The Truth Beneath the Rose

A/N- Another chapter done and one more step towards the end. I will keep writing when I have the time, again sorry for the inconsistent updates.

Disclaimer- I do not own the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings, but I do own my OC's and this storyline.

'Thoughts'

Khuzdul

Please enjoy.

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Chapter 10:

Truth's Told

Year 2941 - Pre-Dawn in Rivendell-

Warmth, that was what Thorin felt when he first started to wake. Someone was shaking his shoulder, he blinked open his eyes and turned his head to see that it was Gandalf. He was going to speak when something shifted against his chest. Gandalf motioned downwards with his head and Thorin looked down in response.

He was greeted by a mop of blonde hair and when he shifted a pair of arms tightened around his waist. It was Thalia, 'how did she end up like this? How did I not notice her presnece?' Gandalf spoke before Thorin could do anything.

"She sang to you while you were in the throws of a nightmare, calmed your dreams. She cares deeply for you Thorin, I'd best keep her close if I were you. Now...we haven't time. You all need to depart now, before anyone finds you've gone. I will meet you in the mountains, hurry." He then turned and dissapeared.

Thorin sat there for a few moments in stunned silence, he wasn't sure how to process what Gandalf had said. He'd switched subjects so quickly it was hard for him to think through logically. He did understand one thing clearly though, they needed to get out of Rivendell immediately.

He moved to sit up, holding Thalia close as to not jostle her. He didn't want her waking just yet, he wasn't sure how he would speak to her of what had happened. He wasn't sure he was ready to face that yet, he looked up to see that Fili, Kili, Balin and Dwalin were awake and packed. They were watching him and the hobbit lass.

Feeling cornered in more way than one, Thorin cleared his throat. "No need lad, we heard what the wizard said. We will get the other's up and ready, you on the other hand need to set things in stone with the lass." Balin spoke in a dark tone, no nonsense in his voice.

Thorin understood and lifting Thalia up as he stood, he turned and carried her from the area. He heard the others waking the rest of the company and hurried to find a more private place for this conversation. He felt a knot of nervousness in his stomach, something was nagging at the back of his mind as well. Something about how it felt holding her at the moment, it felt right.

Once he got to an alcove that overlooked one of the many rivers that flowed through the eleven city, he found it would be better than nothing considering how much time they had to leave. Stopping he knelt down and held her in his arms, he was still loath to wake her but he knew he had to. Bending his head he pressed a kiss to her forehead as he spoke softly, "wake up Thalia, wake up."

She shifted at his voice turning towards him more as her eyes slowly blinked open, the first thing out of her mouth made his heart leap in his chest. "Ah...àlainn aisling..." her voice was husky and deep as she reached out to run her hands over his cheeks and into his beard. Her hands felt wonderful against his skin and Thorin felt his eyes starting to drift shut at the feeling of being carressed in such an intimate way.

Slowly coming out of her daze of awakening, Thalia saw where her hands were and the look on Thorin's face. She felt her face heat in embarassment but didn't remove her hands, her voice shook a little as she spoke once more. "Thorin..." He opened his eyes quickly at that, seeing that Thalia was fully awake now as she looked at him her cheeks pink.

Sighing he reached up and took her hands from his face, but he didn't release her hands, "we need to talk Thalia. Gandalf warned us to leave before the elves try to stop us, so the others are packing everything now." Shifting Thalia tried to move but Thorin just tightened his grip, "leave it to them. As I said, we need to talk."

Thalia saw that he meant it and knew that the time had come. She had to tell him, everything. But feeling a little out of sorts she waited for Thorin to start, she'd see where his feelings lay before she spoke herself. That way she'd have a better chance of telling him just who she was.

Thorin looked contemplative for a long moment before he finally began to speak once more. "I didn't begin this quest to...well...to find a companion. I'd never intended to feel this way about anyone ever again, I thought all that was lost to me all those years ago. When she died, a part of myself died with her. Then here you are, bringing all those lost and forgotten feelings back. I do not know where, or how to procceede."

Shaking his head as he tried to find the right words to say Thorin looked into Thalia's eyes and saw only acceptance. This puzzled him even further, 'does she not feel jealous of the woman from my past? I thought all females were protective like that.'

Feeling as if Thorin's mind was veering away from the subject at hand, Thalia placed her hands against his face again, palms flat to his cheeks. "Thorin, I never thought I'd find you too but I did. I don't dwell on the past, for it's time is done. Our time is now in the present and we decide where to go from there." Sighing, Thalia tilted her head much like she used to do when she was her other self.

"I am not afraid anymore Thorin, I do not want to forget my past for it was, the past that brought me here to you. So all I ask if that you wait and watch, try to keep an open mind alright?" Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Thalia pulled away and stood before Thorin. Reaching down she began to undo the laces to her bodice until they were all loosened enough to open the front of her top.

Thorin hadn't moved as he watched her with the widest eyes she'd ever seen from him, but she could tell he wanted to do something, probably stop her from 'stripping' before him. It was the only way and she knew she had to do this. Once she was certain she had his full attention, Thalia felt her face heat as she pulled the front of her bodice down enough to expose the upper expanse of her breast as well as the clear marking of Thorin's rune.

"The moment I saw you I obtained this mark, it burned itself into my very flesh. You know what this mark is, do you not? What it means?" Silence was all that greeted her and she felt almost let down, slowly she recovered the marking and began to turn away. She had expected some kind of reaction from him but she knew there was more she still had to tell him and she was about to speak again when she suddenly found herself pinned.

Thorin was astride her his blue eyes flashing with emotion and she looked up at him, her body warmed at the clear sign of possesiveness in his eyes. Cupping his cheek once more she spoke before he could again, "there is more. I have been having these...well...memories, they have been surfacing ever since that first night. Along with a name, my name. Who I once was and am once more."

Thorin's voice was deep with emotion as he spoke the one word that made all of this real. "Rhean." Thalia nodded her head as she felt tears in her eyes, "yes, I am her and she is me. I've been reborn and returned to your side Thorin. It seems Mahal has a deeper purpose for us both."

Feeling almost overwhelmed by his feelings, Thorin gripped Thalia tighter to himself. It was a moment he never wanted to forget as he silently thanked Mahal for returning his 'one' to him. His love for her that had been bottled and beaten back, been denied since the quest had begun all flowed to the forefront and he felt overwhelmed by them.

Turning her head from Thorin's chest, Thalia looked up into his clear blue eyes and saw how important it was that she help him through this. They didn't have a lot of time after all and they could be together through the continuing of the journey. This time she would have to push things along a little.

"Thorin, do you remember what you promised me before I...died?" She gave him a very pointed look hoping he got the hint and waited. She wasn't disapointed as she watched him reach into a pouch he had on a braided string about his neck. It was a pouch she recalled very well, in fact the braided string was really made from her hair when she was Rhean.

Two large and hand carved beads rolled out onto Thorin's palm as he looked at her with a raised brow. Feeling her heart clench in pure joy at seeing them and knowing he'd carried them with him all this time, it was almost too much for her to handle, tears brimmed her eyes as she reached out and placed her palm flat over his and the beads.

She kept her voice as clear as she could, considering how emotional she was getting it was hard to do so. "I offer you my pledge Thorin Oakenshield. I swear my love, my loyalty and my chastity to you, my love, my lord, my king." Thalia watched as a clear tremble went through Thorin as he took in her words, removing her palm Thalia took one of the beads and held it up. "Do you accept my pledge?"

Thorin's voice was deep with emotion as he replied, "I do, my lady." Smiling at that Thalia pulled out a comb she always carried with her and brushed at a section of Thorin's hair. Once she had found a spot she liked, just behind his left ear, she quickly began her braid and made sure that the bead she now held found it's way in the braid as she finally secured it.

Pulling back she felt her heart warm even more at seeing her braid in Thorin's hair, a braid that all would see and know that he was hers. Thorin broke her from her thoughts as he reached out to take the comb from her hand. "I offer my pledge in return my lady. I swear to remain at your side and remain all yours for the remainder of my days, come what may. Do you accept this pledge?"

Thalia felt her tears begin to fall as she nodded her head, too choked up by her emotions to speak. Thorin smiled that dreamy contented smile and Thalia knew he meant his words completely. He reached for her hair and repeated what she had done, her braid was on the opposite side but in the same place as his. This made them match.

Once he had finished the braid, Thorin pressed their foreheads together and pulled her as close as he could. This was a moment he wanted to remember and keep with him always, because soon they must join the others and no one knew what they would face upon this next part of their quest. This peace of mind, peace of heart and soul would be hard to find, of that he was certain.

Knowing they didn't have too much time to waste, Thalia broke the silence that had fallen about them. "We need to rejoin the others. As much as I wish to remain here with you, we must continue onwards." Thorin practically growled at her words as he reluctantly pulled back, he looked her in the eye and she knew all she needed to know. "We will make time for us, I promise Thorin." Her voice was soft even as she pulled away enough to get to her feet.

Thorin followed suit and as she turned to head back to where she believed the company to be, he reached out and took her hand gripping it tight. He didn't say anything but he didn't need too, Thalia understood his silent words and meaning.

A/N- Finally this chapter is done. Been a rough one on me, but I didn't give up on it.

I hope it was worth waiting for everyone.

Khuzdul words-

àlainn aisling- Beautiful Vision

Until the next chapter.

May the Fluff be with you!

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