Thorin actually managed to work on the weapons without hurting himself, much to Dwalins disappointment. As they returned to the house they waved at Dorn who was also just coming back home to dinner. Dorn laughed as his wife and his daughters fell into his arms as he walked through the door.
'He is a fine man. And I am usually not fond of the race of men.' Dwalin muttered.
'Brann is from the race of men, my friend.' Thorin reminded him chuckling.
'In my eyes, she is a dwarf.' Dwalin insisted and made Thorin laugh.
'I bet she will be delighted to hear that.' Thorin grinned as they entered the house. In that moment Thorin realised that he had completely forgotten about braiding Branns hair and making a bead for her. He decided to take care of that as soon as possible.
The smell of dinner made their stomachs growl and they quickly washed their hands before sitting down to eat. It was a normal evening at the dinnertable. Fili and Kili were chatting uncontrollably, Dwana rolled her eyes at them, but at the same time enjoyed the babbling. Dis nearly fell asleep over her food and this evening Thorin decided to take his nephews to bed.
After dinner he gently kissed Brann on the cheek before he followed Dis and her sons into the bedroom. He read to them and noticed that Dis was gone even before he had read the first sentence. With a smirk he read his nephews into sleep and softly covered them under the sheet for the night. As he walked back to the kitchen he saw that Brann was still up, doing the dishes and preparing the buiscuit for the next morning. Never ceasing to gaze upon his wife Thorin sat down on the chair at the head of the table.
'Are you going to watch me the whole evening?' Brann asked shyly and turned her head to look at her husband.
'Indeed.' Thorin nodded and grinned as Brann shook her head. 'The most wonderful sight in Bree.'
'Only in Bree?' Brann teased and cleaned up the rest of the dishes before she walked to Thorin and sat down on his lap, straddling him.
'In all Middle Earth.' Thorin assured her and pulled her down for a kiss. Brann chuckled into his mouth and wrapped her arms around Thorins neck. She had noticed his longing glances all evening and felt her heart and soul ache for him as well.
Thorins hands moved through Branns mane as she lowered her head to kiss him and his fingers tangled in her hair. He nearly felt the urge to never braid Branns hair, so that it would always fall over his face freely when they were that close. He deepened the kiss and softly explored her mouth with his tongue. He licked over her lips and gently nibbled at her lower lip before he thrust his tongue into her mouth, making her moan softly. Brann let his tongue dominate her mouth and shyly let her own tongue tangle with his. Her hands moved over his beard and down his throat, over to his chest and slid below the tunic in search for hot skin. As her fingers slid over his bare chest Thorin growled quietly and pulled Brann close against him. He slowly lifted Branns dress and let his callous hands move over her legs and thighs, sending shivers down her spine. He stopped over her behind and began kneading the soft flesh, pressing her even closer against him. His erection throbbed painfully and pressed against his trousers, but as Brann reached for his belt they were interrupted by a small voice.
'Watcha doin`?' Kili was standing behind them and rubbed his sleepy eyes. Thorin pulled back his hands from under Branns dress as if he had burned himself and Brann tried to dress her hair and cover her swollen lips.
'Kili, what are you doing up?' Thorin asked hoarsely. He prayed that Brann would not stand up because then Kili would see the huge bulge inside of his trousers and he would never hear the end of it. It was the second time that day that he had to hide behind his wife. Thankfully Brann only shifted, but stayed seated on his lap.
'Kili, sweetheart. What is the matter?' she managed to ask the small dwarfling who started to walk towards them.
'I am thirsty.' Kili whinned. Before he could reach Thorin Brann scooped him up into her arms and sat him onto her lap.
'I´ll get you some water you little rascal. But then you will go to bed, alright? I am sure that Fili is feeling really cold without you at his side.' Brann sweetly talked to Kili and turned him in her arms so that he could not see Thorin as she stood up. Kili nodded and quickly gulped down the water before he clung at Branns neck.
'T` bed you bring me?' Kili muttered sleepy and Brann had to chuckle at the dwarflings syntax.
With a last glance towards Thorin Brann quietly walked into Dis room and brought her little nephew to bed. She watched him cuddle up between his brother and his mother and smiled. Brann wondered how long it would take for her and Thorin to have a little dwarfling. Everytime they had managed to make love something came into their way afterwards. It had been weeks since they had been intimate for the first time and they had not been able to get intimate that often since then. Three times, Brann realised and grinned. Now she was counting already. Silently she sneaked back to her husband who was waiting for her in their bedroom. Brann closed the door and turned around, facing Thorin and slowly undressing on her way to the bed.
Thorin came to breakfast with a dreamy grin the next morning. Dis smiled knowingly and Dwalin only rolled his eyes. Dwana, Fili and Kili were outside and probably ruining Branns garden, but Brann did not care. As Thorin wrapped his arms around her and kissed her Brann melted into him like she did last night. It had been hard to not make too much noise, but it had been a sensual experience. Their movements had been slow and tender and Thorin had pushed in and out of his wifes warmth without making the bed crack too much. Brann had stiffled her moans and cries in Thorins mouth and had screamed into a pillow in the end. Completely satisfied they fell asleep in each others arms and in the next morning Brann had woken Thorin up in a very enticing way which made him unable to form a decent thought for the next hours.
After breakfast Thorin and Dwalin went into the forge to get some work done and Dis and Brann went to the market with Dwana and the dwarflings. They saw some rangers on patrol and Brann shook her head.
'Can you imagine? The ranger actually besieged a handful women. And his comrades and the council knew that!' Brann was furious. 'Thankfully he has never done more than watching and stalking them. I was the first who he had in mind for more.'
'Bree must be in grave danger when the people her accept such a behaviour.' Dis mused.
'I wonder why the lands of the free folk of Middle Earth are overrun by orcs and other filth all of a sudden.' Brann worried. 'Orcs, wargs and wolves in the Shire, orcs and other throatcutters on the roads...where did they all come from? I just hope that the Blue Mountains will stay safe.'
Dis nodded. 'No problems in the Blue Mountains so far. But speaking of the Blue Mountains...when do you plan on returning?'
Dis had started a topic which Brann had wished to neglect, but she had to think about it sooner or later.
'Thorin and I haven't talked about returning yet. But I guess that the purpose of our stay in Bree has been fullfilled.' Brann had to smirk at her own words. It was true, Thorin and her had gotten very close during their stay and they truly were husband and wife now. There was no reason for them to stay anymore. But Brann would miss Dorn, Elsa and her daughters. She had also wished to maybe visit the Shire and the two brave halflings who had helped her. Thorin had been surprised as she had told him about the halflings. He had never expected the peaceful and withdrawn folk to help others.
'I guess we should leave for the Blue Mountains when Thorin and Dwalin have finished their weapons.' Brann decided. 'Thorin will be happy to return home again.'
'And you?' Dis looked at her sister in law. 'Would you be happy?'
Brann needed a second to think about it. 'It was wonderful to just be us. Thorin and I are not king and queen here, we are the blacksmith and the healer. Thats easy. In the Blue Mountains we will have to concentrate more on others again. But I have to say...I felt more at ease with the dwarves in the Blue Mountains. The men here have been judgemental and ignorant about Thorin and me. The dwarves of the Blue Mountains have accepted me although I am foreign to them. I would never have expected that.'
'Men always think that dwarves are ignorant and racist. But we tend to let action speak and you have impressed us deeply. You and your mother stood at our side when we needed you the most. We shall never forget.' Dis smiled and strode through the market at Branns side.
A week later Thorin and Dwalin had forged all the weapons for the protection of Bree. The council of the town thanked Thorin and could not understand that the dwarf did not want a payment for his work. The men had thought the dwarves to be greedy and materialistic, but the blacksmith and his family had been nothing but humble and supporting. But nobody in the council was surprised as Thorin announced that he and his family would leave Bree in a few days. The only ones crushed by the news were Dorn and his family. Thorins and Branns hearts were also heavy. The families had grown close and a strong bond of friendship existed between them. Thorin was about to ask Dorn and Elsa to come to the Blue mountains with them, but he knew that they would not be happy there.
The day of their departure neared and Brann said goodbye to Elsa one last time. The women hugged in tears and Brann felt nothng but sadness that day.
'You can come and visit any time, you know that?' Elsa told Brann and Brann nodded.
'You as well! You and your family have done so much for us! You were not only our neighbours you are our friends! It breaks my heart to leave you.' Brann said hoarsely. 'Be safe!'
Thorin patted Dorns shoulder amicably. 'Thank you for everything.'
'We are the ones to be thankful. Without you and Brann we would have lost everything due to my injury.' Dorn told Thorin. 'Take care. The roads are still dangerous.'
'We will be careful, my friend.' Thorin assured him.
The women hugged for one last time and Brann also hugged Dorn and their daughters before she and Thorin left for the road where the others were already waiting.
Brann had tears in her eyes and looked back to their home a few times before they walked around the corner and out of sight of the smithy. Her heart was heavy and she was troubled by the thought of going back to the life of a queen, with all the duties and responsibilities. But she loved Thorin with all her heart and she swore herself to support him as best as she could. Which meant learning Khuzdul to be able to participate at the council meetings and secure political relations to the other dwarven kingdoms. Which meant spending days with diplomatical issues. Which meant representating the Blue Mountains as the queen. All in all it meant to have less private time with Thorin.
Thorin could see that Brann was sad to leave Bree. But Thorin was under the impression that Brann missed to be with her kin, with the race of men, but this was not the case.
'You can return and visit Elsa anytime you want.' Thorin laid an arm around his wifes waist. 'Whenever you feel that the company of only dwarves is too much, you can visit your friends here.'
Brann looked at Thorin in astonishment. 'Why...you think that I miss being with men? That I might grow tired of having dwarves around me?' As Thorin nodded Brann felt a hint of anger rise. 'I am your queen, Thorin. I am the queen of the Blue Mountains, of the dwarves living there and you think that I might feel unwell living with them? If I was uncomfortable living with dwarves I would never have married you in the first place!'
Thorin was surprised by Brann outburst and only nodded, letting her storm off towards Dis and her sons. As he was about to follow her Thorin felt Dwalins hand on her shoulder.
'What did you do now?' Dwalin grinned and patted Thorins shoulder.
'He assumed that Brann would not feel at ease with having only dwarves around, which is nonsense of course.' Dwana helped her father out and grinned as she saw Thorins death glare. Giggling she also left to join Dis before Thorin could smack her head.
'Brat.' Thorin growled and make Dwalin laugh.
'My daughter is right though. How could you possibly think that Brann would not be happy in our company. She has been perfectly fine with us up until now. The girl loves you, Thorin, more than anything else. You, Dis, Fili and Kili are her family now and she loves all of you. Don´t worry too much, my king.' Dwalin told Thorin and smiled as Thorin grumbled something into his beard and continued walking down the road with occasional glances towards his wife.
That night they slept in the open. Dwalin and Thorin went hunting for some rabbits while Dis prepared the fire. Brann and Dwana distracted Fili and Kili so that they would not fall into the flames. As Thorin and Dwalin returned with the rabbits they ate in silence and soon went to sleep. The journey had been long and tiresome and especially the young ones needed their rest. Brann cuddled up beside Thorin and rested her head on his chest.
'Are you still mad at me, woman?' Thorin asked half asleep.
'Maybe, after all you call me woman again.' Brann smirked into his tunic.
'You know what I mean.' Thorin opened his eyes to look down at his wife.
'I am not mad...anymore.' Brann sighed. 'I know that you worry about me and that you meant no offense with your offer. In a way I am really thankful that you think about my wellbeing that much. But, Thorin, I am capable of making my own decisions. If I was in any way bothered to be surrounded by dwarves, do you really think I would have stayed in the Blue Mountains? I love you and I love your kin. My home is where you are.'
Thorin softly kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. 'What have I done that Mahal blessed me with such a perfect wife?'
'I am far from perfect, Thorin.' Brann smiled nevertheless. 'But you're so sweet.'
'Sweet?' Thorin sounded offended.
'Not good?' Brann grinned.
'I would go for breathtakingly handsome and thoughtful.' Thorin stated earnestly.
Brann had to laugh and quickly stiffled her laughter with her hand. 'I am sorry, husband. I did not mean to laugh that loud.' she teased and shrieked as Thorin tickled her.
'Oi! I will kill you both dead, royalty or not, if you start doing stuff right here and now, I swear by Durin!' Dalin yelled from across the camp.
'Mum, what does uncle Dwalin mean with stuff?' Fili asked his mother and Dwalin eyes widened in fear as Dis glared at him and slid her finger over her throat.
Thorin and Brann nearly chuckled themselves to sleep.
'Why should I trade this for a life with my kin?' Brann asked Thorin and kissed him on the nose.
Oh my gosh, you guys are sooooo great! thank you so very much for all the favs, follows and reviews!
This was supposed to be a short story, but it has developped a very own magic and I have to thank all my readers for that!