Oda could not sleep that night. As she had returned from the mountain Fili and Kili had tried to cheer her up, but Oda had not been in the mood. She had asked Dis for a cup of tea and had closed the door to her room. Oda could not bear the thought that she had to leave these dwarves who had become her family. She pressed her face deep into the pillows and froze as a familiar smell caught her attention. The pillow still faintly smelled like Thorin. Oda moved her hand into a fist. Everytime she thought of the dwarf king she felt as if she was burning and a longing ache waved through her abdomen. She remembered the time when Dwalin had tossed her around in the training ring, throwing her into Thorins arms. Thorin had caught her fall and his hands on her hips had left burning marks. With a groan Oda stood up and opened the window for some fresh air. She took a deep breath and suddenly she heard a metalic noise coming from the smithy. Following a sudden urge Oda grabbed her cloak and threw it over her nightgown. Determined she stepped out of the house. Her body screamed for his touch and Oda knew now that she needed it. That she needed him. She had subconsciously fought her longing for the dwarf king for weeks and instead of getting weaker the longing for him had increased.

Oda knew that it was wrong. That dwarfs grandfather had taken her home and had occupied her peoples home. Thorin ruled over her people now. And he was Kilis uncle, her best friends uncle. At the door of the smithy Oda leaned heavily against the wood, unsure wether she should enter. Closing her eyes Oda took a deep breath. She would be married soon. Married to a man she did not love, whom she did not even like. Cursing quietly she decided to go back to her room, but then the door to the smithy opened and Oda fell backwards into a pair of strong arms with a startled cry.

Thorin could not be more surprised himself as he opened the door to catch some fresh air and was confronted with a body falling through the opened door. In reflex he caught the body and looked down to see Oda clinging to his arms. Her hair was a mess and she had blushed slightly. To Thorin she had never been more beautiful.

'My goodness, I am so sorry, your majesty.' she whispered hoarsely.

'Thorin.' the dwarf reminded her and smiled warmly.

'Thorin.' Oda replied hoarsely.

'Why are you here?' Thorin asked and realised that she was still in his arms.

'I...I could not sleep.' Oda blushed even more. 'And I did not want to wake up Fili and Kili.'

'But we are right here!' Kilis voice came from inside the smithy. Oda peaked behind Thorin and saw his nephews sit in front of the fireplace, grinning at her.

'Could not sleep, ey?' Fili grinned at her. Oda rolled her eyes. She would never hear the end of it, of that she was sure.

'Oi, look who is still awake at this hour?' a loud voice made them jump. Dwalin had seen the light in the smithy and had decided to visit his friend. He grinned as he saw Oda in Thorins arms. Thorin and Oda parted as if they had burned each other and Dwalin laughed. 'Care to join me? I am on my way to the pub.'

After a few minutes and after Oda had put on something decent to wear the five of them headed towards the pub at the lower rims of the city. All of them had put on earth-colored, simple clothes to not attract any attention. The pub was crowded but they managed to get some seats in a small corner. Soon they were joined by two drunk men.

'Excuse me, do you mind to scoot a bit?' the not so drunk man asked them and Oda sat down on the arm rest of Kilis armchair. Dwalin leaned over to tell them a funny story he had heard on the training area today as the two drunk men started chatting.

'I think my wife is sleeping with our neighbour.' the older man sobbed.

'How do you know?' his friend asked him. Oda glanced at the dwarves who looked as astonished as she was.

'Its a feeling I have, you know?' the older drunken man murmured.

'Like wearing somebody elses shoes?' his friend asked further.

'Thats the feeling!' the older man answered promptly.

Dwalin grinned maniacly and Thorin just shook his head in amusement. Oda tried to divert the dwarves attention.

'So, Dwalin. You wanted to tell us something.' she started but the sobbing man continued whinning. 'Never mind.' she sighed and leaned back.

'Why is this happening to me? I think its my wound...' the older man whispered loudly to his friend. Oda covered her eyes with her hand. That was too much information.

'It has not healed yet?' his friend asked him.

'Nope. Its even getting worse, suppurating like crazy...' the man continued and Dwalin, who was sitting right beside him scooted away from him wincing.

His friend only sighed. 'Listen. You need to hear it from me, not from somebody else. Its me. I am sleeping with your wife.'

'So you are the neighbour?' Kili asked curiously and earned a slap from Oda.

'Do you mind? We are trying to have a private conversation here.' the man snapped at Kili who only leaned back and continued grinning.

The betrayed man continued sobbing more loudly and asked Oda for some tissues. Intricately Oda fumbled out a few tissues from her dress, but apparently she was not quick enough. The sobbing man teared them from her hands and Oda jumped back to the arm rest of the armchair.

'Oh, give me this thing!' he yelled at her. But the situation was so comical that neither Oda, nor the dwarves took his yelling seriously. 'You are no longer my friend! We are finished! You are a bastard for doing that! Get away from me!' he continued yelling at his friend and yelled furthermore as he stood up, circled the corner they were sitting in and stormed out.

The dwarves and Oda stayed behind, not knowing wether to laugh or to be utterly shocked. While the drunk guy had been yelling, Oda had slipped down the arm rest towards Kili and Kili had protectively put his arms around her. It was a very platonic gesture, but Thorin could not help but feel jealous.

'Did this really happen? Dwalin, what did you want to tell us?' Oda asked, still shocked.

Dwalin looked at her with big eyes, the two men had thrown the dwarf out of concept. 'I have no idea.'

In this moment Thorin started laughing and Oda turned around. Thorin looked completely different when he laughed. Small wrinkles appeared around his eyes and his deep laugh made Odas heart skip. She sat back up onto the arm rest and looked at Thorin.

'You should laugh more often.' she said without thinking, biting her lip as the word had slipped out of her mouth.

Astonished Thorin looked up to Oda and saw her biting her lip. This simple gesture did it. He knew now that he wanted her. Dwalin saw Throns control slip. Clearing his throat Dwalin stood up and dragged Thorin with him.

'Whats wrong with you?' he asked his friend. 'She is not your type.'

'Nothing is wrong.' Thorin sighed. 'Is it that obvious?'

Dwalin smirked. 'No. But I know you very well, your majesty.' With a last slap on Thorins shoulder Dwalin returned to Dis sons and Oda. Thorin stayed at the bar for a while and slammed his forehead onto the counter. This is how his nephews found him.

'Uncle, whats wrong?' Fili smirked. He had guessed what was wrong but he wanted to tease his uncle a bit. Kili had no idea what was going on, he was still a bit naive as far as love was concerned.

'Maybe his ale was bad?' Kili suggested.

Hearing Kilis remark Thorin slammed his head back down onto the counter again.

Sorry for the Slowmance, guys ;) But they'll get closer in the follwoing chapters.