Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).
Chapter 8
Days passed since the 'incident' as she came to call it. She spent her time locked away in her room and had become accustomed to her new routine. In the morning she would wake to Deamra bringing her a fresh plate of food. On the second day, Magdalen asked Deamra why she brought her food, Magdalen knew she didn't need too. She was certain no one ordered her too, and she had other patients that needed tending.
"You seem lonely; I thought maybe you needed a friend," Deamra said simply.
Magdalen held back tears keeping her hands busy by picking at the biscuit Deamra had brought her. "Thank you, really thank you Deamra." Magdalen stood up pulling Deamra into a tight hug.
Deamra laughed patting the girl's back. Pulling back Deamra's blushing face grew into a grin "And we haven't had patients in a few days, so it was either help the mysterious girl or help Galin organize the herbs."
Magdalen chuckled lowering herself back onto her bed. "Well thanks anyway, dude."
"Dude? My name is Deamra, is your head hurting again." Deamra asked alarmed her eyes widening. She raised a hand to Magdalen's head, Magdalen batted away her hand laughing.
"No no, dude is just something people say to friends ba-back where I'm from." Deamra eye glistened with wonder. Her round cheeks got even redder, if that was possible.
"Oh, That's wonderful.. Dude." Deamra added on. Magdalen laughed rolling her eyes at her new friend. At least she had one friend here.
And so the days passed. Deamra would bring her food, clean her wounds, and then change bandages. The two would talk for a while, Magdalen would ask questions about Erebor or Middle Earth in general. As the king's orders Magdalen did not tell her friend her wild story, she didn't want to scare her away. So Magdalen just told her she couldn't remember where she came from, and the royal family had taken pity on her.
"I told you they were kind and just," Deamra said one day, Magdalen bit her tongue from saying some royally nasty words about Deamra's beloved king and prince.
Her days didn't diverge from the routine she had grown used too. Oin, on occasion, would stop by checking her wounds, making sure she wasn't up to any trouble. Deamra would sneak her a book, or paper and a quill. When Deamra had to return to her duties, Magdalen spent most of her time staring at the walls or writing letters to people who would never read them. Dinner would come, a guard would deliver her a small plate of food and Magdalen was left alone to her own devices.
Magdalen grew restless as her first week inside of Erebor came to a close. Magdalen had once seen the outside of her room, since her escape plan on her first day. Whenever she opened the door there would be two guards there, and armed. She had tried a couple times to make conversation with the guard, to no avid. They refused to acknowledge her, and when they did they barked at her to get back in her room. She just wanted to explore her new surrounds and itched to stretch her legs. Magdalen hadn't gotten any exercise since her attempted escape, she felt like a bird in a cage. She had asked Deamra once if she could show her around, Deamra sadly told her the king instructed her and the others not to allow her to leave the room. Magdalen spent the rest of the day writing nasty things about a certain king.
Time was elusive to Magdalen; she only assumed the time. She has asked one of the guards outside of her room, at first he had gruffed not answering her, but after a few minutes of her presently loudly sighing and trying to carry on a conversation, he broke.
On the sixth day her routine was broke much to her dismay. A loud knock on the door roused her from her sleep, she blinking at the sudden knock. Deamra never knocked, she had grown use to the young dwarf letting herself in. Magdalen unwrapped herself from her warm sheets, still groggy from her sleep she sluggishly reached for the door. Opening the door she leaned against the frame resting her head on door. She squeezed her eyes shuts moaning at the brightness of the hallway.
"Deamra I thought I told you to let yourself in, I hate getting out of bed." She grumbled still not opening her eyes.
A voice let out a deep laugh "I can tell; you look like an orc."
Magdalen's eyes snapped open, there before was Prince Kili eyeing her. Magdalen stood up running her fingers through her tangled hair.
She cleared her throat standing taller "Prince Kili how can I help you?" Kili graced her with a childish smile examining her clothes.
"I have come to collect you, Miss Magdalen" Kili stated proudly his armed lock behind him. Magdalen furrowed her brow her grip tightened around the knob of her door.
"The king said I could stay here, has he changed his mind?" Panic rose in her voice, Kili dropped his smile his hands reaching out to Magdalen. She reared back, her mind racing.
"No no no Miss Magdalen, don't worry yourself," Kili said calmly feeling guilty that he had scared the girl.
Relief washed over her face, "My mother wanted you to join her for breakfast, she asked me to escort you to her."
"Won't your brother and your uncle be mad that I'm leaving this room?" Magdalen sheepishly asked."I mean I've stuck in this room for the past week. Pretty sure they wanted me under lock and key."
"I am a prince just like my brother; I can do whatever I wish." Kili's chest puffed, Magdalen saw a guard on the other side of the hall who had been watching their interaction raise his eyebrows at the young prince's statement.
Kili looked to either side of him before leaning toward Magdalen "Plus Uncle and Fili will be in meetings all day, what they don't know won't hurt them."
Magdalen clasped her hand over her mouth covering up a giggle that formed in her chest. She looked down at her clothes, she shifted. Deamra had given her an old tunic that reached her knees, and a pair of loose pants to sleep in. Susan would faint knowing she had meet a prince in this outfit. Susan would also faint that she was meet a fictional prince from their childhood.
"You think I could change before you sweep me away," She requested Kili looked down at the state of her attire a red blush burned on his face. His hand scraped the back of his neck clearing his throat trying to calm the blush on his face.
"Yes, of course, Miss Magdalen, I will wait right out here as you get ready." Nodding his head turning his back on her as she shut the door.
Magdalen shut the door behind her. Rushing over to the brush Oin had brought her, running the comb through her dull locks. Magdalen wasn't as skilled at hair braiding as Deamra was. After their breakfast would braid her hair out of her face, it made Magdalen feel better. Like when she was a child and Susan would do her hair before school. Susan was probably worried sick, it broke Magdalen's heart thinking Susan was left alone. They may have not talked to each other everyday but they were the only family they had left. And now, they were both alone. Worlds away from each other. If Susan had been here she would hold Magdalen and sing to her as she did whenever Magdalen felt sad.
Magdalen looked at the small mirror. Her hair sat in wild waved around her face, the color had begun to return to her face. The sickly green hue faded into the bright pinks and warm yellow tones of her face reflected in the blurry reflection. Oin had done a great job of helping heal her wounds. Galin had come with Deamra yesterday to take off her bandages. The skin of her forehead had calmed, leaving a healing red scar that ran from her forehead to her eyebrow. He had instructed to put the gel he had made, on her scar every day to stop any infections. Her steely eyes looked at the fading scare, her fingers ran over the skin of her forehead. Feeling the tightened skin, Deamra told her that it might go away one day. But seeing it now, Magdalen knew it was there to stay. She had never been one to be obsessed with her looks, but she still liked to feel pretty. The vain part of herself told her that it somehow took away from her value. Magdalen shook her head smoothing out the loose strings of honey blonde hair, tucking them behind her ear.
Why did Lady Dis want to see her? She had seemed nice enough. It was her who had defend Magdalen against Thorin and Fili accusations. Had Thorin or Fili changed her mind about Magdalen. Did she want to scold her for her actions. Magdalen had punched her son, surely being a mother she wanted to protect her son. She knew little about the princess of Erebor, she was only mentioned in passing in the book. Worry built in her mind as she began to dress.
Clothes in Middle Earth were strange, and she hated it. Magdalen wanted nothing more than to then to put on her shirt and leggings. Her heart nearly shattered when Deamra told her that they had to throw away her clothes. Magdalen understood she had seen the state of them, but she had loved that shirt.
The clothes here were complicated, and Magdalen often needed Deamra's assistance to figure them out. Magdalen let out a frustrated breath after she got into the first layer of clothing before she pulled on the pure blue dress Deamra had lent her, it had fit better than the first dress Deamra had leaned her.
The dress had been from when Deamra was younger. The baby blue fabric fit nicely around her lean frame, though it was to tight for her wide hips. Deamra was shorter than Magdalen, that was clear as the hem of the dress stopped above her ankles. But Magdalen couldn't meet Lady Dis naked so it would have to do. Magdalen ran her hands over the dress, gathering her breath she moved to the door.
Outside Kili was leaned against the wall, in his hands, he played with a small knife. Flipping it repeatedly in his hand. Magdalen crossed her arms over her chest, feeling comfortable by the guard's gaze. Kili smiled at her pushing himself from the wall.
"Ready to go Miss Magdalen?" He question holding his arm out to Magdalen. She looked at it a minute before hooking her hand around his arm.
Kili gave a salute to the guards as they ventured down the hall. "I will bring her back in a while until then, don't tell uncle or my brother where she is," Kili called over his shoulder as they turned the corner toward the first set of stairs.
Magdalen laughed "I thought you were a prince and weren't scared of them?"
"I'm not, I just rather not listen to a lecture from those two." Magdalen hummed.
Magdalen was surprised when Kili patiently waited on her as she climbed the steps, lending a hand when her legs began to shake with pain. He never let her side.
"I'm sorry I'm taking so long, my legs are very sore… Prince Kili" She hope the prince wouldn't grow tired of waiting on her. Magdalen added on as any afterthought. He was a prince, she probably shouldn't treat him like a friend. Prince Fili's words echoing in her head "I am a prince and you should treat me as such."
Kili shook his head holding her elbow as they reached the last of the steps. "It's fine Miss Magdalen, I know it takes time to recover. We are in no rush." He reassured her.
"And there is no need to call me prince, I prefer Kili." He laughed at her formal titles. It was odd seeing a women who had taken on the fire of his uncle and brother to seem so submissive. He had liked how headstrong she seemed the other day, hopefully that girl would come back soon.
"Fine Kili, then you call me Maggie." She commented as they turned to the bridge.
Kili tilted his head at the name "Maggie," He exclaimed squeezing her hand with his arm, beginning to lead her across the bridge.
Magdalen froze pulling his arm back. Kili looked back at the pale face starting at the light below them. Kili squeezed her arm making her look at him. "It will be okay, Miss Maggie. I'm right beside you."
Magdalen swallowed, holding onto Kili as he lead them across the bridge. The familiar blue curtains and carved statues came into sight as they reached the very top of the steps. Magdalen stopped looking over the balcony in the chasm below, she hadn't had time to take in the wonder of Erebor when she was on the run. Now looking at it, she saw the amazing structures below, the bellowing lights as dwarves moved about.
Kili nudged her with his elbow, her eyes tearing away from the city below to the dark haired prince.
"You ready, Miss Maggie." He raised one his eyebrows, amusement sparkling in his eyes. He held out a hand to her. Magdalen looked at Kili, and then at the entrance of the Royal wing.
She smiled, nodding placing her hand in his. "I'm ready as I'll ever be."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Magdalen's eyes wander over the door she had slipped into a week ago, her brain screamed for her to run. To find a way out, find a way home. That seemed impossible at the moment. Magdalen sighed watching as they passed different doors, and stone work. Exploring deeper into the royal wing.
"How many people live here?" Magdalen wondered losing count of the doors they passed.
"It's only the four of us, but there are many different rooms up here. There's a library, a kitchen, hot springs. Other dwarf nobles live in the halls a few levels below us."
Magdalen eyes widened. Kili laughed at her expression, "I had that same look when I came to Erebor. It was odd to have so much space, back in Ered Luin Fili and I shared a bed most of our lives."
Magdalen grinned imagining a grown Kili and Fili trying to share a bed now. "Did you ever get used to it, I imagine you can do whatever your heart desires here."
She saw his joyful face pause for a second, a thought passing through him before he shrugged. "Sometimes I feel like I never get a moment alone here." He muttered to himself.
Before she could get a word out Kili moved on, dropping Magdalen's hand stepping to open a door. Magdalen reached out stopping him from turning the handle, Kili's his smile fell.
"What's the matter Miss Maggie?"
Magdalen shook her head, her gazing falling to the ground. She began pulling on her necklace.
"Come along Amad doesn't bite." He opened the door pushing her inside, leaning over to whisper in her ear.
"Only on occasion." Magdalen's eyes shot open glaring at Kili as he pushed her further into the room.
The room looked to be a living area and was similar to the one she had stumbled into all those nights ago though this one seemed to be far more life in it than the other had.
The room was decorated in light blues and tans colors, contrasting the emerald green of Erebor walls. A fireplace sat carved into the wall to her right, sat on top of the mantle were small drawings. One of two small children laughing, curled into one another's arms. Another was of a man and woman, the two smiled at one another as if they were the only two people in the world. The rest were a combination of the small family, all were peaceful and loving. Moments of happiness captured by pencil.
Practical furniture decorated the room, an ornate table took up a portion of the room. On it sat a bouquet of various colors of lilacs, pinks, and baby blues shone brightly in the light that flooded from the glass balcony that was fashioned into the stone wall. Stacks of assorted foods piled on plates adorned the table, just looking at the savory substance made Magdalen's stomach growl.
"This is beautiful, Kili." Magdalen marveled.
"Thank you; I decorated it myself." A disembodied voice said.
Stepping out of one of the doorways appeared Lady Dis. Dressed in a sapphire gown, her long black hair braided down her back, the wisps of her bread carefully trimmed. Her face was warm and glowing as a smile graced across her full lips. While she didn't wear the jewels as she had before, Dis still exuded elegance as she walked forward consuming her son in a hug.
Magdalen notice Kili was tall by dwarven standards, he was in fact a couple inches taller than Magdalen. The Kathan family was never known for their height,her grandfather had always told her that. Magdalen was in fact very short for her age, as was Susan. Dis reached up planting a kiss on his red cheeks.
"Amad," Kili groaned wiping his cheek with his leather arm softly laughed at his embarrassment.
Kili cleared his throat returning to Magdalen's side."Amad, may I introduce my friend Miss Maggie."
Magdalen was taken back by his statement, they had spoken for the first time only a few minutes ago. Before that, he had only known her as the girl that punched his brother. Still, the sentiment warmed her heart. To know there were people she could call friend eased some of her anxieties. Kili noticed her stare and smile, clasping his hand over her shoulder. Pushing Magdalen toward his mother.
Lady Dis bowed her head, "As you know I am Dis, Kili and Fili's mother and princess of Erebor."
Lady Dis paused as if waiting for Magdalen to do something. Magdalen, trying to think of what to do, awkwardly held her hand out to the Lady Dis. The woman raised her eyebrows looking down her nose at the hand, her eyes trailing back up to the owner.
"Most people bow before they speak to me." Lady Dis spoke eyeing Magdalen.
Magdalen's mouth formed an O shape, before she dropped into a clumsy half curtsy half bow. She bowed her head to hide her embarrassment, "I am sorry Princess Dis"
Dis let out a soft laugh-grabbing Magdalen's chin lifting her head to meet Dis's eyes, which were sparkling with amusement. Taking Magdalen's hand into her own.
"There is no need for that; I am not offended," A smile grew across her face. Kili and Dis shared the same charming smile Magdalen noted.
"I find it quite refreshing, my dear," Dis said patted the top of her hand.
"Come I have had breakfast made for us and I do not intend on wasting it." Her hand enveloped around Magdalen's wrist. She dragged the girl over to one of the blue velvet seats that furbished the table.
Kili followed the women, taking the seat next to Magdalen, listening to his mother chatted the poor girl up. His mother was quite the talker, it was where he had gotten it from. Knowing her she wouldn't stop until her lungs ran out of air. He grinned at his mother's antics filling his plate up with as much food at it could hold, sitting back to listen to his Amad.
Magdalen's stomach growled, it panged with an emptied feeling. She had realized just how hunger she had been until her eyes looked at the inviting food in front of her. Magdalen restrained herself from digging into the mountain of food and consuming it all. Lady Dis had been talking to her so intently Magdalen didn't want to be rude and look like she wasn't listening to her. Magdalen had a habit of looking none to interested when she met new people, she tried to be as friendly as she could. But as Emma had once put it she had "resting bitch face". She found the term demeaning and sexist, but it was true. She could come off a little cold sometimes, and it seemed Lady Dis and Kili were the only people on her side right now. Magdalen didn't want to put her off. So she picked at some strawberries, listening intently to Lady Dis.
Dis filled her own plate picking at the warm muffin she had pick. Dis's eyes found the girls face, she had healed nicely in the week since her recovery. The girl bandages were now gone, left it in its place a thin scar that ran from her hairline to her eyebrow. Her skin had a fresh color to it, but she still noted how thin the girl was. Dis stopped midsentence after setting eyes Magdalen's pitiful plate
"You must eat more than that my dear, here try some of these." Dis took Magdalen's plate quickly filling it with morning pastries, slices of bacon, and eggs.
Magdalen's eyebrows shot up, in her mind, she thanked the woman for speaking up. I am starving.
"Amad you are going to feed her till she pops," Kili joked with his mother which earned him a glare. Dis dragged her eyes back to Magdalen she handed the girl her plate back.
"She is far too skinny, nothing more than a twig," Rearing her head toward her son she continued.
"I'm just trying to make sure she is coming back in full health." Dis nodded to herself before taking another sip of her tea.
Kili shook his head before digging into his full plate. It seemed that Dwarves were unending pits, at least Kili was. Silence fell over the table; Magdalen poked at her food.
Dis seemed to notice Magdalen's discomfort, "Is something wrong my dear, is the food not to your liking I can have something else prepared." A worried look fell over Dis's face; guilt washed over Magdalen.
"No, no everything is lovely Lady Dis... it's just." Magdalen's word faltered for a moment not wanting to upset her host. Dis's eyebrow knitted together, her blue eyes straight at Magdalen with worry.
"Not to be rude Lady Dis, but why did you ask me here," Magdalen said meagerly not meeting the women's intense blue eyes.
Magdalen continued "I mean I did punch your son…"
Kili, who had been watching the exchange snickered behind his mug.
"Yes trust me we will never forget that," Kili commented setting his mug on the table, earning a glare from his mother.
Dis broke her icy stare from her smug son to the young lady who looked keenly at her plate. Dis studied the human for a moment. Magdalen reminded her, in more ways than one, of her late husband. Nili had the same bite to him as Magdalen did. Nili was known for his fierce soul, on more than one occasion he had let Thorin know when he was wrong, a feat not many dwarves could do and live to tell about it. Nili loved his children, and wanted more. He had always talked about a daughter a what she would be like. When he died in battle she lost a piece of herself, and any hope of a daughter. There were dwarrowdams that remarried after they lost their husbands, but Nili had left a hole in her heart that could no be replaced by another.
The moment Magdalen had opened her mouth in the day in the royal chamber, Dis knew she had to take the girl in, no matter how wild her story was. The girl shared the same fire in her eyes as Nili had.
Dis beamed at Magdalen; she imagined that if they had been blessed with a daughter, she would've been like Magdalen.
"You remind me of someone I once knew," She paused.
"Someone I miss very dearly," Dis muttered looking back at Kili.
"You are far from home, lost in a world that is not your own. Yet in the face of my brother and son's arrogance, you kept your head high. That is something to honor my dear." Dis said proudly.
Magdalen blinked surprised by the Lady's answer; her cheeks burned dropping Dis's gaze.
"Thank you Lady Dis, that means a lot to me," Magdalen spoke gently feeling the warmth in her chest grow.
Dis took Magdalen's hand in her own, "I want you to feel safe Magdalen. No harm will come to you here; I promise you that."
Dis swore carefully patting the back of Magdalen's hand. Magdalen felt her tears swell in her eyes, and a heavy feeling weigh in her chest.
"With a handsome dwarf like me around I'm sure no one will cross your path." Kili bragged beaming at Magdalen.
Dis rolled her eyes laughing at her son's folly. A peaceful stream of conversation grew as the tension faded, Magdalen quickly became comfortable around the two. She felt the weight slide off her chest and for the first time in a week she felt at peace. Deamra, Dis, and Kili, she had people in her corner. She wasn't so alone, after all.
Magdalen thanked Dis for her generosity. Kili held a hand to his chest in false hurt, "I was the one who saved your life, sure I get some credit."
Magdalen rolled her eyes punching Kili's arm.
"Ow! No wonder Fili had such a big bruise." Kili squeaked holding his arm.
Dis, not pleased with her son's antics, batted his hand away. Telling him to shush and eat his food. Kili happily obliged.
Satisfied that Kili had quieted Dis turned her attention back to Magdalene."Tell me about your life before you came to Erebor."
Magdalen bit into a piece of bacon, thinking about how to explain the world she had left behind.
"Well, I was in my senior year of college and worked for the most. My life hasn't been too exciting until I ended up in a place I thought was fiction." Magdalen replied a pang of longing ran through her mind.
"What is college?" Kili question his face riddled with confusion.
Magdalen broke her spiraling train of thought, her hand running over the soft fabric of her dress grounding her in reality.
"It's a place where you study things," Magdalen explained picking at the blueberry muffin Dis had stacked on her full plate.
"So you were a scholar?" Dis interjected this time.
Magdalen nodded, gently smiling at the woman "Kinda of I studied Classical Literature."
"And what is that?" Kili once again asked Magdalen laughed at the stream of questions. She knew her world was vastly different from theirs, though she didn't realize she would have to explain exactly how different they were. Magdalen thought for a moment before she spoke.
"I studied literature that was significant to my world," She stated simply.
Magdalen had always had a love for reading, it actually started with her grandfather who had also been a lover of reading. Susan always saw her interest in reading boring, and rather go out exploring than listen to another one of their grandfather's tale. Susan laughed out loud when Maggie told her, her chosen field of study. Susan always the practical one thought it was a silly dream, and Magdalen would never make a career out of it. And perhaps she was right, but Magdalen could deny her love for reading. She couldn't live the rest of her life in a cubical pressing numbers as her life passed her by.
Dis clasped her hand as her crystal blue eyes lite up. "You must visit our library; it's filled with thousands of books from all over Middle-Earth."
"Ori would love the company!" Kili added. Ori, Magdalen knew the name. He was one of the dwarves who went on the quest for Erebor.
"There are so many things you have to see, my dear. Kili will have to take you on a tour of Erebor. I'm sure you will appreciate the beauty of our home" Dis disseminated.
"We have nothing like Erebor at home; I would love to see more."
Magdalen felt the words rush out of her mouth, not able to control her rushed sentenced. "But I can't just sit around all day, I don't want to be a burden to ya. I mean you are royalty, I'm sure you have other things to do than sit around with me all day. I want to work for my stay. I know King Thorin and Prince Fili don't trust me but I need to do something, even if it's cleaning."
Dis blinked taken back by Magdalen's sudden outburst. Clearing her throat, she grinned at the blushing girl.
"You are not a burden, my dear. And what I've done for you is nothing, like I said before you are far from home and you need allies. I will stand up for anyone who stands their ground in diversity." Her soft hand gently covering Magdalen's.
"And never feel like a burden to me, my sons brought you here in your time of need. It is mine, and their, duty to protect you. That is my honor."
"Someone with as much wit and beauty as you, Lady Maggie, could never be a burden to me," Kili suggested sending Magdalen a mischievous grin, followed by a flirtatious wink. Dis rolled her eyes ignoring her son's quip at the girl; she knew it was only in jest.
"As for work, if you truly wish to work I'm sure I can find something that suit you, and will keep you occupied. But you certainly will not be cleaning you are my guest, not a slave." Dis said with all the sternness of a mother.
Magdalen grinned opening her mouth to respond to Dis's kindness. "Th-"
The door of Dis's apartment flew open, and a blonde haired dwarf appeared from the hallway. Prince Fili. Magdalen's eyes narrowed. She hadn't seen him since that morning when he accused her of being a thief. Her fist clenched at the memory.
Prince Fili no longer dawned the serious face that mirrored his uncle. This was the face of a happy, but tired, young man. His eyes weren't filled with fire as they were the last time she saw them, but warmth and love as he arms circled his mother.
"Amad" Fili exclaimed in the foreign language, not noticing his mother's visitor. He placed a soft kiss oh his mother's black hair, touching his forehead to his mother's for a moment.
"My menthiv, what are you doing I thought you would be in meetings all day with Thorin." Dis smiled at her son.
"I am, but I thought I'd come by to have breakfast with my Amad before I locked myself away all day with uncle." Fili grinned.
He may have been a royal asshole, but there was no denying he was a handsome one. Magdalen felt a small uncomfortable flutter in her stomach. She turned to find Kili staring down at his empty plate before looking up at Magdalen. She bite her lip to keep her from laughing in Kili's poor face. Kili looked as if he were going to be sick.
"Kil-" Fili began to greet his brother.
His eyes locked on her, "Amad what is she doing here."
Magdalen felt the temperature drop in the room. Poison dripped from his voice making Magdalen freeze in her place, not moving her eyes from Kili.
"Fili!" Dis yelled furiously, Magdalen and Kili flinch at her tone.
Dis stood, marching herself over to Fili. She stood a good few inches smaller than him, her face pinched as she looked up at him.
"I have had enough of you and your uncle, she is my guest, and you will treat her as such." Dis pointed her finger into her son's chest. Fili stepped back as Dis, gently, pushed him back.
"I raised you better than this. Kulhu ma sakhizu ya izzûghizu, ma mahtadadizu ya 'agulhas." She sputtered quickly in the odd language.
Magdalen leaned into Kili, who watched the two with wide eyes.
"What did she say?" Magdalen whispered.
Kili swallowed his last bit of food, "What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth. It's an old saying in Khuzdul."
Kili trailed off saying the last word. His eyes widened, looking around nerves as if he had just let something slip. Magdalen was about to ask what Khuzdul was, but Kili's eyes were now set on his family. And didn't look like he was going to answer her question.
"Now you can join us, and be civil toward my guest. Or you can join your uncle early." She spun her raven hair flicking in her son's direction, before taking her seat. Dis brought her tea to her lips, Fili stared at her wildly.
"The door is right there, the choice is yours, inùdoy." Dis once again began to eat.
"Yes, Amad," Fili said sheepishly, glaring at his brother who quietly laughed beside Magdalen.
Fili eyes dragged from Kili to Magdalen. The dark eyes didn't hold as much angry as they had last time, but they still held a small fire. Magdalen shifted uncomfortably in her seat, his eyes didn't stray from her. Until he finally lowered himself into the sit next to his mother.
A thick silence settled between the four of them as they continued on with their breakfast. Kili's eyes darting to the door as if he were planning his escape. Magdalen only hoped he would take her with him. Dis would glance up from her plate to look over the three. Fili openly glared at Magdalen and Kili when Dis wasn't looking.
"So you were telling us about your life before all of this. What about your family, your parents?" Kili questioned breaking the silence.
"Surely they will be missing you?" Kili continued, sadness washed over Magdalen.
Did they miss her? Did they even realize she was gone? She hadn't thought about what everyone thought of her sudden and Felicity were probably out looking for her. Felicity would be a mess blaming herself for leaving Magdalen that night. Her heart tightened at the thought. Magdalen couldn't bring herself to think about Susan and what she would think of Magdalen's disappearance. They had lost so much over the years, and now Magdalen was just another one of the lost things.
"Kili," Dis hissed seeing the wave of sadness that passed over the girls face.
Magdalen sniffled running her hand over her cheek, brushing away the tear she didn't know she had shed.
"It's fine Dis," Magdalen saw Fili's eyebrows shoot up at how causal she said Dis's name, she ignored him.
"I just hadn't thought about them; I'm sure they miss me very much," Magdalen said pathetically.
"My grandfather raised me and my older sister, Susan. Our parents died when we were very young; I don't remember much about them."
Guilt washed over Kili's face upon seeing the sadness on Magdalen's face. "My grandfather raised us. He died when I was seventeen"
"I am so sorry, he must have been a great man to have raised such a wonderful young lady," Dis said gently.
"Who can pack a punch," Kili added on, Fili rolled his eyes though his hand unconsciously raising to the side of his face.
"He was a great man, thank you." Magdalen nodded in thanks, wishing to move away from the topic of her family. It was all too sad to think about.
Kili looked curiously at her "How old are you? I know men age differently than us," Kili questioned.
"It's rude in my world to ask a woman her age." She brought her drink to her lips; Dis glared at Kili for his rudeness.
He raised his hand to his neck rubbing it in embarrassment. "I apologize, age is a thing to honor in dwarven culture."
Magdalen shook her head giggling "It's fine I understand, I am twenty-one."
Kili stared at her with like she had grown a third head.
Magdalen snorted "Why, how old are you?"
"I am eighty-three, and Fili is eighty-sixed." Magdalen gasped taken back by their old age.
"You guys are ancient; you guys could be my grandfathers." Dis laughed, even Fili cracked a small smile hidden by his mug.
"If they are ancient, then I must be a relic. I am one hundred and sixty-five."
"Oh, I am sorry Dis, I didn't mean anything by it." Dis patted her hand. "It is fine my dear, I know men age differently than us."
"We're old? You are just a babe. Amad we will have to hire someone to watch after her when we are not around." Kili teased Magdalen rolled her eyes.
"You said your grandfather died when you were seventeen. Who took over as your guardian?" Fili inquired, his serious tone taking over Kili's joking one.
Magdalen shifted, narrowing her eyes at Fili "My sister was twenty-three at the time. So I lived with her in an apartment while she went to school and I finished up high school. When I finished high school I moved out and lived on my own. "
"You lived on your own?" It was Kili who gasped in surprise.
Magdalen shrugged "Not completely on my own. When I went to college, I lived in a small dorm with another girl, and then I moved into an apartment with two of my friends."
"You had no family who let you into their home?" Fili questioned.
"I had no other family; I was completely fine on my own." Magdalen snapped.
Dis's heart broke for the girl, even when she lost even thing she still had Thorin and Nili. She couldn't have imagined having anyone in a time of need.
"What my son means to say," Dis interrupted her son before he could make a fool out of himself further," it is unusual in our culture for women to be left alone at such a young age. Only one-third of our people are women, so we are a treasure and heavily protected by our families."
"Not to be left to defend themselves," Fili grumbled into his mug.
Magdalen fists tightened."Don't act like you know my family."
"They obviously didn't care for your reputation; they let you live on your own."
Magdalen's chair scrapped across the smooth stone floor, the sound echoing in the chamber. Fili followed her action standing across the table from her.
"It is expectable to live on your own in my world, it's a sign you are mature," Magdalen growled leaning on the table.
"You are a babe; I doubt you can take care of yourself." Fili voiced.
"Says the one who got punched by me," Magdalen said smugly pressing her palms into the table.
Fili's face grew dark, his mouth snared at her. He leaned across the round wood table pointing his finger in her direction.
"You are insufferable, brat. You need to learn some resp-"
Magdalen saw red.
"Shut your mouth, or you're going to get another bruise." She stood tall her eyes never breaking from staring the contest she had unwittingly entered.
Fili gasped "How da-"
"That is enough!" Dis barked slamming her fist into the table, making the food on top shake. Taking her napkin off her lap, flicking it onto the table.
Fili and Magdalen broke their heated gaze looking at the older woman. They looked like angry toddlers who had been caught stealing from the cookie jar. Magdalen's gaze dropped to the floor, kicking at nothing with her oversized boots. Fili glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Dis huffed smoothing out her dress, gaining her composure.
"Kili, why don't you take Miss Magdalen to the library." Dis insisted to her younger son who watched the screaming match with delight.
Kili stood by Magdalen's side, helping her from her chair. He offered his arm to the girl.
Magdalen's anger melted away, smiling as she took the young princes arm standing up.
"Thank you for the wonderful meal, Dis."
"Anytime, if there is ever anything you need, please feel free to come to me." Dis stood squeezing the girl's hand.
Watching as her son lead the girl out of the chamber. Her smile faded only to be replaced with a scowl; she turned to her oldest son smacking his arm.
Fili yelped holding his arm where his mother had just smacked him. "Amad!"
"Listen here, Fili, you will treat that girl with the respect she deserves, you understand me? I've had enough of you and your uncles stubbornness. That girl has lost everything and is scared, you brought her into our protection and you will treat her as an honored guest. Is that understood." Dis said with the sternness only a mother had.
Fili nodded.
"You will be king one day. There will be others who will challenge more than that girl. If you want to be a good king, you will have to learn to have leveled head."
Fili looked at his mother wearily, "I would never act like that with one of our people, Amad"
Dis glanced at Fili. "You will have people of every race to deal with, inùdoy. There will be men, elves... Dwarves who will oppose you. A good king would listen to them, despite their race. You need to practice that, and I would start with that girl. She will be here a while, whether you like it or not."
Dis pressed her hand into Fili's, her other hand reaching out to touch his cheek.
"I love you, my son."
"I love you too, Amad."
She leaned forward kissing his cheek, watching as he left. She waited a few minutes making sure no other unexpected visitors pooped up.
"Hirina," She called to her maid.
Hirina appeared from one of the doors. "Yes, Lady Dis."
"I need to do a few things this morning, make sure no one disturbs us. We will be busy."
The maid bowed her head, moving out of the apartment to notify the guards that Lady was not to be disturbed.
She sighed slumping back into her chair. Her son indeed had a lot to learn before he became a king. She just hoped he and the girl wouldn't kill each other before he got a chance to be crowned.