Here is a REALLY short chapter for you to enjoy! 
~~~

Chapter 21

Only Time

Many weeks had passed since my initial discovery of Legolas's betrayal. 

The beautiful autumn weather was turning cold and bitter, as winter was upon us.

I sighed looking out the window from my Ancient Reads class.

"Psst...umm could you hand my quill, I dropped it." A boy's voice whispered over to me during Thorin's lecture.

"Oh, yes, here." I smiled handing the dwarve boy his quill and I went back to staring out the window.

So cold, so dark and gloomy. I pushed down my already rolled up long sleeves from my tunic. I felt just about as cheerful as the weather outside...and that was close to not at all.

"Vanàeze! Do you mind!" The angry voice of Thorin suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts.

My face turned bright red.

"I um...yes?" I fumbled trying to put my thoughts together.

"This is the third time you have dazed off in class this week!" He angrily put down whatever text he was lecturing the class with. A few girlish snickers broke out, the dwarve boy next to me just looked down. Thankfully the horns rang out and all the students exited the room.

"Just a moment! Vanàeze?" Thorin crossed his arms in front of his now shut door (that I had tried to make a sneaky escape through!)

"You cannot ignore your class work. I understand you are upset right now, but you cannot just...Vanàeze! Are you even listening to me?"

No

I felt nothing. I was numb to everything. I was forcing myself to feel numb around Legolas all the time and it was taking its toll on me; especially when I had to act the exact opposite of what I wanted to feel. I sighed as Thorin continued ranting...I glanced out the window again. I suddenly felt a tug on my shoulders.

"Vanàeze, what is the matter with you!" Thorin exclaimed in exasperation, gripping my arms.

"Let. Go." I muttered giving him a cold stare.

Cold, why are elves always so cold? Did anyone else every notice that? Compared to being cold like the distant stars.

"I'm sorry, I am so sorry." He said, a strange look crossed his face.

"Let go of me." I whispered.

Thorin only gritted his teeth, "This is my fault. I did this, do you not see? I told you the truth! It's my fault you're like this!" His voice broke, betraying himself.

He continued, "You cannot keep pushing everyone away! I blame myself, you were so bright and caring."  His voice broke again and his midnight blue eyes began to glisten.

I was shocked, it wasn't his fault. I knew it wasn't. It was the making of the circumstance I was in, he couldn't blame himself.

"You are so cold. Like a morning of pale spring still clinging to winter's chill. So fair, yet so cold."
Thorin brushed my cheek, resting his thumb along my jawline. A sorrowful tear escaped his eye as he looked away from me.

I couldn't take this. It didn't want to cause people pain. I was only distant to stay away from sorrow. Here I had gone and hurt someone with my distance. With my cold distance.

I don't know why I did it, but I attempted to brush the single tear away from Thorin's face. Before I could pull away from him he held onto my hand that had gently touched his face. I felt my breath hitch in my chest.

Thorin tenderly closed the distance between us with a solid kiss.

Shock. I was totally and completely in shock. I must have stood there for a few moments, idiotically. Something stirred within me as I reacted naturally to Thorin's kiss.

He held me closer in his arms as my eyes flickered closed and I slid my arms around his neck, running my hand through his hair, massaging his neck tenderly with my fingers. My other hand swept along his shoulder, feeling his muscles move as his palm caressed the small of my back.

We molded together, fitting against one another with stunning perfection. Feeling the strength of his arms around me. Inhaling the smell of leather and woodsmoke. His scents. I felt as though I'd found a singular moment that would last forever. As if this was how we have always been.

 I could barely think, my heart was undeniably fluttering, goosebumps prickled across my skin.

I slid my hands across Thorin's warm chest as I felt the downy fabric of his open tunic. He rested a hand on my hip and tussled my already messy hair with his other hand.

He was amazing, he was magnificent, comforting and wonderful.

A subtle smile formed on my lips as I still clung to his chest, exhaling deeply. He simply rested his forehead on my own and chuckled. His lips brushed against mine once more before he finally pulled away.

I frowned, realising that I didn't want to leave him. I didn't want to leave the security his hold could offer, or feel the fall of my now soaring heart. He was so warm, he made me feel alive. With him it wasn't giddy, surface level like it had unknowingly been with Legolas. This was something deeper...something more passionate...

Legolas! 

What am I thinking! I'm still technically dating Legolas, I can't be kissing Thorin! I gasped, quickly dodging around Thorin as I ran out of his classroom.

Predictably, my heart fell once again.

"Vanàeze. Please, Vanàeze!" I could barely hear Thorin's voice calling to me. I had to get away from this insanity. I ran, I just ran away from my thoughts, from Legolas, Thorin, everything.

I felt cold again.

"So fair, yet so cold like a morning of pale Spring still clinging to Winter's chill."