Internet's back, moved in and here's an update :)

Eyes adjusted to the morning rays as Élarinya rolled onto her back. She felt refreshed, relaxed and the previous night's activities flooded through her thoughts. She had been too blissful to acknowledge the body resting next to her just inches away. Eyes shut out the large, open room as if it had all been a dream. That's what it was: a dream. A night full of passion and love-making. Despite the warm memory, she couldn't help but wonder if it was a mistake. Their actions had been rushed, fraught over the unknown. Would this future dwarf king still love her the way he did now if the mountain was reclaimed?

The hint of uncertainty would grow day by day once they departed to end their quest. That was something Éla did not look forward to.

With the Sun at its peak, his presence had been required downstairs quite some time ago. She'd be surprised if they weren't questioned over their tardiness since none dared to ask about her new braids. Gloin and Balin must've understood its significance. The younger ones were curious as well, but not enough to test their luck for answers over Thorin's watchful eye.

Éla turned her head so it faced the window and welcoming Sun, attempting to fall back into peaceful slumber. Movement shifted adjacent to where she lay, compelling the female dwarf to leer upon the one who stirred in his sleep. A small smile grazed her lips as eyes fell on Thorin's concrete form. His face was not carved with the frayed lines of responsibility but replaced with soft features for once. Dark hair fanned over broad shoulders and she watched the placid rise and fall of his chest. He looked peaceful.

It pained her to know that she may never see him so relaxed in three days time when they depart from Lake Town. Éla shifted on her side and reached to tenderly cup the side of his face in her hand. The dwarf usually woke from any subtle action or noise, yet Thorin hadn't budged a muscle. He was in a deep sleep for the first time in ages. She hated the thought of having to wake him.

Éla followed the curved path from his jaw with her fingers down the crease of his chest, and then lightly traced the muscular edges of his stomach. A strong grip seized her wrist, nearly making her jump by the sudden action.

"What are you doing?" Thorin asked groggily. Her strokes had made his skin tingle from her delicate touch. She chuckled, mentally taking note for future opportunities. His grip loosened and travelled up her arm and waist as she bent over into a gentle kiss.

"Nothing, really." A wandering hand trailed down his torso. "Were you awake?"

He brought her hand to rest where he last stopped her contact. "Not until I felt your touch."

Éla turned on her side for a better view of her lover.

"You're beautiful in the morning..." The dwarf leader smirked, rolling Éla onto her back and shifting his weight so he could kiss her. She moaned lightly into him as his grip roamed down to her body. A minor panging sensation broke through her gasp, making him pause from his touch. Thorin pulled the covers to reveal several bruises littering the skin on her upper legs.

"Well, there's no question that you are, a rough lover," Éla watched as he examined one thigh, brushing fingers over the marks he had left the previous night, "but quite satisfying."

Thorin frowned from guilt, then almost appeared to have changed his mind and looked at the female in a most devious way. "I'm glad you think so, but will it hinder your ability to walk properly?"

"I'm not sure." Éla swung her legs over the edge of the bed, already aware of the stiffened muscles before standing. Taking a step forward, she could sense her lower body's limited mobility from last night's activities. Sighing, she sat back down, plopping her head back onto the pillows. "I regret nothing."

"Then I am not sorry." Thorin slipped from under the covers, fetching their clothes that were scattered across the floor before the female dwarf could take a swing at him.

"Did anyone hear anything last night?" Bilbo asked timidly.

The company was rather quiet that morning. Their leader's absence, as well as the female's, hadn't gone unnoticed and so silent speculations blossomed throughout the wooden house. The hobbit didn't like when the dwarves became all secretive; it usually meant something wasn't right. He slowly developed a fondness for their boisterous characters. At least the merry meals and storytelling told him everything was fine. This was turning into a torturous cycle of deceit. Although he seemed to be the sole being who'd noticed.

"It was just the winds rattling the shingles." Bofur answered. "Weather was pretty rough with all the rain and gusts outside."

Bilbo sat quietly. It was logical and made sense. Lake Town definitely got a lot of rain this time of year, though he didn't quite believe the wind to cause such a loud bang.

Nori sniggered. "I doubt that was the only rough activity that took place."

"And what are you implying?" Dwalin leaned forward over the table in his chair, his voice low and engraved with warning. His physical prowess challenged the other dwarf to continue to test his luck.

"He already courted her!"

The dwarves turned to the youngest heir of Durin. An awkward silence filled the room and Kili seemed to have retreated as far back into his chair as he could. "What? ...It's a known fact."

"We know, brother." Fili draped an arm over Kili's shoulder.

Balin closed his eyes momentarily as if to rid himself from a bad memory. "I think we all knew upon seeing the braids. To finally have it verbalized, well, it still came as a shock even if we've had a few days to adjust to these new developments."

"Then this makes her family?" Kili asked impertinently, eyes eagerly returning to life. The older dwarf went to answer, only to purse his mouth in a fine line. He could not find the right words for a subtle explanation. Thorin's actions had been bold and a bit irrational since their first meeting with the Master over Éla's outburst. Balin prayed that his leader and friend would base all decisions for the good of their future as a whole, not for what may have felt right in the short interim.

"Yes and no."

Kili scrunched his face in an attempt to understand the double meaning behind Balin's confusing words. "Which is it?"

"Hard to say." The dwarf shifted uneasily in his chair before looking around at the attentive faces. "The braids make it complicated for anyone to know for certain, unless either party divulges private information."

"Theoretically, he could claim her as his wife." Gloin piped up. "Not officially though. Not yet."

"How would that work if she already has braids like mine?" Fili asked while pointing to the ones reserved for the line of Durin.

Bilbo glanced around the room, waiting with the younger members for a proper answer. None seemed to want to discuss the sensitive topic but were keen to listen to those willing to talk.

"Remember our discussion about courting braids? Before the forest?" Gloin looked to Balin for any sign to stop. He was given a tired nod of approval to continue. "Élarinya's new braids are of an older tradition to signify that both are already joined or with the intent of becoming bound to each other."

Fili and Kili merely exchanged silent confusion, yet were reveled by the possibilities of their uncle's actions. Footsteps brought the conversation to an end and the company spread out in different groups among the three rooms. Balin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Bilbo remained in the living room as Thorin came into view shortly after, the oldest acknowledging their leader with a slight curt of the head. Dwalin remained still with arms crossed, but quickly glanced at the younger princes with a menacing stare; his sign for them to leave the room.

The hobbit took the opportunity to excuse himself with a mumble about books as Fili grabbed his brother by the arm and shoved him from his seat. Thorin hadn't really caught on to his nephews' departure as he sat next to Balin.

"Any word from the Master?"

Balin was thankful for a more practical discussion. "Nothing yet. We should hear from one of his messengers shortly."

Éla closed the door to the bedroom as quietly as she could in hopes that no one would come up the stairs and see her exiting Thorin's room rather than her own. Her luck seemed to have vanquished completely, for she nearly bumped right into their hobbit as the two met at the corner of the stairs.

"Bilbo!" Éla took a step back. "You scared me."

He smiled at her sheepishly. "Sorry. I was just about to get my book and sit outside. The sun's out again."

Éla got an idea. "Mind if I join? We could watch the boat masters by the docks."

Bilbo contemplated the plan. He didn't want to stay cooped up with the rest of the dwarves after their recent in-depth analysis. "Ok."

As the two headed downstairs, they were stopped by Fili and Kili's mischievous grins.

"Where are you two going?" Kili asked while in pursuit of the door.

Éla could already sense their overeager energy building up inside. "To the docks, beyond the gates of the town."

"Can we come?" Fili looked at her pleadingly, barely nodding in the direction of his brother, who so desperately needed to get out of the confinements of the wooden house. She gazed over his shoulder to Thorin and Balin watching them intently. Thorin seemed annoyed, and Balin appeared nervous for any negative outcome that may follow. Éla looked back to the blond dwarf.

"Of course..."

Kili slumped in a chair with early defeat as he felt the female give off a warning. "Urg! Why can't we ever have any fun?"

Éla chuckled. "I didn't say anything."

"So, what's the catch?" Kili rose cautiously.

"Behave and stay together."

The two faced Thorin naturally, who truly gave them a nonverbal warning as they followed Éla and Bilbo out into the town of men wearing cheeky grins. Neither pair had no idea what was in store for them that day.

Short chapter, but at least now I'll be able to get the updates going again. (I find myself apologizing far too much for lack of updates, but at least life has decided to give me a break again.) So, thank you AGAIN for being patient!