Chapter 1 - The Day After

Morning arrived dimly lit, like the snowy day it was. His eyelids opened lazily, revealing those sinful blue irises. He blinked twice until his pupils adjusted to the morning light, shielding his sight with his forearm. He woke up to me between his arms, my head was laid against his bare chest, warming it with my slumber breathing. He stroked my dark long hair with a slight smirk, contemplating my peaceful face. He gazed at me for a moment. Gently he laid me on my back to not wake me. My scent, still fresh on his skin from the night before, filled his nostrils pleasantly. He could not resist, so he parted my legs to take me once more.

My eyes opened abruptly with his activity, "Thorin!?" I gasped. That gave a whole new meaning to the term rude awakening...
"I needed you. I'll make it up.. to you.. when I return.. I promise..." Each word of his exhaled, between pants and gasps. His weight pinned me against the bed, where he made me his hastily with his masculine rhythm. He finished his endeavors with a muffled groan, burying his face against my neck. Thorin was fully spent, panting heavily. After recovering his breath, he kissed my lips with slow passion.
"Good morning, my love" He whispered with one of those handsome smiles that are very rare in him and a lazy gaze. Every time he called me 'my love' it stole my heart.

"Good morning to you, next time wake me up first." Was my response, raising an eyebrow at him. I was mad at him, but I could not stay mad for long. Deep inside I was flattered to know he wanted me. Only then his bit of information made it to my still numb brain, "Wait, you said you will make it up to me when you return. Where are you going?"
"To Erebor, you forgot?" he said, leaving the bed to grab his trousers.
"Oh! Of course, let's get ready to depart!" I responded with enthusiasm.
"Wyenne, I need to ask a favor of you.." He said, adjusting his trousers and sitting at the edge of the bed to wear his boots, "..I cannot take you with me to Erebor yet. I need you to stay here in Lake Town." He really meant it.
"You are not planning to abandon me, are you?" my enthusiasm was replaced with worry.

Thorin finished wearing his boots and turned to me, staring directly into my eyes in a no nonsense way. He caressed my face gently with his fingertips, "Listen to me, love; there is a living dragon sitting under that mountain. We have to slay it first. I could not forgive myself if I expose you to death. For your safe keeping and my peace of mind, stay. You have my word that I will come for you if I make it."

If I make it... Those words got deeply engraved in my brain and soul. Fear of losing him invaded me...
"Can I at least say good bye?" I said while buttoning his tunic. His icy stare softened with my words.
"No goodbyes, but yes you can come. I'll go wake the others. Dress up and meet me at the pier." He took my face between both his hands and kissed me with devotion. Then he grabbed his key, took his coat from behind the door and left the room. Thorin was definitely a leader and a morning person. He would not deviate from his mission for anyone.

Only two minutes passed since he left the room and I was already starting to miss him. That unbearable longing felt like a lump in my throat, suffocating me as I dressed. I ran downstairs as fast as I could to the pier, before it got crowded, to get a good spot in which I could watch him depart with the rest of the company. Ten minutes passed and one by one the company of Oakenshield paraded before me. They were cheered at by a big crowd. The band played in their honour. The Master of Lake town said a few encouraging words onstage, taking all the glory to self.

I witnessed how Thorin stopped his youngest nephew, making him stay behind. It was some sort of comfort for me to see I was not the only one dear to Thorin made to stay, and it gave me hope that he would indeed return. Oin stood to take care of Kili's wound. Fili engaged with his uncle in an argument about Kili, resulting in him deciding to stay as well.
"Fili, don't be a fool! You belong with the company!" said Thorin, grabbing Fili by the arm.
"I belong with my brother!" Responded Fili, pulling his arm from his uncle's grasp and getting out of the boat to keep his brother company.

It seemed cruel to leave them behind, but I could understand Thorin's reasons. However, although he knew to be doing the right thing, that did not prevent him from feeling tense. I was no warrior, not even skilled in any weapon at all. This is why I could not go with him even when I yearned for it. So I decided to be helpful the only way I could. I reached for Thorin, placing a hand to his back gently,
"I will watch over them for you. Rest assured." I said to ease him down.
He turned to me, "Thank you!" He whispered, tilting my head up with his finger under my chin and closing the distance between our faces with a gentle kiss to my lips. A demonstration of affection I did not expect from him with so many witnesses, but also one I welcomed with all my heart.
"Be safe, all of you." He said, as he boarded the boat with the others.

The crowd cheered, I smiled to not preoccupy him while I was screaming inside, as the boat left so unbearably slow for my tastes, making my longing more painful. I closed my eyes, his whole essence still fresh on my skin from last night and this morning... "May the Valars watch over you and your people, my love" I thought. My longing distraction was such that I did not realize Bofur was left behind as well, when all of a sudden my thoughts were interrupted by a commotion around Kili, who stumbled with weakness. He would have fallen into the lake if it wasn't for Fili, who held him in place. All of us moved around, looking for help to assist the wounded prince. He was very sick.