Author Note: Faye Language, Thoughts. This chapter will contain traumatic mature events that may be triggering for people.
Once the group of dwarves and Bilbo found and their packs were packed. Thorin looked over to Lirielle. She nodded her head moving to the front of the pack to lead them out of Imladris under the cover of darkness.
"This way," Lirielle said as she led them across a bridge.
This was the second time she left Imladris under cover of darkness slipping into the night. It did not get any easier to do this time. Thorin walked by her side as they headed out of Imladris. He looked over at her when she turned and headed on a path that started up into the mountains. She looked over at him with a slight smile.
"My Love, this trail leads up into the mountains towards Erebor," Lirielle said.
Thorin looked over to her with a ghost of a smile on his face. He took her hand kissing her knuckles. He took over leading them. Bilbo made his way over to Lirielle questions lingered in his mind. She would be the only one that would answer him. Bifur was close with him, but Lirielle was more forthcoming out of the group.
"What about Gandalf?" Bilbo asked.
"He'll meet us in the mountains. I have you, Master Baggins. No harm will come to you," Lirielle assured wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
They kept heading into the mountains as the sun started to rise. Rivendell was still in eyesight. They were nearing a turn that would lead them into the wilds. Lirielle was in the back of the group making sure no one fell completely behind. The sun rose to give them a beautiful sunrise. Bilbo looked back at Rivendell.
"Be on your guard. We're about to step on the edge of the wild. Balin, you know the way these paths. Lead on," Thorin ordered.
"Aye," Balin replied taking over.
Thorin stood near the turn watching as his company make their way into the wild. His eyes landed on Bilbo as Lirielle neared him.
"Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up," Thorin said.
Lirielle was near Thorin when Thorin fell in step with her. The flame-like nature of her hair was on full display in the morning sun. Thorin reached over to touch the bead in her hair. Lirielle looked over at him.
"My Love," Lirielle questioned her eyes traveling back to Bilbo then back to Thorin asking if his gruffness was necessary.
"You will tell me what that means," Thorin ordered.
"It is a term of endearment nothing more," Lirielle laughed softly her eyes lingering on his beautiful blue eyes.
"Much like ibinê," Thorin replied.
"Something like that," Lirielle said coyly.
Lirielle was not ready to tell him what it meant yet. She truly felt that for him, but she was not ready to voice that to him just yet.
They hiked farther into the mountains. Thorin moved on closer to Balin to take over leading them. Bilbo moved a little faster until he reached Lirielle. Lirielle was talking to Kili and Fili, who had both taken to call her Auntie or Aunt regardless of what she had said. She smiled and laughed at their antics. She was always on her guard.
"Liri," Bilbo called.
Lirielle stopped looking over at him. Fili and Kili slowed to keep her close. Knowing if anything would befall Lirielle their uncle would have their heads. Bilbo caught up to her. She fell into step with him.
"Master Baggins," Lirielle said questioningly.
"Call me Bilbo please Liri. I have a question," Bilbo started. Lirielle looked down at him. Fili and Kili stayed close to her even yet. It was like they were protecting her. Bilbo coughed looking at Fili and Kili and then back at Lirielle "Before, in Rivendell, you said you are dangerous may I ask how" Bilbo asked
Lirielle looked at Bilbo for a moment. Her eyes then traveled to the rest of the group that was around her. Dwalin had fallen back to be near Lirielle at Thorin's urging no doubt. Bilbo took her silence for an offense. They walked in silence as she thought about it.
"I…I mean no offense Lady Lirielle," Bilbo shuddered.
"Sure, why not? And It is Liri Bilbo. It gives me something to talk about as we head into the mountains. Stopping me from thinking about that was the second time left Imladris under the cover of darkness," Lirielle paused for a moment.
Balin and Thorin were talking. Fili and Kili looked at her in shock. They were trying to figure out how she was dangerous. They were now extremely interested in the story. They looked at her intently. Lirielle eyes traveled ahead of her to Thorin. Her hands went to bead in her hair.
"I was young but not a child but still young. Her name was Marilla. She had silvery blonde hair; her eyes were the shade of blue on a clear summer day. She was my personal attendant assigned to me by Lady Galadriel. We were traveling back to Imladris from Lothlórien when were attacked. The guards we had were slaughtered. I was still learning how to wield a sword well and trust me my skills with a bow and arrows leave much to be desired when my temper is not sparked. The weapons we had were forced from our hands. It is a blessing and a curse that I am smaller than elves. They thought I was a child." Lirielle paused remembering her close friend. Her hand twisted the bead between her fingers. Fili and Kili and Dwalin looked ready to kill at the thought of what Lirielle suggested with her story. She licked her bottom lip looking down. Letting her guard down trusting the dwarves around to protect her like their behavior towards her suggested. Dwalin's eyes traveled to Thorin's eyes. He nodded to Balin motioning for Balin to continue to lead them on. That was when he noticed how vulnerable Lirielle looked at that moment. Even from where he was, he could see the way her hand seems to tremble. She looked for a brief second her peridot eyes met his eyes tears were welling up in her eyes. He falls back so he was close at hand if he was needed. Lirielle took a deep breath before she continued her tale as they walked farther into the mountains. "Oxon…Oxon was one of their names. He was strong much like an ox. He was a rogue thief, and he was human. He ran with a band of thieves. He was trying to have his way with Marilla. I tried to stop him hitting him on his back. He rounded on me pinning me to a tree with a knife held to my neck as my feet dangled off the ground. And growled at me to mind my own business, child. I was bleeding from wounds on my arms and one on my leg from trying to stop them. I can still feel the burning from where the knife cut into my throat. Marilla had more injured than me. I heard her cry out again as one of Oxon's cohorts took over undressing Marilla. I lost it." Lirielle continued.
Bilbo gasped at what he heard. This was not at all what he expected. Kili and Fili looked at each other in horror. Thorin and Dwalin looked ready to kill. She looked down at Bilbo with tears on her lashes.
"You see Bilbo I always have a weapon on me. According to Lady Galadriel, I have in me, not on me. The fire came out again. Wings of flames erupted on my back as flames came out of my hands. I was successful in killing our enemies but once consumed by fire I cannot control it. I killed her too. Lord Elrond found me later that day. In the center of flames that were still burning. It was at that moment I realized I could never stay in one place for long. That I would never have a true home other than the wilds of Middle-Earth." Lirielle said.
Lirielle pulled the heart of fire out from her tunic. So, the sunlight hit it making the flame-like colors dance on Lirielle skin. Fili, Kili, and Bilbo exchanged looks. Dwalin gave Thorin a look. She was not dangerous. She just could not control something that a child Mahul even a young adult could control. She had no one to guide her into controlling them. Thorin came over wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Mizimel (Jewel of all Jewels)," Thorin said softly.
"My King," Lirielle said questioningly unsure of how much of her story he heard.
Thorin took her free hand kissing the top of her hand. Leading her away from Bilbo, Fili, and Kili. He fixed his glare on Bilbo as Lirielle cuddled into his chest and protective embrace.
Later that night, they were camping by a riverside. Before, they would trek deeper into the mountains in the morning. Thorin sat near the rock face with Dwalin and Balin. Bombur, Bofur, and Bifur were getting their supper sorted. The rest of the dwarves had accepted Lirielle as Thorin's bride well. In fact, a good part of them was treating her like a queen already. Ori, Nori, Dori, and Gloin were getting the bed rolls set up for the night. Oin was close to where Lirielle was teaching Bilbo how to use his sword. Bilbo was training with Fili and Kili and Lirielle. Lirielle fighting style was more like elven fighting style than the style of dwarves. Which fascinated Fili and Kili. Fili was sparing with Liri careful not to hurt her. Kili was sparing with Bilbo trying to mimic Liri and Fili sparing. Bilbo and Kili stop for a moment as the clashing of sword tempo increases. They looked over to Liri and Fili. Liri somehow got the sword out of Fili's hand. She had the point of her faye-style sword to his neck.
"Still think I'm not good with swords," Lirielle laughed looking between Kili and Fili with both swords in her hands.
Lirielle removed the sword from his neck. She sheaths her sword as she held out her other hand to help him up. Fili laughed at her taking her hand. Once he was on his feet, Lirielle handed him his sword back. Kili hit Lirielle on her back laughing. Bilbo looked at her in awe for a moment.
"You will get to that point someday," Lirielle reassured Bilbo.
"Enough of this let's practice hand-to-hand," Fili said.
"Okay," Lirielle laughed.
"That the spirit Auntie," Kili laughed.
Lirielle started to remove her weapons from her body. She pulled two elven knives from her boots and the blade that was normally strapped to her back. She placed them by her bedroll. She also placed her faye-style sword there. Lord Elrond had it made so if she ever learned to wield her faye magic the blade would collaborate with it. She looked over to Thorin. She knew she would not risk having Heart of Fire on her as she practiced hand-to-hand with Fili and Kili. She made her way over to Dwalin, Balin, and Thorin. Her hands removed the heart of fire from her neck as she headed that way.
"Aye I may know what it means but it is not my place to tell ya," Balin told Thorin.
Balin looked up seeing Lirielle in front of them. What shocked them was the fact that they could see the heart of fire in her hand not around her neck. Thorin looked at her. She smiled at him. He returned a smile for a moment with a questioning look on his face when notice the Heart of Fire in her hands.
"Keep this safe for me please My King," Lirielle said placing the Heart of Fire in his hands.
Thorin's hands closed over the heart of fire. His eyes locked with Lirielle's eyes. Balin knew what she called him. He looked at her in shock yes in time he would be her king once they were married. But for her to call him my king when was in all reality his equal she must really love him. Thorin was just then trying to figure out what her pet name for him was. Thorin's eyes looked to Dwalin and Balin for a moment before his gaze returned to Lirielle.
"ibinê, may I ask why?" Thorin asked.
"Your nephews want to spar hand-to-hand with me," Lirielle explained not seeing a problem.
"Can I have a word with you in private?" Thorin asked.
Thorin got to his feet he placed his arm around her middle. His hand settled over her stomach. She looked up at him. In his other hand was the Heart of Fire. He made a note after they reclaimed Erebor he would make a new home for her gem. Something strong and beautiful like her, not this simple chain and clasps over the gem. Like it was now. Something worthy of his queen and love.
They walked away from the group; far enough away so that they would not be overheard. They regarded each other for a long moment. Lirielle looked up at him with a questioning look in her eyes. He seemed to be happy with getting close to his nephews now he was unhappy. Thorin looked at her with an unhappy look yet unsure, but he was unsure how to approach this topic. He took a deep breath letting it out.
"I would not spar with them. Not that I think that they will, but they could hurt you," Thorin told her his eyes settled on her middle.
"It's more than that," Lirielle commented knowing him.
"You are my wife after yesterday you could be carrying my child and heir," Thorin yelled.
"So, I'm your wife now, because of duty," Lirielle said calmly which was more deadly than a rage with her.
"No, Mahul, when I broke your maiden veil. You became my wife in the sight of Mahul. By the way, why didn't you tell me you were a virgin," Thorin tried to explain his temper still close to the surface.
"What does it matter? Nothing would have changed," Lirielle brushed him off walking away from him trying to calm down.
"It would. I would have not allowed my mind to be clouded by the fire of lust," Thorin argued following her.
"So, again you are married to me out of duty," Lirielle said turning to look at him with a glare that made Fili pause in his tracks.
Lirielle shook her head no. She reached up to where the braid in her hair that held his bead in it was. She went to unbraid her hair. She would be damned if was going to be anyone's duty. If she were married to him because he loved her it would be different, but to be married because of duty was another thing entirely. In her culture lust, passion, love, and marriage were never seen as a duty. To have him say not in so many words say she was his wife because duty and honor demanded it would not fly with her. Tears clouded her vision as her hands tremble with emotions. And she thought he loved her as she loved him shaking her head all the while. Thorin caught her hand before could remove the braid. It made her look at him. Tears streamed down her face with fire in her eyes.
"What are you doing," Thorin questioned.
"Releasing you from your vows to me," Lirielle spat at him in tears.
"Ibinê, who says I want to be released from my vows to you," Thorin asked.
"I'll be damned to anyone's duty. I did not freak out with the courting bead and braids because I love you! "Lirielle raged her temper spilling over enough for her filter to turn off. She steeled her soul as tried to back away from him. Thorin was trying to process what she just said to him as she continued. "I will deal with the repercussion of yesterday on my own before I become anyone's duty-bound wife," Lirielle said firmly.
"You love me," Thorin said dumbstruck.
"My Love means my love. So yes, I love you," Lirielle explained.
Thorin pulled her into a passion-filled kiss. His hands cupped her chin. Her lips were unforgiving at first. Soon he felt her start to relax into the kiss at that moment he deepened the kiss. He pulled her closer to his chest. He pulled away looking at her closed eyes for a moment before placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I love you, Amrâlimê (My Love)" Thorin told her.
Thorin placed his forehead against her. He leaned in kissing her again softly. His one hand went to her stomach where his child could very well be resting even now. He never dreamed that he would have a child. He had lost hope that ever find his one.
"I'll have Dwalin spar hand-to-hand with them. If they want to train hand-to-hand. Focus your energy on the halfling if you must," Thorin said pulling away from their kiss.
Lirielle looked at him with a smile. She kissed him again softly. Her hand went over the top of his own.
"You really think I'm with child," Lirielle asked.
"You could be. If you say, all your children will be the race of their father. It will be long pregnancy for you forty-eight months," Thorin explained to her.
"You know I could be carrying more than one," Lirielle revealed. Thorin quickly pulled her closer to him. Twins were extremely rare. Each dwarven child was seen as a gift. The thought of multiples even being possible had not even entered his mind. He leaned in kissing her tenderly. As he pulled away, Lirielle revealed even more. "Twins use to run in my family. I was a twin. Amariel was my younger twin sister's name. In fact, my older sister had twins, so it is very much possible,"
Lirielle started to kiss his neck playfully. Thorin caught her hands as she tried to undress him. She was letting the fire she felt him come back forefront. She bit her full bottom lip looking at him coyly. He shook his head at her kissing her again.
"As much I love nothing more than to claim you again here and now. We cannot," Thorin explained. His hand cradled her chin. She gave him a questioning look. He kissed her again as he pulled away, he continued to explain. "Amrâlimê! Balin and Dwalin will only allow us to be alone for so long. Truthfully, I'm shocked that they haven't come to get us yet. Until I married to you, they will not allow it," Thorin explained.
"I thought I was your wife already," Lirielle teased her hands traveling down his chest.
"Mizimel. You are but they do not know that," Thorin growled as tempted him. He caught her hands. He took their joined hands and brought it to his mouth kissing it softly. Gave her a hard look that was meant to stop her, but it only made her give him a coy smile. "Once we reclaim Erebor I'll have Balin marry us in the sight of all. So, there will be no question that you are my wife. 'til then Amrâlimê we must…you must behave yourself," Thorin explained. As he did so he pulled her closer to him. Until his lips were right next to her pointed ears. He whispered the last part teasing her right back.
They made their back to camp. Thorin looked over at Dwalin as he held Lirielle close to him in a protective manner. His hand was firmly yet gently on her middle as if the slightest thing were to break it. Balin gave him a look that said he was not happy about the amount of time they were alone.
"Dwalin my nephews want to spar hand-to-hand see to them," Thorin ordered placing the Heart of Fire back around Lirielle's neck.
Thorin sat back down next to Balin starting up a conversation. He pulled Lirielle into his lap. She shifted on his lap causing him to growl and groan in her ear.
"I have to get my weapons, My King," Lirielle said.
"Gloin," Thorin yelled. Gloin dropped what he was doing to make his way over to Thorin. He nodded to him. "Can you bring Lirielle weapons to her?" Thorin ordered.
"I could do that myself," Lirielle said.
"I know Mizimel, but I want you to teach me your language; like what did you call me just now, know part it sounds like my love but…" Thorin replied.
Lirielle turned in his arms. Kissing him softly he pulled away quickly giving her a look. She gave him the same coy smile.
"My King means my king," Lirielle replied.
Thorin looked at her with a loving look. He rested his forehead against her. Gloin came back with her weapons. Thorin looks up at him with a look of thanks then returns to his conversation with Balin all the while keeping his arms around Lirielle's middle.
"Thank you Master Gloin," Lirielle replied.
"You are welcome, Lady Liri," Gloin replied to her.
That was when she noticed since Thorin placed the courting bead in her hair none of the dwarves had called her Mistress Liri it was all now just Liri or Lady Liri. She made a move to put her weapons back. Thorin reluctantly let her go when she gave him a look and then back to her weapons. She placed her dragger back into her one boot followed by a knife into her other boot. She took the other knife. She lifted her tunic for a brief moment showing the small of her back. She reached behind to place the last knife back on the small of her back. She suddenly felt a calloused yet warm hand on her back. She looked over her shoulder to Thorin who had his on the small of her back. She gave him a look. He took the knife from her hand. He looked over to Balin.
"You won't need this tonight," Thorin told her placing it by his bedroll.
"Thorin, My Love, we are likely still being hunted. Lord Elrond may have taken care of this group of Orcs. But others will come," Lirielle reasoned.
"I know this, but My Love you will be in my arms tonight," Thorin told her. She looked over to Balin. He looked over to where Fili and Kili who both trying to beat Dwalin. Bilbo was watching and talking to Bifur. She let out a sigh as he pulled her back into his arms. "Besides I don't want to freeze. The weather can turn quickly here and cold," Thorin reasoned.
Lirielle was cuddling into Thorin's warm chest as they ate. Her eyes were ever watchful of Bilbo. Even when night fell only the faintest light was from the campfire around them. The twinkle of stars was covered by clouds. Thorin handed both of their bowls to Dwalin.
"Your protective of the halfling," Thorin commented kissing the top of her head.
"I promised him no harm would come to him I intend to keep my promise," Lirielle told him.
Thorin's blue eyes met her pale green eyes in the firelight. Most of the company had gone to their beds for the night. He put their forehead together nodding his head. As much as he may think that Bilbo was a hindrance. He knew in his heart he would not any harm come to Lirielle in her protection of the hobbit. If that meant he had to protect the halfling so be. He captured her lips in a kiss.
"Amralizi (I love you to one female)," Thorin muttered when he pulled away.
"Amralizu (I love you to one male), Lirielle returned.