Chapter Text
The table had been cleared, and the last of Ori's favorite stew had been scrubbed from four empty bowls. As they settled and loosened their belts, Lumi set a teacup in front of each of her sons, and poured put four steaming servings of chrysanthemum white tea. Everyone inhaled the fragrance tenderly as the kettle was set in the middle of the table, next to an enormous plate of raspberry and creme cheese sourdough pastries. Lumi tilted the plate towards her youngest son, who happily took first pick of the braided confections.
Today was a day filled with Ori's favorite things.
"It's a very special age, thirty-six," chimed Lumi in her thick Erebor Khuzdul, and she passed the plate to her second son, then her eldest.
"I still remember when your brothers chose their trades. Feels like just last week, myyyy." She sighed, and finally took a pastry for herself. "Now, as I’ve talked about yo you before dear, we have all arranged a lot of options for you to choose from. But no matter what, Amaa will support your choice. This is a very big decision to make, so consider it carefully, hmm Ori?"
Ori pursed his lips and nodded, stirring creme and sugar into his tea.
"Right, so," his mother continued. "As far as our Oriyith's options go, remember that you are absolutely more than welcome to come into the Tea trade with Amaa and Brother Dori."
At this Dori nodded sagely. He was very much like his mother, with a round jolly face and perfect shiny hair, and considered himself to be something of a gentledwarf. As such, he added only a dignified bit of honeycomb to his tea, adding confidently: "It's such a nice trade, Ori. You'd be able to spend a lot of time with Amad and me, and you could learn at your own pace. The shop is always very fragrant, so there aren’t many stressful days. And our business is thriving; lots of dwarves in and out of the shop-- and lots of dwarrowdames too." Dori and Nori grinned at each other, earning an eyeroll and a nudge from their mother.
"Or if you'd like to,” said Lumi, ”you have the option to join the Locksmiths' Guild like your brother, Nori."
Nori rested his chin on his fist, focusing his sharp, foxy eyes on Ori. As for him, who had rather a long clever face and deep red hair, he liked a bit of bitterness, and so left his tea plain. He seemed to consider for a moment, then took a draw on his tea.
"Aye, aye, you've got nimble enough fingers for locksmithery, but it requires good ears and a quick and curious mind as well, if you think you're up for it."
Ori swallowed. Those intricate and secret mechanisms interested him very little. While he might have the patience to take a lock apart once and map out its insides, he doubted very much that he could do it every single day of his life. However, he couldn't bring himself to douse the passionate glint in his brother's eyes, so he sipped his tea and pretended to think on it.
"Or would you like to become an apprentice to Baker Aatos?" their mother continued, "Under him, you'd learn to grow yeast and make fragrant breads. Eventually, you'd even learn to make the pastries and biscuits we use here at the shop."
Ori looked up. That did seem very promising indeed. Across the entire North district of the Ered Luin, Baker Aatos's creme cheese pastries were definitely the best and his favorites. Although, the prospect of waking up before the birds to commit to hours of hard labor outweighed the appeal of the pastries and their secret recipes. He set the remaining half of his pastry on the plate, giving his full attention to the dwarves around him.
"Or maybe," Lumi began again,"you may like to become an apprentice to Herbalist Kukka? Under her, you'll learn the various properties of herbs, as well as how to seed and propagate flowers and plants. Eventually, you'd help to supply everyone from Amaa's tea shop to the Apothecaries of Ered Luin with them."
Ori went over the possibilities in his mind. There really were so many options, but none of them quite felt like they fit so far. He rolled his teacup in his fingertips.
"Or perhaps," Lumi continued, "would you like to become a student and go to live with the Priests of Mahal? There, you'd spend your days serving your brothers and sisters in the name of Mahal; keeping our traditions, preserving our ancient texts, teaching the children, and creating beautiful art all day. You might even go on to become a Scholar, if you've got the acumen and if it suits you. Although, it's a very modest life you'd live. Your wage would be very low, if you were to receive one at all."
Ori nodded thoughtfully. Although he did not attend Garden School as a child, he knew very well how to read and write, and immensely enjoyed both practices. He wasn't even too bad at drawing, although he was much better at recreating observations than creating pictures from his imagination. It was certainly something he could see himself dedicating his life to, but the prospect of not supporting his household's economy weighed heavy in his heart.
"Or.. would you like to become an apprentice to Scribe Helmi? Under her, you'll learn to be a fine calligrapher, and will someday help to keep our peoples' History and records. You may even venture out and write our histories as they happen, should they happen, or you could keep family ledgers and accounts and such things.
"Or maybe you'd like to go into service under Lord Lari Lasseyul? He's an affluent gentledwarf, and has ties to Balin Fundinul, who in turn advises King Thorin Thrainul. Serving under Lord Lari would allow you to make profitable connections in the future, and he would treat you well and pay you handsomely.."
“Although you don’t have to decide immediately, Oriyith,” She trailed off, standing to refill everyone’s cups. “But I hope you’ll think about it, and let Ama know within the next fortnight, alright?”
And so, Ori knit his eyebrows together and scratched his stubbly chin thoughtfully. Locksmithing was definitely out, as was servitude under the politician Lord Lari. Nor did he have any interest at all in the care and management of plants, and so he struck Herbalist off the list.
Tea Shop. Baker. Scholar. Scribe..
His arms were far too slim for hours and hours of kneading dough, and he shuddered at the prospect of waking up while it was dark out, and he thus struck Baker from his mental roster as well. And, while he loved his life in the tea shop, Ori definitely had more of a proclivity for drinking tea than for mixing and selling it. Plus, Amaa had Dori, and Dori would inherit the shop. They'd do just fine without him.
This left him with 2 options: Scholar or Scribe.
Ori felt like he was suspended on a rope bridge, with two equally beautiful destinations on either side of him. On the one hand, he loved the idea of being surrounded by other dwarves who loved stories as much as he did, and of the sense of community the scholars society would offer.. And yet, on the other, he also longed for the beautiful calligraphic and story-weaving skills of which every Scribe was possessed.
And yet still, the idea of learning all there is to learn about the past and the present hung baitingly over his head. Ahh, but the freedom and the adventure of capturing history as it happened was also very alluring...
He closed his eyes, his mouth pursing into a line, and thought about his favorite things. The scents of inks and parchment wafted in his mind. The unique sensations of a featherpen and dried ink traced ghosts upon his fingertips. Ori could feel the smooth paper rubbing the heel of his hand, and see the letters crisp and stark against the white of his mind. Slowly, deliberately, he opened his eyes. Everyone was still and quiet, hanging on the tension in the air, their gazes fixed upon the young dwarf.
"I'd like to apprentice to Scribe Helmi." He declared. "I want to become a scribe."
Gentle but grave, Lumi held her son's eyes with her own. "Are you absolutely sure, Ori? Inùdoyukhuma, hmm? This is a decision which can not easily be taken back once it is made."
Ori nodded resolutely. "I think I'll be happy to do it. I really like reading and writing and..."
And adventure!
"Alright then, darling," she smiled. "Tomorrow morning, you and Amaa will go together to meet Lady Helmi, and maybe to draw your contract and discuss your sponsorship, so be sure to take an herbal bath tonight, alright?"
"An excellent choice, Ori!" chirped Dori, who clapped the little dwarrow jovially on his shoulder. "I've always said you have beautiful penmanship. I'm sure you'll love it."
"Not to mention Scribe Helmi is a great beauty," Nori said with a smirk "and so's her daughter, I hear." This earned him a box on the shoulder and an "Oh Nori, go and put a fresh kettle on, we need more tea" from his mother.
Trying not to beam, Ori reached for another pastry. His heart was racing and his face was burning pink.