"We need to talk."
Elrond saw Melo sitting at the breakfast table, took his chance, and is now standing next to him, or towering over him rather. Melo sends his advisors, whom were sitting next to him, away and Elrond takes a seat in the emptied chair.
"I was hoping you might enlighten me a bit on dwarven culture. And perhaps tell me about Emma."
Melo looks at the elf lord. Long before he arrived in Erebor last night, he had known there was some great secret, something hidden in the dark away from everyone's eyes, so he was less surprised than everyone else. But surprised nonetheless, though not as unpleasantly as one might expect. He does not hold the grudges that so many dwarves of his father's generation hold, although those grudges seem to have lessened after the retake of Erebor, so the fact that Elrond is an elf is not of very great matter to him. The fact that his mother slept with one is though. That is of great matter, as it is a great insult. But then on the other hand, his father not being Emma's father might just be quite the blessing. For Emma, that is. The ghastly man had done nothing but torment her for her whole life, and Elrond showing up here might just be the opportunity to replace a bad father with a possibly good one. Choices, choices…
Melo sighs. "Perhaps I could be of assistance." There is no harm in testing the waters, is there….
"I did not see her smile all day yesterday. Will Thorin make her happy?" Elrond bluntly asks.
Melo squints his eyes. "That depends on many things, of which the most are unknown to me. So this question I can not answer."
"Has she been happy? Did she get the life she wanted?"
"No."
"No?! What do you mean, 'no'?"
"It means she hasn't. But I am not willing to get into this further. If you wish to know, ask her."
"I have been informed she will not appear in public for the at least a week." Elrond answers stiffly.
"Indeed, it is her honeymoon. For us dwarves, the week or first two weeks after the wedding are meant to get to know your partner better."
"So Emma did not know Thorin before marrying him?"
"I meant more in a way of 'away from others…" Melo puts an emphasis on the last words, hoping Elrond will get the meaning.
"My sons have informed me she did not wish to get to know him in such a way."
Confusion spreads over Melo's face. He suspects miscommunication, as he can not believe that Elrond's sons were present in the room when….What a horrific subject to talk about, his sister during her honeymoon.
"I do not get what you mean."
"They stood guard at the royal chambers and heard her cry last night."
Not a miscommunication then…..
"I feel highly uncomfortable speaking about this, she is my sister! I am sure that if he has behaved dishonorable, she will inform me. Now, if you don't have any other questions?"
"But I do." Elrond says sternly. "How is it that Thorin asked you to sign the agreement between us, but you refused?"
"Emma is my sister. At that moment, I was her nearest male relative present, so I could sign for her."
Elrond interrupts him. "How could you sign for her? Because of her age?"
"No, because she is a woman." Melo shrugs his shoulders, not understanding why Elrond doesn't get it.
"So?"
"Perhaps there is a cultural difference here, but female dwarves belong to their nearest male relative."
"Belong to them? As in property?"
"A little more complicated, but basically like property, yes."
"And why did you refuse?"
Irritation ebbs away from Melo's face and is replaced by a softer expression. "Because she is my sister and I love her. I do things because they are best for her, not because I want it."
"And her vail?"
"What about it?"
"She was vailed when I first saw her, but not anymore after her vows."
"The vail is an old tradition. Before, all unmarried women, and some married ones, wore a vail when in public. When we were forced to have more dealings with other races, most women did not wear it anymore, because it set them apart. But my father wanted Emma to wear one. Thankfully, Thorin does not require that of his wife. So when they were married, he lifted her vail completely, indicating she doesn't have to wear it anymore."
A silence falls between the two men. Elrond stares at the wall, though he doesn't see the intricately engraved runes on it, consumed by his thoughts. He needs to know what he can do so he can get to know Emma, as, judging by the state of his nose two night before, she will make very little effort to get to know him. He wishes Galadriel was here, she would know exactly what questions to ask to get her answers.
"Can you tell me what kind of person she is?"
"That depends on whether she likes someone or not."
"If she does?"
"Then she is loyal, warm, with a dry humor."
"And if she doesn't like someone?"
"Then she will most likely ignore him or her, or if forced to speak with that person, let them become acquinted with the meaninglessness of their existance."
"I see."
"She has many great qualities, but most are not seen at first sight." He pauses a bit, unsure whether he should share more with the elven lord or not, but then he decides it is worth the risk. "Emma has known a lot of—rejection in her life, for lack of a better word. Or perhaps disappointment would suit better. Anyway, I am not a crafter of words like elves, and it does not really matter. What I mean to say is, that if you stay here and want to try to have some sort of a relationship with Emma, you will have to see it through. I will not have her face yet another let-down. Either leave now or make a true effort."
"And will my effort bring me closer to her?" Elrond's tone is void of any scepticism. After noticing the loving way Melo speaks about his sister, even thoug he strongly disagrees with the things he said about women being like property, he wants to get to know Emma even more, if such a thing is possible.
"Be patient. Hard rock is not split in a day."
"No, it isn't." Elrond agrees.
"She might warm up to you, or she might not. It all depends on how deep her hurts run and whether she feels you were being honest when you expressed your desire to get to know her."
"Why would I not be honest about that?!"
"Because your timing is odd. For years you have not made yourself known as her father, kept our mother, whom we believed death, from us. But on the eve of her wedding to the most powerfull dwarvenking, you stand on her doorstep."
Elrond does not know what to say. He knows his motives to be pure, but he also sees how his timing could be explained otherwise.
"No need to explain to me." Melo says. "It is not I that needs convincing, nor am I the one that is difficult to convince."
Elrond nods, and while he gets lost in his own thoughts, Melo goes back to his own rooms.
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When Emma wakes up, she notices it is already dark, and her stomach rumbles a bit. But Thorin's tight embrace feels so warm that she does not want to get up. However, her movements have woken him, and he presses a kiss on top of her head while holding her closer, a need to hold and protect her overwhelming him.
"Do you want to eat?" he asks, his voice heavy with sleep.
"Maybe just something small."
He gets out of the bed, sticks his head around the door and orders the servant to bring some dinner.
"Thorin?"
"Hmmm?"
"Clothes?"
He looks down and sees that he is indeed naked. "I will put them on when he brings dinner." He says as he gets back into bed, pulling her back in his embrace.
Dinner must have been ready, because a mere ten minutes later, the servant knocks on the door. Thorin growls a bit, puts on some breeches and takes the serving tray into the room, not placing it on the table but on the bed.
"Dinner in bed?' she asks.
He smiles and lies down again. "Yes. Dinner in bed."
She picks at the food he serves her, eating small bites, while he looks at her.
"Emma, how did you get those scars on your back?" he asks tentatively.
She stiffens and looks down.
"Are they from the battle?"
She shakes her head. "You have seen how it was." She whispers.
He puts the tray aside and pulls her in his arms. "Your father?"
She jerks her head a bit, but says nothing, stiffening in his embrace.
"I will never let anyone hurt you again, azyungal. I promiss." He whispers.
"I always forget they are there, I would rather not talk about it."
He nods and presses a kiss on her head, holding her tightly, despite her unwillingness to let him do so.
The next five days they talk politely about shallow subjects, get re-acquinted, relax, read a bit and sleep. But she is unwilling to speak about sensitive subjects such as her youth or Elrond, and sometimes still stiffens as he touches her, although she does sleep in his arms, making it difficult for them to really get to know eachther. But on the sixth day of their honeymoon, she wakes up after am afternoon nap, caused by another one of his great massages, and feels his warm body against hers. Although his embrace makes her feel warm and safe, it had made her feel uncomfortable, especially feeling his private parts against her. But somehow now it gives her a whole new feeling; it makes her feel warm. Not in her chest, but down there. And then he moves his hand in his sleep a little down from her belly, and all she wants is for him to move it down further. He must somehow have noticed her arousal and willingness, because he slowly starts to kiss her neck. She pulls her hair away so it isn't in his way and brings her arm up to touch the back of his head. A soft gasp escapes her lips as his hand brushes over her nipple, causing it to erect a little.
His breathing becomes heavier, and she feels his member harden against her. He kisses her more passionately and pushes her on her back, devouring her lips before he takes one of her nipples in his mouth while cupping and massaging her other breast with his hand. As he softly licks and bites the small pearl, the warm sensation of his tongue sends spikes of pleasure through her body, she arches her back a little. He makes a trail of kisses to her belly and then further. She lifts her head to look at him, but he just smiles at her, his eyes dark with lust, and when she feels his tongue touching her slit, she can only let her head fall back into the pillow in pleasure. He puts his hands around her hips and his tongue starts to move around a sensitive place she did not even knew she had before a couple of days ago. She whimpers as her pleasure hightens, opening her legs further for him. As she feels a spike in pleasure coming, she moans and grips the bedsheets, all her muscles clenching when she peaks. He softly kisses her spot, causing her to whimper again, before he comes to lie on top of her, leaning on his elbows, softly kissing her lips. She feels his hard member against her entrance, and he looks at her.
"Do you-do you want-."
She nods and kisses him, taking his hand. When she feels him slowly entering, it is not quite as painfull as the first time, but still sensitive. Her hand clenches his and he looks at her.
"Just try to relax azyungal, and tell me when you are ready for me to move."
She kisses him, adjusts herself a little bit and then nods. When he starts to move, slowly but deliberately, the feeling is very different from the first time. It does not hurt that much anymore, but instead, makes her feel warm and wanting more. But then there is a knock on the door.
"Your highness…"
"Go away!" Thorin says as he looks at the door.
"But your highness…"
"GO AWAY!" Thorin bellowes.
It must have worked, because they hear nothing anymore. He looks at her again.
"Are you alright?"
She smiles. "I think I am."
He passionately kisses her and starts moving again, harder now, and then he hits another spot she was unaware of she had. A soft moan escapes her lips again, and he looks at her as he keeps moving in exactly the same way, evoking more moans and gasps from her. He takes one of her nipples in his mouth, sucking and softly nibbling at it.
Her pleasure hightens again and she digs her fingers in his back, wanting him more, wanting him all. He quickens his pace and a gulf of pleasure flows over her, completely taking her over, erasing everything but what she is feeling, making her moan out.
A mere two or three trusts later, he starts to groan, louder and louder, untill he almost screams as he comes undone, collapsing on top of her, panting heavily. They lie like that for a couple of minutes, him careful not to put too much weight on her, untill he gets on his elbows again and looks at her.
"Did you enjoy?"
"I did." She says with a bit of surprise in her voice.
He chuckles and gets of her, rolling to his side and taking her in his arms. "You have no idea how long I've been wanting this."
"You already had it a couple of days ago."
"I prefer a willing participant." He smiles, but with some sadness and regret in his voice.
She wants to say something, but there is another knock on the door.
"What?!" he yells irritated.
The servant, knowing better than to open the door, says:"There are visitors for you, they insist it is a matter of the highest urgency."
"Who are they?'
"Gandalf, lord Elrond, king Thranduil, king Bard and a woman."
"What do they want?"
"They did not say."
"I am not receiving visitors now, give them a room or let them come back in a couple of days."
"I believe that is not possible, your highness."
"What do you mean, not possible?"
"They—eeeh—they are in your study, refusing to leave untill they see you."
Thorin is now raging and he jumps out of bed and pulls the door slightly open and sticks his head around it, careful not to open it too far to keep anyone from seeing Emma. "You let them in my study?!"
"It was not so much a matter of letting them, but more of the wizard refusing to be stopped by anyone, your highness." The servant says trembling, taken back by the king's outraged look.
Thorin looks back at Emma, who is now laying on her side, supporting her head with her hand, and the sheet only barely covering her.
"Then tell them to speak to Fili, he is acting king for now."
"I have informed them of that, but they are adament about speaking to you personally."
He sighs. "Put them in the throne room, tell them they have five minutes." Thorin says before slamming the door shut again.
He looks at Emma one more time with longing in his gaze, and then starts to get dressed.
"Thorin?'
"Yes?"
"Do you, eeeh, are you sure you don't want me to cover myself?"
"That would depend." He chuckles. "If you leave this room, I would prefer for you to be dressed, but if you stay here, I don't think you absolutely have to cover yourself."
She crooks an eyebrow. "You know what I mean. Do you want me to cover my face when others are around?"
He walks over to the bed and kisses her while cupping her face. "How can I deny the world the astonishing sight that is your face." He sighs.
She smiles, relieved to be rid of her vail, and watches him as he continues to get dressed
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Thorin stumps through the hallways, pulling his hands through his hair to make it look at least a little presentable and then enters the throne hall and sits on his throne. He looks at his guests and knows it is going to be a long afternoon.
"Right, now what is so urgent that you need to disturb me?"
Gandalf steps forward. "Thorin, may I introduce king Bard, king Thranduil, lord Elrond and Lady Eliana, eeeh, friend of lord Elrond."
"I know most of them; you know as well as I do that Elrond is even staying here, so get on with it."
"We are sorry to disturb you so soon after your marriage, but this matter can not wait."
"Yes, I was informed of that, now get on with it!" Thorin is really getting annoyed now.
"Would it perhaps be possible to speak somewhere more private than here, and with Balin present perhaps?"
"Fine." Thorin gruffs and turns to the servants. "Small meeting hall, food, Balin, Fili, Kili."
The servant bows and runs of, and Thorin gets up and stumps to the small meeting hall, expecting his guests to follow him. The small meeting hall is not exactly small, but it is private so no one can overhear them. He sits down and waves for his guests to do the same. Servants bring food and ale and Balin, Fili and Kili walk in and sit next to Thorin, who is now focussing on eating.
"How great to see you again Gandalf, king Thranduil, king Bard, lord Elrond, and miss-eeeh." Balin looks at Gandalf while Fili and Kili are joking and teasing their uncle.
"Balin,Fili, Kili, may I introduce lady Eliana, friend of lord Elrond."
"Lady Eliana. " Balin bows his head.
"So Gandalf, what is the purpose of this meeting?" Balin enquires.
"Well, as we discussed after the battle, lord Sauron is gaining in strength, building up armies, strengthening Angmar and Gundabad."
Balin nods while Thorin rolls his eyes, irritated that he is disturbed for yet another talk about Sauron.
"You also know that the kingdom of Melo's father lies next to Gundabad, and that he has allowed the lady of the Light to put protective spells around it so Sauron's armies can not enter our lands that way."
Balin nods again, the only one really paying attention, as Thorin is more focussed on his food and Fili and Kili keep poking his ribs and teasing him about his activities during his absence, forgetting the father of Thorin's wife is present and has elven hearing….
"Well, Melo's father is no longer allowing the lady to strengthen the spells, so our defence is getting weaker."
"You know, at the moment we do not have an army of sufficient strength to send warriors to our allies." Balin carefully says.
"I know." Gandalf nods
"Then why are you bothering me?" Thorin gruffs, pushing his nephew's elbows away.
"You see, Melo's father may have told Melo that he is not actually Emma's father, but he did not know whom her father was. But now that Elrond has made that known, Melo wrote to his father, whom consequently immediately forbade all elves from entering his kingdom."
Thorin is getting up. "Go talk to Melo then, this does not sound like anything I can help with."
"Please wait, Thorin. You personally might not be able to help, but we need your wife's help."
