Hi all, sorry about the delay but it took a while to get the feel for this chapter just how i wanted it. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 36

It was dawn and an interesting conversation from outside the canvas shelter roused Sara from her slumber.

"I was so cold last night my hammer almost got frostbite!"

"Ha! I was so cold I thought my pecker and stones would turn blue and snap off"

"Your pecker and stones may be blue but it's from lack of use not the cold"

"I don't know about that. Look at his arms. I would still bet he handles his own hammer more than most".

What followed was the sound of hearty unintelligible laughter. Sara smiled despite herself. She had been around enough dwarfs in the forges to not blush with such crude banter.

Whilst quietly listening to the grown dwarfs acting like pubescent dwarflings, Sara realised that she was not feeling the cold as they so eloquently described but felt rather very snug and comfortable. It was only when Sara moved that she realised she was covered by an additional set a heavy furs. Thorin clearly did not take no for an answer she thought by way of explanation as she idly stroked the soft material with her fingertips. She would normally be irritated that he disregarded what she had said but she couldn't help but enjoy the comfort and warmth the extra blanket brought.

Smirking at the banter outside, Sara slowly crawled out from under the fur blankets. She still felt incredibly weak, and it took all her energy to move.

She peered out from behind the canvas to see the five dwarfs sitting on a fallen log next to a camp small fire. She couldn't help but see the ease which Thorin conversed. There was no ceremony or formality. It was like in that moment, he was just another dwarf. Inadvertently Sara's anger and hurt seemed to be slowly receding. In quite moments such as this, almost mesmerised by him, it would be easy to forget everything that he had put her through. However once again, Sara shook herself out of such folly.

Upon standing upright, Sara immediately felt woozy. With a deep breath of cold air, Sara left the confines of the shelter with a fur blanket wrapped firmly around her frail person. It was so cold outside that as she exhaled, her breath formed white mist, much like a puff of smoke. Her eyes trailed up to the evergreen forest trees that surrounded the clearing and she noted they were dusted with a light frost. The cold months were definitely upon them.

Her attention then went back to the dwarfs before her, who were still laughing and talking vulgarities regarding the effect cold has on one's manhood. She smirked and stepped forward, breaking a twig underneath her feet.

*snap*

Immediately the dwarfs turned towards the noise. Upon realising Sara was awake, they stopped talking and practically jumped up out of respect. Sara noted that none but Thorin made eye contact with her. Instead the others just bashfully looked at their boots.

Thorin took several quick decisive steps towards Sara and clasped his arm around her as if sensing her weakness. Sara did not refuse his assistance as much as she wanted too. He then helped her to a seat on the log.

"I apologise for the crude words you most certainly overheard" Throin said in earnest.

"It is of no consequence. I assure you that I have been exposed to worse talk working in forges and among blacksmiths" Sara responded with amusement.

"Aye, well we are not in the habit of behaving like that in front of a dwarrowdam, so I do ask your pardon" Maxon said from the side, clearly mortified that the she had heard such words.

With an amused smile Sara nodded.

Thorin seemed to bustle about the small camp before he brought Sara a small bowl full of porridge and a mug full of Kowen's special tea.

"Thank you" Sara said.

As she went to take the bowl from Thorin's larger hands, their fingers touched momentarily, sending sparks through both of their bodies. Complicated hazel eyes met those of blue and for that moment, no one else existed. Despite everything that had transpired between them, the chemistry was undeniable.

"Your welcome" Thorin whispered close to her ear with his deep husky voice. He was almost breathless and barely audible. Truthfully they were the only words that he could muster. While his words disclosed nothing, his blue eyes betrayed him. They were smouldering with passion, silently and simultaneously disclosing all the feelings erupting inside of him in that moment. Desperately expressing what he dared could not articulate.

Hearing Thorin's voice like that sent shivers up Sara's spine. Her heart was absolutely racing, the weakness was still there, and she was not entirely confident that she would not pass out. However in that split second Sara had a tiny flashback. She remembered the kiss they shared the night of the ball. She remembered the moment their lips touched it was like magic, sending shock waves of desire through their bodies. But then her mind took a painful path and led her to the memory of being thrown into the prisoner wagon with a thud. She remembered the feeling of hurt and betrayal. How it all simultaneously validated her rejection of him and destroyed the illusion of romance she had hoped to cling too. However now, Thorin knew she was a Drakk Kazhunki and he still seemed to be interested in her, albeit not as openly. She dared not speculate further as she was yet to see him face to face with Raegan. That would be revealing Sara thought.

Thorin retreated as he saw the tightening of Sara's jaw and the furrow of her brow. After all he did not wish to cause her further discomfort.

Breaking the silence from the other side of the fire Thorin spoke.

"I trust you slept well?"

Sara nodded, as she looked down to her bowl in an effort to ignore his penetrating gaze from across the fire.

She looked at the porridge that was on her lap but couldn't bring herself to eat it. She felt so ill, and her appetite was non-existent. Sara's head was throbbing constantly. She felt as if someone had split her head in two with an axe. Although she was not looking at her travel companions, she could feel their eyes scrutinising her. So even though she didn't feel like anything she took a few feeble sips of the tea. It did nothing to improve her headache but it did bring her warmth.

After breakfast, the dwarfs packed up camp and commenced the last leg of the journey to Raegan's cave. From this point on it was an uphill ascent through the forest until they were to reach the mouth of the cave which was half way up a rocky mountain. The deeper into the forest they ventured the darker and colder it became, with the brisk morning chill seemingly more permanent in the thickness of the trees. The ground also gradually changed from being blanketed in pine needles and long yellow grass to grey rocks covered with dark green moss.

Reluctantly Sara resigned to her current state of weakness and she was feeling more and more dependent on Thorin for support in the saddle. She rested her head back against the thick furs he wore. With the back and forth motion of the horse moving underneath them, Sara allowed herself to be hypnotised by the rhythm.

As Sara rested her head back weakly she closed her eyes. She had never felt her health more compromised and was now at a point where even the energy to speak seemed too much effort.

Sara missed Raegan more than anything and longed to be reunited with her friend. She could only hope that she would get there in time as it felt like her very life force was leaving her as if it were sand slipping through her fingers.

Staring her mortality in the eyes, it gave Sara a new perspective on what mattered. She no longer had the will to cling onto bitterness and resentment that had resided in her since Thorin had imprisoned her. It felt too heavy on her heart and too much energy to carry within. So instead in that moment she decided to embrace the feelings that she had been fighting like a fierce shield maiden at the head of battle. As if her stubbornness had been eroded, she finally decided to accept the fact that despite everything Thorin had done, she did still have very real feelings for him, perhaps even love him. Upon finally accepting her true feelings a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. With a small sigh, Sara slipped off into a state of unconsciousness.

Riding silently in the middle of the group Thorin was becoming increasingly worried about the dwarrow he had protectively against his chest. There was no doubt that she was weaker again today and looked as pale as the moon. Despite Thorin's best efforts, Sara almost slipped off the side of the horse. It was Thorin's forearms which rested either side of her waist which prevented her from falling. However it was apparent that Sara was now unable to sit unaided. While she was seemingly unconscious her body was quivering ever so slightly.

Noticing this, Thorin drew to a halt and glanced at over at Dwalin with an expression of concern.

"How is she?" Dwalin questioned quietly, noting Sara's closed eyelids and peaceful expression.

"Not good… And she is cold" Thorin muttered with furrowed brows as he opened his thick fur jacket and wrapped it around Sara's upper body, trapping her inside in the hopes he could share his warmth.

Thorin readjusted himself so one arm was around Sara's waist, anchoring her to him. The dead weight of her body leant against him. His other was holding on the reins guiding the horse.

Once it became apparent that Sara was unconscious, Thorin needed to take extra precautions to ensure she did not fall. They now were travelling at a walk rather than a trot. The incline of the ground was getting a bit steeper, and the ground was becoming more uneven with more rocks which served to slow them down further. What would have taken one hour in the trot took the better of the afternoon at a steady walk.

It was mid-afternoon by the time they reached the edge of the forest. Thorin felt an uneasy sense of foreboding as he could see the rocky face of the mountain where the dragon supposedly resided through the trees. The knowledge that a dragon was possibly close by sent a deadly shiver down his spine yet he felt compelled to continue for Sara. His senses were on edge. Every creak of the forest or squawk of a bird made his heart jump out of his chest.

The Dwalin and the guards were also just as tense and uneasy.

Observing the sky, Thorin ordered the guards to make camp at the base of the rocky mountain.

Thorin carefully lowered Sara from the horse down to Dwalin. He feared she might break as she felt so light in his hands. Thorin quickly dismounted and scooped Sara into his arms with ease.

"It is important that no matter how much danger you think I am in, you do not come after me" Thorin said seriously as he made stern eye contact with each member of the group as if to reinforce his words.

Dwalin looked at him uneasily.

"Are you sure? The dragon…." Dwalin went to continue but was interrupted.

"Aye the dragon. I did not bring you here to be burnt to a crisp my dear friend. If you believe that things have gone wrong when I face the dragon, I bid that you leave me and send a messenger raven to warn Erebor".

"I will not leave you" Dwalin said stubbornly.

"As your king I command that you do as I say". Thorin had never meant a set of orders more than he did at that moment. He knew he was taking a big risk venturing up to the dragon's cave and refused to allow anyone else to be in direct harms way.

"As you wish" Dwalin conceded reluctantly with a grumble.

Thorin softened momentarily before looking up at the rocky mountainside anxiously.

"If all is well I will be back by nightfall. In the meantime make camp here" Thorin said with authority before turning on his heels.

With Sara bundled in his arms, Thorin started to make his way up the mountain looking for the mouth of the cave. He hadn't walked that long when he spotted the ominous mouth of the cave which was not visible from the bottom of the mountain.

The closer his steps brought him, the greater his nerves became. His mind was replaying the horrors that had befallen him and his people. The heat, the stench of burning flesh, the death, the cries of his people. He quickly paused and looked down at Sara's face which was impassive. The pain of the past was temporarily dulled and he was filled with overwhelming desire to protect her at all costs, even if the cost was his life, he deemed it a worthy endeavour. He would do this for her. If she trusts this dragon you must as well he told himself. This is for Sara… This is for Sara… This is for Sara he thought to himself over and over. Willing himself Thorin fought back the fear and continued to place on foot in front of the other towards the dark cave entrance.

Not knowing exactly what to do once he got to the mouth of the cave, Thorin stood silently cradling an unconscious Sara in his arms trying to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness before him. He had never been in a dragon's own lair before and had no idea how not to get killed. He thought that the dragon would soon sense his presence and come to him, however he could not be sure. Maybe the dragon was long gone? However Thorin's uncertainty didn't last long.

Out of the darkness, Thorin's eyes could detect movement. Then before he knew it, the dragon was right there before him . It was like it had been camouflaged and had only became visible to him upon her deliberate movement.

Thorin trembled but his feet remained grounded. He held Sara closer to his chest but he was unsure if it was for his own comfort or out of an instinct to protect her. He dared not make eye contact with the serpent.

Raegan curved her neck back looking down on the King like a snake about to strike its prey. Arching her neck and looking down at him from above with the most piecing yellow eyes she spoke in a calm voice that still managed to convey the venom she felt for the King.

"What have you done dwarf".

Please review! In particular I wanted to try and ensure the progression of Sara's feelings didn't seem sudden or unauthentic. I want the progression to not be 0 to 100 in 3 seconds if you know what i mean.