The Ties That Bind

Chapter Twenty-Two

Eirlys slowly broke their kiss, her heart beating so wildly, she wondered if Thorin could hear it. She couldn't help it. That was his effect on her and had been his effect on her since the first time she, without thinking, leaned in and brushed his lips with hers.

That moment would forever remain burned into her mind, although now she smiled, thinking of how horrified she'd been by her brazen behavior.

"What amuses you?" Thorin murmured.

"I was thinking about that day in the forest. When you and I sat on the log and I told you about my mother, about my horse?"

"I remember. I remember it clearly." He curved a hand against her cheek. "If you hadn't kissed me, I'd have kissed you."

"You would not have."

"Oh, but I would most definitely have." His thumb moved lightly along her cheekbone, making her eyelids feel heavy once more. "It was all I could think about."

"Thorin."

"What?" His smile softened, as did his eyes. "It was. Just as it is now."

"You just kissed me, though."

"You say that as if it matters." He leaned in, his lips teasing as they swept against hers. His kiss was light and playful, and without thinking, Eirlys wound her arms about his neck, let her fingers slip through the thick fall of his soft hair.

His lips met hers again and this time, she melted against him, her lips parting, her heart picking up its pace. More than anything, she wanted to tug him down onto the sun-warmed grass because she had the feeling neither of them would feel he slight chill in the air, no matter how much of their clothing they shed.

Thorin's arms slipped about her waist, tightening to pull her flush against him and it might have only been her imagination, but she thought she felt his heart beating in time with hers and with just as strong a force.

She had to tell him how she felt about him. The words bubbled to her lips, fighting to free themselves even as he slid a hand down over her backside, cupped her cheek, and gently kneaded it as he pulled her closer still.

He pulled away, sweeping a kiss down over her chin, along her neck, and she let her head fall back as he did. She wanted to melt in his arms, to surrender right there and then.

"There ye are!"

Eirlys swore beneath her breath as Dwalin came up over the rise, huffing and puffing as if he'd run the entire way up to Ravenhill. Thorin swore as well, only he didn't trouble to keep his words soft. "What brings you up here?"

"We've a visitor in the form of Bard of Esgaroth."

"What does he want?"

Dwalin shrugged. "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me. Just kept saying he needed to see ye and that it was important."

Although she knew Thorin would never do so, Eirlys couldn't help but wish he would tell Dwalin that Bard could wait, that whatever the Master of Esgaroth wanted couldn't be that important.

But, of course, Thorin sighed and met her eyes and before he could say anything, she said, "We should head back, then."

"As much as I'd rather not," he held out his arm, "I don't think that's an option."

To Dwalin, he said, "Did the bowman at least give a hint as to what he wanted?"

Dwalin shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Thorin. All he would tell me is that it was important. He's waiting in the Great Hall, with Dís talking his ear off."