I may have not done this chapter justice, but I promise the next and final chapter will be better. In fact, I swear on my laptop. Just as a warning before you read though, there is a death (at the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next). Enjoy (and, as always, don't ask about the chapter title).

Chapter 15: And refusing to dwell

It was a relief to be out in the streets, letting the rays of sunlight shining through the clustered rooftops brush her skin and hair, especially after her getting things off her chest with Thorin. She still felt miserable, but the world was no longer as dark as she had come to believe. She still grieved for the deaths that had occurred in her life from the past months, but the faces did not haunt her night after night. Though, for her brother, it might be a different matter.

"Slow down," Dis sternly as Fili pulled at her hand, tugging her forward a few stumbling steps, "And do not let go of my hand. I would hate to lose you amongst all this."

The blonde obeyed her wishes and halted just long enough for his mother and brother to catch up. A small pang of guilt washed through Dis as she realised yet again how long it had been since she had taken her children out and into the bustling streets.

"Where are we going, momma?" the dwarfish woman heard her youngest ask from where he was situated upon her hip. The brunette's eyes were shinning at the fact that he was finally outside and his small hands were clenched excitedly in the rough material of her dress.

"I need to pick up several items from the market, and then you both can get some small treats if you are good," she answered, smiling down upon Kili who squealed at the promise of treats.

"We'll be good, won't we Fee?" the small dwarfling said instantly. His brother nodded beside him.

"Yes mother, we will be good," Fili said eagerly. Dis bit back a soft chuckle.

"I am sure you will be," she said, continuing to weave her way through the throng of dwarves with the occasional human and stray dog dotted here and there.

As she walked, both her boys distracted by the sights and sounds around them, Dis thought about her brother. Now that she was no longer blinded by her own fears, she was beginning to worry about him again, realising small details that she had missed before.

The usually proud dwarf seemed to be carrying himself in a more weary and resigned manner, instead of having the regal form he had exhibited ever since he had grown old enough to understand his responsibilities. Dis also kept thinking back to the look in Thorin's eyes when he had spoken to her last night, a look that again reflected his weary state of mind. But then again, he could just be stressed out from everything that he had to do.

Dis placed Kili on the ground next to his brother as she came to a stop in front of a store that sold fresh root vegetables, or at least that was what the storekeeper said anyway. Looking at the potatoes that were on sale, the dwarfish woman was jostled by a darked-haired dwarf of whom she caught a glimpse of startling green eyes from. The dwarf muttered an apology, his expression looking slightly wild as he hurried on his way, bumping into various people and looking as if though he were muttering to himself. Dis watched him go, slightly bewildered by his behaviour before turning back to pay for the items she wished to purchase.

"I wonder if someone is after him?" the storekeeper said as he handed her over her purchases.

"I wouldn't know," Dis said politely before calling her two sons to keep a hold of her hand and each other.

Again Dis wondered about Thorin and his words the night before, keeping an observant eye on both her children. There had been something hidden behind them, but she did not know exactly what.

"It is good to see you out and about, Dis," Dwalin said, speaking up from beside the woman which he had addressed. Dis had to keep herself from jumping.

"Dwalin," she exclaimed as both Fili and Kili smiled shyly up at the tall dwarf, "I did not see you there."

"A hard enough task when I tower over most of our king," he said lightly. Dis decided to change the topic.

"What are you doing in these parts?" she asked, unconsciously holding the hands of two straining dwarflings tighter.

"I am looking for Thorin," he replied, "Have you seen him?"

"Not since this morning when he said he was leaving for work," the dwarfish woman replied, "What of your brother? Does Balin know where he is?" Dwalin shook his head.

"He was the one to ask me to find Thorin, as apparently there is a small matter he cannot solve without him," the warrior said.

"Well, if I see my brother, I will inform him that Balin needs him and you are looking for him," Dis answered. Dwalin thanked her and moved off, quickly disappearing into the morning crowd.

Dis reflected on what the dwarf had said; Thorin had not gone into work, though he had clearly told her that it was where he was going as he had left that morning. The worry she had felt before for the state Thorin was in built up again and it took a moment for her to calm her own mind in order to keep from Fili and Kili the fact that something was wrong.

Looking around for someone she could talk to, she missed the thing that her youngest had pointed out.

"That's nice dear," she said automatically as she spotted the face of a familiar acquaintance. "Dori," she called out, the old dwarf responding by hurrying over.

"Good day, Lady Dis," he greeted in his polite way.

"Yes, good day," she replied hurriedly, not wanting to waste time with formalities, "Have you seen Thorin around by any chance?"

"Not that I can say," the dwarf replied, shaking his head. He then looked over her shoulder. "Oh, my," he said at the same time as Kili cried out again.

"Momma, that dwarf looks like he is going to jump."

Dis flew round, eyes wide as she realised what was happening.

"Dori, mind Fili and Kili for me," she said hastily as she began to move forward, "Move them away from here." The dwarf complied to her wishes, flashing a concerned gaze back in the direction of where everyone was now crowding around.

Closer to the building which everyone was surrounding, Dis could see the events unfolding more clearly. A dwarf was standing on top of the tall structure, his two dark braids moving in the wind as he shifted closer to the edge of the roof. It was pretty clear what his intentions were and almost all below were trying to reason with the dwarf not to do it.

Dis held her breath as she watched several dwarves take matters into their own hands and begin to scale the outside of the building, the dark haired dwarf on top clearly refusing to listen to the advice of those below him, acting as any proud dwarf would in the fact that he believed that he alone held the solution to his own problems. But this being was not proud, and certainly did not deserve to be called a dwarf as he glanced over the edge, his mind visibly racing. Dis felt her heart racing at seemingly the same pace.

Oh Mahal, she thought, her brain shutting down on itself in denial, no. This cannot be happening.

The dwarf closed his easily recognisable eyes and took a single step forward into nothingness. There was not a single sound as he plummeted to the ground. And then half of those gathered began to scream.

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