Another Love | The Hobbit

XX. A Promise

Thorin was sick. It was obviously clear with the way he acted and the way he treated his friends. He dressed as a king and, although he was, it didn't feel as if he had earned it.

The dwarf greeted his nephews with a hug, told them what they were trying to find and sent them to work, the going for Bofur and Oin. For the most part, he ignored Lucien, only sending him a small nod before turning back to the glittering treasure and his exhausted company below.

Lucien was not told directly to help them but he did anyway, it was only fair.

The rest were happy to see the wizard, he was safe, familiar and understanding. It was much better with him around.

They barely slept, they barely ate and when they did it was on the hard ground in a cold room. Comfort was not known to them anymore and it seemed neither was happiness. Thorin worked them too hard each day, searching for the one thing his mind was set on, his sick mind.

It was late into the afternoon when Thorin called for Lucien, the first time he had even thought of speaking to him in two, or so, days, they could not tell.

The wizard stepped over a pile of diamonds, not even sparing a glance and climbed the stairs to the platform the King stood upon, hands behind his back and posture tall. He stood like a King but acted like a tyrant.

As soon as the wizard stood a good five feet from the dwarf, Thorin turned to face him. His appearance was different when up close. The dark circles under his eyes, pale skin and sunken face were much more obvious. His eyes were darker, more royal in its shade of blue and the whites of his orbs were slightly red with lack of sleep. Lucien was immensely concerned for his friends well being now, why wouldn't he be? He looked awful.

"Did you need something, Thorin?" Lucien questioned, hands growing sweaty with what he could only describe as nervousness.

Thorin hummed, "Follow me." Lucien frowned and did just that, walking down various hallways, carved and structurally beautiful. He didn't realise how large Erebor really was, even if it was in a mountain the size on an entire town and more.

The wizard wondered what was happening and if he should have told someone he was leaving the treasure room. He wasn't exactly afraid of Thorin, just what of he may do while under this sickness, what he may say and how it will affect him later if he ever gets better. This was a difficult situation but Lucien would say he was more afraid of the treasure and what it may do to a person than the person themself.

Doors lined the corridor, all closed and all never having being opened in years. Lucien wondered how Thorin knew where he was going after all this time.

"Here." The dwarf stopped outside one door, one at the very end of the hall and the only one with double doors. The windows allowing the setting sun of the day to shine in like beams of soft light. The handles looked to be made out of gold and the wood was dark and the stone around it weaved into patterns of vines. It took a while for the wizard to push past the intricate detail to see Thorin was waiting for him to actually open them.

Lucien grabbed onto the handles, his heart beating in his ears erratically, and pushed open the doors to reveal what was inside. It was bright and it was warm.

A large bed elevated by a stone podium was on the far wall, two, almost, floor to ceiling windows on either side. Royal blue rugs covered the ground and many tables and chairs were placed around. A fireplace, that was already lit, was to the right of the room with two doors on each side and to the left of the room was an alcove of many windows that made the area seem much bigger than it already was. It was a bedroom fit for a king and it was gorgeous.

"This will be your room." Thorin frightened the poor wizard who was still gazing around in awe.

What did he say? "My room?" Lucien made sure he had heard correctly.