Soul Marks Never Lie

Thorin glares at the paper in front of him. He had wanted to ride out to the Shire as soon as he taught the Betrayers a lesson but Dis and Balin both talked him out of it. He had not reclaimed his home just to lose it to chaos and anarchy the moment he stepped out of the mountain. There were steps he had to take, long annoying steps to make Dis his regent so that he may, as Dis says, 'Run off and beg for forgiveness for his stupidity, bigotry and for choosing a fucking stone, a STONE Thorin, over him. In the six years after the reclaiming of Erebor Dis took great pleasure in reminding him of what he nearly lost, my SONS Thorin! and what he had thought he lost, oh Thorin, he was your one. It is only the loss of her own One that softens the words when she speaks of Bilbo, not that it softens the hits to the back of his head.

“What, my dear brother, has that paper done to make you glare at it so?”

“It reminded me that I need to apologize to Elves.”

“Ah yes... Please tell me Balin has written the apology and all you need to do is memorize it and speak it like a parrot.”

“I am more than capable of apologizing to some tree shaggers without Balin's help.”

Dis raises an eyebrow.

“I see I was completely mistaken in my fear you would insult the very people you are saying sorry to.”

Thorin grumbles, focusing on the paper before him, mainly so he can ignore his sister, a trade agreement proposal over something he swears was hammered out during the meeting last week. Damn Elk lover had to have everything in writing.

“Thorin it's late. Go to bed. I can handle the nasty Elf papers.”

“You are too cheeky for you own good... but you are right.”

The grin Dis gives him makes him cringe inside.

“I'm glad you've finally realized what I've always said.”

“Good night Dis.”

She laughs.

“Good night Thorin.”

It takes two more days before everything is settled, a total of three months since they learned their Burglar still lived. Much to long of a wait in the eyes of thirteen impatient Dwarrows. Dis bids them farewell at the gates with a parting warning to Thorin.

“If my boys come home more scarred than they are now, I'll be crowned Queen because of your 'mysterious' death am I understood?”

“Perfectly my dear sister.”

“Good. Now go bring your One home.”

They set off toward Dale, from there they'll head to Mirkwood and finally to the Shire, feeling hopeful.