Chapter 12: Uncertainties Resolved

WARNING! This chapter contains mature content, please be respectful!

Lily rode her horse hard, her eyes blinded by the tears being whipped off of her face by the wind. She knew Beorn was but a short distance away from her, but did not look around to see him. So many thoughts raced through her head. She thought of the night before, how she had proclaimed to want to be his wife, although on accident, and how the thought seemed to please him.

She knew that he meant for her to be safe, and his heir to be born in comfort, and not in the wild, where any number of great dangers could prey upon them. She knew she would be utterly safe in the shelter of the elves, and her child would be born on silk sheets, and blessed by the high elves, but all this seemed wrong. She could imagine the thoughts going through Thorin's head about that very thing. He would not want his heir to be handled by the elves. They would touch his heir before he could. It must have taken a great deal for him to overcome his pride.

Flashes of images of a snarling dragon bellowing fire over the dwarves began to swim in her head. She could see her king being burned to death, calling her name, and the sheer distress in her heart made her pull hard on the reins. The horse came to a violent stop. She looked around in the twilight and called out,

"BEORN!" Her eyes cast about wildly and her voice was hoarse with emotion, "Come forth!" She demanded.

From behind a set of trees the great bear came forward. He walked to within a few feet of her and sat down.

"My lady?" He inquired.

"I will not go to the elves. I do not care what orders Thorin had left you with, I will join them in Mirkwood. Take me back to them!" She said in a commanding voice she never knew she had. She could feel the blood of her house coursing through her.

The bear merely gazed at her for a moment before turning back in the direction from which they had just come. His gallop was steady and her horse followed suit at a hasty pace. The darkness did not scare her, but the thought of losing her king did. She rode on fearlessly to find him.

Thorin's step was heavy and burdened. His pack was heavy, but it was his heart that weighed the most. The thought of Lily in the care of the elves tore at him. She would be safe, no doubt, but perhaps she would grow too accustomed to their finery, and the dark mountain would not meet her taste. He also cringed at the thought of the elves observing her as she birthed his heir. The thought of their eyes on her in such a sacred moment made him feel violently ill. He should be with her, he should be the one to receive that small parcel into his strong hands.

He carried on in deep thought along the path silently, not noticing that no one was speaking. The woods were so dark and had such eerie eyes glowing about them, that the dwarves feared to attract any more attention to themselves.

Thorin's thoughts continued on to their last evening together. She had said she wanted to be his wife. The thought completely devoured him. He should have made her his queen then and there, waking Balin to do a ceremony so that no one could doubt her right to be beside him on the throne. If anything were to happen to him on this journey, any number of people could doubt the validity of his heir. She was, after all, not his queen yet, which would make their child a bastard...

A bastard... Thorin thought, the idea striking him like a hot iron. He wanted to turn on his heel that very instant and run to Rivendell to wed her. What had he done? She could not defend her right alone if anything happened to him. What a fool he had been!

Just as Thorin began to doubt himself and considered turning everyone around, a sound which made him shiver came to his ears. He turned swiftly to meet it, and as he did, his heart was hit by a wave of emotion.

"Thorin! Wait!" Lily's voice came from a little distance behind.

He could barely believe it, she was there. He dropped his heavy pack and ran past his fellow dwarves towards her. She too began to run towards him, her one hand supporting her swelling belly. Thorin grabbed her and held her in a firm embrace, taking in her scent and her warmth before breaking from her and scolding her,

"What are you doing here? Did I not tell you to make for Rivendell?" His voice was rough, but not angry,

"I could not bear the thought of you going into danger alone. I know I will be a burden, but I will find ways to lessen it." Lily said.

Bilbo stepped forward and in a moment of intense relief and joy he too interjected,

"I will watch over her." He said with a tinge of pride.

All the dwarves began to roar with laughter at the thought, but Lily did not. She knew he had helped her in the past, and would never forget it. Thorin did not laugh either, he merely stared at his lover for a long moment before saying,

"Well there you have it, you have a minder." Thorin patted Bilbo heavily on the shoulder before taking Lily's hand, picking up his pack and continuing on. He knew it was a feeble excuse to keep her on, but he would take any excuse now.

The night fell quickly on the forest, the dim twilight moved into thick darkness, seemingly swallowing the light from their torches and fires. They made camp on the path that night, and it was then that Thorin decided he was going to claim Lily as his queen.

Thorin took a large gold ring that hung from his neck and began to melt it over the fire. Everyone watched the king in interest, for the king had never willingly destroyed any of the jewels he carried before. He worked hard for a while, while the others ate and chatted merrily. Spirits were still high enough. Soon he returned to the group and leaned down to speak to Balin. Everyone watched with curiosity as Balin nodded and began to smile.

In a moment, the elder dwarf was on his feet and commanded the others in ancient dwarvish. Bilbo and Lily looked at each other in confusion, as the dwarves began to scuffle about. Soon they were arranged in such a way that all faced Thorin and Balin. Smiles spread around the camp as all the dwarves watched Lily.

"Rise up my dear, and come stand here beside Thorin." Balin said happily.

Lily suddenly realized what was happening, as did Bilbo. She rose up slowly and went to stand beside Thorin. His eyes twinkled in the fire light, and his features had such a handsome glow. The red from Lily's cloak only added to the atmosphere, highlighting the color in her fine skin.

"Take your king's hands my dear." Balin said, standing in front of them, clasping his hands together. Lily did as she was told, feeling Thorin gently take her small, delicate hands into his large, strong ones. He gave her a loving squeeze, as he gazed into her eyes.

Balin began by speaking some verse in ancient dwarvish which Lily and Bilbo did not understand, but it did not matter, she knew it was a wedding ceremony. He spoke them for a few moments before switching back to the common tongue.

"Do you, Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, take Lily of the house of Winters to be your queen, to protect and love her, to shield her honor, to empower her house, to father her heirs, and to forever strengthen her position as Lady of the Kingdom?"

"Yes, I do." Thorin said in a devoted tone.

"And do you, Lily of the house of Winters, take Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, to be your king, to love and honor him, to care for his afflictions, to empower his throne, to bare his heirs, and to forever strengthen his position as King under the Mountain?"

"I do." Lily said, smiling with joy at her king.

"The rings, please." Balin said, extending a hand to indicate that now they should exchange them.

Thorin took out two gold rings from his pocket, and slipped the smaller one on her delicate finger, it fit perfectly. She then took the other and slipped it on his large, rough finger. They then took each others hands once again and looked to Balin. He then spoke more words in dwarvish before looking at the pair and saying,

"You may now claim your wife." His voice was merry, and his eyes twinkled.

Thorin did not hesitate to take Lily in his arms and kiss her long and passionately. The group erupted in cheers and merriment. Nothing would dampen their spirits that night. They now had a queen and a future heir to the throne.

Kili and Fili then leaped up and grabbed a torch to lead the couple a little way further down the path. There they put their two torches into the ground outside a small tent they had made out of blankets. They each bowed at their uncle and new aunt before walking back to the fire to continue the festivities.

Thorin led Lily into the small tent and began to kiss her fervently. After a while he stopped and looked into her beautiful eyes before saying,

"This would usually be the time when the king would claim your maidenhood, and impregnate you with the first heir, but as that pressure has already been taken off, we can simply enjoy our union." He said with a cheeky grin.

Lily giggled. Thorin then took off his mighty coat and lay it down on the ground. It was thick and heavy and would serve well enough as a bed. He then silently turned and began to undo Lily's fine dress, letting it fall to the floor. He lifted her up with effortless ease, and lay her on his coat before standing up and undressing himself, making sure she could see him. She knew it was part of the tradition, he would have to arouse his queen to ensure a pregnancy.

Soon everything was on the floor and her king approached her. He kneeled between her legs and lifted them to his shoulders. He made sure they hooked over well enough before he began to tease her folds with his manhood. She was already wet, and had obviously been ready for him for a while. Thorin began to speak,

"This first round will seem a little cold to you, compared to our normal coupling, but it is meant to ensure an heir. It is tradition." Thorin said in a rough voice, soaked with desire.

Lily nodded her consent, she did not mind, as long as she was with her king. Her king. She said to herself again, they were now married. A new flood of desire for Thorin washed over her. Seeing her ready for him, Thorin made his entry in a swift stroke.

Lily enjoyed feeling so filled by her king. It was a feeling she could never describe. His pounding followed shortly after, rhythmic and firm, their skin slapping together on contact. She gripped the coat and moaned with pleasure. Thorin kept his hands firmly on her legs, making sure she did not slip down. His grunts and groans told her he was finding the traditional restraint hard. His eyes remained locked on her face as his rhythm continued. Knowing she shouldn't, but knowing he would love it, Lily began to tease Thorin.

She moaned louder, and began to arch her back, pushing her breasts into the air, tempting Thorin to take them. Her sighs and moans were obviously having an effect as the sweat on his brow was more evident. He clenched his teeth and continued his assault on her core. Soon it was becoming impossible for him, and he hammered faster into her.

"Oh Thorin...yes..." She said in sultry tones. She was hitting a nerve with him. His pounding became so violent she was sure he would split her in half. A moment later he roared out a release, his grip on her legs painful. As soon as the waves ceased, he pushed her legs down roughly and leaned over her with an almost menacing look.

"You dare to tempt your king away from his traditional duties?" Thorin growled at her in a low tone, inches from her face.

"I do not know what you mean my lord?" Lily said coyly.

Thorin made a deep vibrating growl as he pushed her hands down by the wrists, holding her firm. He began to bite her neck, leaving red marks evident, then sucking equally as hard. He then took both her hands in one of his own before attacking her breasts. He suckled and bit and flicked them, rolling them in his strong hands in a firm massage. Lily moaned for him, pleased by his touch.

Her little subtle sounds truly did hit a tender nerve in her king, as he could not resist her. The animal in him wanted her. In one motion he rolled her on her side, draping one leg over his right thigh while the other was trapped under it. He sat behind her with a look of devilish intent, resting a firm hand on her hip as he entered her from behind. He began to push into her slowly, then pulling out at the same speed, every time increasing a bit. His hand would trail down to her throbbing nub and would wickedly flick it, sending shock-waves through her body.

Her little gasps spoke to his very throbbing member. His hand would trail freely over her firm behind, giving it a firm squeeze or a quick smack to get a reaction out of her. Watching her fists close around his bunched coat as she held on to the cliff overhanging her passion, he began to truly enter her with intent. His grunts drove her wild, she loved to hear him in abandon, it meant he enjoyed her body as much as she enjoyed his. She loved watching his muscles contract with each thrust, it made her dizzy. The thing that always made her dive over the edge was the look in his eyes when he caught her gaze. The lust for her, his intense desire. He made her feel desirable.

This time was no exception. He leaned ever so slightly over her behind, gripping her hard as he looked into her eyes and said in his deep vibrating voice,

"A good queen does not distract a king from his duties. She is obedient." He warned her teasingly, "She does as is expected of her." His thrusts became harder, he was leading her to the edge, she could feel her muscles begin to clench around him when suddenly he pulled out.

The cry of utter disappointment and frustration erupted from Lily, and she was sure even the dwarves could hear it. Thorin watched her with a hawk-like gaze, his hand still gripped firmly on her hip. A smile curled his handsome lips, as the words left him with almost a whisper,

"Beg me."

Lily's hand shot forward and grabbed his hand on her hip. She raised her behind to him in an attempt to tempt him back to her. He enjoyed the view as his eyes raked over her, but he did not move.

"You will beg me." He said again in his low tone of authority.

"Oh Thorin, this is cruel...!" Lily whimpered. She could not help herself, the deep laugh that came from him made her need him more,

"Thorin, please! Bed your wife!" Lily finally said barely above a shuddering whisper.

Thorin then thrust deep inside her with a groan of such intense satisfaction and began a fast and hard rhythm, holding her firmly. Lily's head rolled from side to side as her gasps and moans of pleasure increased,

"Yes, Lily, you are now my wife, mine alone. No one shall bed you but me. You shall give heirs to no one but me. You will please, no one but me. I love you!" He finally grunted as he could feel her clench hard around him, causing him to spill his seed deep within her. He collapsed beside her, pleased. Their heavy breathing was the only sound in the tent for a while.

"I love you too." Lily said softly to her king. She could see a smile spreading on his handsome face. He held her close to him kissing her shoulder tenderly.

"I suppose we better get dressed and take down the tent so everyone can have their blankets back." Lily said looking at their make-shift chamber.

"They can wait a moment longer." Thorin said, taking her chin in his hand and kissing her, "It is not every day a king takes a wife."

Upon their return to the camp some time later, they found most of the dwarves were heavily intoxicated on ale, and cheered the return of their king and queen. Their blankets were all returned and not long after almost everyone (poor Bilbo was on first watch) was snoring heavily around the fire. Thorin lay down beside his queen again, taking her firmly in his arms, feeling for the first time in a long time that he was complete. He was almost happy enough to abandon the quest and return to the blue mountains with his queen and child.

Almost. Thoughts of the grandeur of Erebor returned to him, and he knew he could not settle on second best, not for his queen and their child. He felt once again assured of his quest, it was for them, he told himself. With these thoughts he drifted into a peaceful sleep surrounded by the glowing eyes in the woods.