Thorin, breathless, crouched low and stumbled over to the bars; pain and rage filling his whole body.
"DAIN! DAIN!" he shouted desperately shaking the bars in hope that they would crumble beneath his fingers. In frustration he hit the metal with the palm of his hands and swore loudly, "FUUUUUCK!" After his outburst, a jolt of pain jabbed at his side and chest. He bent over suddenly, holding his wounds and feeling nausea overcome him. He lifted a shaking hand to his brow and wiped the sweat from it. A low, deep chuckle sounded behind him. Startled, Thorin spun around to find Roloph leaning against the bars looking smug with his large arms folded over his chest.
"And here I thought that Thorin Oakenshield was a frightening figure. How the rumours were a farce" he jeered and chewed the inside of his cheek, eyeing Thorin mockingly. In contrast, Thorin's eyes bore frighteningly at Roloph full of loathing, full of hate and disgust.
"Where is my nephew?" Thorin growled walking back to the bars, trying his best to look strong and unbent. Roloph's expression of ridicule only strengthened and another chuckle sounded from his throat. Rage filled Thorin.
"WHERE IS HE?!"
Roloph's pale eyes stared at Thorin a long moment in silence before he responded, "You will be pleased to know he has not been harmed- yet."
"You will not harm him at all!" Thorin threatened; teeth gritted, death stare set, fists tensed. Roloph however was unruffled.
"Well that really is up to you Thorin."
Suspicion roamed Thorin's face, "What do you mean?"
Roloph pushed himself from the bars, "If you come willingly- with me- without any trouble, though I doubt you could fight a fly the state you are in, Fili will not be harmed. But if you cause a scene and attempt," Roloph emphasised, "to fight me, then Fili will sadly not come out of it too well."
"Come out of what?" Thorin asked eyeing Roloph carefully.
"The situation you are in of course."
Silence filled the atmosphere as the Dwarven King and the Dwarf warrior stared each other down.
Moments passed slowly then Thorin spoke, "I will come willingly, without trouble. But if so much as a strand of hair is harmed on my nephew's head I swear on Aule, I will slaughter you all."
Roloph carried out a mock bow and smirked, "I do not doubt that, my Lord."
Thorin was unaware of the guards that were with Roloph until they came into view and opened the cell. They grabbed Thorin roughly and pulled his hands behind his back and tied them tight. The sudden movement made the wounds on his chest stretch and he groaned at the pain. Like before they trailed Thorin out of the cell and followed Roloph.
They walked along long, dark, dimmed corridors that were winding and snaking in all directions Thorin could not memorise. He was going a different way from the last time he was taken from the cell and could hear a slight, soft sound of trickling water somewhere. After a while, he realised the corridors he was walking down now, were brighter and, if it were possible, more appealing. He could almost smell fresh air instead of a humid dusty air, thick and suffocating.
They finally stopped before large brown double doors and Roloph pulled a cloth from his pocket. He turned and smiled to Thorin then placed the cloth over Thorin's mouth and tied it tight. As he pulled the last knot, Thorin closed his eyes then opened them again when he sensed motion in front of him. Roloph grabbed Thorin's stabbed arm purposely and dragged him through the doors.
A bright light blinded him as he entered. His eyes squinted naturally as he tried to adjust to the new lighting. He could hear a commotion to his left and instinctively his head directed towards the frantic mumbling sounds. He blinked a few times; the light hurting his eyes and noticed he was in a large room definitely not in the dungeon quarters. He noticed guards stationed in intervals around the room. Windows shone bright and beautiful, showing the baby blue colour of the sky.
The frantic sounds Thorin heard as soon as he walked in came to his attention again and he looked over. His eyes widened, his heart raced; a feeling of relief and joy, when he saw his friends alive.
Dwalin, Bofur, Oin and Nori were tied and gagged just like Thorin but were caged in a large barred cube. They looked over at Thorin with a mixture of happiness, worry, unease, anger and frustration. Dwalin became engulfed in a rage when he saw Thorin's state. He noticed the blood that seeped Thorin's shirt, the bloody, bruised and pale face. In the light of day, Thorin's paleness became more evident as was the deep red rim around his tired and strained eyes. The end of a spear was thrust through the bars and hit Dwalin on the side of the head to tame him.
Dain laughed at this and Thorin jerked his head towards him, suddenly noticing his presence. Dain looked as though his day could not have gotten any better as he stared down at the gathering from a higher level of flooring. His cold eyes smiled at Thorin and he clapped his hands twice. Orloph came running obediently, like a timid little rat, and gave Dain the leather cloth he had used to torture Thorin.
A panic rose within Thorin when the two guards that brought him, grabbed him from behind and forced him to his knees.
"A fitting place for you Thorin" Dain smirked. The company looked on anxiously from their cage; eyeing Dain then Thorin; flicking their eyes back and forth.
Thorin stared at the leather cloth then looked to Dain who waved his hand flippantly and waited. Fili suddenly came through a door at the back looking stiff. Thorin moved but strong hands dug deep into his shoulders to keep him a bay.
Fili did not look at his uncle but stared fixedly at something afar; jaw clenched and his piercing blue eyes set. Thorin desperately tried to get his attention by just staring at him. Dain looked at Fili proudly and put a hand on his shoulder and laughed heartily.
Thorin's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and the panic he felt before could not compare to the panic he felt now. His heart pounded against his chest, a dread drenched him; cold and shocking as a sudden sickening and heartbreaking realisation was forming in his mind.
Dain could see the effect that that small gesture had on Thorin and grinned, "A sight you thought you would never see Thorin" he started and motioned for Roloph to remove the cloth from Thorin's mouth. As soon as the cloth was gone Thorin burst into panicked words with a hoarse voice.
"Fili! Fili listen to me! Do not help him! He is-"
Like before, an iron fist collided with his already bruised and swollen cheekbone. A burst of muffled outrage erupted from the cage and the guards surrounding them shouted and poked them with spears to calm them.
"You are too late Thorin. You have already failed your nephew" Dain began and walked down the steps towards him but Thorin ignored him.
"Fili, I know what I did was unforgivable and I know you are angry with me-!"
"How touching" Dain joked and rolled his eyes, "Bring the violins!"
"- cannot do this!" Thorin continued over Dain's remarks, "He is lying to you whatever he has promised you Fili! Remember what I told you? Whatever he asks you will benefit him and only him!" Thorin stressed.
At this Dain grew angry and hissed, "I'm the liar? You killed your own brother and staged it as an accident!"
"What?!" Thorin was outraged then his attention turned back to Fili, "You cannot believe this!"
Fili stood silent and Dain continued.
"You have always done terrible, unspeakable things Thorin to get what you want. Take your youngest nephew Kili."
A remorseful look formed in Thorin's face as he stared at Dain, "I-"
"You failed him, you did not care for his pain because all you wanted, all you care for was Erebor and your gold. You used them both their whole lives-"
"I never used you!" Thorin said exasperated eyeing Fili desperately. At this Fili finally looked to Thorin.
"All you ever cared about was Erebor; that's all you ever talked about" Fili said quietly.
"That's not true! I have always cared for you and Kili!" a waver sounded in Thorin's voice as he could feel he was slowly losing Fili.
"Even mother said- in the forest- she said they couldn't look at you. She knows the truth about Frerin, and Kili" Fili's voice was distant.
"What have you said to him?" Thorin shouted, directing his anger at Dain.
"I simply told him the truth, Thorin."
The leather cloth was now open, lying flat on a table with the gleaming weapons shining magically in the sunlight. Dain eyed them hungrily before picking one from the collection. What shone in his hand, Thorin could not tell. It looked like an odd shape form of metal but as Dain came closer Thorin soon understood what was about to happen.
He tried to shoulder the guards away from him but their grip was strong as they grabbed his head and forced it back. Calloused fingers scrapped his jaw and opened his mouth wide. The company caused an uproar. Fili stood stock still, staring widely at Dain as he placed the metal pincers into Thorin's mouth. Thorin shook his head and yelled when the metal clamped around one of his wisdom teeth. He could feel the grip strengthen, new sweat dripped from his brow, his heart raced when suddenly a roar of rage filled the room and all attention shot to the cage.
Dwalin pulled the spear sharply from the guard's torso, causing the guard to fall to the floor then jabbed at another. He had somehow broken free of his bonds and thinking quickly, grabbed a spear that was thrust towards him and attacked. Dain huffed in frustration and pulled the pincers from Thorin's mouth.
Guards rushed towards the cage when Dain yelled.
"Bring that one out!" Dain shouted
Dwalin was overpowered by the guards. Roughly ten had been able to drag him over to Dain; his growling threats filling the room, his eyes full of anger. Dain looked at him calculatingly. He was placed on his knees opposite Thorin.
"You killed one of my guards" he stated, "I do not like it when my guards get killed by my guests."
"Fuck you and your guards!" Dwalin spat
"Dwalin!" Thorin hissed warningly but the worry and admiration in his eyes as he looked at his old friend was unmistakable.
Dain smiled and walked slowly back to the leather cloth. He set the pincers down and retrieved a longer, larger weapon; a silver dagger with a hilt carved in ancient Dwarven language. He was silent as he walked towards Thorin; fingering the blade carefully and never tearing his eyes from his cousin. Fili watched anxiously. Dwalin spat blood on the floor. Thorin glared at Dain when he stepped in front of him.
Dain smiled wider at Thorin for a moment, then as quick as anything, he spun around and sunk the blade deep into Dwalin's abdomen; then again and again. Thorin felt the air being sucked from his lungs, his heart stopped as a heavy, agonising feeling swarmed him. Fili gasped in horror as the sound of shock and pain came from Dwalin's throat.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Thorin screamed when Dain moved away holding a blade dripping with blood. Dwalin swayed holding his stomach with the blood seeping through his fingers. A struggled cry erupted from Thorin as he tried to get to Dwalin but he was pulled back; tears of anger and sadness filling his eyes. Dwalin looked at Thorin lazily then coughed up clots of blood.
"Dwalin!" Thorin breathed in horror.
The loyal friend Thorin had known since he was a child fell to the floor, spitting blood and taking his last breaths. Fili stared wide-eyed, tears filling his own eyes as he watched. Thorin yelled when Dwalin's eyes became still.
"That is what happens, Thorin, when you defy me."
Thorin could not answer. He was convulsing as his sobs grew stronger and stronger; his physical strength leaving him like that of a wave washing away the sand.
Bofur, Oin and Nori stood still in the cage; in shock and pain.
"Fili, come here lad."
Fili's eyes shot to Dain with fear but he obeyed. Thorin did not look up but let his head fall as he sobbed. Dain grabbed Fili, who he noticed was looking a little shell shocked and shook him.
"Pull yourself together Fili. This is what happens in war, you've been to battle and you know the score. Now take this dagger and prove to me that you are with me!" Dain commanded and handed Fili the weapon. Fili absently took it; feeling the heaviness of it against his hand. Dain directed him towards his uncle.
Bofur's eyes widened and muffled a shout sounding like, Fili no!
Dain stood behind him and whispered in his ear, "Remember I told you I would break your uncle? Look at him! How can he be a King? He is too weak and feeble to even stand."
Fili's grip on the hilt tightened.
"Think of your mother Fili. Think of her safe in her warm bed, sound asleep and perfectly content."
Fili's hand started to tremble. Thorin still had not looked up to his nephew. Fili swallowed hard.
"Do it, do it for your mother. Do it for Kili" Dain whispered.
A surge of courage ran through Fili's veins at the mention of his brother. His eyes bore deep and dark into his uncle. He lifted the dagger high; his grip firm and determined. Thorin slowly lifted his head and his tired eyes full of despair stared helplessly up at Fili. With one last look at his nephew, he closed his eyes as he saw the blade soar down, down, down, waiting for the bite to rip through him.