A.N. For those who celebrated Valentine's Day, I hope it was nice. We kept it pretty chill in our house, because it's not a holiday we really go out of our way to celebrate. There's been some pretty crazy weather in the US, but I happen to live in an area that's been mostly mild and dry, which is depressing for me. That being said, my prayers are with all of those who are without power in freezing conditions. I can't imagine the difficulty. For everyone reading, thank you for continuing to stick with me! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Tibblets: Thank you! I really appreciate that. More comments would certainly be nice. Lol. And I'm glad you like Danica! I put a lot of heart into her.
WARNING: There is mature content in this chapter. Continue with caution.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.

Dinner had been a nice affair, but all Danica had wanted was to be alone. Each smile felt forced, and it wore her down. One of the elven maids had seen the fatigue in her eyes, and offered to have a bath drawn in her room. Danica could have kissed her. When she entered her room, not only was the bath there behind a privacy screen, but it had been filled with fragrant oils and petals. The set up took up most of the room, but that hardly mattered. The elf, named Elara, stayed to help wash her hair and back. Normally, Danica would have found it strange to have someone help her. Instead, it was a comfort.

"You seem to have a lot on your shoulders," Elara observed, brushing a small bit of rose-scented oil through Danica's hair. "Your eyes are filled with the depth of your cares,"

The sympathy in Elara's voice touched Danica, and had her eyes glistening. She only meant to mention her worry for the people of Laketown, but found herself spilling the entire story of her and Rachel as well. All the while, Elara continued to brush her hair. Falling silent, Danica realized how good it felt to really speak to another woman. The last one she had felt somewhat close to was Gilraen.

"I am very sorry for your burden," Elara lamented. "You have lost so much, some by the hand of a woman who should have been a sister. Perhaps the future will bring another chance for a family,"

A new family had already come into her life, but she couldn't bring herself to say that the kind of family Elara meant was not possible.

"Thank you,' she said instead. 'It was very kind of you to ask about me, and to listen,"

Elara twisted Danica's hair on top of her head, secured it, and then moved to the side of the tub, where Danica could see her face.

"Everyone deserves kindness, and I could see how much your heart ached," a knock on the door distracted them both, and was followed by Thorin softly calling her name. "Would you like me to tell him that you are unavailable?"

"No, thank you," Danica smiled at the female comradery.

Though she looked a little unsure at the impropriety of the situation, Elara stood. "Then I will leave you. Know that you may come to me, should you need anything,"

"Thank you, Elara,"

The elf smiled, and gave a nod, then went behind the privacy screen, and opened the door.

"Miss Danica is just finishing with a bath," Elara declared to Thorin, and left.

Danica heard a couple of Thorin's footsteps, but he paused on the other side of the screen. "Would you like me to return later?" he asked. There was a nervousness in his voice that had her smile returning.

"No, it's alright," she replied. "You can come around to this side, if you want. The water will hide my body,"

Thorin released a breath, betraying his uncertainty. "For now, I will remain here. I fear it would be beyond inappropriate, and I doubt I could think properly,"

Though disappointed that he wouldn't be beside her, she adored his respect for her, and for propriety. She could see his silhouette in the screen as he stepped back, and took a seat on the bed.

"I wished to speak with you about what happened earlier," he began.

Some of the peacefulness left Danica's body. Her gaze went to the cooling water as her hands floated on top, swirling some of the flower petals. "How long did you and the others intend on hiding your plan from me?"

"Until we knew we would be safe here," he replied. "I am sorry for the deceit. We were concerned with scaring you more than Rachel already had, and we all want to keep the residents of Laketown safe,"

Perhaps she should have been angry, as she had been when she first found out, but it just wasn't in her anymore. There was relief at no longer having to keep the secret, as well as having a secure plan to thwart Rachel. It was also impossible to stay mad at Thorin when he was being so endearing in his nervousness, and when she knew their time together could be coming to an end.

"While I wish you could have told me, I do understand. After all, I was hiding a secret from you as well. Although, it didn't turn out to be much of a secret,"

"Am I forgiven, then?"

Danica smiled, sitting up a bit more so she could reach for the clean linen that had been left for her to dry off. "Only if I am forgiven as well,"

"There is nothing to forgive," Thorin responded. "Though knowing what your current state of undress is right now makes it difficult for me to think clearly,"

A blush warmed her cheeks, but a boldness had her wrapping the linen around her chest, and walking out to him.

"Is that so?" stepping in front of him, she grabbed the front of his tunic, and gently pulled him up to stand with her, their noses brushing. He was barely breathing. "Am I unsettling you?"

"Immensely," he choked. "This is hardly ladylike behavior,"

Grinning wickedly, she gave him a quick kiss, giving him no time to reciprocate. "I never said I was a lady, and your disapproval is falling a bit short to be believed,"

"Durin's beard, Ibinê," he growled, then wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her fiercely.

Danica's hands were trapped between them, one holding his tunic, the other clutching the linen around her damp, naked form. Fire erupted in her belly, deep and primal. While his hands traveled up and down her waist and back, she used her tongue and teeth to control their kiss. Each nip she gave his lower lip seemed to drive him further and further to the brink of losing his control. Her surprised squeak was muffled by his lips when he picked her up, spun them, and pressed them both into the mattress. She instantly arched up against him, which caused him to growl lowly, and push against her harder. One of her legs escaped the tangled linen to bend up next to his ribs. Satisfaction filled her when his hand moved down to caress, and grasp at her thigh, pushing the cloth up until he could reach her backside.

Since his chest was so close to hers, she was able to release the front of the linen, and drove her hands into his hair. Their breath was coming more and more labored, mingling together as if to foreshadow. The fact that he was just as caught up as she was only fueled her fire. She groaned desperately against his mouth, and was rewarded by his hand sliding between her legs. His fingers slid against her core, and she let out a guttural cry.

"Are you alright?" Thorin panted, pushing himself up slightly.

"So long as you don't stop," she breathed. Much to her displeasure, that's exactly what he did.

Rolling to the side, he passed a hand over his face, and tried to catch his breath. "Woman, you have completely bewitched me. I meant to speak about where we stood on the topic of intimacy, and what it meant to both of us before eventually seducing you,"

His candid confession elicited a surprised guffaw from her. "Well, you certainly seduced me, though probably not how you meant to,"

"Not even close," he admitted with exasperation. "From the stories John has told, I assume intimacy has become fairly casual in your time,"

"For many, yes. It is highly unusual for people to wait until marriage," she wouldn't get into some of the details of just how casual sex could be, knowing how disturbing he was likely to find it.

There was a pause as looked tentatively at her face. "Did you?"

She found it sweet that there was some worry behind his eyes, because she knew it would feel like more competition to him. "Engagement. But he was the only man I had ever been with,"

A fact which still troubled him, she could tell. However, he didn't bring it up. "Dwarves do not feel desire the same way men do. It only really begins when we feel an emotional connection with someone. For the most part, any real intimacy begins with marriage,"

This didn't surprise her, given the time she'd spent with the dwarves, but was still difficult to wrap her mind around. After all, desire was something she'd experienced from the time she'd reached puberty. Through all of her teen years, it had haunted nearly every waking moment. However, if dwarves didn't have sex until marriage…

"You've never been with anyone, have you?" her voice was soft, not wanting to upset him.

"I came close, once, when I was very young. Too young. I had been drinking, and she had been flirting so I took her out to the woods. Looking back on it, some of her motivation was likely to ensure a place in the royal family,"

Though she hated the idea of someone else kissing him, especially if they were taking advantage of him, she was learning one more new thing about him.

"What kept you from going through with it?" she asked, rolling to face him.

Amusement had a corner of his mouth lifting. "You,"

Not at all what she expected. She blinked a couple of times, completely flabbergasted. "Me? How?"

"Just like when we were children, I suddenly heard your voice. You were crying, and pleading with someone. It startled me, and kept me from making what would have been the worst mistake of my life,"

Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall what moment he could have heard. When it came, she felt the blood rush from her face. The reaction must have been visible, for Thorin put a hand on her arm.

"What is it?"

"You heard the moment I almost lost my virginity to a man who wasn't asking. Thankfully, he was drunk, and I had taken a couple of self defense classes that week. I was only sixteen, so I was terrified,"

Thorin leaned forward, and kissed her brow. "I am sorry that happened to you,"

"Thank you, but I'm alright," she smiled, and willed the darkness away. "I was lucky, and I don't want a scumbag that I only saw once to ruin the evening. So, if you had been fully intimate with that dam, would you have been expected to marry her?"

There was skepticism in Thorin's eyes that she was sure had to do with her brushing off the assault, but he continued anyway. "I wouldn't have been expected to, because we would already be considered married. In dwarrow culture, one of the ways of instituting a marriage is to consummate it,"

The weight of what they had been about to do landed hard. "Oh,"

Thorin nodded at her sentiment. "This is why I wished to speak with you first. I thought it may change your mind. After all, we have only just begun to get to know each other in this capacity,"

Marriage. She hadn't really thought that she would get married again after her husband died. Not so soon anyway. However, as she looked down at the braid in her hair, no other course of action would feel right to her. True, they confessed to each other only a week prior, but they had been moving toward this point for much longer than that. Before she could say anything, something akin to regret rose in Thorin's eyes.

"I know you would likely prefer a true ceremony, when you are ready for marriage, so if you do not wish to continue, I will understand, and wait until we can have the wedding you deserve in Erebor,"

His respect and consideration touched her. To return the gesture, she considered his words carefully. Like so many in her time, she had been raised with the idea that a marriage was not valid until a piece of paper was signed, and vows were taken in front of witnesses. She'd never had a problem with that, and had gladly gone through the process with her first husband. They'd had a large wedding, with the white dress, tux, and cake. But so much was different now. She was different now, and their time was running out.

"I don't need a wedding," taking his hand, she brought it to her lips, then her heart. "All I need, for whatever time we have left, is to be bound to you in every way. We may not have the opportunity for a wedding, if we waited. Besides, there are cultures in my time that consider declaring yourself to someone, and then consummating the relationship enough to validate a marriage. Is that truly what you want? I mean, we're still on this quest, and there's so much for you to focus on, and- "

To silence her rambling, Thorin put a hand to her face, his eyes so tender, she thought her bones would melt. "I have waited nearly two centuries for you, Danica MacKay. I am forever yours, and ask that you be mine for whatever time we have left together," he pulled her in for a deep, tender kiss. "Marry me,"

"Yes. Just as you are forever mine, I am forever yours,"

They began slower this time, savoring every touch and kiss. Danica's heart was pounding, with butterflies fluttering in her stomach at the thought of what they were about to do, and all that had already transpired. She supposed she wasn't that surprised that he was a virgin, but the way he touched and kissed her sure said otherwise. How could he be so good with so little experience? Still, the fact that she would be his first filled her with emotions she couldn't begin to describe.

Much of her previous boldness had cooled, leaving her more under his control. His lips trailed hot kisses down the column of her neck, to her shoulder, which had always been a weak spot for her. With the combined sensations of his warm breath, and rough beard, she was practically putty. Her body writhed beneath his, while she mewled helplessly, clutching at his sleeves. Noticing the difference in her reaction, he stayed at her shoulder, scraping his teeth against her sensitive skin. Just how long could her body float in such a state, before crashing back down?

When he moved to her other shoulder, he also pulled the linen off her, baring her body. His mouth continued its sweet torture, and his hand moved over her breast. She felt small beneath his large, calloused hands. It served to remind her how big and broad he was. Her mind had only a brief moment to wonder just how big "he" was, before his mouth left her shoulder, and covered her breast. Something between a sigh and a moan escaped her open mouth, and she arched up into him, encouraging him. Then, his hand went back between her legs, and her head fell back against the pillows.

All she knew were sensations. Sensations, and an overwhelming need. Never had she felt such an irresistible, all-encompassing need to be joined with someone. The voice that rose from her throat, pleading with him over and over again was foreign. One of his fingers slid inside her, easing some of the aching insanity that was threatening to explode. At least, temporarily. Now, instead of just pleading, she began pulling at his clothes, making her intent clear beyond a shadow of a doubt.

In a matter of seconds, they had him stripped down as well. Each muscle was perfectly sculpted, but not like those who went to a gym. Dwarves were naturally broad and muscular, but their daily activities perfecting what they were born with. Danica considered herself a fairly limber person, but she felt the stretch in her hips as he settled his between her legs. Though she hadn't seen all of him, the moment he pressed at her entrance, she knew he was larger than she anticipated.

"I won't hurt you," he murmured, kissing her temple, then her lips. "If it is too much, tell me,"

She nodded, kissing him to distract herself. He quickly took over the job of distraction, using his hand as he had before. Within moments, she was writhing again. When he began to enter her, she gasped. Not in pain, but at the unfamiliar way her body had to adjust to him.

"Do you need me to stop?" he asked, freezing his body.

"No," she moaned. "Please don't stop,"

Gently at first, he continued, sliding in a little deeper with each thrust. Finally, he was fully sheathed. A few strokes were slow and deliberate, but the fire within them raged quickly. Danica clung to him as they moved faster and faster. Each breath was a cry of ecstasy, caring not who may hear. All she cared about was the feel of him within her, and the strength of their bodies pressed together. As both of them neared the end, Thorin buried his face in her neck, so his grunts were swallowed by her skin and hair. Her climax came first, building within her, so all she could do was breathe his name, then taking that breath when it finally exploded. The quaking of her body around him undid Thorin. Growling against her neck, he wrapped an arm under her waist, clutching her tightly against him. It was a gradual fall back down, with both still lazily moving against one another to take every ounce of pleasure that was left.

Winded and spent, Thorin collapsed beside Danica, keeping his arm under her. With a groan, she rolled on to her side, and draped an arm over his chest. Both laughed at how strained her groan had sounded. For a while, they just rested together, with Thorin skimming his fingers down her back and arm. Her whole body was still buzzing, and there was a pleasant ache between her thighs.

"I am beginning to question my entire race," Thorin said suddenly.

Danica chuckled, brushing her hand over the hair on his chest. "How so?"

"Most of the married dwarves I know do not seem very occupied with sharing intimacy with their spouse. Now, I cannot imagine ever wanting to keep my hands off of you,"

Grinning, Danica propped herself on his chest to look at him. "Trust me, the feeling is mutual,"

"Would you say this is normal for your race?" he asked.

"More or less. Although, I can say that I have never burned for anyone the way I do for you. All I want to do is keep you in this room, and make up for lost time. After all, we still have plenty to learn about each other," she let her mischief color her words.

"There is the wild thing I unleashed," he said, running his hands over her back, before resting on her backside.

"This was just our first time. I'm sure there's more wildness to discover," but now her body was getting tired. She rested her head back down on his chest. "Hopefully we'll have plenty of opportunities over the next couple of days. Since we did technically get married, we would be entitled to somewhat of a honeymoon,"

Thorin stilled, causing her to look up at him. The amusement that had been in his eyes had changed to endearment. "You are my wife, Ibinê,"

She could have melted. "And you are my husband," though the bond felt so much deeper than that.

When they felt like they could move again, they slowly got up to clean off with the cold water from her bath. Once dressed for bed, they sat back down, and Thorin began the nightly ritual of braiding Danica's hair.

"What does Ibinê mean?" she asked.

After placing the long plait over her shoulder, he pulled her back into his arms. "My gem. For you are more precious to me than all the gold, and any stone in Erebor,"

"I love you," she murmured, cuddling into him. What she didn't say was how she wished he would remember that once they actually reached the mountain.

"I love you too, oblivious to her concern, he soon fell asleep. Not wanting to ruin what had been an incredible night, she closed her eyes, and relaxed into his warmth.