(A/N: You should read parts 1&2 first so it makes sense! Mentions of attempted murder and implied sexy times!)

You felt your knees shaking as you entered the dining hall. The other ladies were already seated and turned to face you as you entered with Thorin behind you. "Late once again, Lady Y/N?" the woman from earlier, Malena, sneered. You gave her a smile. You weren't about to rub her nose in your news just yet. You'd let Thorin do that. "Forgive me. I did not mean to keep everyone waiting." You hurried over to the empty seat with Thorin hot on your heels. Throughout your stay, you and the other ladies had switched seats at dinner so each one of you could be near Thorin at some point. Just your luck, it was your turn to sit to his left and your main competitor sat to his right.

"Good evening, Your Majesty," Malena greeted with a saccharine grin. You wanted to gag and you could see Thorin fighting back a laugh. "Good evening, Lady Malena. Let us enjoy our celebratory feast." He gave you a small smile that you returned. Malena's eyes darted between you for a second, but she said nothing. "Are you going to share who you've chosen, Your Majesty?" she asked and Thorin nodded. "I am. But first we should eat." The talking quieted and the sounds of plates being filled and eaten from filled the room.

Throughout dinner, all the ladies kept casting glances around the room. All of them were wondering who it was Thorin had chosen as he bride. The only one who didn't seem to garner any attention was you. You were partially pleased about that, especially because you kept feeling Thorin's hand on your knee off and on. You bit back your smile as you tried to keep up with the conversations.

"I must say that gown is very suiting to you, Lady Y/N," Malena said to you suddenly. You arched a brow. It was easy for you to tell she was being polite simply because Thorin was sitting right there. You smiled. "Thank you, Lady Malena. It was a gift from...someone special." You saw Thorin smile out of the corner of your eye. "Of course. Whoever gifted it to you has wonderful taste. It is the most fashionable thing I've seen you wear." You forced the smile to stay on your face. Not that it was difficult. You knew the truth and it was wonderful feeling.

Dinner was over much more quickly that night than any other. All the ladies were on edge as they waited for Thorin to make his announcement. Thorin stood and cleared his throat the moment he was finished with his meal. All sound in the room silenced. You had never heard it so quiet in there. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone looked at Thorin expectantly and you saw the tips of his ears turn pink. Even as a king, he didn't like a lot of attention on him. Yet another way you were perfect for one another.

Thorin cleared his throat once more as his eyes scanned the faces of the ladies around the table. "As you know, you were all brought here so I might choose a bride among you. You are all unique, talented, and charming young ladies and any of you would be a good queen. However, during this time, I have discovered not only the lady best suited to be my queen, but also my One. I believe she will be the queen Erebor deserves and I only hope to prove myself worthy of her love and affection."

The ladies all smiled. Malena looked up at Thorin with a slight pout to her lips. You stifled a giggle. "And who is your choice, Your Majesty?" she cooed. You rolled your eyes. You were pretty certain she had no idea how ridiculous she looked. Thorin's sharp gaze looked at her for a moment before softening again. Without a word, he reached out his left hand to you. You took it and let him help you to your feet. He brushed his lips across your knuckles. You felt yourself starting to blush as he turned back to the other ladies.

"I have chosen Lady Y/N. We will marry as soon as her family can make the journey to Erebor." Much to your surprise, applause broke out around the table. All the other ladies, apart from one, and all Thorin's servants were cheering. For you. The only person who seemed unhappy was, of course, Malena. She looked like she'd swallowed a lemon.

"You cannot be serious!" she cried, causing all celebration to stop. "You would choose her over the rest of us? She is not worthy of being queen! She hasn't the first idea of how!" Thorin opened his mouth to defend you, but you placed a hand on his arm. He nodded to you with a smile, just as you knew he would. You turned to Malena.

"You're right, Lady Malena. I haven't the first idea how to be a queen. But I had no idea how to court a king either and he still chose me. I am forever grateful that he did and I hope to prove that I'm worthy of the choice. So, believe me when I say, I will do everything in my power to be the very best queen Thorin's people could have. I am sorry that you feel cheated, but there is someone out there for you."

Before Malena could reply, Thorin spoke, "Thank you for time and patience, ladies. I need to discuss a few things with my betrothed. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Thorin pulled you away from the table and out into the corridor. He smiled at you. "I will never tire of your passion, Y/N." You laughed softly. Thorin pushed a strand of hair from your face as his other hand reached into a pocket. "I had this made for you. I would be grateful if you wore it in your hair." You looked at the ornate betrothal bead in his hand. "I would be honored."

That night you headed to bed with a smile on your face. Your brother had already sent a messenger out with a letter to your parents when he came to congratulate you. You had been talking with the other suitors and some of Thorin's closest advisors when you started having to stifle your yawns. You fingered the bead in your hair as you made your way to your chambers. Your smile widened when you thought about the fact that you would soon be trading those chambers for shared ones with Thorin.

Your smile instantly faded when you opened your door and saw an unknown man sitting in the mostly dark space. "W-Who are you?" He didn't answer. He simply shifted slightly and you saw the glint of a knife from the light of the fire. "I swear I'll scream," you threatened. He rose from his seat and was in your face in an instantly. You started to scream, but his free hand clamped over your mouth. For a moment, you froze. How had things gone from so right to so wrong in an instant? It didn't matter, you decided after a moment.

Gathering every ounce of strength and courage you possessed, you bit down on his hand and sent your knee up into his stomach. Without waiting a beat you backed out of the door and let out a scream that echoed through the corridors. You ran as fast as you could to where you hoped someone, anyone would be. You could hear your attacker's footsteps behind you. You had hoped your screaming would scare him off, but he was persistent. Perhaps he thought everyone was sleeping and wouldn't hear you. You were beginning to think he was right.

Just as you felt like you were going to faint from the exertion, you nearly ran into a solid body. You felt yourself being pushed behind someone and into the arms of someone else. "Y/N?" You stilled when you recognized Thorin's voice. You wrapped your arms around him and let out a sob. Thorin shushed you for a moment before he spoke to the dwarf in front of him. "Dwalin, take him to the cells. The queen and I shall be down to question him shortly." Dwalin nodded and left.

Thorin turned to you. "Are you alright?" You nodded shakily. You were safe and Thorin was holding you. You had escaped with your life. "I am so proud of you, Amrâlimê," he whispered. You looked at him in confusion. "You got away from him. I assume he was lying in wait for you?" At your nod, Thorin's embraced tightened a bit. "I will get to the bottom of this as soon as you feel a bit more calm."

"I'm calm enough. I want to know what happened." Thorin smiled and then lead you down to the cells of Erebor's dungeons. Dwalin was standing guard but moved as soon as he saw Thorin. "Majesties. He keeps saying it wasn't his idea. Says he won't talk ta anyone but ya though." You and Thorin both nodded. You approached the cell. "Why?" was all you managed to ask.

"My lady ordered me to," he admitted. For a man intent on killing you a few moments ago, he looked so frightened and small now. Upon further inspection, you saw that he was no more than 17, maybe 18, years of age. "And who is your lady?" Thorin asked. You didn't to ask. You were pretty certain you knew. If the reaction to Thorin's announcement was any indication, there was only one person it could be.

"Lady Malena." You nodded. Of course it was. Thorin looked surprised. "Truly? I knew she was...unhappy about my choice in bride, but surely she would not attempt the assassination of a future queen?" The young man nodded, insisting he was telling the truth. "Have you any evidence?" The prisoner dug into his pocket. He fished out a note. Scribbled on the note was the location of your chambers as well as instructs for how to kill you.

You looked back up at him and sighed. "What is your name?" He licked his lips. "Aldridge, my lady." You gave a nod and continued, "Aldridge, I thank you for your honesty, but a note is hardly hard evidence." Thorin was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke, "Perhaps it is. I have the letter Lady Malena wrote to me when she accepted the invitation to Erebor. We could see if this is written in the same hand." Dwalin went off to fetch the letter so that you and Thorin could continue speaking to Aldridge. It didn't take Dwalin long to return nor did it take more than a moment to see that Aldridge's instructions matched the writing on Thorin's letter. "Dwalin, wake Lady Malena and bring her down here."

Malena denied everything until presented with the evidence. The very first thing she did was threaten you again. "This only serves to prove that you are not fit to be my queen!" Thorin barked before leading you away. As soon as you were in the brightly lit corridor, he turned to you. "Are you alright?" You nodded, but then shook your head. Thorin's face fell. "Have you changed your mind about me? About us?"

"NO!" you cried sharply. You covered your mouth as the word echoed off the walls, making Thorin laugh. You took a deep breath. "No, Thorin. I could never change my mind about you. I just don't want to be alone tonight." Thorin grasped your hands in his. "Then I won't leave you. You can stay in my chambers. I will be the perfect gentleman." You giggled, but kissed his cheek as thanks. The thought of being with company that night helped you to calm down. You knew you could take care of yourself, but you loved the thought of Thorin being there for you no matter what and suddenly you couldn't wait to marry him.

*time skip*

You giggled as Thorin carried you over the threshold of his chambers. He pressed a kiss to your lips. You were finally married. Thorin set you on your feet so he could tend to the fire. You watched him intently. The was no denying that, despite the chaos of the day, there had been only one thing on your mind. "How soon would you like children?" you asked. Thorin nearly fell into the fireplace.

He turned to you, a fire in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Children?" You nodded. "I was hoping to enjoy having you as my wife for a while first." Giving him a saucy smirk, you took a step closer. "Then again, I suppose I will have to give the kingdom an heir sooner or later," he said, his voice dropping into a husky tone. You fluttered your eyes lashes at him. You thought you probably looked ridiculous, but you couldn't bring yourself to care. "Maybe we should get started then. Who knows how long it will take." Thorin grabbed your face and smashed his lips to yours. Without separating your lips, Thorin picked you up again and carried you to the bed.