#greenkangaroo

---

Once Dori and Dwalin had managed to get Nori out of the tavern and back to Balin's house, a pot of tea was properly brewed. The dwarrows all sat in the main living area, where the three virtues explained a few things. 

Well, Dori tried to explain a few things, while Nori interrupted and Ori wiggled his fingers. 

"We can't kill anyone in holy hellfire." Dori said.

"Which isn't to say we can't kill at all." Nori added. "But you can't just point at a bloke and demand we off him with a bolt of lightning. For one thing we haven't got any lightning."

"We absolutely cannot interfere with the song of Eru." Dori continued.

"Bloody tweety bastard." Nori muttered.

"We can use divine influence to get you things you need, or to sway someone to our manner of thinking." Ori said helpfully.

"But," Dori interjected, "our divine influence is only as strong as our worship."

"What he means to say is people like him best." Nori smirked.

Dori spared a moment to glare at his brother. "We've useful physical skills. Ori and I have great strength."

Nori balanced on a fingertip. "I've been told I'm a fair hand for pickpocketing." he grinned. "And getting in and out of places I shouldn't."

"It isn't possible for us to see the future." Dori said.

"However," Ori said, "we can sense the weave of it, how it might wend." 

"We cannot revive that which is already dead." Dori warned. "We can each of us aid a sick person, but healing is not a power given to us, save for ourselves." 

"We can also speak any language, provided we hear someone say a word in it. Don't matter what word, mind. Some elf says 'easy on the bollocks' and bam, we're working with gold. Nice perks when you're a god." Nori said. "Nearly makes up for all the work." 

Dwalin glared at the thief-god. "You haven't done an honest day's work in your life." He said. 

There was a rush of air and a dagger was buried just over his shoulder in the wall. 

"I don't think I like the way you said that, Guardsman." Nori said pleasantly, but his eyes were a dark void, unreadable, unescapable. Ori made a soft noise and put a placating hand on his brother's shoulder. Thorin, hands clasped in front of him, kept his gaze focused on Dori. 

"What about payment?" Thorin asked. 

"Payment?" Dwalin broke out of his icy staring contest with Nori to glance at his King. 

"You can't call down a god without giving something in return, brother." Balin said. "That's only reasonable. They're busy people." 

"See?" Nori said. "Busy." 

"Thorin what did you agree to?!" dwalin asked, aghast. If he'd known- 

"Calm yourself, Dwalin son of Fundin." Dori said, bemused. "Your King hasn't given up his blood or his throne." 

"Though I'd take either." Nori quipped. Ori winced. 

"This particular quest stands to have impressive financial gain." Dori said. "We agreed before answering your summons that it made the most sense to accept gold as our price." 

"Not, not for us specifically." Ori said. "We don't need it." 

"Speak for yourself." Nori said. 

"It would go to, to shrines and schools and whatnot." Ori said. "I'd love to have a school in Erebor again." He sounded wistful. 

"A memorial might be nice." Dori said. "It's much easier to keep an eye on our worshippers when there's a physical presence." 

"Just put all mine in one of the old wings full of traps and guards." Nori said. "Whoever makes it in lays claim. Too bad we'll have to kill the dragon." 

"There is no garantee that Smaug the Golden still lives." Balin pointed out. 

"Ah, yes, of course." Nori said. "How silly of me." 

"A share of the treasures of Erebor, then, and shrines for each of you." Thorin said. He would admit privately that he was relieved. He was prepared to sacrifice whatever it took to retake his homeland, up to and including his beard and his life. That didn't mean he had to like it, however. 

Dori nodded. "Very well. One last thing to do, then."

"What's that?" Balin asked.

"Ask the old man." Nori said, nose wrinkled.

"Nori!" Ori exclaimed. "Don't call Father that!"

"Why not? He's older than dirt." Nori replied.

"This won't take long." Dori promised. He gestured and Ori and Nori joined him by the wall. They clasped their hands together in a small circle. They closed their eyes, and when they opened them, their gazes were filled with light. It was the light of forges, of molten rock, of change and growth and destruction. 

It was the light of Mahal, and it burned so hot Thorin was amazed that the house hadn't burned down around them. 

The three blinked back to reality; the heated tension of the room eased. 

"Your request has been approved." Dori said. "We will accompany you on your Quest of Reclaimation, Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror." 

The three turned to Thorin and bowed. 

"Strength-"

"Cunning-" 

"Honor-"

"At your service." They chorused. 

Thorin took a deep breath and nodded. "I welcome you into my Company." He said. 

Ori clapped his hands excitedly. "We're going on an adventure!" 

An adventure, or a death march. Dwalin wasn't sure which. He caught Nori's eye and the thief-god grinned.