This is a sequel to my story, Where Once was Love, Now Darkness Falls, but you do not need to read that story to understand this one. There will be references to that story, but nothing so major to make this story unreadable.
Hope everyone enjoys this story.
It had been three weeks since Thorin was crowned king and Erebor had never been greater. The mines had opened again with treasures following through the vast tunnels and caverns. The halls had been polished, restoring the kingdom much to its former glory. There was open trade with the men of the lake and past wounds were healed. The dwarves of the Iron Hills and the Blue Mountains, now the dwarves of Erebor, were happy, well feed, fully clothed, and prosperous. It was everything Thorin ever wanted.
Thorin had done his best the past three weeks to be a 'true' king. He made sure everyone had enough to keep warm and enough to eat, for some had been without that for a long time. He supervised the reopening of the mines and the creation of market places. He met with Bard a few times helping rebuild lake-town and provide provisions for those harmed during Smaug's attack and the battle. Thorin was kinder to the new lord of men. His meetings with Bard consisted not of arguing, but understanding. He gave Bard the respect and help worthy of his closest friends. Thorin gave some jewels to Bard to open up trade with Gondor in the south. The people of the lake and the dwarves of Erebor had never been closer.
Yet, there was still lingering tension in the air of Erebor. The curse of the gold was still the subject of many whisperers. The treasure room was being organized by members of the original company and Thorin had a selective list of those who were allowed in the treasury. He was not on that list. Thorin avoided the gold like the plague. He could still feel himself being drawn to the gold, but Thorin resisted it. He preoccupied his time with meetings. Thorin found keeping busy was a good way to mute the call of the gold. He found being alone for too long made it louder.
Bilbo sent most of the last three weeks alone. He spent much of his time inside his chamber and inside the record room reading anything that was in the common tongue. He shared a great deal of time with Ori, who was also going through the records. He ate and drank; well Bofur did most of the drinking, with Bofur. The carefree dwarf would sing songs all night long and force Bilbo to dance at all the celebrations. The hobbit would always leave the parties early and sit in his chambers thinking of his books and armchair. He promised the company he would help rebuild Erebor before he headed back for home and now it was rebuilt.
Fili and Kili did very little to help rebuild. They rested a great deal, healing from old wounds, and Thorin would drag them to meets with the council, which they also rested through. They toured Erebor with their mother, learning where every nook and cranny was. The two never stopped smiling; even in their sleep they looked happy.
Then, of course, there was Dain who never seemed happy. He disagreed with almost everything Thorin had to say at council meetings. He would get on Thorin's case for allowing his heirs to sleep though them. He glared at members of the company and refused to even look at Bilbo. He never showed up to any of the celebrations and when he did Dain mostly just sat in the corner arms crossed.
Erebor was once again the greatest dwarf kingdom in Middle Earth.
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Like most days, Bilbo was peacefully walking through the massive halls admiring the carvings and sheer size of everything. His light footsteps echoed through the empty corridors and passages. He thought of Bag End. He always thought Bag End was big and empty, but now Bilbo began to realize it was the exact opposite.
"Master Baggins, isn't?" A voice boomed. Bilbo turned to see Dain standing him behind. Bilbo pointed to himself in confusion. Dain had never once acknowledged his existence. Bilbo assumed Dain hated him based on the effort he put into avoiding him. "Did you forget your name laddie?"
"No," Bilbo replied. "I'm Bilbo Baggins."
Dain walked up to him and Bilbo suddenly felt the urge to put on the ring. He slipped his hand in his pocket touching the smooth surface of the ring. It made him feel calmer. "Have you seen my cousin by chance?" Dain asked standing over the hobbit.
"No," Bilbo squeaked out. "I haven't seen Thorin."
"King Thorin," Dain corrected him.
"Right, king Thorin," Bilbo fixed himself. No one had ever corrected him before. Thorin himself didn't even correct him when they spoke a few weeks ago.
Dain chuckled looking down at the blond hobbit and the mithril shirt peeking out from under his clothing. "Thorin cares about you a great deal doesn't he?" Dain asked and Bilbo's ears grew red. "Thorin cares about you and those two heirs of his above all else. It's a shame really."
"A shame?" Bilbo questioned raising his voice. His hand was tight around the ring in his pocket.
Dain nodded and Bilbo wished he had Sting with him. "Caring and loving are weakness to a king, a weakness that makes them soft. A king should be stern and have a fist of iron, not a bleeding heart." Dain paused for a moment.
Bilbo was ready to punch him. Love and caring was everything to hobbits. It did not make someone weak, it made them whole. Thorin was not weak for loving his nephews; in fact, Bilbo believed it made him stronger.
Dain continued, "you and those two heirs, in fact that whole company, Thorin has a soft spot for. He cares about their safety and wellbeing more than his own. It's dangerous for a king to have such an obvious weakness. It will be his downfall if he's not careful. Anyone could come up and stab him in that soft spot if he doesn't watch out." With that Dain dismissed himself and left the hobbit once again alone in the corridor.
Yeah, I'm not going to do Dain's accent. I can't write it well and when I first imaged Dain I did not picture him how they had him in the movie. This chapter was really to tell what had happened before the story and what may happen later. Thanks for reading. I would love to hear what you guys think of the story so far and if you have any theories.
