The last chapter before the wedding! Thank you LadyHuggins for your support 3 Happy reading!

Chapter 15

*Thorin*

6 days later – Night before the wedding – private dining hall –

It was surreal, sitting at the head of the table during their rehearsal dinner and catching all the mundane conversations going on around him. Mistlynn was radiant in another gown Dis and Dori had designed for her. They were enjoying having her as their living mannequin for their creative ideas. He kept glancing over at her, sitting to his right with her attention directed to Dain and Sindri and the lively discussion they were having with the rest of the table.

The high-backed collar and shoulders of her steel blue dress was constructed in a thick silver and gold material, perfectly mimicking the dragon scales of her unique armor. The greyish blue of the fitted bodice inlaid with silver scaled designs faded into a full skirt, as the fading sky of dusk transforms into the deep midnight hue. She was the ideal complement of him, a radiant light to his dark, no doubt the intentional design of his sister to showcase a united, unbreakable front.

He couldn't believe that they would be wed by this time tomorrow, forever bound to her and she to him. He hadn't had a chance to really talk to her since that afternoon they had all managed to take off, when she had let her walls down to show him the fun-loving side of her in contrast to the ever present anguish that simmered beneath her nonchalant demeanor. He knew It was a mask she put on, to defend herself. He, of course, saw through it. And so did everyone else in their close circle.

She acted like her breakdown and the following conversation the night of their engagement party had never happened. He also knew there were things she was keeping to herself. She remained aloof whenever mention of the White Kingdom or her family came up in topic, always quick to change the subject in a very eloquent manner. She outright refused to discuss the Elven King of Mirkwood, and what her complete aversion to him was. Two years prior, he wouldn't dream to argue her decision to avoid, but now that he had gotten to know Thranduil as an ally, they had an mutual regard and understanding, She refused to explain her reasons for lying to him on during their introduction, and Thranduil's words had come to haunt him.

With last minute preparations for the wedding, he hadn't had a chance to talk to her about it more. It worried him how effortless it was for her to act like everything was ok when he knew she was struggling, whether it be with her relationship with him or from the problems she was running from.

But what weighed on him the most was her account of what happened to her and Argos. The more he thought about what happened to her and her brother, the more It didn't sit well with him, nor did it add up. The little he had seen of Mistlynn's combat skills he knew that her kingdom was very proficient with their training and knew that they relied heavily on being prepared for everything. Their very survival in that harsh of a climate depended on strategy.

He could see them coming across the wrong drake, that would be an understandable error, but the fact their weapons specifically designed for slaying one were seemingly sabotaged. If he didn't know better, it was as if someone had been trying to assassinate her and her brother and play it off as an accident, and that disturbed him.

Not to mention her passing comments about the large Dire wolves that were assigned to their seasoned warriors. Thranduil's words of warning echoed loudly in his head. He didn't think she was purposefully keeping information of importance from him purposefully. She was wicked smart with a sharp wit. Book smart. But when it came to the cruel reality of the world, she was innocent. She knew only what she had been taught, and he had a strong suspicion that it was a twisted history of propaganda.

Her musical laughter pulled him from his thoughts along with a swift kick to the shin from Dis who sat on his left. He jumped, shooting her a murderous glare only to be met by Dis's in turn. She leaned closer to him, flashing him a toothy smile as she grits out, "Instead of being lost in your thoughts you should be paying attention to your bride-to-be and guests, not attempting to melt your goblet with your stare."

"It's not like that Dis." He growled back at her, picking up said goblet to take a drink.

"You could have fooled me." She patted his arm firmly. "Ok! The hour is late! It is time for the bride to get her beauty sleep! Big day tomorrow!" the private dining hall erupted in vivacious cheering. In a flurry of giggling ladies Mistlynn was swept up from her chair and was being ushered from the room.

He pushed his chair out and stood, cursing himself internally for not engaging her in more conversation. He had been so lost in chaos of the day and then later in his thoughts that he had lost track of the time. Mistlynn looked over her shoulder and met his gaze, sending him a shy smile before she disappeared through the doorway.

He was paying no mind to the jeering and sounds of merrymaking around him as he fought down the nerves that had been flitting off and on in his gut.

"Come cousin! Let us celebrate your pending nuptials!" Dain summoned from his seat, and the jeers of his closest comrades echoed their agreement.

He felt a hand land solidly on his shoulder, forcing him to tear his gaze away from the door she disappeared from. Dwalin was standing next to him, looking at him with question of his mental wellbeing shining in his eyes. They had always been able to have the deepest conversations with just looks passed between them. He nodded stiffly and let out a shaky sigh. "It's been a long day." He murmured as he rubbed a hand over his face.

Dwalin grunted in acknowledgment, before teasing his childhood friend. "Come along now. Yer bride isna goin nowhere."

*Mistlynn*

She tossed for several hours in the gigantic bed, listening to Luna snore. Dis, Sindri and Gemlinn had fussed over her for a couple hours; making her bathe in a luxurious bath of perfumed oils and tamed her long wild curls into a thick braid.

They giggled and joked about their own weddings, making Mistlynn blush on more than one occasion as sordid memories of their wedding nights became part of the conversation. She had an idea of what occurred on the wedding night. Her people dwelled in tents, so it didn't leave much for the imagination. And she had a few rendezvous with a few Dwarrow's, nothing past kissing and wandering hands. But that was the most of her experiences. However, just the thought of the noises she heard from many a blushing bride made her stomach turn anxiously. Not all the noises she heard sounded like ones of utmost pleasure .

She swallowed thickly, trying to calm her fluttering heart. She was never going to sleep at this rate, She threw the covers back and rolled out of bed. She quickly grabbed her furred slippers and the heavy coat that Thorin had gifted her. "Going out for a little walk, Luna." Luna looked up at her from her bed, wagged her tail gently and then flopped back down with a resigned huff. She was now accustomed to her new lifestyle and wasn't complaining about a soft, feather bed or warm hearth. It didn't escape her how ironic it was her wolf was more accepting of their new lifestyle than she was.

She opened the door quietly and peeked her head out, to be greeted by an empty corridor dimly lit with flickering torch light. She ducked out and walked in the shadows, eager to get a walk by herself before her life changed for forever.

She lost track of time as she walked. There were guards posted along the corridors, but they didn't even blink or look after her as she walked past them.

Ahead of her she saw two guards standing posted in front of an ornate door. Curious, she approached, the guards once again not saying anything about her presence. The door was open halfway. She peered in, and saw Thorin sitting at his desk, looking over what looked like some paperwork.

She looked back at the guards, still standing exactly as they were. She had been expecting them to send her on her way, but they didn't. They didn't question her presence. This new position she now held was still a culture shock for her and she was always second guessing herself. She was trying to keep Dis, Balin and especially Thorin from having to clean up any misunderstandings or offense she could cause.

She hadn't been treated with such reverence by her people, so how to handle one's personal guard or being bowed or curtsied to as she walked by was uncomfortable. She was never expected to ever inherit her father's throne, Valinn was too strong and domineering a figure. Her older brother was everything a fierce warrior king of the White Kingdom was expected to be. His inheritance was unquestioned and never challenged. Before her mother had passed, her father had been a striking figure as well. His strength waned then perished beneath the icy waters where she had been laid to rest. Where her father kneeled in pained reverence to a ghost, her brother rose with an icy cold fist and calculating eye. He was ruthless and would lead with a fierceness unrivaled by anyone.

She hadn't realized until recently how thankful she was to be free of Valinn and his constant judgment and harassment of her. It was hard to believe that they were twins. They shared nothing between them besides the blood that ran through their veins and day of their birth.

She stood in the doorway for a moment and studied her fiancé, the legendary Thorin Oakenshield as he sifted through papers, lost in his thoughts as he scanned through the intricate writing. He was a powerful figure as well, with his dark countenance and striking features. One pointed glare could freeze one in place, and his strong voice alone could inspire fear if he so wished. But he wasn't cold hearted like Valinn. He had a sense of justice and fairness that surrounded him. He cared for his people, and loved his family and closest friends and wasn't afraid to show it.

She knew he was the better King, and she found herself praising Mahal for this blessing. Where Valinn lived in his own world and forsook the council of others, Thorin had seen the world, traveled, and lived through the very best of times and crawled out broken and scarred from the very worst of times. She was exactly where she was meant to be, by his side helping him rule his kingdom, no matter the sacrifices she was going to have to make. This sudden realization comforted her, and some of her nervousness dissipated and was replaced with a fluttering excitement.

She knocked lightly on the door, making Thorin look up abruptly in her direction. He pushed his chair back and stood up. "Mistlynn. Is everything alright?"

She stepped into the room; her arms folded over her chest. What was she even doing there? She couldn't even come up with a good reason. "I couldn't sleep." She shrugged, looking distractedly over at the roaring fire in the impressive green granite fireplace. "Just a lot going through my mind, it's a big day for the both of us tomorrow."

He was studying her thoughtfully, a small smile playing with the corner of his mouth, "I confess I couldn't sleep either. If my sister found us both out of our beds, she would bring the whole mountain down on our heads."

Mistlynn laughed while nodding. "That she would. She better not find out then."

He chuckled. "She has eyes and ears everywhere." His smile grew when she snorted.

"You could have warned me about that earlier. Her having eyes on the back of her perfect hair."

Thorin laughed loudly. "Where would the fun be in that? I've quite enjoyed watching the two of you squabble like two hens in a coop." He teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

'You wound me My King!" She giggled as she approached him with a coy smirk on her face. "And here I thought we might have a nice pre wedding conversation, since our chances for quiet moments have been few and far between thus far." She stopped directly in front of him, her eyes not leaving his as she placed a shaky hand upon his abdomen.

He wasn't wearing his usual heavy jacket; he had draped it over the back of his chair. His tunic sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his muscular forearms. She licked her lips at the realization that this was the first time she had just seen him in just a tunic. She could feel the heat radiating off him, his ab muscles flinching slightly at her soft touch as she slowly ran her hand up his front, the dark blue linen warm from his body heat. The laces were untied, exposing his neck in a loose v further exposing his chest. She felt him hold his breath as her fingers reached the tunics opening, allowing her fingers to glide over the soft curly black hair that covered his sculpted chest. Her mouth became dry as she realized how defined he was, each ripple of muscle evident to her touch through the thin linen.

"Mistlynn." She heard his rough whisper, breaking her from her reverie as her hand slowly traced the hard ridges of his shoulders before coming back to rest of his exposed chest.

A shy smile played with her lips as she looked up at him through her thick lashes, "Does this bother you?"

Thorin huffed, a chuckle escaping his part lips. "Gods no." His hand reached up and took ahold of hers, threading his fingers through hers. "I love the feeling of your hands on me." She could feel his heart racing in his chest, matching the tempo of hers.

She savored the feeling of standing so close to him, feeling his warmth, and breathing in his scent she had begun to crave. "Tomorrow night, we will be able to be together freely, even though I am at a little bit of a loss of what that all entails." She blushed, once again embarrassed at her naivety.

"I have not experienced a lot when it comes to intimacy, but much to my never-ending horror I was given a play by play of such details by Dain, Bombur, and Gloin." His chuckle made his chest rumble, making the tingling in her fingers intensify.

"No doubt just as horrifying as the stories that Dis, Sindri and Gemlinn confided in me tonight." Her blush deepened as she bit her bottom lip, trying to stop herself from laughing nervously. er HerHer

"I don't know which one of us had it worse." Thorin teased, enjoying watching her cheeks and ears flush a rosy hue.

"I did." She scoffed, "Most definitely me, the details would horrify you sir, and I will have to see and converse with both your cousin and Master Gloin tomorrow knowing full and well what their wives enjoy the most of their intimate attentions."

He took another step so that their bodies were just barely touching, making her gasp involuntarily when she felt his lips brush the shell of her ear. "By this time tomorrow night I am confident you will no longer carry that burden. You will be too preoccupied with your own pleasure."

Her breath caught in her throat as the low timbre of his velvety voice washed over her as if it was a warm surging tide. Her eyes fluttered shut as she turned her head slightly to brush her nose against the juncture where his jaw met his neck. "You promise?" she whispered breathlessly.

His answering chuckle sent hot puffs of air against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. He cupped the side of her face with his hand and pulled back to look down at her with a loving gaze. Her eyes fluttered back open, meeting his gaze with her own. She was losing herself in his ocean eyes, powerful and wild as her beloved North Sea. "I adore your eyes." She whispered, "They remind me of home, of the ocean and the ice that glows in the sun when it washes ashore."

He smiled softly, running his thumb up and down her cheek. "Do you miss it? Home?"

Her eyes started to glisten, reminding him of blades of grass with beads of dew sparkling in the dawn. "Sometimes. Not as much as I used to. You're become my home faster than I ever thought possible."

Astonishment flashed across his face at her confession. It was the closest thing to love she had ever admitted. 'You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that." His laugh was light as he felt his heart leap with a joy that he had seldom felt in his life. He had known she was drawn to him, and that she wasn't fighting it. But it was starting to scare him that she was starting to regret agreeing to marrying him so soon, that she wasn't truly in love with him but rather felt the lust that had overwhelmed them in the beginning of their pull.

Her answering smile was tumultuous, and he felt his heart stutter in his chest painfully. "What is it M'eudail? What is troubling you?"

She shook her head. Balin's voice, telling her she needs to tell him everything, echoed in her head like an annoying conscience scolding her. She hated herself for being so vulnerable, allowing herself this weakness of heart at the mere touch of his hand. "There is so much to say, I just don't know where to begin." Her voice was shaky. "I'm scared that it will be too much."

He tilted his head slightly to the side as he studied her. He could see the fear evident in her big, teary eyes. "What is this about? Is it about tomorrow?" She shook her head quickly, and right before him her mask slipped back into place. She pushed herself up onto her toes, melding her lips to his in a searing kiss. She threw her arms over his shoulders and pulled him down to her. He let her lead, troubled by her swift change of emotion.

He groaned against her lips as she desperately clung to him, as if trying to convince herself that he was truly there in her arms, that he was hers completely.

He put his hands on her face, cupping it gently as he tried to soften and slow her down. "Mist." He whispered against her lips as if her name was a sacred prayer. "Talk to me."

She pulled back, as if startled out of her lustful trance. "I'm ok Thorin." She gasped for air as she willed her heart to stop racing. "I am just nervous, as every bride is before her wedding day."

It was like a knife stab to the heart when she recognized the hurt that replaced the love that had been in his eyes just moments earlier. She cursed herself for being such a coward, for being unable to give herself fully to him like had to her, for hurting him this way.

She watched his arm drop to his side, his hands balling tightly into fists before relaxing them. He sighed heavily, nodding slightly as if willing himself to accept her blatant lie as truth. "Ok, I'll let you have that tonight, but we will come back to this later." He paused, and the air between them grows thick. "It's probably best you go back and get some rest. Dis will be merciless on timing tomorrow."

She didn't remember the walk back to her room. It seemed she just blinked, and she was standing before her door, her knuckles white as her hand shakily gripped the handle. She couldn't believe she lost her nerve, just to come clean and tell him everything. A jolt of shame ripped through her, causing her to yank the door open and rush inside the dark room. It was nearly black, the fire reduced to mere embers that glowed orange and red like molten metal. Luna had heard her return and greeted her at the door. She whined and headbutted her shoulder. Mistlynn leaned back against the closed door, sighing heavily.

"What is wrong with me Luna? Why can't I tell him?" Luna's eyes glowed ocher in the dark, Mistlynn could swear that there was serious judgment in them. "Don't look at me like that! You're supposed to be on my side."

A sassy growl rippled out of the white wolf's muzzle. "What is the point anyway! I'm exiled, it's not like I am ever going to see my father or Valinn again. I don't understand why Balin is so insistent that I tell him."

Luna sat on her haunches and barked sharply. Mistlynn rubbed her hands over her face in frustration. "I will tell him. I will! It's just got to be the right time."

Luna let out a forceful sneeze before she got back up in an act of dismissal and walked back towards the bed.

"Wonderful, I just lost an argument with my dire wolf." She collapsed in the overstuffed chair next to her dying fire. She couldn't bring herself to throw more logs on the fire, instead she just stared into the glowing, crackling depths of ash and coals. "If he doesn't know, he won't have a reason to change his mind about me." She whispered to herself as she angrily wiped the tears that were silently streaming down her face.