Born from Stone (A Thorin Oakenshield story)

Epilogue - My dwarrowdelf(Ten years later)

Thorin stood above the anvil and looked critically down at the Narsil. He had been reforging it for several days in order to feel that it's shards had been placed together in a seamless way that could marginally satisfy him. He lifted the hammer and threw it upon the famous red hot blade repeatedly.

Listening to the metallic sounds of the forges and feeling the blazing heat emanating from the cauldron was enough, as always, to calm him down. It was the best way to soothe his spirits and rest his weary mind. He pulled the sword away from the anvil and scrutinised the smoothness of the blade. Trying to emulate the work of the famous Telchar was not easy on his vanity, which at times was rather bold concerning this trade. He had to live up to the legend of an amazing craftsman who also happened to be Eilin's forefather. He had to deliver an impeccable job with this sword and he didn't intend to leave the forges until he had done so.

His heavy boot fell on the dark metal treadle that pulled the huge hammers above his head apart. He placed the Narsil between them and released the treadle, making them fall on it with such force, his whole body shook. A cascade of fiery sparks washed over his head and shoulders and he averted his eyes in order to protect them. Then he drew the sword away and balanced it on his palm in order to check on it's smoothness once more, but when his eyes rolled to it's tip, they met Eilin who was standing at the archway of his station with her hands on her waist. Instantly his heart sparked up and his mind came to attention and away from the drifting tranquility this work offered him. He smirked at her and his eyes travelled down her figure.

She huffed and sauntered in. "I can never get used to those huge hammers bashing each other above your head. I am always expecting them to detach from the ceiling and fall on you."

He sighed and placed the Narsil on the anvil. "So what?"

Eilin paused in front of him and looked at his half naked body thoughtfully. Her stomach twisted deliciously and she felt a familiar warmth covering her exposed bosom. Her fingers caressed it absently and his attention got instantly drawn there. "True...Your head is too stubborn to break...the hammers would break instead."

He smiled and closed his eyes. "What are you doing down here, dressed so frivolously?"

Eilin checked herself. Her tunic had slid off one shoulder and the srtings that were tying her tunic on the bosom were partially untied offering ample view of her voluptuous bust to anyone who'd dare look at the Queen the wrong way. Her skirt was tucked in her belt from one side leaving her thigh partially revealed and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Her hair was gathered on the top of her head on a messy bun that allowed several long curly tendrils to float free around her face and down her back. "I was down at the eastern residential cavern helping Dis with the delivery of a child. It's not easy training to be a midwife, I'll tell you that. I prefer to train other women in archery instead." She rubbed her forehead, feeling exhausted.

Thorin crossed his arms and looked down at her body rudely. "I prefer you to train other women in battle also. Does being a midwife demand that you saunter around the hallways with your leg exposed and your bust half revealed?"

She looked up at him sharply.

He raised his brow.

Her face mellowed up instantly and she approached him. One hand landed on his sweaty waist and the other came out to caress his large scar gently. Her fingers planed down his hot skin until they reached his lower stomach and when she felt his muscles tensing she smiled. There her fingers traced the dark line of hair down to his waistband. "You sound hopelessly jealous."

He exhaled a whole bout of annoyance and swallowed a suddenly dry throat. "Look at you. This dress is utterly rude...it's not meant for the eyes of my men."