Yay, I'm glad you guys have liked my super goofy story so far! This is a short chapter, but will increase in length after this one.
When Eiranna heard the sound of the main door, she was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Ahh, it smells most pleasing!" said Donar as he entered the kitchen. Eiranna shrugged. "We shall see how it turns out," she replied. Donar approached Eiranna, and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Eiranna smiled.
"How was your visit to Erebor?" she asked. "Marvelous!" Donar replied, excitedly. "The Prince has requested an additional two pieces. I am hopeful both will meet his expectations." Eiranna turned her head to the side and peered at her father. "Of course they will, Father. A man of your skill will have no trouble." "Besides," she continued, "I do not recall the Prince ever having complained before about something you made."
Donar bowed his head, humbled. "Ahh, indeed. But these old hands aren't what they used to be." Eiranna turned around and leaned against the counter, so she could face her father. "There isn't a thing wrong with your hands. You are still the most talented of any Jewel crafter in Dale. I dare say even the entirety of Middle-earth?"
"How you flatter me so! How did I manage such an agreeable daughter? Please, continue," said Donar, taking a seat at the dinner table and crossing his arms across his chest.
"Many fortunes seem to be blessed upon you, clearly," Eiranna teased. "But for the time being would those old hands, perhaps, like to dress the table for dinner?"
"Ahh, indeed," he agreed, rising from the table. "That they would be glad to do."
Later, as they ate, Eiranna saw her father watched her curiously, averting his gaze when she looked towards him. "Father, is there something on your mind?" she asked, as she set down the utensils she held. After a moment's hesitation, Donar said, "The last time you accompanied me to Erebor, I saw you speaking with Prince Thorin. He appeared to be quite taken with you."
"Thorin?!" she replied incredulously, her surprise clearly registered on her face. "Highly doubtful. I believe you misinterpreted what you saw. It was polite courtesies, at best."
"Perhaps I did. I was a bit of a distance away," Donar admitted, as he studied Eiranna closely.
"It is complete silliness," she muttered, as she got up from the table and began clearing their dinner dishes.
"Do you honestly think it so unlikely he would be interested in you?" Donar inquired, pivoting in his seat to match Eiranna's movements.
"Yes, I do," she said. Eiranna set the dishes she held down and looked upon her father with a stern expression. "I am the furthest from whom he seeks. This particular subject I will not discuss further. There are far more pertinent issues to concern yourself with."
"I worry is all, as is my right as a father. Who will care for you when I am no longer here."
"That time is a good long while away, and it certainly would not be Thorin," Eiranna stated. "Besides, I do believe it is I who does the majority of the caring for you, so you need not fret. I will be fine, whatever happens." She offered her father a small smile, before she turned from him and began to clean up from dinner.