I really hope this was worth the wait! There have been way too many things going on and it kills me that I couldn't update sooner. As promised, an extremely long chapter.
"So, what are you doing again?"
Scissors cut into small, round wooden pieces, crafting sticks of equal length and stained with various pigments found hidden within a chest from the library. Élarinya brought the remaining two pieces close in sight then carefully painted the tips with a blue dye. The hobbit watched, handkerchief in hand, as the female dwarf finished her crafts. Fourteen sticks lay sprawled out in pairs on the dining table between them. Each pair sported a different color of the rainbow. Some were bright and others a more earthy tone.
Bilbo looked at them with confusion as Éla leaned back in her chair. "Dwalin had mentioned we would be training today. Since our stay has been postponed another week, I thought I'd add some variety to our practices."
"But why are there only fourteen?" He pointed to the sticks. "Are you not going to train as well? No doubt Thorin will want me to take part in it."
"Yes. While you may sound better, you should still rest a few days more." She answered all while motioning to the handkerchief he held as evidence. Bilbo's cold had improved somewhat and was eager for a little fresh air instead of staying indoors. After a late start to the morning, Éla thought to bring the company some goods upon their arrival. "At the very least, take note for defensive strategies."
"Can you overrule his judgment?"
Éla's eyes met his with surprise. "What do you mean?" She asked slowly, checking a nearby basket with snacks strewn within.
Bilbo studied the female, intent on knowing he would be spared for another day. "If I go to watch, I don't want them jumping on me to join in," he paused, furrowing his brow in reminiscence, "do you not remember what they did to you a couple days ago?!"
"Bilbo, I can assure you that won't be your fate so long as you're recovering." Éla rolled her eyes in laughter when he did not believe her. His face was set as stone. The female leaned forward in her seat so she could take one of his hands in hers. "I promise that no one will force you to participate without consulting myself or Oin first."
The hobbit relaxed slightly, wanting to believe her words. After a brief ponder, he nodded his head in agreement.
Éla stood and gathered the items on the table to be put in a bag, and then handed it over to the hobbit. "Shall we head out?"
Cool wind brushed through the clearing as the dwarves had gathered in a circle around their two companions. The weather was slowly getting colder with each passing day. Bilbo's ailing body shivered from the gusts, but the rest of the company hadn't been bothered by the changes. Dwarves would fight and train through anything, putting their bodies through hard labour to keep on par with the task ahead. A light gust would not faze any of them.
Éla rested a large basket next to the hobbit. Within, it contained food in which she had prepared earlier that morning after they had all left. Balin had given her directions to the new training field that could only be accessed via boat. It was twice as large and had a beautiful view of the Lonely Mountain north of their location, despite some unpleasant memories the sight brought back for most. Éla chose not to stare at the mountain in the distance for too long, for her heart felt heavy with gloom.
The clearing itself was surrounded by patchy trees, thickening the farther away one walked from the training grounds. They were situated on a small island: large enough to wander and be alone, yet small in circumference to avoid getting lost. The boatmen waited at the water's edge, out of view. The company would have several hours to do as they pleased before courteously heading back to Lake Town.
Chirps echoed down from the tree-tops as small birds sang and made their calls. Bilbo seemed to have been the only one who noticed nature's voices before they were drowned out by the hurling scream of the wind. The dwarves were too preoccupied with the food basket to care after having spent all morning physically exerting themselves.
After a quick lunch, the company gathered around once more as Éla secretly whispered to Bilbo as she placed all the sticks in his hands. Together, he held them upright, just hiding the colored tips from view. The unusual gesture caught everyone's attention.
"What do you have there?" Bofur bent over for a better look at what the hobbit held.
"It was Éla's idea to divide everyone into pairs."
They all turned to the maiden, only now noticing her garb consisting of her tunic and trousers. She would be taking part in the session that afternoon, which explained her lack of dress.
Kili stepped closer, not entirely sure of the concept. "So, what do we do?"
"One at a time, we all pull one stick from Bilbo's hands." Éla began to explain. "There are fourteen sticks and seven colors. The person with the same color as you will be your partner."
"To fight against?" Kili asked.
"Yes."
The others quietly conversed in hushed murmurs, making Éla feeling annoyed to some extent that they would rather bicker trying to sort out an order on their own rather than attempt to make it easy and fun. The voices quieted as the female dwarf cleared her throat and demonstrated by proceeding to pull her pick from Bilbo's hands. "Green."
"Then how do we determine the order of pairs?" Kili drew one painted yellow and smiled at his brother, full of anticipation and excitement.
Éla merely laughed at the young brothers once Fili drew an earthy orange. "The first seven colors revealed will follow the same order. The winners of each pair will go on to fight the one who sparred after them until the last two are standing."
Once Bilbo had two sticks left, he waited for the last members to choose. Éla and Nori were the only ones who did not have a partner, everyone else were already matched in order as followed: Kili-Bifur, Fili-Oin, Dori-Gloin, Bofur-Ori, and Balin-Bombur. Thorin and Dwalin were all that were left. The latter dwarf faced his leader as if asking permission to pick first. Thorin did not object and offered his friend to make the deciding choice for both of them. Éla watched nervously, her own anticipation swelling her veins with adrenaline. She would be no challenge for either dwarf as her battle experience paled in comparison to their long history as warriors.
Dwalin faced the hobbit, who appeared to have shrunk in his shadow, as the dwarf weighed his preference. His hand hovered momentarily over the stick farther right but Dwalin ultimately took the one on the left, revealing a green tip. It was decided, he would go up against Éla in the first round and Thorin against Nori in the second last.
"After you." Dwalin allowed Éla to walk in front of him.
The first pair entered the ring, Dwalin casually holding his hammer as the female took up a defensive position. A crooked smile etched on his face, the brute dwarf did not waste precious time and began the match in a fleeting blink of an eye. Éla barely twisted away in time from his charged blow which hit the ground, spraying dirt into the air like dust. She staggered away from the close proximity, nearly losing her balance in an attempt to telegraph her movements at the last possible second so she wouldn't get hit. Dwalin was a force to be reckoned with.
Éla smiled at the lowered warrior, rushing to meet before he had the opportunity to use his weapon at full capacity. She charged in with the sword in her hand, swinging down hard. The larger dwarf blocked her attack with the rod of his hammer and pushed her back. His hammer blows were heavy, making it difficult for Éla to stay standing while trying to block his next swing so soon afterwards. She spent more time dodging him and keeping a safe distance rather than allowing their weapons to collide. The force he used was enough to knock her unconscious.
She let him swing a few more times until she plotted her next move.
Suddenly, Dwalin was left in shock and surprise after his last swing when the female disappeared entirely from view. He blinked a couple times in confusion but quickly registered her location as he felt swift movement between his parted legs.
"Nicely done, you sneaky little woman." Dropping his war hammer, Dwalin swiftly switched over to the two axes on his back and spun around fast and furious. Metal clanged through the air upon impact. The female only smiled with a grunt from his force.
She had slid under and between his feet when Dwalin made his previous move, giving Éla the upper hand of coming behind her opponent. Her smaller frame made it possible to maneuver rather easily, but she hadn't expected the senior warrior to discard his primary weapon in the middle of battle. The two weapons were crossed over her sword, pushing her back with boots dug firmly into the dirt. If she moved a fraction of an inch, she would lose the fight instantly. Dwalin had to make the first shift if Éla were to remain fighting.
"Is that all you have?" She taunted under her breath, loud enough for the wind to carry it across the grounds.
Dwalin smirked at the submission. "Ha! I'm just getting warmed up."
He lifted the pressure and swung each axe consecutively, forcing her to back up rather quickly to avoid getting sliced. As they drew nearer to the edge of the ring, Dwalin lifted both axes and swung one final blow on the maiden. She fell back but not without unsheathing her dagger at the last possible moment as her two weapons criss-crossed onto his. The abrupt change in his opponent's stance tripped him down on one knee as he held the female's strength, their blades sandwiched between each other. Éla was on the ground, still pressing up and compelled to continue forth.
But alas, the bout had ended with Dwalin as the victor.
The dwarf extended an arm to Éla, helping her to her feet. "That was a much improved fight from you."
"I've picked up on a few things." Éla wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, both weapons held firmly in the other hand. Smiling between heavy breaths, she and Dwalin walked back to the rest as Kili and Bifur replaced them on the training field. As Éla was about to sit next to the hobbit, Dwalin whispered in her ear upon passing. "As have many others."
Stunned, she tried to conceal her expression before anyone noticed as the male dwarf took a seat next to Thorin to watch the continuous bouts. Éla felt the blush creeping over her already flushed skin from their exertion. Her gaze quickly dropped to the ground once Thorin looked in her general direction, the dirt and uprooted strands of grass suddenly becoming more interesting than the match.
In no time, the pairs dwindled down to Thorin and to everyone's surprise, Fili, for the last round. From her peripheral vision, Éla caught Kili glancing over from time to time between watching his brother and uncle and back to the female. The training ended with Thorin pinning his eldest nephew to the ground after side-stepping his last exhausted move. Fili had begun to tire near the end, as did everyone who watched. The dwarf leader made eye contact with Éla briefly, singling her out from the group then returning his attention to Fili.
For nearly a half hour after the final round, the company finished off the remaining goods before venturing around the small island in individual groups. The dwarves explored the layout, some instigating amusement and laughter, others locating quiet scenery in solitude.
Éla came across Gloin, Oin and Dwalin all lounging under trees after leaving Bilbo with Ori atop the highest peak overlooking the lake and mountain. The silence had become peaceful, with the occasional distant shout of laughter from another member. A small smile grazed her lips as the female casually walked around the changing scenery, the narrow path littered with few dried, fallen leaves. Fingertips traced the bark of each stump as she followed the pathway to an opposite end of where the company resided.
The setting sun cast the sky in a bright, tangy orange across the blackened landscape as she neared another lookout point. The scenery was beautiful this time of year, autumn being her favorite season. Biased as it may seem, Éla enjoyed the changing colors of the leaves and the cool, brisk air on her skin. The prickling feeling on the back of her neck alerted her to watchful eyes, so she turned around. Thorin sat on the smooth surface of a rock with his back leaning against another boulder, his steady gaze resting on her. He patted the space next to him, wordlessly, she followed his command.
They sat quietly for a short time. Éla had closed her eyes, taking in the sounds of the wind and their comrades far off on the other side of the island as her head rested against the rock. A strong gust blew past them, startling Éla to sit up. She faced the dwarf next to her once he chuckled.
"What?" She asked, raising a brow.
Thorin reached and dragged her body closer by the waist, his arm never letting go. Éla carefully rested her head back with a sigh, worried if any other move might be too forward and unwelcome. Many things troubled her, this continuously being one of them. Him, being the cause for most of it.
"If we were still in the Blue Mountains," she tilted her head to see him properly, to see his response, "do you think our paths would have crossed?"
Thorin remained silent another moment. "Most likely."
"You would've been eligible due to your father's status."
Éla sat up, moving away from him as she looked out over the water towards the distant mountain. She felt a hand brush her hair away from her neck. The sensation was both a comfort and an alarm.
"Will you let me court you?"
Her head whipped around to the future king, his question sincere and his voice low. He ran his fingers through loose tresses, twisting the ends before letting them fall around her shoulders. Éla turned in his touch, leaning into his chest so she could see and test his motivations. "Would you still choose to have me if the dragon had not come? My family were ordinary, middle-class folk despite my father's position."
Thorin brought his hand back up to her neck, brushing her hair away from her face. He paused, almost overcome by her question. "We cannot dwell on what may have been in the past."
"Is this not haste?"
The question gnawed away in the back of jumbled thoughts. Thorin's silence became unsettling.
"I try not to think of it in such a way." He loosened his hold around her ever so slightly. "Whatever this is, I would like to try."
"This is unusual behaviour for our king." She mused.
Thorin's gaze narrowed with a new spark of life, daring for a challenge. "It is unusual for a female to venture outside our halls."
She spoke softly, her face almost saddened by his imprecision. It did not hide the enlightenment that shone in her eyes as she reached to caress his features with her own hand. "Then let this be my answer."
A finger lightly traced Thorin's bearded jaw line while Éla leaned in and kissed him gently. Her fingers played with the tip of his beard momentarily as they parted. She was beginning to enjoy his closeness. There was something in the way he looked at her that made Éla want to run away, yet be near him indecisively.
"Éla, I would have you right here, right now if not for the boatmen awaiting our return and the rest of the company wandering about."
"Tempting, but I'm content like this for a while longer." She looked over his features as he continued to play with her silver strands. In that moment, there were no worries regarding the quest, slaying a dragon, or the mountain looming over their shoulders. His focus was primarily on her.
For the first time since Gandalf asked her to join the company, Éla understood part of the reason why the wizard requested her aid. None of them would have predicted this outcome in one hundred years, yet her presence became a reminder that all decisions must never be rushed.
A little patience can go a long way, if one was willing to wait.
Thorin's gaze darkened ever so slightly under the shadows of the setting sun, almost looking for some form of approval from the female.
"Turn around." He ordered, turning her shoulders so she sat with her back to him.
Éla complied and soon felt his fingers intertwine through her waves as if it came to him naturally once he began to braid her hair. A small smile grazed her lips and she closed her eyes, allowing his contact to embed her mind.
Fili and Kili had spent a good portion of the past hour wandering aimlessly around their surroundings. There wasn't much to entertain the brothers other than spending short amounts of time with the other members. Most hung around lower areas closer to the training grounds and the water's edge, and some like Bilbo, remained at the peak lookout designed as a resting place.
It hadn't taken the two long before they noticed their uncle was nowhere in sight. They followed the only trail they presumed hadn't been travelled by them, only to find Balin walking towards them from the opposite end. He greeted the young princes happily. "Lads."
"Have you seen Thorin?" Kili asked as innocently as possible and a little too eagerly. Fili poked him in the back so he acknowledged his mistake, but it was shrugged off.
Balin was not one to be fooled so easily, yet he liked to play along if it meant helping his dear friend get a moment's peace from his nephews' antics. "Aye."
"And, where is he?" Kili pressed for an answer. Facing his brother, the two looked past the elder's shoulders. "He's up there, isn't he?"
"Come on." Balin walked down to them, unable to hide the corners of his mouth curling while motioning them to follow. "I think it's time we head back."
Unwillingly, they abided and trailed behind. Kili's pace slowed as Balin rounded a corner of trees and out of sight. Several voices erupted merrily and Fili stopped a few paces ahead before turning around. He gave a light-hearted warning. "Kili..."
His younger brother waved him to follow but impeded his actions when Fili's stare leveled over Kili's shoulder. The dark-haired prince spun around cautiously and came face to face with the female dwarf, her arms crossed over chest and staring the younger down in amusement.
"Éla!" Kili exclaimed. "Gracious, beautiful, Éla! We were just about to come for you."
"I'm sure."
"The others are already boarding the boats." Fili added.
Kili's eyes roamed to her hair before facing his brother with a cheeky grin. Intricate braids plaited her head like a small crown of intertwining branches. Fili even stared puzzlingly by the unique design before catching two small, familiar braids behind her ears. Looking back, Kili's brightened visage only hinted what he was plotting. "Have you seen Thorin?"
For a brief second, she considered telling him the truth but judging by their expressions, the damage was already done and they would have to respect and settle with anything she offered as an answer.
Instead of a response, Éla walked past the younger prince and met Fili's stare with a genuine smile before he bowed his head ever so slightly in respect as she passed. Pausing near the end of the path, the female dwarf gazed over the horizon where the forest came into contact with the lake. There was a feeling of being watched, and it became unsettling. The sensation was not coming from the young princes, but somewhere else.
Kili almost couldn't contain the delight now overwhelming his emotions as he was grabbed by the back of an arm. Thorin guided his youngest nephew after his brother and was taken down to the boats after their kin in silence.
Kili chanced to see his uncle's expression, excitement and plots growing as Thorin could no longer hide the subtle gleam in his eyes as they watched the others load into boats.
*{*}*
Despite quizzing stares from the rest of the company and probing questions from Fili and Kili, Éla found the last several days more agitating than it ought to have been. She grew tired of the same old wooden scenic views and longed to get out of the confinements of this place and as far away from dresses for the rest of her days. With their burglar finally on the mend, they all wanted to get away and out of the town of men. Balin had accompanied Thorin to several meetings with the Master and his councillors, departure long since being on the dwarf's mind. The two were seldom seen by anyone, including Éla.
Later that night, Thorin and Balin returned to the house hopefully, for the final count. They had enquired about borrowing boats and ponies for their journey to the Lonely Mountain once the necessities were readily available and at their disposal. Surely, the Master complied, wanting them gone as soon as possible.
The good news did not stop the female from noticing Thorin's perturbed characteristics as he retired to his room early. It was kind of the town to replenish their supplies and return their weapons upon departure. As the townsfolk continued to sing throughout the days, the reality of their task at hand was nothing to gloat over until the dragon has succumbed to his doom.
The company stayed up a little while longer sharing old tales, most involving some form of embarrassment from one person or another. Éla listened attentively until she felt her body giving in to slumber. Some hung around for more stories, but the female dwarf decided to head upstairs for the night.
As she reached the platform to the second floor, bouts of laughter rang from below along with a few grumbles and protests from Fili and Kili. No doubt Balin was retelling something that involved the two heirs and their childhood. Éla resigned to her door happily but paused, and looked over to the one opposite the corridor. Thorin hadn't spoken to her since he and Balin had returned, nor had he taken to any conversation as they arranged to finish the last leg of their journey.
Instead, Éla knocked on his door, waiting for approval before entering. She tried the handle after receiving no response from the other side. The door slid open and she slipped inside, quietly closing it behind her.
"Thorin?"
"It would be wiser for you to leave." His voice was dangerously low, but not threatening. "I would prefer to be alone."
"And why's that?"
Éla stepped further into the room, picking up on the pang of misery engraved within his voice. Thorin sat on an elongated chair by the window, his gaze not leaving the metal key held in his grasp. She walked over and sat on the long piece of furniture facing him. She leaned forward, lowering the key with one hand and the other lifting his chin so their eyes met. "What troubles you?"
He diverted back to the key, but Éla took it and placed it on the table beside them. It forced him to look at her as she bent closer, almost resting her front to his chest. With their stay now over-welcomed, it was time to move forth with their quest, reality looming over them like a shadow of death and despair. The thought of victory and gold was ever hopeful but it wasn't enough to conquer their plagued qualms.
"Everything." Thorin said finally, stroking the side of her face with the back of his hand. His sight faltered away from her close proximity, but returned with a darting worry. "You know you don't have to come with us. You could go back to the Blue Mountains until it is safe and Erebor reclaimed."
She laughed at his efforts but he merely grimaced in return. Éla frivolously mapped fingertips over skin above the bindings of his shirt – taking in the feel of the short, coarse, hair and muscle. "Thorin, I will not leave your side to spare my life from impending danger."
"Plans can change-"
Éla brought her fingers to his lips to silence him. "Your nephews aren't going anywhere, so neither am I."
Her usually gloved hand caressed his face and he took it and lowered her hand. While her skin was soft, something didn't feel right. "Why do you keep this hand hidden?"
Thorin turned the same hand palm up, revealing faded ancient markings burned into her flesh. He examined it closely, looking back to her in concern. "Erebor."
"Yes. A dreadful reminder of the attack from Smaug."
Thorin gently traced over the design runes with the pad of his thumb, lost in its significance before pressing her hand to his chest and holding it there. Éla used the same hand to slowly unfasten the strings of his shirt, further exposing the firm expanse of his chest. She ran her fingers down his exposed torso, her touch light as a feather. He watched her analyze each crevice of defined muscle in confidence before shifting to meet his intense blue gaze. Thorin pulled her down into a gentle kiss, giving Éla the desire to finish untying his top.
Satisfied, she deepened the kiss, pressing her chest flat against his as she repositioned herself closer – a hand now mapping over fully bare skin, fingers running down his stomach and following the dark line of hair to the top of his breaches. A shuddered breath escaped Thorin. As she eased away, his hand trailed from her face down to her chest as if wanting to rip the bodice away bare-handed.
"Can the beast be tamed?" Éla whispered seductively in his ear, her warm breath having a desired effect on the dwarf leader.
"That depends on who does the taming." Thorin began working through the back seams of her dress as he crashed his lips to hers hungrily.
Éla sat up, almost cradled in his lap as she tried to push the fabric from his shoulders. Thorin's mouth pressed over her throat, down to her collar bone, smirking once he freed the final knots from the back of her dress. They stilled from a loud bang which resounded from the corridor, his head resting in the crook of her neck. Hands wandered down and drew the fabric of his shirt together.
"It was probably nothing." Éla's voice was quiet. They remained still only but a short moment before Thorin eased her off, planting a heated kiss on her lips as he departed for the door.
Metal slid over wood, causing Éla to get up in minor concern and confusion. Thorin soon returned, looking at her oddly standing next to the bed.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, closing the distance which separated them as he took hold of her waist and backed them up. He desperately claimed her mouth with his.
"The door is locked so we won't be disturbed." Thorin pressed her flush against a column of the bed frame. Pulling her skirts up, he began massaging her upper thigh. The pads of his fingers left her skin heated in their wake. Éla trembled lightly from his touch, heat beginning to pool in the pit of her stomach, heart beginning to race.
"The Goblin was right about one thing..." She murmured into his mane as his mouth moved against her throat, slowly kissing the skin there.
Thorin looked up at her brightened visage with great uncertainty. Her mention of the foul creature did not sit well with him. Éla cupped his face with both hands in reassurance, a stare with a hidden, burning desire. "Only a king can claim this untainted prize."
The tight grip on her leg loosened, roaming higher. "You've never...?"
She shook her head. "Some traditions are worth the wait."
Éla snaked her fingers down his battle-hardened chest as he kissed her, hard, pushing the soft cotton from his shoulders. Her touch navigated down towards the belt of his trousers as he kept her pinned between his body and wood. Hands began working hard to unfasten the metal clasp but were stopped suddenly as his mouth left hers.
"What made you wait so long?" He asked as his hand moved to the untouched crevice between her thighs.
"I never found the right person-" Éla gasped as his fingers stroked the flesh, making her legs go weak and her hands fist in his hair. "-until now."
Thorin claimed her mouth in a bruising force as he pressed against the soft bud of nerves above her opening.
Éla moaned into the kiss as he brushed against something so good, she would have fallen to the floor if he hadn't been holding her up. Teasing her, he paused and moved the female towards the bed, allowing the dress to fall from own shoulders in a mound around her feet. Thorin stopped to take her in.
"You're beautiful."
He guided Éla with his body, resting her on the warm blankets of the bedspread as he hovered over. Thorin stared at her form beneath him before allowing his hands to roam over bare skin. Éla grabbed him by the belt into another deep kiss as he kicked off his boots. His mouth soon left hers and trailed down between her breasts, stopping at her naval. His beard brushed against her skin as he breathed in her scent.
"That tickles-" She breathed, bringing her legs up as if to close off all access to her body. Éla lifted his face to meet hers.
"No one else will get to see you like this." Thorin looked at her with lustful eyes as he smiled; gently pushing her legs back down. "You are a treasure to behold."
The dwarf traced his hands back up her thighs and stomach, stopping over previously broken ribs. There were faint traces of bruising that were still visible from the wound, but otherwise she was healed.
"Then allow this future king to indulge in that treasure." Éla kissed him again, her own fingers following back down to the fabric still annoyingly covering his body. "It is yours to claim."
A free hand gripped her thigh harder, and Éla broke away from the kiss as Thorin sent a shiver of sensation through her with just one touch. She desperately grabbed onto his belt and pulled him down.
"Lose the pants." She whispered. "Now."
The sounds that escaped her had ignited something deep within him, fire burning in his eyes as he drew back and continued circular motions. "You're not ready."
He stimulated more waves of small pleasures. Slowly, he separated her legs further and eased two digits within her opening while his thumb kneaded the small bud of nerves. His other hand continued massaging her inner thigh.
"Oh..." was all she could muster. It took Éla a moment to grow accustomed to the foreign presence stretching her inside. As he started curling his fingers, another wave of pleasure washed over her and she slightly arched her pelvis into his hand - desperately wanting more and releasing a low groan from Thorin.
Her warm breath on his face, her gentle touch - eyes begging for more, Thorin moved away and his fingers slipped out. Éla whimpered by the sudden loss of contact as he went to undo the belt holding his breaches. Her pulse began to rise as the fabric slid down over his hips. The sight sent a wave of heat coursing through her. Thorin let out a soft groan as she grabbed the base of his member, watching him amusingly as he grew hot and heavy in her hand.
Her grip switched over to that of the bed sheets as Thorin continued repetitive motions above her opening and hungrily locked mouths with hers. His member dragged hot against her entrance and she bucked her hips forward, wanting to be taken.
Thorin rubbed her inner thighs before positioning himself. Holding her waist, he leaned forward and kissed her deeply. Éla's hands fisted in his hair as he slowly entered her. He stretched her inner walls, and allowed some time for Éla to adjust to his size. There was a bit of pressure at first and a burning pain as her body stiffened. Thorin stopped, looking up in concern by her clenched jaw and furrowed brow.
"Éla, relax." He slowly pulled out of her, leaving the female feeling rather empty. Éla whimpered as he refused to give what her body wanted.
"No." She reached up to frame his face, lips pressing gently against his. He repositioned himself next to her and grabbed her waist so she sat on her knees in his lap.
"Thorin..." Éla steadied her hands on his shoulders, legs trembling slightly as he held her by the waist above him. A dark look shaded his eyes and he traced over her sweet spot, suddenly more aroused by her want and frame. She could feel his length pressed against her opening and she grabbed the base – slowly fisting down his shaft – causing him to loosen his hold and give Éla more control. His breathing became heavy and more ragged as he rested his forehead against hers, nearly breaking his support for her as her hand did wonders.
Watching him get worked up and come undone, Éla stopped and held down his hips with one hand as the other kept his length steady.
Thorin tightened his hold on her thighs, lust glazing his sight as she eased herself onto him, entering her completely. He let out a groan as he bottomed out within her. Éla almost felt her vision turn to haze as she straddled him. Pleasure sparked through her at the sensation. Éla leaned forward to place a heated kiss to his lips as he rolled into her, guiding their movements. She impeded his actions, nearly losing all composure as a throbbing sensation unexpectedly sent chills down her spine.
"You have to move..." Thorin murmured, bucking his hips up into hers. The motion hit that sweet spot of nerves which sent Éla's body into shivers, slinging forward onto his chest.
"That felt good." She breathed into another kiss as he throbbed inside her again, making her legs go weak. Thorin rolled his hips up as she started off slow, enjoying the sparked feelings that were created.
His mouth left hers and kissed down her neck. Caresses soon turned into panting as Éla pushed his shoulders back so he laid down entirely, all movements ceased. His grasp tightened on her thighs, forcing the female to move but she refused.
"Mahal, do not torture me." He breathed a warning, claiming her mouth while his thumb rubbed against her sweet nib.
Éla returned the kiss, but pushed him back down playfully. "This may be the only night we'll have, so I can have my way with you if I wish."
She teased with one thrust, barely able to remain composed herself as her body so desperately wanted its release. The feel of him inside was too intense to leave. Taking his hands, she loosely placed them above his head – getting off of him altogether in the process. Thorin slid his arms back around her torso and flipped Éla on her back, further spreading her legs apart.
Eyes frowned at her, his member brushed against her entrance. Her hips moved forward, wanting him to take her, but he stilled her movements.
"Your temptations are too great." Thorin considered the idea to tease her, bringing his lips down to press against hers before meddling with her overly sensitive bud again.
"A good trait to have in a lover." Her voice mused just above a whisper while a wondering hand searched for what her body craved.
"Or a wife." Thorin nuzzled the crook of her neck. Her search ended as she tried to keep her breathing steady as the dwarf leader sent another wave of pleasure through her.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," his ministrations were making it difficult to speak, raking her with pleasure, "but you said this would not be out of desperation."
"Mahâysîti."
Eyes widened slightly, too focused on the pleasures spurring through her. "Is that a question or demand?" She breathed heavily, releasing a soft moan as he entered her unexpectedly hard in one thrust.
"I would never demand anything of you." Thorin kissed her again impatiently, stifling any possible screams so they wouldn't be heard as he began to work her in a slow rhythm – teasing her the way he did him. "Not when you gave yourself to me."
Pleasure spiked through her as his thrusts started to increase, striking something deep within. Éla started to push back against him, searching for that spot of nerves. Heat sparked through her and he could feel her nearing the brink of release.
"Thorin..." His name fell from her lips as she gasped from the sensation. He grinned into the crease of her neck, his heated kiss soon replaced by labored breaths as his movements became more erratic and forceful. Part of him worried about breaking her body, but he no longer had control as her contracting walls remained in sync with each thrust.
Éla's hips arched against his as she began to feel him throb within as he pushed into her. She relished the feel and sounds as Thorin tightened his hands against her hips as he followed her release.
He kissed her deeply before catching their breath.
"That was amazing." Éla picked up on his arms trembling slightly, a thin film of perspiration coating their skin. Thorin lifted his head, body practically laying over hers with a smug look on his face, a deep baritone chuckle vibrating from his chest. A hand reached up to move stray strands of damp hair from his face. His eyes shone bright under the diminished candlelight.
Éla wrapped her arms around his neck and back. Thorin kissed her passionately before allowing her to lower his head to her chest, holding him. He listened to the sounds of her rhythmic heartbeat calming to a normal pace as she played with his mane.
Who picked up on the rating change before reading? ;)
Longest chapter to date. Phew! Wait till you see what's in store for later chapters!
Translations:
These were a pain to find in Khuzdul that were remotely related to what I was trying to write, so I kept it simple especially with so few pronouns available... (Thank you Gillette-x for some help!)
"Mahâysîti." – marry me