Eclipse of Hearts ✔

31. Darkness [Thorin]

"I think it would be wise if you go to the court sober for once."

An angry frown marked Thorin's face. A few days ago he was attacked by two dwarfs who lived in dissatisfaction with his regime. Since then the Council believed that it was better if he was continuously guarded. In the first place they wanted him to be surrounded by five dwarfs, but he had not agreed and in the end he had accepted one guard. 

Iorwen. Iorwen was wonderful with her weapons, but he wished that was all she did, for she always had to criticize every move he made. Sometimes he could barely suppress the longing to drag her  to the court. 

As an answer he  took one of the glasses of wine that was offered to him when he went inside. "There's no need to."

He sat on his throne and brought the glass to his lips, while his guard stood behind him. His eyes were aimed at a young dwarf who sat in the middle of the room. He was the one that would be condemned.

"Greth, son of Tron, you are accused of theft from the royal treasure-chamber," Vaughn started, who sat at a chair next to him. "Caught red-handed by me. You owe king Thorin an explanation."

Greth did not answer, but his face was full of contempt. 

"I know very well what our Greth wanted to do," Thorin grumbled. By the hearing of his voice, the buzzing silenced. "You wanted to desert, didn't you? You wanted to escape Erebor, as so many of the youngsters have done."

Like his own nephew had done. 

Greth did not answer, but stared forward angrily. 

"When His majesty is not willing to give his pardon, the suspect will be punished - until death follows."

Only now the expression at the face of the young man changed. His indifference changed into fear, causing an arrogant smile on Thorin's face.

"It were just some coins," he protested with eyes full of terror. "I just wanted to return to my family!"

"You can't. You swore to serve your king," sounded the obstinate answer of Vaughn.

To his annoyance he noticed his glass was empty again and he raised his glass to his servant. He felt gloomy today, without any apparent reason. Fortunately he knew damn well what would make that feeling go away. 

"Kill him," Thorin grumbled. This whole spectacle started to bore him. He looked roughly aside when he felt Iorwen's hand on his shoulder. 

"Is this really necessary, my king?"

"Yes!" he hummed, not knowing why he would have to justify his deeds. "Otherwise everyone thinks they can steal from me without any consequences!" An evil smile played around his lips. "Even more, Iorwen, I want my guard to do the execution."

Maybe that would prevent her from announcing her useless opinion in the future. 

"I am not commissioned to do so."

The dark glance in her eyes might have scared someone else, but he could only laugh about it. He wondered how it would be if she visited his rooms. He would love to force her on her knees to do her. He imagined how his hands rested on her hips, while he thrust inside her while she begged him to stop. Maybe she would finally realized who must be obeyed. 

"Hereby you are."