Surface Pressure Chapter 23, a hobbit fanfic

ABBA - Take A Chance On Me

Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen

Beyonce - Crazy In Love

Chinchilla - Little Girl Gone

TLC - No Scrubs

Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage

Taylor Swift - Style

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Eric Carmen - Hungry Eyes

Nikkie Idol - The Bad Angel

Rihanna - Dancing In The Dark

ABBA - Lay All Your Love On Me

This is the only chapter I've written that has zero breaks. It is eleven pages long. I wrote parts of this way back when I was figuring out if I wanted to write this story at all.

Look at how far this story has come since day one of me thinking, okay, let me write a few things down and then I'll see if I want to post it.

Chapter 23

He has a question to ask me. Erdene, having barely slept, excitement and the need between her thighs keeping her awake, rolled that idea around. He has a question to ask me. She sat up, untying the loose ponytail she put her hair into the night before after thoroughly washing it. And herself. A couple of times.

A question he can't just outright ask. She stood, shuffling in wool socks across a cold wood floor to the basin on the dresser. A question where she had to go with him for it to be asked.

Maybe she should run to Valis before he showed up and-

Well if he asks you to sit with him and offers you a comb and bead in front of witnesses, especially his family, he's asking to court.

Ery nearly dropped her toothbrush. She sat heavily on the bed, blinking at herself in the looking glass. Did he want to court her? Courting leads to marriage, doesn't it? Did Thorin want to marry her sooner rather than later? If he asked, would she want to marry him?

With a squeal of excitement she buried her face in a pillow. Hell yes she would marry him. In a damn heartbeat. She would.

If that's what he asked her today, her answer would be yes.

With renewed excitement and happiness, Erdene finished brushing her teeth. Next she was careful with the lemongrass and jasmine oils, rubbing them in until her skin felt soft and smooth and smelled divine. The remainder on her hands she ran through her hair to feed the winter induced dry spots. Next she wet her fingers and combed through any loose curls with a little water to revive them. She once more broke out the forget me not pins and pinned the left side of her hair up and back.

She opened the wardrobe, eyeing her dresses. She was not getting the equivalent of engaged in the tunic and leggings.

The dark almost peacock blue-green brocade. Valis had stitched black eyelets into the sleeves and bodice, while the skirt faded from blue-green to black. Morticia Adams always said black was such a happy color.

Time to test that theory.

Black cherry lip balm completed the look. The eighth bell rang while she was getting up and it had to have been at least half past now. He would be there soon.

Her steps down the stairs felt lighter, happier than she'd been since she got to Arda. She was actually smiling. She almost didn't catch that the girls were all seated at the table instead of working. They all looked as if they were in various stages of concern. Warren was wearing nicer clothes than he normally did. Erdene stopped on her way down because he called her name. He'd shaved. His hair was washed. He'd cleaned his fingers and groomed his nails. Warren asked her to sit with a smile.

Brow furrowed, confused, Erdene sat in the chair Warren had reserved for his passed wife. Had reserved it for the nearly ten months she'd been in Arda. When she sat his smile grew. He tried to take her right hand.

Erdene withdrew from his touch immediately. "Warren, what on god's green earth are you doin'?" Her accent was heavier than it had been in a while.

Undeterred, Warren gathered himself and the speech he'd prepared and began at the beginning. "Erdene, for some time I have harbored you in my home, you've grown close to my daughters. Catherine and Gwen look at you as they would their mother." He was so absorbed in getting out his speech, he missed the abject horror that crossed Erdene's face. "I had thought you much younger than I, a young girl like my Alysa and Alisa. You told me your age, and I see now why you appeared in front of my shop."

He could not be serious. "Warren, if you're askin' what I think your-"

"I have missed my wife terribly these last years. Having someone to bond with my daughters has been a relief for me. And then to find you are not only of an age-"

"I'm seeing someone." She snapped through gritted teeth. "And, even if I wasn't, I've told you before. Unless I am in love, I am not going to marry someone. Not for comfort and not for convenience and most certainly not because a man is lonely!"

She was fast enough to dodge his hand as it swung at her face. The girls were up and shouting at their father. Ery shoved back on the chair feeling it slide against the floor and smack into the counter. Her back felt the hard wood dig into her dress and flesh. Oof, bruises.

He went at her again and she used her legs to kick against his chest. He stumbled. Erdene dodged around the table, past the larder and toward the front door. She yanked on the latch and ran into the morning cold.

Shivering, arms around her torso, Erdene crossed the street quickly, staring at the door of the only home she had in Arda. There were sounds of Warren yelling and the girls pleading with him and slamming. She jumped as the door yanked open, Warren spitting angry and red faced.

"You are no longer welcome in my home, on my property or in the lives of my children." He pointed at her. "If I see you again, harlot, you will regret it."

Harlot. The bastard. She sneered at him. "You're a nasty boorish man and I hope your girls have enough sense to leave you in their dust when they run."

He took one step toward her, his hand raised when both Alysa and Alisa got between them.

"Out of my way." He snarled.

"No." Alysa, slim and slight Alysa who often looked like she might fall over if heavy rain hit her. "Gwen."

Gwendolyn squeezed past their father, Erdene's bags in hand, violin case on her shoulder, coat and cloak thrown over her arm. She went to her friend despite her father's vitriol. "Here, Ery."

Grateful, Erdene took the coat, pulling it over her freezing body. "Thank you."

She shook her head as her older sisters held back their father. "It's time we stood up to him." She helped Erdene with her bags. "I see a figure walking this way. Would that be him?"

Erdene's gaze lifted. Thorin was far down the street, pausing as he saw her. He looked so handsome in royal blue velvet. "That's him."

Gwen kissed her cheek. "Have a good life Erdene Thoroughfare. May we meet again."

Erdene hugged her, "I'm sorry."

Gwen returned the hug. "Go."

Go she did, with four girls trying to block their father.

Thorin met her half way.

He took in her bags, overstuffed with clothing. The way she bit her full lower lip. Her shuffling feet and the way she would not meet his gaze.

"Something has happened." He could see that even if he hadn't seen her landlord shouting.

She shook her head sniffing, eyes red rimmed, "I'm going to need a new place to live."

He took both bags from her, they were odd, small metal bits that clacked together painted a rusty blue on one and a deep gray on the striped red, green and brown canvas.

"You don't have to-" She sniffed, fighting the tears. "I'm sorry."

Thorin shook his head, "this is nothing to apologize for." He watched her move to close her coat when the colors of the bodice stood out to him. He stilled her hands with his own, gently moving the coat to take in the colors of the dress. "Who," his voice barely above a whisper, was rough, his mouth dry, Mahal, please, "told you to wear this?"

She cocked her head at him, the same way she did whenever he asked her something she didn't understand. Erdene looked down at her dress, "Valis made it, but we designed it together a couple of weeks ago. I thought…I thought you'd like it if I wore my best dress today." Again with the shy bite to her lower lip.

He allowed his free hand to stray to her waist, under her coat. "These," his voice rough with emotion, thank you Mahal. Thank you for her. "Are the colors of my house."

She looked down at herself once more, then at him with wide honey brown eyes. A grin broke across her face, lighting her up like a torch, "really?"

"Aye." He pulled the edges of the coat around her. "Come."

She buttoned up quickly, then looped her arm around his, "so this question you have to ask me," she began as they walked back the way he came, she squeezed his arm, which made him smile at her, "wouldn't have anything to do with a bead and a comb would it?"

He should have known she knew a little about their customs, with two dams as friends. "It might."

She pressed in against him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I think you know my answer, Thorin."

He believed the same. "Aye, I think I do, but our traditions and customs demand I ask, formally."

She hummed, "can we hold hands yet, or no?"

He slid his fingers against hers, taking her smaller hand and threading his fingers through hers. So different, her small fingers in his, and yet their fingers fit together as if made for one another. Maker, be good, please. "If your answer is what I believe it is."

Erdene, grinning from ear to ear, "tell me how it works, I want to do this the right way so we don't have a mixup."

Thorin, as they walked, diverted to the dwarven district which was now going full throttle, explained the ceremony. "We will stand before the hearth of my home," he told her, navigating them through the people as they passed. (Erdene had a feeling, as they passed one spot twice, maybe the movie han't been so off with his directional issues.) Several of which he noted took notice of Erdene on his arm. "And I will ask, if you would agree to allow me to court you. Should you say yes."

"When," she corrected, "when I say yes."

She made it difficult for him not to smile. "When," he amended, "you say yes, you will sit, your back to my chest. I will offer you a comb, ask if it suits your needs for the future. Should you say yes again."

"My answer is already yes, but go on."

Mahal. "When you say yes, I will braid a section of your hair, finish the braid with the bead and you will take the comb."

"And what do I give you?" She gazed up at him, her eyes having shifted colors as they walked from brown to gray, "it can't be all about what you can offer me. Shouldn't I give you something as well?"

Thorin shook his head, "dam are few Erdene. I understand that women," he used her term, "in many places outnumber men. It is not the same for dwarrow. Males outnumber the female. Greatly."

Her brow furrowed, "so…I don't have to give you something because you're getting me as part of the whole thing?"

"Aye."

Don't insult his customs or traditions. Don't insult his customs or traditions. It's a lot more damn respectful than a lot of shit back on Earth. Especially toward the dams. But- "I still want to give you something. Where I'm from at least, equality is important. Unless it's absolutely against the rules."

He squeezed her hand. "You already have."

She blinked big blue eyes at him. "Wait…I'm sorry, wait, what?"

"Sweets, they are a gift to ask to be courted." He elaborated.

From head to toe, Erdene blushed furiously. "Thorin that was weeks ago!" Again with her lower lip caught between her teeth. "Why didn't you tell me! I would have made a cottage pie or something else. Oh my god." Her cheeks burned.

He wrapped the arm she had been holding onto around her waist. "What is a cottage pie?"

"Um, ground beef, sautéed onions, peas, carrots covered in mashed potatoes and baked in an oven. A variation of shepherd's pie." Her blush only deepened with the way he watched her, a spark of mirth behind those beautiful blue eyes. "Oh my god, gifting food means a lot in your culture doesn't it?"

"Very much."

"What would it have meant?"

"A meal fit for a family?" His eyes were twinkling at her. "Tell me what you would think."

"That I wanted to meet your family." She said immediately then, "or wanted you to meet mine?"

"Or to start one."

He thought, in that moment, he could not adore her shyness, her blush or her smile more than he already did. He found himself incorrect as he watched her deep pink blush become bright red, followed by a small mortified squeak as she covered her face with both hands.

"Thorin, oh my god, I mean," her hands fluttered wildly around her, "not that I don't want a family with you because I do. But!"

He pulled her against his side, squeezing her waist, his lips against her temple. "And I, with you. Calm, amrâlimê. Mirror my breathing."

Her spiking anxieties fed her self doubt. "You sure you want some silly woman like me? Still time to change your mind." Thorin laughed, holding her against his chest. The warm sound of it racing over her skin. "Why are you so good to me?"

He echoed what a future Thorin said to his wife when she asked the same, "should I not treat my queen as she deserves?"

The sharp, nervous inhale of breath, big eyes, blue, gray and honey mixing with the brown looking up at him brimming with emotion. "I love you."

It stole his breath. He ran fingers through the hair on either side of her neck. "Again, Erdene."

"I love you, Thorin," she whispered, searching his face. "I'm pretty sure I fell for you a while ago."

"And my voice made for sin?" He pressed his forehead against hers.

She bumped his nose with hers, "gonna tell you now, future husband, I have fantasies of you telling me all the depraved and filthy things you want to do to me with that deeper tone your voice gets when you want me."

Mahal, if that didn't make him want her now, lift her skirts, open his belt, and drive into her. Damn the audience. Let them know how he desires his one. He groaned low, deep in his chest, it made her shiver with anticipation in response. "Courting ceremony," he had to force himself away from her body, willing his arousal down before reaching to take her hand again. "After the courtship ceremony, and you are mine."

She took his hand, squeezing his fingers (much to his surprise he did feel it, though it was much weaker than anything a dam was capable of). "And you're mine."

"I have been yours for some time." He told her as they began moving again.

She pressed against his side again. Her head against his shoulder. Their fingers entwined.

Blessedly they did arrive without further stopping.

Erdene's feet slowed as they approached the gated estate, eyes growing large at the sight before her. Seriously? A mansion? His family lived in the biggest house on the row, the corner house, with short wings spread out on two sides. Christ almighty. They had a small front yard filled with, are those citrus trees? A pomegranate tree heavily laden with deep red-purple fruit. And it looked like a back yard if she was estimating the property dimensions correctly.

Thorin tugged her gently, pulling her past the gate he'd opened toward the front door. He opened the door ushering her inside where she did pause, looking up and around. The differences between a dwarven home and a human one. All the furnishings were smaller, built for shorter people in mind, and there were no high shelves.

Portraits hung on one wall, all hand drawn in a dark brown, red and almost black pencil. She recognized Thorin, but not the female dwarf next to him, no doubt his sister and below her, offset to the right Fíli and Kíli. Their father was the portrait of a dwarrow, with Fíli's smile and Kíli's eyes surrounded by a black rim.

Next just to the left of Thorin's single frame, another similar looking male with a slightly wider nose and straighter hair that was drawn deep brown and black rather than just black like Dís and Thorin. He too had a spouse next to him, a dam with blonde hair, and lighter eyes. Below them was a portrait of a single little girl with big eyes and a fluffy head of brown hair.

Thorin was at her back, touching her waist, holding her against his chest. "My brother, Frerin, his wife Gillis, their daughter Cillis." He nodded at the other portraits, "my sister Dís, her sons Fíli and Kíli. Her husband Théli."

He pointed to the blank space next to his portrait, and then the space under his, "Yours will be there, and our baby there."

She pushed up, whispering in his ear, "babies." She kissed his cheek.

Five that he knows of. Possibly eight. He pressed himself harder against her back, his arousal pushing at the base of her spine and the plush of her bottom, drawing a small, soft moan from her. "How many, do you think?" His voice was equally low.

She arched her back, pressing against him, drawing a muttered oath in Khuzdûl from him.

"Fuck," she ground against him, "Thorin…"

He squeezed her waist, hands traveling to her hips, soft, she was so soft everywhere he wasn't.

From the end of the hall, someone cleared their throat. Dís, with loose black hair, a few silver strands scattered throughout, stood with fists on her hips, watching them. "You two aren't about to break over fifteen hundred years of tradition in the entryway, are you?"

Erdene, blushing brightly, pushed further back into Thorin who wrapped one arm around her torso.

"Dís," he made no move to adjust how either of them were standing. "Give us-"

Ignoring her brother, Dís walked the fifteen feet forward, taking Erdene by one hand, and gently tugged her away. "You, take care of that." She nodded at her brother's lower half and his obvious desire for his intended. "I want to speak to my new sister. I am Dís, come."

Erdene shot him one panicked glance before his sister drew his one away.

They stopped in a small parlor white, silver and pale blue with overstuffed cushions on the seats and lots of plants sitting in the windows. Pale dove gray curtains filtering sunlight into the room. Dís nodded at a seat, for Erdene to take. "My cousin Valis tells me you like to be called Ery."

Cousins? Valis never said anything about being related to Thorin or his family. But then, she never told Valis about Thorin being the one she was falling for. Valis had figured that out on her own.

"Um," still blushing Erdene nodded, her fingers fluttering and twisting with nervous energy, "Ery, Erdene or E. Yes. I…I'm sorry. I really do love your brother. It…we…he's just so ridiculously- and the second we're touching my brain just poof, Thorin." The girl buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry!"

What a pretty little woman her brother's one was. Fíli had not exaggerated. Skin like she spent time under the summer sun, and loose mahogany curls that seemed to be everywhere at once, including falling into her big amber-gray eyes. The pins she tried to tame them with almost ignored as her hair did as it wished. Freckles, so many, many freckles and a mole one an inch from the left side of her mouth and the other just near her ear on the same side.

She was not dwarrow, though with the shape of her one might not realize immediately. Her shoulders were wide, yes but carried the muscle of a child of man, her hips the same. Larger than average breasts and thicker thighs. Had she more of a stomach, she could be mistaken for a dwarrow.

Dís, who wasn't the slightest bit surprised or upset, finally let herself grin. "You are a shy thing aren't you?"

Erdene shrugged, looking down at her hands as she lowered them. "Sometimes. Like when my boyfriend's sister finds us ten seconds from being in flagrante delicto."

Boyfriend, that must mean her brother. But what were those last words?

"I had a one once too, I know how difficult it is to refrain. I wasn't grown yet at the time." Dís assured her with a gentle pat to the girl's knee. "I thought my mother and brothers might kill him when they found us doing much more than you just were. They demanded we court immediately. Neither of us argued. After the ceremony we didn't leave his room for days."

Erdene's blushing eased, her fidgeting fingers slowing. "I…I just…that was a terrible first impression of me." Jade green eyes gazed at her sadly. "Please don't think I'm some jezebel, I'm not. I just…" Really need to bounce on your brother's cock a few dozen times.

Shaking her head, "no, lass, you love my brother. That's all I need. Now. What do you need?"

Erdene blinked at Dís with confusion, "sorry?"

"We have a few moments before you need to meet my brother before the central hearth." Dís told her, she squeezed Erdene's hand. The girl's eyes shifted from amber to blue, "Do you need advice on what to say, or do?"

"Oh, he told me what to expect."

Mahal! Her brother. "But not how to reply?"

Blue eyes mixed with amber and green bled to blue-gray. This girl and her emotions written in her gaze. How could her brother not have known how she felt? She practically screamed everything she felt with color. "Um…no?"

Dís shook her head, "and that is why I stole you away." Besides they were too close to the stairs that lead to the second landing where Thorin's room was and might consummate before they were courting. Wouldn't have been the first time or the first couple in dwarrow history. It would be the first in the line of Durin. "When he asks you if you wish to court, your answer is I would, Thorin son of Thrain, not a simple yes. My brother is heir even if he hasn't laid a true claim. You are marrying into our family line and one day you could be our queen."

Her breath came out slowly to ease the sharp spike of anxiety in her chest. Thank fuck for Dís. How embarrassing would it have been to hear people talk about how she messed up her own courting ceremony? "Okay, what about when he offers the comb and the bead?"

Smart girl. "The comb, your answer is 'it does, Thorin son of Thrain.' And the same for the bead," she motioned to the pin, "take that bit out. The braid goes on that side."

Erdene nodded along, reaching up to gently tug the pin out. A small section of her hair fell down which she tucked behind her ear. "Okay. What else?"

"It's a simple braid but it cannot be taken out unless you two mutually agree to end the courtship."

Erdene shook her head, "I wouldn't."

"Not even to be married?"

Huh? The confusion must have shown because Dís went on.

"The minimum time for courting is two weeks, the maximum twenty years. When your betrothal gift is ready, you both agree to end your courtship to marry. The braid comes out, and you wear your gift until the marriage ceremony. The bead is passed to your first born."

There are so many rules and customs and traditions. Erdene bit her lower lip, "Dís," she said slowly, "after today, could you teach me how not to make an ass out of myself in front of everyone else? I want to make your family proud to have me."

This girl. Mahal. Smart little thing. "Lass, we're already proud. I thought my brother would never find his one. Then you came. I'll help you. Happily."

A knock on the door and, much to Ery's surprise, Balin poked his head in. He smiled kindly with brown eyes and a slightly red nose, "You must be Mistress Thoroughfare." He entered the room fully, bowing at the waist, "Balin, son of Fundin at your service."

It was so much like the bow he did for Bilbo, Erdene had to bite the inside of her cheek to stifle the nervous giggle in her throat. "Good to meet you," Erdene managed after swallowing a little bit of blood.

Dís mouthed curtsy, small one, at Ery. She did, making the older dwarrow smile and nod.

"It's time." He told them both with a small clap of his hands.

Okay. Erdene looked at Dís, who motioned to her coat. Oh. Right. She pulled at the toggles, opening them quickly and shrugging it off.

The familial back and forth chatter between Dís and Balin stilled as they both watched her in rapt attention.

"What?" She asked, touching her dress then hair with uncertainty.

Balin was the first to speak, clearing his throat. "Might I ask, where did you get the dress, lass?"

"My friend Valis made it for me. We designed it together. I liked the way the colors looked when Valis had them out on the table." She sighed happily, "Thorin told me about the house colors this morning. I had no clue."

Balin looked to Dís who looked far too pleased with this turn of events. She walked behind Erdene, adjusting her skirt and then her hair before signing to her cousin: If you needed a better sign they are one, Mahal has given it.

Balin gave the barest of nods before, "Lass, I'm told your father passed?"

"Mmm, before I was born."

"Then may I stand in for you?" He held out a hand to her.

Do not comment about the sexism of a male presenting her to a male. Don't. This is their custom and it's about to become yours. Erdene placed her hand in his. "Thank you Balin, that's very kind."

He patted her hand in his, "we'll be family soon enough, lass. Might I ask, what is your full given name?"

"Oh, sure, Erdene Juniper Thoroughfare." She answered as they walked.

He hummed thoughtfully, nodding. "And your father's name?"

"My mother's name is Evelyn, my father was Derren."

If this was technically the stage before getting engaged, she couldn't imagine how nervous she would be the day she and Thorin actually tied the dang knot. He looked equally as nervous when Balin led her into the room.

A living room technically, with beautifully upholstered couches, sitting chairs and so many people. Counting herself, Balin and Dís, there were at least fifteen people stuffed into one room. Including, thank the good lord, Valis and Zarin and Harjl. Only one of whom looked absolutely gobsmacked to see her.

Zarin stood with her husband wearing the brightest of smiles. Valis squeezed her hands together at chest level, almost as if she was praying. Poor Harjl looked like he'd seen a mule slow dancin' with a rooster.

The deep furrow marring Thorin's brow seemed to fade when Balin brought her closer, stopping before the stool. "Might I present Miss Erdene Juniper Thoroughfare, daughter of Evelyn and Derren."

At least two people, male people, stifled whatever reaction they had to her name.

Do not look at them.

Thorin however watched her with wonder. "Juniper?"

She gave him a small shy smile and shrug. "It's a family name."

He, despite the audience, reached to touch her hair, tucking one loose curl behind her ear. "Mistress Erdene Juniper Thoroughfare," Christ almighty. If he broke out that tone in the bedroom. "Would you agree to court with me?"

Back straight, chin up, she couldn't kill the smile spreading over her face, "I would, Thorin, son of Thrain."

Despite that neutral mask he tried to keep in place, Thorin's blue eyes showed the slightest amount of relief. He took her hand, guiding her to sit and held out a small dark brown, slightly reddish carved and polished wide tooth wooden comb, the grip of which had tiny berries painted a shale blue on vines of rosemary like branches. Juniper? How could he possibly know about her name? No one knew about her middle name here.

"Does the comb meet your needs?" He asked with that same regal tone.

She looked up into his blue, blue eyes, "it does, Thorin son of Thrain."

His almost smile. He was trying so hard to be their king and not show how this was affecting him but his happiness was bleeding through. And it was so beautiful. He was beautiful. It sent her all kinds of giddy, she had to bite her lower lip to keep herself from breaking this very serious atmosphere with excited, joyful peals of laughter and happiness.

Thorin went around to her back, taking the comb, and offered her the bead next. Her fingers touched the delicate grooves and the painstakingly applied bronze coat at the raised edges. The crest of the house of Durin. She answered once more, "it does, Thorin son of Thrain."

There was a touch of relief written in the deep blue of his eyes. Like he was worried she would say no.

He was worried she would say no. That this is too much. She couldn't. Balin, always a voice of reason, asked Thorin if he was certain a daughter of men was his one.

"The dreams?" Balin asked in Khuzdûl with a low voice as they paused before the hearth moments before Balin went to fetch Erdene.

Thorin nodded, "I have had them. Many times. It is always her."

"Then she is yours." It seemed to please Balin, he nodded, holding the witness statement.

"Aye." Thorin held the bead tightly in one hand and the comb in the other.

"I'm happy for you lad." The implied, though others may not be, hung silently between them. "I'll fetch them now. Dís' parlor no doubt."

Now Thorin painstakingly combed out the section to plait, working through curls softer than he'd ever imagined. There were coils and kinks and loosely wound ringlets. As if her hair could not decide to hold simply one style of curl.

Erdene fought not to chew her lower lip in front of all these people. It felt like he took more than three pieces. Fishtail? Dutch? Different kind of braid purely known to dwarrow and only dwarrow?

She had so much to learn about her father's culture.

Her soon to be husband's culture. A blush began to spread from her chest upward and, as always downward too. Thorin's warmth against her back, his fingers in her hair were not helping her blushing at all.

Christ almighty.

How much longer until they could be alone?

If what she felt the other night or this morning was any indication - four fingers was absolutely accurate. And was she weird for looking forward to when she got to have him inside her for the first time? Would he work her with his fingers first? His tongue? Both?

No condoms or contraceptives here - unless she was going to go old school and pluck a lemon off the tree outside - so either they were going to start the rhythm method combined with pulling out or…or maybe she would be a mom in the next year.

Which didn't freak her out?

Maybe because she already knew she was having kids. Twins and maybe, maybe because she also knew she wasn't going to be doing this alone like her mom had. Thorin would be there. He was holding her during labor.

And…maybe-

Those big warm hands of his were on both of her shoulders, sliding down her arms, pulling her back against him. She tipped her head back - goddamn, he's made of solid granite! - looking up at him with a small, happy smile.

A smile he returned with so much joy it made her chest ache. The gods made him wait so long for her to show up.

Someone cheered in Khuzdûl and then more cheers followed.

"Hi," Erdene whispered, looking up at him.

He took one of her hands in his, guiding her to turn around and stand before him. He brought the same hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles, never moving his gaze from her face.

"Are you allowed to kiss me now?" She whispered while the others celebrated, looking up at him with warm, honey brown eyes.

He touched the braid and bead gently, "Aye, amrâlimê, now I can."

Her nose bumped his as she leaned in, "what are you waiting for then?"

Thorin nuzzled her cheek, whispering in equally low tones, "now that you are mine, I may not be able to stop myself from finishing what began last night." The roll of her lower lip under her teeth.

Mahal. If she did that while he was inside her. Maker help him.

She took initiative, throwing her arms around his neck. He responded by wrapping his arms around her waist, one of his hands with fingers spread against the base of her spine. Erdene nuzzled his cheek, just above his beard in return, "kiss me already, or I'm going to kiss you first and that's the story I will tell our children. I had to make the first move. And I," she shifted her gaze to the others who were still clinking glasses and chatting animatedly before looking up at him again, "have witnesses."

He growled under his breath, before slanting his lips over hers and claiming her lips in a searing, open mouth kiss that (when Erdene responded in kind, flicking her tongue against his in a languid tango) shocked several of their witnesses.

And now, dear readers, I am going on vacation to see my friend in PA. Sure it isn't warm but I'm going to be having fun. There will be no update (unless I'm suddenly struck by the muse - it has happened) Until the first week of March. I will be gone from the 17th of February to the 27th. Updates will resume the first Sunday/Monday/Tuesday March 2024.

Thank you to all the followers, favorites, and reviewers (though I wish there were more of you). :)