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.)
A/N: And this is the longest it has taken me to write a chapter since the beginning. Sorry! That last chapter was a pain in the ass. Thorin's head is a hard place to get into (since I am usually more concerned with getting in his pants)
I woke slowly, my consciousness returning bit by bit. The first thing I always seemed to be aware of was the pain in my ribs as I came to, even just the slight movements I made as I roused causing an uncomfortable ache. The second was that I was not alone.
I was curled on my left side, face pressed lightly into my pillow. A thick and sturdy arm was tucked carefully around my stomach, a warm breath on the nape of my neck. The familiar presence was comforting and I pressed back against Thorin, content just because he was alive and there with me.
"Good morning," His voice was low and still held the fine edge of sleep.
"'Morning," I said sleepily. He pulled his arm away enough that I could roll to my back without him brushing my injury. He propped himself up on an elbow and casually brushed my hair away from my face as I faced him.
"You look even more serious than usual," I commented softly. He gave what appeared to be an apologetic smile.
"It is nothing," He said, all too casual. I frowned.
"Don't give me that crap. I know you better than that," I reached out and ran a hand down his arm and quoted back to him what he had said to me not too long ago. "Nothing you tell me will make me think less of you."
He let out a soft sight.
"I can not escape my memories," He finally admitted. "So clearly they haunt me when I dream. I always wake to the memory of you, blood spattered and still in my arms."
He ran his knuckles lightly over my cheek and I closed my eyes.
"I know you won't like the idea, but maybe you should take the same stuff Gandalf has been giving me at night. It seems to keep away my nightmares fairly well."
"I do not need…"
"Thorin," I interrupted, looking up at his tired eyes and the bags there. "You are exhausted. I can see it. Even if it is just for a night, please consider it."
I dropped it then, knowing that if I pressed too hard at the matter he would refuse to take the stuff just out of pure stubbornness. I leaned over and kissed him sweetly and he closed his eyes a moment and let out a soft sight as our lips met.
"Thranduil- King has requested audience with us this day," He said after a moment. "Tell me if you are not up to it and I will tell him he can wait."
"All too gladly, too, I'll bet," I replied dryly. "No. I think it's best to get it over with. It might do me some good to get off my ass."
He grunted in reply and began to tug away reluctantly. He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pushed himself to a stand.
"Though I am loath to leave you, I must go and find myself dress worthy of a King. I will not again come before Thranduil in naught but rags." There was a sour note to his voice and I frowned.
"You could walk before him completely naked and you still would seem the more kingly of the two."
He snorted then, a brief and sudden bark of amusement. He titled his head ever so slightly and the serious draw on his face broke momentarily
"Nay, I would not shame even him so." He said with a very masculine laugh. I furrowed my brows and he shot me a heart-melting grin.
"Surely you remember the attributes of dwarves?" He said, adjusting his trousers around his hips ever so slightly. "As tall and thin as they, I doubt they can boast over-much."
I scoffed, feeling a slight blush creep up my cheeks.
"So, all dwarves are equally built? And here I thought it was just you."
He raised an eye brow and walked over to me, his eyes dark all of a sudden.
"I am a son of Kings, Talya, and so I am graced." He words were light and he leaned forward, knuckles braced on the bed, to press a kiss to my lips.
"Congrats to Fili and Kili," I muttered once he pulled away, smirking slightly. Thorin shook his head and stood straight.
"I kiss you so and you think of my nephews. Perhaps now I am jealous." He said dryly, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
"I have to admit that I did enjoy watching them shirtless in Rivendell. But that was before I saw your greatness."
"Now you are humoring me." He grumbled. I reached out and tugged at one of his crossed arms. He dropped it and I pulled him close.
"You are adorable when you are jealous." I said quietly, kissing his lips once more. He huffed at the sentiment, but leaned into my touch. Slowly, he kneeled onto the bed and came to lean over the top of me, careful to lay his weight on his thick arms. I felt a familiar heat within me as we kissed and I let out a long breath as Thorin nuzzled against my neck, the light prickle of his beard raising goose-bumps on my arms. I reached up to run my fingers through his thick hair and, when he bit down gently at the juncture of my neck and shoulder, I tugged hard. He groaned.
"I have spent years with hard-won self-control," He whispered into my ear. "But within a few short minutes, you so easily overthrow it."
I smirked slightly and gave another tug and he let out a harsh breath, hips swinging forward to brush his very obvious arousal against my thigh. I inhaled sharply, then winced at the sudden pain in my chest. Thorin pulled away immediately, frowning deeply.
"Forgive me, love. I should not push you so."
"Don't apologize," I said, sitting up once more. "It's not like I didn't encourage you."
He snorted.
"I fear I need little encouragement when it comes to you." He admitted quietly. I smiled warmly at his admission, the clichéd butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
There was a knock at the door then and Thorin turned his head to glance that way.
"Enter," He said, voice deep and still holding a slight husky edge. I squirmed in place, wondering if whoever came in would be able to tell what had just gone on.
The door swung open and there Balin stood, smiling warmly at us.
"Thorin, Talya," He said, bowing his head to us in greeting. If he noticed the flush on my cheeks or the puffiness of my lips, he did not comment. Thankfully.
"We are expected at Thranduil's solar within the hour. The Master of Lake Town waits with him." Thorin's nose wrinkled ever so slightly in distaste, but surprisingly he did not comment.
"Very well, Balin. Have our things brought here and we will dress as quickly as we are able. At least tell me that we are to break our fast?"
Balin inclined his head slightly.
"Aye," He replied. "Though what sort of fare it will be remains to be seen."
Thorin grunted and Balin bowed his head once more and closed the door behind him.
It wasn't long before clean clothes were brought in by Oin and Ori. Ori smiled sweetly at me and held out fresh clothes in front of me. I looked down and found, much to my relief, trousers, tunic, doublet and belt, very similar to the ones that Thorin had. No dresses, yay!
"Thank you, Ori." I said, "For both the fine clothes, and for not making me wear a dress."
He laughed at that.
"The elves were much surprised when I assured them that you would prefer not to wear the silken scraps of fabric they called a gown."
"Well, that's elves for you," I muttered, taking the offered clothes in hand.
"Come, Ori. We shall let them dress and wait without." Oin called. His eyes twinkled slightly as he glanced between Thorin and I.
"And may I remind you, laddie, that you must make haste if you are to come to the meeting on time." I flushed at the parting remark and pointedly looked down at the clothes in hand as Ori and Oin left to wait outside.
Thorin made his way to the pile of clothes that Oin had set on a table and slowly began to strip off his clothes. My breath caught in my throat as he tugged off the shirt he had been wearing, shoulders bunching under the fabric as he pulled it over his head. For the first time I was able to see his own mottled bruises and cuts and I frowned slightly, but did not have long to dwell on the sight before he began to unlace his breeches. Mouth suddenly try, I watched the material slide down his sculpted ass and pooled down around his ankles. He stepped free of them and, as if he could feel my eyes on him, he turned to glance at me, a teasing smile adorning his lips, a fire in his eyes.
"And Oin cautioned me not to get distracted," He said mischievously. My mouth snapped closed and I cleared my throat. Thorin laughed then and it warmed me. He shook his head and dutifully began to tug on the clean clothes, perhaps a little slower and a little more artfully than he would have had he been alone. I scowled and decided it was my turn.
I finally slid out of bed and turned to face the clothes laid out before me. I stretched and made sure to let out an audible groan as I did so. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Thorin turning to face me as he began to tighten his belt around his waist.
I reached down and grabbed the hem of my linen shirt in hand and began to pull it over my head, working slowly not only for Thorin's benefit, but because the movement was still painful. I pulled my head through the neckline and tossed my hair so it no longer fell in front of my face. I was thankful for the fact that my ribs were still bound because I did not want to see Thorin's look of guilt again as he looked down at the injuries there. As I pushed another loose strand of hair away from my face, my eyes fell on the black outlines of the tattoo engraved on my arm. I felt a slight pang of guilt as I thought of Dwalin, but, with a fierce determination, I pushed it aside and continued on.
I slowly began to loosen the pants I wore and worked them down over my hips, bending a little more dramatically than necessary, arching my back slightly and raising my ass into the air. I stepped out of the pant legs one at a time, careful to smooth my hands down my legs as I went. A ragged breath escaped the dwarf behind me and I grinned to myself.
I turned then to face him, clad only in the cloth bound to my chest and soft linen undergarments. Thorin was watching me hungrily, tongue darting out to wet his lips.
"Your point has been made, my lady," He said finally, voice a little hoarse. "It was cruel of me to tease you so."
"It's fine. You've just learned a very important lesson is all. Turnabout may be fair play, but pay back is a bitch." He laughed dryly at that.
"Indeed," His eyes raked over my nearly naked form and he cleared his throat.
I rolled my eyes and reached out to take the new pants in hand. I slowly tugged them on. The black material hugged my skin comfortably, though not indecently so. I was able to move easily and for that I was glad. I picked up the shirt, surprised that it was short-sleeved, next, the material a steely grey color. I pulled it, too, over my head, and once again winced at the painful motion. The doublet came next and, before I could pick it up, Thorin had taken it in hand and held it out to me. I smiled gratefully and I slipped first one arm in, then the other. It was a very dark blue and matched the one Thorin now wore, the only differences being that mine was a much more feminine cut and the pattern that bordered it, though similar, was unique.
Thorin took the belt in his hand next and came to stand in front of me. Very tenderly, he reached around me, wrapping the belt around my waist and tying it off deftly. He tugged at the doublet, adjusting it so the bottom bloused out just so. Next came the heavy cloak, a mantle of thick silver fur riding around the neck before flaring out into the same steely-grey color of my shirt. As he clasped it around my throat with the finely wrought silvery chain, he brushed his fingers against the material around my neck. He smiled so slightly then I hardly noticed it, and I realized that he was running his fingers against his ring around my neck. I had all but forgotten that it was there in all the commotion.
Thorin's hand trailed under my chin and he gently grasped it in his hand before leaning and planting a soft kiss on my lips before leading me to sit back on the bed. Once I was seated, he knelt before me and, in a very intimate gesture, ran his hands down from my thigh to my ankle where he slid first one boot, then the other, on. With quick and practiced motions, he laced them up until they ended, just under my knees.
He stood then and bid me to wait. He turned to a wrapped parcel that had been tucked neatly next to my bed and pulled out first my bracers then my elvish blade. The sword he set next to me on the bed, the bracers he took carefully in his hands. He slid them onto my arm, fingers brushing softly against the inside of my wrist as they settled into place. As with the laces, he tied them quickly with practiced motions. He brushed his lips against my knuckles once he was finished.
Thorin's eyes roamed over me then and he smiled at what he found.
"Truly, you are lovely to behold," He murmured delicately.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I answered, a wry smirk on my lips. He really was drop-dead gorgeous in his finely cut clothes, the deep blue of his own doublet making his eyes seem particularly fierce.
"May I braid your hair?" He asked. "We have a little time remaining to us."
The memory of him braiding my hair in Lake Town came to me then and I smiled affectionately at him. He took that as my answer and he once more reached into the parcel that he had tugged my things from. In his hand he held the adornments that had been placed so particularly in my hair. The dexterity and speed in which he worked never ceased to amaze me. So quickly he was able to tie, twist, and braid. It did not take him nearly as long to braid my hair as I would have expected. I found myself unable to look away from him as he worked. Though his face was ever pulled into its serious and stoic mask, I could see the lightness in his eyes, the loving way in which he looked at me.
When finally he was done, I returned the favor. Though my plaits were not nearly so fine as his, when I was done you would have thought that I had done something amazing. He ran his hands over the braids tenderly.
"Never before has any but my close-kin braided my hair," He said in explanation when he noticed me watching him questioningly. "Somehow the gesture is so much more… intimate when it is you who does it."
He dropped the braid then and held his hand out to me. I took it and he brought me to a stand.
"Come now. No doubt we are very nearly late," He pressed a kiss to the back of my hand once more and let go. He walked to the door where Orcrist lay, leaning against the wall, and deftly fixed it into place. I took my own sword and, after running my hand over the new sheath, tied it off to my side.
Thorin swung the door open and held out his hand to me. I quickly made my way to his side and took his hand. He tugged me close to his side and tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. He glanced to Ori and Oin then, who were waiting for us patiently.
"Truly a royal pair you two make, if ever I have seen one," Oin commented, offering a flourishing bow. Thorin inclined his head and I offered a small smile.
"Thank you, Oin," I said. The royal comment made me uncomfortable. I had still not come to terms with the whole queen idea.
"Shall we make our way towards the solar, then?" Ori asked, shifting nervously in place. I wondered if he was already anticipating the unpleasantness to follow when Thorin and Thranduil finally met again.
"Yeah, lets get this over with," I muttered. Thorin nodded at my statement and we started off, Ori and Oin leading us down the long and winding passageways.
It wasn't long before the passages opened into a large cavernous hall. Torch light glimmered around us brightly, two huge fires lit on either side of two large tables. The need for a short sleeved shirt was obvious when I realized just how warm it was.
The rest of the dwarves and hobbit stood before the table, awaiting our arrival. I looked from one to the next, smiling brightly as I took in their faces. As we neared, Oin and Ori pulled to stand with the rest of our company. Thorin led me up the short steps towards the table were Thranduil sit, Legolas standing behind his shoulder, Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel sitting to one side, Bard and Gandalf on the other.
The company parted as we stepped nearly even with them and, one by one, they bowed their heads and touched their fists to their chests. I did not like the feeling of them bowed before Thorin and I, but I understood that, in such a serious situation, the sentiment was called for. Gandalf's eyes twinkled as we passed and I swore he was laughing at my discomfort.
Thorin pulled out a chair for me then, immediately to the right of his at the opposite end of Thranduil. I pushed my cloak over my shoulders and out of the way as I sat down, glancing down at those gathered before us.
As soon as Thorin took his seat, the rest of the company went to theirs and for a few minutes, there was much grunting and arguing and pushing as they settled into place. I glanced at Gandalf who was smiling merrily at the whole process, while the line of Thranduils' mouth was pulled into distaste. When finally the company fell quiet, Thranduil cleared his throat.
"I bid you welcome to my halls, Thorin, son of Thrain, King Under the Mountain." He stated loudly, his head inclining forward the barest amount. I thought it was a little late for such a polite greeting, but I wisely kept my mouth shut. I glanced at Thorin out of the corner of my eye, who seemed to share my sentiment. His jaw worked slightly under his beard.
"I thank you for your… hospitality, Thranduil-King." He finally managed to say. If anyone deserved a gold star, it was him. His voice was neutral. Damn near polite. "But I ask that you, too, welcome the future Queen of Erebor."
I flinched at the words and felt myself shift uncomfortably as the eyes of elves, wizard, and man alike fell to me. When Bard's eyes met mine, I felt an ache in my chest as his brows furrowed and his mouth fell into a frown. Thranduil shifted in his seat and stared at Thorin.
"I extended my welcome, then, to you as well, Talya Conner, future Queen of Erebor." The elf king did not even glance in my direction and I could feel the tension between him and Thorin. Thranduil apparently did not appreciate being corrected or schooled in manners.
"It is Talya Conner no longer, I hear," Gandalf interjected lightly. No doubt he could feel the same tension that I did. "What is it that the dwarves have taken to calling you?"
I shifted awkwardly again. I hated being the center of attention, particularly in a gathering such as this. I glanced at Thorin who merely rose his eye brows in my direction, waiting for me to answer. Dammit.
"Uh," I started. I cleared my throat. "Shadowbane."
"Ah, yes. Talya Shadowbane." Gandalf said, bobbing his head slowly.
"Indeed," Thranduil leaned back in his chair and his eyes fell to me. For the second time, I felt as though I was having a staring contest.
"Perhaps you have turned out to be a fair bit more than I initially gave you credit for." Thranduil said casually. Thorin stiffened next to me, seeing insult where there really was none. I recognized that the words Thranduil spoke were probably the closest I would ever get to an apology from him.
"And perhaps you are less of a prick then I initially supposed." I answered right back. Legolas coughed very suddenly into a fisted hand and I heard a few choked snorts coming from the table next to us, but I ignored them. Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel exchanged long looks between themselves and Gandalf had suddenly busied himself with cleaning out his pipe. Bard pursed his lips tightly, trying not to smirk. Thorin shifted next to me and I could not tell if he was pleased with my candor or not. I didn't really care. Thranduil may have been a king, but he had, thus far, done very little to earn my respect. His earlier treatment of me still pissed me off to no end.
"Ah, look," Gandalf said suddenly. "It appears as though breakfast has arrived!"
Thranduil and I finally looked away from each other as elves began to make their way to the table. Large plates of bread, fruits, cheeses, sweet rolls, and various spreads were laid out before us and we all slowly began to fill our plates. The tension in the room by now was so awkward I could have cut it in two with my blade. I took a sip of a rather sweet concoction and leaned back in my chair.
"So," I said, clearing my throat for the hundredth time. "Shall we get down to business?"
The eyes of three elves, a dwarf, a man, and a wizard were on me once more. I did not fidget this time, but look between Thranduil, Elrond, and Galadriel.
"There are many tidings that must be spoken of," Lady Galadriel said slowly. There was still a sorrow in her eyes when she looked at me and I had to work at not flinching when my mind, too, turned to my recent loss.
"And there are debts to settle," Bard added on, glancing at Thorin. Thranduil raised a hand and elves stepped forward to begin clearing the table. It wasn't long before everything was removed save for a large pitcher of the sweet wine we had been drinking. Thorin bid the rest of the company farewell as they all stood and began to make their way back to their rooms.
Once the room had cleared out, Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel, and Gandalf began to speak of all that had happened at Dol Guldur. I felt my attention wander as words were spoken, the scenes from the movies playing out in my mind.
"And so, he was banished from Dol Guldor." Lord Elrond finished, the words falling with distaste from his mouth.
"And to what end?" Thranduil asked, finger tips tented and touching before him, elbows resting on the arm rests of his finely carved chair.
"He'll go to Mordor," I said softly. "And from there he'll continue to wreak havoc, much as he has always done."
Their eyes snapped back at me and I sighed, a headache starting to form in my temples.
"Don't act all surprised," I grumbled. "It's not like everyone doesn't know by now I have knowledge of shit I shouldn't."
I winced the second the words left my mouth. There was a reason I had never gone into politics, or had become an officer in the military. I didn't have the patience.
"Then can you tell us what is to come?" Thranduil asked, a fine brow raised high. I thought about the future and frowned when I realized how fuzzy it was. I opened my mouth, closed it, and then opened it again.
"That would not be wise," Lord Elrond answered before I could speak. "Who knows what our actions could bring should we know beforehand what is to come."
"Forgive me if I sound rude, or perhaps ignorant," Bard said, leaning away from the table. "But how is anything she tells us different from the Lady Galadriel's council?"
Lady Galadriel glanced over at me, then to Bard.
"I only possess the foresight to look into the future and see what may be based on a given course of action. The Valar have given me such a gift in order to better serve those in Middle Earth and give council to change what may become, for better or worse. Talya…"
"Knows way too much shit about the outcome of said actions." I pressed a palm into my eye and rubbed at it irritably. "It's a moot point. I don't have the wisdom to go about telling people their ends without possibly fu…. messing everything up. So my mouth stays shut."
I didn't add that it was also a moot point because I was having a very hard time remembering anything beyond a few very brief details. Thorin reached over and took my left hand in his, squeezing it lightly. He had stayed mostly silent through the discussion.
"Then the matter shall rest," Lord Elrond said, waving a hand.
"And now on to debts," Bard added.
"It has been a long morning already," Gandalf piped up. "Perhaps it would be best if we took a break and met up once we are refreshed."
"No," Thranduil answered. "It will be taken up now."
Thranduil glared at Thorin, and Thorin glared right back. I rolled my eyes and leaned back against my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.
For the two hours, there were so many arguments about who was owed what even Lady Galadriel looked tired. I wasn't even entirely sure why she and Lord Elrond stayed for the discussion, since neither one wanted to claim a damn thing, but I realized it was probably just to attempt to keep the peace between the thick headed elf, man, and dwarf.
"Alright, alright. Enough." I finally snapped out, my head now pounding painfully. Thranduil glared at me reproachfully and Bard's eyes narrowed in my direction. Thorin sat back finally, looking to me with a raised brow.
"You guys can argue until the freakin cows come home, and nothing will get done." I sat up and leaned an arm against the table.
"So you know what? I'm going to settle this." I pointed at Thranduil.
"First of all, stop acting like you are the injured party in all this. Yeah, you came to the rescue with your warriors and helped save the day. But if you didn't do it then, you would have had to eventually anyways. If you think that Azog and his army would have stopped at Erebor, then you would be seriously mistaken. So, yay, brownie points to you for realizing it is wiser to fight with help rather than face the enemy alone, but stop lording it over all of our heads."
I turned to Thorin.
"And I get that you are still sore that he didn't come to your aid when Smaug attacked, but realize that he, too, is a king and therefore must look out for his people the best he is able. Rushing after Smaug into that mountain would have done nothing but gotten a whole hell of a lot of people killed."
Thorin did not speak, merely watched me mutely.
"And so, to show that all is well between you guys," I looked between dwarf and elf. "Thranduil, you are going to offer to start trading with the dwarves of Erebor as you did in the days of old. Right now, we are hardly fit to go through winter without provisions. Thorin, in a gesture of good will, you will be giving Thranduil the white jewels of Eryn Lasgalen."
Both kings opened their mouths to protest and I held up a weary hand.
"Stop and think for two seconds. Is anything I just said really so freakin terrible? Trading would benefit all, and it would not kill you, Thorin, to give up a single freakin necklace to him."
Thorin grumbled and grit his teeth.
"The jewels will be yours," He finally growled out. Thranduil narrowed his eyes.
"I suppose we are provisioned well enough that we can spare what is needed to feed your people," Thranduil admitted with a curl of his lip.
"Thank god." I muttered. I looked down at Bard. "And Bard, my friend… There is little I can offer that will make up for the deaths and losses your people sustained. Winter will be here soon and you have no place to stay that will afford you shelter. And so I extend the hospitality of the dwarves to you."
I glanced at Thorin, who was watching me carefully. He nodded his head once in agreement.
"Once warmer weather prevails, we will help you rebuild Lake Town as well as Dale, at no cost to you."
Thorin glanced at me sharply and for a brief second the greedy and prideful nature of his kin took hold.
"That is an expensive endeavor, Talya." He growled, almost warningly. I glared at him.
"One share of a hundred would still be more than enough to rebuild both towns," I snapped. "And yet the treasure is split into one-fifteenths. If it is truly such a hardship for you to give up even a small portion to help out these people, then you haven't learned a damned thing."
I glanced at Bard, then back at Thorin.
"If the contract still stands, use my share. Gold and treasures mean nothing to me."
Thorin looked surprised at this and he shifted in his seat. He said nothing for a long moment before he finally let out a short breath.
"I, Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, give my word to you, Master Bard of Lake Town, that my people will rebuild for you Lake Town and Dale, at no cost to you." The words seemed to physically hurt for him to say and I reached out and touched his arm, offering him a grateful smile. There was a long pause as everyone looked amongst themselves. Gandalf was smiling grandly at me and even Lord Elrond looked moderately impressed.
"We all good, now?" I groused, glancing once more between elf, man and dwarf. "Do we need to sign a contract? Do a spit-shake? What?"
Thranduil frowned deeply at me then glanced back at Legolas, who had come and gone now a few times. Legolas glanced at his father and I realized that he was very much angry with Thranduil still over the treatment of Tauriel and, perhaps, even the dwarves. Legolas nodded once and left again.
"A contract will be drawn." Thranduil answered, his stern gaze having lingered on the retreating back of his son. He sighed then and looked very tired. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.
"Good. Can we all go now?" I asked. My head was pounding and my ass was sore from sitting in the same spot for entirely too long. I had the pressing urge to pee, too, and that was not helping matters.
Thranduil waved a dismissive hand and slowly, but surely, we all began to push back from our chairs. Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel began to talk with the elf-king, and Gandalf came to Thorin's side to speak with him. It left Bard and I standing alone.
"You were not lying about the tattoo," He said finally, glancing at the sharp dwarvish designs on my arm.
"Nope," I said softly. I hated standing there next to him with so much tension having passed between us.
"You said 'our people' several times when referring to the dwarves," He commented, eyes meeting mine. I had not realized it, but now that I thought back, I suppose I had.
"Yeah, I guess I did." I answered vaguely. I adjusted my cloak needlessly.
"You are truly going to stay at his side?" Bard asked finally, his eyes flicking over my shoulder where Thorin stood.
"Yes." My answer was short and succinct. He frowned at that and shook his head. His eyes dropped down briefly and he reached out to grasp my shoulder lightly.
"If you ever grow tired of your dwarf-king and your halls of stone, you know where I am." He finally said, voice soft. It hurt to hear him speak like that and I grasped his hand gently in mine.
"For what it's worth, Bard… I'm sorry. If things were different…" I trailed off and he offered a brief smile.
"They are not, and there is no use speaking of what might be." He replied. He squeezed my hand gently and behind me, a voice was cleared. I glanced back to see Thorin standing there, arms crossed, face his usual indifferent mask. His eyes, though, told a different story. He was jealous and trying so hard not to show it. I turned back to Bard, whose own eyes glinted mischievously. He took my hand in his and pressed a lingering kiss to my hand. Thorin grumbled behind me and was suddenly standing next to me, arm wrapped possessively around my waist.
"You do not deserve her," Bard commented to Thorin, dropping my hand gently. He stared down at the dwarf with hard eyes.
"I know," Came Thorin's serious reply.
"Keep that in mind, then, dwarf, and know that if you ever cause her harm, intended or no, there will be hell to pay."
"No doubt," Thorin snorted then added wryly, "I hope I offend you not when I say that I fear less of what you will do to me than what she would."
"Then you are a smarter dwarf than I would have given you credit for." Bard bit back. I looked between the two and shook my head. Males.