Another Love | The Hobbit

XXIV. Royal Blue

Things were escalating, Thorin was growing short-tempered at anything that went wrong or at anything that moved. Work hours were stricter with only ten minutes of lunch and four hours of sleep. Everyone was exhausted and hungry and depressed, nothing was going to plan it seemed.

Lucien had chosen to sit close by to Fili and Kili instead of the tyrant above. The two appeared to enjoy his company as they chatted every chance they could, it was better than nothing.

He often kept an eye on the anxious hobbit, watching as he half-heartedly searched through the treasures. It was clear this secret was eating away at him slowly but quickly. Lucien tried to take it but Bilbo told him it wasn't a good idea, he was with Thorin all day and night, he would surely find out. The wizard had to agree with him on the one.

The people of Dale were always on Lucien's mind, the ever-changing weather outside was a concern and so was the cold. Were there enough buildings to house the people? Were Bard and his children alright? Was Carson already gone? He wanted to know. Those kids were the sweetest things and Lucien couldn't help but want to shelter them from everything in the world.

Thinking of things like that gave him a headache.

Something had to be done and if it wasn't going to Thorin's family, it was going to have to be the wizard he was choosing to protect more than his own nephews. Surely this wouldn't turn out terrible, Lucien huffed as he stalked in the direction of their shared room.

He stood there, looking out over the vast forests and hills and meadows below, hands behind his back, back straight. That feeling flowing off of him made Lucien nervous, it made him uncomfortable. What was he thinking? Was his inner-self trying to break free? Sometimes Lucien thought he could see the real him, especially when his eyes were bright and clear, he looked guilty and like he wanted to say more than he actually did. Lucien wanted to cry out, tell him he was being unfair and that he was loved but something always pulled him back, maybe it was the fear of losing everything he had. So, should he really do it now?

As he watched the dwarf king, the insecurity came back and the want to turn back now was strong. So, he really was weak. Lucien frowned.

"Something on your mind?" Of course, he knew he was standing there, he wasn't exactly quiet.

The wizard sighed, lowering his head. He should say it. He should. "Your company is exhausted, Thorin." It was short but it was something and sometimes that was good.

His head turned, though he did not face the wizard. "So?"

"So?" Lucien scoffed, "They are your friends and you are treating them like slaves!" The tone in his voice caught Thorin's attention, it was desperate and helpless and downright melancholic. "They are starving and tired and it is all because of you, Thorin Oakenshield."

The dwarf peered over his shoulder, eyeing the fuming wizard behind him. Hair messy, cheeks red, eyes black and bloodshot. It was the first time he had noticed all these things, though he supposed it was because he didn't exactly look at him or the others.

"It must be found." Was his only argument and it only infuriated Lucien more.

"I don't care what must be found," The wizard growled, "You think you are any different from your Grandfather? You are exactly like him."

That struck a chord, "You never knew my Grandfather!"

"Oh, I knew him! He was a mean, cold-hearted, greedy little person and it was all because of that crown and stone."

"You know nothing of what you speak!" The dwarf stepped forward.

"Your avarice will get you nowhere. You will end up just like him!"