Danica Stormfighter

Chapter 8

For long moments after, Danica stood dumbfounded by what had happened. What had just happened? She was most definitely physically attracted to Thorin, but she has only ever known him as an angry despot. Yes, Bilbo and Balin have told her stories of the king but she shouldn't base her feelings on what was; the present was what mattered...

She left the treasury and made her way back to her room. A short while after returning there was a light knock on her door. As she made her way to open it she thought, 'Please don't be Thorin...'

She was surprised to find a very distressed Bilbo on the other side. Without preamble he stormed into the room, grumbling.

"Come on in, Bilbo," she said sarcastically.

"I cannot believe that dwarf!" Bilbo paced her room.

Danica chuckled, although she did not know many dwarfs, in the few days she had been in the mountain she had seen some surprising things. "Which dwarf would that be?"

Bilbo stopped and turned to her, throwing his hands up in the air he said, "Thorin! He is determined not to honour his pledge!"

Danica shrugged. She had no idea to what Bilbo was referring.

"Thorin promised gold to the people of Laketown for providing supplies to take the mountain, now he is claiming that he had no choice but to barter their birthright for blankets and food." He sat at the table. "There are armed elves out there ready to attack this mountain."

"How could they possibly?" She pointed in the general direction of the gate, "That wall will not come down."

"He will not listen to anyone." Bilbo looked up at Danica, "Would you talk to him?"

"Me? Why would he listen to me? I'm probably the last person he would consider listening to!"

"In the short time you have been here he seems to have quickly grown to respect you."

Danica blushed, apparently respect and desire were running neck and neck. "I don't feel right trying to advise him about this sort of thing. I am no diplomat, I have no idea how to convince him."

"Of any of us, you are the most experienced with humans..."

She shook a finger at him, "Oh Bilbo, that is not fair."

***

Later that evening Danica approached the king as he sat on his throne. Nervously, she entered the throne room, unsure of what she was going to say. The memory of his lips was pounding in her head, she tried ignoring it but found it impossible when Thorin greeted her.

"Ah, Bunmel," Danica's heart started thumping in her chest at the same time her eyebrows shot up at the term of endearment. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He held his hand out.

Danica stepped up to him and, shyly, took his hand. She felt tiny and dainty against this impressive dwarf. "I fear you will not like it, my liege."

"Nonsense," he pulled her closer and touched her on the cheek with his other hand. "I look forward to learning more about you."

"Perhaps you should not..." she turned her glance to the ground. She was very conscious of the shame she would bring to him.

Thorin stood and wrapped his arms around her, he ducked his head and kissed her forehead.

"Thorin, you mustn't," she pushed herself away from him and started pacing the room. "You are king and I am...not good enough for you."

"Should I not be the one to decide that," he said gently.

"I am not here to discuss this. I have been asked to talk to you about what you owe the people of Laketown."

Thorin's face shuttered, "I owe nothing to the people of Laketown. It is the great treasure horde of Thror, therefore it belongs to me!"

"To you? And what of the company? Will you deny them their share, as well?"

"You have no opinion here! Who are you to judge me?" He stepped toward her, a scowl across his face. "I will not part with any of it! The people of Laketown should be rejoicing, they have lived through dragon fire."

"You are a pompous, thoughtless little dwarf! How-"

Thorin took Danica by the scruff of her tunic, pulling her close to his face. "You will hold your tongue!"

By this time the other dwarfs had heard the argument and had sent Fili and Kili to investigate. They entered the throne room to find Danica held up high, her feet dangling in the air.

"Uncle!" Fili shouted. "What are you doing?" Never before had he seen his uncle physically accost another dwarf.

The boys ran forward as Thorin dropped Danica, Kili went to help her as Thorin hissed, "I will not part with a single coin. I have sent word to Dain; it should not take long for his army to come!"

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Bunmel - beauty of all beauty