The autumn sun began to creep in through the curtains she permanently kept half open. Durin Manor, even at its best after dark, was undeniably creepy, whether it was the many dark marble corridors which almost glowed an eerie green when dimly lit, or the enormous rooms decorated in dark colours and furnished with heavy dark woods.

She stirred with the intrusion of light, only to find herself cocooned within the firm, muscular arms of Thorin!

At first he had been far more bullish than she had expected, and they got very close to having sex, until he had run his hands over her scarred thigh a little too hard, making her wince involuntarily. When he halted at that point, she had worried that he was about to turn into a wolf, until he had made up an excuse about thinking it best that they go slow. And so he had ended up in just his pants and she had pulled on his shirt, as the closest item of clothing to her.

He had wrapped himself around her, his arms and legs possessively pulling her against his body. It meant that when she moved even very slightly, she inadvertently rubbed against him, arousing him very easily. Perhaps a little too easily! It made her wonder why they had not gone all the way last night, since he was clearly attracted to her.

Laying there together, she fit so perfectly into his arms, he was beginning to wonder what it might feel like to wake up every morning like this. And yet, unknown to her, he had transformed again last night. His wolf had taken over, and he had lingered near her tiny sleeping form, guarding its prize, before he had finally transformed back and crawled into bed. He could only be grateful that she had remained safe and sound asleep. It had left him feeling conflicted over his decision to reveal his feelings for her.

And so, slowly he relaxed his hold on her, letting her free herself carefully, while maintaining his pretence of slumber.

Shobha, rubbed her head, attempting to sooth the pulsing headache coming on, as she delicately picked her way out of his tangled web of limbs that wrapped around her before tiptoeing across the room. Reaching the small side table, she poured herself a glass of water from the carafe that stood on the silver tray. Then after downing two glasses, poured herself a third, hoping to counter the dehydration that had developed from last nights outing; she had not consumed any alcohol, but also it appeared, had woefully drunk nothing else either.

Unable to resist himself, he rolled over to his side silently to observe her in his shirt and smiled. His large white shirt came down to her mid thigh, and she had quite happily made herself comfortable, with the sleeves rolled up.

Holding her third glass of water in hand she smiled to herself, unaware of her silent audience. It was undoubtedly a carefree smile; in that simple moment, she had no troubles that seemed to weigh on her mind. But as she stepped back from the table she noticed her case from the previous weekend in London.

He watched the soft smile fade from her face, and detected that the case had been left untouched at the door, her party heels still half protruding from an outer pocket, where she had last stuffed them.

Reluctantly she took another step closer, as if thinking out loud and then back again, then sighed.

"What troubles you so, my lady?" He spoke from where he lay, deciding to interrupt her thoughts.

"Oh!" She jumped a little with surprise. "I thought you were asleep…"

He felt guilty now, perceiving that she may have purposely left the case unpacked because of how raw the memories were still.

"I imagine you have plenty to do… perhaps I should be leaving you to it –"

"No! No!" She tiptoed back over to where he now sat at the edge of the bed, his feet firmly on the floor, but he kept some of the covers draped over his underwear to hide his raging arousal. "Would you like some water?"

He shook his head.

"I am debating whether to unpack my case or just chuck everything out to a charity bin… the clothes in there are not particularly my favourites, they will take a lot of sorting out and cleaning… but on the other hand, I did bring some treats back. There's peanut butter and my favourite chocolates." She smiled reaching him at the edge of the bed.

"Sounds like you have valuable things to rescue from in there." He ran his hands through his silver streaked mane and shifted. "It also sounds like what you would say to conceal your true worries."

She pursed her lips, giving him a sidelong glance, only to notice that unreadable expression settle as he signalled his surrender.

"I thought we would be open with one another now." He stood up from the bed and began searching for his trousers.

But the erection that tented his underwear like the tall mast of a large ship, made her burst out with laughter, making him quite openly irate.

"I could help you with that…" She teased at first biting her lip and coming to stand in front of him, holding her hands out against his chest to stop him. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"My lady, you are clearly not interested in taking this seriously…" he bristled.

"Well, I'm finding it a little hard," she quipped again, a slight chuckle escaping her, to which she received a grunt as he grabbed her and pulled her closer to him.

"I admit my feelings for you, and all you can do is jest!" He growled. "I think you do this to provoke me on purpose, woman!"

"Actually you kissed me, and asked me to speculate on that basis." She corrected him. "But when we were about to go further, you suddenly turned it all off."

"I think it's clear how I feel about you, my lady. But I fear that you will come to harm because of me." He knelt down, his hand sliding down her side until it reached her leg, before slowly running his fingers gently over her recent scar that sat ragged, pale and ugly across the smooth brown skin of her upper thigh. "You have already ended up in harms way because of me, and I could not bare to see you come to any more trouble."

She pulled him up to gaze up into his sapphire eyes, now filled with a softness she had never seen before.

"You haven't led me to any harm, Thorin. That's all on the people that are plotting against you." She reached up to rest a small hand on his cheek. "And I want to help you –"

"You don't understand Shobha. I changed again last night. Couldn't control myself." He interrupted her urgently. "You we're asleep…"

"I have spoken to your wolf."

"Yes, Dwalin mentioned that. But I didn't understand how." He searched her face again for any fear, but she displayed none.

"I didn't tell Dwalin the whole thing…" she blushed a little. "But you're wolf said I was his mate, and that I wouldn't be harmed. And do you know what? I believe him… it… the alpha."

Thorin remained silently pondering what she had just revealed, letting his hands drop to her hips.

"If you think about it, the wolf had enough time to kill me. But he didn't. He was almost –"

"Guarding you." He confirmed his suspicions after last night. "I still don't like the lack of control. That's why I agreed with Dwalin."

"Jesus! That was YOUR idea?!" Her eyebrows shot up. "Well it doesn't matter. I am not shooting you."

He muttered a curse under his breath.

"It does not matter. I will be happier if you knew how to use a shot gun regardless." He added, bringing her in. "Gandalf called me today. And he has been detained in joining us. Someone has put an animal welfare case against the sanctuary land he owns down south. And every motion to dismiss is being blocked at each turn by someone –"

"I bet it's not a coincidence either." Her face lit up, as she imagined she was piecing the puzzle together. "Someone is trying to force you to give up rule of Erebor, and knowing Gandalf was helping you, they have tried to keep him occupied.."

"My father said there was something that changed Thror. The Arkenstone. A jewel of brilliant rainbow light. My grandfather believed it was a sign, that he had divine right to rule Erebor. But over the years he grew more paranoid, and stubborn with his decisions. This was why my father stored everything in London. Thror even came to distrust his own son." Thorin explained, grateful that she was not disgusted by their family secret. "I remember him like that from when I was young, but he liked me. In fact I fear, I was one of the few he trusted in the end."

"So you think his behaviour was because of this jewel?" She frowned recalling what Thranduil had told her about the gold sickness.

"Aye." He hesitated for a minute before confiding in her fully. "I fear I will succumb to the same fate."

"Do you know where it is now?"

"My father said it was hidden somewhere, but did not give the exact location." Thorin shifted, watching for her reaction.

"Why not ask Bofur – he is your chief of mining operations right? And he knew all the tunnels from what I gathered the day I met him."

"Maybe." He frowned brushing his beard thoughtfully. What he didn't tell her was that Thráin's journal had disclosed of a multitude of secret passageways throughout During Manor, which none knew of. The mines were likely to be worse, for they did carry on far below into darkness if the rock.

"Maybe that is what the break ins are about… they are trying to find the Arkenstone?"

He nodded in agreement, before taking both her hands in his.

"I have sent what I have found to Gandalf, and he said he will look into it too, but he has his hands quite tied at the moment." His lips curled into a partial smile, predicting precisely what she would be asking. "It's some animal welfare group, but these groups can be bought. Otherwise, we don't know who is truly behind the case. His main concern is for his animals, because they are trying to forcibly remove them –"

"That's terrible! And def an antagonistic move, designed to keep his occupied."

He could see her deep in thought, and imagined she was scheming about how she could look into things herself. So he stepped closer and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her in, against his body again.

"Aye. But all the more that you don't do looking for trouble. These people are dangerous," he felt her relaxing against his body, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. "Gandalf can look after himself. I don't want you involved now."

"Okay… can you distract me then…?" She smiled invitingly, wrapping her slender arms around his neck. "I can think of several things to do…"

Letting her hands slowly drop down his chest, and lower still, she ghosted her fingers over his steadily growing erection. Unable to restrain himself, Thorin shut his eyes, dark lashed resting on his cheeks as he permitted himself to enjoy her light touches.

"I have some business in Dale to attend to, this morning. But I can help you…" he grabbed her wrists and kissed her roughly, smirking at his own depraved thoughts.

…..

Thorin gently closed the door to her bedroom behind his back as he checked the corridor was clear and began to walk the short distance to his room. He only wore his trousers, leaving his shirt behind in her bed somewhere, after he had pulled it open to expose her fully and kiss her from top to toe before watching her come undone. Last night, still unsure of his own control, he had only attended to her needs, which had left him still quite worked up.

"Yer going ter be late Thorin!" Dwalin teased from down the corridor, with a bawdy chuckle. "What's happened to yer hair? And where's yer shirt eh?"

"I… never mind." Thorin huffed realising there was very little in the way of an excuse he could provide. "I want Athol watching her."

"Aye! No need to lose yer shirt over it!" Dwalin sniggered as he continued to follow behind. "We'll wait fer yer in the car! I will let the lads know yer on yer way – popped back for a shirt, but not ter worry it'll be a quickie!"

"Very droll Dwalin." He growled quickening his step towards his door. Holding his boots over his arousal from seeing her so undressed and draped in sheets that morning.

"Droll?! More like ye've been drooling fer months!" His cousin hooted with laughter this time. "Was the poor lass horrified by all the cobwebs and rust down there eh?!"

"Mahal Cousin! Are you quite done?!"

"Got plenty more, Baheluh!"

…

Shobha sat in her office, later than usual. It was most certainly dark now, and autumn had certainly set in. It made her wonder how cold it got here during winter.

The only two sources of light was the harsh glow of her computer screen, and the dim, warm illumination of the desk light. She sat pouring over the counter proposals by Thorin for a dressings clinic service that he had conceded to.

Of course, nothing with him was free or easy and he had; For almost a whole week since he confessed something of his feelings for her, he had implied that she had got her way because of their intimate relationship. They had kept it all quite secret from everyone else, with only Dwalin and Athol aware due to their involvement in her security. But each had found plenty of excuses to spend the night in the other's arms. And despite how well he seemed to play her body, he had still restrained himself from going all the way, worrying of his inability to fully control his alpha, so opting to tire her out first. It had left him quite frustrated.

Angry that he had belittled all her hard work in setting up a clinic, she planned to spend the next few evenings at work going over his counter proposal, adding her comments and advice.

And so here she was…

She snorted with disdain at the next section of his proposal. It was clear that he had no concept of the goings on within the hospital, but worst of all was arrogant enough to make suggestions as if they were facts!

Sitting there in almost complete darkness, between her bouts of anger at his poorly written suggestions, she found herself annoyingly distracted – and worst of all, craving her dose of Thorin.

Erebor's infirmary was a sleepy place after dark. Even on calls overnight rarely brought in any urgent cases. The corridors and offices were usually eerily silent.

Her ears pricked up at the sound of a door opening along the narrow corridor that led down to their offices. It made her freeze in her seat. Her heart raced, but she held her breath, straining hard to listen for any footsteps that might be approaching.

She looked over her shoulder, just about making out Thorin's SUV parked in the small car park, where Athol sat waiting, only to realise that he probably couldn't see her sitting in the dark.

Slowly, trying desperately to stay quiet, she stood up and carefully moved towards the door and peered out into the long, dark corridor. Staring for a while, it was evident there was not soul in sight. But she couldn't help feeling as though she was being watched.

She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck prickle, and a chill creep in. Contemplating making a run for the car, and very much regretting not inviting Athol to stew in their dingy office while she worked, she took a step back.

"You're working late, my lady –"

She spun around, almost tripping on the coat stand that stood by the door, only to be caught by cold, stony arms.

"You're very jumpy tonight aren't you?"

She looked up to find herself staring into strange, pale eyes. Legolas smirked at her, his red lips pulled tight with a real smug satisfaction.

"Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you…" he held her in his arms for a few moments, before gently setting her back on her feet.

"I'm sure you didn't." She muttered under her breath, regarding him quite suspiciously. "What –"

"I am here to check on you, after… well… last Friday night." He sauntered around the room, as if he was inspecting it, before turning around a flashing her a smile. He then pointed towards her desk. "I come bearing a peace offering; dessert…"

She followed his gaze to where two small ramekins sat in a small basket with two spoons and a couple of napkins poking out.

"Oh." She was surprised.

"Delivering food, or gifts in person, is the only way we are permitted to venture into their territory. So you will have to indulge me." He gestured towards her desk again, and then moved a spare seat to sit opposite her. "Your watch-dog is observing with great interest right now, so if you don't appear comfortable then I will have to leave. I have no intention of starting another feud between the clans."

"Okay. Okay…" she popped her head back into the corridor to look around, but once again everything looked completely dark and silent. "Did you… come in through the window?"

She was about to reach for the light switch to the office, when his hand stopped her, appearing behind her once again, almost out of no where.

"No, I am faster than you can see." He ushered her to her seat, despite her protests.

"We need light if we're going to eat –"

"Not harsh light, my lady. I have packed some candles in the basket: You will enjoy it better this way…" moving her towards her chair, the tall blond, sat her down, as if they were out on a romantic date. Then he began to unpack the small basket, lighting candles and arranging it all. "So… do you like chocolate?"

"Oh God yes! I would sell myself for good Chocolate these days!" She gushed at the thought of a lovely chocolate dessert.

"I shall hold you to that." He grinned, continuing the unpack the small basket.

"I think that was figuratively speaking."

"Hmmm… lets see.." he continued to unpack several small candles, the two ramekins with napkins and spoons. Within each ramekin sat a single portion of what looked like a rich chocolate mousse. "Now, I am here, because I have been thinking more about what you said. I have also spoken with my father…"

She remained silently watching him, spoon in her hand, but not quite relaxed enough to enjoy eating.

"Has your leader ever told you of the Arkenstone?" He finally settled down at his seat and picking up the spoon, took a scoop of the velvety brown mousse.

"Some things yes –"

"My father recalls the time of its discovery, deep in the mines. Thror changed immediately…" he gestured for her to taste the desert. "I think you will like this…"

She carefully scooped a small spoonful and brought it up to her lips. After the initial hesitation, slowly she closed her lips around the contents.

"Mmmm…" She nodded in approval. It was unlike any mousse she had ever tasted. It's thick, creamy texture melted on her tongue, bursting into a symphony of a million different flavours. It was rich, milky, chocolately, with hints of raisins, nuts and even cinnamon. It seemed to leave the sloghtest cocoa and metallic after taste. But she certainly liked it. He was right. "What is it?"

"It's 'Sanguinnaccio Dolce'; an Italian dessert, made of pigs blood and milk, sweetened with nuts, raisins and the chef here in Dale who makes it adds a drop of cherry liqueur." He explained, eating another spoonful. "We have traditionally used it to select a mate; You see, not everyone enjoys the taste of blood… but, somehow I imagined you would.. enjoy the taste of blood and sugar – ever since that day when we kissed."

Wide eyed, she put her spoon down.

"You know I'm vegetarian –"

"Well, there is no meat in this." He took another spoonful and winked at her. "I mean, technically, I am a vegetarian really…"

"Errr… I don't think that's how it works." She smiled at his strange sense of humour.

"Well, this is cows blood – and I do not mean that in a derogatory sense. I mean an actual, four legged, cow." He ate another spoonful. "It's the blood that is drained from the beef that is served up to the men of Dale and your highly carnivorous wolves of Erebor. It would normally be thrown away. So you could consider this a form of recycling… like wearing leather…"

She was unable restrain her laughter at that, eyes scanning his almost fully leather clad form.

"I mean in that sense one could argue that we are almost vegan-eco-warriors really…" he smirked smugly as he made her laugh again.

"I am pretty sure THAT is definitely not the definition of veganism! And neither is this Sanguinnaccio Dolce." She put her spoon down. "I thought you couldn't eat normal food?"

"No. We can. It just tastes foul. But there are a few blood-based foods that are palatable." He gestured towards the dessert. "See, I find your sense of humour and curiosity incredibly attractive… have you travelled to Italy?"

"Oh I love Italy!" She smiled fondly, silently recalling her many fond memories of her various travels there. "Although, I haven't been to Volterra."

"Well, perhaps one day I could take you there. But you would need to be changed. Our Kin there, are somewhat more orthodox in their thinking…" Legolas, caught her gaze this time, intent on fully assessing her reaction. He guessed that Thorin harboured feelings for her, but always found the Lord of Erebor often came across as though quite constipated – hardly a suitable match for a young, vivacious woman such as her. "There are so many places in the world i would wish to travel to..."

"Do you travel much then?"

"Sadly, no."

"I wish I could travel more." She replied ruefully. "I love to see new places."

The tall, blonde man watched her avidly, the faintest smile playing on his lips.

"What you need is a good travel companion." He smiled unreservedly this time, it highlighted his refined features against his alabaster skin, as if he was chiseled out of marble. Unable to look away, her doe eyes found themselves fixed in his pale gaze, and she let out a nervous giggle.

"… um… what were you saying about the Arkenstone?"

"Yes… my father recalls when it was first discovered in the deepest parts of the mines – or so he was told. It became a symbol of Erebors power. My father was invited to see it too. And he recalls that Thror was distinctly attached to it, and claimed that he kept it near him. So perhaps you need to think of places that were personal to him. A hidden safe in his study, or bedroom?" He offered. "Either way that jewel seems to have some strange effect on them."

He leant back in his seat and crossed his legs, before adding.

"It's like their Kryptonite. Isn't that what your people would call it?"

She smiled, wondering how he knew about Superman.

"Our kind probably move among your people more than you realise. The wolves however," he shook his head disdainfully. "You will find they are a very closed people. They have as little to do with the outside world as they possibly can."

"I must say that I have only ever found them friendly –"

"Well you and your socially challenged admirer will need to find that stone, and put it somewhere safe, before someone else does." He dismisses her defence. "The other thing is… the military men, who run exercises… have been trying to capture members of our clans for many years now. It is entirely possible that they may be involved in some of the goings on…"

"But I know a few of those men and I haven't heard of such –"

"Of course they would not admit it. But they would love to weaponise our kinds." He seemed to observe her with concern. "What relationship do you bear to such men?"

"My father works for the ministry of defence. He knew a few of those men in the past. So they sent some food and treats through the men to Dale. Nothing much else…"

"They are not straightforward men. My advice to you is to avoid associating them – for your own safety. Should you want for any special items not available in Erebor, I can personally see to it that we obtain these items for you." He offered, reaching into the small basket and setting wrapped box on her desk. "There are few items that do not reach Erebor, and chocolate is one. So imagined if you missed anything, that it might be chocolate."

"Thank you…" she seemed taken aback by the gesture. It was almost too thoughtful! "That's very sweet – no pun intended…"

"There is no need to thank me." He stood up from his chair in a smooth fluid movement, that was far too supernatural to even remotely resemble human. "Consider it an apology for keeping you imprisoned in my suite when you were found in Greenwood. Although, it was more for your own protection. There is also, another thing that you may want that emotionally repressed boyfriend of yours to look into; there were reports of a lone wolf seen around the southern borders of Erebor – none can recognise it."

"Oh." She frowned at that wondering who the mystery wolf might be. And then she realised that she and Thorin hadn't really defined what was going on between them. It didn't trouble her at that point, it was still early, and he had taken a long time to address what she now realised was sexual tension between them from the very beginning. "He's not my –"

"Yes well… how very modern of him not to 'label' things…" he virtually spat out the words this time. "Either way, I am not fussed. He may have won the first round, but any real suitor worthy of you will be playing the long game."

He turned to leave.

"Wait! Where are you going?!"

"I think you will be expected back soon. I don't want to get you in trouble. In any case, we are not truly free to talk here – since we are being watched." He tilted his head towards her window, where the sole SUV in the car park was just barely visible in the darkness. "Leave the basket here. I have instructed for it to be collected tomorrow."

"No I mean… how do I describe this lone wolf…?" She turned back around from the window but found him gone already. "Fuck!"

Scrambling to her feet from the chair, she ran out to the corridor and rushed down its dark passageway calling out. As she reached the end of the office corridor, she realised he was long gone.

After a few moments of looking around in vain, she dragged herself back to the office, where she quickly gathered her paperwork and turned off her computer. Shoving everything back into her bag, she noticed the box he had left for her. It was nothing special to look at, just a plain brown card box, but it was wrapped in a blood-red silk bow.

Huffing, she plopped herself back down in her seat and pulled the box closer. Picking the ribbon up in her hands, she hesitated, biting her lip and glancing over her shoulder briefly. It felt a little like cheating. And then wondered whether it was cheating since they hadn't even figured out whatever it was that they were having, let alone where it was going. For all she knew, it was just a fling for him. And maybe no one in Erebor would even be happy for their Lord to have anything to do with an outsider, when there were surely many very eligible daughters of advisors who were far better for the role of Thorin's wife.

Cursing herself for overthinking things, she tugged gently at the ribbon, and just as if it read her mind, the silken material came undone almost on its own. The box was filled with red rose petals, the fragrance of which filled the room almost immediately, and nestled within these were several handmade bars of milk and white chocolate, and a small jar of some rather expensive looking hot chocolate.

Shutting the box back, she quickly placed it in her desk drawer and turned the key, standing to leave. After walking over to her office door, she turned back, after recalling what Lis had done previously, and pulled the key out of the lock.

Wasting no further time, she walked over to the car in the parking lot, and got in, her thoughts mostly concerned with ensuring her desk key was in a safe place. Being such a small key, it would have been all too easy to drop it during her walk, so she concentrated on relocating it to somewhere safer. And then she was still marginally annoyed that she had not managed to finish looking through Thorin's poorly cobbled together counter ideas for a 'skeleton' clinic service, compared to what she had taken time and thought in proposing.

"Just give me a second, Athol, I need to put this infernal key somewhere safe, or else I won't be able to get back in…" she rummaged through her bag in he dim cabin lights of the car. "I'm really sorry, I know I've kept you late. I mean, I think it's probably unnecessary for you to even do this –"

"I think you should be apologising for avoiding me, instead, while you entertain an evening with that bloodsucker," a rich, velvety, baritone voice came from in place of Athol in the drivers seat, making her jump and almost drop the key. "Don't you think, my Lady?"

Thorin couldn't help chuckling at her surprise. And for that, she found herself more irritated by him yet.

"I was expecting Athol." She replied flatly. "Anyway, I'm not avoiding you; I have work to catch up on. And now I have to look through your shoddy plans for a clinic. I mean - it's clear you have no idea how a hospital is run."

"I let Athol return to his family, some many hours ago." He now sounded irritated himself, at her criticism of his work. It was not something he was much too used to. "There is no need to punish an innocent man and his family, because you bear some grudge against me."

"Some grudge!" She huffed. "What grudge could I possibly bear?! I am merely having to rework your crappy suggestions into something barely operational. I am ready to just give in and accept that things will stagnate."

He bristled at her words, but held his tongue at first.

"Well? Aren't you driving me back? Or am I to rot here in this car park for the rest of tonight?"

"Rot?!" He growled. "We are not going anywhere until you wear your seatbelt? Or doe Athol let you do as you please –"

"Now who is taking it out on Athol." She buckled herself in, begrudgingly. "And I still have work when I get back. If I had known it would put you out, I would have just spent the night on the couch in the office."

"Oh I see. So that's how it will be is it?" He grunted angrily, driving on. "You will sulk like a spoilt child, when I deny you any folly you ask for, while you happily entertain those who kept you prisoner, tied to a bed, like a whore for the taking?"

"No. You're the only one that treats me like some sort of sordid affair. Anyway I guess that's what we are, it's not like we have dinner, or do anything really… except spend all our time together in bed!" She retorted. "I mean it's fine with me. I did originally suggest a one night stand, so I should consider myself 'lucky' that I have even seen your naked body so many times right?"

It made him growl angrily in reply, as he parked up and walked through the grand entrance of Durin Manor with her in tow.

He paused outside his bedroom door along the large corridor off which they were found.

"I had planned to draw you a scented bath, and give you a massage…" he muttered quietly as she paused behind him. "But you will perceive this as whoring you too, I suppose?"

Her frown softened a little at his gesture, and noticing this he moved closer to her and desperate to touch her, reaching out gently, to pick up a long soft, ebony tendril that had fallen over her shoulder. He liked it when she wore her hair down. Very much so.

"I know you enjoyed it when I washed your hair last." He whispered, stepping closer still as he continued to toy with that strand of hair, wrapping it around his finger, watching as she struggled. It was clear that any semblance of anger she bore had now faded.

"I think that was for other reasons to what you are thinking." She whispered back, eyes shutting briefly as she fought against his thrall. Then she groaned. "I have a lot of work to get through still…"

"Very well, I shall join you then…"

But she set her hand on his chest.

"You can, but I really have to work tonight. And so should you." She urged, mustering all the strength she had to resist simply giving in to his offers of pleasure. "Thranduil recalls that Thror changed entirely after he found the Arkenstone. So I wonder whether whoever is breaking in might be looking for it's whereabouts, and maybe even thinks there are clues to this in your fathers journals?"

He almost visibly withdrew from her completely at the mention of the vampires, darkness clouding his handsome features.

"And why would they offer help out of the goodness of their hearts?!" He ground out. "I would not trust a word they spoke."

"Well, unless you have any other ideas, Thranduil seems to be one of the few people who was invited to see this jewel. And suggested that it would have been kept close to your grandfather all the time. So maybe you need to search his bedroom and study –"

"That would be my bedroom." He grunted again impatiently. "Don't you think I would have found something like that by now?"

She fell silent, too tired to think beyond the work she had to finish. Clearly given how dismissive he was, she had no desire to continue this discussion.

"Okay. Well, I'm exhausted, and I still have to finish things up…" she shifted, but her caught her hand gently, pulling her back towards him.

"Have I offended you in some way, my lady?" He asked, sincerely a little put off by how distant she seemed. He wanted to point out that how she happily conversed with her vampire captors in comparison to spending any time with him of late, but felt self conscious to do so.

"No… it's nothing really…" she suddenly felt needy to point out that she wanted to be 'wooed'. Frankly, she wasn't even sure she would ever use the word 'wooed', but there was no other way to describe it. Besides, they were both busy, and he probably couldn't recall the last official date he had been on!

"Need I remind you that I know your face well, my lady, and your face does not agree with you." He urged again.

She sighed. This was not really a corridor conversation, but if she invited him back, she would only end up a naked, wanton mess, in his arms.

"It's nothing really – but, I am starting to feel like this is all a bit of a sordid affair… I mean don't get me wrong, I am very happy to keep it all quiet, and the sneaking around can be fun… but all we do is… well – you know…" she bit her lip nervously, and waited for him to say something. But he found himself very distracted in that moment, staring at that luscious mouth of hers, and longing to bit her lip for her! "And no, I am not asking for gifts or anything like that…"

"You mean… you do not… enjoy… what we do?" He frowned surprised.

"Do you know what - it's late, and I'm tired… just forget it." She gave in once again.

"So, may I see you tonight, my lady?" He asked in as sure a voice as he could muster, despite how nervous he felt. He had lived a life filled with hardship and great challenges, but never had he felt more vulnerable and nervous about anything as he did now. It had, in truth, taken him great courage to even admit anything of his feelings for her.

"Of course." She smiled gently and tiptoed up to kiss him before heading back to her bedroom quickly.

...

Thorin stood by the window, staring down at their grand driveway below, an immovable silhouette. She stood with Elgar, another Erebor healer and Oin casually discussing the supplies in the boot of the large SUV, while Dwalin stood behind with his arms crossed listening in like a watchful parent. The week had flown past in a blur of operational headaches for him, including the oversight of the mining activity that was due to wrap up prior to the severe winter months, her comments on his recommendations for the clinic she had proposed and preparations for Durins Day. Finally she had accepted defeat and agreed to set up a partial and much more simplified service. While he had been quite smugly satisfied with that outcome, particularly since she had not refused his advances towards her, it had niggled at him that she had let it go so easily. It had left him distracted at times when as he continued to mull over what she had hurriedly revealed when they had spoken frankly in the corridor. The worst thing was that he knew this could not be resolved by gifting her jewellery or any other trinkets, unlike any other women he had in his life before.

He had also set about exploring the various hidden parts of Durin Manor that his father had documented in his journals for further clues.

"If you have something to tell them then I suggest you go down there and do so." Dis tutted as she looked through her various checklists. She hat in the long couch that stood in his office opposite his desk, which faced away from the window. It had meant that since he took up his viewing place, she had continuously craned her neck behind to even get any sort of grunt of approval from him. "Instead of standing there like an overbearing crow watching over a carcass!"

He grunted again in reply.

"For Mahal's sake Thorin! If you are too distracted now to talk about the plans for Durins Day, then I will come back another time." She set her folio of papers down on the couch beside her with a huff, and reached out to pick up her cup of tea.

"No! No! Sister, you have my full attention." He tore himself away from the window finally and moved towards his desk again.

"If you disagreed with this outreach clinic for the people in Dale, then you should have told them. I am sure they would have listened to your concerns." She offered as she observed him drag himself back to his desk and thumb through the paperwork idly. Standing up, she poured another cup of tea and took it over to set it down at his desk, receiving a grateful nod of his head. "She was gracious about your decision to stop them setting up an extra clinic. Heaven knows, everyone knew we needed one. Miners, jewellers, smiths, carpenters, masons – all with their injuries; I have seen her working, Thorin. She is probably the hardest working healer other than Oin and Elgar there, and she didn't even challenge you after last week. Even Oin suggested we needed this service years ago – he could never get anyone from the Iron Hills to do that job because it was too busy –"

"Well, she is young and comes from a big city hospital where they see much worse." He interrupted her sharply. "That is the whole reason we brought her into the clan, at great risk of exposing our secrets here, not to mention the danger she was being placed in."

"Aye, brother, but she was not told of these things when she was offered the job. Not even permitted a visit. And she uprooted her whole life here." Dis frowned watching her brother carefully. Something had certainly changed in him. It was nothing she could put her finger on, even though she knew him as well as anyone could know the grumpy, closed, leader of their clan. But there was most definitely a change. "Her contract ends in a few months – and if we want to keep her, we should make things more… comfortable."

"I have proposed a solution. I did not just dismiss her request." He rubbed his forehead at the irritating questions. If anyone would start to suspect their relationship, he expected it to be his own sister. It had been her life's work to keep an eye on things that happened in their household, since he had no Lady of the Manor. And she had done this with the greatest tact and grace. "Besides, how have you seen her work…"

"I help out with the newborn nursery at the infirmary, brother! Every Tuesday and Thursday, I help the midwives and new mothers, from teaching some to change a nappy, to… well…" she paused, thinking of her official role. "Being a 'cuddler'."

"A 'cuddler'?" He quirked an eyebrow, lifting his gaze from his paperwork.

"Aye. I help hold the babies, when their mothers need a rest while they recover from their labour. Not everyone had family or fathers who are free to help. And certainly second time mothers are often alone, because their families are looking after their other children…" she smiled to herself. "She sometimes visits me during her lunch break. You should see her with the babes, Thorin, she is a natural. And the look she has when she hold them. She will make a wonderful wife and mother to some very lucky man one day…"

She watched him closer this time, noticing the slight twitch at the corners of his lips as he tried to suppress a natural smile from his face. He looked strangely younger, as if he rested well, and no longer suffered from nightmares; Or as if he had found some sort of peace, in his frenetic and chaotic role.

"Let's finish our plans shall we, Dis?" He quickly looked back down at the paperwork she had set before him, focussing hard as if the solutions to all of the worlds ills lay written in those words, hoping he had not already given away too much to his sharper younger sibling.

"What's the rush brother? I thought we had all morning?"

"I thought we could take a look around in some of the old formal rooms. There are so many secret passages and vaults in our fathers journals." He continued to stare down at the paperwork.

"So there have been more secret passageways then?" Dis wondered out loud. "I mean Shobha did well to finger out the one leading to dads study…"

But Thorin did not respond, his memories going back to that day when he had watched her emerge, dripping wet from the water. He felt his body reacting; the last few week had been agony for him, as he had purposely denied himself from making love to her – choosing to spend their nights working solely on her pleasure instead. He did not trust himself not to transform in the throes of passion at this point.

"What's up with you?! Why are you so shifty?" She teased at first and then when he failed to look up at her, frown or complain as he usually did about the young doctor from the south, it made her curious. "Something has happened between the two of you, hasn't it?"

He remained silent, but shook his head and turned over several pages trying to appear disinterested.

"You don't complain about her as much, and she seems to have given in to you, somehow."

"I am not sure whether it has…" That last part made him look up, having it confirmed felt a little painful, for he had always secretly enjoyed that about her. She challenged him.

"Yes it has…" she hesitated. "Well…something has changed between you two. And by your beard, I hope you have not broken that poor girls spirit. That is one of the many things I love about her!"

"She has plenty of fight…" He cursed under his breath, and received another tut from her.

"Well, Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, I dare say, she was good for you as well! You shouldn't just be surrounded by all the 'yes m'lord' types. And it will do you some good to treat her well – or she may choose to leave Erebor when she has fulfilled her contract."

...

"Well, that was a success." Oin nodded, adjusting his hearing aid, as Dwalin mumbled something from the drivers seat beside him. Their first clinic in Dale had been a great success, with Dale having only a small medical clinic itself, and such a long waiting list, it turned out that there were many who had avoided scheduling anything at all until today! "Ya know, I had always wanted to do that, lassie, just never had the time to organise it until ye came."

Dwalin mumbled something in reply to that too. He had spent all day keeping tabs on her, amidst the crowds, which had been hard enough, until she had told him to stay out of her cubicle repeatedly. Of course he realised it was for the patients' own comfort, but he had nonetheless done so quite begrudgingly. And then, to make matters worse, she had accepted a visit to the local school assembly, to give advice to children on what to do if they accidentally burned or cut themselves. This unplanned visit had made him very uneasy. Feeling tired out by the whole day, he had become very grumpy towards their pack up and return.

"Well, I think a whole lot of them will return next month when we go again." Elgar nodded, as he lay back in his seat shutting his eyes too.

"Why would they not come here, for emergencies?" She queried watching the outline of Greenwood in the far horizon of the valley, as they drove back towards the Lonely Mountain, that loomed ahead.

"That's just how it has always been Lass. And Thorin has never encouraged it, or else, we would be overriden with Dales people." Oin explained without turning back.

"Overriden?! Goodness! They're people not vermin!" She shook her head in disbelief. "Well, I'm glad we managed this."

"Well lass, he has his reasons. But you're right." Oin chuckled. "You certainly have shaken things up around here though… we can keep changing things year by year."

She fell silent, unable to respond to his unspoken question over her wish to stay longer, staring at passing landscape through the car window again, in its expansive and harsh beauty.

Her thoughts slowly wondered towards Thorin. He had become her guilty addiction over the past few weeks. It was hard to see him changing, after so long. And while he happily spent hours pleasing her in bed, holding her so that she might sleep soundly in his creepy Manor House, they still hadn't spent an evening together talking. He was such a complicated man, and she wasn't sure she knew him. What worried her most was that perhaps he was not interested in getting to know her.

Maybe their relationship was purely a physical one? Maybe that was all she was to him? After all, it was her that suggested a one night stand that night.

She leant back and shut her eyes, mentally telling herself to not make a big deal of it and just enjoy things as they stood.

As they pulled closer to Erebor, and the infirmary, they could see a tower of thick smoke billowing out, somewhere along the mountainside. And they had been met by Aileen, who directed them towards the mines.

Dwalin had driven them there and dropped them at one of the old entrances to the mines on the western side of the mountain, moving the car further back to set up a medical tent.

Smoke bellowed out of the opening, as men with fire equipment and breathing gear rushed in and out.

Truly, the whole scene was something unearthly, with a tower of thick acrid smoke, framed against the backdrop of the mountain that rose behind it, and framed against a coral sky.

Slowly the smoke began to lessen, and with it, the first casualties began to arrive.

"A fire in the mines, Master Oin," a man covered in soot, carrying another explained coughing. "Came outa nowhere…"

"How many?" Oin directed the man towards Shobha, who began to assess his injured colleague, cutting away his burned, sooty clothes.

"Not many: maybe eight or so… We're lucky today." He nodded, turning to walk back in order to help.

"Elgar, are ye ready fer the next…?" Oin shouted as another two men rushed in with a stretcher this time.

"Aye." Elgar, a man of few words, replied, ushering the men towards him. "This way lads."

….

Dear all,

Thank you for following, I hope you enjoy this chapter too

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