Author's Note – This chapter is for CharNinja LOL who wanted Thorin to go ahead and do something, so I've added in a scene between them that I think you'll like! :D

Elvish translations:

Ego mibo orch – Go kiss an orc

Adar – Father

Naneth – Mother

Mereth Nuin Giliath – Feast of Starlight or Feast under the Stars.

'She was like April sky, sunrise in her eyes,

Child of light, shining star,

Fire in her heart.'

- October and April, The Rasmus.

On their second day of staying in the Mountains—which was only about five hours after she'd spoken to Thorin before going to bed—Marissa was so hung over from all the wine she'd had that she'd barely been able to drag herself out of bed… until her brother sent Tauriel in to get her and the red haired elf had helped her dress before ushering her out of her room.

She'd been dragged down to the dining halls again for breakfast and was currently slumped against her brother with her eyes shut and a stream of quiet groans slipping past her lips every so often.

"I warned you about the wine," Tauriel told her unsympathetically. Marissa opened her eyes briefly to shoot a glare at her friend.

"Ego mibo orch," Marissa replied in an irritated whisper. Everything was louder due to her enhanced hearing and everything had her wanting to crawl back to her bed and stay there for a week.

Tauriel shared an amused look with Legolas before they went back to eating their breakfast. Marissa joined them after a few seconds, shovelling a forkful of eggs into her mouth.

"Where is father?" she asked curiously after taking a drink from her goblet of water.

"He is in a meeting with King Thror and some of the other Lords," Legolas explained, frowning at the state of his sister's hair—she hadn't even brushed it and it been allowed to become a tangled, knotted mess that had been roughly pushed behind her ears. "Did you not take any time to make yourself look presentable?" he scolded and reached out with the comb Tauriel had procured from Marissa's room. His sister immediately began to struggle as he got to work on combing out the tangles. "Sit still, Mari or I'll sit on you like I used to when you refused to cooperate."

She immediately stilled, a grumpy look settling on her face as she huffed at him. The dwarves sitting close to them were smirking in amusement at both Legolas' words and Marissa's expression. Before long, her brother had finished combing her hair and started weaving intricate braids into her pale locks. Marissa looked to Tauriel as her brother worked and continued staring at the red haired elf until she passed over a piece of fruit—Marissa grinned thankfully and popped the grape into her mouth enthusiastically.

"There, finished," Legolas told her finally and she let out a sigh of relief, sliding away from him on the bench. "You act like such a child."

"Ego mibo orch," She sent him a firm glare as she repeated what she'd said to Tauriel.

Before her brother or Tauriel could respond, the clearing of a throat sounded from beside them and they all turned to find Thorin standing there with his arms clasped behind his back.

"Princess Marissa, I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me?" the dwarf prince requested politely. A smile spread across her face and she nodded happily, standing and following him towards the door, too busy engaging Thorin in conversation to bid her brother and friend goodbye.

The two elves glanced at each other quickly before they turned to watch their kin and the dwarf disappear from sight with narrowed, suspicious eyes.

"I'm glad you asked me to walk with you," Marissa said out of the blue as they made their way through the mountain towards her chambers. She'd invited the dwarf back to her rooms to share a cup of tea and some cakes Jara had graced her with the night before that she'd never eaten with her.

"It was my pleasure," he returned, his deep voice washing over her.

"I… I hope I didn't embarrass myself too much last night, but the wine I drank made my head spin a bit," she explained and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "We elves actually don't become drunk very easily—we have to drink a very strong wine before we even become close to drunk."

"It doesn't take much for dwarves to become intoxicated," Thorin admitted with a small twitch of his lips. "Though some dwarves last longer than others."

Marissa's eyes twinkled mischievously and she turned to him in excitement. "We shall have to have a drinking competition soon."

"Is it acceptable for elf maids to engage in competitions like that?"

"Yes, though it rarely happens, we prefer cheering the males on and making bets… but don't tell my Adar or my brother, they would ban us from being there when the competitions take place." They reached the door to her chambers and she opened the door, gesturing for him to go in ahead of her as she turned to speak to Haemir in hushed Sindarin, letting him know that she was going to be having tea with Thorin and that she didn't want to be disturbed for a while. Her guard nodded in acceptance, though he sent a concerned look after his charge as she smiled at him before closing her door. "So, Thorin, what do you dwarves do for fun around here, except for mining for rocks and having parties?"

"We have annual competitions, sword fighting and the like," he explained as he accepted a cup of tea from her. "It takes place every Durin's Day and can last from 1 day to even 4 days, if your opponents are as skilled as you are. We have feasts on those days as well, and much more drinking than the feast yesterday takes place on Durin's Day celebrations."

"What's Durin's Day?" she asked curiously, leaning towards him with intrigued eyes.

"It is the first day of the last moon of autumn and on the threshold of winter. On Durin's Day, both the sun and the moon can be seen in the sky together," he told her with a fond smile as her face lit up in amazement. "What about you and your kin?"

"What about us?" she said with a frown.

"You must have something you celebrate," he replied lightly.

"Well… we have Mereth Nuin Giliath," she grinned as flashes of the last Mereth Nuin Giliath flickered through her mind. "It's also known as The Feast of Starlight or Feast under the Stars," she explained at his confusion. "All Wood-Elves love the light of the stars above all. We have the Feast of Starlight to worship the stars and the light and energy they bring. My brother and I's favourite star is Eärendil—way back when, the light of his star was so brilliant that it hid all the other stars in the sky. Even to this day, the star of Eärendil burns the brightest."

"That sounds incredible," Thorin admitted with a nod of his head.

"My Naneth loved the stars as well. She loved their light," she said quietly and tried blowing a strand of hair from her face without raising her head. She started and let out a gasp of surprise as a thumb and forefinger closed around her chin and lifted her head back up. He tucked the loose curl behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek. Marissa made the mistake of meeting his eyes and she was taken off-guard at the spark of desire that flashed through his deep grey orbs. Her hand reached up of its own accord and her slender fingers curled around his wrist—his thumb still rested on her cheek and the rest of his fingers were in her hair. "T-Thorin…"

"Shh, it's all right," he whispered, leaning closer. Marissa's lips parted slightly and she watched him nervously as he got closer and closer to her. When their lips touched, a strange warmth filled her chest and her eyelids slipped shut. She tightened her grip on his wrist and pressed her lips more firmly against his. Thorin cupped her jaw with his free hand and his beard brushed her cheeks and chin, leaving light red marks whenever the coarse hairs scratched her skin. They parted briefly for air before moving back in for another kiss—Thorin tugged at her hair, tilting her head slightly to deepen the kiss and she let him, handing over all manner of control to the handsome dwarf before her.

"W-we shouldn't do this," Marissa breathed against his mouth but made no attempt to move away. "This sort of behaviour should only happen between a husband and wife."

Thorin pulled back to meet her wide green eyes. He smiled softly in reassurance. "No one has to find out, Marissa."

Marissa started in surprise, her cheeks burning as she grinned widely at him. That was the first time he'd called her by her name instead of 'My Lady' or 'Princess Marissa'. He stroked her cheek gently in response and she leaned into his hand.

"But I thought you hated elves," she said quietly, staring down at him. "Why would you kiss me like that?"

"I don't hate elves," he denied immediately, his eyebrows shooting up. "In answer to your question, I kissed you because I wanted to. I would like to kiss you again, if you would let me?"

"I want you to kiss me again," she revealed hesitantly, cheeks burning. "But I don't think it would be a good idea."

"I understand," Thorin replied with a nod of his head. He stood up and brushed the creases out of his tunic. Marissa's face fell at his sudden dismissal and she looked down in disappointment. "Marissa, I will see you again soon."

Marissa raised her head to find him staring at her, she smiled weakly at him in response. The dwarf prince went to turn away and head towards the door when Marissa suddenly grabbed his hand, pulling him back around before she knew what she was doing.

"Thorin. Kiss me… please," she whispered, already anticipating the feeling of his warm lips moving against her own and filling her with the same warmth as before.

Thorin moved back in, grasping her face with both hands and kissing her deeply. She set her hands on his sides and returned the kiss eagerly. Thorin pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. Marissa smiled softly and closed her eyes, just appreciating the closeness between the two of them. It had taken her completely by surprise when he had kissed her the first time, but something just felt so right about it that she couldn't help wanting to kiss him again and again. It was just like when she first laid eyes on him and the only thing she wanted to do was keep him in her sights—something about the dwarf prince just drew her in and she didn't know how to deal with it.

"I should go. My grandfather will be wondering where I am," he stated quietly. Marissa's eyes flickered open and she glanced up at him, understanding flashing across her face.

"That would probably be a good idea, I believe Tauriel was going to visit me," Marissa agreed. She stood up and followed him to the door. Thorin bid her a quick goodbye and closed the door behind him. Marissa let out a loud sigh and slumped against the door, raising her hand to press her fingertips to her tingling lips. "I am going to be in so much trouble…"

By the time Tauriel had finally decided to stop by Marissa's chambers, the sun had set and the stars had made an appearance. The elf princess was standing on her balcony, arms resting on the banister as she watched the night sky. Tauriel knocked on the door before entering.

"Hello, Marissa."

"Tauriel!" Marissa started and spun to face her friend. "I did not hear you come in."

"You must have been in deep thought then because I did knock," Tauriel explained, taking the seat Thorin had been sitting on a few hours ago. Marissa smiled tightly and walked back into her chambers, choosing to sit on the bed instead of the other chair.

"You have my apologies," Marissa mumbled, resting her head against the post at the end of the bed, the sheer curtains that she closed around the bed at night were hooked back and cushioned her cheek.

Tauriel frowned at her in confusion. The elven princess was usually much more talkative than she was being at that moment. "What's the matter?"

"I did something foolish… and I don't know what I should do about it," the light haired female replied quietly, opening her eyes to meet Tauriel's hazel ones. "Or if I should tell anyone."

"Well, you cannot keep it to yourself that's for sure, I have never seen you looking so forlorn."

"Can you promise you will tell no one? Not even Legolas or my Adar?" Marissa asked firmly. Tauriel hesitated before nodding, knowing that she wouldn't get any answers from her friend unless she promised to keep it quiet.

"I promise I will keep your secret," Tauriel vowed genuinely. Marissa nodded as well and went over to join her closest friend.

"I believe you know that Prince Thorin was here earlier for a cup of tea?" she started, eyes flickering to the red haired elf—Tauriel nodded to show she remembered. "I was telling him about my Naneth and Legolas and I's love of the stars and he… he…"

Tauriel's face tightened in anger, horror filling her chest as she instinctively jumped to conclusions. "Mari, what did that dwarf do to you?" Marissa raised her head and immediately began shaking her head at the look on Tauriel's face. "Did he… did he take advantage of you?"

"No! No, of course he didn't. He wouldn't do that," Marissa assured her quickly. She grabbed Tauriel's hand gently. "H-he kissed me," she admitted, her mind still reeling from the kiss she'd shared with the dwarf prince.

"He did what?" Tauriel demanded in shock. She leaned closer to the princess as she gripped Marissa's hand tightly.

"He kissed me and I didn't stop him," Marissa replied, suddenly feeling smaller than she had done in years. "I kissed back and then when he went to leave, I asked him to kiss me again."

"I-I can't believe you kissed him," Tauriel gasped, her eyes filled with surprise and then curiosity took over and she leaned even closer to her friend. "What was it like?" she asked and suddenly the two of them were no longer princess and captain of the guard, they were just two normal elf maids gushing about romance.

"It felt natural. His lips were surprisingly soft and… and warm," Marissa explained with a soft smile. "His beard scratched my chin and cheeks but it actually felt quite nice. I… I liked kissing him." Her smile widened, turning into a grin. "He was gentle with me, like I was a jewel he had found. He touched my hair."

"You let him?" Tauriel's lips parted in amazement. In their race, the only males that were allowed to touch or braid a female's hair were their brothers and fathers—in-laws also included. It was considered a sign of great trust to allow a non-related male to touch their hair. It was a great honour for the male to be given such a gift. "Why would you do that?"

"It felt right," she admitted quietly, her fingers brushing against the places Thorin had touched her and the strands of hair he had grabbed. "I… enjoyed it, even though I know I shouldn't have. But I couldn't help it."

"Are you going to let him do it again?" Tauriel queried. Marissa's cheeks turned a deep red and she lowered her head bashfully.

"I… I wouldn't be opposed to it," she replied, her voice going up a notch. "If something did happen between us, I would have your word that you won't tell my brother or father, you know how they get, they are extremely over-protective."

"I swear I won't, but if something bad happens, I will go straight to them," Tauriel told her seriously. Marissa nodded in acceptance, knowing that her friend meant every word of it. "Marissa, I want you to be careful. You are my best friend, I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I'll be careful," Marissa promised lightly. She looked down as she pulled her hand free and clasped them tightly on her lap. "But I can tell you now that I won't get hurt, it was only a kiss. It doesn't mean anything will come of it."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about," Tauriel said roughly, gaining Marissa's immediate attention. "Please don't get your hopes up, Mari. I've seen plenty of elf maids in your situation and each and every one of them has had their hearts broken."

"I know… and all of them have sailed for the Undying Lands," Marissa finished in a whisper. The two elves fell silent, each of them contemplating the situation and both of them hoping that it wouldn't end badly.