The Gathering Storm. The Hobbit fanfic. A Thorin Oakenshield love story.

Chapter 63: A Clash of Two Kings and a Princess

The Woodland Realm before Taryn woke up:

Unlike the other Dwarves, Thorin was not taken down to the dungeons. He was brought before Thranduil King of the Woodland Realm and Taryn's father. Thranduil still sat on his wooden carved throne. His icy blue eyes narrowed and he glared as he saw the two guards push Thorin towards the throne.

The guards undid Thorin's chains, and he rubbed his wrists. He narrowed his eyes as he saw the blonde Elf, that he now knew was Taryn's brother walk by.

"Where is Taryn?" Thorin asked Legolas worriedly.

Legolas turned on his heels as he heard Thorin speak. "She is in the healing room," he replied as he glared back at the Dwarf.

"Will she be okay?" Thorin simply asked, trying his best to keep calm.

"We don't know yet. She is still unconscious," Legolas answered and took a long pause. "She was worst off then we thought."

Thorin's eyes widened as he heard those words. He wanted to by his wife's side, but he knew they would never let him near her. He huffed out in frustration as he watched the blonde Elf walk down a path and disappeared out of view.

Thorin's sapphire blue eyes then glared as he watched Taryn's father walk gracefully down the steps of his throne and towards the Dwarf. Of all the Elves in Middle Earth, he had to be captured and kept prisoner by the one he hated the most.

Thranduil circled the dwarf all 6'4" of him standing tall as he only lowed his eyes to see Thorin. The way he circled him, made Thorin feel very uneasy.

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand," he started smoothly, putting his arms behind his back. "A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglary, or something of that ilk."

Thorin stayed silent, as he looked over his shoulder at Thranduil.

Thranduil walked over to Thorin slowly before tilting his head and leaned down to look at him, which made Thorin lean back. "You have found a way in," he mused, taking a few steps back. "You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule: the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure." Thranduil smirked, his icy blue eyes staring Thorin. "I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight." Thranduil said as he tilted his head to the side, as he looked down. "I offer you my help."

Thorin smiled as he looked to the ground, and chuckled lightly. "I am listening."

Thranduil turned on his heels, his composure turning quite serious. "I will let you go, if you but return what is mine."

Thorin chuckled as he turned away from Thranduil, and walked towards the stairs. "A favor for a favor?" He asked with a smirk.

"You have my word," Thranduil promised him. "One King to another."

Thorin scoffed, as he stopped walking and frowned, tilting his head to the side. "I would not trust Thranduil," the way Thorin said his name made it sound like it was poison. "The great King, to honor his word should the end of all days be upon us!" As he spoke Thorin's voice got louder and louder. By the time he finished everyone could hear him.

Thranduil was taken back by this, and his icy blue eyes widened as he was shocked. Thorin spun around on his heels, putting an accusing finger at Thranduil. "You lack all honor!" Thorin took a few steps back as he talked, his face was red, and he balled up his fists angrily. "I've seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help, but you turned your back!" Thorin spat out as he shouted. "You turned away from the suffering of my people and the inferno that destroyed us!" Thorin paused, as he took a breath. But he was no where near done.