Hey, I'm back!

Sorry about the wait. Some-one, not me, thought it would be a marvelous idea o pack up the laptops into a box that was going to storage... and then we had to unpack everything because that somebody didn't think it wise to label the box... AND THEN the internet guys had issues upgrading our internet so we had to wait for that.

But enough of that,

Thank you:

uno mega: I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but, i am going to have the journey added... eventually. I do have an ending planed now and thus the journey well need to happen for the ending to take place.

Vault108: ... I love you...

Chapter 4: Azgharab

The two of them returned home and hour or so later. Ahvain put the basket on the table and started to put things away in the pantry. Only a few things remained in the basket.

"If you give me the clothes you want washed in the hall I'll pick them and a wash them for you." She disappeared into the pantry.

"I…" Thorin did a mental inventory of his remaining, clean, clothes. "Do you have anything I could wear while you do so?"

Emptying the basket and returning to the pantry she answered, "In the chest in your room there should be some clothes. If they don't fit you can try some of my father's."

Her voice was still sharp in anger. Thorin tried to think of something that would maybe cheer her up but nothing came to mind. "Thank you."

She gave a curt nod.

~karak~

Ahvain had gone outside to wash the clothes leaving Thorin to try and find something to wear. After going through the clothes in Ahvain's grandfather's chest and not finding anything to wear Thorin was unsure about what to do. He couldn't just walk about trying to find out which of the rooms was her father's naked as a baby. That would be highly inappropriate. Instead he grabbed the top most pelt off the bed, wrapped it around himself and walked cautiously into the hall, looming both ways before stepping completely out of the privacy of the room.

There were two other bedrooms between his and Ahvain's room. This was of course the dwarven way to arrange rooms. In the case of a raid or attack, the attackers would have to go thru the eldest, most skilled before getting to the woman or children. From that Thorin assumed which one of these unknown rooms was her parents'. He put his hand on the knob and pushed. I didn't budge. A part of Thorin's mind froze. "Now what do I do?"

He looked down the hall almost expecting the woman to walk down it and find him. Thorin tried the door again. I was locked, Thorin was sure of that. With every ounce of hope he moved down to the next door, it opened. He smiled and pushed open the door fully with his free hand and stepped inside. The smile disappeared. The room was empty.

"You're in the wrong room." The voice behind him made him jump and red blush his face. King or no, he was only covered by a pelt across his waist. He pushed the embarrassment about his lack of clothing aside and turned to meet her in the eye, clutching the pelt tighter in his hand.

"I tried the other, it was locked."

Ahvain tried the door herself before heading off to her room. Thorin stood straighter as she got closer. His skin warmed when she brushed past him.

She got to her room and made her way over to the box on the bedside table. Moving various metal clasps aside, she found a key. Her face reddened in a blush now that she was out of sight. Thorin was built, or since he was a dwarf, sculpted from stone. She saw the scars, knew he had seen battle and wouldn't argue the fact that he was a warrior as she had thought before, but now there was no denying it now. "And those tattoos…" She took a deep breath and shook her head as she shut the lid. "Hopefully that takes care of that blush."

Thorin was still in the hall when she came out. "The clothes are hanging now; they shouldn't take that long to dry." She brushed past him again andunlocked the door. "And sorry about the door, I don't remember locking it." She pushed it open and gestured him inside. He thanked her and entered, she shut the door behind him.

He looked around the room. It clearly hadn't been used. Dust had settled and tracks could be seen from where somebody (most likely Ahvain) had stepped before him. At the foot of the large bed was a huge wooden trunk. It creaked as he lifted up the lid. Inside was full of clothes. They were heavy, meant for the frigid winter weather. That reminded him of the approaching cold season. "I'll need to get warmer clothing before heading back." Thorin moved them to the base of the bed, careful to not unfold them. The further he got the lighter the clothing got.

A brown, short-sleeved, tunic was as the bottom. It looked long enough but not wide enough for his shoulders. So he put it on the right side of the trunk and looked for breeches instead. These he found shortly after. He pulled out a pair, stood up and dropped the pelt, hoping he wouldn't be needing to wear it until his clothes dried. They fit. Thorin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

With a restored optimism he reached for the tunic. As he had guessed it was tight around his chest, a little snug around his arm, but it was wearable. Pleased with his temporary clothes he put the things he'd removed back and shut the lid. He picked up the fur pelt and stood up and took one last look around the room.

It was a basic room. A bed, a trunk and a small bed table was on each side, another trunk was on the other side of the room. The only decoration was a drawing of an elven woman holding a baby with dark hair. The work was held in a wood carved frame and hung opposite of the bed. Thorin could only guess that it was Ahvain and her mother.

Thorin looked at the drawing longer than he should have, finding the similarities between the mother and the grown daughter; her gemstone green eyes, smooth silky hair and lithe, muscled body from her mother… her ears.

The dwarrow king shook his head and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. He returned the pelt to his room before venturing into the main of the home. Ahvain was cooking something on the stove. The smell made his mouth water as soon as he inhaled. He came up behind her, ignoring any regards to personal space, and (for the most part) looked over her shoulder to watch her cook. From here he could smell the floral sent of her hair mixed faintly with the sweetness of her sweat. She didn't act on his closeness; in fact she smiled and continued on. "Something has made her day better."

The inner, cocky, voice in his head smirked at the thought. "She saw you naked. She's probably never seen truly seen a male before. That might have done it."

Thorin inwardly scoffed.

"After we eat would you like to deliver the tools we finished?" She had yet to look at him, or address his proximity to her, so he assumed he was okay to stay.

"That is what you told the man, yes?" She nodded.

"Well," She then looked at him for the first time since he'd returned from changing. "What I meant to ask is if you'd like to join me?" She went back to stirring the contents of the pan. "A chivalrous dwarf such as yourself wouldn't let me carry all those tools myself would you?"

Thorin saw no harm in playing along. "Oh no, milady." He went ahead a prepared some plates a utensils, putting them on the surface space beside the stove. "That would be unbecoming of me."

"Yes, because you proved yourself to be the perfect gentledwarf with that race earlier today?" She smirked and started dishing up the plates.

They ate quickly and chatted of things still to be done in the forge.

~karak~

By the time the two had started home the night had begun to fall. Frogs crooked in the distance and created a peaceful background noise. Bats started to fly around, inspecting the couple walking on the dusk lit path. They would have been back sooner had it not been for the chatter that Kars' (the old farmer's) wife had started. It then brought on a sharing of recipes between the two while the two males talked of efficient tools and business.

It was then that Kars gave Thorin another warning about keeping Ahvain safe and doing right by her. Kars then explained that his father was just a boy when the raid had killed her parents. His grandfather had been the one to find them dead in each other's arms. He then told him of how she had saved him in another raid when he was young. He didn't go into much detail and they then got back to a previous topic and continued from there.

When evening came Kars and his wife insisted that they stay for the meal. Chatter during the meal was somewhat a continuation of the sharing of cooking tricks and tips. It took an awkward turn and it caused Ahvain to blush at the memory.

The older couple had sat Thorin and Ahvain next to each other at the table. Talking had stopped for the moment. Ahvain had just taking a bite of the meal when Eragin, Kars wife, asked a harmless question, had it actually been happening.

"How long have the two of you been courting?"

Thorin, who had taken slightly too big of a bite, swallowed hard and had to take a swig of water to stop the cough from leaving his throat. Ahvain was not so lucky and nearly spit out her food. Countering that, she swallowed and had started to cough. Thorin gave her a few rough pats on the back.

"Uh, Thorin and I aren't courting Eragin."

The old lady's face fell slightly and a look of confusion was added. "If the two of you are not courting, then why is he living with you? It would highly inappropriate if you weren't."

Kars put down his fork, "Come now Eragin, it's not like they're sharing a bed."

Thorin and Ahvain turned to stare at each other with matching baffled expressions.

Kars caught this and took it wrongly, "So then you do share a bed." He took a sip of his water. "Well, it has started getting cold at night. They have to stay warm somehow in that big empty place."

Ahvain was at a loss for words. She sat with her mouth agape slightly.

In a calm seriousness that only Thorin could maintain, he set down his fork and spoke in an even tone. "Ahvain and I do not share a bed. She has allowed me to stay in Darik's old room."

It was quiet after that.

"What are you chuckling about?" Thorin asked nudging her slightly with his shoulder as they walked.

"That was a very interesting dinner, wouldn't you agree?" She smiled.

Thorin returned the smile. "I've never been mistaken for courting a woman."

"Certainly you've courted women whom assumed so?"

He shook his head. "Courting isn't something I have much experience in."

"I find that hard to believe."

He smirked, his earlier embarrassment forgotten. "Why?"

Ahvain was taken aback, "Had I said my last words about loud?" The expectant look on Thorin's face said 'yes'

"Um, "She rubbed the back of her neck in a nervous manner. "Well, you're so kind for one, and you're loyal, protective… you must have the she-dwarfs lining up for you." things had gotten too serious for her liking so she pushed him with her shoulder. "Do I need to mention that you're quiet easy on the eyes?"

He didn't shove back; in fact he had been rather silent.

"I'm sorry, that was over stepping it."

"No, it's…"

He stopped talking, suddenly alert. In the new silence Ahvain's ears could pick up the sound of hoof beats on the ground. They weren't far from town so it wasn't that unusual, but it was the fast pace of the horses that concerned her. The riders approached quickly, hollering and shouting about themselves in drunken slurs.

Thorin moved in front of Ahvain instinctively, his hand slowly moving for a sword that currently wasn't there. The woman behind him noticed when he let out a dwarven curse.

"You don't have your sword?" He couldn't tell by her tone if she was chastising him or in disbelief.

He shrugged.

One of the riders stopped the pair and yelled to the others. "Hey, looky `ere boys… we got ourselves a…" He rode up close to Thorin and sneered, "Dwarf and his whore."

Thorin wore a scowl and released a low growl. He used his entire body to shield Ahvain from the five men. She stepped closer to him, flesh against his back. He thought her scared until she whispered a question.

The men were discussing what to do with them, so she had to speak directly into his ear, "Do you carry a knife in one of your boots?"

Horses circled them, their owners laughing about something one of them had said. Thorin nodded. One of the men, most likely the leader, got down and approached the two; the others blocked them from escaping.

He sent a smirk to the two before drawing a sword and pointing it at Thorin. "Give us all your money dwarf."

"And don't fool with us. We know you dwarves like to show off your riches." Another added from the group.

Thorin scoffed, "We do no such thing."

The sword got closer to Thorin's throat. "Lair!"

Ahvain dropped to her knees. "Please, we really do not carry any coins with us."

Thorin felt her hand reach in his boot before the leader turned to face the kneeling woman.

He laughed at her dropping his sword ever-so-slightly, "Look boys, we `ave a kneeler."

A chuckle passed thru the crowd. Thorin growled again.

"Possessive are we?" He looked at Thorin before returning his gaze to Ahvain. "Get up wrench."

The leader moved quicker than Thorin thought a man could and kicked out at the woman Thorin was slowly starting to realize he cared for. In the moment Thorin moved to tackle the man before he could kick Ahvain, said woman had lurched up, grabbed the man's foot and had flattened him to the ground. The small dagger which had been in Thorin's boot was now pointed at his exposed throat. Thorin grabbed the sword he'd dropped before he realized what was truly happening.

"Be gone with you, or I'll spill his blood." Ahvain snarled, pulling the man's hair back, exposing his neck further.

The men murmured amongst themselves, their leader was on the ground sweating and hissing in pain from the angle Ahvain held his head.

"Well?" Thorin, now with a sword, held it tight and passed a look of hatred to each of the company.

"We'll leave if you let him go." One of the men moved his horse forward.

Ahvain's grip on the knife faltered. "How about you leave, and we'll leave him here for you to pick up later?"

"You'll kill him!" Whether it was a question or a declaration, Thorin was unclear.

She scoffed, "Who attacked who?"

The man on the ground wiggled a bit, "Do I get a say?"

Ahvain yanked on his hair and Thorin kicked him before both shouting their answer at the same time. "No!"

The men started to back away, Thorin growled again.

"I don't have all night, leave and we'll spare your lives."

The men started to back away, making quick glances to their leader who gave what little of a nod he could manage with his head pulled back and a small blade at his neck. They left. Ahvain partially released the man, leaving the knife at his throat. Thorin directed the blade in his hand towards the man. If he attempted anything funny, Thorin was going to be there.

"You are going to stay there until we are out of your sight, if you try anything, I will kill you." Ahvain took notice of the cool, commanding tone in his deep voice.

"Do you understand, or is that weak skull of yours too full of ale to manage it?" Thorin had stepped closer, replacing where Ahvain stood, and pushed the tip of the blade flesh with the throat of the leader.

Ahvain smirked.

The leader curled his lip and snarled, "Go, have fun with your whore."

A growl rumbled deep in his chest. "Turn around, human."

When his back was turned Thorin took the hilt of the sword and hit the man in the back of the neck. He fell like a bag of potatoes in a heap on the ground. Thorin kicked him for good measurement and turn to Ahvain.

"Are you alright?" He still held on to the man's sword.

"I'm fine. I've had a few exciting nights in my lifetime." She gestured for him to follow her and they started to follow the path back home once again. "At lease you have a sword now."

Thorin released a huff of air from his nose.

She handed him his dagger, "Thank you, by the way. If you hadn't have had that knife… well I don't want to think of that outcome."

Shaking his head, "No, thank you, without your quick thinking we would have had to fight bare handed."

Her nose wrinkled, "Not my strong suit."

With an interest to the conversation Thorin inquired, "What is your weapon of choice? We've obviously had some sort of training."

She nodded. "My first lessons were with a bow, and then after my parents died Grandfather taught me swordsmanship. I have a good arm, if I may say so myself. And you do not want to see the damage I can to with a frying pan."

Thorin chuckled. "I would not doubt that."

They came up on the dwelling called home. Thorin had put the new sword in the forge, saying that he could melt it down and make something better from the metal. After that, a few words were shared, along with short laugh over the night's events and the pair departed to their separate rooms.

Thorin poked his head out from the room before Ahvain closed the door to hers. "Ahvain."

Her head stuck out from the room. "Hmm?"

"If you get cold, I leave the door unlocked." What compelled Thorin to say that, he hadn't a clue but when a beautiful heartfelt laugh echoed down the hall, Thorin took back all regrets.

"As is mine Thorin, as is mine." She shook her head, a smile plastered on her face. "Good night."

It was contagious, his lips stretched. "Good night Ahvain, see you in the morn."

Both doors closed afterwards and both persons climbed into bed with a smile on their face. Outside a lone figure had watched the pair walk into the home, a scowl adorned their face. One hand rubbed a sore spot on the back of the neck. The other messed with an empty scabbard.

Another man joined and the two watched the shadows in the house migrate to their beds. The one turned to the man who joined them.

"How long until they are ready?"

"We can attack tomorrow, when the moon starts to fall."

"Good."

They turned away and walked off into the grassy landscape.

So, yeah, not as much action as I had originally planned but now there is a cause for what is to happen in the next chapter. Which is half done, and will be finished... Friday, maybe.

Also, if you guys ever have any questions or ideas feel free to send it to me, you can PM or send it in a review (I'll actually get it quicker if you send them in a review)

And another thing... I was watching The Hobbit yesterday and couldn't believe that I missed that cheeky smile Thorin gives his nephews a Bag End... He should defiantly smile more... when you can, go find it

Yeah, i'm done rambling now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.