A Quiet Day

I slept in the next day. I had been so tired. I came out to the balcony and there he was, bathed, changed and so majestically sexy. There was no one else around.

"Good morning" I beamed. I felt so light and fresh and the day promised to be a good one. 

"Good morning, to you too Ibinê" he replied softly. 

"Did you just say something to me in dwarish?" I inquired intrigued.

He nodded.

"I hope you didn't call me a troll or ugly or....." 

"It means my gem" he said before I could finish.

"Oh" is all I could manage my cheeks growing hot. 

He looked at me a naughty smile playing on his lips. " I could call you fat too though with the amount of food you got last night." 

I looked at him pretending to be angry. He laughed, it was such a pure hearty laugh that I couldn't stop the smile.

"Where's everyone else?" 

"Bathing..."

"Oh thank God" I said placing my hand on my chest relieved.

" I could hear the ruckus they were creating. "Where though?" I looked around

He held my shoulders and stood in front of me, "In your friend's fountain." blocking my view.

"Don't look" he said pointedly.

My mouth dropped in surprise and then imagining the look on Lindir's face I burst out laughing.

He looked at me, with soft twinkling eyes.

"Want some breakfast?" I asked 

He shook his head," Already had it. I could use some of this though." He took the cup of coffee from my hand , took a sip and returned it. Eyes locked on mine. I sighed and smiled.

"Walk with me" he gestured with his hand, "Show me around, I want to see where the wizard brought you and why?"

I brought him to the garden. We were walking on the stone path when he said, " Can I ask you something?" I nodded, "Why did you feel the need to hide from me?"

I didn't answer right away, "I don't know" I said softly, "I thought may be if you don't see me you won't feel the way you did."

"Did?" he looked at me questioningly. I nodded

"I'm a thousand times more in love with you now Maur but I'm willing to wait until you come around." I stiffened at this blunt confession, I didn't look up because I could feel his eyes on me. He touched my chin right under my lip, "Let go" I didn't even realize I was gripping my lip so hard in my teeth, I immediately let it go, and he stared at the waffle imprint my teeth had left.

He sighed, " You know for me to wait for you to come around, you need to stop doing this to me, it's really hard not to want to bite that myself." 

My cheek went scarlet, "I'm sorry" I breathed and my ears were gifted with another hearty laugh. He looked so handsome laughing, I could hear this sound my whole life and not get tired of it.

xxxx

It was late evening and we were all on the balcony. Bofur was playing the flute and the others sang.

"We made you something." Fili and Kili both landed on either side of me. 

Kili took out a floral tiara made with the most beautiful flowers from Elrond's garden. It had small beads twisted around them which I'm sure came from the Elvish tailors.

I gasped, amazed and a little shocked at the lovely gesture. My eyes got moist. 

"This is beeeeauuutifullll" I said awestruck at this beautiful piece in front of me. 

"Wear it" said Fili his smile reaching all the way to his eyes. 

I placed it on my head, "Thank you so much" I say unable to control the emotions I felt, "You know no one has ever gifted me flowers" I say as I hold them both in a group hug." I would never let it go, I would always keep it with me as a reminder." 

"Let's dance" they both stood offering me their hands. I took them and stood. "I don't know how to dance but I'll try, just make sure I don't trip on my own feet." 

We held hands in a circle and they slowly started teaching me how to move my legs. I was trying my best but failing miserably," I need a break" I came and sat down next to Thorin and Dwalin. 

"You look beautiful" He whispered slightly bending towards me and pointing at the tiara with his eyes. 

"I love it." I say beaming, unable to contain my happiness at the cute gesture.

"Can I have a word with you melon" it was Lindir standing at the edge of the balcony as if he would be crossing enemy territory if he crossed the edge.

I felt Thorin stiffen and the others more interested in what he had to say then dancing and drinking. 

I got up and went a few steps towards him. 

"Yes?" I say. 

"Come with me, lets go to the river, there's a celebration there. Better music and dance." He says loud enough for everyone to hear.

I shake my head, "No thank you it's more fun here with my friends."

"Come on just for a little while, for old times sake" he said as he grabbed my wrist and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It was a harmless gesture but my stomach twisted thinking Thorin was right there. It made me really uncomfortable, I don't know what was wrong with him, he had never acted this way. May be he wanted to piss the dwarves off for bathing in the fountain.

"Lindir I said NO!" I said trying to twist out of his hold. 

I felt him before I heard him, " Take your hands off her." I heard Thorin his voice so deep and low with anger that I couldn't help feeling uneasy, I felt him place a light but firm hand at the small of my back. 

Lindir immediately let go holding up his hands "Of course Oakenshield, I just didn't realize" he stopped as soon as he noticed Thorin's hand on my back. A subtle display of possession. I knew he was being territorial right now but his next words twisted my stomach with fear.

"I don't care what you did or didn't realize, touch Maurine again and I'll kill you." his tone never changed but his hand moved from back to around my waist. 

Lindir looked as if he'd seen a snake coiled around me, he looked at me with a "What the hell" look, then he looked around and saw the rest of the dwarves standing right behind us waiting for a signal. 

He quickly raised his hand in surrender and got out of there.

"I hate him" Thorin whispered in my ear before turning back to go sit. The dwarves cheered at the open challenge and the elf backing away.

My heart was thudding in my chest. "Don't you think that was a bit too much?" I ask as I sit at my earlier place. "You should show some restrain while showing how much you hate your host."

"I did. You should be happy that I didn't cut his hands off without a single warning. No One touches what's mine." He whispered his voice bubbling with wrath.....