C6: And thus, it blossoms

Rana spent the next few days in her bed, sleeping and only waking when her mother came to help her to their bathroom or to help her eat. She didn't know if she was just tired or if the medicine she was given with her food made her tired, but by the fourth day, she was actually relieved when her father picked her up and deposited her downstairs in her favourite chair.

She was still under strict instructions NOT to move unless someone was there to help her walk, but the pain had dulled to the point it was bearable and at least here, by the window in her chair, she could see people coming and going between reading.

Once the doctor agreed, Dis had instantly come by and sat with her for most of the morning and afternoon, being as gentle to Rana as though she were a fragile glass doll. They took tea and she read to her and chatted, but eventually had to depart for 'damned lute lessons', with the promise she'd return and see her every day now she was allowed.

She was only alone for an hour before her father came in, looking unusually nervous.

"Rana, you have another visitor," he lowered his voice slightly and gestured with a tilt of his head, "it's urm…rather an important one. I hope you're feeling well enough?"

"Yes, father," she placed her bookmark in between her pages and adjusted the blanket that had been wrapped around her legs, "I have a few minutes to spare. Though I am rather tired. Do I have to take more medicine before I sleep?"

"Aye', just one cup, my daughter," he smiled and turned away, instantly switching his tone to something more jovial and said a little loudly, "all is well your highness. She'll happily see you."

"Highness?" Rana queried, wondering if Dis had returned but her confusion turned to shock when she saw who the visitor was, "Thorin?!"

Thorin came in, wrapped in his normal royal attire, but holding a small bunch of purple flowers in one hand. He nodded politely at her father and then, turned a little nervous smile to Rana.

"My apologies for turning up unannounced. My sister told me you were awake and seeing visitors and I…took it upon myself to come and see you," he cleared his throat and it seemed he was struggling between seeming polite in front of her father and showing the emotions she had grown accustomed to, "I heard you are feeling better?"

"Ye-yes," she was still a little startled by his presence and tried to switch back to the 'polite and casual' demeanor in front of her father, "I am. Thank you for…enquiring, my lord."

"Good. I am glad," he gave her a shy smile until her father decided to interrupt.

"Your highness, may I offer you any refreshments? We may have only humble tea and pastries, but my wife is one of the best bakers in all of Erebor. What would you care for?"

"Just a cup of lemon, if you please. I do not wish to put you or your wife out," he gave a grateful little bow and Rana had to hide her smile at the expression of sheer delight on her father's face.

"Lemon it is-"

"Father," Rana decided to get extra time since she knew he'd take most of it preparing something 'special' for Thorin, "I am a little peckish. Perhaps Thorin would care for some of your cheese straws? I know you make a better batch than mother any day."

"Anything for my precious bookworm," he moved quickly to her side and placed a loving kiss to the top of her head, "and your mother will get your tea and medicine ready. Call if you need anything."

Now, Rana knew had Thorin been any other male, her father would have stood over her and refused to leave her side. The idea of any female in Erebor being left alone with a male outside her family, unchaperoned in a quiet place, was beyond comprehension. BUT Thorin was a royal. A prince. And obviously, her father trusted him, without even having met him. Perhaps it had something to do with Dis, constantly talking about his 'princely duties'. Or maybe her father had hopes of his own?

'Fat chance!' She scoffed at the thought and realised that she hadn't said another word to Thorin. He was now looking at her, waiting for her to say something. Anything, really, to break the awkward tension.

"You can sit down," she gestured to the chair opposite her and finally dropped the formalities, "and thank you for coming. It is very kind of you. I know you must be busy and taking your time to come and see me is truly thoughtful."

As Thorin sat down he finally remembered the flowers in his hand and held them out for her to take.

"My schedule today was not busy and…even if it were, I still would have come to see you," as her fingers brushed against his to take the small bundle, their eyes locked and his voice was rough as he admitted, "I would be lying if I said I was not worried."

Something strange seemed to pass between them. Rana felt a chill run through her at the intense way he looked at her. It was penetrating and the way his finger gently brushed back against hers…made her feel like she was surfacing from water and needed to take a deep breath.

"Thank-thank you," she slowly pulled the flowers closer and looked down at them, "these are beautiful. I love Lavender."

"I know. I remember you mentioning it when you were reading the other week," he slipped casually back into a cool pose, and she was instantly reminded of how he sat across from her during their little sessions in the library. All he was missing was a book.

"I know I already asked, but how do you feel?"

"Mostly tired. Bruised and battered, but the medicine helps," she skipped the details of her more intimate pains and shrugged her shoulders, "I suppose I'll be feeling this way for a while. Good thing Dis was quick to get help, I could have been a lot worse."

"She didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"When Dis came to get me, I hurried as fast as I could-"

"Wait," Rana looked at him and remembered the way she had been held, "it was you? You…carried me back?"

He nodded at her and leaned in a little closer.

"I did try to be as gentle as I could. I apologise if I made it worse."

"No, no, you didn't. It's…a little tricky to remember things," she reached up and touched one of the small bandages on her head, "I was in and out a lot, but I do remember you were slow and careful. I must have been such a burden to carry back, I-"

"Rana."

Without even waiting for her consent, Thorin reached forward and took hold of her hand, pulling it towards himself and looking deeply into her eyes.

"You were not a burden. We were all worried about you and I-I," he faltered for a moment and seemed almost choked up, "I was worried. I-"

"Rana!"

Both jumped at the call from the kitchen, and both pulled their hands away as though burned, but no one walked in. Instead, her mother just decided to stay in the other room and yell at her.

"Did you want some honey and lemon, bookworm?"

"Yes, mother!" She blushed a little at her nickname, especially when the corner of Thorin's mouth quirked up a little.

'Don't you dare laugh,' she mouthed at him, and his lips quivered slightly, and she had to turn away as he hid his own laugh.

'Well, know he knows your nickname. I suppose it could be worse.'

"So, bookworm-"

'No, it couldn't.'

"-The truth is, Frerin was there as well. I could not have lifted you onto my horse and down again."

"So, you took it in turns to carry me?"

"Well, not really," he was almost sheepish when he admitted, "I kept asking to carry you. It's not that I don't trust my little brother, but I wanted to make sure you were alright. Plus, he was trying to flirt with you to make you laugh, but it wasn't going well."

Rana couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"I don't remember a word he said to me."

"Strange. At one point, I swore you could have told him to 'shove off.' Well…it was a little less polite."

"You know, I probably did," Rana brought the lavender close to her face and took a deep whiff of the little flowers, "I think, even when I'm unconscious, I know not to put up with your brother's shenanigans."

"I'm glad to hear," he glanced at the table and noticed a small deck of cards, "have you been playing?"

"Father has been entertaining me. It's hard to concentrate on anything bigger than Snapdragon."

"Well, if you're up for it," he took the pile and arched his brow, "I'll happily let you win at Snapdragon?"

"Let me win indeed," she made a 'pfft' sound and smirked, "just you wait and see."

Xx Precisely, two games later xX

Rana, despite being injured and sore, did in fact show Thorin just how good she was at Snapdragon. He thought he was being kind and letting her win, but by the end of the first game, after taking a quick break for tea and refreshments, he decided to play as he normally did. Usually, when playing with Dis and Frerin, he would always let them fight it out before sneaking a win, but he went straight for Rana's hand, knowing she had the dragon.

Unfortunately, she was better than he thought.

Her mother had come and not only produced tea (one with Rana's medicine) but two slices of sponge cake 'since it was a special occasion'. Thorin had complimented it but had noted how Rana ate it rather quickly. He made a note of getting a fresh cake made the next time they had a library meeting since it seemed to be her favourite.

Nevertheless, despite the food, drink, and cheery air, she thoroughly thrashed him.

"And that, your highness, is Snapdragon," she laid out her cards flat on the table for him to see and smirked, "if we were playing for money, you'd be broke."

"If we were playing for clothes, you'd have my crown," he chuckled and gave her a mischievous wink, "Dis usually parades around my rooms wearing my best coat and crown, demanding food and coins."

"That does sound like something she'd do," Rana quickly put her hand to her mouth and tried to stifle her yawn, but it did not go unnoticed by Thorin, "sorry…I think my medicine is starting to take effect I'm afraid."

"No, it's fine. I have stayed longer than I intended, and you need your rest," as he stood up, he stretched himself out and looked surprised, "I think I ate more of your mother's cake than I should have."

"It is surprisingly filling," she laughed and attempted to get up, but he put his hand out.

"No, no need to walk me out. I know you shouldn't be walking, your father told me," He didn't lower his hand and for a moment, she wondered what he wanted until he turned it around, "I will say goodnight to you now."

Rana slipped her hand into his and expected a friendly shake or even for him to bend low and kiss the back of her hand. But he just wrapped his fingers and thumb around her hand gently and stayed there.

She looked straight into his eyes and felt her very breath stolen.

Neither said anything for a while. An invisible connection seemed to happen. His eyes did not look away from her and she could see him revealing things to her. Revealing with his simple touch and unwavering eye contact that he felt…he felt something for her she dare not name.

"I wish you well and…good night," he spoke quietly, as though afraid they would be overheard or interrupted, and his thumb twitched against her skin before passing the pad over her knuckles.

"Good night," she whispered, not wanting this moment to end. Seeing that he didn't want to let go either. Her stomach was starting to feel strange and luckily (and sadly) he let her hand go.

He gave a long bow and with restrained and practised grace, walked past her and out to where her parents would be.

She could hear his polite thanks and farewell to both her mother and father, but she could not really hear what he was saying. She felt hot. Her mind was buzzing, and her palms were suddenly a little clammy.

Even after he left and her father helped her upstairs, she could not sleep straight away. She knew, that without saying any words or sharing any feelings, she was falling in love with him. Thorin, Prince of Erebor, heir to the throne.

And, dare she hope, she felt he was falling in love with her.