Heal [Thorin]

[Leona Oakenshield]

It had been a taxing two weeks, on her and on Flanna. She had accumulated more injuries than her sister in law, but the gentler woman's were more severe and life threatening. Her rib cage, of course, being the worst. Her own body was a bloodied mess, but her dislocated arm and the slash that spanned the length of her body were the worst. The moment Ruby had been told of their injuries she had arrived with a gent named Victor and God help anyone that told Red no... not that they had anything to fear, Victor had been a brilliant doctor, she wasn't sure if he had healed Flanna or not but her injuries were fast fading, some of them she could scarcely see the scar. He was kind, not overly so, but he had a gentle smile, and Red trusted him. That was enough for Leona. When she was stable and semi-conscious, he had left her with a mixture of tea, instructions to drink it once she awoke and before she went to bed. It not only helped with the pain, but it also kept infections from forming in the wounds... Leona began to question just where Red's mystery doctor had come from but the dark haired vixen wouldn't tell.

She had spent the first week fading in and out of consciousness, barely ever awake and not really there when she was. The lack of blood and the sluggish beat of her heart took its toll upon her, making her utterly exhausted. She could remember hardly anything save for Thorin. He rarely left her side, she knew that, only once when she had cracked open her eyes had he been gone and that was only to obtain a spot of food. Her protector, it seemed, had resumed the title. She tried to stay awake, to fight the drowsiness that had fogged her mind. There was so much she wished to say to him. So much she wished love him and tell him how much he truly meant to her, but she had naught the energy. Two weeks of this half life and she awoke late into the morning. She cared not where she was, only that Thorin was somewhere nearby.

She awoke in not so much pain. Her body was sore from the top of her head to the tips of her toes but nothing truly hurt, save for the one puncture that Victor had told her scraped her spinal cord. She had been lucky not to have been paralyzed, as it was, one of her vertebrae had been chipped and he had told her it would be sore for quite some time. The room she was lying in was empty, her beloved was not here. Determined, and tired of lying still she pushed herself up and off her back, pulling her legs beneath her until she sat cross legged on the bed. The world spun and it took her a moment to adjust to the movement. When she had, she winced slightly as the movement tugged at the stitches that covered her body. Her gaze flickered to the night stand where the tea lay, but she did not reach for it. It made her mind groggy and disoriented and the medicine could heal her no longer, only her lover could heal the rest of her.

"Thorin?" Her voice was scratchy and slightly rough from disuse but still strong, and she called the name that had given her the strength to survive.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Thorin had been long on edge. Ever since he had saved his beloved from the orcs, Thorin had been at her side, watching in steadfast constancy over her, making sure that never did she want for anything. But unfortunately, though perhaps she was making progress, she was too often asleep, and he rarely was able to see or speak to her. They had taken refuge in the home of Kili and Flanna, but in two weeks had been too tense and concerned to speak. He made a mental note to visit with Kili later, to speak and clear the air. Not now, though. When he was able to check up on his bride.

He had been always at her side, never leaving her unless he had to do so, and always kept a constant vigil over her. She was getting better, he could tell, but still he needed to protect her and make sure she was safe, as no doubt Kili was also doing with Flanna. Both men seemed to be incredibly protective of their loving wives, and rightly so. Thorin knew Flanna's heart and Leona's both; they were wondrous good women.

He was out right now, to get her something gentle to eat. A strawberry did he find, and thought that it would be good for her frail constitution. He paced back down the hallway, that and a short glass of brandy in hand, and entered her room quietly, to find to his surprise that she was sitting up. He blinked. "Leona?" asked he. He moved to her, placing the items he'd brought with the so far untouched tea on the nightstand, and sighed, perching himself on the edge of the bed beside her.

He pushed her down gently, making her lay down on the bed, saying, "My love, my heart, this is not good for you. You are a strong woman, I know, and you want to be free of your pains, but you must be patient." He caressed her forehead lightly, then placing the gentlest of kisses on her brow. "As I love you, I would not dare lose you." He smiled upon her but was still worried. "How are you feeling, my love?"

[Leona Oakenshield]

A hand drifted to her throat, trying to rub away the soreness she felt there. To no avail, it seemed she was simply made to be sore for a spell, no matter she had dealt with worse. There was very little when it came to physical pain that she had not endured at one point in time or another. Her body was a litany of scars, a few new ones would not add much. Nor would they hold such a wretched story as the two upon her back, but they were neither here nor there. Her beloved did not appear in the doorway right away and her heart sunk. Perhaps he was away, she could not blame him, she had been practically a corpse for the better part of two weeks, she imagined she had made for wretched company. This was not how their honeymoon was supposed to end.

He appeared in the doorway and all of these little problems and annoyances vanished, she melted as he approached her, unable to do much more than stare and admire. Did he realize how much he captured her? What he did to her with naught more than a glance? She was his willing slave, a mere puppet to his whims and nothing more. He sat beside her and before she could say another word he was guiding her back to the bed, with gentle words and soft whispers of love, but she would have no more coddling, and defying him for the first time, she ignored the pain in her back and sat up to meet him, leaning forward and resting her head against his own. "No." She breathed against his mouth, eyes fluttering shut as she took but a moment to really feel him, her good hand rested upon his cheek, thumb stroking his cheekbone with reverence. " I love you Thorin, more than you will ever know. I thought I would never see you again, hear your voice or feel your touch and I have slept too long. I love you so...so much." She pressed her mouth to his pouring everything she felt for him into the gesture. She could not bear to part with him so soon, and that orc had almost caused such a tragedy. She wanted no medicine or poultices, only the warmth of his body beside her. She was not strong enough yet for him to take her, but she would be damned if she could not at least have his voice and her memory to retain it.

[Thorin Oakenshield]

As he came to attend her, Thorin recalled that he was very glad to have been so welcomed here by Kili. It was as good a place as any for in to care for their poor wives, and when Leona was better they would take their leave. He was going to find somewhere for himself and Leona to stay when they were not out roaming, some place where they could stay when need came for such things. He was certainly grateful. And as he opened the door to Leona's room, he drew a breath of relief. Even though he wished not to see her like she was, her strength was returning and he was glad to see it.

He left her food, and small taste of brandy, on the nightstand and would think no more on them until he knew how she was faring, if she needed something else. He had for so long seen only her sleeping form, beautiful though it was, and now was blessed with seeing her lovely eyes open and her face not so pale. Her cheeks were becoming rosy again, closer at least, and she was trying so hard to be strong, probably for him. She had naught to prove, though. He would forever love her, forever lift his lips to touch her forehead as so gently he did now. She needed not be anything but his wife and he would be happy in the knowing it. He loved her so very much.

Ah! She would not do as he asked. He chuckled ever so much.

"Leona, love..." He was not going to try and force her, because he knew how strong was her will. He smiled at her, as she admiringly stroked his face. He never would understand why she adored him as she did, but he would also never protest. He was weak to her. "Oh, Leona. Do not say such wicked things." But then, with whatever strength she must have had in her, she kissed him, and he fell powerless to her charms. He twined his mouth with hers, too long before realizing it was too wrong. He sighed, withdrew, and laid down lengthwise on the bed, willing her fall at his side so at least he may comfort her. "My love?"

[Leona Oakenshield]

For the moment she paid no heed to the treats he had brought her, nor the drink. His warmth, his love, his body was the only thing she craved. Food and drink seemed to pale in comparison to such a gift. She reached for him, dragging him too her, kissing him until he pulled from her, and even at the small distance she whimpered. Was it possible to become so attached to someone that even a breath of space felt miles apart, it couldn't be healthy could it? She lost herself in the utter darkness of his gaze, wondered how no other could have seen what she saw in those gleaming orbs. No treasure in the world could surmount to the one that for no discernible reason had chosen her and she planned to bask in his light for as long as he would let her.

"Such wicked things? I thought of you in that cavern. Drew strength from the memory or your voice, your touch, your smile, however small it may be." She murmured into his mouth. "I could not be separated from you, not so quickly after finding the missing half of my soul." He laid down, bending to her will, and lying beside her, obediently she laid back down, pushing his chest gently until he laid upon on his back. She curled into his body, pressing her ear onto his chest, her heart stuttered and her eyes glittered with unshed tears as she listened to the steady beat of his heart. "I didn't think I would see you again Thorin." Her fingers curled against his flesh. "I love you. I love you so much my king." Emotion colored her voice and she was unable to speak anymore. Her beloved was here, her Thorin was safe, her King would always come for her and she took solace in that fact.