Thorin's Forgotten Past

Chapter 13: Changes

-Eva's POV-

It had been a month since Thorin walked back into my life. After I completed my shift that night I sat down with him anxious to hear why he had been gone so long. He explained about how his grandfather had been resistant to the idea of a dwarf army and because of that it had taken much longer than he anticipated. He did not feel that he could leave before he was confident that they would be able to defend themselves when the orcs invaded. I asked him why he never sent word to me to let me know that he was ok. He explained that the woods around the dwarf kingdom were filled with danger and he did not want to put anyone's life at risk. It took some time for me to sort everything he said but slowly I forgave him.

Not much changed, the inn was busy as always. I spent most of my days running the Pony. Thorin and the rangers spent a lot of time in the back meeting room. I enjoyed having him back and hearing his booming laughter floating from the rear room.

He had been wanting to see how I my knife skills had improved but we were both so busy that it was hard to make time. We decided that the only time I would be able to show off my skills was after the inn closed for the night.

Thorin watched patiently while I finished cleaning everything up. A few times he glanced in my direction with a grin on his strong, handsome face. "It's funny," I thought to myself, "I never before noticed how fine his face was."

"Alardus, the tables are clean and I straightened everything up. I'll leave the kitchen for you." I said walking to the door. Thorin got up and followed me.

Alardus looked up from the pot he was scrubbing. "Where are you going?" he shot he a worried look at me.

"I'm going to show Thorin how great I've become at throwing a knife in his absence," I answered wondering what that look was all about.

"Alright, just don't hurt anybody," He teased but I couldn't help noticing the sad look in his eyes.

On our way to the training field I asked, "When are the Rangers leaving again?"

"In a week or two. Just as Arathorn said, orc activity around here has reduced dramatically. Arathorn still thinks we should periodically patrol the borders in case there are any rouge orcs in the area."

It didn't take long for us to reach the open field. The full moon provided a lot of light. He watched as I showed him all of the moves that I had been practicing in his absence. They weren't perfect but they were good enough to bring a look of pride to his face. He offered to show me some new moves which I quickly agreed to. He wanted to test my speed and accuracy. I faltered a few times but for the most part I was able block and parry.

I had not realized how long we had been there until I noticed that the moon had descended and the first rays of the sun were peeking up over the distant hills. I was overwhelmed with exhaustion so we sat down on the moist grass and talked for a while. We talked about the things he did while he was at the Blue Mountains. We also talked about everything that happened in Bree during his absence. I was so happy and content sitting there talking to him. I felt a safe with him. I didn't realize how much I truly missed him until he finally returned.

I laid back on the grass not caring about the fact it was still wet with morning dew. I whispered, "I could just stay here forever."

I didn't mean for Thorin to hear that and hoped he had not but he replied, "Unfortunately you can't. Come show me how well you can throw your knife?"

"OK!" I said sitting up. I had practiced throwing it from all angles, including sitting down and I was anxious to show him my mastery. I pulled out my knife as he carved a mark on a tree trunk and stepped away. It took me a moment to focus in the still dim light but when I was ready I threw it. The knife hit the mark perfectly.

"How was that?" I beamed with a great sense of pride.

"It was alright." Thorin answered retrieving the knife.

"Just alright?" I asked not sure if he was serious or if he was teasing me.

He sat down next to me and handed me back the knife, "Your aim was good but it didn't cut as deep as it should. I can see that you really have been practicing . You exceeded my expectations."

I laughed putting away my knife, "Thorin you have a way of being very confusing. For example your comment contains both a praise and a criticism. How exactly did you mean it?"

"You can take it as a praise," he said. "Eva you're no longer the frightened child I left behind eight years ago. You've grown into the fine young woman I see sitting next to me," he whispered.

I glanced up at his strong handsome face, the one that I had looked upon since I was a child. Something had changed about the look in his eyes. His expression was more intense. I was about to say we should get going when he reached over to me, cupped my chin in the palm of his hand and cautiously planted a small kiss onto my lips.

I was in shock. My mind went empty and my heart felt as if it would burst from my chest. I took a deep breath and a giggle force itself out of me. The respect and dependence I felt as a child for Thorin had somehow grown into a deep love for him without me realizing it.

He reached for my hand and I did not pull it away. We sat there content in each other's company for what could have been hours. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew the sun was fully risen and Thorin was carrying me back towards the inn. I reached out and caressed his cheek with the back of my hand. He glanced down at me with a secret smile. I couldn't help but smile when I thought about how things were going to change forever between us and I knew it would be far better.

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-JFDragonFire