"Bofur!" The little dwarvish toddler looked up at the young miner with her big brown eyes, a huge smile on her little face. She stretched out her arms and within moments she was placed on his strong shoulders, grabbing on to his curly head, pushing his hat over his eyes.
"Oi, look out for the hat." He said laughing as he tried to move it back with one hand while keeping the toddler on his shoulder with the other. She giggled as she started talking about her day.
"This morning Ori came over for tea, and we braided Dori's hair. He looked all pretty, but he did not like the flowers I put on him, so we made him a drawing, and then auntie came and took me to the dresser and I am getting a new dress because she says I look like a beggar. I asked her what a beggar was, and she told me it was a poor dwarf who had to beg for food. The dress was all green and yellow, and auntie said I looked like a flower, and then... auntie cried ..."
Bofur smiled at the ramblings of the toddler but looked up from underneath his hat to see why she stopped. She was biting her lower lip and pushed her cheek against his hat. "I miss mommy.." She spoke softly, as a lone tear ran down her cheek. Bofur stopped walking, putting his heavy mallard on the ground, and grabbed the toddles in a hug.
"I know Tir, we all do." Tir's mother had died in a rock slide only half a year ago, leaving her only child behind in the care of her neighbors and friends. Her only living relative was Orla, a friend of Bofur's brother Bombur. She was the cousin of Tir's mother and took the girl in. But she was working hard and depending on her friends and neighbors to take care of the toddler.
Bofur, already working in the mines at his young age to support the family, adored the small girl and tried to look after her any time he could. But it wasn't as much as he wanted.
The girl moved her face into his neck and started to giggle. "You tickle." She pokes as she touched his sideburns. "Really? I thought this was tickling." And with quick fingers he tickled the girl until she was laughing again, carrying her into the house of her aunt.
Orla popped her head around the corner and gave the two a big smile. "I thought I heard you. Ya staying for dinner Bofur, your brother is already here." Bombur poked his ginger head around the corner with a big smile. His brother was working at the same tavern Orla was, and both of them worked in the kitchen, feeding the miners breakfast and lunch. Orla never worked night shifts, so she could stay with Tir, but Bombur took every job he could, knowing they needed the money.
Tir simply gleamed at him as he said yes and kissed him on his cheek before he put her down.
She ran into the kitchen, grabbing the plates to set the table.
Little Tir was put to bed, and Bombur was getting ready to leave, as Bofur was enjoying the evening, in the tiny backyard, smoking his pipe. There was a noise building up around town, as he sat up straight, wondering what the fuss was all about. He heard the front door open, and the noise passing through the house.
"Brother!" Bombur's voice had a hint of panic in it, and so the young dwarf got to his feet quickly. As he walked up to his brother he could see there were a lot of dwarves on the road. More than normal. They looked tired dirty, and totally in shock. Women, children, and full grown dwarves were making their way to city hall.
"What is going on?" He thought out loud, earning a look from his brother. Orla was now next to them. "Where are all these dwarves coming from?" She asked.
Bombur's face turned dark. "I'll go find out when I get to work." A familiar dwarf came walking to them. It was Nori, his pointed hair clear against the night sky. "Bombur, are ya going to the inn?" Bombur nodded. "I'll join ya, looks like it will be busy tonight."
Bofur sat next to the front door, smoking his pipe, his mallard laying casually next to him, but close by if the dwarvish mob decided to turn violent. Orla was inside mending some clothes, knowing it was safer for her not to show her face.
A dwarf was moving against the calm stream of even more dwarves coming to their town. To Bofurs surprise he was looking at the houses before he spotted him. It was a dwarf with wild hair, and hints of gray were in his beard. His boar spear was on his back. He looked familiar, and Bofur got to his feet to get a better look.
"Bifur? Is that you?" The surprise was in his voice. Last time he heard from his cousin, he was going to the lonely mountain to try his luck.
"Ay, is this Bofur?" Bofur nodded as he made a small bow. "Bombur sent me to ya." Bifur grabbed him and pulled him close.
"What is going on Bifur, what are ya doing here?"
"Erebor was attacked."
A shock passed through the young dwarf, he was growing up in a time of peace, and even though there were some raids, the large city like Erebor seemed undefeatable to him. "Attacked? Are we at war?" Bifur shook his head. "No lad, it is far worse. It was a dragon."
"A what?"
"You know, fire breathing monster. We could do nothing but run. Thrain led us here, seeking refuge for the woman and children. I don't know what will happen next."
Bofur rubbed his face. "Have ya eaten?" He asked, thinking his cousin might be hungry. "Not since this morning." Bofur smiled. "Then yar in for a treat." He opened the door, letting Bifur into the small house. Orla looked up from her knitting, a hint of fear in her eyes as she looked at the strange dwarf. "Orla, this is Bifur, my cousin. Bifur, this is Orla. She is.. a friend." Orla curtsied for Bifur. "A pleasure. If you look anything like your cousins you must be hungry." Bifur smiled a lopsided smile. "That would be lovely lass."
The small curtain that blocked the stairs was moved, and a brown head popped around the corner. Tir was rubbing her eyes with one hand, holding a stuffed dog in the other. "Auntie... what is that noise?"
Bofur scooped up the tiny toddler holding her in his arms. "Nothing for ya to worry about lass. Let's put ya back into the bed."
Tir looked over his shoulder, pointing at Bifur. "Who is that?"
"That's me cousin Bifur, he is going to stay with me and Bombur for a while."
Tir nestled herself against his chest. "Then he must be nice." She was already falling asleep and by the time Bofur laid her down, she was already sleeping. He gave a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep little one."
