Chapter 53
Sorry for the late update, life got very, very hectic. I think my hours of school and work are really catching up to me. Plus my anemia laid me low after an infection. I ended up with a transfusion. I really do try to update once a week, but I can't always promise it while I am in school. For that, I apologize and hope you still stay with me until the end. Problem is, I have a wonderful story burning in my brain to write for Kili, Fili and Bilbo living in the Shire. So I will carry on and try not to bore you or try your patience. If I start putting in odd notes about my medical classes, ignore. LOL. So a quick update tonight.
Thorin tried to let his mind clear, allow himself a rare moment of peace in his own bed. He didn't expect Dwalin to return anytime soon. He could be searching out Nori for quite some time. Everything was in place for their departure, at least as much that could be done without alerting Dain and his court. Who knew when he'd have such a luxury again?
His repose lasted less than a few hours. His sleep was interrupted by very loud banging on his door. Thorin frowned, rubbed his tired face and threw off his blankets. Tossing on a robe, he walked to the door.
"My King, urgent news." Came a gruff voice after the banging stopped.
"Password?" Thorin asked, still somewhat miffed about the whole procedure Kili had thought up during his rule. He was certain Nori held a role in it.
"Mushrooms are tasty." was the awkward reply.
Thorin sighed. Kili had used members of the company as his inspiration. Obviously, he'd been thinking of the hobbit that day.
Thorin released the heavy bolts and locks, allowing the door to open.
Two guards were beside a petite dwarrowdam. She was young, still not in her 70's by the look of her. She still had no beard and her golden locks were woven in a crown of braids around her head. Small dark freckles covered her nose and cheeks. Along with the long light blue smock, her status as a healing apprentice was obvious. Her green eyes were red with weariness and unshed tears.
She curtsied deeply with grace. Her eyes kept downward, voice unsteady, she coughed then spoke softly.
Thorin blinked, he'd met her before. She was one of his people from Ered Luin. Damn it though, he could not remember her house or the young one's name. His heart fell at the sight of the young dwarrow. Clearly some calamity had befallen. For one brief second, Thorin became selfish, begging Mahal to spare his too few friends and kin.
"Excuse me, your Highness. Lord Oin has sent me from the sick wards. Several children have fallen quite ill." Her shaking hands wound into her apron. Her voice trembled at her next words. "Lord Oin believes them poisoned."
Thorin stared hard at the young lady. Her proclamation swept over his mind and his heart skipped several beats. Nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath. His guards began loud unhappy mutterings.
Thorin did not give into the rage now burning through his heart. His voice almost cracked before returning to its deep rumble, "How many? Does he know who is behind this cowardly attack?"
She looked up at her king's low, dark tone, before rapidly looking down again. "12, but we, I mean Lord Oin expects many more. Parents began arriving at the healing wards a few hours ago." Trying hard to conceal her trembling, she shoved her hands in her pockets.
"Twelve!" Thorin shouted. His face paled at the staggering number. It was a third of the children within the mountain at his last count. 'This could not be happening, this could not be!'
She swallowed and nodded, "Yes, my Lord. Most of them are recent arrivals or those who belong to the miner's kin. My Lord Oin has requested your presence at your earliest connivance. If he knows who is so vile, he did not tell me, sir."
Thorin felt an anger sweep in his soul. This was a blinding white rage. He knew at once who was behind it all. One of the witches, it had to be. Such a dark price for the blood of a Durin. Thorin was trembling with fury, but his voice was firm and commanding. "Awake Lord Balin and the rest of my advisors at once. Have Balin, Gloin and Dori sent to the healing wards. The others are to await me in my council chambers." Thorin commanded one of the guards. "Place the guard on full alert. If these children have been poisoned, the ones behind it will rue this day with the last of their breath." He demanded of the other. Each nodded, eager to do anything to assist. A third guard replaced the other two.
Thorin's attention returned to the messenger. She still shook and looked very lost. "What is your name?"
The blonde finally snuck a hasty glance up at her king. "Meri, daughter of Grundur, my Lord."
Thorin realized where he'd seen the child before. She had played with Fili and Kili many years ago before the Fili had to sent on his path toward kingship. One of the precious few females born in the first years after their exile.
A memory of several young dwarrows cavorting in a large puddles after weeks of rain.
The rain had been especially long that spring. Everyone, not just the younglings desired to be out of their humble homes. When at last the warm winds blew the last of the rain clouds away, Ered Luin was dotted with multiple mini lakes and large puddles.
Thorin and Dwalin had been meeting with some human farmers. They had received their payment for sharpening and fixing their farming implements. The two old friends walked casually into the center of the dwarf settlement. They were surprised to see the children's teachers nowhere about. Instead all of the younglings were cavorting in the dirty water without a care in the world.
For the youngest generation born under sky and sun, these shallow waters were a new playground. Every single dwarrow child found themselves in these gentle waters. Meri and another lass, had been making mud pies decorated with dandelions and leaves. Kili was covered in mud head to toe with the muck and the weeds declaring himself to be a frog. The imp was leaping about as if a bee had stung his bottom. Fili was leading the other boys chasing him, laughing and screaming in delight. All of them tossing great chunks of mud at him and one another. Even little Ori had managed to be without his elder brother. He sat in the mud puddle, carefully piling thick oozy chunks of dirt and rock into a watery castle.
Kili spied his uncle and Dwalin quickly. Both of them were simultaneously amused and annoyed. The sight of such joy though was hard to ignore and they felt smiles win over any scowl of disapproval.
Instantly, Kili devised a clever plan. He could escape his pursurers by seeking the shelter of adults.
Thorin approached the dwarflings catiously. He had no desire to end up in that muck. Dwalin, normally beside him, stood carefully behind his friend. Thorin shook his head and shouted for Fili and Kili. He needed to know where their guardians were.
The muddiest child of the group suddenly turned suddenly. A second later, Kili greeted Thorin by leaping straight at him. Thorin was wide eyed as the dirty child almost landed in his arms. Thorin dodged the ten year old only to be taken by surprise by the other brother. Fili was similarly dripping the brown ooze. Like the others, Fili had a difficult time trying to catch his nimble brother. His uncle was never his target. Fili never meant to tackle Thorin from the side. He'd been aiming for Kili, honest!
Off balance, Thorin had tumbled into the large puddle himself. Dwalin had instantly fallen into hysterical laughter. When Thorin finally sat up, now looking like his precious children, Dwalin had to hold his sides and tears were falling. It didn't help that Thorin's own shout of surprise had brought others to check in on the noise.
Thorin grumbled as he wiped the wet mess from his eyes. Kili giggled and leapt at his uncle once more. This time, Thorin didn't bother to move. Kili was in his arms and wiggling like a frog, yelling "Ribbet!" over and over again at the top of his lungs. Fili had gotten a bear hug on Thorin's neck, he was laughing too. Thorin finally gave in and joined the two.
His kingdom had too few children, not enough muddy imps causing chaos.
"Meri, does Lord Oin require anything that you can think of?" He kept his voice calm even though he felt anything but. Raging about would not be helpful. He had no desire to alert Dain to this as of yet. Not until he had further information.
Shaking her head, "Yes sir. He has sent another to the kitchen's requesting broth and mint."
"Very well, return to assist Lord Oin. Tell him I will be there in minutes. The resources of the entire kingdom are at his disposal." Thorin held her with his gaze. He patted the child on her shoulder. "Oin has worked miracles in the past. Stay strong Meri, hold on to hope."
Meri rewarded her king's efforts with small smile, her form straightened. "I shall sir." Meri started to rush off muttering, "Thank you," before leaving.
Thorin turned to his two guards, both looked too young to be in the guard already. Each was trying to smoother their inner instinct to charge off after the villain, but there was no one yet to direct their fury.
"I will dress, then we shall head to the Healing Wards." He informed them before heading back into his room. Thorin returned in minutes. Without words, he stormed from his rooms and down to the chaos that awaited him.
