Ch 11

A few years later

Erebor was preparing for the birth of the twins. Since the birth of the princess and prince Maggie and Fili had added to the royal family with a daughter Duria and son Hagin. Hagin was very much attached to his mother since Maggie had said that he would be their last child. Duria was a quiet girl, the complete opposite of her sister who was very chatty and spent all of her time helping others. Duria mostly kept to herself and only played with her siblings. Thorin was very protective of her since she was so timid and shy.

Maggie was the first woman who had carried dwarven twins. Lord Elrond was in Erebor since he, Galadriel, and Gandalf saw the strain the two babies were putting on the queen. Maggie had been forced into bedrest since she had early labor pains when she was 5 months pregnant. Fili was just as anxious as Maggie who was now barely able to stand on her own.

Rowan was looking after her siblings since she was thirteen. Thorin had been spending a good deal of time training with Dwalin since he didn't know how to comfort his siblings who were terrified of what was happening to their mother. Duria spent most of her days at Rowan or Dis's side. Hagin was just as nervous but spent his time with his mother reading to her. He was only five but was very eager to learn just like Rowan had been.

"Mommy, I love you." Hagin said cuddling up to her side putting a little hand on her swollen belly.

"What do you think we should name them?"

Hagin shrugged. Maggie put her hand up to cover a yawn.

"Mommy is tired. Do you want to take a nap?"

Hagin nodded and closed his eyes as Maggie did the same. An hour later Fili came to check on his wife to see her asleep with Hagin at her side just starting to wake up.

"Daddy, mommy is really tired." Hagin whispered climbing out of the bed and walking over to Fili.

"Ok, I'll stay for a bit. I saw Rowan and Duria working on a painting down the hall."

Hagin let out a squeak as he ran to see what his siblings were doing. Fili sat on the edge of the bed and pushed some hair off Maggie's forehead. She stirred and opened her eyes.

"Where's Hagin?" She mumbled.

"I sent him to see his sisters. How are you feeling?" Fili said kicking off his boots and laying on the bed. Maggie rested her head on his chest.

"I'm so tired and I'm ready for these two to make their appearance."

"Lord Elrond says any day."

"I'm more then ready." Maggie mumbled.

"I hear a visitor is due to arrive tomorrow." Fili said as Maggie sat up.

"Who? Liz is about ready to stay here until the baby is born. Lord Elrond is here as is Gandalf."

"Lady Galadriel should be arriving mid-day tomorrow. She stopped in Mirkwood to speak to the king."

"Galadriel is coming? Everyone is so worried. Back in America people had twins all the time. Heck one woman had eight babies, all of them lived. If I sense things are going wrong I will tell Elrond to cut them out."

Fili grimaced, since it had been discovered Maggie was expecting twins the White Council was concerned as was all of Erebor. Gandalf and Elrond had arrived shortly after as did the best elven healers from Rivendell and Lorien. Maggie had walked Elrond through what was called a cesarean section.

"That was how I was born. Lizzie too, we were both good sized babies. Sure it will be risky but Elrond is the best healer there is and if Galadriel and Gandalf are here-" Maggie's lip started to quiver. "Fili, you have to promise me… I want these babies to live. No matter what happens to me." She said breaking down in tears.

"If anyone can do this it is you. You have already done more then any dwarven woman has. No more then three dwarflings have been born into one family and we already have four. Our children need you, I need you, your friends need you, and Erebor needs you. We are not going to give up on you."

Maggie sniffled a bit as there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Fili said as a maid brought in dinner. Kili arrived a few minutes later just opening the door without knocking.

"No, movement yet? You should see Thorin, he is in rare form in the training arena."

"He never visits his mother anymore. It's been weeks since he's seen you. I think he should come and see you." Fili said as Maggie frowned.

"He's scared. He walked in one day when Elrond was giving me a good talking to about what might happen. Thorin doesn't want to remember me this way. I worry that he'll resent his brother and sister if anything happens to me." Maggie said looking at her hands.

"That will never happen. Look at what you can do. You have saved so many people and Mahal will not take you." Kili said looking a bit nervous.

"I'm going to talk to Thorin. Kili will stay with you for a bit."

Kili nodded pulling up a chair.

Fili pulled on his boots and went to go find his eldest son. Fili found Thorin sparing with Gimli who looked exhausted.

"Gimli, I wish to speak to my son."

"How is the queen?" Gimli asked putting down his weapons.

"She is well, in good spirits."

Gimli nodded.

"I will let my mother knows. She says that Elrond has limited her visitors."

"He has, it should be any day before the newest prince and princess are born."

"Erebor will be glad for it. We have all missed our queen."

Fili watched Gimli walk away and Thorin was looking at his weapons.

"Your mother worries for you." Fili said calmly as Thorin's shoulders sunk.

"I-I, father, she is so big and I worry for her. Rowan is worried, I heard her crying and Rowan never cries. Hagin will hardly leave her side unless mother sends him away. Duria isn't herself. Everywhere our people are whispering about what might happen. Lord Elrond doesn't think mother can survive this." Thorin said looking up his eyes filled with tears.

"Son, your mother is strong. She faces Blog while pregnant with Rowan. She has done things no one thought possible."

"Father, she is from the world of men. I heard Elrond say her body is so weakened that she may not be able to heal herself. I am scared, what will we do if she dies?" Thorin's shoulder started to shake.

Fili hugged his son.

"Your mother will not die. We will do everything we can to keep her safe. We have many healers in Erebor and they are all staying in the royal wing close to your mother. They have a plan and we will have faith in them."

"If those babies kill her I will hate them! She is our mother and they will have taken her, they should be sent away. Someday Rowan will be queen or I king, there is no need of them-"

"Thorin, they are your brother and sister. We will love them and care for them. They are our family. Our people will look to us for guidance and we will lead them no matter what."

"I can not and will not love them if something happens to mother." Thorin said backing away from his father.

"I would like you to see your mother. Even if it's just for a few short minutes. Hagin and Rowan sees her every day and Duria visits often. Your Aunt Liz spends time with her as does Kili."

"As you wish, father." Thorin said starting to walk away.

"Take some time to control your emotions. Do not tell your mother what you told me."

Thorin nodded and walked in the directions of the kitchens. Fili returned to look for some more trade agreements before seeing the other children off to bed. When he returned to their rooms Thorin was sitting with Maggie telling her about his training with Gimli.