Travelling Abroad

[Igraine]

Igraine stumbled against Thorin when he yanked the towel off of her. Her protest was smothered with a heated kiss. She could feel his passion for her in his heart, the way it raced. She could smell him in ways she hadn't ever thought possible through their bond. She was aware of him, his presence, and only him. She didn't care about anything else.

She suddenly realized she really wanted him. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anyone in her entire life. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him almost savagely, almost dominating, especially for one so unlearned as her in the arts of love. Oh, sure, she knew how things happened and how babies were made, but she had never experienced the passionate touch of a man.

"I don't know..." He cut her off though before she could say she didn't know how to do anything. She struggled a little to get him to understand, but he just pinned her to the floor with his arms and his body and his mouth. She could feel the rough wood of the floor grinding into her soft flesh, but she found it oddly enticing and exciting. She was hyper aware of everything that her body was experiencing and likewise everything that Thorin was feeling. It was a state of frenzied passion and she let herself get swept away in it.

She wasn't sure how long their "meeting" lasted, but somehow they had ended up on the bed. She cast a glance around the room in the fading light through the large windows behind the bed. The sun was setting. They had been together for hours.

"Well, that was some discussion." Igraine's voice was soft and husky. She kissed Thorin's chest before rolling out of bed wrapped in the thin blanket covering the bed. That left Thorin covered by the sheet from the waist down. There was a small spot of blood on the floor soaked into Thorin's shirt. She picked up his shirt and smiled before pouring them each a large glass of watered wine. She settled on the bed next to him, leaning back against his body and handing him his wine.

"I think we need to borrow from the captain. We can't have you walking around with my virgin blood on your chest." She laughed and sipped at her wine before looking at Thorin. "You need to keep this patch of blood. It can be made into a protective medallion for you. I gave you my body willingly and would protect you, despite how I've acted." She ran a finger along the fading bruise of her teeth on his neck and chest. He healed fast, she was glad for that. She found she healed fast too because she was filled with a languid contentment and she was no longer sore.

[Thorin]

Thorin was glad he had changed form. If he had been in his other demonic form, Igraine might not be talking so casually. Their intense love making had exhausted him and his senses. When she spoke of the Captain, he felt some hesitant reaction flood his mind. She reassured him with a simple caress, something he wasn't entirely used to. The sun was setting, which meant that the guards would be full of rumors, since neither had stepped foot outside for several hours. He didn't want to think of what her men thought of him. Instead of thinking on the negative, he let his eyes focus on her body shrouded by the thin sheets.

“I'm sure your men will have me slaughtered, before we have to worry about clothes. I should be thinking of my escape route.” Thorin drank the wine, damning himself for making the situation even more complex. Even if she saw him as her equal, he was meant to protect her, not ruin her. He doubted her kingdom would be pleased, to find her in such a captivated state, over a demon's affair.

When she mentioned the virgin blood, he began to feel more guilt over his actions. The lust had clouded his judgment and all things regarding common sense. She was no longer the pure woman he had met.

He hadn't been with a woman since his exile, so the bond and lust were something new for him to grasp. Even if she was content with the moment, she failed to understand the plight he had placed them both in.

She had been rough with him, which was surprising for a woman of her stature- but he remembered that his blood was mixed with her own...she would never be the same. He wondered if he had damned her, just by that act alone. Without thinking of consequence, he had put her in a sensitive predicament that many would curse him for.

“When we cross over and I meet my family, I suggest we never display the affection that we shared moments ago- for your sake and mine.” Thorin got up from the bed, never minding his exposure. He dressed in his old clothes, but was still showing his muscled bare chest.

“If you think you can explain to your captain, why I am with you in a room, then by all means impress me.”

[Igraine]

Igraine set her wine glass down and reclined back on the bed, looking out the window at the beautiful sunset as Thorin spoke. She smiled listening to his prudish behavior. He truely had been isolated in his life, but she was touched that he felt the need to protect her virtue.

"In my country it isn't unheard of for a woman to bed a man before marriage. In fact I was teased quite a bit before I left for Xexoria. Every woman I came into contact with would wonder aloud if I would die an old maiden without losing my virtue." Igraine laughed suddenly and shook her head. "Ah, but they were used to my mother and the Queens before her. You see, my country is Matriarchal -- not unlike Xexoria with their strong Queens."

Igraine relaxed back on the pillows behind her before looking at Thorin. He had done her a service whether he knew it or not.

"I want you to stay with me. If you are worried about my reputation, don't. I am the Queen of Ulster and no one will question my choice of lovers. They certainly didn't question my mother. She had her fair share of demon lovers." Igraine hadn't met her father very many times before he died, but Vylrath had protected her and kept her safe -- though with his track record she believed she hadn't been taken to his bed simply because he feared her mother. She smiled to herself and pushed her hair back from her face -- she liked to think that maybe Vylrath loved her mother too much, and thus loved her offspring as well. She was probably the only living creature that mourned Vylrath's death truely, and that had to be a reflection of not knowing him very well.

"The Captain won't question my choice of lovers. In fact, all of my men will rest easy knowing that I have you to protect me from this new upset." She smiled at Thorin, all smiles and it had everything to do with the way his heart seemed calmer around her. "You know, the Unseelie King will be most upset that he didn't get my virgin blood. Then again I would never have given it to him willingly, and he would never have gained the benefit."

Igraine crawled out of the bed, walking naked to pick up her clean clothes which had been scattered across the room when the chair had been tipped over during their love making. She pulled her clothes on carefully, a deep green dress that brushed the floor. She didn't bother with underskirts, it would be too hot on the sea to even think about wearing the bustle and underskirts that were so fashionable these days.

"Would you mind lacing my corset? I will talk to my men and to the captain to ease your mind. You may come with me while I talk to them, but unless you want to suffer slaps on the back and ribald remarks you might want to borrow a shirt from the captain after you lace me up." Igraine held her dress up with one hand before turning to him "Oh, I suppose I should have asked you if you would be comfortable being my acknowledged lover. Men will hate you for simply having my heart, though more will hate you for having my body." She winked at Thorin before turning her back to him so that he could help lace her corset.

[Thorin]

Thorin laced up her corset, feeling awkward about doing so in the first place. When she mentioned the Unseelie King, the one who had created such pain and fear in her, he felt his anger return. Finishing the last of the lace, he might have pulled a little too tightly from his dark thoughts. “He'll die, before he has time to whisper your name. I might be my father's son, but I have more conscious than that monster ever dreamed of possessing.” He paused, turning away from her to retrieve the blade, that had been casually placed on a table nearest the bed. Sheathing it, he looked to her with a hint of frustration.

His anger was more controllable than his father's, but at times he had difficulty containing his own dark pursuits. Even if she welcomed him and acknowledged him as a lover, he doubted much would share the same sentiment. While the men adored her, they were also there to protect her. “I'll have to change back into my form, so your men will think I kept my word.” Thorin explained, knowing the shift would be intense and difficult with his lack of energy. When Igraine explained how their society worked, he began to realize why his father never fit in anywhere- he hadn't been a man to take orders...especially from a woman. Xexoria had been the breaking point for his father. After failing to secure a land, he had fled like a coward and let their people suffer.

“They expect you to have Fae lovers, like our friend Aiden...not some rogue demon.” Thorin said, knowing he wouldn't have any authority in this new world either. It would be difficult enough seeing a mother whom he thought was dead, let alone explaining a relationship with the Queen of Ulster. For just arriving in their lands, he was moving fast in their court.

The thought of the Unseelie King attempting to claim Igraine as his own, made it possible for Thorin to shift back into his original form. The bones and skin would shift, crack and break into place. It would be the first time that Igraine would see him change and probably not the last.

It was the change of his spine, that made the painful snapping sounds first. Each bone rearranged itself, to support the unnatural creature he was becoming. Then, just like clockwork, the rest of his body shifted in symphony to the change. His face was last, but it would be the least dramatic. The fangs would be apparent again, along with his pointed ears and reddened eyes.

His voice would naturally be different, but she had heard his voice in that fashion before. If they were outside, she would have witnessed some change to the sky- the acknowledgment of the demon's change. The men outside might see the cursed sky and realize that their guest was not someone to take lightly.

“He won't get any of your blood. While my father didn't care about his women, I care about mine.” Thorin said, opening the door to the deck. He didn't care if he was without shirt. With the change, it might appear that he didn't have a choice. The sky would still be a blood orange, but it was quickly dispersing into the natural sunrise they were accustomed to.

[Igraine]

"Show off..." Igraine rolled her shoulders trying to unknot her back and release the tension. She hadn't felt every bone crack and change when Thorin shifted forms but she felt enough to know that she wasn't a demon and that it hurt him quite a bit.

She walked out of the cabin and lingered a moment to take in the deep rich oranges and pinks of the sunset reflecting on the water. The deeper oranges faded as nature came to terms with the demon in its midst.

"Captain." Igraine said in a voice she often used in Council. It was authoritative, strong, clear. It was the voice of a High Queen to whom lesser Queens answered to. Thorin might refer to her as a Princess but he was just poking fun at her and ruffling her feathers. This was the true heir to the High Throne of Ulster. The only surviving child of Kahlan Lothair. As she stepped into the room where all of her men were sitting around drinking some watered down ale and telling stories with the Captain, she nodded to the middle aged man -- fully aware of his stare lingering on the hulking demon behind her.

"I have come to have everyone in this room witness that I formally acknowledge this half demon, Thorin Xanathi, as my lover. It is my right as High Queen to bring any man I desire to this auspicious position." Everyone in the room stared with open mouths, even the Captain, but they almost immediately erupted into cheers and yells of encouragement and acceptance. These men, her guards, were from the highest families in Ulster -- usually second and third born sons that would not gain a position in the council -- but their trust was more important for her life was in their hands and so their word was even more weighted than the council members.

"It's about time!" Aiden walked over to Thorin and held out his hand. He wasn't afraid of the half demon and realized that Thorin hadn't known what sort of reception they would get. "I knew you had eyes for her all along." He smiled and watched Igraine walk over to the Captain and bend her head to listen to what he had to say. He looked over to Arthur and saw the man smiling and watching the Queen as well.

"Everyone thought it would be Arthur that would finally win the Queen's heart over. No one really understood that they are friends, and have been friends for so long that neither has romantic interest in the other. The situation at home was getting rough on Igraine and Arthur was willing to step in to save her reputation for not chosing a mate...but he is in love with a woman back home." Aiden clapped Thorin on the shoulder gently. "Thank you for caring for our Queen. She is a picky woman when it comes to lovers. I am glad that she has found love with you, for I know that I can trust you to protect her where her personal guard cannot."

Aiden watched the Queen carefully, seeing how happy she was, the happiest he had ever seen her since he joined her personal guard shortly after her coronation. She was backlit by the fire in the hearth and she was all smiles, glowing in her pretty dress with her blond hair like molten gold. She was a striking woman, undeniably Kahlan's daughter.

Igraine looked up from where she was standing with the Captain and accepting congratulations from Arthur. She looked right at Thorin standing next to Aiden and a small group of men that were offering him their congratulations. He looked uncomfortable, and she could feel that through their bond, but she relaxed letting him feel through her that everything was going to be okay. No matter what would occur she knew her heart would always be his.

She wasn't sure if he could feel that she was giving her heart to him for safe keeping, but she hoped that he understood.

[Thorin]

Thorin felt the heat rise, but it wasn't anger, or frustration...it was embarrassment. He was normally quiet and comfortable with his solitude. When Igraine gave her speech and confessed their commitment, the humiliation only grew more profound, when the other men cheered in acceptance. It was the first time that he had been accepted in a group of men, without having to explain his tainted past. While he was honored, he wondered if this was how they expressed everything in their kingdom- big, or small.

Aiden greeted him and patted him on the back, as if he had just come back from battle. Stoic for the most part, he listened to their words of encouragement and genuine happiness. He didn't sense any regret in the room- not even from the Captain. Overwhelmed with the amount of attention he was receiving, he looked toward Aiden with a simple request: “I need a drink...something strong. You'll want to bring the whole bottle. I doubt a glass will do much to me in my condition.” Thorin sat down, listening to the men gossip about past lovers, or women they had been thinking about since their journey started. It was unusual to see the men so talkative about romance, but he supposed men were all the same when it came to true love, or desire.

He listened to Aiden confess that he had seen their attraction and he hadn't doubted that for a moment. “I am honored you see me as your own.” With his voice grating, anything positive could sound threatening. When one of the men brought back the liquor, he immediately began to drink. He needed to clear his head, before they stepped foot on land.

[Igraine]

Aiden patted Thorin on the back and sat next to him, taking a jug of ale from the next guy that walked by. He tipped his head to Thorin and chugged half the contents before setting the jug on the table.

"You're one of us by all accounts. You shouldn't worry. We want the best for the Lady Igraine. She means the world to all of us in this room. She may be an untried leader in the arts of war, but we know that if it came to war -- she would do right by us. She trained with her mother who is a legend on the battlefield." Aiden spoke without looking at Thorin, as he didn't want to make the man any more uncomfortable than he seemed. It must be hard to be a recluse one day and fully accepted into a foreign society the next.

Igraine looked up from where she was seated next to the fire and smiled at Thorin, surrounded as he was by jovial men singing and talking about loves lost, gained, and visits made in the dark of night. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness that she didn't even know could exist in her. She had written her love life off years ago, almost chosing to live her entire long life in a state of celibacy if she couldn't find love.

Now, maybe, she could have the life her mother was never capable of having. She leaned toward the captain and told the man that Thorin would be staying with her in his cabin for the duration of the trip -- and he laughed and said that he wouldn't part true love and face the wrath of some foreign love goddess. Selune was it? Neither of them could remember.

Igraine excused herself from the Captain and Arthur and walked over to Thorin and leaned against his side, planting a kiss on his brow -- not caring that he was in his demon form. She could tell it was wearing him thin though and she whispered for his ears only: "You're among friends, don't tire yourself too badly. I'm going back to our room, stay as long as you like with the men but do come to me when you're through. You belong with me."

The men whistled and cheered though they couldn't hear what she'd said at all. She laughed and waved them down and winked. "Okay, I'm going to retire for the evening. Don't keep him too long, boys." As she walked out of the room she heard the cheers and happy revelry follow her. It was completely dark outside now and she wandered to the railing of the ship to let the cool night air cleanse her thoughts. Her happiness was paramount, she could feel her heart soaring high into the clouds. She knew now why her mother had been with so many men, and she wished that she had been able to keep one love to be as happy as she was right now.

She wandered slowly across the deck of the ship to the Captain's quarters. She stepped inside and lit the candles, stooping to pick up all of the clothes that had been scattered earlier. She picked up the chair that had tumbled and sat in it, pulling her hair forward to brush out the tangles created by the salty sea air.

Her eyes were unfocused and dreamy as she combed through her hair. It took her a minute to see the pair of eyes staring back at her through the mirror. She jumped, startled and almost fell out of the chair. The eyes were a brilliant sky blue, but incredibly cold with no warmth whatsoever.

"I see you're smitten, my dear. I had no idea that my eyes would lure you into such a deep sense of love. I can almost taste your happiness..." The voice echoed through the room and she saw the reflection of a man standing behind her. He was tall with long pinstraight black hair that fell to his waist. It was twined through with flowers, and upon further inspection she recognized nightshade and other poisonous plants made up the crown on his head. He was incredibly, heart breakingly handsome. The kind of man you could waste away for, just praying he might look your direction and notice you.

It didn't occur to her to turn around and see if he was actually there with her. His presence had stunned her so intensely that she didn't have the perfect sense to protect herself. When the reflection leaned down to kiss her neck she spun away reflexively, batting at her hair and neck. She realized then that she was alone in the room. There was no one there to hurt her, but the message from the mirror was clear -- the King still wanted her.

A haunting chuckle filled the room and Igraine covered her ears and buried her head in her knees, panic threatening to overwhelm her.

She looked up at the mirror and saw him laughing at her and she picked up her brush and flung it at the mirror, causing it to shatter into pieces.

"You will come to love me, instead of your pretty half demon. You will be my Queen. I am a patient man, Igraine. You won't be protected forever..." She saw his face in a piece of the mirror near her leg and she batted at it, trying to block him out.

"I love Thorin, not you!"

[Thorin]

Thorin rushed to the sound of screams. He didn't have time to enjoy the ale. Unsheathing his weapon, he focused on the room up ahead. The other men were still trying to figure out what was happening, but they would be joining him shortly.

He entered their room, to see a crazed Igraine standing over broken glass. She had the same expression as before, when the Unseelie King had tried to break through their barrier. Thorin didn't understand these creatures, but if they were strong enough to come and go as they pleased, he wasn't sure he was the one meant to protect her. Thorin stood there, shocked by the sight of Igraine and the broken glass. Just as he entered the room, he saw the image of the Unseelie King fade, almost smirking at him.

Walking toward the mount the glass had been fixed on, he threw it across the room. His anger getting the better of him. Silently, he declared war on the Unseelie King. If the King had power to hear through the minds of men, then he hoped he heard him with a forced clarity.

He turned to look at Igraine, his anger aimed at her, feeling helpless in the situation. If someone like him wanted Igraine so badly, why had her mother let her wander the world? “You are to stay here for the remainder of the voyage. Anything that I think the King can use to get at you, will be immediately destroyed. The men will guard your room inside and out.” Thorin commanded, spinning around to walk through the room, more than likely leaving a speechless Igraine.

When Aiden and the others caught up with him, he explained the situation, the blade still in his palm. “Take turns if you must, but no one sleeps tonight while we cross. I want her every move watched.” When the men started to protest, he interrupted with another bout of anger. “I won't be sleeping either! Do you want your Queen to die, before she steps foot on her own homeland?!” Thorin yelled, watching some of the men flinch. These men had been congratulating him moments before and now he looked like a mad man. His shoulders sagged and he sheathed his weapon, knowing the creature was long gone before he could use it properly.

“I will be checking the main deck. I'll be back to see that everyone is in their position.” Thorin said abruptly, not meeting the gaze of Aiden. He walked passed the bewildered men, some taking items out of the room to be destroyed, while others were discussing who would be on first shift.

[Igraine]

There was no arguement coming from Igraine. She simply didn't have any fight left in her today. Her emotions had been on such a rollercoaster that she just felt drained. She walked to the bed and drew the curtains closed so that she didn't have to stare into the ominous black sky. It was a moonless night and Igraine didn't want to imagine what could be out there in the darkness. She was relatively safe on the ocean -- though the King was obviously strong, even if his hold was tenative at best.

He had only been able to speak to her, spook her, through a mirror. It was a universal conduit for spirits and general magicks. They hadn't been used for this type of magick in so long that Igraine had simply forgotten they could be manipulated so heavily. Most witches, priests, and priestesses used water to scry, or mercury if they were rich enough. Mirror magick was a less practiced art because of the abundance of mirrors in the world. It would be easy to overshoot your target or even get lost. It took a impressive amount of strength and skill to do what the King had done.

It also showed her that he wanted her regardless of the state she was in. Her mother hadn't thought him a threat, but Igraine would tell her the moment she had her in sight when they reached the Fae realm. The King couldn't reach her there, the power of that realm was physically capable of detaching his hold on her for as long as she could stay -- though as a Queen of the world she couldn't stay there indefinitely as she had when she was a child.

Igraine curled up on the bed, cuddling a pillow and watching as the men swept up all of the glass and discarded all of the mirrors on the ship. Each mirror, no matter how fine or small, cast a brief sparkle as it arced into the air and fell with a distant splash into the sea. Igraine imagined each fragment sparkling in the darkness as it drifted listlessly to the sea floor like a jagged and broken trail of glitter and stars.

It wasn't until dawn lightened the sky through the open door, kept ajar in order for the men to come and go and change shifts of watch, that Igraine actually fell asleep. She looked so small and alone in the big bed, surrounded by large pillows and heavy blankets.

Aiden peeked into the room and nodded at the two guards standing outside and the one man standing inside watching the Queen carefully. He turned and walked to where Thorin was standing and stood by him quietly for a few moments before speaking.

"It isn't her fault. She has the unfortunate characteristics bestowed to her from her mother. The Unseelie King was beaten by Kahlan many years ago. No one thought he was a threat -- but it's obvious that he has been biding his time and waiting for this opportunity to attack Kahlan. Though I fear that now that he has seen our Queen he may be just as infatuated with her as he was with Queen Kahlan." Aiden carefully picked at his nails with a knife that he had kept unsheathed all night. He spoke in a confidential tone, trying to get Thorin to understand the Queen's plight.

"You need to go to her. She needs emotional support just as much as she needs physical protection. He will try to wear her down until she's caught off guard. That will be when he steals her from us. We can't let her put her defenses up against us. She needs to focus all of her protective energy on keeping this...evil creature at bay." Aiden spoke so nonchalantly to this half demon of evil incarnate, as if Thorin were just any other man on watch in love with a woman in danger.

[Thorin]

Thorin watched men haul items out of her room and toss them into the unforgiving ocean. They fell into the blackened depths, out of sight forever. Hearing another voice, he jumped, startled and immediately unsheathed his blade- it was only Aiden. Sighing, Thorin sheathed his blade, wondering if he should have the damned thing to begin with. When Aiden mentioned that the Queen needed his emotional support, he continued to stare into the hypnotic waves.

“You are right, as usual. She needs me, but she wouldn't have wanted me earlier.” Smirking, he watched Aiden's hygiene habits. “Igraine might think she is Queen of your homeland, but she is a foreigner in this realm until she crosses over. Her mother, this Kahlan, placed her in a dangerous position and for that reason, I cannot forgive her.” Thorin said, not letting Aiden interrupt. He could see the anger rise in the man, but he wanted to make his point clear. “She has been an easy target since she left her home and ventured into unfamiliar grounds.” Thorin kept his smirk visible, when Aiden spoke in such a casual manner.

“Without her, your men would have killed me on sight, or do you deny that? Without having been introduced, or put in her favor, I'd be another dead demon to brag about over dinner with your comrades.” Thorin said, scorning Aiden for nothing in particular. He didn't know why he felt such hatred toward the man right now..maybe it had been his calm demeanor, during a situation that could have been deadly.

Thorin stood closer to Aiden, letting their eyes meet. This time, his gaze held a confidence that had never been present before. “If she is to declare me as her lover, then that makes me her equal and in charge of her well-being. Her mother isn't here to protect her right now. Furthermore, your men have failed to detect this creature and prevent him from interfering with your Queen- twice.” He began to walk toward Igraines room, hinting that he was taking Aiden's advice, but only in hope that everyone would cooperate with the plan.

“Do you think it's wise for me to be in the same room with her, when the bastard could cross over again? I want him to come to me, not put myself in a situation where he could use her life against me.” Thorin said, making Aiden think of the possibilities from one mistake.

“I will go to her....but if anything happens to her, I blame you.” Thorin said harshly, only regretting his words momentarily. Igraine would hear footsteps approach her room, where guards stood outside obediently. Thorin nodded at each of them and whispered their dismissal. He entered the room quietly, motioning for the guard to leave the room.

When the guard left the quarters, he caressed her shoulder gently, watching her hug onto the pillow for security. He knew that the best way to get her to talk, would be in a soothing voice. “Igraine...”

[Igraine]

Aiden watched Thorin go to Igraine with a smile. He wasn't bothered by the demon's show of emotion or his anger at Kahlan. Aiden understood the position Thorin was in. A Queen loved him, and not just any Queen -- a woman that would, given time, bring Kingdoms to it's knees just as her mother had.

Aiden watched the door close behind Thorin and pushed off the wall of the boat to give the loitering men orders. They were dazed after the long night of waiting and watching. "Go get some rest. We'll be home soon and we'll need all the rest we can get."

Aiden couldn't fault Thorin for being angry with Kahlan. Wasn't it the parent's fault for all of the problems of the child? In Kahlan's defense, there was no way for her to know that the Unseelie King had amassed so much power -- that he could infiltrate the world of men once again. He couldn't reach Kahlan in the Faery realm, and so he was going for the one thing sure to draw her out. Though from the display last night it seemed that he was truely infatuated with Igraine.

"You there, tell the Captain to make haste. We need to make port as soon as possible." The Captain would miss his next port today and the journey would be quicker for it. He would miss getting his cargo, but Aiden knew that Igraine would compensate him and get him some richer cargo from the shores of Ulster. The Captain and his crew would not suffer on her behalf and they would be able to feed their families.

Aiden took up a spot at the prow of the boat, watching the waves created by the body of the ship slicing through the sea. He saw, with a wide smile, small sleek grey bodies leaping through the turbulence with a childlike glee. Dolphins. A breed that frequented the cooler waters of Ulster no less. They were much closer to Ulster than any had anticipated -- fate was on their side.

Igraine stirred at the touch of Thorin's hand. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him. It took her a few seconds to remember what had happened the night before, but there was only recognition and no fear. She wasn't afraid anymore with Thorin standing so close. Nothing could hurt her with him nearby and the fear generated by the Unseelie King was a distant memory.

"Thorin..." Her voice was thick with sleep but she smiled at him with her brilliant emerald green eyes. "How long have I slept? I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer." She sounded strong and she reached out and held his hand, wrapping her slender warm hands around his.

"We need to talk, don't we?" Igraine scooted back away from the edge of the bed and held Thorin's hand so he couldn't move away. Her grip was soft on him but her arms were like steel. She didn't want him to leave her again, even if it was for her own good.

"When we step into the Faerie Realm to find your mother, the King will lose his hold on me. Once we're there we can visit with your mother and mine. My mother will know what to do to repel the King. There are certain women within the Faerie realm that are masters of hiding things in plain sight. There will be a way to make it seem as if I have simply vanished, as if death himself has taken me." Igraine patted the bed next to her, waiting for him to sit or lay next to her -- his choice.

"I won't let him take me. However, if he manages to somehow steal me, there is a way to find me. I will show it to you before we leave to meet our mothers." Igraine knew the King wouldn't have a chance to steal her before they left. He had overdrawn his power reaching out to her last night and wouldn't be able to try again for some time.

[Thorin]

Thorin sat next to her, listening to her explain their situation. He still didn't trust her mother and Kahlan would have to prove herself to him. Their Fae realm would be something entirely new to him and a little intimidating. He hadn't thought of his mother the entire journey and that was the reason that they were together in the first place.

When she spoke about the Unseelie King stealing her, he breathed in deeply. He didn't need another episode from before and decided to let her have her say. Laying down on the bed, he stretched. He hadn't actually slept in a day or so, but he usually had the endurance to handle that type of exhaustion. Looking up at the ceiling, he noted its intricate patterns and ornate fixtures around the room. Sitting up again, he held his head, trying to gather all of his thoughts into one sentence that would make sense to her.

Thorin knew how to protect her. He didn't want to think of a “what-if” scenario and considered ignoring what she was saying. Interrupting her, he thought of his current plan that had been formulating since she had declared him her lover.

She could show him whatever she wanted, but right now that wasn't important. They just needed to cross over and he needed to let Kahlan understand how he felt about the situation. Kahlan might not accept him, but he didn't give a damn what she thought about him.

Since they were declared lovers, why would it be unusual to work an engagement? It might be too soon, but if he was joined with her in marriage, maybe the Unseelie King would see the challenge and focus on him entirely. If the King tried to steal from him, he was sure that the demon realm and Fae realm would have something to say about it- it could be the perfect plan.

“We won't have to worry about him once we arrive.” Thorin got up from the bed and stood in front of her. Something about his eyes, might tell her that he had other things on his mind.

He might have been isolated, but he knew how to propose. Thorin rested on the floor with one knee and cupped her hand. Even if she didn't take him seriously, he could explain the proposal to her mother.

“Marry me. Then you won't have to worry about that bastard. It will be my battle.”

[Igraine]

Igraine was stunned. Her eyes went wide and she squeezed Thorin's hand tight. She hadn't expected this. Technically it was within her right to marry whomever she desired, but this was a Prince of Xexoria and so in his own right he had the proper lineage.

"Thorin I...I don't know what to say..." Her eyes watered a little and she leaned forward and kissed him. She hadn't thought that this sort of thing would happen so quickly, or under such dire circumstances.

"I don't want you to marry me because you feel that it's the only way to protect me. I want you to marry me because you want to. I don't want you trapped by me. That was a fault my mother could never put behind her. Men died for want of her understanding. My mother trapped men with her looks and her power. I don't want that from you. I want you to want to be with me..."

Igraine sat up, still holding Thorin's hand tightly. She turned to him and kissed him hard on the mouth. She was like a soft sweet rose -- beautiful but strong. She looked frail but there was steel in her core -- she had been raised by the lengendary High Queen of Ulster. Igraine rested her free hand on Thorin's clasped hands.

"Those are my requirements. I will marry you if you agree that you aren't doing this to try to save me. I would rather die at the hands of the Unseelie Court than trap you in a marriage that you don't want." Dramatic? Perhaps. She wanted Thorin to love her. Besides, she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that the King didn't care at all whether or not she was already married.

Aiden tapped on the door some time later and cracked the door to the room without opening it. He didn't want to see...anything...that was inappropriate to see so he looked away from the door but kept his face turned so that he could speak through the crack in the door.

"We make port in an hour. The wind has been in our favor. The men have everything ready to depart. I thought that you should know so that you could get your things together."

He shut the door behind him and wandered off to see after getting the horses ready to move. Igraine kissed Thorin again, having tangled her body in his, feeling safe nestled so close to him. She was glad that Aiden had the good sense to only crack the door and not throw it open like he normally would have. Then again, she was with her acknowledged lover. She smiled and kissed Thorin one more time before getting out of bed and gathering her clothes.

"If we keep this up my maids are going to have fits with my clothes being all over the floor." She laughed and pulled on her underclothes and a fresh pair of pants and a shirt. She tucked the shirt into her pants and pulled on a pair of boots. She quickly braided her hair and looked at Thorin with a grin.

"We better get our things together." Igraine stooped to pick up her clothes and shoved them into her bags. She placed her brush on top of her clothes and cinched the bags together. She only had three, and one was filled with books that hadn't left their bag.

"You still don't have a shirt. Are you sure you don't want one from the Captain? He's offered his wardrobe to you if you need anything at all."

[Thorin]

Thankfully, the captain was a big man. The shirt looked awkward on someone like Thorin, but he was sure the men would understand. He hadn't come with much, only the clothes on his back and they had been strewn around the room again. Hearing the door open timidly, he smirked, guessing it was Aiden.

Thorin wanted her to feel safe, but also that she was wanted. “I don't just confess to any woman who is in danger. I proposed, because I want you by my side.” Grabbing his newly acquired jacket, he walked out with her. There we some looks of approval and some looks of annoyance from her men. He was sure that they had kept some up that night. It was obvious, that her people were not accustomed to actual lovers displaying their affection.

Her realm was beautiful, in comparison to desolate Xexoria. Thorin decided that he could easily change his ways and make this place his home. The sight of her world, put him in a better mood. Running into Aiden, he patted the man on his shoulders, just as the man had given him the same gesture earlier. “You and your men should be with your families. When we finally dock, you can go to your loved ones.” He paused, wanting to thank the man, but not having a lot of words that would be appropriate. “I won't be leaving her side any time soon...you can rest tonight for the first time.” He left Aiden with those thoughts and returned to Igraine, hopeful for the new scenery and the welcome from his mother.

[Igraine]

** The continuation of the RP has moved to http://forums.sordidystopia.com/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=937 the Ulster boards !