Two months later, as Thorin watched from the high balcony over the gates of Erebor, he saw a cloud of dust on the horizon – and then he knew his people were arriving. His heart started hammering in his broad chest.
They are here, at last. After so many months, they are here.
He sent Balin to gather all his companions on the baclony, and together they waited for the newcomers. Soon they were able to distinguish faces and silhouettes. Thorin was eagerly looking for Laurelin's brown hair flying in the wind, but at first he saw nothing but tired faces of men and women who were definitely not Laurelin. They all looked up at him and greeting him loudly, but he barely heard their voices. Where was Laurelin ? Why was she not here ? Had something happened to her ? By Mahal, why was she not here ?
And then suddenly he spotted her, walking beside a small wagon pulled by a donkey. A powerful wave of relief washed over him as he recognized her slender silhouette, her pretty beardless face, her long brown hair. She was wearing a worn woolen dress, and old boots, and the splendid elven cloak Thorin had sent her from Rivendell its colours had not faded, and it shone emerald green in the light of this grey, boring day. She had braided her hair, and even from his balcony he could see the pendant he had carved for her dangling around her neck. A long thrill ran down his back, making him shiver from head to toe.
She is here. At last, after such a long wait, she is here. My Laurelin. My love.
He smiled and felt tears of emotion fill in his eyes.
Next moment, he returned inside and ran down the stairs four at a time, forgetting about his dignity. It didn't take him long to reach the newcomers everybody wanted to thank him and to congratulate him on his victory, and to share a few words with him, so he couldn't quite ignore them. Every time he had to stop, and to say a few words, and to smile politely even if inwardly his heart was yearning to run to Laurelin.
When he was done with the small talk at last, he was free to meet Laurelin at last. They both froze as they saw each other. Thorin couldn't help but scrutinize every inch of her face, as if to make sure it was true and not just his imagination playing tricks on him He looked at the soft peach fuzz on her cheeks, the freckles on her small nose, the sparkle of hope and joy in her big brown eyes... It was her, yes – without a doubt. It was Laurelin. He opened his arms and closed them around her, and he held her close for a long moment. It was almost too good to be true. He couldn't believe it was truly happening, yet he could feel her warmth against him, and the smell of her hair, and she clung to him like a woman about to drown would cling to her raft, with surprising strength for a woman so slender.
For a long time they said no word, and just enjoyed each other's company in silence. But when he released her at last – very reluctantly – he saw no smile on her face, but tears. At first he didn't understand, but then he saw that she was staring at his scar. The one on his face, that ran across his brow and ended on his nose. Thorin had grown so accustomed to it, during these months, that he barely saw it anymore, but now he realized what a shock it probably was to Laurelin and all the others who had last seen him more than two years ago. And on top of everything else, he had knocked his head in the darkness, as he had explored the mines with some of Daìn's dwarves a few days ago the scar-tissues had been ripped open by the rough surface of the rock, creating a wound that looked a bit gruesome even if it was, in truth, no more than a scratch.
« It's nothing. » Thorin said reassuringly, with a smile. He wanted to stroke her cheek, but he was not sure how she would react to such a touch, after this long separation. « Within a few days it will be gone and forgotten. »
« But the scar... » Laurelin whispered, still looking horrified. « Who gave you that scar ? What happened ? » At this moment she understood how close he had been from getting killed. She had almost lost him during this damned battle. She put her hand in front of her mouth, and bit her lips to keep herself from crying.
Thorin fet a twinge of sadness. He had expected tears of emotion, but not tears of pain and shock. He felt guilty for making her feels these things, when all he wanted was to make her happy. Yet at the same time, he felt deeply flattered that the idea of him almost dying had such an impact on her. It made him realize how important he was to her. He took her in his arms again, and rested his chin on her frail shoulders, and allowed a few tears ti run free they rolled down his rugged cheeks, before getting lost in his black beard.
« Nothing in this world could have prevented me from coming back to you. » He whispered into her ear, his voice hoarse with contained emotions. « Not even death could have stopped me , because you are the most important thing in the world for me and I needed to see you again. »
Laurelin cried even harder as she heard his words. She buried her face in his chest and grabbed the back of his shirt with both hands, snuggling as close to him as it was possible. Then, after a while, she gathered her courage and stood on tiptoes to kiss him on the corner of the jaw, very timidly. His beard prickled her soft lips, and then her cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she talked to him :
« Maybe we should look after this wound, don't you think ? To help it heal more quickly ? » She asked, lowering her eyes.
« Yes, of course. » He replied, his face just as red as Laurelin's. This gentle kiss had taken him by surprise, and made him blush in embarrassment like a shy little maid. It had been so light and so soft that he had barely felt it, like a bird's feather, yet it had given him shivers of excitement all over
his body. « But not right now. » He added regretfully. « I am sorry, but I must speak with Dwalin, and welcome my people, and I also have other duties to attend to before I can take the time to care about myself. »
Thorin had barely just taken the time to wash out the dirt from his wound. He knew it was nothing, and it would heal on its own , but it it truly distressed Laurelin he would be glad to let her do whatever she wanted with him, as soon as he would have some time to be alone with her.
« Of course. » Laurelin replied, nodding. « I won't bother you any more. » She said shyly. « We will see each other later. »
« Would you stay with me Laurelin ? Would you stand at my side while I wlecome them back to the halls of Erebor ? » Thorin asked. The idea of her leaving his side so soon after their reunion was unbearable. He had missed her so much.
Laurelin smiled and nodded.
« It would be my pleasure, my King. » She said pleasantly. And then she followed him as he walked from one group of Dwarves to the other. She saw him welcome his sister the Lady Dis, before rthe Dwarf woman was swept away from Thorin by both her sons. She also watched the reunion between Dwalin and Thorin, but when the warrior suggested to make a full account of the journey to Thorin, the king of the Dwarves just shook his head.
« Later. » he said. « For now, you'll be more useful helping all these newcomers to settle comfortably. Balin will help you, and Nori and Ori have volunteered to lend a hand as well. They're waiting for you in the Great Hall. »
Dwalin nodded, and Thorin smiled proudly at him. He knew he would always be able to count on his friend.
Once Dwalin was gone, Thorin turned to Laurelin. She was actually the true reason why he had not wanted to talk to the warrior right now he was too eager to be alone with her to listen to the other Dwarf's words right now. He had so many things to tell Laurelin ! So as soon as it was possible, they made off together and Thorin led her to his personal appartmaant. Laurelin didn't remember much – she had been so young, when she had fled Erebor – and was glad to follow Thorin, who had had time to explore the endless halls of Erebor during the time he had waited for her.
« Sit down. » She ordered him gently, pointing at one of the chairs. « I'm going to take care of that. Do you have warm water ? »
« There must be some in the kettle over the fire. » Thorin replied, as he obediantely sat into the chair. He watched Laurelin who was bustling about. Every muscle in his body relaxed as he understood she would be taking care of him again, as she used to do before they had been separated.
Laurelin poured a bit of warm water in the basin she found in one corner of the room, then she found a clean towel on a shelf, as well as lavender-perfumed soap. Then she went back to Thorin. She froned as she watched his wound. It wasn't deep, but there was still some dirt under the black crust. It would not be easy to clean, but Laurelin was determined to do whatever it took to make a proper job. She wanted Thorin to feel pampered and safe and comfortable, like in the Blue Mountains. She dipped the piece of cloth into the soapy water, then she moistened the hard black crust. At first she stood next to Thorin, but after a while she realized it would be easier if she were standing in front of him, so she moved and settled between his open legs. Her face was so close to his that she could see every pore of his skin, every tiny hair.
Thorin had nothing do do but to sit and wait till she was done, so just watched her silently. She was so close he could feel her breath on his skin it gave him a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if he had eaten frogs that jumped about his belly. Somehow, it made him forget everything he had been though since he had left her alone in the Blue Mountains : the pain, the hardship, the battles and the scars, everything was gone and forgotten, replaced by a blissful feeling of happiness. He watched Laurelin intently : the way her hads moved like tiny white creatures with a life of their own, the way she bit her lip while she was concentrated on Thorin's wound... She was wearing humble and worn clothes, but underneath there was the warmth and softness of her skin, and the beating of her young heart. He couldn't help bu be aware of how close she was, so close their bodies were almost touching. Thorin was aware – in a slightly awkward way - of each of her movements but her presence and her touch also reassured him. She was still the Laurelin he had known in the Blue Mountains, and she was here, and their bond was just as strong as it used to be - and nothing would ever come to stand between them again. Nothing had changed, except that now they were truly home.
« Don't worry. » He said softly when he saw her wince as she cleaned the wound. « It's nothing. » I've had worse injuries during the battle, he almost added, but he bit his tongue just in time to keep the words from escaping. Terrifrying Laurelin would bring no good. It was better to keep these gruesome details to himself.
He lifted one hand and stroked her cheek very gently, enjoying the unusual smoothness of her cheeks. He had never seen a woman like her before.
Laurelin blushed as she felt Thorin's touch on her face, even more so because she was standing close to him, so close. She could feel his strong thighs on either side of her own legs, and it made her feel slightly dizzy. Her eyes went from the wound on Thorin's brow to his eyes her eyes were shining with conainted emotions.
« My king. » She whispered almost pleadingly, stretching out her hand to touch Thorin's. Seeing him woke up all the pain she had endured during his absence : all this sadness, this loneliness, these endless worries... Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the bitter days of solitude, and the empty walls of the house standing all around her.
Thorin saw how distressed she was, and Laurelin's sadness brought his own pain back to life, but he refused to let any bad memory tarnish this first moment alone with the woman he had been craving to see again for such a long time.
« Laurelin. » he whispered very gently, to reassure her and to make her understand it was all over now – no more pain – but also because he liked saying her name. It made his own pain go away, as if it were some sort of magic spell.
Laurelin finished cleaning Thorin's wound, but more and more tears were running down her cheeks, turning everything around her into blurred patches of colors. For a moment she considered putting a bandage over the injury, but then she realized she would not be able to do so she felt so weak, at the brink of bursting into loud sobs, so she just stepped away from Thorin and asked in a tense voice if she could leave.
Thorin looked at her, surprised, wondering why she was so eager to leave – even more so in a moment when she felt so distressed – but he didn't want to upset her any more so her nodded and told her she was free to leave whenever she wanted. Of course he would have loved to talk with her for hours, but if such was her desire this conversation could wait till she had recovered.
« The journey from the Blue Mountains was long and exhausting, I guess. » He said with a kind smile. « You deserve to have some time for yourself to rest and recover. I just want you to remember that you will be welcome here, in my chambers, at any time of the day or the night. » He was already dreading the feeling of loneliness that would fill this place once she would be gone. He lifted his right hand to wipe away Laurelin's tears. « I understand you feel drained, after all these emotions. A few hours of sleep will do you good, but please do not try to hide your tears from me. There's no shame, Laurelin. »
He smiled warmly at her, but his fingers were still stroking her wet and glistening cheeks. Laurelin lifted her hand, and put it softly on Thorin's wrists. Then she closed her eyes and sighed deeply, showing him how much even this small contact helped her feeling better. She savoured it for a short while, then she kissed Thorin's hand, with musch respect but also with tenderness. Then she walked quickly out of Thorin's bedroom, after bowing to him one last time.
Thorin wanted to scream her name, to beg her to stay at his side – he didn't want her to leave him so soon – but the words refused to come out of his mouth. So he just watched her walk away at a brisk pace, and once she was gone he stared open-mouthed at the frame of the door where she had disappeared, already feeling nostalgic for this moment they had shared.
Next morning, Thorin sought out Laurelin. If it had been up to him, he would have knocked at her door at the first hours of dawn, but he had forced himself to wait till the sun was higher in the sky. He didn't want to wake her up or to bother her on her first morning in Erebor. But when the bells rang the tenth hour of the morning, he could't wait anymore. He stood in front of the door to her bedroom and knocked very softly. Her heard her light steps at once, on the other side of the wooden panel, and then she opened the door. She smiled as she recognized Thorin, and invited him to enter, very politey.
« I hope you like your new room ? » He asked, and he couldn't help but smile. The mere fact of being in her presence made him giddy.
« It is wonderful. » She said truthfully.
There was a moment of silence, then Thorin pulled Laurelin's necklace out of his pocket and held it in his open hand, under Laurelin's nose.
« I kept it safe against my chest all the time. » He said. « I looked after it even better than I looked after my own life. » He added. « It was my lucky charm during my long journey. It kept me safe when we faced danger. I have to thank you once more for giving it to me. And today I am more than glad to give it back to you. »
Laurelin's eyes filled with tears once more. She closed Thorin's big fingers around the pendant, as she had already done on the day Thorin had left her in the Blue Mountains, before the quest of Erebor. She didn't say a word, but the message was clear enough. She wanted him to keep it.
Thorin nodded briefly, then he pressed his hand with the necklace against his chest, right over his heart.
« Thank you. » He breathed in his deep voice. Carrying this pendant had become an habit for him, and he would have felt truly vulnerable without it – so Laurelin's decision to let him keep it came as a real relief. « And there's this, also. » He said, as he grabbed the velvet pouch hanging from his belt. « Before leaving for Erebor I left you a small chest of gold, and you decided to send these coins to me in Rivendell instead of keeping them for yourself. Today I insist on giving them back to you. No, Laurelin... Please. » He said, when she opened her mouth to refuse. « Don't refuse. Take this gold, and use it well Buy yourself something that you really want. Something that will make you really happy. »
Laurelin nodded.
« I will, my King. » She said. But deep down she knew that nothing in the world would make her as happy as being reunited with Thorin. It was something gold couldn't buy, something infinitely more precious than all the treasures of Erebor.
Thorin had barely left Laurelin when Dwalin came to talk to him. They went together to Thorin's chamber, and for a long time they talked about nothing but Dwalin's long journey back to Erebor, with all the other Dwarves. They had enciuntered no major problem, apart from an awfully bad weather during the months of spring.
When there was nothing left to say about this subject, Dwalin leaned forwards and lowered his voice. Thorin understood at once that the next question would be more personal – not a conversation from one friend to another, not from a King to his subject.
« And... And Laurelin ? » The warrior asked gruffly. « You told her 'bout your feeling yet ? Did you... » He lowered his voice even more. « Did you spread her legs already ? » He asked with a bawdy smile.
Thorin recoiled as if Dwalin had slapped him.
« She's not a piece of meat ! » He said sharply. He knew Dwalin well, and he knew that the warrior had probably not meant to insult Laurelin. It was just his way of talking – he had been brought up by a rough bunch of Dwarves, after all – and usually it didn't bother Thorin that much to hear such words from his mouth. He had grown used to it. But this time it was different. This time it was about Laurelin. And this time it did bother him.
« Sorry. » Dwalin apologized quickly, when he realized he had ruffled Thorin's feathers. « I didn't mean no harm... »
Thorin sighed.
« I know. It's just... Well, I did talk to her, actually, but not about my feelings for her. I need to be sure that she's feeling the same for me, before telling her... and I must find the right moment to do so, as well. I'm not in a hurry. I don't want to ruin what we already have by blurting out awkward words. It has to be... » He sighed again, then he decided to be truly honest with his old friend. « In truth, Dwalin, I have to admit I'm a bit afraid to talk to her about my feelings. What if she turns me down ? What if it breaks our bond of frienship and trust ? »
Dwalin, who knew Thorin well, chuckled softly.
« I watched her, you know. » He said gently. « I watched the tears in her eyes when she saw you again, for the first time in years. I watcher her stand at your side while wou greeted and welcomed the Dwarves back to Erebor. I watched her as you two walked away together, a few moments later, to be alone together. » He paused and smiled gruffly. Thorin realized the warrior had come to his own conclusions as to what Thorin and Laurelin had been doing during this time alone together. « You want my opinion, Thorin ? The girl's as much in love with you as you are with her. You shouldn't worry too much a bout that. »
Thorin shrugged.
« I don't know. » He said slowly. « Really, I don't know. The only thing I am sure about is that I want to spend all my time in her company – to talk, and to laugh with her like we used to in the Blue Mountains, and to spend our evenings together reading or playing games... » He looked Dwalin straight in the eyes. « Not to do what you think we have been doing. » He added sternly, and Dwalin nodded meekly.
« Then what are you waiting for ? » Dwalin asked. « You've been separated for such a long time. You didn't see each other for two years, Thorin ! Two years ! There will never be a better moment than now, d'you realize that ? Why don't you go to her right now, and tell her what's weighting on your heart ? »
Thorin clenched his teeth and gave his friend a sharp look. He knew he wasn't handling all this very well. He was aware of his own weakness. It killed him to be unable to express his feelings to Laurelin. He didn't need Dwalin rubbing salt in the wounds by reminding him of how stupid and cowardly he was acting right now.
« Can't you just leave me alone ? » He said, annoyed.
But Dwalin didn't seem to hear him.
« She travelled alone. » He said very seriously. « Not once did I see her spend any time with another man. Why do you think a pretty lass like her is alone, if not because her heart already belongs to someone ? » He paused, then he pointed at his broad chest. « I don't know if you've noticed, but she wears the necklace, too – the one you made for her in Laketown. Sometimes at night, when she thought she was alone, she would remove it from her neck and hold it in her hands while looking at the stars. I'm sure it means a lot to her. »
Thorin couldn't help but smile.
« Truly ? » He asked, and there was so much hope and joy in his voice that Dwalin chuckled fondly. « But Dwalin, please. Leave this to me. Don't try to interfere, or to help in any way. I know you mean to help me, but please, stay out of it. »
This time Dwalin laughed out loud.
« Don't worry, Thorin. » He said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. « I won't put my big nose into your business. I'm no good with women anyway, but... » He paused and considered Thorin for a long while, suddenly serious again. « But let me just give you one last piece of advice : don't wait too long, or somebody else will tell her the words you are afraid to say. Don't let her wait too long, or else she might think you're feeling no more than frienship for her. »
This thought was unbearable. The idea that Laurelin – the woman who made his heart leap with joy everytime he saw her – might turn away from him to share her life with another Dwarf was torture.
« A few more days. » He said at last. « I think I'll need a few more days to gather my courage, and then I'll talk to her. »
They shared a long look, and then they shook hands.
« You're my friend and I want to see you happy, that's all. » Dwalin said at last.
A few moments later, they were interrupted by a messenger knocking at Thorin's door. Dwalin left, and Thorin unrolled the parchement the messenger handed him – but his mind was elsewhere. His mind was with Laurelin.
Now that she was here at last, Erebor had truly become a home for Thorin Oakenshiled, the new King under the Mountain.
That same evening, when Thorin returned to his chambers after a long hard day – helping all the Dwarves to settle in was not an easy task – he was surprise to find a clothing chest in his bedroom. When he opened it, he recognized all the clothes and other items he had left behind in the Blue Mountains, when he had left for the quest of Erebor. He felt an odd twinge of nostalgia as he saw these old things, because they reminded him of a life that had disappeared forever living in the Blue Mountains had not been as good as living in Erebor, yet Thorin had lots of happy and beautiful memories there. Seeing his old things stirred these memories and brought them back to life, and he smiled as he remembered all the hours he had spent teaching Laurelin to read or to write, or the endless hours working in his small forge... They had not been unhappy, and somehow the idea that he would never set foot in the small mountain village again made him sad...
« Laurelin... » He whispered with a fond smile. It could only be her.
Then he got his clothes out of the chest to put them into the tall wardrobe of black wood that stood in one corner of his bedroom – and he noticed that Laurelin had not only brought them back to him, but she had also mended them, and dyed them anew, and some of them she had even embroidered with golden or silver thread, making everything look truly regal. Some of them were truly fit for a king, now, and the rest would be comfortable for the quiet days at home.
At the bottom of the chest, Thorin also found his books. Each of them had been wrapped in a white linen, and none had suffered from the long journey they were just as perfect as on the day he had left them behind.
Once everything was cleared away at its new place, Thorin went to knock at Laurelin's door.
« I've found the chest. » He said, with a broad smile on his lips.
Laurelin smiled back.
« I entrusted ot to Dumran for the journey, because it was easy for him to carry such a heavy weight, with his big wagon pulled by oxes. » She explained. « I hoped he would have it brought to your chambers as soon as possible. »
« Thank you. » Thorin said fondly. « Once more you've proven how kind and devoted you are. » He said. « Most would have taken their own things, and left everything else behind, but you took the time to pack my own stuff and to bring it here with you... » He touched her cheek, very softly. « It's good to know there is someone I can truly rely on, but... you shouldn't have put so much effort into refreshing these clothes. »
Laurelin frowned, suddenly afraid.
« You don't like them ? » She asked, looking up at him. « Are you... Are you angry at me because I touched your personal things ? »
« Oh no, Laurelin. » He reassured her at once, taking her hand in his. « You've misunderstood me. I love what you have done. Your skills at sewing and embroidery are absolutely wonderful, and my clthes are perfect. They are even better, now, than they were at the moment I bought them, if you want me to be honest. But I just meant... All these hours you've spent working on my clothes... » He shook his head. « You should have spent these hours taking care of yourself, Laurelin. » He stroked her cheek, more firmly this time. « It really touches my heart to know you've been thinking of me all along, Laurelin. You cannot imagine how incredibly happy this thought makes me. But at the same time it makes me sad, because all the time you devoted to me were lost to you. Instead of resting or enjoying yourself you just worked even more. »
Thorin still remembered Dwalin's words, so he searched for the pendant he had carved into the wood for her, and he saw that she was wearing it indeed.
Laurelin saw his eyes linger on it.
« It brightened my day, when this man came and brought it to me. » She said with a gentle smile, and a sparkle of joy in her eyes. « I knew you hadn't forgotten. In spite of all the dangers, you were still thinking of me. I wanted to write you an answer so badly. » She continued. « But I didn't know from where you had sent it to me, and I knew even less where you would be by the time I came up with a decent response... It killed me to just sit there and do nothing... »
« Don't worry... » Thorin said reassuringly. « I knew you wouldn't be able to answer, and I didn't expect anything back from you... I just... I just wanted to let you know that I hadn't forgotten your birthday. »
He could still remember that day in LakeTown, when he had carved the pendant. He had missed her so much, that day. He was not even sure he would ever see her again, and he had been aware that this necklace might have been his very last gift to her.
But it's over now. He reflected, his heart starting to beat faster with emotion. No more dangers, no more death. And the necklace is at its rightful place : around Laurelin's pretty neck.
« No one had ever offered me such a beautiful gift before. » She told him, her voice suddenly shy. A slight blush coloured her cheeks.
« It's just a bauble. » Thorin said, shrugging. « No more than carved wood. »
« But... » She started, but her throat was tight and the words refused to come. The fact that it came from Thorin himself was what made this pendant so precious, so important. She didn't care whether it was made of woor or of gold Thorin had made it with love, and he had made it for her, and nothing else mattered. Tears of emotion filled her eyes as she remembered her own feelings, on the day she had received this gift : after months and months of worries and fear and uncertainty, one day this man had knocked at her door to bring her Thorin's necklace. It had meant Thorin was alive. It had meant hope.
« You deserved something much better, but se had spent our last coins to pay Bard. » Thorin explained. « So I had to do with whatever was at hand. But it really warms my heart to see that you wore it in my absence, and that you keep wearing it now. »
« Thank you. » Laurelin said in a weak, trembling voice.
Thorin watched her intently, and he guessed how hard it must have been for her to spend such a long time alone. He opened his arms and hugged her tightly, wishing life had offered them another option that being separated for two years.
Laurelin rested her head against Thorin's chest and sighed deeply, doing her best to keep her tears in check. She put her arms around Thorin's waist and hugged him back it was still hard to believe she was here at last, and that everything was over, and that they were together again. Touching him, clinging to him as she did now helpd her making everything more real.
They remained like that for a very long while, enjoying each other's warm presence. Thorin was glad to see that the bond uniting them had not feded during the years of separation – on the contrary. He felt like they were even closer now than they had been in the Blue Mountains. Feeling hr against him, so small and vulnerable and trusting, made him feel wonderfully happy. It was the best feeling in the didn't want to let her go, ever again.
I love you... He wanted to say, but somehow he still didn't find the courage to utter these words aloud. But it didn't matter.
For now, holding Laurelin in his arms was more than enough.