Thorin kept true to his promise as he watched carefully over his sister's happiness. He always had.

His smale family was growing peacefully in 'the poor lodgings of their exile', how Thorin liked to call the Blue Mountains.

He was happy for his sister. He truly was.

And seeing his tiny nephew, smiling up at him filled his heart with warmth and joy, he didn't know he possessed anymore. But there was also something nagging at the back of his head. Deep down it just didn't seem right.

It wasn't like Thorin felt left out. On contrary. His sister made sure he always had a place among them. Thorin was there when the little Fili babbled his first words, or when Dis showed him how the dwarfling could walk his first clumsy steps into his uncles open arms, all by himself.

But it wasn't home.

Thorin hadn't recognized the invisible wall, which built slowly around himself, separating him. But now there was no denying.

It was their life not his.

And the feeling of not belonging that tormented his soul rose stronger with each passing day.

So when Dis announced with proud that a second bundle of happiness was on its way everything appeared perfect to them.

Thorin however had buried himself in the hard work of the forge and took long trips to the City's of Men.

Of course not to far away. Even he had noticed the steady swelling of his sisters belly. It wouldn't be long till the child was born. And not for all gold in Erebor he was going to miss that.

It was a gray day when the king without a mountain returned to Ered Luin from another journey of his own. He was tired and his muscles arched from the hard work. The head of his pony hung low, while the cold wind was tugging at his cloak. Thorin shivered. Winter was coming.

As soon as he saw the gates of the mountain he knew something was wrong. There were too many lights, too many torches, too many guards.

He spurred his horse and urged it into a harsh pace till they reached the entrance. Before he could get off Balin was at his side. His face was a mask of stone, ready for battle.

"Niri had fallen." The older dwarf said in a low voice. "Your sister's husband is dead."

No word was spoken for a moment between them. Pictures of the countless dead Thorin had witnessed reappeared in his mind. Now he had one more face to add.

"Where is she?" Thorin finally demanded to know.

As Balin took his time to answer he felt his chest tightened in fear.

"Where is Dis?" He roared.

Not waiting for a reply he stormed through the dark tunnels.

The image of his brother-in-law's lifeless body made him feel sick to his bones, but the thought of his sister was what drove him now. He opened the door to her chambers. There was no candle lightened and he could barley made out the dark figure in the room.

"Dis..." Thorin called out in a soft voice.

Only silence greeted him as he stepped in.

He found his sister in a catatonic stage. Dis was clenched over her son with desperate fingers digging in his nephew's way to tiny back, rocking them both gently.

As she lifted her face to meet her brothers eyes tears streamed down her cheeks. Her hair hung in messy strains from her head and her breath hitched dangerously. It broke Thorin's heart to see his beloved sister in so much pain.

Fili looked helpless at his uncle. Fear and confusion mirrored on his little face. He was unable to cope with the situation. He didn't know what to do.

In two long steps Thorin was by their sides, holding both of them in his strong arms, while rubbing soothing circles over Dis back and muttering comforting words in their ears. He was letting his sister cry at his board shoulder, while slowly night turned into day.

At some point Dis had passed out of exhaustion and drifted into a restless sleep, still clinging to Fili like a life-line.

Thorin had left and walked down into the kitchen. He looked surprised to find Balin there. He must have waited for him the whole time.

The older dwarf handed him wordless an ale and Thorin took it quietly. For a long time neither of them spoke till a deep sigh escaped the kings mouth.

"What happened?" He asked in defeat, knowing that delaying the question wouldn't do him any good, nor Dis.

"A group of orcs attacked two days ago..."

AN:

So a second chapter has magically appeared in my head. :3

Thorin seemed a little bit emo-ish in the beginning, but he will get his shit together (cause he has to be majestic XPPPP)

It kind of got a little angsty at the end, hope you didn't mind it. Thank you for all the reviews! they mean a lot to me!

by the way fili is supposed to be around 5 years old ...

PS: if you find any mistakes, something that doesn't make sense, sounds weird or if you have some questions or plot ideas please let me know! I want to improve my writing and am open for any help I can get ;)

PPS: a special thanks goes to BM originally and Oddments and Tweaks! for grammar and spelling advice! ;)

Reviews are awesome! And so are you.