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

16

All of a sudden his thinking stopped. His vision blurred. The beast in the depths of his mind awoke and wallowed up snarling to the surface. Thorin froze, clutching his fingers in her hands. Dís had been prepared for some kind of reaction but was shocked nonetheless. She tried to pull away but his hands seemed to have turned into claws and he looked down at her enraged and with clenched teeth.

Just in that moment Dáin slapped him vigorously on his shoulder and Thorin let go of his sister, spun around with a low snarl and came to his senses. Dís stepped back hastily. She regained her composure quickly.

Despite her frantic heart, she raised a hand and called out cheerfully:

"Welcome back! There are refreshments prepared in the small hall! I will see you all after a well deserved rest fresh and ready to celebrate tonight!"

There was applause and most of the dwarves went on to their quarters. Only the younger ones flocked for a first mug of beer into the small hall. Dís linked arms with Veri and accompanied her to her room, chatting and as if nothing had happened. Dáin meanwhile kept on talking to Thorin who had difficulties following him apparently. Like torn from a deep sleep he rubbed his forehead.

"Are you all right, cousin?", Dáin asked concerned at last and his words penetrated into Thorin's mind only distorted as if spoken through a thunderstorm.

"Yes. Sorry, Dáin. I'm... just tired, I guess. Let us go up", he uttered with a wry smile and both made their way up the stairs.

"Of course. I am ready for a bath and a nap, too. Mahal, Dís looks good enough to eat once more! Why the Balrog is she still alone?", he joked jovial.

But Thorin did not feel like laughing at all and certainly not on that matter either. His dizzy mind tried to figure out what just happened.

When the two dwarven kings reached the royal wing Dís just stepped out of the guests' room.

She made sure not to get too close to her brother and smiled at Dáin:

"Veri's waiting in the water already."

"Well, then I better hurry. You look fantastic, cousin!"

"Thank you, Dáin. See you later then."

Dáin disappeared into his room.

"Dís...", Thorin began, but she interrupted immediately.

"Not now! I still have so much to do and you need a rest. Let us talk later!"

And without waiting for an answer, she hurried off, prayed that he would not stop her and vanished hastily on the stairs. This had been the dress rehearsal and it had been a more resounding success than she had expected.

Thorin watched her leave, totally confused and finally stumbled into his room. He went straight into the bathroom, undressed and stepped into the hot water. Probably he was really just tired, he thought. Then his eyes fell on his hands and he saw, horrified, blood on several fingertips and under his nails. He must have injured Dís! And she had not said anything at all. Something was definitely odd here. But he was unable to think clearly. Groaning he sank down into the water, dived and drifted on the surfaces.

"Calm down!", he thought, "Stay sane for Mahal's sake!"

Dwin and Dwalin did not notice any of this. Dwalin's pony had injured it's fore leg the day before and he had to ride on one of the carts on the way back. They now stood in the stable while one of the experienced equerries had a look at the animal. When everything was regulated and Dwalin had paid the healer for the upcoming treatment both went straight home. Dwalin told much of the past few days by his standards and Dwin was glad he was back. She had not seen much of Balin and Dís a lot recently and as she still did not go to work yet she had been quite lonely.