She knew that they would eventually ask. They were curious young dwarflings, and they would do whatever they could to get the answers they wanted. Whether it was getting smart little Ori to find something out for them or pestering their uncle until he spoke, they always got to know what they wanted. Really, she was just surprised that they hadn't asked earlier.
"Mama," Fili had asked, "why don't we have a daddy?" Kili had been clutching his arm, his free hand held to his mouth where he sucked his thumb.
She pointed over the two free chairs. She was tired from working her job at the forge, but it was better to get this over with then have them pulling on her braids to tell them.
They all sat down.
"You know about Thorin, don't you?"
"I thought he was our uncle!" Kili said.
Dis laughed. "He is. He's just a lot like your father."
"But he's not our daddy!" Fili said.
"I know he's not. But you don't need a daddy."
"You don't?" Kili asked.
"No." She thought of the two men. They'd been nice, but they'd been quick happiness. Dwarves would have flings with those they were interested in, and they would keep having them until they found their ones. Being honest, Dis didn't think that she had a one. Those flings had ensured the line of Durin, and she was glad to be separated from the men. They were good, but they were not worthy of being pulled into the royal line, exiled or not. "Why would you think you did?"
"Because," Fili said, "everyone else has a daddy."
"Ori doesn't," Dis said. "And doesn't his family love him?"
Fili and Kili nodded.
Dis got up and grabbed both of them. "I love you, very, very much, and so does Thorin. Aren't we better than any fathers you could have?"
The two giggled.
"I'm serious! Aren't I?"
The next day, Thorin was even grumpier than usual.
"What's wrong?" Dis asked.
"Oh, you should know."
"What?"
"Fili and Kili have it in their head that I'm their father!"
