Sorry it's so late. It's been a difficult few weeks in our household. I am sorry if you don't like the direction my story is taking. Never fight the muse. I had actually tried to change it, and it just didn't go. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Kili, Legolas, and Tauriel had gone hunting at Brenna's insistence. She was regretting that now. Kili had been hovering over her for days, and she only wanted a little peace. She didn't notice the contractions at first. She'd been having so many aches and pains for weeks that, by the time she did notice them, they had gotten pretty strong. She didn't worry at first. She got her bed ready, made sure there was fresh water and linens, changed into a loose sleep dress and robe. Then, she waited. Marian came by right after Luncheon every day. When that time came and went, she began to worry. If she hadn't already put on her gown, she might have gone to a neighbors, but she was too worried over how that would look to realize no one would bat an eye at her doing so. She was just on the verge of panic when the bell sounded.
"Thank Mahal!" she said to herself. She slowly made her way to the door, stopping when a strong contraction hit. She wasn't even able to reach the door.
"Marian!" she cried, hoping she could hear her.
The door swung open.
"Brenna! Oh, my… Help me get her to the bed!"
Brenna looked up to see that Gandalf and Bilbo had arrived with her.
"Where is Kili?" asked Bilbo.
"I told them to go….oooh… hunting this morning…. I don't know where they went. Somewhere Adalgrim recommended."
"I just saw my cousin. I'll have someone send for Kili straight away, don't worry Brenna." Bilbo was out the door. Gandalf lifted her and took her to her room. He then took his leave, saying he would wait outside.
"You poor dear! I see you put your time to good use, though. Now, let's see how much progress you've made."
"Two bucks, 3 quail, and a rabbit. Once I get this venison hung and dried, Brenna and I should be fairly well off for a time."
The three hunters made their way back towards Kili's home. They'd had a good day, once they got Kili to relax. It was a beautiful day, too, but he was eager to get home to his wife. He hadn't wanted to leave her alone this morning, but he knew that he had been too much for her lately. He couldn't help it! She was his wife and it was his responsibility to see to her welfare! He saw one of the tweens running towards them.
"Paladin! How're you doing today?"
"Mr. Kili! You need to get home quick! Ms. Brenna is having her baby!"
Kili was moving before the boy had finished delivering his message. Legolas and Tauriel saw to the deer, while the young hobbit took care of the rest.
Kili cursed himself the whole way home. He knew he shouldn't have left her. When he came upon the smial, he saw Bilbo, Adalgrim, and Gandalf sitting on the benches outside.
"It won't be long now, Kili. Marian was just out to tell us she was ready to push," said Bilbo.
"I thought labor took hours?"
Bilbo shifted and grimaced. "She told Marian she had been aching for days, but thinks it may have started sometime in the night. She said she didn't sleep well. It was a little while after you and the others left that she realized what was happening. Marian was late today as well. One of her daughters dropped by for a surprise visit and she lost track of time."
Kili sat down with his head in his hands. "I should have stayed home. I knew I should have stayed home. Her time was too close."
"Now, now, Kili," said Adalgrim. "I was sitting at your table last evening when Ms. Brenna demanded you get out of the house today. I highly doubt she wants you blaming yourself. It's all worked out in the end. Now, do your part with dignity, and smoke your pipe."
Kili took the offered pipe, and waited.
When Tauriel and Legolas showed up, Tauriel went into the house to offer to help. That had been a half hour before. Kili was pacing. They hadn't heard anything since before he had arrived. Finally, the door opened and Tauriel stepped out.
"You can go in now, Kili," she said with a smile. He didn't need to be told twice and all but shoved past the elleth. He heard soft murmurs as he came closer to their room. He pushed the door open and paused at the sight before him. Brenna was propped against their headboard, with what had to be every pillow they owned, cooing to a bundle in her arms. He walked further into the room. Brenna finally noticed him.
"Come and meet your son, Kili."
He had a son! He sat next to her on the bed and took the offered bundle. He was a Durin for sure, with his dark looks. Kili laid him on his knees and began to unfold the blanket. He wanted to see all of him. He tutted at his son when he started letting his displeasure be known.
"It's alright. I just want to see all of you." Once he was done, he automatically saw the mark on the left side of his chest.
"Brenna, did you see this?"
"What? What's wrong?"
"Ah, yes, that's an interesting birthmark he has," said Marian. "Most just look like odd shapes and blobs. It almost looks intentional."
"Marian, I need you to go and get Gandalf. Please, don't say anything to anybody else about this."
Marian and Brenna both looked startled, so Kili tried to smooth things out. "It's nothing bad, but if this is what I think it is, he is very special."
Marian went and retrieved Gandalf, vowing to never say a word about what the mark.
"Adalgrim asked me to pass along his congratulations. His wife called him home, but he did say that they will be by early tomorrow. Expect many readymade meals. Ah, what do we have here?"
"I have a son, but that is not why I called you here. Is this what I think it is?"
"Hmmm," said Gandalf, examining the child. "I had a feeling this child would be special. To answer your question; yes, Kili, that is the sign of Durin."
"I am sorry, but what?" stammered Brenna.
"Your son is Durin reborn."
"Impossible!"
"Ah, but the proof is right before you, my lady. No one but you, Marian, and Tauriel were in this room, so unless one of you put this mark on his skin, it is safe to assume he was marked upon conception."
"Tauriel! She's the one who cleaned him! She looked a bit baffled, but I never thought to ask."
"We will talk with her," stated Kili.
"I will leave you too alone," Gandalf said to the couple. Before he left, he placed his hand upon the child's brow. "Welcome back."
Neither dwarrow said anything for a few moments. It was Brenna who broke the silence.
"What does this mean for us? Do we return to the mountain?"
"No, not yet."
"But Kili, he's…."
"He'll have no chance for a childhood! As soon as our people know of his existence, they'll hound him and push him in ways he is not ready for! He is a child, our child, and he shall be treated as such. He shall be allowed to find himself. We will try and give him as much time as we can." Kili wrapped the child and cuddled him.
"What shall we call him?" asked Brenna.
Kili looked at his now smiling wife, the worry having been settled. "Frerin, after my mother's youngest brother. He will take up his true name when he is ready. I will talk with Tauriel. I won't tell her what it means, only that she must never mention the mark," he said, handing her the child. "I'll go and start inviting the others in to meet our treasure."
Tauriel asked no questions, understanding that the mark was something better left forgotten for now. Bilbo was simply in raptures over the Shire's newest addition. He was pleased when Kili informed him that he would be Uncle Bilbo. The days flew by, and the new parents always made sure to keep the mark covered, never allowing any to have cause to change the lad themselves. Eventually, they did take Bilbo into their confidence. He was trustworthy and the lad might have need of someone close to him, besides his parents, having knowledge of it.
Time passed, and four years after the birth of their son, they were blessed with a daughter, whom they name Runa. Three years after her, they had another son, Drerin. In the almost eleven years they had dwelled in the Shire, they had made many friends and were well liked. Letters to and from the mountain were sparse, but all had kept up with each other. Bofur and Mila married, though those in the Shire heard nothing of it until the spring after Frerin's birth. They had a daughter a few months younger than Runa, named Brili.
Dis had often thought of going to visit her youngest and his family, but Thorin still hunted for Kili. Fili and Kira remained childless. This knowledge hurt Kili, for he knew his brother had always wanted to be a father. No matter how much he didn't like Kira, he loved his brother. Kili tried to console his mother, saying that it could take up to twenty years for some couples. Tauriel and Legolas had spent the winter with them, and returned to Mirkwood once spring arrived. Their letters were few and far between, but appreciated none the less.
Brenna maintained contact with Arwen, who came to visit after the birth of her second child. Lord Elrond looked curiously at the child, but the parents said nothing. Frerin sensed there was something different about himself, and on his seventh birthday, when he asked his parents' about it, he accepted the answer that they would tell him when he was older, and that yes, there was something different and very special about himself.
For nearly ten years, their lives were peaceful and predictable. Kili worked his forge, trained his eldest son, and visited Bilbo often. Brenna spent a great deal of time with the hobbit wives, and even learned about their midwifery, hoping to acquire ways to help her own people's fertility and child-bearing. But, things would not be so peaceful for long. One spring day, some months before Frerin's tenth birthday, Bilbo received a visitor.