A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter! It was a tough one and took a while to write. The song Rhae sings is another by Loreena McKennitt, Never-Ending Road. Its so beautiful. I have used a quote from Richard Armitage during Thorin's talk with Rhae and part of a poem from Pablo Neruda. There are also some words in Khuzdul here (in bold italics); thanks to some Google searching and The Dwarrow Scholar's amazing dictionary for those. Please let me know if anything doesn't seem right; any thoughts are always helpful! Thank you for all the new followers!
Just4Me: I debated on having Fíli do that but I've always thought he was a very honorable guy. He's made his decision and he wants his uncle to have some happiness. He sacrifices for his family; you see it when the dwarves are leaving Lake-Town as you know he wants to go to the mountain but won't leave his brother. I hope it seemed in-character.
All credit to Tolkien and PJ (and the wonderful actors who brought these characters to life on screen).
Beorn agreed to let them rest at his house for ten days and to provide them with provisions and ponies to take them to the edge of the forest. The sense of relief was palpable. The tension and suspicion the dwarves had carried while they were in Rivendell was completely absent at Beorn's and they were able to truly relax. They were comfortable here. Rhae was equally as glad for the respite. They were exhausted, hungry, and injured; they would feel almost like new again after a week under the care of Beorn and his animals.
The company filled the day as they might have back in the Blue Mountains. Many took turns sparring, weapons were cleaned and sharpened. Bifur worked at another small piece of wood and Oin began refilling his bag with all the herbs they might need on the rest of their journey. For the first time in quite a while Rhae heard the sound of laughter and joking among the dwarves. She took part in some of the sparring but spent most of the day simply laying in the soft grass, enjoying the view and company. It had been a long, long time since she had time to simply do nothing. The sun was warm and the grass comfortable and she felt herself drifting in that pleasant place between sleep and awake, the sounds of the dwarves mixing with the buzzing of Beorn's bees. It was a wonderful feeling. Their host was absent all day and Gandalf came and went to only he knew where. Beorn still had not returned at suppertime though another meal had been prepared and laid out by his helpers. Rhae didn't think she would ever be able to stop staring at the strange abilities of these creatures. After only a short time by the massive fireplace the company fell into comfortable slumber on beds prepared for them by those same animals.
The morning dawned and Rhae opened her eyes to find the same sheep staring at her.
"Is there something you need, my friend?" she asked amused.
"She is merely checking on you. Being the only female in the group she took it as her duty to make sure you were well at all times." Rhae turned to see Beorn sitting in his chair at the table. She quickly joined him and he poured her a mug of fresh milk, pushing a plate of bread towards her. Covering a slice with butter and honey she sat in bliss, enjoying the fresh food and the comfort of her surroundings.
"We did not see you at all yesterday."
"I traveled to check on the truth of your wizard's story. I have found it all to be true." Rhae continued eating in silence, waiting to see what else the skin-changer wanted to say. "I also came across a scout for your pursuers trying to cross into my lands." Her eyebrow shot up at this. "They are indeed after Oakenshield and so I am more determined than ever to help you."
"Dare I ask what became of the trespasser?"
A deep chuckle echoed in his massive chest. "He will not be stepping on my land again." He nodded towards the window. She got up and peered out, not sure what she was supposed to be looking for until she spotted something at Beorn's gate.
"Your new decorations suit my tastes perfectly," she told him with a grin. Giving the orc and warg heads that were on pikes a last glance, she returned to the table to enjoy the last of her meal. He laughed again.
"Is there anything you need, descendant of Isildur?"
She thought for several moments. "I know you do not hunt but I could use supplies to make more arrows. Most of mine were lost in the goblin tunnels. I don't want to enter the forest unprepared."
"You shall have it. Please let me know if there is anything you need while you are here."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Beorn. It is greatly appreciated."
That day passed much as the one before with the exception of their host actually being around. True to his word, Beorn had wood and feathers brought to Rhae so she could start her work. She called Kíli to her, knowing he needed arrows as much as she did and they sat in shade while the other dwarves once again sparred with each other. She was eventually convinced to join in and had a couple of good matches against Bofur and Dori, beating the first and coming close with the second. Oin checked the stitches on her arm, making sure no infection had set in, and re-wrapped it with a fresh bandage.
They were again served their supper, enjoying Beorn's tales of the wild lands though his stories of Mirkwood were worrisome. Afterward the company relaxed around the fireplace. Many of the dwarves were gently puffing on their pipes, enjoying the safety their host provided. Gandalf and Bilbo were playing chess at Beorn's massive game board. Thorin sat with the Fundin brothers and Beorn, occasionally discussing what they needed for the continuation of their journey. Rhae was half in the shadows off to the side of the fire, her eyes closed as she sat with her back against a large post, listening to the comforting sounds around her.
"Would you sing for us again, Rhae?" Kíli suddenly asked. She slowly dragged her eyes open and peered at where the brunette prince was stretched out on the floor, hands behind his head. A few of the others added their support to Kíli's request.
"Only if the rest of you will play for me as well." They quickly agreed and the few instruments that had survived the goblins were brought out. As before, they listened for a moment before adding their music to her song. Only one came to mind and she knew it was the right time to sing it.
The road now leads onward
As far as can be
Winding lanes
And hedgerows in threes
By purple mountains
And round every bend
All roads lead to you
There is no journey's end.
Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land.
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands.
The dwarves glanced at each other as the words to her song sank in. The few that had wives back in the Blue Mountains became a bit misty eyed. The others, however, looked at their leader to see his reaction and found him with his eyes locked on the Ranger, an unreadable expression on his face. Rhae dared only one peek at him and almost lost her voice when she did.
Deep in the winter
Amidst falling snow
High in the air
Where the bells they all toll
And now all around me
I feel you still here
Such is the journey
No mystery to fear.
Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land.
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands.
The road now leads onward
And I know not where
I feel in my heart
That you will be there
Whenever a storm comes
Whatever our fears
The journey goes on
As your love ever nears.
Here is my heart and I give it to you.
Take me with you across this land.
These are my dreams, so simple and few.
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands.
She hadn't realized she'd closed her eyes until she was opening them. Everyone was staring at her and there were a few with suspiciously damp cheeks above their beards. A couple were looking at her knowingly; that song hadn't been just a whim and they knew what it meant. No one spoke. Even Beorn seemed frozen in place watching her.
"That was beautiful, lass," Bofur said softly.
"Thank you. Its the last song I remember my mother singing to my father before she died."
Bofur reached over and patted her on the hand. "You sure know how to reach in and grab a fellow's heart." She ducked her head with a slight blush on her cheeks. There wasn't anything else to be said and the dwarves took up their instruments again, playing a light-hearted tune quietly. Rhae felt someone watching her. She knew who it was and she was captured by his searing gaze as soon as she looked up.
By the time Rhae had finished her song, Thorin felt like he couldn't breathe. His heart was pounding and his hands were trembling. He couldn't take his eyes from her as she sang, the firelight glowing on her face and hair. And when she looked up and met his gaze it seemed like time stood still. Everything else disappeared around them. Only a low rumble from Beorn pulled him back.
"If you love and desire her you had best make your claim. I believe there is another who would gladly step in though I am sure her heart is safely yours." He jerked at the skin-changer's words, glancing at where Fíli was watching Rhae laughing at something Bofur was telling her. The longing was clear on his face. Thorin had suspected his nephew harbored stronger feelings for the Ranger than he admitted. Dwalin had warned him of it as well but he'd continued to ignore it as he had continued to deny his own feelings. He came to his feet; his decision was made. He couldn't deny anything any longer.
"Rhae, can I speak with you?"
His words silenced the room. Rhae felt all their eyes on her as she nodded and followed him outside. There was an uncontrollable flutter inside her, making it a bit hard to take a breath as she walked from the house with him. When he finally stopped he remained facing forward, not looking at her for several moments. She was content to remain silent until he gathered his thoughts.
"I know you have not had the highest opinion of me, especially at the beginning of this quest. I cannot blame you for that considering our past and how I spoke to you for so long. I did not treat you as I should and I am sorry for that."
"It is in the past, Thorin, and forgiven." Her soft words seemed to give him the confidence needed to continue.
"What will you do once the quest is over?" The question surprised her.
"I suppose I'll return to my post outside the Shire." There was uncertainty but no joy in what she said. "Returning to that solitary life is not as appealing as I once imagined."
"Why is that?"
She smiled at him. "This company has become my family. I have found a contentment among you that I never knew I was missing. The thought of leaving is ... well, it is painful."
"Would you stay? If you could?"
"In Erebor?" He nodded. "I don't know. I have never considered that. Wouldn't I always been seen as an outsider?" He was quiet again for a while.
"Have you ever been in love, Rhae?" His question was spoken so low she had to lean in to hear him and her heart jumped when she caught his words. All she could do was shake her head. "I used to think love was useless and made one weak, vulnerable. I was wrong. It's enlivening. It's a life-force. It's everything. It lives in your blood and makes your blood boil. It makes you angry and it makes you sad. It takes away from you and gives to you. It feeds and energizes you. It's all of those things. It is something I never expected to feel - until I saw you standing on the Carrock, bruised and battered from helping and defending me. I could no longer deny how I felt." He took her hands in his, the warmth from his touch spreading outward. It felt like her heart was going to beat its way out of her chest. She was lost in his blue eyes and only registered a sense of utter joy spreading within her.
"Without the machinations of a wizard our paths may never have crossed but I'd like to think I would still have found you. Ever since I saw you on that boulder, revealed for who you truly are, I've been fighting a losing battle with myself." He took a deep breath and squeezed her hands. "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straight forwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this."
Rhae opened her mouth to say something, to answer him somehow, but found she couldn't speak. She didn't know there were tears on her cheeks until he gently wiped them away.
"You are my other half, Rhaella, my One. I am only complete with you. Please tell me I am not alone in these feelings, that there is hope you might accept me. Men lananubukhs menu." The slight tremor of vulnerability in his voice was her undoing and she threw caution to the wind, finally letting her heart triumph.
"I love you, Thorin," she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. It took a heartbeat for her declaration to sink in and when it did he clasped her tightly to him, glad no one could witness the few tears of joy that escaped onto his cheeks. He could smell the comforting lavender in her hair, knowing it would remain one of his favorite scents. After a while he moved a bit, tipping her face up and lowering his lips to hers. He managed to keep himself in check until she moaned softly and pressed herself tight against him. The touch of her body ignited what he'd been clinging to control. He deepened their kiss before allowing his lips to trail down to her jaw line and then the smooth column of her neck. He kept one hand in her hair while the other slid to her lower back, all in an effort to keep her close to him. She was trembling and he reveled in his affect on her. The desire to claim her then and there was almost overpowering and he forced himself to break the kiss, placing his forehead against hers.
"Marry me."
She almost whimpered when he took his lips from her skin. She couldn't breathe. All she knew was she was on fire and didn't want him to stop. However his urgent words, spoken in that low velvety voice, jerked her from the fog she was in. Those blue eyes were full of emotion when she looked at him in surprise.
"Marry me, Rhaella. Be my wife. I want you beside me as Queen Under the Mountain."
She stared at him in shock. Wife? Queen? Happiness flooded her body even while she tried to think rationally.
"But I'm just a human, a Ranger. Would your people even accept me?"
"When Erebor is reclaimed and I'm King Under the Mountain it will not matter what they think. I will have the woman I love at my side as my wife and queen." He recalled Balin's words. "You already have the full acceptance of the company and they would gladly call you their Queen. Their words will carry great weight with our people." She pondered his words for several moments. To be Queen Under the Mountain? The idea frightened her a bit. She'd rarely even imagined marriage in her future; to be Queen of a race not her own was even more of a shock. But the alternative if she denied the truth in her heart? If she said no? Returning to her duties guarding the Shire - alone. She had her answer with that thought. Their destinies were sealed.
"I will marry you, Thorin."
The smile he gave her washed away the last remnants of her nervousness. His smile completely transformed his face and her heart melted. He ran a hand through her hair before cupping her chin and pulling her to him for another kiss. This one was different from the one before, achingly tender and loving. She sighed into it, thoroughly enjoying being wrapped in his arms.
"If we were in Erebor there would be a formal announcement followed by many feasts during a lengthy betrothal period." She looked at him, puzzled as to where he was talking about. "However, as we're in slightly different circumstances, would you ... would you be willing to marry me now?" She could hear the unmistakable nervousness behind his words.
Reaching up she ran her fingers through his beard. "I will be honored to marry you whenever you want but what about all those things you just mentioned? I know how important traditions are to dwarves."
"I can't say I'd be sad to skip all those rituals. I never thought they were anything more than a way for the two families to parade themselves and their wealth before the other." Rhae giggled.
"Then whenever you desire, I'll be by your side." Thorin grasped her up in a tight embrace, lifting her off her feet. Then, resembling a small child eager to get to a table of sweets, he grabbed her hand and hurried her back to Beorn's house.
The company was still up when they returned but that wasn't surprising. She knew they would be considering the way Thorin had sounded when they left; none of them wanted to miss the outcome of whatever happened between their King and Ranger. The Fundins were sitting next to Beorn and Gandalf when Thorin pulled her over to the small group. Balin saw them coming and knew what had happened just by the expression on the younger dwarf's face.
"Balin, you know the words to the marriage ceremony do you not?" The other dwarf nodded. "Would you marry us tonight?"
"Tonight?!" Rhae squeaked in shock. The brothers and Beorn stared at him with wide eyes while Gandalf chuckled, a pleased look in his eye and continued puffing thoughtfully on his pipe.
"Is that too soon?" Thorin seemed slightly crestfallen.
"I'd at least like some time to wash my clothes so I don't have to get married in a dirty, torn tunic," Rhae said with an amused smile. She had never seen him in such a mood, though the happiness that shone on his face was endearing.
"Tomorrow?"
Balin nodded after a moment of thought. "That will give us enough time to explain the ceremony to Rhae and prepare at least a little something in way of a celebration." He looked on Thorin proudly, having never thought to see his king find someone to love. "Tomorrow at sunset, then."
"What are the lot of you planning over there?" Bofur called from his spot near the fire. "Didn't anyone ever tell you its not nice to keep secrets?"
"Rhae has agreed to marry me tomorrow." She stifled a laugh when she noticed how puffed up with happiness and pride Thorin seemed.
"Well its about bloody time," Nori quipped.
The cheeks of both King and Ranger were red as the company laughed.
After everyone had dropped off to sleep, the dwarf king and skin-changer remained in their seats, a thoughtful but not uncomfortable silence between them. Beorn gazed at Thorin over his pipe.
"Rhaella is not an ornament meant to be won and then displayed as a trophy. You seem to truly love her and I hope that is so. She comes from a long, honorable line and deserves to be treated with respect. I believe your kind's culture will honor her much more than her own race ever would."
"I would never treat her as a play thing. There is so much hidden behind those brown eyes, so much more to her than just a pretty face. I think I've loved her since the first moment I realized she was a female. I would give my life for her."
The skin-changer's eyebrows shot up. "When you first knew her you did not know she was a woman?" Thorin chuckled and proceeded to tell Beorn about the circumstances of their meeting. The skin-changer laughed at the end of the tale with an amused shake of his head. "She is strong. She will need to be to face what you will face in that mountain."
"I will protect her with all that I have."
"You will need to. As you are hunted so is she but by something much darker and much more powerful than the Defiler." Beorn's golden eyes became hard. "Battles are coming, Thorin Oakenshield. Remember that you will be stronger together."
Thorin and Rhae stood facing each other in the light of the setting sun, Balin in front of them, the company and Beorn in a semi circle behind them. Rhae didn't know how it was possible that she was standing there, about to be wed to Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain, but she silently blessed and thanked whoever was responsible. There was no nervousness. She knew she was where she belonged. The company had been quite enthusiastic in their congratulations and their desire to provide some kind of celebration. She had been pulled aside to have a lesson, not only in what would happen during their ceremony, but also in some of what would be expected of her once Erebor was reclaimed and she was Queen. It had been a lot to absorb but she took it to heart. Balin smiled at them both as he started the ceremony that would bind them together.
"Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life it has its cycles, its up and downs, its trials and triumphs. With full understanding of this Thorin and Rhaella have come here today to be joined as one. As a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I simply ask if she comes here of her own free will." He looked at her with a gentle smile. "Rhaella, is it true you come of your own free will and accord?"
"Yes, it is true."
"With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?"
"She comes with us and has the whole company's blessing," Bifur said in Khuzdul and Bofur translated. Rhae had picked them to stand near her in the place of her father. They had shown her such acceptance and support throughout their journey.
"Please join hands and listen to what I am about to say." Thorin clasped Rhae's hands, which were trembling slightly, and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass remember...Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of your love and desire make you happy and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Possess one another yet be understanding. Be close but not too close. Have patience with one another for storms will come but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear for the Gods are with you always." Balin turned to Thorin. The look on his face was as a father would look at his son on such a day and Rhae was glad he was the one to join them.
"Thorin, I have not the right to bind thee to Rhaella, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."
"It is my wish." Thorin's voice cracked as he said the words and his hands were shaking as he took the ring from the tip of the sword Dwalin held out to him. Rhae had been speechless when she discovered that Bifur had carved two rings out of wood for them, dwarven patterns and runes picked out in detail. He had been working on them for some time, apparently seeing something they had been too stubborn to realize until now. Thorin placed it in her hand and gently wrapped her fingers around it.
"Rhaella, I have not the right to bind thee to Thorin, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand." She eased the second ring from the tip of the sword and it placed it in Thorin's open palm, closing his hand around it.
"It is my wish."
"Thorin as it is your wish for Rhaella to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger and repeat after me..." He slipped the wooden ring on her finger and captured her gaze with ice blue eyes full of more love than she'd ever thought possible. A shiver went down her spine as she heard the words that would bind them together spoken in Thorin's deep, velvety voice.
"I Thorin, by the life that courses through my blood and the love that resides in my heart, take thee Rhaella to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen One. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee, without shame for it cannot exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and without restraint, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee and thy ways as I respect myself."
It was her turn and she slipped the ring onto Thorin's finger, never looking away from him as she repeated the same words. "I Rhaella, by the life that courses through my blood and the love that resides in my heart, take thee Thorin to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen One. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee, without shame for it cannot exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and without restraint, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee and thy ways as I respect myself." Rhae tried to fight it but she began crying as she said the words.
"Thorin, it is time for you to place a braid in your bride's hair as another sign that the two of you are joined." She stood still as his fingers deftly wove a plait on each side of her head and placed a bead at the end of each.
"One braid shows that you are the wife of Thorin Oakenshield and the other marks you as a member of our family," he told her softly, letting his hand run down the length of her unbound hair.
"Finally, there is one vow left and you will repeat it together..." He once again took her hands, pulling her closer to him as their voices blended together.
"I pledge my love to you and everything that I own. I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from my cup. I pledge that your name will always be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night. I promise to honor you above all others. Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forever more, equals in our marriage. This is my wedding vow to you."
"It is my joy to announce that you are husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you," Balin finished, getting a bit choked up on the words. As soon as the words were out of the elderly dwarf's mouth Thorin crushed her to him and claimed her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless and the company cheering around them. After a moment he laid his forehead against hers.
"Men lananubukhs menu Rhae."
"I think you're going to have to start teaching me some Khuzdul, my lord," she replied cheekily.
"And so I shall. As Queen Under the Mountain you will need to know our language." He ran a hand down one of the braids he'd placed in her hair. "It means 'I love you.'"
After running the words through her head a few times she attempted the phrase herself, earning a soft chuckle from Thorin.
"Not bad for your first attempt, marlûna." He laughed again at her raised eyebrow. "Basically, lady love."
"Come on, you two! There's mead calling our names!" Bofur jokingly scolded.
The ceremony and then celebration were simple but Rhae wouldn't have wanted it any different. Her friends - now family - were there, the honey mead was delicious, and the merry music the dwarves played around the fire was all she required. While she and Thorin only drank a little of the mead, everyone else consumed mug after mug. The later it got, the more slurred they became. Dwarves were fun to be around anytime, drunk they were a hysterical riot.
"I hope Beorn has something for the pain they'll be feeling in the morning," she whispered in Thorin's ear. He laughed as he twirled her around in a dance. She'd been quite surprised to find out how well he could dance, never once expecting it. It wasn't long after that when she noticed the dwarves were starting to nod off, some right where they sat. Bilbo had long since retreated to his little corner and Gandalf had once again disappeared with Beorn. Rhae watched as they dropped off one by one, feeling somewhat relieved. She knew Thorin would take her upstairs at any time and the thought of climbing the stairs with everyone watching had made her somewhat uncomfortable.
When only Dwalin was left upright, Thorin held his hand out to her. It had been hard to restrain himself from whisking her away as soon as the ceremony was complete but he also didn't relish the thought of all those eyes on him as he lead his bride to their marriage bed. Beorn had surprised them both when he'd said his animals had prepared the bedchamber upstairs for them. Thorin hadn't even noticed there was another level to the house until it was mentioned. As they neared the stairs he scooped her into his arms, carrying her easily up the steps and into the room, kicking the door closed behind them.
The space was dominated by the enormous hand carved bed. His well trained eye noticed the detail in the intricate designs. Beorn was truly a master craftsman. Rhae stepped over to look out the one window, kicking off her boots and dropping her bracers on top of them as she walked. Thorin took that moment to just stare at his wife. His wife! It still seemed too good to be true. He'd never thought to take a wife, content to let his nephew follow after him as king, but then she'd landed in front of him, brown eyes blazing with challenge and everything had changed. He eyed her as she was silhouetted against the window. Rhae wasn't dressed any different than any other day during their journey but she seemed infinitely more beautiful to him right then. He had apologized to her earlier in the day about the lack of real wedding attire but she'd only laughed, telling him she was much more comfortable this way. Thorin believed it; he couldn't think of any other female that would spend the morning of her wedding washing and mending a travel worn tunic and leather jerkin to wear in the ceremony. She had left her hair loose, knowing he would be placing braids in it during the ceremony, and it now shimmered in the soft glow from the candles around the room. The desire to feel her hair beneath his fingertips finally spurred him to move. Stepping up behind her he ran his fingers through the brown cascading down her back before wrapping his arms around her and burying his face where her hair covered her shoulder.
"I've always loved the smell of your hair," he murmured.
"What?" There was genuine surprise in her voice.
"It was one of the first things I noticed. The scent of lavender was always around you. I found it very comforting."
"My mother made lavender soap and I learned how so I could have that reminder of her." He turned her to face him, fingering the new braids framing her face.
"Would they have approved? Of our marriage?"
"Without a doubt. They were good parents and always wanted me to be happy. They didn't believe in arranged marriages, though it is something that even the Dunedain do occasionally." A mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes. "What parents would object to their daughter marrying a king?"
He laughed, then quickly grew serious.
"I'm not much more than a blacksmith right now, with nothing to offer you should this quest fail."
"Nothing to offer me? You offered your heart, your love, and I desire nothing more than that. We could abandon this quest tomorrow and I would gladly return to the Blue Mountains with you. Gold and power are not important to me. The only thing I want is to be with you, no matter the circumstances."
He crushed his lips to hers, her words a needed balm to his vulnerable heart. Fire shot through his veins when he felt her tugging his belt loose. He began pulling her back towards the bed, unfastening her belt as well as the clasps on the front of her jerkin. As those fell to the floor he felt her working at his outer layers of clothing. He looked down, eager to help and that's when he noticed her hands were shaking.
"Rhae?" His voice was gentle, pressing one of his hands against hers to still them. She didn't answer and he tipped her head up. There was uncertainty and a hint of fear in her brown eyes. "What is wrong, amrâlimê? Are you afraid?"
"No. Its just, you will think me incredibly naive -"
"I'd never think that."
"I'm not afraid of what will happen, I'm just worried I will disappoint you as - as I have no previous experience in...in these matters."
"You could never disappoint me. Why would -" He froze as her words sunk in. She had lowered her head again and he again tipped her chin up, meeting her eyes. "Rhae, are you saying you've never...never been with a man?"
She shook her head, biting her lip nervously. He seemed a bit surprised and she smirked. "I was a bit too busy learning how to beat a man in battle to find time to lay with one." The fact she'd never engaged in any intimate relationships had never bothered her. But now she was worried he would find her lacking. He read her thoughts just by the expression on her face and clasped her to him, placing a loving kiss on her forehead.
"I love you, Rhae, and you could never disappoint me. Do not worry so." She met his eyes and nodded, returning her fingers to his outer doublet. After removing that there was his brigandine to dispose of.
"Must you wear so many layers?" she teased. He chuckled low in his chest and helped her untie the laces at the sides, allowing him to yank it over his head. He let it fall to the floor. Pulling her against him again he marveled at what a difference removing a few layers of clothing made. Through the thin fabric of her tunic he could finally feel the curves of her body under his hands, curves he'd been aching to explore for weeks. Now they were all his, only his. Without the leather jerkin it was clear how petite she truly was, though he knew her small stature was quite deceptive. He'd seen many times the strength and flexibility that body held.
Rhae let her hands roam over his arms and chest, thrilling at the muscles under her fingers. He was as solid as the stone it was said dwarves were made from. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, his scent was intoxicating. She barely registered when he lifted her into his arms and lowered her gently onto the bed. She'd enjoyed the feeling of his weight on her after that first sparring match but this was so much better. Sliding her hands in the open neck of his tunic, she met his eyes as he made a slight growling sound in his throat.
"Do you trust me?" he whispered.
"Completely."
His lips claimed hers in a passionate kiss. There was no more conversation between them, the candles in the room slowly burning out unnoticed.
A/N #2: The vows are slightly modified from Celtic and Pagan wedding vows. I really loved the words and I hope they sounded appropriate.
Revised/Edited April 2016