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

14

There is a wonderful piece of fan art by the incredibly talented Kotorigaro which inspired me greatly concerning "my" Dís. Maybe you would like to look at it too.

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Dis-of-Erebor-376368174

(In case the link does not show: It's on deviantart[dot]com. Just search for "Dis of Erebor." Should be first hit or double check on the artist's name. )

Wonderful weekend to all of you and now back to our story!

Dwalin stayed the next night at Dwin's side, too but then returned to their home and came before and after his duty to look after her. Thorin postponed the patrol to Rhun and Dís remained in Erebor, too. She let Bard know what happened and he sent a fruit basket and a get-well-wish to Dwin's sickbed right away. Blushing and joyfully she read the friendly, exquisite message the king of Dale had sent her again and again. Balin, Helle and Tombur came to visit almost every day but nevertheless time began to hang heavy on her hands. She was not used to this idleness. It took two long weeks until she could stand up without fainting. But Oin did not want to let her return home because she would be alone there all day.

One morning an old dwarrowdam appeared in the infirmary. Walking with a stoop but with a firm step. She greeted Oin and after they had spoken a while the two came over to Dwin's bed.

"Winni, this is Dwin, Dwalin's companion. She has lost her child two weeks ago. Approximately four months old. The blood loss was very heavy and she only barely survived. Dwin, this is Winni, the midwife I told you about. The trek from the Ered Luin arrived late last night here in Erebor. Finally Karla and the children are with Bombur again. Everything falls back into place slowly", Oin rejoiced.

"Move over a bit, lassie", Winni said friendly and sat down with a groan besides Dwin on the bed.

Her face was full of wrinkles, her beard and hair white as snow but her gaze was warm and attentive and radiated an unshakable calm. She took Dwin's hand and stroked it with a smile.

"Well, then we will feed you up again", she said confidently, "What has she been getting so far, Oin?"

Oin listed her his measures and Winni nodded.

"Yes, that is good. One or two things we are yet to add and then you will be back on your feet soon. And now tell me a little bit of yourself, your companion and about your pregnancy."

She gestured Oin away vigorously. He winked at Dwin and left, closing the curtains behind him. Dwin had confidence in the old dame right away. She told her without hesitating of her origin, the captivity, the meeting with Dwalin and her concerns during the pregnancy. Winni listened without interrupting. She nodded occasionally, held her hand and simply let her talk. As Dwin came to the fateful day, tears flowed again. Winni pulled her into a hug and rocked her like a mother her child. And Dwin who had always tried hard to be brave, could finally let out all her pain.

A message from Dwin's brother had arrived and Dwalin rushed to the infirmary to give it to her before his duty began and to look after her briefly.

On his way he was lost in thought about the new wind lances Thorin wanted to set up. As so often this decision was preceded by a violent dispute with Dís. Thorin had, once again, given the blame for Smaug's victory over Erebor to the unfortunate bowman of Dale. And Dís had yelled at him that Dale had at least had a wind lance. And ultimately the very last black arrow from this one wind lance had finally hunted down Smaug. Whereas Thrór in his arrogance had not even possessed one single wind lance to defend his precious Erebor. And Dís had scornfully meant she still saw none at Thorin's precious Erebor. And she asked her brother whether he would meet the next dragon also just running and yelling at it. Dwalin thought silently that Dís really got a point there and after Thorin had calmed down he came to the same conclusion. Anyway. The armourers were at work now. Several different versions would be manufactured and tested. And Dwalin pondered about the best strategic places the vast weapons should be positioned on the battlements and in the interior. And all of his soldiers would have to practise dealing with them of course. All this would not go overnight but he looked forward to the innovation. It would sure be a lot of fun to practice target shooting with those things. So he was engrossed in thought when he came to Dwin's bed. He kind of wondered why the curtain was drawn close and stood the next moment in front of this stranger who was just about to take off Dwin's nightgown with bony fingers.