Ch 2

A week later Dain arrived with his son Thorin Stonehelm and a few soldiers from the Iron Hills accompanied them. Fili, Maggie, Kili, Balin, Kona, and her husband Osod greeted the group.

"My king." Dain said with a bow as the others followed him.

"Lord Dain, always a pleasure." Maggie said forcing herself to smile.

"We personally wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your son. We have brought gifts for the new prince." Dain said as Thorin Stonehelm stepped forward with a chest of gifts.

"Thank you, Dain. Let's go to the feast." Fili said as Dain nodded. He turned to Kona.

"My daughter, you look well and with child so soon." He said noticing her large stomach.

"That seems to be the case with most of the females in Erebor." Balin said winking as Maggie who smirked.

"Must be something in the water." Maggie said with a grin.

Kona smiled at her friend as Dain turned to face his son-in-law.

"Osod, may you two be blessed with more dwarves." He said butting heads with the younger dwarf who swayed from the impact.

Maggie and Fili led the way into the feast.

"Where are your little ones?" Dain asked as he was seated next to Maggie.

"In the nursery. With the illness in Dale I am keeping them in our own rooms with only limited contact. Dis is with them."

Dain nodded and began filling his plate with food.

"How is everything in the Iron Hills?" Balin asked Thorin who sat next to him.

Thorin gave all of the latest news in the Iron Hills which mostly had to do with training. Much to Fili and Maggie's surprise Dain did not bring up the topic of a betrothal which was a relief. After dinner there was drinking and dancing. Maggie left briefly to check on the children and to feed baby Thorin. When she returned Dwalin, Gimli and Dain were in the middle of a drinking contest. Gloin sat pouting and his wife Asabelle looked none to happy that her son was involved in the contest.

"How is our little prince and princess?" Gloin asked.

"They are both doing well. Rowan is getting tired of being pent up in the rooms and Thorin is growing everyday. His presentation will be tomorrow night." Fili said proudly.

"He is a handsome little prince. Erebor will love him just as much as they love Rowan." Asabelle said.

"The princess has been accepted just like the queen." Dain said as Fili scowled.

"Of course, Erebor loves their queen and princess. No one questions this." Dwalin said as Maggie scowled at Dain.

"I think only one dwarf under the mountain would do so." She said arms crossed not looking in his direction.

"How are they?" Fili asked softly.

"Rowan is very restless and Thorin is sleeping now. I think your mother is almost worn out trying to keep up with Rowan."

"If you wish to return to them-"

"No, I don't trust him." Maggie said as Fili chuckled.

"How are the little dears?" Asabelle asked as Maggie grinned.

"The prince is sleeping and the princess is playing with her grandmother."

"The presentation will be something to see. Everyone is most interested to see our new prince."

"He has his namesakes disposition but his sister keeps him happy. When he's awake she's always putting on a show to make him laugh."

"My queen will you do me the honor?" Fili said standing and offering Maggie his hand.

She smiled and took his hand as the young royals took to the dance floor and all the eyes of Erebor were watching them.

"They are just so sweet. Remember when we were that young?" Asabelle said as Gloin mumbled in agreement.

"Prince, when will you take the chance?" Dain asked Kili who had just rejoined the party.

"Not anytime soon. There is no rush for me to marry. My brother has two children and no doubt there will be more. Look at the king and queen. I see no happier couple in Middle Earth." Kili said a small smile watching Fili twirl his wife as Maggie giggled.

"Some would feel better with a full blooded-"

"That would be treason, father." Thorin said as Dain frowned.

"Not everyone is bewitched by the queen." He said coldly standing and leaving the hall.

The next day Dain reluctantly joined the royal family as they went to the market. Maggie who cast a spell to make sure the sickness in Dale had not spread to Erebor held Rowan's hand as the young princess walked next to her mother. Dain seemed less then happy when he saw that Rowan looked like a child of men rather then a dwarf princess.

"Mamma, I miss Thory." She said a short way into their walk.

"He is with your grandmother. When he's presented tonight then everyone may see him."

Everyone who saw the group had a kind word to say about the princess who knew most of the merchants by name as well as a few of the guards. When Rowan got tired Kili scooped her up.

"Kiki, when we go play with swords?" She asked.

"Once we cane get away from royal duty." He said as the princess giggled.

"You allow the princess to play with swords?" Dain asked.

"Why not? Her mother can wield a sword as can her grandmother."

"I want to use a bow like Kiki." Rowan said as Dain frowned.

"That is hardly appropriate for a princess of Durin."

"She is a new princess. With the way things are going in Middle Earth everyone should be able to fight. Things have been quiet but I doubt that will continue for much longer." Maggie said as Dain went to open his mouth but stopped.

"How is the White Council?" Thorin Stonehelm asked.

"We are all well. Keeping an eye on things."

"I am glad the dwarves have a representative ." Thorin said with a smile as a merchant approached Rowan with a crown of flowers. She giggled as it was placed on her head.

"Thank you, sir." She said as the dwarf bowed his head. "Mommy, will auntie and uncle be here tonight?"

"Of course, they have missed you as have your cousins."

Rowan smiled, even though Bain, Sigrid, and Tilda were not cousin's by blood they loved Rowan and spent plenty of time with her. Sigrid was soon to be married and Bain recently began courting a merchant's daughter. After the tour of the market Maggie took Rowan back to their rooms for a nap.

"She is something special, just like her mother." Thorin said as Kili frowned.

"Don't be getting any ideas." Kili said as Thorin chuckled.

"I hardly think that is appropriate but my father thinks other wise. I don't see the benefit of a forced marriage."

"I agree." Fili said joining the conversation. "Look at how happy your sister is with Osod? Arranged marriages are a thing of the past." Fili said leading the way to the mines as Dain grunted something under his breath. "Plus is Rowan is anything like her mother I doubt an arranged marriage would stand." Fill said as Dain stopped.

"You are the king and as your daughter she should marry who you wish."

"Rowan is my daughter and I want her to marry for love just like I did and as my parents did before me. The rest of the royal family and the council are all in agreement about this. This topic was brought up before Rowan was born and the laws were adjusted."

"How dare you? Arranged marriages are a royal tradition! Thrain and Thor were both in arranged marriages and if Thorin lived-"

"My uncle would have never agreed. He was in love once and he vowed to never marry after he lost her. He admitted to me on his death bed that he regretted trying to force an arranged marriage on me. It took my uncle some time but he and Maggie parted on good terms."

"She is a witch and should have saved the king!" Dain shouted as some of the workers paused to watch what was going on.

"Father-"

"Stay out of this Thorin!" Dain growled.

"Thorin knew Maggie was pregnant and refused to be healed. How dare you question what went on that day?! You were there and you saw what Maggie did and how much she risked that day. On that day she proved herself as much as any dwarven fighter."

Thorin looked at his father who looked like he was going to explode.

"I demand an arranged marriage for my son! He will be married to the princess."

"No, my king." Thorin said falling to one knee.

"Myself and your son have spoken. My daughter will marry for love and your son has already expressed his wishes. Lord Dain, you will either find some self control or you will leave Erebor. I will not have your outbursts during my son's ceremony." Fili continued the tour of the mines for Thorin as Dain fell back shocked that again things did not go his way in Erebor.