Bound Together

[Thorin]

Thorin didn't know how to react. He had this beautiful woman bonded to him and he could only think of giving her freedom. Placing the locket over his neck, he felt her fingers intertwine with his. Pulling his hand free, he had to seriously think of the situation. They had just met, yet she wanted him to share his history and emotions willingly. His heart was still consumed by thoughts of Igraine and he felt like this was another betrayal to her.

“Sadness? I should have the look of confusion. That man said that this locket binds us...can it be destroyed? Would you be free from man then?” Nimue would be the second woman bound to him. He had a nasty habit of getting involved with strange women. Nimue was different from Igraine and that idea frightened him the most. She was naïve like a child, yet he knew that she held intelligence and wit. While her body made her look frail, he could see strength in her. When her blood had soaked his armor, he wondered if it would effect the nature.

He was sad, confused and frustrated all at the same time. His head swam with emotions that failed to make sense. Since returning, he had lost a son, future wife and dignity all in one day. Thorin hadn't even been strong enough to go against the entity that had demanded the infant. Now he would wait in the desolate castle, while everyone waited for their Queen to return. He knew that their relationship was more than likely broken from his actions. But now he had Nimue to think about.

“My name is Thorin Xanathi. I was once lover to Queen Igraine, but that's in the past now. I'm Vuri, a creature that lives on flesh and blood and resides in the shadow realm.” As if on cue, his body flickered and faded into the shadow that was available in the room. Thorin was very comfortable with the transformation and it was quickly becoming second nature. Vuri tended to focus on one element, their born children inheriting that ability. He appeared on the other side of her bed, his body becoming the vessel, while thread-like dense substances spiraled from his body. Their forms would furl from his body, like thick wisps of smoke.

Thorin's eyes flashed at her, albeit dangerously, but with a hint of humor. “Your blood smells foul to me, like a rotting corpse. I'd only want your body for other activities.” Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Nimue was easy to read and her desires were like a hot flame teasing her body. Thorin was amused and he hadn't visited that emotion in some time.

"You might have been better off with your other Master..."

[Igraine]

Nimue glanced around startled as Thorin disappeared, his whole speech rushed as if he wanted to get it over with. When he started to return she clapped her hands gingerly, favoring her bandaged wrist. She had a genuine smile of pleasure on her lips as she rested her head back and looked at the man nearby. He was so large that it was hard to think him capable of any gentleness. However, here he was sitting with her, talking to her, showing her his magic.

“You’ve been the Queen’s lover? I can see why she was drawn to you. You have a very serious presence, but you are caring to. So very important to a warrior. Most men think that they should just wave their swords about as if they had no care in the world. The ones to really fear though are the ones that care about someone or something. They have a reason to fight.” Most people only saw the sexual side of a nymph, but Nimue had experience fighting just like everyone else. She didn’t really care to be out in the battle if she didn’t have to be, but she was deadly nonetheless.

“The locket can’t be destroyed. You can give it back to me if you can find it in your heart to part with it. I think, not to be incredibly forward with you, that you need me. There are many ways to be in a relationship with someone. You need a friend. Our relationship does not have to be sexual unless you desire it to be so.” It would be somewhat difficult at first but in her weakened state Nimue would be able to hold off on her own desire and the pull she had on someone else.

Nimue relaxed into the pillows behind her and looked at the ceiling quietly. It took her some time to respond, obviously mulling over her words carefully before looking at Thorin.

“Nicoli can go to hell. He’s the reason I’m here now. I would rather be without a master than be at the very beck and call of someone. I was free before my locket was taken and then I was treated as if I were less than the dirt on the bottom of his shoe. I would be my own master again, but you need a friend and I will not abandon you for my own personal gain.” Nimue crossed her hands over her abdomen, wincing when the weight of her hands made contact with the wound that was healing. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, testing the movement of her muscles briefly before closing her eyes.

“Tell me what it’s like to be a Shadow Warrior. Tell me about the Vuri. Tell me anything to get my mind off of the pain in my body.” It was obvious she was barely containing her shaking pain, and a nurse came over and administered some clear liquid which soon set her at ease, lethargic she looked at Thorin with her dreamy blue eyes. She raised her eyebrows as if to encourage him to tell her whatever he would about what he was.

[Thorin]

It took days for Nimue to fully heal, but her recovery had been swift, all things considered. Thorin watched her cautiously, expecting her to suddenly crumble. Her presence helped him forget Igraine and the Parley incident. He even began to forget about his son and the baby that Igraine carried for him. For the first time, his thoughts were clear and controlled. The necklace never left his neck, its intricate surface reflecting against the sunlight.

Thorin had told her his entire history with the Vuri and how his father had changed him against his will. He had not normally been this creature of her nightmares, so oddly connected to the shadow. His eyes almost never left her, Thorin wondered if he was becoming obsessive. He often tried to distract his thoughts away from Nimue, but that tactic always failed.

Every time he tried to think of something else- a fond memory with Igraine-Nimue would invade his thoughts. He knew that Igraine wouldn't be able to return to him, so he needed to move on and think of his own future.

Walking the garden path with her, he watched her every movement, even the way she glanced at a flower. Her beauty surpassed Igraine's, but it hadn't been her features that had drawn him to her. Thorin was sure it was the bond, but his mind enjoyed being in denial- always hoping that there was something deeper.

In the short amount of time, Thorin felt like an equal with Nimue. He had shared his most intimate details with her, unafraid of her judgement. With Igraine, that alone had been a difficult task.

“Marry me, Nimue...” Thorin's request was calm, almost too nonchalant, considering those words would change their lives. Even though he had her bound by locket, he wanted Nimue to be bound to him by law. He prepared for her response, noting how still the garden appeared to be.

[Igraine]

Nimue was a patient woman and she was willing to work her body to its fullest in order to get healed. So when Thorin offered to help her walk in the garden she was absolutely delighted. She hooked her arm over his offered arm and listened to him talk. It was a shame that a man so shunned by society hadn’t ever been given the chance to speak his mind. Thorin, when he spoke, could command a room. Instead he commanded her attention. Nimue was completely enthralled by the man that had seen so much, and yet had experienced so very little.

When she asked for a break in the rose garden he allowed her to sit in the sun. She was leaning back against one of the benches, warming her body and enjoying the sleepy haze that had settled over the entire garden. The sun was just beginning to set, so the heat of the day was quickly being whisked away. It was then that Thorin asked her the one question she never expected to slip past his lips.

Marriage.

Nimue had never thought about settling down before. Now, though, she opened her beautiful blue eyes and smiled up at Thorin. He had so much to offer her in the way of steady companionship and protection. She had so much to offer him by way of love and gentleness, everything that he had never known – not even with Queen Igraine. Their love affair had been so fraught with danger, lust, and a deep sense of longing that neither knew how to work around. They weren’t made for each other, but Nimue wasn’t entirely sure that Thorin wasn’t just caught up in the glamor of what she was.

“You would marry me? I had never thought to be asked such a question.” Nimue patted the bench next to her and relaxed, closing her eyes again, comfortable in Thorin’s presence. She was wearing a loose fitting white gown that made her skin look more tan than it actually was. Her hair was flowing freely around her face and shoulders, pooled like a vivid banner of red on the side of the bench opposite of where Thorin would seat himself. Nimue smiled, a wistful thing that was completely serene at the same time.

“What would you marry me for? You know what I am, Thorin. I am already bound to you and can give my love to no other. I find myself not desiring to be set free from you either. There is something about you that contents me as no other male has been capable of. If you would marry me because you truly wish it, then yes. I think that I could be a wife to you. If you are in it to distance yourself from Queen Igraine, I cannot help you. I am not a Queen and would always be her servant in all things, though I would do anything for you before I would her. It is my nature to push against the grain of what is expected of me. So, Thorin, my answer to you is yes. I will marry you if you can promise me it is not to escape an inescapable Queen.”

Nimue cracked one eye open to assess his reaction to her words. She had, very early on in their relationship, been very frank with him in the matters concerning him.

[Thorin]

Thorin sat next to her, her response shocking. When Nimue said yes, he heard a layer of surprise in her answer. He hadn't expected her to take his request seriously, so her response gave him a whirlwind of emotions. When she explained her position with Queen Igraine, he shook his head. He didn't care about her status, just like he hadn't cared about Igraine's status in the world. When he loved someone, it was true affection.

Deep down, he knew that he cared for Igraine, but he no longer loved her, or sought her. Igraine had tried giving him affection, but something had always been in the middle of their relationship. He couldn't blame her, but she hadn't exactly fought for them either. Thorin would not miss their relationship and he wanted to be done with Igraine's world. He would only help in raising Morgana, an obligation he wouldn't ignore.

Trying to reassure Nimue, he grasped her hands and talked directly to her. She was the first person that he could express himself to, without fear of consequence. He didn't hold any emotion for Igraine anymore, having lost her to another man and another realm, beyond his understanding, or power.

“I don't care about your ties with her, or your status. You will just be Nimue to me, the one woman I want in my life. I can see myself living the rest of my days with you and even having a family together...” Thorin could easily settle down with Nimue, her patient and caring nature always winning his heart. “I do not love Igraine, like I love you. She's also my half sister...it wouldn't have been a good outcome. I will already have to explain our relations to my daughter when she's older.”

“You have to understand that I will still fight for her- even if she is unaware of my actions.”

Thorin had a feeling that he would be going to war soon, but he didn't know when. It was just an inevitable feeling in the pit of his stomach. Nimue had patience and understanding. He was sure that she wouldn't hold that fact against him. He would still fight for Igraine, should the future call for it. Thorin didn't want to ruin the moment and think of that grim task. He immediately switched the topic back to their wedding and brighter hope.

“We will plan our wedding then and you can take care of your own particulars. It doesn't need to be rushed, but I do want us to have our own place. We can worry about that later though.” Thorin didn't want to raise a family in the castle. It would be too awkward and they needed their own privacy.

Right then, Thorin felt at peace. A simple locket had given him so much and he felt like he had so little to return to Nimue- it wasn't a fair trade to her. “I don't have wealth, or status...I hope that I can make you happy.” Standing up, he moved away from Nimue and the bench he had shared. He couldn't sit still for long, his mind constantly worrying about the storm brewing with King Pendaran and Igraine.

[Igraine]

Nimue listened to what Thorin had to say, quietly contemplating his words before sitting more upright and squeezing his hand before he left her side. He was a complex man with complex thoughts and it was her wish to allow him a safe harbor in which to find solace. She watched him for a moment longer before smiling the sweet half smile he had come to like so much.

“I do not require much. I have lived in the woods my whole life. Having a more permanent home besides one made of mud or straw or whatever was at hand – that is a good life to me. We can always live in my world or we can live in this one. I prefer the wooded life. I feel so enclosed here, which is why I love staying in the garden so much.” Nimue got to her feet, favoring her abdomen ever so slightly. Her wrist was completely healed without so much as a mark. She walked to Thorin and rested her hand on his arm with a gentle smile.

“I will be called upon to fight in the coming war as well. I have abilities that my brethren don’t normally get born with. My mother was a rather lascivious woman, as Nymphs often are, and she fell into the bed of a rather well known mage. Talesin, I think he is called these days, but he imparted to me some of his gifts. I have elemental magic at my disposal among other more obvious assets. I’m not all that skilled with blades though, so I envy you that ability. I’m sure that I will be kept away from the forefront of the action but if the Unseelie breakthrough the forward lines we’ll be in for rough and brutal combat.” Nimue took Thorin by the hand and began walking back toward the castle. She was required to stay a few more days in the infirmary as her wounds healed, but she liked his companionship most of all.

“When would you like to be married? We can arrange something small just between the two of us in the Seelie Realm, or even here. Wherever you like, I’m not opposed to anything you desire.” Nimue spoke, pushing her hair away from her face and watching their footsteps with a quiet grace. She was happy but she wasn’t going to explode all over about it. This was their business and theirs alone. Thorin’s choice of wife had nothing to do with the way of the world or the coming war. If he wanted to find solace in someone he had the right. Especially if Queen Igraine was going to be forced into a political marriage as everyone assumed she would be.

[Thorin]

Thorin thought over her words, his mind in a constant turmoil. Even when he finally had someone, there was the possibility of losing them. Stepping away from her, he quickly went over the words that would be spoken. He would never get Igraine back. The idea of being by her side, had to be forgotten. Igraine would just be a Queen he fought for- someone he aided. Nimue was his new family and he'd be damned if she was put in the middle of this war. If Igraine had listened to him, maybe taken his warning seriously, they wouldn't be in this mess- but then, he wouldn't have Nimue either.

“I forbid you from fighting. Even aiding her. She can find someone else to take your place, but you will stay behind. I'm not losing you. You can argue all you like...” Thorin paused, knowing that his words might cut her emotionally. “I will not let her war take you from me.” Thorin didn't let her respond. His mind was already made up and his heart regretted those words, but they needed to be said. Nimue would have to see his other side, especially if she thought she could live with him.

“We will marry immediately and I will find you a safe haven.” Thorin felt his mind break, his thoughts constantly thinking of her. “I don't want her name spoken. You are my family now...not phantoms that could have been.” Thorin wondered if he hated Igraine. It was possible and that reality only angered him further. Every time her name was spoken, the intensity of that emotion increased.

Thorin paced, his mind racing. Nimue would have to get used to his outbursts and his rash decisions. He had never been a man of planning, or patient endeavors. Thorin still loved Nimue, his voice softening when he realized his tone.

“You may hate me for it, but as your Master, I forbid you from fighting.” Thorin knew she had a loyalty to Queen Igraine and he would feel her anger before it was even expressed. He hated using the term Master with Nimue. When he said the word, he inwardly cringed and directed his eyes elsewhere. He couldn't look into her sapphire eyes- the dramatic pools of blue he had fallen in love with. Thorin allowed himself to be distracted by anything, his shame masked by the anger.

It would only take time before she forgave him. Thorin looked to her finally, his eyes flashing with his temper. In the back of his mind, he could only hope that he would return to her alive. Until then, he would do everything to make sure that she was out of harms way.