As it turned out, Thorin had broken three bones in his right hand and fractured two in the other. Maybe pummeling a pine tree wasn't the best idea, he thought. He had forgotten the pain when he had kissed Thessa. But after drawing back to speak with her again, he felt the pain fully set in. He had made up with his mermaid and they had agreed to just see where things went instead of focusing on a future that was not set in stone. He was slightly embarrassed that he let his emotions control him and tied to hide his discomfort. But Thessa could see right through him. She smirked, knowing he was in pain and trying to hide it. Stubborn dwarf, she mused.

"Thorin, let me see your hands," Thessa said, reaching out to him. Thorin tried to feign as if he hadn't know what she was talking about.

"My hands are fine, princess," he grumbled, moving to stand. "Bombur left you a bowl of soup without meat, we should head back." Thessa just quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Thorin." He turned around at her stern tone, seeing the unimpressed look on her face. He sighed and walked back over to her, presenting his swollen hands. Thessa pulled him by his forearms closer to the river. She dipped her hands into the water, bring a handful out of the stream. She turned to Thorin, letting the hovering ball of cool water envelop his hands. She concentrated on the hum of energy in her arm band and focused her attention on healing the busted bones and shin of his hands. Thorin watched as the water flowed around his hands, setting his bones and knitting the skin together. Once she had healed his hands, Thessa brought the sphere or water down to surround her ankle, the swelling abating.

Thessa was using more magic today than she had in years, not to mention she was still recovering from her near death experience. Her vision became a little spotty and her head dizzy, she glanced up to Thorin to see him drawing away from her. Thorin, however, had noticed the change in Thessa's eyes and saw her tipping backwards. Quickly reaching out, he snagged her by her upper arms before she could fall into the river.

"Thessa, what's wrong?" Thorin asked worriedly. Her eyes were hazy and she didn't seem to register what he was saying. He shook her gently, bringing her face slightly closer to his so he could look into her eyes. "Thessa, can you hear me?"

"Ughhh..." she groaned. "Must you talk so loud?" He let out a small chuckle, relieved she could understand him still. "All that... magic... sapped my energy." She gave a large yawn, closing her eyes. "I just... need some rest."

Thorin gave her a soft smile, sliding his arms under her knees and around her back, scooping her up off the grass. "Sleep then, princess," he said softly. he was glad the pain in his hands were gone, that made carrying her much easier, he thought. He made his way back to the campsite, watching the company all turn to look at them.

"I see you've made up then!" Glóin hollered. The rest of the company smiled at that, they didn't like to see Thorin or Thessa upset.

"Shhh," Thorin whispered quietly, silencing the group. He gestured toward Thessa with his head, wordlessly telling them that she was asleep. They nodded their heads, understanding, and Fili got up to set out Thorin's bedroll so that he could set Thessa down. Thorin had gathered that Thessa still had no bedroll, so she could use his in the meantime. He came over to where Fili had set down his bedroll, dropping to his knees and gently laying Thessa on the soft mat. He covered her with his cloak and set an extra tunic he had under her head as a makeshift pillow. He stood slowly, smiling at his little mermaid. When he turned he saw the company watching them, smirks on their faces. It wasn't often they saw their leader in such a tender moment.

"Is everything set right between you and the lass?" Balin whispered. Thorin gave him a nod, moving to sit by the fire. He took in a deep breath, noticing that Thessa's magic had healed his torso as well, no wonder she was tired.

"How is she?" Bilbo asked, coming to sit next to Thorin. Bilbo had endured an ordeal of his own in the goblin tunnels and was hoping to trade stories with Thessa. He felt that he could trust her to keep his tale a secret, but she was currently asleep. He had to settle for asking Thorin how she was and would speak with her further when she awoke.

"She is well," Thorin said, looking over at the hobbit. "She used much of her energy to heal he as well as her ankle. She nearly fainted by the river, but she is resting now." Bilbo nodded his head. She had probably suffered more than either of them had in the Misty Mountains, he concluded.

"What is our course, for when we leave tomorrow?" the hobbit inquired.

"We leave at sun up," Thorin stated. He didn't want to waste their head start over the orcs. "We travel east, toward the forest lands. Durin's day is quickly approaching. We cannot afford to waste time."

Thorin looked up at the moon. It was nearly a half-moon, but not quite yet. His eyes drifted to Thessa's sleeping form, recalling her tale about the moon and her people. He hadn't known what moon he had been born under, but now it was safe to assume that is was a half-moon, he thought with a smile. Thessa's lips were slightly parted as she slept, and Thorin remembered their kiss in the pond at Rivendell. Her deep blue scales shimmered in the sunlight and her hair was softer than anything he had ever felt. He had to admit, her tail felt a little slimy when it brushed against his legs, but that must be normal for fish too. He had tried so hard to avoid her, to keep her out of his thoughts. But something kept pulling him back to her, and now he knew why.

He smiled at his sleeping princess. She was the most beautiful thing in the world. Her figure had filled out nicely now that she had eaten more and slept better. He couldn't believe he took her for some quant farm girl in the beginning. lost in his thoughts, he did not she her eyes open partially.

"Thorin," came her soft voice. He looked up to see that she was trying to wake up. He came to her side, kneeling down and tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Sleep, princess," he said quietly. She looked up at the dwarf king with tired eyes.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" she yawned. Thorin only smiled at her question.

"Because that is what you are."

"True," she admitted. "But it always feels to formal."

"Well would you like me to call you something else?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said honestly. She had never been called anything other than 'princess', 'Thessa' or 'Thessalia'. Thorin brushed his fingers through her hair, feeling his courting bead near the end.

"Would you let me reform your braid?" Thorin asked, meeting her gaze.

"why? Is there something wrong with it?"

"No, love," he fingered the braid. "I braided it into a part of your hair that you would not easily notice. But if you would allow me, I'd like to move it to its traditional place." Thessa smiled and nodded, sitting up and turning her head for him. Thorin found the bead at the end of her hair and let his fingers slowly drag across the exposed skin of her hip. Thessa looked at the dwarf, a small smirk on her lips. Thorin just smiled and resumed his task, slowing removing the bead. He unwound the intricate braid and separated a new piece of her hair on the same side, but this time on the topmost layer. He began the complex courting braid on the side of her head, when it was done it would fall slightly in front of her ear.

"There," he said, admiring his handiwork and replacing the silver bead at the end. The camp was quiet as they sat there. The company had long since laid down to sleep, with Bofur and Kili standing watch. Thorin thought that is was time for him to catch some much needed rest as well and shifted to stand. Thessa reached out and caught his hand before he could fully stand.

"Stay," she whispered, scooting over a few inches. Thorin understood her meaning and smiled softly. He knelt down again, laying on his side as Thessa did the same. He brought his right arm under her head as a pillow and draped his left over her waist. Thessa felt him pull her back flush against his chest, sighing at the warmth. When she had legs she wasn't very tall. Which was nice, because she fit perfectly in Thorin's arms, her head resting just under his chin.

"Good night, ê zaglamrâl," he whispered, nuzzling his face in her soft locks.

"Good night, les aramweh," she sighed, finally drifting off to sleep.

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Thessa began to wake. She blearily opened her her eyes, remembering where she was. Thorin was still asleep, but in the night it seemed that he shifted their positions. He lay with his back against the bedroll and Thessa was draped over him, her head on his chest. She moved to stand but Thorin's arms tightened around her, keeping her pressed against him. No one else had been awake yet, so Thessa settled back onto Thorin's chest, easily falling back asleep.

An hour or two later, Thorin awoke to the sound of whispering and quiet chuckles. He saw Thessa sleeping peacefully on his chest, one of her legs thrown over his thighs. He directed his attention toward the whispering and could make out most of the company standing near the rebuilt fire. There were talking lowly amongst themselves will sneaking glances back over to Thorin and Thessa. Thorin huffed and pulled himself out from under the snoozing mermaid, halting the company's chatter. Thessa stirred sleepily. She saw Thorin get up, slipping his boots back on.

"Good morning," she said with a sleepy smile. Thorin turned his head to her, seeing she was awake now.

"Good morning," he returned. "You should get some breakfast, we'll be moving out within the hour." He ambled over to where the rest of the company sat with their bowls of porridge. "Why did none of you wake me? It is hours past dawn and we have wasted precious time." The dwarves all glanced up at their leader.

"That would be my fault," Balin said. "I told them not to wake you or Thessa." Thorin eyed the old dwarf, still partially annoyed.

"Aye," Dwalin interjected. "You and the lass needed your rest. The next part of the journey will be easier if you've had some sleep." Thorin sighed, he was right. He and Thessa had desperately needed those blissful hours. But it was now time to move on. Thessa joined their group then, accepting a bowl of porridge from Bombur.

"Thank you, Bombur," she said, sleep still evident in her voice.

"Fili, Kili," Thorin turned to his nephews. "Fill the water skins in the stream, Bombur, pack what food we have left, and the rest of you," he glanced around the company, "pack everything up and make ready to leave." They nodded their heads and set about their tasks. Gandalf came to sit by Thessa as she hurried to finish her breakfast.

"How are you faring, my dear?" he asked. Thessa swallowed the last of her porridge and smiled at the wizard.

"Much better, thank you for coming to my rescue again," she replied sheepishly. Gandalf smiled at the young woman, glad to hear she was well once more.

"We will be walking for many miles today, do you think you can handle that?" he raised a bushy, grey brow at her. Thessa's face dropped at his question. Walking again? She had improved much, but walking for miles on end? This would be an interesting experience.

"I'll make do, Gandalf," she said with a sad smile.

"Very well. But do not hesitate to inform the company should you become weary." He patted her shoulder and walked over to Bilbo, helping him with his things. Thessa hadn't brought anything with her. Her few possessions she had acquired in Rivendell were still with Glorfindel, she sighed. When she saw a shadow fall over her, she glanced up.

"Are you ready to leave?" Thorin asked, taking her empty bowl and handing it to Bombur.

"Yes. I didn't have to pack up anything, since I don't actually have anything," she laughed. Thorin frowned at that. She had no other clothes, nor a bedroll, nor a cloak to keep her warm. They would have to find her something eventually. He held his hand out to her, which she accepted, and pulled her to her feet. He kissed her forehead gently and rested his chin on her hair.

"We will replace your things, zaglamrâl," he said, running his hands down her arms. "Come, you'll walk with me." Thorin took her hands in his and turned to lead her over to where the company had gathered. He stopped, though, when he felt her tug her hands out of his, a dissatisfied look on her face. "What?"

"Do I look like a servant to you?" she asked, crossing her arms. Thorin gave her a confused look.

"No?" he said hesitantly.

"Good," she said firmly. "Because I take requests, not demands." She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and stalked past him. The wind blew her hair into his face as she went by, adding insult to injury.

"You'll do as I ask," he said to her back. "I'm only trying to keep you safe." Thessa stopped in her tracks when she heard his words. 'You'll do as I ask' huh? We'll see about that, she grinned mischievously. The others had noticed Thorin and Thessa's conversation and had stopped to watch what was happening.

Thorin saw Thessa turn back toward him, a soft smile on her face. She sauntered back to him, swinging her hips slowly as she walked. Thorin eyed her form hungrily. He saw her eyes darken a bit and her lips formed a smirk on her face. She walked up to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and pressing her chest against him.

"You're right Thorin, she said. "I should always listen to you." He looked down at her, wondering what she was playing at.

"Thank you for seeing reason," he said. Thessa grinned at him, snaking her fingers into his hair and bringing her lips to his ear.

"Of course, my king," she whispered huskily, drawing her tongue over the shell of his ear. Thorin shivered slightly, gripping her waist with his large hands. Thessa took her right hand from his shoulders to lay it on his chest, looking into his eyes. "It's important to listen to your superiors, isn't it?" she asked innocently. Thorin had to think about what she had said, he was having trouble focusing.

"Uh, yes," he mumbled. "Very, um... yes, very important." As he was forming his sentence, Thessa had begun to trail her hand down his chest, drawing small designs over his abdomen and moving lower. "Thessa," he sighed, closing his eyes. He could feel his desire for her rising and his breeches were becoming uncomfortably tight.

"So," she said sweetly, slipping her hand under his tunic and running her hand over his lower abs. "you would listen to your superiors very well, wouldn't you, my king?" Thessa watched his eyes open again, looking into hers. His eyes were dark and his hands had tightened around her waist.

"O-Of course," he stammered, feeling Thessa draw a solitary fingertip down his length, sending shivers up his spine. He bent his down to pull her into a steamy kiss. She was driving him insane now, and he growly lowly, as he felt her hand gently grip him through his pants. He sucked in a breath, his head spinning slightly. But before he knew it, she ripped herself out of his arms, smiling triumphantly at him with her hands at her hips.

"Then I suggest you listen close, Thorin Oakenshield. If you even think of trying to give another order without a please on the end, it WILL be the last thing you do." She frowned at him and stalked back to the company. They had been watching the interaction between their leader and Thessa, jaws agape and stunned looks on their faces.

"That should teach you all," Gandalf chuckled. "Never underestimate a mermaid." Thessa smiled at the old wizard. Thorin still stood where she left him, still shocked at what she had said and done. She had seduced him into looking like a fool in front of his company, he thought angrily. And although he made mistakes, he tended to learn from them. He definitely would not challenge her agin, for fear of another episode like the one he had just endured. He cleared his throat roughly and strode over the group.

"Move out!" he called, hearing the snickers behind him. The company was trying to hide their laughter and cover their smiles as they picked up their packs and followed after the dwarf king.

ê zaglamrâl = my moon love

les aramweh = my king