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Epilogue - My dwarrowdelf
(Ten years later)
Thorin stood above the anvil and looked critically down at the Narsil. He had been reforging it for several days in order to feel that it's shards had been placed together in a seamless way that could marginally satisfy him. He lifted the hammer and threw it upon the famous red hot blade repeatedly.
Listening to the metallic sounds of the forges and feeling the blazing heat emanating from the cauldron was enough, as always, to calm him down. It was the best way to soothe his spirits and rest his weary mind. He pulled the sword away from the anvil and scrutinised the smoothness of the blade. Trying to emulate the work of the famous Telchar was not easy on his vanity, which at times was rather bold concerning this trade. He had to live up to the legend of an amazing craftsman who also happened to be Eilin's forefather. He had to deliver an impeccable job with this sword and he didn't intend to leave the forges until he had done so.
His heavy boot fell on the dark metal treadle that pulled the huge hammers above his head apart. He placed the Narsil between them and released the treadle, making them fall on it with such force, his whole body shook. A cascade of fiery sparks washed over his head and shoulders and he averted his eyes in order to protect them. Then he drew the sword away and balanced it on his palm in order to check on it's smoothness once more, but when his eyes rolled to it's tip, they met Eilin who was standing at the archway of his station with her hands on her waist. Instantly his heart sparked up and his mind came to attention and away from the drifting tranquility this work offered him. He smirked at her and his eyes travelled down her figure.
She huffed and sauntered in. "I can never get used to those huge hammers bashing each other above your head. I am always expecting them to detach from the ceiling and fall on you."
He sighed and placed the Narsil on the anvil. "So what?"
Eilin paused in front of him and looked at his half naked body thoughtfully. Her stomach twisted deliciously and she felt a familiar warmth covering her exposed bosom. Her fingers caressed it absently and his attention got instantly drawn there. "True...Your head is too stubborn to break...the hammers would break instead."
He smiled and closed his eyes. "What are you doing down here, dressed so frivolously?"
Eilin checked herself. Her tunic had slid off one shoulder and the srtings that were tying her tunic on the bosom were partially untied offering ample view of her voluptuous bust to anyone who'd dare look at the Queen the wrong way. Her skirt was tucked in her belt from one side leaving her thigh partially revealed and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Her hair was gathered on the top of her head on a messy bun that allowed several long curly tendrils to float free around her face and down her back. "I was down at the eastern residential cavern helping Dis with the delivery of a child. It's not easy training to be a midwife, I'll tell you that. I prefer to train other women in archery instead." She rubbed her forehead, feeling exhausted.
Thorin crossed his arms and looked down at her body rudely. "I prefer you to train other women in battle also. Does being a midwife demand that you saunter around the hallways with your leg exposed and your bust half revealed?"
She looked up at him sharply.
He raised his brow.
Her face mellowed up instantly and she approached him. One hand landed on his sweaty waist and the other came out to caress his large scar gently. Her fingers planed down his hot skin until they reached his lower stomach and when she felt his muscles tensing she smiled. There her fingers traced the dark line of hair down to his waistband. "You sound hopelessly jealous."
He exhaled a whole bout of annoyance and swallowed a suddenly dry throat. "Look at you. This dress is utterly rude...it's not meant for the eyes of my men."
Eilin leaned over and her lips touched the round muscle of his chest. "No, it's only meant for your eyes." She whispered.
His hand came up and his fingers tunnelled through her mane, keeping her there. "Then why didn't you take care of your revealing attire better?" His voice still had a tone of reproach, but it was gentler.
Her lips drew on his skin and then rested hotly on his clavicle. THe fingers on the back of her head tightened. "I was too tired to notice, forgive me. Now tell me do you seriously think I care about the eyes of other men on me? It's only your attention that I wish to captivate."
He exhaled and rubbed her head gently. "Do you?"
She smiled and her hand came to his back and traced his spine upwards. She felt the goosebumps waking up above his sweaty skin that offered the salty taste to her tongue that she liked so much. "I know how much my rude dresses turn you on, but I also adore your jealousy."
His other hand came up and cupped her cheek. He drew her head unit his lips could linger above hers. "You do?"
She nodded mesmerised by the salty aftertaste on her tongue and at how warm his body felt against hers. "We have four children together. We've been through hell and still you yearn for me. I cannot get enough of that..."
He nodded gently. "More than words can say. My passion for you shall never die."
Her hand abandoned his large scar and wrapped behind his nape pulling him down to her. "Mine either...even after so many years I feel like it's the first time."
He smiled and then leaned down to captivate her mouth gently. She offered him a breathy exhalation and closed her eyes as he probed her to open up her soft mouth for him. When he dipped into her slickness, her body as if in command tensed and her lower region got overflowed by a river of lava. The more his strong arms flushed her against him, the more his tongue danced sensually around hers and the more his teeth nibbled gently at her lips, the more that heat between her legs became almost unbearable and she was just one step from raising that half exposed thigh in order to wrap it around his hips. "In here?" she whispered.
He gave her a gentle nod. "Why not?" His hand came down and hooked under her knee, placing her thigh around him as if he had read her thoughts.
Eilin's lips parted and her eyes closed when his mouth coasted firmly down the side of her neck. When he opened up his lips in order to allow his teeth to draw in her skin, her whole body erupted with goosebumps that she was unable to control. "There is no door in the archway..."
Thorin closed his eyes and licked hungrily the shivers that were chasing her skin. "I don't care." He rebuked firmly.
Eilin thrilled at his touch. "You are not thinking clearly."
He growled on her neck and send a wave of need down her nether regions. "Of course I am not..."
Eilin giggled and clutched the back of his sweaty hair tightly, admitting that she wouldn't have minded a rough love session right there on Thorin's anvil when a mixture of angry voices stopped them and made them pull back from each other slightly. Eilin pointed at the darkness. "Told you, listen! Someone is coming!"
Thorin didn't have enough time to respond as half of their children, Bjarki's son and Thror the wolf, made their appearance at the archway.
Rhianaye was the first one inside. She was holding Bjarngrímur by the hand tightly and he was following submissively despite the fact that he was at least forty eight years older than Thorin's daughter. "Thrárin you are pissing me off!"
Thrárin was the third one inside, followed by his intimidating black wolf with a face that was settled in controlled irritation. "You are acting erratically Rhianaye. Calm the hell down!" He snapped.
Rhianaye huffed and pulled Bjarngrímur closed to her. "Are you joking?! He almost killed this man!"
"He's only ten years old, he doesn't understand the consequences! Be reasonable!" Thrárin rebuked at his sister.
"He's four years younger than you! He knows that if he uses dynamite in combination with fire it is going to blow up!" Rhianaye hollered.
"He's just a kid! Did you forget how you destroyed the Hobbiton feast by blowing all of Gandalf's fireworks with Durin's help!? Were you two entitled to your idiocy and Órin isn't?" Thrárin snapped and his large blue eyes that resembled Thorin's so much burned through his sister.
Rhianaye released Bjarngrímur's hand, who looked fearfully at Thorin and pulled back several steps. She placed her tight feasts on her waist. "Do you seriously compare what me and Durin did back then to today's attempted murder?"
Thrárin crossed his arms and shook his head. "You are taking this too far..." -He humphed- "Attempted murder..." He rolled his eyes.
Rhianaye pointed at the archway. "There wasn't anyone on top of Gandalf's tent when we blew those fireworks up!" -She turned and searched for Bjarngrímur who had retreated almost as far back as the corridor. She stomped her foot down and went to him. She grasped his hand and brought him back to the center of attention, not caring about his obvious dismay.- "Poor Bjarngrímur was sitting on top of the carriage!"
Thrárin looked haughtily at his sister's friend and humphed again. "He barely got scratched."
Rhianaye fumed. "You are defending Órin!"
Thrárin looked abhorred. "I am not!"
Rhianaye stomped her foot down again. "Yes you are! What he did was irresponsible and downright dangerous and I know why he did it also!"
Thror stood up and revealed his teeth with a low key growl. Thrárin petted the wolf's head. "Sit down boy."
Thror obeyed instantly and then Thrárin turned to his sister with a frown. "So give us the reasons!"
Rhianaye exhaled angrily. "Because you and Durin had been filling up his mind with idiocies about me and Bjarngrímur!"
Thrárin raised his brow and crossed his arms. "Instead of feeling blessed that your youngest brother is so eager to look out for you, you prefer to turn against him."
Rhianaye grasped her temples. "Protect me from what!? Bjarngrímur is just my friend! I am barely twenty years old. I am not old enough to have any suitors. Are you defending Órin in this? What is the matter with you boys!?"
Thrárin turned his stern gaze at Bjarngrímur who, poor man bowed to the ground at the angry prince and tried to avoid the King's tense stare who was observing the conversation with an ominous silence. "I don't doubt that Bjarngrímur has the best intentions for you and that you are having fun with him, nevertheless Órin was simply trying to protect you. In a most stupid manner, I agree, but you know how spontaneous he can become."
Rhianaye positively fumed. "Spontaneous...ha! He's downright dangerous! I hope Durin will teach him a lesson or two!"
Thrárin's lips pursed in anger. "You shouldn't try to bring us against each other for something as meagre as this! You are acting irresponsibly towards your family, for this man!" He pointed at Bjarngrímur who tried to pull away from Rhianaye.
Thorin's daughter didn't allow him. Instead she turned and looked at her parents for the first time since entering the forges. Her face unhinged and she released Bjarngrímur's hand. "Oh, come on dad, don't grope mom! What the hell?"
Thrárin looked up surprised. As for poor Bjarngrímur he didn't know which anvil to lift up in order to hide underneath.
Thorin raised his brow at that sudden attack towards them, Eilin though was much more dismissive.
She released her husband's shoulders and her face contorted in anger. "Keep your voice down young lady, do you hear me?! What language is this you are using in front of Bjarki's son?! Grope!"
Rhianaye froze in place at this sudden attack from her ferocious mother.
Thrárin smirked and looked loftily at his older sister and then at his mother who was ready to release all her fierceness to her children.
"How dare you command your father what to do with me!?" Eilin came down on her daughter like a ton of bricks.
Rhianaye averted her eyes. "I am sorry mom, I just got surprised and it is pretty disturbing to see you guys all over each other..."
Eilin closed her mouth irritated. "That is what created you children, so deal with it! It is not as if we came over to your room to rub this all over your face! You are young adults, not babies anymore and it is you who stormed your father's forges without an invitation!"
Rhianaye bit her lower lip and remained silent.
Bjarngrímur looked ready to implode and Thrárin regained his usual lofty calmness that resembled Thorin so much.
Eilin placed her hands on her belt. "Why did you come here ready to bring the house down!?" She looked angrily at her daughter.
Rhianaye looked up shyly and cleared her throat. "Órin almost killed Bjarngrímur. He exploded his carriage, while the poor man was sitting on it. Look at his forearm, it's burned!" She pulled the threadbare sleeve of the young man and showed several bloody scratches on his half burned skin.
"I am really alright princess..." Bjarngrímur whispered timidly and tried to avoid the ferocious glare of the Queen.
Rhianaye looked at him angry that he was messing up the story. "Can you please stop! I brought you here in order to defend you in front of my parents against my brother! Don't you dare trip me up!" She barked irritated beyond belief.
"I think I caused enough trouble already. What happened was an accident." Bjarngrímur bowed at the Royals respectfully.
Thrárin laughed. "Even your victim says that nothing happened. Your are a bloody drama queen, you know that don't you?"
Rhianaye looked at her brother and positively fumed. "Shut up!"
Thror growled once more protectively for Thrárin, but didn't stand up.
Rhianaye pointed at the wolf and spat. "And he's about to eat us alive whenever we have an argument with you!"
Thrárin gritted his teeth. "Your language is insufferable! Leave Thror alone, he did nothing to you. He is just protecting me. You think we all have to serve you on hand and foot! You came here to worry our parents for nothing. Durin is more than able to handle all this."
Eilin gritted her teeth. "You are all heading for a severe punishment if I hear one more curse!" -The she turned to her daughter menacingly- "What did you tell Durin to do to Órin?"
Rhianaye looked back at Bjarngrímur and steadied her feet against her fierce mother. "To give him a piece of his own medicine!"
Eilin's eyes popped out of her head. "What the hell Rhianaye!" She hollered.
Rhianaye lifted up Bjarngrímur's hand angrily. "He almost died because of Órin's games! Órin must be punished!"
Eilin came over and towered over her daughter. "That is not your job or Durin's to undertake! That is mine and your father's! What were you thinking?!"
Thrárin huffed. "She wasn't thinking obviously. Bjarngrímur has stolen her mind even though she doesn't want to admit it."
Rhianaye glared at her brother. "I told you to shut up!"
"Great, so I am telling you now to do the same!" Thrárin spat.
"Enough!" The rich vibrato of Thorin's voice made everyone freeze in place.
Eilin huffed and crossed her arms.
Thorin looked at Bjarngrímur hard and long before speaking. "Come here young man."
Bjarngrímur approached with unsteady feet. "Your majesty." He bowed deeply.
Thorin reached out and pulled the young man's hand. He drew up his sleeve and looked at the wounds. "Was the attack unprovoked?" He asked calmly.
Bjarngrímur didn't have the chance to speak as Rhianaye spoke for him. "Most definitely dad!"
Thorin's azure eyes fell coldly at his daughter. "Did I ask for your opinion?"
Rhianaye averted her gaze and stippled her fingers. "No dad, I am sorry."
Thorin turned his eyes to Bjarngrímur. "Well? I am waiting young man."
Bjarngrímur inhaled deeply and tried to find courage. "Me and the princess had just returned from the forest of the river with my carriage, carrying a dead hog. We went hunting today your majesty, but I never acted inappropriately with your honourable daughter I swear. We are just friends..." Bjarngrímur bowed his head and closed his eyes.
Thorin's lips cracked a small smile. "I am aware of that. Your have your honourable father's respectful conduct."
Bjarngrímur exhaled in relief and continued. "I helped the princess off the carriage and we were engaged in some small talk about how well she had aimed at the hunt. Her archery is becoming better by the day. I don't know what happened, but the princess pulled away suddenly and cried for me to jump off the carriage. I did and then it blew up..." -Bjarngrímur paused regretfully- "Unfortunately the hog got obliterated and it's a pity. It would have made a particularly hefty roast."
Thorin nodded gently. "Fortunately you weren't. Go up and find Oin. Let him have a look at your arm and tell Bjarki that I will come to talk to him later."
Bjarngrímur bowed to the ground and pressed his fist above his chest. "Your majesty, thank you." Then he stood up and offered a brief gaze of devotion to Rhianaye that she didn't see, but her mother and father certainly did, before leaving.
"We are solemnly lucky the boy is unharmed! I swear that in my current state of mind I want to punish all of you!..." Eilin spat, but Thorin's long fingers wrapped around her forearm and squeezed her gently. She settled down, but it was visible that she was making an effort to remain silent.
Thorin looked at Thrárin. "Tell me what happened."
Rhianaye looked up sharply. "Why are you asking him for?!" She sounded offended.
Thorin raised his brow. "You said your side of the story only too vociferously. Now it's his turn."
Rhianaye closed her mouth and positively fumed, but remained silent.
Thorin nodded at Thrárin. "I am waiting."
Thrárin tilted his head. "I cannot deny that Órin got out of line today dad, but so did Rhianaye."
Rhianaye looked at her brother irritated.
Thrárin looked at Thror and began caressing his head. "We were training in archery with Durin close to the entrance and we were using exploding arrows, you know from the old dynamite of uncle Balin."
Thorin crossed his arms and nodded.
"Órin was standing behind us, loading the tip of our arrows with the powder and then lighting them up before we tried our shots. We all saw Bjarngrímur talking with Rhianaye when they arrived. Me and Durin made a few jokes about that and Órin sneaked slowly away. Little rascal managed to place a good amount of powder under Bjarngrímur's carriage and then lit it up. I cannot but admit that Rhianaye's quick reaction was what saved that man. He could have blown up along with that hog."
Rhianaye closed her mouth and her jawline tensed. She hadn't been expecting her brother to partially defend her in front of their parents. Especially after their brawl.
"Needless to say that me and Durin understood what happened only after we began cleaning pieces of hog from our clothes and all the guards ran down to check if we were okay." Thrárin flicked his shoulder and surveyed the aforementioned shoulder before discarding a piece of hog flesh to the black polished floor.
Thorin pursed his lips. "What kind of jokes did you make that fired up your little brother in this manner?"
Thrárin obviously hesitated on that and Thorin saw it.
Rhianaye chimed in. "They were making fun of me and Bjarngrímur! They think we love each other and the little rascal decided to intervene in the most dangerous way possible!"
Thorin gazed coldly at his daughter. "That's not a way to speak about any of your brothers."
Rhianaye bit her lower lip. "He almost killed..."
Thorin raised his hand in authority and Rhianaye froze. "No matter what happened, that's not the proper way to address your brothers. Either Órin or Thrárin. Be as respectful of them, as they are of you." He warned.
Rhianaye met her father's eyes. "How are they respectful when they are trying to blow up my friends!"
Thrárin intervened. "Órin took it upon himself to protect you from any suitors, that's all that happened. He's too young to control his ferocity sometimes. He over reacted, but that doesn't mean he is not respecting you. It's quite the opposite! He was trying to protect you. He did it the wrong way, but what matters is that his intent was honourable!"
Rhianaye humphed and crossed her arms. "I really cannot see it from your point of view, I am sorry!" She sounded austere.
Thorin tilted his head. "The way Thrárin is speaking to you is not disrespectful. He is only trying to make you understand and your anger right now is blinding you."
Rhianaye's eyes watered. "Instead of punishing them, you are scolding me!"
Thorin raised his brow. "I am explaining that your attitude towards your brother is unacceptable. No matter what differences you might have, you need to lower your voice. Your anger might be justified, but it is not directed properly. Thrárin didn't do anything."
Rhianaye looked up. "I am sure him and Durin probably said various vile things about me and Bjarngrímur."
Thorin exhaled and looked at Thrárin. "Is your sister right?"
Thrárin hesitated again and remained silent.
Rhianaye pointed at him. "His silence speaks volumes."
Eilin shook her head. "Then allow your silence to speak those volumes and stop interrupting."
Rhianaye crossed her arms and her beautiful green eyes engaged her mother's. "I am sorry mom." She said feeling at the end of her tether.
Thorin looked at his son's big azure eyes. "Son?" He insisted.
Thrárin pressed his lips and looked at his boots. "We joked a little bit about how much Bjarngrímur was circlinga around our sister like a lost puppy. I joked that he was going to ask to woo her soon enough and Durin said solemnly that she is too young for something like that and he wished Bjarngrímur and all his charm would somehow disappear. I suppose Órin heard that and tried to make it a reality without understanding the consequences."
Rhianaye's nose flared and she looked at Thrárin. "What the hell have you been saying behind my back?"
Thrárin's eyes thinned. "We are your brothers! We have the responsibility to keep your safe and test all your suitors..."
Rhianaye spoke over him. "Friends not suitors!"
Thrárin tilted his head. "Friends whatever. It is our job to keep an eye out for anyone who comes close to you! Even worthy men like Bjarngrímur, who also happens to be Durin's best friend!"
Rhianaye huffed and looked away.
Thorin took several moments to speak. "Órin shall be punished."
Thrárin looked up. "No dad. He thought he was protecting Rhianaye."
Thorin raised his hand at him. "Nevertheless I do appreciate that all your boys are looking out for your sister despite at your inappropriate manners sometimes."
Rhianaye crossed her arms and her foot began playing nervously.
Thorin looked at her. "It seems though that your over protectiveness suffocates Rhianaye and that is something that I can understand."
Rhianaye looked at her dad sharply. "You do?"
Thorin titled his head. "I suffocated Dis on more than one occasion. She actually hated me for it, but you know what Gem?"
Rhianaye's gaze mellowed and she uncrossed her arms. "What?"
Thorin smiled. "Whatever I did, it was because I loved my sister. I didn't judge her needs properly, but I wanted to protect her without realising that I was also destroying everything she loved."
Rhianaye's eyes burned with tears and she gave Thrárin a regretful gaze. "Is that what you are trying to do?"
Thrárin crossed his arms and looked at his boots. "We acted like idiots in front of Órin who is too young to understand what was happening and too ferocious in his reactions. I am sorry Rhianaye."
Rhianaye wiped her cheeks from a few stray tears. "You wanted to protect me from Bjarngrímur?"
Thrárin gazed at her firmly. "I know you are friends, but I worry and so does Durin. Especially him..."
Rhianaye sighed and looked at her palm as she tried to stop her tears.
Thorin raised his brow at Eilin who smiled softly. Then he turned to his daughter again. "You are young, fierce and independent. A mighty warrior princess in the making, but that won't stop your brothers from worrying about you. Especially now that you are growing older and more beautiful by the day."
Rhianaye sniffled.
Eilin approached her daughter and picked up her long curly black hair and placed them above her shoulders carefully. Then she cupped her cheek lovingly. "You are so beautiful. You will have so many suitors in the future. Your brothers recognise both that quality in you and fear what will happen later on. They are eager to protect you and one cannot remain unmoved especially by Órin's tries, who despite his young age proved that he'd go to great lengths to keep you safe."
Rhianaye's lips cracked a ghostly smile. "He did, didn't he...the little rascal."
Thorin crossed his arms patiently and looked at his wife.
"He did the wrong thing, but for the right reasons. Bjarngrímur is an amazing young man who both me and your father appreciate deeply, but he won't be the only one hoping to catch your eye in the future." Eilin said, but Rhianaye talked over her.
"You think he tries to do that now?" Her eyes grew wide and she grasped her mom's hands.
Eilin smirked. "I am quite sure of it, but it's too soon, you hear me?" She raised her brow.
Rhianaye's cheeks caught fire and Thorin's brow lifted an inch more.
"Therefore with all this male interest in you already, how can you expect your brothers to remain idle?" Eilin smiled at her daughter and caressed her cheek gently.
Rhianaye exhaled. "You had to go and give me three of them. Now what am I ever going to do with all of them?" She glared at Thrárin.
Eilin pressed her lips. "You will allow them to protect you and if you want to make them understand that you appreciate the friendship of a boy then you speak to them gently and with patience."
Rhianaye frowned. "Even now that they almost killed him?"
Eilin looked at her tall ginger son. "Thrárin didn't do it and neither did Durin. As for Órin ...remember what we said?"
Rhianaye sighed and rubbed her mom's hand tenderly. "Wrong way, right reasons..."
Eilin nodded. "He is too young, he acted foolishly. Let your dad take care of that for you, alright?"
Rhianaye raised her shy eyes to her father and gave him a timid smile. "Okay."
Thorin looked at her with austerity. "You owe someone an apology."
Rhianaye rolled her eyes and huffed in defeat. Then she released her mom's hand and turned to her brother. She gazed at him for several moments. "I am sorry, bear."
Thrárin's lips curled up. "Yeah, I guess I am sorry too."
Rhianaye nibbled her bottom lip for a few moments. "I will try not to curse you too much in the future."
Thrárin huffed. "I'll try not to bother you and Bjarngrímur too much."
Rhianaye offered him a gentle smile and then opened up her arms. "Care for a hug?"
Thrárin's shoulder deflated and he uncrossed his arms. Then he dragged himself up to his sister and gave her a half hearted hug. "Is that enough? I hate hugs, honestly."
Thorin and Eilin exchanged a knowing glance before the Queen spoke. "Will you come with me to the hot springs Rhianaye? I am in dire need of a bath and so are you." She pointed at her daughter's dress who had bloody spots from the exploding hog.
Rhianaye sniffed herself and made a disgusted grimace. "Sure mom."
Eilin took her daughter's hand and led her away. until Thorin's voice stopped them. "When you finish you have one more apology to offer."
Rhianaye exhaled and looked at her mom. "Will Órin ask forgiveness too from Bjarngrímur?"
Thorin crossed his arms. "Indubitably."
Rhianaye turned and looked at her imposing father above her shoulder. Then unable to stop herself she released her mom's hand and run up to him. She buried herself in his arms not minding all the sweat that covered his skin. "Thank you daddy and forgive me for acting so erratically."
Thorin closed his eyes and wrapped his large hand behind her head. He drew her in and gave a tender kiss on the top of her head. "You will be pursued mercilessly Gem. Allow your brothers to protect you, because I cannot be everywhere all the time and I always worry about you."
Eilin smiled sweetly. "You don't want anyone to steal away your precious Little Gem?"
Thorin gazed at his wife knowingly from the top of Rhianaye's head and his heart skirted. "No."
Eilin's smile brightened. "But someone will in the end."
Thorin's lips curled up. "I know love." -Then he drew back and looked at the beautiful green eyes of his daughter and at her enchanting face- "Go with your mom petal."
Rhianaye stood on her toes and planted a firm kiss on his cheek. "Love you daddy."
"Love you too precious." He said with a smile as she hopscotched and took Eilin's hand.
Mom and daughter got lost into the darkness behind the archway and Thorin exhaled silently. Then he looked his proud son for a few moments.
Thrárin's lips turned down.
"Why the long face?" Thorin frowned.
"You'll bash me for what happened with Rhianaye, won't you?" Thrárin said and looked at his boots.
Thorin's mouth formed a gentle smile and he beckoned his son closer. "Actually I will congratulate you, but I will ask you to refrain from using dynamite next time, alright?"
Thrárin looked up sharply and came above the anvil. "What?"
"Your job is to protect your sister and you did well my boy." Thorin said calmly.
Thrárin's heart skipped a beat. "I did?"
Thorin picked up the sword and ran his palm upon it's smooth surface. "You were composed, relatively calm despite the circumstances and tried to reason with the unreasonable. You made me very proud today."
Thrárin's mouth broke into a proud smile. "Thanks dad..."
Thorin examined his boy for several calm moments and then showed him Narsil. "Look at this blade."
Thrárin did so.
"Are you satisfied with it?" Thorin asked and scratched Thror's neck absently who came and stood next to him.
Thrárin pulled it away from his father's hand and surveyed it. "I think it could use a little more hammering in this part" -he pointed at a specific place- "and it could benefit from the wheel more."
Thorin smirked satisfied. "Very good. Your training is starting to pay off. Pick up the hammer."
Thrárin placed his bow and arrows down and did as his father told him. "You'll let me forge it?"
Thorin gazed at his son thoughtfully for a few moments. "Most certainly."
Thrárin felt his heart racing. "It looks very old and very important."
Thorin took the sword and placed it into the fire with a bare hand that was way too used to the heat. "You are right on both counts. This is an heirloom of your mother's family. The mighty Telchar has forged it. It is named Narsil and it is the sword that belongs to Isildur's heir. I will let you work on it while I go find your brothers to have a talk with them."
Thrárin's face paled. "Dad I don't want to mess with Narsil, no." He said abhorred and made to stand up.
Thorin remained calm. "Pick up the cloth." -He commanded and Thrárin did so- "You are proving to be an admirably skilful sword smith for your age. Much better than Durin. If I feel secure enough to allow you to trial yourself against this mighty sword, then you must feel assured enough to test your skills. There isn't anyone else I'd trust with it."
Thrárin's chest filled both with pride and fear. "I'll try, but what if I break it?"
Thorin brought over the red hot blade and placed it on the anvil. "You won't."
Thrárin used the cloth to hold the handle when his dad's naked hand pulled away. "What if I mess up your impeccable work?"
Thorin cleared his hand with a dirty cloth. "You won't."
Thrárin's throat squeezed as his heart filled up with emotions he couldn't put a name on. His eyes fell on the scars in the palms of his father. "Thank you for trusting me dad. It means a lot."
Thorin gave him a thoughtful smile. "You are the smith of our family my boy. You have great talent. Most probably inherited more by your forefather Telchar and much less from me."
Thrárin frowned and with renewed courage began hitting the blade carefully with his hammer. "I will try not to let you down." He said with determination and concentrated again on his work.
Thorin observed him silently for a few moments before turning away. "I know you won't my boy."
Thrárin kept on working on the blade as Thorin was wearing his tunic, but after a few throws of the hammer he stopped and nibbled on his lower lip. His red long wavy hair had escaped the braid and were covering part of his cheeks and temple. His azure eyes looked at his father behind those reddish locks. "Can I ask you something?"
Thorin straightened his garment and came over. "Sure."
Thrárin hesitated for a few moments. "How come your hands are not getting sizzled when you are holding the burning blade unprotected?"
Thorin's lips twisted. "Too many years of forging. My hands have gotten rough and desensitised."
Thrárin looked at Thorin's palms again thoughtfully. "Those scars helped them become harder?"
Thorin raised his hands and looked at them. "Those scars helped everything on me become softer..."
Thrárin rested his hammer next to the sword. "How did you get those dad?"
Thorin raised his brow.
Thrárin hurried to explain. "I mean I know practically everything about all the scars on your body and especially about the one which killed you, but you have always avoided to talk about your scarred palms."
Thorin remained calmly silent.
Thrárin pressed his lips. "If you find me old enough to trust me with the protection of my sister, or the forging of a legendary sword, then maybe I am old enough to learn how you earned those." He pointed at Thorin's hands.
Thorin's lips ghosted a sad smile. "I think you are old enough to know, yes."
Thrárin straightened with expectancy.
Thorin's azure eyes burrowed into his son's identical eyes. "I earned them the day I thought I lost my battle with life forever."
Thrárin's eyes flickered with awe. "Up in Ravenhill torn in two by the Azog's filthy blade?"
Thorin leaned over and clasped his son's shoulder. "No, the day I thought I lost your mom forever."
Thrárin's brows wrinkled and his lips parted.
Thorin smirked and walked to the archway. He paused and then looked above his shoulder. "We will carve the runes of this sword together when I finish with your brothers."
Thrárin's face lit up. "Alright dad..."
Thorin tilted his head elegantly and left Thrárin alone to battle against the Narsil, knowing that he had to prove himself worthy to his father and to his great great great grandfather, the legendary Telchar.
Durin crossed his arms and scrutinised his youngest brother. "Come down." He said calmly.
Órin gripped the tall branch hard between his strong thighs. "No!" He rebuked.
Durin raised his brow. "I won't beg you forever."
"I am not coming down so you can thrash me! No!" Órin spat and then crossed his arms stubbornly.
Durin looked at his brother unfavourably. "Have I thrashed you many times?"
Órin huffed. "Once too many!"
Lis leaned on her bow and clicked her tongue. "You want me to bring him down?"
Durin looked at her sideways. She had grown up to be a rather impressive dwarrowdam, with a strong body and long curly hair down to her waist that she always pulled up in a tight ponytail. She was one of Dwalin's fiercest young soldiers and there were few things that could stop her either on the field or with the mighty royal siblings who always caused a racket for one reason or the other. As Durin grew older and as their ages were apart only by sixteen years, the prince had began finding in her not only a very capable adversary in training, but also a rather solid friend with whom he could share a lot of things, if not the basic brass male camaraderie he shared with Bjarngrímur. "How?" He frowned down at her.
Lis raised her brow. "I'll stone him down."
Durin snorted and shook his head. "You are absolutely ruthless."
Lis' lips turned in a smug side smile. "Anything to make your life easier."
Durin sighed. "Tempting offer, but if dad sees this little rat all bloody he is going to thrash me instead, so never mind."
Lis tilted her head. "I can say I did it without you knowing."
Durin looked down at her with renewed appreciation. "You know I love your loyalty, but that is taking it a step too far. I don't want you to get in trouble for me."
Lis sighed and pressed her lips. "I have no problem taking on the heat for you."
Durin scrounged his lips and offered her a side glance. "Take the heat in the battle field, not with this rascal. I'll bring him down one way or the other."
Lis inhaled patiently and looked at the smoking carriage that was plastered with bloody hog pieces. "Truth be told Bjarngrímur was solemnly lucky today."
Durin gave her an absent nod. "This little devil overdid it."
Lis raised her brow. "Even though it was you and Thrárin who got him going, by saying how flirty Bjarngrímur was becoming with your sister."
Durin looked at her annoyed. "I don't need your judgement in this particular subject, girl."
Lis rolled her eyes at the side. "As you command Sir."
Durin placed his hands on his waist and glared at her. "Neither your cold shoulder."
Lis faced him fully. "You don't want my help with him, nor my judgement. What do you want then?"
Durin gave her the once over and sighed. "Silent company would do well for now."
Lis closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly. "Very well..."
Durin raised his hand at her angrily. "Don't you dare say Sir!"
Lis' lips cracked a smile.
Durin's mouth formed a soft smile. "That's better."
Lis opened up her eyes and gazed at him slyly. "So what are we going to do with that monkey up there, hanging on for dear life?"
"If you should know I am not hanging for dear life up here! I am rather comfortable!" Órin spat.
"Eavesdropping much?" Durin raised his finger at him.
"I am going to even drop as much as I like! You cannot tell me what to do! You're not dad!" Órin grumbled.
Lis covered her mouth and began chuckling and Durin snorted.
"Why is she laughing at me. Shut up Lis!" Órin yelled.
Durin lost his laughter instantly. "Don't you dare talk to her this way you tiny troll's snot!"
Órin brow wrinkled. "Hey that's not fair!"
Lis grabbed Durin's muscular forearm and pressed it tightly. "Oh, leave the kid alone, I know he doesn't mean it. He must be scared after everything that happened."
Órin crossed his arms again and his lip pouted stubbornly. "I am not!"
Durin tilted his head. "Come down and I won't thrash you I promise."
Órin gritted his teeth. "You chased me all over the valley to get me!"
Durin cupped his forehead. "Because I was mad at you."
Órin pointed at him and looked at Lis. "See? What did I say? He wants to beat me up!"
"I was mad before, I am not mad anymore. Come down and we can discuss this. If dad finds out that you are hiding up in that tree so many feet above ground he is going to beat both of us up you moth-eaten sissy!" Durin grumbled angrily.
Órin grabbed the tree branch and frowned deeply. "Hey that's not fair!" He said again.
Durin shook his head. "I honestly am not mad at you anymore Órin. Come down. Whatever happened is over. Rhianaye has already told dad, do you think we can keep this a secret? You blew up a whole carriage, a hog and with them almost my best friend. You went too far this time and we cannot bury this under the carpet. You need to take on the heat like a man."
Órin gritted his teeth and his black hair covered his face. His hazel eyes shown angrily at his brother. "I am a man!"
Durin raised his brow. "If you are, then come down and face this with me. We need to talk with dad and you need to ask forgiveness from Rhianaye and from Bjarngrímur. He is Lord Bjarki's son you babbling pestie! You didn't try to blow up someone unimportant, but the son of one of dad's best friends!"
Órin's lips began trembling and a few tears escaped his eyes. "I know.." he whispered and he almost lost his balance on the branch.
Both Durin and Lis tensed. They got prepared to catch him.
"What are you going to do now? Get into crying, loose your grip and fall to your death? Why are you doing this to me for Mahal's holy beard? What am I going to tell dad if you break your neck? What did I ever do to deserve this?" Durin spat and his nose flared.
Lis snorted. "He is your nightmare, isn't he?"
Durin gave her an eloquent look and opened up his arms ready to catch his little brother who was sniffling and wavering back and forth. "You can say that again." -Then he turned to Órin- "Come down, I swear I won't do anything to you. We will go to dad and discuss this like two men and then we will go find Rhianaye and Bjarngrímur, okay?"
Órin wiped his nose that was running and tried to clear his face from his hair. His body jerked and Lis cupped her mouth and screeched, but thankfully Órin's thighs gripped once more around the bark tightly. He looked fearfully down at his intimidating tall and very imposing brother who looked bewildered out of his mind at that moment. "You promise you won't hit me?"
Durin shook his head. "I won't, now come down please."
Órin covered his eyes and his sniffling turned into sobs. "How about daaaaad?" He wailed.
Durin frowned. "Dad won't thrash you either."
"Prooooomiseeeee?" Órin bellowed.
Durin felt the colour draining from his face. "I cannot promise that you rickety pixie! I am not dad!"
Órin kicked and he almost fell. "Then I am not coming down!" He yelled.
Lis cried and got ready. "I was joking when I said I'd knock you out of that branch with a stone. Come down please, you are killing me with all these shenanigans."
Órin moved dangerously again and Durin paled even more. "Not unless Durin promises that dad won't thraaaaaash me!" he hollered. His sobs were so strong they echoed all over the valley.
The guards who were close by Durin's company were looking bewildered at the royal siblings not knowing what to do.
That is when the heavy voice of Thorin grounded all the tension with only a few words. "I am not going to thrash you. Come down."
Órin froze and looked Behind his fingers at his father.
Lis cupped her forehead and drew back in relief and Durin sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. "Thank heavens you came."
"You promise daddy?" Órin stuttered.
Thorin crossed his arms and gazed patiently at his boy. "I promise. How in the name of Mahal did you climb up this high?" He looked at the intimidating tree which was easily the highest one of the River forest.
Órin pulled his hands away from his flustered face and grinned down to his father, but almost lost his balance again. Lis and Durin jerked forth to catch him, Thorin remained totally impassive. "It was easy! I climbed up all these branches."
Thorin raised his brow. "It was easy to go up, but is it as easy to come down?"
Órin nodded eagerly. "Sure thing!"
Thorin lips curled down. "No surely it's not."
Órin frowned. "You want to see me do it?!"
Thorin raised his brow. "I am sure you cannot do it."
Órin exhaled a whole bout of anger through his nostrils. "Wait! You'll see how fast I can do it!"
Durin gritted his teeth. "Not fast you fool! Do it slowly!"
Órin though didn't listen to his older brother. He began climbing down as quickly and as deftly as he climbed up and soon enough he was standing in front of his imposing father who hadn't moved an inch. "See?!" He raised his hands and took a deep bow.
Thorin's lips cracked a small smile of pride. "You are very well trained on climbing as it seems."
Órin puffed up with pride.
"Not very well trained in handling dynamite though." Thorin's voice turned stern.
Órin lost all the self assurance from his countenance and looked at his older brother, worried.
Durin crossed his arms.
Thorin looked at him thoughtfully for several tense moments. "Rhianaye told me what happened."
Órin lunged and grabbed his father's forearms. "I swear dad I didn't want to blow the carriage sky high. I just wanted to rock it a little bit in order to scare Rhianaye and her boyfriend! He was almost ready to kiss her you know and you always say we need to protect her."
Thorin exhaled patiently and came down to one knee in front of his son. He cleared some sweaty black locks away from his face that was the perfect conjunction of him and Eilin, not only in colours, but also in personality and mannerisms. "Do you understand that you almost killed Bjarngrímur?"
Órin's eyes instantly overflowed with tears. "I didn't want to hurt him dad, I swear. Just to scare him away from my sister!" -Then he turned angrily at Durin- "Besides him and Thrárin said that he was dangerously close to her!"
Thorin looked at the hands of his son and clasped them in his large ones. "I understand that you tried to act honourably towards Rhianaye, but what you did was not well thought of and rather dangerous."
Órin nodded and averted his eyes. "I know, I am sorry daaaaaad!" He whimpered and then fell into Thorin's arm with such despair that the King's eyes closed down.
He enveloped his boy tightly and caressed the back of his quivering head. "Calm down son."
As Órin felt the protection that his father's hands always offered him, he allowed himself to empty all his fear without any restraints and ended up crying hysterically in Thorin's arms.
Durin sighed deeply. "I think Órin got more scared of that explosion than Bjarngrímur to be honest. He didn't even want to come face you, Rhianaye dragged him."
Thorin looked at his oldest son with a soft smile on his lips. "I know" -Then he looked down at the his youngest son and caressed his head and cheek softly- "We all know how fierce and uncontrollable you can become Órin. Whilst those qualities of yours will be highly deplorable in the battle field and will be solemnly appreciated by your brothers, at moments such as these they can become dangerous. You need to promise me that you will try not to act spontaneously from now on."
Órin who was proving to be much larger than any of his brothers and who would one day surpass his father in height and strength, leaned his head on his father's shoulder and began playing with his long beard braid. "What is spontanesous?"
"When your heart tells you to do something without your mind participating at all." Thorin's fingers run through Órin's thick black hair.
"I get that a lot." Órin admitted as his sobs began to slowly die down. Still his body was shaking too much for comfort.
"When you feel inclined to do something, please discuss it first with Durin and Thrárin. If they cannot assist you, then search for your mother or me." Thorin said calmly.
Órin's sobs became mere sniffles as he nodded. "If mommy is not available, can I stop you even if you are in a meeting?"
Thorin kissed his smooth cheek that had just began getting some soft stubble. "We need to get your spontaneity under control, therefore yes. Stop me even if I am in the most important meeting for any of our seven kingdoms."
Órin sighed and buried his head on his dad's neck. "I blew up the hog..." he said in a sniffling afterthought.
Durin snorted and looked at Lis thoroughly amused. She reciprocated the smile.
"Well it was dead already so no harm done, but you do owe an apology to your sister and to her friend." Thorin's voice turned slightly stern.
Órin nodded fiercely. "I will do it dad immediately. Is mommy mad at me too?"
Thorin shook his head and kissed Órin's forehead. He stood up and Órin's legs wrapped around his waist. "No, mom isn't mad at anyone. Don't worry. Just make sure you don't blow up anymore hogs and you don't play with Balin's dynamite unattended."
Órin closed his eyes and threw his arms around Thorin's shoulders. "I won't, I promise!" He said quietly and a delayed shudder of relief rushed through his body.
Thorin turned to the guards. "Clean up this mess and inform Lord Bjarki that his destroyed carriage will be replaced by one of the royal ones." He said coldly.
The royal guards bowed and left to take care of the destroyed carriage.
Thorin turned to Lis. "Go Lis, we won't need you for the rest of the day."
Lis gave Durin a rather eloquent look that made Thorin's brow cock, but the prince didn't notice as he was checking his boots thoughtfully. Lis bowed to all respectfully. "Your majesty..." -She said and then turned to Durin and lowered her head even more- "My prince."
Durin gave her a fleeting look and an abstract smile. "Thanks for today."
"My pleasure as always." Lis said firmly and then left them.
Thorin sighed and caressed Órin's sweaty neck. Then his eyes fell to his oldest son who was almost the same height as Thorin. His long black braid lay loose above his shoulder and his beautiful azure eyes were now checking on the leather bands on his muscular forearms. Thorin felt his heart swelling with pride. "What's the plans for today?"
Durin looked up. "Apart from asking your forgiveness about all this mess?" He asked cleverly.
Thorin's lips curled up. "Apart from that."
Durin flicked his shoulders. "I've been training since morning and passed the rest of the day trying to convince my bane to come down from the tree. I'd like to rest for a while if that's okay with you."
Thorin looked at the two horses he had brought up from the stables. "You want to ride with me?"
Durin's countenanced glimmered. "Sure!" He exclaimed.
Thorin nodded above his shoulder. "Pick your horse and take your brother on it. Are you up for the challenge?"
Órin looked up partially dazed and almost half asleep as Thorin handed him to Durin. His oldest son took Órin protectively and smiled at the King. "Of course father. I am always up for a challenge."
Thorin smirked at him and mounted his horse. Durin followed and kept Órin safely tucked in front of him as his father led them down the long road that led past Mirkwood, but he didn't keep on smooth paths. He changed their course and started climbing up Ravenhill fast enough to challenge his mighty son's ability to ride with someone else with him, but also slow enough not to endanger any of his boys. Any doubts he may have had that they were going to manage to follow him, were dispersed when he heard Órin's laughter on Durin's rude comments about how this road was bumpier than their sister's mood sometimes.
When finally Thorin's horse stepped on the frozen river his eyes fell immediately on the spot he vaguely remembered from almost twenty winters ago. The spot where he left his last breath. Durin stopped his horse back at the ruins of Ravenhill. He lowered his brother gently down and clasped his hand. Then he led him and stood exactly above the spot that Thorin's eyes had been drawn to with immense sadness. Órin's heavy boots that were crashing the ice under them as he jumped up and down enthusiastically was what drew Thorin out of that suddenly bleak mood.
"If we make a hole can we try to fish?" Órin asked his brother.
Durin pressed his hand and drew him back in an effort to make him keep still. "I suppose we can try."
Órin turned to Thorin. "Can we dad?!"
Thorin shook his head feeling slightly taken aback. "What?"
Órin pointed at the half broken ice under his feet. "Can we break it in order to catch some fish?"
Thorin's brow darkened and his eyes lifted up to meet Durin's identical stare silently. "Sure you can boy, but allow me a word with your brother."
Durin frowned and released the hand of his brother. His gaze lingered heavy upon the ice and he wavered with indecision.
Thorin alighted and walked next to his son. "Today you acted very responsibly towards both your sister and your little brother."
Durin remained silently vigilant of this sudden mood shift this place was causing him.
"You are growing up son...quickly. More quickly than I would have ever chosen." Thorin's voice turned whistful.
Durin looked at his dad with a gentle smile. "Does that bother you?"
Thorin removed his heavy gaze from the horizon and gifted his son with it's beauty. "One day soon you will come to your own. I can see you blossoming into a mighty warrior and I admire you, but I also worry. I fear the future sometimes, I cannot deny it. The darkness that is rising in the east will try to destroy you, but I will stand in its way like I have done many times in the past. I just hope I am strong enough when the time comes and not to old to lift my sword."
Durin frowned. "What lays in the future that scares you so much?"
Thorin touched Durin's shoulder and pulled his sword. He placed it in his son's hand and lifted it up from the ground, pointing it towards the horizon. "Look over yonder..." her urged his son.
Durin's fingers tightened around the dragon tooth.
"Aren't those faded mountain ranges beautiful?" Thorin continued.
Durin felt his throat drying out. "Yes." He whispered feeling instantly magnetised to that direction. He didn't even feel Órin's hand who grasped his loosely as his youngest brother was hopscotching oblivious of the heaviness that had fell between father and son.
"One day long ago I was looking at the outline of the Lonely Mountain with the same yearning you are looking at those ranges right now." Thorin muttered.
Durin felt his eyes burning and a hand twisted in his stomach. He turned his beautiful azure eyes towards Erebor's valley. His demeanour shadowed.
Thorin pulled his hand away from Orcist, allowing his son to wield it. "Turn your head away from the past and gaze bravely at the future."
Durin's brow clouded.
"When I swore to regain our homeland I knew I had to make great sacrifices." Thorin crossed his arms calmly.
Durin inhaled deeply as tears began burning the edge of his eyes.
"I was ready to die in order to take back my Mountain and so I did." Thorin added and looked at his son with eyes that betrayed black dread, but also profound pride.
A single tear escaped Durin's eye. He didn't speak, but his hand twisted protectively around his father's sword. His feet tingled above the spot that Thorin had left his last breath two decades ago.
"You feel that yearning too, don't you?" Thorin whispered.
Durin nodded gently. "It is choking me." He admitted with a defeated voice.
Thorin closed his eyes and inclined his head. "It is the call of your heart. My heart was pointing me to Erebor, yours will point you to the Dwarrowdelf."
Another tear rolled down Durin's gorgeous face. "My Dwarrowdelf." He murmured.
Thorin nodded softly. "One day you shall reclaim it my boy and I hope I can march proudly by your side and listen to your ferocious battle cry that will set forth our mighty army. I wish to be alive in order to see you standing next to Mirrormere again, gazing at the stars in it's smooth surface."
Durin turned to his father and in his azure eyes there was a consuming passion burning. "I shall do it, lest I die..."
It was Thorin's turn to get teary. "I know my son."
A heavy silence drew between father and son for a long time before Durin managed to settle down the blood of war that erupted with unbearable totality in his veins upon his father's insightful words. As for the darkness that lay dormant in the east, it was not aware that the formidable eyes of Erebor had just turned towards Moria and they would remain upon those mountain ranges, till they could be reclaimed by Thorin Oakenshield's indomitable heir.
It was the King who broke the weighty silence. "Do you think you can make an even hole in this ice for your brother?"
Durin's mouth formed a smile of relief. "I am sure I can."
Órin clapped his hands and embraced his father's waist tightly. "We are going to fish! We are going to fish!" He sang happily. Thorin allowed his boys to try their strength against the hard ice and a shudder shook his body when he remembered how the same sword tore through this thick ice after piercing the body of the pale orc twenty winters ago. He crossed his arms and looked at his sons proudly. Back then, in this very spot, life had left his body and everything was over.
Whilst now...
He felt consoled by the knowledge that his older son would become the legend that was going to reclaim the last Dwarven stronghold in Middle Earth and that his rulership from that Dwarrowdelf would create a legacy that would be unprecedented. He smiled, feeling blessed, by the knowledge that the ferocity, large size and strength of his younger son would provide Durin the Seventh with a soldier few would dare stand up against and that Orin's love for his older brother would show the world what true loyalty was in times of danger. He felt quietened by the knowledge that his calm and forever collected middle son who was at his anvil forging the famous Narsil was going to stand next to Durin prudently silent, but with immense wisdom and skillful diplomacy when the time came. He knew that his beautiful daughter was going to become a ferocious warrior princess that would claim many hearts all over Middle Earth despite her stubbornness which was indubitably passed down to her by him. There was such a strong life force surrounding him which emanated from his children and his beautiful wife and it was enough to sustain him for many centuries to come. He knew that now he didn't feel life leaving him anymore, but life clinging onto him with more passion and more fervour than he had ever felt before. He knew those far away ranges of Ered Mithrin were not going to claim his family, but his family was going to claim them and they were going to be successful.
He felt consoled in the knowledge that his story...this story didn't have an ending. It simply reached a new beginning and that was the best place to be.
That was the best place his family, a family he never thought he would be blessed to have, could ever be...
Every end has a new beginning...even if it's only in your mind
A/N:
* I want to thank everyone of the few that remained to the last of this story, but even those who gave it up sooner or even close to the end. Stephcalvino thank you for everything you have done for this story. You are a unique reviewer and I hope someone else can enjoy your detailed reviews soon. I am sad you couldn't see it to the end and I hope the best for your pregnancy and tons of courage for the difficult years that come ahead. Thank you also to: MissCallaLilly, dearreader, Priya, Licarian, Nancy, Durinsdaughter, Kara70, Julie-I-am, QueenMariaTheressia. Thank you to all who never spoke a word and for those who managed to go through the roughness of the first chapters (re-read them and they need a good editing as they are absolutely horrifying.) I suppose that since I've been writing for almost a year, my skills have slightly improved, because reading those first chapters was painful to me. I cannot remember anyone else, so please forgive me if I haven't mentioned your name.
* This was a lonely journey for me, but it was something that I had to do even if I was not escorted by almost anyone at times. I will start editing from the beginning so I can spare any possible new readers (hahaha as if) this mess that I read now.
* I hope to see you again someday with another story which will be more polished - hopefully. I loved the Tolkien world so much that I don't know if I can return to Rowling's world again.
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