(A/N: This is the third time I have restarted this intro. Let me just say folks that Bipolar Depression is the worst thing in my life at the moment and that writing for you good folks is pretty much the only thing brightening up this low swing. Anyway, enough of the sad stuff, warnings for this fic include talk of mpreg and a Fili/Kili relationship. I don't own the Hobbit and I never will. So with that said, on with the show!)
Written in my Soul
Part 7
They had been roused from their bedchamber by Dis. She insisted that they share a breakfast as a family before she had to go off and deal with the mess that was the Court once again. It seemed that Thorin had been right, her good humor was running short and it was likely that by the end of the month Thorin would be the one at the helm at last. Bilbo wondered if Dis was looking forward to the paperwork that Thorin faced down every day.
"Fili, Kili, good to see you out of the work rooms at last. How is your project progressing?" Dis asked as she served herself a heaping portion of eggs and ham. Bilbo appreciated the Dwarven concept of eating when you were hungry. They did not always have the structured meal times that Hobbits did, but there was always food available if one wanted it. He took his seat and began to serve himself as Kili chewed and swallowed before answering. The behavior that Dis could inspire in the boys was truly stunning; they weren't nearly as terrified of their battle-scarred Uncles.
"I'm very nearly there. We will be testing the latest design today, actually," Kili said, looking proud of himself. Fili was busy filling up his plate with far more food than anyone else at the table, which Bilbo noticed had become a trend of late.
"That's good. Maybe testing it will shed a few pounds off of Fili, he's barely fitting into the sweaters that I made for him last year," Dis commented and Fili instantly went red, dipping his head and setting his silverware down. Bilbo glanced at Thorin and raised an eyebrow, earning only a quick shake of the head in response.
"Mother, really, it's not that bad," Fili said, and Bilbo was shocked to see a haze of tears in the blond Dwarf's eyes.
"All I'm saying is that you could stand to lose some weight around the middle. You used to be a warrior, the people expect you to maintain a certain image, even if you aren't on active duty anymore," Dis said with a shocking lack of diplomacy in Bilbo's eyes. He wondered now how she was dealing with the Courts if this was how she handled her own sons. No wonder the boys were scared of her and were nothing like themselves with her around, she was stern and critical to the point of excess.
"As you say, Mother," Fili said, still welling with tears and shoved his plate away, leaving the table quickly followed by Kili.
"That boy never used to be so sensitive. Taking them away from the guard has made them soft," Dis said with mild disdain and rose from her own half-finished meal. She exited the room in the direction of the Throne Room, and Bilbo thought he caught just a momentary look of concern on her face.
"Well that could have gone better," Bilbo said with a sigh, poking at his own food and wondering whether or not they should go after the boys.
"True, it could have. But that is how she shows that she is worried. It is not the most pleasing of behaviors, but it has been her way for some years now," Thorin rose from the table and grabbed up both of their plates, indicating to Bilbo that he should grab Fili and Kili's plates. "They'll be back in the workroom," was all he said before leading the way down the hall into the depths of the Royal Family's Quarters.
Even from down the hall Bilbo could hear the sound of sobbing and it hurt his heart like nothing else could. He was infinitely glad that they had left Frodo to the nursemaids that morning; he highly doubted that the lad could have handled the confrontation. With both plates balanced on one arm, Thorin knocked lightly on the door to the workroom before pushing it open.
The sight laid out before them was one that tore at both of their hearts. Fili was curled into Kili's arms, sobbing and shaking while Kili sat almost stiffly, clenching his jaw. Neither of them seemed to notice Thorin and Bilbo until their plates were settled on a low table in front of the bench on which they were seated.
"Fili, it's okay to eat. There's likely a very good reason for your weight gain, and it isn't because you've gone soft," Bilbo brushed the tears from his nephew's face and helped him to sit upright.
"What could possibly be a good reason? Mother is right, I'm getting thick around the middle," Fili said miserably and looked down at his food with watery eyes. Bilbo looked to Thorin for help in that moment; somehow it felt like it would be far more appropriate for such news to come from their blood Uncle.
"And that might not be your fault. Fili, how much of the histories have you read since we've been here?" Thorin asked softly, settling himself on the floor and pulling Bilbo down to sit beside him. It was a strange place to have breakfast, but it was one that felt far more comfortable than the family dining room at the moment.
"None of them, you know that. I've been busy recovering and helping Kili with his bow," Fili stated, seemingly confused by where this conversation could possibly be going. After all, what could the histories have to do with him gaining a few extra pounds?
"I admit, I myself have been negligent in my reading, but Bilbo hasn't. He's made a discovery about our line. It seems that male Dwarves that bear Durin's blood are capable of conception. Fili, do you understand what I'm saying?" Thorin asked as Fili had gone deathly pale and stock still about halfway through his Uncle's speech.
"You…you mean that I might be pregnant?" the blond Dwarf asked carefully, his breathing now measured and evening out. He had stopped shaking altogether but remained pale and fixated on Thorin.
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Thorin made a point of taking a bite of his food before continuing. "I think you should see one of the healers and find out for sure, but that would be the most logical explanation for your increased appetite and emotional sensitivity," he said softly. Fili simply nodded, a few more tears dripping down his cheeks but a smile forming on his lips.
(A/N: That's all for now folks. I'm hoping to hear your thoughts on how I'm doing and where the story is going, so please, if you can, leave me a comment or review. I would really appreciate it if you did that for me.)
