Hey Nonnie!

Oh, I have answered something very like this, somewhere back in the mists of time! Yes, however, is the short answer. Dwarves can indeed fall in love in the Halls.

However, the huge inertia of death – that changelessness and eternal nature of the place itself – really weighs upon everybody there. It takes a long, long time for any change to really eventuate (example A: Thorin’s journey of healing and self-knowledge). 

and that’s taking into account the nature of Dwarves themselves: “stubborn and slow to change” is right!

However, I can point to two Dwarves who fell in love after their deaths. Bifur has been dead for nearly 70 years, and Ori has been dead for close to twenty. They were good friends before Bifur died: Ori helped Bifur regain some of his powers of communication after the catastrophic reopening of his head-wound. 

But it is only after Ori arrived that they have found a new understanding. I am writing Bifur as demisexual (i.e. he only feels desire after a strong emotional bond has already been established). They grew closer over time, due to their shared experiences and their already strong friendship, and further still over the course of their watching-duties. They bring out very good things in each other: Ori can be strong for Bifur, he can be the carer, rather than the caree. He can be the protector too: Bifur often needs help still. And for Ori, Bifur can bring out his gentler side, and his endless patience (particularly handy when Ori is stressed over so many schedule changes!).

So, there’s my ideas! I hope you like them, Nonnie 🙂