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A/N: I want to apologise for not offering you a ceremony where the royal couple would present the royal twins to Erebor. I know StephCalvino was expecting it, but it just couldn't flow out of me as I would have wanted. I have three more detailed and rather long chapters (including this) with Thorin and Eilin interacting with their children, so I hope I made it up for you people somehow, before this shuts down. Thank you *.*
Durin's folk
(Eight years later)
Eight beautiful years have passed since I silenced the golden bells of Erebor for the sake of my children. Eight years where I experienced the utter bliss, but also the utter frustration of fatherhood. Eight long years where at days I felt on top of the world and in control of everything, and other days I felt like my marriage was slipping out of my hands and that I was the most useless father that has ever walked Middle Earth. Eight years of experiencing exactly what every parent had ever experienced up till then, or will experience henceforth that would change the core of their beliefs about is was right or not, expected or not, needed or not. Eight years where I questioned myself if bringing these children to this world had ever been a good idea, since they have to deal with the whole bruised part of me. Years where I tried to convince myself that I knew what I was doing, when in reality I had no idea what was happening. I laugh now in retrospect when years ago my self assurance was over the roof. When I thought that I was more than ready to become a father. What a load of bollocks...little did I know about the true sacrifices a father has to make for his family. Yeah, sure I raised my siblings and my nephews, but nothing...nothing compared to having full responsibility of my own family, not even ruling the Seven Kingdoms.
At those early days of sleeplessness, I was utterly frustrated at my inability to calm down my children. I thought I was completely useless. During those days my arguments with Eilin at moments became so intense that I felt that she was evaporating away from me slowly, but surely. I thought that one day I'd wake up to find her decided to abandon me because all these hardships and demands that parenthood was asking out of us, were too much. It was not just me and her anymore, but two souls depending on us for everything and I was afraid we were going to lose each other in that vortex. I didn't trust in our relationship enough and that was one of my biggest mistakes, because our bond turned out to be stronger than anything that life was ready to throw at us. No matter my own insecurities she stood by my side during the worst days and I stood by hers against the destructing surge flow of our mutual fatigue. Our love grew stronger than ever after each endless brawl and exhausted defeat. In the end we stood together against all the adversities.
I suppose that is what my father meant when he told me: "You'll understand how the demands of parenthood can overwhelm you one day son...when you have your own children." It was an advice I never truly took at heart since I believed that I was unable to have children. I smile now while I look at Thror's beloved Arkenstone and I know that I had been too blind to understand back then what my father meant. Only when you become a parent, can you understand where your own parents were coming from. I speak now as if a whole century has passed when only eight years had only gone by. Believe me, I may have entered the third century of my life, but I don't feel any wiser because of all those years on my back, nor all the battles that I partook, or my ruling of the North. I feel a tiny bit wiser from those eight years of raising my children though. Of admiring my beloved son Durin who makes me proud every single day with his immense wisdom and his second to none braveness despite his youth. What can I say about him that will be enough to describe his grandeur. What will be enough to explain the majesty that embellishes all his mannerisms. My court began suspecting the reincarnation soon after the boy met all the seasons for the first time, but I never admitted to it. I insisted and still do, on calling him Farin, mostly because I want him to be humble, respectful and willing to learn. The ancient spirit in him, sometimes makes him shine so bright that he can blind everyone around him, but also himself. It makes him speak about the lost Dwarrowdelf and Durin's accomplishments with a knowledge that no one could have owned, unless they have lived through these experiences first hand. People respect him deeply and already see in him the future King, which for me is a dream come true. Still...my job isn't to just hand over the throne of the north to him. My job is to teach him how to rule and expand our Kingdom further for the benefit of our kin, because he has the strength to do this. He was born to lead our people into a new era of prosperity. I need to teach him how to be just, brave and honourable, but also patient, respectful and humble.
How can I do all that if I outright admit to him that he is the final reincarnation of our legendary forefather? He needs first and foremost to learn respect and how to listen and adapt to the advice of his elders, which is difficult since the spirit in him is older than any of us and that throws my poor son into such a hard contradiction sometimes. With his mother he is more receptive, with me he is more challenging. I suppose that Durin would have expected his father to challenge him. How else could I manage to create growth in him if not by challenge. That spirit though at times confuses my handsome and brave son. It makes him stubborn and unable to explain to me his feelings. That is something that worries me. It is as if he keeps all his emotions locked inside so his people wouldn't deem him as weak. I can understand that he might feel like he is holding the knowledge of the whole world in his small hands and that might become overwhelming. At the same time he feels too young to undertake such a weighty and almost impossible task, as to lead all the seven clans of our mighty kin to the future. The residues of the ancient spirit in him, at times collide with the innocence of his youth and that pains me deeply, because he doesn't know which way to turn.
The fresh mind and heart of my boy get enveloped by that ancient essence...and that young untouched boy looks at times so bewildered as to which part of him he must allow to prevail that I want to shield him. I never thought that raising Durin would be easy, but I also never thought that at times it would be so difficult that I would question myself...my morals, my set ideas, the way I always dealt with people. My oldest son, challenges everything I knew and makes me search for new ways to accomplish things with him. I sometimes feel that he is here to help me grow as much as I am here to help him do the same. Eilin tells me to be more tender with him. That at times I am too stony, too harsh, too stern, too aloof with Durin, whilst with Rhianaye and Thrárin, I am a much more gentle father. Maybe she is right, but will gentleness help me wake up the new King of the North that is inside him?
Now I sound like my father and I hate that so much, no matter how much I truly loved him. Durin...my proud, strong, handsome warrior prince...I may need to rethink the way I am approaching you, for I resemble Thrain too much and the last thing I want to do is hurt you...even unwillingly, like my father had done to me. I am smiling again because I am thinking that my son is only eight years old and he is causing me so much uncertainty and fear. What will happen when he enters early adulthood? What will our relationship be like then? Maybe Eilin is right, maybe I should start resembling Thrain a little less and turning my attitude around a bit more. Maybe I should act with Durin, as I would have wanted my father to act with me.
I'd never hurt my children, believe me and my roughness with Durin, which I partly justify as he is my heir, was never addressed towards my beautiful precious Little Gem, Rhianaye who is the apple of my eye. I watched her get past all her initial difficulties and blossom to one of the most charismatic girls of my kingdom and no this isn't just a proud dad speaking. I know it's true. I saw her walking, speaking and responding to us much later than Durin who was always the fastest, cleverest and strongest of the two. I always secretly worried for her, even though Eilin felt proud for every small accomplishment. For me nothing was enough. I was troubled for her frail little body and how short she was in comparison to her brother. When Durin took his first steps and she didn't, my heart dropped. When he mumbled daddy and she didn't, a tear stained my eye. She had problems since birth and I expected those problems to always be part of her life. So I devoted myself to her more than I did to my exceptional little boy, something that in retrospect I might regret. I swore to support her through all the difficulties by putting Durin's needs behind sometimes. I never did it on purpose. That was just me admitting that my Little Gem needed help, whilst her strong brother was more than able to go forth alone. Therefore I protected her a little too fiercely at the beginning.
Eilin told me that was a mistake. That I needed to allow her to fall, to hurt herself, to experiment in order to blossom. That I should let her try to run after Durin when she was barely able to walk and when she fell down and cried like mad I shouldn't go and pick her up. That I should allow her brother to deal with her. I couldn't...I was too weak. It took me a long time to accept that she will never be as quick, as strong or as tall as him. When I did manage that though it felt as if a great burden got lifted from my chest. I don't know if it was the new way I was looking at my children then, or simply that I decided to allow Rhianaye to experiment and hurt herself, but after that point I saw my daughter displaying for us an array of talents that I would have never believed possible before I allowed her to experiment.
Okay she may not ever be as tall or strong like Durin. Besides as my beloved wife says: "She's a girl Thorin. What do you want? A bulky tall muscular girl to resemble you? I am small and thin and I caught your eye alright." Wasn't she right perchance? Rhianaye's thin and dainty physique is a major bonus added to her amazing beauty. She looks like a little fairy and everyone in my court is a little bit smitten with her, I know. With the green eyes of her mother and my dark hair she is stealing everyone's hearts when she's acting all courtly and sweet. My kingdom has created so many song about the beauty of my beloved wife and daughter and about the strength of Durin. So I admired my little Gem unfolding all her charisma before my eyes, day by day. The beautiful voice she has when she sings which Eilin insists she took after me ...and yes I am secretly proud of that. Her ability to understand the ancient runes the very moment I explain them to her, which is also something I gave her. She even throws shade at Durin in the academic studies! The charismatic way she moves and dances which was taken from mom. Her kind hearted nature and empathy which is also Eilin reincarnate. As for her love of animals, what can I say? She absolutely adores every living being. She has such a heart of gold that I sometimes worry a man will come along and crumble it. I swear that if anyone dares to hurt my daughter, I shall gut them, their families and all their close or distant relationships. I don't care if I have to unroot a whole kingdom for her. I shall do it if anyone ever dares to make her cry!
...
Mahal help me, I need to calm down, because that thought truly drives me mad...
...Where was I?
Oh, yes Rhianaye has such an all embracing heart for every creature, that she has enchanted even the Elves of Mirkwood. They have grown a particular fondness for her and Tauriel has taken her several times into Mirkwood to show her Thranduil's white deers. Something that my court still has trouble dealing with, but I dismiss them all. Having the Elves take care of my children is something that feels so natural to me now. My allegiance to the Elven realm was and still stands strong. I know Thranduil will protect my children, as I will protect his people. Telling Tauriel to take Durin and Rhianaye at the enchanted lake for me is like placing a seal on our already strong alliance. Besides Tauriel and Radagast simply adore them. Sometimes I believe that Rhianaye feels more at home in Radagast's hut with Tauriel's company, surrounded by animals than in Erebor, but I don't mind.
Raising my beautiful petite daughter through all these initial fears for her health and development, humbled me deeply. It made me wiser, quieter and more patient with the world around me. My children have offered me a growth I never believed I'd acquire at this late age. I will try not to smile again, because I am speaking of my children now and I still haven't talked about the latest addition to our family, my folly...my handsome son Thrárin. When he was first born I feared that he was going to go through all the difficulties that Rhianaye had gone through, but fortunately he took after his older brother. Now at the age of four, he is already running after his older brother trying to catch up with him and is so protective of Durin that it is unreal. You should expect the older brother to be protective of the younger one, but in their case it's quite the opposite. Thrárin loves and looks up to Durin so much that whenever my oldest son is in distress, my youngest goes into a fit also. Rhianaye tries to act like a mommy to him, which makes my heart skirt, but nothing can calm down Thrárin like seeing his older brother making faces at him. Whenever I call Durin by his temporary name, both him and his little brother turn to me and cry out that his name was, is and will forever be that of our honourable forefather and I cannot help but admire the determination of my four year old as he stands bravely at the flanks of his brother. I hope one day he will stand in a similar manner next to Durin at their first battle.
So my little boy is mimicking Durin in everything. From the way he stands, to the way he walks to how he demands I call him Durin in front of all my court. Sometimes I feel that Thrárin needs to gain his own personality and not imitate Durin so much. I am afraid my oldest son's strength will overpower the true nature of my youngest, but Eilin tells me not to worry. That it's normal for the kid to look up to his brother and sister and that later on he will develop his own personality.
I await patiently for that day.
Why did I speak of Thrárin as my folly, you might ask. Well, one would have thought that someone who came to such brutal realisations about life after children, would have abstained from having another one, right? Anyone in their right mind would expect someone who has so many responsibilities both in his family and in his kingdom to act more prudently towards his wife during their intimate moments, correct? Well, truth is I told Eilin to command me not to love her fully whenever she felt like it and she never did. Truth is that I wished to have a big family with my wife since the beginning and I always told her, but I won't lie, there is a hidden motive also. I was always in a desperate need to know if my twins had been a single stroke of pure luck. I didn't know If I was able to give love to Eilin that would be able to grow again. Egotistically I wanted to see her blossom with my seed once more and see another product of our love being born again. Those moments had been so precious to me that I wanted to repeat them. We took care to count Eilin's days as Loa told her at first and we were rather successful to keep another child away from our family during the first, difficult years. As our love grew stronger though we started failing on that accursed counting at first and then we gave up on it completely.
Was I truly expecting to get her pregnant again? Yes and no. The moment she revealed to me her new pregnancy I was over the moon. Since now I knew what was expecting us both during her pregnancy and her labour I was quick to share the news with my friends, my court and the whole of Erebor whose bells began chiming again. Well, that didn't last long though since nine months later Eilin delivered my red headed warrior Thrárin after a very easy labour that lasted only half a day. Durin and Rhianaye were so excited to see mom's belly growing as it housed their new sibling. I remember how Durin wanted a brother and Rhianaye a sister and how Durin jumped up with enthusiasm when I announced to them their new little brother. I still recall him punching his little sister's shoulder and yelling at her: "I told you I would win! I have a brother now! We shall fight together!" Rhianaye's face fell on the news, but little did she know how Thrárin would turn out to be a much better toy for her than all her stuffed baby dolls combined. Me and Eilin felt our heart melting when Rhianaye quickly began warming up towards that living doll with the long curly red hair, the bright big blue eyes and the chubby red cheeks that called her "pa-pa." I still wear a silly smile on my face when I remember my little fairy leaning above the cradle and grasping Thrárin's finger gently. "Not pa-pa silly. My name is Rhianaye. Rhi-an-aye...say it..."
"Pa-pa."
And her turning to me and exclaiming quite seriously. "Dad...I think he is broken."
I cannot stop giggling at that memory like a dwarfling. I gave Thrárin that name as a tribute to my father who was lost in the ruins of Dol Guldur, from such a dishonourable death. Now the first days after Thrárin's birth were not even close to being as difficult as they were during the birth of our twins. People told me that the more children you have the easier it becomes and I didn't believe them, but they were right. I sometimes think that Thrárin actually raised himself after a point. Maybe it was because he had the guidance of all of us as he was the youngest member of our family. Another reason Thrárin grew up so easily is that we never worried about his health like we had done with Rhianaye.
My perfect little girl...whenever I think of her my heart just melts. Come to think of it, she daddy's little girl, isn't she? Much like Dis was with Thrain. Something that rubs me the wrong way now, as I feel I am repeating my father's mistakes with Durin and possibly with Thrárin too.
Mistakes...see? That is what I fear...the mistakes I am going to make with my children and how similar they are going to be to my father's. I dread that so much, but Eilin is always there to calm my fears. I swear there isn't a single day that has passed, no matter my frustrations, that I didn't thank the Gods for the woman I have by my side. For her braveness, her courage, her level headedness that always puts things into perspective for me when I get lost into the havoc of fatherhood. Her resilience against the inevitable fatigue and all the hardships. Her patience with our children's mischiefs that sometimes I deal with a little bit too sternly. She's the perfect balance to my austerity. Actually she is my perfect balance. She seems to be able to hold onto every single thread of our family and pull us back together firmly when we seem to drift apart. She's the vice that holds us in place and I am trying to do the best I can to support her. I am doing it properly? I bet she's going to say no...
...and there I go smiling again.
I am smiling because I know that even if she answers no, she will still love me as fiercely as I do. Sometimes in my dreams I see her dead, or missing. I am trying to find her and I don't know where she is. I wake up in a panic only to see her sleeping serenely next to me and then the world is whole again. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost her...
No, I am lying...I know exactly what I would do if I ever lost her.
I would die.
I can never exist without her or without my children, but isn't it strange that I want to believe that they will continue to exist without me? I cannot imagine them gone, even if I am dead. I want them to exist forever, even after the stars die out and fall from the sky.
"What are you thinking laddie? Your countenance is so dark and brooding." Balin said quietly and crossed his arms behind his back.
Thorin inhaled sharply and felt as if he was emerging from underwater. He shook his head slightly and felt the weight of the Raven Crown on his head. "Hello Balin."
Balin smiled.
Thorin exhaled a trapped breath and pursed his lips as he looked up to the King's Gem.
"So what were you thinking?" Balin said quietly.
"My children." Thorin rejoined with a hushed tone.
Balin nodded softly. "Mahal blessed you with a big, healthy and loving family lad. After all those hardships in your life, you are now exactly where you should have been. The legendary King of the North, ruling kingdoms far and wide. Offering protection to all the surrounding lands and being respected by Dwarves, Men and Elves alike, while being deeply feared by the shadows that hide behind the Ash Mountains and in the forsaken lands of Moria. Your name resonates through those orc infested halls causing them ripples of fear and trepidation. We already know that the Necromancer is trying to find ways to get rid of you. Your name is written in black speech and it will continue to be so especially now that you have given birth to the final reincarnation of Durin. As for your beloved family...you have created exactly what you had always dreamed. Prominent sons and daughters to secure the throne and to continue your legendary bloodline. All that should make you feel proud, not look so broody."
Thorin smiled and looked around him. "Remember when we first entered these halls?"
Balin pursed his lips. "I do."
"Remember the ruins Erebor was in?" Thorin continued.
"My heart was bruised that day, believe me laddie. I shall never forget it for as long as I live." Balin lowered his head thoughtfully.
"Look at it now..." Thorin sighed.
"Erebor was reborn, much like you." Balin smiled proudly at him.
"Do you think it is wise for us to stop our rebirth with this kingdom or that maybe we should try to give life to other kingdoms that are buried into deep darkness?" Thorin's eyes held a gleam in them that Balin hadn't seen since Thorin decided to pursue the quest for the Lonely Mountain.
"What is it that your brilliant mind is thinking now?" -Balin raised his brow- "There no other Dwarven Kingdoms enveloped in darkness anymore. No other except from one..."
Thorin looked at him quietly.
"Khazad-dum..." Balin's voice fell.
Thorin inclined his head. "My son's homeland."
Balin closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. "What an imprudent thought. Only you could have dared such a move..."
"No me, but my son when he comes of age." Thorin said quietly.
"These ancient tall-pillared halls are infested with orcs whose numbers are difficult to calculate my King." Balin said respectfully.
"If I ever decide to do it, I won't march with a company of twelve Balin, but with an army of thousands armed to the teeth." Thorin's eyes thinned and his back crawled with the precursors of the blood of war that always hibernated in him.
Balin crossed his arms and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "If you ever decide to attempt this legendary quest I hope that Mahal will bless me to be by your side and see you conquer the holiest land of our kin." The pride in him couldn't be hidden.
"Erebor has been reborn by the sweat and labour of the men and women who escaped the darkness that lays deep in the bowels of Ered Mithrin. They came here searching for safety and peace. I am not about to send them into war once again. This will take time, careful thinking and patience from all of us. Above all patience. Erebor is growing stronger with each passing day. When people started flocking, it was working with a skeleton crew at every level...now..." Thorin's voice trailed.
Balin grinned. "Now it is overflowing with life and it is as majestic, if not more from the time of your honourable grandfather. Our treasury is overflowing with gold and we are able to sustain thousands upon thousands of families on our treasure alone without us lifting a finger to do anything for many centuries to come. Our people are brimming with a prosperity that these lands hadn't witnessed for many centuries. Affluences that surpass by far those you have accomplished at your halls in the Blue Mountains. The births alone, which have tripled the last eight years, attest to the safety people feel under your rulership. Our kin is flourishing under the protection of the King of the North and your name is equal to great wisdom, immense military power and fair judgment for all. It is no secret that after hundreds and hundreds of years of feud, the Elves had begun trusting our kin again. Having Thranduil as a close friend, has turned all the Elven Lords to your side." Balin stopped and sighed.
Thorin looked at him carefully.
"When I saw you in the battle of Azanulbizar roaring like a lion at the side of your grandfather I knew that you were a leader I would follow to death. Seeing what you have accomplished after so many years of ruling Durin's Folk, I cannot but feel my heart swelling with pride. If there was anyone who would have been able to revive our kin to its former glory and even push us to surpass it, then this man was you...since the beginning." -Balin smiled- "Ever since you took that dangerous dive in the River Running and almost killed yourself for a bloody bet, I knew it. Your father knew it also and he said so many times to my father."
Thorin frowned. "What did he say?"
Balin felt his eyes burning. "Keep your eyes locked at my oldest son, Fundin. He will resuscitate our kin, he will fortify it and we shall flourish under him...mark my words...my boy will do it."
Thorin averted his eyes and crossed his hands behind his back thoughtfully. "That is exactly what I am thinking about my son now."
Balin frowned. "Yet you will hand to your son the rule of the seven Kingdoms and strong alliances with the Elves and Men. Your father handed over a destroyed family, our kin in ruins and a title in exile. Nothing more."
"Still my son will have the opportunity to step on what I have built and expand it further..." Thorin raised his brow.
Balin tilted his head. "To the north I suppose?"
Thorin's lips upturned. "If he conquers these mountains and we take back Khazad-dum then the strength of the darkness that is gathering behind the Ash mountains will have no hope."
Balin nodded. "You are right. With Gondor at it's flanks, the Elven Kingdoms at it's northeast and us giving it pressure from the north it will perish. It's only a matter of time."
Thorin pursed his lips. "Gondor is weak now, torn apart by the greed of men. It cannot support anyone...yet. Still there is hope for the future, Balin if we are patient." He said thoughtfully.
Balin crossed his arms. "I fear the magical forces that are working behind that dark mountain. We might be able to bend them, but destroy them? I am not so sure."
Thorin looked towards the bridge that led to the throne room where the outline of his beloved wife made its appearance. "When the time comes we shall see who will prevail Balin, but such a war needs the combination of many forces. Not just one. One will never be enough against that darkness." his voice dropped low and his brows wrinkled as he saw his daughter rushing past her mother.
"Daddy...daddy...daddy...daaaaaad!" Rhianaye yelled and run on the bridge with her long black hair waving behind her thin frame. Her big green eyes were huge with fear and her hands opened wide when she fell into his arms.
He picked her up and she instantly wrapped her legs around him and buried her head on his shoulder. "What's the matter Little Gem?" He said and kissed her temple. Her small body shuddered under his large hands.
"Thrárin is the matter! I told him not to go near the river, but does he ever listen!? No, he doesn't!" Rhianaye grasped his vest with her small fists and rubbed her teary eyes on it, hiding her face from her mother who was coming quickly, holding a crying and very wet Thrárin in her arms. Durin was following. His long wet hair created a dark curtain around his serious face.
Thorin caressed his daughter's back. "Calm down love, give me a moment to understand what is happening."
Eilin came over, shaking her head. She bounced Thrárin in order to calm him down and her free hand came out to caress Durin's wavy hair gently. "I am sorry for interrupting you honey." -She said exhausted to Thorin and then her gaze fell regretfully to Balin.
He bowed. "We weren't talking about anything serious my Lady." Balin smiled.
Thorin frowned and pulled Eilin in his embrace. "What is it men gehyith? What happened?" He kissed the top of her sweaty forehead.
Durin crossed his hands in front of his equally wet clothes and kept his intense stare on his father...only on his father. He was literally hanging from Thorin's lips.
Eilin rocked Thrárin who was clinging on her with a red face and trembling lips. She inhaled deeply trying to calm down the fear that had overtaken her before. Her son was safe and they were together again as a family. She tried to put her thoughts in order so she could relate to Thorin what happened. "We were out at the river. Rhianaye was picking up flowers, Durin was training with Lis and I was washing some clothes..."
He opened his mouth to speak, but she stopped him.
"Don't start again! I know I have Loa to help me and also Rhiannon, but I want to do things for our family with my own two hands, alright?! You know how important that is for me!" She rejoined.
He inhaled deeply and offered Thrárin a gentle kiss that caused the boy to forget his mother and cling onto the vest of his father.
"Daddy ..." he mumbled and sniffled.
Eilin passed her son over to Thorin and cupped her forehead. "He's fine now, he just needs to calm down, as we all do..." Her eyes fell worriedly at Durin who was still gazing intensely at his father.
Thorin held both his kids tightly and offered a kiss to each. "Why is Thrárin so wet..." Then his eyes finally met Durin's demanding stare and he shook his head. "Why is Farin wet also?"
Eilin rubbed her forehead firmly. "Thrárin was playing too close to the water and fell in. Before I could do anything the river flow took him away. I admit that my reactions were too slow and in my panic all I could do was scream for help. Before I even got the chance to dive in to save him, someone else took over and saved the day."
Thorin looked at his oldest son. "Farin?"
His son closed his eyes and pressed his lips. "My name was, is and will forever be Durin, father." He said solemnly.
Thorin looked at Balin who raised his brow meaningfully. The King exhaled patiently and gifted his wife with another gentle kiss on her forehead. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head at the same shoulder that Thrárin was weeping on. "Did he take in any water?" He looked troubled at the face of his red headed warrior and at his large blue eyes that were all teary.
Eilin shook her head and even though Thorin didn't have any spare hands to embrace her with, she still felt all the weight of the world lifting from her shoulders just by being next to him. "No my love. Farin dived in fast and pulled Thrárin out before he managed to drink any water."
Thorin's eyes turned searching on his oldest son once more and his brows furrowed slightly. Then he looked back at his little boy "Hey little man..." -he jerked his shoulder to draw Thrárin's attention- "What have I told you about the river?"
Rhianaye suddenly animated and looked up from Thorin's shoulder. "That we mustn't play too close to the waters and that we must never lean down because our head weighs more than our bodies and it will draw us in!"
Thorin smiled proudly at her and scrounged his nose. "Very good my precious Little Gem."
Durin crossed his arms and looked around him annoyed that his father's attention once more wavered from him to his little sister, like it always did.
Rhianaye pushed to be released and Thorin placed her down. She instantly run to her twin and grasped his arm, something that bothered Durin to no extend. "He saved Thrárin daddy. If Durin hadn't been there, Thrárin would have died!"
Thorin raised his brow, more surprised that his daughter had gotten into calling Durin with his chosen name, and less about the amazing braveness of his oldest son who acted so selflessly in order to help his little brother. He gave his girl a soft nod. "I hear you petal." -Then he turned to his youngest son and cleared the long red curls out of his big expressive eyes.- "What has gotten into you? Why didn't you follow the rules concerning the river? You are too young to swim well yet. Why were you so close to the bank?" His voice filled with austerity.
Thrárin wiped his nose on Thorin's fur lapels. "I wanted to see the big green frog dad! I was trying to catch him, but he didn't want to!"
"So you decided to take a plunge in the cold waters to have a better chance with him?" Thorin asked quietly.
Thrárin averted his eyes and began playing with the strings of Thorin's tunic. "I am sorry daddy..."
"You acted against the wise advice of your poor mother whose heart almost stopped beating when she saw you struggling in these dangerous waters..." Thorin continued unfazed by his son's tries to get to his good side.
Thrárin began sniffling again and grabbed Thorin's coat tightly. "I am sorry..." he mumbled and hid his face in Thorin's lapels.
"You almost died for a bloody frog?" Thorin's brows came together angrily.
Eilin looked at her husband beseechingly. "Don't yell at hm my love. It was a mistake."
Thrárin animated when he felt the support of his mother. "Yes daddy, it was a mistake! I'll never do it again!" He looked up with large eager eyes.
Thorin gazed intensely at his son. "You worried your sister who loves you beyond count and came in here screaming with fear. You worried your poor mother who cannot live without you." He continued his torment and Thrárin released a slow wail and began sobbing hard again.
"Above all though you made your older brother come after you in order to save you. We could have lost both you and him. Do you understand that what you did was very very dangerous?" Thorin continued.
Durin looked up at his dad and his eyes ignited with a sparkle of hope.
Thrárin nodded and hid his head on Thorin's neck. "I am sorry daddy, I will ne-ver do it ag-ain." He stammered.
Thorin caressed his hair and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead. "You are frozen, go to your mother. You need to pass through the hot springs in order to get your skin warm again."
Thrárin looked up with a pouting lip that was trembling. "Do you forgive me daddy?"
Thorin gave him a ghostly smile. "Yes, but don't ever let me catch you near the river until you learn how to swim better."
Eilin smiled and wiped some tears of relief that had escaped her eyes. She took Thrárin away from Thorin's hand, but her husband didn't allow her to leave like that. He pulled her in and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. "Are you alright?" he whispered.
She kissed him back softly and nodded. "I think so." She whispered.
"Yack...they're doing it again!" Rhianaye looked at Durin.
"Oh shut up Rhianaye. Turn around if you don't want to see them. I am getting tired of you, really..." Durin rolled his eyes and pushed her around so she wouldn't see their parents.
"Hey don't talk to me like that!" Rhianaye sounded angry at Durin's dismissal.
Eilin frowned. "Why are you talking like this to your sister?"
Durin's jawline flexed. "Leave me alone mom..."
Eilin was about to rebuke when Thorin's eyes stopped her. "Take Rhianaye with you, I need to speak with Farin."
Eilin raised her brow at him. "He is angry again."
"I know. Now allow me some privacy with him." Thorin rejoined calmly.
Eilin kissed his cheek firmly and looked at Thrárin. "Are you ready for some proper diving young man? This time in warm shallow waters?"
Thrárin looked up from her shoulder and sucked his runny nose. "Yes mommy."
Eilin took Rhianaye's hand and smiled down at her. "You want to help me bathe him?"
Rhianaye beamed up to her mom. "Yeah! I'd love to! Can I go in too? I am a bit cold.."
Eilin scrounged her nose to her daughter. "Of course you can honey."
Thrárin frowned. "I am getting older mommy, I can bathe myself! Rhianaye doesn't have to take care of me!"
"Yeah right, older sure..." -his sister teased- "That's why you fell into the river in order to chase a frog. You have no idea how to take care of yourself yet young man!" She chastised with a stern voice that imitated her mom's and made Thorin smile, as Eilin led them away from the throne room.
"Mooooom tell her to stop! She's acting like a wise ass again!" Thrárin yelled.
Balin snorted and Thorin chuckled.
"Stop it young man, this instant! What language is this from all of you today?" Eilin chastised.
"I am going to wash your hair clean and you can scream bloody murder all you want. I will only stop when mom tells me to, now calm down!" Rhianaye commanded her younger brother.
Thorin remained patiently observing them as their voices began fading. Then he turned to Balin. "Leave us."
Balin bowed to both the King and the Prince and left quickly.
Thorin approached his son who stood immovable at the same spot. It took the King several moments to speak as he scrutinised his oldest son. "You jumped in after Thrárin?"
Durin crossed his hands in front of his belly and lowered his head. "Yes father."
"You jumped in even though you knew how dangerous the waters are so close to the waterfall?" Thorin raised his brow.
Durin gave him a quiet nod. "Yes."
"Why didn't you allow your mom to do that?" Thorin's eyes thinned on his son.
Durin looked up and Thorin shuddered at their uncanny resemblance. "I was much closer to him. Mom would have taken far longer to reach him and I didn't want to lose any time."
Thorin raised his brow and allowed a few moments to pass before he spoke again. "You saved your brother's life."
Durin swallowed and felt his eyes tearing up. He pushed the overbearing feelings down, needing to hide them from his strong father. "I am glad he is well."
Thorin inhaled and came down to one knee in front of his boy. He looked at his beautiful azure eyes and his long wavy black hair that reached below his shoulders. Even at the traces of the black beard that was starting to form on his handsome face and he felt his chest swelling with pride. "You protected your brother with your life..." Thorin trailed.
Durin felt his eyes burning again and looked at his boots.
"I hope one day your brother will stand bravely at your side in a battle field and protect your life with equal fervour." Thorin continued.
Durin wiped his cheek quickly and looked at his hands. He didn't trust himself to speak. This profound recognition from his father meant more to him than anything else in the world right now.
"Both Rhianaye and Thrárin are lucky to have you as their older brother. I hope life shows you one day how lucky you are to have them at your flanks too." Thorin nodded quietly at his thoughts.
Durin wiped another stray tear angrily.
Thorin reached out and grabbed his son's hand gently and Durin's heart melted. "The outer name of a Dwarf is earned through their deeds. It is not simply given to them upon a whim."
Durin looked up sharply. "It is not a whim dad! I know that is the name I must have! I know...I see things...I see places I've never been. I know them so well...I've drawn them so many times. You've seen my drawing, haven't you?!"
Thorin pressed Durin's wrist and closed his eyes. "An outer name is earned...not demanded because you had dreams and visions. We are not wizards my son...we are Dwarves. Our feet are planted firmly on the ground, we live under it and we prosper from it."
Durin closed his eyes and several tears run down his cheeks, which he tried to wipe with his other hand. "I am sorry father, but I cannot declaring what I know is the truth."
Thorin opened his eyes. "Today you saved your brother's life."
Durin gazed at his father almost breathless.
"Today you earned your outer name my son, but not because of visions and dreams, but because of the bravery and courage you displayed." Thorin continued courtly.
Durin inhaled sharply. "Wh-at?" He stuttered.
"Only a great deed would have been able to earn you such a legendary name my boy." Thorin's lips cracked a smile.
Durin's eyes were consuming his father with shocked veneration.
"What greater deed is there, than saving your own brother from certain death?" Thorin frowned.
Durin felt his tears overflowing his eyes and his bottom lip began trembling. "Really? I earned my name?"
Thorin tilted his head majestically and released his son's hand. "Yes you did Durin."
Durin cupped his mouth and squeezed his eyes tight, not wanting to show all this weakness in front of his father, but he was unable to stop all these emotions from erupting. "Th-ank you father...th-ank you..." he stuttered.
Thorin took off his heavy Raven Crown and looked at it long and hard. "Henceforth you shall be known as Durin the seventh. The final reincarnation of our legendary forefather. May your rule be long and wise my boy and may Mahal bless me to see you sit under the Arkenstone before I perish." He was unable to hide the emotions as his voice broke towards the end of the sentence.
Durin looked at his dad through blurry eyes when Thorin placed the Raven Crown on his small head. "I will not allow you to perish, father!" Durin rebuked almost in anger and fell in Thorin's arms.
"My brave boy. You made me so proud today." Thorin whispered and his large hands caressed Durin's back.
The boy snuggled in his father's huge embrace and for a moment the mighty ancient spirit in him quietened by the paternal love it felt from Thorin. "I did?"
"Yes." Thorin nodded and he remained silent as his boy clutched him for several moments. What broke their peace was the crown that tilted askew on Durin's head.
"It won't stand still..." Durin frowned.
"This crown is yet too big and heavy for you. You need to grow up in order to wear it. You need to acquire wisdom in order to do it justice. That needs time." Thorin whispered and straightened up the crown on Durin's head. Then he stood up and offered his hand to his son.
"Where are we going?" Durin tried to sound serious, when that was the last thing that he was feeling.
Thorin smiled at him patiently. "Let's take a stroll..."
Durin twisted his fingers between Thorin's. "Alright father"
Thorin frowned as they exited from the elaborate archway that led to the throne room. "Tell me...why did you speak to your sister so angrily?"
Durin's lips turned down and he avoided Thorin's stare. "I don't know..."
Thorin pursed his lips, but he spoke with calm patience. "You seem to be doing it often."
Durin shook his head not giving any notice to several workmen and common people who bowed from a distance when they saw the King and his son coming. The loud presentation of arms behind them from the guards at the flanks of the archway made no impression to him either. All his attention was turned to his father. "I just cannot help it sometimes. I don't know what is getting over me. I get confused about how I feel."
Thorin released his son's hand and crossed his arms behind his back thoughtfully. Durin had to fight the urge to do the same and he simply tried to walk with the same pace as his imposing father, mimicking every single mannerism without even realising it. "Let's see. Would you like us to understand what you are feeling now?"
Durin frowned as they entered the Gallery of Kings, with the golden floor. "How can I do that father? One moment I feel anger towards Thrárin, the other fear for his life. Then I feel anger towards my sister and then at myself for being unable to control my feelings."
Thorin stopped in the middle of the huge impressive cavern and looked up at the spectacular dome. "It seems that fear is triggering your anger, making you feel chaotic."
Durin dragged his boot across the golden floor and looked at his reflection in it. "I know. I feel unable to think clearly at times." He admitted.
Thorin's deep voice hummed. "I see. What is it your greatest fear about?"
"I don't want to lose anyone from our family." Durin said and felt his eyes burning again.
Thorin nodded quietly. "Both fear and anger are very consuming feelings. Which of the two do you dislike the most?"
"Fear! I hate it, that is why I get angry when I feel it!" Durin looked at him intensely.
Thorin brought his heavy azure gaze on his son again. "Why do you hate fear?"
"Because it makes me feel weak! Anger makes me feel strong and I must be the strong one, right? I am not supposed to feel any fear, right?! That's why I hate it!" Durin's words came out almost with an almost desperate need to make his father understand.
"You are not supposed to feel fear? Who ever said something like that?" Thorin raised his brow.
"My heart does..." Durin's voice diminished.
Thorin's heavy hands fell on Durin's shoulders and he smiled down at him. "Why do you refuse yourself to feel fear?"
"Fear makes me want to cry, but can I cry? Warriors don't cry. The mighty kings of old never cried." Durin frowned.
"Didn't they? I must be the exception to the rule then." Thorin smiled.
"What?" Durin turned confused.
"I have cried many times and I have shown my fears even more." Thorin shook his head thoughtfully.
"You have?!" Durin's eyes grew wide and he looked at his father's face.
"Hiding your feelings from your family is a folly, my son. You must embrace each feeling in you. Even the ones that you feel embarrassed about, will eventually lead you to improvement when you slowly learn how to control them. You were born in order to reclaim what once was yours, but that won't happen unless you accept the emotions that flood your mind and your heart." Thorin said wisely.
Durin reached up to clasp his father's large hand. "How did it feel when you cried?"
"Immensely healing." Thorin smiled down to him.
Durin stopped and looked lost at golden mirror under his legs. His small hand pressed Thorin's firmly. "Thank you" He said and after a few silent moments he released his dad's hand and burrowed in his arms slowly.
Thorin cradled him tenderly. "Thrárin lived today because you protected him with your own life. You acted with immense valour and I am very proud of you."
"I earned my name, even though I admitted to being afraid?" Durin sniffled and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
Thorin cupped Durin's head protectively and smiled. "That feeling is meant to be felt and it is there in order to protect you. It is not an obstacle to all the brave deeds you shall accomplish. It was never a barrier to you earning this name. We all feel fear one time in our lives or another. Shall I relate my greatest fear to you at this moment?"
Durin gifted Thorin with a timid smile and nodded. "Yes please!"
Thorin pushed several long locks away from Durin's face. His demeanour closed up tight. "I fear this legendary name will become a burden for you. I feel that you are already troubled by thoughts that are too complicated for your age exactly because of that name and the strong grip it has on your soul. You must promise that you will allow yourself to experience every emotion and relate it to me, your mother or your siblings. That you will allow yourself to grow up like all the other kids. Don't convince yourself that you must become detached and withdrawn just because of the legacy that name carries with it and which now falls on your shoulders. Your name must not become an impediment to accepting all your emotions, promise me that."
Durin embraced his father tightly and his young heart filled up with love and admiration. "I promise."
Thorin gave Durin his most doting smile before saying. "I will always be here to remind you to be forgiving with yourself, because few people ever reminded me of that when I was young...and it is so important."
Durin's eyes closed tight. "Thank you."
Thorin's heart melted when Durin grasped him and tried to climb on his body. It was such a rare opportunity to feel his oldest, far too wise and far too restrained son, act like a dwarfling...like a young boy in need of a warm hug from his father. He enfolded Durin in his arms and sighed in relief.
After several moments Durin looked up and wiped away the tears from his cheeks. "Tell me about the story of the Golden Gallery of the Kings, dad."
"Again?" Thorin smiled and then gave a tender kiss at Durin's forehead.
"Yes, I love it!" Durin's tears quickly dried up and a new kind of sparkle appeared in his eyes.
Thorin smirked and placed Durin down. He pointed up to the golden statue of Thror. "Back in the days this statue was not there."
The Raven Crown slid askew on Durin's small head and the boy hurried to fix it. "Only the massive stone mould was there when you first entered Erebor, right?" Durin's eyes were glimmering with enthusiasm.
Thorin tilted his head. "This cavern was dark and cold. Spider webs were between the columns and Thror's mould was overtaken by bats."
"Eerie..." Durin whispered, overtaken by those images once more, like it happened every time Thorin told him the story.
"I suppose Smaug didn't care much about housekeeping..." Thorin looked at the golden statue thoughtfully.
"How did you fire up the furnaces?!" Durin asked ardently.
"That was easy. I provoked the huge reptile's ego a little bit." Thorin raised his brow playfully at him.
"You called him fat!" Durin sounded way too excited.
Thorin winked at his son. "It proved to be a good bait, because his fiery breath ignited every single furnace up in the highest level after that." He pointed to the high pillared archway that led towards those furnaces, that were created solely for the purpose of melting the gold that would create Thror's mighty statue."
Durin's face became serious. "Was he mad at you? Did he want to eat you?"
"He was so angry that he destroyed everything on his path and I must be truthful even though not many know that secret apart from Dwalin..." Thorin hushed his mouth confidentially.
Durin nodded enthused. "I won't say anything father!"
"That bloody reptile almost ate me up. I escaped only because Dwalin was at the right time at the right place." Thorin admitted, feeling rather amused by his son's giddiness.
Durin frowned and crossed his arms. "No it wouldn't have eaten you up. You were more than capable of escaping on your own!" He sounded offended that Thorin utilised Dwalin's help to escape the jaws of that beast.
Thorin raised his brow. "I could agree and make you feel proud, but I will prefer to make you understand that the help of a precious friend can be life saving at some moments. It's not a weakness to admit that you need help sometimes. Either by your family, or from your friends, alright?"
Durin lowered his head feeling slightly embarrassed. "Alright father."
Thorin tilted his head. "Now, when the blazing fires of the furnaces melted up the gold I knew we had a chance to destroy that beast."
"Did the gold fill up all the mould of great grandpa's statue?" Durin's eyes grew wide.
"Up to the brim!" Thorin chuckled.
Durin's mouth dropped open. "Did you jump on it from a great big, huge, massive chain?!"
Thorin smirked. "Yes. I was brainless like that and overtaken by vengeful wrath at that moment. I jumped alright, but I was not thinking clearly."
Durin's face fell as he got prepared to listen to the part of the story that he both adored and hated. "The colossal beast stood in front of you. You talked to it...!"
Thorin's head inclined thoughtfully. "I came face to face with it, yes."
"Was it impressive, scary, ugly?" Durin asked pepped up.
Thorin's mouth curled up slightly. "It was impressive and might I add beautiful, but not scary."
Durin shuddered from exhilaration and pride. "Did you feel fear?"
Thorin shook his head. "I felt fear in many occasions son, but not on that one. At that moment I was just angry and the need for revenge blinded me."
"Your comrades unclasped the huge locks of the statue...and?" Durin asked expectantly.
Thorin's brow rose. "All the melted gold covered Smaug, giving us a momentary feeling of victory. I thought he died, but alas I was mistaken."
Durin's lips parted. "He stood up and he was all golden, but alive!" He cried and his voice echoed in the cavern.
The hairpin of Thorin's mouth turned down. "He stood up mightier than ever before and laden with retribution, which he decided to release on someone weaker than us."
Durin's face shadowed. "Esgaroth."
Thorin clasped his son's hand and squeezed it tight. "He flew like a golden emissary of death and destroyed Lake City. So many people died that night, because of my wrong decisions. It is a burden I have to carry with me to the grave. The golden floor you see below us." -Durin lowered his head and look both at the reflection of him and his father- "brought death to many innocents. It was one of the decisions that I will always regret ever making."
Durin's face fell.
Thorin's hands pressed his son's."But who says that a great leader never makes mistakes? Everybody does, you just have to accept that we are all prone to error of judgement and hope that any unfair decision you make in the future will not cause so many deaths."
Durin nodded disheartened. "I understand father."
Thorin cupped his son's cheek. "Hey look at me."
Durin looked up.
"Accept with humility the human side in all of us. You will feel less disappointed by future failures if you do that, alright?"
Durin's lips cracked a smile and he nodded. "Can I feel both proud and sad for what happened in this room dad?"
Thorin frowned.
Durin hurried to explain. "I know that so many people died, but I still feel proud about the way you faced that beast."
Thorin's heart twitched. "Of course you can my boy. Who says one feeling eradicates the other? Sometimes I can feel different feelings about one thing too. Let's say both happiness for forging a new sword and frustration that I didn't manage to do it as well as I would have wanted."
Durin's face broke into a heart warming smile and it took him several moments to speak. "Can I ask you something about that?"
Thorin gave him a soft nod. "Yes."
"Since you love forging so much and you are always making such impressive swords, why haven't you reforged the broken one yet?"
Thorin brows wrinkled. "The broken one?"
Durin shook his head quickly. "The one you keep in the treasure vaults in that pedestal."
"Oh, you mean the Narsil?" Thorin's face cleared up as he understood.
Durin nodded. "I know it's mom's heirloom from my other great great great grandfather Telchar, so why won't you fix it? Maybe I can wield it someday!"
Thorin exhaled. "You in a hurry to have a sword of your own?"
Durin's eyes lit up. "Kind off..." He admitted shyly.
Thorin's lips curled up in an affectionate smile. "That sword doesn't belong to us son. You will wield another powerful blade when the time comes."
Durin pulled Thorin's hands. "Which one?"
"Orcrist." Thorin said quietly.
Durin's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "That's your blade father!"
Thorin caressed his cheek gently and smiled at him. "It shall be yours later. Be patient."
Durin's eyes seemed to calculate the time he needed in order to get the Orcrist and then he beamed up to his father. "Thank you!"
Thorin chuckled. "You are most welcome."
Durin began nibbling his bottom lip thoughtfully for a few moments before gazing at his father's azure eyes. "So how did Narsil end up being such a mess?"
"That sword was broken in Elendil's fall at the Siege of Barad-dûr." -Thorin looked thoughtfully at his son- "Come to think of it, you and that sword are so much alike."
Durin frowned in confusion and Thorin's heart skirted at the look in his son's face. "Why am I similar to Narsil?"
Thorin averted his eyes and sighed. "You are like this mighty ancient sword now. Shrapnels of old glory and knowledge placed upon the cold stone. If left untouched the legend in you shall not become whole again. It shall remain in pieces, much like this sword. If left untouched it shall remain a ghost of its former glory. Like it's my job to forge this sword, it is also my job to forge you into the mighty king that you are destined to become. You have to allow me to do this and not fight me, even though sometimes you might not like my choices. Do we have a deal?"
Durin smiled and nodded. "Yes dad."
Thorin caressed his temple and brought Durin's head under his neck protectively again. It took his son several moments to speak again. "I heard auntie calling you wolf so many times. When I grow up am I going to be a wolf too?"
Thorin frowned. "No son, you are going to be a lion. You are going to devour any wolf that stands your way."
Durin's lip pouted. "Will I earn as many wounds on my body as you have?"
Thorin tilted his head. "I hope not."
"Can I get many tattoos?" Durin's eyes tried to find his father's impatiently.
Thorin shook his head softly. "When you earn them, much like your name, sure."
Durin's hands clutched his father's lapels. "I will grow up to be a lion, I will get tattoos, I will be wounded many times in many battles and I will become a mighty warrior! You know what dad?"
Thorin smiled at him lovingly. "What?"
"I shall never allow you to be wounded again! You'll never get such a huge scar, like the one you have on your stomach, as long as I am alive. I promise!"
Thorin's eyes filled up with tears and he rubbed his face on his son's wavy hair, hiding from him. "I know you hurry to come to your own and that you wish to protect me, but don't hurry to do all that my son. This isn't the King speaking, but a concerned father who loves you dearly." His voice was subdued in front of the majesty of spirit that resided in his son's heart.
"I love you too dad." Durin's voice was so honest that Thorin's heart melted as they embraced.
That is when the six high Lords marched up to the King and the Prince and stopped in front of them.
Durar placed his hand on his chest. "We were informed that your youngest son almost drowned today your Majesty and we wanted to offer our assistance and relate our heartfelt concern for him."
Thorin looked at them with a smile and stood up. Durin immediately squared his shoulders proudly towards that solemn gathering. "Thank you Lord Durar. Everything is well. My oldest son proved his valiant soul today. He saved his brother."
Dain smiled brightly. "Then we are witnessing the first passage of bravery for the young prince Farin!"
Durin opened his mouth to speak, but Thorin's hand squeezed him and the boy closed his mouth and looked up at his father.
Thorin raised his brow. "The young prince today earned his permanent outer name. He shall not be named Farin anymore."
Durin puffed up smugly.
A knowing smile came over Dain's lips. "What shall the honourable name of the Prince be?"
Thorin's brow wrinkled with resolve. "Durin the seventh..." his rich tone resonated imposingly around them. The heaviness of his words left a residue of revere amongst the six Lords, who remained speechless.
Bjarki took over after a several tense moments. "That is a heavy name, bearing an even heavier legacy."
Thorin tilted his head majestically. "That is my oldest son's name and he is more than aware of it's heavy heritage."
Durin looked at his dad with great zeal.
It took the High Lords several moments to digest the weighty words of Thorin's public declaration, but they had all seen the signs during these eight years. They all suspected what was proclaimed today. The first one on his knees was Dain and then everyone followed. They all placed their fists upon their hearts. "Long live Prince Durin the seventh!" They all cried in unison and the columns reverberated with their conjoined heavy voices.
Durin tried to kneel down also and lowered his head respectfully, but Thorin's hand squeezed his tightly and Durin looked at him ardently.
"Stand up Durin and allow your folk to present their respects to you." Thorin said calmly.
Durin stood imposingly straight and looked around him majestically. The first one to smile was Durar and then all the Lords followed as the young Prince was trying hard to balance the Raven Crown on his head and the attention of everyone on him. Slowly all the bystanders kneeled down in respect and then timidly approached in order to offer the young prince a few words of admiration and awe. To kiss his hand and touch the hem of his tunic in reverence. For the few lucky ones to be present in the public revelation of the Prince's final outer name, that was a moment they would never forget. For the ones that hadn't been so lucky, they were soon going to learn who was the true heir to the throne in a prestigious ceremony that was going to include all of Erebor's court and highest military commanders. So everybody flocked around the young legendary heir trying to get a better glimpse at him, feeling proud that they were partaking in such a historical moment for their kin.
Nobody though felt more proud than Thorin who held his son's sweaty hand tightly in his, as Durin's folk presented him with myriads of praises and eulogies.
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