By the time dinner was almost over Thorin was drunk without knowing how that happened. But the wine gave him courage. Or maybe it was stupidity he got. As Gynwyn went to excuse herself from the table he stumbled after her and caught up to her in the hall leading out to the area she had run to the night before. He grabbed her arm and before she could do anything he hauled her up onto his shoulder and carried her to the small clearing.
Ginwyn could not for the life of her recall the last time she had been so mortified. She screeched, yelled, banged her fist against his back, but to no avail. She called him all the names in Arda, but still he would not budge. He had to be drunk she concluded as he once again stumbled and she feared he would drop her on her face. When she realised where he was taking her she concluded that he had to have followed her the night before, how else would he know of her special place. That just infuriated her more and she continued her onslaught on his back.
'' Let me down you orc you foul evil vile goblin, son of a balrog, if you don't put me down this second I will throw in to mount doom and dance while you scream in pain''. Her tirade ended with a scream as she received a slap to her arse.
He tried to put her down gently, but due to his state her drop to the ground was harsh. She drew herself up to her full height and was ready to draw her blade if she had if with her.
'' THORIN OAKENSHIELD'' she was sure the entire valley had heard her by now. '' How dare you humiliate me like that, I ought to.. ought to...''
'' What? Try to kiss me in my sleep again?'' his speech was clear, despite the alcohol and his reflexes were surprisingly fast she realised as she went to hit him. He caught her by the arm and before she could retaliate he had her pinned on the ground. She was just about to carry on with her curses when she was silenced by his lips. The kiss was passionate and possessive. Ginwyn thought to refuse to respond to the kiss, but her body had a mind of its own. She kissed him back with all her might and felt his tongue slip past her lips to explore her mouth. She caressed her tongue with his and he responded by deepening the kiss. His hands left her arms from their hold and slid down her sides. One arm holding him above her while the other traced her side barely making contact with the side of her breast.
Eventually they had to come up for air and he reluctantly pulled away starring into her eyes. They burned with a fire he had never before seen and he thought it was the most beautiful sight in the world. She laid beneath him breathing hard, her chest rising and falling quickly. He had to fight a gasp as her chest touched his, she felt so warm. He almost forgot his reason for dragging her there. He decided that he might as well get it over with before she came to her senses. He leaned down and nibbed at her neck following with heated kisses trailing up to her ear, while whispering words of passion. Her breathing deepened and he continued.
'' So soft, like silk, such a precious jewel. To think I could have had the gift of your kisses years ago makes me feel like a fool. To think I denied one so special and beautiful makes me an idiot. I beg you of your forgiveness, though I do not deserve it.'' he continued to shower her with heated kisses making her thoughts cloudy. Her hands ran though his hair stroking it giving him more courage as his lips trailed to hers again in a deep kiss their tongues battleling for dominance.
'' I apologize for eavesdropping on your conversation with your brother, but I do not regret it. Never will I regret it for it let me to you in the end. I would bathe you in jewels in you would have me. I would worship you for the rest of my life if you would forgive me''. He whispered against her lips. His eyes burned with passion she felt rutted to the ground. A fire burned in her body from his kisses, his words and especially from his hand as it trailed to her neck and drew a lacy pattern upon her heated skin.
She had longed for those words, but now that they had been said she doubted them. She could smell the alcohol on him, on his breath, and she could not help, but fear that they were just the words spoken by a drunken man, or in this case drunken dwarf.
'' How do I know that you are sincere in your words? You are clearly drunk and you have never before even hinted to your feelings for me. How do I know that you will feel what you say tomorrow or the day after that?. How about when we take back Erebor, will you feel for me then?.'' she felt exposed having voiced her concerns.
'' I swear to you that they are sincere. If I ever fail to make you feel anything, but treasured by me, you have my permission to hit me, or any other punishment you deem fair. Is that agreeable to you''. He smiled down to her. She smiled in response and kissed him. This kiss was loving and full of passion, but before he could deepen it she pulled away.
'' Then you have my forgiveness. I will hold you to your word, but in the meanwhile, I think we should retire for the night. The others will be wondering where we are at this point''. He reluctantly agreed and the couple got up and made their way back to the rest of their company. As they walked back Ginwyn felt warm in her entire body from his confession, and more so when he slipped his hand around hers. As they came upon the others they were all asleep. Except one pair of eyes were not asleep, he observed the couple with a small smile on his lips. Thorin laid down on his bedroll and pulled her to his side as his arms caged her into his warm body.
He was asleep within minutes and Ginwyn couldn't help, but laugh at his intoxicated state. She let herself rest a little beside him, before returning to her own next morning as she came down to the breakfast table she received a knowing grin from Balin and she felt herself smile, feeling happy she sat down beside Thorin who sat at the head at the table. She smiled at him when he looked at her and he smiled in return. During the meal the dwarfs were their usual selves, laughing, teasing and just plain noisy. Balin and Thorin discussed the map while she listened intently. Apparently her ada would be able to read the map that night, which was very good considering that they needed to be on their way. The map was written in moon runes so it was luck that they would be able to read it already and not having to wait for months.
As breakfast came to an end she followed Thorin and Balin while the others went about exploring the valley. The two dwarfs had their concerns regarding letting Elrond read their map, but as Ginwyn pointed out he was their only option. Their came to a stop and could observe some of the others who had taken time to train. Balin walked a little away from them, but still within earshot. Ginwyn gathered her courage and asked Thorin about their night together.
'' Thorin... about last night'' she hesitated having gained his attention. '' I must know if you meant what you said?''
Thorin felt rather confused, what had he said late night. Ha had to gather his whits, he felt hangovered. Had he not felt as bad as he did he might have answered her differently, but alas he was just not that sharp.
'' What do you mean by last night? You must excuse me, I don't feel my usual self this morning''. He instantly regretted his words when he saw the thunderous look on her face. Even Balin who had heard the exchange had to cringe at his king.
'' YOU THORIN OAKENSHIELD ARE AN ORC'' with that she punched him in the face and stormed of. Thorin was utterly perplexed. He had to give it to her she really packed a mean punch. His musing were interrupted with the chuckling of his old friend. They had gained the attention of a few elves and those who had been training. Thorin had no care for any of them at the moment.
'' What happened Balin, why did she hit me?.''
'' I believe she hit you because the two of you came to a conclusion about your feelings for each-other last night, and now you seem to have forgotten. Not good behavior from a king lad.'' Balin replied amused. It all downed on Thorin and he flew after Ginwyn hoping to catch her before... well before she had a change of heart in regards to her feelings. Having a slight idea about where she could be he ran to the clearing he almost considered theirs. He came upon her in the clearing. She was pacing, uttering curses. She looked like a caged animal while cursing him to Mount doom. She stopped her pacing when she saw him, but he didn't let her tirade begin. He knew if she got started it would be along while before she ended. So with the same courage he had used when he faced the pale orc, he strode up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.
'' I did not forget what happened between us last night. I don't regret it, and I never will, I can assure you. Though this has happened so quickly I will give you my word that what I feel for you is real. Will you forgive me?... again''. He added with a small smile when he saw her lips pulling upwards.
'' I'm sorry for hitting you''. She confessed with a smile, to which he could only laugh saying that he had deserved it.
'' I gave you permission last night to do with me what you deemed fair if I failed to let you feel how much I care for you. So I guess that you were only using that privilege''.
He drew her to him then and encircled her in his strong arms. She felt safe in his embrace. Safe and at home. She felt warmth spread through her body as he kissed her. It was a tentative kiss, not the passionate kisses they had shared the night before, but it was no less loving.
'' So you remember all you said last night? Including the part where you called yourself an idiot?.''
'' Yes that part too''. He laughed kissing her again.
What did you think? Was it too fast? I have never written anything like this before, so I have no idea if I did a terrible job or not. I really hope it was to everyone liking. Next chapter they will continue on their journey, and it will be awhile before we see Estel again.