"I do not like that you remain in his bed chambers," Arvind frowned, looking over at Dwalin for some support. "The guards outside your doors will be of little help -"
"My dear brother, we have bigger issues to deal with. And I have been sleeping there for the last week with no incident. He is not going to kill me in my sleep, and it is comfortable. Those are the Kings chambers - I am now ruler. Why should I move." She reassured him. "I simply do not understand where he could have disappeared to...?"
"There are many hidden passages. He knew of many even before the drake attacked. He most likely recalls them," Dwalin confirmed. "He is still within the mountain - his armour has disappeared from the arsenal..."
She nodded thoughtfully. It would be a lie if she didn't admit that she had found herself wondering about him as she lay alone in his bed.
"What about the nobility who support him?" She asked Dwalin. "Surely he may have sought their aid?"
"None of our spies have reported any unusual activity..."
"Provided they are loyal to us." Arvind added. "We could place some of my men this week, to avoid suspicion.."
"Very well, my Prince." Dwalin nodded. "He will have to make a move at some point."
"And what about tomorrow...?" She turned to Balin.
"Meeting with the guild of merchants. They are keen to meet with you," Balin looked over his scroll of appointments for the week. "This is important lass, so you need to get to bed early so we can have something to offer."
She stood up and yawned.
"I don't need to be told twice... I am very tired..."
Just as the miners and smiths had already, the merchants would want some sort of gesture from her: A cut in taxes or their stall leases or something similar. She would need to think of a plan by morning, which meant that she would have a sleepless night again. "And the schools? How soon could I get these organised again?"
"We don't want to rush into that right away just yet, lass not after last time..."
"Right." She struggled to keep her tone neutral.
"We need a positive image, lass." Balin explained, standing up and following her out with Arvind and Dwalin. "You are already very young to be Queen Regent, and having seized power also. We must show strong leadership..."
"It's not fair lass, but it is the way it is." Dwalin opened the door to her bed chambers and looked around the room carefully before nodding to Arvind.
"I would prefer it if you had a guard inside your bed chambers..."
"We cannae have any scandalous talk, Prince Arvind. It is enough that the Princess is now associated with the nudist miners." Dwalin groaned coming to the door as she followed. "We will have to monitor the situation every day."
"Good. I am utterly exhausted." She hurried them all out. "Then my dearest all, I bid you a good night -"
"Do you not require someone to help you with your dress?" Arvind have her a funny look, since the dwarven dresses were often fastened in a more complicated manner. "Dori may be offended if you do not request him -"
"No. There is no need - he has fashioned some dresses to fasten in front. He really is a genius with regards to tailoring and dressmaking. Besides he knows I will call for him in the morning to help me select the best dress for the day, considering the formal visits I must make. Now stop worrying all of you and get yourselves to bed. I shall need all your heads rested, alert and ready for tomorrow again." And with that she quickly saw them on along the corridor and shut the door to their bedroom closed.
The candles had all been lit, as she usually had them arranged by one of her own guards and the fireplace was now was no longer lit. The weather was warming up.
She paused again as she slowly undressed, straining to listen for any noise. But all was silent. As it had been every night for the past week, since she ousted Thorin.
The feeling of being truly alone had become somewhat alien to her recently, although she had often escaped to find solitude in her own kingdom. Her memories of sneaking up to the ramparts of her father's palace and watching the lights of the night markets and houses below in the cool of night had been magical. In contrast since her arrival in Erebor, he had never permitted her a single night alone. On almost all nights he would have stood there impatiently willing her out of her clothes, or tearing the garments off himself. Only on the nights that she had bled had he given her body some respite, but even still he had not left her to sleep alone.
She felt a little annoyed at herself for feeling lonely all of a sudden, when for all her life, she had valued any solitude she had stolen!
"You fool. Do you hope for him to come to you at night like some soppy lover in those books you once read as a girl?" She berated herself stepping out of her dress and carefully draping it over the large sofa as Dori had insisted.
He had once found her dress on the floor many moons ago - a crime committed by her husband in his desperation to undress her. She had merely forgotten to pick it up in the morning before Dori had arrived. But the sight of this had almost brought the flamboyant dwarf to tears, and it had moved her greatly. Ever since then she had taken care always to air out her dress just as he had instructed.
Then slowly, she changed into her night gown and careful turned out most of the candles but two, as always, and finally climbed into his bed.
The cool sheets lay heavy on her and silence felt deafening.
Her mind raced. So far the week has gone well. Her meetings with the smiths had proven as successful as the miners. She had also chosen to meet with all those dwarves who performed the many small tasks of clearing, laundry and repairs in Erebor, which had also gone well. All groups had been given small raises in their wages which had helped. But she wondered what could be offered to the merchants tomorrow. Gloin had advised against a drop in the taxes, since this was the one way to recover their expenses, so it would be a harder task.
She turned again in bed and shut her eyes wiling herself to sleep. It would prove to be harder than she had hoped, particularly since she wondered where he was now. Or rather who's bed he lay in. Perhaps he had gone to stay with that dam she had seen him speaking with and frankly flirting with openly. Lady Elise!
Groaning softly at her restless mind and tossing over to her other side, she threw her leg over a pillow!
She truly felt exhausted now. It had already been late when they had finally left the kings Study, so she imagined it was very late now indeed!
"Perhaps darkness is what I need..." She mumbled to herself, slipping out of his bed and making her way to the large window. First she threw open the heavy drapes so she could see the stars above. It was a clear but moonless night.
Then carefully she blew out the remaining candles. She was quite used to darkness and starlight back at home, so perhaps this would offer her some comfort.
Then suddenly she thought of her mother. It had been like a bubbling worry at the back of her mind. Part of her held on to hope that her mother would somehow manage to escape. But the pragmatic part of her also knew better than to hold on to too much hope.
Slowly stepping backwards as she continued to watch the stars, she suddenly stumbled into something unexpected.
"Unable to sleep...?"
She gasped spinning around to find herself in Thorins arms, as he pulled her against his broad chest.
"No. I simply prefer starlight." She attempted to step away but he held her tight.
"Oh no, my little treacherous wife, usually you can barely keep your eyes open after I have satisfied your body," he smirked. "Do you... miss me?"
"Yes - like a lashing." But when she tried to pull away he grasped her chin and kissed her hard.
"That could be arranged, if that is your taste..." He ran a hand down to her buttocks, grabbing one firmly. "Although I would be loathed to mark your beautiful skin."
"What are you doing here Thorin?"
"I am checking on you and our babe..." His words seemed sincere in his concern this time, which made her look at him closer. His blue eyes appeared to search her face in the dim starlight. "I have noticed that you do not fall asleep on most days till late. And I do not think it is good for the baby -"
"Our son: Thrain."
Her words seemed to catch him off guard. Unable to control himself, he looked down towards her belly, hidden under her large nightgown and ran his hand lovingly over it.
"How can you be certain of that?" There was a flash of greed in his eyes as he ran his hand over her belly again. And for a moment it almost reminded her of his sickness.
"I know. Thrain grows within me and I know." She concluded, secretly surprised by her own certainty.
"Thrain..." He repeated slowly. Uttering the name, as if with great reverence. "You would name him after my father...?"
He was attempting to hide the emotion in his tone now.
"Yes. We have both lost our fathers. And I do not think a Rhunic name would do well for a future King of Erebor," she smiled gently at him. It seemed that she was seeing a different side of him that she had not seen before. "I think it is a good name for him. And as I will be doing the hard work of growing him and giving birth, I have also decided upon his name."
"It is a marvellous name for him." Thorin seemed to smile at her then. It was a dazzling, and uninhibited smile that lit up his face entirely, making him look decades younger in that moment. "And may I tell you just how beautiful you look...? Being with child rather becomes you...even your skin is glowing..."
He leant over gently and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, after taking a moment to stroke her cheek.
"I shall grow fat. And some women suffer from swelling of their feet also. I have seen it." She warned him quietly.
"There are advantages to that also...such as your breasts...they are swelling too..." He kissed her again, gently cupping one of her breasts with one hand as he pulled her closer. "Aye...they are growing quite plump..."
He deepened his kiss, plundering her mouth and pressing her body against his, while running his thumb over her nipple that pressed through the material now.
"You are rather perverted..."
"It is hard not to be when I have such a delicious wife." He smirked, slipping one shoulder of her nightgown off and down her arm to expose that breast he had been caressing in his hand. "Allow me to pleasure you tonight...and aid your sleep..."
The air against her skin made her gasp, as he slipped off the other shoulder also. But now he caressed both her breasts, and much of her rational thought was steadily leaving her.
"What about your hatred of me? And of punishing me...or reclaiming your throne?" She managed quietly, pushing his jacket off his shoulders quickly and tugging at his tunic to hurry his own state of undress. "And what of the horrid things you said, when we last met...or the knife you held to my throat...?"
It was a disgusting desire - considering how he had treated her when they last met. But she craved him tonight. It was as though she were sick, but she couldn't help herself.
"We can go back to warring tomorrow. Tonight, let me make love to you." He quickly removed his tunic just as she willed him, before tugging her nightgown down completely, leaving her entirely unclothed and dropping to his knees. "I have missed how you taste..."
...
Rolling over she smiled dreamily. Dawn had only just broken and the large window had provided a perfect frame for the burst of colour that that spread gradually through the pale sky.
He chuckled softly as she lay on his chest, with her black hair swirling about her like soft, black, silken rivulets.
"I hope to keep the memory of this very moment in my heart forever..." He softly whispered, brushing the hair from her face.
"Is this why you continued to sleep in my bed chambers...?"
"I..." She sighed realizing this was in fact the true reason for her remaining in the Kings Chambers, regardless of what lies and excuses she made up to the contrary.
"Then you do love me...?" Thorin smiled with smug satisfaction. Of course she loved him. He had been the first to claim her body, and he had loved her thoroughly too. If he could evaluate his own act of having her, coupled with her very audible reactions, he would say his couplings with her were his best performances of all. He certainly found that she brought out his creative flair. Her body was like the harp for him, the harder he played, the more he wished to do so! As far as he was concerned what was there for her NOT to fall in love with?!
She sat up, annoyed by the smugness he exuded.
"There is no need to be shy...you will soon be the mother to my child," he carried on leaning up against the ornately carved headboard and crossing his hands behind his head. "Come now...let us forget all this coup nonsense and go back to things as they were. I understand women in your condition get carried away with their emotions, so all will be forgiven. I will even forgive Dwalin, Balin and your brother and anyone else who may be implicated..."
He sat there, entirely sure of himself and that he held her heart in the palm of his hands.
"Come back to bed. We still have time...I could bring you to completion at least once more..."
Silently, she slipped out of the bed, feeling her growing anger. Quickly she found her own nightgown slipping it on and picked up Thorins discarded clothes.
"I know you need me -"
"Here." She thrust his clothes at him. "I need you to abdicate. Otherwise you need to leave before the guards realize you are here. Dori will arrive soon to get me dressed and then Balin and Gloin will arrive to brief me on today's plan - followed by Arvind and Dwalin...they have been instructed to seize you so..."
"Instructed...?" He mused walking over to her happily despite being as naked as the day he was born, as if she would at any moment surrender to him, just at the sight of his naked body and offers of pleasure! "By whom...?"
"By ME!" She picked up his clothes again and this time pushed them into his arms. "What is up with you dwarves and running around naked?!"
"I know you enjoy what you see..." He smirked again, enjoying the flush in her cheeks. Despite the many number of different ways he had her, she was still shy around him, which he took great delight in. But when he reached up to touch her, she smacked his hand away. "Aye, it appears that you are now renowned for talking dwarves out of their clothes!"
"Renowned...? Thorin! I am going to call for the guards and soon you will come to be renowned as the King who was arrested in the nude!" She warned, stifling a laugh at that thought. "And I have no intention of backing down..."
"Not even after last night...?" He was quick to steal a kiss before she could protest. "I recall you had no qualms surrendering to me then -"
A knock on the door interrupted them both before she could find a suitably irritating reply.
"Are you awake, my lady..." It was Dori!
"Hurry up and get dressed!" She hissed at Thorin before adjusting her own nightgown. "I am only just up - could you give me a few moments please Master Dori...?"
She turned to spot Thorin putting on just his boots.
"Aren't you going to get dressed?!" She sighed. "You could at least wear your trousers?"
"Oh I don't know, my Queen...I am starting to appreciate the miners perspective on this..." He winked playfully at her, before gathering his clothes and giving her another kiss. "Besides you have now caused a little stir here..."
He gestured towards his arousal and shrugged.
"I had hoped that you would have helped me with this..." He sighed mockingly. "Perhaps Elise is free this morning...?"
"Get out you pervert!" She hissed at him again, this time moving away successfully before he finally attempted to steal one last kiss.
"I like it when you get jealous..." He smirked, once again satisfied at the effect he had on her. "Perhaps I should bed Elise, just so that I may get your attention for it -"
"My lady..." Came Dori's voice again.
"Coming! Master Dori!" She attempted to comb down her love-messed hair with her fingers as she moved to the door, briefly turning back to see an entirely nude Thorin, wearing only his boots walking away. In that moment she would have been lying if she hadn't wanted to watch him a little longer. But she was also rather annoyed at him - and not just at the thought of him running off to Lady Elise!
"I know you are watching me..." He grinned again, from the other end of the room.
She was annoyed at herself now.
All this time, she had imagined that he had come to her because he missed her...or perhaps harboured some residual feelings for her. But now she wondered whether he was simply attempting to seduce her into giving in! Or worse because Lady Elise was otherwise occupied!
"Ugh!" She took several more steps towards the door and picked up a stray cushion from the floor with a view to lobbing it at him to hurry him on. But she paused.
"Will you be needing my assistance with helping you sleep again tonight, my Queen...?" He asked quietly. But even he could not keep the hope out of his tone.
Clutching at the soft material of her nightgown now, and lowering her aimed cushion, she nodded.
"But I really do have a busy day ... So I cannot be sure of a time... And Dwalin does a sweep of the room each night..."
"I know." The corners of the his mouth pulled into a soft smile.
Dori knocked on the door again, so she hurried over to the door in the hopes of stalling Dori in order to buy Thorin more time to escape.
In fact she was not entirely sure how he had entered their room in the first place!
And she was not quite ready to reveal that Thorin had spent the night with her.
"Are you unwell my lady? Should I call Master Oin?" Dori sounded worried now.
She quickly put her hand on the door handle, her heart racing.
Then suddenly, a worried looking Dori burst into the room!
"My lady! I was worried about you!" He spoke nervously appraising her. "Oh, my Queen - you were asleep?! Forgive me! I have told them not to keep you up so late..."
"It's quite alright, Master Dori..." She moved in front of him in order to obscure the possible view of Thorin. "But I... I..."
She turned to look back - but the room was empty once more with no signs of Thorins nocturnal presence...and she couldn't help but wonder whether he would keep his promise tonight...
...
The sounds of cheering from the crowd on the vast cavernous market hall sounded louder that she expected.
She had not been able to offer great tax deductions for the tradesmen. However she had obtained investment from Lord Erol and support from her brothers army to help build some outdoor stalls to allow the people of Dale to engage in trade. What's more, Bard too had been more than happy to offer stalls for some of Erebors merchants on a Friday and Saturday in their market square, which she would pay the fares of to help any willing merchants get set up!
If had been a complicated solution, but it was the best she could manage given Gloins advice.
It had not taken long for the crowd to quickly disperse after her short speech, and they had been expected to walk around the various stalls. There was everything from various foods to clothing, toys, books and colourful trinkets. In truth one could have spent hours wondering the walkways of this great hall simply fascinated by the various items.
While she moved from one stall to the next, she found herself unable to concentrate. She couldn't help but wonder where Thorin was right now...or whether he would visit her again tonight.
"My lady...if I may join you..." Erol quietly came to stand by her while she looked around. "I have heard from the servants that Lord Dain plans to visit soon...in a spontaneous manner so to speak..."
"Oh..." She looked up to find the young dwarven lord walking with her, attempting to look as though he was making normal conversation, but his face revealed a different story of panic. "He has not written to us..."
"Aye. I fear he may have received news somehow..." Erol explained apologetically. "I had wished to speak with you and Lord Balin quietly this morning, instead of catching you like this, but I missed you -"
"Forgive me, my lord Erol, I was late." She explained. "I am grateful again for your help. And your offer with the open market is most generous."
"Your ideas and leadership is very inspiring, my lady..." He smiled softly, continuing to match her pace.
"We will find a way to deal with Dain." She reassured him, but the truth was that this news was going to cause her a little extra hassle that she really didn't need at this time. "How is your sister?"
"She wrote to me not long ago. She is very well, my lady and is packing in preparation to travelling here soon. That is most kind of you to ask."
"I wish her safe travels and look forward to meeting her when she arrives. I can also find out when our next escort arrives in the Blue Mountains. Perhaps your sister will feel safer to travel with my brothers guards when they return?"
"Thank you my lady. That is a most generous offer I cannot refuse." He nodded, the hints of a nervous look briefly dancing across his handsome features. Clearly he worried about her.
"My Lord Erol, thank you for informing me... about Dain..."
"Of course, my lady. I shall keep my ear to the ground and let you know if I hear any further news." He bowed before moving towards another group of dwarves.
If Dain got involved at this stage of her only partially achieved coup it would rapidly become a sticky mess indeed!
She looked around the crowd for Balin, when Dwalin appeared. He had elected himself as her security detail for this particular event.
"Princess, are ye bored?"
"We may have a slight problem brewing..." she leant a little closer so that she could whisper. Fortunately, everyone else seemed highly distracted to be worried about her. "Dain is planning a visit according to the servants.."
"Balin will know what to do. But perhaps we will need a plan in case he decides to come anyway...but we need to resolve the issue with Thorin fast." Dwalin thought out loud his brow furrowing. "Perhaps a formal coronation for you might be a good thing -"
"But I got the impression that Dain would still have little respect for any power that I may wield."
"Aye, princess. The Iron Hills clan are a funny lot. The only way to manage them is to show em ye mean business." Dwalin pointed out flatly, looking quite openly unimpressed by their kin. "Donnae worry about that though lass. Remember we fought off a dragon and survived a great war. Telling Dain that he will have no say in the rule of Erebor, will be nothing in comparison."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Dis. She was dressed rather grandly indeed in a heavy velvet dress the colour of ruby port. Between her bustling movements, that came from a self importance that she had clearly been accustomed to since childhood, and a presence she possessed naturally, much like her older brother, the crowds seemed to naturally make way for her, many dwarves bowing and curtseying as she swished by.
"My dear, you are working too hard!" Dis frowned at her, moving past Dwalin while casting him a disapproving look. "And you have not had the raw eggs I left for you this morning -"
"I cannot have that foul drink." Shobha attempted to encourage her to join them on their walk through the market hall. "Besides it makes me feel sick. And I have no need for help with that."
"Thorin said he is concerned for your health. You should be checked over by Oin at least once a day!" Dis admonished walking alongside her as she greeted various merchants in their stalls.
"Why on Mahals good earth would the lass need Oin to check her daily!" Dwalin chipped in from behind. "Other than to annoy Oin of course!"
"So you have spoken with Thorin then?" She suddenly wondered what he might have divulged to Dis (particularly about the last night)!
"He is rather good at dropping me notes - and expects me to keep an eye on you of course..." Dis flashed a smile suddenly. "He worries about you. And I can see you worry about him too...see? Particularly since he feels unable to trust his former dearest friend."
Dis was quick to shoot yet another highly disapproving look at Dwalin before carrying on.
"It's not too late to forget all this..."
"No!" Shobha and Dwalin replied together.
"We need to set a coronation date." Dwalin grunted as he followed behind, having been bustled out of the way by Dis.
"What if you ruled jointly?" Dis asked again hopefully. "Thorin could crown you as Queen..."
She suddenly turned to Dis, piqued by her suggestion.
"That is actually a brilliant idea!"
"It is?" Dis beamed, still ever hopeful apparently. "So things can go back to normal...?"
"No. Thorin can abdicate and crown me Queen!" She looked back at Dwalin. "That would mean Dain and others would be forced to accept my rule."
"That might work...Balin!" He called out, beckoning his older brother over before whispering discreetly in his ear.
"That may just work," Balin seemed to smile immediately and nod at this. "But will he agree...I am worried that he is growing his supporters, who will attack at the most inopportune moment."
Shobha stopped, as a merchant came over and bowed at their group.
"My Queen...I would like to present you with this beautiful jewelled pin..." The merchant bowed as she accepted the beautiful golden bejewelled brooch that glimmered even in the dim lights within the vast mountains market hall. "Morven son of Gorman, at your service."
"I thank you for this, Master Morven," she bowed her head accepting the beautiful gift.
"We are grateful for your efforts, my Queen," he bowed again. "Our daughter in particular, loved her days at your school..."
"And I hope it can pick up once more, Master Morven." She smiled, glad that there had been those interested in educating their daughters after all!
"May Mahal protect you, my lady." He smiled, bowing as their group continued on.
"Balin, how soon can we get the school sorted?" She whispered to him, looking down at the jewelled pin.
"It is not a good idea, until you are more established lass..." Balin replied ruefully. "If you are to show all, including the nobility and the Iron Hills, that your rule is to be respected, then you cannot afford any major mistakes. Otherwise the throne will be at risk of someone attempting to overthrow you too."
She pinned the brooch onto her bodice, taking care not to damage the embroidery on her dress. When she returned to their bed chambers, she would keep the brooch where she could see it every day and that would remind her never to give up on her idea of the school for girls!
"Have you given much thought to the Elven King's invitation to their festivities...?" Balin inquired casually. She had received that invitation from him a few days ago, and had chosen to avoid deciding. But they needed to prepare her security if she planned on going. And it would be a good thing if she did plan on going or at least sending someone.
"I am not sure..." Of course she had no true desire to be there. "Although Bard did inform me that he took had received an invitation on behalf of Dale and planned to attend. He clearly will use it to discuss trade agreements. But I just can't see how it would be a good time to barter on the uglier details."
"But it may act to soften your relationship with the Elven King in preparation for future negotiations..." He suggested helpfully.
She remained silent as they visited the next stall filled with various pickled foods. The jars were all of different colours and filled with various fruits and vegetables that looked incredibly appetizing!
"There is no pressure lass -"
"Oh but there is pressure, my dear." Dis corrected him from behind them. "Everyone who dislikes the idea of a woman being in charge will be watching and waiting for you to make a mistake. As will my brother, I imagine. It will give them the opening to weaken your authority..."
Shobha glanced over at Balin, to find a flash of annoyance across his face before his features settled to their usual, thoughtful but cheery disposition.
"So you haven't seen Thorin then?" As they left the stall, she turned back to Dis, who had been the constant thorn in her side of late. She did indeed feel under pressure, for all the reasons that Dis spoke of, but she needed to make decisions on the correct basis and priority - not out of fear of what others expected of her. She certainly did not need Dis reiterating this!
"No." Dis halted, looking at her with an air of suspicion. "Do you wish to ask for his advice...?"
"No." This time Balin answered back in unison with Shobha as she fell back to address her sister-in-law directly.
"And you still wish to be a part of this?" She gestured towards Balin who now stood with Dwalin, Gloin and Arvind.
Dis seemed to take a moment to consider what it was that she was saying, before nodding.
"Aye. And I think you need me." She proclaimed with that air of self importance that was synonymous with the Durins.
She was probably quite right.
"Well, if you do wish to be a useful member of my new court - and part of the inner workings. Then I need wholehearted support." Shobha concluded.
There was something about Dis that reminded her of many of her more calculating siblings back home. They could not be wholly trusted. But what they were good at was being loyal to themselves. So long as they benefitted they whatever was needed.
"Very well. I think we can agree on this." After what seemed like yet another unsettling pause (however brief it was), she seemed to agree.
Shobha had not only usurped Dis' brother, but also now carried the future heir - thereby usurping Fili (if he ever did wake up again). Quite understandably, Dis could only be trusted within very specific limits.
...
"So what is the plan, my Lord?" Athor, an older dwarf with a greying beard stood up from where he sat around the table. "Are we to go in to her chambers and capture her at night?"
"They would not have guards in with her at night -" Elise seemed to wonder out loud.
"No Elise, she slept in my chambers - so I protected her."
"Then better yet poison her!" Lord Jarrold banged his fist on the table. The twinkle in his grey eyes which sat surrounded by a mane of curly blonde hair and matching beard both which had only just barely been pulled together with two ties gave him a rather feral look. "That will settle this all! And besides we respect your rule and you have heirs!"
Thorin frowned shaking his head. It was not information that could be shared but Fili lay in a comatose state and Kili had effectively run off with the she-elf, only rarely making an appearance to see his own mother! Neither constituted to an effective heir. And neither would be accepted by Dain's lot! Even if he wanted to kill his little strumpet bride, she carried his one and only legitimate heir. So effectively she had him by the crown jewels!
"You cannot feel any mercy for her can you?" Elise quietly urged, placing a hand gently on his arm. "She has betrayed you, Sire..."
He shot her a sidelong look, somewhat annoyed at her. But she was right. Why did he feel a sense of utter incapacitation when it came to seizing her?! Any other female who did this would have already found themselves dragged down to the dungeons by now. And he would have personally seen to it! The only punishment he desired to give her was a thorough spanking in bed. And the idea of connecting his palms to her pert, brown bottom only made him long for her more!
The group of dwarrow that had gathered at Elise's apartment were now begining to clamour at the idea of attacking their Queen.
"She is not harmed." Thorin's proclamation quelled the gathering into stunned silence.
"But why -"
"Because I gave her father an oath to protect her." He looked at the various faces seated around the table as they stared back at him, some openly disappointed, some angry and some simply confused. But he would not reveal that she carried his heir to them. This was not how he intended to reveal this news. And even if she did not carry his babe, he would have still refused to harm her strangely enough. So this was as good a reason. "I am your King! I do not need to justify my reasons. We simply need to think of a way to overcome this."
"We fight Dwalin." A rather portly dwarf sat forward this time with the suggestion. He had brown hair, perhaps a few shades lighter than mahogany, and contrasting blue eyes. Thorin immediately recognized him for having fought off a large group of orcs during their journey to the Blue Mountains. His name was Hellor. And that day his actions had saved the lives of Dis and his nephews. "Then we take control of the army. Even if she has soldiers from her brother, she will refuse to spill more blood. I have seen her ideations, your majesty. She believes in peace and negotiation. But that cannot work in this world we live in."
"Lord Hellor, that is a good plan. We will need to identify when he is alone typically. Then let me attack him." Thorin agreed.
"So no poison? It would be simpler?" Jarrold asked again, slightly hopeful.
"No. No poison." Thorin concluded. "We must follow Dwalin, but take turns. He will be careful and if he sees any one dwarf constantly he will know something is amiss...come let me plot how you will take turns..."
It was the only idea he could agree to. Dwalin was his best friend, but he had betrayed him! And if anyone could take Dwalin down, it would be him!
"Let me make warm drinks for all..." Elise stood up from where she sat beside Thorin, with a gentle smile. She admired watching him plan. Had she been his wife, she would have done nothing but support him - just as she did now! And perhaps she could convince him to stay tonight in her apartment for safety...
...