Middle Earth || OS

37. Thorin | The Ties That Bind

Tumblr : averil-of-fairlea

Characters: Thorin, Reader, other members of the company || Setting: before the company reaches Rivendell || Genre: humor, fluff || ||

"Go on to sleep, Kili. I'll take watch with Fili in your stead."

At first, Kili is overjoyed to hear this. There's nothing the young prince wants to do more than to snooze until morning, as most of the others have already started doing.

But something in Thorin's voice replaces all of Kili's good feelings about the offer. There's extra gravel to his tone, and a large dose of uncertainty.

Kili and Fili look at each other, and they're thinking the same thing: Something is weighing heavily on Thorin's mind. So maybe being on watch will help him work out whatever it is.

Kili agrees to the change in plan. Lighting a small torch from the pit, Thorin has Fili patrol the northeast borders, while he covers the southwest.

Thorin's crushing footfalls scare the nighttime creatures. Though his furrowed brow and clenched jaw look otherwise, he is neither angry nor confused.

He is contemplative about something other than the journey. Reclaiming his homeland has consumed his mind for so long that he is not accustomed to letting any other matter share much space with it.

But somehow, you, the company's guide, have. In fact, thoughts of you are moving in quite boldly, setting up house in every corner of his brain, next to all his rightful claims.

That's why he barely talks to you, and when he does it's usually to disagree on your "safer" route suggestions. The times he lets his guard down around you, he finds himself feeling 100 years younger, his burdens lighter.

He is not accustomed to that, either.

Thorin's hard footsteps begin to slow down as your tent, and then your curvy silhouette, come into view, illuminated by a very faint light from your lantern and the dying light of his torch.

He debates how to announce himself. Then he asks himself why he even came this way. He knows full well where you set up: far enough for privacy, close enough to call for help if trouble strikes.

Thorin takes a few more steps, then stops, and his mouth drops open.

Your hands are under your dress and you're shimmying, bending your knees lower and lower, clearly removing your underwear.

What Is She Tying Her Hair With?!

"Hup!" Thorin's shocked puff is drowned out by your long, relaxed groan as you step out of the panties.

He whips around, his back to the scene, putting your private moment above the annoying voice in his head telling him to set things straight.

Thorin rolls his eyes to the heavens, upset that he didn't disclose his presence sooner, thinking that he should have put Fili on this side.

On second thought, nah.

In the few minutes that his back is turned, he doesn't see you toss the underwear over a fallen branch with some other items, which you'll wash in the brook at first light.

He also doesn't see you reach for the pair you've already washed and let dry in the warm night air. You scrubbed them too vigorously with a stone and ripped the fabric, so they will no longer work as panties, but chucking them would be unheard of. Nothing goes to waste on a quest like this.

When Thorin thinks it's safe to turn back in your direction, his eyes practically leap from their sockets from the bit he catches.

What is she tying her hair with? The PANTIES?! Why would she do such a thing?