Brilliant Disguise

Chapter Eleven

Thorin heard the silvery laughter before he even stepped into the Great Hall and it made him smile as he paused on the threshold. Balin, who had been walking alongside him, was partway into the Great Hall when he realized Thorin had stopped moving, and came back to say, "What's wrong? Why did you stop?"

Thorin nodded in Sophie's direction. "Her laugh is beautiful, isn't it?"

Balin rolled his eyes, even as he chuckled and said, "If I didn't hear it with my own ears, I'd never believe it."

"Hear what?"

"The mighty King Under the Mountain marveling at his love's laugh."

"My love?"

"Thorin," Balin offered up a long look, "you should only see yourself at the moment. You look almost dazed, as if someone hit you in the face. I have to admit, I've never seen you this way and I don't know what that lassie has done to you, but you are smitten."

"Smitten? Nonsense. It's simply that I'm—"

"Smitten," Balin finished.

"Happy," Thorin told him, tearing his eyes from Sophie, seated at the far end of the room with Narnerra and Gimli, Heather tucked between her mother and the healer, eyes wide as they flicked from left to right.

"Same difference. And know this, I think it wonderful. The king should find his queen so his sister will leave him be."

Thorin snorted without thinking. "Have you met my sister? I could marry tomorrow and Dís' next quest would be to pester me about having children."

"There are worse things she could do."

"I know," Thorin nodded, then gestured for Balin to continue moving, "and none of them are any of her concern. She just doesn't wish to think about Kíli and his wedding."

"It's only a few weeks out. I highly doubt he and the she-elf are going to break it off between now and then."

They resumed their stride and as they both stepped int the Great Hall, Sophie looked over and her gaze landing on him was like an actual touch. Heat shot through him, growing hotter at the shy smile and faint blush that swept along her cheekbones. Her gaze lowered and he almost groaned, and then did groan as Balin snorted alongside him. "Smitten."

"Quiet."

"Go and sit with her." Balin let out a soft chuckle as Heather slid down from her chair and bolted toward them. "I daresay you've been spotted."

"It looks that way."

"Mister Thorin!"

Heads swiveled in their direction as Heather launched herself at him and he caught her easily, scooping her up to promptly toss her into the air. "Mimûna, one of these days, you will take me from my feet."

Her shriek of laughter echoed throughout the Great Hall and when he caught her, she threw her arms about his neck. "That was fun!"

"I imagine it was." He caught a long tangled curl with his forefinger to draw it away from her face. "What did you do today?"

"Gimli and I explored again."

"Not near the forges, I hope?"

She shook her head, her expression solemn. "No, sir. We did not go near them. Are you going to sit with us?"

"I might, if there's room."

She smiled. "There's always room for you, Mister Thorin."

"That's nice to hear, Miss Heather."