February Ficlets: Day 1
It was, of course, a ridiculous idea. The fact that the idea was being discussed at all was indeed quite ridiculous, in fact. There was no reason for such an idea to ever have been mentioned in the first place. One might even go so far as to say that the idea was ludicrous.
Sigrid’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I’ll do it.”
Fíli choked on the smoke from his pipe. “You’ll what?” he sputtered. “Are you mad?”
She shrugged. “It’s only for a few months at the most. How bad could it be?”
Balin nodded sagely. “Aye, that’s the truth of it. Just until we get these contracts signed, of course.”
“Balin,” Fíli protested. “You cannot be serious.”
“It’s a smart move,” Sigrid said before Balin could argue. “We pretend to court for as long as it takes Erebor and Dale to ratify the new trade agreements. It will force your uncle and my father to actually try to get along with each other for once.” She shrugged again. “Quite simple, I think.”
“Simple,” Fíli repeated.
“And why not?” She raised her chin defiantly and gave him a sharp look. “Is it really so terrible to pretend to court me, O Prince?”
It was not, Fíli thought miserably, as she and Balin began to discuss the idea further. The only terrible thing about it was that he had to pretend.