Dear All,

thank you for reading so far.

Just a quick explanation: Thorin gets a bit dark here. And Shobha goes soft.

i have tried to portray his gold sickness as a mental illness. He has delusions and paranoia, even threatens Shobha but fear not she is completely safe, and will not be harmed. He will never harm her. She knows that. And she probably tolerates a lot more than you would expect. And the others step in, but they all know he will not harm her.

Fear not.. they will both redeem themselves. Patience and read on...

...

Unfortunately, despite rest, Thorin remained unchanged in his behaviour. Shobha was unsure as to what had prompted this. He didn't seem to exhibit symptoms of gold sickness as described before, and he had been holding the Arkenstone for a while now. But he appeared slightly changed. Quicker to temper, less willing to listen to others, and thinking less of the longer term. She contemplated informing Dis, but then thought better of it. There was no need to trouble her, unless it was certain this was it. In fairness he just seemed a grumpier version of himself.

They still had spent time together intermittently in the parlour. And he had kissed her several times, but he seemed more urgent, less tender than he had been before. They had not addressed the wedding since, so again she let it go.

That particular morning however, there had been quite a commotion. Shobha heard the sounds of a heated argument as she walked past the throne room, and hesitating a little she walked over. It wasn't really her place, but she would help if she could. Zodar, who followed, looked at her and nodded as if to say he was there should she require him.

As she walked closer she could hear Fili and Thorin argue, as Glóin and Balin stood trying to interrupt. She walked past the guards who blocked the way but appeared to know her and let her through. And Zodar shut the doors, remaining in the room but hanging back.

"- Uncle, if they are not paid correctly, they will leave." Fili interrupted.

"Then they leave." Thorin replied coldly. "They earn as they work. If there is less work, they cannot expect to earn more."

Shobha came to stand near Balin, who looked at her and shook his head slowly.

"Some smiths are unhappy to remain, as they are not receiving enough work over winter." Balin whispered.

"But what did they do all these years?" Shobha asked.

"Thorin would pay a retention fee. A nominal amount."

"So why not continue?" She looked at Balin suspiciously.

"He doesn't think it fair. He feels it is not how it happens in Dale." Balin frowned. "But Dale is a trading post."

"Shobha! Please talk some sense into Uncle. The smiths have said they will leave." Fili looked at her in desperation.

"They will NOT leave. The snow is only easing here now. They are just after more payment." Thorin snapped.

"But it is the same money all along." Fili complained. "It is nothing."

"It is not about the money." Thorin raised his voice sternly.

"How much is needed?" Shobha asked.

"Four smiths at forty gold pieces for the month each." Fili finished. "At the end of the month, there will be ample work as the snow melts."

"I can provide that –"

"Thank you my lady, but I suggested I too could provide this." Fili looked at Shobha in agreement.

"I forbid it. They should learn to save. They are provided free meals and lodging for their families." Thorin snapped, walking over to her, eyeing her coldly.

"It is my money, I have earned it through my own work." Shobha argued. "It can be considered a grant."

"No!" Thorin grabbed her arm firmly, yanking her to him. "You are MY consort! You have to do as I say."

"I don't belong to anyone – I am not your slave Thorin."

"No because when I found you, I brought you back as my guest." Thorin spoke low and menacingly, still keeping a grip on her left arm. "But perhaps I should have treated you as your men do and brought you back as my spoil. To keep my bed warm."

"Maybe I recall it wrong after my head injury, but it was Fili who actually found me, was it not?"

At this Thorin closed in on her, eyes piercing, jaw clenched, but otherwise showing no actual anger. His coldness made her shudder.

"Well why do you not wed Fili then –" Thorin was halted mid sentence by the sharp sting of a slap, which resounded through the great room, leaving a small reddened mark on his cheek. Her hand flew up to her mouth instantly as soon as she realised. She had acted without thinking, and felt terrible. He let her go, and looked genuinely stung, still keeping his intense eyes fixed on her.

"Oh…" she said reaching up to his face softly. "I'm so sorry –"

"I too am sorry, beautiful one," he brought his hand over to touch hers, as she touched his reddened cheek. Her hand stung. And keeping his eyes fixed on her, as if they were still the only two in the room he spoke. "Give them their fee, and call it "The Queen's Grant", but let it come from our treasury. And tell them they are fortunate that their Queen favours the blacksmiths. Then find all the damaged armour and swords and have them begin work, to keep them going."

She looked at him worried, realising he was still dressed in very formal King's robes and wore the crown, which she thought he had disliked doing up till now.

"Let us take Shobha back…" Balin stepped forward looking concerned.

"There is no need Balin. What happens in our relationship is not your concern." He spoke coldly again still keeping his eyes locked on her. He took Shobha's arm firmly, although not roughly and began walking her over. They walked behind the throne where there was a second corridor, which was hidden from sight to the remainder of the room. She could hear the familiar footfall of Zodar as he followed, still leaving them some distance for privacy.

"I apologise for what I said earlier, my lady," there seemed to be a softness creeping into his tone. The corridor led to his study, from there he led her through their parlour and to his bedroom.

"Thorin, this is not my –"

"Aye woman. I will explain. Be patient." He still did not sound himself.

He now took her hand and led her to his bed where he seated her on the edge. He then walked over to a decorated wood box that stood on his dresser and pulled out several velvet rolls.

He walked over and placed the large one on her lap. And then knelt down and began opening the smaller roll. "I know that you have little knowledge of our customs still, although you are learning well. But usually to strike someone like that would indicate that you wish for the courtship to end…" he looked at her searching. "And I recall a beautiful woman who stood on my terrace and pledged that she would stand by me, through the good and the bad."

"Oh Thorin, Of course I love you. And I always will. I didn't mean to –"

"Good, because I need a Queen who is my equal." He held out a delicate gold anklet, which made a very faint jingle. "My grandmother wore similar to this during her wedding to Thrór as was the custom of her people. I have had these made for you by Kallon and want you to wear them when we wed also."

Before she could speak, he wrapped the anklet back, stood up and leaning over, kissed her.

"And I would like you to keep them on, during our wedding night, so I can hear your body, when I take you." He looked over her, as if he was undressing her with his eyes. "I need a beautiful, intelligent and capable Queen to stand by me; one who can produce me an heir. And after almost two hundred years I have found you, and you have accepted my courtship and marriage, there is now, no going back."

Shobha wasn't sure what to say. She thought he had chosen her as he loved her. He gently pushed her back onto his bed and pressed himself over her, taking care not to cause any pain, but enough for her to feel his need for her. She gasped as he gazed deep into her dark brown eyes, and lightly brushing her face he kissed her roughly. And she found her body responding to him, her worries and hurt temporarily forgotten. Then he stopped suddenly.

"You have two choices, my Queen," he rolled onto one arm, still keeping her pinned underneath him and began to lazily trail his free hand up her legs, lifting her skirts gently as he went higher. And while she knew he wasn't himself, her body betrayed her to the pleasure of his touch. "You can be wed to me willingly… or I can take you, right now and as much as I want. And when you carry my heir you will have little choice."

She tried to push him off and he didn't move for a while, but then he rolled to the side allowing her to sit up. His eyes were still dark with lust and his face unreadable.

There was a firm knock on the door.

"That roll contains your wedding jewellery. Please check that it is to your liking," he gently tugged her hand pulling her back into his arms as he stood up, but this time speaking more softly. "I would also like to give you a wedding necklace, as is the custom of your people, and exchange rings. But I will not show those to you until the day, if you are agreeable to that, my lovely one –"

The knocking came more urgently.

"Come in." Thorin said looking annoyed, still holding her in his arms.

"Thorin? Shobha?" Dwalin walked in, brows furrowed, but easing slightly on seeing them.

"Aye Dwalin," Thorin sighed releasing her.

"Dis has left early: We have received a raven." He gestured to Shobha. "Lass, Oin is looking for you, there are some patients you specifically wanted to see."

Thorin turned his back to them, and Dwalin ushered Shobha out silently. And they continued walking down the corridor, Zodar following.

As they reached the end of the corridor, they could see Fili and Balin waiting, looking nervous. Dwalin and Shobha stopped to join them and Zodar stood behind.

"Are you ok lass?" Balin asked, as Dwalin and Fili studied her face closely, looking for any hints of distress.

She nodded.

"He didn't… hurt you… did he?" Fili didn't like the words he uttered. He had seen his uncle succumb to the sickness last time. This great dwarf, who was his hero and his role model, had fallen that day. And he couldn't help the niggling thought that it would be him next.

"No." She saw how troubled Fili looked. It made her feel terrible. "He wouldn't – couldn't..Is this how he was last time?"

"No lass, he was much worse… he almost threw Bilbo off the ramparts." Balin spoke with a pained look.

"He seems to have some sort of improvement, when you are there." Fili said. "So you can't break your courtship please…"

"Why would you think..? Oh, because I slapped him." She looked down feeling ashamed. It was a moment of weakness on her own part. He didn't deserve that, no matter what he said. "No.. I can't leave him – he needs me.. he needs us all. I just need to time to think. How did he get better last time?"

"He came to his senses himself, but there was battle ranging outside, and our people were dying in his name." Dwalin frowned.

"We didn't know it was the sickness that first day when you saw him, it seemed different. It was not how it happened before. And none of us are old enough to recall how it first took hold of Thrór." Balin brushed his beard with his hand.

"And is Dis safe travelling this early?" Shobha suddenly remembered.

"I sent Dis a raven recently, after I received word that the snow there has eased early. She will be safe travelling." Dwalin confessed slightly sheepishly. "We thought you would appreciate the support. Very likely the nobles from the Iron Hills will descend on us early, and will want tea and meetings with you. Fili and I thought you would prefer another lady's support through that."

Shobha nodded gratefully. "Can we delay the Iron Hills lot from arriving?"

"Aye lass, Glóin and I will sort that." Balin confirmed. "And keep it discreet."

"Ok that would be good. Then I need time to think about how we can help Thorin, or whether he just needs time… I know he is still in there. I feel it at times." She felt a twinge of hope.

"Until then, we think you should move back to your old room between me and Balin." Dwalin put his hand on her shoulder. "And Zodar, you must never leave Lady Shobha alone?"

"Aye, my Lord." Zodar spoke from behind.

"Now I need to go to the infirmary." She quickly began walking, Zodar following. She needed to focus on something else to clear her mind, and she always found working with her patients did exactly that.