Short chapter. Sorry for the delay. In the next few chapters, the story will take some interesting turns. I write what feels right. I won't apologize for how it goes. I hope you enjoy!

It was their last full day at Rivendell, and Brenna was checking their bags one more time before heading to meet Arwen in one of the numerous gardens. The elves truly loved their fauna. She was going to miss her new friend, but she had every intention of writing her. She had already sent off letters to Sigrid and Mila a few days before. She had few female friends, but those she had, she had become very close to.

The two had just began to take a turn about the garden when Brenna felt herself overcome with a dizzy spell. Arwen helped her to a bench and called for help. She and another elleth managed to get Brenna to the infirmary with no delay. It did not take the healer long to discover that stress was what was ailing the dwarrowdam. However, they learned of another fact they knew the dwarrowdam would wish to know about. Though she had never treated a female dwarf before, there were some things that were detectable no matter the race. She gave her patient her prognosis and left with a smile, passing a much panicked dwarrow on her way.

"Brenna, are you alright? Lady Arwen sent word that you were ill!"

Brenna was still reeling from the news she had just received. She was still allowing it to sink in. She was going to have a child. By this time next year, she would be a mother.

"Brenna!"

"What? Oh, Kili, I'm sorry. What did you ask?"

"Are you alright? You're crying."

She felt her face and realized that she did have tears falling from her eyes, but she was not unhappy. She smiled brightly at him. "I am fine, Kili."

"Fine?! Brenna, you nearly fainted and you are sitting here crying! That is not fine! What's the matter?"

"But I am fine. I just overdid myself a bit, and I have been fretting over leaving another friend behind. I didn't realize I should be taking it a bit easier now, but then, I wouldn't have known for some weeks. Elves just have a way of determining these things much earlier. Really, I am fine."

"Determining what?"

"We're going to have a baby!" she cried, happily.

Kili stared at her for a moment.

"We're staying."


Hours later, after much debate and many reassurances, the couple lay in bed, with their bags packed and ready for their early morning departure.

"I still think we should stay here. Expectant dams shouldn't be gallivanting around in the wilds. It's not safe."

"Kili, my mother and other dam's made sure I was prepared for such an occurrence. They lived it, and yes, many were lost in those times, but they learned how to best survive it. I am only two weeks along. We wouldn't have known about it until after we made it to the Shire had I not been stressed this morning. Lord Elrond even said it was safe to travel. I am going to ride and rest. We will be fine. We will be in the Shire within six weeks and then there will be no more need to travel. If we stay, we'll have to reside here for the next two years at least. By the time spring arrives, I would be too far along to travel, and we would have to wait through another winter after the babe arrives."

"I know! You made sure to inform me of all of this earlier. Repeatedly. It's just that so much could happen. Last time we were in this area, we encountered a warg pack."

"Which is why Elladan and Elrohir are coming with us," she said, kissing his jaw. "Now, go to sleep. Dawn will come earlier that you wish it."


Two weeks later, a very agitated dwarrowdam glared at the four males over the campfire. While she had known that her husband would want her to take it very easy, she had not expected him to allow her to do absolutely nothing.

"Remember, amrul, 'riding and resting.' That is all you need to do."

The twins were not much better. They took their cue from Kili, though they did tend to show a little more sympathy for her. She thought she might be more irritated with the wizard, however. Kili she understood, and the twins were being typical male, but the wizard, he was amused by it! She heard him chuckle over it no less than ten times a day. She knew this because she counted. 'It's not as though there is anything else for me to do,' she thought to herself.

"I doubt I shall overdo myself by turning the spit!" she spat.

Kili, looking smug, continued on as though she had said nothing. She sat back, grumbling to herself, and continued reading one of the books Lord Elrond gifted her. The campsite was quiet for the next while, which is how the twins picked up on subtle movements right outside their camp. In a flash, both elves had their bows in hand, aiming them into the shadows, and Kili stood before her, sword drawn. A glance at Gandalf, however, showed her there was no danger. He remained seated and winked at her. Slowly, two figures clothed in road worn cloaks stepped into the light.

"Estel!" exclaimed Elladan. "I thought you were going to winter near Bree this year, since Arwen is, well…."

"We are, but Lord Elrond sent word that you were escorting a small party towards the Shire and we thought we would meet you. What an interesting party it is, too. A wizard, two dwarves, and two elves traveling together…"

"Sounds like the start of a tavern joke," said the other figure.

"Legolas!" cried Kili.

The elf prince threw back his hood and grinned. The other man also drew back his hood. Arwen had told her about him. She felt sad for her friend, but she consoled herself that she could send word of her meeting him along the way, as well as inform her that he was as handsome as she said. Secretly, it was because he reminded her of Kili.

"Mae g'ovannen, Kili! It has been too long. And you must be Brenna! Forgive me for being so forward my lady. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are as lovely as Bain said."

"You have heard from Bain?"

"Yes, we write quite frequently," he said, a roguish look upon his face. "Why do you think Tauriel makes so many trips to Dale?"

"You have been sending notes through him!"

"No, we gave our word that we would only write to each other once a year. If Bain chooses to pass on information, that is on him, not us."

More news was shared and the two new arrivals made it clear they would be traveling with them to Bree. This, of course, made Kili very happy, and caused Brenna to grumble.

"Are you well, my lady?" asked Estel. "Do you not like the idea of more companions?"

"It is not your presence that upsets me, sir. I am very glad to get to meet you both, as I have heard much about you."

"What is it that upsets you?" asked Legolas.

She glared at Kili, who grinned back unrepentant. "I am apparently in no condition to do much else than 'ride and rest.'"

"She will make me a father by this time next year!" beamed Kili.

"Merin sa haryalyae alasse!"

"What did he say?" Brenna asked Gandalf.

"He is wishing you both joy."

She nodded. She had a grasp on some common elvish phrases, but this one was lost on her. She sat back and watch as Kili received offers for rounds at the Prancing Pony. She resigned herself to her current situation. She was a lone female, traveling among males who were determined to treat her as though she were an invalid. Brenna glanced back at the group before her and caught Estel's eye. He winked and went back to the conversation. Well, maybe she had someone on her side after all.

A baby! I love babies!