Natural || Dwalin x OC - A Hobbit Fanfiction

13 - Afternoon Tea

Deep in the forest, there was a cropping of trees that let just enough moonlight to shine down between the canopy to hit the two dwarves that were sitting in the camp eating tasteless soup, even with the three squirrels one of them shot down a few hours before.

"Alright laddie, out with it," The old dwarf said. His great white beard was tucked in his belt to keep from falling into his soup as he held up another spoon full.

The other dwarf was a lot younger, taller, and way bulkier than the old one. He had bright blue eyes and the way they appeared duller and dare the old dwarf to assume 'miserable' he knew something was bothering him. Even if it's been years since they last saw one another.

"I didn't agree to come met ya, halfway for ye to prowl in my mine," The younger dwarf growled.

"Now, Dwalín," The oldest said with a tinge of annoyance. "I have been around for a long time. I know that look. Out with it! Tell me who the lass is."

Dwalín glared at him. "Just because yer my brother--"

"Get off it," Balín huffed.

Dwalín's eyes narrowed even more at his brother. Then something just broke in him. He couldn't talk to Thorín about this. He couldn't even discuss it with Dís. He thought being gone from the mountain for a whole bloody week would help him see clearer but he discovered it did nothing but made his heart ache more. Oh, Mahal... Did his chest ache.

"Dwalín," Balín said down his half-full bowl of soup and placed his hand on his shoulder. "When I lost... When I lost Gilva, I knew I would never be as happy as I was when she was with me. I love my wife. Even still, after all these years, I love her just as strongly as I did the day when I realized she was what I wanted. She was my one, my heart, and my soul. I know that look, laddie, talk to me. Let me help you."

"I don't know what I feel," He stubbornly replied. Balín gave him a pitying look.

"If having her beside you, makes you feel safe. If holding her, makes you feel like you are holding the sun or having her sitting close to you makes you want to wrap her up in your arms and shield her from all harm, rather it is physical or emotional. If having her in your life, makes you feel satisfied and merry... If being just an inch away from her makes you want to be rash and foolish by taking her in your arms just to kiss her to the unmaking of this world... Then listen to me carefully," Balín gave him a watery smile. "She is your one."

Dwalín looked into his brother's warm earthy eyes and felt his chest tighten. "My heart feels like a cracking stone, and my head feels stretched. I can't think straight around her. When I look at her, it is as if I am seeing the prettiest gem in all of middle earth. She sings so sweetly, I feel it in my bones... The way she smiles at me, Balín--" He placed his palm on his chest and gave his brother an intense look. "I feel like I can't breathe. It is as if she took all the air from me and then breathed life in me."

"Then why haven't you done anything about it?" Balín asked. Not understanding why his little brother is looking terrified.

"The scariest thing in the world is that ye never know someone's true intentions." Dwalín sounded stretched thin, almost defeated. "I never expected anyone to love me, nor do I see a reason why anyone should. I am not loveable, Balín. I am rough and hard as stone. I scare everyone away. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wanted to be happy. Right now, I feel confused and hurt. I do not feel secure. She will never see me the way I see 'er."

"Why can't she?"

Dwalín clenched his eyes shut and Balín was shocked to see his brother start crying before him. It broke his heart to see the warrior break apart. "She is in love with another."