This chapter is rated M for sexual scenes. Thanks so much to my friend Stahly93 for helping me with this chapter.

'Thinking'

"Normal"

"Elvish"

"Black speech"

"Khuzdul"

"Verrian"

Chapter 11

"Let's rest here," Thorin suggested as they reached a clearing amongst the trees.

Everyone unpacked their sleeping mats. Malakai gathered some things from her bag and headed away.

"Where are you going?" the dwarf prince asked, narrowing his eyes at her as she departed.

"I'm going for a bath. I need a well earned bath and moment of privacy. So, if you feel the need to follow me to make sure that I don't do anything, then be my guest. But I'm not going to be responsible for what happens to you if you do," she said, walking away.

The company chuckled but when Thorin threw them a glare, they all grew quiet. He wasn't going to let her play around with him, compromising his authority over the company any longer.

Following her nose she quickly found a small lake. She undressed and stepped into the cold water, unfazed. She dove down, came back up and shook her head, refreshed. The serene silence was pleasing to her, having spent weeks with those noisy dwarves, although she had come to be fond of their songs and chatter.

Her train of thought was interrupted when she heard the bushes rustle. Snapping her head around, she saw a pair of blue eyes staring at her.

"Dvazi! Vevaitri damas youki!" she screamed, hurling a rock at the intruder.

It just missed Thorin's face, who had crouched down to cover just in time. His hands covered his face, hiding the red cheeks.

'So she really was just taking a bath.' Thorin relented inside. 'But, oh Mahal, was she beautiful.'

From what he saw in that short moment, her body was enticing. She had elegant curves and skin that looked quite smooth, with only her wet and glistening hair having covered her chest. It had also surprised him how thin she was. He had witnessed her punching a tree, causing it to bend, but her arms seemed to be as frail as a bird's wing.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

"For what? Watching me bathe? I bet you enjoyed that part. Besides, it's just skin," she said, annoyed.

"For...everything. It's difficult for me to trust you when I only heard bad rumours about your kin," Thorin said. Malakai stayed silent, bemused by his behaviour.

He felt it also within himself. There was something keeping him where he was, as if strings had tied him down, a weight he couldn't shake off. He sat still as the wind blew across the lake, carrying his scent to her. She shivered as she inhaled it and gasped as her mind went blank. It felt like a spell was cast upon her, leading her back up to the shore. She had resisted his scent for too long and now her instincts had taken control of her body and mind. From that moment she truly had no power over what was to follow.

Thorin heard her come out of the water and allowed himself to take another glance at her through the bush. He saw her skin glistening in the moonlight. A shirt quickly took that sight away from him and he gazed back up at the sky. Suddenly he heard something next to him. Malakai was looking down at him, her eyes clouded, only wearing her shirt. Her eyes gazed at him and at the same time they looked into space.

He didn't move and couldn't as she walked up to him, with slow light steps. It felt like ghostly hands that held him in place, preventing his escape. He felt helpless as his heartbeat seemed to gain a mind of it's own, pounding in his chest, exhausting him, as he tilted his head back to look at her. She crouched down and placed a hand on his thigh, unwittingly. Thorin flinched at the touch.

"You are a strange dwarf," she whispered in his ear, as she seated herself on his lab, her arms resting on his shoulders.

"You are a strange woman," was all he could answer. Unconsciously, she grounded her hips against his, to which he breathed in sharply.

"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing into her storm grey eyes.

"I don't know," she mumbled. "Why aren't you pushing me away?"

"I don't know," he whispered, truthfully.

He didn't like her carefree personality and the way she had humiliated him twice, but now, with her sitting almost bare on his lap, he didn't want to let her go. All the distrust and hostility he was feeling towards her seemed to have drifted out of his mind, as if someone had taken them away so he could focus on something else. On her. Right now, he was captivated by her eyes, her lips and her voice. In all his years has he never been in such a situation and lacked knowledge of how to proceed. Actions he could not explain the origin of he placed his hands on her bare thighs, causing a small moan to escape her lips, as he slowly moved his hands up to her hips. The motion urged him to press his mouth against her throat, her skin cold and wet against his warm lips.

She in turn, leaned against his ear, whispering. "Thorin."

He shuddered when he heard his name. His body seemed to react to this even if his mind resisted it. He wanted to hear it more. As if she could read his thoughts, she kept whispering it into his ear. Her hands traveled up to his ears, gently massaging his earlobes. He closed his eyes, letting the other senses heighten. Her soft skin against his fingers, her scent in his nose, her breathing against his ear, the taste of her skin on his tongue. There was something about her that he just couldn't grasp. She was always on the move, always ahead but right now, she was in his arms and it felt as if she belonged there. It felt as if she had been missing in his life, and he wanted her so ardently, wanted her only for himself. She was so close, her hair smelling like the pine trees he remembered beyond the borders of Erebor. Everything about her felt familiar, and now she wasn't with her brother. She was his now, completely under his control and in his presence alone.

His hands moved to her waist and she grounded her hips against his as a response. A tingling sensation fired through his body as she ran her fingers through his hair, driving him mad. How did she know that this would make his body react this way? Did she already have experience in this? He growled against her neck. If that was the case he would make sure she never forgot it. His hands trailed under her shirt along her back when he felt something rough. Was that a scar?

His trail of thought was interrupted, when he felt her small thin hands through all the fabric on his chest move downward, to where all the heat of his body had gathered. He grunted when she freed him from the tight imprisonment of his trousers.

He didn't resist when she guided him into her own, slowly. She was so warm inside, a warmth that was so soothing and so welcoming that his mind calmed. Her insides were small and tight but she still took him in fully, without wincing at the pain she was probably feeling as he widened her with his length, practically splitting her. He knew he was larger than the usual but still, she didn't stop. After a few seconds he was fully inside her, her entire body weight was resting against his chest, as he was overcome with pleasure when she slowly rotated her hips, causing him to gasp, at the delightful, unfamiliar sensation.

With his strong arms, he lifted her up and down, hearing a response from her every time as he created that wonderful friction they both craved. First slowly, then he gradually quickened the pace. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, her fingers clawing into his scalp while he held onto her hips, holding her as he lifted and dropped her. He slowed a bit, fearing she might be in pain. Why didn't he stop? He was going against the sacred custom of his kin, yet no feeling of guilt filled him. He had never done something like this before and he wasn't someone who would hurt, let alone violate a woman. Maybe it was because of her expression or her lusty moans which seemed to say she was ready for more and as a result, he continued.

They were both lost in the moment, time standing still, feeling alone in the world, their lips never touching. After a while he slowed the pace and leaned forward, cushioning her head with his hand until she was lying on the soft grass. He gazed at her for a moment, taking in her figure lying beneath him, her face flushed and relaxed as she gazed back into his eyes. Her expression was so soft and her eyes still clouded, it sparked a feeling of acceptance, an acceptance of her beauty.

His hand traveled up to her collarbone and started to unbutton her shirt. Her body squirmed underneath him, demanding him to continue but he had a different goal. When he finished with the last button, he delicately pulled the fabric apart to reveal her plump breasts. He awed at their sight lingeringly when Malakai began to groan impatiently, grounding her hips against his to urge them forward.

"Thorin," she squirmed with a hint of frustration in her voice. To grant her wish, he grabbed her by the hips and started moving again.

As he rocked his hips against hers, they never took their eyes off each other, transfixed until she tightly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face against her shoulder. He was drowning in ecstasy as he heard her repeatedly utter his name into his ear although he couldn't let out hers, through his lack of breath, but it was echoing in his mind.

'Malakai. Malakai. Malakai.'

Instead he let his hand grasp a handful of her hair, pulling her head back so he could kiss and gently nibble her neck. It was a strange addiction that began to grown inside of him, an addiction for her taste, her touch, her voice. The more those feelings blossomed, the more he felt what he could only describe as strings, wrapping themselves around his heart.

Her fingers started to dig into his coat as he felt her climax nearing. Suddenly he felt her tighten her grip everywhere, around his neck, around his waist and around his girth. She managed to her muffle her scream into the fur of his coat. Her own climax signaled his own and as he continued, his own pressure was released and he collapsed on top of her, feeling true bliss. Both were panting heavily and he could feel her rapid heartbeat against his chest. For such a small heart, it was strong.

When he lifted himself, Thorin saw stars in her eyes and he lovingly reached for her face when the spell, that had fallen upon them, was broken abruptly and he quickly pulled his hand back. Both shocked and confused at what had just occurred, they backed away from each other. Malakai pulled her shirt together and was blushing heavily. He stared at her wide eyed, anger and disbelief present in his blue eyes. There was absolute frustration on both sides as Malakai avoided eye contact, biting on her lower lip. He got up quickly, as if something had scared him and he stared at her, realising what had happened. He had done something he should never have done, at least not with a woman who wasn't of his kin. Disgusted by his actions, Thorin was the first to leave, tugging himself back into his breeches, leaving Malakai by herself by the lake.

"Well? What was she doing?" Dwalin asked, when Thorin arrived back at the camp.

"Taking a bath," he grumbled.

He was not in the mood for a conversation and he went to sit by a cliff, gazing into the night sky, silently cursing himself. None in the company seemed to have wondered where he had been all this time and none have heard the passed activity. Thorin covered his face with his palm and took a deep breath. He prayed to Mahal that this wouldn't haunt him later.

Meanwhile, Malakai had retreated back into the cold water when she saw the foreign liquid ooze out of her. It felt as if her heart and head were about to explode and the cold water didn't seem to help to cool her down. Her head raced with the thoughts of what had just transpired.

'No, what have I done? Damn instincts taking over. And why's he so quick to flee. He didn't try to stop it, ' she shook her head and slapped her cheeks.

She felt her cheeks burn up again as bits and pieces of her memory became clear.

'It's like finding something that had been missing in your life. They complete you,' the words of her friend echoed in her mind.

Thinking back as well as she could, all she remembered was pleasure. Surprised at the gentleness the dwarf had displayed she lowered herself into the water. The act of "completion" had been done. And what an animal-like act it was. Although, feeling strongly sated, she was also disappointed. Disappointed that he had been clothed. Now she yearned for his touch once again, but also to touch his skin. To see him bare beneath her and at her mercy. She dove her head under the cold water to scare away the thoughts at the sudden chill. Even shaking her head violently didn't seem to rid herself of the thoughts of the dwarf she wanted to hate, but couldn't. It was too late now. She traced the places where she still felt those hot kisses linger on the skin of her neck. Oh, how gentle he had been. Her cheeks flushed again. Her instincts had numbed all of her senses and she had to recover, quickly.

A long time had passed when Malakai arrived back at the camp. Many of the dwarves were already asleep, others watched over the fire. She looked around, afraid to be met by that stubborn dwarf. Malik was quickly by her side.

"That dwarf wanted to see what you were doing, did you know?" he asked her, whispering.

"Yes," she mumbled.

"And?"

"And nothing. He left on his own," she snapped at him.

"Then why do I smell him on you?" his expression turned dark.

Malakai flinched. She had washed herself again because she knew, Malik would smell him. Her cheeks flushed as she thought back to what had happened. This didn't go unnoticed.

"Dvazi karlakii." Malik's eyes glowed golden.

"No, Malik!" she reached after him but he was already on his way.

When Malik reached Thorin, who was standing at the edge of the camp thinking for himself, he took the dwarf's shirt and pressed him against a tree, holding a knife against Thorin's throat. He tried to resist the sudden attack when Malik spoke.

"You stupid dwarf. How dare you force yourself on my sister?" he growled quietly as to not awaken the whole company.

He was on the verge of pressing the blade into the skin. Thorin was lost for words. What was he going to say? It was Malakai who had approached him. But then again he still could have resisted. The high and mighty Dwarf stared into the golden orbs. Malik was about to slice Thorin's neck when, Malakai came between them.

"Brother, stop! He is my mate!" she pulled his arm away, her eyes glowing gold as well.

"Malakai, he's a dwarf. There is no possible way that he can be your mate," Malik tried to talk some sense into her.

"I should know. To you he might smell like any other dwarf, but not to me." Stunned by what he was hearing, he let go of Thorin, who also seemed confused.

"Tell me, this is a lie." Malik shook his head in denial. "Please, Malakai. It has to be a lie." Malakai just gazed at Thorin who in turn gazed at her. Malik let out a loud snarl as he left the two in the shadows. This awoke some of the dwarves.

"What's going on?" they asked. Malakai gave Thorin a sad smile before turning to the others.

"It's nothing. You can all go back to sleep," she assured them. And with that she disappeared into the trees.

The next morning

"Hey Malakai, wake up." Fili was whispering.

"Huh, what? What's going on?" Malakai mumbled, still half asleep.

"We are leaving." Kili was busy packing his things. And truly, all the dwarves were roaming around, packing everything they could find. At first Malakai was confused. She would always wake up before the sun came crawling over the hills, but the sun was already above the trees and the birds were singing their last song of the day.

"Come now, before uncle leaves you here." Fili pulled her up.

"Here." Kili handed her a piece of bread. "I saved you some breakfast."

"Thank you," she mumbled but smiled at him. She grabbed her throbbing head. What had she done? She had let her instincts take a hold of her, and she and Thorin did….She violently shook her head, pushing that thought into the deepest corner of her mind. She didn't remember when she fell asleep or how long that thought had kept her awake. But she could tell that she fell asleep just before the sky was turning blue. She felt tired, dead tired. If it weren't for that stuck up prince she would love to sit on a pony, so she could shut her eyes for a little longer. She quickly packed her things before Thorin gave the order to leave. She looked around.

'Where is Malik?' She could neither see, hear or smell him. Did he really ran off? They fought a lot, but it always turned out well in the end. Was he so mad that he would just leave her here. She hoped to Orome that wasn't the case. As she looked around she noticed that Thorin was gazing into her direction, but he quickly looked away when their eyes met.

'Was that guilt in his eyes? ' The company slowly began to move, Thorin at the front, the dwarves with Malakai, who sat with Fili, and the wizard with the hobbit at the back. That's when Malakai noticed the scent of her brother. With the eyes of an eagle, she searched the trees until she saw the fur of the wolf her brother had killed. He was walking with them, at a distance. When he realize that he had been found he joined the group, far in the back. The dwarves felt slightly uncomfortable, but since Thorin didn't react, they didn't either. But after a while, the verdari decided to run ahead. Malakai sighed and started to nibble on her saved breakfast.

"Something is not right." Bilbo grumbled, as he rode next to Gandalf.

"What makes you think so?" Gandalf asked.

"Those twins. They're not talking to each other. It's as if they had a fight."

"Yes. There seems to be some mistrust between them."

"Will they be okay?"

"Oh, I'm sure they will be. Siblings always argue over smallest of things."

The Durin brothers also noticed that something was bothering their uncle. Kili waited until Malakai was asleep and then spoke quietly.

"What happened last night?" Kili asked Fili.

"I don't know. That Malik guy attacked uncle for some reason."

"Really? Why?" Kili wondered what could have provoked him to attack their uncle. And with the company not far away.

"Like I said. I don't know. Malakai was involved, though."

"Did she do anything bad? Or was it because uncle spied on her, while she was bathing?"

"She stopped Malik, so no. Good thing she did too, otherwise he would have lost his head, I'm sure." Fili sighed.

"What did uncle do to make him so angry?"

"I'm not sure. We'll find out. Don't worry about it." And so, they continued riding.

Thorin was silently riding at the front, blending out the chatter of the dwarven company behind him. His thoughts were occupied elsewhere. He couldn't believe that he had done it. When it happened, it felt so...natural, so right, he didn't want to stop. Had she bewitched him? Used some magic to ensnare him in order to gain some heir of royal blood, or was it just for pleasure? His thoughts trailed back to Malakai's and her brothers conversation. She had said 'mate'. He knew the word, but he didn't understand what it meant in their terms. A life partner, or something else? He would have to ask her, but his paranoid mind said otherwise. No, for now, he would wait. He needed time to clear his thoughts of Malakai.

Meanwhile Malik was running through the forest. He needed to hit something. How could her mate be a dwarf? As much as he wanted to blame her for it, he knew that she couldn't control it. He had seen how verdari mates interacted and protected each other from the few who had found their significant other. He sighed and was about to sit down when he caught a scent. Orcs. They were heading right for Malakai and the dwarves. He should never have left. Damn his temper!

"Dvazi! I knew they were trouble. I just hope I can get to her before they do." And with that, he was off.