Hello my lovely readers. Sorry for the delay, but I have two very large final papers that I need to get working on for college. One of these papers is for my Themed Literature class. I have to discuss a few adaptations of The Hobbit novel and explain the differences with sources cited in the paper. So that is what has been eating my time for the most part.
Warning: This chapter will have talks of depression in it. So I suggest have some tissues with you while you read. Also if you want a song to listen too while reading this chapter, look for The Longest Walk, by Anne Dudley from the new Poldark series.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or its characters.
Remember: years are approximate and rounded. Count down: 34 years till LOTR events. Roughly 9 more chapters to go till then. Khuzdul. Sindarin.
Aliena- 29 years old.
Frerin & Durin- 24 years old, look 18 years old.
Kelda- 20 years old, looks like a 16 year old.
Balder- 19 years old, looks like a 16 year old.
Toril- 18 years old, looks like a 16 year old.
Freya- 17 years old, looks like a 15 year old.
Rìka (pronounced Reeka) & Kilian- 16 years old, looks like 13 year olds.
Karys & Fergys- 12 years old, look like 10 year olds.
Vân- 8 years old, looks like a 5 year old.
Solen- 8 years old, looks like a 5 year old.
Maiti- 4 years old, looks 2.
Yuri- 4 years old, looks 2.
Elleon- 3 ¾ years old, looks 2.
Tanis- 2 ¾ years old, looks 1.
Raina- 6 months old.
A soft, wet breeze of autumn blows across the land. The ground muddy from the constant rain, and the fields are showing signs of strain from it. The sun is hidden from sight by grey skies threaten to release even more rain than it has over the past three weeks. The weather matches the feelings of those in Dale and Dale's ruling family.
Inside of Erebor, the royal family has also been affected by what happened two weeks ago in Dale.
Erebor...
Fili closes the door to his bedroom softly while trying hard not to disturb the sleeping woman inside. He rests his head against the door and takes a shaky breath in an attempt to keep the whirlwind of emotions in check. Yet a few stray tears escape from his water filled eyes. Seeing his One in so much pain is starting to affect him, but everything he has tried to do to help her isn't working.
"Fili?" Kili says softly as he approaches Fili.
Kili has watched his nadad for two weeks with the hope that this dark cloud of misery would disappear. He had tried to talk to Thorin and Dis about it, but they told him that it is up to Fili and Sigrid to get through this dark time.
"Fili? Nadad? Is everything alright?" Kili asks before finding himself pulled into a tight embrace by Fili. Hearing Fili's tears, Kili puts his arms around his older brother, and holds him close. There have only been a few times that Kili has witnessed Fili breakdown like this, and now he truly is worried about Fili.
"I can't... I can't get her to eat, Kee." Fili hoarsely says through his tears while pressing his face into Kili's shoulder. "She... She hasn't said a word since Bard's funeral. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help her."
"Oh Fee." Kili says as his eyes begin to water with tears of empathy. "I am here for you, nadad. Me and the whole family. We are here to help; you need only ask for it."
Fili's body shudders as he tries to calm himself down. He has been trying these past two weeks to be strong for Sigrid and their children, but needs someone to be there for him too.
"Thank you, Kee." Fili hiccups as he tries to compose himself. "I just don't know what to do."
Kili rubs Fili's back in a caring manner as he tries to think. 'Sure Tauriel and I have dealt with loss before, but I'm not sure if we are the right ones to help.' Kili thinks to himself. 'Thorin or Amad could, but they would suffocate Fili with trying to keep his mind busy. Perhaps Inara could help. She is has suffered more losses than any of us. Perhaps she might be the one to help.'
"Why don't we talk to Inara about this? Maybe she can help?" Kili says as he gently lets go of Fili. "Remember on the quest how she spoke of losing her whole family. If there is anyone who could help you with Sigrid, it just might be Inara."
Fili steps back from Kili, and rubs his eyes with his shirt sleeve. His cheeks are flushed from his breakdown, and his eyes are blood shot. "You think she might be able to get through to Sigrid?"
Kili gives Fili a smile and replies. "She might. I mean, she has helped Oin when it comes to caring for pregnant dams, and making sure that they survive the births of their bairns. Maybe she would have some knowledge of how to help Sigrid."
Grabbing Fili's hand, Kili pulls him down the hallway towards the main living room area of the royal halls. Seeing that Inara isn't in the main living room, the two dwarfs head out, into Erebor, in search of Inara.
In the practice Arena...
"Try again, Frerin." Dwalin shouts out from the side lines.
Since earlier in the day, Dwalin and Gimli have been working with the royal children on their fighting. The two older dwarfs had split the young ones into partners. Dwalin took the older ones, while Gimli took the younger ones.
So on one-half of the training field, Dwalin has Frerin and Durin paired together in one circle. Kelda and Balder are in another circle, while Freya and Toril are in another. Both pairs are only a short distance away, so that Dwalin can keep an eye on them.
Gimli is on the other side helping Kilian, Rìka, Karys, and Fergys. All four are being drilled on basic stances, and going through fighting motions with wooden swords.
The little ones, who have yet to learn how to wield a weapon, are sitting on the benches with Dis. She is teaching them how to handle little daggers in a self-defense fashion. Dis is keeping a watchful eye as she lets Solen, Vân, and Maiti hold small wooden daggers, while Elleon sleeps on a blanket which is laid upon the ground.
"Frerin! Did ya not hear me laddie?" Dwalin growls out as he steps into the practice circle that Frerin and Durin are in.
Frerin, who is shirtless in an attempt to keep from being restricted by a sweat drench shirt, growls in annoyance at Dwalin's approach. No one can deny that Frerin has inherited Thorin's body build. Yet he is only four foot 3 inches tall, almost a foot shorter than Thorin. His dark brown pants cling to his thighs from the sweat. The small smatterings of his just beginning chest hair glisten from his exertions. His almost black hair is plastered to his forehead, the back of his neck, and his shoulders. In his hand is a six foot staff, that he is currently learning to wield.
Durin, who is also shirtless, chuckles at his nadad. Parts of his dry brown hair reflect the subtle hints of red from the multiple torches that light the arena. The rest of his hair is sweat drenched like his brother's hair, and his small smatterings of his light brown chest hair looks more red from the sweat. The scar on the right side of his face is shining from the sweat and is white against his flush cheeks. Durin too, is built like Thorin; but his torso is slightly slimmer like Kili's. Durin is also the same height as Frerin. In his left hand Durin has a battle axe; while in his right hand he is holding a sword. Like his cousin, Fili, Durin is a two-handed, two-weapon fighter. It was Durin's choice when he was younger that he wanted to wield weapons two-handed.
"Ya are not paying attention to your surroundings." Dwalin tells Frerin. "Also, your form is off. Ya have to remember that a staff is different from a sword, lad."
"It was your and Adad's decision to make me learn another weapon. I can fight just fine with a sword." Frerin growls at Dwalin.
"That may be true, laddie. But out on the battlefield, you cannot rely on a single weapon. If the enemy was to disarm ya, how would ya defend yourself?" Dwalin says in agitation.
"I would take his sword." Frerin replies.
"You can't always depend on being able to disarm an enemy, Frerin." Durin says from his stop in the training circle. He tries to loosen his black, sweat drenched pants from clinging to his legs.
"Shut up Durin. No one asked you." Frerin shouts at his brother. Oh yes, Frerin has inherited Thorin's temper.
"Your nadadith is right." Dwalin says to Frerin just before charging at the dwarfling. "Ya won't always be able to count on another sword to be lying around." Dwalin growls out as he swings one of his axes at the young heir.
Frerin tries to block the attack with the staff, but due to his unwillingness to learn fails. Dwalin's blade nicks the outside edge of Frerin's left arm, drawing blood.
"Ya should have blocked better, Frerin." Dwalin says as he watches Frerin throw the staff in frustration. "As the heir of Erebor, it is expected of ya to have patience when learning a new weapon."
"Well then maybe Erebor should find a different heir!" Frerin yells as he marches away from the practice circle. He stomps his way past his cousins, siblings, and aunt with a red face. Not of shame for his behavior but due to his temper.
"I apologize for my nadad's behavior, Master Dwalin." Durin says with a sigh. He knows that Frerin has been feeling pressured to succeed due to him being Fili's heir. Yet, he cannot fully sympathize with how Frerin is feeling.
"There is no need for you to apologize for him, lad." Dwalin says as he turns to take in the younger of the twins. Dwalin has known the lads since infancy, and knows that Frerin is as carefree as his namesake was. Yet, Frerin has definitely inherited Thorin's temper and lack of patience. Dwalin observes Durin and starts to wonder where the young lad will end up later in life. Being the second born isn't as grand as being first, yet there is an air that surrounds Durin that makes him seem older than what he is.
"Shall we practice, Master Dwalin?" Durin says to the older dwarf. Seeing Dwalin staring at him has made Durin a bit nervous, and so the youngster tries to appeal to the older ones fighting skills.
"If ya are up for it lad." Dwalin says with a grin. He is always amazed at how different Frerin and Durin's temperaments are.
"If you are, old man." Durin replies with a smirk on his face, which looks exactly like his mother's.
"Old man, am I? We shall see about that." Dwalin lets out a war cry before taking a swing at Durin, which the lad blocks with ease.
As the two battle, everyone else in the arena stops to watch them.
"You can take him, Adad!" Fergys shouts as he watches his father try to strike at his older cousin's left leg.
"Whoop his ass, Durin!" Kilian yells from where he is standing with Rìka.
"Will Durin be okay?" Rìka asks Kilian softly as she hands him her practice sword.
"He'll be fine. Your nadad will show that old man what for." Kilian says giving Rìka a smile that looks just Kili's.
Gimli stopped the drills when he heard Dwalin let out a war cry. He watches alongside the young ones, and he becomes mesmerized by the fighting. A smile appears on his face as Durin tries to use a tactic that Fili and Kili both used as younglings. Seeing that Dwalin was prepared for it, and itching to some practice himself, Gimli walks over to the stand of weapons. Pulling an axe that is similar to his father's, Gimli charges to help Durin battle Dwalin.
"How about we make this interesting, cousins." Gimli yells as he charges at Dwalin to allow Durin time to recover from blocking a strong blow.
"Come on." Dwalin says. "I can take you both."
So together, Gimli and Durin fight against Dwalin.
As the three fight, the rest of the royal children make their way over to where Dis is. Since hearing Dwalin's battle cry, she stopped teaching the youngest ones to watch the fight.
"Who do you think will win?" Balder asks Dis as she hands him a waterskin.
"I would call it even." Dis says with a soft smile. Seeing Balder all sweated up reminds her of Fili in his younger years when he had come home from training.
"You sure, Sigin'amad?" Toril asks after taking a gulp of water from another waterskin.
Dis chuckles, but doesn't reply to her granddaughter's request. She is too enthralled at watching the fight till something tugs on her skirts. Looking down, Dis sees her youngest grandchild looking up at her with his bright blue eyes.
"Hungees." Elleon says impatiently as he keeps tugging. He had been roused from his nap by Dwalin's battle cry, and is not happy about being woken up.
"You are hungry, my Atamanel?" Dis asks as she swoops down to pick him up.
"Yes." Elleon says to her as he clutches one of her braids in his hand.
Dis looks at the others and asks, "Are you all hungry as well?"
All but Vân nod their heads yes at Dis's question.
"Very well. We shall go to the dining halls for an early supper then." Dis starts to lead the group of young ones out of the training halls.
As they are exiting, they spot Thorin and great him with smiles and excitement. He returns the smiles and greets each child. Then he gives Dis a kiss on the cheek before sending them off to the dining halls.
Thorin walks into the training fields, and doesn't even notice the three dwarfs fighting in the arena. His mind is so preoccupied with an earlier discussion that he had with Balin concerning Moria. Thorin is so much into this thoughts, that he doesn't hear his youngest son walk up to him. It is a tug at Thorin's hand that startles him out of his thoughts. Looking down, Thorin sees Vân holding his hand.
"Vân? Why didn't you go with the others?" Thorin asks as he bends down to Vân's height level.
The young lad is only eight, and stands at just under three feet tall. Only the top section of his shoulder length, brown hair is pulled back into a half ponytail, and the rest is left to hang loose. Inara calls this particular hairstyle the "native look" and "quite common" among her people. His dark brown eyes look at Thorin with wonder.
"I want to try." Vân says as he points towards the only filled practice ring.
Thorin's eyes follow where his young son is pointing; and that is when Thorin notices Durin, Dwalin, and Gimli fighting. His eyes get big when he realizes that all three are using real weapons. Looking back at Vân, Thorin gives him a smile and reaches out to try and ruffle the boy's hair.
"When you are stronger and older, Azaghâlithûh." Thorin says with a chuckle before standing up. He gives a small tug, and leads Vân towards where the other three are.
As he gets closer, Thorin lets go of Vân's hand so that he can take off his over shirt, but leaving his undershirt on. Tossing his over shirt to the ground, Thorin picks a sword from a weapon's holder.
"Watch this." Thorin whispers to Vân with a smirk on his face.
Thorin charges into the circle and swings out at Durin, who hadn't even noticed his father enter the arena. Durin is able to block Thorin's attack, but is shocked by how much force his father put behind the blow.
"Adad? When did you get here?" Durin says in a shocked voice as he continues blocking Thorin's attacks.
"You should always be mindful of your surroundings, Durin, so that no enemy can sneak up on you." Thorin says as he barely blocks Durin's swing with the axe.
"I shall try harder, Adad." Durin growls out as he has to swirl away from Thorin to keep from getting hit in the torso.
Gimli and Dwalin had stopped their fighting to watch Thorin and Durin battle with each other.
"I am surprised the lad is holding out as long as he is." Gimli says to Dwalin as he watches Durin.
"Aye. The lad is thinner than most dwarflings, but he has his parents' tenacity and stubbornness. Though, I believe Durin has inherited Inara's insightfulness. That lad can almost see the blows coming." Dwalin says with pride in his voice.
By this time, Thorin is working up a sweat while battling with Durin. His shirt is clinging to his back and underarms. His black hair, with a lot of dark streaks of silver hair in it, is starting to cling to the back of his neck. It doesn't surprise Thorin that Durin is making him work hard to land a blow. Yet he is amazed at Durin's stamina and ingenuity while using two weapons. 'Perhaps Durin will give Fili a run for his gold on two-handed weapon fighting.'
Father and son keep battling for almost an hour before coming to a draw.
"You have improved, Durin." Thorin says as he slaps Durin in the upper back with pride. "You are able to handle both weapons well."
"Thank you Adad. But I believe the credit should go to Master Dwalin and cousin Fili. They are great teachers." Durin replies with a smile on his face.
"Come. Let us get cleaned up before we head home for supper." Thorin says to Durin before walking over to where the weapons are stored.
"Ya did well lad." Dwalin says with a smile before walking towards Thorin.
"He is right, cousin. Not many can end a fight in a draw against your adad." Gimli chuckles before tossing a waterskin to Durin.
Durin takes a swig of water before handing it back to Gimli. Picking up his shirt, Durin begins to walk and Gimli walks with him.
"Frerin should take his fighting lessons seriously. Being good with a sword is fine, but he needs to excel at it and other weapons if he wants to be anything like Thorin." Gimli says as the two walk towards the arena's exit.
"He is stressed, cousin." Durin says softly as he pulls on his once discarded navy blue shirt.
"Stressed about what, laddie?" Gimli asks as he pulls Durin to a stop in the hallway.
Durin lets out a sigh before answering his cousin's question.
"He is stressed by the expectations of being the heir. He knows that it is his duty to learn all he can for it. But sometimes it becomes too much for him, and it doesn't help with everyone reminding him of being the heir." Durin answers with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Well, he needs to pull himself together." Gimli says gruffly.
"There are also the rumors, Gimli." Durin says cautiously. He has been hearing the rumors more often lately, and he knows that they are also causing Frerin anguish.
"What rumors?" Thorin's voice says from behind the two cousins.
Durin turns to see Thorin looking at him with a stern face, but his father's eyes show worry. Before answering his father's request, Durin looks down towards the floor. Frerin had confided in Durin his fears from hearing the rumors, and not Durin feels as though he is about to betray his nadad's confidence.
"There is talk that perhaps Fili should have made me his heir. It mostly stems from people's expectations and that I strive in my studies more than Frerin does." Durin says in a sad voice.
Thorin lets out a sigh of frustration. He too has heard the rumors and had been hoping that Frerin wouldn't take them to heart. Yet, Durin has just told Thorin the opposite. 'I will be needing to talk with Frerin about this.'
Dori, Nori, Ori, and Tali's home…
In the spot-free kitchen of his family's home, Dori is currently making an evening meal. He had closed his tea shop up a little early today so that he could do some light shopping for the ingredients for the meal. Even though Erebor's dining halls were always open, Dori had decided to make tonight's meal instead.
As he finishes up kneading the dough one last time, a smile graces his face at the sound of pattering of little feet.
"Uncle Dowi?" a little voice says from the kitchen doorway.
This voice belongs to a little dwarf lass, Yuri. At being four years old, her sandy blonde hair reaches her mid-back. Her eyes had turned to a hazel green color a year ago, and Ori had to agree that perhaps this is his nathith's true eye color. Her facial features are the perfect blend of her parents. Yuri has Ori's cheeks, mouth, and chin. Yet, she has Tali's expressive eyebrows, full lips, and almond eye shape.
"What can I do for you, Gehyith?" Dori asks from where he is standing in front of the counter-top.
Yuri walks over towards her uncle so that she is standing next to him before she speaks.
"What you doin'?" She asks as she tugs on the sleeve of her burgundy dress.
"I am preparing dough to make tea cakes with. Would you like to help me?" Dori asks as he gives her a smile.
"Amad says I can't dirty me dress." Yuri replies shyly.
"Oh pish-posh. The dress is washable is it not?" Dori says with a cheeky tone, but seeing the little girl's eyes get big has him thinking quick for a solution. Coming up with an idea, Dori leaves the dough to wash his hands. "I have an idea, lassie."
Dori walks from the pump like sink, and goes towards one of the many cupboard drawers. Opening a particular drawer, Dori pulls out an apron.
"What tha'?" Yuri asks as she shuffles to stand near her uncle.
"This, lassie, will help keep that pretty dress of yours from getting dirty." Dori says to her as he unfolds it. "Come on, let's get you a chair to stand on so that you can help me."
The duo walk back over to the counter-top that Dori was working on, and Dori places the apron on a clean spot. Then he walks to their dining table and takes one of the chairs to bring into the kitchen. Setting it down next to the counter, Dori then picks Yuri up to set her upon the chair.
"Now then. We have to put this on you before we can continue."
Dori grabs the apron and begins to place it over Yuri's dress, trying to make sure that it covers all of it. Once it is in place, Dori pulls a fistful of the dough from the larger mound and places it in front of Yuri.
"Now watch me before you try." Dori says to Yuri before starting to knead the dough. As he kneads, he keeps checking to the side to watch Yuri attempt to follow his movements with her piece of dough.
They do this for several minutes before a chuckle interrupts them.
"You are doing a fine job, nathith." A dirty blonde dwarrowdam says as she enters the kitchen.
This is Yuri's mother, Tali. She has become a recorder for Oin in the Halls of Healing, and helps Ori with the library in her free time. Since having Yuri, thought, Tali hasn't had much free time. With her simple brown dress, Tali is one of the most humble dams Dori has ever met. Especially when she grew up as the daughter of a council member.
"Home for the night then?" Dori asks as he watches Tali gives Yuri a kiss in her hair.
"I am. Poor Fili is beside himself with worry. He and Kili were searching for Inara, and before they could find her, Kili had to drag his nadad to the Healing Halls due to some kind of muscle spasm. Oin had to give Fili a sleeping drought to get his muscles to relax." Tali says with sadness in her voice.
"Aye. Nori has been saying that the lad is worried sick about his lass. It has been two weeks, and she hasn't left their room." Dori says softly as he corrects Yuri on rolling the dough about. "Do you think Inara can help him and his lass?"
Tali gives a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Let us hope Inara can, and pray that Mahal can help Inara with getting Sigrid better."
"What are you talking about?" Ori's voice comes from the doorway.
"Adad!" Yuri shouts from her chair. "Come see. Uncle Dowi is teaching me."
Ori's face lights up at seeing his oldest brother with Yuri. He is still amazed that Tali had birthed a lass instead of a lad. Yet, Ori wouldn't trade his little lass for all the gold in Erebor. Ori tries to savor this moment, and many more in the future, while he can. For earlier today, Ori volunteered to go with Balin to Moria if Balin should ever go.
Royal Family Halls...
Inara is just putting the finishing touches to setting the table. She has made supper tonight for the whole family. Part of the reason she is doing this is to keep with her family tradition of the mandatory one month of mourning, where the family takes their meals together. So earlier in the day she had gone down to the kitchens to retrieve some food, which Bombur was thrilled about giving to her.
"Mother?" Aliena shouts as she and her family enter the royal halls.
"In the kitchen sweetie." Inara shouts back as she walks into the kitchen to get some silverware from a drawer.
"Do you need help with anything?" Aliena asks as she walks into the kitchen with a little one in her arm, and another holding her other hand.
The little dwarfling that is holding onto Aliena's hand is Tanis, her and Bofur's son. The lad is almost three, and quite the troublemaker for his age. His hair is the same color brown as Aliena's and his eyes are the same hazel color as Bofur's. Tanis has Inara's nose, somewhat bushy eyebrows, and high cheek bones. This has caused Thorin to spoil the boy, and Aliena jokes about Tanis looking more like her mother's child than her own. His skin tone is the same as Bofur's as well, and his body build is that of a true dwarfling.
The little one in Aliena's arms is the newest member. A little lass, which Bofur named Raina due to her constant crying whenever he held her. Her eyes are the same warm brown as Aliena's; and Raina's hair is the same color red as Bombur's hair. This has caused many laughs from Bombur's teasing of Bofur about Raina. However, Raina's skin tone is the same light tan as Inara's thanks to her Native American heritage. So far, little Raina's body build is similar to how Durin was as a babe. Even though she is a babe, she is another twinkle in Thorin's eye and will most likely be just as spoiled as her brother and aunt Rìka.
One wouldn't guess that Inara is a grandmother when she looks like she is in her early thirties. Since they celebrated Aliena's birthday, Fili and Kili have joked around that Inara and Aliena are looking more like sisters than mother and daughter. Which causes Thorin to think about the age gap between him and Inara more, thanks to his hair becoming more of a dark silver color each passing year.
"I should be fine." Inara says with a smile as she sees her grandchildren. "Tanis. How are you?"
"Fine." Tanis says grumpily. You see Tanis' favorite person in the world, besides his parents, is his grandfather Thorin.
"Tanis, be nice." Aliena says to her son. She knows that he is disappointed that Thorin isn't here to see him. Ever since the day Tanis was born, there was some kind of connection between Thorin and Tanis. Thorin would go out of his way to make sure that Aliena and Bofur were invited to meals at home or invited to sit at the royal family's table in the dining hall.
"How is my little storm?" Inara says jokingly to Aliena as she approaches to take a look at Raina.
"Constantly fussy." Aliena replies just as Raina begins to whine. "I don't understand what is making her so fussy."
"What have you used to try and soothe her?" Inara asks as she makes her way back into the dining area to begin setting the silverware with the plates.
"Every trick you taught me, mother." Aliena says as she moves Raina gently about so that she can allow the little one to suckle from her. "She seems to want to feed constantly."
Inara looks up from her work to see the Aliena holding the babe in a different position. "Sometimes they just want to suck on something. Have you tried one of those milk bladder teats to suck on?"
"Bofur and I tried it, and Raina refuses to suck from it." Aliena says as she gently walks towards a chair to sit down on. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. It is like she knows when the milk is almost filling a breast."
Tanis follows his mother with a fistful of her skirt in his hands. He refuses to leave her side unless Bofur or Thorin are around.
"Well, she is part dwarf, but I am at a loss on what advice to give you, sweetie. Why don't you stay put while I bring out some rolls and butter for you and Tanis." Inara quickly walks back into the kitchen to retrieve said items.
While Inara is in the kitchen, the doors open to reveal Thorin, Vân, Durin, and Balin entering the royal halls. They have just arrived from the warm springs, where they Thorin, Durin, and Vân had bathed. Balin, who wanted to speak with Thorin, had found them there as they were dressing.
"Paw!" Tanis yells as he runs towards Thorin in a furry of golden tan from his clothes.
Thorin chuckles as he bends down to collect the lad. As he stands up, holding Tanis, Thorin begins to walk towards the dining area to greet the others.
"Papa." Aliena says with a smile on her face.
"Hôfukel. It is good to see you and the bairns again." Thorin chuckles as Tanis grabs one of Thorin's braids to pull on.
Vân watches as his father holds Tanis, and tries to keep his jealousy from showing on his face. However, Balin notices the slight schooling of Vân's face and gives a chuckle.
"He is still your adad, laddie." Balin whispers to the boy before walking away.
"He knows." Durin says as he tries to mess up Vân's hair in a teasing manner. "Do you need help, amad?"
Inara comes into the dining hall with the rolls and butter she had promised. Seeing that some of her family is home, she lets a smile grace her face.
"No, I have everything under control. You boys hungry?" Inara asks as she sets the plate of rolls and small slab of butter onto the table.
"I think everyone is going to be hungry." Balin says with a smile on his face.
"So where is the rest of the family?" Aliena asks as she reaches for a roll while holding Raina to her.
"They are finishing up in the hot springs." Durin says as he and Vân find seats at the table.
Thorin carries Tanis over to the table, and sets the lad down beside Aliena. He gives Aliena a kiss to the cheek before moving to sit at the head of the table. Balin makes his way to where Thorin is sitting, and the two start to talk between themselves. Their words are carefully chosen, and are whispered.
By the time the rest of the family shows up, Inara has set out two platters of meat. One with lamb, the other with waterfowl. With the two meat platters, there are multiple serving bowls with several kinds of vegetables, fruits, and a rabbit stew. There is also several pitchers filled with ale, mead, and wine.
As the family tucks into their meal, Fili and Kili finally arrive back to the royal halls.
"Where have you been?" Kili asks Inara as he moves to find a spot at the table for Fili and himself.
"I was out for a bit before going to the kitchens to see Bombur about getting the food that you are about to eat. Why?" Inara asks as she takes a bite of creamy mashed potatoes.
"Fili and I were searching for you everywhere." Kili says as he starts to fill a plate for Fili.
Fili is sitting next to Kili, but appears to be in a daze. His skin is slightly ashen in color, dark circles under his eyes, and his face is puffy.
"Drop it, Kee." Fili says softly that only a few people sitting near him hears.
"I won't drop it Fee." Kili says with a growl.
"Kili. Perhaps you, Fili, and I should step into the kitchen." Inara says before taking a sip of her tea.
"Alright. Come on Fee." Kili says as he picks up Fili's plate of food to carry to the kitchen.
The three of them make their way to the kitchen while the rest of the family watches.
"I wonder what tha was about." Bofur says to Aliena, who shrugs her shoulder before taking a bite of her rabbit stew.
In the kitchen Kili places Fili's plate onto that counter-top near where Fili is standing.
"So what is it that you needed?" Inara asks the two boys.
"It's Sigrid." Kili starts to say as he watches Fili take a nibble of the waterfowl wing that Kili put on his plate.
"What about Sigrid?" Inara asks, wondering what is going on.
"She won't eat." Fili says trying hard not to cry. "I have tried to get her to eat, drink or even to speak. But she just lays there in our bed. If it wasn't for her blinking or breathing I think would be dead."
Kili places a hand on Fili's shoulder, trying to give him comfort.
"I thought perhaps you might be able to help Fili get through to Sigrid." Kili says to Inara.
Inara looks at the two boys with empathy for she knows what they are asking of her. She too had fallen into a depression like state when her grandparents died. She didn't really have anyone who helped her through it, but seeing Fili so ragged causes Inara's heart to hurt.
"I will see what I can do. I can't guarantee that she will come out of her depression, but I will try." Inara says to Fili before pulling him into a hug. "Even if I have to hog-tie her and sit on her. I will make Sigrid eat something."
"Thank you." Fili whispers to Inara as he hugs her back.
Back in the dining area, everyone is talking and having a good time. None of them are aware of the seriousness that is going on in the kitchen. However they all go quiet when Fili, Kili, and Inara come out together. It stays silent as Inara picks up an empty plate and fills it with easy to digest foods before heading to the stairs.
Thorin watches as Inara goes down the hallway before looking at Kili.
"Where is Inara going?" Thorin asks Kili as everyone else begins to chatter again.
"To see if she can get Sigrid to eat." Kili says softly before taking a drink of his ale.
"Poor lass." Balin says softly before taking a sip of ale.
"Aye." Thorin says before looking around at all of this family. In his mind, Thorin is already starting to worry about how Inara and his family will cope when he passes into the Halls of Waiting.
Sigrid's room...
Sigrid doesn't know how long she has been laying in her bed. She still feels numb inside, like something is broken. Sure she has shed most of her tears over the past two weeks, but that hasn't helped her leave the dark abyss of grief. She hasn't really had a good rest since the funeral. Every night the images of her father waking from his laying in state causes her to wake with a scream.
'Has it been two weeks?' Sigrid thinks to herself as she keeps staring at the same part of the wall that she has looked at since coming back to Erebor. 'He isn't coming back. He is never coming back.'
"Sigrid." Inara's voice echoes in from the living room of Sigrid and Fili's chambers. She had knock multiple times, but received no answer.
Sigrid hears the queen's footsteps, but still doesn't acknowledge that Inara is even there.
"Sigrid. You need to eat something, my dear. Starving yourself isn't doing you any good." Inara says as she places a plate of food onto the night stand, which sits next to Sigrid's side of the large bed. Seeing Sigrid still laying there, and not moving, Inara decides to try something.
"You know by doing this, you are not only hurting yourself, but your children and Fili as well. I understand that you are still grieving, and that it hurts. Loosing someone you love is hard. Especially when it is a family member. But this isn't going to bring Bard back, Sigrid. And I don't think that your father would want to see you suffering like you are."
Inara notices that Sigrid is starting to cry, and so she makes a split second decision. She moves Sigrid into a seated position as she hugs the young woman close to her. Sigrid continues to cry, and her shudders causes Inara to tighten the hug.
"It is okay to feel pain, and hurt, and sorrow. That is what makes us mortal. Being mortal is what makes it hurt when we lose someone. It reminds us that we are mortal and that one day we too shall die."
Sigrid is crying in earnest against Inara, and she can't seem to stop.
"I don't want to hurt anymore." Sigrid says broken up in between her shuddering cries. "I don't want to feel this way. Take it away, please."
"I know." Inara says softly to Sigrid. "But going through the pain from a loss is what makes us grow. Besides, your father isn't lost to you forever. As long as you remember him, he is still alive in your heart."
As Inara keeps holding Sigrid, the door to Fili and Sigrid's chambers opens softly. Footsteps can be heard from the other room; and soon Fili, Balder, Freya, and Solen are standing in the doorway. All four of them move towards the bed cautiously as they watch the scene before them.
Sigrid notices her family, and cries even harder as Fili pulls her out of Inara's arms and into his own. The children follow Fili and embrace their parents as well.
Inara moves off of the bed, and before sneaking away, looks back at the family. Seeing the sight of the family pulling together to help one of their own, has Inara giving the sight a small smile. Deciding that this is a private moment, Inara leaves the family alone and heads back to the family dining area.
Thorin and Inara's bedroom...
After seeing the children to bed, Thorin and Inara prepared themselves for bed. Inara is currently taking her nightly bath, which leaves Thorin alone with his thoughts.
He is seated on a chair by the fireplace as he watches the flames of the fire dance. The smell of his pipe-weed fills the air while he smokes his pipe. Thorin knows that Inara doesn't exactly like his smoking, but tonight Thorin is willing to incur her wrath.
His thoughts lead him to the earlier discussion that he and Balin had. Balin had told him that he was planning on setting out to retake Moria.
"It is time, Thorin." Balin had said with confidence. "She has sat there for so long. There hasn't been a single sight of an orc or goblin since we retook Erebor."
"Balin." Thorin had grumbled out in frustration.
"I am planning on mustering what dwarves wish to join me in this venture. I was hoping that I could count on you for support."
"You would have my support. But tell me, Balin. Why now?" Thorin had asked his old friend.
"To tell you the truth, laddie, I have been feeling this way since you lost your son." Balin says as he looks at Thorin carefully. "You have not only Erebor, but the blue mountains to rule. You visit the Blue Mountains often to check on your temporary counselor there. Fili has Frerin as his heir, yes, but what of his twin, Durin? Would you have him rule the Blue Mountains? If we retake Moria, Durin could rule there like his ancestor and namesakes have."
It is the thoughts of how Thorin answered, that keeps him from noticing Inara's presence in the room.
"You look deep in thought just now." Inara says softly as she walks around the chair he is sitting on, before settling herself in his lap.
Thorin notices that she is wearing one of his cream colored shirts, and with the light from the fireplace makes her look ravishing.
"I was thinking." Thorin answers with a scratchy tone. He is starting to wonder what hidden motives Inara has with wearing his shirt.
"Yes. I could see that. About what?" Inara says as she begins to release his hair from their braids.
Thorin looks from her, to the fireplace, and then back to her. "Balin wants to retake Moria."
"Oh." Inara says softly and looks Thorin in the eyes. "And do you wish to go with him?"
Thorin can see the fear in her eyes at what his response would be. So he cups the back of her head with his free hand, and guides her to him so that their foreheads are touching.
"I will support him, but I will not go with him into battle. I have too much to lose if I were to go." Thorins says to her.
Inara lets out a breath of relief at hearing Thorin's answer. Yet there is still something nagging deep inside of her. So she places a kiss to Thorin's lips before asking, "Who will be going?"
Thorin lets out a sigh before setting his pipe down onto the end table that sits between his chair and Inara's rocking chair. He pulls Inara's body closer to his before answering.
"Oin has volunteered to go. So has Ori."
Inara gasps at hearing that Ori wants to go.
"I know. He surprised me as well, Inara. But he is adamant about going, and I can only hope that maybe Tali can talk him out of it." Thorin says with conviction.
"Anyone else?" Inara asks with a worried tone.
"Not that I am aware of. Balin isn't sure when he wants to depart for Moria."
"Let us pray that it isn't too soon. I know Gimli will want to go with Oin since Gloin is so busy with his banking business." Inara says with a sad tone of voice. "Bifur might, which means Bofur will want to go."
"It will be his choice." Thorin replies. "If he does go, Aliena and the little ones will be welcome to stay with us."
"And if Fili or Kili want to go?" Inara asks as she reaches to release another braid.
"If Kili goes, the she elf will go with him. And where Kili goes Fili will want to go as well." Thorin says as he moves his hand from cupping the back of Inara's head to resting against her lower back. "And Mahal forbid that anything happens to them if they go.
So there is the chapter. Sorry if you all were hoping to see the birth of Bofur and Aliena's first child, but I have something else in mind. Hopefully you all are enjoying this story as much as I am.
Next chapter will be posted after Finals which is next week. We will be seeing the preparations for going to Moria.
Selene