p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"it was their third day staying with Beorn and they were planning on leaving the next morning. They were going to leave that day since Sepha was fully healed now but Beorn insisted they wait one more day so that he could scout the area for Azog. the orc had strangely disapeared and that worried them./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin was finding it rather hard to do anything without staring at Persephone. The girl was watching Bofur and Nori doing spoon tricks, laughing with Fili and Kili and Thorin had been caught staring several times. He didn't really care that Balin and Dwalin caught him staring for they obviously knew about his feelings but for some reason, Persephone was on alert. He wondered if someone had told her what he had muttered in kuzdul. That would explain why she kept looking over at him occasionally, out of the time catching him watching her./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""If you keep staring your eyes are going to wear out," Balin muttered, coming to sit next to Thorin./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The dwarf prince was seated on a bench across the room from the others, leaning on his knees and fidgeting with his hands. His blue eyes intensely watching Persephone. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I can't help it," the dwarf whispered back./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Balin smiled, "I don't expect you to help it. I expect you to do something about it."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin finally tore his eyes from Persephone and looked at Balin, "What do you mean?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""If you keep staring you'll either scare the poor lass or she'll start to think something is wrong. Also, if you dont stake a claim soon, someone will come along and snatch the lass. She's old enough to wed and with those looks and her traveling as much as she does, I find it a miracle that someone hasn't courted her yet."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin shook his head, "But how do I do that? She doesn't know any of the dwarfish customs."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Balin smiled, "Well some of them are obvious. Like shows of physical strength."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin opened his mouth to point out that he had joined in the sparring but Balin shook his head, "Without invitation. You have to do it without Dwalin inviting you to do it."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin sighed and ran his hands over his face, "But what will that do when she doesn't know the meaning behind it?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Balin shrugged, "As the trip goes on I can gradually explain the customs of dwarfish courting to her. I can tell her that you brought up that she doesn't know much and I'll offer to teach her. That way, you can begin to show small signs of affection and she can understand."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""But why must I show a feet of physical strength?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""To impress her laddie," Balin said. "Try to think outside the box. Forget the customs for a moment and think about winning her. You are obviously impressed with her beyond doubt but you have never tried to impress her."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I didn't want to see like a showoff," Thorin mumbled./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Balin smirked, "Which is a side of you I appreciate. If you don't want her to think of you as a showoff, show physical strength and act like you don't know she's there."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin sat there thinking about it a moment before nodding, "Alright... when?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Now," Balin suggested. "I'll be sure to make sure the lass follows within five minutes."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin nodded and rising to his feet, he headed out of the house. Balin casually walked over to the table and sat down with the others. Occasionally he peered out the window and he could see that Thorin was having trouble figuring something out. He wasn't going to give up on the dwarf prince so easily so he decided to give him a boost./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Laddies, when was the last time you washed your clothes?" Balin asked, wrinkling his nose./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The dwarves were about to point out that they never wash their things but Balin gave them a warning look. Persephone perked up./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""If you guys need laundry washed, I can do it."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Oh don't worry yourself lass," Gloin remarked. "You don't have to do that."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone shook her head, "Oh stop it! I have been practically an invalid the past three days and it's driving me insane! I want to help! I can never help with meals because that would mean Bofur wouldn't get his night to cook and he needs to practice."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""You got that right," Bombur muttered./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""If you're sure lass," Dwalin remarked, catching onto his brother's plan./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Sepha nodded, "Just give me what you need cleaned and I'll take care of it. Might as well before we leave tomorrow. Don't want to travel in soiled clothing."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The girl headed off and soon located a scrub brush and a bar of soap. When she returned, She saw that all the dwarves were in breeches and had wrapped their cloaks around them because their shirts were in the basket. There was a basket of clothes that Dwalin handed her./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Thanks again Lass," he said./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone nodded and looked around, counting dwarves, "Where's Thorin?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Balin tried to restrain from grinning. The plan was working! Fili and Kili's heads snapped up at that and they caught the sparkle in Balin's eyes, making them suspicious./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""He's out back, chopping wood for Beorn," Balin said after glancing out the window./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone nodded and headed out the back. Once she was gone, Balin turned to see FIli and Kili glaring at him suspiciously, arms crossed./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""You're cheating," Fili hissed./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""No I'm not," Balin objected. "I'm just giving them a little boost."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Cheating on what?" Bofur inquired, curious./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""We made a bet with the lads," Dwalin explained. "They bet that Thorin and Persephone wouldn't become a couple till after we reclaim Erabor. My brother and I think they will before."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Bofur grinned and rubbed his hands, "OOOOOH! Count me in!"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Meanwhile, Persephone had stepped out of the house with the basket and had found Thorin in the back, chopping wood. He was only wearing his blue tunic, shirt, breeches and boots. Every time he slammed the axe into the wood, she could see his muscles flex beneath his tunic. She was surprised at how smoothly but strongly the axe met the block with a deep thunk./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Thorin," she called./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin turned and took in the sight of the girl, "Yeah?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I was just going to wash the other's things before we left tomorrow. Do you have anything that needs cleaning?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin was about to object but something told him that Balin had told her to do that. He felt his ears go red realizing what Balin was trying to get him to do. He was trying to think of something when Persephone spoke up./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""You have blood and dirt caked into your tunic," she pointed out. "You're jerkin is already in here."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"THorin nodded and removed his blue tunic, leaving him in only his pants and blue shirt. He rolled the tunic up and placed it in the basket. He didn't even have to look at his shirt to know it was just as caked with dried sweat and dirt. Trying to fight back the redness appearing on his ears, he removed his shirt and placed it in the basket./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Without meeting her eyes, he bent down and picked up his axe. He stood back up and grabbed a log, "Thanks Sepha."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"When the girl didn't reply he looked at her to see that her cheeks had gone bright pink and she was staring slightly. She quickly nodded and headed off, leaving Thorin with a huge grin on his face. Working so far./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone cleaned all the dwarves's clothes and laid them on the grass to dry. By the time she reached Thorin's, her hands were slightly numb from the scrubbing but she didn't mind. She grabbed THorin's shirt and was about to submerge it in the water when she stopped. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Fili and Kili weren't creeping up on her, she buried her nose in the shirt and breathed in. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"She missed that smell. When Thorin had been holding her when Oin had been operating on her, his scent had filled her nose and had been the only thing to keep her conscious. He smelled of forests, smoke and sweat. It was the best smell. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Taking one more smell, she scrubbed it long and hard, being sure to get all the blood stains out. When she finished, she grabbed all the now dry clothes and placing them in the basket, headed back up to the house./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"When she approached, she had first thought to stop by and give THorin his shirt and tunic but something made her freeze in her tracks. THorin was still chopping wood but of course he was still shirtless and now he was sweating. As he slammed the axe into the block, pulling it out easily, his arm muscles rippled. Sepha found herself staring and she was glad she had good self control or her mouth would have dropped./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin slammed the axe again but this time he noticed her and smiled at her, acting completely innocent, pretending to not notice the bright blush on her face. Persephone smiled and quickly tore her eyes away, heading indoors./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"She was so occupied in trying to not blush that she didn't notice all the dwarves scurrying away from the window where they had been crowding to watch what was happening outside. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone continued to sort out the clothes, lying them next to each person's bag. The dwarves all came and grabbed their things, heading into the stalls to change. Persephone continued to fold their coats and was just folding Thorin's shirt when she felt a presence behind her./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Before she could even turn to see which dwarf it was, a hand reached out and reaching into the basket, pulled out the blue tunic. Persephone didn't even have to turn around to know it was THorin. She recognized the tattoo on his arm, the brace on his wrist... the sweat and the shape of his muscles./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"She felt her cheeks flame bright red and she tried to hide behind her hair but Thorin's braid was still intact and it kept the hair out of her eyes. UGH!/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""You got all the blood off," THorin's deep voice said, close to her ear. "Thank you."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The girl nodded but didn't look up. She hadn't noticed that she was still folding his shirt till he spoke again./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I don't think you can fold it anymore."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone snapped out of her daze and shoved the shirt at THorin, not looking up. She bent down to grab the basket but found that it was gone. Thorin had moved it. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""What's wrong?" the dwarf inquired, "You look flushed."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone didn't look up until he pulled on his shirt but when she did, she smacked herself inwardly. Even with his shirt on, she could still make out his well toned body, his broad chest and without his tunic, he still looked incredibly hot. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"She found herself staring again but this time she didn't catch it in time, "Thanks again."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone nodded and quickly walked off, missing the smile on Thorin's gaze. She also completely missed seeing Dwalin, Bofur, Oin, Balin, Bombur and Dori give him a thumbs up from across the room, all the other dwarves muttering under their breath that the others were 'cheating'./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;" /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;" /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"That night, Persephone found it impossible to sleep. She still couldn't get THorin out of her head. What had happened? Since her sparring match with him, she had noticed on and off how he would constantly watch her when she wasn't looking and when she looked at him, he would look away. Of course, his beard and his long hair prevented her from seeing if he turned red. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Then, she would remember watching him remove his shirt in front of her... sweat pouring down his chest.../span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"She sat up. Looking around, she saw that all the dwarves and Gandalf were asleep. Beorn was still gone and wouldn't be back till dawn. She reached down and scratched her side. Her wound was itchy which was a result of it healing but it got annoying sometimes. Getting up silently, she grabbed her bag and headed to the kitchen. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The kitchen was in view of the sleeping dwarves but the furthest she could go. She grabbed a bucket of water and began to heat it quietly. While it heated, she grabbed fresh bandages from her bag and her shirt which she had mended. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Checking over her shoulder to ensure that the dwarves were asleep, she removed Kili's shirt. She still wore her bra (in middle earth, the bras come up as high as a sport's bra and low, almost to the naval). She laid his shirt on the table, planning on cleaning it before returning it to Kili./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Grabbing the bandages, she began to unwind her other bandages on her side. Her back was fully healed and only got sore occasionally./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"What she didn't know was that a certain Dwarf prince had been roused by the sound of shuffling. Slowly opening his blue eyes, he saw the silhouette of Persephone nearby. He watched as she removed Kili's shirt and lay it on the table. He couldn't see her clearly for the candle only lit up her face and made her siloughette visible./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin watched entranced as she removed her bandages, cleaned her wound carefully and rebandaged her side. When she finished, she placed the dirty bandages and kili's shirt near the door where she would find them the next day to wash. THorin quickly shut his eyes and pretended to sleep silently when she passed. However, her footsteps stopped near him and he wondered if she was looking at him./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"In fact, as she was passing the dwarf prince, she had froze and was looking at his sleeping form. Even covered in his cloak, his eyes closed and mouth shut he was gorgeous. His lashes were long and dark... his face clean... his lips firm and one arm crossed over his stomach, his strong hand gripping Orcrist./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""strongVaem hef tho bjorgart ilv mikk?" /strongShe whispered. (What have you done to me?)/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone knew that the whisper was too quiet to wake anyone but she didn't know that THorin had heard it loud and clear and his heart had done a leap at the sound of it. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"He heard her footsteps leave after a moment and he heard the straw rustle as she laid down. After about ten minutes he dared to open his eyes and saw the girl sleeping on the other side of Kili, further away from the snoring dwarves. Fili and Kili were lying facing each other and Persephone was sleeping about an arms length from Kili near her pack./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Her eyes were closed, her brown hair cascading down her back as she laid on her side. Thorin watched her in the dark for a while till he saw her shiver and whimper. she was dreaming./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Without hesitation the dwarf got up and tiptoeing quietly past the others, he laid down beside her on the straw. She was now violently tossing her head back and forth, unable to wake up from the horrible dream. THorin gently placed his hand on her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""It's alright. I'm here," he whispered./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Almost instantly, the girl stopped shaking and relaxed, still sound asleep. Thorin shifted so he was lying slightly sitting up and he pulled the sleeping girl into his arms. He was surprised when the girl turned and nuzzled her face into his chest before falling back asleep./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Thorin sighed and watched the girl as she slept. He brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and smiled, "You have no idea what you have done to me."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"When they woke up the next morning, Persephone was the first to wake and she almost yelped in surprise when she felt the rise and fall of a chest beneath her. Lifting her green eyes, she realized she had fallen asleep on top of Thorin!/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Wha..." she started but THorin shifted in his sleep./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The girl almost squeaked when Thorin's arm tightened around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him before he nuzzled his face into her hair and laid still, "Amralime" he mumbled./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Sepha's eyes widened at the familiar dwarfish word and was glad that everyone was asleep or they would have seen her go pink. Careful as to not rouse THorin, she shifted out of his arms and began to pack. She finished cleaning her bandages and Kili's shirt before she returned./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"By then, all the other dwarves were awake including THorin and were silently packing their things. Thorin seemed to act like he hadn't fallen asleep with the girl in his arms and Sepha found it hard not to stare at him nor to turn red when he looked at her./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Any sign of Beorn?" kili asked./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Sepha shook her head, "Not as of yet. He'll probably be back soon."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The dwarves nodded and all sat down to find something quiet to do while they waited for the skin changer. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;" /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"When Persephone headed back indoors from helping Gandalf feed the ponies, she found that the dwarves were sitting in a circle around Dwalin and Balin who were arm wrestling over a large chunk of log./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""What's going on?" the girl inquired of Fili and Kili./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"the two young dwarves grinned, "We decided that one of us needs to be your 'protector' so we're having an arm wrestling competition to see which of us has the job of protecting you."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Guys," Sepha groaned, "I don't need a babysitter."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Not a babysitter lass," Oin explained. "Just someone who will ensure that you are alright. We wont smother you I promise."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"What Sepha wasn't being told was that arm wrestling over a female for dwarves was seen as an act of dominance. Whoever won the competition would have first dibs on courting the lass. Of course, none of the other dwarves had an interest in courting the girl but they were trying to urge Thorin to stake a claim./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Dwalin beat Balin but the good natured old dwarf smiled, "Who's next?"/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"FIli and Kili were about to step up but Balin shook his head, "Bofur bested you two already."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I will," a voice rang out./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Sepha felt her cheeks go pink as Thorin stepped up to the block and sat down opposite Dwalin. Sepha completely missed the smirk coming from half the dwarves because she was too busy trying to not blush and stare as THorin rolled up one of his sleeves. He placed his elbow on the block and gripped Dwalin's hand tightly./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"When Balin signaled them to begin, Sepha swallowed when she saw Thorin's arm tense and the muscles and veins in his arm flex as he fought against Dwalin. While Dwalin was saying things in Kuzdul, groaning and grunting, Thorin didn't make a noise and had his blue eyes trained on their hands calmly./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Suddenly, Dwalin's hand made contact with the block. Thorin won!/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"The dwarves all cheered and Dwalin patted Thorin on the shoulder, "Still the best laddie."/span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""Well then I guess that makes Uncle, Persephone's protector," Fili started./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""I don't need a babysitter," Sepha objected, even though she didn't mind the idea of Thorin protecting her./span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;""It's just a precaution," THorin told her as he got to his feet. /span/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.6pt;"span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; color: #222222;"Persephone felt her heart stop as he passed her, looking at her for a moment from beneath his long lashes./span/p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"For the next several hours Persephone stayed as far from Thorin as possible and stuck as close as she could to Fili and Kili, hoping that it would prevent any nervous encounters. When Beorn returned and replied that the orcs wouldn't beat them to Mirkwood but were close, Persephone happily busied herself saddling the ponies./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Got your bag Seph," Kili called, scurrying out of the house with her bag./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He tossed it to her and she slung it onto her pony with a smile, "Thanks Kee."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She began to put the bit to her pony's mouth and realized that her pony was the stubborn one. She was just about to wiggle her finger into the horse's jaw to pry his mouth open when a voice caught her attention and she almost jumped when THorin's intimidating figure appeared on the other side of her horse's head./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Having trouble?" he smirked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her cheeks go red and she didn't look up to meet his steady gaze, "I should have saddled this young fella for you. You two would make good companions."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin chuckled and reaching over, he took the bit from Sepha's hand. She felt her cheeks flame red when his calloused finger brushed against her soft one and quickly ducked her head, hiding behind her brown waves. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She watched as Thorin put the bit to the horse's mouth and immediately, the horse opened his mouth and Thorin slipped the halter on. Sepha raised her eyebrow and saw that THorin's blue eyes were twinkling with mischief./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Nothing a little sugar cannot handle," THorin remarked, revealing that he had a small handful of sugar cubes in his hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha shook her head ruefully, "You tyrant. Now he'll be a biter."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin smiled, "Well then you two would make a perfect team."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's head snapped up and she placed her hands on her hips. Thorin tried not to chuckle but a huge grin spread across his face at the sight. She looked so cute when she was offended and the whole hands on hips thing didn't help Thorin's infatuation which was now almost unbearable especially when she cocked her head to the side, her hair falling off her shoulder and revealing her smooth, white neck and shoulder./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Now I will pretend I didnt hear that."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Then who will we offer this brute to?" THorin inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha peered around at all the dwarves and realized that most of them had already mounted or chosen a pony. Then, her eyes settled on Fili and Kili who were heading out of the house, having finally emerged with all their things. A smirk appeared on her face and she took the reins from Thorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin watched the girl approach his nephews and hold out the reins to his youngest nephew, completely faking innocence and Kili took the reins, completely oblivious to the mischievous smile playing on THorin's face. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha spun on her heel and skipped back to Thorin, her green eyes twinkling, "This'll be good."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin shook his head and smiled down at the girl who slung her bag onto her back and picked a more agreeable pony, "I had no idea you had a mischievous streak in you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I usually don't," Sepha replied. "But that's what happens when you hang around those two."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Before Thorin could comment further, Sepha had swung up onto her pony and had trotted over to Fili. THorin found his pony and had mounted just when a surprised yelp erupted from Kili. The young dwarf had found it impossible to get his pony to move until Sepha came over and slapped his pony across the rear end, sending the horse into a perfect gallop, almost dropping the dwarf./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha and Fili were laughing so hard that they were almost falling off their ponies. Balin and Dwalin were grinning while the other dwarves quickly made bets as to how long Kili would manage to hang onto the horse./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin smiled and seeing that Gandalf was still talking to Beorn, maneuvered his horse in Sepha's direction. He was hoping, seeing as they would only be traveling at a trot to Mirkwood, that he would have some time to talk with Sepha. However, this proved much more difficult than he thought. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The moment Balin and Dwalin saw the dwarf prince heading in Sepha's direction, they found a good reason to steer Fili as far from Sepha as possible, leaving Thorin plenty of room to move his horse next to Sepha's. However, Sepha was much more keen on things happening than THorin had predicted and noticing Balin and Dwalin's move, she had spied Thorin heading her way and turning her pony, she had trotted straight over to Bifur, Bofur and Bombur who at once began talking with her about Kili and the pony and their bets./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin pulled his pony to a halt and sighed. Why was she avoiding him? It was like she didn't mind talking with him but didn't seem comfortable being around him alone for too long./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin became aware of another presence next to him and turned to see Dwalin and Balin on either side of him. Both looked disappointed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Nice try though laddie," Balin remarked sadly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin patted Thorin's shoulder and smiled encouragingly, "SHe's a hard one that lass. But that doesn't mean she's no less worthy to be won."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""On the contrary," Balin remarked, leaning over to look at his brother around Thorin, "She is showing respect, restraint and caution which is something you rarely see in young girls especially where Thorin is involved. Any other girl would be fawning over him the moment he showed any interest. Sepha is being cautious, not because she doesn't trust THorin but because she has never been in this situation before and she isnt yet sure what to make of it."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Just give her time Thorin," Dwalin encouraged. "I can tell that SEpha cares about you... to what extent I don't know but at the least, she looks to you in admiration and respect."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin nodded and sighed, rubbing his face with his hands, "I just hope I haven't scared her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No such luck," Kili remarked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The three turned to see that Kili had miraculously survived the horse encounter but his hair was windblown and looked a fright, his eyes wide and his face still pale but pink from the wind, "She is just flustered."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How so?" all three asked at the same time./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili smirked knowingly, "Don't tell my brother but I'm betting that you two will end up together before we reach the mountain. Anyway, she seemed rather flustered after your... shirtless attempt at impressing her and after that, Fee and I noticed her looking at you occasionally but blushing crimson whenever you looked back at her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's eyes widened and a glint of hope flashed through his eyes. Dwalin was smirking and Balin was grinning so wide that he looked creepy./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So our little scheme worked!" he hooted, just low enough for Sepha to not hear. "now for step two of the master plan!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What is that?" THorin and Kili asked, looking rather concerned./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Educate the lass in dwarves customs of courting and marriage," Balin explained./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili scratched his head and then realized how windblown his hair was and began to fuss over it, "Exactly how many steps are within this master plan?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin and Balin leant over to look at each other, "Some 76..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili yanked on his hair so much that he created a master knot and almost fell off his pony. THorin's eyes grew so wide that his crystal blue eyes almost looked silver and his mouth dropped open./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Oh boy," Kili sighed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"horin knew that most of the company, especially Fili and Gandalf and Bilbo were beginning to wonder why he would turn around every five minutes to look at the rest of the company. Fili occasionally asked his brother if he knew what was up with their uncle but Kili played innocent rather well, saying he was clueless./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The truth was, everyone else knew perfectly well why for nearer to the back of the ground rode Balin and Sepha, deep in conversation. Dwalin, Kili and Fili rode in front of them and were listening in on the conversation./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So cutting hair or beards is a sign of mourning," Sepha repeated, trying to drill the custom into her memory as Balin acquainted her with the most basic traditions./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Or as a sign of apology," Balin explained. "See, when Thorin's father and grandfather were killed, he cut his beard which is why his is shorter than most of ours."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha glanced at Kili who was looking back at her but stopped before she asked, realizing that the reason why Kili's was so short was because of his youth./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So...if dwarves are about twice the age of a human... that makes Fili...88?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""BINGO!" Fili called, flashing the girl a smirk and waving his hand in a mock salute, "Someone is catching on fast."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So that makes Kili 71?" Sepha inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili nodded, flashing her a smile as well. "What about you Seph?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha pursed her lips together and looked up at the sky, "Well... I'm technically 61 in human years because in dwarven/elven years I'm 122."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Hey that's not much younger than uncle," Kili remarked, a little too enthusiastically, getting a warning look of a head shake from Balin, a cut-it-out motion from Dwalin and a suspicious look from his brother./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her cheeks go red but she tried to push it off, "How is Thorin anyway... unless that is a little improper to ask."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin chuckled, "Lass, I doubt THorin would mind you asking his age. He is not ashamed, since he is technically in his prime but once you reach my age, it is just disgraceful."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha laughed, "Oh Balin, being old isnt a bad thing!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin saw that the conversation had gotten off topic so he quickly reverted it back to Thorin, "THorin is 195 lass. You do the math. I'm too tired."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha wrinkled her nose and you could basically see her brain gears turning, "ninety...seven?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""In and around those parts," Kili replied, getting a glare from the other three who were getting rather annoyed at his interruptions./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Jeez... you're really young Seph," Fili remarked, teasingly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha faked pout, "Oh you're one to talk! technically, you're only 44!" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Fili's eyes widened, "I THINK I"M GOING TO TALK TO ORI BEFORE YOU ALL MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A BABY!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, he urged his horse on and Kili followed him, followed by the laughs from Balin, Dwalin and Sepha./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So brother," Dwalin said, trying to urge his brother to get to the point. "Did you talk about dwarven customs for dams?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Dams?" Sepha inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Female dwarves lass," Balin replied. "And no we haven't yet. We actually should... since you are the lass of the company."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled at the title he gave her, "What do you think is the most important tradition?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin thought a moment before replying, "Probably exchanges that pass between dwarrows and dams."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You mean like in courtship?" Sepha asked, so far oblivious./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin nodded, "Exactly. dwarves hold the rite of marriage in very high esteem. Probably higher than most races. When we marry our one, we are married for life and are dedicated to our very souls to our mate."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"A smile had appeared on Sepha's face and Dwalin was glad that Balin's description seemed to please her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Dwarves only court once and that is when they are sure they have found their One. I'm sure you've heard of the One?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, "Most certainly. It is legend that when dwarves were created, Mahal created two beings from one body, each other's One. Neither would feel complete till they found their other half."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin nodded, "Exactly lass."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha cocked her head, "So... what are some things that go between men and women during courtship?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Well," Balin said, pretending to think. "When a dwarf is sure he found his one and wants to court her, he tries to impress her to get her attention and hopefully win her favor before asking for her permission to court her. He will try to impress her by feets of arms... combat, sparring and showing of strength and ability. Also if he shows signs of deep respect for the lass, defending her and acting as a protector and respectful companion."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, having not caught on till she heard the last part and she practically froze. Her face went ashen white and at once, the two dwarves feared that she was afraid or shocked. Her green eyes slowly flitted away from Balin to the tall, dark haired figure of the dwarf prince riding at the front. His back was to her and he was conversing with FIli and Kili./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin was about to speak when he saw Sepha's cheeks go bright pink and she ducked her head. He decided that it was enough of a lesson for one day./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"After a while, Sepha slowed her horse to join Ori and Dori near the back, leaving Balin and Dwalin out of earshot. The two exchanged knowing looks and winks, shaking hands while she wasn't looking./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Seems like she's noticed the obvious," Balin whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin nodded, "Now what?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin smirked and rubbed his hands together in anticipation, "Step three... sign of respect from Thorin."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin nodded, "but how will we do that? We're not stopping for the night."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin pursed his lips together and glanced at Sepha, "We'll be stopping to water the ponies in a few minutes and to relieve ourselves... Get the others... don't tell Bilbo, Fili or the others who are on Fili's side of the bet. Get the others to practically cling to Sepha when we stop so if she tries to have some privacy, she'll find it hard. I'll alert Thorin to the plan and he can take it from there."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"A mischievous smile lit up Dwalin's face and he grinned, "Perfect. I'm off."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin slowed his horse to talk to Nori, Bifur and Bofur while Balin urged his horse to Thorin who was talking with Gandalf./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha seemed completely oblivious except for the exchange that happened between THorin and Balin. she hadn't thought anything of the conversation with Balin except at how startled she was to realize that THorin might very well have been trying to impress her the other day at Beorn's. Now that she thought of it, it hadn't been the first time. There had been the time when he had sparred with Dwalin in front of her... but she shook her head. It was doubtful that someone like Thorin would have an interest in her... a quarter breed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha quickly looked back at Ori when she realized that after talking with Balin for a moment, Thorin had looked over his shoulder at the girl with a look she didn't have time to read. If she had looked, she would have seen a smile on his face, and a flicker of bright hope in his beautiful blue eyes. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Little did she know, that half the company were trying their hardest to see the two get together as a couple before they reached the mountain. With Fili and the other half of the company pressing on them, they had no choice./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"HEY THERE! I know I haven't spoken outside of reading but I've been really busy with senior year:)/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"I hope you like the story so far! I'm really enjoying writing it. This chapter, and the next chapter have been so fun to write!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Quick disclaimer if I didn't already, none of the characters except Persephone and her family are mine. All rights go to JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson. Also, none of the pics are mine either, I found them all online:)/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Enjoy!/p