Imagine from thereandbackagainimagines; Imagine falling asleep at the campfire one evening and Thorin carefully picking you up so he doesn't wake you and carrying you to your bedroll.

I wanted to start with something cute, small and fluffy to get back into the spirit of things.

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*Stay awake or you will regret it* your brain teased you. Your eyelids slowly drifted down before you shook your head violently. "No, no, I am not going to go to sleep. I don't need it -aaah" you argued, ending with a long yawn.

Deciding that the fire was helping to lull you to sleep, your eyes moved away from the yellow and orange colors by themselves. They noticed the dancing lights of fireflies somewhere in the distance.

They moved left and right in unrecognizable patterns. How would it feel to dance just like them?

Waiting for darkness to fall and shine your light to brighten it just a little. Then, creating a dance with others like you as you keep spectators in a trance.

You were unable to tear your gaze away from them. Following one particular firefly and how it danced in perfect harmony with his friends, you slowly drifted away to another world. One where the trees were lights in the bright darkness.

And the path that lead you further into the woods was made of cold stone. 

Light blue eyes were carefully watching you from across the camp. They had watched your every move ever since you sat down on the wooden log. 

By chance they had found an abandoned spot that was clearly being used more often. Maybe it belonged to a group of men or perhaps it just got re-used every time someone came by it.

For now it was a welcome change to the rocks and slightly damp grass they had been sitting on. 

Thorin prefered rocks if he was perfectly honest but for now this would do. It all made up for his own uncomfortable position when he noticed how relaxed this camp made you feel. As the only woman amongst a rough bunch of man, he would give you any chance of relaxtion that he could give you.

And secretly he liked the smile around your lips the most. 

"That does look uncomfortable" commented Bofur from his spot near the fire. Thorin looked up to see what he was pointing at. Or rather, to whom he was pointing.

In your battle to stay awake on the wooden log, you had slowly slipped off of the wood and onto the sand. You were half resting against the wood and half sprawled onto the floor. With your boot dangerously close to the fire...

The dwarf didn't waste any more time and walked over to you. Bofur had gotten up as well but sat back down when he noticed Thorin making his way to you. He continued his conversation with his brother.

Lightly, as not to wake you from your slumber, Thorin knelt down next to you. He studied your face for a few seconds. 

"Lass?" he asked in his normal voice. 

He didn't want to overstep any boundaries so as long as there was a chance that you were awake, he would stay passive. Though it was hard to ignore the need in his arms to just hold you.

Thorin leaned forward, softly shaking your shoulder. "Lass? I am going to move you. Is that alright?" he asked with a calm voice. 

There came no reply. You were far, far away in a blissful dream where all the colors blurred together quite beautifully.

He sighed softly, hoping that most of his companions would be asleep. Balin had assured him yesterday that everyone knew of his affection for you but you yourself. Still, he didn't want to give off the idea that there already was something between you two. 

What would he do if you woke up the next morning, teased for your relationship that you had no idea existed in the first place?

The only thing you were aware off in your dream state was a floating feeling. Like you were laying on the clouds high above the ground. You nestled closer against the cloud. It was so soft.

In the real world you were nestling closer against Thorin' chest as he carried you to a more comfortable spot. He smiled down at you when he noticed. His heart swelled at the thought of holding you like this when you were awake.

Carefully lowering you on your bedroll, the dwarven king discovered that you had a tight hold on his shirt. He chuckled silently. With his thumb he caressed the skin of your hand. 

"Don't go" you mumbled in your sleep.

His eyes widened at your words. He couldn't possibly... or could he?

What he wouldn't give to spend the rest of the night laying next to you. Simply listening to your breathing and watching your chest rise and fall with each breath. 

Thinking of your honour, he tried to get up. But your hand had formed a tight fist with his shirt still stuck in the middle of your hold. 

He looked around, but almost everyone was already sound asleep. No one would notice that he had slept beside you. He would just have to get up before anyone else did. That was nothing new to the king so he decided to lay down. 

Instinctively you moved closer to his warmth when it was finally given to you.

Enveloping you in his arms, Thorin allowed himself to enjoy this moment. It weren't cold nights now that spring had started but he had never felt so warm before.

After a little while he felt his own eyes slowly falling shut and he too was carried off to a brighter place. 

Both were peacefully unaware that the next morning would be the first where Thorin would be one of the last to wake up. With the first time in years that he had a good night' sleep.