Born from Stone (A Thorin Oakenshield story)

Words long forgotten

Eilin looked at him, "Hey there, got your tea...", but the moment she saw Dwalin she pulled back "Oh, I am sorry, I'll come back later".

"Come in Eilin, Dwalin was just leaving".

"Was I?" Dwalin frowned.

Thorin lips curled up, "yes".

"Yeah, I need to rest and you are upsetting me too much for one evening", Dwalin rejoined and emptied his cup. Then he picked up his coat and made it to the door. He held it open for her to enter since she was holding a tray that was covered.

"Thank you sir", she looked troubled at both men, concerned that she had arrived at an inappropriate moment.

Dwalin didn't seem to be disturbed about her arrival though. "Goodnight, have a nice time and keep it quiet. I am just down the corridor". The warning was clear as the door closed behind him.

Eilin placed the tray on the table that was in front of the fire and looked up at him, "did I mess up?"

"No".

"Did I come too early?" She came close to him.

"No".

"Did I come too late? Your sister needed some assistance and then I had to make your tea...", she began tittering, wanting to excuse herself for taking so long, but he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips that instantly stopped her.

"I am just glad you came, that's all".

Her palms touched his bare chest, "Why are you undressed? Your skin is cold", she frowned.

"A few moments ago I couldn't take any clothes on me", he said.

She looked down at his scar and her mouth dried out, "you want me to care for it?" Her forefinger touched it at the edges.

He shuddered and pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head, "No".

"Does it bother you?" she whispered.

"Not really". After a second he frowned thoughtfully, "not unless I overexert myself".

Her body tensed and he felt it.

"It looks bad doesn't it?" he sounded so uncertain that her heart rushed out to comfort him.

"Well, it was a deadly wound that tore you in half so I don't know what you expected it to look like, but if you feel it ruins your physic you are very much mistaken. Nothing can undo how good you look. A thought that makes me mildly uncomfortable as you become the centre of attention for many women", she looked up to him happily.

He sulked and his warm lips touched her forehead delicately, "your cute awkwardness is able to pull me out of the rabbit's hole each and every time".

"Thorin", she hesitated and pulled back in order to be able to see his eyes, "When I left you two hours ago your eyes were smiling, yet now you are as dispirited as you were at the burial grounds".

A lopsided smile tried to downgrade her worries. "I told you, when we part ways the broodiness returns. It's like a second skin to me".

She sighed and drew half circles on his skin, delighting in the way the hair on his chest tickled her palms. "I am here, so what can I do to help?"

"Just being here is enough", he closed his eyes.

"No, it's not. Will maybe something like this help more?" She came forth and touched his skin with her mouth. Delaying the warm kiss on his chest, she felt the hard beating of his heart under her lips.