"I'm sorry...what did you say?"
"I was saying, what's wrong with being a halfling? I'm only a little different."
"Nothing...nothing's wrong with being a halfling. There's nothing is wrong with being different. Though a hafling and a half-blood are two different things..." Thorin trailed off, overwhelmed in his shock. His mind thought back to Kili, the child seeming more more man, or even elf-like, than dwarf, with his love of archery and stargazing. "More often than not, the differentness - excuse me - differences turn out to be advantages." For more people than one; the village had prospered once Kili had sharpened his aim, and his slight frame ideal for the more subtle hunting tactics. There weren't many people who didn't praise him on his hunting skills.
"Oh. So...do you know who my Da is?"
Mahal, she was sharp. Right to the point he had yet to process. " Actually, I do. But I can't take you to him right now."
"Why not?"
"For two reasons. One, because I have work I need to do, and it can't wait for so long. And two, he'll be out of town until tonight."
It was truth; half of his work for that day was in deliveries, and he would probably be back late for dinner...again.
"Why don't you stay with my sister and nephews for today? I'll bring your Da back with me tonight. Does that sound all right?"
Reina nodded her head slowly, still unsure, but at least she was willing to follow Thorin's lead in this.
"Here, now. I'll take you there myself. You don't have to worry."
Reina watched as Thorin stood from his place on the ground, groaning again as his joints protested the motion after so long. When he offered her a hand up, she warily accepted, shouldering her pack swiftly and keeping a pace back, not yet trusting.
His last thought before they left the shop was: D s is going to kill me!