Chapter Eighteen
"How can this be? You're-alive! You died back in Rivendell!" stammered Dwalin. Cyril smiled, as she climbed out of the tomb and approached the dwarf. "Dwalin, I know you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you why." began Cyril. "Why wouldn't I believe yer? Of course I'll believe yer!" said Dwalin. "Dwalin, it Yavanna who came to me and gave me a second life. Apparently Aule, or the dwarves call Mahal, had sent her to bring me back to life." explained Cyril. "Cyril, it's a good thing you have come back-it's Thorin-he hadn't been the same since you've passed on, and I'm afraid he's getting much worse." said Dwalin.
"Oh?" said Cyril. "He's locked himself up in the treasury again, Cy. The sickness has returned to him. We tried to keep him from going back in there, but there was no stopping him." said Dwalin. "Oh no." moaned Cyril. "Now, lets get you out of here. Of course, there will be a lot of people that will be in for a surprise when they see yer, lass!" said Dwalin, grinning at Cyril. "I can imagine that." said Cyril. And so Cyril and Dwalin leave the tombs, and headed for the private living quarters of the palace. Cyril walked in right behind Dwalin.
"Mister Dwalin! You've been down there a while! Are you okay?" asked Fili. "Yes, I'm fine. Everyone, I have a surprise for all of you." began the bald dwarf. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?" asked Balin. Cyril stepped forward. "Hello, everyone! Its been a while!" said Cyril. And everyone jumped out of their chairs, when they seen Cyril. "Maybe its time I should stop at the tenth mug of ale." grumbled Gloin. "Cyril? How can this be? You died!" exclaimed Balin. "Everyone sit down, and let me tell you what happened." said Cyril.
Cyril told her tale from the beginning. When she finished her tale, everyone gasped in amazement. "This is truly a miracle-you've been sent back by Mahal himself.." said Balin softly as he smiled at Cyril. "Where's Thorin?" asked Cyril, looking around the room. Balin bowed his head. "He's in the treasury." said Balin. "How are the twins?" asked Cyril. "They are wonderful, Cyril. I've been taking really good care of them." said Dis, approaching Cyril. "I like to see my children first." said Cyril. Dis nodded, as she showed Cyril to the nursery.
"Dis, has Thorin been spending time with them?" asked Cyril stopping the Dwarf Princess from leaving the nursery. "Cyril, he hadn't been spending much time with them since they returned from Rivendell. He's been locking himself in the treasury-just like grandfather!" said Dis.
Dis took Cyril's hands. "Spend time with your children first, and see to Thorin later. Right now, Thorin isn't home, and its for your own safety to steer clear from my brother for a little while." said Dis, gently. "For how long?" asked Cyril. "Until he decides to leave the treasury." sighed Dis, and she walked out of the nursery. Well, that will take forever! He'll never leave the treasury! Cyril thought gloomily, as she took the newborns in her arms, as she cuddled them to her.
Two hours later, after feeding and putting the twins to bed, Cyril decided once and for all to see Thorin. Maybe my presence will shock him out of this state, thought Cyril. Cyril approached the treasury, and she entered, and she could see Thorin sitting cross legged on a mound of gold. "Who ever it is, go away! I wish to see nobody right now!" grumbled the dwarf, as he sense presence in the treasury. Cyril remained silent as she moved closer. "Its me, Thorin." said Cyril. Thorin's eyes widened when he heard the familiar female voice behind him.
Thorin slowly turned, and he saw his wife standing in front of him. Thorin stood up quickly, nearly tripping over the gold coins. Cyril laughed. "I need to get out of here!" cried out Thorin, as he ran for the doors of the treasury. "That's a very good idea, love!" said Cyril.
And she grabbed Thorin by the arm as she and Thorin walked out of the treasury. "Your arm, feels warm-you're real-this isn't a dream! You're really standing in front of me!" stammered Thorin. "Its not a dream, Thorin. I'm really-stand in front of you!" said Cyril, as she could feel tears falling down her face. "How can this be? I don't understand!" said Thorin softly. Cyril quickly explained her story to Thorin. When she finished, Thorin quickly pulled Cyril into his arms, holding her tight.
"I will never let you go again-never!" whispered Thorin, as he held Cyril close to his chest. Cyril wrapped her arms around his neck, as the two locked lips in a passionate kiss. They remained like that for a while, until they slowly broke away, and gazed at each other. "Come, lets go and join the others!" said Thorin, smiling at Cyril, and Cyril nodded as they walked back to the private living quarters.
Five years later…
"I look stupid in this outfit! Do we have to wear this, mother?" asked young Frerin, as their mother helped them get ready for their birthday party. "Yes, you have to wear it. You're a prince remember? You have to look your best at Feasts and celebrations." said Cyril. "But its so uncomfortable! The trousers are riding me!" wailed Thror.
"You can wear them at least until ten o clock, how's that sound?" said Cyril. "Okay." said Thror and Frerin together. After getting dressed, they made way to the Great Hall where the birthday feast is held. "Now entering Queen Cyril and Princes Frerin II, and Thror II!" announced the herald, as trumpets blared. "Mom, must we have a grand entrance? That's a little too much, don't you think?" asked Frerin. "That is their duty. As Queen, and the two of you as Princes, we have to have an entrance." explained Cyril, as they approached the large table.
'Hey, there are the birthday boys!" chirped Gloin, as he approached them. "Is your son here, Gloin?" asked Cyril. "Yep, he's here. He's chatting with Fili and Kili right now." said Gloin. Thorin and Dis smiled at them. "Happy birthday, my sons!" said Thorin, approaching the wins, hugging them both. "When's the presents, adad? When will we get our gifts?" asked Thor. "After supper, my son." said Thorin.
After dinner, it was time for the gift giving. "Look, what Master Gloin given me! A bright shiny new wooden sword!" beamed Frerin, he bounced around pretending to be in battle. "You still got a lot of learning to do, laddie!" Gloin called out. Thror also gotten a sword as well, and a bow. Thorin presented them with clothing, and also musical instruments that he had made himself. Frerin received a fiddle, and Thror a harp.
Thror wanted to learn right away. "No, not tonight, little one. Maybe sometime this week we'll start the lessons. How's that sound?" asked Thorin. "Sounds great!" beamed Thror. Suddenly, a woman approached them. Her name is Lady Copperfire, who ran a school in Dale, and also a wife of one of the members of the royal council, Negran. "I have a suggestion, Your Majesty." said the dwarf woman. "Yes?" said Thorin. "You sons are now old enough for proper education, and I would be more than happy to welcome them to my school!" said Lady Copperfire. "Let me discuss this with my wife first, and I will get back to you later." said Thorin. The woman nodded and walked away.
When the feast ended, and everyone retired for the night, Thorin and Cyril laid in their bed, smiling and satisfied of the successful birthday party. "Well the feast seemed to be a success, don't you think?" said Thorin, placing his arm in the back of his head, resting on it. "Yes, it sure was, Thorin." said Cyril, with a sigh. "Cy, there is something important I wish to discuss with you about Frerin and Thror. They are old enough to start their proper education Lady Copperfire, wife of one of my council members runs a school in Dale, and suggests she will take them in her school, to give them proper education." said Thorin.
Cyril remained silent for a moment, as she thought over the idea. Soon, she spoke up. "I really don't know, Thorin. Wouldn't that risk the safety of our sons? They will be exposed to the public, Mahal only knows what would happen to them." said Cyril. Cyril worried that the twins will be bullied because of their half bred heritage, and she didn't want to face that. "Cyril, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine. I trust Lady Copperfire, she has been teaching for years, and it was she whom helped with Fili and Kili's education." said Thorin, but then he quickly frowned, as he remembered a bad memory on one of the bad days Kili had at school…
Flashback..
It was Fili and Kili's first day at Lady Copperfire's school, and the young dwarflings felt excited as their mother entered, waking them up. "Its time to wake up and eat breakfast! Your first day of school is today!" said Dis cheerfully. "Hurray! School!" beamed both dwarves. Both Fili and Kili climbed out of bed, and joined the family in the dining room for breakfast. "Dis, are you sure this is a good idea? I think it would be much better if Balin gives them the education." said Thorin.
"Thorin, Lady Copperfire is a trusted friend of mine, and an excellent teacher! She will do good with the lads, brother!" Dis assured her brother. "Very well, they will go! If something bad once happened to them, they will be getting home schooled." said Thorin. And so after breakfast, Thorin took Fili and Kili to the school. "Listen to me lads, if something happens, you come and tell me, and I will deal with it. Is that understood?" said Thorin firmly. "Yes, we understand Uncle." said Fili. "Good. Run along now! You don't want to be late!" said Thorin.
And they said their goodbyes to their Uncle, and ran towards the school. It hadn't reached noon when there was a knock on the door of the family home, and Dis went to answer it. It was one of the guards. "My lord and lady, there seemed to be some trouble going on at Lady Copperfire's school, involving your children, Lady Dis." said the guard, gravely. "Oh, Mahal!" cried out Dis. "Dis you stay here! I will handle this!" growled Thorin, as he quickly left the home.
Thorin bolted out of the house, as he followed the guard to the school. By the time they reached to the school, they saw a large group of young dwarves in a circle, and Thorin could hear lots of yelling. "Hey No Beard! You should have stayed home!" taunted one dwarf.
"Stop it! I will kill you myself if you don't stop!" shouted another voice, as Thorin recognized it was Kili's. "Oh really? You say you're going to kill me hey? Go ahead let me see you try, No Beard!" shouted another dwarfling, sarcastically. "That does it!" bellowed Kili, as he charged at the dwarf taunting him. Now the whole group charged at Kili. "ENOUGH!" bellowed Thorin, as he stormed through the crowd. "Lay another hand on him, and see what happens!" barked Thorin, as he separated the crowd.
He soon found Kili laying on the ground, in a puddle of blood. "Fili, send for Lady Copperfire first, I like to speak with her. Once that is done, go for your mother, and Master Oin." said Thorin. Fili, nodded and ran off.
End of flashback.
"Thorin? Are you okay?" asked Cyril. "Oh, I'm fine-its just I thought back of a memory that's all." said Thorin sadly. "You wouldn't mind telling me about it?" said Cyril gently. And so Thorin told Cyril about Fili and Kili's schooling experience. When Thorin finished his tale, Cyril looked at Thorin.
"That's horrible, Thorin! See that's what I'm trying to tell you! I'm not sure of the going to the school is a good idea. We should have Balin teach them." said Cyril. "But Balin has gone away, and we have no idea when he'll return." said Thorin. "Where did he go? And when did he leave? I didn't know he was even leaving at all! I saw him at the Feast." said Cyril.
"He is visiting Dain on business." Thorin replied. Cyril nodded. Now Cyril realized she had no other choice but to allow Frerin and Thror to attend to the school. "Alright, it seems we have no choice in the matter, Thorin. Frerin and Thror can go to Lady Copperfire's school." said Cyril.