Finally got a fully developed plan for this story! ( I didn't have an ending) Yay, also the title was suppose to be Trials of the King, but do to a typo on my part it became Trails. Oops. But I guess the title still works.
Thorin woke up gasping. Breathing heavily he looked around afraid his dream was more than just a dream. Sighing, Thorin calmed down seeing he was in his room. Thorin had no idea what time it was, but he knew he would get no more sleep tonight. He was afraid to sleep. He was afraid of his dreams.
"My lord," a voice called out after a knock on the door. It was a dwarf guard posted outside of Thorin's chamber. "Are you well, my lord? I heard yelling."
Thorin took a deep breath, rubbing his face. "I'm fine," Thorin barked out then rolled over in his bed. He pulled the covers over his head. He laid there not daring to close his eyes, his mind racing to think of anything besides the gold. The hours dragged on with Thorin clinging onto his sanity. He couldn't not fall into madness again, he wouldn't.
"King Thorin?" A voice spoke from behind the door.
"I said I am fine!" Thorin yelled shaking the candle next to his bed.
"Thorin, it's me, Fili. May I come in?"
Thorin nodded, and then called for Fili to enter. Thorin had forgotten he had a meeting with the consul early in the morning. Fili was fully dressed in his best clothing with simple silver crown on his head. Thorin smiled seeing him. Even after three weeks the amount of pride and joy he felt seeing Fili dressed as a proper prince had not demised at all.
Fili watched Thorin carefully as he got out of bed and lit some lanterns to brighten the room. "Is something wrong, uncle?" Fili asked.
Thorin shook his head, "No, I just didn't sleep well that's all."
That was the fifth time Thorin had told Fili he had slept poorly in the last seven days. Fili knew he should not ask, but he did anyways. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I'm not tired," Thorin lied.
"Well you look tired. Thorin, don't lie to me. Why aren't you sleeping?" Fili crossed his arms. Thorin sighed; sometimes Fili was too stubborn for his own good. Yet, Thorin didn't say a word; instead, he kept getting ready for the meeting avoiding looking at his eldest nephew. "It's the gold sickness isn't it?" Fili asked and Thorin let in a sharp breath. Thorin looked over at Fili. "That's why you're not sleeping. The sickness won't let you."
Thorin nodded slowly. "I still fall prey to it in my dreams."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Fili asked remembering everything that happened while Thorin was under the influence of the gold sickness. He could still feel the faint tingle of pain from his wounds and remember the evil glow in his uncle's eyes as he placed the gold above him and his brother's wellbeing.
"You already have," Thorin said putting his hand on Fili's shoulder. Thorin gave Fili a quick smile then walked passed him towards the door.
"Thorin," Fili said not facing him. "I don't want to lose you again, uncle."
Thorin hung his head for a moment, "you won't Fili. I promise you that."
The two walked in silence towards the great meeting hall. They were both lost in thought about their conversation. Thorin at times would open his mouth to say something, but no words would come out. He was never good at apologizes, especially when everything was his fault. The guilt of his actions still weighted heavy in his mind and despite Balin constantly telling him to forgive himself, Thorin never could. He had hurt those he loved most, pushed away his hobbit, turned on his friends, and for what?
"Where's Kili, shouldn't he be here?" Fili questioned just as they reached the meeting hall.
"I told Kili he could skip this meeting. It will be long meeting, so I told him he could sleep in his bed instead of at the meeting." Thorin told Fili truthfully.
"What!? Why does he get to skip it and sleep in?" Fili questioned feeling envious. He hated being dragged to every meeting. The elders all talked slowly and about stuff Fili couldn't care less about. Fili never got to speak at the meetings either. He just sat at the table listening to everyone else talking. Every elder had something to say, and they would always say it in long winded speeches that could last for hours. All the meets were long and boring. The only excitement that ever happened was when someone, usually Dain, would get into an argument with Thorin. Yet, as of recently, Dain hadn't done any talking at the meetings. In fact, he skipped the last one.
"Can't I skip it too?" Fili begged. He knew he would get down on his knees and kiss Thorin's feet if it meant getting out of sitting through another elder talk-o-thon.
"No Fili, this meeting is important."
"But Kili's not going," Fili argued.
"Kili is not my heir," Thorin said sternly. "Fili, one day you will be king, you need to know how to head a meeting and how to act during one."
"I'm never going to be king."
"What?" Thorin questioned. He looked at Fili with nervous eyes.
The blond let out a faint laugh, "Thorin, you're too stubborn to die. I think you'll out last us all."
Thorin shook his head, "Fili, you shouldn't joke about death. Everyone passes to Mahal's halls one day, in their own time, even me. And when that day comes Fili, when I am dead, you will be king." Thorin put both his hands on his nephew's shoulders. He looked into Fili's blue eyes, yet Fili turned his gaze away.
"Tell you what," Thorin said in his softest voice. The one he usually used when dealing with Kili. "You do not have to come to the meeting today." Thorin said and smiled at Fili, who brightly smiled back. "Go spend time with your brother and mother."
Fili thanked Thorin and began to run off before Thorin called out for him. "Fili, you are going to be a great king one day."
"And you're a great king now Thorin," Fili said in return and ran off to wake up his brother. Thorin smiled. He felt more pride, which he did not think was possible, for his eldest sister's son, for both her sons. Thorin smiled knowing that when he died Fili and Kili would take good care of the kingdom and themselves. They were good heirs, good nephews, and good sons. The smile left Thorin's face; he wished he could live a long life. He wished he could live long beyond his years so he could watch Fili and Kili grow without missing a single moment.
Aw, Thorin, Fili, and Kili are so happy. It would be a shame if something happened to that. More members of the company next chapter!
Please review and have a good day!