"I do not like this…" Ori muttered after a scream was heard and Balin tapped his shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
"Do not fret, it will be-" Balin was about to reply, when the she elf came into the room in a flash. Kili looked up at the woman with surprise in his eyes.
"It's done…" She said, with no hint of emotion.
"The baby; is it ok? Is it alive?" Fili asked and all looked to the Mirkwood elf for an answer and she opened her mouth to reply.
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"The child is perfectly formed considering it is only 5 months old. The growth spurt of your kin must have benefited the child greatly…." Tauriel began, looking to the nephews of the king whom looked at her with happiness and worry if that were possible.
"But is it alive?" Balin inquired, taking a step forward toward the she elf. The red haired female glanced at the elder male and a soft smile entertained her face, though Balin could tell it as somewhat pained.
"It is. The child is healthy and lively too, as if it were born at the normal length of time." She replied, but still, she did not sound enthusiastic about the birth of a child and this unsettled each and every soul in the room.
"Something is wrong, isn't it?" Master Baggins inquired, stepping out from behind Gloin to make himself known.
"Anya is weak. Her body, it would seem, struggled with the early birth and the size of the half dwarven child." Said Tauriel solemnly.
"She's dying?" Ori gasped in question and the elf shook her head in answer.
"No, she is not dying, but she is not well. She will heal over time." the dwarves muttered among themselves about this, clearly worried about the woman that was to be queen of their eventual reclaimed homeland. It was not until the room fell quite once more with concern, did Dori speak up.
"What… what is it?" Tauriel, understanding his question then displayed a genuine happy smile.
"Anya has given birth to a son." A low sounding cheer broke out and Fili and Kili beamed at one another in happiness for both Anya and their uncle. Finally, Thorin was granted happiness. A sudden wail sounded in the home and all listened at the blessed sound that was a new born baby's cry. Many of the men chuckled with happiness, feeling lighter that something this special had happened on this wearying quest. Tauriel then went on to tell the dwarves, judging by the child's size that it was not early at all. That because it was part dwarven the growth rate was far quicker than that of a human child, hence bringing the birth much sooner than a human birth. As this was stated, Oin whom had come down to join the others to give Anya and Thorin privacy, had recalled several cased in his younger days as a practicing healer of half human half dwarf births being sooner than human births. He kicked himself silently for forgetting such a thing when Anya was in Labour. Much worry could have been removed with such information. After informing them that a name was not yet given, Tauriel apologised to them for having to leave for a meeting with her kind with the mayor of Lake Town and vowed to return before she was required to return to Mirkwood. Casting Kili a loving smile, the red head exited the home and left the company sitting around, not knowing what to do next.
"He looks like my brother…" Thorin whispered as he gazed into the beautiful bright blue eyes staring back at him. Anya smiled; her eyes heavy with tiredness as she listened to her love. She sat up, leaning against the head board, her head resting on his shoulder, glancing down at the perfectly formed baby in his arms. She reached forward and stroked the babies hand with a finger and the small bundle closed his tiny fingers around it. With her thumb, she gently stroked the back of his tiny hand.
"I was not expecting him to be so big for five months…" She spoke, her voice coarse from all the shouting and crying out in pain. She wanted to slap all those women who claimed it to be just a breeze and it 'will be over before you know it'. It was the most painful thing she had experience in her life, and at this moment, did not want to experience again.
"This is the happiest moment of my life…" Thorin spot turning his head to place a kiss upon his loves head. Anya smiled, her eyes still focused on the baby whose eyes were now closed; his chest rising and falling gently. "What shall we call him?" He asked softly.
"Why don't you name him after your brother?" Anya offered, pulling away from the son of Thrain's shoulder to glance up at him. Thorin hummed and stared back at his son. Perhaps he could do that; but his son would then be a constant reminder of his brother and he was not sure if he could cope with that. Thinking about the similarities between his name and his father and grandfather Thorin thought perhaps he should stick to tradition. "Thorin?"
"How about 'Thariis?" He asked softly with a smile as he looked over the tiny form in his hands. It had been many a year since he had held a babe, and knowing this one was his own, the moment was perfect. Anya allowed the name to roll around in her mind and on her tongue for several moments.
"Thariis son of Thorin; It's quite catchy…" Anya said with a smile, looking back up to the dark haired male.
"Is that a yes?" Thorin inquired, his heart fluttering inside his chest; a feeling he had never felt before, and it made him feel… strange.
"Yes" Anya confirmed with a tired grin. Thorin let out a breath he did not know he had been holding, and a sparkle shone in his blue eyes with pure happiness; more than Anya had seen in him for the whole time she had known him. As he blinked, caring not that his emotions was on display for all to see, a gleaming tear trickled down his cheek. Looking back to the small bundle, Thorin picked it up with both hands; one supporting the head and one the body, and placed a kiss on the baby's head. The baby woke from his slumber and opened its mouth. Anya thought he was about to cry and gasped, but instead Thariis placed his tiny mouth over Thorin's nose, his little fingers flexing in the air as he stretched a little. The son of Thrain chuckled as the small wet mouth enclosed over his nose and massive blue eyes looked up at him. "I think he likes you" Anya spoke softly, reaching out to touch the baby's fingers. Thariis let go of the nose and began to wail, his eyes closed tightly. "He must be hungry…" She said and held out her arms for her son. Thorin looked sceptically at the woman he loved for a moment.
"Are you strong enough to feed him?" He inquired seriously. Anya smiled and put out her arms towards the dwarf once more, indicating she wanted her son. Thorin complied and gently handed over the small bundle of new life.
"I have to be. How else can we feed him?" She said with a coarse voice and with a free hand she pulled down her dress at the front, exposing her skin. Positioning the crying baby ready to feed, Anya let out a loud sigh. Little Thariis latched on hungrily and took his time to feed himself. Thorin watched with such love in his eyes as he looked upon a sight he thought he never would in his life time.
"What are we supposed to do down here? Should we go and say hello?" Kili asked the others, fidgeting on his seat as he kept looking over to the door.
"Give them time, Young Kili. It is new for them both; they need to get acquainted with their son" Balin spoke.
"I bet Thorin is pleased to have an heir of his own" Gloin spoke up and Balin, Fili and Kili looked across at the oblivious Dwarf. Nori caught this exchanged of looks and frowned.
"You know something" He stated to the three and the whole of the company looked on at the two royals and the elder dwarf.
"I am to remain the heir" Fili stated and a slight protest broke out between Dori, Dwalin, Bombur and Bofur.
"That's not for you to decide Lad!" Bofur translated for his cousin Bifur who was signing madly.
"I did not decide." Fili snarled at the toy maker, coming to stand to his feet.
"Thorin does not want his child to rule?" Bilbo asked, completely confused at this decision.
"He does not. This decision is not for you all to judge either. It is his wish that Fili remain as heir and as his people, it would do you well to respect that and respect Fili." Balin spoke loudly, supporting the young prince's right to rule. Several of the company muttered their apologies and looked sheepishly down at their laps in shame.
"I need to sleep, Thorin" Anya said weakly as Thorin took Thariis from her arms so she could cover herself up.
"Would you like me to stay with you?" He asked and Anya said no, telling him that she expected the others were eager to see the baby, especially his nephews, and that he should go to them. Making sure that she was comfortable, Thorin cradled his son in his arms and let the room; glancing back quickly to see that she had already fallen asleep. Taking each step down carefully, Thorin could not help but allow a beam to appear across his face. Thariis had remained awake after his feeding, and was, thankfully, quiet, bar from random noises he would make now and then. He had cried his heart out when he entered the world, and so Thorin presumed he was worn out now. Rounding the bottom of the staircase, Thorin slowly approached the door where his men were left.
"I think someone is coming" Thorin could hear Ori speak, and one set of footsteps was heard. Balin suddenly poked his head around the corner and regarded his old friend and King and the small wrapped up bundle in his arms. He grinned at Thorin and admired his stress free features. He had not seen him like this for some time; it truly was a treat to look upon. Walking back into the room, Balin sat down with a smile and all guessed who was on their way, and so their looked to the door in anticipation. Finally reaching his destination, Thorin stepped into the room, and glanced around at the happy faces of his men, and suddenly, Bilbo began to clap. The king dwarf regarded the Halfling as he was stood, clapping and was surprised when his nephews copied, and soon, the whole room was filled with clapping dwarves. It had gone on for a few minutes until a dash of gold caught his eye. Turning his head, Thorin regarded his eldest nephew who now came to stand beside him. Fili placed a hand on his uncle's arm and looked down at the small dwarf.
"He's so tiny…" Fili began and gently touched the baby's hand. "… What's his name?" Thariis' eyes were wide as they looked upon a new face. Thorin grinned at his nephew then glanced over at his men. Arching his arms higher, to show the baby to the company, he spoke.
"Men, I would like you to meet Thariis, son of Thorin" He announced with such pride and Thariis' eyes moved around eagerly over the new faces. "Balin, I do believe this is going to be a quiet one" He chuckled and before the white haired dwarf could reply, Thariis let out an ear shattering wail. The whole company froze to their spots for a split second before they roared with laughter. "Perhaps not" Thorin spoke, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
"He is very much like you" Balin commented, coming closer to the baby. "You were a noisy one" Thorin smiled warmly at his old friend and happily passed his crying son over to him. Balin cradled the small baby.
"We are so happy for you and Anya, Uncle" Kili spoke up, gazing at Thorin.
"Thank you Kili…" answered the son of Thrain and turned his attention to Oin. "Oin, you have done much, and I am thankful for that… but please could you see to Anya; I worry for her" Oin nodded immediately, and after conveying his deepest congratulations to his master, he left the room in haste. The company however huddled together to take a look at the royal baby.
"Awww, look…"
"I think he just smiled at me"
"No Dori that was wind"
"His eyes are so blue"
"Taking after the Durin bloodline I see"
"The elf was right, he is big for 5 months"
"Did he just… ewww!"
"Well, now we know he has a right royal backside too" Balin commented as a waft lifted in the room.
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Thank you all for your reviews. I hope this chapter came to a relief to most of you and that you found it most enjoyable! The story will be getting more action packed and will get a move on soon, not to worry. Please, please, please, review and let me know what you think. All comments much appreciated.
Also, what do you think of the Baby's name? Would love to know!
A/N: Tariis is pronounced. Tar-eese.
Loves x
