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A/N:
- I am not a native English speaker so please comment on my mistakes kindly and I will do the best I can to improve myself. Thank you *.*
- This story is a sequel to the original story Born from Stone. If you haven't read that one, don't try to go through this for you will feel lost. Try reading the original first.
- I decided to write the first sequel of all my stories, because there are few but very dedicated readers that are asking me for more Theilin. I don't even know what I am getting myself into here and I don't know how it will go, but I haven't ever left a story unfinished so I am hoping that will be the case with this story also.
- I am well aware that I am going to be writing only for a handful of people and if that, so any words of encouragement will mean a lot. Enjoy *.*
- This story will take place in two parallel timelines exactly like the whole first part of Born from Stone with flashbacks. Those flashbacks start almost immediately after the birth of the twins. The current timeline runs 8 years after their birth, 3 years after the birth of Thrarin, before the feast of Hobbiton and the conception of Orin.
First steps
Thorin felt the air whiplashing his long hair upon his face and gritted his teeth in determination. He squeezed his thighs on the saddle and released the reins. He reached back and drew an arrow from the quiver feeling his heart palpitating from the thrill of the chase. He hadn't hunted with a bow and arrow for too long and this chase had enraptured him more than anything he had undertaken during the last several months. He could see the slender legs of the deer flickering on and off between the thick barks of the trees and he pulled back the arrow, keeping his upper body impressively steady despite the frenzied gallop of his horse. His eyes thinned, his breath slowed down and every sound around him muted as he concentrated intensely on his game a mere moment before releasing the arrow. It found the target on the shoulder and Thorin's nose flared in anger. That is when a stray arrow found it on the hind leg and the deer released a panicked bleat and lost its footing making Thorin's eyes glimmer briefly in victory before its legs became steady once more and allowed it to jump messily above a fallen bark and take another direction.
Thorin grasped his reins and directed his horse after that perilous trail when he heard Dwalin's voice coming from in front of him. "It's going to the river! We have it cornered!"
The King's eyes saw the deer's hind legs and tail between several barks and forced his horse to ride faster. He managed to intercept it further off and released the reins once more, pulling another arrow from his quiver. He inhaled deeply, held his breath, squinted his eyes, aimed and shot. The arrow found it on the throat and send it rolling on its side. Thorin sprang off his horse and dashed towards his game. He pulled another arrow just as the deer was trying to stand up in order to escape its grim fate, but Dwalin's arrow found it on the other side of the throat and brought it down. Thorin reached it as it was trying to get up again and without any traces of hesitation shot the final arrow between its eyes. It emptied on the forest bed with a groan of pain and then stopped moving altogether. Thorin rested his bow on the ground and leaned his forearm on it. He was panting for breath, but a rather pleased smile was painted on his lips.
Dwalin alighted next to the deer and dropped the bow on his shoulder. "Cannot deny this baby made our lives hard..."
Thorin tilted his head. "I hadn't had such an interesting game for years."
Dwalin huffed and leaned down to retrieve their arrows from the dead animal. "Well, prior to the conquest of Erebor you were hunting almost everyday to provide our company with food."
Thorin pursed his lips. "After the battle I never had the opportunity to hunt...as for later...things became even more impossible as you very well know."
Dwalin gave him his arrows and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Well...that's children for you..."
Thorin closed his eyes briefly and smiled. "After the twins I don't have time for anything. Never mind about fun."
Dwalin nodded in understanding. "How come did Eilin allow you to come hunting?"
Thorin raised his brow sternly. "I didn't know I was a prisoner."
Dwalin sneered. "Every man is a prisoner to his family no matter how independent and strong he may be. Did you just walk out without talking about it with Eilin?"
Thorin huffed. "Of course I spoke to her."
"You mean asked her..." Dwalin corrected.
Thorin felt his fur rippling. "And you didn't ask Loa...who are you kidding?"
Dwalin pursed his lips. "Well I am a willing prisoner also...who told you I wasn't. Choices my friend. We lost part of our freedom, but we gained two amazing women. In your case you also got blessed with two amazing kids. Would you trade that just to brag that you don't have to ask anyone before going hunting anymore?"
Thorin's lips curled in a side smile and he rubbed his forehead. "No...never."
Dwalin kneeled down and picked up the deer. He dropped it on his shoulder and made it for his horse. "Everyone knows that you are torn between your family and running this city and you have no free time. I never expected to see you at the gates this morning with bow at hand and a quiver on your back full of arrows. How come?"
Thorin grabbed the lower part of the deer and placed it on his shoulder, taking half of its weight from Dwalin. "Farin didn't let me sleep well at night. He couldn't stop fidgeting in his crib and he was waking Rhianaye up. I took him in our bed and he slept there."
"So?" Dwalin frowned as he began tying up the upper body of the deer on his horse.
Thorin brought his horse next to his and began tying the lower part on it. "Well usually when either kid ends up in our bed, I end up out of it."
Dwalin harked. "There is only one way a man will get kicked out of his wife's bed, right?"
Thorin nodded with a playful smirk. "Farin ended up taking up most of my side perpendicular and then Eilin also sprawled on the lower half and I ended up on the recliner again."
Dwalin pulled the ropes tight and gave him a side look of amusement. "You don't sound half bothered about that."
Thorin flicked his shoulder. "Ever since they were born I had issues sleeping quietly in my bed. Either they are waking me up with their crying or they are taking my place. I don't mind."
Dwalin leaned his elbow on his saddle as Thorin secured the deer on his side firmly. "I understand. So what happened to convince you to ask your wife for a small break...recliner was too rough on your back?"
Thorin having finished with the deer, took hold of his horse's reins and pulled himself on the saddle as Dwalin did the same. "I tried to sleep, but I ended up looking at Rhianaye in her crib for what seemed forever. I was counting her breaths and that kept me up almost all night. I decided to come out to your hunting invitation before I drive myself insane with all these thoughts that keep congesting my mind about her well being."
Dwalin frowned at him. "I thought the kiddo was breathing well now for several months, right?"
Thorin eyes fluttered and he nodded. "She does, but still the fear is embedded rather deep."
Dwalin flicked his brow and his lips curled down, but he remained silent.
Thorin felt the need to clarify. "She may be breathing well, but still she is far behind in comparison to Farin in every milestone."
Dwalin looked at him.
Thorin kept his horse close to his friend's as their animals shared the burden of the deer between them. "They are almost ten full moon circles old now Dwalin and Farin is already able to roll over and pull himself into a seated position all on his own. Actually two days ago he pulled himself up by the help of the armchair and stood without assistance for several moments. He is trying to take his first steps and Loa says that he is doing it rather early on. He has already said dada several times over, which pisses off Eilin and his appetite is monumental, as is his size. I mean you've seen my son." He couldn't hide the pride in his voice at that moment.
Dwalin smiled. "I've seen him and I have admired him along with the rest of your kingdom not only once, but many times. Lad is going to grow up to be as impressive as you, if not more. Mark my words."
Thorin's brow clouded and he gave him a curt nod. "How about his sister though? She cannot even hold her head up, never mind sit up unassisted or pull herself up. She can barely roll over. She is always so thin and frail. She barely eats anything, haven't you noticed?"
Dwalin pursed his lips. "She is a tremendously beautiful baby with black curly hair and her mother's eyes. She's always rosy cheeked and she rarely cries, in comparison to Farin who raises hell all the time. Why do you care of her size and of her milestones. Isn't she healthy?"
Thorin nodded sadly. "Loa says she is very healthy and that each child takes its own time to develop. I mustn't compare them."
Dwalin puffed up proudly. "Loa is a wise woman. Of course you shouldn't compare them. You will make yourself go mad and also drive these poor kiddos crazy in the future."
Thorin's lips upturned in a thoughtful smile.
"What does Eilin say about your overbearing solicitude with the children?" Dwalin looked at him as they led their horses on the High Road next to the River Running.
"She tells me to calm down and that Rhianaye is special. That one day our little precious Gem will erupt with such brilliance that she will blind the world with it." Thorin's voice turned wistful.
"Your wife is right." Dwalin rejoined calmly and looked at him carefully.
Thorin's eyes thinned as he looked at the impressive gates of Erebor and at the monstrous fires that burned at their flanks. He felt the soft fall breeze blowing his wavy locks away from his face. It was loaded with the scent of the freshly watered earth as it had been raining all through the night. "She acts bravely in order to calm me down, but I know she worries too. I have noticed her whispering to Rhianaye to call me dada like her brother and I've seen many tears pooling in her eyes when Rhianaye smiles back at her without making any sound at all."
"I won't pretend that I understand how it is to worry about the well being of your child..." Dwalin averted his eyes.
Thorin pursed his lips. "Sometimes it feels overwhelming that's all and I need a break."
Dwalin smiled at him. "So today was one of those times were everything became a bit too much?"
Thorin nodded. "It feels good to get away if only for a while."
Dwalin's lips curled upwards. "I missed hunting with you..."
Thorin looked at him with a quiet side smile. "Me too."
Dwalin stopped and raised his brow. "Actually after the birth of the twins I missed drinking with you, training with you, singing with you...seeing you..." He left the insinuation to float free above them.
Thorin grabbed it and drove it home. "I am sorry, but I honestly have barely time to sleep."
Dwalin's lips twisted and he looked at his friend vexed. "I know, but I do miss our camaraderie a lot."
Thorin rubbed his forehead. "Just give me time Dwalin. They will grow up...finally." That was the first time his friend discerned a tone of exhaustion in the King's voice.
Dwalin chuckled. "If a new one doesn't come to take their place..."
Thorin looked up sharply. "I don't want to sound like a jerk, but that sounds nightmarish to me right now."
Dwalin raised his brows. "You do sound like a jerk."
Thorin's lips twitched uncomfortably.
This time Dwalin laughed out loud. "Another child scares you shitless, doesn't it?"
Thorin rubbed his face and nodded. "Don't tell Eilin that. I thought I was ready for fatherhood because I have raised Frerin, Dis, Fili and Kili, but I had no idea of the immense burden of raising your own children."
Dwalin scratched his beard. "Oh, now really don't let Eilin hear you speak like that...!"
Thorin raised his hand. "Don't misunderstand me. My family is beautiful and I wouldn't have changed it for anything, but another kid...so soon...no..." He sounded very decided.
Dwalin flicked his shoulder. "How can you stop them from coming I wonder."
Thorin's brow wrinkled as he looked at the gates. Eilin was walking down the steps holding both babies in her arms. Dis was next to her. "Loa told us to count days."
Dwalin frowned. "I know that you corroded fossil, but nothing can guarantee you won't get her pregnant again..."
Thorin winced. "We are so tired we barely have the mood for intimacy. That in combination with our worry about Rhianaye has minimised all our chances which is something I don't mind at this moment."
Dwalin sighed deeply. "Oh, that sounds nasty..."
Thorin raised his brow. "Well...welcome to fatherhood, right?"
Dwalin cringed and didn't try to hide it. "And that sounds deeply disappointed."
Thorin pursed his lips. "I miss my wife terribly, but right now others are more important than me and her and I am here to take that responsibility head on."
Dwalin nodded slowly. "I know my friend...just promise me something."
Thorin looked at him as they approached the steps. "Sure..."
"Find more time to share some mead with me, okay?" Dwalin sounded more emotional than Thorin was expecting.
He smiled widely. "I will, I promise."
"Today was amazing! Hadn't seen you hunt so passionately for a long time..." Dwalin added.
"I may be lacking a lot of sleep, but I wouldn't have changed my decision to come hunting with you today, believe me." Thorin grinned.
Dwalin grasped his forearm and squeezed appreciatively, something that Thorin reciprocated when Eilin's voice interrupted them.
"What took you so long my love? I thought it was a small hunting endeavour..." She walked up to the horse, dressed in an airy crimson dress, but having forgotten her scarf, the opening on the bust was quite revealing. Her very long red hair were free flowing around her thin figure and her cheeks were rosy as was her nose.
He looked up at her partially worried, but when he saw Rhianaye sucking on the string of Eilin's vest calmly and Farin pulling her hair playfully he felt reassured that nothing was seriously wrong even though it was too early for her to be up along with both babies. "We drifted further off to the borders of Mirkwood following this beauty." -He pointed behind him at the horses carrying the deer- "Is everything okay?" He frowned at her.
Dis intervened with a happy disposition. "Everything okay?! Everything is more than okay! Get off that horse brother, we got amazing news!"
Eilin bit her lower lip and nodded at him.
Thorin gazed at Dwalin briefly with a confused smile and alighted, giving all control of both horses to his best friend. He came over to his wife and his arms wrapped around her waist drawing her in. "What's up?" He rejoined with a smile and snuggled his nose on the croon of her neck.
Eilin giggled. "It's Farin..." She murmured pleased.
Thorin mouth left Eilin's prickly skin and found his daughter's arm. He offered it several butterfly kisses and then kissed her cheek, making sure his beard was scratching against her soft skin. "Hello baby Gem, how are you?" He whispered and Rhianaye grasped his hair and pulled him back as uncontrollable giggles erupted from her small chest.
Eilin laughed along with her daughter and passed her over to her father. "She slept very quietly all through the night!" She said proudly.
Thorin took Rhianaye in his arms and buried his large finger in her armpit, something that drove the poor baby crazy with laughter. "I know I was watching her all night. Didn't I, my precious Gem?" he cooed her. Rhianaye bumped her head on his shoulder and opened up her toothless mouth to nibble on his tunic. Her small fists grabbed her father firmly, something that made his heart melt and he cupped the whole side of her face and caressed her curly hair.
Eilin placed Farin down and he sat down unassisted, reaching out to pull out the wet grass that was around him with his fists. His clever eyes were observing everything and even Dwalin had admitted that those azure eyes of Thorin's baby boy had a very unnerving quality for his age. "You didn't sleep again tonight?" Eilin looked up at her husband with traces of worry in her voice.
Thorin kissed Rhianaye's cheek and felt her saliva running down his shoulder as she decided to abandon his tunic and nibbled straight onto his skin. "I couldn't."
Eilin frowned troubled. "Are you feeling alright, my love?"
Thorin gifted her with such peaceful smile that all her worries got dispelled. "Yes, just my mind is overworking sometimes."
Eilin sighed in relief and beamed up to him. "You need to rest today. I will keep the kids away from our rooms and you can go sleep now a little. How about that?"
Dis crossed her arms. "I'll share them with Valdis and you can both rest."
Thorin smiled at his sister. "Thanks gerbil, but I prefer you to take over this deer with Loa. I'd love some stew from its meat for Rhianaye. She needs to gain on strength..." He said and pushed back to see the beautiful face of his baby girl.
Her huge green eyes gazed at him mesmerised as her toothless mouth sucked on his shoulder trying to alleviate the pain in her gums. Even though Durin had already gotten four teeth, Rhianaye was once more left behind. Something that was making it very difficult for her to eat.
Dis uncrossed her arms and went to check on the hunt. "That's a big game. Was it a good hunt for you boys?" She asked with a smile.
Dwalin began untying the ropes. "We needed to release some tension, believe me."
Dis looked back at her brother and smiled. "I know." She said in hushed tone and winked at Dwalin.
Eilin waved her arms at them. "Never mind all that. I am more rested than I have ever been! Listen it's important! I wanted to tell you about Farin..." Her enthusiasm was quickly passed onto him.
He smiled affectionately at her and was about to speak, when Farin decided to tell them what was happening in his own way. He forgot about all the grass he had pulled out of the earth and was now staining his brown breaches and looked up at his father with his large azure eyes. "Da-da..."
Eilin felt her mouth forming the biggest smile yet. She leaned above her son and caressed his tousled black curly hair. "Yes, it's dada my baby. Want to show him what you can do?"
Dwalin crossed his arms and frowned.
Thorin looked at his son sideways, while his mouth was resting on the soft skin of his daughter's cheek. "What did the little rascal do now?" He whispered.
Eilin got ready to help Farin -or better yet the future Durin the Seventh- up when the baby turned around and grabbed the hem of his mother's dress and pulled himself up unassisted. Eilin grinned and searched Thorin's eyes to see the effect Farin was having on him. The King remained vaguely interested in his son's quirky attempts to keep himself upright as he had seen them many times before, but nothing could have prepared him for what happened next when Farin released his mom's dress and turned to his dad.
Thorin's partial amusement melted into deep scrutiny and he gave one absent kiss on Rhianaye's cheek as all his attention turned to his boy. "Farin?" He whispered.
Eilin's grin became even bigger and she raised her hand to Thorin. "Wait for it! Farin go to dada..." she said.
Farin opened up his arms and looked at Thorin. "Da-da." He repeated and took the first unassisted step towards his imposing father.
The uncertain smile played upon Thorin's lips for a few moments until Farin took the second wavering step and then the third. His small boots picking up and dragging along all the grass that he had plucked off the earth before. "Hey little man..." Thorin said and kneeled down feeling his heart exploding with adrenaline just by looking at the tries of his son to the first steps of his life.
"Da-da." Farin repeated and took the fourth and the fifth step.
Thorin steadied Rhianaye on his shoulder and opened up his arm to Farin, who unfortunately lost his footing and fell down face first. His reaction though was almost impeccable as his hands kept his face clear off the dirt. Eilin's mouth dropped open and she had to force herself to stay put and not pick him up as Farin sobbed once and looked up to his father.
Thorin's eyes alternated between pride and fleeting worry, but the moment Farin looked up to him, he smiled softly. "Crying won't solve your problems son..." He said with a calm voice, knowing full well that his baby boy couldn't understand a word. He could very well understand though that his father wouldn't pick him up as he released another frustrated sob and searched his father's eyes with his own teary ones, seeking help.
Eilin smiled at Dis. "Did you see him?"
Dis nodded proudly. "Boy walked way too early."
"Indeed..." Dwalin pressed his lips appreciatively.
Thorin stood up and went to his son. He kneeled in front of him, but made no move to pick him up. "Come on, no tears now..." He said with a comforting tone.
Rhianaye unglued her gums from her dad's shoulder and looked down at her brother for a moment before shoving her fist in her mouth instead.
Farin sat up and kicked the dirt with his legs once, while his pained eyes gazed at Thorin's, expecting his father to pick him up.
"Better?" Thorin raised his brow.
Farin sniffled and opened up his arms. "Da-da." He mumbled.
Eilin rubbed her elbows. "Oh...pick him up honey, come on!" She urged her husband with an affectionate voice.
Thorin swept Farin up and enfolded him close to his chest. "You did very well my boy. I am so proud of you..." he cooed and kissed Farin's cheek and neck.
His son sniffled and rubbed his face on Thorin's free shoulder as he settled down in his warm embrace.
Just seeing Thorin holding their children so lovingly melted Eilin's heart. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I was nursing Rhianaye and he was sitting close to the fireplace playing with those wooden cubes that Fili brought him with Dis when suddenly he pulled himself up by holding on her shoulder and started toddling towards me. I think I yelped so loud that my poor girl started crying." She told him and gifted the centre of his chest with a kiss.
He looked down at her and rubbed his nose on her hair, yearning to wake up her beloved scent that comforted him so much. "I am glad you were the first one to see his first steps my love."
She squeezed him tight and thought about Rhianaye and the need to see her little girl doing the same. Something that seemed so far away at that moment. Dis' voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Blessed may that boy be, wolf. He walked far sooner than you, me or Frerin. Mom said you walked when you saw all the seasons one time and I walked even later and so did Frerin. Your boy seems to be exceptional in everything, except from calming his sister." -Dis chuckled and Eilin snorted upon Thorin's chest- "Thank Mahal's holy beard that Rhianaye calmed down quickly and also fed off her mom because last night she didn't eat anything."
Eilin exhaled on him feeling her heart squeezing at that. "Thank Mahal indeed."
Thorin kissed her head firmly and rested his cheek on it. "Calm down my beloved. She's doing fine. Sometimes she just doesn't have an appetite."
Dis looked over as Dwalin released the deer from the horses and placed it on his shoulder. "I've told your wife many times that I was a poor eater as a baby too."
Thorin smiled. "She was indeed..."
Eilin nodded and forced herself to smile even though no one was watching. "I know don't worry. Rhianaye is special too. She just needs time."
Thorin pressed his children in his arms and exhaled on Eilin's head. "She does, doesn't she?" He whispered and only his wife heard him.
She felt his troubled mind and pulled back. She cupped his cheek and smiled brightly at him. "Of course she does. What is taking place inside this brilliant mind of yours?"
Thorin's lips curled up. "Sleep deprived nonsense."
Dis and Dwalin went towards the entrance with the game and Dis gave a last worried look to her brother.
"You are thinking about her walking right?" Eilin whispered and kept his eyes trapped inside hers.
He nodded quietly. "Walking, talking, sitting up...even rolling over. She seems so weak at times...and hearing that she didn't eat last night."
Eilin pressed her lips and cupped both his cheeks. She pulled his face down firmly and straightened. "Listen to me honey. Our daughter is fine! She will do things on her own time and no one can force her. She is way too stubborn and she had taken that from you..." She raised her brow.
He reciprocated and his lips broke into a partially relieved smile. "And not from you?"
She snorted and shook her head. "You beat me easily in that department. Now stop worrying will you? Stop all those nightly vigils in order to overlook her breathing because they are exhausting the life out of you. She is sleeping well now."
He nodded and exhaled hard through his nose, feeling his heart mellowing down.
Eilin caressed his bearded cheek and looked at his mouth. "I know how you feel, believe me. I worry about her too. Last night when she didn't eat I was so distressed, but you know what?"
His lips curled sideways. "What..?"
"When she wants to eat she is going to ask for it, right? She has done that so many times, correct?" Eilin beamed up to him, forcing herself to be strong in order to comfort his worries.
"She has..." He agreed quietly.
"Then maybe we should both lay off her for a moment like Balin says. We are over-parenting her, while we do the exact opposite with Farin." She rejoined steadily.
"That's true." He said and looked at both kids. Rhianaye had found the strings of his tunic rather interesting and she was pulling them hard and Farin had buried his small fingers through his father's hair and was playing around with one of his warrior braids.
"We will make a deal okay?" Eilin raised her brow.
Thorin smiled. "Like?"
"I will stop worrying about her not eating so much and you will stop worrying about her breathing...then we are both going to stop comparing her with Farin and we will allow her to open up her abilities on her own time." Eilin spoke quietly, but her voice had a firmness that Thorin appreciated more than words could describe at that moment.
It took him several moments to nod at his wife. "It's a deal my dove."
Eilin looked at him for a few breathless moments and then grinned. She raised on tiptoe and pulled him down until her lips skimmed above his for a few lingering moments. "Now can we both feel happy for Farin without staining that happiness with Rhianaye's difficulties?" She whispered.
He closed his eyes and captured her lips in a gentle kiss that elated his heart. "You are such a wise woman..."
She smiled under his lips and her fingers tunnelled through his hair. "I love you..." She whispered.
"Me too..." He responded and got ready to kiss her again when the voice of Balin interrupted them.
"I honestly hate breaking you guys apart, but the Seven Lords and the delegation from Rohan is expecting you at the meeting room, laddie..." Balin crossed his arms.
Eilin looked up and smiled, but didn't make an attempt to release her husband. "Hello Lord Balin."
He bowed. "My lady." -He rejoined with a smile and then waved playfully at Farin who was looking at him- "Hello Lord Farin..."
The boy kept his eyes firmly steady on the old advisor.
Balin turned to Rhianaye. "Hello young lady..."
The baby girl didn't even see him.
"Will you take them up? I will come when I finish." Thorin said and gave their daughter to Eilin.
"Sure honey." She said while Rhianaye wrapped her legs around her mom's ribcage.
Balin cringed as he felt deeply scrutinised by the baby boy. "Have I ever told you that his gaze is very unsettling?"
Thorin smiled and tried to pass Farin over. "More than once."
"I cannot even imagine how penetrating his gaze will become once he enters adulthood." Balin raised his brow feeling relieved when Farin removed his eyes and grabbed hold of Thorin's tunic not willing to let go.
"He will be able to command respect with a single glance." -Thorin said proudly and looked down at his son- "You have to go with mom."
Farin grumped and clasped his tunic even tighter, burying his head on his shoulder. "Da-da."
Eilin raised her brow. "He wants to stay with you."
Farin kicked in the air. "Da-da! Da-da!"
Thorin cupped the back of his head and enclosed him to his chest. "Fine then, you stay with me."
Eilin's brow wrinkled. "But you have a meeting...are you sure?"
Balin pointed at her. "She's got a point!"
Thorin looked at them coldly. "I will have a meeting with the Rohan envoys with Farin on my hip. Any problem from you two?" He gazed at them loftily.
Eilin huffed and turned around. "Not from me honey. Have fun!"
Thorin kissed Farin's head and looked at Balin. "Problems from you, maybe?"
Balin exhaled patiently. "I've seen you do the most unexpected things in the most unbelieving manners. You taking over an important meeting with your son on your hip is something that doesn't impress me at all. It was something expected from you to be honest."
Thorin smiled and walked inside the gates giving a last caring look to his wife's slender figure as she made it towards the Royal corridors. "Is Rohan here to talk about Isengard again?" He asked his advisor.
Balin nodded and followed him thoughtfully. "The Rohirrim don't want Saruman the White to guard Isengard. It created several problems for them in the past with the Dunlendings and their raids to Rohan. They need to keep it under their control."
Thorin nodded thoughtfully. "Let's see what they wish from me again..."
Farin started bouncing on his father's arms then and yelling. "Da-da, da-da...da-da..."
"Dad, dad, dad...wake up!" Rhianaye jumped on his bed and straddled his back.
Thorin's eyes cracked open and he frowned. "Is it even dawn yet?" He grumbled.
"It's too late, come on you have to wake up!" Rhianaye said and got off him. Then she started pulling his arm.
"For Mahal's holy beard girl, leave me alone for once!" Thorin said and turned his head the other way. It was too early to be awoken so roughly and even though it was eight years after the birth of the twins and three after the birth of Thrárin he was still not used in these morning war games.
"Come on daddy, you have to wake up, Durin is gone again..." Rhianaye gave up on his arm that was too heavy for her to lift and tried to bother him by tickling his nose with the end of his warrior braid.
Thorin remained unfazed until she managed to stick the prickly hair up his nostril and then he jerked up angrily. "Rhianaye!" He snapped.
She screeched and pulled back with a giggle.
"Stop!" -He glared at her and then fell back on the bed- "Have mercy..."
Rhianaye pushed her voluminous black hair away from her face and began jumping on the bed making him bounce around also. "Come on daddy, we have to go find Durin!"
Thorin grasped the sheets and made a tight fist out of them, while he was silently calling on patience. "Where is your mother?!" He mumbled vexed beyond reason. Last night he slept rather late as he had a very demanding meeting with the four chancellors and the Seven Lords so he would have appreciated a calm morning today, which apparently was not going to happen.
"She had to attend the celebration of the welcoming of the Summer with all the cleaning ladies at the River Running, don't you remember?" Rhianaye stopped jumping.
"Forgot..." Thorin groaned.
Rhianaye raised her brows and began jumping again, not caring about her father's deteriorating state.
Thorin picked up his pillow and placed it above his head. "Where is Thrárin?" His muffled voice asked.
Rhianaye paused. "Next to you..."
Thorin lifted the pillow and peeped to see Thrárin standing next to him quietly, sucking his finger and watching him with his huge azure eyes. The moment his father looked at him, he giggled. "Hi daddy..." he mumbled and then resumed sucking.
"Hi my love. Did you sleep well?" It didn't take long for Thorin's mouth to form a sweet smile.
Thrárin nodded eagerly. "Yeah!"
Thorin looked back at the inner door that was separating his rooms from the rooms of his children, which was most of the times open hoping to see someone coming to help him to no avail.
"Where is auntie Dis?" Thorin turned to his daughter.
"She had to help the delivery of a baby. I asked to go with her, but she denied!" Rhianaye sounded disappointed at that.
"Where is Fili?!" Thorin rejoined even more annoyed by everyone missing this morning.
"Had to work with uncle Dain!" She continued.
"Can you stop jumping up and down?! I am getting nauseous!" He grumbled and buried his head on the mattress again.
Rhianaye jumped in the air and landed crisscrossed next to him. "Come on daddy, we need to find Durin!"
"Where is Loa and Lis anyway?" He said and pushed himself on his elbows, knowing that it would be impossible to sleep now.
"Loa is helping aunt Dis and I don't know where Lis is..." Rhianaye flicked her shoulders.
Thrárin climbed on the bed and laid down on Thorin's wide back not taking his thumb out of his mouth. "I am hungry daddy." He said quietly making Thorin appreciate the calm nature of his third child even more in view of Rhianaye's fiery personality and Durin's rebellious nature.
Thorin rubbed his forehead. "Where did your brother go?"
Rhianaye looked at him for a moment and then flicked her shoulder again. "Don't know dad, that's why I woke you up."
"Didn't he say anything?" Thorin gazed at her.
She hesitated. "Well..."
He raised his brow. "Well what?"
Rhianaye cringed. "Hávarthur was knocking on our door like crazy. Durin opened up, they exchanged some words, he came in, dressed and left."
Thorin exhaled a whole bout of annoyance. "Well if he is with his best friend why did you have to wake me up for?"
"I wanted to go with him and he didn't take me!" Rhianaye frowned.
"Don't piss me off young lady...Why should I care that your brother left you behind? That's something between you two..." Thorin raised his brow.
She observed him for a moment and then rolled her eyes and looked at the ceiling. "Fine...okay...got it...perfect...as always Durin gets to do what he wants and I end up staying behind!"
Thorin pushed up and Thrárin slid off his back and landed on the bed with a giggle. Thorin looked at him with a playful smirk. "Had your best friend asked you to go out to play I wouldn't have said no Rhianaye. Don't act like a brat..." Thorin chastised her and reached out to tickle Thrárin's exposed belly.
Rhianaye huffed and crossed her arms. "Dad!"
He looked at her with a raised brow. "Honestly you woke me out of a much needed sleep just because Durin went to have some fun. Do you find what you did justified?"
Rhianaye pressed her lips and averted her eyes.
Thorin leaned down and gave a soft kiss on Thrárin's belly before he stood up and reached for his tunic. "It is not as if you needed food or care for some reason. You are old enough to take care of yourself and your brother and you know how to go to the Royal Kitchens and grab something for him and for you to eat..."
Rhianaye frowned. "I did feed us, even though that sprite is still hungry." She pointed at her baby brother.
Thorin's lips curled down. "So you woke me up for absolutely nothing, correct?"
Rhianaye's stubborn eyes gazed at her father bravely, but she didn't respond.
"You wish me to find Durin and force your company on him, right?" Thorin wore his vest and raised his brow at her.
Rhianaye turned her back at him.
"And now I get the silent treatment..." Thorin deducted.
Thrárin followed his father as he approached Rhianaye and clasped his large hand around her shoulder. "Hey beautiful..." he let the thought trail.
She turned around with teary eyes. "What?" She said.
"Yesterday I had a very long meeting that ended long after the golden bells chimed the third call of the night. When I came up your mom was sleeping and so were you. I rested very little this morning and for what reason?" He raised his brow at her sternly, but his gaze was affectionate and that passed through to his daughter.
She exhaled and uncrossed her arms. "Sorry daddy for waking you up..." she sounded more regretful than she looked.
Thorin's lips curled up in a sweet smile. "At least next time give me a valid reason..." -he pretended to think as she embraced his waist and he drew her warmly in- "...like there is a fire in the kitchens and our breakfast burned to ash..."
Rhianaye snorted and pressed her arms around her dad. "Okay daddy, sorry..."
He caressed her hair and leaned down to offer her a doting kiss on the head, before turning to Thrárin. "So you ate, but do you want me to make you an extra omelet?"
Rhianaye pulled back and her eyes grew larger than life. "Yeah! I want an omelet!"
Thrárin grasped Thorin's hand and nodded like mad. "Me too daddy!" He began jumping up and down like a spring.
Thorin took his kids by each hand and got out of the Royal chambers, deciding to make it for the Royal Kitchens that had been reopened the last few months. They were part of the Royal wing and that made it far easier for Thorin's family to have their breakfast without going out to the main kitchens of the first floor common residential areas. He had taken only a few steps towards them when the heavy voice of Balin made him turn around.
"Laddie, you are awake thank heavens!" Balin came up to him out of breath and leaned his hand on the wall exhausted.
Thorin frowned. "What happened to you?"
Balin waved him off. "You need to come to the gates now!"
Thorin raised his brow, but didn't have the time to answer as Balin spoke above him.
"Prince Durin is mounted on the ledge of the waterfall with Hávarthur and they are arguing on who has the biggest balls to attempt a dive!" Balin's eyes grew wide as he described what was happening.
Thorin's face grew pale. "What the hell..."
Rhianaye pulled his arm in order to move him. "Dad that's too high up! He is going to break his neck!"
Thorin pursed his lips. "Come on." He said and followed Rhianaye quickly, picking up Thrárin in his arms who giggled happily not realising the urgency that had taken over the people around him. Balin rushed after the Royal family, intending to lead Thorin to the source of trouble, but he never got the chance as the King knew exactly where to go. It was not the first time Durin had attempted to climb the mouth of the waterfall, intending to prove his worth against the frothing waters several feet underneath it. Each time Thorin had managed to persuade him to come off and when he was not present Eilin had overpowered her son easily, also adding a punishment on top for endangering his life this way.
Eilin always ended up telling Thorin off for his own daring nature that he had obviously passed down to the twins, but thankfully not to the calm Thrárin. Something that Thorin couldn't rebuke easily, but secretly held pride for. Nevertheless he didn't intend to share that pride with his wife, as she would say that he was encouraging these tearaways to do more. Rhianaye exited the gates in front of her formidable father and the guards offered her a military salutation, which was followed by an even more impressive one for the King.
"All bow for the King!" The guards called in unison and all the spectators of Durin's fearless nature turned around and bend the knee for the King of the North.
Durin looked down at him and rolled his eyes, but didn't dare move too much as his body was flashed against the hard rocks of the mountain. "Here we go again..." He muttered.
Hávarthur, who was admittedly standing on a lower level inside a small alcove, chuckled. "Your dad is here to pull you down again!"
Durin clenched his jawline and his azure eyes gave a murderous look to his identical father, before gazing over at the horizon. He clenched his fists and then looked at his best friend. "Shut up already!"
Hávarthur grinned. "Come down, you weren't going to do it anyway! Who are you trying to convince I wonder..."
Durin felt his blood coming to a slow shimmer. "I told you I was going to do it and I am!"
Hávarthur crossed his arms and looked down at the immovable King. "Your dad is giving you a look I wouldn't dare challenge, so get down."
Durin felt his teeth gritting and turned to his father. "What do you want dad?" He yelled.
Thorin placed Thrárin down and raised his brow quietly. "Nothing..."
Durin was ready to tell his father off for trying to get him down again, so this answer took him by surprise. He did a double take towards his father. "What?"
Thorin pursed his lips. "Pretend I am just a spectator on what promises to be an amazing show. Go about your business lad."
Durin frowned down at him. "Aren't you going to try to get me to come down like all the other times?"
Thorin shook his head appearing coldly indifferent. "Not really."
Durin's frown became even deeper. "What?" He felt the slippery rock under his fingers and his wet hair sticking on his forehead. Why did this answer from his father seemed to spark a flame of fear in his gut? Was it because he always hoped that his mother or father would appear to force him down so he would find a good opportunity to avoid this challenge without appearing weak and was he even willing to ever admit that to the imposing King of the North who he always aimed to impress much more than his meagre friends.
"What?" Thorin frowned acting confused.
Durin turned to him and almost lost his footing. The crowd under the waterfall released a cry of fear and Rhianaye's voice was the loudest. His father didn't even budge. "Stop messing around with me dad! I know you came here to bring me down!"
Thorin looked at his son calmly. "No, I won't."
Durin cringed in disbelief. "Why the hell not?!"
Hávarthur laughed. "Are you expecting him to save you?! I knew you didn't have the balls to take the dive! Your dad had taken a far more dangerous dive once upon a time! That story has become a legend!" His friend teased.
Durin paled and even though it was rather challenging for Thorin to remain silent and not intervene in the end he managed to do so.
"I will dive off this ledge, I will prove my worth and then I am going to challenge you to do the same and if you don't I will make sure Alma learns about your cowardliness!" Durin rebuked and Thorin raised his brow.
Rhianaye clasped his hand and squeezed it tight. "Dad bring him down!"
"Hush..." he commanded her and she pulled back confused.
"Don't you dare talk to Alma!" Hávarthur spat with a broken demeanour. That name drop seemed to have taken away all his bravado.
Durin smirked feeling the first traces of victory in this territorial challenge between him, his best friend and the most pretty girl of Erebor besides his sister. "Wanna climb up here to stop me?" He spat.
Thorin had to refrain from smiling at that and Balin gave him a guarded look deciding to remain silent. One of the dwarrowdams who was standing closest to them though didn't feel the same need to be discreet.
"Your Majesty, bring the Prince down please. He is going to kill himself if he falls on those sharp cliffs at the bottom of the waterfall..."
Thorin spoke over her with such assertiveness that she pulled back embarrassed and lowered her eyes. "Silence!"
She offered him a respectful curtsy. "I am sorry your Majesty..." She muttered and her husband pulled her back with an annoyed glare.
Balin raised his brow and turned his attention to Durin who was looking again at his father.
"You are going to let me dive?" He cried.
Thorin flared his chest proudly and a fierce frown covered his handsome brow. "There is no other way of getting down from there, but to dive!"
Balin cringed. "Maybe you should reconsider Thorin. Remember how you almost died from a similar dive?" He said in a low tone.
"I don't need your opinion right now..." Thorin's eyes thinned on his son who was sweating profusely.
"Dad!" Rhianaye cried.
Thorin didn't give notice to either, but only gave Thrárin a small loving gaze when his son wrapped his small fingers through his. Then he looked back up to his son. "Who initiated this challenge?"
Durin's nose flared. "Me!"
Hávarthur pointed at his friend and yelled at the same moment. "Him!"
Thorin tilted his head gently. "Then you take on this challenge and dive."
Durin felt his stomach dropping and at the same time an adrenaline surge rushed in his veins. Now it was not his friend challenging him, but his own father and he didn't want to disappoint him, even if that meant dying in the process. "Fine!" He spat.
Thorin took a step closer. "I am waiting boy." His rich voice dropped several octaves and send shivers down Durin's back.
Hávarthur started feeling slightly uncertain as he saw the fear and courage toying in his friend's eyes and twisted his fingers around the hem of his vest. Then he looked at the King. "Maybe we could postpone it for another time, Sir?"
Thorin turned his formidable gaze at him and the boy cowered. "Postpone a challenge of honour?" He drawled.
Hávarthur swallowed heavily and it took him several moments of nervous fidgeting to admit the truth. "I don't want to do it after him and I don't want him to tell Alma..."
Durin's lips curled up satisfied. "You should have been careful of your words then, because I am going to do it."
Thorin smiled calmly.
Hávarthur wiped his wet blonde hair away from his face. "Come on Durin I was just joking! I mean look how high it is and at all those sharp rocks underneath..."
"You didn't remember these when you said that I am not as brave as my dad!" Durin snapped back at him.
Hávarthur paled and averted his eyes from the fiery gaze of the King that fell on him. Still Thorin remained quiet through this altercation.
Hávarthur pressed his lips and frowned angrily. "It was just a stupidity from me! Come down, I am sorry!"
Durin looked down at his father, searching, longing for a look of approval which he got instantly along with a soft tilt of the head. "Dad?" that was almost in a whisper of uncertainty.
Thorin crossed his arms and lowered his chin sternly. "Durin's folk never run away from a fight son, dive..." He said stonily.
Durin closed his eyes and counted inwards, calling on every ounce of courage his young body possessed which admittedly was a lot. He heard the wild rush of the water next to him and his heart sped up to an impossible gallop. He released the stone behind him and looked under him on the sharp rocks, trying to calculate the distance he had to push himself in order to avoid certain death, but his eyes were not the only ones which were calculating like mad.
His father's did also and even though outside Thorin was a block of ice, inside his heart died a little when Durin jumped off the ledge with a perfection that the King would have expected out of years of training in diving with him. If his heart lost several years of life when his son took the dive, then it lost every ounce of its courage when Durin got lost under the frothing waters and the crowd cried in terror. Thorin had to physically force himself to walk calmly to the river shore and not run in order to make sure that his son's body was not floating dead on the wild waters. When his eyes failed to see him, his body betrayed the first and only sign of fear. His hand twisted hard around Thrárin's and the boy cried in pain and looked up at his father accusingly. Thorin's stare though was stuck on the water surface, counting the moments and holding his own breath, feeling his soul tearing away inch by inch until blessedly he saw Durin resurfacing and swimming to the shore. Only then did he pull back and released Thrárin's hand from his sweaty palms. He never stopped looking at his brave son until Durin pulled himself out of the water and walked up to him proudly.
Hávarthur had already climbed down and was dashing towards them.
Thorin stood for a moment in front of his son who was dripping from head to foot, shivering. He felt his eyes welling and he didn't try to hide it from Durin who immediately recognised the emotion on his dad's demeanour. Thorin's lips toyed with a delighted smile and his large hand fell on Durin's shoulder. "Perfect dive..." He said in a hushed tone.
Durin's beautiful face opened up instantly at his father's approval. "It was?" he asked yearningly.
Thorin came down to one knee and grasped both of Durin's shoulders shaking him hard. "Perfect dive my son!" This time his voice boomed so loud that the crowd erupted in applause.
Durin felt his young heart swelling with bliss and fell on his father's arms. "Thank you..." he whispered.
Thorin enfolded him close to his heart and placed a dozen kisses on his temple and forehead. "I am so proud of you my boy...so proud..."
Durin tightened his small arms around Thorin's neck and grinned. "Are you?!"
Thorin nodded fervently. "I took the famous dive that almost killed me at the age of twenty. You beat me by ten years my brave boy!"
The crowd was looking at them pleased beyond reason, while Hávarthur was gazing at his best friend sheepishly, because he knew that now it was his turn to take this terrifying dive.
Durin planted a firm kiss on Thorin's cheek and then as if remembering he turned to his best friend and towered over him. "Your turn now, elvish sissy!"
Thorin cupped his mouth, in order to hide the smile and stood up as Balin approached him.
Rhianaye wrapped her arms around Durin's back and kissed his cheek. "I knew you could do it, lion!"
"Thanks birdie!" Durin smirked back at her and then turned his stern gaze at Hávarthur, but his sister spoke instead of him.
"Your turn or I will tell Alma of your cowardliness instead of Durin!" She said spitefully.
Hávarthur frowned angrily. "I am not going to do anything I don't want to! You cannot force me!"
Durin raised his brow. "Oh, yes I can!"
Rhianaye grinned. "I'll help you!" She told her brother and they both attempted to grab Hávarthur who escaped their grip and rushed into the gates.
"I am not going to do it! Forget it!" He yelled.
"Get back here your troll's snot!" Durin cried as he and his sister run after his friend forgetting all about the challenge of honour and the fear of delivering it in front of his formidable dad.
Thorin didn't try to stop them. He leaned down and picked Thrárin up as Balin spoke to him. "That was a very risky move on your behalf." The old advisor said quietly as the crowd began dispersing with many bend knees towards the direction of the King.
Thorin caressed Thrárin's hair as the beautiful red headed toddler with the huge azure eyes leaned his head on Thorin's shoulder. "Kid needs to learn to stand behind his decisions. He is old enough for that."
Balin looked at the retreating crowd. "Still it was too dangerous..."
Thorin gazed at him momentarily. "It was."
Balin's mouth broke a small smile and he looked at his boots. "We will see great things from this boy, you know that don't you?"
Thorin looked towards the gates and nodded thoughtfully. "I am well aware Balin...well aware..." He whispered as he saw Rhiannon passing through the crowd and coming over to them with quick urgent steps.
"My Lord, forgive me for interrupting you..." She curtsied.
Thorin looked at her and tried to remember the skeleton they had recovered at the woods ten years ago, but she was nowhere to be seen. Eilin's best friend had recovered to her full glory during all these years living and working amongst them. She had been so well trained by Eilin and Loa that she was now the first maiden of the Royal family, even presiding Loa. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Another candidate unfortunately your Majesty..." Rhiannon raised her bright hazel eyes at him and he recognised the shadow of worry in them.
His face clouded. "When?"
"Just now Sir." She averted her eyes and bowed her head.
"Where is Eilin?" His voice dropped.
"With him Sir..." Rhiannon said quietly.
"Wasn't she supposed to be in some ceremony or whatever?" Thorin's eyes flashed.
Rhiannon withdrew fearfully from him. "It ended up sooner than expected Sir..."
"Why wasn't I notified?! I have given explicit instructions that no one passes to my wife without me seeing them first!" He snapped with austerity.
"I didn't have time to come notify you Sir. He was brought at your office by the guard and she found him there when she arrived. Being able to fly wouldn't have given me an advantage to that, Sir." Rhiannon sounded and looked regretful.
Thorin exhaled furiously and walked quickly in the city intending to intercept this new candidate before he broke his wife's heart once more...
...once more like all the others had done before him or the ones that were going to come after him...
A/N: Happy new Year
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