Warrior's Heart

Chapter Eight

Peace reigned as Thorin sank against her and buried his face in the curve of her shoulder, whispering, "My love."

She smiled as she nuzzled him. "Always."

"I should go and see if progress has been made." He groaned softly as he eased off her, but stretched out next to her. 

"Progress?"

"The Arkenstone. It is here, buried in the treasure horde. But they must find it."

"Thorin, what if they don't?"

"They will. They must." He tucked one arm up and behind his head. "They must."

She sighed softly, tracing a circle on his chest. "How did you survive the dragon? I saw him, saw the devastation he wrought. How is it you all survived?"

"Because we are smarter than a dragon." His hand came down atop hers to still it. "And our will was greater. And that is why I will not rest until that Arkenstone is found."

Then, to her surprise, he pulled away and slid to the edge of the bed. "Come. There is something I want to give you."

"What?"

He eased back into his trousers and stood, turning back to her. "Come and see."

She dressed and tugged on her boots. "Thorin, what is going on?"

"You will see." He moved to the doorway. "Come. I should hate to lose you down here."

She hesitated. His eyes had a hint of vacancy in them, seemed to be brighter blue, like the way they'd been when he'd been drugged. But that wasn't possible. Gamella Asharm was still in her cell, all the way back in Mirkwood. There was nothing here to influence him.

Except perhaps the Arkenstone, whatever that was.

He held out his hand. "Princess?"

She walked over to link her fingers with his. "What is it?"

"A gift. Fit for the Queen of Erebor."

As he spoke, he led her back up, toward another chamber near the far rear of the mountain. As they stepped inside, her eyes went wide at the literal mountains of jewels piled all along the numerous tables inside the room. It seemed every flat surface held a pile—some large, some small—of glittering stones or precious metals.

"For you," he said, leading her over to a table of loose white and clear gemstones. He picked through the stones, then smiled and with both hands, lifted the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. It sparkled like a thousand stars in an intricate design that looked like lace.

He brought it over to fasten about her throat. The stones were warm, almost humming against her skin, and it was far heavier than it looked. It almost seemed to choke her at first, but after a few minutes, the pressure seemed to lessen as she acclimated to it. 

Thorin stepped before her. "Beautiful. The Stars of Middle Earth, necklace of the Queen of Erebor. And it looks stunning at your throat, princess."

"Thorin, this is beautiful, but... I cannot wear it. It's too much."

"It isn't nearly enough." He gestured about the room. "This is all yours, love. My gift to my queen."

"Please, stop calling me that. I far prefer princess or my name."

"But you are a queen now, love," he told her. "My queen." He gestured to the room around them. "Their queen."

"Thorin." 

He caught her about the waist. "What? You deserve every single stone in this room, Arielle. Over the last year, you have married me, given me a daughter, and put up with my being away for over six months. A few shiny stones is the least I can do in return."