I realise that Thorin is very emotional in the recent chapters, but that is because in my 'head cannon' Thorin is a very emotional and sweet person but cannot show it due to being King as he fears that his people will find him weak. Around Bilbo he feels he can let his emotions out because Bilbo is not a Dwarf.

Warning for Domestic violence/child abuse.

Chapter 17

Thorin's hands shook as he watched the ostentatious crown was placed upon his father's brow by Gandalf. He lowered his eyes in reverence and fear as Thrain's gaze fell upon him, "Come forward Thorin my son and Heir."

Thorin stepped forward and knelt in front his father a smaller crown was placed upon his head it was very heavy and poked in to his scalp uncomfortably.

Gandalf was kicking himself as he watched Thorin kneel in front of Thrain, how could he have missed the abuse when he would visit Erebor pre-dragon.

"This is so fucked up," Sigismond whispered to Bilbo as they watched the coronation.

Bilbo's only response was a quiet snort, his eyes were focused upon Thorin as he stood and swore allegiance to Thrain.

As soon as the coronation was over Bilbo headed straight for Thorin and took his shaking hands in his own, "You did wonderfully sweetheart," he was rewarded with a small nervous smile.

When Thorin announced Bilbo's pregnancy Thrain backhanded him harshly across the face in front of the entire current population of Erebor and then said in a deadly whisper, "How dare you sully the line of Durin with that filthy creature! You disgust me, boy!"

Bilbo stood next to Thorin during the announcement, he watched the slap and the aftermath: Thorin's head hadn't moved from where it landed after the slap, his eyes were closed and watering from the pain and fear that he felt and his body was heaving with repressed sobs. It didn't matter that Thorin was much bigger and stronger than Thrain, he always felt like a little boy in his presence. "Step away from my husband immediately." Bilbo said placing himself between Thorin and Thrain.

Thrain sneered and sat back on the throne, "Leave my presence, both of you," he said in a venomous whisper. They didn't need telling twice. Bilbo took Thorin's hand and they left the throne room.

As Thrain's one blue eye watched them leave, he turned to one of his old guards that was trained in assassinations, "You will take care of them, Nolim," he whispered. A bloodthirsty grin twisted Nolim's old, ugly face, as he nodded at his King and subtly slipped out of the room to plan.

About a week later Bofur introduced his new born daughter, Bofern, to the Company. Everyone took turns holding the tiny brown haired baby, though she slept through it all. Bofur was truly a proud Dad and the whole Company took to his beautiful wife instantly. For them life was good.

For Nori, not so much, he had been near enough to the "King" to hear the assassination order and had been tailing the old guard Nolim trying to thwart his plans for two weeks. Word quickly spread throughout the Company of the death order and soon both Bilbo and Thorin were never left alone, someone was with them 24 hours a day, while Balin and Ori were pouring through many, many tomes in the Grand Library trying to find the precise laws for dethroning a King.

Late one evening, Ori excitedly pushed a tome in front of a quietly snoozing Balin, "I found what we needed!" the young apprentice exclaimed, waking his elder.

Balin read the passage twice and then smiled at Ori, "This may just work, Laddie."

Quietly they hurried to Thorin and Bilbo's chambers and entered, "We may have a solution!" Balin exclaimed.

"Good, cause the Assassin's plans are complete." Nori replied, he was the one sitting with the royal couple this night.

"What solution?" Thorin asked, he looked dead on his feet, anyone who knew him could see he hadn't been sleeping.

Ori handed the tome, opened to the appropriate page, to the True King. As Thorin read the passage his expression became more and more devastated, "I-I c-can't do this!" Thorin exclaimed slamming to book shut and fleeing to the bedroom.

Balin and Bilbo shared a glance and then Balin nodded and headed after the son of his heart.

Bilbo shot a worried glance after his husband and then opened the tome to the marked page unfortunately it was written in the Dwarven script, "Ori, what solution did you find?"

"Basically, Thorin has to kill his Father, in an organised duel, to win the throne or you have to" Ori said in a rush.

Bilbo blinked possessing the information, "How am I eligible for such a … rite?"

"Well," Ori replied tugging on one of his braids, "Because, in your culture you are married to Thorin, that makes you married in ours as well and this is a duel in which the heir or their spouse fight to the death for the throne."

"And because I am pregnant, Thorin believes he will have to fight…" Bilbo pondered an idea for a moment, "Ori? What sort of weapons are allowed in this duel?"

Ori quickly re-read the passage in question, "two weapons are allowed, one known to the other and one hidden, either weapon can be mêlée or ranged."

"And would something that is of my culture that Darrows have not yet created count as a weapon?" Bilbo asked.

After a brief glance at the passage Ori smiled, "Yes"

Thorin did know what excuse he used as he raced out, his throat closing up at the very thought of standing before his Father when he was in a rage and holding a weapon. He soon found himself holding a pillow to his face to smother his sobs.

A few moments later Balin entered and barely repressed a weary sigh upon seeing the frankly heart wrenching sign Thorin made, he sat beside Thorin on the bed and drew him into his arms, "I've got you Laddie," Balin whispered. Thorin sobbed again and leaned into Balin's embrace, like a small child.

Soon enough Bilbo entered and held Thorin from the other side, he began whispering in Thorin's ear, who slowly relaxed and place a hand on Bilbo's swollen stomach. "Be careful, please?"

"I will Thorin, I love you sweetheart."