Chapter 24
Dwalin looked down at his love who laid her head against his chest as they stood in the kitchen together. He realized that his happiness was greater than his fear of hurting her. He was not going to leave her side at any time in the near future. Suddenly, a horrible thought crossed his mind; he still loved her with every fiber of his being but what if she had somehow fallen for the skin changer? Dwalin kissed Kelly's head softly, causing her to look up and notice the worried look on his face. "Dwalin what's the matter?" He sighed, shaking his head slowly, then picked Kelly up and set her on the counter. Now able to look directly into her eyes, Dwalin held her hands in his. "I love you more than all the gold and jewels in the entire world. I do not wish to be parted from you from this day forth. I wish to continue courting you as I once did. I want you to love me wholly but I must know. In the time we have spent here, have you fallen in love with our host?" Kelly looked down at their intertwined hands before pulling Dwalin's hands up and kissing them. "Yes. I love him but only as a sincere friend and companion. He offered me a place in his home should I choose it. I cannot stay here though. Not now, knowing that you still love me as you once did. I could not abandon Bilbo to the tortures of being alone and without me."
Dwalin nodded his head in understanding before touching his forehead to hers. "I appreciate your honesty and words cannot express how happy I am to know that you will stay with me." Kelly chuckled softly then kissed Dwalin before laying her head on his shoulder. "I will stay with you until I take my last breath. I promise you that, my love. I always have been and always will be yours." Straightening up suddenly, Kelly looked to the doorway where Beorn was now standing. Dwalin turned to face him then asked if there was more work to be done. Shaking his head, Beorn smiled and said "No, there is no more work but I have asked Thorin to delay your journey for another few days and he has agreed. I will not allow any of my friends to leave my home in worse shape than when they arrived. She needs to get more food into her body before she will be fit to travel."
After staying for a few more days, eating more food than a starving animal, Kelly was ready to travel. She had gone to Beorn and spoken to him about their relationship. Beorn simply hugged her and told her that he wished for her safety then asked if she would visit him again someday. "Of course! I would like nothing better than to be able to return!" They hugged again then Kelly left to begin packing her belongings. Beorn had graciously allowed them to use his ponies to get to the forest's edge. As they were leaving, Kelly walked to Beorn before holding something out to him. "I made something for you. It's not much but I hope it will help you will remember me." He looked down and saw that she was holding a necklace out to him. It was made of crystal with a flame on the inside. The flame was dancing and constantly moving. "The flame inside will never die, even if the crystal is broken. It will turn a green color if I am ever in danger. Smash the crystal and the flame will lead you to me."
Mounting her horse, Kelly waved at Beorn before turning and spurring her pony on to catch up with the others. Dwalin pulled his pony next to hers and put his hand on hers. "That was a wonderful gift my love. How did you accomplish such a thing?" Kelly smiled and brought Dwalin's hand to her lips, kissing each of his knuckles slowly. "Well, no fire likes to be put out and can survive on its own if given the proper encouragement. All I did was tell it that it could draw energy from Beorn and the surrounding land. I know he worries about my wellbeing so I thought this would be the best way to calm him. Can't have him fall prey to Orcs simply because he isn't paying proper attention. I know that I made that small flame exceedingly happy as well, it will grow close to Beorn and protect him when possible." Dwalin nodded and enjoyed the feeling of her lips on his hand. He realized that his love was a caring person but this just proved it even more.
A.N. Sorry this took so long! I know it's really short and I'm sorry for that but I'm a bit stuck! Please forgive me :) As soon as I get more time, I'll continue writing. I should have a new chapter out before the week is out! Thanks everyone for being so patient!