-General-
The stone walls contrasted with the ornate columns that supported the halls of Erebor. Torches flickered, casting shadows over the dirt-streaked faces of the dwarves. The miners, in particular, marched with their pickaxes resting on their shoulders; their synchronized stride proved that not only elves could achieve such perfect discipline.
They whistled, humming melodies known only to them. It was early, with the sun just reaching its midday peak. It was the second shift, and they couldn't be late to relieve their fellow dwarves, who had been mining almost all night.
All their movements were reflected in Aldril's eyes. It seemed the dwarves were returning to their old ways: digging tunnels and extracting all Erebor had to offer. At his side, brothers Fíli and Kíli guided him toward the throne room, where Thorin awaited.
"I still can't believe you're fathers," said Aldril, watching a tiny dwarf barely a meter tall walk by, accompanied by three others.
"That's exactly what Thorin said," Fíli replied with a shrug.
Kíli, the more carefree of the two, put his hands on his hips with a sarcastic grin.
"The important thing isn't how we were the first to have kids. What really matters is—why the hell haven't you taken the next step with that elf?"
"A relationship with an elf is… complicated," Aldril sighed, as a memory surfaced in his mind.
[…]
It was summer when they rested in Rivendell. They shared a room. The silvery moonlight, the softness of the blanket, and the natural scent of roses that Tauriel gave off raised Aldril's temperature more than usual.
Tauriel appeared shy. Though they had camped and slept together during their travels, this felt different. The murmur of the nearby stream and the wine from the banquet made her consider a question she had long been avoiding:
"When will Aldril propose to me?"
Although our dear half-elf did plan to marry that beautiful woman, he wanted to find the right moment. He still had time… at least, if the events of The Lord of the Rings didn't catch up too soon.
One thing led to another. Between conversations and laughter, a fiery passion sparked between them. They kissed tenderly for a long time. Aldril's hands wandered over Tauriel's body, and she welcomed his touch. However, the final step never came.
"I love you, but I will keep my purity until the stars unite us as husband and wife," she whispered.
[…]
"We'll only take the next step once we're married," Aldril continued explaining to the brothers, who frowned at his words.
"Well, even though I don't like elven traditions, I have to admit—she's right," said Kíli, which made Aldril raise an eyebrow in surprise. Normally, he would've expected the dwarf to say something like, "That's stupid, just go for it." But no—this time, Aldril nodded at Kíli with admiration.
"You've taken long enough to propose. That way you could, you know…" he added, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
And like the flame of a candle in a storm, Aldril's admiration for Kíli was extinguished. He really shouldn't have jumped to conclusions… knowing exactly how that dwarf was.
They continued on toward the royal chamber. From time to time, the brothers made humorous remarks or chatted about how life had been since Erebor's reconstruction. Something Aldril had always admired about dwarves was their determination: in just a few years, they had restored the kingdom to its former glory.
In the middle of their conversation, the topic of wives came up like a rabbit peeking out of its nest. According to the brothers, their partners were twins. They hadn't officially married them yet, as they were waiting to reclaim Moria and settle there as rulers.
"What better time to propose than when you return victorious and reclaim your ancestral home?" Fíli said with a proud smile.
Before long, they reached the doors of the throne room, where two heavily armed dwarven guards stood watch. Upon seeing the brothers approach with Aldril, they bowed and opened the massive doors without a word.
Would they stop Aldril? Of course not. Aldril held a great title, along with the respect and gratitude of all the dwarves of Erebor. And if that weren't enough, he was accompanied by the two crown princes of the House of Durin.
Upon entering, he noticed that the once half-empty halls were now adorned with banners proudly hanging from the high columns. At the center of each banner, woven like a work of art, was the symbol of the House of Durin.
A dozen guards watched over the bridge that led to the throne, where, high above, the Heart of the Mountain gleamed brilliantly. Seated with majesty, his face serene and wise, was Thorin Oakenshield.
When he saw them enter, Thorin smiled. He rose from his throne and opened his arms in welcome.
"Aldril, my good friend!" he exclaimed, as the half-elf and the brothers approached.
"Thorin, it's been a while," Aldril replied, with a smile as genuine as that of the dwarven king.
They embraced, shared a few laughs and friendly words. However, they both knew there were important matters to discuss, and soon Thorin adopted a more serious tone, gesturing for Aldril to follow him.
At first, Kíli and Fíli made a motion to accompany them, but their uncle's firm voice stopped them with a simple order.
"I need to speak with Aldril alone. You two—go check on the preparations."
The brothers exchanged a glance but didn't argue. They might be jokers and troublemakers, but they weren't fools. They knew when to behave. They nodded and turned around, leaving Aldril to follow the dwarven king down a side corridor that led to a descending staircase.
Both remained silent. The torches lighting the path cast dancing shadows with every step they took downward. The echo of their footsteps mingled with the creaking of the stone.
Before long, a blinding light lit up the bottom of the stairs. As they crossed the threshold, Aldril's eyes were greeted by the warm rays of the sun, filtering through fine openings in the precisely carved ceiling.
A variety of flowers bloomed in harmony throughout the room. For a moment, one might mistake the place for a secret garden… if not for the gravestones rising solemnly and silently amidst the landscape.
"This is the resting place of Durin's line," said Thorin without turning around. He continued walking along a path he had walked countless times over the years.
Our dear half-elf followed without a word. He was confused. Why had Thorin brought him here? His doubts faded when the dwarven king stopped in front of a particular gravestone—one Aldril knew well, for it belonged to a dwarf he deeply respected and cherished.
"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin. Brave warrior… and wise dwarf."
"Balin…" Aldril whispered. His calm facade cracked, and a bubbling emotion rose from within. He still blamed himself for the dwarf's death and had avoided visiting the old dwarf's tomb all these years. That loss had driven him, in his later journey, to rein in his arrogance and leave behind his former carelessness.
He stepped forward and gently ran his fingertips over the name engraved in the stone.
"I'm sorry I didn't visit you, Balin," he murmured, closing his eyes. His lips pressed together in sorrow, and melancholy washed over him. That was Aldril… a trait inherited from his father, Túrin.
"Balin is the only one with the right to rest in this hall," Thorin said softly. He understood Aldril's mood, for he too carried the same guilt. Like the half-elf, he blamed himself for having been too weak—weak enough to need someone else's sacrifice to defeat Azog.
"I should have been stronger," he told himself every time his eyes fell upon the name of his old friend.
"Why did you bring me here, Thorin?" Aldril asked, his voice breaking slightly.
"Because, just like me, Balin told you his plans," Thorin replied. "I've delayed Balin's final wish for too long… and this time, I want your help to fulfill it."
"To reclaim Moria," Aldril said.
"Yes."
Silence fell between the two. It wasn't awkward—just… quiet. Balin's laughter echoed in Aldril's ears like a ghost from the past, and a smile spread across his lips as he remembered the good times shared with the wise dwarf.
He took one last look at Balin's name, then turned to Thorin and nodded.
"I'll help you. After all, it was Balin's wish too, and I owe him a lot. The least I can do is honor his memory by fulfilling his last desire."
**
"[email protected]/Mrnevercry"