Chapter Eighteen
As the Royals ate together, DJ and Thorin noticed Kili wasn't in the dining hall with them. "Where is Kili, Dis?" asked Thorin. "Thorin, Kili has not been the same since the Battle. His moods have changed, in fact, he has changed since Lake Town." said Fili, gravely. Now all eyes set on Thorin. "Where is he?" asked Thorin, firmly. "He's in his quarters." said Fili. "When did the sudden change in Kili start? And why nobody came and told me about it?!" asked Thorin sharply. "You've been really busy, Thorin. We couldn't get to talk to you about this until now." said Dis.
"Lad, don't take this offensively, but the lad is angry with you. He's still angry for the words you said to him in Lake Town. You know, about not risking the quest for any dwarf, even your own kin. Those words really hurt him." said Oin. "And then, there was the Battle of Five Armies. Yes, he came back to us physically but mentally, he's not. He's been having nighmares every night, screaming our names. But mostly yours, Uncle." said Fili, sadly, wiping a tear from his eye. Thorin froze. "Thorin, you never used to treat Kili this way. This doesn't have to do with his courtship with Tauriel has it?" asked Dis.
"Dis, must we discuss this right now?" asked Thorin. "Yes, Thorin. We're going to discuss this right now!" snapped Dis. "Wait a minute Thorin! I thought you accepted Kili and Tauriel's courtship? I saw you and Thranduil both giving the blessing back in the tent!" snapped DJ, anger clouded over her. "I was lying. You know the laws of our people that any dwarf is forbidden to court others outside the race, especially elves." snarled Thorin. This really angered DJ more, realizing the subject of courting laws was brought up again.
"Oh and what does that make us, Thorin Oakenshield? You and I been courting for months now! So you're going to oust me too?!" shouted DJ. "No, no! Its not that, DJ!" snapped Thorin looking at DJ. "Forget it. The wedding is off. If this is how you truly feel, go find you a dwarf woman to screw!" yelled DJ. Everyone's mouths dropped open at DJ's words, shocked that it came out of her mouth. Before DJ left the room, Thorin stopped her. "I don't want no other woman, DJ. I want you." said Thorin, firmly. "Get your hands off of me!" screamed DJ, and she bolted out of the dining hall, slamming the large doors behind her.
"Now look what you've done?! Why can't we just abolish the damn laws!" roared Dis, turning her back away from her brother.
"Laddie, let me remind you that your brother Frerin married a human woman, a couple years before he fell in battle. Everyone accepted her, even your father and grandfather accepted her. You have to realizing, you got two, maybe three unhappy people on your hands. One being your own future bride." said Balin, grimly. "Still, a law's a law. And it won't be abolished." said Thorin. "What about DJ? What of her? She's a human woman, for Durin's sake? Are you going to shun her away, because of these laws?" asked Balin. "Think this over, Thorin. Carefully. Because you may lose DJ forever because of this, and Kili." said Dis coldly, and she left the dining hall.
Dis shortly went to DJ and Thorin's private chambers. "DJ, may I come in?" asked Dis. "Yes." said DJ. Dis entered the chambers. "DJ, I apologize for my brother's behavior tonight." said Dis. "Dis, is those laws really in affect?" asked DJ sadly. "DJ, we're going to talk Thorin into dismissing the laws. Yes, he's determined that he is wanting to keep the laws in effect because of Kili and Tauriel. But Kili is happy." said Dis. "He's not now. Its more to it than just his courtship with Tauriel, however." said DJ. "But that's another story, though." said Dis.
Meanwhile, Thorin took a stroll in the courtyard alone thinking over everyone words.
"The wedding is off, Thorin!" The words from DJ haunting Thorin, as he stood in the courtyard, holding a rose, tears streaming down his face. Mahal, what have I done? Thorin thought. Thorin sat down on a bench, bowing his head in his hands. "Whoever heard of a grown man cry?" said a female voice calmly. Thorin quickly looked up, searching for the source of the female voice. When he turned, he saw DJ standing in front of him. "I didn't know you were out here. I was coming out here for some quiet, I'll go back to my room." said DJ quickly. "DJ! Wait!" said Thorin.
DJ turned, looking into Thorin's tear stained eyes. "Sit with me, please." said Thorin. DJ sat down next to Thorin. "You're crying-I never seen you cry before." said DJ softly. "DJ, I'm not going to lose you, please stay with me. And as for that stupid law, its going to be burned. Who cares of this law? You have made me very happy, DJ. I'm not going to lose my happiness over some law that's been in effect for years." said Thorin softly, placing his large hand on DJ's cheek. "Forgive me, DJ." said Thorin. "I forgive you, Thorin! But tomorrow morning, for the sake of the family, please talk to Kili. He needs you. He needs your support. We want our Kili back." said DJ.
"I will talk to Kili tomorrow morning. And that's a promise." said Thorin. "Good, because if don't. I'll kick your royal ass." said DJ. Thorin laughed. "You're not the only one who would do that. My own sister would most likely be the first in line!" grinned Thorin. "Then you will have women beating on you." laughed DJ. Thorin rolled his eyes. "You are something, DJ. And I love you!" whispered Thorin, taking DJ into his arms, planting a kiss on DJ's lips. DJ could feel his warm heavy chest pressing on her.
After sitting outside for a while, the two of them retired to their quarters for the remainder of the night. The next morning, Thorin decided to go talk to Kili. "Go away!" shouted Kili. "Kili, we need to have one of our talks." said Thorin, calmly. And there was a brief silence. "I don't want to talk to you. If you no longer consider me family, well its fine with me!" shouted Kili behind the door. "Kili, come on!" said Thorin in exasperation. Kili shortly opened the door, his brown eyes glaring at his Uncle. "Lets go for a walk, and talk about this." said Thorin. Kili quietly went with Thorin.
Meanwhile, DJ sat with the others in the dining hall. "Thorin is talking with him right now. I just hope everything works out." said DJ.
"Me too. The thought of Kili not wanting to speak to Thorin is heartbreaking. To be honest, I wouldn't blame Kili for being upset the way he did." said Dwalin. "It doesn't matter now, Thorin and Kili should let bygones be bygones." said DJ. "DJ's right." agreed Balin. Three hours later, Thorin and Kili returned, both smiling, arms around each other, talking of memories of Kili's younger days, and laughing. DJ smiled. "So you two made up?!" said DJ brightly. "Yes. Kili has forgiven me, and everything is all good now." said Thorin.
"But that's not the best part! He has given his full blessing with Tauriel and I." said Kili, grinning. "Oh, this is the best news I ever heard!" cried out DJ happily, and she threw her arms around Thorin, Thorin patted DJ on her back side. "Hey, there are people watching you know!" whispered DJ. Kili laughed. "I didn't just see that." said Dis, rolling her eyes. "Mother, you just saw that." said Kili, grinning.
"Uncle Thorin, DJ was showing us these pictures of these bands she listens to in her own world! Do you think we should start a band, you know just for the fun of it?" asked Kili. "A band? Kili, you cannot be serious." said Dis. "Mother, its only for fun. Its not like we're going to make a profit from it or anything." said Kili.
DJ quickly covered her mouth to keep from laughing at Kili's remark. "Bad idea. I'm not going to start a band. Maybe you, your brother and Bofur could do that." said Thorin. "Oh come on Thorin." grinned DJ. "DJ, I'm going to busy. Extremely busy! I will have no time for bands." said Thorin. "Chicken shit." said DJ. Thorin quickly turned. "What did you just call me?" asked Thorin. "She just called you a chicken s-!" began Kili, but Dis gave a quick hard nudge in her son's side, and Kili fell silent, turning red in face. "Oh come on, Thorin! Lighten up! It was only a joke!" called out DJ, as Thorin walked out of the room.
Dis sighed. "He's never really had much of a sense of humor. He used to have one, you know. But when everything fell apart so many years ago, he has lost that sense of humor." said Dis sadly. "But I'm in his life now! We have reclaimed your home! And he STILL doesn't have a sense of humor?" said DJ, puzzled on Thorin's personality. Dis shrugged. "Well someone is going to have to teach him eventually." said DJ firmly. "Good luck with that lassie. I even tried teaching him, and it doesn't work!" said Bofur. "You, the Crown Prince of Fun, couldn't break Thorin?" asked DJ, shocked that even Bofur, knowing how the dwarf loved life, and having fun and optimistic by nature, couldn't even teach Thorin a thing or two of having a sense of humor.
"Don't worry, DJ. It will come back to him eventually." said Balin. "When? When I'm over 90 years old with wrinkles on my face, walking on a cane?" said DJ. Balin laughed. "I'm afraid so." said Balin. "Crap." said DJ sadly. When supper ended, DJ decided to go for a stroll alone around the kingdom. She drew near the Treasure Room. She was tempted to go in there, hoping she would find Thorin in there, but she didn't. She knew it was officially off limits to her until after their wedding, and she would get in trouble, even if she did decide to go in the Treasure room.
Come on, DJ, just one peek. No one will notice, DJ thought. And so DJ peered through the large doors, looking into the treasure room. DJ's concerns came true, there stood Thorin in the treasure room standing and looking at the gold. It shocked her. She thought Thorin had overcome the sickness. Shit! This is not good! Not good at all! DJ thought, and she took off running from the area, tears streaming down her face. "No! No! No!" moaned DJ as she ran. As she was about to her approach her chambers, she collapsed, tripping over her feet. "My dear, DJ! Are you okay?!" called out a voice.
DJ looked up and she saw Balin quickly approaching her. "Balin-its Thorin." wept DJ.
"What about Thorin?" asked Balin. "He's in the Treasure Room. And look really closely into his eyes." wept DJ. "I will send for Dis, and I will go have a look." said Balin. Balin now felt worried. No one has entered the Treasure Room since Erebor had been reclaimed. Balin thought Thorin had forbidden everyone to go in there, including Thorin himself. Balin even advised Thorin to steer clear from the room for a while. It didn't take long for Dis to arrive at DJ and Thorin's private chambers, and she remained there comforting DJ.
Meanwhile, Balin made his way to the Treasure Room and he quietly entered, and he saw Thorin, still standing in the same spot, where DJ had seen him. "Thorin?!" called out Balin. But Thorin didn't respond. Fili and Kili came running in following Balin. Balin turned to Fili and Kili urging them to leave. "Why? Uncle said it was okay for us to come in here." said Fili. "Lads, Your uncle-you can't see him right now." said Balin gravely. "What do you mean?" asked Fili. "Please, just go." said Balin gently. "Okay, we'll go. Come on, Kee." said Fili. And the young dwarves left the room.