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There and back again
One month later at Hobbiton, the day was bright. The sky was a vivid blue that resembled the eyes of the King who was sleeping at the main bedroom of Bilbo Baggins home, wrapped around his wife. Outside Bilbo's door the village was brimming with rippling energy. All the villagers had something to do that morning. Bagshot Row was full of people coming and going. Carrying food, vegetables, fruits, cakes, fish and meat, huge rolls of cheese and ham, long rows of sausages and large barrels of wine, mead and old Toby. Their faces were blithe and their hearts full of euphoric expectations. The neighbours forgot their old feuds, if only temporarily and concentrated on whispering about the impressive Dwarven battalion that had created a protective circle around the Shire. For some Hobbits seeing their lands overtaken by heavy military forces, carriages full of provisions, elaborate tents and above brass, vociferous and during most nights drunken behaviour, was utterly frustrating. For most of the Shire though it was manna send from heaven since they could sell their goods at very high prices to all these Dwarves who had few hesitations to pay well for something they needed.
So this joyous day found two of the most prominent members of the Hobbit community having a little bit of a feud, rather close to Bilbo's home.
"I wish we can employ them officially, you know. Like have them here twenty four seven. That is what true safety feels like." Ferumbras the third looked towards Bag End with a clever eye. He tried to speak in a low tone, avoiding to be overheard by any passing Dwarves.
"You have no idea what you are talking about! Ever since Bilbo returned from that accursed journey, he turned our lives upside down with all these acquaintances he made out there. First he returns bearing gold we have no idea where he stole it from and then he starts bringing over strangers from the Lonely Mountain up in the North! What do all these battle hardened Dwarves have to do with our peaceful village? They are like a swarm of locusts ready to pillage our lands!" Otho grumbled and pointed vaguely at where the north was supposed to be.
"The gold Bilbo brought back, was not stolen. It was his fair share from his adventures with the legendary Oakenshield, otherwise known as King of the North and keep your voice down because that King is sleeping not far away from us right now! Bilbo took that gold from the very bowels of Erebor and it is an honour for our little humble village to have such a treasure in it's midst! Not to mention the outstanding privilege to host such a renowned King! Your personal feud with Bilbo is blinding you." Ferumbras brushed him off.
Otho seemed taken aback. "Who told you I ever had a feud with dear old Bilbo?"
Ferumbras huffed. "Lobelia always has her eye on Bilbo's home. You almost claimed it from him this time, didn't you? He overthrew your plans by coming back victorious the last moment, bearing that mighty elven blade Stig and having a long history written under his name. He made our kin famous to the rest of Middle Earth and us proud of him! All Lobelia cared about was taking his home and you supported her if I recall correctly."
Otho raised his brow. "I didn't see you making a big fuss when Lobelia went in Bilbo's home. Actually you were thinking of auctioning his things!"
Ferumbras seemed shocked. "What are you talking about!? I am Thain of the Shire! I wouldn't have acted this despicably towards one of our most upstanding citizens!"
Otho waved him off. "Oh shut up! You would have done anything to get part of Bilbo's things and now you act all high and mighty."
Ferumbras looked at a rather tall and well build Dwarf who was escorting a dark haired dwarrowdam observing them and began fuming. "Will you keep your voice down!? You are making a fool out of yourself!"
Bella Gamgee was passing by at that moment balancing a large basket of strawberries on her hip. "You are both making fools out of yourselves all the bloody time. I don't see anything new!" She teased happily.
Ferumbras glowered at her. "Go to your husband Bella and let us have our brawl in peace! Who asked your opinion? Gamgees..." -the Thain rolled his eyes- "Always getting involved where they shouldn't."
Bella pointed towards the Dwarven couple. "Keep on acting like idiots both of you, you are being watched! I have work to do at the Party Field! It is going to be glorious tonight! Master Gandalf has brought over his best fireworks!"
Otho's face darkened. "Oh, of course, as if we couldn't do all this alone. Gandalf had to make an appearance in order to mess our poor village too!"
Ferumbras turned his attention to him again and forgot about Bella who strolled happily down the path. "What's your problem I don't understand! Everybody is waiting impatiently for Gandalf's fireworks in every single Spring Fest!"
Otho placed his fists on his waist. "That happened ever since Bilbo made him a steady part of our feast, like he is doing now with all these Dwarves! Before him we had plenty of fun with good wine, good music a lot of dancing and our own company. Now we have to cater Dwarves and Wizards alike! There'll be Elves next soon and mark my words Orcs will demand to partake in the fun in the end! Maybe we could allow them to bring over a couple of impaled corpses as decorations!"
Ferumbras was positively fuming. "Shut up!"
Otho raised his brow. "What? Are you afraid I am going to make a fool out of you in front of your elaborate guests who have taken over the whole Shire with their boisterous attitudes?" He looked over at the impressive looking Dwarf.
Ferumbras gazed fleetingly at their guests and smiled feeling uneasy. "Hello Sir!" -He cried happily and the turned wrathfully towards Otho and lowered his voice- "As a matter of fact you stupid fool if we had this kind of superior military protection all the time we would never have to worry about the shadow of the east and all these Orcs bothering us!"
Otho humphed. "As if this formidable military force would stay here to protect us. They are here to keep their King safe and the moment he leaves they will go with him so get off your high horse! They won't protect us. They will simply ravage all our provisions with their insatiable hunger and thirst, they will plunder our fields and forests and they will smoke out all our Toby. When they leave, Hobbiton will resemble the Ash Mountains. A bare wasteland of ruins!"
Ferumbras crossed his arms behind his back. "Well at least they have ample gold coins to pay for our services. Something that you are never doing as you are always trying to live off the well earned money of others!" He rebuked hard.
Otho became red in the face, glared angrily at the Dwarven couple who was observing them and left, grumbling curses under his breath.
When all the bystanders began leaving since there was nothing more to see, the Dwarven couple opened up Bilbo's door and went inside not even caring about the ferocious preparations for the Spring Feast. When the door closed behind Dwalin a screech of panic drew his attention to Rhianaye who came storming down the corridor with her hands outstretched and a face full of terror. "Get away, get away, get away!" She pushed Dwalin and hid behind him panting.
Her brother came stomping down the same corridor bearing a menacing look in his eyes. "Where did you go you little weasel?"
"Eiik!" Rhianaye screamed and Dwalin rolled his eyes.
"Are they at it again?" He asked Balin who was sitting in the living room with Gandalf.
His brother raised his brow. "As you can see..."
Dwalin humphed and turned behind his back to look at Rhianaye. "I don't think you found the proper place to hide, my Lady." He said and Loa smiled up to him.
Rhianaye pointed at her formidable brother. "He wants to kill me!"
Durin reached out and tried to grab her behind Dwalin's huge frame. "I want to have back my honey cake, which you stole you little brat!"
"I don't have any honey cakes!" Rhianaye screeched again when Durin's hand grabbed her apron.
"Give it back or I will beat you!" Durin grumbled.
Rhianaye shuffled with difficulty towards Loa, trying to release her apron. "Leave me alone or I will tell daddy!"
"If you wake up mom, dad will be mad at you...so keep it up! Scream in order to wake her. I cannot wait to tell him what a true little thief you really are!" Durin bit his lower lip and tried to catch her between Dwalin's legs.
That is when Lis grabbed him from the waist and pulled him back. "Lord Durin, please leave the princess alone!" There was sweat trickling at her temples as she had been chasing them all over the place.
Durin stepped on Lis' boot and she released him with a groan of pain. "I won't let her go unless she gives me back the honey cake she stole! She's a thief!"
Gandalf relaxed back at his chair and raised his brow at Balin who rolled his eyes. "Are they always this feisty?"
Balin nodded. "You have no bloody idea. The two of them can bring Erebor into ruins within a single night."
Gandalf smiled. "Well, I'd lie if I say I didn't expect that from Thorin's children."
Balin tilted his head and drunk from his mug. "We all did."
"The second son, is he that fiery also?" Gandalf raised his brow.
Balin shook his head. "Poor boy is the calmest soul I have ever met. He's taken not only his mother's appearance, but also her spirit. He's always tagging behind Durin trying to mimic him or make him smile and he adores his sister. It's these two devils that won't allow us a moment of peace. Thorin's spitting image, both in stubbornness and hotheadedness!"
"Maybe Thrárin can knock some sense into Durin's head later on." Gandalf said calmly.
Balin leaned over. "Do you think there are many people who can subdue Durin?"
Gandalf pursed his lips.
"Only one man can control Durin...and currently he's sleeping inside." Balin exhaled and leaned back again, trying to enjoy his drink despite the screaming that came from the door.
"He got me, he got me...Aaaa!" Rhianaye yelled and tried to get away, but Durin grabbed her hand and pulled her from behind Dwalin.
Lis tried to restraint the young prince, but she got such a strong elbow at her stomach that she doubled over and her mother went to help her. "Are you okay my love?" Loa kneeled down.
Lis looked up pissed off. "I am not a baby mom! I am their bodyguard! Allow me to do my bloody job!"
Loa cringed. "What job!? The prince is always overpowering you! He is rendering you useless!"
Lis hissed at her mother angrily. "And you are rendering me mad right now!"
Durin pulled Rhianaye so hard that he tore her apron and the honey cake that was hiding in there fell to the wooden floor. "See! I told you she stole it! She was hiding it in there!" He snapped and kneeled down to grab it.
Rhianaye kneeled also and they began a tug-o-war with the cake, which of course ended with Durin easily winning her over. He took the cake and shoved her violently to the floor. She sniffled and her eyes filled with tears. When everyone thought that she was going to go into a defeated meltdown she released a cry of revenge and came after her formidable brother. She grabbed his upper arm and bit down on him so hard that he howled in pain and let that cake fall to the floor.
"You bloody weasel!" Durin yelped and pushed her off of him.
Rhianaye got her cake and holding it like treasure she run into the living room to get away from Durin who came after her. As they passed Bilbo's stool Rhianaye's foot knocked it over and Bilbo's hand drew a crooked line over his map. He glared at the kids and huffed. "Perfect! I was trying to make this bloody map all morning and they just destroyed it!"
Rhianaye and Durin circled the room twice screaming bloody murder and then came over to Dwalin who opened the door for them. They sprang out and Lis followed them uttering threats that had no real effect on the formidable twins. Dwalin closed the door behind him and rubbed his forehead. "If I hear one more scream I will murder them, I swear."
Balin sneakered. "Tell Thorin that."
Dwalin sat at one of the armchairs. "Is he still asleep?"
Balin nodded. "They both are."
Loa went straight to the kitchen to prepare some tea for everyone.
"Only he could sleep through all this racket! My head is about to explode!" Dwalin grumbled annoyed.
Balin flicked his shoulders. "I suppose they got so used to after so many years. Besides Lady Eilin still feels under the weather and needs to rest."
Dwalin exhaled trying to calm himself down. "She's still sick?"
Gandalf looked up and raised his brow.
Balin nodded. "Yes."
"We've been off the road for a week. Shouldn't she been feeling better by now?" Dwalin frowned.
Balin waved him off. "I am sure she will make a quick recovery. Don't forget the poor woman has three children to care for. She's always exhausted."
Dwalin nodded quietly. "You can say that again. I get exhausted just by thinking about them."
"Is the younger son sleeping too, then?" Gandalf asked.
Balin shook his head. "Lady Dis took Thrárin down at the lake to show him the Mill."
Gandalf exhaled the smoke calmly. "Thorin is lucky to have all these people around to help him with the children."
Balin pursed his lips. "He rarely uses the help. You don't know the rule master Gandalf."
Gandalf's eyebrows quirked with interest. "What rule?"
"What is in the family, remains in the family. Thorin and his wife are taking care of the children mostly alone. They rarely use any nannies, but when they do, they trust only Dis, Fili and lately Lis. No one else." Balin explained.
Gandalf laughed lightly. "That's why the twins are out of control, now I get it."
Dwalin laughed with him and Balin smirked, but it was Bilbo that spoke next. "Actually when Thorin is awake both these monsters behave like angels. It's mind boggling. I am tempted to keep Thorin awake all the time so I can get some peace of mind. When he falls asleep it's as if someone releases a levee and these children get into overdrive. Look at my poor painting!" He came over and gave it to Gandalf.
"Ravenhill?" Gandalf looked at it critically.
Bilbo crossed his arms. "Was..."
"Looks nice." Gandalf gave it back to him.
"Looked nice. Now the tower of Ravenhill just got another rolling hill right on top of it..." Bilbo said disappointed.
Balin waved him off. "You'll make another one."
Bilbo glowered at him and then looked at Dwalin for a few moments. "I heard commotion outside before. What happened?"
Dwalin flicked his shoulders. "Your mayor was having an argument with a rather dislikable man."
Bilbo crumbled up his map and threw it in the fireplace. "Otho, I recognised his voice. Obnoxious guy. Wish I could keep him away from tonight's feast."
"Lobelia's husband? The one who covets your house?" Gandalf smiled.
Bilbo's eyes thinned and he looked over his shoulder at a half open crate. After a few minutes of pondering he marched up to it and closed it tight, before locking it. "The same one. Maybe I could show Prince Durin a real thief and let him deal with her."
Gandalf laughed heartily. "Judging from what I saw, that woman will never come close to your home again then my dear Baggins."
Balin chuckled, but he didn't have enough time to talk, because the door opened up again and Durin came in, holding up the banners of war. He crashed the door behind him angrily.
"Hey, hey young master. Keep it down. Your parents are still asleep!" Balin warned.
Durin came over to him and grabbed the arm of his chair nervously. "Did you see what she did to me Lord Balin!?" He cried.
"Did you see what you both did to my map?" Bilbo raised his brow.
Durin looked at him lost for a few moments.
Bilbo pursed his lips. "You destroyed it by acting like two elephants in a stampede!"
Durin's little hands twisted around the arm of the chair. "I am sorry mister Baggins, but she stole my cake!" He pointed at the door.
"No matter what your sister did you need to keep it quiet!" Balin glowered at him.
"I can't! I need to beat her up so bad, it hurts!" Durin spat.
"Don't let your dad hear you speak like that about your sister." Balin warned quietly.
"Yeah as if his father wasn't doing the same things to his sister when he was a dwarfling." Dwalin chuckled at the memory of Thorin chasing after Dis in order to punch her face in.
Durin's eyes grew wide. "He did?!"
Balin glowered at his brother. "Don't fill the boy's head in with such fables! You are encouraging this behaviour!"
"Did he beat auntie Dis up, because she stole things from him?" Durin continued, without even trying to keep his voice down.
"I think they both beat each other up..." Dwalin laughed, without caring about Balin's advice.
Durin closed his mouth and fumed. Then his face grew red and he marched up to the door. "I am going to punch that cake out of her stomach, you just wait and see!"
Balin showed Dwalin the Prince. "See what you did?"
Dwalin raised his brows. "I didn't do that. He was pumped up already to do the little girl in."
"He's too fierce for his own good." Bilbo looked at the boy critically.
Durin glared at Bilbo angrily.
"A rather feisty young man. He has clearly taken after his stubborn father. Wonder how these two would collaborate in a battle together. That'd be a sight to see." Gandalf smirked behind his long pipe.
Durin pressed his lips and his fists tightened at the side of his thighs. "I will never allow my father to go into battle and get wounded!" He spat with determination.
Balin's eyes mellowed. "That was so sweet my boy and declared with your usual ferocity."
Dwalin humphed. "As I am sure your brother would do the same, but you see boy, Thorin Oakenshield is too valiant to hide behind anyone. Especially his sons."
Balin smiled at that. "And too protective towards his children, young Lord. Your father would probably prefer to die than see you boys shielding him."
"Till you come to your own, allow your father to guide you young man. He holds great wisdom." Gandalf leaned his elbows to his knees and looked thoughtfully at Durin.
Durin's brow clouded. "I always listen to my father, but I will also protect him when needed. Keep that in mind Mithrandir."
Gandalf leaned back looking rather pleased, despite the regnant waves that were escaping this young master. "I will. God forbid I fall on your bad side, Lord Durin. One day I may need your help concerning a very famous dwarrowdelf."
Durin raised his brow, partially confused.
"Remember...the grey wizard is on your side." Gandalf smirked and looked at Durin with satisfaction.
Bilbo nodded. "We may accuse Gandalf of being a meddling busybody, but we cannot accuse him of being an ignoramus."
Durin was fidgeting with the frill at the ends of his sleeves and was looking at the door nervously, having already forgotten what all these old men were talking about.
"What are you so troubled about now son? About the Dwarrowdelf that Gandalf mentioned?" Balin asked him quietly.
"My honey cake..." Durin spat, remembering how angry he was again.
"All this conversation about heroism and future endeavours was not enough to make you forget about desert?" Bilbo raised his brows.
"No!" Durin spat and moved to the door.
"He sure can hold a grudge." Gandalf rejoined quietly.
Balin nodded. "Especially against his sister."
Durin opened the door. "Rhianaye you little weasel I am coming!" He yelled and a far away screech pierced the walls.
Bilbo cupped his forehead. "There we go again..."
That is when a heavy and rather hoarse voice made Durin freeze with his hand on the door handle.
"Leave your sister alone and close the door...quietly..." came the warning, before Thorin made his rather sleepy appearance at the living room.
Durin closed the door as quietly as possible and remained like a statue next to it.
Bilbo sighed in relief. "Thank heavens you woke up."
Thorin turned to his son. "What is all this racket about?"
Durin frowned. "Rhianaye stole my cake!"
Thorin shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Did you just wake me up for a bloody cake?"
Balin raised his brow at the Prince. "Told you to keep your voice down."
Durin huffed at the old advisor. "None of you seem to care that I am the one who is being treated unfairly here!"
Gandalf inhaled some smoke calmly. "Well, he is right."
Balin gave the wizard a careful side-glance. "Let his father handle him and don't interfere."
Gandalf raised his hands. "God forbid I share one word of wisdom with you people!"
Dwalin stood up and gave Thorin his seat, which the King took gratefully. He emptied himself on the armchair closest to the fire and leaned his head back. "Silence all of you!"
This time the authoritative command silenced not only the mighty Durin, but the whole room.
Thorin opened up his tired eyes and looked at his son. "Now explain what happened without raising your tone an inch more than appropriate."
"Rhianaye ate my cake." Durin said quietly.
"So that is why you are hollering for?" Thorin glowered.
"She ate my damned cake!" Durin stomped his foot down.
Thorin's eyes thinned. "Take care not to wake up your mother young man, and don't you dare curse again!"
Durin's lips pouted and he crossed his arms defensively. "I am sorry."
"So you are causing all this racket for a cake?"
"It was mine, I wanted it!"
"And I wanted to sleep and you woke me up. So what? Life is not fair, get used to it." Thorin waved Durin off.
"Why do you always act like that for her?!" Durin cried.
"Like what?" Thorin frowned.
"You are always excusing her no matter what she does! Even if she becomes a little thief! You don't even care that she stole my desert! If I had done that to her you would have punished me instantly!" Durin said and a few tears rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away quickly, but stood fierce in front of his formidable father.
Thorin exhaled and rubbed his forehead. "Because she needs the extra food. Your sister is only skin and bones. She needs to gain weight."
"Not on my desert!" Durin rebuked.
"On anything..." Thorin shook his head.
"Fine! Then I need to gain weight too!" Durin rejoined stubbornly.
Thorin gave him the once-over and raised his brow. "No, you need to gain muscle. Why aren't you out training with Lis instead of waking up the whole house?"
Durin planted himself to the floor and glared at his dad. "I don't want to train unless I have my desert."
"In this manner you will not get lunch either. Be careful." Thorin voice turned a tone darker.
Durin looked at his crossed legs for a few moments before speaking. "Please?..."
Thorin tilted his head. "Loa are there anymore honey cakes in there?"
Loa sneaked a look from the archway. "No Sir. I baked one for each, because mister Bilbo was low on flour."
Bilbo's head bobbed disheartened. "Thank Eru one of you is thinking about my provisions."
Thorin looked at his friend for a couple of moments and then gazed thoughtfully at his son.
Durin sniffled and began picking on the hem of his pants. "There are only two dad. One for you and one for mom. Everybody else had their cake, except from me, just because Rhianaye wanted to have two! Is that fair?"
Thorin raised his brow at Balin who smiled and then addressed Loa. "Bring my honey cake along with some brew."
"Yes Sir!" she replied.
Thorin caressed the long braid of his beard. "Are you going to sit stubbornly in front of Bilbo's door until a new honey cake makes an appearance?"
Durin shook his head silently and sniffled.
"Are you angry?"
Durin nodded.
"At me?"
Durin shook his head, but stopped. Then he nodded softly.
Thorin leaned his head back. "At your sister?"
Durin nodded fiercely.
"You can sit here amongst us and be mad if you want. It's more comfortable master." Balin said calmly.
Durin shook his head.
"You intend to grow roots out of your bottom and become embedded in the house?" Dwalin chuckled.
Bilbo snorted. "That'd be interesting. Maybe I'll ask money from my neighbours in order to show them my new plant named Durin."
Thorin's lips cracked a soft smile as he took Loa's brew and his honey cake.
Durin frowned. "You are all making fun of me and I don't like it. It's not fair speaking like that for me, when I am not making fun of anyone!"
"Temper temper young man. Nobody is making fun of you. They are just trying to make you smile." Thorin warned.
Instantly Durin settled down, but he remained quiet.
Thorin placed the brew and his honey cake on a side table and leaned his elbows on his knees. "Where is your sister now?"
"Outside with Lis." Durin grumbled.
"Your little brother?" Thorin rejoined.
"Out with auntie Dis." Durin began picking on Bilbo's carpet.
Thorin settled back and raised his brow at Dwalin. "Then I suppose my lap is free."
Durin looked up sharply at his dad.
Thorin raised his brow and showed his arms invitingly.
Durin's lips parted, but he didn't move.
"Of course I expect you to deny. What great warrior would want to be seen, sitting on his father's lap like a baby." -Thorin said quietly with a knowledgeable smile and then looked at Dwalin- "Correct?"
Durin nibbled his bottom lip.
Dwalin caught up to the game. "No one. I hated when my father asked me to sit on his lap!"
Balin nodded. "Me too...how about you Bilbo?"
"Hated it, absolutely abhorred it. Of course I made my old man sad whenever I denied." Bilbo said cleverly.
Thorin smiled at him.
Durin looked at the Hobbit. "Sad?"
Bilbo nodded. "Tears were running down his eyes. He couldn't get used to the idea that he was losing his young boy. You see I was slowly becoming a young man and I didn't want any hugs, but maybe I could have avoided breaking his heart a couple of times at that young age, now that I think about it."
Gandalf inhaled some smoke. "Parents feel so terrible when their children reject them."
Durin stood up and cleared his pants. "I am not rejecting my father..." He sounded full of guilt suddenly.
Thorin raised both brows.
Bilbo crossed his arms. "Yeah, but do you love him hard enough to sacrifice one small embrace in front of his mightiest commanders?"
Durin looked at everyone, but finally his eyes fell to his father. Then he ran quickly and buried himself in Thorin's arms.
Thorin enfolded his son on his chest and cleared up his long black hair from his sweaty brow. "Isn't this more comfortable?" He kissed his son's burning brow gently.
Durin nodded and grabbed Thorin's tunic like he was always doing when he was a baby. "Can you forgive me for waking you up?" he asked quietly.
"I don't mind that at all, but there is someone else you have to ask forgiveness from..." Thorin gave Durin another gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Rhianaye..." -Durin hissed- "Of course, even though she was a little thief."
Thorin pressed Durin firmly on his chest. "And she has to ask forgiveness from you."
Durin looked up. "She does?!" He frowned.
"Of course. She stole your honey cake so she asks your forgiveness first. Deal?" Thorin gave his son a lopsided smile.
Durin's lips curled up timidly. "Deal."
Thorin straightened Durin's tunic affectionately. "I don't want you to fight with each other. Your are siblings and blood runs thicker than water son. You must all support and love each other, no matter what happens now or what may happen in the years to come."
Durin averted his eyes and began playing with his father's beard braid. "Didn't you fight with auntie Dis? Lord Dwalin said you did."
Thorin raised his brow. "We fought a lot, but now in retrospect I regret it. I loved my sister no matter that she made my life hell sometimes and truth be told I was very unfair to her more than a few times."
Durin's lips turned down. "I am being unfair with Rhianaye sometimes too, but she's also unfair with me."
"She's your sister. I don't expect you not to argue, but you need to be the first one to control those tense moments. You are the oldest and the wisest. If you cannot act your age, how can you expect Rhianaye to do so and moreover Thrárin who always looks up to you." Thorin continued with the same measured tone of voice.
Durin nodded. "I know."
"Anger is just a feeling. Embrace it, experience it, but learn how to control it before it consumes you. Set the example for your siblings, but also for the people you will one day rule." Thorin cupped his son's cheek and lifted up his head.
Durin nodded. "I will try my best dad."
Thorin smiled and gave him a curt nod. "That's more like the Durin I know."
An honest smile dawned in Durin's face.
Thorin looked at him thoughtfully for a few moments. "Are you still hungry for a honey cake?"
Durin's eyes sparkled. "Yes I am!"
Thorin took his desert and gave it to his boy. "Enjoy."
Durin looked at it longingly for a few moments, but didn't try to take it. "Don't you want to it?"
Thorin shook his head. "Not in the mood for food. I got my brew."
Durin fell on Thorin and planted a fierce kiss on his cheek. "Thank you dad!"
Thorin nudged him and Durin jumped off his lap. "Go out with your sister, before you end up waking up your mom."
"Alright dad..." Durin whispered with a mouthful of cake. He placed his finger on his mouth to silence everyone and tiptoed to the door.
"And don't let me hear a single word from you guys out there, understand?!" Thorin glowered.
"Yes." Durin nodded eagerly and closed the door gently behind him.
Thorin leaned his head back and rubbed his forehead.
The first one to talk was Dwalin. "After all this excitement I feel pepped up. I am going out to help Lis with the kids."
Loa gave him a grateful look above her shoulder which he reciprocated briefly, before resuming his usual forbidding countenance. When he saw the eloquent look that Thorin gave him he humphed and walked to the door.
"Close it quietly." Thorin warned him.
Dwalin waved him off, but did as he was told.
Bilbo took Dwalin's seat and rubbed his hands in front of the fire. "One cannot deny that your boy is fierce."
Thorin tilted his head. "Fierce just doesn't cut it."
Gandalf chuckled. "I can believe that."
Thorin offered him a ghostly smile and tasted his brew. "His sister is equally fierce and she's always on his case. I truly cannot blame his meltdowns sometimes. She can become overwhelming no matter her small size."
Balin nodded. "She finds ways to sneak around Durin and do her thing. I don't blame the prince either."
Bilbo raised his brows. "He needs to control that fierceness though. He almost brought the house down. Him and his sister."
"He needs to find ways to channel it." Thorin said quietly.
Bilbo shook his head. "I don't envy you having to father that boy."
Thorin pursed his lips. "He's just a kid. A loving kid that feels lost at times. One day he is a serious warrior prince in the making and the next a very hurt dwarfling..."
Gandalf smiled. "Not much different than all the other dwarflings in his age then."
Thorin looked at him and his lips curled up. "More or less...just a bit more difficult to control."
"You could be a little more stern with him." Bilbo raised his brows.
"I am stern enough when needed. I don't want to break his spirit." Thorin rejoined.
Balin rubbed his thighs thoughtfully. "Truth is that no one can control prince Durin as well as his father does. Not even his mother."
"Speaking of that, I hope she didn't wake up from this pandemonium." Thorin raised his brow.
"Is she feeling any better?" Bilbo looked at his friend.
"She was dizzy all through the night. Slept at the early hours of dawn, that's why I don't want anyone to bother her." Thorin frowned.
"Don't worry son, it was the journey. The roads were too rough on her. I am sure when she wakes up she's going to be feeling better." Balin tried to reassure him.
"It's been a week since we arrived and she still feels unwell. That is not something I like." Thorin sounded troubled.
"Maybe Gandalf should take a look at her." Bilbo said thoughtfully.
"Maybe he should." Thorin turned to the wizard and stood up.
"Of course." Gandalf tilted his head.
"Where are you going?" Balin asked.
"I am going to try and sleep again." Thorin rejoined and walked to the antechamber.
"Go, we will keep the kids outside, don't worry. You both need to be well rested for the feast this evening." Bilbo smiled at him.
Thorin reciprocated the smile. "Thank you my dear Bilbo."
Balin stood up also. "I stand guard over that door and I won't allow anyone in, unless you both wake up."
Thorin crossed his arms and smiled brightly. "Thanks Balin."
Gandalf quickly followed. "I need to go check on my fireworks."
Bilbo took off his housecoat and grabbed his vest. "And I need to go check on the decorations, wait for me!" He followed Gandalf and Balin to the door.
"It's going to be spectacular tonight isn't it?" Bilbo asked.
"If you people provide me with enough mead and Old Toby I don't care about anything else." Balin said.
"I have prepared my best fireworks for tonight, including the phoenix." Gandalf laughed quietly.
"What gun powder are you using for the fireworks?" Balin leaned near the wizard interested.
"The usual." Gandalf rejoined.
"What chemicals do you use to colour it?" Balin continued and the door closed behind Thorin.
He exhaled and looked at Loa who was working quietly in the kitchen. "Thank you for the honey cakes." He said.
She looked at him above her shoulder. "My pleasure Sir. Go rest, I won't bother you." She said.
Eilin kicked the leafy ground hard and her swing lifted almost up to the white clouds in the sky. She felt her long hair waving above her shoulders and covering her face and a giggle of happiness escaped her as the swing swept down close to the ground again. Another kick and she was almost touching the leafs on the tall branches of the oak tree. As her swing came down again she concentrated hard on managing to grasp one of the branches and tear some leafs off. She kicked hard and her fingers skimmed the hard wood. Then she was down again and her strong legs pushed her even higher. This time her fist wrapped around the leafs and she tore them away with a victorious cry. Her boots dug hard into the ground and her swing's speed broke immediately. Eilin grasped the ropes tightly and raised her eyes at the darkness that was behind the door of her family home as slowly part of her happiness began evaporating. She closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh air deeply, wanting to forget about those shadows that never came anymore at the entrance of the door. She wanted to believe that this time her father wouldn't exit in order to sit at that half broken stool with his back to her, waiting for her to go talk to him. A ghostly smile appeared on her pale lips and she lifted up her legs and allowed the swing to lose momentum on it's own. When finally it stopped after several moments, Eilin kept her eyes closed and her brows rippled with uncertainty. She had a feeling that if she opened her eyes, she wouldn't be alone. She released the ropes and crossed her hands on her lap, deciding that the best course of action was for her to keep her eyes sealed tight. The breeze caressed the side of her face and she delighted in the softness of her long locks teasing the goose-trails of her eyes. Oh, how much she wanted to open her eyes to see no one standing in front of the door or sitting close to it. Her lips scrounged as she enjoyed the touch of the wind on her face and her eyes cracked timidly hoping for the best, but her heart dropped as usual.
He was there, sitting with his back turned to her. There was a huge sword in a leather sheathe on his back and a war axe hanging from his wide belt. His long red curly hair, so much resembling hers was braided and was adorned by few plain beads. She couldn't see his face, but she could make out that this time he was not simply just sitting there ignoring her. It seemed like he was fixing something.
Her fingers twisted nervously around each other and she bit hard on her bottom lip. A strong urge to talk to him rushed over her as it did every time and she tried hard to wake herself up, because she knew this was a dream. She began pinching herself and poking her arms hoping that she would wake up in Thorin's arms, but this time for some reason nothing was working. Nothing would have stopped her efforts to wake up, but his voice.
"Don't do that."
She inhaled sharply and her eyes grew wide, but she remained silent.
"Stop hurting yourself." The red headed warrior rejoined.
Eilin's lips curled up. "It took you long enough to care that I am hurting myself." She couldn't help but sound bitter.
The man turned his head slightly and she caught a glimpse of his profile. Her body broke out in goosebumps. "Your are bitter."
She felt her jawline flexing. "And you are absent."
The man turned around and began working again. "Yes, I was."
Eilin huffed. "That's it? No painful declarations of forgiveness? No falling on your knees begging me for mercy?"
The man stopped for a moment and then shook his head. "No."
Eilin closed her eyes that instantly burned hot. "Of course, as usual...indifference."
"Don't be so quick to judge." The man rebuked heavily.
"Judge what? The past? I don't care about the past, I care about the present. Even now you are not willing to do something to approach me."
The man's shoulders undulated with his deep sigh. "Don't assume."
Eilin felt her skin becoming colder. "Tell me why are you tormenting me this way? Why are you coming in my dreams all the time?"
The man resumed his work once more. "Because you are asking for me."
Eilin's breath hitched and she averted her eyes. "I don't want to do it."
"Yet you do." The man continued.
Eilin's head snapped back up. "I won't ask forgiveness for that!"
The man's voice remained calm. "Of course you shouldn't."
Eilin looked at his strong body and at his wide shoulders. "What are you doing there?" She asked after a very long time.
"Carving some wood." The man rejoined.
"I didn't know you could carve..." Eilin took an involuntary step closer.
"Few ever found out."
"Was that your trade?" Eilin's nervous fingers began playing with her red apron.
The man nodded.
"So what are you trying to make now?" Eilin took another step.
"A crib..." The man's voice trailed.
"Whatever for?" Eilin frowned.
"For you." The man replied.
Eilin's lips cracked a ghostly smile. "I am not a baby anymore dad. You left me a baby and now I am a woman."
"I don't expect you to sleep in it, but maybe use it." The man stopped and offered her his handsome profile again.
Eilin's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Use it for whom?"
The man's lips curled up. "My grandson."
Eilin's eyes closed and she sighed. "Both your grandsons are too old to be placed in a crib dad."
"It's for the one who will be honour part of my name." The man said and began carving again.
Eilin crossed her arms and felt rather irritated. "You are so conceited if you believe that I would ever gift my children with your name. You abandoned me!"
The man stopped working and looked at her sideways. "Ask for questions and you shall find answers, but don't assume."
Eilin threw her hands down and glared at him. "I wish you had remained a damned shadow at the entrance of that door. You are too real for comfort now."
The man turned around slowly and Eilin's heart dropped at how much she resembled him. His expressive green eyes gazed at her calmly and his mouth spoke between his thick braided red beard. "You asked for questions already, why did you stop there?"
Eilin closed her mouth so hard that her jawline ached and she felt tears rolling down her cheeks. "Because I don't want to know anymore about you."
"Yet you brought me this close. How can you expect me to disappear now?" the impressive ginger warrior frowned.
"I expect you to disappear with the same ease you did when I was born. Just do it! Leave!" She dared him.
The man leaned back and crossed his arms. "It's your dream, your destiny, your fate. Either you bring me closer or you make me disappear. I cannot do it for you, I am sorry."
Eilin pressed the heels of her palms on her eyes firmly. "Damn you!" She cried.
-.-
"Hey, wake up..." Thorin's soft voice murmured next to her ear.
She shuddered and opened her eyes. Instantly her father's face evaporated as her eyes took in the beloved face of her husband. She reached up and wrapped her arms behind his nape tightly. "Hi..." She whispered.
He leaned down and gifted her mouth with a caring kiss that she reciprocated wholeheartedly. "Bad dream again?" He drew back and gazed at her.
She looked intensely at his beautiful azure eyes, trying to forget through them the green eyes of her father. She nodded. "Yes." She exhaled.
Thorin's fingers coasted down her neckline tenderly. "Your family house?"
She sighed deeply and tunnelled her fingers through his mane. She gave him another nod.
His lips twisted troubled. "Where there shadows this time?"
She felt her breath catching and she shook her head. "This time I saw him again."
"Sitting with his back to you?"
She nodded and pulled him down so he could honour her neck with a sensual peck that erupted goosebumps on her skin. "Yes." She said with a hushed tone.
He leaned on his elbow and granted her skin with dozens of small kisses that led his mouth up to her cheek. There his lips lingered. "I am sorry honey."
She pressed the back of his head and shivered at the warmth of his breath close to her ear. "This time he talked to me."
Thorin drew back and looked at her with a frown. "What did he tell you?"
Eilin inhaled deeply. "Whatever my mind commanded him to tell me apparently."
Thorin's lips turned down and his eyes looked at her acutely. "This nightmare just cannot leave you alone."
Eilin looked at him steadily and then flicked her shoulder. "I won't leave it alone either."
He got ready to answer to her, but she placed a finger to his mouth, delighting at the softness of his lips. "Forget about the dream. Now tell me was that Durin's voice at the hallway before?" She whispered.
"Yes."
"Was he fighting with his sister again?" Eilin kissed his neck.
"Yes."
"Is it over?" she continued.
He pulled her head on him tenderly. "Yes."
"Is Thrárin asleep?" Eilin murmured.
"Dis has him." He rubbed his bearded chin on her mane. "If you exclude that damned dream, how are you feeling?"
Her pretty lips formed a faded smile. "I feel very well actually."
He exhaled and closed his eyes. "No dizziness anymore?"
She shook her head and squeezed him tight. "Nope."
"No need to empty your stomach?" he continued.
Another shake of her head. "No honey, I feel well."
His body relaxed around hers. "Good." He sounded truly relieved.
Her heart rejoiced at how caring he still was with her, no matter how many years have passed. It took her a few moments to speak again though. "Can I ask you something?"
"Hmmm." His voice vibrated through her torso and made her stomach revolve deliciously around itself.
"Did you ever regret having so many kids with me?"
He frowned and pulled up in order to be able to look in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
She cringed. "Trying to settle down some fears of mine."
He cupped her cheek and nudged her. "Haven't I told you many times that I longed to have a big family with you?"
Her lips broke into a sweet smile. "You have."
"Then what the hell are you asking?" he frowned annoyed.
Her fingers toyed with the hair on his nape. "Before the kids we were so carefree...so...so devoted to each other..." she tired to explain, but he spoke over her.
"We are still devoted to each other, but also to our children. I see no harm in that." He raised his brow in austerity, but his warm palm brushed her cheek affectionately.
She nibbled her bottom lip thoughtfully. "So you don't regret having all those kids waking us up...not allowing us a private moment..."
He smirked teasingly. "Well that might be something I do regret slightly."
She grinned. "Would more children change your mind, maybe?"
He leaned on his elbow and cleared some thick curls away from her brow. "More?" His lips curled up in a teasing smile.
Eilin looked at him anxiously and gave him a soft nod.
He flicked his shoulders calmly. "Nope."
Eilin inhaled deeply and pulled herself up to gift his neck with a doting kiss. "You don't regret having so many kids, yet my father...he couldn't even support one..." -her voice was diminished.- "I sometimes feel so confused. On one hand I don't want to know if he is still alive and on the other I wish I could see him."
He pressed his lips and pulled her in his arms tightly. "I can still search for him Eilin. I told you many times that I can do it. I have the knowledge and the means, if you allow me. He could still be alive somewhere out there..."
A strong shudder run through her body and he felt it, but she remained silent.
"I can understand your reasons for not wanting to meet him, but maybe that is what you need in order to have a closure." He said quietly and his long fingers bore through her hair.
It took her a long time to answer and Thorin remained silently patient. Caressing her head gently and empathising with her internal battle. He wasn't sure she was going to answer. Usually she never did and they ended up burying this painful subject again and again, until it resurfaced through a dream once more. So he closed his eyes, as time rolled by, feeling certain that soon she'd fall asleep again, but this time she managed to surprise him.
"Maybe you should..." She whispered
His heart skirted and he pulled back to look into her eyes who gazed at him steadily. "Do you mean it?"
Her hand cupped his cheek and she pulled him down until his lips lingered hot above hers. She gave him a soft nod. "Yes..."
"As your command my lady." He closed his eyes and kissed her deeply then and she felt as if that kiss blew away all the restraints in her heart. She drew him down, until his strong body pressed her hard against the mattress. Thorin knew that she gave him permission to pursue the most painful thread of her life and he hoped he didn't end up hurting her more with what he would discover eventually. As for her...she closed her eyes and wrapped her body around his, grateful that he was willing to lift away all that burden from her soul and help her find some form of closure, whatever that may be.
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