To clarify; Thorin and Éla have been bound to each other since Chapter 19 :)
Her braids (and new beads) are the equivalent to a wedding band. More information will be shed within the next few chapters.
A chill nipped at Éla's nose. Without opening her eyes, she drew the covers up close to her frame as best she could. The air remained cool; seeping through the fabric and forcing her even closer to the radiating warmth resting soundly from behind. Her body shivered from the cold temperature, even more so once the heat escaped entirely and exposed bare skin to the nippy atmosphere.
Thorin woke up upon feeling the small tremors of his lover with her back instantly pressed against him. It hadn't taken long for the dwarf to find the source of the brisk temperature change in the bedroom. He left the bedside and closed the window that had opened sometime in the night. Past the fogged frame, a light dusting of snow could be seen on the rooftops and pathways.
As Thorin made his way back to the female dwarf, his stare had become more devious when setting eyes on the form huddled in a ball of covers. Éla turned on her back to face him as he crawled in next to her. His weight tugged at the sheets, exposing her shoulders to the chilled air. She pulled back, sinking deeper under the covers.
"I know that look." Éla moved closer for dual cordiality, a tired smile sparking her features. "It's crossed your mind as well."
She freed a hand to lightly trace the defined muscle of his stomach, stopping when her fingers came into contact with his breaches. "The comforts of a lock and door?"
Thorin shifted so she could see him properly without having to strain her neck to look up. "Yes. But if that thought turns to action, you will have to stay."
"And why might that be?"
Thorin traced the curve of her jaw with the pad of his thumb. "If you are so keen to follow me to Erebor, you'll be require to walk and possibly fight," his hand roamed down over her legs with a heavy touch, "without hindrance."
She took the option into short consideration before a mischievous look crossed her face. "Then it's decided."
Éla threw the blankets on Thorin and skipped across the room, quickly clothing herself with underlayers so she would be shielded from the cold. Thorin watched in dismay, still propped up on his arm as Éla got dressed soundly. He had half expected her to choose the latter.
Eyes rested on the braids he had put in her hair a week earlier. Not one strand was out of place; the design was meant to last a good, solid year unless yanked free. Éla fancied old traditions mostly pertaining to braids, and it slowly amused Thorin the more time he spent getting to know her. That's why he chose her current hairstyle. She helped him remember parts of their cultural he had forgotten over the years. Needless to say, he had felt the want to make her his. It just so happened that he did.
With so many uncertain outcomes revolving around the quest, Thorin couldn't guarantee anyone's life or safety once the company reached the desolation of Smaug. Perhaps this was out of desperation, even a small fraction of a possibility. But it was that small prospect that drove him towards his actions. He wanted to prepare for the worst if something happened to him…or all of them.
Thorin got up and snatched the small courting beads he had made the day before off the night table, and then wrapped his arms around Éla. He had never felt so strong and weak in one moment like this. They remained motionless in solitude for a short while longer. His breath brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine as he spoke quietly. "I'm going to miss being with you like this."
"You'll just have to wait until the next opportunity."
"Once Erebor is reclaimed…" His voice dropped to a low whisper as she listened intently.
Éla began to blush a deep crimson by the sudden onset of his request. "Thorin!"
She turned around in his embrace while he brushed the hair away from her neck, freeing only the two braids he needed. Thorin replaced the old ones with his. "Should something happen to me, you will be able to act on my behalf."
Éla watched his stern face harden even further, causing her a frown of her own. "Why are you saying this? Death will not befall you."
The moment the beads were placed, Thorin turned away and walked towards the window, stopping midway. "Fili and Kili aren't prepared to deal with the responsibilities of-"
"-You mean, your responsibilities." Éla followed, gently grabbing his shoulder to make him face her again. "Thorin, if the worst happens you have two strong heirs to follow in your footsteps without so much a second thought. You should be proud to have had the opportunity to teach and watch them grow into the young dwarves they have become."
With that matter settled and her words bringing some relief to the dwarf, Éla noticed the sudden diversion in his eyes. "We're not discussing this again."
"Please, don't make me stay here." Her whole body pleaded to him. She didn't want to be left behind, not when they were so close to home.
"I won't." Thorin muttered quietly, reassuring his promise despite hidden doubts about previous decisions stemming back to Rivendell. He knew she would not be safe coming with them, nor if she remained in Lake Town.
The company strode to the docks of the wooden town with little talk. The cold winds persisted throughout the morning as men loaded boats with provisions, weapons and rowers. The people continued to sing from their windows and doorsteps, not wanting to be too exposed to the unkindly weather. By the time the boats were ready, small flakes of snow began to fall again. The Master and his councilors watched from the town's hall as Thorin and his company boarded for departure.
Éla followed Bilbo towards the center of the large vessel, overlooking the waters away from Esgaroth. Her gloved hands dug into the wooded railing, her grip tightening with each sway of the waves.
"Are you nervous?" She asked quietly to the hobbit who had been following her gaze over the river and beyond.
"A little." He whispered in return. Far beyond the treeline and up the River Running, they could see the tip of the Lonely Mountain protruding into the dull sky. "Yes."
Bilbo looked up at the female dwarf; her eyes had closed from the last wave gently rocking the boat into the docks. "Do you not like boats?"
Éla shook her head lightly. "This is my first time, so I'll have yet to make a decision."
"Really? You should be warned about motion sickness. It's a nasty feeling."
"I think I can keep my wits about me." She gave the hobbit a small smile in thanks. The boats were safe and sturdy. A few cradles from the water shouldn't cause much trouble for an uneasy mind.
The two turned around upon a sudden clearing of the throat. A tall man with dark hair partially pulled back stepped forward. He was not one Éla recognized or had seen before, yet she couldn't help but notice a bow and quiver of arrows slung over his back. If Kili was close by, the two would have probably delved into discussion about archery. The man bowed slightly, never diverting his stare from the female dwarf. It made Bilbo a little uncomfortable and intimidated having someone so tall come up on them like that.
"You must be Lady Élarinya, if I am not mistaken." He stole a glance over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. The female nodded. "My name is Bard. I wish to have a quick word with you if you will."
"If it's about our quest, Thorin would be the one to speak to." She responded, unsure whether this man would become a friend or a possible adversary in the near future.
Bard spoke more sternly, lowering his voice from prying ears. "That's precisely what this is about. You appear to be more rational when it comes to talking. But that is beside the point. We do not have much time so I'll make this quick."
Éla stood to attention, a sickening feeling swelling in her gut as the two listened intently to the man's opposition.
"Whether your king is who he says he is, what lays beyond our shores is perilous." The man paused as if a part of him was unconvinced that his words would sway the female's thoughts. "I was hoping that you could talk to him, to Thorin. You understand that if he awakens that beast, we'll all be destroyed."
"I wish I could help ease your troubled mind Master Bard, but not even I could influence that deliberation." Éla responded.
Bard looked away for a brief moment and then bowed to leave. "Then I will ask that you speak with him before reaching your destination in a few days. See if you can change his mind before it's too late for all of us. Thank you for your time."
Bilbo and the female watched him depart to another area of the boat. The hobbit began to wonder if anyone had any power over Thorin's decisions at all. Surely, Balin's council would have some effect but it appeared that he too, would follow Thorin no matter how foolish his choices may be perceived. Here they were now, all ready to leave behind the last known civilization and safety before stumbling towards an unknown doom.
As the paddles splashed into the waters, Bilbo glanced at Éla one last time to catch her expression as the boats drifted away from shore. Right then, he realized he wasn't the only one solely unhappy. Éla knew the hobbit was watching her. Without a word, she patted his hand next to hers in comfort.
"It will be alright." She spoke softly before moving away from the edge as the water's upsurges began making her feel nauseated.