A/N: Yaaay! I made it! I'm so happy I'm able to update just before Christmas! Thanks to everyone who reviewed/faved/followed & I wish all of you a fabulous Christmas!

Sophia Kaiba: Thanks for your review! Yes, I know, so close! And I have a feeling they're going to get even closer this chapter.. ;)

Robinbird79: Thanks for saying it was a good chapter, totally boosts my confidence ;) I felt Dís would be the right person to 'negotiate' between those two stubborn dwarves that have been so awkward to admit their feelings for fear of them not being reciprocated..well, that, plus the fact that Dís is a pretty impressive dwarrowdam, no way she wasn't going to interfere a little bit to give them that final push in the right direction hihi ;p and they'll find that tunnel soon enough.. da da duuum! Thanks for your review!

Amadeusan: I hope you'll think this chapter is a sufficient Christmas present! ;) And I would feel way too evil if I had my heroin suffer too much, she's got enough on her plate to deal with already and there's still some hardships ahead too…but luckily there's some time for some much needed romance before that! ;p Thanks for reviewing and for wishing me a merry Christmas! :D

Angie: I always feel sad for Thorin too, well, for both of them, they've had pretty hard lives and deserve some happiness.. And maybe that happiness is just around the corner ;) I figured seeing that Thorin was a blacksmith and dwarves in general take great pride in their craftsmanship it would be more special if he made that bead himself. I wanted for Edúr and Dís to have a moment together before the coronation, as his sister she's the one who has known him all her life so she's the perfect person for Edúr to talk to about Thorin on personal matters. I'm glad you liked the coronation, initially I wanted to make it more elaborate and detailed but then I decided it would be too crowded a place for their confessions so I let Niam drop that obvious hint so he knows where to find her hihi ;) Hope this update was soon enough and thanks for leaving me a review!


Disclaimer: The only thing I wanted for Christmas this year were the rights to the Hobbit but unfortunately Santa turned out to be an ***hole so they still belong to Tolkien/PJ.


Chapter XXVIIII

MUSIC filled the Dining Hall like a pleasant storm of sounds as flute, fiddle, tambourine and kettledrum mingled to weave one harmonious melody, one instrument challenging and entwining with the other in a continuous chase. Edúr ignored the slight dizziness in her head as she whirled around and around, relishing how forgetful the dance made her of that other, much vaster Hall with its seemingly endless golden floor and green, vaulted ceiling. The sheer amount of dwarves that had milled about it like ants in an anthill had only added to her inner restlessness. She had hardly dared watch from among the crowd as Thorin had walked passed with firm, purposeful strides, his Sister and Balin flanking him as the procession of Warriors led by Dwalin headed for the throne.

And then she and Niam had gotten in line, every step closer had made her more nervous and eager to finally see him. And as she had curtseyed to the King everything around her had seemingly ceased to exist. She probably should have said something but she could not now remember if she had, all she knew was that she had simply been entrapped by his intense gaze, had reveled in it and wanted so much more of it. How different an audience from their very first one.. Waiting afterwards had therefore felt like a cruel and unbearable punishment. Waiting for other dwarves, other dams, to present themselves had made a wreathing and new emotion flare up inside of her. Had made her impatient and eventually give in to Bofur's invitation to join him and others of the company to a more secluded gathering in the Dining Hall.

She felt so much freer here, among the dwarves she had gotten to know for all these moons that she had stayed in Erebor. The tune swelled and she gladly followed it, increasing her pace with it to allow her longing at least that escape from the confines of her bursting heart. Every fiber of her being shook with the cadence of thumping boots and clapping hands giving a steady heartbeat to the ever growing faster rhythm until suddenly all but the drum grew more subdued and the deep reverberating beatings of it matched the pattern of her feet. Edúr grasped the hem of her dress in both her hands and stamped her feet on the ground until, with the last beat struck, her heel touching the ground coincided with the dull thud of a door closing. Like all those sitting around the fire she looked up to see that the King had entered..

Thorin strode over, never had he looked more majestic. The sapphire blue of his tunic was a rich hue that contrasted brilliantly with the dark, black fur lined robe draped over his shoulders with bands of golden runes flowing down. He wore a broad belt fashioned out of the purest silver and embossed with the anvil and hammer of Durin. The high-ridged crown resting upon his head made him appear even taller and…powerful. Edúr stood frozen on the spot, it filled her with joy to think she truly felt he was not just their King, he was her King too. Uzbad-diya..

When he approached her she instinctively wanted to curtsey but as soon as she had made to bend her knees and already lowered her head -her admiring gaze self-consciously with it- there was the ruffle of fabric and an instant later she felt his index finger brush under her chin.

"Please. There is no need. Not for you.." Thorin said almost pleadingly in his deep voice, gently lifting her head so she would look at him again. She could not, nor wanted, to disobey him in this. As soon as their eyes met she was struck anew with how intimidatingly handsome he was. His sharp nose that seemed sculpted to perfection was matched by stern brows, strong jaw and cut cheekbones, whereas his short beard effortlessly blended in with his long raven hair, silver strands running through it glistening the same color as his misty gray eyes.

Edúr tried to find her voice, feeling everyone's inquisitive gazes on the two of them, but failed miserably when Thorin's thumb grazed her cheek briefly before he also became aware of the others' presence and almost shyly and seemingly with great reluctance dropped his hand to his side. A dwarf which turned out to be Bofur cleared his throat nearby and motioned for them to sit. Both of them momentarily powerless to do anything else but obey Edúr kneeled down in front of the hearth, reclaiming her old space before she had got up to dance. Without even seeming to think about it Thorin sat down next to her, back leaning against the pillar upholding the marble mantelpiece, one leg bent, the other half crossed under it.

Edúr stared at a spot in the thick rug, at a zigzagging thread of faded red, her hand resting on the floor but inches away from where the dwarf next to her had placed his. Holding her breath she sprawled her fingers, heart skipping a beat when they bumped into his. At first she felt them making to retreat as if he had thought the touch his fault but then to her relief and rapture they crawled closer again until the back of his pinky rubbed tenderly against hers. Next it had hooked around her slender finger and caressed the inside, every slow stroke releasing thrill after thrill to run along her spine, effectively robbing her of her breath.

Gathering her courage Edúr had been about to lift her eyes and direct them to him when Ori came shuffling their way. He nodded at her in his usually amicable manner then offered something to Thorin next to her with a respectful bow. She experienced such a sense of loss as his fingers retreated slowly but inevitably from hers that she only understood what it was that the young dwarf had given the King when the sound of strings trembling at once filled the entire room. She could not tear her gaze away from Thorin as he played the small, golden harp he held reverently in his embrace, his expression peaceful not tormented at the touch of the precious material as it rested against his chest, both hands dancing along it to produce the most soothing song she had ever heard. And yet, the succession of soft, both high and low tunes that seemed perpetuated echoes of the ones before were more than captivating. They were almost a bewitchment, making her heart beat faster and faster instead of calming it down.

A sudden silence signaled the end of the song and although she had wanted to continue listening to it for the rest of the night she knew she was more eager for attention to be drawn away from him. From both of them.. The other dwarves hummed and gave their King grateful and awed glances before Nori picked up his fiddle and started a ditty everyone soon joined by clapping, whooping or singing. Harp placed on the ground next to him, Edúr felt how Thorin leaned towards her and she could not stop herself from tilting her own head so his lips hovered but an inch from her ear. The sensation, the closeness, enthralled her beyond anything, far beyond her wavering control..

"Will you come with me?" He whispered, his warm breath tickling her skin. She instantly tried to show him her consent by again searching for his hand with her own, not trusting her voice to work. She could hear him huff out a soft, deeply pleased rumble at this and his fingers entwined with hers as he got to his feet and lend her his strength to do the same.

Leaving behind the members of the Company immersed in their music and merry making, Edúr snaked her other hand around his arm, the feeling of him as her anchor felt so right, felt so good, that she could not help but for hope to wholly fill her heart as Thorin led her wordlessly out of the circle of light..


Thorin could not help but cast a side glance at the dwarrowmaiden on his arm for every other step that he took and each time she overcame her shyness and answered it -with the hint of a dimple in her cheek and the beginnings of a smile- his heart soared on its own accord. He could not describe to himself the emotion that had welled up inside of him when he had entered the Dining Hall but he knew what he wanted the moment he had asked her to come with him and leave it.

Seeing her becoming one with the music, her feet nimbly following a pattern and yet also stamp powerfully on the marble had made him tremble with the same fervor. He was so relieved he had finally found her again after she and her cousin had come before his throne. And he had wanted to be alone with her. He had tried to calm his passion when Ori had offered him the harp and only his loyalty towards the Company had made him oblige. But now.. With that same feverish sensation still running through his veins, he allowed it untamed and unchecked..

He channeled his longing to anchor where their hands met, to where their fingers entwined and only came to a standstill once he had found the place he wanted to take her. The idea had entered his head only after they had left the Dining Hall but he felt glad he had acted on that impulse. The Moss Garden looked otherworldly serene, the green layer covering sculpted rocks and stone glistened with frost in the sparse moonlight that filtered in the cavernous room through small, square windows with deep shafts that had been diligently carved out of the mountain a long time ago. A few benches were scattered through the garden, placed next to the path that winded through it and went on out of sight.

He turned towards her, hand still holding on to hers and the way she looked up at him, blue eyes brighter than ever, made a thrill run through him. "Edúr.." He breathed out, relishing the sound of her name and how she responded to the intimacy of it in clutching his robe and pulling him closer, "Edúr.." He repeated yearningly, forcing himself to go on for if he did not say it now he feared he would soon be too intoxicated with her presence to do so.

"You must know what I have wanted to say to you. What I need to tell you. Forgive me for not knowing the right words. For having been so blind.. I saw nothing but strife, greed and gold. I saw enemies where there were none. I did not understand my own heart. I was such a fool. But now.. Now I see you. I see only you.." Thorin reached out to cup her face, the single, slow caress along her cheekbone seemed enough to set his own skin on fire and made her tremble, "I know I have not the right to hope.. But could you.. Could you ever love me? Please say you could love me too, my One.." His ardor made his voice husky and gravelly, a tremor traveled through him and it was growing more and more impossible not to give in to his longing. Not to brings his lips to hers.. But he could not. Not yet. What if she rejected him..

There were sparks igniting in the blue depths of her eyes and the careful smile breaking through on her beautiful face made him hold his breath in unbearable anticipation, "Uzbad-ê.. I already do.. Kurdu-ê ahrur du kurdu-zu.."

Thorin huffed out a long held in smile now hers grew, eyes narrowing a little in affection. Affection for him.. He could barely believe she had said those words. This could not be true.. He did not deserve her love..!

His declaration and her own truly sinking in, Edúr blushed, gaze dropping from his own and yet tilting her head to lean more in his hand still lovingly molded around the side of her face. Thorin found her coyness irresistible, he reveled in how her hands remained on his chest almost unconsciously holding him back as he bent further down. He was so close he could count each eyelash if he wanted to, he could hear how her breath hitched, could feel his lips tingle as they grazed hers…and then the rim of his elaborate crown bumped gently against her forehead.

She let out a partly stifled puff of air, expression lighting up with a playful mirth as her eyes strayed up to rest on his crown, chin subtly nudging towards it too, "Is it as heavy as it looks?" Edúr asked him, the teasing tone of her voice alone made it clear her mind was not really concerned with finding out the answer to that question. The challenging attempt to delay contrasting with the same desire as he held radiating off of her made Thorin even more desirous of kissing her.

"Aye, it has the weight of the mountain." He told her with a quirk of his mouth now a plan had hatched in his mind. He retreated both his hands, taking more pleasure than he knew he should when Edúr's eyes wavered for a split second and she bit her lower lip. Then he lifted his crown off his head and placed it reverently on hers before she could stop him. As he had expected it was too big and slid over her ears. Without giving her warning Thorin let go of it, making her catch it with her hands so it wouldn't fall in front of her eyes. They widened the moment she had unraveled his intentions and with both hands needed to keep the crown in place, and thus no longer on his chest to hold him back on behalf of her bashfulness, it was not only his heart to start racing uncontrollably it seemed.

Thorin snaked one arm around her waist and pulled her close, their bodies a perfect fit against the other, while his hand brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. Sparing the gold and black ridges resting on those amber waves but a brief glance, he softly pressed his own against her parted lips. She did not recoil but responded, moving slowly and tentatively at first as they gingerly explored each other, one mouth latching on to the other until the longing he had harbored for so long built up quickly and made him want more. It thrilled him that Edúr seemingly fell prey to her own desire for him too for both burst free from whatever restrained had held them back all this time.

It was bliss to have her kiss him back with equal ferociousness, to have their feelings guide them as he pulled his lips back so hers would cling cravingly to them only to close that gap once more, over and over again. The sensation of her supple lips denting as he enclosed them, as they melted with his own was wreaking havoc with his self-control, it sparked such a heat within him that simply seemed unstoppable now it was no longer shackled by his doubt that Edúr would ever feel the same.

With their kiss deepening even further, now punctuated by small, desperate gasps for air, he felt her hands join their passion as they curled around his shoulders, then his neck. But an instant later he realized what this must lead to. He pulled back a little as she suddenly froze to see how his crown had slid partly over her eyes. She laughed a clear, heartfelt laugh that immediately triggered his own to rumble up through his lungs. Thorin lifted the crown with his thumb so it would rest on her forehead again, saying in affectionate surprise, "Ah, there you are again, kalmrûna. I do not wish to be parted from those radiant orbs of blue, not for a moment. Never again.."

"There is only one way to achieve that." She told him in return, the unmistakable mischief tinging her voice and sparking little lights in her eyes sending a more than pleasant shudder to go through him. Edúr took the crown and turned it in her hands, placing it with sudden solemnity back on his head, "It is yours, after all. Dashat Durinul.."

His heart swelled, never had it beat this loudly in his ears and he stared back into her eyes, helplessly lost in their blue sincerity and a single tear escaping his control so it trickled down his cheek. Her smile held so much love he could not move as she clasped her hands together behind his neck, raising herself to stand on tiptoes so she could kiss the tear away. She planted the first kiss under his eye, the next just below that and then further down, all the way to the edge of his chin. He tilted his head forward, closer to hers and rubbed his nose lovingly against hers in gratitude, feeling he could never find the words to thank her for accepting his love for her. For reciprocating it. For caring about him of all dwarves. He had no idea how this was possible, how this dream could be real, but Mahal he was grateful for this moment they shared. An overwhelming happiness filled him at the precious thought of all those moments they might share in the future, the moments he now dared hope they would share..

On the verge of finding his voice again, desperately wanting to tell her again how much he loved her, how now more than ever he knew she was his One, the sudden, invading sounds of stone cracking violently before crushing hard had a panic-stricken look gather in her eyes, making him forget to breathe. Thorin held on tightly to her stiffened form and followed her line of vision over his shoulder, blood running cold as the experienced warrior in him instantly recognized the clamoring of weapons clashing against one another as they mingled with the shouts of dwarves and the shrieks and cries of orcs. Their enemy had found the tunnel…!


~Thanks for reading & Let me know what you think! (^-^b)~


A/N: Sorry that this chapter was a bit shorter than usual but it felt like the right moment to cut it 'cause it was too good and nasty a cliffie to pass up hehe ;) Merry Christmas everyone!

Khuzdul translations:

Uzbad-diya = her king

Uzbad-ê = my king

Kurdu-ê ahrur du kurdu-zu. = My heart belongs to your heart.

Kalmrûna = Crown Lady

Dashat Durinul = Son of Durin

As always, all the credit for the parts in Khuzdul go to the extensive website/dictionary of the brilliant Dwarrow Scholar! :)