"You are sure?" He looked down from her face to her belly still in awe. It seemed for a moment he had forgotten the betrayal she had just laid at his feet. And all he wanted to do was to touch her.
"Yes. But I have been waiting until the quickening before saying anything, as is our tradition at home."
"You could have told me..." He sounded genuinely hurt. And then his expression darkened. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"It is not personal. I simply feel that since I have been here, I have started to see the direction in which our people should go. And you were merely amassing gold and not really investing it -"
"Well you cannot touch my gold - it is mine!"
"It belongs to the crown." She corrected calmly. "And I intend to use some to invest in the people. But I promise you will see that returned. I will keep nothing for myself, but now that I carry your heir, I think it's extremely important that the future of Erebor is safeguarded."
He looked back up from her belly, surprised by her slightly more clinical tone.
"You are nothing but a spoilt child and your ideas are a fantasy!"
"No. It is you who bears little vision of the future for OUR people! That is why you must abdicate." She added so that he was under no illusion.
He pushed her back angrily against the door, now being gentle enough not to hurt her.
"Why would you do this?" He was no longer able to hide his hurt. "I have developed feelings for you! And you betray me?"
"Feelings?" She repeated, caught off guard by this particular admission.
"I..." He hesitated and gritted his teeth as if it was something quite hateful. "I think of you through the day. I want to do odd things like to have you lay beside me in my bed. Or to touch your hair. Can you not see woman…? I… I love you!"
"Oh! Well...my deepest apologies for that...it sounded so painful just now..." She laughed bitterly. The truth was that she should have done this before, but perhaps she too had somehow developed feelings for him sometimes ago, and had hoped that he might have reciprocated them enough to treat her with some kindness. But it seemed that whatever feelings he had were hateful to him! "I feel ecstatic to know how you feel, my dear husband!"
His face seemed to sadden again briefly. There was a hurt in his deep blue eyes this time that even she seemed to feel. It left her regretting her harsh words from moments before.
"Why don't you love me?!"
She was no longer sure that she liked seeing him like this. It was almost preferable to be stabbed by him now, than to see the unpalatable arrogant dwarf she once married, crumble at her hands like this.
"I thought you loved me too?" He asked quietly again.
She opened her mouth but struggled to find a reply, only to be interrupted by the banging on the door.
"There you are: my guards!" He pointed smugly.
There was further banging and rattling as the door handle turned in vain against the lock. Her heart beat fast.
"Perhaps now is a good time to remind you..." He slipped a large hand around her throat again, while tracing the fingers of his other hand ever so softly over her belly. Knowing that she carried his child somehow made him want her more. "This is treason..."
She shut her eyes briefly in an attempt to steady her breathing. She was unable to control her physical desire for him, upon his touch. It was instantaneous and instinctive. And right now while her head screamed at her, all her body craved was to give in to his touch.
"All you need to do is completely surrender yourself to me and call off this nonsense..." He spoke to her in a soothing tone this time, slowly moving behind her while he held onto her throat, and continued to gently caress her belly. "I know your body craves me - I know you grow deliciously wet right now just thinking about it...and I can give you every pleasure you desire or think of..."
The banging at the door came again, and her heart now beat wildly out of her chest, her breathing falling away. The seeds of doubt began to take seed in her mind. Could she really manage this.
"You now carry my heir - our child...so I would not punish you...all would be forgotten..." He attempted to sooth her again.
She closed her eyes again, as his deep voice made her insides flutter.
The banging continued now. If this was the Kings Guard, then she knew she would have to give in. She was pregnant, there was no way she could fight the Kings Guard. And suddenly she imagined an olive skinned little boy with Thorins features and her breath caught in her lungs.
"Princess! Are ye safe?"
Dwalins voice came as a relief.
"You treacherous serpent!" Thorin shouted at his best friend through the door! "I would give up. She carries my babe now! And your attempt to rescue her will only place them both in danger!"
"Och give in Thorin! Ye know fully well that ye will not harm yer own babe!"
And with that the doors burst open, as he held his own dagger to her throat now, facing Dwalin and his group of soldiers who had arrived.
"Forget it Thorin! Come now just put the blade down -" Dwalin called back.
"No! Stay back! YOU are here to capture ME?! For HER?!" Thorin shouted again. "Where is your honour?!"
"Thorin...it is no surprise that we have disagreed with how Erebor is being ruled! Your grandfather would not have approved -"
"My Grandfather! Don't you dare talk of him! Where were YOU when I had to ask for his body after Azanulbizar?" Thorin roared. "Where were YOU when I journeyed to the east to search for my father?! And now this? To erase what loyalty you have shown me?!"
"That is not fair - I had many to help and care for and we lost our own father -"
"Well then keep your pretense of loyalty to yourself, and be honest about trying to worm your way into my wife's bedchambers!" He spat out. "After all, we all recall how SHE was YOUR choice for me eh?! Did you think you could have a taste also? That perhaps we could share as friends?"
"Donnae be vulgar in front of the princess. Ye have been raised better than that by your Amad." Dwalin replied calmly watching her face now fall. "Donnae listen to him lass, I knew ye were perfect for him from the start - even if he refuses to admit it he loves ya. And I have never once been anything but proper with ye have I? Now put the dagger down -"
"No! Do not step closer!" Thorin growled. "Do not for one moment think that I would not be rid of this treacherous little wench - I made do without a perfectly tight little royal cunt before and I can make do again!"
And with that he pulled her hair to extend her neck better as he held his dagger against her skin.
Everyone seemed to immediately freeze and step back for a moment.
"Here Dwalin..." Thorin shouted.
"No...No..."
"Catch!"
"No! Thorin!"
Then, in a most unexpected manner of events, he pushed her towards Dwalin, (and fortunately the dwarf was ready given Thorins prior warning).
As everyone scrambled to pick up their Queen, Thorin seemed to disappear into one of the panels in the wall. She only caught sight of him as he just left - sealing it all behind himself. In the scuffle, several guards ran to the panel only to find themselves unable to follow, while Dwalin got her back on her feet to check her throat.
"I had forgotten about all the many different secret passages available to the King. He has learned well eh?" Dwalin looked around his study. "He is not going to give up so easily lass...we have a battle on now."
Then suddenly the gruff warrior seemed to look back down at her dress, a little confused.
"What in Mordors name is this dress you are wearing?" He asked casually before frowning at her exposed belly again. "Are ye...? Have ye...? So ye have got a rock-cake in the OVEN then! I knew it was a matter of time!"
"I am sorry I didn't tell you Dwalin...I didn't really want to put any more of a strain on your relationship with Thorin and tell you before I told him...it was better that he saw it as a genuine surprise..."
"Och Princess - or should I say, 'my Queen'...donnae worry about it. Besides he is quick to temper, but he doesn't mean any of it. I have known him for a lifetime now..." Dwalin gave her arm a gentle nudge and smiled. "Congratulations, ye will make a fine mother. And now ye had better tell yer brother...among other things..."
"Other things...? This alone was a mammoth task!" She walked towards the panel of the wall she imagined he had disappeared into, inspecting it closer. There were no tell tale signs of any sort of secret doors - simply what appeared to look like stone wall!
"Lass, he isn't going to let this go that easily...so now the real work begins."
...
It had been like flicking a switch.
Within moments, her guards who had come with her from Rhun had been sent to fetch her several dresses to change into, and Arvind and Balin had joined her in Thorins study, while several of Dwalins best soldiers kept watch.
"Thorin hasn't quite given you the crown as yet. So there will be many nobility who remain loyal to him that you will need to find a way to control, if you wish to rule even for the short term," Balin poured over several books that apparently contained the age old laws of During Folk. "However, the moment you give birth to an heir, and provided that Thorin does not challenge you - then you may proclaim yourself the rightful Queen..."
"Right. Well then - we simply need to keep ye safe and healthy then." Dwalin crossed his arms over his chest as if the problem had been solved.
"Not quite brother." Balin peered over his spectacles. "Thorin may still mount an attack with any Nobility who are loyal to the King. And then don't forget the problems that we may find if he requests help from Dain."
"We have my men also, Lord Balin..." Arvind reminded the dwarf from where he sat, deep in thought near the fireplace. He had gone somewhat quiet since she had revealed her news of the pregnancy, but she would need a quiet moment to eek out his thoughts. "We would face Dain and his men any day -"
"Let us not rush to such hasty conclusions. We have faced enough war and loss in recent times. Dain can be handled with proper tact. In the meantime, I have posted Bofur and some of his men up with the Ravens so that Thorin cannae send any messages out." Balin unfolded a larger piece of parchment, which he spread out over Thorins desk. Apparently he has strategized for this very scenario! "But that brings me to a new problem -"
A quiet knock at the door interrupted them all, and Dwalin was swift to answer, only partially opening the door to check who it was before allowing anyone in.
This time, in a quiet procession, her two guards Abdi and Dabur arrived carrying several handfuls of voluminous dresses made of various silks, tafettas and velvets all which seemed fit for a Queen. Behind the two extraordinarily giant men walked a shy looking Dori.
"Forgive me my Lady, but I have had a set of dresses made for specifically this time..." He blushed, bowing deeply, carrying a small box in one hand. "And I think I should braid your hair a little more elaborately - if you would allow me that is...my Queen...?"
Still rather overwhelmed at the hive of activity that was beginning to swirl and build up around her, like a storm in the deserts of the east, she nodded quietly thanking the dwarf who had taken it upon himself to assist her with many of her tailoring needs since she set foot in Erebor.
"There is also the problem of the nude miners and smiths," Gloin had also joined the procession somewhere along the way apparently. He carried with him a ledger, which looked official. "Their demands are not expensive but complicated...but they are causing much havoc-"
"Aye. The dams are all queuing up to see them and neglecting to attend the merchant halls either to work or to buy items." Balin rolled his head.
"It's not just the dams who want to see those hairy, strong lads we have working - exposing their bottoms and chests through leather aprons, brother." Huffed Dwalin.
"Oh yes! I have heard of this matter!" Arvind chuckled from where he sat, apparently less bored all of sudden as his warm eyes looked over at his little sister. "It turns out that the ladies are queuing up to watch. As are some of the gents of course. And the miners who have come to realize this have now set up seating, and are having their 'audience' pay for seats to watch their 'show'! It's really quite clever if you think about it.."
Dwalin groaned, while Balin chuckled.
"You must resolve this matter fast, my lady. It is not proper!" Gloin seemed to fuss about it. "Our lads should not be prancing about naked and wiggling their backsides at our lasses!"
"You are just upset because Mara has been to watch them several times now." Dori mumbled.
"And how would you know?!" Gloin snapped back, clearly irritated at the thought of his beautiful wife ogling other dwarves.
She turned to spot Dori returning to fussing about her dresses, but was certain his cheeks were turning a bright shade of red! He was quick of course to begin constructing the dressing screens for her - as it appeared that she would be changed into more befitting clothing right here, after she dramatically revealed her gestational state at this moment.
"Lord Gloin, of course. I will go according to what pay rise you suggest for them, but we should also provide some sort of injury payment. If they are injured due to accidents such as what happened, then we should pay for them to recover and perhaps even help with their families..." She spoke as Dori ushered her behind the screen. "And I have some ideas about protective helmets and gloves for the miners. And perhaps also some goggles or some sort of eye shields...although I think this one will need work from the miners themselves..."
"We cannae delay them returning to the mines for much longer really, my lady, so this will need to be concluded fast." Gloin warned. "And we can only offer a simple pay rise -"
"Och I think they will accept it if it comes from the Princess though," Dwalin grinned. "Apart from their paying audience, it's only the Queen they love more!"
"Lads, are we going to the mines next then?" Dori emerged from behind the screen momentarily, looking as though he was firmly concentrating on some enormous project.
"Aye. Good idea!" Gloin agreed, looking at the others.
"Is that wise? Thorin could be anywhere. What if he mounts an attack?" Balin questioned, turning to Dwalin and Arvind. "Of course it would be high treason to harm a Queen who carries the heir to the throne..."
"He could have done that already if he really wanted to." She chipped in from behind the screen. It was hard to forget the look of betrayal in his eyes still. But she was not ready to reveal his admission of love - she wanted to believe it, but then she thought of her own mother who had lived her life as her father's concubine and apparently given her life to look after him in his final days, even though she would likely come to harm following his death. However much he professed to having loved her, he could not save her in the end. And now she took had lost her because of that.
"I think we need to be careful. What happened today should never happen again." Arvind gave his conclusion.
"I agree with the Prince." Dwalin added. "I donnae think Thorin ever returned to himself after his sickness, in truth. What's yer opinion brother?"
"I still do not believe Thorin would harm the lass..." He hesitated briefly, brushing his fluffy beard thoughtfully, now taking his eyes off his book and looking towards the screen. "But I don't see any excess in increasing the numbers of Queens Guard - if you have those you feel are truly trustworthy?"
"Och aye! As it turns out, there are many who have fallen in love with the princess." Dwalin mused. "Perhaps some of the nobility will turn allegiance also."
"As much as I hate to say it - it would have been easier, had you slit his throat sister." Arvind too appeared to muse over matters.
"On the contrary, it would have been somewhat messy. This is better." Balin frowned looking up over the ledger that Gloin appeared to be calculating the new wages for the dwarves with. "But we must get him to abdicate - and crown you his successor. It will be unpalatable for many nobles, for we have never had a Queen Regent - only a consort Queen. But they will come round -"
"And those who aren't can be executed -" Arvind added.
"You are feeling very bloody today, brother?" She frowned to herself, talking from behind the screen, as Dori adjusted her corset gently. Usually he was quite firm and often overzealous, leading to her breasts almost spilling themselves over the top, and him then insisting on tucking her nipples back in just so. It used to make her chuckle since he stood only just taller than her breasts when standing. And it had become apparent on several impromptu occasions of urgent need, that Thorin too had been extremely grateful for how she easily she could be accessed, although she imagined he would not have appreciated the process by which she came to be dressed so.
"I apologize sister. I feel angered at myself for having left you to face him alone." He sighed. "I gave you away in marriage..."
"There is no need. It was a task I had to face myself. But also it was our father who agreed to my union. And besides had I remained in Rhun-Agar I would now be desperately trying to leave. At least my marriage to Thorin saved me from such a fate." In truth, perhaps he something of an arrogant brute, but he had also been at times tender towards her, and certainly she too had found herself a willing participant of their trysts. "Right all done. What do you think?"
She stepped out from behind the screen to find her brother, Balin, Dwalin and Gloin all suddenly rise to their feet and smile, some even nodding.
Dori stood back himself smiling with what can only be a contentment that he alone understood.
Her dress was made of a deep blue silk, with an embroidered bodice that had been somewhat shortened to allow for comfort of her growing belly, but also with ample but delicate ruffles at the front to disguise it. The blue matched Thorins favoured colour, making her appear more regal, but the embroidery was gold rather than silver and sat well with the necklace he had chosen.
"You look very much our Queen..." Gloin smiled.
"Thank you," she looked at each face before patting Dori gently on the arm. "And especially thank you! Now let's go and stop the strike."
"Don't you mean the 'streak'?" Arvind chuckled as they all stood up and began to leave the study behind her.
"Yes, brother. That too."
...
They were met with the most shocking sight on their arrival at the mines.
Several rows of chairs were occupied by various dwarves and dams, who gazed up at a makeshift stage created by a row of neatly joined wooden boxes and crates.
On top of the small platform stood a group of miners wearing leather aprons and boots alone and otherwise entirely nude. The middle group faced the front while the others turned their backs to the audience so that you could see their bare bottoms, and all of them were wiggling their hips in time to a jaunty tune being played from another corner on the fiddles and flute and accordion by another group of equally nude miners!
Several more miners stood around apparently selling tickets and another two that had set up stalls for roasted nuts (ironically!). The smell of the caramelized treats filled the air making it seem rather festive indeed.
The miners themselves were all rather muscular, she imagined from all the hard work they carried out all day long. It made her wonder how Thorin had become so muscular. After all he wasn't wholly a warrior and until recently he was not a King either. Her thoughts drifted, wondering where he was now and what he was doing.
"Do you know what you will say lass?" Balin asked quietly, pulling her out of her own thoughts.
"I think I have some idea..." She replied back. "I just wish I had written everything down -"
"You need not make it complicated. We are all simple Durins folk..." Balin smiled gently walking alongside her. "They seemed to love your honesty, and warmth...that is why they have taken a stand - even against their own King."
Suddenly the realization of just exactly what she had done began to sink in.
As they walked closer, they could see the members of the make-shift audience, enjoying their roasted nuts and watching the dancing naked miners! Some had their mouths open in amazement or shock - some of the dams and dwarves clearly were enjoying what they were ogling with their eyes popping out of their heads - some had burning bright red faces..
And there indeed was Mara! Right at the front no less! Shobha had always thought she was one of the most beautiful dwarrowdam she had ever met, but from this it was clear that was an opinion held by many! She had been given a particularly comfortable looking velvet armchair as well as an unobstructed view! And she appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself!
One by one the group she was with slowly turned to look at Gloin, who still hadn't noticed as he had been nervously glancing through his ledger at the wage calculations he had been going over. Finally as he noticed his wife in the audience, he initially turned completely pale, before then glancing over at Dwalin who grinned back crossing his arms over his broad chest. Very quickly, Gloin changed colour from his pallor, turning a bright, burning hot red, before growling something at the general of the Erebor Guards!
"Oh dear, is Mara in trouble?" She whispered to Balin who stood close. From what little that Shobha had known of Mara after their few meetings, she quite liked her. "She is very beautiful...and such a charming dam..."
"Och no lass, she is the true noble of the two. Mara is blue blooded through and through from a very old During family," Balin winked, his pale blue watery eyes twinkling mischievously. "She holds all the power in that union, even if she doesn't show it."
She chuckled at the thought, rather impressed.
Then all the music went quietly, and the miners slowly stopped their dancing and juggling as they turned to line up and now deeply towards their Queen.
"It appears we have been noticed," Balin handed her the small parchment from Gloin that had his newly calculated miners' wages written down.
And with the bow initiated by the miners, the audience too stood up and turned to greet her in the same manner.
"Our Queen, who has been most gracious in her support and kindness for us humble folk has arrived lads! Clear some space!" One larger young miner called from the front of the naked group, sending the others to divide themselves into two groups to make space for her in the centre of their makeshift stage. "Will you offer us some words of support? Please...grace us with your presence..."
He smiled over to her clearing the space for her and giving her another bow. He was young and rather handsome. Perhaps not quite as young as Fili and Kili, but close. And he stood taller than the others with dark blonde wavy hair that reminded her of the sand dunes not far from Rhun. Evidently, he was one of the star 'streakers' that many of the admiring audience had come to see!
They were interrupted by the quiet arrival of a familiar face. With his peculiar hat and broad smile, Bofur arrived to stand with Balin, his face turning a little pink. Apparently he took had been 'streaking' although instead of being entirely nude he was in his undergarments instead.
"My lady, I wished to offer you any assistance I can." He whispered with a quick bow. "I am cold, wearing so little, and I would rather be back at work if I am being honest...so I will do anything to end this 'streak-strike'..."
"Very well, Master Bofur. I think you may be the perfect Dwarf for the task..." She nodded finding a little courage, for her idea would be if little use without the proper assistance and she had been struggling to think of the right person. "I suppose I had better get up there then..."
She walked over to the stage and carefully climbed up, to the hushed chatter from the crowd. Balin and Bofur alone followed while the others waited near the front of the crowd.
So many faces about her watched her with much curiosity. It made her suddenly realize exactly what she had done. Now she was on her own.
"Do not worry about the numbers," Balin whispered leaning over and taking the small parchment from her hand. "Speak from the hart."
Taking a long calming breath, she stepped forward.
"Thank you for your kind words. And thank you for your bravery in doing this. I have seen and felt your plight. And so I am here to say that I have some ideas on protective helmets, gloves and goggles which I would like to have Master Bofur develop these items and more with your help. And Lord Gloin has increased your wages -"
Her words were interrupted with a cheer, so she quickly nodded and raised her hands for some quiet again.
"But I plan to set up fees to cover your wages should you have an accident at work. So I shall make sure Master Lowin who was injured last week is treated the same-"
Another cheer interrupted her, only this time the crowd settled down quickly.
"Work with pride for your mining is one of the backbones of our Kingdom." She finally concluded. "If you are happy with this, I hope that we can conclude the strike can now be stopped...?"
"Lads?" The larger, handsome dwarven miner, who had been leading their group called out to the others. For a brief moment they all looked at one another and huddled together to confirm, before nodding soon after.
"Then it's decided, your majesty that's it's an aye from us all!" He called out beaming.
This led to yet another cheer. But this time, to her utter shock all the miners took their leather aprons off and waved them above their heads exposing themselves completely!
"All hail our Queen!" A cheer came from the miners on the stage.
"Oh my!" She took a step back shocked at the number of wiggling bottoms and other appendages of various shapes and sizes on display.
"Quick lass," Balin quickly guided her away. "They are so pleased that they may carry you upon their shoulders! And in their state of dress, it will not look proper."
Gloin had almost predicted this apparently as he moved in front of them like a barrier, while Balin hurried her off the stage carefully.
As it turned out there was indeed a victory lap from the miners. And they proceeded to do so as naked as the day they were born! They all seemed to break out into a dance while singing a little ditty.
'The Queen is the best
The greedy King's the worst
So we all went a streaking
Cause our wages need increasing
Our bootiful Queen looks after us
Proper wages she granted us
With all her helmets and stuff
We could mine in the buff'
"Come now lass..." Dwalin helped her down, while Arvind and several of the guards came to surround her and lead her away. "There will be plenty of ale and rowdiness now. And we dwarves get a little amorous when we drink. And there is no need to see that..."
"Oooh! It appears that this is what you have been up to instead of tending to my wheat flower!" Dis seemed to appear out of no where at this moment, slipping in to walk near her. "And you have removed Thorin!"
"Yes well...I was a little busy..." Shobha quickly moved to keep Dwalin between them.
"A little busy to share with me your news!" Dis looked angry and strangely happy at the same time! "Or to piss on my wheat grass!"
"Yes! I am not bloody pissing on anything in the open anymore! Because I am Queen now -" she absolutely loathed that wheat grass. "I am sorry I could not tell you sooner. But how?"
"Thorin slipped a note into my apartment. My poor brother feels betrayed..." She hesitated this time. "Are you intent on killing him?"
"No." Her reply was immediate - and she felt surprised by that. She was sure she had absolutely hated him at one point and felt dirty when she briefly wondered whether he would attempt to return to his bedchambers tonight. "I mean it will not be wise to do so."
"Sister, this is a coup. I am not sure he will feel the same of you." Arvind looked worried at her.
"You will need to trust me on this..." She replied, still recalling the brief look of betrayal on his face as he confessed his love. "I think it will be better if we get him to abdicate."
"I too could work on convincing him to do so." Dis nodded in agreement, a rare smile appearing on her face. "I beg you not to harm him..."
"Either you are naive, sister, or perhaps it is I that might be underestimating you. But tread carefully..." Arvind quietly spoke.
...
"That backstabbing tart!" Lord Harold growled pouring another glass of wine for Thorin.
"She is still my wife!" Thorin spat back. "And now your Queen Regent! Have some decorum on addressing her."
"To some of us she is merely the piece of totty you married!" Harold paced about in his apartment angrily. "Well, there are enough of us to fight back!"
"She has Dwalin on side." Thorin confessed, like it was a dirty secret.
"Oh! Well now... How has that love worked out for you eh?"
"You obviously couldn't wait for your wife to pass then..."
"We were a political marriage. We knew what we had to do in our marriage and we were free to have our lovers. Lovers who would not plot against us."
"You mean lovers who are as thick as the miners mattocks," Thorin gave him a sidelong glance. "Besides, she is little more than a child...she will not cope as Queen for too long. Just give her enough time and she will come begging for my assistance..."
"And then?"
"And then we strike."
Harold huffed, before taking a sip, while Thorin drained his goblet and moved towards the door.
"You are surely not leaving?" He asked. "The guards will be looking for you...take my guest room -"
"I am grateful, Harold, but I have a few places I must visit tonight," he halted at the door briefly. "Find out for me who is truly loyal and willing to take a stand if need be."
"Against Dwalin and his men? And the Rhun soldiers?" Harold's green eyes widened at Thorins request. "This would mean almost sure death...we have only just recovered from the fight against the orcs!"
"There, you pledged your loyalty to Dain, in the belief that he would succeed me in battle." Thorin stood tall, looking down at his host. He was at least head and shoulders taller. "And despite this, when your family requested to return and reclaim your stake in the mines, I generously agreed. I even chose to overlook your cowardice in not offering your axe in service of my quest to reclaim our Kingdom. But do not think this has gone unforgotten. And there are many like yourself...Now it is time to repay my generosity..."
Harold gulped silently. Every word was true. At least Thorin had been more generous than Dain in many aspects. And Erebor was far more comfortable than the Iron Hills.
"I am eternally grateful and at your service," he bowed towards his King.
He watched as Thorin slipped out into the corridor and disappeared silently. He could only hope that Thorins initial plan worked and that their new Queen would fail.
...