The dim light from the burning candle in the small room flickered and nearly blew out at the sudden gust of wind. Stonehelm stepped through and closed the wooden door behind him.
"Sorry," he grunted out an apology, thinking his sister was at the dully lit table reading. "Have you heard about the interrogation?"
Dyla didn't answer.
"Dwalin's gonna give 'em hell once he find out- Dyla?" he sighed, pulling out a chair at the table she was sitting at. "Are you listening to me?" His hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped. "You alright?"
"Yeah,"she blinked. Her closed hand slid off the table and subtly put something in her pocket. "Wh-when did you get in?"
"Just now," he grunted. "I was talking to you."
"Sorry, just lost in thought I guess," she replied quietly. "What is it?"
"The interrogations? Have you heard?"
She frowned and shook her head.
"That oaf Dwalin is going to start questioning Captain Skamik and the others today. He's the hothead of the lot and is gonna blow his top once he realizes that there's nothing to be had," he grunted. "I was gonna go down there afterwards."
"Aren't they going to catch you?" Dyla pointed out. "They haven't let our door go unguarded."
He shrugged. "Maybe I'll just go to the market. Meet up with Brilin."
Dyla frowned.
"The messanger from Esgorath," he clarified. "I paid him a fair amount a few weeks ago. I need to meet up again to discuss other things."
"Like what?"
"Trading policies. Maybe get an audience with Fili and discuss routes with Esgorath's dwarves."
"Sounds fun," she replied monotone. "Have they questioned you recently?"
He scrunched his nose. "Last night. S'why I'm a little late today. Had a conversation with Bofur at the tavern."
"You were there all night?" Dyla laughed.
"Part talk, part drinking," he hummed.
"Did Bofur spill any interesting things?"
"Nah, he was conscious of his words," Stonehelm shook his head. "My lips, however, were very loose at the end."
Dyla glared at him.
"It was... sort of... bonding - dunno, if that's the right word - with him over a tankard of ale."
"And what did you two bond over, may I ask?"
He shook his head again. "Nah, little sis. I ain't tellin' you."
She frowned. "I can keep a secret, Stonehelm."
"I know you can," he assured her. "It's nothing important though. Just casual talk." He pulled out his pipe and lit it. "He wanted to see if I would crack from subtle conversation."
"And you didn't, but you were loose-lipped at the end," she reminded him.
"But I still didn't say much then too," he grinned. "I'm very skilled when I'm drunk." He laughed quietly to himself.
Dyla tried to smile but narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her brother instead. They were silent for several moments. Then Stonehelm spoke.
"They're not going to send that raven," he said quietly. "Overheard it last night on my way to the tavern. Mnia realized his mistake after I passed, but there was nothing he could do to persuade me from not telling you."
"Let Thorin continue living in his little fairy-tale," Dyla spat. "He doesn't need to know what's happening here."
"Aye," Stonehelm hummed.
"How's Fili managing?"
He coughed. "Better than I expected. He's very good at hiding the pain. He hasn't shown any weakness. I'm very impressed."
"I thought he'd break," she voiced.
"He hasn't and unless Kili dies, I don't think he will," he sighed, taking a puff of his pipe. "Should get down to the market. Come on." He stood up and motioned Dyla up too.
"Both of us? I thought you were going off to find the dwarf from Esgorath?"
"I am," he nodded. "But you can be my decoy in the mean time. Come on."
At the market, Stonehelm and Dyla parted, the male heading for the Gates and the female for the stand of fresh bread.
"Your brother," the dwarf behind the set-up nodded. "He goin' off to the Iron Hills? I don't know why he would bother. Seems like the whole population is 'ere," she laughed.
Dyla politely smiled and shook her head. "No, he's just heading up to see if the scouts need any help."
The dwarf harrumphed. "Speakin' of the damn scouts. 'ave you heard from Prince Fili in a while?"
"Not directly," she replied. "But I have heard he's up in the throne room speaking to the head of the council. Shall I deliver a message?"
"Nay," the dwarf's voice scratched. "Do you know if something's goin' on? Somethin' suspicious?"
To her own surprise, Dyla shook her head. "No, not anything that I've heard of." The more she revealed, the more likely they'd take away her - the gold ring she discovered. And she couldn't let anyone take it. Ever.
"When's the King s'posed to return?" the dwarf continued on, wrapping a loaf of bread.
"Dunno. No raven's been sent. I suppose there's a chance that he's not coming back at all," she shrugged simply. She handed over the money and took the bread. "Thank you, Grina."
"Say, you two have certainly been 'ere long enough!" she exclaimed, jabbing a finger in Dyla's direction. "Per'aps your brother can - Oh, well, Prince Fili's in charge, ain't he? But Stonehelm's much more mature." She smacked her lips.
Dyla's fingers fiddled with the hem of her coat. "I'm sure if the people came together, Prince Fili would have to listen."
Grina nodded. "Ah, yes. I think that 'avin' your brother on the throne is much better than waitin' around for some godforsaken king."
The other dwarf smiled. "Yes, wouldn't it be. Have a lovely day, Grina."
"And you too."