Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except for the characters of Lili, Leo and their family members.

I'm so sorry for the delay in updating, but work got in the way and rearing a litter of puppies is utterly time consuming, but I'm pleased to say they've all grown into healthy/happy babies and gone off to their new homes, which also means I should be able to update more often.

Thank you so much for all the comments/reviews/follows and favourites I really appreciate it.

I also want to say a massive thanks to everyone for your patience, hopefully this chapter will make up for the waiting.

As usual let me know what you think of this chapter, too much? Is Thorin sliding too far out of character?

Chapter 25.

Dawn was almost upon them, the sky glowing a dusky purple, as Lili regarded Thorin. Flexing her hands around the hilts of her weapons, as she watched the dwarf slowly circle her, his own sword held at the ready.
They'd been sparring for the last half an hour or so and he'd been testing her constantly, to the point where her nerves tingled with awareness at every move he made.

Over the last two weeks they'd taken up a training routine, just before dawn each day, Thorin would lead her from camp and proceed to teach her how to spar. They worked on honing her natural strengths, her small size and agility and how to use it to her advantage in a fight, he taught her how to look for weaknesses in her opponent, where and when to strike, how to move her feet while defending, how to parry a blow without breaking her wrists or dislocating a shoulder.
In the evenings, Kili or Fili would train with her, taking it in turns to test her skill, pushing and strengthening the foundations laid by their Uncle.

The training sessions also gave her the perfect release for the rising frustration and nervous tension, beginning to build in her blood, after nights being tormented by heated and sometimes dark dreams of Thorin.
Fili had originally had been at the centre of her subconscious musings, but after the second night of dreaming, it became all about Thorin. Midnight haired, brooding and utterly dominating.

Thorin could feel his body humming with anticipation, as he slowly circled the petite woman. He had begun to look forward to these dawn training sessions, it gave him a perfect excuse to selfishly indulge in Lili's presence, without the distractions of the others.
To feel the unspoken bond between them, grow and strengthen and to acknowledge the mutual awareness.
Durin help him, with each day that passed Thorin found himself giving into the draw of the pretty raven haired human. She drew him, like a moth to a flame
With a slightly mocking smile, he lunged towards her, bringing his sword down in a swooping arc.

With a well timed step to the left, Lili dodged Thorin's blow and immediately slipped beneath his arm, bringing her knife up in a lightening quick swipe.
The hiss of the blade slicing through the air was audible above the sounds of the still slumbering camp, nestled in the nearby thicket of trees.

With a rattling gasp, Lili found herself pinned against the large, nearby rock, so fast she'd barely had time to register it.
The traitorous squeal of feminine approval rippling through her, as she felt his powerful, hard body press tight against her own, in a blatant dominating position.

Thorin pinned her roughly between the boulder and himself, the position forcing her body to arch against his. His grip on her right wrist tightening, as he pressed it against the rock, the hatchet loosening in her fingers and landing on the ground with a heavy thud.
Holding her gaze, as they both struggled to regain their breaths, he watched the surprise, defiance and exhaustion gleam in those emerald orbs, as he shifted slightly against her, his shoulder stinging where she'd caught him with that damned knife. He'd let his guard slip.
Tightening his hand around the hilt of his sword as he held it against her throat, he watched her eyes widen as he leaned tighter against her, almost goading her to move the hand that held the knife against his ribs.

The soft yield of her feminine curves pressing into him, sent primal heat surging through his blood and Thorin found his gaze pulled to her mouth, lips slightly parted as she fought to catch her breath.
He released her pinned wrist, in order to free a hand and immediately threaded his powerful fingers into her hair, clenching the raven tresses into a tight fist, forcing her head back and baring the slender column of her throat.
He could hear the tiny voice in the back of his head, warning him to take a step back.

Lili remained perfectly still in his grasp, her emerald eyes glittering as she watched him. Her right hand remained motionless against the rock face as through he still held it trapped and her left pressed the elven blade to his ribs.
He watched the muscles of her throat constrict as she swallowed heavily.
Thorin wasn't usually so easily distracted by a woman, but ever since he began to see Lili as more than just a member of his company, she was constantly in his thoughts and tormenting his dreams.
She could send his thoughts spiralling and make his blood surge hot, and to make matters worse, she was ignorant to her growing effect on him. Of course given their current position, she might not remain ignorant for long.
Currently she was nibbling her lower lip, in a way that almost screamed at him to kiss her.
A voice growled at him, rumbling at him to give in to the selfish want. To taste her mouth and satisfy the gnawing ache.
There was a nervous energy beginning to grow and Lili shifted slightly in his grip, as she remained aware of the blade at her throat.
'Durin, help me,' he snapped at himself.
Lowering the sword from her neck, Thorin let out a frustrated growl, "Durin's beard. What have you done to me?" He demanded roughly.
She blinked in confusion, a small frown marring her brow, "I don't know…"
He silenced her as his mouth slid over hers, kissing her, forcing her to yield with a breathtaking hunger that caused Lili to whimper helplessly and the presence of the knife at his ribs vanished.

The sensation of his lips on hers, coupled with the soft scratch of his beard and the skilled glide if his tongue over hers, made Lili mewl. It was like he'd pulled last nights dream from her head. Of course her dreams didn't do Thorin justice.
Lowering the knife from his side, she curled her free hand into his tunic and pulled him closer, with a breathless whimper.

Equal to her surprise at being kissed by Thorin, was the realisation of how much she'd wanted him to do it and how good it felt to kiss him in return. To admit that she was aware of the attraction, that had been steadily growing between the two of them.
As abruptly as the kiss started, it was over and Lili found herself staring into Thorin's handsome features. His sapphire eyes gleamed, with a mix of want and…guilt?
"Forgive me," he breathed, his words unsteady as he released her and took several steps back. "I shouldn't have done that."
Without another word he turned away from her and headed back towards the, now stirring camp, leaving Lili reeling in emotional whiplash.
'What the hell just happened?'

For several long moments, Lili remained motionless. Her mind whirling as she tried to process what had just taken place, it was only when the sound of foot steps drew close did she shake herself from her confused state. "Lili? We're leaving soon, you should get some breakfast, before Bombur eats it all."
Turning her head she came face to face with Fili, his eyes sweeping over her critically for a moment.
With a nod, she offered him a tentative smile and made to walk towards the thicket where they'd set up camp the night before.
A gentle hand on her arm, made her pause and Fili dipped his head towards the ground near the boulder, "don't forget your axe."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lili felt an unwelcome rush of heat in her cheeks and unease squeeze her chest tight and she watched him turn on his heel and walk back into the camp.
'Oh bollocks,' her mind muttered, guiltily, as she stared at Fili' retreating back. How much of her training session had he actually witnessed?