Ch 7

After getting fitted for a few new dresses and buying a few for Rowan since she was growing so fast the women returned to the royal wing. Thorin was already fussy and as if on cue Ule began to cry again. The maids brought some lunch for Maggie, Kona, and Rowan who brought her food over to her her own little table where she sat with two of her dolls.

"She is so good. Look at her." Kona said watching as Rowan put some food on her dolls plate and try to feed them.

"Rowan is a little lady, I'm glad there are other children now. For so long it was her with adults and she was starting to act like a child."

"At least her uncle treated her like a child. Do you think he'll ever marry?"

Maggie frowned.

"I asked him once and I think he feels like he's betraying Tauriel's memory."

"I never knew her but you and Kili speak so highly of her. We all do not trust elves but maybe they could have changed that."

Maggie wiped at her cheek.

"Yes, I think they could have but maybe someday Kili will move on." She said as another tear fell.

"Maggie, I-I shouldn't have."

"It's just everything and I hardly slept."

Kona squeezed her friends hand.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Maggie shook her head. After lunch Kona stayed with Maggie until Rowan went to take her nap.

"Get some rest." Kona said before leaving to take Ule for a walk.

Maggie took a few deep breaths and then asked Dis to watch Thorin and she walked towards the kings chambers. Maggie listened for a moment and sensed that Fili was in there alone and she slowly opened the door. Fili looked up and scowled then looked back at the parchments in front of him.

"What?" He growled. "We need to talk." Maggie said softly but knew that Fili heard her.

"What is there to say? That man… he had his hands on you and I…" Fili slammed his hands on the desk his whole body shaking.

"Daniel was a friend only. Nothing more. I have talked about him before, not much because he is not here but I have told stories about him. We went to high school together and I met him when he was dating my friend." Maggie said thinking of taking a step forward but stopped since Fili was still shaking.

"He had his arm around you and you were smiling." Fili said looking at the desk.

"Fili, he was a friend. That is all. Nothing romantic ever happened. He dated a friend for a year and when they ended things we stayed friends. I never felt anything for him. Liz had a crush on him for a few years."

Fili looked up.

"I'm still upset but I believe you. I just need some time."

Maggie nodded and took a deep breath.

"Will I see you later?"

Fili frowned.

"I am quiet busy with work I have been neglecting recently."

Maggie bit her lip and nodded.

"Ok, I am going to send word for Tilda to visit tomorrow and spend the day with Rowan."

"Good." Fili said with a nod.

"I'll leave you to your work." Maggie said sadly turning and leaving the room. As she closed the door she took a deep breath swallowing the tears that were threatening to fall. Maggie walked back to their rooms quickly and once she got behind the bedroom door she sank to the floor hugging her knees as she cried. Maggie cried till there was nothing left and then went to wash her face and check on the children. Dis noticed how tense and sad that Maggie looked.

"Go rest. I'll watch them for a bit. We can go for a walk down to the practice space and you treat yourself to a bath."

Maggie managed a nod as Rowan looked at her mother. She was about to say something but Dis put a finger to her lips and Rowan nodded. Maggie spent the rest of the afternoon taking a long bath then laying on the bed staring at the ceiling. Before dinner there was a knock on the door.

"Maggie, are you ok?" Came Asabelle's voice.

"Yes." She said.

"Ok, we were all going to dinner and I invited Kona for a chat if your up to it."

"No thank you."

"Take care." Asabelle walked to the dining hall and gave Fili a dirty look as she took a seat with her husband and son.

"What are you in a mood about?" Gloin grumbled.

"Our queen. The poor lass is upstairs alone and there he is all smug." Asabelle said crossing her arms as Kona gave her a questioning look and she shook her head. "We are worried about her." Asabelle said as Fili noticed the two dwarven women giving him looks. Dis was on one side with the little prince in her lap and Rowan was on the other.

"Let them be. They are young and will sort it out." Gloin said as Gimli muttered something.

"What?" Asabelle asked as Gimli shook his head.

After dinner Asabelle watched as the king left the hall with Rowan holding his hand and Kili at his side with the prince in his arms. Dis walked over to the table.

"How is she?"

"She did not answer the door. The poor thing. Kona said how upset she was and that she had not slept."

"Hmm… my son thinks that everything is fine. Men!" Dis said wandering off. Before Gloin could stop his wife she was off talking to Kona making plans.

"Women." Gloin muttered.

"A lot of trouble they are." Gimli said as Gloin laughed.

"That they are." Gloin said sipping his larger.

Maggie had not moved from her spot on the bed when the door opened and Rowan stuck her head in. It was getting late.

"Momma, night!" She said coming over. Maggie moved to kiss her daughter and give her a hug. "Kiki, put me to bed." She said before running off.

Maggie went to stand but gripped the bed since she felt dizzy. She had not eaten much since dinner the previous night. Maggie made her way to the nursery to see Thorin was ready for a feeding. After feeding him one of the maids brought up a tray of food. Maggie picked at the food only taking a few bites and set the maids away saying that she was going to spend some time with the prince. Maggie spent some time with Rowan and Thorin. She read to Rowan until the princess fell asleep then Maggie moved into the nursery and Maggie sat watching Thorin sleep. She dozed off in the chair because the next thing she knew she was being shaken awake by Liz.

"I was getting worried." Liz said with a sigh as Maggie rubbed her eyes.

"What time is it?" She said stuffing a yawn.

"Nearly 9. Tilda and I arrived an hour ago, she's so excited to help out. Rowan was keeping us busy. You look like hell. Go get yourself together. This little one has just woken up."

"Hmm… I must have woken up to feed him and fell back asleep." Maggie said slowly standing.

"I see you and the hubby are still not talking."

Maggie grunted.

"Go wake yourself up and then we'll talk."

Maggie nodded wandering down to her room. She took a long bath and took her time returning to the room. After feeding Thorin Liz was ready to start with the questions but luckily Rowan wanted the group to walk down to the training halls.

"I want to see!" She said excitedly.

Liz mumbled something about not wanting to watch fighting but the group went along anyway. Tilda sat with Rowan in her lap as the princess pointed out her favorite fighters. She was very happy to see "Kiki" and "Dwa" among the fighters waiting to train. Asabelle who was sitting with Gimli made their way over to join the group.

"Gim, you fight today?" Rowan asked as Gimli shook his head. Being around the young children made him uncomfortable. Asabelle took Thorin from the queen with a smile.

"I would love another dwarfling." She cooed as Gimli looked horrified.

"Gimli, I think you'd make a fine older brother. You could teach him or her how to use an ax." Maggie said with a small smile as the first match started. It was two younger dwarfs from the Blue Mountains. The fight ended quickly with one besting the other. Next up was Thorin Stonehelm and an older dwarf. Thorin Stonehelm started off strong but was quickly outsmarted by the oder dwarf and the fight ended in a draw.

"See, Gimli. Thorin Stonehelm is not the best warrior under the mountain." Asabelle said as Gimli crossed his arms and refused to answer. After one more fight it was Dwalin and Kili's turn. They were the last to fight before the lunch time break. Tilda was having a hard time holding the excited Rowan so Maggie took over.

"Mommy, I want them both to win." She said clapping her hands.

Liz who was studying her sister motioned to the doorway. Fili was standing with Balin deep in conversation. Maggie glanced then looked away and frowned. The fight started and Kili swung his sword which Dwalin blocked. When they first arrived in Erebor it would be a quick fight with Dwalin as the winner but the prince had greatly improved his fighting since the mountain had been reclaimed. The fight was intense and ended in a draw as the bells signaled for lunch. Maggie made sure the group took their time and waited for Kili and Dwalin to clean up.

"Kiki and Dwa fight! Good fight!" Rowan said after the practice area had cleared and she could run over to them. Dwalin who had been terrified of the princess when she was an infant scooped her up.

"Who was the winner, princess?" Rowan put a finger under her chin and shrugged.

"I want both to win." She said with a smile.

"Hello Liz, Tilda." Kili said sipping some water. "Maggie, it's good to see you out and about." Kili said as Maggie forced a smile.

"I think tomorrow we should have another go and see who wins." Dwalin said as Rowan clapped her hands.

"Yea, right mommy?" Maggie nodded as Dwalin put down Rowan who grabbed Tilda's hand.

"Lunch now!" She said as the group made their way to the dining hall.

Maggie was careful to seat herself away from her husband using Dwalin and Kili as buffers then Tilda, Rowan, Liz and herself further down the table. Fili greeted Rowan who ran over and climbed onto his lap and gave Liz and Tilda a smile. Asabelle who was seated nearby noticed what was going on and gave Liz a look. Liz shrugged as Asabelle looked around for Kona. Once she found her she hurried off to her table.