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Ori paused before he walked into his brother's rooms.

"Mother," Dori's voice was hushed but still carried around the corner, "you must understand the type of dwarf that Dwalin is."

"The one that Ori loves."

"He deserted our brother."

"I saw him talking with his brother and the Lady Dís. I believe Ori when he tells me that Dwalin has a good reason for being in the Shire instead of here with him."

"You believe Ori but not me?"

"You have always been protective of your brothers – both of them. I know that Dwalin arrested Nori but that was Nori's fault. You cannot continue to judge Dwalin based purely on that when Ori is his advocate. You need to listen to him before you drive him away."

Ori turned and walked away not wanting to hear anymore. He was so deathly sick of the constant attacks against Dwalin from Dori who refused to understand that Ori knew the tattooed warrior better than Dori did and that Ori believed in him. He walked through the mountain in a temper until he found himself in the Royal Rock Gardens. He went over to the corner where he always meet Dwalin and slumped down onto the quartz and stone bench. He was not sure how long he had been there when someone sat down next to him.

"Balin?" Ori asked, looking up.

"My brother always did love rock gardens."

Ori smiled. "He does."

"I heard a story about a very angry librarian walking through the halls of Erebor. He had a face dark enough to rival even our King's since the reclamation of Erebor."

"My brothers!" Ori explained, fuming.

Balin sighed quietly and looked at Ori with such sympathy that Ori curled a hand over his stomach without thinking.

"He has a very fine reason for being in the Shire."

"I know," Ori shouted, then blushed and slumped. "I believe in him, I love him, I just wish I did not have to spend all of my time attempting to convince my brothers that he has not deserted me."

"I am an older brother myself," Balin said, stroking his beard. "I have long understood the desire to protect a younger sibling."

"But you have not told Dwalin to forget about me because I am not a warrior, or because I prefer books to metal…have you?"

"Of course not. I think you and he are a fine match."

Ori smiled brightly and threw his arms around Balin. "Thank you."

Balin patted him on the back and smiled down at him – his eyes twinkling exactly like Dwalin's did.

"I really appreciate that," Ori said, after he had pulled away.

"We all need support, especially when we are away from those we love and dealing with new experiences."

Ori frowned and then realised that Balin was staring at the slight curve of his middle. "You know."

"I am an old dwarf and I pride myself on noticing things. Though I wonder, if Dwalin cannot come back from the Shire and you miss him so…"

"Oh!" Ori said, brightening immediately. "There is nothing in the library that cannot wait. I could go to the Shire. I will go, and I can see Dwalin, can tell him about the dwarfling and it will force my brothers to stop thinking that Dwalin has abandoned me."

Balin smiled down at him. "You could. I believe as Royal Advisor that I might even encourage you to do so."

"Thank you, Balin. Thank you so much for such a perfect idea."

"You are welcome, Ori, there is little I would not do to help family."

Ori could not resist another tight hug before he pulled away to rush from the rock gardens and to his chambers. As he went he thought about everything he would need to pack, what he would need to do in order to leave and how long it would take. He was so distracted he did not even notice his mother was standing at his door until she almost shouted his name.

"Ma?"

"What has you so distracted?"

"Nothing."

"You should not lie to your mother."

"Sorry, Mother."

"I know you heard Dori again today."

"He is wrong." Ori said again, hating that he had to.

"I believe you. What are you going to do?"

Ori debated telling his mother but he did not want her to worry about him. "I am leaving for the Shire."

Shanis looked at him for a moment and then nodded. "Good."

"Really?"

"Yes. However, I want you to travel with someone. Perhaps your friend Maklon? He is a healer, is he not? He could travel with you to keep you safe."

Ori nodded. "He may be needed here."

"There is no harm in asking him."

"No, there is not."

"Then I shall go and see my cousin in the kitchens to get you some food for the journey. Then I shall see about some ponies. Go and see Maklon."

"I am able to do all of that."

"It is best if you get away before Dori learns of your plan. I cannot get through to him – the perils of parenthood."

"Something to look forward to?"

"Exactly," Shanis said, kissing him swiftly and then slipping from the room.

The next day he had food and supplies for the journey. Maklon had agreed to come with him thinking it a great adventure and his mother was distracting both of his brothers for as long as she could. The following morning he slipped from the mountain just before dawn and he and Maklon set off as quickly as they could for the Shire.

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