Balance
This is a big, big time alternate universe story. It eventually leads to the original quest the way it should so be patient and read if you want to. This will have no slash at all within the tale for those who are not fond of that genre. Please review and let me know what you think, good or bad.
I own nothing. Poop!
Chapter Two
"Um?" Bifur hummed as he was pushed out of the healer's door, "I think I know this town a little better than you since I've been here longer."
"I'm taking you to Dori's place," Gloin mentioned, "I'm thinking that there will be quite a blow up when word gets out that you have taken that wee lad from the House he was chosen to balance, am I right?"
"Yes," Bifur agreed, "I plan on moving Bofur and I to Ered Luin once he is well. That community does not allow the Balance system."
"Good to hear. That is where we Erebor refugees will be going to settle down in this spring," Gloin pointed out, "Come with us. No one will question another set of dwarves among our people. That way wee Bofur can get a fresh start. Come. Dori will be able to outfit that lad in no time."
"Then take me to this Dori," Bifur decided, "My boy is scared and I need to return to him quickly."
Dori it turned out was a kind, giant, fussbudget with a little, wild thing of a brother a few years older than Bofur. Gloin explained the situation and then began to chase after Dori's little brother when the child snatched a dagger that had caught the boy's attention from the sheaf at the older dwarf's belt.
"Nori, give that back this instant," Dori reprimanded as the little one handed Gloin the dagger with a big grin on his face, "Shame on you. What do you say to Master Gloin?"
"Your dagger is really pretty. I like it lots and lots," Nori offered before sighing at the look he was given from his older brother, "Sorry to touch your property without permission, Master Gloin, and I won't do it again."
"That is okay," Gloin answered smoothing his hand down the child's long, braided mane, "No more touching weapons until you are bigger, okay, Nori?"
Bifur hid a smile when he saw the lad cross his fingers behind his back while nodding his head. Nori was full of spirit and seemed fearless.
"I can't believe this," Dori huffed rummaging through a trunk, "Hurting a child in the name of Mahal. Our Father would never demand such from us. I will accept no coin from you, Master Bifur. Bofur can use the clothes Nori outgrew. If Mother were awake now she would say the same to you. No point in getting your cousin new things if he is just going to gain weight under better care. Do you know his boot size?"
"No," Bifur sighed, "Bofur has worn no shoes or boots since I've met the lad. I haven't a clue how big his foot is."
"That big," Nori chirped pointing to a perfect, muddy footprint on Bifur's trouser leg that the older dwarf hadn't realized he was sporting, "See, Dori? He that big."
"I see, Nori," Dori grinned out as he patted the child's head, "You have a good eye, Little Brother. Let's see if your old boots will fit Master Bofur's wee cousin's feet."
Bifur grinned as Dori measured some boots against the mark on his leg.
"My foot is bigger," Nori pointed out trying to raise his foot up to the print on Bifur's leg, "See? Dori, I have bigger foots."
"Feet, Nori," Dori corrected, "Not 'foots.' Don't put your boots on Master Bifur. That is rude and not nice to do to others, Scamp."
Bifur chuckled as Nori huffed slightly with a pout as he set his foot down with a small stomp. Dori gave an apologetic look and went back to gathering some clothing for Bofur. The dark-haired dwarf looked down at a tug on his coat.
"Can I play with your cousin?" Nori asked with hopeful eyes, "No children here close enough to play with and none my age. Want to meet him. Please, Master Bifur, please."
"Bofur is ill right now," Bifur reminded as the child pouted at him, "When he gets well then you can meet him. He hasn't been allowed to play before so you'll have to teach him how, Little One. However, only if Master Dori and your mother agrees to allow you to play with Bofur."
"May I? Please, Dori?" Nori begged hopping around his brother excitedly, "Bofur will be my new friend and I'll share all my toys with him."
"Absolutely," Dori agreed wrapping the clothes and boots in a cloth, "It might be a longtime before Bofur is well enough to play. Can you be patient?"
Nori blinked and looked confused as Dori nodded and bent to his younger brother's level while drawing him closer.
"The word 'patient' means to wait for something to happen and not get all twitchy like you get. Mother is very patient with you when you act all silly," Dori explained holding Nori's hands as his brother's face lit up, "So can you be patient to wait to meet your new friend Bofur?"
"Yes!" Nori crowed leaping into his brother's arms, "I be painted!"
"Patient," Dori corrected flipping the giggling boy over his shoulder to cling onto his back like a baby possum while the older dwarf stood and handed Bifur the wrapped clothing, "Mahal bless you for taking in that poor child. I will be more than pleased to tailor his new clothes once your cousin gains some weight. For now, just use these. Nori's gotten too big to wear these and they are all in good shape."
"Thank you," Bifur offered feeling touched by everyone's kindness, "I guess I'll be seeing you to do that tailoring and to set up a play date once Bofur gets well. It was a pleasure to meet you, Dori and Nori."
"Bye! Remember that I teach Bofur to play," Nori giggled as his brother rolled his eyes at the child before pretending to bite at the tiny fingers that clung to his shoulders, "Dori! My fingers aren't food."
Bifur chuckled and then bowed before he left with Gloin. They were soon back at Oin's place and were met by the healer.
"Bifur, that boy is very ill," Oin sighed, "I had to work hard at getting Bofur to allow me to clean him up enough to treat him. He's sleeping now, but his lungs are congested and I believe his fever is partially due to infection from a fractured arm that hasn't healed correctly. I had to re-break the bone and…."
"Fractured arm?" Bifur interrupted with a hiss, "Bofur has a fractured arm? Mahal, that child has been scrubbing floors all day with a broken arm? I could kill my kin right now."
"Bifur, there are scars from one end of that child to the other," Oin ground out angrily, "Your cousin has not been treated well at all which is normal for a Balance. You realize the extent of the brainwashing and emotional trauma that Bofur has been through, don't you? That lad has no idea that his treatment over his short life has been wrong. How old is he?"
"I don't think he is even five yet," Bifur sighed, "I know what I am taking on. That's my boy. Bofur will heal in time. I'll make sure of it."
"Bifur, I realize that we have just met, but I wish for Bofur to stay here," Oin instructed, "Your boy is too ill to be moved and I have everything near to help treat the lad. I've settled Bofur in the guest bedroom and set you up a cot. Will that be okay with you?"
"I…I couldn't impose," Bifur gasped.
"Better listen to my brother," Gloin chuckled, "Oin always wins his battles. Allow us to help you get that boy well again. Life has not been kind to Bofur. I wish to see his recovery."
"Plus, there is probably a crowd gathered at my shop to demand for me to give Bofur back," Bifur groaned, "Thank you for your kindness. I accept your offer. Bofur needs to recover away from angry dwarves demanding he be allowed to suffer. I want to see my boy now."
"This way," Oin encouraged leading Bifur further into what was clearly his place of business and temporary home, "I've sedated your cousin so I could re-break his arm with as little pain for him as possible."
"You had to break his arm again?" Bifur gasped, "I don't mean to rush you, but please let me see my boy quickly."
Bifur grimaced at seeing Bofur so still in the bed once he was allowed in the guest room. The child was clearly ill and too small.
"I wish I had discovered him earlier," Bifur huffed hurrying inside to check over Bofur's new brace on his arm, "Dammit! My poor child."
Gloin and Oin watched from the doorway. The two noted each touch to Bofur and nodded at one another. This had been a test to see that Bifur's intentions were truly to help the lad. Oin nodded over his shoulder as Dwalin stepped around the corner and glanced inside. Bifur's head snapped up at sensing a warrior's presence and stilled at Dwalin's challenging stare.
"Who are you?" Bifur snapped rising to stand protectively in front of his sleeping cousin glaring at the mohawked warrior, "What is this?"
"Dwarflings are precious to the dwarves from Erebor," Oin began, "We needed to know that you were truly dedicated to helping that child. If you were not, then Dwalin here was asked to intervene. I'm sorry, but I was not going to take a chance with that baby's life."
"This is my baby," Bifur snarled, "Bofur is my child now. I understand the need for this, but back the hell off. He needs me and I am going to care for him. I'm not going to jump through your hoops when I need to care for my boy here."
"That is what I needed to hear," another voice spoke up as a dwarf strode in with long, dark hair, "I am Thorin Oakenshield. I speak for the Erebor refugees. I was asked to come here by my cousins, Oin and Gloin. We were all ready to step in to take that boy in as one of our own. My grandfather, may Mahal protect his soul, demolished the Balance system in Erebor. I am appalled that it still goes on here."
"Not by everyone, but quite a few," Bifur bit out, "I will take you all on if you try to take my child. I brought Bofur here to get him help and not to give him away to anyone. You are not my king, Thorin Oakenshield, and this boy is under my protection now. You have no right to grill me."
Thorin's eyes narrowed and studied Bifur carefully.
"Do you love this child?" Thorin asked trying to look over Bifur's shoulder as the other dwarf moved to block his sight.
"From the moment I met him," Bifur admitted, "I've said it several times already. This is my boy. Mine!"
"Seems pretty sure to me," Dwalin drawled walking over to give an appraising eye of Bifur, "Didn't even back down to a future king."
"King?" Thorin scoffed, "You speak with truth, Bifur son of Binfur. I ask that you and your boy travel with my people to Ered Luin this spring. I can offer you protection as long as you do the same for the lad."
"Very well," Bifur agreed feeling a bit mollified, "I know the Blue Mountains backwards and forwards. I can show you safer paths in thanks for helping me get Bofur to safety."
"Well met," Thorin stated, "Oin, keep me posted. Dwalin, have your brother add Bifur and his boy to our numbers. I am not asking to be your king, Bifur, but I am asking that you continue to look after this child. Your cousin needs some stability. Good evening."
Dwalin and Thorin left as Bifur glared at the healer and his brother.
"We had to be sure," Gloin offered, "Look at the lad. Would you have not taken precautions as well?"
Bifur snorted and then exhaled angrily to try and calm down.
"I would have," Bifur sighed finally, "I won't be questioned again. My life became intertwined with my lad as soon as I found him. Bofur will not suffer anymore. I will take my boy and disappear where none will find us if I sense any underhandedness from either of you again. Do you understand me? This is my child. My boy. My kin!"
"Fair enough," Oin agreed, "I like you. Get some rest."
Bifur huffed as the door to the room was closed.
"Sleep, my arse," Bifur grunted lifting Bofur in his arms so he could settle the boy against him, "Don't trust you. Not taking a chance that you will sneak off with Bofur. I'm no fool."
Bifur stroked the little one's back as the boy slept and then reached into his coat for a comb and began to gently untangle his lad's mane. The older dwarf also kept a dagger out ready to protect his cousin if that was necessary. Bofur slept deeply and didn't wake the next morning for breakfast and Bifur grimaced at how pale the boy looked.
"I gave him a strong sedative. He'll sleep deeply," Oin assured when he stepped into the room with a tray, "Nice dagger."
"I can stab dwarves in the back as easily as you," Bifur spat.
"Peace, Bifur," Oin said setting the tray of food down, "I had to make sure. Bofur is one of the worst cases of neglect I think I've ever seen. Balances fell out of popularity decades ago. I never thought I'd actually catch a glimpse of a real Balance."
Bifur sheathed his dagger and stroked Bofur's hair back from his heated face.
"Neither did I," Bifur admitted, "My parents lived in a different village from my uncle. Bomfur was one of my idols growing up. I have never been so disappointed in my kin before. What now?"
"Eat," Oin instructed placing the tray in easier reach for Bifur, "Allow Bofur to rest. He's going to be frightened when he wakes so just keep reassuring him like I saw you doing yesterday. It's going to take a long time for that boy to learn trust."
Bifur sniffed cautiously at the food as Oin huffed irritably. Finally, Bifur ate feeling confident that the food wasn't contaminated or drugged.
"Nice to feel like I'm not trusted," Oin bit out.
"Now you know how I felt coming back yesterday," Bifur sniffed finishing his breakfast as Oin grimaced at the truth of the words.
"Brother!" Gloin hissed coming around a corner, "There is a crowd outside Bifur's shop led by the wee laddie's mother it would seem. They are demanding the boy back."
Bifur scowled and gently settled his cousin back into the bed.
"I will go out the back way so nobody knows where Bofur is," Bifur decided rising, "I need to deal with this alone. It is time for me to declare my intentions to the people of this village."
"Alone?" Oin demanded, "Are you mad?"
"I'm not," Bifur denied, "You do not know the ways of this village. I am allowed to state my claims. Please keep my boy safe if anything happens to me. May…if I can't care for my boy, do you think Dori will? I like the way he is raising his little brother. Will he take my Bofur in if something happens to me?"
"Without question," Gloin assured as Oin nodded his head, "I would as well. I will be married to the loveliest lass this summer. She would take Bofur in a heartbeat."
"Thank you," Bifur offered tucking Bofur under the covers more, "It's okay, Little One. I won't allow anyone to harm you. Rest, Child."
Bifur stroked his cousin's cheek softly and left quickly. He didn't hesitate at hearing the commotion coming from his shop as he drew closer.
To be continued…
