Zefur sat cross legged in the grass. The moon was setting, but the stars sparkled clear as crystal. The blond dwarf stared at the late summer sky and fidgeted with the braided ends of his ginger beard. Two motherless wolf pups, the latest additions to his growing nursery, romped across his lap. He barely registered it. Gray light seeped over the horizon, and it was only when the coming day set the clouds aflame that Zefur heard the sound that he'd anxiously waited for split the air. He leapt to his feet at the piercing cry, exciting the pups, and met Oín at the door.
"How are they?" He asked breathlessly. Oín chuckled and waved him in.
"They're doing just fine, lad."
Through the door and the front room of house shot Zefur as the sound of his Dís' singing drew him in. She beamed when he stood in the doorway, beckoning. He collapsed on the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the golden tuft of hair sprouting from the bundle in his wife's arms.
Dís shifted, gently placing the babe in Zefur's hands. A pair of blue eyes greeted his, and he smiled.
"Hey, there, little one."
Dís laid her head on Zefur's shoulder. "He has your eyes."
Zefur looked at her. "I have a son?" he whispered, stroking the babe's cheek.
"Mmhmm. Our little Fíli."
"Hello, Fíli. Welcome to the family."