Thorin tapped his foot on the emerald floor impatiently waiting to catch his first glimpse of her. His pale blue eyes scanned the Great Hall for the tenth time, as if Briseis would suddenly appear amongst the crowd if he focused hard enough.
The excited chattering and laughter of all who were gathered in the vast chamber surrounded the King like a maddening shroud of hornets and he forced himself to take a deep breath.
Relaxing ever so slightly, the dwarf sat back in his throne – he knew the girl would be his soon enough.
It was a shame that she'd have to be used before he got to her, but it was a necessary sacrifice he was willing to make.
His twisted plans ran through his head again as his gaze turned to his two nephews.
It was as though he viewed them through a thick haze; memories of his love for them fought to resurface, like a drowning swimmer struggling to break free from the depths of the sea.
But a tight grip pulled the long forgotten memories back into the black abyss of his mind, leaving the King with nothing more than a sense of detached familiarity towards the two boys he had raised like sons.
And so he observed them with the cold, calculating glare of a snake stalking its prey.
Fili, quiet and seemingly anxious, sat next to Thorin rubbing his knee with the jittery nerve of a child. His sea green eyes continuing to steal glances at his brother who was standing amongst the crowd.
The intricate gold embroidery on Kili's deep violet tunic caught the light like a beacon as he shifted his weight, his hands moving frantically as he spoke, deep in conversation with Bard.
Thorin wondered what comfort the two boys would be able to offer Briseis after the Ceremony.
A hint of a smirk tugged at the King's lips – she won't be able to do so much as look them in the eye after tonight.
The final beat of the drum landed with a heavy thud, reverberating off the cavernous walls as the King sat up in his throne once more, his heart quickening with what he could only describe as a perverse sense of excitement and lust.
The Privileged were about to be let into the hall.
With a fleeting pang of annoyance, he noticed Kili out of the corner of his eye. The young dwarf had perked up like a dog waiting for a treat, his brown eyes wide as he craned his neck in an effort to see over the countless heads. Quickly cutting off his conversation with the Lord of Dale, he rushed to take his seat beside Thorin, barely taking note of the man's foot he trampled on his way.
The King tightened his grip on the arm of his throne in annoyance, the cold, hard edge of gold cutting into his palm like a knife as he reminded himself that tonight would put an end to his nephew's ill fated crush.
Without further notice, the doors at the furthest corner of the room swung open, and an excited murmur of whispers ran through the crowd before everyone fell silent.
A small pathway cleared and the first girl timidly stepped over the threshold, her shimmering gold gown suddenly reminding Thorin of his precious horde, stashed away in a cavernous hall which only he had access to.
His heart hammered twice as fast, nearly making him light headed as an indescribable need to feel the cold, hard coins against his skin washed over him.
Thorin very nearly stood up and left the ceremony altogether, but managed somehow to remember to golden pendant which hung from his neck. Shakily reaching up to grab the circular item, he relished in the smooth, cool surface and brought the gold to his nostrils as he inhaled the intoxicating scent of the metal.
It satisfied him for the time being.
The next girl preceded just as coyly, her head was ducked, straw coloured hair hanging in front of her face while her eyes remained glued to her feet.
Another seven girls trickled into the hall with all the speed of molasses.
Thorin was becoming more and more impatient as each of the Privileged took their places at the rectangular table situated at the foot of the throne. Finally, after what seemed like an hour of waiting, she stepped over the foot of the corridor and into the Great Hall.
The King's breath hitched in his throat, his heart hammering loudly in his chest as Briseis, her head held high, glared directly at him with smouldering grey eyes, loathing radiating off her resplendent form in waves.
For a split second Thorin felt a pang of regret and utter hatred, the latter directed toward himself. He wanted so badly to erase the past few days – to start fresh, perhaps with a little more civility and charm.
Would she have taken more kindly to him then?
The thought vanished almost as soon as it had appeared, replaced with a longing in his heart for the girl more intense than anything he had felt in a long time. He wanted nothing more than to make her his own.
Briseis strode towards the table with all the grace and dignity of a queen, yet the sparkling red jewels on her gown along with her murderous expression made her seem more like an approaching fire storm – deadly yet devastatingly beautiful.
She was brave, strong and presented the dwarf with a challenge. She was unlike any other woman he had ever met and looking at her now was like taking in a breath of fresh air after being stuck in the dank, musty dungeons for far too long.
A small smile suddenly escaped Briseis' stern visage and her stoney eyes instantly softened as the King was left bewildered for a split second. A part of him was foolish enough to hope that the look had been directed at him, but following her gaze he knew exactly whom she was staring at.
Thorin turned his head to look at his sister's youngest child; his innocence displayed upon his slightly bearded face in the way he returned the chaste grin - nothing like the hungry, lingering stares Thorin threw at the girl.
In that moment the King felt a white hot jealousy burn within the pit of his stomach with such intensity, he was sure that flames were coming out of his ears.
As he turned his head, eager to get the evening started, he noticed Fili staring at both of his kin with a deep scowl.
Thorin smiled wickedly at the straw haired dwarf, which did nothing except deepen the frown on his nephew's face.
As Briseis took her seat at the end of the table, a hush fell over the citizens of Erebor who stood waiting for Thorin to make his selection before the feast began.
For nine years the King chose his companion at the very start of the Ceremony and she would sit beside him at the throne for the remainder of the night.
But not this year.
Thorin beckoned to the guards and brightly dressed kitchen staff to bring forth the food.
They seemed confused for a moment but within minutes, golden trays heaping with roast pork, mutton, steamed rice, potatoes and cheese were being maneuvered carefully through the crowd and onto the linen floor mats as the guests sat cross-legged in rows, excited that the feast was commencing so soon.
But Fili knew better.
"What are you doing?" he asked shrewdly, glaring at Thorin like he was a dangerous animal tied to a fraying leash.
"You'll see," was all the king muttered as he set his gaze upon Briseis once more.
His icy eyes never left the scarlet bejeweled girl, closely observing her every move.
The other girls were talking and eating, some laughing and joking, but not Briseis.
She kept her head down throughout the entire meal, carefully handling her food as though it would burn her if she ate it too fast.
Barely aware of what he ate or drank, the king waited impatiently for the food to be cleared, feeling the slight blush that had crept up into his cheeks.
Finally, the plates had been put away and just as planned, a large space had been cleared in the centre of the room with a single chaise lounge set carefully upon the stone floors.
Thorin Oakenshield rose from his throne, his mind buzzing with the voices which surrounded him and the one which screamed helplessly between his ears.
Don't do this - fight it!
The one he had long ago learned to ignore.
With a final glance at Briseis, the Dragon fought back the man once known as Thorin and addressed the crowd through the thick haze which suffocated his every waking moment.
"Now I know you're all eager to start the dancing and music , but as you might have noticed, we're changing things this year."
Briseis tried not to focus on the King's voice, but couldn't help it as his words sent a flutter of trepidation through her.
"This year, we're going to have some live entertainment."
A few murmurs of excitement rustled through the crowd like a breeze, some inquisitive suggestions of acrobats and flame throwers reaching the girl's ears.
"Briseis Ocherfell…"
Her heart sunk as the sound of her name spoken so twistedly nearly brought up the entire contents of her stomach. Trying desperately to keep down the bile at the back of her throat, she shakily turned to glare at the King, noticing Alanah's concerned face peeking around at her from a few seats away.
She also noticed that Fili and Kili had both risen from their seats, standing behind the King with matching expressions of bewilderment as they waited in anticipation for their uncle's next words.
"Please, join me."
The King had a false smile plastered onto his face and despite the plea tacked onto the start of his sentence, she knew it was an order.
A part of her idly wondered what he would do if she refused.
Don't cause a scene.
The girl remembered her promise to Selene and clenched her jaw, carefully pushing her chair out from beneath her.
Briseis stood and tried to ignore the sea of eyes which followed her shaky steps towards the insane dwarf while steeling herself for whatever was about to happen.
She stole a quick glance at Kili; his internal struggle playing out clearly on his vexed face as he met her grey eyes.
The young dwarf took a step towards her and had his arm instantly ensnared by his brother who watched her approach the King with guarded eyes.
"My lovely companion!" Thorin's deep voice boomed as he gestured towards the girl as though she were a trophy he had won.
A few disheartened claps escaped the otherwise quiet crowd, all who seemed to sense an unpleasant turn of events brewing.
"But she's only part of the puzzle - ah yes,"-Thorin gestured animatedly with his large hands as he turned around to address the two brothers, a wicked grin splitting face-"Fili, Kili. Do join us."
Briseis' heart began doing a drum roll in her chest.
"Leave them out of this," she pleaded, going so far as to grab his arm. She had no idea what she was asking him to exclude them from, only that the sick expression the King wore made her sure that it was not going to be good.
Thorin snapped his head over to her and the girl took a step back in utter incredulity.
His eyes.
They were no longer the deep blue irises she had noticed during the Selection, or the hypnotic cerulean she had been transfixed by in the bathing chambers. No, his eyes were nearly yellow and his pupils...they looked like slits.
Kili must have noticed her odd expression, as he appeared almost instantly by her side.
The King's eyes flashed, and just as suddenly, his clouded blue orbs were back - swirling with a sickly golden hue.
Briseis' head was buzzing with a thousand questions she knew none of the answers to.
Was he possessed?
Was this a symptom of the 'Dragon Sickness' Sel had mentioned?
Was there a cure?
She was so caught up with her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed Fili standing at her opposite shoulder, his stern expression doing nothing to console her.
"Just like my food and wine, my companion is to be tasted first by someone else," the King's voice reverberated off the cavernous walls and brought Briseis back to reality with a harsh slap. "My two dearest nephews will do the honours of bedding Briseis. Right here, right now - in front of us all."
"You sick son of a bitch," the words had formed in her mind, but left the mouth of Kili.
Thorin only smiled wickedly.
The dark haired dwarf lunged at his uncle, nearly snarling, only to be restrained by his brother, whose own expression was a bit short of murderous as he rounded on the King.
"You go too far."
"Don't you dare impugn me," Thorin hissed suddenly, completely losing all of his composure in the blink of an eye. "You both are going to take her to the middle of the chamber, undress each other and do what I tell you."
A part of Briseis' brain was numb, not quite believing what was happening.
Fili took the moment of intense silence to nestle himself between his uncle and brother, carefully drawing himself up to his full height as he gave the King a pointed glare.
"We're not doing anything to her, and neither are you. You're sick, you need help-"
"Take her and do as I say, or that little Laketown bitch of yours and her unborn child will be dead before sunrise."
Briseis watched as all the blood drained from the blonde dwarf's face, leaving his slightly sun kissed skin pale and ashen.
Kili turned and slammed into his brother's chest, taking him a few steps back while continuously muttering something into the ear of the despondent prince.
Before the girl could react to the King's threat, she noticed a ripple in the crowd from the corner of her eye. Slowly turning her head to acknowledge the quickening movement, her heart sank into her toes as a middle aged man with an insane expression emerged from the sea of people.
Someone from the table of newly selected girls let out a blood curdling shriek as the man drew a shining dagger from his belt, the cold metal glinting dangerously in the light.
"FOR MY DAUGHTER!" The man screamed, and with one fluid movement, he wound up and threw the blade as Briseis watched in utter shock as the knife sailed through the air and buried itself into the middle of Thorin's chest.