*Molly's POV*

That night, as I lay in my room with one single burning lantern, I stare out the window. I could see the fireflies flickering outside in the garden. That was one thing that was just like home.

The fireflies.

They were the exact same. It seemed like a simple thing, but to me, it wasn't. It seems as if that was the one single thing left in my memories of home. Even now it's hard for me to even picture my family and all their faces.

Laying here no matter how hard I try, sleep doesn't seem to be in the cards. I'm tired, but I think I've been asleep for long enough. Am I afraid to fall asleep? Fearing I may not wake up again? In the silence, I hear mumbling. I furrow my brows and listen closer hearing it again. As it gets louder I sit up recognizing the voice.

"Thorin."

Crawling out of bed I open my bedroom door. Closing it behind me softly, I make my way down the dimly lit hallway. I hear the mumbles getting louder and some pleading words were spoken. Going down the hall following the cries I turn and see another bedroom door. From the inside, I can hear him mumbling. Peeking in I see the darkroom but see Thorin shaking his head moving back and forth.

"Thorin?" I call out with a knock on the door but he doesn't respond. His breathing is heavy and he starts shaking more. I bite my lip not sure if I should walk in or not.

"Thorin..?!" I call again from the doorway but the dark-haired dwarf still lays in turmoil.

Slowly I enter and walk towards his bed in hopes of waking him up. He continues to thrash and even seems to be so scared. I crouch down and rest my hand on his shoulder.

"Thorin? Thorin, wake up."

I gasp as he grabs my wrist tightly and gives out a yell. For a moment it seems he's actually going to strike me. My eyes are wide as he glares at me with his hair falling down in front of his face. His expression softens as does his grip when he realizes it's me.

"What-what are you doing in here?" he growls.

I swallow nervously "I-I heard you from down the hall. I just came to see if you were alright."

Letting his hands drop his head lowers and I see beads of sweat on his temple and glistening off his body.

"I'm....I'm alright."

I nod "Okay, good." without saying another word I stand. Before I can leave he grabs my hand stopping me. My heart picks up as I turn back to him. His ocean blue hues are staring up at me sending a sensation throughout my body. The way he's looking at me is enchanting and terrifying all at once. His voice sounds like soft thunder as he speaks.

"Are you really here?"

My eyes widen "What do you mean?"

He closes his eyes and shakes his head "Forgive me I-"

Taking my hand Thorin then brings it to his bare chest resting over his heart. I tense up as I feel his warmth and gentle skin. My fingers brush over the hair cascaded over his chest and I sit on the bed. My heart is racing and my stomach turning, but I can feel something's off. I lower my head trying to look at him "Hey, are you okay?".

He shakes his head looking up at me. I can see the sadness in his eyes as well as the turmoil. The guilt is apparent and I can't help but feel guilty as well.

"I'm-I'm so sorry." he mumbles.

My heart breaks hearing his voice waver. I know what he's apologizing for. He speaks as if what happened to me was his doing. Pain and suffering were something I had never experienced until death. The separation of contact and life, but Thorin had suffered through the years just as I did. Thorin sighs shaking his head "I-I could have done something different. I could-I could have saved you in some way...somehow, but I didn't I-" 

I take Thorin's hands in mine and shake my head "Thorin no...I didn't want you to save me. You had already saved me. But at that moment I made a choice, and I decided for once I needed to save you."

He smiles a little and I smile back rubbing his hand. My smile is obviously fake trying to mask my sadness. But I have to put on a brave face. Thorin looks concerned but I turn away to hide it.

"Well, I better-um-I better get back to b-"Thorin wraps his strong muscled arms around me and brings me close to him where our bodies were pressed into one another. My heart races as he buries his face into the crevice of my neck. I can feel his breath tickle my ear. My body gives a light shiver and he squeezes me tighter. My arms wrap around him as well. Inhaling his scent I close my eyes soaking up every second. Thorin whispers to me softly. Simple words that meant the world to me.

"How I have missed you so."

I smile and nod "I've missed you too."

"I don't want you to leave" he mumbles "But I know it's the only way."

Closing my eyes I nod "I know. Me too."

After a few moments, I pull back and look to his bedside dresser. Resting on the table is the starlight necklace. I smirk and reach out picking it up. Carefully I hold it in my hands.

"So you kept it with you? After all this time?" I ask looking back at Thorin.

Looking at the necklace he nods "Yes."

"Why?"

He smirks "I believe someone told me once it was for good luck."

I raise a brow "Hmm, she sounds like a genius. Maybe you should listen to her more often."

We both laugh a little and Thorin scoots over patting his now empty place on the bed.

"Come sit."

Nervously I wince and glance away "Eh, I don't think you want me taking up your bed space."

He snorts "Molly, I've watched you rub your hands together fifteen times in the five minutes you've been here. Just get in the warm bed. I'm not asking."

Blushing and stifling a nervous giggle from the King's demand I give in to his wish. Quickly I get in the warm bed next to him and pull the blankets up in my lap. The bed is so warm and cozy from where Thorin had been laying. I try not to snuggle down and fall asleep but the comfort makes it almost too tempting. 

"Cozy?" he asks and I only laugh "Snug as a bug."

We laugh again for a moment until we both result back to silence. I can feel the awkward tension between us and now I almost regret staying. As my eyes drift back to the necklace in my hand I furrow my brows. Something about it sparks some forgotten memory in my mind. In the blur of my vision, I can see Thorin leaning over me as he holds me before I slip. He seems to get closer but the memory soon fades. My lips seem to tingle and a shiver runs over my body. I remember the kiss we shared in Erebor just before he led the Company into battle. Now I can only guess it was a heat of the moment time. Kiss the only woman closest to you right before you go out to battle snarling Orcs. Just a kiss for good luck. However, I doubt it is that memory I wish to discuss at this present time. I have other matters weighing on me.

Hesitating I wait to ask but the curiosity is killing me. Turning to Thorin I speak "Before I-on the mountain before I had...slipped away...what happened?"

Thorin looks back at me with his brows furrowed "You don't-you don't remember what happened before then?"

I shake my head "N-no. I remember the battle, Azog-Azog standing over you...I remember you dying. I remember begging for you not to go. Then...I remember seeing you. You were now holding me. It was me on my back in the snow not you. I was scared but...happy. I can't remember all the details leading up to that point except using the necklace to bring you, Fili, and Kili back. Once you had awoken all I remember is being on my back. I can barely see your face but the rest is....silence."

Thorin falls silent again avoiding my gaze. With his face lowered he goes deathly quiet. I can feel the tension from him. There's something he's not telling me.

"There's more isn't there?" I ask.

He nods "Yes."

"Can you tell me, please?"

"I don't know if it's something you want to know."

"Yes, it is." I say desperately turning to face him "I have to know what happened and what was said before I left the light."

He sighs "I can not tell you."

Narrowing my eyes I look down "Are you afraid it will make me change my mind about going home?"

"Yes...a-and no." he mutters "I don't-I don't know how you will...act around me. How I will be around you."

"Thorin..." I say gently reaching out holding his arm "Please, whatever it is you can tell me."

He nods in agreement clasping his hand over mine "After you used the magic within the necklace to bring us back there was a consequence. The magic gave us our lives back in exchange for yours. The scar on your chest is a mark from that."

I look down and clutch my chest remembering the light erupting from inside of me. Bits were starting to come back together. 

Thorin continues "Once it was said and done you began to collapse. I caught you and held you trying to get you to stay awake until help could arrive. You were fading so quickly and there wasn't anything left to do but to sit there and be with you. I could see it in your eyes, you knew you were going to die. Deep down I did too. So, just before you lost your breath you told me...you told me that...."

I furrow my brows as Thorin's voice trails. There's a slight smirk in the corner of his mouth as he tries to speak but fails. However, in his eyes, I can see so much guilt and sadness. I scoot closer to him until I'm pressed against his side "What did I tell you?"

He looks at me meeting my eyes "You told me that you loved me. That you were at peace in my arms and that you had always and would always love me."

My eyes widen and my lips part to speak but all that comes from my mouth in silence. All the memories leading up to that moment come flooding in and I remember it so clearly.

"Thorin! It's okay...It's perfect...I'm in the arms... of my first love. The first person I've ever loved, the person I'll always love. I love you...Thorin-Thorin Oakenshield."

"You...love me?"

My eyes lock onto the necklace as I tightly incase it inside my hand. My heart flutters in my chest and I muster up the courage to look back at Thorin. When I do he's still looking back at me. Watching and waiting.

"I-I remember...." I stutter "I remember telling you. Then you kissed me again. I remember everything."

He looks away again and shakes his head "No, not everything."

I furrow my brow and lean in "What do you mean?"

"I-I never said it." he states closing his eyes and lowering his head "I never said it back."

My heart sinks and I know what I had thought before was true. If Thorin does have any affection for me it is certainly not love. Still, regardless if he loves me or not I love him. I meant what I said on that mountain and I still do. I will always love him and I will always be his. Looking at Thorin now I can feel a familiar sensation. Almost as if I were about to fall asleep. Then I hear him. I can hear Thorin speaking to me. I repeat the words just as I remember hearing them.

"You are mine, Molly." I mumble "Mine forever."

Thorin lifts his head and looks back at me. His eyes are wide in disbelief "How did you?"

I nod as tears form in my eyes "I heard you."

Clenching his jaw I can see the shine in his eyes looking back at me "I meant it. You are mine forever. I can't-I can't explain what that means at this moment. I don't have the words or the capacity to but-but-...."

His voice fades as he begins to slightly tremble. I can see an unfamiliar look in Thorin's eyes. My heart races a little in my chest. He can't be implying what I am imagining. Thorin does not love me nor does he have any affection for me. He couldn't. Could he? I look deep into his eyes with the shake of my head "But?"

Now completely trembling Thorin reaches out cupping my cheek "But I can show you...!"

Before I can blink Thorin has my face in his hands and his lips pressed firmly to mine. I whimper from the sudden surprise but almost immediately find my hands around his neck. Quickly Thorin dominates and looms over me as I sink back into the mattress. Pressing his body to mine I run my hands down his bareback holding him closer to me. My heart is racing as our lips passionately mesh and fight back and forth. I can barely get enough air being suffocated by him but I can't think of a better way to go out again. As we fight back and forth for dominance I feel Thorin's tongue dance against my lips teasing and waiting for permission.  Humming into the kiss I find myself beginning to smile. I have never been kissed like this, ever. I've never had someone to hold me so close and be so passionate towards me. Not once. 

Feeling another flick of Thorin's tongue against my lips I lightly moan and allow him in to explore me. His tongue gently swirls against mine ever so lightly but his lips stay focused on bringing not just pleasure alone but the passion and affection with it. His hands begin to tangle in my hair bringing me up to him and I continue to hold him down. His hot skin sends shivers down my spine and goosebumps rise over my body under his touch. Thorin's hands slide over my skin down my neck, arms, sides, and down to my hips. I gasp a little as I feel Thorin's hands slide under my nightdress running up my thighs. Grasping my thighs Thorin gives my flesh a quick squeeze. A small whimper leaves my lips as Thorin places himself against me. 

Laying between my legs I can feel the friction of Thorin's now hard shaft rub against my underwear. I can feel myself beginning to slightly throb as my underwear becomes almost soaked. The friction between our garments rubbing back and forth intensifies to where I'm almost trembling. There's a growl that escapes from Thorin as his hips grind against my underwear driving me crazier. Now Thorin's lips feel as if they're on fire. His mouth consumed my own in quick, sloppy, heated kisses. I can't keep up with his pace and my legs begin to tighten around the Dwarf.

Unable to take another moment without breathing I gasp throwing my head back. Taking in quick gasps I allow the cool air to enter my lungs. Thorin buries his face into my neck. His breathing was just as exasperated as my own. I feel his hands slide down my legs from under my nightdress. As they wander back up his fingers dance along with the fabric until gliding up my bare arms. Now he holds to me and lifts his head. Meeting my eyes I can't help but keep his gaze. Neither of us looks away and my face presses into his hand as he cups and caresses my cheek.

"I wish we had more time." he says softly "I wish we had all the time in the world."

*Thorin's POV*

I lay next to her in my bed. Snuggled down in the sheets she sleeps soundly unafraid and content. I watch her as she sleeps only mere inches from me. Her lips are still slightly red and swollen from my advances on her. I don't know what had come over me. All I knew was that I needed her. I had to have her as close to me as allowed. Still, this encounter was not near close enough. I want to be one with her. Tied to her forever if I could be. If she would allow me to be, but I could never ask such a thing or follow her to an unfamiliar world in which I could never belong. Through the window, I can see the orange light of the new day cresting over the horizon. As the sun arrives so does the time of her departure from me. Looking back down at Molly I brush a piece of her hair from her face. I caress her cheek with the back of my hand in hopes she will stay asleep just a little longer. I don't want to leave this space yet. I don't want to wake again tomorrow and her be gone. I don't want to wake in a world without her, but she must go.

Wrapping my arms around her I pull her close to me. Pressed against me I hold her to my chest. I bury my face in her hair closing my eyes. I can't hold her tight enough to keep the light of the new day from reaching her. Now, as the sun crests over the hills shining on Rivendell I know the time has drawn near. It is only when I feel her own arms wrap around me do I hold onto her like I'm holding to life.