Dis' Story - Part 24

Young Fili did not now what to do. But he was an intelligent Dwarfling and knew that his mother was in pain. He had been told that when his mother was carrying a baby in her tummy, she was delicate. 

So he put a tiny hand on his mother's large tummy where his unborn brother or sister was still trying to grow. 

"Baby doesn't like it when you worry," he told her. "Baby says you should give me a cuddle to make you feel better,"

Dis couldn't help herself and smiled. 

"Did Baby say that?"

Fili nodded. "Yep. Baby said that, probably, it will make you feel 376 times better,"

"376 times? Well, I could certainly do with that. And we don't want to make Baby cross," So Dis hugged Fili tightly. 

Apparently, 'Baby' was right: she did feel better. Maybe not 376 times but...

Suddenly there came another howl. Dis did not feel better now. Clearly the Orcs which had come to the house had been searching for the Royal Family. They would want to kill the King. Did they know about Fili? She felt her nerves rise. 

But Fili had other plans.

The Orcs were looking about. They would find the cave and hurt Mama. They would hurt Baby. 

One moment, Fili was there. The next, he was gone.

With a cry of dismay, Dis climbed up on her feet and staggered to the mouth. The young prince was sprinting away on his tiny legs and the Orcs had given chase. 

He was leading them away!

Acting on impulse, Dis attempted to run after him. But a splitting pain cut her in half and she cried out in agony, crumpling to the floor. She must have passed out for just a second for suddenly she was surrounded by anxious Dwarves, male and female, all having come to her aid, fighting their way through legions of filthy Orcs.

A familiar face appeared. Thorin!

Her brother flung himself beside her, lips parted and a face drained of colour. He was asking her something. She knew that. But she couldn't take in any words. 

Then another face. Krili! 

Her husband held her in his arms. 

But there was only one thing on Dis' mind. "F-Fili! You have to find Fili...he's gone," she cried, over and over again to anyone who would listen. 

Krili's face darkened. He leapt to his feet. "Take care of her!" She heard him say to Thorin and them he was gone, sprinting away with a face of wrath. If any Orc so much as scratched his son, he would have its head. 

Dwarves were fiercely family-oriented.

Dis watched him go.

She remembered his blue eyes burning with strength and pride and his golden mane of hair billowing out behind him as he ran into the flames of Ered Luin. 

It would be the last image she would have of her husband.

She never saw him again.

~~~~~~~~~~

The King of Dwarves leant against the wall, silent. 

He began to wonder if Mahal was actually displeased with his family...

He had chased after his brother-in-law when he had made sure his sister was settled. Their house had not been burned and Dis had been put to bed with guards and doctors. 

Dis was in serious danger of going into premature labour.

Most of the fire was burned out and the Orcs slain. Ered Luin looked empty, dead, broken... Then from among the grey ash and charcoal and smoke, a golden haired boy emerged looking lost and nervous. 

It was Fili.

When he saw his Uncle, nothing could have held him back from springing into his arms.

Dis had waited for them. She was over-joyed to reunite with her heroic son.

But the face of Thorin had killed her joy.

Never had she seen her brother look as he did.

He wouldn't make eye contact with her and his face....his face was....

........

He had found Krili.......

..............and Dis had to be told that he wouldn't be coming home.