My head was hurting badly, I'd taken a nasty blow from one of Azog's orcs and was now suffering painful consequences.
The dwarves had done their best to patch it up atop the rock, enough to stop the bleeding, but it wasn't until we reached Beorn's, that they had been able to properly treat it.
And now I had one killer headache.
I was sitting in the darkest corner I could find, a cool rag around my neck, resting against the wall with my eyes shut.
Quiet footsteps approached me, unfortunately even quiet they made my head thump. I half opened one eye to see a blurry outline of Thorin standing in front of me.
"Hello." I said, my voice hoarse.
"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly, sitting next to me.
"Marvelous." I shut my eyes again, pretending that his voice didn't hurt my head.
"Here." He wraps my fingers around something solid. "Beorn said this would help."
"What is it?"
"Some sort of drink. He said it was good for pain."
I sigh. "I don't think my stomach will handle anything Thorin."
"Please, try, for my sake of not your own."
"Your sake?"
"I..." He sighs. "I am sorry you got hurt. It's killing me to see you like this."
"It's not your fault. I didn't see the bastard coming."
"Yes but if I hadn't charged foolishly out, you wouldn't have followed."
Despite the pain, I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was staring at his knees.
"Thorin." He raised his eyes to meet mine. "I am a warrior, I know the consequences of my own battles. This wasn't your fault." I smile at him. "Anyway, if you hadn't charged out first, I would of."
"And I would've tied you to that tree." He laughs softly and kisses my forehead. "Point taken, although it doesn't make me feel any better."
"Maybe you should drink this." I tried to give the mug back to him, but he just returned his hand around mine.
"No, you need to drink it."
I fake a pout and slowly lift the mug to my lips and take a sip. The drink was surprisingly sweet, but had a horrible bitter after taste that made me cringe. I finished the mug and Thorin took it off me, putting it on the floor next to him.
"Here." He lifts his arm up, opening up his chest so I can curl up into him, something I gratefully accept. He waits till I get comfortable before wrapping his arm around me. "Get some rest. I'm here if anything happens."
I can't help but snort, but I shut my eyes, letting his steady heart beat send me off into sleep.
I stir restlessly. Something had disturbed me. At first, I couldn't pin point what it was, I was, after all, very warm and comfortable. After a moment, however, I figured it out.
I was alone.
I sat up, Thorin's coat falling off my shoulders, my head feeling very clear. Looking around, the room was very dark and smelt of smoke.
Was there a fire?
I scrambled to my feet, silently hoping everyone was okay and that they hadn't just left me here.
The orange glow from under the door made me stop, my heart hammering.
What was going on?
Cautiously, I stepped up and touched the door.
It wasn't hot.
Swallowing, I pulled it wide.
A city lay before me, burning, housing collapsing as I watched. I stared, awe struck and horrified.
There were bodies in the water.
A sob broke free from my chest, and I bit my finger hard to try and control it. This wasn't happening.
A roar got my attention, my head snapping up and my eyes locking onto the great yellow pupils of a dragon.
Everything froze as we stared at each other. I had no weapon, no means to defend myself, and he knew it.
With another roar, he charged, his mouth opening wide and fire jetting out towards me.
I screamed.
Two strong hands grabbed me and held me still, but the fire did not reach me.
My eyes snapped open and I was gasping for air, my body covered in a cold layer of sweat. Thorin was above me, his hands holding me still and there was fear in his eyes.
"Are you alright?" He asked cautiously, still worried that I was dreaming.
It took me a few seconds, but I slowly nod my head.
His grip relaxes and he lets out a slow breath. "That must have been one good dream."
I whimpered, the images of death and destruction coming back to me. Thorin could feel me shaking beneath is hands.
He gently brushed my hair back. "Hush, it was a dream."
"It felt so real." I whispered. "The town was burning, there were bodies everywhere..."
With a strained look, Thorin lay back down next to me, pulling me protectively into his arms and I curled up into his chest.
"It was just a dream." He murmured. "Nothing can hurt you here."
I drew in a shaky breath, wanting, for both our sakes, to believe him.
We lay like that for a while, his fingers softly brushing my hair, when a thought distracted me away from the dream.
The usual snores of the Company weren't around.
Sitting up slightly, I discovered we were in a room alone.
"Where is everyone?" I asked, laying back down.
Thorin's blue gaze was looking at me. "With your head hurting so much, I thought it best to keep you somewhere quiet."
My heart did an odd skip when he said that, as he knew, as they all did, that I detest their snoring, it was one thing I had constantly complained about.
But I giggled then, another thought coming to mind
Thorin frowned. "What?"
I giggled again. "Thorin, you do realise that you are one of the louder snorers?"
He pursed his lips and I laughed loudly this time. As a group, it had been hard to tell who's snoring was whose, but after several private nights with Thorin since Rivendell, I quickly worked out he was one of them.
"That's why I haven't slept." He mumbled. "I've been letting you rest."
His admission stunned me a little and I gave him a reproachful look. "Thorin, don't you dare torture yourself on my part."
"But-"
I pressed a finger to his lips, stopping him.
"Don't," I said quietly. "Surprisingly, I can stand your snoring, it gives me comfort to know you are nearby." My hand brushed his face. "Please Thorin, don't torture yourself on my behalf, I'm not worth that."
I could see the tiredness in his eyes and he sighed, seeming to resign himself to something.
"You are worth everything." And he kissed me, gently and slowly, his hands gently caressing my face.
Pulling away, he gives me an unrecognizable look. "Are you happy amrâlimê?"
My grin was wide, lighting up my face. "The happiest I've ever been."
He returned my smile, resting his forehead against mine. "Then if you are happy, I am happy."
We kissed again briefly before he settled back down next to me, wrapping his arms around me.
"Good night amrâlimê." He mumbled, nuzzling into my neck.
"Good night Thorin."
Sleep took both of us quickly and we settled against each other, content, for the moment, to just be with the other.
We still had a long way to go after all.