For Sarajbooth

Ered Luin was a riot of colour, sounds and smells. Dwarves dressed in their finest clothes as they made their way through the markets, perusing the stalls of the merchants that had come to the Blue Mountains, for the celebration. The celebration for the coming of age of the young Durin princess.

Ever since she had been born, she had been loved by the people. As only the second dwarrowdam to be born to the line of Durin, she had been seen as more precious than any of the gold and jewels that her great grandfather had been able to hoard in the Mountain. Yet that didn't mean that she had been raised, spoilt, far from it. The princess, despite her mother's protests, wanting nothing more than to become a warrior like her uncle, her older brothers; but most of all, like her beloved Dwalin. The large dwarf more than happy to teach her anything that she wanted to know. The younger son of Fundin, watching on with pride, as she would face any male dwarf, that might be foolish enough to challenge the free spirited, strong willed, yet still loving and kind young dwarrowdam. Dwalin not the only one to watch with some amusement, when Fili and Kili asked to practice with her. The shocked looks on the prince's faces when they were knocked from their feet by their little sister, something that still made the usually gruff Dwalin, laugh.

"Brother........." Balin greeted cheerily, as he made his way into Dwalin's little home. Dwalin huffing as he messed with his clothing; doing his best to make his stubborn collar lie down flat. The elder dwarf shaking his head as he took a seat.

Even though the day saw (Y/n) come of age, Balin knew that to his brother, she would always be his little darlin. The princess never losing the ability to wrap the large dwarf around her little finger. And no matter what trouble she might have gotten into; no matter the chaos she could cause, Dwalin would always be there, sometimes to chastise her; but most of the time to make sure that the princess that he cared for so much, was safe.

"She will think ya look fine, Dwalin." The pale haired dwarf continued, as he straightened down his own clothes. Both brothers, were due to be at the celebration that the family were throwing for the princess; festivities that would inevitably quickly spill out of the home of Dis and her children, onto the streets that had been decorated for the three days of merriment. Both of them having been there for every other birthday, of the three children of Dis, so they were not going to miss this one. The fact that the princess was coming of age, causing much more of a stir than when her older brothers had reached adulthood, as it now meant that (Y/n) was deemed old enough to court. There many a dwarf that had travelled from the other realms, in hopes of catching the dwarrowdam's eye; and Dwalin had not only promised her mother and uncle, that no undeserving man would get anywhere near her; but he had also promised himself. The large dwarf not about to let anyone near his little darlin.

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(Y/n) huffed as her mother finished her hair. The princess promising herself that when the older dwarrowdam wasn't looking, she would take great delight in punching both of her sniggering brothers.

Despite (Y/n)'s insistence that she wanted to wear her usual tunic and breeches for the celebration of her coming of age, Dis had maintained that people would expect to see her in a dress; and that was why she was currently sat with her arms crossed firmly over her chest, with her older brothers enjoying her misery.

"There." Dis declared happily, as she placed the last flower in her daughter's hair.

"Perfect........." The older princess continued. Another chuckle from Fili and Kili resulting in a glare from their mother, this time.

Perfect.........(Y/n) didn't want to be perfect, she just wanted to be herself; to have a sword in one hand and an axe in the other as she practiced fighting with Dwalin. She wanted to be wandering around the stalls and trying the food; to be out with her brothers, exploring. Yet here she was looking like a bluebell and feeling quite ridiculous. But given that her mother seemed so proud and happy, (Y/n) knew that she couldn't complain.

"Now, your uncle should be here any moment. Oh, and of course Balin and Dwalin........." A broad smile making its way onto (Y/n)'s lips, at the mention of her three favourite dwarves; but most specifically Dwalin. The large warrior being the one that she had adored since she was little; the one that she would always turn to and who was her main tutor, when it came to her fighting. The princess sure that if he were to be there, then the day wouldn't be too bad. The princess jumping to her feet as a loud knock rang out, before rushing for the door and throwing it open; her smile growing as she saw her uncle and Balin first, (Y/n) pulling them both into a big hug; the two laughing at her usual antics, and wishing her a happy birthday, before she let them go, and they entered the home behind her; leaving the princess to focus on a stunned appearing Dwalin. The dwarf standing there, amazed, as he looked his little darlin up and down. (Y/n) no longer the tiny creature that would follow him around town, with the doll that he had given to her, clutched to her chest. No, she was a grown dwarrowdam; the most beautiful that he had ever seen, and he couldn't help but feel his heart thump frantically inside him, as she made her way over to him. Dwalin pulling her close, as she threw herself into his arms.