Wanted to do another update to sorta make up for the huge time period I didn't update. So Here you go~! Please check out killthepain62's fanfic Welcome Home as well!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit or it's characters, I do however own my own characters and the artwork I put into the series.
Chapter Thirty-Five: The Crossroads of Ones Life
Lian dipped a hand into the bath water, testing the temperature; satisfied she stood from her bent over position and wiped the hand on her trousers. Letting out a sigh she ran a hand through her knotted back hair; feeling hot in the now stuffy washroom due to the rolling steam emitting from the waters surface. She still couldn't believe the size of the room though for just one person; carvings adored the dome ceiling with gems embedded in the polished marble. A large round pool was seated against the wall parallel to the door with a single step up; pillars lining the walls with twinkling glass tiles forming different patterns on the floor.
"What's with people and their exaggerated bathing quarters?" Lian murmured to herself, recalling how grand the elves had been though there she didn't have the lovely opportunity to fill the whole damn tub. She exited the washroom, entering the neighboring bedchambers only to pause; examining the scene in front of her. Thorin was lying in his massive four post bed with thick blankets covering him; he looked so small compared to the large bed and large arrays of pillows lining the headboard. In his arms was a giggling Rowan, obviously entertained by the staring contest her and the dwarf were engaged in.
"Come on, the waters hot now." She informed, walking over to yank the covers back and expose his sleeping garments which consisted of a silken robe and trousers. It was a bit odd seeing him in such a get up but it was amusing as well; she also liked the little peaks she'd get of his exposed chest but that'd be her little secret.
Thorin grunted; sitting up to slowly slide his legs over the side of the bed he'd taken to occupying. He was cautious as he stood, placing Rowan on the bed before slowly making his way towards the washroom with Lian following behind him incase he lost balance. She knew he'd throw a fit if she helped him out of bed or open a door; dwarves and their stubbornness. Once he was inside she quietly shut the door and waited outside until he was done changing out of his clothes, giving her the okay to walk in and gather them.
Dwalin had found them about thirty minutes after Denson's passing with a search party; Lian was the only one still alive and conscious so she gave the protective dwarf the details. Surprisingly enough Stevvin, Uncle Tundain, Gordon, Sampson and Kelik where in the search party and immediately flocked her with several bear hugs from all but Stevvin. She could practically see the shame rolling off them like waves of heat as they apologized for not being there to protect her and how careless they'd been. It took awhile to calm them down but once they appeared out of the mines and into the corridor Martha started it all up again with her rather loud fretting and tears.
Lian felt a great relief weigh on her when she was able to once again hold Rowan in her arms; due to her previous injuries she'd not even been able to sit up and hold her last time she saw the child. The sound of her bubbly laughter was music to her ears and she gave her the biggest hug she could; everything felt whole again.
Thorin had momentarily regained consciousness and to both her and others surprised demanded that Lian stay by his side even in his bedchambers. This later led to his demands that only Lian could tend to him since Oin was away and he didn't trust the staff. The Guard had already been sent to Ered Mithrin to recover King Ludin; Prince Khudin's father. The lad had been beyond shocked to hear of this and even tried to come to his father's defense; accusing Lian of being a liar but this wasn't enough to do any good. King Ludin would face the royal court and face charges for treason against the line of Durin as well as breaking his oath.
Lian now spent her days taking care of Thorin and Rowan then at night the child would sleep with Martha. She however shared the bed with Thorin which was widely frowned upon by both the dwarves and her kin; or should she say Stevvin and Martha. Even Lian was uncomfortable with the sleeping arrangements but Thorin was so paranoid that he wanted her in his presence all hours of the day. Denson's screech had busted the dwarf's ear drums which called for five days of bed rest; it was now the second day and both nights she'd not been able to sleep well. She made sure to stay on the other side of the huge bed, almost terrified of making contact with him while they slept.
Sure she'd slept with him in the bed once before but she had been so emotionally and physically drained that she was out like a candle. It was a bit silly that she would be so shy but she was not used to sleeping with anyone but Rowan, much less the dwarf. So many things ran through her head; what if he didn't like how she snored or tossed around in her sleep or looked when she slept. She'd never felt so nervous and honestly the jitters in her belly are the only thing that kept her from having a decent nights sleep; she was exhausted.
"How is your back?" Thorin asked, deep voice almost reverberating against the walls and she couldn't help the small tingle it sent throughout her. She snatched up the last of his clothes, not looking his way for the sake of his modesty as well as her own.
"Fine, a bit stiff but that's from being hogtied." She lightly mused, trying to add a bit of humor but the dwarf's mood only darkened at the mention of the event.
"Come here." He rasped, causing Lian's heart to stutter but she slowly obeyed; turning with eyes cast down so she'd not be able to see his nakedness despite him being submerged in the water. "Let me see your back." He ordered and she was half tempted to tell him no but she was curious as to where the situation was going. So with flushed cheeks she drew the back of her blouse up, still keeping her breast hidden as she turned for her back to be shown.
Four dark pink scars adored her flesh from the top of her shoulder to the curve of her hip, pale flesh a contrast to the almost angry looking lines. A lighter, older scar could be seen along the side of her ribs, one reminder she bared from the war. In fact, all her scars came from her travels with the dwarves; it just shows how different her life had changed.
Thorin's calloused hands reached out, wet with water as he traced the scars slowly; it was almost like he was reading a book as the rough pads move over the rather crudely made scars. Lian was a jumbled ball of nerves, cheeks flushed in both embarrassment and pleasure; the feel of his hands against her flesh was almost a sin. His touch sent shocks throughout her flesh and she was curious if he felt the same way with her.
"Are ya done yet?" She meant to sound nonchalant but her words came out rather breathless and painfully meek. Her heart was pounding in her chest, every beat only making her more aware of his touch as it almost seared her skin.
Thorin only gave a rumble of his chest and she was about to step away and lower her blouse but his large hands suddenly gripped her hips and yanked her backwards. She let out a surprised screech and toppled back into the pool of hot water, clothes and all. She emerged quickly, completely soaked and her eyes immediately locked onto the dwarf beside her.
"Damn it, Thorin! Ya asshole!" She yelled, slapping a hand against his thickly muscled arm but this did little to stop the deep laugher rumbling in the pits of his belly as he chortled.
Lian growled loudly, standing and stepping over the edge of the pool, the sound of water hitting stone echoing throughout the room. Her clothes were weighted heavily with water, clinging to her flesh as she stormed towards the door but her dramatic exit was ruined when she slipped and landed on her ass. Her cheeks were on fire and she could clearly hear Thorin's laughter grow; she was beyond embarrassed now and was almost near tears. Her pride was as stubborn as always though and she managed to pick herself up and exit the room with the loud slam of the door, rattling the knob and hinges.
She quickly changed out of he soaked clothes, changing into her night gown as she hung her clothes to dry on the coat rack. She was chilled to the bone now since the fireplace wasn't lit; Thorin said it wasn't cold enough to light it but she thought otherwise. Lian quickly tossed some logs and twigs in the stone hearth before igniting them with the flint placed on the mantle. She sat on the floor in front of the growing fire with Rowan dozing off in her lap, drool escaping the side of her mouth as she snored lightly.
Lian's back finally began to hurt from sitting hunched over on the floor so she gingerly placed Rowan on the sofa behind her. She glanced at the slightly messy covers on the large bed and quickly padded over to drag one of the many blankets off and take it with her back to the sofa. After that she dragged the sofa closer to the fire-probably closer than it should be- and proceeded to cocoon herself and the child in the thick fabric on the sofa.
She relaxed into her spot, letting out a small sigh as she stuck her frozen bare feet out in front of the hearth. It was spring and yet it felt like winter inside the drafty, cold mountain; she almost felt like she was home.
Home…for some reason Forochel was almost like a distant memory and it seemed like it was becoming less and less the place she found comfort in. If she and Thorin married then wouldn't Erebor become her new home? She was almost terrified of leaving her father alone to care for the kingdom but she also felt a bit selfish and wanted to stay here. Did her father accept this when he gave Thorin his blessings? She still remember the sad look in his eyes when they'd left, what if his health became poor cause he missed her so much? What if he was left too long on his own and had an accident? The very thought made her sick to her stomach and she squeezed her eyes shut in hopes of ridding herself of the ill thoughts. She'd have to write him herself, she'd sure Stevvin had already reported all the newest drama so he was probably on the brink of a heart attack.
Lian slowly wandered to other troubling thoughts when Thorin finally stepped out of the washroom, clothed in clean clothes and smelling of soap. His clear eyes scanned the messy bed as well as the woman and child nestled into a blanket that looked far too big for both them and the sofa. However he noticed the woman's sullen expression, looking troubled as her eyes stared into the flickering flames of the hearths fire with small droplets of water dripping off the ends of her hair.
"What is it that troubles you?" He asked softly, taking a seat next to her on the sofa before brushing her wet locks from her face. Her eyes drifted shut as his warm hands slid over her chilled flesh before opening to look into his own; worry was etched into her features.
"Thorin…Denson…he told me that dwarves hunted down his kind; is this true?" She asked. The dwarf's eyes darkened at the mention of the assassin, jaw tensing but his hand on her neck remained gentle.
"I'd heard tales of his kind as a child; they are the offspring of Orc's, humans and Skin-Changers, shunned by both races they roamed Middle-Earth freely until the end of the First Age. My great-great grandfather Nain II and his brother Borin stumbled across a whole camp of them and mistook them for some sort of goblin-orc half-breed and attacked. It was only after that they discovered that they were able to take the form of humans which only caused for a bigger problem. They were deemed a threat and my kind hunted them down in fear of what these new creatures could do."
"I thought they had gone extinct or maybe just a fairytale to scare the young into behaving; I never thought I'd see one for myself." He murmured, almost awed.
"What where they called?" Lian breathed; the dwarf dropped his hand from her flesh to face the crackling hearth with a look of worry on his own features now.
"We called them by many names but they're properly known as Women-Stealers; as far as I know they only have male offspring's which encourages them to mate with a human woman they decide to not eat." He explained. "Though there have been cases when they took dwarrowdams and even some elves to be their mate or prey."
Lian tucked her legs in so she could prop her chin against her knees, mulling over this new found information. She was slowly beginning to understand why Denson hated the dwarves; he must be one of the only ones left though she wondered if he had a wife and child of his own.
"How sad…" She murmured, feeling sympathy for the people though she still could understand why the dwarves had reacted so brashly. The First Age was a dark time and many were still recovering from the damage dealt by the War of the Gems; no one felt safe until many years of peace passed by.
"Don't pity them; they held no feelings of remorse." Thorin bit out, sounding bitter as he eyed the faint bruise on her cheek. His eyes burned with both remorse and hatred, causing Lian to stiffen as she locked eyes with his.
"How do ya know? The only time ya came in contact with him is when ya visited me and when he tried to kill ya." Lian said and she nearly winced from how defensive she sounded; after all he'd tried to kill her too.
"You can't possibly be sympathizing with that beast after what he did to you; he would have killed you without a second thought! Or have you also forgotten the two women he butchered?" Thorin growled, almost appalled by how she defended the assassin.
"I'm not trying to justify his actions but that doesn't make the entirety of his race monsters just because he happened to be an assassin! Ya didn't even think they existed a few days ago!" She shot back, mad that he was acting as though she was picking sides.
"You didn't even know they existed at all so what makes your view more understanding of the situation?!" He snapped, features scrunching up into a dark scowl.
"Because my view isn't jaded by my ancestry!" She hissed. They stared each other down, each as stubborn as the next as they silently challenged the other to break eye contact. Neither had to though, a knock on the door interrupting them and making them both look towards the door.
"I'm here to take Rowan off to bed." Martha called and Lian kicked off the blankets to gather the sleeping child in her arms and walk towards the door. Martha greeted her with a rather chipper smile, looking far happier than the woman had ever seen her but she was too moody to care and ask why that was.
"I see the lass has already dozed off, I'll take her off your hands now." Martha chirped, carefully taking Rowan into her arms as not to disturb her slumber.
"I'd visit your family soon; they're getting rather angry that they're not allowed to see you because of your dwarf." Martha murmured lowly and Lian gave her a nod before closing the door; leaving only her and Thorin.
The silence was filled with a thick tension, nearly crushing her with weigh of it and Lian slowly returned to her spot on the couch with Thorin. His eyes were closed as if he was deeply concentrated on something but the frequent clench of his jaws was a dead give away of his anger. That sat there for about twenty minutes, Thorin unmoving from his brooding position while Lian stared into the crackling fire, feeling like a coal was lodged in her throat.
Finally Lian couldn't take it anymore and stood, taking the large blanket with her to go to bed but Thorin's large hand reached out and stopped her from advancing.
"Don't." He rasped in a harsh tone but his hand was gentle around her wrist as it slowly intertwined it's self with her own. "Stay."
Lian felt her heart melt a little when she saw how conflicted his gaze was in the warm glow of the hearth. Slowly she sunk back into the sofa, this time leaving no gap between their thighs as she gently placed a hand to his cheek. He faced her with a somber expression upon his handsome features; she had a feeling he was harboring more than just anger upon his heart.
"Talk to me." She whispered, her words almost melting into the soft pop and crackle of the fire resounding throughout the large chamber. He closed his eyes, jaw tensing though he did not speak a word; instead he drew her in close to straddle his lap. He nestled his face into her neck, taking a deep inhale of her scent as his strong arms wrapped around her waist almost possessively. Lian waited for him to speak but he simply sat in quiet causing her to sigh in defeat as she began to stroke his hair lovingly. She should have known it'd be harder than that to get the prideful dwarf to talk to her though this must me mean his troubles were on a very personal level.
Thorin's hands suddenly began to move, exploring the planes of her back slowly, the calloused pads of his hands easily felt through the fabric of her nightgown. Lian's skin began to tingle, lips parting as she began to almost turn to liquid within his arms and she closed her eyes; enjoying his touch. Her breathing hitched when she felt the dwarf begin to litter her flesh with kisses; warm lips setting her skin aflame and before she could stop herself she pressed their lips together with heated passion. Her vigor did not deter Thorin as he matched her movements; their tongues meeting in a sultry dance as their hands roamed the others flesh.
She knotted her fingers in his damp locks, letting out a gasp when she felt his hand slip under the hem of her night gown; sliding up her plump thigh to the curve of her hip. A low growl of approval left the dwarfs throat as she boldly slipped her hands underneath his blouse, meeting the thick growth of his chest hair and hard planes of his muscles.
"No one shall take you from me again; I swear it." Thorin whispered huskily into her ear after breaking their passionate kiss, both of them breathing heavily.
"I'm the one who should be saying that; there are people out there who want ya dead, Thorin." Her passion slowly dispersed to give way to worry; there is no doubt there will be more to come after the dwarf. Even when they get the mine up and running, all it takes is one person and Thorin could end up murdered.
"Every King faces these problems, why do you think it's so adamant for them to have an heir? I'm lucky enough to have Fili and Kili to take over if I were to fall to such terms though." He hummed and Lian felt her chest seize up.
"Don't say that! Yer going to live a long and happy life and have heirs of yer own; the only way yer dying is of old age!" Lian bellowed, voice cracking as her hands shook against his chest. The dwarf's features softened, looking almost sad as he brushed his thumb against her cheek.
"I wish things were that simple, Lian. My selfishness has dragged you into such turmoil but I can't seem to find the will to let you go." He murmured, laying his forehead against her chest as he listened to her frantic heart beat. Tears filled her eyes as her bottom lip trembled, she knew he spoke realistically; the world was never something we could change, we could only try to except our fates in stride.
"I would stand by ya even if ya told me not to." She whispered, pressing her cheek to his hair as she began to openly weep. They spent the rest of the evening like this, clinging to each other so they could find some sort of stability in this every turning world. Thorin did not weep as she did but his pain ran just as deep as hers did, taking hold like a vise grip.
Three days passed and Thorin was well enough to return to his normal duties; though his injuries weren't that bad to begin with, Dwalin was the one that insisted that he be on bed rest. Lian was relieved to finally be able to leave; she loved the amount of time she got to spend with Thorin but being restricted to just two rooms was a bit gloomy.
Though things had seemingly gone back to normal, there was a large increase of guards around Thorin; Lian had even noticed the few that would tail her when she roamed the halls. She didn't know if she found it to be insulting or flattering how Thorin constantly wanted her under a close eye; she paid little mind to it though for she had other problems to deal with.
"We're leaving." Stevvin stated rather aggressively as they were eating lunch in the Dining Hall.
It had now been over two weeks since they'd arrived and they were the only non-dwarves still around; Gandalf and Bilbo had left the day after Lian was attacked as well as Legolas and the Men of Lake-Town. Thorin had tried to convince the old wizard to stay and help with the monster but Gandalf simply said that this was a problem the dwarves must take care of.
"Already? We've hardly gotten to look around due to all that monster business." Kelik complained with half a wheel of cheese already down his gob.
"We have stayed a bit longer than intended though." Sampson tried to reason with his older brother, brushing the food crumbs form his dark blonde hair as his brother seemed to be practically spitting it at him as he chomped his jaws.
"I agree with Stevvin, I think it's time for us to head back." Gordon chimed in, lightly rocking Tara in his large burly arms as Nora ate her meal beside him.
Lian's stomach was in knots, this was it; where she decided who she was going to stay with and there was no more time to mull it over. She pursed her lips as they decided to leave tomorrow morning and pack tonight; she had to say it.
"I'm not going."
All the conversation stopped as her kin turned to look at her, obviously thinking they must have not heard right. She set he jaw, trying to keep her food down from how nervous she was but she had to say it now. "I'm staying here."
"What?!" Stevvin instantly barked, obviously not pleased by this turn of events though it honestly should have been expected.
"This isn't your home, lass. You belong with us back in Forochel." Her Uncle Tundain bellowed though his loud voice didn't seem to disrupt the surrounding dwarf's meals anymore.
"Stevvin, please calm dow-." Martha started, surprisingly trying to calm the bitter man down as he grew more enraged.
"I follow Thorin." Lian stated simply, hoping they'd understand with just that but this only seemed to make the two men lose their composer.
"That dwarf has done nothing but endanger your life yet you try to stay?! You've gone mad, girl! Your death is what awaits you if you stay in this cursed mountain." Stevvin seethed openly, faces drawn into a snarl; Lian was appalled by the man's attitude towards both the dwarves in herself.
"What about your father?! Think about him before you say such things!" Uncle Tundain growled and this drove her patience to snap like a twig.
"My father? My father?! Ya mean yer brother?!" She yelled, standing as she slammed her fist against the wooden table. "Since when have ya given a damn about him?! Ya treat him like he's trash; like he's disposable! So don't ya dare act as if ya care about what he thinks!"
"Lian!" Aunt Villox scolded, displeased by her niece's sudden disrespect towards her husband no matter how right she may be.
"No! I'm tired of it; of seeing my father suffer because he doesn't want to ruin the little contact he receives from ya! If this is how my family acts then I don't want to be apart of it! I'm going to do what my father won't and tell ya that yer an ass!" Lian bellowed, her voice easily heard over the chatter of the Dining Hall.
"Lian! Compose yourself this instant!" Stevvin snapped, grey eyes ablaze as he stood to tower over her; it was his way of intimidating people but she wasn't about to bow her head with her head between her legs.
"No! From the very beginning ya've hated my interaction with the dwarves, tried to keep me locked away from the rest of the world because ya doubted me! I'm not a little girl anymore and this is my life, so get out of it!" She spat, before turning to Martha as she held Rowan.
"Please don't do this, Lian." The woman pleaded but Lian simply shook her head and took Rowan into her arms before walking towards the doors of the Dining Hall.
"If you walk away now then you're abandoning your kingdom; your duties." Stevvin called, his voice as hard as steel. She halted; her emotions a jumbled mess but she knew where her heart was in this war.
"I don't want to be your princess anymore." She replied before exiting through the large double doors.
Kelik be like: ⊙▃⊙