A.N. Happy New Year! Hopefully you all had a wonderful holiday season! I will be taking it a little easier with the performing for the next few months (at least, that's the plan), so fingers crossed that I can get more writing done.
Jes Freedark: Thank you! 😊
Thank you to everyone who has been reading!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

They only spent a couple of days in Lorien, which was about two days too long for Thorin's liking. He had known Danica had talked with Galadriel, and asked her about it the next morning. She explained as best she could about the visions of the Arkenstone, and the consequences of regaining her memories. It was discouraging to still have nothing in their control, but to be going back home, and with her by his side made up for a bit of it. There was something else she hadn't told him; he could see it in the nervous set of her shoulders, and intensity of her eyes. However, any time he asked about it, she said she wasn't sure how to tell him, and needed time to figure it out.

The night before Gandalf said they would leave, the three of them dined separately with Celeborn and Galadriel. A nervous and expectant energy filled the small dining space. Both the lord and lady were gracious and generous, providing more than enough supplies to last them until they reached the mountain. The feast they had provided was still lacking in meat, but mostly satisfied the hunger. Danica barely touched her food. She seemed just as distracted as she had been the past couple of days. When Gandalf and Galadriel began talking about his trip to Gondor, Thorin expected Danica to join in the conversation, but she didn't. She kept picking at her plate, avoiding gazes from everyone who looked her way. He took her hand, hoping she would see his concern. When she looked at him, she gave a reassuring smile, and mouthed, "later."

"If anything should come of this," Gandalf spoke to them, forcing their attention back to the conversation, "Danica should remain in Erebor. Sauron will still be hunting her, and without the Arkenstone, will see if she joins a fight against him,"

"So, I'm to remain trapped in the mountain, possibly for the rest of my life?" Danica frowned, her voice full of frustration.

"Or until you can find the Arkenstone," Lord Celeborn responded calmly. "You must understand that this is the only way to keep you, and the world safe,"

Danica's lips pressed together the way they did when she knew someone was right, and couldn't argue. And hated it.

"To keep those you love safe," Galadriel emphasized, and something about her words had Danica instantly softening.

"Very well," she replied with a sigh. "But if something does come of all this, it will affect the whole world, whether I am hidden or not,"

Galadriel's face saddened. "You are right. The war will spread, and I fear no one will be untouched by it,"

Thorin knew his wife well enough to know that she wouldn't be happy hiding, but also saw a resignation in her eyes. He wasn't used to her giving up so easily. Gandalf watched the whole exchange, and then sighed.

"I will let you know what information my trip to Gondor brings about, if any,"

Thorin nodded. "Thank you. It should not take us long to reach Erebor,"

"You two must be careful," Galadriel warned. "If you fall into enemy hands, we are all lost,"

Celeborn looked right at Thorin. "Protect each other at all costs. I know what you two mean to each other, but it is so much more than that. Your destinies are intwined, as much with the world as with each other,"

"We understand," Thorin said, trying to hide his frustration.

Tension remained through the rest of dinner, which made it an immense relief to have it over, and head back to their quarters so they could pack before sleeping. Danica went straight to silent packing, both her jaw and brow tight. Thorin tried to gain her attention, but only succeeded when he grabbed her busy hands, and forced her to sit down.

"Dani, what is the matter? I have given you two days to sort out whatever it is, but now I am beginning to worry,"

For a bit, she still wouldn't look at him, keeping her eyes on their intwined hands. Finally, she looked up into his eyes, and he saw fear and uncertainty. Behind that, though, was a spark of happiness.

"I'm pregnant,"

He forgot to breathe. At first, he wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly, but once his brain processed her words, all the air fled from his lungs and left his ears ringing.

"You are certain?" he croaked.

She nodded meekly, eyes searching his. "It was part of the visions I had. I conceived the last time we slept together,"

Which explained why she had yet to show any symptoms. "I had begun to think it impossible,"

"Me too,"

He looked at her again, noting the still-present fear. It was not uncommon for a woman to fear childbirth, but this seemed more complicated.

"What is it you fear?" he asked gently.

"A lot of things," she answered with a shaky laugh. "I fear losing this baby the way I lost my first. I fear what complications may arise without the medical care I grew up with. And…I was afraid of how you would react,"

"Dani," snapping out of the frozen state he'd been in, Thorin pulled her into his arms, and kissed her temple. "How could I not be thrilled?" and the more he thought about it, the wider his smile, and deeper his emotions. His eyes stung, and he had to blink back tears.

"Really?" a smile was beginning to lift her lips.

"Really. I never thought I would have children of my own, and though I am concerned for your well-being, I couldn't be happier,"

Her face fully relaxed as she let out a relieved sigh. She put her hands on his neck, and kissed him deeply. Soon, they were both laughing blissfully as they kissed, and then just lay back, holding each other. Over a century had he walked this earth, and had only found true happiness in her. Yes, she was now a legend to much of the world, but to him, she was so much more. She was everything. He held her tighter, taking in her scent, and the rise and fall of her chest.

"Promise me you won't start treating me like a piece of glass,"

He chuckled at her words, loosening his grip a little so he could look at her.

"You are the strongest, most resilient woman I know, and I respect you as such,"

"But?"

"You are also smart enough to know that I cannot promise such a thing," when she gave a sigh, he continued, "but, I will try,"

She tilted her head back to smile at him. "Thank you,"

After a bit, their eyes began to droop, so they finished packing, and then returned to bed. Thorin fell asleep to thoughts of her growing round with their child, and then of him holding a son with black hair, and blue eyes. In his dreams, the images turned tragic. Blood seeped through her clothes as Danica doubled over in pain, and cried. The babe was lost, and the grief took Danica to the lowest bridge in Erebor. She lifted her arms, and fell into the black. Then, she was laying in a birthing bed, which was also drenched in blood. Nurses and healers busied around, cleaning a crying baby, and trying to stop Danica's bleeding. The baby was healthy and strong, which set Thorin's heart at ease. Danica, however, was growing paler by the second. Her eyes fluttered, and she weakly lifted her arms for the baby. After a sad shake of the head from the healer, the nurses abandoned their work on her, and helped settle the child against her breast. She smiled, cooing at it, which ceased the crying. Mother and child gazed into each other's eyes.

"I love you," she whispered, tears of joy and regret falling down her cheeks. As her eyes began to close, she kissed the baby on the head, and then breathed her last.

The echoes of the baby's renewed cries rang around Thorin as he jolted awake. He instantly looked down at Danica, where she lay beside him, eyes open and groggy.

"Are you alright?" she asked, reaching up to stroke his arm.

"Nightmare," he responded, rubbing a hand over his face. "I'm sorry I woke you,"

"You don't have to apologize,"

Before she could sit up, he lay back down, and pulled her tight against his chest. This seemed to be enough to tell her what the nightmare was about. She kissed his neck, and then nuzzled into him.

"Everything will be alright," she murmured. "In a couple of visions, this was only the first of at least two pregnancies,"

Some of the worry faded, and he allowed himself a smile. "More than one? Well then, I guess we remain busy,"

He felt her lips spread against his neck. "Yes, though I'm not sure if this will be the pregnancy with the twins,"

"Twins?" his voice rose, causing her to laugh. He looked up to the sky. "Durin save us,"

P.S. Shorter chapter, but it just felt right. Comments and reviews would be loverly! Thank you!