Where she is right - The story of Dís, daughter of kings.

7

Balin had sent Kunin ahead of them to announce their arrival at the mountain while the others had been on their way to the town hall. And he had done so without telling Dís and without her noticing it. And Kunin had ridden as fast as he could.

His pony reached the Erebor trembling and with sweating flanks. The guards at the main entrance took a moment to realize the importance of the message but soon a frenzy of activities began to spread everywhere. The captain in duty yelled for flags and the carpet, the entrance hall was to be swept, the kitchens were set in motion, rooms prepared and someone was sent running to send word to the king.

The travellers meanwhile passed through a small woodland and when they had left the last trees behind them the defiant bailey of the Erebor loomed in the distance. The slanting light of the late afternoon sun shone onto the giant statues right and left of the entrance. Massive stone figures of warriors of old. Flags fluttered in the wind and when the road turned and they rode straight onto the main gate, horns sounded and echoed loud throughout the valley. The large square in front of the main entrance was full of onlookers and the battlements were crowded with curious folk.

Dís took a deep breath. So they were indeed expected already. She glanced at her companions. All were dressed in their best travelling garments and wherever she looked she saw relief and pride on all faces. They had brought their king's sister home safely. And the newcomers who had joined them at the Ered Luin and who would enter the Erebor for the first time in their life looked in awe and enthusiasm towards their destination. And everywhere she saw genuine joy.

Dís rode ahead of all the entourage and soon she saw a single figure standing just in front of the wide-open huge gates.

Thorin!

And suddenly painful longing welled up in her heart. Washing away all bitterness and all accusations for this instant. And she wanted nothing more than to hold her brother in her arms and be held herself in this very moment. She urged her pony to speed up and soon the whole company was galloping after her.

Under the sound of the horns and the deafening cheers of the crowd the ponies came to a halt with clattering hooves in front of the king. Thorin grabbed the reins of Dís's pony and held the anxious animal calm. Their eyes met and to both of them it was as if looking into a mirror.

Dís slid from her saddle and fell into his outstretched arms.

It felt so good to hold her. Thorin felt her heart beat rapidly and her arms around his neck. He inhaled her scent and was at a total loss for words.

Jubilation rose again. Cheers to the house of Durin were heard. Both stood there, now with foreheads pressed together, while the other travellers dismounted and were welcomed loudly too.

"Oh, Dís... Welcome! I...", Thorin whispered finally.

"Thorin!", she interrupted, smiling wearily, "Big brother. Shh! Let us talk later."

"Of course, little sister", he answered with a wry smile on his face and kissed her brow.

And while Thorin embraced Balin Dís turned to Bombur, greeted him and brought regards from his wife who would follow as soon as everything could be settled in the Blue Mountains. She then greeted the other eight dwarves that had originally gone on the quest to free the Erebor. All bowed low to their princess and in all eyes she saw the same bashfulness. But here and now none of them dared to mention her sons. And she was grateful.

Dwin stood uneasily next to her own and to Dwalin's pony and watched the welcome. With astonishment she saw the king leaving Dwalin entirely unnoticed. They had agreed upon that Dwin should not yet show herself because this first official welcome was to remain for the princess. She was supposed to take care of the little luggage Dwalin had and take it up to his quarters. And to wait for him there. And he would come and pick her up as soon as possible. He had described her the way from the stables to the lodging of the guards and if she should have problems finding her way she would merely have to ask. Everyone would be able to tell her where Dwalin lived. That had sounded like a good plan. The crowd moved back and forth and Dwin lost sight of Dwalin.