Hey, readers!
Here it is, Chapter 4! Turns out, my writing centers around the free time I have in my Driver's Training class, so... lots of writing during the week!
*Disclaimer
*As much as I want to, I do not own anything that has to do with the Hobbit (book or movie series), Lord of the Rings, or anything to do with Peter Jackson. :(
*Nor do I own Richard Armitage. :(
ENJOY!
Thorin groaned as he locked up his shop for the night, remembering the day's events. After taking Reina home to Dís and his nephews, the day had seemed to go by in a blur. All he could remember beyond his early morning detour was the visit that Balin had paid him during his lunch break. The older dwarf had just come from his lessons with Fili, and came upon Thorin with a fountain of questions about the little girl he'd found gallivanting with Kili in the yard.
Thorin smiled as he remembered the look of shock on Balin's face when he told his close friend that Reina was in fact his daughter, and not simply a foundling Thorin had taken in. Balin had actually been speechless, which was a first for him in Durin knew how long.
Interrupting him from his thoughts, Thorin's stomach growled. He was eager to get home to Dís' cooking; he was not so eager to face the inevitable questions, not only from his sister, but from his daughter as well when he came home alone.
He mused on possible answers, or even avoidance until he reached the front yard. What caught him by surprise was that all was quiet and peaceful. This worried Thorin where it would have reassured other Dwarves - at least those who had never encountered Fili and Kili at home.
Expecting the worst, Thorin pushed through the front door. What greeted him, however, was something he would never have expected.
Kili was sitting down (for more than a second); Fili had a book in his hands. And he was reading aloud to his brother and his soon-to-be-known cousin, both of which had rapt attention painted on their faces as Fili worked through what sounded like a description of some land or other.
Sighing in relief, Thorin passed quietly into the kitchen. He didn't want to spoil the peace, momentary as it was sure to be.
When he stepped into the kitchen, he was faced with a new shock: Dís was humming quietly to herself as she prepared a stew - and there was no form of multitasking in sight!
"What spell has been laid on my household, that all it's inhabitants are at peace?" Thorin growled, though a grin spread across his face.
"Your household is it? That explains a lot." Dís turned to face her jovial brother with a smile of her own. "It explains why the only peace I find in this house is when you bring yet another child among us - sweet as she is."
"That is *Frerin's fault - not mine. As you have said, the child I procure brings peace, not chaos."Thorin joked as he settled at the table. "How in Middle Earth was it managed?"
"It was all Reina's doing - to a point. The boys decided to take it upon themselves to entertain our little guest. Only when Dwalin and Balin were here was there any sort of noise - and that was the younger ones cheering Fili on in his weapons lessons and playing a game of tag before Fili's lessons in Kúzdúl with Balin. Beyond that - well, she prefers a quiet life, it seems."
"A quiet life is what she probably grew up with. Has she told you anything about what caused the bruises on her arms?"
"Not really. I didn't exactly ask her, I didn't want to scare her into silence. Perhaps when she's ready she'll tell us about her past for herself."
"You're probably right, as usual," Thorin conceded. "Has she told you anything about her parentage?"
"Only her mother's name...Evangelina, I think it was, and that her father was one of power, from Erebor to my reckoning."
"Yes, her father is most certainly from Erebor, and she is right that he was of power, once." There, Thorin fell into silence.
"You're keeping something back from me, Thorin. What is it? Do you know of who she speaks? Do you know her father?"
"Yes - and what she's told you confirms it in my own mind. He's closer than you would think, Dís. Much closer."
Suddenly, their musings were interrupted by Kili, who had come to see when dinner was ready.
"Uncle Thorin! Fili, Reina, he's here!" Before his mother could answer, Kili had run back to the living room to spread his tidings of the return of the favorite head of the household. Surprisingly, it wasn't Kili who got back first - it was Reina.
"Is he here? Did you bring him?" She asked breathlessly, alluding to the promise Thorin had made to her that morning.
"Yes, little one, he is here. But I must speak with you before you meet him, all right? He might not be what you think he should be or is."
"Thorin, did you bring a guest? I wasn't aware anyone else had come here," Dís whispered as she settled her boys down for supper.
"No, and that's what I need to talk to her about. I'll fill you in after the boys have gone to bed, alright?" Thorin answered as he got up to take Reina back to the Living Room. Louder, he commented, "we'll be right back for supper, all right Dís? I need to talk to Reina for a minute." Before Dís could answer, Thorin had guided Reina back out of the kitchen, and settled her on the main couch next to him.
"Why do you need to talk to me, Mister Thorin, sir? What about my Da?"
Yes, I'm leaving it as a slight hangover. I know...the horror!
R&R appreciated!