Author note: This is the sequel to 'Thorin's Fate'.
if you read the previous story and the teaser chapters then please scroll through to Chapter 3 which follows on from the first two chapters of the teaser.
Other than that just to say hope you enjoy this. Its a bit more 'real' and their relationship gets a little bumpier... So if you are up for it, hold on and get ready to enjoy the ride!
...
"ENOUGH!" Thorin yelled over the squabble that had broken out amongst the two groups of Lords in Court. He had begun utterly bored at first, as mundane issues had been debated before weighing in occasionally. Initially, the arguments between the various groups of rotund dwarrow in their best suits had mildly amused him. But eventually it had descended into a hilarious fight, making the fat dwarves fighting in their bright suits look like a children's game of elaborately coloured marbles, and he had been unable to keep a straight face which had left him with no option but to intervene. "You do utter disrespect to the Gallery of Kings with your petty squabbles and your fishwife manners!"
Silence instantly cut through the group, where they stood frozen in place; Three fat, short Lords dressed in bright hues of reds and greens and purples still with their pudgy little fingers shoved into each others chests. And now they remained exactly like statues, fearful of their King but also mid fight with one another.
"But my King, we do not understand why Her Royal Highness cannot attend one court session a month? It is only a few hours of time we ask for. And we understand Her Highness has returned to work -" one of the pink faced blubbery lords at the centre of the squabble spoke up a little quietly.
"Our Queen has no need to stand here and witness such nonsense - when she raises our future rulers and carries out far more important work." Another Lord at the periphery of the larger group spoke up. Shobha had, despite her unwillingness to engage in frank politics, gained many supporters amongst the nobility through her quiet, unpublicised work. She had even won over some critics through her kind and unbiased treatment of various family members when illness or injury has struck at inopportune times. Unlike Oin, who had to manage the whole infirmary and so didn't see as many patients, she had never turned away a soul who had asked for her help, however busy she had been.
"She has graced us on occasion where it was required. But these questions you have can just as easily be answered by Prince Fili on the next occasion that matters of the escape routes from the Market are raised in court as part of the agenda." Thorin replied.
"But trading and business will be affected by what her Highness proposes!" Another Lord countered from the centre of the fray.
"I would like to remind you that the lower trading halls are only open today because the Queen has drawn an agreement with our King!" A different Lord weighed in this time.
"Without proper debate or discussion of such a contract amongst us though!" Yet another ruddy, large figure bustled his way out of the fight, turning to face Thorin, almost pleadingly only to be interrupted angrily by a more powerful peer.
"Aye! She curries special favour through her place as his wife!" His bolder statement was less well received by others who were strong supporters of their King.
"What do you insinuate? That our King accepts her requests in exchange for favours of the bedchambers?!" Another angrily replied.
"I had no intention of reopening these market halls." Thorin finally stepped in. "If not for your Queens hard work with Lord Gloin, and Prince Fili on devising escape tunnels it would have remained so: I have seen the death and destruction by the firedrake firsthand! So let me make it simple for you. No tunnels: no Markethall!"
The entire grand hall fell silent as his words rang out. He sounded commanding. Irate even. But beneath his facade he was laughing, and couldnt help but think of how she would have found this all very funny indeed.
The reality of the matter was that she had sought help from Mara and her few supporters amongst the noble classes to survey the lower halls and dig tunnels so that there were proper escape routes out in the event of some emergency. The work for which had come from the future merchants who had leased stalls there. The contracts she had drawn up cut out the Lords in Council who wished to debate the matter hoping for more power over the matter and so more money. Instead she had arranged to pay them a minor fee from the tax raised to keep them happy, but the remaining work and maintenance had been continued to be paid for by the merchants own profits, which had been plentiful.
Now, the some of the Lords who had realised how lucrative these markets were, had been angling to get more tax money into their own pockets by insisting on debating and delaying the whole process. Their latest concern was indeed their lack of control over this matter.
Thorin equally had to admit it aroused him unspeakably just how well she had politically outwitted all those greedy and scathing Noblemen in favour of the large group of merchants who had set up stalls on the lower market halls. And she wasnt even trying. It made him wonder what she would be capable of if she had turned her hand to actual politics.
Cursing the day that anyone had invented undergarments for the discomfort in his loins at those thoughts and silently thanking his long jacket for hiding his soon to be raging erection at her cost, he decided to end matters for today.
"Then this concludes our debate for now." He stood up with a sidelong glance at Balin, as the crowd beneath him dropped into a group bow. "Prince Fili will return next week for any questions. Please let Balin know in advance what you wish to discuss so that we may present you with the apt figures and details..."
Thorin held his hands together over his crotch in a formal manner for good measure just in case, before turning to leave, wondering how he might seduce her this evening.
...
She carefully settled the sleeping baby in her arms down in the cot near their bed. Their daughter was only still thirteen months old and she was not ready to move her cot into the adjoining nursery with the Princes yet. It meant that Thorin didnt always get a good nights rest either. But he never complained.
Between the twins and their new baby daughter, they were both usually very tired. It also meant that there was little or no love making. So Thorin was lately unable to hide both his arousal for missing her, or his jealousy at her spending time with other men including Fili - even though it was only in a professional capacity.
Quickly she set out the twins fresh nightshirts on their beds before moving to the bathroom where they sat in the bath playing with their toys.
"Mama! We want to get out now..." Thrainuil complained.
"Yes of course. I'm sorry your water must be getting cold." She dipped a hand into the bathwater to check only to be surprised by how warm the water was. It was almost as though the bath was freshly drawn.
"No Mama - Arun makes it warm," the eldest of the two revealed very matter-of-factly.
"Did you turn on the taps? I have told you not to play with the taps baby; it can get hot and even scald you -" she observed the bath suspiciously since the level had not changed considering how hot the bath water was!
"No Mama! I make it warm..." Arun replied, looking up at her with those big green eyes of his. "Like Thrain said. Although, I could probably make it boil too if you wanted..."
She paused for a moment looking at her two sons who sat there in the large tub together. While they were certainly twins and bore a strong resemblance, the older looked like a small version of Thorin without a doubt. Whereas Arun had green eyes, hauntingly like Ulmo along with his aquiline nose and perfect lips. At times seeing her second born child and the resemblance he bore to his Valar father made her feel a terrible guilt, for this was a secret she had failed to share with her husband to this very day.
"Mama...?" Arun reached up to her cheek with a gentle warm wet hand. "Are you upset with me?"
"Oh no my baby!" She snapped back out of her head taking his hand in hers and pressing a kiss to his palm. "Come on lets get you out!"
"I offer assistance, my lady." A familiar voice called from where she had left the towels.
No matter how busy the infirmary had been, she had always made time to give the princes a bath and tuck them in to bed. Often this had been on her own given how busy Thorin was of late. But she had occasional help too.
"I present towels, for two fine crown princes of Erebor!" Fili stood in the bathroom this time with two towels one over each shoulder.
Smiling Shobha moved towards him and took the green towel off his left shoulder giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
"Blue for Prince Thrain... And Green for Prince Arun..." He picked out the older twin and wrapped him in the towel carrying the child into the room while Shobha followed with Arun. "I thought you might be grateful for a little help today, my lady?"
"Thank you Fili... I do feel rather tired today." Shobha agreed gratefully. They had been working together for so long on matters of the market halls that he had grown to know her closely, and she had come to rely on him quite a bit herself.
"Aye, I know. And you have had a particularly busy day on your feet with little time for food or drink." He smiled gently at her. "I know uncle is busy with court on my behalf. So it seems only fair that I help you with the lads. Besides, I have some more things to go over which I could do later."
"They really are upset about this arent they?" She chuckled as she got the boys changed into their night shirts one by one. "There was hardly any interest in reopening the lower market hall until we set everything up and they realised there was some money coming in."
"Its not just the money, my lady. Its also the power." Fili offered. "That particular faction of nobles are angered as they have finally realised how you have cut them out of the contracts with the merchants."
"Well, there is no need for them to have any say over what the individuals and the few investors have poured all their hard work into." She replied distantly, her mind still fixed on her younger son as she ran a hand through his soft chestnut hair.
"What is it that troubles you my lady...?" Fili observed her carefully. He had always possessed a certain soft spot for her and while he fought it knowing the consequences it was hard to deny that he often longed to spend more time with her. While he believed in the reopening of these Markets, it had left him working many hours and so closely with her that he had come to learn so much about her; from the subtle expressions on her soft features to the unusual language she used which clearly hailed from her home land. And he was certain that she too had grown closer to him.
She brought her face close to her son, and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, attempting to hide the worry.
"Nothing really. Just thinking about some of the things I have to do for Christmas - I mean Yule..." She lied.
"Dwalin is already arranging for a tree to be brought up to your parlour, Shobha. And every year you trim the tree so beautifully..." he replied moving towards her slowly and watching as she tucked her older son in next, kissing his forehead just as tenderly as she did Arun. "Although I must agree with Uncle that my favourite is your Diwali lights..."
He smiled to himself as he recollected how she had bathed the stone balcony in the glow of dozens of lamps. She too had dressed in a sari, and made silken tunics for the two princes. This particular year she had even shared a traditional prayer in her language and blessed them each with a scarlet vermillion powder dot to their foreheads. It felt as though he had travelled to some far away, enchanted and exotic land.
Watching her thoughtfully fold the boys clothes and tidy them away, he moved closer still. He wondered whether she missed her homeland and her kin, for with each passing year she had appeared to trust them more with her own personal customs.
"But that is not what truly worries you, my lady... Is it?" Fili uttered softly. He wanted to embrace her and tell her that he understood. To let her know that everything was as it should be and that she belonged there. But despite how close they had grown, they barely ever embraced. He knew the dangers of angering an already jealous Thorin at this point. "I have worked with you closely for the last five years. I know you well enough to know that..."
But she simply turned to face him before gently raising her small cool hand up to his cheek.
"You are too good to me Fili..." She looked up into his eyes for a moment before setting a hand on his arm. He had been a sympathetic ear when it came to her unpopularity with the noble classes of which she experienced a lot. Fili had even been the sweetest uncle when it came to defending their very naughty twins from a very angry King, as they wreaked havoc all throughout Erebor. "I think we should finish the changes to this final draft. And then I will feel a lot better..."
She moved towards the parchment he had left on the twins desk and then paused, turning to look back at the blond Prince. The last five years had been good to him. With less travel, better food and time for training, he had grown into a fine nobleman with a physique to match his uncle, although he was not quite as tall. He even appeared to gained some of that Thorin-esque majesty, so that it was painfully evident that he was a crown prince.
"Fili... I just want to say thank you for all your support with this." She smiled, receiving a graceful nod back.
"My lady?" The familiar and commanding voice of her husband announced his arrival, making them both spin round startled to find Thorin standing there. His clearly looming presence was both magnificent and terrifying all at the same time. "Forgive my tardiness -"
"I'm sorry they were both so tired they just fell asleep," she apologised walking over to him. Their interactions were now automatic after five years of marriage and three children together. And she was grateful for that, as she was still distracted by the revelation her younger son had made. "Are you okay? You look tired..."
She leant up and against his strong frame to press a chaste kiss to his lips, only to have him wrap an arm around her waist and pull her in for more.
"Aye." Thorin revealed his irritation, which had grown three fold since he left the gallery of Kings. "Your Market Halls may be popular with all but these nobles."
"Oh no! Was I supposed to turn up for queries?" She glanced from her husband to the crown prince, who frowned and slowly shook his head.
"No my lady. But I will be glad when the work is complete." Thorin shot an irritated look at his nephew. "I apologise, but I haven't had the time to look over the final plans although I am happy to sign them..."
"Thank you Uncle. That will be more than what we need."
"I really needed to speak with our sons tonight." He looked down at his wife.
"Well it will have to wait. But whatever is so urgent? They are only five years old Thorin."
He glanced from her to their sleeping twins, and then to his nephew. While it was clearly unfounded, and he knew fully that his wife bore no inappropriate feelings towards his sisters son, it was difficult for him not to feel a pang of jealousy due to the close nature of their friendship. Fili had even helped her tuck their sons into bed that night which had added, much to his ire.
Thorin moved towards the sleeping princes in their beds, still possessively holding her hand before addressing his nephew again.
"Would you return my wife back to me for the evening now please Fili?"
Apparently Fili didnt need another invitation. Picking up this scrolls, he immediately left the room.
"An incident took place in the hot spring pools this week, where two of the pools grew incredibly hot." Thorin eyed the now peacefully sleeping boys with some suspicion, despite their current angelic appearance. "It was not dangerous, but rather an uncomfortable surprise for several of the nobles who were relaxing in the warm waters..."
"I am not sure I know much about that," while her words were in fact true, even she couldnt help wonder if the twins had their hand in that. "Were the boys there? I have specifically asked them not to play near the pools. And Lola looks after them during most afternoons so she is very good and usually has a schedule for them."
Lola was also Mara's nanny once, but was no longer needed since Gimli was now almost twenty years old, which made him an awkward but sweet adolescent in dwarf terms. Gloin and Mara still kept her on in their employment and protection since she was still young herself, with Mara firmly in pursuit of good suitors for her!
"Aye...? But she did not inform you of any incidents where they disappeared from reach?" He raised an eyebrow at her moving closer still.
"No. Nothing like that." She reached up quite deliberately and placed both her hands on his broad chest, moving closer too so that she could slip them under his fine velvet jacket. The silver in his hair had increased over the last five years since she met him first, and with exception to a few more crows feet around his eyes, which in truth had been due to more smiling, he still looked as handsome and rugged as he did once when she first found him that fateful day out in that strange field. "But I can have a word with them tomorrow -"
"My lady... I know what your discipline of them is like." He scoffed at her as he grasped her waist firmly and pulled her against his body hungrily. "Is that why you offer me your delicious body?"
He bore into her with his cold, azure eyes for a moment before in to kiss her rather rather roughly. Even now, after all these years, he made her feel utterly naked when he did that, as if he saw through all those layers that she wore.
"I would describe this more as helping yourself, wouldnt you?" She whispered as he continued his assault of rather possessive kisses down her neck before forcefully pulling open her neckline and rather more reverently kissing the tops of her breasts. "And I am firm with the boys! Its just that you will catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar..."
"Well," he immediately scooped her up into his arms and quickly carried her through to their bedroom. "I would love to discuss this further Amralime, but I fear my desperation would not give me enough time to even get your clothes off..."
She fell on the bed with a distracted nod. Her mind was still on her youngest sons new found ability. And she was not sure what to do any longer. She wanted to tell Thorin everything, but it felt like confessing to adultery, and she certainly was not guilty of that, even if she did feel guilt over hiding the truth. She did not even have sex with Ulmo.
"There is that look again." Thorin cupped her chin in his calloused hand. "You are thinking of work. Or the children..."
She looked up at him and smiled gently.
"Let me make you forget..." He kissed her mpre gently this time. "And the boys will begin school from next week. It will teach them discipline - REAL discipline."
But before she could disagree, his hand had found its way under her skirts and between her legs. And she was no longer able to think straight let alone speak.
"Just let me take care of you, beautiful." He whispered as she kissed him. "And my decision for the lads is final."
...
She watched their sons through the glass window anxiously as they paid attention to the class tutor.
"They will be fine my lady." Thorin stood beside her, paying more attention to her than their sons. He had no doubts that the boys would succeed well. "They are ready, my beauty. See; they do not even look for you now."
"But what if they suddenly worry? I promised Thrain i would not leave here until they were ready for lunch." She protested angrily. Their sons were five years old, while all the other dwarflings were eight years before starting school.
"Would you prefer something else to think of...?" Smirking, he came to stand directly behind her, pressing himself against her body so she could feel his need for her and making her gasp in surprise.
"Thorin! This is our sons' first day of school!" She turned around to glare at him. But apparently her annoyance only turned him on more! "Have you no shame?"
He merely grasped her waist and pushed her against the wall beside the window claiming her lips with the authority only a true King possessed.
"No my lady. As your husband and King - I have this right..." He picked her thighs up to wrap them around his waist, thrilled at what an effect it seemed to be having on his young bride while he continued his assault of kisses down her neck.
Her chest heaved as he unbuttoned the short jacket she wore over her dress to reveal her soft brown skin beneath. That was home for him, and truly he had been worried about many things of late including her, although he felt it unfair to burden his already busy wife with such matters. Instead he found unparalleled solace in her arms and between her legs.
Now fully in control, and watching her concentrating desperately in an attempt to keep quiet in that isolated corridor designed for new starters parents to observe their young, he silently thanked the Gods that they were the only parents whose children were starting school for the rest of that year.
He lifted the mass of skirts on her formal dress up over her smooth legs, and quickly freeing his aching length, buried himself deep within her, watching her face for any signs of discomfort.
"Dont think about anything now, my love. Just give yourself to me," he whispered in her ear as he thrust in once more.
"Thorin! We shouldnt -" she panted, only to find the words she wanted to use had completely disappeared. "I will get pregnant again -"
"Then let it be. You look beautiful when you are growing with my babe..." He gave her one of his boyish smiles. It was the type of smile that he only managed around her and when they were alone. "And we do make such beautiful younglings -"
But his words scared her. Between the thought of everything around Arun, her worry abour what to do with his gift, and then her own mounting workload, her head was no longer in an amorous mood.
Stiffening up, she pushed a hand out against his chest and pushed herself away.
"We will get caught. And I have so much work!" She panted, as she clutched onto herself in a desperate attempt to straighten her clothing and hair.
"So what? We commit no crime, but to enjoy what is rightfully ours..." Thorin grumbled as he laced his trousers back up. "Be grateful I abolished the rules that require the consummation of our marriage to be witnessed by senior nobles on my council."
He moved towards her, a prowling beast still in pursuit of his prey, watching her carefully for anything.
She had in the past been open to such adventurous trysts although her appetite was lessened recently. But birth of any of their babes had not been easy for her, and just as it had taken time for her carnal desires to return after their twins were born, he remained patient that in time with the correct conditions, she would open herself up to him, like a rare flower in bloom. Still, it did not prevent him trying every opportunity he got. Some attempts had, after all been spectacularly successful!
"Tell me, my love, what weighs so heavy on your mind?" He gently stroked her cheek, finding himself lost in her big, brown, doe-eyes. "Let me share your burdens, as I once promised when we first met. I will not judge -"
Her heart beat faster, a combination of his proximity, her desire to give herself to him, and fear of having hidden the secret that now threatened to reveal itself.
"This is not the Erebor I first arrived in, Thorin," she replied disheartened. "Dont make promises that you cant keep, my husband."
She had been expected back in the market hall long ago, although she had remained all this time. And while she couldnt bare to leave, she needed to distract herself with work, at least until she had time to think things through with a clearer head.
To his dismay she planted a soft kiss on his lips before leaving him standing there.
...
Shobha scanned the large crowd gathered in the lower market hall as Fili concludes his speech. His words were punctuated by rounds of applause.
"But all this would never have come to pass if not for the vision and the persistence of our Queen Consort. And while she leaves me to make the speeches and grand introductions, it is only right that all who know and love these halls have named them the Queens Market." Fili smiled softly and bowed to her, where she stood beside him. "We offer you our gratitude."
There was a pause as everyone there followed in a quiet sea of rustling sounds created by everyone as they shuffled their cloaks and dresses to bow or curtsey low.
"Oh - thank you! Please rise. And truly, to see how everyone here has thrived is all the thanks I need..." She replied awkwardly, before moving towards Fili. "And none of this would be possible without the tireless work of all the building team, the merchants, Lord Treasurer Gloin, Lady Mara, Lady Dis and Prince Fili, who has spent hours working with our noble council: To all of whom I offer my gratitude."
As she bowed her head, the sound of applause and cheers erupted before her. Then within moments the ceremony had concluded and everyone had begun to wonder around the market hall visiting stalls or generally strolling around.
The new renovations had created new access tunnels, some which were sealed amd ready for an emergency, and others which already existed but had been strengthened with additional grand store rooms created too. It meant more winter supplies could be housed. She had not thought specifically of that when she first planned the idea, but rather she had been thinking of when Mordors forces lay siege to Erebor.
Smiling absentmindedly at several groups of polite guests and merchants, she gravitated towards an empty tunnel. She was tired after so many months of careful planning, political manoeuvres, and juggling work with the children. It also troubled her that the Valar had not spoken to her in some time. Over the past few years she seemed to have developed a relationship with the Valar, in particular Ulmo, master of the waters, had grown a soft spot for her. On many an occasion he had come to her in her dreams and given her advice or at least some sort of cryptic message to help. But of late things had gone strangely silent.
Walking along the enormous tunnel she observed the open store rooms with their large spaces, when she heard what sounded like quiet steps ahead of her.
She froze, straining her ears to listen. There were fewer torches lit down this particular tunnel making it a lot darker in places so that it was easy for someone or something to lurk in the shadows.
After a few moments of hesitation she decided the best course of action was to rejoin Fili, who she had no doubts was looking for her.
But as she took a few steps backwards, a cloaked figure emerged from the darkness and beckoned her towards him.
"Stay back! The guards will be here any moment." She spoke confidently, cursing herself for not wearing her dagger, which she had stopped for some time. And shouting would never work
To her utter surprise instead of moving away, the hooded figure moved defiantly towards her in a few quick paces and grasped her hand, pulling her further into the darkened passage.
"Stop! Right now -" but before she could say anything more, the figure had pushed her against a wall, covering her mouth with his gloved hand.
"You need not fear me, my Queen." He spoke in a quiet whisper as he towered over her. "I am your loyal servant, although I cannot show myself for now. I am here to warn you of a threat against you..."
He paused, clearly assessing for her reaction to make certain she had been assimilating the information he had revealed.
"What? Here in Erebor? Why? I have no hand in politics..." She whispered back frowning, once he slowly moved his hand away.
"You think not, but you help those who work hard, rewarding the outcasts, the mercantile classes, which in turn is seen as taking money from the pockets of the nobles who would ask to tax those dwarves." He revealed. "You anger the nobles in the Iron Hills... This very opening - is it true that your contracts were set directly with the King? Leaving out the control that the council would have claimed?"
"Well... Yes... But the nobles are getting enough of a cut to keep them happy..."
"But you keep the taxes out of their hands directly." His voice sounded strangely familiar, although she couldn't recall anyone she knew of that had the same build of this dwarf. He was almost as tall and broad but not as heavy set as her husband. "Can you not see why some would oppose you?"
"So what do they want - to get rid of me?"
"They know the King waited almost one hundred and fifty years to marry you, he will never seek another suitor should anything happen to you. No, they seek to remove your power in court." He looked around as if expecting someone to turn up any moment. "I do not know any more details, but you must remain guarded. Anything might be used to break the King's trust in you..."
"What?!" Her heart beat faster now, wondering whether it would be related to Arun. Thorin was jealous and while it was a hard sell to claim she had an affair with the Valar, it was was hard to know how his less rational side might react to such information.
"I will inform you as soon as I hear any more..." He replied hurriedly looking around taking a step back.
She had hoped for more time to figure out how to deal with the secret she had kept from Thorin for so long, but now she feared the worst might come from it. Breathless, she clutched onto her heavily embroidered bodice, that had been tightened a bit too much and leant against the wall.
"Why would you warn me?"
"Because there are those who love you. And would follow you to the very ends of this earth." He bowed, and stepped back into the darkness only to disappear like a ghost!
"Wait! How will I find you?!" She called out but it was too late. He was gone.
She shut her eyes in the darkness, taking slow and calming breaths.
"My lady...? What are you doing here?"
She opened her eyes to find Fili standing by her in the darkness, just about making out his eyes taking her in with curiosity.
"Are you alright Shobha?" Fili asked again.
"Yeah. But I think I need to get out of here..."
...
She slipped her bathrobe off and slid into their large stone bath filled with perfectly warm water and scented with sandalwood and some exotic floral concoction she had purchased in the market hall. Her hair was loose and she had placed her wedding rings and courting beads in a special trinket box beside her bed so that she could bathe without fear of losing them in the giant dark stone tub as she had done after they had first wed.
The children were tucked in their beds, Mara's nanny keeping an eye until Shobha was done. But she intended on having a long and relaxing bath today.
Several large projects that she had worked on in her role as Thorin's consort had all come to completion, and she had finally found time with the little ones to trim their Christmas tree.
Tonight she would unwind and relax fully, knowing that as soon as Thorin had returned from inspecting the mines that she would finally tell him everything about Ulmo and Arun. She had committed no egregious mistake, nor had she committed adultery. It would be stupid not to expect Thorin to react with jealousy, but she also imagined that he would finally see sense. The child was still biologically his child also!
Sliding all the way down, she let her head submerge beneath the surface fully, holding her breath for as long as she could before emerging back up to take deep breaths. Then leaning herself along the side, she closed her eyes.
The tub was far too large just for her. And usually she enjoyed her baths better with Thorin, but they were never solely baths with him, usually turning into foreplay and more. This was not the sort of distraction she needed.
She hadn't heard Thorin's arrival until she felt his hands stroking her wet hair.
"Let me wash your hair, my beauty..." He spoke in his deep velvet voice, which made her skin prickle with goosebumps. "Mmmm... My darling... That is precisely the response I wished to garner... But it is most appreciated..."
He hummed happily into the skin of her neck, before standing to remove his tunic and moving to collect a stoppered pot of hair cleansing oil.
"Thorin, I have to tell you something," she sat up taking the moment. "Please... Listen to me..."
"Very well, my wife." He returned to the tub with pot, and pulling up a small stool took a seat so he could watch her. Allowing his eyes to stray over her nude, wet form submerged in water he couldn't help hide an automatic smirk that threatened to make itself visible on his face. "That sounds serious, my beauty..."
"Yes. And it's really important: so please hear me out fully before you interrupt..."
"Very well..." He nodded pulling up his stool dipping his hand in the water. Seeing her body like that made him always think of the children's stories she described about the creatures she called mermaids. He sometimes imagined her reclining entirely nude on a rock by the ocean under the sun, her brown skin glistening surrounded by her long glossy raven hair, and a bright flower tucked above her ear.
"Do you remember I told you about how I was saved by Ulmo after I died in those waters..." She began frowning at her husband momentarily before reaching out of the water and tapping his knee in an attempt to regain his clearly distracted mind. "Please listen - and stop imagining whatever vulgar thing you maybe conjuring in your mind..."
"Aye my love..."
"Look if you pay attention to what I have to say and you still feel worked up, I promise you can have me in any way you wish." She offered, making him quirk his eyebrows at her.
"This sounds extremely serious indeed, my beauty. Very well, you have my fullest attention - as I intend to make you pay a hefty price for this afterwards!" He cupped her chin and leant down to plant a kiss on her lips.
"Well.. you remember Ulmo marked my skin for saving my life...? And this was decided by the Valar because I was fated to carry your children... Well there was an additional price to pay..."
"Instead of one child, we were blessed with twins..." Thorin replied.
"And the second child would be forever linked to Ulmo -"
A knock sounded on their bathroom door, interrupting her. At first they both looked at one another startled by it, but when the knocking grew more urgent, Thorin immediately rose from the stool to answer it.
"Brother, I am sorry to interrupt your day so late but Great Aunt Aida has arrived from the Iron Hills..." It was Dis.
"Well surely, she must be exhausted and will wish for a proper rest first -" Thorin began but was interrupted.
"She insisted that she must have an audience with you right away!" Dis' voice sounded worried.
"Well what in Mahals name could be the urgency?" He looked over at Shobha. "Let me go and sort this out Shobha..."
"No. She wants to see you both..." Dis corrected from outside the door.
"It's okay Thorin..." She stood up from the bathtub, avoiding his gaze as he drank in her naked form before she wrapped herself up in her robe.
They stood in their parlour, Shobha in two bathrobes to keep warm, while Thorin had tossed on a tunic, with Dis, Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Balin all gathered before a very old and frail looking dwarrowdam. She was dressed in expensive looking clothing, and scanned them all with a terribly sour expression - as though she had begun to suck on a lemon after taking her dentures out!
"Well, I hope your travels were not too tiring." Thorin broke the ice while Dis poured her out a cup of tea. "If we had known you were arriving we could have arranged for us all to have late supper -"
"Nonsense lad. I am your grandfathers sister. Erebor was my home once too, before I was wed to Gror. And Thrain always welcomed me home day or night. Raena was no different although she was an outsider." Despite looking awfully frail and old, it appeared that Aida still possessed quite a bite! "No, I did not come here for a banquet, but rather I am here as an old woman wishing to see her great nephew and niece and all her other kin one last time before she dies..."
Aida reached back with her walking stick and gave a sharp smack on the legs of the poor unsuspecting attendant who had accompanied her. He was a thin young man with a pale face and watery grey eyes who immediately stepped forward and pushed the chair she sat in closer to them all.
The chair Aida sat in was easily recognisable. It was a comfortable armchair made of light wood, but its lower half had been adapted to fit two large and two small wheels. Shobha instantly recognised it, as she had given the idea to Ori and Dori, based on wheelchairs back home. Of course she was not an accomplished sketcher but had conveyed her ideas clearly enough to give a foundation for their design. She had then watched them perfect it over the course of four weeks before completing it with grand and soft upholstery befitting a grand old lady of the Iron Hills. They had, at the time revealed who it was for, she was sure, although she did not pay much attention.
Seeing Aida in her grand wheelchair, Shobha was unable to fully suppress a smile, which turned out to be a mistake.
"I do not know what you have to smile about lassie. Take me over to our new Queen Consort, Meldin. Let me have a good look at her." She barked, making the poor attendant jump into action steering the chair wildly over to where Shobha and Thorin stood. "So this is your new bride eh? This little slip of an woman from the East... You wait all these years Thorin, turn down our beautiful lasses with their heritage and upbringing for this one! She is barely a girl! And you've had three children too eh? You should have filled out a bit more by now."
Aida curled her cracked lip at Shobha, displaying clear disdain.
"Great Aunt - we have not had time to get dressed -" Thorin tried to explain only to be silenced by the old woman.
"Don't make excuses for your poor taste in lasses. I hear the nobility on your council are not thrilled either. And to hear Thorins Queen works in the infirmary like a commoner - and has gone to visit the outcasts of Ered Mithrin!" Aida sneered again.
"Shobha has done so much for Erebor Great Aunt -" Fili protested, finally unable to hold his tounge either, but she was just as vicious.
"Hold your tongue lad! You are not so old that I may not bend you over my knee to teach you how to respect yer elders!" She spat.
"Elders...?" Dwalin whispered to Kili. "She's more like the living dead eh?"
"Fundins boy?!" Aida turned towards him now. "I'm OLD - not DEAF you dirt brained fool! I do not recall Fundins wife adopting a girl... Surely of you claimed this lass as yer kin, then there would be papers presented before the council of elders...?"
"Ah well my lady, our mother worried our sister was a princess from a hunted clan. And that her clans enemies would try to take her life also. So she was raised in secret..." Balin stepped in, being a better thinker on his feet and giving his brother a nudge. "Her papers were drafted but only passed once she came of age. Presented before our King in exile."
"A King who dreamt of bedding the little slip from the day he set eyes on her I imagine..." Aida scoffed at Thorin again. "No need to hide it. I can see you drooling even still - after having her so many times one can only shudder to imagine! Well its all very convenient!"
"Drooling..? He probably had the largest marrow growing in his pants just moments ago before ye dragged yer half dead corpse in!" Dwalin whispered to Kili, who had to bite his lip hard in order to silence a guffaw. "She's the best form of contraception that one!"
Everyone fell quite silent in that moment. Kili and Dwalin smirking at one another, Balin shooting his brother
A chastising look, while Thorin, Shobha, Fili and Dis all stood looking somewhat annoyed but feeling unable to challenge the cantankerous old woman.
"Well. I see that I have my work cut out here..." Aida waved her hand dismissively. "Take me to our room Meldin. We will have much inspecting to perform tomorrow... I knew Erebor could never be restored to its once great glory under my brother's rule... No King will ever compare to Thrain..."
...
"Ye did what?!" Dwalins eyebrows shot up as he landed a hard blow on Thorins shoulder with the training swords. "That explains why yer so distracted..."
Thorin groaned and rolled away.
"What was I to do? She's an old woman... However odious she might be, she is the only surviving matriarch of our family... And it's only afternoon tea with Dis, Fili and Kili..."
"Oh ho! Ho! Yes sentimentality is getting the better of ya baheluh! Yer know full well that neither ye mother nor mine could stand her!" Dwalin swung his training axe with one hand, but this time Thorin was able to hold his shield up in time. "Entitled old witch! Thas what she called her!"
"Well people change..." This time Thorin swung his sword but found his sparring partner firmly block him. Instead, Dwalin kicked at his feet causing him to fall on to his back.
"Ye saw how scathingly she behaved towards the Princess! All ye've done is to send yer wife to a couple-o hours-o torture!" Dwalin knocked Thorins shield out of his hand, although the King scrambled onto his feet. "So... I am gonnae whoop yer arse!"
"What would you have me do in stead?" Thorin spun round ducking another strike to land a partial blow on Dwalins leg. But he was quick to strike back, kicking Thorin away and landing another blow on his torso.
"Make up an excuse fer her. Inspections, important meetings... Something in Dale..." Dwalin landed another blow, and Thorin groaned in response. "So since she's never gonnae let ye bed her willingly for the next... Few weeks at least... Ye better throw yerself in to training properly. And donnae expect me to feel any sympathy when yer walkin around with a massive stiffie down yer britches cause ye saw the Princess doing something provocative..."
Thorin swung his sword, moving to strike but was once again blocked by Dwalin, who only landed yet another quick strike back.
Rolling away, breathless and sweating, he winced running his shoulder where, Dwalin had struck him again. This would be a very long and painful sparring session indeed.
...
"These heathen practices of yours with the vulgar tree are quite unnecessary, dear..." Aida sneered again at Shobha. "And it really isn't very Queenly to be late..."
"My sincere apologies Lady Aida," Shobha put on a smile. "Of course if I had a little more notice, I could have moved prior engagements around better -"
"Utter nonsense dear. If a Queen cannot dictate her own schedule for the day, then who can?" Aida gestured for her to take a seat in the parlour attached to her rooms. "I was just advising Dis here, that she would do well to arrange a suitable dwarrowdam of high birth to suit Fili. It maybe too late for Thorin, but when the time comes if the council are not happy with... Your children of mixed blood, then a pure born dwarven heir from Fili and a suitable bride may be the only other solution."
Shobha glanced over at Dis, reeling from the old dams nasty words to find her sister-in-laws eyes just as wide with shock.
"Of course, if Thorin took a noble dam for a mistress then the problem would be solved..." Aida carried on in front of everyone, as if it was an acceptable thing to gleefully discuss the possibility of Thorin cheating on her!
Dis shot her a genuinely apologetic look, which made Shobha realise that Aida was never going to change her mind on any of this.
"Not that your commoner husband gave your son's much better stock... I mean the other one can't even grow a beard properly. And what sort of dwarf uses a bow and arrow? Prancing about like an elf..." Aida tutted at Dis. "But I suppose at least he was a dwarrow."
Shobha moved to sit next to Dis, while Aida continued to mutter as she drank another cup of tea offered to her by a young girl. At first the girl moved about almost invisibly, being so small, and quiet. She almost seemed to anticipate Aida's demands with utmost obedience and frightening accuracy.
"I'm sorry. She's been going on for the last ninety minute before you came... Complaint after complaint..." Dis leant in and whispered to Shobha.
Giving her usually prickly sister-in-law a sidelong glance, she came to realise that even Dis had simply given up trying to stand up for herself, or her sons with this woman.
And so giving Dis an acknowledging smile, her attention turned once again to the servant girl. She must have been of a similar complexion to Shobha, although she had a certain pallor about her, which may have been acquired due to lack of sun. And the girl, who was probably no older than fourteen, was very thin indeed. Her clean uniform barely fit her although it was the correct height! Shobha imagined the girl was of course human, and from one of the Eastern lands.
"So Lady Aida, are you enjoying your wheelchair?" Shobha changed the subject just as Aida prattled on about the many possible choices of mistress Thorin might have amongst the noble dams.
"Oh. Is that what this thing is? Well... It is not the most comfortable but it is so hard to find suitable help to carry one..." Aida replied almost taken aback by anyone showing any sort of interest in her. "Master Dori mentioned their Queen helped him and his brother in the design and build of this contraption... It really is most unnatural for a woman to be engaging in such activities... I mean you should really learn to plan dinners and balls to help your husband..."
"Just like I should encourage him to take up a mistress...?" Shobha asked with a sigh.
"That's right. It is what would be best for him... And then best for you." Aida scowled as if it was the most stupid question Shobha could have asked.
"And is that how life was after you married Lord Gror?" She asked again, wondering what had made her this horrid.
"Oh no! Gror was a wonderful dwarf!" Her voice wavered a little as she gushed over her late husband. "A most loving dwarrow. Even to the point of suffocation..."
"Perhaps quite literally.." Shobha whispered to Dis, who coughed down a mouthful of tea in reply.
And so after listening to Aida go on about how she should not have any more children with Thorin, and how even a lower born dwarrowdam might be a better option for Thorin as a mistress, or how it still was not too late while he was able to father more young, Shobha finally decided that she had suffered enough poisoning for the day.
"Well Lady Aida, it's very kind of you to invite me to tea, so I wanted to invite you personally to our Yuletide ball..." Shobha offered setting a parchment on the side table. "Of course everyone in the Erebor is invited... And this year we break tradition by making it a masquerade ball! Just something to spice things up a little..."
"Oh... Very well..." Aida was once again surprised. "Perhaps this will be a perfect evening to have Thorin pick a mistress...? It may not be too late to send special invitations to some of the noble dams..."
Shobha stood up from her seat much to Aidas open irritation.
"Well... I must go and collect the children now..." She explained without giving the old dam any room to object or change her plans. But the truth was that she planned to take the children out to Dale. It had snowed again last night, but this was the first snow of the season that had settled without thawing out! And it would be far better to enjoy this than to stay inside with this nasty old witch! Fili and Kili had the twins in the training arena this afternoon, while the nanny watched on with their little girl. If she hurried now, they would have plenty of time in the snow before Thorin could make a fuss.
"You know, it's not very Queenly to look after ones own children... You should really have several nannies..."
Shobha laughed as she crossed the room towards the door.
"Well.. like you said, I am not a very good Queen anyway right...? But I certainly plan to be a better mother." And with that before Aida could object she had already slipped out through the doors to her apartment.
...
"Do you think I need to do more Queenly things Fili?" Shobha asked quietly as she rocked Seraeya back to sleep against her chest. The toddler was well settled in her little hammock warm and well wrapped despite the newly falling snow.
"You are a fine Queen, my lady." Fili turned to flash a warm smile at her from where they stood watching Kili, the twins and Dwalin playing. "You cannot listen to that old goat!"
"I mean.. should I be planning more formal dinners and wining and dining the nobles on the council or their wives to help Thorin?"
Fili turned to look at Shobha fully. Since that day in Esgaroth during their quest, when he had torn her dress open to revive her after drowning in the icy waters of the lake, looking into her eyes for too long had made him nervous. It had been a source of jealousy for Thorin during his gold sickness, but it was hard to deny that he had found the sight of her exposed breasts rather attractive. He would never admit it but after she was revived and he had wrapped her in a blanket holding her against his own body for warmth, he had found himself rather aroused. The feel of her soft dark hair and her warm brown skin against his own had been like the quenching of a fire that ravaged him. Even now, when they worked together closely, her hair would sometimes brush against him, and for those few moments he would let his mind wonder dangerously close to the point of enjoying it.
"Any King would be enviably fortunate to have you as their Queen, Shobha." Fili repeated before reaching out to set a hand on her shoulder in reassurance. "Beleive it or not, the noble classes here are not like Thorins company. They do nothing valuable to contribute to Erebor. In fact all the wealth and power of Erebor comes from the hard working citizens who mine, Smith, carve, create or trade. The nobles on his council only stand to give him advice, in return for drawing a wage. And these days the advice is not great. They are meant to help with diplomatic negotiations between kingdoms too, but there has been none of that either. And they certainly got us no help for our quest all those years ago... No it is far more important to keep the our hard working dwarrow happy - as you do so well..."
She watched the children firing snowballs at Kili and Dwalin. They had abandoned their plans to walk into Dale after they found the path had turned icy in the afternoon, as the sun was beggining to set. The poisonous words Aida spouted, had made her wonder about their future.
She couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her and their children should something happen to Thorin. Or worse, should he decide that he no longer loved her.
Back home, she would have just gone home to her parents and family who would have surrounded her with a protective wall of love and support.
But home was a million miles away. And she wasn't even sure whether there was a way back.
"What troubles you my lady?" Fili asked softly watching her wrap the sleeping babe tight to her bosom.
"Just thinking about what would happen to us, if we didn't have Thorin." She replied looking up to find his warm hazel eyes on her.
"You have been listening to that venomous old bat!" Fili shook his head bitterly. "You cannot think this way. Thorin would never leave you unprovided for. And anyway you would always have me... Or Kili -"
"You both need to live your lives, and have families of your own. And YOU especially will need to take over from Thorin when the time came.. " she gave his arm a gentle squeeze, grateful for his kindness. "You can't be saddled with your uncles wife and kids."
"Dwalin and Balin certainly would happily look after you... But I suspect Thranduil would request that you return to Greenwood. You life force is tied to him now. And he firmly believes your children are his kin because of a familial connection of some sort." Fili concluded with a hint of bitterness. "And I have observed Arun's gift in his ability to control water. It must be some sort of Elven magic that has passed from you to him..."
She fell silent at his revelation wondering whether Thorin had concluded the same. But all this time she realised that she had been carried along by a tidal wave of life, first with the quest to help Thorin, then with raising twins while they got Erebor back up and running. And finally just as life was beggining to settle down a little, Thorins almost twohundred year old sperm found a way of impregnating her again!
Now that she had a moment to breathe and think, her thoughts finally turned to home. Five years had passed with her suppressing her thoughts when they turned to home, and became painful. But now she longed to see her parents again. Their house would have been filled with love and laughter throughout this period, with Diwali and then Christmas. Her neice and nephew would be perpetually excited and even her sister would be in better spirits!
"I don't know why he even entertains that nasty old hag!" Fili huffed, and then suddenly moved in front of her turning to face her using his cloaked back like a shield as a snowball came flying over and hit him with a firm thud. "Are you alright my lady?!"
She nodded laughing.
"Oi! Not this way! Was that YOU brother?" Fili shouted at the group as he walked over to chastise them.
Scanning past the group of laughing boys and men, outside the stone bridge in front of Erebor. They had been outside for nearly an hour now, and the sun was setting.
There in the grand entrance to the Lonely Mountain a taller figure appeared, prompting the guards to all salute him. She had hoped to get everyone in before Thorin had finally realised they were out playing in the snow. But he had beaten her to it.
...
"I can't believe you would defend her!" Shobha stood warming her hands by the fire.
"You put in an effort towards everyone else; all I ask is that you try the same with her," Thorin paced up and down in their large parlour trying hard to hide his anger. "Even if it might be extremely difficult. I know she's whiny -"
"She's racist Thorin. It's kind of hard to tolerate her when she spends all her time talking about which high born dam to set you up with as your mistress." She turned around to face the fire so he couldn't see her frown. But he had found his way to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against his chest, as he couldn't hold back his deep rumbling chuckle at that.
"And which fine dwarf would keep you company if I were to take a mistress, my Queen?" He gently moved her hair to one side inhaling the scent of her skin as he planted a soft kiss on her neck, but she pushed away, annoyed and looking at him quite seriously.
"Maybe you should have a mistress - then I wouldn't be needed in Erebor any more." She instantly regretted her choice of words as they rolled off her tongue in a thoughtless moment.
His demeanour instantly changed, as he straightened up, immediately prickling at this.
"Why would you say that?" He grabbed her hand not allowing her to walk away and gently pulling her towards him, although she was resisting. "You mean everything to me..."
"I'm sorry Thorin," she shook her head finally letting him pull her in against his broad chest, where she rested her head. "I guess I'm just tired..."
She lied. After everything recently, something about this old dwarrowdam seemed to push her over the edge.
The truth was, she felt homesick.
"I love you, my beauty. There can be no other..." He cupped her chin to look down at her, but she just shook her head.
"Tell that to someone else... Who doesn't have to hear of the various possible options of high born dams being written to now and invited to parade themselves under your nose in case they might catch your eye." She was tired of this whole conversation, and worse still, it was starting to annoy her that she couldn't just leave to her parents house for the day!
"Leave Aida to me, my love. I will deal with her.." he brushed the hair from her face.
"Sure you will -" she replied sarcastically. "Oh! I know; maybe you can have tea with her and her noble mistresses."
She felt angry, not at Thorin, but at the whole situation. It didn't matter anyway. She just needed to get away.
"Where are you going?" He asked helpless to follow since the children were sleeping in their rooms, and she had dismissed the nanny as usual.
But she didn't answer, just walking out of the door to their apartment instead.
"My Queen?" One of the King's gaurd inquired.
"Stay please. I will be back in no time..." She quickened her pace so as not to give him time to think in case he might decide to follow.
The corridors were dark, and quiet. There were only a few days left before Yule was officially celebrated with the grand banquet and masquerade ball. Grand banners of green, red and gold hung through the corridors leading to the throne room and great halls and galleries beyond. They were still adorned with Thorins crest, although not his usual deep blue colour. It gave the marbled halls a festive touch.
Halting at the sight of the busier main corridors, she turned towards a small door that led to an upper floor, swiftly climbing the stairs before reaching a quiet and narrow corridor much higher up in the mountain. These were older and less used from times even before Thrain. She sometimes walked up here with the children when they were babies for peace and quiet.
Now she needed this.
Pausing at a sconce she quickly lit the small torch using the flint, as Thorin had taught her. And then moved towards the small balcony up ahead.
As she drew closer she could feel the cool air that came from outside, until finally she stood at the battlement wall, covered in snow.
The view from up here was particularly spectacular, and only the rookery had a better vantage than this. But that was not a place where one could enjoy the view amongst the noisy and rather large ravens.
Her thoughts drifted from Ulmo to her parents and home. To the famous toy displays of Hamleys and the grand lights that would now be hanging in the centre of London. And her heart felt heavy again. Thorin had arrived during late spring and they had been sent back to Arda by early summer! He had never experienced the magical transformation that happened each year when the weather turned bleak!
And part of her wanted to share that with him. But another part of her just wanted to visit home even for a day with her children!
She sighed again and looked out over the pretty lights of Dale that twinkled below like stars of a different nature. When a gust of wind blew past blew out the small torch!
Cursing to herself, she returned back to the corridor to light it but as she reached up to find the flint behind the sconce, a gloved hand stopped her.
Startled, she gasped and turned to find the dark hooded figure.
"My Lady, I am here to warn you of a threat. There is a plot to poison your mead at the ball." He whispered. "But a sleeping potion instead of a poison to harm you, so that it appears you are intoxicated and after you are forced to retire early, allowing a male to enter your bedchamber and have you..."
"How original." She shook her head. "I don't really drink at these events. And I return early anyway..."
He moved towards her in the dark, taking a closer look at her.
"You seem unhappy, my Queen."
"No. I came here to check whether I had dropped an earring. But it's not here." She lied uncertain of the motives of a man who claimed to know of plotting against her.
But she could see his eyes better even under his hood. They were deep blue, and had a familiarity to them she couldn't quite make out.
He moved a little closer still, like he was approaching a nervous baby animal, and carefully reached out to touch her face. This time he had removed one of his gloves. His large hand brushed her cheek very faintly before he bowed his head and took a step back.
"Forgive me for interrupting the solitude you crave, my lady. But I had no other way to warn you."
She could feel his breathing softly. They were entirely alone up here. And he could have done anything to her!
"How do you know this?"
"The servants talk. And mine are loyal to me." He continued to stand close, looking down on her carefully. "There are also many amongst the servants who love their Queen, even if their masters do not..."
She felt braver now, confident he meant her no harm. And sensing the familiarity he bore, stepped closer with a view to obtaining a better look at her mysterious subject.
"Who... are you?"
But he immediately stepped back to prevent her looking closely.
"I must remain hidden, my Lady. At least for now. But know this, there are many who would not accept another as our Queen. And rest assured we will be vigilant guardians at the coming Yule celebrations... Until then, my Queen..."
He bowed low and taking her hand in his lowered his lips to her hand, letting his touch linger. But within seconds after this, he has disappeared as silently as he had approached her. Anyone else would have imagined their interaction - a ghost in the shadows.
She stood thinking for a few seconds there on the balcony, large fluffy snow flakes falling softly around her, with only starlight above.
But her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the flint being struck and the torch in the sconce being set ablaze once more.
So many thoughts swirled around in her head. And suddenly it felt as though one small thing had turned into a multitude of secrets and burdens that she no longer shared with the one she loved. Her husband. Her Thorin.
Heavy footfall sounded along her quiet and cold passageway, revealing the large form she had immediately come to associate with a sigh of relief.
Thorin came to stand in the opening to the balcony she stood on. His tense, but handsome features instantly relaxing upon recognising the wonderfully familiar silhouette of his wife as she stood against the snow covered parapet and the starlit backdrop.
..….
"I am not sure I like the idea of you playing along with this." Thorin carefully fixed the clasp of her necklace, and adjusted her hair, watching her in the mirror. "How can you trust this hooded guardian of yours?"
"I get the sense that we may know him... But maybe he is just nervous about coming forward without any repercussions..." She applied kohl to her eyes before slipping on a pair of long earrings and then turned to him. "You will be there too, even if it's not clear initially, but we need to find out what this is all about..."
"It is not unknown that there were a faction of nobility who did not recognise you as their true Queen Consort. But I thought this had been stamped out." He knelt down with a gentle smile and lifted up the skirts of her sari, before clasping an anklet onto each leg and letting each piece of jewellery fall with a satisfyingly, soft jingle. "I like you in these..."
He let his hand burn a trail up her ankle and partway up one of her calves before leaning up to kiss her.
"Well... Hopefully we can wrap up the evening early..." She smiled, kissing him back, running a hand along his beard.
"My Queen," he stood up and held his hand out to her.
"Two last things..." She quickly spun back towards their mirror, causing him to curse in Khuzdul which transformed into a grunt of approval as she applied some of her latest batch of homemade red lipstick. "And then quick check on the babies..."
Every Christmas, with the influx of visiting nobility from the Iron Hills, Kili and Tauriel spent the eve of their Yule banquet babysitting for Thorin and Shobha, who were obliged to commence festivities and open the dance floor. However they would always finish their duties early and return back to their apartment. So that they had an early night in preparation for the children waking up early to open their gifts!
So after a short time fussing over the children, much to Thorins grumbling, they had finally walked into the grand banquet hall, surrounded by the King's guard, and followed by Dis, Fili, Dwalin, Balin, Gloin, Mara and several other close nobility from Erebor.
The Great hall had been perfectly decorated, with the many dinner tables adorned with lots of candles giving off a magical glow. Dis, Mara and Shobha had spent hours agonising over the seating plan to ensure all the nobility, visiting and resident had been seated in the correct groups. This meant keeping enemies apart as much as friends together!
Judging by the looks on everyones faces, they had done well!
Everyone was dressed in an array of beautiful and bold colours, silk, velvet and brocade suits and dresses with elaborate corsets and jackets.
But this particular year the banquet hall was awash with a sea of masks; each refelcted their wearer rather well, from the simpler masks, to those with a little embroidery or lace to the very elaborate, shiny or feathery affairs. Either way, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
After a brief speech by Thorin, from their head table, the feast had begun. He had spent most of the meal tensely observing her, including what little she ate and the water she drank.
And then it had been time to carry out their customary walk around amongst their guests. As they stood from their seats, groups of waiting staff had begun to clear the tables and move them around to create space for a dance floor.
"Have you got your daggers on you, my beauty?" Thorin asked, dropping down to pretend checking on his boots, but instead dropping to feel down her legs to check for the weapons.
"Yes. I do, Thorin. Please relax." She reassured him as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I will be able to better relax when all this is done and you are safely back in my arms."
"And I will be, soon enough."
Dropping into a low curtsey to her King, who returned a bow of his head, they seperated in order to speak with as many as they could, as they always did, Lady Mara immediately joining her.
Soon her first offer of drinks arrived, which she accepted as it was customary. But before she moved on to the next group of nobility several waiting staff and a small group of dwarves arrived and bowed before her.
"Our loyal greetings, your highness." A small dwarrow began.
The group surrounded her tightly each dwarf offering their felicitations, and before she could say anything, a waiter had removed her full glass from her hand and replaced it with another partially filled only with water. The movement had been so quick it was hardly noticed, even by Mara!
Then suddenly, just as quickly as the group had surrounded her, they had dissipated, leaving them both a little surprised. They carried on moving to the next group of Lords and Ladies.
Once again she was offered a drink. But this time as she walked to the next group, Mara suddenly turned around to make an adjustment to Shobhas elaborate golden mask, accidentally spilling the drink, which was instantly mopped up by a server who happened to be passing by and clearing empty glasses.
Turning around to glance about the crowded room she could see Thorin as he spoke with another group on the opposite side of the room. His eyes appeared to be trained on her despite his on going conversation. She also noticed there were more young dams, mixing with the Lords and Ladies on the side of the room that Thorin continued to move along accompanied by Balin and Dwalin. One could only imagine these were the young daughters of these nobles that they had dressed up in low cut, tightly wrapped corsets, in an attempt to tempt their King.
"I should just give up shouldn't I, Mara?" She sighed deciding she didn't even wish to see what was going on.
"What?! No!" Mara replied, gently linking her arm with Shobhas momentarily. "It will help open Thorins eyes to what that wicked old Aunt of his is up to..."
"So she put out the word that he is looking for a Mistress?" Shobha glanced over at her husband momentarily, quite mortified. "Unbelievable."
"Don't look but he seems suitably disgusted by it all..." Mara glanced over past Shobha. "I'm sorry I couldn't warn you earlier, but I didn't want you to feel downhearted by it. Trust me, it will never work."
"I can't compete against those younger, boobier girls!" Shobha laughed nervously.
"You need not..." Mara peered over her shoulder and seemed to give a subtle signal, but Shobha was now used to how well this dam worked such grand events. She was gorgeous, well loved or respected by all nobility for being the Treasurer's wife, and most importantly, Mara had been a true friend and ally to her. This dam seemed to pull all the strings at these parties, and did it with perfect poise! "We all know very well that our King has much more exotic taste..."
"Well, he's just about had enough already." Fili suddenly joined the two of them chuckling.
"So everyone was in on this but me?" Shobha glanced from the golden haired prince to her dearest friend.
"Come on, my lady! You wouldn't have been interested in plotting even if you knew." Fili gave her a cheeky wink. "We just needed Thorin to know what was going on with his Aunt's visit. Or else, I would have been next. I know she was trying to force my mother into setting me up with some of these Ladies..."
"Surely your Mother wouldn't do that to you -"
"I couldn't take the risk." Fili grimaced. "So I am part of Lady Mara's group. But just so that you know - Amad knows nothing of this."
"Well, I am not in control of everything though. This loyal supporter of yours seems to truly have all the waiting and kitchen staff and servants in their control..." Mara admitted with a faint air of jealousy.
"It seems I need all the friends I can get right now..."
They all laughed just as the music changed from the gentle soft sounds being played into a slightly louder, more upbeat song.
Suddenly she felt a familiar hand wrap itself around the strip of exposed skin at her waist. Turning, she found Thorin standing there his initially irritated and quite morose look melted into the gentlest hints of a smile as she turned to face him.
"Lady Mara, you have excelled yourself at helping my wife and sister plan this event." He have her a nod of acknowledgement. "But I don't think I can tolerate much more conversation with out noble guests right now. May I borrow my Queen to open the dance floor please?"
Shobha took Thorins hand and as he moved her onto the dance floor, the entire room fell silent. With a tilt of his head, the music began again, and they were off as he led her across the dance floor. It felt just like when they first met.
"Are you still satisfied that you are in control?" He whispered as he held her close.
"Well... I'm not in control, but Mara has everything in hand." She replied back.
"I do not approve of this at all, my lady."
"But you are okay with the busty chicks being paraded around you, just in case one might catch your eye?" To say she felt a little insecure was a stretch. Ever since the birth of her daughter she had felt much older and a lot less attractive. Even his reassurances had not made her feel any better. She had imagined after losing a lot of the weight gained during her pregnancy that she would feel a little better, but she still didn't feel quite herself yet.
"Have you had anything to drink?!" His words were filled with disgust and she wasn't sure whether it was at her accusation or the thought that her drink had been spiked.
"No! In fact, my caped crusader has controlled everything. The servants have been quick to switch drinks every time I am given one. And no one noticed that I haven't drunk it..."
"I think I should accompany you back to our rooms -" he growled angrily.
"No. It's all under control." She shook her head.
"What if no one gets to you on time? What if your so called loyal subject is the offender -"
"Kili and Tauriel are next door." She reassured him. "And if he wanted to assault me then he had ample chance already."
Thorin groaned at the possibility.
"Thorin, I am sorry to interrupt," Balin stood beside them. "But Dain and some of the Lords from the Iron Hills request an audience with you -"
"This very night?" Thorin sounded irritated.
"Aye laddie. Even I was not so keen, but they say it is urgent and they plan to return back early tomorrow. There will be no other chance." The small rotund dwarf who had claimed her to be their sister, was rosy cheeked from the fine port they had been served tonight. Stood with a genuinely apologetic look. "I know this is the first celebration you have both attended since the wee lass was born..."
"It's okay Balin. I will be fine. Go Thorin. And I will see you later -"
"You are not to go anywhere until I return." Thorin addressed her sternly. "I forbid it."
"Go... I will find Mara..." She offered as he leant in to claim her lips quite possessively before following Balin with a more morose look than usual.
But before she could walk off the dance floor, she found herself face to face with another dwarf.
"May I be so audacious to ask for this dance, my Queen?" He bowed and held out a hand. He wore a teal blue velvet suit with fine, tasteful silver embroidery on the jacket as well as a mask decorated with a few peacock feathers.
"I.. er..." She hesitated at first. But when he stood up, and she was able to see his face better, even with his mask on, she immediately recognised him as none other than Lord Imli. "Lord Imli!"
This appeared to be all the invitation he needed as he took her hand and twirled her around gently.
"I didn't realise you were visiting us this Yule?" She began.
"This year has been quite eventful - and being your humble servant I had to visit..." He whispered in his deep voice. It made her realise that Imli was her mysterious hooded guardian! "I had to warn you..."
"YOU are my hooded guardian! Thank you.. "
Suddenly it all made sense. Imli was indeed a generous and kind nobleman, who had always been sympathetic towards her. He was also well loved by all those who worked for him, and had been an open supporter of the outcast dwarves.
"I am hoping the serving staff helped to remove any drinks offered to you discreely?"
"Yes..." She nodded. "Perfectly."
"Very good, my Queen. When you are ready, you can return to your rooms. I will be standing at door..." He spun her around slowly.
"But why would they do this now?"
"Your colony in Ered Mithrin, my lady, is taking money away from the pockets of some of the Lords of the Iron Hills." He explained. "They will never admit it, but it is true. And they blame you for this."
"Then I am ready to find out who is behind all this..." She felt exhausted by everything that had happened and all the effort she had put in over the last few years.
"Are you certain you wish to do this, my lady?"
"Yes." She nodded. They would ambush who was sent to overpower and assault her, then question the perpetrator. But she first had to deliver the best acting performance of her life. To look unusually intoxicated. "Well... Here goes..."
She stumbled a little, falling into his arms. Imli, who had not expected this, looked genuinely surprised, and blushed as he held her body close to his until she regained her footing.
"Thank you, good Sir. But I think I must retire to the Royal apartment." She nodded her head, as he bowed low.
Looking around as she began to walk towards the grand entrance, it was clear that her behaviour was getting noticed.
Careful not to over play things, she then moved towards the grand entrance to the banquet hall.
Thorin was still nowhere to be seen, but she couldn't wait much longer, and so receiving bows and curtseys as she moved through the crowds she turned into the main corridor.
...
Dear all,
Shobha has been living in Erebor for five years with Thorin, but life is not quite what she imagined in Ereborean court. Dealing with Nobility is like confronting a vicious pack of dogs. Life as Thorins consort is complicated.
Hope you like it (I am a bit rusty so forgive me if it's a bit slow to start with) xx