She had spent the next day in her room, having given up all hope of getting out of the mountain.

Balin and Bombur had visited her with food, but she had no appetite. All she wanted to do was sleep.

Thorin hadn't returned to see her all night and the next day. In some ways she was grateful for that, even if it meant she was alone most of the time.

After another day had passed in this manner, she had managed to pluck up the courage to explore a little more.

...

Carefully leaving Thorins grand room, she had quietly made her way along the corridors, opening random doors that took her fancy.

She had also stumbled upon the King's Study and a small banquet room, which was probably used for private functions, and then the royal library.

Slowly she continued in the dim light, until she eventually reached the main corridor. Ahead there was some sort of scuffle as she approached to find Thorin wearing an even grander Cape than he had done before, speaking harshly to Balin.

"Someone has betrayed me, Balin!" He hissed angrily. "They have taken the jewel for themselves -"

Her instant reaction when she saw him was to freeze and run away. But this time it was too late.

"Ah! Here comes my pretty wife!" He spoke spotting her immediately. "It has been some days since we last..."

He walked over to her, in his Kingly attire. There was no doubt he looked terribly handsome and commanding and yet something was not quite right.

"I think I shall return to my room..." She began as she turned around. But he was quick, catching her hand and pulling her over to him.

"Do not leave so soon... I have something for you..." He smirked grabbing her waist and pulling her against his chest, before whispering to her. "I did miss you, my wife...very much…"

He kissed her hungrily, before pulling away to examine her face.

"I realise that I have not given you a wedding present..." He tugged at her hand, leading her in to the vast room that he had just come out of and gesturing sweepingly at the space. "This is my grandfather's hoard!"

Her heart was pounding as he had kissed her, and it took her a little while to register exactly what he was gesturing to. But then she had to blink again for the sight before her was unreal!

There piled up like mountains in a room so large, neither the ceilings nor the far end of the room could be seen, was gold and precious jewels in every form imaginable.

He pulled her further in along the narrow path between the mounds of treasure, before stopping at a grand table which stood in the centre. Beneath this were piled many ledgers, presumably documenting every coin and gemstone to pass into these halls.

"Where are we going, my lord...?" She asked nervously. His behaviour felt more erratic. He certainly did not behave as though he had taken her to the dungeons when they last met!

"I am going to give you something." He replied, glancing at her, with a smile!

"Oh my! Right here?!" She couldn't keep the clear worry out of her tone. "It's not very...private..."

He seemed to pause suddenly, realising what she was worried about.

"Oh you are rather humourous," he chuckled at her, before pausing to look at her again hopefully. "Did you truly wish for me to...give you...that particular present then? Right here...?"

Heart racing again, at the fear of being ravaged amidst all this treasure, she shook her head with some urgency.

"Ah well...perhaps another time..." He whispered hurrying her along again, until they arrived at the large table. He looked around noting that several of his company had now abandoned their search for the Arkenstone and were watching the new couple instead with avid interest. "Can we have a moment please? Bombur is making muffins - he has found the good flour at last. And I am certain there will be some tea awaiting you in the kitchens..."

They didn't need much more convincing apparently, with the exception of Dwalin who waved at her, they all quickly cleared out, finally leaving them alone in the treasury.

"Let me see..." He appeared to think out loud, first looking at her and then looking around. "Yes..."

He moved her to the far side of the table where there was a large chair and seated her in it. There was no gentleness about his actions, but fortunately the chair was well stuffed, cushioning her landing.

Then he moved about exceedingly fast lifting, what could only be, several small heavy wooden chests onto the large table.

Once again he turned to her, tilting her chin up, so he could look at her face.

"Most women or dams, have a colour that may suit them well. A colour that would favour them, above all others," he explained quietly. "It is the same with male folk also, although we are less concerned over such matters. But in your case, it is harder..."

"Oh dear...what does that mean?" She looked worried. She had been insulted plenty before - often called inferior or ugly by the other women in court and scorned even for her darker complexion. But she hoped he would not have such unkind words for her - after all he certainly chose her.

"You, my pretty wife, I suspect will look beautiful in many colours..." He stroked her cheek softly. "Perhaps it is your darker skin, or pretty face...? I do not know. But I know jewels, and I can tell just as any other with two eyes that you would look stunning adorned with most precious gems."

She found herself lost for words. It was not what she had expected from him, or come to expect from his harsh ways.

He opened the first chest and pulled out several pearl necklaces, holding them against her neck before placing them in her lap, and then pulling out more gold necklaces, followed by chokers and various other necklets.

Then without warning he tutted and pulled down her neckline further, to expose the tops of her breasts.

"You will need to bear a little more skin, to wear some of the heavier jewels..." He loosened her dress a little more by running his fingers just down the neckline from left to right. While he didnt intend it at first, he brushed her nipples several times, making her sit up a little each time. It seemed to stir something in him again, carrying on now teasing her nipples over and over, before suddenly slipping a finger into her mouth when she gasped. "Mmm...how I would love to have you suck my cock in here..."

Her eyes widened at the intrusion of his thick digit into her mouth. It was not only unexpected, but also she was ashamed to say she did not know what to expect or do, but he simply left his index finger there for a moment, resting on her tongue. Then he began to move it in and out a little.

"Have you ever done that before...?"

Unable to answer she shook her head.

"Hmmmm..." He smiled, relishing the chance to teach her. Most other women or dams had been tainted by advice or preferences of other male folk. It was not always what he enjoyed. Whereas this girl, was clearly unprepared and unspoilt - a beautiful blank canvas, just asking to be trained to exactly what his needs might be.

He groaned feeling himself harden at the thought. And then he stopped for if he carried on like this, he would want her right here indeed.

Once again he turned suddenly to the chests to pull out rubies, pink sapphires and yellow diamonds.

"Take these all, and wear them as you please..." Then he handed her, possibly the most beautiful necklace of all, with large deep blue sapphires and brilliant diamonds. "This one, is for when you dine with me..."

And then he paused again to look at her, scrutinizing carefully, before delving into the next chest and emerging with another beautiful necklace with blue sapphires.

"This one is for your head..." He reached up and arranged it gently on her crown. "It is not the same as the head dress I have seen you wear - as worn by your women folk, but it will suffice until we bring back our jewellers and craftsmen, when I can truly dress you as you deserve..."

He watched her curiously as she attempted to gather herself, after he had teased her.

She still clutched onto the chair handles, with difficulty, her hands gripping so tightly that her fingertips were pale. She even pressed her legs together, her eyes still shut tight as her breathing slowed.

"Oh my...what is wrong...?" He smirked finally realising her problem. "Have I excited you...?"

She gulped, her heart still pounding.

"Is that this fire you light...?"

He moved closer to her chuckling.

"What fire...?"

"It makes me feel as if my whole body is burning..."

A low rumbling chuckle escaped from his chest again. It would have been a truly pleasant sound if she hadn't found herself in such a predicament.

But before she opened her eyes, he had picked her up and placed her on the table, not caring that all the necklaces and jewels on her lap had fallen to the floor unceremoniously.

Then quickly and efficiently, he ducked under her skirts so his entire torso and upper body were hidden under the mass of material.

Her eyes flew open out of sheer shock, but he was faster, drawing her bloomers down and instantly running his tongue along her.

Try as she might, she simply could not suppress the moan the left her lips. It was half a plea to continue, and half a protest for allowing himself free access to her body. It felt utterly dirty.

"What...are...you...doing?" She managed between pants and gasps.

"Would you like me to stop...?" He spoke into her, sending even more stimulation to her most delicate centre. It made her snap her thighs around his head, which he easily held apart with his hands only to turn his head and bite the inner side of her right thigh. "Keep your legs open..."

It was all too much for her as she fell back onto her arms, and he took full advantage of this, delving his mouth and tongue over her.

He felt painfully aroused now, unable to tell how much of the moisture pooling around her was from her or from his mouth, when she shuddered on his tongue, crying out his name.

He no longer cared about any of the jewels. Once when he opened these doors he wished to dress his bride in many of these - to even perhaps fantasize about bathing her supple, naked body in jewels alone, which he could pick away one by one, perhaps revealing her bit by bit before he took her.

Now, all he cared for was to be inside her. It was more intoxicating than the best wine he had ever tasted, or more exhilarating than the greatest victory he had won in battle, and even more soothing than the best pipe-weed he had smoked.

And he wanted it right now.

Pushing the chests aside on the table to make more space, he picked her up. She was clearly so overcome, that she was unable to stand, but that suited him fine.

Turning her body with ease, he lay her face down over the side of the table. Then hurriedly, he lifted her skirts to expose her shapely bottom, before unlacing himself and thrusting fully into her. Her cries were muffled into the table ahead of him, but they only stood to drive him wilder.

He attempted to simply stay there enjoying the feeling of her ebbing climax throbbing around him, but he could bear it no more.

He would have his release now.

Perhaps she was not experienced, but she was exactly what he needed.

"Thorin...?" Everything was happening so fast, she could barely manage a whisper.

He leant over her, gripping her hand in one of his, while still holding onto her hip with the other.

"Hush now, wife," he spoke soothingly, moving slowly several times simply enjoying the feel of her. "I am giving you that 'other present' after all..."

...

She threw the jewellery onto the bed with disgust, striping out of her dress as fast as she possibly could.

Then rushing over to the bathtub she pulled on the lever to the pipes, filling the giant stone tub with hot water followed by cold. It was hard work, and she understood why Thorin had always done it for her now.

Eventually she had filled the tub suitably - it didn't help that it was such a giant tub either. And so she moved to the rack where she had found some of the bathing oils and tested a few more bottles out.

Eventually finding one that smelled like sandalwood, she poured a little into the water, followed by a bit more once she was satisfied it hadn't gone rancid. She would have once been surprised by this, but now found that the dwarves clearly had dealings with many distant parts including the Harad, where she knew sandalwood grew!

Finally she began to feel relaxed again, after her encounter with Thorin in the treasury. And looking forward to a bath began to remove her half-corset, when the door to the bathroom opened.

To her horror, Thorin walked in as though it was the most normal thing to do.

"Ah, very good," he gestured to the bath without asking. "Had you not run away so fast, I would have accompanied you and drawn the water for you..."

He had already begun to strip himself, but he was far more orderly about it, placing his clothes on a chair, where she had simply tossed her dress on the bed.

"I shall join you."

Trying to hide her irritation at his inability to give her any time to herself, after he had been so rough with her again during their coupling, she turned away to pretend that she was collecting towels.

But he was already standing behind her now, and undoing the laces on her corset.

"I had never seen one of these until I saw your clothing..." He observed as he undid the garment with surprising agility and gentleness. "I cannot say I have ever been interested in women's undergarments. They are often more complicated than I would care to observe. But I rather like yours..."

He moved closer to her, moving his hands around the corset to the front, just beneath her breasts and lifting it over her head carefully.

Her heart began to race again. It made her feel disgusting just how much he thrilled her, even though she found him so cruel and callous.

Holding her corset in one hand he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her into him and cupping her breasts with his other hand.

"My wife..." He hummed into her skin pressing his naked body to hers.

She found herself short of breath again, and worst of all could feel his very hard erection against her body.

Still holding her against him, he gently tossed her corset onto his neatly laid pile of clothes. And now with two free hands he let himself explore her breasts and abdomen better. Her skin was so soft, and it prickled under his touch. Her pants and gasps made the gentle jiggle of her small breasts more delectable. He squeezed them both, one in each hand as he inhaled her skin.

He wanted to be inside her again. It was not something he experienced with other dams or women he had bedded in the past. They were harder to please and often once was enough for him. But with her, his appetite was almost insatiable.

"Take your bloomers off." He commanded gruffly.

"Please...Thorin..." She begged between gasps, as he carried on squeezing her breasts.

"TAKE THEM OFF. Or I shall tear them off." He slid one hand down her stomach and into her bloomers again. It made her reach out and press her hands to the stone wall in front of her.

"Please...I am still sore..."

"You are also very wet." He pointed out exploring her with his fingers, once again quick to start his pleasurable assault on her. "We are both here. You are so very ripe for the taking right now, and it would be a waste if we did not..."

His voice was deep and velvety. But his words were arrogant and demanding. It was clear that it was not a request but rather a command, and he was merely reasoning with her to grant him permission.

"Now take them off..." He growled, biting at her neck from behind.

"Please..." She panted.

He growled in frustration, stepping away for a moment. His impatience with her was clear, but it seemed he momentarily pitied her also.

"Turn around." He grunted at her, and when she stood frozen, he grasped her hips and moved her. Although she was tall, she was also slender. He could have easily manipulated her body like a ragdoll if he so wished. "Why do you insist on disobeying me? I shall not hurt you -"

"That statement is questionable..."

"Aye - that smart, pretty little mouth of yours needs some real work..."

She looked at him nervously.

"Get down on your knees." He commanded gruffly again. And when she hesitated he added a warning. "Or would you like me to force you onto your knees too?"

Slowly she complied, watching him with wide eyes wondering what he was planning. But seeing her looking up at him with those big brown eyes half nude, only stood to arouse him more.

"Good girl," he smirked stepping forward, holding his cock in one hand. "I realise you may not have done this before...but I shall guide you...now take it in your mouth..."

She gasped. It was not entirely unheard of to her. She had seen such an act between one of her brothers and a courtesan after a particularly raucous banquet. In her attempt to escape the torment of the many nasty jibes made by her sisters at her, she had found solitude, which apparently one of her brothers had found before her! Fascinated, she had watched initially, only to run away, as he had begun to groan.

"You are a brave man to put such an organ anywhere near my teeth aren't you...?" She quipped, only to have him shove it in her mouth nearly gagging her.

"You are merely repaying me the pleasure I gave you not long ago." He replied very mundanely as though he was teaching her to clean the hearth or stack dishes. "Now you can run your hand up and down as I taught you before, but use your mouth also. Suck, but gently, and the deeper you take me the better I will find..."

She looked up at him, as he brushed her hair back, smirking down at her.

His cock was now very much in her mouth, and there was no escape for her. So she thought back to when she had seen that courtesan with one of her brothers. Although the woman was the one on her knees, her brothers pleasure was clearly in her control entirely. She merely had to channel this.

Slowly she swirled her tongue around the swollen tip. There was something bitter and almost salty about it. But as she guided it further into her mouth running her hands along the shaft, she could taste something different.

"Very good," his words were almost a deep groan, momentarily noticing the surprise on her face. "You may be tasting yourself...I have been inside you not long ago..."

She swirled her tongue further and sucked a little. It was not easy considering his girth. And she had no intention of letting it get much further into her mouth.

Her hands explored him further, as she continued to suck and swirl. And she could see him watching her, half lidded, apparently enjoying himself very much.

"Your insolent little mouth is better at this than I expected..." He hummed, gently stroking her hair, when a knock on the bathroom door interrupted her. And when she stopped briefly, his words were almost begging. "Don't stop..."

But the knocking came again, and she had now stopped out of the sheer possibility of being walked in on, while in nothing but her bloomers and on her knees, with his cock in her mouth.

Grumbling he stepped away from her and without any concern over covering himself, he marched over to the door and opened it.

She used the moment to quickly slip her remaining underwear off and slide into the bathtub. The water was still very warm, but she hoped she had avoided him now.

"Thorin..."

It was Dwalin, who seemed a little taken aback by his friend and King standing at the door sporting a rather striking erection, without a stitch to cover him.

"Och Thorin! Ye could at least put yer thing away when ye come to the door!" He grumbled. "Ye donnae got any towels there...?!"

"What is so urgent Dwalin?" Thorin snapped back.

"I have inspected the weapons and armoury - there is enough to keep us safe. But we donnae have enough fighters if our gates are breeched." Dwalin answered his question. "I have brought up yer armour - it is in perfect condition still, but maybe ye better try it on, in case yer gut is too big after all these years...or yer head for that matter!"

"Very well Dwalin," Thorin cupped his hands over his crotch and tilted his head gratefully. Somehow even with barely a stitch on, he still managed to look majestic! "Thank you Dwalin. I am truly grateful for your help - as I have always been..."

Dwalin paused at the door, realising Thorin was thanking him for much more than the inspection of the armoury and grinned.

"Och laddie, I knew she'd be good for ya..." He grinned proudly calling out through the door at her. "Forgive my interruption Princess!"

Thorin bowed his head again and stepped back in, shutting the door before turning back to look for her.

But she was gone from where he last left her, and now sitting in the bath.

"You have moved." He grunted unhappily.

"I am sore." Her reply was genuine enough to make him sigh out of frustration.

And so displaying clear irritation, he walked over to the tub and slipped in. "Come here..."

He held out his hand to her, where she sat away from him. But she hesitated.

"Why must you always disobey me?" He grumbled still holding out his hand making himself comfortable against one side. "Come here!"

"What are you going to do with me...?" She took his hand cautiously as he guided her over to him.

"Enjoy a bath with you..." He replied laying her on himself.

He was gentle this time, running his hand around her as he opened up his legs, for her to feel more comfortable.

"Try to relax your body..." His chest rumbled against her skin when he spoke. And he trailed a hand along her front, between her breasts, until he reached between her legs.

"Please..."

"Just let me touch you..." He soothed in her ear. "I will make you feel better..."

But she held onto his hand, desperately trying to hold him back, for each time he had given her pleasure, he had also helped himself to her body. And she was now rather sore.

"Please, can we just lay here... Thorin..." She tried again, when to her surprise he didn't persist.

He didn't reply, simply grunting in agreement reluctantly and wrapping his arm around her waist instead. It was as if he was trying to keep her from moving away.

At first she too felt tense. She could feel all of him against her skin. From his firm, broad, muscular body, to the hair on his chest gently scratching against her, to the still very hard erection he was sporting, making it hard for her to lay comfortably between his legs.

But slowly with time, and perhaps out of sheer fatigue of being so tense, she finally leant back against him.

He lay there, enjoying the water for a moment, occasionally running his hand along her arm, or pouring water over her breasts, where they had just peaked out of the water.

"I am worried about the orcs that were chasing you," she stated turning in the water to kneel between his muscular thighs and lean on his chest. "Arvind is out there with his men, they may be attacked any moment..."

Thorin who had begun to relax himself, opened one eye to look at her as she leant on him. She was all wet, and her brown skin glistened as her small breasts emerged out of the water, teasing his eyes.

"You need not worry about the orcs. They will not breach these walls." He dismissed, before opening both his eyes to fully take in the image of her nude form emerging out of the water and laying on his chest. "And I very much doubt your brother and his army will find a pack of orc a challenge after bringing down a Firedrake."

"They were not just a mindless, stray pack of orc, Thorin. They were organised. They were scouts."

"How do you know this?" He sat up, running his hand over her glowing, brown skin. He felt his fire stirring again as he watched her.

"They attacked Lake Town after you had set off for Erebor. But when they realised you were not there, they quickly left," she ran her fingers nervously over his chest, tracing his tattoos and scars. "What if they return with an army?"

He sat up further, his cold blue eyes scrutinizing her carefully again. She found it hard to read him usually, but she was sure that she had noticed a flash of worry cross his handsome features for a moment. She wondered whether it was on hearing that the orc may have attacked her, or whether it was on learning that they were chasing him.

"Then we shall vanquish them also." He spoke with complete conviction.

"What if they attack with an army?"

"I shall call upon Dain. And he will come now that we have reclaimed Erebor." He answered directly.

"And you would go into battle...?" She asked worried, as she noticed the many scars on his torso, that she could feel under her fingers.

"I must - it is my duty to defend my Kingdom." He tilted her face up to meet his, searching for what feelings she may have truly held for him. "We must ensure you are protected also. Your guards have taken care of you all your life is that right?"

She nodded.

"If they were able to protect you, even with your level of disobedience, which I am certain got you into unspeakable amounts of mischief throughout your life, then I imagine they will keep you safe in the event that I must join the battle." He gently stroked her face. "I shall have Dwalin find you some armour also..."

And with that he stood from the bath, moving her aside, and got out of the tub.

Then grabbing a soft blanket he began to dry himself, without any further concern over her, while she lay back in the bath, worrying.

Finally he looked at her before collecting his clothes.

"I could provide ample distraction for your worries, if you so wish?" He moved closer to the tub turning to face her.

He was still very naked, and now semi-erect, standing there looking like some sort of god with his broad muscular form.

When she didn't respond, he replied.

"The more we lay together, the less sore you will find yourself..."

And with that he walked out of the bathroom.

She wanted to relax, but she now worried about her brother. And Rajah.

Carefully she climbed out of the large stone tub herself, pulling out the plug to drain the water and wrapping herself up before following into the bedroom to find him.

He was now almost completely dressed, glancing over at her as she walked in.

"Changed your mind my wife?" He smirked walking towards her as though she were something to eat.

"Thorin...I understood Rajah would be here in a day or so-"

"This again?!" He groused, turning away to pull on his velvet jacket as if dismissing an annoying child that was badgering their parent for something frivolous.

"Please...he seems like a wild beast, but I am sure he would not survive in the wild here..." She moved around to stand in front of him again, still holding onto her blanket. "And I am not certain it will be safe to keep him in a holding outside..."

"We shall decide what to do when the time arises..." He suddenly took a step closer to her but refrained from touching her. It would have been easier to appear imposing, had he been taller than her - but he wasn't. In fact she was as tall as him. "If I were to grant your request...what would you be willing to offer me...?"

"Anything..." She whispered without thinking at first, before realising the error of her reply.

He smirked, cupping her chin in his hand again.

"I may hold you to that..." He replied with smug satisfaction. Then turning he walked towards the door, stopping to gesture to a small wooden chest. "Here...these are also for you..."

And with that he left before she could say another word.

Angry and still a little achy from his treatment towards her body, she moved towards the small chest he had left on a chair.

She stood there for several minutes before reaching out carefully and unlatching the lid.

The wood of the small chest did not look like the others she had seen in the treasury. It was lighter in colour, and polished so much that the surface was almost a little shiny.

Slowly she ran her hands over the smooth wood, before slowly opening the lid.

Inside the velvet lined chest lay a necklace of brilliant white gem stones. They were not large. On the contrary the jewels were all small held together by ornate fine golden chains, twinkling brilliantly like stars strapped in golden gossamer webs.

She had seen many exquisite, and rare jewels in her life, gifted or bought, but she had never seen anything quite like this!

The sound of strange distant horns startled her. They were not the horns of Rhun.

Quickly she began to dress.

….

Dear All,

Thank you for following so far and special shout out to TikiKikki and crystal-Wolf-guardian for your kind words - i am always grateful for reviews :))

so some of his behaviour is his sickness, some of it is actually him! its going to be a bumpy ride…