Born from Stone (A Thorin Oakenshield story)

One part babies, three part maidens.

It was six days later that finally Fain found the courage to face Thorin again after they brought him the dead body of his daughter. He commanded his wife to remain in the Ironhills and kept Valdis away as he took bitter care of Karunn's body and begged for a space in the burial grounds for her. Thorin allowed him and it was Dain who escorted his inconsolable brother through this dark and lonely ritual of the burial of their relative. When Valdis learned her sister's fate she collapsed in Fili's arms and she remained under for several days. The prince took over her care from the break of dawn to sun down and even though his mother offered her assistance so he could rest, he didn't leave Valdis' side until the poor girl woke up again. She emptied all her agony in Fili's arms and all the guilt ridden half broken sentences of being unable to help her sister in the end. Fili left Valdis' side only when Lord Fain returned from the burial, but even then he was keeping a silent vigil outside her doors. Something that made Dis' heart weep as she understood that her boy held true feelings for this woman.

No one bothered Karunn's bruised family by Thorin's orders. No one outside the strict confinements of the top echelons of command in Erebor ever learned what Karunn did to the royal couple and to so many innocent people. Thorin made sure that everything remained under locks and the name of Fain, Dain and Valdis wouldn't be stained. No one knew anything apart from the two Lords that were present in Karunn's execution, who Thorin trusted to remain silent. Dain's appreciation and gratitude about Thorin's attitude towards the drama that had engulfed their family was expressed every single day. Dain left Thorin's side only to attend his brother. Whenever he found the opportunity he thanked the King for protecting his little pumpkin from all this degradation.

Fain kept himself under locks for several days, unable and unwilling to speak to anyone apart from his brother and daughter. He send back all the worried messages from his wife as he didn't want to deliver the sombre news of Karunn's death through the crows. When he finally decided to face the King, he had already made up his mind to leave immediately after for the Ironhills. He asked his daughter if she was going to escort him back half expecting her to deny, which she did and Fain knew this was because of Prince Fili.

These news managed to return a faded smile on the lips of Valdis' father. He squeezed his daughter's hand and embraced her fiercely before allowing her to be drawn into the company of Fili once more. Then he gathered himself and accompanied by his brother he walked solemnly to Thorin's office. When he took up the courage to knock on the King's door, he felt all his mental exhaustion materialising and he was unable to hide it from his brother. He leaned his forehead on the door with an exhalation of pain and closed his eyes.

Dain's hand landed on his shoulder. "Are you sure you wish to do this?" his voice was deeply caring.

Fain nodded. "I must talk to him and then I must leave. I must return home to my wife and deliver the news that will undo us."

Dain pressed his lips. "Do you wish for me to come along?"

"No, please stay with Valdis and keep an eye on her. She went through a lot. I know the prince is taking good care of her, but I want you to be close by too. She's the only one I have left now." Fain muttered and Dain felt the anguish that oozed out of his brother.

"You also have me and your wife." Dain spoke with a hushed tone.

Fain frowned. "We choose our One for life, don't we brother?"

Dain averted his eyes.

"I don't know if I made the right choices. After everything that happened I don't know if I can live with her anymore and I don't know if I can live without her..." Fain whispered defeated.