Chapter 29
"Mmmm…. This is just perfect…" she stretched out before curling back into the conforms of his muscular arms as they both lay comfortably on several large beach towels, under the shade of the plumeria tree. "I bet you're glad you took a holiday from being the 'grumpy lord of Erebor'…"
"Aye, my lady. I will not argue with that." Thorin smiled softly as he held her close with one arm, while tracing feathery patterns over the exposed dark honey coloured skin on her abdomen, in the cut out sections of her swimsuit. "Of course, it would be better still, if I could just slip you out of that tiny, wet bathing suit.."
He carried on lightly tracing her jawline, down to her neck and over the thin, damp material of her swimsuit, while leaning in for a kiss. He let his hand guide him as he felt his way over her breasts and brushing over her nipples that tented the silky material.
It made her sigh softly into their kiss, and he couldn't help smiling.
"I don't know what you're smug about, Lord Thorin." She pulled away to find his stormy blue eyes watching her eagerly, before letting a free hand wonder down towards his trunks, ghosting over his hardened length. "It appears that I'm not the only one you are teasing…"
He let out a deep rumbling chuckle at that, which she watched with great amusement. It was nice seeing him like this – free from the burdens and duties he had in Erebor.
"Aye, my lady…" he resumed trailing his finger all the way down her stomach to her left hip where he lingered for a few minutes drawing patterns, before continuing to her thigh where he rested his entire large hand. His touch seemed to burn on her skin, reminding her of the strange desperate need she felt for him. "But it is a worthy trade, to see you like this…"
She lay back still feeling the tension that was building up from anticipating the dangerously close position of his hand, and shut her eyes for a moment.
Then in an instant he shifted, holding himself up with one arm, while moving her under him, and with his other hand he moved her legs apart, to settle himself between her. Finally he let his hand trail up her inner thigh to the thin material of her swimsuit that only barely covered her, drawing little circles over her core.
Unable to help herself, a muffled moan escaped her lips.
"I think you underestimate how desperately I want you…" he growled into the skin of her neck, as he carried on with his torture for another minute. "And it would be so easy…"
"Then don't hold back –"
Suddenly he pulled away, moving himself back onto his side next to her, and watching her carefully.
"Why did you stop…?" She frowned rolling onto her side, and holding her head up under her hand to face him.
"Because I don't want you to think this is just a fling… and until I know you are sure about what you want I will not complicate matters like this." He searched her face again, brushing her damp locks out of the way. "Are you happy, my lady?"
His face seemed to show signs of worry for a moment.
"Do you know what… it's better… I am content."
He frowned at her answer, clearly not happy.
"Sorry – that sounds terrible; let me explain better." She paused for a moment before speaking. "I used to think happiness was the best you could get… but now I realise I was wrong. Whenever I have been happy – I mean like over-the-moon-happy, it has never lasted. It's like there is an anticlimax, when it all comes to an end… like waking up from the most wonderful dream to face reality…"
He nodded to indicate that he was following, although he was still a little worried at the direction of her explanation.
"Well… over the last few days, when we have just been free to be ourselves, and relax and enjoy… dates and stuff… I realised that there is something more… being completely content." She stroked his face softly. "See… I know this holiday will come to an end, but I don't mind, so long as I have you… it's like I couldn't want or need anything more. And reality isn't an anticlimax anymore… I'm just perfectly… content…"
He watched her smile up at him again, and relaxed. He sort of understood what she meant. He felt it too!
"I think you have broken me, my lady." He smiled at last. It seemed to crease his entire face this time, but despite the fine wrinkles, it made him look years younger!
"Why – have I worn you down at last?" She threw her head back and laughed. But he just smiled and took her chin in his hand.
"Not like that, Shobha… it's just that from the very first day that you arrived in Erebor, I knew you were there…" he suddenly looked very serious. "I could smell you everywhere in the air…"
He paused to watch her, as she went from laughing about it at first, to paying very close attention, her expression suddenly very serious.
"It's always worse at night… like an itch… when you have nothing to keep distracted." His sapphire eyes were fully focussed on her, and yet there was something behind them – a stirring deep within him as he recounted the past. "You have no idea, the number of nights that the mere scent of you drove me wild… I tried so hard to remain distant. But then one night, it just happened; I shifted and made my way to you –"
"Outside the cottage?"
He nodded.
"I thought I was losing my mind!" She frowned.
"For that I apologise, but this is not a secret to be revealed so easily…" he brushed the hair from her face again. "But even recently I have had trouble –"
"But I told you, your alpha spoke to me! And I trust him, for what it's worth. I mean he could have ripped me to shreds that night… when does it –"
"When ever I am near you. When you turn me on…"
Her face began to flush, but when she tried to wriggle away he merely brought her back into his arms.
"What is it, my lady?" He picked up her chin in his large calloused hand and raised her eyes up to his. "I don't think you need to be shy."
"I have had dreams of you chasing me… and we… but you are a wolf…"
"You know, shared dreams are only experienced by a wolf and his chosen mate…" He observed her again carefully before carrying on. "After they have coupled."
Her eyes widened as she registered his words.
"So what does that mean?"
He reached out and gently picked up a lock of her long, damp ebony hair in his large hand. All wet, it glistened like polished onyx in the sunlight.
"Perhaps our connection is much stronger than we realise…" he whispered, unable to resist crawling back over her and leaning in for a rougher kiss than he had before. Then he pulled back again. "I still fear that I will change while we make love and I would not have any control over the beast…"
"And you think it would hurt me?" She finally understood his reluctance, and gently raised a hand to stroke his face. He wore loose shorts, and his unbuttoned tunic lay somewhere on their towels. His hair was loose, and his skin had caught the sun. It made him look relaxed in a way that she had never seen. She had even coaxed him into the water for a swim initially.
"Aye, my lady…" he covered her hand with his bringing it to his lips for a chaste kiss. "And I could never forgive myself –"
"Well, I have met your wolf… and I trust him." She arched her body up to meet his, planting a gentle, teasing kiss on his lips. "So… the question is… do you trust me?"
She immediately noticed a shift in his demeanour. All his final restraint, and reluctance appeared to be melting away. He slipped a muscular arm around her, pulling her down onto his throbbing, aching hardness, making her open her legs up to him almost instinctively, a soft moan escaping her lips.
"And you are sure? This is what you want…" he growled, his eyes dark with a lust that she had never seen before.
She pressed herself against his body, before kissing him back. This time she bit his lip. It made him thrust against her in response.
"Yes…" she wrapped her legs around his hips, where his broad body narrowed and whispered her answer into his ear. "More than you could possibly imagine…"
…..
"So… you guys aren't married yet are ya?" Elrohir, one of Elrond's sons asked her with a chuckle, leaning in from where he sat beside her.
Unable to answer such a loaded question, she merely smiled at him.
"Oh, brother, menfolk do not share, unlike our kind…" Elladan laughed from where he sat to her other side, before topping up her glass with their strong wine again. "Come now, my lady, you have hardly touched your wine…"
"We have a date set for the spring, young Lords." Thorin replied from where he sat opposite her, looking quite irritated at their antics.
"It's very nice, but I am not much of a wine drinker really…" She quickly shifted her wine glass away from Elladan.
"Oh! Would you prefer something stronger?" The young man offered with a hopeful smile. His long chiselled face, and pale skin, offset by his dark hair made him look like a vampire from some sort of movie!
"If I had known you wanted to trouble our guest, then I would never have agreed to swap seats with you at dinner, brother!" Arwen complained from beside him, looking equally annoyed.
"Stop pestering her, brother!" Elrohir grinned. "Maybe you prefer a cocktail? You would never taste the spirits over all the syrup…"
"You know… have you ever considered becoming a vampire…?" Elladan spoke quietly, leaning closer, running a pale, cold, finger over the skin of her forearm and down to her hand where she held her glass of water. "Those with your skin hue, shimmer like gold in the sun… not silver like the rest of us…"
"Aye, we have seen it on our travels in India… there is a colony in the Himalayan border with Bhutan. The poor explorers Of old thought it was Shangri-La, seeing all those 'god-like creatures'!" Elrohir chuckled, joining in with his brother. "And she has such pretty hair, hasn't she?"
"Yes. I think immortality would suit her perfectly!" Elladan agreed winking.
Shobha sat shrinking into her seat, while Thorin stared daggers at the two young men, when Elrond interrupted.
"My dear, I apologise, we have seated you incorrectly…" he stood and walked around the long table, in no time, before standing beside her and offering his hand, helping her out of her seat. "My daughter and I, had planned to seat you beside, your husband-to-be… perhaps some other felt it would be more romantic that you sat opposite each other… but now that dinner is over, it is hardly necessary to remain seated, given the beautiful entertainment we have tonight…"
Elrond led her on, followed by Thorin and the rest of the group into a clearing where a small stage had been set, surrounded by many chairs. He attentively seated her between himself and Thorin before continuing.
"Are you both enjoying your stay?" Elrond began with a gentle smile, as several tall men and women placed some chairs on the small stage before moving a large harp to one corner and setting stands by each seat. "I hear you are both enjoying our little beach?"
She nodded feeling her cheeks heat up as she recalled how close Thorin had come to making love to her on the beach that afternoon. He had stopped only since they were interrupted by a vampire bearing a message inviting them to dinner that evening! It had been embarrassing, but had the messenger arrived a few minutes later, they might have been mid act!
"So my dear, Gandalf tells me that you have made many changes to Erebors hospital?" Elrond hanged the subject rapidly, realising what had happened.
"Well, once you get a feel for things, it's nice to able to improve the process when you know there are things that can been fixed…"
"Yes. She is also excellent at finding where there is a need for new services." Thorin muttered begrudgingly. "In fact it's quite hard to keep much from her."
"That, Lord Thorin, is the beautiful monster called 'love' that you describe." Elrond chuckled, observing the pair. "When another finds themselves deep within your heavily-guarded fortress of solitude, without permission. Enjoy, nature and guard it while you have the pleasure, for it is just as easily lost."
Thorin glanced at her, a subtle frown of worry appearing on his forehead.
"Perhaps, I might ask if you would kindly give me your input on the clinics we have set up for the islanders? On a day when you are suitably rested and free of course." Elrond tilted his head towards her. "They rely heavily on tourism and their services to us for sustenance, so we provide them with clinics, free of charge. But I fear we could always have fresh eyes look over things to point out what is lacking."
"Of course. It would be my pleasure." She beamed, and then an idea immediately flew into her head. But she would need to ask with caution, not to draw too much attention. "I noticed you had an extensive library… I mean, it's a real treat! And thank you for letting me use it. But, there was something that I wanted you to look at…"
Elrond observed her with polite caution.
"I would like to add that I believe this to be a false trinket…" Thorin added calmly, his face once again expressing his usual stony indifference. "But she insists in deciphering whatever nonsense there is on that."
The tall vampire observed her as she fished out a small folded parchment from her purse and offered it up.
"It's a map… it came in an old book I bought at an old bookshop in the market. I don't know whether it's old or real or what… I just want to know what the runes say…" she shrugged hoping her lie was not too obvious.
Elrond looked again from her and then to Thorin and back, the slightest hint of suspicion in his eyes, although he clearly did not wish to display it.
"Really, my lady, I think you are asking too much of our host…" Thorin sighed and placed his hand on her back as she leant forwards. He couldn't keep himself from touching her delicious brown skin that had been put on display in the dress that the vampires had made for her. It was in a deep blue silk with a low cut v-neck in front mirrored at the back and gathered at the shoulders. The material covered her breasts perfectly, and yet he was sure if he brushed his hands over them he would be able to feel all of her through the material, just as easily as he could expose her by slipping the material off her shoulders. The thought excited him, as he trailed a hand softly over the skin of her back. Brown skin like the richest, purest honey.
"Please… I imagine you have seen and learnt so much over your many long years on this planet…?" She tried again once more. "But of course, I understand if you think it too much to ask… I mean you must be very busy…"
Elrond reached out his thin, long, pale hand and took the parchment with some hesitation before unfolding it carefully and studying it.
"This is no forgery." He frowned assessing the writings and training his eyes towards the bottom half of the page. "This bears your father's seal. Did you not see this Thorin?"
"Well, that is just it; he used his seal so little, I did not believe it to be his." Thorin shook his head sadly.
"I have seen it. You father wrote to me once. I keep all such formal letters… and I remember all very well indeed. This is certainly no copy." Elrond looked at Shobha. "These are however lunar runes. Only part is visible as it stands, but to reveal all the writing we must observe it under the full moon."
Elrond looked up at the dark sky, littered with bright stars. They twinkled and shone since there was little fluorescent lighting on the island. But overpowering these little lights, adorning the skies like a king over his court of many lights was the full moon. It glowed with a golden light that was reflected in the dark ocean visible in the horizon.
"If you wish to know what is written here, then you will need to come with me…"
….
They stood at a small table made of a single polished boulder made of white marble, on top of which Elrond had set the unfolded parchment. It had been a long walk up paths and stony steps to reach the cliff edge on which they stood up in the mountains. Immediately either side of the small cliff they stood on two small waterfalls hurtled down far below somewhere into a pool. They were so high up that some of the fine spray hung in the air like a thin mist, cooling them and obscuring the full view at the bottom. This was quite possibly a very good thing given how high the were!
Both the rock and the parchment glittered in the pale moonlight, as Elrond stared at it carefully.
A cloud that had momentarily passed across the moon cleared enhancing the moonbeams that shone as bright as the sun where they stood, and soon the parchment began to change: like a puzzle finally giving up its secrets, the writing changed entirely right before their eyes!
"Fate is with you, Lady Shobha, it appears that this was written exactly at the same point of the lunar cycle as the moon that shines tonight, for these runes are now perfectly clear."
Shobha pulled out her mobile phone and took several photos of the parchment.
"It is a riddle of some sort." Elrond read out carefully examining the runes that revealed themselves:
"Protected he stands, deep within the forbidden wood,
Only seen, once our Fathers Day is passed, it could.
Now white, old and withered, he still stands proud,
Even though surrounded my many who crowd.
Gnarled, twisted, old and dead he may look,
But within him lies a heart we once took.
For those brave enough to face the undead,
A warning to heed well for what lies ahead;
Reach deep within and steal his heart of old,
But this heart is nothing but stone cold.
No love, joy, nor greatness it brings,
Only greed, deceit and unfortunate things."
Shobha frowned as she switched off the voice memo on her phone after recording Elrond's words.
"Well, that was quite unexpected." She gave Thorin a sidelong glance.
"What exactly did you want from this?" Elrond quirked an eyebrow up as he regarded her with open suspicion now.
"Nothing specific, just to see what this was about. I mean, I thought it was some sort of antique love letter… you know a secret message…" she shrugged again, attempting to look nonchalant.
"There are some who would not think it wise to go looking for the Arkenstone… There is a sickness the stone brings upon the line of Durin!" Elrond frowned, openly irritated by her faux innocence. He folded the parchment and and handed it back, walking away from the table quickly. "Is this why Gandalf sent you here all along? To have me read this ancient Gaelic?"
"No –" she began to protest and Thorin immediately stood by her side, wrapping his arm around her waist protectively.
"He has kindness and compassion in his heart, but sometimes he is willing to bend and manipulate those around him to do his bidding… but he is not the only guardian of the world we live in…" Elrond angrily began descending the stony steps. "I will need to speak with Gandalf and Galadriel… Enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Well that went well…" she flinched.
…
"He's not wrong you know." Thorin finally spoke as they walked past the small gazebo where they had gathered earlier to listen to the string quartet that had played earlier that evening after dinner. Their seats were still there, along with their stands, but only the large harp was left behind. It had been partially covered with a padded case, but most of it was still exposed. "I read my fathers accounts and Thror was indeed losing his mind…"
"There may be many reasons for that – but there's nothing to say for sure that it was mental illness." She stopped and looked up at the night sky before glancing at the beautiful instrument left uncovered and unattended. "Surely that harp shouldn't just be left like that overnight..."
Tugging Thorin along, she climbed up to the small stage and walked over to the large instrument.
"A lot of people suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives Thorin. It's hard to talk about… but there's help and treatment…" she ran her hand over the smooth wood and then the strings.
"And what if that becomes me? What if I succumb to the madness…"
She turned to find Thorin gazing into the horizon, his handsome features weighed down with worry and fear.
"Then we would all help you. I would be there to help you, and I would never give up." She put her hand on his, where he had set it down on a stand nearby.
"Why would you burden yourself with me, my lady…?" Thorin shifted his gaze back to her, his blue eyes filled with surprise and gratitude.
"Because… I…" she blushed suddenly realising what she had to say. "I love you Thorin."
Smiling he took her hand and pulled her closer, claiming her lips with a desperation that appeared to surprise himself.
"I think I have always loved you, my lady." He stroked her face as he held her close for some time before letting her go. "Now what was it that you wished to do…?"
He watched her move towards the harp once more, and run her small hands over the strings ever so softly that she did not even make a sound.
"Do you play?" He asked surprised that he had not thought about it before given her graceful hands.
"No… I started piano lessons, but I took so many dance classes, and had so many concerts, that I just didn't have enough time in the day to commit to an instrument as well." She replied ruefully.
It made sense to him, hearing what she had said. Her movements and even posture were always graceful, as if she had a natural rhythm within her. He watched her continue to run her hand quite lovingly over the harp, and it reminded him of just how much he used to love playing himself. After the collapse of the mountain he had forever denied himself of the pleasure. He had even sold one of his most expensive harps to help pay for the Blue Island settlement when times had been tough.
"Do you play any instruments?" She asked back glancing at him from over the harp.
He remained silent, watching her run her hands so sensually over the beautiful harp. It was undeniably arousing, and his own urge to play with the two things that he took the most delight in touching standing there before him became too much, even for him to resist.
"Aye." He walked over, and as she stepped away, pulled over a seat before tugging her to sit in his lap.
"Okay – I know you play ME, better than I do myself!" She laughed. "But this was not an invitation –"
But she fell silent when he leant the large harp over his shoulder, pulling her closer still. She could feel the steady beating of his heart against her skin, the heat radiating from his giant frame, and his undeniable arousal, when he reached out and began gently plucking the strings.
The tune began soft and slow, picking up pace and complexity as he continued, until it was so beautiful, she forgot how turned on she was, and lay her head back against his chest. Then just as easily as the music had begun, it came to an end.
"That's perfect…" she sighed as he set the harp back down. "I didn't know you played the harp. And so beautifully…"
"Well… I haven't played since…" he trailed off what he wanted to say, still feeling the pain of it all as though it had been only yesterday. And she didn't need to hear the rest to know what he meant, gently running her hand down his arm to acknowledge this. "You know, we all say that my father passed away from a heart attack, but the truth is that just after the collapse, he vanished."
"What?!" She turned around to look at him, and found him staring at the ground as he appeared to be recollecting the events.
"My brother was lost in the second collapse when the search teams went in. And my father wanted to clear his head, so he stepped away for a bit, while the rest of us helped out the way we could." He spoke slower, his tone more pained. "I… didn't think to check on him, and then when we gathered together the few remaining elders and council members to discuss what to do next, we simply couldn't find him. And he never came back."
She remained silent, mulling over his words.
"Everyone thought he got caught in the second collapse. In fact that's what we stated for the insurance. But really he just disappeared…"
"Oh Thorin, there really was nothing you could have done." She whispered watching him.
"I realise that, but emotionally it's hard to perceive this. I know my father, and he never ran from a situation when it got hard. I just do not believe he would abandon us like so.." he stood up and brought her close. Holding her was more than a comfort as he shared the thoughts he had never uttered to another soul. "In truth, I do not think him dead…"
"What do you mean?" She studied his face, his sapphire eyes now a mixture of sadness but also of relief for having finally trusted another with the burden he once felt.
"I am not sure what happened; whether he was captured or imprisoned. But I am sure he still lives." He observed her a little coldly this time. "Do you think me mad for it?"
"No. But it fits with his fears of something going on, and all the preparations he made."
He sighed, stroking her face and pressing her against his body with a carnal hunger that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"If he were dead, I would feel it." He uttered again with a tone of partial acceptance. "Of that I am certain…"
"Could Dain have kidnapped him?"
"No – he is greedy, but he would not be so stupid." He tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers gently. "Have you any idea how long I have held onto that without uttering a word to another soul? I could not – lest they consider me mad…"
"But surely they must have considered this possibility?" She asked genuinely surprised.
He shook his head slowly.
"Some believed he snuck into go after Frerin, others believed he tried to appeal to Thranduil but came to harm at the hands of feral vampires that live in the borders of those lands… although I doubt Thranduil would allow such activity to go unchecked." He quickly let her go and pulled the cover over the harp before turning to her and taking her hand ushered her off the gazebo and back along the path. "Everyone had some useless theory. None of which seemed a true reflection."
"So what do you think this riddle means…? Your father hid the Arkenstone?" She asked hastily.
"Aye. I am certain of it now. In fact, I think THAT is what he was doing when he stepped away…" he continued to gently hurry her along, although still taking care not to rush her.
She paused for a second to pick up the long silky material of her skirt in her free hand so that she could walk faster. It revealed her slender brown legs, and the rather tall heeled sandals she had borrowed. They looked impossible to walk in to him, and yet the angle they raised her small feet in, shaped her calves in such a seductive way that he found himself quite distracted as he glanced down at her exposed legs.
"Are you really able to walk in those…?" He mumbled. "They are not very practical…"
"I'm keeping up with you now aren't I?" She frowned. "Why what should I wear them for instead? Cleaning?"
"Well… I have a few other things I could think of…"
…
He reached into his pocket, pulling out their room key and opening the door in a hurry. They had reached their suite quickly, despite her heels and long dress. Pulling her in gently, he shut the door behind her. Then she pulled out her phone and glanced at the photo again.
"What do you think he meant by Fathers Day? …Durins Day?" She asked.
"Aye…" he set the key down on the console table by the door and watched her eagerly.
"The description is obviously of a tree… do you know of a tree like that… but then I thought the undead –"
But before she could finish, he had gently coaxed the phone from her hands and set it down on the console table beside his keys, only to press her against the wall and kiss her roughly. Letting his hands wonder over her dress, he brushed his thumb against her left nipple. He found the feel of her nipple, proud and sensitive, through the silk of her dress was Far better than he could have ever imagined.
He brushed his lips and beard along her jaw and down the soft skin of her neck, feeling his pants grow tighter to the soft sighs he now drew from her lips that were slightly parted.
Unable to focus much beyond her steadily mounting desire, she reached out to stop him, but he pinned her hands up against the wall, continuing to kiss and bite her neck.
"Mmm –" She bit her lip to stop herself from moaning.
"Oh no. Don't do that my love." He bit her lower lip making her gasp with surprise. "I want to hear you…"
Finally satisfied with his progress, he slipped the silken gather off her shoulder, and the material slid off the soft skin of her shoulder, exposing her left breast before running his calloused hand over her sensitive nipple.
"Aren't we… solving… the riddle?" She painted as he continued to kiss her roughly before slipped the other gather off her right shoulder and leaning back a little to enjoy his visual display.
"Would you like me to stop, my beautiful?" He pressed his hardness to her core, making her moan softly in response. It excited him more.
She shook her head, no longer able to speak, and now desperate to feel him, her small, cool hands flew down to his trousers as she attempted to undo them. But he grasped her hands and pinned them up above her head again.
"Oh my lady, tonight I shall undress us both, for I fear I am already far too eager to be inside you…"
…
Thorin was jolted awake by the pain that ripped through his body. Trying hard not to move too much, he gently moved her over in order to sit up in bed and glanced at her still sleeping form. Her warm, honey brown skin felt like home to him. Reaching out her softly ran a hand over her back, focussing hard on holding onto his humanity. He took another deep breath, and thought of the few hours of pleasure they had both delighted in. For once in his entire lifetime he had forgotten all his burdens, duties and responsibilities.
Yet more stabbing pain ripped through his body once more. This time worse than before. It tore through his hands and feet, as though the very flesh that covered him was being ripped apart. It made him double over.
Staggering to his feet as silently as possible, the pain tore through him again. It made him fall to his knees. By the time they had climaxed for the third time, he had finally relaxed believing that he would not transform uncontrollably while bedding her. They had drifted asleep in each other's arms quite happily, so he had never expected this.
Fighting with every last ounce of control he had, he crawled up to their bed and covered her deliciously naked form with the sheets and blanket gently, hoping not to wake her before staggering towards the door.
Fumbling at the console table where he had set the key in a clear place, he quickly moved towards the door. Unbearable pain ripped through him once more, this time it blurred his vision making him want to scream. He needed to get out before he transformed fully, and then Mahal help any unsuspecting soul out late on the island on the island…
…..
She awoke wrapped in soft sheets, sprawled across the large bed. They had made love several times already that night after returning to their chambers early, and she was happily tired. She had expected him to change at any time, so had been pleasantly surprised at the long time they had spent happily in each other's arms.
Stretching herself out, she still felt tired after the last few hours. For an older man, Thorin certainly possessed incredible strength and stamina. What's more he appeared to rather enjoy her flexibility in his positioning!
Smiling sleepily to herself, she realised Thorin was not in bed, and for a moment wondered whether he had not been able to control his need to shift after all the sex they had enjoyed. But too tired to worry about it, she rolled over ready to fall back asleep, when a knock on the door interrupted her.
She sat up in bed surprised and looked over at the small bedside clock. It was three in the morning, and there certainly was no sign of Thorin in the room. Even the bathroom light was not on, so he couldn't be in there.
The knock at the door came again, this time slightly louder. Realising she was stark naked, and Thorin was not here, she clutched the sheets to her chest, feeling a little exposed and looked around the room for clothes to pull on.
The knocking came for a third time, sounding more urgent. She picked up her knickers, Thorin's tunic, and a dressing gown that had been flung over the small loveseat to one side of the bed, and rushed over to the door.
As she walked towards the door, she noticed the key in the lock, and began to worry about Thorin.
"Um… who is it?" She called out quietly.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so late, my lady, but Lord Elrond asked for your presence in a meeting, quite urgently –"
"I think it's better to wait for morning…" she frowned wondering how seriously Elrond had truly taken the matter.
"I'm very sorry my lady, but Lady Galadriel, Mr White… and some others are all set to gather soon. Even Mr Pilgrim..." the woman speaking hesitated. "And we may have a slight problem with Lord Thorin…"
Suddenly realising the worst, she stiffened at the thought that Thorin might have mauled someone terribly!
"Give me a few minutes to get dressed please." She called back.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she raced around the room getting dressed. Then suddenly she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was flushed and her hair messy, she actually looked as though she had been made love to – thoroughly well!
"Oh God." She sighed, running her hands though her hair and grabbing a tie to pull it back. And then she considered the possibility that he might not have hurt anyone, perhaps he was just running around scaring everyone? So she quickly found a small notepad and wrote a message.
Messenger picked me up for urgent meeting with Lord E.
Worried about you.
Please come and find me soon as you can.
Love,
S
She tucked it into the mirror of the dressing table before slipping into her shoes and heading for the door.
"My lady, I was also asked to remind you to bring the map…"
"Oh…" she grabbed her purse from the console table and opened the door to find a woman, standing there. It surprised Shobha because she wasn't dressed like the other vampires. In fact she wore a hoodie and combat pants. Her hood was up making it hard to see her face clearly.
"Don't forget to lock up…" she prompted with a formal smile.
Shobha frowned, uneasy about the situation but as she glanced back at the door, she felt a cloth over her face tightly. She reached up struggling to pull it off, but the smell now pervaded her mouth and throat. She could taste the bitter-sweet residue it left on her tongue. Trying to hold her breath now, was just too late.
Her vision began to fade. Her strength to fight was weakening.
Only the terrible smell existed. It now filled her lungs, that even breathing was begging to feel hard.
And then there was nothing…
…
Dear All,
Thank you for following so far – sorry I didn't write a full lemon. Will be happy to post a separate chapter later. But it gets a little exciting now! What's happened to T? Who's taken S? All to come!
Please keep posting your thoughts and comments!
Hope you are all keeping safe and well xx
special thank you to Luinwen - thank you again :) they finally got together, but of course the badguys have caught up to them (i am evil right?! haha!)! At least the mystery will be solved soon... :)