It had grown dark as Thorin finished up his work for the day in the forge in Morfeth. He had been working tirelessly, day after day. It was unending agony. Thorin grew tired and more irritated of the menial tasks he was made to complete. It did not help that the human men who worked alongside him in the forge made each day difficult to bear. To them, Thorin was beneath them and they were disgusted to have to work in the presence of a Dwarf, and they took every opportunity to inform Thorin of their feelings. It became harder to bite his tongue at the thinly veiled insults and cruel words hurled at him. It was all he could do to keep his head down and get done what needed to be done. He told himself that it would not always be this way, that one day he and his people would, once more, have the prestige and prosperity that had been unjustly stolen from them. Alas, it was on days such as these that he could not even convince himself of the likelihood of his words.

As Thorin made his way closer to the Dwarven settlement, he felt the weariness within him increase with each step he took. His thoughts were focused on three things: food, sleep, and Eiranna. As he entered the settlement, he looked up to see Balin making his way towards him.

"Balin," Thorin said in greeting, not slowing his stride. Balin nodded. "I have instructions to send you to see your father." Thorin's shoulders sagged in weariness. Does this day have no end, he thought to himself. "Can it not wait until the morning? It is growing late, and I am exhausted."

Balin shook his head. "I am sorry, laddie. I do not believe it can. Your father was quite clear he wishes to see you tonight," replied 's eyes narrowed in frustration. "Very well," he grunted and followed behind Balin as he led Thorin towards his father's home.

When Thorin entered his father's home, he made his way through the main house and into the his father's chambers. King Thrain was sitting upon a large chair facing the doorway, clearly awaiting Thorin's arrival. He made no sound, but his eyes followed Thorin as he approached. "You kept me waiting for quite some time," he said finally.

"I do not mean disrespect father. It has been a long day, and I am tired and hungry," said Thorin, making no attempts to hide the impatience in his voice. "All I wish is to be home. What have you sought me out for?"

"We are leaving in a week's time," King Thrain said simply.

His words caught Thorin's attention. His brow furrowed in confusion. "Leaving? Where is it you would have us go?"

"The Blue Mountains."

"Is that wise?" Thorin asked. "It will not be too long before Winter is upon us. If we are to travel from here, would it not be smarter to wait until the first of the Spring months?"

"I am done waiting. I wish to be free of this place. We have no home and no worthwhile possessions. We struggle day after day. We are like beggars, and I am tired of it. We will make for Blue Mountains, and we will, once more, have a home."

Thorin studied his father for a moment before replying. "I sense it is not something that is up for discussion."

King Thrain shook his head. "It has been decided. We will leave in seven days. I bid you to organize yourself and make preparations to be ready to move at that time."

Thorin nodded and turned to leave.

"How long has it been since you wed Eiranna?" Thorin stopped at his father's words.

"Six months, father."

"She is not yet with child. Why is that?"

Thorin whipped around to face him. "Father! That is not your concern."

"Spare me from your declarations of modesty. You do not have the luxury of privacy nor time. Your Grandfather and your brother have been slaughtered. We are on the brink of fading out entirely. I wish for heirs. Stop wasting time and see to it."

Thorin stood, stunned. "How can you demand such a thing …" he began.

"I have said all I wish to," King Thrain interrupted. "You may go." He waved Thorin off with his hand.

When Thorin arrived home, Eiranna could see something troubled him. She saw it upon his face, unusually tense, and within his eyes. He made no mention as to what was on his mind, nor did he say much, as he removed his boots and outerwear. He approached her, unsmiling, and kissed her softly on the cheek. His eyes surveyed the surrounding, and his expression hardened swiftly. "Why is it my supper is not ready?" Eiranna heard the disapproval in his voice, and she was confused by it. She looked to meet his gaze, and she saw that he waited for some response. "Uh," she stammered, with a small shake to her head. "I suppose I was not watchful of the time." Thorin grunted. "So it would seem. You will bring it to me when you have finished." With those words, he strode from the kitchen. Eiranna stood still, in stunned silence. She pushed her feelings to the back of her mind, for the time being, and quickened her pace to finish preparing their supper.

Eiranna brought Thorin's supper to him, and took her seat across from him. She watched him as he began to eat. The silence stretched on, before Thorin spoke. "My father wishes to move on from this place," he said, not looking up from his plate. Eiranna's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? To where exactly?" she asked. "He wants to travel West to Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains. We are to ready ourselves for seven days' time." "That is so soon," Eiranna murmured. "It is too dangerous here. We are openly exposed. We need a permanent home; the Blue Mountains offer us the best chance of that." Eiranna nodded slowly and returned her focus to her food, although she did not feel much like eating. "This place has been our home for close to thirty years," she said softly. "It has never been our home. You are foolish to think it ever was." He dropped his utensils on the plate with a clatter as he stood. Thorin left the room without a further word or glance at Eiranna. She struggled to calm herself, and to keep the anger she felt bubbling within her at bay.

Thorin did not reappear as Eiranna cleaned up from dinner. After she had finished, she went upstairs to their bedchamber. Thorin was not there, and she did feel the need to seek him out. She knew he was in one of the other rooms within the home. Eiranna removed her clothes from the day and was preparing to pull her night gown on when she felt Thorin's hands on her naked middle. He ran his hands upwards until they rested against the underside of her breasts. Eiranna pushed his hand away from her body as she stepped from him. "Do not touch me," she hissed, turning to face Thorin. His face registered his surprise. "Excuse me?"

"I am not a servant girl. Your words made it seem as if I were," she said, struggling to cloth herself.

"What do you mean? Your words make no sense. At what time have I called you a servant girl?" he replied angrily.

"Your words to me earlier. You became angry at me because I had not finished dinner and demanding it to be brought to you. I am your wife, not someone to be ordered about. I deserve your respect."

"It was not my intent to disrespect you. I apologize if I made it seem that way. I had my mind focused on other issues. But you are my wife, and as such, I have certain expectations."

Eiranna was taken aback at Thorin's words. "Whatever else is upon your mind is no excuse to treat me in such a manner. Is this how our marriage will be? You condemning me to silence when I have not met your expectations? You feel it acceptable to touch me after how you've spoken to me?"

"You would do well to watch your tongue, woman," Thorin warned. "If I wish to lay my hands upon you, I will. That is my right. If you wish my respect, you will do as instructed and perform your duty accordingly."

Eiranna could feel the shock upon her face, as she was rendered speechless by Thorin's words. She felt unshed tears biting at her eyes. "My duty? Please inform me as to what my duty is. To bend willingly and unquestioning to your every whim and desire?"

"You agreed to be my wife; therefore, you have married into the line of Durin, which is now desperately dwindling. I am the eldest son, my father's heir, with no one to follow. The line of Durin must continue. That duty is yours to bear."

Eiranna stood in stunned silence as she processed Thorin's words and tried to gather her thoughts. "Oh. You mean to say children."

"Of course. Is that not the purpose of marriage?"

Eiranna hesitated before answering. "Yes, but is not companionship and respect as well?"

Thorin snorted at Eiranna's words. "Spare me from a woman's babbling about companionship and respect. You sound like a child." Eiranna flinched as if slapped. "Thorin!" she breathed. She stood, quietly, watching him.

"Why make mention of this now?" she asked softly.

"I beg your pardon," he snapped.

"It has not been discussed between us before. Why now, and why in this manner? I do not understand why there is such anger behind your words."

As the silence stretched on, the anger within Thorin's eyes and upon his face began to diminish. A weary sigh escaped his lips before he made his reply. "Earlier, when my father informed me of his intentions to move from here, he also made it clear that he wishes heirs. Dis is still far too young and remains unspoken for. It is us that the responsibility falls to. He is disappointed that you are not yet with child."

"Oh, I see," Eiranna murmured. "Though I do not feel that it is much of your father's concern." Thorin shrugged his shoulders. "Whether it is his concern or not, he has made it so."

"It is not something that can simply be demanded. You know this. Your father and his words have no place in it. If it is meant to be, it will happen. But I do not wish to quarrel with you. I am your wife, as you say, and, therefore, am at your mercy. I will offer no protest."

Eiranna paused before continuing. "But I am tired. There appears to be much to prepare for in the coming days. If it is alright, I wish to sleep."

Thorin sighed. "As you wish."

As the two settled into bed, Eiranna lay awake for some time, lost in her thoughts. It was some time before she felt her eyelids grow heavy with sleep and finally close.