Chapter Two

Awakening

Morning came too swiftly, accompanied by a wretched pounding in Thorin's sore head. His eyes squinted at the sprawling rays of sunshine that attempted to reach through the curtain-closed window. He cursed his hangover. Yet for all his mumbling, the dwarf stood from his bed and stumbled over to the wash basin. With his hands cupped together he drove them straight into the now cool water, breathing deeply before holding his breath and splashing his face. Reaching out for a towel, Thorin found his thoughts venturing away from the annoyance of his grogginess and more towards the growling in his gut. It was as good a time as any for some breakfast. So he dressed himself and readied his pipe, then took his leave of the room to venture down the stairs for a feed.

Already downstairs the rush had begun for Nellie and Violet, who were racing to and fro from the kitchen to the tables. Plates of sausages, cold chicken, and toast seemed to be the common breakfast order of the morning, served occasionally with a steaming hot bowl of porridge. The aroma of the tavern lingered between the smokey scent of pipe tobacco and the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. As Thorin took his seat, his stomach rumbled; his mouth was watering. Yet as he looked up from lighting his pipe, thoughts of his empty stomach were pushed to the back burner.

It was Nellie. Albeit not the Nellie he had remembered from the night before. She was freshly put together that morning, without exhaustion being painted throughout the fine sheen of sweat that had adorned her face hours prior. Her cheeks were still pink but now framed by long hair which wasn't tucked away into a bonnet. A simple but pretty green skirt was paired with a matching top all trimmed in chiefly yellow. She had worn an apron tied at the waist. Her expression as usual was beaming brightly. Thorin, being completely speechless, could only stare in awe as Nellie layed a plate of food in front of him.

"Good morning!" She chirped. "Sleep well?"

Her voice seemed to pull Thorin from his admiring stares. He hadn't answered her question but voiced his own. "What is all of this?" He was inquiring about her appearance, though she assumed he meant the plate of breakfast.

Nell's hands were at her waist, her fingers picking at one another as though she were nervous.

"Do you not want it?" She sounded wounded by his inquiry.

He coughed, realizing she wasn't talking about herself as he was.

Thorin scanned the room, in truth not wanting to look Nellie in the eyes for fear of his own lingering too long upon her, though in the end he did. He'd never admit it, but staring at Nellie did something to Thorin, especially seeing her so put together the way she was that morning. The beginnings of a fire were being lit deep within his belly. The sparks were fluttering throughout his body.

"No," He lightly chuckled. "It's only that I hadn't ordered it." A wonderful recovery on his part.

An expression of relief cascaded over Nellie's face, her hands falling to her sides. "Oh, good. I thought maybe my cooking offended you. Don't stress none over it–the meal is on the house."

He huffed when she had said this to him. Pushing the plate away from his person, it was the proud King Thorin Oakenshield who shook his head slightly–almost sneeringly. "I will not take charity."

His brows furrowed a bit at Nell's reaction to his words, afraid she was going to cry based on her expression. Thankfully, she didn't.

"Don't think of it as charity then," She whispered, her eyes downcast. Nellie's face was beginning to turn a deep shade of red again. "Take it as my apology for last night. I shouldn't have… well… I–I mean…"

"Nellie!" A shout from Mr. Pickthorn from across the room commanded the barmaid's attention.

She pushed Thorin's breakfast back towards him, their eyes locking for a few brief moments as their fingers touched, before she turned sharply on her heels, face still as red as a tomato, rushing to see what it was her employer needed. Or that is what it would have looked like to anyone who didn't know any wiser–Thorin included.

The dwarf had watched Nellie walk away from him, with the same intensity she had given him in his room. It was childish to pine after–what was in reality–a stranger, but Oakenshield found he couldn't help himself. There was something about Nellie he couldn't quite place that was gnawing at him, and he desperately needed to figure out what it was.

In her absence Thorin decided he would accept her apology and dove into his meal, mentaly making arrangements to see her again–properly next time.

After the tongue lashing of her life, Nellie was sent back to the kitchen to clean up after breakfast. Her mind was still very much obsessed with the dwarf who sat only meters away from where she was standing now. The same dwarf that Mr. Pickthorn had commanded her not to be spending so much time around. 'I'll not have rumours of you being uncouth and the like with someone of that kind. Mark me, Nellie, I will not stand for it. Do I make myself clear?' He had said to her. And of course she had said yes, despite knowing she was lying to his face. Besides, she wasn't being floozy. She hadn't done anything to warrant Pickthorn's displeasure with her. Not that that really mattered at all, however. Nellie was viewed as property, and as property she was expected by him to be subservient… lest bad things happen.

Snap, snap, snap! Violet's fingers were in front of Nellie's face, begging for her to pull her head in.

Now it was Violet's turn to scold her. "What's gotten into you Nell? The dishes are piling up and you know he ain't gonna be happy with you with your heads in the clouds and not in your work."

Diving into the dishes with vigor at her friend's warning, Nellie couldn't help but find herself right back into her daydreams of Thorin. It was maddening that with every plate cleaned and set to dry, the deeper her thoughts seemed to travel. The biggest question was, why? Was it the way he smiled at her when she approached him this morning? Perhaps it had been the way he teased her last night when she was caught gawking at him. Nellie could feel her face growing red again. How easy it was to make her blush.

Stop it Nellie! Finally it seemed it was her turn to scold herself.

She had to at least try to focus on her work. She had to at least try to live in reality. And the reality was, Thorin was someone passing through. He may very well be gone by the time she finishes her tasks for the morning. Then, everything would carry on the way it always had and her sudden infatuation that occurred overnight would fade to memory and then disappear altogether.

"It's best to keep thinking that way, Nell." The sympathetic voice of Violet coated Nellie's ears yet didn't penetrate.

Softly shaking her head, Nell gazed quizzingly at her friend. "I'm not sure I know what you're on about."

"Bollocks," Violet scoffed, hauling a tub of glasses onto the side of the large wash basin. She passed one on to Nellie, who continued to scrub away. "The dress…your hair? The scent you're just now wearing?"

Her questions felt more like an interrogation than anything else. "I still haven't a clue what you're talking about, Vi."

Another glass was handed over to be cleaned.

"You're not as cunning as you might think, Nellie. I saw you this morning pinching your cheeks when you caught sight of him coming down from upstairs–not that you needed to. You haven't stopped blushing! And I saw the way he was looking at you–hungry like."

Nellie's heart skipped a beat, hearing that Thorin had looked at her in such a way. She wanted to smile but bit her lip as her stomach fluttered. She was too gay to care about Violet's concern for her.

"I'm not the only one who has noticed, you know." Vi went on to say, "He asked me this morning before you got in where you were last night–what took so long. I told him only the truth of what I knew, Nell. Told him you were seeing to the dwarf master and said you'd lock up and then be on your way. You did that, didn't you?"

Taking in a sharp breath, Nellie tilted her head towards Violet. "When you say he was looking at me hungry like, do you mean–"

"Nellie Pickthorn! Enough!" Vi glanced around their persons, being sure to avoid any evesdroppers. She then pulled Nell aside and very close, their foreheads nearly touching. Violet's vice-like grip began to hurt Nellie's arms. "You cannot keep this up. With any luck the dwarf–"

"His name is Thorin."

Violet closed her eyes, fighting to keep patience with the young woman. Eventually she continued, "With any luck he will be gone by tonight and we can get on with our lives. Until then Nellie, please… You've got something good here–something tangible. Don't throw it away."

Nellie focused on the other woman's gaze, seeing within her eyes a fear that didn't appear to be misplaced.

"I didn't do anything, Violet. I swear it."

A bated laugh came from her coworker then, who released Nellie's arms and threw her own up in defeat. "When you're married to a wickedly jealous man, you don't have to do anything to cause yourself a heap of trouble. Trouble often finds you. Try to keep your head down Nellie. Please, if not for yourself then for me?"

Forcing a heavy sigh from her lungs, Nellie nodded. She knew full well Violet was right.

"Six silver pieces–that's robbery!" Thorin was arguing with Mr. Pickthorn about the price of renting a room.

Pickthorn, with a smug grin sprawled across his wrinkled and wicked face, was feeling high and mighty with himself. "It costs extra when you book a room outside normal operating hours…now if you can't pay for it–"

Thorin threw the coin on the benchtop, cursing under his breath. "I suppose it would only cost me my arm or leg to book for a second night and include a bath?"

The manager sucked his teeth and scraped up the money, tucking it away safely. "You can always try down the road aways if the old Pig and Whistle isn't to your liking, Master Dwarf."

Having half a mind to do just that, Thorin rolled his eyes and fixed his gaze over at the door to the kitchen which had been propped open. As if by willing her to appear, Nellie exited the kitchen with an empty bin to collect the dirty dishes. She paused only a fraction of a second when their eyes connected, but keeping aware that Pickthorn was watching, she lowered her head and went straight back to work.

And there it was, that nagging desire to be alone with her. So Thorin threw any idea of leaving town promptly out of the window, so to speak, and slammed an irritated fist down on the bench. "How much?"

After a viciously displeased glance in Nellie's direction, Pickthorn gave Thorin his price of another six silver, and then left from behind the bar to tend to customers who had just entered. Thorin glanced over his shoulder and watched Nell work for a bit, just happy to see her light up the room. It was sensationally odd, the tidal pull she had on him. Genuinely, he didn't feel as miserable as he had been yesterday. Particularly because of the outcome of the council of the clans, who were not ready to aid him and his party to reclaim the mountain; somehow she had made him less wretched about it all. Her carefree nature amusing him almost as much as her beauty.

She was walking back his way, so Thorin took his chance. He called out to her quietly–aware that she wasn't on the best of terms with her employer. That much was painfully obvious. When she paused in front of him, she was wearing that wonderful smile of hers.

"When are you free from this place?" He asked.

Her jaw dropped a tad in awe, then snapped shut again. She tilted her head to view behind Thorin, keeping sure a certain someone wasn't within earshot. "Well… I'm free this afternoon…though it's down to the river for me. I'm afraid the rest of my day will be spent doing the washing."

Thorin thought for a moment. "Have you someone to keep you company? So you're not all alone? I could go with you."

Her laughter made the fire that was growing inside of him blaze brighter. "How bold of you to assume I'd want your company, Thorin… but aye, I could use it." Another quick check to be sure they weren't being espied. "Meet me outside, 'round back near the kitchens in an hour. Make sure no one sees you."

With that she scurried off, before Thorin had a chance to ask why he had to remain unseen. It hardly mattered. Truly the only thing playing through in his mind was how he had thoroughly enjoyed hearing her say his name. With any luck, he'd be hearing it again very soon.

Nellie had finished the morning chores rushing to change out of her good clothes and into something more suitable for doing laundry. While she was at it, the hair which had been framing her face was thrown up into a bun. When this was done, she hurriedly collected the washing of her household and then the bedding of the tenants renting rooms. Having a large basket nearly overflowing, Nell carefully navigated the back steps of the tavern which led down into the kitchen. Not surprisingly enough, Violet was there peeling potatoes and prepping for that evening's supper.

"Off to do the laundry?" The question was in a chipper tone. Violet never looked up from her task.

Nellie sighed, shifting the basket and her weight to the opposite side to find balance. "Aye. I've put it off for a day now and I'll be paying for it. Will you be alright with all this on your own? I can't say I'll be back before the supper rush."

Vi nodded, humming an old song that sounded familiar, though Nellie couldn't be certain which tune it was, though it made for the perfect distraction. While Violet was peeling away, Nell had caught sight of Thorin by the door–which was always open during business hours–and swept them both away before her co-worker had a chance to see them. Nell's heart was pounding in her chest, terrified that at any moment Violet–or worse her wretch of a husband–might burst out the back door of the Pig and Whistle.

"Slow down, you're not being chased." Thorin strode faster to keep up.

To avoid people Nellie knew, she had them ducking into backroads walking ever faster to get the centre of the town behind them as quickly as possible. Only when she knew for certain they weren't being followed or watched did she reply to her companion. "No not chased," She giggled, blushing over at Thorin. "Pursued maybe."

Without asking, Oakenshield had taken the basket of dirty linens from her grasp. With ease he threw the bulk load on top of his shoulder, motioning for her to lead the way to the river bed. Nellie didn't know what to make of this, seeing as he hadn't confirmed or denied her flirtatious query. It brought her back to the firm reality that what she was doing was dangerous for her, foolish even. This made her sad in a way she couldn't explain but it was soon enough pushed deep within as they reached their destination. Thorin had put the basket down where Nellie requested, and she set to washing. Silence ensued to the point where she felt she might burst with discomfort for the situation. So when Thorin spoke, her heart jumped into her throat.

"How old are you?"

Nellie froze in the midst of scrubbing one of Mr. Pickthorn's shirts, turning on her haunches to stare incredulously at the dwarf, who was sitting propped up against a willow tree, a cold pipe behind his teeth.

"Pardon me? What kind of question is that?" The tone of her voice was held only part in jest. Rolling her eyes Nellie answered, "Twenty and nine. And you, Master dwarf?"

"One-hundred and ninety-four." His own response was very curt.

He waited to see her reaction, betting it would be one of horror. To his surprise, Nellie's upturned nose scrunched deep in thought.

"How does that equate to the years of Men? Is it like the years of a dog's life?"

Thorin had to fight back a fit of laughter. "You saying I'm a dog, are you?"

He was beginning to realize how easy it was to make Nellie blush; there was something in doing so he thoroughly enjoyed. This time he did chuckle, watching as she went back to washing twice as vigorously as before. Thorin decided he wouldn't make her suffer. "I believe I would be about forty-seven in the years of Men. If that was the answer you were looking for."

Nellie stood from the bed of the river, the basket now full of wet clothes, nearly half of the load she brought with her. Marching up the bank she dropped the heavily drenched hamper at her feet. Her facial expression sat stoic causing Thorin some distress, for he couldn't decipher her thoughts. Not even when she began to hang the wet garments from the makeshift clothesline, tethered to the trunk of the tree was she giving anything away. Perhaps his initial concern shouldn't have been thrown out the window so readily? He gingerly stood up and walked towards her, standing behind her frame–waiting for her to take notice.

Ever slowly, carefully, elegantly even, Nell finished pinning a white skirt apron to the line. Feeling the presence of Thorin behind her, Nellie's mind raced. She began to think of all manner of things, from the possibility of being found out, to the very real fact she knew nothing of the person she was with–what if he had wanted her alone to murder her?

As if he could read her mind, the deep voice of Thorin fell upon her ears. "Nellie, I'm not going to hurt you." Goosebumps crept over her skin, her back still facing him.

"Well, that's fine to know," She whispered, slowly turning to find piercing blue eyes staring deep into her. Feeling her face burn deeply, Nell began to grin as she had always done in such situations.

"What is so amusing, pray tell?" Thorin's brow raised slightly, his hands ever aware of how desperately he wanted to touch her; his mind strictly refusing to let them without her consent.

She fell into a fit of giggles then, embarrassed, enthralled, enchanted. What was she meant to say? For the first time in her life, Nellie was at a loss for words in navigating conversation. All that consumed her mind was the closeness of Thorin to her own body, and how desperately she wanted to know what was on his mind.

Bringing her fingers up to her mouth and strumming her lower lip, she spoke from behind them. "Not in finding it amusing… I reckon I was just wondering why you were looking at me that way…"

Thorin was fighting with all his might to keep his hands at his sides and not tucked under her chin or resting on her shoulders. "Looking at you in what way?" His voice was a low whisper, like rumbling thunder.

"I–I…" Her own hands were now rolling over and over, wrapping themselves in her apron until they nearly became knotted. "Li–like–like you want to…" Nellie's voice caught in her throat when Thorin stepped closer. She could smell him–the smell of smoke, fire, and a manner of things delicious yet unknown to her.

Without thinking she leaned in and kissed his closed mouth, a soft peck. It was only after she had done so that she pulled away, immediately mortified. "I shouldn't have done that… Thorin…I'm so sorry—"

Thorin was not interested in her apology, only that he needed to feel her lips against his. Her initiation was enough consent for him to catch her mouth once again with his. Though the hunger was there, their caresses remained gentle as if they might break one another if pushed too far. Nellie began to sway, her mind reeling with foregin emotions, while her belly blazed with wanton desires she didn't quite understand. Thorin held her upright with his strong arms and broad hands, releasing from his chest a sigh of despair when she pulled away with what appeared to be reprehension.

Nellie took a step back, her face taking on a stern yet terrified visage. She raised a hand to stay him where he was, pointing a finger to indicate to Thorin not to move. Her wide eyes studied him for all he was, just standing there–not nearly as breathless as she. Nell swallowed hard, adjusting her bodice and hair. When she felt she had composed herself, Nellie went to address the dwarf. She had intended to tell him everything– that she only meant to flirt with him, she was in fact married, and that what they were doing couldn't go any further. There were too many risks involved. Nellie wanted to say it would be best if he went back to town, gathered his things, and made for the town of Bree. This is what she should have done. Yet there Thorin stood, his hair falling from its tied back state, shirt untied at the neck, and his hands opened towards her and outstretched at his sides waiting for her.

The sternness melted away. Her eyes drowned in lust, her body no longer rigid. Nellie flew a few steps back into Thorin's arms, pinning them both against the trunk of the tree. Through the torrent of kisses, each of them pawed at the other, attempting to remove the necessary garments as quickly as they could.

"You'll leave soon, won't you." Nellie breathily stated, her eyes shut tightly as Thorin lifted her skirts while kissing her neck.

Once she had unbuttoned his trousers, Oakenshield lifted her up, pinning her against the tree. "I will only leave when we have both sated our hunger."

He kissed her deeply then, before placing himself between her spread thighs and easing into her. Never once did his eyes leave hers. Nellie's warmth engulfed him and he took a moment to steady his breathing. Then, seeing her so full of passion and drunk on lust, he had forgotten who he was, who she was, and the world altogether. There was something in the way she rocked into him, pressed against him–it was a form of intimacy he had never known, nor could have dreamt of knowing. Each thrust took him higher, until all his woes of despair and burden of his life seemed to soar high above him. Thorin felt Nellie writhe against him, tightening and climaxing. Her gentle moaning brought him to the edge, until a white light was all he could see and he released deep and hard, and fully. After, weakness overtook them both and Thorin collapsed to the ground, Nellie tumbling down on top of him, panting. Her face was flustered and glowing.

Thorin brushed wisps of hair from her brow and rested her head against his chest. "It is always better when it happens together. Next time, we will try for that."

Nellie shot up like an arrow, staring down at Thorin in awe. "Next time?"

He chuckled lowly, pulling her on top of him, kissing her fully. "One mere taste of you isn't enough. I only wish to devour you, wholly."

Nellie tried to smile, yet somewhere in the back of her mind behind all the glorious joy she was experiencing, she knew she was treading on the thinnest of ice.

"Thorin?"

"Hm?"

As she tried again to summon strength to voice her truth, her head lay rested against his chest and his heartbeat calmed her trepidation. She quickly recovered. "I really should finish the laundry."

Author's Note:

Oh Nellie... What are you doing? *sigh* Well, that was the second chapter of this steaming romance fic for you. What do you think is going to happen? Don't forget to follow/favourite/review if you could. As always, I've hoped you enjoyed.