Someone to Watch Over Me

Chapter Seventeen

When she opened her eyes the next morning, Thorin was still sound asleep alongside her, one arm firmly about her waist, her head tucked against his chest. She heard the rest of the Company milling about quietly, most likely a bit hungover from the night before, but no one said anything or even looked askew at her when she carefully untangled herself from Thorin and stood.

Bofur was missing, but the others packed up their belongings, ready to set out fo the harbor and Balin paused, his cheeks a bit pink, as he gestured to Thorin. "You should wake him. We need to go soon."

"I will."

He offered up a paternal smile. "I'm happy you found one another, though. You are good for the lad. He needs some brightness in his life."

She smiled back. "Thank you. And I'll have him to the harbor within the hour. I promise."

He nodded and followed the rest of them out, while she moved to crouch beside Thorin. His dark hair streamed across the skin upon which he lay, and she hated to disturb him, but knew he'd be furious if she didn't wake him.

"Thorin," she gave him the tiniest of shakes, not wanting to startle him awake. She knew better. "It's time to get up."

He rolled onto his back and stared up at her, blinking sleep from his eyes. As his gaze fell on her, a slow smile lifted his lips. "I thought I'd dreamed last eve."

She knelt beside him. "It was no dream at all."

"Good." He reached for her, catching her at her nape to draw her down to meet his kiss. She melted against him, a hand on his chest, the other skimming along his hair.

He pulled away. "I hate to do this, amrâlimê, but I do need to go."

"I know." She sat up and took a deep breath. "I'm going to stay here. Bofur is missing and I should find him."

"Seren—"

She got to her feet. "I would just be in the way and I don't want that. This is your quest, not mine. Mine is pretty much at an end."

He rubbed his eyes with both hands. "Are you certain?"

"I am. And I think we both need the time apart, to think—"

He lowered his hands to meet her gaze. "I don't need any more time to think, Seren. I know what I want."

"Then you need me to not be a distraction."

He stood. They'd both dressed before falling asleep last eve, mindful of the others who would return once the party broke up, so he crossed to her. "It's not that I don't want you there, Seren, because if you wish to join us, we can use your skill. But—"

"I'd be a distraction."

"How could you not?" His hands came to rest on her hips and her belly fluttered as he added, "All I'd be able to think about is how you look in leggings. I'd end up toasted for certain."

He joked, but there was also that very real possibility and that took some of the humor from his words. "You will be careful, won't you?"

"Of course I will. I'm not reckless."

"I know, but... dragon."

"I will be fine." He caught her face in his hands, and caught her lips in a soft, teasing, deeply soulful kiss that made her heart speed up and her toes curl against the floorboards. "And when this is over," he whispered after breaking the kiss, "then we talk about a future."

"Thorin—"

He kissed her again, his lips still against hers as he whispered, "Maralmizi."

Her heart rose and she couldn't help but smile. She'd waited so long to hear those words from him, never thinking it would ever actually come to pass. But now it had and it was very bit as wonderful as she'd dreamed and taking a deep breathe, she murmured, "Maralmizu."