Thank you soooo much for the reviews ! they make me really happy, so big thanks to : Kassandra85, Vault108, Hanna and aliena wyvern !
And thanks to all the readers and followers of this story. It's great to have your feedback !
Here's another chapter and more Dis/Dwalin goodness ;)
Chapter 10: Dare come closer
[Blue Mountains. Eriador]
It was the evening. Dwalin sat in his study, examining the report of their last profits made by the sale of iron objects of the Blue Mountains.
It was good news for everyone as the money would help them get their granaries refilled for next winter. Life was simple and quite good in Ered Luin. They had been fantasizing for so long about Erebor and its riches, that they forgot that they had quite enough food, happiness and shelter here, in the East of Eriador.
Dwalin took a sip of ale and heard a soft knock at the door.
"Come in" he grumbled.
Dis opened the door and stepped in. Her face was determined and serious as often, and she was clasping, without knowing she was, the small silken purse that contained the silver beads of her sons. She carried it in her pocket at all times, since Balin had brought them back to her.
"I've sent the letter to Dain. If we are lucky, he'll decide not to meddle in our affairs and he'll leave us alone. He can call himself "the mighty king of all the dwarven kingdoms of Middle-Earth" for all I care, as long as we can live here as we choose" she spat.
"You want us to be independent from Erebor then?" asked Dwalin, admiring her courage and fiery heart.
Dis stopped pacing and sat on the chair on the other side of Dwalin's desk. She picked up a quill and let the feather slide between her fingers thoughtfully. Her eyes were bent on her hands and he found himself mesmerized by her slow movements.
It was a charming painting, really: Dis wore a blue dress, simple but of a beautiful deep color. Her fingers were delicate and Dwalin's eyes travelled from her long dark eyelashes, to her shining black hair and her breasts that heaved just slightly as she sighed.
"I don't know what I want..." she mumbled in frustration "I'm not a leader like my brother. I just want for us to be left alone, so that we can live and decide what to do with the rest of the time that is given to us."
Her statement was honest and true. She was not ambitious, nor greedy. She could have been… she was a Durin after all. But the hardships of her life had almost broken her… Now all she wanted was peace and quiet.
"I think you'd make a fine leader" Dwalin commented quietly. He could not stop himself from telling her this, because he was so deeply convinced of it.
Dis raised her eyes to meet his, her face surprised, but flattered at the same time. Coming from him, it was a great compliment to earn such a praise.
"Dwarf women are not allowed to lead their folk, or have you forgotten about that, Master Dwarf?" she smirked bitterly.
"Aye, but tis' stupid" he retorted immediately "…when you are the one concerned, that is" he added quickly.
"You are quite the gentle-dwarf to say so…" she said, reaching to grasp his large hand across the desk.
Dwalin felt his skin tingle as her small fingers tried to enclose his wrist, then her hand slid and she laced her fingers to his. The gesture was simple and oddly intimate, like a token of trust.
She smiled at him.
"Have you eaten yet?" she asked gently.
The evening was growing late, and neither of them had eaten; too absorbed in their daily tasks. There was still much to organize in Ered Luin for the remaining dwarves. Families were getting settled in bigger houses; those who chose to go were packing and organizing their journey…
The sons of Fundin were helping and leading everyone, as was the Princess of Durin, mainly because it kept them occupied, their minds focused on duty and not on their common grief.
Dwalin shook his head.
She smiled again and got up, not releasing his hand for a second and turned around the desk. She bent slightly to look into his eyes. As he was still seated, he was looking up to her.
There was this spark in her eyes, the same she had when she was watching her sons play when they were dwarflings. The light was fainter, but it was there, and it made Dwalin's heart warm greatly.
Maybe Dis would eventually mend from her terrible losses…
He could totally grow accustomed to see her happy every day. She was so exceptional to him. He wanted to tell her that, but it was difficult. His abilities lay on the battlefield, not in feelings nor words, so he just told her:
"The smile suits you."
You would think that after going through so much misery and pain, Dis would never be touched by any statement again. But she was touched, because it came from Dwalin. And she blushed like a young lass.
Trying to hide her blush, she pulled him on his feet, which was not a small accomplishment considering the dwarf's size and weight, and she proclaimed happily:
"Come. I'm kidnapping you for supper!"
She led him towards the door as he tried to complain:
"But I've still got work to do!"
"Do not tell me you've fell in love with paperwork, or I'll eat my own beard!" she retorted. "Besides, it's an order!"
"An order from whom?" he asked, amused by her behavior.
She turned towards him and straightened up to appear taller than she was.
Still, her nose did not reach his chin.
"From me …" she hesitated, and added firmly "Your Princess!"
"Aye. I'm yours to command, Princess Dis"
He bent low in front of her, like he had done so many times in the past during the formal royal ceremonies.
It brought them both back to memories of another reality; where they were younger, happier, burdened only with lighter concerns and dreams… so many dreams…
She reached again to seize both of his hands in hers and took one step forwards. Dwalin had always been here, all her life. He had seen Fili and Kili grow up, had fought with Thorin, had protected her, had played with her when she was little.
More wrinkles had appeared at the corner of his eyes and his dark beard was now decorated with some silver threads. But he had kept his rough side, the same passion with which he had lived all his life.
She cared about him, she felt drawn to him, that was for sure. She had missed him when he was on the Quest, but now that he was back and she could see him every day, she found herself searching his presence daily. She felt restless at the end of the day if she had not seen him at least once.
Dwalin let his hands slide out of her palms, up along her arms to her shoulders where they rested in a gentle gesture. Dis did not say nor do anything. She just watched him and felt calm and relaxed by the feeling of his warm hands.
Dwalin was entranced and thrilled. She was real under his large fingers, and she did not reject his touch.
He was about to reach up to feel the soft exposed skin of her neck, when the study's door opened loudly and suddenly. It pushed Dis forward and she fell into Dwalin's arms. He caught her up and secured her against his broad chest.
"Dwalin! Dis!" cried Bofur happily "I've been looking for you everywhere! Linar is expecting another baby!"
The embraced couple smiled immediately at the good news, and turned toward Bofur.
"Bombur did not waste any time, did he!" laughed Dwalin "It's been only a few weeks since we came back."
"You know us" Bofur smiled cheekily "The Ur Brothers, famous for their strength in every matter!"
Dis laughed as well at that.
"Bombur is the only one to have kids, might I remind you..." she told him, smirking.
Bofur smirked back and hushed them outside happily.
"Come now. We're having a party!"
Dwalin and Dis followed him to join their friends, their hands still clasped together.
There was life again in the Blue Mountains, something to celebrate and friends to be happy for. It was a very good evening.
I hope you liked this happy chapter. Please review ! :)