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I wake and my hand goes straight to my hair. Something is poking into my scalp.

My fingers ghost over the hair pin and I realize it is the one Thorin gave to me. I pull it from my hair and look at it in my hands.

It shines like nothing else I own. The colors are bright and brilliant. I smile at the kindness he has shown me by purchasing it but then frown when I think of how he has changed.

He is touching me more than necessary. Saw me naked. Tried to kiss me. Is it possible I could be getting engaged to him? He was in the meeting too. Is it possible?

I get out of bed and head to the vanity. I place the pin upon the table and wait for my handmaiden to arrive. She can incorporate the pin into my hair style.


At breakfast I am the first to arrive. Seems I was up earlier than usual. I guess my mind won't let me rest until I get this all figured out. At least I will know tonight.

And then everyone comes trickling in. I avoid eye contact with Thorin but am unable to ignore his greeting as he passes my chair.

"Good morning, Alvina." He says my name like nobody ever has before. It sends a shiver down my spine.

"Good morning, Prince Thorin." I greet back appropriately. He then goes and takes his seat.

Eating is silent like always.


I corner my father after our meal.

"Father. I need to speak with you." I tell him and he nods. We go for a walk around the halls.

"Are the rumors true?" I ask him bluntly.

"To which rumors do you refer to?" He asks back.

"That I am to be promised to someone and that tonight is the announcement." He stops mid stride and just looks at me.

"Where have you heard this?" He asks me seriously.

"That is not an answer. Is it true?" I ask, my voice wavering with emotion.

"Oh Alvina." He embraces me. I hold onto him for dear life.

"It is true." He says as we release each other. My heart breaks.

"How could you do this? You promised." I say, tears now brimming in my eyes. I will NOT cry.

"Oh sweetheart, do not cry. I am doing this for your benefit. He is a fine man. He requested this. He is of good standing, and although older than you, will treat you right. I have talked with him and his kin for a long time. This is right." Father explains. A tear falls.

"Who is it?" I ask in a whisper, not trusting my voice.

"I can not tell you. That was part of this. You will find out tonight. But think. You know who it is." He kisses the top of my head and then walks away. I stand in the hallway for I don't know how long. Tears never fall but they are ever present in my eyes.

"Who?" I whisper to myself as I brush my eyes, wiping the tears away.

And then it hits me like a ton of bricks.

Thorin.

He is escorting me tonight. Demanded it. I would not be allowed to go with anyone but my betrothed. Thorin asked for my hand?

I rub the hair pin that is in my hair. The one he bought. A gift.

Holding my hand tenderly, even before his father.

Every instance in which he had started to act different coming back to me.

I jump into my bed face first and scream into a pillow. I know not what else to do. All my emotions are exploding out of me.

And then acceptance. This was my fate. I was to stay here for the rest of my life. I was to live in this wondrous place but with a husband. Thorin. We would start a family. Have dwarf/human babes.

But he would be king one day. Would I be accepted as queen? Did they think this through?


After my fit and making sure I looked presentable again, I go for a walk.

I don't realize it but my feet bring me to the training hall. It is filled with warriors sparring and practicing with weapons.

And then I see him. He is fighting another dwarf, steel on steel clash between the two of them.

And then Thorin gets the upper hand. He is skilled with a blade. His opponent is pinned with a sword to his throat and his back on the ground.

He accepts defeat. Thorin and him share a laugh and then Thorin offers a hand. The dwarf takes it and he is pulled to his feet. The dwarf he was fighting sees me first and seems to let Thorin know.

Thorin turns his head and looks at me. His eyes are piercing. He smirks and challenges another dwarf. No, two dwarves. A show this is going to be. I can tell by the sudden attention this spar draws.

Dwarves from around the hall stop what they are doing and turn to watch the display.

The fight begins. The opponents both go for Thorin but he is quick. He deflects the blow of one then dodges the others strike.

Thorin quickly pushes the opponent whose sword he blocked back and goes to the one whose sword he dodged.

He swings and misses the dwarf by a hair. The other one comes up behind him and goes for a sneak attack but Thorin realizes this and sidesteps the downward blow.

With the opponents sword down Thorin takes this time to tap the dwarf on the back with the flat side. He would be dead right now and so he steps out of the area to watch as Thorin deals with the last dwarf standing.

They run at each other and their swords clash, metal screaming as they push against each other.

They push off from each other and go right back at the other. Swords clash again, only this time they separate and swing, separate and swing. This happens again and again as they move in circle.

It is hypnotizing.

And then the opponent gets a shot in on Thorin's leg. I can see it hurts by the wince Thorin makes but he plays it off like it is nothing.

Thorin now has a tiny limp from the blow.

The dwarf thinks he is weak and goes for the finishing blow but Thorin parries and instead, attacks and smacks the dwarf in the chest with the broad side of the sword. The fight is over and Thorin is victorious.

He props his sword up on stand and then makes his way over to me.

"Alvina." He greets.

"Thorin." I return it.

"Did you enjoy the match?" He asks being cocky.

"Very much so. You are quite skilled." I compliment. His smirks grows.

"Although," I add teasingly, "I think I could take you." His eyebrows near disappear into his hair.

"Really now? Well then a test of your skills perhaps?" He asks and motions to the area he was just in.

"Are you sure you could stand the humiliation of being beat by a woman?" I taunt more, a huge teasing smile on my face.

"Oh I think I will do just fine. Come." He grabs my hand gently and pulls me to the sparring floor. Now I am nervous.

"Perhaps we should do this another time. When it is not so crowded. Don't want everyone to talk of your defeat." I try to sway him but this only makes him more determined.

"Then everyone will just have to leave. Men!" He then speaks in Khuzdul. Every dwarf in the hall drops what they are doing and leave. Well… crap.

"Better? Now you need not worry about me. A sword." Thorin then comes up to me and hands me a sword. I grasp the hilt and test the weight. Heavier than anything I have ever used.

"Does it suffice?" He asks as he holds his own.

"It will have to do." I say and lift it, my arms shaking a bit with the effort. He must see this as he smirks again but the look in his eyes is fondness.

And then he comes at me.

I manage to block his attack but I can't do anything more under the weight of the sword and him. Thankfully he steps back. I watch as he looks my form up and down.

"You are stronger than I thought." He says and his voice gets husky. I swallow audibly and this earns a deep throated chuckle.

And then he is coming at me again. I dodge his swing and swing back. I clip his arm and he starts to bleed.

"Oh! I am so sorry!" I apologize instantly. He looks from the wound to me and smiles.

"It seems I need not go easy on you." He speaks and then is upon me. I squeak as my sword goes clattering to the ground. I am defenseless. I look from the sword to him. He is watching me. Seeing what I will do.

I run for the sword. I can hear his steps behind me making chase.

I bend down to grab it but am pushed from behind. More like tackled but it was softer.

I end up passed the sword and on my stomach with him on top of me. I manage to roll over so now I am facing him and I begin to smack and hit him. He catches my wrists easily, having abandoned his sword when he made chase.

I am pinned. I lost like I figured I would. I have only been taught very basics after all.

"You win." I speak breathlessly. Seems I am a bit out of shape. Mirth lights up his eyes.

"You fought well." He compliments instead of bragging.

And then silence. My wrists are still in his hands. He moves his hands and intertwines our fingers now. I watch as his larger hands engulf mine.

And then I look into his eyes. He is getting closer and closer. I close my eyes in anticipation.

I can feel his breath mingling with my own.

And then his lips are on mine. My hands are brought above my head and he holds them there as our lips dance at a tantalizingly slow pace.

I feel warm and my belly is exploding with butterflies and something else. Lust.

I have never been kissed before but I was always curious. I never knew it could elicit such feelings. I want more.

I pull my hands from his and wrap my hands around his neck, fingers playing with the hair on the nape of his neck.

This brings a growl out of him and he attacks my lips with more fervor. He brings his body down against me a bit more.

His hands slide down my body and end up on my waist. The material of my dress coming between our skin touching, something I crave at the moment.

Air. I need air.

I break the kiss and pant. He is breathing heavily but nothing like me.

Silence.

Neither of us speaks.

Neither of us wants to ruin the moment.

His lips descend upon mine again and I am all too happy to oblige.

And then his tongue traces my lips. I have heard women talk of this and what it means.

I allow him entrance and our tongues meet. He tastes lightly of ale.

This kiss is much more intense. I can feel liquid heat begin to pool between my thighs.

He does not help by sliding one hand down my side and gripping my thigh. It makes the desire in me double. I can't help but melt into his touches and kisses.

And then we break for air again.

"Thorin." I pant and he smirks.

"Say it again." He rasps.

"Thorin." I say his name, breathless and nothing more than a whisper.

He hums with pleasure at the sound and brings his head to my neck. He nuzzles it, his facial hair tickling my neck just as it tickled my face when we kissed.

I giggle from the sensation but shiver with pleasure when he places a kiss on my neck.

He raises his head and our eyes meet again. Do I love this man?

No.

Could I? I think so.

"Thorin… we can't." I say and his face drops. His face shows he demands an answer.

"Father told me I am promised to someone. If it is not you then this can not happen. Do you understand?" I ask and now he smirks largely.

Without a word he kisses me again, his lips molding to mine and the pleasure I get from just this is sinful.

"So… it is you?" I ask for conformation but he does nothing but release me and leave me wanting more. He climbs off me and stands.

Wordlessly he helps me up and then walks out of the training hall.

I would have walked too but my legs are like a gelatin dessert. And he didn't even answer me. Or did he?

I need confirmation!