Eclipse of Hearts ✔

32. Not a Slave [Iorwen]

The arrogant look in his eyes almost made her cut off his ear, but she kept looking impassively at him. "Because you say so."

After all, she had no choice. When she would refuse, she would not save the young idiot and not only his head would roll. 

Iorwen understood why Greth had wanted to flee the kingdom, for spectacles like these had became a regularity. He however should have known the treasures were guarded very well and that wretches like Vaughn were waiting to catch a reckless dwarf. 

She didn't need to ask whether he wanted it to happen here and now. Thorin loved to see the floors of his city bathing it the blood of his own people. 

Without blinking an eye she stepped forward. She grabbed the young dwarf at his upper arm, raised her sword and cut off his head before she could even feel guilty. She refused to let the guilt claim her. She had not given the order. The blood was not sticking on her hands and she didn't need to justify this insane decision in front of the gods. 

Iorwen restrained the longing to kick the head to Thorin. Not because she feared his reaction, but because it was impudent in front of the family of the dwarf, who could be watching. 

"Whereto do I need to escort you, Your Majesty?" 

"To my rooms."

Iorwen shrugged indifferently and walked with him. If he would continue this way, he would only get more enemies. It wouldn't take long before he could go nowhere on his own. 

As soon as he had opened the door she turned around, but he grabbed her wrist. "Not so quick, Iorwen."

With a surprising strong hand he dragged her into the room. Her glance went around. Everywhere were empty bottles and she felt pity for this man. Once again she remembered why she kept defending him: he was an embittered man with an empty existence, who could not find joy since his love had left him. Actually it was just pity that touched her. 

"I want you to undress yourself." He spoke with a double tongue and a sharp scent of wine made her step back. 

"I am your guard, not your whore."

"Aymara is cleaning the floor." He grinned, almost maniacally. "And you are here."

"Then you will have to wait until she returns."

His facial expression changed. His cheeks turned red and before she could blink an eye, he smashed an empty bottle towards her. He missed target and Iorwen watched him with a shaking head. 

"Do as I say."

"Has it ever crossed you mind that I might not be willing to undress myself?" she answered calmly. 

"I don't care. I am your king, you will obey."

Iorwen couldn't help she had to laugh, even though the situation was anything but pleasant. "If you don't behave as a king, I don't see why I should behave as a servant. That I still serve you, does not mean that I am your possession. I am not a slave, Thorin Oakenshield." She gave him a penetrating look. "Contrary to you."

"To me?" he repeated. His lower lip quivered in anger. 

"You are not only a slave of your bottles, but you are also a slave of your own distress." She stretched her hand to the door handle. "And to be honest, I think I am one of the few who wants you to become the old Thorin who is not a vengeful man with a broken heart. Who is not a king who needs to oppress his own people so that he is not the only one feeling miserable."