Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it!
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A flood of emotion escaped Thorin at the knowledge of Kíli's survival. Tears of joy slipped down his grimy face, as he lifted the baby into his arms. He gazed into his newest nephew's eyes.
The dark features of Durin's line were very apparent on the Dwarfling. As he stared down at Kíli, recognition filled his mind. Kíli looked exactly like Frerin. Deep sadness plagued his heart at the thought of his late brother. He made a promise to himself then and there, that he would never let anything befall his kin. No matter the consequence.
A few moments later, Óin swept the babe away.
Thorin was about to object, but he soon realized that the baby needed immediate medical attention. He had only just come back to the land of the living. Healers swarmed Óin as they assessed the child, flicking his foot in an attempt to get him to cry. But the baby wouldn't oblige. Thorin peered over Óin's shoulder, worriedly.
"Don't worry, Thorin," Óin chuckled. "He's alright. Definitely a resilient one. Might cause you a bit of trouble in the future." He winked.
Thorin let out a sigh of relief, turning away to leave the healers to their work and check on his sister. Fíli had beaten him to it. The golden-haired child stood by his mother's bedside, holding tight to her hand. She was in a great state of disarray, but she was alive, and for that Thorin was thankful.
"I was just tellin' Mum that Kíli's okay! He didn't even cry, and that means he's tough! I cried lots when I was born, huh Momma?" Fíli said, on the verge of bouncing.
She reached out a hand to stroke his little head. "Yes, your brother is very strong, Fíli. But just because you cry, doesn't mean you're weak." As Dís spoke these words, she set her gaze directly on Thorin. He turned away, blushing. The Dwarf King wasn't one to show emotion. Except for anger. The only times he ever let tears fall were in moments of great distress. The past few days were prime examples.
"Thorin?" He turned back to his sister. Her gaze softened. "Thank you. For taking care of me. For taking care of Fíli and Kíli."
"Always." He smiled.
A few moments later, Óin approached Dís, a tiny bundle in his arms.
"A very healthy child you have here, Dís. Although he is small for a Dwarfling. His growth may be stunted for a few years. Nonetheless he will still make a fine warrior one day." The herbalist smiled as he handed the baby over to his mother. He then dismissed himself to tend to the wounded of the battle.
She took him gently into her arms, and stared adoringly into his dark eyes.
"Hello, Kíli. I'm so happy to meet you." She cooed, stroking his chubby cheek tenderly.
"Can I see him now?" Fíli hopped onto the bed, fidgeting in anticipation.
Dís laughed softly, "Of course you can. Now sit up straight, and mind his head." She lowered Kíli into his brother's waiting arms. Fíli held Kíli with all the care in the world. He spoke of plans they had for the future. How one day, they would be big enough to go off on an adventure with Uncle Thorin and maybe even slay a Dragon.
Meanwhile, Thorin knelt next to Dís, speaking in hushed tones.
"Are you alright?" He asked, concern written all over his face.
Dís sighed sadly. "I have to be. For them." She glanced at her sons. "I can't lose myself because Aldín's gone. He wouldn't have wanted that. He would want me to take care of them. Raise them to become men like him. Men like you. Honorable, in every sense of the word." She smiled at Thorin's shocked expression, and squeezed his hand. "You are honorable, Thorin. The most honorable person I know. Never doubt it."
Thorin felt a rush of affection. Never had his sister spoken such kind words to him. Never had he imagined that anyone would want their own children to become like him.
Dís settled deeper into the bed, staring at her boys. "You know, I can still feel him here. He's been here the entire time. I think he told Kíli that he needed to come back. That his brother needed him."
Thorin gazed at his nephews. Yes. It seemed they did need each other. Light and Dark. Fíli born in the Summer during happiness and warmth. And Kíli born in the Winter during hardship and cold. Opposites that balanced each other.
As Thorin pondered the phenomenon of their differences, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding. They would surely cause him more trouble than he bargained for.
But they would grow up, steadfast and strong in every way. They would become warriors. Like him. Like Aldín and Frerin.
And one day they would join him to reclaim Erebor. Their home.
There you have it!
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