She had expected surprise and perhaps even anger; she did not expect him to pull her into a hug. "Then I may have a convenient solution for all of US" and that she realized was what had given her away. She blushed cursing herself for her own stupidity.
He pulled away from her sitting down in the chair Fili had occupied earlier that day. She looked at him. "What would this solution be my king?"
Instead of answering her he asked her something else entirely. "What is your family background?" When she looked at him in confusion he restated "How do your parents make their living?"
She was confused. "How is this relevant to your solutions sire?"
"Just answer the question if you will"
"My father is a captain of the guard and my mother is the royal seamstress. She made those clothes you're wearing. That's actually how I met Fili and Kili.
"Both positions are held in high regard in this kingdom" Thorin stated. She nodded. "They are. But im sorry I still don't see why that matters."
"It matters, for it means that you will be seen as an accepted candidate."
"An accepted candidate for what sir?" Cora asked exasperated she was tired and was losing patience much faster than usual.
"A candidate for the role of queen of course." Thorin said smirking.
Cora felt her world tilt. "Im sorry what?"
Thorin was still smirking when he answered. "You would be a wonderful candidate for queen. You have all the qualities I would have looked for in a bride for Fili. It would be a perfect position for you."
"Im sorry I must be going crazy it sounds as though you are suggesting that I marry Fili." Cora was waiting for the punch line. Surely the king couldn't be serious she was the farthest thing from a queen that there was.
"That is exactly what im suggesting. You said you were their lover correct?" She nodded "Then I am proposing that you and Fili join in matrimony."
"I don't understand how does this solution solve anything? They could not be together."
"Not In public no they could not however what goes on behind closed doors is nobody's business but yours."
It began to dawn on Cora what Thorin was saying and damned if she could actually see it working. It really would be a convenient solution. Thorin would get the marriage to uphold the royal image and the heirs needed to continue the line. Fili would get his uncle off his back with the added bonus of keeping his lovers close. Kili wouldn't have to be sent to exile, and Cora well she would get the children she had always longed for.
"It really is quite brilliant and would I believe work for all of us." Cora said with a little awe in her voice. It shocked her that Thorin stoic king under the mountain had thought of this.
"There is one condition" He said.
"Isn't there always?" She thought to herself before saying "What is this one condition?"
"I ask that the first heir actually be Fili's" He stated quietly
Cora felt as though she had been hit with a frying pan. How in Durin's name had she started talking about her sex life with her king, not only her king but her lovers' uncle? "Im sorry what?"
How many times had she asked that today but he just smiled at her. Not the smirk she had seen but a true smile. "I know that you will probably have many children I just ask that the first male born be by Fili's seed not Kili's. After the heir has been born then what you do behind closed doors is your own business."
"I shall ensure that happens then." She said trying to keep her breathing under control. "I have to admit sire I still don't fully understand this change of heart you have had."
Thorin sighed. "I love my nephews like my own sons. I knew they loved one another but I had wrongly assumed it was puppy love a fad they would grow out of. I needed my heir and I knew the only way to get him was to separate them from one another. I thought it would show them that the love they had didn't actually exist. Instead I have almost killed one of them and have earned a lifetime of hate from the other."
"I cannot live knowing that I have destroyed the only family I have left, nor would I want to."
Cora felt for Thorin in that moment he had done what he thought was best. It was just one of those decisions that came back to bite him in the ass. "You are a great king sir and a good uncle you have made it possible for the three of us to stay together. I think once your nephews hear your idea they will soften their hearts a little."
He nodded to her in thanks. They sat talking quietly for several hours. Thorin wanted to learn about his soon to be niece and Cora wanted to learn all she could about being a member of the royal family and what was expected.
They were talking quietly about thing the boys had done when they were children when they heard the moan. Both jerked their heads to the bed. Fili was sitting up having woken from a dead sleep. Cora and Thorin both jumped up and headed to the bed. Cora joined Fili on the bed and Thorin moved to the other side across from them. They heard the moan again and saw Kili's eyes moving under his lids. All three thought the same thing. "He is finally waking"
