A Hearts Home 39

Nis and Kirlin

elvish {English translation}

Khuzdul [English translation]

Iglishmêk /English translation\

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"Um, yer Highness? When was the amendment made to last week's council legislation?" Kirlin, Bombur's youngest daughter asked.

"No amendments have been made since you delivered the written document to the archive," Regent Nis said. Once she finished reading the paragraph she was on she looked up at her young helper. "Why?"

"This is no' the same document I took there."

"What do you mean?"

"See here in section three, paragraph ten is completely different," the young dwarf pointed out, setting the mentioned document on the desk.

Nis took the scroll and read the entirety of the section that had been pointed out.

"That looks like my signature at the bottom, but I do believe you are correct. This is not the version I recall signing."

"How could it have changed though?"

Nis considered things for a few moments before speaking. "I have an important project for you if you are willing to accept it."

"Of course, yer Highness."

"It will involve a great deal of reading and perhaps study of our laws," warned the Regent. "Someone needs to read through the documents in the Council Archive. I need to know if anything else looks like it may have been changed like this one or anything that might explain why it may have been changed. Do you think you are up to the task?"

"Yes, yer Highness!" Kirlin said excitedly.

"Very well. This is a confidential assignment. You are not to speak of it to anyone besides me. Do you understand?"

Kirlin nodded her head vigorously.

"If anyone questions what you are doing I wish to know."

"No one will question me reading everything I can get my hands on! It's what I do anyways! Oh, thank ye, yer Highness! Thank ye!"

"No, thank you for assisting me. You are welcome to bring your reading here to my office if you wish."

Nis smiled at the dwarfling that was nearly bouncing in place in excitement.

"I won't keep you any longer, Kirlin. You have a great deal of reading to do."

"Thank ye, yer Highness," she said barely remembering to bow just before she closed the door behind herself.

The Regent chuckled to herself for a moment. She couldn't help comparing the young dwarfling's reaction to the given task to what she knew the reactions of her kin would have been. Kili would have been out the door looking for a place to hide as soon as he heard the words 'Council Archive'. Fili would have given her a devastated look, as if she had melted down all his weapons into scrap. Dis would have looked ill. Nis didn't have the power to assign tasks like this to Thorin, not that he would have the time to do it on top of his other duties when he was in the mountain, but she knew he would have gotten that terribly stiff and blank look he wore when faced with something he dreaded at the mere thought of rereading so many dry official documents. Mahal knew she was glad she didn't have to do it herself. Even Balin would have had a moment of trepidation before sighing and starting the task.

Her thoughts turned serious very soon after that. She wasn't sure if she hoped Kirlin found anything or not. It might be a clue as to what was going on, but if it was what could it possibly mean?

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