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*Neither will he ever forget...
The night passed agonisingly slow, with Fili sitting by Thorin's one side and Balin by his other, hanging perilously between heavy sleep and weary alertness. Lord Dain visited with the intent to inform the Prince of all the arrangements for the protection of the golden city, but everyone knew he truly came to see how Thorin was doing. Fili seemed satisfied enough with Dain's military report and the way he addressed his formidable uncle presented a deep dedication to take over command, despite his youth. Something that made Balin and Dwalin very proud. The large bodyguard of the King didn't leave with Dain no matter how many times Balin insisted that he needed to take a break from this hell. Instead he retreated to a quiet corner by the fire in order to gather his thoughts and Balin soon joined him in painful silence.
When all were half asleep from fatigue, the only one remaining loyally awake was Fili and Oin. The Prince stood above Thorin's head like an angel, checking his temperature every so often and helping Oin to feed the King the medicinal brew. Despite their loving efforts though as time progressed Thorin's condition became rather dire. They were neither able to induce sweat or wake him up. He wasn't even delirious anymore. He was totally immovable, his breaths were quick and strained, his face was deadly pale and his lips gained a terrifying blue hue. His temperature had risen so much that even touching him was painful to their fingers. Oin's desperate tries to open up the wound in several places to allow the puss that was building up inside to seep through made Fili's heart clench in anguish, but he gritted his teeth and tried to help Oin the best he could. Any attempts to make Thorin swallow Oin's concoction were turning out to be a complete failure since in the end he couldn't even swallow anymore and the liquid ended up running down the side of his mouth and onto the mattress. By the first streaks of dawn Fili was looking at Thorin with dread-filled eyes, counting each breath, abandoned at the certainty that his uncle was soon going to stop breathing. His hand was grasping Thorin's tightly and he was not letting go even though his palm was sweaty from the heat his uncle's body was emanating. Balin's exhaustion had pulled him into a sleep full of nightmares next to Thorin's pillow. Young Ori and Bilbo were also sleeping close to the fire. On the contrary Dwalin was pacing up and down the room unable to control his anger.
"Saved him…Gandalf saved him…my ass!" Dwalin roared, not really knowing how to handle the hellish situation of his brother in arms.
"Not again." Balin whispered and he opened up his heavy eyelids with a deep frown.
Bilbo jerked up sharply and his hand grabbed one of the posts from the bed to steady himself. He looked around in confusion as every single morsel of his body seemed to tremble from the rude awakening. "Is he dead?!"
"He is one step from it!" -Dwalin growled- "I told you it was better to die sword at hand than fade away! That damned wizard did nothing more than postpone his death and make him and us suffer. May Mahal curse him for making my brother endure such agony!" He yelled and kicked a chair, scattering wooden fragments as far away as the door.
Ori woke up with a cry of fear and Oin threw his hands in the air exasperated. "I hate Dwalin when he's like that, but he is damned right you know!"
Dwalin looked at him angrily.
Oin picked up his hearing cone and placed it in his ear. "Our King is being racked with pain he doesn't deserve. He should have been resting in peace, with the Arkenstone on his chest under the mountain this very moment, not struggling in this manner." Oin's voice sounded frustrated.
Dwalin's jawline tightened in the face of all this torture. "This is a fate worse than death..."
Balin covered his eyes as these words reduced him to silent tears.
"I am going to find him and kill him…I swear I will! Do you hear me Thorin?" -Dwalin turned to the bed and glowered at his friend menacingly- " I am going to find and kill that damned wizard for making you suffer in this manner!" He spat.
"Who are you threatening to kill master Dwalin?" Gandalf's commanding tone made everyone turn around. His grey robes and large pointy hat overtook the entrance of the royal bedroom.
"Gandalf? Am I dreaming?" Balin's teary eyes squinted in disbelief.
"Unfortunately you are not, because that means I heard Dwalin's empty threats and I never forget." Gandalf entered the room, calmly.
"Good, because I don't intend you to forget! Look at him. Look what you reduced him to!" Dwalin pointed with hatred at the bedridden King.
"I am looking at the same place as you, but I am seeing different things." Gandalf's brow rose thoughtfully.
"Are you joking? I am going to cut you in half!" Dwalin picked up his axe and made to attack the tall wizard.
"Stand down! Lower your weapon!" Balin fell on Dwalin and restrained him with far more strength than anyone would have given him credit for.
"Gandalf did you bring help?" Bilbo bypassed the struggling Dwarves and came up to his friend. The despair was visible in his face.
Gandalf's mouth tilted to a lopsided smile that didn't go well with the darkness that had overtaken the room before his arrival. "Have you been sleeping on duty master Baggins? Impossible..." his lips pouted playfully.
"What? I wasn't truly sleeping..." -Bilbo looked at his chair by the bed- "I mean was just resting my eyes..."
Dwalin's wrathful voice drew their attention back to him. "You abandoned Thorin when he needed you the most!"
"I didn't abandon your King." Gandalf gazed calmly the huge dwarf who was being prevented with great difficulty from falling on the wizard like a ton of boulders.
"Excuse me my Lady." Gloin rushed in and fell on Dwalin pushing him back to the wall with the help of Balin.
Balin frowned. "My lady? What lady?"
Gloin groaned as he tried to take Dwalin's axe away from his hands. "The tall beautiful one behind Gandalf."
Balin released Dwalin in order to look behind the Grey Wizard and Gloin grumbled angrily. "Put the axe down! He brought help you bloody idiot!"
Gandalf pulled back and the light that filled the room made them all cover their eyes. The first one to lift his weary head and look at the light through his teary eyes was the silent till now prince Fili "Lady Galadriel?" He whispered and his hand tightened above Thorin's.
"Can you help him?" Gandalf turned to her calmly.
"Let me see him Mithrandir." She whispered with a deep voice that spellbound everyone in the room. She glided upon the floor and reached the bed. A smile spread on her lips and her long fingers touched his forehead. The light that was enveloping her body, slid over Thorin's face and hair and covered him with it's warmth. "He suffers greatly, but his suffering has lasted long enough..." her voice resonated through their souls. Her hand moved down his chest and touched his wound gently, then she brought her lips close to Thorin's face and smiled sweetly. "By the grace of Eru, son of Durin, take strength and wake up...wake up...".
-.-
"...wake up Thorin! She's getting away!" Frerin cried and jerked him hard.
Thorin pulled his arm free of Frerin's tight grip and dashed after Dis, allowing the dragon kite he had been holding up till then to drift away up to the bluest skies. His hair flowed free in the wind without any warrior braids to weigh him down as he tried to trace Dis' boots through the crowded alleys. His sister was light on her feet, but not as fast as he was. She turned around and waved the red sash that Thrain gave Frerin to wear at the official royal dinners. When she saw Thorin's glowering rage flashing between all the people around them she stuck out her tongue playfully at him and ran faster than ever before.
That afternoon, a hundred and seventy winters ago, in the city of Dale, Dis had sneaked up behind her brothers as they were flying a kite in the tallest bastion of the city and grabbed the sash from Frerin's waist. It untied easily and she flew off before he had the time to take it back. Now she was twisting her way through the beautiful market of the city, teasing her older brother in a singsong manner. "You'll never catch me!"
Unbothered as she was about her route she bumped onto a counter and caused several red apples to roll down the paved road. People yelled at her, but she knew no one meant any harm. The Longbeards were much beloved in this city even though this fresh batch of their family was proving to be nothing less than a bunch of tearaways. The citizens though abided by their shenanigans with smiling faces that bespoke of genial affection. The whole city was in reality a safe playground for Thrain's children and everyone was a possible nanny for the day.
"Watch it little missus." A man said as she fell onto him.
"Excuse me!" She exhaled and used him to propeller herself away from the small gathering that was occupying the middle of the street.
Thorin paused only for a second in order to grab Frerin's long sleeved tunic that was way too large for his small frame.
"What are you doing? She's getting away!" Frerin cried and tried to shake himself free of Thorin's tight grasp, only managing to make his long blonde hair cover his handsome face.
"Go through the spice market and try to stop her at the fountain!" Thorin cried and pushed him towards the said direction.
It took Frerin only a second to grasp his older brother's scheme and he fled up the street without looking back. Thorin bit his lower lip and dashed down the primary route seeing the edge of Frerin's red sash flowing with the wind.
"Be careful young Prince!" A voice chastised when he pushed a couple of people out of the way, but the delay was enough for him to lose sight of his sister. He stopped panting and looked around the street trying to find her in the midst of all these tall people. He told Frerin to get in front of her, but now he was not sure she had taken the road towards the fountain. One of the villagers came to his assistance. Maria, the middle aged flower seller that always helped him fix the tail of his dragon kite when it got tangled up, came up behind him.
"Are you and Frerin at it again with your sister?" She asked with a small frown.
Thorin showed her the young traces of the formidable frown that would be his signature look in his later years as a King. "She stole Frerin's sash, do you see her anywhere?!" His young voice exclaimed, as he tried to look through all the people.
Maria sighed and scratched her cheek as she looked about. "She is heading towards the plaza. Now if I find out that you're messing with your little sister I am going to tell King Thrain!" She warned.
"I've done nothing to her!" Thorin argued.
"Today..." Maria raised her eyebrow.
"Today that's right, because she's got it coming!" He rejoined boldly.
Maria grabbed his arm. "I am not letting go unless you promise not to hurt her"
"Fine! I won't hurt her, now let me go!" He said exasperated and pulled his arm free.
Maria broke into a small smile as Thorin ran up the small paved alley, squeezing past all the people. Just before the entrance to the plaza he saw the red sash turning the corner of a building. Boosted by his confidence that he had her cornered he bolted after her.
Disaster hit when he turned the same corner expecting her to still be running, but was taken by surprise when a large wooden board came crashing to his face with such strength that he toppled backwards and saw stars in his eyes. He grabbed his nose and felt warm sticky liquid covering his palm, while a hot white bolt of pain tore through his forehead.
"Shit! I didn't mean to hurt you so bad!" Dis threw down the board and scuttled to him.
He sprang on his feet and grabbed her by the shoulders before she could exclaim her surprise. "I am going to kill you!" He cried and threw her back. She fell on the ground and screeched when he wrestled her to submission quickly and effectively. All three kids were being trained for battle, so keeping her still as he tore the sash out of her strong grip gave him mild trouble, especially with his nose all bloody and his head swimming in pain.
"Get off of me you idiot!" She cried and attempted to kick him in the privates.
He blocked her knee easily and trapped it under his. "No I won't! I'll sit on you till the sun goes down and you beg for mercy!" He barked at her and raised his fist. He brought it down with such force that she cried and covered her face.
Nothing happened.
She slowly peeked through her fingers. His formidable fist was still there lingering above her cheek, but his bloody mouth was smiling smugly at seeing her so scared. Anger flared inside her and she pushed him. "Get off, I am going to tell dad!" She yelled and her eyes burned with tears that originated from guilt for hitting him so hard, but were now fed with anger at him handling her so roughly.
"Did you get it?!" Frerin arrived totally out of breath, with his long hair out of order and his cheeks flashing red.
Thorin gave him the sash angrily. "Next time, chase her yourself! Look what she did to me!" He snapped and tried to wipe away his nose that was dripping blood on his tunic and her vest.
"I wanted to stop you, I didn't mean to hit you this hard!" Dis exclaimed and wiped away her tears.
"You're lucky I didn't destroy you face! All that beauty dad is so proud off almost got wiped out!" Thorin barked at her and stood up. He pushed past the gathered villagers that came to see the scene between the young royals. He reached the fountain and splashed ample water on his throbbing face.
"Dis you trolling idiot, you broke his nose! What the hell is the matter with you! First you steal my sash and then you mash his face in!?" Frerin hollered and pushed her back.
"You and him are always hitting me! I'll tell dad!" Dis placed her petite hands on her waist. Her long black hair waved around her formidable frown that resembled Thorin a bit too much.
"You are always bothering me in order to get a reaction! So you did! So go ahead and tell dad, who cares!" Thorin lashed out at her and she screeched again and pulled back.
"I am sorry Thorin! I didn't mean to hurt you so bad, come on!" She wailed finally feeling that she was losing the battle.
"Always hitting you…of course we do, because you are practicing all of dad's moves on us! I don't know who's hitting who the most!" Frerin cried at her face.
"Come on you guys! Lay off! I just wanted to play!" Dis sobbed loudly. One of the villagers tried to solace her and she pushed them away.
"If your mother finds out that you are arguing and hitting each other, King Thrain will be the least of your problems." The collected voice of Fundin, the King's closest advisor came from behind them and several villagers opened up for the much respected Dwarf.
Dis ran up to him first with tears staining her pretty face and getting caught up in her dark sideburns. "Lord Fundin, I only wanted to play. I took Frerin's sash and wanted them to chase me and they did, but then I wanted to stop Thorin because he scares me, you know how much he scares me sometimes and I picked up a piece of wood and hit his face although I didn't want to hit his face, but his legs and then I broke his nose and now Frerin came and he wants to hit me and Thorin wants to bite my head off and I am going to tell daaaaaad!" She wailed and grabbed his waist trying to hide from her menacing brothers.
"You aimed way too high for his freaking legs Dis! I mean we are tall for Dwarves, but we aren't that tall! You were aiming for his face! What do you think dad would say if he heard that part!?" Frerin hurled and rolled the sash tightly around his terrifying fist.
Dis's eyes looked at his hand with dread. "Noooo, don't tell him that!"
Thorin moved his nose about and felt the pain slowly numbing down. "If you are not going to tell, then I am not." He said through gritted teeth. No matter how much his little sister annoyed him, he also felt a protective steak towards her that was hard to resist sometimes. His mother said that was called love. He rather doubted it, yet today once more she managed to stir his youthful heart with her teary exclamations.
"A wise suggestion befitting the future King." Fundin smiled knowingly.
Thorin humphed and splashed more water on his face and hair. "My father is not here now uncle, don't suck up." He rejoined with the surprising authority that always came out of him when he was dealing with anyone else, but his immediate family.
Fundin chuckled. "Very well my young Prince." His agreement came unhindered.
"You won't tell dad?" Dis looked up from Fundin's side with her beautiful azure eyes.
Thorin came close to her so quickly that she jerked back. "No I won't, but don't try anymore tricks on me! I swear next time I will make a knuckle sandwich out of your pretty face!" He raised his finger warningly at her.
She sniffled. "I won't, I promise. I am sorry".
Thorin crossed his arms and glowered at her.
Dis disentangled herself from Fundin and before Thorin could react she grasped him around the waist tightly. Slowly all the villagers began dispersing and muttering words about this fiery line of Durin that was going to tear the Lonely Mountain apart in the distant future. No one could imagine how real those words would turn out to be not only for Erebor, but for their city also.
"I owe you one Dis!" Frerin warned.
"I hate it when she hugs me." Thorin grumbled and tried to look nonchalant while Dis' arms pressed his waist like two fierce clamps.
"You hated it ever since she was a toddler and she was grabbing the tail of your tunic in order to keep upright my Lord." Fundin said respectfully.
"Well she was always using it to wipe her runny nose!" Thorin looked at her dismissively.
"I love you Thorin..." Dis mumbled and clutched him hard.
"Great way of showing it." He said annoyed.
"You scare me so much..." She sniffled.
"And you bother the hell out of me..." He winced and tried to pull free.
"I love you too Frerin." Dis looked up from Thorin's stomach at her other brother.
"Forget about hugging me, get it!?" Frerin glared at her.
Dis sniffled and gave him a sad nod.
"Also...this is my sash, not yours! Understand!?" Her blonde brother showed her his tight fist that still had his sash tied around it.
"Fine!" She spat and frowned at him, but didn't let go of Thorin.
"Get off of me will you?" His tried to push her away, but his tries were feeble and she knew it. It was hard to admit that he felt strongly for his sister. He didn't want to show his emotions, but she had a way of detecting them in the air. Sometimes Thorin felt that she was able to sniff out his love for her even though he always declared the opposite.
"We need to get back to Erebor. It is time for your sword training." Fundin said patiently.
"No, I want to go and play in the valley of the River!" Dis' countenance turned annoyed as she released Thorin.
"Actually me too." Frerin admitted and raised his brow at his sister who giggled after a momentary uncertainty as to his intentions.
"Thorin unfortunately you cannot skip like them." Fundin said quietly, but there was a tone of warning in his voice.
"I know." Thorin exhaled, already feeling the weight of the responsibilities that his father was bestowing on him, too heavy for his young shoulders.
Fundin raised his brow. "Very well my Lord, we shall train together this evening." -Then he turned to Thorin's siblings- "You two can go play, but when you return to the city you'll have to explain your disobedience and Thorin's broken nose to your father alone. I am not helping you out this time. I am always digging you three out of trouble and that's enough."
Dis bit her lower lip and gazed at Frerin who pursed his lips. "Okay Lord Fundin."
Frerin pointed a finger at her. "I am telling our side of the story first!"
Dis frowned. "No, me first!"
"ME!" Frerin retorted and pushed past Fundin and Thorin, determined to make it through the heavy doors of the mountain first and Dis ran after him as annoying as ever.
At that moment Thorin felt utter despair and anger at having to put up with his siblings, but also so much jealousy for being unable to join them. That he had to follow Fundin, that he had to train while they were allowed to play. He felt frustrated that everything around him, except from happy carefree moments like today, were a big -have to-.
Fundin felt his bitterness and touched Thorin's shoulder gently. "I know you feel troubled. Everything happens for a good reason and you must accept that this is your destiny. Calm down and breathe Prince Thorin...breathe..."
"...breathe King Thorin, breathe…" A soft voice repeated clearly.
He felt as if someone pulled him from underwater and he was just taking his first deep breath after centuries of laying comatose. His hands reached out to grab something for support and he found loving hands grasping back his. He opened his eyes and a magical beauty beyond words was looking down at him. Her long blond hair were pooling on his chest and her mouth was almost touching his as she whispered Elven words of magic.
He opened up his mouth to speak, but his chest welled so suddenly that tears choked him. The hands pressed him supportively. "Breathe…" the Elven Queen's flowery breath entered his mouth, forcing air through his lungs. The pain in his stomach began fading and his breaths became deeper and easier. Then sweat started running down his sides and back in thick rivulets. His body shuddered hard, before deflating and allowing him to close his eyes again. The comfort that magical presence offered him was so much appreciated after all those days of suffering that he wanted to allow it to consume him. When her enchanting voice spoke in his mind he opened up his eyes and looked at hers breathlessly.
You long for those innocent years so much. Only when your heart comes in touch with that long forgotten innocence then you shall be able to find peace Thorin Oakenshield. You are destined for great deeds, but your heart desires more. Do not fear the sickness for it lies far, buried with your forefathers. Rest your weary head King under the Mountain for your domain lies secure under your solid command….and don't be afraid to let go. When the time comes, let go of everything that holds you back and you shall find peace... her beautiful voice penetrated his very soul and his eyes filled up with tears that started cascading down his cheeks, mingling with his heavy sweat.
She smiled tenderly at him, caressed his bloody hair and he tried to speak to her. Tried to thank her for taking the pain and that boiling heat away. He wanted to tell her that it was difficult to let go...that he didn't know how to do it, but his mouth was unable to utter a single word. Only his lips moved silently and trembled before he closed his eyes once more. The dark tunnel was right there waiting to engulf him again, but this time it didn't feel like heavy blanket of nothingness overpowering him. It felt more like sleep was calling him into its blessed embrace and he was more than happy to listen to that call.
"He fainted again?" Fili's voice was trembling with worry.
"He rests..." Galadriel whispered and pulled back with a sweet smile.
"What must we do now my Lady?" Gandalf leaned on his staff.
"King Oakenshield's recovery will take time Mithrandir. His wound is deep and needs time, but he is out of danger. The Lonely Mountain is safe. Lord Elrond will be pleased to know that our defences in the North are secure." Galadriel smiled knowingly.
"The allegiance of King Thranduil to King Thorin is yet thinly balanced my Lady." Gandalf wised.
"He is still fresh from the grave and you speak about alliances. Have you no heart? He almost died….twice!" Dwalin roared and pushed back Gloin that hadn't released him during all this time.
Galadriel's kind eyes looked at the formidable Dwarf and that was enough to stop him dead on his tracks.
You worry about your brother, but he is going to heal. He conquered the sickness, the sword and death. Let Mithrandir weave his intricate plans for the future, of which Thorin Oakenshield is a great part. Rest your worries for now great soldier. You have no enemies here…just friends. You are not only destined to protect this illustrious King, but your name will soon escape the sidelines and shall be written down for great feats of bravery in the future. We have yet to see great things from you…her eyes twinkled kindly towards Dwalin.
The battle hardened warrior's features softened slowly and he withdrew from her and Gandalf avoiding their eyes. Not wanting to admit that Galadriel's words comforted him greatly, he returned to Thorin's side quietly and stood above him like an eternal guard.
"Whatever you said to him, it worked." Gandalf whispered at her with a knowledgeable smile.
"I must return to my kin. I am no longer needed here…" -Queen Galadriel gazed at the Dwarves who created a circle around her- "Proud people you are, of a proud race. Sustain your strongholds Durin's folk, for dark times are coming...unsettling times. A dark force is rising in the East that is not easily matched. It shall come after your gold and your allegiance. In the years to come, your defences of the North shall assist Middle Earth during its biggest struggle. If we are to give reign to the light, we all have to fight together…."
"If this Elven Queen means dealing with the likes of Thranduil…" Dwalin barked.
"Then so you shall Master Dwarf!" -Gandalf's voice dropped warningly- "This goes far beyond the life and death of Oakenshield or even his personal disputes and we all have to work together…so let us start from this day. Shall we?" the Grey Wizard looked at the bulky Dwarf with a raised brow of authority.
Dwalin pulled back grumpily and sat down next to Thorin. "Don't consider this an agreement from me."
"God forbid." Gandalf smirked.
"I have more important things to care of than your bloody plans for the future..." Dwalin spat.
"Do so then Master Dwarf and let me have my word with your brothers, for you are truly bothering me with your rudeness and I am very thin on patience!" Gandalf looked pointedly at Dwalin who remained silent and then beckoned Balin.
"Tell me Mithrandir" Balin wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. The relief for the sudden twist on Thorin's health was too hard to keep hidden. Currently he didn't mind wearing his emotions on his sleeve, either for his company or for the Elven Queen.
"Fili you too, approach." -Gandalf looked at the Prince thoughtfully- "This is not the time for personal grudges, so let us concentrate! How much does Dain know? Thranduil or Bard?"
"Dain knows everything. He's been in some of Thorin's deliriums. Thranduil and Bard know nothing, but Thorin ordered Fili to negotiate the Arkenstone with the Elves." Balin said.
Gandalf seemed disheartened upon hearing this new information. "At it again, is he?" He whispered and many secret deliberations played behind his clever eyes.
"No you have it all wrong! My uncle wants to negotiate the King's Jewel with the White Gems." Fili sounded irritated at the demeaning tone of Gandalf's voice.
Gandalf's brows uplifted. "Indeed…does he now?" -He looked back at Galadriel who smiled knowingly- "That is such a pleasant surprise. Maybe this hard lesson was not lost in that stubborn head of his at the end of the day." He tilted his head and looked at Thorin with an affection that didn't go well with his words.
"Did you ever doubt him?" Fili placed his hands proudly on his waist.
"He made me doubt him a lot of times master Fili. Your uncle is not an easy ally." Gandalf rejoined quietly.
Fili tensed up at the repeated rudeness thrown towards his family, but Balin replied in his stead.
"No Dwarf is an easy ally to anyone Gandalf." Balin's tone was stern.
"I've learned that the hard way master Balin. Now as for the Arkenstone I believe the advice Thorin gave to Prince Fili was solid even though he was clearly delusional and that might have affected his judgment. You need to retrieve the stone, that is true. The Seven Dwarven Kingdoms shall be reunited only under the King's Gem and you don't have it." He looked back at the bed where Thorin was sweating profusely, but seemed to be sleeping quietly. His chest was undulating with deep and long breaths which served to soothe down the worry of his comrades.
"I agree with the grey wizard." Balin crossed his arms.
"Nevertheless I suggest you wait for a couple of days before starting any negotiations." Gandalf raised his brow.
Balin questioned him silently.
"Thorin is going to be in a better condition to take over the negotiations himself, or possibly give more clear orders." Gandalf tilted his head.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Thorin maybe a great warrior and an awe inspiring leader, but he is a very poor negotiator. Forget what happened at the gates?" Gloin shook his head dismissively.
Gandalf winced. "Hmmm, maybe someone else can take over then who has far better skills. Someone the Elves are fond off…" he looked around him.
"I don't think they like any of us…" Dwalin grumbled.
Gandalf's eyes fell on Bilbo who immediately paled. "Ah..no no no. Not me, not again!"
Gandalf smiled.
Bilbo frowned. "No and I mean NO! Enough! I won't get drawn into this game anymore. I will remain until my friend gets well. Then I will pick up my snatch and return to Hobbiton. You shall not drag me into another great scheme of yours Gandalf! Enough!" He raised his hand and shooed away even the thought of getting entangled again.
"Gandalf is right Bilbo, the Elves do seem to like you a lot." Balin smiled.
"No! Forget it!" Bilbo rejoined angrily.
"We shall see about that when the King wakes up. It is up to him to give the final orders and I wouldn't dare interpose his command as such a thing will backfire on all of us nastily. Now," -Gandalf raised his hand to call them all to attention- "there is another reason to postpone negotiations."
Fili frowned and looked searching at Balin who raised his shoulders.
"Princess Dis is coming and she is tagging along a whirlwind of anger and desolation for the loss of her son. She is going to storm through this stronghold like a hurricane and you better all brace yourselves. I would let things settle after her arrival and wait for Thorin to take over command, for only he will be able to handle her, although I partly even doubt that. Her anger will justifiably be pointed towards him also." Gandalf looked around with raised brows.
Fili shuddered at Gandalf's precise description of his mother. She would not arrive here in mopping misery for her loss, but with her head held high, conveying her nasty deliberations towards anyone who destroyed her family. Her temper and broodiness were even worse than Thorin's and everyone knew that.
"Alright then, let's regroup. Dwalin should I give you an order, or will it fall flat upon the stone tiles?" Balin asked with a careful smile.
"It will fall flat. I remain with him." Dwalin crossed his arms stubbornly.
Balin nodded. "There's one sorted then. Ori you can rest my boy. There is no need for anything else currently."
"Yes, I could use a bath and a proper bed." Ori said with a timid smile.
"Fili my lad, you also need to rest. You are still healing from your own wound. You don't want your uncle to see you exhausted when he wakes up, do you?" Balin looked at him.
"Don't patronise me. I am not leaving his side." Fili glared at the old advisor and crossed his arms looking equally obstinate to Dwalin.
Balin sighed in defeat. "There's the second one sorted then" -He turned to Bilbo- "How about you master Burglar?"
"I am not going to negotiate, you can get that one out of your head..." Bilbo took on the offensive immediately, as this occupied his mind constantly ever since Gandalf mentioned it.
"How about you going to get some rest?" Balin smiled.
Bilbo turned and looked at them warily for a couple of moments before feeling his shoulders deflating. "I could use a bath."
Balin nodded. "Go with Ori and he shall get you a room. Rest well."
Bilbo scratched his head and in an afterthought smiled. "Thank you."
"Gloin?" Balin turned.
"I am going to the treasury. I need to dig up the archives of that damned place. It is absolutely massive and everything has been abandoned for over a century! Who knows what still stands. I want to have a general idea before he wakes up, starts hurling orders and we all get into a bloody panic!" Gloin wised.
"That's a third one sorted then. Oin?"
The old Dwarf took his cone off his ear and closed his eyes patiently. "I will remain."
"Very well gentlemen. I suggest we all rest wherever we choose, because tomorrow the city will welcome female Dwarves for the first time in centuries and their head can be truly ferocious." Balin raised his brows.
Galadriel smiled sweetly at the white bearded Dwarf and looked at Gandalf. "No matter my need to meet and greet the female line of Durin, I must depart Mithrandir."
"I will escort you out my Lady." The Grey Wizard bowed courteously and offered her his hand.
Balin forestalled them. "My Lady we shall never forget what you did for us this day."
Her smile extended up to her mesmerising eyes. "Neither shall he ever forget." She nodded elegantly towards the King's bed.
"Come my Lady." Gandalf rejoined and she followed him out quietly.
Balin wiped away a few stray tears that had gathered around his mouth and gazed at the bed. Fili had leaned his forehead on Thorin's sweaty temple. He was muttering comforting words in Khuzdul while his expressions were alternating along with his emotions. His hand was interlocked around Thorin's forearm. When Balin saw Thorin's hand reaching up for Fili's forearm and grasping it tightly, his eyes welled up with fresh tears. Dwalin inhaled sharply and searched his brother's eyes warily.
"He will be fine brother...he will be fine." Balin whispered and Dwalin closed his eyes and nodded fervently.
Fili never stopped offering his beloved uncle affectionate words in Khuzdul, but when he felt Thorin's strong fingers pressing his arm, he declared openly how much he felt for him.
"Don't you dare leave me uncle. I love you..." Fili whispered.
Thorin was unable to answer, but Balin saw Thorin's imperceptible nod and how tears pooled behind his closed eyelids.
Balin's tears cascaded down his wrinkly face and he felt blessed that these were not tears of anguish and dread...They were tears of relief...
...for him, for Thorin, for Fili, for Dwalin...
Tears of solace for all of them...and they were so unspeakably precious.
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