In Time

Chapter Twenty-Three

"No." She shook her head. "No look. I think the darkness is playing tricks on you, dwarf."

He tugged his discarded henley over his head, his, "I don't think so," somewhat muffled by the fabric.

She caught him by the hand. "Hush and come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"You will see."

He let out a husky sigh. "Why can you not just tell me?"

"Because even if I did, it would mean nothing to you." She rolled her eyes as she led him out of his chambers and along the colonnade toward the western lawn. The canopy was still up, the tables beneath it still there, but completely cleared, and Amara did a double take when she saw feet poking out along the northern side. "Is that—?"

"Bofur." Thorin finished grimly. "He's good for this. He came to Erebor late because he'd gotten so far into his cups the night before we left and wound up missing the boat. Spent the night under the Lake-town master's kitchen table. Let's pay him no mind, the fool. Someone will come along and knock him awake."

"I hope Elrond doesn't get upset."

"It would serve him right if he did."

She glanced over at him. "You are grouchier than usual, Mr. Oakenshield."

"I've a headache. And I did not plan on being up at dawn." He squinted up at the sky which was still mostly midnight blue, with only hints of the first pinkish-gold light of dawn. "And it isn't even actually dawn yet."

She didn't answer right away, as she certainly did not wish to start the day off with a fight. Carefully, she said, "Perhaps you had one too many tankards last eve."

"As if that was even possible," he scoffed. "A short night's sleep doesn't help, either."

"Oh, are you actually complaining about having to sleep with me?"

"What?" He rubbed his forehead with his free hand, then shook his head. "No. No, of course not. It's simply I am tired. With a headache."

"Grump." She led him away from the colonnade, and toward the southwestern corner, where there was a break in the low marble wall. "When we return, I will make you a headache powder and you will feel good as new."

"Can we just go back now then?"

She stopped and with a sigh of exasperation, said, "Fine."

With that, she spun about and started back toward the palace when he caught her by the wrist. "I'm sorry, amrâlimê," he murmured, tugging her back toward him. "You're right, I am grumpy and I probably did have too much to drink last eve. Come, show me what you wished me to see. No more complaints, I promise."

She glared at him, but then relented. "Fair enough. Now, come along."

He slipped his hand down to lace his fingers with hers and brought her hand up to his lips. "Show me."

Her irritation faded and she resumed her stride toward the break in the wall. A narrow path began at that break and he paused. "This isn't like the Northern Pathway, is it?"

"No. It's far better. Trust me. No orcs."

He didn't look entirely convinced, but to her relief, he held his tongue and let her lead him along the narrow dirt trail that wound through leafy oak trees and rose bushes that had just begun budding. It was still dark, but that didn't matter, for she knew it like the back of her hand.

"When I was still training," she said, her voice low to keep from spoiling the magic of the woods, "I would come here when things grew too hectic, or if I'd had a terrible day. It's so peaceful and was a wonderful place to come and think or just get away from everyone else. I tend not to come here so often now, as I need to stay closer to the Healing Room, but that hasn't dimmed my love for it."