Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)

It wasn't until late that I made my way back. When I finally slipped back in, I was greeted by a very stern looking Thorin. His expression softened only slightly when he looked on my pale and no doubt tear-streaked face.

"We looked everywhere for you." He said.

"I'm fine." I answered evasively. I tried to walk passed him, but he reached out and touched my waist. I hesitated and looked back at him.

"Talya…" He looked at me searchingly, his face drawn into a look of concern. "What has you so distraught?"

He reached out to take my hand and he pulled me closer.

"Just one of those days, Thorin. So much has happened lately that I am feeling a little overwhelmed and frustrated. Just a girl thing. Don't worry about it."

He looked as though he wanted to argue, but he smartly stayed quiet. He nodded his head towards Kili, who was now laying down, propped up on a pillow as Oin' washed out his wound. I sighed in relief when I caught sight of one of the kingsfoil plants next to the healer.

"He wishes to speak with you."

I glanced at Thorin and nodded before gently tugging away from him and making my way over to Kili. He did not look at me and for a moment, we stayed silent as Oin finished his work and, after re-wrapping the wound, walked away.

"I am sorry if I caused you distress, Talya." He said finally. "I understand that you were looking out for me and… had you not said something…"

I shook my head.

"Its fine, Kili. That's what I'm here for. To keep any of you guys doing anything too stupid."

He gave a dry laugh, then reached out and took my arm in his hand. I winced when he brushed across the bruises. He pushed back my sleeve and frowned at what he say.

"Durin's beard, Talya," He looked up at me. "Why did you not pull away?"

"I figured if you could deal with the pain of your leg, I could deal with that." I shrugged and tried to tug my arm away.

"You shouldn't have to have dealt with it. I should never have grabbed at you in such a way."

"Wouldn't you have done the same if it was your brother?" He glanced down and I knew the answer. "Exactly. Don't get all guilty just because I am a girl."

He let me tug my arm away that time and I shimmied the sleeve back in place.

"You should know by now I would do anything for you guys. Letting you break my arm was no big deal."

Kili looked up at me sharply, then groaned when he saw the smirk on my face.

"You are not funny." He grumbled.

My elated mood from Thorin's kiss was long gone and I found myself watching Fili, Kili, and Thorin often. I physically ached at the thought of any of them dying. Bilbo frowned at me several times and I realized that I would have to suck it up and soldier on as I had always done. Continuing to think this way and to let my emotions get the best of me would not help the situation and, if anything, was likely to get me killed.

The next week passed surprisingly slowly, and I was grateful for it, despite the fact that the dwarves had begun to grow grumpy. They were eager to be on their way.

We spent the time packing and repacking our things. We were outfitted with travelling clothes and packs. Weapons were offered to us, as well as the use of the black smith's tools and forge. The dwarves spent most of each day shaping and adjusting the weapons to their tastes. The forge was so small that only two of them could work on it a day, and the slow pace was obviously grating on them. When finally they began to snap at each other, Thorin suggested they go outside and began to test out their weapons, finished or not. So, while two by two they worked at the forge, the rest of us began to spare, stretching out our muscles and getting used to the feel of our new blades and, in the case of Kili and I, new bows.

Thorin and Balin had worked together to shape a blade for me since I couldn't even begin to work at a forge. I was impressed with how quickly they had shaped the blade I had been given into something wickedly deadly and perfect for my size. In the armory, I had found a long-bow that I could comfortable draw back and while, it was not my bow, it would do.

When night fell, we would retire to our lodgings, eat dinner, and map out our plan from there. Each night, as everyone began to turn in, Thorin and I would seek one another out, and we would often sit quietly with one another, just appreciating each other's company. Sometimes we would talk quietly, talking of the past, or, in the case of Thorin, what he hoped to come. Once the moon rose in the sky, we would part and Thorin would kiss me sweetly good night before we would go to our rest.

The day before we were set to leave, the Master announced that another dinner would be held. We all looked forward to it just for something to pass the time and break the stale monotony that had become our daily routine.

We all set about washing and dressing again, the dwarves and Bilbo choosing their most splendid outfits to wear. Apparently, Thorin had wanted to leave an impression on Lake Town.

I had spent much of that day thinking over our departure tomorrow and I felt a hard knot in my chest as I came to a decision.

When Thorin walked passed looking devastatingly handsome in finely cut trousers and a long-sleeve deeply blue tunic, a belt cinched at his waist and his sword at his side, I couldn't help but stare. He noticed and, instead of looking at me sheepishly as he had in the past, there was a knowing smile there. I glared teasingly at him, embarrassed that he had caught me checking him out, and he gave a masculine laugh that warmed me.

I stood up then and decided to find my tailor.

The same guard who had brought me to Bard's led me to a building where the tailor's all had gathered to practice their craft. When I finally found the familiar face of my tailor, I smiled sheepishly at him.

"So… I need a dress…"

Hours later, I stepped out into the main portion of the building and looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a bronze colored dress that had richly embroidered seams, the neckline tapering down between my breasts, but was tied off before anything was revealed. It showed off my cleavage beautifully, and I was thankful for the bra that one of the seamstresses had made for me. The top portion of the dress clung to me flatteringly and flared out at the waist. It was long enough to just barely brush the ground as I walked. The sleeves, while long and wide at the mouths as was the style, they did not quite reach my wrists, instead purposefully cut short, apparently to show off my delicate and 'attractive' wrists, according to the tailor. I had to admit it was beautiful, and looked amazing on me. I swore to repay the tailor tenfold as soon as I was able.

I made my way towards the same town hall that we had dined in the first time and, as I made my way up the steps, I felt eyes on me once more. Unlike before, however, the glances of the men were appreciative while most of the women, though obviously jealous of the attention I was getting, smiled warmly at me as I passed.

The ever present guards posted at the doors opened them before me, and I stepped through them. Like before, my presence was announced.

The setting arrangements were different than before with Thorin now sitting at the head of a table with the rest of the company. Dwalin was to his left, Balin to his right. As I made my way towards the table to a seat opened next to Bilbo and Fili, I noticed that Thorin did not take his eyes off of me. I could have cared less about anyone else starring, but knowing that his eyes were on me in such a way made me blush. I stepped into my seat and pointedly did not look anywhere but the table in front of me. Fili elbowed me gently and I grumbled.

Dinner was served then, a similar fare as usual, comprised mostly of fish and dried foods and, like last time, alcohol was plentiful.

I drank much more slowly this time around, not wanting to make an ass out of myself in a dress. My companions did not have any such reservations and, as usual, began to drink heartily. Jokes and stories were told with gusto and I listened, knowing that there would be little reason for such things in the coming days.

Once dinner was cleared, the tables were once more pushed to the side so that people could dance. Much like last time, the dwarves headed off to dance with the ladies that approached them, with Bilbo finding himself caught between two young women. I laughed at his bewilderment. Nori snuck away with a young woman, winking at me as he passed, and I rolled my eyes. Bofur followed shortly after, an older but very attractive woman in hand.

I found myself approached by several young men that night, each asking very sheepishly if I would dance with them. I declined politely, finding that I was not much in the mood to dance. Thorin seemed to feel the same way because he was sitting back, puffing on a pipe, watching the dancing folks distantly. I watched, jealously, as women approached him, practically throwing themselves at the dwarf king. He declined them all.

A rather drunk and very curvy woman approached him and practically fell in his lap. I watched as his eyebrows shot up as she pushed at him, her hands coming perilously close to his crotch, trying to stand. He finally stood up and steadied her. She kissed him soundly on the lips then smacked him, hard, across the face. She stomped off and he stood there, looking so utterly confused. I laughed out loud, a sudden bark of a noise that seemed to shake him from his thoughts. He turned to look at me and walked over. He sat down next to me, opened his mouth to speak, stopped, than started again.

"I do not… quite understand what just happened." He admitted finally. He rubbed his cheek grumpily and I chuckled. He looked at me questioningly and I held up my hands defensively.

"Don't ask me to explain. I have no idea."

We sat in silence for a while and, hesitantly, I shifted closer to lean my shoulder against his. A very small smile played across his lips. He stood up abruptly and I frowned, but he offered me his hand.

"Dance with me?" I took it with a smile and he pulled me gently me to my feet.

The song that was playing was rather fast paced and Thorin wasted no time in going through the steps to the same dance Oin and Fili had showed me last time. We smiled and laughed with one another as it became quite obvious that I was a lost cause when it came to dwarven rhythms.

The song changed to a much slower one, and like last time, Thorin drew me close. I rested my head on his shoulder and he brought a hand up to play with the braid down my back.

"You are beautiful," He said softly and my breath caught in my throat.

"You are just saying that because I'm finally wearing a dress." I replied weakly.

"I am saying it because it is true," He said softly. "True, you are a vision in this dress, but even if you were spattered with mud and wore torn and dirty clothes… I would still find you beautiful."

I did not know what to say so, instead, I nuzzled closer to his neck, finding comfort in his scent. He inhaled sharply and I felt a fine tremor ease through him. For a second, he clutched me tighter, but it eased and he said nothing.

We danced a few more times after that, then made our way back to our table for a drink. The dance floor was much less crowded than before, with many couples having snuck off. Fili was helping Kili sit down, the latter of the two obviously having had entirely too much to drink.

"The party seems to be dying down." I said softly as I downed my drink. Thorin nodded and followed suit.

"Shall we head back?" I asked softly, glancing up at the suddenly serious dwarf. He nodded and offered me his arm. I slipped mine through his and we slowly made our way out the doors and through the streets. When we finally reached our lodgings, he slowly dropped his hand, and opened the doors for me. He gave a little flourish of his arm, a small smirk that did not reach his eyes on his lips.

I stepped through and began to head off to a side room where I had left my clothes when I realized that Thorin was following.

"I was just going to change… whats up?" I asked, tilting my head slightly. I did not like how serious he suddenly was.

"I would speak to you alone, if I may." I nodded slowly, and continued on to the room. I turned around as he passed through the doors and closed them behind him. He let out a long breath.

"I do not want you to come tomorrow." He finally said, not looking at me.

"I wasn't planning on it," I admitted softly. He jerked his head up in surprise. "I don't think I can face Smaug. I didn't want to admit it, but I am terrified of him. I don't want to fuck up and get any of you killed."

He frowned, his brows furrowed.

"I was expecting you to argue." He confessed. I smiled slightly.

"I know. It's kind of fun surprising you." I said with a laugh. He smiled wryly then, and this time it did reach his eyes.

"Despite everything I have seen… You always manage to amaze me." He stepped close to me and took my hands in his.

"Promise me that you will follow after us once the beast lay dead." His voice was earnest. "I want to show you the halls of Erebor. I want to walk with you and tell you stories of my home. A home that I would hope you will one day share."

This was the closest thing he had come to speaking of a long-term relationship.

"What are you saying?" I asked softly.

"That I wish for you to be by my side." He answered, with no hesitation. My heart pounded in my chest. Thorin leaned forward, so very slowly, and captured my lips with his. When his tongue darted out and licked along my lower lip, I shuddered against him. In response, I nipped at his lower lip and a low growl came from his throat.

"Talya…" His voice was warning, but I ignored it. I kissed him soundly in the lips and suddenly he pulled me to his chest, his tongue darting out once more to part my lips. I could feel his hardness pressed against me and I felt a warmth pool between my legs. As soon as he felt me brush against him, he pulled away abruptly and dropped his arms.

"Forgive me. It has been a long while since…" He trailed off and looked at me, lust in his eyes. "My control is not what it should be."

He turned to leave, but I stopped him with a hand on his arm. I stepped close to him and kissed his lips gently, then along his jaw line. I nuzzled against his neck and, just as he had when we danced, he inhaled sharply.

"Talya… You do not understand…" His voice was breathy.

"What don't I understand?" I asked, pulling back. His eyes searched my own.

"I desire you, Talya. I can not begin to tell you how much. If I stay here with you…" He trailed off, swallowed thickly, and dropped his gaze. "I will not want to stop at tender kisses and soft touches."

"Then don't." I said simply. He raised his head slowly and our eyes met again. He seemed to gauge my seriousness. Without warning, he closed the distance between us and kissed my soundly. There was none of the previous hesitation, and I melted against him. His hands ran down my back, one coming to rest on my hip while the other trailed back up and fisted into my hair.

Between passionate kisses and caresses, Thorin led me to a short table in the back corner. As soon as my back touched it, he wasted no time in hoisting me up to sit on it.

And there ends this chapter. I AM writing a lemon for this story, and it will be a continuation of this scene… However, I am posting it separately, and as mature. If you wish to read it, check under my profile. I should have it posted within the next day or so, before I post Chapter 33.