The next morning,  they were back on their way.

It was an awkward tension, and it was only broke by the occasional cough.

"Sparkle, I am really sorry for making you uncomfortable last night."

"It's ok, King Thorin."

He sighed.

She was never going to give up her formalities.

When they reached Rivendell three days later, she was looking around in awe.

It brought a smile to his face.

Lord Elrond took them to the library,  and asked why thay came.

Sparkle let Thorin talk to Elrond, and she just walked around the library,  looking at all the books she had never heard of.

"King Thorin, how long are we staying?" she asked, interrupting Thorin's explanation.

"A few months, why?" he replied.

"Lord Elrond,  can I please borrow some of these?" she questioned the elf.

"Of course. Borrow as many as you want." Elrond replied.

"Thank you!"

She went back to looking through the books.

"You really shouldn't have said that. A simple of course would have been better." Thorin grinned.

"Why?"

"You'll see."

They went back to talking about the reason fot thr visit.

Elrond and Thorin left long before Sparkle did, and she took a stack of twenty decent sized books to her room.

She was sitting on the balcony, reading, the next day, when Thorin came up behind her.

He put his arms around her, and she jumped.

"Having fun?" he asked, grinning at her.

"Yes. Is it funny to you when you scare me like that my lord?" she asked accusingly.

"Not when you start the formalities." he sighed.

"Oh well."

"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked, setting his chin on her shoulder.

"But I'm reading."

"Well you can read anytime."

"We can go for a walk anytime too."

"Just come on."

"But I don't want to. Could you please let go of me?" He still had his arms around her.

"Not until you agree to come on a walk with me."

"But I don't want to!" She was laughing so hard it was hard to reply.

"Well then I will be here a very long time."

"Fine! I'll come!"

"Good."

He let go and helped her down from the railing.

"Why are you so stubborn?" she asked as the were walking by the river.

"Because I love you."

He slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her slowly.