"Talitha?! What is going on here?" Her mother frowned stepping forward. "Get up and get dressed."

Talitha stood up smirking in triumph and tied her robe together.

"It is a shame you are not enjoying your...gifted husband more, sister dear..." She glanced over at them from over her shoulders as Thorin stood and adjusted his clothing.

"It is a shame that you enjoy the manners of a common whore," Thorin spat out.

"Hardly the case if you entertained entering the apartment of a half clothed woman, my Lord," Thalia calmly replied looking him straight in the eye.

"Says the woman who came here looking for gold.." He growled at her. "And sending her daughter who is with child off in the middle of the night to seek some favour from the elves...you would do well to remember that that is MY coin you are claiming and that I can still have my guard escort you out if MY kingdom of you do not find it comfortable enough."

"YOUR kingdom?!" Thalia let out a bitter laugh. "It is well known now that my daughter has usurped you as ruler. And yet you have no shame in boasting to be the great Dwarf King under the Mountain!"

"Enough." Shobha finally stepped in with a sigh, earning scowls from both women and the dwarf addressed. "You have safe passage as you requested and while I am unable to return the jewels you gifted me for my wedding, I have compensated you for it's value three times over. It is all more than generous. I suggest you travel to the meeting point along the river and make your onward journey, for the raft elves wait for no-one..."

That was all she needed to say as she turned and walked out into the corridor. She wanted to turn around once more to see her mother's face one last time, but didn't dare. Her mother had been once the most kind person she knew in a cruel world and her memories from childhood had been such fond ones, that this sudden change was still incomprehensible for her. She almost expected her mother to laugh and tell her it was all an elaborate ruse.

And yet, she had also seen the look on her face. This was no jest. It all meant we were all alone.

Willing each step she took, she carried on until she reached the safety of the Kings study. The only consolation she had was hearing his footfall close behind. He too appeared to give her some space to think as she carried on.

Finally she let herself in, and just as her legs gave way, he caught her in his arms, just before she could fall in a heap onto the floor.

She buried her face in his chest unable to hold back the broken sobs that emerged from deep within her chest. Lost in her thoughts of what felt like losing her mother all over again, she no longer knew what she was doing until she found his strong arms pulling her into his lap and against his broad frame. And then suddenly she stiffened in his arms.

Wiping the tears from her face with her hands, she scrambled on to her feet once more with him following to stand in front of her.

"You need not act so strong always, my Queen," his voice was almost a whisper, but it was gentle, like how he would speak to her when they lay together. "Allow me to carry some of your burdens..."

"So that you can use it against me?" She attempted to push away, against his chest, but he was quick to catch her wrists.

"So that I can attempt to comfort you and protect you from those that would betray you...at least permit me that...?" His piercing blue eyes bore into her until she could no longer hide her big brown eyes from him and looked up from where she had initially fixated on her wrists.

"Why, did you not have enough time to bed my sister?" She snapped sharply, surprised by her own jealousy amidst everything else going on.

He paused for a moment to consider his words carefully, denying her accusations would make him appear guilty right away, as would remaining silent.

"She certainly looks very much like you. I shall grant you that. And it is clear your beauty comes from your mother. But I seem to desire only you, my lady. And perhaps that is why you were able to steal my own kingdom from the very palm of my hand," he slowly reached out to cup her chin, as if she were an injured animal ready to bolt away. "But I thought your mother had no other children...?"

She looked up from where she focussed on her hands again to find his gaze directed at her searching her face with concern. She would have pushed him away again but he seemed to make no judgement on the matter.

"As did I. But it appears my mother keeps many secrets, including her firstborn and her first love whom she has travelled here with..."

"Do you wish me to have them banished?" He lifted her face up again. This time it was clear he was being protective and his question was genuine.

It all brought back the whole situation into sharper focus, and she looked away unable to hold back the floods of tears.

But once again, he was quick to scoop her into his arms and carrying her he sat in his armchair and cradled her into his lap letting her sob against his shoulder.

"Remember that there are many who love you here..." He soothed her hair and ran his hands over her, offering her his handkerchief.

He was surprisingly gentle and kind, and between her feelings of rejection and the feel of his strong presence, his power, his self assuredness and the familiar mixture of vetiver and pipeweed she couldnt stop herself from pressing her lips to his.

It began gently, an innocent kiss, to feel loved and wanted. But he had not tasted her for some days and now with her abdomen swollen, carrying his child, he found her more irresistible than ever.

His kiss became more demanding and carefully he pulled her over so that her thighs straddled his legs now and he began to pull up her dress.

She couldn't help her body reacting to him and found herself pressing against his growing arousal.

Their movements had rapidly become urgent.

But then as if something in her awoke suddenly she pushed away from his chest still breathing fast.

"You say you wish to help me? Drop your challenge to retake the throne," she stood adjusting her skirts and wiping her face with a handkerchief on her desk. "Agree to rule beside me as my consort..."

"It has never been done and looks weak! We have many enemies that would seek to claim Erebor and all her wealth!" Thorin stood and frowned.

"The Elven land of Lorien is ruled by a Queen!" She quickly replied. "And the Numenorean Queen...?"

"Numenor fell under her rule, after her weak husband seized power. The islands were completely destroyed as legend has it." Thorin rebutted smugly. "And the Elvish Queen uses magic to hide her Kingdom in order to survive. It is said that many travellers lose their way and never enter her lands without her explicit permission."

"Well I am not a weak ruler -"

"No but you are unable to defend my kingdom with the sword as with words and negotiations," he closer the space between them again, until she found her chest heaving and feeling tight under each breath even with her loosened corset! She hated that he made her feel that way! Her eyes fluttered closed as she attempted to control her breathing. But to her surprise he did not kiss her. Instead he gently moved her against the edge of the desk and coaxing her legs apart, he fell to one knee. "But I am more than willing to kneel before you...to offer you my complete homage..."

He began to lift her skirts up again slowly, still looking up at her as he trailed a hand lightly up her leg.

Her breathing quickened again and this time she placed a hand on the desk in order to steady herself as he found his way to between her legs and dove right in with both his mouth and his fingers.

"My complete worship..." He rumbled against her...