Chapter Text
“You can’t be serious!”
Dís continued to pack her belongings almost as if she hadn’t heard her brother. Thorin’s arms tightened from where they were folded across his chest and his jaw clenched to the point of hurting. Finally, she turned to face him. It took Thorin’s breath away to see her so drawn and pale with the dark circles under her bloodshot eyes and shorn beard. He had to hold back a wince at the physical reminder of the pain that had recently befell his little family once more.
“Thorin, please know I say this with all the love and respect I can afford my brother and my King, but zasabbathmî dashatmêzu azbâh nî dumê khî (you would deny your own son an inheritance, if you had one).”
That raised his hackles back up.
“Dís-!” He started before he was cut off again.
“I’m not asking for the impossible here!” She snapped. “I will go out and work as a smith this year, and you stay here in Ered Luin. Balin has been after you about your duties anyways. Our people need to know you as our king.”
Thorin huffed. “They know who I am.”
“But not how you lead!” Dis vented. “They know your accomplishments as a warrior. They know that you’re self-sacrificing, but every time you go off to work in neighboring kingdoms, I’m left to take care of everyone here.”
“So the fact that I don’t sit back like some fat, greedy noble…”
“The fact that they. Don’t. Know. You.” She interrupted. “Interact with the people, let them see how capable you are. I know I’m not you, but I am an accomplished blacksmith.”
Thorin rubbed a hand down his face. The entire line of Durin was too stubborn for their own good. Truly, this was not how he foresaw his morning going. It wasn’t that he doubted his sister’s skill, just her safety on the road. He couldn’t lose anyone else, and he knew someone else who couldn’t either.
“And what of your sons?” Thorin growled, knowing he was playing dirty. “You would abandon them after having already lost one parent?”
Dís’ eyes glittered dangerously as she advanced on him. Thorin braced himself for the blow he would grudgingly admit he deserved.
“I love my boys.” She whispered, her lower lip wavering slightly. “And I would do anything for them. But if I have to spend one more second here, in this place where I see his ghost in every room, I will fade and be lost to them...and to you. Is that what you want, Nadad (Brother)?”
Thorin heaved a sigh, all fight draining out of him in an instant. It was unfortunate that in Thorin’s short reign as king, he has become intimately familiar with the process of returning his kin to the stone. He just never thought he would have to do it for his marriage brother. A dwarf who had brought such life to their broken family for the small amount of time they got him. Thorin was convinced that was the true curse of their line. A life with brilliant burning, yet fleeting flames constantly being snuffed out by the world around them. Hesitantly, still anticipating the sharp bite of Dís’ fists, he put his hand behind her neck and lowered his forehead to hers.
“No, I don’t want that. Forgive me, Zubdabudayê (my little princess).”
Dís relaxed a bit and smirked at the name.
“It’s been awhile since you called me that one.”
“Well when you’re acting like such a pebble…”
Dis did punch him in the shoulder at that, and Thorin gave a tired laugh while his eyes remained full of worry. He wished he hadn’t been away so long this time. He knew Gloin’s wife, Milja, had come over when she could and there was a seamster, Dori, who Dis had made friends with from Ered Luin. However, since Vili’s funeral, he had been bouncing from earning money for their family in the towns of men to hunting duty to guarding coal shipments along their trade routes. Dis, he supposed, had a point. He was rarely at Ered Luin. Mostly because he didn’t want to be reminded of what it wasn’t: home.
“So you’ll give me your blessing?” Dis asked, sounding younger than he’s heard in ages.
Thorin sighed again. “I have some conditions.”
A bright grin split her face as she eagerly went back to packing.
“You have to blend in.” Thorin warned. “Men are arrogant and prideful enough to not see anything beyond their view of the world. Leave them to their narrow-minded opinions, do the job quickly and quietly, and get out. Don’t travel alone, and get back to the inn before nightfall.”
“So don’t act like a dwarrowdam, don’t get fancy with my metalwork, and make sure Bofur and Bifur are always at my side.” Dís listed off on her fingers.
Thorin’s mouth screwed up at the side. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Bofur and Bifur...he just didn’t know them well.
“I would prefer if you keep Gloin close too.” He stated.
“Bofur and Bifur are fine dwarrows and were Vili’s good friends for years.”
“All the same, will you do this for me?”
Dís held out for as long as possible before finally conceding. Besides, she had some rules of her own.
“Okay, so Fíli and Kíli’s bedtime is just after nightfall. Kíli is out of nappies at this point, but he occasionally has nightly accidents. Balin and I are waiting until Kili is a little older before they start lessons, so they’ll be mostly following you around. Or, if it’s something they have to sit out for, Dori is usually pretty good about taking them for an hour or two. Oh! And no war stories before bed! They’ll never fall asleep, and then you’ll be cranky the next morning.”
Thorin raised an eyebrow as she continued to ramble.
“Why are you telling me this?”
She laughed. “Do you just expect them to be able to take care of themselves while I’m gone? They’re nine and fourteen, Thorin!”
It suddenly dawned on Thorin exactly what she was asking.
“You want me to mind them?!” He gasped.
Dís shrugged. “You are the only family they have at this point.” She pointed out wryly.
Thorin could only stand there, jaw dropped at the revelation. Dís was right, it should have been obvious when she first brought up her plans for travel, but it hadn’t quite sunk in. She wanted him to take care of the lads. Thorin had zero experience with children. Surely she realized how completely inept he would be?
“Thorin.” She demanded, pulling him from the downward spiral. “I need you to do this. You’re the only one I trust them with.”
“That shouldn’t be reassuring.” He grumbled when he could find his voice again.
“Oh come on! It’s not like they’re total strangers to you. Besides, you’re their favorite uncle!”
“I’m their only uncle!”
“Promise me you’ll take care of them?”
Thorin stared into her hard onyx eyes, reminded so strongly of their mother. What else could he do?
“I promise.” He grumbled.
A wide grin split her face as she pulled back before knocking heads with him.
“I just know you boys are going to have a marvelous time!”
Oh yes, Thorin could hardly wait. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his nephews. He had never known anything more precious in his life until he was given Fili outside of the birthing chamber. And Kili, coming along and trailing after Fili like Frerin used to do him, nearly undid him completely. Yet, if none of the three of them ended up dead, Thorin would consider it a success.
“Come! Let’s tell everyone together.” Dis insisted, dragging him out into the family room of the small cottage.
Balin and Bifur were engaged in a conversation over the state of the mines, while Bofur entertained the children with his wooden toys. Dwalin was leaning against the wall watching the proceedings with amusement, but stood a little taller when they emerged giving Thorin a questioning look. By then, the other three were looking up as well.
“He said yes!” She declared.
Bofur and Bifur grinned excitedly, welcoming her aboard. Balin and Dwalin seemed surprised as they turned to Thorin, but he could only shake his head at them. They had to know by now that Dís always gets her way in the end. Fíli and Kíli ran to embrace their mother tightly, their small braids swinging wildly.
“Do you have to go?” Fíli asked, tears already gathering in his eyes.
“Yes, Kidhuzurâl (Golden Child). But do not fret. Your Uncle Thorin will be here with you.”
Thorin found himself the sole object of four young judging eyes, and he could only stare back with the same level of unease.
“Does Uncle Thorin know the giant game?” Kíli asked Dís shyly.
“I don’t know.” His sister teased, looking over at him with a playful smirk. “But if he doesn’t I bet you can teach him.”
“So Uncle Thorin is staying here then?” Fili questioned.
“No.” Thorin answered at the same time Dis said “Yes.”
She shot him a small glare. “Yes, since all your stuff is here, he wouldn’t dare make you move in with him and Mister Balin and Mister Dwalin.”
“And Mister Balin and Mister Dwalin appreciate it.” Balin answered with a small grin.
Thorin huffed with an eye roll, but didn’t push the point.
“Let me show you my toy soldiers!” Kili exclaimed excitedly before rushing up to the loft above with Fili in tow.
Thorin watched them go, still wary.
“You’ll be fine.” She soothed. “It’ll be good for you honestly.”
“In what way?” He demanded.
“Well, you’ve never been much of a child so maybe it’ll get you to quit being so broody.”
Thorin snorted, but Dwalin used that time to pipe up.
“She’s right.” He teased. “You barely tolerated playing even when you were a kid.”
“There were a few other things on my mind back then!” Thorin shot back.
“Mahal, I used to hate you.” Dis sighed. “I mean, who tells a twelve year old to ‘suck it up because you’ll never see that rabbit again unless it’s dinner’...when they themselves are only twenty-six?!”
“Well, who whines over a wild rabbit we saw once in our travels and then sobs about it for days after?”
Balin and Dwalin shared a smirk.
“Don’t worry, lass. We’ll keep an eye on the three of them.”
“Thank you.” She smirked while Thorin scowled at his so-called friends.
“Found them!” Kili declared rushing back in with his prizes.
He proceeded to hand over each one and explain the wooden dwarf’s name, what their occupation was when they weren't soldiers, and what their favorite colors are. Thorin could only stare at the excitable pebble wondering if he was making up backstories at the top of his head as the identical carvings began to multiply. Except, Fili would interject if Kili missed something or misspoke about one. Thorin’s eyes sought Dis’ pleadingly as she watched them with a wicked grin.
“Oh yes, this is going to be better than I ever imagined.”
***
It was bright and early the next day that those departing to find work outside the colony would gather for one last goodbye before taking off. It was a time-honored tradition of weeping families and hopeful pursuits that was followed months later with more weeping and disappointing savings, and the fact that Thorin didn’t need to pack for the travel and toiling was a strange feeling indeed. Strange...and unwelcome. What if Dis was wrong? What if his people actually thought worse of him by not pulling his weight and allowing his sister to journey instead? It was thoughts like these that had plagued him well into the night before, and now seemed as though they hadn’t finished wrecking their vengeance on the bleary-eyed dwarf. And he hadn’t even touched his hesitation in being Fili and Kili’s full-time caregiver.
He watched as the boys clung to their mother with snot and tears streaming down their faces as she worked to reassure them of her only temporary departure. The fact that they were shooting him glances ever so often didn’t help in any way with his nerves. Finally, Fili gave her a single nod before grabbing Kili’s hand and walking over to stand next to Thorin. He instinctively reached up to place his hand in the older boy’s blonde hair, relieved when Fili didn’t shy away. Dis smiled at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she pulled him into a hug.
“My children better be safe and healthy when I come back, or you won’t be."
Thorin rolled his eyes. “Farewell to you as well sister dearest. Don’t forget who’s idea this was.”
She gave a soft laugh before thunking foreheads with him.
“I love you, and really , you’re going to be fine.”
“I love you too. Take care of yourself.” Thorin ordered with a stern look.
She seemed to freeze, looking far more vulnerable than she would ever allow before stiffly nodding. Thorin looked over her shoulder to see Bofur, Bifur, and Gloin waiting nearby. He inclined his head, and they all nodded their understanding. He really hoped they did. He was entrusting him with one of the last precious things in his life. He didn’t know what he would do if that flame was snuffed out as well.
“BYE! LOVE YOU, AMAD (MOTHER)!” Kili shouted suddenly.
She blew him a kiss and the younger boy overexaggerated catching it in return making both Thorin and Dis smile. Maybe it really was going to be fine.
***
Nope, that was clearly hopeful wishing.
“When’s Amad coming back?” Kili asked as he maneuvered his soldiers into the correct position.
Thorin resisted the urge to sigh from his spot on the floor as he continued to hold the wooden dwarves as instructed. “As I said the first fifteen times, she’ll be back before the growing season.”
“Why did she have to leave?” Fili asked this time staring dejectedly at his canvas where he had been drawing a dancing dwarf with a fiddle in his colored inks.
“Because we need dwarves to go out and make money for the colony for food and cloth that we can’t afford by just mining coal.”
“So how come you didn’t go?”
Thorin resisted the urge to flinch at words, trying to convince himself that a fourteen year old wouldn’t have an accusing tone...no matter how much it sounded like one.
“I...I have to be king.”
“Is being king hard?” Kili asked.
“Yes. You are responsible for everyone’s well being and happiness.”
“Everyone?!” The nine year old exclaimed.
“Everyone.” Thorin nodded.
“Wow. That’s a lot of people. Should you be kinging right now?”
Thorin felt a bead of cold sweat develop on the back of his neck.
“No...I mean, I don’t think…”
“How do you know if people are happy if you’re not kinging?” Fili chose to chime in.
“Well, I have people like Mister Balin to let me know such things.”
“Is Mister Balin a king too?” Kili asked in awe.
“No!” Thorin scoffed. “He’s an advisor. He helps by telling the king what to do sometimes.”
“But if you’re not kinging, and Mister Balin is telling you what to do, how do you know if people are happy? What if he tells you wrong?” Fili asked with his head tilted to the side.
“Can kings make mistakes?” Kili added. “Amad says everyone makes mistakes sometimes.”
“What if a king doesn’t want everyone to be happy? What do they do then?” Fili added as well.
Thorin didn’t know how they somehow left the subject of Dis and stumbled literally into his worst nightmares, but it was taking all Thorin had not to snap at them while images of his sick grandfather danced in his head. They clearly needed a different focus.
“Who’s ready to eat?”
Dear Dis,
This will be the first of many, many letters over the course of your absence I am certain. While I appreciate your forewarning on bedtime topics, dinner would have been worth explaining in detail. Such as Kili can’t reach the table without some sort of booster in his chair, and Fili really doesn’t know how to cut his meat probably and just ends up flinging it off the table and onto the floor. Also, with a reminder from Balin, you will be pleased to note I did think of bath time.
I’m considering letting your children remain in their filth for the rest of your absence. I certainly wasn’t in need of one myself, but have finally gotten myself dry after the ordeal. Needless to say, we did not make it to bed before nightfall, and I’m tapped out on fairytales after I told the only three I know.
Other than that, things have been going well. Your sons seem to have as much doubt in me as I have in myself. We miss you, and hope things have been smoother on your end. Kili said to tell you that I make a poor giant, but he’s training me. Fili says hi and he loves you. Kili loves you as well. They aren’t currently trying to decide who loves you more. (My claim was immediately disregarded.)
Your brother who loves you most,
Thorin
***
Thorin awoke in a foreign room fighting back the battle cry on the tip of his tongue as he reached for the knife under his pillow. It took him a moment before remembering that he was in Dis’ spare bedroom, not his own. He groaned as he rubbed at his face. Not exactly how he wanted to spend his first morning caring for the colony. Deciding breakfast was much needed, he pulled his protesting body from the bed and dressed for the day. The sun was barely cresting the sky as he focused on the eggs in the pan. After he took the finished eggs off the stove and placed them on the table with the cooling bacon and rolls, he stood at the bottom of the loft stairs to holler up at his nephews.
“Wake up! Breakfast!”
He heard a yelp, followed by one thump and then another. Fíli was the one to peer over the ledge at him, rubbing at his half-opened eyes.
“Uncle Thorin?” He questioned past a yawn. “Why are you up so early?”
“I have...kinging to do today. So you and your brother get ready and come down for breakfast.”
He left it at that as he moved back to the table to fill his own plate. He was about halfway through when the boys came stumbling into view. They stopped for a second just staring at him. Thorin cleared his throat before indicating the spread.
“Help yourselves.” He offered.
Fíli jumped up in the chair across from him, and Kíli pulled himself up on top of the book Thorin had used in his seat as a booster the previous evening. He focused back on his own meal only to notice a few minutes in that the boys looked rather despondent, and neither had taken anything other than bacon.
‘What’s wrong?” He asked.
“How come you didn’t sing the morning song?” Kili chirped.
“The what?” Thorin questioned.
“The morning song!” Kíli repeated.
Thorin wasn’t sure if the youngest picked up on his uncle’s lost look, or if he had premeditatively decided it needed explaining. All he knew was the brunette gave a big grin before opening his mouth and starting to sing, swaying slightly in his seat.
Good morning, good morning!
The world outside awaits.
Good morning, good morning
Now’s not the time to be late.
Wake-up, my darlings!
Leave your dreams beneath you.
And while you slept soundly,
The sun arose to meet you.
Good morning, good morning!
The world is ready for the day.
Good morning, good morning
Rise and don’t delay!
It was a sweet tune, and it certainly sounded like one of Dís’ little daily activity songs. She was always making up melodies for menial tasks. However, halfway through, Fíli decided to join in only to shout the emphasized lines making Thorin wince. He certainly hoped his nephews had no delusions towards him learning that in the near future.
“I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with that one, Kíli.” He finally answered as they both stared at him.
“We can teach you!” Kíli grinned. “ Good morning, GOOD MORNING!”
“That’s quite alright.” Thorin interrupted before he could get started again. “I’ll...learn it later. Now eat. We need to leave here soon.”
“The eggs are wrong.” Fíli pouted.
“Wrong how?” Thorin asked, furrowing his brow.
Fíli shrugged. “They don’t look right. Amad’s are all yellow.”
Thorin tried to unravel that. “Scrambled?” He finally offered.
Fíli shrugged again.
“Well these are poached. They’re just as good.”
He stabbed one of the eggs to place it on Fíli’s plate, accidentally breaking the yolk. Immediately the pebble started screaming.
“IT’S BLEEDING!”
“WHY IS IT BLEEDING?” Kíli screamed as well.
“ALRIGHT!” Thorin roared above the noise. “I will scramble them! Just...relax. Eat some bread.”
Thorin could feel a headache beginning to form as he took the plate of eggs back to the pan. That didn’t bode well for the rest of his day.
“There’s no jam smiles.” Fíli pointed out.
Yep, there was that headache.
“What?” He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“Jam smiles!” Kíli cheered. “Amad always puts it on our breakfast rolls.”
Thorin walked the two steps to the pantry, grabbed the jar of jam, and set it on the table with a knife.
“I’m making the eggs. You take care of the jam if you want it.”
Both boys blinked at the jar, neither making a move to take it. Thorin rolled his eyes as he turned back to scrambling the already perfectly cooked eggs. Honestly, Dís was raising little monsters. He couldn’t even imagine what his father would have said if he asked for jam smiles. Luckily, the pan was still warm from earlier so it didn’t take much time to make the eggs acceptable to the boys. He turned back around only to blanche at the sight.
There was jam everywhere. How? How did they manage to get jam on the ceiling in the FIVE minutes he was turned around?! Worse still was it was covering their faces, hands, and clothing.
“What happened?” He demanded.
“We accidentally made a mess.” Kíli offered hesitantly.
“Well I can see that!” He growled.
“We’re sorry, Uncle Thorin.” Both boys offered almost on cue.
Thorin heaved a long sigh. They didn’t have time for a bath this morning. He had told Balin he would be ready to handle any grievances in the morning markets today. He grabbed a rag, and dipped it in the bowl of water as he hurriedly wiped their skin free of the sticky substance. Dis’ dining room was just going to have to wait.
“Go get into fresh tunics.” He ordered.
“What about breakfast?” Kíli asked, cocking his head to the side in curiosity.
“We’ll grab some meat pies from a stand!” Thorin snapped.
His tone was ignored by both boys as they cheered running up the stairs to change. Mahal, give him strength and patience. He would not survive months of this. He tried to rush them out the door after they reappeared only for Kili to hold his boot out for him.
“I don’t know my laces yet.”
Thorin closed his eyes and counted to ten before bending over and showing Kili his boot.
“Here, I’ll teach you.”
He demonstrated as slowly as he could the proper way to tie one’s boots. Fili, who already knew how, watched intently as well with a small frown, quick to correct Thorin on the “bunny ears” not “loops” that he was creating. Even though he had to repeat the process five times, Thorin did feel a sense of satisfaction from how elated Kili was at being able to tie his own boots. It made their tardiness excusable when they finally met with Balin. His advisor raised an eyebrow, and Thorin could only return it with a huff indicating the boys who were happily munching on their treats they received from Bombur.
“We had a small mishap this morning.” He explained.
“You’re here now.” Balin hummed with a twinkle in his eyes. “I thought we would start small. Let’s just get you used to interacting with your people. Ask how they are doing, and if they bring any problems forth, then address them.”
Thorin steeled himself as he prepared for his task. This was his least favorite part of ruling, and even as a young prince in Erebor his quiet nature had always been confused with indifference or haughtiness due to the hood of his brow and piercing color of his eyes. He just needed a plan of action. Much like going into battle. Smile, ask his questions, address their concerns, thank them for their time. Simple.
“Are we going to get to help you king?” Kili asked Thorin around his mouthful of food.
Thorin frowned remembering the disaster at breakfast. He didn’t want to think about what they could do in a market. Did Dis take them when she had to pick up groceries? How did she manage?
“How about this time...you go play in the clearing,” He nodded the spot with his head. “And I’ll call you back when we’re ready for our next...kinging duty.”
This seemed acceptable with the boys, and finishing off the last of their pies, they rushed off with bright grins. It was after he lost sight of them completely, that Thorin started to second guess if he made the right choice.
“They know how to behave.” Balin reminded. “Come, your public awaits.”
Thorin had to resist the urge to freeze up as they entered the market as he quickly found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of dwarrows shuffling through the stands with a quick and precise pace. They hardly even gave him the time of day except to give a small bow of their heads as they passed despite his welcoming smile. Where would he even begin without interrupting?
“Excuse me, Milord. Do you need help finding something?”
Thorin realized he had stopped directly in the center of the path, and the helpful dwarrowdam watched him with sympathetic eyes while Balin tried and failed to hide his laugh. Thorin felt heat rise to his cheeks that he deftly attempted to ignore as he answered back as politely as he could.
“How are you finding your morning?” He blurted.
She seemed surprised by his outburst but recovered quickly. “Well enough for a day’s beginning.”
“Yes, days...start.”
She raised an eyebrow, and Thorin held her stare with a confidence that had been ingrained in him since a young prince. No matter how much he wanted to die.
“Well, thank you.” She responded after a moment with a small curtsy before moving along.
“Thank you for your time.” He murmured after her.
At least he talked to someone. Balin looked like he had much to say on the subject if his poorly disguised coughs of mirth were anything to go off. Thorin just held up his hand hoping to delay any words on the subject.
“If you say anything, I’m leaving.” Thorin threatened.
“Let’s just see if we can find someone else. Clearly, you need practice.”
Thorin resisted the urge to sigh as he dragged his feet behind the graying dwarf. Honestly, he wasn’t too worried about Balin teasing him about his momentary lapse of judgement. But his cousin was a notorious gossip. Which meant Dwalin would know before noon, and he could already visualize the guard pointing at him and bursting into laughter.
“Ah! How about there?”
Thorin looked up to see what looked to be a brawl in the making. Two shopkeepers had come out from behind their stands and were shaking their fists wildly at each other, inciting a small crowd. Thorin could have sighed in relief. Diffusing tensions was definitely something within his repertoire. With purposeful steps, Thorin pushed his way through the crowd, drawing himself up to his full height.
“What is the problem here?” He demanded, his arms crossed before him.
“Your Majesty.” The dwarf on the right bowed, and the other was quick to follow suit after recognizing who Thorin was.
“Milord, this kakhuf inbarathrag (goat turd) has been turning my customers away before I even have a chance to present my wares.”
“Ha!” The other dwarf sneered. “Zûr êthârul mahmabakhôn ni targmêzu? (How many gems have disappeared into your beard?) I was merely warning them of how they would be ripped off by your cheaply made belts.”
“AS IF YOUR IRON BUCKLES ARE NOT RIDDLED WITH RUST!”
The noise level rose as tempers began to peek, and this would have been the perfect moment for Thorin to intervene and show his worth as king. However, part of the way through their explanation, movement outside the erected tents and huts caught his attention. His nephews were chasing a black cat around with a stick. Thorin could see the bloody scratch marks from where he stood, yet they still waited until the kitten stopped before trying to pet it with a stick. Irritated, the cat lashed out catching Fili in the knee. He cried out and his lower lip trembled before Kili grabbed his hand to chase after the escaping stray. And if that weren’t enough, Kili had lost one boot and was close to losing the other. Thorin swore mentally before remembering he was in the middle of something.
“Yes, that’s certainly a problem in need of addressing. Please excuse me for one moment, and we’ll work something out.” He answered without looking, before tearing off after the boys.
“FILI! KILI!” He screamed after them.
They both stopped and stared at Thorin, and before he could warn him, the cat took advantage of their distracted state to strike.
“WATCH OUT FOR…!”
He was too late as Kili’s bloodcurdling scream tore through the entire mountain.
Dear Dis,
Just know that it wasn’t my fault. I know you asked me to make sure your sons stayed uninjured
Today the boys learned a valuable lesson in why we don’t antagonize cats. They are fine with the exception of a few superficial scratches and one rather mean one across Kili’s forearm. In fact, they have forgiven the incident enough to ask me if Dalkhazgu (Eyes of grass) could come live with us. I told them Rekhzel (Demon of all demons) was a more fitting name, and they would have to ask you first. I took them straight to Oin so believe me when I say: They. Are. Fine.
Also, I thought I had made progress with Kili on tying his own laces only for him to have lost his left boot. When asked why he didn’t retie the laces when it came undone, he said “I forgot how to do it so I kicked it off instead so I wouldn’t fall”. I’m still not certain where so we will be buying a new pair tomorrow. Because I was forced to handle the Rekhzel issue, a fight happened in the market today that the gossip around the mountain says “I did nothing to stop”. Honestly, I don’t know how you’ve been able to do this job and take care of the boys. I feel dead on my feet and it’s been but two days. Please come back. You’ve made your point.
Your absence is noted by all. You are very loved by our people and your family. And one last thing: jam smiles. Your dining room has suffered the price. I hope you are aware.
Love with all my heart,
Thorin