Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from The Hobbit. The late JRR Tolkien, New Line Cinema, and a bunch of other people with a LOT more money than I have do, and I'm just borrowing them to have a little fun and I'll put them back when I'm finished. I'm making no money from this, it's for entertainment purposes only, so please don't sue me. Annabelle is my creation, as are a few of the other original characters in this series. Please consult me before you use them in your own fics; I'll probably say yes, I just like to know where my babies are.

Archive permission: If you want it, take it. Just tell me where you're putting it so I can stop by and visit. Thanks.

Special thanks to: SerenLyall for all her research into the timeline. Ithil-Valon for characterization. Lindarielwen from Council of Elrond for a sounding board. And PirateColey for encouragement and Dwarf drooling at all hours of the day and night. And ALL OF YOU ladies for brainstorming, tweaking, brainstorming more, and helping me to finally get it right! You guys ROCK!

Dedications: To Evendim, who has given me such great pleasure with her own AU series and graciously given me permission to play in hers any time I wish. She has the same permission from me. Without her, I would never have gotten started; she gave me the courage I needed to post that first story, and for that I am forever grateful. To Ithil-valon, who has provided tireless beta-services and been the best friend anyone could ever ask for… I love you for it, hon, don't ever change. And finally, to my beloved AJ, without whom my life is poorer and less bright. Rest in peace, my darling. We'll see each other again.

WARNING: This is the chapter that earned this story an "M" rating. :)

Part Twenty One

It was a beautiful place, she thought. The stone had been lovingly carved, showing both brothers together as they always had been and now always would be.

Kili had talked to her of his brother Fili, endless stories of mischief and love. That they had both fallen was a sore blow, but she also thought they would have wanted it that way. They were still together, and would be forever.

The sorrow she felt for him had faded from that first sharp stab into a mellow ache. She still loved him, and she always would. He had been her first love, and she would treasure that forever. And so she sat vigil, giving him the honor he deserved as her husband. She would sit with him for the night as was her right and her wish. And then she would say goodbye to him. She loved him. But she loved Dwalin as well.

And when the morning came, she wiped her eyes and rose to find Dwalin waiting for her. "You didn't have to stay," she said softly. "What possible danger could I be in here?"

"It isn't danger that made me stay," he replied quietly. His eyes held hers for a long moment.

He took her back to her rooms, thinking she would want to rest now. She had been awake for a long time. But when they got there, she placed a gentle hand on his chest. "Stay," she asked softly.

"Annabelle," he began evenly, but he couldn't resist that touch. Both arms went around her, pulling her tightly to him, nearly crushing her against him as his mouth met hers, demanding and rough.

She clung to him, responding and yet needing more. The power in his frame thrilled her, his strength and his desire for her lighting a fire inside her. She wanted more. His tongue traced her lips demanding entrance and she opened to him, the sensation nearly overwhelming her and making her knees weak. A soft sigh escaped her and that only seemed to drive him harder.

He lifted her up, never stopping his assault on her mouth. She moaned softly as he carried her to her bed and placed her on it and it seemed to drive him even further over the edge. His hands roamed over her, pulling her clothing from her and skating along her sides, her belly, and finally her breasts as he finally left her lips and moved slowly down her throat, nipping lightly and then not so lightly along her shoulder, leaving clear marks on her fair skin.

Her hands weren't idle. They skimmed over his arms where they were exposed, scratching lightly at the skin and desperately trying to get underneath his tunic. "Please," she whimpered softly. "Dwalin, please..."

He drew himself up to look at her, one arm bracing himself on either side of her, and then slid slowly back, watching her face. Then he stood, fingers reaching for the wide belt he wore, loosening it and allowing it to drop. The rest of his clothing followed and she rose to meet him, running her hands over him lightly, learning the planes of his body as he had learned hers. A groan came from him and he grabbed her hands in his, holding them together and away. "Don't." He didn't want to end this too soon and Mahal but she was tempting him! She'd lit a fire in him, one only she could quench. "Annabelle, if you don't stop touching me, this will be over before it starts." He released her hands, holding her eyes with his, trying to convey everything he felt. He wanted her, wanted to feel her around him, wanted to feel her pleasure and know it was him bringing her to it.

She watched him for a moment, her hands resting at her sides, and then stood to meet him, her hands settling on his hips, everything she felt for him in her eyes.

He groaned and brought her close again, his hands stroking her breasts, followed quickly by his lips. He suckled at first one and then the other, giving them as much attention as they deserved, as he had wanted to for a long, long time. Gently he pushed her back onto the bed, working his way lower until he could touch her there. His fingers danced along her skin, teasing and tormenting her until she gasped his name and he could wait no longer.

He kissed his way back up her body, his hands busily stroking her and getting her ready for him. "Annabelle," he breathed. He took her face in his big hands, holding her gently. "Look at me."

She let her eyes meet his and began to tremble. Then he sank into her and she cried out, though not in pain. Her arms went around him again, holding him to her as tightly as she could, rising to meet him as he began to move in earnest. She nipped at his throat, her nails scoring over his broad back as she felt it building. "Dwalin," she moaned softly. She was his, that was all she could think, when she could think at all. She was his and that made him hers. And that thought pushed her over the edge. She screamed as it took her, seeing stars and feeling as though she were in tiny pieces.

Dwalin felt her release and marveled at it for only a moment. This, only he could give her this, and it tipped him over as well. He growled loudly as he spilled into her and his hands found her face again, drawing her to him to kiss her gently. He rolled to the side, taking her with him to avoid crushing her under his greater weight, but he didn't release her. "Mahal, 'Belle, what you do to me," he murmured.

"Belle," she whispered back as she pillowed her head on his broad chest, her fingers lightly stroking the crisp dark hair there. "I like it. No one ever called me that before."

"I could call you mouse if you prefer," he rumbled with a kiss to her hair. He couldn't keep his hands off it. It was so soft, and she was his, he could touch it any time he wanted.

"Not if you want me to answer," she chuckled at him. It was amazing how comfortable she was with him, when at first she had been utterly terrified of him. Now she had no fear of him at all. Even at the height of their passion, he had tempered his strength to not hurt her. "I love you," she said softly.

"Aye, and I love you. You are my One, Belle. I'll never let you go." No, never. She was his. And he was a little in awe of that protective, possessive feeling he felt for her. No one would EVER harm her again, not while he lived.

"I don't want you to." She shifted a little to watch him. Those tattoos, his scars; they drew her. His life had been so hard, so violent. He needed a little peace and she could give that to him. "I'm sleepy." She was exhausted, really, but it had been worth it. She was his.

"Then sleep, my Belle," he said softly. He pulled the furs up to cover them and held her tightly. "Sleep. I'll guard your dreams."