*****************************...***********************************
*****************************...***********************************
Run away from the nightmares
Eilin's eyes cracked open and gazed at the darkness behind the drawn curtains. What time was it? She removed her eyes from the window and looked in front of the fireplace where Thorin was standing all dressed up, quiet and thoughtful. His elbow was resting on the mantelpiece and a pipe was hanging from his lips that was not lit yet. Something was not quite right. At this hour he was always asleep next to her.
"Is it still night?" she whispered.
He looked above his shoulder calmly. "Close to the break of dawn. Did I wake you?"
She frowned. "Didn't you want to wake me? Were you going to sneak out?" She sounded reproachful.
He took out his pipe and placed it on the mantelpiece. Then he walked to her and sat at the bed. His hand came out and smoothed her tangled up hair away from her face. "Are you scolding me?"
She reached up and clutched his wrist. A few tears pooled in her eyes. "Last time you left at such an ungodly hour was because you read a hateful message about me..."
A soft smile came to his lips that was tainted by the immense sadness in his eyes when he understood how much all this adventure had scared their relationship. "This is nothing like that, I assure you." His thumb caressed her cheek gently.
A timid smile cracked on her lips. "It isn't?"
He shook his head. "No. I was not trying to sneak out. I just have to leave very early today and I didn't want to bother you, that's all."
"Why?" she frowned. "You rarely start work before the break of dawn."
"It is one of these rare occasions that I have to." His voice was hushed.
She discerned the shift in his eyes though. She saw the darkness that awoke in them. Her fingers pressed his muscular forearm tightly. "What will happen today Thorin?" she whispered. "From the look in your eyes and the official clothes you are wearing, it won't be anything good, will it?"
He pressed his lips and looked at her mouth with a small frown.
"Karunn?" Eilin exhaled.
His eyes lifted up to hers steadily.
"Tell me please." She whispered.
He leaned down until their mouths gently touched. He captured her lips between his softly once and then repeated it as many times as he needed in order to feel the sigh of relief from Eilin's chest escaping to his mouth. Then he pulled back and lingered close to her cheek. His eyes closed down. "You don't have to know everything about Erebor now do you? Remember what we said? I need to go."
Her fingers turned to desperate clutches on him. "Don't go like that! I will be in fear until you return."
"I am not going into battle my beloved and I am most certainly not sneaking out. Lean back and rest please..." he whispered and pushed her back down. She allowed him to cover her up as her eyes were eating him with worry. When he came down to gift her with dozens of affectionate kisses all over her face she began feeling slightly better. He whispered to her. "Close her eyes and sleep more. I will return the moment I finish with everything."
During all this Eilin's stomach was clenching with fear, but she didn't resist him. "I don't want to sleep anymore."
"Don't argue with me young lady!" he warned with a sly smile and cupped her cheek. When he heard no answer from her and felt secure that she was going to listen to him, he stood up and walked to the door.
That is when her impatience betrayed her and she pushed the quilts away from her body and ran to him. "Wait!"
He turned around. "Didn't I just tell you to stay into bed? Are you disobeying?" He raised his brows, but only part of his countenance was serious. The other one had a hint of playfulness that partly reassured Eilin that maybe she was misreading things. When the teasing Thorin came to life, she knew their relationship held strong and they were not sailing any dark waters.
She shook her head. "I think something serious is going to happen. I can read it in your eyes."
"I rule seven kingdoms my heart, serious things happen every single day at least to one of them," he sounded casual about something that was truly so weighty.
She raised her finger at him. "I am going to put something on and come with you. I might even try on one of these sensual dresses that always make you hot under the collar and I will accompany you. When you finish we come back, you take the dress off of me in any manner you want and I give you pleasure before we both sleep. Deal?" she went to the cupboard and began rampaging through it messily. A nagging feeling at the pit of her stomach was making her uneasy. She didn't want him to go alone anywhere today.
He came up behind her and his heavy hand landed on her shoulder. He turned her around. "That sounds unspeakably alluring..."
"You cannot resist dresses, I know..." she bit her lower lip and played with the lapels of his leather vest.
He tucked her long hair above her neck and traced the thin chain of the diamond dove. He leaned down and gave a gentle peck at the base of her neck. She sighed and closed her eyes. His hands reached up and clasped hers, pulling them gently away from the cupboard. "Nevertheless, you cannot accompany me today Eilin. There are days where I have to be King, alone. Forgive me."
She huffed. "I am not returning to bed. I'll sit here by the fire until you come back. Or I'll walk, that's a better idea! I'll walk around Erebor until you come back to tell me why you had to leave this early and why your eyes are so full of darkness. They are oozing shadows I don't want to see or remember. You had that look in your eyes before, during our separation."
He turned her around and clutched her shoulders. "Is that what you fear?"
She hesitated before nodding. "That amongst other things..." she admitted with a diminished voice.
He smirked and she frowned. "To bed young lady. You are growing bigger by the day and your eyes have serious traces of sleeplessness. I won't allow you to wake up this early when your body needs so much rest, especially since there is no reason. Whatever it is I have to take care of it's my job, not yours. Your job is to care of your body and of our child. Back to bed before I force you in it!"
This sudden change of attitude from him made her feel slightly better, but she was not reassured just yet. "Nope! Forget it!" she rebuked him with a searching smile.
He exhaled through his nose irritated. Then out of the blue, he placed his arm under her knees and lifted her up. She grabbed his shoulders for support. "What are you doing!?" she cried.
He walked with her in his arms and placed her gently in bed. "I am acting out on my threat, now silence!"
She giggled.
He pulled the covers tightly against her body. "You will remain here and close your eyes! That's an order!"
She bit her lower lip and raised her brow. "I might sleep if you lull me with a song...or maybe massage my back, or maybe caress my hair?" she tried to entice him to remain.
That is when the bell chimed the first call of dawn and his eyes lost their playfulness and returned to the shadows that made Eilin's stomach clench. "I cannot this morning my love. I really have to go, but I will return soon. Till then do me a favour and rest. For the well being of you and for our child. Please..." it was his turn to beg.
She felt her heart melting and she reached up and pulled him in a tight embrace that he reciprocated. "I'll try. Just please don't take too long to come back to me."
"I won't." His fingers entwined through her hair making her eyes close down.
"This isn't like the last time is it?" She whispered.
His lips turned down and his fingers tightened on her head lovingly. "It is most certainly not. Now please rest." He gave her a doting kiss on her forehead and pushed her back in bed.
She laid there and forced a fearful smile on her lips.
His look was that of such utter devotion that Eilin felt it warm up her soul. Finally a ghostly smile cracked on his lips as he leaned down and pecked her lips softly. Then he stood up and walked to the door. "Don't you dare get out of bed. When I come back I don't want to see the paleness on your cheeks or the black circles under your eyes. I'll tell Lis to look after you."
"Don't wake up the poor kid!" she frowned and pushed the covers back.
"Back-in-bed!" he commanded with the door half open. She looked at the guards outside who remained totally apathetic.
Her foot peeked from under the covers, but he brought his heavy boot down angrily on the stone floor in order to scare her. She yelped and fell back into bed finally releasing a bubbly laughter as his playful behaviour finally managed to soothe down her fears. He raised his finger. "Don't you dare disobey..." he warned.
She brought the quilt up to her eyes, but then she turned around on purpose and revealed to him her bottom, not truly caring about the guards. She knew they'd never turn around. She wiggled it provocatively and looked above her shoulder at his face turning red and steamy. "Will this manage to bring you back?" she whispered.
He crushed the door behind him and walked up to her so defiantly that she cowered away from him. He climbed onto bed and straddled her. She screeched and tried to kick him off, but his thighs tightened around her hips and kept her still. Then his hands grabbed her wrists and pinned them next to her head. A guttural growl escaped him as he lowered himself and captured her mouth in a kiss that was demanding, fiery and deeply possessive. She had no choice but to comply as he ignited a mixture of feelings in her body that blew fog all over her mind. She felt the roughness of his palms chafing the sensitive skin of her wrists, as she meekly tried to present him with some half hearted resistance. When he pulled back she was heaving and her eyes were closed. As for her mind...that had forgotten all about his official attire and the fact that he never woke up at this hour. It was blessedly swimming with things that she wanted him to do to her. "Now I am leaving...so no more showing me your voluptuous bottom...okay?" he whispered upon her lips and she moaned against the hotness of his breath.
"Okay..." She was surprised his fierce kiss had left her with enough logic in order to respond.
He shook his head. "I really need to go. Try to sleep a little bit...please..." his mouth opened up and allowed his teeth to nip her softness of her cheek gently.
She felt aroused by his handling and annoyed by his insistence to keep this morning a secret, but she nodded half heartedly. He moved his mouth on hers and gave her a gentle peck. Then he got off her and straightened his vest and hair before he opened the door again.
"Don't do anything you'll regret my love," her voice was low and solemn.
"I shall not. That is a promise," he raised his brow with equal graveness and every single drop of playfulness erased from his countenance, which became regal in the blink of an eye. He inclined his head to her respectfully and closed the door behind him.
Eilin huffed and turned sideways. Her hand rested on her baby bump and she caressed it softly. "I hope daddy will be okay Rhianaye." She whispered and caressed a round protrusion that could have been the baby's head. Then she looked through the crack in the curtains and waited impatiently for the break of dawn. She knew sleep wouldn't come to her easy now and she was right...it didn't.
When the gates opened up for him, the bell was chiming out the final call before dawn and every inch of playful behaviour that had come out so naturally with Eilin, melted to the ground under the heavy regards of the men that were waiting for him outside. The two carriages were aligned and escorted by a group of four mounted soldiers each. Thorin led his horse by the bridle and stood next to Dain.
"This won't be a good morning." He said solemnly.
"No, it won't." Came the forbidding answer.
Thorin's jawline settled. "Are you ready?"
Dain's eyes were bloodshot and the dark circles around them betrayed that he hadn't slept through the night. Still though he puffed up his chest proudly and pressed his lips. "I am always ready."
Thorin inclined his head and turned to Durar who immediately bowed his head when the King's attention was on him. "Fili informed you of this affair correct?"
Durar's face became officially strict. "He did my Lord."
"You helped a lot with Lord Dain's distress already," Thorin noted.
Durar's certainty wavered slightly and he turned at Dain who was looking lost at the carriages. "I tried my Lord. I understand this is a very private matter and very sensitive to Lord Dain. I want to thank you for trusting me with it."
"And I wish to thank you for assisting my family to sustain through this hellish trial Durar. I shall never forget what you have done for Dain." Thorin rejoined sincerely.
Durar closed his eyes and pressed his fist upon his chest. "I am yours my Lord."
Thorin gave a grateful nod to Durar and then turned his attention to the least expected participant of this solemn gathering.
"My Lord, I am at your orders!" Servin bowed his head and pressed his fist above his heart.
"Lord Dwalin related to me your eagerness to assist the search parties when I went missing a few moons ago." Thorin frowned.
"I did my Lord." Servin said without meeting Thorin's eyes.
"Why did you?" Thorin approached and his eyes burned through Servin's head.
"I acted out of character and listened in on a private discussion of your family, my Lord. I must ask your forgiveness for that, but it helped me realise how awfully you have been deceived by the person in question. After becoming an unfortunate witness to the historical moment of your abdication and learning the driving force behind it, there was nothing else residing in my heart, but an honest will to assist your family in any manner. We have a very heavy history my Lord, which cannot be erased, nevertheless I saw enough to understand that not everything is black and white as I believed. There are always the grey areas that I had thoroughly ignored through the years, as I was blinded by my pain." Servin spoke with all the honesty he felt in his heart.
"I understand." Thorin said with an unwavering presence of mind.
"Forgive me for intruding the privacy of your family in this manner..." Servin looked up at him.
Thorin's lips broke into a faded smile. "Thank you for offering your assistance both to my family and the search parties. Thank you for being the first one to arrive for my rescue in Dol Guldur, right after Lord Dwalin."
Dwalin raised his brow.
"An honour my Lord," Servin bowed his head.
Thorin inhaled deeply and looked at each man in the eye. "You have all been called here today as witnesses. Today's events will follow the laws of our Elders and no rule shall be broken." Then Thorin's gaze fell on his advisor.
Balin nodded and bowed. "With the addition of the King there are four Lords out of the seven from the Dwarven alliance, therefore a majority. We can continue with the proceedings."
"Lord Dain?" Thorin turned towards the only one there whom he truly cared about this morning.
Dain was so absorbed that he didn't hear anything. Durar gave him a nudge.
Dain inhaled sharply and looked back at Thorin who was waiting patiently. "What?" he asked confused.
"Shall we begin?" Thorin asked calmly.
Dain inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "Yes, let's get this over with."
Thorin mounted and so did everyone else. He took the lead along with Dain and Durar. When he looked up to the sky he saw the heavy rain clouds lingering ominous above his lands, yet the soft singing of the birds and the fresh grass that was sprouting after this immensely harsh winter, eliminated the sinisterness of the sky.
It took them a long time to reach the training grounds as the progression was slow paced and they were all quiet. Each person was drawn deep into their own heavy thoughts. When they aligned at the designated spot, a soft rainfall has began that was cooling their brows, clearing up the dirt from the carriages and making the coats of their horses shiny. Thorin inhaled deeply the refreshing scent of the wet ground and listened to the soothing silence of the forest all around them. He dismounted and everyone mimicked him. He turned around and gave the signal to the guards of the first carriage. The doors opened and the soldiers pulled out a dishevelled Karunn who met the brightness of the outside world after a long time of dark isolation with a wince of pain. She tried to cover her eyes, but the chains that bound her wrists and shins didn't allow her. She almost fell, but her escort kept her aloft.
Dain tensed and the King gave Durar a cautious look that send him immediately next to Dain. All the facial hair from Karunn's face had been shaved and her hair had been cut off, but she still maintained her warrior braid, that was more a gift from her father than a true statement of some brave accomplishment. She was dressed in a torn white undergarment and her boots had been removed. Her throat were bearing the heavy bruising from Thorin's rough handling. She looked around her confused for a moment until she saw the solemn assembly that was observing her. Her eyes fell on the King and her face paled. Then her eyes looked at Dain almost in despair and she made to dash towards him. "Uncle!" The soldiers and the chains stopped her.
Dain became stiff and Durar tensed with him.
"Uncle where is daddy?!" she cried and tried to shake the soldier away from her back.
Dain remained silent.
"Why aren't you talking to me?!" Karunn's face began cracking in fear.
Dain averted his eyes and Durar's hand landed on his bicep.
Karunn looked at all the other forbidding faces, but it was Thorin that her eyes lingered on, regaining quickly some of their wrath and defiance. "Why did you bring me here? I thought I was going to go through a trial!" She spat at him.
Thorin raised his brow nonchalantly.
Karunn stomped her foot down and screeched after a long silence that was intended to break even the mightiest of spirits. "Who are all these people? Why are there so many soldiers?!"
Thorin remained undisturbed and that broke Karunn's verbal delirium.
It took her several moments of apprehensive deliberation to manage to speak again, but her lips were quivering when she did so. "You are going to kill me, aren't you?"
Thorin's countenance was totally expressionless.
Karunn's eyes thinned. "Why else would you bring me out here at this hour? You decided to dodge the trial, didn't you? Did you wake up one morning and resolved into killing me?" The accusation and the hatred were obvious in her voice.
Thorin's lips pressed and he crossed his hands at his back, unperturbed.
Karunn's beady eyes shifted from one man to another, trying to find some support. She inhaled deeply and licked her lips nervously. Her voice crawled up to them from the forest bed, eerie and filled with an apprehension which was masked under waves of hatred towards Thorin. "See the bravery of your mighty King! He's got a poor woman bound in chains and escorted by dozens of soldiers just in order to get rid of her. He cannot even do it himself!" she spat vehemently.
Dain who until then was trying to calm down the shaking of his hands, yanked his arm free off Durar's tight hold and tried to lash out to her. Durar quickly got in front of Dain and detained him with great difficulty. "Shut your mouth your little whore or I will come over there and kill you myself, do you hear me?!" Dain thundered.
Karunn's eyes dilated in horror and she took a step back. "Uncle, what are you saying..." she stammered.
Dain tried to get rid of Durar who did an amazing job at stopping the immense strength of this impressive Dwarf Lord. "Steady mate...no...!" Durar snapped.
"Let me get her! Let me get her!" -Dain growled in fury.
Karunn's eyes turned to the other Lords, searching for anyone that might be willing to assist her. "So many men against one woman...your bravery is monumental..." she spat vehemently, this time not only to Thorin, but to all of them, even her uncle who was almost in a frenzy.
"You have the audacity to challenge our honour" Dain's fist struck his heart and his eyes filled with tears- "when your actions have forever stained the name of our family in the eyes of all the Dwarven clans that have ever been, are and will be! You have the nerve to call out us instead of bowing your head and begging for forgiveness! How presumptuous, how evil, how degenerate, how unrepentant can you be?!" Dain shouted and Durar was finding it harder and harder to contain him.
"Where are my parents!? They should have been here, witnesses to my demise like you all are!" Karunn bellowed in aversion.
"Both of them are finally protected, as they should have been since the beginning, from your nefarious affairs!" Dain yelled back at her.
"Are you going to let them kill me like that? Like I am nothing? I am a lady of the Ironhills! An Iron maiden!" Karunn hurled hatefully at her uncle and strained against her chains.
Dain pulled back away from Durar's steel grip and his bottom lip trembled when he spoke the next words. "You are no lady. You don't belong to the Ironhills. You are not my niece anymore." His voice cracked under the pressure of his emotions that were all over the place. Durar relaxed his hold on Dain's shaking shoulders.
Upon those words, Karunn's eyes grew wild beyond recognition. "Who do you think you are degrading me in such a manner?! I demand to speak to my father!"
"You cannot demand anything anymore! You are lucky he didn't kill you on the spot the day you tried to strangle the Queen" -Dain pointed at Thorin- "and you are lucky I didn't visit you down at your cell to get rid of you earlier. You are lucky to have this slim chance of making it out alive!"
Karunn pulled back shocked. "Chance? What do you mean?" her voice lost all it's ferocity and became hushed and confused.
Dain shook Durar away from him and walked a few steps towards Karunn before Thorin's powerful hand came out to stop him this time. Durar joined from the other side. "You are accused of heinous crimes! I would have send you to the gallows pole much sooner! I wouldn't have given you such a chance even if my brother was begging me on his hands and knees for your life! You killed a child...an unborn baby! You ...you almost killed your sister!" Dain strained against Thorin's sturdy hold to no avail.
Karunn looked around her truly lost then and her lips parted as she felt life slipping out of her hands. The control she always adored to have over people, was now finally over her and she had no way to turn this around. The terror that started mounting in view of her demise, clashed mercilessly with the wrath that always resided in her soul.
Thorin gave a curt nod to Balin who walked in front of the assembly and opened up a scroll. With a sonorous voice that reverberated all over the clearing he spoke. "Lady Karunn, daughter of Lord Fain you are accused of the following crimes. Deception against the royal family with the intend to cause physical harm. Deception towards Lieutenant Nyrthrasir and his wife with the intend to cause physical harm. Attempted burglary. Scheming against the life of Rhiannon Goodwill and Lord Nyrthrasir. Scheming against the life of Lady Valdis. Physical attack towards Lady Eilin. Attempted murder towards Lady Eilin that was stopped by the King himself. Attempted murder towards Lieutenant Nyrthrasir which failed. Attempted murder of Rhiannon Goodwill which failed. Murder of an unborn child. Psychological manipulation against Lady Valdis which caused her to attempt suicide. Attempted murder of the prince or princess of the crown as a result of your actions and ultimate treason against the state."
Karunn's eyes darted with fear upon the faces of her prosecutors. "Witnesses?" she stammered already feeling defeated. Her eyes burrowed into Thorin's, but she saw only cold derision there.
Balin gave her a curt nod. "Lieutenant Nyrthrasir who is willing to testify how you forced him to deceive the King with the threat to reveal your intimate relationship to his wife which would cause her to die or miscarry. Lieutenant Nyrthrasir who is willing to testify that he didn't try to commit suicide, but that you attempted to murder him in order to silence him when he decided to reveal the truth to the King. Rhiannon Goodwill is willing to testify that you intended to pay the thieves you employed with money from Erebor's vaults for her murder, which was attempted. Lieutenant Dongar is willing to testify about your illegal relationship with Lieutenant Nyrthrasir and how it led to his removal from the army of Lord Dain. Rhiannon Goodwill is willing to testify about your deception towards her at the Forsaken Inn and how you distracted Lady Eilin's baby belt from her hands, which almost caused the complete destruction of the Royal family..." Balin would have continued, but Karunn's broken voice stopped him.
"Enough..." she hissed. Her eyes never disengaged, Thorin's who remained impassive.
Dain pulled out a dagger and tried to walk to her, but Durar stopped him. "No mate, it's not worth it!"
Thorin removed his powerful hold on Dain's shoulder and allowed him to go free for the first time. "Leave him." He said to Durar.
Durar looked at the King confused, but backed up as Dain marched up to Karunn who tried to flee behind the soldier. "No uncle don't!" she pleaded.
He stopped in front of her and grabbed her warrior braid, cutting it clean off the roots. Karunn felt as if someone had slashed through her heart. She yelled in pain and kneeled defeated in front of her uncle. "Have mercy on me please..." she wailed and her piercing voice send a flock of birds flying up to the sky.
Dain discarded the braid, after removing Fain's golden bead that bore the sigil of their family on it. He held it tightly in his hand. "It's not me you should be asking mercy from..." he said solemnly and returned to his rightful place at the right side of the King.
Karunn turned her pleading eyes on the man she tried to destroy and felt her knees weak. "My King...please forgive my crimes...please have mercy..." she stammered.
Thorin clasped his hands behind his back. "You father has pleaded for a Royal prerogative of mercy and so has Lady Eilin." It was the first time he was addressing her.
"They have?...she did?" Karunn frowned feeling unexpectedly disoriented and thrown off tracks.
"The laws of the Elders allow me to give pardon even to a criminal that is accused of such serious crimes as attempted murder." Thorin continued composed.
"They do? What does that mean? I can have a royal pardon?" Karunn's eyes flickered faintly with hope.
Thorin gave a curt nod to Balin who opened another scroll. "The King of the North has signed a Royal prerogative of mercy for your crimes. You are allowed to go free after all your facial hair is removed and you are branded as a traitor in exile. You shall never be allowed admittance into any Dwarven city of Middle Earth upon orders of their King."
Karunn looked at the rune of the traitor that they had branded at the outside of her wrist two days ago and shuddered. Then she turned with disbelief to Thorin whose cold eyes only served to fuel the terror in her, despite his advisor who was speaking of a pardon. "You are letting me go?"
"Even though you destroyed so many people throughout your vengeful rampage, I decided to listen to the pleads of your honourable father and Lady Eilin. You are free to go." Thorin gave the guard a single gaze and the man leaned down and unclasped the chains away from her wrists and shins.
Karunn rubbed her bloody skin and turned around flabbergasted. "Am I free?" she muttered. "Uncle...? Am I free?" she turned to Dain.
"You hated me all along didn't you?" Dain's lips turned down.
Karunn's lips parted and she exhaled defeated, but not a single tear of remorse touched those eyes. All she cared about was to get away, not feel repentance for the ruins she had dealt to so many people. She was the only one who mattered to her, so how could she honestly answer to her uncle that she hated him to the core...all these years. How could she admit the vileness of her soul openly to all?
"You hated me because I didn't hide my words around you. You hated me because I decided to have a say on how Valdis was going to grow up. I didn't want her to end up like you. A privileged whore who thought she could manipulate everyone around to get what she wants. A vile woman who is swollen with conceit. An arrogant, abusive and ungrateful creature." Dain continued coldly.
Karunn's face paled and her thin lips tightened till they became white. Her hands turned into wrists of fury, but her uncle's accusations left her mute.
"You hated me and you hated your poor sister..." Dain's nose flared.
Karunn's eyes suddenly spat fire.
"What did you tell her in order to send her to commit suicide?" Dain's voice crawled with freshly awoken wrath.
"Nothing..." Karunn hissed.
Dain snapped then and stormed up to her. "What did you tell her to make her use Fili's swords in order to cut her veins you vile creature?!"
Thorin blocked Dain's advance with his body. "Enough..." his silent warning reached Dain's foggy brain. Dain pulled back and turned around not wanting to face Karunn anymore.
"Finish this..." he told Thorin and it would have sounded like a command, if it wasn't the most heartbroken plead the King had ever heard from this battle hardened warrior.
Thorin turned to her coldly. "Balin will give you the royal pardon and you shall be free to run away, but before you do there is a term in the laws of the Elders that we must all abide by."
Karunn frowned and felt her stomach tensing in apprehension. Her nemesis was not yet finished with her, was he? "What term?" she muttered.
Thorin looked at Balin who bowed. "In a case of a Royal prerogative of mercy upon a criminal who is accused of attempted murder, the ruler is obliged to allow the victims of that criminal, if they are alive, to face their tormentor. They will have an equally valid opportunity to decide the criminal's fate as they were the ones who suffered the most from these evil actions. If the victims offer the criminal a pardon also, then the Royal prerogative of mercy shall be valid henceforth. If the victims decide to take revenge on the criminal the ruler must respect their decisions."
"Victims?" Karunn soughed.
Thorin gave a silent signal and the other carriage got unlocked. The guards led out a man whose countenance drained all the blood from Karunn's face.
"Oh...no...please ...no..." she stuttered.
Nyrthrasir's murderous eyes turned towards Karunn.
"Release him." Thorin commanded and crossed his arms calmly.
Karunn took a step back as the guards unchained Nyrthrasir. "You destroyed my life! You killed my unborn child!" He spat.
Karunn opened her mouth to plead with him, but nothing came out.
"Lady Eilin and Lady Valdis have already requested your pardon. Rhiannon Goodwill requests your demise, but is too weak to act upon the law. This is the final victim of your evil crimes. You have to face his judgment." Thorin looked sternly at Nyrthrasir.
"You killed my unborn child!" Nyrthrasir bellowed and his voice echoed into the forest with terrifying capacity.
Karunn turned to Thorin. "You said I was free to run away! You said I had a royal pardon!" she pointed at him accusingly.
"You do, but as the laws of the Elders state, you have to face your victims and plead for their pardon also. Your fate is out of my hands." Thorin repeated unruffled.
"Are you playing with words? You are the one who is setting this up on me! My death will be on your head!" Karunn hurled at him with resentment.
Thorin raised his brow coldly. "I am not playing with words, but with our laws."
"You said I was free to ran!" she doubled over as a howl of fear escaped her at the impending doom that was painted in the eyes of her mortal enemy.
Thorin's brows met darkly. "You are free to run away from the nightmares you created. You are free to convince him to spare you."
Karunn's lips parted and her cheeks streamed with tears. "I am going to die..." she whispered.
Thorin drew Dain's sword sharply and Karunn jerked at the sound of metal that slashed through the silence of the forest. He threw it to Nyrthrasir who grabbed it mid air. "At your cell I told you that when the time came I would ask you a question and I will demand an answer."
Nyrthrasir's hand tightened around the sword. "You did."
"Our Laws give this woman's judgment to you. Are you willing to give her a pardon?" Thorin's voice dropped low.
Nyrthrasir's eyes gleamed as he shook his head slowly. "No."
A violent sob escaped Karunn's chest.
Thorin turned to her. "You have any last words?" for the first time since this ordeal began, his voice crawled with contained anger.
A myriad of emotions were suddenly visible on Karunn's countenance. Hatred, rejection, haughtiness, despair, desolation, misery, wrath. They alternated upon her face quicker than her erratic heartbeats. When she finally spoke it was one feeling that predominated all the rest and it was directed only to one person. Her eyes erupted with loathing as she spat towards Thorin. "I regret failing to destroy you..."
Thorin's eyes thinned, but he remained visibly calm. "Give her a head start..." he told the guards, who released her.
Karunn looked around her stupefied for several moments before realising that she had only one chance to get out of this one alive. She had to run...run for her life...run away from the purgatory that was gazing at her coldly through the eyes of her ex lover. She sprang to her feet and stormed into the forest with a howl of terror that reverberated alarmingly upon the vast lands around them. A howl that alerted Thranduil's soldiers who were guarding the borders of Mirkwood, but upon their King's orders didn't intent to intervene in the business of their allies. When her dirty undergarments where nowhere to be seen amidst the trees Thorin turned to Dain who was gazing the other way. Durar's hand was on his shoulder trying to comfort him. "Are you alright?" Thorin said in a hushed tone.
Dain nodded. "Thank you for finishing this for us."
Thorin looked towards his boots and nodded. Then he turned his attention to Servin who approached calmly. "I will leave you and Dwalin responsible here."
"What if she survives?" Servin's eyes were coldly calculative. He heard a lot and understood even more. He had no likeness for this woman.
"She will not." Thorin said deliberately. Dain tensed, but didn't intervene. Servin and Dwalin exchanged glances and then bowed in accordance.
He then turned to the guards and gave the signal for Nyrthrasir to be released. He stormed into the woods with a terrifying battle cry that made Dain finally look up with eyes full of tears. Thorin felt his distress and touched his shoulder firmly. "Durar shall escort you back home."
Durar smiled sadly at Dain. "Yes, let's go. Everything is over."
Dain shook his head. "I wish to see her dead body first."
Thorin pursed his lips and turned to Servin and Dwalin. "Remain here. I shall escort Dain back. When everything is over bring back her body for burial."
Dwalin raised his brow. "What about the thief?" he asked.
Thorin lips curled down in aversion. "When everything is over, kill him."
Dwalin crossed his arms. "Nyrthrasir?"
Thorin exhaled a trapped breath slowly. "Bring him back, unharmed."
Dwalin nodded and Servin bowed. Thorin ordered one carriage to remain and then with the help of Durar he escorted Dain back to Erebor enveloped in heavy and dark silence.
Up in Dis' rooms Eilin was sitting by the fire observing closely the amazing art of embroidery. Lis was sitting by the fire sorting out the fabrics colour wise as her mother was down at the kitchens, preparing a royal dinner for all of them according to Eilin's wishes.
"That is absolutely astonishing." Eilin admired Dis' fingers as they were creating their magic upon the red soft cotton fabric.
"Royal colours for the royal baby..." Dis said and Eilin noticed that some tears were pooling in the princess' eyes.
"Hey...are you alright?" Eilin reached up and cupped Dis' hand stopping her gently.
Dis nodded and exhaled deeply. "I am sorry. Got a lot in my mind."
"Then don't bother yourself with the baby clothes. I have enough already." Eilin tried to reassure her.
Dis looked up. "I assure you this helps me. It always had a calming effect on me, much like the forges have on Thorin."
Eilin smiled sweetly. "At least do you want me to help you?"
Dis pointed at Lis. "Give the Queen a roll of fabric...the royal blue one...yes, that one my darling."
Lis smiled up at Eilin. "Belly is growing bigger ma'am."
"You don't say. I am having aches and pains all over." Eilin reciprocated the smile and took the fabric.
"I am here to look after you ma'am. King's orders. Don't worry!" Lis beamed up to her.
"Don't remind me about that. I told him not to bother you first thing in the morning." Eilin sounded reproachful.
"I love helping you ma'am!" -Lis turned to Dis- "I sorted out the fabrics my Lady, what do you want me to do next?"
"Okay now roll up the wool please my love." Dis smiled at the child.
Lis nodded eagerly and pulled over a tangled mountain of wool and began sorting each separate colour, before rolling them carefully.
"Now pass me this quill." Dis pointed at a used old quill that barely had enough ink on it's tip. When she got it she put her embroidery aside and began drawing a detailed art of the Longbeard sigil on the hem of the fabric. When she was finished she looked at it critically and then at Eilin. "This will come out after the first wash. Now take a needle and a golden thread and start outlining the drawing."
Eilin eagerly did as she was told and observed carefully at how Dis was threading the needle through the fabric in order to create a careful outline. Dis made sure Eilin was already well occupied and then she picked up her own embroidery and started working again, but after several contemplative moments she decided to speak again as her bottled up feelings seemed to be ready spill out of her seams. "When I lost my husband, my brother and my grandfather, I thought everything was over for me, but I still had my children to live for."
Eilin stopped her rather sloppy work and looked up shocked into silence.
Dis' lips quirked. "You always have hope when your children are alive. You might not understand what I am talking about now, but you'll feel it when you become a mom..."
Eilin didn't dare move.
Dis' huffed. "What am I talking about, you are already a mom...you do know what I am saying."
Eilin felt her eyes tearing up.
"When a mother loses her child...her largest part, if not all of her dies with them. When I learned that my son died, I would have killed myself, hadn't I Fili to live for." Dis continued her work even though tears were running down her cheeks.
Eilin placed the embroidery aside and cupped Dis' hand.
Dis looked up heartbroken. "When Kili died...I died. I saw a young, beautiful, strong and brave life lost so untimely to a bloody war."
"I am so sorry," Eilin felt her eyes burning.
Dis smiled bitterly. "I may seem strong to everyone, but the first thing on my mind in the morning and the last before I go to bed is Kili's pale mask of death."
Eilin squeezed Dis' hand that felt cold.
Dis didn't speak for several moments. "Mahal has handed out many untimely deaths to our family. One by one we were being eliminated, yet after a long time he deemed us worthy to offer us a life."
Eilin looked up sharply.
Dis clasped Eilin's hand back and smiled sadly. "The child in your belly offers me comfort and hope. My brother's child is the first ray of hope our decapitated family had seen in centuries. It is a blessing not only to you personally, but to us...to me...to the whole of Erebor. My boy is gone, but there is another child coming to this family to brighten it up and I will do everything I can to help you and Thorin raise it..." -Dis smiled wistfully- "it, or them if they are twins. Who knows maybe the great Maker will bless us with two miracles indeed."
Eilin squeezed Dis' hand and nibbled her lower lip. "Your words mean so much to me."
Dis shook her head. "You don't know the rule, but you shall learn it. What is in the family stays in the family. We never used nannies to take care of our children. We raise them amongst us. It might seem overwhelming for you, but I am going to be there to assist and Fili will be there also."
"Thorin...?" Eilin frowned uncertain.
"Most of all him!" Dis' smile brightened up the whole room.
"Even though he's ruling seven Kingdoms? When will he find the time to share on the burdens of parenthood?" Eilin's eyes grew sad.
"He'll rule them with a baby stuck on his hip don't worry..." Dis waved her off happily.
Eilin closed her eyes in relief. "What is in the family stays in the family," she whispered.
"And you are part of our family now..." Dis smiled and they looked at each other lovingly for a few moments before falling in each other's arms. It was Lis who opened the door when it knocked as neither Dis nor Eilin wanted to break that beautiful moment between them.
"What I am seeing is rather moving, but ladies break up for I have rather solemn news for both of you." Fili took a seat, looking rather exhausted.
"What happened?" Dis pulled back and looked at her son worried.
"Karunn is dead." Fili said with a deep exhalation of relief.
"Finally..." Dis leaned back and cupped her forehead as all the tension seemed to release from her body.
Eilin on the other hand became rigid and looked thoughtfully at her hands.
Fili nodded. "Her body was just brought back. She was totally unrecognisable. Uncle gave orders for her to be cleaned before presented to her father and uncle Dain is overlooking the procedure, but I will forbid Valdis to look at her. I will chain her to bed if needed." Fili's voice was strict.
"I agree. The poor girl should not be allowed to go through such a trauma. She's been through enough already. No matter my rather heavy deliberations about your intimate involvement with her..." Dis said haughtily, but Fili spoke over her.
"Stop it mother. Enough!" He snapped angrily.
Dis raised her hand. "..let me finish! No matter my own deliberations, you must support her during this time of mourning. Be there for her."
Fili closed his eyes and leaned his forehead to his palm. "I am sorry, this is truly driving me mad. I spoke too soon."
Dis inclined her head. "I understand son." -Then she turned towards Eilin who hadn't spoken at all during this exchange- "What's wrong with you then?"
"He didn't listen to my plead." Eilin whispered disappointed.
"What?" Dis asked confused.
Eilin looked up. "I pleaded Thorin to spare Karunn's life. He didn't listen to me." She felt heartbroken that he overlooked her plead with such ease, even though she truly understood his reasons for giving out justice to this woman.
Dis opened up her mouth to reply, but Fili spoke over her.
"On the contrary Eilin, he did listen to you."
"What?" Eilin frowned taken aback.
Fili raised his brow. "Karunn got a Royal prerogative of mercy."
Dis's mouth dropped open. "What?! You just said that she's dead..."
Eilin's countenance twisted in confusion and she looked both at Fili and Dis trying to understand.
"The King gave Karunn a royal pardon..."
Dis spoke quickly. "Then how in the name of Morgoth did she die!?"
Fili raised his hand. "Allow me to explain instead of interrupting me!" he chastised.
The women looked at each other and settled back.
"After the royal pardon was bestowed on her she was presented with a rather obscure rule of the Elder laws stating that if the criminal is accused of attempted murder and their victims have survived, they have the right to judge the criminal's faith without taking into consideration the royal pardon, since they are the ones who suffered the most."
Dis' mouth opened up even more and her eyes grew wide.
"Therefore even though the King offered her a pardon, he had the right to give her final judgment to her victims. In this case we had five victims. Myrna's unborn baby, Eilin, Rhiannon, Valdis and Nyrthrasir. The unborn baby couldn't serve anyone justice, so we had four victims. Since Eilin and Valdis gave Karunn their pardon and Rhiannon was in an ill state her fate was on the hands of her last victim, Nyrthrasir. Apparently he wasn't as lenient as the King," Fili raised his brow.
"That's what he's been doing all these days buried in the library?" Dis whispered and Eilin looked at her truly floored.
Fili inclined his head with a sly smile.
"He's been searching for that obscure law?" Dis continued.
"You told me that Thrain had thrashed him several times in order to make him learn by heart all the laws of the Elders when he was younger. Apparently that harsh and intense tutoring paid off. I don't think there is part of the law that can escape uncle Thorin." Fili rejoined proudly.
"Damn my eyes..." Dis cupped her mouth.
"Karunn's execution was a diplomatic masterstroke. As a ruler he gave her a royal pardon, but allowed her victims to slay her. At the end of the day he was the one that decided her fate as he could have overlooked the law, yet he didn't. He did everything by the book. Even down to the witnesses who joined Karunn's execution this morning. The majority of the seven Lords was there by the side of the King." Fili pursed his lips.
Eilin was fidgeting uncomfortably as she listened to what had taken place.
Dis smiled under her palm. "Brilliant!"
Fili raised his finger at her in forewarning. "You owe him an apology."
"I owe him many," Dis agreed wholeheartedly.
"Calling him brainless wolf...I mean really?" Fili shook his head dismissively.
Dis grinned pleased beyond recognition. "I was wrong...so wrong about everything. I should have shown more faith in him. So should have you!" She turned at Eilin in a rather stern warning.
"Don't you think I know?" Eilin stood up and placed her embroidery with care at the side table. That a sharp pain came from her back and she grabbed it with a hiss. Dis stood up simultaneously with Fili, but it was Lis who wrapped her small arm around Eilin's waist. "Need help ma'am?"
"What are you doing up? Look at you, you are in pain. Sit down." Dis commanded.
Eilin shook her head fervently. "No, I need to go my Lady!" She said and after leaning down to give a quick peck to Lis she rushed out of the room as fast as her belly allowed her.
It didn't take long for her to find him. He was standing in front of the throne overlooking the Arkenstone with his arms crossed behind his back. She waddled as quickly as possible at the bridge and when he heard the hurried footsteps he looked back at her.
"That's where you went this morning," she said out of breath without noticing the two guards at the flank of the throne giving her a military salute.
He reached out to grab her arm as she leaned onto him for support. "You look absolutely exhausted. What have you been doing all day?"
"Except from worrying like mad about you?" she frowned up at him.
"Except from that," he smiled and cupped her neck gently.
"Embroidery..." Eilin huffed annoyed.
"What?" he pulled back perplexed.
"I was learning embroidery with your sister, until prince Fili came in and told us what it was that drew you away from our bed this morning."
He pursed his lips, but remained silent.
She lost all the heat of her annoyance as her fingers climbed up his tunic in order to touch gently his bearded jawline. "Why didn't you tell me? I knew it was about Karunn."
"If you knew, then why did I need to tell you?" he raised his brow.
She huffed. "Don't play with me!"
He bit his lower lip. "Never..."
She cupped his cheek and drew him to her. "She's dead!"
"She is," he inclined his head and his arms brought her in.
Her eyes looked lovingly at his mouth. "Nevertheless, you listened to my plead..." she whispered.
"There was no doubt that I would, my heart." He frowned solemnly.
She raised her eyes to him gratefully. "Thank you..."
He swallowed heavily. "As there was no doubt that she was going to die."
"Still you gave her a royal pardon." Eilin muttered and caressed his cheek as her eyes looked at his face dotingly. "Because of me."
"Yes I did, but a royal pardon can be circumvented under the proper circumstances." He rejoined quietly.
A soft smile came to her lips and then she embraced him enthusiastically. "Thank you for listening to me, even though my plea may have seemed totally childish to you..."
He kissed her forehead gently. "It was my duty."
"Thank you for protecting our family..." she added and tears overflowed her eyes.
"With my life if needed." he rejoined.
"Thank you for not staining our family with the darkness of her death," Eilin clang onto him.
"That can be strongly debated in Mahal's great halls..." his voice sounded more amused on that thought, than serious.
She huffed. "I love you King Thorin..."
He pulled back and raised his brow. "King Thorin?"
She nodded with a sweet smile. "I am not afraid of the King anymore because I know that right now in front of Erebor's throne stands King Thorin...my Thorin, not the stern Mountain King."
He pushed her back until her knee got caught on the edge of the throne. Then he shoved in it and placed his hands on the armrests. "I seriously enjoyed the sound of that!"
She looked around her as the guards gave another military salutation. "I shouldn't be sitting here...I need to get off!" she sounded rather concerned.
"Nope I like you exactly where you are..." he gave her a playful gaze.
Eilin humphed and tried to get up, but his large palm pushed her back in it. The guards gave her another military salute again. "What are they doing all the time?" she frowned perplexed.
"They are hailing the Queen of Erebor," Thorin tilted his head and looked at her searchingly.
"Oh, Eru..." her cheeks became crimson.
He felt his throat growing dry as he leaned down and lingered above her lips. "You know what?"
She frowned. "What?"
"I haven't asked you to marry me yet, have I?" he raised his brow.
Her eyes grew wide and her lips parted. "No, you haven't!" she said quickly.
He smiled and pulled out his Longbeard ring. He kneeled in front of her and took her hand. He opened up her fingers and placed it in her palm. "Haven't made you a ring yet, so I will offer you this one. It belonged to my grandfather..."
She felt burning tears pooling at her eyes and her bottom lip began trembling. She raised her eyes to his feeling totally overpowered.
"Will you marry me, Queen of my life?" he whispered.
Her fingers closed up tightly around his ring, almost proprietorially. She wrapped her arms behind his back and pulled him in. When she felt the soft wetness of his lips she closed her eyes and an moan of pure bliss rumbled at her throat. He opened his mouth and demanded entrance to her slick warmth in order to explore her with a sensually slow pace that made her lose touch with reality. Soon enough she forgot what they were doing right under the Arkenstone and her mind was only able to concentrate on the ring she was holding in her hand. A ring whose weight felt immense, yet no one would be able to tear it out of her grasp. When he pulled back after several passionate moments she opened her eyes dazed. She saw his handsome face swimming close to her and her fingers planed down his side firmly. "Oh, Thorin..."
"Does that mean you accept?" he whispered.
She moaned and nodded fiercely upon his shoulder. "I so wish I had my wooden bead at this moment, the one I had seen once on the floor next to your bed."
His brow wrinkled in confusion. "What do you need it for?"
She pushed back. "I want to make you a warrior braid!"
His brows came up surprised. "Whatever for?"
"For being brave enough to remain by my side till the end." Her eyes radiated with all the affection she felt in her heart for him.
"That's not bravery, that's love," his fingers grazed her soft cheek.
"Don't ruin this romantic moment for me..." she gave him a gentle warning.
He pushed away from her and dug into his pocket until he found something. Then he looked up and showed it to her. "You want it?"
Her eyes beamed and she reached out to take her old wooden bead. "Where did you find it?!"
"It never left my pocket." He smirked down at her lovingly.
She nibbled her bottom lip and looked at his long wavy hair. Then she reached up and took a thick lock from the back of his nape in order to braid him, but he stopped her gently. "Not a hair braid, no..."
She frowned. "Why not?"
"I will grow my beard again for you and for our child and then you will place the wooden bead there for me. Deal?" His lips curled up in a playful smile.
Eilin felt her breath catching. "You will grow your beard again for us? After all these years?" Her heart stirred unexpectedly.
"I am not mourning the lost anymore. I am heralding the ones that are going to come." He whispered and his large palm caressed her belly.
She sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand which tightened around his ring. "Thank you my heart..." she murmured.
He raised his brow and snorted as he got prepared for one of his usual teases. "Besides my beard braid will be the affirmation that I managed to handle you, along with your hormones, insecurities and fears after our child is born. An ultimate test of bravery."
She scowled. "An ultimate test of love. I thought that's what you said!" her voice sounded irritated.
His fingers tunnelled through her heavy mane and he pulled her to him. "Indeed it is."
"But my bead shouldn't be the only thing you are wearing that belongs to me." Eilin lifted her brows thoughtfully.
"What else do you propose?" he asked genuinely interested.
Her fingers twisted around the cords of his tunic at the neck. "Well, I will be wearing your ring, right? A token to show everyone that I belong to the man I love, but how about you? Why not wear a ring I can have made for you to show that you belong to the woman you love?"
His brows lifted up. "Only the woman wears the ring of her husband. That has been the way of our people for thousands of years. Ever since Durin walked these lands."
"And do you think that was correct? I don't mean to put Durin down or anything..." she said playfully.
His brows rose an inch more.
"But honestly is it right for me to bear your tokens of love on me, while you are sauntering around as gorgeous and regal as ever without my ring on you?" she tilted her head with a teasing smile.
He pulled her in and buried his head at the croon of her neck. His mouth opened up and gave her skin a firm love bite, until he felt a shudder running through her. Then he pulled back and looked at her thoughtfully. "If I want to be honest, then no...this isn't fair towards you. Not at all."
"So can I make a ring for you also?" she clapped her hands.
"I'd love that, but I have a better idea." He rejoined.
"What?" she frowned.
"Why don't I pass a decree that will oblige every married couple to exchange rings as a token of love and perpetual companionship, in honour to you?" he said with a sweet lopsided smile.
She nibbled her bottom lip and looked at a stray vein on his neck that was pulsating. Her stomach did a somersault. "You would change your laws for me?"
"I'd twist the world out of shape if that would make you happy..." he whispered.
"Oh, Thorin I love you so much..." she cooed.
"Then make me a ring my beauty and make sure it has your daisy on it." his smile was bright.
She snorted, feeling amused. "The mighty Oakenshield shall wear a flower ring amidst all his rings of power!?"
"Try me!" he rebuked and opened up his mouth to devour hers with a kiss that made her head hazy and her knees wobbly. She clutched his tunic and he pulled her up from the throne without releasing her mouth. One of her legs landed on the first step to steady herself and the guards gave another military salute.
She pulled back and giggled. "I barely touched it."
"It's part of their job to salute the King and the Queen. It's them pledging their life to protect us." He caressed her nape gently.
"I find that utterly moving, but do they do that all the time?" she gave them a curious look above Thorin's shoulder.
"Every time you touch the throne. Do you want to annoy them?" he whispered in her ear, raising all her hair in attention.
She felt her lips curling up and she tightened her arms around him. "How..."
He reciprocated and lifted her easily off the ground. "Sit and stand up several times in a row..." he spoke softly.
She cupped her mouth and giggled. "Tell me you've done that when you were a dwarfling..."
"All the bleeding time. Drove my father insane, but my grandfather was in on the fun." He laughed quietly.
She embraced him tightly and felt as if she was floating in heaven. At that moment nothing...nothing could be bring her down. For she had everything she had ever wished for, right there in her arms...and inside her body.
*****************************...***********************************
*****************************...***********************************