Chapter 12- Learning
The little town of Bree was just starting to wake up when Philicia rolled over ,her back pressed to Thorins side. He woke with a jerk his sences having been trained to respond to the slightest movement the awareness having saved his life and the others with him several times. When one slept in the wilds orcs were always a danger. Thorin turned and wrapped his arm around her his hand resting on her hip. His mind drifting back to last night he let his hand run up and down her side taking in her womanly curves. She had laid beneath him kissing his lips with all abandon and it was only his honor and pride that had kept him from touching her any further. Thorin knew Philicia was innocent and he had vowed that she would go to their marriage bed with her girlhood intact. But how he had wanted her his middle growing just thinking about it. "Just then she turned and faced him her deep purple eyes beautiful to behold in the morning light."Good Morning" She said smiling at him" " Good Morning to you too ayzungal" "Another word I don't understand" she said blowing a few stray hairs out of her face. "It means my love or my lover depending." Depending on what Thorin? Reaching out his hand he cupped her face as his thumb traced the outline of her bottom lip." It depends if they are just courting or are married". Thorin said his hand moving to clasp behind her head bringing their mouths together. "Oh " she moaned into him pulling his chest closer to her breast. Suddenly he broke away and let his eyes take her in, her little purt nose , the beautiful red gold of her hair her perfectly formed features and her human face. How different she looked from the dwarrowdams. Where dwarf women were stout and thick of body , Philicia was small and curvy and with no beard on her face she was absolutly breathtaking. " Are we courting, I couldn't help overhearing what you told that man at the gate yesterday". What did you hear"? he said letting his fingers trace the lines in her face.
"You said you dare to think about touching what is mine" Philicia stared into his deep blue sapphires hoping beyond hope that he would say what she wanted to hear."Aye"He said the breath leaving him .Thorin was shaking he had never courted a woman before never having the time for the kingship have been place on him at such a young age. All the long years he hammered steel in the forges traveling as a blacksmith to put food in the mouths of his people. Long lonely hard years."I will have to do something about that" Thorin kissed Philicia quickly not trusting himself to stay there with her any longer the need was just getting too strong.
All the company was there as they were the last to come down for breakfast. "We thought someone was going to have to beat on the door to get you both up" Balin said giving Thorin a knowing look. Unbeknownest to the rest of the company he had talked with Balin a few nights ago. Thorin had said how he wanted to ask Philicia but was afraid to do it." You have to follow your own heart in this one laddie I can tell you nothing further than that." Balins advice echoed back at him. " Did you sleep well Uncle" Kili asked elboing Fili in the side. The Durin brothers exchanged looks then both turned their smiles on Philicia. Ori leaned over and wispered in Dori's ear" Do you think it happend, I mean between them two." Dori looked at Nori then he looked strait at Philicia and Thorin his jaw the king stood up and everyone went quiet. " I have something to say of great importance."Thorin roared." I do not need to explain to any of you how I have come to care about The Lady Philicia ".Thorin grabbed her hand and pulled her to stand up next to him." So let it be known that I Thorin Oakenshield ,son of Thrain, son of Thror take The Lady Philicia Anderson in courtship." He brought her hand to his lips placing a chaste kiss on her upturned palm."If she will have me",His eyes full of hope."If I will have you, Oh Thorin you gotta know it" She threw her arms around The Dwarf King hugging him tightly. So with tears streaming down her face she sat in the chair as Thorin took the little comb he carried on his person at all times and began plating her hair in a small braid just behind her right ear. Reaching into his own hair he unclasped the silver bead and secured it into the braid in Philicias hair. "It's about time laddie " Balin said patting Thorin on the back. Dwalin wasn't sure and he was going to let Thorin know how he felt about his decision later. The rest of the company broke out in hoots and hollers .They all had hoped for years that Thorin would find his one and now he had . Just not quite what had been expected. Everyone had assumes he would have chosen someone from nobleity possibly the daughter of the lord of the Grey Mountains or Possibly a princess from The Iron Hills. But a mere human girl, the clans would surly revolt.
So breakfast was served and after stuffing themselves on fried potatos sausages and ham along with fresh fruit the dwarves prepared to continue their journey. Thorin was in his room while Philicia went with Ori to get a few things she would surely need on the journey being a female and all. "Thorin ",came Dwalins angry voice from the hallway. "It's open" he called. Dwalin rushed in the room like a hurricane, his hands clenched into fist. "Permission to speak freely my king" Dwalin glared at him." Granted" Thorin wondered what had his old friend so stirred up." Thorin what I have to say is of no disrespect, but what in Mahals name do you think you are doing?' Dwalin turned to Thorin .''Have ye gone and lost your mind taking that human girl in courtship. Exactley what are your intentions Thorin.'' "What are you getting at" Thorin snapped at him. "Just this, do you intend to put a human woman on the throne of Erebor, Thorin it has never been done. They will ask for your removal from the throne they will call for Fili as king. Do you think your birthright is really worth this infatuation for this girl"? " Thorin thought for a moment. " Infatuation, is that what you think this is",he roared at Dwalin his face directly in front of his friend."Aye I do",Dwalin countered. Thorin was silent his arms crossed hands on his elbows as he spoke. "Do you remember what you told me once, long ago, that if I ever found my one to never let her go. To love her every day with all that I had to give". " Aye I remember Thorin" Dwalin looked at his king solomly." Did you ever stop to think that Philicia is my one. I knew it before we had reached The Shire. If it was not for her I might be now in the halls of waiting".I love her Dwalin. I have sacraficed everything lived a good part of my life alone when I should have married a long time ago. But instead I chose to put my people first. And now I have found someone to love ", Thorins voice broke as he continued." Do not ask this of me not now for I can not comply". "If this is truly what you want then I will not stand in the way, however I caution you to be absolutly certain". Dwalin left Thorin there with his thoughts as he stormed off.
A little while later they were all on the road again leaving the little village of Bree to slowly fade in the distance. They rode over the hills and plains the terrain slowly becoming rockier and more danderous. Philicia was sitting in front of Thorin her courtship braid thrown over her shoulder."Thorin ,are you alright you have hardly said a word since we left Bree and that was hours ago". "I am just lost in my thoughts that is all". He didn't want to tell her about the talk with Dwalin for fear of upseting her. They stopped for a break and to water the ponies when Philicias lower area started clenching. She walked over to a low tree branch and pressing herself against it she let out a small moan. "Are you alright my Lady"? Kili asked noticing how she was doubled over."I'm fine Kili Please just go."Oh God where is the Midol when you need it. She groaned. " Kili went and found Thorin right away. "Uncle I think something is wrong with Lady Philicia she is bent over a tree back there". "Where" Thorin said. Kili pointed the way and the Dwarf King was gone at a full run." Iheee" Philicia winced as another cramp struck her."Philicia, what is it, are you ill" Thorin embraced her from behind pulling her to him."Do I need to get Oin"? " No Thorin I'm fine please just let me be for a minute" "Very well I will be close should you need me"He turned around and waited a distance away but close. Half an hour later the were on their way again when suddenly Philicia turned to Thorin. " We need to stop", she said. "We do not stop until night fall this is the wilds and far more dangerous then the roads in The Shire". "Thorin, we have to stop now,"She pressed. After a little while and still he didn't get it Philicia reached down between her legs and she brought her hand up and showed him. " Now do we stop or do I make a mess all over the horse and you too". Realisation dawned upon him and suddenly raising his right hand in the air hollered "Halt, we will camp here for the night".They had found a shallow cave in the edge of a cliff atop the hill . A good spot to keep a lookout on alll sides." I am sorry, I should have anticipated this when you had your belly pressed against that tree" " No biggie I need your cloak, I'm not walking in front of everyone like this" Philicia snached his cloak and took off for the stream a little ways back. "Oin I need you to make one of your pain relieving teas for Philicia." Thorin said while helping get the camp set up for the night." Is the lass alright " "She is fine just a womans malody" "Ah well this should do the trick " Oin handed Thorin the hot brew for Philicia. She returned a little later having shed the dress from earlier she now had on her jeans sneakers and her faded lime green shirt. " Feel better", Kili said as she walked by. She didn't answer but went instead to where Thorin was resting his back against the rock."Here drink this it will help with the cramping," he handed her the cup. "And how would you know" " You forget I do have a sister".Thorin chuckled and pulled Philicia onto his lap his big strong hands started kneading her lower stomach . "Does that help any?",He asked rubbing her back and shoulders."Yes it does, thank you." After a hearty supper of venison stew they all settled in for the night. Each one finding their spot to lay out the bedrolls . Bilbo and Gandalf stayed close to the fire as did Fili and Kili. Bifur ,Bombur and Bomfur all huddled next to the wall , Oin and Gloin sat closer to Thorin. Ori .Dori and Nori were next to Fili and Kili and Balin and Dwalin were on the oppisite rocks. Gandalf was smoking his pipe and Bilbo was feeding the ponies apples when a screech rent the night. Thorin and Philicia were just dozing off when she heard the screech and instintivly cluched her hands in Thorins greatcoat."What in the heck was that?", She wispered in Thorins ear. Bilbo having heard the noise came running back to camp"What was that" he eyed the company a look of fright on his face. The Durin brothers glanced at eachother snickering."Orcs" Kili said looking at his brother."Throat cutters, there will be dozens of them out there" Fili cajoled his pipe in hand. "Thorin don't get to mad at them ok"Philicia leaned in to him and quietly. Thorin looked at her in amazement."The lowlands are crawling with them" Fili continued. "They strike in the wee small hours when everyone's asleep,quick and quiet, no screams just lots of blood". Kili and Fili gave a quiet laugh as the color drained from Bilbo's face. Displeased with his nephews Thorin stood up and walked past them."You think that's funny ,You think an orc raid in the middle of the night is a joke.'' He repremanded the younger Durin's." We didn't mean anything by it ",Kili said . Him and his brother couldn't look their uncle in the face."No, you didn't, you know nothing of the world". Thorin stormed off going to the edge of the cliff for a look around. "Why did you both do that you two nearly scared Bilbo out of ten years of his life." Philicia stooped to meet them at eye level."Sorry Auntie Philicia "Fili said. "Hey we don't know whats going to happen ok, so please not yet." She left them to stew. Walking over to Thorin, Philicia put her arms around his waist and laid her head against his back. "Are you ok" she asked as he clasped her hands in his."I am fine, why do you ask" Don't worry they had it coming scaring Bilbo like that." She reassured him. " Never mind him laddie" Balin started " Thorin has more cause to hate orcs than most. After the dragon took The Lonley Mountain ,King Thror ,tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria,but our enemy had got there first. Philicia listend to Balin tell the story and she held on to Thorin for she knew these memories would be painful for him to relive."Moria had been taken by legions of orcs,led by the most vial of all there is. Azog The Defiler,the giant Gundabadok had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the king". Philicia felt Thorin flinch as the tale unfolded "It's ok iv'e got you."Philicia held on to him as he increased the pressure in her hand's the images of long ago assulting his mind."Thrain, Thorin's father was driven mad by grief. He went missing taken prisioner or killed, we do not know. We were leaderless,defeat and death upon us then, thats when I saw him, a young dwarf prince facing down the pale orc and alone the prince took a terrible fall. His armor rent using nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the Defiler learned that day that the line of Durin isn't so easily wiped out. Our forces rallied and drove the orcs back. Our enemy had been defeated, but there was no feast or song that night. For our dead were beyond the count of grief.'' "Thorin ,it's ok i;m here I know it hurts",she soothed him, her love surrounding him with her words."Remember them as they were ,honorable and majestic ". Philicia turned and faced Thorin and he could not hide the moisture from his eye's."We few had survived and I thought to myself, there is one I could follow. There is one, I could call king. Thorin suddenly turned around to face his company and they were all standing in admiration and awe for their king. Bilbo astonished at Balins story asked,"and the pale orc, what happend to him"? Thorin answered as he swept by. "He slunked back into the hole from wence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago".Thorin said going to watch over the other side. Gandalf and Balin eyed eachother then the wizard caught Philicia's knowing looks. He nodded in agreement she needed to talk to Thorin and warn him. And on the other side of the reveine Azog and his scouts watched.'Send word to the have found the dwarf scum".
"Wheres Thorin?" Philicia asked Balin not seeing him in camp. "He went around that way lass"Balin gestured to the road they had traveled earlier."Thanks"and she went to seek him out. Rounding the corner she spotted him. He was sitting with his back to the rock silent tears falling from his incredible striking blue eye's. "Thorin, oh my beautiful Thorin ,sssh,sssh i'm here" Philicia went to her knees taking the dwarf in her loving embrace."Who told you I was here", he said, his words breaking. " Balin",she answered holding Thorin close to her. He laid his head against her front as quiet sobs shook his huge form. "Watching that scene on a movie screen is one thing but listening to Balin tell the story and how it made you hurt is another. I am so very very sorry Thorin. I couldn't imagine how much you have suffered through all this , with no one to hold you no one to love you. But I swear it, you will never be alone again, not as long as I live and breath, I am here for you". Thorin backed away and looked deep into her eye's suddenly his mouth came crashing down on hers .There was no gentleness in his kiss just raw need and silent yearning. He thrust his tongue into her mouth seeking hers as they danced together. "Ohhh, my heart" Thorin moaned into her mouth setting her astride his tightend his massive limbs around her pulling her lip's left a trail of soft kisses down to her neck as his teeth nipped her skin. Philicia thought for sure their would be bruises in the morning .The moon shined down on them the light illuminating the rock they were sitting next to."Thorin "she gasped as he slid his palm up her chest his hand slipping in her found her breast and very gently let his fingers slide over the silky texture. Philicia bit back a moan as Thorins hand caressed her ,his lips claiming hers again tenderly this time "Philicia ."He wispered breaking the kiss" I need you so"his husky voice making her shiver with want also."I love you so" he broke then, huge gasps coming from his mouth as the long years of grief and loss came pouring out . His anger had given him the release his tears had not but now with Philicia the tears came. And they came in great sobs and sighs. Philicia anchored herself to his body as it shook from the outpouring of pain and anguish held back all these lonely the sobs had been nothing but quiet wimpers she dared to bring Thorin's face to hers . With her hand she wiped away the moisture around his eyes and down his cheek. "I am sorry ,I should be in better control of my emotions" he said wiping his face with his sleeve."Why, are you not supposed to cry cause you are a king. You have fellings just like anybody else Thorin. You need to be held and loved and a shoulder to lean on too, warm strong arms to embrace you, somebodies love to turn to." Philicia kissed the silent tears that trickled down his cheeks. Suddenly he flipped her onto her back as his body covered hers reining kisses all over her face her lips and down her neck .He dared to lift her shirt and slowly kissed a path to her breast. Taking the purt nipple in his mouth began to suckle her gently his tongue laving her while his other hand found her other breast squeezing and massaging it gently" Oh God Thorin" she gasped as his tongue made little circles around her pulled his tunic loose and ran her hands up his bare chest her fingers tangeling in the hair she found there. Thorin then moved to her other breast kissing and licking it with his mouth."Oh by Mahal I want you,"A deep groan coming from him as he kissed a path down her stomach. "Thorin what are you doing" she breathed as he started unzipping her jeans. He gently clasped her hand in his and brought it to where he needed her to touch him the most. "Her hand felt in detail what he wanted her to know."Oh God Thorin I ..", she was a loss for words as his body was solid beneath the fabric seperating her from his bare skin. " Thorin I , Im scared, your so big and I have never been this far." Realization struck him and with a groan he pulled down her shirt and breathing deeply he let the fire cool down. " What am I doing Philicia, You are an innocent we might have" , He never finished ."Made love " she said turning Thorins face to hers. "Thorin , remember when you said to me we would go on this journey together", she said staring into his sapphires." I do remember" " I so want to be with you oh you couldn't imagine how much. But I promised my mom and dad I would save myself for marriage. What kind of person would I be if I broke that promise. And if anyone could make be break it, it would be you It would be you. She let a tear run dow her face" Thorin I have dreamed what it would be like to have you touch me. What it would feel like to have you love me . I just hope that I don't dissapoint you when the time comes."He looked at her then" I hope that I do not dissapoint you Philicia. I have never had time for a woman and I have always steered away from unscrupelious females. With who I am I have always had to be very careful. Even in Erid Luin nobody beyond my own kin knows whom I am." I understand"she kissed him once and then stood up and offered him her walked back to camp in silence as everyone was probably asleep already for they had been gone a while. Rounding the corner Ori and Nori were on watch " They both looked at Thorin the puffiness and red eyes revealing what he could not voice aloud .Their king had definatly been crying, and hard from the swollen eyes he posessed. Thorin laid his tired body upon the his bed roll and wiggled around to get comfortable. "Philicia,'' he called, ''come to me''. She scooted closer to Thorin and he wrapped his arm around her waist his hand reaching to clasp hers. " I love you", she said "And I you" Thorin kissed her on the crown of her head as his finger drew little circles on her palm. When her breathing became even he knew sleep had taken her and he tried to join her there but his body was still on fire his hardness pressing into her back. "Oh Mahal help me to be strong ". Thorin was grateful that it was Philicias time for that might have been the only thing preventing him from claiming her then and there. He pulled her close and let sleep take him off to dreamland a weight having been lifted off his shoulders.
