Here's a little something to stir the pot!

Chapter 36

Kili was on time the next morning. Early in fact. So early that I was in the middle of having my hair done. Thank goodness I was already dressed. Otha froze holding hairpins that jabbed my head. I felt the tips digging into my scalp with increasing pressure.

"Areen, I'm not finished!"

"Don't worry, Otha, just do twin braids at my temples like before. That seemed to please them."

"The king anyway."

She hurried to make me presentable while Kitra clipped a thin sapphire necklace around my neck. It was from Della. She said it was on account of what had happened in the mine, but I surmised it was her idea of a bribe on Frerin's behalf since she said he had picked it out. It was nice to be thought of, and I missed him. My arms felt empty, and nothing but a sweet bundle of Frerin would fill them. I had to see him today.

"Be just a minute, Kili!"

"No hurry!" he said through the door. "I'll wait all day if need be."

"I'm going to swoon," Otha muttered near my ear. I said I'd allow it but only after my hair was done. We burst into giggles which prompted some shifting of feet on the other side of the door.

"That had better not be about me!"

Another burst of titters had him laughing. His was a happy, honest one, and if I'd never spent any time with him and only had his laugh to go by I'd still know straight off what a generous, warm-hearted dwarf he was.

"If only all my days started so well! Are you going to let me in?"

"You said you'd wait all day."

"I didn't mean for you to take me seriously!"

I walked over to the door with Sky and opened it. "I didn't."

"You look lovely, Areen," he said with a courtly air.

"Flirt."

"Completely," he agreed, "and enjoying every minute of it."

Sky whined for permission, and I let her go. With a happy snuffle, she licked as much of Kili as she could get to. I gathered he was on his knees, which was a mistake if he wanted to stay dry. He didn't seem to mind though.

"That's a good girl. How smart you look today! Like having your ears scratched do you? Belly too? My you're spoiled." I heard him fingering her harness and clucking his tongue. "Areen, that collar's falling apart."

"I know. I'll have it replaced soon. I'm ready to go." He laughed at the look on my face. I was eager and impatient, and it showed.

"And here I was waiting for you," he said. "Shall we? I have a whole day planned for us. Oh, by the way, I got your messages through to your friends."

"How? I had a lot to say."

"I shot an arrow down the hall with your letters attached."

"That's brilliant!"

"Yes, I thought so myself."

"Flirt."

After a cheerful and filling breakfast, we walked around Erebor to the parts I hadn't explored, and he explained the different hallways and described the different gem deposits encrusting the walls of the mountain. We went slowly because I wanted to feel, sniff, and listen along the way and experience everything for myself.

"The unfinished walls are like a storehouse of gold and gems, Areen, so sparkling I'd swear the stars had come inside."

"How beautiful! Oh, I wish I could see it!"

He made a noise then, wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and gave me a tender squeeze.

"Me too."

Thorin headed to the raven roost to see for himself if there were any messages from the Iron Hills. It was too soon to expect one, yet he felt the need to check anyway. Dain would hold out; that is, if he were still alive. The thought of such a calamity chilled his blood. He wouldn't wait for a messenger to come to him. No, at such a time, he wanted to retrieve any messages himself. It wouldn't matter though. Bad news was still bad news, and if such had come, there was nothing he could do to change it, but knowing the truth would keep him from imagining worse.

The roost was built into the side of the mountain just below an outcropping that hid it from view. There ravens would arrive, deliver their messages, and eat before returning to Ravenhill. Erebor's dwarves made the roost more than a century ago as a gesture of goodwill, which the ravens appreciated. Keeping allies happy was always wise foreign policy.

"My lord!" said the guard who snapped to attention when Thorin passed. He acknowledged the salute but said nothing. Too much was on his mind, and he paused at the bottom of steep stairs that wound inside the turret like a serpent's coil. News might also have come from other settlements and clans. Not all ravens had kept track of the caravan; others were keeping their eyes on the world and due back soon. It was a strange feeling to have Middle-earth—or at least the part that concerned him—closed off behind stout doors. Although he hadn't traveled since reclaiming Erebor, he disliked restrictions of any kind.

He placed his hand on the head of the black raven carving at the start of the stairs almost as a prayer. It wouldn't all be bad news. Not all of it. The plague was bound to run its course, and they would carry on as before. He started climbing while pondering the events of the past month, feeling like he'd lived a lifetime in those few weeks. So much had happened that he could scarce believe it, and in that time something fundamental had changed. There was a titanic shift, like a movement of a fault line, never again to align as it had before. Whether the change had come from circumstances or within himself he couldn't say, but it was profound, and he wondered if he needed to prepare a defense. That was always his way and had served him well so far.

He knew what at least of piece of the shift was though, and his steps slowed as his mind sped up. Never before had he interfered in the domestic affairs of another clan or kingdom. Persuasion was a tool that all dwarves used in business and other matters, and financial incentives were commonplace. Pointed comments and insinuations were also acceptable within reason. But what Thorin had in mind was a direct confrontation and intention to place himself and the might of Erebor between Areen and her father, between her people and those who would profit at their expense. He hadn't thought through more than the next few weeks, but his course was set for as long as father and daughter lived under his mountain. The rest he would decide after Areen made her choice.

Word had traveled from the sick rooms of her father's behavior, and Thorin spared a moment of pity for those who couldn't escape him for another two days. He would reward Oin and all volunteers handsomely for their sacrifice, which went far above risking life and limb. He shook his head. Those matters could wait. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for whatever he might learn and headed up the steps but stopped and cocked his head when he heard heavy breathing and amused chuckles far above him.

"You need to exercise more," he heard Kili say. "You've been cooped up for too long."

Thorin stopped to listen, certain he knew who else was up there.

"Excellent choice of words ... considering where we are, Kili," he heard Areen say through gasps, "but if you'll remember ... I was cooped up under your mountain for a good, long time, so ... you'll just have to wait until I catch my breath."

Thorin frowned and hurried up the steps, hoping Kili didn't leave Areen behind in his eagerness to reach the top. He could be impulsive that way, but a sudden whoosh of breath and loud snuffles met Thorin at the top step. Sky sat on her haunches guarding the descent, no doubt protecting her mistress, but she made way for him before placing herself between him and Areen. Kili found that funny.

"You need to have Slif make her favorites before she'll budge an inch, Uncle," he said. He gave a short whistle, and Sky wagged her tail and pushed her nose against his leg. "Nothing to it."

"Don't spoil her, Kili," Areen said, and with a snap of her fingers, she called Sky to her side. "Feron will know right off if she's ... getting lazy, and I don't want another lecture from him on maintaining proper training."

"Sky is as much a guest as you are," Kili said with a self-righteous air, "and I'll not see her neglected."

"Nice try, but the smug ending killed it."

Areen turned to Thorin then and reached out one hand to him while pressing the other against her sternum. She was still breathing through her mouth. He took her hand and ran his thumbs along her palm.

"You're winded," he said, and he turned to Kili with accusation in his pinched brows and tight mouth. "You left her to fend for herself?"

"No, not at all, Thorin," she said. "I was slow, and he wanted to have the door open for me when I reached the top. I wasn't ... too far behind."

"Still." He wasn't satisfied with that answer, but he let the matter drop at her request.

"Are you here for news?" she asked.

"Yes."

Thorin knew that Kili had brought her up there as a curiosity, and he didn't want to spoil their time with grim thoughts, not so soon after their victory. He wanted to say something light and witty instead, but nothing came to mind. She moved closer.

"Do you want us to wait with you? Kili, we don't have to be anywhere soon, do we?"

"No. Uncle, we'd be happy to wait."

Thorin looked from one to the other and shook his head.

"No, thank you. I have no idea when one might arrive, and here is not the place to wait. I apologize for disturbing you."

Areen's brow furrowed at the same time that Kili protested. Thorin held up his hands.

"No, I will leave."

He turned to go, but Areen fumbled for and grabbed his arm.

"We will leave," she said, "together," and she gave him the same defiant glare she had earlier. "Anyway, it's cold up here, and I think I can imagine it well enough. Kili?" She cocked her head and waited for his response. "I miss Frerin. He left so early last night. Do you think we can spend some time with him?"

"A wonderful idea," he answered. "I'd like to see him myself, but I want most of the day for us. I have a surprise for you."

Thorin watched Areen suck in and bite down on her bottom lip like a little girl, and a chuckle resonated deep in his chest. He was pleased by how relaxed she was. She seemed comfortable with them and at Erebor. In everything he heard her say, she was impressed but not overawed. Her compliments were thoughtful and sincere, unlike so many others who wanted to curry favor with over-the-top blather on the smallest detail. Even if she had her sight, he didn't think she'd act like that. She valued people more, and he took a moment to congratulate his decision to bring her even though he bungled it so badly at first.

She's happy here. She's herself.

A smile curved his lips, and his eyes rested lightly on her as Kili described the roost and how it functioned with bells that the ravens would ring to summon couriers. There wasn't much to explain though, and she hugged her shoulders and rubbed her arms. It was chilly because the portals had been left open to admit messengers as soon as possible. Whatever news they had was going to be urgent.

"So," she said after Kili answered her last question, "is it time to go downy?"

"What?" Thorin was confused, but Kili cackled and rose to the challenge of what Thorin soon discovered was another in a line of truly awful bird jokes.

"Yes," Kili said with mischief in his voice, "and if you need help on the stairs just caw."

"Oh, that's the worst one yet," she said before laughter bubbled up in her throat and echoed off the stone.

"Not as bad as when I couldn't get the door open and you said I shouldn't get in a flap about it. And what about when you told me to 'beak down the door'?"

"Those were inspired. Not like your 'I hope you're having a pheasant time.'"

"I liked that one," Kili protested, "and you laughed plenty."

"Because it was the first one. You caught me off-guard."

"I hope to do that often." After an indulgent shake of his head, Thorin held Kili back by his elbow.

"I want you going down before her, Kili," he said into his ear, "not next to her, and behind her going up stairs from now on. If she were to stumble, you'd break her fall. All Sky has to do is pull too hard on the leash."

"Yes, but she moves as surely as anyone with sight, Thorin. She hardly needs my help."

"Nevertheless I want it done."

Kili nodded and at once moved ahead of Areen. Thorin signaled his approval and then looked down the stairs and felt along the wall. A railing was needed, he decided. It would be too easy for someone to fall down those narrow stairs—not that anyone ever had—but a fall from that height could be serious. That train of thought led him to consider the hundreds of other hazards that Erebor offered the unaware, and he decided to bring up the matter at the next council meeting or perhaps call a special session. There were many elderly dwarves and wounded veterans of the Battle of the Five Armies who could use an extra measure of assistance and security. Dwarves were hardy folk and their balance impeccable, so low was their center of gravity. In fact, no one had ever died from a fall outside the mines, no matter what their disability, yet there could always be that one time that made all the difference. He nodded to himself, pleased that the matter came to mind.

With that newfound sense of purpose, Thorin walked behind the pair, observing their interactions and remembering his own with her in the mine. He felt a surge of pleasure and warm affection for her, for them, as they ambled in the generation direction of the training rings where Fili was showing Frerin basic defensive moves. Suddenly, a small but energetic body rounded the corner.

"Pincess Reen!"

Frerin smacked into her legs, causing her to lurch backward into Kili.

"Easy there, Frerin!" Kili said, suddenly grateful for Thorin's advice. "You don't want to knock her over, do you?"

Fili and Della walked up behind him at a leisurely pace, taking their time in an easy day without maiming or death to think about.

"Swing me!" Frerin shouted while jumping up and down. His face was pink and slightly tacky from running to and from his parents. Areen, Thorin, and Kili had heard him coming with the disembodied voices of his parents calling from behind to keep him in line.

"First I want a squeeze," Areen said, and she crouched and opened her arms wide. He hugged her hard and afterward held her face gently, placing forehead to forehead and nose to nose. The others stopped their casual talk and watched the pair. Something seemed to happen, where Areen and Frerin almost forgot others were watching. He patted her cheeks and watched her eyes drifted across and over his face without focusing.

"Here I am," and he moved his soft hands and lifted her chin to better meet his gaze. Her eyes dropped, and he lifted her chin further to compensate. "Here I am eyes." Reaching for her fingers, he put them on his face. "Here I am Pincess Reen. See me now?"

"I see you," she agreed. She felt his wide smile which sparked one of her own. "I love you, Frerin," she said, her voice soft and tender. "I love you very much. You're my sweetheart."

"Sweetheart," he repeated, and he hugged her like they would be separated forever if not for his arms tight around her neck. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she held him just as close.

"I'm sorry I didn't spend much time with you yesterday, sweetheart,' she said, "but you were very tired."

"He isn't now," Fili muttered into Della's ear. "I don't think he'll nap today. Pity. I was so looking forward to it."

"Swing me please."

Kili took one hand, and Thorin moved to take the other, but Frerin's sticky fingers grabbed Areen's thumb instead.

"Swing me?"

Laughing, she took Frerin's hand and prepared herself.

"On the count of three, Areen," Kili said. She stood wide and braced herself, but on the three, Frerin's toes dragged on the ground, and she had to use both arms and all her strength to keep him from sagging on her side.

"My goodness, Frerin! I think it'd be easier for you to swing me!"

"Allow me," Thorin said, stepping in and taking Frerin's hand.

"Oh, is this where you show off how strong you are?"

He wasn't rattled in the least. "No need. Everyone already knows."

Kili laughed at Areen's comeuppance, and he and Thorin swung Frerin up so high that he squealed with delight. More than once, Della had to cover her mouth with her hand and look away. Once Frerin had had enough, he grabbed Areen's sleeve and dragged her off to feel more carvings on nearby walls. The one he chose was a new one of the Battle of the Five Armies.

"Grandpa Thorn's!" and he led her to touch Thorin's large, granite palm.

"I've felt this before," she said to herself, and then a wicked grin stole over her face. "You know Frerin, he's not really your grandfather. He's your great-uncle." She pulled him closer and whispered in his ear. "Can you say that again. Yes, that's it. Just like that. Perfect." Frerin turned around and went right to Thorin, tugging on his tunic. The king looked down at the littlest prince yanking on his hem and shot a wary glance at Areen.

"Grunkle Thorn! Grunkle Thorn!"

The group looked over to see Areen looking gleeful and Thorin rather ... disgrunkled. Kili tried with all his might but couldn't help snickering. Fili didn't try. Della didn't know what to make of it.

"I hope that doesn't stick," Thorin said with his hands on his hips.

"Well, that depends on how nice you are to me," she countered with an impish smile. Kili and Fili stared wide-eyed before laughing so hard they struggled to breathe. Della looked on aghast.

"Oh, that one's priceless," Fili said. "I think Areen takes that round, Thorin."

"If I concede will you make him stop?" Thorin asked. He tried to hold on to the least bit of irritation but couldn't in the face of her innocent teasing.

"I want to say I'll think on it," she said, "but then again I wouldn't want your subjects wondering what a 'grunkle' is." Calling Frerin over, she whispered in his ear. He nodded and cupped her ear to whisper something back. "Yes, I suppose you're right. Names aren't nice. I stand corrected, Frerin."

"Sweetheart."

"Sweetheart. Yes, you're right. I won't do it again."

"Promise?"

"I promise, sweetheart."

Flushed with pride, Frerin puffed out his chest, and marched back over to Thorin.

"Grandpa Thorn," he said with all the pomp of Erebor's herald announcing honored guests.

"My favorite title," Thorin said before scooping him up in his arms.

"I should have known that all Durins are honorable to the bone," Areen said. "You've taught me a good lesson, sweetheart." Thorin saw her pride and delight in Frerin showing clearly through her blind eyes and wondered if that wasn't sight of another kind. He too was proud of Frerin's strength of character and shifted him in his arms. Areen followed the sound, stepped close to Thorin, and felt for Frerin's face.

"You are a worthy heir, my sweetheart." She pressed up on her toes and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek at the same time Thorin bent his head to kiss him on the top of the head. From where Fili and Della stood it almost seemed like Thorin and Areen were kissing each other.

"You know," Fili said leaning over to Della, "that almost looks like ... no, that's preposterous." Della looked askance but said nothing. Frerin squirmed to get down, and once on the floor held out his hand for Areen to take, but Kili stepped in his way.

"We must be going now," he said, and Fili stopped Frerin's immediate protests. "I want to take Areen to the private park."

"She hasn't seen it yet?" Della asked. "I would have thought ..."

"The time wasn't right, Della," Kili said with emphasis, "but now that we aren't distracted by, er, other matters, we can enjoy it."

The others watched Kili and Areen walk away arm in arm with Sky trotting at her side.

"He's going to ask her," Fili said with a big smile. "By Durin, he's going to ask her," and they watched the couple grow smaller in the distance. "What do you think, Della?"

"She's more irreverent than I'm used to, but she's brave, loyal, and devoted to those she loves, and if she loves Kili, he'll be loved well indeed. I'll have to get used to her sense of humor though."

"Thorin?"

The King of Erebor didn't speak but kept his eyes on the pair until they disappeared from sight.

"Thorin?

After a moment he blinked, and his eyes refocused.

"Mmm? Yes, I agree. She needs to stay, aye. No matter what, she needs to stay."

OK, in the next chapter one major thing will be decided. Oh, and if anyone's confused about "Grunkle," it's from the cartoon show "Gravity Falls." Grunkle is much more fun to say than great-uncle. Please review!