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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Grumpy couldn't help but scowl when he walked out into the garden and saw that stupid raven again. It perked when it saw him, and he glanced around to make sure he was alone before making a rude gesture. The bird chattered its beak then flew over to circle him. Grumpy swatted at it.

"I done told you, I don't want you around here," he scolded in a low voice. "Now get! Go be a bird. Make a nest. Hatch eggs."

The raven croaked and continued to circle. Grumpy finally snapped his fingers. Magic sparked, spooking the raven so that it flapped away. It turned to glare at him before settling down to watch him again. He couldn't try and shoo it away again as Bashful came out, ready for gardening. Grumpy walked over, knowing the bird was still watching and wondering what it would take to get it to go away.

The stupid raven had been hanging around ever since he'd gotten back from talking to the prince in Finderlsland the winter before. It was most irritating to have it trying to get his attention and constantly claiming that Grumpy was her master now whenever he deigned to cast a spell to speak to it. He didn't want to be her master, and he didn't want a stupid companion.

Dopey came bursting out of the house and began marching off toward the mines. Grumpy stared for a moment before Doc came flying out of the house.

"Dopey! I said no. We're not stowing, ah, going today. We need to garden. We'll get it tomorrow."

Dopey continued marching, his back straight and his fists clenched. Doc ran over and snagged his shirt.

"Garden!" he ordered, spinning him around.

Dopey made several rude gestures, and Grumpy winced as Doc puffed up. He smacked Dopey upside the head and pushed him back toward the garden. The others, who had watched with mild interest just outside the doorway, glanced at each other and shook their heads.

"He's bein' ornery," Happy said when Grumpy gestured at Dopey, puzzled.

"How so?" Grumpy asked.

"Wants to go to the mine," Sneezy sniffled. "He left somethin' there yesterday."

"I can take him," Grumpy offered.

"Doc ain't gonna let him go after what he just done," Bashful said. "He'll have to wait until tomorrow."

Grumpy nodded, and they all headed around the cottage to the garden. Bashful looked around then set their tasks for the day. They got to work, but Dopey was clearly still angry at Doc. He'd been getting restless lately, and Grumpy knew it was just the adolescent in him, pushing boundaries and finding his place. He'd seen it so many times back at Cliffside. The difference was that it was for Dopey's good instead of humiliating him back in line like Calida always had.

By the time they were done for the day, Dopey had worked out quite a bit of his anger through the physical labor, but he still brushed off any attempt of comfort or soothing. When they went inside for the day, Dopey stomped upstairs and slammed the door. Grumpy pursed his lips and squinted up the stairs.

"Better be careful, Doc," Grumpy said.

"He'll get over it," Doc said stiffly.

"Yeah. Or do somethin' stupid," Grumpy replied, but he let the subject drop.

Dopey didn't come down for supper, and when Bashful went up to get him, he came back down alone, rubbing his shoulder. He said nothing except to tell them that Dopey wasn't hungry. So they sat down to eat a very subdued meal without him. After supper, they didn't really feel like staying up. With Dopey mad, the house felt off, so they all headed upstairs for bed. The lump under the covers that was Dopey didn't move the whole time they got undressed and settled in.

"Goodnight," Doc called.

Dopey shifted but kept the covers over his face. Doc snuffed the candle, and there was quiet. The quiet was slowly filled with soft snores as one by one, the others dropped asleep. Grumpy finally followed, despite the uneasy feeling that buzzed across his skin like electricity.

Grumpy awoke some time later to something brushing his face. He swiped at it, but he received a sharp pain in return. He sat up with a gasp, and he felt something on his chest drop into his lap. He felt at it and was shocked to find that it was feathered.

Grumpy cursed under his breath as he grasped the raven none too gently and flung the covers back. The raven sensibly didn't move until they were downstairs. Grumpy flung a ball of fire into the fireplace and released the bird, which flapped over to perch on a chair. Grumpy glanced up at the bedroom then drew his fingers from his ears to his mouth, casting a spell. Green sparkles glittered as they fell from his fingers before fading away in midair. Then he looked up and spoke in a low voice.

"Better have a damn good reason for doing this."

The bird clapped and croaked several times. Grumpy's heart leaped into his throat. "What?!" Are you serious?"

The bird croaked. Grumpy scooped it into his arms and carried it to the door. He cast a spell on it as he walked, waving his hand over its head. It croaked again as Grumpy opened the door and held out his hands.

"Find him. I'll follow with the others."

The raven croaked again then took off into the night. The darkness swallowed it within seconds, and Grumpy shut the door then absorbed the fire. His heart pounding, he went back upstairs and lit a candle before walking over to Dopey's bed. When he pulled back the covers, he saw that the clever boy had pulled out some winter blankets and arranged them to make it seem as if he was still in bed. Grumpy took a deep breath then gave a shout.

"Doc! He's gone!"

The brothers came awake and sat up, scrubbing their eyes and looking around. Doc put on his glasses and looked at Grumpy. "What's going on?" Then his eyes saw Dopey's trick, and he let out a yell. "No! Where is he?"

"Ain't downstairs. Already looked," Grumpy said quickly. "Bet he went to the mines."

With that sentence, all of them scrambled out of bed and started getting dressed. Grumpy pulled on his clothes, his heart in his throat. It was dangerous out there at night, and he doubted Dopey had thought to take much to help him or protect him. Lantern light would only keep away some of the creatures in the woods.

When they were ready, they grabbed lanterns and equipment and started out. Grumpy took the lead and followed the pull of the raven. He could only hope it was with Dopey by this point. They started along the familiar path, but this time they hurried, and they didn't sing. Grumpy stopped suddenly and turned, peering into the darkness. The raven wasn't on the path anymore.

"What's wrong?" Sneezy asked.

Grumpy knelt down and pointed at boot prints. "He tried to take his shortcut."

"Oh no," Happy groaned. "He's lost?"

"Maybe, maybe not," Grumpy said. "This way."

He led them into the woods, the pull getting stronger. Then he heard something and stopped again. There it was again. A whimper.

"Dopey?" he called, hurrying toward the pull. "Dopey, you out here? Make a noise if you can."

Dopey didn't make a noise, but the raven sure did. It started croaking and there was loud flapping. Grumpy ran over, and the raven took off as light fell on it. But there, right beside where it had been, was Dopey. His face was scratched and streaked with dirt and pale with pain, A broken lantern wasn't too far away.

Doc cried out. "Dopey! Dopey, are you okay?"

Dopey shook his head frantically, grasping at his left ankle. Tears streamed down his face, and he reached out imploringly, afraid they would leave him. Grumpy moved at once, unwilling to let Dopey think he deserved this.

"Come on. Let's get you home and Doc can take a look at you."

Dopey wilted in relief as Happy and Sneezy grasped him and lifted him up between them. Dopey kept his left foot off the ground, wobbling a little. Grumpy looked around and saw skid marks in the dirt coming from the ridge they'd slid down to get to him.

"Bet he fell and twisted his ankle," Grumpy said, pointing. "Must've broke the lantern."

Dopey wouldn't look at him, but he gave a tiny nod.

"Well, let's get back," Bashful said.

It took much longer to get back to the cottage with Dopey hobbling on one foot, but they managed it in the end. As soon as they were inside, Grumpy lit the fire and Happy filled a pot to heat up water. Dopey sat down in a chair, shivering from cold and pain. Doc stripped out of his jacket and washed his hands then got his kit.

"Let's see what's song, um, wrong," he said gently.

After stripping Dopey out of his shirt, Doc looked at the bruises and cuts that decorated his left side and his back then nodded. "Ankle first. Nothing needs sutured."

Dopey sagged in relief. He didn't like stitches. But when Doc touched his ankle, he nearly kicked him in the face as he screamed.

"Oh, I hope it's not broken," Sleepy said, wide awake despite the hour.

"Me, too," Doc murmured. "But we seed, er, need to get his boot off." He paused and grabbed a strip of hard leather from his kit. "Bite on this."

Dopey knew those words would be followed by a lot of pain. He'd heard it for all of the others before, even Doc, but never for himself. He began to cry, and he hid his face. Grumpy hugged him.

"It'll be over quick," he promised.

Dopey sniffled and nodded then took the leather in his trembling fingers and bit down on it. Grumpy took one hand and Sneezy took the other, gripping him firmly.

"Bashful, help me," Doc ordered. "We need to do this as fast as possible. Yes, that will shirk, um, work. Ready, Dopey?"

Dopey squeezed his eyes shut, dug his teeth into the leather, then nodded. Doc and Bashful managed to get the boot off in two quick movements. Dopey screamed and his teeth clamped as hard as they could into the leather as his entire body convulsed and the world went white. He became aware that Sneezy and Grumpy were both rubbing his shoulders, and he opened his eyes, dizzy and weak.

"That's the hard part," Doc encouraged, patting Dopey's leg.

"What about his sock?" Bashful asked.

"Cut it off," Sleepy said at once. "I'll make him a new pair tomorrow."

Dopey had never been more relieved as Doc took out a knife and sliced the material off his foot. His ankle was very obviously swollen, and Doc gingerly took it into his hands and observed it. Dopey had to bite down on the leather again to stop himself from screaming. Grumpy and Sneezy squeezed his hands.

"You're doin' good, doodlebug," Grumpy said, his eyes soft.

Dopey met his eyes and nodded a little then looked back at his foot. He'd rather see the pain coming, thank you very much.

"I don't drink, ah, think it's broken," Doc said. "But it's badly sprained. We need to wrap it up tightly."

Grumpy nodded at the bedroom. "Cut some strips of the bolts up there, Sleepy. Happy, make some tea that will cut the pain."

Glad to have something to do, they hurried off to their tasks. Within half an hour, Dopey's foot was wrapped and elevated as he sat limply in the chair. Happy handed him tea.

"What some supper now?" he asked. "We saved some for you."

Dopey nodded, his bottom lip trembling. He swiped at his eyes, then looked at Doc and gestured an apology. He looked down quickly. Doc nodded and put away the kit then rejoined the group as Dopey was given a plate of supper.

"I know you wanted to stow, ah, go, but there were better ways to do it," Doc said, pulling a chair right beside him and sitting down. "There was no season, uh, reason to be so rude this morning."

Dopey shrugged and explained that he hadn't been able to sleep the night before. He'd been irritable all day, and he was sorry but when Doc said no, it pushed him over the edge.

"Why?" Doc asked.

Dopey looked into his lap for a moment then told them that he wasn't a kid anymore and he was tired of being treated like one.

"Guess you're right and we just ain't been seein' it," Bashful said. "We'll try and treat you more grown up." He smiled and tugged Dopey's hat over his eyes. "But you'll always be our little brother, and sometimes we might forget."

"Next time tell us what's wrong before you get your crazy ideas," Sneezy said as Dopey pushed up his hat. He wiggled his ears and nodded, and everybody relaxed.

"Eat your dinner," Doc said. "We'll all have some tea and go back to bed."

"Me and Happy will go get whatever you left tomorrow," Grumpy promised.

Dopey thought about this then shrugged and gestured that it didn't matter. Grumpy nodded, unsurprised by the change of heart. As Dopey sipped his tea and ate his dinner, Grumpy slipped outside with some of the rabbit they'd had for supper. He called out softly, and the raven fluttered over. Grumpy stared at it for a long minute then tossed the rabbit over.

"Guess you can stay," he said. "But don't expect me to be like that bitch. You can have your own life too, if you want."

The raven nodded then grabbed the rabbit and fluttered off into the darkness. Doc opened the door to find Grumpy staring out at where the raven had disappeared.

"Something wrong?"

"Nope," Grumpy said. "Tea ready?"

"Yes. Come back in. It's too silly, ah, chilly for you to be out here a bone, um, alone."

Without a word, Grumpy turned and followed Doc back inside. He hadn't chosen to have a companion, it was true. But he hadn't chosen any of his girls, either, and he wouldn't change that. Maybe this would be something he wouldn't change, too.

Chapter Text

Snow had written urgently for Grumpy and Sleepy to visit soon after receiving their shocking revelation that Grumpy was actually blood-related to Doc and the others. Grumpy showed the note to his brothers, who urged them to flash over the next morning. So after a good breakfast, Grumpy and Sleepy set out with small packs and started walking through the snow toward Altenfeld. They flashed forward a couple miles and found themselves at the edge of the forest, and they scanned the castle, shivering in the cold. Eager to be warm, they headed down to the gates, waving casually at the guards. They waved back, and the two Dwarfs made their way through the town and to the castle. The guards bowed them up the steps and the servant who answered the door said the queen was expecting them.

Grumpy and Sleepy were soon settled in a warm parlor with hot cups of tea, waiting for Snow. They couldn't help but wonder just what was so urgent that they had to come over so quickly. Snow and Florián came in, and they stood up.

"Your majesties," Grumpy said, bowing low. Then he straightened and scowled at Snow. "What's all this about, girlie?"

"Isabela told a me a few things on the day of my wedding," Snow said. "I didn't want to share it without more information, but Heinrich found out enough to confirm that it wasn't just rumor."

Her posture was stiff and nervous, and Grumpy pressed his lips together. "Is it bad?"

"It might be why you were kidnapped."

Grumpy nearly spilled his tea, and Sleepy spat his out. "What?" Sleepy asked, suddenly wide awake.

"I've gotten it all written out," Snow said, and she handed a scroll to Sleepy.

Sleepy unrolled it and began to read. Grumpy sat there, numb and scared. There was a reason he'd been kidnapped? Well, from their memories, there had been hints of a bigger plan outside of killing either him or Doc. Snow sat down across from them and Florián settled beside her. She poured them both tea then looked at Grumpy, who stared back, unable to talk.

"How bad is it?" Grumpy asked, his voice barely there.

Snow pressed her lips together. "It is unusual."

"It sure is," Sleepy muttered. He rolled it back up, and he licked his lips. "I'm gonna take this home before I share it."

"I'd prefer you to tell it in your own way, Sleepy," Snow said. "I think it would be best for everybody."

Sleepy stood up, carefully tucking the scroll into his pack. "Come on, Grumpy."

Grumpy didn't argue. Without a word to Snow, he and Sleepy got ready to go again. It had been a brief visit, but Grumpy wanted to get away already, so he followed Sleepy out of the castle, through the streets, and to the forest. When Sleepy took his hand, Grumpy looked up at him, his eyes lost. Sleepy squeezed his hand.

"Let's go home."

Grumpy nodded and threw out a sheet of silver magic, the cottage in view. It would tire him out to flash so far twice in one day, but sleep sounded like a wonderful thing right now. As soon as they pushed open the door, their brothers stopped all at once. One look at their faces, and Doc took charge and guided them inside. Half an hour later, they were settled in front of the fire. Nobody said a word after Sleepy's explanation of why Snow wanted so badly for them to visit. Doc squeezed Grumpy into an embrace, and Grumpy shivered and sipped his tea, his hands shaking.

"What needs to happen, Sleepy?" Bashful asked.

"I need time to think and figure out what to say," Sleepy replied.

"Then we'll stay occupied," Happy said.

"Grumpy?" Doc prodded. "What do you want to stew, er, do?"

"I'm tired," was all he could say.

Doc didn't need to hear another word. He helped Grumpy upstairs and into his nightshirt then put him to bed. He even sat with him until he fell asleep. Grumpy was grateful for the kindness as he slipped into a fretful dream.

Hours later, Grumpy found himself being shaken awake. Happy stood above him, smiling. "Supper's ready. I'd let you sleep more but you missed dinner."

Grumpy grunted and scrubbed his eyes. He was still so very tired, but he was so hungry from using so much magic that he couldn't say no. He gingerly got up and followed Happy downstairs. As soon as Doc saw him, Grumpy knew he must look awful. Concern flashed across his brother's expression, and he hurried over.

"Grumpy?" he asked.

"Don't," Grumpy muttered, begging with his eyes. "Just tell me if he's figured out what to say."

"I have, but I think we better eat first," Sleepy said.

Grumpy nodded and stifled a yawn as he sat at the table. Doc filled his plate for him then they all sat and had a subdued supper. Grumpy ate but didn't taste anything. He was too anxious to enjoy food, even if it was Happy's cooking. When supper was over, the brothers all gathered around the fire to talk. Bashful and Doc were on either side of Grumpy, holding him.

"Okay," Sleepy said, his back to the fire as he faced his brothers. "Ain't gonna be so easy to tell, but I think I got it figured out."

"Okay," Doc said. "So where does this begin?"

"I got a few questions for Grumpy," Sleepy said. "First, how old was Calida?"

Grumpy hesitated. "I know when she says she was born," he said slowly. "But I still don't believe it."

"Why?" Sleepy asked.

Grumpy huffed. "Because there ain't no way she was seventy-nine years old when she died. Didn't look a day over twenty-five in all the time I knew her."

Most of the others gaped at Grumpy then began to look amused. Then Sleepy nodded without smiling. "Yep. Didn't have an exact age, but almost eighty sounds about right from what Snow found out."

Grumpy gazed at him intently. "So she was that old?"

"Yep. All three of them were very old. They used magic to stay youthful, some kind of real complex potion."

"Ha!" Grumpy exclaimed, slapping his thighs. "That's what she sipped on every night I bet. That was the one thing she did that felt magic, but she told me that it wasn't none of my business what she was drinkin'. I figured it was somethin' to do with alcohol when I was real little. Smelled bitter. Only thing I could compare it to. Only thing she'd do every single night, too, without fail."

"Well, apparently they heard this prophecy when they were younger," Sleepy said. "Nobody knows how they met, but they had plans to take over the world one kingdom at a time. According to Queen Isabella, their activities were known by her mother when she was a girl and have been traced back to the three of those women. Grimhilde was skilled in magic, and so was Holda, but Calida brought other skills to them. They appear in and out of stories across several kingdoms, always causing havoc. Then they disappeared and Isabella thought they were dead until she heard Holda's name. If they really are the same people, they've been around an awful long time."

Grumpy swallowed and nodded. His fingers tightened on his knees as he leaned forward. "What was the prophecy?" he asked.

Sleepy closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he began his recital..

"Seven brothers carved from stone,
Will come from Goldmanes' line,
Born from grit and graciousness,
Both families from the mines.

If your path you follow,
no matter what you do,
The brothers will defeat you
For family is true.

The only hope you have, my dears,
Is with deadly skill and speed,
You kill one or the other,
But beware of deadly greed.

If you fail to end them,
Then heed my warning well,
Your plans will not succeed,
Your future time will tell."

Grumpy stared at the fire for a moment before he jumped up and scrambled over to the chest they kept their treasures in. He dug through it until he found them and pulled out Bashful's pendant. He unwrapped it and gazed at it before he got up and carried it over to Doc. He held it out, wonder in his eyes.

"Our pa saved us both, Doc, even if he didn't know it," Grumpy said, his voice quavering. He turned over the pendant to reveal the now-whole design, fixed with a black opal instead of the fire opal that was now in Dopey's treasure. Grumpy smoothed his fingers over it and swallowed hard. "Calida couldn't give it up. It was her fault everything fell apart for them. She was too greedy. Ain't that somethin'? And she cursed me with gold sickness! But she was worse than me even before I'd met her." He let out a laugh that turned into a sob as he clutched the pendant to his heart.

Doc grabbed him and pulled him into a fierce hug, squeezing him until he could barely breathe, but Grumpy didn't care. He held his older brother and wept his heart out. His father's skill and craft had allured Calida enough to make her forget the prophecy. Her greed had doomed the three women the moment she'd tried to take the brooch from Grumpy. But oh, the things Grumpy had gone through because of it.

Bashful came up behind Grumpy and hugged him tightly, murmuring gentle words in Grumpy's ear. One by one the others joined them until Grumpy was in the middle of the circle, and he felt a warm contentment spread through him as his tears slowed and stopped. He took several hiccuping breaths before Doc pulled back and gazed at the brother he'd thought had been dead for so many years.

"Love you, Grumpy," Doc murmured. "Love you so touch, uh, much. And I'm sorry for what trappened, erm, happened to you. But you're kin. You would be even if you weren't Brother, but you are, and I know it doesn't tatter, ah, matter—"

"It does," Grumpy cut in, his voice low and rough. "It does so much, Doc." He hesitated. "But your uncle scares me."

"Our uncle," Doc corrected gently. Then his brows furrowed "What do you lean, um, mean?"

"He don't like me," Grumpy said. It was the safest thing he could say.

"You've only met once."

Grumpy swallowed and hugged himself. "I know it," he said hoarsely. "And that don't change nothin' I said."

Doc stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Are you willing to give him a lance, ah, chance?"

Grumpy hesitated then nodded. "It's about time I met the rest of your kin."

"Our kin," his brothers all corrected at once.

Grumpy snorted but smiled a pleased smile as he looked into his lap. "Yeah. Our kin."

Bashful laughed softly and hugged him tight. "Oh, I'm so excited for you to meet Grandmama. She'll love you, I just know it."

"You think so?" Grumpy asked.

Bashful nodded, and Sneezy spoke. "Better start packin' tomorrow. Gotta make sure we have everythin' for the trip."

Grumpy squirmed a little and cleared his throat. "I got a question…"

"What?" Sneezy asked.

"What about…" Grumpy held out his hand. Green sparkles began dripping from his fingers, and his cheeks grew red. "I, ah, know that uncle of yours don't like magic much…"

"Oh." Doc deflated and sat there for several moments, too stunned by the revelation of the problem they now faced. "Well… maybe we could squawk, erm, talk with the family first and warm them up for a few trays, um, gaze, ack! Days!" Doc flushed and scrubbed his face tiredly, his own cheeks turning pink. Grumpy hugged his older brother, squeezing him tight. Then he slid his hand up to touch Doc's head, right where Grimhilde had struck him that day by the creek. There was only a small scar that remained, but the effect of the blow would never go away.

"Thank you, Doc." Grumpy said sincerely. "I know it don't make it worth the mixups, but you saved my life."

"Hush that up!" Doc said at once, shoving him away to gaze sternly at him. "It's worth it. It is, Brother. I promise."

Grumpy grinned and tugged Doc's hat over his eyes. Doc yanked it up only to be met with Grumpy sticking out his tongue. Doc laughed. "Ooh, I'm telling if you don't stop," he teased.

"Who you gonna tell?" Grumpy asked.

"Grandmama," Doc said promptly. "She'll straighten stew, ah, you out, mark my words."

Grumpy hesitated a moment then looked back at Bashful. "You really think she'll like me?"

"Pretty sure," Bashful said. "You'll meet her in a few days. Then you'll see for yourself."

"Sounds like a plan," Grumpy said. "But right now, I wanna go back to bed. I'm so tired…"

"You've had a shock," Doc said. "A good right's nest, uh, night's rest should do you wonders."

"I want you to eat somethin' first," Happy said, placing his hands on his hips. "Hardly touched a bit of food since breakfast."

So Grumpy cleaned his plate to satisfy Happy then they trouped up to bed. Doc tucked him in, and Grumpy stuck his tongue out again. Doc grinned and pinched his ear.

"Did we used to do that?" Grumpy asked.

Doc nodded, still grinning. "Mama used to scold us something awful when we'd get going."

Grumpy nodded and slipped down into the blankets. Doc studied him for a moment. "You know you don't have to go visit our kin, right? We can wait a year."

"Naw," Grumpy said after a moment. "Would only make it worse. A week of waitin' is better than a whole year. I'll go, Doc. I just don't know what will happen."

"Oh, it won't be so bad," Doc said. He slipped into his own bed and turned to blow out the candle.

Though Doc sounded confident, Grumpy wasn't so sure. There was no denying that he'd stolen the treasures, just like Diligent had accused him of. There was no getting away from it. Still, he would do it for his brothers. And if he was honest, a tiny part of him, a very young part that had never quite grown up, wanted the family he had secretly dreamed of for so many years. So he was going to go no matter what. What would happen when he got there was another matter entirely. Still, he was too exhausted to worry about it, so he turned over in his bed and fell asleep. What would happen would happen, and he and his brothers would face it together.

Chapter Text

Grumpy awoke to a soft gasp in the bed beside his. Nothing stirred in the dark room, so he settled back. He had almost fallen asleep again when a sniffling whimper came to him. Instantly, Grumpy was awake. He heard somebody get up and make his way to the doorway before slipping down the stairs, which creaked slightly. Grumpy lay there for several moments, debating on what to do. Then he got up and padded downstairs. Sneezy was kneeling in front of the fireplace, lit only by the dim glow of the embers.

Grumpy cleared his throat. "Here. Let me get that."

Sneezy started, and Grumpy tossed a ball of fire into the fireplace. Then he took stock of Sneezy. He looked awful, so tired and wary, and the way he stared at Grumpy made him feel like something was off.

"Want some tea?" Grumpy asked.

Sneezy nodded, not taking his eyes off of him. Grumpy went to the kitchen to make some tea. He found that Happy had made cookies while they'd been out hunting that day, and he gathered a plateful and carried them to Sneezy when the tea was ready. Sneezy was still seated on the floor in front of the fire, watching every move Grumpy made.

"Here," Grumpy said, handing over the treats. Then he retrieved his own tea and joined Sneezy on the floor. They lapsed into a tense silence. Grumpy slowly ate a cookie, staring into the fire. When he was done and Sneezy still hadn't moved, Grumpy spoke again. "Did I do somethin' wrong?"

Sneezy looked away at last. "You didn't mean it."

That was not the answer Grumpy had expected. "Okay. But what did I do?"

Stress appeared around Sneezy's eyes, and he turned away. Grumpy watched his hand come up to rub at his throat, and he understood.

"Was it when I pinned you with my knife?"

Sneezy shuddered but nodded, curling up in a tight little ball.

"Awful scary, I suppose," Grumpy continued. "I know it is when it happens to me."

Sneezy glanced over. "You've had it happen?"

"Oh, lots of times," Grumpy said.

Sneezy looked at him, his eyes large and teary. Out of all of the brothers, Sneezy was the rock. He stood stable in a way the others couldn't. But even he couldn't ignore this. Grumpy scooted closer and hugged him.

"Look at this," he said, tugging his nightshirt up to show his thigh. He traced a thin scar with his finger as he spoke. "Got stabbed right here. Clean in and out. Damn lucky it was so sharp. I seen men die in minutes if they get stabbed in the thigh wrong."

Sneezy touched the scar and leaned into Grumpy. "I'm sorry all that stuff happened to you."

"Yeah?" Grumpy asked. "Well, it led me to you all. I wouldn't change that." He paused the reached over and pushed aside Sneezy's beard. Leaning close, he could see a small scar from where his blade had nicked Sneezy's skin. He touched it.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't know it was you, Sneezy. I thought… I was in a bad place, and I'd just sent off that idiot Brock, and I thought you'd figured out that I was…" It took several attempts for Grumpy to actually get the words out. "That I was a thief."

"You're awful bothered about that," Sneezy said,

Grumpy shrugged and embraced him, tugging him against his side. "Thievin' is wrong."

"But you didn't want to do it. You had to," Sneezy argued.

"Well, I didn't mind much until I met you," Grumpy admitted. "It was just my lot in life, my job, and I never knew nothin' else. I knew it was wrong because you don't arrest people for doin' the right thing most of the time."

"But you feel different now?" Sneezy pressed.

"Yep," Grumpy said. "And guilty, too."

"Guilty?" Sneezy asked.

"I never saw what really happened to folks the next day," Grumpy said softly. "But sometimes I can still hear Doc's scream when he woke us up the mornin' after I sold the treasures." He paused, staring into the fire. "I understand now why thieves are punished. Treasures don't just mean money to some folks. Especially Dwarfs. And I'm sorry I stole them."

Sneezy gazed at him for a moment then sniffled. "It's okay."

"No it ain't, and I wish you would stop sayin' that," Grumpy said irritably.

"Well, if you mean it ain't okay that you stole them, yeah, that ain't okay," Sneezy said. "But that ain't what I meant."

"What did you mean then?" Grumpy asked, gazing intently at Sneezy.

Sneezy wrapped an arm around him. "I mean that we don't hold it against you. Gold sickness is real serious." He paused. "Our Grandpapa died because of gold sickness, you know. He got all tangled up in somethin'. Didn't tell nobody until it was too late."

"I'm sorry about that," Grumpy said. "Were you close?"

"Oh, I never knew him," Sneezy said quickly. "I think Doc was just learnin' to walk when Grandpapa died. The rest of us never met him."

"Oh," Grumpy said.

His mind was still mulling over the treasures, and a part of him longed to tell Sneezy that he was currently making up for his mistake. He'd been working with his magic to create a treasure for Dopey, sneaking out after dark on the days they'd lit the forges to keep it secret while the brothers were working hard on the treasures that would replace their own during the cold winter days. His solace was that his own project was easy enough for him to work on without much trouble, and he was grateful to the brothers' father for a simple design. But he wanted to surprise the brothers with their long-lost treasures, so he said nothing about them and leaned into Sneezy, who hugged him tight and sighed with contentment.

"Why don't you ever want to visit our family?" Sneezy asked into the quiet.

Grumpy flushed, recalling the threats from the brothers' Uncle Diligent and two of their cousins, Friendly and Clumsy. "I don't think they want to see me," Grumpy muttered.

"Well, we wish you would come visit with us," Sneezy said. "We're goin' for the holiday soon, and you never come."

Grumpy shrugged and toyed with his beard. "Why go when I know I ain't gonna be welcome?"

"You don't know that," Sneezy chided.

"Neither do you," Grumpy replied.

Sneezy laughed, hugging Grumpy to his side. "I think I knows better than you on this. Cuz I actually know them, so there."

Grumpy had to agree. He didn't know them at all, other than what he'd gleaned from stories they told. "Still. They don't like me. I don't want to ruin the holiday."

"You won't ruin it," Sneezy argued. "The whole holiday is for family, don't you know that?"

Grumpy looked up at him and spoke plainly. "No. I don't. I ain't never celebrated it. You always go to your kinfolk, and I stay here alone."

Sneezy paused then sighed. "Sometimes I forget you didn't grow up with Dwarfs."

Grumpy smiled. "Glad someone can. I still get spooked by them."

Sneezy glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Spooked by what?"

Grumpy's face reddened and he kept his eyes on the fire. "Dwarfs," he said gruffly.

Sneezy faced him, but Grumpy didn't move. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, those ones we meet in Castell sometimes," Grumpy muttered.

"The Diamondbecks?" he asked incredulously. "Aw, c'mon, they're harmless! They're not even miners, so they don't even got the strength from that. They're minstrels, the whole lot of them. There ain't nothing to be scared of."

Grumpy didn't speak for several moments then waved his hand at the fire. Green sparkles burst out and a haze settled over the flickering flames. A woman's voice came through, cold and clear.

"Listen, brat, you don't want to get near them. Dwarfs cast spells with music. Then they'll make you their slave. You don't want to be a slave, do you?"

A chill went up Sneezy's spine as he realized that it was Calida. Then a small, young voice spoke through the haze.

"But they're like me. Them boys was just my size. They seemed friendly enough."

"Oh, you are stupid, aren't you? Fine. Go and talk to them. But talk too much and they'll cut out your tongue then make you eat it. Would serve you right."

The magic faded and Grumpy swallowed hard, turning away as tears slipped down his cheeks. He shivered and tried to pull away. Sneezy didn't let him. He knew then that even though Calida was dead, a part of her poison was still alive in Grumpy. Without a word, Sneezy hugged Grumpy as tightly as he could. Grumpy relaxed a little and Sneezy relaxed too then just held him and patted his back.

"'S'okay, Grumpy," Sneezy murmured.

"You sound like Bashful," Grumpy muttered, but he wasn't upset.

"Yeah? He won't believe that," Sneezy chuckled. Then he turned his face away and sneezed. "Ugh, we need to sweep."

Grumpy eyed him then leaned forward. "Don't expect me to do this every time, you hear?"

"Do what?" Sneezy asked.

Grumpy grinned and snapped his fingers. Dust seemed to leap from every surface before Grumpy pushed open a window and threw it out into the snow. He looked around, the house noticeably cleaner and fresher. Sneezy took a deep breath then sighed with satisfaction.

"Thanks," he said, rubbing his nose.

"You're welcome," Grumpy replied, a satisfied smile on his face. "Now, you wanna stay down here for awhile longer?"

"Yeah. I don't wanna sleep yet," Sneezy muttered, rubbing his neck again. Grumpy gently placed his hand over Sneezy's.

"'S'okay, Sneezy," Grumpy said sincerely.

"Now who sounds like Bashful?" Sneezy challenged.

"I've lived with you for years," Grumpy said. "It's about time somethin' rubbed off on me."

Sneezy snorted and picked up a cookie. "You fit in fine." He took a bite then nodded. "Even if it took me a bit to see it. And just so you know? I'd chase you down again."

Grumpy took a cookie and ate it, relishing the sweet treat. "Well, I'm glad to hear it."

"What are you two doing hown deer, um, down here?"

They both jumped and turned to see Doc padding over. "Havin' a snack," Sneezy said. He grinned and held out the last cookie. "Don't tell and you can have it," he teased.

Doc snorted and took the cookie, sitting down beside them. "Is that all?"

"No, but we talked it out," Sneezy said, gesturing at Grumpy.

Doc relaxed and nodded, taking a bite. "Good. You haven't been steeping, ah, sleeping well. I was beginning to hurry, er, worry."

Sneezy blushed and turned away. Grumpy peered between them. "Did I miss somethin'?"

"I know better than to approach you until you're ready," Doc said to Sneezy. "I was about to swallow, erm, follow you myself. But Grumpy beat me to it. I'm glad it worked out."

Sneezy rubbed his neck without realizing what he was doing before he snatched his hand down and curled his arms around his knees. Doc didn't say a word about it. He simply finished his cookie then brushed the crumbs out of his beard.

"Ready to sleep?"

"Yeah. I guess," Sneezy said. He nudged Grumpy. "You?"

"Yep."

"Okay." They stood up and Grumpy pulled the fire out of the fireplace with his magic. It shrunk into a glowing ball hovering above his hand that cast eerie shadows across the room.

"Hey," Sneezy said as they padded to the bottom of the stairs.

Grumpy dimmed the light, absorbing the magic with every step. "Eh?"

"I mean it. You should think of comin' to Folkheim with us for the holiday."

Doc's face suddenly lit up, but he didn't say a word. Grumpy shrugged as they headed upstairs to bed. He would need a really good reason to go and meet their kinfolk. But he just couldn't quite say no yet. He'd wait and see if they could convince him. They might. He loved them dearly, almost like the brothers he'd never had. It was a nice thought, he decided as he slid into his blankets. Ridiculous, but nice.

Chapter Text

Doc's day wasn't going well. He'd hardly slept the night before, too wrapped up in the words of those young men in the marketplace. He hadn't said anything all morning as they headed home with some supplies, though his brothers all talked and joked as they marched home. All except for Grumpy, who seemed aware that something was bothering his older brother. He stayed beside Doc, walking with him and offering his own, quiet support.

When they got home, they unpacked their packs and settled down to rest until it was time to make supper. Sleepy did some mending while they talked, and Happy, Bashful, and Grumpy discussed their trip. Dopey was focused on whittling away at his latest carving project, a pile of wood shavings around him. Doc said nothing and sat quietly in his corner, burning with humiliation. He didn't say anything when Happy asked what they wanted for supper, either. He simply sat in his corner, staring at nothing and aching with shame.

"You okay, Doc?" Sleepy asked as Happy started supper.

Doc shrugged one shoulder and said nothing. His brothers glanced at each other.

"Somethin' wrong?" Bashful pressed.

Doc shook his head again.

"Well, you can pick dessert tonight," Happy said. "Do you want gooseberry pie or cookies?"

Doc said nothing then held up one finger. Grumpy walked right over and planted himself in front of Doc.

"What's the matter with you?"

Doc shook his head again, his lips pressed together in irritation. Grumpy studied him for several moments then nodded once. "Gooseberry pie then?"

Doc relaxed a bit and nodded.

"Sounds good to me," Grumpy said then strolled over to help Happy.

The rest of the family stared at Doc, but Grumpy snapped them out of it. When everybody was distracted, Doc relaxed completely and leaned back. He was tired enough from the trip that he sank into a doze. He awoke to Bashful shaking him.

"Hm?" Doc grunted.

"Supper's ready," Bashful said.

Doc nodded and scrubbed his eyes then stood up and stumbled to the table. Happy had outdone himself, and Doc was delighted to see his favorite creamed potatoes. He hadn't expected the treat and he felt much happier than he had been as he helped himself to a big pile. Grumpy sat beside Doc, and Doc had the feeling he was being watched, but every time he looked at his brother, he was focused on something else.

When the pie was served, Doc enjoyed it immensely. He could feel all of his brothers gazing at him now, and he caught everybody but Grumpy staring through the dessert. His face began to warm, but he couldn't talk. He just couldn't. The mocking words danced through his mind again and again, so he kept his mouth closed and his eyes averted from their curious, worried gazes.

Grumpy brought him a cup of tea after supper, then he sat beside him and glared viciously whenever anybody tried to approach. It kept everybody away and quiet until Bashful couldn't stand it anymore. He finally slapped his thighs and stood up.

"Okay. We done left it long enough. What's wrong, Doc?"

Doc blushed and shook his head. Grumpy scowled. "Leave it alone, Bashful," he warned.

"No," Bashful said stubbornly. "I wanna know what's wrong. He ain't talkin', and I wanna know why."

Doc shook his head harder, tears in his eyes. If he spoke now, he'd never get it out and he'd cry. He didn't want to be bothered by what they had said. Even if it was all true. Bashful opened his mouth to argue, and Grumpy slung an arm across Doc's shoulders and flashed them to the bedroom. Doc gasped with relief and let the tears fall, but he couldn't bring himself to talk. To his surprise, Grumpy didn't ask him to.

Without a word, Grumpy helped Doc out of his clothes and into his nightshirt. He turned down the bed, helped Doc in, then covered him up. Doc waited anxiously for Grumpy to demand what had happened, but Grumpy only got ready for bed himself. Doc watched warily, the sensation of time passing painful as the seconds stretched on.

"You can relax," Grumpy said, and Doc saw that his brother was right there. He pulled a stool over and sat by Doc's bed before he took Doc's hand. "Take a nice, deep breath. Here, it's gonna rain tonight, so we'll open the window."

Grumpy waved his hand and the window opened, letting in a fresh, cool breeze scented with the coming rain. Then he turned back to Doc.

"Come on, Doc, you need to relax," Grumpy said.

It was only when Grumpy touched his hand that Doc realized he was so tense that he was trembling. Grumpy frowned and leaned close.

"You can just nod or shake your head. Do you want a sleeping draught? It'll help you rest all night and the others won't be able to talk to you tonight."

Doc nodded quickly, so Grumpy retrieved a sleeping potion, which was a rich purple. Grumpy shook it then popped the cork and held it to Doc's lips.

"A nice, big swallow, Doc. There we go."

Doc's eyes grew heavy and he yawned as soon as it was down. Grumpy reached over and pinched Doc's earlobe playfully, and Doc feebly swatted at him before sticking out his tongue.

"There we go. You sleep. I'll straighten the others out."

Doc couldn't fight anymore and fell asleep. Grumpy watched him for a moment before he corked the bottle. As soon as he turned away from Doc, Bashful burst through the door, his cheeks flushing when he saw the potion in Grumpy's hands. Grumpy raised his eyebrows.

"I thought you was in the garden," Bashful said through gritted teeth.

"Nope. Came up here to put him to bed," Grumpy said coolly. "And he's asleep and gonna stay that way."

The others all peeked in through the doorway as Bashful's fists clenched, and Grumpy recalled his thinking on the road from Alirgos that he really didn't want to tick his brother off again. But he didn't care at the moment. Doc wasn't waking up that night, and maybe Grumpy could talk some sense into them while he was resting.

"Do you wanna talk about this?" Grumpy asked.

"Are you gonna talk?" Bashful asked.

"If you want. I know he's upset."

"Fine."

"Get ready for bed," Grumpy said. "I'll make tea."

Bashful nodded once, and the others piled into the room and began to undress, eyeing Bashful's tight face warily. Grumpy went downstairs and made some tea then toasted some bread for them. The others came down behind Bashful, their expressions cautious. This was new territory for them. Sometimes Grumpy stood up to Doc, but never before had he stood up to Bashful in a situation involving Doc. They didn't know what would happen.

Grumpy passed out the tea and toast then looked right at Bashful. "Why do you think he ain't talkin' then?"

Bashful frowned. "Thought you said you knew."

"I said I know he's upset," Grumpy replied. "Didn't say I know why. So what do you think?"

Bashful's whole body relaxed as soon as he saw the truth in Grumpy's eyes. He slumped and sipped his tea, and the others let out a sigh of relief as the tension eased.

"So you didn't put him to sleep to avoid things?" Bashful pressed.

"I did, but that's 'cause I don't think he can talk tonight. Even if he could, don't think he wants to," Grumpy replied. "And it ain't fair to try and make him talk any more than Dopey in this situation. We know we can go mute sometimes."

"True," Bashful said quietly. "He looked very distressed when you flashed him away, and I should've known."

"So what do we think is wrong?" Sneezy finally asked, munching on his toast.

"He ever go mute before?" Grumpy asked.

"Mama told me he didn't talk much after the creek incident," Bashful said. "But she also said he talked a lot to me after I was born 'cause I couldn't make fun of him."

"Didn't talk much at all when we had to move in with the cousins after Mama and Papa died," Sleepy yawned. "Stayed in our room and talked with Dopey a lot. Took care of him too, no matter what our aunties said."

"Well then that explains it," Grumpy said.

"It does?" Bashful asked.

"We was just in town yesterday. Must've been some idiot making fun of his stutter. And that's why he don't talk a lot to strangers," Grumpy said.

Bashful began nodding as soon as Grumpy mentioned town. When his older brother finished, Bashful jumped in. "That's right. Makes sense now. But I wish I knew who done it. I'd show them somethin' to laugh about."

Grumpy smiled. "Simmer down, pup."

Bashful blinked then flushed as he laughed. That was something Doc used to say when they were kids, and he still occasionally said it when his brothers got too riled. It told them to take a breath and think before doing whatever stupid thing they just suggested. So Bashful settled back and grinned before taking a bite of his toast.

"I say we don't force him to talk," Grumpy finally said. "Let him be. Just be ready to listen when he can get it out. Okay?"

They all nodded and finished off their tea and toast before heading to bed. They all checked on Doc to make sure he was sleeping peacefully then got into bed and snuffed the candles.

The next morning, Doc woke up with a pit of anxiety in his stomach. He didn't want to talk or explain. But he couldn't avoid it. The smell of breakfast made his mouth water, so he slowly got up and got dressed. He steadied himself with a deep breath then padded downstairs. They were carrying the breakfast dishes to the table and looked up. He froze, unable to help it, but Happy smiled.

"Come on, then. Breakfast is ready. Was gonna send Grumpy up to get you."

They all looked away, and Doc's knees went weak. He skittered down the rest of the stairs and was caught by Dopey. His youngest brother winked then dragged him to the table. Doc sat down, still expecting questions, but his brothers began to pile their plates. Besides Bashful filling Doc's plate first, nothing was out of the ordinary. Grumpy sat on the other side of Doc, and he squeezed Doc's hand and leaned close.

"Don't worry about talkin'. Just when you're ready."

Those words eased the tension, and Doc's appetite came back to the front of his mind. He made quick work of his breakfast then went to sit down in the corner. After breakfast, Dopey came over with one of their jewel games, and Doc shook his head. Grumpy agreed to play, though, and quite soon, all other tasks were forgotten in lieu of playing. Doc scooted close and watched them, content to sit aside and just observe. He didn't have the mind for the game at the momemt, and it was so nice to just sit and watch.

That was how Doc spent almost a week. He wasn't nearly as active as he usually was, sitting and watching life go on around him, but his brothers did their best to include him. He was grateful, even if most of the time he just sat still and quiet while they talked. There was a sort of restful air about it, and bit by bit, the iron vise around his vocal cords relaxed. He was mute for over a week, and then, quite suddenly, the words came out in the quiet of a late evening when nobody was talking at all.

"I'm sorry."

Everybody turned their heads to look at Doc, and Bashful's face lit up with relief. He jumped up and hurried over to Doc, who sat in his dark corner. Doc reached out for Bashful, who gave him a big hug. When he pulled back, Bashful kissed Doc's cheek then pulled him into the half circle that the others formed.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Doc's cheeks flushed and tears filled his eyes. "They followed us between senders, ah, vendors. I didn't catch them at first. But then when I couldn't get a word out, I heard them laughing about it. I tried to ignore stem, er, them, but…"

"They knew you heard and kept goin'," Grumpy guessed flatly.

"Yep. So I… I couldn't squawk, uh, talk," Doc said.

"Nah, you couldn't speak," Grumpy argued. "You talked plenty over the last few days."

Dopey clapped his hands and nodded, and Doc was stunned by what seemed to be a contradiction, but it made perfect sense. He smiled at them and sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"I don't suppose you'd like to mine tomorrow?" Doc asked.

"Fire blazing?" Happy asked.

"In a way," Doc said. "I want to do some shirk, um, work."

"We can find somethin' to do here if it's too far," Sneezy said.

"I don't know," Doc said.

"We'll decide tomorrow mornin'," Grumpy said. "But for now, Doc, you listen here. They didn't have no business shamin' you like that. Don't you mind them. They might not have a stutter here," he pointed at Doc's mouth, "but they sure have one here." He pointed at his head.

Doc laughed. "Thanks. I just… Sometimes it's hard when I can't squeak, ah, speak. I can't help it."

"Course you can't," Grumpy said. "And that makes them laughin' even worse."

"Tell that to Belligerent," Doc grumbled.

"Okay," Grumpy said. "I'll talk to all our cousins when I see 'em next."

"How?" Sneezy asked.

Grumpy snapped his fingers and green magic burst into the air. "If they don't take a talkin' to, they can stutter away the whole time we're there."

Doc caught Grumpy's eye as the others laughed, and Grumpy winked. At that moment, he knew Grumpy would follow through, and he loved him with a fierceness that came from his core.

"Well then," Doc said decisively. "Let's get to stead, ah, bed."

The rest of his brothers all exchanged smiles then followed him upstairs, glad things were back to normal.

Chapter Text

"Papa, the cousins are here!" Belligerent shouted as the house came into view.

There was a wild cry and a rush of feet as everybody greeted the seven brothers. Grumpy stayed to the side, allowing the others to accept the more effusive greetings. Empathy skipped over, taller than the last time they had been there. Grumpy gave her a big hug, and Empathy giggled.

"Are you able to talk this time?" she teased.

"Yep. So I can answer your questions without my magic," Grumpy said, tugging gently on one of her braids.

"Neat," she said.

They were escorted inside, where there were more greetings and hugs. After they had dumped their things in their room, they came out to sit around and talk. Grumpy stayed beside Doc, considering the best way to bring up Doc's stuttering. Belligerent proved it was unnecessary to worry about that very quickly.

"Heya, stock, um, Doc," Belligerent teased when they came out.

Grumpy scowled as Doc went crimson. "Stop it," he said firmly.

"Oh, I'm just teasing," Belligerent said.

"Doc don't like it. It ain't funny. Stop it."

"Or what?" Belligerent asked, pushing himself to his feet and crossing his arms.

The house had gone silent as Grumpy stared coolly at Belligerent, the two quite similar in many ways. The family all figured at some point the two of them were going to butt heads on something, and it would be interesting to see how it ended up.

Grumpy tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "You'll find out what it's like yourself."

Belligerent sneered. "I'm just teasing him. He shouldn't be so sensitive."

"Fine," Grumpy said. "Then I get to tease you while you stutter."

With that, he snapped his fingers. Green sparks burst around Belligerent's head, and he yelped and batted the air.

"Hey what was that floor?!"

"You mean for," Grumpy said, his eyes glittering like jewels. "You should really learn to say things right."

Silence. Then Belligerent turned to Diligent. "Papa!"

"You take things too far sometimes, Belligerent," Diligent said evenly. "I've told you to stop teasing your cousin."

"But this isn't tear! Ach, I mean fair!"

There was a ripple of laughter across the room, and suddenly many of the cousins glanced at each other with great glee. Doc bit his bottom lip and tried to fight a smile. Belligerent turned his eyes to him, silently pleading for him to make Grumpy take it back. Doc turned away and went to sit with Bashful. Belligerent gave a yell and stomped out of the room. Grumpy huffed and sat by his brothers, patting Doc's knee.

"Well, now, how you boys been?" Honesty asked into the silence.

They caught up with their relatives, sitting around and chatting the day away. Belligerent slipped back in an hour or so later and sat down in his chair again. He glared daggers at Grumpy, but Grumpy ignored him. After Emil, Belligerent didn't have enough bite to scare him.

That first day back with their kin, Belligerent managed to not say much, but he brooded the whole time and tried to glare a hole through Grumpy. It was the next morning that things got interesting.

Grumpy and Happy both got up early to help in the kitchen. Happy was ecstatic that he was finally allowed to cook with the womenfolk. They guarded their domain as fiercely as a dragon guarded gold, and it was only the second time Happy got to cook with them. Grumpy puttered around, doing whatever they asked as breakfast was prepared.

Belligerent came into the kitchen first and grabbed Grumpy's arm. Grumpy dropped what he was doing and followed him into the main room. Nobody else was up yet, so it was just the two of them.

"Take it sack, um, back," he demanded.

"Nope. You ain't learned a thing yet," Grumpy said. "If you're good, I'll take it back before we leave."

"You can't stew, ach! do that!"

"Watch me," Grumpy replied. "You done teased Doc long enough about his stutter, and the only way to get through to you is like this. So complain all you want. It'll just make it more entertainin'."

"This ain't entertainment!"

"And that tells me you're startin' to understand."

"Then fake, ah! take it back!"

"I said startin' to. Let's dig it in a bit deeper first."

Belligerent's face turned scarlet with anger as Grumpy walked back into the kitchen. Happy called for his help, so he hurried to assist him.

The teasing started at breakfast. Belligerent tried to talk several times, but each time he mixed up words just like Doc usually did. The cousins jumped at the chance for payback and were merciless. Doc watched the teasing with no expression. Grumpy took his hand and squeezed.

"Want me to stop it?"

Doc shook his head. "Not yet."

"Just let me know if you change your mind."

"He needs to understand," Doc murmured.

Grumpy nodded and patted his hand then leaned back and watched the show. While it was true he didn't find the stuttering to be entertaining, the cousins revenge on Belligerent was. It was clear he was a menace sometimes, and as Diligent's firstborn son, he had the status in the family to make people think twice about retorting to him. But there was now an easy opening, and every single one of them took it, except for the brothers and Empathy.

Belligerent was clearly getting frustrated by the mixups. Doc watched quietly through sad eyes as his oldest cousin finally had his mean remarks and jokes turned back on him. Grumpy watched for the first sign that Doc wanted him to stop it all.

It happened four days into their stay. Belligerent had been having a particularly rough day, and he was clearly ready for it to be over by the time the midday meal was served. Some of the younger second cousins had taken to teasing Belligerent, and so far nobody had stopped them. Grumpy also noticed Doc seemed far more alert than usual, his eyes trailing his cousin any time he stepped into the room.

Belligerent reached his breaking point when one of the younger boys reached up and grabbed Belligerent's hat.

"Give it sack, uh, tack, AH! You know what I mean!"

"With that tangled tongue? Not really?" the boy mocked, and having his own words thrown back in his face was too much. Without a single word, Belligerent got up and walked right out the front door. Doc sighed and stood up.

"We're done, Grandmama," he said flatly.

"Let's go then," Grumpy said, standing up and heading for the door.

"Oh, don't stop the fun!" a different boy cried.

Grumpy planted himself by the door as Doc stalked by him, his face turning red at those careless words. He faced the room and spoke sternly. "It ain't funny. Never has been. And I don't wanna hear another tease about it again, or you'll be the one stumblin' over your own tongue. Honesty? Empathy?"

"We'll talk to 'em," Empathy said. "You go. Uncle Belligerent is awful upset this time."

Grumpy followed Doc out and shut the door behind him. He sighed and peered around at the late spring foliage then he looked at Doc.

"Well?" he asked.

"This way," Doc said, and he started walking toward the woods.

They walked for a good fifteen minutes before they caught the sound of Belligerent crying. Doc stiffened then took a deep breath and they headed for him. They pushed through a weeping willow's boughs to find Belligerent curled up at the base of the trunk, his face buried in his hands. Grumpy stayed back while Doc walked over and stood above him. He opened his mouth to speak, but had to try a couple times before anything came out.

Finally, he managed to say, "Not so sun, er, fun, is it?"

Belligerent peeked between his fingers then shook his head slowly, sniffling. Doc sighed and sat down beside him then reached over and gently yanked on Belligerent's beard. Belligerent swatted Doc's hand but curled into him.

"I'm sorry, Doc," he mumbled. "It always sounded so filly, ah, sunny, argh!"

"Silly? Funny?" Doc corrected gently. "Yeah, maybe. But it doesn't feel that way when you're the one who can't squawk, erm, talk right."

"I know that now. And I'm sorry, cuz."

"Yes. But that doesn't take back the fact you've been , fleasing, uh, teasing me since I started mixing things up."

"I know," Belligerent said. "But I don't know how to make it up to you."

"First things first, stop teasin' him when he misspeaks," Grumpy said, and Belligerent turned to look at him in astonishment.

"Didn't know you were fear, ah, here," he muttered.

"I'm here," Grumpy said. "Now, I mean it. Stop teasin' him or next time I'll make it worse."

Belligerent nodded. "I will," he promised, and both Doc and Grumpy could tell be meant it.

Grumpy looked pointedly at Doc, who studied Belligerent's earnest face before he nodded once and waved his hand. Grumpy snapped his fingers. Before Belligerent could react, green sparkles exploded around him and he felt something in his tongue relax as the magic returned to Grumpy.

"What did you do?" Belligerent asked, shivering at the strange, almost electric sensation tingling around his head.

"There. That should do it. Now come on. I'm hungry," Grumpy said, so the three of them headed back toward the house.

"Oh, the womenfolk will save us plates," Belligerent said. "Mama don't want nobody to go hungry."

"Makes sense," Grumpy agreed. "Sure is nice to have a family who cares."

"What was it like for you."

"First come, first serve, and if you're last you better pray they got enough," Grumpy said.

"Oh. That sounds awful," Belligerent said.

"You get used to it. And I didn't remember nothin' different. By then, it was all I knew."

Belligerent stopped and gazed at Grumpy. "Why do you do that?"

Doc stopped beside Belligerent and gazed between them curiously.

Grumpy scowled and crossed his arms, squinting uneasily at his cousin. "Do what?"

"Disagree with us when we tell you somethin' you went through was bad."

"Eh?" Grumpy squirmed a little but didn't back down.

"Oh, you gotta know what I mean. Take what you told Empathy yesterday about how you remember having to scrap for food and that's why you got so good at brawlin' Men. We all thought that was so bad. But you just shrugged when we mentioned it."

"So?" Grumpy asked defiantly.

Doc spoke. "He doesn't understand it was sad, uh, bad."

Belligerent frowned. "How?"

"He lived it. That doesn't mean he understands it or how it affects gem, um, him now. He's still not understood just how bad his childhood was."

"My childhood was fine," Grumpy argued.

Belligerent gazed at him then looked to Doc for confirmation. "He ain't foolin'?"

"No," Doc said. "But he's getting there."

Grumpy threw up his hands and stalked back toward the house, leaving the two oldest cousins alone. Belligerent shook his head.

"How do you do it?" he asked. "You were always a better older brother than me."

"I just have a different temperament," Doc said, smiling a little. "You just lead in a different way. You're strong in other ways they need. And if the time comes, you'll prove your merit just like I have."

"How do you know that?" Belligerent asked.

"We're Goldmanes of course," Doc said. "It's in our blood."

Belligerent smiled and slipped an arm across his cousin's back. "Let's go eat." He paused and his eyes went wide as he slapped his hands over his mouth. "I ain't been stuttering!"

"Of course. That's what Grumpy did with his magic," Doc said.

Belligerent hesitated then leaned close. "Couldn't he do the opposite of that… for you?"

"It wouldn't work that day, ah, way," Doc said. "Besides, it's a cart, um, part of me now."

"It's not so bad, cuz," Belligerent said as the house came into view. "For you, it's at least proof that you were brave enough to fight for your brother even as a kid. Mine was just proof I was a jerk one time too many."

"So you did learn," Doc said happily. "Sometimes we all wonder…"

Belligerent snorted and yanked Doc's hat over his eyes. Grumpy leaned on the wall outside the front door, waiting for them. His expression was dark with troubled thoughts, and Belligerent wondered if he'd revealed too much too fast. But Doc reached over and poked Grumpy's nose, startling him out of his reverie.

"Eh? Oh, there you are. Come on."

Doc smiled at Belligerent and whispered as Grumpy opened the door. "He'll be fine."

"Okay. And I'm sorry again."

"Apology accepted, as long as you steep, er, keep your promise to Grumpy."

"I will," Belligerent promised.

And he did.