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Darkness unravelling
"Don't look so sulky for Mahal's holy beard! This is a feast not a funeral," Bjarki elbowed him.
Thorin humphed.
"You look ready to behead everyone in the slightest of causes," Bjarki continued.
"Oh, but I am," he frowned and his eyes tried to find Eilin once more, but she had left after finishing serving. First time he saw her this evening was also the only time his heart felt the need to smile. When she entered, as usually unprocessed, with her hair waving free below her waist he fixated on her. When her beautiful green eyes found his, he had to refrain from standing up, taking her by the hand and leaving this place once and for all in order to be free of all these damned chains that weighed him down.
Chains that threatened to sabotage his will to claim the most coveted treasure of Erebor officially this time. Her eyes offered him the comfort he needed and her soft smiles a gentle touch on his troubled heart, but all that wasn't enough for him this evening. She couldn't calm down the storm that was seething inside. He felt an intolerable urge to get out of his skin and become someone else. Someone whom the delegations would find completely indifferent. The more he looked at all those powdered dames and at the lords that were probably talking about him the more he wanted to escape with Eilin somewhere far away. Somewhere peacefully were they would be alone.
Yet he couldn't pretend ignorance anymore either, so he gazed back at them bodaciously with a stiff upper lip.
He couldn't hide anymore in the hopes that Erebor would allow them to ride onto the sunset alone and free of all bounds. The rumours about him bedding his maiden had become so severe that now the five lords were fiercely demanding answers from him, as it was proven by Servin's untimely intervention which backfired with a violence that Thorin hadn't expected out of himself. Especially towards Siv's brother. Still Eilin was sacred to him. No one was allowed to touch upon her morality without serious consequences.
His blood was slowly shimmering to a boil as his eyes surveyed the dining hall. Scrutinising each and every participant with an agitation that made several people nervous. Many smiled and bowed at him, trying to disperse the unease that the King's glare was causing, but several others averted their eyes quickly. Bjarki was the first one to discern Thorin's bad mood and Balin had followed close after with Dwalin. Fili was completely oblivious of Thorin's troubles. He was wavering with indecision about asking Valdis for a dance ever since he saw her entering. Something that Thorin didn't want to offer advice on as he was certain to disappoint his poor nephew with all his negativity. Especially after the moment he saw Karunn entering the royal dining hall and approaching her sister.
"Try to smile more laddie, you are the host," Balin suggested.
"I won't do anything I don't feel. What's your older niece doing here?" He asked Dain and tilted his chin dismissively towards Karunn.
"She arrived yesterday. Don't sound so pissed off cousin. She didn't come here to stay. She just wanted to see her sister for a while and then return to the Ironhills," Dain replied thoughtfully.
"See that she doesn't go near my sister, as an excuse to be close to her family," he rejoined sternly.
Dain nodded, "don't worry. She won't."
Thorin's brows came together angrily and his eyes fell on Servin that was discussing with several lords at the other side of the table. Siv's brother noticed him and their eyes locked for what felt like an eternity, in a silent battle of will. Several lords turned to him also. Not many faces appeared happy. Balin noticed and decided to intervene, "they looked pissed off as hell and who can blame them."
"Don't start with this today Balin, it won't end well," Thorin warned him.
"They need answers. Your involvement with the maiden has been running amok all over Erebor. They cornered you in that meeting three days ago. Wasn't that enough of an incentive to make you give this a proper closure?" Balin leaned down.
Fili crossed his arms and gave the lords the cold shoulder.
Thorin inhaled smoke from his pipe and his eyes gleamed. "Do you perchance mean the meeting where they tried to corner me? Was that an unfortunate slip of the tongue?"
"I thought they managed a pretty good job. Especially Servin," Balin pressed his lips.
Thorin raised his brow and smirked, "don't sound so certain when you don't have all the facts."
Balin frowned down at him. "You are not giving me all the facts, how can I know them? How can I advice you properly when I know half of what's going on in your mind and around your court? You father was not as secretive towards my father Fundin."
"I am not my father." His lips twisted with hostility.
"You've made that clear on several occasions throughout your rule." Bjarki said, but his voice held an undertone of pride instead of disappointment as Thorin would have expected.
"Very well then. Don't compare me and my father again." Thorin turned at him dismissively.
Balin raised his hands in defeat. "I won't be doing that mistake again laddie. Forgive me!" He sounded outraged.
"Shut up already," Dwalin snapped at his brother. "Leave the man alone."
Bjarki raised his cup. "Thorin doesn't need advice right now. He needs good company, ripe old mead, pleasant music and maybe to dance with one of those dames that keep playing eyes with him."
Thorin felt his fur rippling with anger, "I never dance."
Bjarki clasped his shoulder firmly, "don't bite my head off. I was making a simple suggestion. A dance might turn your mood around."
"No," he replied sternly.
"Maybe the prince should dance in your stead. He's playing eyes also, I noticed." Dain reposted and a smug smile formed on his lips.
Thorin raised his brow and looked at his nephew.
Fili looked around him feeling exposed, "well…I am not sure yet. I am thinking about it though."
"Instead of thinking about dancing, you'd better think about studying. Did you go through the scrolls I gave you?"
Fili felt as if he was caught with his hand at a honey-cake plate, "every single one uncle."
"You'll take me through them. If not today then tomorrow and there are more I have ready for you to study."
Fili's shoulders deflated. "I am barely sleeping as it is."
"Aren't you strong enough to sustain, boy?" Thorin eyes fell heavy on his nephew.
Balin and Dwalin exchanged guarded looks, but remained silent.
Fili puffed up with pride. "Of course uncle!"
Balin crossed his arms impatiently and looked down at the heavily pondering Thorin. "What are you going to do about the rumours? They dangle above your throne like a big axe, ready to cut your rule short." His chin gestured towards the lords.
"When the time comes you shall learn, along with everyone else," Thorin replied heavily.
"No one can deny that you handled the situation with the Arkenstone almost artistically, but maybe Balin is correct. You should address these rumours at some point. Have you formed an alliance with the elven King?" Dain asked.
"The words have never been stated, but the alliance is true," Thorin turned to him.
"The Arkenstone is in place, the alliance with the elves is a fact so I don't know how your personal love life can stop anyone from pledging their allegiance to you," Bjarki shook his head.
Balin frowned down at him. Dwalin and Fili smiled at each other.
Thorin turned at his friend rather surprised.
"I'd never accept anyone else but you in that throne and you know that. What if you decided to offer your heart to a maiden? Why should I care about that? Does your choice eradicate what you have accomplished for Durin's folk during these two centuries? Does it stain how efficiently you commanded Thror's mighty army, or how well you ruled the Blue Mountains? Or does it perchance change our perception of how fair a ruler you are and how selfless towards your people? I am not as sort sighted as they are" -he pointed at the lords across them- "I won't be the one to stubbornly support these old fashioned traditions. You have the pledge of my family, no matter your decisions about your personal affairs," Bjarki said proudly.
Thorin pressed his shoulder with an honest smile, "thank you."
"And the pledge of the Longbeards of course," Dain stuck his thumbs on his heavy belt, "there is no doubt about that." A well hidden smile was under his thick beard.
"Thank you cousin," Thorin smiled.
"That is very moving, but we are five families sort of a unity," Balin raised his brow.
Thorin looked at the stony-faced company of the five lords and his face fell, "I know."
Balin gazed at Dwalin troubled, "that's the first time I didn't hear any bravado in his words. I don't why, but that worries me more than anything else he has done since that girl came into his life." -He turned to Thorin- "Tell me the game isn't over already."
Thorin's lips upturned in a soft side smile, but his eyes were still trapped in darkness. "Game isn't over until I say it is."
Fili grinned, "bravado is back."
"Now you sound like you are on top of things, when clearly you are not!" Balin shook his head.
"You Balin are a walking nightmare. I cannot please you whatever I do. You neither want me to sound self confident, neither do you want me to sound uncertain. Can you tell me what you wish?" Thorin's voice was becoming steadily calmer with each word uttered. Bjarki's pledge had been enough to singlehandedly quieten down the boiling wrath that he had felt when Karunn entered the dining halls.
"I wish for you to settle this uncertainty for all of Erebor. I wish for you to unite the families under your rule! I wish for you to strike down every rumour and stabilise the tremulous ground under out feet!" Balin's voice was impassioned.
"Three capital wishes from you my dear friend. I shall do my best to fulfil them," he said and drank some mead.
Dwalin raised his pointer as a warning, "and that should be enough for you to lay off of him."
Balin's crossed his arms dejected.
"Maybe you should ask a dame for a dance then. Fili is too scared, Dwalin too bored, Thorin too angry and Dain too drunk," Bjarki teased the advisor.
Balin's cringed. "And I am too old."
Fili straightened his vest and stuck his forefingers on his wide belt, "I am not scared. I'll do it!"
Dwalin raised his brow. "You look like a rooster ready to prance."
Fili looked at him smugly. "I am trying to gather up courage to ask Valdis for a dance."
Thorin pursed his lips, "ask your mother first."
Fili frowned at him, "you cannot be serious uncle. I am eighty two years already!"
"Why would Dis say no to his possible interest in my niece?" Dain sounded picked.
Thorin chuckled. "She'd say no to any woman, not just your niece."
Dain smiled, "forgot about that."
"He's too young yet," Thorin continued with the same teasing tone.
"Uncle, that's enough," Fili warned him.
"Your mother's words boy, not mine."
"I'll show her. I am more than capable of choosing who I want to dance with," Fili gave his mother a deadly look that Dis missed as she was discussing fervently with lieutenant Dongar.
Thorin raised his brow at Bjarki and Dwalin who grinned.
"Well, what's keeping you? A new song is about to begin. Now's the time to make your move," Balin provoked him.
Fili inhaled deeply and braced himself. He cleared his throat and checked the braids on his beard.
"You didn't check your hair," Bjarki poked.
Fili raised his hands to check his hair and the men chuckled. He turned at them almost furiously, "Are you making fun of me?"
"Of course we are!" Dwalin thundered and they all laughed.
Fili turned to his uncle, "are you laughing too uncle?"
Thorin felt the mood of his comrades calming him down and even teasing his stomach with a few quiet laughs. He didn't forget about the lofty lords that glared at him so testily, neither about Karunn whose eyes he had caught a couple of times. His silent haughty gaze had been enough for her to avert her eyes and hide in the back of the room in the shadows. "You're cocky enough to ask this dame for a dance, you can handle me finding that immensely amusing."
Fili huffed and stuck his fingers on the armpits of his vest. "Very well! Look at me then uncle and learn how to do it!"
Dwalin raised both brows and slapped his forehead, "did the toddler just provoke you?"
Thorin nodded proudly, "boy is learning."
Fili raised his brow, "from the best. Now watch me!" He announced and pranced away from them towards the direction of Valdis.
"He's actually going to do it," Balin smiled. The mirth of his comrades was beginning to affect even this ever logical and brooding advisor.
"Let him scratch the smooth surfaces of his personality against a woman's fierceness. A few scars here and there will do him good," Thorin took several sips of his mead.
"Truth is if he waits for his mother to allow him, he'll grow old untouched by a woman's passion." Dwalin said and caressed his beard.
All his comrades, except from Dain roared in laughter.
"Why do I feel uncomfortable discussing my niece in this manner?" Dain frowned.
"You didn't seem to have a problem with Fili claiming the dance for your niece in the first place," Thorin raised his brow.
"That's one thing and another to talk about passion and such," Dain crossed his arms defensively.
Thorin raised his brow. "Don't worry. A single dance won't be enough to defile your niece's honour."
Dwalin hit Dain's shoulder hard. "Seeing one of butchers of Azanulbizar afraid of a dance...that's exceptional entertainment."
Dain pushed him way, "lay off you troll!."
Thorin laughed with his comrades and drank and tried to forget the heavy expectations that were being required off of him. He tried to avoid any eye contact with Karunn, even though he did check on her every time Eilin came in to see if there was a hateful undertone in her pale and cold face. There was none. She was still hiding in the back of the room alone, after Fili successfully asked Valdis for a dance.
Thorin's eyes fell on Dis that was watching this development with many disapproving frowns, but Dongar was keeping her relatively calm as it appeared. For the first time Thorin felt partly grateful that the lieutenant was next to his ferocious sister who would have undoubtedly pounced on Valdis the moment she accepted Fili's invitation. He relaxed back, allowing the joyous spirits of his comrades to draw him in, but his advisor didn't allow him to relish on those feelings for long. His eyes came ablaze the moment Balin made the most untimely intervention as Eilin entered the dining Hall carrying a large tray.
"Look at them," Balin thrust his chin at the five lords.
Thorin raised his brow and turned at their direction.
"They are watching the poor girl as if she is a freak," Balin said testily.
Thorin felt his fur again rippling with anger.
"That's all your doing, there's no escaping Thorin. You exposed her. I know you feel deeply for her, but I told you many times that what is happening is inappropriate. People will not accept their King to have an unofficial intimate relationship with his maiden. Let's not even put her interracial blood into the mix and make it even worse," Balin continued with the same calculative tone that rattled Thorin's anger to the point of explosion.
"Will you shut up already?" Dwalin seethed towards his brother.
Dain shook his head, "I think that's enough also."
"But look at them. They are diminishing the girl just by their looks. They are not taking their disapproval on Thorin, but on her! She's an easier victim you see," Balin pointed at Eilin angrily.
Thorin's deadly glare pierced through the faces of the men that were looking at Eilin with such contempt. Maybe Balin had been pushing Thorin too hard at times and seemed almost scornful or scathing about the situation with Eilin, but no one could say that Balin was wrong. Every single word he had been saying was painfully true. Thorin had to clear up his intentions, for Eilin's benefit. For Thorin it wouldn't be difficult to drag out their unofficial relationship forever, much like Thrain had originally offered for his involvement with Siv. He'd be cornered by the family representatives, yes. They could deny their allegiance, true, but that was as far as his comeuppance would go. For Eilin though it was different.
She was being targeted in the most degrading manner and he was not willing to allow that. She was being labelled the King's mistress and Thorin wanted to make sure they all knew exactly how important she was to him. He had to stand up and own his actions towards this wonderful woman that had declared her love to him so many times. He had to stand up in front of all of them and tell them how he felt about her.
He passed his mug onto Balin's hands and stood up.
"Where are you going laddie?" Balin asked.
Dwalin gave him a worried look.
"To give everyone the answers they need," he said and walked away from them. Leaving everyone frozen as he crossed the dance floor that was preparing for the next dance and approached Eilin from the back. She was serving some army officers with her usual polite conduct, when Thorin's rich voice called her to attention.
"Good evening, my lady."
She froze and turned around surprised. The last thing she had been expecting was the King to address her in front of everyone. Usually during these feasts he was acting indifferent to her presence, until they found each other passionately in his rooms later on. This sudden twist of attitude took not only her by surprise, but the whole cavern. Everyone's eyes were on him and Eilin. No one was moving apart from Balin that lost his grip on the mug.
"My lord? May I bring you something?" She averted her eyes and bowed.
He reached out and took the tray out of her hands. He gave it casually to a dame that was close to them, without taking his eyes away from Eilin's beautiful face. The dame took the tray and her mouth dropped open. "You may give me your hand." He offered his palm.
She looked down frightened. "My lord?"
He took a step closer. "Raise your mesmerising eyes to me."
She did so and he saw her upper lip trembling.
He offered her his palm again, "may I have this dance my lady?"
She blanched. "You never dance," she stupidly reminded him the least important thing of this exchange.
"I'll dance now if you do," he gave her a dashing smile that made her heart hammer against her chest.
She looked at the offered hand and the hesitation was clear. Everyone was looking at them, but hand't he known that was bound to happen before he attempted this highly daring move? Was it the first time she was witnessing the unprocessed Thorin she loved so much, acting spontaneously with singular courage? He was not inviting her for a dance in front of all the nobility of Erebor by chance. He was ready to make a public statement about them and she itched to follow. Before she did though she wanted to give him the final chance to back out. "This is a folly," she whispered.
He raised his brow. "A folly it was that I didn't act on this sooner."
"Thorin," she looked fleetingly around, feeling deeply unsettled.
"Do you fear this?" He tilted his head.
"Greatly, you?" she admitted and her eyes seared through his.
"I don't fear declaring how much I love you to the whole world." He whispered.
Her stomach did a summersault. "Oh, Thorin..." she muttered.
"Can I have your hand for this dance, my pretty lady? I will keep on asking until you accept." He bowed respectfully and the huge cavern erupted in astonished exclamations.
Her frozen hand came up and her fingers were visibly shaking until they were captured by his warm hand. A lopsided smile appeared on his beautiful lips as he led her steadily to the middle of the room. Everyone pulled away from the dance floor to allow the King to lead his lady. He stood there majestically with one hand behind his back and the other cradling hers. He inclined his head at the musicians and the flutes awoke with beautiful dancing tunes.
"Are you doing this on purpose?" She looked at him sideways preparing to dance.
"Of course. The whole of Erebor must learn about the woman that stole my heart forever," he whispered and looked at her with devotion.
She felt her eyes welling and the need to cover her belly and caress it was so strong that she placed her hand behind her back firmly in order not to raise any suspicions. Now that he was declaring so openly to his kingdom that he loved her, she wanted to embrace him and breathe into his ear that she was pregnant to their child. Wanting to see his face confused and shocked and then blissful beyond comprehension. Now that he finally decided to openly declare their love, she wanted to reveal to him the ultimate present that their love had produced. Yet, once more the words got stuck in her throat. Was it the fear that he wouldn't look as blissful as she was hoping or the dormant terror that this baby was going to die in her before it was even born? She needed to make sure that it was going to survive at least the first perilous days before revealing anything to him. In case something went wrong she would then be able to ride the unbearable pain on her own and spare him the agony. She'd tell him soon, when she felt more certain that this bundle of joy was here to stay.
"I don't know how to handle you right now. You are overwhelming me." She was honest.
"Try being awkward," he raised his brow.
She snorted and her cheeks blushed.
"Try tripping over your feet and landing in my arms so I can kiss you in front of them," he continued.
"Thorin…" she chastised and took a couple of twirls around him as the music filled the room.
"Why don't you try to be yourself?" His face opened up with a sweetness that made her need to kiss him even more intense.
"I can do that," she agreed and wiggled a little bit in front of him, before twisting his hand and coming around his back.
"Just dance for me," he gave her a lopsided smile.
She grinned up to him and felt her hands warming up, "tell me how you want me to do it."
"Dance for me seductively, like you had done at the river. Dance in the spellbinding way you had danced at the enchanted forest and at the burial grounds. Be utterly irresistible as only you know how and make every pair of eyes look at you...but dance only for me!" his deep voice echoed into her brain and awoke a deeply possessive thread, that wanted to scream to this room that this amazing man belonged to her and that this dance was just for him.
"And when the dance finishes?" She took a couple of twists around him.
"You shall learn soon. Be patient," his lips toyed with a playful smile.
She bit her lower lip and pirouetted around him through several complicated steps, before offering him a teasing gaze above her shoulder. "As you command my King."
He laughed lightly and escorted her around the room, as she unfolded her beautiful and dexterous movements, seducing all of Erebor's male nobility. After allowing his uncle and Eilin to dominate the middle of the room for a few moments, Fili decided to lead Valdis through this dance also. Knowing that his mother's critical glare was on him, he delighted in this very first declaration of independence.
Everybody was dazzled by Eilin's exceptional dancing skills, but most of all by the King that proved an equally competent escort. So they whirled and spun seemingly forever following the music to perfection. Totally forgetting Erebor's insistent attention, Thorin and Eilin only had eyes only for each other. Several couples joined in the dance as it progressed, but always the King and his dame stole the impressions. The look in his eyes made her temples throb with the erratic beating of her heart and her head had taken a dive into a lake of pure bliss. When the dance was over she stopped with a twist right onto his chest. "Did you like it?" she whispered.
Their breaths were clashing against each other and the need to skim her lips across his felt almost painful.
"It was perfect," he spoke in a hushed tone that raised the hair on her nape.
She beamed up to him.
"Are you alright?" He was making no attempts to pull away from her, even though the dance floor had emptied and the music had stopped. His bold declaration would matter little without showing the whole cavern what his intentions were now that the music had stopped. Was he going to send Eilin away?
"I am in heaven," she muttered and felt her heart thudding under her sensitive fingertips that were caressing his.
"You were absolutely hypnotising."
She blushed. "So..what do we do now? I am not in the mood to pull away from you..."
He huffed and bit his lower lip in anticipation. "Now young lady, I will bow to you" -he pulled back and bowed respectfully. Another surprised declaration from everyone around- "and I will lead you next to my sister."
She frowned, "I will sit next to the princess?!"
"Yes."
"Who is going to serve the people?" She asked stupidly.
His lips curled up, "there's my beloved awkwardness. Missed it."
"Thorin don't tease me. That's my job..." she felt bewildered. He had such a unique way of throwing her off her tracks all the time.
He shook his head and escorted her elegantly to the high table. "Your job is to sit next to my sister. We have enough women to serve us."
"Us? Serve us?" Her frown deepened.
"Us my lady. Now take your place next to my family please," he brought her next to Dis.
The princess instantly smiled up at her. "That was a beautiful dance my dear. Will join me?" Her eyes fell on her brother for confirmation.
He gave her a calm nod.
"I don't know my lady," Eilin looked around her shyly.
"Of course she will." Thorin helped her take a seat. Then he kissed her hand, making her blush down to her big toes and bowed. "Thank you for giving me this dance my lady."
Dis grasped her other hand. "Thank him also," she whispered trying to alleviate Eilin's embarrassment on not knowing how to act on etiquette.
"I was honoured my King," she said as gracefully as she could and bowed her head.
He smiled and left them. Before returning to his comrades that were waiting impatiently for him, he passed in front of the five lords. His majestic inclination of the head was more eloquent than any words from his mouth could have ever been. Everyone reciprocated, an indication that they have received his message.
First one that talked after Thorin sat down was Balin. "So it's done."
Thorin raised his brow.
"Irrevocable…" Balin continued.
Thorin tasted his mead and his eyes fell on Eilin that was leaning towards Dis probably enduring the cascade of advice that was coming out of his sister's mouth.
"Well, her dance was enthralling," Bjarki said cheekily.
Thorin gazed calmly at his friend.
"As was his dance. I thought you didn't know how to dance uncle," Fili added.
Thorin smiled.
"He's full of surprises," Bjarki raised his brow.
"Oh, isn't he indeed? Totally unpredictable. I don't know if that's good or bad," Balin crossed his arms.
Thorin bobbed his head, "we shall all have to wait and see, right?"
Dwalin grinned and clasped Balin's shoulder. "Calm down brother and appreciate the King's dance with his future wife. It was absolutely breathtaking!"
"For more than one reasons. You shocked the whole room into silence, much like you have done with the retrieval of the Arkenstone. You are as efficient and fearless as I always remembered you." Bjarki said proudly.
Thorin gave him an appreciative smile.
"Not wise enough though," Balin reminded them.
"Don't rush into assumptions my dear Balin. Even now nothing is over until I say so," Thorin said and looked coldly towards the lords that were not discussing anymore between them. The lord of the Broadbeams found the opportunity to stand up and come over to their company when their eyes crossed. Him and the King engaged in a very interesting conversation that had nothing to do with Eilin, but had everything to do with war strategy. The remaining four lords didn't appear to be conniving between them. It was as if Thorin's daring statement had silenced them. Once and for all.
-.-
Eilin on the other hand felt confounded by all the advice Dis was giving her, wishing that he had given her the opportunity to be alone with him, hidden behind some dark alcove instead of all this. This was making her so nervous.
"You looked scared out of your mind," Dis said calmly.
"I am my lady. What the King did was very unexpected. You may not believe me, but I had no idea he was going to do such a thing!" Eilin tittered quickly in order to convince the princess of her innocence.
"I am certain of it, as I am also certain that Thorin knows what he is doing. How are you feeling?" Dis looked at her.
"Very well my lady," Eilin frowned confused.
Dis turned to Dongar, "do me a favour lieutenant and leave us for a moment."
The man bowed to the ground and before leaving he gave Dis's hand a soft kiss that she rewarded with a kind smile. Eilin averted her eyes respectfully.
"He's gone. Now tell me, how are feeling in your belly," Dis raised her brow.
"I am still heavily nauseous my lady, but the King isn't suspecting anything," Eilin said.
"Any pains, discomfort, blood?"
"Some discomfort in my breasts," Eilin blushed.
Dis smiled, "you'll have that long after you give birth to my niece or nephew. Your body is preparing to feed the baby."
Eilin smiled widely and felt her heart pinching with happiness.
"You didn't tell him?"
"No, my lady."
"Why is it taking you so long?" Dis frowned.
"Maybe the baby will die in me. I don't want to disappoint him. I want to wait until I am certain it's here to stay. I have seen my friend Rhiannon losing two babies. I was there when it happened. It was a shocking experience." Eilin said and felt the fear gripping her insides.
"I understand. You must reveal your precious secret to him when you feel ready." Dis rejoined thoughtfully.
Eilin looked at her hands, "thank you my lady."
Dis looked at her brooding brother that was in deep conversation with the Boardbeam lord. "So how are you going to reciprocate my brother's bold gesture?"
Eilin frowned, "what do you mean my lady?"
"The King asked you for a dance. That's a clear declaration that he is interested in you romantically. The fact that he bowed and kissed your hand betrays that he feels intimate towards you. That he led you next to me was a clear statement that he wants you in our family. His actions this evening betray either that he is engaged to you or will be soon. Wedding you is in his immediate plans."
Eilin cupped her cheeks that had caught on fire, "Oh!"
"Considering what's in your belly that was the most appropriate course of action, even though he has no idea," Dis smiled, amused by Eilin's embarrassment.
"So what can I do to reciprocate?" Eilin looked up eagerly.
"You will fill him a cup of mead and serve him, but not as a maiden anymore. You are going to offer it to him as a partner. When you give him the cup you will enclose his hands around it in a gesture of intimacy. That will be your reply that you accept his advances," Dis said calmly.
Eilin hurried to fill the cup, but Dis's hand stopped her. "my Lady?"
"I am not finished. Be patient. You will not kneel when you serve him. Now you stand on an equal basis to him as his fiancee. You will gently tilt your head, but expect him to bow down for you. A sign of respect. You've got that?" Dis raised her brow.
Eilin filled the cup eager to do everything that Dis told her. She wanted to please him so much, "Yes!"
"Then you return here, next to me," Dis smiled widely at seeing her so willing to act in the appropriate manner towards him.
Eilin smiled at the princess. "I am on it my lady!"
While at one side of the royal table Eilin and Dis were discussing the next course of action and at the other Thorin was drawn deeply into a very interesting conversation by the Broadbeam lord who was joined soon after by the Firebeard lord, at the darkest side of the cavern Karunn was approaching a table that had been of great interest to her ever since she entered the dining halls.
"Good evening," Karunn stood coldly next to Nyrthrasir's chair.
The man's eyes met her and all the blood drained from his face. "Good evening," he muttered.
Karunn looked at Myrna and smiled coldly. "Hello my dear woman."
Myrna bowed her head, "my lady. It is an honour for us to have you at our table. Please sit down," she offered.
Karunn scrounged her lips and looked fleetingly at the King. "No, I am not here to stay. Just came to talk to my sister. I was on my way out when I decided to catch up with you two."
"Lucky for us that you didn't decide to overlook us," Nyrthrasir sounded choleric.
"How could have I overlooked one of our most capable officers and his lovely wife?" Karunn's smile was disdainful.
Myrna bowed her head. "Your words are a solace to my troubled heart, my lady. Especially after the ridicule my poor husband got back at the Ironhills."
Karunn feigned sadness. "I never understood why anyone would strip the valiant Nyrthrasir and send him to work at the mines."
Nyrthrasir's murderous eyes fell on her, but she ignored him.
"Thank Mahal that he was offered a fresh start in Erebor's army my lady. Especially now that we are expecting our first child. We needed the security of a new and prosperous environment in order to bloom." Myrna couldn't contain her happiness and that made Nyrthrasir's heart pinched in fear. He cupped her hand. Karunn noticed.
"You are pregnant my dear Myrna? Congratulations," Karunn sounded pleasantly surprised.
"I think it was the will of the Maker that I fell pregnant when we first arrived in Erebor. Living in this stronghold under this valiant and just King is what blessed us with an offspring," Myrna bowed respectfully towards Thorin who was accepting the cup of mead from Eilin's hands.
Karunn's critical gaze fell on that scene and her eyes thinned, "blessed may he be."
"Blessed may he be," Myrna and Nyrthrasir repeated.
"Even though I was born and raised in the Ironhills, I strongly believe that Erebor is where we always belonged. This is the best place to raise our child," Myrna smiled and looked at the King who was bowing graciously at his dame after receiving his drink.
"What's so exceptional in Erebor then?" Karunn frowned feeling picked.
Nyrthrasir tried to stop his wife, but she was way too excited to allow him that. "Myrna dear enough."
"Why my love. Allow me to speak please. Where else have you seen a King so just, so fair and so selfless as King Oakenshield? He has sacrificed himself for the lowest miners, he has embraced every desperate family that knocked on his doors with a modesty that shouldn't belong to the heir of Durin. He's not afraid to fall in love with someone who is not of his rank and more so is totally unafraid to declare it openly to the whole of Erebor! Common people know how to appreciate every fair judgment, every kind action, every sweet smile and every selfless thought. They know...we know that his qualities are rare to find. Think about who he is. What he has accomplished already. How brave, courageous, loyal and true he has always been to our kin. How approachable and caring he is to every person in Erebor despite their rank. Who wouldn't want to live under this man's rule?" Myrna words were impassioned.
Karunn raised her brow, "who wouldn't want that indeed."
Myrna bowed, "we are lucky to live in the prosperous era of King Oakenshield's rule my lady. As many of our kin had been equally blessed to live in his Halls in the Blue Mountains."
"Enough Myrna," Nyrthrasir tried.
"Why my darling? Shouldn't I explain to our beloved lady how much King Oakenshield's blessed rule is affecting us common people?" Myrna frowned at him.
"Allow her to unfold her thoughts to me my dear man," Karunn looked at him with a cold tone of warning that made him pull back.
"My lady these are not just my thoughts. Every house in Erebor is brewing with these embracing emotions towards our King. Every cleaner, every miner, every mason and minstrel, every delver and woodsman, every hunter, every soldier, every embroider, every son and every daughter are learning of his value every single day. He had always been a figure of royalty, deeply admired. Now people are starting to love him," Myrna smiled.
"Love him. Well." Karunn said thoughtfully, "thank you for giving me an insight on the peoples' thoughts about their ruler. I shall cherish them. I hope Mahal will bless you with a healthy offspring soon."
Myrna bowed to the ground and felt her eyes watering, "thank you my lady."
Karunn offered her an unfelt smile. Then her attention turned to Erebor's precious King that was looking intensely at his fucking stable girl who had the audacity to sit next to princess Dis once more. She felt ripples of orgasmic pleasure at the thought of seeing the haughty King bend beyond recognition, or why not dead by his own hand. Wouldn't Erebor weep tears of agony if it's beloved King committed suicide after feeling the traces of an ultimate betrayal burning deep into his veins? And wouldn't she feel cleansed of all her ridicule if she could be the one to manage that singular blow onto a man that seemed so untouchable? Her eyes turned to Eilin and she had to stop herself from groaning in pleasure on these evil thoughts.
After a few moments she turned her frozen scrutiny to Nythrasir who shuddered by it's intensity. "May I be allowed to communicate with you, my dear man, about some serious issues of the Ironhills? I don't want to unnecessarily worry your pregnant wife, but I trust your experience immensely."
Myrna smiled at her. "Borrow him freely my lady."
Nythrasir shook his head, "cannot it wait for a more appropriate time?"
Karunn raised her brow, "no."
Her voice seemed calm, but Nythrasir took the message that he was not to play with her. He was to obediently follow her out. Which he did, after kissing his wife's hand goodbye, hoping it wasn't going to be the last one. They left the dining halls and walked down to the King's halls. That is where she stopped, next to one of the heavy golden statues of Thorin's forefathers. Hidden in the shadows. He approached and faced her with as much courage as he could master. "Why cannot you leave us alone?" he whispered.
"Because I have a hold on you especially now that I know of your wife's pregnancy, and I need someone to help me," she said.
Nythrasir inhaled deeply and looked around to see if anyone had noticed them. They were completely alone. "I thought this game was over between us. You had your revenge on me. I have nothing more to offer. Forgive me for what happened in the Ironhills. I was weak and I treated both you and my wife unfairly. You paid me back well and good all these years, just please have a heart and let all this go. I am trying the best I can for my family now. I am not bothering anyone."
She waved him off, "this has nothing to do with what happened in the past between us."
He frowned confused, "then what is all this? why did you want to see me?"
She raised her brow and took out a small baby belt from a pouch that was attached on her golden belt. It was so small, she could have used it as a bicep bracelet and so worn out, it looked almost completely faded. She smiled down at it and then at him. A shudder passed from his spine at the evil look in her eyes. "I want you to take this belt and give it to your valiant King."
Nythrasir reached out to take it, but stopped at the last moment. "Whatever for?"
She raised her brow. "This was given to you by your former lover. The King's fiancee when she was working at that sleazy tavern a ride away from Bree. The Forsaken Inn. You arrived in Erebor and when you saw her again you couldn't keep your hands away from her and she couldn't either. Your passion for each other came ablaze and you became intimate several times under the King's roof. You feel regret, but also deep appreciation of the just and fair King, that's why you decided to reveal this betrayal in order to protect him from that fiend who preys on his rivers of gold. You will give her belt to him as proof that you know her. You will say she gave it to you when you were in love back at her tavern days as a token. You will also reveal to him that you know her body intimately and speak about the heart shaped mole she has on the inside of her left thigh, close to her womanhood. Only a lover would know such details," she continued unemotionally. Only a lover would know or her best friend that was hopefully by now dead at the outskirts of Mirkwood, even though Alf and his thieves had been unable to find her in the woods. Something that made Karunn refuse their payment and them act rather displeased before departing under several threats that she was going to call on Erebor's army.
Nyrthrasir became livid and backed away from her and the baby belt as if he was touched by fire. "You are crazy! I am not going to do anything like that...you are crazy," he repeated.
Karunn was completely unemotional as she weaved the final fall of Thorin and Eilin. "Of course you will my darling."
"No!" he shook his head almost hysterically and took another step back. "Never! I'd never do that to the King, nor to that sweet woman by his side!"
Karunn smiled coldly. "Oh, it seems then that you don't mind me revealing to your wife how intimate we two had become in the Ironhills."
His mouth dropped open and his hand began shaking. "She wouldn't believe you," he whispered.
"She wouldn't? I guess it's worth a try. With her pregnancy and the poor condition of her heart I wonder if she'd be able to handle these shocking news from a very regretful Iron Maiden that feels terrible remorse for what had been taking place behind this poor woman's back all these years," Karunn pouted her lips.
"You cannot do that," he felt that he was going to choke on his own vomit as his stomach clenched violently. He coughed and cupped his mouth trying to push everything down.
"Don't test me," her voice warned in a low tone.
He shook his head in denial. "Why are you out to destroy me?"
"Not you, I am out to destroy your vain King and his bitch. Either you help me or I deliver the final blow that could send your wife and unborn child to an early grave," she raised her brow and twirled the baby belt around her fingers.
He broke apart then completely. Tears erupted from his eyes and he fell down to his knees. He reached out and grabbed her shin pleadingly. "Please don't force me to do such a thing. I won't be able to live with myself afterwards!"
"Then commit suicide, I don't care. At least your wife and child will be alive to tell the tale," she said with frozen hostility.
"I cannot do it...I cannot," he whispered not knowing were sanity was anymore.
Karunn signed and pulled away from him. "Very well. I am off to see Myrna."
He grabbed her shin and butted his forehead on her thigh. "Have mercy on me!" he weeped.
She released her leg and caused him to fall down on his hands. "I don't care about you. You're just a tool for me. You care about your wife and child though don't you? More than life. You are going to do everything for them, aren't you?"
He shook his head and pleaded to the Gods to be spared, "I CANNOT! I will kill myself before I even talk to the King! My wife will be safe then! I curse you to burn in the pits of Mount Doom you evil woman!"
She turned around and looked haughtily down at him. "Apparently your impeccable ethics, so conveniently forgotten once upon a time, will now cost your wife... her life. No one will be there to stop me from spilling the tea about us, after your death and I will not hesitate to do it. The only way to stop me is to convince the King of Eilin's betrayal."
He wailed. "NO! Please spare my wife!"
"You are the only one who can spare her. The final decision is yours," Karunn reminded him ruthlessly.
Silence befell around them, broken only by the painful scratching of his nails on the stone floor and his mournful weeping. She remained coldly detached observing him like an experiment. Much like she would observe a fish struggling to breathe out of water and refusing to put it back in, counting the moments till it died. When his trembling hand reached up to her she smiled contently. She gave him the belt and he hid it between the folds of his coat as his weeping became wails of pain. "Mahal help us...please!" he begged the skies, for she was not listening to him. No one now was going to listen to him.
"Be convincing to the King. Your wife will be spared, the moment Durin's heir gets destroyed." she rejoined callously and walked away.
Leaving him to disintegrate onto the floor with Eilin's baby belt tightly pressed in his hands.
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