Chapter 26

If you had asked me if I could ever love someone, back before I had gone on this quest, I would have laughed and said no. Now, like so many other things, that answer had changed. That morning as we rode towards the Mountain, Thorin sat proud and held his head high.

No king be he man or elf could ever be so held in honor as he.

I smiled at Thorin. For so long he had dreamed, planned and fought for this. I would do anything to make sure he got what he came for. I had trusted Dwalin to keep my secret and so far he had done so. I spent all the time I could with Thorin, and most was spent alone. Away from Bilbo and the others. Privately. No one loved me the way Thorin did, gently and yet he did not treat me as though I were so fragile I might break. One night as we lay there together I took his hand on placed it over my heart. He looked at me and I smiled a little.

"I want you to know….no matter what should happen in the coming days…I will always love you! And I will always be with you. Never will I truly leave you."

"Tawariell speak not of such…."

"No Thorin. You must hear what I say. I love you and I shall never be able to speak those three words enough. I am yours and only yours." I said.

He sighed and brushed my hair behind my ear. He then stroked my face with his hand.

"I love you Tawariell. And I shall not allow any harm to come to you, I would sooner die."

I would sooner die.

If he knew how strong his words were…I wished now more then ever there was another way. Yet I knew it was only wishful thinking.

"Thorin promise me you will always love me. And no matter what happens, no matter what choices are made…you will always love me."

"What has brought upon these sudden questions?" He questioned.

I shook my head.

"Please promise me Thorin." I said.

He looked at me and nodded slowly.

"I promise."

I kissed him hard and fought back tears.

The next morning we moved on and came to the base of the Mountain. Bofur and I went to scout ahead. Thorin had explained to me the secret entrance and this was what I sought. I noticed Bofur was unusually silent. I stopped abruptly and looked at him.

"Is there a reason for your silence?" I inquired.

"I know well the words passed between you and Balin."

My eyes widened and my heart stopped. He looked into my eyes and I felt a bit faint.

"You alright lassie?"

"I….I need to….to sit."

I slowly sat down and Bofur looked at me with concern.

"We should turn back."

I shook my head.

"No, no! There is no need. I just…..need a moment." I said.

"You are pale! We are going back." He said firmly.

I did not argue. We made our way slowly back, though many were gone scouting. The only ones there were Bilbo, Bombur, Dori and Ori. I sat down and they all came over to me.

"Are you well Miss Tawariell?" Dori asked.

I smiled a little and nodded.

"I am quite alright. Bofur was unnecessarily concerned for my health." I said.

"He may be right! You are pale and your voice does not hold its normal strength." Ori stated.

I knew he was right, yet I could not think of how I could be ill. I felt tired even though I had not done too much walking nor climbing. And I felt…hungry. Starved was more like it.

"Bombur…..is there any food?" I questioned.

He nodded and walked off to get me something. I now noticed Bilbo was looking at me strangely. His face held a mixture of emotions. Some of joy and happiness, other of fear and concern. I gave him a questioning look. He took a deep breath. The words he spoke, were the last I had expected and that which I did not wish to hear.

"I believe you are….that I am fairly certain that Miss Tawariell…might be with child."