I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I know that there seems to be a lot of childbirth chapters, but I do try to add in a few extra bits into them. If you would like to see something, like for example some daddy Thorin moments, please feel free to leave it in a review or PM me with the suggestion. I would be more than willing to use your suggestions as add in to a chapter.
Mystic Archer Horse: Thank you for your review. I am doing as well as can be expected. I am happy to know that you enjoy my story.
Angel897: I am happy that you are thrilled with the story.
Disclaimer: I don't the Hobbit or its characters. I only own: Inara, Aliena, the twins, Kelda, Balder, Tali and Eira.
Remember that years are approximate and rounded to the nearest quarters.
Count down: 54 ¼ years till LOTR events.
Aliena- 10 ¾ years old.
Frerin & Durin- 6 years old, looks almost 4 year old.
Kelda- 1 ¾ years old, looks like a 1 year old.
Balder- 6 months
Erebor...
On this early Kaylithadrân, áfkalm (Spring, April) morning, preparations are being made for a small battalion that will be escorting Thorin to the Blue Mountains. Nearly six months has passed since Thorin had brought the idea up to Balin, and it has taken that long just to set everything up for this trip. However, the King Under the Mountain won't be gone forever. Just six months in travel and a month long stay is all it should take the King. In his stead, Fili will be sharing the ruling duties with Inara while he is away.
However, on this same day, Fili and his small family had decided to leave as well to go visit Dale. Bard has yet to meet his grandson, and Sigrid has been waiting for the cold weather season to be over before going.
Since Fili will be down in Dale, and Thorin leaving as well, it is left up to Inara and Kili to see to the running of Erebor. Some of the council members were not pleased to learn that the youngest son of Dis would be a temporary ruler. Yet, Inara's persuasive and debating skills were able to keep the council in line.
Kili and Fili's families are off to the left of the main gate, saying their small goodbyes. Kili has little Kelda in his arms since Tauriel's eight month belly keeps her from picking their daughter up. Lately, Tauriel has been worried about the lack of movement from the babe, but Oin has stated that there is a heartbeat. Even with Oin's statement, Tauriel can't shake the feeling that something is off with this pregnancy.
On the right side of the main gate, there is a small scene taking place between the others of the royal family. Thorin is kneeling down with each of his arms holding Frerin and Durin to him in a hug.
"You boys behave for your Amad. Listen to Master Ori and Master Balin. Do your homework, and no fighting with the other dwarflings." Thorin tells his sons. Recently, Frerin had been caught by Ori fight with another from his numbers class.
"Yes Adad." Durin says as he tries to snuggle deeper into his fathers' traveling coat. The little boy is trying not to show just how scared he is of not having his father around in the coming months.
"Can I come with you?" Frerin says as he locks his blue eyes with his fathers.
"Not this time. When you are older, perhaps you can come with me. Both of you." Thorin says before places a kiss on the foreheads of his sons. He gives them another tight hug before releasing his hold on them.
Upon being released from their fathers' arms, the two boys scurry over to see Fili and his family. Since Kelda has gotten older, the two boys have been wanting to play with her more often. Though no one can replace Fili and Kili as the best when it comes to playing fake combat in Frerin and Durin's eyes.
Thorin stands up, and Aliena is quick to move towards him. He embraces his daughter close as she places a quick kiss to his cheek. For an almost eleven year old, she is only a head shorter than Thorin.
"Be careful out there Papa." Aliena whispers to him. Since her and her mother had come to this world, this male dwarf has become the father figure that Aliena has needed in her life. She is proud to call him her Papa.
"I will hôfukel. Keep an eye on your brothers and mother for me." Thorin whispers to her before releasing Aliena from their embrace. He brushes the back of his right knuckles along her left cheek in a loving manner.
"I will Papa." Aliena replies with a smile on her face.
Inara has been watching the exchanges between Thorin and the children's interactions from a small distance. A smile appears on her face at the exchange between Thorin and Frerin. Of course Frerin wants to follow after his father. On many occasions Frerin has been called Thorin's little shadow by nearly everyone in Erebor. Once Thorin moves on to Aliena, Inara can't help feeling extremely happy. Remembering how difficult their lives were before coming here, Inara is pleased that at least Thorin is able to fill the role of loving father for Aliena.
As Thorin moves away from Aliena, he makes his way towards his wife. He pulls Inara into a deep hug, and holds her tightly to his body. This will be the first time that Thorin and Inara will be apart since entering each other's lives. He presses his face into the side of her neck, and inhales his wife's scent for the long journey ahead.
"Come back to me in one, full piece." Inara whispers as she buries her face into her husbands' hair.
"I will always come back to you." Thorin mumbles before placing a kiss on her neck.
Inara's hands move from their place against Thorin's chest, and grabs a handful of his hair before pulling his face to hers. She kisses him deeply, and pushes all of her emotions into it. Inara doesn't care if people see the heated kiss. The past year and a half has been hard on them, and she wants him to know that she stills loves him.
Thorin is the one who breaks their kiss, and rests his forehead against Inara's. He gets a little grin on his face as he hears their family let out a few cat calls to them.
"We will finish this when I return." Thorin whispers to Inara.
"I hope that you will keep this promise." Inara replies with a smile on her face.
Thorin gives Inara a quick kiss on her lips before letting her go. He walks towards where Dwalin is standing, holding the reigns to Thorin's pony. As he climbs up onto his pony, Thorin gives his family wave before heading out with the battalion following behind him.
"Looks like you and the missus are getting better." Dwalin says as he brings his pony next to Thorins'. "You gave us all a good show."
Thorin gives Dwalin a hard look before spurring his pony into going faster. Leaving a chuckling Dwalin in his wake.
As the group watches Thorin and his entourage disappear into the horizon, the second group finishes their preparations to leave.
"Time for us to go as well." Fili says as he helps Sigrid up onto her horse. He holds onto his son until Sigrid gets herself situated on the saddle. Then he hands Balder up towards Sigrid, so that she can place the babe in the sling she has on. Once the child is settled into the sling, Fili moves towards his pony.
Kili holds the reigns of the pony so that Fili can haul himself up onto the saddle. As Fili situates himself, he looks down at Kili.
"Don't go burning down the kingdom without me, nadadith." Fili says with a grin on his face.
"You know that I wouldn't do it unless you are there with me." Kili says in a joking manner.
The brothers share a chuckle till Dis walks over to them.
"Be safe with my little askad." Dis says to Fili. Since being there for her grandsons' birth, Dis has become very protective of the babe.
"Of course, amad." Fili replies from atop his pony. "You should expect us back some time tomorrow."
"We will watch for you then." Inara says as she walks over to Dis. "Be careful. The both of you. There have been reports coming from the Iron Hills that talk of recent orc activity along the roads. I don't want you three to become a target."
"I am sure Da will send us back with a few guards if necessary." Sigrid says as she cuddles Balder closer to her body.
"Safe travels." Kili and Tauriel say before stepping away.
Fili and Sigrid are soon spurring their steeds down the road towards Dale.
The whole family watches till Fili and Sigrid are small figures on the dirt road before going back inside. A few of the sentries bow as the royal families walk by them.
"Would you like me to take the two boys and Aliena to their studies with Master Ori, Inara?" Dis asks her sister-in-law.
"Thank you, Dis. That would be appreciated. Kili and I need to be getting to a meeting with Balin before going to see the council." Inara replies. She is quick to give each of her children a hug and kiss before watching them leave with Dis.
"I will see you and Kelda later." Kili says softly to Tauriel. "Perhaps you both should head home so that you can rest." He places a hand over where their unborn child rests.
Tauriel places one of her hands over his. "I am fine, Kili. We both are."
"Kili. We need to be going now or else we will be late." Inara calls to him.
"Go. Kelda and I will be fine." Tauriel says with a tired smile on her face.
Kili gives her a smile, then places a kiss onto her bump. He then moves to pick up little Kelda to give her a hug and a kiss.
"You be good for you amad?" Kili asks Kelda.
"Naneth!" little Kelda says with a big toothy grin. The little red haired girl has a lot of her mother in her looks. However, her ears are a mix of the elf and dwarf heritage. Her body is lithe, but very strong.
"Yes, your amad. Will you be good for her? Keep an eye on her for me, kurdu id-ursu?"
Little Kelda nods her head in a yes gesture, and giggle when he places quick little kisses all over her face. Once she is set back down to the ground she takes her mothers' hand again, and watches as her father and aunt leave.
"Would you like to go home now, or go visit the kitchen?" Tauriel asks her daughter.
"Food!" Kelda replies with a cheeky grin that she has inherited from her father.
"To the kitchen it is." Tauriel says before they begin to make their way further into Erebor's halls.
On the Road...
It had been several hours since Thorin and his entourage had left Erebor, and they had just stopped for a light lunch just past Esgaroth. Even though his journey to the Blue Mountains had just begun, Thorin couldn't stop thinking about his family.
Yesterday, he had taken his boys down to the burial chambers to pay a visit to not only their dead sibling, but also their dead grandmother. Inara and he had spoken about it numerous times about imparting the importance of remembering their dead loved ones.
Durin had taken this teaching to heart, and had forced Thorin to stop at a flower vendor's shop before going to the burial chambers. There, Durin had chosen a dark red rose like flowers to place on both his grandmothers' tomb and his little brothers'.
Frerin however didn't really pay much attention to any of it. He was mostly concerned with wanting to go play with a few of the other dwarflings that reside in Erebor.
As Thorin gets lost in the memory, he doesn't notice that Dwalin has been trying to get his attention. It takes a hard slap onto Thorin's shoulder to bring him back.
"Did ya get lost in your thoughts, Thorin?" Dwalin asks his friend and king.
"A little."
"Going soft in ya old age?"
Thorin gives his battle brother a small smile before answering. "Do you think I am?" Thorin takes a drink from the waterskin Inara had made for him.
Dwalin moves to sit down next to Thorin on the dead tree trunk. "I don't think you are getting soft. Just more family oriented than before."
Thorin chuckles at Dwalin's statement. "I took my sons to see their lost brother and my mother yesterday." Thorin says solemnly as he looks out onto the lake.
"I see." Dwalin says before continuing on. "How did the boys react?"
"Durin had me buy flowers to place on the tombs." Thorin says in a proud manner. "Frerin seemed less interested in it all."
Dwalin lets out a chuckle before speaking. "That oldest boy of yours reminds me of his namesake."
"Aye. Frerin does." Thorin says calmly. "I wish my nadadith and adad were here to know my sons."
"Thorin. Frerin's death was not your fault. He and Vrili made their choice to fight at Moria. They died honorably, and no one can take that from them. Mahal knows they saved my life and many others that day."
Before Thorin can reply to Dwalin's words, Bifur comes over to them to let Thorin know that their elven guide had arrived to lead them through Mirkwood.
Back in Erebor...
Tauriel had just put Kelda down for a nap in the extra bedroom of her and Kili's living apartment. Kelda was full of sugary energy after Bombur had given the young lass not one, but three fruit turnovers. The walk back to the family halls was a long and tiring one.
As Tauriel makes her way towards the living room, a small pain shoots up her spine. Taking a deep breath, and applying pressure to her lower back she moves towards one of the larger cushioned chairs. Kili had made a few bigger pieces of furniture for their small living room while Tauriel was carrying Kelda. Just as she sits down, there is a knock at the door.
"Come in." Tauriel says in a strained voice. The pain has yet to lessen, but Tauriel is determined not to let it distract her. Yet, she stays seated in the chair.
"Sorry to bother you." Skuld says as she enters the room. "Dis sent me to check on you, and to tell you that Kili will be in the council meeting till late tonight. Would you like me to bring you up something to.."
Skuld stops speaking when she notices that Tauriel has a painful expression on her face.
"Are you alright?"
"I am fine. It is just a little back pain. It is noth..." Tauriel has to stop speaking when the pain becomes stronger. Then she feels wetness build underneath her on the cushion of the chair.
Skuld notices the wetness as well, and comes to stand in front of her friends' daughter-in-law. "Lady Tauriel, this is not nothing. How far along are you?"
"It is too soon for this to be happening." Tauriel growls out through the pain.
Skuld knows that Tauriel needs help, but she doesn't want to leave the young lady alone.
"I will have one of the guards send for Master Oin. If it is truly too early, then you need help." Skuld tells Tauriel. "I will be back in a jiffy. You hold tight till I return."
Skuld runs as fast as she can out the door, down the hallways, till she reaches the main door to the royal family halls. She sends one of the guards down to the Healing Halls to fetch Master Oin, and then tells him to go to get Kili from his meeting.
The guard doesn't dare argue with the wife of Gloin, and is quick to run off to complete his tasks.
Skuld races back towards where she left the Lady Tauriel, and prays to Mahal that Master Oin would hurry.
Council Room...
Kili and Inara have spent the last two hours listening to one of the older council members, Hafnar, talk about a dispute between two merchants. His old, monotone voice is enough to cause even the great Balin to force himself to pay attention.
Kili is reclined in his uncles' chair at the head of the table. Early in the meeting he was able to keep up with all the discussions. However, his attention is fading listening to Hafnar drone on and on. Glancing to his right, Kili notices that Inara has her chin resting in her hands while leaning her elbows on the table.
Multiple knocks at the door, draws everyone's attention away from Hafnar. Balin answers the door, and steps out into the hallway. All of the council members wait silently for Balin to return before being the debate. Upon Balin's return, however, there is a sense of something being wrong.
Both Inara and Kili sit up straight in their chairs, waiting for Balin to explain. Yet Balin continues to walk towards them. He stands between them, and leans his head to whisper into Kili's ear.
Inara watches as Kili's face turns ashen. He gets up so fast from his chair that the chair goes flying backwards across the floor. Inara gets up as well, and chases after Kili as he runs out of the council room.
She follows him as he runs through the hallways and corridors that lead them back home.
"Kili! What is it?" Inara shouts after him.
He doesn't respond to Inara's shouts, and keeps running. In his head, the worst case scenario is playing out. Sending Mahal a quick plea, Kili is hoping beyond hope that Tauriel and their unborn child are alright.
Four months later in the Blue Mountains...
Thorin is roused from his slumber by pounding on the door of his old state room. He lets go of one of the pillows that he was clutching to his body. Since his arrival to his former kingdom, Thorin has found himself cuddling one of the extra pillows in his arms while sleeping. It would seem that during his sleep, Thorins' body longs for the soft curves of his wife.
As the pounding becomes louder, and more frantic, Thorin removes himself from the light cotton sheets of his bed. He makes his way to the bedroom door and finds Dwalin standing there.
"Yes?" Thorin grumbles in irritation.
"Inara's raven, Ishtar, arrived this morning with a letter for you." Dwalin says as he hands Thorin a thick envelope. "The bird kept pecking at the guards till they found me. So it must mean it is very important."
Thorin gives Dwalin a nod before opening the letter.
Zahgidiwin,
I asked Ishtar to deliver this letter since it is of the utmost importance. Hopefully she didn't hurt anyone too severely on getting this letter to you. I am writing to you with news that will no doubt leave you upset.
The afternoon of the day you left Erebor, Tauriel went into premature labor. There was nothing Oin or myself could do to stop it or slow it down. Early the next morning, Tauriel gave birth to twins, a little girl and a little boy. However, only one of the twins is still alive as I write this. The little girl is the one who survived, but the boy didn't. Both of them were so small Thorin, but Oin believes that since the girl seems to show more of her dwarven heritage, that she will live. The little boy was stillborn, and had more of an elven heritage to him. Yet, the cord was wrapped around his little body so much, that if he did survive he would have been deformed. And yes the cord was also around his neck.
The birth was extremely hard on Tauriel, and has caused some damage due to hemorrhaging during labor. She went so still that Kili, who stayed by her side for the whole thing, feared that she was dead. So, I sent Roac to Mirkwood, and asked Thranduil to send a healer for Tauriel. I know you must be furious with me, but it was the only way to save your nephews' wife. It wasn't Thranduil or any of his healers who came though. It was Lady Galadriel who came to Erebor a day after I sent Roac, and kept Tauriel from fading. That is a form of death to the elves, in case you didn't already know that.
I have extended to Lady Galadriel an invitation to stay in Erebor till Tauriel heals from this. Yet, the Lady declined. Instead, she is taking Tauriel, Kili, and the baby girl with her to Lothlorien so that she and Lord Elrond may assist with the healing.
How long will Kili, Tauriel, and the new babe be there? I don't know Thorin, but it is what Tauriel needs. Fili and I will manage taking care of things here in Erebor till your return. Our children and your sister send their love. I am counting down the days till I am back in your arms.
Always yours,
Inara
P.S. Kili's new daughter has been named Toril, and his dead son has been named Ketil.
Dwalin watches as tears run down his friends' face. Something bad must have happened to have caused his king to become upset.
"What is it laddie?" Dwalin asks cautiously.
Thorin clears his throat before answering Dwalin's question. His hands shake as he gives Dwalin the letter.
"My nephew has lost a child." Is all Thorin can say before he fights back the coming sob. "Kili, his wife, and their new child have been taken to an elven kingdom. It would appear that this birth nearly caused the loss of Kili's wife."
Dwalin is shocked to be sure. He, like Thorin, had always believed that nothing could kill an elf except a mortal wound. It appears, both of them, were wrong. Yet, reading that Kili has lost a child and nearly lost his elf maid, causes Dwalin to think about Dis and her loss from so long ago.
"I want the battalion ready to leave by midday. We are going back to Erebor." Thorin says as he begins to gather his things for the long road ahead.
I know this seems like a short chapter, but this is how I wanted it to be. Originally I wanted to do the whole birth scene, but found that I preferred leaving it out. Especially since Inara explains some of it in her letter to Thorin.
Adding the bit about Galadriel might seem a little out there, but I figured that Thranduil might ask her for help when it came to Tauriel.
Reviews are welcomed. Even the negative kind.
Selene
In the next chapter we will see: Thorin and Inara have a fight about Aliena's future; Dis does something drastic; Bilbo comes to Erebor with a little Frodo; and Aliena is given the Birds and the Bees talk, dwarven style.
