Thranduil paced across the small room, although the gentle glide of his movements could hardly be labeled as such to an outside observer. He studied the young dwarf in his midst. The creature, now heir-apparent to the kingdom of Erebor, was central to his plans. He needed to find out if the child was more agreeable than his uncle, or that blustering oaf, Dain.
"Am I a prisoner?" the dwarf asked.
"No," the king answered abruptly and without further explanation. He took note of the dwarf's glowering anger. Clearly, their dislike – or at least distrust - of each other was mutual.
"Why am I here?"
Thranduil took a deep, calming breath, studying, choosing not to give too much information too quickly - if only to see how the youth would react. "Because I have allowed it."
As expected, the answer sparked a sharp fire of anger in the dwarf's eyes. Had he not been still bedridden from his injuries, he might have attacked, although Thranduil expected the foolish creature might attempt to do so anyway.
"Then I'll be leaving immediately," he said sharply, pain clouding his eyes as he struggled to rise.
"I do not recommend that you do so," the king replied, showing little concern for the dwarf's discomfort due to his own foolishness. "Tauriel would not wish for you to injure yourself."
"You said I'm not a prisoner," the dark-eyed dwarf said angrily, but used the interruption to stop his struggling and hide his obvious pain.
Thranduil looked down at the dwarf impassively. "You are not. For the moment, you are my guest and it would be in the best interest of all if you remain so for the time-being."
"For all?"
The king sighed, forcing himself to be patient with the young dwarf. "For Tauriel."
The anger left the dwarf's eyes immediately. "She said that I owe you my life," he said, with no small amount of doubt and suspicion in his voice.
"In part. I merely imparted that knowledge to Tauriel. She is the one who called on your promise to return to her."
The dwarf closed his eyes, as if contemplating deeply, an internal struggle crossing his features – warring between a desire for more information and his desire to maintain open hostility toward the elven king. Thranduil watched the reaction carefully, taking in every detail.
Finally, the dwarf reached a decision. Curiosity won. "I don't understand."
"You gave Tauriel a runestone, with the promise to return. When she called you forth, you fulfilled that promise. It is simple enough."
"Hardly."
Thranduil expected such skepticism so it was easy for him to explain with patience. "Do you not recall the events on Ravenhill?"
"Do you? From what I recall, you weren't there."
Again, a deep breath, wondering if it was worth even attempting to reason with a dwarf - even this one. If it wasn't for the role this dwarf could play, he would easily have transported the creature out, injuries or no. "No, I was not there until after your battle with Bolg had long ended. From what I saw, you came out the loser."
The dwarf snarled a little, giving Thranduil much needed amusement. "I found Tauriel over your body, or did she not tell you?"
She had. The dwarf took a deep breath, sadness openly showing on his face. "If you have a point, make it or leave me alone."
The change from anger to resignation was good. It gave him the opening that was needed. Thranduil schooled his features to appear benevolent, even kind. It wasn't hard, recalling the tears on his former captain's face. "I am not your enemy, master dwarf. Although I am not a friend either. I mean you no harm. My concern is for Tauriel and I need to determine if your presence here is in her best interest."
The dwarf's eyes widened in surprise and Thranduil could practically see the thoughts running through his expressive face. It was a poor trait for a ruler to be so transparent, but the dwarf was extremely young. Perhaps even malleable.
"I found her grieving over you. I don't know what you know of elves, but there was little doubt that she would not have survived long without my intervention."
"She was badly wounded," Kili stated.
"Yes," the king agreed, his word slow, deliberate, and implying something more. "But the wound she suffered was beyond physical. Her light was fading. Even now, she requires healing that goes beyond her visible injuries."
Again, the dwarf was silent but his concern for Tauriel was apparent. It was a positive sign. When the king spoke again, he pinned the dwarf with a direct and intense gaze, although he kept his voice even, showing no malice. "The choice to return was ultimately your own. What I wish to know is why you chose to return from the Halls of Mahal. Was it for her, or for the benefit of your own kind?"
The dwarf seemed confused.
Thranduil looked at him sternly. "It is a simple question. What was your purpose in returning to the world of the living?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because it will affect the choices that must be made. Your people do not yet know that you live."
Immediately, the dwarf appeared suspicious. "You're hiding me from them, like some sort of thief?"
Thranduil repressed a sigh, barely. "Not precisely. Although I will repeat myself that it is in the best interest of all that your fate remain...unknown, at least for the time-being."
But the dwarf was in no mood to hear reason. He sounded belligerent as he demanded, "Is Dain still alive? I want to speak with him."
The conversation was not going well. It was not in Thranduil's nature to expect anything but compliance when he asked a question – especially one so pressing as this. However, he was dealing with a dwarf and should expect nothing reasonable. "The question is not for my benefit, but for yours."
The strange statement seemed to move the dwarf out of his temper, if only for a moment, but he did not answer. Thranduil doubted that he could, given the circumstance.
The king moved a step closer to the bed, using his greater height to emphasize his position over the stubborn dwarf, although he kept his stance casual and non-threatening. "I suggest you consider the consequences before making a plan of action. There are many lives that will be affected by what happens in the next few days. As one with some experience on these matters, such decisions should not be made lightly."
The dwarf huffed in annoyance as he turned away. "You ask me to trust you?"
Thranduil turned back, forcing his features into something that showed calm patience, despite his personal irritation with the dwarf. "I have ruled for over three millennia. It would not be un-wise to consider my words and experience."
"I have been well-taught that an elf has no honor."
Thranduil raised an eyebrow, and tilted his head slightly, indicating his disagreement, although he did not voice it. "It is easy to judge on the words of another. I think you know, from experience, that few such statements are absolute."
He could tell the dwarf was warring with his own stubbornness.
"You trust Tauriel, do you not?" he asked, but did not wait for a reply before continuing. "Therefore, you know that not all elves lack honor, as you have stated. I only ask that you not color your decisions based on your distrust of me."
"So, I should not trust you."
"No good ruler should implicitly trust another. I only ask that you consider before making a rash decision."
"You hate me and my kind."
He sighed, but this time he didn't bother to show that his patience was nearing its end. "No."
Again, the dwarf's temper flared. "Are you saying you didn't abandon the dwarves of Erebor when Smaug came? Are you saying you didn't lock us in your dungeons only a few weeks ago for no reason?"
"I am saying you do not know the reasons why those decisions were made."
The dwarf glowered but said nothing
The king paused for a moment, considering the temperament of the young mortal before choosing his words. "You are young, even among your own kind. You lack experience in leadership and have been given only one side of a long history between our people. I do not hate you, but I do not trust your judgment at this time."
Kili bristled, his anger bubbling. He muttered a dwarwish curse at the king.
Thranduil smiled. He might have laughed outright, but wisdom and self-control easily allowed him to restrain himself. "I do not wish for our people to remain adversaries. It benefits neither. I only ask that you consider my words for a few days before I summon Dain. Is that a reasonable consideration?"
"Then, I am a prisoner."
"Again, no."
The dwarf huffed in frustration and annoyance, his dark eyes glaring at the tall king.
Thranduil closed his eyes for a moment, allowing an expression of peace and almost friendliness to grace his features. It was not an expression he wore easily, but it was necessary. "I am not your enemy in this matter," he said again, hoping to emphasize the point. "The question I ask is not even in my best interest, nor is it in the best interest of my kingdom. It is, however, necessary so that we may make certain..." he paused, weighing the look on the young dwarf's face, "...choices that involve who is dear to both of us."
The tactic worked. The dwarf was not old nor bitter enough to hold his anger after Thranduil had given a statement that came across with some humility and concern for another. He saw the youth's gaze soften – just enough – and the wizened elder took the opportunity to continue.
"Once Dain and your kindred learn of your fate, many choices will be taken from you. It would be a pity if you rushed into such a situation without adequate preparation. All I ask is that you use this time to weigh all the consequences of your actions."
Kili remained silent, mulling over the king's words. The elf waited patiently, knowing that he'd accomplished his task. Finally, after the silence had drawn on almost uncomfortably long, the youth spoke. "There's only one reason I would have returned."
Thranduil raised an eyebrow questioningly and the dwarf met his gaze steadily. "I never imagined my life under the mountain without my brother at my side. I would think that, without him, I would not have wanted to return." He looked down, a small smile lifted his lips as his thoughts turned inward. "I have no doubt that he sent me back with his blessing, so that I could be with her."
Thranduil heaved a great sigh. The answer did not surprise him, but the confirmation was both a relief and a burden. It would have been easier if the dwarf had answered differently.
"Then, it is best if we wait to inform Dain. Your path will be a difficult one. I will leave you to rest, recover, and consider what will be best for you and all you love. When you are ready, we may speak further."
He turned to leave, then paused. "Your friend the grey wizard is here with the hobbit who pleaded in your behalf before the battle. I will ask them to stay for a while longer, until you are well enough to meet with them."
"What if I'd like to meet with them now?"
Thranduil once again gave a sigh of forced patience. "You require rest, which you will not get with the hobbit talking to you incessantly. I also suspect Tauriel is not yet convinced that you are truly alive and recovering. I would think you would prefer to spend some time with her. She also needs rest and would not benefit from interruption. If you are up to it, join us at dinner tomorrow. Your friends will most assuredly be delighted to see you then."
xxxx
A/N - yes, a short chapter. Not my usual, but the next two sections need to go together, and when added to this one, it was ridiculously long. So, I guess that means you just get a quick update, but the next is nearly ready to go.
