Chapter 2 - Lunch with the King

The next day, Fili invited Torsten to share lunch with him.

"Afternoon, King Fili," Torsten glided in.

"We're alone, Tor," Fili said.

"Well, then, Uncle, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Torsten's face smiled and his tone was pleasant enough, but Fili detected a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I have some things I wish to discuss with you," Fili went to the table where lunch was laid out. They sat together and began working at their food.

"How are you doing with your duties and tasks?"

"Fine. I inspected the ore that's been coming from the northern mines. It seems to be of good quality. I visited the market yesterday, to check on some pillars. They were fine and the people in the market seemed happy enough."

"I'm glad to hear it. Are you happy? With those duties?" Fili asked.

"I suppose." Torsten sat back in his chair, looking over his uncle, who seemed very interested in the chicken leg on his plate. "Where is this going, Uncle?"

"You have seemed unhappy as of late and I want to know if it is the tasks you have been assigned or something else. Can your uncle help you or perhaps the King Under the Mountain?"

Torsten looked at Fili in surprise. "It's not my duties, Uncle Fili. I like my jobs."

"But if you could have any job at all in Erebor, what would you do?" Fili asked.

"I don't really know," Torsten thought for a bit. "But, I suppose if I could do anything at all, I would like to be a mountain inspector and land surveyor. Something outside."

Fili was impressed but not surprised. Torsten had an eye for rock and stone. He often inspected ore as it was mined, making sure the ore was quality material. He also inspected mines, caverns, housing areas and all areas of Erebor with major stone walls or pillars. Fili assumed Torsten's talents came from his mixed blood, the excellent eyes of an elf, with a sense of stone that came from being a dwarf. Torsten said the stone spoke to him. He could see cracks forming and knew if they were of concern or not. Fili knew that if Torsten could, he'd be out on the mountain side, scaling its walls, making sure their home was secure and safe.

"You would be a fine inspector. Your keen eyes have already saved us from several potential problems," Fili said.

"Thank you. But it can never be. I cannot go outside because of this blasted chair," Torsten smacked the wheels of his chair with his hands.

Fili sighed. He was glad Torsten had come out and acknowledged his situation. "What can be done to help you?"

"To go outside?" Torsten asked, but then he let out a mirthless chuckle. "Nothing can be done."

"You have no ideas or solutions?" Fili asked.

Torsten shook his head sadly. "None. At least none that are possible."

"Like what?" Fili inquired.

"Like me growing wings so I could fly or suddenly regaining use in my legs again."

Fili sighed. His heart ached for his nephew. "If I could, I would make it so. Surely there is something."

"No, there isn't. My chair cannot go outside. Hrafn, Iomhar and I have tried various wheels for my chair; big wheels, lots of small ones and wheels with ruts cut into them for traction, but nothing works."

"You can ride a pony, can't you?"

"Yes, but I can't get on by myself or off. And, once I am off, I need my chair. That's not easy to cart around either. No, I am bound to the inside of this mountain forever." Torsten sighed and looked into his lap, his lunch forgotten.

"I'm sorry, Lad."

"I don't like pity, Uncle."

"It's not pity. It's my fault things are the way they are. You and Hrafn were too young to fight. I should not have allowed you to fight in the Battle for Erebor." Fili had never forgiven himself for that. Hrafn had a scar that ran down most of his back thanks to a goblin's sword. Fili was so glad Sigrid hadn't been alive to see that. She would have killed him.

"Uncle Fili, there is nothing you could have done to stop us, save locking Hrafn and myself up in the lowest prisons. I have never regretted my decision to fight for our home and I have never blamed or felt any anger with you."

"Torsten, my brother's son, I am very proud of you. I always have been and if there is anything I can do as your uncle or your king, I will," Fili held his hand up and cupped the back of Torsten's head.

"I know, Uncle. Thank you." They went back to their food and after a few minutes of silence, Torsten spoke. "Uncle? If you could have any job in Erebor, what would you do?"

Fili thought for a moment. "An engraver."