Hey guys, I'm sorry this is later than I intended it to be, but finally got chapter 9 up for you all! I hope you all enjoy it!

Chapter 9

Bringing my eyes into focus, I groan and quickly close them as the light from the sun shines right into them, causing me to turn over, smiling as I snuggle into the bare chest of Thorin. My thoughts go to last night and a I feel a blush coming. Last night was something that should not have happened, since we are yet to be married, but after almost two centuries of separation and after the talk we had, I could not longer deny the desires I have had for so long and threw caution to the wind. Hearing my name come from his lips in that manner, along with the endearing words he spoke in khuzdul. . .it sends pleasurable shivers through my body.

Feeling his arm tighten around me, I look up and smile as I see him looking right at me, watching me with a smile.

"Good morning, amralime." he says softly.

I smile back. "Good morning, meleth nin." I reply as I snuggle close.

I feel his chest reverberates beneath me as he chuckles, his fingers lazily drawing patterns on my back, sending more shivers through me.

"How are you feeling?" he asks me.

"A little sore. I think I have used my arm more than I should have."

His hand comes up to my bad shoulder. "Was I too rough with you?"

I smile up at him. "Not at all. It will heal, do not worry."

"But still, I would like Oin to take a look later. Just to make sure."

"Okay." Giving him a kiss I sit up with a stretch. "We should get up and wash before breakfast."

Standing, I walk around the bed and make my way to the bathroom, pausing as I look back to the bed and see Thorin laying on his side, his head propped up in his hand as he just watches me.

"What?" I ask him.

He just grins as his eyes roam over me, sending chills all through my body at how he is staring at me.

"You are making it very hard for me to not want to pull you back into this bed and never leave."

I grin at him as I walk backwards to the bathroom. "Well. . .you could always join me if you wish to."

At that, his grin widens as he follows me into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

An hour later, Thorin and I finally leave my room fully dressed, though Thorin has left his coat in my room and is now just in his black trousers and blue tunic. I also have my arm back in it's sling, not wanting to cause even more damage to it after our activities.

We make our way to the terrace where we had dinner the night before and we find the dwarves and Bilbo already eating away. Fili is the first one to notice us enter.

"There you are! We thought you weren't going to arrive in time."

I smile as I pat his shoulder. "Not to worry. I would have gotten us something from the kitchens had we missed breakfast."

I decide to join the company at the smaller table, though I choose to sit on the floor instead of the smaller seats. So, I sit with my dress tucked under my legs, which are to one side. I smile as Thorin kisses my head before he sits besides me. As I'm eating, I pause as I notice Kili looking between Thorin and I, grinning madly.

"What?" I ask him.

"Where did you disappear to last night, Uncle?" he asks, grin still plastered on his face.

I blush slightly as I look away, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. Thorin however, just sits up straight in his chair and he turns to his youngest nephew, stern look on his face.

"I do not believe that is any of your business, my dear nephew."

He opens his mouth to say something else, but is swatted on the back of his head by his brother. Kili glares at him as he rubs the back of his head.

"Stop being nosy, nadadith."

Kili grumbles, but he leaves it be, thankfully. No one else brings this up either, although I do notice Dwalin giving Thorin and I knowing grins. I make sure not to keep eye contact with him.

After breakfast, I follow the dwarves to the terrace they had claimed for themselves and Thorin has Oin check over my shoulder, giving his approval. The dwarves just spend the rest of that morning relaxing, or relaxing as much as possible while in an elven establishment.

Leaving the company, I go to the stables to visit Vanya, smiling as I see her roaming the paddock with the ponies. After hearing my whistle, she looks up and runs over, stopping by the fence. I lean up and rub her snout.

"My brave girl. Well done for bringing the ponies here safely."

She snorts as she nibbles my braid, causing me to giggle.

"She certainly gave us a fright when we found her riderless." A familiar voice speaks behind me.

I smile as I turn and see Elrond's eldest, Elladan standing there.

"I imagine she did." I reply as he and I embrace. "It is good to see you, Elladan. I am sorry to have missed you on my last visit."

"No worries. I know it was a quick rest before going on your way."

After giving Vanya some more attention before Elladan and I walk through the halls.

"So, you have finally found your dwarf again?"

I nod with a smile. "I have. It was quite a shock to see him."

He gives a soft chuckle. "I imagine so. The last you saw him was at that battle, was it not?"

"It was. Almost a hundred and fifty years ago." I let out a sigh. "I know a hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf, but the time still has gone so quickly. But yet. . .it could not have come quick enough."

He nods. "I understand. I have seen how much these years have affected you, being away from him. I am happy you are together again."

I smile at him. "Thank you, Elladan."

He escorts me to the library and I walk in. Browsing among the shelves, I run my fingers over the spines of the books, soon picking one before walking up the stairs to the bench I usually sit at, which is place right by the Shards of Narsil. Looking over the broken blade, I turn to the portrait of Sauron's demise by the hands of Isildur.

As I look it over, I cannot help but think of little Estel – of Aragorn – and the difficult path that is ahead of him, the path that is still concealed from him. I would give anything for the day's where he could come into his own and live in peace, however, I do not believe that will be his fate unfortunately. Though, I will do anything I can to help him along, as I have since he was born. I turn and take my seat on the bench and begin reading.

Some minutes later, I look up from my book as I hear footsteps, to see Bilbo walking up the stairs. I watch as he looks to the shards before turning his gaze to the portrait. After a few moments of watching him, I finally make myself known since he did not notice me.

"Intriguing, is it not?"

He jumps and whips around to see me sitting behind him, book in hand with my arm laid on the railing.

"Caladwen, you startled me." he says, a hand on his chest.

I give a sheepish smile. "My apologies Bilbo, that was not my intent."

He shakes his head, a smile appearing as he lowers his hand. "No apologies needed, I suppose I was too interested in that." He turns back to the portrait.

I watch him again for a few moments.

"What do you know about the defeat of Sauron?"

He looks to me. "Admittedly, not much."

I sit up, patting the space next to me and he walks over to sit with me. I recall everything I had been taught by Lord Elrond, who had himself been at the battle of Sauron's defeat.

"It all began with the forging of the great rings. Three of which were given to the elves, seven to the dwarves lords and nine to men. However, in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron had forged in secret a new ring, a master ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One Ring to rule them all."

Looking to Bilbo, I see him look from me to the portrait again, more specifically to the gold band on Sauron's index finger.

"One by one, the free lands in Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor and on the slopes of Mount Doom they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near. But the power of the Ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the King, took up his father's sword and cut the ring from Sauron's hand, thus ending his reign of terror."

As I finish, I stand and walk over to where the Shards of Narsil lay, Bilbo standing with me.

"This is the blade that cut the ring?" he asks, to which I nod. "And the Ring?"

I look to him for a moment before looking to the portrait, my gaze landing on Isildur.

"Isildur had this one chance to destroy the ring, to cast it into Mount Doom and to end it all for good. But the hearts of men are easily corrupted. He took the Ring, kept it for his own. For many years he had it within his possession. Until one day, the Ring betrayed Isildur to his death. For thousands of years it has remained lost, and it is still to this day. If Isildur had destroyed the Ring when he should have, much would be different."

My mind wanders to Azog the Defiler and to those who has lost their lives because of him. If the Ring was destroyed, then Thror, Thrain, Frerin and many many more would still be alive now. I notice Bilbo looking between me and the portrait for a while before speaking up.

"You don't think he's truly gone, do you?"

I sigh as I pick up the book I was reading and walk down the stairs, Bilbo following. "I do not know. I'd like to think we are at peace from him, but in my heart, I don't ever think we will be truly at peace until the Ring is found and destroyed once and for all."

I put the book away before turning to Bilbo with a smile. "Let us not dwell and such things now. We've got enough to deal with at the moment with the quest."

He sighs as we leave. "Yes, the quest."

I look to him in concern as we walk through the halls. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. It's just. . .I don't know what I was thinking but doing this. I don't belong with the company, I'm nothing but a burden to you all."

As I look to him, my gaze softens in sympathy. It has to be hard for someone who is so unused to the struggles of life beyond his home, to be suddenly thrust into it.

"Do not be so quick to doubt yourself, Bilbo. Gandalf must have seen something in you that made him come to you that day. Even a hobbit such as yourself can make a difference."

He looks unsure as we stand on a balcony looking out over the garden. I place a hand on his shoulder.

"Come join us for training this afternoon. I can continue your training and help you learn how to use your new sword. I may not be able to use my arm, but I can sure give out orders."

He gives a small smile, though he hesitates for a few moments before nodding. I smile and leave, bowing my head to Elrond as he walks past to join Bilbo.

That afternoon, after lunch, Bilbo does indeed join us out in the training yard. I smile as I see Elladan, his twin brother Elrohir and Estel already there, Estel holding a bow as Elrohir stands behind him, instructing him. They look over as we get closer and Estel smiles wide.

"Aunt Cal!"

He bounds over and tackles into my stomach, almost causing me to fall over, if it wasn't for Thorin keeping me upright. I smile as I wrap my arm around the boy.

"Hello, tithen pen, not giving your teachers any trouble I hope?"

He shakes his head as he looks up at me. "Nuh-uh. Just practising with my bow. I've gotten better, do you want to see?"

I smile and nod, causing him to smile more as he runs over to the discarded bow. I watch as he picks it up, aims and fires. I smile even more as the arrow hits the third ring. Much better than before when it would just hit the edge.

"That's excellent, Estel! Here, try this."

I then step forward, moving his feet into a different stance and as he pulls up his bow to aim another arrow, I gently push on his back to straighten it and move his arms. When he fires this time, it hits the centre. He cheers as he hugs me, causing me to chuckle as I ruffle his hair.

"Give it some time, tithen pen, and you'll master it in no time."

He grins before he leaves with the twin elves, allowing us the training area.

"I would not have thought to look for a son of man in an elven city." Thorin says as he stands besides me, while the others prepare to train.

I just smile. "I suppose you would not. He's been here since he was two years old. After his father died, he and his mother came to live here."

He looks to me as I speak with such fondness towards Arathorn.

"You knew his father?"

I nod. "I did. I knew his father since he was Estel's age. We fought through many dangers together. He became a very close friend, I was there when he married, when his son was born and I was there when he died."

I feel him take my hand in comfort. "I am sorry you went through such a loss."

I smile at him. "Don't be. He was a great man, I was honoured to have known him at all, let alone be his friend."

Kissing his cheek, I look over to the company and call out to Bilbo, grinning as I see him gulp slightly before he walks over with his elven blade. Instead of moving onto the next stage of his training, I have him go through the basic steps again, allowing him to become accustomed to the weight of a blade in his hand.

We continue this for around another hour or so before I let him stop. The both of us sit on a bench with Balin and Ori as we watch the others train.

"Blast those vile orcs." I grumble as I glare at my shoulder, wishing I could join the dwarves.

Balin, having overheard me, chuckles to himself. "You will heal in time, lass. Do not fret over it too much."

I just smile at him before turning back to the dwarves. My eyes quickly hone in on Thorin and I cannot take my eyes from him. He is just as fluid and agile as I remember him being, which are two words you would not normally put together with dwarves. I smile and watch as he turns, ducks and spins away from Dwalin, his opponent. It is almost like he is dancing, not fighting. Leaning back against the bench, I let out a sigh of contentment, a soft smile on my lips.

"Are you alright, Lady Caladwen?" Ori asks me.

I nod, the smile still on my face. "All is well, Ori. All is well indeed."

There we have it, just a short one for you all. But, I still hope you all enjoyed it. Please leave me your thoughts in the reviews, I love to hear from you all xx

Translations;

amralime – my love

meleth nin – my love

nadadith – little brother

tithen pen – little one