Chapter 1 - Patrol Duty
A sharp rap on the door tore Thorin from his slumber.
"Thorin. Wake up. We leave at dawn." Nathaniel's hoarse voice was unmistakable.
With a deep sigh, Thorin buried his face in Sigrun's tousled hair for a moment, breathing in her scent and savouring her warmth. She was utterly relaxed, heavy and almost boneless and he enjoyed her familiar weight settled across his chest. When he kissed her, her face scrunched up and she muttered something incomprehensible in her sleep, but her eyes remained firmly shut.
It was only when he gently pushed her aside and sat up that she blinked at him. "Thorin. Do you have to get up already?" A tiny smile played around her lips and she stretched, wiggling her full hips a little more than was strictly necessary. "Sure we don't have time for a little cuddling?"
"Cuddling, eh?" He felt sore and tired, but he could feel a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
She was way too adorable for him to stay grumpy for long. When she had shown up at his door last night with a jug of ale, wearing nothing at all under her furred cape, and proclaiming that he needed a proper send-off, he had been more than eager to take her up on her proposal. It was tempting to crawl back into bed with her, kiss those perky little breasts, feel her shiver and writhe under his caresses.
Yet, Nathaniel wasn't exactly known for being patient, and the archer would be in command of their patrol. Some part of Thorin was actually looking forward to being down in the Deep Roads. Fighting darkspawn was messy work, but satisfying, and he was dwarf enough to feel right at home in the tunnels deep under the mountains. The stone sang to him, enveloping him safely, and the fine handiwork of the stonemasons who had crafted the pillars and passageways made him think of home, the splendours of Khazad-dum and Erebor, the work of his ancestors.
Thorin reached for the chest piece of his armour, running his hands appreciatively over the dark grey material, admiring its faint reddish gleam. Dragonbone, Wade had called it, and it was as fine a set as any he had ever owned, light and supple, yet strong enough to deflect almost any blade.
He was about to put his gambeson on, when Sigrun came up behind him, wrapping her naked body around him. Her nimble hands danced down his chest, tugging gently on the dark curls there before travelling further down.
He caught her wrist before she could take hold of him, though, growling back over his shoulder. "There's no time. You heard Nate."
With an exaggerated sigh Sigrun lay back, letting her hands trail down her naked body, arching up slightly when she reached the junction of her thighs. "Ah, such a pity. It's a good thing I can sleep in at last. Though I might have to... relax a little first."
Her hand slid between her legs and she moaned softly. Thorin hovered at the edge of the bed, unable to take his eyes off her, when another sharp knock on the door tore him from his reverie.
"Thorin. Get going! Or you won't have time for breakfast." Carver's voice this time, with a decidedly amused undertone. Of course they all knew Sigrun was there. Their relationship was hardly a secret.
Biting back a curse, he got up and pulled on the padded vest, throwing her a dark look. "Just you wait until I get back!"
Sigrun smiled up at him beatifically, pinching her own nipple hard. "Looking forward to my punishment."
He groaned, but managed to tear himself away and quickly got ready for patrol duty. Before he left, he kissed her, quick and hard, doing his best to ignore the flush of arousal spreading over her pale skin. She gave him another cheeky grin, but as he turned to go, she took hold of his hand and made him look at her.
"Thorin. Be careful." Her bright blue eyes were full of love.
"I will." As the door fell shut behind him, he smiled to himself.
Sometimes he still couldn't believe his luck. It was hard to grasp what strange twist of fate had brought him here, to Thedas, to Sigrun's loving arms. He had been so sure his life was over, so ready to leave it all behind, once he knew the battle was won and the goblins were defeated. But Gandalf had had other plans. He spared a thought for the old wizard, wondering what he was up to these days. And all the others. Was the hobbit still alive, had he got back safely to his beloved Shire? Beorn, Bard, how were they faring? He would never know. His old life seemed like a dream now, impossibly far away, further than he had ever thought he'd venture. And yet it had been only three or four months since he'd come here.
Now he was a Grey Warden, his life devoted to slaying darkspawn and protecting his new home from the threat of a blight. He was no longer a king, no longer surrounded by his trusted company of dwarves, no longer devoted to a single goal. The Wardens had become his new family. Nathaniel, Carver, Oghren, Justice, Anders, even proud Velanna, the elven mage. He took orders from a human, a woman at that, yet there was no doubt that Megan Cousland was worthy of his allegiance. And he'd given his heart to Sigrun, his sweet, sassy, wonderful and impossible lover, so different from the dwarven women he'd known in his earlier life.
Nathaniel and the others were in the hall, grabbing a quick breakfast from a generously loaded tray placed on the big oaken table. Carver smiled at him over his sausage and roll, while Velanna gave him a cool nod. Nathaniel was all business, as usual, going over their route once more with Megan. The Commander wore a thin house-robe, and her hair was tousled from sleep, but her eyes were clear and her voice sharp as she pointed out several points on the map she wanted them to check out.
Once she was satisfied, she got up on her toes to place a kiss on Nathaniel's cheek. "Take care out there. I wish I could go with you, but there's so much official business waiting for me. I just hope-"
Nathaniel put an affectionate hand on her shoulder. "We'll be fine, Meg. It's just a patrol."
"Of course you will." She smiled at him, their eyes locking for a moment before she turned to Carver and ruffled his hair tenderly, kissing him, too and grinning at his blush. "Show the darkspawn what a Warden can do."
Thorin had snatched a look at the map while Nathaniel was discussing their route with Megan, and knew it was more than a day's march to the Deep Roads entrance they were headed for. It was a pleasant journey as those things went, through forests clad in the warm colours of autumn, past fallow fields and orchards full of ripe apples and pears. The Arling of Amaranthine was a prosperous country, now that it was recovering from the Blight.
They made camp in the early evening, in a quiet little copse they had used several times before. Nathaniel quickly set about cleaning out the fire pit, while Carver went looking for water and firewood. Thorin busied himself with setting up their two small tents, while Velanna went off in search of food. When she returned, carrying two squirrels strung up by their hind legs, the Elven mage threw him a haughty glare, proceeding to the campfire to talk to Nathaniel.
Thorin didn't mind. He was used to being mostly ignored by her. The elves of this world might not be as regal and impressive as Thranduil and his people, but they easily equalled the King of Mirkwood in arrogance. Or at least Velanna did. For a moment he almost smiled as he imagined the two of them meeting up. They would have made a perfect couple. Then Velanna's shrill tones reached his ears and he made a face.
"I hope you're not suggesting I share a tent with either of you, Nathaniel. I'd rather sleep under the stars." Thorin flinched at the icy contempt in her gaze, but Nathaniel just laughed.
"Still with the deadly looks, my lady?" The archer pointed to the smaller tent. "Don't worry, this one is all yours. The three of us can share the other one if we take turns keeping watch."
"I told you not to call me that," Velanna hissed. "But very well. I will take first watch while you are still awake."
For all her snappishness, the elf was as good as her word. After she had taken a few bites of their supper, she disappeared into the night to make sure they were safe. A task she was probably better equipped for than any of them, knowing those woods as she did. The men settled around the fire, discussing the upcoming mission until she came back and slunk off into her tent without so much as a glance at them.
Carver got up with a sigh. "I'll go next. You two better catch some sleep."
"I'm not tired. I might just wait up for you." Nathaniel gave him a cheeky grin that made Carver blush and Thorin shift uncomfortably.
Relationships in this world were handled a lot less formally than he was used to, and while he certainly appreciated Sigrun's favours, the... arrangement that had developed between Megan, Carver and Nathaniel still wasn't something he could quite approve of.
"What about you, Thorin? Tired?" Nathaniel leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "Or do you have time to tell me more about your past?"
Thorin shrugged. "If you like." Nathaniel was utterly fascinated by his tales of home, always hungry for more. He seemed to revel in the heroic tales of Durin's folk, his eyes lighting up at the retelling of the great battles of Mount Gundabad or Azanulbizar. Thorin was careful not to exaggerate his own role in those struggles, but Nathaniel was experienced enough to read between the lines as he described those past events.
"It can't be easy for you, taking orders from me and Megan. You are used to being a leader, a king." The archer's clear grey eyes were far too keen, Thorin thought.
He took his time answering, knowing Nathaniel wouldn't be satisfied with platitudes. "It is not easy." Instinctively he sat up straight and fixed the other man with his gaze. "I would be lying if I said that. Yet..." He took a deep breath. "This is not my world and I have no claim to lead here. I respect you and the Commander and I am grateful for all you have done for me. So, for the time being, I shall be content to follow you."
"For the time being, eh?" Nathaniel's lips curved upward in a small smile, but he seemed willing to let the topic rest.
They chatted for a while longer until Carver returned. Nathaniel greeted him with a smile, getting to his feet in a fluid motion and placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Carver. Come."
Thorin watched them disappear into the tent and set out to keep watch. When he came back a few hours later, more than ready for some rest, the two of them were fast asleep, locked in a tight embrace. He touched Nathaniel's shoulder to wake him, and the archer rose with a yawn, breathing a kiss against Carver's forehead before sneaking off into the darkness. Thorin wrinkled his nose at the odour of sex pervading the tent, but then curled up in his own bedroll with a resigned sigh. He was far too tired to be picky about their sleeping arrangements.
They entered the Deep Roads around noon the next day, through a gently sloping tunnel and a seemingly endless flight of stairs. Thorin breathed in the warm, dry air with relish. This time when they set up camp, there was no need to bother with tents. They settled down early, eager to catch up on some sleep.
Yet it was not to be. One by one they bolted upright, screams of horror dying on their lips as the vision of this shared dream branded itself upon their inner eyes. They all knew it for what it was, even Thorin who had only seen it once. An abomination, a ghoulish nightmare, all sagging breasts and pasty skin and evil red eyes.
A broodmother.
And here we go... I hope you all enjoy Thorin's new adventures. Huge hugs and thanks to heretherebdragons who has kindly agreed to beta this for me. I know the story will be a lot better with her help.