Author's Note: I own nothing.

24 Tensions Rising

The door to the sickroom remained closed that night and into the morning. When it did open it was to a slightly bleary eyed Tauriel. Fili remained at his brother's side but Oin was confident that Kili would make a full recovery and that allowed for all of the company to take a breath and focus on getting themselves in shape for their trip to the mountain. It was decided they would leave the next day, once Kili was back on his feet. It would give them time to hash out the plan and restock their supplies. Bella offered her room to the tired elf who gratefully accepted. Bella was only a little jealous that even exhausted from a night of healing magic Tauriel held more grace than she ever would. She frowned as she closed the door to her room to find Thorin standing there.

"I owe you an apology." He said and she blinked. "You were right, I should never have doubted that you knew what you were doing in asking the elf for help."

"She has a name you know. It's Tauriel, I honestly think you two might even get along given the chance." Thorin pulled a face at that. Bella raised her hands. "I understand that you have a generational grudge against Thranduil, but he is not all of his people, as you cannot be all of yours at once. Give her a chance." For Kili's sake give her a chance Thorin. Bella didn't dare say it. Kili had never meant to reveal his secret to her, nor did she think he thought to find his One on this mad quest. Thorin caught her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles.

"You are wise beyond all learning Ghivashel. I will give the elf maid a chance, she deserves as much for saving my sister's son." Thorin said and Bella beamed at him, her cheeks going pink. Ori stuck his head out into the hall from the room Bella thought had been Thorin's.

"Oh good you found her. It's ready!" He said beaming, his sleeves were wet and Bella raised an eyebrow at the pair of them. Thorin smiled at her.

"The people of Lake Town are throwing a party tonight for us. To welcome back the King Under the Mountain. We thought you might appreciate a bath before hand." Thorin said with a slightly teasing tone. Bella laughed a true smile breaking over her face.

"Thank you!" She pecked Thorin on the cheek and headed into the room, Ori quickly leaving so the door could close behind her. Thorin smiled after Bella until he heard Ori let out a little laugh. The raised an eyebrow at the young dwarf.

"It's nice to see you happy!" Ori said twisting his hands slightly, as though he was nervous how Thorin would take the statement. Thorin glanced back at the door behind which Bella had vanished and nodded.

"In days to come I hope we will all be happier."

Bella really had missed being able to bathe whenever she wanted. The water was warm and felt glorious. She scrubbed her skin practically raw. Then she turned to her hair. It hadn't been washed since they'd left Beorn's house. It had gown quite significantly since she left the Shire all those months ago. Instead of reaching simply to her shoulders it fell nearly to mid-back. She frowned. It was tangled and she was genuinely thinking of chopping it off and waiting for it to regrow but considering who her company was she didn't think that would be well received. So when the water of her bath grew tepid she shook her head and dressed, no new clothes had been provided so she once again donned the clothes given her by Tilda and Sigrid. She frowned slipping back to her room quiet so as not to disturb Tauriel who was sleeping. She pulled her broken comb out of her bag and headed back to the room she'd used to bathe only to find that the room was now occupied. Thorin was back in his room, currently shirtless. Bella squeaked and went to close the door. Thorin turned and let out a small chuckle, pulling on his shirt.

"You can come in Bella, I'm sorry I thought you were finished." He called. Bella let the door swing open a small blush still covering her cheeks. It wasn't that she hadn't seen Thorin shirtless before, but she was kicking herself for not knocking before entering. She knew this was his room.

"Sorry. I am I just." She floundered holding up the broken comb. Thorin chuckled.

"I had noticed your hair was starting to look a bit tangled." He commented with a small frown building on his face.

"An absolute disaster really." Bella amended shaking her head. "I swear I can do practically nothing with my curls." She lamented and Thorin stepped forward brushing a curl out of her face.

"I can think of many ways you should wear your hair." He pulled his hand back and cleared his throat. "But I would not be so presumptuous." He said clearing his throat. Bella raised an eyebrow.

"How is that presumptuous?" Bella asked genuinely confused. She tilted her head at him. "This is some secret of dwarven culture isn't it?" She asked. Thorin let out a low laugh.

"In a sense yes. Braids to my people have many meanings. A braid for a warrior, a braid for a builder, a braid for love, for valor." He explained. Bella smiled.

"And to braid someone else's hair? That has meaning as well?"

"Yes. It is one of the most intimate gestures among my people, reserved only for family or lovers. I would not presume to…" He trailed off as Bella looked him over.

"I have been thinking about how I feel about you since Rivendell Thorin." She said taking a small step closer so she was in his space. He let out a low breath.

"And what conclusions have you drawn?" He asked, his words a low growl.

"If I were to ask you to do so, what sort of braid would you give me?" Bella asked a teasing tone to her voice. Up this close she could clearly see his eyes darken at the very suggestion. Slowly and with purpose he reached out a hand, hesitating for only a moment before running his hand through her curls, deftly and gently untangling them.

"I would give you a warriors braid. For you have a warriors courage to have come so far through so much with us. And in time if you allow, I would give you a courtship braid with a bead fashioned by my own hand." His voice had dipped and he spoke barely above a whisper as he gently tangled his hand in her hair.

"I think I would like that very much!" Bella said leaning up to catch his lips with hers.

"Where are Thorin and Bella, they're late." Bifur commented as Bofur downed his third pint of ale. Nori chuckled.

"If the sounds I heard coming from Thorin's room are any tell they will not be coming out for some time." He said with a sly grin. Dwalin swore as the others began to argue who had won the bet. They'd all of them known tensions between their King and their burglar had been on the rise since the beginning of their incarceration. Several of the company had bet Thorin would wait until Erebor was reclaimed but Fili, Balin and Kili had all bet he would not be so patient. They were without the funds to pay the bet at the moment but all agreed that once they did the bet would be settled. None of them were truly surprised when Thorin and Bella arrived at the party together, though there were a few grins at the new complex braid in her hair.