I just wanted to say, once again, thanks muchly for the continued nice reviews. I hope you like this chapter. The last one was an absolute pain to write; one I worked on for well over a week. Glad I'm done with it.
I also wanted to invite in any suggestions for the story. If there's anything you might like to see, please let me know. I definitely have a certain path I'm traveling on with the story, but I always like ideas :)
Time had passed quickly as the Dwarves made their leave of their home in Morfeth. To King Thrain's dismay, there were some who had chosen to stay, and try as he might, he was unable to convince, or order, them otherwise. All he could do was accept their decision, though grudgingly.
Since their argument weeks before, Thorin and Eiranna's relationship had developed a slight degree of strain, despite his apology for his words soon after. It was difficult to forget what had been said. Eiranna could not help but feel a certain amount of formality during their couplings. It was an awful feeling. As hard as she tried, she could not free herself from the pressure that felt permanently situated upon her shoulders. She was grateful once they began traveling to Ered Luin, as it served as the perfect distraction from the troubled thoughts within her mind.
"Thorin," Eiranna cried urgently. "Lift me down." "What's the matter?" he asked coming towards her, concern etched upon his face. She held her arms to him, shaking them desperately. "I don't know. I feel ill. Please lift me down." Before he could reach her, Eiranna was overcome with an intense wave of nausea. Holding onto the reins of the pony, she only just managed to lean away from the animal before she vomited. Those traveling nearest to her shifted their path, sympathetic yet uncomfortable expressions upon their faces.
Eiranna was barely hanging onto the reins when Thorin reached her. He halted the pony and lifted her down. She could hear him speaking to her, but could not make out what he said. Eiranna pushed past him and weaved through the sparse collection of travelers. She fell to her knees, as she became sick once more. She knew not how long she knelt there, among the grass and dirt, when she felt a hand upon her back. She glanced quickly to see it was Thorin. She flung her head away as she became ill again. Thorin's hand upon her back disappeared, as he pulled her hair away from her face and gathered it behind her.
Eiranna retched uncontrollably before, finally, stopping. Her face was wet with tears, though she had not been aware she was crying. In her sickness, she had shifted her weight so that she was now leaning upon Thorin. She glanced behind her quickly. She could see the glances of those who passed, and she felt embarrassment pass through her. Using one hand to support herself, Eiranna raised her hand to wipe her at her mouth, but was intercepted by Thorin, who held a small swatch of fabric. He wiped her mouth free of her sickness, before discarding the rag somewhere unseen.
"Should we rest for the night?" he asked, worry clouding his eyes. As she attempted to wipe her face free of tears, Eiranna shook her head resolutely. "More than enough reason to stop," Thorin persisted. "No, I am fine. It is only the heat." "You comment on the heat, but there is chill within the air." He lifted a hand to her forehead. "You are burning up. We will stop." She shook her head once more and attempted to right herself. Thorin supported her elbow as she stood. Eiranna took no more than three steps before she fainted into Thorin's arms.
When Eiranna regained consciousness, they were no longer moving. She knew that she was bed bound, within one of the Dwarves night tents. Eiranna's eyesight was blurry and she felt dazed and disoriented. As she eyes cleared, she surveyed her surroundings, and saw Thorin, who sat alongside the cot where she lay. Eiranna attempted to prop herself into a sitting position, but was hit by a wave of dizziness. "Best to stay put, I think," she heard Thorin say from beside her. She dropped back into her horizontal position and brought her head to the side to look at Thorin. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Tired. Thirsty." Her throat felt dry and raspy, and she struggled to clear it. Thorin leaned to the side and snatched a cup from the ground. He brought it to her lips. She gulped the water down gratefully. "Better?" Thorin asked, pulling the half empty cup from her. She nodded. "Yes. Much." She took a closer look around. It was dark outside the tent, and silent. "We've stopped." Thorin nodded. "Aye, we shall rest here until the morning." He watched her closely.
Eiranna could see the seriousness upon Thorin's face and worry flooded through her. "What is the matter?" she asked, warily. He studied her wordlessly. "Oin examined you after you lost consciousness," he said. "Yes?" Eiranna eyes widened slightly as she waited for Thorin to continue. "He believes you are with child," he said finally. She held his eyes, impassively. "You knew," he said, when her face did not register the surprise Thorin expected. "I suspected. That is why I was ill." she murmured. Thorin's eyes narrowed and his face tensed with irritability. "You felt it your right to keep this information from me." Eiranna shifted her gaze to the ceiling of the tent. "It was not kept from you with malicious intent. I only wanted to be certain," she replied. "Your father will, no doubt, be pleased," she could not help but comment, though she regretted the words instantly when she saw anger begin to form upon Thorin's face. She shifted her eyes from the iciness of his.
"It will not be long until we have reached the Blue Mountains. Until then, you shall travel only by pony and will not behave in any fashion that will cause you to overexert yourself," Thorin ordered. "Are my words clear?" Eiranna heard the utter seriousness within his voice and nodded in reply. She turned to him just as he stood and started toward the opening of the tent. "Thorin," she called out to him. "Do not leave me." Thorin paused and turned his gaze to hers. "Stay," she pleaded. Eiranna was sure he would continue through, but he turned and headed back towards hers. She held a hand to him as he approached. "I am so tired of the distance that had grown between us. Please do not be angry with me. I can not bear it." He took her hand in his as crouched down to her. "Do not worry yourself. I am not angry," he said. Eiranna smiled. She tugged at his hand. "Lay with me," she instructed.
Thorin hesitated briefly, before walking to the front of and around the small cot. He lay his large frame beside her. Thorin wrapped his arms around her and rested them upon her middle. Eiranna brought her hands to cover his. "Rest now, my sweet," he whispered in her ear. "There are long days of travel ahead." She nodded her agreement. After a time, Eiranna felt herself within the grips of sleep. Before she succumbed, she heard Thorin whisper once more in her ear, "I love you."