Hello again and welcome to chapter 31! So much hype and I feel blessed to have the few loyal readers I do along with reviewers. This chapter is the second part to the ball so I hope you enjoy it! Check out killthepain62's story out, it's called Welcome Home!

Disclaimer: I do not own the hobbit nor Kalar and the Imelkane Clan; I do however own my own characters and the art work I do for the series.

Chapter Thirty-One: Second Meetings

"Hi." Lian breathed, her already tight stomach twisting uncomfortably.

Thorin was peering down at her from the other side of the pillar, his clear blue eyes staring straight into her soul it felt like. He looked strikingly handsome with his dark locks braided and weaved on the back of his skull with the rest falling loosely down his back. He wore attire similar to Stevvin's but far more fancy with silver chains dangling from his pocket and rich satin blue coat as well as a silver crown that was snugly placed upon his head.

"What are you doing?" He asked, puzzled to find her in such a position and not to mention shocked by her appearance; she looked different than before and he didn't know if he liked this new look or not. She certainly gave off a feminine air around her now, even in her awkward slouch and showed more skin than he felt he could physically bear. He felt his head spin just from the swell of her breasts over her neckline. The dress she wore in Rivendell had a more modest style unlike this one which though modest compared to some, complimented the most desirable parts of her body.

"I…" She began but she really had no words to explain her predicament and felt her face began to warm up in embarrassment; she must have looked like a complete fool! The very thing she was trying to avoid had happened and she didn't even have a logical explanation to give him.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He panicked upon seeing tears brim her lashes; this was not what the dwarf was expecting when he met the young women again; maybe some yelling but not crying.

"Just help me up! I can hardly move in this damned dress!" She lashed out, completely mortified with herself and even more so now that she had begun to tear up. Great way to keep the mood nonchalant. Thorin quickly stepped over the bushes and helped her up by her arm, her flesh tingling under his heated touch.

She stood there completely frozen in embarrassment, she was afraid to look Thorin in the eye but hers were glued to the hand he still had gently holding her elbow. Neither said anything and Lian felt her nerves building up to the point of busting open; finally when she couldn't bare the silence anymore she peered up through her lashes.

Her breathing hitched when she saw his pale blue eyes burning into her own, they were fierce yet still had a tender edge to them and she couldn't help but be drawn into them. His coarse palm connected with the tender flesh of her cheek, snapping her out of her trance and she realized that she had been subconsciously leaning in closer. She didn't know what to say or do but she knew she didn't want to leave the attention of Thorin's heated gaze; goosebumps had risen on her flesh and she felt her stomach flitter back and forth. The feeling kept building and she wanted to throw her arms around him at this point and never let go for it would be like ripping her limb away from her.

"I've missed ya." She had breathed the words before she even registered her mouth opening, her cheeks heating up even more if possible; though she didn't know if it was from embarrassment of passion anymore.

"Then don't ever leave me again." He almost growled as he gripped the back of her neck forcefully; pressed their lips together in a heated frenzy of lips and tongue. She didn't even register surprise as she fell into the torrents of passion boiling in the pits of her belly. She needed this; she needed him, he was the adventure she craved and the security she confined in.

In a split second he had her pinned against the pillar, legs attempting to wrap around his hips but her dress restricted her from such movements as her torso attempted to curve. Eventually she gave up on the task and tangled her fingers in his thick locks; his hands roaming the curve of her hips until he finally enveloped the soft cheeks of her behind in his powerful hands. She gasped at the contact, trembling in excitement and nerves; she'd never been touched in such a manner and it created a new sensation to settle upon her as she pulled away from their frenzied lip-lock.

"Thorin." She gasped; her voice almost like a squeak as her mind debated pulling away or leaning in as the dwarf showered her exposed flesh with kisses and his hot breath. Her mind was growing foggier and foggier but finally she managed enough strength to pull him close enough to where they just held each other close. Their heavy breathing could be heard loudly but she didn't care as she felt him press his cheek against hers; hot breath bathing her ear as he panted.

She slowly ran her fingers along his broad shoulder blades, trailing down the line of his back until she reached the waistband of his trousers and retraced her path. He let out a deep rumble from within his throat; clearly enjoy the soothing ministrations she was giving him. Lian inhaled his earthy scent, enticing a pleasant shiver down her spine as she bathed in his essence; her body craving his mere company.

Whatever awkwardness there had been before was long gone as they held each other close; she found comfort in his steady heartbeat she felt thrumming against his firm chest. Funny that he seemed taller than she remembered, perhaps it was her footwear that made the difference; he stood nearly the same height as her now.

"I was expecting a more violent greeting but I'll just consider myself lucky." He murmured, softly stroking her mussed curls; she was sure they both probably looked a bit disheveled at the moment.

"I was angrier about the timing than the actual invitation; I had family visiting the next day so I felt guilty that I would have to leave just as they arrived." She explained, letting out a sigh as she recalled the stressful situation she had found herself in. "I guess it worked out in the end though; they seem to be having a pleasant time at the party."

"I didn't know you had any other family asides from your father." Thorin puzzled, leading her around and towards the stone bench she had previously been trying to occupy. She felt her torso pinch when she attempted to curve her back to sit, wincing at the feeling.

"Aye, my Uncle and his family; they hold no royal blood though since my Uncle is only my fathers half-brother. They shared the same mother but not fathers and my grandfather was the king before my father." She explained, knowing that he obviously was wondering why she had to be the one to give an heir to the throne and not her uncle's family.

"I have an inkling of how that must be; I'm the oldest son yet have no heirs of my own to take over the throne. I'm truly blessed that Dis had her own to take over if I were to pass." He hummed, clasping their hands together so he could stroke his coarse thumb across her knuckles. Her hands were worn and calloused like any mans though the shape still held a hint of feminine quality to them; especially next to Thorin's. She began to love those hands of his in that moment as they clasp her much smaller ones in their sturdy grasp; so strong yet capable of being just as tender.

"What about your other sibling? Ya said there were three of ya." She recalled the distance conversation from so long ago, proud she still remembered.

"My brother, Frerin, perished in the Battle of Azanulbizar from his wounds; from what I know he had no children." He explained, his jaw visibly flexing at the mention of that dreaded battle that took so many loved ones away from him; he would no doubt never find out what happened to his father.

Lian squeezed his hand gently as much as she could around his larger one, feeling her heart go out to him for the pain he must have endured. She could only remember how pained she'd been when she thought she'd lost her father, but to think of the pain Thorin must have felt when he lost his brother, grandfather and father was unimaginable.

"Well yer still alive, I'm sure ya'll have children of yer own in the near future." She tried to lighten up the mood, not really thinking about what she was saying until he looked at her with a funny look. It took her a split second to realize her mistake before she began to blubber out her explanation.

"I-I didn't mean it like that! I mean I'm sure ya'll have children but I'm not saying with me! Wait…I'm not saying that I don't want kids of my own, I'd love to!" She babbled, her cheeks growing hotter as she further embarrassed herself. She finally stopped abruptly and covered her face with her hands as she let out a groan; so much for no more awkwardness.

"Lian…"

She looked up; a bit puzzled by the way he spoke her name almost…nervously, she watched him pursed his lips, hand fidgeting in his coat pocket. It wasn't a common thing to see Thorin neither uncertain nor nervous; it almost worried her but she tried not to assume the worst out of his behavior.

"What is it?" She asked slowly.

His thick brows furrowed deeply and he began to flex his jaw excessively as he often did when he was deeply worried or angry. Finally he retracted his hand from his pocket, clenching his fist tightly in his lap before straightening his back.

"Lian, I feel that we've known each other long enough to be honest with one another about our…feelings. So I feel it unfair for us to continue on like we have any longer, for both you and I." He explained, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat; he'd never felt so nervous before even when he was gathering a small band of dwarves to reclaim their homeland.

"Did I do something wrong?" She immediately croaked, panic seeping into her bones instantaneously for her idiocrasy had surely finally led to her demise.

"What? No!" He quickly assured her, causing the tightening of her chest to release immediately.

"What is it then?" She asked, far more relaxed but still anxious.

Thorin stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth in front of her, displaying almost a brooding look upon his rugged features. Lian was a bit surprised by his sudden behavior, not expecting him to openly display his troubled appearance in front of her. He halted suddenly, causing her to jump in her sitting position before he almost aggressively turned towards her with a determined look in his eye.

"Lian, will you allow me to prove myself as both a worthy dwarf and husband?" His words nearly blended in together from how fast they came out. Her mouth dropped open in her stupor, not believing what she'd just heard until he kneeled in front of her.

"I promise to treat you as you deserve; my heart has seen much but you are the first to cause me to feel as though I've truly begun to live. I will not lie; I have not always been a good person nor are my hands clean of sin but none of those would compare to the sin I'd commit to myself for letting you escape my grasp." His voice nearly cracked and his clear eyes began to glisten, showing his words to be genuine for his pride could never allow him to do so on any other occasion. Lian felt her throat close up as her own emotion began to bubble up, she always assumed Thorin was too prideful to admit his feelings even if you took a brick to his head but he had just proved her wrong.

"I love you." He whispered after taking her hand softly; slipping something cold against the warm flesh of her palm. She peered at him shortly before opening her hand to reveal a small silver bead glinting in the white crystal light of the cavern. She felt tears well up for she knew what the bead represented, Falian had spoken with her of dwarven courting rituals long ago but she never thought she would have a need for the information until now.

"Thorin…I…I love ya too." She breathed, tears finally spilling as she slipped her arms around his neck and held him close, his sturdy arms intertwining around her small shoulders as well. He released a shaky chuckle from deep within his chest, placing a tender kiss against her jaw as they bathed in each others joy.

"Here." He told her gently, slipping the bead from her hand as he settled back on the bench with her; taking one of the small ringlets of curls in his fingers. He began to braid the piece of hair to drape over her shoulder; her hair having grown in the last four months to the middle of her shoulder blades. She felt her flesh heat up when his fingers lightly brushed against the flesh on her neck until finally he clasped the bead around the end of the braid.

"Wait! What about my father? We'll have to ask for his blessings." Lian suddenly realized.

"I asked for his blessings before you even received your invitation, he's already given me them." Thorin chuckled and Lian felt her heart warm at the fact that Thorin had planned the matter out up to this point. She felt like such a fool for being so harsh towards him through her last letter; she's lucky it didn't make the dwarf change his mind.

"We should return to the party, I'm sure Dain will be wondering where I've run off to." Thorin hummed, pressing a kiss to her cheek and she felt her mouth almost water from how sweet it was.

"Mmm, same; hopefully Gordon doesn't try to dance with me again." She mused, laying her head against his shoulder with a deep sigh as they just sat there for a moment. Sadly they did have to return so with the help of Thorin she stood and they walked back into the ballroom.

The music was playing loudly as people danced and chattered just as before, nothing had changed and yet it felt like Lian's world just had. She reluctantly began to walk away to find Martha but Thorin stopped her, drawing her in close so his lips were mere inches away from her ear.

"I believe I'd like to enjoy your company for as long as I can if that's alright with you." He told more than asked her, she had no objections though as an obnoxious lop-sided grin plastered itself to her face. She had expected for him to go back to entertaining the many lords and ladies of the court but he seemed to have other plans.

"If it is yer wish, King Under the Mountain." She teased, loving the slight cringe he got on his face from the title; he'd obviously been called such far too many times for his liking.

"May I have this dance then?" He asked, taking a deep bow with her hand held in his.

"Oh no, I'm a horrible dancer!" She quickly backtracked but he wasn't having any of that.

"Then let me teach you." And with that he whisked her out onto the dance floor as a slower paced song began to play throughout the room. The people dancing on the floor gave them a respectable distance unlike when she and Gordon were whirling about and she felt her heart flutter as he placed his hand upon her waist. "Relax."

She swallowed nervously as he began to lead her into the rhythm of the dance; it was a completely different experience than with Gordon. Thorin was an excellent teacher and would tell her when to dip or twirl as needed; eventually they came upon a song with a faster tempo to its merry tune.

Lian was so enthralled with Thorin that she began to laugh as they twirled and kicked their feet out; she didn't even notice the pinching of her corset anymore. She heard the company whistling and cheering from the sidelines upon seeing them together but this only made her smile bigger. Thorin too looked as though he enjoyed their dancing, his eyes sparkled with amusement and adrenaline as they hooked arms, skipping and kicking around each other to the upbeat tune.

"Is that?" Dori gasped from the sidelines upon noticing the silver bead dangling from the lasses hair.

"Aye, that is." Oin chuckled.

The song ended and Lian was breathless from the adrenaline pumping through her veins though somehow Thorin looked unaffected as he led her off the dance floor.

"I thought you said you couldn't dance?" He chuckled, his hand wrapped securely around her waist as he led her towards the beverage table.

"I thought I couldn't but obvious I just had the wrong partner." She laughed merrily, she could hardly remember the last time she'd let out a full bellied laugh; felt like years ago. Many eyes were glued to the pair and Lian didn't have to look to know that they weren't all purely curious; dwarves and dwarrowdams were passing a critical eye over them as though trying to pick out all of their flaws. Lian chose to ignore the stares though as she prattled on merrily with Thorin, trying to soak up as much of his attention as she could so he may not notice the stares.

"Who's that?" She asked, enjoying as Thorin indirectly introduced her to the people around the room, she preferred simply having him point them out and tell her who was who.

"That's Kalar, he's an interesting lad; from what I know he only speaks through Khudzul hand gestures. He's the last remaining member of the Imelkane clan; Azog the Defiler wiped out the others." Thorin practically spat Azog's name as if it burned his tongue. "I know little of him though his people were well known and thought of by us dwarves, I only wish they'd met mercies hand."

Lian peered over at the lad, noticing the short cropped hair and mask covering the bottom half of his face, the most striking feature about him were his golden eyes framed under thick lashes. Odd; he seemed fairly feminine for a man though then again she was used to large burly northerners so maybe her perspective was a bit jaded. He did seem to be well met with Tauriel though for they spoke rather fondly with one another; he didn't seem to be using his hands though but he did have a thumb tucked under the bottom of his mask as if he were whispering.

Wailing suddenly reached Lian's ears over the crowd, distracting her from her previous thoughts as it drew closer; finally Dain of all people broke through the crowd with a crying Rowan in his arms. Her face was a bright crimson as she wailed loudly, kicking and screaming in the man's arms as he looked around frantically; eventually his eyes fell on hers and he let out a loud exclamation of relief.

"There you are lass! I've been looking all over for you!" He boomed, rushing over and Lian quickly took the crying child from his arms, not caring that she was being covered with a mixture of tears, slobber and snot as she attempted to calm the child.

"I don't know what happened; Nori just gave the babe to me and ran off after some lass! She just started crying and I couldn't calm her down!" Dain quickly began to defend as if she may think he was the cause for the child's tears. She was honestly glad that Rowan had been brought to her and not passed around like a platter or else something bad could have really happened to her.

"Dai-I mean Lord Dain, she's fine; just tired. She's not used to being up this late so don't worry, ya didn't do anything wrong." She reassured the dwarf, rubbing soothing circles on the child's back as she buried her snot and tears covered face against the crook of Lian's neck.

"Thank Durin, people were beginning to look at me as though I was torturing the lass!" Dain grumbled, running a hand across his neatly braided Mohawk.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have left her with the others." She apologized, satisfied that the child had quieted her wailing to small hiccups and moans as she rubbed her chubby hands against her tired eyes. She hated to leave now but she knew the child needed to be cleaned up and off to bed now, perhaps she'd get the chance to talk with Thorin another time.

"Oh, my lord; we meet again." Suddenly chimed in a feminine voice and they all turned to notice a young dwarrowdam standing before them. She was quite striking for a female-dwarf with curly spools of golden hair framing her plump face and small button nose to go with her doll-like features. Like most of the dwarves she had a plump figure with a full bust and wide hips perfect for child-bearing that the opposite sex desired in females; small sideburns on her cheeks were the only facial hair she adored but that were easily hidden by her curls.

"Lady Danora." Thorin addressed the womanly politely though he seemed a bit irked by her sudden appearance from the twitch of his jaw. Lian found the woman's voice vaguely familiar but then again she'd heard so many voices in passing that she couldn't tell who was who.

"I did so enjoy our conversation earlier; it was so nice to be away from the party, just the two of us." Her tone was airy and held a hint of hidden suggestion in its words as her blue eyes flickered over Lian before returning back to the dwarf king.

"Indeed, I do apologize for my curtness before though; it was out of place." Thorin answered, not even fazed by her flirtatious attitude.

"Oh it was nothing!" She giggled, sounding almost like a tinkering bell; she was obviously well practiced when it came to acting for even Lian almost believed her persona to be real.

"I'll be going, I have to put Rowan to bed plus I'm tired from my travels." Lian slowly spoke, not trying to be rude as she cut in on their small conversation.

"Oh, is this Lord Dain's wife?" Lady Danora cut in, a dazzling smile plastered to her face as she faced Lian for the first time since her appearance. She was a bit taken aback by the woman's assumption, locking eyes with a confused Dain before looking back at the woman.

"Excuse me?" Lian baffled.

"Oh! My mistake; you must be his concubine, silly me!" She laughed lightly as if to pass it off as something perfectly common. Lian so appalled by her accusation that she didn't notice Dain sneak back away; she was about to hand Rowan to Thorin so she could give this lady something to talk about. Thorin was quick to stop her though by pulling her against his side, hand firmly securing her waist in his large hand.

"She's my fiancé." He corrected dryly, looking unamused by the passive-aggressive jabs the woman threw at Lian.

"F-Fiancé?"

This seemed to catch the woman off guard and caused the woman look Lian over once more, lightly cringing at the slobber and snot smeared across Lian's chest from the child perched firmly on her hip.

"When did this happen, my lord?" She quickly composed herself under a bright smile though it wasn't quite as convincing as before.

"Right after you left to return to the party, actually. In a way I should thank you for leading me straight to her just like you planned." Thorin was doing an excellent job in keeping the smile from tugging at his lips for it was amusing to see the woman attempt to keep her composer.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, my lord." She replied smoothly, obviously more guarded with her expressions now.

"Wasn't it your intentions to seduce me in front of what you thought to be the competition? At least that's what I heard before you invited me for our little private conversation." Thorin spoke and Lian could hear the slightest quiver of laughter in his voice, she too pursed her lips to restrain a smile but she wasn't nearly as well practiced in the art as the dwarf king.

"I-If you'll excuse me." She gave an abrupt curtsey before briskly waltzing away with a look of mortification on her pretty face.

"Did she really do that?" Lian murmured, feeling a bit bad for the girl despite her attempts to belittle her.

"Aye, I heard her conversing with her giggling group of friends about it before she approached me; I'm assuming they thought I wasn't able to hear over the music." He mused, shoulders shaking as a deep chuckle reverberated throughout his chest. Lian felt the hairs on her neck stand up as he pressed his face into her hair to hide the smile on his lips.

"I'm glad ya had yer fun but I really do have to take Rowan to bed." Lian explained, feeling Rowan drool begin to run down her cleavage. Thorin pulled away to glance down at the now half-awake child as she laid her head against Lian's chest, mouth agape with glistening drool and crusting snot on her face. He felt his heart tug with a certain fondness for the child; he knew that Lian had taken her in as her adoptive daughter though he worried about the manner of which he'd treat her. He's been the male role-model for his nephews growing up due to their father's early passing but he never considered himself as their father figure.

He pressed a hand to the child's head and ran a thumb over her smooth forehead, causing the child to nuzzling into Lian's chest with a gurgle of coos. The dwarf felt a smile tug at his lips as the corners of his eyes crinkled in adoration; yes, he had a feeling that he'd have no problem thinking of this child as his own. Especially when she was next to Lian, motherhood suited her stunningly and if anything it made his desire for her flesh all the more tempting; he would not shame her with the loss of her innocence out of wed-lock though.

"Join me tomorrow before breakfast." He whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver when his lips brushed across the sensitive flesh; he was going to be the death of her. She quickly nodded, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she turned swiftly to retreat back to the entrance of the ballroom. She spotted Sampson trying to coax one of a woman into a dance but she looked as though she'd rather not due to the lads drunken stupor. Uncle Tundain and Aunt Villox were talking with Bard and Dain, who must have slipped away before the big 'announcement', Tundain and Dain looked to be in a heated discussion with Dain and Villox just listening in.

She didn't see Gordon or Nora but she was almost positive that Gordon was passed out somewhere from how much he'd drunk with Nora looking over him. Martha and Stevvin were nowhere to be seen as well which Lian gave no real thought as she exited the grand room to make her way back to their chambers. When she did enter she found Nora already asleep with Tara nestled up beside her on their bed; Lian looked forward to doing the same as she waltzed towards the bathing area.

She dipped a rag into the now cold pool of water and cleaned the drool and snot off her and Rowan, causing the child to grumble in her sleep before relaxing. Lian let out a sigh of relief when she finally loosened the laces to her corset, allowing air to fill her lungs to the brim finally. The experience wasn't as dreadful as she'd thought it'd be but her ribs and feet were already sore from the foreign attire she was stuffed into.

Once out of the dress she threw it to the floor, not caring if it got dirty as she undressed Rowan and slipped her into her night gown; Lian on the other hand went to bad still in her lace under blouse and thin slip for her skirt. She was far too tired to change into her normal sleep attire and settled for snuggling up on her and Martha's bed for a much needed rest.

Dori be like: O.O And Oin be like: (́◉◞౪◟◉)