Chapter 17- Between Two Worlds
They wrapped their limbs around each other as they were pulled into a void darker than the blackest night. Philicia and Thorin closed Their eyes as everything spun in circles around them. Suddenly there was solid ground beneath their feet. Philicia opend her eyes as a loud gasp spillled from her lips. In the distance was definatly the nighttime skyline of Los Angeles. " What the fuck do you think your doing, you stupid dumb dwarf." Thorin just stared his mouth agape." Where in Durin's name are we?" She shook him till he met her eye's then she gestured to the lights in the distance." Welcome to Woodland Hills California." Philicia told The dwarf king. "Well since you deceided to leech onto me at the last second, What have you done you have to go back , you can't be here"She screamed at him. "No I will not let you be here with no protection." I don't need protection but you might." Philicia took a good look at Thorin, he was still wearing his black breeches mail shirt and dark blue great coat . "Oh hell no this is not going to work they will surly have you on the tenth floor at Cedears Siani in a strait jacket." Philicia threw her hands up in the air."What is there something amiss?" She whirled around. "Yes you missed something, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE !"She scremed at him again. "Thorin ,what have you done, Oh my God, What am I going to do?" With that she broke down and cried.
"The first thing we have to do is get out of here."She said grabbing Thorins hand and pulling him along. "First of all I will not go anywhere with you till you are a little bit more rational." Thorin pullled his hand from hers. She stopped and looked at him."Your right and I'm sorry it's just well I was not expecting you to jump on me at the last second, I'm scared ok I don't know what this is going to do what if it messes everything up and we can never go back, Can you honestly say that you can live in my world Thorin?" Philicia gave him something to really think about . "I do not know." He groaned as the inplications if his actions struck him like a hammmer to an avil. "Well were about to find out. Come on let's go." So they started walking till Philicia had found one of the hiking trails. "Do you know where we are?" He asked trying to make sence of the strange terrain."I'm not sure. " Philicia said. "There should be a sighn somewhere that will tell us where we are." She reassured Thorin. So after walking down the trail for a while Thorin spotted something in the darkness. "Ser-serri, Philicia over here." He called. "What did you find Thorin?" "A marker of some sort." Thorin poited to the sighn barely visible in the dark. "Serrania ridge trail. Oh I know exactly where we are." She hugged him and turned her head in the direction of the light's."This reminds me of standing on the ramparts in Erebor looking out over the City of Dale." Thorin pointed to the lights of L.A. "I use to go hiking up here as a kid so we should be out of here soon." After Philicia found the path that led to the parking lot she suddenly stopped."Thorin we have a huge problem." She sat down on the curb to think." How so? "He asked her a serious look upon his face. "Well I can come up with some sort of explination for being gone but how do I explain you." Thorin sat down next to her and they thought of a solution together. "So what do we need to do first?" He asked reaching for her hand bringing it to his lips. "I don't know, I only get a hundred dollars a month from my trust fund and in your world I have been gone for three months but in this one it could only be a matter of days." She buried her face in her hands . "Philicia, I have a solution." Thorin then reached into his coat and pulled out a bag."Whats that?", She asked. Thorin dipped his hand in the bag and when he removed it he showed her. " Is that gold,Oh my gawd Thorin" Philicia gasped. "How much do you think this is worth?" "I don't know depends how pure it is and how many pounds is there". "I can assure you this is pure gold. " Thorin took a piece out and studied it." Besides we can't sell it anyway" "Why not?" "I can't sell it i'm under eighteen and you don't have I.D. nobody would touch it, and how can I explain where it came from. I know someone who works for the CDMV they could get you a fake Id and then we could sell the gold and hopefully that would give us enough money to get what we need for the next few day's. Come on let's get going we have a long walk ahead of us. Philicia and Thorin walked till sunrise and finally made it Woodland Hills. ."Sequoia Ridge Drive, hey theres a strip mall down the road a ways they probably have an ATM." She told Thorin." Pardon but you lost me a ,whats a strip mall? " He asked slightly embarresed." Oh it's not what you think." Oh" The King nodded his head in understanding. "I was right there it is," she said gesturing to the sighn that said Woodland Hills Center After locating a ATM she cautiously approached it."Are you alright Philicia?" Thorin noticed her hesitation to approach the glass enclosed structure."I'm fine just have to be careful lot's of robberies occure at ATMs ." "Do not concern yourself for if we are attacked they will feel the end of my blade." Thorin reached behind him and hidden under his great coat was Orcrist. "Thorin put that away you can't have that here." So he returned the sword to it's scabbord a displeased look on his face. After getting everything from her account they found a close restaurant to get some breakfast .They went across the street to the IHOP. "Now When we get in there if anyone ask you are an cosplay actor ok." Philicia also showed him how to use the american money and how to not get cheated. "So If I buy something for twelve dollars and fifty cents and give them a twenty I should get ten dollars and fifty cents back." "You got it" ,she said pulling the doors open to the restaurant. Thorin's sences were engulfed with so many different smells he couldn't place one from the other." I'm hungry how about you" she asked taking the Dwarf Kings hand. After their waitress seated them Philicia didn't fail to notice the looks she was passing Thorin. He noticed the same and when she returned to take their order he reached for Philicias hand and brought it to his mouth . They both got the bacon and egg special with the pancakes and coffee "What is this Coca Cola?"he asked showing her the menu. "Oh that trust me you will love it. It will bubble like ale but taste sweet." Thorin raised his eyebrows at that one. When their drinks came first thing he did is take a big drink of the brown liquid. Suddenly he began to cough and choke. "What in Mahals name is this?" he coughed again."You are not supposed to take a big drink ,small sips." So their food came they proceeded to eat rather quickly. "After what the elves were feeding us ,this is really good. " Thorin proceeded to pour every flavor of syrup there was on the table onto his pancakes. After they were done Philicia paid for their breakfast and got drinks to go for both of them. " Hey it's about eight -thirty and time to call in a favour", What?" Thorin said as Philicia pulled out her phone. Philicia pushed some buttons in her device and started talking into it . "Hey it's Philicia you know that favour you owe me well I sorta need a fake id for a friend of mine. Oh yeah I will send you a picture with all the info." Well we are all set all we need is a good photo and a change of clothes for you." So they headed to the nearest store that was open. Half an hour later Thorin came out dressed in a tee shirt sneakers and jeans. "How do they feel , are they comfortable?" She asked looking the Dwarf King over. "They are amazing I should get more of these." Thorin smiled his hands ghosting over the soft fabric. " Awesome now lets get that photo so I can have that fake id for you." So the photo was taken and she sent it instant messenger and a text was received a few minutes later. Philicia gave him Thorins hair color, height and weight ,fake birthdate and her old address. They could pick it up in a few hours . So they walked and she told him more about what to do and what not to do. Where the safe areas were and where to stay away from. A little while later her phone rang" What in Mahals name is that sound?"Thorin screeched a wierd look on his face." My Phone, hold on a sec will ya". She stopped. "This is Philicia" She said talking into the strange flat device.'Awesome, and are you sure it's legit", Good I wouldn't want anyone running the information and figuring out it's fake, no I can't tell you , No I'm not dating you know who. K ,see ya in a bit. "With that Philicia ended the call." Good news I hope." He said leaning against a street light pole. "Yes I have to meet my friend in thirty minutes at the corner of Willow and Ventura Blvd. We have got a bit of a walk ahead so we better get going." All the sudden there was a loud sound coming up the street. " Really now,really!" Philicia looked to Thorin the expression on his face priceless as two firetrucks ,sirens blairing came barrelling down the road. "What was that?" Thorin asked jumping back so fast he nearly fell over. "Welcome to my world , theres probably another car accident some where." "Is that how you lost your family?" Thorin asked his face afright. "Something like that." she said . "Come on we have to cross now hurry before the signal changes". They dashed across the street as the light changed from red to green. "Now we have to just keep goin till we get to Willow."After a while finally reaching the meeting place Philicia asked Thorin to let her do the talking." Your voice is a dead give away so don't say anything." Thorin agreed and not a minuite later her friend showed up he hugged Philicia and they said a few words then he was gone. "Well here you go Mr. Thomas Oakshaw".She gave the piece of plastic to Thorin as he scrutinized his likeness shaking his head exaspurated. "And this is what we needed seems so much trouble for such a small thing". Thorins eyes traveled over the photo of his likeness and he frouned."Well it's not a little thing cause without that we are screwed." Philicia huffed at him." Now to get rid of that bag you have." Thorin and Philicia sat in the grass as she searched for a bank "Great theres one real close." So they walked to the bank and Philicia told him what to say once they got inside."May I help you?" the teller asked checking thorinout her eyes halting at his muscular shoulders. So even tho the teller was quite shocked she believed the story about Philicias dad having the gold in a vault and it coming to her upon his death. In the end they walked out with sixteen thousand dollars in cash witch Philicia had transferred to her account. "Thorin carrying that much cash around is just crazy too easy for it to be lost." She explained to him. "Aye we would not want to be robbed." "Thorin added adknowledging his understanding. "Ok now we have money what to do next, what to do, what to do, what to do."Philicia paced back and forth." Now might be a good time to secure some lodging for the night." Thorin suggested. "I for one do not wish to sleep out here tonight." Thorin shifted his feet as Philicia realized the Dwarf King seemed exausted and just beat down. "Thorin", she said cupping his face in her hands." Are you ok?" "I am just weary that is all my heart." So Philicia found a good hotel for them for the next two days one that had all the ammennities. She booked the room online and all they had to do now is get there. Noticing how tired Thorin was she called for a taxi. "I really need to get my car that way we dont have to walk or take a cab." "You have your own car."" He gasped stumbling over the unfamilier word. "Yes I do It's a Cherry red Ford Mustang it's only a two seater but it will help a lot." she added. "And where is it now? " Thorin inquired about her moad of transportation. "One of my dads friends from his law firm is holding it for me all I need to do is make a phone call I still have the keys." With that Philicia pulled a set of keys from her purse." This one is for my car and this one is for my house well it was my house it was sold after my parents were." She stopped as the bitter memories washes over her. "Here's our ride" Philicia motioned for Thorin to get in first. He was hesitantat but got in anyway. " The Marriot at Woodland Hills Please" She told the driver. "This is strange How does it move without anything to pull it?" Thorin asked grabbing Philicias hand when the car accelarated. "Thorin are you ok you seem a bit pale."He was holding Philicias hand so tight her knuckles were turning white as the car moved at a speed beyond his comprehention. "Thorin we're almost there just a bit further." She squeeze his hand . "Is this what you told me about how we could make it to Erebor in three day's" Thorin said gracing her with his rare smile."I remember and yes and we are not even on the freeway or we would be going a lot faster." "How so?" He asked making that puzzled expression again. She told him what she could about cars and how they operate "So the harder one pushes on the foot pedal the faster the vehicle will move." "Your quick maybe I will teach you to drive." Thorin's face went white at Philicias commment. "We are here Sir, Mam." Philicia handed the man her debit card and sighned her name on a piece of paper .Thorin grabbed their bags and they exited the cab thanking the driver. "Well you have to get the room I can't " "Oh right ."Thorin remembered she was a minor in her world and couldn't do some things yet. They walked up to the check in desk" There is a reservation for a Thomas Oakshaw. " Thorin told the receptionist. "Oh yes Mr. and Mrs. Oakshaw you are on the third floor down this hall and to your right are the eleavators ." Thorin signed the paper and that was it. "That wasn't to bad at least we got a place to stay. You will love this it's really nice definatly better than The Prancing Pony that's for sure and they have room service." Philicia laughed. "This the the elevators ok now when it starts to move it will feel like your stomach is in your throat if you get dizzy grab that bar." She warned Thorin what to expect. "There are always the stairs also if you don't like this." The doors opend and Thorin stepped inside first the small box seeming to give with his weight.,Philicia was right behind him." Could you press the number three button". Thorin leaned over and located the panel and after pushing the one Philicia had said the box began to move. "Oh Mahaul this is exilirating" Thorin held onto the support rails as the elevator lurched to a stop. "Did you like?" she asked as they stepped out. "I did , this remindes me of my childhood when Ferin and I would slide down the bannisters on sleds. My mother would worry thinking that one day we both would split our heads open on the stone."Thorin let the fond memory flash through his mind. Philicia tried to imagine what his childhood was like and she made a mental note to ask him soon. They finally found their room and she showed him how to use the swipe card and then she gestured for Thorin to open the door. "Welcome to my world." She said as as he stepped into the suite and froze. "Is this to your satisfaction my king ?" Thorin and Philicia let their eyes roam over the suite. It had a large room with two sofas and a chair set around a fireplace someone had thought to set one burning upon their arrival. There was a large flat screen TV set above the mantle and a computer desk in the corner. Off to the left was a small kitchenette complete with a small table and all the bells and whistles in place. Next to that was the bedroom whitch Thorin set to exploring first. There was a king size bed in the center wall with two nighttables on each side. A chest of drawers and a dresser on the other wall. There was also a walk in closet. " What do you think Thorin?" Philicia asked circling her arms roundabout his waist."What is in here?" He breathed opening the door" Oh heck yeah!" She gasped. There was also an ensuite bath complete with a large jetted tub a private toilet and double sinks."This is awesome," she shrieked eying the bathtub. "What is this for"Thorin asked holding out the removable shower wand. "This you will absolutly love,This is what we call a shower. I am going to get one before we go to sleep". You should too". Thorin sniffed himself ."For once I will not disagree with you" So They spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing before calling her dads friend to get her car. Philicia called for room service and within half an hour their dinner came .Thorin had the pot roast and Philicia got the chicken fried steak all and out the food was delicious. "Now for one more thing you will enjoy about my world, TV!" With that she reached for the remote. Finding a station that Thorin wouldn't freak out on Philicia chose a nature series while she explained how to operate the remote."Now you have to be careful there are some station that show well stuff for marrried people."She blushed and Thorin nodded his head understanding her meaning. "So all I do Is push these buttons and I can change this to whatever I want." You got it." Philicia had always thought that Thorin was very intelligent but seeing him in her world she realized how smart he really was. "What now ,now that we have a place to sleep and bathe and a ready supply of food" The Dwarf kings embracement of Philicias world showing itself. Philicia had been looking out the window there room had a perfect view of the L.A. skyline " Thorin come see this"? She softly called to him. He came up behind her and encircled Philicias tiny waist with his arm's planting a featherlight kiss upon her head."What is it "he said." Look isn't it beautiful Iv'e spent my whole life here I was born here ,I went to school here. My life was perfect till that stupid drunk came in and destroyed everything. I hope he rot's in prison". She didn't hide the tears that fell Thorin turned her around and with the pads of his thumbs brushed them away. "Now you will have a new life with me once we retake Erebor and drive out the dragon." Thorin kissed her sweetly and held her while they both gazed at the tall buildings off in the distance.
"I talked to my dad's friend and he is going to bring me my car in the morning. Since it has only been a few days no one has reported me missing . Ms. Abigals don't really care after all I will be eighteen in a month anyway ."She said after a long silence.. "I have never asked ,so when is your birthday ?" Thorin gave her his biggest smile yet. " August fifteenth." Philicia replied her head still staring at the light's in the distance. " That is not that far off so therefore we will have to celebrate. Do you know about where we will be on the journey?" Thorin asked a mischevious grin on his face" Im pretty sure we will be at Beorn's house but I could be wrong so we will just have to wait." Philicia reached up and planted a kiss upon his lips before reaching for the phone on the table. She dialed the front desk and after giving the clerk their room number "Do you have a clothing storage in the hotel"? After hanging up Philicia informed Thorin that someone would be here in a bit to bring them some clothes in assortd sizes and styles. They were both lounging on the sofa drinking hot tea when the knock came on the door."Good evening mam I am here from clothing ."The woman said handing her a handful of assorted styles. "What you don't need just let us know and I willl send someone for it." Philicia thanked the lady and placed the articles on the sofa. They would sort them out after the movie ended. Philicia had found Titanic and Thorin was all into it so she deceided to wait till it was over." I do not understand there are not enough lifeboats so over half the people dround." He said frowning."Thats the way it happend they were more concerend with appearances than lives,it's tragic but thats the how it happpend." She said turning her attention back to the movie' She laid her head on Thorins shoulder as his arm came around her waist.
After the movie ended they set to sorting out the clothes. "This would look awesome on you." Philicia said holding up a silk shirt of Sapphire Blue."It will match your eyes, what do you think?" She said tossing the shirt to Thorin. "I will try it on and we will see." he said catching it easily. "Here take these with you too."She chuckled tossing him a pair of black jeans. While Thorin was changing Philicia spotted a beautiful Lime green and Fushia dress it would hang to the floor due to her height she sat the dress aside and spotted a pair of mens sleep pants she sat them aside also. But what she found next really made her head swim. It was a nightgown of black lace with a matching cover up to go with it . "Oh this will knock his socks off. "she giggled placing the elegant gown in the slow accumilating keep pile. Philicia was rummaging through the stack again when Thorin came out of the room. "What do you think?" He asked her." Turn around let me see" So he spun in a slow circle while Philicia studied the outfit. "i used to have several shirt's like this hanging in the wardrobe closet in my old rooms in Erebor, may perhaps they will still be worth salvaging."Thorin at the mention of hisancestoral home his eye's turned far away." Wow you could be a cover model dressed like that,It looks good." Too good she thought. "All you need is a leather trenchcoat and you would be turning heads left and right."She smiled at the Dwarf King. "I picked these for you also for something to sleep in. " She handed Thorin the grey silk sleep pants looking them over he was quite pleased. "Now for the underthings." Philicia blushed as she tossed boxers, and briefs at him." And what do I do with these?" He asked. "Look at the front i'm sure you'll figure it out." So Thorin turned the package over and his face went blood red. Philicia burst out laughing with the expression on the handsome dwarfs face. "I'm not done here yet so you can have the shower first, come on i'll show how to start it." Thorin followed Philicia into the bathroom " Ok first thing is to start the water, see this handle turn it." Thorin reached in and wrapped his hand around the lever and gave it a quick turn. "Ah " he jumped back as water came spraying out of the shower head. "Now see these markings notice how one is blue and the other one is red . The blue is cold and the red is hot. So if you turn it a little more the water will get hotter." She explained to him to not turn it too much cause the water could be really hot ." Set to what's comfortable k". So Thorin made the water tempature to his liking. "Now this is the shampoo and this is the conditioner and there is lotion and what ever you want , Enjoy." She said and with a giggle left him alone. So Thorin pulled the tee shirt off ,the jeans came next and when he was undressed he stepped under the spray of water and found the most wonderful bathing experience he ever had. The water running down his bare back was amazing and the way the soap just ran off Made the hot water soothing on his sore back . He twisted the shower head and the pressure of the water changed from a soft spray toa pelting . He leaned forward a bit and what felt loke a massage was exileratring. A loug groan was heard from the bathroom s he let the hot water beatupon his muscles. Thorin finally stepped out and grabbed a towel. He came out of the shower the towel secured snugly around his waist. "Well how was it?" She asked as he stepped into the room water dripping off his hair as it ran down his bare back." Indeed that was, how do you say it, awesome." She let her eyes roam over Thorins bare chest ." Well my turn " Philicia jumped up and within a few minutes he heard the shower start and them the sound of Philicias beautiful voice filled the room. As she sang Thorin sat in a chair and began to comb out the snags and tangles rebraiding his hair. By the time he had the beads secured Philicia was done also." Thorin." She softly said ,"Will you rebraid my hair and replace the beads for me?" Thorin looked up at Philicia and his breath was knocked from him. "Mahal you are so beautiful. " He breathed closing the gap between them. He sat her down on the chair and began brushing her long locks till they shined. Taking a smalll section of hair above her ear he began plaiting it. When the braid was done Thorin clasped the silver bead back into her hair."You look beautiful." He said kissing her tenderly. Thorin was stunned at what she had on . It was a black night gown with see through lace about the waist and lace panals down the side that covered just enough to not be too revealing. By the time the baths were done it was already late and both were exausted from lack of sleep. "Come Philicia." Thorin took her hand and led her to the bedroom turning out the light as he went. "Oh this is going to feel like heaven." She said falling back on the pillowtop mattress. "Yes a real bed!" Thorin was quiet as he slipped into the grey silk pants and then she felt the mattress give under is weight and no sooner did his body slid between the crisp sheets when his arm's camearound her his head resting into her side. Philicia found the music station on the TV and had the love songs channel on when Thorin joined her. Whitney Houstons I'll always love you was playing and Philicia was singing along.
I hope, life treats you kind, and I hope, you have all you, dreamed of
and I wish you joy , and happiness , but above this, I wish you love.
and I will always love. I will always love you. I will always , I will always love, you
Philicias let the tears fall silently onto the sheets but Thorin knew the hauntingly beautiful song affected her more than she let show. "Azyunigal" He turned to his side gathering her in his warm strong arms." Why do you cry my heart?" His soft and gentle voice was her undoing . She wrapped her slender arms around Thorin as the fear and uncertinty came pouring out. "I'm so scared that you will be gone back to , back t-t-to , your wor-r-rld and I won't go be able to go with you ,O God Thorin I couldn't live anymore if that happend I would die inside ,I love you so very much."Thorin lifted her chin to meet his eye's and kissed her with a tenderness that even caught him off guard. "And I love you also that is how I felt the other night when you were ready to leave for here. It hurt Philicia , and I knew I could not let you go alone so I followed you." He kissed her again but instead of the gentle brushing of his lips across hers this one was explosive. Thoris mouth came flooding over hers his tounge brushing her lips begging for acceptance. She opened and admitted him into her warmpth and he plundered her mouth toung's twining together arms reaching, legs twisting. They wrapped themselves around eachother and let the tide of fellings overflow. 'Philicia about the other night when you, when you touched me the way you did" He stopped breathing for a second stumbling with his words."I can't say that i'm sorry I told you once I'd never be sorry and I'm not. Thorin what we shared was just a begenning for us. Remember you said we would take this journey together and maybe that was part of it." Philicia kissed him softly this time "It was the most powerful thing I had ever felt and so badly do I want to feel it again . But if we let ourselves get carried away like that again I can not gurantee you I will be able to stop. Do you understand what it is I am telling you?" He cupped her chin and raised her head till their eyes met. " I know Thorin and I want the same thing. She met his eye's then. "And I want to do this proper I want you as my wife and queen before I claim you" Philicia froze at the and Thorin kissed her again pouring everything into the kiss. Hot and passionate yet warm and gentle. "Sleep my love' and dream your girlish dreams." "Love you Thorin" she fell asleep with her head over the Dwarf Kings heart .
