The Sons of Durin [Ongoing] Of Every Race Saga Book III

Chapter 7: Declarations of the Heart

A few days later while leaving the Feasting Hall, Kíli pulled Rhonwen by her wrist and said, "Can I talk to you?"

"Where?" she asked, surprised.

"In the hall, after the bustle calms down."

"Alright." she agreed, pulling away. What could Kíli possibly want with her was beyond her reckoning.

Afterwards, when most of the dwarves settled down to their daily jobs, Rhonwen walked down the hall, looking for Kíli. Suddenly, she was pulled by her wrist round the corner and into the shadows. "Kíli!" she exclaimed.

"Shhh," he said, a finger on his lips, looking up and down the corridor, "I don't want anyone else to know."

"Kíli?" she asked, staring at him. "I don't understand."

Kíli sighed. He whispered into her ear, "What if I told you, that I thought you to be the prettiest girl in the world." 

"I see," she began and then paused. "Do you mean it?"

"Of course I do." Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by Coriann whistling.

Kíli pulled Rhonwen out of the shadows and Coriann found them and said, "Well, good morning. What are you doing?" she asked, seeing the faint blush on Rhonwen's face and Kíli looking slightly self-conscious.

Kíli glanced at the girl standing next to him before saying, "Whatever it is, it's none of your  business, Coriann."

"Oh, really?" Coriann snorted, before walking down the length of the hall, disappearing round the bend.

Kíli watched her disappear and then whispered, "Aye, I mean it," before disappearing down the other way.

"Kíli!" she called, running up to him.

"What?" he asked. "Go on, rail all you want."

Rhonwen looked at him, searching his face. "I wish not to rail against you. Indeed, nothing could ever make me rail against you, except for you to love someone else," she whispered.

Kíli looked at her in amazement. "What?"

She smiled and said, "I'm telling the truth, Kíli." His look of astonishment made her burst into laughter. "Right I was, when I told your sister that you were a complete idiot!" He scowled. "But I love you anyway," she continued, serious. She kissed his forehead and then took off down the hallway, leaving Kíli standing stunned. 

Rhonwen raced along the corridor, never stopping till she reached her room and closed the door. She panted from the run, but eventually calmed down. She walked to the window and looked out. The sun was shining warmly on the snow and the breeze felt warm too, another sure sign that spring was on its way. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door and said, "Come in."

Coriann stepped inside and Rhonwen motioned to the chair at the desk and Coriann sat down.

"I'm not one to really beat about the bush, Rhonwen," Coriann began, "so I'll get straight to the point. Both my brothers love you and it's causing a strain in their relationship."

Rhonwen looked at her in surprise and exclaimed, "Well, that's bold!"

Coriann remained unmoved and said, "When your brothers are at stake, the last thing a person needs to be is cautious. Now I need to know what you feel for both of them before I decide whether or not I need to take one or both of them with me."

Rhonwen was silent, staring at the floor, her hands clasped behind her back. Suddenly, a strong breeze blew into the room, causing the open window to bang against the wall. She sighed and looked up. "Where are you taking them?" she asked.