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Thrice will the trumpets ring
Three days later they departed from the Elven realm and Eilin was quick to start complaining about her freedom again. She wanted to cook for him and the soldiers, and help Loa with the washing of their clothes. Though this time instead of forcing her to immovability he allowed her some freedom, although he insisted that she remained close to the camp and always be escorted by two guards. She told him to forget it, but Thorin coaxed her grumpiness away with endless patience behind the closed tent. He managed to ease her up so much that in the end she began to enjoy his attentions and the long rests he was forcing them to take in order to not tire her out. She did cook for him and on occasion washed his clothes though. When he caught her and got ready to chastise her, it was her turn to coax his annoyance away by wrapping her fingers around his braids and pulling him down for a kiss. Thanking him for allowing her to do this small little thing for him, even if it was just a fraction of what he was doing for her everyday.
Thorin led them slowly northeast through Rhovanion and it took them several days to see the East Bright. When the Blue Mountain guards saw the clearing they pointed happily. "The narrows of the forest! Look the Mountain is at the distance!" They erupted in happy exclamations in Khuzdul alerting a sleeping Eilin that something was up. She pulled back the tent to see Thorin smiling down at her.
"We are home." He told her with a stunning smile that echoed in his eyes and when she gazed at the peak of the Lonely Mountain she felt her heart warming up.
The blizzard had finally subsided, leaving behind a soft snowfall. The grey clouds were not so dense anymore, but Eilin couldn't see patches of blue sky behind them like she did at the Shire. She helped Loa bring down the tent so she could enjoy the snowfall and Thorin delighted in the pleasure he witnessed in her features. Every doubt that he felt back in the Shire that she'd never look this happy in Erebor got dispersed when they reached the high road of the River Running. Her face was calm and content as she was enjoying the snowflakes cooling her skin. Any lingering suspicions that Eilin didn't see Erebor as her home got faded away the closer they were getting to the Mountain.
They continued in high spirits until the fires at Erebor's gates could be seen clearly. Thorin's attention was drawn to a flock of crows that was circling above them. He smiled contently at Dwalin who reciprocated. What drew all of them out of their calm contemplations was the marshalling of the royal guards at the sides of the road close to the gates. Thorin scowled and offered Dwalin a guarded look which his friend answered by a careless flicking of his shoulders. "I have no idea." He said even though Thorin didn't speak at all.
He tightened his hands on the reins and looked at the carriage that was next to him. Eilin was trying to gather their things with the help of Loa totally unbothered. It was the ringing of the trumpets that finally drew her attention as they approached. Thorin raised his hand and stopped the progression. His eyes looked at the gates that seemed empty on the outside and held his breath. The trumpets rang again and the royal guards presented arms.
"Twice?" He whispered and looked back at Dwalin who was sitting on his horse calmly.
When the trumpets rang a third time a ghostly smile appeared on Dwalin's lips. "Thrice will the trumpets ring to welcome home the King." He rejoined.
Thorin fixed his stern gaze on him.
"What is happening?" Eilin's quiet voice drew Thorin's eyes away from Dwalin.
He shook his head uncertain and signalled the guards to start the progression again. With his heart thudding and his stomach in tight knots he arrived at Erebor's gates and dismounted. The guards opened up the doors for him and pulled aside. The lieutenant cried out. "Present arms for the King!" and all the troops did so.
Eilin's lips parted and she frowned. "Thorin, what King are they talking about?" She muttered and looked around her as nervousness began dawning in her beautiful face.
"Eilin, I don't know..." he spoke in a hushed tone, but his eyes were drawn inevitably beyond the gates. The grand antechamber was full of solemn faces that were waiting patiently.
Dwalin came next to him. "You want me to take care of Eilin for you?"
Thorin shook his head and turned at the carriage where an apprehensive Eilin was looking at him. He came around the side and offered his hand.
Her scared eyes were gazing terrified at the huge gates. "Are you sure we must go in?"
"Do you suggest we make a run for it?" He raised his brows.
She nibbled her bottom lip. "A u-turn doesn't sound bad to me."
His mouth gave her a lopsided smile. "Oh come on, where is your fearlessness? Do you reserve this rude bravado only for me?"
She exhaled in defeat and looked at his hand that was still extended. "Wrong time to tease me, I swear."
"Very well then. Do me the honour of escorting me inside, my lady." He inclined his head majestically and Eilin's stomach bubbled up. She stood up and tried to find a way to dismount from the side, but he surprised her by sweeping her up in his arms easily and making her yelp.
"Oh..." she whispered and her cheeks flushed red.
Thorin turned to Loa who was fidgeting, all this time trying to catch his eyes. "Go and find your daughter woman." He commanded. Loa screeched and jumped off the carriage with the stealth of a young woman, not giving Dwalin the opportunity to help her down, although he tried. She was the first one to dash in through the gates and another scream of happiness echoed from inside, a much younger one. Thorin placed a gentle kiss on Eilin's neck and his fingers skimmed down her back with a soft caress. "You want me to carry you inside?"
She cringed and pushed him back in sudden realisation. "Oh, no put me down. I am so sorry, I forgot for a brief moment where we are...That's what you do to me."
He placed her down. "Your awkwardness is always there to save my sanity," he raised his brow.
"Be serious. Look at how many people are expecting you, look at their grim faces..." Eilin turned to the open gates and quivered nervously.
As his brows clouded, Eilin instinctively fell behind him. He turned above his shoulder. "What are you doing?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but didn't know what to say, so she raised her shoulders timidly.
He extended his hand. "You are not my maiden anymore if you haven't noticed. Walk next to me." He told her sternly.
She placed her trembling hand in his and allowed him to lead her inside the gates. The grim faces that stared at them seemed frozen in time as Thorin boldly entered Erebor with Eilin by his side. He stopped in the middle of a round opening truly impressed by how many people were gathered at the main cavern. It was filled to the brim. Every corridor, staircase and alcove was full of commoners, soldiers and workers of every trade trying to catch a glimpse of him.
He saw dwarves holding musical instruments, dwarrowdams holding baskets of food and clothing, miners hanging from staircase bannisters still holding a chisel in their hands as they tried to get a better look. He saw soldiers of every rank mingling with the masons, the minstrels and the well dressed scribblers with the elaborate beard braids. He saw the dirty delvers in the back jumping up and down to have a better look and some of them hanging by ropes from the high columns, earning for themselves the best seats for the show. He saw children carried on their fathers shoulders waving at him with a bright smile and mothers slapping their wrists for ever daring to express themselves so freely to the fallen King.
He saw elders being supported by the help of their sons and daughters as they tried to keep their trembling heads up long enough to see Thorin the second returning home...and in the frontlines he saw his family. Dis who was holding her mouth as tears streamed between her fingers and his boy Fili standing majestically in front of the six family Lords. He saw his loyal company at the sidelines and his eyes passed from every beloved face, warming up his heart. Gloin and Dori offered him the biggest smiles. He saw Balin's tearstained face and appreciated the soft nod of loyalty from his advisor more than any spoken words could express at the moment. He felt the silent excitement of everybody in the cavern deep in his bones and Eilin felt it with him.
"Good evening." His rich voice reverberated and sent a wave of murmurs rippling through the crowd.
His voice energised Dis who ran like the wind and fell on him with such fervour that he almost lost his grip of Eilin's hand who tried to pull back in order to allow him that personal moment with his family. Instead of releasing Eilin's hand though he clasped it tightly and secured her in his arms right next to his sister. He planted warm kisses on Dis's cheeks. "Hi gerbil."
"Are you okay wolf? Tell me you are alright, please." Dis's mouth latched onto his cheek and didn't let go no matter Thorin's tries to make her pull back.
"I am really well..." He spoke in a hushed tone.
Dis clutched his shoulder desperately and her other arm came around Eilin to draw her in. "Eilin my love, are you alright?! Did the crow speak of the truth?! Is the baby alright?!" Dis was barely able to speak from the sobs that were raking her chest.
"It's fine my lady..." Eilin tried to reassure her.
Dis buried her weeping face into the croon of Thorin's neck and pulled Eilin close, planting a wet kiss on her forehead. "My sister...my niece, my brother." She stammered feeling her knees weak.
"It might be a nephew..." Thorin's lips curled up as he tried to soothe down his sister's worry and Eilin smiled.
Dis wiped her face on his tunic making him cringe and slapped his shoulder. "Niece or nephew I don't care! I only care you are all alright! I almost died of fear and worry...what you did in Dol Guldur..."
Thorin's brows creased. "Not now...silence gerbil."
She looked up at him lost and his eyes penetrated hers in a silent warning. His fingers tightened on her back.
Dis tried to clean her face. "Nothing else matters, you are right. Only that you are both well..." She looked at Eilin who smiled.
She clasped Dis' hand and led it down to her belly, that by now had formed a rather noticeable bump. Dis' face displayed an array of emotions that was too tense to hide.
"My love...oh my love!" She whispered and rubbed her fingers firmly on Eilin's belly.
"We are all fine. All three of us my lady," Eilin continued her reassurances as Dis emptied all her relief on Thorin's broad chest.
He cringed and gritted his teeth. "Can you please get a hold of yourself? We are being watched by half of Erebor..." He chastised gently.
"I don't care! Let them watch me break down on you! I have my family back! Nothing else matters!..." Dis beamed up to him through her tearstained face. Then she looked at Eilin and pulled her into a fierce embrace that almost choked the poor girl.
Nothing would have been able to stay Dis' affectionate onslaught on her brother and sister-in-law, except from a new unexpected addition that pulled the tight embrace of the trio apart. Thorin felt the small wiry arms wrapping around his waist and looked down to see a grinning Lis gazing up to him with devotion. "Hi Sir! I am so happy you are back!"
Loa was weeping tears of joy as she watched her daughter trying to burrow between the King and his family. Dwalin stood next to her, keeping his eyes worriedly on Lis' mother. Thorin's arm came around Lis' shoulders heavily, making her knees buckle. "Hello little lady. How are you?"
"I am fine! I fixed everything for you, didn't I? I promised to do it and I did it!"
Thorin frowned confused. "You did?"
Lis opened her mouth to reply, but Dis' gentle hand smoothed away some loose blonde tendrils from the girl's cheekbones. "It was little Lis who heard Rhiannon's confession and ran to notify us, and as you well know it was her that found the woman half dead in the forest."
Thorin's lips pursed. "Indeed. You did exceptionally well Lis. I am very proud of you."
Lis puffed up proudly. "I am protecting you, remember? I am going to take the job of Dwalin you just wait and see! I'll become your bodyguard when I grow older!" Lis gave a warning glance at Dwalin who crossed his arms and exchanged a sweet smile with Loa.
Thorin smiled and pinched her cheek softly. "How about learning to protect the heir to the throne first?" Thorin felt Eilin's arms wrapping around his shoulders. Her face leaned where his shoulder met his neck gently and she offered Lis a sweet smile of accordance.
"That'd be lovely." She whispered.
"I c-an do th-at?" Lis' eyes grew wide.
"You have to be trained first." His brow rose up demandingly.
"Oh! Yes, please! When do we start?!" Lis clapped her hands and several happy murmurs and chuckles echoed in the cavern.
Thorin smiled. "You have to be patient. Now...you deserve a warrior braid for everything you did, I think."
Lis' mouth dropped open. "I do!? Are you going to make it for me?!" she screeched.
Eilin laughed and with her laughed the majority of the gathered people.
"Of course I will..." Thorin winked at her and Lis embraced his waist tightly.
"Thank you Sir!" she squeezed her eyes tight.
Thorin's finger run through her wild hair and he looked up at Loa. He didn't need to speak a word. The woman come over quickly.
"Come child, let the King speak to his men." Loa whispered discreetly.
As Lis waved at him Thorin wanted to correct Loa's slip of the tongue. He was not the King anymore, but he knew the conditioning was too deeply embedded into these people to shed away in such short notice. It was even hard on him not to see himself as the King. Eilin's hand sailed down his shoulder blade and nudged him. "Do you mind if I took my leave to see Rhiannon please?" she whispered at him.
"Of course not my love." He frowned at her.
"Thank you." Eilin closed her eyes in relief.
"Dis can you take over? I think I will be tied up for a while," he rejoined and gave a fixed look at Fili and the Lords that were waiting for him patiently.
The princess clasped Eilin's hand tightly and pulled her away from Thorin's embrace. "Of course I will. Come with me. We have so much to talk about!"
Eilin gave him a worried smile and even though she wanted to see her friend Rhiannon desperately, she also didn't want to allow him to remain there alone. It felt as if Erebor had opened up and was ready to swallow her Thorin the moment he stepped foot in it. Why did the troops salute him in such a military manner? Why did Dwalin speak about the trumpets and the King? Why did all these people gather silently here to wait for him? Suddenly all the fears that the Shire had settled down, were trying to claw their way up through the narrow passages of her mind. She thought that his abdication meant freedom from every obligation, even though he told her clearly that he was still high in command. Nevertheless nothing could equal the obligations of a King and she had felt certain at least that this position was not going to burden him anymore. Was that true? She peeked above her shoulder. It sure as hell didn't look like that now that he was standing before the Lords, the court and all those commoners who were looking at him with sincere devotion and eager expectancy.
Eilin shook her head trying to dispel all those sudden doubts before allowing Dis to pull her through the awestricken commoners who opened up for the two ladies to pass. The murmurs of admiration followed them until they disappeared behind the archway of the King's Halls. Then the attentions of the gathered crowd turned back to the fallen King again. Neither him nor Eilin noticed Karunn's deadly stare piercing the newcomers from the shadows behind her sister's elated face. She took another step back afraid to allow Thorin to see her. When King Fili brought her back to Erebor she had been certain that Thorin the second was either dead or due to his abdication would never return to this stronghold ever again, although she was short on the details of his sudden departure. The only thing she was sure of was that her plan had worked perfectly and that no one knew anything when the new rulership of Erebor called her back. A rulership she could easily control, since the King was obviously in love with her idiotic sister. Now upon seeing this hated man re-entering Erebor and the city standing in attention upon his arrival she felt that things were not as clear as she had thought before. She decided to lay low and observe quietly in order to figure out the new dynamics of Erebor's royalty. Her eyes followed repulsed the princess leading the stable bitch away and then returned to King Fili and the Lords who were addressing her soon to be nemesis.
"Are you okay laddie?" Balin sounded very emotional.
Thorin placed his heavy arm on Balin's shoulder. "Better than I've been in years."
Balin wiped away his tears and tried to kiss Thorin's hand. "I have endless apologies to offer you..."
Thorin shook his head. "No, you do not." He pulled his hand away from Balin's mouth and pressed it tightly.
Balin covered his eyes and Thorin pulled him in for a warm embrace that was quickly reciprocated.
Then Thorin turned to his nephew who stood there majestically. He inclined his head respectfully at Fili and placed his tight fist above his heart. "My King, I am at your service." His voice was steady and his words rang crystal clear in the cavern. An anxious wave of murmurs overtook the crowd.
Fili reciprocated the respectful head inclination towards Thorin. "Welcome home my Lord. We've been expecting your arrival impatiently."
Thorin's lips upturned in a heartfelt smile.
Fili looked above his shoulders at the Lords who were also brimming with anticipation. "We would like to have a private word with you in the meeting room, if you have finished with your family reunion." His nephew spoke gracefully and every gesture of his was exceptionally refined under the public eye.
Thorin felt a flare of pride for his boy. "By all means my King. Lead and I shall follow." Thorin hand offered Fili the lead.
The young man smiled. "Join me please."
The remaining Lords fell behind them and the progression moved towards the meeting room, leaving the dense crowd on pins and needles. When they entered the long archways that led to the upper floors and their heavy military paces faded away in the distance, the cavern broke out with loud exclamations and excited faces that made Karunn's stomach twist with nervousness. She didn't know what was happening and suddenly she didn't feel as safe anymore. Not as long as this man was so close to her vicinity. Maybe she could ask for a leave from King Fili in order to return back to the Ironhills. Deciding to do so the moment the King was free of his obligations she rushed to leave the common areas and lock herself back in her rooms.
Thorin entered the meeting chamber and heard the door closing behind him, but his eyes got solemnly drawn to the contents that were on the round table. The scroll of his abdication was right next to the Raven Crown. His brows creased and he turned to nephew. It took him a few moments to compose himself. "I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd. That was an impressive welcome, but truly unexpected."
Fili urged the Lords to stand behind their appointed seats and smiled. "That was a small representation of the love the people have for you."
Thorin cast his eyes upon the carved golden surface of the desk. "I cannot deny that it touched me deeply. Thank you."
Fili shook his head. "We didn't organise that reception for you uncle."
Thorin looked up sharply at that and frowned.
"The common people, the soldiers and the workers all gathered on their own when we received news of your arrival." The Prince continued calmly.
"Not that they were not gathering most of the time in all the main caverns of Erebor anyway," Durar crossed his arms. Servin looked at him intently.
"The riots you talked about?" Thorin raised his brow.
Fili exhaled. "Indeed. They started out small from the mine shafts of the fifth level. Close to where the furnace accident happened, but spread out like wildfire through all of Erebor soon enough."
"When the workers stop their labour everything comes to a halt. Thank Mahal the soldiers remained out it for we weren't going to have any protection either. It took five days of silent rioting to bring Erebor to its knees. After a point everything stopped working in the stronghold. We didn't even have enough food as the hunters joined in with the rioters." Dain shook his head disheartened and several Lords nodded in bleak agreement.
"Didn't you try to address their demands?" Thorin scrutinised everyone.
Fili nodded. "Of course we did, but their demands were not easy to satisfy."
Thorin pursed his lips. "Well, am I entitled to learn these demands or should we stand here moping in misery for something that cannot be solved?"
Dain shook his head and gave Durar a guarded look. Servin suddenly found his hands rather interesting and Alangumar began admiring the elegant columns that circled the wide cavern. It was Bjarki that spoke for everyone. He took a step forth and looked Thorin in the eye. "They have only one demand."
Thorin exhaled through his nose and placed his hands on his wide belt. "Well?"
"They want you to retract your abdication." Bjarki continued solemnly.
Thorin felt the colour draining from his face and was unable to control himself well enough. He took a step back. "What?"
Fili crossed his arms with a quiet nod. "The people of Erebor do not accept the new rulership uncle. They demand that you return back to the throne as it's rightful heir."
Thorin's eyes fell sharply on his nephew. He felt his jawline flexing and the colour quickly mounted his cheeks again. "I retracted my right to the throne for some very serious reasons, or don't you remember? Everything I do happens for a reason. I cannot take back the abdication. Having a firm rulership under an unburdened ruler who will allow you people to unite under the King's gem is, was and will be my priority! I will not back down on this for no riot in Erebor!"
No one spoke and most averted their eyes from Thorin's anger.
"What do you all think this is, a game?! Get off the throne then get back on the throne! What kind of nonsense is this? I never expected the heads of the six families to act so irresponsibly towards such a serious matter!" He admonished with a forbidding glare that placed the room in complete attention. He turned his sombre eyes to his nephew. "Nor from the King."
Fili met his eyes steadily. "I never wanted to take your place. You forced me."
Thorin's hand cracked so sharply on the desk, it made everyone jerk upright. "I acted on behalf of the people of Erebor in order to bring balance to our race! Whatever I did was for them and you mean to tell me that you couldn't share half a brain between the lot of you in order to go and address the common people about what happened?"
No one spoke. Thorin's ferocity was ready to bulldoze everyone to the wall. He slipped easily back to the role of a ruler and they slipped back to his subordinates in the blink of an eye. "We didn't think it was necessary for them to learn the details of your abdication." Fili said.
Thorin cringed in disbelief. "How can you expect to gain the trust of your people if you hide the truth from them? You needed to gather your joined forces and address the people openly, all of you! Reveal the reasons for my abdication." He looked sternly at each and every one of them. "Forget it, I will address them myself." He made to walk to the door, but Fili's hand stopped him.
Thorin's eyes fell on that hand and his nephew withdrew it respectfully. "Please reconsider uncle. The people will not accept any other King as long as you are alive."
Thorin threw his hands in the air. "Well, forgive me for failing to kill myself back in The Hills of Black Sorcery." His tone was caustic.
Durar frowned. "No one suggested such a foul thing my King!"
"I am not your King and for good reason!" Thorin barked at him.
Dain raised his hand. "What good reason? The whole of Erebor is brought down to its knees and will remain in a deadlock unless you sit under the bloody Arkenstone! Even the Elven King has sent emissaries declaring that his alliance to Erebor will stand true only under King Thorin's rule!"
"Don't remind me of those bloody Elves now!" Alangumar grumbled.
"Well it was these Elves that saved him from certain death!" Dain spat angrily.
Bjarki decided to interpose. "What's more important to us right now?! Stop it all of you and think!"
They all looked at him.
"We must give the people what they need. We must stop these riots or Erebor will never flourish." Bjarki continued with a heavy voice.
Thorin felt a rumble of fury arising from the deepest part of his chest. "I sacrificed everything I've worked for all my life so my people could have what they need! So they can flourish under the unity of the seven families and now you are telling me that my biggest sacrifice yet, has managed the exact opposite?!"
Fili gritted his teeth. "The ruler you judge is best for Erebor is not the ruler the people want!" He pointed at the door.
Servin was watching from one to the other thoughtfully, not participating in the argument.
Thorin towered over his nephew. "The ruler the Lords want is not the same as the ruler the people want! Solve that for me, for I am at a loss here."
Fili backed up and lowered his eyes.
Thorin looked up at the heads of the families. "What would you have me do, tell me! You ask that I take back the rulership. Very well, and then what? Shall I let the dream of uniting our kin die like this? The people will understand if I explain to them why this had to happen. I broke my damned chains to this place. I am not willingly going to manacle myself again, especially since any return of mine will split the families up again. We'll find another way through this under the rulership of Fili."
Dain crossed his arms and spat through his teeth. "No, for I will not pledge my allegiance to my nephew."
Thorin felt his mouth dropping open. "No Dain, don't do this."
Bjarki pressed his lips. "Me neither."
Thorin turned to him in dismay.
"I am not either," Durar cried and Alangumar followed.
Fili straightened up looking rather pleased and Thorin noticed.
"Don't look so smug for managing to tear this unity apart. For such a short term rulership you've thrown the Kingdom into a havoc!" He came down on Fili like a ton of bricks.
"But is it torn apart?" Fili raised his brow.
Thorin pointed at the room. "Half of them don't want to pledge their allegiance to you, the other half don't want to pledge it to me. What do you suggest we do about this chaos? The unity of the seven Kingdoms has become a bloody chimera!"
Dain looked around in austerity and drew his sword. "I suggest we take a vow right here, right at this moment to the ruler we want to see under the Arkenstone. Solve this once and for all. For us and for the people of Erebor."
The Lords looked at each other.
"I will go first." He said and pranced proudly up to where Thorin and Fili were standing. He placed his sword at the table in front of Thorin. "My sword is yours. Use it and abuse it to your will my bastard." A pleased grin was buried under his thick ginger beard.
Thorin's brows came together in silent scrutiny.
Bjarki followed and drew his sword. He stood in front of Thorin at least a head shorter. He placed his sword next to Dain's. "My sword was yours since your days back in the Blue Mountains. I'd never accept any other King as long as you live and you know it." Then he turned to Fili and clasped his shoulder. "Even though I like this young fiery Dwarf you have carved as your spitting image."
Fili reciprocated with a kind smile and Bjarki went to stand next to Dain.
Durar then drew his huge sword. He smiled up at Thorin's unreadable expression. "I've witnessed the majesty that is in you. Both in battle and to the people around you. Lesser men and women asked for your help and you offered it generously. You could have ignored them, but chose not to. My sword is yours." He said and placed it next to Bjarki's.
Thorin's lips tensed.
Then Alangumar followed and drew his sword. He stopped in front of Thorin. "I've witnessed the respect with which you treated your wife to be, a woman of a lesser descent. I admire that to the utmost and believe not many rulers would have supported their hard choices as fearlessly as you did. You have my admiration, my pledge and my sword." He placed it next to Durar's.
Thorin's countenance began breaking.
Servin was the one who followed next, making Thorin's lips part and his eyes fill with uncertainty. He pulled his sword and stood in front of Fili and Thorin. "I have personal feuds with you my Lord. A long overburdened history that is not for the ears of this noble gathering, yet my personal sadness and loss do not eradicate your unprecedented bravery at war, your second to none ability to command our most skilled troops, your quick wit and your honourable actions towards your people, your kin and your family. Your legacy cannot be surpassed." -Servin looked him straight in the eyes- "You have my sword, my allegiance, my life and my heart." He placed his sword amidst the others and grasped Thorin's forearms. He bowed respectfully and walked over next to Dain.
Thorin closed his eyes for he felt them on the verge of tearing up after Servin's honest declaration of loyalty. The remaining two lords followed in unison and placed their swords next to Servin's. They bowed and vowed undying allegiance to Thorin before walking over to stand next to Servin. Thorin didn't dare open his eyes.
Fili drew both swords. "I am not one of the family Lords, but you know very well uncle that my swords are always yours. I revoke my right to the throne of Erebor, under the demand of the six Lords and my own wishes." He placed his swords next to the array of weaponry on the desk in front of Thorin. He then reached out and picked up the scroll. His lips turned down and he tore it in half.
Thorin's eyes flew open.
Fili raised his brow. "Your abdication King Thorin is not accepted by the new Dwarven Alliance. Nor is it accepted by the Alliance of Erebor with the Mirkwood Elves and Dale. Long live the King of the North." He said proudly and kneeled down in front of him. All the Lords kneeled down and looked towards the floor.
"Long live the King of the North!" They all repeated.
Thorin was left bereft of speech for several moments. When his heart allowed him the ability to talk again, his voice was hoarse. "Stand up, all of you."
They did so.
He throat felt dry and roughly used. "Your vote of confidence is deeply appreciated, but my rulership will not be in solidarity."
They looked at him partially confused.
"There is a woman standing by my side." His eyes swept the room with determination.
No one spoke.
"If you cannot accept my impending wedding to the mother of my children, then I will unfortunately decline this honourable pledge. I will remain the ruler of Erebor, but I shall not seek your unity under me anymore. May each take their own path and protect his own people," -the faces around him fell- "and may we come together as a unity in times of need. We are all one under Mahal's benevolent gaze. Those who disagree with the rules of my kingship are welcome to take back their swords."
No one moved.
It was Durar who took a step forth and placed his fist onto his chest. "I think I speak for all when I say that our swords remain yours my Lord. We are going to be honoured to share the happiness of your family."
Thorin looked every Lord in the eye. No one tried to retrieve his sword, even though Thorin waited for several moments.
He inclined his head imposingly. "Very well."
Durar smiled and aligned with the remaining lords who looked nervously at each other.
Fili pursed his lips. "Does that mean that you accept the throne of Erebor uncle? Your taciturnity, once a sign of reassurance, right now feels rather worrying."
Thorin placed his hand above the swords and gave them a soft smile. "I feel honoured by the trust shown in me. I shall do my best."
Everyone bowed their heads with signs of relief and smiles of pleasure. Several Lords exchanged handshakes and congratulations and Thorin allowed them to settle down before he spoke again.
"If you have finished, I would appreciate some moments of privacy," he said with a deep frown and looked at the Raven Crown that was sitting in the middle of the desk untouched.
All the Lords, apart from Dain, filed out of the room quietly and all were grinning with satisfaction as the door closed behind them.
Thorin looked at the Raven Crown silently for a long time and Dain didn't bother him. He just stood across from the King patiently. When finally Thorin spoke Dain closed his eyes painfully. "Thank you for everything you did."
"I wouldn't have pledged my allegiance to anyone else, but you." Dain said outright.
Thorin nodded and frowned. It took him several moments to address the subject that troubled him, Dain and possibly their relationship. Something that Thorin valued deeply and didn't want to see wrecked because of that evil woman. "How much do you know about Karunn?"
Dain shook his head. "Dis told me everything...every single word pierced through my bleeding heart like the sharpest dagger."
Thorin's brows clouded. "I am sorry Dain."
"What are you asking forgiveness for? Fain failing as a parent?" Dain snorted, but the bitterness was evident in his face and in his words.
Thorin kept silent.
"She searched Eilin's history in the tavern, didn't she?"
Thorin looked up.
"She dag up that poor woman Rhiannon and used the baby belt of your One to manipulate that scum to spit all these lies to you..." Dain looked truly spent now that the other Lords were not around and he didn't need to keep up any pretence.
"That's a very mild version, I suppose." Thorin rejoined.
Dain lifted his hand. "I know everything. How her actions led the royal family to ruins...Dis didn't give me the mild version cousin. She gave it to me brutally honest."
Thorin nodded. "Do you understand that my position is rather hard?"
"Mine too. I need to protect my family." Dain's eyes seared into his.
"And I need to protect mine." Thorin rebuked hard.
Dain looked at the table thoughtfully for several moments. "Are you going to call Fain here?"
"I just arrived. I know nothing yet, but I will ask you to remain away from Karunn. Fili told me you wanted to take over." Thorin frowned.
"She stained the name of my family to the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. There is no greater offence to me personally." Dain's jawline flexed.
"I feel heartbroken that such an incident came between our families. An alliance that has been standing strong for many centuries." Thorin looked at Dain solemnly.
"This woman's deeds will not break us apart Thorin. I will make sure of that." Dain's teeth gritted.
"You speak of yourself, but Fain is a different story. I don't want the Ironhills intervening on the punishment of this woman." Thorin's voice became leaden.
"Durar kept me from killing her..." Dain whispered.
The King shuddered at the honesty of Dain's voice.
"Do you believe me?" The rough Ironfoot hissed.
"I do..." Thorin nodded quietly.
"I shall not let anyone come between the trust that we have for each other. Especially someone who tried to deceive and harm you, despite that they are my flesh and blood." Dain seized Thorin's arm hard.
Thorin's clear gaze fell on Dain.
"But I will ask you..." Dain's eyes filled with tears.
Thorin looked at him intensely.
"No...I will beg you to protect my Valdis from all this. Shield her with all your might. Work alongside me on this. Help me...help my family." Dain said broken.
Thorin reached out and grasped Dain's forearm with equal fervour. "On my word of honour I shall."
Dain closed his eyes and several tears stained his cheeks and got trapped in his beard. He squeezed Thorin's arm tightly and then gave him a curt nod. "Do you wish me to talk to Karunn? I cannot vouch that I will not draw my sword and slash her throat depending on what filth she's going to spill on me though. Forgive me cousin."
Thorin shook his head. "No, stand aside. Give me time to settle down and talk to the prisoners and the witnesses first. Allow me to have a rounded opinion of the whole situation and then we shall talk again."
"I need to learn what Nyrthrasir had to do with Karunn...Why did she have such power over him?" Dain's eyes clouded with a darkness that unsettled Thorin's heart.
"I need to learn that too...for I am yet short on the details." Thorin rejoined.
Dain averted his eyes to the Raven Crown and after a few moments he nodded. "You wish me to remain?"
Thorin shook his head. "Give him a few moments of silence, I beg you."
Dain gave a respectful bow to the King and left before he allowed Thorin to see the tears that pooled in his eyes.
Thorin's large palm covered his eyes as he sat in quiet reflectiveness for a long time. Not seeking out the company of his family, his friends or his court. He lingered there, pondering over everything that happened so quickly after his arrival, until the door opened up silently.
"You managed it, didn't you?" Dwalin sat down heavily and pulled over the Raven Crown. He twisted it around in his large fingers.
Thorin removed his hand and raised his brow.
"You saved your people after Smaug attacked, you made them flourish in new lands, you reclaimed our old homeland, you vanquished our enemies, you created the strongest alliance between Dwarves, Elves and Men the North has seen in centuries, you restored the King's gem and you united the heads of the Seven, under your rule. Durin would have been proud of his heir." Dwalin sounded immensely proud.
A strong shudder echoed through his spine. "Did you know about this when we were at the Shire?"
"The trumpets thrice shall ring..." Dwalin let his sentence float in the air.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You were so peaceful and content in Hobbiton. I haven't seen you like this in centuries. I was afraid if I told you, you wouldn't have returned." Dwalin replied honestly.
Thorin felt his throat constricting.
"But you had to. There is no one else who can lead this Alliance, but you. No one the Elves will vow their allegiance to, but you. For Dale it is the same. Instead of fearing that this crown will chain you back to the past, use the strength you gained from your deliverance to carve the new path of your kingship."
"I fear it..." Thorin frowned towards the Raven Crown.
Dwalin lifted it up to his face and looked at Thorin behind it. "You shouldn't."
"Last time I wore it, it almost tore me apart." Thorin continued with a hoarse voice.
"You have set the rules of your kingship my friend this time and they have been accepted. You are not burdened anymore by the sickness of your forefathers. If you wear the Raven Crown this time it will be under your rules. You are not following the ghosts of the past. You are carving your own path in Erebor like you did at the Blue Mountains. This crown has no real power over you. It's just the representation of your power over the Lonely Mountain, over the North." Dwalin said.
Thorin turned to him solemnly. "You always know what to say to calm me down, don't you?"
Dwalin smirked. "I know you inside out, although that swat had been totally unforeseen. That took me by surprise and I won't forget it easily." Dwalin rubbed his nape.
Thorin's lips turned down. "Your blind loyalty earned you that."
Dwalin seized Thorin's nape and brought their foreheads together. "A loyalty that will not waver even in front of death!"
Thorin closed his eyes and reciprocated. "I know..."
Dwalin pulled back almost angry for having shown this much emotion and tossed his arms. "Enough for Mahal's holy beard. Knock my head again and get me out of my misery."
Thorin chuckled. "I'll give you something we can both handle better. Tell Balin to bring me every order I have left in my office before departing. Every order Fili didn't utilise during my absence."
Dwalin's mouth formed a tactful smile. "At your orders my King."
Thorin raised his hand and stopped him. "Also arrest Karunn. Lock her in the ninth level dungeons."
A ghostly smile appeared on Dwalin's mouth. "Oh, that will be an immense pleasure."
A small faded smile formed at the hairpin of Thorin's mouth and his hands tightened slightly around the Raven Crown as Dwalin closed the door behind him. He remained wordlessly bemusing at it until the door knocked again and Balin with Fili entered.
"Why do you look so sulky? You accomplished everything you've set out to do! I am so proud of you laddie!" Balin beamed.
Fili smirked and crossed his arms patiently. "Sulkiness is embedded into his skin. He cannot shake it away."
Thorin raised his brow warningly at his nephew. "Do you have the orders?"
Balin nodded and emptied all five of them at the desk.
Thorin raised his brow at Fili. "You didn't utilise a single one of them?"
Fili shook his head and twisted his lips smugly. "Not a single one."
"Why?"
"I was never the King of this stronghold uncle. No matter your noble intentions the title was always yours." Fili grinned down to him.
Balin quickly placed the red candle in front of Thorin and also the ring with the royal sigil. "Uhm, you'll need these ones also." He said and struck the brimstone in order to light up the candle.
Thorin's eyes looked thoughtfully at the small flickering flame as he placed the ring on his third finger inattentively. He opened up the scrolls and signed them carefully. When he finished he sealed each one with the royal sigil of the Longbeards. He turned to Balin and gave him the first scroll. "Open up the trade routes for the Elves of Mirkwood."
Balin bowed.
Thorin gave him the second. "Open up the trading routes for Dale" -Then he picked up the third- "These are orders for joined military training and operations with the Elves of Mirkwood." -He gave Balin the fourth- "Send masons to rebuild the Dwarven Road of Mirkwood. The trading route with the Northmen and the western part of Mirkwood is now open. Fili has my instructions about the trees I marked, right?"
Fili nodded smugly. "Yes, I do."
Finally Thorin twisted the last scroll between his fingers reflectively. He gave it to Balin and faded smile spread on his lips. "The order for the creation of the new Dwarven Alliance under the Longbeards. All Lords must sign it."
Balin bowed with a wide smile and picked up the last scroll with reverence. "At your orders laddie!"
Fili laughed. "You look the happiest I've ever seen you."
"I am the happiest I've ever been!" Balin stated and left with the scrolls tightly held in his arms.
When the door closed behind Fili turned to his uncle. "Can we not get into Balin's enthusiasm with your first orders as King of the North? I've got something important to tell you."
Thorin smiled. "We won't. What happened?"
Fili scrounged his lips. "The royal guards arrested three shady humans at the borders of Mirkwood. They were trying to get away from Thranduil's troops and fell right onto us. We arrested them, even though the Elves insisted they had to take them to their King."
"Why did you bother with them?" Thorin frowned.
Fili crossed his arms. "Because they used Karunn's name."
Thorin's chin came up at that. "They know Karunn?"
"Apparently she denied them payment for their services, that is why they were lurking in our lands. They were waiting for her in order to discuss their deal anew. They insist they have no feud with the Mountain King or the Elves and they want no trouble. They looked absolutely terrified, but I don't like their faces to be quite honest. I wouldn't trust them to speak the truth. What do you want me to do with them?" Fili raised his brow rather satisfied that he fell back to being the commander of the royal guards instead of the King of Erebor.
Thorin leaned back and caressed his bearded chin broodily. "Throw them in the dungeons and tell Dain I wish to speak with his soldiers. The ones who followed his older niece out into the wilderness."
Fili inclined his head and bowed. "At your orders."
The moment the door closed behind, Thorin relaxed back and stippled his fingers in front of his mouth. His eyes gazed at the fading flame that sizzled suddenly and sent small sparks flying onto the Raven Crown. His stare turned purposeful and his forefingers rubbed softly against each other as the wheels inside his mind began turning slowly.
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