Thorin Oakenshield knew that this was not his home. His home was in the great stone halls of Erebor deep within the lonely mountain. His blue eyes reflected the light of the moon, making them almost glow. Next to him the heat of the fire from his forge provided comfort in the coldness.

He had offered his smithing services to a Blacksmith of the local town at the foot of the blue mountains. He had been working there for the past few months making enough coin to provide for his family. Once he was a rich man, nothing was out of reach but since the dragon attack, he had never had to be frugal with money.

In this little town, he had grown accustomed to the humans' way of music, chatter and nightly festivities. And curious human spectators were not uncommon. Everyone wanted to take a good look at the Dwarf. Even this particular human woman.

She was short for a human but in an appealing way and was rather curvaceous and spirited. Her length of golden hair cascaded in a long mane of curls. Her curious brown eyes lit up whenever she looked at him, which was often.

She was lovely for a human and his gaze would always follow her whenever she passed, she stood about his height which was rather alarming for a dwarf in regards to a human. It was appalling to him, he preferred the dwarven women and their stubborn habits. He found humans slightly less appealing because lack of facial hair. But it was their first exchange that caused his change of mind.

He had been working hard on a repair when a group of young men came by to taunt him again. He ignored their chants and stinging words, they knew nothing of him and what he went through. His mischievous and rebellious nephews had better respect other than these humans did. He would never bother with stupid young males, because he knew despite his size he would easily take them down. He was a Prince, only trained by the finest mentors in all dwarven arts.

"Don't you think he'll make a fine footrest for my weary feet?" one snobby lad snorted as Thorin worked, his patience was running thin.

"Only the finest, you might want to shave him though or your dogs might mistake him for a sheep!" Another one howled.

The roll of laughter finally wore him bare, as he turned to warn them of their painful lesson he would inflict, he did not see the newcomer coming from the right side of the shop until the boy who had insulted him first was struck over the head with a basket, sending him to the dirt at Thorin's feet.

"Enough!" she shouted, her voice though incredibly feminine held the air of a commanding queen. She stood there, panting and her hands were trembling as she held the basket in her fingers. Some of the flowers and herbs she had gathered were scattered around the human boys head.

"Watch it, wench or you won't know what's coming!" the other lad snarled, getting in her face. Fearlessly she spat at his eyes. "Sod off you coward, taunting him is only going to lead you into more serious trouble!"

Thorin was shocked by her words, a young, human woman taking no precaution in his defense. He felt..well... flattered. People had begun to gather and the lads decided it was wise to leave the situation.

"This is isn't over yet filthy wench and stupid dwarf!" they cried as they ran like honor less cowards.

The young woman stomped her foot as she growled angrily before turning to face Thorin, her fair skin flushed and her anger faded, giving him a friendly smile as she stepped forward.

"I am truly sorry, I finally had enough of their bullying. I hope you are not offended?" she sounded genuinely concerned.

She was even lovelier up close, with a delicate face and a bright smile. her eyes were a shade of brown with flecks of gold and nicely shaped brows. She tipped her head slightly to the side as bright strands of her silken hair fell in her face. She was only a couple inches shorter than him and he was considerably tall for a Dwarf, many thanks to his strong bloodline.

"No, but thank you." he replied gruffly, averting his gaze back to his anvil.

She let out an airy laugh before she bit her lower lip slightly. It had caught his attention and he felt his throat contract and his mouth grow dry, that was a sight to see.

"I am Marion." she introduced "You are the dwarf who works at the smithy, everyone is curious about you, what is your name?"

"Thorin." he merely replied, but said nothing more as he turned around to continue his work on the sword.

"A pleasure to finally know your name!" Marion replied, causing Thorin to turn. She smiled as she knelt down, salvaging the good herbs and flowers and returning them gently to her basket. She stood and gave him a friendly wave. "Good day!"

From then on things began to change, Marion came by every day to greet him good morning before he continued on with his day. As the weeks passed and they said more and more to each other, Thorin and Marion both grew fond of seeing each other in the beginning of the days, putting them both in great spirits. And one day she brought him lunch and joined him for lunch, bringing over food she had prepared that morning. They sat together outside of Thorin's work space with a decent view of the village center in the sunlight where it was the warmest, ebbing of the chill of the high mountain air.

Thorin knew that his fondness to Marion was dangerous and that his family would not approve of her. But in his heart, it didn't matter, she had proven to be an unlikely friend.

"I brought meats, bread, cheese, some ale and... jam. I know it is not much but I hope you enjoy it," she handed him the neatly prepared basket, color tinted her cheeks.

"Thank you." he replied, glancing into her eyes. She had done her hair back today to reveal more of her face and throat. The tunic dress she wore showed off the bit of skin on her shoulder. Thorin had often fantasized what she would smell like if he buried his face there, or feel how soft her skin would be against his lips... he suddenly felt vulgar and turned his gaze back to the basket of food.

Settling in his spot as he joined her for lunch, he began to eat the food she had brought for them to enjoy together. It was meager but nonetheless thoughtful. They talked about their day and their boredom of the daily routine. Marion worked in a local apothecary run by her family and mentioned some village gossip, but mostly she asked about his homeland.

He spoke little of Erebor, he told her only the interior details and the days of its glory. The great stone halls, the craftsmanship of the gold, silver and other precious metals. Of the great feasts and beautiful gems mined from the mountain. But he made no mention of the dragon, the fall of the kingdom and...the Arkenstone. He also neglected to mention that he was the soon to be his peoples greatest King.

Marion sat there and listened, her lovely brown eyes staring, drinking in every detail of his features. He wasn't tall like the men of her village but the first thing she noticed when he first arrived was his strength and the quiet determination in his striking blue eyes. His dark hair long, braided back and sharp jawline covered in neatly trimmed dark facial hair. His arms were thick with strong muscles to wield hammers and weapons, his hands were large, calloused but she had seen him summon great gentleness when he would etch designs into his creations.

When it was her turn to speak, Marion spoke of her family. She shared with him her passion for medicinal herbs, in hopes to be as proficient as her mother was. She had learned to read and write from her mother and had expressed her desire to see the world beyond the small village at the very edge of the Blue Mountains. Her village had some strong objections but she didn't mind it, her mind was always else where as she expressed to one day be able to see the great expanse of the Misty Mountains or visit the white city of Gondor. Marion could tell that Thorin listened with great interest and even fueling her dreams with minor encouragement.

But Marion knew that he was the first man to ever enter her village that captured her attention, and he wasn't event human. She always saw herself as too short and overweight. The girls, even her sister, made sure she knew it. And because of her minor differences, she buried herself into the work that her mother had left behind and was determined to continue it.

However, Dwarves were different then Men. From what she knew in travelers tales, the dwarven women were small, plump and hairy and no one could tell if they even were women. Marion soon began to wonder what was considered to be beautiful for a dwarf.

"Thorin..." she suddenly spoke up, her eyes shy underneath her long, black lashes. she swallowed nervously, she never felt this way around a man before. She wasn't sure she liked the vulnerable, shy and fluttering feelings she got when she thought about him, but the images at night when she slept seemed to set her body on fire and she would wake up in a confused and frustrated daze.

"Yes?" Thorin inquired, he had noticed a lock of hair had seemingly escaped her braid and was touching the exposed skin on her neck. His fingers itched to reach over and push it behind her ear.

"Would you like to stargaze with me?" she asked. "Tonight there is rumored to be many stars out tonight and I would like to see them but not alone."

He sat there pondering the offer, what harm could there be in going? He didn't know of human customs between what a man and a woman should and should not do in private company but...it was too tempting to not refuse.

"It would be an honor to accompany you."

Her face lit up like a ray of sunlight, smiling as she got up from her seat next to him, brushing off any dirt from her brown skirt. "See you tonight, Thorin. I know I won't disappoint you!"

He watched her leave, she walked with a small skip in her step as she gracefully maneuvered through the hubbub of the morning market, Thorin clearly recalled the subtle sway in her hips. She walked with an air of grace that was so unusual with humans, and her hair was pale and golden like a gentle ray of sunlight on a early morning... everything about her haunted his thoughts and brought a sort of youthful feeling to his heart. Warming him from the bitter cold that he felt deep into his soul, Thorin considered her a wonderful distraction from his ever living rage.

Night could not come any faster for the two for them. Marion had taken the time to choose a perfect dress, knowing the tonight would be cold she wanted to dress appropriately.

Dressing in her finest winter dress of midnight blue, with silver trim and embroidered stars, she smiled at herself as she let her hair down, passing over her small shoulders. She then brushed it to perfection and it gleamed a pale gold in the dim lamplight. She had made this dress herself, saving up every coin she could save for the silver threads in which she used for the embroidery, the fabric was a basic linen that she hand dyed herself. Fondly she recalled that her hands were blue for weeks and the pride she felt when her dress was complete.

Marion knew she was running low on time, quickly she dimmed the lights in her room and waited until she heard no movement from her family. Then she made her escape through her bedroom window, luckily it overlooked the garden and she stuck to the shadows as she made her way to the meeting spot.

Thorin had finished his work and went home to wash up. He told his family that he was going for a walk to clear his head about things. He dressed himself in a clean dark tunic and trousers and wrapped himself in his favorite blue, fur lined robe before he left.

Walking along the outskirts of the town, he searched for the night's companion. It didn't take long till he saw her, holding a lamp as she waited. Wearing a dress of sorts, she smiled at him in greeting. To his utter astonishment, her hair was down, with his people, a dwarf woman only had her hair down in order to...he didn't want to think of it, instead he bowed to her in a return greeting.

"Marion," he greeted. His soft, deep voice sent a shiver up her spine. Giving him a small smile she curtsied for good measure.

"Follow me, I know of a good spot." She gestured for him to follow, which he readily obliged.

They hiked in silence as the ascended up the mountain. Thorin watched only Marion, not understanding why he could not take his eyes off her. She lead him to a grassy patch of mountain ledge. Setting the lantern down, she followed suit, the skirt of her midnight blue dress splaying out. She smiled up at him excitedly.

"I have always loved star gazing, I always imagine what sort of wonders live up there in the night sky." her gaze wandered to look at the forming night sky, anxiously waiting for the moon to rise.

Thorin took his place next to her, his fingers only inches away from her own as they sat silently in anticipation. Soon Thorin broke the silence and pointed out the constellation of a dwarf of legend. Telling her the story, they soon forgot all about the moon rise until the moonbeams were upon them.

Casting her eyes to the moon, she gasped. Basking in the cold light, her eyes unwavering as she watched. "Such a clear night," she murmured. "Isn't she beautiful...I have always wished I could be a beautiful as the moon. My mother used to tell me stories of the lovers who each carried one of the heavenly bodies but their paths never crossed, always longing for each other... I always thought that seemed so sad."

The intelligence that Marion spoke was fascinating to Thorin, who studied her as she unclasped the pin of her cloak. shedding it from her shoulders and revealed the midnight blue dress, the silver trim and embroidery reflected the moonlight in a way that appealed to his Dwarven sense. Everything about this moment was enhancing the mood he felt, the romance of the night sky and the tales of lovers brought an unexpected appeal to him, a curiosity bubbled inside him.

"What happened to her?" Thorin found himself asking, unsure as to why he suddenly cared. "Your mother."

Marion's eyes fell as she looked down at her hands that rested in her lap, her fingers toying with each other before she breathed a heavy sigh.

"She vanished... just days before my 10th birthday. My father and many others searched for her tirelessly but she was nowhere to be found. It was so sudden."

A heavy weight fell upon Thorin's heart, he understood the feeling of losing a mother. It tore at the soul violently, but the pain of abandonment... that was something he knew all too well.

"I am sorry Marion." He comforted, his body ached to reach out to her, to bring her close into his arms and to help ease her pain.

Everything about him softened, it was as if his walls he had so carefully build were starting to crumble. A woman who had looked at him as no other before...

"No, I am the the one who should apologize" Marion whispered as she turned her eyes to him, "I did not wish to damper the mood."

Thorin chuckled, a smile touched his lips "It was I that asked."

"No, No!" Marion assured anxiously " I am aware that curiosity is a natural spirit in all creatures."

Thorin smirked, unable to contain his amusement to her flustered mood "Oh, I am well aware of that."

In the moonlight he could see her cheeks suddenly flush, she she averted her eyes to her twisting hands once more before she smiled.

"I guess you do... please, I did not wish to offend with my own curiosity."

"No offense taken, in fact..." reaching out wish his hand, he took one of hers into her own. Gently he raised it to his lips before gently placing a kiss upon her knuckles.

"I am quite taken by it."

A breathtaking silence filled the two as they sat there, she felt her body and face grew hot from his bold and flirtatious act. Her body suddenly ached from the fire in her blood, her own mouth went dry as her lips parted. Trying her best not to sigh, she smiled.

"I am happy to hear that I spark your curiosity as well."

And he smiled tenderly in return as he gently released her hand, sending another bolt of liquid fire through Marion's veins and she visibly shivered. Her body was responding in ways to a dwarf that no human man had ever stirred. Marion was a woman of age and she had noticed men taking interest and she was prepared to declined them all. Having a strange sense of intuition where she knew that no man in her village could not giver what she wanted. Yet this man... this dwarf gave her the sense of trust and comfort she desired.

"Marion..." he suddenly whispered her name but could fine no other words to speak, words had fled and his mind was was lost to the intriguing depths of her eyes that held a warmth that he found comforting.

"Yes?"

He sighed, he could not think of anything more to say. He did not know her but he desired to, she was different from any human and so captivating above any she-dwarf. All he could think of was what he whispered in his native tongue, catching her attention, she turned eyes narrowed in curiosity.

"What did you just say?" she asked curiously

"It's a compliment," his icy stare white hot with an intimate intensity she had never experienced before. "You are beautiful Marion."

Marion's jaw nearly dropped as her body grew hot and her heart began to pound in her ears. She could not believe the words that had graced her ears, she was not used to such a compliment. She touched her hot cheeks in attempts to soothe herself from the cold air.

"Oh no Thorin I..." she stumbled on her words as she felt her tongue twist and her throat seize. At a lost for words, she felt as though her mind was nowhere and everywhere all at once. She met his eyes in sincere attempt, he too looked so roguishly handsome with his dark hair and incredible blue eyes. But it was beyond his looks that amazed her... it was his very being.

"Thank you.." She murmured weakly as a dreamy smile touched her lips. "So...are you."

His heart pounded like one of the great hammers of Durin's Hall in her response to her reply. His heart grew deep into its yearning.. this enamored feeling was so intense that it could only be explained by one thing. Dwarves only felt this way in the presence of the one who Mahal built for them, the other half that would fit them perfectly as Mahal carved them from stone.

He could not comprehend why she was a human but suddenly it didn't matter. Marion... was his half. Was it always this sudden? This strange realization of bondhood.

"From the moment I laid eyes on you, you were different and you have captured me." He found himself saying as feeling poured out into his voice, her eyes met his in surmounted surprise.

"And I am yours." Surprising himself with such a monogamous and passionate declaration, yet he still anxiously awaited her reply.

As if overcome with a passionate spirit, Marion moved herself closer to him til she can feel his warmth. She studied him for only a moment before she felt herself smile big with happiness.

"I believe you." She murmured before she boldly leaned in, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Thorin sighed, his eyes closed as he felt her lips against his skin. They were silken and warm like a ray of sunshine, something a dwarf should never love. For he was forged from the deepest stone, never allowed to feel the light and yet... he felt it strike through him.

"Good." He said as he cupped her cheek and brought her face closer till his own. "I was worried I was going to have to work for it."

"Well, maybe I shouldn't then." Marion teased endearingly

Thorin chuckled warmly as he tilted his head more to meet her "then I'll just have to work a little more"

Drawn together by an incredible force, Marion surrendered into Thorin's embrace. His lips met her own tenderly in a warm and gentle kiss, she felt herself shiver in the after affects of it. Never had she experienced a kiss before and yet now she knew why across the ages it was remarked as a divine experience.

Slowly, their lips parted and eyes quickly met in a intimate gaze from the incredible bond they had committed. A smile broke out on each of their lips before they soon joined together in a jolly laugh. Unaware that soon they would have to part ways due to the approaching dawn.

Soon after the many days to come, their secret affair kept between them with secret glances and smiles. Soon they had become passionate lovers, a dwarven prince and a human woman. Surely his race would've wanted a womanly dwarf as his chosen mate but he thought of no other than his fierce Marion. They spent evenings together in secret as they walked and spoke of the daily events of that day. He greatly enjoyed her gentle nature and yet was humored by her sassy rants if she had a particularly hard day.

Thorin told her many stories of his people and she listened intently. Marion one day showed him a secret stream where she frequently visited to harvest the various herbs that she had great knowledge of. He had already known her desire to become a healer like her mother was, she even once shown him a great journal that she inherited from her mother after her tragic disappearance.

And yet still Thorin spoke of nothing more in depth about his family, his lineage of royal blood. That he was now destined to be King of an entire people now forgotten but the rest of the world. Not of the dragon and the siege of his people... he couldn't tell her, not now when the feelings in his heart were still young.

Marion felt as though she were always floating, her wish to be by Thorin's side was greater than anything she had ever wanted. She knew that her father would not approve but she could not find it within herself to care. She grew to love him deeply, her heart desired no one else but him.

But it was soon after the start of their affair, at the turn of spring when a sad day came for when he had to suddenly leave. The act of it tore at his heart, knowing well that he couldn't take her with him. She understood with tears in her eyes but Thorin did not leave without a promise.

Standing at the beginning of the road, out of sight from Marion's village, he braided two golden beads into her hair. They were small and rectangular in shape. With her long hair, the braid and beads rested just below her breast.

"I will return." He whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. Their eyes meeting, Marion held back a sob. She would not shed tears.

"I wish you would tell me where you were going Thorin.."

Thorin felt the emotional dagger he already had sink deeper into his heart at the sight of her watery eyes. She was doing her best to remain strong for him, a small mixture of pride swelled within him as he pulled her close once more.

"I will tell you everything when I return...wait for me Marion."

She nodded, lowering her gaze as a few tears escaped her, Thorin then gave her a gentle yet chaste kiss, sealing their promise before he pulled away quickly. Turning and heading down the road. For if he stayed any longer. He would never leave.

Marion watched him until he reached the bend, slipping away from her sight. The tears spilled from eyes as she clutched the beads in her hands, she would wait until there was nothing to wait to for.