Since I can't seem to focus on my accounting homework, here is another chapter for you all. I was a little mean by leaving you all with that cliff hanger. So, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Hint: Time is going to skip forward quickly in this chapter, and the long awaited birth will finally happen! I will be using my own experience of birth for this story. Also as a heads up, the birth scene may be a bit gross to some of you. I tried to keep it clean, and as real life as I could.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit, or its events, or its characters.
The pain is what slowly brings me out of my unconsciousness. My right side feels like it is on fire, and it hurts so much that I let out a whimper. I open my eyes to see Bofur sitting in a chair, next to my bed.
"You awake lass?" He asks me once he notices that my eyes are open.
"It hurts." I say softly to him as I move to press a hand to my side.
"Aye, it will for a while lass. Gave everyone a right old scare. Dwalin, Balin, and Fili had to hold Thorin back while Oin stitched you up. He is livid that no one was with you to keep you safe." Bofur says to me with a slight smile on his face.
"What about my child?" I ask with fear in my voice.
"Both Oin and Tauriel checked, and the bairn is fine. However, they want you on bed rest for a good while." Bofur moves to get up from the chair. "I should go get Oin, he'll be wanting to check you over again."
I reach out in an attempt to grab Bofur's hand. "Where are we?"
"Dwalin and Kili brought you back to the kings' family halls. Thorin said you had been wanting to turn one of the rooms into a healing room before the bairn comes. Now I need to go, lass." Bofur says to me with a soft look on his face. He leaves the room and it isn't long till the door opens again.
"Inara." Thorin's voice is full of emotion as he makes his way towards me. He settles himself at the edge of my bed, and takes my hand. "Thank Mahal, you are alright."
I give a pain filled smile, and squeeze his hand in a reassuring manner. "I told you that nothing can keep me down."
"Do not jest in this case, Inara. You were attacked." Thorin's voice is raw with anger. "Do remember what your assailant looked like?"
"I don't know who exactly, but it was one of Dain's people. They all kind of look the same, so pinpointing who will be difficult." I take in a quick breath as my side twinges in pain. Letting out a rough moan through gritted teeth as I try to manage the pain.
"Oin will be here soon with some medicine for the pain." Thorin says as he brushes aside some of the hair that is plastered to my forehead.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, till Oin enters the room carrying a tray. He walks over to the table that sits near the chair, and sets the tray down gently onto the table. He picks up a cup, and hands it to Thorin. "It will help with the pain, so have her drink it all."
"Master Oin, we have got to keep meeting like this." I say to him through the pain.
"You lass, should stop being as reckless as Kili. Then maybe we wouldn't be meeting under these circumstances." He says to me in a serious voice.
Thorin brings the cup towards me, and helps me lift my head so that I may drink the contents. I guzzle it down with no complaint, even though the drink tastes like horse piss. Once the cup is empty, Thorin hands it back to Oin.
"I will still need to check her bandages, Thorin." Oin says with a pointed look.
"Very well." Thorin says to Oin as he gets up from his place on the bed. "I shall send Kili in here to keep her company, while I speak with Dain."
Thorin leaves the room, and Oin makes his way over to the other side of my bed. He helps me sit up so that he can check on the bandages. Once he removes the soiled ones, he replaces them with fresh ones. After he completes his task, he helps me to lay down once again.
The door opens up to reveal a worried looking Kili.
"Inara, you're awake." Kili says as he makes his way to my bedside.
"I'll be trusting that you will be keeping an eye on her then." Oin says to Kili as he goes to leave the room.
"You gave us quite the scare, Inara." Kili says to me as he sits down on my bed. "None of us thought you or the child were going to make it."
"Sorry I made everyone worry. I really wasn't planning on getting stabbed." I whisper as my body starts to force me into slumber. "Kili, I am tired."
"Go ahead and rest. I'll be here when you wake up." Kili takes my hand just as I fall asleep.
The next time I wake it is to the sound of an argument coming from the other side of the door. Two of the voices I recognize immediately as Fili and Thorin's.
"Uncle, you can't just punish all of Dain's men. It doesn't make sense." Fili's voice rings out.
"One of his men attack Inara and our child, your heir! Do not tell me that our laws call for justice." Thorin shouts.
"Thorin." Balin's voice says calmly. "Dain has already interrogating his men to try and find the attacker. All we can do is wait to see what information Dain can bring us."
Someone is now pacing back and forth, and I hear a low growl followed by a loud thump against the rock wall.
"It is taking too long." Thorin growls out.
"To make sure that we have the right person to punish, yes it is supposed to." Fili says in a low tone.
"I want at least one of the company to be with Inara at all times. Aliena as well. For all we know she may be next. They are not to leave these halls till I say so." Thorin says.
"You can't keep Inara locked away, Thorin." Balin says. "She wouldn't stand for it."
"She will do as she is told." Thorin answers.
"No she won't uncle. You forget that she isn't a dwarrowdam; she is a daughter of the race of men. Inara can be just as stubborn as you can, and she will fight you on this." Fili yells out.
"Fili is right Thorin. She complements you just as you complement her. Mahal knew what he was doing when he fated you two to be together." Balin says with a slightly raised voice. "I would suggest you see Oin about your fist laddie, before Inara worries about it. She has enough to worry about with trying to see the pregnancy through to the end."
I hear two pairs of footsteps walk away from my door, just as another set comes through the door. The person makes their way over towards me, and I keep my eyes closed. A small shock runs through me as I hear Fili speak.
"I am sorry little one that I couldn't protect you or your amad." Fili says as he places a hand over my bump. "Your father is worried about both of you. This attempt at an assassination has rattled him greatly. I can only hope that he doesn't fall into a revengeful, dark path at his attempt for justice. He loves you so much little one."
A strong kick strikes out where Fili's hand is resting, and he gives a slight chuckle before continuing on.
"You will be my heir, no matter what any of the dwarf lords say. I will see to it that you inherit my thrown."
As I hear Fili's words I decide that it is time to give up my slight ruse. "Already deciding my child's future, Fili?"
"Inara!" Fili says as he looks away from my bump, and towards my face. "I was only telling him of what his place will be in here in Erebor."
I let out a soft chuckle as I place one of my hands over his. "I heard arguing a few moments ago. What is going on?"
Fili lets out a sigh before answering me. "Uncle is furious that Dain hasn't found your attacker yet. He wants a quick punishment so that he doesn't have to worry."
"I hear a but coming though." I say to Fili as encouragement to continue.
"If he acts too hastily, and the wrong person is punished it would cause the other lords to question Thorin's ability to rule." Fili says with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"You're worried that a mistake may cost Thorin his throne." I answer him as I give his hand a squeeze.
"It wouldn't be just him they would question. His grandfather's fall to the sickness, has many of the lords starting to question our heritage of the Durin line." Fili says. "Balin has his little network of informers all over the other dwarf kingdoms. They have reported that this line of Durin is cursed."
"There will always be naysayers no matter what kingdom you belong to. Even where I am from, people start to spread false information. Or even their version of the truth. It all stems from someone who wants power and control at all costs. Including their own family, friends, and even their very souls. They lose their morals, good judgement, and even logical thinking all for greed and power. All we can do is show the other lords that your line of Durin isn't cursed." I say to Fili, and watch as he thinks about what I have just said.
"You seem to have a strong, solid insight on things Inara." Fili says to me with a small smile on his face.
My child decides to kick out a few more times against Fili's hand, and we both speak of better things till Thorin comes to stay with me.
My recovery takes about three weeks of nothing but bed rest and short trips for to the toilet or to wash. Oin means well with taking these precautions, but my nerves are just about frazzled. It also hasn't helped that Thorin's agitation with Dain is starting to come to a head. My wounds are just about healed from the attack, and I use this information against Oin. With much pestering from me, Oin has reluctantly allowed me to leave my healing room for supper.
Thorin isn't happy about it, but after throwing the pillows, a pitcher of water, and even a vase at his head he readily agrees to it. So here I am putting on a deep blue and silver dress that is lined with fur at the neck. Thorin keeps the ties of the dress lose around my bump, which has gotten bigger again. This also means that our child's movements are more pronounced. At six months with child, all of the dwarves from the company are starting to drive me crazy with their worry.
I leave our shared room, while Thorin continues to fiddle with his boots. There at the top of the stairs is Fili, Kili, and Aliena, who are all dressed up as well. Fili is wearing an outfit of golden brown, and Kili is wearing an outfit of a slate color. Aliena is wearing a soft, pale pink colored dress, and some flowers braided into her hair.
"You sure about this Inara?" Kili asks me as Aliena gives me a hug, and kisses my bump.
"Of course. These last three weeks have been sheer torture." I respond as I take Aliena's hand into one of my own.
"Mommy, when will my brother come?" Aliena asks with such innocence, that the boys and I chuckle at her question.
"Not for a couple of months yet, sweetheart." I say to her.
"But that is too long. Can't he come now?" Aliena's impatience is kind of cute.
We had a small birthday party for her while I was healing, and she became one of the most spoiled little girl here in Erebor. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur made her a toy set that looks an awful lot like Noah's Ark. Gloin and Oin started a gold account as a future dowry. Dori, Nori, and Ori had put together a small set of books filled with tales. Balin made Aliena a small journal, and Dwalin made her a set of practice blades. Last but not least Thorin, Fili, and Kili put together a small play house for her that is currently residing in the ballroom part of the king's family halls.
Fili going down the stairs brings me out of my thoughts. Aliena and I follow him down with Kili right behind us. The two boys have taken it upon themselves to make sure that nothing happens to me or Aliena.
The company is waiting for us by the main doors to the hall, and it isn't long till Thorin joins us. We leave the halls as a large group, and make our way to the main dining halls of Erebor. As we enter, Dain and his men stand up and remain doing so. Thorin helps guide me up to the head table, and pulls out a chair for me. Once I am seated, Thorin himself sits and everyone else follows afterwards.
Supper is a quiet affair with deer, fowl, and pig being served with breads, some kind of potatoes, other vegetables, and some fruits. I stick to drinking milk since ales and beers are not my best friends. Everyone is eating when there is a commotion that has everyone looking towards the main door to the dining hall.
Standing in the doorway is one of Dain's generals holding another dwarf by the back of the neck.
"My lords, I believe the culprit from the attack has been found." The general says as he drags the other dwarf towards the head table.
Dain is quick to stand up from his seat. "What is this?" Dain says as he moves from the head table down to face the culprit.
Thorin is quick to join Dain, while Fili and Kili quickly place themselves next to Aliena and I. Dwalin moves so that he is next to Thorin.
"I caught him trying to barge into the kitchens. He had this on him." The general hands Dain a vial, which both Dain and Thorin recognize.
"Where did he get this? Where!" Thorin shouts as his left hand reaches to the pummel of his sword.
"Easy cousin." Dain says to Thorin. "We don't know what is in this vial or if it is even poison."
"Tell them what you told me." The general says to his captive as he forces the dwarf to his knees.
When the dwarf speaks, it feels like ice water running down my spine. The language he uses is one that I remember hearing only a short time ago. Black speech. When the dwarf finishes speaking his full, black eyes looks directly at me. All at once, the child inside of me decides to beat and kick around so hard I nearly double over in my chair.
Something isn't right. Something is wrong, but the sound of metal upon flesh causes me to look up. I really wish I hadn't. The body of the dwarf lays headless on the floor, and my child inside of me starts to go quiet.
"Inara?" Fili's voice brings me out of my shock, but only slightly. "Inara are you okay?"
"It's the darkness, Fili. It will never end its attempts at trying to get rid of me." I whisper just before throwing up on his shoes.
As the food I ate makes a reappearance, I can hear Thorin and Dain yelling at each other. Once twice to I throw up, and Fili doesn't leave my side even with his shoes becoming messy.
"You didn't have to kill him, Thorin!" Dain yells out. "It was clear that my man was not himself."
"And allow him to continue to threaten my family!" Thorin rages at Dain. "No one threatens or harms my family Dain. No one!"
Thorin marches away from Dain with a thunderous look in his eyes. He reaches the table and quickly comes to check on me.
"Inara, are you alright." Thorin whispers to me as he comes to kneel by my chair.
"She mentioned something about darkness, uncle." Fili says as he moves away from me.
"It will never end. The darkness will continue to hunt me down, Thorin." I rasp out as tears start to pool in my eyes.
"It will not get the chance. Not while I am alive." Thorin whispers to me, as he tucks a loose hair behind my ear.
Thorin helps me out of my chair, and leads me out of the dining hall. Oin, Fili, Kili, and Aliena are quick to follow us back to our halls. Once back in our room, Thorin draws me a bath as Oin checks me over. He tells Thorin that I am in shock, and shouldn't be left alone. He agrees with Oin before seeing out of our room. He helps me undress, and both of us find our way into the bath.
"Are feeling well now, amrâlimê." Thorin asks as he gently lets out my hair from its braids.
"I don't know. All I can feel is the cold feeling that was coming from his eyes. Thorin, the darkness doesn't want me here. I don't think it will ever leave us alone." I say with worry in my voice.
"It will not take you from me." Thorin answers back to me. "I would give up my life before I would allow anything to happen to you or Aliena."
I lean my head back to rest upon Thorin's shoulder as he wraps his arms around me. His hands settle on my bump, and we spend a small amount of time basking in each other's company.
With any would be attackers now neutralized, things start to calm down again in the mountain. For nearly three months there have been no incidents. Dain's forces are now only a fourth of what they once were, and some of the first caravans of former dwarves of Erebor have reached the mountain. Former families are allowed to take up residence in their old homes. There is to be a feast tonight to celebrate the coming home of the Erebor dwarves.
I lay in bed on the morning of the said feast in a bad mood. Trying to sleep with a constantly moving child inside doesn't allow me any rest. Once I get comfortable enough to attempt to sleep, the child decides to ram his foot into my bladder. Feeling the pressure from the hit, I try to move carefully into a sitting position, but fail. My bump now looks like a full term 40 week bump even though I am only two days shy of the nine month mark. Even Oin is shocked that by this fact, and he is worried about when my labors should start.
The movement to my left lets me know that my failure to get up has woken my partner. He props himself up with his elbow before speaking to me.
"Inara?" Thorin says with a sleepy voice. "What is it?" He too has been worried about the pregnancy, and his nonstop anxiety is driving me nuts.
"I need to pee." I say before giving Thorin an icy glare. "Your son decided to treat my bladder like it was an orc."
Thorin chuckles before getting himself out of bed wearing not a stitch of clothing on him; since it is early summer the days and nights are warm. He moves around the foot of our bed, and comes up to my side. Using his arm, he helps me move to a sitting position. I move my feet off the bed, and again Thorin helps me up from the bed. We both make our way towards the bathroom, and he steps out to let me do my business. If only the toilet had a flush capability, then I would have noticed that something was amiss.
As I pee, I feel a small tightening shoot across the bump. I gently rub my bump, thinking that maybe the child within was feeling squished from me sitting. The tightening lessens, and does not return. Now I know, and remember what contractions feel like. So I tuck away this little incident away in my mind as a just in case. Before getting up from the toilet, I use a clean wipe rag to check for any discoloration from a particular area. Seeing that the rag is clean, I let it fall into the toilet as I move to get up.
I make my way over to the water basin that sits off to the left from the bath. I wash my hands carefully so that none of the water lands on my short sleep shift. It would be just my luck that Thorin thinks that my waters broke if any spots of water were to appear. I dry my hands on the cloth, and make my way back towards the bedroom.
We have changed rooms since the incident. Thorin and I have agreed that we are going to change the layout of his grandfather's and father's halls. We are going to combine them so that Fili, Kili, Thorin's sister, Aliena, and we will have our own small apartment like areas. However, it was agreed by Fili, Kili, Thorin, and myself that there will be a joint royal nursery for any future children.
Our apartment was the first to be done, and Thorin had help from Bofur, Bifur, Dori, Nori, Fili, and Kili to get it ready before our child is born. It has a good sized sitting area with a fireplace. There is a short hallway that leads to our bedroom, and the bathroom is connected to our bedroom. There is a nice sized walk-in closet as well.
Thorin is already dressed as I make my way towards the closet. He watches me like a hawk watches a rabbit; ready to pounce at the slightest of movements.
"Will you stop staring?" I growl out at him as I open the closet door.
"How can I not stare at the beautiful woman who carries my child?" Thorin replies as he makes his way over to me. "Are you sure that you do not want to try and rest some more?"
I grab a pale, silver dress before walking back into our room. "Why? Your son will not let me rest, so I might as well be up. Besides Bombur wanted my insight into what is to be prepared for tonight's feast." I set the dress down onto our bed, and move towards dresser that has my underthings.
"Very well. Just make sure that you go and see Oin today." Thorin says as he moves to stand behind me.
Without even speaking any words, Thorin helps me with the short corset that sits at my larger bust line. He tugs the stays so that it is just right before moving to stand in front of me. He looks me over, but in actuality he is appreciating one of the many side effects of pregnancy. That's right ladies, Thorin is a boob guy.
"Are you going to help me with the dress, or are you going to keep staring at my boobs?" I say to him, and his face gets a light blush on it for being caught.
"Can't I admire our handiwork?" He says with a hint of mischief in his voice.
"Weren't you doing that last night in bed?" I retort with a smile on my face.
A chuckle escapes him as he moves towards our bed to retrieve my dress. "There is to be another caravan arriving later this evening. Dis may be with them." He says to me as he hands me the dress.
I get my arms into elbow length sleeves before pulling it up and over my head. "Really? I get to finally meet the great lady who is your sister." As the dress pools on my bump, Thorin helps me get the material over it.
"That you will." Thorin says as he moves to my back to tie the strings in the back. "I am sure that you two will get along well together."
"I should hope so. Especially since I am gifting her with a nephew or niece."
Thorin places a kiss at the base of my neck once he is finished with his task. "I would like it if you have Kili or Bofur with you today. Fili and I will be in meetings for most of the day."
"I will make sure to have someone with me."
Thorin still likes to rub it in my face that I was alone when I was attacked three months ago. I turn to face him, and give him a kiss. We leave our apartment arm in arm, and head down the stairs to our kitchen. Fili, Kili, and Aliena are already there eating breakfast. Both boys are wearing one of their better outfits, and Aliena is dressed in a blue dress with silver trim. We eat and go over our plans for the day.
Once Thorin and Fili finish eating, they leave to attend their necessary meetings. That leaves Kili and Aliena with me. Since Aliena is still nibbling on some berries, I get up from the table. I carry the dirt dishes to the sink, and start washing them. Kili helps by grabbing a fresh towel to dry the dishes. Half way through a quick burst of pain shoots across my belly.
"Mmmhmmm." I groan out as I bend over, away from the sink.
"Mommy?" Aliena says as she rushes over to my side.
"Inara? You alright?" Kili asks as he sets down the plate that he was drying. He makes his way over to me and touches my back.
The pain is quick to recede, and I stand up straight. "I'm fine. Just another hard kick is all." So it has taken over an hour for another pain to come. 'Nothing to worry about just yet' I tell myself. I'll be damned if I let anyone know that I might be in labor. Even so, I was in labor for four days before giving birth to Aliena. There is still time for the pain intervals to become more spaced or closer together.
"Perhaps you should see Oin, Inara?" Kili says with a bit of worry in his voice.
"Nah, I'll be fine. Besides if I was to go into labor you would be able to feel it." I grab one of Kili's hands and place it on the bump. "See, there isn't any rippling of muscles. So there is no contractions, so no labor."
Kili gives me a questioning stare before letting out a sigh. "Alright, I believe you. But if that happens again, I will personally carry you to see Oin."
"All better mommy?" Aliena asks as she takes my hand.
"I'm alright, sweetheart. Nothing to worry about. How about we take you to lessons now?"
"Okay mommy." Aliena says to me as she runs out of the kitchen.
"Someone is in a hurry today." Kili says as he removes his hand from my bump. "Shall we leave the dishes for later?"
"We can always finish them later this evening." I reply as I start to walk away from the sink.
Kili is follows me out of the kitchen, and soon the three of us are leaving the king's family halls. As we walk through Erebor, many of the dwarves bow when we pass them. Some of them even give me their well wishes on the impending birth of my child. As we pass through the market halls, Bofur and Bifur wave us over from their toy stand.
"Bofur!" Aliena shouts as she goes running ahead of Kili and me.
"Well if it isn't the little lass." Bofur says as he picks up Aliena.
Bifur does a few gestures and lets out a few words in the dwarven language.
"We were just taking her down to the library for her lessons with Ori." Kili says to Bifur.
"Ahh that sounds like fun." Bofur says before making a face at Aliena. She lets out a chuckle and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Aliena, we shouldn't keep master Ori waiting." I say to her.
"We will see each other later tonight. Be a good lass, and do your lessons." Bofur says to Aliena as he sets her back down onto the ground.
We say a quick goodbye to Bofur and Bifur before continuing on our way down to the library. Ori is waiting for us at the door, and Aliena gives me a quick goodbye as she follows him into the library.
"So where are we going today, Inara?" Kili asks me as he takes my arm.
"Thorin wanted me to see Oin, so that is where we will head to next." I reply, and so we begin to head towards the halls of healing.
Oin is waiting there for us when we get there. It takes Oin about an hour to do an exam, and during that time I don't have any pains. He gives me the all clear, but to take it easy.
For the rest of the day Kili and I wander the markets, jewelers, and other proprietor shops. Kili stops at a small bakery to pick up a light lunch for us, but I have no appetite. Around mid-afternoon, we make our way back towards the library to retrieve Aliena from her lessons. The three of us make our way down to the kitchens. Aliena and Kili sample some bits of the food that Bombur is willing to give us. I try to sample some as well, but nothing tastes good. That is where Fili finds us.
"A caravan has arrived!" Fili shouts as he runs into the kitchens.
"Is amad with them?" Kili asks Fili in a joyful voice.
"I don't know, but uncle is heading down to the gate to greet them. We wants us all down there." Fili says as he walks over to Aliena. "Would you like a lift?"
Aliena lets out a squeal of delight as she jumps into Fili's arms. "Onwards my noble stead!" She yells out.
Bombur and the other cooks all start to laugh at Aliena's outburst. Kili also lets out a howl of laughter at his brother's face. I am about to laugh as well, but a pain shoots across my belly. Quickly I mask my discomfort so that no one notices.
The pain passes rather quickly, and then it is gone. I quickly gather my wits and speak.
"We best be making our way to the gate then." I turn to look at Bombur and the other cooks. "I look forward to tasting the fine meal that you all are making."
Bombur and the cooks all bow at my words before returning to their work.
Fili, with Aliena in his arms, leads Kili and myself to the gate. Waiting for us is Thorin with Balin and Dwalin.
"Is it amad's caravan?" Kili asks Thorin as he moves towards the entrance.
"We don't know laddie." Balin answers Kili.
Thorin makes his way over to me, and places a hand to my belly. "You look tired, Inara. Have you seen Oin today?"
"I did. He still isn't sure when our child will be arriving." I answer Thorin before giving him a quick kiss.
"You should go rest before the feast." Thorin says as he tries to embrace me. However, it is only a semi-embrace since my bump keeps us from getting close.
"Thorin." Dwalin says from his place next to Balin.
Thorin lets go of our embrace so that he can greet his people. I watch from where I am standing as a few of the dwarrows are greeted by Thorin. Balin and Dwalin also go and greet their kinsmen. As I watch the scene before me, another pain hits me. Again I attempt to keep my face from showing my discomfort. Thankfully it passes, and I am pleased that no one has noticed.
Kili rushes back to Fili's side with disappointment on his face. "Amad isn't with them."
"She will be on the next on Kili." Fili says as he adjusts his hold on Aliena. On our way here, she fell asleep in Fili's arms.
We stand there for about an hour or so before Balin and Thorin allow the caravan to enter Erebor. Many of the dwarrows walk between the boys and me as they make their ways into the halls. During this mass movement another pain hits me again, and this time is so strong that I hunch over. It lasts a little longer than the others as well. I take several deep breaths to help manage the pain. Once it passes, I stand up again.
To my knowledge no one noticed my moment of pain, which leaves me feeling a bit happy yet worried.
After the last of the caravan enters the halls, Thorin suggests that we all make our way to the dining halls. He takes my arm in his, and with the others following, we make our way to the dining halls.
The feast begins the moment Thorin and I arrive, and it has lasted now for five hours. During the five hours, the pain has coming at least three times an hour, and is lasting longer as well. Like before, I take deep breaths to manage the pain, and keep a straight face so I don't worry anyone. Unlike most women who experience childbirth, I never screamed in pain. As the last of the current pain subsides, I excuse myself to use the toilet.
I make it down eight hallways, and three flights of stairs before the next pain hits. I brace myself against the wall of the hallway that I am currently in. I feel a trickle of fluid run down my leg, and I know now that I am in active labor.
"Damn it!" I growl out as the pain continues to build in my belly. This is the longest contraction so far, and I have counted nine deep breaths before it lets up.
I know that I have to make my way to either the halls of healing or to the king's family halls. As I start to walk another contraction hits me, and my legs start to buckle under the pain. There is now a pressure pushing down in a not so great spot.
"Of course you want to come out now. Why wait for help?" I growl out through the pain, and I try hard not to push. This means I must have been in labor longer than I thought, or that this labor is going to be much faster than what I had with my daughter.
The pain lessens again, and I press my back against the wall. My legs are shaking, and it takes all of my will power to keep me from sliding down to the floor.
"Inara?" Fili's voice echoes down the hallway.
I turn my head, and can see him and Kili jogging towards me.
"You alright?" Kili asks me as another contraction hits me.
The pressure builds below again, and I growl out to them. "Get me into a room now." I take a deep breath before continuing. "The baby is coming and it isn't going to wait for Oin to show up." I let out a low moan as the pressure and pain recede.
"One of us should go back to the feast to fetch Oin." Kili says in a panicked voice.
"There is no time." I say breathily. "Don't argue with me, and help me get into a nearby room before another contraction hits."
Both Fili and Kili take one of my arms, and help me move towards one of the doors in the hallway. Fili opens it up to reveal that it is an unoccupied office. Another contractions hits once we are inside, and the pressure builds to the point where my body will no longer fight against it. Poor boys are most likely scared to death, so I must take charge.
"Kili. I need you to stand behind me, and help hold me up under the arms, Keep me in a standing position, it will help with the birth. Fili, I need you to use one of your knives and cut the skirt of my dress from mid-thigh down to the floor." I groan out as I try to keep myself from pushing.
Neither of them argue with me, and it isn't long till Kili has his arms underneath my arms and crossed over my chest. I grip his hands with my own, and hold onto them tightly. The pain subsides yet again, and I know that we only have a short window. Fili has cut my skirt like I told him to, and is now looking at me with a white face.
"Fili. Fili look at me." Shout at him, and he looks right at me with a bewildered look on his face. "You're going to have to help guide the baby once the head is out." I say to him in a panting voice. Seeing that Fili is looking like he is about to faint, I shout at him again. "Listen to me, Thorin won't kill you for seeing my lady bits. He will be more occupied with wanting to see his son than to kill his nephew, okay."
Another contractions hits me, and my hands tighten around Kili's. This seems to spurn the younger brother into action.
"Brother do as she says, or Thorin and our amad will kill you for allowing our baby cousin to hit the floor." Kili says as he tries to help keep me up.
The pressure is beginning to grow again, and I adjust my legs further apart while still standing. This action causes my cut skirt to open a bit. Fili seems to rally himself together before kneeling down to the floor.
"What do I do?" Fili asks me with full blow terror in his eyes.
"You. Have. To. Look. Tell. Me. If. You. Can. See. The. Head." I growl out each word as I as I try to breathe through the built up pressure.
Fili ducks his head down for a minute, and when he raises his head up I swear that he looks like he wants to puke. "I can see the top of the head." He squeaks out after taking a big gulp of air.
"Don't you pass out on me Fili." Kili says from behind me.
The door of the office opening up pulls our attention from the task at hand. Bofur is standing in the door way with a shocked look on his face. "Am I interrupting something that I shouldn't be knowing about?"
"Bofur! Go back to the feast, and bring Oin and Thorin here. Inara is about to have the baby." Kili shouts to Bofur.
"Congratulations!" Bofur says with a smile on his face before disappearing to go fetch Oin and Thorin.
Pressure builds quickly, and the need to push becomes too great for me. I let out a loud groan, and I start to push.
"Fili! You better be ready to catch our little cousin." Kili says as he notices a change in my breathing pattern.
Fili moves closer towards me, and disappears from my sight. "I can see his face!" Fili's muffled voice says. "He looks like uncle."
"Hear that Inara. Your son will like Thorin." Kili says with joy.
"Shut. Up." I growl out, and I can feel the head slip free. "The shoulders will be next." I take a few short breaths before continuing to speak again. "You will have to help turn the baby's shoulders, Fili. Can you manage that?" I take a quick deep breath before pushing again.
I let out a very loud moan as the shoulders turn a bit as they come out. One more push is all it takes, and I can feel the tiny body slide free from me.
"It's a boy." Fili says as he slowly pulls back from where he was. In both of his hands I can see a bloody and clear fluid covered little body with the umbilical cord still attached.
"Look at that." Kili says just as the infant lets out a cry. "You did good Inara."
I let out a little sob at seeing the little babe for the first time. It has a head full of dark hair, and the trade mark dwarf ears.
"Inara!" Thorin's voice booms from the other side of the door just before it opens. Thorin rushes into the room, and comes to a stop at the sight before him.
"Get out of my way." Oin's gruff voice says from behind Thorin. The old healer makes his way over to Fili and the crying baby. He pulls out a small blade, and cuts the umbilical cord. "Thorin, give me your shirt so that we can wrap the bairn."
Thorin is quick to comply, and hands Oin his blue shirt. Oin wraps the baby up with Fili's help.
"You have a son, uncle." Fili says in sheer amazement.
"A son." Thorin whispers softly as he bends down to see our child.
I can feel the pressure coming again, and tighten the hold I have on Kili's hands.
"Hey! Something is happening again." Kili shouts to the others.
"That'll be the afterbirth." Oin says like it wasn't a big deal, and moves to the place that Fili had occupied earlier.
"No. It. Isn't." I growl out as I take a deep breath and start to push.
"What do you mean?" Thorin asks quickly as he leaves the baby in Fili's arms.
I let out a very loud moan, and try to keep taking deep breaths as I keep pushing.
"I need another shirt, or a blanket." Oin calls out from where he is. He pokes his head out and looks up at Thorin. "There is another bairn coming."
"Another?" Kili says from behind me.
Fili is quick to move, and comes over to hand Thorin our first born. "It can have my shirt." Fili passes the baby to Thorin, who awkwardly takes the whimpering infant. Quickly removing his over shirt, Fili hands it to Oin.
"That will do." Oin says as he goes back down to catch the baby.
Something feels off with this birth though. I can feel something flailing about in the birth canal, and it causes too much pain. I let out a scream, as the child moves.
"This will be harder than the other one." I can hear Oin's voice call up.
"How so?" Thorin asks, as he hands our firstborn back to Fili.
"It is a breech birth. The bairn is coming feet first."
There is a small break from the pressure, and I take several breaths. A breech birth means that this will be much harder on me. I look at Thorin and I can see worry etched upon his face.
"Is there anything we can do?" he asks Oin as he kneels down by the healer.
"I am going to have you put that leg by your shoulder up a bit. That should make enough room to help ease the bairn out." Oin explains to Thorin.
Thorin does as Oin instructs, and lifts my right leg up onto his shoulder. Then Oin tells him to slide my leg out to the side a bit. It feels like my leg is in a ninety degree angle by the time Oin tells Thorin to stop.
"Alright lass, the next contraction I want you to push." Oin says to me.
The pressure builds again, and I push with all my might. It hurts so bad that I throw my head back against Kili's left shoulder, and scream. I think I may have also broken a finger or two on one of his hands. Both Fili and Kili encourage me to keep pushing as the legs come free from my body. Taking a few quick breaths I push some more and let out another scream as the shoulders come free. An extremely loud cry fills the air as the baby's head slides free from me.
"Another son." Thorin says in awe as he watches Oin cut the cord and wrap the baby up in Fili's shirt. Thorin removes my leg from his shoulder as he takes the baby from Oin.
"Here you are, Thorin. Another healthy son." Oin says as he starts to tug on the umbilical cords to help loosen the placentas that are within.
Thorin stands up with our second son in his arms. The poor baby still hasn't quieted down like his older brother has.
"What does he look like?" Kili asks from behind me. I am too exhausted to speak a word, so I will allow Kili to speak for me.
Thorin steps closer to me and I can see another dark head full of hair on the screaming baby.
The door opens to the office, and Gloin enters the room with a large bag in his hand.
"Sorry I am late." He says as he makes his way over towards us. His eyes get big as he sees that Thorin and Fili are each holding a bundle in their arms. "Two bairns?"
"Yes, Gloin. Two sons of Durin." Thorin replies as he looks back down at the baby in his arms. At Thorin's saying of the word Durin, the baby stopped screaming and opened his eyes. This shocks Thorin that the baby responded.
"His name is Durin. For his proud heritage." I finally manage to say in a hoarse voice to Thorin. I look towards the baby that Fili is holding. "His name is Frerin. For your brother, Thorin." I let out a soft groan as I feel two thick objects leave my body.
"I suggest you take Inara somewhere she can rest, and feed the two bairns." Oin says as he stands up from the floor. In one of his hands, he is holding a bloodied up rag.
"Aye. I will help them with that." Gloin says as he moves towards me.
With Gloin on one side and Kili on the other, the two dwarves help me stumble my way out of the office and towards our family halls.
Fili and Thorin are right behind us, as we move slowly through the hallways. Once we arrive, Thorin opens the door, and we enter our home. I am helped up the stairs, and finally reach our apartment. Both Gloin and Kili help me into the room, set me down into a chair. Fili is quick to hand me little Frerin before he says his goodnights.
Thorin and I are left alone in our apartment with our newborn sons.
"I should like to clean up a bit before getting some resting." I say softly to Thorin.
"Let me help you, yâsith." Thorin says to me as the hands little Durin to me. Both of the infants are wide awake and looking right up at me. Thorin leaves me for a moment before coming back with a clean shift, and a damp cloth. He gently cleans my legs, and is careful not to touch a certain tender area. "You are still bleeding."
"You can place some towels down on the bed. It is normal for a female to bleed a few days after giving birth." I say to him with a tired smile on my face.
He heads back towards our bedroom, and places a few towels on my side of the bed. Once he is satisfied with his task, he makes his way back to where I am in the sitting room. One at a time he takes each of our sons back to our bedroom, before coming to help me stand up from the chair. He helps me walk to our bedroom, and quickly uses a dagger to cut my ruined dress and under things. Then he helps me put on the short, thigh high shift before leading me towards the bed.
I slowly set myself down onto the bed, and can see that Frerin and Durin look up at us from their spot on Thorin's side of the bed. I move a little bit into a comfortable spot, my back resting against a pillow that is propped up against the headboard.
"They will need clothes and diaper clothes." I say to Thorin. "They should be there in the top drawer of the dresser."
Thorin makes his way over to our dresser, and pulls out a few cloths and some infant baby gowns. He brings them over to the bed, and I quickly fold the cloths into makeshift diapers. Once our boys are diapered and clothed I am quick to see if they will nurse.
I open the tie at the neckline and move the material aside so that Frerin may nurse. He is quick to latch on, and Durin cries out at being left behind. So Thorin picks him up and moves across our bed to help. Durin latches on just as quick and soon both babes are eating.
"They are eating well." Thorin says to me as he watches in wonder at our boys. "You chose strong names for them."
"Of course I did." I look over at Thorin, who is still holding Durin to my chest. "Frerin looks like your little double."
Thorin lets out a chuckle at me comparing him to his son. "Durin looks a lot like you, though."
Where Frerin has the dark hair and dwarf ears like Thorin, Durin has brown hair and his ears are slightly smaller than his brothers. Both of them have Thorin's nose, but they have my lips and mouth. Both boys have the signature Durin blue eyes of their father.
"They are perfect just the way they are." I say out loud.
There it is folks. Just one chapter left after this, and it will take us back to the royal nursery with the kids.
I do hope you all have enjoyed this chapter.
Selene