I am really sorry, that it took such a long time to update this. Thanks for being patient and that you are still interested. I hope you like it. :)
Under Attack!
Chapter 12:
Dwalin was the first one of the company to awake. He yawned and got up. Just then did he realize that there was already someone up and around. It was Bilbo having the last watch of the night sitting on a large bolder at the edge of camp. He strode over to where their official burglar was seated and joined him.
"Good Morning"
"Good Morning, I hope you slept well."
"Could not have been better", he replied.
"Anything of interest in the last night?"
"No, nothing at all. Although I thought that Thorin was having a nightmare. He was tossing around. I just heard it but did not want to leave my watching place in case someone was waiting for the right moment to attack."
"He'll have a few more in the next nights to come. It is nothing unusual for him."
"But why? He should be used to getting into…let's say stressful situations."
"He is used to it. The problem is that this time people he cared for were in danger and he could not help them. He blames himself for injuries people around him suffer from."
"Why is he doing this to himself? Would it not be easier for him to just overlook this?"
"It would be certainly but it is the duty of a king to ask and care for his people. Despite, he was always a caring person. Deep down in his heart is big space for every creature who has ever helped him. He is just not the best in showing these affections. You remember him hugging you after you saved his live?"
"Yes, I do. I was quite scared when he was approaching."
"I can believe it but it was actually the first time I saw him hugging someone let alone his closer family in the past years. The last time he hugged me was when we were dwarflings although he always showed his feelings for his sister and his brother. They got to see his caring side."
"Thorin has a brother and a sister?"
"Yes", Dwalin said with a sad nod.
"Where are they? And how come that they are not marching side by side to reclaim Erebor?"
"Frerin was slain long ago in the Battle of Azanulbizar and he left his sister Dis, mother of Fili and Kili, at home in the Ered Luin where she is safe."
"He is still grieving for his brother, isn't he? I can see it in his eyes, every time he is thinking of Erebor he looks…well…sad."
"Yes, he is. They were as close as Fili and Kili are now. Where one went the other would follow. Frerin died a prince of Erebor worthy but in Thorin's arms."
" Aye, the image of Thorin holding his dying brother is imprinted into my memory", Balin admitted who had joined the two.
"It was a fierce battle and even the most skilled sword- and bowmen fell. There was nothing to celebrate even though we had won. Too many of our kin had to be buried. Thror, King under the Mountain, and also one of his grandsons, Frerin, son of Thrain, brother to Thorin. It was a sad goodbye to all of our people but Thorin was devastated. Dis was shocked as well and you could see both her and Thorin far too often alone looking into the distance."
"I cannot imagine losing someone that important to me, it must feel horrible. I think I can understand Thorin a little better now. Thank you for sharing this with me. "
"You are a part of this company. Even though Thorin may not show it but he believes in you and he has actually grown quite fond of you. Otherwise he would not have had the strength to kill Azog, but the Orc was threatening one of the people, I think, he considers family", Balin explained.
Dwalin cleared his throat.
"We should wake the others, it is late and we have to make further progress today."
"Alright, I'll go and help Bombur with breakfast." And off was their little burglar lost between the waking members of the company.
"Do you want to go and wake Kili or Fili or should I do it?" He asked his brother.
"I think it better if you try to wake them. They seem to have at least a little respect for you", Balin chuckled.
"Nah, I just said that I would knock them awake with my axes."
"Brother, would you really do that? You are a ruthless fighter." Balin smiled at his brother and went to help some of the others.
There I go alone. I hope they actually wake this time otherwise I am going to give them a small knock on their tiny heads with my axes, he thought to himself and walked in the direction where the brothers slept.
Upon reaching them he saw that they were not lying close to one another but separate on one side of their uncle who had one arm around each of his nephews.
He looks peaceful. He should get injured more often then there is more time for him where he has to relax. Dwalin smiled widely. When he finally stood next to them Thorin stirred.
"You always sensed when there is someone next to you, don't you?" He asked.
Thank you for reading this. I hope you enjoyed it and maybe you can leave a review for me.
I admit that it is quite difficult for me to write this story with school and the other stuff going on so please be patient again. I am really sorry that it takes so long but I am so thankful for all the people who are still waiting for the next chapter. Thanks guys :)
