of them agreeing that were it not for your presence they’d have broken the trade with Erebor and thrown the Woman out of their city, finally once you’d managed to bring the meeting to a close Lady Dahlia left with a smug grin darting out to go tell the rest of her group what she’d managed to say to the Men at the meeting.

The doors shut behind her signaling you to lay your head down on the table before you as King Thranduil claimed the chair at your side and gently started to rub your throbbing head, coolly saying, “We won’t kill her.”

Bard let out a long breath grabbing the bottle of Elven wine from the table along the wall, uncorking it with his teeth as he poured himself a glass before dropping back into his seat and re-corking it, “No, though I may just have her barred from Dale.” Groaning as he rolled his shoulders and head before claiming his first taste of the wine he’d poured.

Thranduil’s hands gently raised your head, pulling you back in your seat to continue his scalp massage as you let out a relieved hum, “Just kindly inform Thorin that she is no longer welcome in my presence unless guarded for her protection.”

You let out deep sigh, “I know. Just be thankful you don’t have to be the one to tell him.”

Legolas let out a laugh, “If he didn’t have a reason to kick her out he certainly does now.”

Tauriel squirmed in her seat sliding her fingers over the bead Kili had braided into her hair, “I don’t think I can tell Kili what she said.”

You opened your eyes glancing over at her, “Don’t worry about it, I won’t mention the specifics to him if you don’t wish me to.”

She nodded with a small smile, “I think its best left between us.”

Thranduil let out a chuckle as Bard said, “Don’t worry, we’re more than willing to claim all her insults to keep your intended from possibly harming the Dam.”

Thranduil finished his massage when you head finally stopped throbbing before helping you pull your hair back into its long ponytail as Tauriel eyed you both curiously, “Thorin won’t be mad at him touching your hair?”

Your eyes met hers again with another small smile, “He hasn’t given me a bead or braid yet. Even if he had as long as the braid was undisturbed there wouldn’t be a problem, as long as it wasn’t meant as a threat to Thorin.”

She gave another nod as Legolas chuckled, “I’ll walk you back Naneth, promised Gimli that I would let him give m an axe throwing lesson.” Smiling at you as Thranduil helped you up and moved aside walking you to the door as Legolas reached your side curling his arm around your back.

You drew in steady breaths resting your head against his arm while he filled you in on his growing friendship with Gimli along with his other Cousins that had recently returned to Erebor, the walk from the front gate was filled with respectful bows while you passed the Dwarves surrounding you. Legolas left you just as you reached the first set of stairs kissing the top of your head after a large hug before turning and leaving you alone, your eyes turning to the set of stairs, a deep sigh escaping you when your started climbing the stairs and finding your way to the Throne Room, meeting Thorin’s adoring gaze as he spotted you across the large room.

The Dwarves before him bowing as you approached, stepping to Thorin’s side as he scooted to the edge of his Throne, his voice coming out in a deep whisper hoping to keep your conversation private from the onlooking Dwarves, “Sanzigil-kaiku (Mithril chuck), Everything alright?” His eyes finally taking in the exhausted expression on your face with a concerned gaze forming across his face.

You let out a sigh whispering back, “Can I talk to you privately?”

He nodded, standing while offering you his arm and leading you to a small meeting room at the end of one of the walkways, allowing you in first after eying it to make sure you would be alone, allowing Dwalin inside before closing the door behind him and stepping to your side, “What happened?” Gently curling his hands around yours.

Your eyes met his drawing in a steady breath before speaking, “I mean this as respectfully as I possibly can, but I have to say this.”

He nodded, “You can say anything to me.”

You let out a shaky breath, “Do not ever let her speak to any visiting Leaders again.”

His eyes squinting slightly scanning your face as his entire posture tightened while shifting on his feet, his voice dropping into a near growl, “What did she do?” His eyes widened through his pulse spiking listening to the few insults she started the meeting with, his hands fighting to keep from shaking, drawing in a rumbling breath drawing his bottom lip into his mouth, “What did Thranduil and Bard have to say?” Never through his planning had he imagined she would behave that way, possibly risking their safety.

“She Is no longer welcome in their presence unguarded.”

“And the trade agreements?” Giving you a nearly pleading gaze.

You smirked at him forcing his shoulders to relax slightly, “There wasn’t really a need for the meeting at all, other than just getting time to speak with them freely, nothing has changed.”

He nodded letting out a shaky breath glancing at Dwalin before looking back to you, “Would you have lunch with me?”

You nodded, “Of course, what did you want to eat?”

“I’ll prepare the meal, just, give me about an hour and meet me in my rooms please.” You nodded again eyeing his shifting expressions as he stepped forward gently kissing your cheek and resting his head against yours drawing in another breath before speaking in another deep rumble, “Go and relax, I’ll take care of this.” Pulling back after kissing your cheek again, “See you in a bit.”

You nodded again glancing at Dwalin who gave you a kind smile while Thorin released your hands before leaving the room after stealing a quick hug from Thorin, the rumbling chuckle escaping him relaxed your aching muscles from your formerly clenched shoulders while his arms curled around you until you pulled back, gaining another adoring smile from him before heading up to your room to collapse on your bed.

The door shut behind you and a low growl escaped both Dwalin and Thorin, both taking a few minutes to attempt to calm down before Thorin asked Dwalin to take over the rest of the line of Dwarves mitigations for their problems, making his way upstairs informing Balin on what had happened before sending a Raven to request her presence in another meeting room. She finally arrived to find Thorin’s deep scowl and glare once she stepped through the door, her feet carried her closer timidly before being instructed to tell him about the meeting and why she had chosen to speak to his allies like that.

Her voice coming out in a crack, “How else am I to get them to listen to me and do as I say?”

Thorin’s head tilted while he clenched his jaw, “Do as you say?!” His voice growing louder, “DO AS YOU SAY?!” His voice dropping out of his scream noting even Balin flinching at his sudden shift away from his Cousin, “They are visiting Lords and Kings!! You do not tell them to do anything! You suggest options and they choose, do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Her gaze dropping to the floor as her head and posture drooped, “The months that It took to get those agreements in place, none of that would have been possible so soon without us all being locked in a room together until we’d worked out all the details under Jaqi’s supervision.”

Her head sot back up, “I knew this had something to do with her!! This entire time you’ve ever even given our union any thought at all have you?!”

His glare growing as another growl escaped him, “Jaqi is the one who suggested I give you a chance in the first place, agreeing that the contract should be respected, you owe her a far greater deal of respect than you’ve shown, but that is no longer your concern!”

A small glare working it’s way onto her face, “So I upset her friends so now you’re breaking our contract?!”

He stepped forward, “YOU NEARLY STARTED A WAR, YOU RISKED MY PEOPLE’S SAFETY, OUR FOOD, THEY STILL CONTROL NEARLY HALF OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY UNTIL OUR GREENHOUSE IS COMPLETE!!” Her mouth dropping open in shock, drawing in another breath shaking with rage, letting out a grumbling growl before dropping his shout again to a stern growl, “You have done nothing but prove how unwilling you are to be a part of my life and rule at my side, consider our contract dissolved.”

“Thorin..”

His glare coming back, “Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror, King Under the Mountain, Heir to the line of Durin. Do not assume that we have any form of kinship to deserve such informality from this moment forward. I am a King first, My People’s safety comes before any contract my predecessors have penned. I cannot ever claim you as My Queen, you have proven yourself unworthy of the title, Your Family will be informed and escorted back to the Southern Kingdom before nightfall. I wish you and Your Family safe travels Lady Dahlia.” Not waiting for a response while neglecting her a respectful bow of his head and stepping around her leaving the room as Balin followed soon after. Thorin stopped a nearby Guard informing him to escort the Lady back to her Rooms and ensure that she and her Family was packed and ready for travels by the end of the day while sending another Guard to go fetch her Father while Balin went to fetch her younger brother from his gate duties.

Thorin headed up to his rooms, shutting the door behind him with another growl, leaving his crown and jacket on a table in his path to his bed, crawling to he middle of it and stretching out across the blanket from you, soon the soft blanket coated in your scent easing his pulse back down, his eyes finding the small clock beside his bed on the table marking the time and sitting up just before a knock sounded on his front door.

Crawling back to the edge of the bed and walking to his front door, a large smile growing on his face as his eyes met yours, stepping back to allow you in and pausing while you glanced in, searching for signs of a chaperone until he let out a chuckle stealing your attention again, “We’re allowed to be alone again, please come in I’ll explain it all.” Holding his hand out for you to take, smiling at you when you accepted it and stepped inside, he closed the door behind you while you turned back to him, his free hand rose to your cheek while his body quickly found itself pressed against yours before his lips hungrily crashed into yours.

His hand slipping out of yours as you curled your arms around the back of his neck hearing the content hums and soft moans escaping both of you as the kiss deepened, eventually breaking for air before he pulled you in for a tight hug whispering all the thick Khuzdul endearments he’d been dying to whisper to you since your forced distance at his intended’s arrival.

Your head resting against his chest feeling him pressing a kiss against the top of your head, “What happened?”

He let out a sigh kissing our forehead again gripping you tighter while filling you in, ending with, “Her and her entire Family will be gone by nightfall.” He pulled back gently raising your chin so you could look him in the eye, “I’m yours entirely, nothing will ever come before you again.”

You smiled up at him pulling him in for another kiss earning another happy hum, his forehead pressing against yours again, his whisper drawing your eyes open again, “Hungry?”

“Always.” He let out a chuckle while you let out a giggle before he pulled you to the kitchen, setting you down on the counter to spend the cooking time chatting with him between more stolen kisses, sharing your meal on the counter after he jumped up beside you. When your meal had finally ended he claimed your dishes and stood before you stealing another kiss before locking eyes with you again, “Can I braid your hair.”

A large smile spread across your face, “Of course." His smile growing as he curled you into another tight hug pulling you down from the counter, soon resting his forehead against yours before leading you to his mirror stand after his fingers dipped into a hidden pocket in his shirt retrieving a small ribbon with his beads on it, settling you down on the seat as he used his comb and brush to smooth out your hair before adding the new braids and beads into your hair. Smiling down at you before turning you, and pressing his lips to yours again for another passionate kiss while he slid you into his lap after sliding onto the small bench beside you as word spread through the Mountain at the news of your sealed status as his Future Queen.

#Thorin x Reader #Hobbit #lotr #Thorin x Reader OC

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