Author's Note: The title of the fic is a joke since Thorin will never be an ace of hearts. This is a drabble piece from Thorin's point of view, concerning events from my multi-chapter fic, "Heroes." It can be enjoyed separately if you've never read "Heroes," and just get a kick out of Thorin's POV. Hope you enjoy. Dedicated to anna. pantelarou, who wanted to know more.

Disclaimer: Do not own or will ever own The Hobbit.

"What―what are you gonna teach me?" Rue spoke up, hands behind her back as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

"To throw your dagger," Thorin said gruffly.

"Like at a tree?"

It had been a year since Thorin had laughed. Really laughed. Not a smirk or smile. During Durin's Day last year, he had been drinking some ale with Dwalin, allowing his muscles to unwind, allowing himself to remain careless of worries for one night. Dwalin had nudged him, pointing out across the tavern a suspicious shadow lurking in the corner. It had only taken seconds to realize who the shadow was: Kili. He had snuck into the tavern without permission. Maybe it had been the ale combined with Thorin's intent to remain carless for the night, but when Kili stood up and fell face flat, Thorin had guffawed like some naïve Dwarfling.

With Rue staring at him innocently, eyes big and round, resembling an owl's, Thorin could hardly control the urge to laugh. He frowned, using every last ounce of control to keep his mouth shut. He would not laugh. He would not.

Rue sat on a log in front of him, her small hands inches away from her mouth. She looked scared, and Thorin despised the fear in her eyes. No one under his leadership should have been so frightened, especially a woman. Thorin should've done more. There was always more he could have done, but he was never smart enough, fast enough, or strong enough. He was always lesser than. Never more.

"All right," Rue squeaked. "But you will be back, right? 'Cause―" Her eyes were wide, the firelight making her appear even more helpless than she already looked half the time. What was she going to say? Thorin wanted to know. For some reason, he liked listening to the things she said, even if her strange words baffled him at times.

Kili grew impatient, kicking the ground. Suddenly, he was hitching his sword upwards, sprinting in the direction him and Fili had come, where Mr. Baggins was trying to outwit a Troll all by himself.

He yelled frantically, "Bilbo, we're coming!"

Fili rolled his eyes, running after Kili. Thorin huffed and puffed in anger. Why were his nephews so senseless at times?

And then Thorin said one last thing to Miss Rue:

"Do not follow, Rue."

He chased after his nephews, having vague recollections of running after them when they were Dwarflings, trying to stop them from doing ridiculous things Dwarflings tended to do for fun. Why had he just referred to Miss Rue as…Rue? Thorin shook his head, perplexed. He knew one thing was for certain: he wished he could have heard her tell him kind things one last time. Her kind words never left his head.

Rue fell face flat, knees giving out, her mouth smacking against a rock. Blood. There was blood all over her mouth. Thorin tensed, seeing who was behind her, who had pushed her. Naji. The firelight danced across the shadows of his hideous face, giving light to his poor excuse for a beard. Rage breathed fire into Thorin. All he could see was red as his gaze steadied on that Man. Thorin was going to make him regret ever meeting him, ever laying his hands on Rue.

"Miss Rue!" Kili bellowed from what felt like somewhere far away.

"Lass!" Gimli yelled. "How dare you treat a woman such a way!" Indeed. Men were like barn animals. They never knew how to give women the proper respect. Thorin was going to get out this sack, wrap his hands around Naji's throat, and―

Naji placed the tip of his poorly made blade at Rue's throat. She whimpered, hiccuping between tears. Her tears. That bastard had made Rue cry. He formed a fist inside the sack, wanting nothing more than to strike the Bree filth in the face. Again and again.

"So does seeing your whore in pain, anger you, King Under the Mountain?" Naji said bitingly, standing too close to Rue.

Thorin wouldn't give him a reaction. He could hear Balin's long ago advice reeling in his mind, "Thorin, Dwarves see you and they see how much of a reaction they can rile out of you. Do not give them so. Old friend, do not ever wear your heart on your sleeve, especially in front of non-Dwarves and enemies."

"Oh, so she does get a reaction out of you, does she?" Naji placed his hands on his sides arrogantly. "Tell me, Dwarf King, why is it if you are royalty that word says one of the Dwarves apart of this company is financing this quest and not yourself? If you cannot even take care of yourself, sister, and sister sons, then what makes you believe you can care for a woman from the race of Men?"

It felt like Thorin's heart was going to explode.

Author's Note: Reviews are welcome! You can follow me on tumblr at pearlprimrose to read my shameless fanfic rants :)