Chapter 50

A Better Dwarf

It had been a week since our last encounter with Turwaithion. Thorin never let me out of his sight, and I did not mind at all. We would send groups to search the Mountain for any sign of the Hidden Door, and every day we would be disappointed. I lay awake one night and Thorin was fast asleep beside me. The key was hanging around his neck. I picked it up and examined it. It was an odd looking key, but sort of pretty. Thorin's eyes opened and he grabbed my wrist.

"It is only me darling." I said.

He sighed and loosened his grip on my wrist.

"Forgive me…."

"No there is nothing to forgive. It is rather difficult to sleep, when Ann and Dwalin are a little ways away being….."

He smirked.

"Physically loving?"

"Well put." I said.

He chuckled and ran a hand through my hair. I looked at him.

"Have you taken an interest in my hair?" I asked.

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"It is soft as silk. Does it bother you?"

I smiled and entwined my fingers in his free hand.

"Normally I never allow people to touch my hair…" I smiled more. "I love it when you do."

He chuckled and continued to run his fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling. He hummed to me and I laughed a little.

"What?"

I did not open my eyes as I spoke.

"When I first met you…I never would have guessed you could be this way with anyone." I whispered.

I felt his lips on my hair.

"Ever were you serious and angry at the world, then I saw you start to change. Whenever you were around me you seemed relaxed and almost content."

"I am always content by your side. You have changed me Ella…I was not always the way I was before I met you. I was very much like I am now, here with you." I opened my eyes. His were closed. "I was far more trusting, though not by much. I was….happier."

His hand stopped running through my hair and he opened his eyes.

"Once my people were betrayed and my home taken….I changed. Not for the better I would think. I was cold, untrusting and always very angry. When I fist saw you I felt different. I felt myself trusting you and I was afraid. Afraid that you would betray me like so many I had trusted had. You were never afraid to put me in my place, and I hated you for it, but I realized I loved you for it. You were not afraid to speak your mind, and you never allowed anyone to control your life. I love that about you Ella. You saved me from the cold and cruel dwarf I was."

I put my finger to his lips.

"You were never cold and cruel. It was a shield you put around yourself, because you feared to be hurt again. I understand. I was once the same way. Thorin I shall never hurt you."

"Nor I you."

I smiled and he pulled me into a deep and passionate kiss. When we separated I smiled and snuggled up close to him.

"You have made me a better dwarf Ella. You helped me see that not everything is as it seems. I love you so much." he whispered.

"What if your people do not approve of you choosing me?" I asked.

It was a question I had long needed to ask. Thorin was silent for a while before saying,

"I care not what anyone says or thinks."

"I do not wish to bring shame to your family…."

He lifted my chin.

"They may not trust what they cannot explain or what they do not know. You all I could have ever asked for. You are the most wonderful, beautiful and pure hearted woman I have ever known. You will be the greatest Queen Under the Mountain in the history of Erebor. Everyone shall see how truly wonderful you are." He said.

I smiled and nodded. He kissed my cheek.

"Sleep sweetheart."

I nodded and went to sleep.