There was a reason Denin had been selected as their Royal Seamstress. She was fast and exceedingly skilled. Within a few days she had several dresses and sets of bras ready, which Shobha had tried on as Thorin had sat in his usual large padded armchair smoking his pipe and browsing through some parchments. He had in truth wanted to see which colours and patterns Denin had chosen for his One, so he could pick out some jewellery to match. If he was going to expose her to the nobles at formal dinner, he intended on helping her dress like a Queen for it.

And so a week later she had arrived in their room to find a pile of dresses and underwear neatly wrapped in soft velvet. She opened them to find a bigger selection than she expected, and Denin had outdone herself, by creating dresses that had a large capacity to grow around the middle and busts with gathers to be laced-up, making it look as though the extra material was part of the design. What made her most excited was the pile of new underwear, knickers made of soft silk and bodice type bras. The underwear was strangely one of the few material things she missed from home.

She set about hanging the dresses in her section of their large wardrobe, next to the few poor worn clothes she had it was an enormous contrast!

Thorin had arrived at this point, to find her putting the clothes away carefully.

"Amralime, you are meant to try them on." He smiled softly at his little wife.

"They are beautiful aren't they? But if I try them all on, then I will be too tired to come out for dinner." She walked over to the final items on the bed. "I didn't realise how exhausting pregnancy was…"

"My lady?" Thorin turned from their dresser where he had been slowly setting down several velvet pouches with a few sets of jewellery to match, and noticed her looking at a final wrapped package.

"This one is wrapped separately. Ah! Here's a note…" she pulled a small folded parchment and opened it. Then a moment later gasped. "It's from Dis!"

Thorin stood close behind her reading the note over she shoulder.

Dearest Shobha,

Please can you forgive a cantankerous old dam?

I had Denin make this one for you – my wedding gift to you and a dress fit for a Queen!

I hope you like it, and would consider wearing it to the feast tonight.

With much love,

Dis

They looked at the parcel and she slowly untied it. Inside there was a dress in a similar expandable fashion but it had a plunging deep v neck and the material was adorned with tiny specs of diamond dust that twinkled as the material moved, and made the full skirts look as though they had been scattered with tiny stars. It truly was a masterpiece of dwarven craftsmanship. And neither she not Thorin could deny it was without a doubt a dress designed for a Queen. They stood together, Thorin holding her tight to him, looking at the dress that lay spread on their bed for a while, when there was a knock at the door.

Thorin swiftly made his way over and opened it, surprised to find Denin at the door!

"My King, I was also commissioned to make this for ya. I didn't have time to wrap it, and her ladyship felt it was not necessary to leave a note, but it's a wedding gift to yer majesty from yer sister. She said she hopes ye both wear 'em tonight together." The seamstress handed him the suit on a hanger. "Is Lady Shobha's dress fitting well? If there are any problems I could see to it, m'lord?"

"Thank you Denin, but I think we –"

"Tell Denin that she's a genius! And the underwear is amazing!" Came a shout from within their room.

The King and the tailor smiled at each other, and with that the old dam curtsied and left. Thorin took another look at his suit, and smiled. It had indeed been designed to match Shobha's. His sister was intending on dressing them such that they clearly looked the role of husband and wife as well as King and Queen.

As he made his way in carefully with his new suit, in a matching deep blue, he turned to the vision of his wife wearing the dress Dis had gifted. It gathered just below her breasts where the laces were done and the neckline plunged deep between her cleavage, bearing a deep valley of warm brown skin. The dress accentuated her now fuller breasts which were sufficiently covered but all the same quite exposed. It reminded him slightly of some of the dresses she would wear when she was in her home world.

Closing the space between them quickly and he grabbed her, hungrily kissing her over and over.

"We will be late…"

"I know. Let them wait."

…..

Thorin had led his wife proudly through to the grand dining hall. The corridors of Erebor were now much busier with the new arrivals bustling about, but they had all stopped, dwarrows, dams, young and old, some even with their families of little ones, all dressed in their best colourful clothing. And they had all stood aside, bowing and curtsying, all watching their new King and his bride with wide eyes.

Shobha had felt very self conscious initially. This was not the sort of attention she wanted, but it was dawning on her that it came as part of the deal of being with Thorin. He of course had been groomed all his life for this, standing tall, and looking all majestic, as he glanced upon his subjects.

Everyone had been seated at the many tables already, enjoying little bits of finger food and various drinks as they arrived. But all had immediately stood from their places as they arrived creating a wave of movement as they all bowed or curtsied. And he had led her through to the head table, attending to her, and helping to arrange her dress as he seated her next to him. Dis who was seated a couple of seats away had watched, beaming happily, satisfied with her choice of clothing. Just as Thorin had the gift of selecting the best jewels, she too had been blessed with knowing how best to clothe anyone to suit their complexion, and body.

Shobha leant over from Fili, who was seated next to her and returning a gentle smile mouthed the words 'thank you' to her, to which Dis vigorously nodded mouthing the word 'stunning' back.

The feast itself had been long with too many courses for Shobha's liking, given her appetite was not very good. Thorin and Fili had been careful to keep certain foods away from her, for which she had been very grateful.

And finally after a welcome speech from their King, everyone had begun to move around swapping places after dinner, so they could mingle and talk with others.

Dwarves certainly knew how to enjoy a feast! Many dwarves had also taken a few minutes to greet their King and his bride, without taking up too much of their time. Some Noble families had of course cast less pleasant looks at her, but she had also been surprised to note that there had been a fair number of dwarves that she had treated in the infirmary, who had wanted to expresses their gratitude to her, some even proudly attempting to show her how their wounds had even healed leaving little or no scar! This had made her chuckle, since it appeared to be something that even her patients back home would do.

It also had become apparent that she had treated almost all the younglings for various cuts, scrapes and such like since quite a few families had arrived from Ered Luin. And the little ones in particular seemed to have taken to her, as they too all wanted to greet her. It had also become news in their lessons and the highest order of envy amongst the younglings that Lena, Bombur and Elin's little one, had been allowed to braid her usual hair on several occasions! And each younglings that had greeted her that evening had specifically asked whether Lena had been permitted to attend to her hair again that very evening also. Something which had thoroughly amused Thorin.

"So would you allow our young to attend to your hair in the same manner?" He had turned to her reaching out to touch her silky tresses.

"Of course…" she smiled at him. "But I expect they would need theirs doing too –"

"Brother," their conversation was interrupted by the quiet voice of Dis, who had come to sit in place of Balin next to Thorin. She sat apprehensively, as Thorin and Shobha turned to look at her. He moved his hand quietly under the table to hold hers and squeeze it gently. He had felt hurt most of all, by her words, for he had been the one to pick up the pieces when her husband had lost his life in battle. He had cooked, cleaned, and cared for Fili and Kili for a long time as she grieved. Whatever her thoughts were about Shobha, Dis should have been more supportive for his sake. And so he squeezed Shobha's had again gently to stop her from being too forgiving too quickly. As far as Thorin was concerned, Dis would need to earn their trust once more.

"You both look make a handsome couple." She opened, encouraged by Shobha's offer of a soft smile. "I am sorry for my foolishness when we first met. I see that you have already gained many who love and support you already, Shobha. And my eldest, may Mahal bless him, has accounted, in great detail what you have been through to help my own sons. I hope you will someday find it in your heart to forgive me? And dear brother, I owe you a great debt of gratitude already. And now that has grown further. Perhaps when you require help with your younglings, I may be able to repay some of that?"

Shobha looked over at his stern and handsome profile, which made her insides flutter, gently shifting her free hand to his large arm and rubbing it gently, in an attempt to soften him.

"I thank you for your wedding gifts to us." Thorin tilted his head slightly. "My wife maybe readily forgiving, sister, but I will need more convincing. And perhaps you might indeed help in the future…"

"Maybe to begin with, I could help to take up some of the more strenuous tasks that you would expect of your Queen?"

"Some of the entertaining, particularly the more 'important' families maybe….?" Shobha offered hopefully and he glanced at her sidelong, hoping she would not have been too quick to help his sister.

"Very well, my Queen. But I do not wish for my bride to be involved in anyway. You and you alone, Dis will be left to look after them."

Dis nodded grateful for anything.

"I am sorry about lady Hesta and her family." Dis apologised again.

"I had explained that I have found someone special I would like you to meet. One I intend to marry." Thorin felt his anger rising again. That had been a spectacularly undermining move by Dis.

"And I have learnt my lesson in that. I did not realise how much your lady love meant to you…"

"That is no excuse, for I have never, written or said as such to you or anyone before!"

"And I accept that too. For my meddlesome ways I am sincerely sorry." Then quickly added. "But I have fixed that problem, for Lady Hesta and her family are to travel to the Iron Hills where young Lord Elar searches for a bride, now that his father passed away leaving him his entire estate. It would be a most befitting match, and Hesta's family are thrilled as he is of high birth, being our seventh cousin!"

Thorin groaned.

"So long as I need nothing to do with any of them.."

"Dain has agreed to oversee their courting in place of his late father."

Thorin breathed out in relief.

"Excuse me please, I need to go to the ladies…" Shobha gently eased her chair back only to find Thorin already standing by her side, along with Dis.

"Come, Amralime…" Thorin began to take her hand. "You are not sick are you?"

"No. Just my pesky bladder, and no… I am not taking you with me to pee." Shobha patted his large arm away, gently picking up her full skirts looking around.

"I will take our lady, brother." Dis stepped in.

"I plan to retire after this in any case, so I will follow behind. Do not go far…"

"Well we have to go to the loos…" Shobha grumbled. "I can't pee in a corner nearby like a dog."

Dis chuckled. In truth, race aside, she liked the young woman. She had spirit, and even Dis could see that the dwarrow that left Thorin's Halls a Year previously was no longer the dwarf that stood here. This one was younger, more alive, and even smiled more!

"We won't be far." She reassured him, leading Shobha away.

"My King!" His path was interrupted by a middle aged dwarf, with almost a full head of grey, dressed well, who bowed. "Lord Almar –"

"Son of Hallar." Thorin completed, recalling him well. He was the son of the manager of the jewel mines at the Iron Hills. "I expected you to arrive a few days from now."

"Aye, sire, but I wished to meet you before all the others." He was eager. "Our jewellers would benefit from more raw materials, and I arrive to get the best deal possible in exchange for the rubies we mine."

"Very well. Dain did mention that you struck a new load." Thorin nodded. "I will arrange for a meeting with Balin and Gloin."

Pleased with himself, the dwarf bowed deeply and scurried away, presumably looking for Balin.

"Well hello there my King." A sultry voice called out from behind. Thorin felt dread invade and chill him to the very core. "You make a most handsome King under the Mountain, my Lord."

The dam brushed against him, as she came to stand before him, curtsying deeply to the point that made Thorin look away, as her ample breasts almost spilled out of her very open necked dress.

"Good evening, lady Milla." Thorin looked around, catching the eye of Dwalin, his ever faithful partner both on and off the battlefield.

"You have already made such a difference in restoring Erebor, my Lord, I do not recall it looking as fine as this under your Grandfather. But then I suppose many things come alive under you…" she batted her eyelashes at him, attempting to sound suggestive.

"I think you are mistaken, Lady Milla. We have made little changes to Erebor, excepting a few additions such as the torches and added sconces." He kept his face neutral. "But then, my wife is exceeding talented with regards to noticing and perfecting the minor details. And it is her perfection that makes you believe the place is revived anew."

She stood for a moment a little take aback, but then seemed undeterred, pushing her chest out further. She had worn a dress with a tightened corset in an attempt to accentuate her big hips, something she hoped would remind their King of what he had tasted before, and what she imagined he liked.

"Thorin! Did ya see wee Gimli! He's grown! And the lad has been training a lot with his Axe!" Dwalin slapped Thorin on the back chuckling as he joined him. Then spotted Milla and chuckled some more, seeing what a pickle his friend had found himself in! "Eh… that ye Lady Milla! Mahal! It has been some years since we saw ya!"

…..

Shobha stood at the sink in the small toilets washing her hands and then splashing some water on her flushed face.

"Your ladyship," a dam smirked at her bowing her head. She observed Shobha with her pale blue eyes, narrowed in disgust. "I am Lady Gul, third cousin to Thorin's mother, Lady Arya. Let me introduce you to these other ladies, who are the most important you will find amongst our nobility, but I suppose you wouldn't have such civil society where you come from."

Shobha glanced at the bathroom stall, where Dis was now using the toilet, after accompanying her.

"Oh don't bother, your guard will take a little longer. She only just went in…" Gul snapped following her gaze. "This is Lady Nila, daughter or Lord Nil… this is Lady Hara, daughter of Lord Har, and this is Lady Ola, daughter of Lord Olar." She introduced three more dams all dressed in fine velvet dresses of purple, deep green and a silvery blue. Gul herself was an attractive young dam with dark blonde hair and sharp features. She was a fair bit shorter than Shobha but also wider. Her bright red dress was cut in a similar deep plunging neck to hers, although Gul had a much larger chest. It seemed that most dams were rather amply blessed in the booby department, an observation that made Shobha wonder why on Earth Thorin found her attractive, given that she was previously a B cup at best, even if they were rather pert and shaped well.

"See ladies, she's like a Male!" Gul sniggered. "That hair is too plain like a child, and she has next to no chest! I have seen adolescent dwarflings with more of a bosom!"

Shobha was gobsmacked! Never in a million years would she have dreamt of being so nasty to another woman, let alone one that was pregnant. Truly she didn't know what to say. The other three dams apparently seemed just as nervous of Gul's onslaught, casting uncertain looks at one another. But she carried on, laughing shrilly.

"He will soon take a mistress, once this one gives birth –"

"I doubt anyone could replace a face like that." A voice from behind interrupted her. A taller, slim and exceedingly attractive blonde dam with an elaborately braided full beard suddenly stepped in. She wore a rich bottle green dress embroidered with heavy burnt gold patterns. "My Queen, forgive this insolent creatures. My husband says you are a great warrior, having slain both Smaug and Azog – even if the most ferocious of us females ultimately submit to a Male in bed!"

The dams all suddenly gasped, even Gul looked a little less confident of her superiority.

"Now unless you have come here to use the facilities I would leave." The blond dam pressed, and the three meeker females began to leave, until one noticed Gul still remained staring angrily at Shobha and the blond dam who had stepped in. So two of them quickly, linked their arms with Gul and began to usher her away.

"Thank you." Shobha nodded at the dam, who smiled. "Although Smaug and Azog were nothing compared to facing that one."

"I'm Mara, Gloin's wife." She smiled taking her turn to wash her hands as Dis left her stall. "Ah Dis, dear, you can't leave our Queen even for a moment in places like this… or the vultures start to descend."

"Oh Mahal! Are you alright?" Dis suddenly rushed over to check on Shobha, who held her hand up to assure her. "What happened?"

"Gul decided to approach our Lady, her poor stupid cronies watched horrified." Mara chuckled throatily at her own prowess. "They are suitably scared since I told them how, our Queen took down Smaug and Azog!"

Dis looked nervously at Shobha again.

"Don't worry you couldn't have helped it." Shobha reassured her. "And I finally got to meet Lady Mara –"

"Please just call me Mara." The blond dam smiled warmly again and her hazel eyes twinkled. Shobha had heard Glóin boasting of his wife's beauty and some of the other dwarves has indeed nodded in complete agreement, and now she could see why. She was indeed gorgeous! "I'm not into all that nobility nonsense. And it's truly my honour to meet you, my lady."

"Please likewise call me Shobha."

"Oh Dis! You've struck it lucky! If my brother Gim, found himself a gorgeous, lovely woman like this I would be thrilled!" Mara patted Dis on the shoulder proudly. "And can you just imagine how stunning their babies will look! I mean Thorin is a bit of dish too! Ooh I am so envious of you Dis!"

Shobha chuckled at the thought. She had only ever been worried about safely delivering this baby, and making sure it was ok through the pregnancy despite their lack of any proper antenatal care. She had not stopped to think of the positive side.

"Alright. Come now ladies, we can't occupy the bathrooms forever, and my brother will think his wife has taken ill." Dis began to usher them both out. But in truth she was a bit jealous. This was the relationship she should have had with her.

"Wait! The moment we go out there, everyone will flock to our lady." Mara stopped Dis and took hold of Shobha's hand. "Please promise to come and have tea with me one afternoon..? You are welcome too Dis!"

"It would be my pleasure. I really have missed the company of ladies…"

"Gimli says that Lena has been telling all at lessons that you and Thorin have breakfast with them! And that she gets to braid your beautiful hair!" Mara smiled as Dis slapped her forehead. Mara chuckled again. "All the younglings are terribly jealous. Even Gimli, who has never been interested in that, suddenly asked to braid my hair this morning!"

The three women looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing.

…

Dwalin carefully watched the buxom dam making eyes at their King, quite shamelessly, and wondered how much of this Dis was aware of. Thorin winced deep down, as he had occasionally returned to Milla for sex intermittently even after those few months after Azanulbizar. In fact they had one final dalliance a mere three months prior to his setting off on this Quest. It had truly been a servicing of a bodily needs rather than anything else, and now he wished so much that he had simply attended to himself instead!

"Look Kili! It's Lady Milla!" Dwalin now gleamed the full extent to which Thorin had been shagging this woman, on and off, hoping he would've just paid a whore instead. But Thorin was no romantic, he was not in it for the thrill of the hunt, he had often confessed to Dwalin that he had little time for 'silly games of the heart'. He merely wanted the occasional companionship, and one he could trust slightly more so than a common tart. Milla had not required any seducing apparently. Dwalin knew it would only lead to trouble. Dams like that were always trouble!

The young prince joined their group now, seeming unsure of why exactly Dwalin was introducing him to this rather scantily dressed older dam.

"Ye will not find a finer, kinder, more eligible woman this side of the Misty Mountains that can cook like this one!" Dwalin smiled wiggling his eyebrows at the dark haired young dwarf.

Kili of course had been ducking and dodging a host of young dams all evening. His heart belonged to Tauriel and his biggest worry up until now had been how to tell his mother. But now he worried about the intentions behind this introduction, watching his Uncles uncomfortable face and then that of Dwalin's, who openly had his eyes following the tops of her jiggling breasts.

His stomach rumbled nervously, and a strange squeaking noise interrupted their conversation, followed by a foul odour that was somewhat akin to the dead and decomposing smells that had spread a few days after the great battle.

"Oh!" Milla clutched her heaving bosom.

"I'm – I'm…" Kili began but another squeak escaped his rear. He had been nervous all evening. In truth he had intended on telling his mother immediately so he could formally ask to court her. But this was just all too much. His hands flew over his mouth in horror, and he immediately stepped back. He should have been embarrassed but in truth he was more terrified at the thought of having this dam thrust upon him. "Sorry."

And with that he dashed off.

Dwalin guffawed, as Milla flared her nostrils in repulsion.

"It's a family curse I'm afraid…" Dwalin carried on laughing as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and openly peered down her open cleavage. "We Durin men like to share a lot of different things… bodily functions… ale… lasses…"

That was enough for her on this occasion. She quickly shrugged off the large warrior, scowling at his implications and curtsying, before disappeared into the crowd.

Thorin felt sorry for the young prince, but even he couldn't help himself as the corners of his mouth pulled tight before, now curled into a wicked smirk.

"Don't say I don't help ya baheluh!" Dwalin chuckled. "But if ye find yerself in hot water with that broad… I will be the first to break that handsome face of yers on behalf of the Princess."

"It was a mistake." Thorin patted his friend gratefully on the shoulder.

"Aye. But it's come back to haunt ya. And her tits ain't that nice – if ya ask me." Dwalin then blushed suddenly as he spotted Dis, Shobha and Mara walking over together. Thorin smiled, as he watched the three of them. They very much looked like noble ladies of Erebor! "Now those three have much better racks but then the Princess is me sister so she doesn't count!"

"Ah Thorin! We have a lot of interest developing in trade now. But some of the lords say that the broadbeams who originally lived in Ered Luin want to remain there, since the farms are thriving, and they get to make and repair tools for the farmers and their animals." Glóin joined the two of them from no where.

"Yer lad is doing well with his axe training." Dwalin nodded at the red haired dwarf.

"Aye. He has an excellent pair of hands."

"Mara, wife! You have met our lady!" Gloin greeted her as the three women joined their group.

"Aye, husband. And I must find Denin! Look at what a beautiful dress she has made –"

"And practical too! These hidden pockets are brilliant!" Shobha pointed out before looking at her husband who wore the hint of an amused smile on the very corners of his lips. "Thorin, we should set Denin up with a proper shop here. I mean she's a genius…"

"Aye, my lady. So you think we should be opening the markets of Erebor once again too?" Gloin looked at Thorin in triumph. He had been attempting to convince his cousin for a while. But their King merely had dismissed it as too early.

"What is the objection? Surely if a few big and skilled dwarves open high demand shops then the smaller businesses will also benefit and it will only attract more and more custom. These rich nobles look like they enjoy spending some serious coinage…"

"Thorin here thinks it's too soon…" Gloin smiled proudly at the young woman. His wife was an absolute beauty, but she was also as intelligent as she was attractive, and he liked that in females. For that reason, he was an ardent supporter of Thorin's choice of bride and Queen.

"For what? These poor people have brought their families looking to resettle, why would you turn them away?" Shobha looked at him worried she overstepped, after all she had no idea of how Erebor was run before. "But if they can't set up their trades, they would probably leave right… and anyway won't all this generate more building work and trade for even Laketown?"

"I knew you waited all this time for a reason! Well said lass!" Gloin nodded patting his wife's hand excitedly.

"Dale is not yet built… and it's a slow process." Thorin grumbled some resistance again. "And I have little time to spare on discussion over stalls and inspections…"

"Surely, Fili is more than capable of all that and more!" Shobha offered.

"That is true brother."

"They've got yer cornered there, Baheluh!" Dwalin chuckled.

"Very well." Thorin accepted defeat.

"Perhaps we could call it the 'Queens Markets' then?" Gloin asked.

Thorin looked at her, holding his hand out to her, and nodded.

"It is time for us to retire. I think my lady has influenced matters of state quite enough now."

Shobha laughed as she took his hand and after wishing the group a goodnight they were on their way back to the Kings rooms.

"I hope Dis was nice to you." He looked a little worried.

"Yes. I think she regrets her behaviour… you don't need to be harsh towards her on my account, I have forgiven her –"

"I am harsh towards her on my account, my beauty. She owed me more than such poor behaviour towards you. When no one even wanted to hear of her One, it was I that gave him a chance."

Shobha looked up at him and nodded understanding. She was very used to arguments between herself and her sister, and in all fairness they were just as harsh as well as supportive of each other. It was not her place now to intervene.

"Mara is lovely! And has invited me to have tea with her one day."

"Aye. Those two are big supporters of the Queen." Thorin smiled down at her as he carried on past the two newly placed guards by their rooms.

"Oh sorry – did I meddle too much… I don't understand why you are reluctant with the markets…"

"There were no escape routes from there. Many died in the enormous market hall when Smaug attacked…"

"That's terrible - I'm so sorry…" she paused a minute and looked at him. "But you can't live in the past, Thorin. We will need to build escape routes anyway. There are lots of little ones returning with families. We have to keep them safe…"

She held his hand tighter, which made him stop and grab her.

"Of course, my lovely meddling little Queen…" he kissed her deeply, his tongue plundering her, only to have her chase his taste. The taste of spiced ale and tobacco.

"Sorry too meddling?" She suddenly drew back self consciously. She had perhaps been too quick to offer her opinion on that one.

"Hmmm… very meddling…" in truth he loved that she had a natural grasp of matters and gave sound advice, but it didn't mean he couldn't make the most of this. "I might need to punish you for that… hmmmm?"

...

Thank you again for reading so far please please do leave a comment to let me know your thoughts xx

I've made most of my male characters pervs (sorry male readers) but in a good way ;)

special thank you to

UnaLouise for your lovely review - thank you so much for that i always worry about too much description in case its too fluffy given its surplus to plot so i am glad you enjoy it :) i dont know why but i rather like Ulmo... something about the power of destruction, a bit of a loner so it had to be a tropical beach. thank you again so much for your lovely reviews :)