"I am not being tone deaf," Thorin continued. "I know that ever since we reunited, things have not been the same between you and I."
Spheris couldn't debate that.
"It is expected. Your time with Cerene, Nero and the Abyssian. Your attributes of reservedness and resilience must have shone through, and you earned their fellowship without them even knowing they had given it to you. I understand that my presence clashes with that."
Thorin searched Spheris's eyes, wondering if he had a response to that. When he couldn't find any, he continued;
"But we do not have to compete between ourselves for the title of leader."
Spheris finally spoke; "I don't necessarily want it."
"Maybe, but many leaders do not. The title of leader is sometimes given and barely even earned. In times of hardship, once you are discovered as someone with any leadership quality, everyone instantly clings to you. The duty is yours and you can not escape it from that instant."
