Middle Earth Prompts.

Thorin Prompt - To Kill A Dragon

Prompt - You are a member of the company escorting Thorin to reclaim Erebor, and things have been turbulent between you two from the start of the journey. Now you have reached the mountain, you both cannot agree on the best plan of action to deal with Smaug.

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The rugged stone of the lonely mountain glinted wildly with the setting rays of a harsh sunset, which lit up the darkening sky with vivid shades of scarlet and tangerine. Clouds began to roll around the peak of the cliffs, upon which stood the company of Thorin Oakenshield while gaping in uncontrollable awe as a square of the hillside slowly began to creep open to reveal a dark passageway within.

"It is incredible!" Duna whispered out, holding a palm over her mouth as the group watched the dust settle around their ankles.

"I can't quite believe it!" Balin joined her, leaning forward to peer further inside at the ornate engravings that blanketed the shimmering emerald walls. "We made it. Home." 

Duna observed that the elder had begun to sentimentally tear up and tenderly passed him a handkerchief as she wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Is it how you remember it?" She questioned modestly.

"And much, much more." Balin grinned back at her, his eyes twinkling. 

"I know these walls. These walls...this stone...Do you remember it, Balin?" Thorin had slowly entered the doorway, fingers outstretched as they caressed the smooth granite. "Chambers filled with golden light!"

The rest of the company took the kings ingress as permission to follow Thorin into the doorway, crowding around and looking to the majestic heights of the room with pure amazement. It was an overly wide passage, with multiple iron-clad doors baring into the stone, sectioning off separate areas of Erebor. Beyond that was another lengthy passageway, darkening slightly before the very end causeway of walk space, the faint glow of golden flicker permeating from the infamous treasure hoard below.

Gloin was studying the scripture that was elegantly cut above the doorway that lead back outside. "Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defence of this home." He spoke richly, lulling all around him to stop and listen. 

"Look! That is the throne of the king-" Duna whispered to Bilbo, who was craning his neck to see where Gloin was reading from. She pointed to the collection of neat lines that ran into each other to form the shape of an opulent chair, a mighty dwarf perched upon it while a brightly polished, angular crown sat on his head. The female dwarf decided to follow the hobbits lead and stood to stare, her glossy dark hair tumbling down her back in silken waves. "I've not seen this before, I've only heard it described in books and texts."

"Oh! It is beautiful!" Replied Bilbo, his eyes lighting up with excitement and intrigue. "-But what is that above it? The carving of the jewel?"

"That is the Arkenstone." Balin stepped up behind them both, grinning. "The heart of the mountain."

"Arkenstone. And what is that?" Bilbo questioned, not wanting to look away from the beautiful picture that was unfolding before him.

"That, Master Burglar, is why you are here," Thorin answered with a deep rumble, managing to tear himself away from secretly admiring Duna at the mention of the stone. "That is what you must steal."

A silence ran around the company, all coming to the sudden realisation that the quest was far from over. "Smaug." Nori shuddered, glancing down the inky hallway behind the group. "The dragon still lives."

"But what do we do?" Ori hushed, panic setting in. They glanced around at each other with obscure shrugs, eyes wide with fear as they felt a lowly thundering below their feet. 

"Have we ever discussed the problem of how to take out the dragon?" Someone from the back whispered, causing a sensation of anxiety as most of the crowd began to slowly step back toward the safety of the outside cliff ledge. "I don't think we have!"

Thorin puffed out his chest, crossing his arms. "Bilbo. As our burglar, you will be the one to sneak in. It is what you are here for. Now, you must be careful not to be seen or heard-"

"You cannot be serious Thorin?" Duna pushed her way to the front of the crowd, the flawless skin around her eyes contorted into an angry scowl. The rest of the dwarves flinched as they sensed yet another argument between the pair brewing and one by one they slipped back outside into the night air, including Mr Baggins, who did not feel he was going to be needed just yet. "You expect him to go in there and face Smaug alone? You know he can't do that, and it's not a practical strategy!"

Thorin glared at her with such intensity that it almost ricocheted off the stone around them, a venom deep set in his stare. "Practical strategy?!" He scoffed teasingly. "I know what I am doing."

It had seemed that from the very start of the journey, the chemistry between Duna and Thorin had soured as each day had passed. Duna had not been overly pleased with how rude Thorin had seemingly been with every member of his crew, and she was not afraid to say so. This had instantly put the dwarven kings back up and he could not even risk a glance at the girl without almost baring his teeth in utter contempt. But slowly there had been an unspoken truce between them, as Duna had saved Thorin's life when she pushed him out the road of an orcish arrow, allowing her own calf to take the injury instead. He had spoken of it to no-one but since that day, Thorin had felt a warmth growing in his heart for the dwarven girl. She had shown true bravery, she helped all of the company whenever she could and Duna was even good at swinging a sword. But her mouth was her downfall and she forgot that she now spoke to the king of this mountain, not just Thorin Oakenshield.

"Oh, you know what you are doing? And how many dragons is it now that you have killed?" Duna laughed mockingly, stamping down a foot. "And then tell me; how will we know if Bilbo runs into trouble? Who do we send in to help? Who do we send to run and report back to Lake Town? You have not thought any of it through!"

Thorin could no longer control the wicked temper that was bubbling under his skin and grabbed out at her forearms viciously, slamming her hard against one of the walls and watching with glee as her ebony hair fell imperfectly about her shoulders from the blow. "I haven't thought any of it through?" He hissed, his face inches away from hers, breathing in the pure fear that had sent a shiver rolling up Duna's spine. "I have thought of nothing but this quest since that dragon took my home from me and all my people. Years I have thought of this. You have no idea!"

"Thorin..." Duna began to stutter out, trying to conceal the shaking in her voice. "It is just that Bilbo seems to stand a better chance if at least someone else goes with him..."

"Bilbo was hired as the burglar. Bilbo will be the one to enter." Thorin did not move while he spoke, still holding on to her arms and creeping ever closer to her face. "That is his job."

"I'll go," Duna whispered, finding that one of Thorin's rough fingers began to trace the line of her jaw. "I will go with Bilbo."

"No." The king spoke abruptly and with a stern tone, knitting his brow together. "You are not going anywhere near Smaug."

"And why would that be?" The dwarven girl was barely audible, allowing Thorin to ghost his own lips on her own, feeling the heat of his breath on her tongue. He gradually pressed himself against her body, his hands now wandering to the flesh of her hips as he gently kissed her delicate nape.

"I cannot risk losing you." He hushed simply against her skin before he crashed his mouth into hers, placing a palm at the back of her head and moaning with delight.

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