p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin was trying to come to a deal with Bard and Sepha was talking to the elves./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Do you really have to go?" she asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Legolas nodded, "Tauriel is right. we need to find out where these orcs are and where they're going. We'll meet up with you in Laketown if we find nothing."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha sighed and Tauriel reached over, hugging the girl close. "Take care Seph. And please take care of those wounds. We don't want them getting infected."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl nodded. She reached over and hugged Legolas who smiled and hugged her back. Little did they know was that a certain black haired dwarf was watching them and felt a tinge of jealousy when Legolas hugged her. Thorin had always wanted to know what it felt like to hold the girl close... the most was that their hands had brushed or he had pulled her to her feet... how he wanted to hold her close and never let her go... to touch her hair again...to kiss her.../p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen," Balin said, snapping THorin out of his stupor./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Aye," Bard replied. "and for that. You will need a smuggler."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""For which we will pay double," Balin replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard sighed and while he and Balin came to an agreement on price, Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili all stepped over to Sepha. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We'll take good care of her," Balin promised./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He wrapped an arm around the girl and Sepha slightly cringed but none of the dwarves noticed. Tauriel opened her mouth to warn Balin of Sepha's injury but a warning look from Tauriel told her to remain silent. This was one thing that Sepha wanted to keep secret from the dwarves for this wasn't a time for them to worry./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"TIME SKIP... ON THE BARGE/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was sitting up against the side of the barge, her knees drawn to her chest for warmth. Sepha usually never had a problem with heat because of her wolf side but she blamed her fresh wounds for that./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarves were all standing around Balin who was counting up the money. Sepha of course didn't fail to notice that THorin, who stood on the edge of the group, would occasionally look in her direction. There was no anger in his eyes... only a look that made him look like he was ready to cry. Soon, Sepha could barely stand it anymore for she was on the verge of getting up and throwing her arms around the dwarf prince. Of course, she knew that would be inappropriate so she pulled herself to her feet./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She ducked her head so no one saw her wince at the pain. Crossing her arms over her chest for comfort, she walked past the dwarves towards the back of the barge. Of course, she had to pass right by THorin and naturally, his eyes never left her. Sepha felt her cheeks flame bright red as she walked past, pretending to watch her feet. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Finally, she stopped right near Bard and smiled at him. Surprisingly, he returned it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""WHat's your name lass?" the man asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Persephone but you can call me Sepha," the girl replied. "What about you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Bard, at your service," the man said./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled, "I wanted to thank you for doing this."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Oh it's no big deal," Bard replied. "Though I was surprised when the elves turned up."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How do you know Legolas and Tauriel?" the girl inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard shrugged, "I know them through Thranduil. I've met them a few times but not that often."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, "Well thank you again."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The bargeman nodded and as Sepha was about to say something else, she felt a hand on her elbow. She turned and almost squeaked when she realized it was Thorin who leant down to her ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can I talk to you a moment?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded hastily and allowed THorin to lead her away from Bard. of course, the barge wasn't large so they didn't have a whole ton of privacy to talk but Thorin kept his voice down./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why are you speaking with him?" he inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I just wanted to be civil," Sepha replied. "Nothing bad came from trying."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I don't feel comfortable with him around," Thorin replied in a low voice. "Especially with him around you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha didn't reply, Thorin turned his burning eyes from the bargeman and looked at the girl. her face had gone flushed, her eyes staring downward and her cheeks going a bright shade of pink./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was about to ask her what was wrong when he suddenly realized what he was doing. She had gotten angry with him for interfering with her life and placing a claim on her and putting her off limits to other men. TO her, it probably sounded like he was doing that to Bard... keeping Sepha away from him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm sorry," he whispered. "I shouldn't have said that... I'll back off... if you want to talk to him... you can..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Before he even finished talking, Sepha had reached out and grabbed his forearm, turning him back to look at her for he had begun to turn towards the company. THorin's eyes widened at the contact for that was the first time she had ever done that. The girl's face flustered more but she bit her lip./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No it's... it's okay... I actually... don't mind..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin's eyes widened and he felt a tinge of hope rush to his heart, "You don't?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl shook her head, refusing to look directly into Thorin's eyes, "I've gotten used to it and... I know you had your reasons for doing it... reasons I do not know but I trust you and your decisions and I know that whatever reason you placed a claim on me... then it was good enough reason for me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl quickly bit her lip again and THorin felt his head swim. How he wanted to kiss her... and with her biting down on her smooth red bottom lip made him feel dizzy./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin opened his mouth to tell her his reasons but something stopped him. He had just redeemed himself from the mistake he made by placing the claim without her knowledge. He wasn't going to ruin this moment by saying something that might not be to her liking. He had no idea how she felt towards him and all he could think of was how horrible it felt to not tell her how terribly he loved her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha managed to lift her eyes to look at him, only to see his blue eyes sparkling at her. Smiling shyly, the girl looked down and Thorin couldn't hold back the grin that spread across his features./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Just then, Bard announced that they were nearing guards. /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;""Into the barrels," Bard whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"At once the dwarves began to obey, hopping into the nearest barrel. Sepha headed to the nearest barrel and poked her head over the side only to realize that Fili and Kili were in there, Fili half upside down with his foot in Kili's mouth./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sorry," she whispered, heading to another barrel./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was beginning to loose options when a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a barrel. As Sepha managed to get herself right side up, she looked up to be met by a pair of piercing blue eyes. She knew that her face flamed red for her and Thorin's noses were almost touching at their close proximity. Sepha had her legs hugged close to her chest, her feet on either side of Thorin's thighs and she was sitting on his legs that were crossed in front of him. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didn't realize that he still had his hands on her forearms till the girl looked down and they landed on the strong, calloused hands that were holding her slender arms gently but firmly. THorin looked down as well and would have retracted his hands if he didn't feel Sepha's soft, slender hands grip his forearms back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin was sure his heart stopped right then and there but then something caught his attention, removing his hands from her arms, he gripped her hands, "Your hands are freezing," he whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha shrugged and was going to pull her hands back, not wanting to worry Thorin but the dwarf had other ideas. Holding her hands in his large ones, she felt the heat from his hands encase her fingers. He gently cupped her hands within his and bringing them up to his mouth, he blew on them to warm them. The whole time, his eyes never left hers and Sepha realized that for the first time he met his steady gaze and she found that she couldn't seem to break from it. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin continued to blow on her hands till they were so warm that they were turning pink. Suddenly, there was a clanking above them and Thorin reacted before Sepha could even find out what was happening./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin reached a hand around and gripping the back of Sepha's head gently, he pulled her head down so that her forehead was resting against his shoulder and her eyes looking down at his chest. Sepha's face burned red and Thorin yelled at himself in his head for being too hasty but he knew what was coming. Bending his head down, he pressed his own forehead to Sepha's shoulder as fish poured down on top of them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When it stopped, THorin and Sepha saw that the position their heads were in had prevented any fish from getting in their face... but it covered everything else. Thorin found that his hand was still on Sepha's neck and he gently stroked her smooth skin with his calloused thumb. He felt the girl shiver by his touch and he smiled at her reaction./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her cheeks heat up at the feeling of Thorin's warm hand on her neck. Their ears were pressed against each other and she could hear his heart drumming in her head. THorin could hear her heart in his ears and he heard it speed up whenever his finger brushed her skin. Deciding to test the waters, Thorin slowly turned his head just enough so that his nose was resting against the other side of her neck. Sepha's breathing hitched as Thorin rubbed his nose against her soft skin, his beard brushing her shoulder and the bare skin of her collar bone./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out a breath, finding it almost impossible to breathe. Thorin smiled and pressed his nose close against her neck, breathing in her scent. Even over the stench of fish, he could still smell her sweet scent of vanilla and cedar. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly they heard a bang and the sound of a dwarf grunting. Suddenly, their barrel shook and they were knocked on the side, the fish spewing out. They both slipped out head first and Sepha groaned at the stench of the fish and the sting that it sent into her wounds stung./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin pulled her to her feet and Sepha looked up into his eyes a moment before Kili and Fili both grabbed her hands and pulled her after Bard who was leading them to his house./p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was soaking wet as Dwalin pulled her out of the water into the bathroom of Bard's house. She was so cold that she didn't even care that she had just crawled out of a toilet. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We need to warm you up," Bard's eldest daughter said, quickly wrapping a blanket around the shivering girl. "You're turning blue."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Seph?" FIli's gentle voice whispered, his warm arms wrapping around her, "What happened?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha shook her head, "I guess I'm just not used to the cold."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"What she didn't want to tell them was that her back was stinging from the fish in her cuts and the cold was making her weak and uncommonly cold. Her whole body was working to heal her wounds so she had less body heat to keep herself warm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You should get cleaned up and warmed," The girl said. "Come, you can wash in the wash room."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gently led the girl into a bathroom set off from the other bathroom. This one didn't have a toilet but it had a large basin for washing and there was a pot of hot water./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You can wash in here," the girl said, "I'll bring you a fresh change of clothes. but for now you can use these."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She held out a pair of pants to Sepha, a pair of leather boots, warm socks, a white shirt and a wrap for her bosom./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you..." Sepha said./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sigrid," the girl answered her, "And you're welcome. What is your name by the way?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Persephone," Sepha replied. "but everyone calls me Sepha."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sigrid's face lit up, "That's so pretty! I'll let you be."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, the girl headed off, leaving Sepha alone in the wash room. Sepha tested the hot water and poured a good amount in the large basin, cooling it off slightly with cold water so it wasn't scalding. She then submerged herself into the water as much as she could. She grabbed the bar of soap and cloth and washed herself thoroughly. Soon she felt ten times better and even managed to clean her hair and get the tangles out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Climbing out, she wrapped a towel around herself while she wrung out her hair. it hung straight and damp down her back, reaching past her waist. She pulled on the breeches and boots, then wrapped her bosom with the wrap Sigrid gave her. She held off putting on the shirt, wanting her back to air out a while./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was just preparing to pull on the shirt when she heard a board creak behind her and spinning around, she found Thorin standing in the doorway of the wash room. She quickly hugged the shirt to her chest, glad that the bindings covered everything of her front except part of her stomach but it left most of her back bare. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""THorin... you scared me," she gasped, preparing to pull the shirt on./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Wait," Thorin said softly, stepping forward./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"His hand reached out and he pushed her hand down so she wouldn't put on her shirt. His calloused fingers reached out and gently turned her around so her back was facing him. She felt his warm fingers brush against her back... tracing her scars... touching the soft flesh that was just healing from her most recent encounter with a whip./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""When did you get these?" he whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thranduil," Sepha replied, knowing that there was no avoiding tell him now. "Right before Legolas got me out."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why didn't you tell me?" THorin whispered, his voice gentle but laced with concern./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I didn't want to be a burden," Sepha whispered back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Thorin didn't reply, she thought he was upset... but then she felt his hands reach up and gently stroke her long hair... then his fingers traced her neck... her bare shoulder... her arms... Sepha felt all the air escape her when both his arms found their way to her bare waist and gently stroked the skin there. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt his body heat as he took a step closer so that his dry shirt was touching her bare back... then she felt his nose brush against her bare shoulder... then his beard... then he pressed his lips to her shoulder... letting his lower lip graze her soft skin. He then reached up with one hand and brushed her hair to the side, exposing the side of her neck and he pressed a gentle kiss on the soft skin of her neck, just below her pretty pointed ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's breathing hitched and she gasped as Thorin's arms snaked all the way around her and his hands lay against her stomach, hugging her close so that she could feel his hard chest against her shoulder blades. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thorin..." she gasped, her voice barely audible./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin placed another kiss on her neck, hugging her closer, "Hmm?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin gently gripped her hands and turned her around so that she was facing him, "I love you Sepha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her whole world freeze. Her heart stopped beating at least for ten whole seconds. her breath froze and her eyes widened. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""wha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That was why I did what I did," Thorin whispered, reaching up to brush a strand of hair out of her face. "When we were at Beorn's... and you were healing... it was then that I knew that you are my One. You complete me... you make me whole. I didn't know how else to tell you and I was hoping Balin would help you understand but then Thranduil..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's green eyes were staring at Thorin, stunned and not quite knowing what to do. Thorin smiled softly at her and ran his calloused thumb across her cheek, "You don't have to say anything in return... you don't have to do or say anything. I just want you to know that I love you more than anything."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was hoping dearly that her mouth wasn't hanging open but Thorin just smiled, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before leaving her alone in the wash room to finish on her own. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin... loved her. And she had been too dumbstruck to say it back!/p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha emerged from the bathroom, she looked fully refreshed. Her rich brown hair was dry and billowing around her shoulders and her hips in long brown waves. Her face was clean and everyone could see the color returning to her cheeks. She was wearing only boots, a pair of black pants and a white shirt that was tucked into the pants but she looked much more comfortable. As she came into the room, Tilda, the younger daughter skipped over to her and held out a brown cotton sweater. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Smiling, Sepha took it and thanked the girl, pulling it on over her shirt and shivering at the warmth it gave off. She then saw FIli and Kili sipping mugs of hot tea at the table so she walked over and sat down across from them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How are you feeling Seph?" Fili inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Better thanks," The girl replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What about your back?" Kili inquired./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 looked over at THorin who sat near the window, staring outside as if in a daze./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yeah he told us," FIli replied. "But he made us promise to keep it between the three of us, Dwalin, Balin and Oin. That way we can help you if anything happens."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled, "Thanks boys."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili smiled and reaching over, he hugged the girl, "We're just glad your back. I think uncle is the happiest."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's green eyes flitted back over to Thorin again and this time she realized he was looking at her. She quickly ducked her head when her face lit up with a blush but the two brothers noticed. When she looked back at them, they were both smirking knowingly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So are you going to tell him?" Kili inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's eyebrows shot up, "Tell him what?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That you love him back," The dwarf pointed out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her heart stop, "how did you know about that?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The young dwarf smirked, "I happened to make really good friends with your friend Tauriel while we were prisoners. Then while Balin and Dwalin were gushing over you at the edge of the lake, she told me about your little talk in the woods."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha ducked her head again and blushed, hearing a soft chuckle from the two brothers./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I promise, we didn't tell anyone," FIli whispered. "Actually now, we have a leg up on Dwalin and Balin."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""A leg up on what?" the girl inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Fili grinned, "After the developments recently, Kili and I think it will be before we leave lake town that you and uncle become a 'thing'. Dwalin and Balin still think it's sometime after but before we reclaim Erabor."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha sighed and rolled her eyes, "And exactly what is a 'thing'?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Oh you know... smiling at each other," Kili replied. "Maybe holding hands... kissing...fondling..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay I think I've heard enough," Sepha sighed, earning smirks from the two boys. They looked absolutely ridiculous with those grins on their faces./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Dont break his heart too much," Fili whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha rolled her eyes and ruffled their hair playfully, earning a yelp from Kili who was very picky about his hair. Stepping away from them, she grabbed the comb Tilda had leant her and began to brush her hair. She managed to get the tangles out but her hands were still cold so she could barely do anything to her hair. Thorin seemed to notice because she felt his eyes watching her. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Finally giving up, she undid the mess she had attempted and turning around, she set the comb down and approached Thorin. He was leaning against the wall, watching her when she approached. She could barely look at him but when she did, she blushed bright red./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can you help me?" she asked in a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin stood up straighter, pushing himself off his leaning position and uncrossed his arms, "With... your hair?" he asked, surprised and uncertain./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl nodded her head, "if you don't mind..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin shook his head, "No I don't mind but... do you know what... that implies?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, "YEs."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin suddenly remembered their conversation in the dungeons of the woodland realm. He had told her about the hair braiding being a sign of affection and marking territory. He felt his heart beat quicken as Sepha turned around for him and didn't move as he ran his fingers through her hair./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin was halfway through braiding her hair when he realized what was happening. Sepha had asked him to braid her hair... knowing that it meant that he was showing her signs of affection and marking her as his own... and she was letting him! He felt his heart swell with hope as he finished braiding. He paused, about to ask her if she had a bead when a thought jumped to his mind. She had let him braid her hair... maybe he could chance it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Reaching up with one hand, he removed the silver bead from his hair and gently placed it in her hair. It looked perfect in her dark brown hair, bringing out the copper in her hair./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was about to tell her he was done but thought better of it. Sepha was his right now... and none of the dwarves were watching them... Fili and Kili were talking together softly, Balin and Dwalin discussing breaking into the armory. The others were either asleep or sitting around the fire talking to Bilbo./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin gently reached down and tangled his fingers with hers, smiling when she felt her tense but then relax almost instantly. He felt his heart freeze when Sepha took a half step back so that her back was pressed against his hard chest. She turned her head gently so that her ear was in front of his mouth and she gently pressed her face to his chest./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarf prince brought his hands up, still holding her hands and wrapped them around her waist, feeling her smooth waist through the shirt and sweater. He cocked his head slightly so that he could press his nose into her hair and gently kiss her neck gently. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two were snapped out of their quiet moment by the return of Bard who had news that the house was being watched till the next morning. Sepha and THorin jumped apart but Sepha noticed FIli and Kili waggling their eyebrows at her, implying that they had seen most of it. She shook her head, warning them to not say anything./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;"It was late and Thorin had been discussing plans with Balin and Dwalin for hours. Ever since Sepha and Thorin's private moment, the two had barely been in each other's presence. Thorin had squirreled his two close friends to a corner of the room where Bard couldn't eavesdrop to discuss things while Sepha spent the rest of the day talking with Bilbo, Tilda and Sigrid./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"It was late and Bard was sitting in a far corner, reading. Bain was staring out the window while Sigrid stroked Tilda's hair. Sepha was sitting on the floor, crossed legs looking at the fire when Tilda walked over and sat down beside her, leaning her head on her shoulder./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Do you ever miss your mother?" she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her heart freeze, "Yes Tilda... every day."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What happened to her?" she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""She was killed...when I was little," Sepha whispered. "I barely got to know her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Then how come you miss her so much?" the girl asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled as Tilda moved to lay her head in Sepha's lap. Sepha gently stroked Tilda's pretty hair and smiled at the sleepy, saddened girl, "Even if you don't know someone very well, if they care about you and you care about them, you'll never forget them and you'll always miss them."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Tilda turned and smiled at her, "Fili and Kili tell me that you can sing."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha turned to look at Fili and Kili who were leaning against the wall nearby, watching her with smiles. Kili had his head leaning against Fili's shoulder. His leg had been bothering him but now he was just tired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yes... I guess so."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can you sing to me?" Tilda whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha looked at FIli and Kili who were of course giving her pleading looks. Half the other dwarves were asleep, Thorin, Dwalin and Balin were talking together, their backs to them. Bilbo was sitting in a chair, sipping tea and watching her. Sigrid and Bain had leant forward towards her at Tilda's words. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay," Sepha sighed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She started humming softly, the humming fill the room. Suddenly, Fili, Kili and the other dwarves, minus Balin, Dwalin and Thorin began to hum to the rhythm with her, making the harmony. after a few seconds of that, Sepha stopped humming but the dwarves kept going while her voice gently came out in a ripple of soft, gentle words, fitting perfectly with the deep humming of the dwarves./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;"When she finished, Tilda had fallen asleep on her lap and Kili was sound asleep, his shoulder on Fili's. All the others were just sitting there, remembering the song that still hung in the air. Sepha looked at Fili who nodded towards Thorin. Turning, Sepha saw the dwarf prince watching her, his arms crossed and leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile on his face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Blushing bright red, she looked down with a smile. She carefully helped Bard who scooped up the sleeping Tilda and carried her off to bed, taking his other two children with him for the night. The dwarves then set about preparing for the night. They laid out blankets that Bard had given them and curled up, back to back as close to the fire as they could./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha helped Fili lie Kili down without rousing him before grabbing a blanket herself. She found a large enough space for herself near the edge of the group and laid down, wrapping herself in the blanket. She was about to drift off to sleep when she felt someone lie down behind her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Turning slightly, she saw Thorin's large form as he laid down, on his side facing her, his head propped up on his hand. Sepha blushed when she realized he was looking right at her. She turned back around with a smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, his arms snaked around her waist from behind and he drew her against him so her back was flush with his chest. He laid back flat on his back, still keeping one arm underneath her shoulders and the other around her waist. After a moment of not moving, Sepha moved so that she was on her back and she turned her face so that she was looking at Thorin's face. His eyes were closed and he looked so peaceful... so regal when he slept./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gently laced her fingers with his hand that lay on her stomach. Impulsively she reached up and gently traced his features with her finger ever so gently. When her finger finished tracing his jawline and his beard, she let her finger wander to his bottom lip and gently brush it, her eyes fixed on his lips./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She saw him smile, his eyes still closed. Realizing that he hadn't been asleep, Sepha went pink as he turned his head to look at her and he opened his eyes. His bright blue eyes shone in the dim light as he looked at her, his whole heart in his eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sorry," she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was about to retract her hand but Thorin gripped it with his free hand and gently brought her hand back to his cheek. She laid her hand against his cheek and he turned his head to kiss her palm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You never have to apologize for anything," Thorin whispered, tracing her face with his finger./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"For a while they just lay there looking into each other's eyes, tracing each other's features. After a while Thorin noticed the girl's eyes drooping so he shifted so that she was lying in a more comfortable position, her side flush with his side and his arm still around her shoulders. Sepha laid her head against his shoulder and pressed her nose and face into the side of his neck, closing her eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Amaralime," Thorin whispered, drifting to sleep immediately./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha opened her eyes a moment and knowing that he was asleep, she smiled, "Givashel," she whispered before falling to sleep./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didn't hear that single word but Fili and Kili who had been watching the whole thing unfold from across the room exchanged excited looks./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""And of course she says it when he's asleep," Fili whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Patience brother," Kili whispered. "Patience."/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;"When Sepha woke, she realized that she wasn't the first one up. Dwalin, Balin and THorin were already up. That was when the girl noticed that there was another jacket lying over her instead of just the one she fell asleep with. She was about to sit up when she took in a deep breath and smelt the smoke and pine smell of the blanket... THorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt her cheeks go bright pink, realizing he had removed his coat to lay it over her while she slept. Slowly sitting up, she saw that Thorin, Balin and Dwalin were all quietly rousing the other dwarves and preparing them to sneak out to the armory. She soon found herself staring as he watched THorin gently rouse his nephews, his hard toned back muscles flexing beneath his blue shirt./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Morning lass," Gloin whispered to the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled and sat up, stretching and pulling her jacket back on. She picked up Thorin's and walking over to him, she held it out to him, trying to not blush bright red when he took it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You have to stay here," Thorin instructed./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 frowned, "Why? Are you saying I have to stay here?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""At least until we get the weapons," THorin replied. "I'll send FIli back to you when we have the weapons. It's too dangerous especially if we get caught."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha frowned deeper and crossed her arms, "If this has to do with my injury..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha," Thorin sighed, placing his hands on her upper arms and looking deep into her green eyes. "Just please spare me the worry of you getting hurt or endangered further and just stay here till Fili comes back for you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha wanted to object but after hearing Thorin's words, she thought better of it. Thorin was looking deep into her eyes, no anger or annoyance on his face, only a soft, gentle look of concern. The girl bowed her head and nodded. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay," she said in barely a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin smiled and slipping one finger underneath her chin, he lifted her face to look up at him. He just looked into her eyes for a moment before smiling. Sepha felt her breathing hitch at his smile. Whenever he smiled it seemed like his eyes lit up and his whole face just changed...into something brighter... kinder...handsomer...braver. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Amaralime," he whispered before reaching over and planting a kiss on her forehead./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He left the girl standing there, too stunned and too bright crimson to move. She barely noticed Fili and Kili come give her encouraging looks and hugs before hurrying out after their uncle./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha finally managed to break out of her daze, she found herself alone in the sitting room. All the coats were gone and the blankets lying on the floor. Deciding to not waste her time just standing there, she began to grab the blankets and fold them into a neat pile. Then, she sat down near the window and stared out, waiting to see the blond head of Fili when he returned for her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Hours passed and the girl began to worry when Bard came down the stairs, his children following. He took in the empty living room and the lone girl sitting by the window within a second./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where did they go?" he insisted./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I honestly don't know," Sepha replied. "They left hours ago to the armory but they still haven't returned."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard groaned and charged through the door. Bain, Sigrid and Tilda followed but not before Bain and Tilda both grabbed one of Sepha's hands and pulled her after them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When they finally stopped running after Bard, they had appeared in the town square which was packed with people. Sepha was short, barely coming within Tilda's shoulder but she managed to make out a conversation that Bard was having with the master of the town and THorin. They must have gotten caught!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was aggravated that she couldn't hear any of the conversation but when Tilda huddled close to her, frightened but the sounds, she held her close. Suddenly, she managed to make out THorin's voice above all others./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What say you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"There was a pause before she heard the master, "I say unto you... welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, king under the mountain."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and sighed. Sigrid suddenly caught sight of her father and began to pull Bain and Tilda after her. The three turned to the girl, suddenly realizing that they might not see her again./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled and hugged each of them, "I'll see you again. I promise."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The three smiled and after giving her a hug, they rushed off to find their dad. Sepha wove through the crowd till she came upon the dwarves who were all laughing and clapping each other on the back. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha!" FIli cried, pulling her in for a hug, "I'm so sorry I didn't come back for you but we got caught..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yeah I figured," Sepha replied. "Dont worry. Just don't scare me like that! I'm too young to have a heart attack!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"There was a chuckle behind her and she turned to see THorin standing there, looking fully pleased and confident. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Now we cannot have someone as pretty as you going and having a heart attack," he remarked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her face go bright crimson from those words but was glad that Dwalin found that moment fitting to come over and swallow her in a huge hug. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The company were soon shuffled off into the hall so they could be given rooms for the night. Sepha soon was pulled from the dwarves by a young handmaiden who led her to a private room./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gave Sepha the key to the room and showed her where the bath materials were and her dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Don't forget that there is going to be a feast tonight," the girl pointed out. "Best be down within an hour."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you," Sepha replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When she was alone, she contemplated having a bath but then remembered that she already had one the night before and she rather liked the hairstyle Thorin had put into her hair. She then just washed her body and slipped into the dress she had been given./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;"When she finished, she headed out the hall and almost collided with Fili. The dwarf grinned at her brightly and offered her his arm which she gladly took, allowing him to lead her to the feast./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
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The feast was still going on but now most of the people weren't eating but either drinking and getting seriously drunk or dancing. Thorin was sitting in the seat he had been assigned for the feast and he hadn't moved from the spot once. He had a mug of ale in his hand but he hadn't even brought it to his lips. It just gave his hand something to grip to keep himself calm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin and Balin were laughing at something Oin had said but Thorin didn't even hear them. His blue eyes hadn't move from the one person they had been on all evening. The moment FIli had entered the hall with Sepha on his arm, Thorin had found it virtually impossible to breathe. At first he thought it was the ale but then he remembered that he hadn't drunken any of it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"His blue eyes were steadily watching the girl as she was passed from person to person on the dance floor. Through the whole dinner she had sat between Fili and Kili, laughing at the jokes they kept shooting at her and constantly playfully groaning whenever the two brought up another bet they were making./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin hadn't spoken a word to anyone since she had entered and hadn't even looked at anyone. It was a miracle his eyes weren't drying out because he barely allowed them to blink. He watched the girl playfully dancing with Bilbo who was trying to teach her a hobbit dance but she kept stepping on his feet. Whenever Bilbo's eyes widened with pain whenever her foot stomped on his, she doubled over in laughter and her eyes shone brightly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Whenever this happened, THorin's hands gripped his mug tighter, making his knuckles go white. It wasn't because he was upset that the girl was finding Bilbo and the other dwarves' company so enjoyable but the fact that whenever she smiled or laughed, THorin's breathing became hitched, his heart drummed faster and butterflies erupted in his stomach. Gripping his mug was all he could do to keep himself from getting up from his chair and doing something stupid and all together improper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thorin," Balin said, finally realizing that the dwarf hadn't been listening. "Are you going to sit there till you boil her brains with your stare or are you going to ask her to dance?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin didn't look at him but kept staring, "Mm."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That's not an answer," Dwalin pointed out, poking Thorin in the arm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Even though both brothers knew that if THorin did go and dance with Sepha, there was a strong chance things would lead to another and eventually Fili and Kili would win the bet but Thorin was going to scare someone with that stare of his. Of course, everyone who knew him knew that the look he constantly was giving Sepha nonstop for the past hour wasn't one of anger (even though most people would mistake it for a lethal glower), but rather one belonging to a man who was terribly in love./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you want me to say?" Thorin muttered, still not looking at them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin shrugged, "Either take a drink of that ale or ask her to dance. If you don't drink that ale soon I will because that full mug is beginning to get rather tempting."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin was about to push the mug over to Dwalin just to shut him up but he suddenly needed again for at that moment, Fili approached Sepha on the dance floor and got her into a dance. Thorin recognized the dance all too well as a slow dance that his mother had taught him and Dis... his sister must have taught Fili for his nephew did it perfectly and was working on teaching Sepha how to do it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"HIs heart swelled as he watched his nephew point at where Sepha needed to put her feet and slowly lead her through the steps. He was surprised at how fast Sepha caught onto the dance but that surprise soon disappeared when he saw the girl smile at something Fili said and then when Fili said something else with a mischievous, teasing smirk on his face, Sepha blushed bright red. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin and Dwalin were quite sure that Thorin was going to squeeze the mug so tight that it would burst./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin was almost on the verge of taking the mug from him when Kili came over and stood on the other side of the table, across from his uncle, obscuring his view of Sepha slightly. He crossed his arms and rested them leisurely on the table./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Hey Uncle," he said cheerfully, acting all innocent, "You should dance with Sepha. She's a really fast learner and a really good dance partner."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin swallowed thickly and looked at his nephew, hoping his glare would tell Kili to move but his nephew just smiled and didn't move./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm not moving till you go and dance with her," Kili threatened. "Or I could make up some story to her that when a dwarf doesn't want to dance with a girl, he is actually not interested in her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"At once he had THorin's full attention, "That's a straight up lie."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Not exactly," Kili admitted, earning nods from Balin and Dwalin who agreed. "It is the duty of the dwarf to mark her as his own by dancing with her at least once. Of course, considering that everyone has danced with her once already, people will start to get ideas that no one has claimed her so..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"That seemed to break the cord for Thorin grabbed his mug of ale, took a deep swig and then slid it down the table to Dwalin who at once snatched it up. Thorin got up from the table, giving his nephew a glare before heading around the table and onto the dance floor./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Good job laddie," Balin whispered, winking at Kili who had a ridiculous grin plastered on his face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You have twelve hours," Kili warned. "Just pray that ale doesn't make Thorin too confident."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Meanwhile, Thorin had approached Sepha who was still dancing with Fili. Of course, the moment Fili saw THorin coming, he smirked and made an excuse to go and check on Kili, leaving Sepha alone on the dance floor. The girl was about to head over to join Bilbo again who was teaching Nori and Dori a dance when he felt a hand on her elbow./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Turning, she looked up into the piercing blue eyes that belonged to Thorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Would you like to dance?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled and nodded, allowing him to take her hands. She felt her cheeks flush when his huge calloused hands encased her small, slender, soft ones. She looked up into THorin's eyes that never broke eye contact as he drew her close and placed one of her hands on his shoulder and kept her other firmly encased in his other. He then slipped his free arm around her waist, pulling her close to him so that her chest was pressed against his. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha had no idea how she was breathing or even moving for Thorin's eyes wouldn't stop looking at hers. When she realized that he was barely blinking, she glanced down but still felt his gaze boring into her face. She felt Thorin slowly move his fingers so that they intertwined with hers and he slipped his arm further around her waist, making her gasp slightly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You look beautiful," Thorin's voice came in a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha blushed bright red and she found that she didn't know what to say. In that case, she leant her head against THorin's hard chest and closed her eyes, allowing Thorin to lead her through the slow dance. THorin's arm held her waist tighter and he brought her hand to his chest, right above his heart and held her hand there, between his heart and his hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl felt his breathing on her neck as he bowed his head and rested his mouth on her partially bare shoulder, planting a soft kiss there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The moment was perfect and Sepha didn't want it to end, hoping that by keeping her eyes closed she made it last longer. What she didn't know was that Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Balin were watching the whole thing from across the room, ridiculous grins spreading across their faces./p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When the dance ended, THorin didn't release Sepha but instead kept one hand around her waist and led her from the dance floor. He was going to lead her to the company but the girl held back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I think I'm going to head to bed. I'm tired from everything that's happened to night and I don't want to be exhausted for tomorrow," the girl explained./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin nodded in understanding but kept his hand on her elbow, "Can I escort you to your room?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha quickly ran through whether or not she should let him. Of course she was dying for him to, dying to have some time to the two of them and hopefully tell him how she felt but then again, it would seem improper in most cases. Yet again, a lot of people had been drinking... so if anyone asked, Thorin was making sure she got to her room without running into any person who was too drunk to think clearly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sure thing," she said, smiling./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin offered her his arm and she took it, suddenly realizing how tired she really was. Lucky for them, none of the company noticed their departure and there was no one in the hallways as they made their way to Sepha's room. It was right across the hallway from Dwalin and Balin's room. The dwarves were sharing rooms two by two except Sepha who had her own room (duh!:))/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Even though they had already passed Thorin and Nori's room a while back, Thorin escorted the girl all the way to her own bedroom door. When they got there, Sepha pulled out her key and turned to Thorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thanks," she said. "Are you ready for tomorrow."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didnt quite here her and suddenly snapped out of his daze, "I don't know..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled, "It'll be fine. I promise."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin felt his head swimming as he looked down at the girl who was smiling at him, her green eyes glowing. He had no idea what was happening until Sepha had taken a step forward and standing up on tippy toes, she planted a soft kiss on his cheek just above his beard. If Thorin had found it hard to breathe watching her smile, he was about ready to pass out right then and there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled sweetly at him and took a step back, "Goodnight Thorin."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, she turned to unlock her door but Thorin's voice that came in a hoarse whisper stopped her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl turned to look at him only to realize he had taken a step towards her and when she turned around, he was right upon her, their bodies inches apart and his nose brushing hers. The girl gasped slightly and instinctively her hands went behind her for she was right up against her door. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's hand reached up and pushed her hair out of her eyes and off her shoulder, exposing her neck and collar bone. The girl was staring up at him, her green eyes wide with shock and anticipation of what was going to happen./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's hand trailed along her ear... to her cheek, across her jawline... down her neck, across her shoulder... down to her hand... then to her hip. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha gasped softly when Thorin's strong hand gripped her hip, drawing him closer to him as he took another step forward, pressing her back against the door. There was no space between her and Thorin now... their noses practically touching as Thorin looked down at her with his piercing blue eyes that were turning dark with want and need./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's other hand reached up and cupped the back of her neck gently in his hand, rubbing the nape of her neck with his finger, his thumb stroking the skin below her ear. Sepha could hear nothing except her heavy breathing that was coming in gasps and her heart that was beating faster than a horse's pounding hooves./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarf prince leant forward and brushed his nose against hers gently, sending chills down her spine and goosebumps over her arms. the tip of his nose brushed the skin right below her eyes... then down closer to her mouth. She could feel his breath on her face... she could practically taste his breath as their air mingled between them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt her eyes fluttering closed as Thorin's nose pressed against the side of hers and he drew her face closer to his. Thorin closed his eyes and was quite sure he could feel the cool feeling of her lips as he drew her near... but in a second it was gone when they both jumped apart at a loud sound that literally gave them a heart attack./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and Thorin jumped back, Sepha bending down to snatch up the key she had dropped without realizing it. Both turned and saw that Balin and Dwalin were stumbling down the hallway, obviously both drunk for Dwalin's eyes were constantly swiveling into the back of his head and Balin was trying to support him but looking just as bad himself./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two dwarves stumbled to their door and somehow Balin managed to find his key and unlock the door that was already unlocked before the two stumbled in, slamming the door behind them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin turned back to Sepha who had managed to unlock her door and now had it open. She was standing in the doorway, facing him, one hand on the frame and the other on the doorknob, ready to close the door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Both found it impossible to find words so Thorin just nodded./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Goodnight Sepha," he said in a hoarse voice./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Goodnight," the girl whispered before smiling and closing the door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When the door closed, Thorin let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was going to box Dwalin in the morning! With a final look at the door, he turned and headed back down the hallway to his own room. As he crawled under the covers, he ignored the snores coming from Nori across the room and curled up, thinking of how close he had been to kissing Sepha...how he had found it impossible to breathe... or to even think... it was like he couldn't breathe without her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With a certain brown haired, green eyed quarter breed on his mind, THorin fell asleep and slept better than he had in a long time. Meanwhile, Sepha was sitting against her door, looking up at the ceiling with a huge grin on her face, her eyes closed. Thorin had almost kissed her! He had been so gentle... so slow and careful as if he was afraid to scare her by moving too fast...She would have fallen asleep against the door except the bed sounded more comforting and she fell asleep the moment she hit the bed, the smile still on her face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"What neither of the two knew was that the moment Thorin's door closed, Dwalin and Balin's door opened and both dwarves poked their heads out, fully sober and with pleased smirks on their faces. Down the hallway, another door opened and two more heads poked out, looking at the two with evil glares./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We still have a few hours," FIli whispered to Dwalin and Balin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You two are going down," Kili added before he and his brother drew their heads back into their room./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin and Balin exchanged knowing looks and head butted each other before going to bed, the small amount of ale they had finally taking over and knocking them into a deep slumber. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Down the hall, Fili and Kili were glowering at their door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Those cheaters," Fili spat. "Of all the millions of ways they could have interrupted our triumph, they had to fake being drunk!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili nodded, "We have until tomorrow when we leave for Erabor brother... we need to up our game."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But how will we do that?" Fili asked. "After being interrupted like that, who knows how long Thorin and Sepha will take! It's like recovering from a wound!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili nodded and began to think when his eyes fell on the beads in his brother's beard. A smirk came across his face as he got an idea./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I think we should get up early and acquaint Auntie Seph with the truth behind courting beads."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Fili's face brightened when he caught onto his brother's plan. Both dwarves fell asleep, smiles on their faces, quite sure that their plan would work perfectly. /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;""Do you really have to go?" she asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Legolas nodded, "Tauriel is right. we need to find out where these orcs are and where they're going. We'll meet up with you in Laketown if we find nothing."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha sighed and Tauriel reached over, hugging the girl close. "Take care Seph. And please take care of those wounds. We don't want them getting infected."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl nodded. She reached over and hugged Legolas who smiled and hugged her back. Little did they know was that a certain black haired dwarf was watching them and felt a tinge of jealousy when Legolas hugged her. Thorin had always wanted to know what it felt like to hold the girl close... the most was that their hands had brushed or he had pulled her to her feet... how he wanted to hold her close and never let her go... to touch her hair again...to kiss her.../p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'll wager there are ways to enter that town unseen," Balin said, snapping THorin out of his stupor./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Aye," Bard replied. "and for that. You will need a smuggler."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""For which we will pay double," Balin replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard sighed and while he and Balin came to an agreement on price, Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili all stepped over to Sepha. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We'll take good care of her," Balin promised./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He wrapped an arm around the girl and Sepha slightly cringed but none of the dwarves noticed. Tauriel opened her mouth to warn Balin of Sepha's injury but a warning look from Tauriel told her to remain silent. This was one thing that Sepha wanted to keep secret from the dwarves for this wasn't a time for them to worry./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"TIME SKIP... ON THE BARGE/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was sitting up against the side of the barge, her knees drawn to her chest for warmth. Sepha usually never had a problem with heat because of her wolf side but she blamed her fresh wounds for that./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarves were all standing around Balin who was counting up the money. Sepha of course didn't fail to notice that THorin, who stood on the edge of the group, would occasionally look in her direction. There was no anger in his eyes... only a look that made him look like he was ready to cry. Soon, Sepha could barely stand it anymore for she was on the verge of getting up and throwing her arms around the dwarf prince. Of course, she knew that would be inappropriate so she pulled herself to her feet./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She ducked her head so no one saw her wince at the pain. Crossing her arms over her chest for comfort, she walked past the dwarves towards the back of the barge. Of course, she had to pass right by THorin and naturally, his eyes never left her. Sepha felt her cheeks flame bright red as she walked past, pretending to watch her feet. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Finally, she stopped right near Bard and smiled at him. Surprisingly, he returned it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""WHat's your name lass?" the man asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Persephone but you can call me Sepha," the girl replied. "What about you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Bard, at your service," the man said./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled, "I wanted to thank you for doing this."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Oh it's no big deal," Bard replied. "Though I was surprised when the elves turned up."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How do you know Legolas and Tauriel?" the girl inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard shrugged, "I know them through Thranduil. I've met them a few times but not that often."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, "Well thank you again."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The bargeman nodded and as Sepha was about to say something else, she felt a hand on her elbow. She turned and almost squeaked when she realized it was Thorin who leant down to her ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can I talk to you a moment?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded hastily and allowed THorin to lead her away from Bard. of course, the barge wasn't large so they didn't have a whole ton of privacy to talk but Thorin kept his voice down./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why are you speaking with him?" he inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I just wanted to be civil," Sepha replied. "Nothing bad came from trying."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I don't feel comfortable with him around," Thorin replied in a low voice. "Especially with him around you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha didn't reply, Thorin turned his burning eyes from the bargeman and looked at the girl. her face had gone flushed, her eyes staring downward and her cheeks going a bright shade of pink./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was about to ask her what was wrong when he suddenly realized what he was doing. She had gotten angry with him for interfering with her life and placing a claim on her and putting her off limits to other men. TO her, it probably sounded like he was doing that to Bard... keeping Sepha away from him./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm sorry," he whispered. "I shouldn't have said that... I'll back off... if you want to talk to him... you can..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Before he even finished talking, Sepha had reached out and grabbed his forearm, turning him back to look at her for he had begun to turn towards the company. THorin's eyes widened at the contact for that was the first time she had ever done that. The girl's face flustered more but she bit her lip./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""No it's... it's okay... I actually... don't mind..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin's eyes widened and he felt a tinge of hope rush to his heart, "You don't?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl shook her head, refusing to look directly into Thorin's eyes, "I've gotten used to it and... I know you had your reasons for doing it... reasons I do not know but I trust you and your decisions and I know that whatever reason you placed a claim on me... then it was good enough reason for me."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl quickly bit her lip again and THorin felt his head swim. How he wanted to kiss her... and with her biting down on her smooth red bottom lip made him feel dizzy./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin opened his mouth to tell her his reasons but something stopped him. He had just redeemed himself from the mistake he made by placing the claim without her knowledge. He wasn't going to ruin this moment by saying something that might not be to her liking. He had no idea how she felt towards him and all he could think of was how horrible it felt to not tell her how terribly he loved her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha managed to lift her eyes to look at him, only to see his blue eyes sparkling at her. Smiling shyly, the girl looked down and Thorin couldn't hold back the grin that spread across his features./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Just then, Bard announced that they were nearing guards. /p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Into the barrels," Bard whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"At once the dwarves began to obey, hopping into the nearest barrel. Sepha headed to the nearest barrel and poked her head over the side only to realize that Fili and Kili were in there, Fili half upside down with his foot in Kili's mouth./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sorry," she whispered, heading to another barrel./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was beginning to loose options when a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a barrel. As Sepha managed to get herself right side up, she looked up to be met by a pair of piercing blue eyes. She knew that her face flamed red for her and Thorin's noses were almost touching at their close proximity. Sepha had her legs hugged close to her chest, her feet on either side of Thorin's thighs and she was sitting on his legs that were crossed in front of him. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didn't realize that he still had his hands on her forearms till the girl looked down and they landed on the strong, calloused hands that were holding her slender arms gently but firmly. THorin looked down as well and would have retracted his hands if he didn't feel Sepha's soft, slender hands grip his forearms back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin was sure his heart stopped right then and there but then something caught his attention, removing his hands from her arms, he gripped her hands, "Your hands are freezing," he whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha shrugged and was going to pull her hands back, not wanting to worry Thorin but the dwarf had other ideas. Holding her hands in his large ones, she felt the heat from his hands encase her fingers. He gently cupped her hands within his and bringing them up to his mouth, he blew on them to warm them. The whole time, his eyes never left hers and Sepha realized that for the first time he met his steady gaze and she found that she couldn't seem to break from it. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin continued to blow on her hands till they were so warm that they were turning pink. Suddenly, there was a clanking above them and Thorin reacted before Sepha could even find out what was happening./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin reached a hand around and gripping the back of Sepha's head gently, he pulled her head down so that her forehead was resting against his shoulder and her eyes looking down at his chest. Sepha's face burned red and Thorin yelled at himself in his head for being too hasty but he knew what was coming. Bending his head down, he pressed his own forehead to Sepha's shoulder as fish poured down on top of them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When it stopped, THorin and Sepha saw that the position their heads were in had prevented any fish from getting in their face... but it covered everything else. Thorin found that his hand was still on Sepha's neck and he gently stroked her smooth skin with his calloused thumb. He felt the girl shiver by his touch and he smiled at her reaction./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her cheeks heat up at the feeling of Thorin's warm hand on her neck. Their ears were pressed against each other and she could hear his heart drumming in her head. THorin could hear her heart in his ears and he heard it speed up whenever his finger brushed her skin. Deciding to test the waters, Thorin slowly turned his head just enough so that his nose was resting against the other side of her neck. Sepha's breathing hitched as Thorin rubbed his nose against her soft skin, his beard brushing her shoulder and the bare skin of her collar bone./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out a breath, finding it almost impossible to breathe. Thorin smiled and pressed his nose close against her neck, breathing in her scent. Even over the stench of fish, he could still smell her sweet scent of vanilla and cedar. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly they heard a bang and the sound of a dwarf grunting. Suddenly, their barrel shook and they were knocked on the side, the fish spewing out. They both slipped out head first and Sepha groaned at the stench of the fish and the sting that it sent into her wounds stung./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin pulled her to her feet and Sepha looked up into his eyes a moment before Kili and Fili both grabbed her hands and pulled her after Bard who was leading them to his house./p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was soaking wet as Dwalin pulled her out of the water into the bathroom of Bard's house. She was so cold that she didn't even care that she had just crawled out of a toilet. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We need to warm you up," Bard's eldest daughter said, quickly wrapping a blanket around the shivering girl. "You're turning blue."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Seph?" FIli's gentle voice whispered, his warm arms wrapping around her, "What happened?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha shook her head, "I guess I'm just not used to the cold."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"What she didn't want to tell them was that her back was stinging from the fish in her cuts and the cold was making her weak and uncommonly cold. Her whole body was working to heal her wounds so she had less body heat to keep herself warm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You should get cleaned up and warmed," The girl said. "Come, you can wash in the wash room."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gently led the girl into a bathroom set off from the other bathroom. This one didn't have a toilet but it had a large basin for washing and there was a pot of hot water./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You can wash in here," the girl said, "I'll bring you a fresh change of clothes. but for now you can use these."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She held out a pair of pants to Sepha, a pair of leather boots, warm socks, a white shirt and a wrap for her bosom./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you..." Sepha said./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sigrid," the girl answered her, "And you're welcome. What is your name by the way?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Persephone," Sepha replied. "but everyone calls me Sepha."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sigrid's face lit up, "That's so pretty! I'll let you be."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, the girl headed off, leaving Sepha alone in the wash room. Sepha tested the hot water and poured a good amount in the large basin, cooling it off slightly with cold water so it wasn't scalding. She then submerged herself into the water as much as she could. She grabbed the bar of soap and cloth and washed herself thoroughly. Soon she felt ten times better and even managed to clean her hair and get the tangles out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Climbing out, she wrapped a towel around herself while she wrung out her hair. it hung straight and damp down her back, reaching past her waist. She pulled on the breeches and boots, then wrapped her bosom with the wrap Sigrid gave her. She held off putting on the shirt, wanting her back to air out a while./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was just preparing to pull on the shirt when she heard a board creak behind her and spinning around, she found Thorin standing in the doorway of the wash room. She quickly hugged the shirt to her chest, glad that the bindings covered everything of her front except part of her stomach but it left most of her back bare. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""THorin... you scared me," she gasped, preparing to pull the shirt on./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Wait," Thorin said softly, stepping forward./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"His hand reached out and he pushed her hand down so she wouldn't put on her shirt. His calloused fingers reached out and gently turned her around so her back was facing him. She felt his warm fingers brush against her back... tracing her scars... touching the soft flesh that was just healing from her most recent encounter with a whip./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""When did you get these?" he whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thranduil," Sepha replied, knowing that there was no avoiding tell him now. "Right before Legolas got me out."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Why didn't you tell me?" THorin whispered, his voice gentle but laced with concern./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I didn't want to be a burden," Sepha whispered back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Thorin didn't reply, she thought he was upset... but then she felt his hands reach up and gently stroke her long hair... then his fingers traced her neck... her bare shoulder... her arms... Sepha felt all the air escape her when both his arms found their way to her bare waist and gently stroked the skin there. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt his body heat as he took a step closer so that his dry shirt was touching her bare back... then she felt his nose brush against her bare shoulder... then his beard... then he pressed his lips to her shoulder... letting his lower lip graze her soft skin. He then reached up with one hand and brushed her hair to the side, exposing the side of her neck and he pressed a gentle kiss on the soft skin of her neck, just below her pretty pointed ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's breathing hitched and she gasped as Thorin's arms snaked all the way around her and his hands lay against her stomach, hugging her close so that she could feel his hard chest against her shoulder blades. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thorin..." she gasped, her voice barely audible./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin placed another kiss on her neck, hugging her closer, "Hmm?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin gently gripped her hands and turned her around so that she was facing him, "I love you Sepha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her whole world freeze. Her heart stopped beating at least for ten whole seconds. her breath froze and her eyes widened. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""wha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That was why I did what I did," Thorin whispered, reaching up to brush a strand of hair out of her face. "When we were at Beorn's... and you were healing... it was then that I knew that you are my One. You complete me... you make me whole. I didn't know how else to tell you and I was hoping Balin would help you understand but then Thranduil..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's green eyes were staring at Thorin, stunned and not quite knowing what to do. Thorin smiled softly at her and ran his calloused thumb across her cheek, "You don't have to say anything in return... you don't have to do or say anything. I just want you to know that I love you more than anything."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was hoping dearly that her mouth wasn't hanging open but Thorin just smiled, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before leaving her alone in the wash room to finish on her own. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin... loved her. And she had been too dumbstruck to say it back!/p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha emerged from the bathroom, she looked fully refreshed. Her rich brown hair was dry and billowing around her shoulders and her hips in long brown waves. Her face was clean and everyone could see the color returning to her cheeks. She was wearing only boots, a pair of black pants and a white shirt that was tucked into the pants but she looked much more comfortable. As she came into the room, Tilda, the younger daughter skipped over to her and held out a brown cotton sweater. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Smiling, Sepha took it and thanked the girl, pulling it on over her shirt and shivering at the warmth it gave off. She then saw FIli and Kili sipping mugs of hot tea at the table so she walked over and sat down across from them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""How are you feeling Seph?" Fili inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Better thanks," The girl replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What about your back?" Kili inquired./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 looked over at THorin who sat near the window, staring outside as if in a daze./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yeah he told us," FIli replied. "But he made us promise to keep it between the three of us, Dwalin, Balin and Oin. That way we can help you if anything happens."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled, "Thanks boys."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili smiled and reaching over, he hugged the girl, "We're just glad your back. I think uncle is the happiest."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's green eyes flitted back over to Thorin again and this time she realized he was looking at her. She quickly ducked her head when her face lit up with a blush but the two brothers noticed. When she looked back at them, they were both smirking knowingly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So are you going to tell him?" Kili inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha's eyebrows shot up, "Tell him what?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That you love him back," The dwarf pointed out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her heart stop, "how did you know about that?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The young dwarf smirked, "I happened to make really good friends with your friend Tauriel while we were prisoners. Then while Balin and Dwalin were gushing over you at the edge of the lake, she told me about your little talk in the woods."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha ducked her head again and blushed, hearing a soft chuckle from the two brothers./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I promise, we didn't tell anyone," FIli whispered. "Actually now, we have a leg up on Dwalin and Balin."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""A leg up on what?" the girl inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Fili grinned, "After the developments recently, Kili and I think it will be before we leave lake town that you and uncle become a 'thing'. Dwalin and Balin still think it's sometime after but before we reclaim Erabor."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha sighed and rolled her eyes, "And exactly what is a 'thing'?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Oh you know... smiling at each other," Kili replied. "Maybe holding hands... kissing...fondling..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay I think I've heard enough," Sepha sighed, earning smirks from the two boys. They looked absolutely ridiculous with those grins on their faces./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Dont break his heart too much," Fili whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha rolled her eyes and ruffled their hair playfully, earning a yelp from Kili who was very picky about his hair. Stepping away from them, she grabbed the comb Tilda had leant her and began to brush her hair. She managed to get the tangles out but her hands were still cold so she could barely do anything to her hair. Thorin seemed to notice because she felt his eyes watching her. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Finally giving up, she undid the mess she had attempted and turning around, she set the comb down and approached Thorin. He was leaning against the wall, watching her when she approached. She could barely look at him but when she did, she blushed bright red./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can you help me?" she asked in a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin stood up straighter, pushing himself off his leaning position and uncrossed his arms, "With... your hair?" he asked, surprised and uncertain./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl nodded her head, "if you don't mind..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin shook his head, "No I don't mind but... do you know what... that implies?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha nodded, "YEs."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin suddenly remembered their conversation in the dungeons of the woodland realm. He had told her about the hair braiding being a sign of affection and marking territory. He felt his heart beat quicken as Sepha turned around for him and didn't move as he ran his fingers through her hair./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin was halfway through braiding her hair when he realized what was happening. Sepha had asked him to braid her hair... knowing that it meant that he was showing her signs of affection and marking her as his own... and she was letting him! He felt his heart swell with hope as he finished braiding. He paused, about to ask her if she had a bead when a thought jumped to his mind. She had let him braid her hair... maybe he could chance it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Reaching up with one hand, he removed the silver bead from his hair and gently placed it in her hair. It looked perfect in her dark brown hair, bringing out the copper in her hair./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was about to tell her he was done but thought better of it. Sepha was his right now... and none of the dwarves were watching them... Fili and Kili were talking together softly, Balin and Dwalin discussing breaking into the armory. The others were either asleep or sitting around the fire talking to Bilbo./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin gently reached down and tangled his fingers with hers, smiling when she felt her tense but then relax almost instantly. He felt his heart freeze when Sepha took a half step back so that her back was pressed against his hard chest. She turned her head gently so that her ear was in front of his mouth and she gently pressed her face to his chest./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarf prince brought his hands up, still holding her hands and wrapped them around her waist, feeling her smooth waist through the shirt and sweater. He cocked his head slightly so that he could press his nose into her hair and gently kiss her neck gently. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two were snapped out of their quiet moment by the return of Bard who had news that the house was being watched till the next morning. Sepha and THorin jumped apart but Sepha noticed FIli and Kili waggling their eyebrows at her, implying that they had seen most of it. She shook her head, warning them to not say anything./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;"It was late and Thorin had been discussing plans with Balin and Dwalin for hours. Ever since Sepha and Thorin's private moment, the two had barely been in each other's presence. Thorin had squirreled his two close friends to a corner of the room where Bard couldn't eavesdrop to discuss things while Sepha spent the rest of the day talking with Bilbo, Tilda and Sigrid./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"It was late and Bard was sitting in a far corner, reading. Bain was staring out the window while Sigrid stroked Tilda's hair. Sepha was sitting on the floor, crossed legs looking at the fire when Tilda walked over and sat down beside her, leaning her head on her shoulder./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Do you ever miss your mother?" she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her heart freeze, "Yes Tilda... every day."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What happened to her?" she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""She was killed...when I was little," Sepha whispered. "I barely got to know her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Then how come you miss her so much?" the girl asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled as Tilda moved to lay her head in Sepha's lap. Sepha gently stroked Tilda's pretty hair and smiled at the sleepy, saddened girl, "Even if you don't know someone very well, if they care about you and you care about them, you'll never forget them and you'll always miss them."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Tilda turned and smiled at her, "Fili and Kili tell me that you can sing."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha turned to look at Fili and Kili who were leaning against the wall nearby, watching her with smiles. Kili had his head leaning against Fili's shoulder. His leg had been bothering him but now he was just tired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yes... I guess so."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Can you sing to me?" Tilda whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha looked at FIli and Kili who were of course giving her pleading looks. Half the other dwarves were asleep, Thorin, Dwalin and Balin were talking together, their backs to them. Bilbo was sitting in a chair, sipping tea and watching her. Sigrid and Bain had leant forward towards her at Tilda's words. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay," Sepha sighed./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She started humming softly, the humming fill the room. Suddenly, Fili, Kili and the other dwarves, minus Balin, Dwalin and Thorin began to hum to the rhythm with her, making the harmony. after a few seconds of that, Sepha stopped humming but the dwarves kept going while her voice gently came out in a ripple of soft, gentle words, fitting perfectly with the deep humming of the dwarves./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;"When she finished, Tilda had fallen asleep on her lap and Kili was sound asleep, his shoulder on Fili's. All the others were just sitting there, remembering the song that still hung in the air. Sepha looked at Fili who nodded towards Thorin. Turning, Sepha saw the dwarf prince watching her, his arms crossed and leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile on his face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Blushing bright red, she looked down with a smile. She carefully helped Bard who scooped up the sleeping Tilda and carried her off to bed, taking his other two children with him for the night. The dwarves then set about preparing for the night. They laid out blankets that Bard had given them and curled up, back to back as close to the fire as they could./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha helped Fili lie Kili down without rousing him before grabbing a blanket herself. She found a large enough space for herself near the edge of the group and laid down, wrapping herself in the blanket. She was about to drift off to sleep when she felt someone lie down behind her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Turning slightly, she saw Thorin's large form as he laid down, on his side facing her, his head propped up on his hand. Sepha blushed when she realized he was looking right at her. She turned back around with a smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Suddenly, his arms snaked around her waist from behind and he drew her against him so her back was flush with his chest. He laid back flat on his back, still keeping one arm underneath her shoulders and the other around her waist. After a moment of not moving, Sepha moved so that she was on her back and she turned her face so that she was looking at Thorin's face. His eyes were closed and he looked so peaceful... so regal when he slept./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gently laced her fingers with his hand that lay on her stomach. Impulsively she reached up and gently traced his features with her finger ever so gently. When her finger finished tracing his jawline and his beard, she let her finger wander to his bottom lip and gently brush it, her eyes fixed on his lips./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She saw him smile, his eyes still closed. Realizing that he hadn't been asleep, Sepha went pink as he turned his head to look at her and he opened his eyes. His bright blue eyes shone in the dim light as he looked at her, his whole heart in his eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sorry," she whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was about to retract her hand but Thorin gripped it with his free hand and gently brought her hand back to his cheek. She laid her hand against his cheek and he turned his head to kiss her palm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You never have to apologize for anything," Thorin whispered, tracing her face with his finger./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"For a while they just lay there looking into each other's eyes, tracing each other's features. After a while Thorin noticed the girl's eyes drooping so he shifted so that she was lying in a more comfortable position, her side flush with his side and his arm still around her shoulders. Sepha laid her head against his shoulder and pressed her nose and face into the side of his neck, closing her eyes./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Amaralime," Thorin whispered, drifting to sleep immediately./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha opened her eyes a moment and knowing that he was asleep, she smiled, "Givashel," she whispered before falling to sleep./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didn't hear that single word but Fili and Kili who had been watching the whole thing unfold from across the room exchanged excited looks./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""And of course she says it when he's asleep," Fili whispered./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Patience brother," Kili whispered. "Patience."/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;"When Sepha woke, she realized that she wasn't the first one up. Dwalin, Balin and THorin were already up. That was when the girl noticed that there was another jacket lying over her instead of just the one she fell asleep with. She was about to sit up when she took in a deep breath and smelt the smoke and pine smell of the blanket... THorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt her cheeks go bright pink, realizing he had removed his coat to lay it over her while she slept. Slowly sitting up, she saw that Thorin, Balin and Dwalin were all quietly rousing the other dwarves and preparing them to sneak out to the armory. She soon found herself staring as he watched THorin gently rouse his nephews, his hard toned back muscles flexing beneath his blue shirt./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Morning lass," Gloin whispered to the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled and sat up, stretching and pulling her jacket back on. She picked up Thorin's and walking over to him, she held it out to him, trying to not blush bright red when he took it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You have to stay here," Thorin instructed./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 frowned, "Why? Are you saying I have to stay here?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""At least until we get the weapons," THorin replied. "I'll send FIli back to you when we have the weapons. It's too dangerous especially if we get caught."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha frowned deeper and crossed her arms, "If this has to do with my injury..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha," Thorin sighed, placing his hands on her upper arms and looking deep into her green eyes. "Just please spare me the worry of you getting hurt or endangered further and just stay here till Fili comes back for you."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha wanted to object but after hearing Thorin's words, she thought better of it. Thorin was looking deep into her eyes, no anger or annoyance on his face, only a soft, gentle look of concern. The girl bowed her head and nodded. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Okay," she said in barely a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin smiled and slipping one finger underneath her chin, he lifted her face to look up at him. He just looked into her eyes for a moment before smiling. Sepha felt her breathing hitch at his smile. Whenever he smiled it seemed like his eyes lit up and his whole face just changed...into something brighter... kinder...handsomer...braver. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Amaralime," he whispered before reaching over and planting a kiss on her forehead./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He left the girl standing there, too stunned and too bright crimson to move. She barely noticed Fili and Kili come give her encouraging looks and hugs before hurrying out after their uncle./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When Sepha finally managed to break out of her daze, she found herself alone in the sitting room. All the coats were gone and the blankets lying on the floor. Deciding to not waste her time just standing there, she began to grab the blankets and fold them into a neat pile. Then, she sat down near the window and stared out, waiting to see the blond head of Fili when he returned for her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Hours passed and the girl began to worry when Bard came down the stairs, his children following. He took in the empty living room and the lone girl sitting by the window within a second./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Where did they go?" he insisted./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I honestly don't know," Sepha replied. "They left hours ago to the armory but they still haven't returned."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Bard groaned and charged through the door. Bain, Sigrid and Tilda followed but not before Bain and Tilda both grabbed one of Sepha's hands and pulled her after them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When they finally stopped running after Bard, they had appeared in the town square which was packed with people. Sepha was short, barely coming within Tilda's shoulder but she managed to make out a conversation that Bard was having with the master of the town and THorin. They must have gotten caught!/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha was aggravated that she couldn't hear any of the conversation but when Tilda huddled close to her, frightened but the sounds, she held her close. Suddenly, she managed to make out THorin's voice above all others./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What say you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"There was a pause before she heard the master, "I say unto you... welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, king under the mountain."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and sighed. Sigrid suddenly caught sight of her father and began to pull Bain and Tilda after her. The three turned to the girl, suddenly realizing that they might not see her again./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha smiled and hugged each of them, "I'll see you again. I promise."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The three smiled and after giving her a hug, they rushed off to find their dad. Sepha wove through the crowd till she came upon the dwarves who were all laughing and clapping each other on the back. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha!" FIli cried, pulling her in for a hug, "I'm so sorry I didn't come back for you but we got caught..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Yeah I figured," Sepha replied. "Dont worry. Just don't scare me like that! I'm too young to have a heart attack!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"There was a chuckle behind her and she turned to see THorin standing there, looking fully pleased and confident. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Now we cannot have someone as pretty as you going and having a heart attack," he remarked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha felt her face go bright crimson from those words but was glad that Dwalin found that moment fitting to come over and swallow her in a huge hug. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The company were soon shuffled off into the hall so they could be given rooms for the night. Sepha soon was pulled from the dwarves by a young handmaiden who led her to a private room./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She gave Sepha the key to the room and showed her where the bath materials were and her dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Don't forget that there is going to be a feast tonight," the girl pointed out. "Best be down within an hour."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thank you," Sepha replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When she was alone, she contemplated having a bath but then remembered that she already had one the night before and she rather liked the hairstyle Thorin had put into her hair. She then just washed her body and slipped into the dress she had been given./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;"When she finished, she headed out the hall and almost collided with Fili. The dwarf grinned at her brightly and offered her his arm which she gladly took, allowing him to lead her to the feast./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
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The feast was still going on but now most of the people weren't eating but either drinking and getting seriously drunk or dancing. Thorin was sitting in the seat he had been assigned for the feast and he hadn't moved from the spot once. He had a mug of ale in his hand but he hadn't even brought it to his lips. It just gave his hand something to grip to keep himself calm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin and Balin were laughing at something Oin had said but Thorin didn't even hear them. His blue eyes hadn't move from the one person they had been on all evening. The moment FIli had entered the hall with Sepha on his arm, Thorin had found it virtually impossible to breathe. At first he thought it was the ale but then he remembered that he hadn't drunken any of it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"His blue eyes were steadily watching the girl as she was passed from person to person on the dance floor. Through the whole dinner she had sat between Fili and Kili, laughing at the jokes they kept shooting at her and constantly playfully groaning whenever the two brought up another bet they were making./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin hadn't spoken a word to anyone since she had entered and hadn't even looked at anyone. It was a miracle his eyes weren't drying out because he barely allowed them to blink. He watched the girl playfully dancing with Bilbo who was trying to teach her a hobbit dance but she kept stepping on his feet. Whenever Bilbo's eyes widened with pain whenever her foot stomped on his, she doubled over in laughter and her eyes shone brightly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Whenever this happened, THorin's hands gripped his mug tighter, making his knuckles go white. It wasn't because he was upset that the girl was finding Bilbo and the other dwarves' company so enjoyable but the fact that whenever she smiled or laughed, THorin's breathing became hitched, his heart drummed faster and butterflies erupted in his stomach. Gripping his mug was all he could do to keep himself from getting up from his chair and doing something stupid and all together improper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thorin," Balin said, finally realizing that the dwarf hadn't been listening. "Are you going to sit there till you boil her brains with your stare or are you going to ask her to dance?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"THorin didn't look at him but kept staring, "Mm."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""That's not an answer," Dwalin pointed out, poking Thorin in the arm./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Even though both brothers knew that if THorin did go and dance with Sepha, there was a strong chance things would lead to another and eventually Fili and Kili would win the bet but Thorin was going to scare someone with that stare of his. Of course, everyone who knew him knew that the look he constantly was giving Sepha nonstop for the past hour wasn't one of anger (even though most people would mistake it for a lethal glower), but rather one belonging to a man who was terribly in love./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""What do you want me to say?" Thorin muttered, still not looking at them./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin shrugged, "Either take a drink of that ale or ask her to dance. If you don't drink that ale soon I will because that full mug is beginning to get rather tempting."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin was about to push the mug over to Dwalin just to shut him up but he suddenly needed again for at that moment, Fili approached Sepha on the dance floor and got her into a dance. Thorin recognized the dance all too well as a slow dance that his mother had taught him and Dis... his sister must have taught Fili for his nephew did it perfectly and was working on teaching Sepha how to do it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"HIs heart swelled as he watched his nephew point at where Sepha needed to put her feet and slowly lead her through the steps. He was surprised at how fast Sepha caught onto the dance but that surprise soon disappeared when he saw the girl smile at something Fili said and then when Fili said something else with a mischievous, teasing smirk on his face, Sepha blushed bright red. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin and Dwalin were quite sure that Thorin was going to squeeze the mug so tight that it would burst./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Balin was almost on the verge of taking the mug from him when Kili came over and stood on the other side of the table, across from his uncle, obscuring his view of Sepha slightly. He crossed his arms and rested them leisurely on the table./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Hey Uncle," he said cheerfully, acting all innocent, "You should dance with Sepha. She's a really fast learner and a really good dance partner."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin swallowed thickly and looked at his nephew, hoping his glare would tell Kili to move but his nephew just smiled and didn't move./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm not moving till you go and dance with her," Kili threatened. "Or I could make up some story to her that when a dwarf doesn't want to dance with a girl, he is actually not interested in her."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"At once he had THorin's full attention, "That's a straight up lie."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Not exactly," Kili admitted, earning nods from Balin and Dwalin who agreed. "It is the duty of the dwarf to mark her as his own by dancing with her at least once. Of course, considering that everyone has danced with her once already, people will start to get ideas that no one has claimed her so..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"That seemed to break the cord for Thorin grabbed his mug of ale, took a deep swig and then slid it down the table to Dwalin who at once snatched it up. Thorin got up from the table, giving his nephew a glare before heading around the table and onto the dance floor./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Good job laddie," Balin whispered, winking at Kili who had a ridiculous grin plastered on his face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You have twelve hours," Kili warned. "Just pray that ale doesn't make Thorin too confident."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Meanwhile, Thorin had approached Sepha who was still dancing with Fili. Of course, the moment Fili saw THorin coming, he smirked and made an excuse to go and check on Kili, leaving Sepha alone on the dance floor. The girl was about to head over to join Bilbo again who was teaching Nori and Dori a dance when he felt a hand on her elbow./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Turning, she looked up into the piercing blue eyes that belonged to Thorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Would you like to dance?" he asked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled and nodded, allowing him to take her hands. She felt her cheeks flush when his huge calloused hands encased her small, slender, soft ones. She looked up into THorin's eyes that never broke eye contact as he drew her close and placed one of her hands on his shoulder and kept her other firmly encased in his other. He then slipped his free arm around her waist, pulling her close to him so that her chest was pressed against his. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha had no idea how she was breathing or even moving for Thorin's eyes wouldn't stop looking at hers. When she realized that he was barely blinking, she glanced down but still felt his gaze boring into her face. She felt Thorin slowly move his fingers so that they intertwined with hers and he slipped his arm further around her waist, making her gasp slightly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You look beautiful," Thorin's voice came in a whisper./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha blushed bright red and she found that she didn't know what to say. In that case, she leant her head against THorin's hard chest and closed her eyes, allowing Thorin to lead her through the slow dance. THorin's arm held her waist tighter and he brought her hand to his chest, right above his heart and held her hand there, between his heart and his hand./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl felt his breathing on her neck as he bowed his head and rested his mouth on her partially bare shoulder, planting a soft kiss there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The moment was perfect and Sepha didn't want it to end, hoping that by keeping her eyes closed she made it last longer. What she didn't know was that Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Balin were watching the whole thing from across the room, ridiculous grins spreading across their faces./p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When the dance ended, THorin didn't release Sepha but instead kept one hand around her waist and led her from the dance floor. He was going to lead her to the company but the girl held back./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I think I'm going to head to bed. I'm tired from everything that's happened to night and I don't want to be exhausted for tomorrow," the girl explained./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin nodded in understanding but kept his hand on her elbow, "Can I escort you to your room?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha quickly ran through whether or not she should let him. Of course she was dying for him to, dying to have some time to the two of them and hopefully tell him how she felt but then again, it would seem improper in most cases. Yet again, a lot of people had been drinking... so if anyone asked, Thorin was making sure she got to her room without running into any person who was too drunk to think clearly./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sure thing," she said, smiling./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin offered her his arm and she took it, suddenly realizing how tired she really was. Lucky for them, none of the company noticed their departure and there was no one in the hallways as they made their way to Sepha's room. It was right across the hallway from Dwalin and Balin's room. The dwarves were sharing rooms two by two except Sepha who had her own room (duh!:))/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Even though they had already passed Thorin and Nori's room a while back, Thorin escorted the girl all the way to her own bedroom door. When they got there, Sepha pulled out her key and turned to Thorin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Thanks," she said. "Are you ready for tomorrow."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin didnt quite here her and suddenly snapped out of his daze, "I don't know..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled, "It'll be fine. I promise."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin felt his head swimming as he looked down at the girl who was smiling at him, her green eyes glowing. He had no idea what was happening until Sepha had taken a step forward and standing up on tippy toes, she planted a soft kiss on his cheek just above his beard. If Thorin had found it hard to breathe watching her smile, he was about ready to pass out right then and there./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl smiled sweetly at him and took a step back, "Goodnight Thorin."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With that, she turned to unlock her door but Thorin's voice that came in a hoarse whisper stopped her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Sepha..."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl turned to look at him only to realize he had taken a step towards her and when she turned around, he was right upon her, their bodies inches apart and his nose brushing hers. The girl gasped slightly and instinctively her hands went behind her for she was right up against her door. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's hand reached up and pushed her hair out of her eyes and off her shoulder, exposing her neck and collar bone. The girl was staring up at him, her green eyes wide with shock and anticipation of what was going to happen./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's hand trailed along her ear... to her cheek, across her jawline... down her neck, across her shoulder... down to her hand... then to her hip. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha gasped softly when Thorin's strong hand gripped her hip, drawing him closer to him as he took another step forward, pressing her back against the door. There was no space between her and Thorin now... their noses practically touching as Thorin looked down at her with his piercing blue eyes that were turning dark with want and need./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin's other hand reached up and cupped the back of her neck gently in his hand, rubbing the nape of her neck with his finger, his thumb stroking the skin below her ear. Sepha could hear nothing except her heavy breathing that was coming in gasps and her heart that was beating faster than a horse's pounding hooves./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The dwarf prince leant forward and brushed his nose against hers gently, sending chills down her spine and goosebumps over her arms. the tip of his nose brushed the skin right below her eyes... then down closer to her mouth. She could feel his breath on her face... she could practically taste his breath as their air mingled between them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She felt her eyes fluttering closed as Thorin's nose pressed against the side of hers and he drew her face closer to his. Thorin closed his eyes and was quite sure he could feel the cool feeling of her lips as he drew her near... but in a second it was gone when they both jumped apart at a loud sound that literally gave them a heart attack./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sepha let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and Thorin jumped back, Sepha bending down to snatch up the key she had dropped without realizing it. Both turned and saw that Balin and Dwalin were stumbling down the hallway, obviously both drunk for Dwalin's eyes were constantly swiveling into the back of his head and Balin was trying to support him but looking just as bad himself./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The two dwarves stumbled to their door and somehow Balin managed to find his key and unlock the door that was already unlocked before the two stumbled in, slamming the door behind them. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Thorin turned back to Sepha who had managed to unlock her door and now had it open. She was standing in the doorway, facing him, one hand on the frame and the other on the doorknob, ready to close the door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Both found it impossible to find words so Thorin just nodded./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Goodnight Sepha," he said in a hoarse voice./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Goodnight," the girl whispered before smiling and closing the door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"When the door closed, Thorin let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was going to box Dwalin in the morning! With a final look at the door, he turned and headed back down the hallway to his own room. As he crawled under the covers, he ignored the snores coming from Nori across the room and curled up, thinking of how close he had been to kissing Sepha...how he had found it impossible to breathe... or to even think... it was like he couldn't breathe without her./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"With a certain brown haired, green eyed quarter breed on his mind, THorin fell asleep and slept better than he had in a long time. Meanwhile, Sepha was sitting against her door, looking up at the ceiling with a huge grin on her face, her eyes closed. Thorin had almost kissed her! He had been so gentle... so slow and careful as if he was afraid to scare her by moving too fast...She would have fallen asleep against the door except the bed sounded more comforting and she fell asleep the moment she hit the bed, the smile still on her face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"What neither of the two knew was that the moment Thorin's door closed, Dwalin and Balin's door opened and both dwarves poked their heads out, fully sober and with pleased smirks on their faces. Down the hallway, another door opened and two more heads poked out, looking at the two with evil glares./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""We still have a few hours," FIli whispered to Dwalin and Balin./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You two are going down," Kili added before he and his brother drew their heads back into their room./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Dwalin and Balin exchanged knowing looks and head butted each other before going to bed, the small amount of ale they had finally taking over and knocking them into a deep slumber. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Down the hall, Fili and Kili were glowering at their door./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Those cheaters," Fili spat. "Of all the millions of ways they could have interrupted our triumph, they had to fake being drunk!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili nodded, "We have until tomorrow when we leave for Erabor brother... we need to up our game."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""But how will we do that?" Fili asked. "After being interrupted like that, who knows how long Thorin and Sepha will take! It's like recovering from a wound!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Kili nodded and began to think when his eyes fell on the beads in his brother's beard. A smirk came across his face as he got an idea./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I think we should get up early and acquaint Auntie Seph with the truth behind courting beads."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Fili's face brightened when he caught onto his brother's plan. Both dwarves fell asleep, smiles on their faces, quite sure that their plan would work perfectly. /p
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