Chapter Text
Fauntling's Realm: a name that conjures images of laughing children in an idyllic environment to the mind of hobbits. However, the two blondes figures standing by the round wooden door sported matching dour faces. The small one, a young girl no older than five, was crouching on the steps before the doors looking unaccountably absorbed in a small, battered storybook. The light green backpack and dress-up, plastic purse that swung from her arms chubby with baby fat as she bounced about while reading, were rapping against the ground in nervous circular motions, producing a small dust cloud from the white gravel. The man, hands in his pockets, was fidgeting and peering curiously through the glass of the strangely large round door of the school.
Beyond the glass, one could observe an array of patterned backpacks, scarves, hats, and coats; all child-sized and obediently aligned next to the circular, wooden doors leading to the classrooms, as if it were all a staged image from an idyllic postcard. Further away, partly beyond the young mans’ range of vision a staircase and an elevator next to each other led to the above levels. At the other side of the hallway, a second staircase smaller than the first, let him catch a glimpse of the garden; full of plants and flowers and an impressive vegetable patch, and of the playground. Growing impatient, the blond man rang the doorbell once more.
A passing teacher finally let the two of them into the entryway, where a short and homely man with curly blond hair was walking towards them. He had the size and large unclothed feet distinctive of hobbit ancestry. In fact, Fíli had rarely seen someone with seemingly so pure hobbit ancestry in his appearance. Him and Trís both sported typically dwarvish traits such as their stout silhouette and large hands. But Fíli believed that Trís would eventually grow up taller than him, since her mother was such a charming mixture of dwarvish and mannish traits. With a warm smile, he presented himself as Bilbo Baggins, the Director of Fauntling’s Realm Kindergarten. He shook hands with the blonde man first, who introduced himself as Fíli Dùrin, and then with the small child at his side, whom Fíli introduced as his daughter, Trís. Bilbo also shook her hand, still smiling and trying to meet her eyes, though she was intently staring at the floor.
After some small talk, mostly from the short director, he insisted that they continue their conversation inside his office where he could serve everyone some tea, coffee, or hot chocolate with some scones, and perhaps some marmalade. Father and daughter shared a moment of complicity as from the looks of it the director had run in late; he still sported bed marks on his cheeks and his bow-tie was crooked. Certainly he was the one in need of a nice cup of coffee, but perhaps he ought to abstain from the marmalade.
As the director led them into his office, a comfy and welcoming place decorated with pastel colors, Fíli glanced at his daughter from the corner of his eyes wondering if she would feel happy here. The brochure was fairly truthful on account of the building; it truly was a welcoming and homey place with its tasteful round doors and windows, all the children’s artworks on the walls, and apparently homemade decorations. Though would she feel at home in this new and alien place? After all advertisements could be so deceiving.
The director looked friendly enough but Fíli had learned never to judge a book by its cover. Would the teachers at Fauntling's Realm come up to his standards regarding childcare? Would they live up to his daughter's needs? Holding back a sigh Fíli crossed through the wooden round door, comically entitled ‘Fauntling's Headquarters’. It wasn't the time to second-guess himself.
Trís looked around the place passing over the desk, cupboards and furniture without interest, before her eyes stopped on a cozy little corner with a basket of toys. Her eyes widened as she took in the new and exciting playthings: a baby doll, an octopus plush with its elephant friend, and multiple cars.
She looked up at Fíli questioningly from under her eyelashes, “Go on and sit over there, darling. Papa is going to be boring with Mr. Baggins over here for a bit.”
“Okay Papa,” she said, her steps leading her to the soft colorful carpet covered corner. Perhaps he should have brought her own toys. Tarría had always chastised his lack of preparation, but the truth of the matter was that Fíli was more of a problem solver than an avoider of problems in the first place. It had always worked for him in the past, but nowadays he couldn’t afford to go into a situation half-cocked. Someone depended on him. Some people were counting on him to do the right things and to be responsible.
The little man showed Fíli to a plush seat with leather arms next to a wooden desk, politely opening up with some platitudes while taking place behind his massive oaken desk. But Fíli and Trís were attempting to enroll the young girl into Fauntling’s Realm as a last resort, since all the events of the last year had thrown them all far outside their comfort zone. Ah, but this coffee was excellent, and Trís was dutifully licking her fingers of the last of her father’s scones. If this places’ food could reawaken his daughter’s appetite then their non-choice might have a good chance.
“So how come Trís is joining us at this time of the year?”, Bilbo asked while taking the last bite of his generously marmalade covered scone. “After all, the school’s programming was about to enter mid-spring on the calendar.”
Fíli mulled over his answer. How much could he reveal? “Well, I have recently gone through a divorce, and the separation has been… rather hard on Trís. I believe having her stay at home with me was the right thing to do at the time, especially as I was unemployed,” Fíli explained while twirling his fingers in one of his braids. All true. But perhaps avoiding to mention the most sordid details would improve Trís’s status at this nursery-school.
Bilbo bent closer to the small man, almost hovering over his desk, and asked in a more serious tone, “Then why is now a good time for Trís to go to school?”
“I am not unemployed anymore,” answered Fíli, lifting his eyes to meet Bilbo’s serious gaze, “However, I guess I am also not really sure if Trís is ready for such a big change. I mean, even though the two of us have been together since her mom left, Trís has not been the same since the divorce, and I worry about her.”
Bilbo sighed, his forehead scrunching as if under a great burden. The gesture made Fíli even more uncomfortable and he was having more and more trouble refraining from fidgeting nervously. He knew his story wouldn’t stand against thorough interrogation, but it had to work. This last-minute solution would solve most of his current problems. He tried to take some deep calming breaths discreetly. Was it him or was this office really hot?
Hopefully, when the director answered, the look he gave Fíli was frank and direct, “Well, your worries are over now. I can assure you, Mr. Dùrin, that Trís will be in a perfectly safe and welcoming environment,” Bilbo quietly affirmed.
Fíli smiled ever so slightly, but before he let the budding hope take hold, he needed to be sure, “Actually, that’s what I mainly wanted to talk to you about. Can you tell me what kind of school this is...I mean, what kind of support does this establishment provide for the children?”
With a smile, Bilbo answered, “I think those kinds of questions would be better answered by Trís' new caregiver. Would you care to meet them? For my part, I can certainly vouch for this person, our most popular teacher!”
Fíli suddenly stopped worrying his hair, “Oh, that would be perfect! I'd like very much to meet her,” he chuckled, “After all, she might become one of the most important adults in my Trís’ young life!”
Bilbo grinned mischievously, causing the cutest of wrinkles to emerge at the corner of his eyes, containing his apparent amusement with difficulty. Fíli reflected that the director, as he internally chuckled, was the very picture of cunning delight. Judging from the man’s reaction, this would certainly prove to be an interesting meeting.
“Of course. I will go look for my employee then; you are lucky that classes are not in session yet. Perfect timing, I must say!”
“Wonderful,” Fíli sighed with relief, “I wouldn't want to deprive the children of their beloved teacher!”
With one last, crooked smile, Bilbo walked out of the office with a spring in his step, leaving the young parent to his own devices and reflections. Dragging his gaze around the room, Fíli let himself consider his daughter. Despite this unusual situation she seemed nonplussed and played silently with a plastic animal, making it ride a fire truck on the carpet.
“Trís?” called Fíli, “Come here, darling.” The young girl settled herself in Fíli's lap but stayed silent despite Fíli’s prodding, “Well, baby girl? Don't you think this Mr. Baggins fellow was nice?”
Trís declined to answer in favor of sticking her thumb into her mouth and sucking on it. It was a bad habit that she had never displayed as a baby, but which had showed up recently. Fíli delicately gathered her hand in his and pushed her hand away from her greedy lips with a pop. Her thumb already sported enough wrinkles.
“I am sure you will be very happy in this place. Have you noticed all the pretty colors?” Fíli continued, attempting to gain a response from the quiet child. He looked around the room and tried again, “Here! Look baby!”
He picked up the toy she had left on the floor by his feet, “I bet there are a whole lot more toys in every room, much more than at home!”
Trís finally met his eyes and encouraged, Fíli wiggled the toy in front of her face, “You will find plenty of new friends for this Mister…Mister...”
“It's a Mister Elephant,” supplied a deep, masculine voice.
Fíli looked up, startled, and met a pair of dark brown eyes. As his gaze continued to roam the teacher in front of him, his face flushed as he took in the man's masculine form tempered by a tiny, frilly, teacher's apron decorated with little animal paw patterns. It was almost comical, how the man's bulging muscles seemed to overtake the apron encasing them.
Fíli gulped and caught his wandering eyes quickly, before stuttering, “Uh...Hello? I’m sorry, but the Director is away right now.”
“Oh man, I thought you wanted to meet me? My name is Kíli O’Kenshild and I'll be Trís’ new educator.”
Fíli felt his face flame from pink to scarlet, entirely embarrassed at his assumptions about the gender of Trís’ teacher, and finding himself at a loss for words.
“Do you have dinosaurs too?” Trís saved him by enquiring.
Kíli smiled warmly at the little girl, and approached her gently, “Yes we do, Trís, we have lots of toys; and there are so many other fun things we can do together along with the new friends you’ll make.”
With renewed confidence, Fíli managed to supply, “Trís adores dinosaurs, she only ever plays with them; you should see her room,” he broke off, chuckling slightly and inwardly cursing his own awkwardness, “Um…I'm Fíli Dùrin, Trís' dad. It’s nice to meet you Mr. O’Kenshild. Mr. Baggins said you could tell me more information about this place ?” Fíli asked uncertainly.
Kíli responded soothingly, “Please, call me Kíli. Everyone does! And man, did you make the right choice in coming here ! I know that I’m supposed to be supportive of the school, it’s kind of in the job description, but just look at this building! I can only say that, with my experience, this has been my most favorite school to work at; it’s truly a very lovely school Mr. Dùrin…”
He broke off as the blonde corrected him, asking to, please, be called Fíli as well, “…Fíli. The teachers here, myself included, do our best to make each child feel welcomed and special. You might have seen in the entryway, our family board where we post pictures of loved ones we ask families to bring in. We welcome the children each morning with what we call an opening Circle Time, and close each day with a closing Circle Time. Moreover, we like to invite the parents or caregivers to join us during these times with their children, if you would be interested.” he paused, tilting his head at the blond’s increasingly distressed face.
“For those families requiring extra care — and they’re many, man are they many! — we provide open communication between teacher and parent, and leave a notebook on the sign-in counter for comments in the event the lead teacher, that is to say my humble self, is out of the room. Each day, if you so require, you’ll go home with a letter detailing Trís’ day; what she did, what she ate, who she played with,” Kíli quietened altogether at Fíli’s entirely lost expression, a blind man could see that he would really need to ease this nervous parent slowly and carefully into the classroom routine.
Kíli carefully considered his next words, not wanting to add to the man’s distress. He cleared his throat and asked, “So, are you ready for tomorrow then? Leaving is always harder on the parents than the children.” considering Fíli’s anxious face with worried eyes he grinned encouragingly at him as if wanting to spread his seemingly endless confidence.
Laughing nervously, Fíli mumbled from behind the hand covering his mouth, “Is it that obvious? You can't fault me for worrying over parting with my ûrzuduh for the first time,” he said dejectedly. Truly he didn’t think he would ever be ready. But the teacher was right; Trís didn’t appear to share his concerns, gazing impassively as she was straight through him.
“No, never,” Kíli stated softly before clearing his throat and continuing slightly gruff, “Separation can be hard, especially for a...single parent?” he inquired hesitantly, now blushing himself at his own forwardness.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that,” Fíli tried to explain himself to the reddening teacher. He cursed himself; now he had done it by upsetting him with his foolish hesitations.
“As you guessed, I am a little nervous. Maybe you can tell me a little more about what to expect when dropping her off? I-I am supposed to stay for a…Circle Time? D-does she need lunch? Should I bring an extra coat?” he asked, slightly frustrated with himself for being so unsure about this. Now the teacher would think poorly of him, he shouldn’t have showed such obvious ignorance.
He hoped Kíli didn’t think he was an unconcerned parent, although judging by his display of ignorance, he might as well be. “I'm afraid I am a useless and clueless dad,” he supplied with a slightly hysterical chuckle followed with a deep sigh.
As Kíli started to explain the drop-off and pick-up procedures, Fíli felt Trís tightening her arms around his waist. He reached his hand up to pet her back in wide, soothing circles. They would make it through this, together.