They had somehow managed to find their way back and snuck the egg into the large chest in her wardrobe, where she had covered it with soft clothes. It was the size of a small bean bag. Shobha knew it would safe there, as no one would look inside. And she had obtained another smaller chest to put her precious backpack and its contents in separately. If the egg did hatch the creature inside would be the size of a small dog. She had placed her mithril vest over the top, and simply hoped that she would have some sort of sign from the little creature inside before it hatched.

She checked on it ever day for the next three weeks, but there it lay, completely still and unchanged. After the third week, she had decided it would only need a weekly check. It would be rather disastrous if it hatched and Thorin had found it!

As the next month rolled in, between her various tasks helping Oin, and her own project of wishing to clear the temple of Aulë and Yavanna, and her fatigue and persistence morning sickness, she had lost track of the egg completely.

Her baby bump had also grown much larger, much to her shock and Thorin's concern! Only knowing that Oin checked up on her daily, was what kept Thorin from succumbing to complete panic.

That morning as she angrily removed the only dress that fit her, which no longer fit around her stomach, there was a soft knock on the door of their bedroom.

"Hang on please." She quickly pulled on her robe over her underslip dress, and opened the door slightly.

"It's just us!" Kili and Fili stood outside smiling excited. Without waiting the younger of the two princes barged in. "Guess what?! Amad is coming today!"

Fili observed her closely and gave her an apologetic look on behalf of his brother.

"So, how do we look?" Kili have her his best smile.

"Very handsome. Your mother will be proud." She attempted to keep replies sounding upbeat, but they were a week early, and apparently, she had nothing but underslips, nightwear and Thorin's tunics left that would fit her.

Kili stood in front of their mirror and admired himself again, before turning to her.

"She will be excited to meet you! We've been sending her lots of ravens along the way."

They were both dressed in the same deep blue that Thorin favoured. Their velvet suits fit them well, and they were adorned with simple mithril piping.

"So what time will they arrive?"

"Probably in a couple of hours, so we have enough time to get Dori to help you find something that fits." Fili spoke gently, gauging her concern.

She nodded gratefully not wanting to cry.

"Oh what does it matter. I will outgrow that in a few weeks too probably! I may as well just wear a moo-moo or a sack. I'll be like a whale by the end of this!"

"There will be lots of things Dori can put together. Kili! Come on!" Fili grabbed his brother's arm and ushered him through the door. "Go straight to Dori and get him to come over here. Tell him it's an emergency. I will wait with you, my lady."

He then quickly returned to her and picked up the dress she had thrown on the floor and set it on the end of the bed.

"Thanks Fili." She rubbed her quite clear baby bump that stuck out through the opening of the robe. "I can't even pull this together."

The Prince opened Thorin's wardrobe and pulled out one of his Uncle's robes and handed it over to her.

"He won't mind." Fili smiled and turned around to allow her a moment to change her robe.

Suddenly the door burst open as Thorin and Dwalin rushed in with their swords and axes raised, making her back away into poor Fili, who just caught her in time.

They were soon followed by Dori and Kili, who was red faced.

"Ye said it was an emergency!" Dwalin grumbled at the youngest prince as they both put their weapons away.

"Yes a dress emergency!" Shobha couldn't help giggle at the whole scene. "I have nothing I can fit into! I'm so fat!"

"Best get yeselves out of here lads," Dwalin gestured to Fili and Kili, who followed him.

Thorin remained behind attempting to reassure her that she was not fat but 'lusciously ripe with his child'. And Dori set about attempting to expand her dress quickly.

…..

Fili and Kili stood at the great Gates as Dis' carriage and convoy of caravans pulled in with many other dwarves from the Blue Mountains. As soon as it pulled to a stop, she had immediately stepped out, rushing to greet her sons.

Dis wore a large fur trimmed travel coat in the deepest blue. Her mahogany hair had been elaborately braided with two longer braids that hung in front of her ears, where her sideburns extending down to the angle of her jaw lay. Her lack of facial hair had been her inheritance from her grandmother, and sadly it had been a trait she had passed on to her younger son. It was unheard of for a Noble dam of royal heritage to lack facial hair, as she did. But as Princess of Erebor and the only daughter for several generations of Royal Durins, she could more than hold her own. Something that other Noble dwarrowdams had come to both respect and fear, regarding the Ereborian Princess.

Her deep blue eyes focussed on her eldest first, as she climbed the shallow steps to reach them. He looked very much the crown prince, and the quest seemed to have done much for his self confidence. He met her mid way in a large hug, lifting his mother off the ground.

"Oh my first born!" She smiled up at him, as he pressed his forehead to hers and then gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Amad, I hope your travels were uneventful."

"Aye, my wonderful boy." Then she immediately turned to her younger son, not wishing for him to feel in anyway left out or less important, as he used to complain when younger. "Ah! My younger son. You look older, and more handsome!"

"Amad!" Kili hugged her in a bone crushing hug! "So what do you think of Erebor?"

"Beautiful… and as grand as I remember. Of course the land around Dale used to be much richer. Not just scorched earth, but I see there are men working on its rebuilding." She looked around. "These large torches are new. But a good idea… there never was enough light at night…"

"Aye Amad! That was Shobha's idea!" Kili grinned. "The Iron Hills Soldiers used to camp outside, and she and Oin had a lot of work in the Infirmary tent for a while, until everything was cleared in the Mountain. So for everyone's safety she asked Uncle, and of course –"

"Come, Amad," Fili interrupted his brother before he revealed too much. He was rather certain that none of them had let her know Shobha was with child. And given his mother had skills as a midwife, she would struggle to believe Shobha was only a few months pregnant. They all were, themselves, astonished by how fast she had grown right before their own eyes! "You must be tired and thirsty, and hungry."

"Where is my brother?" Dis asked Fili imagining his delay could only be due to his new mistress. "What has kept him so busy that he cannot be here to greet his only sister after her long travels?"

"Amad… be nice." Fili warned.

"I am nice!" She turned to her son and winked. All she knew was that the female was a child of man. "I merely am curious as to what she has that none of the beautiful Noble dams of either Ered Luin, or the Iron Hills did not possess. I doubt it will be her full beard!"

Kili walked behind them, listening carefully to his mother speak. The reality of his own situation with Tauriel now breaking in his mind like a chaotic wave crashing on the shore. It quickened his heart and brought a light bead of sweat to his brow. But it mattered not. She was his One, and he could never take any other in her place.

…..

"We need to hurry… I have made us late enough!" Shobha picked her skirts up attempting to rush, only to be held back by both Thorin, Dwalin and Dori.

"No, my lady. You will soon be crowned as my consort. You rush for no one. Not even my sister." Thorin took her hand and began to lead her along the corridor with Dwalin and Dori behind.

"We imagined there would naturally be delays. And Bombur thought he would say you were in the kitchens helping just for today."

"Aye Princess, Dis is a pussycat once you get to know her. Don't let her scare ya. It's all an act." Dwalin smiled. Shobha took a second glance at him, certain that his face displayed an unusual softness brought on by the discussion about Thorin's sister.

They didn't need to walk far as Dis, arm in arm with Fili and followed by he youngest Durin met them midway along the corridors.

"Dear Brother!" Dis began but abruptly halted as she set eyes on Shobha, her mouth fully dropping open. "Mahal! Thorin! Your bride to be…"

"Sister," Thorin was used to her. In general Noble dams were vicious creatures, particularly towards other females. But among them there were only ever three females that he knew who were capable of controlling these vicious beasts, his late mother and grandmother were now gone, leaving only Dis. He gave her a gentle hug and peck on the cheek, all he while never letting go of his wife. "This is my wife, Shobha."

"Wife?" She breathed out shocked. "When? You never told us –"

Shobha smiled at her but other than looking her over she carried on speaking with Thorin.

"And she's with child! Is it even yours Thorin? The lass looks at least six months into her confinement! Oh Mahal!"

"Amad, we can vouch she is no more than a couple of months with child. She was the thinnest woman you would have ever seen." Fili stepped in defensively.

"And an Easterling! Even if she's a Princess… Goodness Thorin! What in Durins name were you thinking?"

"Enough Dis –"

"And you were married!" She clutched her chest dramatically. "You didn't want to wait for me to arrive! And I can see why –"

"ENOUGH!" Thorin's deep voice resounded through the corridor making Dis step back and Shobha jump. "I will not have a market place discussion out in the corridor! This is far beneath you Dis! Into my office!"

"I think I will go for a walk." Shobha attempted to let go of Thorin's hand, but he held tight.

"No, wife. You ARE my family. I will not speak about you behind your back. If my sister has any objections to discuss she can do so in front of you." He knew this was merely due to her feeling left out for not having known every detail about his One prior to her arrival, and her pride not coping with having been unsuccessful at having selected a suitor for him.

They had soon piled into his office, Shobha, and Dwalin taking a seat around a small side table, while Kili stood near the door. Dis and Thorin stood in front of his desk, and Fili came to stand by Shobha's chair.

"What do we say to your people…?"

"Shobha saved me several times - without her my people would have no King. And if you want to know the complete truth, she saved both your sons from death on the battle field also!" Thorin spoke calmly. She could see that he was angry even if he didn't show it. "She deserves more than respect. In fact she deserves complete veneration for that. Or you would be returning to three stone tombs!"

Dis suddenly stood quietly, her mouth agape, as though she had been slapped around the face with a large wet fish and looked over first as Fili followed by Dwalin, then to Kili. All three dwarrows nodded solemnly in agreement of the terrifying truth.

"And she drowned, when she killed Smaug, Amad."

Dis moved towards an armchair by the heart and fell into it heavily, contemplating the thought of losing both her sons. It brought back emotions that she had long suppressed after the loss of her own One following Azanulbizar.

"Why did you not tell me this before." Dis finally looked up weakly at Thorin.

"Because you did not need to be made upset again on the eve of your travel here, sister." Thorin explained. "I fell under the sickness… and if not for Shobha, I would be lost still."

"And she is not an Easterling. The Princess is the adopted daughter of Fundin." Dwalin corrected, a slight blush spreading across his face as she looked at him. Apparently she too was affected by the burly warrior, as her cheeks appeared suddenly flushed also under his scrutiny.

Shobha gazed over at Kili, who stood by the door, now looking at her with sadness filling his chocolate eyes. Of course he was no doubt thinking of Tauriel also.

Suddenly remaining here even for Thorin and their child seemed like a big ask for her, and the comfort of home instantly more appealing.

"And she's only a few months in to her confinement?"

"Alright, now I have had enough! She is in the room and understands your common tongue perfectly thanks. And unless you have medical qualifications or specialise is half-human, half-big-giant-dwarf babies, then keep your bloody thoughts to yourself about how fast I am growing thanks." Shobha stood up angrily, retching suddenly, as Thorin found a small bucket they kept in his study, for when she read in the evenings with him, and rushed it over to her. "Thank you."

She took a few steadying breaths, rubbing her little baby bump.

"I am fully aware of how much larger than a normal baby this is turning out to be. Thank you again." She walked over to the door. "But I will also kindly remind you, that however much delight you take in describing how uncomfortably large I am, or how tough the birth will be, that it is I, and not you or him and anyone else, whose hoo-ha has to split open to deliver this baby in one bloody piece!"

And then leaving, she slammed the door shut behind her for good effect and began walking away fast.

"If you do that with my bride or Kili's Amad, I will send you back to Ered Luin!" Fili stood up feeling sorry for Shobha suddenly, only to be stopped by Thorin on his fast and purposeful path to the door following after her.

"No, I will go. I should never have subject my One to this!" Thorin opened the door, before turning to Dis one last time. "You should be ashamed of yourself, after I alone, supported your marriage to your One, when he was a mere lowly, unranked infantry soldier, of common blood that no one approved of!"

Dis sat there looking at her hands, feeling somewhat embarrassed now. She hadnt expected Thorin to have found his One this late in life and not informed her. But then he always did keep his cards close to his chest. He had remained single all this time. Lady Hesta had been the only one he had ever afforded a glance at, and she knew he and Dwalin had on occasion shared a courtesan, but to see him so changed and happy like this, it almost made her surprisingly jealous. After the early death of her husband, seeing others so happy in love around her had been a constant reminder, although over the years the sharp sting of that pain had slowly eased. Even then, she expected that Thorin would eventually give in and marry a noble dam she selected, particularly now since Erebor was reclaimed. One who had experience with diplomacy and entertaining royal visitors. Not a little slip of an exotic woman like this. And certainly not one who had such a calm demeanour, but was also unafraid to stand up to her, Dis, daughter of Thrain, Princess of Erebor!

"Perhaps ye need to hear what the Princess has been through to help yer brother, and sons, eh?" Dwalin looked over at the two Princes. He remembered that first day they had rejoined the company, and how she had put herself in harms way, completely unarmed, as Azog was about to attack Thorin.

….

Thorin had eventually found her back in their bedchambers, laying on their bed deep in thought. He worried when he found her thinking like that, for he wondered whether these thoughts led her to think of home.

"I am sorry, Amralime." Thorin began, leaning over her and kissing her.

"Thorin, she's right though, isn't she? I mean, I am not a 'noble dwarrowdam' whatever that is? Of course all I have seen so far is a shrill fishwife." She laughed mirthlessly. "Maybe I shouldn't have done all this with you. Just helped and then gone back home…"

"No, my beauty, please don't say that." Thorin pulled her carefully to him, cradling her in his arms. "Before I met you, I was broken. I felt nothing. All I lived for was to reclaim our Kingdom, and place my nephews here. I was ready to die after that. And truthfully I would not have wished to carry on dealing with these people if not for you. Now every morning I enjoy waking up. Because I wake up to you. I look forward to the future because you are in it. You didn't just save me. You brought me back to life."

He kissed her frantically.

"I love you, my beauty."

"I love you Thorin." She ran her fingers through his hair and then noticed he still wore her sparkly hairband on one of his braids. "You have a nice hair bead Dwalin helped me make…"

"I like this one too, as you gave it to me first."

"You know that is my niece's hair band. I just didn't have anything else at the time."

"Oh. I did think it rather feminine."

"I promise I will make you one with my own two hands eventually." She smiled a little. "Until then please wear the one we made… these nobles are not very nice.. I don't want to give them another reason to be critical."

"Do you still wish to leave me?" He searched her face softly. "I will be happy to beg you to stay. But if this troubles you then I will leave with you. Fili can rule, with Balins advice."

"What would we do?"

"We could go back to Ered Luin. It is not so grand there. But it is quiet. I could earn a living as a smith. Although, I am now in possession of a fourteenth of Thrors hoard, and you are owed at least half of that after our marriage."

"Would you be happy?"

"I cannot be happy if I put you through all this…"

She looked at him and smiled thinking for a moment. She didn't want to tell him that she had been thinking of the last discussion the Valar had with her. Where they had warned her of death during childbirth and offered her the chance to return back home for safe delivery.

He watched her thinking, wondering what it was that troubled her so deeply.

"Amralime…?"

There was a knock on the door interrupting their conversation.

"Ugh. I don't want to talk to anyone else. And please feel free to go to lunch and greet your subjects without me. I don't think I want to even see anyone at the moment."

He moved to the door, opening it slightly.

Dis stood outside, looking downcast, feeling rotten. Her outburst about her had been unfair, and was aimed at him. But in truth she had realised it really had been due to her own underlying jealousy at seeing her brother so happy. Her new sister-in-law deserved none of it. And if her parents or grandparents had been present, they would have said worse than either Thorin or Shobha had said to her.

"Have you not insulted us enough? Are you here to drive us out of Erebor now?" Thorin snapped.

"No. Please Thorin – I am sorry. And I am here to apologise to Shobha."

"I will convey your apologies." Thorin spoke sternly. "But hear me now sister. I will not expose her to you again, this day."

Thorin had remained with her the rest of the day. It had been a while since they had taken a day off, and this seemed the perfect time.

…..

Early next morning they had met Bombur, his wife Elin and little daughter Lena for breakfast in the kitchen. Elin who was a pretty and curvy, copper-haired dam. She was also a cook and they planned to work in the kitchens together. She had immediately taken to Shobha and their little girl had been fascinated by her long black hair, as she had never seen another with such dark hair before excepting the King.

"Pwease Shobha, can I braid your hair?" Lena asked quietly standing by her as she sipped on a warm tea. She studied the Kings wife with her big emerald eyes, smiling hopefully.

Elin and Bombur suddenly looked worriedly at their King for a moment.

"Sweetling, you cant just ask to braid the Queens hair..." Elin walked over, but Shobha interrupted.

"Oh no, please, Elin its fine. Of course you can honey." Shobha smiled and turned in her seat to let her hair loose. "My King, will you get lady Lena a chair please?"

And the little youngling had set about creating a rather pretty if not messy braid with her hair.

Thorin watched Shobha with a soft smile ghosting his lips until the little youngling with her mop of strawberry curls had finished proudly and asked the King whether he thought the braid was pretty. Of course Thorin had agreed.

Then he had walked her to the infirmary, as she set about on her usual work with Oin. The old healer had noticed her hair immediately and smiled.

"Well that does it." Shobha said finishing the last of her bandaging on the coach drivers leg. He had cut it on the carriage unloading chests and trunks from the first group of dwarves arriving.

"Thank you my lady. It is not often a dwarf has his wounds tended to by the Kings wife." His, grey eyes cracking with his smile. His chestnut hair was streaked with silver giving his a very distinguished look. "My wife will wish she travelled with us now."

"Oh but I am no noble lady, Master Fel." Shobha smiled.

"You may not be by birth, but your behaviour and kindness is nothing less than that of a Queen.

"Thank you. Now you will need to rest with this leg elevated for at least a week. I expect we have arranged accommodation for you, if not please let me know, and I will see to it personally. And your wife will expect a Raven I imagine." Shobha began to draw the screen back when she heard Oin's voice sternly in the large bay and stopped.

"My Lady, I will not have my healers interrupted while they work with our patients... I will let her know you stopped by. Does our King know you wish to speak?I imagine he would arrange a meeting if you let him know... No, here she is under my charge, and she will not be disturbed."

There was an angry reply from a female voice to that, but it was either too far or too quiet for her to make out what was being said.

"My lady, please dont let any of these noble dwarves upset you." He added as she drew the screen back eventually before she left. "And there are a few good ones."

Shobha walked over to Oin.

"What was that. A home visit request?"

"No, lass. Lady Dis asking to speak with you again." Oin mentioned watching the woman freeze as she heard the name. He imagined exactly what had happened when they had met. She had always been used to having so much attention given to her. But he had no doubts that the Kings sister would love her as much as they all did. At least she owed the woman for saving her sons.

"Oh."

"You're safe in here lass."

"Thank you Master Oin."

...

"Lady Hesta and her family have arrived as well." Balin grimaced conveying the news. "Of course Dis had invited her, unknowingly I imagine."

Thorin groaned seated at his desk.

"Fili needs a bride -"

"Oh dont subject him to that. But perhaps Dis can entertain them for an evening and break it to her gently?"

"She caught yer eye once Baheluh!" Dwalin chuckled.

"She never caught my eye baheluh! She shoved her bosom in my face once, so I talked to her to avoid looking at it. But she was never what I wanted."

"And a plump, juicy pair of titties she had as well!" Dwalin laughed.

"Brother!" Balin twisted his face in disgust as his younger brothers vulgarity.

"Oh dont ya pretend ya wouldnt want to -"

"Dwalin!" Thorin interrupted his friend this time.

"I was going to say cuddle her!"

"Of course, there was that comely widow who was practically throwing herself at ya eh? The one with the big hips. The sort you can throw around eh! I forgot that was more yer cup of tea, from what I remember when we shared that courtesan in the good old days!" Dwalin slapped his knee remembering as he sat smoking his pipe by the armchair in the hearth.

"Dwalin, have you no work? Because..." Thorin grumbled.

"We're having a meeting. Ye called us here!"

Thorin cursed in Khuzdul again.

"It is the unfortunate truth that you cant avoid everyone. It looks weak. Like you're hiding laddie. And your choice of Queen may be no dam, but she deserves to be flaunted. Shobha will simply have to ignore them. But she must be seen by your side also. And I suggest you both set a date for your coronation so there is no doubt in your subjects minds that she is your consort." Balin advised before glancing at his brother. "And the widow, Lady Milla, accompanied your sister here Thorin. I did not know you and she..."

"There was nothing there..." Thorin dismissed quickly as he carried on looking over his scrolls. It was not true. He had been in the height of despair at the time after Azanulbizar, Dis' mourning, their terrible journey to Ered Luin and working hard for a pittance due to discrimination towards their kind. He had been lonely, and she had made him an offer he could not refuse at the time. It was pure sex they did not even spend the night together. They had merely used each others bodies. But he felt ashamed at the memory. He was in no way attracted to her, and now he had tasted Shobha, he possibly couldnt imagine anything else. Her flexible little body sang to the very being of him, and the climaxes they shared, or the way she came undone, could never even be feigned by Milla.

"You will need to have some clothes made for the lass. Some nice ones, fit for a Queen, and then we can set a formal dinner to welcome the first returning back to Erebor." Balin advised. "I will look into which of the tailors arrived. I can arrange for private fittings."

"Thank you Balin. Denin would be my choice if she has come." Thorin accepted finally. "I think we have no choice."

"I wouldnt put it that way laddie... you've married a very likeable lass." Balin smiled. "Oin informed me just today that a certain noble lady was almost begging him to allow her to speak with the Kings wife, as she had made a terrible err the first time she was presented to her and wished to ask for forgiveness."

"Dis?" Thorin looked up from his parchment to find Balin nodding and Dwalin grinning like an idiot. "And?"

"He refused to grant her access. Oin wants her to feel safe when she works in the infirmary."

Thorin nodded feeling relieved at that. He wanted to personally supervise any interactions Shobha would have with any of the nobility from now on. And at the moment that included his own sister. Although he hoped that she would change.

...

That evening he watched while the seamstress named Denin fussed about measuring up Shobha. She had dark blonde hair with large chunks of grey, it almost looked styled in that way. She had been the royal seamstress for a long time, even though she was less popular among the others, and Thorin had picked her as he trusted her.

After taking a fair number of measurements and fussing about she looked over at Shobha from under her half moon glasses.

"My lady, how would you like your dresses styled?"

"Oh... um I'm not sure. Is there anything you would recommend?"

"Maybe one of your formal gowns could have an open back?" Thorin spoke up from his couch thinking back to when she had worn an open backed dress in her land.

"Could I get a bit of wiggle room please for comfort. My boobs are killing me. And please dont worry about the 'my lady' titles here, you've seen me half naked. I think that allows for some familiarity." She smiled.

"That is because your undergarments are far too tight for yer growing body, lass."

"Can you make me some new bras too please Denin?"

"Aye lass... by 'brer' ya are referrin to that strange bodice ya wear?"

Shobha nodded.

"I could make you a half bodice which could be laced to grow with ya and support yer bust. They're only going to get heavier."

"Thank you Denin." Then she moved closer to the seamstress blushing and whispered. "Could you make me some soft knickers too please?"

"Knickers lass?" And then she understood the woman's strange word. "Ah… bloomers! Aye. Although the ones ya have on hardly cover much… I can fashion ye some like that. But that is a strange material ye have. Never seen anything like it. We could fashion some ties either side instead?"

"Thank you so much!" Shobha was so thrilled at the thought of having some comfortable underwear that she practically hugged the dam, who smiled at her.

"Wait until we do the fittings… before ya thank me!"

Shobha yawned.

"Aye lass… you look like ye could do with a rest." Denin observed the Kings consort with concern. "Forgive me for speakin outa turn an all, but perhaps ya ladyship should be takin it a bit easier with ya work… in yer condition an all…"

"Huh!" Thorin scoffed from his chair in the corner.

"The infirmary I can handle. It's dinners with snooty nobility that is proving the toughest work thank you my King." She muttered. "I think facing Azog and Smaug was less stressful… Now for a well earned snooze..."

…

Shobha found herself on a golden stretch of beach. Blinking, she looked around uncertain where she was, but there was only calm ocean and beach as far as the eye could see. The waves gently lapped at the shore. It was idyllic.

She took a few steps towards the water and then couldn't resist dipping a toe. It was perfectly warm, like bath water. She had only ever felt sea water as beautiful and warm as this, when she had visited the Canaries and Mexico! Suddenly she had a yearning to take a swim!

She looked down at her dress, she wore a strange pale blue silky dress, it felt very open at the back, but also comfortable around her little baby bump, even if it did cling to her body. And she didn't appear to be wearing any underwear.

Lifting the hem of her dress she waded into the water up to her ankles, feeling the warm waves lap at her legs.

"Go ahead, there is no one watching, you can take your dress off and go for a swim if you wish." A deep calming voice sounded from behind her, and she turned to almost walk into the large shark-suit clad Valar, Ulmo, who stood looking down at her, intensely with his stormy eyes. "Don't feel shy on my account I have seen all of you, while you were within my realm…"

She took a step back feeling a little uncomfortable at his closeness, but he stepped forward and gently took her hand guiding her back onto the beach.

"Better not fall in again though, little one."

"Lord Ulmo… why am I here?" She looked up at him as they stopped on the shore.

"You were thinking of me recently." He smiled, allowing his eyes to roam her form fully, with a light smile. As she followed the direction of his gaze she noticed the dress was more revealing than expected, and her nipples tented the thin material. Feeling rather self conscious she crossed her arms across her chest. "The dress suits you to perfection. And don't cover yourself, your body is ripe with life as rich as the oceans themselves."

He took a step to the side and sat down on the sand.

"Come now… do not be shy. I am here to answer your questions. It is just us." He leant back as though he were attempting to catch the sun. "Are you sure you don't wish to take a swim? I can join you if you are worried or wish for company."

He let his eyes linger over her body again. So she knelt down beside him and sat herself on the powdery sand, tucking her knees up.

"Why did you mark me?" She looked behind her in an attempt to see the conch shell.

"It is beautiful isn't it? I hope you like it. Some of my best work." He reached out and ran a large cool hand over the exposed skin on her back, lingering on her exposed skin. "Your husband, he enjoys touching it when he makes love to you. I would take you more from behind if I were in his place. He will never admit to liking it though, for he believes it is a sign that I own a part of you. And he is right."

"Huh…?"

"Your heart stopped before you reached the water that day with Smaug. And Mandos did not like how you wielded the power of lightning. As you died his intent was to keep you within his halls. But of course, you fortunately landed in my realm, and there I kept you safe until Manwë who is the highest of the Valar intervened on behalf of Aulë and Yavanna." He took his hand off her skin after letting it linger there far too long. "You see, it is imperative that you give birth. Your young have important fates to fulfil in the history of Arda…"

"Everyone keeps saying that." She hugged her knees to her chest again.

"I promise to answer those questions for you in the future. But for now accept my explanation for marking you so." Ulmo gently consoled her. He was strangely soft for one of the Valar, and very unlike the others. Despite his overfamiliarity with her, she rather liked him. "And so I revived you and your unborn. Of course my water had filled your body, the young princewho saved you almost lost his life retrieving you. He needed a little help pulling you from those depths… And so your life force, having been revived by me, now also in part belongs to me. I have marked you so that should you face death once more, Mandos is aware that he can not claim you without my permission."

"Oh." She was suddenly grateful towards him, even if he had branded her like a pet. "So even my baby needed reviving?"

"You were dead for a while… we had to act fast."

There was something about breaking down what had happened, accepting that she should have died that day, and the calm, beautifully clear, warm waters that relaxed her.

"I am scared of giving birth in Arda. Back home they have epidurals and c sections in case…" she didn't know why she felt comfortable enough to confess this to him.

"Do not fear little one. Help will arrive in some form…" he suddenly reached out and pushed a lock of inky hair behind her ear gently. His voice taking the calming tone that she once heard that day when she killed Smaug. "You won't get another chance anytime soon to swim in such wonderful sea water in Arda, you know… and this dream won't last much longer. So go ahead now, take your dress off and go for a swim. It will ease the pains in your body."

She looked out across the water longingly.

"I won't look…" he muttered reassuringly.

And there was something strange about it all that drew her in and took her inhibitions away. So she stood up and took a few steps closer to the surf, that foamed at her toes, making them sink in the sodden sand. Then she lifted the hem of her dress up gently, stopping at her thighs momentarily to look behind her.

Ulmo looked away momentarily, letting her believe that he was affording her some privacy. But in truth, they both knew he would watch her once her dress came off anyway. Unlike the other Valar, he had no spouse, and in letting his eyes feast on her, did nothing wrong. Also both her life and what grew within her were now irrevocably connected to him. Any other being of power would have used that as ample reason to ravish her. While he would love to bed her, he also knew she would not allow it willingly. So he would allow this little for himself.

Shobha lifted the silky material over her head and let it drop behind her, the warm breeze caressing her bare skin. She didn't dare look behind at Ulmo. Who was she fooling, he was obviously watching, he had hinted as much before. But the idea of a warm swim was too inviting for her tired body to forgo. The skinny dipping was a liberation, she just wish Thorin had been here to join her. And with that she began to wade in...

She suddenly opened her eyes to their dimly lit bedroom, as Thorin held her in his arms while he slept peacefully. Curling herself tighter against his body she drifted off to sleep once more, feeling safe in his arms.

…..

Dear All,

Thank you again for following… the nobles have arrived! Expect drama lol

As for Dis… friend or foe… wait and see xx

I know I have left a few bits of the plot still unaddressed and lots of questions over the pregnancy… and I will come back to it in time i promise :)

Otherwise Please please let me know your thoughts xx