I am loyalty (Thorin / OC )

Chapter 29 : Hush child

Adrianna POV

The warg pack was still hot on our tail. In the days that past we traveled almost night and day to get ahead of the pack. We had left the safety of Cernun's forest far behind , and now we traveled through overgrown forests and verdant grassy plains. It was a shame we couldn't enjoy the blooming secrecy, but with the Orcs close by , we feared not camp out in the open or trapped inside the thick , dense forest.

It's had been weeks since the I had met Cernun and he had healed my wound , but the spell held strong and the shard caused no more pain then usual. Thorin had been slightly distant , making me worry about what he was thinking. I could delve into his mind if I wanted , but I would never invade his mind without permission.

The day was sunny , making it difficult to travel fast with out becoming overheated quickly , but when my enhanced hearing caught the slight trickle of water , my heart left for joy with the thought of finally taking a wash. The bloody hacking and coughing had stopped but the black liquid had stained my skin , as well as mud and sweat. We where traveling slowly , due to the fact we had gained some distance on the wargs , so when the dwarves heard the water too...well let's just say dwarves will be dwarves. We tracked the sound to its source , and quickly replenished our water skins. As soon as that was done , the dwarves were sprinting towards the stream (as best they could as they stripped down) with bare white bottoms like flags in the wind! I hardly had time to shield my eyes before just a few of us were left on the river bank. Gandalf chuckled as my face became bright red and I tried to make my escape , with as much dignity as I could.

"I'll,Er...be down steam..Er washing...up" I stuttered before galloping away down stream as fast as I could , trying to escape the sound of the frolicking dwarves ( minus the ones that wanted to retain their dignity).

Soon the sound of the dwarves was quieter -though I could still hear them- and I placed down my weapons beside the river bank. I sighed , happy with the thought of washing off the dirt and grime. I began to unlace my large, baggy green top and trousers. I had tossed my boots by my pile of weapons ; now I added my clothes to the bundle. I started to unwrap the bandage that I still had on my chest for support. I knew I was sheltered on all sides , with a steep rocky wall across the river and a dense green barrier made of trees and bushes behind me. I discarded the bloody bandage and inspected my wound. A tiny sliver of onyx shard could be seen just perturbing out of the centre of my chest , surrounded by silvery , scared skin. I grimaced at the ugly scar that added to my collection of others I'd obtained over time. Now bare , I stepped into the fresh cold water , sighing as it cooled my boiling skin. I waded in till it just past my breasts , then stopped relishing in the feeling of becoming clean.

I scrubbed at my skin until all my silver markings could be seen and not a speck of dirt remained. I also dunked my head under water to wash my face and hair. Once I had rid myself of grime and blood , I sat in the shallows , making sure my chest was covered by water. I got the eerie feeling of being watched after a while of sitting. I eyed my weapons , considering lunging for them. Suddenly , the bushes rustled , alerting me I had no time to retrieve my beloved steel. I turned in the water so I was facing the shrubbery , a viscous snarl erupting from my throat. Out of the bushes came Thorin , wearing only his trousers , leaving his muscled chest bare. He seemed oblivious to my presence as he trudged towards the water. My eyes were the size of dinner plates as he came closer and closer.

My animal side told me to go to him , but my sensible , logical and sane side told me to stay put. I felt my eyes flash as they became slightly animal like. Thorin crouched a few feet from me , splashing some water on his face. My idiotic , foolhardy , insane mind told me to try and make a run for it before he noticed me. So I submerged under the water and edged away from Thorin and closer to my bundle of clothing. When I was as close as I could be with out exposing...certain aspects if my body , I made a dash for my clothes. I scrabbled along the pebbled ground , making a terrible racked. I dived for the long bagged shirt , clutching it over my exposed skin. I froze when I heard an awkward cough behind me . I slowly turned , green fabric clung to my body desperately as I stared wide eyed at an amused Thorin.