Born from Stone (A Thorin Oakenshield story)

Darkness Unravelling

"Don't look so sulky for Mahal's holy beard! This is a feast not a funeral," Bjarki elbowed him.

Thorin humphed.

"You look ready to behead everyone in the slightest of causes," Bjarki continued.

"Oh, but I am," he frowned and his eyes tried to find Eilin once more, but she had left after finishing serving. First time he saw her this evening was also the only time his heart felt the need to smile. When she entered, as usually unprocessed, with her hair waving free below her waist he fixated on her. When her beautiful green eyes found his, he had to refrain from standing up, taking her by the hand and leaving this place once and for all in order to be free of all these damned chains that weighed him down.

Chains that threatened to sabotage his will to claim the most coveted treasure of Erebor officially this time. Her eyes offered him the comfort he needed and her soft smiles a gentle touch on his troubled heart, but all that wasn't enough for him this evening. She couldn't calm down the storm that was seething inside. He felt an intolerable urge to get out of his skin and become someone else. Someone whom the delegations would find completely indifferent. The more he looked at all those powdered dames and at the lords that were probably talking about him the more he wanted to escape with Eilin somewhere far away. Somewhere peacefully were they would be alone.

Yet he couldn't pretend ignorance anymore either, so he gazed back at them bodaciously with a stiff upper lip.

He couldn't hide anymore in the hopes that Erebor would allow them to ride onto the sunset alone and free of all bounds. The rumours about him bedding his maiden had become so severe that now the five lords were fiercely demanding answers from him, as it was proven by Servin's untimely intervention which backfired with a violence that Thorin hadn't expected out of himself. Especially towards Siv's brother. Still Eilin was sacred to him. No one was allowed to touch upon her morality without serious consequences.

His blood was slowly shimmering to a boil as his eyes surveyed the dining hall. Scrutinising each and every participant with an agitation that made several people nervous. Many smiled and bowed at him, trying to disperse the unease that the King's glare was causing, but several others averted their eyes quickly. Bjarki was the first one to discern Thorin's bad mood and Balin had followed close after with Dwalin. Fili was completely oblivious of Thorin's troubles. He was wavering with indecision about asking Valdis for a dance ever since he saw her entering. Something that Thorin didn't want to offer advice on as he was certain to disappoint his poor nephew with all his negativity. Especially after the moment he saw Karunn entering the royal dining hall and approaching her sister.

"Try to smile more laddie, you are the host," Balin suggested.

"I won't do anything I don't feel. What's your older niece doing here?" He asked Dain and tilted his chin dismissively towards Karunn.

"She arrived yesterday. Don't sound so pissed off cousin. She didn't come here to stay. She just wanted to see her sister for a while and then return to the Ironhills," Dain replied thoughtfully.

"See that she doesn't go near my sister, as an excuse to be close to her family," he rejoined sternly.

Dain nodded, "don't worry. She won't."

Thorin's brows came together angrily and his eyes fell on Servin that was discussing with several lords at the other side of the table. Siv's brother noticed him and their eyes locked for what felt like an eternity, in a silent battle of will. Several lords turned to him also. Not many faces appeared happy. Balin noticed and decided to intervene, "they looked pissed off as hell and who can blame them."

"Don't start with this today Balin, it won't end well," Thorin warned him.

"They need answers. Your involvement with the maiden has been running amok all over Erebor. They cornered you in that meeting three days ago. Wasn't that enough of an incentive to make you give this a proper closure?" Balin leaned down.