"Milady…" he bowed his head as he took off his hood, " Maybe ye should head inside. It'll be a wee cold tonight…" He offered her the best smile he could muster, but even then, seeing the sadness in her eyes just made it all the more difficult. It rendered him powerless as his own heart broke. "Or would ye rather me fetch yer cloak for ye?"

"No. I'm fine… I just want to stay out here for a while longer… thank you, Dwalin," her voice was rather weak, but her resolve remained ironclad. It was as expected of the First Princess of the Durin's Folk. She pulled her shawl around her tightly as a small breeze swept by.

He remained silent and bowed his head, about to turn to retreat. Perhaps he should leave her alone. Even if he stayed, he wasn't the one who she wanted to be there with her. "...then I bid ye good night, milady." As he was retreating, he felt a small tug on his cloak. He turned to see Dis holding onto the thick fabric, looking up at him desperately.

"I didn't tell you to leave, Dwalin… please stay…"she looked up at him with her lovely doe eyes, fresh tears glistening, though not falling. It mesmerized him greatly. "I… would rather not be alone right now."

There was a helplessness about her that just made his tough warrior exterior melt away. He so wanted to embrace her and comfort her. They've known each other for their entire lives and he had loved her for nearly just as long. It was no secret to her, but he had long since gracefully bowed out once she chose another. It broke his heart, but it was what he thought would show his love to her the most: being happy for her. Since then, he had been trying to keep his distance for the sake of her family.

But now since Dili, her late-husband, was gone… No it was unthinkable. A dwarf is married until the couple are within Mahal's Halls of Waiting. That was the way of their people. He knew how much she loved her husband and how happy he made her. It would be shameful if he ever dared to rekindle what was never there. She was a mother of two and the wife of another man. And yet she asked him to stay. He obliged. "As you wish, milady."

She noticed how formal he was and sighed. "It's unbecoming of you to still be angry with me, Dwalin," she frowned. Dis let go of his cloak and crossed her arms. "Not at all warrior-like."

"When did I ever say I was angry with ye?" He lifted a brow. "I am just showing ye the respect ye deserve." He snorted and crossed his arms, looking down at her with some humor in his eyes. "It's nae proper for a servant to be addressing his mistress by name, ye ken?"

"You're not a servant… So stop acting like one," she challenged him. "And I'm certainly not your mistress." She snorted as she looked away. "In both sense of the word."

"Ah, I've long since abandoned that venture, I'll have ye ken," Dwalin stood his ground firmly and stared directly at her. It was very much a lie, but she didn't know that. "What with how ridiculously happy you are-" He immediately shut his mouth and spoke no more. It was definitely not the most appropriate thing to say to cheer her up. "... Sorry…"

"Don't… don't be…" she shook her head with a sad smile. "...yes. I was ridiculously happy. He did make me-..." she too stopped herself. As much as she wanted to make light of the matter, it hurted her too much. She felt a lump in her throat growing. The tears welling up in her eyes became unbearably heavy and threatened to fall at any moment. Dili was the love of her life and losing him was like losing part of her soul.

"... I'm useless…" he muttered quietly and slowly backed away. "Forgive me…"

"NO! No… Don't go… please… I..I-... It's alright…" she struggled to say, wiping away her tears. He remained, but he kept his distance. The brief moment of lighthearted intimacy was now gone. After a brief silence, she spoke softly again, "... Dwalin…"

"Yes, milady?"

"...How long must you pretend? You must really despise me for what I've done to you." She gazed into his eyes, searching for the answer. She could see through his facade. She could tell that he still loved her and was afraid to admit it.

"...ye havena done anything to me… what is there to despise?" he looked straight at her. He then shrugged as he eased the tension in his shoulders."It's all in the past now… It's best ye forget things that hold no meaning to ye." Easier said than done, he thought, on his part. Either way, nothing he could do would change her heart. It destroyed him inside, but it was the cold hard truth of it all. He especially didn't want her to change out of pity. "What matters now is that ye maintain yer health and strength for the sake of yer children, brother and for yerself, aye? Come inside, milady. Ye'll catch a cold if ye stay out here any longer."

"So I meant nothing to you?" she asked in a rather hurt, but quiet voice. This reaction was rather unexpected to her. She did feel guilty for not loving him in return, but this was something entirely new to her. Betrayal? After all that he once claimed, this was what he had to say to her?

"I'm not quite the man who'd follow my own advice, ye ken," he snorted with a shrug.

She blushed at the reply. It was true. She had not done anything to him or for him. Since the night when he confessed his undying love to her, she had done nothing to appease it. She did not refuse him and yet she never accepted him. She ignored him and followed her own heart. Nothing indeed. Not even did she have the kindness of telling him. Even so, he still remained respectful and never brought the matter up again. He was forever devoted to her brother and did his best to help her family out in times of need. He did not show any signs of envy or anger towards her or her husband. There was no look of pain, betrayal or scorn. Nothing.

She shivered as another icy gust blew past them. Her teeth chattered slightly as she wrapped her arms about herself tightly. Then all of a sudden, a weight fell on her shoulders and the chill was gone. Her eyes widened as she felt him wrap his cloak about her and fastened it neatly together.

"Get ye inside, milady…" he voice was low, but gentle and his eyes were busy looking at the clasp about her neck. "Leave the watch to the night's watchman." He pulled up the hood over her head and placed it carefully just above her brow, the edges framing her beautiful face. "Yer bairns are waiting for ye."

"And what about you?" she looked up at him for he was quite tall for a dwarf. She held his hand to her cheek. "What will happen to you?" Their eyes finally met. His eyes were always such a pretty shade of green, like the emeralds she so loved. Normally, they were fierce and could pierce like a knife, but now they glowed softly in the starlight.

"I've endured the cold for this long now. What's another wee gust, aye?" he gave her a sweet but sad smile. "Dinna ye worry about things that have no meaning to ye…" He slowly pulled away his hand. He stepped back, inclined his head respectfully and left without saying another word. Her cheek tingled where his hand once was as the air kissed it.

Dis stood there, feeling the warmth of the cloak, his warmth and scent that lingered. It was a familiar feeling that brought her back to that night so long ago. "I love you," he had said and embraced her. He had kissed her sweetly on the cheek, hoping for her response. But then she stood still, frigid, pushed him away and left. His response was the same as what she had just witnessed. How desperately must he have long to hear her call him back to her, asking him to stay. But he kept walking and she remained silent for 40 years. She sighed.

"I'm sorry…"