Amad

"Inside, come along," Dis urged her sons in before herself, knowing it'd be a struggle to get them, her shopping, herself AND their apparently new addition to the family inside.

Fili and Kili helpfully got themselves and her bags of shopping in, most of the bundles inside being extra food and cloth to make simple clothes with.

Dis herself stepped inside and gently shifted the tired, scared and filthy little girl in her arms.

"Welcome to my home," she gently turned the girl about so she could see where she had been brought, "this is where I and the boys live. Thorin has his own small home though he stays here some times. That's where he had to go off when he dropped us outside."

Dru was silent the whole time Dis talked, but her eyes were wide and told Dis everything she needed to know.

As did the growing growls of the girl's stomach.

"Come on," she walked forward towards the kitchen, "first things first, let's get you something to munch on. Do you know what you want to eat?"

The little girl shrugged her shoulders and pouted, though that may have just been down to nerves, so Dis didn't take it personally.

"Well, how about a fish supper? With all the trimmings?"

As Dis deposited the little girl onto the nearest seat at the kitchen table, she gently had to pry the little arms from around her neck.

"Do you have chips?" She said so quietly that Dis almost missed it, but she bent low and smiled at the little girl.

"We indeed have potatoes and I believe we can easily make some chips from those. Fish and chips sound good?"

Dru nodded and she finally gave Dis a small smile, though she still seemed rather uncertain about the entire situation.

"Kili, would you please fill the tub for a bath, sweetheart?" She instructed her youngest, who sagged his shoulders and put on heavy airs.

"Oh, but Maaaaaaaam-"

"No buts," she quickly shooed him away, even though he dragged his feet as he went, "you'll get your dinner and your dessert, just do this one thing for me. And make sure there are lots of soapy bubbles. Go on!"

Kili let out a groan, but as soon as his feet were on the stairs, he shot straight up, so that was one less worry for Dis.

She cooked dinner for everyone but ensured that Dru got the first big helping.

Fili took the readied plate and as soon as he placed it in front of Dru, the little girl's eyes went wide and she gasped.

"Thank you," she said quickly before she picked up her knife and fork and shovelled the biggest chip straight into her mouth.

Dis and Fili were trying not to watch her, but they both couldn't help but smile between themselves as she guzzled it quickly down.

Though, there was a tinge of sadness as she guzzled because it was evident how starved she actually was. How long had that man kept her without feeding her?

'Poor Lamb,' Dis thought but maintained a brave face, knowing sadness and pity wasn't what the girl needed right now.

No. It was hot food, a bath and knowing that she was safe.

Once her plate was clear and Kili said the bath was full and warm, Dis escorted her upstairs and into the bathroom.

Dru's eyes widened at the sight of the bubbles in the bath (Kili have gone a little overboard with the soap and mixing) but was more than happy to let Dis held her undress so she could get in.

It was when she pulled off her ratty, dirtied clothed did she notice the large bruises covering the girls torso.

Something long had hit her multiple times and whilst her long sleeves had covered up the few that littered her little arms, her back and sides had taken the worst beating.

"Oh, sweetheart," Dis scouted down and gently laid her hand next to one of the big ones on her back, "what happened?"

"The bad man did it," Dru said quietly and sniffled as she began to shake, "he said I couldn't eat what he dropped."

Hearing how upset the topic made Dru, Dis decided it wasn't best to press her.

"Ok, let's get you into that water."

With one gentle lift, Dis deposited the little girl into the tub and was glad when Dru happily smiled as a mountain of bubbles covered around her.

"It looks like snow!" She gasped and giggled as she slipped her fingers into the thick mass and pulled back a handful.

Seeing that she was distracted and happy, Dis quickly called Kili into the bathroom as she got up.

"I'm just going to get some Lavender and Arnica ointment," she gave her son's head a pat as he wandered in, "keep an eye on her for me, please."

Kili, spotting the odd bruise on Dru's back but seeing she wasn't suffering too much with it, decided to do one better than just watch over her.

That's how Fili found him.

He'd brought the 'extra soft and warm linen towel' that his mother had forgotten about and walked into the bathroom to see Dru giggling at Kili, who had chosen to do a handstand with a bucket on his head (or, his head in the bucket, depending on how he looked at it.)

Neither paid him much attention (Kili couldn't really see him), so Fili just placed the towel on the table at the side and would have left, except he too saw the bruises littering her skin.

But before he had a chance to ask her any questions about it, his mother laid a land on his shoulder and shook her head.

"Best not. It seems to upset her," she said quietly to him and smiled down at her eldest boy, "she's going to be a little tender for the next couple of weeks, so be gentle with her. Ok?"

Fili knew she was asking him to look after her. And whilst he didn't really know his 'new little sister' yet, he could promise not to be too rough with her.

"Aye', Mam. I promise."

She bent low and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, that he seemed to suffer but accepted.

"Go on, you and Kili go downstairs and eat your dinner," Dis ruffled his hair and moved aside to let him pass, "we'll be down as soon as we can. And DON'T eat all that pie!"

When the two boys left her, Dis quickly got to work in getting Dru the way she was before, scrubbing off and erasing the dirt and memories of her terrible time behind that stall.

She carefully scrubbed, splashed and happily laughed with Dru as she 'accidentally' tickled her toes and armpits and once the grime was gone from her skin, she began the slow process on her.

Used to washing Kili, Fili and her own hair, Dru's was a bit of a challenge. She took her time as she brushed it, washed it, brushed it again and towelled it dry before deciding the BEST way to tame is way to put it into one thick braid.

And when that was done, she stepped back and got the towel open for Dru.

"Out you pop, don't want you going all wrinkly now," Dis smiled as Dru carefully clambered over the side and stood before her.

"My Goodness!" Dis dropped to her knees and wrapped her up in the towel, quickly rubbing circles over her skin to dry her off.

"What?" Dru grimaced as her face was rubbed, but didn't really seem to be complaining about the treatment.

"I knew you were pretty, but gosh!" Dis pulled back with a smile and gently tapped Dru on the tip of her nose, "that is perhaps the most beautiful, cleanest face I've EVER seen!"

"You're pretty too! You've hair the same colour as soot!" The little girl reached out and gently took Dis' thick sideburn braid into her hand, admiring it with wonder.

They chatted on, Dis complimenting Dru and Dru paying her back in sweet (if sometimes odd) little compliments of her own.

Once she was dry, she was dressed in one of Kili's old nightshirts (that was so big, it acted as a dress for her) and they both made their way back downstairs.

Fili and Kili had both finished their own dinner and, since they were obviously trying to make their mother's night easier, had placed the pie in the middle of the table and not even cut it.

Though, as soon as Dru's backside was on her seat, Fili eagerly took up the knife and cut off the biggest slice.

But, much to his mother AND his brother's surprise, he moved the biggest, first slice straight onto Dru's plate.

The little girl's eyes widened as she stared at the crumbly confectionary and Dis tried to hide her amused smile when she gently prodded at the filling inside.

"Bramley apple!" Kili declared happily as he finally got a slice, "my favourite!"

Once they all had a slice, they tucked in and began to chat about what they were all planning to do the next day.

Dis was just describing how she'd be spending the day sewing some nice dress patterns when she noticed that Dru had finished off her pie and was now sitting opposite her with heavy eyelids.

In fact, Dru was almost nodding off at the table!

"I think it's time for bed, don't you boys," Dis looked between the two and they all shared a conspiratorial little look.

Normally, she'd insist they wash their hands, brush their teeth and spend half an hour in front of the fireplace, finishing up on their homework. But considering Dru was about to crash out on her sticky plate, she supposed she'd forget routine just for tonight.

Fili and Kili bid them goodnight and waved Dru off, Kili proclaiming that she was 'the best thing they've ever gotten at the market!' and Fili smirking and pulling a face to make her sleepily giggle.

Dru took her small hand and led her towards the downstairs bedroom.

"Usually, my brother sleeps in here," she led Dru to the bed and lifted the girl onto the sheets, "but since he's not here, I'm sure he won't mind."

Dru was silent as Dis prepared her room, lighting a candle in the corner so it wouldn't be too dark for her at first and then, helping her clamber under the covers.

"Do you need anything before bed?" Dis sat over her and gently smoothed back the girl's hair, glad it was still maintained in the braid.

"Mummy sings to me or reads me a book or tells me a story before bed," she said casually and Dis felt a little tug at her heart.

"Well, all the books are in the next room, but I do know ONE story off by heart," she cleared her throat and began to tell the tale she had told many times before, "it all started long ago, in the Kingdom of Erebor..."

Later that night...

Dis was awakened by an unfamiliar voice crying out. Groggily, she sat up and wiped at her face as she struggled to listen.

It didn't sound too close and strangely enough, it appeared to be coming from outside, but the voice was definitely that of a child and a female one at that and-

Dru.

Quickly, Dis got out of bed, pulled on her dressing gown and slippers and quickly made her way downstairs.

She hadn't even reached the final step before seeing that Dru was not in her room AND the noise was coming from right outside the front door, which now hung wide open.

Stepping into the night, she saw a sight that made her heartache.

Dru was standing at the bottom of the path by the garden gate and was bawling her eyes out as she looked from left to right and back again.

"Druili?!" Dis quickly marched forward and reached the little girl just as Dru noticed her, "why are you-"

"I WANT MY MUMMY!" Dru sobbed loudly and stuck the tip of her fingers in her mouth, seemingly trying to stop herself from crying so loudly.

Dis, feeling no anger or ire towards Dru for being out and about so late, immediately crouched down and pulled the girl into her arms.

"I know, sweetheart," knowing there was not much else to say to try to soothe her, she just tried to calm her crying down for now, "I know, shh."

Dru's free hand gripped at Dis's robe and held on to her, shaking almost violently as sobs wracked through her tiny body.

"I've lost her! I can't find her! She said-she said if I lost my way I could find the path home but I don't know where I am!"

When the girl's small frame finally pushed against hers, Dis shifted her weight and picked her up, carrying her back up the path and back into the house.

"It's alright, shh," she felt like crying herself, her motherly instincts taking over and wanting nothing more than to reassure and take care of the little girl sobbing in her arms.

She bypassed the bedroom and headed straight towards the living room, sitting down on the comfy chair her brother had claimed for his own.

For a while, she just tried to calm and soothe Dru, rocking her back and forth in her lap.

And then she spoke again, pulling away to look at Dis with a wet face and a wobble in her voice.

"Why didn't mummy wake up?! I wanted her to wake up and I called but she didn't answer!"

Dis carefully brushed away what tears she could but would need a towel to rid Dru of the wetness over her cheeks, nose and chin.

"Your mother has passed Dru. Do you know what happens when people die?"

Dru gave a little nod.

"They don't come back," she sniffed again and tried to fight her tears, "Mummy said that's what happened to Daddy."

Another little pang of hurt swept through Dis' heart. This poor girl...she'd already suffered so much.

"Well, sweetheart...your mother isn't coming back," the sharp little intake of breath made her want to pull the little girl against her, but she continued, "she has passed on and you can't go back home. There's no one there for you."

Dru's bottom lip wobbled.

"But what about my bed? Where am I going to sleep?"

"Here," Dis smiled gently and offered, "we meant what we said earlier. We brought you here so you can stay. If you like? The bed your sleeping in will be yours as will that room."

Dru nodded once but quickly ducked her head and let out a small little whimper.

"I want mummy."

"I know," Dis guided the girl back to her arms and hugged her tight, "and I can't bring her back. I'm sorry you've lost your mummy, but...if you stay here, I promise to look after you. And I can't replace your mummy. But I'll try to take care of you. I promise."

Dru seemed to finally come to terms with her current situation and her little handballed tight into Dis' robe again. Though, it seemed to be more from discomfort and pain since she groaned the next statement.

"My tummy hurts."

"Oh, poor thing," Dis rubbed soothing circles over her back, "you did eat a lot rather quickly and you're a little tired, that's all. I think some peppermint tea will help. Would you like me to make you some?"

As Dis pottered about with the tea kettle and stove, Dru sat on the chair and wiped away her tears.

She did miss her mummy, but she liked Dis. And she liked Fili and Kili. She was just sad and didn't know a lot about what was happening. But...maybe she would think about it another time. When she was more awake and could ask Dis some more questions.

Before the tea had even been poured, both boys entered the kitchen, claiming they'd heard talking and they couldn't get back to sleep because the 'smell of peppermint was driving me mad!' according to Kili.

As they all sat around and had a late-night tea session, Dru finally felt a strange sense of calm wash over her.

She was safe.

That bad man wasn't going to get her here.

For the first time since she'd walked all that way following her mother in that wagon, she felt safe and happy.

She hoped it'd never stop.

Xx Erebor xX

As Fili raised himself up and out of the water, the oils and soaps falling away like a stream down his body, he couldn't help but smile at the sight that greeted him.

"Oh, look at you!" Dru pulled an overly excited face and laughed as she raised her daughter up in the air, "you're such a happy little duckling, yes you are!"

Thora, who was giggling joyously, kept kicking her little legs wildly every time her mother lowered her slowly down and the tips of her toes touched the water.

It was a new game that Dru had just invented when she discovered that Thora LOVED the water and unlike other dwarfling babes who would usually tolerate a quick bath and wash, Thora simply adored taking her time and splashing about.

"Quick, get daddy!" Dru turned her about and sat her bare backside on her knee, laughing gaily as Thora kicked her little legs out, "oh, we're going to splash daddy, get him!"

Fili chuckled and ducked back down into the water, blinking hastily when a few of his daughter's well-aimed splashes caught him right in the face.

"Oh no! Daddy's a sea monster! Watch out, he'll get your toes!"

Thora did not seem scared in the slightest.

In fact, the closer Fili got to them, the louder she giggled and the sound was the best thing Fili had heard...in forever.

When he finally did get close enough to her legs, he quickly 'leapt' up and nibbled and blew raspberries on his daughter's feet.

Unfortunately, like her mother, Thora seemed to be horribly ticklish and her only response was to squeal and then, promptly land her foot right on his nose.

"Oof!" Fili reeled back and grabbed at his nose, though it was more from shock than pain.

Still, she did pack a mean kick.

"Oh no!" Dru, not being able to help her amused laughter, tucked her daughter close to her head and got up on her knees, "poor daddy! Let's have a look."

Fili waited until they were close enough to him before reaching out and taking Thora from Dru.

"Rawr!" He quickly lifted her high above his head and wiggled her side to side, "got you, my little goose!"

Thora and Fili continued to giggle as Dru took the opportunity to quickly wash her hair. Once it was all soaped, she ducked back under the water and only raised her head so her eyes and nose were showing.

"Where's mummy, hey?" Fili tucked Thora against him and quietly whispered in her ear, "is that mummy in the water? Huh, I think it is!"

Thora shoved her little fist into her mouth and dribbled as she watched and waited for Dru to reveal it was actually her.

Slowly, she moved forward towards them and (making sure not to be TOO scary) popped her head up and out and let out a small, 'Boo!'

Thora was delighted again and hid her little face against her father's neck.

"Oh, trying to hide from me?" She knelt up and planted a kiss against her daughter's back, "not a chance!"

For a moment, everyone was caught up in their own laughter and then, Fili's eyes met Dru's and they both fell quiet as they smiled.

"Are you all clean?" Dru's hand massaged his bare shoulder, running it down and over his chest.

"As clean as we can get. We best get out before we prune," he turned his head to Thora and said against her head, "and we don't want you getting all wrinkly!"

The sight made Dru's heart swell with unrestrained happiness.

It's perfect.

Her life.

Her love.

Her family.

Perfection was that moment.

"One second," she said, not wanting it to end just yet. She leaned against her husband, her arm looping around him to hold him up and close to her.

She placed a kiss against the side of his neck and raised her other hand to rest against his own that was placed on their daughter's back.

"Just a little longer," she shut her eyes and inhaled deeply, "I love this time."

"This time?" He queried, though leant his head against hers, feeling utterly comfortable and relaxed.

"It's just us. No one else," she raised her head slightly as Thora straightened up and looked at the two of them with a large, gummy smile, "my entire world. In one tub."

They both laughed at that idea, but Fili understood.

"It's a big tub. But I know what you mean," he first gave Thora a little kiss on one of her chubby cheeks and then, one in the middle of Dru's forehead, "the world may get bigger you know? I think...I think this tub is going to see a lot."

"Let's hope. Bath time has always been my favourite time."

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Amad = Mother