Save Us

Cousins

It seemed that, despite their ongoing internal war, dwarves, and elves were not so different from each other. The time Mäetharanel spent in Ered Luin made her understand that, just like in their society, they had certain roles, for example, Balin. 

Balin was not only a scribe, he actually reminded her of Galion, always going around and making sure everything is in its assigned place. Inventories had to be made, and he did them, people had to be spoken with, and he would go and speak with them. He was Thorin's right-hand man, just like her dear friend was to Thranduil. 

Dwalin, unlike his brother who had the brains, had the muscle, and so he was the one assigned to train their men. Not only assigned to train, the younger brother of Balin was also head of the guard of Ered Lindon, and was entrusted with the safety of their home. Dwalin had earned many names, names that would remind every one of his strength, his fighting skills, his strategies. 

The rookies were the best example of all this, for they wouldn't even flinch while doing the vigorous training dear Dwalin would make them do. He would insist that every one under him also knew how to hunt, because, in his words, 'ye never know when ye'll need ta hunt prey'.

As brothers, you'd think they'd be more alike, but no, they were not. Balin would use modest but elegant clothing, while Dwalin preferred his chest on full display when working. Balin would receive her with a smile, and Dwalin would glare at her. Balin would go as far as to explain what he had been doing, but Dwalin would try to make her stay near him as little time as possible, speaking angry kuzdhul and training aggressively. 

With the older brother, she'd make good use of the time spent near him, while with the younger she would have a lot of fun bothering him. Despite their differences, they loved each other very much, as did all the dwarves of the line of Durin.

Thorin had grown with them. Fili and Kili had been introduced to them when they were still small, and the Fundinsons had taught them battle and had given them wisdom. There was another cousin that lived in the Iron Hills, Dain Ironfoot, who she had not met yet. Mithrandir had often said that between him and Thorin, the heir was the most likeable of the two. 

Well, if Thorin had been so difficult to handle at first, Mäetharanel was glad that Dain had not been introduced to her yet. Speaking of the wizard, the elf began feeling annoyed. The nerve of the man, for leaving her completely alone! She knew nothing of his whereabouts.

"Thorin, how long until the quest begins?", asked Dwalin while sharpening his axe.

"Not long now", answered their king, "soon we shall leave to reconquer our home."

"All the contracts are signed, and the preparations have already begun. We'll have no surprises when the time to leave comes", the elf laughed openly, and Balin raised an eyebrow.

"By the Valar Balin, is that why you've been running around town?", and when he nodded she shook her head, "Such commitment isn't seen nowadays."

"Me brother is a honourable dwarf, lass", Dwalin nodded, proud.

Once alone, Mäetharanel let her thoughts consume her, with her eyes closed. What would happen during the quest? And afterwards, would they all make it back home? Her last conversation with Mithrandir before leaving his home had been about that, about the fact she might not come back to Greenwood. Her answer had been simple, no one would take her away from her loved ones, be it an orc, a human, or a damn dragon.

"Mäeth!", she had heard Kili coming, and smiled when he called out for her, "what are you doing out here on your own?"

"I am thinking, young one", her eyes opened and met with Fili's, "hello, Fili", who nodded and sat by her side.

"Are you not cold?", asked the heir of Durin.

"Going to give me your jacket, your highness?", Mäetharanel laughed when he huffed, "you were not the only ones who had to go against bad weather, Fili. Even if we are not nomads, elves do adapt well to weather."

"Specially sea-elves, eh?", Kili grinned, proud of himself, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Been studying, have you? But indeed, sea-elves adapt well to cold temperatures", Fili nodded and looked up at the sky, "it seems I am not the only one who had been thinking."

"Amad has been worried about the quest", said the blonde, worried about his mother that worried for them.

"About the quest, or about you two?", Mäetharanel knew she would be worried about her own children if they were going on a quest to slay a dragon.

"Us three, actually", Kili stared at the sky too, "she has been cooking our favourite meals more frequently, sometimes she even goes to the smithy when uncle isn't there to check on us!", Dís probably had duties to attend to, but her boys were first.

"Balin and Dwalin have been planning the last details for the quest", she glanced at both of them and smiled, "let us have faith that, at least with Dwalin, we will be well-prepared."

"I am going to tell Mister Dwalin", Mäetharanel smirked.

"Please do!", Kili grinned and Fili gave her a small smile before they said their farewells. After giving one last look towards the forest, Mäetharanel walked towards the home of Thorin.

---------------------------------------------

Several weeks later, while going around Ered Luin, the elf found herself having to contain laughter. Dwalin, son of Fundin, asleep in the training grounds, against a tree. Snoring loudly, unlike his brother that had been running around with papers, Mäetharanel decided he had rested enough.

"Dwalin", she needed only whisper and he jumped, his fists ready.

"WHY YE BLOODY ELVEN IDIOT!", she snorted before laughing loudly, "ye laugh!? Ye fool! Ye do not wake a sleeping dwarf!", her laughter made her bend down because her stomach was hurting from the effort.

"I fear you not, master dwarf! Half awake or asleep, I need not be afraid of your fists or your fury!", said the princess, while wiping tears from her eyes. That had been a good laugh!

Dwalin grumbled as he dressed the top of his body, and strangely waited for her as she eventually calmed down. On the way back to his home, they were approached by some dwarves that would be requesting weapons, or thanking Dwalin for training their sons while slapping his shoulder. What a strange way to show they were grateful. When they reached his house, Balin came to the door, eyes tired and hair untidy.

"Oh Balin... see to it that you rest", he gently smiled at her in appreciation, which she answered with a smile of her own. This dwarf had been the first to truly warm up to her, and for that she was very grateful.

"Lady Mäetharanel, thank you for bringing Dwalin back. Had you not done so, he'd be back in the wee hours of night from Mahal knows where", shaking his head, Balin glared at his brother.

"I brought him back, safe and sound for you", Balin nodded and made way for his brother who walked straight towards the kitchen as soon as he was inside their home, "I will see you both tomorrow, then."

"Sleep well ", and when his brother did not say anything, he cleared his throat, loudly.

"Yeah yeah, evening lass", said Dwalin from the kitchen, and chuckling, she left.

The day had been filled with, finally, the last arrangements for the quest. All that was left to do was to wait for the time when they would leave Ered Luin and be given to their fates, or to the dragon.

There was only one thing she was certain of: they would not come back the same.