Dis had settled down beside Kili, after sitting him up and giving him some soup to sip at. They sat in silence, and she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift toward worry for her eldest son. She just couldn't forgive herself for having to choose between them, which one to save. She hoped and prayed that Thorin had already reached Fili, rescued him, and is on his way home. Although, she had no way of knowing what their status was, and her mother's heart always feared the worst when it came to her son's.

She had never imagined that she would turn out just like her own mother, who always over worried for her children, especially herself. Her mother never approved of learning how to fight, going on adventures. She feared Dis would be killed someday, but even more so feared that she would never be married. Dis didn't want to be married; she didn't want to become a mother. That was, until she meet Dwern. Dwern encouraged Dis to continue what she was doing, even helped her train and become strong. Dwern had accepted her for who she was, her mother never did.

…

They did not move as quickly as Thorin hoped. They still kept a descent pace, but Thorin feared that moving too quickly would irritate Fili's injuries. They stopped for the night and Dwalin helped Thorin pull the sleeping Fili off his pony, and lay him down. Where they rechecked his injuries, and then proceeded to set up camp with the rest of the company.

Thorin repeated his actions from the night before, sitting beside his sleeping nephew and silently fingering the box that contained Thor's ring. He didn't usually carry on his person; even now he held it much longer than he ever had. Desperately, he wanted to open the box, he wanted to wear it and see the great jewel upon his finger, he wanted…He shook himself out of it. Was it already beginning to drive him mad? That quickly? Thorin began to fear the rings power, its curse to drive one to complete madness, and greed.

…

Kili had insisted that he would be fine without her hovering. Dis almost argued, but that would have been something her mother would have done. Feeling that she was over worrying, she kissed Kili's head, told him to rest well, and left him alone.

After leaving him she surveyed the progress of rebuilding the city, they had made great progress, but there was still much work to be done. She set out to learn the conditions of the people, many were hungry, and exposed to the elements, but small temporary shelters had already been set up and the women had already come together to prepare food, and fought the people's battle with hungry. The Dwarves were a strong and stubborn people; they were quick to take care of themselves, even after chaos. Confident that the people did not need her help, she went home, and began to repair the damage.

…

The third night Thorin was found himself getting increasingly worried. Not for Fili, for he was up and about with the other's now. After insisting he rest more, Fili told Thorin, that he had rested enough. That left Thorin fighting his secret battle, the ring's curse was working quickly, already he found himself thirsting for gold, and forgetting that it was the ring the brought upon the madness. He did not know how much longer he could carry the ring without losing himself completely.

"Are you alright lad?" Balin asked. They were away from the rest of the company. He didn't know, nobody knew of the ring's curse. Would they think him crazy if he spoke of it? It didn't matter. At the rate the curse was taking him, somebody had to know, and who better to tell than one of his most trusted friends.

"Balin, there is something I must tell you, before it's too late." Thorin admitted.

"Aye, anything." He replied, and sat beside Thorin with an open ear. Then Thorin began to explain everything he knew about the ring, and his suspicions of its curse.

…

Dis wiped the sweat off her brow; she had cleared out the burned furniture and broken items throughout the house, and cleaned the blood that had dried to the floor and walls. She decided it would be a good time to check on Kili, and she had to reapply the burn ointment to herself anyway.

When she went to see Kili, she found him awake and in conversation with Ori. Glad that he had someone to talk to she left him alone, and went to Oin instead. He gave her more burn Ointment, she treated her burns and then looked over at Kili again. Just then Ori had stood and left him that was when Dis walked over.

"How are you feeling?" She asked her son.

"Still sore, but better, ready to be done here and get back on my feet." He replied.

"You must be a fast healer."

"It HAS been a whole week, ma."

Dis giggled, "It's been a little longer than that, but you're right." She ruffled his hair a bit.

"Maaa." Kili complained. Then asked, "It's really been that long?"

"Yes, you were asleep a long time." She replied. Kili lowered his eyes, "Now don't look like that." She touched his chin and raised his eyes to her own. "Oin did pull a large piece of metal out of your gut; I'm surprised you already want to be up and about. Are really are a fast healer?" Dis encouraged. "And, you fought very well, I'm proud of you." Kili smiled.

…

Balin believed every word Thorin spoke, he felt relieved that somebody knew. He couldn't attempt what he was planning to do without his kin, and friends. He would need more of them soon, and he needs to act quickly. They were still half a day away from the Blue Mountains, and when they finally arrived, his reunion with both his nephews, and sister would be short lived. He would need to begin work immediately, a ring such as Thor's probably wouldn't be able to be destroyed by any ordinary means, and he had no idea where to start.

SO IT BEGINSSSSSS! Hope you enjoyed!