Coming Of Age – Chapter 9
"Father, you've got to do something about her!" Thorin pled with the King. "She tried to drive Crimm away."
"Son," Thrain shook his head. "Not now. I have to deal with the father…and the mother."
"I'll take them any day."
Thrain barked as he tried to read a report. "What did she do now?" They were alone in the king's private chambers; they were assured that they would not be disturbed by their guests who had been staying for two days and the Durins were ready to send them on their way.
"She told Crimm that he was old and that I should have a younger valet that knows what to do, and how knows how to keep up with the latest fashion so that he does not embarrass the Durin's family. Crimm tried to tell that he had been with the family for over 60 years and only the king have the power to fire him. So she told him that it won't be long that she, as queen also has the power to tell him that he will be too old to work with the family. Of course poor Crimm was beside himself. He and most of the servants in the kitchen, she was telling them how to cook! Can you believe that?"
"If only the damn Arkenstone were to be somewhere else…" Thorin stopped talking as his father looked up from his reading to his son.
"What did you say?"
"If the Arkenstone was somewhere else! That's it!" Thorin smiled.
Thrain nodded, "We must somehow get that idea to the dumpling." It was their nickname for Gul Mored, just between father and son.
"Yes, but that idea must be subtle so that it should be from him when he announced his departure. It should never come from us."
Thrain nodded as he gave the idea some more thought, "Yes, that could work. But who should whisper to him first?"
"Hmmm…someone from within his people but a trusted servant," Thrain looked at his son.
"And I know the right person, leave it to me…or the loose tongue servants in the kitchen."
Thrain nodded as he went back to his reading, "Thorin, your mother has been asking about you, she is well enough to receive you."
Thorin smiled as he stood up, "Thank you father. I shall look in upon her."
He sprinted away as if he was 10 again. Thrain looked up to see him running like a young lad and smiled; he missed his children when they were young and rambunctious.
When Thorin went to his mother's private chambers, he knocked on her doors gently and quietly, mindful of his newborn sister.
Come in.
He walked in cautiously and looked around; his mother was sitting up by the large window where the sun was streaming in, she was busy embroidering.
She smiled and held her hand when she saw her son, "Come Thorin, come closer here, let me see you. It's been ages since I last saw you, my dearest. Oh dear, it looks like you've been wrestling wargs again. What happened to your face?"
Thorin went to hug her mother tightly but not too tightly; she looked so fragile.
"I'm fine, mother. I missed you." He snuggled into her neck like he use to when he was small; she had this special smell about her that made him feel secure when she hugged him.
She laughed, "My silly Thorin, I missed you too. Tell me what have you been up to?"
For the next hour, he sat with her as he told her everything, his meeting with the twins and the script text his father wanted ThoraLee to translate in search of the Arkenstone.
She was quick to pick things between her son and this female twin. It was the way he describe her, in a very angry tone.
Time to test him;
"So this Flora…she is pretty?"
"Her name is ThoraLee, mother. Not really, well sort of pretty, slender and can swim, and can run fast, throws a dagger very well, too." The Queen's brow perked up; clue number one, he was quick to correct her her name. Clue number two is the way he tried not to describe her too much.
She wanted to laugh at her son but knew that he would not appreciate it. He was so transparent yet so naïve.
"I see, when may I meet her?" she asked him.
Startled, Thorin looked at her and began to laugh, "Oh no! Not you mother."
"What? What did I do?" She asked innocently.
"You are trying to match-make. I see your ruse, nice going…"At this point, he heard a baby crying nearby. He stood and saw a crib.
"Can you go pick your sister and bring her here? Don't you want to meet Dis?"
Thorin nodded and moved over to the crib and looked down and saw a little baby with a head full of dark curls, bright dark eyes and small flailing hands, wearing a snow white gown.
"But I'm afraid I'll break her bones, she looks so tiny and fragile."
His mother laughed, "No you won't, Thorin my dearest. You'll be gentle with Dis."
Her crying was getting louder but Thorin bent down and placed both his hands under her and gingerly picked her up and held her close to him.
Instantly, she stopped crying.
"Hmm, she seemed to like her older brother," his mother remarked.
Thorin was in awe as he watched the tiny baby in his arms cooing at him, smiling.
"M...Mother, what am I supposed to do?"
She giggled, "Talk to her, she seemed to like your voice,"
Thorin looked at his mother to see if she was teasing him but she arched a brow at him
He stared at his little sister who stared back at him than she reached out and grabbed his hair and yanked it hard.
"Ow!" He moved over to his mother who laughingly helped him extricated him from her tiny hold. "She has a strong grip already. Which is good, when some boys try to bully you, you are able to take care of yourself, aren't you, little Dis? My strong little sister?" Thorin was enthralled with her.
The Queen teared up a little to see a grown man showing his protectiveness for his sister already. It cheered her up very much. The confinement had bored her; she was ready to get back to her court and her people.
After a while Dis began to get restless and began to fuss.
The Queen knew that it was probably time to feed the baby, "Thorin, hand me Dis, it's time to feed her."
"Oh, yes…here," He laid his sister on his mother's hands and spontaneously gave her a kiss on her forehead. His mother was surprised by his sweet gesture and smile at him.
"Um…I have to go…I'll come back again, if you wish?"
"Thorin, you know you're welcome to visit whenever you wish, and you may bring this Flora with you."
"Her name is ThoraLee, mother. I love you." He kissed her on her cheek and left her.
She watched him leave as she prepared to feed her daughter, "Oh yes, Dis, your brother is besotted with the lovely ThoraLee. And yes, I remember her name, don't I...little one?" Dis stared back at her mother; she was much more interested in her food than big people talk. She didn't understand their babble at this point, just feed her and leave her to sleep was all she wanted to do.
…..
End of Chapter 9