[Hesitation flickers in his stride but doesn't stop him. He doesn't want to prolong this aggravating conversation any further, or give Nikolai the satisfaction of knowing that he has gotten under his skin for the hundredth time (as he seemed to know the way alarmingly well).
Thorin keeps going, cursing Nikolai in his head--all other Men from his homeland for good measure--as he storms back the way he came.]
action;
Thorin keeps going, cursing Nikolai in his head--all other Men from his homeland for good measure--as he storms back the way he came.]