Chapter Ten

Bilbo woke late in the morning and yawned, before stretching. He stared at Thorin who was asleep in a chair and his cousin Elisaetta who was also asleep, a satchel of herbs in her hand. He felt his belly and frowned at the size of it, he shouldn't be this size for another three weeks yet. He stood slowly and made his way to the bathroom, feeling out of breath from that little of movement. He wasn't tired now, it was just so very difficult to move, he finished his business and pulled up his shirt, staring at the little pink and blue markings in delight. He was going to have a baby boy and a baby girl. He then quietly went to his own quarters, leaving his sleeping loved ones to rest where they were, he picked out a good book and started to read it, he was half way done, before shouts of alarm came from the other room.

"I'm in my quarters." Bilbo yelled, but no one could hear him over the yelling and Bilbo had no desire to go all the way to the next room. He yawned and set the book aside suddenly tired. The door burst open and he came face to face with a frantic Mirabella and Rosamund, Elisaetta and Thorin looked equally frantic and were also sleep mussed. "Hello, could you close the door, there's a bit of a draft coming in." He said and his female relatives and Thorin stared at him in astonishment.

"That's all you have to say, after scaring us half to death and being in a sleep no one could wake you from for the past three months?" Thorin demanded.

"It's been that long truly? I thought it may have been a few weeks possibly, but I..." Bilbo trailed off as he felt a hard kick against his belly. "How are we to be married before they are born, I can barely stand, let alone get married."

"We'll carry you down in an enclosed litter, we can open it for the ceremony, but keep it closed otherwise." Thorin replied and Bilbo nodded, He settled back against the pillows propping himself up.

"Well whatever you do, you better see to it quickly."

"We could do it this very afternoon, today marks Durin's Day, which is in fact the traditional day for royalty to marry." Thorin said. "I didn't wish to wait until Durin's day, as you would be very close to your time, but now all I want is for you to have our children and be well again." He said and Bilbo smiled at Thorin, as four dwarves carrying a litter came into the room.

"Now?" Bilbo asked and Thorin nodded.

"Want to be sure, as the babies could arrive any day." Thorin said and Bilbo nodded, he rode with Thorin in the litter, to where an archway of steel flowers had been created, the litter was set down and the fabric removed as Balin stepped forward.

"As it was in the beginning of our race, so it shall be till the end. These two people have come before us, not Kings, nor merchants, nor makers, nor miners, nor judges, nor travelers, they have come before us as two men who have given the greatest gift one being could ever give another, the gift of themselves. Of their love for each other there can be no question, for the products of that love yet waits to be born. Soon the Allfather will bless Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins. Soon Bilbo Baggins will bring forth new life and Thorin will teach his children all he knows of the world. Together they will become more than themselves, by the creation of others. So upon this day they are wed, in front of they're people, their family and heart kin. They are in the thoughts and hearts of those not with us on this happy day, be it from distance, or death that they are separated from us. All those that came before celebrate with us this day, as they look down from Mahuel's Halls. Now with that being said, Bilbo Baggins do you take Thorin for husband?"

"While respecting the traditions and culture of my husband's kingdom, my own people have a tradition upon this day. Thorin I know we started out as an agreement between two kingdoms, but we became more than that. You are stubborn, noble and infuriating at times, but still you are at your core a good dwarf, someone that I would be honored to share my family and life with. You bring out the best in me, I think you have made me a better person too. You have encouraged me to embrace my heritage, without letting go of my own customs. You have cared for me when I was sick and have shared my illness. You have become a part of me, as much as I feel a part of you. I love you Thorin, I promise to have you as a husband first, rather than a king. I promise to listen to your council upon my decisions. I promise that I will strive to honor your culture and traditions. You are the father of my children, my lover, the only King that I would ever consider serving. I swear upon the Mother Yavannah and the Allfather Aule to honor my vows and assure my husband that I am committed."

"And you Thorin Oakenshield, will you take Bilbo Baggins?"

"I am not one for great speeches or flowery words, however I shall attempt to follow my beloved's traditions in this. You were brought to me, because I required a husband and you were the most suitable barer of my offspring, but I stopped needing you for your body long ago, now I need you for you. For all of you, from the way you look in the morning, to the way you make me laugh, to the way you are always there for me. I suppose you can be stubborn at times, as well as willful and too honest upon occasion as well, but I love that about you, I love that you come to me as a dwarf first and a King second. You say that I have made you a better person, well you have driven away the memories of battles long ago fought. You have helped me to see again the dwarf I was in my youth, before the years hardened me. You have taken care of both my body and my soul. I love you Bilbo, you are my most precious gem, you are everything to me. I promise never to order you to do anything without first talking about it. I promise to care for you and our children. I promise that I will attempt to ensure your happiness, from this day until my last. I swear upon Aule and the Lady Wife Yavannah mother to my intended's people, to honor my vows and assure my husband that I am committed.

"You have both sworn the oaths of commitment to one another, I now declare that you are bound together save the breaking of your union, from this day until your last day." Balin said and tied their hands together with a string of silver beads. Together Bilbo and Thorin raised their hands up to the cave ceiling, as the people roared their approval. Bilbo gasped suddenly and turned as white as a sheet.

"Thorin the babies are coming, they can't come now it's too soon." Bilbo said looking terrified into Thorin's eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"I'd think I'd know when I was in labor!" Bilbo stated and Thorin's eyes widened, before they rolled into the back of his head. "Where's Elisaetta, Rosamund and Donamira?" Bilbo demanded and his kinswomen were taken into the litter.

"Can Bilbo be moved?" Balin asked and Elisaetta shook her head.

"The babies are coming now, so no moving him would not be a good idea." Elisaetta replied. "Now please be quiet and let me work." She said and tore at Bilbo's tunic, as the flaps came down around them. She found the two blooms, shining brightly and took out her knife making a quick and precise cut, before pulling the first baby out. "Stitch up the wound Rosie." She barked and handed the baby over to Donamaria who patted the infant on the back, until it started to cry. Elisaetta freed the second baby, as Rosamund finished stitching the first wound and spanked the baby on the bottom, before going onto smacking her on the back.

"What's wrong with that one?" Bilbo demanded.

"She'll be fine in a moment." Elisaetta assured Bilbo, before putting her mouth to the infant's and sucking, she gagged as green scum came out of both their mouths and the little girl let out a feeble cry. Elisaetta wiped her lips and was given a flagon, she spit out the afterbirth and drank deeply from the wine, before wrapping the little girl in a section of Bilbo's blankets, which were now stained red. Donnamira had swaddled the little boy in her shall.

"We need the smallest baby clothes anyone has." Rosamund yelled out into the crowd and was given many different baby outfits, she looked through them all before selecting the smallest and warmest, as well as two nappies and going back inside the litter. At least it was only the blankets that had been stained, so no one could see the blood.

"That wasn't normal." Elisaetta said. "None of it."

"Perhaps dwarven children are harder." Bilbo suggested, his eyes were drooping down and it was a struggle to keep them open.

"Perhaps, rest and we'll take care of you Bilbo, and the little lad and lassie."

"The lad is Aldo and the lass is Lavender, their use names will be Thainen and Thea." Bilbo stopped speaking as two names entered his head Truestone Stalwart and Brightgem Strongheart." Bilbo was surprised at the presence of Mahuel inside his head. I name all my direct heirs, they will become strong and good, they will be a part of both you and your husband. They will lead their people to greatness in time, but for now you all should heal and recover. I will speak to you again when you aren't quite as exhausted as you are now. '

AN: So the longest chapter of the story is followed by the shortest :) As ever reviews are appreciated.