Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit. Never will.

A/N: NO FLAMES! Not accepted.

Chapter Nine – Heir of Fíli

Karla knew she had to honor tradition the next morning as she watched the dwarves prepare to leave.

"Fíli!" The blonde turned from his saddle at her voice, "Uncle may I have a moment?" Karla asked, Thorin gave her a small knowing smile and nodded. Fíli slowly walked towards Karla, his cousin, his best friend, his lover.

"What is it, My Love?" He asked taking her hands in his.

"Fíli, before you go I want you to have something." She said, she turned one of Fíli's hands over so it was palm up and placed something in his palm before closing his fingers around it.

"Keep this safe until we see each other again." She whispered. Fíli looked down at the ring that sat in his palm.

"You cannot give me this." He whispered trying to give it back to her.

"It is mine to give to whom I will. And my wish is for you to return it when we see each other again. Just as my heart will always be yours, my ring is yours also. Until we meet again, My Love." Karla whispered, watching the smile spread across Fíli's face.

"Until we meet again," Fíli worked his ring off and placed it in her hand, "Ghivashel." Karla smiled. She gave Kíli and kiss on the forehead as he stepped up to say goodbye and Thorin kissed her forehead softly. When it came to Fíli, they didn't hold back. The passionate kiss of a lover was a precious thing to behold and they didn't mind that everyone could see. This wasn't just a kiss, it was a promise. A promise that he would see her again. A promise that she would always love him. A promise that he would be there at the other end waiting for her. A promise that she would be by his side if ever he needed her. They said their final goodbyes and she stood watching them ride off towards Mirkwood. She knew she would see them in the end. She had to. She didn't know what she'd do if she never saw them again.

It had been two months since she had last seen Fíli and the company. She had heard that Erebor had been retaken and that they had defeated the Dragon but she hadn't dared travel to Erebor for fear of anything befalling her on the road. Her sickness was bad enough at Beorn's house, let alone if she was on the road. She was having a bout of sickness when Beorn was graced with visitors.

"My Lady! We have guests! Do you feel well enough?" Beorn poked his head into the washroom where she was bent over the toilet.

"I don't think I'll be much of a hostess, Beorn. Tell them regrettably I'm ill." She told him before bringing up more of the food she'd eaten that day. That message didn't stop a small figure coming into the room and pulling her long hair back from her face.

"You'll be ok after a while. I know it's hard but you will feel better after a while." The soft voice said.

"Thank-you, Little Master. I appreciate your concern. Though I doubt you know how I'm feeling," Karla croaked, "I fear I won't be much company. I am with child and not feeling the best for it." She said sitting back on her knees and wiping at her mouth.

"It's ok. I spent a few days with one of my cousin – Primula – when she was pregnant with my nephew Frodo, and I know what she was like. I heard that there's a dwarf caravan due to stop here in the next few days. The last one to return to Erebor. Maybe you can get a ride with them to Erebor. Fíli is nearly sick himself with worry." Bilbo said.

Karla smiled ruefully before she responded, "I do not mean to worry him. I just feel I cannot travel right now. But I do endeavour to join the Caravan, with any luck my Aunt should be aboard it. Dis, Fíli and Kíli's mother."

"I am hoping to catch it too; I must go back for your wedding. Kíli tells me it is to be of special magnificence." Karla laughed before leaning over the toilet again this was definitely not fun at all.

Karla sat with Bilbo on the front steps of Beorn's house waiting to hear the approaching neighing of ponies or the sounds of the wheels of a wagon creaking up the path. A whinny sounded down the path a way, and the pair rose to their feet. Karla hoped that it would be the caravan of dwarves. As the sounds drew closer Karla slung her pack over her shoulder and Bilbo took a slightly bigger bag out of her hand and held it. Though she told him she was fine he didn't want her over doing it. Soon enough the wagon came into sight and Karla nearly cried to see Glóin's wife was at the helm of the Wagon. She pulled up at the sight of the two of them. She turned to the wagon.

"Dis? I think there's someone here you might want to see." Soon enough a dark haired woman poked her head out and looked down at the pair.

"Karla! Oh my darling!" She jumped down from the wagon and wrapped her niece in her arms. It was lovely to see Aunt Dis again but Karla had lots to tell her and little time to do it.

"Aunt Dis, can we maybe join you all? We have to get to Erebor and we have no ponies." Dis agreed and Karla was pulled up into the wagon with her. Where Karla noted all the partners and wives of the rest of the company and their children if they had any. Including Gimli, who had grown up since Karla had last seen him.

"You must tell me everything that has happened to you." Karla relented and told her the whole story, everything. When she got to the part of sword fighting Fíli, Dis laughed. She would've loved to have seen Karla beat Fíli.

"My Ladies? Dale is in sight." Dis nodded and shifted closer to Karla.

"Tell me, My Dearest. What of your love for Fíli?" She asked, watching as Karla turned a slight shade of pink. Karla smiled and ducked her head slightly.

"As you well remember, My Lady, the law states that a Prince or Princess and their intended are allowed to consummate their love whenever they desire within the courting period." Karla said.

"I recall. That explains why you are looking a bit peaky then. You are with child." Dis said with a smile Karla nodded.

"Yes…Aunt…I wonder…may I use the Raven?" A raven had been perched on the roof of the wagon since they came through the forest. Dis nodded and watched as Karla quickly scribbled a note and tied it to the Raven's leg. It flew off after Karla spoke quietly to it. Dis had a feeling it was for Fíli at the mountain to let him know she was on her way.

In fact the note was for Kíli. He frowned as he read it. She was on her way but she didn't want Fíli to know, just that Kíli could reassure him that she had not changed her mind or forgotten him. They would see each other again.

"My Lord?" He looked up at the servant that stood at the door of his room, "The King wishes to know if you'll join him and the Crown Prince at the gate? The last caravan is approaching." Kíli nodded.

"Yes thank-you. I'll be with them soon." The servant bowed and left him to get ready. He knew that Fíli would have to retrieve his circlet from his room – even though both of them hated the things they still had to wear them. Knowing what Karla wanted him to do, Kíli stole into Fíli's room the very moment the servant left and placed the dagger Karla had told him to keep in Fíli's bed, still wrapped in the pelt but Fíli's curiosity would make him open it.

He then returned to his room and changed into more Prince-like clothes and then placed the silver circlet on his head and used the mirror to make sure it was sitting properly. He sighed, he looked like a Prince, but for some reason it felt almost half-done. Like they should be expecting something else. Something…more. He shrugged and made his way to the gate to meet his Uncle and Brother who stood there waiting, Thorin with his crown atop his proud head and Fíli with his slightly more extravagant circlet on his just as proud head.

"Kíli, stand up straight. You're a Prince, look like you know it." Thorin hissed, Kíli straightened his shoulders and drew himself up to his full height. His Uncle was right, he was a Prince. As the wagon came into sight Kíli smiled there was no doubt that Karla was in this caravan. Fíli stood tall, like the Crown Prince he was, but he still looked sad. He believed she hadn't come.

"Fíli? What is it?" Kíli whispered.

"There's were no extra riders, Kíli. She's not with them." Fíli said.

"How do you know she's not in a wagon?" Kíli laughed. Fíli looked at him with a strange look.

"Do you know something I don't, Brother?" Fíli asked.

"No. I'm just saying. Maybe she's in one of the wagons." Kíli smiled shrugging. They watched as the wagon approached, as it was pulled to a halt by Glóin's wife, who was engulfed by her husband when she climbed down. Her son was the first out of the wagon. As were other wives and children. The ponies were stayed and soon enough a guard moved to assist someone down from the wagon. Boots hit the stone before a woman appeared around the end of the wagon.

"Mother!" Kíli and Fíli forgot for a moment they were Princes and rushed forward hugging her tightly.

"Sister." Dis looked up from hugging Fíli to smile at her brother.

"Hello Thorin. Sorry…Your Majesty." She teased. Another body jumped down from the wagon ("Uncle Bilbo!) and smiled at the Royals after greeting them politely, before reaching up towards the wagon.

"Come on, they won't bite you. They are perfectly harmless." He said to the other occupant.

"Oh yeah? Tell that to my 22-year-old self." A voice said and Fíli froze. Bilbo reached up as her arms appeared and he awkwardly helped Karla down out of the wagon.

"See brother! What did I tell you? She would be in one of those wagons!" Kíli said with a smile as bright as the sun. Fíli smacked Kíli's arm before moving forward and pulling Karla to his chest in an embrace.

"She told me on the way here, that they had already consummated their love." Dis said quietly as the quartet watched the lovers reunite.

"Yeah…I'm still catching up on that sleep I missed." Kíli joked.

"Are you all right Ghivashel? You look tired." Fíli asked brushing Karla's hair back from her face.

"Tired and hungry, My Love. Nothing one of Bombur's meals couldn't fix." She laughed, she had been allowed some of Bombur's famous stew while at Beorn's.

"My Lady? You are not eating like someone who is hungry." Bombur pointed out as he placed yet another plate in front of her.

"Oh my dear, Bombur. I'm afraid I have eaten my fill." Karla said.

"You barely touched any of the food!" Kíli argued, he had agreed to accompany her to the kitchens while Fíli and Thorin greeted the other arrivals. Karla turned and gave Kíli a small smile.

"I'm afraid I must be more tired than hungry. If you would please," Bombur cut her off seamlessly.

"I'll send up a plate to your rooms and you can eat when you feel hungry, My Lady, of course." Bombur said, Karla gave him a small smile and went up the stairs with Kíli.

"Are you sure you're 'just tired' or is it something else. Mother mentioned that you had told her you consummated your love with Fíli. Mother wouldn't mention that if it had some significance. Are you with child?" Kíli asked when they got to the chambers, Karla would share with Fíli.

"Yes, Kíli. Yes I am." Karla's eyes filled with tears as she spoke to her cousin and Kíli immediately pulled her into an embrace. It might have been un-Prince-Like but Kíli didn't care. He loved his cousin and she needed this right now. He was the one to be there while Fíli was being a Prince, because Fíli didn't have to be a lover right now. He wasn't married to her yet. He didn't have the responsibility to her right now. But Kíli was there and that was all that mattered.

"You'll have to tell him." Kíli said as Karla picked at the food in front of her. Karla had taken to eating her meals in her room, and Kíli usually brought them up to her.

"I know I will Kíli. I just have to find a time when he's not busy being, Crown Prince Fíli Under the Mountain, or whatever his title is now." Karla said, waving a hand as she said his title.

"It's just Crown Prince Fíli, Nephew of Thorin." Kíli replied with a smile, "Look, Karla, Fíli is your lover now, he has a right to know that you are carrying his child." Kíli watched as Karla paused in her fidgeting and then smiled slowly and nodded.

"You're right. Make me a promise, Kíli." Karla said.

Kíli nodded, "Anything."

"Promise me that if I do not find the time within the week…you tell him." She said, Kíli frowned but nodded anyway.

"Of course. Anything for you, Karla." Kíli said, he then left quietly to let her finished her breakfast and get ready for the day.

True to his word, Kíli kept her secret for the entire week. As the days passed by every morning and night Karla would wake after Fíli left, or would be asleep when Fíli came to bed. So she never got to speak to him as just Fíli. So when a week had passed and Kíli knew she hadn't told him he knew he had to find his brother when he was just Fíli.

"Goodnight Uncle." Fíli said as he made his way towards his rooms after a council meeting with his Uncle. Kíli was standing outside his chambers waiting for him.

"Can I help you brother? I am tired."

"I know but right now, you're not the Crown Prince."

"I am not sure I follow you brother. I am always the Crown Prince."

"Yes but I have to tell you when you aren't acting like it. Your lover has tried to tell you since she got here, but I have to tell you instead." Kíli said a little frustrated.

"What do you mean Kíli?" Fíli pushed open his door to wrap this conversation up.

"Look at her Fíli. She's perfect." Kíli said indicating to Karla where she lay curled up under the deep furs and blankets, fast asleep.

"She's worth more than I can give, Brother." Fíli said shaking his head slowly.

"They are worth more than you can give." Kíli told him.

"They? What do you mean they?" Fíli frowned.

Kíli smiled at his brother, "She wanted me to tell you if she did not get a chance. She is with child, Brother." Kíli watched Fíli's face.

"With child? For how long?" The older asked looking at his lover.

"I assume since you consummated your love at Beorn's." Kíli said.

"But that was months ago!" Fíli said surprised turning to look at Kíli.

"Yes brother, but maybe she has only just found out." Kíli pointed out. Fíli looked back at Karla and then gave his brother a smile and bide him goodnight and closed the door between them, Kíli smiled to himself…mission accomplished.

"Ghivashel…My Love?" Karla stirred the next morning to the sound of Fíli's voice in her ear and his warm hand on her shoulder. She groaned softly and rolled onto her back. She slowly blinked her eyes open and smiled at him.

"Morning." She whispered.

"Good Morning, Ghivashel." Fíli responded giving her a kiss, "Kíli told me. About us." Fíli's hand moved to her stomach. She smiled sadly.

"I wanted to tell you myself, Fee. But I just could not find the time." Karla said, Fíli shook his head slowly, he'd hear none of it.

"It is all right. Uncle has let Kíli take my place today. I am all yours for the day." Fíli said rolling back on to his back and then up on to his side as Karla moved to do the same.

"All mine for the day?" Karla said with a wicked smile.

"Yes Princess, all yours." Fíli replied her smile not lost on him.

"Well we shall have to think of something to do, won't we?" She said.

"I can think of a few things," Fíli said leaning forward to kiss her. No one saw them for the rest of the day except when a servant brought up meals for them. Thorin was glad he'd let Fíli have to day off from his duties, it was good for Kíli to learn as well. Just in case anything unforseen happened to Fíli and his brother had to take his position as Heir under the Mountain. Karla knew that if anything happened to Fíli that she could easily take over the Mountain but she'd have to have married Fíli for her to be named Heir anyway. Which she was not as yet so that responsibility fell to Kíli. And he'd do well everyone knew it.

6 Months Later

Fíli woke to Karla slapping his arm in the middle of the night, he was groggy but when Karla tensed her hold on his arm tenfold he woke up.

"Ghivashel…what is it?" He asked moving to look at her.

"I think your son is going to make an unscheduled arrival, Fíli." Karla ground out with clenched teeth. Fíli was out of bed and ordered the guards at the door to wake Óin, Lady Dis, Prince Kíli and the King. The guards nodded and went to do the Crown Prince's bidding. Soon enough Óin and Dis were there ordering even Fíli out while they delivered the baby. Fíli was forced to wait out in the corridor with his brother and Uncle while his son, his heir was born. When Óin finally said that Fíli could go in, the rest of the Company had been woken and brought to the room, including Bilbo. Fíli hurried in the moment Óin opened the door. Karla was sitting up slightly on their bed holding a tiny bundle of furs. She looked up when Fíli came in.

"Come on over here, and meet your son." She said. Fíli sat down beside her and looked down at the tiny face of the most beautiful child he'd ever seen. He'd told his mother that Kíli was beautiful when he was born but his son was perfect.

"He is perfect." Fíli whispered, "what will we call him?"

"I am not sure yet. I will have to think for a while. He'll just be 'son' for now." Karla said, Fíli smiled and kissed her softly.

"Can I met my nephew now?" Kíli asked, Fíli grinned and beckoned his brother and Uncle inside. Both understood why he had no name it was sudden and Karla hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about it. But she'd have name soon.

"So for the time being he will be known as only the Heir of Fíli." Thorin said with a small smile. Karla nodded.

"For now he is just that. I will let you know when I have settled on a name." She said.