The soft opening of the door woke her up, hearing the soft footsteps of the bare feet of her cousin.
"Tir?"
Borla's voice was soft as her small hands shook her shoulder. Tir opened her eyes, not really wanting to wake up. "Goodmornin."
She opened her blanket as her small cousin jumped in with her.
"Did Baran wake you up?" She pulled the toddler close to her, covering her with her blanket.
"Yes, he is hungry all the time. Tir kissed the red curls beneath her nose.
"That he is." A silence made the child doze off again. "I am glad daddy is back." She whispered.
"So am I Borla. How about you sleep a bit more in my bed." "ya going to work?"
She asked, already half asleep. Tir got out and covered the lass with her blanket. "Yes, I'll be back before dinner."
Tir got dressed quickly, grabbing the mattock that was leaning against her bed. She had worked in the mines for over three months now, and slowly she was getting the hang of it. She soon could go to more dangerous spots, earning more money for her family.
She whistled through her teeth, a habit she had picked up from Dwalin, although it was hard to make a melody like he could.
Bifur was still sleeping in the chair, covered with a warm blanket Ori had knitted for Orla.
But she heard noise coming from the kitchen, and she knew Baran had not only woke up Orla.
Bofur was making coffee, his eyes looking at something she did not see.
"Mornin." She carefully placed the mattock down at the table. "You're up early." Bofur gave her a smile when he looked at the tool she had brought in.
"What ya gonna do with that?" He asked surprised, but Tir ignored his question.
"Did ya make coffee?" Bofur gave her a smile, pouring her a cup. "Ya off to train with Dwalin?"
"Not until later." Tir sat down, almost burning her lips on the blazing hot coffee. "What are ya going to do today?"
She asked as she put her cup down, waiting for it to cool. "I'll get Bifur settled in and I will try to find some stone to start building more rooms."
He grinned. "I think I will be an uncle again soon." Tir snickered. "Probably. But if ya need stone ya should ask Gerdin, he has the best stones for a small price."
Bofur nodded. "I wanted to check Rastal first." Tir shook her head, sipping the coffee. "Rastal moved to the south side. Ya can check Fin though."
She got up, grabbing the mattock. "Anyway, I will see ya tonight." She swung it on her shoulder with ease, and grabbed her red woollen hat from the peg. "Tir.. where are ya going?"
Tir put on her cape. "Don't ask Bofur, I have no need for a fight." "Ya going to the mines?"
Tir sighed and turned. Her face looked tired, and her eyes sparkled with fight. "And what if I am?"
Bofur crossed his arms. "Oh no Tir, the mines are dangerous and ya are too young." Tir laughed.
"I know they are dangerous Bofur, I have worked there for some time." When her friend did not speak, she moved to the door.
"Does Orla know?"
Tir turned. "She knows I bring money, she knows I take your mallard with me. I think she can figure it out."
Bofur moved quickly, grabbing his own hat off the peg. Tir's eyebrows knit together, wondering what he was doing.
"Ya can't stop me."
"I'm not, I'm going with ya."
The sweat was dripping in her eyes, and Tir wiped her head with her sleeve before she took another swing at the rock.
The rock split itself in half, opening its beauty to the world. The red colour inside made her smile. She had found another one.
"Good day."
Tir looked up, as did Bofur, who had just gotten lose another rock from the wall.
Ori was standing behind them, carrying a box filled with food. He wore a big smile, and his books were sticking out of his backpack. Tir put down the mallard, grabbing the cloth Ori was handing her.
"Hello Ori, Thank ya."
He took the water Ori had given him, drinking a couple of sips, before handing it to Tir.
"I brought lunch."
"Ya are a diamond Ori." Tir smiled as she closed the bag, making the other dwarf blush a bit. "Come on, let's eat."
They sat down on one of the larger rocks as Ori pulled out the food.
"Ya need a different tool." Bofur spoke, his mouth full with a piece of the ham. "It's too heavy for ya." Tir nodded, swallowing the light beer Ori had brought with him.
"I know, Dwalin says it's good to train muscles."
Ori snorted. "Dwalin says drinking beer is good to train muscles. I agree with Bofur."
Tir laughed, as she threw a piece of bread at her friend. "Ya don't even know what yar talking about."
"Yes I do, I read it, I found this book about mining. About how your tool should be as heavy as ya legs."
Bofur shook his head. "No, a bit heavier, or ya will never slice through a rock."
He pointed up. "On ya feet."
Tir stared at him in wonder.
"Come on, on ya feet. I need to see how big ya are." Slowly Tir got on her feet, looking from one dwarf to the other.
"What ya think Ori?" Bofur looked at the younger dwarf. "I don't know. Tir, can you turn around please?"
Tir sighed and turned.
She knew what she looked like. She was almost as tall as Orla now, but did not have the roundness her aunt had. She was strong due to the training and mining, but the normal female dwarf shape was much rounder then she was. But she was sturdy and her beard was coming through nicely.
Her dress was old and patched up so many times its original colour had disappeared. The jacket she wore belonged to Bifur and was too big for her,
but she had tied it in with a broad belt. And above all a layer of red dust from the mines covered her from head to tow.
Bofur got to his knees and gave her a smile. He too was covered in dust, but his grin made her smile in reply. "I think we are done for today. Let's get ourselves cleaned up."
Bofur was already getting into the water as Tir took off her pants. She did not mind the cold water, and ran past her friend into the water, jumping in with a loud splash. The miners often bathed together after a long day at work at the river that was floating into a small pool for exactly that purpose.
Tir was one of the few woman who worked in the mine, and she had to bathe together most of the time. Not that she mind.
Being naked was not something to be shy about.
But since it was midday it was fairly quiet at the pool, only a few young dwarflings were learning how to swim from an elderly dwarf.
Bofur got in a bit more calm then she did, carrying the soap in his hands. The water wasn't warm, but it wasn't too cold and it was nice for they warm body's to cool down from the hard work. Bofur handed her the soap as he started to make it foam between his hands.
"Did ya learn any new songs when I was away?"
He asked with a smile, as he started to wash his shoulders. Tir followed his example as she nodded.
"Dwalin tought me this one:
So bugger off, you bastards bugger off!
Bugger off, you bastards bugger off!
Like a herd of bloody swine that refuse to leave the trough
You'll get no more this evening so you bastards bugger off
Well you've been a lovely audience, but oh the time does pass.
So don't you all be lettin' the door hit you in the ass.
You've been a splendid audience, but enough is enough.
We'd take it very kindly if you'd all just bugger off!
Bofur had started to laugh, while shaking his head. "That dwarf is a bad influence on ya lass. Did ya learn anything else?"
Tir looked at the children, playing happily in the water. "a true song ya mean?"
Bofur nodded.
Tir started singing, her clear voice higher than the male voices of the dwarves. She sang on as they washed, and as she upbraided her hair. She was soon joined by Bofur, singing along with her. Their voices in harmony, for they had sung together for a long time.
Finally clean again, Tir got out, drying her with a warm towel.
They got dressed, and Bofur was about to braid his hair, when he felt a hand on his own.
"Can I?" Bofur laughed. "As long as ya leave out the flowers and twigs ya can."
Tir laughed as well, as she sat down behind Bofur. "I will, but ya won't look as pretty then." They both snickered, as Tir started the braids. She knew Bofur did not want anything fancy, and it needed to fit underneath his hat.
Her fingers moved quickly as she started to recite a poem she learned from Bifur in Khudzul.
When she finished it a she tied off the the first braid and moved to his other side to braid the next. This time it was a recipe from Bombur's favourite meal.
Like every dwarfling she learned braiding comes with recital. Most of the time things that are important to the dwarf, or it's family. When she was younger she used to make things up, but as she grew bigger she started to see the braiding in a new light. It was a way to carry your loved ones with you.
As she let go of the second braid it turned up as well, making her snicker. Then she moved to the back, her voice turning softer, as she felt her cheeks warm up.
A poem left her lips, soft like the wind. It were Ori's words about her, about who she was and who she could be. It was in Khudzul and about fair maid, and Tir knew she was far from fair. But she wanted Bofur to carry her with him wherever he went. When she was done she sighed, her hands falling down in her lap. Her chin was lifted softly by a familiar hand.
"Come here you." Bofurs voice had turned soft and pulled her close.
"I love ya like ya were my own child Tir, don't ever think about it any other way." Tir nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. "Now it's your turn."
He let go and turned her around. He started braiding, reciting Orla and Bomburs favorite recipe. Bifur's poem. The sleepsong their family sang for all Tir's cousins, Ori's favourite part of his book. Tir felt a soft kiss in her hair before Bofur started to sing his favourite song. When they were done Bofur helped her on her feet and grabbed her hand. "Come, I need to go somewhere first."
The enormous building in front of her had always struck a nerve in Tir. It was the place of grief and hurt to her, as well as a place of hope. The bank of Ered Luin was the largest building in the town.
Bofur handed her the thing behind his back. It was in a familiar shape as she saw the mallard he owned, only a bit smaller. "I want ya to have this." Tir looked at him confused.
"But.."
Bofur shook his head. "It belonged to someone very dear to me. And I am sure she wanted ya to have it."
Tir took the tool from his hands, inspecting it with great interest. "Who was it from?" "It belonged to my mother, it was made alongside mine and was a gift to her and my father when they got married. I talked to Bombur about it and looking at the path you are taking in your life we decided this should go to you."
Tir looked at her friend, before flying in his arms. She had no words to speak, just gratitude. She got to her feet and held the tool in her hands. "I can't wait to show it to Dwalin." She smiled at the older dwarf. "Will you come and see me fight?"
Bofur nodded as he laughed. "Lead the way lass."
