Yes ummm… I'm back… after almost a year… *hides* so sorry guys, life has been incredibly busy. Also, as much as I loved BOTFA, there were certain aspects about it that I was not comfortable with. I've only seen it once to date :( I needed time to think about the mixed feelings it gave me and had to take a bit of a break from all the obsessiveness I have about The Hobbit in general, but I am looking forward to seeing BOTFA again with a fresh perspective and also working on this little story :)

Some chapters will be light/fluffy, others may be quite dark/sad. Alas, that is the story of the Durins, regardless of how many AUs everybody lives/nobody dies that we may write, the pain is still there lol.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Here is the next chapter, this time the focus shifts away from Fili and Kili... :P enjoy!

Approx. ages from eldest-youngest: 18, 13, 5 (equivalent to human years).

The Three Dwarf-keteers

"Dis, no."

"Thorin, please?"

"Dis, no."

"Please Thorin, pleeeaaaaasseeee?"

"Dis, I said -"

"Just let her have it, brother," Frerin sighed, rolling his eyes at his older brother, a smirk on his face.

Thorin turned to glare sternly at his younger brother. "Amad told us to make sure she eats dinner on time and doesn't have any sweets. You know how hard it is to get her to sleep."

"Oh don't be such a spoil sport, Thorin," Frerin said, reaching over to ruffle his little sister's hair. The young princess grinned up at her smiling brother, the top of her head barely reaching his knee. She gently grasped Frerin's large hand and both siblings widened their eyes at their eldest brother.

"Besides," Frerin added, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Amad and Adad are in the Iron Hills right now. What they don't know won't hurt them."

Thorin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb. It was already difficult enough to try and resist Dis' puppy-dog eyes. But with Frerin thrown into the mix, it was double the trouble, and Thorin knew he didn't stand a chance.

"Alright then…" Thorin was interrupted by cheers of glee, "but only ONE spoonful Dis, just one. Otherwise, you know you will not be able to fall asleep, then how will you wake on time to go riding with Dwalin tomorrow morn?"

Dis wrung the material of her skirt between her little fists, a frown and pout upon her face. Dwalin was big and strong, and lots of fun. Despite looking like he was made of stone, on the inside, Dwalin was as soft as a ball of fur, especially when it came to the Princess of Erebor. Thorin reached down to smooth his sister's furrowed brow and tenderly took her hand in his. A small smile appeared on Dis' face as she strengthened her grip on her brother's hand.

"Okay then, just one spoon," Dis agreed. "But I still want a bedtime story!"

Thorin chuckled and easily lifted her into his arms. Dis snuggled into his chest and wrapped a fist around one of Thorin's braids, toying with the bead on the end. She muffled a yawn and burrowed her head deeper into the soft blue velvet of Thorin's tunic.

"But I get to choose the story and tell it however I want," Frerin protested, crossing his arms. Thorin narrowed his eyes slightly at his younger brother.

"Nothing too frightening though, Frerin. Amad isn't here for Dis to run to in the middle of the night," Thorin warned. Frerin's expression sobered and he nodded, before breaking out into a wide smile once more. He never could stay serious for long.

"Last one to the dessert bowl is a rotten egg!" Frerin laughed as he sped off into the direction of the private dining room in the royal chambers. Dis cried out in protest and accidentally pulled on Thorin's braid, hard, causing him to wince in pain.

"Thorin, go! Go, Thorin, go!" Dis demanded, shaking her brother's braids like the reigns on a pony. Thorin grumbled good-naturedly and after adjusting his sister in his arms, bolted down the hall after his brother, his siblings' laughter ringing in his ears.

I have assignments these days so sorry this chapter has to be short. I aim on making the next one longer though :) your reviews will be much appreciated!