More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter Fifty-Six

Snow swirled softly through the streets on the bitter wind that blew in off the Long Lake, and Thorin glanced down at Arielle, concerned for her in such cold. Dwarves were built for such weather, but his wife...?

Of course, she was born and raised in Esgaroth, and so probably just as accustomed to winter as he was, but that didn't stop him from worrying.

But, it turned out he needn't have worried at all. She seemed cozy enough in her heavy, fur-trimmed cloak and boots, her cheeks a little pink from the cold, but she smiled as she tucked her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder. "This is far better than the last fair."

He covered her gloved hand with his. "You mean the last fair where I practically had to carry you back to Erebor and you tried to convince me every woman between here and the Shire wanted to sleep with me?"

"Oh, I stand by that," she told him. "They do, you know. Just watch any and all women we pass. They all do a double take where you are concerned, Thorin. You must know that."

"I pay no heed to what any other women might or might not do." He paused to press a kiss into the top of her head. "And they should all only know what you and I were up to not two hours ago."

On cue, the sparkle in her eyes brightened. "They would stew in their own jealousy and envy if they knew what they missed. I am a very lucky woman."

"Oh, is that so?"

"It is and you know it." She squeezed his arm against her. "Do you need your ego stroked a bit, amrâlimê?"

"Always."

She leaned closer and his entire body tightened as she breathed, "Don't tease me any more..." just as she had earlier. Then, her lips brushed his ear. "Does that help?"

"Oh, mesmel, you have no idea what that does to me."

"What does it do to you, King Thorin?"

He smiled, aware of the proximity of Dwalin, who acted as the captain of the Royal Guard, and the dwarves who served under Dwalin to keep watch over Erebor's king and queen when they were beyond Erebor's gates.

He leaned closer to whisper, "Do you need your ego stroked, Your Highness?"

"Maybe a little."

He slipped his arm from beneath hers and eased it about her waist. "You make me weak in the knees, Arielle. Weak in the knees, and aching for you as if I've never touched you before."

She shivered, which made him chuckle even as he murmured, "Cold, mesmel?"

"No." She tucked her head against him. "I love you."

He tightened his arm about her, pressing another kiss into the top of her head. "So, where would you like to go first?"

"I haven't the foggiest. I don't know what's up here."

"Anything and everything. If you're cold, we can get something warm to drink, or we can shop. Whatever you wish, mesmel."

She cast a look along the main thoroughfare, where much like with the fair her first autumn in Erebor, vendors had set up tents on either side, with fires burning brightly in barrels to provide a bit of light and warmth. From tent to tent, lanterns with glass insets of red and green had been strung to give up a bit more festive light. Evergreen and bayberry filled the air with their perfume, along with the crisp scent of freshly falling snow and the rich smell of hot chocolate. A great number of residents turned out as well, which made the bazaar even more festive.