A/N: the Ri brothers speak Gaelic.

It was a brisk cool day in the metropolitan city of Moria... people bustled about this metropolis like ants, scurrying about in an organized chaos. Trees periodically dotting the streets, moving about by the brisk wind that blew through the autumn colored leaves. As the leaves danced upon the sidewalk, a young man bundled up in a soft brown lambskin jacket...dark denim jeans that hugged his lower body perfectly...thick hiking boots...and a lovely knitted dark orange scarf, as he walked down the concrete walkway at a brisk pace. His gingery brown hair that was caught in a tail, blew behind him from a blast of cold wind...his silvery grey eyes squinted against the whipping breeze. He moved swiftly, then suddenly he ducked into a small shop that smelled of teas and spices...stomping his booted feet onto the doormat, he removed his scarf from his neck as he hollered into the empty shop.

"Hey Dori!" he heard a huff from behind the counter as a older man with silvery blond hair and soft grey blue eyes stood up from where he was bent over...the young man smiled at him as he walked over to him. "Got anything hot to drink Dearthair (brother)...Im freezing my asal (butt) off here." the young laughingly joked at the older man as he hopped up to sit on the counter...seeing the other man becoming huffy at his actions only made him laugh more.

"Norris! Get off my counter , you slaighter (rascal)!" Dori reached out to swat Norris who jumped quickly away and back onto the floor. He growled at his younger brother as he danced further out of the elders reach...finally Dori just threw his hands up in disgust and went back to straightening his stock behind the counter. "If you want something , dearthair beag (little brother)...then get your asal (butt) over here and do it yourself, Im busy." Dori heard him let out a gusty sigh and he tried to hide his smile of fondness so not to encourage the scamp anymore.

Norris went behind the light oak counter to get himself a freshly brewed cup of coffee that Dori had just made for those customers who preferred that over his specialty teas he sold. Taking a sip of the richly roasted dark essence, he peered around the small shop of his brothers. It wasnt big..just a cozy shop that specialized in various flavors of teas and coffees...which explained the name of the establishment..."Tea House of Ri". The walls were a soft cream...the chairs were painted a soft sage green and most of the wood ( tables,counters, framing) was made of a light polished oak...all of which added to the air of a homey and cozy place to rest with a cup of tea. As he enjoyed the robust flavor flowing across his tongue, he heard Doris voice echoing out from under the counter.

"So...any luck yet?" he straightened up to peer at his younger brother...hope in his eyes for good news on Norris job hunt. Several years ago he had helped Norris to extricate himself from a dreadful gangs influence...it took awhile but he was confident they had done it finally. Dori gave his full support to him during this time...emotional, financial, and even moral support, till they were finally free. Now Norris was out looking for jobs to help support the three of them...Dori had a good business which brought in a bit of money...Oryan the youngest was just about to enter college to try and get a degree in journalism and Norris,  was currently hunting for a job to help pay the bills.

"Not yet...but there are some promising leads." Norris tone held confidence that he was going to succeed. Suddenly he pushed away from the counter, setting his cup into the sink and began to head for the door once again. " Which reminds me...I need to get going. I have another interview to make it to in 30 minutes." He saw Dori perk up at the mention of a possible job. "Its a few blocks from here...should only take me 15 to walk it." Just before he left out the door he gave Dori a thumbs up. "Wish me luck." then he was gone.

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Norris had his head tucked down as he braced against a powerful gust of wind...not really paying attention to his surroundings ..when suddenly he collided with someone. He blinked in surprise as he bounced off and backwards into a wall..looking up to quickly apologize he saw the last person he wanted to ever see again, standing before him. It was Bolg, one of the leaders of the Trollshaw gang that he had been a part of once,and his 3 cohorts Tom, Will, and Burt standing there blocking his path. These four men were some of the nastiest members of the gang Norris had been a member of for several years before he had gotten out, that he had ever met. They were the bullies of the gang that met out punishments to those that broke the rules of the group, as per their leader Azogs orders. Norris became tense at the presence of these four men there and his eyes began to shift around looking for a path to bolt if it became necessary for him to run.  The only way this could be worse was if it was Gollum ...the assassin,before him.

"Oh...lookie. Its our pal Norris Ri...our lost little thief.." Bolgs voice was rough and harsh sounding to Norris ears...making him want to cringe at the sound.

"Bolg...Tom..Burt..Will. Surprised to see you four in these parts of Moria. What brings you to this side of town?" Norris tried to sound nonchalant about seeing them..learning long ago to give the appearance of total relaxation about all of this even though inside he shaking. Bolg looked around...shifty look in his eyes as he glanced around to view the other three men...scratching his chin before he turned back to look at Norris.

"Well..." Bolg paused. " ..you.We are here to talk to you, Shadow Fox." Norris felt a chill hearing his old gang name being uttered out loud once again...thinking he had abandoned it months ago when he left...then there was the knowledge of them also looking for him, which couldnt bode well for him at all. Norris kept his fear hidden as he crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow at the second in command.

"Why? What reason do you have for seeking me out...Im out of the gang now."  They snickered in malevolent delight at him...his fear was really rising now at the sound.

"You think your out? Not yet Shadow...you still havent paid the price of your freedom." Norris eyes narrowed as he growled in anger..preparing himself inside for a fight he figured was inevitable. "Dont get your dander up little man. We actually came to offer you a final way out. We need you to do one last job for us." Norris gritted his teeth in anger at what they were implying. "You do this, then Azog will consider it your departure fee..it will be wiped out, paid in full."Norris balled his fists up as his fury rose inside. "Or, if you want..we could always do it the traditional way. We could always pay a visit to your little brother...roughen him up a bit...you know maybe break a few bones. Thats the other way out." they sneered as Norris face went white  at the image of little Oryan being hurt because of his past mistakes of being involved with these outlaws. "Your choice, you know...Shadow Fox." his sneer as he said Norris gang name, left a sick feeling in his stomach...he knew if he did not do this job for them then Ory would suffer...but if he did then Norris knew it would be an act of betrayal to all that Dori had sacrificed for him. Norris stood there torn between the two choices until Bolg finally clapped his hands...shocking him out of his speculation. "Well...I guess we will just do this the old fashioned way." his grin was malicious and cold...Norris jerked out of indecisiveness and he swiftly made a choice.

"Wait! I...Ill do it." Just dont hurt my family..leave them alone and Ill do this last assignment for yall...after that, Im out...no more." Norris glared at their obvious enjoyment of his pain. With a grin, like a cheschire cat, Bolg rubbed his hands together knowing he had Norris over a barrel now.

"Good. Your target is located in the Misty Mountain Apartments..third floor on the left side of the complex. In this apartment is an item of significant value...a golden ring that Azog wants. Get it and bring it to us..then we will call your membership over with us ...forever. If you back stab us, then both of your brothers will pay the price for your betrayal." Bolg slapped Norris onto the back as if he had not just threatened Norris in the slightest. "Now, you have fun and we will be seeing you tomorrow night with out treasure. "with a wicked laugh they left Norris standing there in despair as they disappeared into the crowded crosswalk.

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It was shortly after the midnight hour when a dark figure melted out of the shadows along a balcony of the Misty Mountain Apartments...moving from one dark shadow to the next as if it was a part of it...slowly moving so not to be noticed. As it neared the balcony doors, it covertly eased tools from a belt at its waist, so not to make any noise to alert the inhabitants within the apartment and began to agilely work at the lock... a victorious smile appeared on the figures lips at the sound of the click that signaled the locking mechanism releasing. Cautiously the slim male figure breached through the portal..his silvery eyes peering around the darkened interior, seeing a waterfall of lush trailing plants in a corner near a table...further into the room a soft worn couch could be seen facing a media center...right past that a closed door on the right and another on the left. 

The silent figure crept through the room  to the door on the right, where he surreptitiously opened the door...not making a sound as he slithered into the bedroom, where a young man and woman laid asleep upon the bed. The man was not very tall, with soft sandy curled hair spilling about his pillow...the woman had dark mahogany hair cropped close to her head..both sleeping peacefully ...both unaware of the intruder in their home. With care the shadow searched around until finally he saw , upon a porcelain dish, laid a elegant golden ring. Without further ado, the thief snatched the ring and left as quietly as he entered the room. The figure almost made it to the balcony doors when a soft tiny voice alerted him that he was no longer alone.

"Daddy?" turning around the thief saw a tiny boy with dark curls framing baby blue eyes standing there in the other doorway...rubbing his sleepy eyes. "I ..tirstie daddy." the sweet voice murmured ..not realizing the shadowy figure was not his fathers. For one moment the shadow panicked, but he quickly recovered. With a nod of his head he swiftly got the child a glass of water and keeping his face hidden from the child he walked the child back to bed...setting the glass of water on the bedside table.Right as he began to tuck the child into bed, he suddenly let out a gasp of fear as his sweet face showed his fright. "Y..Y..you not daddy."the thief felt bad that he frightened the poor innocent, so ever so softly and with a gentle voice he cooed to the child.

"You are right ceann beag (little one)...I am your guardian angel for the night. I have been sent to watch over you and chase away any bad dreams that come, away." the child accepted this answer as he settled down, letting the shadow tuck him in...giving him the sweetest and most trusting smile to the shadow. "Nite..nite..ain-gel" with a kiss to the head and a tucking of the sheets, the man left as silently as he had entered, not knowing that in the morning when the child spoke of his nightly visitor and his parents saw the water and unlocked door..it caused a deep fear within them and they instantly moved to the city of Erebor.

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Norris breathed out a deep sigh of relief the moment he was a good distance away from the Misty Apartments. He had slipped up and almost been outted by the child...with quick thinking and luck he extricated himself out of there. He felt a sliver of worry for the family...if he had malevolent intentions that family would not have woken up in the morning. That was not his method of doing things..stealing was fine but you never caused physical harm to others...ever. Taking a deep breath , Norris made his way back home to get into bed before Dori noticed he was gone and started asking questions he did not want to answer at all, if he could help it.

Norris had turned down the street towards the shop, that the family lived over and saw a light was still on inside the shop and above. Groaning at his misfortune, he neared the shop...preparing a apology for being out so late and a speech for what he had done for whichever brother was up...when the smell of something vile assaulted his nose. Norris covertly entered the establishment..taking a knife from its sheath...holding it out in a defensive posture. Norris came to a sudden halt when he saw Dori ..laying upon the floor in the center of the room..a pool of foul smelling vomit surrounding him. He began to shake as he drew closer to his brothers still form...then once there he knelt down next to Doris body and he checked for a pulse...nothing. Dorian Michael Ri was dead. Up on a table next to him was a teapot with steam still rising out of the spout...slowly Norris sniffed cautiously at the spout and felt a chill run up his spine as he recognized the contents...it was poisoned tea. He felt a tear fall from his eyes as he whimpered in fear and grief for his elder brother...as he wiped the tears from his eyes he looked up , noticing writing upon the wall in a deep red...like blood.

~There is only one way out...through death.~

Norris felt a deep fear at those words as he realized who had left both messages for him...Gollum, the assassin of the Trollshaw gang...Azogs own personal killer that he used to clean up delicate issues that occurred for the gang. He knew then that Azog would never let Norris go before death...suddenly the image of Oryan dead too, just the same way as Dori, had him racing up the stairs to the younger mans room...praying to not find his little brother there dead. Someone upstairs in heaven was listening, for Ory was not dead..he was peacefully fast asleep on his bed. Breathing out a pent up sigh of relief he approached him and just as he reached out to wake him Norris saw a decapitated mouse next to the slumbering Ory, with a note pinned to its tiny body.

~Lets play cat and mouse, you and I. Run little mice...the cat is hunting you.~

Norris knew then and there they had to escape the city of Moria while they had a chance...he knew they had to leave everything that they knew and loved behind. So run they did..first setting fire to the shop in hopes of making it appear all three died in it...then running in the night to a city..then another before eventually settling in Erebor where they changed their names. On that fateful night Norris and Oryan Ri died along with Dori..perishing in a great blazing fire and born out of the ashes rose Nori and Ori Rysin.