AN: I'm so glad you all liked the last chapter! Trust me, the tension between our feisty little Hobbit and Thorin is starting to get to me, too, just as I'm writing it.
Enjoy!

"So, Beorn," said Kili as he grabbed another small pie from the plate resting on a sheep's back. "Did I hear you right when you said you met Flora when she was bathing in the hot spring?"

Beorn had built a comfortable life for himself in the woods that both Hobbits admired greatly. In addition to a very well stocked kitchen, sleeping quarters, and the vast dining hall he had many animals who acted as a small legion of helpers. Flora hesitated to think of them as servants, as he seemed to be more friendly with them than to act as an overlord.
Several sheep and large, grey dogs had brought them out plates of warm food from pasties and hearty vegetable pies to fresh fruit (no meat anywhere to be seen though, for once, the Dwarves didn't complain) as soon as they had sat down. Beorn insisted that Flora sit next to him at the head of the table and she couldn't help but feel quite small next to the enormous Man.

She blushed furiously at the question, missing the dirty look Thorin shot his nephew's way.

"Yes," said Beorn, fondly patting her on the head. "She was quite brave. Jumped right on out when she saw I was in trouble. Not just anyone would approach a black bear."

"Indeed," said Thorin. "Some might say it was quite foolish."

Flora glared at the Dwarf, before resuming trying to eat as many of the little fruit pies as she could, only stopping for air to take a sip of the sweet wine Beorn was serving.

"Though, I do doubt she wouldn't have been so quick to help had she known I was a man. Had to look away while she just calmly walked over to her clothes without a second thought."

Flora's face burned at the laughter of her companions at seeing her turn so red, while Bilbo just looked scandalized and not for the first time on their journey she was grateful her mother was not there.

"I didn't know he was a Man," she mumbled.

"We know, lass," said Dwalin.

"Doesn't make it any less funny, though," said Kili, to which she responded with a firm kick to the shin under the table though he showed no sign of feeling pain, continuing to grin impishly at her.

After a sharp look from Thorin, who seemed to be in a rather foul mood despite the food and offer of respite for a few days at least, all further comments on Flora's meeting with Beorn halted. Instead, the conversation turned to questioning the skin changer and his life. He was reluctant to share his story, however, though judging by the painful expression on his face the Hobbit guessed it was a sad one and quickly changed the topic to his home.

Exhausted, the company slowly retired to their quarters though Flora didn't follow suit. Feeling still fully awake from the events of the day and having gotten plenty of sleep the night before, she chose to wander Beorn's enormous home instead.
She was surprised to find Bilbo still up, smoking his pipe as he gazed thoughtfully at the stars from a bench on the veranda. Silently she padded over to join him.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Bilbo shook his head.
"You of all of us should be in bed," he said.

"I'm not tired," sighed Flora. "You have all done a spectacular job making sure I'm well-rested, and I am recovered. My wrists don't even hurt anymore."

She pulled up her sleeves to show the angry red marks left from the Goblin torture machine. They itched, but she knew better than to scratch at them.
Bilbo huffed, expelling a small cloud of smoke.

"What?"

"I should have been there."

Flora smiled.
"No, you shouldn't have."

"They should have tortured someone else."

The female Hobbit sighed heavily, wrapping an arm around her cousin's waist. She couldn't help but notice how much slimmer he'd become since they left the Shire as she could do it much easier than before.

"Bilbo, the others are as dear to me as family. I would never wish harm on any of them."

"You would sacrifice yourself for them?"

"Yes."

Bilbo puffed away on his pipe, not saying anything as Flora huddled close to him. She didn't know what he could possibly be thinking of as he blew smoke rings and cloud into the sky but it evidently weighed heavily on him as for a long while he said nothing.

"I think they would do the same for you," he said finally.

"And you. I think they've taken to you as a sort of pet," said Flora, grinning when Bilbo elbowed her.

"And if they don't all love you, then I'll eat my kerchief."

"You don't have a kerchief, remember? You tried to turn us back when we were halfway across the Shire so you could go back and get one."

Bilbo gently tugged on one of her curls while chuckling, and she playfully swatted his hand away before mussing his hair. They grinned at each other before falling into companionable silence again, this time Flora rested her head on her cousin's shoulder. She was grateful she was tall for a Hobbit woman, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to as Bilbo was a good, average size for a Hobbit man. It had been a long time since they'd had a private moment together as family and Flora felt the ache of home echo in her heart as she wondered what her parents and siblings were doing.

"Do you miss the Shire, Bilbo?" she asked softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Every day," he replied. "But, at the same time, knowing you're here and the friendships we've built makes it easier."

Flora sighed again.
"Do you think mother and father hate me for leaving?"

She felt Bilbo stiffen, and he hesitated before answering.
"I think they would have been angry at first," he said. "But then they would have realized it was going to happen sooner or later."

"They would be happy to know I'm with you," she said. "You were always the sensible one."

Bilbo chuckled.
"And you were always there to protect me when I got into trouble because I had tagged along to take care of you."

They heard footsteps and they glanced over to see Thorin and Balin walking on the far side of the garden, pausing when they noticed the presence of the two Hobbits. The elder Dwarf smiled and nodded while Thorin scrowled before continuing their stroll and, in turn, Flora frowned.

Ever since arriving at Beorn's he'd been in a foul mood, and it was aggravating her to no end. The skin changer had been more than pleasant to them and was even going to provide them with supplies in a few days' time for them to continue their journey. He wasn't an Elf, and even reminded Flora a little of the Dwarf prince for his gruff exterior. The least he could do was show his appreciation for what Beorn was doing for them but she hadn't heard so much as a 'thank you' for dinner earlier.

"He can be such an arse," growled Flora as they watched the two Dwarves go back into the hall.

"What's that?" said Bilbo, looking to where her eyes were and smirking. "Oh."

"Did you realize he has barely said a word to Beorn since we've been here? Not so much as thank you, after all he's done for us."

"Maybe he has a reason to dislike Beorn."

Flora scoffed.
"What reason could he possibly have? He's been nothing but kind, offering us shelter and rest and supplies and he treats him worse than the Elves!"

Bilbo just kept puffing away on his pipe, the smirk not fading as he refused to meet his cousin's eyes, until finally putting it out.
"Well, dear cousin, I do believe we should be getting off to bed."

Yawning, Flora nodded her agreement. With one last look back in the direction she had seen the Dwarves walking in she paused, seeing Thorin watching them as he leaned against the doorway only for him to disappear upon realizing she'd noticed him.

"Dwarves," she sighed before following Bilbo inside.

XxX

Flora busied herself helping Beorn gather supplies and food the next day with Bombur, spending most of her time in the presence of the skin changer. He apologized for their encounter at the hot spring, explaining he so often spent time in the presence of animals he forgot about proper manners. She and Bombur both laughed as they helped him gather vegetables from his garden.
The rest of the Dwarves used the time at the great hall to relax, either helping gathering food by fishing in the creek (the only kind of meat Beorn allowed) to smoke or wandering the vast homestead. Some of them practiced as usual in the courtyard or near the creek's banks. Bilbo had discovered a few books and with Ori was trying to copy or commit as many of the stories as they could to memory. Fili and Kili, however, were nowhere to be seen but Flora assumed their punishment for the other night was occurring and Thorin had sent them to do chores for their host.
The Dwarf prince had resumed his sulking, taking a seat near the small group practicing.
As it turned out Beorn had several ponies – four white ones that helped take care of the hall, and several more of varying colours and sizes in a cozy stable. He offered to lend them to the company to use until they reached the borders of Mirkwood but after that they were to send them back. Beorn wouldn't allow his friends to venture into such a dangerous place.

The morning passed quickly, and soon Flora found herself with little to do as with her and Bombur both working away they had completed gathering supplies early. She took to exploring the stables, meeting each of the ponies and trying to groom them to the best of her knowledge. Just as she was leaving she ran into one of the missing young brothers.

"Oh, there you are!" said Kili. "I was just looking for you."

"What can I do for you, Kili?"

"I was wondering if you'd care to go for a walk with me? I've never been in woods like these before and I thought you could teach me about plants that can help with healing, like that Kings plant?"

"Kingsfoil," corrected Flora, smiling. "Come on, let's go."

Kili led her outside and they chatted about the various kinds of trees, the young Dwarf taking it all in as she explained the difference between an oak tree and poisonous oak. He looked sufficiently horrified at hearing what the toxic plant could do to skin and asked her to describe it three times so he knew how to avoid it. Deeper and deeper they ventured into the lush forest, the sky overhead growing grey and the air muggy, but Kili seemed to ask more and more questions as she pointed out poisonous and helpful plants alike. Eventually he led to where a small, beautiful little waterfall was falling into a clear pond just as they were chatting about different types of mushrooms as, like all Hobbits, Flora was rather passionate about them.

"Kili, look! Wild strawberries!" said Flora, running to a patch of the plant near a tree stump. But, when she turned to show him the small red berries, he was gone.
"Kili? This isn't funny. Kili!"

She continued calling his name, giving up a few minutes later. Angry, and feeling slightly betrayed she plopped down to sit on a rock, realizing she had absolutely no clue how to get back.

Flora was lost.

The Hobbit supposed it was her fault for trusting Kili when he and his brother had been slowly increasing in their pranks. They seemed to be making it their personal mission to make the company's lives more miserable – though she couldn't deny she had thoroughly enjoyed seeing Gloin's face when he'd awoken to see a spider the size of a fist on his nose.
She smiled as she popped a strawberry in her mouth as the sound of his rather feminine scream echoed in her ears, though it quickly faded as she wondered how she was going to get back. There was no way Kili would leave her long enough for her to be in any danger and frankly, compared to stealing Thorin's clothes, she thought it was rather weak. She had a nephew who could do much better and he was barely fifteen.

There was rustling in the bushes and Flora quickly drew her sword, spinning to face the direction of the noise. To her surprise, Thorin came marching through and barely noticed her as he was angrily muttering under his breath and staring at the ground until he was right in front of her.

"Flora? – What are you doing out here?" he said.

"Kili led me out here and then left me," she said. "What are you doing out here?"

"Fili said he found fresh Goblin tracks and we came out here to investigate."

"And disappeared?"

Thorin didn't respond, he just huffed angrily and sheathed Orcrist. Flora sheathed her own weapon and crossed her arms to glare at the Dwarf.

"I don't suppose you know the way back?"

He gave her a rude look and began marching through the bush, the Hobbit following along behind closely. As she glared at his back she couldn't help but admire his form that was visible beneath his shirt, having left his cloak and over-tunic off in lieu of the quiet, warm summer's day and she was suddenly fighting her own mind as the image of his bare body, damp and glistening in the moonlight knowing full well the muscle that was beneath the dark blue shirt.
Flora really did not know what to make of Thorin as of late, and it was really beginning to grate on her nerves. One moment he was gentle and kind, the next the same unpleasant, vulgar Dwarf she had come to know very well. She was quick to admit that while she rather liked the newer Thorin she knew how to deal with the rude one and Flora was wishing he would just make up his mind and pick which one he was before she threw herself off the nearest cliff.
Especially when his shoulders looked so fine not covered in three layers of fur, mail, and leather.

Suddenly, Thorin threw out his arm to stop Flora from walking any further and covered her mouth just as she was about to ask what he was doing to pull and pin her against the nearest tree.
She was just considering biting his hand when she heard them.

"I thought you said you smelled Dwarf flesh," hissed a voice.

"I did! I did! It was so tasty and meaty," said another. "Two, just over this way."

"I don't see anything," groaned a third. "I just wants a tasty meal. Can't we try one of those sheeps the Bear has?"

They leaned over to peek around the vast oak trunk to see what had to have been at least a dozen goblins with a rather ragged dog not unlike the ones at Beorn's on a leash. It clearly wasn't a pet of theirs and more a captive judging by the poor shape of his fur that was matted with dry blood.

"No!" said the first Goblin. "No one goes near the Bear. He cannot know how close we are."

Flora bit back a worried gasp.
"We have to tell B –"

Thorin covered her mouth again and pressed her against the tree to quiet her, the dog's ears pricking up and looking in their direction. Thankfully the Goblins were too busy arguing with themselves to notice the dog now sniffing and pulling the leash towards their hiding spot.
Until it barked.

"Oy, what's over there?"

"Run!"

XxX

Fili chuckled to himself as Kili stumbled into the clearing, his arms full with a large, soft blanket and a few dark bottles.

"Did you get the food?" asked the younger brother as he tossed the blanket onto the ground.

"It's over there," replied Fili, indicating to the pile of berries and fruit before resuming his task of lighting the fire. It took him a few tries with the flint, but he soon got it. They had created a rather romantic spot for their unsuspecting victims in the green shelter of a conveniently shaped oak tree. The branches draped low to create a private sort of cave that offered protection from the stormy looking clouds overhead that threatened to ruin their plans.
"What's that?"

"This is that wine they liked so much from dinner last night," said Kili with a grin as he held up the bottles. "Beorn said to be careful, though, it's stronger than any Elf drink."

Having completed their work, the brothers left the set up to run and hide in a set of nearby bushes to wait for their prey.

An hour passed.

"Where are they?" growled Fili. "Are you sure you marked the trail well enough for them to find?"

"Of course," said Kili as he lay on his stomach, resting his chin on his arms. "You don't think something happened to them?"

The elder brother shook his head, frowning.
"Beorn said there were no Orcs for miles. Maybe they knew the way back and are already back at the hall?"

"I doubt it."

Fili couldn't contain his grin at hearing his younger brother's stomach rumble in hunger, only for his to do likewise. Suddenly the food they had set out for Flora and Thorin looked very good and he thought that perhaps they didn't need quite that much food.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting something to eat. They won't need this much food if our plan works," said Fili with a wink. Kili grinned and quickly jumped to his feet to join his brother in helping himself to some of the fruit. Before they knew it, they had consumed most of the food.

"Oops," said Kili as he licked strawberry juice from his fingers, a mischevious smirk spreading across his dark, handsome features. "Well, since that's gone don't you think we should test the wine for them? To make sure it's good enough because we ate all the food."

Fili grinned.
"Excellent idea, brother."

XxX

Thorin released Flora's body only to grab her wrist and pull her as they took off through the woods, sound of Goblin cries echoing behind them. She nearly tripped over a root, only to be saved by the Dwarf's firm grip on her wrist. Soon her lungs were burning and the growls and shouts behind them grew further and further away and Flora cried out as Thorin pulled her hard to the left. It was pouring now, and both of them were soaked from sweat and the rain. All she could think about was the burning of her lungs until she was falling, tumbling down a cliff before landing on top of Thorin.

"Sorry," she panted, placing her hands on either side of his head so she could lift herself without touching him. At the sound of angry cries they looked up to see the Goblins at the top of the cliff, waving their weapons and swearing in their hideous language.

"They've decided we're not worth the trouble," said Thorin, glaring up at the creatures. "Come, we should find shelter."

Damp, sore, and miserable, Flora followed Thorin until they found what appeared to be a cave burrowing into the side of the rocky cliff face that was almost completely concealed by vines. She bit back an angry curse as he went in first, only to let a thick green vine smack her in the face.

She hissed in pain at the sudden stinging of her wrist. Looking down she saw that during their escape Thorin's grip had broken the sensitive skin and in an instant he was next to her, her hand in his, examining the bloodied limb.
Without speaking he led her over to where a small pond was being fed by the rainwater trickling through a hole in the rock ceiling. He tore off a piece of his drenched shirt, wringing it out and then dipping it into the pool.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he growled as he began to dab away the blood.

"I didn't notice," said Flora, returning his scowl.

"Could you have been more foolish?"

"I thought you knew where you were going!"

"Forgive me for leading us away the Goblins thirsting for our blood!"

Flora groaned in exasperation, finally having enough of the stubborn, foul Dwarf. Pulling her hand away she stood and stomped towards the entrance of the cave in desperate need for fresh air and distance from the prince.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Away from you, Thorin Oakenshield!" she shouted. "I've had it! I can't stand it anymore! You're the most aggravating man I have ever had the misfortune of meeting! You've done nothing but ignore Beorn even though he's been more than gracious and has probably saved our lives. You're arrogant, and rude! You're nothing but a conceited, vulgar, beastly – "

Flora's tirade was halted as Thorin's mouth smothered hers, her shock and her pleasure stilling her but as soon as he'd done it, he pulled away to watch her with his stormy grey eyes.

There was no thought, no angry insults, just raw emotion and unadulterated need as she grabbed handfuls of his shirt she pulled him towards her, their lips crashing. The scent of rain, leather, and smoke overwhelmed her senses, and if it weren't for her firm grip on him and his arm wrapped around her waist to press her to his firm body Flora was sure her legs would have given out.
She felt him part his lips just a bit and instinctively she followed suit to give him full access to her. Flora moaned softly into his mouth, tasting him, their tongues struggling for dominance but neither relenting as she released his shirt to tangle her hands in his long, wet hair. She revelled in the subtle flavours of tabacco and fruit on his tongue as they devoured each other, her skin ablaze at the sensation of his beard scratching and tickling.

A few moments later they halted, breathing heavy and gasping for air as they eased the burning in their lungs. Neither of them spoke, Flora her face in Thorin's chest as the feeling of happiness she felt when they'd first embraced washed over her, the emotions raging inside nearly taking what little breath she had left away.

Thorin sighed as he nestled his face in her hair, his arms still wrapped firmly around her. The only sounds in the cave was their breathing and the trickling of the rain outside.

The gravity of what had just occurred struck her very suddenly and she felt the air press in around her as her emotions blazed out of control. Uncertainty being the first and most recognizable followed by anger at allowing herself to let it happen. It was swallowed by the familiar feeling of joy that seemed to come with his embrace, and then her fear reared its ugly head.
She was angry with him – their kiss wouldn't change that. However, she was beginning to feel the way he'd been acting lately had something to do with it.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered.

"Why did you?"

Flora frowned, knowing it was a fair response. She tried to tell herself she didn't know why but as her skin blazed under his touch and she thought of how she had nearly died from fear at seeing him lay helpless before Azog, she knew very well it was because she cared for him, very much.

"I care for you," she said finally and the words hung in the air to loom over them. Flora watched as several expressions flit across his face and storm in his eyes as her fear overtook her. She was just about to pull away as he spoke.

"And I you, Aule help me."

She released another moan as he kissed her again, much more slowly but with no less passion than their first two. There was no pretense of pride this time and she intuitively parted her lips to give him immediate access that he promptly took advantage off. Her head swam as they became tangled in one another, the gentle scratch of his beard setting her on fire as they teased and groped. Just as Flora thought all her strength had left her, Thorin seemed to sense her distress and pulled her with him to the ground with her on top to straddle his hips as he leaned to recline against the rock wall of the cave.
At feeling his obvious arousal, hard and large beneath her, she gasped and his hips bucked at the sound. This elicited a series of soft cries from Flora as his hands untangled themselves from her hair to slide down her back and cup her rear. A thrill shot up her spine and the moan she gave would have embarrassed her had she not been so acheing and wet as Thorin rutted beneath her and she reciprocated by running her hands over his chest to scrape lightly at his skin that was barely protected by his thin shirt.

Hot and gasping he grabbed her shoulders to push her off of him. She frowned at the loss of the sensation of his body against hers until she saw the agonized expression on his face as he lay there with his eyes closed, panting.

"How is it you can so easily ruin me?" he wondered aloud, running a hand through his hair.

Flora sighed heavily, nestling herself into his side. To her pleasure he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and placed a soft kiss to her temple. They just sat there, watching the rain outside as Flora struggled to contain herself. He clearly didn't want them to continue and she couldn't help but feel very disappointed, but she had to admire his sense of honour and the desire to not consummate whatever feelings they had for one another on the floor of a cave.
She felt as though she was burning up and she fought a sudden onslaught of tears that rose in her eyes. Flora was overwhelmed, overpowered by the emotions the Dwarf prince created in her that terrified her and exhilarated her. Evidently her father had been correct when he'd told her as a child that there was a very fine line between love and hate.

"The rain is stopping," she said quietly. "We should be getting back."

Thorin hummed thoughtfullly as a slow smirk spread across his face.
"That Goblin pack will still be in the area. We should wait until we're sure it's safe."

"Oh, well then, if it's for our safety then I am quite content to stay here," said Flora as she wrapped arms around his torso. Her hands barely met, but she didn't mind and instead clung to him. She could barely contain her smile and slowly she felt her eyelids droop to the lullaby of his rhythmic breathing.

The rain stopped not ten minutes later, but Flora didn't notice as she had fallen into blissful dreams, wrapped in Thorin's arms.

XxX

Thorin had not at all expected his day to end the way it had, and yet there was Flora, who had been tormenting his mind and his dreams for days, sleeping in his arms. After their impassioned encounter filled with the kisses he had desired for so long there was little chance he was sleeping – for a while, at least.

He couldn't help the smile that twitched under his beard as he thought of how beautiful she had looked, flushed and soaking wet from the rain as she ranted at him. The look on her face when he had finally silenced her with a kiss had been more precious to him than the finest golden armour.
He had almost done it on the Carrock the evening after she had saved him when she so gently tended to his wounds with a look of utter concern until Bifur suggested taking her to the woods for a tumble because, as he'd said, he was sick of seeing him act like a lovesick puppy.
Thorin had cared for her deeply since before the Stone Giants but he hadn't realized it until her name escaped his lips as he watched, horrified, as she tumbled towards the mountainside. The sudden realization had startled him – he might have even said scared him – and it caused him to take his temper out on Flora and Bilbo. He hadn't at all meant the cruel words that spilled from his mouth on the mountain and his pride wouldn't allow him to admit what he was feeling.

Thorin had nearly lost his mind when the Goblins had tortured her. It was her screams that undid him, chipping away the last piece to reveal the gem hidden within that he had been trying so hard to conceal. Then the stupid woman had faced down Azog. Azog to save him. He hadn't been completely unconscious so to miss her shout and fear gripped him as he fell into darkness, the very last thing he saw her small form facing down the gigantic Pale Orc and several other of the beasts.
When he regained consciousness his worry for her was the only thought on his mind. It overwhelmed him, and when he saw her standing there in the morning light looking as though she was about to receive a scolding he realized he would find her a place to belong, build her one, as long as he was at her side.

Thorin tried to express his feelings for her, though it was hard under the scrutinizing gaze of the rest of the company who were clearly aware of his affections for Flora. His nephews were unbearable, Bifur almost as much though at least the Hobbit couldn't understand the rather inappropriate suggestions he'd been giving him.
His pride and his jealousy had also played a significant part in hiding his feelings for her from himself. The way those Elven princes had doted on her, the innocent compliments from Elrond, the way Kili and Fili trailed after her like puppies – it set fire to his blood.
At hearing of Flora's encounter with Beorn, Thorin had very nearly strangled the skin changer with his bare hands. He knew he had no right to her, especially when he had also unexpectedly happened upon her in such a vulnerable state back in Rivendell, but the idea that Beorn had seen her made him feel nauseous with jealousy.

If his meddling nephews hadn't interfered he would have done something that evening, but as fate had it they intervened and while resulting in them nearly losing their lives it was one of the best days of Thorin Oakenshield's life since losing Erebor.

And it was this thought, and the sound of Flora's soft breathing that finally lulled him to sleep.