Erebor's Guardian

Chapter 25

Metal scraped loudly across the stone that disturbed me from my sleep, but before I could look and see what it was, Thorin landed on top of me. I felt like an old timey cartoon being squashed with my limbs spread, eyes and tongue popped out and the classic huff escaping involuntary from my body. The door slammed shut and Thorin rolled off me.

"I am sorry." He said, helping me sit up.

I rubbed my sore ribs. "It's alright just getting flashbacks of the goblin tunnels and the return trip to Middle Earth. Not exactly the way you imagined you on top of me."

Thorin's anger faded quickly into a laugh. "Is that so?"

"Maybe." I winked and leaned my back against the cold stone wall. I could feel the ridges of my spine digging into the wall. I was having a hard time getting comfortable.

Thorin began pacing the small cell back and forth.

I watched him moving like an agitated lion. "If you keep pacing like that maybe you'll run a hole in the floor and we could escape."

He stopped near the gate and lifted an eyebrow at me. "How can you be so calm when Durin's day is fast approaching?"

"Because I have faith we will get out soon."

"How?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Think Thorin. Where is Bilbo?"

Thorin smiled, letting out a sigh of relief. "Then our hope is not lost."

"No," I leaned my head back against the wall, closing my eyes. "it's not. Now rest and regain your strength. You'll need it."

Something heavy laid in my lap and I opened my eyes to see Thorin laid on his back, ankles crossed, and hands laced over his broad chest. His head laid comfortably on my lap and a surge of heat flushed my body. "You are without a doubt going to make an amazing queen."

I scoffed at the thought. "How is that?"

"You remain calm in dire circumstances, you analyze situations, you care for each person and you keep me level headed."

"Remember that when your stubbornness puts a wedge between us."

His hand traced up the side of my arm leaving goose bumps in its wake. "I would never."

"Bullshit."

Thorin's chuckle echoed quietly around us. "How so?"

I rolled my eyes. "You're a male dwarf. Stubbornness is the strongest trait since dwarven creation. Not to mention the night we had an encounter with the trolls because you didn't want to listen to me."

He rolled over wrapping his arms around my waist. "Forgive me. I will do my best to listen to reason."

I ran my fingers through his silky hair detangling each strand until it was smooth. "That all depends on the situation."

He sat up swiftly causing his hair to spill off his shoulders. Both of his rough hands caressed my soft cheeks. I could still smell the metallic tang of his missing bracers from his forearms. I breathed in his musk, the smell lingering on my tongue and my inner wolf grumbled in pleasure. I slowly raised my eyes to look at him. He drew me in close, his eyes full of love. "I have learned the consequences of not listening to your instincts. It nearly cost my nephew's life and my whole company on two separate occasions. I will not make that mistake again."