Lailah made several steps back until her back pressed against the wooden door.
"That's not true! You're a liar!" she replied in utter shock.
Thranduil's eyes narrowed. "You are truly beautiful but yet you still have the mind of a bastard. Only a bastard could be so disrespectful towards a King. You imply I am lying?"
Anger crept up in her as she stepped closer to him again. "If you are my uncle why do you say such cruel things? I'm not a bastard! I am the daughter of Rhaego and Lianna! They loved each other! What could be so wrong about that?" she hissed.
The door opened before the elf-king could reply and Thorin entered with a little box in his hand. He sensed a very tensed atmosphere but decided not to intervene. One look at Lailah and he saw she was very angry and quite shocked.
"Here you go," he handed Thranduil the box, "the feast begins at sunset. We'll send someone to pick you up and guide you to the dinner hall. Now, excuse us, there are still some important duties for both of us"
Thranduil nodded and turned away from them, ignored the icy glare of the girl. Thorin took Lailah's hand and left the room with her.
They walked silently along the hallway, Lailah still angry and taken aback.
"What happened?" he asked once they reached her room. She sighed and entered the room, Thorin followed confused.
"He is exactly like my mother had told me! A creepy racist! He called me a beautiful but disrespectful bastard!"
"He did what?" Never had the prince felt so much rage before.
"He-he also said that-that he's my uncle. My mother was his sister. I still can't believe it!"
"Oh, I'll give him hell!" Thorin growled and was on his way to the door but Lailah stopped him.
"No! You can't do that! He's your grandfather's guest. Please, this might be..." she fell silent.
Thorin stepped closer. "Might be-what?" he asked and took her hands in his.
"This might be the last feast your grandfather will be able to take place in, Thorin" she whispered, tried to hold back hot tears.
"What? I don't understand" he watched her concerned.
"Haven't you noticed it, yet? Thorin, your grandfather is old and sick-"
"He's not sick..." Thorin mumbled but she could see he knew exactly what she was talking about. Without any more words she pulled him into her arms.
"Let's not bother him with my problems" she whispered and caressed the back of his head.
"I will keep an eye on Thranduil. When I see him threatening you again I will kill him with my very own hands" he grumbled.
Lailah chuckled. "You could also try and kill him with Loyalty, Honor and Willing Heart"
He grinned. "What?"
She stepped away from him and took her two daggers. "That one's named 'Loyalty, Honor' and that one's named 'Willing Heart'"
Thorin chuckled, took the daggers and placed them on the desk again. He pulled her closer and suddenly scooped her up on his arms.
"Th-Thorin! What are you doing?" she laughed and giggled as he let himself fall on the bed with her landing on top of him. They broke out in laughter.
"I-I thought there are-duties" she managed to say.
"There are. My main duty is to make you happy and you see, you're laughing again" he replied and captured her lips in a kiss.
She shifted a little to be able to stroke his belly again.
"Mmmmh...seems you really grow to like my muscles" he teased her a little.
Lailah giggled and blushed. "Maybe a little..." She placed her head on his chest, listened to his fast beating heart. "Are you excited?" she whispered.
"Mmmh, yes, a bit" he replied and she felt a shiver running down her spine as she heard his deep voice rumbling in his chest, vibrating against her ear.
"Why are you excited?"
He chuckled. "I'm in bed with the most beautiful woman of Middle Earth! I'd be a fool if I wouldn't be excited about that"
He placed his arms around her, held her tight on top of him. Lailah enjoyed their bodycontact. Meaningful but yet still so innocent.
"Thorin?"
"Mmmh?"
"We will always be together, right?"
"Aye, of course, we will" he stroked her hair and smiled at her. She watched him for a second before she suddenly grabbed his goatie and pulled him into a deep kiss. And for the first time she felt his tongue gently lining her lips, begging for entrance. This was new to her but the sudden sensation made her spine tingle and she opened her mouth to let him pass. Carefully, almost shy, his tongue entered her mouth, both tongues dancing and teasing one another.
He tasted she had eaten some kind of sweet candy in the morning and he started to kiss her more deeply. She sighed a little, could feel his hands move along her back and she accepted every touch. They broke the kiss just to look into each other's eyes.
"I love you so, so much, Thorin" she smiled and gently stroked his cheek.
He smiled up at her. "I've never been so happy in all my life" he mumbled and shifted a little so both lay on their sides, bodies entwined and his lips searched hers for another passionate kiss.
After breaking the kiss they simply moved their hands over their bodies, loving gazes met in a loving smile.
"I never asked when your birthday is" she said after a while and he chuckled.
"Why? Do you plan a surprise party for me?"
"Maybe? No, I'm just curious. At least, I have to know how much time there is for me to create your present" she grinned and placed a quick kiss on his lips.
"Well then, it is the sixth of december" he replied. "What present will I get?"
She laughed. "I won't tell you now! You'll see but I already had something on mind before and for the fact that you are a winter child it is perfect. That's all I'm gonna say for now."
"You can be so cruel" he teased her a little but she simply replied, "No, you are simply too inquisitive, my love"
"Lailah, look what the elf king gave to me!" Dís ran up to her as she entered the little girl's room. Thranduil was nowhere to be seen so he must have given Dís the present earlier. She was relieved and so she examined the necklace.
"That's a very beautiful necklace, my dear" she said and picked her up on her arms. "Shall we go to the feast now? Thorin's already awaiting us"
"Yay! Can we dance together?" Dís asked while they left the room, heading to Thorin's room.
"You and me? Aye, of course we can."
"And can I dance with Dwalin?" her eyes sparkled a little. Lailah chuckled and placed a kiss on her nose.
"I'm certain he will dance with you, princess"
Soon they reached Thorin's bedroom and entered. He was already waiting for them, dressed in dark pants, a blue tunic, a black coat and dark boots. His locks waved down along his shoulders and Lailah thought once more how magnificent her dwarf prince was.
"My two favorite ladies!" he said and approached them with a warm smile, placed a kiss on his sisters forehead and one on Lailah's lips. "Ready for some hours in Thranduil's presence?" he whispered. Lailah nodded while Dís already left the room, made them follow her.
The dinner hall was already filled with dwarves and elves. Lailah spotted Thranduil at the head of the table next to Thror.
"Oh, perfect. Do we really have to sit there as well?" she mumbled and sighed heavily. Thorin didn't like it either but he was the Prince and she was his love and so they had to sit with his family.
"Remember that my grandfather is so very fond of you, my love. We can't refuse to sit with him. Just try to ignore the elf-king or at least try to forget what he said. I don't like it as well but it's my duty to be there. To talk with him even if I have the urge to punch his face and break his stupid crown"
She chuckled. "Thank you, Thorin. Aye, let's just get through the dinner. Once the actual feast starts we can dance and ignore him"
They saw Thror gesturing towards them, calling them to sit with him. Lailah took a deep breath and followed Thorin while she watched Dís sitting with Dwalin and Balin. At least the little princess had some fun with her secret crush.
"A there you are, we already missed you" Thrain said as Lailah and Thorin took their seats. Much to her discomfort she had to sit opposite of Thranduil. Though she sat inbetween Bilola and Thorin it was still uncomfortable for her but she tried to make the best of it.
"Your majesty, your gift for the princess was very beautiful" she said and sent Thranduil a faked smile.
"Oh, yes she's right. I've seen the necklace! Remarkably craftwork!" Thror added with a honest smile. Lailah could see the elf-king scanned her face before he replied,
"I'm glad my gift was for the pleasure of you all. Tell me, Lailah...where is your family?"
She narrowed her eyes, grabbed Thorins hand under the table, dug her nails into his flesh to prevent herself from grabbing a fork and thrust it into the elf-king's eyes.
"You do know very well that my parents are dead" she hissed, causing the Durin family to look at her quite surprised about her little outburst.
"Ah, I remember there had been some news about it. I'm truly sorry about your loss, my dear."
"I don't need your-" she fell silent, restrained herself again before she added, "Thank you for your condolence."
Lailah could see Thror watched her concerned, as if he knew something wasn't quite right between Thranduil and her. The dwarf king tried to change the topic.
"Now, where is your son? Why didn't he come as well?"
Thranduils gaze drifted to the King and Thorin could feel Lailah's grib softened a little. He sent her a small smile, leaned in closer and whispered, "Calm down, we will eat and excuse ourselves later. Deal?"
She nodded and let go of his hand to start filling her plate with bacon, mashed potatoes and some vegetables. Most of the evening she was in deep conversations with Bilola, Thorin and Frerin. Thror, Thrain and Thranduil decided to relocate themselves to another table in the back of the room where they had some possibility to talk without anyone intervening.
"You don't like the elf-king, right?" Frerin asked after a while, caused Lailah to shift and exchange a look with Thorin.
"Am I that obvious?" she sighed defeated and sent the younger Prince a smile.
"Aye, you are at least when it comes to anger. And you're angry, I can see it in your eyes. Am I right, Thorin?"
Thorin chuckled. "That woman is like the ocean. You may see the surface but you'll never be able to fully understand what's deeply hidden inside" He pulled her a little closer and kissed her.
Frerin was impressed but watched Lailah again. "What's wrong about that elf-king?"
"Nothing, it's alright. I-I really don't want to talk about it now. Maybe later. Or never...I prefer never" she mumbled and got up.
"Wait, Lailah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you" the young Prince said but Thorin shook his head. "It's not your fault, brother. Don't worry, she's not mad with you" He followed Lailah while she was already on her way to the door.
He grabbed her hand and stopped her. "You want to leave just now?"
"That was the deal, remember? Stay until dinner is over and then excuse ourselves."
"Yes, I know, but we didn't excuse ourselves yet. We can't just leave without a word" he reminded her with a grin.
She sighed. "Alright, let's tell your mother. She's over there with Dís"
He nodded and they approached his mother and sister. Dwalin and Balin looked up from their meads with a grin on their faces. Lailah smiled at them while Thorin talked to his mother.
"Lailah's not feeling very well, mother. I'd like to take her to her room and take care of her" he said and Bilola watched Lailah intently. Somehow, Lailah had the feeling the dwarf-woman inspected her very careful. She smiled shyly and took Thorin's hand.
"You didn't drink alcohol again, did you?" Bilola asked with a concerned look in her eyes.
"No, it's just-I don't know I just feel a little unwell. Not just today, it's for a few days now. I guess maybe I catched a cold" Lailah reassured and unwittingly rubbed her stomach because it itched a little. Bilola raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Fine, you may leave. I'll tell the others you didn't feel well, my dear. Sleep well and you, my son, take care of her" she placed a kiss on Thorin's forehead and another on Lailah's.
"Are you leaving?" Dís asked with wide eyes. Lailah knelt down and embraced the girl, placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I am tired, my dear. But I wish you a lot of fun. Did Dwalin already danced with you?"
Dís shook her head and Dwalin looked a little shocked. Lailah laughed softly. "Then go on and ask him." She got up and patted Dwalins shoulder. "Have fun, my friend" she chuckled and took Thorin's hand.
They left the hall and Lailah felt so much easier and relieved. Little did she know about the rumours that might already spread among the dwarves in the dinner hall.
A/N: I hope you liked this one! Sorry for the little cliffhanger again, but maybe you have an idea what rumours there are. Little hint: Bilola may have misunderstood something xD