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Mending the Broken Pieces	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 13613 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story. Tolkien and Jackson are the ones who own the characters and world.

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Author’s Note – I wasn’t sure I’d ever get out of the slump I’ve been in. My depression and anxiety have hit hard, and I just kept fretting over things. I couldn’t get the muses to cooperate at all. Even sitting down with my word processing program open wouldn’t help. I just stared at my screen; my mind seriously would NOT cooperate at all. I hope that this means that slump is over with. We’ll see how it goes.

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make money from this story.

Chapter Fifty-Five – Letter to Dis

Once Hawthorn was resting, Thorin bade his cousin farewell for the time being and went to his rooms to take care of a few tasks that he had set aside for the moment to spend time with his hobbit. His mind was churning in several different directions, going through the conversations he’d had with his betrothed. She’d revealed a lot of things about hobbits and had listened as those who loved her did their best to help her see beyond the lies that had been heaped upon her since she’d been injured so badly as a tween.

Thorin simply nodded to those who bowed, focused on his tasks. He entered his rooms, going to the table he used as a desk. The king uncapped his inkwell and ensure the nib was sharp on his pen before pulling a sheet of parchment to him so he could begin writing.

~To Dis Axedancer
Daughter of Thrain
Princess Under the Mountain

My Dearest Sister,

I know my last missive to you must have only just arrived, but I found myself with heavy thoughts and needing the advice you provide so well so I must set my pen once more to parchment to share these pondering of mine with you.

Our family has safely arrived home; Kili took an injury to his shoulder and despite that, he kept Hawthorn from crippling injuries or even death when the mountain erupted after she disposed of the item we have been fretting over. As it was, she was burned but I have been assured that she will be able to walk again once those injuries have healed. When she was told she would have to wear lightweight shoes from now on, she did not take it poorly but mentioned there were a clan of hobbits that wear shoes and have been able to grow facial hair. Interestingly enough, Hawthorn said that it was rumored that this particular clan has dwarrow blood that caused these changes since hobbit feet are usually tough enough to withstand most environments.

It was during this discussion that she spoke of them being treated poorly, though not to the extent her people treated her, because of their differences.

I have to admit, dear sister, that her words prompted thoughts that have been racing through my mind since our discussion hours ago. Thoughts I have not spoken to anyone as I wished to gain your insight on this before I bring the idea to our cousin as well as the company.

The lands outside of the mountain and Dale are burned; there are some signs of life to it, but I have no idea if we can restore the farms without outside help. I know that Radagast, the Brown Wizard and friend to Tharkûn, mentioned to Hawthorn that he would provide aid to help bringing life back fully to this area. The problem lies with the fact that wizards are notorious for coming and going as they please, and we need someone here that can guide and teach the men of Dale and those of our own people who wish to till the earth how to bring the farms and orchards back so that both kingdoms can be sustained without worry.

My thought is to offer sanctuary to these “Stoor” hobbits and see if they wish to create a home here in our area of Rhovanian. There will be plenty of opportunities for them to farm or fish as they wish, and our people would not shun them for the differences between them and the other clans of hobbits.

Truthfully, outside of the few of us who traveled for work, I doubt many of our people would know them to be any different since all they would have to compare them to is their future queen.

The only concerns I have is if they’d be willing to live in the mountain until time allows for us to help build a community outside for them as well as how they would treat Hawthorn. I would not have my One treated poorly by anyone here; this is her home now, and I want her to be safe both physically and emotionally.

I would dearly love to know your thoughts on this, Dis, so please write back as quickly as you can.

Be well and Mahal watch over you.

Love,

Thorin II Oakenshield
Son of Thrain, Son of Thror
King Under the Mountain ~

He made sure the ink was dry before sealing it, rising to head to the raven’s area. Thorin was eager to get this missive on its way to his sister, needing her advice on this. He just hoped she would agree and be able to soothe any misgivings he had about this possible endeavor.

It didn’t take long before an eager raven was on its way to the Blue Mountains, and the king watched in silence as the winged creature flew further and further away. He was eager to see the distance gone between home and his people, and it was difficult to be patient to wait for the seasons to change so Dis and their people could travel homeward.

“Something troubles you,” an elderly voice questioned, causing the voices of the other ravens to quiet down in respect of their chief.

“A great many things trouble me,” Thorin told Rarc, eyes still focused on the horizon. “I do not have all of my advisors at my side, and there are questions that continue to rise as we pass through the days. I grow unsure about changes that need to be made in order to allow Erebor and Dale to flourish as it once has.”

The chief of the ravens flew down to perch beside the king, and the dwarf was keenly aware of the dark eyes watching him. He often remembered hearing his grandfather comment on how the birds often seemed to see deep into the soul of the person they were observing and how unnerving it could be. Now that he was on the receiving end of such a stare, Thorin could only agree with Thror now.

“Guiding a flock is never easy,” Rarc shared after several long moments of silence. “Questions rise as complications are faced. Life simply is that way.”

“Very true,” he sighed, then shared part of what was troubling him. “I want to bring a smaller group of people alongside my dwarrow home here to Erebor. The problem is that, while they have been shunned by their fellows for being different, I don’t know if they also shunned Hawthorn for her own differences. If I bring them here, how do I keep her safe from harm if they were part of that problem back in the Shire?”

“Will they live in or out of the mountain?”

“At the moment, inside the mountain,” the dwarf answered. “Come spring, we will rebuild Dale and I cannot build three communities at once. It’s impossible to do, and the priorities are ensuring both my people and Bard’s people have their homes once again. The mountain will be enough for the hobbits until such a time comes where I can have their own community built for them.”

“Nests are important,” the raven agreed. “Fledglings need safety to grow and thrive, and these nests have been empty and damaged for quite a long time.”

“That they do, my friend,” he said, frowning slightly. “If my sister agrees with my thoughts and we invite them here, I will have to make certain they understand that the ways of our people are to welcome those who are different. More importantly, I need to speak with Hawthorn about this idea before even extending the invitation.”

“She will agree,” Rarc said, preening a feather for a moment.

“You think so?”

“Wise that one,’ he answered, watching the king. “She puts the needs of others before her own so she will agree to having the smaller ones here so that the land can flourish. She cherishes fledglings and knows that nest and food are important to let the fledglings grow as they should. Your mate will agree to having them here because this is the best way to get what the fledglings need.”

Thorin smiled, knowing Rarc was correct in his assessment of Hawthorn. He knew his hobbit would put aside her own insecurities to work with whoever was brought in to help with the rebuilding. The king hated it because he knew she would hide any turmoil, but he loved her even more for her compassion and determination.

“So her family must ensure she does not come to harm emotionally if these hobbits feel the same as the other clans of hobbits do,” he murmured, working through the problem at hand. “Hawthorn will be over the guilds and workers that provide necessities for the mountain, and that means she will be interacting with several of these hobbits.”

“Her shield will ensure she will not come to harm,” Rarc reminded him.

“I know; Helka would probably skewer anyone who tried to snub her if Hawthorn allowed her to, and I know the company will do their best to avenge any slight made against her,” Thorin chuckled. “It’s another reason I would like to see her choose her ladies-in-waiting; they can help her perform those tasks as well and limit her exposure to negativity if those hobbits are a problem.”

“There is a fact I believe your nest-mate will remind you of,” the raven said with a cackling laugh. “Remember your mate is strong; she can and will do what is best for your nest regardless of what this will do to her. The rest of the family-flock will have to do what is best for her.”

“Good point, my friend,” he said quietly, realizing Rarc was correct. “We will do what is best for her as she does what is best for our people. I have to remember that I have friends and family I can count on for this.”

Thorin left the raven’s roost a short time later, feeling a bit more confident about the decisions in front of him. He reminded himself to seek out Rarc whenever he needed the additional insight since the old raven was remarkably wise. Wisdom was something he would never walk away from; experience had taught him that, and he was grateful to have so many who were willing to advise him when needed.

Speaking of advisors, he was happy when he spotted most of his company heading to the room that had been claimed as their meeting area. He gestured them to enter and took a seat after they found their own.

“Something bothering you,” Dwalin asked, taking out what he needed to care for his weapons.

“In a way,” Thorin commented, then shared what he’d been thinking about in regards to the hobbits.

The group listened, and Bofur tilted his head for a moment once Thorin had stopped speaking. His voice was low but carried well.

“I can see why you’re not so sure about this,” he commented. “But I think Rarc is right. We have to be able to balance the needs of our family with the needs of the mountain. You asked us to be your council, and we’re all happy to do so. I think we have to keep this balance in mind and remember we can’t sacrifice one for the other.”

“We’ll just have to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t push herself into a situation where she’s being treated like she was in the Shire,” Dori stated firmly, not looking up from the sewing he was doing. “She’s loved and respected by all of us; we just have to remind her of that.”

Fili spoke up as the others were agreeing with the tailor; he agreed with the words too, but he also knew that there was another level of protection they would have to insist on.

“Uncle, you need to make sure she finds her ladies-in-waiting soon. I know she may want to put it off, but they serve an important function for the queen,” he began. “I know she won’t know anyone, but I believe Mum would help her there.”

“I plan on speaking to her again about it,” Thorin said. “I am hoping she finds a connection with Dis as well as the wives of the company.”

Bombur frowned a moment, looking at the fire burning in the fireplace before turning his gaze to his companions.

“I think having her write Dis and our wives through the winter might help her,” he said softly. “This way she’ll have a chance to develop friendships through writing, and the princess will be able to start teaching her what she’ll need to know once Hawthorn marries you. Otherwise, the lessons will be rushed and she’ll be stressed about everything.”

“He’s right,” Balin agreed. “A wedding and coronation are going to be stressful as it is, and adding lessons to this in a hurry will only make it worse. This is a time she needs to be enjoying, bridal nerves and all, and the last thing the lass needs is to be fretting over learning everything in a rush in hopes of being able to meet Erebor’s needs quickly enough.”

“It’s a good point,” Thorin stated. “I’ll have Dis suggest it if she writes Hawthorn again, and perhaps she can send letters of introduction from your wives at the same time. It’ll be easier on the ravens that way.”

“In the meantime, I think the idea has merit,” his oldest cousin shared. “Hobbits have a way with the earth that we don’t have, and we’d be fools to waste this possible opportunity.”

“I’m in agreement, but I’d rather have Dis’s thoughts on this before I make the official offer,” the king replied. “We all know she’ll have her own ideas on how to go about this, and her contributions to a plan would make things easier.”

The group agreed, then snickered when Kili piped in.

“Mum will have us strung up from the battlements if we made any decision she would deem rash or ill planned. This is the safest way of doing things that won’t have us in any form of pain,” he said with an impish grin.

Thorin laughed, leaning back in his seat. He would have to speak to Hawthorn about this while waiting for his sister’s response, but he felt a lot more comfortable about this decision now that he’d had time to talk about it with the others. He would do what was best for both his One and his kingdom.

Author’s End Note – Oh wow, this chapter did NOT want to be written. I was fighting with it for a while, and I’m so glad to finally have gotten it done. I hope everyone enjoyed it, and thank you so much for being so patient with me. Take care everyone, and I’ll see you next chapter! ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces