10 years pass

Tias studies and training had progressed so well that she was considered to be one of the best in the area second only to master Grieg and many sought her out for her designs almost as much as her masters. She was even able to run the shop by herself so master and her could have a day or two off periodically. The shop was such a success that many in the region started to come to Gondalond for their wares which helped the city grow and become very well known.

Throughthe past 10 years Tohlm,Tia, and Bofur looked for hints or signs of her past...but no one remembered anything of a dwarven woman ,with a son and being with child, around that time. Their hopes of finding anything were fading rapidly. On her days off she generally made lunch and took it to the toy shop to Bofur and Tohlm so they could all eat together. One day on her day off they were gathered around the table in the back of the shop eating lunch talking when bofur got an idea about the ring.

" Tia? " she looked up from her soup.. hmmm.. " I was wondering about the ring and what master Grieg had ta say about it when yeh had shown it to him." Tia looked over to the curtain that led to the front of the shop before looking at him for a moment before remarking.

" I never did. You are the only one ive shown it to or mentioned of it. " she looked abashed as her face turned red at the look of surprise on his face.

"Why didnt yeh?" he blurted out before he thought .." sorry lass.. i know yeh had your reasons. " her face got even redder from embarrassment because she should of thought of that long ago. instead here they all were scrambling in the dark when possibly she was working with the one person who may hold the key to her past.

" No ..your right Bofur..im a fool. I should have told him about it and asked if he knew anything about it...I didnt think ." suddenly his hand wrapped around the back of her neck pulling her close to his face as he placed his forehead against hers. Starring into her eyes he spoke tenderly.

" No yeh didnt think...but thats one of yur ways that are too endearing to me." his smile softened the rebuke he gave her then he let go and went back to his lunch." Now... why dont we go over to the shop an see if he can take a look at it. Tohlm can watch the shop for a bit so we can sneak away after lunch ." Bofur saw her smile at him as she nodded her head at the idea. After a moment Tohlm came back in and sat down to eat. "Ey lad.. As soon as your done there me and yer sis are going to head over to the shop to have a talk with Grieg.. im a leaving yeh in charge till i get back. " Tohlm looked surprised but he replied respectfully to his master. " I will do my best sir...thank you ." As he spoke there was a rolling of thunder over head. " On second thought sir..you may want to go now..sounds like rain is coming ." Bofur nodded then quickly grabbed Tias hand ..." lets go lassie." and they ran out the door.

*************************************************

"Well that is an interesting story. So why didnt you tell me about the ring sooner huh?" her face went red again and she felt like she had let him down by not telling sooner. Bofur spoke up for her instead.

" She didnt want to burden yah with her problem more than she needed to..but were both askin now for yer help since we keep hitting a wall on this ." Grieg looked back and forth between them and whatever he saw swept away some of his dissapointment over this.

"Well..fine, fine. Let me see this ring." Tia handed it over to him turning to look at bofur when suddenly she heard a gasp from Grieg " I know this ring child.. where did you say you got again?" his eyes never left the ring he was looking at.

"My mother gave it to my father as she laid dying..telling him to show it to her family. You know this ring sir?" her voice quivered with hope.

"Yes... this is ring belongs to the Durin clan ..but not just any Durin. Its the ring of the royal family child. " her eyes widen into utter surprise at what he said.

" No..no..no.. it cant be. Im no royal..im just me..Tia." she started to shake her head vigourously in denial at this news. Master Grieg looked at her hard as Bofur sat in shock starring at her. Bofur finally found his voice and turned to Grieg with a perplexed look on his face.

" How could this happen to her without anyone mentioning it? Yeh woulda think that someone woulda said something when her and Tohlm went a missing those years ago."

"Well laddie that is the question you should ask of the family. I happen to know of some that live in the next city over , Noglond. maybe they would have a answer for you..or if not then maybe Thorins halls..he is after all the King and he is a Durin." Grieg went thoughtful for a moment. " You can go to find your answers but you have to promise me that from now on you will not keep secrets..got it lady?" his stern look made her readily agree and she vowed to keep the promise to him. He smiled and nodded his head at them then got up to deal with a customer who just walked in and shut the curtain to give them privacy. She looked over at Bofur wondering how he was handeling all this and saw he looked upset.

"Bofur..you ok? You look like your mad. I.." he cut her off before she could say more.

"I should apologize lass. You showed me that ring those years ago and i didnt even make the connection..of course its the durin ring..i just let it go and not thought on it again. Im sorry lass." seeing him look like he was ashamed for failing her she reached out her hand and wrapped it around the back of his neck pulling him close this time like he done to her earlier. He felt her soft hand on the back of his neck and he quickly looked into her eyes as she placed her forehead against his .

" yes you didnt think..but i forgive you." he looked shocked at her using his words back at him, then he saw her smiling cheekily at him and he chuckeled for a moment. Niether of them moved ..then suddenly her cheeks went red as it dawned on her how close thier faces were to each others. She felt this urge to just lean over and see if his lips were as soft as they looked..if he tasted as good as he smelled. Her breathing became irregular at the thought and her face went red as she sat away from him embarressed over where her thoughts were taking her. Bofur noticed her reactions and almost kissed her then but knew it wasnt time or the place for such discoveries. It needed to be in a more private setting away from prying eyes. As they sat back in their seats the curtains opened and master Greig stepped back in sensing the uncomfortable silence knowing something happened a few moments ago.

"How about you go to Noglond leaving out tomorrow morning. I was going to go there in few days to deliver this order I received, but seeing as you need answers that may lay there, then you go in my stead. I'll give you a week " she started to object about being gone for a week but he cut her off before she got started." I can deal for that long without you girl and you need to find answers."

"Alright sir..but you take care of yourself" she tried to look stern to hide her worry. But he just snorted at her effort, but he beamed on the inside at having such a wonderful protege. "Now go on and pack for the trip..I'll get the orders ready for you to take and find you armed escorts to travel with you." He turned and left to deal with the arrangements." Uhmmm..Bofur?" Tia turned back to him and hesitantly spoke ,unsure if she should ask him.

"What yah need lass..if I can I'll do it for you" trying to reassure her about what ever it was.

"I..would you go with me there please? I'm a little bit afraid of what if I don't find out anything..what if its another dead end? I really want you to be there." Saying shyly.

"Of course I'll come..I've got some toys that I'm planning on selling. I think I'll close the shop and bring Tohlm along to help." He loved seeing her smile with joy and before either realized it he leaned over and kissed her forehead which left her skin tingling from his touch. "I'll see you in the morning" with that he got up and left the store. Tia went to her room and started packing wondering what was wrong with her..he is her oldest friend and here she's wanting to feel his lips or just crawl into his lap like a child. Tia went to wash her face hoping to scrub the feeling away and then went to sleep.

Noglond - few days later

Bofur and Tohlm were setting up the stall to sell some wares for the day when a dwarf walked up to view the toys that were set out already. " Vemu( greetings). How can i assist yah today sir?" Bofur smiled at the man.

"Just looking for the now." he said not looking up.

"Very well.. whenever yur ready sir." Bofur was turning around to go back to putting out more toys when something flashed and caught his attention. It looked like a silver pendent but the design on it was exactly like Tias ring. Bofur felt his hope rise up and turned back to the dwarf." May i sir inquire about that chain on yur neck.?" the dwarf looked down at the chained pendent that had fallen out of shirt into the open.

"Aye.. this is a family heirloom i got from me mother years ago. " he quickly put it back into his shirt and was about to walk away when Bofur called out to him.

"Wait.. Sir.. please. I really need to know..ive seen this design before except on a ring. My l...friend really would be interested in talking to you about anything you know of this ." bofur almost said love but changed it to friend..then he noticed the mans eyes grew wide and intense at the mention of the ring.

"Where did you see this ring?" he growled.

"Ill take you to my friend who can answer yeh better than I." he didnt wait for the dwarf to agree before he turned to Tohlm who was looking at bofur with curiosity. "Hey laddie..you take over the stall for wee bit till i get back." Tohlm nodded and watched Bofur and the man walk away.

Tohlm led the dwarf past many stalls towards where Tia had gone to deliver the package to the client when he saw her coming towards him in the distance and he waved his arm in the air to get her attention. "Oi.. Tia." she saw him and waved back as she headed in his direction with a strange dwarf in tow. As they got close enough suddenly the man faltered in his steps at the sight of the girl walking towards them with a smile.

" By Mahal.. it cant be..." Bofur paused at his words and looked back at him with a questioning look as Tia stopped at Bofurs side.. the man stared at her intently making her feel uncomfortable. " she looks like my mother ..except her eyes..." he kept staring at Tia who gasped at the mans words and she turned to Bofur quickly.

"Bofur?" he reached for her hand to calm her down " What do ya mean sir.. I look like yur mother?"

" Aye. my mother was a beautiful woman with hair black as a ravens but her eyes were blue like sapphires. She looks like the spitting image of my mother . How can this be? " he growled at Bofur wondering if this was a trick or something being played upon him.

"Tia, show him the ring luv. He knows something about it i believe." he softly spoke to her. The man heard the word ring and remembered why he came and he became antsy. Tia slowly reached into her pouch and pulled out the ring to show the figitty dwarf and upon seeing it he gasped and grabbed it from her."Hey! Thats mine." she sputtered at him.

"Where did you get this! TELL ME WOMAN!" he shouted at her and Bofur stiffened at his tone to her.

"It would be best if ye changed yur tone to the lass ..she doesnt deserve it ." Bofur snarled back at the dwarf getting ready to fight him when Tias hand touched his arm and her soft voice spoke.

"I got this from my mother who died when i was born sir. I was told this would help me find my family. please can you help me find them?" at her words he took a breath to calm himself down.

"Im Dahl and i need Goraz (ale). Lets talk in there." he pointed to the tavern that was across the way and started walking towards it.

***********************************

They were seated in a corner of the nearly empty tavern drinking thier drinks waiting for someone to brake the silence . Tia couldn't take it anymore and with a deep breath she spoke first.

"You said I look like your mother? Can you tell me about her? " Dahl looked at Tia and decided that was as good a place to start.

"Her name was Meir daughter of Fror. She was born to a servant that served the Ered Mithrin prince Fror Durin from a one night dalliance between them. When he found out she was with child he gave her this ring and this necklace to prove that she carried a child of Durin. He was killed by a cold drake along with the king of the grey mountain and Thror became king. She waited till after she gave birth to a daughter ( Meir) before she went to the king to show him that his younger brothers line didn't die with him but king Thror refused to except a girl of a servant ,so he turned her away . After that she left and took mother with her. They traveled all the way to Bree where grandmother got a job as tavern wench and raised Meir up till she died later on. Meir in her grief traveled away from Bree and the memories , but was attacked on the road by some orcs ..they almost killed her when suddenly a dwarf appeared and rescued her. His name was Kuhr and he had been watching Meir for years helping her momma in the tavern. When he noticed she left he followed her and saved her that day...confessing his love to her. They came to Gondalond and had twin boys Kahrn and me, where we grew up till 30 years ago and we moved here. Before mother died she gave me this necklace and my brother Kahrn this ring to always remind us of our heritage. I eventually found a lovely woman Kizi who miraculously gave me three beautiful daughters before she left this world. Kahrn on the other hand fell in love with a half breed dwarf/ human woman and secretly she bore him a son..Tohlm was his name..and she was with child again when .." he stopped for a moment over the sorrow of his brothers loss.

"Goblins attacked and killed her." Tia finished for him as he stared at her in surprise over what she said.

"How..?"

Tia told him what Ognir wrote in his letter to her those years ago..she then told him what happened to the children. Before she had finished Dahl had a lone tear running down his face as he gazed upon his lost niece...lost no more...suddenly he jumped up from his chair pulling Tia, who was startled by the sudden movement, into his arms.

"We've found you at last my niece..Kahrn is going to be overjoyed at seeing you at last." Bofur started to get a little annoyed that this man was holding onto her so long and stood up scraping the chair on the floor,which broke Dahls hold on her. Bofur pulled Tia back to his side looking at the elder dwarf. Dahl looked at Bofur giving him stare for stare until he looked away,satisfied with whatever he saw there. "So is my nephew still in the blue mountains or what.I can't wait to meet him again and see how he's grown." Smiling at the thought of seeing his family again.

"Yeve already saw him. He's the young man watching me stall here. Tohlm is me apprentice now. " Dahl was surprised that not only was his niece here but so was his nephew and he grew excited . Bofur noticed "Wanna go and see him?" They left immediately and walked back to the stall with bofur holding onto Tias hand and not letting her go. As they got nearer to the stall they saw Tohlm was really busy dealing with a lot of customers who were buying up all the toys they had brought along ,so Bofur hurried up to help him handle them, leaving Tia to visit with her uncle Dahl.

"So you said you have three daughters.. how old ?" Tia shyly inquired as she watched Bofur and Tohlm working hard selling their wares.

"My oldest ,Kechi, is 100 and then there's Ahmi and Alysi ,there 65 and twins." He saw her do a double take at the mention of twins and he started to chuckle. "Yeah I know..didn't see them coming..its rare for multiples and most the time the mother doesn't make it through the birthing unfortunately. Just like my Kizi. I miss her but my girls keep me going each day..always getting into trouble but they do keep me on me toes." The love was so apparent in his voice when he was talking about them that it made her sad and miss her father.

"They sound lovely. " she looked back to Bofur and saw him look over at her smiling that sweet smile he had." Earlier you mentioned my father..I take it he is still alive?"

"Barely..but yes. After the death of your mother and not able to find either of you he became depressed and started to hide from the world. Hes more and more staying at the cabin she lived in for years trying to be as close to y'all as he could.Since her death he's lost his fire for living and were starting to believe she was his One love." Dahl sighed deeply then he glanced over at his niece and hope started to make its way into his eyes..maybe she would give him a reason to keep hanging on." Oh by the way..here's your ring back. Its yours."

They waited for nearly an hour before everything was sold and Bofur and Tohlm could call it a day. As the last customer walked away happy at his find the two men let out a happy sigh over their day. Bofur clapped Tohlm on the back and smiled " Nice job today lad. You've earned a kuppah goraz." Tohlm smiled at the compliment." But first there seems to be another matter that needs to be dealt with." Bofur gestured with his hand towards his sister and a dwarf she was standing next to.

" Tohlm..this is Dahl. " she paused for a moment." Our uncle." His startled expression upon hearing this made everyone smile. After a moment he finally recovered and extended his hand to him to shake.

"Vemu ( greetings). Im... Tohlm." he paused for a moment and looked at Tia with a many questions in his eyes. She just smiled at him. Dahl coughed to get thier attention.

"Why dont yall come with me to my home and have dinner with my family. We can talk there in more privacy and comfort." Everyone nodded thier agreement and followed him to a house that laid in the northeast part of the city. It was a lovely two story cottage like home complete with a tiny well tended garden on either side of the pathway. As they got past the gate a woman came running out the door hollering "Father! Where have you been ? Weve been worried you have been gone so long." dahl held out his arms and hugged her tight chuckling at her. She was a lovely dwarf with long red hair and vibrant green eyes. Finally she pulled away and looked at the people who was with him.

"This is my oldest daughter Kechi and..wheres your sisters?" looking around for the other girls.

"They are.." before she could finish the other two came running out of the house shouting Father also. The girls hugged him at the same time almost knocking him off his feet in thier exuberance.

"These are my twin girls Ahmi and Alysi." nodding at each girl. Ahmi was a petite dwarf with long blond hair, like cornsilk, and two delicate braids framing her face with stunning eyes like amythysts. Alysi looked similiar but her hair was raven black with waves like Tias and her eyes were a silvery lavender blue. "Lassies. This here is Tohlm and his sister Tia." as they were about to greet them he interjected " Your cousins." their shocked expressions were priceless and he couldnt help laughing loudly. They quickly recovered and sqeauled with joy as they embraced Tia and Tohlm tightly.

"By Mahal.. Cant believe it..Your alive and here!.. Come inside ..come inside " they kept chattering at them while dragging them into the house .Bofur smiled and just followed them in with Dahl coming in behind him chuckling at them all. Suddenly Kechi popped in front of the two men with a scold forming on her lips but Dahl stopped her quickly."Darling this is Master Bofur  Broadbeam and hes Tias." looking at Bofur who smiled while putting a finger to his lips gesturing for thier silence on the matter. Kechis smile grew wide and she nodded as she went back in the other room where everyone else was seated with drinks.Dahl turned to him and gave him a look." She doesnt know yet does she?" Bofur shook his head at him.

"Aye.. not yet. Im letting her figure it out but im staying close for when she does. I have time to wait for her." Bofurs eyes strayed to Tia who was laughing on the couch over something that was said and his heart beat a little faster from the sound of her voice. Dahl just nodded his head at him.

"Aye you may want to wait for her but shes growing into a stunning woman and pretty soon their will be other bucks trying to capture her from you. You may wanna let her know before they get her. Its your business and all.. but thats my view on it." he left Bofur standing there ,as he joined the group, to ponder over his words.

Dinner was a wonderful affair to them all as everyone was gathered around the large table talking about the past and getting to know each other . Then the men all got up and went into the other room to sit and talk while the women stayed in the kitchen cleaning everything up and chattering some more about womanly stuff..Tia found out that Alysi loved to hunt and garden..it was hers that was outfront..and Ahmi was the local healer having extended knowledge in both elvish medicine and dwarven medicine and Kechi was the local seamstress and fairly good at her craft. It was a wonderful night and as they were leaving Dahl pulled Tia aside and told her where to find her father.

" He stays mostly at the cabin that was your mothers on the edge of the forest of the low lands outside town. You should find him there. Here take my necklace to prove to him that you have my approval...just return it to me please." he closed her hand over the pendent and kissed her forhead .

" Rasup gamut and gamut nanun ( farewell and goodnight) tak yemu (until later)." they all hugged goodbye and left for where they were staying for the time. After they got to thier room they were all sharing and were about to settle for the night Tia went over to Bofur as he was rolling out his matt on the floor.

"Bofur.." she whispered his name hesitantly and he looked up at her.

"Oi lassie." he waited for her to speak.

" Uncle Dahl took me aside and told me where my father is ..uhhmm.. will you please come with us to see him?" she blurted out quickly." I dont know if i have the courage to face him alone and .. i really want you there to give me strength..please?"

"Of course ill come with yah...i canna let yeh go wondering off by yerself alone and me not knowing anything." his hand stroked her hair and cheek gently. "If something ever happened to yah i dont know what i woulda do" his smile and agreement to come brought a glow to her. Suddenly Tohlm cleared his throat while looking pointedly at them both and as they moved away Bofur saw a blush steal across her cheeks. Bofur smiled until he saw Tohlm staring at him with eyebrow raised..then he cleared his throat and layed down to sleep knowing tomorrow was going to be on them all to soon.

The next morning they were on the road heading towards the cabin that Dahl told them about..and Tia was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She kept fidgiting in her saddle and tapping her fingers on the saddle horn.Bofur and Tohlm noticed but tried not to say anything to her thinking it would just make it worse. Finally Bofur couldn't take it anymore and he rode closer to her under Tohlms wachful eyes.

"Tia lass..what's gotcha so antsy. You look as nervous as a long tail cat in room of rockin chairs?" Hearing his voice broke her out of her thoughts and she looked over at him before sighing and answering him.

"I'm just nervous...maybe he won't like me. What if I don't measure up to what he wants or expects." Her voice trailed off as her mind went back to her thoughts, but Bofurs soft laugh snapped her back.

" Ah my sweet Tia rose...he would be a complete fool if he didn't like yah...but if he dont, then at least yeh got us. We love yah just the way yah are" he smiled at her and got one in return from her.

At last the cabin came in sight . It was just that..a simple looking cabin made of wood and river rocks. As they got closer they saw smoke coming from the chimney and there was a dark haired dwarf with no shirt on chopping wood on the side of the cabin. He stopped when he heard the ponies neighing and looking up saw them coming towards him. He was just standing there looking at them when suddenly his eyes got wide and the ax fell from his fingers to the ground with a thump. Tias breath started to come faster as she became nervous looking at him and if it wasn't for Bofur riding there next to her she would of turned around and rode away.

"Who are you and what do y'all want?" His voice spoke roughly as if it was torn from him. Tohlm was the one who spoke up for them as they dismounted.

"Were looking for Kahrn." The mans eyes became suspicious as he watched them.

"What you want with him.?" He picked up his ax in his hands just standing there holding it.

"Well sir.. he's our father. I'm Tohlm and this is my sister Tia." As he said his name the dwarfs hands started to tremble.

"You have any proof that your his son boy" his voice rasped out from the strain he was under. Tia reached into her pouch and pulled out the ring and Tohlm pulled the chained pendent out from under his shirt to show the man.

"Our uncle Dahl gave me his necklace as proof that im the son of Kahrn and our mother gave that ring to my sister when she was born." He gestured to Tias hand holding out the ring to show him. The man took a step closer to look and as he was gazing at the ring and Tia ,a tear fell down his cheek. A single word tore its way past his lips sounding more like a painful growl.

"Ravie" they all looked at him.

"Was she my mother?" Tia softly spoke to him..hoping this was him. He took a deep breath to steady himself then nodding he walked back over to the stump and buried the ax into it gesturing for them to follow.

*******************************************

The cabin was small and cozy but it looked homey to the group who sat at the table with cups of water before them. Tohlm looked around the room while sipping his water and saw a pot of stew cooking over the fire, small bed in the corner of the room and a ladder that led to the loft. It was the loft that triggered a memory of him climbing down that ladder on a chilly morning coming to the table for breakfast of hot porridge and bread. Tia saw his eyes not focusing on anything in particular so she nudged him and looked at him questioning.

" I remember one cold morning sitting at this table eating breakfast and mother would come by and mess with my hair. I remember she could barely walk she was getting too big with you Tia." as he spoke Kahrn verified what he said.

" She always had a smile on her lips as she would try to fix your hair..always saying you needed to comb your hair if you wanted to grow a proper beard like your da." Kahrn couldnt keep the pain out of his voice as he thought about Ravie.

"Please can you tell me about my mother? Tohlm doesnt really remember much cause he was so young."Kahrn sat back and started to relate how he met her.

" I was out hunting a boar one autunm day when suddenly it cornered me and gored my thigh..i would of been a goner if she hadnt shown up and stabbed it through the heart as it was rushing me. I looked up at my savior and saw a beautiful woman with red hair and flashing green eyes standing  over me. I passed out and the next thing i knew i was in a bed ..no clothes on and my leg bandaged tightly. There was my angel ,standing taller than any dwarf but smaller than a human, near the fire stirring a pot.  I stayed with her  that autunm and through the winter snows as she tended to me and helped me get back on my feet . We talked most nights about our past and lives. She was a half dwarf /half human mix..and alone...no one wanted her not even her parents., they had abandoned her as a child because they were ashamed of what she was...until i came along. Her beauty and the kindness of her heart won me and i fell completely in love with her..but my mother forbade me having any associations with a half breed. I didnt listen..we secretly saw each other and eventually we had you Tohlm...we kept everything a secret still. She became with child again ..you Tia.. and i was planning on telling my family about yall after i got back from serving as a guard on the northern barricade, but things happened before i got back. She was seven months along at that time and when i got back one month later i found her dead and you both missing. there was so much blood everywhere and it looked like she was dead a day ..i tried to find yall but nothing..it looked like you were dead and i went to my family to mourn and tell them the truth of it all.  My mother had passed away shortly before all of this so the only family i had was Dahl who took me in and shared my pain over my loss. He excepted our union and if i had not kept it all a secret she would have been safe. He would have took her in and protected her as his sister, defying mother, and you both would have been raised with your cousins side by side. "  as he spoke tears were running down his face unhindered at the memories. Tia stood up and went to him as she enfolded him in a hug weeping openly on the man she knew was her father. He was stunned for a moment then his arms held tightly as he reached for Tohlm dragging him into a family embrace and they all wept without any shame..it moved Bofur to tears himself.