(A/N: This chapter is pretty short. Sorry about that.)

Your POV

I truly believed what I'd told Thorin. I was no queen. I had come to Middle Earth by accident in an attempt to escape the clutches of a woman that wanted my heart. I grew up on a pirate ship. I learned to fight, drink, cheat and pillage like them. I was taught to scoff at any authority other than my captain. Never could I imagine myself ruling anything or anyone.

"Alright, lass. I've instructed Mr. Smee to teach you the ways of the sword. I'm sure you learned some things from Pan but you'll need more than play fighting skills on this ship," my father said to me at the age of 18. I'd been watching the crew fight for too many years to count and my father finally decided that I could learn how to fight. "You start tomorrow. Tonight, we drink and play a little game." We decided to play a card game. I discovered that the more drunk I got, the better I played. I even beat my father a couple of times.

The next day, my father handed me a cutlass and directed me to Mr. Smee. I knew that my father ordered him to teach me because he was the weakest with the sword and therefore, I most likely would not be hurt. "Alright, Y/N. Copy my stance." I fought the urge to roll my eyes. As I said, I'd been watching them for years. I took my stance and was ready to block when Smee's first thrust came at me. Unfortunately, I was so focused on blocking the first strike, I was unprepared for the second. He hit my arm drawing a bit of blood. That was the first and only time I ever let that happen. At least with him.

I entered the ballroom behind Thorin who was immediately surrounded once again. I slunk off to a corner and grabbed a tankard of ale. Dwarf ale was a lot stronger than the ale in the Enchanted Forest. "What're we drinking to, lass?" Bofur asked as he plopped down next to me. It was obvious that he'd already had more than his fair share of ale. He was slurring his words and almost fell from his seat. I couldn't help but laugh at him. "Oh, Bofur. I do believe that you have had enough. I, however, am drinking to the future. No matter what it holds." I stole a glance at Thorin.

Bofur immediately sobered. "Aw, lass. You needn't worry about any of those dwarrowdams. They can't hold a candle to you in Thorin's eyes." I smirked and replied, "It is not the dwarrowdams that have me worried my friend. I do not doubt Thorin's affections for me. I know he loves me. I worry if the rest of the dwarrows and dwarrowdams in Erebor will accept me." With that, I left Bofur to his drinking and sought the company of someone a little less drunk. Once again, I found myself with Bard and Thranduil.

*The next night*

The night of Fili's coronation was very much the same. Drinking and dancing were the main forms of entertainment. The only difference was that the dwarrowdams were all hanging on Fili rather than Thorin. Thorin kept me in his sight all night and we even managed to squeeze in a dance or two. I also danced with Thranduil and Bard. The second feast was much more enjoyable for me. At least for a while. I was saying farewell to Thranduil and Bard when a familiar magic appeared in the ballroom. "Bloody hell."

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