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Thorin opened the doors to his room from their parlour holding her hand in his. Then turning to her kissed her gently. He was dressed in formal velvet robes, with mithril edging, though it was not as elaborate ones of the King.

"I must do this right, Amralime," he bent down and scooped her up in one move into his strong arms. She felt his warm hands on the open skin of her back, in her pale gold Sari. "And carry you over the threshold." He smiled at her softly.

"Are you ok now Thorin?" She asked looking into his electric eyes.

"Aye, whenever I am with you, my beautiful one." He carried her gently and set her on their bed. "Did you like the jewellery I had made for you?"

She looked down at her hands to see an eternity ring studded with the most brilliant rubies around its full circumference.

"It's beautiful Thorin." She smiled at him.

"Are you tired, Amralime?" He knelt down before her, and picking her feet up, he slipped off the deep blue silk slippers. Massaging her feet with his strong hands.

"Oh, that feels good," she sighed. He kissed her feet gently, and then moved up to her ankles, kissing her ankles as he moved the anklets, which made the softest jingle.

"Hmmm… I am glad you decided to wear those after all." He whispered against the skin of her calves as he worked up towards her knees, laying her back among the furs. And she pulled him up on top of her to kiss him, letting him inside her mouth, tasting him, feeling the soft scratch of his beard on her skin.

"Please keep them on tonight…" he begged in between their kisses as he wound his arm around her waist and rolled over, to pull her on top of him and sat up with her straddling his lap.

"Oh yes, my King?" She looked at him quite seriously. "And is there anything else you would like me keep on?" She ran her hands through his hair and brushed them softly along his beard.

"Mmmmm.. all of this too," he groaned touching her necklaces and the hair tika pendant, as she gyrated her hips slightly over his straining trousers.

"And why… Thorin?" She continued to tease him, holding onto his shoulders in his lap, watching as he leant his head back and shut his eyes, his lips parting slightly in a silent gasp.

Then his eyes flew open with a wild look. He firmly grabbed her and threw her back into the bed under him once more, impatiently pulling off his coat and tunic to expose his strong chest. As she reached out to touch his chest, he grasped her hands in his and pinned them down above her head.

"No! I would like that, because you are MINE," he growled, his pupils dilated with lust, but there was something feral about him, which had changed from the moments before. Almost as though it was no longer the same man. "And I will take you as I please –"

Shobha sat bolt upright in her bed trying to catch her breath, sweating, and heart beating fast.

She had not slept well for a few days since she last encounter with Thorin. She wasn't sure how she could help him. And she hadn't spent any more time with him, which made her feel guilty. She should have been there for him. Back home people didn't abandon those with mental illness. And she had dealt with plenty of patients who were confused and aggressive due to their physical illnesses too.

Even though everyone guarded her now, she still firmly believed he would never harm her. She was his One. No matter what he said, afflicted by gold sickness, she knew he had enough restraint in him that he would stop himself – if the situation had ever been put to the test.

This made her think of her father. Shobha had always run to him, whenever she had problems. He had always given her sound advice. He was always strong and patient, and would never write another person off just because of one mistake. Everyone had flaws, he would remind her. She knew he would approve of Thorin. She imagined they would have enjoyed sharing a scotch together, chatting about cricket or some other sport. It broke her heart to think they may not hug again.

She got out of bed and turned up the lantern on her side table. Running her hand through her hair as she stood there for a second. She felt parched. Swallowing, she picked up the lantern and walked to the door. She had dismissed Zodar for the night, and she knew Balin and Dwalin were there in the rooms adjoining.

Opening the door, light from the corridor flooded her room. She quickly turned and grabbed her dressing robe and tied it loosely over Thorin's soft tunic that she wore. Wearing it gave her comfort in a subconscious level, and after the last time she had slept in his room she had acquired a second one.

The small kitchen attached to the Royal Wing was not far, and had everything she needed to get a cup of tea or coffee. They often had some nice almond and honey biscuits stocked usually. She stopped, surely everyone would be asleep at this time, and so walked briskly to the small kitchen and setting the lantern on the counter inside she turned up other lamps that had been lit low. Then she began to boil some water. She didn't feel like any heavy brews, just something light.

Looking through the cupboard where teas were kept she found dried camomile which she added to the pan of boiling water and took it off the heat leaving it to brew. She was lost in thought: Could Gandalf help? How could she help Thorin find his strength again? Would Dis be able to help? She felt so helpless, she hated it: Her thoughts distracted her from the figure that had appeared in the doorway.

"Shobha? What are you doing up…?" It was Fili. He looked tired and held a scroll in his hand.

"You couldn't sleep either huh?" She looked at him, as he sleepily smoothed out his mussed blonde hair. "Camomile tea?"

"Aye. Thank you. Kili is away, I am having to cover every court session… and the amount of paperwork." He shook his head. "I don't know how Uncle does it… Are you ok?"

He came in and pulled up a stool, and leaning his elbow on the counter started to read the scroll again.

"I think you should grab your tea and get to bed. Read that tomorrow now." She said pulling out two mugs, stirred the content and poured some of it into two mugs, and handed one to Fili. "I think I could have done with a good stiff drink really."

"Can you hold your liquor then, my lady?" He laughed looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Not at all… I have been told I get overly friendly with everyone! But sometimes you need one." She smiled into her mug.

Thorin had appeared in the doorway to the kitchen and had been observing them, his face hardened.

"I thought you have enough work to be getting on with Fili?" He spat out. "Instead I find you here."

"Sorry Uncle, this is the last of the petitions put forward for tomorrow. But I fell asleep at my desk… and I was going to get a drink, when I found Shobha.." Fili rubbed his eyes.

"Well.. if you have time to be chasing after my consort, then it must mean you are lacking in work!" Thorin walked over to Fili.

"He was not chasing after anyone – " Shobha interrupted, pulling out another mug. "Why don't you have a cup of tea also, and then we can all go to bed."

"And you my Queen, don't take time to speak to me, and yet make tea for my heir..?" He spoke to her coldly. "Leave us Fili."

"Come on Uncle, we should all go now." Fili stood up, but found Thorin squaring up to him.

"Now, you want us all to leave… Leave us Fili." He commanded pointing towards the door.

"NO Uncle… what do you want with her?" Fili stood firm, although he was a couple of inches shorter.

Thorin grabbed Fili by the scruff of his tunic, and Fili grabbed his arms to block him. Shobha had to diffuse the situation.

"Stop it both you!" She put her mug down, stepped over to them and gently touched Thorin's arms. "Its ok Fili, Thorin will walk me back to my room."

They let each other go and Fili hesitated, but she nodded reassuringly, and so he left. Then Thorin turned to her.

"Why do you avoid me, and yet you spend your time with him…?"

"I don't spend time with him. He arrived just before you did." She took his hands in hers and looked into his eyes.

"Do you truly love me?" He looked at her searching and moved his hands up to her arms still gentle.

"Thorin, I love you." She gazed into his blue eyes. "You must believe me. I have stayed here for you."

He looked at her again, confusion, pain, betrayal and hurt all flashed across his face. He seemed to be in inner turmoil. She reached up to his face and touched his cheek softly. And he bent his head to press his lips to hers. Before they knew it, they were kissing each other with wild abandon. He was pressing herself to his body, and had her hands in his hair.

"I have missed you, my lovely one," he breathed into her lips. "I cannot sleep, without knowing you are well. And you look like you are pushing yourself too much." He brushed his thumb lightly across her cheek.

Had he returned to himself?

"You have moved out of your room and don't visit me at all." He broke their kiss to look at her cautiously. "Is my Queen having misgivings? That perhaps a younger, stronger King would be preferable..?"

"No. Of course not..." she rested her hands on his chest. They still held each other's gaze, as he held her tight to him. Then gently teasing his hands lightly down her chest to her waist, undid the tie to open her robe.

"I see you are enjoying my tunic," he looked down her body.

"It makes me feel as though you are there next to me." She touched his beard softly, and he leaned his face into her hand. It felt like he was back to himself once more.

"Well they suit you perfectly," he kissed her again, and began trailing kisses down her neck. "Return to your former room, near me. You are my wife, I should be allowed counsel and comfort with you as I please. And I should know who visits your rooms."

"What is it that bothers you really Thorin? Please talk to me.."she leant back into his arms as he trailed his kissed back up to her lips plundering her mouth. His hands exploring her body, sliding under her robe and making her breath hitch into his kiss.

"You know my only concern with Erebor and it's riches is in protecting the future of our people.." he mumbled in between his kisses.

"Mhhh.. hmmm" she nodded not breaking their kisses in return. It felt like an age since he had kissed her. And they clearly needed each other desperately. "And I need my future Queen to help with that.. I need an heir to protect my legacy…"

She pulled away slightly, searching, holding his face in her hands.

"Is that what troubles you?" There was no doubt that she hoped they would have children. It didn't matter to her whether it was sooner or later. She felt guilty for encouraging him to hold the Arkenstone. They had all known this may have been the outcome. And now he suffered because of that. "I love you Thorin. If you desire to have children, straight away, then I am happy with that…"

"Then prove your allegiance to me… after all you have already happily given away our richest treasures to our worst enemy.. what else would you give away..." He looked coldly at her and crashed his lips to hers once more and slipping his hands around to rid her of her robe.

"Thorin!" She gasped breaking their kiss. "Please not here.."

"Why? Do I not have your loyalty…?" He pushed her to the wall and began to kiss her chest through the thin fabric of the tunic as she ran her hands through his hair, enjoying his pleasurable assault.

"Please Thorin, I am happy to give myself to you, just not here.. not like this…" she panted.

"Why? It is not your first time… I am sure you have spread your legs for the pleasure of many other men," he kissed her hard, biting her full lips, snaking his free hand under the hem of her tunic searching for her softness.

She kneed him firmly making him double over and stepped away.

"I will not be treated like a whore…" hot tears began to flow freely. Mike could cheat, and Thorin probably had many casual sexual encounters before her, but she was the one being judged for not being a virgin… she hadn't had many sexual partners before Mike either, but she enjoyed sex. What was wrong with that?

Suddenly he stood up, and looked at her almost slightly confused, and then immediately upset on seeing his actions.

"Amralime, I'm so sorry," he quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She swiped his hands away when he tried to do the laces up and stepping away, she clutched the front closed.

"I love you Thorin, and I want you, but not here.. not like this…" she sobbed stepping back further, as he tried to take a step closer.

"Wait, Shobha," he bent down and picked her robe quickly, but before he could follow her Dwalin had appeared in the doorway.

"Leave it baheluh." He shook his head in warning. Then he looked puzzled at her robe and took it from Thorin's hands. "I will check on her… Why was she wearing your coat?"

Thorin turned his back to Dwalin speaking coldly. "Just go and see to her please."

Dwalin turned quickly and followed, only to find Shobha already in her room having shut the door. He knocked gently and called through the door.

"Shobha, lass? Are you alright?"

"Yes." She stifled her sobs long enough to answer.

"Can I come in please?"

"No, please, I'm tired. I'm fine and unhurt. Please will you check on Thorin." She silently sobbed, and then stealing herself to speak again, continued. "He will never forgive himself if he thinks he has harmed me."

"Aye lass, I will try." Dwalin groused. "Your robe is on your door handle. Knock, if you need anything please lass."

"Thank you Dwalin."

She clutched his coat tight. Shobha found the smell of vetiver and fragrant tobacco, of him, was comforting. He needed time to overcome this. She could see he was there somewhere and fighting hard, but she didn't know how to help. She eventually cried herself to exhaustion.

...

The next morning, she had found a vase with sprigs of fragrant wintersweet on her night stand with a note.

My Dearest Shobha,

I will not forgive myself if I ever harm you.

I had to enter your room to see you with my own eyes, to make sure I had not hurt you.

You slept so soundly and I found comfort watching you sleep.

Please forgive me, for everything.

I love you with all my heart,

Thorin

She clutched the front of his coat together as she finished reading his note, and began to sob. She did not expect the dragon sickness to manifest itself like so. Where he appeared to be himself from time to time. It was clear he was fighting to break free.