DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do however, own my OC, Thia! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known but be polite while you do it. Thank you!

Time in Erebor: Sweet and Sour

I wake to the sound of paper being rustled. Without moving, I allow my eyes to quickly adjust to the dark room. It is early still, the sun having yet to show its bright face. Glancing about the chamber without moving, I seek out the source of the sound cautiously. There on the sill of the window lies a simple brown paper envelope and beside it, a small sack of the same color. Thia and the twins sleep deeply beside me but I know someone else has been here. The earthy scent of a dwarf sits at the edge of my senses and I have a good feeling of who it was.

Careful not to jostle the others bodies within the bed, I untangle myself and rise. Pulling on my trousers and grasping the dagger from my pile of clothes, I search the empty unit before approaching the out of place items. Lifting the thin paper into my hands, I carefully remove the letter from within. Another quick cursory glance around the room confirms that whomever delivered the letter has gone; purposefully making only enough noise to rouse me at their departure. Turning my eyes back to it, I begin reading.

Greetings current King of the Dwarves,

You will excuse me if I do not meet you in person; I highly doubt it would be in anyone's best interest to do so. Your wife, your lovely wife, is ever curious about me, is she not? I'm sure you have ignored her delicate inquiries and requests for more information about myself. She has a right to know the dwarf who has, more than once, seen so much of her luscious skin-

I yank the letter away from my eyes with a snarl. Looking toward the bed where my wife and children slumber, I can confirm immediately that the letter has come from LongArm. A lesser dwarf would be frantic over his entrance into these private quarters but I know LongArm has ways that do not align with reason. Guards and doors do not sway him. How he entered the room is of little consequence, only that he was here.

Thia and the children do not wake and despite my now palpably sour mood, I wish for it to stay that way. They will need all the rest they can for today. Grabbing the small sack on the sill and slipping from the bedroom, I continue reading the words in the study. Regardless of his uncouth words in respect, or lack thereof , to my wife, LongArm would not contact me without good reason. Skipping through the lecherous and wanton description of my wife, I come upon the purpose of his visit.

Putting thoughts of your beautiful wife's figure aside, I will move on to a small gift I have provided you. There are 4 dwarves who will not be in attendance of the ceremony today. They encountered a small accident while planning the Queen's demise; wagging their tongues and sharpening their swords. You should do better to protect her, but I have taken care of four to balance out your incompetence. You will have to deal with rest. Kiss your wife for me.

Long live the Queen

-LongArm of the Absent Law

I could have started my day on a better note, quite literally, however there is nothing for it now. LongArm has long been a thorn in my side but he has never acted against the goodness of the kingdom as a whole. I know not why he has taken such I liking to my wife nor why he now inserts himself into her protection. Looking towards the bag in my hand, I notice the dark wet stain on the bottom. Inhaling deeply, I know the heavy metallic scent is blood. It takes a quick glance inside to confirm; 4 tongues lie within the space, still wet with the saliva of their owners. Swiping a hand down my face, I start as tiny hands touch my leg.

"Pa... Pa..."

Lifting my head, I'm greeted by the sleepy face of my daughter. Immediately, I snap the bag closed and curl it into my fist. The child stares at me for a moment longer before simply climbing into my lap, snuggling in, and returning to her slumber. I gaze down into her face, totally at a loss. Holding the precious burden in my arms and the tongues of those who would have her mother dead in my hands... It turns my stomach. Standing swiftly and ever careful of the sleeping lass, I begin to shove the sack into my pocket but freeze at the soft patter of footsteps coming from the hall.

"Thorin?" Quickly concealing the bloody patchwork, I scan the room for anything else out of place as my wife comes into the doorway "Thorin, did Thoria com- Oh. Good."

"She is here." Silent for a moment, the woman comes slowly into room until she stands before me. Caressing our daughter's cheek, I can feel her calm at finding the child "Our princess is safe and sound."

"And what of the king?" Encouraging me to once more sit, Thia drags her hand across my arm. I can feel the tongues of our enemies shift in my pocket. Years of training keep my face unchanged "Are you safe and sound?"

"Much more than you appear to be." Her lip quirks up before turning down in a frown. My One stands in agitation and though I know what troubles her, I ask anyway "What troubles you so?"

-LADIES NIGHTS-

THIA POV

I pace back and forth in my quarters; today is the last day they will be called as such ever again. Why? Well because today is the official announcement of Thorin and my union. Today we will tell all of Erebor that we are husband and wife. King and queen. One... And I'm terrified. Spinning I addressed my husband and his oddly lazy grin.

"What if they don't like me?"

"Impossible. Everyone likes you, Thia."

Breathing hard through my nose with a huff I squint my eyes in annoyance but he just grins wider; all the while rocking Thoria gently in his arms. It's beautifully distracting.

"They will love you."

"You don't know that for sure."

"And why shouldn't they? You saved their King numerous of times, saved their Homeland, defeated a dragon-"

"Tho. Rin. Even if they believe it, it's one thing to like a story and another to accept a person into your ruling class."

Softly flopping onto the couch beside him, I stroke our daughter's sleeping face. It's early, too early for either child to be awake, yet she woke just enough to find her way into her father's arms. It's these little moments that have made the last few days bearable. If it weren't for Thorin being King, I'd never have desired such an influential position. Yet here I am. I only know the basics of Dwarven politics; what Balin could instill in the last four days isn't even the tip of the iceberg. My head falls into my hands at the absurdity of it all.

"... I don't know what I'm doing... I don't know if I can do this..."

"... I suppose I could make you a concubine then. That would make Lord Posen and his daughters very happy." My head snaps up again and the threat to the dwarf's life dances on my lips but is stopped by his widening grin "No?"

"No."

"Then my wife."

"I'm already your wife, Thorin."

"So you are and the wife of a king is a queen. You fear what you already are."

"Noooo." I draw out, frowning deeply. The sun will rise soon. Thorin will leave. The maids will come. We will eat. They will dress me. They will dress the children. I will be left alone to reflect. Balin will come. I will review my lines for the ceremony. We will all attend the ceremony. Then... "The aftermath. After the ceremony what will happen if-"

"Regardless of your reception, after the ceremony you will return to your new chambers. Our Chambers. You will change into a less formal dress and return to present our people with their Queen for the first dinner." Lifting my chin, the Monarch speaks slowly and deliberately as if trying to ground me. Even so something eats at the edge of my mind. Something right at the tip of my tongue but I can't put my finger on it "The council has already accepted you. They will give their vows of loyalty."

"But the guilds-"

"The company is peppered throughout the guilds, ensuring the majority of them will not fight this. They will present their wares as an honorable tribute to our reign."

"The ones I don't have friends in-"

"-are few and far between. Too far to cause an uprising. Accepting you will be in everyone's best interest."

"Unless I suck at the job." I snort moodily. He has an answer for everything and I'm not sure I like being the uncertain one. My counterpart hums softly, releasing my chin and returning his attention to the sleeping toddler in his arms. I huff again, this time catching the scent of metal. Glancing down at the dagger on the table, I lift it gently "What? No counter to that?"

"Kings are made through fire and forge. You took that Journey just the same as me. You will make a fine Queen and all will eventually know that. Have faith, my love. I do."

Rising from his place just as the sun kisses the horizon, he returns to the bedroom and slides Thoria beneath the blankets. Helping him dress, not that he needs it, I followed the dwarf to the secret alcove in the wall. I shift nervously as he prepares to go. Never having felt so unsure in this world, I don't know how to deal with it. Reaching back to stroke my cheek, Thorin passes through the gap.

"Trust me, love, it will be alright. I promise."

Hey guys... Heeeeeey. If anyone is still around... Enjoy the chapter! I'm working on trying to get back into the swing of writing. Sorry...