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A/N: As always I want to thank my precious friend StephCalvino for everything she's doing for this story. Both for her beta reading and for her amazing reviews, which I must urge you to read as they give the story another dimension. Above all though I thank her for offering me so many brilliant ideas that I am able to utilise. *.*
One part shrewdness, three parts recklessness
It took Thorin four days of intense studying of the Elder Laws in order to find what he wanted. Four days where he met several times with all the Lords about the riots that had been tormenting Erebor during his absence and the effect they had on the overall function of the kingdom. The moment the people understood that Thorin the second was not only the Mountain King again, but officially King of the North every single riot instantly ceased and Erebor resumed its former activities, only much more ardently. After Thorin's restoration to the throne, it seemed like everyone was out to prove themselves to their King. From the highest Lords to the lowest delvers and everyone in between. Such was the love and the respect the people had for him, but buried as he was mostly in the meeting rooms and in the library he couldn't truly feel it. He didn't have much interaction with the common people, who were so happy to have him back they always snuck behind some column or remained hidden in some alcove just to admire him as he walked by surrounded by his court.
The one who had a true difficulty understanding the love of the common people though was Eilin who got ultimately confused whenever someone was bowing or kneeling in front of her. Dis tried to explain patiently that Eilin was the future Queen, so she should get used to people treating her with reverence, especially after everyone learned that she was carrying the heir to the throne of the Mountain. People flocked in order to admire her stunning beauty and to muse enchanted at her ever growing belly. They were whispering behind their hands about how beautiful the heir was going to be. They saw hope in Eilin and her belly. They felt hope dawning in Erebor and in their lives after centuries of darkness, but for Eilin all this was at times overwhelming. She wasn't born a Queen. She didn't know how to handle the magnitude of the people's attentions and she was full of awkward nervousness. Something that truly appealed to Thorin to her dismay. When she was fidgeting with anxiety, he was biting his lower lip, truly bewitched by the red colour that had mounted on her cheeks and at how fast her bosom was undulating as she tried to describe to him what happened in the King's Halls when a number of people surrounded her in admiration. He suggested two royal guards to escort her at all times in order to keep the people away, she denied. She yearned for this love and acceptance. She longed for this forwardness towards her, she just didn't know how to handle the immensity of it all. He reassured her that he was there to help her learn. Slowly and patiently. No one was going to make her hurry through anything. She had all the time in the world to ease into her new roles in life, as a wife and a Queen, but the part of the mother was not so easy. He told her one night with a soft voice that their child controlled the time she had left until she became a mom, but not to worry for he was there to share the burden.
So at the end of each demanding day, Eilin usually curled up in Thorin's arms describing to him in every detail the way the commoners treated her, still uncertain what to do with all that ample love and unspoken approval. He listened to her patiently until she had emptied all her worries and then he gently reassured her that she needed to do nothing more than be herself. That is what the people loved in her. When she was thoroughly pacified about her new role as the Queen, she always shifted the conversation to Karunn and her need to face her. Thorin kept trying to avoid that confrontation on purpose, because he was afraid that any kind of stress might cause problems to Eilin's pregnancy.
She always rebuked irritated. "I am not made out of glass! You promised to allow me closure with this evil woman!"
Each day she came in strong to him and each night he managed to coax the annoyance out of her by running his fingers through her hair gently or massaging her pained back until she fell asleep. If those tricks failed then he used his amazing ability to create angelic music with his harp in order to lull her to sleep, but he didn't know for how long he was going to be able to avoid Eilin's steadfast request for a closure.
That morning Thorin left Eilin sleeping in their bed in order to get buried into his office since the very early hours of dawn. He was keenly concentrated on translating the Elder Laws he wanted, from the ancient runes to common speech when the door knocked and Balin peeked inside. "You free my King?" he inquired.
Thorin didn't break his focus. "I never am."
"Lieutenant Dongar is here to see you, per your request." Balin said and pulled aside to allow the impressive Lieutenant to come in.
Thorin looked up from the scrolls for a few silent moments before speaking. "Indeed. Approach Dongar." He said in a peremptory way.
The lieutenant walked in and when he reached Thorin's elaborate desk he kneeled down and placed his fist above his chest. "My King, I am at your orders."
Thorin's brow flicked slightly as his azure stare observed his sister's romantic interest for what felt like forever. "That will be all Balin."
His advisor bowed and closed the door quietly.
Thorin surveyed Dongar thoughtfully. "Stand up."
Dongar stood up and raised his eyes steadily at the King. "My Lord, I haven't been given the chance to welcome you back to Erebor officially yet. Allow me to do so now." He attempted a timid smile, but it was difficult because Thorin had always been a terrifying figure of authority for him.
Thorin leaned back on his golden carved chair. "Your conduct is most welcome."
Dongar bowed. "Please tell me what services I can offer you my King, for I am yours."
Thorin inhaled deeply and his eyes fell on the scrolls that were open upon his desk. "Onerous ones for certain."
Dongar sulked. "I don't know if I should be intrigued to hear that, or apprehensive."
Thorin leaned his elbow on the arm of his chair and his hand caressed his beard thoughtfully. "It came to my attention that you are well acquainted with Lieutenant Nyrthrasir of the Ironhills. Is that true?"
Dongar countenance remained calm as he replied. "Yes my Lord, we were good friends back then. I still consider him a friend."
Thorin inclined his head. "How much do you know about your friend's personal life?"
Dongar felt a few drops of sweat breaking on his forehead. "Less than I would have wanted. He was always a very private man."
Thorin pursed his lips. "I asked for information about him from the Ironhills and Lord Fain replied that he had been rather close to their family. A personal bodyguard of his wife if I am not mistaken?"
Dongar nodded, but kept his mouth sealed. With each passing word, it was beginning to become clearer why Thorin had called him here this morning and waves of dread began squeezing his stomach tight.
"During a short period of time he had taken over the protection of Fain's daughters also. Correct?" Thorin continued unfazed by the changing colours in Dongar's face.
"Yes, my Lord." Dongar shifted his stance as he was becoming increasingly nervous.
"All was well and good until out of nowhere he threw away all his distinctions in order to work in the deepest drifts as a miner..." Thorin waited for Dongar to pick up.
The lieutenant averted his eyes. "Yes, he had that misfortune."
"Lord Fain informed me that Nyrthrasir downgraded himself and chose to change profession, thusly creating a really turbulent environment for his family." Thorin continued.
"I was not aware..." Dongar began, but Thorin raised his hand in authority and the Lieutenant stopped.
"Do you think it is logical that one would choose to abandon a rather prominent military career in order to work as a miner? I am not offending that proud profession, but it is a rather shady move, you must admit."
Dongar swallowed heavily. "It is my King."
Thorin paused for a few moments, allowing Dongar to brew in a cauldron of uncertainty. "I'd like to hear your opinion on Nyrthrasir's shifting careers. You being his friend should have a better insight."
Dongar felt his throat growing drier with each passing moment. "I don't know my Lord."
Thorin stood up slowly. His tall imposing frame overtook the office and Dongar had to stop himself from cowering away. "This is the moment where things become complicated between us."
Dongar frowned.
"You declare ignorance whilst I am rather convinced that you do know what happened back at the Ironhills to your friend Nyrthrasir." Thorin's cold stare bore down on the Lieutenant heavy.
Dongar averted his eyes to his hands.
"I would appreciate it deeply if you divulged those secrets to me." Thorin's voice dropped low.
Dongar felt so on edge, that the moment Thorin's voice became firmer he lost every inch of control he had managed to maintain up till then. His voice elevated and he took an eager step towards the King with a pleading gaze. "My Lord, I know nothing! I swear..."
Thorin rounded the desk and raised his hand again calmly. "Lieutenant, you are a soldier. I would appreciate it if you also acted as one."
Dongar paled.
"Act honourably and reveal to me what happened to Nyrthrasir in the Ironhills. Tell me what cost him his prominent military career, which he tried to pursue with a clean slate here under my rule recently." He continued with a presence of mind that rattled Dongar's self certainty even more.
"My Lord, this secret you require of me is his to reveal. It concerns his family. Don't ask me to become a whistleblower, I beg you," Dongar replied with sincerity.
Thorin crossed his hands behind his back and his head lowered menacingly. "Your friend is screaming bloody murder on Karunn's name, after recovering from a suicide attempt that was also probably connected to her."
Dongar took a step back and his bottom lip began trembling.
"His wife that you are so willing to protect lost her baby, because he stood at death's door. Do you know why he is imprisoned?" Thorin's glare seared into Dongar's very soul rendering him weak.
The lieutenant shook his head in alarm. "His imprisonment was kept a secret by your family your Royal Highness."
"He slurred the honour of the future Queen and almost killed my unborn child by spewing lies about her to me." Thorin delivered coldly.
"Oh heavens..." Dongar stammered.
"My nephew informed me that Nyrthrasir's poor wife was kneeling outside the doors of this office, all the days I was missing, begging for some information about her husband and about his unfair imprisonment. You want to protect Nyrthrasir's secrets and his family, but his wife is already more exposed than he would have ever wished for." Thorin continued.
Dongar felt his legs buckling and he kneeled in front of his King as all the pieces of what had taken place started falling into place for him. "Oh, my Lord my heart is so broken that you had to meet a side of Nyrthrasir I believed had eclipsed. I am sure he thought he was doing the best..."
Thorin spoke over him. "For his wife and unborn child. As did I. That is not an excuse to destroy a family."
Dongar lowered his head and felt his eyes tearing up.
"What was his connection with Karunn back in the Ironhills Lieutenant? I already know, but I need your official testimony." Thorin's voice was full of steel.
"What will his punishment be my Lord?"
"Treason against the state is punishable by death." Thorin's lips curled up as he delivered that blow.
Dongar covered his mouth. "Please have pity on him."
"Like he had on me?" Thorin raised his brow.
Dongar closed his eyes in defeat.
Silence lingered long in the office until a heavy hand landed on the Lieutenant's shoulder and he shuddered. "You fear me too much."
Dongar opened up his eyes and inhaled sharply. He couldn't summon the courage to speak.
"I am not addressing you today as a King, but as a brother in law." Thorin's voice got warmer.
Dongar looked up shocked and his mouth dropped open. "What?" he croaked.
Thorin inclined his head majestically and squeezed Dongar's shoulder. "My sister is interested in you lieutenant and I won't be the one to stand in the way of her happiness. You have sustained all the tests I placed upon you, but this is the ultimate one and I expect you to deliver."
Dongar's eyes came alive suddenly and Thorin recognised that so he continued calmly.
"What will you do? Will you protect the already destroyed family of your friend that this woman tore apart or help the family of your future brother in law who barely escaped this woman's evil clutches?" Thorin raised his brow and kept his voice equanimous.
"I will speak...I will speak. Mahal may forgive me for betraying my friend's trust for the woman I love...but I shall speak." Dongar muttered under his breath.
"I am listening," Thorin said quietly.
Dongar closed his eyes and grimaced. It took him several moments to come to a resolution and when he spoke next his body was shaking. "Nyrthrasir was unfaithful to his wife with Karunn. She had a strong hold of him back in the Ironhills. When he decided to return to his his wife, Karunn turned all vengeance. She forced him to abandon the army with the threat that she was going to reveal everything to Myrna. They left the Ironhills happy to see the last of her and tried to build a new life here in Erebor, until she crossed his path once more."
Thorin's brow rose slowly as Dongar validated all his suspicions.
Dongar hurried to spit every word of truth he knew before he changed his mind. "She manipulated him my Lord. That's all she knows how to do, but she does it masterfully."
Thorin squared his shoulders and his eyes gained a gloomy shadow as he looked towards the fireplace. "Know that I appreciate your honesty and I shall reward it."
Dongar bowed his head and placed his tight fist upon his chest. "I will do anything for you and your honourable sister."
Thorin gazed down at him coldly. "I will need your official testimony."
"You have it!" Dongar responded with an eagerness the King didn't acknowledge as he got drawn into dark thoughts slowly.
Thorin's jaw flexed. "I don't need anything else. You are dismissed."
Dongar pushed himself up on wobbly legs and turned to the door quickly, needing to leave this office. On one hand he felt satisfied that he had offered Dis' brother the information he needed, on the other he felt like the worst traitor to his friend.
Thorin's voice stopped him just as he turned the handle. "You won't be allowed to come into contact with him yet."
Dongar felt his head pounding. "Please my Lord don't say anything to Myrna about all this."
"It's not my place to speak of Nyrthrasir's shortcomings to his poor wife." Thorin rejoined.
Dongar closed his eyes with an exhalation of relief. "Thank you."
"Before you leave..." Thorin's voice trailed.
Dongar felt his back shuddering with fresh apprehension. "At your orders my Lord, to my death." He squeezed his eyes tight, wishing for this torment to end.
"I left my sister in the great dining room. All this has affected her greatly. I am sure she will appreciate some good company." Thorin let the thought trail.
Dongar's lips parted and he inhaled sharply. "My Lord..." he looked above his shoulder with teary eyes.
"Dismissed." Thorin's voice turned stony once more after that small warm intermission.
"Your Royal Highness." Dongar bowed and gave the King a look that was a mixture between adoration and fear before closing the door behind him.
Thorin leaned onto his desk and crossed his arms on his chest. He kept his eyes directed towards the fireplace, not moving an inch until the door opened up and Balin's head made its appearance.
"He left?" he whispered.
Thorin nodded.
Balin came in. "So?"
"We have the third testimony and very soon I will have the fourth." Thorin said coldly.
"Third?" Balin frowned.
"Dain's soldiers have already signed theirs, right after Rhiannon." Thorin rejoined.
Balin rubbed his hands together and licked his lower lip. "Perfect. Was it difficult to make him speak?"
Thorin's brow rose slowly. "Not at all."
Balin swallowed heavily. "So you have almost all the testimonies and you can call her on a public trial."
Thorin fixed his heavy gaze on his advisor. "Who told you there will be a trial Balin?"
Balin crossed his arms and remained silent. "Then why do you need all these testimonies for?"
"Because trial or not everything shall be handled according to the Laws of the Elders and I need to have all the official paperwork in my hands." Thorin's eyes clouded.
Balin exhaled. "I don't know what you intend to do, but this will be very hard to manage."
Thorin nodded. "That won't stop me. I will stop at nothing until I am satisfied with this woman's punishment. I will bring Erebor to its knees if needed, but I shall have my revenge." Thorin's voice became so deep that it's timbre reverberated through Balin's spine.
The old advisor pressed his lips pensively. "I have no doubt that you will, but how in the name of Mahal will you manage to avoid the inevitable feud with Fain? Especially now that you managed the Dwarven Alliance, balances are truly thin."
Thorin looked back at his handwritten scrolls.
"Do you even have any idea how you are going to handle all this hell?" Balin frowned.
"I think I do." Thorin whispered and a ghostly smile appeared on his lips.
Balin's frown deepened with uncertainty.
That noon at the great dining room Eilin was sitting next to princess Dis trying to enjoy her lunch, but it was impossible. Her mind kept playing around with the idea that Thorin was trying to keep her away from Karunn on purpose and that no matter how many times she asked him for an audience he would find some cute little way to get out of it. She pierced a potato with her fork and placed it in her mouth angrily. Then she forced herself to chew even though she was not hungry at all.
Dis felt her discomfort and leaned over. "You don't feel well?"
When Eilin swallowed the potato, it also felt as if with it she also wanted to swallow her annoyance. "Tell me my Lady please...he's avoiding isn't he?"
Dis sighed patiently. "I believe so, yes."
Eilin's look didn't waver.
"He's avoiding." -Dis flicked her shoulder- "and I don't blame him."
Eilin crossed her arms and rested them absently on her growing belly. "You agree with this even though you understand how important it is for me to get closure with this woman?" she felt waves of adrenaline running down her back. She was not a violent person by any means. Actually she was always an advocate of peace, but at that moment as the memories of her separation from Thorin flooded her mind, she just couldn't control her anger. She wanted to throw down her fork stand up and push their table so hard that it would topple over. Then she wanted to walk down to Karunn's cell and get physical. Something that she had never wanted to do with anyone in her life. She avoided any kind of altercations, but each time she remembered the blood that had gushed down her legs in Bilbo's home she shuddered from fury. Whenever she recalled Dis' recent revelation about Thorin's suicide mission in Dol Guldur, her body woke up violently, longing to lash out at the beast who caused all this pain for them. Every time she remembered Myrna's lost baby, her eyes teared up as the mother in her couldn't even imagine the pain.
Dis pursed her lips. "I know my brother well enough. Don't interfere with his plans..." she began, but Eilin spoke over her.
"I am not talking about his plans. I wouldn't do anything to disrespect them, but I am talking about my own need, my Lady. My need to face the woman who destroyed us and ask her the questions Thorin hasn't asked her yet." Eilin's voice elevated.
Dis grabbed her arm. "Please keep your voice down sis. If Thorin wishes you to remain away from Karunn then that is what you must do. If he doesn't want to escort you to her yet, he has a reason. Listen to his orders please and stop acting foolishly. I understand your need, but please stop for the sake of all of us."
"His orders don't make any sense my Lady. He promised me closure and I cannot rest until I have it. The child in me almost died because of that woman. He almost died..." Eilin rebuked and her eyes overflowed with tears.
Dis bit her lower lip and cupped Eilin's hand. "I know you love him and you are ready to share your life with him, but you don't have much experience with him as a ruler. Nothing that Thorin does is without reason. None of his commands are without serious thought. He plans ahead for everything that concerns his rule and this woman's punishment is on the foremost of his attention at this moment. So, if I were you I'd trust on his judgement and respectfully pull back. He will give you your wish when he feels secure enough, I am sure."
Eilin closed her eyes. One hand cupped her forehead the other began caressing her bump gently. "I trust Thorin with my life, but my need to talk to Karunn is truly overwhelming. The more I know that the blood I shed out of my body was because of her, the more I want to face her. The more I remember how she broke us apart, the more I want to lash out at her..." She let that trail off with a whisper of uncertainty.
Dis raised her brow. "Lash out at her?"
Eilin felt the need to explain. "I want to lash out so bad that my body is trembling. I've never been violent my lady, but I cannot help myself. Whenever I remember Karunn's deeds I feel two hands ripping my heart open and allowing all the anger and fear I have suppressed in it spilling out uncontrollably. I didn't even know about Thorin's suicide mission! Not only did I get separated from him, not only did I almost lose our child, but I almost lost him to the darkness of the East and all that was because of her!" When she finished her tears had already released and were running down the bridge of her nose.
Dis pressed her hand tightly. "I understand your frustration, but you shall not attack this dangerous woman. You are pregnant and your primary goal is to keep yourself and your baby safe. You cannot act as if you are not carrying another person inside of you Eilin, straighten your attitude please!" -Dis admonished and when Eilin averted her eyes she wiped those tears away from her upper lip gently- "You will not endanger your pregnancy again for Karunn. My brother will go crazy if he finds out that you approached her without him being present. I know he's adamant that you keep away from her. He's told me, you and his royal guards also. He fears that any confrontation with Karunn will endanger your pregnancy and so do I. Only you seem oblivious of that danger..."
Eilin felt her stomach clenching painfully. "I don't need this kind of protection from him, I am not that sensitive. I need to be allowed the freedom to have my closure with this filth!"
"Then give him the opportunity to offer it to you, under the safety of his presence, alright?" Dis tried patiently.
Eilin's fingers stippled angrily.
Dis's hand cupped them gently. "Alright my angry beauty?"
Eilin felt her lips upturning slightly. "I will try."
Dis's mouth formed a gentle smile. "I see the fire Thorin has seen in you. You've kept it hidden for too long, but you need to learn how to control it now that you have the power to unleash it. The future Queen of Erebor must not react upon instinct, but upon careful thought, knowledge and patience. Thorin can teach you that very well if you subdue your fire long enough to listen to him."
Eilin looked up at Dis. The magnitude of these words felt too weighty on her soul. "The Queen of Erebor?"
Dis's smile widened. "Well, yes. You cannot react as if you are still a maiden in a tavern my dear. You cannot kick the door of her cell in, grab her by the hair and roll on the floor kicking and screaming."
Eilin's lips broke into a subtle smile.
"You are going to be the Queen of the people soon. Queens don't act on impulse, correct?" the Princess said patiently.
Eilin nodded feeling lost and her hands began numbing down slowly. The idea of the formidable dominion she had gained by being Thorin's future wife had always overpowered her, but right now it all felt too real for her.
"King's don't act on impulse either" -Dis continued, but in an afterthought she bit her tongue playfully- "Most of the times."
Eilin snorted.
"So trust him. He knows what he's doing." Dis resumed.
Eilin remained silent for a long time, while Dis' eyes were eating her up. When she finally spoke her face turned sour. "What about him trusting me, my lady? Shouldn't he trust me that I can face Karunn alone and not mess up? I know I was not born a noble woman and I don't know how to act like one. I don't know how to act like a Queen, but even though my instincts call me back to my roots, shouldn't I be trusted that I can face my enemies with equanimity in order to demand the answers I need from them without waiting for my husband to guide me through?"
Dis' fingers clutched Eilin's hand. "Trust is earned. It needs time to be built. It cannot be demanded."
Eilin's face paled.
"You need first and foremost to learn patience. That will prove to Thorin that you can be trusted to act alone in such demanding situations."
Eilin looked up at that steadily.
Dis scrounged her lips. "Nevertheless even if you had already proven that you can act prudently, I believe he'd still be on top of you due to your pregnancy. I'd enjoy that if I were you my darling. His protectiveness is not much different than my husband's or my father's. Settle down your worries and keep yourself safe, alright?"
Eilin exhaled and her brows creased in irritation, but she remained silent.
"There is a group coming for us. Let's practice you acting like a Queen!" Dis nudged her playfully.
Eilin opened up her eyes and looked with dread at a group of five colourfully dressed young ladies approaching. They were holding a large circular basket between them that had a beautiful assortment of snow flowers entwined into intricate patterns. They reached their table and then came down to their knees. "Lady Eilin, Lady Dis. Good morning."
It was easy for Dis to take over. "Good morning ladies. What's all this?"
One of the ladies stood up, but kept her hands crossed and her head bowed low. "We came to offer this token of love to Lady Eilin as a welcoming gift."
Eilin felt her cheeks blushing. "This is for me?" her mouth gawked.
Dis's hand pressed hers. "Lady Eilin appreciates your gesture a lot I am sure."
The girl that had taken over speaking for everyone bowed. "Just our way of showing you how happy we are that you have returned to Erebor my lady! It was made by all the women down at the kitchens!"
Eilin felt her eyes tearing up.
Lady Dis smiled. "You did a wonderful job. The flower crowns are beautiful."
Eilin's hand came around her neck and her fingers smoothed over Thorin's diamond necklace. "They are truly amazing! Thank you!" She looked at the basket enthusiastically.
The women smiled at each other happily. Another one from the back stood up and approached the table. "You used to be a maiden like us! We love you!" her words were so heartfelt that Eilin's eyes pooled with tears. She stood up then, forgetting all about acting like a Queen and rounded the table in order to embrace that girl. "I hope I will not let you down my dear," she whispered and caressed the girl's back.
"You won't my lady. You've given hope to all of us. When you left darkness fell on Erebor, but now that you are back hope is back also! We are at your service!" The girl rejoined fervently.
Eilin pulled back and wiped the tears away from her cheeks. "Thank you..." she whispered truly touched.
Dis remained at the sidelines enjoying how heartfelt was the embrace of Erebor towards Eilin, and how loving was hers towards every woman. Only when they left did she speak again. "They truly love you."
Eilin smiled brightly. "I love them too."
"Appreciate them, but keep your love for your family. Your attention and love will be demanded by so many people, that if you offer it freely to each and everyone you will have none left for your husband and kids. A ruler must be approachable, but there is a limit. Rulers must offer kindness and console their people, but they must do so from a safe distance that will not stain their everyday life. Balances are very thin, but you shall learn in time." Dis smiled at her sweetly.
Eilin got ready to reply, but the sharp voice of Lady Valdis made them both look towards the entrance.
The young daughter of Fain run up to them out of breath and grabbed hold of the table. "Please tell me that what I learned is a lie!"
"What do you mean?" Dis frowned.
"My uncle tried to keep it hidden from me, but something like that cannot be kept a secret for too long. My sister is under arrest isn't she?" Valdis' demanding stare penetrated Dis.
Dis scrounged her lips and raised her brow silently. She gave a muted warning of silence towards Eilin.
"What the hell happened to my sister?" Valdis frowned.
Eilin tensed.
Dis' hand fell on Eilin's forearm. "Steady my dear. Remember our conversation. As for you Lady Valdis, keep your voice down!"
Valdis felt the blood draining from her face. "Why is she imprisoned? What did she do?"
Dis' jawline flexed. "If the King and your uncle haven't informed you, then it's not my place to do it."
Valdis swallowed heavily. "She is my flesh and blood..."
Dis' brow lifted. "I am sure the King shall notify you when it is time."
Valdis' demeanour took a plunge. "I will go talk to him then!"
Dis' hand released Eilin and she straightened up imposingly. "You need to be patient and keep away from Karunn at the moment, much like Eilin. Know that the King has a very good reason for arresting your sister."
Valdis wiped away her pale lips. "I need answers my lady...am I to wait for the King in order to get them about something so important to me personally? About something that concerns my family? I need to know...I need closure desperately!"
Eilin's face became ghostly white. "Isn't she right though?"
Dis looked at Eilin in apprehension. "What's gotten into you now?"
Eilin shook her head and stood up sharply. "I need to go, forgive me."
Dis paled and turned angrily towards a bewildered Valdis. "Not a word from your mouth about this whole situation. Is that clear?"
Valdis was petrified.
"Not a word unless you want to lose your good graces with my son," Dis continued relentlessly.
Valdis inhaled sharply and bowed her head. "Not a word, my lady."
Dis grumbled in anger and dashed after Eilin. She knew her sister-in-law was about to act against all logic and Dis didn't have the time to search for her brother. She didn't want to leave Eilin alone long enough to search for Thorin. She had to do this on her own.
Down at the dungeons Thorin stood imposingly in front of the guards. "Is he still alive?"
"Just barely. He hasn't stopped throwing himself at the walls. We had to restraint him several times, your Royal Highness." The guard bowed his head.
"I see," Thorin replied coldly.
"His wife keeps coming multiple times a day, begging to see him," the guard continued.
Thorin's eyes thinned.
"We didn't allow her in your Royal Highness." The guard bowed.
Thorin looked coldly at the door. "Open it up."
They did so and he entered. The first thing that attacked him was the humid, stale air of the underground tunnels. The impulsive cringe that surfaced was pushed back by years of experience from living rough. The walls of the cell were dripping wet as a water pipe had broken. Almost every single available surface was saturated with mold. His heavy boots paced with a military tempo that echoed against the rocky surface of the claustrophobic environment.
A sound that was something between a groan and a gag came from a dark recess on the wall. The guard who followed Thorin passed in front and shed light on that corner with his torch. To say that the King was surprised by the deteriorating condition of Nyrthrasir would have been an exaggeration. He stopped in front of his ex-tormentor and looked down at him haughtily. Nyrthrasir was kneeling against the wall with his hands chained on it. His clothes had all been ripped to pieces by his valiant efforts to bring the walls of his confinement down. Puss filled scars were spread all over his skin and he reeked of piss and sweat. His once beautiful mane was mated and dirty and so was his beard braid that had ticks crawling in and out of its ridges.
Thorin sat on his heels and scanned Nyrthrasir's face calmly. It was black from dirt and Thorin felt unable to recognise the handsome dwarf that had spoken all these lies to him that dreadful night. He had a suspicion that he wouldn't be able to recognise him even if he was cleaned and combed. His face was a complete blank in Thorin's memory. The shock of Nyrthrasir's words had erased the characteristics of his face, but not of his voice. Thorin remembered that voice very well along with every single word that it had uttered.
Thorin lifted his hand, demanding the torch. The guard gave it to him. "Out!" he commanded. The guard bowed and closed the heavy door behind him. Thorin sat at his heels for several moments in thoughtful silence as Nyrthrasir was floating in limbo. Moaning and groaning, but not opening up his eyes to look at the King.
Finally Thorin decided to draw his attention in a much more potent manner. He stood up and placed such a vicious kick on Nyrthrasir's side that the man's eyes flew open and he howled in pain.
"I expect more pain resilience from one of my soldiers," Thorin spat in disdain.
Nyrthrasir heaved and squinted his eyes in order to see who was was standing loftily in front of him. The sudden realisation made his eyes fill with dread and a terrified exhalation along with a moan of pain escaped his throat.
"Do you recognise me or are you too messed up?" Thorin raised his brow.
Nyrthrasir's head nodded dumbly. "I know who you are, your Roy-al High-ness," his hoarse voice came out with difficulty.
Thorin remained impassive
"Am I still one of your sol-diers?" Nyrthrasir stammered.
"Until further notice yes, therefore I expect you to act as one," Thorin rejoined coldly.
Nyrthrasir tried to straighten himself which was impossible to do without a gag of pain. "I am at your orders my Lo-rd," he forced himself to say.
Thorin's lips broke into a sarcastic smile. He placed the torch into the wall and rounded Nyrthrasir. He took out a key and unlocked the manacles that held his hands up. "Are you indeed at my orders?" he rejoined.
Nyrthrasir's numb arms fell down at his sides and his eyes closed down involuntarily. "Only at your orders my Lord..."
Thorin scowled. "I thought you have only one master" -he stopped and his brow rose slowly- "That was a slip of the tongue. A mistress...you only have one mistress, possibly literally," he let the thought trail off.
Nyrthrasir hissed in anguish and averted his eyes.
"That mistress of yours destroyed my family and almost killed my unborn child." Thorin said deliberately.
"Karunn...she's not my mistress anymore." Nyrthrasir's whisper held in it hidden a terrifying shadow.
Thorin sat down at a protrusion of a rock and leaned his elbows on his knees. "That didn't stop her from using you, did it?"
Nyrthrasir lowered his eyes at his knees.
"Neither did it stop you from lying through your teeth about my wife's honour," these words were spat in disgust. Thorin's hands became tight fists and a wave of fear chased down Nyrthrasir's back. His tongue licked his upper lip through the gap Thorin's formidable punch had created that night in the woods. The teeth out of which he had spilled his lies about Eilin were now gone. He didn't want to raise the wrath of that terrifying King again.
"I did it to save my wife and unborn child..." he muttered not daring to look Thorin in the eyes.
"By destroying my wife and unborn child. How very noble of you. A just cause in your mind, no doubt..." each word was slipping out of the King's tongue with acidic accuracy.
Nyrthrasir shuddered. "That was the most serious mistake of my life..."
Thorin's solemn voice didn't allow him to complete his thought. "I am not here to listen to your half hearted guilt trips."
Nyrthrasir looked down in dismay.
Thorin raised his brow. "I don't care about your personal hell, but I do care about the hell you created for me and my family..."
Nyrthrasir closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Please forgive me...I plead for your mercy..."
Thorin straightened up indifferently. "You didn't have any mercy of me as you were throwing my world into ruins, did you?"
Nyrthrasir swallowed hard. "I would have rather died than live to see the royal family destroyed, but I did what I had to do to save my wife. You know what love can make a man do my Lord I am certain. You would have brought Erebor to ruins if it meant you could save the woman you loved."
"You didn't save your child. By trying to commit suicide you killed it." Thorin frowned.
Nyrthrasir's fingers flexed on the rocks underneath. "I didn't try to commit suicide my Lord."
That gave paused to Thorin.
Nyrthrasir gained the courage to look up to him. "I don't remember what happened. I only know that I was walking alone, trying to settle down my feelings about the nightmare I had created, when I felt something cold wrapping around my throat. I remember nothing else after that. I woke up in isolation. I wouldn't have endangered my wife's pregnancy my Lord, after speaking of all those lies and destroying your family. I would have remained silent hoping that I would go undetected for the rest of my life. Even though my words sound dishonourable and despicable to you, I am speaking of the truth."
Thorin's eyes thinned. "Someone tried to kill you?"
Nyrthrasir looked at his bloody palms. "I know it was her. She wanted to take revenge not only on you, but on me and my wife. She never forgave me for what happened back in the Ironhills. She's so vindictive and evil."
Thorin inhaled deeply and his forearms flexed in silent tension.
"Once I fulfilled her plans for you, she lashed out on me, making it look like suicide. She knew that my wife's poor health would either cause her to die or miscarry when she would witness my death. She managed to take her revenge on everyone who wronged her..." Nyrthrasir whispered and felt waves of fury rushing through his broken body.
Thorin crossed his hands in front of his knees and remained silent observant, something that filled Nyrthrasir with the need to speak more.
"The Maker was just in his judgment, my Lord. He saved your child and took mine. I worked as a tool of evil and I had to be punished for my actions." Nyrthrasir's eyes filled with tears.
"We don't have any witnesses of the attack on you. That renders your words meaningless. I don't have enough evidence to support an attempted murder." Thorin rejoined coldly.
"She did it! I am sure! Please believe me.." Nyrthrasir pushed himself up and scooted with his knees closer to Thorin.
Eilin's desperate pleads to be believed returned to Thorin with a vengeance and his eyes became hard and relentless towards the man who caused him to treat his One so ruthlessly. "So one criminal tried to get rid of another one. All this matters little to me, unless it can stand in a royal court as a valid accusation against Karunn."
Nyrthrasir paled. "I don't know if anyone saw what happened to me..."
"Therefore it remains useless information for me. As far as I am concerned Karunn could have gotten rid of you for all of us." Thorin rejoined unmoved.
Nyrthrasir cupped his mouth and tears cascaded above the back of his hands.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say that you are trying to find a gentle string in my heart to pull. Unfortunately there is none for you or Karunn. You almost killed my unborn child and you stained my wife's honour."
Nyrthrasir closed his eyes tight and bit the inside of his lip till his mouth filled with blood.
"You made me believe my wife was not only unfaithful, but a bloody whore!" Thorin spat and the adrenaline rush that overflowed him on that thought was sudden and unexpected.
Nyrthrasir cried in fear and grabbed his head to protect himself.
Thorin's nose flared. "You slurred my bride's name. You made her seem like the worst trash of Middle Earth..." he snapped.
Nyrthrasir didn't dare move as his body shook uncontrollably.
"You endangered the life in her loins by spitting those filthy lies from your mouth!" Thorin flexed his arms trying to control the fury in him from running rampart. This was not what he came here to do today, but the memories of Nyrthrasir's degrading words for Eilin were making him lose control quickly.
"I have lived to regret every single word I uttered my Lord..." Nyrthrasir stammered, but his words were cut short.
Thorin's weighty hand delivered him such a violent backslap that Nyrthrasir got hurtled back onto the wall he had been chained on, bashing his head on a protruding rock hard. Blood run down his nape and he cried in pain.
"You aimed straight at my family and I am out for revenge." Thorin hissed and his fists tightened.
Nyrthrasir fell onto the ground and his head swam with dizziness. "Plea-se ..." he stuttered
Thorin pressed his lips trying to settle down the fire rushing through his blood and settled down the confused thoughts in his mind. He needed to regain control quickly before he ended up killing one of his most valued key players. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes for several moments as he tried internally to quieten the frantic voices that called for blood. "Do you understand why you are in isolation?" he said finally after a long silent pause.
Nyrthrasir groaned in pain and tried to push himself up, but failed as the blood from the back of his head began pooling on the stones of the floor. "Y-es."
"Do you understand why you are not allowed to speak to your wife?"
A moan of pain escaped him and tears exploded just at the mention of Myrna's name.
"Do you know which crime you are being accused of?" Thorin continued forbiddingly.
Nyrthrasir's fingers clutched the stones under him. He didn't want to listen.
Thorin inclined his head. "Treason. Do you know the punishment for this crime in Erebor?"
Nyrthrasir swallowed hard. "Death."
Thorin inhaled deeply. "Death by public hanging. The golden bell of Erebor will chime three times to call the break of dawn before they lead you to the gallows pole. Giving you ample time to reflect on your past crimes. Three times..." -he drawled- "Exactly as many as it chimed that night you decided to destroy my family." His voice was rich with suppressed fury.
Nyrthrasir tried to push his dizziness away long enough to focus on Thorin's face. "I lost my child! There is no harder punishment than this! Kill me, but spare my wife of the knowledge. Let me see her once before I die...please!" He cried and tried to grab Thorin's boots again.
Thorin stood up slowly. His stony gaze fell on the man writhing at his feet. "Losing a child..." he whispered.
Nyrthrasir moaned and tried to wipe away his eyes.
"The thought of losing my child...it almost killed me..." Thorin's voice dropped into a menacing whisper full of dark undertones.
Nyrthrasir looked up in despair.
"Your actions led to the loss of your child and almost to the loss of mine..." Thorin's eyes glistened with sparks of retribution.
Nyrthrasir's breath got trapped as Thorin's eyes kept a firm hold of the whole of him.
"I want satisfaction...I want revenge..." Thorin's deep voice trailed off.
Nyrthrasir was hanging from Thorin's mouth.
"As I am sure you do..." Thorin's voice became challenging. He felt his anger backtracking quickly, allowing his cold calculative mind to take over once more.
Nyrthrasir's fists opened up and saliva run down the side of his chin. He had all but forgotten the blood covering his back or his head throbbing. "Revenge, yes..." he looked at the King dazed.
"Your poor wife... begging every day and night to see you..." Thorin's lips curled up in a cold smile that sent shivers down Nyrthrasir's back.
"Let me see her, I beg you!" he pleaded in anguish.
"You are on a death sentence. You won't be allowed to hold Myrna or mourn the loss of your poor child who was the only innocent victim of this evil scheme..." Thorin continued his cold blooded torment.
Nyrthrasir wailed and pulled out his hair.
"Myrna will attend your execution and I will make sure she's in the first row. She will listen to every single detail of your treason against the state, including your affair with Karunn. I might even gift her with your tongue after you die. Just a small reminder of how much excrement a tongue can deliver when it is ruled by a contemptible and sordid mind." Thorin raised his brow unemotionally.
Nyrthrasir's jawline flexed and his eyes filled suddenly with desperate pain. "Kill me! Kill me now! Thrust your sword through me, but spare Myrna!"
Thorin's lip upturned in a terrifying lopsided smile. "I will not spare her as your didn't spare my wife. She means little to me, but I know she means the world to you..."
Nyrthrasir threw himself onto the sharp stones of the floor and began bashing his head on them. He wanted to die quickly before listening to another torturous word from the King's mouth.
Thorin's hand grabbed the back of Nyrthrasir's head and kept him aloft. "You will not get away from me so easily. Not after the pain you delivered. I will cause you equal if not bigger pain or else I shall never rest..." he whispered with a menacing undertone and his strong fingers twisted painfully around Nyrthrasir's bloody hair.
Nyrthrasir hissed in pain. "Let me take my own life, please!" He pleaded with a broken voice.
"I wonder if Myrna's weak heart will keep on beating when she sees you hanging dead in front of everyone. Stripped from all your honours, with your infidelity exposed." Thorin continued mercilessly.
Nyrthrasir yell of pain tore through his vocal chords. "Have mercy, kill me just kill me now!"
"You want mercy?" Thorin's eyes thinned.
"YES!" Nyrthrasir fingers tried to grasp Thorin's knees beseechingly.
"There might be a way to make me change my mind about your impending punishment..." he let that thought float and released Nyrthrasir.
The man kept himself from hitting the floor with great difficulty as his arms were weak and shaking. His saliva got mingled with his blood and trickled down his chin and onto his beard braid. "Wh-at? What way?" he stammered breathless.
"There is a way to change what seems to be set in stone..." Thorin stood up and cleared his hands on his trousers.
Nyrthrasir looked up and tried to focus on the King. "Tell me anything! I'll do anything to change your mind and spare my wife! Ask me anything you want! My testimony maybe?! You have it, just don't show it to Myrna!"
"I want you to think...think long and hard about what Karunn's manipulation did to your wife. Instead of asking mercy off of me, ask for revenge against those who destroyed your family and killed your child."
Nyrthrasir muddled eyes gave out a flare of sudden recognition. "Revenge, yes..."
Thorin pursed his lips. "I am patient. I can wait. There will come a time when I will ask you a question and then I will demand an answer."
Nyrthrasir was frozen. Only his eyelids moved when he blinked.
"Until then, remember that nothing is set in stone." -Thorin said calmly and Nyrthrasir held his breath- "Not even your trial."
Nyrthrasir's lips parted and a defeated exhalation escaped him. "My Ki-ng..." he stuttered.
Thorin inclined his head once more and left the cell. He walked quietly away from the dungeons thinking how this confrontation almost cost him the control he valued so much, when a shrill cry of anguish made him look up sharply just in time to see a dark haired woman falling on him and grasping his waist in desperation.
"My Lord, you just exited the dungeons I saw you!" she yelled into his face.
He cringed and had to fight the urge to push this woman away. He had never seen her before. He raised his hands away from her body as she hang onto him like a barnacle. "Who are you?"
"Myrna, my name is Myrna!" -she cried and Thorin didn't need to hear anything else to understand- "I am Nyrthrasir's wife. Nyrthrasir? You know him, don't you? Was it him you visited in the dungeons your majesty?"
He bit the inside of his lower lip and grabbed her biceps firmly. Then he pushed her away as gently as possible. "Yes." He said solemnly.
She tried to hug him again, but he kept her at arm's distance.
"Why is he imprisoned my Lord? The guards are not telling me! He's in isolation and I don't know why! You must know why he's there my Lord, you must know! Please tell me I beg you! I lost my child, I cannot afford to lose my husband!" She kneeled down heavily and touched his boots in reverence.
His presence of mind was enough to sustain both of them at that moment. He pulled her up. "Hold on woman. Keep your tears at bay."
"Is he alive? Is he ill?!" Myrna's eyes were looking at him pleadingly.
"He's well," he lied.
Myrna's tears ran like rivers down the side of her nose and created pools of despair on her lips. "Why is he imprisoned my Lord? The only thing I know is that he was involved in an accident, which caused me to miscarry. Then he was in a coma at the infirmary when your guards came to take him down at the dungeons. What did my poor husband do to you!? Why did you order his arrest? He loved you, he admired you to the utmost! He was so proud to belong to your army!" Her voice floated in limbo between accusation and fear.
Thorin released her biceps and looked down at her solemnly. "He's an important witness in a case of treason against the state. He must not communicate with anyone until we have a satisfying resolution to this very important problem."
"He's accused of treason...?!" she muttered and all colour fled her face.
Thorin's jawline flexed. "He's a witness, he's not accused." He lied. Contrary to making Nyrthrasir believe his indifference towards this woman, now that he had her in front of him he was unable to play on her the same hard game he played on her husband.
Her shaking palms covered her mouth. "So..so...he's imprisoned in order to assist you?" Her voice sounded muted.
Thorin sighed deeply. "Yes, in order to keep the information he knows a secret until this case is solved."
Her eyes closed and her knees buckled as she all but fainted in his arms. He kept her up and looked around him for help. "May Mahal bless you and your family with health my King. Thank you...thank you for offering me this hope! I thought I was going to lose him also. I've lost our baby...I just couldn't live...I couldn't live knowing that he was going to die too..."
Thorin's lips pressed in disapproval. He didn't like lying to this woman, but he also didn't want to reveal the truth and destroy her. Myrna was just an innocent victim, much like Eilin. "All is well. You need to pull yourself together and stop coming down to the dungeons. When the time comes you shall see your husband again."
Her whole body quivered and she pressed her face on his metal plated vest staining it with her tears. "Thank you my Lord. Bless your all embracing heart!"
"Do you have anyone to take care of you? You can barely stand..." he looked down at her with a mild frown of concern.
"My cousin is home sleeping. I snuck out..." Myrna whispered.
"Like all the other times you've been at the dungeons...You've been sneaking out all this time?" Thorin's lips twisted.
She nodded fiercely and tried to wipe her nose clean with the back of her forefinger. "Yes."
"Where is your abode?" Thorin sighed patiently.
Myrna pointed the corridor they were to take and Thorin led her stoically back to her home. The moment the door closed behind her with many blessings towards him and his family he made his way quickly up to the ground levels, needing to get back in his office. He wasn't allowed though, because the moment he entered the King's Halls Balin and Dwalin caught up with him and they seemed rather nervous.
"Laddie, for heaven's sake where have you been?!"
"You know very well where I have been," Thorin scowled at his advisor.
"We sent soldiers to the dungeons, but they didn't find you!" Balin looked up bewildered.
Thorin closed his eyes remembering his detour with Nyrthrasir's wife. He pinched his nose and waved at Balin. "Matters not! Tell me what you want for I have work to do."
Balin grabbed his forearm. "Your lass has rushed down to the ninth level dungeons and your sister went after her. She was the one who told us to inform you."
Thorin paled.
"Was Eilin's visit to Karunn part of your well thought plans, because I am rather certain it wasn't..." Dwalin said cheekily.
Thorin turned to his friend annoyed. "Is this the right time to poke me? I have given strict orders for Eilin to keep away from Karunn unless I am there!"
"Well, apparently she disobeyed you..." Dwalin raised both brows in wonderment.
Thorin's nose flared angrily. "The guards have orders to keep Karunn in isolation. Eilin won't be able to get in."
Balin pressed Thorin's forearm. "How certain are you of that?"
Thorin gritted his teeth and pulled his arm free as he darted towards the corridors that led to the dungeons again. The all consuming air of fury that surrounded him dispersed everyone away from his path.
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