It has been far too long, my friends! My goodness, I couldn't believe so much time had passed, but school was grueling, and I'm only now catching up with the story. I'd love to hear from you, so please review!

Chapter 40

After Thorin and Relianna finished their meal, he pushed the table aside and pulled her on his lap. The fire had retreated into white ash and bright coals that bathed the room with a soft, orange glow. His large hands pressed along her back and held her hip tightly, squeezing along her leg as though he wanted to reassure himself that she was not an apparition.

"This moment, right here, right now, is perfect," he said. "I almost resent that time will pass."

"Or that we need move from this spot?"

"Aye, although there are other spots in these rooms that bear investigating." He pulled her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, anticipating his fervent kisses with a tingle in her stomach, but he didn't do what she expected. Instead, he laid her head on his neck and stroked her hair and arm like he was playing his lap harp.

"I want no secrets between us, no concerns that aren't discussed, and no matters left unresolved, Relianna," he said. "At the end of every day, no matter the needs, we will take time like this to be at peace with one another."

"That may not always be easy," she said after a hesitation. "You know I have a temper."

"As do I."

"Frain calls me Flame-rider for a reason."

"I like a fiery spirit. It's what drew me to you from the first." She arched her back and shrugged away from his touch. "What is it, love?"

Hemming and hawing, she fidgeted in his lap until she found the words. "Not all issues can be resolved at the end of the day. I trust your judgment, but I need to speak my mind, and sometimes I need time to gather my thoughts first." He said nothing while he considered her words.

"Hmm, we'll just have to go to bed earlier then."

With a sudden gasp, she burst into laughter, and he followed with contented chuckles.

"Is that your answer for everything, Thorin?"

"I'm satisfied with my solution."

"I'll bet you are!"

Running one hand through her hair, he tilted her back against his other arm and worshiped her mouth with soft kisses. After he was satisfied that he had made his point, he broke off and put his forehead to hers.

"Once more before we part," he said by way of explanation. "I want you to remember what we have before you leave. Once you walk out that door and drop your veil, you'll be my future wife with all the attention, both good and bad, that it will bring, and I want you to take my everlasting devotion with you."

He was serious, but she tossed her head, gave him an arch grin, and kissed him on his nose. Leaning back in anticipation, he waited for her response with a small smile playing about his lips and a bright twinkle in his eye.

"Are you saying that attention from you will be bad?" she asked with a smug look, but he had anticipated such a response and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'll let you decide," and he pulled her neckline away from her collarbone and kissed along her skin.

"Oh! Thorin, remember what you said … you need to …."

"Need to do what, love?" He raised his head with an equally smug grin and dipped to her neck, biting gently where her neck met her shoulder. She groaned, and he hummed with pleasure before chuckling and kissing her jaw.

"Now was that bad?"

She stared at him with huge, black eyes. "No," she said without a trace of mirth. "It was ... wonderful." She struggled to regain her bearing, and he preened at her response. Straightening her unruly hair, she glanced over to see his self-satisfied smirk and decided that she needed to speak her mind before this particular matter could be resolved. Pretending to tame a few last curls, she reached over and tugged his head back by his hair. Her mouth landed just under his ear. With the press of her warm lips, he gasped, and his body shook.

"Mahal, don't kiss me there. Not there." His breath came fast and uneven. "You must stop before … I cannot ..."

Hearing the desperation in his voice, she stopped at once and pushed back from his shoulders. "Forgive me," she said with her hands cupped over her mouth. "I meant no … I didn't mean to …." She bit her lip and dropped her head, but he caught her chin in his fingers.

"Arouse me to the point of no return?" He was still out of breath, but his smiling eyes held hers, and he shook his head at her shame.

"I'm not sorry that your touch brings me to the brink, love, but we will not anticipate our vows. I know, I know," he said in response to her doubtful look. "Once I would have locked us behind closed doors, but I swore to myself to wed you in all honor, so I need your help to keep my vow. I should have expected that my desire for you would increase with the approach of our wedding, but we will give ourselves to each other when we are husband and wife, not before."

A few locks of their hair had entwined, and he chuckled as he separated the strands, kissing a curl before sweeping her hair over her shoulders. "I look forward to the time and place, and although this is the place, it is not the time. I can't fault you when I started it, but enough now."

She nodded and said nothing while she brushed off her skirts and pulled at the ends of her sleeves. With the wisdom of greater age, Thorin watched his young wife-to-be attempt to put her embarrassment behind her. Looking anywhere but at his face, she cleared her throat and cast about for something to say. Catching her restless hands, he kissed each palm.

"Relianna, love, there's no call for embarrassment. It is right for me to respond so to your touch. Would you have it otherwise?"

That caught her attention and brought something else to mind. "Have you had other opportunities to respond so, Thorin?"

Scenes of catching Lady Wogren in bed with Dwalin appeared before his eyes.

"I've always had opportunities to find satisfaction in one way or another, including one you warned me of." Her mouth formed an "o" before it turned down in a scowl.

"Her."

"Among others," he said. She looked away, and he pulled her back to him. "I respond to what I want and what I want is you. You. Only and forever you. Anything else was in another life long gone." He watched her face, trying to gauge her thoughts, and was rewarded with a tight hug and happy sigh.

"Is everything settled now, love? Are you ready to go back?"

Biting her lip, she shook her head. "I didn't want to talk about it now with so much else going on, but perhaps I should."

"Aye, you should," he said. "No more loose ends."

With a nod, she grimaced and pushed off his lap. He felt the change of mood, crossed his arms, and motioned for her to speak. She looked at him under her lashes. "One more thing then, Thorin." Reading the encouragement in his eyes, she plowed on. "Would you mind very much us not having children …."

"What?" His eyes and mouth flew open and he goggled at her, unable to comprehend what she had just said. Putting his fist in front of his mouth, he coughed while struggling to regain his composure, instantly imagining wrenching scenarios. Without context and in line with his character, he jumped at once to a wrong conclusion, but he would not make that mistake again and tamped down his reaction. "Forgive me, love. Go on. I'm listening."

She stepped back from his instinctive response and watched him carefully. "You didn't let me finish, Thorin. It's not what you think. Truly it's not." Taking him by the hand, she led them back to the fire. "Please, please hear me out."

He sat stiffly on the settee and clasped his hands in his lap. He couldn't imagine what else she could say that would alter her meaning, but he was willing to keep an open mind. How much had changed for him to desire children so intensely when they had never been a thought before.

I want her with my child. I want to fill her belly again and again. Let it not be what I think.

Leaning forward, she stroked his downcast face and shook her head. "I've grieved you so much, Thorin, but please listen. I didn't mean that I don't ever want to have children with you. I love you, Thorin, and I want your children. It's just that being a wife and queen is overwhelming enough without adding motherhood into the mix. Do you understand? I want time alone with you. I don't want to share you just yet. I want many wonderful memories of just us before we bring our children into the world."

He was silent for a long time, wrestling with emotions that had always caused turmoil within and trouble without. Finally, he dropped his head and sighed. "Forgive me. I erred once again in believing the worst. All my life I've battled for what I have. I was content without a life of my own, believing it my lot as Heir of Durin, but of late work no longer satisfied, and I saw how much I had neglected family and friends. My life had become a dry crust in my mouth. Perhaps it had always been. Then I met you, and a world of possibilities came to light, yet I fear it being snatched from me as Erebor had been."

Stepping closer, she ran her fingers down his face, and urged him with the faith of youth. "Oh, Thorin, we can have whatever we want, Mahal willing. Is it wrong for me to want you first?"

She put her arms around him, and he caressed her face with the back of his fingers.

"How much time do you need, Relianna?" While he hoped it wouldn't be long, he saw her reasoning, and being so young herself, it was understandable. The last thing he wanted was to try to bend her to his will. Frain's warning was in earnest, but more than that, he wanted a marriage of mutual respect, and despotism wouldn't do.

"A year, Thorin? Can we have a year to make memories?"

"Of course, love, of course. Understand though that having children won't stand in the way of our enjoyment. I won't allow that, but how will you do such a thing? I won't be able to stay away from you once we're wed."

Drawing herself up, she avoided his searching gaze. "Well, when I was a healer, I had heard of human women using … ways, so I thought that …."

He reared in alarm. He too had heard of such abominations, and that too often those foolish women had died. So eager were they to prevent life that they unwittingly poisoned their own.

"No! I'll not have it! You won't take those potions. I forbid it."

"I won't, I promise. Not those, but there is another way that is safe. I promise. I'm a healer, Thorin, and I won't take any risks."

Even many assurances didn't calm him down. "I want to know exactly what you intend to do, Relianna, down to the last detail. Exactly."

"Of course, my love, of course."

Her endearment caught him by surprise and softened his mien. "You don't often say that to me. I would like to hear it more."

She took his hand and held it against her chest. "As much as you want, my love, and if children should come sooner, I'll not be sorry. I adore children and have always wanted my own."

"Our own."

The room grew darker as the fire bid good night, but their joy was warm, and they sat for a little while longer, sounding out various names.

"How about another Frain?" she said. His expression darkened, and he covered her hand with his. Her laughter died at his solemn expression.

"Is there a chance they might be bleeders?" She stiffened and nodded.

"It's possible. I won't lie to you. Mother told me of others in our family who died young. That's why she worked so hard to find a treatment for Frain. It took her years to put together the right dose. That he survived for so long without it was a miracle."

"The blood of Durin the Deathless must somehow run in his veins regardless," Thorin said with a respectful dip of his head. "He should have died a hundred times over. He may the greatest healer there ever was since no one has battled death as often and won."

"Now you know why I admire him so, but don't tell him, Thorin. He'll be impossible to live with."

"Aye, and we'd better be ready in case our children have the same affliction. No, no, don't fear, love. Dain will give us whatever we need, and I don't doubt he'll consider it a blessing to be of service."

She nodded and yawned, and a quick look at a timepiece told him that it was much later or earlier than he had thought.

"I've kept you up, love," he said. "It's almost morning." He stood and placed a gentle kiss on her hand. "It's time to sleep now, and I want you to put a chair under the knob after I leave."

She started in surprise and looked toward the door, but he answered her unspoken question.

"I can't promise I won't sleepwalk with such an inducement in the next room, and I want no temptation. I know my weakness where you're concerned."

"How long do you think it will take to get things ready for the wedding?"

"Orders will never again be so swiftly obeyed."

Later that day, Thorin requested that the maids return so Relianna could leave without attracting attention. He was determined not to stain her reputation with allegations of impropriety. She already had an uphill battle to win over his people, and he didn't want to make it more difficult with rumors of her leaving his chambers without a chaperone.

They'll think she lured me to bed, but they'd never think that I tried to do the same.

Within minutes, wide-eyed and loyal maids were ushered into the family wing room where Thorin and Relianna were waiting. After bobbing quick curtsies, they rushed and encircled her with hugs. Stepping back to watch, he was pleased at their obvious devotion to her. She needed allies on every level of society. Looking around, he didn't see Bemma and asked after her.

"Nella asked her to help clean out the sick room, my lord," said Plumma with another bob of her head. The others showed no sign of any news, any interesting news.

"Did anything happen while I was gone?" Relianna asked. The maids looked around at each other and shrugged.

"Were you hoping to hear of something particular?" Furla asked.

"I want to know how Frain is."

At that, their quizzical expressions transformed into ardent hero worship, and they fell over themselves to share and dissect every tidbit.

"Oh, Reli, he's so well recovered. Prince Frain looks …."

"So handsome! And I thought my lord was handsome before."

"I needed to see Bem, but she wasn't there, and I asked my lord when she might be back, and he spoke to me, asking me how I was. His voice! I think my knees melted."

"The prince wore the most splendid tunic. Cream and gold. I think he'd look good in anything though."

"I never knew he was so tall!"

"Lord Dain has spent much time with him."

"Do you think my lord can come out of hiding now? So many have asked to meet him."

They chattered on with my lord this and the prince that until Relianna raised her hands.

"I think it's time for me to see this paragon for myself."

She turned to Thorin for permission to leave, and in answer, he bowed low before her. The maids' chatter choked as they recalled that they were in the presence of the most powerful king in Middle-earth, and they touched their fingers to their mouths while they watched him make reverence to a maid. They had quite forgotten Relianna's lineage, but it made no difference anyway. Their suffering in Onkra's service had forged them into a solid if excitable sisterhood, and Relianna would forever be one of their own, so they had no qualms about crowding around and watching their interaction. She curtsied to Thorin in response, and they followed her lead.

"My lord," they chimed. He acknowledged his due and kissed Relianna's palm while keeping his eyes on her face. No one doubted the strength of his passion after the incendiary look he gave her.

"You make me blush," she said. He eyed her with wolfish grin and dipped his head.

"I will make it my mission always to do so. See to Frain and I will be down in a few minutes." She blushed almost as red as her hair in front of her friends while he stood as calmly as if they were talking about the weather.

"My queen," he said with a slow, lop-sided smile, and after a final kiss on her fingers that left more than one maid licking her lips, he took his leave and disappeared behind tall double doors inlaid with gold. Relianna watched him for as long as she could then turned back to her friends who, for once, had nothing to say. They stood there staring at her until her little giggle snapped the spell.

"Well, that look nearly scorched my dress off. Did you see his eyes?"

"I want a dwarf to look at me like that."

"I don't know if anyone else could look like that, Clea. Prince Frain is beautiful, but King Thorin is devastating. Personally, I like them dark."

"You like them all, Derlig."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Positively smoldering I say."

"That's a cliché, Plumma."

"Yes, but with him it fits."

"True."

They turned to leave, and Plumma linked her arm through Relianna's. After they had gone downstairs, her friends rushed her down a side hall, and pulled her into a room.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking around at their almost rabid faces.

"Is he a good kisser?"

"What's he like in person. You know, in private?"

"Does he look as good underneath those robes?"

"Plumma! We're talking about your king here."

"No, we're talking about your lover, so tell us everything."

"That's disrespectful."

"How so? I have the highest respect for his firm ..."

"Don't say it!"

"… physique."

"They say that you can tell from a dwarf's wrist how big …."

"Plumma!"

"Don't tell me you haven't wondered."

Relianna answered as many reasonable questions as she could, which kept the conversation short.

"When will you take off the veil?" Furla asked.

Relianna hesitated to answer. All privacy would end when she stepped out as Thorin's bride-to-be, and she rubbed her palms on her skirt. Soon all of Erebor would weigh in on his choice, and she would have to bear its verdict. She dearly hoped that their loyalty and love for him would extend some measure of acceptance. Recalling their conversation upstairs, she touched her lips as the meaning of Thorin's kisses became clear.

"As soon as possible. King Thorin says that we have delayed long enough."

"And we'll be there to support you both, never fear," Plumma said. The others offered whatever help they could.

"I'm forever grateful to you all," Relianna said. She balled her fists and took a deep breath. "I will see Frain first, then I will change and wait for the king before we make our official appearance."

"Not without us," came a voice from the door. Relianna turned to see Fili and Kili grinning widely.

"Do you think Erebor can stand the strain of seeing the King and Princes of Durin standing with the Prince and Princess of the Iron Hills in the same hall?" Kili asked. "All that beauty and majesty together in one place?"

"But we had those noble-borns here for almost a month," Furla said.

"Different, erm, quality of beauty and majesty, wouldn't you say, Fili? Not authentic majesty, except for Lord Kerba and Lady Carba. Lord Meldin and his daughter too. We'll ask them to join in."

"And Lord Dain," Relianna said with a sour note. "It would help us to have his public support."

"I think our good people might never recover," Fili said, "so let's get to it. We need to set aunt here up to win over public opinion. Ladies? Care to help us make it an event to remember?"

I hope this chapter was worth waiting for. :)