Chapter 2 – Dis
Author note:
Thanks for the reviews, followers and favorites!
Actually I intended this fanfic to just be a short drabble but because I got messages that people wanted another chapter.. well alright then. Here's another chapter. MomoftheShire beta'd for me again with this chapter. Thank you!
Dis sighed as she gazed at the painting of her two sons over the fireplace. It had been two years - two long years without her loved ones. Two years ago her sons had left their safe home with her brother and their kin on a quest. The quest to reclaim their home, their treasure and her brother's kingdom.
She knew the quest would be dangerous, and, actually, she really hadn't wanted them to go.
She missed Erebor. She really did. But she had lived all these years in the Blue Mountains - the place where her sons were born, where she met their father, married him and had to bury him . . . It had been home for so long now. She understood that it was important for her brother. He never stopped dreaming about reclaiming the mountain, and her sons wanted to go on an adventure. She knew that she couldn't stop them . . . So she didn't even try. However, she was very worried about her youngest son, Kili. Fili, her oldest, was responsible and wise. He was a strong warrior. But Kili… well, he was young and reckless. She knew that Fili would do anything to protect his younger brother, and, to be honest, Kili was a good warrior - the best archer of any dwarves she knew. Maybe, his skills with bow and arrow even rivaled those of an elvish hunter. It just didn't stop her from worrying about her boys.
She should have heard something by now. If they succeeded that is.
Nothing came for a long time, and Dis was scared that there was no one left to deliver a message to the Blue Mountains. What if they were all dead? No! She wouldn't think like that - not yet. Maybe, the return trip got delayed somehow. Maybe, they succeeded in gaining the mountain back. So long as no one told her otherwise, she still held out hope that she would see her boys, brother and friends again.
She looked out the window of her home and was surprised to a she-elf on her doorstep. The face of the elf was troubled and sad, but also held a small hint of relief. For a couple of minutes, Dis peered at the elf, wondering what the Elf would do, but the Elf didn't do anything. After a few more minutes, Dis couldn't stand it anymore, and walked to the door, to open it.
"You have been standing here for about 5 minutes, Elf-maid," Dis said, looking up at the tall female. "I was wondering - have you finally decided if you wish to talk with me or not? Tell me what business do you have with me Elf?"
The elf flinched, but then said "My name is Tauriel. I've been sent to you to tell you about the fate of the fellowship of your brother, Thorin Oakenshield." This was it - the message she was waiting for. She, however, never thought that it would come from an elf. What did this mean? Were all of her kin dead? Was there no-one left of her own kin to travel back?
"They reclaimed the mountain, The fire-drake is defeated. . . " she trailed off, and it looked liket she found it difficult to say any more, but then Tauriel continued. "Forgive me, but your brother and sons are in the Halls of Mandos. They have fallen."
Tauriel held out the little black runestone to Dis. Tears wet the eyes and cheeks of Dis when she took the stone out of the elf's hand. The stone she'd given to her youngest son on the day that they'd left.
"How did you know about Kili's stone?" she asked Tauriel.
"He told me soon after we met," Tauriel replied, and Dis could see tears in the eyes of the Elf, too.
Dis nodded. "Were you and my youngest son friends?"she asked. Somehow this Elf seemed to care very much about the fate of her kin, and she wanted to know why.
"Something like that," the elf agreed. Dis heard a whisper, "Maybe more than that."
For a moment they just looked at each other, both deep in grief, when suddenly a small cry interrupted the quiet. The elf focused on the small bundle she was carrying on her chest. Somehow Dis hadn't noticed it before, bu,t then again, it was so small against the elf's body. The elf revealed a tiny elvish baby who stopped crying when his or her mother spoke to it in soft Elven whispers. A small smile formed onDis' face. She had never seen an elvish newborn, and she had to admit that the elvish newborn was beautiful. The baby had dark black hair and dark eyes, but very light skin and delicate, little pointy ears. Somehow the baby reminded her of her second son who was also born with dark hair and eyes.
"What a beautiful little baby you have there! What name did you give this little one?" Dis asked.
"His name is Kili" answered Tauriel softly. "After his father."
Shock almost overcame the short dwarven female. Had the Elf really said, "Kili?"
"Af-ter h-i-i-s-s fat-h-er?" she asked with big eyes, and Tauriel simply nodded, obviously not knowing what to say.
"Oh Kili" cried Dis "You weird little lad, courting an elf! Why am I even surprised?"
"I'm sorry for my delay," Tauriel suddenly said. "I meant to be here a few moon's ago, but I did not know that I was with child when I started my journey."
"Child, you haven't anything to apology for" Dis started "And please come in! A newborn baby and a new mother shouldn't be outside in such cold weather!"
Tauriel nodded and came inside, where Dis immediately offered her a seat and a warm cup of tea.
"Why didn't you turn back home and send someone else when you find out that you were with child?" Dis asked the young elf.
"Because Kili told me about his promise," Tauriel answered softly. "He told that he had promised you that he would come back to you. He couldn't keep his promise, but, coming here with his child, would mean that part of him came back to you."
Dis nodded, and watched the small newborn in Tauriel's arms. "Thank you Tauriel"
"Would you like to hold him lady Dis?" asked Tauriel.
Dis nodded. "Yes! Thank you."
Tauriel handed the child over to his grandmother, who was eager to hold him.
"Hello little one," Dis whispered to the child in her arms, and than looked at Tauriel. "Your son is the only heir left for our people," she started. "But he will never be accepted as king by my people, and I can't do anything about that."
Tauriel nodded. "I know. I didn't come here expecting that my son will be accepted. My son and I will travel with the dwarves of the Blue Mountains who wish to return to Erebor until you reach the Mirkwood realm."
Dis nodded "I'm sad by the knowledge that I will not see my grandson often, but I feel gladness to know that he won't be far away from me."
"You will always be welcome to see him." Tauriel replied, with a little smile.
"Tell me, Tauriel," Dis asked, still looking with warmth towards the baby, "Did you love my son?"
"Yes, I did" Tauriel said, and tears came back in her eyes. "I did with my whole heart."
TBC
