Chapter 12

The nights of their journey were difficult Frerin often had nightmares Thorin and Edda had taken to sleeping with him between them. Edda would stroke the young dwarf's hair and Thorin would whisper encouraging words to him. During the day Thorin was almost silent Edda knew he was in a deep despair over what had happened to his home, luckily part of her training as a healer had been for afflictions of the mind as well as the body. She gave Thorin comfort through her silent presence she made sure she was always within hands reach of him.

"No run Edda!" Thorin jerked awake from his nightmare Edda was looking at him a worried expression on her face. He wiped his brow there was sweat running down into his eyes, she reached her hand across and took his he bowed his head.

"It's alright my love I am safe we are safe," she whispered to avoid waking Frerin who was nearby as usual.

Thorin sat up and Edda rose and sat beside him they leant together for some time under the stars arms around each other.

"I fear I will never feel that those I care for are safe again my princess." Thorin's voice had deepened and was hoarse with unshed tears and the pain of his people. He had indeed dreamt that the dragon had caught up with them and sought to kill Frerin and Edda, he knew he could not bear to lose either of them. Edda snuggled further into Thorin's hold and placed her head against his heart, Thorin held her and stroked her soft auburn curls feeling them entwine with his fingers just as his soul was entwined with hers.

"Time will bring new hope my love and you will feel joy again, but for now it is a time for grief and this you must allow yourself. I am here and your family are safe you have lost much but not all Thorin."

Thorin leant his face towards Edda and they kissed slow and deep his arms wrapped around her, her hands clasped around his neck. Edda could feel her passion rising as Thorin's breathing grew more ragged and his kisses more demanding. After some time they disengaged both breathing heavily and lay once more in each other's arms Thorin finally falling into a more peaceful sleep. Edda lay for some time on Thorin's wolf skin jacket warmed by his body, she hoped that she could be enough for him now that he had lost his kingdom. She had watched him in his pain and anger and feared that it may change him beyond her help.

The next morning Frerin rose and seemed more relaxed than he had been Edda sighed happily the resilience of youth had worked its magic on the dwarfling.

"Come on big brother let's get moving you are slower than a ninety year old bargeman today," Frerin teased grinning at Thorin.

"Why you ... little demon I will show you slow," Thorin yelled chasing down the youngster and throwing him over his shoulder.

Edda laughed to see the brothers in high spirits for a moment, it was good that Frerin had come he was always able to cheer his brother and now they needed each other more than ever.

That night Thorin and Edda slipped a little away from the main party and spent the night holding each other tightly, frequent kisses and caresses filled their night and soft whispers as well. Thorin himself was still very young for a dwarf and he needed the love that Edda offered intensely. The next day the dwarves reached a small town on the edge of The Anduin river using the coins Edda was carrying they were able to stay in the King's Head the town's only inn.

"Here my love tonight you can bathe and we will be back in your father's realm in the next week."

"Thorin will you stay?" she asked looking straight into his eyes challenging him.

"Edda I cannot we are not wed as yet and I would not besmirch your honour," Thorin had hesitated before answering.

"It is my honour Thorin son of Thrain to besmirch as I wish!" She stated hands on hips.

"My lady I will see you at dinner," Thorin bowed backing out his eyes remaining on Edda as she seriously thought about throwing something at him.

The dwarf's meal was more subdued than their usual raucous behaviour for which the landlord was quite grateful. Still they ate and drank and made some merry jests until finally Thorin sent them off to bed and headed to his own room. Frerin was sleeping tonight in the room with several other of the young dwarves who wished to spend some time playing games. Thorin had agreed as he was used to sleeping on his own and looked forward to a good night's sleep, although with Edda's earlier request he wondered if he would sleep at all. It was sometime past midnight when he heard a soft knock at his door, Thorin rose and cautiously opened it stepping back as Edda pushed past him and clambered into his bed.

"Princess what are you doing?" Thorin thought perhaps a reminder of her status would be a good idea.

"Thorin please just come here," she held out her hand to him pleading with her eyes.

"We cannot know what the future will bring we have discovered that of late, now I would be with you. If all had as it should we would be wedded in a month with all of our peoples rejoicing. As things stand we are here together now and you are mine Thorin and I would be yours this night."

Thorin had moved towards her as she spoke taking her hand he joined her in the bed soon they lay together and he buried his face in her soft sweet smelling hair. She brought her face to his and kissed him their lips melding together as well as their bodies. Thorin could feel the heat rising between them and with Edda's insistence he removed his nightshirt. Edda ran her hands up his muscular body revelling in the feel of arms, chest, thighs, he was beautiful in every way to her and she could finally touch, kiss and stroke every part of him.

"Oh my love sweet Edda you have undone me," Thorin whispered as he revelled in the feel of her kissing and touching him until he felt he may not bear it.

As she strove to be closer to him wishing she could climb inside his bones she threw off her nightdress and Thorin looked fully at her as the moon shone through the window. He had held back as much as he could but no longer, he pulled her to him fiercely feeling her softness pressed against him. She gloried in his passion both swept along he took a smooth breast in his mouth kissing and licking as she arched with pleasure. His hardness was pressing into her thigh and she reached down to touch the heat radiating from it was intense and she longed to feel this part of him. Thorin moaned in delight as she felt and stroked his manhood he had never known another lover and this was beyond his expectations.

Soon she too wished to be touched and pressed Thorin's hands down she shivered as he touched her most intimate places and spoke his name over and over. Dwarves are a thorough and patient race with all things even lovemaking, but both were overcome and could wait not a moment more. Thorin ever so gently with a restraint that he was hard pressed to maintain joined with his love completely. Edda was not so restrained and pulled Thorin hard to her crying out as she felt herself carried away with sheer ecstasy. Thorin soon found he could no longer hold back, and with his release he also let out a sound of pure pleasure before letting himself fall gently forward and press his forehead to Edda's as both gasped with exertion.

Thorin looked up and kissed his beloved languidly before withdrawing to lie beside her, Edda made a small kittenish sound and pressed up against Thorin. Soon both were asleep utterly spent and content with one another.

Well lemony love for you my darlings, but be warned life will not be all peaches from here.