"Forgive me for such a late visit and request..." she had promised her mother not to reveal their true relationship and would honour that for now. "But I need to provide a minister, once loyal to my father safe passage to Dorwinion...and I was hoping to request passage on board the trade boats you receive?"

He noted her hesitation, but did not wish to press her so early upon arrival.

"My dear I would always grant you anything you ask for, within my power," he gestured for her to sit in a large chair he had by the fireplace in his study, while he shut the door behind her. "But you did not need to travel here for that..."

He wondered whether her request needed to be kept a secret for a reason. She certainly did not seem her usual self.

She stood by the fire for a moment warming up before turning to look at him.

"Your wine merchant? What do you know of him...and his son?" She asked quietly initially declining the offer of a seat, preferring the warmth of the fire instead, for the journey here had been rather cold and it was a chill her body was still not accustomed. "I cannot stay long really and I feel as though I should not be disturbing you for long..."

"From my dealings, they are honest men. They speak good Sindarin, and are proud of the history of their Vineyard. Their family learned to cultivate the grapes from our Sindar ancestors many centuries ago - these are elves who left Lindor long before her ruin after the Kin- slayings. These men of Dorwinion also have strong links with your father's kingdom and have come to their aid in the past. And I believe his son was indeed betrothed to a lady from Rhun," Thranduil moved closer to her before quietly offering to take her cape. "The hour is too late to safely return to Erebor. You will need to stay the night in my chambers now..."

"So, they have not expressed any reluctance or desire to call off this marriage?" She turned to face him, undoing the ties on her cape deep in thought.

"Well, the news of your father's fall in battle against a smaller tribe has now reached many and perhaps a union with Rhun would be less beneficial...or perhaps, there is some uncertainty about the new rulers approval of such a union?" He took her cape, as she hesitantly removed it, still observing her face. Her eyes were sad, and a little reddened, as if she had been crying. "Either way, I do not think they would break a promise if one was exchanged...but there is nothing I have been informed of..."

He moved to hang her cape on a stand by the door beside his own coat to give her a moment to herself.

"It is late? Have you even eaten?"

"I am sorry. I shouldn't be here -" she began after staring at the flames that crackled and spat at the logs, before turning towards him and the door.

"I really cannot let you travel back now, my dear," he repeated gently. "It is much too late. Stay and rest..."

She wondered why her mother had attempted to blame Talitha's betrothal encountering difficulties upon her?

"It really is not our place to interfere with the decisions and plans of others outside our realm..." Thranduil referred to himself, but couldnt help wonder what her interest in the matter was and hoped that she would heed his warning about interfering. "And I would advise you of the same, my dear..."

"Yes. Perhaps you are right. I just worried that perhaps my decision to...take the throne...might have had some repercussions..." she fell silent feeling confused now. Her mother had hidden so much from her already, her whole life had begun to feel like a big lie! And now she wasn't even sure what she was doing here. Perhaps she imagined that she would not get support from Thorin and came to Thranduil. She now felt stupid, wondering what he imagined that she had expected something more of him. "I guess it's all unnecessary..."

She had even taken money out of the Kings fund to pay her mother for the value of the jewels she had gifted her for her wedding day to Thorin. It would be like a drop in the ocean compared to the hoard of Erebor, but it was still a sizeable amount and it would not look good on her part, particularly if Thorin came to find out. And while she tried to remind herself that she was Queen and could do as she pleased, there was something about it all that made her feel rather uneasy.

"Whatever it is that troubles you, I have little doubt that it is a trivial matter," Thranduil took a seat opposite her by the fire. "But I also doubt that you can be held entirely responsible..."

He watched her sit down heavily as if she bore the weight of the world up on her shoulders and felt a great sadness for her again. Whatever that plagued her thoughts was clearly something that ran deep. He wanted to hold her but feared he also wanted more from her and perhaps she had been right the last time they spoke. Perhaps their entanglement would be unwise. She carried Thorins heir after all.

"We all must make difficult decisions at some point in our lives," he knelt down before her and then gently lifted her chin up in his hands. "When faced with such a decision, some turn away and hide, give up, or even run away. But some of us...who are true leaders...do not shy away and make the best decision given the information we have at the time..."

She looked up at him, her big dark eyes meeting his pale orbs.

"What if...it was the wrong decision...?" She quietly asked thinking of her mother. Had she not decided to accept Thorins hand in marriage perhaps none of this would have happened and her mother might have still been happy in Rhun...maybe she took might have been happy in Rhun...?

"It may seem so for one or two people, but those people would have suffered a similar fate whatever decision you made. Where as that decision you took would have helped countless others no doubt," he watched her blink as she registered his words, her dark lashes only made her eyes look more enticing. And he couldn't help his gaze from drifting down to her soft, full lips. They were so close he could just lean in and kiss her. But she did not belong to him. And he would be stealing something that was not his to take. "And that is what makes you a Queen."

He often thought back to that day when she had brazenly kissed him. Perhaps it was not meant for anything, but it had the opposite effects, and even her tenderness in the kiss could not be denied! And every so often when he was tired or had too much to do, his mind would drift back to that moment.

Then it was hard not to allow himself to feel some envy over how she was wasted in her union to such a greedy and ungrateful creature like the dwarven King.

Her heavy heart felt some relief at his words. It was as though he understood her inside out. He didn't make her feel small or insignificant. And perhaps her mother, who had given up her original life with her first love and her first born, always bore a regret for her distance.

Her eyes drifted over his strong features. From the contrast of his heavy brow, the frown lines he permanently bore, down his straight nose and hardened eyes, past his left cheek where she could feel the unevenness even through his enchantment and to his thin lips.

She wondered what decisions he had made over the many centuries he had lived through that he still thought of today. She wondered if his old life with his Queen and his son had been a happy one.

And she was unable to help herself from feeling a little sorrow for him. Even with all that he was, he remained subject to the worldly pains just as she was.

She sat forward in her seat, then holding out her hand touched his scarred cheek and gently pressed her lips to his.

It was the only invitation he needed. He kissed her back, still on his knees before where she sat, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He gently deepened their tender kiss, his tongue seeking entrance to her mouth. And when she parted her lips, she could taste him, like wine and fruit. It tasted delicious, and for a brief moment she chased after the taste. Thorin tasted of pipe weed and ale or sometimes of pastries and coffee...Thorin!

Then suddenly she pulled away from him, feeling guilty after thinking of the dwarf king. Her husband. And worried that she had overstepped her mark. She had asked him for friendship and often run to him in times of distress before, and now feared that she was asking too much of the elf. After all her heart still belonged to Thorin, or so she thought. Although she had found a kindredness in this elf that she could not deny.

"I am sorry...I am all mixed up..." she watched him observe her with some worry as her fingertips fell over her lips, now a little swollen from their kiss. "Should I not have kissed you...?"

But his initial look of worry melted into a gentle smile.

"If it makes you feel any better, I did kiss you back..." he gently brushed a lock of soft, dark hair from her face. "Perhaps it is time that you had some supper, and a rest..."

It mattered not what he wanted, but rather he would be whatever she needed.

"I should really go back -"

But this time he stopped her.

"Whatever matters require your attention in Erebor can wait till tomorrow, when you are better rested and your head is clear." He concluded for her. "I will arrange for a meal to be brought up now, and once you are comfortable in my chambers, I will arrange for passage up the river for your... acquaintances...then I will escort you home after sunrise."

He chose his words carefully knowing that the people from Rhun that clearly plagued her thoughts were more than that, although they deserved less for whatever trouble they have her.

"I really could do with a nap..." she hesitated standing up. "But ..."

"Ask if me anything..." He urged gently.

"Would you stay with me, at least until I fall asleep?" She felt stupid and confused by it all, and yet she found his presence undeniably comforting.

"Of course." There was no hesitation or uncertainty in his reply. Whatever she needed of him tonight, he would do.

...

Thorin woke in their bed. The dark of night had faded, giving way to the earliest signs of dawn. It appeared as though it would be quite a pleasant day.

After looking through Gloins ledgers in the treasury and confirming his suspicions. He had bathed, dressed and waited for her to return but eventually realised that she was spending the night in Greenwood and finally fallen asleep in their bed. It was comfortable, unlike the camp he had made in the passages with his bedroll that still smelled of his travels.

It had also given him much time to think.

The sheets and blankets all smelled like her. But it was little relief. And now he wondered where she slept and what her relationship was with Thranduil?! He couldn't help but imagine that the elf would keep her in his own bedchambers! And while that riled him, he tried to reassure himself that she had not been seduced away while he was badly wounded after the battle.

And then he began to feel a hatred towards her mother! SHE was the one that had driven Shobha to the elf by asking for money and goodness knows what else!

Tonight he should have had better sleep as he often did when he joined her in bed. She also had his clothes laundered in secret, paying the washer-woman from Dale extra for her silence. But that was not the case tonight: Instead, his rest was patchy and unsettled. And SHE was not here to sooth him, as he always found she did. And that made him more angry still!

He had awoken still angry and aroused for having been wrapped in blankets that smelled of her. That was when he decided to confront her mother and ask her to leave! She was here to ask for money and other favours, otherwise there was no reason for her daughter to go running off in the middle of the night.

Yes, he was adamant that he would banish her from Erebor! He was, after all, still King!

He had changed into some of his more formal clothing and headed down the corridor to the apartment Shobha had arranged for her visitors with utter determination.

...

Thranduil had sat in the carriage with her as they returned to Erebor. He did not like travelling like this, usually favouring his elk, but he did not wish to send her back alone. And she was too delicate to ride now. Already he feared that she travelled too much in her condition.

She had been lost in her own thoughts much of the time, although she hid it well. This had made him worry further about her. She needed her husband to help her, but he didn't imagine Thorin could be relied upon in this capacity.

She had fallen asleep against his shoulder several times, which made him wonder what it would feel like to hold her as she slept. He had lain beside her on the bed, but like the last time they had shared a bed. And like the last time, he had simply lain on the other side of his grand bed, wishing that the bed had been much smaller. Not even a single tendril of her dark locks had made their way to touch his skin, much to his disappointment.

In this way, with her falling asleep in the carriage he finally had his chance. This time he gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her tighter against his chest.

Her hair had brushed against his face, smelling of sandalwood and amber. And he could feel the gentle movement of her chest against him as she breathed softly in her sleep.

...

"Who gives away their wedding jewels?!" Talitha grumbled. "Besides how will Lord Hagar know...?"

She paced up and down in their apartment impatiently. As far as she was concerned, she wanted to be in Dorwinion as soon as possible.

"Child, you will start to show not long after the wedding," Talia huffed at her daughter. "And if he suspects you cuckolded him, then your marriage will be an unhappy one...No, we must have our own means in case things go wrong, and we can support you. Even start a new life, somewhere quiet."

"Then I seduce him to lay with me before our wedding night," Talitha attempted again. "I have seen how he stares at me..."

"You keep control of yourself!" Her father snapped angrily rubbing his forehead. "You have caused enough trouble with your loose morals as it is girl! Now we are having to resort of reclaiming money from an innocent woman -"

"She is hardly innocent father!" Talitha protested immediately halting her pacing to scowl at him. "She secured a dwarf king, to take the place of a legitimate princess and now has usurped him for his throne! She does not need those jewels and can actually spare me some gold in amends for all those years she took my mother away from me!"

Talia sighed. She felt torn by it all, and actually felt some guilt towards her younger daughter, who had not grown up so spoilt or lustful despite being raised in the palace harem! But all the same, she now has the chance to spend the last of her days with Jahan, her great love. And if she had learnt one thing from her time of nursing the King on his deathbed, it was that life was unexpectedly short. So if we did not take the gifts or opportunity that life offered to us on occasion, then we would lose out.

"Perhaps she is right. Shobha has offered the price of the jewels in gold and a further trunk to add," Talia looked towards Jahan. He had removed his turban and sat on the couch with one leg folded and crossed over the other knee, and a dejected look painted across his face. "Perhaps we should leave now."

"I did not have any desire to come here after all. And get this girl involved, Talia..." he grumbled.

"Maybe it is us that should not be too hasty...what if she is able to secure us safe travel? And even word from the Woodland King...?" Talitha wondered out loud looking from her mother to her father. "It will encourage Lord Hagar to hurry the wedding along would it not? After all Shah Aman regaled us with the great tale of how she negotiated with the Elven King and how he was willing to go to war on her behalf! I imagine he would grant such a small favour as to secure our travel..."

Jahan sighed again with displeasure at his daughter's tone. But perhaps she was not wrong. It woul be faster to travel with the elves on the river back up to Dorwinion. The journey here had been quite painful enough for his old bones.

Talia watched her daughter begin her impatient pacing once more. Suddenly she felt some guilt. After watching Talitha again, she abruptly stood up.

"I shall go and check on the coach and our luggage..." she didn't want to sound ungrateful but there was a chance that her daughter might not be able to secure transport with the elves in such haste.

"Let me come with you?" Talitha was all too keen to see Erebor in truth, and was keener still to set eyes upon the Dwarf King...

"Stay here! There is no need for you to go about galavanting again." She snapped sharply before turning on her heel and strolling out.

Jahan too took the opportunity to rest, getting up out of his seat.

"Where are you going papa?"

"To take a nap. The bed looks most inviting." He muttered under his beard as he pottered off to the bedroom leaving her to carry on pacing alone.

She felt restless and tired. The dwarves they had come across looked well dressed and Erebor itself looked almost as lavish as Rhun, and she couldn't help the slight envy that crept into her heart. She had met Shobha before, many times. Before they knew of their blood ties. The girl she had met had little ambition of court life, spending her time occupied with less feminine pursuits so it was hard not to feel some resentment at how she had attracted King as a suitor! Of course most of the dwarves they had spotted were short, barrell shaped creatures with a more hair than she could fathom. And she chuckled to herself at the idea of such a creature bedding her half-sister, who was relatively tall for a woman from Rhun!

Wondering back into the luxurious bathroom, she appraised the soft towels and the scented bath oils and contemplated having a bath. From what she understood, Dorwinion was not quite a opulent as either of these kingdoms, so she might as well enjoy herself. As she carefully began to prepare her own bath and slowly undress, she wondered what it was like to have a dwarf with their large hands and thick fingers touch one intimately - whether they made for gentle, or rough, or attentive lovers...and in particular what her half-sister's dwarf was like in particular...

...

She awoke with a jolt although the carriage moved slowly, her face lay nestled on Thranduils chest as his hair trailed around her head like a curtain. It was much softer than she had imagined.

"I'm sorry..." she stiffened, and still a bit disoriented, she tried to sit up.

"You need not apologise, my lady," he replied quietly. It was almost surprisingly tender in that moment as he steadied her with an arm still held around her. "I slowed down the carriage so that you would not be awoken..."

She fell silent contemplating his admission. It was all very thoughtful and attentive, even if he still bore his usual aloof expression.

Suddenly she thought back to their kiss last night.

"The last time I joined you for your feast and asked you for friendship...and then kissed you last night..." she struggled to find the words for her confusing actions.

But he interrupted her, gently cupping her chin in his large hand as he looked down on her, a flash of warmth passing across his usually cold and unreadable features.

"Do you bear any regret?" He asked quietly.

"No..." the words came forth before she could think and then she paused. He had been kind to her and perhaps he meant more to her than merely a friend, but she was also married to Thorin and now carried his child. Even if he bore no love for her, she could not simply take up with another.

"Then I too am happy." His words were strangely soothing. Again he felt a pang of pity for her. "The last we spoke, I agreed to a friendship. So I am here for you as you need me. Even if that takes unexpected guises sometimes."

She looked up at him, his arm still wrapped around her and found his strange, cold irides watching her closely. He held her gaze for some long moments such that she found a desire to kiss him again, but maintained her restraint.

Fortunately the carriage drew to a halt soon signalling their arrival back in Erebor. And for the few moments previously, he had offered her an escape for the turmoil that lay in wait for her here in Erebor.

...

Thorin stood outside the guest chambers. It was still too early for the usual bustle of dwarves about Erebor.

The torches burned dimly in their sconces along the walls now, awaiting their refreshing in a few hours. But that suited him fine, for he was unsure of what to make of her family, given her behaviour. He had felt her pain when she had thought her mother dead all those months ago. So he had not expected her to go running off to see that callous elf the moment her mother had returned.

It was hard not to allow his thoughts to turn dark as he wondered what she sought out or wished to confide in him!

After initially hesitating, the sheer ire from his last thought drove him to lift his fist up and knock on the door firmly.

At first there was quiet, followed by the sound of movement inside the rooms and then the sound of the door lock and latch being turned.

He had expected some delay for they had no maids or staff appointed and none they travelled with, apart from the soldiers they had paid to provide them safe passage.

His anger had not abated, even after all he had told himself about what he imagined might have been a tricky escape from Rhun and the journey back. If anything it had only grown as he thought of his wife who had run off to Greenwood clearly upset following their arrival.

But what made him truly angry was her dishing out HIS treasure WITHOUT his permission. In fact this would have been the sort of large favour that might have been her undoing. It could have been leveraged to force her give up her little coup!

What's more he could have used it to have her beg him for help. And that was certainly worth her dropping onto her knees and sucking his cock for, as he imagined. He inwardly groaned at the thought since he had not had her for some days now, after he had been kept occupied talking down his supporting lords and ladies from demanding her blood in retribution for her uprising!

With all these thoughts filling his sleep deprived head, he had found his feet had carried him in before he could be invited formally.

But once he stood inside the apartment, he was not expecting to witness what he did!

...

The grand hallways of Erebor felt constricting and small suddenly as she made her way back.

It was hard not to wonder what it would be like if she chose to accept Thranduil's offer to spend the rest of her days in the woodland realm. She imagined even Thorin would not miss her.

"Shobha..." Her mother's familiar voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.

But she did not slow down.

Before yesterday, she would have given everything she had to see her mother again, but now she just wanted this nightmare concluded fast.

"I have secured safe passage for you all with the elves along the river. They await your arrival, but they cannot take your caravan. Your coachman will have to take this to Dorwinion and any of your added items," she spoke carrying on towards their guest rooms.

"How did you arrange that so fast-"

"I spoke with the Woodland King."

"And your husband permitted you an unchaperoned visit overnight?" Her mother raised her eyebrows.

"I told you, that I am Queen Regent now." Shobha sighed holding her chin up despite the anger growing inside her.

"Oh this nonsense again?! Leave the ruling to your husband! I am surprised that he humours you like this -"

"If it were up to my husband, you would have received no assistance. So for once be grateful," she ground out the words now as they carried on long the large hallways.

"Why must you always have these fanciful ideas...? Perhaps it is my fault for permitting you such freedom to think instead of teaching you to use charm and keep your place..."

Those words briefly made her pause. She wanted to explode. To rage. But instead she recalled what Thorin had said about not showing any weakness.

"I am Queen. And my ideas are what gained me support," she spoke, careful to keep her temper hidden now. "It is funny that you would not ask Arvind to use his charm or his sex to manipulate things. Or ask that he keeps his place..."

She carried on walking still refusing to look at her mother.

"Well, you would do well to remember that he is also not a bastard child of the maharajah!" Talia snapped angrily. "But rather he is a crown prince and seventh in line to the throne!"

Then her mother sighed regretting her words and gently caught Shobha's arm halting her.

"Please try to understand why I am asking this of you..."

She looked at her mother out of the side of her eyes.

"I understand, and that is why I have done all in my power to help you begin your new life, Lady Talia," she concluded twisting her hand out of her mother's grasp. It was almost certain that this would be the last time she would ever see her mother. And that made it all the more painful.

"You need not call me that, child..."

"And yet you asked that I consider that my mother died along with my father," she corrected, still feeling the sting of her mother's words from when they arrived. "Please let us not draw this out any longer for either of our sake..."

...

A woman stood at the door observing him carefully with her big brown eyes. She could not have been much older than his own wife, but had an air of haughtiness about her that could only come from being born to noble stock.

She was tall, with long black hair and a complexion a little fairer than Shobha. But what had taken him by utter surprise was how similar her facial features were to his wife, from her small nose, her full lips right up to her large doe like eyes! He was certain she was too young to be Shobhas mother, but he was unaware of any siblings she might have.

He stood there surprised for a moment, when she smiled, revealing a small dimple on her left cheek. She stood there, her skin still damp from what he imagined was a bath, wearing nothing but a silken robe that left little to the imagination!

"My Lord, it is an honour..." She smiled sweetly before dropping into a low bow that opened up the neckline to her robe such that her breasts was fully visible.

"I am looking for Lady Talia." He replied feeling somewhat uneasy at how he found this woman too attractive for his own good - even if she did look as though she could be his consorts twin!

The woman stood up from her deep and unnecessarily lengthy curtsy, and looked at him a little surprised but still not entirely offended.

"Please will you wait inside, my Lord, and permit me to go fetch my mother?" She smiled again, still leaving her robe very much open as it had fallen when she curtsied. Then seeing his situation, she quickly added in her most innocent tone what she expected as a reassurance. "Forgive me this delay, it really will not take long..."

He did not feel comfortable in her presence any longer and was certain that she was doing her best to seduce him. He had been young once, and would have had little hesitation towards entertaining such an offer, even while married. But there was something more to this attempted seduction. A more sinister and calculated feel to it. It was the sort of feeling he had learnt to heed during battle that often heralded an ambush.

But he was King. And with exception of her almost-near nudity, he was doing nothing wrong. So he stood his ground, taking a step closer to the door.

She had taken a little while longer than he felt comfortable with, and when she reappeared, she was still alone.

"Forgive me, your majesty, but my mother appears to be unavailable at the moment..." She carefully took a step closer to him, her hands resting on the loosened sash of her robe.

"I demand that I see her."

"But she is not here. She must have popped out to the kitchens..." The woman blinked innocently before trailing her hand up to her hair, which she brushed over her shoulder, the action of which had the effect of opening her robe further, such that it now only held together in a most precarious manner. "I imagine she will return shortly. And I would happily keep you company until then..."

He didn't like the way she took another step closer. Quickly thinking on his feet he recalled seeing a lord who arrived with them. If this woman had been a daughter of the Maharajah, he would have seen her in the palace, so he imagined she shared a mother with his wife, but that her father must have been a noble lord.

"Your father - I demand that you go fetch him right away!" He commanded.

"I am afraid he is sleeping, your majesty. He is not as...able...as he once was and needs to rest-"

"I am King! And I expect all to obey me!"

She smiled at that, completely undeterred by his building anger, and took a step closer, her hand still playing with her sash.

"Oh but you have permitted your Consort to take over rule of your kingdom, have you not, your majesty..." She took a step closer, allowing her leg to slip out of the opening of the robe at the front.

He took a step back and found his feet against the door!

She took another step closer until she was almost touching him now and smiled softly.

"Perhaps you like naughty girls...your majesty..." she spoke softly reaching out and touching his chest. "Do you like to punish naughty girls, Sire...?"

She trailed her hand brazenly down his chest until she reached his trousers. But to his surprise she did not stop. Slowly continuing, she caressed his manhood through the material of his trousers.

"Stop this." He said firmly, but was not convinced by his own words.

So quickly he reached behind to open the door, when apparently someone else did so concurrently!

The unexpected movement of the door pushed him forward against her, before landing on the floor.

She was quick to take advantage of this, quickly climbing on top of him and straddling his groin before undoing the sash and opening her robe to him.

"Talitha!" A voice f

rom behind seemed to make her pause. "What are you doing?!"

It was the distraction her needed to move her off him.

"Thorin...?"

He looked up towards the door to spot his wife and Talia, the latter wearing an expression of surprise and amusement. But more importantly, his wife's face was unreadable.

...