Warrior's Heart

Chapter Fourteen

For the next several days, Arielle found herself up to her elbows in soil and plants, as she set to work creating the garden she'd always dreamed of having. While she did that, Thorin spent his days at the blacksmith's forging a sword fit for the future queen of Erebor. Everything just seemed to finally fall into place for her, and for what seemed like the first time in her life, she was truly happy.

But there was a shadow marring that happiness and that was the uncertainty of whether or not her father would ever send anyone out in search of her. She cared not whether she ever saw Mirkwood again. It didn't matter where she was, as long as she was with Thorin, she was where she belonged.

She also didn't like to think about the end of the summer, when he would be leaving. In fact, she did her best to not think about it, for every time it crossed her mind, a shiver ran along her spine.   Any time she dreamed about his leaving, she woke up crying and sweating, as they were more nightmares than dreams. And each one ended the same, with his being run through by some nameless, shapeless creature.

She also grew very used to the number of men who passed through their door on a regular basis. Mostly it was the men who made up the Company, but every now and again, the face was unfamiliar and the name forgotten despite her best efforts.

Her favorite part of this new life was by far the nights. Night after night, Thorin would scoop her up in his arms and cart her off to bed, but sleep was the furthest thing from his mind, as he would proceed to love her into near-madness each night. She would fall asleep in his arms, her head against his chest, exactly where she was meant to be.

They'd been in the Blue Mountains almost eight weeks now, and the garden was coming along beautifully. She grew kingsfoil and sage and lavender and other herbs, as well as enough vegetables to keep the pantry stocked all through winter. And in one quadrant, she planted flowers; roses, sunflowers, and her favorite—lilacs.

She was weeding the carrots when she heard Thorin's, "Arielle? Have the plants eaten you?"

She smiled as she stood up and waved. "I'm out here."

He made his way out to her. In one hand, he held what looked like a narrow scabbard crafted of fine dark brown leather. "When I suggested a garden, I did not think you would create one large enough to feed the entire town."

"I don't want anyone to go hungry if they don't have to." She drew the back of her hand across her forehead. "So, what brings you home so early?"

"Come. Walk with me."

As he spoke, he held out his hand, wiggling his fingers. She slipped hers into it. "What are you about, dwarf?"

"You will see."

They made their way down the garden path, up the hill toward the lake. The sun setting in the distance streaked the sky with coral and gold, a beautiful indigo and purple crept up from the horizon. The sunlight danced across the lake to make the water's surface glimmer like a multifaceted fire opal. A soft breeze blew in to carry the scent of wildflowers and honeysuckle, riffling through her hair.

"I do love it here," she told him as she turned to him. From where they stood, if she turned to the east, she could see all of Thorin's Hall as far as to the city's main gates. As twilight set in, lights flickered to life down in the valley and the streets slowly emptied as everyone headed home for their supper.

"Will you be happy here?" he asked, reaching down with his free hand to draw a lock of her hair away from her face. "Answer me truthfully."

"Think you I would lie?"

"You might if you thought you were sparing my feelings, yes."

She squinted up at him, shaking her head. "I wouldn't. Not about something like this. And besides," she lowered her head to gaze out at Thorin's Gate, slowly taking it all in from east to west. As the panorama rolled before her, she nodded slowly. "I do think I will be happy here. Very happy, actually. It's beautiful."