His chest ached.
It was a sharp pain that gnawed at him with every breath, even in his strange state of drowsiness.
The Grey One had been there - applying herbs and casting his enchantments. Why
And the elves - constantly poking and prodding at him! This was not something he particularly cared for.
In fact death seemed better right now.
But amidst all the pain, blur and chaos - SHE had been by his side!
He could smell her - that fragranced oil she used on her skin. Sandalwood.
And she had TOUCHED him!
He had never let her touch him like that before.
It had been gentle - perhaps even lovingly so - despite how roughly he had possessed her. Repeatedly.
Had he been fully of his senses, he most certainly would have found himself aroused.
They had won. Erebor was now theirs.
She belonged to him too!
If only he could awake from these enchantments placed upon him by the wizard and the elf...
...
"We came to Thorins aid, lassie! And we will stay until he is well!" Dain puffed at her, from where he sat across the large table.
"It's not meant in offence, cousin," Balin offered gently, shooting Dwalin a look. They had all sat either side of Shobha, who had largely remained silent for most of the time and allowed the dwarves to do the talking.
Dain, Thorin Stonehelm and another two of his senior noblemen from the Iron Hills had all sat opposite them in the large room in Erebor.
The table they sat around was a large oblong made of the same marble found in the Throne room. It was spectacular and also very intimidating with clear intent. She imagined there were many visiting dignitaries and ambassadors who had been entertained in this very room over the many centuries by the Kings of old.
"It sounds very much like we are being told to 'sling your hook', to me, father..." Thorin mused openly, staring at her. "I do not think Cousin Thorin would do this, had he been here..."
"And are we to assume that YOU are to take the throne then?" Another nobleman piped up sarcastically. "She is not even a dwarf!"
"Aye! I say we stay - and we challenge this claim!" The second dwarf-lord sitting beside Stonehelm added with an arrogant smirk.
"Now, you know as well as we all do, that this is Thorins wish, and it is legal. What you would be doing is going against the King, and his laws!" Balin spoke up a little more sternly.
"Our Lord Stonehelm, has more right to that throne -"
"Enough!" Shobha finally interrupted, raising her voice slightly, but still trying to keep her tone as low as possible. "I am sorry for the way in which, my husband and King summoned you all, but I need to focus on helping him recover. Had he been well enough to sit here, then Dain would have this conversation alone with him now. And I cannot imagine any of you challenging our King."
The Iron Hills dwarves appeared to be stunned into silence by her entry to the conversation.
"There would be no reclaimed Erebor, if not for my brother, Prince Arvind and his army, who vanquished the drake - a task which you refused, need I remind you," she steadied her nerves, forcing herself to speak her words a little slower, despite her beating heart. "My husband is recovering from his wounds thanks to Gandalf, but has left me clear instructions and support from his company in the meantime as we will be expecting dwarves from Ered Luin to arrive soon. Therefore, I need to focus on oversight of the repairs and preparations, as well as the recovery of my husband and Prince Fili..."
She stared back at the dwarves, hoping that they fell for her pretence.
And while Thorin Stonehelm opened his mouth wishing to say something, he simply closed it again in silence.
"I would like to offer you assistance, and compensation toward the dwarves who are injured, or to the families of those brave warriors that lost their lives..." She placed her hand on her chest out of respect. "And I would like to invite you to visit us in the spring, at a time that I might be able to host a proper banquet, and welcome you all in honour of all our dead warriors, and in celebration of this hard won victory."
Dain, who had been quietly listening to her with avid interest, slowly smiled, his fiery beard and moustache twitching up to one side.
"Och well, lassie, I can now see why Thorin picked ya out...little ember, aren't ya...looking cold on the outside, but as hot as flame underneath," he chuckled, making his whole abdomen shake with the sound of deep rumble. "And I suppose ye have a plan if I said we were to stay and challenge ye for the throne...?"
"Well, there is hardly any need. The throne still belongs to Thorin. I am merely executing his instructions as his Queen Consort," she met Dains openly lascivious gaze with a slight smile. "But if you still insist on challenging me, then I have the allegiance of my brother's army, and the Elven King of Greenwood, who will be ready to meet you in battle once more. But this time, my people have several machines they used to catch the drake which will easily disable much of your army before you even make your way to meet them..."
She stood away from the table this time, to indicate the end of any discussion, watching the faces of the Iron Hills dwarves turn a little pale at her words. These were easier to speak of, since she was not lying.
"I am merely trying to avoid any bloodshed, and unnecessary distress..." She added. "Afterall, it will be an offer that I will make to all your warriors who would be expected to fight once more. I will not only offer then sanctuary if they choose to abandon you, but also meaningful employment under the Mountain, and a permanent home here..."
Dain growled something clearly offensive in their dwarven tongue under his breath in response.
"Well boys, I think we know when we are no longer needed lads..." Dain stood up, only to be followed immediately by the rest of his clan.
Dwalin and Gloin already stood by the door, as Balin and her own brother stood next to her in a show of solidarity.
It appeared that most of the Iron Hills dwarves got the hint, making their way out of the room. But Dain was slower, moving over to the door mirroring her movements.
"Well, little lassie, I think I rather like you..." Dain chuckled holding on to his belt, looking like a large barrel that had sprouted limbs and a head! "I bet yer husband doesn't miss a night in ya bed. But then this lot have probably told ya I have a thing for dusky lasses from the east eh?"
He laughed this time, watching her flush as his words.
"Of course, I prefer it when they suck my cock, rather than tell me what to do. But I imagine Thorin will give you a good spanking if ye did that to him eh?" He winked this time. "Well, it appears you've saved some bloodshed this time. But I hope that you do not require any assistance from my army again, for ye shall not receive it .."
He bowed his head, watching her reciprocate and took another few slow steps to the door.
"Perhaps, but the truth is, that should we fall to such a foe as we faced this time, I have no doubts that the Iron Hills will soon follow," she bowed her head once more as he finally reached the door beside her. "I think in the end, you will do what is in your clans best interests."
Dain seemed to pause for a few moments there in front of her, staring
unabashedly. To her it felt like an eternity of returning his gaze, in order not to appear submissive.
And then finally he left.
...
"Get your filthy hands away from me!" Thorin snarled at the elven healers. His chest ached. In fact, his whole body hurt and he felt weak. Too weak to run. But he would be damned if he let them near him now. "Where am I?!"
He attempted to get out of bed but nearly fell flat on his face.
"My Lord, please do not strain yourself, you will burst your stitches," one of the healers held his hands out, although he remained several paces back. "You are still only just recovering from your wounds..."
"Where is Gandalf? Where is my wife?!" He roared toppling a nearby side table that held a tray with various ointments and bandages. "Where are my sisters-sons?!"
Still unable to fully stand, from pain and dizziness, he lunged at several elves who simply stepped back out of fear, when Thranduil appeared.
"You?! I should have known?!" He spat, clutching at the bandaging on his chest. "I am not your prisoner - my army and Kin will wage war upon your precious forest if you should keep me -"
But Thranduil also merely stepped away, to reveal HER!
She hurried towards him and to his surprise did not fear, nor flinch on her approach. Like a graceful creature, that could only be something from a dream, she leant down to grab his arm and help him up.
"Please for all our sake, listen to me. You are in no danger," she spoke soothingly. The sound of her voice, drawing him from his delirium. "Settle back down, you still need your rest..."
He did not fight her touch, as she helped him with great difficulty back onto the bed. The elves hurried to tidy the fallen items and glass around them, as he looked down to notice her feet were bare.
"Thorin...you were hurt when you fought Azog..." She trailer off slowly, coaxing him to lay back in bed as she hurried to look at his wounds. "They were only going to change your bandages..."
He watched her avidly as she began to undo the layers of cloth on his chest, delicately with her small hands, supple fingers working away.
"You have cut through one of your sticthes..."
He saw her wince at her own words, as she gently assessed him before applying an ointment handed to her and carefully bandaging him up again.
It was night, and the many lamps the elves used cast soft light and shadows on her pretty face. Her eyes looked brighter against her skin in the dim light, almost twinkling. And slowly as she settled him down, he found she simply rested her hands on his bare chest.
Her cool palms against his burning skin, were like the cool breeze at the end of a scorching summer's day.
"You are here..." He groaned as the ache burned in his torso again.
"Yes, my Lord, where else would I be..." She sighed, stroking his face gently. "You have a fever..."
She glanced to a side, clearly at one of the elves, all who appeared to scurry about at her word.
"You still need to rest..."
He watched her for a while again. It was indeed the middle of the night, but she was dressed, even if she looked tired, as though she had been asleep. He wondered where she had been. They were clearly not in Erebor.
"How are you here...it is not safe -"
"I am safe. You defeated Azog. The orcs are gone. Erebor is yours, once you are better..." She frowned, feeling his head again.
"And are you...?" He looked up at her, reaching out to play with a lock of hair that had fallen over her shoulder. "Still mine...?"
She appeared to be taken aback by his words, shyly meeting his eyes for the first time. Her big doe eyes seemed to light up and she gently stroked his beard.
"I belong to no one else, my lord..." Her words were almost a whisper and she leant down, seemingly to give him a kiss, when Gandalf appeared.
"How did he break out of the enchantment?" The wizard frowned in the dark. "Give her that vial there -"
And suddenly he found a small vial placed to his lips, her hands slowly raising it so he would drink.
Gandalf stood over holding his hands above the dwarf and muttering something quietly.
"No. I do not need sleep..." Thorin struggled.
"Hush now...I shall be here for when you wake..." She whispered soothingly again, her hands delicately running over his chest.
He tried with all his remaining strength to stay awake, but his eyes felt heavy, and his breathing deepened.
"Promise me..." He whispered back, clutching her hand and pulling it to his chest, so that he might pull her into his arms.
"I promise..." She replied steadying herself and stroking his beard softly again. "Now rest..."
Holding her hand to his chest, his breathing grew heavier, and he watched her image fade into his dreams once more...
...
He slowly opened his eyes to spot a familiar ceiling above.
He lay in his room, on his large, grand bed. The ache in his chest had dulled, and as the morning light crept in through the drapes, he found he was a little clearer.
Breathing, was all he could do for a few moments.
Then he turned to find her laying there beside him. Still dressed, with her long dark, silky hair, flowing around her like rivulets of the purest jet and a small hand reaching out to touch him even in her sleep.
He wondered if she ever could truly care for a monster like him, or whether it was simply her nature to care for all manner of beasts.
Slowly he turned towards her, careful to keep his movements slow so that it didn't cause pain for him or wake her.
And then facing her, he lay there watching her sleep. She was relaxed. Her beautiful features completely at ease and her luscious lips ever so slightly parted as she breathed in and out, gently. He often had bad thoughts when he looked at those lips. Ferral thoughts, which he pushed back down.
Carefully he reached out to gently remove a lock of hair that had fallen on her face.
And then she sighed.
"Thorin..."
It was barely a whisper. But he recognised his name on her lips.
"Thorin..." She sighed again. "Please..."
He was not sure yet, but he seemed to rather like the sound.
Thorin gently shifted closer.
"What is it, my wife...?" He whispered back.
But she simply sighed again in her sleep.
She sounded sorrowful.
He watched her for a few moments again. It had reminded him of the very first night he had spent with her. He had enjoyed watching her sleep even then.
And then her eyes slowly fluttered open.
At first it appeared that she wasn't fully awake. She held his gaze, with her big, brown eyes and smiled drowsily.
"You're...awake..."
And then her face seemed to register that he was truly awake.
She sat up. But he pulled on her arm again so that she had no choice but to lean down towards him.
"I should go and get Gandalf..." She hesitated nervously, under his stern gaze. Even injured it was hard to deny he was every bit a King.
"So you stayed, my wife..." Thorin spoke quietly.
"I could not leave you so..." she whispered back.
"No, my pretty wife..." He slowly caught some of her hair in his hand and wrapped it around his finger. "You would not leave until you had given away my Arkenstone...or the wedding jewels I had presented to you...is that not right...?"
He proceeded to wrap her hair tighter around his whole hand, reeling her in closer.
Finally she lay twisted, her face close to his, as he studied her pretty features, now distorted in pain, and breathing fast.
She was like a doe, subdued.
Had he been well enough, he would have surely wished to have her now. To tear her clothes off, and plunder her body, until he was entirely spent.
"No...my pretty wife...you have no where to go, have you..." Thorin grunted, feeling the tenderness in his chest wound. "Not now, with your father requesting some of his men returned to defend their city from new marauders..."
She gasped at his words, and then finally understood why Arvind had entrusted her safety to the elves.
Thorin coughed, a partial smirk appearing on his face.
"Your dear, protective brother, has not informed you, has he?"
"Please...my lord..." She finally found the words, through tearful eyes. "You are hurting me..."
Her words seemed to move him, as he let her go slowly.
"You could have let me die..." He grunted. "For that I owe you..."
She seemed to almost completely throw herself as far from him as she could, the moment he let her go. But he caught her hand again, stopping her from escaping entirely.
"You are still my wife - and mother to my future heir." He clarified, biting back his own pain from his sudden and strenuous movements. "You will always, only ever truly, be safe by my side..."
Her heart beat fast, and tears slowly streamed down her face. She felt utterly stupid for having believed that he had perhaps changed.
"Tell me...are you with child...? Have you bled yet?" His tone was low and menacing. "Tell me the truth..."
"No...my lord..." She hesitated, imaging she would be treated cruelly for it, but decided to tell the truth in case he interrogated her further. "But it is not yet my time..."
"Good girl..." He slowly let her wrist go, and instead trailed his hand over her abdomen. "And have you let any other touch you...?"
"No! My Lord!" She again attempted to move away. But he had already moved over to partially sit on her dress, so as to prevent her from pulling away.
"I shall need to fill you with my seed again soon..."
"You need to get better first, my lord..." She attempted to stop his wandering hands. "You had a fever just a day ago. And you tore through several stitches... But we need our King..."
She could be genuine in her last statement. She had been making decisions in Thorins place for the last few days. And even with the help of Balin, Dwalin, Bilbo, Gloin and Gandalf, she still felt out of her depth. Thorin on the other hand was born to do this!
He thought again for a moment.
"Very well then. If I do all as I am told, when I am fully well...you shall submit yourself to me...?" He smirked at the flush that appeared on her cheeks. "To allow me to do as I please with you...?"
Her breathing was quickening, which made him very happy indeed. He didn't care whether it was fear or arousal - he would be happy with either.
"I agree, my lord - but you must be completely healed..."
Happy with what he perceived as a minor victory he let her go.
But neither could speak of the matter further, as Gandalf walked in, followed by Balin and Dwalin.
"Thorin! It is good to see you awake..." The wizard spoke, stooping through the door. "Now, we must tend to those dressings..."
...
She carefully slipped into their bedroom, hoping her tardiness would not be noticed.
Thorin had requested that she personally changed his dressings, since Gandalf had accompanied Thranduil to obtain some rare medicinal herbs for him.
But ever since their last encounter when he first awoke, she had not spent any time alone with him other than to share their large bed. Even then she would wake up early to set about her tasks.
And any time they were together, they were also in the presence of others. Balin and Gloin often had lots of official business to deal with as they prepared Erebor for the winter months and the new comers from the Blue Mountains.
She had gladly stepped back from her role in place of Thorin, with her tasks being to survey the food stores, and over see cleaning tasks. Often with a lack of women to help from Dale, she would often step in to do some cleaning herself.
The last week had seen much change - she had taken over helping to care for Fili, who worrying still had not regained consciousness. Gandalf had reassured her that he would in time. But it was of little comfort for Kili or herself.
And Arvind had returned back to Rhun, following the Maharaj's request, with some of his men - just as Thorin had said.
It had meant that she had felt very much alone.
So having surveyed yet another set of grain stores, followed by checking in on Fili to change his dressings, she was late returning to Thorin.
Bombur had already taken him some food, while the others all sat around the room. Dwalin tended the fire, while Gloin, Balin and Bofur sat around several tables pouring over a variety of parchments.
"So there are several apartments readied now, Thorin," Balin confirmed. "And some stalls cleared in the lower halls... But we are not ready for those wishing to set up more yet. The tailor and seamstress stalls have not yet been assessed. And it will be an important part of returning to Erebor -"
"How good of you to join us, my wife," Thorin announced her arrival after finishing his last spoonful of stew. He was angry with her, but would not openly show it. In truth the anger he felt was due to her regular absences. He wondered where she had been, and why she was so late. But would not dare ask her for appearing like a jealous husband. "You may change my dressings now, once we have concluded our meeting.."
"Well, it's no trouble for us, let the lass change your dressings, Thorin. Perhaps we might be able to help...?" Balin offered quietly.
"There is no need. She can wait until we are done." Thorin dismissed right away. "Perhaps my queen can also inform us about the inspections she was meant to make?"
She moved over to pick up a basket that sat on top of a large dresser and moved over to where Thorin was seated up in bed.
"I have now inspected all ten of the large stores this week. Only five were filled with grain. One with wheat, which has sadly been infested with mould, and the rest eaten by vermin. Two stores filled with barely, and another with some mixed grains by some miracle. And the final store was in fact a dry larder with some cured sausages, venison, bread and a few other dried foods. I have taken Bombur to inspect all this, and it appears that the food is all perfectly edible. However, it may be a task to transport some of that grain up to the kitchens, since the pulley carrier normally used is not in working order at the moment." She concluded. "But Bifur has kindly offered to look at it - and maybe he might be able to mend it before more dwarves settle in the mountain."
Dwalin grinned at her proudly, from where he stood at the fireplace.
"In the meantime, lassie, we'd all be glad to help carry up a few sackfulls at a time," Gloin gave her a nod of support.
"Well, actually...I was hoping that, since we have an abundance, that we could offer hot meals for the women who help to clear up and prepare the apartments, and other parts of the Mountain - as well as the soldiers left behind." She asked glancing hopefully at Thorin, before looking to Balin. "It would really encourage more to help out, and the remaining soldiers are a little short on supplies, since the men travelling back took more..."
Thorin stared at her angrily, and so she carried on preparing the dressings needed. He had been hoping that she would have been unprepared, or that she had not completed her inspections, so he had a reason to be angry at her.
Of course he had entirely underestimated her intelligence and her efficiency. In fact Dwalin had warned him that she was nothing like the dams he usually enjoyed for that very reason. He had also been regaled of her successful exchange with Dain and his lords of the Iron Hills, by Dwalin! But he had not expected her to know enough regarding grain inspection to have completed the task he had set, let alone to have an opinion on whom to provide additional meals for!
She was proving to be much more his equal than he cared to admit.
"And if we use up all our grain and food, then what will we do if the winter proves longer and harsher than we expect?" Thorin snapped.
"You have ample gold to buy new stocks in spring," she offered. "Besides, this food has miraculously lasted so long, I think it is best to use it up sooner rather than have to throw it away for it turning..."
Thorin huffed something under his breath.
"Well...?" Thorin snapped grumpily at the other three dwarves. "I imagine you all have an opinion on my consorts suggestions...?"
"I think it's a brilliant idea!" Dwalin was the first to reply. Once again he was grinning, but quickly turned back to the fire to hide his expression, when Thorin shot him a stern look.
"We certainly have enough gold to buy ample supplies in spring..."Gloin added quietly.
"And if the winter is so severe, then it is unlikely that we will receive many more dwarves from the Blue Mountains..." Balin added. "So it is unlikely we will run out of stocks in any case."
"Very well then." Thorin agreed begrudgingly. "Have Bombur report to me so that I can find out what he requires for all this. If we are feeding many more mouths - I imagine we will require many more helpers in the kitchens..."
"On that matter, my Lord, I wished to ask, whether we could offer some of the soldiers quarters to my brothers men who have stayed behind to guard the mountain. If they are better rested, have better training halls and better food, they will make for better guards," she asked. "They have been camping in the cold for a long time. Some are recovering from their wounds after fighting for you, many are starting to miss home or have not had a decent meal - and now the days are growing colder, they will struggle more. We are not used to the cooler climes of the north."
Thorin sighed irritated at her requests.
"And they would be of help in restoration, clearing and even on the kitchens." She quickly added, glancing up at him. His cold eyes met her unabashedly, and they made her feel naked. But what she asked was not an unfair request.
"They have all fought for you valiantly Thorin. And I could oversee their training and guidance while Prince Arvind is away," Dwalin suggested.
"Aye. Very well." Thorin grumbled. "And are there enough rooms for them?"
"Most certainly," Balin agreed. "Our army was once the greatest of the northern kingdoms. And what's more they can help clear their own rooms."
Thorin fell silent as he watched her continuing to lay out all that she needed to change his dressings.
"I think there is nothing else we need to discuss today, Thorin." Balin looked at her. "So let us allow the lass to change your dressings..."
Thorin who had already been watching her intently, moved to the edge of the bed to allow her easier access to change his dressings.
Her heart began to pound in her chest.
It often did when she was near him.
There was something frighteningly wild about him. It was both terrifying and alluring at the same time.
With exception to his the bandage that covered part of his chest, he was bare-bodied, wearing only soft pants. And she resisted wondering whether he wore any underpants beneath these, out of fear that her face might betray her thoughts!
His chest was wide, muscular, and covered in tattoos and scars. She had always wondered what each of the inkings indicated. But was too afraid to ask.
"Do you wish for a hand, my lady...?" Gloin offered quietly, only to fall silent, at Thorins angry look.
"Nonsense. She has done this many times." Thorin was quick to reply. "I imagine you have plenty to get on with Master Gloin, and if not - Bombur can do with an extra hand I imagine, since my wife is generous enough to feed all and sundry."
She stood there looking at his dressings again. And although she had now done this alone enough, and with Gandalf, yet more, it felt as though all knowledge of anything had left her head, when she stood there so close.
He too watched her avidly, wondering why she hesitated and what particular thoughts were occupying her so.
A sudden tapping on the window, made her jump.
And she was quick to investigate, as well as grateful for the interruption!
Moving quickly across the grand room, she carefully opened the latch, and to the surprise of all, in hopped a particularly large Raven.
"You have had a long journey, master Raven..." She offered out her arm and the giant bird, quite happily hopped on with care.
The bird, a shade of midnight black, cocked its head down, almost as if giving her a bow, and cawed at her a few times.
"Good news from the King's sister? Well now, it is kind of you to deliver this to us urgently..." She gently stroked its head. A gesture the bird was more than happy to receive.
The bird looked up and cawed again a few times at her.
"My goodness - the Princess has set off for Erebor already!" She smiled at the bird as it offered up its leg to her. "I think your hard work must be rewarded...I shall pop up and refresh your seed and water."
The bird cawed at her again, holding out its leg as she removed the small notelet tied on. Balin was quick to collect the tiny parchment, inspecting it under his eye-glasses.
"Aye...Dis has left Ered Luin..." Balin offered the note to Thorin, looking rather surprised at her. "How did you know that lassie..?"
She suddenly looked around the group of dwarves that stared back at her intrigued...
"You mean, that you cannot understand the Ravens...?" She looked from one face to another.
"No lassie...Thorin can, but he is a direct descendant of the King. I very much doubt that even Fili or Kili might understand," Balin explained.
"So you understand…?" She looked over at her husband.
"Leave us." Thorin commanded the others, who were quick to obey. And just as he had commanded the dwarves, so too the Raven seemed to follow. It hopped off her forearm and took off quite gracefully through the window!
She frowned, watching the large bird escape.
"Only the direct blood line of Durin can understand the Ravens of Erebor," Thorin lifted his arms, inviting her to change his bandages. "Although it appears this also includes you…it makes sense since you have a…predilection to all manner of beasts.. "
She complied, approaching him cautiously, and starting to cut away the dressings on his chest already.
"I suppose this explains how your beast is so fond of you..." He watched her face, while she worked silently and efficiently. "And you have been going up to the keep...?"
She continued in silence for a few minutes longer, before she answered him.
"I found my way there last week..." She replied quietly realising he would find out the truth one way or another. "More are arriving to nest for the winter, so it may be nice to find them some old rags or hay to keep warm. And perhaps to clear up in spring."
He groaned as she reapplied the ointment Gandalf had left for his healing wound.
"And you have been feeding them our grain...?" He hissed again as she pressed some fresh gauze to the healing wounds, only to have him catch her wrist roughly for a moment. "You are enjoying this a little too much, I suspect, my wife."
"Could I be blamed, for the way in which you treat me, husband?" She looked into his piercing eyes at that point.
Had she been a dam, she would have been forced to look up, but instead she was a tall Easterling woman, and so HE was the one looking up. The people of Rhun were always a mixed bag, many of the women were smaller, while their men could range from being not much taller than dwarrow to being almost as tall as the elves!
"Why can you not simply give me what I want?" He growled.
"Because I am not sure what it is you want of me..."
He pulled her a little closer so that he could stare into her big brown eyes. There was a specific delight that came out of knowing that those big, beautiful eyes, just like the rest of her, belonged to him!
"It is simple. I want an obedient wife, who will do as she is told, please me in bed, and bear me a child." He summarised arrogantly, as though it were a simple request, and she was the stupid one!
"And for that you could have chosen my sister, but instead, you chose me..." She replied back irritated. "Despite the warnings from everyone..."
"Perhaps I might be enjoying the challenge of taming you -" Thorin hissed, as she placed the new dressings on him and began to finish her bandaging. "Easy now woman!"
"I shall go easy, when you choose not to take risks on the battle field." She huffed, tying the dressings at the end.
But before she could step away, he grabbed her wrist once more, pulling her closer.
"What do you mean by that?" He frowned at her, truly surprised.
She hesitated, glancing up at him. And when she realised that he truly appeared not to know what she referred to, she decided to explain herself.
"Why did you let that orc stab you?" She was unable to keep her voice from sounding angry. "I saw you - he said something and you were holding him back - blocking him with your sword. And then you moved it out of the way...?"
He watched her face closely, as her eyes slowly fell to his chest. She was clearly still visualising Azog pierce his chest, and she appeared traumatised by it.
It made him wonder whether she could possibly care for him.
"It was the only way I could kill him." His reply was cold. Even a little harsh, if not dismissive.
She looked back down at her hands, resigned to what she believed was his callous attitude towards her.
"The filth looked at you, and told me that once he was done with me, that he would claim you as his spoil..." Thorin finally revealed. His voice was quieter and less self assured than usual. "And ghay he would force himself upon you, until any unborn children of mine that you carried were destroyed, and until the day you happily succumbed to the scum..."
He had not wished to tell her the truth, but strangely enough, he did not like the expression on her face, which she had tried to hide.
She covered her mouth with one hand to stifle her involuntary gasp and looked up at him.
His usually stern face, and icy cold eyes, bore concern and something softer which she did not recognise on him.
"So you see, I knew then that the filth would somehow keep returning - unless I killed him once and for all," he explained on. "And in that very moment I realised that the only way he would drop his guard was to allow him to believe that he had succeeded in killing me..."
Tears streamed down her pretty face, her eyes downcast as she desperately attempted to wipe away the big droplets. He wondered again who those tears were for.
"What if you had died?" She asked again quietly. She was truly not certain why such a hardened soul, whom she had come to despise, had moved her so much to tears. But she saw a moment of complete self sacrifice and it moved her to the core.
"Then I could leave this world knowing that I had done the best by you and my people..." He replied quietly.
She had hated him all this time, but at that moment, seeing him so vulnerable, with his wounds bandaged, and the arrogance gone from his usual tone, she couldn't control herself.
Slowly she lifted her hands up towards his face, softly stroking his beard, and gazing into his eyes.
He enjoyed her like this, but he had only ever noticed her disdain for him, and her gesture took him by surprise.
He shut his eyes briefly, enjoying her gentle strokes over his face and beard.
And despite his open enjoyment, she didn't stop.
It was more than gentle. He wanted to imagine the manner in which she stroked his face was almost loving!
And then, to his surprise, she slowly leant down and pressed her soft, full, delicious lips to his...
...