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Shobha woke up early. She knew today was going to be extremely busy, as there were lots of problems to sort out. Thorin had planned for them to take a week off their duties for their honeymoon, where they would spend it completely with each other uninterrupted. Or at least so she hoped. He seemed to have abandoned plans to go away fighting orcs for now.

But she still had to organise a timetable for the noble ladies to occupy themselves while their husbands had meetings and held trade talks between settlements. And she had a seating plan to finalise as well as looking through all the gifts sent to her. Mara had said there were a few gifts, and that they had been very popular. But she didn't know what that meant. She also hadn't 'made' Thorin a gift, as was customary at the end of their courtship period. She knew he had overlooked certain aspects of the tradition for her, such as 'making' her own wedding gown, but she really wanted to make him a gift, and they only had another week left. The worst thing was she couldn't even think of what to make. So she anticipated that if she got this timetable arranged for the noble ladies, that would free up the next week to make something for Thorin, and finish all her wound checks and sort out her contraceptive.

She looked over at a very naked, majestic, warrior dwarf who still surrounded her snoring softly. His silver streaked raven hair played across the pillow, and head buried in her neck. She didn't really want to get out of bed. She felt safe. But she needed to finish her tasks for today. So she gently kissed his head as she moved his arms off her, and moved to the edge of the bed trying not to make a noise. But he grabbed her hand gently, still partially asleep.

"Don't be gone for too long…" he mumbled as she kissed his hand and let go.

"I will have a full breakfast sent up… and join you when it arrives." She whispered, giving him a quick kiss, as he made a lunge at her bottom.

She quickly showered and headed over to the kitchen to arrange breakfast for Thorin and herself to be sent up, picking up Zodar on her way. Then she swung by the infirmary to see her first patient who had cut himself deeply in the mines on the machinery and she had cleaned and repaired his wounds. But due to the dirt, had been worried about infection of the wounds. Fortunately, they appeared to have settled well in the last day since she had sutured it.

Next she met early with Mara for tea and to discuss the seating plan in the informal dining hall, where Denin found her to let her know all the suits for the little ones had been finished. Lena and Gael who were to be her page and flower girl had all finished their fittings and adjustments, and Shobha would pay for their suits.

After this, she returned for breakfast with Thorin, who was a little hungover, and had pulled her back into bed quite a bit, distracting her with too many kisses. She had highlighted that, had they been having sex already, this would have been a perfect situation for a 'quickie'. But he didn't want his first time with her to be done in a few minutes. However he had liked the idea of a 'quickie' for the future.

Then she went on to meet the noble dams in the royal meeting room. They had fought amongst each other yesterday and despite several hours not been able to conclude a timetable, so she had set two meetings with them one in the morning and one after lunch. She was adamant that this timetable would be finalised today, so they could all just get on with it. This had been a major source of tension for her.

She walked into the meeting room to find the dams were already there, arguing amongst themselves. Dis looked at her apologetically from next to the King's seat which Shobha took up.

"Good Morning my Ladies!" Shobha spoke up, making them all stand and curtsy as she walked over to take her seat. "So have we come closer to deciding on a timetable?"

And with that they all began talking at once in response.

This was going to be a very long morning indeed.

Shobha and Dis left the meeting room.

"I have a headache." She rolled her eyes at Dis.

"Oh my dear. I am sorry…" Dis put her arm around Shobha.

"Don't you be sorry. It's not you, my lovely Dis. You shouldn't even have to be there! What a bunch of muppets!" She rubbed her head. She really did have a headache. "I swear some of them do it just to rub me the wrong way."

"I have no doubts. But you do look tense." Dis looked at her concerned. "Lunch?"

"Ugh. No, I will vomit if I do… I will swing by Oin and get a painkiller."

"You're not… with child are you, sister?" Dis whispered. "Heaven knows you two roll in the hay every chance you get.."

"No… just tension. And we don't do that!" Shobha laughed. "Right I will go to Oin and then Mara, before joining you all. Hopefully those orcs have made their minds up by then."

She had gone to Mara first, who had taken her into a large store room in the deepest reaches of the mountain.

"Where is this place?"

"This my dear, is where we keep all the storage. Everything from food, to medicines, to potions and weapons and other important items. Some of our guests hire store rooms for a short while.."

"Wow it is vast." Shobha looked down the large corridor off which there were many stores for as far as her eye could see.

"Well, you two were apparently quite popular amongst many. Why, there are lots of gifts from those who live here itself. I suspect it's your work in the infirmary as well."

"Oh." Shobha was a bit surprised. Her patients back home were very appreciative but not quite like this.

"Don't worry about the thank you notes. I have all that in hand. And we have your official Queen's stamp all ready now also." She smiled. "But remember only one exists, and it must always remain with you: It has been fitted onto a ring. In fact his Majesty wanted it to be destroyed after this and that you only use your signature."

"Ha! Fat chance of that! My signature changes from moment to moment." Shobha laughed. It was true.

Mara led Shobha into the store room with all the unboxed gifts. The room was two to three times the size of their parlour room. And filled from top to bottom with various gifts. There was one large aisle down the centre and two smaller paths from the middle to the sides of the rooms. There was an array of furniture, jewels, toys for a baby and child, fabrics, artwork, sculptures, rolls of tapestries and much more. Her heart began to pound. What on Middle Earth would she do with all these things. She couldn't return it back to John Lewis for vouchers, or give them away. Gift giving for the Khazad was of great value, and very likely these gifts had been specially made for them, and all hand crafted: a demonstration of their loyalty and love towards their King and now Queen to be! And that made her panic further… she still hadn't thought of what to make, let alone make it for Thorin.

"Oh god!" Shobha gasped in awe and panic.

"They do love you both – to be honest most of these were addressed to their Queen." Mara smiled. "Thorin is fair, but he doesn't have that personal touch. Most of these are from those who you have treated or helped since you arrived here in Erebor…"

Despite the panic, seeing all the kind gestures towards them, moved her to tears.

"Oh Shobha, don't cry just yet… I want you to see these…" Mara took her hand and ushered her to a small chest nearby. And slowly opened it. "I didn't want to show you these until later. But these were what the dams you helped with the cleaning made for you."

Inside the velvet lined chest were the most beautiful white and Durin blue baby gowns. They were made in a variety of sizes, with meticulous detail, all piped with gold or mithril.

"Oh gosh! They are gorgeous!" Shobha started sobbing with joy. "They are too kind."

"See, I knew I should have saved them for later…" Mara hugged Shobha, patting her back. "You are something of a Queen of hearts… tell you what: this will make you laugh… they said you would be with child in a month, judging from the way the King looks at you!"

This did indeed left them both giggling for a bit, until Shobha realised the extent of the gifts again.

"Don't worry, love, I have made a full list of all the items."

"I wouldn't know what to do with them…" Shobha found the tension returning. She needed some pain killers soon, this smouldering headache was not going to ease anytime soon.

"It will come to you… in the meantime we will create a set of chests marked for you to house the jewelled gifts and move them to the treasury…" Mara looked at her concerned. "You need to eat something. You've been rushing around."

Shobha nodded and gave her a hug. She was still wound up, but she wouldn't show it to Mara, who had been nothing but helpful.

"Thank you so much Mara, I don't know what I would have done without you or Dis."

She had stopped off at the infirmary, and collected a painkiller potion, as well as created her own contraceptives to be used. There was an oral potion, but Oin had advised that it would be less effective unless it had been taken for some time in advance, so she had also prepared a concoction to be soaked and used as a pessary. She was always surprised by the amount of knowledge in medicines they appeared to have. After dropping these items in her room, she returned back to the dreaded meeting room where the dams had reconvened after lunch.

They were quieter as she walked in, and looked a little nervous. Dis had waited for her at the door too, uncertain as to what she may find inside. They all settled in their seats.

"So have we agreed on a timetable ladies?"

"Well we have thought needlework was to be carried out by Lana, Alina and Dolina –" Aidra, a silver streaked dark-haired dam from the blue mountains spoke first. She had been sensible throughout and clearly experienced in dealing with such fussy types. Although there were probably too many self-important dams here for anyone to manage.

"No Ruva instead of Alina.. my son does better needlework than her-" Dumora, a blonde dam cut in.

"Aye because your son can't hold a weapon, so he can only needlework!" Anora, a red-haired dam cut in.

"But Ruva is supposed to do portrait painting!"

"No that would be Rumila and Divila. They are the best –"

"But then who will manage tea and reading groups?"

Shobha had been patient with them. Too patient. That's how they had ended up here, after four meetings in three days and still no conclusions or plans. Her temper and patience, that had been straining for some time now was just about to give way. Thinking about how many more hours they would take to settle on this riled her. Some of these dams probably argued out of spite, and may even have planned to drag this out right up to before her wedding day. When her time would have been better spent looking through the thoughtful list of gifts they had received, and making a gift for Thorin. And those thoughts above the rising din of the arguing ladies was enough.

"That's enough! This arguing is really getting on my tits!" She stood up, pushing her chair back. "I have tried with you patiently, but heaven knows I have better things to do than this. I still have patients to see, who have been delayed because I am having to set up a timetable to keep you occupied and out of your husband's beards. But really you should be doing something more worthwhile with you time… help out the tutors with the young; help the REAL dams who do USEFUL work with their childcare or the cleaning or the cooking – instead of having tea or gossiping and arguing with each other. No wonder our people will go into decline with wretched beasts like you!"

She stormed towards the door, and found Zodar, rushing ahead to push them open. Before leaving she stopped at the doors to look at the room, where everyone sat in complete stunned silence.

"You're all fully grown adults, holding relatively high positions. You can sort this out amongst yourselves. And don't bother Lady Dis, OR even think of leaving this room until you have concluded on a timetable. Fight each other… even kill each other in your own time if you must."

She felt panicked and trapped. Was this what being Queen entailed: dealing with these animals?! She needed air… she needed Thorin. She couldn't do this. Not deal with them.

"My Queen –" Zodar looked slightly worried.

"Don't you call me that too Zodar! I need to find the King…" she had always been very calm, under pressure. Even in the most difficult conditions, she had kept a cool head. But today, with those women, she had lost it all.

She stormed down the corridors. She would try the throne room first. Of course she loved him, and wanted to marry him. But this was a lot to bear. It wasn't even a responsibility. It felt like pandering to a bunch of spoilt women.

The guards outside the grand throne room saw her coming, and immediately parted ways to let her through. Court was still in session. They were arguing there too by the looks of it. It didn't matter she needed to see Thorin.

"Where is the King?" She demanded, apparently quite loudly, as her voice had stopped this lot arguing also!

Fili stood up from his seat on the throne, surrounded by the stunned dwarves. They had all fallen silent hearing her speak, turning to look at her and moving aside for Fili without his request, allowing him to stride through quickly with ease. He made his way down to her fast seeing that she was upset, and wondered why she wanted to see him. He would have expected that she went to see Thorin first, but would gladly help if she wished to confide in him.

"Shobha, are you ok?" He stopped in front of her, face furrowed with concern.

She stood for a minute trying to figure out where Thorin might be.

"I'm sorry Fili." She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. "Do you know where your Uncle is. I must see him urgently."

"Aye, my Queen –"

"Please just Shobha." Everyone had started referring to her by her title before she was even married to him or crowned. And it made that alien tight chested feeling rise in her again.

"My Lady, Uncle is in his study –" he tried reaching out to her, but she had already turned and was storming out. He tried to follow her but the other dwarrows were starting to argue again. "Shobha wait-"

"My Prince, you cannot leave court in session." Glóin rushed over stopping Fili from following.

Shobha had reached Thorin's study in no time, fuelled by panic and irritation. She didn't stop to knock, she just opened the doors and marched in.

"Thorin… these bloody women are getting on my tits –" she stopped mid sentence as she was faced with a gathering of Dain, several of his generals, Balin and Dwalin all deep in discussion over a map. They all looked up immediately, jaws dropping fully on some and others stifling a chortle.

Thorin immediately stood up and rushed over to her.

"Oh sorry!" She was mortified. "I didn't realise –"

"It's fine Amralime," he began ushering her towards their parlour through the connecting doors addressing the group on his way out. "I will join you in a moment."

He led her through and shut the doors behind him softly. Then holding her hands in his quickly, studied her face, concerned. She expected him to be irritated or angry at her outburst, but he was neither.

"Are you alright, Ghivashel?" He tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear and looked deep into her eyes. It made her feel naked each time he did that.

"Yes I'm sorry… it's nothing important." She spoke watching his face relax. He kissed her gently. Being near him made her feel calmer.

"Rest here, and I will join you in a while. I apologise my beauty, but I must finish hearing the reports they are making." He cupped her chin, observing her face carefully.

"No, I am sorry Thorin." She nodded trying to reassure him. "Go, I will be fine."

Still feeling embarrassed she ushered him back. And began pacing the room. Then walked through into her bedroom. She missed working with Bifur. She hadn't had the time at all for a while. And although Bifur and his team didn't need her to get their work done – she really needed them to keep her hands busy. That is what she had been missing all along.

Thorin's coat from the night of the feast was still resting on the floor where he had dropped it. She picked it up, and spotted the button-chain that had fallen to the ground. He must have been in a hurry this morning as he was normally very good at tidying up after himself. In fact he didn't like the idea of having full time servants, and instead preferred the privacy, which suited Shobha perfectly also. She picked up the button chain and looked at it in her hand. Then it came to her: She knew what she wanted to make him. She just needed the help.

Shobha had made her way quickly to the large market hall. Several dams and dwarrows working there had recognised her, so she had smiled politely and nodded her head, but rushed on. Finally she reached Kallon's shop and opened the door letting herself in.

He looked up from the glass cases he was polishing on one side.

"My lady? Are you alright?" He bowed his head.

"Oh Master Kallon! Yes - well, no actually. I need your help."

He looked at her puzzled.

"I need you to teach me to make some jewellery..." She asked hopefully. "And it would be great if I could keep it simple, so I can finish it in a couple of days."

He smiled at her fondly. It was an honour to do such a favour for the Queen of Erebor.

"I will pay you of course…"

"One moment, my Lady. Let me close the shop front down. Then we can go to the work shop at the back. That way you will be uninterrupted." He walked over to the front to shut and lock the door.

Kallon was an excellent teacher and a very skilled jeweller. He had pre-made fine gold chain and buttons. This meant she only had to do some simple assembly. Kallon instead showed her how to set stones into the buttons and carry out the decorations. Showing her first on another item he was making and then letting her do the same on her own piece for Thorin. The stones were fine and so they had required the use of magnifying screen, and fine jewellers forceps. She had turned out to be rather good at it also, learning quickly, such that he let her carry on working without his help. He made them two cups of tea from the small kitchenette he had at the back of his workshop, and started finishing some other polishing work he was carrying out on the adjoining bench so that he was there if she needed help at any stage.

"You have a hand for this, my Lady."

"Thank you – I hope Thorin likes it." Shobha said absentmindedly, still concentrating on her work.

"Its nice to have an apprentice again… We used to have them a long time ago. But since Smaug attacked, no one had had the time or money for jewellery craft. It is merely hair beads that one makes and all else is bought." He continued, taking a sip.

She was setting a small brilliantly cut sapphires in the shape of the Durin Crown as on their crest on one button and an anvil on the other. It didn't look too bad for now. And it would be simple enough to finish today. Soldering the chains would be the final step and relatively easy after seeing Kallon do it.

"Why do you not have any apprentices now?"

"Well, I have two daughters, and they are still not of age to find husbands. But I hope one will marry someone, Mahal willing, who will have the hands for this."

"Teach your daughters Master Kallon." Shobha said looking up at him from her work. "You are so good at this, surely the skill runs in your blood."

"Aye.. My father and grandfather were both jewellers." He raised a greying eyebrow at her. "I didn't think my girls would be interested…"

"Have you asked or shown them… it is such a fine art that you do here." She stopped and drank a sip of her tea. "I thought that my father of all people would suggest that I didn't learn surgery as a skill, but instead he encouraged me."

"I think you are right, my Lady, other children join their fathers in the forge. I would be proud to have my girls follow. I expect at least one of my daughters will be interested in following the trade."

A few hours later, wrapped safely in velvet, Shobha walked out of the marketplace with the rather nice button chain she had hand-made for Thorin. She was finally calmer, happier and feeling stronger and more resolved. Perhaps she would call upon working with Kallon to make a few items every now and again, in the future. It would help her.

As she walked back towards the Royal Wing, passing the great throne room, she could hear a great commotion. Normally she had Zodar to protect her, but she had forgotten about him completely, in the spur of the moment when she left for the market. Poor Zodar was probably still standing outside Thorin's study. She realised now, that his presence had made her feel quite safe in situations such as this.

Tucking the small velvet roll into the pocket of her dress, she followed the sound of stern and loud discussion to the entrance of the Throne Room, where the guards let her in.

Inside the vast room, Thorin stood in the centre surrounded by Zodar, Barr, Fili, Dis, Lady Avila, Oin, Mara, Glóin, Dain, Balin, Dwalin and several other of the King's guard.

"But what exactly did she tell you –" He continued to press Fili.

"You were the last one to see her Uncle." Fili interrupted. "I was in the middle of court."

"She was flustered Thorin. Its these Ladies and their bad behaviour. We fed her to the wolves..." Dis added.

"I shouldn't have shown her all those gifts – the baby gowns made her very teary." Mara spoke looking worried.

"Why did she want to speak to you so urgently Uncle?" Fili frowned. He wondered whether his Uncle had upset her.

Shobha didn't realise how long she had spent in Kallon's workshop, and didn't think it had been a problem. She assumed they had all been too busy to notice that she had gone off. The Dwalin spotted her small frame as she walked in tentatively. His face washed over with sudden relief.

"Lass! Thank Mahal!" Dwalin walked over to her quickly, interrupting everyone else. He was followed closely by Thorin, Fili and Balin and then the remaining group.

"What in the name of Mahal's beard were you doing?" Thorin barked at her, irritated but also looking relieved somewhat.

"I'm sorry. I had a terrible morning. I probably shouldn't have been so harsh on those dams. I had a whole lot of things to sort out.." she wasn't able to finish before Thorin grabbed her and kissed her.

"Are you alright my Lady?" He pulled away from her studying her face again with concern. "Have we placed too much on you too soon…?"

"No I needed to finish a few things that had been bothering me for a while.. and I am sorry Lady Avila –" she looked over his shoulder at the Noble Lady, who had in truth been one of the nicer ladies.

"No, my Queen, it is us that should be sorry and ashamed of our behaviour." Avila bowed her head. "My King, if you had heard the way those dams bickered and squabbled. I would think anyone would have been driven mad sooner. Lady Dis will agree."

"But, they have agreed on a timetable, and thanks to you they will also be helping Master Lindon and Rowan with the children, taking language lessons, music , singing and painting. And they will hold small groups to read to the children. And helping with clearing the stores for the infirmary and other useful things…" Dis smiled nodding.

"And we will be taking our own timetable into our own hands. But we hoped to meet with you once a month or fortnight, to check your approval of our tasks?" Avila spoke up again.

"Well lass, I think you have handled your first Queenly duty very well indeed." Balin smiled. "And it wasn't an easy task either."

"Aye… I certainly won't forget the little lass bursting into Thorin's study shouting that they were getting on her tits!" Dain boomed laughing, making her blush.

"Yup… maybe not my finest hour." Shobha bit her lip and looked at him sidelong.

"I think we should all head for supper now. Gael will need to go to bed soon, and the healers will have had enough of him now." Dwalin began to usher everyone out.

After dinner, Thorin had begun to walk her back to her room, where he had secretly spent all of his nights of late. He had been silently brooding throughout supper, worrying about his bride to be. He had been training his nephews to learn the ways of court since they were children, and even then they had been prone to bad behaviour and making mistakes. She had experienced no problem adapting to their ways, their culture and even learning the language. She had readily won so many hearts, but had they put too much pressure on her, particularly with the impending nuptials? Shobha had worried as to why he had not pressed her further with questions as he normally did, and hoped her present would make up for her worrying him.

"Please my beauty, you have to let someone know before you disappear." Thorin repeated. "Promise me… as we believed you had been taken, or something even worse."

"I'm sorry. I didnt think anyone would notice I was gone for a few hours - and no one would have noticed if I hadn't burst into your study like that."

"No, we generally have some idea where you are… I make sure of it. But this was like you had disappeared from all of Erebor. i thought you had left me." Thorin kissed her hand. And that was why he had been so quiet. "Where were you, my love?"

"Actually I had a few things to sort out. And at least two things that are for you." She smiled.

Thorin tried to interrupt, she still wasn't clear on where she had actually been. But she muzzled him before he could even open his mouth.

"I will explain – patience my King!" Now she had the contraceptive, she wondered whether she could seduce him to have sex with her. He looked at her as if he could read what she was thinking, his face revealing a familiar hunger suddenly.

"Your Majesty." Barr called out as he caught up to them, making Thorin and Shobha stop.

"Aye Barr?" Thorin bowed his head, as Barr beat his fist to his breastplate.

"I just thought I should inform you. We caught that Lady Lira Of Dunland sneaking around in the royal wing on the night of the feast.. when I stopped her with Allon, she claimed she was lost. Allon, felt that she was feigning being slightly tipsy." Barr said. He was a man of little words and always was straight to the point. The facts were all he was interested in. "I cannot be certain about what she was looking for or doing. But only that we caught her. I have spoken to Dwalin, and we will look into how she got past the guards at the entrance to the whole wing, let alone making it to your apartments. And we will keep an extra set of guards by your rooms."

"Thank you Barr." Thorin nodded.

"Being honest, sire, with it so close to your wedding and coronation, we need to protect you from any unwanted rumours." He pulled his lips tight together in what was meant to be a smile. Shobha had never seen Barr smile, or bear any sort of expression on his face as long as she remembered. Thorin and Shobha both nodded and smiled at him.

"Thank you for your loyalty, Barr." Shobha replied softly.

"If I may speak my mind my Queen. We all feel you make a far better Queen, than any of those noble ladies."

"Oh Aye? And when you say you all, to whom do you refer?" Thorin asked raising a brow.

"Well… all your guard Sire."

"Thank you Barr. Now, I think you deserve a rest." Thorin bowed his head, as Barr slammed his fist into his breast plate once more, before turning to leave.

"Well there you have it… they are your guard now too." Thorin kissed her hand.

"Do you think this Lady Lira is up to no good then?" Shobha asked a little worried.

"She is no lady." Thorin shook his head. "On the other hand, I now have a legitimate reason to sleep in your chamber, my beautiful Queen."

He led her into her room and began to build a small fire. It was March, but still rather chilly.

"Amralime, you never told me where it was that you disappeared to.."

"Actually, I wanted to show you instead…" Shobha walked over to him as he stoked the small fire with the poker and rested it back on its hook.

He looked up at her still puzzled. And she reached into her dress pocket and pulled out the small roll.

"This is for you…" she took his hand and placed the small roll in his large palm. "It's not great, because I made it."

She watched partly nervous, partly excited as he looked at her and then down at the velvet roll, carefully unwrapping it. It was hard to imagine a warrior, and a blacksmith dealing with such force and coarse movement could be so delicate with anything, even though she had felt just how gentle his touch could be on her own body.

He held the unwrapped roll in his palm revealing, the button chain. The design of the buttons and chain were classic, but the stones set, were delicate and tasteful. One button had the Raven Crown from the crest and the other had the Anvil. Each sapphire has been set carefully in position, creating the shape. It was very skilfully done actually, and if she hadn't told him that she had made it, he would have thought it had been bought. Bifur and Balin were right. She did indeed have a gift. It made him wonder how she would fare in the forges. Suddenly thoughts of her all hot and sweaty came to mind, rousing his desire once more.

"Akminruk zu, Ghivashel. Its beautiful!" He kissed her. "Was that what was troubling you my lady? You know you didn't have to…"

"I wanted to. Its part of your custom, and I didn't make you a hair bead either." She smiled. "That's what I disappeared to do. Kallon showed me how to set the stones, and solder the chain. And I copied him to make this."

He wrapped it up and placed it safely in his inner breast pocket.

"Now I want to show you something… but first you said you had second thing to show me, my lady?" He took her hand and gazed deeply into her big brown eyes. She blushed. This time she gently pulled his hand guiding him towards her night stand on which there were two jars. One contained the concoction she had prepared, the other contained small cotton swabs.

"Its ready… you could do me tonight. If you wanted to try." She smiled mischievously, leaning onto his chest and kissing him deeply.

He grabbed her waist, kissing her hard, exploring her mouth, and slowly pressed her back against the wall. He lifted her skirts with his free hand and ran it up the back of her thigh, pulling her leg up to wrap it around his waist. Then kissing up along her neck he skimmed his lips along the shell of her ear, and pressed his rock hard erection into her. It made her moan as she entwined her fingers in his hair at the nape of his neck. And she pressed her pelvis into him, desperate for the friction. He knew that she wore those thin little silky knickers she favoured, so he could easily rip through them and enter her like this.

"How long do we need to leave them inside you, before I can make love to you, my beauty?" He breathed hotly onto her skin in between kisses.

"Ah.. just a hour or two… but I am so wet right now, I don't want to wait… You would just slide in – ah," her desire was mounting each time she felt him thrusting up against her.

He enjoyed teasing her like this. He continued to thrust his erection rubbing her, simulating just how much force he would use, watching her closely as she breathed hard with her lips parted, mewling.

"Oh Mahal, Amralime! My self control is hanging by a thread right now," he growled deeply. "Can I place the swab in you? And it won't get lost?"

"Mmmmm" she could only manage a whimper, as he slipped his hand in between them and wormed his way into her knickers feeling the evidence of her lust, circling her oh so lightly. She was so ready - ripe for the taking.

"Take me Thorin… fill me up…" She panted, and then trailed her right hand down his chest and abdomen to skim it along the waistline of his trousers, reaching for the laces. But he quickly regained his self control, returning his kisses to her mouth and making them more chaste, as he grabbed her wondering hand and pinned it to the side, interlacing his fingers with hers. He would wait. When he took her, he would want her uninterrupted, for some time.

"My beautiful Queen, I need to feel you so much." He rested his forehead on hers, breathing heavily as he slowly brought her leg back down and supporting her against his chest. "I have a surprise for you as well, Amralime."

"Oh..?" she was grateful for the distraction.

He led her through to their parlour to the furthest door. This was the larger of the bedroom doors, and had the Durin Crest carved on the door, although it wasn't gilded like the doors to the King's and Queen's apartments.

Opening the door slowly, he led her in to another bedroom. It was almost as large as the Queen's room, with two large doors to the further side, a large fireplace and a rather large bed. There was also a matching dresser and dressing table with a mirror. The walls were decorated with very intricate tapestries of the Lonely Mountain and fields of summer flowers. The room was perfect for a couple! Thorin watched as Shobha took in the room and smiled.

"Do you like it Amralime?" He asked tentatively. She had been forced to move her room on several occasions so far during her stay in Erebor. He wanted this to be theirs for as long as she pleased.

"I love it! Thank you!" She kissed him. "But is it ok for you? I mean – I guess this belonged to your parents?"

"Aye, my love." He kissed her hand and led her to one of the farther doors. Pushing it open, he led her into a large dressing room with wardrobes on either side. "This is our wardrobe. And our wet room is through that door."

He led her through to show her the bathroom, which had a very large stone bath and shower.

"You wont be cramped in that when we take a bath together next time… and you want to engage in some pleasurable impropriety…" she gave him a saucy look, trailing her fingers down his chest.

"It wont be impropriety, when we do: But rather a husband enjoying his wife." He whispered close to her ear. "But there is something you will truly like…"

He took her hand again and walked her back into their room and to the adjoining door, and then unlocking it pushed it open.

It led out onto a large terrace. Almost as large as the royal terrace that she used to sneak out to do some yoga on during warmer seasons. This terrace was landscaped though, with a few small trees and plants. Again Thorin watched Shobha's face as she registered the space. Her eyes immediately lit up. He knew being of men, she enjoyed her walks outside. And as the weather improved, he would certainly take her for walks, but when he couldn't accompany her, this would be a safe space she could enjoy, even if to simply sit outside and read.

"Oh my goodness! This is amazing!" She ran out to the terrace walls to take in the view. Unlike the other terraces, this one had been added after Thrór married Raena, for he had noticed that she too had begun to suffer without freely stepping outside. So this large terrace had been added. As a result it didn't have a particular vista, but instead looked south over the surrounding fields, with Mirkwood in the distance and Dale visible to the eastern side. When Arya, Thorin's mother, had accepted Thrain's courtship, the lavish Queens apartments were built and Thrór and Raena had moved to those. Thorin recalled how he and Frerin would play on this terrace in summer, while his mother was expecting Dis. "Thorin, thank you so much! I absolutely love it!"

"It will need some more gardening work, but it is a quiet, protected outside space." He walked over to the terrace wall to stand close behind her. Then he took his coat off and placed it on her shoulders. "It is not the best view…"

His grandfather had also created a much larger courtyard garden for his grandmother, that had been landscaped beautifully. But it had been closed after her passing, which had overgrown with the years of neglect. Thorin was currently working on clearing it down in time to show her on their wedding day.

"The view is perfect!" She turned around to face him and tiptoeing up to lean on his chest, kissed him.

"MY view is perfect." He looked at her, wrapping his strong arms around her slim waist and kissing her. "I love you, my Queen."

"And I love you, my King."