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

17

This chapter is one of my personal favourites. Especially the scene in Dwin's kitchen. :)

The next morning he got up early. He let Dwin sleep in and dressed quietly. When he got down to Thorin, the king was still fast asleep. An hour later Dáin arrived and sat down wordlessly beside him. The two threw themselves just a glance and waited together that the king of Erebor woke up.

It almost took another hour. Meanwhile Oin had come, felt Thorin's pulse and went on to his other patients. And still Dwalin and Dáin waited silently. Finally Thorin moved, raised his hand to his head and rolled onto his back. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a moment. When he realized he was not lying in his own bed he looked around, puzzled. He recognized Dáin and Dwalin, astonished at first and closed his eyes again.

When he then opened them again he was halfway awake.

He threw Dwalin an angry look and asked his cousin:

"Dís?"

"She is in Dale. She left the Erebor last night", Dáin answered.

"How is she?"

"Still alive", Dáin replied dryly.

Thorin groaned.

"I have to talk to her. And you will not keep me from doing so!", he barked at Dwalin and raised himself halfway.

"Then I'll do that", his cousin said calmly.

Thorin looked at him with clenched teeth and fell back into the pillows.

Dáin continued:

"Listen, Thorin. Dís asked me to deliver a message. But first I have a few questions myself. Is it true that you wanted a siblings' bond with her?"

Thorin shut his eyes and nodded:

"I had been thinking about it."

Dwalin groaned and shook his head once more. Disappointed and devastated.

"And she turned you down?", Dáin asked meanwhile.

Another nod.

"And that's why you have almost beaten her to death and strangled her yesterday?", Dáin wanted to know relentlessly.

"Yes... No! Yesterday... I don't know. It felt just like gold sickness. Perhaps it was that awful dress. I heard Smaug's voice in my head telling me she was up to kill me. I was not myself. I would never harm her! Never! Believe me, Dáin!", he said, sounding honestly desperate.

"And yet you have done just that. What am I supposed to do with you? How do I know you will not attack somebody else tomorrow because Smaug tells you to in your head?", Dáin murmured.

"I do not know. That should not have happened. It simply makes no sense", Thorin said quietly.

They were silent for a while. Finally Thorin sat up and pulled on his boots. He was still in the rumpled clothes he had worn last night.

"And what is Dís's message? What does she want? Hundred strokes with the cane for me?", Thorin asked his cousin crossly.

"No. Nothing like that. She wants to be free to tie the knot with someone she chooses and she also demands that you bind yourself. If you refuse she will go into exile and you will not see her again. Those were her words. And I do not think she said them airily or you could change her mind", Dáin said placidly.

Thorin moaned, grimaced and hung his head.

"No! Oh, Dís! Please don't", he whispered.

"Think about it. I will return this afternoon again and expect an answer that I can tell her", he said and walked away without another word.