Surprise!

Yes, my preciouses, this is a chapter. And it's early! Like really, really early. Only thing I can say is that this chapter was written with shocking ease. I guess getting into the head of an exiled dwarf king comes naturally to me? Most likely I think I was just feeling angsty, and exploring Thorin's feelings helped because the chapter ends happily.

To everyone who's stuck with this story, and to everyone who's just discovered it, thank you!

Agent007Tomato: I'd really love to know the story behind that name. ;) Thanks for reviewing! You didn't have to wait long for the update, lol.

LilliLabyrinth: Yes, I reply to reviews. It's the least I can do since you guys take the time to write them. An ale it is then! But yes, don't worry, our dwarves get to eat quite a bit in this chapter. XD Iron Hills...that would've worked, actually. Darn you, now I'm itching to rewrite that scene! :p

Just4Me: Yes, this story will have a happy ending, but Laitha's poisoning served a purpose, I promise! And it wasn't just to torment Thorin more, hah.

loveorpain: This chapter's much happier. :)

Kat: Thank you! :D

AbyssPrime: Of course she's going to live. :)

LianaDare8: Oh God, don't even remind me. I'm already dreading writing that part. D:

westwingnut221: Lmao, "Um...look at my pecs!" Yesssss. The dwarves are so much fun to write, so I'm thrilled you enjoyed that part. :)

LadyAlrisha: Wow, I'm a bit floored by your review, thank you! *hugs* I never thought this story would be so well-received.

In this chapter:

1. More worried Thorin.

2. Ruminating Thorin. Then a very smiley Thorin.

3. Cute dwarves!

4. Bilbo+Thorin bonding. Yay!

5. Legolas.

6. I touched on something Richard Armitage mentioned in an interview about how he'd like to ask Tolkien if Thorin had a woman who was killed in the dragon attack.

7. Happy ending.

Disclaimer: Nothing clever to say this time, so I only own Talaitha.

Enjoy!

Chapter 21: Awakening

It was past midnight, and Bilbo was slumped forward onto the edge of Talaitha's bed, having fallen asleep about an hour ago. Thorin watched the hobbit sleep, a strange sort of fondness mixed with respect creeping up on him. He could have slept in a comfortable bed, but instead he chose to stay with the dwarf king to keep vigil over the fairy. Not to mention, earlier he'd abandoned his first proper dinner in a long time, despite the fact that he'd been practically drooling over the roast pork and potatoes. Thorin suspected the bread, sausage, and cheese that Bombur brought hadn't completely sated him, but the hobbit made no complaint.

Thorin's kin had visited throughout the evening, but it was a somber event. Dwalin patted Talaitha's arm and gruffly mumbled something none of them heard, save for the parting "lass." Dori had gathered wildflowers, which now sat in a vase beside the bed. Even Kili was serious, regarding Talaitha with an uncharacteristically sad expression that Thorin found unnerving for two reasons: first, it was simply unlike Kili, and second, his nephew seemed to think the fairy would succumb to the poison. Óin had prepared a balm that would cool and soothe Talaitha, which Thorin spread on her chest, careful to avoid the dip of her breasts. Her breathing evened out, and her pulse returned to normal, but she still hadn't woken. In fact, she'd barely moved. But Thorin kept his hand around hers, rubbing circles on her palm, hoping for some sort of reaction that signified she knew someone was with her, that she wasn't alone.

The door opened; he ignored the figure that walked in, thinking it the healer. But an infuriatingly familiar voice spoke up that wasn't the healer's.

"How is she?"

Thorin's head snapped up, a fierce glower settling on his face as his gaze met Legolas'. The elf didn't share the dwarf's anger. The cerulean blue eyes flicked to the fairy on the bed, and Thorin tried to ignore the blatant concern they held.

"Alive," grunted the dwarf. "She received an antidote for the poison, but there's been little change."

Legolas drew closer to the bed, placing his hand on Talaitha's forehead. She was still feverish but less so than earlier. Her skin was grayish, offsetting the purplish dark circles under her eyes, and slicked with sweat. And she was still wearing the banquet gown. The elf nearly smiled at that.

"She is strong," Legolas said, looking at the dwarf. "Do not abandon hope."

Thorin's immediate reaction was to snap in reply, but he checked it for Talaitha's sake, though his free hand did clench into a fist. The elf was her friend, and even Thorin could not begrudge the evident concern he showed. However, that did not mean the dwarf had to be welcoming.

"You should have protected her."

Legolas nodded. "I should have." The look in his eyes suggested his words referred to more than just the orc attack.

The dwarf silently cursed the elf, having expected him to defend himself and deny responsibility. That would have made it much simpler, for now he did not know what to say. Luckily, he didn't have to say anything.

"My kin hunted down the scouting party."

Thorin knew he meant the orcs. "Did you encounter the Pale Orc?"

"We did not," Legolas replied. "But he will show himself soon."

Thorin nodded. That's what he feared, for if Beorn's word was to be trusted-and he knew it was-, Azog had forged an alliance with the goblins. There would be a reckoning yet.

The prince's gaze fell on Bilbo for the first time. "Was he with you in the cave?"

"He was," Thorin replied, surprising himself and the elf with his candor.

Legolas smirked. "Barrels." Then he moved away from the bed, his hand on the door handle, as if waiting for something.

"What was her punishment?" Thorin asked.

The elf looked sadly at Talaitha, before turning his back to her and the dwarf. "Banishment." Then, without a second glance, he was gone.

Thorin breathed a quiet sigh of relief, feeling his muscles relax. It was only then that he noticed how tired he was, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep until Talaitha awoke. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her green gaze-not bright and lively, like he was accustomed to, but fearful and glossed with pain. The sight haunted him.

Sleepy mumblings drew his attention; Bilbo was waking. The hobbit rubbed sleep from his eyes, then stared at Thorin sheepishly. "I fell asleep."

The dwarf smirked. "Only for a couple hours."

"What'd I miss?" Bilbo looked at Talaitha, touched her wrist for her pulse. He visibly relaxed when he felt the steady throb in her veins.

"The elf was here."

"What?!" cried Bilbo, then clapped a hand over his mouth and glanced around the room, as if expecting to find a dead elf. Thorin nearly laughed. "Which one?" asked the hobbit once he'd reassured himself that no murder had occurred while he was asleep.

"The prince," Thorin replied. "They were together when she was shot."

Bilbo watched the dwarf carefully, afraid his next words might set him off. "Do you blame him?"

Thorin was silent for a few moments, digesting the storm of emotions within. He'd sorted through them while Bilbo slept, but they hadn't really changed. He still hated the orcs, hated Thranduil, and worried for Talaitha. But he didn't hold Legolas responsible. And the revelation surprised him as much as it did the hobbit.

"No."

Bilbo's eyes widened. "The orcs?"

"Of course," Thorin replied without hesitation and with a fair amount of venom in his voice. "But I blame myself more. I should have forced her to come with us. Or remained behind with her."

Bilbo smiled down at Talaitha and took her hand. "She would not have allowed you to do either, you know."

Thorin did know, but it didn't assuage his guilt. She was part of his Company; her safety and well-being were his responsibility, and that wasn't even taking into account his feelings for her. He cared for her in a way he hadn't cared for a woman since before Smaug attacked Erebor. And he'd failed her, just as he'd failed in the past.

"I should have been there."

"It wasn't your fault, Thorin," Bilbo said firmly. "Talaitha is stubborn, not unlike you." Thorin grunted at that, though the corners of his lips quirked upward. "But she's also looked after herself for ten years. I don't think she really needs anyone to protect her."

"When did you become so sage?" teased Thorin, allowing himself a genuine smile for the first time since parting with Talaitha.

"It's this adventure." Bilbo laughed. "I guess this is what Gandalf meant when he said I'd become a different hobbit."

"Indeed," Thorin murmured. But Bilbo wasn't the only one who'd changed during the quest.

#

A bright morning dawned, but it did nothing to lift Thorin's spirits. During the night, Talaitha had shifted nearer to him, and though she was still unconscious, Lake Town's healer considered that a good sign. But if Talaitha's condition was improving, why wasn't she awake yet?

Bilbo had gone to get them breakfast, but Thorin wasn't sure he could eat anything; his stomach felt heavy, same as the day he saw his brother, then grandfather die. And same as on that fateful, horrific day. He bit back a wave of nausea as the memories and pain he'd so meticulously controlled resurfaced. He had lost too many people, too many loved ones, and he supposed that was one reason he'd devoted himself so completely to his kin's well-being and future. Because if he was too busy rebuilding their culture, he could minimize social attachments and the resulting loss that inevitably followed. His nephews had been the exception; he'd allowed himself to dote upon them when they were dwarflings, and he still kept a watchful eye on them, however gruff his affection towards them had become.

And now there was Talaitha. He fought his feelings for her as long as he could, fearing falling into exactly this type of situation. For all his stoicism, Thorin Oakenshield was a man of intense emotions and passions; he felt as strongly as others did, but he masked it expertly. He suspected that was due to years of toiling in human settlements, bearing the humiliation in order to support his people. "A king does not show weakness," his grandfather had once said. He'd been referring to emotions, of course, and the advice had stuck with him. Yet now, as he watched Talaitha's chest rise and fall, he'd begun to realize that emotions could be a strength, too.

"I got us some eggs, bacon, toast, and tomatoes," said Bilbo, interrupting Thorin's musings.

The dwarf looked up at the hobbit, surprise etched onto his face for a moment; he'd been so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't heard him enter. Smiling at him briefly, Thorin accepted a plate of food and ate slowly, if for no other reason than to appease Bilbo.

The hobbit's light chatter was a welcome change from the dwarf's gloomy ruminations. "Bombur broke a chair. The Master of Lake Town, who, by the way, is not a very pleasant fellow, looked rather disgruntled."

Thorin grunted in amusement, for he wasn't fond of the human either. Bilbo paused to eat a piece of buttered toast, then continued. "The dwarves requested ale with breakfast. So much ale that the servants just brought out the entire barrel."

Thorin winced. "Speak not of barrels."

Bilbo smirked but heeded the dwarf's request. "And Ori sent this for Talaitha." He pulled out a piece of parchment from his jacket pocket and handed it to Thorin.

The dwarf unfolded it and grinned. It was a card, wishing the fairy a speedy recovery. There was a short, cute poem that the scribe had written, followed by a small drawing of her sitting on the bed, surrounded by the Company. Thorin's mood lightened at the thoughtful gesture. He set the card beside Dori's flowers on the nightstand and finished his meal, surprised that he'd actually enjoyed it.

Incoherent mumblings from the bed between them nearly caused Bilbo and Thorin to upend their empty plates. They watched Talaitha expectantly as she shifted under the covers and finally opened her eyes. Then promptly shut them again. The dwarf's and hobbit's eyebrows simultaneously furrowed in confusion.

"Too bright," she said hoarsely, turning her head away from the beam of sunlight shining right onto her face.

Bilbo jumped up and pulled the curtains across the window. Talaitha opened her eyes again and smiled, first at the hobbit, then at the dwarf. She glanced down at her hand, which was encased in Thorin's, a light blush creeping into her cheeks. Thorin gave her a lopsided smile and restrained the instinctive urge to crush her to his chest in joy and relief. Instead, he helped her to sit up, though his hands lingered on her shoulders a few seconds longer than necessary.

"How long have I been asleep?" she asked after gulping down a glass of water.

"Not as long as we'd thought you'd be," Bilbo replied. "I think about eighteen hours?"

Talaitha nodded, as though that was an acceptable answer. "And how long have you two been sitting here?"

"About eighteen hours," Bilbo said again. Then, before she could protest, "I slept. Don't know about Thorin, though."

She glanced at him, at the weary sag of his shoulders. His eyes, though, were devoid of fatigue; they were as clear a blue as she'd ever seen them and were currently watching her with a hint of amusement. She decided to postpone her scolding, for she wanted to savor his happy expression as long as possible.

Bilbo saw the way Thorin's and Talaitha's gazes met and chose that moment to take his and Thorin's empty plates to the kitchens. When the door closed behind the hobbit, Thorin wasted no time in leaning forward to wrap his arms around Talaitha and pull her to him. For a second, she was surprised by his sudden gesture of affection, but then she leaned into his embrace, tucking her head under his chin. They stayed like that, Thorin stroking her hair and Talaitha listening to the steady beat of his heart, until the door opened and the healer walked in.

The dwarf reluctantly released her and watched as the healer placed her hand on Talaitha's forehead and measured her pulse. All the while, Talaitha's eyes kept flitting to Thorin, a smile tugging at her lips.

"It appears your body has flushed the poison," said the healer, once she'd finished her examination. "How do you feel?"

"My leg's a bit sore," Talaitha said, ghosting her hand over her arrow wound. "But I don't feel the effects of the poison anymore."

"Let's take a look at that leg, then." The healer gave Thorin a pointed look, and he turned his back, biting back his irritation at being told what to do with a mere glance. He heard the sheets rustle as Talaitha pulled up her dress to reveal the injured appendage.

"The wound is healing nicely," said the healer as she unwrapped the bandage around Talaitha's thigh. "I shall leave you to tend to it as you will." She and the fairy shared a smile, then the healer left.

"You can turn around now," said Talaitha, her voice tinged with amusement. "I need your help anyway."

When he looked at her again, he nearly fell off the chair. Her leg was still uncovered, and though he noticed the wound, his mind paid more attention to the pale skin of her shapely thigh. His fingers twitched, longing to touch it.

Her amusement only seemed to increase as she observed his reaction. When he finally tore his gaze away, he saw a coy glimmer in her peridot-green eyes. The little minx was purposely tormenting him, knowing he could not surrender to his desires yet!

"What do you need?" he asked, more roughly than he'd intended.

The smirk did not leave her lips as she pointed to her tarsoly. "The small bottle of light green paste."

He did as she bade and watched as she dipped one end of a cloth into the bowl of water and cleaned the wound, wincing slightly at the sting. Then she uncapped the bottle and dipped the other end of the cloth into the paste, gently dabbing it over the injury. A familiar scent wafted toward him.

"Witch hazel." He scowled.

"Yes, it's the same balm I used on your cuts," she said as she wrapped a clean bandage around her thigh and pulled down the gown. "You shouldn't hate the plant so much. It will ease the pain in my leg."

"In that case, perhaps I shall grow as fond of it as I am of you," he teased gently.

Before she could reply, a knock sounded on the door, and Bilbo peeked his head in. "I come bearing food." He entered with a tray, smiling sheepishly. "And dwarves."

Talaitha giggled and clapped her hands together in delight as Fili and Kili bounded in, nearly colliding with the hobbit, and perched on the edge of her bed. The rest of the Company followed more sedately, though no less happily.

"When Bilbo told us you were awake, we had to come and see you right away," said Kili, grinning from ear-to-ear.

Fili jumped in. "He said you would probably want to rest some more."

"But you've been asleep for over half a day, so we figured you'd want some company instead," finished Kili.

Ori appeared by the bed. "Were we right?" he asked shyly.

"Absolutely!" Talaitha chirped with a grin. And she meant it, too, for that motley group of dwarves had become a sort of family to her.

As she ate her breakfast, she listened to the dwarves and Bilbo recount their escape from Mirkwood, her heart and spirit growing ever lighter. She was surprised to note that even Thorin seemed less burdened, occasionally interjecting his own complaints about the universally-hated barrels.

Surrounded by friends, Talaitha forgot about the trials in Mirkwood, her banishment, and her mishap with the orcs. The only thing of importance was that, for the moment, everyone was together again, safe and content.