"She's my daughter. D s, what's wrong? I told you a long time ago about what happened with Evangelina, the falling out, and then the whole dragon incident. Why is this surprising to you?"
"Have you seen her ears?!"
"Yes, I have. They're to be expected, given who her mother is.
"That's part of what is so hard to believe. Areth was a cruel, vain and prideful person, let alone Elf, when we knew her. I would have expected her daughter to be the same."
"Dis, the child is aching to be loved. She talks more about her nurse than her mother. More likely than not she was passed off to a servant or hired governess most of the time. The little time she spent with her mother, I gather, was unpleasant at best. Thus, her nature, which like all children starts out to be sweet and innocent, has been on the whole, untainted."
Dis looked thoughtful at that. "She does show softness in her demeanor. Once Kili was worn out, she offered to help me in the garden. She certainly doesn't seem to be afraid of work."
Suddenly, a crash of thunder shook the house and two small yelps were heard from the boys' room.
Both D s and Thorin went to see who had woken.
They were greeted with a scene that was touching to behold, surprising though it was.
The cot that had been set up for Reina was empty. Its occupant was found holding a shivering Kili, and a soft singing could be heard.
Not wanting to interrupt, both parents kept the door slightly ajar, and listened.
" on my nose and eyelashes;
Silver white winters that melt into springs;
These are a few of my favorite things;
When the dog bi "
Before the word could be completed, an almighty roar of wind rattled at the windows, and two terrified squeaks could be heard beneath it.
"Sing some more, Reina, please?" Kili's voice cracked at the end of his request.
"Only if you'll sing with me!" Reina giggled, but Kili only snuggled further under the blankets.
"Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels;
Doorbells and sleigh bells
And Coney with noodles;
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things "
"When the Dog bites" Kili joined in on what sounded like the chorus. "When the bee stings; when I'm feeling sad; I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad."
Right at the end, another loud crash sent them yelping under the covers. Thorin and D s entered, and settled next to the two youngest members of the family. Reina jumped a little when she pulled her head from the covers.
"That was a lovely song, Reina. Where did you learn it? Dis asked, as she smoothed the covers over the two.
Reina looked down, blushing, and then replied, "My nurse taught me. She was really nice."
"Yes, I'm sure she was, to teach you such a nice way to not be afraid."
"I liked her a lot. Da, do you think someday we can find her again?"
"I'm sure someday you'll see her again. Fate has a way of bringing people that we really like back into our lives." Thorin winked as he smoothed down her hair.
"Are you sure the two of you will be alright here? I think the worst is over for this storm" Dis stood, preparing to leave again. "Will you be able to fall back to sleep, or should one of us stay here with you?"
"Actually, I don't think either of us was asleep, Amad. We just weren't expecting the storm." Kili replied, looking over to where his little cousin was yawning.
"If you both were in here talking, then I think Reina should come with me. She and you is in need of sleep."
"OK, Da. G'night, Kili. We can talk again tomorrow, yeah?" Reina yawned again, as her father scooped her up, and was asleep on his shoulder before they reached Thorin's room.
"Goodnight, sweetling. Have the gentle-ist of dreams." Thorin gently kissed her forehead as he tucked her into one side of the big guest bed that Thorin occupied when he could.
Thorin smiled tiredly as he pulled the door almost shut. Being a parenting Uncle, and being a single Father were two different adventures and both were hard!
So, what do you think?
BTW, I do not own The Sound of Music or anything related.
Also, I changed "schnitzel with noodles" to "Coney with noodles", because I doubt dwarves had schnitzel, and more often than not hunters would bring in coneys, otherwise known as rabbits.
Let me know what you think!