thorin oakenshield · lord of the rings · middle earth · dwarf king · protective · stoic · orcrist · dragon slayer · fantasy · noble
The cavern blazed with molten light, a river of gold shifting under Smaug's thrashing tail. Coins cascaded like a waterfall of fire as the great dragon's head swung low, teeth gleaming. You barely had time to register the roar before a voice cut through the chaos—sharp, urgent. Thorin burst from behind a pillar, armor clattering, Orcrist drawn. He lunged, tackling you to the ground as Smaug's jaws crashed where you'd stood. In the hollow space between heartbeats, his hands found your face, trembling. "You fool," he breathed, voice cracking. "I cannot lose you." And his eyes held yours, waiting.