Although the dramas of politics did not lessen, I saw a change in Thorin's demeanor into something more proud and tolerant. He also began to take me to a private combat training room deep in the mountain.
"I am sorry that I have not had the chance to focus on your combat skills," he said the first time.
"Do not worry," I said. "You have more imperative burdens."
And so the first hours of our mornings were spent together teaching me not only how to throw knives, but sword fighting as well. Thorin was quite patient with me, and I always wondered why he would spend his time with a dolt like me rather than practicing running the kingdom.
...
Near midsummer, I discovered that I was pregnant. I did not look forward to telling Thorin. We had not discussed when we would have children and I fretted that he was not ready or would think me irresponsible. I had Ora bring chilled wine to our quarters one evening, and I sat, nervously preparing to share the news, for hours before Thorin arrived.
He entered, his boots stomping louder and quicker than normal, and I saw that his face was full of an excitement that was usually found in children.
"Dress yourself, Aurvang!" he said. "You must come quickly! A miner has found the heart of the mountain! You must see it."
I hurried to cover myself and to put on boots and allowed myself to be dragged by Thorin to the throne room in record time. Several dwarfs were crowded around the throne, where the King was holding something reverently in his hands. The crowd parted for us, and the stone caught my gaze immediately.
It was almost like an opal – but more. It shone as if lit from within, casting colors of all hues into the eyes of its observers. I stood, transfixed, for several minutes until Thorin whispered in my ear:
"It's a good sign – with more nobles speaking against the royal family by the day, it is a sure sign of the rightness of the King's rule."
"Is it really?" I was surprised – I hadn't pegged Thorin as a devout believer in the divine.
"The question of its validity is irrelevant. What does matter is what the people believe," he replied.
Disgust coiled in my stomach. "So you would have them believe a farce?" I hissed. "How can you dismiss so casually the feelings and beliefs of your people?"
Thorin's back stiffened and he turned us right around and nearly dragged me back to our rooms. He slammed the door shut behind us and rounded on me.
"You do not have the right to question my motive," he said angrily. "Your status as my wife does not matter – I am first and foremost your prince!"
"If your wife doesn't question you then who will?" I cried, ripping off my veil. "You need to be balanced."
"I am a descendent of Durin! I do not need to be balanced! I need to be powerful!"
"Since when?" I asked, taken aback. Thorin had never acted like this before.
He was silent, and I noticed white spots forming in my vision and blinked hurriedly, trying to fight the rising feeling of vertigo. It did not cease, and the last thing I saw was Thorin's face contorting into sudden concern as he saw my eyes roll back into my head and I fell.
...
The pounding in my head grew too insistent to ignore, and I moaned at the pain. A pair of hot hands squeezed mine, and I heard Thorin's voice.
"Aurvang! Are you awake? Are you ok?"
I mumbled incoherently. I noticed that I had been laid carefully under the thick furs of our bed. A cooler hand touched my forehead, and an unfamiliar voice spoke: "She will be fine, my lord. Just make sure she does not sleep for the remainder of the night."
"Thank you, Oin." The hand left my face and a few moments later I heard the door shut, wincing at the pierce the sound sent through my head.
"Would you like to sit up?" Thorin asked me.
"No," I said firmly.
"You mustn't sleep. You hit your head rather hard." There was another moment of silence. "You frightened me," Thorin said, nearly too quiet to hear.
I knew – somewhere in my fazed mind, that I should sit up. I finally opened my eyes and tried raising myself to my elbows. The pain did not increase, so I pushed myself up all the way and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My head spun again, and I nearly fainted once more. Thorin's arm reached around and he placed a strong hand on my back to keep me steady while his other hand still gripped mine. I wondered if the baby had been hurt by the fall, and my free hand went to my belly. Thorin's eyes were drawn there, and a look of confusion and realization passed on his face.
"Are you with child?" he asked, searching my face, his own unyielding.
"Yes," I whispered.
He let my hands go, and strode to the fire, where he leaned his arm on the mantle and stared into the flames.
"I'm sorry," I said, tears building in my eyes.
"Sorry? Why are you sorry?" Thorin turned to look at me, startled at my words.
"I didn't think – we never spoke of it. I did not think you wanted a child. I should have been more responsible," I buried my face in my hands, overcome with anguish at Thorin's apparent rejection.
His hands drew mine away and I looked up to see his blurred reflection only inches from mine.
"I want this child," he said, a smile forming on his features. "I am astounded, that's all. It is a glorious surprise."
"Truly?" I asked, and in answer Thorin laughed and picked me up, spinning me around and then sitting in his chair, holding me tight on his lap. "Oooo…" I moaned, feeling my supper considering making an appearance. Thorin silenced me with a kiss - several, in fact, and we spent the night in each other's arms. It was a wonderful distraction from the growing nausea.