Mona watched every move of Thorin during the sparring session and once again she was aware of how strong he truly was. Her mind drifted back to that night before, that night she had felt him so close. Her belly tingled again and she smiled.
"Mona! Mona, look!" Bilbo called and she snapped out of her thoughts. She looked up to where Bilbo and Ori were doing some light blocking techniques which Bilbo learned pretty quickly.
"You're doing great!" she called and sent him an encouraging smile.
"Hey," Kili said as he lowered down next to her and tried to catch his breath again. "You feel alright?" he asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Oh, it seemed to me that you've been deep in thoughts," he replied with a cheeky grin on his face and let his gaze drift from her to his uncle and back again.
"And you're dying to know what I was thinking about, aren't you?" she said amused.
"Well—would you tell me?"
"Definitely not," she replied, ruffled his hair and laughed softly.
"Alright, that's enough for today!" Thorin finally announced and they all seemed to be relieved. He walked up to Mona and Kili and lowered down next to her.
"Will you join us for some relaxing?" Kili asked as he got up.
"I suppose, relaxing is a good idea," Thorin replied and watched Mona as she gave him her sweetest smile and a nod.
The Company headed down to the rivershore and made themselves comfortable in the grass. They had a really good time together and Bofur started to play some merry tunes with his flute and some started to sing songs or dance around.
Mona lay in the soft grass; hands crossed under her head and looked up into the sky. She was really happy in that very moment and could feel that Thorin lowered down next to her.
"Hey"
"Hey"
"What's on your mind?" he asked and looked at her.
"I was just thinking about how happy I am right now."
He smiled and took one of her hands. She looked at him and smiled as well as she said a bit uncertain, "I know it's a bit too early to ask but—will you stay with me tonight again?"
He rested on his elbow and looked down at her. "If you want me to stay, I will."
They smiled at each other and she started to play with his hair-braids again. They didn't care about what the others might think.
"Did we miss something?" Ori whispered.
"Yep, you definitely missed something," Kili replied with a grin.
"They look cute together," Bofur said and they all agreed but didn't pay much attention to them afterwards.
"Mona?" he said softly while he gently played with her hair.
"Mmmh?"
"How was that man like? Ulfric, the one you killed. I mean, you don't have to tell me about how or why you killed him—but I'm just curious what kind of man he was."
Mona sat up and watched him for a second until she grinned.
"What?"
"He was like you."
That truly puzzled him and also sat up. "What do you mean: like me?"
"Well, he looked like you. Only with dark-blonde hair but he also had a braiding in it and he wore those heavy boots, those dark trousers and he had a fur coat that looked nearly like yours."
He was very surprised until he finally asked, "Did—did you…I mean—you know…"
"Loved him?" she asked and he nodded slowly.
She laughed softly and replied, "Definitely not! I served him, helped him to gain power but I did because his point of view was the best for Skyrim's future. I never really questioned him and—I was betrayed by the foe and turned my back on Ulfric and joined with the Empire. I betrayed him, but believe me—I really thought it was the right choice. And I've never been so wrong in my life."
He nodded and pulled her closer, placed a soft kiss on top of her head. "You can tell me more whenever you feel ready for it, alright?"
"Alright," she said and pressed her head against his shoulder. "I love you, Thorin," she whispered while he stroked her hair. He smiled and whispered, "And I love you, Mona."
"Thorin! We have to talk!" Gandalf suddenly approached them and they all looked up very surprised. Thorin and Mona both got up.
"About?" he asked suspiciously.
"About your plans. We need to discuss how we go on," the wizard replied.
Thorin nodded. "I'll be right back," he said to Mona and followed Gandalf while she approached the rest of the group.
"What's happening?" Ori asked curiously.
"Gandalf wants to discuss the journey. What will happen after we leave this place," she replied.
"I'm certain those elves don't want us to reclaim Erebor," Gloin grumbled.
"Whatever—I'm happy that we can leave this place soon," Oin added.
"Mona…"
She turned her head, uncertain who had called her name. "Did any of you say my name?" she asked and watched them carefully.
"No, why?"
"I—I thought I heard someone,"
"Yes, you can hear me! Mona, I will be with you again, soon! Tonight!"
She rubbed her forehead, not sure if she was about to go crazy. Who was talking to her? She had watched the others carefully but no one of them had talked to her. Her gaze drifted along the landscape but could not see anyone else near their group. She was a bit scared because hearing voices that should not be there could never be a good sign.
She snapped out of her thoughts as Ori asked her something. "W—what?" she said because she hadn't really listen to him.
"I asked if there is something between Thorin and you."
"I—well, yes…" she finally admitted with a smile.
"No need to deny. We knew it anyway," Kili laughed and patted her shoulder.
"And how?" she asked curiously.
He told her about the night he and Fili had seen Thorin sitting at her bedside. And the fact that he hadn't slept in his bed the previous night. She blushed a bit as she saw the knowing looks on their faces.
"Do you love him?" Bilbo finally asked.
She sighed. "Yes, I love him."
Her gaze drifted to Dwalin who smiled at her.
"I'm nearly there!"
Again that voice spoke up in her head. That quite familiar voice but still she could not recognize it. Who was talking to her?
"Mona, is everything alright?" Fili asked concerned for he was aware that something seemed to frighten her.
"Nevermind," she replied and Thorin approached them again. They all smiled cheekily at him and he watched them a bit curious.
"It's nice that you are happy to see me again," he said and added, "Or did I miss something?"
He lowered down next to Mona. "I told them, "she said and he watched her before his gaze drifted along his Company.
"Oh—well, then we don't have to hide anymore," he said with a smile and Kili replied, "You weren't very good in hiding anyway. Fili and I already sensed it the day we arrived at this place."
Thorin ruffled his nephew's hair and said, "That's because you two are the heirs of Durin. Clever lads."
"What did Gandalf tell you?" Bofur finally asked.
"Well, he said that he has to go on a counsil with Lord Elrond and someone else. That will take place in three days. Lord Elrond sait it would not be wise to reclaim Erebor but I already knew that he would be against it. Gandalf told me that we should leave as long as that counsil lasts."
He watched Mona and added, "So if it's alright and you feel ready for it, we would leave in three days."
She agreed to that as Bilbo suddenly asked, "And what about Gandalf?"
"We will meet him at the mountains," Thorin replied vaguely and got the agreement of his Company.
"You seem very quiet right now," he whispered to Mona and watched her concerned. She looked at him, looked him deep in the eyes and he was aware that she wanted to tell him something but not in front of the others.
"Come, let's go," he said and they both got up.
"Where are you going?" Fili asked curiously.
"We need to talk in private," his uncle replied and ignored the amused looks of his men. Shall they think what they want.
They walked silently to the garden and lowered down on a bench.
"Mona, what's the matter? You looked a bit scared," he said and took her hand.
"I heard a voice."
"What voice?"
"I don't know. It sounded familiar but—I can't recognize it."
Thorin now was very concerned. "What did it say?"
She sighed before she replied, "That—whoever spoke there, would be with me again, soon. That he is nearly here."
"So it was a man talking to you? Are you certain that it was not one of the Company?"
She shook her head. "No, I watched them carefully. No one said anything like this to me. Thorin, I'm afraid. What if I go crazy?"
He pulled her into his arms. "You won't go crazy! I'm certain there is a simple explanation for this."
"A simple explanation for voices in my head?" she asked a bit angry now.
"I just mean that—maybe...I don't know, but you are not going crazy!" he said and captured her lips in a gentle kiss. She kissed him back with much passion, caressed his cheeks and straddled him, face to face. He placed his hands on her lower back while she buried her hands in his long, dark mane.
They kissed very passionately, their tongues danced with each other. As they broke the kiss she leaned her forehead against his and smiled.
"Everything will be fine," he breathed and pulled her into another deep kiss.
"Ahem…" someone cleared his throat behind them. They pulled apart and turned around just to see Bilbo in front of them.
"He has a good sense for interrupting us," Thorin grumbled quietly but she smiled at him before she looked back at Bilbo.
"Bilbo, what's the matter?" she asked as she climbed down from Thorin and lowered down on the bench again. Bilbo blushed a bit and replied,
"I'm sorry for interrupting you but—I was aware that you were scared and I just wanted to look after you, see if I can help as well."
Mona sensed that he just wanted to fit into this Company for he still had his doubts that the dwarves wouldn't like him. She was not really mad at him that he interrupted them…again.
"Bilbo, it's really sweet that you care about me so much but I assure you that everything's fine."
He nodded, uncertain what he should do. "I—uhm, I—well, I will just—I go now," he stammered and left the garden quickly.
They watched him and once he was gone she giggled softly. "He's really sweet, isn't he?"
"Somehow"
Mona grinned. "I suppose it's better if we do such things in private anyway. Not in an open garden, don't you think?"
He smiled and kissed her again before he mumbled, "You're right."
The Company was gathered around the table having some lunch.
"I made it. I'm here!"
There was that voice again. Mona's gaze drifted to Thorin but he was in a conversation with Dwalin.
Suddenly Fili got up and looked down into the garden. "I didn't know that elves got pets."
"What?" Kili asked confused.
"Look, there is a dog down there!"
Kili also got up and went to his brother. "Great, I love dogs! Mona, come have a look!" Kili said with a smile.
She got up and walked up to them, her gaze drifted down as well and saw a big, grey stray dog. And he looked directly at her.
"He likes you. Just look how he watches you—"Kili said but Mona seemed to be frozen. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Mona? Are you alright? Are you afraid of dogs?"
Now the rest of them were alerted as well. Mona took some steps back. "That—that is impossible," she whispered.
"What? Hey, you're scaring me," Fili said concerned.
Mona looked around and her eyes kept locked with Thorin's. He watched her questioningly and concerned as well. Finally she looked back down towards the dog who wagged his tail now.
"That is just not possible!" Mona called out loud and left the balcony.
