Strider wasn't home when she arrived, so Ithram and Nieven took care of all the gifts, while Amayla went straight to her room. Her fear of not being able to sleep was well founded. Her head started spinning the minute she laid down. She had had a lot to drink which wasn't helping, but the images in her head could not be blamed on alcohol. . . Dwalin dancing with other dams, kissing them, kissing Dis.

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Why does it matter that he had relations with other dams? It is not unheard of. At least its not in Ered Luin from what I've heard from soldiers returning from some of the festivals in the city. Ardru certainly frowned upon it. He always said to wait for my one. Truthfully, waiting was never very hard. Other than Galen, I never really thought about it. Does that make me strange? Is there something wrong with me? . . . Warhammer? Does that mean what I think it does? What do I think it means? One thing for certain is that it means that there was more than one dam. I wonder how many? Apparently, he must be pretty good at it. But what do I know? . . . I know where the parts go, but . . . what else? Seems like there is a lot more to it. . . I need to talk to someone. Certainly not Dis! . . . Sarna. I'll talk to Sarna tomorrow. But will that be weird? I really don't want to hear details about her and Galen! Mahal, please just help me sleep!

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Sleep came to Amayla, but so did the dreams. She was sparring with Dwalin, but he was using a warhammer, instead of axes, a warhammer larger than she had ever seen before. It was hard to believe that he could even wield it. But he kept swinging it at her, and she was falling to her knees trying to withstand the blows. Each time he swung it, a roar of female cheers would go up from the dozens of dams surrounding them in the ring. When she finally had to yield, the throng of dams came flooding into the ring, stepping over her to get to Dwalin.

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The next dream was of her wedding night, but she was dressed in her old leathers, laying on the bed, stiff as a board, still wearing her boots. Dwalin sat next to her and started gently kissing her face, stroking her hair, but she remained frozen solid, feeling nothing. Her mind screamed at her to move, to say something, but she just layed there until Dwalin gave up and left in a huff.

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The third dream was the worst. Once again, she was searching through the dark and dirty halls of Erebor looking for Dwalin. Dwarves kept go telling to go farther and farther down, until she finally burst into the throne room. Thorin was sitting in his full majestic regalia, Fili and Kili on either side, but they were both wearing exquisite dresses that fit them to a tee. Dwalin, however, was missing. When Amalya asked where her husband was, Thorin responded calmly, "He's with Dis."

"With Dis? Where?"

"In her quarters, of course. Where else would they be?" Thorin replied with great annoyance.

"But we're married," Amayla whispered.

"That's not going to stop amad and Dwalin!" Fili snickered.

"Like being married to you could can keep those two apart," Kili added laughing at Amayla.

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Amayla sprang up in her bed, finding herself in a cold sweat, her head pounding. I have got to talk to Sarna!

Strider and the guards were asleep when she got up and went into the kitchen. Had she been in normal dwarven quarters, there would have been plenty of sausages, eggs, and potatoes for her to eat, but as she was in the Elven guest quarters, she had to settle for cheese and bread. The bread and butter helped to settle her stomach while Amayla brewed herself some strong tea. Eventually, the elven guards joined her.

"What time did Strider come in last night?" she asked.

"Never in the night. It was just a few hours ago," Nieven responded.

"And he did not look good!" Ithram added, smirking.

"Well, I'm heading over to visit my friend Sarna. She's the mother of the twins that you met and she is stuck in bed for the duration of her pregnancy. There's no need for you to come. I'll be perfectly safe there."

The two elves exchanged worried looks.

"Lads, you're not coming in with me. I have things to discuss in private. And I doubt her husband will appreciated two elves hanging outside his door. Erebor is my home. I'll be perfectly safe. Adar need never know."

"But the King wants you to be chaperoned."

"I'll be with two ten-year old dwarflings who think kissing is the most horrible thing they have ever seen. Believe me, Adar could not find two better chaperones. Stay and give whatever aid to Strider that he may need."

"As you wish, m'lady."

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Feeling a little better after her tea, Amayla headed off to see Sarna.

The twins wrapped their arms around her legs as she came in, as Amayla winced slightly at their exuberant greeting.

"I'm surprised to see you up and about so early Amayla. How are you feeling?" Solmata asked.

"I've been worse. Was hoping to talk to Sarna."

"I'm making breakfast for everyone now. Why don't you get the lads dressed. They usually don't make too much of a fuss in the morning because they know they won't get to eat until they are dressed and cleaned up. You can take Sarna's food into her after that. Do you want something too?"

"Please. I only had an elvish breakfast this morning. Not satisfying at all."

"Not surprising," Solmata huffed.

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Amayla enjoyed helping the twins. Both demanded her attention and wanted help in lacing their leggings, making their beds, and brushing their hair. For a few precious minutes, Amayla relaxed and relished the simplicity of family life.

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When the lads were presentable, they all walked into the kitchen to the glorious smells of breakfast. Solmata handed Amayla a tray of food and the lads each a cup and plate to take into to Sarna.

"Good morning Amad! Auntie Amayla is here today!" the two said together, putting down the plates, and carefully crawling up next to their mother for morning kisses.

"I see that! She and I are going to have breakfast together and you two will eat with your grandmother and be good!"

"Yes amad!"

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Amayla arranged the plates and pushed the table over to Sarna's bed so that she could eat.

"Where's Galen?" Amayla asked, even though she was secretly happy that he wasn't there.

"I told him that he had to sleep elsewhere after the party. I knew he'd be very late and probably very drunk. I didn't want to deal with him. He's probably with Dwalin someplace, either his quarters or his office. They've been known to sleep there at times. So how was the the party? Did you get good stuff?" Sarna asked as they both started eating.

"Aye. And thank you for the hair things. They were all beautiful."

"Well that's all thanks to mother. I told her what to get and make, but she had to do all the work. You'll have to wait for something from me. I am so tired of being in bed," she sighed.

"The only thing I want from you are two healthy babies in a month, hopefully lasses!"

"Mahal willing. Now tell me why you're here. Make no mistake, I'm thrilled to have you here, but there's something you're not telling me. I know you too well."

"Aye, that's true," Amayla agreed while continuing to eat.

"And . . "

"Well, I heard some things last night, from the ladies from Ered Luin. They said things, about Dwalin."

"I don't really like them. They're very stuck up. They obviously think they are better than anyone from a provincial outpost like Gorvuud. What kind of things did they say?"

"Things that make it clear that Dwalin is experienced with dams."

"I see. And that bothers you?"

"Well it's just . . . I've never and he obviously has. So I'm worried. You and Galen, you guys never, did you?"

"I think you more than anyone already knows the answer to that. Of course not!"

"But you figured out what to do."

Sarna rubbed her expansive abdomen, "Aye, we figured it out."

"But neither of you have anything to compare it to, so how do you know if you're doing it right?"

"Do you want details Amayla?" Sarna asked while giggling.

"No! Please no! But, its just that Dwalin's nickname in Ered Luin was the warhammer. I'm not entirely certain of what that means!"

"It means that you're a lucky dam!"

"Sarna! That's not helping!"

"Amayla, you need to relax. Just talk to Dwalin."

"How can I relax? I don't really know what I'm supposed to do! What if I never figure it out? What if I'm not . . ."

Amayla was interrupted by a large crash followed by an even louder wail coming from the kitchen.

"The lads!" Sarna cried out.

"I'll go!" Amayla yelled as she sprung out of her chair.

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In the kitchen, she found Maylen comforting Gorlen who was crying, looking at blood on his hand. Solmata came in a moment later from the other direction, "I can't leave you two alone for a minute, can I?"

"We were just wrestling when Gorlen fell back and hit his head!" Maylen tried to explain as tears fell from his eyes.

Amayla bent down to examine Gorlen. She looked at his hand and found no wound to cause all the blood that she saw.

"I hit my head. It's bleeding," Gorlen whimpered, turning his big eyes to Amayla.

"Let me see laddie," Amayla said calmly as she moved to check out his head. The large gash was obvious, bleeding profusely. She looked to Solmata, "Give me a towel, please."

"Is it bad?" Gorlen asked, limps trembling.

"Your father has had far worse, but it is going to need stitches, I'm afraid," Amayla told her softly as she pressed the towel against his head.

"So we get to go see Mr. Oin? He's funny!" Maylen brightened up.

Amayla looked to Solmata, "I take it that this isn't their first trip to the healing hall?"

"Hardly," Solmata sighed in response. "Come on lads, let's show your mother. I'm sure she wants to know what's going on."

Sarna took a look at Gorlen before shaking her head and giving him a big kiss. "You must be brave when you visit Mr. Oin. Listen to what he says."

"Yes amad. I'm sorry," Gorlen cried hugging Sarna.

"Me too, amad!" Maylen joined in, not wanting to be left out.

"Amayla, will you please go with mother and then go find Galen. Maylen can stay with me in case I need something, right my lad?"

"Aye amad. I'll take good care of you!" the little lad said proudly.

"Amayla, after you get Galen, you talk to Dwalin!"

"Yes ma'am. You know, you really have gotten bossy!"

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Amayla carried Gorlen to the healing halls where Oin just shook his head when he saw who she was brought in.

"What happened this time?" he asked, while raising his trumped to his ear and bending over so Gorlen could reach him.

Galen grabbed the trumpet and yelled "I cut my head open. Auntie Amayla says I need stitches."

"I'll be the judge of that laddie." After a quick exam, he confirmed Amayla's prognosis.

"Looks like we'll be able to tell the two of you apart for a while, until your hair grows back. Which one are you anyway?" Oin asked.

"I'm Gorlen, and why are you cutting my hair?"

"I need to be able to stich this closed Gorlen. The hair will be in the way. Now lay down on your side and I'll get you stitched up in a jiffy. You know how this works!"

"Should I go get Galen before you start?" Amayla asked.

"No need lassie. He's probably not even awake yet. When I left last night he was . . ." Oin stopped as Amayla frantically made a face reminding the healer that Galen's son was listening.

Oin nodded in understanding, "he was having a grand time and probably just stayed up very late."

With the help of an assistant, Oin trimmed off some of Gorlen's hair and quickly cleaned out the wound. Amayla offered up her hand which Gorlen squeezed tight when Oin started the stitches. He didn't cry but did let out adorable little squeeks every time Oin pierced his skin. When he was done, Solmata agreed to sit with Gorlen while Amayla left to find Galen.

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Meanwhile, Galen and Dwalin both started waking up in Dwalin's office. Galen had passed out on the floor, while Dwalin was sprawled in the corner. The two warriors stretched and yawned, rubbing their eyes as they struggled to wake up.

"How do you feel?" Galen asked.

"Like the inside of a troll hoard," Dwalin answered. "You?"

"Like I drank a couple of barrels of ale by myself." Galen moaned.

"I think that's because you did!"

"Well that would explain my head."

"So off to the cold pools?" Dwalin muttered as he stood up.

"Have I ever told you how much I hate your hangover cure?"

"Aye. Everytime we go. But it works. Get up ya slug!"

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Amayla first checked at Dwalin's quarters, where a very sleepy Balin told her to try Dwalin's office. When she got there, she was directed to the cold pools. She remembered the way from her time in Erebor before the battle. Sometime in Erebor's early history, dwarves had diverted one of the run off streams near the snow-covered summit into the mountain. A series of pools were created to store the water before it was allowed to flow back out and down the mountain again creating a continuous supply of fresh water. Most of the water was pumped throughout Erebor, while the last pool was allowed for bathing by anyone who could stand the near freezing temperature.

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Both warriors let out cries worthy of a battle charge as they jumped into the water. Neither stayed in long as the shock to their system was enough to get their hearts pumping and dispel many of the hangover symptoms.

Galen remarked on Dwalin's stash of supplies after getting a towel thrown at him.

"I've been down here every day since Amayla came back. The cold has helped me keep my composure around her. Just two more nights!"

"Well just you be good to her, or else," Galen threatened.

Dwalin chuckled as he stood towering over his friend, "Or else what?"

Galen laughed back, "Or I'll sic Solmata on you and you'll have to listen to one of her lectures!"

"Mahal forbid that!" Dwalin answered in mock defeat, before sitting down and pulling on his boots. "But seriously my friend, there is something I'd like to ask you. I think I know the answer but you would probably know for sure."

"Know what Dwalin?"

"Has Amayla ever, you know, been with a dwarrow?"

"Don't you think you should be having this discussion with Amayla?"

"Yes, but I need some advice from you, depending on how you answer my question."

"Well, I certainly can't speak to the last five years, but before that, I am quite certain that she had never been with a dwarrow. Sarna or I would have known. Ardru was very strict. He frowned on that in the garrison. Thought it would create problelms. Amayla didn't seem to have a problem with that. So to answer your question, I believe that Amayla is still a virgin."

"That's what I was afraid of."

"You wanted a different answer?"

"No, not really, but that leaves me with more questions. The truth is, I've never been with a virgin. I'm concerned. I don't want to scare her, or worse yet, hurt her."

"I'm not sure what advice I have to give you on that subject. Our wedding night was the first time for both Sarna and me. We just did what came naturally and everything worked out fine." Galen paused, the memories bringing a smile to his face. "Really fine! I'm mean really, really fine!"

"Ok, enough! I don't think I want to hear any more!"

"You asked!"

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Amayla stopped as she saw the two of them sitting next to the pool. Her heart started racing as she took in Dwalin's form, shirtless, water dripping from his head. She was mesmerized as the water ran down his arm as he pulled on his boots, traveling from the tattoo on his bicep, up and down the peaks and valley of his taut muscles, to fall on his thigh, that rock-hard, tree-trunk of a thigh.

She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but couldn't help overhearing him.

"It would just be easier if she weren't a virgin. I wouldn't be worrying so much," Dwalin sighed.

Amayla took two steps back, unable to breathe, as she felt her world come crashing down around her.

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******** NOTES ***************

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So good for Amayla for realizing that she was stressing out and needed to talk to somebody and for agreeing to talk to Dwalin - bad on her for eavesdropping.

Sorry that I didn't write up the bachelor party. I confess that I don't really know what goes on in them, and I don't think I want to know. My husband went to a baseball game for his for which I am always thankful. All I know for certain is that with dwarven parties, there is large amounts of alcohol consumed.

And yes, the warhammer definitely sowed plenty of oats before meeting Amayla. Chapter after next will expound upon that. My head canon on the role of sex in dwarven culture is that premartial sex occurs. There is more to it than that, but I don't want to give too much away. It should be clear over the next couple chapters.

Thanks for the reviews!

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