Next morning, Thorin woke up before the break of dawn. Everything was still silent, except for the wild barking of some dog in the distance. The sun was not even close to getting up. For a moment he considered going up, but then he remembered what had heppened the day before and he smiled. Laurelin had come to his bedroom just before he had gotten to bed she had asked him if he had some laundry to wash or to mend, and Thorin had been overjoyed to see her one last time before sleep. She had gathered the heap of laundry in her arms, but Thorin had forbidden her to wash them at once.
It is late already and you nest rest. He had told her in his kindest voice, with a beaming smile. And then, as she was already leaving his bedroom, he had gathered his courage to asked her – in a hopeful voice – if she would be here next morning as he woke up. He had added that of course it was not an obligation, it was up to her to decide whether she wanted this or not. After a short moment of hesitation, Laurelin had accepted to come.
Of course I will come. She had told him, before bidding him good-night. Then they had shared a long look, and a smile, and then she was gone. And Thorin had fallen asleep, knowing the first face he would see in the morning would be that of the woman he loved.
But now he was awake much earlier than predicted – he was so restless, so impatient to see her – and Laurelin was probably still asleep, recovering from her long and hard journey. Asleep in a real bed... Thorin reflected. For the first time in months, she was alseep in a real, warm and comfortable bed.
Thorin decided to wait for her in bed. There had been so much work to do, since they had reconquered Erebor, that he had never taken the time to simply enjoy his life – but now wasd probably the best moment to start. He shifted slightly under his blankets, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes to relax. It felt good, to do nothing.
In fact, he actually relaxed so much that he fell asleep again.
Several hours later, Laurelin opened the door as quietly as possible and entered into his bedroom. She couldn't help bt watch him as he slept he looked so serene, so peaceful. The lines on his face had disappeared now that his features were so relaxed. Then she opened the heavy velvet curtains, allowing the light of the sun to flow in. Since it wasn't enough to wake him, Laurelin walked over to his bed again. She didn't really know what to do, or how to wake him, because she had never done this before : neither with Thorin, nor with anybody else. She felt slightly nervous. She stared at him for a while, hoping he would unconsciously feel her gaze upon him and wake up, but obviosul the magic didn't work.
After another moment of hesitation, she decided to prepare his clothes and his breakfast before waking him up. It took her longer than in the Blue Mountains, because the place was still unfamiliar to her and she had to explore every drawer, every cupboard before finding what she needed to prepare Thorin's food as he liked it.
When everything was ready, he was still asleep but this time she knew she would have no other choice but to wake him.
« My King... ? » She whispered softly. « It is time to wake up, now. The sun is high in the sky already. »
She put one of her hands on Thorin's uncovered shoulder, and rubbed it slightly
Thorin grumbled, obviously not ver happy to be disturbed in his sleep. Then, he opened his eyes and he recognized Laurelin – and suddenly a smile appeared on his lips. The warmth of her hand on his shoulder was an unexpected bonus.
« Good morning. » He said, his voice still sleepy. « So how was your first night in Erebor ? »
Laurelin smiled.
« Wonderful. » She said, without removing her hand from Thorin's shoulder.
They shared a long look of complicity.
Thorin couldn't have dreamt of a better way to start the day.
Later that day, Thorin was sitting in the Council Chamber of Erebor, where he welcomed avery Dwarf who wanted – for whatever reason – to have a private audience with him. Balin was there, as well as a few other trusted Dwarves who had come from the Blue Mountains the day before. And Laurelin was there, too, of course. Thorin had asked her if she would mind staying at his side, and she had been glad to accept – any excuse to be close to Thorin was good to take. Yet now that she was standing here, so small between the high walls of bare stone, where every whisper echoed as loudly as a shout, she felt nervous and insecure. She felt like a tiny ant lost in a world too big for her. Thorin was sitting on the High Chair at one end of the Council Chamer it was an imposing seat carved into the stone of the mountain, with elaborate ornaments that made it look like a throne.
Laurelin was sitting next to him, in a chair that was smaller but very pretty all the same. She knew that before Smaug, this seat was traditionnally used by the King's wife, when she decided to be part of the audiences. Laurelin felt a bit uneasy to sit there, yet at the same time she was honoured and flattered.
When the old Dwarf who was talking to Thorin was done at last with complaining about the number of chicken he had lost during the journey, she got up from her beautiful chair and escorted him back to the exit.
Then, in the hall where the next Dwarves were already waiting for their own audience, Laurelin asked who was next. A group of three women stood up from their chairs. Laurelin greeted them nicely, with a polite smile, but she couldn't help but stare at them. All three of them were pretty, with beads of gold and copper in their soft woman-beards, and wearing richly embroidered dresses of velvet and silk. They wore jewels in their ears, in their hair, around their necks and wrists, even around their chubby fingers. They smelled of expensive perfume bought Mahal knows where, and they looked so perfect that Laurelin could almost see them sitting on a throne next to Thorin, with a crown on their heads. These were the kind of women a king needs at his side. Young, beautiful, feminine and well dressed. Seeing them was like a punch in the stomach for Laurelin just like so many years ago, in the Blue Mountains, when she had stared at an expensive dress on the market, it made her understand how unfit she was to be in Thorin's company. She looked at her rough and callused hands, at her neglected hair, at her humble clothes... Tears welled up in her eyes and a lump formed in her throat, but she just swallowed it back and forced herself to smile as she bid the three gorgeous women to follow her into the Council Chamber.
She took a deep breath and opened the door, and then she entered, followed by the three women.
One look was enough for Thorin to understand that something was wrong with Laurelin. He barely listened while Laurelin gave him the names of the women, and he desperately tried to make eye contact with her as she walked back to her seat next to him. He wanted to know what had happened, but she refused to look at him. It was obvious she avoided him, thus giving him no chance to ask the questions he wanted to ask.
Thorin greeted the three women, but soon he found out he was unable to talk to them while Laurelin was so obviously distressed at his side.
« Young ladies, I am honoured by your presence here, and I will gladly listen to your words, but first I have an urgent matter to take care of, if you would excuse me. »
He got up and bowed in sign of respect, then he walked towards the small door at the back of the Council Chamber when he passed in front of Laurelin, he gave her a long insistant look, hoping it would be enough for her to get the message.
Laurelin, who had been staring at her own hands in dismay instead of paying attention to what was happening around her, was so surprised by Thorin's decision that for a few seconds she just sat there, completely lost and flabbergasted, without knowing what to do with herself. Then Thorin disappeared behind the small door, and she understood at last that Thorin wanted her to follow him she hurried after him, feeling awkward and ungraceful compared to the other three women. Once she was out of the Council Chamber, she carefully closed the door after her, and the tears she had been holding back started flowing. She did her best to wipe them away with her sleeve before facing Thorin, and hid her distress behind a mask of composure.
« My King... ? » She asked, wondering why in Mahal's name he had interrupted the audience when there were so many Dwarves still waiting for their turn to talk to ther King. Had she done something wrong, maybe ?
Thorin, who knew her too well to be fooled by her composed attitude, wanted nothing but to hug her and hold her tight in his arms.
« Don't be worried, please. » He said reassuringly. « You've done wonderfully with all the Dwarves I have met so far. »
She still didn't look him in the eyes.
« Laurelin ? » He called softly. « Please, look at me. Don't act as if you were all right, when it is so obvious you are not. » She didn't answer, so he tried to guess why she was so upset. « Did... did somebody say something mean or insulting to you ? »
She looked up at him at last, but no word came out of her tight throat.
But now that Thorin could look her in the eyes, it took him but a moment to understand.
« I don't care about pretty dresses and powdered faces and expensive jewels. » He told her wirh warm, kind smile. « These things mean nothing. The only thing that it truly important is not the appearance of a person, but what she is worth. What she has in her heart. And you, Laurelin – you are worth more than any other women in Erebor and in the whole Middle-Earth. You have no reason to feel inferior to anyone. » He paused, then he added with a slightly mischievous sparkle in his eyes : « Besides, even without fancy dresses or jewels, you are still prettier than them. By far. »
Tears rolled down Laurelin's cheeks again as she heard those words who went straight to her heart. Yet it was not enough to soothe her, because she knew she was right. No matter what Thorin said, she just knew it. It's woman like that he needed at his side, if he wanted to be a great King like his father and grand-father. A woman who looks like a real queen. Not a lowborn kitchen scullion with dirty hands and hair as a horse's mane. Deep down she knew she was exaggerating, she knew she wasn't that bad, but when she compared herself to the beauties she had just met moments earlier, she couldnt help but loathe her own appearance.
Yet she couldn't say all these things to Thorin, because she didn't want his pity – so she just stood in front of him, toying nervously with the hem of her sleeve.
« Did... Did I say something wrong ? » He asked, suddenly looking ill at ease as well. He couldn't understand why she looked even sadder after he had tried to comfort her. Any woman would have been pleased to hear herself called pretty, so why was Laurelin crying ? « If I hurt you in any way, please forgive me. It was not my intent. I just wanted to help you feel a little better, but bviously I'm not very good at it... »
He had said those last words in a joking voice, to try and brighten up the atmosphere a bit, but here again he faild to make her smile.
So he just opened his arms and hugged her against his chest, as he had laready done so many times before. As usual, he felt his heart beat faster as her soft weight pressed against his body.
« I truly meant every word that I told you. » He said in a low voice. « Everything I told you was true. You really are worth more than any other woman, and you really are prettier than the three giggling porcelain dolls out there. »
« Thank you. » She whispered into his shoulder. « Thank you for being so kind and for doing your best to reassure me. » Then she continued in a more formal voice, because this was the only way for her to keep some sort of control over her emotions. « But now that you are the King Under the Mountain, you will need to marry and produce heirs for your line. The women out there... Well, they are exactly what you need. It's the kind of woman you should turn to now, instead of being here with me. »
Overwhelmed by grief, she couldn't say any more. The idea that Thorin would soon turn away from her to live with another woman was excruciating she would miss their evenings together, she would miss working with Thorin in the forge, she would miss his smiles and his voice, she would miss everything. She had lost him and she knew it, and there was absolutely nothing she could do to change anything about it. « I shouldn't even be here with you, holding you back from an opportunity to meet other women. » She said at least, before slipping out of Thorin's grip.
Thorin felt hurt by her words as much as by her reaction. Now is the moment to tell her how you feel, yet his mouth betrayed him and no words came to his mind.
Who would have guessed it is so hard to tell a woman I love her ?
« I cannot imagine turning away from you, or living with another one than you. » He told her truthfully. « I loved the bond we shared when we lived under the same roof, in the Blue Mountains. King or not, I don't want to give up on it. » He took a deep breath, knowing it would take more than this to reassure her completely. « Laurelin, these women out there... I don't care about them... I don't care about any other woman in Erebor... They are my subjects, so of course I repect them as such, and I will do my best to be a good king to them – but there will never be more. Besides, I... well, I am a King now, and I wear a crown, and all the dreams of revenge I made after Smaug's attack so many years ago... all my dreams came true... Erebor is ours again... But there is something I want to tell you today : all this... » He lifted his arms at the high ceiling that was lost in darnkess. « All this is nothing compared to the moments whe share together. The crown or the glory are worth nothing compared to your smile, because this is what makes me truly happy : your smile. And your laughter. And your presence at my side, quite simply. »
Laurelin, who had stepped away from him earlier, now took a step towards him again. Without thinking, she rested one of her hands on his forearm. She looked up at him, and saw in his eyes that he was telling nothing but the truth. Suddenly the tears were gone from her own eyes, and they started shining with emotion. A shy little smile stretched her think pink lips as she took one of Thorin's hands in both her own hands she stroked his fingers, very timidly.
« If such is your desire, I will never leave your side. » She promised him fervently. « I loved the life we shared in the Blue Mountains, too. I didn't want it to end, but I thought... I just thought... Now that you are a King... »
Thorin closed his bing fingers around Laurelin's hand.
« You've been here for me from the very first day. » Thorin told her fondly. « But I want you to know that I am here for you, too. I am here to help you if you need it, and to stay at your side for as long as you will want me to be there. »
And I am here to love you, too... He thought, but once more the words refused to come out.
He looked at her and was relieved as he saw that she didn't look sad anymore.
Their hands and fingers still intertwined, Laurelin bowed deeply in front of him to show him her respect and gratitude. Her eyes were shining with tenderness, and Thorin noticed – but not for the first time – that they were not merely dark brown. There were tiny sparkles of gold and green and cinnamon brown in them, too. They were like a beautiful painting. He wanted nothing but to get lost in them.
« My King... » She said, as she had already done so many times before in her years of living with Thorin – yet this time it was different. There was something in her voice, something in the tone she had used. It was more affectionate, almost intimate.
Thorin felt a long shiver run down from his neck to the bottom of his back. He couldn't get his eyes off her.
My queen... He thought, but he knew that if he blurted these two words out just like that, she would probably not understand. He tried to find something else to say, but his mind was too dizzy to come up with something clever so he said nothing. They shared a long, deep look.
After a while, it was Laurelin herself who encouraged Thorin to go back to his kingly duties. She knew that everything was still knew to the Dwarves who had arrived the day before they would have to get reaccustomed to Erebor, and they would have to get reaccustomed to Thorin, whom they had not seen in more than two years. Making a bad impression so quickly after his people had return would not be a very good way to start his reign – and Laurelin certainly didn't want to be the reason why he failed to fulfill his duties.
When Thorin returned into the Council Chamber, everybody stared at him and Laurelin. Balin's smile was kind, as usual, but the three women in expensive dresses were scrutinizing her in a rather unpleasant way, as if they were trying to guess what had happened between her and the King.
« Please excuse this interruption. » Thorin said amiably, as he sat down on his massive chair. Laurelin sat next to him. « I am all ready now to listen to you, young ladies. »
He gave them a smile, but a very polite and formal one. Then he listened to them as they thanked him for retaking Erebor, and for allowiing them all to return to their homeland. They talked about everlasting gratitude, but behind their sweet word, Thorin guessed they wanted much more than just talking to the King. They had not decided to wear their prettiest gowns just to share a few words with him their intent was clear enough, yet Thorin couldn't blame them. Kings had always been – and would always be - greatly prized targets. Every woman dreamed to enraputre the heart of the men who held the destiny of their people in his hands. But their simpering airs and their lascivious glares had no effect whatsoever on Thorin the only woman that mattered to him was Laurelin. She was the only one who was more than a mere Dwarf woman amongst other, more than a mere subject. She was his Laurelin, his queen, his love. Thorin cursed himself for his lack of courage : if he had told her about his feelings and made their relationship official at once, such en embarrassing situation would never have happened.
« Thank you for your gratitude. » He said in a kind voice, but at the same time he decided to make things clear once and for good. He rested his hand on Laurelin's so that everybody could see it. From the corner of his eye, he saw a small smile on Balin's lips, but he didn't pay his old friend much attention. He was staring at the three women, to make sur they got the message. When he saw their crestfallen faces, he knew they had understood, and that they would probably spread the message as soon as they would be out of the Council Chamber.
Laurelin was utterly surprised by this unexpected contact. She watched Thorin's big scarred hand over her own, then she looked at Thorin himself. He was staring at the three women, but once they were gone his eyes went back to Laurelin and searched her own eyes. It's at this very moment that she understood he had feelings for her : feelings that had nothing to do with the relationship between a master and his servant, or even the relationship between two friends. It was as if her heart exloded with joy. So many feelings were racing in her head, but the thing that prevailed over everything else was the pride she felt as she realized Thorin had put his hand on her... in front of everybody ! The idea that Thorin was not ashamed of her – or better – that he was actually proud of her... it sent fire racing through her veins, and suddenly she felt as if she had been struck by ligntning, full to bursting with energy. Every inch of her skin was tickling. She smiled tenderly at Thorin, and savoured the sweetness of this moment. All the sadness, the despair and the self-loathing she had felt moments earlier were gone, now. Everything was perfect, and Laurelin had never felt so good before.
Thorin spent the rest of the morning and aa great part of the afternoon listening to one dwarf after the other men and women, old and young, rich or poor, they all came to him with their gratitude and their encouragements and their faith in him. Some of them had tales to tell, and Thorin listened raptly to their stories, feeling their pains and their joys as if it were his own. Laurelin couldn't keep her eyes off him he looked so tall, so majestic, so regal. A true King under the Mountain.
Thorin himself, behind his mask of politeness and interest, wanted nothing but to run away from this place with Laurelin. Be alone with her. Get lost in her eyes once more. Put his hand in her hair. Watch her smiles and her sift freckles and the dimples at the corner of her mouth. Keep her for himself to the end of times. But of course he knew it was impossible, so he did his best to hide his impatience and restlessness. He did his best to be a good king, like his father and his grand-father before him. The fact that Laurelin was sitting next to him, of course, made all this more bearable. At least she was close to him.
The sun was already close to the horizon when they were finished at last. Even if Thorin had done nothing but sitting in his chair all day, he was as exhausted as if he had sparred with Dwalin. He was glad to retire to his chambers, and even more glad that Laurelin went with him.
There would be festivities tonight, to celebrate the return of the Dwarves to Erebor, so Thorin decided to start preparing himself. It would not do for the King to be late, or to be the last one to arrive in the Great Hall.
As Laurelin used to do in the Blue Mountains, she helped him with his bath. It was pleasant and comforting to fall back in the old routine, as if no time had passed at all – as if they had never been separated.
But after a moment, somehow, Thorin started to feel a bit ill at ease. For one because Laurelin was not his servant anymore, and her place was not here, assisting him as if she were still his maid and then there was also the fact that he loved her, now. Her touch was making him feel things he had never felt when she used to help him with the bath in the Blue Mountains. The sensations in themselves were pleasant – it made his heart jolt with happiness – but it was also making everything a bit awkward. Bathing in front of a friend was one thing, but bathing in front of the woman you love was a whole different thing. Once he had undressed, he slipped into the water as quickly as possible, trying his best to hide his flushed and burning cheeks.
Laurelin took the time to warm her hands in front of the fire before washing Thorin, because she knew how unpleasant it was to be touched by cold hands. She washed Thorin's arms and shoulders first, then his back, in slow and regular circles. Her touch was firm but soft, as usual. Thorin had his eyes closed, and sometimes he sighed deeply as she rubbed his skin.
When she was finished washing him, she poured warm water over his shoulders to wash the soap off his skin. Thorin let out a small, almost inaudible moan of contentment.
A few moments later, when he stood up and stepped out of the tub, he quickly covered the lower half of his body behind his towel. Laurelin had turned away from him, out of respect for his privacy, yet being naked in her company would have felt awkward all the same. As soon as he was dry he slipped into his trousers.
Laurelin helpd him with the small golden buttons on his shirt and jerkin, then she helped him braiding his hair. She would have loved to braid and adorn his beard, too, but Thorin still wore it shirt and trimmed.
« In memory of those who died here so many years ago. » He said simply, when he saw her questioning look.
When he was ready at last, Laurelin couldn't help but admire him. He was truly gorgeous. She was about to leave his bedroom when he called her back.
« Laurelin ? I would love it if you stood at my side during the feast, if you don't mind... ? » He asked in a very affectionate voice.
« Nothing would make me more happy ! » She answered fervently, feeling her heart race in her chest.
Thorin smiled happily at her.
« You know what I want you to do, now ? » He continued, very softly. « Go to your chambers. Whatever you wanted to do before the feast, don't do it. Work will wait till tomorrow. Ask one of the serving girls to prepare you a bath. Take the time to soak in the warm water, and to take care of yourself, and to enjoy a long moment of quiet before facing all the population of Erebor tonight. I want you to be relaxed and at ease tonight, so that everybody can see this wonderful smile on your face. »
Elated, Laurelin decided to go and see Dwna and to buy herself the pretty dress she had often dreamt of, before coming back to Erebor. She used the money he had given her back part of her felt guilty to spend these coins on something as futile as a dress, but another part of herself wanted to shine tonight. Of course the dress was a humble one – nothing excessively luxuous or pretentious. It was made of silk and lace, and it fit wonderfully to her slender silhouette. It was simple but beautiful discreet but elegant. The colours – white and lavender and plum purple – went well with Laurelin's pale complexion. Then Laurelin also bought herself a pair of new shoes, of soft black leather, because her old pair was worn threadbare and not fit for the woman standing next to the King.
When she came back to her room, it was too late for a bath but she took the time to wash herself with perfumed soap before donning her new clothes. She also braided her long, light brown hair. Not the usual, simple braids whe wore when she was working, of course. She had chosen te braid it in a more elaborate and more sophisticated fashion, with white and lavender ribbons that matched her dress. But as much as she wanted to be pretty for Thorin, she chose to stay as natural as possible no powders to colour her cheeks, no glittering jewels. The only exception was Thorin's wooden necklace, resting proudly on the top of her cleavage.
Once she was finsished, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. For a fleeting moment she she compared herself to the women she had seen during the morning, but then she remembered Thorin's words and suddenly she realized that she actually liked what she saw in the mirror.
She took a deep breath, then she left her bedroom.
Thorin was already waiting for her in the corridor. She looked at him, and she smiled as she saw the look of utter surprise on his face. He had never seen her dressed up like that, but obviously he liked what he saw because suddenly a wide smile stretched his lips. His eyes sparkled as if they had been full of shiny jewels. Then he smiled tenderly, and from the smile Laurelin drew the courage to face the stares of the whole population of Erebor.
When they both arrived in the Great Hall of Erebor, many Dwarves had already gathered there, and all the heads turned to look at them. Soon Thorin was swept away from Laurelin by the crowd, and she encouraged him to spend time with his people they had been deprived of a King for too long, he should be present for them tonight. Laurelin found a few other women she had befriended during the journey, and they chattered and laughed together like a group of silly little girls. Yet Thorin was never far from her she watched him and enjoyed to see him again, after his long absence. She also liked the moments when he looked back at her, and they shared a smile of complicity. It happened quite often, to be honest – too often to be a mere coincidence – so after a while Laurelin wondered if Thorin was seeking her out among the crowd just like she was seeking him out. She was glad that their old bond was still there the frienship and easy companionship they had shared in the Blue Mountains were stronger than ever, now.
As for Thorin, he escaped his duties as often as he could to join Laurelin they never had much time together, just long enough to share a few words and a smile, but it was still better than nothing. Laurelin was truly splendid tonight, and not only because of her dress, but also because she radiated joy and happiness. It made her eyes glow like a pair of candles. and the light of the many torches was reflecting on her light brown hair. Her face was really pretty, with round cheeks, full lips and soft freckles over her nose. It was hard for Thorin to tear his eyes away from her, and he liked nothing better than these moments when she looked up at him and smiled because she realized he was looking at her already. The idea that Laurelin was keeping her eyes on him gave him funny shivers all over his body.
An hour after they had arrived, several dozens of servants, men and women, brought the food. They put it on the longest table Laurelin had ever seen. They brought every kind of food possible and imaginable : meat dripping with mushroom sauce and slabs of tender smoked fish, perfumed vegetables and ripe fruits bursting with juice and sugar, loaves of bread still warm from the oven, cakes and pastries stuffed with rich butter cream, kegs of spiced wine from the southlands and iced drinks to cool off those who were too hot from dancing. Of course, everybody had been invited to this giant buffet, no matter their origins : some Dwarves were wearing clothes barely better than rags, and others had jewels in their adorned beards, but for once they all seemed to get along fine as they rejoiced together.
At some point Thorin saw Laurelin get up from her chair to dance with another Dwarf woman Thorin didn't know she was strong and stout, with a softly lady-beard covering the lower half of her face, but Thorin's eyse didn't rest on her for more than a fleeting moment. They were immediately draw to Laurelin. He wondered who had taught her to dance like that, and why she had never told him that she liked danceing – because it was obvious she enjoyed herself. And the fact that she was dancing with a woman reassured him, too. If she had danced with a man he would have been unable to stop himself from being suspicious, but now he saw nothing but two women having fun and laughing together, and this sight warmed his heart. Even when people came to talk to him, he kept his eyes on her while talking. He couldn't keep himself from smiling even whe he realized how stupid he must look, smiling like an idiot as he was sitting alone in his corner, he couldn't stop.
Several women asked for a dance with him, but he declined all their offers. Usually he liked dancing, but tonight he felt like watching Laurelin was enough to make him happy. Besides, Laurelin was busy with sombody else already, and he didn't want to disturb her, and he couldn't imagine dancing with any other women, no matter how pretty or charming she was. Laurelin was truly the only one who interested him. Never before had he seen her having fun in such a relaxed atmosphere, laughing with other people and enjoying herself. It was a side of her he didn't know yet, so he was eager to see more of it.
Laurelin had just left the dance floor to have a drink with her friend when suddenlt Bilbo appeared in the Great Hall as if by magic. Thorin was susprised to see him – was he not supposed to be in Dale, with Bard and his children ? - but also very pleased. He had grown truly fond of the Hobbit, and was impatient to introduce him to Laurelin. He was curious to see how they would both react so he stood up from his chair at once and greeted Bilbo with a long hug.
In truth, the Hobbit had not seemed to eager to go back to this Shire he had missed so much in the beginning. I have changed... He had told Thorin one day. And I don't know if the world I came from will still be enough for me, now that I have seen what lies beyond. So he had stayed here all the while, going from Erebor to Dale and then to Erebor again, constantly talking about the Shire and about the home he had left behind, but never making any move to get back there. Even if Thorin had never said so aloud, he was glad that Bilbo was still here.
« Thorin ! » the Hobbit exclaimed with a friendly smile. « I've come back here as soon as I heard the Dwarves were back ! » Then he looked around and nodded slowly, looking a bit awkward with his big hairy feet and his strange clothes. « Now you are truly a king, » he said with a beaming smile, looking up adoringly at Thorin.
A proud smile lit up Thorin's face.
« A king, yes. » He said quietly. « But I still habe to prove to them that I am worthy of this title. »
« You did that long ago. » Bilbo told him with confidence. « You did that when you stood up to Smaug, and when you faces Azog's armies, and when you killed the Pale Orc. You prouve yourself a qworthy king by retaking the lands of your ancestors. »
« I proved myself a worthy warrior. » Thorin corrected him. « But not a king. Not yet. Now comes the time to bring back this mountain to its former prosperity, and to make it thrive like it did under my grand-father's rule. »
They chatted for a while, before they were interrupted by a flock of curious Dwarves who wanted to have a look at the famous Hobbit and who asked Thorin an awful lot of questions. Bilbo felt ill at ease to be stared at like that, and Thorin semed to understand his trouble he sent Bilbo away under the pretense of fetching him a cup of wine, and Bilbo was grateful for this chance to slip away from the general attention. He found himself a quiet corner, where he could watch everything without being seen.
Laurelin caught his attention before he even knew who she was. It was her beardless face that struck Bilbo all the others were wearing soft womanly beards adorned with braids and jewels, but this one woman here had a face as smooth as a baby's. It raised his curiosity. Maybe this woman was beardless for a special reason ? Maybe it meant something special ? He had spent many months in company of the Dwarves, after the Battle of Five Armies, yet there was still a lot he didn't know about them. He didn't want to make a blunder by ignoring somebody important, or by talking to her in an inappropriate way. He was about to ask Thorin about her when suddenly he realized that ther King's eyes were already upon her. He was nodding to another Dwarf's words, but his eyes were fixed upon the beardless woman.
And this is how Bilbo understood who she was.
So this must be the woman Thorin spoke about in LakeTown... He realized.
This suspicion was confirmed when he saw the carved pendant around her neck, but even without that he would have been able to guess. Is was pretty obvious, in truth. Bilbo had heard enough about her from Thorin's mouth, and he knew the King would not look at any other woman with such adoration in his eyes. Curious, Bilbo scrutinized her once more. She was pretty, even to Bilbo's eyes. In fact, she was prettier to Bilbo's eyes than any other women, precisely becasue she didn't have a beard. As much as the Hobbit loved and respected the Dwarves, he found it unsettling to see women with beards. Laurelin had round soft cheeks, and light brown freckles on her nose. Her hair was artfully braided, yet it still looked more natural than the hair of most other women. She was sitting with two other Dwarf-women who were obviously her friends, and they were lauging together. Her smile was frank and genuine, and her hands fluttered as she spoke, like a pair of pink butterflies.
So here's the woman who captured Thorin's soul, he mused.
Physically he hadn't expected her to look like that – he had expected a more classical looking Dwarf-woman – but her personality seemed to be exactly as he had imagined it : friendly, joyful and kind.
A few moments later, Thorin was standing at Bilbo's side. The Hobbit hadn't heard him coming, with all that noise in the Great Hall.
« So what do you have to say about her, Master Burglar ? » Thorin asked with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, when he saw that Bilbo was staring at Laurelin.
Bilbo blushed violently and looked at his big feet.
« I, uh... I wouldn't pretend to... » He cleared his throat. « I am in no position to
judge or to... »
Thorin chuckled softly.
« Come with me. » He ordered in a falsely stern voice, his heavy hand falling on Bilbo's frail shoulder. immediately understood what Thorin had in his mind.
« Oh no, Thorin. No, no... » He stammered when he understood Thorin's intentions. « I'm just going to stay her and drink a cup of wine and then... »
« Come with me. » Thorin repeated, pulling Bilbo forwards by the shoulder with an impish smile on his lips.
When they reached the table where Laurelin was seated – alone, now, since her friend had just left her to get some food - Bilbo tried to bow in front of her, but he was so nervous that he made a mess of it. Great. Now I've made a fool of myself on top of everything else.
« Laurelin, allow me to introduce you to Bilbo, the brave little Hobbit who's been our companion during the perilous journey. » Thorin said in a deep voice. « His bravery has no equal anywhere in the world. It's thanks to him that I am still alive. »
Bilbo's cheeks turned as red as a beetroot when Laurelin's doe eyes fell on him.
« L... Lady Laurelin... » he muttered nervously. « It is an honor to meet you. »
Thorin smiled proudly as he hard Bilbo call her 'lady'. No matter how humble her birth was, this title suited her well.
And when she will be my Queen, everybody will call her a lady.
He smiled as he imagined this future, and Laurelin smiled back at him.
« I am not a lady, Master Baggins. » She replied in an humble and polite voice. « It is an honor to meet you. » She added, before bowing deeply in front of him. « I have heard many stories about you and your deeds, since I've come to Erebor. You have my deepest gratitude for watching over our beloved King, and for saving his life several times. » She said, before sharing a long look with Thorin.
The words 'beloved King' made his heart beat faster, yet he did his best to keep his composure in front of Laurelin and Bilbo.
Thorin wondered who told her about Bilbo's deeds, and he suspected Balin. But he was glad that the tales of Bilbo's bravery spread, because the Hobbit deserved as much recognition as Thorin himself. He couldn't help but smile as he saw them talk to each other. It was like two worlds colliding his old life with Laurelin, and his new life in Erebor wit Bilbo at his side. It was a strange feeling, but it was definitely very pleasant to have these two persons he loved so much standing in front of him at the same time.
Bilbo wondered if Thorin had already opened up to her about the feelings he had for her. They seemed to be very close indeed, yet Bilbo still felt that that there were unspoken things between them.
« Maybe I should just leave the two of you alone so you can enjoy your reunion. » He suggested, but escaping the King was not an easy task. Thorin insisted that Bilbo sat down with him and Laurelin, and they talked for a long while Laurelin, who was shy at first, soon relaxed in Bilbo's presence and started asking him all sorts of questions about the quest and the heroic deeds everybody said the Hobbit had achieved. Bilbo tried to answer as best as he could, but he had never been particularly at ease in the company of women, and the fact that she was Thorin's love interest made it all worse. She's not just whatever woman, she's somebody important. He felt the desperate need to give her decent answers, yet most of the times he was so nervous that he kept stammering. What if she thinks I'm an idiot ? Yet she never mocked him, or looked at him weirdly. She just listened raptly to each of his words, and gave him kind smiles whenever she felt he needed encouragement. After a while, Bilbo realized he truly liked her.
Thorin was watching them both, happy to see them getting along so fine. At this very moment he felt like life was absolutely perfect.
The festivities lasted for hours as soon as the plates were emptied, some serving girl filled them again with fresh loads of food. The music and the songs became louder and louder as the Dwarves wallowed down pint after pint of golden beer, and everybody was flushed from the heat and the laughter.
Laurelin hadn't laughed so much for a very long time she had greatly enjoyed her encounter wit Thorin's little Hobbit friend – he was so small, so strange, and at the same time so cute. His disproportionate feet were covered with thick curly hairs, which made him look a bit funny, but Thorin had told her later that all thre Hobbits had feet like that. Anyways, she was glad she had met Bilbo. At first he had been so shy, but after a while he had relaxed and he had told her countless storis about what had heppened during the quest for Erebor she learned a lot of things about Thorin, about what his daily life had been like, and she liked the way Bilbo talked about him. He truly saw Thorin as somebody worthy of admiration, if not of worship.
It was so late some would have called it early morning when the Dwarves started leaving the Great Hall in groups of three or four, still laughing. As soon as the hall was almost empty, Thorin found Laurelin and told her he was about to leave.
« I'm coming with you. » She said, smiling. Some of her braids had slipped out of their pins, and strands of light brown hair were dancing around her face, making her look prettier
than ever.
Thorin slowly shook his head.
« I can manage on my own, if you want to stay a little while longer. » He assured her. « I see your friend is still here, and I am sure you will loathe leaving her alone. » He smiled. « Stay, and have fun till you are so exhausted you can barely stand on your feet. »
« I am tired. » She insisted. « I had been about to leave anyways, when you came talking to me. »
« All right, then. Let's leave... »
They left the Great Hall together. Thorin tried to imagine himself walking hand in hand with her, but he never really had the time to get lost in these sweet reveries, because the corridors were full of Dwarves on thei way back to their homes. Most of them were more than a bit drunk, but Thorin still felt the need to greet them and to say a few words.
But at least Laurelin was walking beside him. Sometimes they looked at each other and they both smiled, enjoying each other's company.
When Thorin reached his bedchamber, he invited her to enter and to have a few last words with her before going to sleep. In truth he hated the idea of having to part from her, so he tried to make it last as long as possible.
« You looked very lovely tonight. » He told her very sincerely, trying not to blush. « And I'm not talking about your dress – well, it is beautiful, of course – but not even half as beautiful as your smile, or the sparkles of happiness in your eyes... » He couldn't stop watching her. He lifted on hand to stroke her cheek, very softly. « I saw you dance with this friend of yours. I... You are a very good dancer. It was wonderful to see you having fun. »
Laurelin was so taken aback by this compliment – and his gentle touch – that she didn't know what to answer.
« Thank you, my King. » She just muttered, feeling slightly flushed.
After that they talked for a short while about how it felt to be back in Erebor, and he made sure Laurelin had everything she needed : They suddenly ran out of words. Thorin knew the moment he dreaded so much had come. He bid her good-night, and saw her nod respectfully in response.
« I won't need your help tonight. » He added gently. « You are tired, so please go to bed and rest. I will managed on my own. »
He smiled at her, and she smiled back, and Thorin wished he would never ever have to leave her side again.
« Good night, Laurelin. » He said.
« Good night, my King. » She answered.
Good night, my Queen... He added silently, wishing he had the courage to say it aloud.