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The Misty Mountains
Three days passed since the fiery encounter of Thorin and Eilin at the river, and on the elven realm there was a different mood altogether. Gandalf and Bilbo tried to start negotiations the moment they arrived, but the elven King had other plans. He didn't agree to meet with them straight away, neither did he accept Thorin's gift, but he did offer them lodgings. They were expected to remain there until he was free of obligations in order to meet with them. Their days passed idly, with Gandalf sharing weed with Bilbo under the wooden archway of their adjoining abodes and talking about the beauty and peace of Bagshot Row that Bilbo missed so much.
The little hobbit admitted that even though he loved Thorin dearly, he intended to announce after this negotiation that he was departing for his homeland. He was so homesick, that he was unable to sleep at night. He needed to see his home, his books and his nephew so much that it was almost painful. Gandalf smiled in understanding and admitted that he wished he could accompany Bilbo in this journey back.
Then they settled back and enjoyed the distant elven signing until their eyes drooped. The lifestyle of the elven realm was so much different from what Bilbo had gotten used to with the dwarves. Here it was quiet and peaceful. Everything around them held such a slow pace, that one couldn't but relax unwillingly. Even the sun that was passing with difficulty from the wooden roofs and the thick canopy of the forest, seemed to be taking it's time. In Erebor everything was loud, boisterous and overwhelming to the point of exhaustion.
Bilbo understood that the differences between these two races were too great to ever conjoin. They were the complete opposite sides of the spectrum. On one side the dwarves were booming, intense and fierce warriors full of life and zest. On the other the elves were calm, quiet, calculated and serene beings thousands of years old, full of wisdom. How could they get along with each other?
Filled with such thoughtful calmness did these two days pass for Thorin's envoys, and they were starting to lose time and sense of urgency, when Thranduil ordered them at his presence the morning of the third day. When they arrived they were greeted by the elven King sitting on his tall throne overlooking them with the everlasting haughtiness of an all knowing being. Lady Galadriel was standing next to him. The bright light that always emanated from her, instantly warmed their hearts.
Bilbo bowed. "My lady", he whispered.
Gandalf bowed his head, "My lady", he repeated.
"Stand up Bilbo Baggins and you Mithrandir, it is a pleasure to see you again", Galadriel smiled.
"If we knew you were in the company of the lady of light, we wouldn't have bothered you", Gandalf said.
"Mithrandir, your presence here was unexpected, but not unwanted. Forgive me for not seeing you earlier. With my son gone, I have to take over many tasks, until I find a similarly capable commander to take over", the King said gracefully.
"How about Tauriel?" Gandalf raised his brow.
Thranduil hesitated momentarily, "We haven't even greeted each other properly and you are already conniving schemes about my realm".
"Forgive me, it's second nature to me", Gandalf smiled knowingly.
Thranduil waved him off, "Now I see why the Mountain King dislikes you".
"You can say you have that one thing in common. It's a start", Gandalf smiled slyly.
"Tell me what you are doing here, with the hobbit in tow", Thranduil's beautifully bright eyes fell on Bilbo.
"We came to bring you a gift from Thorin!" Bilbo said with no hesitations and Gandalf leaned on his staff and looked at him annoyed.
Bilbo flicked his shoulders, "What? If I wait for you two to get over all the typicalities my hair will grow white!"
Thranduil raised his brow and his eyes fell on Gandalf.
The grey wizard winced and waved at Bilbo, "Well you took over master Baggins. Now go up these steps and give the King his gift, what are you waiting for?"
Bilbo hesitated momentarily, before climbing up the circular stair that led to Thranduil's throne. When he reached the final step, he felt the elven King's brow raising critically as he looked at Bilbo's feet, "Oh, I am not supposed to come all the way up, am I?" Bilbo asked confused.
Thranduil pursed his lips patiently.
"No, you are not master Baggins. Now offer the gift, for you are certainly going to kill me with your lack of propriety", Gandalf barked.
Thranduil's lips broke into a small smile.
Bilbo placed it on his lap and drew back respectfully. It took several moments until the elven King decided to untie the strings of the velvet sheath and pull out Thorin's impressive blade. The dim sunlight caught into the shiny surface of the weapon and brightened up each dwarven rune, until Thranduil's eyes lingered on the impeccable dragon on the hilt. His youthful face, that hid behind it's perfection the thousand years of his age broke slightly to betray a spark of admiration. Then he turned his eyes on Gandalf and that spark faded under an austere frown, "which master-forger created this?"
"The Mountain King himself", the grey wizard smiled proudly.
Thranduil raised his brow and stood up. He balanced the sword in his hand and then with a swift twist he took hold of it's hilt. He tried a few elegant turns of his wrist, before the satisfaction was clear on his face, "flawless".
Bilbo looked back at Gandalf with a wide smile and came down the steps smugly, "see? he has an eye for these things".
"It's not only forged to perfection, but it is also very valuable, although I am sure you have already noticed", Gandalf offered King Thranduil an all knowing look that the high Elf returned with a raised brow of pride.
He reached out and touched the length of the sword, until he ended up moving his finger around the eye of the beautiful dragon on the hilt, "He used one of the white gems…" the elven King noted with a lofty brow.
Gandalf checked Lady Galadriel who was looking at them with a soft smile of benevolence, "His way of telling you that he is ready to do the exchange. Why else would he return to you one of the gems, in a sword that took him two weeks to forge himself, while still recovering from an almost mortal wound?"
"Don't over dramatise things," Thranduil averted his eyes from the magnificent sword, "although I must admit that his skill is equal to our elven masters".
"If not greater", Galadriel said softly and smiled at Gandalf.
Thranduil's brow rose, "I would have expected you my lady to be a little more reserved towards these stunted people".
"And I would have expected you to be wiser than to repeat the phrase that caused the rivalry between our species in the first place", she turned her attention to the sword, "this is a beautiful work of craftsmanship than many masters of our kin would have envied".
Thranduil huffed, "I cannot deny that it is a sword that I wouldn't have minded wielding against my enemies, but going as far as to placing a dwarven skill above our own…"
"Would have been as graceful in it's honesty as is your heart", Galadriel run her fingers on the dwarven runes on the blade and then caressed the intricate dragon.
Thranduil remained silent.
"You've given him an amazing horse to honour the death of his nephew…why act so above it all now that he offers you something much more valuable?" Bilbo scratched his head, "I cannot get my head around you or him sometimes".
"I will not return to his golden halls to bow to him, in order to be ridiculed for a second time. If he wants a trade he will come to me", Thranduil said with calm derision.
Gandalf leaned on his staff and exhaled, "impossible. When I don't have Thorin's stubbornness to deal with, I have yours".
"You are both beyond words. You give each other presents and don't make any attempts to back off as to the place of meeting", Bilbo threw his hands in the air.
"He is not Thror…" Gandalf let that float in the air.
"Isn't he of the same blood perchance? What makes you think that I should trust him?" Thranduil turned to them.
"He proved his resilience against the rivers of gold under his feet. If that's not proof enough I don't know what is. Look at his gift, quiet down the voices of the past and tell me that Thror ever made you a similar offer. A sword of such value, forged by himself", Gandalf wised.
Thranduil's face closed up and he started climbing the steps to his throne, "I will consider everything Mithrandir. I have ample time in my hands to do so. It's the King under the Mountain who doesn't have time. As I am being informed the families have already answered to his call. Yet, he doesn't have the King's gem".
Gandalf sighed deeply and closed his eyes, "Indeed".
"Why can't you let go of your egotism for one moment…" Bilbo threw his hands in the air, "Oh, don't look at me like that all of you. Before the battle you were on each other's throats over some very expensive jewellery. During the war you bled for each other and now you return to your previous rancour over the same bunch of jewellery. For someone several thousands years of age I would have thought you much wiser!" Bilbo exhaled.
Galadriel watched amused at the courageous hobbit and smiled at Thranduil knowingly.
"I mean alright, I can find Thorin's immaturity partly excused. He is two hundred years old. That probably amounts to him being a toddler in your eyes. So he's got his excuse for being childish…what's your excuse?" Bilbo pointed at the haughty elven King who didn't seem ruffled.
"His grandfather not only stole what belonged to me, but also ridiculed me", Thranduil raised his brow.
"He's not his grandfather", Gandalf repeated patiently.
"That remains yet to be seen", the elven King relaxed back calmly.
Gandalf sighed patiently, "What about the Black Blade. Will you fight your enemies with a dwarven blade, as King Oakenshield fights with an elven one? Will you both drop all the pretence and finally swear allegiance to each other and make the lives of the rest of Middle-Earth a tiny bit easier?"
Thranduil's well formed lips curled up in a sly smile, "We shall see, patience Mithrandir".
"We don't have time to see! He needs the Arkenstone!" Gandalf cried and pointed back.
"Then he should come here and bow before me in order to get it, like I did with his grandfather", Thranduil struck his hand on the arm of his throne and his eyes blazed under his thick eyebrows.
"You don't want the Gems of your wife then?" Gandalf crossed his arms calmly above his staff.
Thranduil's expression flattered for a brief moment.
"You see he does have a hold on you with those gems. Maybe it would be wiser to think faster. If he doesn't get the Arkenstone in time I rather doubt he will make a similar offer for the White Gems later on".
"Aha!" Bilbo raised his finger and all eyes fell on him again, "Had this been a chess game you would both be stuck for moves".
Thranduil looked elegantly at his wooden staff for several moments before turning his eyes at Lady Galadriel, "You've seen into his mind my Lady. What do you foresee in him?"
"Honour, pride, haughtiness and honesty. A troubled heart and mind, but I saw no deceit or lies. He may be enfolded in his own personal hell, but King Oakenshield is an honourable man" Galadriel smiled.
Thranduil's eyes fell thoughtfully in his hands and after several agonising moment he nodded. "The sword remains".
Bilbo's face opened up in a wide smile, "Thank the skies!"
The elven King looked coldly at him, "I will give you an answer when I am ready. In the meantime you shall remain here".
Gandalf winced and looked at lady Galadriel, "very well".
"Upon your return, inform the Mountain King that the enchanted lake is for the pleasure of the elves only and that he should find another place to take his romantic interests from now on or he shall be arrested", the elven King said casually.
"His what?" Bilbo's eyes budged.
Thranduil's lips curled up derisively as Gandalf's eyes thinned suspiciously.
_._
A few hours later and after a quiet dinner offered by the elven King, Bilbo had retired to a room they offered him and Gandalf found himself walking upon the long twisting corridors of Thranduil's kingdom next to lady Galadriel.
"Your fear the allegiance of Thorin to Thranduil", she whispered.
"And visa versa. Don't you my lady?" Gandalf looked at her worried.
"I believe that the North is secure enough for now Mithrandir, although the throne of Erebor is not as secure under Oakenshield as we may have originally thought".
"You fear he might succumb to the sickness?"
"No, there are greater concerns", she said calmly.
"Like what my lady?"
"His throne is becoming unstable from an internal turmoil that does not have to do with the gold, but with his past and his family. Something is coming alive that might take the throne right from under him and is far more dangerous than the gold sickness. The allegiance of the seven families to him is very thinly balanced yet….nay improbable if he continues down the path he has chosen. I've seen into his mind and he is burdened beyond words".
"The Arkenstone…"
"Is one reason of concern. The storm in his heart is the biggest. He will need advice soon and his court will need careful handling, but you must not intervene. There is rivalry towards you and your advice will fall into the void. Better observe from a distance".
"He told me that he is riddled with nightmares. Especially after you brought him back", Gandalf winced.
"My touch had little to do with the turbulence in his heart. Grim family secrets are tormenting him. He will try to rebel against the mistakes of his past, and that might cost him dearly".
"You are scaring me my lady".
"These are dark times for all of us…not just for you or him, my friend", she offered him her hand.
He took it gently and kissed it, "I know"
"Tell Radagast to look out for him in Dol Guldur. I fear he might try to visit the place his father died. The Necromancer has retreated in the east, but the witch-king of Angmar remains there. The necromancer needs to reclaim Erebor and wipe out Durin's line and he will use the Black Riders if given the chance. His army is tearing down villages all over Ered Mithrin. The brown lands are crawling with orcs and the Ash Mountains hide impending doom behind them, the darkness of which even my vision cannot penetrate".
"Do you wish me to go down to Ithilien?"
"Yes".
"very well my lady", Gandalf bowed.
"and there is a girl…", Galadriel's eyes filled with sweet warmth.
Gandalf raised his brow, "a girl?"
"Old soul trapped in a young body, an innocent heart full of devotion…be very vigilant of her", Galadriel warned.
Gandalf frowned, "How will I know whom you are referring to my lady?"
She smiled knowingly at him, "You have your eyes already on her…as does the King. Be mindful Mithrandir…for things won't be easy".
His brow clouded.
"Come in", his heavy eyes fell on her. She entered and placed the tray with the tea at his office. Then she turned intending to leave them, but his deep voice stopped her, "I will need your services Eilin. Remain".
"Of course my Lord", she bowed and backed away close to the door discreetly.
"So what are we going to do about Servin? He is trying to cause an uprising with the missing gem", Balin crossed his arms.
"It feels almost as if he was sent here to cause a problem. Why did the Blacklocks choose to send over seven hundred men, if their commander is going to be so negative?" Fili looked at his uncle angrily.
"And seven hundred of the best soldiers I have seen in a long time. They are special forces these bastards, like the ones I brought to your defence. These aren't simple soldiers. Each and everyone can command an army of his own", Dain shook his head.
"What about the Stonefoots?" Thorin leaned back to his chair.
"They don't seem to be taking Servin very seriously. Bjarki is keeping them in check", Fili said.
"That doesn't mean much. He is targeting your ability to rule Thorin. He is trying to spread doubt, even though everyone knows that you have only recently awoke from the dead. Anyone with half a mind knows that getting back the arkenstone needs time", Balin raised his brow.
"I don't know what the deal with him is," Dain pursed his lips.
"Gandalf and Bilbo haven't returned yet either. Why?" Fili asked.
"Roac said they went into Mirkwood, but never came out. That means that Thranduil has kept them", Thorin said quietly.
"What is that elvish devil trying to do? Make us lose time?" Dain brought his hand down on Thorin's desk so hard that Eilin jerked.
Thorin crossed his hands under his chin thoughtfully, while the men around him began arguing about Thranduil and Servin. He knew very well what Siv's brother was trying to do and it had been simply a matter of time before Servin showed his true intentions, "There is no point duelling in what we cannot change at this moment", he said solemnly.
"What about the doubt that is being spread against you? The arkenstone would put everything to rest", Fili noted.
"And so it shall, but until we have some news from Bilbo and Gandalf we cannot do anything more", Thorin shook his head dismissively.
"Maybe you should address the Blacklock envoys and set the minds to rest?" Balin offered.
"I've ruled for over a hundred years and commanded for many more. Words befall weak in front of deeds. If my actions all these years were not enough to set their minds at ease, my words won't be either", Thorin said calmly.
"We got word that the Firebeards and the Broadbeams are already on their way to Erebor, along with about two thousand soldiers. They are going to come face to face with the missing arkenstone and the turmoil that Servin is causing. You might not feel the need to speak to them, but you need to do something about all this", Balin wised.
"I will take care of Servin", Thorin frowned and brought forth some papers that he had been studying, "Now allow me some peace. You have been bothering my mind with him since I woke up".
Balin exhaled and crossed his arms, "Very well laddie".
"Dain you are going to ready the army to take in the new additions that are coming", Thorin looked at him briefly.
"Very well", Dain raised his brow proudly.
"Balin, become the tail on the Blacklocks that worry you so much, and inform me if anything changes", he turned at his old advisor.
Balin shook his head, "with pleasure".
"Son", he turned at Fili, "I will need your signature here, here and here", Thorin pointed at the scrolls and that is when the door knocked.
"Open it", he signaled to Eilin.
"Called me?" Gloin entered.
Thorin nodded, "Yes, come in", then he turned to Fili, "Your signature is equivalent to mine now concerning the four large residential caverns of Erebor. You will command their elected representatives. You are also taking over the mining tunnels, the furnaces, the water works, along with the command of the army division that will become Erebor's royal guard. You sort this out with your uncle Dain. Choose whom to place in those guards yourself, I trust you".
Fili bowed his head, "thank you uncle. I will not let you down".
"I know you won't. Now Gloin, come here", he said and the red headed dwarf approached, "Fili's signature is under mine concerning the treasury. He can control every decision for it, when I am absent". He gave him the official scroll.
Gloin winced and took it reluctantly, "are you sure?"
Fili looked at him annoyed, but Thorin spoke over then, "More than."
Gloin nodded hesitantly, "Very well men Uzbad".
Thorin looked around him, "Well? You all have your orders, what are you waiting for? A special invitation?"
The got suddenly animated and went to the door, apart from Balin who leaned over close to his ear, "I am not leaving unless you tell me what's going on with Servin. Is this all because of Siv?"
"I don't know, but that is what I fear", Thorin looked up grimly.
"You need to address this, before he gets out of hand", Balin raised his brows.
"I will Balin, I've said so enough times already. Now may I be allowed a moment of privacy?" Thorin raised his brow.
Balin looked at Eilin above his shoulder, "Privacy with Eilin worries me".
Thorin titled his head, "and your interventions annoy me".
Balin inhaled deeply and gave him a curt nod, "be careful what you do and how openly you do it son. We have enough in our hands with the missing gem and with Servin. We don't want more trouble".
"Balin, for Mahal's holy beard, get your grumpiness out of my office. Don't act like I am a kid that doesn't know how to rule a kingdom", Thorin snapped angrily.
"Then don't act like a teenager in heat. Think before you act", Balin spat at him.
"You think I am not?" Thorin leaned back and looked at him coldly.
Balin pulled back and crossed his arms, "I don't know. I cannot tell anymore. Everything is so unravelled that I don't know if you are letting them become so on purpose, or if you have some plan up your sleeve about all of it".
"Where has your trust gone?" Thorin's eyes thinned on him.
Balin averted his eyes and rubbed his forehead exhausted, "I am sorry laddie, but I constantly worry about you. You are right. You've never let us down all these years. I'd do well to remind myself of that and give you the trust you deserve".
Thorin tilted his head, "thank you".
Balin bowed, "Very well, I should be going then, right?" he seemed hesitant.
"You are late already", Thorin raised his brow and waited until Balin decided that he couldn't do much of anything else and walked to the door. He gave one worried look at Eilin's back before finally closing the door.
The silence in the room fell heavy when they were alone and she felt jittering with bubbly nervousness. She bit her lower lip and was unable to stop the smile that came to her mouth. Then she moved her waist around playfully even though she knew she had his solemn attention already, "Hi", she whispered.
He pushed back his chair and stood up, "Hi".
She lifted her eyes just enough to see him rounding his elaborate desk and felt all the cells in her body magnetising to his direction, "My King, do you think it's wise to keep me here in the midst of daylight, with everyone knocking?" she said.
"Lock the door behind you", he said and came up in front of her.
Her eyes fell to his golden belt that had precious gems on it and then she looked up at his maroon tunic with the golden embroidery of hexagonal patterns around the neck and sleeves. He was certainly dressed like a king today. She felt her breath catching at his order and backed up to the door, searching blindingly for the lock. He came a step closer and their bodies almost touched. She tried to turn the key to the correct direction, but the closer he came, the more difficult it was for her to get a grip on how to work her hands, "Shit!"
A lopsided smile formed on his lips and he reached behind her back to the lock, "don't swear".
"I am sorry", she swallowed a suddenly dry throat.
At the same moment his body pushed her firmly against the door and she exhaled sharply, "and turn it to the right", he whispered close to her mouth and her stomach twisted deliciously around itself.
"Okay", she muttered, and she felt his big hand wrapping around hers and turning the lock, which fell with a loud click. A deep sigh of relief left her mouth.
"Now we won't be bothered", one hand cupped her waist and drew her in and the other caressed the side of her mouth.
"Missed you like crazy", she whispered and grabbed the golden pattern of his tunic in her tight fists, pulling him to her. His long wavy hair enwrapped her face and his scent instantly sparked her up.
"Me too", he agreed and gave her a soft kiss that lingered.
She opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back then and smiled down at her.
"What are you doing?" she frowned in confusion.
"I am teaching you patience", he said and pulled back away from her.
"Oh, not again Thorin!" she whimpered.
"What's all this childish whining for? am I not pleasing you every night perchance?" he raised his brow.
Her face mellowed and her cheeks flushed red, "Of course you are".
"Then this afternoon you will exercise patience", he raised his brow.
"Fine..." she spat eager to make him fire her up even though his intentions were clearly different today.
Still the memories of the three previous nights were vividly tormenting her. The first few words after embracing him and asking him about his day, were met with a few vague answers as his fingers moulded her original excitement into slowly growing need, that ended up with her forgetting all about his day and hers and praying to the skies, but above all to him to be allowed to reach the explosions he so easily triggered in her each and every time.
They ended up with her being bulldozed against the wall, or shoved into a couch with her legs spread out to him and his fingers filling her and caressing her to a point were she couldn't even breathe. She would have never thought her body able to reach such levels of pleasure and yet there she was night after night relishing on the way he was working her up effortlessly until she careered off the edge of the world and into white-hot pleasure.
Her original embarrassment was answered by the firm exploration of a pair of the softest, but also most insistent-in-detail fingers she had ever seen. His creative hands were not only able to forge swords of intricate designs and create angelic music, but also run all over her body in magical roads that made her close her eyes and forget all her embarrassments and illogical fears. The dominating undertone that his touch held most of the times, made her give up all control to him, something he kept up admirably
When his mouth, hands and body took over, her mind reached only one point of concentration. How good it felt for his fingers to be spreading her apart, to lubricate her skin with her want and to be filling her to a point were her body was arching off the bed. His promising words of more in the midst of her heat, made the emptiness inside become painful and soon his fingers were not enough to fill her up. So when the want became almost insane, she reached down for him and was met by something that stole her breath and made her eyes fly open. Apparently this amazing dwarf-lord was not only substantial in height and muscle built, but also in his arousal. Something that left her with several beads of apprehensive sweat on her cleavage that he licked away without sharing her emotions, as she kept repeating internally, "What am I getting myself into?"
He allowed her to touch him only above his clothing and even though fear twisted her stomach, her internal muscles clenched at the thought of his impressive erection replacing his fingers and filling her emptiness to the brim. As for him, he squeezed his eyes shut against the need to offer her exactly what she wanted and feared at the same time, but in the end he always pushed her hands away with mind blowing self control. What he was doing, may have been his way of showing her respect, but for her it was ultimate frustration and despair that he denied her the satisfaction of handling his weighty arousal and maybe trying to get used to the idea of having him inside her.
The word propriety rolled off his tongue and onto her burning skin, time and time again. Making her groan from annoyance and pleasure at the same time. The need to touch him and feel him only grew stronger with each encounter, almost driving her madly angry at him each time he refused. She didn't relent from what she sought more though. She returned again down there, searching him above the clothing...and he always left her empty and angry at him, if only for a few moments before her new release.
He huffed annoyed as these thoughts served only to make her stomach burst with butterflies.
"Are you agreeing to patience? What happened? Did the world turn upside down?", he smirked at her.
"I am agreeing, because you are insisting. Nevertheless you know I want more from you", she raised her eyes at him and their honesty peeled his outer layer easily.
He leaned down and gave her a gentle peck before pulling back, "me too, but not today".
"When then?" she cringed, but he didn't allow her the time to go down that road again.
"Hush your little mouth", he said and clasped her hand. He pulled her away from the door and she look at him confused.
"What are we doing?" she said when he brought her to the easy chair in front of the fireplace. He pulled a small stool and pointed at it.
"Please sit", he said and led her there himself.
She smirked and rounded the stool before sitting on it.
He pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it gently enough to raised the hairs on her forearm. Then he took his place behind her on the easy chair. She tried to turn around to see him, but he grabbed her by the shoulders, keeping her back at him, "No, don't turn around".
"What are you doing Thorin?" she said and bit her lower lip in sudden anticipation.
"I am courting you, my lady", he whispered and gave her a brush from the side table.
She took it and looked at it dumbfounded for several moments. It felt as if his hand reached inside her chest and tweaked her heart with these words. Her cheeks flushed crimson and she lowered her eyes to her hands. "You know I don't require such a thing from you, right?".
"That doesn't mean I am not going to give it. Your words that first night at the river cannot be forgotten easily", he said softly and his hands came around to unbutton her vest.
She straightened her body to allow him freedom of movement and scooted back to him, along with the stool, "I still believe them. I am no dam and don't require to be treated as one".
He opened up her vest and drew it down from her shoulders and arms, "Let's change your mind then. I want to treat you as one, and you are not only going to let me. You are also going to enjoy it thoroughly."
She huffed and closed her eyes, "That sounds like a command".
"It was supposed to sound enticing", he smiled.
"Mmmm, you could have done better with words even though your hands feel tremendously enticing".
"That's good enough for me", he said. Then his hands came in front again. One began undoing the strings of her tunic and the other caressed gently her collarbone.
"Is undressing me part of dwarven courting?" she asked and bit her lower lip feeling warmth spreading in her lower stomach.
"You have taken all the first steps towards me physically already...and I have messed up my part seriously in between because you are driving me crazy most of the times. Bringing your tunic down your shoulders is the least of our problems", he pursed his lips testily.
"Not crazy enough to make you lose control though", she tried to look above her shoulder, but he pushed her cheek gently away.
He snorted, "so that is your ultimate purpose", his fingers opened up her tunic and pushed it off her shoulders, but as she was expecting him to bring it under her breasts, he stopped.
She exhaled through her nose bothered, "If I admit that it is, will you be mad?"
"No, I am just annoyed that we overlooked all propriety in order to roll in the mud like animals", he frowned and took the brush from her hand.
She pressed her lips, "You are regretting what we did?"
"I am regretting not giving you the attention you deserved before, but I'd never take back what we did, or the fact that I want to do much more to you", he said with a thoughtful frown and began brushing through her hair with a gentleness she wouldn't have expected from such rough hands.
"That at least was partly reassuring", she felt her eyes drooping.
"Can I reassure you of my intentions a bit more?" he whispered and as the brush moved through her long hair near her waist, his mouth planted a soft kiss where shoulder met neck and her body exploded with welcoming goosebumps.
"please do", she muttered and allowed herself to relax under his soft touch.
He chuckled and gave another kiss to her temple. His hands run through the tangled curls of her hair with gentleness incomparable. He started from her waist and worked his way up slowly, taking care not to hurt her at all. He brushed gently and thoroughly for a long time and their voices fell silent. Only her breath was heard that became heavier with each careful handling from him. When the brush was able to run through her shiny red hair from the top of her head down to her waist, he placed the it aside and began running his long fingers through them. Making her close her eyes and feel her shoulders deflating as all the nervousness and anxiety slowly left her body. Then his fingers touched the base of her head and began a soothing massage that made her open her mouth and drop her head back in total abandonment. His fingers ran through her whole head tormentingly slow and when they ended up on the top of her forehead, she was baffled as hell. She didn't know if her body wanted to sleep, or make love to him till he passed out. Probably both, from the way she was feeling at that moment. A small laugh left her half open lips and then her brows frowned, "Thorin I don't know what you are doing to me, but it's confusing me deeply".
His lips turned into a lopsided smile, "why?"
"it's both arousing and relaxing me. You are keeping me in limbo between those two states".
"Very good", he said and planted a butterfly kiss on her cheek that under her sated state felt more arousing than any firm kiss would have. His hand drew her considerable amount of hair above her shoulder and his mouth planted a few more wet kisses on her collarbone and neck. When he saw her chest heaving and her nails digging on the rough leather of her pants, he pulled back knowing that she was tilting towards arousal a bit too much. He replaced his mouth with his palms and began a massage that send her off to heaven instantly. As his fingers kneaded all the muscles of her shoulders, the previous galloping arousal backed away to give place to a soothing relaxation. Nevertheless the heat still lingered at the pit of her stomach. It was enough to keep her mind focused on what he was doing to her, but not enough to make her demand more from him. He knew exactly how to steady her between these states, balancing her precariously between a rock and a hard place, until she was nothing more than pliable clay under his hands. His fingers, so used to fine motor control and finesse, from his years of forging rough metal into beautiful works of art were able to send her mind reeling into half awake dreams. His patience, used so amply into manoeuvring minutely the most delicate metal carvings had managed to loosen up not only the most prominent muscle groups but every single small nerve in her upper body also, until she was simply unable to open up her eyes. Her hands rolled off her lap and hang by her side useless and heavy.
When his magical palms left her warm and red shoulders, she winced, "Don't stop please".
He chuckled and placed a soft kiss under her earlobe. His hands moved with unbelievable care down her arms and then he began to hum a very well known tune. His deeply rich voice enchanted the last threads of logic out of her poor mind until she was reduced into nothing more than a bundle of soothed nerves inside a mind that lifted all the flags of surrender.
"You are not really using that trick on me, are you? That is so bloody unfair". An endearing smile came onto her cherry lips,
His palm cupped her neck firmly enough to let her know that he was controlling the game, but softly enough not to worry her. Then his lips ran wet and hot at the side of her neck along with his tongue, making her body tense, as much as her relaxed state allowed her, "You've used your voice to bewitch me one too many times, why shouldn't I do the same?"
"I cannot fight against that argument", she winced defeated and when he began singing properly her skin prickled as waves of shivers run through her.
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold."
She rolled her head on his shoulder until her forehead was pressed against the warmth of his neck and concentrated on his velvety voice. When his arms came around her stomach, she tensed momentarily with anticipation, wanting him to sail north and touch her half exposed breasts, but he didn't. He wrapped them around her body and secured her on him firmly. The sense of safety and comfort that she felt was overwhelming enough to wave off the rude thoughts from her mind. Her hands came above his muscular forearms and clasped them affectionately.
"Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light."
Then she felt his moving lips on her forehead. His warm breath sending whiffs of Old Toby and mead into her nostrils as he spoke of golden bells. His mouth moved gently down the side of her forehead and lingered on her temple as he painted images about the mountain that smoked beneath the moon. He weaved tunes about the misty mountains, the deep dungeons and the dim caverns, until finally he came to a stop that made her whole body release an invisible lock that had been holding her imprisoned since birth. She felt profoundly moved not only by the gentle way he was treating her and his respectful manners, but also from his singing. Above all, by that. When he finished he tightened his arms around her and buried his face on the crook of her neck closing his eyes. He cradled her silently for a long time, where she didn't want to move in fear of breaking this spell. Their intimacy felt almost sacred to be interrupted by her voice, if she did have a voice left after what he had reduced her to.
"How do you feel men gehyith?*"
She inhaled deeply and exhaled fully and another shiver ran through her, "in heaven", she muttered.
He smiled and planted a delicate kiss on her neck, "Did you enjoy it?"
"So much that I don't ever want to open my eyes for fear that this will prove a dream", she admitted and tightened her hands as much around his forearms as she could.
"It's as much of a dream as it is reality".
She butted her forehead on the side of his head and smiled, "Thorin, is this how you court?"
"Yes", he blushed but she missed it.
"No woman would be able to go through this and deny you", she whispered.
"You are the first one I wanted to court in centuries and if my age is not enough to scare you, I suppose that will be".
She felt her eyes watering, "That doesn't scare me. It makes me feel special".
"But are special. You are a flower of beauty unmatched and of ethics incomparable. Your loyalty is second only to your honesty and your immense courage is carefully harboured under a dainty exterior that could hold its own against much stronger men and women. Open your eyes and see what I have seen in you, please".
Her chest quickly welled and she gritted her teeth, "Don't".
"Don't tell you the truth? You spoke of your friend back at the tavern and how she was worth a better life, but you never spoke with the same words about yourself. Why?"
"Because I probably don't think I am worth it", she said and the first tears released from her closed eyelids.
His arms tightened around her, "I am showing you how much you are worth it, right now. Isn't that enough?".
"It's the most precious feeling anyone has ever given me, but I still feel that all this will burn in fire and ash, leaving behind only victims", she said heavily.
"Life hasn't shown you any kindness and you expect none from it", he spoke softly on her neck and she shivered.
She nodded, "No I don't. All this is just a dream for me. Being treated with such respect. Courted by you. I want to yell it loud enough to tear the vocal cords right out of my throat, but I can't...isn't that right?"
He wanted to promise that he would yell it right next to her. That she wouldn't be alone out there, but fear stopped him dead on his tracks and made his stomach drop in icy water. The last promises he gave destroyed a life. He was not brave enough back then to stand his ground against the overpowering pressures of his bloodline. He chose his family and throne in the stead of his ONE. How could he promise Eilin anything now in the face of all that dishonourable history that towed behind him? It felt as if any promise from him now would only work as a conduit for destruction, "No, not yet", he murmured before kissing a single tear away and tasting its saltiness.
She sniffled and tightened her small palms around his wide forearms.
He shook his head, "Don't cry Eilin...This isn't fleeting for me. It's not only your body that I long for. Holding you in my arms like this, is more than enough for me. I don't know how we will deal with the pressures around me, but I want to claim the whole of you, not a small part".
She sobbed and turned around then unwilling to stop herself. She threw her arms around his neck and cuddled under his chin, "But you are, you are doing exactly that!"
His body engulfed her then and he sat back to the armchair bringing her with him. He cradled her in his arms for a long time. Caressing her long hair, kissing her face and hands. Offering single words of comfort every now and again when she stirred. When she settled back down again, his eyes got lost into the fire. He knew this was not going to be easy, but he was determined to see it to it's end, even though she was still uncertain about his intentions. They remained like that for a long time. He heard her breath becoming steadily heavy and he knew she had fallen asleep. As time rolled by he dozed off also, until a knock on his door alerted them. He dressed her up again and she opened the door for him. It was Fili that wanted to inform him about the residential caverns and the elections that he had announced to the new people. Thorin told her politely that she wouldn't be needed anymore. When she closed the door behind her the feelings of worth, pride but above all serenity were all newfound treasures for her troubled mind.
Two more days had passed since his affectionate courting in his office, with them meeting secretly at night and her avoiding his gaze when he was once again the King under the Mountain during the day. He didn't deny her satisfaction and she didn't deny him the courting rituals. As a matter of fact, she was starting to like them so much, that she prayed he would use one of his sensual approaches before anything more physical unravelled between them. Still though he never allowed her to touch him and she never felt her void being filled by him...but she waited, patiently for him.
This morning she was fresh from sleep, with her hair up in a loose bun and her apron tucked into her belt. Her cheeks red and her eyes bright. She strolled happily through the huge entrance sending off good mornings to everyone. She reached the new heavy doors and passed under them not without taking time to admire the amazing work of the masons and the woodsmen that had managed to create such intricate carvings on such short notice.
Then her eyes fell on Valdis that was on a carriage sorting out boxes. Eilin exhaled relieved that Lady-Karunn was not there this morning. After her painful attack at the corridor she had been avoiding Lord-Fain's oldest daughter, and Karunn had been doing the same. They criss-crossed a couple of times at the corridors and in the princess room, but their eyes didn't meet. She was honestly confused as to what could have caused this loud mouthed, abusive woman to stop taking a negative interest in her.
When today Princess Dis ordered her to assist Valdis, Eilin accepted with no real fear. Mostly because the attitude of Karunn towards her the last few days was indifferent. It felt as if nothing had taken place between them. The only reminder now was the stub under her hair, which didn't bother her at all. The bruise on her neck was already gone and there was no sign of the scratch on her cheek.
"My Lady, may I be of assistance?" She said and bowed her head slightly.
Valdis looked at her with grave eyes, "didn't know that the King's maiden was allowed to serve lesser women"
Eilin cringed, "I thought you were more gentle than your sister my Lady"
Valdis sighed deeply and averted her eyes, "You are right. I am not my sister, but I am worried about what's been happening with her the last few days. I am sorry I lashed out at you, but truly are you allowed to assist me?"
Eilin smiled timidly, "Princess Dis asked me to come".
Valdis face softened, "in that case can you please get up on the carriage and sort out the boxes? Arrange the heavier ones in the middle and the lighter ones at the back. I will put my sister's clothing packs on the front"
Eilin climbed up and began working immediately, but needed to feed her curiosity, "If you don't mind me asking my Lady, why is Lady-Karunn leaving Erebor?"
Valdis shook her head, "I don't know. She's not telling me. She says there are things that need to be taken care off, past Rhudaur, in the west".
Eilin paused, "She's not returning to the IronHills?"
"No, and my father is livid! She has never travelled anywhere alone and now she suddenly wants to cross half of Middle Earth without telling anyone why. He wanted to send over troops to accompany her, but uncle Dain will give her a small escort. King Oakenshield nobly offered her several weeks of provisions, medication, water and ample clothing. Blessed may he be", Valdis said and her eyes watered.
Eilin frowned. What was Karunn going to do so far away from the IronHills? "Blessed may he be", she whispered and lowered her eyes to the boxes again. Her face closed up suspiciously at this strange occurrence with Karunn. First she was quitting the services of the Princess and then she was taking off to an impromptu trip west of Rivendell, instead of going back home.
Something was not quite right and she couldn't wrap her mind around it.
A/N:
Dwarven Song About Old Wealth - Songs and tales from J.R.R. Tolkien's work.
* My dove
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