Author's Note: This chapter is horrendously short, but I felt it needed to be as long as it is. I also felt it was a necessary bit to tell. Again, as usual, please review to fuel the fanfiction fire. Reviews create chapters; it's that simple. Don't make me beg.
CHAPTER 3
Thorin stayed with Dis for much longer than he had planned. But, winter was coming near and it was time to stockpile as much firewood as possible before the trees grew wet and icy. Thorin often came home from the forge and split wood until well into the night.
Dis no longer had her episodes. After her last one, Thorin would come home during he and Dwalin's lunch to check on her, only to turn right back around and go back to the forge. He and Dis would often have a heated discussion about it after his nephews were sound asleep, but Thorin wouldn't budge. Not until he saw fit to leave her completely alone. Eventually, he stopped checking on her. But, by then, it was time to prepare for the winter months.
Thorin did love seeing how his nephews grew on a daily basis. Fili always surprised him with new phrases and ideas. Fili had a sense of responsibility that was unusual for a child his age, but it fit him well.
Kili was growing into such a happy babe. His youngest nephew had mastered how to giggle and did so often. But, even if he wasn't giggling, he always seemed to be smiling. Thorin would miss that upon his departure, but he could not stay. It was not his home; it belonged to Dis. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries.
He split wood on an old stump behind the house, stacking the wood neatly under a bit of roof. Some days, Fili would sit on the organized rows of firewood, talking with his uncle until bedtime. Other days, he stayed inside with the warmth and his little brother. Today happened to be warmth's day and Thorin was alone.
It gave Thorin plenty of time to think, deciding what would be the next step for his people or how he could help them all make it through the winter. Winter was bitter and cold in the Blue Mountains and he couldn't stand to see his people suffer through it. Each year, it seemed like he split wood until the end of time for the widows and the elderly and friends who needed an extra hand. Yet, he was glad to do it. He may not have his mountain, but he was still a king and his job was to watch over his subjects. Even if that resulted in late nights and sore muscles.
"Thorin, I brought you some soup." Dis announced, just as Thorin was setting up some wood for a split.
"Oh, thank you, Dis." he mumbled gruffly, putting his axe down to accept the meal.
"Maybe you should come inside for a bit and take a break. You've been out here far too much lately; you'll catch cold." she huffed with a frown.
Thorin glanced at her for a split second, turning his eyes back to his soup.
"I'll get it done soon enough." he replied, sipping a little at his meal.
"And that's fine, but you shouldn't work so hard." There she was, that protective sister of his. Perhaps it was time for them to talk.
"Dis," Thorin sighed, sitting on the stump and sagging his shoulders. "When I'm done here," he paused for a moment, trying to think of the best way to say it. "I'll be leaving."
Immediately, her expression fell to a mixture of worry and anger.
"Leave? What do you mean?" she demanded.
"I'm not leaving the Blue Mountains, Dis." Thorin clarified. "I just think it's time I went back home."
Dis didn't say anything, all signs of her previous anger drifting off silently. She clasped her hands together, fiddling with her fingers.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
Thorin let out a heavy breath, stirring his soup with his spoon.
"Because this is your home, not mine." he muttered. Dis came and sat beside him, neither one of them looking at each other.
"Thorin, you are always welcome here. This is your home as much as it is ours." she mumbled softly, looking a bit like a kicked puppy. Thorin frowned. He thought she would be relieved. If not relieved, then perhaps angry for whatever reason she could find.
"What's wrong, Dis?" he asked, observing her quietly while she continued to fidget with her fingers. She huffed, shrugging a little.
"I suppose I just…I never thought about you leaving." she said quietly. "I suppose I've gotten used to you being here. I'm…comfortable with you being here."
"I told you I would be here until I was no longer needed. I believe that time has come." Thorin explained, wrapping an arm around his sister. "You are strong again. I'm not needed here anymore."
After a moment's thought, Dis nodded without another word. It seemd to be the end of the discussion. Thorin returned to sipping at his soup, thinking nothing more of the conversation. They sat in silence for a good while, Thorin oblivious to the strain in the air. He hadn't noticed the storm brewing within his sister. Dis tried to list all the reasons why Thorin should go to appease herself, but she could not be swayed, no matter what she tried to convince herself. She jumped up and turned to Thorin, her brow furrowed as she prepared to stand her ground.
"Thorin, you just can't go." she huffed desperately, her expression one of determination. He looked up at her, frozen where he sat. This resistant was definitely unexpected.
"Dis, I won't be gone forever. I'll still visit." he reasoned, almost exasperated by her defiance.
"But it's not the same!"
Thorin flinched back at her outburst, still holding his soup.
"Please, Thorin. Please, I want you to stay." she pleaded, her voice rough with emotion.
"Dis…" he sighed, setting his meal aside for a moment. "I cannot stay." Thorin was almost pained to refuse. Oh, how he wanted to stay there, but he couldn't. "My life is so different from yours, Dis. I cannot bring the challenges and nightmares of a king. Some nights I'm wakened only to be delivered terrible news or to rush off to an emergency. It is not right for Fili and Kili. They shouldn't have to experience such frightening things so young."
"I think you're underestimating your nephews." Dis muttered, folding her arms across her chest.
"No, Dis." Thorin closed his eyes as he slowly shook his head.
"Uncle?"
Dis spun around at the sound of Fili's voice. He stood near the wall of the house, tears pooling in his eyes. For a moment, he just waited there, emotional tension shivering through the air.
"Don't leave us, Uncle!" Fili sobbed, running to Thorin. Thorin reached out his arms to catch his nephew, immediately curling his limbs around Fili. He pulled Fili onto his lap, hugging him to his chest.
"Dear Fili, I must go."
"Why, Uncle? Why do you have to go?" Fili whined, crying harder into Thorin's shoulder. He pulled away for a moment to gaze tearfully in his uncle's eyes. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, of course not." Thorin replied quickly, absolutely stunned Fili would think such a thing.
"Then, why?"
Thorin let out a heavy breath, brushing stray hairs out of Fili's face.
"Because, Fili, I am trouble." he said simply. It was the easiest explanation.
"No, Uncle. You're a good dwarf, like Mr. Dwalin. You have to stay with us!"
Thorin caressed Fili's cheek as his gaze matched his nephew's.
"Fili, it is time for me to go."
"No, Uncle. You can't go! I don't want you to go!" Fili sobbed, pressing his face into Thorin's chest as he wailed heavily.
"Thorin, please." Dis pleaded. "We want you to stay."
Thorin took a deep breath, guiltily smoothing Fili's wild hair. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to stay. Maybe for just a little while longer. After all, it wasn't as if he had much to return to in his own home. The place only collected dust.
"Fine." he breathed, trying to ignore the instant beam of a smile from his sister's face. It was a little harder to ignore Fili's cry of delight as he squeezed his uncle tighter. "But I will leave if I feel it isn't a good fit." Fili pulled away and slapped two little hands on each side of Thorin's face.
"I'll make sure it's the best ever!" Fili promised, grinning brightly. "And so will Kili; you just wait and see, Uncle!"
Thorin chuckled with a smile of his own. No, this may not be the worst idea.
He was happiest here.
"I love you, Uncle." Fili said softly, his big eyes staring bravely into Thorin's.
"I love you too, Fili. Always remember that." Thorin hummed, pressing his forehead against his sister-son's. Fili grinned.
Yes, he was most certainly happiest here.
