DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do, however, own my OC, Thia! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in whichever way you would like, but make your thoughts known and be polite while you do it. Thank you!

Chapter 1.5 (Definition at the bottom)

THIA POV

The sheets are cool, bordering on cold, and I shiver slightly. Crawling back onto my knees, I grab the numerous pillows and line them up beside me to lock in the warmth. The kids aren't going to be waking up again today; they are well and truly exhausted. Thorin... In spite of myself, I feel for his location for the second time today. He wasn't in his rooms the first time so I assume he was still doing Kingly stuff. I sure hope it was Kingly stuff...and he was doing them alone. I shake my head at the thoughts and lay down again. He's up there now. In his room. Alone. He passed my door and didn't come in...

Why didn't he come in?

Was he too tired? Did he forget that we are here? Is he angry at me? Is he angry that I was angry? Is he punishing me? Doesn't he...

'Doesn't he miss me?'

As soon as the whisper ghosts through my mind, I bite my lip in punishment for my weakness. The burning in my chest is nothing compared to the heat of embarrassment creeping up my spine. I've slept alone plenty of times before AND after I met him. I'm fine. Shrugging, I tuck myself in with a vengeance.

"I suppose I'll be spending another night sleeping alone. It won't be the first time and if tonight is an indicator of the future... it won't be the last."

THORIN POV

It has been a very long day. Right up until I entered the doors leading to the royal wing, I had skeptical dignitaries and curious well-wishers at my throat; All wanting to know of the newest guests in the mountain and, more importantly, how it would affect them. Without even knowing that she is their true Queen, they flock to any scrap of knowledge concerning the mysterious woman and her dwarfling companions. It is no doubt that the children are indeed of my blood. The moment they were seen by the masses I was addressed with inquiries concerning them and their keeper. I know not how my wife would handle the situation if I introduce her too early and if dealt with improperly...

Passing the guards after receiving their report, I enter my chambers. Quickly shedding my outer layers and heading to my sleeping quarters, I grab my brush. Splashing my face with water, I stare at my reflection for just a moment.

"Tired. You will go to them like this?" Splashing my face once more, I run a brush through my hair quickly. It tugs with every swipe and I quickly grow annoyed with it. Instead, I run my fingers through my beard but to the same effect. I desire to look presentable but I waste precious moments in trying to do so "There will be time for polite presentations later."

Setting down the brush, I quickly approach the bookcases lining the wall in my study. Tugging on a moderately plain spine, I step back as the hidden passage creaks open. Turning away and grasping a small candle, I brush aside the cobwebs and move forward. Hurrying down the cool steps, I think of my wife. Though relatively early, the guards reported that her quarters have been quiet for at least an hour. Considering the day she has encountered, it is of little surprise.

I doubt she will enjoy the gossiping of dwarves tomorrow, and there will be gossips despite my best efforts. Not so bad as they would be if I were caught entering her rooms at such a blatantly late hour. No, nothing but wanton rumors would reach her ears. Reaching the barrier to what is typically only the children and the aids rooms, I pause to listen but I am greeted with only silence. Pressing the latch out of the way, I emerge seamlessly into the living area.

The Skin changer's dog lifts its head from across the room before offering a bored expression at discovering myself. With a huff, he returns to his rest and I continue on my path. I know where the master bedroom lies but I choose the alternate path first. I enter the children's room for but a moment. Reaching down, I stroke my daughter's cheek before doing the same for my son. The masses are correct, there is no denying they are mine. It is their mother, always their mother, whom I will fight for. Their breathing is deep and steady. Placing my hand across their hearts, I feel for the thumps of life. Finding them strong and stable, I am satisfied. Departing once more, I head toward the master bedroom where I know Thia will be.

She has left the door ajar, most likely to hear the children should they wake. Pushing the door open wider but quietly I find my wife tucked neatly into bed. Surrounded by pillows and blankets, she has made quite the nest for herself. Chuckling under my breath as I remove the barrier, blow out the candle, pull the covers back slightly, and get in beside her.

Almost immediately she shifts her body to mold itself to mine. Her spine presses against my chest and her legs tangle with my own. Her heat rises through the cloth that separates us and I curse myself for not removing more before I came to her. Perhaps though, it is a small mercy. For as memories of this morning flash through my mind, softening my resolve and hardening my body, I know she is safer this way.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, I tug her back to nestle into my lap. She sighs deeply in slumber, pressing her hips back dangerously. Mahal, even in her sleep she tests me! Running my hand along her hip, I lick my suddenly chapped lips. I could wake her deliciously slow; bring her high and listen to her gasp quietly. I could fill her through the night; training her body to know only mine. If I were gentle we could-

"No" I whisper "No."

I stop my thoughts before they become too pronounced to ignore. Tonight is not for that. Not tonight. Tonight I will just hold her. Tonight I will be grateful to have her by my side. Tonight I will not lay awake, praying to dream of her when I close my eyes... Still... I can do all that AND make love to her... Burying my nose into her neck is all I can do not to flip her onto her back and bury myself in her warmth. She is no doubt still sore. As much as I want her right now, I can not have her... Nipping at her throat, I breathe in her scent.

"Thia."

"Tho...rin?" Half asleep, she cranes her neck instead of simply turning to face me. Confirming that I am indeed myself, she offers a half smile and settles back in "You came."

"Of course I did." Fitting my body snuggly around her own again, I allow the lullaby of her presence to pull me under. Married for 60 years and yet, the first time I have spent the night beside my wife. And I cannot even do so in my own bed. I haven't introduced her to Erebor as a queen yet. Had I entered these quarters so brazenly before acknowledging her stature, a rumored concubine would be confirmed and all she'd be seen as. I have to acknowledge her officially before I am officially known to frequent her chambers. As long as I can do this, every vile word is just hearsay from gossipmongers... But I spent too many nights of longing and desperation to sleep so far away, with her finally so close "You are here, my love. I wouldn't dream of sleeping anywhere else."

THIA POV

"Mama."

Blinking my eyes open, I come face to face with Theodore. My son pouts at me from over the edge of the pillow, reaching out for me to pick him up. His chubby fingers do little grabby motions and who am I to tell him no? I lean forward slightly only to be tugged back. Blinking more rapidly this time, I become aware of the presence at my back and arm around my waist. Ah... right. Peeling back the covers gently, I make sure my husband is decent before letting our son into the bed.

He's dressed in something similar to his underclothes. I'm not sure what is and isn't appropriate but for the kids to see him but I think this is alright. Shifting my legs I find them tangled between his thicker ones. The light clothing between us is softer than I would have thought. It's not the same one he wore when Erebor was reclaimed. It doesn't scratch my skin at all. But... the way they fall across his toned body gives me an awakening itch that I can't scratch in the presence of a child. Swallowing my desire, I breathe deeply.

Confirmation achieved, I stretch my arm out and allow Theodore to climb in at my front. He does so quietly, cautiously glancing over my shoulder with a deep frown. He stares at his slumbering father, seeming to be extremely displeased by his occupancy in my bed. I suppose it is a new idea; knowing you have a father is different from seeing him magically in bed with your mother. I offer the boy a small smile, which he returns quickly. Slipping beneath the covers, he snuggles into my chest; fisting my shirt in his tiny hand and falling into a light doze. I'd do the same except for the distant pounding I hear at the edge of my consciousness.

I can't tell what time it is but I feel like I've slept for ages. I listen for a few minutes but the sound stops. Yet the moment I start to drift away, the pounding from overhead becomes more insistent and my eyes snap open in realization. Slapping my husband's hip lightly, I huff out a laugh at his grumble. He sucks in a breath and mumbles something unintelligible at my back.

"Thorin..."

"I love you."

"I- Heh! love you too but Thorin..." he blows out a breath that tickles the nape of my neck. Covering it, I turn slightly and continue to whisper "Thooorin, you have to get up."

"As king, I retain the right to decline." wrapping himself tighter around me and burying his face in my hair, he starts to fall asleep again. Goodness gracious, he's too much. I slap his leg a bit harder. He growls softly but raises onto one elbow to glare down at me "Thia, what-"

"I think someone is knocking on the door. Your door." pointing up the ceiling, I grimace softly "Upstairs."

"My... door..." we lay in silence for a moment, both listening to the insistent pounding from upstairs. He groans, only the way someone who knows they are late can, before leaping from the bed. He does a double take when he notices Theodore but says nothing so I guess its ok "I overslept."

"That doesn't sound like you at all." Slowly crawling out of bed so not as to wake my boy, I follow Thorin out of the room. Surprisingly, he heads toward the fireplace rather than the front door. Watching him search the stones, I frown softly "Are you... alright?"

"Perfect, my love." turning back to me, he pulls me into a quick embrace. The hunger in his eyes is only matched by the one I can feel in my own "There will be a meeting of the counsel tomorrow. You will come."

"I will?"

"The children as well. I will present you all before them so we may put this matter to rest." he presses his forehead into mine imploringly "You are my One, my wife, and my queen. Tomorrow others will know this fact. Until then..."

His lips brush mine and I lean in for more but the pounding, now paired with shouting, is becoming too much to ignore. They'll break down the structure soon enough. Thorin offers me a half smile before slipping through a passageway hidden in the very wall. I stare at it blankly as it closes without a trace.

"Well... that's new."

Chapter naming convention is Side story chapter X. set during main story chapter X. EX: Chapter 1.5 is Side story chapter 1, set during main story chapter 5. Let me know if that doesn't make sense. I hate when main stories cant move forward because they were bogged down but frivolous details. I LOVE details so here is my compromise. Side story!