Thank you to everyone who has made this story a favorite as well as everyone who is following A Mother's Love. I really appreciate all of your support. Please enjoy chapter two!


Chapter Two

When Thorin reached the kitchen he was met with the sight of his two rambunctious nephews siting at the table, bouncing in their chairs in anticipation for breakfast. They were seated next to one another, as always, and at the same time looked up at their Uncle with wide smiles as he entered.

"Uncle Thorin! Mama is making sweet cakes!" Kili exclaimed in excitement,

Fili put his hand on his brother's shoulder to get his attention. "Mother said that the sweet cakes are for dessert, after dinner tonight Kili."

Dis started to chuckle at the confused look that graced her youngest sons face. "No need to worry my little one. I am certain that if you can wait patiently for your sweet cake, I will give you the biggest piece." Dis winked at her children as she brought their breakfast to the table.

Kili's smile widened further, but suddenly it dropped as he looked at Fili in distress. "How are we supposes to wait all day Fili?!" Kili whined in dismay.

Thorin leaned in close to Kili who he was now sitting next to and waved Fili closer, when both of his nephews were near enough to hear him Thorin whisper. "Maybe to take your mind off of your Mother's legendary sweet cakes, we should try a little sword training. How does that sound?"

Kili squealed in delight and Fili looked at his Uncle with a hopeful expression, "Really Uncle Thorin, with our wooden swords?"

Kili was bouncing in his seat again and happily began eating his breakfast. "I can too, right Uncle Thorin?! Because Mama always says I'm too little to start training." Kili muffled out with a mouth full of food and finished with a pout.

Dis shook her head at her youngest child's manners, "Yes Kili you can too. I trust your Uncle will be very careful with you, but not if you keep talking with your mouth full of food like that." Dis scolded,

Fili turned in his chair and smiled brightly at his younger brother, having already finished most his food. "I can teach you how to hold the sword properly Kili, Uncle showed me how."

"Fili, Kili eat your food before it gets too cold. Your Mother worked very hard on this lovely meal." Thorin said looking directly at his sister, it was his way of saying thank you and Dis knew that.

"Yes Uncle." Fili and Kili answered Thorin in unison which they often did, the brothers always in sync.

Thorin had never seen a bond as strong as the one his nephews shared, as if they were two halves of the same soul and Thorin knew he would give anything to keep it that way. He and Dis shared a knowing nod and continued eating in silence, as expected Fili and Kili were only able to eat quietly for a few moments before continuing to talk. They talked endlessly about what they were going to learn, who was going to be better with the sword and when they would leave for their "warrior" training.

A loud knock on the door startled Fili and Kili making them both jump and looked towards the front door.

"I'll get the door Mama!" Kili cried in excitement, but Thorin quickly stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"No Kili I will get the door, you finish your breakfast." Thorin said forcefully, he then stood up from the table and went to answer the door.

Unfazed by their Uncle's order Fili and Kili flew from their chairs the moment their Mother's attention was elsewhere. The young partners in crime stood against the wall and peered around the corner trying to see who was at the door. Fili's head was just above Kili's as they tried to be as stealthy as possible. Down the hallway the boys could see their Uncle answer the door and jumped with joy at who they saw enter the doorway.

In unison Fili and Kili leaped from their hiding spot and raced towards the unsuspecting visitor. "Master Dwalin!" They shouted happily when they were closer to the large dwarf.

Dwalin and Thorin were sharing a quiet greeting that was quickly put on hold, as the little trouble-makers came barreling into the entryway and each boy latched onto one of Dwalin's massive legs.

Although Dwalin was a very large and intimidating dwarf warrior, he always had a small soft spot for Fili and Kili. They were the weakness in his and Thorin's armor and were the only ones who could bring the hardened warriors to play like children again and laugh without worries.

Dwalin's hearty laughter rang through the house as he ruffled each boy's hair. Fili and Kili instantly release the large dwarf's legs and tried to duck away from his hands,

"Master Dwalin!" They whined together. Once the boys were out of Dwalin's reach Fili started to straighten his hair carefully, but Kili just shook his head like a dog. By the time Kili was finished shaking his hair out, he had wild untamed hair covering most of his large brown eyes, making Fili roll his vivid pale blue ones.

Dwalin dropped down to his knees in front of the young dwarf brothers and looked at each of them affectionately. "Look at you two lads! It seems you have both grown since the last time I saw you. At this rate you'll be making fine warriors in no time!" Dwalin enthusiastic voice boomed throughout the house.

"My sweet little boys will not be warriors anytime soon, not if I have anything to say about it." Dis said firmly as she made her way to the small group gathered at the door.

"Uncle Thorin is going to take me and Kili for some sword training later today Master Dwalin!" Fili told Dwalin proudly, trying to stand as tall as possible when he was speaking to the dwarf warrior. Kili seemed to shrink behind his older brother, suddenly becoming shy in front of Dwalin. Fili notice this change in his brother and immediately turned to see what was wrong.

"What's wrong Kili?" Fili said in concern and leaned closer to his younger brother so their faces were level with each other. Kili just shook his head and whispered something in his brother's ear, then hid his face nervously. Fili whispered something back then nodded encouragingly to his little brother.

After a few moments he pushed Kili lightly forward. "Go on Kili you can ask Master Dwalin. I think it's a great idea!"

Kili looked up at his brother hesitantly, but seeing Fili's reassuring smile help Kili gather the courage he needed to ask his question. During the entire exchange between the young dwarf brothers the adults watch in amusement and waited to see what was troubling their youngest.

After another moment of hesitation and quick gently push from his older brother, Kili looked up at Dwalin with big brown pleading eyes, "Master Dwalin do you wanna come to sword training with us?" Kili's voice was hopefully as he looked between the three adult dwarfs.

Dwalin placed a large hand on both boys shoulder and looked at them before answering in a gruff voice. "I'm sorry lads, but I have to prepare for a journey."

Kili and Fili's faces fell in disappointment and Dwalin felt extremely guilty for being the reason for their frowns. "I'll tell you what. If I have time after my preparations are complete, I will come and meet you." Fili smiled widely while Kili was jumping with excitement after hearing Dwalin's changed answer.

"Alright you two, go get dressed and ready for the day. You can't go to training in your night-clothes." Dis said and sent her boys off to their room.

As Fili and Kili were running off to the room they shared they cried a joyful goodbye to Dwalin. Dwalin started shaking his head and chuckling under his breath at Fili and Kili's behavior, but froze at the look Dis was glaring in his direction.

"Would you care for some breakfast Dwalin? I know you had to wake up early this morning."

Dwalin swallowed nervously and gave Thorin a questioning look, wondering what he did to have irritated Dis.

Dis did not miss the look, but kept on ranting. "Now I know you knew about Thorin's promise to take a break from working for a while, a promise that he made to his family. He complained enough for the entire Mountain to know of his agreement. So I ask you, why did you aid my reckless brother in breaking his promise to those sweet boys and me?"

Dwalin threw a glare at Thorin and turned his attention back to Dis looking ashamed. "Thorin told me you knew of this meeting. I apologize Dis, I did not know."

"Traitor," Thorin muttered under his breath in jest and moved to Dwalin's defense. Thorin took hold of his sister's arms and looked her straight in the eyes. "Dwalin is not reasonable for my actions Dis and you know this."

"Yes I know it is not Dwalin's fault." Dis snapped and looked over Thorin's shoulder at Dwalin, "I am sorry Dwalin. I should not have blamed you."

"Think nothing of it Dis. I understand that Thorin can be just as much of a handful as those two boys of yours." Dis and Dwalin laughed at the face Thorin made after hearing Dwalin's comment.

"However, I did come to see you for a reason Thorin." Dwalin's now had Dis and Thorin's undivided attention as an uneasy feeling settled in the dwarf Mother's stomach.

After a moment of silence Dwalin finally began speaking. "Duncan the man who owns the forge found me in the streets before I made it home. He said he found a couple of other dwarves who said they would start the job before we said we could be there. Since he gave us the job first he wanted to give me the option to commit us to being there earlier."

Thorin interrupted Dwalin's tale quickly, "I hope you told him yes!"

"Of course I did Thorin, but he wants us to start working no later than tomorrow at midday or he will go with the other dwarves."

Dis looked at Thorin distraught, "No Thorin that would mean you would both have to leave tonight! You told the boys you would take them to training and you will not have time to prepare and do that!" Dis spoke harshly to Thorin, to think that he would even consider breaking another plan with her boys was unacceptable.

Thorin let out a huff of breath and thanked Dwalin, leading him out the door. He then turned back to Dis with a stone mask of stubbornness on his face and Dis knew then that she would not win in any argument from that look.

"I'm sorry Dis, but I told you we need this money for the upcoming winter. I will tell the boys as soon as they are dressed." Thorin walked past his disappointed sister to the kitchen to help clean up from breakfast. Dis watched him go sadly and her eyes lingered on her son's room for a short time before joining her brother in the kitchen.

"Did you hear that Fili! Uncle Thorin is leaving again!" Kili cried into his brother's chest from their place by the bed room door. The boys started to eavesdrop on Thorin, Dis and Dwalin's conversation after they heard loud laughter coming from behind the door. How could their Uncle leave them again? Did he not love them enough to stay?

"It's okay Kili, Uncle just has to work. He will be back in no time and then he can teach us how to fight with our swords." Fili said gently as he tried to convince his little brother and himself.

"I just wish he didn't have-ta go all the time. I wish we could go with him." Kili snuffled sadly, watery eyes looking to his brother for support.

Fili thought for a moment and then suddenly smiled in excitement, "I know Kili! Maybe we can pack our things and show Uncle and Mother that we are old enough to go and help Uncle with his job!"

Kili's sad face vanished and was quickly replaced with the largest smile Fili had ever seen on his little brother's face. "That's a great idea Fili! I can get our packs and we can surprise Mama and Uncle!"

With their plan set in motion Fili and Kili began to pack all they would need on their trip into a couple of small travel bags.

"Fili, Mama is going to be so proud of us and really surprised!"


What did you guys think? Reviews are very much appreciated! Thank you again to everyone for reading! I hope you are enjoying the prequel story so far.