She pressed herself against the wall in the darkness, straining hard to listen. The stone of the corridor was freezing cold. But the silence felt more frightening yet!
Her heart beat out of her chest as she tried to ignore the possibility of who or what might be lurking here.
"Lassie, you are alone?!"
She jumped at the quiet whisper of Balins voice in the near total darkness.
"You should have your brother accompany you -"
"I had no time. Oin wanted to check my hand and change the bandages, and Thorin insisted he should be there." She huffed. "And he wasn't free until just after dinner - because of the issues with the mines..."
"Och they are spooked because of the cave ins recently..." The little white haired dwarf shook his head with a clear sadness which suggested that some dwarves may have lost their lives on those occasions.
"They are not asking for much more gold are they? He should just pay them." She concluded. "They would only spend that money anyway so he would get it back in taxes eventually..."
Balin seemed to pause for a moment as he considered her opinion and nodded slowly.
"That is a most clever way of thinking about it lassie!" He chuckled. "I think you would make an excellent Queen...and between the unhappiness in the mines and the markethall, the people are getting a little unsettled about Thorin -"
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps again, making them freeze.
"So when can we do this then?" Dwalin rasped. "Because we are ready...and now yer brother is here..."
"I have been somewhat reluctant at first - it is a dangerous venture to take the throne like this -" Arvind corrected as he appeared behind Dwalin. Both of them seeming almost like ghosts in the darkness.
"I think that is most extreme, laddie." Balin interrupted. "IF we do this, it must be done carefully so that the dwarves of Erebor and the Iron Hills accept her. We cannot allow trade to suffer. So Thorin must remain well, and still maintain his crown. Simply that she is the one to make decisions..."
"That is much more suitable." Arvind agreed, although they stood in near darkness, it was clear from his voice that he was already very much more relaxed at hearing this.
"But Thorin would never agree to this sort of arrangement." Dwalin pointed bluntly.
And everyone fell into silence. Killing Thorin was not an option for her.
"So we make him." She replied quietly. "He will have to be placed under house arrest until he signs over the crown matrimonial. Afterall, women have been subject to this throughout history."
"It is unprecedented but it would give you the legal right, lassie. Well thought." Balin nodded enthusiastically. "Then we will have to get the nobles to like you..."
"That is not difficult. They are only after money to keep their lazy lives going without working." Dwalin concluded scathingly. "So when. It must be soon because most miners and merchants are not happy at all. There is much talk of leaving by many -"
"Then it must be imminently."
All three others strained their eyes to look at her in the dark completely surprised by her sudden change in urgency. All this time she had been slow to take action.
"What are ye not telling us lass?" Dwalin frowned.
"I must go back to the apartment. He will expect me back. He watches me like a hawk..."
"Because you are supposed to bear him an heir. That was your original and sole duty." Arvind didn't like the idea, but her position would not be safe until she carried the royal line within her. It was the truth plain and simple.
"Are ye up the duff? Is that the haste?" Dwalin asked unabashedly.
"Brother! Be a little more delicate -"
"He has shagged her six ways ter Sunday! She is no shy virgin anymore, brother. I can see the way Thorin walks with a spring in his step and an ache in his limbs - he is after all bloody ancient, even if he looks good." Dwalin growled. "But we need to know if the lass is with child, because IF we do this, we need to protect her. And there is no telling what Thorin will do to keep his throne..."
"It is not IF. It's WHEN." She ended the debate or so she hoped. She was simply glad that the darkness hid her face from revealing too much. "And Thorin won't kill me."
"You cannot be certain of that -" Dwalin genuinely sounded worried. "I mean, he fancies the pants off ya, but where the crown is concerned..."
"I can defend myself if I need to."
"Ye would...stab...him?" Dwalin raised his thick eyebrows.
"Maybe..." She tried her best to sound convincing and hoped that he would believe her.
"I am worried." Dwalin grumbled. "If he kills ya, then it'll be check mate for us."
"He won't kill me." She reassured him again, this time managing to sound more convincing. "Now I really must go. If I am not in his room soon, he will begin to ask questions. Just, please be ready."
She gave Dwalins arm a squeeze, and Arvind a hug.
"Be careful sister." Arvind whispered before she let go, and pressed a curved dagger into her hand. It was one of the small ones that the assassin army wore, back home. They were small enough to be strapped to a leg or thigh, while remaining well concealed, even if they scaled a wall, or crawled under a carriage box, these little daggers held on well! And the curve of the tip was said to be the perfect shape to slit someone's neck from ear to ear, faster than they could scream! "Wear it always...even in bed with him, while he enjoys you, and remember that if you fail, you will not be afforded the same mercy that you show others..."
She nodded, letting him go and tucking the dagger in her dress pocket before Arvind caught her hand again.
"This is very important sister, how do you know he will not harm you?" He put his other hand on her shoulder. It was clear that although she couldn't make out his face clearly, he was worried. "Are you with child?"
"He has not harmed me all this time. Please. For once, my dear brother, you must trust that I know my husband. I know many lives will depend on this - so please do not think this is some folly." She spoke quietly. "Just be ready."
And with that she gave him a kiss on his cheek, before hurrying away along the dark corridors.
The dark corridors seemed endless in this part of the Mountain. She had heard their songs of the dungeons and forges, but had not truly seen any such parts, and now wondered whether this was that part of Erebor.
The corridors seemed never ending and in the dark, they all looked alike. She was even starting to worry that she was going in circles.
At this rate she would surely be late to return to his bedchamber.
She suddenly halted, as the thought crossed her mind over how her tardiness would anger him. He would be rougher with her body as a consequence - but the thought of his rough hands and his hard body made her stomach flutter with excitement.
Leaning against the wall, her hand clutched at the neckline of her dress, as she attempted to calm her breathing down.
Chastising her perversions, over how she could crave the touch of such an arrogant, grouchy old dwarf, she carried on once again down the dark corridors.
Then almost out of the blue she could hear voices ahead. She found it as unnerving as it was a relief.
Slowly she made her way over, thinking of what she would say about getting lost, and then as she emerged into the better lit corridors, she realized she had found her way to the entrance of the mines!
A group of dwarves appeared to be rushing in and out of the mines while another group huddled around something on the ground just outside in the corridor. She moved forward, still remaining unnoticed by the busy dwarves.
Looking around, she imagined it would be easy to pass by this group unnoticed.
But then she saw the dwarf on the ground, his forehead was gashed open, but he appeared unconscious. The group were gathered around him fussing.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, attempting to tell herself that the dwarf was fine, and that no harm would come to him. And then she sighed when she opened her eyes once more, for he didn't look 'fine'.
Slowly she moved towards the group and out of the darker parts of the corridor.
Immediately, as if someone had made a silent announcement, and these poor souls were of a hive-mind, they all stood and fell into a deep bow together.
"Your majesty..."
"Good evening." She replied gesturing for all to stand.
They immediately parted away, revealing the poor dwarf on the floor.
"What happened to this poor fellow here?" She moved closer to him.
"The drill we used snapped my Queen. He fell forward and a rock fell onto him." A nearby dwarf explained.
She nodded quickly and knelt down next to the dwarf on the ground. His breathing was heavy and there was a bloody gash that went from his scalp to his forehead.
"Can you fetch a stretcher for him - he will need to go to the infirmary straightaway...then fetch me a medical bag..."
"Princess, there is no medical bag here -" another replied quietly.
She looked up at them surrounding her surprised. They looked tired, and were covered in dust.
"Well...can I have a skin of water at least?" She began to loosen the dwarves collar and wiped his face with her hand. "What protective helmets do you wear? Or gauntlets?"
"You will get your clothes dirty, my Queen..." One of the dwarves commented shyly, his cheeks burning red, visible even through the layer of dust and grime on his skin. "Our King will have our beards, if you get dirty on our account."
"Dirty?! On your account?!" She repeated, frowning and looking around. "This poor dwarf needs help - the King will understand - in fact - the King must ensure you are all correctly paid and safeguarded for the hard and dangerous work you undertake here!"
She knelt down again beside the dwarf, and lifting the top layer of her skirts, tore a strip from the soft underlayer. The resulting gasps from the group of miners was a mixture of shock and worry over seeing their Queens under-skirts and of what further punishments they imagined would be dished out to them as a result by their fearsome King.
"Water please," she requested again, receiving a skin almost instantly. Then using the water on the cloth, she carefully cleaned the dwarf's wound before tearing more material to bandage his head, stopping the bleeding. "He needs to be taken to Master Oin as soon as the gurney arrives."
"Aye my lady." Two dwarves bowed, seemingly taking responsibility.
"Who is in charge here of you miners?" She stood up looking around, and slowly two older dwarves stepped forward. They were covered in cuts and bruises themselves.
"At your service, your majesty," they both bowed.
"Your miners need to be safeguarded better." She explained. "The wealth of Erebor - for our forges, or our jewellers...all flows from these mines and YOUR hands, blood, sweat and tears. You should be paid properly for your hard work! And you should have proper equipment for your pains - the Dyers of our land are provided wraps for their face, goggles for their eyes and gauntlets for their hands, so that the sting from hot dyes for the softest silks do not harm them! You too must have suitable protective clothing..."
"Aye my lady, but how so?" A quiet dwarf spoke up slowly.
"Well, this poor dwarrow would not have had this cut, nor would he be knocked out if he had worn a helmet perhaps!"
It was as though the miners were slowly awakening to their situation one by one as they began to nod in response to her.
"But who will support us, my Queen?" One of the foremen asked. "We have had our audience with his majesty, and he had said no..."
"Then you go on strike!" She turned and called at everyone, as more and more of them began to nod in support. "I shall champion your cause to the King!"
"How should we 'streak', my lady?"
"You do not work until the King pays you properly and ensures you have helmets, gloves and other things you need to work safely!" This time her words generated a resounding cheer!
"Aye! A cheer for our Queen!" The miners shouted.
"How do we get paid, while we 'streak'?" Another dwarf shouted from behind.
"I will pay you, while you strike!"
"Come on lads! Let's all streak!" They shouted again together!
Just then several dwarves scurried in with a gurney to collect the injured dwarf.
Amidst all the shouting, she quickly turned and began walking back towards the apartments. Her heart was beating wildly, with anger at how Thorin had been treating these poor miners and then her body practically singing at how she imagined he would treat her for rousing such trouble. She wouldn't be able to keep doing this though - soon she would need to make her move.
...
She opened the door to find the bedchambers dark, and wondered whether he had forgotten or was delayed in some way. So she quietly entered, slipping off her shoes at the door. There was no need to bring in all that dust from the mines. She would clean her shoes in the morning.
Silently, she walked in further, feeling the cool stone of the floor under her bare feet. She would need to change her dress too!
"You are late." His words, in his deep voice, spoken quieter than usual made her jump.
She looked around in the dark, attempting to locate where he was.
"Come here woman." He beckoned.
She turned towards his voice, imagining he was seated in the large armchair at one end of the room, where he always left his clothes.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" She quietly answered back.
"Why are you late?" He sounded angry now.
She kept walking slowly towards his voice, until she suddenly stumbled and fell onto him.
Within moments, she found herself in his strong arms and surrounded by his broad frame.
And when she attempted to push him away, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her against his hard frame.
"I went for a walk, you brute! How about you? Why are you sitting in the dark like some sort of lunatic?" She growled at him.
"Because I was waiting for you to return, woman." He grunted back, but this time he pulled her in and kissed her. As much as he knew she was angry with him, he could also feel her body melt in his hands, moulding against him, and he enjoyed that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He continued to kiss her, guiding her towards the end of the bed, where he stopped to move her next to the bed and then her around, moving to kiss her neck instead. And when she reached up with her hands to gently stroke him, he grasped her hands and pressed them down into the bed, bending her over in the process.
She couldn't help the little moan that escaped her lips as she felt his arousal pressing against her through the material of his trousers.
"You are in a hurry tonight, my Lord..." She managed to quip, as he began to undo her dress with some urgency.
"I don't like being kept waiting." He grunted finally giving in and lifting her skirts up impatiently instead.
"Then I suppose you should be finished fairly soon then -" she sighed as he buried himself within her in one sharp movement.
"Oh dont worry, I shall ensure you are more than satisfied, wench." He grunted with another thrust.
...
She looked in the mirror, and glanced at the basket of wheat Dis had left her to empty her bladder on. At least the dwarrowdam had given up trying to get her to do it while she was there, when meant that she could just wet it with some water.
She sighed again and ran her hand over ever so slight swell of her lower abdomen. Soon she would not be able to hide it, so she needed to act soon.
Looking over at the jacket he had left on the arm chair from last night, she let her thoughts drift, only to bring herself back to the problem at hand.
Of late there was much dissent and dissatisfaction amongst many in Erebor, she had seen it with her own eyes. So this was the time to do it. But it would be a significant military coup. And Thorin would surely attempt to reclaim his position by whatever means he could.
She turned to the side and looked at her reflection in the mirror, letting her hand move over her lower abdomen again.
Carefully she laced up her corset again before putting on her dress with some difficulty and then tucking the dagger into her pocket again.
Today felt different. Today felt like the day.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
She paused for a moment thinking to herself - she had no engagements planned.
"Lassie, it's me, Balin!"
Quickly, she moved to open the door and found the smaller of the Fundins standing there, out of breath with rosy cheeks.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
"Thorin is sending for you! The miners are not working, and say you are championing their cause. And so the goldsmiths are refusing to work - and now the blacksmiths also have heard this and are in an uproar about their working conditions...and Thorin is in a foul mood since no one is listening to him and asking for you." Balin puffed. He genuinely looked worried at the woman, who looked as though she had only just dressed. "Och lassie...have you even had breakfast yet - there is something...different...about you..."
Her eyes widened for a moment, as she worried it was already too obvious. But then she shook her head. This was indeed the moment.
"It's time Balin! He has lost all the industries here! It's time!"
"But what is your plan?" Balin pulled out a hanky and mopped his forehead.
"I meet Thorin and tell him it's time for a change. He can remain King, although he can take a step back." She explained as if it were nothing. "And the guards?"
"Well the royal guards are still loyal to Thorin, but you have the army. But they are only a handful and will not pose a threat so long as they remain outside the door. Make sure you lock it from within...I shall go straight to Dwalin now. But will you be safe with him?" Balin looked worried now. "He almost threw Bilbo from the ramparts..."
"He will not harm me..." She could think of quite a few reasons from last night alone when she had caught his face looking entirely free of worry, which she couldn't quite bring herself to tell Balin.
"And what about the smiths and miners?"
"They need better pay, and better working conditions."
"So it's true that you visited the mines yesterday?" Balin brushed his beard thoughtfully. "I shall speak with Gloin about what pay we can offer. But first I must hurry and have Dwalin send some men to the Kings Study to protect you."
"Right and I had better go to Thorin."
They both rushed out into the corridor and set off in different directions.
...
He paced up and down in his study furious. He had summoned her some time ago, and she was doing whatever the devil she wished as usual!
It was all his fault for being so lenient with her. He should have put his foot down long ago instead of humouring her frivolous ideations!
Finally with a knock on the door, she let herself in.
"Finally." He grunted turning away from her and looking at the scrolls on his desk, only to look away - he had fucked her on this desk too! What's more he had thoroughly enjoyed her like that, and it was making his cock hard just thinking about it. And he couldn't afford to think with his nether regions right now. "You took your time..."
He turned to find her lingering by the door.
"What in Mahals name is wrong with you?" He walked over to her when she didn't reply.
She didn't seem herself today - she looked a little nervous.
"Well...? Would you care to explain yourself?"
"I...don't know what you mean, Thorin. You summoned me...and I am not sure-"
"All the dwarves have lost their rock-brained minds! The Miners claim to be 'streaking' until their pay and their clothing are proper...they have even chosen to shed their current garments in line with this! The Blacksmiths have also joined the Miners, and appear to be 'streaking', but have chosen to wear just their leather aprons!" Thorin rubbed his head in agitation. "At least the Goldsmiths understand what you mean and claim they are on strike in solidarity. And they all claim that you are their champion and will only return to work...or wear clothes again for that matter...once you, their Queen, have negotiation their pay and working conditions!"
He stood in front of her with his hands balled up in fists and jaw clenched! He couldn't afford to show her how desperate he was to get these dwarves back to work! It was all very serious and every day that went on like this weakened his power as King under the Mountain. During his grandfather's time, the Iron Hills was not a competing power, but rather the Lord of the Iron Hills bowed to the King of Erebor! Now, Dain was ready and waiting to take the Raven crown! It was perhaps not by force, but instead by wealth or power.
He watched her as she slowly took in what he said, her face at first rather serious, and then to his complete and utter irritation she burst into laughter!
"Streaking!" She laughed out, her hands flying over her mouth as she attempted to stop herself, but in complete vain, as it seemed that she was entirely unable to take control of herself.
"Have you lost all sense of yourself woman!" Thorin snapped at her. The more she riled him, the more he wanted her! "Do you not realize what you have done?!"
She nodded and seemed to finally take control of herself, holding on to her middle and straightening herself up again, she bit her lip in order to focus on him again.
"Right, if you are quite done. You need to go to the three groups, and offer them what we tell you and convince them to return to work again-"
"No." She interrupted him out of the blue. It left him quite speechless for a moment.
"No?!" He repeated, frowning, as if she had been speaking in some sort of Entish language! "No?! What in the name of Mahals Avil do you mean no woman?!"
"I mean no! You have taken advantage of those poor dwarves for long enough! They do all the hard work, and you gain all the profits!" She seemed to suddenly straighten up to her full height. "I saw those poor dwarves involved in the accident last night - what happens to their families if something happens to them? Who looks after then? To you they are all throw away! But they are people with lives, families, hopes and wishes too you know!"
He groaned at her little tirade. He always found himself terribly aroused when she was passionate about political or economic matters - even if in this particular case it was getting a little frustrating.
"I know you feel for them, but we need to keep their turnover of work -"
"Then pay them better. And provide them with proper protective items! You give soldiers armour and helmets and sharp weapons! Why are these people any different?" She stepped forward towards him.
He was used to being the tallest dwarf across the seven kingdoms for as long as he knew. So he found it annoying when she stood to her full height. She may have been much thinner than him, but she was around two whole inches taller!
"Where is this madness coming from?! You have no power and no right!" He hissed at her, pushing her back against her door with his hand on her waist. "You serve at my pleasure! And you do as I SAY!"
"No!" She found herself shouting a little!
"What did you say?!" He stepped up in front of her, now absolutely fuming and almost nose to nose with her!
"No more. I think it's time now that Erebor had more sensible monarch in charge."
Suddenly when he stepped forward again, he found something sharp poking at his ribs. Looking down he found she had a small, but rather vicious looking dagger pointed into his ribcage.
"You wouldnt dare." He concluded for her in a low, threatening, voice, moving in closer still despite her dagger, as he wrapped one of his large spade like hands around her soft neck. "Even if you jab me with that useless little thing, and somehow manage to injure me, all I need is to call out and you will be facing ten of my fiercest and most loyal guards."
"I suppose, this buys me enough time then doesn't it?" She said holding up the key to his study.
"You treacherous little wench!" He tightened his hold on her neck, only to have her dig her dagger into his side with more firmness. "I should have kept you naked and bound to my bed all along, until you fulfilled your duty...Well...is this meant to be some sort of coup?"
"Consider it more of a demand of equal power."
He growled at her words in anger.
"You can't."
"I have my brothers army, Dwalins men...and apparently the smiths and miners..." She whispered feeling his hand tighten a little more. "So it appears that I actually have you by the balls..."
"And what is to stop me from snapping your weak little neck with my bare hands...?" He growled at her.
Her heart raced, as she felt him tightening. He had clearly been gentle with her all this time, but he was not wrong. The dagger would be of little protection, if he truly wished to be rid of her.
She was left with only one choice.
Pulling the dagger away from him, she turned it on herself. He watched in completely surprise, his hand still wrapped around her neck, as she cut open the material from waist of her dress.
He had suspected that she might have been with child for some time, particularly when she had not bled for a moon or two now. And certainly he had filled her with his seed every night, and more. In truth he had expected it to have been an onerous task, as he had heard other nobility describe the responsibility of producing an heir. But the reality was that he had found her a most enjoyable occupation during their many evenings and nights together although he had not admitted to it at any time. In fact she often had a way of riling him up that made it more exciting still.
But now here she was, having torn open her dress to reveal, as clear as day the swell of her abdomen. It was no so large that it could not be hidden by her dresses, but it was also irrefutable!
She let the dagger fall to the ground and ran her hand over her belly lovingly. It made him want her more.
"I know you wouldn't harm me because you love me..."
He found her words cut him more deeply than any dagger she could have ever held to his throat.
"You love me and our son...So you will abdicate..."
...
Dear All
thank you for following thus far - its all kicking off; the streaks - i mean strikes! the pregnancy and the coup!
special shout out to Mrs T Christ - hope you are keeping well! i am always grateful for the posts 🙏