She awoke with a jolt, to find herself back in Thorins grand bed. Despite having lived in Erebor with him for so long now, the ostentatious nature of the dwarven royal apartment was one think she still couldn't get used to!
She was back. Back in their bedroom.
Her body ached a little as she attempted to stretch as quietly as she could.
And then it hit her. Was she actually a little disappointed to be back in Erebor? Did she ACTUALLY wonder about Ulmo?
The fire gently crackled and danced and her husband was fast asleep in a large armchair that had been placed by the side of their bed.
She couldn't help feel a pang of guilt as her eyes fell on his slumbering form.
Then she remembered poor Imli, and began to move her aching body towards the edge of the bed when she was interrupted.
"Don't rush to get up.. " a gentle voice confirmed from a distant part of the room.
In the dim light she scanned around to finally spot the tall figure of Tauriel grinding something up together in a mortar and pestle on a side table.
"You certainly have the gift from Este herself... but it wiped you clean out." She shook her head slowly walking over to Shobha before offering her a cup with some thick greenish liquid inside, that didn't look wholly pleasant. But her instructions were simple: "Drink this."
Reaching out still feeling a bit strange she took the cup and inspected the thick gloop.
"Better not to smell or inspect it too much." Tauriel urged again, her strange green eyes watchful. "It's a few herbs. Looks foul, but it will revive you... It even helps a nasty cold or headache after drinking too much Dorwinion."
She raised the cup to her lips slowly and tipped the contents up drinking as quick as possible to avoid tasting the raw crushed leaves that had been mixed with lemon and water.
Finally finishing the last drops, nearly gagging, she handed the goblet back, looking away in order to prevent herself from seeing the residue, in case it made her bring it all back up again.
"So is he okay?" She quickly wiped her mouth on her sleeve suppressing a wave of nausea. "How long have I been out...?"
"Well... You were out cold for a whole day and a bit. Initially they thought you were just tired, but when you showed no signs of life, Dwalin made another journey back. He was less fortunate this time - the beasts found him, but not before our patrol did of course - so he is perfectly fine." Tauriel shook her head. "How do you feel?"
Shobha paused looking at her hands as if they no longer belonged to her.
"A little... tingly...?" She wiggled her fingers again. "Is… this… normal?"
Tauriel looked puzzled for a moment, looking at the herbs again carefully, before a flash of recognition appeared on her face.
"Ah! Yes! This is your first time..." Her lips pulled up in a faint smile. "It has been so long for me that I had forgotten... Yes, that is quite normal. But you should no longer feel the pain and ache that you felt moments ago."
Shobha stretched up, and then feeling satisfied her body no longer ached with each minor movement shuffled to the edge of the bed.
"Gosh, that is quick! Yup - no more aches!" She glanced up at the elleth, who observed her again as though she was an experiment or pet of some sort. "Why do you all do that; look at the rest of us like we are strange..."
"Forgive me, that was not my intent." Tauriel was quick to reply.
"Yeah well, you don't ever smile either - well maybe YOU do with Kili... And I have seen you even with Legs." Shobha rolled her eyes. "But elves in general don't really smile... Or do any of that normal stuff..."
Tauriel glanced back at Shobha again, her facial expressions still quite neutral.
"Yes... Okay. But I think everyone else would know exactly what I am talking about -"
"And yet it appears that you have the blood of the eldar flowing through your veins, despite your criticism of our apparently aloof nature..." She replied abruptly steering the conversation. "Have you ever wondered whether your lifespan may reflect your lineage also...? And how you would choose in the end.."
"My lifespan? I think I am probably lucky if I make it to eighty at this rate!" Shobha frowned, a little worried as her eyes involuntarily darted towards the door to the nursery where she imagined her three children slept soundly. "I sometimes think I should take them and go home, where things are quiet and I could focus on them more..."
"And yet that is clearly not your destiny." Tauriel paused.
"Why do you say that?"
"You may not believe this to be true, and perhaps you are not ready yet. But you have about you, the makings of a Queen - one that would steer the dwarves in a way that they may not have considered." Tauriel moved gracefully towards the small table where she had put her potion together and set down the goblet silently before turning back to look at Shobha. "It is not a premonition... Or a foretelling, Shobha. I have no such gift. But I see what others see in you - what our King of the woodland realm sees, what those who love you see, and even that which those who hate you seek to destroy. It is one and the same... Something about your person that makes you different."
Shobha contemplated the elleths words.
"The truth is we get lost in our lives as they are. But you may outlive Thorin, just as I may outlive Kili…" Tauriel looked away, her voice sounding less steady. "But you will have to consider whether you choose to journey to the make the final journey into the west with the rest of our kin, or whether you remain here for the rest of your days.."
Shobha gently took Tauriels hand in hers. She was certain she had no such long life span, certainly not in the way that Tauriel did. But in this moment she would listen.
"Love is not easy… but sometimes I think you have to just go with the flow…" Shobha paused as Tauriel unexpectedly gave her a warm embrace. "Sometimes I think the pain leads to something bigger and better…"
"See, this is what makes you different." She flashed a grin at Shobha as she laughed at the woman's apparently oversimple and strange logic.
"But what if I am not a good person..." Shobha suddenly recalled her time with Ulmo in her dream. Was that even a dream? Or was she imagining it all?! Then she glanced at her husband softly snoring in his large arm chair. "What if I am a terrible person - a cheat!"
"I think you exaggerate, my lady -"
"Are the Valar real? I mean like can they actually communicate with us here?"
Tauriel looked very puzzled by her sudden change in subject.
"It is said that they are able to communicate with anyone. In their dreams or when the need arises - in person... some believe we see the Valar in the world they helped to create and protect…"
Shobha moved across to where the tall elleth stood, with a sense of desperation to seek further information.
"I have been having dreams about Ulmo for some time now... He speaks to me..." Shobha tested out hesitantly in case it made her sound mad.
"The Lord of waters. Who saved you from the lake?"
"Yes! How do you..."
"The mark you and Arun bear are clearly that belonging to him." The elleth replied calmly as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Arun... is his son." Shobha finally confessed, glad to finally tell someone. She had forgotten that Tauriel had helped her dress on some formal occasions, when she imagined the elleth would have seen the mark she bore on her skin. It was like the most beautiful tattoo. "Or something like that apparently..."
But Tauriel did not look surprised at all.
"If you seek judgement in me - I cannot offer you any." Her green eyes, usually critical in their gaze over men, were gentle today. "After all, you say that you see Ulmo in your dreams. Even if you made love to him in your dreams, it can not be considered cheating. The conception is clearly divine or magical which ever you wish to believe."
Shobha observed Tauriel unable to hide her own surprise.
"It is a great honour to be blessed this way. And I cannot imagine anyone in Arda believing otherwise." Tauriel spoke in that typical elven, matter of fact manner. "Now if you are well enough, perhaps you would like to see Imli...?"
They had taken the long walk down to the infirmary in silence, where the few dwarven healers working overnight had stopped to watch her with varying mixes of surprise, concern and fear. It was then that Tauriel had explained that some who had witnessed the last of the healing had acted nervously around the apparent miracle that had occurred. The implications of this were two fold – it meant Shobha either had elven blood in her veins or was some sort of powerful witch, neither option was great, since she was Thorins Consort. So Oin had gathered everyone around and explained that she had used a powerful elven healing ointment she had procured. The healers all too keen to turn a blind eye, out of respect for a woman they had come to regard as a colleague, had accepted the explanation without question.
So they had hurried through to the screened off area where Imli had once lain in the cot, covered in bandages and soaked in blood. But as they entered a starkly contrasting scene lay before them, with the handsome young Lord sitting quite comfortably in bed, eating a considerably large meal with several dishes of rather delicious looking food set before him on a tray!
"Lord Imli!" Shobha gasped, her eyes filling with tears. She rushed over inspecting him closely, but he appeared to bear not even a mark to show any injury from before. There weren't even any bandages left. "You are alright!"
"My lady..." He stood up immediately pulling her into a warm embrace, that she clearly was not expecting one bit. "Thanks to you my lady..."
She threw her arms around him at the sheer relief and joy of his life being safe once again. It didn't matter that he was still in nothing but a thin tunic, supplied to all those severely unwell in the infirmary, and she could feel most of his broad muscular body as he held her tight.
"I owe you my life," he whispered into her hair, still holding her tight. "I owe you it all."
"Make way for the King!" A voice called from beyond the screen announcing the arrival of her husband.
Within moments, a very tired and grumpy looking Oin and Dwalin had appeared within the screened area, as Imli immediately let her go, attempting to look at least mildly respectful.
"Lord Imli." He bowed his head. "I am pleased to see you looking well."
"I owe it all to your Queen, my Lord," Imli lowered his head into a deep bow.
"Very well. And I am sure she is happy to see you well once again." Thorin stood with his arms clasped behind his back looking very formal and rather kingly. "But if you are grateful to her, and care for her, truly, then I would ask that you remain unseen in your quarters. We will move you to larger ones closer to our apartments so you may have access to the royal gardens. But it is imperative that you are not seen for a few weeks now."
Shobha looked from Thorin to Tauriel and then Imli who all appeared to be nodding in agreement. It seemed they had already discussed what to do when she awoke, in advance too!
"Aye my lord, my servants are moving my things and readying the apartment as we speak. I will return there this very night." Imli stole a glance at Shobha, offering an apologetic smile in reply to her confused expression. "In honesty, I am looking forward to a restful night's sleep on a proper bed."
"Very well, Lord Imli. We are grateful for your discretion." Thorin tilted his head in a gesture of thanks before extending his hand out to her. "Now we must allow Captain Tauriel to return to her husband; we have taken up much of her time already. And I must have a word with my wife..."
"Goodnight your majesty," Imli bowed again to them both. "My Queen."
So she took Thorins hand as he quietly led her back through the infirmary which suddenly looked somewhat busier with all the healers that had been on a night shift standing to attention and bowing as they walked out.
Shobha glanced at the healers who were there - most of whom she knew fairly well as colleagues having worked with them at some point over the years. Most of them had treated her kindly, but this was the first time she had seen such formality from them. There was something about it that felt a little detached.
Thorin continued to lead her into the main corridor, which was empty given how late it was, and she couldn't help steal a glance at him. Even at such an ungodly hour, he looked majestic, his broad muscular form proud as he carried on walking. He had slowed his pace to match hers and gave her a sidelong glance, but remained silent and several of his personal guard followed them, their footfall echoing through the halls.
"I didn't want to wake you up. You looked tired..." She finally broke the ice. "Are you okay?"
"Aye, I am now that you are well enough my lady." His face softened with his reply
"And Hal? Is he okay too?"
"Aye - a little shaken from going with Dwalin the second time and encountering the spiders..." He paused as his mind flashed to how she had been stung by one during the quest. It only riled him up more as he thought of how much danger she had put herself in repeatedly for him. And now she had done the same for Imli. "What were you thinking my lady?!"
"How could I not after everything?" She wrung her hands together in her lap as she sat down on the couch in their bedroom.
"Did you ever stop to think of me? Or our children? All whom would whither away without you." Perhaps it was jealousy or some feeling of wounded pride that she risked it all for another, but he couldn't help himself as he felt his anger grow still. "It is one thing that you visit those useless elves, but put yourself in harms way…"
"Our children are stronger than you think. And we spoke about this before I left for Greenwood." She leant back feeling exhausted after everything. "Besides it's not as if I am not at considerable risk from some of your own dwarves right here in Erebor right?"
"I mean the healing you performed! I thought you had been drained of your life!" He sighed as he knelt down before her, his own anger spent somewhat. "Oin said it looked as though the light from your body went into his?!"
"I..." She had no words for it all. It was an act of desperation, she had not expected it to work, but now she could recall how her hands warmed up and a flash before she lost consciousness. "You would hardly whither away. There would be plenty of dams ready to take my place. Maybe it might even help you..."
"What have I done to make you push me away like this, my love? I feel you have little to say to me these days?" He reached up to touch her cheek gently.
But she could feel her own anger creeping in now - as she thought of the conversations that very night; Lana who had asked him for money, which he had oh so generously given out of his own accounts, while she had asked for him to send out help for his own nephew and Lord Imli - which had been instantly dismissed! Of course she wasn't going to reveal that she had overheard their flirtatious conversation, after all, she had even kissed Imli and wasnt exactly guilt-free.
"You could have helped, Thorin. I came to you and you dismissed it." So she got angry instead.
"This again?" He sighed. "I told you, that I could not risk any more men to search for anyone. They already had several guard ride out to return with them but all perished in the attack. Did you know that?"
She shook her head slowly.
"After they were attacked, Fili and Imli hid for many hours, to evade capture while the orcs searched the land - and then they set off." Thorin frowned. "Fili was sure they would not make it at some of point -"
"Maybe our soldiers might have helped?"
"Or maybe they might have been killed too. Or drawn more attention to the two of them?" He replied irritated at her repeated challenge.
"But the boys were right about a planned attack!"
"Aye! I shall give you that. But all the attacks have been so -"
"So there is a clear attack from the Iron Hills -"
"We do not know from whom! And I would take great care to avoid pointing fingers at our closest allies and kin with no evidence to show." Thorin snapped interrupting her. "I have difficult decisions to make always, but I have spent a lifetime making them. You must trust me in that."
She fell silent for a moment.
"But the boys clearly heard -"
"The boys could have been playing... Or imagining... It could have been anything, although we know it is likely the truth now. But sending men to their death based on that is folly! And I have no regret on making that decision." Thorin affirmed with an air of self assuredness that he regretted instantly as he watched her face. "You have no experience of this - and you could not understand. But you must trust me for the decisions I make."
"And equally I know when my boys are lying. I am their mother! But of course YOU have no experience of this and you could not possibly understand either," she replied back bitterly, that it made him stand defensively.
"Do you not understand how your actions impact on us all do you woman?!" He growled at her this time, in anger. "Some who saw you heal Imli worried you were an elf, or worse, a witch! Fortunately most of the healers view you favourably. But there are many of those who would use this against you."
"So that is why Imli agreed to lay low for a while?"
"We all believe it would be in your best interests." He frowned again irritated that she simply did not accept his word unquestioningly. "Even the colony is experiencing more trouble of late than is worth - it has effects on the Iron Hills and us -"
"What does that mean?!"
"They will have to stop trading for a while or lose our formal support -"
"You can't!" She stood up and moved into Thorins way so that she stood right before him. "What will happen to the children? The families?"
"They will manage, just as they have before. They have savings -"
"How can you say that when you know what they were like before..." She clung onto him pleading as her big brown eyes met his cold azure orbs. "Please Thorin? You have to do something..."
He couldn't help himself as he gently brought his arms around her. The truth was he enjoyed it when she begged. In particular he enjoyed being her champion - the one who could rescue her.
"I must protect you and our family first."
Her fingers crept along the edges of his jacket, delicately finding purchase where it opened as she desperately considered possible solutions to suggest.
"But you are the King! They must and will obey you right?"
"Aye, my beauty, but even my powers have their limits." He looked down at her face gently brushing the locks that had fallen into her face. "Your liason with Lord Imli was not the wisest, it could be a source of rumours for unfaithfulness. And this would be an accusation of treason - it would bring about questions of how legitimate my line is? Do you understand, my love? It is a most serious business, and put even our children in danger."
"But these are harmless dwarves..."
"They are outcasts." He sighed, reluctant to use the term, for he knew her attempts to change thinking. And while it worked on most dwarves, the nobles from the iron Hills clung firmly to their social herirarchy. "We must put the safety of our family first now, amralime..."
"So what will happen now?" She could feel her eyes welling with tears. There had been so many things she had fought for over the last few years but now she felt defeated.
"We will have to be patient. They have taken your standard down by my order. It makes them just as much a target. And they will cease trading - they have enough for a few years." He pressed her against him stroking her hair and back gently. "You must be careful when you perform healing chants. I feared for your life..."
She leant her head against his chest, it was the tiny bit of familiarity she felt in this horrific world.
"You have suffered much these past few days. You need a rest my beauty..." He was careful not to press her fully against him, since comforting her like this had already made him semi-erect. "Let me draw you a bath - and take care of you..."
"I can't - the children..." Her voice broke in little sobs.
"You can for tonight. The children are asleep and Lola and my sister are there..." He meant it tonight. Usually it would have all been a ploy to entice her to bed, where he would massage her body with various scented oils that would invariably lead to other even more pleasurable things. It made him painfully erect simply thinking of it. But tonight, she looked so tired, that he would wash her hair, hold her while she fell asleep and ensure that she slept undisturbed.
She sobbed a little while longer into his chest, clutching the handkerchief he had given, to her face.
"Thorin... We have to help those people..." She whispered in between her broken sobs.
"I know, my love, but right now you are tired and worn out and we need to focus on you..."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"What is it?" He grunted angrily, only to have Balin step into the room wearing an apologetic expression.
"Thorin, Dain and several other Lords from the Iron Hills have arrived..." Balin explained quietly. "And it won't wait till morning. I am so very sorry -"
Thorin swore in khuzdul.
"Very well I will be with you shortly." He grunted again, clearly irritated before looking down at her tear stained face. "Some of the nobles visiting that saw Imli arrive sent out word to let Dain know he was dying. And since Imli has no heir, Dain arrived to lay claim on his mines..."
"Take your time. I will go and prepare the lad first, since they will want to see him." Balin bowed his head as he silently let himself out.
"It's okay, Thorin. You had better go..." She replied wiping her eyes again with the soaked velvet square.
The truth was she had no desire for any interaction right now. She just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a million years. And so, that is exactly what she would do.
With years of practice since arriving in Erebor, she unclasped the tricky fastenings that held her dress together, letting it fall at her feet, followed by her corset, leaving a trail of clothing as she moved to their grand bed.
"Leave it - I will pick it up later..." She mumbled.
He groaned as he watched her unclothe and finally crawl into bed in her thin undershift, watching a few moments longer.
Finally, he turned to the door to set off - he would have his work cut out. The lords arriving from the Iron Hills tonight were vultures: they were coming to lay claim to Imli's estate. He also expected that when they discovered that the young Lord was not dead they would take issue with that too.
But Thorin was prepared: he would have Balin, Dwalin and Gloin with him. Balin and Gloin knew all there was to know on matters of financial agreements, legal issues, inheritance laws and taxes. Finally if all else failed, he and Dwalin were suitably threatening enough to halt anyone foolish enough to be persistent.
With a final glance at his wife he left to find the Fundins, stopping only to place two guards at the door to their bedroom to ensure none troubled her while she rested.
...
Imli feigned a groan as he shifted in the bed.
"Really, Lord Dain, this is highly unnecessary," Oin grunted between curses again. "The lad has been seen to by our Queen herself, and she has much experience in dealing with wounds of war - as ye know well."
"Aye; we have never had so many dwarves to survive with so many injuries following such a great battle." Lord Emin sighed in agreement, receiving a murderous stare from Gloin at his tone. It was quite true that the Lord from the Iron Hills did not seem at all too happy to have so many disabled dwarves under his employment. Usually they simply died or the survivors had few injuries. "And you are certain Lord Imli will recover without any complications?"
"That's right, Lord Emin, if there is any concern, we would think it best to provide temporary guardianship to myself and our lords here, you see." The other dwarf, Lord Malvo explained. "It is our law -"
"That maybe so, but Lord Imli already has benefactors in his cousin, Yuli and his sister. His inheritance papers are entirely binding, as with Erebor being his place of convalescence and current residence, our laws supercede those from the Hills," Balin confirmed looking at the parchments in his hands. "I hold copied here all signed and witnessed by Lord Dain himself -"
"And furthermore, if you should wish to temporarily turn over the estate for safeguarding, as none of you are named benefactors, you would be subject to an Inheritance Tax of 35%, together with a Transfer of funds Tax of 25% and a further handling and security charge of 25%..." Gloin held up his parchments. "So you would only have access to 15% of the estate, and that is the fee that must go to direct and living family by ancient dwarven law - only forfieted by death or exile."
The eyewatetingly high numbers clearly made Emin and Malvo wince. They were two greedy dwarven nobles from the Iron Hills who had their eye on Imli's significant fortune as soon as they heard of his injuries described only as grave by whoever sent the ravens out to them from Erebor.
Of course Thorin, Balin and Gloin had always set these plans in place for precisely such an event. It was not at all uncommon for other nobles to attempt to take over estates or benefit from another rich dwarfs death by merely muscling in. It was a very cut throat business. But it was also a process that Thrain himself had put a stop to long ago, executing those who had take over an estate without cause, labelling it as 'Grand Theft of Estate'! It was a practice many greedy nobles had hoped Thorin would not have put in place - given his soft Queen who was wholeheartedly against her husband carrying out executions. And so the high rates of Tax had been invented by Gloin and Balin to discourage any attempts.
"Really there is no need. It is all settled - Lord Imli will recouoerate here.." Thorin declared forcefully, his deep voice silencing all others before any further discussion could descend into bickering or argument. "The laws must all be adhered to, do you disagree Cousin Dain?"
"Aye Cousin, we came here to make sure his estate is protected, but we have found he is in fact healing well - thanks to the miraculous hands of your wife." Dain laughed at his own lewd joke, which the other two nobles from his clan picked up a little later, erupting into forced laughter themselves. While Thorin nodded as a good sport, along with Gloin, but the Fundins and Oin were unable to hide their scowls. "Och sorry about that - I cannae resist a wee joke at the expense of her gentle hands. And having been treated by her royal Highness myself, I can assure ye all that her touch is indeed the gentlest..."
"Then let us not linger in Lord Imli's chambers - but rather give him time to recouoerate." Balin directed everyone back out through the door, as Thorin remained in the room with Oin until all the others had taken their leave.
"Cousin," Dain lingered observing neutrally as the two lords from the iron Hills left with Gloin, who despite his clear disdain for them remained a welcoming host. "A few words of advice..."
Thorin had hoped Dain would have simply left after the frankly shameful debacle. There was something he had always found distasteful about Dains ability to turn a blind eye to the goings on amongst the nobles just in order to have suitable support. After all, this was how his quest for Erebor had begun, with Dain summoning a meeting only to side with the lazy lords who had no intention of funding or supporting the reclaiming of the Arkenstone.
"Hmmm?" Thorin tilted his head.
"She's bonnie lass alright. Ye know very well that I have nothing but admiration fer the woman..." Dain looked a little sheepish this time. "But she's rubbed a lot of the nobility up the wrong way... It's not her fault - she wasn't brought up fer this life or our people. Even if Fundins wife brought her up in exile..."
Thorin kept his expression neutral, although he could feel the embers of rage within him being stoked.
"But she's Queen now, and perhaps ye need ta step in from time ter time so that things donnae get outa hand." He brushed at his bushy red beard a little nervously now. "Only a wee bit here and there. We need their support even if they are.. well..."
Thorin stood in silence allowing Dain to stumble inelegantly over his own words like an adolescent trying to approach the opposite sex for the first time.
"Och... Well... Ye know -" Dain turned red before clumsily attempting to change the subject as subtly as he could. "So... How is the lass.. fine pair-o hands she's got eh? Ah bet she works some magic on ye!"
Dain laughed uncomfortably again and shifted to the door.
"No wonder ye've been blessed with so many bairns eh? Bet ye can't keep yer hands off her!" He laughed. "Well... We will set off early tomorrow Cousin - no need to see us off..."
Thorin silently bowed his head in reply, which Dain accepted as the best conclusion to a bad situation. For the latter, the young woman who stood by Thorin had never been a political influence, until she came to care about the outcast dwarves. Most of them had once been from the Iron Hills, which made her instantly unpopular against a background of a fair number of mobile ladies who had been rejected by Thorin as potential consorts. It had become an embarrassment to many of the families of noble blood there.
To the Dwarf King, however had, much like his grandfather had come to believe that the sovereign descended of the line of Durin had divine eight to rule. And thus decision-making and persmission was not sought from a council of self-appointed nobles. It made him less popular compared with Dain, but he was ultimately king of the seven clans, respected, even feared, but not there to make friends.
Balin opened the door and peeped out into the corridor for a moment before returning to join them.
"Well played, Lord Imli," Balin smiled as the young dwarf sat up in bed looking much more alert now that the Iron Hills dwarves were gone. "I was worried they wouldn't buy it for a moment -"
"Aye. And my back is killing me for lying there like an invalid too..." Imli grinned mischievously. "Any chance of some more stew?"
"At this hour...?!" Dwalin scowled at first before sighing with resignation. "Och - ah suppose I'll go find someone in the kitchens..."
"And could you have two guard posted at Lord Imli's door too." Thorin added. "But please be quick, things have to move fast now -"
Dwalin disappeared.
"So they know. What now laddie?" Balin moved to stand near Thorin. "I think they believe the lad is injured though."
"Well, it is just as well that we had anticipated this; Now we must move quickly," Thorin looked at Imli. "Have we already sent more soldiers?"
"Aye - two troops. And the first has already reached Ered Mithrin safely. The second will likely arrive by dawn." Balin nodded. "They will fortify the whole settlement."
"Also we move Imli. He can reside as our royal guest. It will be safer." Thorin explained. "There may be increased attempts on your life, if they imagine you are weak."
"But my mines -"
"We have also sent ravens to your smiths and miners-" Balin explained. "They have set up guard for your workshops and mines already. And all have signed a charter to state they will not work for any other master but yourself."
"And will my smiths and their families be safe?" Imli asked quite seriously. "They cannot be without protection -"
"Well, none are aware of their intention to maintain loyalty to you. As far as the rest of the Iron Hills knows you are well and they continue to work as they always did," Balin added with a wink. "You see even Malvo and Emin snuck in here keeping it all very hush hush."
"The filth! With dwarves like that who needs orcs eh?" Dwalin set down a tray of stew on Imli's side table as he contributed his opinion. "Feckin fat little turds they are if ye ask me!"
"Now, now, Brother. A little decorum may not be a bad thing." Balin chastised again. "We do have guests in our presence -"
"Och keep yer frilly bloomers on!" Dwalin grumbled back. "The lad knows me well enough now.. he won't have any complaints about me calling it plainly as I see it."
"Are we all set then?" Thorin interrupted impatiently. The Fundin brothers had never been immune to the pitfalls of sibling bickering, even if they were both individually the most sensible and practical dwarves he knew!
"Aye! Keep yer pants on." Dwalin groused back pulling out a pie from his pocket. "Nori has set his spies on various individuals... And we will monitor their activity. When the time is right we can release snippets of information to a few and see who comes up smellin on shite."
"Very well." Thorin bowed his head in thanks. "It is a most inspired plan from the three of you."
"Aye except I am not so pleased at making house calls ter various rooms." Oin grumbled.
"I will leave ye some good whiskey in the room to enjoy ya old goat!" Dwalin rolled his eyes as Oin leant in gesturing that he was unable to hear.
"Sow me wild oats!" Oin blushed for a moment. "I have had me fill of lasses over the years - most are not worth the trouble! And if ye see the sorts er sores - DOWN THERE that many men get for frequenting them hot-houses, ye'd be far less brave too ya dirty git!"
Dwalin shut his eyes out of frustration.
"I didn't know they had pie..." Imli eyed the burly warriors rather filling snack.
"Och! Fer fecks sake..." Dwalin huffed at the younger dwarf.
"Dwalin!" Balin instantly stepped in as Thorin was unable to hide his smile at the squabble unfolding.
"Goodnight. " Thorin finally stepped into the corridor smiling to himself. He was exhausted and looked forward to sleeping like a log curled up beside the one he loved.
...
Thorin silently opened the door to their bedroom. It was well past midnight, but there had been pressing matters to attend to in their own mines, not to mention much fall out following the attacks on Imli, Fili and The colony in Ered Mithrin.
He slipped off his boots so as not to wake her and quietly stripped down to his tunic. Several weeks had passed since she healed Imli, and life was slowly attempting to normalise.
But today had been tough. After a hard day like this, all he would dream of was to find his release between her legs, looking into her big brown eyes. The mere thought began to make him feel alive once more.
But as he moved closer he spotted his wife asleep, her dark hair cascading around her in long rivulets. But also either side of her in the large bed, were their three children; Arun, to her left immediately, Seraeya to her right with her own blanket in bed and capitalising her mother's arms, with Thrain beside her. Their eldest had apparently managed to rest his head on the pillows higher up above his sister, so that his head was beside that of his mother and his body angled oddly across the bed!
Thorins initial irritation at their children having crept into their bed when he was desperate for her dissipated when he spotted that each of the children had found a lock of her hair and wrapped it around one of their fingers. It looked at though she was a beautiful vine laden with fruit that hung from different tendrils.
He stood there admiring his family, uttering a silent prayer to Mahal, realising just how he may have just as easily had none of this in his life before turning towards the blanket box at the foot of their bed. Quietly, he picked up several blankets and an extra pillow before moving to the couch in their room.
"Thorin.. " she whispered from in their bed.
"Shobha...?" He glanced back to find her carefully crawling out of bed. "I didn't wish to wake you, Amralime..."
Quickly he set the blankets and pillow out on the couch. In the past he had frequently complained of the children jumping in bed with them in the middle of the night, and imagined she was anticipating yet another complaint from him. But they had been a little more sensitive after seeing her unconscious for a day after she had healed Imli. It meant they had crept into bed with them more over the past few weeks since this. And he was more understanding of it now.
"I only fell asleep because I was exhausted. They all had nightmares..." She sighed quietly. "And I have given Lola a few nights off."
He nodded, attempting to hide his clear disappointment as he sat down heavily on the couch. It would mean that he would most likely spend the night there.
"And you still want more children...?" She chuckled quietly at him.
"If it was certainly safe for you and them - then aye." He grumbled. "In a heartbeat. Besides we have ample choice of nannies - and could easily have a nanny for each child, and yet it is your concern that makes it all so difficult."
"It isn't as simple or as easy as that. And you know it!" She frowned. "See how much danger there is directed towards those around you Thorin. I wouldn't be comfortable leaving our children in the hands of those I couldn't trust..."
"None would harm a prince or princess born of my bloodline and survive to tell the tale." Thorin growled looking up at her as he whispered harshly. "And you know that woman -"
"Okay, but what use is it taking revenge once someone has harmed you baby. It won't undo that will it?" She sighed again defeated by this conversation that reared its head from time to time.
Thorin huffed something under his breath in khuzdul about her being more stubborn than a dwarf. It was a phrase she had heard from him on numerous occasions when they had disagreed, and included a few more colourful swear words each time.
"Did you have to visit the mines..." She asked moving towards a side table where they kept a carafe of water and poured out a goblet for him.
"Aye... They are managing despite the trouble they've had with some of the machinery failing." He sounded resigned.
"Failure or sabotage?" She handed him the goblet and watched him worried as he drank the water.
"My lady, you believe there is a conspiracy everywhere..."
"No. Don't do that. I am not some crazy person that sees mystery in everything. But lately there have been too many odd goings on to be chalked up to coincidence." She took the goblet back from him after he had finished and turned to set it back on the side table when he caught her hand gently and pulled her towards him. "I bet Fili doesn't feel his attack was mere bad luck!"
"Aye, my love. I hear you." He pulled her a little closer in spite of the annoyed look she sported. "And that is why I have asked Bofur and his best men to take a closer look..."
She pursed her lips, still annoyed as stood up and pulled her in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. It was soft and pleading. Apologetic even. She was right to be suspicious, and he knew this, but his arrogance witheld him from admitting it to her.
He kissed her again, gazing deeply into her eyes as he pulled away, and she reached up to stroke his face. His deep blue eyes, usually so majestic, proud and sure, looked defeated today, that it made her irritation over the whole matter dissipate almost immediately.
This time she leant up and kissed him. And her kiss was so heated that took him by surprise. Unable to hold back a deep growl of satisfaction, he pressed her body against his, letting his hands find their way quickly under the hem of her thin night shift to run his fingers along her soft thighs.
The quiet moan she made as he let his hand wonder past her core and up to squeeze her breast only fuelled his desperation to be inside her.
Biting on his lip, she pushed at his chest, so that he pulled away worried he was being too rough with her.
"My love...?"
But before he could speak any further he found her pushing him to sit down on the couch and coming to straddle his lap.
"Fuck me." She whispered ghosting her lips against the shell of his ear.
"Shobha..?" He didnt want to ask in truth, just in case she changed her mind, since their children slept soundly, a mere twenty feet away.
"I think you need this." She took his right hand and placed it on her thing once more before kissing him deeply again.
He didnt need any further invitation, as his hand travelled along familiar contours until it reached its destination between her legs where he began to draw tiny circles. The pleasure of his perfectly tuned movements was instantaneous enough to make her head fall back as she arched her body into him.
"Oh, you have no idea, my beauty." He smirked as he watched her bite her lip, only to groan quietly as he felt the fruit of her arousal on his fingers.
She kissed him again as his cock impatiently prodded at her core.
"Well have to keep quiet though..." She half warned, and half pleaded.
"Very well, my Queen..." he smirked.
...
Thank you to everyone following, let me know your thoughts…..
dear Xaiael- I think he already sort of knew, but was more worried about her being okay this time. although I can just as easily imagine him getting very jealous too! lol