Here's a chapter that sets up some things coming later while Thorin struggles with his insecurity. Enjoy!

Chapter 17

Kili took Relianna back to the infirmary while Fili went with the guards to the Hall of Audiences where Thorin stood completely at a loss for why so many servants had flung themselves prostrate at his feet and crying in relief.

"A word, uncle," Fili said seriously. As soon as the servants saw him, they cheered and shouted praises. The bolder ones stood and rushed to kiss his hands. Fili inclined his head solemnly and bid the guards to take them to the dining hall and ask Bombur to prepare cold platters on his authority. As one, the servants turned obediently and filed out the door murmuring in excitement.

"Stay with them until we send for them," he ordered the guards.

Thorin had never seen his nephew so commanding—with his personal guard nonetheless—and had many questions, but only one mattered at the moment.

"Is she safe? Is she well?" he demanded.

"Aye, uncle," Fili replied with a long exhale, "Kili took her back to Oin."

He put his hands on his hips and paced for a moment to gather his thoughts. Thorin couldn't help seeing the similarity between them in that moment, but he worried that something serious had happened for his nephew to be so grim.

"What is it?" he demanded. "What happened?"

Fili shook his head, his lips twisting between a smile at Relianna's boldness and a scowl at Onkra's cruelty. He decided to start there and speak plainly. His uncle would stand for nothing less.

"Relianna went to face Onkra and save a maid who was being beaten in her stead," he began in a low but steady voice. "Onkra let the maid go but had two dwarves in her employ grab Relianna and push her to her knees. She intended to whip her instead with a knotted leather strap. I gathered that it was her common practice."

Thorin cried out and pushed his fist against his mouth. He didn't trust himself to speak but instead waved his hand for Fili to continue.

"Kili and I got there in time, uncle," he said, rushing to calm Thorin. "No harm came to her."

Thorin visibly relaxed and braced his hands on a table on the side of the room with his back to his nephew while he tried to calm himself.

"Her guards were ready to fight us, and such ugly brutes I'd never seen, uncle, but then," and he started chuckling in admiration, "Relianna said that by your order all Onkra's servants were released from their obligations. I was surprised but agreed and commanded them to leave for positions here at Erebor."

Thorin turned back, and his mouth dropped open in shock. It was a high crime to issue orders in the king's name without his consent, and she seemed to do it with ease. He would have to have a stern talk with her later. He understood her wish to help, and he didn't fault her for that, but Erebor could have only one ruler. Taking a deep breath, he waved Fili on.

"Just when I thought we would have to fight, your guards appeared and took them to the dungeon on my order."

Then he started laughing, and Thorin looked up confused.

"I think Kili and I have fallen for Relianna, uncle!"

Thorin's eyes narrowed, and his face tightened.

"Not the same way I hope, nephew," he grumbled warningly.

Fili immediately sobered and tugged on his jerkin to make himself more presentable.

"Not at all, uncle," he said hastily, "but she has gumption and yet so much compassion. She tried to make peace with Onkra, but that fat sow spit in her face"—Thorin inhaled sharply—"so she took Kili's sword and slashed Onkra's chair leg. After we closed the door, we heard a scream and crash. I'll bet she's still laying there and without any servants to help her."

Thorin chuckled with Fili at her resourcefulness.

"She's wonderfully clever, uncle," Fili said, lost in admiration, "and now with the extra weight, she's even beautiful, I think. Our time with her certainly shows.

Thorin appraised his worshipful demeanor, not at all pleased with the dreamy look on his face.

"What time?" he asked, a slight edge to his voice.

Fili smiled, missing Thorin's agitation.

"Oh, Kili and I spend almost every hour and meal with her except for her time with you. I've never seen Kili so excited about anything since the quest. I think it makes him feel good to be needed, and he's making plans to escort her around Erebor. No one will look twice since he's been seen with many maids."

Thorin's brow creased. He wanted to show her his mountain and take her to all his special places—especially the private family garden that his mother designed so he could propose officially.

"Oh, and he's taking her to grandmother's garden tonight. You can get a good view of the stars from there."

Thorin's blood rushed into his ears, muffling out Fili's last words.

"He what?" he roared. "He might as well declare himself!"

Fili held out his hands, his face both fearful and apologetic.

"He's just trying to keep her busy, uncle," he said hurriedly. "She's been desperate to go outside, and he's only trying to make her comfortable. He's doing this for you."

"Is he?" Thorin asked sarcastically. "Are you sure?"

Just then Balin and Dwalin walked in.

"What are those servants from the Iron Hills doing in the dining hall?" Balin asked. "Thorin?"

Their king gnashed his teeth and whirled on his friends.

"Anyone else plotting to take Relianna from me?

Dwalin's brows rose while he looked from Fili to his king. Fili shook his head slightly, his eyes pleading for someone to intervene. Balin sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew that Thorin's insecurity about Relianna's feelings for him was fueling his jealousy. However, he decided for once not to be the voice of reason and instead let Thorin stew in it until he saw its absurdity for himself.

"Now that you mention it, my lord," he said amiably, "I heard a number of your guards complimenting her bravery and beauty. Perhaps some might be bold enough to seek her favor. She's a comely lass for certain. If only I were a few years younger. What do you say, Dwalin? She's a much better catch than Lady Fregma."

Dwalin glared daggers at his brother while Thorin stood there with his chest heaving, his eyes bulging almost as much as Onkra's did a short time ago. He looked from face to face, seeing fear on Fili's, frustration on Dwalin's, and rebuke on Balin's. He crossed his arms over his chest and clenched his teeth.

"What are you all playing at?" he bit out. "No one will take her from me. No one!"

"Who's trying?" Balin said in exasperation. "You're imagining things, laddie, and you'll drive yourself mad if you go on this way."

The sound of his breathing filled the room.

"I have every right to be protective," he argued. "She's in danger, and I fear for her."

The others nodded, knowing it to be true, but Balin was undeterred by his efforts to avoid the real issue.

"More like you fear that a younger dwarrow will catch her eye," he said flatly. "You don't trust her, do you?"

Thorin scowled and made a show of indignation that fooled no one.

"She's all that's honorable and noble-hearted," he said firmly, "as well as loyal and kind."

"But you're not sure she loves you, are you, lad?" Balin persisted.

Thorin stopped pacing and instead shuffled awkwardly about as though he didn't know that to do with his hands and feet. He fingered papers, moved objects on a table, and tried different positions, but none were comfortable. The others waited patiently. Finally, he wrapped his arms around himself, hugging his middle.

"I am ... uncertain of her affections," he bit out. He bowed his head and sighed painfully.

All looked at each other and, surprisingly, Fili spoke first.

"How can you be, uncle? We all see she loves you."

"I'm not so sure it's more than infatuation," he replied.

"So why don't you ask her then and be done with it?" Dwalin asked, most reasonably he thought.

Thorin dismissed his words with an impatient flick of his fingers.

"And seem like a green youth begging for her favors?"

Balin snorted.

"So instead you're jealous of anyone who even looks at her and suspicious of your nephews who're doing everything they can to keep her safe."

Then he hit the mark like an arrow in the bull's-eye.

"You're just worried because you think you're too old for her or that you won't match up to her childish imaginings."

Thorin went still, and Balin knew he was right.

"But she has more reason to question your motives, laddie," he continued. "I'm sure Queen Relia told her the good and the bad, yet you only met her a few weeks ago. A short time indeed to fall in love, yet she's not doubting you."

Thorin's face twisted in pain, and they barely heard his next words.

"Onkra said she had a lover, that healer she traveled with."

Fili pulled a face.

"And you believe her? Consider the source, uncle. If anyone's not trustworthy, it's her!"

Dwalin loudly seconded his words, and Thorin's brows drew together. He was still unconvinced.

"And if she had, laddie, would you still want her?" Balin asked with more than a hint of irony. "It's not as if you're as pure as a mountain spring."

Thorin put his fists to his eyes to blot out the memory. He was young and new to strong spirits when the sons of other noble dwarves took him to a notorious pub to celebrate his birthday. Knowing that he was inexperienced, they got him drunk for the first time and pushed a comely barmaid at him. He remembered the heat and the urgency but also the shame and disgust when he woke up in bed with her the next morning. What was worse was his awakened physical urge led him to continue seeking her out until he finally suppressed his lust with duty and responsibility.

"It's not the same thing!" he retorted angrily. "I didn't live with a lover!"

Dwalin waited a beat. "What's that saying about the pot calling the kettle black?"

Balin chuckled.

"Oh, yes," he replied with a pointed look at Thorin, "I believe it has something to do with hypocrisy."

They waited until the angry flush on his face subsided.

"I apologize for my words," he forced himself to say. "They were unwarranted."

Balin nodded in satisfaction, and Dwalin and Fili exhaled in relief.

"Aye, laddie," he said, then his face turned stern. "You've never been rational about the lass, and we understand to a point, but you can't let your feelings make you suspect everyone else. No one's done anything wrong, and you'll hurt the lass if you're not careful, not to mention push away those you need to help you. If you want her, you'll have to take her as she is, history and all, just as she'll have to take you."

Thorin nodded, his head down.

"Still," he said, "still, I want to approve her activities. There are some I want to keep for myself."

"I'll talk to Kili, uncle," Fili said quickly.

"You do that."

Then he ordered them to the dining hall to quiz the servants on their skills and interests while he wrote a message to Dain.

"I've had enough of him for this week," he said to them. He gave a sentry the message. "This will explain enough, and he can send some of his own servants to attend Onkra unless they want to join the throng."

Meanwhile, Relianna leafed through books that Kili brought until she had enough and then poked around Oin's stores of herbs and salves when a dwarf wearing the robes of a healer came in.

"There you are, my dear," he said cheerfully. "Oin ordered a little more food for you and something to calm your nerves. You've had a trying day, I hear, but I applaud your pluck."

She put the book down and surveyed him coolly.

"Where is Oin, Master Dwarf, or Lady Nella?" she asked. "I thought one of them would be here by now."

His laughter was warm and jolly, and she couldn't help smiling in return.

"Why lass," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "you can't expect them to be here all the time." Then he took her hand and kissed it. "My name is Befrin, my lady, and Oin sent me to watch over things until he got back."

Then he gave her a sly grin.

"I see you have an interest in healing, lass," he said. "Tell me, what skills do you have?"

He patted the edge of a bed, and she sat down next to him. He asked many questions about her experiences and what she knew, and she shared about the various outbreaks of disease she had seen.

"Truly terrible," he said, nodding in sympathy. "We've been working on a treatment for a pox that leaves disfiguring marks, but with no success yet. However, I'm sure we're close."

Then he eyed her speculatively.

"So do you have any special skills? You sound quite accomplished."

She sat quietly for a moment. His questions were friendly enough, but she felt uncomfortable telling him more.

"I suppose I learned what I needed to at the time," she said thoughtfully. "Sometimes you can only learn a skill when you're confronted with a situation. I learned to set bones after a mining accident, and grandfather and I treated an outbreak of pneumonia and learned that a steam made with pungent herbs can sometimes draw up the phlegm. We still lost too many though."

He patted her knee.

"But you saved more than you lost, I'll be bound."

His gaze was so understanding and heartfelt that she became more at ease.

"So your grandfather was a healer as well, eh?" he asked. "What did he teach you?"

She looked up at him and tried not to cry, and he patted her hand.

"You don't have to tell me, lass," he said softly. "I don't want to reduce you to a puddle on my watch. Oin would never forgive me."

She brushed a tear off her cheek and straightened up. She decided that she like this dwarf. He had such an easy way about him that he immediately made her feel safe.

"No, I'm well," she said. "I suppose the greatest thing grandfather taught me was to never give up hope and fight until the end to save each person. But if things do go badly, know that you did the best you could and not blame yourself."

He nodded sagely.

"Very sound advice, my dear," he said. Then he turned to the tray. "Now something to eat and drink. I'm sure you're hungry."

She looked to the laden tray and then back at him.

"Surely I can't eat in front of you," she said. "Why don't you join me?"

He patted his stomach and grinned ruefully. "Do I look like I need to eat any more," and they laughed together.

"Oin said he'd be back soon, so maybe I'll share this with him," she said.

He turned stern.

"Now don't be sharing food that's meant for you lass. Healer's orders," and he pushed the tray toward her. "And drink up. You must be parched."

Then they heard a noise in the hall and the sound of footsteps.

"Well," Befrin said with a smile, "shift's up," and he patted her hand gently and headed out another door.

No sooner had the door closed when Thorin came in. Forgetting the tray, she jumped up to hug him, and he pulled her close. Then he held her away from him and gripped her shoulders. He determined to put his fears and doubts behind him for the moment. They would need to talk at some point, but for now, he just wanted to forget his embarrassing outburst and move on.

"I heard what happened, Relianna," he said solemnly, "and while I'm proud of you for standing up for others, I want to know exactly what happened."

She sat down like a chastened child and folded her hands in her lap. Thorin looked over and saw the tray. It was filled with tempting fare, and the red wine with fruit added smelled delicious.

"Do you want to eat first?" he asked. "You must be hungry."

She shook her head.

"Not anymore," she said in a small voice. "Besides, I'd rather eat later with you."

He pushed the tray away and listened to what happened. He huffed in annoyance at her deceiving Balin and Dwalin and clenched his knuckles until they turned white at her recounting of Onkra's words and outrageous behavior.

"I still can't believe that she always knew. She knew and never told her father. If it weren't for Fili and Kili coming in to save me, I don't know what would have happened," she said tremulously. Then she took a deep breath and shook off her fear. "They were so brave, Thorin, like princes of old coming to rescue the damsel in distress. They were so dashing and fierce."

Thorin watched her eyes shine as she recounted what Fili and Kili said and did, and he felt a twist in his gut. She seemed to have a preference for dramatic acts of valor and noble sacrifices, but did she care only for the image of the perfect prince in her mind? Would she be as excited to live with the mundane duties of leadership and the more ordinary aspects of living together as husband and wife? His doubts and fears tried to resurrect themselves, but he forcibly refused to dwell on them. He recalled Dwalin's advice to simply ask her, but he was afraid to prove his fears true.

"Relianna," he started, "I understand why you did what you did, but you can never give an order in my name again. Ever. I am king, and you are not to use my authority without my expressed permission. Is that clear?"

She nodded with her head down.

"I'm so sorry, my lord," she said softly. "I was so angry and frightened for my friends. It was the only thing I could think of at the time."

"Thorin," he said lifting her chin. Then he rubbed her hands as he thought of one more thing he wanted to ask. "Now that I think of it, just how did you arrange that outing where we met?"

She shifted and squirmed under his steady gaze.

"Do I have to tell?" she asked plaintively. "Isn't it enough that I promise never to do it again?"

"No."

She huffed and hugged herself.

"I, uh, forged your writing and signature from the notes you wrote and told a sentry that Dolor had dropped it when he walked by carrying a number of parchments. The sentry was only too glad to give it back to him, and, well, you know what happened next."

He was astounded. Her plan was so simple and yet ingenious.

"So never again, aye?" he asked.

"Never," she said. Then she peeked at him under her lashes. "Are you mad at me?"

He scooped her up and kissed her. With her in his arms, he could sweep away any reservation. Everything felt so right that it must be right.

"No," he said smiling, "but I admit that your cleverness has me worried."

She smiled coyly. "I thought you enjoyed playing chess with a worthy opponent."

He grinned and tickled her until he had her pinned on the bed, holding her wrists above her head. She licked her lips, and her chest rose and fell from exertion. His eyes darkened, and he felt himself weakening. She had filled out some—or rather ripened—and he knew he'd better get ahold of himself at once.

"Aye, well," he said sitting up and pulling her back to sit beside him. "If you'd rather eat with me, I'll order fresh platters."

He walk out the door and gave orders to an attendant only to find Dolor waiting for him.

"Your Majesty," he said with a formal bow, "the time is approaching for you to select a bride. I trust by now that you have someone in mind?"

Thorin pursed his lips, but the twinkle in his eye gave him away, and Dolor smiled greedily.

"Ah!" he said. "Very good. Now if you'll give us her name, we'll research her fortune and the strategy needed to make the most out of the betrothal."

Thorin's face turned fierce.

"I will not," he said firmly. "You forced this on me, but it was not stipulated to subject her to an inquisition."

Dolor spluttered.

"But we need to make sure that your choice is the most advantageous possible!"

Thorin leaned close, and Dolor shied away from his angry face.

"Advantageous to whom, Dolor? To you? To the council? I don't recall that being a condition, and you will not make it so. Am I clear?"

Dolor fumed, but there was nothing he could do. Then he looked at the door behind Thorin.

"It's been noticed that you spend more time than usual in the sick rooms, my lord," he said unctuously. "May I ask why?"

Thorin's lip curled.

"To remedy my continually sour stomach, Dolor, but I'm sure my malady will pass at the end of the month."

"And that is only five days away, sire," he replied snidely. "I hope you're sure of your choice."

Thorin watched him walk away, and his stomach started churning. He was sure he wanted Relianna, but his thoughts started whirling in his mind. Remembering Balin's words, he fought to dismiss his rising doubts. He turned and put his hand on the door with a sigh before he entered again with a slightly forced smile on his face.

We're coming down to the wire, and some things will come to a head in the next chapter. I hope you liked and please review!