Strangled Heart (Thorin Oakenshield x Reader) (The Hobbit)

*17* Skin-Changers *17*

"Well it's very nice to meet you two. I suspect dinner will be ready soon. I'll help you get ready."

~~~~~~~~~~

The guards nod to me and the two children by my side, opening the door to the dinning room. The children beside me grasp my hands tightly as we enter the room, staring around in amazement.

Looking over to Adar, I smile lightly, leading the two of them to the grand table. The two of them sit to my left, to my right is Adar, and across from us is Avaline and Joshua. The two of them watch the children beside me with obvious interest.

"Avaline, Joshua, meet Fang and Talon." I motion between the children, introducing them to each other.

As the children begin talking and Adar watches them fondly, I find myself in thought. The last time I was here, the company was throwing food around and happily singing songs.

Gods do I miss them.

I wonder how they're fairing. After the scene at the cliff, they surely must think differently of me. But I wonder, to what extent?

Thinking back to yesterday, everyone was horrified when they found out the truth about me. But then, when I offered Dwalin a hand up onto the trunk, he accepted my help. Perhaps things wouldn't have changed as much as I thought.

Feeling a hand on mine, I look up to face Adar. He gives me a small smile.

"Perhaps you should go and see them. From what you told me, you left so suddenly. They at least deserve an explanation," he councils, his eyes filled with knowing.

I nod in agreement, guilt filling me. I glance over at the children.

"I should get them ready for bed."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ambrosia?" Avaline asks, covering a yawn with her hand as she snuggles closer to Joshua in bed.

Turning away from Fang and Talon, I respond, "What is it?"

Her shining green eyes stare into mine as she asks, "Can I call you mom?"

My eyes widen in shock. Their parents had only passed away a week or so ago. How could she want to call me that so quickly? Quickly I come up with an answer.

"Yes, you can. But only if you promise me something." I crouch down next to her, the other children watching me with interest.

"Never forget your mothers. After all, they raised you into the beautiful young girl you are today. Can you do that for me?"

Avaline nods, a tear in her eyes at the mention of her mothers, but a smile on her face. I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead before tucking her back in.

"Can we call you mom too?" I turn to Fang and Talon with a soft smile on my face.

"Of course, but only if you can promise the same thing."

"We don't know who our parents are," Fang says, a slightly sad look on her face.

"That's alright. You don't need to make that promise," I respond, tucking the two yawning children back into bed.

"Can I.. can I call you mom too?"

I turn around to the last awake child, Joshua.

I nod. "Just promise you'll never forget your mothers. They deserve to be remembered."

Joshua nods, a tired smile on his face as he lays back down beside his sister on their bed.

"I promise."