C3: Getting to know you

Rana had immediately taken the King up on his offer for library visitations. The day after the meal, she'd gone straight up and whilst nervous that she would be kicked out or turned away, all she did was give her name and they allowed her in.

The library was not only larger than she thought, but it was quieter as well. And everything was painted a pleasing, emerald, green instead of the royal red she'd expected and seen downstairs in the public library.

And it smelled WONDERFUL. The old books were there for years, she could tell, but there was also a complimenting incense to go with it. Old books and…she sniffed the air…cinnamon.

'This is going to be fun.'

First, Rana had a quick look around and found a suitable, quiet little corner, with a table and two chairs. Since she'd be on her own, she could use the chair to stack all the books she wanted on it and keep the table free for tea. Well, first she'd have to check if she'd get into trouble for having tea up here. She'd been sneaking some in recently in the public one, but almost got caught and found that the risk was too much.

Once she'd gathered five books she wanted to look at, she sat down and got comfortable. Rana had a system. If she liked the first chapter in a book and wanted to read more, she'd keep it and read the rest. If, however, she found it tedious or boring, she'd put it back. So far, she'd only put back a few books in her lifetime, but they'd been written by males whose head was too far up their own backsides that they couldn't start the story without mentioning how-

"Oh."

Rana surprised more than startled, looked up from her reading and looked up who had interrupted her. And, of course, it was the one person she really didn't want to see.

"I did not realise anyone else was here," Thorin looked uncomfortable and stared (dare she say 'glared') at Rana.

He had the look of someone who wanted the very place she was sitting and since she didn't want to upset him any farther (though it was awfully tempting for some reason), she shut her book and made to move.

"It is fine," she sighed and got up to leave, "I shall go elsewhere-"

Thorin stepped forward and this time, she was startled, as he put his hand out to stop her.

"No," he paused and drew back JUST before he touched her and shook his head, "please."

Rana felt her heart beating a little quicker. He was so polite and there was something extremely nervous about his demeanour. She realised why when he spoke.

"I…I've been told that my behaviour was unacceptable and wish to apologise. Properly, this time," he bowed his head formerly, "I am deeply sorry if I've been rude to you."

Whilst his head was bowed, Rana found a small smile spreading out, quickly hiding it by turning away when he looked back at her.

"Thank you. I take it Dis talked to you?"

He did a motion with his jaw that made her think he was grinding his teeth in annoyance but trying not to show her.

"No," he sighed and seemed to let his anger go, "my father discussed a few issues with me. I've been preoccupied with other things and may have been rather stressed. And I shouldn't have let my emotions control my behaviour."

Rana was silent for the longest time, not quite knowing what to do or say. He was so sincere and since his annoyance and anger had gone, his face was a little more peaceful. Worried, but handsome.

Finding her voice again, she bowed her head and kept her voice steady.

"Thank you," she looked back at him and offered a real, small smile, "I accept your apology. I think this would be a good moment to…start again?"

Thorin smiled back at her and suddenly, she was trapped.

'Gods, I can't feel my legs,' she mentally slapped herself and looked back at her table. Perhaps she should return the favour?

"Did you want to-"

"No, sorry, I just-sorry," he laughed when he realised he'd been rude and interrupted her and somehow, she laughed with him.

"Sorry. You first."

"I just wanted to grab a book actually," he pointed to the shelf behind her and stepped towards it, "I have my own table at the far end of the library."

"Oh, sorry," she moved aside and let him pass, "is it a good one?"

He looked at her and another smile graced his face, this one a little cheeky.

"Table or book?"

Despite herself, Rana let out a small snort of amusement and quickly turned away to hide her blush.

"Book."

"It's merely for architecture purposes," he stepped away from her and held the book out, the item small enough to fit into his hand, "but professionally written and they've documented everything clearly."

Since he was leaving, she took her seat again and re-opened her book, not expecting anything else.

"Rana," he turned, and she looked back up at his almost tender smile, "enjoy your book."

"You as well," she nodded and resisted the urge to wave, "good day, your majesty."

With that, he turned and left her to it. And whilst she was able to carry on reading, the experience shook her more than she cared to admit.

And when she returned the next day, so did he, but he did not approach her. No, she was merely aware of his presence. Once, he let out a small cough and she looked up, expecting to see him there. No, not expecting it. Hoping.

Xx One week later xX

Rana got used to the new routine rather quickly. She'd come to the library, read her book and Thorin would turn up, always sitting across the room from her. At first, nothing more was said to one another, but they'd occasionally pass and politely smile as they searched for individual books.

Rana was looking for a particular book one time when she rounded a corner and almost bumped into him. Both gasped but managed to keep themselves quiet. They shared a small, embarrassed laugh at the scare and then, she carried on looking, trying to slow her beating heart.

'Gods, he smells good.'

She focused on looking for her book and since she knew where it was, craned her heads upwards for it. She spotted it, right at the top and tentatively reached to get it, but trying to appear polite and ladylike, realised it was JUST out of her reach and stepped back to get a ladder.

"Let me," Thorin whispered and the next second, stepped beside her to reach up for the book. Rana had to fight the urge to recoil, more so at the surprise at how close he was to her, voluntarily.

He took down the thick tome and handed it to her, stepping back when he realised, he was in her personal space.

She accepted it from him and gave him a small nod.

"Thank you."

"It's fine," he sighed and looked back at the bookcase, staring in frustration at a specific shelf, "now if only I could find what I'm looking for."

"What's it called?"

He turned to her and seemed hesitant to tell her at first.

"Well…it's for personal reading. Specifically…a book that teaches you how to play advanced formation," he seemed a little embarrassed at his confession but she decided not to tease him and looked at the bookshelf again, this time trying to locate the book.

She actually knew what one it was since she'd read it a few years ago to play with her father. And since it wasn't on that shelf, she turned her head left and right and finally spotted it. Two shelves down.

She plucked it out and handed it to him with a smile.

"Someone put it back in the wrong place," she didn't know what came over her, but decided to lighten the mood and test the waters, "is that a serious crime in the royal library?"

His cheek twitched as if he fought a smile, but his face turned serious, and he nodded his head.

"Extremely. Three years of hard labour down in the mines."

Something appeared in his eyes and her heart fluttered again.

'Oh my.'

"Well," she stepped back and clutched her own book to her chest, "I'll-I'll always make sure to put mine back in the right place."

Suddenly, he did it. He unleashed a weapon she wasn't sure she could handle. He smiled at her, practically beaming and desperate to get away from it, nodded quickly and turned away.

His first proper smile. Not forced. Polite. Happy.

'Oh, this is going to be tricky.'

Alright, she'd admit it. He was handsome. And despite the 'starting over', a small part of her still felt a little angry at him. No, not angry, wary.

Another week later and Thorin's presence was not just beginning to affect her mind, but his habits were also.

She'd smelt something wonderful during lunchtime and curiosity got the better of her. She 'casually' wandered around, pretending to look for a book and found where he was sitting. It was definitely a spot bigger than hers, with on large desk and solitary chair, but it was piled high with books and papers. The only neat thing on the desk was a small tray with a cup of tea.

She hid around the corner and sniffed, trying to determine the sweet tea he had acquired.

'I suppose he would be allowed tea up here,' she chanced another peek and watched him take a sip, 'royalty and all.'

She turned away and walked back to her section, a little piqued that she had never been allowed to enjoy a nice, calming cup of tea, knowing full well someone would have told her off. What she hadn't realised, was that her movement and loitering hadn't exactly gone unnoticed.

Xx Tuesday afternoon xX

Rana had just sat down and opened her book when Thorin cleared his throat to alert her to his presence.

She looked up and smiled but caught his nervous expression. Had she done something wrong? They'd made amends so surely-

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"No, your highness," she shut her book and bowed her head politely, "Is everything alright?"

Thorin just kept his arms behind his back and nodded.

"I was wondering if I might…sit with you today and offer you some tea? They usually make too much for me and I'd rather it not goes to waste."

Rana blinked in surprise a few times.

'I suppose this is his peace offering.'

She smiled and nodded.

"I would like that."

So Thorin and Rana ended up sitting together in her cosy little alcove. The table was small, but since he was Prince, Thorin just grabbed another one and placed their books on it.

And thus, the weeks passed in this comfortable, quiet way. He'd come to sit with her and take tea, sometimes not saying anything as they just read. Sometimes, they'd have quiet 'disputes' (not arguments) over books.

Rana did not admit it to him or herself at first, but she secretly looked forward to those days and those entertaining conversations in the library.