Dreams

Balin knocked on the wooden door of the house which Thorin shared with his sister and two nephews. After Dis' husband had died Thorin had stayed with Dis while she grieved but had never seemingly moved back to his own house although it still stood empty close by, Thorin used it on occasions usually to get some peace from his noisy nephews. Balin smiled as he heard a voice belonging to a dwarfling

"er hello Kili, you could get the door you know"

"You're on your way out anyway" another voice a little higher retorted. The door swung open to reveal Fili, still with the scorned look he had thrown at his brother no doubt. It soon creased into a smile

"Hi Mr Balin"

"Hello Fili is your uncle at home"

"aye, UNCLE" Fili yelled behind him "I'm just on my way out to meet Mr Dwalin for a training session" Fili explained as Balin stepped into the cosy warm space, although it was spring, it was still rather cool and chilly outside.

"Ahh yes Dwalin has already left, you'd better get a move on"

"I'm gone" Fili yelled as he hopped on one foot trying to get his boot on while grabbing some bread off the table. Balin grinned at the dwarflings enthusiasm, looking round the room, he saw Kili sitting on the couch with his feet curled up beneath him, he was very still and very quiet, he even had a book at his side, Balin thought the youngest was either brooding or sick, it was a rare sight indeed to see him so quiet.

"Bye uncle" Balin turned around to see Thorin appear from the back and nod to his eldest nephew. Fili ran to the couch, "Bye Kee" he ruffled his younger brother's hair smiling as Kili tilted his head to the side and tried to swat his brothers hand away

"Bye Fe" came the muffled reply but when Fili turned away from him, Kili sat up on his knees to watch his brother leave.

"Bye Mr Balin" and Fili was gone running down to the training grounds. Thorin raised his eyebrows waiting for the slam of the door which inevitably came.

"Balin, what can I do for you" Thorin walked over to the hearth to place a pot of tea on to boil.

"I thought we could walk down to the new building, see how it's coming along" Balin replied. Thorin smiled

"Yeah we can do that Balin but tea first, have to be honest I've not been up long Fili was running late as you saw and I haven't had chance to sit down yet" Balin grinned

"Tea would be lovely" Balin turned his attention to Kili who had returned to his original position on the couch "not training today today Kili"

"He's brooding" Thorin laughed

"I see" Balin smiled while Kili frowned

"I'm not" he shot back at his uncle. Thorin grinned

"Ok you're not so what's wrong" Kili shrugged and lent his head to the side and into the side of the couch.

"I think he wanted to go with Fili this morning but Fili had said no it was just him and Dwalin" Thorin half whispered to Balin as they settled at the table. "Kili you want tea" Kili turned slightly and shook his head.

"Where's Dis" Balin enquired

"Headed to the market this morning, that's we're all late up"

Balin and Thorin sat and drank their tea chattering about the new building work that was taking place. Kili expected he would be taken along with Balin and his uncle if his mother hadn't returned in time. In truth Kili had wanted to go with Fili and train although he was mostly watching it was good fun, but he felt extremely tired even though he had only just woken up. He had suffered from nightmares again last night and although Fili had managed to get him back to sleep and he had yet to tell his mother or uncle, a headache was forming behind his eyes.