They had all gathered around the Great Gates to see off Dis that morning. She had only taken a few days to prepare for their journey back and was travelling with many guards, and several other skilled dwarves including smiths and other crafters.
Dain and his son had set off back to the Iron Hills the day previously, and a few noble families had returned with them, while some had remained to settle in Erebor.
Dis wore her large travel coat with a hood and rich fur collar so it was clear to most that she was only returning home, but carefully concealed underneath were her mithril vest and light travel armour and a whole host of hidden daggers. And similarly inside her carriage were her swords. Should they be attacked, Dis was ready. And having defended some of the older folk on their journey to Ered Luin, and some recent journeys to Erebor, from a fair number of stray orc, she was quite good too!
The company had all arrived to see her off, giving her hugs, and Elin had packed her ample supplies for the journey.
She then walked over to Thorin and gave him a hug. "Don't push yourself too much, dear brother."
Next she gave Dwalin a hug, "I know you will look after them, Dwalin. You are truly a noble dwarf." He appeared crestfallen, but blushed at her words and mumbled something back, which only she could have possibly heard.
Then with Fili and Kili, she placed her forehead to each of theirs gently and hugged them. "Amad, we will send you Ravens everyday," they spoke together smiling, but Shobha could see they were truly very sad to see her leave. She didn't understand why Dis couldn't remain here, and Thorin select those he trusted to lead the settlement there. Perhaps at the moment there were not many he trusted?
She turned to Shobha next and after placing her forehead on Shobha's, she whispered, "I thank Mahal for bringing you to us." Shobha threw her arms around Dis in a warm hug, shutting her eyes tight to prevent herself from crying.
This prompted Fili and Kili to come running in for one last hug with their mother, and receiving kisses to their foreheads.
Thorin offered his hand to help her into her carriage. "Send us a raven as soon as you reach there," he reminded once more.
And with that her carriages and group were all gone. Thorin and Dwalin had disappeared with Balin for another urgent meeting with the guard.
Fili, Kili and Shobha had remained there to watch them until they had disappeared into the horizon, and then reluctantly turned to head back.
That evening Shobha had found her way to the royal terrace after helping out in the Infirmary. She stood there contemplating. Treating patients in this world was very different, although managing the simple cuts, scratches and open wounds requiring stitching had been simple enough. There were no blood pressure readings or blood tests or scans. She really was starting from scratch to learn again.
Winter was certainly beginning to arrive with a distinct chill, although there was no snow yet, it would only be a matter of time. Dale in the distance was illuminated with many little lights and she could just about make out the movement of people.
She wondered how Dis was managing on her travels. It would be a worry until they all reached the Blue Mountains and sent them a raven on their safe arrival. Her thoughts then drifted to what her own family may have been doing – and once again, those thoughts made her feel guilty.
She thought she knew how Thorin felt about her, after that kiss a few days ago, but they hadn't been able to speak since given everything that had been going on in Erebor. She had been busy helping in the infirmary. The cave in had resulted in many minor injuries, and they all required their wounds regularly tended to in order to avoid infection. So just as one round of dressing changes had been complete, then next round would be ready to inspect and redress. And Thorin, she expected would have most certainly been busy.
What would her relationship with Thorin hold? She hadn't thought things through when she kissed him back. She knew she had feelings for him, and it was becoming more clear that she may not be able to return to her old life, but how would she fit into this one? She could see herself as Thorin's wife and even dare to imagine him as the father of her children. That thought made her blush, and made her wonder what contraceptive measures were used here in Arda. This flustered her even more, for she knew how her body had reacted just to that kiss – if he had chosen to let her robe fall away and have her there and then, she would have been only too willing.
"Shobha," Thorin spoke softly as he walked through the doorway to the terrace, interrupting her thoughts. "You should be getting some rest…"
"I was getting some fresh air..." She turned to face him, as he quickly crossed over to stand close to her. "You look exhausted… is everything alright?" she reached out gently to hold his hand.
"There are so many enquiries to make with regards to the attacks, and so many nobles who all want an audience. And we have to present ourselves as though Erebor is functioning as usual," he sighed as he interlaced his fingers in hers and then lifted her hand to his lips, planting a soft kiss. "I walked by the infirmary, your room, and the library… and when you were not there so late, I worried… I still think you should go to stay with Dis for a short while – "
"No, Thorin." She looked up at him. "It will make no difference to my safety.. this is a decision that I should make. And one that I have made. I am not your property, to be locked away…"
"No. You are too stubborn to want to belong to me.. or if you did you would consider what I had to say!" He let her hand go and walked to the terrace wall looking away.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward to stand beside him and rested her hands on the terrace wall.
"My former fiancé, was a bit older than me. When we met I was relatively young – I had spent most of my life studying to become a doctor or when I could, travelling to see the world and spending time with my family. I wasn't looking for a relationship at the time, but he pursued me… until I said yes…" she continued to watch the lights flicker in Dale, and noticed him watching her closely. "As I started work, and began to grow as an adult, there were many things – many choices that I made, which he disapproved of. Being a doctor in itself was one, training as a surgeon another… he always wanted me to stop working if we were to get married and have children. But they were all choices that I should have a say in… When things ended with him – I vowed to myself that who ever I would settle down with would treat me as an equal, and whatever challenges we faced, we would face together… So if you send me away Thorin, then I will not go to the Blue Mountains, but rather to Rivendell and then back home from there."
She was scared to look at his face after that, as she didn't know what she would find. When things didn't work out with Mike, she had intended to remain single for a little bit, although she had gone on a few dates to prove to herself that she was finally starting to get over him. So even she couldn't explain why she had been drawn to Thorin like this.
He reached out to her hands that were resting on the wall, and tugged at them gently, turning her to face him and bringing her closer. And then touching her cheek gently with one large calloused hand he looked into her big dark eyes.
"Is this what you want then? Are you sure?" Thorin asked. "To stand by me… as my wife… even as my Queen?" In that moment he was uncertain whether he had pushed it too far. Given all the attacks, it would be understandable if he had sent her running by mentioning his vision of her as his Queen.
He studied her face carefully as she looked into his eyes, and then standing on tip toe she leant in and kissed him. He immediately wrapped his hands around her waist, his body and his lips betraying his feelings for her, and then realising that she hadn't actually answered his question, he broke their kiss to search her face.
"Yes…Yes I want to stand by you – no matter what… And I want you to stand by my decisions too in return." She replied realising he had wanted an answer and continued. "I want to be your wife… to one day hopefully bear your beautiful children... the Queen thing is a LOT more daunting, but if that's what you need – then, that will have to be something I must strive to become…"
He held her in his arms still, smiling at her softly. In that moment, Thorin felt the weight of all his problems lifted away. Gandalf had been right, she was indeed a gift from Mahal.
"Well, my beautiful one, in the way that you have acted in times of need, and the courage you have shown in the face of adversity, I think you will find, makes you a natural Queen." He smiled softly as he held her close. "Perhaps you arrived here in Erebor because your purpose was to bear me an heir after all…" He winked and laughed at his own joke.
"Mahal preserve me!" She said rolling her eyes.
"Amralizi, my beautiful one," he claimed her lips once more. This time with much more fervour, pressing her tightly to him. He felt her hands run through his hair and along his beard and he loved every moment.
" – Uncle! Uncle!" Fili shouted, as he ran out onto the terrace. He was sorry to have interrupted one of the few quiet moments his Uncle had managed to secure with Shobha in the last few days since Bofur had caught him kissing her. "You need to come quickly – there's been a fire in your Forge!"
"Fili, stay here with Shobha, I will send Zodar and Allon to you also," Thorin commanded releasing Shobha from his arms and looking at her to make sure she understood. "Stay here please, until the guard arrive and then both of you go to my study and lock the door. You may be targets too."
And with that he ran down the stairs.
"Um… sorry about that Shobha." Fili apologised as he walked to the door and looked down the stairs.
"Please don't apologise," she started to feel the panic rise. "How bad is the fire Fili? Are there people trapped..?"
"I think they have managed to get to it on time – and fortunately the Royal Forge is reserved for use by Uncle himself." Fili explained still looking down the stairwell. "He goes there every now and then, I think that's how he relaxes sometimes. Smithing and the harp."
They heard heavy footfall towards them, Fili instinctively unsheathed his sword and stood wide in the doorway. "Get behind me. If there is more than one – as soon as kill the first one, you have to take their sword…" He sounded like Thorin.
However it turned out to be two of the King's guard who had made their way up onto the terrace.
"My Lady, Your Highness," the first guard slapped his fist to his breastplate and introduced himself. "Zodar, son of Haldar."
"Allon, son of Garron." The second guard slapped his fist to his breastplate as he introduced himself also. "His Majesty has asked us to take you to his study and guard the door. We must go now – it may not be safe here." They began ushering them both towards the stairs.
"Allow me to go ahead You Highness," Zodar said stepping in front of Fili.
"Wait – is our King safe…? Should you not be guarding him?" Shobha asked worried.
"Do not worry my lady – there are six more of his personal guard protecting him. And he has Lord Dwalin with him." Allon confirmed. "But we must move now my Lady."
As they reached the bottom of the stairwell the guards stopped to scan the corridor before entering. They were clearly on high alert. As they turned in the direction of Thorin's study Shobha noticed her door was slightly ajar.
"Wait –" she whispered grabbing Fili's arm. He paused, looking at her questioningly. "My room – I didn't leave it open…"
Fili tapped on the guards shoulders and signalled to them silently.
'Lady's quarters – possible intruder – need to look – be ready'
They moved silently towards the door, when Zodar signalled back to Fili.
'We go first'
Fili nodded.
As they opened the door quietly, there was a shuffle and the sound of furniture being turned over.
"Stop there." Zodar shouted moving in fast, his double headed axe pointed forward. Allon followed closely. Fili remained behind with Shobha, making himself a tall wide barrier between her and the door.
They heard further loud footfall from down the corridor to find two more guards running towards them.
"Dwalin sent us to guard the corridor your Highness!" They yelled from along the corridor as they noted Fili's drawn swords.
Then Allon emerged from the room. "One of you go get the Captain now. Zodar has apprehended an intruder from Lady Shobha's room!"
Fili remained on poised with both swords drawn keeping Shobha behind him, while Zodar and the new guard remained in the room with the intruder, and Allon stood in front of Fili with his axe and sword at the ready. Within moments the corridor was filled with more guards followed by Dwalin, Balin and Thorin and further guards behind them still.
Thorin paused briefly to check on Shobha and Fili, only to be reassured by him.
"We are fine Uncle – go and see what the orc dung was after," he growled.
Thorin walked into the room to find a dwarf dressed in black with dark hair and a trimmed beard and moustache being held up either side by two guards. He was hand cuffed and had several bruises to his face forming already. Dwalin stood in front of him snarling in Khuzdul.
"What were you here for? Speak you filth!" he punched the dwarrow once more in the gut, making him double up. But despite being in clear pain he didn't cry out or utter a word. He was clearly a trained mercenary.
On seeing the King enter, he looked up, following his every move, and managed a sneer.
Thorin scanned the room quickly, the furniture had been upturned, clothes had been pulled out, books strewn everywhere, even the mattress had been removed from the bed. He was certainly looking for the Arkenstone. But this went beyond a search – it was intended as a message.
It pained him to see the room where he kissed Shobha for the first time only a few days ago, in such a horrific state. He could only be thankful that she had been with him at the time.
As Thorin moved closer to the dwarf to take a good look at him he noticed a tattoo on his forehead similar to those inked on many dwarrows that had been part of Dain's army.
"Check him for tattoos and scars – he would have been one of Dain's army. Either discharged due to injury, retired or dishonoured. We can make enquiries, his general keeps a record of names and details." Thorin was satisfied with his findings. "Once we identify his name, we can find who he works for.. Now get him down to the dungeon."
As they pulled him up and began to drag him out, the dwarf spat out, "I will speak – to the King…" and the guards halted. The dwarf looked at Thorin and sneered again before he spoke. "You will be dethroned and your whore will be used as sport and –"
He was stopped mid sentence, as Thorin landed a clean blow to his chest, followed by his face. The mercenary fell to his knees, spitting blood and several teeth as he gasped for air, only to have Thorin lift him up by his neck, squeezing as he looked at his face.
"No Thorin!" Dwalin jumped in, bringing Thorin out of his rage. "He is more valuable alive. He is trying to anger you in hopes that you'll kill the scum."
"Find any markings that you can… shave his beard and all his hair if you must." Thorin spoke calmly once again.
"Wait men," Dwalin called out one last time, and threw a blanket over the dwarrows head. "He does not need to see the faces of anyone else in Erebor until he gets to the dungeons."
After the prisoner was taken away, the guards stepped out as Fili, ushered Shobha in briefly.
Balin, and Thorin watched concerned as she stepped through the door and took in the state of the room that had been her home since her first arrival. It was upsetting, but she had resolved herself to remain calm and collected. She had suffered a burglary to her apartment in London around a year ago. Fortunately she had spent that weekend away. She had been deeply troubled by that, as it had been worrying that she could have been alone in there when it happened. But what troubled her the most was the violation of her personal space, as the burglar had been through all her clothes including her underwear. She had spent the next two weeks at her parents and discarded all her delicates! This time round, it didn't sting so much. She felt stronger, surrounded by Thorin, Dwalin, Fili and Balin.
"Are you ok?" Fili asked looking at her. He had been shocked at the state of things.
"I think they truly thought this was the room – they have searched far more thoroughly than before." Balin shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry lass."
'No. More than just search' Thorin signalled shaking his head to Balin, 'meant as a message – talk later'
"Collect any valuables and unspoilt clothes," Thorin came to stand by her, placing his hand reassuringly on her back.
She carefully picked her way across the mess to the her dressing table on which she had placed a small carved wooden jewellery box. She picked it up and opened it to find the necklace Thorin had given her with his note all still inside as she had left it. She closed the lid and collected the box.
Next she stepped over to the large wardrobe, which had been opened and the clothing within pulled out. She opened the drawers within to one side and found several untouched pairs of breeches and shirts, and several pairs of undergarments, which she rolled up and tucked under her arm. Then she searched for night dresses, but found they had all been pulled out, so she moved on to search for the backpack that she wore on the day she arrived. It had been pulled out of the bottom of the large wardrobe, but the intruder had not found the cargo pocket. Searching through it, she found her wallet and mobile phone just as she had packed it that fateful day. She bundled them all together and looked up at Thorin giving him a nod.
"Let's get you to my room." He began to usher her out, but was stopped by Balin.
"Is that wise Thorin? What if one of the nobles sees this? It will not look befitting of a King or future Queen." Balin reasoned. "Why not Dis' room…?"
"I will not have her left unprotected. The Royal wing can be shut to anyone that does not have rooms here. But she will not sleep in a room alone." Thorin concluded. "Don't worry Balin, I will sleep on the couch… Do I have to request your permission to court her also?"
"Aye – now that you mention it!" Balin smiled softly.
They could all only manage a weak smile at this attempt to make light of the conversation, given the circumstances.
As Shobha set her things down in a neat pile on Thorin's dresser, she took in his room. It was not much larger than hers and decorated similarly, but the tapestries were of legendary battle scenes rather than portraits and family trees. The room smelled of him – vetiver with the slightest hint of fragrant tobacco.
"This is my own room from before the dragon." He offered watching her. "I had no desire to occupy the large King's suite."
She nodded, unsure of how this evening would pan out given she didn't have a nightgown.
"Don't worry, you can use one of my clean tunics tonight – I noticed you had not collected any nightwear." He strode over to the dresser where she stood, reached around her and opening a drawer handed her a neatly folded navy tunic. "We had to dress you in one that day you collapsed, when you first arrived… I take it you found it comfortable, as you have never returned it." He smiled softly at her and gave her some space, not wanting to appear to take advantage of the situation.
She was grateful for the tunic, but still nervous about what would happen tonight. She had kissed him only twice and suddenly she found herself in his bed – even if he were sleeping a short distance away.
"Thank you for this." She whispered, not being able to manage saying much more.
Shobha would have never described herself as terribly experienced in the bedroom, but she knew how hot blooded and eager she was as a lover. However this felt very different – it felt more sensual and intimate. And while she ached to lay naked in his strong arms, to enjoy his touch, she also felt nervous about it. It was all rather novel!
"The wet room is through those doors," he pointed out. "There are ample fresh towels and soap. I will be through those doors in the parlour. If you need anything call for me. Otherwise let me know when you are done." And with that Thorin stepped through the door shutting it softly.
After showering quickly and she got dressed in his tunic. It was made in a soft linen, just like the other one that she had, perhaps a little too flimsy, but it was large and dark so she hoped it didn't show too much. Shobha walked over to the door softly and opened it to call to Thorin, but found he had fallen asleep in an armchair in the grand parlour. She would have loved to look around, but suspected these were his late parents living quarters, and didn't want to pry too much unless he invited her. She walked over to him and softly touched his arm.
"Thorin, you will feel terribly stiff tomorrow if you sleep in that all night," she gently roused him. He looked utterly exhausted, and she felt awful for taking his bed, but she couldn't let him sleep in an armchair all night. "I'm sorry to wake you…"
"Thank you my beautiful one," he took her hand in his and lightly kissed it. "Let's get some rest." He ushered her through.
"Are you sure about the couch – I would be quite comfortable sleeping there instead –"
"Not at all. I will be fine."
As the soft light from the fireplace began to slowly die away, Shobha clambered into his large bed. He watched her as he took his boots off, while seated on the large couch. He would be quite happy to watch her climb into his bed wearing his large and rather flimsy tunic for the rest of his life. Oh Mahal! He undid his belt and removed his coat. He wouldn't take off his tunic like he normally did.
Spreading out several blankets he lay down on the couch. She had left a couple of pillows for him on the couch. He placed Orcrist on one end, ready for him to use should the need arise and covered himself with the blankets, paying more attention to her. She undid her braid, shaking her hair free. The craving brought on by watching her was pure torture! He would not be able to get up from under these blankets now, at least not until he calmed his body down. He turned to his side to face her as she lay down tucking herself in.
"You know – your tunic is the most comfortable of my nightwear." She spoke softly. "Thank you Thorin."
"My pleasure, beautiful one."
"Goodnight Thorin – sleep tight."
Oh aye, how I do wish I could sleep with my body tight to yours… he yearned. These thoughts would not help calm his body or allow him to sleep at all…
"Goodnight Shobha."
