The Prophecy

The Lonely Mountain

Zarina was awaken by a shifting weight next to her. She opened her eyes, blinking several times when she was met by Thorin's sleeping form. Before she could panic, the previous night's event came flooding into her thoughts, making her blush when realizing that they both were still naked under the covers. His face was relaxed, and he seemed so peaceful, causing a soft smile to spread over her face. This man had a hold on her. She knew it and she admitted to herself, she would have this entire quest over if it meant getting to know him all over again.

Zarina quietly rolled out of the bed, careful not to wake him up. She got dressed in her armour, tied her sword to her belt and flung her arrow and quiver over her back. Today was Durin's Day, meaning that it was their last chance of finding the hidden doorway to the Lonely Mountain and she wanted to be ready when they would leave. She left the room and the sleeping Thorin in her bed and headed out to the dining hall, ignoring the satisfying pain between her legs. A few dwarves were already at the table, having breakfast and packing some of it into their bags for the road. Bofur, to her amusement, was passed out on the floor since the previous night's drinking.

"Morning, lass!" some greeted her, with her returning it with a smile.

She sat down between Dwalin and Balin and loaded a plate of food for herself. Balin glanced at her to greet her a good morning when his eye caught something in her hair, "Say, Zarina, mind if I..." he gestured to her hair.

"Oh, not at all." She waved it off, thinking that she had a twig or leaf in her hair, "Don't tell me I have something in my hair. I washed it last night!" Balin gently took her new braid in his hand and examined it. It was Thorin's signature braid and was held together by his bead at the end of it. Zarina saw what he was looking at out of the corner of her eye and frowned, confused, "That wasn't there when I fell asleep."

"Let me see." Dwalin butted in and leaned over, his eyes growing when he saw the bead, "The real question is, lassie, with whom did you sleep then?"

Zarina blushed deep red and turned to her plate and began eating awkwardly. Dwalin chuckled and excused himself from the table, satisfied that his and Kili and Fili's plans finally bared fruit. Zarina held the braid and examined the bead at the end, coming to the conclusion that Thorin must have braided it while she was sleeping.

"What a strange thing to do." She mumbled.

Balin smiled, knowing what it truly meant, "Have Thorin told about our culture yet, lass?"

She shook her head, "No, except that your language is a secret language that you do not reveal to others."

"He taught it to you then, didn't he?"

"Yes, but I took it upon myself to study it further."

Balin's eyes twinkled, "Yes, but Thorin would never have taught you if he didn't feel something for you. I take it that is why you two disappeared together last night, eh?"

"But what does the braid and the bead mean, then?" she ignored his mentioning of the previous night to prevent herself from blushing again, "Do not think that I haven't noticed that all of you wear braids with beads, each bead unique. I figured it could have something to do with your ranks or... I don't know."

"I think it would be better if Thorin tell you what it means, lass." Balin replied, remembering his and Thorin's conversation back in the Mirkwood dungeons.

At that moment, the dwarven king marched into the room. Zarina swore she could feel the heat of his presence, for she turned around to search for him before he even arrived. He turned and met her gaze, his mouth corner twitching up and making her stomach tingle under his gaze.