A.N. This was definitely not the chapter I intended when I started handwriting, but as I began to type it out, something else took shape. So, what I had started out with, is actually going to be two chapters from now. Lol. Funny how that happens. Comments and reviews would be lovely!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.
It was the best, most restful sleep Thorin had known since he was a child in Erebor. When he woke, he was unsure of the time, and also completely unconcerned. He and Danica had shifted slightly in their sleep, but she was still tucked up against him. A smile lifted his face, and he leaned down to give her temple a kiss. At the touch of his lips, she sighed contentedly, and turned to better face him. He wrapped his arms around her, almost melting when, eyes still closed, she searched out his lips. Chuckling, he obliged, and kissed her. That was all he had meant to do, but then she sighed again, and the events of the previous night vividly replayed in his mind. The moment he deepened the kiss, she came fully out of sleep, and mirrored his mood.
Unlike the previous night, there was hardly any savoring or gentleness. Clothing was not fully removed, just shoved out of the way. Thorin was desperate to feel her around him, but managed to remember that she would likely need more time for her body to prepare. How wrong he was. He had only just begun sliding his hand between her legs, when she begged him to take her. She did not need to ask twice. Using an arm to lift her hips to his, he took only three thrusts to enter her fully. Her hands clutched at him, nails scraping the skin. His grasped at her thighs and breasts, before taking hers, and pinning them above her head. Helpless, her groans and cries reached a new fervor. They touched every baser instinct of his that had been dormant until he met her. With one hand wrapped around hers, and the other still steadying her hips, he plunged into her. In no time at all, his end came crashing into him, stealing his breath, and nearly blinding him. When the tremors had subsided, he released his hold on her, and rested beside her, both still out of breath.
"Well, good morning," Danica breathed. "I must say, that is the finest way I've woken up in a long, long time. Possibly ever,"
Pride and pleasure welled up within him at her words. "Good morning to you as well, Wife,"
She stretched like a cat, a smile on her face. "You can call me that for the rest of my life, and I wouldn't tire of it,"
He picked up one her hands to kiss it, and noticed the redness around her wrists, and then around her hips as well. Any peace he had felt instantly chilled. Noticing the change in him, she followed his gaze, and then directed his eyes to hers.
"You didn't bruise me," she consoled. "My skin, if you haven't already noticed in the past few months, is very sensitive. The slightest pressure creates redness. It'll all be gone in a couple minutes,"
This didn't ease his guilt completely, and he went through with kissing her hand, then the red on her wrists. She was right though; the marks were already fading.
"Forgive me for losing control. I should be gentler with you," he lamented.
"I know you would never hurt me," she stroked his cheek lovingly. "Besides, there are times, like just now, that I don't want you to be gentle. In those times, I love that I can make you lose control. It makes me feel like I have a sort of power,"
He snorted. "You have no idea the power you hold. You have my heart, soul, and now my body. There is no one who has held more power over me than you, Ibinê,"
A charming flush spread across her cheeks, and she snuggled into him again. "So, how exactly do we announce this to the others?"
He stroked the leg she had draped over his stomach. "If you wish to be more discreet about it, we could say that we used an ancient rite of marriage. Balin and some of the others may want to perform a casual ceremony, if you are alright with that,"
"I think that would be nice. Have everyone be involved. Well, almost everyone. Bilbo has likely already left with Bard," there was a note of sadness in her voice.
"Then how about we suggest a ceremony once we're all together again?"
She agreed, and they once again got up, but the water from the previous night was hardly decent enough to wash with. There were some heated pools for more communal bathing, so they brought the proper clothing and linens, and made their way through the forest halls. It was still difficult to tell the time, but Thorin though it looked like early afternoon. Hardly anyone was around, which helped keep their mood peaceful. Even better, there was no one in the bathing pools, either. Just in case someone came in, they wore their bathing shifts, but soon became comfortable enough to shed those. Naked, they thoroughly washed, and took a little time to swim. They also took the opportunity to "get to know one another," as Danica had mentioned the night before. No intercourse, as she was still a little sore, but that didn't stop Thorin from finding other ways to bring her to climax again. It was likely one of the most satisfying activities he'd ever known in his life. Her form was absolutely exquisite. Seemingly small and frail, but he knew what strength lay beneath. The muscles she had gained over the course of the quest were firm and lean, yet her body had kept plenty of feminine softness.
"I have never, and I mean never, had any kind of sex this many times, in this short of a time," Danica groaned as she collapsed on the side of the pool, head on the stone floor. "You dwarves sure have a lot of stamina,"
Laughing fully, he swam next to her, and peppered kisses on her back. "Forgive me, Ibinê. I shall work to restrain myself until your body has recovered," his own body was certainly tired and aching, but in the most pleasant, fulfilling way.
"I will need that," she chuckled. "Not like you need your ego boosted, but my body is not only unused to the frequency, but the size of your…eh…pride,"
Once again, he laughed, the sound echoing around them merrily. It had her lifting from her position, and kissing him unexpectedly.
"I love your laugh," she said, smiling tenderly. "And your smile. You deserve to be happy,"
Could he possibly love the woman more? He enveloped her in his arms, and rested his cheek against hers. "With you, I am the happiest I have ever been,"
She felt like she was floating. Even the aches in her body made her happy, because of what had caused them. All she could think about was his hands on her, and how it had felt. Each smile he gave her throughout the day, and each small touch of intimacy kept her in bliss. Remembering where they had started, it seemed almost impossible that they would have come to be so close and intimate. After returning from their bath, they had gotten some food, and taken it to their room. The tub and screen had been removed, likely by Elara, and the room was once again clean. Sitting on the bed, Danica asked Thorin everything she could about his childhood, and life before they had met. In turn, he asked the same. They shared jokes and laughable stories, as well as tragedies.
"I cannot convey how sorry I am for the loss of your child," Thorin said, when the subject had come up again. "The loss of a sibling, or parent tears at the heart, but they are more natural,"
Danica nodded, and tried to steady her breath. "There was another consequence that came from what happened. I should have told you last night," fear closed her throat, and she suddenly thought back on her actions as rash and stupid.
"What is it?" Thorin's voice was gentle, his hand warm on her back.
With every ounce of control she had, she looked up into his clear eyes. "Some damage was done to my reproductive organs during the accident, and subsequent delivery. While the doctors did not say it was impossible to have another child, I have not had a menstrual cycle since. One of my doctors believes it's psychological, but there hasn't been a concrete answer,"
Understanding, sympathy, and compassion filled his eyes. He sighed, and took her hand. "Then, I am sorry for that, too. But, if you think that changes how I feel about being married to you, then don't worry. Fili has already been named as my heir, and though having a child of my own would bring immense joy, that time has likely passed for me. A dwarf may remain in his prime for a long time, and have children later on in life, but it has not crossed my mind since my nephews were born,"
It made her sad, but she understood the reasoning. "If only we had met in another time,"
To her surprise, a corner of his mouth lifted. "If we had met in another time, I would likely have seen you at a festival, or feast. I would have kissed your hand, and asked for a dance. You would have blushed, as you did in Rivendell, at my every touch and glance, not knowing how intensely you affected me as well. We would speak a little, introducing ourselves, and I would already know that you would be mine,"
His words drew her in, weaving into images of a life that had never existed, yet felt stolen. Holding on to the sweetness of his story, she closed her eyes, and focused on his voice and touch.
"When everyone else was distracted, I would pull you into a secluded corner, and kiss you. Softly at first, to make sure you felt the same as I," he did so, just the softest brush of lips. "Your breath would catch, as it does now, so I would continue,"
His lips pressed more firmly to hers, warm and all-consuming. There was no rushing or pushing, just deep, loving kisses that spoke of a gnawing hunger that would wait to be sated until the moment was right. With his mouth and tongue gently moving against hers, and his fingers brushing her skin and hair, she could see the mountain halls he had seen. A feast could still be heard in the distance, and the warmth of it radiated even into their darkened corridor. He pulled back, and when she opened her eyes, she could envision him younger, with his beard longer and beaded.
"I would ask if I could put a courtship braid in your hair, and would make plans to craft one myself, as well as to begin the proper steps toward marriage. As a prince, I would not need to take a year to build a home for us, which would have meant a year apart,"
"We never would have made it that long," Danica said with a smile.
"If we'd had to, I would have snuck back many times to visit you in your bed," he replied, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"And I would always be waiting, eagerly," much of the spell he'd cast had been broken, but she refused to let the mood dampen. "How long can your wedding ceremonies last?"
They returned to lounging beside each other, munching on the bread and fruit they'd found. "Some can last up to a week. It depends on who is getting married, where, and what is available to them and their community. Ours would have absolutely been a week. Perhaps we can be thankful we did not meet in another time,"
Danica laughed. "I can imagine how exhausting that would be. At least this way, we have gotten some time just to ourselves,"
"I am sorry that our road has been difficult. I wish I could give you more," there was regret, but nothing that made Danica worry.
"Don't be sorry. Having you love me is more than I could ever wish for. We were meant to be together in this time, and I can be happy with that. Though we will have to find a way to get our minds back on the quest,"
A low sound rumbled in his chest, discontented. "However much I wish we could stay as we are, though not in this elf hole, you are right, and I believe we will be able to,"
She believed it, too. But she knew it would hurt for both of them. Neither was able to focus on this, for there was a knock on the door, and then Fili and Kili came in, wicked grins on their faces. Danica instantly flushed, knowing that they had heard at least one of their love-making sessions. Fili caught her eyes, and wagged his eyebrows. With a mortified groan, she hid her face in Thorin's shoulder, causing all of the men to laugh. It took some persuasion, but they convinced her to come out, so they could make the announcement to everyone else. Judging by the looks on their faces, they also had figured it out. Danica tried not to focus on the fact that they may have all heard her. Instead, she allowed herself to share in the outright joy everyone showed.
"Guess ye took my advice after all," Dwalin joked to Thorin, who gave him a small smirk.
"Every now and then, your advice is worth taking," he replied.
Dwalin let out a guffaw, which they all just shrugged off. There was an inside joke there, but it was likely to remain a secret. Nori had managed to filch some of the elves' wine, and spread it around the group with some glasses. As before, Danica lamented the fact that Bilbo was not with them. After their conversation in the goblin cave, she knew how happy he would be for them. He would also want her to enjoy the moment, so she drank wine, and smiled while Balin, Bofur, and Gloin began planning ways they could better celebrate, and possibly do a ceremony. Before long, nearly everyone was a part of the conversation. Only John stood to the side, a soft, but sad smile on his face. He stood, and walked away. Letting Thorin know she'd be back, Danica followed.