Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).

Chapter 27

Amrus hated going before the king. He was of noble blood, the House of Rus had been around for centuries and here he was kneeling before a king that had been exiled. His father had opposed the crowned prince's inheritance of the throne, favoring his cousin Dain Ironfoot. But his father would never live to see either ascend the throne, leaving the dwindling riches and debts of their family name to his two sons. Lord Karus, his father, had taught him how to play the game of nobility, and he was quite good at it. He smiled when he suppose to smile, he laughed when he was supposed to laugh. He was the perfect noble, yet the king and his ragtag company seemed to see through his game.

They had rejected his proposal to serve as ambassador to the Blue Mountian, the home of his family. Residing him to a small role as advisor to the crown prince. The brat. He thought to himself as he journeyed to the throne room. Prince Fili was just as his uncle had been when he was a prince, serious and calm. Though he rarely listened to Amrus's advice. Prince Kili was a completely different problem, it was no secret his affinity for the Captain of Mirkwood. The princes had been a problem since he had arrived in the mountain. They were no longer the mischievous dwarflings he had once met. Now they held the king's council, he listened to their advice. And they had no liking for him. They were a problem, just like Harion had been a problem.

Harion. He hadn't thought of the guard in years, and all of the sudden his grandaughter appears. Even dead he was an issue. When Thorin had announced Magdalen's heritage he was not ashamed to say he choked on his drink. The memories of the night on the bridge came rushing back, Harion's trial and the last moments in Erebor before Smaug attacked. He had wandered as he traveled to their new home, what had happened to the guard that had disrupted his life.

The plan had been simple really. Get the dragon stone, poison Nili, take Dis for himself. Amrus had never loved Dis, not truly. While she was a lovely consolation prize, she wasn't the ultimate treasure. To him, she was just a pawn in his game, a game that he lost. A game that had been, unfairly, taken from him because of Harion. He could have sired the future king. He could have the power of the Lonely Moutain at his fingertips, but Harion had tried to play hero. Amrus couldn't ever well poison Nili after the dragon stone had been discovered.

A part of him had always known she belonged to Harion since he caught sight of the emerald in her necklace the thought had lingered in the back of his mind.

Amrus suspected she didn't know how dangerous the dragon stone she carried with her exactly was. He wanted to keep it that way.

The doors to the throne room opened to the narrow stone bridge. He set on the path toward the king, he could make out the figure of Lord Balin whispering to Thorin. Amrus held back the urge to roll his eyes, the dwarf was always found at the king's side. Always whispering in his ear.

That should have been me.

Thorin nodded at whatever Balin said to him. Amrus stood before the throne. Lowering himself, he kneeled before the king. A bitter thought racing through himself as Thorin commanded him to rise.

"What business do you have here, Lord Amrus?" Balin asked.

Amrus bite his tongue from saying something that would get him in the dungeons.

Amrus bowed his head and spoke.

"My brother has sent word that they will arrive midsummer, my king."

Thorin nodded in acknowledgment, rubbing his bearded chin.

"And has he agreed to my terms?" Thorin questioned.

Lord Balin eyed him from his spot beside Thorin.

Amrus met his gaze, a challenging look set in his eyes and turned to smile at the king.

"Aye, so long as you have agreed to his."

Balin turned to the king a weary look on his face.

"He won't like this Thorin," Warned Balin.

Thorin shared a look with Balin, clearly thinking deeply about what his advisor had just said. Amrus could have his planned messed up before it even began, so he spoke.

"Just a trial run, my lord."

Thorin hummed, setting his lips in a firm line. Thorin stood, "Tell your brother that he is welcome in the mountain. We will speak more on the deal when he arrives."

Balin rolled his eyes walking away from the throne. Amrus bowed his head hiding the smirk that played on his lips. Thorin groaned rubbing his thick brow.

"Leave us, Lord Amrus." Thorin barked.

Amrus bowed in respect turning to walk away from the king.

XXX

He sent out a raven to his brother with news about the agreement. Amrus had lost so much over the years. It was nice to know he was finally going to get what he wanted. What he deserved. So Amrus practically skipped through the halls of Erebor with giddy. Thoughts of the future dancing in his mind. The sounds of laughter stopped him in his place. He stood in the shadows of a balcony overlooking one of the courtyards. Below him, he made out three figures. His eyes stuck on the familiar lovely figure of a human girl.

Her blonde hair like silk in the light dancing with her movement. Steel eyes sparkled as her sweet laughter filled the hall. He had only spoken truth to her at the ball, how someone as ugly as Harion could have made a jewel as her he would never know. Of course, her looks didn't detract from the mouth on her. Though he knew he could break that nasty habit of speaking her mind.

"Oh shut up, Kili!" She exclaimed.

Prince Kili mocked the girl as she pushed into Prince Fili with all her might, not moving him an inch. She smiled as Prince Fili picked her up by the waist throwing her over his shoulder. She squealed kicking playfully at the prince until he dropped her back on the ground. Instead of attacking the crowned prince she chased after Prince Kili, who ran as fast as he could from the tiny human. Their banter carried through the hall as they left. Amrus watched as Prince Fili stared after the girl looking like a lovestruck dwarfling. He was not blinded, he had seen the development in the princes and girl relationship. That was going to be a problem. He thought bitterly.

She would be his jewel, a beautiful gem to add to his collection. Soon he would have the power his father had desired for their family for so long. He would do what his father never could. His blood would be bound to the crown, and Magdalen was just an added bonus.

Harion had taken away his chance with Dis. But he wasn't here now to stop him from taking Magdalen. Amrus would make her his little wife. He would make her suffer for all her grandfather's deeds. If his plan played out as he had imagined, soon she would take any chance to leave the mountain. Even if it was on his arm. And if she didn't, he would gladly drag her out of the mountain himself.

Now all he had to do wait and see where his cards landed.

Short chapter I know! But it had to be written lol. More to come soon :) have a wonderful week.