Different Worlds
Chapter 29 – "Home Sweet Home"
Waking to a new day, I look over to my sleeping husband. The events of the night before still play in my mind as I gaze upon Kili's sleeping face.
When my husband finally opens his eyes he finds me watching him sleep, his face breaking out into a large smile.
Brushing his hand over my face he kisses me softly, pushing me back against my pillow. I run my hand over his arm, his biceps rippling as he rolls over to me.
I feel his lips travel down my jaw and across my neck. He rests his head on my breasts, his hand resting on my belly. "Are we good?"
Running my fingers through his dark hair, I feel closer to him now than I had ever before. "We are wonderful Kili."
Kili reaches down to the hem of my nightgown and pulls it up to my breasts. I wait for him to take me, to make my body his but instead he kisses my naked bump, running his fingers lightly over the bulging skin.
"Do you think it's a boy or a girl?" His smile looks so sweet as he gazes at me with a loving look on his face.
"Not sure really, I hope to give you a son." I touch his face letting my fingers stroke is full lips.
"A son would be so wonderful Ruunya but if the baby is a girl I will love her no less. When our child is old enough I want to have another, I want a house full of children with you. You have never been more beautiful to me than you are full with our child." He pulls my gown back down as he pulls me to him. I lay against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
My stomach begins to rumble and Kili gives me his wait here look. I watch him crawl from the bed, his firm backside awakening a different hunger. He slips on his pants and shirt and hurries out the door.
I brush my hair and get dressed, waiting for my husband's return. I sit by the window enjoying the fresh spring breeze when Fili knocks on my door.
"Morning Ruunya. I saw Fili in the hallway and I told him that Thorin says we can move in today, our new dwelling is complete." He walks over to the window sitting on the ledge.
"Finally, I am so ready to start our lives in our home Fili. As I have told you, our home would not be complete without you there and now that you are betrothed to Arvandora our home will truly be full. Tell me, have you spoken to Thorin yet?" I was worried for him, knowing how Thorin felt about elves.
"I was hoping you and Kili would go with us. I know we can't keep this a secret for long and telling my mother is going to be hard as well. I think another elven daughter will be too much. She won't say it but I think she was hoping one of her sons would marry a dwarf." Kili crosses his feet over, doing the same with his arms.
"Have you never found a dwarven girl to your fancy Fili? It would seem that they have found a fancy in you. Do I have to remind you of Thessa?" I cover my smile with my hand, Fili almost blushing.
Fili's embarrassment is soon forgotten as my husband returns with a tray full of food. My stomach growls and rumbles, I was beyond hungry.
Not giving Fili or Kili another thought I dig into the tray, my fingers shoving the food in as fast as possible. Kili begins to laugh, his hands going to mine. "Slow down love, you're going to choke."
Fili lets out a laugh he had been holding in, handing me a napkin. "Are you sure you're an elf? You eat like a dwarf Ruunya."
I ignore their joking and go back to my breakfast. I was indeed eating like a dwarf and my appetite grew daily. I was only in my eighth month but my belly was already so round. I was not sure I could hold out till a year had past, this child was growing fast.
The brothers talk over breakfast, Fili going about a plan on how to tell Thorin he wished to marry Arvandora. After I had cleaned my plate I join them in our sitting room, giving them an enlightened view that they had not thought of.
"You might want to think about the marriage itself Fili. Have you asked Arvandora what she wishes? I knew I could not wait to marry Kili but I think Arvandora is the more traditional type. Bring her here and we will discuss things before we go to Thorin." Fili hugs me before he leaves, Kili grinning at me.
He takes the napkin from the tray and wipes my corner of my mouth. "When did you last eat, you have it all over your face." He kisses me, wrapping his arm around me.
"I ate at dinner last night but I am always hungry. I think that is the dwarf in our child." I relax back in my husband's arms, his fingers stroking my neck.
"You sleep like the dead too. Before I would barely move in the bed and you would wake but now you sleep through the night." I make a fake snoring sound and we both begin to laugh.
Arvandora comes back with Fili and we get down to the business of their marriage. After much discussion we have our plan. Avandora indeed wished to go the more traditional path. She wanted their betrothment to last one year with a wedding to follow within that week. She also informed Fili they would not be sharing a bed till the night of their wedding. Fili was surprisingly satisfied with those terms, his demeanor with her very gentlemanly.
Kili and Fili go off to find Thorin and I take Arvandora to find Dis. We bring them to the Great Hall, sitting them side by side. The four of us stand before them, Thorin looking very curious. "What is all of this about?" Thorin's voice always sends chills over me when he speaks so deeply.
Fili steps forward, glancing back at us. "I have asked Arvandora to marry me and she has agreed. Now, before you get too upset Uncle I have thought about this and I love her…" Fili instantly stops when Thorin rises from his chair.
"Are there no dwarven maidens in all the land, have I not seen you in the company of them nephew?" Thorin's gaze was like that of a bear staring down its prey.
Fili steps back, Arvandora holding back her tears. She takes my hand and I squeeze it. Dis takes Thorin's hand, pulling him back down to his chair. "Brother, you promised me."
"No sister I promised I would be on my best behavior with Ruunya, but this…" He waves his hand towards Fili causing Fili to hang his head.
I look at Kili and he shakes his head at me. He could tell I was on the verge of yelling, my lips pursed in a hard line. I whisper for Arvandora and Fili to go to the back the room, Kili giving me a wide eyed look. "Don't do this Ruunya, please. "
I kiss my husband as I pat him on the chest. "I have to Kili."
Thorin stands as I approach him, his eyes almost meeting mine. "There is nothing you could say that will change my mind about this Ruunya. Fili and Kili are the last of the line of Durin, can I not ask they have a strong dwarven male follow after them."
Placing my hands under my belly, I give him a sweet smile. "I understand that the line of Durin is important to you and apparently keeping it pure is more important than the happiness of your nephews. I promise you this; if you do not allow Fili to marry Arvandora then you will never have the line of Durin grow. Fili will not marry or carry on the line with anyone but her. Is having a half dwarven child raised in the dwarven ways that will live longer than most dwarves not important to you? Their children as well as Kili's will keep a Durin in secession long after all those that protest it are gone. The line of Durin will be stronger for it."
Dis grins at me as if she had been waiting for his day, the day someone best her brother.
I feel Kili's hand on my shoulder, his eyes gazing at me with a new wonder. "I am lucky to call you mine."
Thorin begins to pace the cool marble floor, his hand constantly stroking his beard. He stops and turns to me, his eyes creasing. "I see your point but a pure dwarf would be a better King than a Halfling."
"I understand you wish the line of Durin to end with Fili and Kili, their sons will never grace the throne. I promise you this Thorin Oakenshield, my son will need no throne to be a king." I turn from him and he takes my hand.
"You are a spirited woman Ruunya of Rivendell; this trait will be most welcomed in my great nephew. I hope this child has your spirit and your fire." He turns to Dis, taking her in the corner with him.
The four of us sit waiting for their return, Arvandora clinging to Fili's arm. After much waiting Dis returns with a smile illuminating her face. "Thorin gives you his blessing Fili but only if you promise that her elven ways do not compromise our dwarven ways. He will not abide any elven traditions in his Hall. He says he is glad I only have two sons, perhaps no more elves will wed into his family."
I look at Arvandora, her eyes looking toward the floor. I know she had hoped for a traditional elven wedding and perhaps I could give her one, between the four of us.
With the matter of Fili's marriage squared away we go about moving our belongings to the River Hall as the brothers call it.
I ride to the valley on Samara, the horse still acting odd. Fili and Kili bring a wagon of our belongings along with their mother, Arvandora riding with me.
The front of our new home was set with large columns, the entrance wide and stately. The curved archways give it a very elegant look but the strong stone lets you know it is a dwarven dwelling.
I smile as I approach, the trees and flowers surrounding my river home gave me a sense of peace. Looking to the left side I see a stone domed arbor overlooking my garden, a round table and stone benches in the center. The arbor had four arched entrances with an elven blessing carved in the stone. Dismounting Samara I walk up to it, the cool stone so smooth to the touch. Reading the blessing I knew Arvandora was responsible. "Thank you Arvandora. This small gesture gives me great joy."
The inside of my home was like that of Thorin's Hall, stone walls with marble floors. Kili made sure I had two large windows in our bedroom that looked out towards the river.
Fili's quarters are on the other side of the dwelling, with his bedroom and a spare. For now Arvandora would stay in the spare room on our side of the River Hall. Directly in the middle of the Hall was the kitchen, great room, dining area and a library. Kili insisted on a small armory and stables for him and Fili, the armory built under our living quarters. The stables sit at the back of the River Hall, just big enough for six horses. As I explore more of my home I see a training room with an archers range just to the right of the stables. My husband had thought of everything, our new home would indeed bring me much happiness.
For a wedding gift, Thorin had sent some of his staff to help us with the cooking and cleaning. I had a feeling Thorin would be here as much as he was in his own Hall.
When the wagon arrives Dis and the brothers help carry things in, Arvandora taking what little things she had to her room. After everything is moved and to its place Fili asks for me to come to my bedroom. On the floor by my large poster bed is a small cradle carved out of oak. Green and blue gems are set into the sides with soft blankets for bedding. I hug Fili, my heart so overjoyed.
That evening we sit down to our first dinner as a family, Dis staying for the night. We enjoy our simple meal, laughter and love being shared all around.
This new home was the first time I felt myself since I entered the Vale of Thrain and I honestly thought I would never have that here.
Exhaustion comes over me after dinner and I retire for the night, Kili joining me soon after. He climbs into our bed, giving me a tender kiss. I curl up to him, my belly lying against him.
I am woken by a crashing sound, Kili springs up from the bed. He dresses quickly, running down the hall towards Fili's room.
Arvandora and I wait in the great room with Dis, worried about what it could be. The sky begins to rumble as a thunderstorm moves in. I begin to pace, worrying for the brother's safety.
I walk back to my bedroom, watching the lightening illuminate the stables. Shock courses through me when I see a large dark beast creep into the stables. My heart jumps from my chest when I think of our horses, my poor Samara.
Putting on my boots I run out to the stables, Arvandora yelling for me to return. I see her run off to her room as I take off with my bow and quiver.
I hear Kili and Fili shouting out by the river, unaware of the best at our door.
Easing into the stables I hear one of the horses neighing loudly. I creep along the wall raising my bow. The large black wolf like creature is standing at Samara's stall, its red eyes glowing. I knew something was not right, this beast was not natural.
Releasing my arrow it hits the wolf between the shoulder blades. The wolf turns towards me, a foul yellow liquid dripping from its fangs.
Loading my arrow I shoot again, the wolf charging at me. My arrow hits the wolf in the left leg but it continues its charge. I climb into a Samara's stall trying to hold the door closed.
"Ruunya!" I hear Kili's voice call out to me, Fili shouting for Arvandora to go back to the house.
The wolf growls, its claws ripping at the stall door. I use my back to brace the door, Samara bucking about. "Kili be careful." I shout out to him.
The wolf howls then the clawing stops. The stall door opens and Kili reaches in taking me by my arm. "Go back to the house now. What is it about elven women that leads them to trouble. Go Ruunya and don't argue with me. We'll talk later." I have never heard Kili use that tone with me before and I knew I was in for a long night.
Fili had the creature cornered at the back of the stables, Kili shooting at it from the front.
I run as fast as I can, the thunderstorm making the ground wet and muddy.
Arvandora runs out to me, grabbing me around the waist. I slip in the mud, bringing Arvandora down with me. She tries to help me up when a hard cramp rips through my belly. The pain is red hot and I scream out. Arvandora's looks at me with much concern, her arms tugging me from the mud.
I try to walk but the pain comes again. "It hurts … so bad. Arvandora the baby … it hurts."
We walk back to our dwelling, me bent over in pain. Dis and Arvandora take me to my bedroom, stripping me naked. Dis screams at Arvandora to do something, a small trickle of blood staining the sheets.
