.
THE COURTSHIP OF THE SPARROW-HAWK
Chapter 9 – Bold Again
.
"Honey Jars" Bryan John Appleby
Eila stood at the foot of their bed with her hands clasped in front of her, waiting for Kili to speak.
But, Mahal, what was he to say?
He could think of several things he wanted to ask her, but he wasn't sure if it was too soon—like why she hadn't told him about the whip or how her stepfather thought he could have gotten away with such a thing.
But Kili knew that where words failed, actions could take their place, and he strode over to her and took her in his arms, locking her in a firm hold as he breathed in the scent of her hair.
"Thank you for being brave," Kili whispered. "I know it isn't easy to talk to Fili when he's like that, but you did well."
"It wasn't all that hard," Eila said into his tunic, her nose brushing against his collar bone.
"Is that the first lie I've heard from you?" Kili smirked.
"No," Eila looked up into his face with amusement. "It really wasn't that hard. You were near enough to stand up for me if I needed it; I felt safe."
Kili's heart swelled to know that she already placed so much trust in him.
"I'm more embarrassed over how long it took me to find someone to tell," She said, ducking her face back into his chest and resting her forehead over his heart. "And I'm not happy that my husband had to find out after the wedding."
"Don't be embarrassed," Kili's arms tightened around her, a hand smoothing over her hair. "None of us are upset with you for the circumstances. And better to find out now than in a month when the bride's father comes to check on how his daughter is settling in."
Eila jolted under Kili's touch at the mention of the traditional visit. "Is that still happening?"
"Of course not," Kili pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Do you really think King Fili the Furious would let Lord Morbruk set foot on Erebor soil, now that he knows what the dwarf has done?"
"No, I guess not," Eila said with relief.
"Please don't tell my brother I called him Fili the Furious," Kili winced.
Eila snorted and raised her head to smile mischievously at him. "And pass up the opportunity to watch him behead you? It'd save me the trouble of poisoning you."
"Oh, so we're back to that, now?" Kili grinned, relieved that the tense moment seemed to have passed and his lass was back to smiling. "I'm not sure he would behead me …" His eyebrows rose and he smiled absurdly at her. "He might maim me, though."
"Then I'll just have to giggle about it with Nur in a secluded corner. Though that might eventually make its way back to him."
"What am I going to do with you?" Kili chuckled, sliding his hands to her lower back. "Hmm. I can think of one way to keep you quiet."
"Then stop talking and do it." Eila snickered, raising herself on her tip-toes to reach him as he leaned in to kiss her.