Warrior's Heart

Chapter Twenty-Seven

They passed the next two days in Rivendell, at Elrond's insistence. Amara came in to check on Arielle twice a day, and each time, Arielle was happy to admit she was feeling better. And she was.

On the afternoon of the second day, she was out in a sun-splashed courtyard, sitting on a soft blanket, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin and the breeze in her hair. Birds sang high overhead and for the first time in what seemed like forever, she felt absolutely at peace.

A shadow fell over her and she looked up to see Amara standing there. Shading her eyes with her hand, Arielle said, "What brings you out here?"

The Healer sank beside her. "I came to see how you were feeling. I went to your chambers, and then to the dining hall, where the old dwarf told me you'd come out here."

"Balin. He likes to keep tabs on me. Especially now. I cannot swear it, but I think Thorin insists on it." She gestured to her belly, then lifted her face to the brilliant sun and drew in a deep breath of satisfaction. "I love being out here, being in the sun like this. In Mirkwood, we didn't often get to see it, and since we've left.... well..."

"The gloom is spreading, I know." Amara glanced down at the book in Arielle's lap. "You enjoy reading?"

"I do, when I have the time, which isn't often these days." Arielle closed it and traced her forefinger along the delicate gold lettering of the book's title. "Lord Elrond told me I was welcome to borrow one of his books."

"And where is your husband?"

"Thorin? I think he is with the others. They have much to discuss these days." Arielle hedged, not wanting to go into too much detail. She didn't know what Thorin had told Elrond and she didn't want to give away anything she wasn't supposed to divulge. "And he insists I rest. You've probably not noticed, but he is quite insistent when he wishes to be."

"He cares for you. That is not a terrible thing."

"No, it isn't at all." Arielle smiled, setting the book on the blanket beside her. "He drives me mad at times, but his heart is pure and he means well. I look so forward to seeing him when the baby comes. My fierce dwarf will go to mush at the sight of his son or daughter."

Amara let out a soft chuckle. "The fiercer the man, the bigger the mush, is my experience. Having met your dwarf, I daresay he will be beside himself with joy over this and will give mush an entirely new meaning."

Arielle nodded. "I can absolutely see that. He is full of surprises."

"Do you feel well enough to travel, Princess?"

"I think so, yes." She met Amara's dark-eyed gaze. "I'm anxious to return home. To start our new life together."

"Very well. I will speak to Elrond to make certain you have everything you need to ensure you remain healthy until you reach the Blue Mountains."

"Thank you, Amara. I do appreciate it."

"Of course." Amara got to her feet and as silently as she arrived, she left and Arielle stretched out on the blanket, drowsy in her sunshine.

As she lay there in the sun, another shadow fell over her. She looked up and smiled. Her fierce, handsome dwarf stood there, long dark hair fluttering on the breeze.

"What brings you out here?" she asked, shading her eyes with her hand. With her free hand, she patted the blanket. "Join me."

"Join you?" Disbelief echoed through his word. "Why would I ever join an elf anywhere?"

"Thorin? What are you about?" She stood and crossed to him. He didn't smile. His eyes were cold and hard, like blue steel on a winter's morning. "Thorin?"