When Thorin ran across the hallway he could feel his, wet, long, brown hair stain his upper back. It didn't matter at this point.
"My name is Dr Bombadil and I'm sorry to say that your sister and nephews have been severely injured; and we need you to come down to the hospital."
Thorin had barely let the man finish his sentence before he had thrown the phone away and was running down the stairs. He didn't think he locked the door, he wasn't even sure if he'd close the door properly. What he did know was that he did not keep the speed limit and had drove A LOT faster than what was allowed. Fortunately there had been no police out patrolling and he almost hit an old lady walking her dog on the way. When he got to the hospital he took up 4 parking spaces and almost forgot to turn the engine off before he ran into the hospital. The lady in the counter had given him directions and he ran across as fast as he could. If it wasn't so serious he would have taken the elevator, but instead he ran up the stairs with the ugly yellow walls. Last time he was at this hospital was when his sister was in labour and he had led her to the delivery room. But because he was in such a hurry he didn't even notice the colour of the walls.
Please God, at least let the boys be ok, he prayed between his short and shallow breaths as he reached the room he was guided to. He almost slammed the door open into the cold and sterile room. It had two visible beds with nicely folded sheets and one bed with a curtain so he couldn't see who was behind; but someone was lying in bed. However the first thing he noticed was his nephews coming running towards him. "Uncle Thorin!" They both yelled and ran to hug him. He sat down on his knees to embrace them, one twin at each shoulder. "Mommy, mommy…" Kili sobbed and pressed his face closer to Thorin and he felt hot tears.
"It's ok; it's going to be ok." He whispered and kissed the back of Kilis head; desperately trying to hold his own tears back. "I'm here, it'll be alright."
The door behind him opened. "You're Mister Thorin Oakenshield; I presume." A light, but masculine, voice said. He recognised the voice, it was the same that was on the phone earlier.
Thorin held the crying children with a tight grip and rose. He thanked all of those hours he spent at the gym for he carried his nephews and they were so light. When Thorin turned around a short, bald man stood there with concern in his eyes.
"Yes, that is me." Thorin answered low.
The doctor made a gesture towards the two beds and Thorin sat down with Fili and Kili in his lap, holding them tight.
"Yes, I'm Dr Bombadil, we spoke earlier." The doctor cleared his throat. "It was an accident on the highway; it was a head-on collision your sister died immediately. I don't think she had time to feel any pain."
Thorin swallowed. "How about them?" He lifted his legs a little to show he meant the twins. They both held hands at this point.
"Minor injuries" the doctor answered. "A few scratches and bruises, but they've got band aid and we x-rayed their heads, a small concussion on Fili but nothing dangerous." Doctor Bombadil had two folders in his hands that he looked trough as he spoke. "What I can see here, the boys have no named father."
"No, that bastard ran away to America." Thorin was just as angry about that as he was when he heard it the first time. If he ever got a hold of him, he was going to kill him. He didn't care if he was going to jail or anything. He wanted that man dead.
"I see." Doctor Bombadil looked through the papers again and the both men heard a small whimper from Kili.
"What is it Kili?" Thorin asked gently and tugged him closer to himself.
"What happened to mommy? Did she go to heaven?" Kili whispered and looked up to his uncle. His large brown eyes were filled with tears and Thorin bit his lip in a try to not cry.
"I have already called for some nurses to come and talk to the boys. We can also offer special counselling for both them and for you; if you so wish." Doctor Bombadil put his right hand on Thorins left knee and looked him in the eyes. "Moments like this are hard on everyone."
Thorin opened his mouth to say something but the door opened up and two women stood there. They were both young, a bit younger than himself he guessed. One of them had long wavy, platinum blonde hair and the other one had dark brown hair in the same style. They both had warm smiles and were very pretty.
"Ah, Mister Oakenshield" the doctor said and rose. "This is Nurse Arwen and Nurse Galadriel." Thorin nodded at them. "They are both special trained to take care of children" the doctor continued.
The nurses walked closer and took Thorins hand.
"We'll take care of the children for a while." Arwen said with a warm smile.
Thorin released his grip around the boys as to let them go, but Fili tugged his tunic and buried his face into it.
"I don't wanna leave." He cried.
"I'm not going anywhere" Thorin ensured him and managed to crack a small smile. "I'll be here when you come back, now take your brother and go with the nurses."
Fili hesitantly let go and jumped down to the floor and helped his younger brother down. They held each other's hands and one nurse on either side of them in their free hand. Before they walked put Fili stopped and looked at Thorin.
"Promise you'll be here." He said.
Thorin nodded. "I promise." And he saw the backs of his nephews walk out in the corridor with the ugly walls.
"Mister Oakenshield" Doctor Bombadil started when they were alone. "I know it is close to what happened, but we need to discuss what to do with the children."
Thorin did not quite understand what he meant and looked in confusion.
Doctor Bombadil sighed. "The children are way too young to live alone, you understand that right? I can offer you a foster home for…"
"That's obscured!" Thorin exclaimed "my nephews need to be with their family! I won't let some random stranger take care of them." He didn't even notice that he stood up and almost leaned over the doctor. He coughed and sat down again. "Sorry."
"Is there anyone else that can take care of them?" The doctor asked.
"My parents are dead since 3 years back so it's only me. And I'd love to take care of them. They are of my flesh and blood, and I love them more than words could explain."
Doctor Bombadil looked concerned and leaned forward. "You know that taking care of kids is a full-time job. None the least when there are TWO of them. I still recommend you to put them in a foster home. They'd grow up with a mother and a father, and perhaps can live a normal life."
Thorin frowned he felt insulted by the way the doctor spoke to him; like he wasn't capable of taking care of them. "That is out of the question. I promised them I wouldn't leave them and I'm not a man to break my promises. The kids are staying with me, I don't care if I have to go to court for it. I'm a lawyer, doctor; I know that I have the right to take in them. The only reason I would be unsuitable would be if I were a drug addict or an alcoholic or something, but I'm not any of those. I will take them in and raise them as my own."
Doctor Bombadil sat quiet for a moment. "You're right. Honestly I have no doubt that you will become an excellent care-taker. I was merely testing you." The doctor smiled a little bit, but it quickly faded away. "There is, however, something very important I'd like to ask."
Doctor Bombadil stood up. He wasn't tall at all and he had a large belly and it felt cramped when he stood there; his belly almost touching Thorins knees.
"Your sister lies behind those curtains, we need to take the body to autopsy as soon as possible, and I'd like to ask if you would like to take your last goodbyes?"
Thorin nodded slightly; he wanted to scream of course I want t! Are you stupid!? But he decided not to, he had yelled enough at the doctor today. Doctor Bombadil nodded and started walking out.
"I will be back in about 30 minutes; I need to print some papers for you. The boys should be back by then too." He said and closed the door behind him.
Thorin rose and started walking towards his sister. He clutched his fists and got mentally prepared to see the damage of her. He was nervous and had to hold back a cry. He took the curtains and gently slid it towards the wall. The body was covered with a white sheet and Thorin felt how he sighed of relief. His hand reached towards it but stopped right over it, he decided he didn't want the image of his wounded sister printed in his brain; instead he dragged a chair and sat down by his sister's head.
"How did this happen?" He whispered to her. "You had your whole life ahead of you, two wonderful kids and you…" He had to stop and wipe a tear out of the corner of his eye. "It's just not fair. I, Fili and Kili… We…"
He didn't know what to say to her and he felt how warm tears ran down his cheeks. He just couldn't be bothered anymore, no one was there and he knew that he needed to cry; so he let the tears fall. He took a deep breath and exhaled hard.
"But I promise you. That I will protect Fili and Kili with my life, I will never let anything happen to them. I will love them, just like I do today. I promise. This will work out just fine."
This chapter! This f'ing chapter made me physichally hurt. I cried like a baby. I've written novels and short stories since I was 9 and this is the first time I cried during writing.
I soooooo regret killing Dis in a car crasch, because one of my friends died that way. But that was drunk driving.
But anyway. Hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for next chapter. /Kumiko
