Chapter 12

A Time to Heal

Thorin healed slowly, but he healed. I never left his side. At night I would sleep beside him as a wolf and by day I would sit beside him a half-elf. One by one I told the other dwarves my heritage. Dwalin, was astounded. He did not care for the elves at all. He kept his distances from me as well as Oin and his brother Gloin. The dwarf who only spoke dwarvish would watch me carefully when I walked near his cousins The one with the amusing hat was Bofur and the large one was Bombur. Bofur did not have any problems with me, Bombur seemed uncertain. Fili was fine with me and treated me with kindness as he always had, and Kili already knew. The young artist named Ori was alright with me and wanted to draw me as a human as well. Dori, his older brother was very polite, but I knew he did not trust me entirely yet. Nori the middle brother did not speak to me, he watched me with a curious look upon his face.

One day after almost two weeks with my cousin Beorn, I removed the bandages. I smiled.

"You have healed."

He smiled small.

"Thanks only to you."

I smiled and I knew I blushed for he had an amused look on his face. I found myself looking at his chest. I tried to avert my eyes but I could not. Finally I shook my head.

"I need to excuse myself. I need to wash up."

In truth I had bathed earlier that day, but it was the only excuse that came to my mind. I was thankful he did not further the conversation. I want to the river, I had always bathed outside and preferred it. I folded my cloths and kept a hunting knife nearby. The water was warm from the sun and I dove under and resurfaced.

"If I am not mistaken…"

I jumped and turned to a wolf. It was Thorin.

"You are trying to avoid me."

I scowled at him.

How rude! I am practically naked here!

"Would you mind if I joined you?"

Beg your pardon?!

"I have not bathed in a while and well….."

I felt a little uncomfortable.

"You may remain a wolf if you wish."

I nodded my head and turned around. I heard him removing his cloths and then he entered the water. I felt a little bad, seeing as how he was naked and I was cowering in wolf form. I sighed and reverted.

I turned and looked at him. He was not looking at me. Suddenly feeling bold I went forward and lightly touched his arm. He stiffened and looked over his shoulder at me. I withdrew my hand.

"Forgive me I…"

"No, I was surprised."

I gave him a half-smile. His eyes lingered at the scar on my shoulder. I looked at it and sank below the water until only my head was above.

"That was what my uncle gave me." I said quietly.

I knew Thorin was not an open person. So when his hand went to my shoulder I looked up in surprised. He pulled me up a bit and traced the scar. I watched him carefully. Wondering where this was coming from. I covered his hand with my own and he looked at me.

"What are you doing?" I inquired.

"I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable." he said quickly.

"You did not answer the question." I said gently.

I began to release his hand, but he held onto mine.

"I was wondering what sort of a monster could have possibly done this to you. To you when you were a child." He said.

I smiled sadly.

"I am….accustom to it." I replied.

"You should not have to be."

As I looked back at him, there was something different in his eyes. He leaned forward slowly and I found myself moving closer to him. My free hand went to his chest and then to his shoulder. I could feel the warmth from his lips.

"Tell me to stop and I shall Vanmoriel.' He breathed.

I could not find my voice. My hands went limp against his strong chest and my eyes closed. His hand cupped my face and pulled me closer.

"Kiss me?" he asked.

I smiled and gently pressed my lips to his.

Thorin's POV

The second her soft warm lips were upon mine I wanted more. However I remained still, not wishing to do anything that may scare her. When she pulled back I opened my eyes. She looked at me and smiled.

"I must ask you something Vanmoriel."

She waited for me to continue.

"Your mother…..she gave her heart to your father…have you…"

I feared to ask this question. For I knew it will have doomed her if the answer was yes. I took a deep breath.

"Have you given yours to me?"

I stared into her eyes and she looked directly back at me.

"Yes…yes I have." she said.

My breath was stolen from me. I did not want for her to give up her immortality so that I was happy.

"Vanmoriel you cannot…."

The look on her face was one of pain.

"I am not rejecting you….." I said quickly.

Her smile returned but my own had faded.

"I do not want for you to give up your immortality for me."

One of her thin, delicate hands went to the side of my face.

"My immortality is a small price to pay to be with you. I would rather share one lifetime with you, then face all the ages of this world alone." She whispered.

My eyes widened and I gasped. This beautiful woman, would give up an immortal life for me. This woman who risked her life for mine and trusted me with who she was, knowing I hated her people.

"I choose a mortal life." she breathed.

That was it for me. I pulled her lips to mine and kissed her deeply.

Vanmoriel's POV

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. I wound my arms around his neck and returned the kiss.

Praise the Valar! I am no longer alone!

Tears of happiness ran down my cheeks and Thorin pulled away.

"Why is it you cry?"

I smiled.

"No one has ever cared for me like this."

He smiled a little and pulled me back into his arms.

"I will always be here with you. And so long as you are by my side I shall never leave you and none shall ever harm you or treat you poorly again. I make this promise to you now Vanmoriel. I will always care for you, protect you, help you. Until the end of my days." he said.

I smiled and buried my face in the crook of his neck.

"Hannon le meleth nin. Gerich veleth nin."