As Thorin's fingers brushed the delicate curls, he could feel his own tingle with the sensation. It was as though someone was petting him, though no one was there. His eyes vaguely fluttered at each imaginary stroke. The soft curls beneath his finger tips swayed the prince into a trance. His head tipped slightly as his body attempted to lure him to rest peacefully like his little nephew.
Thorin's eyelids drooped and barely revealed the unfocused pupil hiding behind it. The pale hand trailed it's fingernails gently across the prince's cheek and slowly slipped under the dwarf's jaw, tilting his head back slightly. Thorin's eyes closed as he released control of his head. Slowly he opened his eyes in hopes of seeing that magnificent being that had been caressing him.
Thorin blinked as he realized he was still in Dain's study and luckily for him, Dain had not removed his eyes from his ledgers. Thorin hushed the quick intake of air as his lungs reacted in shock. He whipped his head away from both Dain and Fili and gazed at the floor littered with parchment and books. His eyes tightened as the reality finally dawned on him.
Do I...
Do I desire the Orc?...
To have that filth touch me...
Is that..
No... I should not...
I should not be thinking such things...
I should...
I should despise that Orc...
There was a heated sensation that flooded the prince's back. It was so welcoming and comfortable. Like he were being embraced by the Orc, whose lap he sat upon in this strange fantasy. His eyes fluttered again and he shook his head gently trying to stave off the constant desire to give into this relaxing feeling. He turned his head back to Fili, hoping the sight of the lad would jar his thoughts. A smile quietly curled out of his frown as he watched the little Durin slumber. His mind had quieted for just a moment or two.
Is it not wrong to consider such a lecherous desire...
I do not understand...
I am a dwarf...
And... I am attracted to our females...
Yes...
I know I am...
I need not seek comfort elsewhere...
Not from an Orc... Not ever...
Thorin continued to reason with himself in an attempt persuade his mind to submit to logical reasons.
Is it simply my body?
Have you betrayed me?
Have you betrayed our race?
Do you not understand that it is repulsive?...
Why...
Why must you torment me...
I do not wish to be with that creature...
Thorin's mind was far too relaxed to give his silent words any manner of conviction. If it were not for the catalyst sleeping in his arms he would have pounded his body senseless until it understood what was accepted as "desirable". Thorin tilted his head from the lad and glanced over the iron desk near the back of the room. Dain was still scribbling away on a bit of parchment while flipping through notes with his spare hand. Thorin pondered a question, and hoped it was not wrong to ask...
"Dain..."
Dain barely noticed and slightly drifted his gaze over to his cousin before returning to another ledger.
"What is it Thorin?"
The tone in Dain's voice was firm and slightly agitated, while attempting to remain calm and unconcerned over his worries. Thorin thought carefully before he spoke. Even though there was a little distance between them now he had to seek aid...
He needed someone he trusted to truly settle his mind once and for all.
But...
How to ask such a thing...
"Dain... Have you known a dwarf that desired something that was forbidden?..."
Dain's quill stopped as his brow raised in question. He looked at Thorin, waiting for a more detailed explanation to the perplexing thought. Thorin's eyes flickered with the reflection of the fire burning away at a little log in the pit of the study. He held himself steady as he was explained his thought in further detail.
"I mean to say, what if a dwarf did not wish to be a dwarf any longer? Or what if a dwarf wanted relations with an elf or man? Strange desires such as these that we would frown upon?"
Dain's expression loosened yet he kept his guarded stare.
"I know of a few... They are within our own line..."
Dain looked away from Thorin and fiddled with his parchments, not writing or reading anything in particular. Thorin watched him with widened eyes, desperately thirsting for more information. Dain drew reclusive as though he did not were not part of the room at that moment.
"Dain... Will you speak more? I did not know our line had such dwarves amongst us... I need to understand why..."
Dain kept still, attempting shift his hands to make it appear as though he were still busy with his duties. Then the room grew quiet, there was no longer the sounds of paper rustling about. Thorin was too preoccupied with his thoughts of his kin to focus on the saddened look on his cousins face. Dain kept his gaze down as he slowly continued his explanation.
"Thorin... Do you remember when grandfather Gror spoke of the Durin's curse?"
Thorin's brow furrowed as he attempted to recover this lost memory...
"Durin's curse..."
"Aye it is the curse that our bloodline has fallen prey to... Slowly it crawls within our shadow and watches our every movement. It waits and lingers until a single moment when it can creep out from the dark and sink into our flesh, poisoning our minds. From what Gror spoke of, most of our line has fallen to it... While the others seemed to bear Aule's blessing and did not have such a parasite growing inside them..."
Dain paused and went quiet again. He was lost in his own thoughts and memories of older days.
"What becomes of them?..."
Dain sighed quietly.
"Obsession... That which becomes the water their body cannot live without. They thirst for it endlessly without ever quenching it. All those cursed within our bloodline have suffered and brought others misfortune as a result of their actions. It is a sickness that will claim us all in time..."
Thorin had no response He was quiet and still as Dain withdrew from the conversation and began to focus on his work again, shuffling his parchments around and scribbling notes. Thorin's breathing quickened as he attempted to remain calm.
That was it...
He was cursed...
For no real dwarf would ever desire to bed an Orc...
It was just a curse...
But he remembered...
There was more to this curse than just obsession and mild misfortune he had thought Dain was describing. He remembered his forefathers, his bloodline, and all the misfortune that came to those who had been tainted.
War, death, and terror followed quickly behind the curse. Thorin remembered, the dragons that haunted his people and the Durin's Bane that slumbered peacefully before Durin VI disturbed it...
Thorin felt himself weak amongst his family, even though his ancestors had also fallen into the same despair. His father did not seem to suffer, nor his grandfather.
Not his brother...
Not his sister...
"Dain..."
Thorin's expression pleaded for hope, but lingered in sorrow. Dain didn't look away from his parchment but he could see Thorin leaning towards him from the corners of his eyes.
"Have you... Felt cursed?..."
Thorin's words felt more accusing than the desperate plea of a lost dwarf. Dain froze and breathed deeply, his head followed his eyes to meet, not Thorin's, but Fili's face. Thorin scanned him, his eyes flicking across every detail in Dain's expression.
Hoping...
Praying...
That there was someone who could relate to his troubles...
To keep him company in his isolated world...
But Dain's expression was like the hard stone of the mountain. Cold and unfamiliar to the feelings of the creatures that walked over it.
"No... I am not cursed Thorin..."
Dain's words pierced Thorin's mind like a stray arrow. His will began to crumble on the brink of despair...
He had no one now...
No one to turn to...
No place to seek refuge...
It was lost...
The two cousins were so distant now...
So distant indeed...
As if there was an unseen magic that caused the rift between them...
Though Thorin knew it was not magic at all...
Dain had become a Lord, and he was not cursed. Unlike Thorin...
Neither lord nor king...
Just a princeling who allowed himself to be taken... To be tainted...
Thorin lowered his gaze and rested back into his chair. He held Fili tighter and watched the lad's jaw slack as rattling snore crept out from his slumber. The muscles in his face tensed as his eyes threatened to tear. But Thorin would not weep, not in front of his nephew, though sleeping as he were.
I pray you will not meet the same fate little one... May Aule bless you in many ways that will keep you safe... Far beyond the age when your beard has greyed and you sit upon a lush hill gazing towards the setting sun...
Aule... Please spare him...
Dain had retreated to his work once again, ignoring his cousin after that abrupt accusation. Thorin rocked Fili gently, and slowly his hope renewed as he kept his gaze on his nephew. He realized he was not alone, not entirely.
At least not yet...
There was still other members of his family. Perhaps they knew a little more, or maybe they kept their curse a secret...
Like he now had too...
Thorin smiled down to Fili. The little dwarf in his arms swept his saddened thoughts into a sea of hope. The innocence within his arms felt as though it would never see a darkened day threaten his sun-filled locks.
Time passed and the ornate door creaked open. Gundis emerged with a delicate tray in her burly hands. She was followed by two other young males carrying trays of lesser quality filled with a portioned amount of food. Thorin eyed Gundis who simply nodded a silent greeting in his direction. She shifted Dain's parchments in an unpleasant manner that had them crumpling over his ledgers. Dain drew his arms back and spread his palms at the sudden toss of his important works. Gundis settled the tray on the emptied space and chuckled at her dear husband. She would not let her dwarf go hungry, for he would be useless if he were to collapse from an emptied stomach.
"You will eat now and not later. I have no need of a husband who cannot stand on his feet because he has not eaten."
Gundis smirked as she joked and playfully tugged Dain's beard to meet her gaze. She leaned in with a widened smirk and pursed her lips in a longing gesture. Dain watched his wife and leaned in for a kiss. Gundis grinned and quickly jerked her lips forward to not kiss her husband, but peck the air before his head and pull herself away. Dain huffed and tried to deny the bemused grin to his lips.
"You should not tease me Athûhuruh ra gimuluh." (My sun and stars)
Dain reached his hand to slide over Gundis' plump rear. She grinned and gripped his wrist, twisting it into a submissive hold against his shoulder. She leaned back in to her husband who had a perverse grin on his lips.
"And you should not forget our company my emùlhekh..." (Majesty)
Gundis' playful smile turned away from Dain as she looked to the amused dwarf smirking from across the room. Thorin chuckled quietly and cocked his head at their display. He had always enjoyed the utterly amusing display of Gundis' prowess over Dain. And of course she took great pride in teasing her husband before others, while Dain didn't seemed to mind at all. More like enjoyed it entirely. Thorin couldn't help but quirk his brow as he slanted his head further to the affectionate couple.
"Do not let my presence head your actions..."
Dain let out a mighty roar and took to his feet. Gundis released her hold on his wrist as he swept her off her feet and quickly laid his wife onto the stone floor behind the desk. Thorin chuckled as they disappeared and the sounds chirping giggles playfully escaped. His palm found his brow as he continued to chuckle at the couple. It would have appeared they were fornicating behind the desk but in truth it was a silly display the two love-stricken dwarves enjoyed as they exchanged loving kisses while perplexing the minds of the other dwarves who took their leave quickly with reddened faces. The trays had been left behind on a small table nearest Thorin's chair.
Thorin's chuckling body tossed the little blonde to stir awake. The lad groaned and growled at the disturbing rumble. Fili whines and the back of his hands lazily wiped at his eyes.
"adad... go to bed..." (Father)
Fili curled up tighter and slued his arms over his head to cover his ears. Thorin smiled at the welcomed title and glanced to the meal that was given to them.
"Are you not hungry Fili?"
The lad let out a long groan through his protruding lip.
"mmmmmmmmmm... yes."
Fili tiredly sat up and blinked for his promised food. Thorin pointed at the trays beside him and Fili leaned over the armrest to grab a loaf of bread and munch on it through his sleepy expression. His body slung over the chair while he arms hung while clasping the bread. He appeared like a lazy feline that could become accustomed to any position that allowed it to sleep.
Dain and Gundis finally emerged from the desk as Gundis playfully pushed her dwarf back into his chair. They giggled at each other, ignoring Thorin for the moment. Gundis finally took her leave, giving Thorin a quick smirk. The door closed and Thorin turned his grin back to Dain.
"There are times I am unsure if you are fortunate or not."
Dain laughed at Thorin's little joke and took a sip from the cup that his wife left behind.
"Khuzd tada bijebî âysîthi mud oshmâkhî dhi zurkur ughvashâhu, Thorin. If only your belt would grow any larger you might find a yâsith one day!"(A dwarf that chooses to take a wife must guard her as his greatest treasure)(yâsith = wife)
Thorin joined Dain's bantering laughing that quickly died as a curious amount of voices arose from the halls behind the doors. They both were silent as they tried to make sense of the various sounds. The smiles died from their faces as a frightening realization crept up on both of them. Dain stood as his heart beat a little quicker. There were quick footsteps that ran towards the room and burst the door open. Gundis heaved as her grim face filled Dain's with terror.
"We're under attack! Orcs are approaching from the west, another group from the south!"
Dain quickly fled passed Gundis, patting her shoulder as he went. She followed right after and Thorin lifted Fili from his lap and took after them. Fili held onto his bread and bounced in his uncles arms while he continued to chew. His mind still dazed from his unpleasant awakening. He did not understand the situation and cursing dwarves around him.
The dwarves scurried to re-arm themselves with what little they had left from the previous battle. Dain arrived in the great hall full of scrambling soldiers with his wife and cousin following his lead. His voice howled over the scattered dwarves and commanded them into formation.
Dain sent an armed troop off while he commanded the others to fully armor themselves in whatever they could find. He would not lose his people carelessly from the lack of proper armor. The dwarves made padding out of books and bits of wood, anything they could find to avoid being easily killed. There were smiths that made quick spears to give to those who were unarmed. Thorin scrambled to aid his kin. He knew he was injured and would be useless in battle, but still he had to help protect his weary kin. Gundis pulled Fili away as the lad tried to follow his uncle into the hoard of dwarves. She lifted him into her arms as they watched the remnant army reform.
Dain had moved to the gates of the Iron Hills and organized portions of his troops. Thorin was helping the smiths to make new weapons and armor. So many had been injured and left incapable of aiding this new fight but still they did what they were capable of. Dain made sure those heavily injured would not enter this battle and commanded them to continue to help with the armory. Even with so few left to fight, they still lacked equipment.
Dain sent out his last troop and followed close behind, fully armored and ready to battle the invading orcs. He was exhausted from his last battle but he would not falter to mindless rampaging orcs. Thorin ran up behind with an axe in hand and Dain whipped back to scream at his cousin.
"YOU DO NOT ENTER THIS BATTLE THORIN!"
Thorin winced at the enraged cry of his cousin.
"We have no need for those who would endanger others from their inability to fight..."
Dain turned away as Thorin clenched his teeth at the bitter words. He had to fight. He had to help. He would not be useless...
Thorin glanced around madly looking for anything to allow him a chance to join the battle. There was a bow hiding behind a wooden bench.
"Then I will take a bow and remain at a distance. I will not let you fight alone!"
Dain stopped and pondered the thought. He nodded his approval and hurried his cousin to arm himself. Thorin ran and grabbed the bow and a quiver, he had no armor but seeing as he would not be near the battle, he should be safe...
Dain felt unsettling feeling in his gut. To have his injured cousin join unarmed like this... But there was no more time to doddle. He did not know how many orcs were approaching but he felt strong that they would still manage to win. They took off running to join the troops ahead.
Dain growled at his constant worry over his cousin safety. As his feet ran across the mountain floor he hollered an obscenity to his cousin.
"IF YOU DIE I WILL PISS ON YOUR GRAVE THORIN!"
Thorin almost tripped at the abrupt comment. He coughed as his lungs retracted and felt himself trying to laugh but it was not the time for it. Dain had not made a joke, he was serious and concern was wrought over his face...
Thorin separated from his cousin and took to a secluded cliff that bore a few tree's that allowed the prince to take cover. He eyed the troops awaiting the oncoming warg pack's in the distance. The orcs from the south were planning to surround the dwarves but Dain had plenty in his company to stave off such tactics.
Thorin could see the orcs shadowed form growing closer. The sun was daring to sink below the horizon. A beautiful yet ominous orange sky created an endless amounts of darkened shadows that threatened to trick their sight. If one were to turn to quickly, they would be blinded by the sun and turn back to see nothing but camouflaged shapes that hid the enemy well.
Fighting at dusk...
Was not a simple task...
Thorin held onto an arrow that rested in position on his bow. He had not drawn the string back as the orcs were still too far away.
He watched them...
Staring intently...
Looking for that one Orc...
If he is there... Then I pray I will deliver his death... I will not fail my line... I will defeat this madness that has corrupted my blood...
Thorin watched and waited. He did not see a single speck of white flash as the sun glittered over the orc's blackened skin. Thorin heaved in through his nostrils. The Orc he desired to kill was not there...
But that did not mean his presence would not come...
For during the first battle, the one that started this mess, the Orc had not been present during the time of the dwarves raid.
He is somewhere... I know he is here...
Thorin drew his arrow back as the orcs approached Dain's troops. He shot his arrow and took out the leading warg. The orcs surrounded the Dwarves in little numbers. Thorin could tell the orc' were indeed out numbered but that did not mean the battle would be victorious without the death of his kin. Thorin drew another arrow back and Dain's troops engaged the orcs. He let his arrow fly to another warg. They were much easier to target and the risk of accidentally piercing an ally was far less. Thorin's brow furrowed as he noticed the orcs were not fighting as hard as he had known them too.
It was as though they were toying with the dwarves. Pulling their forces back, trying to goad them into attacking first...
This is wrong... What are they planning...
Thorin's spine pricked with little bumps down his spine. He felt a eerie chill nip at his collar. He slowly fondled another arrow between his finger tips. His pupils drifting to the corners of his eyes...
His breathing slowed and he listened intently, ignoring the sounds from below the cliff.
Quiet...
A brisk wind against the leaves...
The inward beat of the prince's heart...
And a rock tumbling against others...
Thorin whipped and rolled from his place by the tree. He drew his arrow back as the white Warg had already lunged into the air as he was turning. Thorin gaped and let his arrow loose. It sliced a bit of the Warg's left shoulder but missed piercing the beast. Thorin held his bow up as the Warg bit down on the wooden weapon. It's jaws snapped the bow in half as its massive paw shifted and stepped on the dwarf's arm as the beast threw the broken weapon away. Thorin hissed and instinctively gripped the fur of the massive paw holding him down. His eyes flickered to the beast's teeth as it lowered its head in a quick motion and bit into the dwarf's free arm and shoulder.
His arm was pinned against his body as the Warg held onto him tightly. The beasts teeth pierced him but not deeply enough to damage either his lungs or bones. Thorin winced and choked through his teeth as blood burned out of his wound. His body was in pain and he was already weakened by the sudden attack. Still he kicked his legs to distance himself from the beast but it was of no use.
Thorin knew the Orc was there. He hissed as he heard footsteps emerging from behind the beast.
The white Orc he hated...
The one that cursed him...
The Orc kneeled by his un-bitten arm and watched the prince's struggling face. Those blue eyes were full of malice and those scared lips that curved in delight. Thorin glared through his wincing struggles. He couldn't speak but if he were able, he would only shout obscene curses the Orc had already heard before. Thorin struggled to breath as he tried to pull away from the Orc's nearing hand. He growled when his scalp was subjected to that revolting touch again Stroking him, as though he were a pet...
Damn him... damn...
Thorin coughed through his teeth and the Orc lowered his fingers against the dwarf's face, trailing down to the prince's neck. Thorin glared further at the annoyingly gentle strokes. Thankful though he was of the Warg dealing him enough pain that denied his body of any further ill-favoured pleasures.
The sharpened nails at his neck scratched him just barely but then the hand spread its fingers wide and gripped his neck, tightening his air passage.
Thorin's eyes widened as his body recoiled and twitched for air. The Orc's smile embedded in his mind as he choked. His legs kicked out but their strength dwindled as his vision started to blur. The sharp pain from his lungs attempting to expand yet finding no relief caused his mind to burn and slowly blank. He was not yet unconscious when the Orc finally released him, but his mind was daring to fall of the ledge and welcome that dark place he often fell into.
He couldn't see any defined shapes, nor recognize he was seeing at all. His mind felt like it were a muddied swamp, unclear of the creatures that lived within. It was like the affects of a hardened drink that in this case did not leave a rewarding feeling.
He was moving, but every motion sent a wave of haziness through his mind and threw out all thought and ability to understand what existence was. Finally he drifted to sleep and in that sleep he found no pain or thought. Just a black, endless, unquestionable space...