A.N. Wow. What a crazy world we live in right now. Thank God, it has not affected my life too much, other than my husband being grounded at his academy until he graduates. We're hoping that will be in May. This will be the longest he and I will have ever been apart. However, I know this is nothing compared to the trials so many others are facing. If any of you reading this are one of those whose lives have been detrimentally altered, I am praying for you, and hope my stories can lighten your load a little. We are all in this together.
ChelseaSW6: Those are certainly hard habits to break, aren't they? Lol.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.
-18 hours prior:
Thorin had picked up the habit of pacing the battlements when he had free time. The letter from Di̒s had sais that they were on their way home, but something was wrong. Her words were short, and seemed cold. She had detailed their rescue by Nathir, and mentioned that there were some complications, but that everyone was fine. Instead of comforting him, her words had his heart plummeting. When he showed it to Fili, Kili, and Balin, they were just as concerned. To the rest of their people, they made sure to act confident, but their anxiety rose every day. Each time Thorin would ascend the steps to the battlements, the guards would give him plenty of space and silence. Durin's Day was only a month off, and any cloud felt like it could bring the first snow of the season. Thorin looked out over the night-soaked valley, then up to Dale, which was nearly rebuilt. Movement caught his eyes from the valley, but it was too dark for him to make out any details.
"Riders!" one of the sentries called.
They waited for Thorin to give an order, but he was squinting at the dark figures, desperately trying to make out who they were. When he saw the long, braided hair, he sprinted for the stairs.
"Open the gate!" he called.
The two riders were just coming through when he reached the bottom. He helped Danica dismount, and then immediately pulled her into his arms. Distantly, he could hear some calls saying that the queen had returned.
"Thank Mahal you are safe," he breathed.
She relaxed into him for only a moment, then leaned back, face anxious. "Thorin, we have to talk,"
He looked past her, but only she and Nathir were there. "Where are the others?"
"On their way. We made sure to leave before them,"
"Why? What has happened?"
Her brows tilted inward, but he could see a glimmer of amusement. "May we talk somewhere else?" she asked, eyes moving to the growing group of onlookers.
Nodding, he led her and Nathir to the council chamber, and summoned Fili, Kili, and Balin. He also made sure food and water were brought for the weary travelers. Upon arrival, his nephews instantly went to Danica, and wrapped her in hugs. Word of her return must have spread quickly. When Kili swept her off her feet in a twirl, her laugh bounced off the walls, and seemed to brighten the whole mountain. Kili also gave Nathir a handshake, telling him that it was good to see him alive.
"It does my heart good to see you, Lass," Balin began, "but why is it just the two of you?"
They all sat, waiting for her answer. She sighed, and they could tell that she was nervous.
"One of the dwarves you sent, Fetir; I believe he went with the intention of making sure I did not return here,"
Thorin frowned, along with the others. "What makes you think so?"
It wasn't a very long tale, particularly with Nathir filling in his own observations. When they finished, Thorin looked at the others for their reactions, not completely trusting his own. Unfortunately, all eyes were on him. His anger and pain drowned everything else, making it difficult to focus on reason.
"So, he persuaded you to escape, sensing your reluctance to return, and then helped you to do it?"
Danica paused at his cold tone. "Yes, but- "
"Is there any kind of a precedence for this?" Thorin asked Balin. "Conspiracy to separate a king from his One?"
"I do not believe so," Balin replied, pretending to be oblivious to the shift in Thorin's mood.
"We should arrest him the moment he shows his traitorous face," Kili spat savagely.
"For what?" Fili countered. "I am just as furious as you, but, as far as it appears, he only helped Danica do what he believed she wished to do,"
"Not knowing that she would never abandon her betrothed," Nathir said in defense of Danica.
Fighting against irritation toward the man, Thorin looked at his nephews. "Fili is right. We need to catch him in the act of deceit. As it happens, I did not fully trust Fetir's intentions, and neither did his kinsman, Carn. Carn came to me, and we decided that he would keep on eye on Fetir. We will have to see what is said when they arrive. How far ahead of them would you say you were?"
"Half a day, maybe more," Nathir replied. "We left before they went to bed, and have ridden harder than they would be able,"
"I left a letter," Danica said. "It kept with the false narrative of me wanting to leave, but gave an apology and promise of return. If he does plan to turn you against me, he will either hide the letter, or twist the words,"
They discussed a plan for what they would say, and how they could trick Fetir. It meant whisking the coming group away before they could hear talk of Danica's return. Afterward, Thorin excused everyone to get some sleep, and made sure Nathir would have a room. He kept Danica behind. She looked guilty, which only made him feel as though his negative emotions were valid. Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the table, and looked at her.
"You did not want to come back," it wasn't a question, and he found he couldn't keep the heat of anger from his voice.
"I wanted to return to you," she responded softly. "But I was afraid of the responsibility, and of you never letting me have a moment alone again,"
He took in her appearance; so small, beautiful, and frail. Her strong mind and heart couldn't protect her from the physical harm he was so afraid of. Yet, as he looked closer, he marveled at the difference in her. She was not the meek, unsure woman who had left. Even her current guilt couldn't hide the confidence she had found.
"Can you fault me for wanting to protect you? Especially after everything that has happened?"
She shook her head, and a small, sad smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "No. And I understand that privacy and free time are not luxuries often afforded to those in positions of power. Even if I were not to have all the duties of a monarch, I understand what comes with marrying you, and I accept it,"
"Do you? Do you truly, and with all your heart, accept what it means to be my wife?" it was the question he feared most to ask, but the one that most needed an answer.
Once again, she shook her head, and he could see the pleading in her eyes for him to believe her. "I never had a life, or identity of my own, until you appeared in my dreams. My purpose was to save you, and then I found new life in being loved by you, and becoming a part of this beautiful culture. Yes, having the freedom to do as I wished, when I wished was intoxicating, but nothing, nothing compares to being with you,"
She walked toward him, and placed her hands on his crossed arms. "If I had truly left, I would have been constantly searching for happiness and purpose. The only place I have that is by your side. Please forgive my momentary madness. I will even accept being followed around by guards for the rest of my days so long as those days, and nights are spent as your wife,"
Her sincerity was undeniable, and her sweetness had his anger melting away. "Do you have any idea the hold you have on me?" he whispered. "That you could make me feel so betrayed one moment, and then so under your control the next? Of course I forgive you. But can you promise me something?"
"What is it?" she asked, and he could detect no hesitation or reluctance in her voice.
"From now on, we do everything together, and there will be no secrets between us,"
Her lips lifted in a true smile, before she pressed them to his. "Agreed. I love you,"
"I love you,"
They kissed again, but this time, she wrapped her arms around his neck, closing any distance. His hands caressed her sides and back, softly at first, but quickly growing in eagerness. In a move that almost floored him, Danica slid her tongue over his, and moaned. Knowing his control was hanging by a thread, Thorin broke the kiss, and tried to catch his breath.
"We should get to bed," he said gruffly. "You had a long journey, and- "
"I don't care," Danica silenced him with another kiss. "I know where my place is. I have missed you so much, and I want you,"
Heat erupted through him, and it took every ounce of willpower he had to think through the lust as she assaulted his mouth again.
"Not here," he managed. "There is a secret way to my chambers from here,"
They barely made it through the door to his bedchamber before they were shedding their clothes. The desperate way she clung to him erased all his previous fears and doubts. Together, they fell on the bed, and arched into each other, savoring the feel of skin on skin. Every part of her was soft and warm, and he took his time tasting all of her with his lips and tongue. She writhed beneath him, groaning in a way he had never heard from her before.
"Thorin," his name was a breathless plea on her lips, and had more effect than any other word would have.
Bringing himself level with her, he eased into her. At first, their harried, recklessness disappeared. They moved slowly and deeply, taking in every sensation. Danica changed the pace first, moving her hips faster against his. Once they rose again in blind need, it only took a few strokes for him to reach his peak. He growled into her neck, his final, shuddering movements causing her to cry out with her own climax. Winded, and feeling like warm wax, he dropped beside her, keeping an arm wrapped around her waist. It took them both a while to catch their breath. When he could, Thorin let out a small chuckle.
"I had meant to wait until we were married," he lamented.
Danica laughed, and stroked his arm with her fingertips. "Honorable, but quite a lofty goal; all things considered,"
"Well, I wasn't expecting to nearly lose you every time you walked out of the door,"
"A fair point," she turned her head, and gave him a peck. "Do you regret any of it?"
Lifting a hand, he touched her cheek. She was glowing, and looked lovelier than any woman of any race he had ever seen. "So long as I get to marry you, and keep you by my side, I regret nothing,"
Her eyes misted, and she let out a peaceful sigh. "I am yours, Thorin Oakenshield,"
"Aye. And I am yours," he kissed her temple. "Welcome home,"
