GDI, DETS! I don’t know how you manage to do it, but you made me cry and laugh in the same bloody sentence! *flails* So much to love about this chapter. Thank you for ending it on such a happy note in the midst of so much death and sorrow.

*HUGS*

Thank you, Nonnie, thank you so so SO much, I’m thrilled you enjoyed (is that the right word?) it.

That’s the idea… there’s hope. There’s new life in the midst of all this terrible, terrible loss.

imagine how drunk Bombur and Dain are about to get in the Halls together

Cute headcanon for if Dori makes it past the war of the ring: his parental instincts go into overdrive upon news of royal baby. Thorin and Bomfris get enough (beautiful) knitted baby things for three babies. Dori also babysits baby Durin on occasion when her parents are busy.

awwwwwwww!!!

(and if he sings old songs he never thought he’d sing again, and thinks of another baby when he holds the little one, well. That’s hardly surprising.)

I’m imagining the Stonehelm making sweets very seriously to impress his lady love. Mixing ingredients with Dwarven precision. Making sure that it all looks attractive (the icing was applied with mathematical precision). He also takes her sweet tea and lemonade so she can have a cold drink on a hot summer day.

*clutches heart* *keels over* what a sweetheart!

Oh, a thought! Thorin Stonehelm would (very nervously) talk to Bomfris’ brother Barur – even though he’s royalty, Barur Stonebelly is NOT one to approach lightly when he’s in his kitchen! – and ask for a little help, perhaps a few pointers in the right direction? Please?

Barur would purse his lips and grunt. “Right, stand there, mix that,” he would command.

And that’s how the Crown Prince of Erebor ended up with icing in his eyebrows.