To Sow a Barren Land

Disclaimer: 'The Hobbit' is the product of the literary genius of J.R.R Tolkien and his amazing inspiration. I am only borrowing the characters. I do not profit by it in any way.

Warning: Infertility.

AN: I had this put up here for a couple of days but I stripped it down and made some tweaks and changes and put it up in Ao3. But I've decided to post it here as well. I'll be putting up four chapters here at the same time since I've already published them in Ao3. After that, i'll update both places at the same time.

Guys, now please pay attention to this bit of the note.

So this fic takes place some time before the fall of Doriath. So Oropher is alive and let us pretend that he has already established Greenwood. Thranduil's the prince. And let us also pretend that Thrór and Thorin were also there at that time. Thorin's a prince as well. And there is no feud between the elves and dwarves yet.

Male elves have this amazing ability to bear children. But this doesn't mean there aren't female bearers. There are. In fact, a male elf doesn't necessarily have to be pregnant. He can be the sire to his wife, if he wants to. And if he wants to, he can bear children by male sires. And we all know how physical relations are sacred to them. So they do IT with the love of their life. Some love can be male, some can be female. Hence, some elves are fathers while some are...'mothers'.

Ohhhh man, I hope I didn't confuse you guys! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. :)

Chapter 1

Thorin was utterly spent when he dropped on the bed, right next to his lover. He exhaled and took many deep breaths so as to steady his racing heart. When he was composed enough, he turned to his side and let his strong arms entwine around one slender waist while his chin found its perfect place at the crook of his lover's neck.

The other one stirred slightly and welcomed the loving touch. He too was coated in a thin layer of sweat and was exhausted from the recent activity both of them had been engaged in. Still, the touch felt nice and right.

"Did you feel any discomfort?" Thorin asked, brushing away a few strands of long golden locks and tucking them behind the other's oddly pretty elf ears.

At the gesture, his lover turned slightly and meeting Thorin's eyes, he let a gentle smile sweep across his lips.

"I feel none when I am with you, meleth," replied the other as his eyes sparkled with mirth and delight and his smile grew reflecting the same.

At that, Thorin's heart skipped many paces and whatever composure he had attained quickly evaporated away while he looked deep into the clear blue orbs.

It was a feeling like no other. It was as if a great pull resided behind them—so alluring and charming that it could rival even the most deceitful of all sirens.

Thorin couldn't find in himself to tear his gaze away from his lover. It was an effect which the elf always had on him whenever they locked eyes.

From the very beginning, Thorin felt being drawn by a strong force residing behind those alluringly starry eyes, which shone brilliantly whenever the other laughed; whenever the other looked at him and him alone.

And to no amount of folly, it was moments like these that Thorin felt extremely proud to be the one to steal the wild heart of the much heeded Thranduil Oropherion – Prince of the Woodland Realm.

His attention was soon brought back to the present at the feel of slender fingers caressing the side of his face. His eyes flickered for a second before landing on Thranduil's face now shinning with amusement.

"What are you thinking?" The prince asked, barely tilting his head while his eyes searched for any traces of hint which could peep out of the dwarf's face.

Thorin drew in a breath and warmly gazed back as he replied meekly, "I wasn't thinking."

"Liar." Thranduil scoffed playfully, once again his face lighting up with a smile.

"Am I now?" Thorin defended with just as much playfulness before he drew closer to the elf prince's lips, tracing gentle kisses along the other's lower lip and jaw-line.

Thranduil's eyes fluttered shut and he was heard to let out a gentle hum before he lay on his back and allowed Thorin to indulge him.

As he reached the crook of Thranduil's neck, Thorin drew in the beautiful woody fragrance which was nothing but purely Thranduil. As his breath teased the other's skin, he felt Thranduil stretching slightly in an act of enjoyment before bringing an arm up and gently brushing through Thorin's own hair.

"A liar you say?" The dwarf prince whispered and almost shuddered himself when he felt a pleasurable quiver running down Thranduil's body. "But I speak the truth."

Thranduil didn't appreciate being interrupted. He moaned subliminally and pursed his lips as he said, "And what could the Prince under the Moutains be doing as he stares vastly into nothingness, I wonder!"

"A valid form of wonder, I must say!" Thorin smirked, clearly enjoying the little banter—one of many that had become a joyous part of their relationships.

"But may I enquire as to what valid action satisfies my valid form of wonder?" Thranduil asked back, now raising a sceptical brow as his inner instinct to try and outwit the opponent took hold of himself.

A chuckle soon escaped Thorin and he lifted his head up—much to Thranduil's annoyance—and held gazes with him.

At that, whatever tiny amount of sneer that had formed on the other's perfect face vanished swiftly before being replaced by an expression consisting nothing but love and devotion.

Now that he had Thranduil's full attention, Thorin pressed his lips against the other and let his hand stroke the other's chest as he responded in a sincere voice, "I wasn't thinking because I was looking at you. I was worshipping you, my love."

His lips curled into a wide smile when he heard Thranduil gasp at his declaration.

"Thorin...meleth!" Thranduil tried speaking. His lips moved but were unable to form coherent words that would convey his emotions.

However, words weren't needed when silence and awe spoke it all.

"It's such a—I..." Thranduil struggled and with huge effort tried to command his tongue to break its numbness. His breath was heavy and those eyes which were usually so steady and focused now roamed all over Thorin's amused face as if to try and make the other see what he wished to speak, before giving up entirely.

Seeing his lover so exasperated, Thorin's smile doubled.

Now that Thranduil's mouth was hanging ajar, the dwarf prince couldn't help but feel a childlike amusement dawning over him when he took in Thranduil's eyes dancing with joy just as his cheeks flushed warmly against the light of a lantern.

"You do not approve?" He asked, circling his hand up and down Thranduil's chest.

"Oh of course I do meleth. Of course I do! Do not ever have the slightest of doubt of my devotion to you or yours to mine!" Thranduil responded at an abrupt pace but let his eyes shift from Thorin's face immediately after, making Thorin's smile falter and furrow his brows lightly.

It was obvious that Thranduil was trying to hide his face for fear of unwittingly revealed emotions. However, he wasn't quick enough and even in the dim light—even for the briefest of moments—Thorin could catch a glimpse of the unmistakable apathy of sadness darkening Thranduil's orbs.

His furrow turned to a frown and he looked over at the elf with utter confusion.

Unable to keep it to himself, he enquired, "So then why the sudden gloom?"

Instead of answering, Thranduil sighed heavily and lowered his head a little, as if to completely hide from Thorin's strong vision.

"Thranduil, love?" Thorin called upon the other but when Thranduil didn't look up, he went on caressing the other's smooth chest while he said in a soothing voice, "Won't you tell me what bothers you?"

Still there was no reply. Instead, Thorin's ears picked up a sharp drawing in of breath and it made the dwarf prince's frown deepen with great concern.

He pressed a soft kiss to Thranduil's cheek and let one of his hand caress the elven prince in hopes of providing him some comfort.

"It's just..." After a long pause Thranduil finally spoke, his voice raspy and suddenly so full of weariness.

"Yes?" Throin prodded.

Satisfied that Thranduil was opening up, he went on caressing the elf with his hand, before resting it on Thranduil's stomach.

The other's body arched slightly at that before melting into relaxation. Another small pause stretched between the two of them and for a moment, neither of them attempted to break it.

It was what provided one with a sense of trust and support as he decided upon his words and as for the other, it simply urged him to go on providing the comfort which his lover obviously needed.

Throughout this entire time, Thorin was waiting patiently and even though his patience didn't linger even close to its borders, he was suddenly finding himself to be overwhelmed in anticipation. His frown deepened further and somehow, he could sense what it was that caused Thranduil to hesitate all so suddenly.

And with that sense, followed anxiety.

When he was about to address the other, Thorin's frown lightened as he felt a warm hand over his own.

At that he inhaled deeply, the overwhelming feeling suddenly magnifying within his heart and before he could think of doing anything else to lessen it, Thranduil's head straightened as the elf slowly turned to face his love.

"It's just that I do not feel I deserve so much of your devotion to me." Thranduil said softly, lifting his eyes which now flickered with hesitation.

"What do you mean? You deserve every bit of it!" The weight on Thorin's heart was increasing and by now, he was completely sure of what Thranduil was talking about.

"Thranduil, not everyone has the fortune to come by such a generous heart and a brave soul!" He reasoned, hoping to sooth the ache his lover felt, "It's not only because of your looks or what actions you can or cannot do. You know that, love!"

"But somehow it always comes to what I cannot do." Thranduil responded with a tact suddenness and from the way he looked at his lover— the intensity which bounced off from his eyes— it took all of Thorin's strength not to shed his tears.

Thranduil's face twisted slightly as the burden of his emotions finally overtook him. He brought his hand up and placed it on top of Thorin's, making his better half to look at him with great restraint and self control.

Closing his eyes, he went on in a voice which sounded heavier as grief seeped into its liveliness, breaking Thorin's heart all the more.

"So many times we have tried. So many times we have prayed. But to what effect?"

Thranduil's hand was now pressing down on his own, and thereby on the elf prince's stomach. With each word that was spoken, the pressure on Thorin's hand grew and the pressure in his heart was too much to make it beat with an uncanny pace.

"Thranduil."

Thorin didn't know what he could say. Thranduil was speaking of a pain he too shared equally—if not more.

He shook his head and trying his best to ignore the sting in his eyes, he began speaking.

"No Thorin!" However, Thranduil sharply cut him off and went on, his voice dripping with pain and anguish, "Do not try and deny it. I have seen it. I have seen how wistful you look whenever you're around your cousin's son! I have felt the void you feel whenever your mother speaks of you and your sister's childhood. I have seen the longing in your eyes when you think I don't notice. You can't deny what you feel, meleth."

Thranduil paused, his face now cracking with tears threatening to spill from his eyes. And as for Thorin, he too wasn't faring any better. It was taking him a great amount of discipline to restrain his reaction only to his erratic form of breathing.

Even though Thranduil's words pierced him like needles, he knew he couldn't let his grief take the better of him. He didn't want to add to the sorrow he had already caused the other! He didn't want to burden Thranduil with any more!

His heart was now weighed with another emotion. Anger.

Anger towards himself, towards his lack of self control...towards his defeat!

Oh how Thorin wished he could kick himself! If he had been a bit more vigilant, a bit more controlled around the elf prince, then his love would not have to let himself be eaten away by anguish and berate himself as he did now!

But Thranduil wasn't finished. Once more he stared at the other. And once more Thorin found himself unable to look away.

Thranduil's vision held agony and was being blurred by welled up tears. As for Thorin, his breathing was shallow and rapid and he didn't know just how much longer he could keep himself from breaking down.

Thranduil's lips were now trembling and before Thorin could have the chance of closing his eyes—anything to try and evade the sadness exuding from his love—he heard Thranduil ask with a quiet voice.

"If I'm that much worthy, then why can I not bear you a joy you deserve the most? Why can't I bear your child?"

And it was all it took to crush Thorin's heart.

AN: The rest three are on its way.