Two more weeks passed, and as Thorin promised it was time for Thora's formal presentation to the kingdom. Ila had thankfully and graciously been allowed outside of their chambers well before then. She had so enjoyed getting out, seeing everyone, eating in the great hall again. Just the little things. Thorin even walked out onto the balcony with her so she could get some fresh air and enjoy the view. They didn't stay there long, and Ila didn't miss that he stood protectively behind her, a hand on her lower back and the other over her hand, his eyes surveying the horizon. Ila gave him a tender kiss on his beard and thanked him, to which he smiled sweetly and placed a gentle kiss on her temple, mindful that they were in public.
Today however, they were standing in front of all of Erebor that could fit in the great hall, and those who could not were lined out the door so they could crane to see or at least hear. On the dais at the front, Thorin stood next to Ila, Thora in her arms. He was speaking in Khuzdul as he addressed the crowd, but Ila heard little of it, as her eyes and soul were fixated on her babe. All three of them were outfitted in matching blue, Thorin's signature color, and Ila and Thorin wore their crowns. They looked like the perfect family to be sure. Ila wore her wedding gift from Thorin as well, the set of blue diamond earrings and necklace, which Thora had immediately fascinated by. She had reached for them and ran her little fingers over the necklace during the walk from their chambers to the great hall, and Ila had promised her that they would be hers one day. Now that they were in great hall before so many dwarves, Thora was quietly studying all she could see, not used to so many new faces and sights. Her eyes were fixed on the ornate ceiling overhead at the moment, and Ila was taking the opportunity to adore those blue eyes.
Ila was brought back to attention when the gathering of dwarves roared in approval of whatever Thorin had been saying about kingdom, and destiny, and the line of Durin, and he now turned to take Thora from her arms. Ila handed her over carefully and Thorin walked with her to the edge of the dais, letting the crowd get a better look at their new princess. Much to Ila's surprise, he continued walking, and stepped off the dais and walked into the crowd, which hummed and drew tight around him to see Thora up close. Ila felt her heart flutter and went a bit weak in the knees. She knew her babe was safe but truly couldn't believe Thorin was doing as he was at that moment. Her face must have shown her dismay, for Dis placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
She hadn't heard her approach, and jumped ever so slightly.
Dis spoke softly into Ila's ear, "They are fine, no one would dare try anything, even if they wanted to. Which they don't."
"I—I just can't believe it. He is so protective…so careful at all times." Ila whispered back.
Dis smiled. "He doesn't trust anyone…but he does trust himself. He also knows that if someone wanted to hurt his offspring or our line, they would strike a prince, not a princess." Dis said lowly.
Ila had not considered that, but Dis was right. Thora would never inherit the crown or rule Erebor, so if someone wanted to wipe out the line or strike out against Thorin, a male heir was the more natural target.
Still…she did not like being so far from her baby and so many strangers near her. She was going to beat Thorin when they got back to their rooms…..he certainly didn't tell her his intentions on purpose.
Not that she really believed Thora was in any danger, but she was a careful and fearful new mother, and couldn't help that her natural instincts were screaming at her to run over there and snatch her baby away from its father.
Biting her lip and trying to stand still, she caught Kili's eyes. He immediately realized she was upset, and nudged his brother gently on the arm. Fili looked to him and then to Ila who was trying her best to portray a perfect portrait of royal dignity and grace, but to those who knew her she was obviously worried. The two of them slowly moved through the crowd and towards their uncle, staying close by as they reached him. Ila smiled to herself, they were so sweet. And she hadn't asked them to do anything, but Kili had known instantly on seeing her face why she was upset and what he needed to do. Ila felt a little better, and after much oohing and awing and praise from his subjects, Thorin returned to Ila with Thora safe and sound. Ila barely fought the urge to snatch her dwarfling from him but did hold her extra close and tight. Thora was not upset but not visibly happy either. All of this excitement has made her tired and she would be fussy soon, wanting her lunch and a nap. Ila rocked her back and forth gently in her arms, trying to soothe her as best she could for the time being.
Kili walked up to her, looking down at Thora and placing a hand to cup her little head.
"See mother, all safe and sound." He said with a smile.
Ila gave him a great smile in return. "Thank you," she whispered.
Kili only winked at her, Thorin having turned to see them.
"Well, I think she has had enough excitement for one day. Best back to bed and for a feeding." He announced and gently stroked her face.
"Yes, and enough for her mother too." Ila replied with just the right balance of sugar and vinegar. He cocked his head at her a little and she narrowed her eyes at him a tad, letting him know she was displeased.
"Ila, you know I would never place her in danger."
"No, but you made sure not to tell me you intended to go traipsing off into the crowd with her. I hope she doesn't catch a cold or something…" Ila looked to her Thora and trailed off.
"And you complain about me," he said, not really put out with her. "Come, we have to return to our chambers as I have things to tend to,"
"I'll escort her uncle," Kili quickly offered.
"Well, alright. But have your brother go too and have him return at once. We have several meetings to get through before supper." He said and briefly kissed both of his loves before disappearing into the crowd. Kili and Fili fell in on either side of Ila and escorted her back as Kili had promised. They took turns leaning over her to make faces and noises at Thora, who happily giggled at the familiar faces.
"You have to get more practice with her Fili, your brother is a natural." Ila remarked.
"Oh, yes. Though he doesn't have to worry about her getting ahold of these," he said indicating the braids of his mustache.
Ila laughed. "Yes, she is eyeing them now. I can't wait till Thorin's is long enough to braid, she will try to swing from it I'm sure."
That image made all of them laugh, and soon Ila was back in their rooms and Fili departed as Thorin had instructed. Kili saw her safely inside and asked if he could do anything for her, as he didn't see Dwala about.
"Oh, I told her I could spare her today. She was there, with Dwalin of course. Didn't you see?"
"I did, his arm close around her too. I think he is rather excited about being a father actually."
"I think so too. That's one of the reasons I try to spare her as much as I can, she needs to rest for what is coming, for what her body will have to endure. And for her baby of course."
"She is showing already a little I think, good she announced it when she did or else everyone would soon have known anyway."
"I think she wanted to enjoy it secretly as long as she could. Dwarves treat you differently when you are with child. Like something fragile and not capable of making your own decisions anymore." Ila said without any ire, just as a matter of fact. She had laid Thora on the bed to change her into a little sleeping gown and out of the heavy blue and ornate gown she had worn for the ceremony.
"Well, you are fragile when you are carrying a Durin. We are very important you know." Kili replied with a sideways grin.
Ila laughed. "Yes, I'd noticed." She said, stepping away from Thora all changed and comfortable on the bed to go to her vanity and remove her heavy jewelry. In no time Thora began to fuss and kick, clearly about to cry.
"Hold on my little one, I am about to feed you." She called sweetly from her mirror.
Kili went over to shush her and try to comfort the little thing, but there was only one thing that was going to do that, and he didn't have any milk.
"She's even precious when she cries, it's amazing really." He observed.
"You think that, but then she doesn't wake you with it every night. But one day you will know what that's like."
Kili smiled sadly to himself. He wished he knew now.
Ila came back over and scooped Thora up. Kili only then realized he should leave.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I suppose I need to go. My apologies." He said a little embarrassed.
"You don't have to," Ila said. "We can turn our backs if you like, I do enjoy the company." She said and he smiled, going to stand in front of the door, facing it as she went to sit near her vanity with her back to his back.
Kili stood there, hands clasped behind his back and rocking on his feet. Ila opened her bodice and pulled her chemise down as quickly as she could, Thora crying freely now.
Kili knew the moment Ila had begun to feed because Thora's cries abruptly stopped. Now all he heard was Ila's gentle voice soothing her baby while she fed. He wondered how long that took? He felt like he shouldn't be there, like he was interrupting something terribly intimate, but she had insisted he stay.
"So wonderful to be a baby, isn't it?" She said over her shoulder. "No worries at all in the world. And you cry and instantly get whatever you want." Ila said, chuckling.
Kili laughed too, feeling a little more at ease. "Yes, or just to be young again. When I had no cares or worries as you say. Only blissfully ignorant, even in the times Fili and I were raised in."
"Did you like the Blue Mountains? I have always wanted to see them…Thorin says he may take me someday when Thora is much bigger."
"Oh yes, the Blue Mountains were the only home I knew. I was born there, you know."
"That's right…forgive me." Ila said hoping she hadn't stirred up bad memories.
"Oh, do not apologize—" Kili said turning automatically over his shoulder to speak to her. He stopped himself, but saw nothing as her back was turned, however as he started to turn fully towards the door once more he noticed her reflection in the mirror.
Her ample breast, larger these days now that she was a nursing mother, was exposed for Thora. Kili stared for a moment, being in some sort of trance, then thanked Mahal that her nipple wasn't visible. He tore himself away, also thankful that Ila had been looking at her babe and not in the mirror back at him. The rest of her had been mercifully covered, lest he faint at the sight of how very perfect she was, though he did yearn to see and know that for himself.
He struggled to remember what they had been talking about….she had apologized for something…
"So do you miss it? Since you spent almost your whole life there?"
Oh yes, the Blue Mountains.
"I do sometimes actually. Despite having grown up on tales of Erebor…and wanting my whole life to see it and help uncle reclaim it….but now I do find that I miss it from time to time. It was much more open, and it was so close to the sea…it is beautiful there truly. You must insist that uncle take you some time."
"When Thora is older of course. But changing the subject, there is something I have meant to ask you about….that you promised me once Thora was born?"
Kili had to think for just a moment, before he remembered what she spoke of. How could he forget?
"Ah, yes. You wish to study archery if I recall?"
Ila giggled. "Not study…but have you finally show me. Properly. I always wanted to try. I loved to watch my brothers….and once or twice tried to sneak and try my hand at it too but I was always found out. Father kept a close eye on me."
"I'm sure he did. As Thorin will keep on Thora."
"I still cannot believe he just walked out into the crowd with her like that. It was so unlike him…he is going to be in trouble tonight." Ila said, her voice more firm now.
"Well, I think he was just overcome by how proud he was, he wanted to show her off. Who can blame him?"
"Still. If I had done that he would have thrown a fit right there in public."
"He is far too protective of you. But he trusts himself to defend that which he loves, which is why you're right, he wouldn't have let you do that. Not because he doesn't trust you-but because he doesn't trust others. Which, I can understand." Kili said, as he barely trusted himself alone with Ila, though for very different reasons.
"Well, I'm still going to give him a good tongue lashing when he returns."
Kili laughed heartily. "That I would like to see. A wisp of a dame like you giving uncle hell. Though I've seen mother do it a time or two. You two are the only ones in all the world that could get away with such a thing."
"I let him get away with quite a lot…especially all his treating me like an invalid and wee dwarfling myself. He could have a real nag for a wife, he just doesn't know how good he has it." Ila said, not really meaning the last part. She loved him desperately, and love meant putting up with all sorts of things that didn't really make you that mad, just on account of how much you loved the dwarf.
No….no he doesn't, Kili thought to himself, and fought the urge to look over his shoulder once more.
When Thorin finally did return, which was after supper that Ila had eaten in her room only because she didn't want to leave Thora or take her with her after an already eventful day, Ila was ready for him. While she was a tad upset with him, she had also spoken with Oin that afternoon as he came for her and Thora's weekly check-up, and proclaimed that it was safe to return to her wifely duties as long as she felt up to it. This would be great news for Thorin, who was beyond sexually frustrated. He was as always concerned for her health however, and was forcing himself to wait patiently until Oin gave the word before he resumed his favorite activity.
Ila was as such currently naked. She was turning around in front of her mirror, surveying her post pregnancy body. From what she could tell, she had returned to form, granted her breasts were larger than before. All of the breastfeeding had helped her shed her weight though, and she had been very intentional about every morsel of food that went into her mouth. As such, she was currently very pleased with her reflection.
As for being naked when Thorin opened the door to their chambers, that was no accident. After she'd finished her supper she'd disrobed and stayed that way until her husband returned. It was all part of her little plan to get back at him for frightening her that morning.
Soon she heard the antechamber door open, the tale-tell sound of the heavy iron tipped boots coming towards the bedroom. Ila looked towards the door, positioning herself just so, standing to the side so that he got a perfect view of her body in profile, except for her face which was turned towards the door, her chin resting on her shoulder and her dark waves cascading down her back.
Thora lay nearby in her crib, experimentally chewing on her fingers and tiring herself out.
The door opened and Thorin appeared, looking around the room for his wife. His eyes fell on her in no time, and widened at her appearance.
Ila gasped and pretended to be caught off guard.
"Oh darling, I'm so glad it's just you. I was just changing for the night—you know I'm not used to doing it by myself." She pretended to bashfully grab a robe and pull it on quickly, turning her back to him. As she pulled it closed and pulled her hair out from inside and tousled it around her, she turned back to her husband.
"I dismissed Dwala early again tonight…she's going to need her rest you know." Ila continued talking innocently.
Thorin had a strange look on his face…something between pain and confusion. When he said nothing, Ila inquired:
"What's the matter dear?"
"I—I just wasn't expecting to see you that way. You look magnificent my love. Just as you did before you carried our babe." He was a little bit breathless and came closer to her, not even seeming to notice Thora cooing up at him from her crib, despite standing next to it.
"Oh, well thank you darling. I am glad to know that." Ila said and sat at her vanity to begin combing her tresses.
Thorin stood still, just looking at her. After a moment she looked at him once more.
"Thorin? Are you sure something isn't the matter?" again dripping with innocence.
"The matter? Oh nothing, except I have been denied you for months now. It's enough to run the most sane dwarf mad with lust and longing." He said through gritted teeth.
Ila smiled at him. "I miss you too my love, you know that I do."
With that she went back to focusing on her hair, and Thorin after clenching his fists and staring at her a moment longer, turned and noticed his baby was starting to fuss at him from being ignored. He reached into her crib and hoisted her out and went to sit on the bed with her, obligingly bringing her up so close to his face that her little hands could sink into his beard that she loved so much. In truth he loved it too when she did that.
The sight of his baby eased some of the frustration that was coursing through his veins like lava, but only a little. He looked back to Ila, wanting to tear that flimsy robe from her body. She looked magnificent….surely enough time had passed. Surely it would be alright if there were to couple after all this time….
"I wonder if Oin is not asleep yet." Thorin spoke out of nowhere.
"Hmm?" Ila mumbled.
"Oin. I wonder that he has not retired for the evening."
"I am sure he has my love he is ancient and it is getting late. Why?"
"I….well I just would think that enough time has passed that it would be fine for us to lie together again…surely enough time has passed. I wonder that he had not mentioned it before." Thorin said, clearly annoyed.
"Oh he stopped by today dear, for our check-up. He says that it should be fine now." Ila said in as casual a tone as if she had decided on wearing a dark red over a light red dress for tomorrow.
Thorin's mouth gaped at her from where he sat and Ila nearly bit her tongue in half from watching him in her mirror. Only when Thora tried to stick her hand in his mouth did he close it.
"Excuse me?!" he demanded from the bed.
Ila turned around and stared at him evenly. "Oh, I'm sorry dear. I must have forgot. Much like you forgot to tell me this morning that you intended to walk out into a sea of dwarves with my baby in the middle of it."
Thorin closed his mouth and clenched his teeth, his mouth set in a hard line. As usual, Thora was not deterred by her father's less than happy demeanor and hilariously began to slap at his face with her little hands. He completely ignored this however. His blue eyes were blazing at Ila as he began.
"That is not fair. Nor is it the same. And she is also my baby, lest you forget how you came by her."
"And you knew it would upset me, her mother, when you did that, hence why you purposely didn't tell me. You who won't let me walk out onto a balcony by myself Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin, who still looked on the verge of being furious, got up and took Thora back to her crib. He swiftly kissed her forehead and covered her with her little blanket before walking over to her mother.
Ila regarded him suspiciously, wondering if she had crossed a line and didn't yet know it. He was so unreadable sometimes, though he was very obviously displeased.
She was a little afraid now, hopefully she had not made him too angry, she was just trying to make a point….
Ila yelped then as Thorin grabbed her around the waist and picked her up to sling over his shoulder like she weighed no more than a feather. She dropped her comb and swatted at his back, but she was too disoriented to put up much of a fight. She found herself being tossed onto the bed and quickly rolled onto her back.
"Thorin!" she protested but it was no use. He had deftly grabbed her wrists and held them over her head in one large hand.
"How dare you deny your king," he ground out through clenched teeth as he pulled at his trousers with his free hand.
Ila would have thought him furious indeed and been afraid had his voice not been without ire now. It only dripped with lust and a bit of amusement, as he was entertaining himself a bit.
"How dare you…" he mumbled again as his mouth connected with her neck, kissing and sucking. Ila moaned and pushed her hips into him. This was met with him pinning her down completely and grinding his hips into hers. Ila moaned even louder and Thorin pulled her robe apart now exposing her beneath him. He took in the larger than usual breasts and kissed them gently, for fear of what sucking too hard might do. He then dipped his fingers into her folds which were gratifyingly already wet for him. He chuckled to himself.
"Missed me, my queen?" he asked huskily.
Ila could only breathe a ragged sigh in answer, and Thorin fumbled with his trousers till they were around his ankles. Finally kicking them off, he was left in his great boots and tunic, which was as much as he had any interest in taking the time to get off. Lifting himself up and with one fell swoop he seated himself deep within his wife, and all either of them could do was moan in mutual gratification.
Thorin let go of Ila's wrists and rubbed his hands over and over her body, grabbing her left leg to bring up to lay flat against her body with her foot next to her head. Thankfully she was flexible for something like that, and it allowed Thorin to penetrate deep into her core. Ila was writhing beneath him, having lost the ability to speak as soon as he plunged into her, and was panting and crying out from where she lay on her back. Her nails claws at his back under his tunic, leaving red trails everywhere, but he didn't even notice. They weren't making love, they were mating, harshly and primal, after having been denied each other so long.
Neither of them was going to last long, they knew that, and even though Thorin was mad with lust at the moment he knew he needed to make her come first. He could feel Ila building towards it and reached between her legs to massage her clit and Ila immediately began to scream so powerfully that he feared he was hurting her for a moment. The subsequent tightening of her channel around him proved otherwise, and Ila cried out her pleasure before collapsing beneath him so completely he wondered that her bones hadn't liquefied. He then promptly exploded inside her, right on time, and collapsed just as she did, after half grunting-half yelling at the ceiling.
He could have fallen asleep like that, his head face down in the bed and in his wife's hair, but suddenly screams of another sort pierced the tranquil afterglow of their wild coupling.
Thora had not been amused by the sounds coming from the bed evidently, as she now was screaming herself and rather unhappily.
Ila magically came back to life at this sound and began to push and shove on Thorin from below him.
"Thorin, get off me—" she pushed and pried at him, "—the baby!"
Thorin used what strength he had left to roll off of her, onto his back and right back onto his face again, legs hanging off the side of the bed, boots still on, and his tunic pushed up to his shoulders exposing his bare bottom.
Ila ran to the crib and lifted her frightened little one into her arms.
"Oh, there there my love, mommy and daddy are fine. Shhhh…..mommy is sorry for scaring you," Ila whispered and rocked Thora back and forth in her arms, walking to and fro about the room with her.
Thorin lay motionless, still face down on the bed and his hair strewn all about him, not seeming to hear Thora's cries. Ila felt horrible that they had startled their baby, the poor thing would have had no idea what was occurring. Ila guilted herself and cuddled her daughter close, finally feeling her calm in her embrace. Thora cried less and breathed more normally, the sound and feel of her mother's heartbeat lulling her into a more peaceful state. Ila wiped her tears and kissed her forehead, humming to her now that she was calming down. Not wanting to put her back in her crib and risk upsetting her again, Ila went to the bed and carefully climbed in under the covers, laying Thora on her chest to lie between her breasts. Thorin was still laying perpendicular on the bed, legs hanging off and butt exposed. Ila giggled at the sight, he looked so ridiculous and not very majestic. If only Erebor could see their king presently.
"Are you going to sleep like that Thorin?" Ila asked quietly, Thora already dozing on her chest.
A grunt rather than an actual answer was mumbled from under that mass of hair, but after a moment Thorin slowly raised himself, looking as though he really had been asleep. Appearing as though it took great effort to come to a sitting position, he removed his boots and pulled his tunic off, throwing it onto the floor without a glance and crawling up to lay next to her. He pulled the covers over them and lay on his side facing them. He stayed conscious long enough to give Ila a kiss on the lips and Thora a kiss on the top of her head, then laid an arm over Ila's waist and fell soundly asleep. Ila smiled warmly at him and then at her sleeping dwarfling. Turning her head to lay lightly on Thorin's, she was soon fast asleep too.
A/N: Don't worry guys, Ila is gonna get fed up one of these days...but then everything is coming to a head soon. Everyone has their breaking point, particularly Ila and Kili. The question of course is what will Thorin do about it?...
