For most of them, they were Thankful for the time of peace that came; Save for Bul whom grumbled often that he was bored and growing tired of returning to his other life as a jeweler.

Often his complaints were ignored by those who knew him except for when he was especially bitter, at which point Bifur would fly into a tizzy and threaten to thrash the dwarf whom laughed off the other's violent declarations, much to the annoyance of Bifur's relatives.

They had more pressing things to wonder over; most of all, Sahd.

Boheeka's dying wife and mother to his three worried children. Though they were all of age and ready to lead independent lives, their father could easily see their distress as the days of his wife grew darker and there was only one, final future meant for her.

What's more, Boheeka's heart ached when word came that while in the market place one day, Bofur and Nola had been the victims of many cruel insults by some whom had begun to hear rumors of their affiliation with Feyd; and he hated himself for it.

"They're strong willed," Bul had interjected when Boheeka had first come to him with this one concern, "They didn't and don't seemed troubled by it at all. Yer the one that seems the most distressed."

Boheeka sighed and set aside the toy he'd been painting and stared hard at the dwarf who, as always, held a curiously amused expression upon his face.

"I cannot allow this to happen again," Boheeka explained softly, watching as Bul's amusement turned into one of deep disappointment, then anger as he went on.

"Their mother is dying and they shouldn't have to worry about being harassed by others while they're grieving for her already. Also, they cannot have the lives they want, that I want for them, if they continue to affiliate themselves with Feyd; With You and I."

Bul snorted in disbelief; tugging hard on his long braid, he barked: "Did ye consider the grand lives they'll lead if they stay in service to Thorin?"

Boheeka sighed and hesitated; He took to painting the small toy again before confessing softly: "True, but I've already decided it. After Sahd has passed and Thorin gives us permission to do so…My family and I, We plan on leaving Ered Luin."

In a flash, Bul lunged forward; slapping the toy out of Boheeka's hand, he violently shook the dwarf by his shoulders.

"Ye didn't think take this up with me first?" He howled, "You treacherous fool! I'm the captain!"

Boheeka shoved Bul hard against the wall and pinned him; "My family's needs far outweighs any responsibility I have toward you!"

"Let go o' me ye damn silly fool!" Bul snapped, jerking loose of Boheeka, "Don't ye know how expensive this tunic is?"

For a long and tense moment of silence, the two of them eyed each other warily as they both struggled to calm their heated tempers.

"Fine," Bul conceded at last, "Very well then. I agreed to it me self long ago-about yer children I mean-and if it is yer desire to leave soon after yer wife is dead and buried I will…find another if I can, to help protect the king."

Boheeka sniffed and pulled at his long moustache; "Thank you," He offered; "Now if you will please leave…I've much to attend to at the moment."

"I as well," Bul remarked, though as he took his leave an insidious thought crossed his mind: 'Fer I'm not about to let ye take yer family from me just yet.'

As he made his way back to his own toy shop, the captain of feyd looked over at the Black Smiths shop that had long been occupied by Thorin, and stopped in his tracks.

"Oh," He breathed in utter satisfaction as a smile spread widely across his face and he forgot his dark feelings.

Nola stood talking quietly to Thorin whom held a pipe in one hand, and the young dwarf woman's hand, in his free one.

Bul watched as the two talked for a few minutes more before, to his silent glee, Thorin leaned and kissed Nola's cheek before she bowed and hurried away and out of sight.

Part Two:

When her eyes slowly opened, she found herself still within her bed surrounded by the warmth of the heavy blanket and fireplace that burned near by.

"Boheeka?" she asked quietly, and instantly found a warm hand upon her own, though she knew it not to be her husbands.

"Bofur," She sighed as she turned her head to offer a soft, weak smile to her eldest child, "When did your father take leave?"

Bofur squeezed his mother's hand and shrugged; "An hour or so ago," He replied, "Had to run o'er to the shop for somethin.'"

Sahd coughed, grimaced and uttered a groan; upon opening her eyes she found her child's own eyes studying her with fear and worry.

"'s alright darling," She offered, "It doesn't hurt so much. Not any more."

Tears pricked at Bofur's eyes and he bowed his head, strongly squeezing his mother's hand as he did.

"Don't be fearful," Sahd advised, "There is nothing to be afraid of. You'll need to be strong now for Bombur and Nola."

Bofur nodded yet said nothing as his mother's free hand came to rest atop Bofur's.

"Tell them I'll be watching," Sahd explained, "That I'm never far away."

"Mum…" Bofur sighed, tears falling from his eyes, "Don't talk like tha'."

Sahd smiled and lifted the hand that had lay upon her son's own, and gently caressed Bofur's damp cheek.

"I love you all."

In almost a blink of an eye, Sahd's hand dropped as she took a long inhale, and died.

Part Three:

"How can ye just keep stuffin' yer face like that?"

Bul, upon his third plate of food, sent by those wishing to offer condolences, looked at Bofur as he gulped loudly.

"It would be rude not to eat it," He pointed out, "Try some, I've never had such wonderful baked rabbit in all me life. Too bad we had no one else to bury today!"

Bofur scowled; "BASTARD!" He barked before attempting to storm out of the dining room; Bul rose and put out a hand to stop him.

"I'm sorry," the elder dwarf sighed after wiping his mouth, "I thought it would make ye laugh. Ye haven't been yer self since…well, I'm sorry."

Bofur pushed Bul's hand from his chest and sighed; "I need to go get Dad," He offered, "He's been gone~"

"Ach! Leave 'im will ye?" Bul interrupted, "He's just lost his wife after all and probably doesn't want the lot o' ye seeing 'im cry. 'sides, He and Sahd had been together fer some time before you were even born. Let 'im alone fer now."

Bul sat back down at the table and continued to dine; Leaving Bofur to worry for a moment more before he added:

"Bombur took Bifur for his walk and Nola…Her father allowed Thorin to take her for a walk by the river."

Bofur groaned, he hated when Bul did that; "I Wish Dad wouldn't be allowin' Thorin to escort sis around like that," He complained, "The kings well known to be a bit…flirtatious."

Bul chuckled and waved a finger in the air; "He's the king after all and I doubt yer father wants to offend him by disallowing him to see his daughter. Especially since Thorin footed the bill for yer mother's burial today.

Also, there's no need to worry as He has been seen only with Nola for the past few weeks. Dare I suggest that the king has grown fond of yer sister?"

Bofur sighed and crossed his arms, choosing to stare out of the nearby window and avoid further debate with the oddly ravenous dwarf.

"Don't ye think ye should…at least save us some?" Bofur finally asked when he noticed Bul reach for a basket filled with various fruits.

Bul, smacking his lips, studied the young dwarf before releasing his grip on the basket handle.

"Sorry," He offered, wiping a napkin across his face, "If ye would like some of the rabbit, like I offered earlier I'd~"

"I think I'll go see about Dad," Bofur interrupted with an exasperated sigh, "Regardless of what you think...I'm startin' to worry."

Bul threw his hands impatiently; "If ye must! I'm gonna start on tha' puddin'!"