Brilliant Disguise

Chapter Five

"Mama, can I go now? I have to show Mister Thorin I know my way around. He promised me cake if I did."

Sophie sighed softly, glancing over at Thorin, who sat with his sister and nephews at a different table this evening. He didn't look very happy, and not at all as if he wished to be pestered by a little girl looking for sweets.

Dwalin leaned over. "I think I might be able to find ye some cake, wee one."

"No," Heather shook her head, "it has to be Mister Thorin. He promised!"

"Heather, mind your manners. That's a rude thing to say to Mr. Fundinson." She looked over at him. "I'm so sorry. Sometimes, she forgets her manners."

"No need to apologize. If His Majesty made a promise, he should honor it. And perhaps," he smiled as he leaned closer and in a low voice, added, "I might persuade her mother to sneak off for a walk with me while they are off exploring and enjoying cake?"

She returned his smile as she nodded. "I would love to, Mr. Fundinson."

"Oh, please... call me Dwalin."

"Mama?"

Sophie looked at Heather and ruffled her hair gently. "Love, His Highness doesn't look as if he wishes to be troubled at the moment."

"But, Mama," Heather's eyes were almost luminous as she looked first at Thorin, then back at her, "he promised. Can I just go ask?"

Sophie sighed softly. "I don't suppose it would hurt, but if he says no, do not try to get him to change his mind. You say it's all right and wait until he isn't so busy."

"I will, Mama." Heather slid down from her chair and bounded over to where Thorin and his sister sat. Sophie held her breath as she watched, but to her surprise, Thorin's glower melted and he actually smiled as Heather came up to him. And it wasn't a false smile, either. His eyes seemingly brightened and the skin at their outer corners crinkled.

Then he looked up and over at her and Sophie would swear she actually felt it. Not only did she feel it, but it seemed to grab hold of her and hold her fast, and as it did, a pleasant heat swept through her. In that moment, she almost wished she could join Heather and enjoy the king's company as well as Bombur's cake.

Dwalin's hand came to rest on her shoulder to jolt her from her reverie as he said, "Shall we?"

The heat wafting through her faded as, to her astonishment, Thorin's glower returned as Dwalin's hand came to rest on her shoulder. And perhaps it was but her imagination, but Sophie was fairly certain those blue eyes narrowed as well.

"Mrs. Asharm?"

She jerked her head up to peer at Dwalin. "Uh... yes, of course."

"Is something the matter?"

"No. I'm... it's been a long day, is all." She forced a smile to her lips and tried to forget about the fact that Thorin still glared their way. Why on earth would Thorin be glowering at them? It made no sense, rather like his flirting with her made no sense. Unless, of course, she was reading too much into his words. After all, men certainly didn't go out of their way to flirt with her. Just the opposite, really, so it was entirely possible she'd just read the entire situation wrong.

Dwalin caught her by the hand and stood, drawing her up with him, then to her surprise, he offered her his arm. She slipped her arm through his, and looked over to find Thorin had turned his attention back to Heather. Perhaps she was reading entirely too much into all of it and perhaps it was only her thinking too highly of herself, as her mother always accused her of doing.