Chapter 11 -The Prancing Pony

The sun was just making her decent over the horizon when they approached the gates of Bree. "State your business" The mans voice sounded from the other side. " Gandalf the Grey and friend we need rooms at your best inn for the night." They waited while the man slid the little peep hole open to confirm who it was. Suddenly the heavily bolted gate was opened admitting them .The man at the gate was dirty and had straggely brown hair that hung to his shoulders. He was missing two teeth in the front and was a grotesk sight to behold. "You sure do keep strange friends"said the gatekeeper as the dwarves passed through one by one. Thorin and Philicia were the last ones through . He has instructed Philicia to keep his heavy cloak over herself and to not uncover her head until they were inside."Thank you' she told the man as she passed through the gate. But he had caught a glimpse of her deep amythest eyes and made a commment about her beauty. Suddenly he found himself pushed up against the fence by a very angry Thorin Oakenshield. "You will not even think about touching what is mine" Thorin sneered at the man pressing a dagger at his throat. The man was caught off guard and did not suspect Thorins shorter stature to be of any threat. However after it took Gandalf and Dwalin to pull him off the gatekeeper the man changed his mind rather quickly."Thorin" Gandalf bellowed as they handed the ponies off to Ori and Nori so they could be stabled"What was that all about"? He stared the dwarf king down. "That man had nothing but ill thoughts about Philicia" Thorin hissed through his breath. Philicia hearing her name joined the conversation" Yes Thorin do tell me what the hell was that back there? Do you really want to get us throw out of here before we even eat dinner." " I was only trying to protect you can you not see that."He barked at Philicia" Oh no here we go again" she was exasperated by now. They had ridden hard all day and Philicia wanted to do is eat, take a hot bath and sleep she was too tired fight with Thorin so she let it go. They made It to The Prancing Pony and Gandalf knowing the propriator secured the rooms for the night." Now there's only three so we will have to double up". So Thorin and Philicia took one room Gandalf, Bilbo, Fili and Kili, Balin and Dwalin in the other one and the rest of the dwarves in the last one. Thorin opend the door and checked it out to make sure it was safe. he then ushured Philicia inside. He didn't anymore get the door closed and his lips came crashing down on hers. She at that moment forgot everything except how good Thorins mouth felt as it moved over hers. "OH by Mahal" he groaned into the kiss his tounge seeking hers. Philicia reached up and entwined her hands around his neck pulling him closer to her. Thorin deepend the kiss whitch left her gasping for feet suddenly left the floor as he lifted her into his arms carrying her over to the large bed . He gently laid her down and instantly covered her with his stocky frame. "Philicia you " He kissed his way down to the base of her throat then he planted featherlight kisses in the hollow of her neck before claiming her lips once again in a searing kiss."Oh, Oh you drive me to madness woman"Thorin said a deep gutteral groan coming from his throat. Philicia acting on instinct opend her legs as he slid between them . He then let her feel how bad he wanted her at that moment for his body was rock solid ,desire coursing through him flowing hotter than dragon fire."Oh how I want this"He gasped between kisses."Thorin" she moaned as his huge battle worn hands found their way up to her breast. With the lightest of touches he very slowly began caressing her .She flinched at the foreign touch but made no move to stop him. He sat up and pulled Philicia with him crushing her to his chest. She looked deep into the Dwarf Kings eyes his sapphires turning a deep blue almost black as they revealed the deep passion he felt for her. "Thorin" she wispered as his lips brushed across hers infinatly tender." Feel what you do to me. " He said placing Philicias flat palm against his chest his heart beat was rapid as he fought to restrain the emotions flowing through him."Are you ok" she asked? putting her arms around him." I am -this is getting more and more difficult to fight. I am scared." He admitted his head down pride not permitting him to meet her eyes." Thorin" she wispered her hand cupping his chin to lift his face to hers."I'm scared too I don't know what you expect of me I don't know how to touch you ,how to love you." He silenced her with another kiss " Then we will go in this journey of discovery together. Come the others are probably wondering what is keeping us." He helped her up and they walked down hand in hand together.

They entered the dining hall and after taking seats next to Gandalf and Nori the conversation flowed along with the ale. Everyone was eating and laughing happy to be not sleeping on the cold hard ground. " How are you doing so far lass?" Balin asked slowly sipping the mug in his hand." It s a little more than I expected but I am up for the adventure. Besides someone has got to take care of you men,oh sorry dwarves hobbit and wizard." There were comments about they could look after themselves and a few other words Philicia didn't understand. She wished there had been time to learn Kazadul but she never expected to end up here .It all happend so fast. "Uncle" Kili wispered in Thorins ear" What happend back there at the gate when I looked back you had that man pinned against the fence." "He made some not so kind remarks about Philicia". Thorin quietly put an end to his nephews inquisitive questioning. "I think it would be best if you take it easy on the drinking for the night for we are leaving at first light and no one is to be late or lyin abed due to over indulgence" Thorin asserted his point and there were murmers and nods of agreement from the company. "Well I am going to take a hot bath before it gets too late " Philicia interjected."See you all in the morning" Good night" Thorin watched her as she dissapeared up the stairs. "I suggest you all get some sleep for we leave at first light". With that the king stomped off clearly upset about something. He knocked before entering their shared room."Philicia are you dressed?" Thorin opend the door and not seeing her there he put his hand on the bathroom door and turned the nob."Thorin" She gasped upon seeing him standing there" I am sorry." He averted his eyes clearly embarresed." No biggie sooner or later things like this could happen its what we choose to do with it that matters" I will leave you to your bath" ,he said shutting the door. Philicia washed her hair and then rubbed the conditioner into the ends she then scrubbed the days of dirt and muck from her skin till it was silky clean and soft. She was trying to reach that spot on her back but her hands wern't quite long enough." Thorin",she called from the bathroom."Philicia is everything alright" ,he answered her."I , I kinda need a little help here" " What is it",he said opening the door a crack. " I ,will you wask my back for me I can't reach" For a second the dwarfs face went ashen."She squeezed some body wash onto the pink poof spounge handing it to Thorin."What is this thing? "He asked turning it over in his hand."It 's to scrub with, here let me see your arm." Throin rolled up his sleeve and she ran the spounge over his bare skin. "What do you think",she smiled at him. "It is nice." He stuck his arm in the water. Thorin was reluctent to even go in there but once she had stated that her head was the only thing showing he relented. Thorin proceeded to scrub her back till it was clean and handing her the spounge left her to her bath. A little while later he was just unlacing his boots his overshirt and mail lyin on the floor Philicia came out of the bathroom dripping wet her hair hanging down her back." Here let me help you",he said reaching for a clean towel and squeezing the excess water from her hair. "I left you the shampoo and conditioner,oh and the body wash I figured you would want a bath too. "Aye indeed"he agreed heading for the washroom. "However I do prefer a bar of sandelwood soap instead",Thorin started dumping the hot water into the large copper tub let his breeches fall to the floor and sank into the steaming water. He took the pink poof spounge Philicia had left for him and started scrubbing the dirt and grime from his body. After lathering the shampoo into his hair he scrubbed it clean and dunked his head under the water to rinse it off. "Philicia this will not rinse out ,my head is full of soap" Thorin hollered at her from the tub" Wrapping the towel around herself she opend the door. "Oh my gosh how much did you put in your hair Thorin?" She gasped his head still caked with bubbles." She knelt down beside the tub" Here let me see." I did not put that much just enough to fill the palm of my hand" ,he countered." I have always used that much hair cleaner."Well I don't know what they have here but this is going to be fun to rinse out. She very gently reached for his wet locks and twisted them trying to wring out the excess shampoo. " Hand me the conditioner then I will get more water and we can rinse the rest out under fresh flow like a shower."What it is a shower besides rain",he asked intrigued." Something you would probably love. Philicia stepped out and came back with a bucket of fresh water." Pull the plug and I will dump the water ",she instructed him. The color drained from Thorins face then. Philicia I am." Dont worry I will be done before the water draines enough."She reassured him knowing where his thoughts were going. "Lean your head back so the soap don't get in your eyes." Thorin did as she said as the warm water was poured over his head the shampoo running down his back." Would you return the favour" ,he asked handing her the spounge" Sure", she said as her hand brushed against his bare skin. "The tattoos what do they stand for"? Philicia asked upon admiring the intricate designs running down his left arm. "It is the emblem of my house if you notice the same design is in the ring that I wear and on my belt buckle." He showed her the ring on his forefinger." I didn't know that. And the one on your back". " It is the symbolof Durin meaning I am of Durins folk". The tattoo on Thorins back was of a crown with a big star above it and three smaller stars in an upside down v running down his back. Below that was the hammer and anvil." Beautiful "she said her finger tracing the patttern. Thorin flinched at the sudden touch and he sighed wanting so badly to pull her down next to him. " I left you a few towels." She gestured to the basin and vanity." Thank you" With that Philicia left him to finish. She was dressed and had just finished brushing her hair out when Thorin came out of the washroom dripping wet leaving a puddle on the floor from his hair. He leaned over and began drying it with the extra towel she handed him. "After that he sat down and started running his hands through his raven colored length trying to smooth it out ." Thorin" ,she softly spoke , I know I can't braid it for you but would you let me brush it out", She asked her words shakey."Aye I would, please" He inclined his head for her to sit beside him. Philicia sat behind Thorin on the bed her legs underneath her and very slowly started running her small hands through his hair. "That conditioner did wonders soft and shiney it has made your hair."She removed the snags and tangles slowly " I didn't realize your hair was so thick",she said her hands working their magic not only on his long wavy locks but his emotions as well. With no warning Thorin turned around and grabbed Philicia kissing her with all the pent up fellings he had for her. They fell together on the soft feather mattress Thorins lips never leaving hers. "Mummmum" , he groaned as her mouth opened and their tongues overlaped eachother. Fire coursed through his body as he deepend the kiss his arms wrapping her tighter. She repositioned her legs and he felt his body respond his middle painfully tightening. Philicia, Philicia" ,he said a deep gutteral groan coming from his throat. Thorin kissed his way down to the hollow in her neck and back up the other side finally returning to her passion swollen lips. "Thorin " A deep moan coming from her lips made the fire burn hotter " Philicia", he said his words coming in little gasps of breath" I want this so badly" ,he said as his body slowly moved over hers."Thorin,I'm scared" suddenly he stopped and propped himself up on one elbow gazing down into her stunning face." I am sorry, I did not mean to ...lose control like that." Thorin cupped her cheek in his hand his thumb tracing her bottom lip and then softly stroaking her face before running along her forehead."Thorin I'm not scared of you more like what you make me feel. This want for you , I don't know how to touch you ,how to love you how to .. oh I don't even know what I am saying" "Then we will go on this journey of discovery together" he spoke wth such sincerity Phlicias eyes teared up. Sighing she laid the palm of her small hand against his bare chest. Thorin hissed as Philicia started tracing the numerous scars she found there." Did you get these in battle ", she casked running her finger tip along a raised scar that ran fro his shoulder to his chest." In the battle of Azanulbizar when Azog knocked me down with his blade"He went silent memories resurfacing. " Thats when you held him back with the broken tree trunk" Aye thus getting my name of Oakenshield. I took that branch to the forge spent the whole day hammering steel into the edged and cracks and fashioning a handle for it. I have carried it every since then." She didn't want to tell him he was going to lose it when they came out of Goblin town so she remained quiet saving that for later. Thorin kissed her but this time it was just a gentle brush of is lips across hers but that was Philicias undoing. Before she could stop the tears were streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed into Thorins naked chest. "What makes you cry so ",he asked holding her close. "I love you so much it hurts inside. I'm scared what if I fail what if I can't do this, what if.."Thorin cut her off with a searing kiss before rising up to seek her face again. "Menu tessu zayungi zusandarun tur ne kulhu hunuk" ,Thorin spoke in Kasadul. "What does it mean ,"she asked reaching her hand up to touch his beard before sliding her fingers over his cheek and then tangeling in is hair. "It translates to I will always love you no matter what happens". Philicia was a loss for words as silent tears streamed down her face. Thorin brushed them away with the pads of his thumb kissing her softly on the lips. " Come Philicia ",he said laying on his back tucking her head in the crook of his arm. All was silent in the little town of Bree except the sound of their beating hearts. Content in their love for eachother they let sleep claim them both.