Fear

Thorin knew that their departure was imminent; Gandalf would be back in two days, hopefully with Fili and Kili. There was only so much that Thorin could think about at the moment – if he allowed himself to become burdened with finding his nephews as well, he'd self destruct.

Leah got up from the sofa and quickly put her clothing back on, a hint of shame coming through in her actions. Thorin frowned, sensing it. "What's wrong?" he asked, getting up from the warmth of the sofa and standing in front of her. "Never be ashamed in front of me."

"I'm standing here, half naked after just having sex with a man I've only met," Leah said cynically. "I know I'm not exactly a super model when it comes to my looks."

"And who exactly decides what is beautiful? I think you're beautiful, so why should you even consider other people's opinions of you?" Thorin hissed. "There is so much fear in you. You're scared of what's going on around you, the dreams and flashbacks. I told you, together we will help you regain your lost memories."

Thorin couldn't help but feel himself becoming incredibly frustrated with her. She was different in this world, and to the point that looks aside, she would probably be unrecognisable if her personality alone was all to guide. But he knew she was locked away; all the kindness, radiance and hope she'd displayed back in Middle-earth was there. As she'd climaxed and said his name, he could hear the Leah he'd fallen in love with coming back to life. And that was the Leah he wanted to rule Erebor with.

Leah continued getting dressed until she stopped and sat beside Thorin on the sofa, who was now dressed in just his trousers, remaining topless. "Tell me about us," Leah said quietly. "How did you realise you loved me?"

Thorin looked into her eyes. "It was the night by the fire. I already felt something for you. I would watch you laugh with Dwalin and Fili, fitting so well with the Company. It was as if you were made to be alongside us. The day we found you just before meeting Beorn, and the look in your eyes was that of a child. You'd come to a strange world, only to be found by a company of dwarves, a hobbit and a wizard, yet you seemed to succumb wholeheartedly to the life we were leading."

Leah sniffed a tear away. "That's not me, Thorin. It never was and never will be. I might look the same, but the person you're describing is not me."

"I know it was you. The same fear that sits in your eyes I saw rise up when I left for battle. I don't believe it was the fear of your own death, it was the fear of mine. That fear has risen up and taken such a hold of you." Thorin didn't wish to appear arrogant, but he knew that Leah found her confidence and strength through him. And that was why he never gave the mithril shirt to her, but rather Bilbo. Thorin vowed on the night he held Leah in his arms that he would be her protector. Even if she hadn't of loved him, he would still have fought for her to make sure she was safe.

There was silence for a few moments, until Thorin spoke again. "I'd gotten used to the notion of never finding my One. I even felt that when you joined our Company that you'd be better suited for my nephew, Fili. I assumed at first that he'd caught your eye." Thorin looked down, feeling a slight blush cross his cheeks.

"What do you mean by your One?" Leah asked. She knew in her heart what he was referring to, but she wanted to hear him say it.

"The one who would claim my heart. As dwarves we only have one love and completely bind ourselves to them. I know that human men do not always see things the same. Some men can find themselves constantly falling for various women. But as a dwarf, my heart will only ever belong to one, and that is you."

Leah blushed and hung her head. "You may as well just get down on your knee right now with a big commitment like that."

"That is where I hope our path will lead. I would want nothing more than for you to rule Erebor alongside me."

"Rule?" Leah shot up again onto her feet. "You said nothing about ruling?"

"You must fight this fear!" Thorin growled angrily. "Ruling Erebor is my birthright, but if you cannot join me, then I'm afraid I will forfeit the throne."

"You're pushing me into a corner now. You're threatening me with his: if I don't do as you say, then you won't go and do what you need to do. I can't be the one that stands between you and that. I don't even know where you're from and what Erebor is. All I have is your name..."

"When do you find that you remember? Is there a particular time or event that helps you remember your lost memories?" Thorin asked.

"Just my dreams, and when we...you know, had sex."

"Did you see anything when you fainted?"

"I saw your face...and just knew I could trust you."

"And when you fainted, it was when I had kissed your hand. Your dreams and being intimate with me are the key. The more you allow yourself to open up to me, the stronger your memories will become. Your subconscious is struggling, but out of everything, your attraction to me is fighting strong. I have two days now to help you gain your memories or I will not take up my throne."

"Thorin, you can't do that for me."

"I've already made my choice. As soon as I knew you were here and I needed to find you, my mind was set."

Leah stood before Thorin as he was still sat down. She leaned down and kissed him, trying so hard to let her conscious mind go. Instantly she felt his hand brush down her face and the passion rise from him. Then his arms wound around her middle, pulling her gently onto his lap. "We have a second chance, my love. Don't let the fear take it away," Thorin whispered as he placed kissed across her face, cherishing her.

She looked into his eyes and in that moment, Thorin saw the Leah he loved so much begin to rise. "I won't. I promise," she said boldly.

xxx

Later that day, Leah left a message for her sister stating that was she was going to her friend's for the night. This was kind of true, but only to the part of going to someone's house; Thorin was obviously far more than just a 'friend'. Leah knew that she couldn't unlock her memories and talk in depth with Thorin in front of her sister – they had to have their own space.

Leah packed an overnight bag with a couple of sets of underwear and a clean strip of clothing. She knew that the decision to leave was also something she'd have to greatly consider. Without her memories, she still didn't have any clue of the world she'd be leaving home for. She trusted Thorin, but everything past that was just completely unknown.

Thorin knocked on her bedroom door. "May I come in?"

"Of course you can," Leah said, offering a smile. "I was just looking around to see if I need anything else. I'll miss it all."

"Are you saying you're considering coming with me?" Thorin asked, not wishing to appear too hopeful.

"After all the weird unexplainable stuff that's been going on here, how could I not?" Leah replied. "And the way you talk about having a One, I want to be loved like that, Thorin. I know it's stupid and people would see me as being all sensitive and stereotypically girly, but I want to be loved like that. Treated as though I'm the only woman in the world who matters and be the princess."

"You would be a queen," Thorin said proudly. "My queen."

"What will it be like?"

"We will have to re-build Erebor after the destruction that Smaug caused. But you will want for nothing, Leah. I ask that you will always be ready to stand by me and give me any counsel I may need."

"It'll take a bit of getting used to, I'm sure."

A short while later and Leah left the small maisonette block. Thorin walked beside her, carrying her bag like the gentleman he was. His other hand remained by his side. But his face beamed with a smile as Leah reached over and gently took it in her own. She laced her fingers between his and they walked on.

Once they reached the one bedroom flat where Thorin had found himself twenty four hours previously, he let them both in, only to find a white haired man sat in the armchair opposite the television set. "I was wondering when you would show up," he said gruffly.

"Gandalf," Thorin called out. "How did you get in?"

"Still have magic, even in this place," he replied. "Although how you turn this on is still beyond me." Gandalf pointed at the television screen.

"You use this," Leah said, grabbing the remote control off the coffee table in the middle of the room. She pressed a button and the screen came to life; there were bright colours and people running around on a huge piece of grass, kicking a ball.

Gandalf laughed. "I have seen this before. One army of men have to get the ball into the net, and the other army have to try for the other net. Am I correct?"

Leah laughed. "They're called teams, not armies. And it's football."

"Any sighting of Fili and Kili?" Thorin asked.

Gandalf momentarily unglued his eyes from the television and turned to Thorin. "Oh, yes, yes. They will be joining you tomorrow I expect. They're both in a place called Gloucester and need to travel. They go by the names Dean and Aidan in this world. I just call myself Ian – short and simple name." He then got up and stood in front of Leah, looking her directly in the eyes. He frowned.

"What's wrong?" Thorin asked, noticing Gandalf's expression.

"It is strange. My magic has masked her memories well enough, but they have become warped by unwanted emotions. It is as if the darker aspects of Leah are guarding her memories, holding them back. The only memories which are coming through are the ones which are connected directly to you, Thorin." Gandalf placed his hand on Leah's brow, feeling her tense. "It is alright, my dear. This wall needs to come down. All your fear and insecurity are keeping you from what has to be done. Believe me, beside Thorin you will both prove to be the greatest rulers the kingdom has known, and your bloodline will be strong."

"Bloodline?" Thorin asked, shocked by hearing that word. "But, would we even be able to conceive? We are different races completely."

Gandalf looked at Thorin with a smile on his face. "Why do you think that worlds have almost been pulled apart to keep you two together? You are meant to be as one. And your children, and children's children are destined to be great rulers, like those of old. A force has intervened, one of which I do not yet understand, that is adamant in keeping you together."

"I don't understand any of this. If we're destined to be together, then why were we born in completely different worlds?" Leah asked, placing her hand on her hip.

"All I can think is that your souls became parted at some point in their journey. All of our lives are mapped out before us, but only so much can be controlled. Every now and again an unseen force will become entangled, ready to put us back on course. Now I really must leave." Gandalf dashed to the door. "Remember, two days. I have business to attend to."

"Business?" Leah asked, amused.

Gandalf straightened. "While the veil is thin between our worlds, I must keep watch that dark forces cannot enter your land."

Thorin called after the old man and followed him out. "Gandalf! What do you mean dark forces?"

Gandalf stopped in his tracks. "If you and your nephews came here upon your death. Who's to say others haven't, too? I cannot believe I even overlooked this possibility."

"Azog?" Thorin whispered, his eyes growing dark with anger and fear.

Gandalf nodded his head. "And in this world he could be anyone. It seems that we do not come to this world looking the same as when we left Middle-earth."