Thorin's Forgotten Past

Chapter 16: Change on the Horizon

Thorin's POV

If only I had known I would have never left that day. Forever I will regret not being there to witness the birth of my son. I was not informed until two days later when Alardus found me deep in the woods. He said that Eva had gone into labor right after I had left. He went to check on her that afternoon and found her crumpled on the floor, unconscious. He immediately rushed for the doctor. My poor Eva. I should have been there. How could I have let her talk me into leaving her?

I am grateful that Eva was found in time. The doctor was able to save both my wife and child.

I will never forget the first time a glanced at my son's face. He was the image of his mother's father. He had a strong, dwarf face with just a touch of human in it. Eva was a proud mother. She could not stop smiling as she handed him to me. I have to admit I was a bit nervous having never held should a small child before but all my fears melted away as the child looked at me and seemed to smile.

"We must name the child." Eva said. " He must have a strong name. What shall we call him?"

I thought for a moment and only one name came to mind, Golther. "We will name him after your father. I can not think of a better name."

Eva let out a gasp. "Thank you." she said. " You are right. It is a proud name."

The boy grew like a weed. ( Well for a dwarf that is.) Before I knew it he was old enough to walk and soon he was accompanying me in my trips to the woods. He learned how to navigate the woods very well and of course I taught him everything I knew about fighting and protecting himself. The boy was a quick learner.

Those were dangerous times. Orc sightings were becoming more frequent. The rangers and I came across them many times on our patrols. My concern for Eva and Golther's safety began to rise but there was not anyplace safer to keep them.

Rumors of war started to circulate. I knew that if war broke out that I would have to go fight the evil that was growing around us. I owed it to my family to insure a safe future but the thought of leaving them made my heart ache.

One night as I sat in the back room of the Prancing Pony discussing the current happenings with the rangers I heard the front door burst open and a familiar voice call out my name. Eva entered the room with a very agitated dwarf. He rushed to me so quickly that he about knocked me off of my chair.

" My friend, what is the matter? What brings you here so far from your home?" I inquired.

" Please sit and enjoy a drink after your hard journey." He replied," There is no time. You must hurry. Your father sent me to find you and bring you home. It has begun."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

" War. War is what I'm talking about," he answered.

I cringed at the thought of having to leave Eva again. I had no idea when and if I would return home.

Eva turned away so I wouldn't see her eyes welling up with tears but I knew she was crying and I broke my heart that she was in such pain.

"Eva, you know I have to go. If the orcs take the Blue Mountains it will not be long before we find them on our own doorstep."

Eva gave me a long hug and walked out of the inn. I followed her to our house with Balin close behind me.

It took Eva only a few minutes to have my gear packed and ready to go. I gave her and Golther each a hug and left. Just as I was about to turn onto the road that led to the Blue Mountains I gave one last glance back at the house. Eva and my son were still standing at the door watching my departure. I filled my eyes with their image. If I was to die in this cursed war I wanted the image of my beloved family to be the last thing I saw.

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-JFDragonFire