Warrior's Heart

Chapter Twelve

When he returned an hour later, Arielle was never so happy to see him, or anyone for that matter. Three more women showed up during her fittings, and all studied her as if she was some sort of exhibit in a museum. When they didn't stare, they whispered amongst themselves. And when they didn't do that, they stared. It was one of the most uncomfortable afternoons she'd ever passed.

The bell above the door jangled merrily as the door swung open and Thorin filled the entire doorframe. "Good afternoon, ladies. I hope I am not disturbing you."

Gamella offered up a brilliant smile as she said, "Of course not, Thorin. Do come in. Your lady is in the back, dressing once more."

"His lady?" Ostira's jaw dropped as she looked from Gamella to Thorin and back. "Do tell!"

Thorin smiled. "I am not one to kiss and tell, but—"

Arielle came into the main room and smiled as her eyes fell upon him. "Gossiping, are you, Mr. Oakenshield?"

He looked over at her and winked. "Only a bit, Miss Greenleaf. Did you manage to replenish your wardrobe?"

"That she did, and since I was told to give this to you," Gamella pressed a square of parchment into his hand, "if you would not mind."

He looked down at the bill and his eyes narrowed, which made Arielle straighten up. She'd been as conservative as she could, not wanting to spend too much of Thorin's money.

"Is something the matter, Thorin?" she asked, stepping down into the great room, where everyone gathered.

"This won't do," he said, lifting his head to look at the seamstress. "There isn't nearly enough on here, Arielle. Miss Asharm, I'd like to see a few more dresses on here. And perhaps a few more leggings and tunics as well. Enough for her to dress for two weeks and not wear the same thing twice." He smiled. "And send the revised bill to me."

The seamstress stared, as did the other ladies, and Arielle pressed her lips together to hold back her smile as she tilted her head down to look at the floor. The disbelief in Gamella's voice was palpable as she said, "Y-yes, Thorin. Of course."

"Thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, Miss Greenleaf has never been to the Blue Mountains and I think I'd like to show her around a bit." He reached for Arielle's hand, threading his fingers with hers. "I bid you all a good afternoon."

"Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Miss Asharm."

"You are quite welcome, Miss Arielle. And welcome to Thorin's Hall."

As she stepped out into the fading sunlight, she breathed a sigh of relief. "I was never so uncomfortable in my entire life. Please, do not make me do something like this again."

"But I thought ladies enjoy shopping and gossiping?"

She shot him a look. "Do I seem the sort to enjoy either of those things, dwarf?"

"You needed clothes and I thought it would do you good to meet some other women, seeing as how you've spent the last almost ten days solely in the company of men. And I didn't know how many women friends you had in Mirkwood."

"Not many," she confessed, a hint of sadness creeping in. "Truth be told, traveling with your company was the first time I've ever really felt as if I had any friends. And they aren't even my friends, but yours."

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "They are yours now as well."

"They might be but," she gestured to the shop now a block away from them, "they most certainly are not. Tell me, the seamstress, she seemed a bit put out to learn I was with you."