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Thorin walked into Bombur's Tavern and ordered himself an ale, appearing to be lost in his thoughts, Kili's dreams at the forefront of his mind. When Balin joined him some time later, Thorin had been pulled into a melancholy of memories of Frerin.
"What's brought all this on" Balin said gently
"Do I need a reason" Thorin snapped. Balin wondered what had happened to change Thorin's mood so drastically. It was true Thorin could sometimes drift off into harsh moods, his life had seen much tragedy and despair. Balin kept quiet, if Thorin wanted to talk he would if not, he would leave. Balin knew his old friend well.
The Tavern was bustling, dwarves began to sing in the corner, Thorin and Balin could see a slightly drunk Bofur heading the music with Dori and a few others. At that moment Dwalin sauntered in, he took a look around and cast his eye on Balin and Thorin, Ordering his ale he soon joined them.
"Aye Aye" said Dwalin, a rare smile lighting up his face, Thorin glanced at him but his expression softened.
"Busy day Dwalin" he asked quietly obviously glad to be rid of his thoughts for a moment.
"Aye that lad of yours gave me a good training session this morning, what do you feed him happy juice, he never got bored he has more enthusiasm than a dancing elf waiting for a bath" Thorin smiled as did Balin.
"He enjoyed himself, Thanks Dwalin, he certainly seems to be improving every session he has"
"How's Kili, did he get any better" Balin asked, Dwalin looked confused "Is he sick Fili never said anything" Dwalin looked between his brother and friend.
"Just a little off today" Balin confirmed, they both looked at Thorin who appeared to have slipped into his thoughts once more. Thorin shook his head slightly
"Headaches" he said "he doesn't sleep well" Thorin took a drink before planting his mug back on the table and leaning back heavily in his chair.
"I don't know why, he's got more energy than his brother, the rascal, always up to something" Dwalin laughed at the thought of Kili. Balin smiled too "Not today, never seen him so quiet" Thorin raised a hand to is chin as he wondered for a second as to whether to tell his friends of Kili's dreams.
"He has dreams" he began "bad ones"
"It's his imagination Thorin" Dwalin interrupted
"No" said Thorin "we never knew what it was he dreamt till today not even Fili"
Balin raised his eyebrows, he had never known boys closer than Fili and Kili, the slight age gap which was unusual for dwarves had made them ultimate playmates, he had actually thought that they could almost communicate without words, this would become evident as they grew. Thorin continued "He was dreaming about orcs, coming to get him" Thorin dramatized the last two words of his sentence.
"But he has a saviour in his dreams"
"Aww don't tell me" Dwalin interrupted again "his adored uncle runs in to save him" Thorin smiled at Dwalins attempt at humour. "No it's not me" he paused "Its Frerin"
Balin frowned. Thorin took another drink and continued before Dwalin could interrupt him again.
"he talks to him in the dreams, Frerin calms him when he's afraid, there are others he sees but he spoke of Frerin so clearly" Thorin rubbed his face with his hands, the stress of the situation causing his own head to ache. Balin laid a hand on Thorins shoulder
"There are stories lad that say if a dwarf sees a lost one in their dreams, then it can be a message" Thorin nodded "There are also those that say that a dwarf who sees the dead are crazy, it's not just that he's terrified, he fell asleep in my arms and he was in a state when he woke, I could feel him shaking with fear" Thorin sighed "and Dis, well she is pleased he saw Ramon, she thinks he's keeping Kili safe I'm worried" He looked at dwalin and Balin looking for guidance.
Balin answered Thorin as best he could "You will have to wait and see, watch him and try to make him talk" Thorin nodded. "Seeing lost ones can be a gift, Dis might be right, sometimes dwarflings are more inclined to see what elders choose to ignore"
"I hate seeing him so afraid" Thorin spoke, "KIli is always so desperate to please everyone, I'm worried he may say it's nothing and withdraw completely. Dwalins gruff voice cut in softly "you will have to make sure that he doesn't then" It was a simple statement and Thorin felt comforted that his friends had faith in him that he did not trust in himself. Thorin's mind assured him that he would not leave Kili alone at night, and leave Fili to deal with a terrified brother, he would sleep in the boy's room until Kili's dreams settled down.
