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

12

Dwin hesitated a moment but then the words blurted out of her unhappily.

"He does not want me to go to work! Every day there is grumbling and complaining. About the dust in my hair. And my working garb or when I am a little late. It hurts me every time he runs down my profession but he appreciates only that", she replied dismissively and pointed to the apple pie.

"Cooking and baking and sitting on the sofa, all dolled up. That what he wants me to do. But I don't want that. I want to shape stone and one day I want to be master in my profession. But he is convinced if one day there are children I have to stay at home. Dís! I do not want to have to choose between a child and my work. And for none of the mothers in the guild that has ever been a problem. There is child care according to the needs of the families in the guild hall and for all of us that was completely natural. We all grew up there together. The guild is family! How many times I have tried to explain that to him. But he is so damn stubborn! And I am afraid he will actually forbid me working in the temple when he finds out about my pregnancy. He hasn' been there once. He doesn't even know what I'm doing at all. And he doesn't understand how important the appreciation there is to me. But the worst is that my body hurts sometimes and I am afraid that it would indeed be better to lie on the sofa instead of going to work."

She had tears in her eyes now.

"Have you been to Oin?", Dís asked sympathetically.

Dwin nodded.

"Yes. He promised not to say anything to Dwalin. He examines me regularly but as far as he can see everything is fine. In his opinion the work is no danger to the child. What worries him is rather that I am so unhappy. He says important is not that I mollycoddle myself but that Dwalin and I look forward to the child with confidence and love."

"He's got a point there, Dwin", Dís said, pressing her hands.

"I know", Dwin answered tearfully, "Oh, Dís, this tears me apart."

"Listen. None of our laws gives Dwalin the right to forbid you anything. Especially not something so important as your profession. When it gets tough, you will bring up your child alone within the guild and with my help. That's still better than sitting at home being unhappy. But I am absolutely sure it will not come that far! You will not have to give in concerning the question of your work but you have to tell him about the pregnancy. To conceal it is no solution! On the contrary. This secrecy is a burden. It might harm you and possibly the child also. Promise me that you will talk with Dwalin today. Otherwise I'll do that.", the princess insisted.

"I'm so glad you came today, Dís. You are right of course. I'll tell him today as soon as he comes home", Dwin answered, wiping the tears from her face.

They hugged each other.

"So? How are things in Dale?", Dwin asked.

Dís remained silent but smiled from ear to ear.

"Good for you!", Dwin said with a wink.

When it was about noon both walked down to the gate. In their warm fur coats they strolled over the snow-covered square and enjoyed the clear winter air. They did not have to wait long and soon saw Tauriel's tall figure approaching on horseback. Dís had someone lead her horse to the stables and the three went back inside. Dís showed her guest around. Tauriel had never been in a dwarven homestead before and she looked around in wonder. The great halls went up to dizzying heights and seemingly bottomless depths below them. A greenish light from lamps and torches lit up the hallways and the air was, contrary to her expectation, fresh and quite warm. Dís tried to explain the complicated ventilation network, but Tauriel who had never had to waste one thought about fresh air in her home, had obviously difficulties to follow her.