To Sow a Barren Land
Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Except the plot. That's mine!
AN: Explains why Thranduil was in Erebor to begin with and were they not at all obvious. The characters—particularly Thranduil—might seem a bit OOC but I've tried my best to keep all of them in character. And to redeem for making him a brute in MOL, I'm making Thrór a good guy here. He deserves some love, yeah? :D
Chapter 2
Thorin scrunched up his face at the bright morning light reaching into their room as the curtains blocking them swayed in a light breeze. He stretched himself and wearily placed a hand beside him.
His eyes opened immediately when all his hand felt was the cold touch of mattress and the wrinkles of two heavy sheets.
He moved his hand some more over the spot and as they did, they came up with the lack of warmth which should've been present.
True to his thought, Thranduil wasn't there. He had not been for quite some while and it gave the dwarf prince more than enough incentive to sit up and look for his lover.
His eyes, though bleary, searched around their room frantically before they finally caught a glimpse of gold streaming with the breeze along with the curtains.
Soon enough his eyes adjusted to the tall and slender silhouette standing near one of the windows and Thorin was finally able to let go of his breath, which seemed to be caught in his lungs unbeknownst to the prince himself.
"Why do you linger there?" He asked, his voice cracking away the remnants of sleep. "Thranduil, come here. Come lie down."
He looked insistently over at the other, hoping that Thranduil would heed him no matter how small a possibility it was. It certainly didn't surprise Thorin in the least when all the elven price did was shift even closer to the windows.
"Come love? We still have a few hours before the day starts." Thorin tried again but the glint of energy seen on his perked up shoulders vanished gradually when his pleas went unheeded.
He was about to get off from the bed himself. However, the sound of covers ruffling roused nothing but tenseness from the other, making Thorin shrink back in hoping that Thranduil would join him any moment on his own accord.
However, all Thranduil did was gently step away from the window and turn slowly. His eyes were staring straight at his better half but neither of them looked into the pair of dark orbs. Instead, they somehow darkened even further at the hollowness in Thranduil's gaze.
Thorin opened his mouth to speak but before he could do so, Thranduil turned away yet again and tipped his chin up, apparently choosing to focus on the carved ceiling instead.
The dwarf prince drew a sharp breath and turned his own face the other way as his teeth bit into his own lips. His face was the picture of concentration and determination—one that discouraged him not to weaken his demeanour; one that warned him not to let the sadness he felt seep past his carefully guarded barriers, regardless of how much his heart ached.
Not in front of Thranduil.
Not in front of one whom Mahal didn't grace with the ability to create a new life.
And by Mahal, he would love to deny the chances of that with every bit of force he had in his body.
Suddenly a soft knock was heard against the heavy oak door causing Thorin to focus back on the present.
He quickly set his face into one worthy of his royal stature and threw on his overcoat before looking over at Thranduil.
The elf was already clad in that of his own and was still not paying attention to the world around them.
Thorin's heart felt a mild pang, seeing his lover standing frigidly at the very same spot. He so badly wanted to go and comfort him but whatever he was intending to do would have to wait as another busy round of knocking ripped his attention away from his one.
Rolling his eyes at the unwanted interruption, he finally said in an authoritative voice, "Enter."
Moments later the door parted slightly, revealing a very meek attendant peeping in and out of the royal chamber.
"Yes?" Thorin prompted, making the attendant more confident in his stance as he fully entered into the room and bowed in courtesy.
"I wish his Highnesses a very good morning." He said, throwing a hesitating look over at Thranduil who turned slightly at the sound of a foreign voice.
"What brings you here?" Thorin asked again, almost irritated at the other dwarf for letting his prying eyes roam. Though, deep within his heart, Thorin knew such a quiet scene—which exuded nothing but eeriness—would leave anybody uncomfortable and curious.
The attendant straightened at the impatient tone of the prince and spoke apologetically, "You Highness...His Majesty. H-he wants you to join him for a stroll in the garden."
"In the garden?" Thorin repeated, raising a sceptical brow, causing the other dwarf to nod frantically.
"Y-yes. Um. Uh. Then later, I am to remind you that you and His Highness are expected at the dining hall for breakfast."
"Is that all?" Thorin was sounding bored and he was, in fact, unappreciative of being disturbed so early in the morning for nothing that required his immediate attention save for the one soul standing behind him.
The attendant straightened up— suddenly making Thorin to narrow his eyes in confusion— before he spoke with as much hesitance as he had initially, "The king wants to make sure that the guest of Erebor should have no trouble." He paused for a bit, shifting his eyes over to Thranduil who regarded him illegibly before he went on, "So am I to...uh, um..."
"No we require nothing, thank you." Thorin answered on behalf of his lover, not missing the look of confusion and traces of appreciation from the attendant and the elf respectively.
He waited for the other to leave and when he didn't, Thorin rolled his eyes and waved a hand in dismissal at which, the other dwarf bowed and gently paced out of the room, closing the door behind him.
When he was sure of no further interruptions, Thorin slowly made way towards the elven prince and laid a hand on his lower back.
Thranduil initially gave off no reaction. But as moments went by, he finally acknowledged Thorin's warm touch and began turning slowly to face his love.
Thorin swore he felt his heart wrenching when he looked directly at those usually starry eyes. They were so ghastly and so blank that it had taken Thorin all of his strength not to flinch.
"You got me scared there for a while!" He spoke, trying to bring some mirth in his voice but failing miserably. "I thought you went back to Greenwood when I didn't see you behind those curtains."
At that, Thranduil's eyes had flinched a little as they were shifted away from Thorin's face. Thorin was about to be disappointed yet again but he was hopeful immediately when those blue eyes landed on him.
Thranduil seemed to regard him for a while, the blankness in his gaze very slowly beginning to fade away as he spoke in a barely audible tone, "Perhaps I should."
"What was that?" Thorin asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion.
Surely he didn't hear what he thought he had heard?
"I should return to our realm." Thranduil repeated, this time a bit more surely. The blankness in his eyes was gone now. In its stead, they were veiled with something other than just sadness, none of which lessened the pang Thorin felt in his heart.
Thranduil faced his lover fully and Thorin now could see the clarity in the other's vision. The haze had evaporated completely and all that remained was a sharp ray of tact. And to Thorin, it was as harsh as winter.
With an eerily steady voice Thranduil continued, "I have been here longer than I should have been. My father expects me to report to him. He must be getting worried."
"But surely you can't expect me to believe that it is all a coincidence!" Thorin protested, his voice bordering on exasperation as he regarded the other with wild eyes. "Thranduil, don't be like this!"
"Oh Thorin." Thranduil responded with soft eyes. Just then the cold mask that he had put on to veil his disappointment eroded away and left all his emotions bare as his eyes flickered to hold down the unshed tears.
"You are worried," Thorin began after a while hardly controlling the tremble he had in his voice, "We can try. We can try again. There is no saying that one can conceive after only a few tries! We shall attempt again and we shall be successful."
Thranduil smiled and shook his head in sympathy.
"What?" Thorin asked, completely unaware of the naïve hopefulness in his eyes that enacted such a reaction from the other.
"You'll see. We shall have heirs and you and I shall forever be with each other! We just need time!" He went on and the more buoyant he became, the more Thranduil's eyes became burdened with sorrow.
Mirth fading from his eyes and face grim, Thorin's words died down while he regarded the other with flickering eyes. It appeared as if he was searching for something. Exactly what it was, was still unknown by their owner.
Perhaps he looked for volition. Validation, optimism—anything— from his lover's face. But when the staidness from it did all but disappear, Thorin understood just how improbable his expectation was.
His hand slid down from Thranduil's back and lay limp by his side. His eyes became downcast.
"We need time."
And even though he spoke, the positive influence in his voice was swiftly dwindling away, leaving a hollow shell of promises and prospect.
He felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. He closed his eyes, sighing heavily as the gentle tone of Thranduil entered his ears.
"And a healer's advice."
At that, Thorin tightened his eyes shut and brought his hand to place on top of the other. He gave it an affectionate squeeze.
The heaviness was still set in his heart; despair still raw but suddenly, he found a glimmer of faith touching it.
Thorin was once more hopeful.
Thrór was enjoying the bright morning sun when sounds of heavy but poised footsteps echoed from the paved path. He straightened himself on his chair and let out a smile as the figure of his grandson emerged from behind the blooming rose bushes.
"Ah Thorin!" He greeted, opening his arms for an embrace.
Thorin smiled back and hugged his grandfather as he said courteously, "Good morning, Sire. Has Your Majesty slept well last night?"
"Oh stop, you!" Thrór chuckled, patting Thorin's back. "Don't be so formal with me. I'm your grandfather, not some bloody stiff-arsed king!"
Thorin smiled slightly and said, "You wanted to see me, Grandfather?"
"As a matter of fact, I did." Thrór said, motioning for Thorin to take up seat beside him. "I wanted to tell you how apt Greenwood has been represented. King Oropher surely sent his best to strengthen our relation."
He didn't miss the light blush spreading across Thorin's cheek at the mention of a certain someone and even stifled a grin when he saw how hard his grandson tried to control his facial expressions.
"Yes, Prince Thranduil is very smart." Thorin replied with an unnatural stiffness which made Thrór all the more sure.
"Yes, indeed." The king replied, regarding the other. "I heard that he has found his 'one'."
His eyes twinkled brilliantly when the rumours were confirmed to be true by the darkening blush of his successor.
Thorin opened his mouth, preparing to say something in return or deny it all blatantly but Thrór gave him no such chance by beginning to speak, "In fact, the past diplomatic visits made you livelier and more accommodating. I must say Thorin. I'm appalled to be the last one to know about this!"
At his declaration, Thorin's head snapped upwards and his eyes grew wider than the parting of his jaws.
"W-what?"
"Yes, I know. Dís informed me." Thrór smiled, gently slapping the other's cheeks. "Close that mouth, Grandson. I've suspected it for a long time and I couldn't be any happier."
It took Thorin some time to relax and get accustomed to the new revelation before he relaxed at last and let out a huge smile, "I thank you for your blessing. Yes, we have been in a very stable relationship and we love each other very much."
Thrór nodded and paused for a while, as if wondering the best way to phrase his next line of thought.
After a beat or two, he spoke again voicing his query, "Thorin you know you are the next in line since Thráin..."
He had trailed off and caught the firm responsive nod from the other. There was no need to elaborate on a tragedy that happened on one of their conquests.
He inhaled deeply and went on, "After you, we need to ensure the next in line. So...can you manage that?"
He saw Thorin's eyes squinting slightly in bafflement before they widened with realization of the exact nature of Thrór's hint.
"Yes. Yes we have...he has...that facility. The lore is true."
In response, Thrór's features loosened up visibly.
"And have you been...engaging?"
He expected Thorin to blush. He expected his grandson to stutter. But when Thorin stiffened with an unease about him, Thrór had the feel of something swirling within his heart. Something grim and foreboding, which made him anticipate with extreme discomfort.
"Thorin?"
He called again and still Thorin remained silent.
The swirls in his chest increased and he was about to change the topic when Throin spoke.
"We have been trying."
His voice was deep and grave. Qualities Thrór knew to bring no good news and they only sealed the growing dread he was suspecting.
"How long since?" Thrór asked. When Thorin hesitated, he asked again with more demand, "Thorin, since how long have you been trying?"
His grandson lowered his eyes and narrowed them while he replied in mere whispers, "Long enough."
The swirl became more violent and before long, numbness swept over Thrór's heart as he regarded the defeated form of the younger dwarf.
Just then it all became clear. The gravity of the situation dawning on him, his eyes flickered as he now had to come in terms of a terrible truth.
A pregnant pause hung over the ambiance and not a sound was made from either of them. After a long while, when the shock had almost been subdued, Thrór's gaze sharpened and the king asked with a cold directness.
"Can he conceive?"
Another bout of silence stretched between the two and after what it had seemed like forever, Thorin finally replied in a very quiet voice.
"No."
AN: I'll explain more about elven mpregs (as soon as I come up some believable info). This is a dark fic (somewhat) and we'll not be having a fluffy mpreg(s). But...the end will work out. :) Meanwhile, please review!
