Balance

This is a big, big time alternate universe story. It eventually leads to the original quest the way it should so be patient and read if you want to. This will have no slash at all within the tale for those who are not fond of that genre. Please review and let me know what you think, good or bad.

I own nothing. Poop!

Chapter Ten

"Nori, let's go get some things to make dinner since Mother is still sleeping," Dori offered as his brother nodded, "I dried your coat and boots in front of the fire so they should be nice and toasty."

Bifur smiled at the brothers and went to check on his boy. The dwarf frowned at how sweaty Bofur looked and felt his cheeks realizing that the lad's temperature was too high.

"Fever's higher," Bifur huffed with a frown, "Let's cool you down, Bofur. Let's see if town hall has working pipes instead of having to heat water over the fire."

Bifur found the wash room and tested the tub to see that pipes did indeed bring in water and that Ered Luin had a heating system. Good. Nodding, Bifur filled the tub with lukewarm water and then went to retrieve some bathing supplies and his boy.

"Sweetling, wake up for me," Bifur cooed as his boy woke and looked at him sleepily, "Time for a bath."

"But creek all icy now," Bofur sighed rubbing at an eye with his fist.

"No more creek baths," Bifur soothed helping Bofur undress and hiding his anger at the thought of his child having to bath in a creek as well as each scar and bruise he found on the tiny boy, "You are getting a special bath now since your fever is high. The water is just a little cool to help you feel less sweaty, okay?"

"Kay," Bofur agreed before whining as Bifur took his hat and undid his braids, "No. My Bif's braids."

"I'll braid them again," Bifur reassured as he lifted his babe into his arms and carried him into the wash room, "Try not to move your hurt arm too much, Sweetling, since I had to take the brace off for your bath. In we go."

Bofur was a little startled at his first time in a tub, but relaxed when Bifur pushed a floating, carved otter towards him for the child to play with. The older dwarf made a game of splashing Bofur a little so that the dwarfling would relax completely and soon the lad was having a ball playing as Bifur worked at cooling his boy down. Oin showed up as Bifur began to wash the lad's hair.

"A nice bath," Oin said as he tested the water and then felt Bofur's cheeks, "I see. Is the water making you feel cooler, Bofur?"

Bofur nodded and giggled as he pulled his otter under water and watched it pop back up to the surface.

"Good thinking, Bifur," Oin encouraged reaching for the soap to suds up a cloth, "Fever is a bit high. This will help."

"I'm worried about my boy's arm," Bifur admitted being careful to not allow soap into Bofur's eyes, "He's not moving it too much, but will the bone shift?"

"The fracture is knitted closed enough that as long as he keeps the arm still, Bofur should be fine," Oin soothed, "I'll lash it back across his chest once his bath is done. Scrubbing time, Bofur. Just like we did when you and I first met, but last time we had to use a bucket instead of this nice tub. Arms first."

Bifur and Oin worked together to wash Bofur clean. The child seemed to enjoy his bath and only got nervous to lean back and have his hair rinsed.

"No hold under," Bofur whimpered as Bifur froze.

"Hold under? Under the water, Sweetling?" Bifur demanded as the child nodded holding onto the older dwarf's arm tight, "Who held my baby under water?"

Bofur looked up wide-eyed when he realized that Bifur was really angry. Watching, Bifur saw the minute that the child realized that he was safe because "his Bif" was not angry at him and relaxed a little.

"Mistress. I scared ta not be able ta breathe under water. Water burned my nose when breathed in," Bofur whined.

"Never again," Bifur growled, "No one will ever do that to you again. I won't allow it so don't be scared. I'll hold you and Mister Oin will rinse your hair. I won't let go."

"Cause Bif's Bofur?" the child asked and then stood to give a wet hug to Bifur once he got the assurance that he was certainly his Bifur's Bofur, "Love."

"I love you too," Bifur stated kissing Bofur's temple and then leaned the boy back with a strong grip around his child, "There we go, Sweetling. See? I've got you. Mister Oin, we need the soap out of our hair now."

"Please and thank ye," Bofur chirped as the adult dwarves chuckled and praised the boy for his good manners.

"There now," Oin said as Bifur wrapped his boy in a large towel once the bath was done, "I bet you feel nice and clean."

Bofur nodded with a grin and laid his head on Bifur's shoulder. Together, Oin and Bifur got the lad redressed and Bofur sat still as his hair was dried and rebraided.

"Hat," Bofur insisted once Bifur was done, "My Bif hat."

"Bif hat?" Oin snorted as Bifur handed his cousin the hat he had given the child.

"These my Bif's braids," Bofur explained as he touched his braids that still curled up at the ends which Bifur adored, "This my Bif hat ta keep me warm. Bofur's Bif hat."

"I see," Oin chortled as Bofur put his hat on and smiled wide, "What a charming hat. Makes you look very handsome."

"Bif, what handsome?" Bofur asked as the healer arranged his arm to be lashed back against his chest.

"Means that you look really nice," Bifur explained as the dwarfling blinked.

"Bofur look nice in pretty braids and hat?" Bofur questioned as he got twin nods, "My Bif and Mister Oin handsome too. Have pretty beards. Bofur get beard too?"

"You sure will when you are older and thank you for the compliment," Oin chuckled before looking up at a knock on the door, "Come in."

Eld stuck his head in and Bofur immediately hid his face against Bifur's chest with a squeak of fright. The babe was extremely shy around new dwarves.

"It's okay, Sweetling," Bifur soothed as his child looked up at him, "This is Mister Eld. He is one of the leaders of this village and gave us these rooms to live in until I build us a house in the spring. He came to get this dolly. See the dolly?"

Bofur glanced at the toy and nodded looking at Eld in curiosity.

"That dolly belongs to my daughter," Eld explained squatting far enough away from Bofur that the child wouldn't be scared, "The doll's name is Nola and my daughter was very sad that her toy was broken so Mister Bifur fixed Nola for me."

"My Bif fixes everythin'," Bofur cooed snuggling close to his new parent as Bifur felt warm inside at his babe's declaration, "Love, Bofur's Bif."

"I love you too, Sweetling," Bifur answered handing Eld the toy, "Here is another manners lesson, Bofur. When you meet someone new you usually introduce yourself like this, ready?"

Bofur nodded and listened as Bifur introduced himself to Eld again. The child looked a bit confused as he glanced at the other dwarf so Oin demonstrated his own greeting.

"Bofur son of…um…Bofur son of my Bif. At your service," Bofur tried as Bifur realized his mistake, "Good?"

"So good," Bifur complimented as his boy beamed and Oin nodded looking happy, "You are Bofur son of your Bifur. Good boy, Sweetling."

"It is nice to meet you Bofur son of Bifur," Eld greeted, "I am Eld son of Keld, at your service. Bifur, thank you for repairing Nola. She looks great. When your boy is well he must meet my daughter. Bofur looks about the same age. I'm thinking no more than four?"

"I believe so," Bifur agreed, "Sweetling, do you know how old you are?"

"I think this many," Bofur answered holding up four fingers, "Mistress said put up with bad boy four long years and that Bofur not do nothin' right. I try hard. I did, Bif."

"Sweetling, you didn't do anything wrong ever," Bifur instructed as his boy sniffled and he hugged the tot closer, "You are a very good boy, isn't he, Oin?"

"Such a good laddie," Oin agreed, "You listen really good and learn very fast."

"You are my good boy, Bofur," Bifur soothed trying to head off a crying jag as Bofur continued to sniffle pitifully.

"I think you are too," Eld spoke up as the lad looked up at him in surprise, "I wouldn't want a bad boy to meet my daughter and I knew you were a good boy. That is why I think you should meet my Efie when you get better, Bofur."

"Can my friend Nori meet your Efie too?" Bofur asked before startling, "Please and thank ye!"

Eld chuckled as Bifur smiled at his boy. Bofur was trying very hard to be a good boy.

"What good manners you have," Eld grinned out, "Of course a friend of yours can meet my daughter. You just worry about getting better right now, okay?"

Bofur nodded and laid back against Bifur with a sigh as Oin and Eld spoke about the new medical wing.

"Mahal, how could anyone hurt that baby?" Eld demanded once Bofur fell back asleep against Bifur's chest, "He is such a sweet boy."

"I have no clue," Bifur bit out, "Look at him. He is a darling and is absolutely adorable. How my aunt and uncle did what they did is beyond me. Bofur is sweet, clever, and thoughtful. I thank Mahal every day for bringing me my child. His baby brother is just as sweet. I am at a loss to how my kin could be so stupid."

"It is done now," Oin voiced, "Your lads are here safe with their true parent. Erase Bofur's old memories with new ones. Bofur is young enough to forget what he went through."

"Good point," Bifur sighed standing with his new son, "However, the scars on his back and legs will not fade and be reminders of his foul treatment as a babe."

"With a proper balm they can fade a bit," Oin disagreed, "I will get you the balm tomorrow and using the cream will be soothing for Bofur. Using the balm will also be a way the babe will get more and more used to touch. Your laddie will be fine with time."

"That is all that I want," Bifur nodded out, "I want my boy here healthy and happy. I want him growing up with his little brother like any normal dwarfling."

"Which is what you are beginning to set up for your lad," Oin pointed out, "Thanks to Eld here, you will have a chance to rebuild Bofur's life here in Ered Luin."

"It seems to me that Bifur here would have moved mountains to get his boys to safety, but I am glad to have been of some help. I am glad that Bofur and his brother are with you folks now. I do believe that both boys are much safer here with their new father," Eld said as he stood, "Thank you for fixing Nola, Bifur. Efie is going to be so happy."

Bifur offered his thanks as well and then all grew quiet as Bofur shifted in his sleep fretfully. Eld and Oin left then as Bifur settled Bofur back into bed. The older dwarf took his boy's old clothes to get them washed.

"Mister Bifur, Dori's going to make his yummy stew," Nori gushed as he hurried through the door excitedly about an hour later.

"Oh, good," Bifur answered from scrubbing Bofur's clothes in a bucket, "Bo loves Dori's stew."

"Me too," Nori chirped and darted away, "Bo!"

Bifur groaned hurrying after the excited dwarfling to see his boy sitting up in bed after being rudely awakened by Nori leaping up beside him.

"Bo, Dori's making us stew for dinner and the marketplace here has everything," Nori exclaimed as Bofur hugged his bunny and listened, "Mister Dwalin and Mister Gloin wanted me to tell you hello. There is a sweet shop here that sells rock candy. You'll like rock candy. The shop also has dried apples like you like. You smell nice."

"Bofur had a bath and was sleeping until you woke him up," Bifur sighed as Nori looked contrite, "It's okay, Nori. Just ask before you run in here next time, okay? Yes? Good. Sweetling, do you want to go back to sleep?"

"Want ta listen ta Nori," Bofur whispered while Bifur felt his cheeks as Nori perked up, "What is rock candy?"

Bifur left the boys to talk as he went back to his washing. Bofur's fever was much lower than earlier at least.

"I am so sorry," Dori moaned as Bifur began to rinse his boy's clothes, "I didn't catch Scamp quick enough before he bolted in here. He tends to get overexcited from shopping."

"No harm done," Bifur decided, "I was a bit afraid that Bofur might sleep so much that he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight so staying up and talking with Nori is probably a good idea. Found out that Bofur is probably no older than four earlier."

"So he is no more than a toddler," Dori nodded out, "I thought so due to how tiny he is, but wasn't sure because he was malnourished and might not have grown properly. Nori is past his toddler years, but still very young. Scamp has absolutely adopted Bofur as his."

"I've noticed," Bifur chuckled wringing out the clothes and hanging them near the fire before checking on the boys.

Bifur listened from the cracked doorway and grinned.

"Come here," Bifur whispered as Dori did as was asked and the two watched.

"So then you can make up voices like this, 'Hello, Bo. My name is Wags.'" Nori chirped making his puppy sit up as Bofur listened and looked down at his bunny, "You try."

"Um…'Hello, Wags. My name is Carrots and Bofur is my friend. Want ta be mine?'" Bofur squeaked out in a silly voice that made Nori giggle as Bofur held his bunny up much like Nori was holding his puppy, "That good?"

"Really good," Nori blurted holding up his puppy, "'Hi, Carrots. I do want to be your friend. Want to play tag?'"

Bifur and Dori stepped back and grinned at one another.

"Nori said he was going to teach your boy how to play," Dori said as he returned to peeling some carrots, "Bofur seems to follow Nori's lead well. That is good. Your lad will be able to learn how to be a dwarfling."

"That is what I want for my boy," Bifur sighed feeling lighter, "I will feel much better when Bofur is acting like any other dwarflng without the fears he shows. My boy was afraid when I gave him a bath, Dori. That…um…can't use the word around the boys. That very bad dam held Bofur under water. He begged me not to do the same as what Aunt Bartha did to him. Bofur's own mother held my baby under water in pure spite to hurt him."

"That horrid creature," Dori growled hacking the carrots apart in his anger before calming and looking up, "Bofur's your baby now. Each assurance you give him and the safety he feels with you will help Bofur overcome the fears that were instilled in him. Look at how much better he is interacting with you and others now. You've had him what? Two weeks?"

"About that," Bifur agreed, "Bofur is a strong boy. He'll heal."

"Bofur is strong, but you are a natural with children," Dori mentioned, "Come chop the potatoes. Your years of working with children to sell your toys has given you examples of different children's personalities. You've been able to reach Bofur because you went slow and were very gentle with him, but I have to ask. The hat?"

"Ah," Bifur snorted beginning to clean the potatoes for Dori, "My boy is so tiny and I feared that the cold would make his illness worse. I used that hat when hunting in the winter months and plopped it on his head to help Bofur feel warm. I had no idea that he would get so attached. Bofur calls it his 'Bif hat' and Oin told him he looked handsome in his hat and braids. Should have seen my boy's smile. Won't take it off even to sleep. Loves that hat."

"I think he loves that hat because it is a piece of you," Dori offered as Bifur paused in his chore, "His braids are 'Bif's' and that hat is his 'Bif hat.' Bofur loves you and so now he adores the hat that represents his father. His real father. You, Bifur."

Bifur blushed slightly and went back to chopping the potatoes without another word. Dori didn't intrude except to smirk slightly.

"Bofur's and Bombur's father," Bifur thought to himself, "I really have become a father. That is a title that I can totally deal with."

To be continued…