The dwarf sat holding the reigns still for a moment. He was not as young and able a fighter as he was before, but he could still fend off a stray pack of orc or a bunch of marauders.

"It's all secure, Sirius." His younger companion climbed up beside him at the front of the caravan and nodded quietly, having tied up the leather flaps and the wooden doors to the back.

"Nothing will move lad?"

"It's all packed in steady, no need to fret." He reassured again. "And I will have a quick nap now, so that, we are both alert during night. No stop offs this time - just slow and steady."

The grey haired dwarf looked at the road ahead again, holding the ponies still. It was just another delivery to Rhun, he reminded himself.

"Yah, come on..." He flicked the reigns lightly and set the the ponies into a gentle trot.

"Aye, it's just another delivery..." The younger dwarf repeated quietly, closing his eyes as he leant back. But he couldn't help resting his hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword. There was never any harm in being prepared...

...

Three days previously...

The wooden training sword, flew out of her hand for the umpteenth time, and this time Dwalin looked genuinely annoyed.

"What's wrong with ya today lassie...?!" He hissed, picking it up and tossing it at her. "This will leave yet exposed..."

She wrung her hands and picked it up from where it fell at her feet. Her head was all over the place and she no longer wished any of this.

"I don't know whether I want to do this anymore...I mean...he is the rightful ruler and all..." She replied quietly.

"He is not returning the money we are making, to our people!" Dwalin growled at her, surprised by this turn of events. "And people are suffering!"

"I..." She fell silent. The truth was that she had not been to court or left their apartment, other than to go to the library for several weeks.

She was starting to feel sick in the mornings and often felt exhausted. And then she was worried about her father, since she hadn't heard from her mother in two weeks, which was in itself unusual.

So all she wanted to do these days was sleep. And to make matters worse, Thorin obsessively watched her, whether it was morning or at breakfast or supper. It was almost as if he suspected.

Even Dis had stopped pestering her regularly to piss on her magic wheat! Even though the damned stuff had not yet bloomed under her stream.

Dwalin frowned again, his bushy eyebrows knitting together with the lines in the middle of his forehead, as he surveyed her face. And then without warning he took the training sword from her hands and placed them in the small chest at the corner of the room and held out his arm for her.

"If ye feel some sort of pity or compassion for him then donnae worry, we aren't gonna hurt him. But if ye have any doubts then let me clear this up..." He stood there with his arm out for her, so she linked her arm in his as he began to leave their apartment.

They walked to the infirmary first.

The large set of rooms was busy! She had never seen it like this before. The beds were all full and the few healers worked silently and fast, but it appeared there were too many for anyone to cope with.

No one noticed them as everyone attempted to do their best. There were many minor injuries, with dwarves and her own people with arms, legs and other body parts in bandages.

"What has happened here?" She looked around, clearly worried.

"There was an accident in one of the tunnels. They had found some precious gems, but Thorin insisted on continuing the mining before the tunnel could be properly reinforced..." Dwalin growled in disgust. "And just as the foreman said...there was a partial collapse."

"What can I do?" She wrung her hands in frustration. "Perhaps a campaign to ensure workers safety-"

"Even your lass' school is now shut after the fire - he will not be moved even by you. So how can anyone else expect more...?"

She looked at the many faces, all injured and in pain, as many looked toward her. It made her ache. But her own self doubt far outweighed any hope she felt of helping these poor souls.

"D...I...don't...please do not ask me -"

"Then our plan is off?" Dwalin was unable to keep the disappointment from his voice.

And all she could do was shake her head.

"Look lass, he is my best friend - nay - he is my brother. But I cannae watch more of our dwarves suffer because he cannae get his head straight!" Dwalin confessed bitterly. "And we know yer head and yer heart are in the right place Princess, so we are all behind ye. If ye say no - then we understand. But don't say no simply because yer feeling scared or because ye don't see your own capabilities..."

"I wish to see my father, Dwalin. I know he came to harm while fighting off an invasion. But I fear he is gravely ill, and neither my brother, nor Thorin are telling me the truth." She finally revealed her own worries to the gruff, old warrior. "If he is gravely ill, then I must see him at least one final time - if not stay with him until the end -"

"But lass, ye are the daughter of his mistress. I imagine ye'v got plenty of those who would seek to harm ye, and with yer father weakened it would leave ye exposed eh?" Dwalin looked at her worried. "And we couldn't have ye come to harm - Thorin would wage way against yer kingdom - think of the many lives that would be lost then..."

"Well, I really must at least see him one last time." She wrung her hands together in frustration. "I have to believe that he wouldn't want war over the simple matter of me - when he has plenty of pretty dams throwing themselves at him."

"Are ye really that simple in mind, Princess?" Dwalin snapped at her. "I have known Thorin since he was a lad, and long before he began to take his birthright seriously. And I can promise ya, that he has never slept in the same bed with a lass for as many nights repeatedly as ye! And he certainly has never moved a lass into his room - I mean he has even made space for all yer dresses an all! There is no way he is letting ye go..."

She groaned at the evidence Dwalin was presenting.

"Very well. But if all this is true, then have you a plan as to what to do with Thorin when the time comes?" She hissed.

"Aye. We shall incapacitate him - I will tie him up and lock him in his chamber. We have prepared the Queen's chamber and you can stay there. If he resists, I shall stab him in his bad leg, where he took a mace to his knee. His walking has never been the same since and I know it gives him gyp, although he is too proud to use a walking stick." Dwalin revealed, clearly uncomfortable but ready to do what he feels was essential. "The question is are you ready to be Queen?"

She paused briefly, as her stomach churned before stepping away from Dwalin and shaking her head.

"I..." She shook her head again.

"Listen, Princess. My brother Balin, has sat in the courts of many Kings and Lords. And I know of few with wits sharper than he," Dwalin rushed to stand beside her, stopping her hasty retreat. "He believes you would be most suited to take over from yer husband. What's more, ye now have many supporters in court. And I for one fear Thorin will eventually become like his grandfather in time. It may begin with a desire to expand our trade in Erebor at the cost of safety towards the miners, or a single-minded desire to sire an heir from yer loins, but I have a chance to ensure what happened with Smaug does not happen again. All I ask it that ye take some time to consider this before dashing our hopes..."

The usually fearsome looking warrior, now looked far from scary. He looked desperate, with worry lines furrowing his heavy brows and the lines between his brows deepening. It was clear that he was torn between his betrayal of his lifelong friend, and the one he considered once as King, that he would follow to the ends of the earth, with the troubles he had seen afflicting the dwarves of Erebor so far.

It made the churning within her stomach worse still.

"Very well," she breathed, clutching at her middle, as if it might stop her from being sick. "Allow me time to think..."

It was all she could say, as he nodded still looking worried. But she couldn't stay any longer. Throwing her hand over her mouth, she turned and hurried away.

...

Sirius brought the caravan to a halt, much to the protests of the ponies pulling. They pawed at the ground itching to continue.

Although it was broad daylight, they were crossing through a small wooded area, and the proximity of the trees made everyone nervous.

"That was a sharp stop -" the young dwarf sitting in the back moved to the front only to notice what the driver had now.

There up ahead was a large tree occluding the path.

"Alright, lemme get down and move it - won't take more than a few minutes -"

"No. I don't like it laddie. We turn and take the road by the brook." Sirius stopped his companion quickly, grabbing his arm as he had turned to climb out. "That tree looks like it's been cut. And that means who ever wished to fell it may still be around..."

"It'll take just as long to reverse the caravan."

"It don't matter, lad. Listen to me. Neither of us gets off this thing other than to take a shit." Sirius was dead serious. "I told ya. We get paid extra for the cago. Safe delivery is the only thing we can think of Hilo."

"Very well, then better hurry. The road near the brook ain't less scary. We just need to make as much ground as we can during daylight." Hilo agreed quickly. It was hard not to regret his decision to take this job now. But he trusted Sirius's instincts. "Shall I get down and help ya turn the cart?"

"Nah the road is wide enough. Just keep yer wits about ye lad? And have yer bow ready..."

...

Two days prior...

She stood outside the throne room. Once a week, she was expected in court. And today she was late. There was a legitimate reason, but it was doubtful that Thorin would look kindly upon her for it. And yet, part of her secretly looked forward to making him angry. It almost certainly meant that she would receive a thorough loving that night, which she craved more of late.

Gulping at the thoughts that now entered her head, and closing her eyes for a moment in attempt to clear her mind. She took a moment, before quietly letting herself into the back of the room. She was late by not very long, but already a chestnut haired dwarf stood arguing at the front with another that looked frighteningly similar to himself.

The group gathered today was unusually large. So she was hoping to stay at the back of the hall until they had settled this first disagreement and then she would make her way forward.

Further ahead Thorin sat in his throne, looking rather morose. He wore one of his formal suits, in a deep blue, which made him look particularly was a little more silver in his hair now, but it only made him appear more handsome still. She couldn't help imagining herself pinned underneath him, as he pounded into her mercilessly, with his hair falling around her, and ticking her bare skin further. The errant thought made her insides flutter.

And he too appeared to have spotted her despite her attempt to hide near a large stone pillar.

Unfortunately, the King's even brief focus on her momentarily was all that was required to draw the attention of the dwarves at the back of the hall towards her.

Soon the whole group had turned towards her, interrupting the argument in full swing ahead and they all bowed.

"Ah, welcome, my Queen, your presence, however tardy is most welcome." Thorin gestured towards the smaller, makeshift throne that had been set beside him.

She too didn't need to be asked again, as the group gathered parted to allow her through.

And she was grateful for the seat, for these sessions often went on for a long time.

But as she glanced over at her husband she could see his demeanor change. He stood up, and she curtsied as she was expected before he moved to kiss her.

"You are late." He growled in her ear.

"Forgive me, my Lord..."

"Your errors will be suitably punished." He kissed her again, this time wrapping his arm around her narrow waist.

He now regretted inviting her to court. It was one thing to ensure the dire whining and complaints of his subjects, and more so the noble ones. But to have her seated there on such perfect display was utter torture! She looked so ripe for the taking. It was a waste to be seated like this with her, rather he should have been laying between her legs. And of late, she was most willing towards his advances, with as much of an appetite for carnal pleasures as he did. It was all he could manage to simply make it through the day, before he found her in his bedchamber.

"Lord Gil and Lord Vil, here are brothers. And they have a particularly...sensitive...problem," Thorin began. "Perhaps you would be willing to present your problem before our Lady here, my Lords."

"Your majesty," the first young dwarven lord bowed. "I am Lord Vil, son of Gil, this is my older brother Lord Gil. And he has seduced my betrothed, Lady Amara!"

"Seduced! More like she saw sense and chose not to marry an ijet-wet-lettuce like yerself!" Scoffed the his brother. "It matters not because she would clearly not accept my advances if she bore any true feelings for you!"

"She is a kind lady - and you have taken advantage of her kindness!" Vil shouted back. "And now you choose to besmirch her good name! You would do no such if you were a true gentle dwarf!"

"Perhaps she does not care for yer gentleness brother!" Gil smirked at his brother, only to have Vil lunge at him, with a guard stepping in the way to hold them apart just in time! All the while the group of dwarves watching were all shouting at one another each with an opinion and support for one or the other of the brothers.

"STOP!" Thorin ordered, at which point the chaos seemed to halt almost in mid action.

And the silence that followed was a stark contrast and a true testament to his command over his subjects.

"This really is not a problem for the court. Perhaps you should duel it out?" Thorin offered, clearly appearing bored by this problem. A solution which led to the gasps of many.

"Or perhaps I might be able to help, Sire?" Shobha offered seeing the fear on all the faces there.

It was a solution that apparently also irritated him equally.

"Very well, my lady, what do you suggest?"

She paused at first, finding the entire court in hushed silence awaiting her words.

"Why have we not heard from Lady Amara? It is abundantly clear that both brothers cannot decide -"

"But we do not permit dams in court to settle matters of importance, my dear wife." Thorin seemed to brush her solution aside.

"And why not, my Lord? It does after all concern her, in some great manner." She found the two brothers suddenly nodded in agreement with her, since they clearly feared the bloodshed that Thorin's solution proposed. "I can see that Lords Vil and Gil would prefer this..."

Thorin seemed to sigh, unhappily but merely nodded. And with that several guards escorted a small, buxom dam into the grand room. She shyly moved to the front and curtsied low before the King and his consort.

"Lady Amara, we thank you for attending." She smiled at the dam, who seemed to be shrinking into herself by the moment. "Would you kindly tell us whom you feel you would agree to marry?"

"Well, your majesty, Lord Vil courted me and asked for my hand in marriage first. But it is apparent that Lord Gil has never been parted from his brother throughout life. And I merely did not wish him to feel left out, or to feel that he has lost his lifelong friend and brother..."

Shobha sat silently listening, and it seemed that the dams quiet words had even left the other dwarves there pondering themselves over the matter.

"Then why would you find yourself in Lord Gil's bed?" Thorin snapped at her suddenly.

"I have never found myself in Lord Gil's bed, Sire. Nor have I found myself in Lord Vil's bed for that matter. Lord Gil did however kiss me a few days ago, after he saved me from falling down the side of the Dale road, and I returned his kiss..." She looked down as if she had committed a grave crime. "I cannot confess that I know truly the reason why I did so. Perhaps I have grown somewhat fond of Lord Gil over the times we have spent together..."

"So why would you lie Lord Gil?" Thorin now turned on the older brother.

Lord Gil stood shocked at her truthful confessions, and as he realized all attention had turned to him, his face began to redden, like a tomato.

"I...I..." He then turned to Lady Amara, and fell to his knee. "I am sorry for this, my lady. You have been nothing but kind and generous to me, and it was not my intent to hurt you in any way..."

Everyone remained silent watching Gil, still awaiting an explanation.

"The truth is that, I too have grown fond of Lady Amara, and to be distanced from both my brother and this wonderful lady, when they are wed would be painful. And in a jealous moment, I imagined that if I came between them that I would spare myself both losses..."

"And how do you feel about this Lord Vil?"

"I understand now why my brother behaved so badly." Vil stepped forward and took his fiance's hand. "I too would desperately miss my brother and it would feel as though our union and gain would also be my loss."

"Well my dear wife, I believe you have now created a far bigger problem." Thorin looked at her somewhat annoyed as well as bored. He had no desire to remain seated there all day, when he could indeed dismiss court sooner and spend the afternoon in their bedchambers. "Well, I suggest that I offer Lady Amara in marriage to another Lord. She is after all an attractive dam-"

"There must be another solution?" She sighed.

"Yes, and if I offer another solution it will be final..." He smirked at Shobha. "My final solution is that Lady Amara is wed to both dwarrow. They may then have their happy family without the brothers being separated. And everyone wins..."

"Are you serious laddie?" Balin whispered from beside him.

"Very. Please have that written down. In the past they would have had to maintain a secret agreement behind closed doors. Now they have permission from their King to openly enjoy their relationship."

"Very...well...your Majesty..." Balin nodded, writing down something in his scroll.

"Now, let us finish here my lady..." He stood up holding out his hand to her.

"What about the rest of us, your Majesty?" Another dwarf cried out from in the crowd.

Thorin seemed to inwardly groan for a moment before turning back to them.

"Who here has a problem with their goats being stolen? Raise your hands!"

With that about half the group seemed to raise their hands.

"And raise your hands if you are here because of a dispute over unpaid fees of some variety?"

Promptly the other half of the group then raised their hands.

"Is there any other dwarf here that has a different problem or complaint? Please raise your hands now?" He finally asked. However this time no further hands were raised. Thorin couldn't help give her a smug glance. "Very well. Then my solution to these matters are the same. All those who believe the other party has stolen livestock unfairly, shall be permitted to inspect the others livestock. This will be performed in the presence of a guard as witness. If you can show your markings on the animals and prove they were once yours, then the offending party must pay for the livestock. However, those fees paid will go to the treasury in order to support these sessions of court and pay the guards who will help in resolving the issue. As for those who believe they are owed money - you must produce unequivocal proof before Lord Balin here. If the proof is certain, then the other party must pay reparations. However, half of this must be paid towards Treasury. Failure to do so will incur a fine."

But there was a sudden grumble that spread across the large group of dwarrow.

"And if you disagree with my terms, then I am happy to arrange a suitable fine for wasting court time." There was no further negotiation to his conclusion. And he turned to her once again holding out his hand despite the unhappy mutterings amongst the crowd of dwarves. "Let us go my dear."

"But how will Balin manage all these dwarves -"

"He will be fine. There is no need for you to worry about him. Your worries should be focussed on keeping me happy..." He smirked, guiding her away.

...

Sirius pulled hard on the reins to halt the ponies on time.

The two dwarves that stood in the way armed to the teeth looked vicious.

"Halt!" One dwarf shouted. "Get down from your caravan!"

Sirius had already unsheathed his sword. But the dwarf that blocked the path now had his crossbow aimed at the driver, and at this proximity he was unlikely to miss.

"Donnae bother if you fancy your life, driver." The other dwarf standing in front of them next to the crossbow-weilding one commanded. "Now get down, the BOTH of you."

Sirius looked at Hilo in desperation, but apparently both had no ideas as to how to get out of this.

"Best do as we are told. Things may get wore if the caravan were to roll into the water now." Hilo sighed quietly to Sirius, as a subtle reminder of the cargo they were carrying.

"Look, lads, we haven't much of value, just some leather saddles, cast iron pots and horse shoes..." Sirius began to explain as they got down from the caravan one by one. "We aren't carrying much gold either between us - just a few coins for some food and a room - you can take it and let us go on our way -"

But the two dwarves pushed Sirius and Hilo onwards.

As they were marched towards a thicket not far from the road, to their surprise a group of soldiers stepped out. They were soldiers from Erebor!

The soldiers parted then to reveal none other than their King!

"Master Sirius... Master Hilo..."

"Your Majesty!" Hilo gasped, bowing deeply.

"My King," Sirius followed, bowing, perhaps not quite as low as Hilo. "This is most unexpected, Sire..."

"My dear Sirius, how long have I known you?"

"I have served the line of Durin, from the time of your grandfather, Sire," Sirius bowed his head.

"Then I trust you will confess to me truthfully what cargo you are carrying?" Thorin remarked coldly.

"My Lord..." The old dwarf hesitated. "It is our usual cargo, Sire...just some pots, horseshoes and such like..."

"Anything valuable from your Queen?" Thorin narrowed his eyes, glancing over at the younger dwarf who was starting to appear much more nervous indeed.

"Ah...oh...Aye! Oh yes, my King! Forgive my old memory," Sirius stuttered, looking over at Hilo. He was more worried about the younger dwarf revealing too much. "It's not what it used to be..."

Thorin watched silently waiting for an explanation.

"Ah yes...that would be a case of clothes, my Lord. But it is a regular thing. The Princess-Consort always gives a large basket of clothes to be sent for the bairns in the orphanage once a month..." Sirius explained a little shakily. "Maybe it is toys sometimes...or cloth...I do not question her ladyship, Sire. She is so kind to us old folk -"

"So you would go out of the way to help her yes? Even breaking rules...?" Thorin pressed.

"No! Sire! I would not break no rules, your majesty!" Sirius quickly added. He didn't want to upset the King, but he would not admit to anything either.

Without warning, Thorin grasped the old dwarf by the arm and began walking him over to the river that lay on the other side of the road. He began walking too fast at first, with the dwarf stumbling several times, and then slowed down as he got to the waters edge.

"Do you know the punishment for smuggling items in and out of Erebor without the proper permissions, Master Sirius?" Thorin spoke coldly again. The old driver was clearly stubborn and a firm supporter of his wife. But he would soon break him.

Sirius merely nodded, as he stood by the waters edge, his round, wrinkled, pale blue eyes watering, as the only sign of fear and sadness. He would rather be banished and lose his beard than betray her.

"Perhaps your younger associate is less familiar with the rules -"

"He knows nothing about it all."

"I do not believe you." Thorin snapped. "But, perhaps I will spare him...he looks ready to confess after all..."

Sirius remained silent, looking across the gentle running water for a moment.

"I am not sure I understand, your majesty."

"Hmmm...bring it forward." Thorin called out.

And as Sirius glanced over to his right, following his Kings command, to his utter horror, two guards moved to the waters edge carrying the large wicker case.

Thorin watched as the old dwarf gulped nervously.

"Still nothing to confess...?"

Sirius shook his head sadly - it was clear now that his ruler knew what was going on. All he could hope for was that he would not knowingly do anything terrible.

"Oh Sirius. You are a dear old misguided fool..." Thorin sighed callously signalling to the soldiers.

Then at his command, they lifted the large wicker basket and began walking into the water.

Sirius felt sick.

Tears falling from his eyes, silently, he fell to his knees.

...

One moment she lay amongst the soft bedding of fabric in the dark. She had slept all day, and felt as if she could sleep more, even if she her arms and legs did feel cramped.

And then suddenly there was a sensation of water rising from below.

Her first instinct was to scream. The water was bitterly cold.

She took several deep breaths to calm herself.

...

The guards looked panicked.

"Lower." Thorin commanded and after a moment they did as they were told, lowering the basket in the freezing water still further.

...

The water began rushing in faster.

It was hard not to panic. But there was no time to even scream.

She took several deep breaths and filled her lungs just as she found herself submerged entirely.

Perhaps this was the end.

And then just as her lungs began burning with pain; just as the thought of giving in entered her mind, the lid of the large basket lifted and two strong arms pulled her out.

Coughing and gasping she opened her eyes to find his piercing blue orbs staring at her.

She closed her eyes and carried on panting as she lay against his chest.

When she had finally caught her breath, she pushed away from him, but his arms held her right against his chest.

"You brute! Let me go!" She cried fighting him.

"Don't struggle." His commands were firm. "Or I shall have to cut you out of your clothes and remind you who you belong to right here in front of the men."

She didn't even dare look around.

"Please..." She begged, shivering.

"Hush now. If you want your old friend Sirius to not face severe punishment then you will be a good girl and do as you are told."

Immediately she stopped struggling against him, and found herself being scooped up into his arms.

"Did you really think that I would not find out...?" He growled at her. "You will not leave Erebor until you have borne me an heir. It is as simple as that. In fact, let me simplify it further. You shall not leave my bed until you have borne me an heir. Every night, I will have you. Every night."

He carried her into the coach readied to take her back. But once they were inside he dropped her on the seat and began cutting her out of her wet dress. The heavy velvet had soaked up the cold water like a sponge.

Pulling the dress off her in a few quick, practiced yanks, he left her shivering in her thin shift. The thin white material clung to her body, stirring a fire within him again, as he let his eyes settle on her brown nipples that pressed through the material, taunting him.

"Turn around." He grunted. There was something about the tone of his voice that scared her.

And when she didn't listen, he grabbed her hips and spun her around, before pressing her against him.

"I...just want to see my father and mother. For one day..." She panted as he ran his hand over her belly. "I would have returned immediately after..."

"He has passed away...and there are those helping your mother escape. But until all is safe you must simply wait patiently..." He whispered in her ear.

The words he spoke, in such a matter of fact way were enough.

Grabbing his knife with her right hand, she turned on him, pressing the tip into his neck. All she could feel was the rage in her veins and pounding of her heart in her ears.

Chest heaving with burning anger, she found him watching her with curiosity. His hands still remained on her hips firmly, and apparently he neither feared her nor any horrific injury she might cause him.

"You denied me of seeing him one last time!"

"Had you returned, you would have been in greater danger. Your step-brother would have killed or even kidnapped you for a large ransom. And I would have had to march your brother's army to war against Rhun - all in YOUR name. Is that what you would want? A war in YOUR NAME?" He coldly explained, slowly lifting the sodden hem of her dress with one hand, despite her knife at his throat. "Surely you are more than capable of seeing this, even if you are a little naive and emotional at times."

He held her gaze, despite her knife point held against his neck and pulled her closer, slipping one hand up her thigh

"But you must know who it is that keeps you safe." He added, slipping his wandering hand into her bloomers.

"So almost drowning me, was to protect me?!" She pressed the tip of his knife into his skin further such that it drew a small drop of blood. "Don't touch me! Or I shall drive your knife right into your throat!"

But he didn't stop his wandering hand as it found her, and began its pleasurable assault.

"If you plan on killing me - then allow me to be inside you one last time, when you do..." He pulled her close enough to kiss her, despite the knife she still held. "So, my wife. If you truly intend it...then kill me now..."

Then without warning he lifted her, holding onto her thighs and impaled himself in her. Both of them moaning, with the new sensations.

Without saying a word, he began to move holding a hand out against the back of the carriage to stabilize himself.

She hated him in that moment, for he added to the emotional chaos that raged within her head. And so gripping his shoulder she embraced the pain of his rough intrusion, alongside the emerging pleasure.

Suddenly he paused, pulling away from her to assess her face.

"If you plan to kill me, I suggest you go ahead now woman..." He pressed himself in deeper, gritting his teeth at the sensation of feeling his fullness against her opening. "I promise if you do not take this opportunity, you will find when you return that I shall imprison you in my bed for the next week..."

She couldn't focus anymore, with her legs splayed around his waist and hips, and his length buried deep inside her. She needed him to move.

He ran his hand up her arm and slipped his knife out of her hand, finally kissing her deeply despite her weak protests.

"You denied me of seeing my father laid to rest." She slapped his face as hard as she could muster. "And now you try to do this?!"

She attempted to push him away harder now, but he simply grabbed her wrist.

"I did not get the chance to lay my grandfather or my father to rest. And my father disappeared without trace. All while I needed to find a safe place for our people - so I could not afford to mourn them either, for my duty was to my people first. So I understand much more than you imagine."

His previously hardened face, now looked pained. It made her feel some pity for him. There in that brief moment, where they were so deeply connected in body, it also felt as though they shared a common pain.

Leaning in, he claimed her lips again, this time in a violent and possessive kiss, as he began to move again...

…

Dear All

Wishing you all a happy new year!

Sorry I am so bad at updating - will aim for shorter but more frequent chapters soon.

I haven't addressed her loss just yet. But she has a lot of issues that she has been in denial about and will need to address…all to come…

Again wishing you all a healthy and amazing new year! Xx