I just want to say that I'm sorry I was unable to post last week, but I was terribly busy. I am also quite busy this weekend, but I will try my best to post.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Have a wonderful day, my darlings!


"What do you mean, by 'in her condition'?"

Thorin stepped closer, until they were standing shoulder to shoulder, Billa tucked against his side.

"Well, you see, Bofur. That is something you shall find out later, if you haven't guessed by now."

"Will I find out faster if I tell you what the bet was about?"

"No. And, my darling wife is going to find out anyways."

"Aye, that she will. And the boys will be the ones to tell her all too eagerly."

"They have their reasons."

"Yes, that they do. Billa's anger is a most fearsome thing, at times I think I'd rather face Smaug."

Thorin moved his head so that his chin was resting on Billa's hair.

"Thorin, dear. Bofur, you too."

"Yes?"

"I am right here."

"We know."

"I'm just making sure. Now, I'm going to go find that sister of ours and maybe wrangle the boys. Who knows what they've gotten into."

"Billa."

"Yes, husband."

"You are aware that they are full grown dwarves, yes?"

"I know, but I can't help it. I just want to sit them down and feed them until they're full and then sleep until rested."

"Not that long ago, I would have agreed vehemently. But I now hold the knowledge that they shall always be well taken care of, and my heart is greatly eased."

"That's good to know. Now, I'm going, so you're going to let go of me and act your part of host."

"But, Billa darling, I have no desire to let go of you. And I believe you are forgetting that I am king, the only place I am the host of is my mountain."

A sharp elbow was quickly delivered to his gut.

"That was hardly necessary."

"It is when you seem to be forgetting that in the Shire, you are the host of this smial."

"Yes, wife."

And so, Billa finally managed to wrangle her way out of Thorin's hold, and successfully made the short journey from the entrance hall to the kitchen. She was greeted with the sight of her dwarrows moving food and dishes into the dining room.

"Dís, do you know when the others will be arriving?"

"They should be shortly."

"Thank you!"

"You are most welcome, namad."

"Since you seem to have this under control, which does not surprise me in the least, I am off to find your wayward sons."

"I wish you luck, they have seemed to make it their mission to avoid you for they fear your wrath."

"Why?"

"They quickly realized you had seen the coins exchanging hands."

"Ah, yes."

"Are they right to cower?"

"I am not yet sure what I have planned for them. Though, let it be known that much further into the pregnancy, they shall be running from me on a regular basis."

"Why?"

"Because us hobbits get rather temperamental when we're in any sort of feminine state."

"Is that true?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it it."

"Should I wish my brother luck?"

"Aye, as well as yourself. I do intend to be agreeable in regards to wedding plans once we're back in Erebor, but I cannot promise this will be so."

"Oh."

"Yes, now place those rolls on the table."

And so they split apart once more, Dís towards the dining room, and Billa towards the entry hall where the door had been knocked on once more.

She didn't even get the chance to properly approach it before it was opened. In front of her stood two dwarves who managed a quick bow before she got the chance to protest.

"My queen."

"Balin, Dwalin, really now. I think you ought to know better by now."

"Aye, we should. But I hold to traditions, and this is the first night that we are being welcomed into their home by the recently and lawfully wed Queen of Erebor."

"My home it may be, Erebor it is not, and there is no Queen of Bagend."

"Then what might you call yourself?"

"Mistress, if any titles are necessary."

"Such a title is beneath your station."

"So be it."

"Hmph."

"Now, really, do come in. And Dwalin, no knuckledusters at the table."

"Why not?"

"Because as of this moment it's a proper family dinner, and that means no weapons at the table."

A quick shout came from behind her.

"Not even my bow?"

"Kíli, why you insist on carrying it around constantly, I do not know. The strap does not match your waistcoat, and all it does is wrinkle your clothing. So the answer to that question would be a definite no."

"But, Auntie!"

"Kíli."

"Uncle Thorin's rubbing off on you."

"Yes, he is."

She let a small smirk at that, and then turned around to the two dwarves who had still not taken a proper step inside.

"Come in, please."

"If you insist."

"I do."

Their boots were removed under her watchful gaze, and Dwalin very slowly removed his knuckedusters and placed them on the table. Soon, they met her gaze once more, and she opened her arms wide and let a smile spread across her face.

"I know it hasn't been long at all, but it still feels like forever."

"It's been barely a day."

"How I lasted so long, I do not know."

"Neither do we."

Their words were muffled in her shoulder that they had both bent over slightly to be able to properly reach.


*namad - sister