Chapter 47

As I came closer to the large doors, I could hear what they were saying, and I stretched out my senses to hear them better. When I finally did hear them, I was suddenly wishing that I was deaf. I flinched immediately hearing the words that were spoken.

"You have a shifter at your disposal! It is one of the reasons we allowed you to marry her! She could protect us! But no, you made her stay inside, and all she did was kill two trolls!"

"It is not a Queen's job to fight," Thorin said lowly, his voice thick with anger.

"She is no ordinary Queen. This is one of the reasons why we do not want to allow Prince Kili to marry that sprite! It will gain us nothing, just as marrying that useless woman has done for you!"

The room went absolutely silent, and I felt rage pulse inside. I blinked, unable to help the hurt that surged through my body. However, I reminded myself that this was a new Council. I barely remembered any of these dwarves. I could hear Thorin's deep breathing, and I knew if I waited much longer he was going to blow his top. Glaring at the doors, I shoved them open after I called on the strength of my powers. It was satisfying when they hit the stone walls, making every single dwarf swing around or look up in shock. I stood in the doorway, and looked at each and every dwarf in the room, beside the three that I loved. For a moment, they all cowered in front of me, and then it was gone. Lord Bulak glared at me with hatred, and that was all I needed to let go of my control.

"Arina..." Thorin rumbled, coming over.

Holding up my hand, I silenced him without even looking at him. Instead, I held Bulak's glare with one of my own for a moment. When I did look away, I looked at the King and took in his appearance. He approached me the rest of the way, so I reached up to touch his cheek. I could tell that he was in pain from the wounds he sustained from the short battle, and I could also see the temper he was attempting to squash. I gave him a soft look, and my fingers stroked through his hair and beard. I arched my brow at him, focused on no one but him.

"Such an awful King," I said, my voice teasing. "Not using the shifter that is apparently at your disposal."

"I see nothing but my Queen," he rumbled softly.

It made my heart leap in my chest at his declaration, and I smiled at him. Reaching up, I kissed his free cheek before turning my wrath to those in front of me. Bulak rose to his feet when I stepped up to the large table, and opened his mouth. I immediately drew myself up to my full height, even though it was not that impressive. If I could take on Thranduil, I could take on these dwarves without batting an eye.

"Be silent!" I commanded, and was satisfied to see him listen.

They all held my gaze for a long moment, except for Balin. The old dwarf had nothing to do with this one and he was free of my anger. The others were not so lucky, and they knew it. A few of them refused to look at me. Instead their eyes were glued to the table.

"All of you, apart from Balin are dismissed from this Council," I said, my words bold and precise. "The King will no longer have need of you."

"How dare you!" Lord Runur hissed. "You cannot..."

"Watch me," I hissed back. "You old fools have no interest in preserving this mountain, or helping it prosper again. All you care about is being held up in here and keeping with old traditions. I value each and every one of them, but face it. You can not go on living that way. I care for these people as if they are my own, and you treat me like I'm just a pawn to be moved around. It ends here."

"You cannot command us," Lord Bulak growled.

"At this point, I don't even think the King can command you," I snorted. "I will not ask all of you again."

"I'd like to see you try," Lord Ketor challenged.

I smiled at him. "You said King Thorin has a shifter at his disposal, did you not? Balin, will you kindly join Dwalin and the King?"

The older dwarf got to his feet with a nod and walked over to the other side of the room. I stole a glance at my husband, and saw him cross his arms and smirk slightly. He was thoroughly enjoying this. Looking back at the table of dwarves, I gave them a glare.

"I took an oath when I made my choice to marry Thorin," I spoke clearly. "I knew what I was getting into, and I knew what was going to be needed. These people are under my protection, and I will give my life for them. But my duty is also to my King. I protect him as well. If it means dismissing you lot for him, then I will."

"Brave words," Lord Runur smirked.

"This is the last order," I said softly, my eyes glittering. "Get out."

"You cannot command us," Bulak sneered.

I had glanced around the large room to make sure what I had to do was possible. As with most places in Erebor, the hall itself was huge. It would make even larger beasts seem small. Looking back at the table, I then stole another glance at my husband as my eyes glowed. He came to attention when he saw the look on my face, and the King stepped forward.

"Gentlemen," Thorin warned, alarmed suddenly. "The Queen's orders are to be treated as my own. All of you are dismissed of your duties, and if you do not listen then I will make sure of it."

"You cannot put us out! Your father made this council!" Bulak snarled.

"My father has been dead for some time," Thorin said lowly. "It's time I make my own Council. If you do not leave, then my shifter will be at my disposal. From the glow in her eyes, I'm thinking dragon."

Alarmed as well, the older dwarves looked at me and watched as my hands became claws and I dug them into the thick wood table. Everyone in the room flinched at the sight except for Thorin. I knew this was hard on him, to dismiss the dwarves he had been around for so long, but they were not looking into the best interests of this mountain. I would not lie back and be the type of Queen that was only here for looks. I intended on being part of this city.

Slowly, they all rose to their feet and began to leave. I pushed myself back to be fully human and turned to watch them, not willing to let them have my back. I could feel the rage swirling through me, and it was almost too hard to contain. I shook slightly, to rid myself of any extra energy when Thorin walked up to me.

"I hope I didn't ruin anything," I said softly. "I may not be extremely well educated on dwarven customs, but they do not look out for our people's best interest anymore."

He grabbed my hand, and pulled it to his lips to kiss it. Turning to look at him, I was surprised to see him looking at me so proudly. It wasn't something I was expecting.

"You did exactly what I could not," he rumbled. "I could have...but I would have been shouting."

"Well, I'm glad I was at least useful somehow today," I whispered.

"You are always useful. Thank you for putting my people first," Thorin rumbled.

"I always have done that," I smiled.

Leaning down, Thorin kissed me on the lips. "It is time you do me a favor," he rumbled.

"What?" I asked.

"No more dragon transformations for a whole moon cycle," Thorin ordered. "You have used that form so much that it is bleeding into your very being. I've never seen you deal with control before. The dragon can be poisonous, love."

I blinked several times as he cupped my cheeks, and quietly nodded my head. "Deal," I murmured. "Then please refrain from getting into trouble?"

Thorin chuckled, his voice soothing to my ears. "I cannot promise that," he rumbled.

The winter ended up being a harsh one. I had kept my promise to Thorin, and did not use my dragon form for a whole month. I ended up using it as a last resort, and thankfully, the only thing the winter gave us was the harsh cold and more snow than the eye could see. We were planning for Kili and Tauriel to get married once spring came. With the bitter cold upon the mountain, we were also free from any Orc attacks.

I sighed as I firmly locked the great doors in our room, keeping the cold out. A servant stoked the fire and a maid walked in to draw my bath. I had been helping Thorin all day with picking out a new council, and it had been frustrating to say the least. I had ended up leaving after he refused to listen to me. The cold weather made him irritable, and I couldn't stand when he got like that.

"That you, Leary," I murmured, and the maid smiled.

"I will have dinner sent up to you shortly," she nodded.

"That would be wonderful."

I enjoyed my bath in silence, and decided to open up my senses to the mountain. I could hear the hustling of the dwarves, and the happy talks around. I couldn't hear the whole mountain, but a good portion of it. It made me happy, to hear all commotion going on. It meant things were going well within the mountain. Sighing, I finished up, and got out after a good soak. After drying my hair as best as I could, I braided it again and clipped my beads into place.

Throwing on some night clothes, I pulled my robe on and went to gingerly set the crown on it's pillow. Staring at it for a moment, I then let out my breath and glanced at the table to see that Leary had in fact brought up dinner. Grateful for the extra help, I walked over and sat down. I poured myself some wine, and savored the taste and the silence. It was quiet enough that I could enjoy it, but not so silent that my ears were ringing. I hummed softly to myself and enjoyed it for about ten minutes.

Suddenly, the door opened and Thorin walked in with Dwalin. They were arguing about something, and for once I was thankful that it was in their language and not the common tongue. Lifting up from my wine, since I had at least finished my meal, my eyes narrowed at their intrusion. The King met my eyes the moment he felt me staring at him, and Dwalin immediately shut his mouth. He dismissed Dwalin without wasting another moment, and the war master bowed to the both of us and left. I watched the door shut, before I turned my gaze back to my husband.

"Apologies," Thorin rumbled. "I didn't realize you were in here."

"I'm sure you didn't," I answered sourly.

"I will not warn you again," the king grumbled. "Do not pick a fight with me today."

"Then don't make me."

Arching my brow at him, I took another drink of my wine and got to my feet. Walking away from him, I went and sat in my favorite chair by the fire. It just so happened, that it was Thorin's. I heard him grunt behind me, and it made me grin. I glanced at the fire for a few minutes, before glancing back to where the dwarf lord had gone to.

"Did you pick out a council?" I asked. "I did leave you hours ago."

"Aye, I did," he answered. "For the most part. I have two more I must pick, and that is over. I have also made sure that my old one will not cause any issue. They all are to be dispatched to the Blue Mountains after the snow thaws. Dwarves still live there, that did not want to make the journey. They all seem happy to return home."

"Sounds like you have had a nice day," I tipped my glass, then took a drink.

"It was. The healers tell me you paid a visit," he said slowly.

"I did. We have several sick and injured from this weather. I've decided that the latest trade with Thranduil will include healing herbs. Luckily, the wagon arrived yesterday. Along with a new batch of wine. Compliments of the elf. There is a storm coming," I glanced his way.

Thorin took off his coat, and slowly took off his boots. His long hair moved in front of his face as he sat down and did so. "Do you mean literally, or are you implying something else?" he asked, his voice low.

He was ready for whatever I might throw at him. His tone was warning enough, and it made me smile again at the fire. I wanted to pester him about today, but I knew it wasn't worth it. I was brave, but not stupid. It wouldn't be wise to take him on right now. Part of me was still terrified of fighting with him. Thorin would always be a force to be reckoned with. Sighing, I finished my wine and got to my feet. When I did, I found that he was looking at me, his blue eyes dancing with warning. Walking up to him, I leaned down and pressed my forehead against his and closed my eyes tightly.

"I do not wish to fight with you anymore today," I whispered. "I've had enough."

"As have I," he murmured back, his hand reaching up and brushing against my cheek.

"It has been a rough two months, and I am tired. Let's retire for the night," I sighed. "And I mean literally. It feels like a bad storm. We may have to offer assistance to Dale in the next few days."

Thorin nodded, and headed to the bath to clean up. I watched him go, and ran a hand quietly over my stomach for a moment, lost in thought. Walking over to the bed, I laid down and scooted over to his side. When the dwarf lord walked back out, his expression had me smiling. Thorin walked over, and leaned down to press a kiss to my lips.

"You will move," he rumbled, a small smile gracing his lips.

I opened my mouth to reply, but all I was able to emit was a squeak as he picked me up and physically moved me. I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up and escaped me. Thorin's shoulders relaxed, and he blew out the candle. He leaned over again, and pressed another kiss to my lips.

"I'd rather hear your laughter," he murmured. "Not our shouting."

"I'm sorry for getting angry with you," I answered, letting my fingers play with his hair.

"And I am as well," he sighed.

"Tomorrow is a new day," I hummed.

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