This is the sequel to 'World' Apart'. It was unpublished for a while because I wasn't happy with the original story line. More and more people kept asking for the sequel so here it is, hopefully better than it was before. 

Don't worry about the other stories. I am back to writing more and more regularly. The first story that I want to finish is a 'A Baby Story'. So this one is kind of on the backseat. But there will be at least weakly updates!

Thank you for being patient. I hope you will enjoy this story.

Love, Nathalie

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Galolyn giggled.

"Sssh" Gwendolyn hissed, warning her sister to stay quiet. Though she couldn't stiffle the giggle that left her mouth either.

"I wonder where my two oldest princesses are."

Gwendolyn pulled her sister back with her as she crawled further back to the wall. Their backs rested against the cold stone. They were hidden from view by a table-cloth that fell down almost all the way to the floor.

Softly thumping every time it came into contact with the carpet, Thorin's boots walked to the other side of the room.

"Maybe... under here!" Thorin pulled up the drapes expecting to find his daughters. He was genuinely surprised when he didn't find them there. "My gems, where are you?"

Galolyn pulled back her feet a little. They weren't close to sticking out from their hiding place but you never knew. Better be sure than sorry.

The two sisters were both wearing the royal Durin blue colors. Gwendolyn wore a big, puffy dress and her younger sister, Galolyn, wore a pants and shirt. Princesses weren't supposed to wear that but they were in their kins' halls.

Gwendolyn watched with wide eyes as Thorin got down on all fours and looked beneath the sofa. "Not here then" she heard him mumble.

She signaled for her sister to move a little to the left.

If they were lucky and their father would keep searching on the other side of the room, they could make a dash for the cabinet. It may be against the rules but Thorin always told them to do whatever they needed to do to win.

Galolyn shook her head. "He will see me" she whispered.

Not quiet enough.

Thorin's head shot up and a devilish smile appeared. "Where could my two treasures be?" he asked. He got back up to his feet and walked towards the door. "They are both very clever so perhaps they are not in this room."

Without a warning he ran towards the table they were hiding beneath and pulled up the table-cloth. Two surprised faces looked up at him with blue, wide eyes.

"How did you find us?" Galolyn asked, astonished.

Gwendolyn rolled her eyes. "Because you talked too loud" she said grumpily.

"None of that Gwen. Your sister just wanted to be back with her daddy" Thorin said with a smile. He bend down to pick her up. Galolyn wrapped her arms around his neck. "Didn't you, my sweetling?" They rubbed their noses against each other.

Thorin offered his eldest a hand and pulled her up.

"We have to go downstairs. Your mother is probably waiting for us with dinner."

Gwendolyn nodded, hugging her father before they moved downstairs. "Do you know what we are going to eat dad?" she asked as she could feel her stomache growl.

"I am not sure. Your mother sometimes comes up with strange recipes" he told her with a wink. "But I am sure that it can tame the beast in your belly."

"Dad! It is called my stomache, don't call it a beast" Gwendolyn complained. Honestly, she was getting too old for this. It still did wonders for Galolyn though.

Thorin softly rubbed her back. "I know that Gwen. Sometimes I forget how grown-up you are already." He smiled proudly at her. "Just don't forget to be yourself while you still can" he added, his face growing grimm.

She didn't comment on that. No one knew what was going on in his head sometimes.

He pushed open the door to the dinner room where they were greated by delicious smells. Thorin put Galolyn on the floor so that she could walk to her chair herself.

The king had special chairs made for this room. All his children had their names carved out of the back with a little heart above it.

"Âzyungâl." His eyes sparkled as he saw you enter with a plate of duck. He walked up to you take the heavy load away. A soft kiss had your children fake gagging. "How has your day been my love?" he asked, ignoring them for now.

"Uneventful for once, nothing to complain about." You smiled, sitting down next to the head of the table. "Galallyn walked all the way from his crib to our front door today."

Thorin looked up. "Really? Are you going to walk away from us already?" Your husband cut off a piece of the duck and offered it to you. He always gave you a share first. Then his children. And finished with himself.

"And I had big doo-doo daddy!" Galallyn shouted excitedly. He held up his hands in exitement.

"I made colors!" his twin-sister, Gaerlyn, shouted.

"I am proud of you both" Thorin said. The meat, vegetables and potatoes were divided so he finally sat down to eat. And once he did, all started.

"Can I see your picture after dinner Gaerlyn?" Galolyn asked with a stuffed mouth.

"Sweety wait for your mouth to be empty before you talk" you told her sternly. You watched as your oldest daughter helped your only son to cut his meat.

"I can do self" Galallyn said stubbornly. He wanted to take the knife and fork away from Gwendolyn but she wouldn't let him. "I am big boy!" he semi-shouted. One part of him liked it that he didn't have to do the work.

Thorin winked at Gwendolyn when she looked up at him. "Gala, let your sister help you. You can help your mother with desert when you are finished."

This silenced the toddler for now.