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Chapter 41

Thorin didn't budge when I tugged gently, and so I let go of him and threw my hands up with a grunt of irritation. Picking up my skirt, I walked from him and went to our room. I knew exactly what was going on, and I hadn't even been present in the conversation. Kili and Tauriel had been seeing each other for over a year. It had been a quiet affair, and no one had really said anything about it until obviously now. My only guess was that Kili wanted to take it further. I knew Thorin would instantly be opposed to the idea because she was a woodland elf. She was close to the one elf he truly disliked, no matter how much they had seemed to get along at the wedding and during battle.

Beneath it all, I knew both Thranduil and Thorin still loathed each other. It was century's worth of hate between them, and with Thranduil it could have been even longer. Going to my room, I changed into something I could fight in and grabbed my sword from where I kept it. It was either practice with the blade or transform into something I could terrorize everyone with. The idea had me pausing on the steps with a smile on my face, but it quickly disappeared when Thorin came into view. Besides, I was Queen and was now, no longer allowed to do such terrorizing.

"Where are you going?" he asked, stopping a few steps from me.

"To find something to use as your head," I said flatly. "That way you won't be harmed."

The smirk that played at his lips had me glaring, but suddenly he turned cold. The expression left his face so fast that it startled me. One moment I was looking at the dwarf I knew, and the next I was staring straight at the King under the Mountain.

"I cannot let them go through with this," he said lowly. "He has no idea what he asks for, Arina."

I had to let out a soft breath and I closed my eyes. "I have been with you all for over a year, and I dare say the strength I have gained and the confidence that has come with it is quite disturbing."

"Really?" he asked.

"Get out of my way," I answered sharply, as I opened my eyes. "Before I actually throw you from the stairs and catch you before you hit the floor."

His surprise was quickly squashed by his anger and he came up the last few steps to confront me. I planted my feet and stared up at him when he came up to me, and the stare he gave could have melted ice. Usually, I was quick to back down to arguments like this, but not this time. This time I knew I was right in arguing with him. Thorin was always a formidable foe when it came to anything he did, even arguing. He could handle disagreements or fights with a look when it came to his people. His voice alone always caught everyone's attention, it never failed. Now, it was me on the receiving end of his anger.

"You are testing me right now," he rumbled. "I am king...and he will not..."

"Am I not your queen?" I suddenly demanded. "You will not speak to me about the issue at hand? You will simply say no? The stubbornness of dwarves...I swear..."

I shook my head and moved back from him and went back to our room and threw my sword back on its bench. He followed me, and went to stop me before I could get out the balcony door. I arched my brow at the threat he presented, but instead I focused on his chest. He shifted slightly and moved forward, making me take a step back.

"No, don't you dare," he said flatly.

"What? Leave?" I snapped, and then pinched the bridge of my nose. "I will not talk to you about this until you are done. All I'm going to hear from you is that you are king, and that nothing else matters but preserving the line of Durin. I've heard you speak of it on occasion."

"It is what matters," Thorin answered loudly.

"Then what does that make me?!" I hissed. "What does our marriage do to help preserve that line?! It is no different, Thorin."

He paused suddenly when he realized what I had said. I couldn't help but reach out and lay a hand on his chest, and he reached up and wrapped his fingers around my wrist gently. Lifting my gaze, I studied his expression. Thorin looked at me for a moment and then his jaw clenched and he turned from me to go sit on the arm chair near his desk. All of the sudden, he looked exhausted as he ran a hand over his face.

"It's not just that," he said quietly. "If they enter that...what would it do with the elves? Thranduil certainly wouldn't approve of this...he would use it against us."

"Thranduil has his gems back," I countered, walking up to him. "There is nothing else he wants, Thorin. The whole reason your races ever fought was because of those jewels."

"I can think of one thing," he rumbled, giving me a knowing look.

"His power is nothing against me," I said confidently. "Not anymore. If he ever chose to take me, there would be a war bigger than the battle we fought last year. It is no longer in his best interest to get me to stay there."

"I still cannot allow this to happen," he said coldly. "It would cause too many issues between our races as it is."

"If he says no, then she can renounce her loyalty to him and swear it to you. If he says yes, this could be the start of a great alliance, Thorin," I replied, stubbornly crossing my arms. "If you never intended on letting them marry, then why did you ever let them continue to see each other?!"

"I thought...it would go away," he muttered.

"Really?" I demanded. "Was that your thought process when it came to us?!"

He flinched at that, but continued to level me with an angry stare. "No, that wasn't."

"Then what is the problem? Is protecting the line of Durin so important? I would imagine nothing would stop Durin the Deathless from returning if that is what this comes down to."

"I am King," he answered flatly, and gave me a hard stare.

"Yes, Kili pointed that out. You'll do as you wish," I glared, my eyes narrowing.

"If we allow him to do this, he will put us all at risk," Thorin glared back, repeating his words. "I am telling you that Thranduil will not allow this to happen. He will give us grief for it, Arina. That is the last thing we need from him, it could spike another war."

"Let him," I snapped. "Let him try. Everyone around here is used to her coming around and seeing him. Everyone knows who she is, and they are fine with that. She has publicly shown that she accepts your rule, and has reached out to learn your culture. Something I have failed to do, might I add and I'm Queen."

I held up my hand when he went to snap something and for once I was happy that he instantly shut his mouth. Turning away from him, I inhaled a breath to calm down and then turned back to stare at him. Sharp blue eyes met my gaze and I walked up to him and reached for his hands. He let me, and soon our fingers were laced together.

"Our marriage is the same," I said quietly. "You are being stubborn because she is an elf. You are being stubborn because that is what you do when you don't like something. If you do not allow them the freedom you gave us, then our own marriage means nothing. He loves her, and she loves him. It is exactly the same, Thorin."

I watched several emotions play across his face, and I squeezed his hands tightly. His own larger fingers wrapped around my hands as well and he lowered his head quietly.

"I have given everything to rule my people," he rumbled. "I almost gave you up after the battle, but I chose not to. While I am grateful that they have accepted you as readily as they have, I am not sure they will with Tauriel. I find I am too tired to handle that..."

Taking my hands away from his, I laid my hands on his face, and brought his head up. "Then it is time that you worry about yourself. Lay down," I said softly. "Get some sleep, and do not come out of this room until you are well rested. You've barely slept. I know you get up at night. I may not wake all the time, but I know you do."

Thorin sighed quietly and pressed his head against my chest for a moment, so I wrapped my arms around him tightly, and sighed softly when his arms wrapped around my waist. I used the moment to calm down, and I felt him relax slightly in my hold. All the fight left him with a breath, and he sighed again.

"I am not used to you being weak," I murmured. "Or angry like that..."

"Forgive me," he answered softly.

"There is nothing to forgive. But you will give them your blessing because you know it is right," I said against his hair. "They deserve it, Thorin."

"Aye," he sighed. "You are right..."

"I know I am," I answered smugly, and he snorted softly. "Now, get in bed and rest. I will join you after I find Kili. Erebor will be fine without their King for the rest of the evening."

When he nodded, I backed up and let him stand. Even in his exhaustion, he didn't let it show. I laid my hand on his chest gently, and then leaned up and gave him a kiss. His expression slowly eased, and I saw his shoulders drop quietly. Leaving him, I shut the door gently and walked down the steps and went down to where I knew Kili would be. He would be with his brother as always, and I found him there just as I thought.

"Kili," I said softly, as he sat next to Fili who was fast asleep.

He lifted his head when he saw me, and his eyes got large. The expression was hard to read, but I held out my hand and waited for him to take it. When he did, I walked with him out of the room and through several halls in silence. I knew he was nervous, and I was hoping just a little scared about the situation. He had hurt my feelings, but even in doing that he had been right.

"You must understand that much is happening," I said softly. "And it is all happening very fast. Thorin has been through two large battles, he has had to deal with rebuilding this city and making sure his people are taken care of and there is much that weighs on him. I did not see it until today. You know your uncle was never good with things that concern the heart."

"No," he agreed softly. "He was not. I'm so sorry, Mahal forgive me for what I said earlier..."

"There is no need," I answered, and stopped to turn him to me. "If you do this Kili, the road is not going to be an easy one. The elves will likely not support this. No matter how well Thorin and Thranduil seem to be...getting along...this could have them fall out worse then when he lost Erebor to Smaug."

"Is that what he fears?" Kili asked quietly.

"Yes," I nodded. "I didn't see it at first. But he is right. He fears for you, and he fears for what it will do to the kingdom. I assured him that nothing will happen but like I said...this will not be easy."

"So...he gives us his blessing?"

"He does in his own way," I said gently. "Are you prepared for this? Is she?"

"We have spoken of it...we know the road ahead will not be easy," he nodded slowly, looking down at his feet. "But I cannot live without her. I will take on any challenge that I must in order to keep her at my side."

"Then we will figure it out," I sighed softly. "But it is going to take a little time, because we do need to speak with Thranduil."

Kili nodded his head quietly and so I shooed him from me after I hugged him. I watched him walk off, and I sighed slowly and walked outside to feel the night air on my face. The sun had set about an hour ago and the stars were shining brightly tonight. The valley was lit by the moon and I looked over at the grass that was slowly starting to grow back. This summer the whole valley had actually been green thanks to the efforts of the men in Dale. I sighed quietly and looked at the moon again and thought things over.

If Kili and Tauriel really wanted to go through with this, then Thorin would not be allowed near Thranduil while I had to talk to him about it. The thought had me smiling because I knew that would end in disaster if the two got a hold of each other if it went south. To be honest, I wasn't sure how Thranduil was going to react. He could surprise me and be fine with the idea, or worse try and take my head.

"My lady."

Turning my head I smiled when I saw Dwalin standing guard behind me. He came to my side, his arms crosses as usual, and he leaned against the pillar on the bridge. For a moment, we said nothing, until I finally broke the silence.

"Dwalin," I nodded my head. "Actually, I'm glad you are here. I have need of you tomorrow. Will you meet me out here with Kili tomorrow morning?"

"Aye. I can do that," he nodded. "Can I ask why?"

"Not yet," I smiled, and he bowed to me.

Sighing loudly into the night, I scanned the valley one last time before I turned into a hawk and landed on the balcony to my room. Turning human again, I walked in quietly and glanced at the few candles that were lit still. Thorin was sleeping peacefully in the bed, laying flat on his stomach. He had brought his arms up under the pillow and the blanket was loose around his waist. I could easily see the scar on his back from the fight with Azog, and as I focused, there were plenty more that littered his back.

Slipping out of my shoes, I silently walked to change into something for the night, and walked back around the bed so that I could see his face. He was snoring softly, and I smiled at the noise before gently moving some hair out of his face. He didn't move, and his breathing didn't change at my touch. My eyes softened slightly as I took in his face, seeing the age that was there. He was just over a hundred years old, but he'd been forced to act far older than what he had been when they lost Erebor. He had been only thirty when he had become King in exile. It was amazing what had happened over the years, and now here we were.

Walking away from him, I took my crown off and set it next to his before wandering back to the bed and climbing in silently. Getting under the covers, I leaned over and kissed his shoulder. Thorin shifted slightly as I laid down, and he moved to turn on his side to face me. His eyes fluttered open and found me instantly. I gave him a gentle smile and let him reach out and draw me to him. Thorin pressed a kiss to my forehead as his arm wrapped around me. I hummed softly at his touch, and then lifted my head to catch his lips. He came to life the moment our lips pressed together and he deepened it instantly. I cupped his cheek and ran my fingers through his beard as our lips moved together and his hand squeezed down on my hip.

"You're supposed to be tired," I breathed, when he finally pulled back to take a breath.

"I am," he mused. "You woke me up when you kissed my shoulder."

"So sorry," I teased softly, making him smile.

Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me again, and captured his lips once more. He wasted no time in ridding us both of our clothes before he was on top of me and sliding in with a simple movement. I arched against him and sighed softly in pleasure at the feeling of it. Thorin pressed his forehead to mine for a moment and looked at me, his eyes meeting mine. I returned the gaze, and met him when he started to move. Sucking in a breath, I reached up and tangled my fingers in his thick hair. He gave a deep rumble of pleasure, his lips finding my skin as he pulled me closer.

I couldn't help the moan that passed my lips as he went in deep, and his own voice echoed my pleasure. Moving against him, I wrapped my legs around his waist and managed to flip us, only once he knew what I wanted. Thorin's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and allowed the flip to happen. Adjusting myself slightly, I sank down on him, earning a quiet hum of elation. I felt my cheek burn in a blush, but I continued to move against him. Thorin met each movement of mine with one of his own, and soon our voices filled the room. I got lost in the pleasure, and leaned down and kissed him heatedly.

We spent a while together, till our bodies were well used and we were both exhausted. I laid there when we had finally parted and I watched him throw a log on the fire after he pulled his pants back on. I had slipped back into my own clothes, only to lie back down. He turned back and came to bed, and laid down in front of me. I looked at his chest for a little bit, and then pointed at a scar that I had not noticed before.

"That," he sighed, "is from the goblin tunnels. I have quite a few of them from that wretched place."

"I never realized how many scars you truly have," I murmured softly.

He reached up to finger the scar quietly and sighed. "That was probably the hardest part of our quest...everything else seemed so easy," he rumbled. "Even when we got the mountain back...but the tunnels...we didn't have Gandalf with us. He had made us go ahead so that the elves wouldn't try to stop us."

"I remember Balin said you all were sneaking off quietly," I answered with a smile. "You hadn't bothered to say good bye. What happened?"

Thorin gave a soft smile and laced our fingers after a moment. "Well, we were lucky enough to witness a thunder battle. I've never seen stone giants before. That was something I'll never forget. We all ended up finding a cave to rest in for the night..." he trailed off for a moment, and released my hand to run his finger down my arm and side. "It was when Bilbo tried to go back to Rivendell, because he didn't feel he had a place in the company. I saw his sword glow blue when he was speaking to Bofur but it was too late.

'The floor opened up and we fell down this whole stone tunnel and into this wooden cage. It was an awful trip down and to the Goblin King. When he saw Orcrist, they were ordered to kill us. We didn't' have our weapons at the time. So it was quite a relief that Gandalf showed up when he did."

I sucked in my breath quietly, and looked at him. "That sounds absolutely miserable."

"Aye, it was," he agreed. "I got to kill goblins out of it, and Gandalf killed the king. We got out and we realized Bilbo was not with us and I thought for sure he actually had left us...but he popped out from behind a tree. Right after I was done insulting him mind you, I was surprised and well I guess I did feel a little bad."

I laughed softly and traced circles over his chest. "That's a first. Usually when you insult someone you back it up with this...haughty stare."

"Haughty?" he chuckled. "Well I certainly didn't this time. I demanded to know why he came back, and he told us it was because we didn't have a home because it was taken from us. He wanted to help us take it back. All of that abruptly ended when we heard wargs and we faced Azog."

"I could only imagine the shock that hit you when you saw him alive," I murmured.

"I was a fool to think he had perished because I cut off his arm," Thorin answered sourly. "And that was probably the most humiliating time of my life when I went to fight him that night. I try to act like it never happened."

I chuckled softly and closed my eyes while he ran his fingers over my skin. Sighing softly, I pressed my forehead against his chest. I went over the memory of seeing him lying lifelessly on the Carrock and I hummed to myself. That had not been a happy sight to see.

"It wasn't the best time to show up suddenly either," I laughed. "You did not look happy to see me."

Thorin laughed softly at that, and pressed his chin on my head gently. "I was still trying to get over what had just happened...it was also a shock."

"Turned out to be the best shock of your life," I teased, pressing my lips to his skin.

"Oh aye," he agreed. "I cannot disagree with that."

"Smart answer, My Lord," I whispered, kissing him.

Thorin chuckled softly, and kissed me back. We finally moved, and got ready to sleep. I felt his smile against my hair after he kissed my head. Once we were comfortable, he drew the covers over the both of us. I fell asleep not long after, exhausted and happily so.