Warrior's Heart

Chapter Four

The fire crackled softly, and Arielle welcomed its warmth. It was almost as cozy as Thorin's heavy furs had been.

Thorin.

He sat across from her, talking to the white-haired dwarf on his left, and whatever the older dwarf was saying, it must have amused Thorin for he smiled and let out a chuckle. And each time he did, she thought what a lovely sound it was, low and husky, almost a caress to her ears.

He was going to kiss her, there by the ponies. She had no doubt of it. And had he done so, she probably would have returned it as well. There was something about him that drew her, something feral and wicked that toyed with her senses and muddled her thoughts to a certain degree.

Of course, having been raised in Mirkwood, she learned dwarves couldn't be trusted. They were greedy, lusting for power and material wealth. They fought over anything and were as brutal as Orcs when properly riled. By all rights, she should be terrified, being there, surrounded by them. At any moment, one or more of them could attack her and not a single one would move to aid her.

But, in truth, she didn't feel as if she was in any danger. Just the opposite. And she felt particularly safe when she was in Thorin's presence.

She glanced over at him once more. In the glow of the fire, he looked even more fierce than he had when she first saw him. The light cast by the flames danced along his unkempt black hair, which fell well past his shoulders in thick waves, except where he'd braided it along the sides to hold it back from his face.

He turned then and a slow smile lifted the corners of his lips when he caught her perusing him. For a moment, she thought he might rise, and come about to shove Kili aside and sit beside her. Or perhaps he'd suggest a stroll.

But he did neither. Instead, he lifted a small canteen to drink, and then said, "Kili, you and Nori are to take the first watch. Wake me when you need me."

"Of course," Kili replied before turning to her. "If you'll excuse me, Miss Arielle. And don't listen to a word this fool says," he nudged Fili with his shoulder, "unless he is telling you how wonderful I am. That you should most definitely listen to."

She smiled up at him. He'd spent the better part of the last hour flirting with her, which was nice, as he was also rather on the handsome side, dark haired and exuded an air of confidence. She wondered if he was related to Thorin, as she thought she saw a bit of a resemblance between the two men. And it had been a long time since she'd flirted with anyone in return. "Oh, but of course."

He winked as he got to his feet and he and Nori disappeared around the biggest of the boulders. She looked back at Thorin, to find him watching her and perhaps it was but her imagination, but it seemed to her his eyes darkened and he didn't look exactly happy. Then again, he rarely looked happy from what she could tell, so perhaps that was his normal countenance.

"You should get some sleep, princess," he said across the fire. "Dawn will be here sooner than you think and we have a long day of travel ahead of us come morning."

She bit back a groan. Her legs still ached from being astride the pony. It was the first time she'd ever been on horseback, as she rarely ventured far from Mirkwood and within the woods, needed no form of transportation aside from the leafy canopy of the trees. One had to take care to avoid the spiders' webs, but they were also far enough beyond the kingdom's borders that she'd only ever had to contend with them once or twice.

It had been a funny thing, being on that pony with him. At first, her belly tumbled, fear that she'd tumble right off the pony as well contributing to that. But then, something odd happened. As the pony took its first steps, she slid back, and found herself perfectly nestled between Thorin's thick thighs. And perhaps it was only a protective instinct, but he'd eased an arm about her waist, holding the reins in one hand, to keep her from slipping sideways, which she appreciated as well. It took a few minutes for her to become more comfortable where she was, and she probably would have been fine if he'd drawn that arm away.