The Ties That Bind

Chapter Sixteen

Eirlys woke up wrapped in scratchy sheets, musty-smelling quilts, and warm man and she smiled even as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Thorin snored softly, sounding very much like she imagined a contented bear would sound. Well, he wasn't the only contented bear, that was for certain. It had been a wonderful night, one that stretched into the wee hours of the morning, when their need for sleep overrode their need for one another.

A soft knock sounded, followed by a not-quite-as-soft, "Thorin? Are ye up?"

Thorin snorted and rolled away from her, but snored on, which made Eirlys chuckle even as she slipped from the bed and into her wrapper, draped over the bed's foot. Drawing it on as she crossed to the door, she then opened it. "Take care, Dwalin. He's still asleep."

Dwalin's eyes went wide. "Thorin? Still asleep? He wanted to be up with the sun and here it is, almost half-nine."

She smiled, wondering if she was supposed to be embarrassed as she replied, "He is a newlywed, remember."

Perhaps she wasn't embarrassed by her words, but they sent a pink flush sweeping upward, along his sharp cheekbones, up over his forehead, to even the top of his head. "Aye... ye have a point, my lady."

"Please, Eirlys is fine." She glanced over her shoulder as Thorin let out a particularly loud snort. "Tell Lady Dís I will have him ready within the hour."

"Of course." Dwalin cleared his throat. "I'll tell her."

"Thank you."

"Eirlys?" Thorin's sleep-thickened voice wafted toward her. "Who is at the door?"

"It's Dwalin."

"Dwal—oh, damn..." Sheets rustled and now her checks grew warm as she imagined him rising from the bed in all his glory. Thankfully, he'd taken out his own dressing gown before they'd fallen asleep and by the time he joined them, he was wrapped in the royal blue velvet. "What is it, Dwalin?"

"Ye said ye wished to leave with the sun. I thought ye might be dead."

She started as Thorin eased an arm about her waist and replied, "I assure you, I am absolutely fine."

"Good. I'll leave you in peace, then. What time should I tell your sister?"

"We'll be ready within the hour."

"Very well. We'll see you at the stables?"

"At the stables." Thorin bobbed his head, waited for Dwalin to take himself off, then closed the door. As it clicked shut, he reached up to rub his eyes with one hand. "I don't recall the last time I slept so late."

Eirlys couldn't resist teasing him, nudging him with her shoulder as she said, "Well, you did expend quite a bit of energy last eve."

That earned a wry chuckle. "You'll not hear me complain, you know. It was well worth it."

A pleasant heat swirled through her. This was far easier than she'd thought it would be. "Is that so?"

"Indeed. And if we were already in Erebor, I would be pulling you down once more. But, we still have a bit of a trek before us, so it's probably best if I step back before I am unable to."

For a moment, she toyed with the idea of leaning in to kiss him and let whatever happen, happen. But then common sense prevailed. They did have a bit of a journey left, and this was probably the most dangerous part of said journey, since they would be wide-open targets, so it was definitely in their best interests to put aside personal desires and concentrate instead on reaching Erebor safely.

"More's the pity," she told him, moving to her trunk, which had been set at the foot of the high, narrow bed. "I rather like this more playful side of yours, you know."