Thorin comes back to the Blue Mountains in a surprisingly good mood. He's tires, and dirty, and is weighted heavily with bags, but he is never the less more cheerful then either Dis or Fili and Kili and seen him in years. Then come the strange things.
When he walks through the door of their small rooms the first thing Thorin does is wipe his feet, and makes sure that there is no mud beyond the door step. Kili stares.
When it is time for dinner, rather a feast by their usual standards, their uncle goes off and comes back with a clean face and clean hands. Dis is bewildered and starts to worry.
Last straw comes when instead of grunting to their neighbors like always, possibly slamming a fist into their shoulders, Thorin actually stops and says hello, and wonders about Dori's health, and brother. Dori is very nervous and tries to get out of the conversation as fast as possible.
His sister finally corners Thorin before bed and demands an explanation. Her answer?
"It appears that oak makes not only good shields, but also surprisingly sturdy spoons, sister…"