Ila woke the next morning to the sounds of her husband moving about. It was the earliest that she had woken since before the honeymoon and she felt she should make the effort to rise with Thorin and go down to breakfast. He had mentioned before that he would like her to do so instead of always taking her breakfast privately in her rooms.

Ila crawled out from under the covers and walked over to her husband who was pulling a tunic over his head. He hadn't noticed her rise and she pulled his tunic down, his head popping out and her face in his.

"What are you doing up? Did I not thoroughly tire you out last night?" he asked.

Ila leaned forward and kissed his lips. "I am building stamina my dear," she said and pulled his hair free of his tunic to lay over his shoulders. She then picked up his belt and wrapped it around his waist to fasten.

"Do I need help dressing?" Thorin asked. Ila cut her eyes at him but continued what she was doing, and he took the opportunity to fondle her breasts.

"You should really be dressing yourself, otherwise I will be unable to leave this room." He said huskily.

"You had the opportunity to wake me up by making love to me…but I see that didn't interest you this morning."

He frowned at her. "I was going to let you sleep my love, does that make me a bad husband?" He said pouting at her. Ila laughed inwardly at that. If the rest of Erebor could see how their mighty king could pout like a little dwarf.

"No, my love." She said soothingly. "You are the very best of husbands, not that I would know about any other dwarves…"

Thorin narrowed his eyes at her playfully. She kissed him again and pulled away to begin dressing herself.

"Don't you need your handmaiden for that?" Thorin asked.

"You don't want to tie my laces?" Ila asked.

"Female clothes are complicated contraptions," he said and Ila practically cackled. "If you say so love," she said and Thorin walked to the doorway to tell his servant to fetch Dwala. He practically ran into her however when he opened their bedroom doors.

"Apologies my lord," Dwala said blushing and taking a step back.

"No need, I was going to send for you. Your lady needs dressing." He said and stepped aside so that Dwala could enter. She bowed to her king and moved quickly past him and to Ila's side. Thorin continued dressing himself while Ila watched him. She loved to just watch him do things. His movements were so intentional, and so graceful, even in simple tasks.

Dwala was busy lacing up Ila's gown that was a deep purple today. Thorin was clad in his usual dark blues and pulled on his furs as he did when he wasn't going to practice first thing in the morning.

"Not going to the arena, dear?" Ila asked.

"I'll go later in the day, I have too much on the agenda this morning." He replied.

"But it's a bit early for breakfast…"

"Yes, but I shall meet you there in an hour if you would like to dine with your husband." He said coming over to her.

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him. Dwala looked down at the laces and pretended not to notice. Thorin returned the kiss and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and stroked her face gently before giving her that smile that only she got, that only she saw and that melted her heart every time. He pulled away to leave the room, and Ila watched him go until she could see him no more.

"So, you are up very early." She said to Dwala.

"Oh, well, I suppose." Dwala answered.

Ila peered at her friend over her shoulder. "Do you have plans to rendezvous with a certain tall and imposing dwarf…"

"No! No….and I am very sorry about my behavior as of late."

Ila turned around and Dwala dropped what was left of the laces.

"Why should you be sorry? I am the one that told you that I hoped you would marry one day, and be as happy as I am."

"Yes, I remember. But my duty is to tend to and wait upon you…not to sneak about the palace all day." Dwala said, still put out with herself.

"Oh Dwala," Ila said taking her by the arms. "I want so much for you to be happy, and Dwalin seems to be taken with you after all. He could barely eat last night for staring at you. And you were the same." Ila said smiling.

That made Dwala smile herself finally and she couldn't suppress a giggle.

"I think my cookies helped things along."

"Well of course they did, he's a dwarf. The way to his heart is straight to his belly." Ila said. "Luckily Thorin doesn't expect me to cook for him, since I've rarely even found myself in a kitchen."

"The kitchen isn't where he wants you…"

"Dwala! I can see what is on your mind."

"I wouldn't know anything about that my queen."

"Not yet…"

"Turn around and let me finish," Dwala said, the two playfully bantering with each other. Ila did as she was instructed.

"But really, why are you up so early?" Ila asked again.

"Well, I thought we could go down to the arena and you could watch Thorin practice, but since he is going elsewhere that is out I suppose."

"Are you sure there isn't someone else there that you were hoping we could go see?" Ila joked.

"I suppose he might be there….but that was not why I suggested it." Dwala said, not convincing at all.

"Well, I am up and we have nothing else to do." Ila said, and that is exactly what they did.

Upon entering the arena, Ila saw immediately that Dwalin was there and she looked to Dwala.

"Oh, look who's here," she said smiling widely.

Dwala blushed and followed Ila down to the first row of seats to sit and watch. Fili and Kili were there as well, along with some other dwarves that Ila did not know. A couple guards she recognized were practicing but mostly they were unfamiliar faces. Ila saw that Dwalin noticed them and he turned to face them and bow before returning to sparring with a dwarf she didn't know. Fili and Kili were at the other end of the arena practicing with bows and targets that had been sat up for them. Ila had wanted to learn to shoot a bow and wield a sword since she was young and her brothers started practicing, but her father had not approved of it. Her duty as a princess was to be a perfect lady and one day marry and produce heirs. She had accomplished almost all of that presently, and she still wanted to learn to shoot a bow and swing a sword. She would likely never actually need those skills, but she wanted to try nonetheless. Surely Thorin wouldn't mind her learning, until she had children to devote her life to she didn't think it really mattered what she spent her time doing.

Ila found that she enjoyed watching practice in the arena. She wished Thorin was there, she thoroughly enjoyed watching him do anything and she had never seen him fight. She was sure that he was fierce yet graceful, as he was in all things. Kili, she noticed, was quite graceful himself with his bow. He was better than his brother, who was very good, but the weapon was clearly his specialty.

He must have felt her eyes on him, because he turned then to see her looking at him. He smiled and turned around completely to give her an exaggerated and low bow, then rise to walk towards them. His brother noticed and followed suit.

"Come to see Erebor's finest?" Fili said smiling and obviously joking, though he probably really did mean that Ila thought.

"What my brother really meant was that you must be very bored to have come here," Kili said.

Ila laughed. "No, not at all. I have only been here once when Thorin gave me my first tour. I would like to see him practice but he is apparently very busy this morning." Ila replied.

"Uncle is a sight to see, I must admit." Fili said.

"Yes, with a sword and axe, but I am the best bowman in the family." Kili said proudly.

"Yes, I saw that. I have always wanted to learn myself." She said.

Kili puffed up at her acknowledgement at his performance with a bow, but then it occurred to him that he could be her teacher.

"I could teach you! It would be my honor." Kili said.

Ila was instantly excited. "Oh, well, as long as Thorin approves and I don't see why he shouldn't. I would love to learn from you. As long as it does not interfere with your many princely duties." Ila said.

"Ha!" Fili laughed. "What would those be?" he said and Kili elbowed him. Fili shoved him back and then the two tangled in a good natured, brotherly brawl. Dwalin noticed it and stopped to look on long enough to laugh to himself, then look up to meet eyes with Dwala. The two held each other's gaze longingly, and Dwala forgot that the world existed. That was until she saw Dwalin's face turn to one of alarm.

Dwala turned to follow his gaze to where Ila was sitting just in time to see her hit her head on the seat behind her. She had fainted clean away while Dwala hadn't been paying attention.

"Ila!" Dwala called and Dwalin had begun to rush forward. Fili and Kili broke up to see what was happening, then immediately run towards them as well.

Dwala had placed her hand under Ila's neck but she was limp as a corpse. She had smacked the back of her head rather hard on the seat behind her and Dwala was beginning to panic.

"Here, move." Dwalin said and cradled her in his arms. Kili was right behind him.

"What happened? Is she alright?" he asked, trying to keep his concern under control.

"She just fainted away, it happened so fast, I didn't even notice at first."

"We must get her to her chambers. Fili, call for a healer. Kili, find your uncle" Dwalin commanded to Fili and Kili. They went away as instructed, Kili unwillingly so as he wanted to remain with her. Dwalin picked her up effortlessly and began to carry her towards her room.

"Where is the king this morning?" Dwalin asked.

"I do not know, he did not tell Ila before he left their chambers. We were supposed to meet for breakfast in an hour..."

"Kili had better find him, if he finds out by some other way he will be livid." Dwalin noted.

Dwala hurried behind Dwalin, his long legs making great strides that she had to almost jog to keep up with. He quickly made the not so short journey to the royal chambers and laid Ila in the great bed. He gently felt the back of her head and felt a lump forming already.

"She took quite a knocking to her head." He observed.

"Will she be alright?" Ila asked, growing very afraid now. Ila should have woken up by now, shouldn't she?

"I'm sure she'll be fine. I've taken many and worse knocks to my own head." Dwalin said. Dwala nodded but wasn't reassured and she began to pace about the room.

"You'll walk a hole in the floor." Dwalin said.

"I can't help it. It's my fault, I should have been paying attention." She said.

"Stop that," Dwalin said and rose to walk to her. He took her by the shoulders and made her stop pacing.

"She'll be fine, lass. You looked away from her for a second, who could have known she would have suddenly passed out." He assured her.

Dwala nodded and Dwalin took her hands to hold, trying to calm her. She looked up into his eyes and managed to calm a bit, until the door blew open. An older and rather grey dwarf entered the room that Dwala had only ever seen in the great hall. He noticed Dwalin and nodded.

"Oin," Dwalin said. "She's there, she just fainted away with no explanation." He said gesturing towards the bed.

"Eh?" the dwarf answered but then followed Dwalin's gesture to the bed and understood.

"What happened to her?" he called in a rather loud voice and Dwala realized he was hard of hearing. Dwalin came to the bedside and began to explain what had happened to Oin and Dwala continued her pacing. She wanted to be helpful but could think of nothing to do. She just couldn't imagine what had caused this. She noted that Fili had not come with Oin, hopefully he was trying to find Thorin. Perhaps she should be aiding in the search too.

She hoped so desperately that Ila was ok. She had hit her head so hard. Dwala felt sick, only wanting Ila to wake.

Fili and Kili were searching the palace everywhere for their uncle, but he was no where to be found. He had not come to breakfast yet, he was not in the mines, or on his throne, or in any of the corridors. They began to shout as they went, asking guards if they had seen him but no one seemed to.

Kili was sick to his stomach. She had been sitting there, smiling and talking to him, then suddenly she was on the ground. He and Fili had fought for barely any time, a minute at most, which was all it took for her to faint. He hoped she was fine, already awake and her bruises being healed. He had wanted so badly to remain by her side, but could not let anyone see his true feelings. It had taken every fiber of his being not to scoop her up in his arms and away from Dwalin.

He and Fili met then in the middle of the great lobby then, having gone their separate ways to look for Thorin and been unsuccessful. They sighed and looked around, both dumbfounded. Just then, they heard their uncle's voice call to them from above.

"What are the two of you looking so perplexed about?" his booming baritone came from the balcony above the great entranceway. So, he had technically been "outside," which is why they couldn't locate him. He was looking down at them with a smile that would quickly fade as he saw the looks of genuine concern on his nephews' faces.

"It's Ila," Kili said, and Thorin's face fell.

Back in the royal bedchambers, Ila had finally come to and was wincing in pain at the splitting headache she was suffering from. She didn't mind much, because Oin's diagnosis had her overjoyed.

Dwala was sitting on the bedside while Dwalin and Oin stood by speaking casually. All four of them jumped however when the doors to the bedroom flew open once more and in charged the king of Erebor, distressed and sweeping in like a hurricane in his haste.

Ila looked towards him and called weakly, "Thorin," as she reached for him.

"Ila, my darling love." He said as he knelt by her side, stroking her face and looking her over to ensure she was alright.

"What happened?" he then demanded to those who stood round. His tone insisted on an answer and Dwala spoke up.

"We were in the arena, watching everyone practice, and then suddenly she fainted and hit her head on the seat behind her. Dwalin rushed over and brought her here."

"She simply fainted?" Thorin asked.

"I don't remember what happened….everything just went black." Ila said weakly.

"Yes…I was ….distracted…by something and when I looked back Ila was already down." Dwala said. She hadn't thought anything about what she said, but she realized she must have made some sort of mistake because Thorin's expression melted into one of rage.

"What were you so distracted by that you ignored your queen? That you did not notice she had fainted away with no sign of any cause?" he demanded of her.

Dwala was caught off guard. She had not expected that reaction at all. "Well…I-"

"And where have you been lately? Do you think I have not noticed that my queen is often absent you? Your duty, your only duty, is to wait upon and tend to her. If you cannot do that then you have no place in my kingdom!" Thorin bellowed at her.

Dwala lost her voice. She was frozen in fear and embarrassment.

"Thorin—" Ila protested from where she lay on the bed but he did not hear her.

"What if she had fainted in one of your recent absences? Would she have to wait hours to be found? You have, and have ever since you arrived here, the worst timing of any creature I have ever beheld!" he finished and Dwala was unable to hold back tears anymore. Her face was red and her feelings were crushed. She chest began to quake and she sniffled.

"I—I am so very sorry my lord, I only turned my attention from her for a moment—"

"The very worst moment, which goes to support my previous statement." He said and then turned from her and back to Ila, being done with her.

Dwala took that as her dismissal and quickly walked from the room to wait in the next chamber. She dare not leave altogether as she would be needed to wait on Ila, unless Thorin deemed her unfit entirely to do so. As angry as he was, she wouldn't be surprised if he sent her back to the Iron Hills.

Dwalin had watched Dwala go with a pained face, wanting to take her in his arms and comfort her. But he knew better than to step between her and Thorin's temper. And he was after all king, which though they were great friends Dwalin never forgot.

"Thorin, please. It is not her fault." Ila pleaded.

"Shhh, just rest my love." He soothed her and stroked her hair. Turning to Oin, he asked-

"What is your diagnosis?"

Oin, who had heard little of what had transpired but got the drift, answered-

"Likely such that you should not trouble your wife. She is very fragile now." He said cryptically.

"Obviously she is fragile, old friend. But specifically?" Thorin replied, his patience thin.

"I cannot yet say for sure, but if the morning sickness sets in within the next few weeks, it will be for sure." He answered.

Morning sickness. Dis had suffered morning sickness many years ago….

A light went off in Thorin's mind and he looked to Ila to confirm his suspicions.

She smiled at him and took his hand to lay it over her stomach. Thorin looked to her flat stomach in awe and then back to her. Ila smiled brightly at him and he let out a great breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

"You are with child?" he nearly whispered.

"Hopefully…probably. It should come as no great surprise." Ila answered quietly and Thorin began to laugh, then quickly covering her mouth with his in an ardent kiss.

"Oh my love," Thorin said, "I could not be happier. I am sure you are with child," He said lovingly and gently caressed her face. Ila smiled widely up at him. "I hope so." She whispered back.

Thorin turned back to Oin and Dwalin, having almost forgot they were there.

"You will keep a close eye on her for the foreseeable future, and longer if in fact she is with child," he said to Oin who nodded and took his leave. To Dwalin, he gave a small smile.

"Thank you for bringing the queen to her bed, old friend."

"Well of course." Dwalin said and gave a short bow to the two of them before he left the room as well.

Thorin turned back to Ila with the sweetest and happiest smile. "Do you have any idea how happy you've made me?" he asked.

"It's not for sure yet…..though it would not surprise me. We have done little else than try.." she said giddy with her own happiness.

Thorin chuckled. "No, no we haven't. I will have to be very gentle in that regard from now on," he said and Ila leaned up to kiss him. They shared several soft, loving kisses before they parted and Ila tried to get up from the bed.

"No, no no no. You must stay in bed and recover from your fall." Thorin said gently pushing her back into the bed.

"But darling, breakfast—"

"—will be brought to you. I will eat here with you. You must rest and take everything easier now that you are with child. You mustn't do anything to disturb or upset him," Thorin said rubbing her flat belly gently.

"Him?" Ila asked.

Thorin made a face at her. "I did mean that it was certainly a boy…..but it is most likely a boy…"

Ila just laughed. "I am just teasing you my love. I hope I have a little Durin heir in my belly too." She said and gave Thorin another chaste kiss. Her smile faded then as she was determined to reprimand him for his treatment of Dwala.

"Darling," Ila said with a very serious look now. "You must not be so hard on Dwala," she said and Thorin's face became instantly annoyed. "She does her best and she does a great job—"

"She is constantly absent lately! Her existence is solely based upon her duty to tend upon you, be your constant shadow, to PAY ATTENTION!"

"Thorin—"

"And she must be more attentive than ever with your new condition,"

"Thorin," Ila said, taking his hand to hold in both of hers.

"She is in love, that is all. Does your mind not wander to me when we are apart? Do you not find little ways to see me, even if briefly, throughout your day? She but feels the way that we do,"

"That is no excuse. She has her duty to uphold. And if she cannot I will send her back to your father."

"Thorin! Thorin, please," Ila protested, beginning to rise off the bed again.

"Calm yourself," he said gently making her lay down again. "I said if. I will give her another chance. But she had best make the most of it." he said.

Ila was a little calmed by that. "Alright, but please, please try to be a little nicer to her my dear. You verbally assaulted her just now." Ila pleaded. He gave a small smile and kissed her forehead.

"For you my love, for I can barely deny you anything any way." He said and rose from the bed.

In the next room, Dwala had been sitting and waiting to be called on again, all while trying not to cry. That had been unsuccessful. Hot, hurt, and embarrassed tears were falling down her cheeks. What if Thorin was going to send her back to the Iron Hills? She had spent her entire life with Ila, she could not imagine being parted from her, ever. And Dwalin! Just when they were beginning to actually court, she might be sent away never to see him again. She felt like she could actually feel her heart breaking down the middle.

She barely looked up to see Oin leaving the chambers, but then Dwalin followed him and she sat up a little straighter. He almost didn't see her sitting against the wall by the door he had just come out off, but then he caught her out of the corner of his eye.

He stopped and walked over to her, kneeling in front of her. Dwala could not look at him, but held her tear stained face in shame. Dwalin reached out and tilted her chin up gently with his fingers so he could look in her eyes.

"Don't do that lass," he said quietly. "He's just angry now. He doesn't always have the best control of his emotions. But that is because he has suffered much in his long life, not that that is any excuse." Dwalin said and wiped away a newly falling tear with his thumb.

"But what if he does send me back to Dain?" she sniffled quietly.

"He won't. Ila wouldn't let him anyway." Dwalin assured her.

Dwala wanted to believe him, but she was too afraid to.

"From now on, we'll only meet after your lady is to bed. That way no one can wonder where you are." He whispered as he gently stroked her chin with his fingers.

Dwala tried to produce a smile but did manage to nod her head. Dwalin smiled at her and then rose as he heard Thorin coming into the room.

Thorin looked at the two of them but only addressed Dwalin. "I'll be down in a little while. Make no mention of the queen's condition as of yet, not even to the boys." He instructed and Dwalin nodded and then took his leave, giving Dwala an encouraging wink over his shoulder as he left.

Dwala rose to her feet but kept her head hanging in the presence of her king. Thorin regarded her for a moment, then spoke, making sure his tone was firm but not unkind in case Ila could hear him from the next room.

"Your sole duty in my kingdom is to wait upon my queen, and that duty is more important than ever now. Make sure you take great care in your efforts to fulfil that duty." Thorin said.

Dwala nodded and replied, "Yes, your majesty."

"If you can do that than you and I will have no issue. If you cannot, you may return to Dain and wait on his house there as you did before you came to Erebor."

"Yes, your majesty." Dwala replied again.

"Now, call for breakfast. I will dine here with the queen."

"Yes, your majesty," Dwala said and quickly went to do just that. She sighed inwardly, relieved that she had another chance. She would make sure that Thorin never had reason to complain of her ever again, for her love of Ila and for the hope of Dwalin's love too.

Thorin watched Dwala go and then returned to Ila's bedside. Her eyes were half closed and her hand resting on her stomach. Thorin climbed into bed with her and cradled her head under one arm with this other hand on her belly too. She smiled with her eyes closed and he kissed the tip of her nose. The two said nothing, only laid there in each other's embrace dreaming of what their little dwarfling would look like.

A/N: So, I realize that it would take much longer than a week or so for any signs of pregnancy to produce themselves, but what can I say, I am just bringing on the babies quickly. I don't think morning sickness even sets in until six weeks but I'm probably gonna give dwarves a shorter gestation period than humans anyway.

Thanks to all my new followers and for the continuous positive reviews. I appreciate every one of you! Also, please notice my new avatar—I saw it in the theatre and just couldn't help myself. Only two more weeks!