A child of Fire and Gold
The slight tapping on Thorin's door broke his concentration and he removed his reading glasses to beckon the person in.
"Are ya' decent?" A familiar voice called from the other side and Thorin could only smirk.
"As I'll ever be. Come in, Dru."
His niece opened the door and waddled in with a big smile on her face.
"I have come up, triumphant!" She shut the door with one hand whilst she held up a book with the other, "I've found that bloody accounting notebook you wanted. Some stupid sod put it in with restoration diaries."
"What would I do without you?" He took the book as she offered it to him and signalled for her to sit, "do you want to share my contraband cakes?"
"Huh!" Dru gasped in mock horror and gave him a 'look' that made him snort, "does Rana know you're hiding cakes from her? Again?"
"She's the one who sends them up," he pushed the plate of tarts forward so Dru could have a look at what was left, "if it wasn't for you three, I'd probably forget to eat."
"You do keep yourself busy. You and Fili have that in common," she bit into one side, accidentally spraying crumbs as she continued to chatter, "once you get into your work you slip into somewhere else completely-ah!"
Thorin, who had idly been flipping through the pages of the notebook, looked up at her little cry and watched her grimace and sit up straighter in her seat.
"Bad back again?"
"You're bloody telling me!" She stretched herself awkwardly and munched away at her tart, "I've had damned cramps on and off all sodding day. I have a feeling they'll just get worse the closer I get to having this babe. Hang on, I can't sit here."
Shovelling the last bit of tart into her mouth, she stood up in front of him and began to wander his room.
"Walking usually helps, I'll be fine," she waved a hand around the room, gesturing at various piles of books, "want me to help you sort out this chaos whilst I'm up?"
"Even if I say no and tell you to relax, you're going to do it anyway," he placed his glasses back on and began to read from the same place he'd been before, "just leave the heavier tomes or you'll hurt your back even more."
A peaceful chatter passed between them, though Dru spent most of the time 'complaining' about the state of his organised chaos.
It was during what he thought was a brief pause in their conversation, that he heard her sharp, pained gasp.
He looked up to see her clutching at the table in front of her, her back to him but her head low.
"Dru?" He immediately knew something wasn't right and stood up, "what's wrong?"
He approached her and listened as she took deep breaths.
Something wasn't right.
He placed his hand on her shoulder and came to stand beside her.
"Dru?"
He got a good look at her face and could only see a surprise that hadn't been there before.
Slowly, she turned to him and placed both her hands against his chest.
"Whatever you do," she said quietly as she took deep breaths, "I want you to stay calm."
Despite her words, Thorin did feel his panic begin to rise.
"Why, what's wrong?" He hoped she wasn't about to be sick again, something she had only done once in his study and she'd been very upset about it.
"Uncle Thorin," she smiled a little nervously and looked into his eyes, "I don't want to alarm you, but I think it's time."
"Time for what?"
Dru let out a slightly exasperated laugh.
"It's TIME."
It took three seconds for him to register what she meant and glanced down at her large belly.
"Mahal...I thought you weren't due for another week?!"
"Well," she gave another, slightly shakier laugh, "looks like our timing was off. I urm...I think I might need to find Bodil."
Thorin quickly shook himself out of his shocked stupor and wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close so she had to lean on him.
"Come along, slowly now," he felt his own joy rise, but it was overpowered by the nerves that coursed through his body, "let's get you to your chambers."
Dru couldn't help but note how surprisingly calm he seemed about the whole situation.
She also liked how authoritative he was once he was outside and began to order the guards to different places, some running quickly to alert the midwives and Dis, others marching in front and behind to 'protect the next heir of Erebor'.
"Wait!" Dru tried to stop as she took deep breaths, pulling Thorin with her, "wait, we-we need to find Fili."
"It's alright, I'll find Fili, first you-"
Dru suddenly bent herself over, her free hand gripping her stomach as she cried out.
"Ow!" She waited until the pain that shot through her suddenly left before taking more deep breaths, "oh, balls! Oh, that hurts!"
Thorin knew this was only the beginning of her pains, but wanted to at least get her to her rooms before she collapsed onto the floor in the hallway.
"Steady," he held her and went slower as her body got to working again, "steady, come on."
"I want Fili," she whined as they walked along, "please, Thorin!"
"It's alright, someone will find him-"
"Dru!" A voice shouted in front of them, stopping them in their tracks.
Both looked at the three figures in front of them, hastily approaching with guards in tow.
Dis had obviously been told the news and gotten Bodil herself (or had been with Bodil at them time) and come marching straight to find her daughter. The unlikely third party was her dear friend, Eilonwy, but then her mother had been getting along with 'that nice Rivendell lass' so it was just...very striking to see the three of them, striding towards her.
"Give her here," her mother stood in front of Thorin and before he even let go of her, Dis gently took her daughter into her arms and pulled her away, "come along, sweetheart. We're going to get you to your rooms and comfortable."
Instead of walking her herself, she quickly passed her daughter to Bodil and Eilonwy, Dru gasping out as another wave of pain swept through her.
"You," she quickly turned back to Thorin and poked him in the chest, "go and find my sons. Particularly the one she's going to be screaming at for a good few hours."
"Of course," just before she could turn away, he had to grab her by her shoulders and smiled widely down at her, "anything for a grandmother."
Dis flushed furiously at the name and prodded him again, though he DID see a sneaky little smile she tried to hide.
"Oh, away with you, you big gooseberry!"
When she turned from him and marched back down to join her daughter and two 'friends', Thorin couldn't help but let out a laugh.
This was happening.
And he had to go and find his nephew and let him know.
A short while later...
Finding Fili hadn't really been a challenge. The weekly meeting with the lords and council members wasn't over yet and nobody stopped the King as he practically marched through the vast hallway and into the meeting room.
All eyes turned to him and whether or not Fili was just standing up and stretching his legs or he had taken that moment to say he was leaving, Thorin was glad he was already for what he was about to tell him.
With a simple, polite nod to the council members, he simply beamed at Fili and took him by the shoulders once he was close enough.
"You need to go, my lad. It's time."
Fili furrowed his brow at his Uncle, but unlike Thorin earlier, he caught on a lot quicker.
"Dru?!" His heart seized quickly in his chest and he let out a nervous laugh, "where is she?!"
"You rooms with your mother. Best go now and we'll catch up," by we, he meant he and Kili, but he was already talking to air.
Fili had literally run off at full speed, as though his very life depended on it.
"Is it just me or does it look like wargs are chasing after him?" Kili came to stand by his Uncle and smirked at the retreating form of his brother.
"Just wait until you have your own, you'll be taking the stairs three at a time," his Uncle wrapped his arm around his shoulders and began to walk out with him, "come along...you're going to be an Uncle."
"Uncle Kili," Kili laughed joyously and gave his Uncle a hearty pat between his shoulders, "come along, GREAT-Uncle."
Both Kili and Thorin left the meeting with only a backwards wave at the council members.
They knew that nothing would take precedence over the birth of a royal child.
Thorin and Kili went at a more sedate pace, though when they arrived outside Fili and Dru's chambers, they were surprised to find the elder Prince pacing back and forth.
"I thought you'd be in there?" Thorin arched his brow but Fili just shook his head and pointed to the door.
"Mother and Bodil say it'll be another few hours at least before they call me in," almost on cue, a loud cry of pain from inside the rooms came out and Fili huffed aggrievedly, "I should be in there!"
Thorin laid a comforting hand on Fili' shoulder.
"She's in good hands and you'll be there in the last hour," he gently pulled him to the side where the pillars were and made him lean back, "so you need to wait with the rest of us for a little bit. But we're here and we're not leaving."
True to their word, Thorin and Kili stayed with him for the next two hours. Guards had brought chairs for them to sit down but between nervous chatter and reaffirming everything was ok they each took it in turns to pace, sit or lean.
Fili spent most of the time on his feet and at one point, even bent over with his hands on his knees as he took deep, nervous breaths.
Dru's cries and screams didn't help him.
"FILI!" She cried for the fiftieth time and Fili looked at the door. Surely it was time now? He could go in? She was asking for him, his own mother couldn't deny him that!
But then, Bodil would and whilst he'd never admit it, that female did unnerve him...
Just when he felt ready to pull his own beard and braids out, the door FINALLY opened a little and his mother stepped out.
"Come on, it's time," she smiled almost serenely at him and she sounded as though she were merely cooking a meal, not helping deliver her grandchild into the world.
With one last look at Thorin and Kili, he squared his shoulders and strode confidently forward.
"FILI!"
And then he stopped short of entering the room at the guttural and pained way his wife screamed his name.
"Mahal," he gulped nervously and it took his mother nudging his arm to get him moving again.
When he walked passed her and into his room, the sounds flooded around him before he took in her image.
He heard her heavy, deep breathing and strained cries.
And then he saw her.
She was seated on the edge of their bed, one hand clinging onto the bedsheets beneath her and the other onto their headboard.
Her hair had been tied up (probably by her mother) but Fili could still see how hot and sweaty she was, her face flushed red from exertion.
A short tendril of her hair was stuck down to her forehead as she gritted her teeth and shut her eyes tight.
"FILI!" She didn't even open her eyes to see if he had arrived yet, but threw her head back and screamed as another shot of pain shot through her.
"I'm here-" he stepped forward but then realised he had no idea where to go until Dis grabbed his arm and steered him towards her.
"Get on the bed behind her, you'll need to hold her up whilst Bodil checks and waits," she said calmly and Fili did as he was told.
He was careful as he climbed on behind her, his eyes on the midwife between Dru's spread legs.
Her hands were checking out...whatever it was she was checking, Fili not wanting to think on it too much, but she seemed just as calm as his mother.
As he knelt behind his wife, his hands automatically came out and gently took hold of her waist.
But Dru, realising he was there, immediately grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer.
"Oh, Gods!" She trembled against him as she threw her head back so it was resting on his shoulder, "oh, it bloody hurts!"
"It's alright, Love," his arms came around her to help hold her up so she didn't have to worry about it, "I've got you."
There was a building moan in her throat and before she could answer him, she let out another scream and clung desperately to him.
"FUCKING MAHAL!"
"That's right girl," Bodil said from between her legs and smirked, "let it all out."
Fili wished Bodil hadn't said that.
For the next part of an hour, his wife's screams and cries rose to an almost inhumane crescendo and his sensitive hearing was taking a battering since his head was next to her mouth most of the time.
Dis and Eilonwy would come over and take it in turns to wipe Dru's face with a wet, cool cloth and also whisper words of encouragement, intended to soothe her.
Dru, unfortunately, with her body in agony and her mind only concentrating on that, would either scowl, scream or curse at them in her rage.
Fili was trying to keep her ire away from him, but even he couldn't escape.
"It's alright, do you-"
"If you say it's alright one more time, I'm going to rip off your fucking arms and shove them in your ears!" She growled before gripping his arm so hard that it hurt, pain washing over her again as she repeated her screaming.
Fili paled and looked at Winnie and Dis for support, but they just shrugged their shoulders.
"It's normal. Trust me, she was saying worse to me when I wouldn't let you in the room earlier," Dis leant down next to Bodil and whispered, "ready yet?"
"I think we're as ready as we can be," Bodil finally turned to look up at Dru and Fili and spoke in a stern tone, "right madam. You're ready. Time to start pushing."
Dru let out a whimper and as she threw her head back again, her lips quivered as she whined at Fili.
"I'm not! Fili, I can't do this!" She let out a frightened cry, trying desperately to keep herself breathing as she was instructed to.
"You can. I'm right here," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he pressed a kiss to her hot cheek, "I won't leave you. Just think about our babe. Our babe will be here and in your arms soon."
Dru began to sob as the pain seemed to reach its peak, but Bodil's hand suddenly came down to gently slap her thigh, getting both her and Fili's attentions.
"You're going to take deep breaths and then, when I say so, you're going to start pushing," her tone brokered no argument and both her hands disappeared between Dru's legs, under her nightdress, "just hold onto your husband and do as your told."
A long-time passed. Minutes? Another hour? Fili wasn't sure. It felt like an eternity of listening to Dru's cries, curses, heavy breathing and screams.
Every so often, they'd stop and Dru would push when Winnie told her to.
And then, came the last one.
"Right, I want one more BIG push," Bodil instructed and Fili noted the small smile on her face, "and then you'll be done. Ready? Deep breath in...out...three, two-"
"ONE!" Dru screamed out as she pushed and strained one last time, her grip on Fili almost bruising.
His focus was solely on her and he felt his own body tense up as she strained, until finally, exhausted and having pushed with all her might, she collapsed against him.
He was aware of his mother coming over with a large sheet and Bodil giving instructions, but he wasn't really listening.
Dru was breathing unevenly against him and her body had gone limp.
"Dru," he felt his heart race as he held her and pressed the side of his head against hers, "Dru, you did so well! Dru-"
"I'm," she let out a small sigh that became a little laugh, "I'm not doing that again anytime soon. Oh God, that hurt more than the Warg."
She turned her head and opened her eyes and as she gazed at him, he lost himself as he had done many times before.
For a few, quiet moments, the only two in the room was herself and him.
Even whilst Bodil 'tidied' her up and pulled out and away the last of the mess, disposing of it in a bucket, neither really cared or noticed.
"I'm so proud of you," he planted a gentle kiss at the corner of her mouth and spoke in Khuzdul she knew so well, "I love you."
"Good," she smirked and shifted slightly against him, "but I'm bloody exhausted-"
A small, unfamiliar cry broke through their shared moment.
Both had wide eyes and remembered the newest occupant of the room.
They both turned and watched their mother approach again, her arms full with a thick blanket and something tiny they could not see.
"You two," Dis had two fat tears rolling down her cheeks as her voice shook, "you two, just wait until you see her."
"Her?" Dru whispered quietly.
"Move back on the bed, get comfy," Bodil quickly instructed them both and helping Dru, they had her seated so she was up against the headboard, her back propped up against a pillow.
All her exhaustion was pushed back as her mother hovered over them both and since Dru had earlier wished it, she watched as her mother passed the bundle over to Fili.
His face alone was worth most of the pain as he stared down at the noisy bundle in amazement.
"Dru," Dis moved around and began to help with the buttons on the front of her daughter's nightdress, "undo your gown. She needs to be on your breast so she can find the food."
With shaking hands, she managed to undo the little six that lay at the top of her dress.
And then, slowly, Fili lowered the bundle down.
"Our daughter," he choked and Dru noticed his own tears fall.
As soon as she laid eyes on the tiny, crying baby, all red and wiggly and the babe was laid against her skin...Dru burst into tears and said nothing for a long minute.
Fili's hand smoothed over the crown of the child and he wept upon her and his wife.
"Muhudel," he smiled and let out a small, quiet laugh, "she's bloody perfect."
"Hello," she eventually gulped out as she gazed down at her daughter, "my little girl. I've been wanting to meet you for so long. So-so long."
The dulled cacophony of sounds in Dru and Fili's chambers would, in years to come, stay with them forever and ever.
Their child's first little gurgles and cries.
Fili, Dru, Dis and even Eilonwy crying and sniffing at the sight of such purity.
"I'll go and tell Thorin," Dis sniffed and looked at her children happily, "then they will let others know. And soon...all of Erebor will know, a daughter has been born. A princess unlike any other."
Later that night...
Dru and Fili were both still staring at the small child they had carefully laid out on the bed before them.
Fili had pinched three pillows and propped Dru's arms up with the babe in them, so she didn't strain herself as she fed.
It had only been an hour after she was born, but they'd both been a little mesmerized as they watched the babe practically latch onto Dru's nipple and begin feeding eagerly.
Dis herself had come back and 'commanded' that no one else was to enter or exit the rooms without their permission.
And Dru and Fili were perfectly content with that arrangement.
For the rest of the day and evening, the only company they had was Dis and Eilonwy, who would come to relieve them momentarily encase they needed to bathe, use the toilet or eat.
But neither ventured out of their chambers.
Even Fili, who had promised himself that he'd do 'some work' earlier that day, would not be moved for all the gold in the mountain.
And Dru? Dru was crying a lot and Fili couldn't help but tease her slightly.
"You're going to flood this place if you carry on," he wiped her cheeks and nose and then his daughter's head where a few tears had fallen.
"I'm so happy," she had managed to move one arm and grabbed him around the back of his neck, "I'm just so happy."
She pulled him down into a crushing, loving kiss and Fili poured all his love into it, his happiness and pride swelling at how well his beloved had-
"Stop that!" She playfully scolded and sniffed back her tears, "I can HEAR you thinking! And stop thinking about it. I'm still sore and liable to be so for the next six weeks. At least."
Fili had only snorted and pressed his forehead to her bare shoulder.
"I'll survive," his eyes fell down on his daughter again and he moved his hand around her.
Since Dru's hand was already there, he just rested his over hers and Dru let out an amazed sigh.
"Wow...she's so tiny," Dru began to cry again, but she didn't wipe away her joyous tears, "she looks so small in both our hands."
"She'll grow up in no time. She'll crawl and then walk and soon," he envisioned the future for her as though he were looking in a fortune-telling glass, "she'll be running around Erebor, causing trouble. Just like her mother."
Dru sniffled happily and leant her forehead against his.
"Aye'. And learning how to fight with two swords like her father."
"And baking with her granny."
"And reading with her Uncle," she bit her lip and looked appealingly at him, "tomorrow...tomorrow, she'll meet everyone, but just for tonight...she's all ours."
"She'll be ours for all tomorrows. Forever."
Dru and Fili only got a small amount of sleep here and there. Sometimes one would sleep whilst the other kept watch, but a few times, they would both be awake and look at the small child they had placed between them.
And tomorrow, whilst they knew it would be busy, they were still looking forward to introducing her to all their family and friends.
The next day...
Surprisingly, the most nervous member of the company was Balin.
His usual calm demeanour had fled and where Fili had paced back and forth yesterday, Balin walked in the same steps.
Dwalin was worried he would walk a hole into the floor when the doors opened and slowly, everybody turned.
Fili, looking exhausted but happy, walked out first with a big smirk.
"Well, lads," he took a step out and to the side, "there's someone here who would like to say hello to you."
Every single dwarf that had followed Thorin Oakenshield through his long journey stood and watched in awe as Dru stepped forward with a freshly bathed and neatly dressed babe in her arms. She seemed to be awake, though her eyes were shut and she made no noise of protest. She just wiggled slightly.
"I want you all to line up. You each get to say hello to our daughter," she beamed at Balin since he was the closest, "and I want you all to know that she will know you as family and friends. Every single one of you."
Whilst a little shaky at first, Balin did allow Dru to place the babe in his arms and for a moment, he wasn't sure what to say.
"Goodness me," he marvelled down at the child and smiled, "look at her. The first Princess born in Erebor in-"
He suddenly let out a sound that was definitely a sob, but he took a deep breath and tried to disguise it with a little laugh.
"Well, in a while," whilst he wanted to hold her, he knew if he continued to do so, he may run the risk of blubbering like a baby himself.
He turned to his little brother and gave him his turn.
Dwalin surprised everyone by smiling almost sweetly down at her and whilst her eyes were shut, he still made funny faces and cooed over her.
"Bless my stars, I never thought I'd see the day," Dru lightly teased him, though it warmed her heart to see him instantly bond with her little one.
Bifur was next and even before he took her, he handed Fili a small, wooden box.
"Bifur," Fili smirked as he held up the box for Dru to see, "you've given us enough toys to last three years!"
Bifur winked down at the babe as though he shared a secret with her.
"You can never have too many toys. Especially being a princess and having so many Uncles."
When he turned to Bofur, his cousin held up his hands nervously and shook his head.
"No, no, I might drop her," he was backed up against a wall and only took her when Bifur shoved her gently against his chest, "Oh, what do I do?!"
Fili was the one who carefully instructed him on how to hold her and whilst he was reluctant, he soon got the hang of it and seemed comfortable enough to keep holding her.
"Oh, this isn't so bad," he smiled at the wiggling babe and Dru arched her brow.
"You know, I'm surprised you haven't had any of your own yet, Bofur. You seem like a natural."
"Aye'. You see, nothing to it," he said a little too cockily, though his confidence broke when the babe suddenly let out a little cry, "oh, what's happening? What have I done?! Here, you best take her."
Once Dru had calmed her daughter down again, she immediately passed her back down the line, this time to a very eager Bombur.
Since he already had children, he didn't need any instructions.
"Just wait until your old enough to try my cheese rolls! I'll bake you tarts, sponges," Bombur listed off a vast assortment of pastries and sweet treats until he ran out, "on every birthday and festival."
Dru cheekily stepped closer and tried to sound casual.
"I mean if you need a baking assistant OR a test taster volunteer-"
"I'll make you a batch later. You've done a grand job!" He beamed at her and she actually felt like tip-toeing up and kissing him.
But she waited for him to pass the babe to Ori before she did that.
The scholar seemed a little nervous, but it was his elder brother that was probably doing that by hovering next to him.
"Careful now, you want to support her head," Dori, always the mother hen, actually placed his hand under Ori's to show him, "and her neck. Very important because-"
"I know, I have read the book!" Ori scolded him slightly, but there was no malice in his words.
"Oh, let him have his fun," Nori folded his arms and snorted at the look Dori gave him, "it will probably be the only time he ever holds one, so let him do it his way!"
"Why don't you show them how it's done?" Fili smirked and Ori actually took that moment to step closer and offer the child to his older brother.
But Nori just shook his head.
"Me and babies don't get on," he frowned down at the child and almost immediately, he had two, slightly aggrieved parents down his throat.
"Are you saying you don't want to hold the princess of Erebor?" Fili arched his brow but Dru put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot.
"Better yet, are you saying you won't get on with my daughter?!"
Nori, seeing that he was losing the fight, rolled his eyes and opened his arms.
"Oh, bloody give her here," he took the baby from his brother and held her close.
"There, happy?" He gave a pointed look to both Fili and Dru before looking down at the small figure in his arms.
Neither parent missed the tiny smile he tried to hide.
"Are you?"
Nori gave Dru SUCH a look that when she took her babe back, she had to stick her tongue out at him.
When she turned to Oin and Gloin, both ADAMANTLY refused and whilst Gloin already had a son, he didn't want a go other.
"It would be an honour," he held up his hands and shook his head, "but we've just come from the mines and we're both filthy."
Dru, whilst not wanting to get her daughter dirty OR covered in whatever it was that was down in the mines, couldn't help but squint.
"Strange, you both look very clean," she pointed out but Gloin just shook his head.
"No, it's not a chance you want to take. Any sort of soot or dirt will be bad for her."
She rolled her eyes and promised to get them back later when they'd least expect it.
"I'll toss her at you and then you'll HAVE to catch her!" She turned to her husband who smiled at her joke.
"She's not a game of hot potato."
"Speaking of potato, where's our brother?" She looked around and realised that they were MORE than one short, "and Thorin?"
"Thorin had some urgent business to attend, lass. Something that couldn't wait," Balin smiled apologetically but reassured her with his next words, "however, he has promised to come back in the next hour and specifically asked NOT to be disturbed."
"Good. And Kili?"
Fili snorted pointed with his thumb.
"Over there."
Dru looked over and sure enough, Kili was amongst the company.
But he was seated against a pillar and seemingly, out like a light.
"Did he not back to his rooms?" Dru whispered and slowly approached her brother, rocking her daughter so she made no noise.
"He did," Bofur sounded a little amused as he explained, "but then he came back at the crack of dawn and sat there. He said he wouldn't move until he got to see his niece. Been there ever since."
Dru, touched by her brother's stubbornness and getting a sneaky idea, quietly crept towards him and knelt down by his side, careful she didn't touch him.
'Wake him,' she mouthed at Fili and her husband placed his hand on Kili's shoulder and gently shook him.
"Up ya' get brother," he smiled as Kili stirred and batted away at him for a moment, "Kili, wake up or I'll burn your trousers."
Kili, disgruntled for a moment, opened his eyes and looked up at Fili with a scowl.
But then, he remembered why he'd been there in the first place.
"Are they here?!" He said excitedly and would have stood up, but Fili kept him seated with the hand on his shoulder and just chuckled.
"Someone wants to say hello."
Kili turned when he heard his sister's cheery voice and looking down, he found her kneeling beside him.
His eyes widened at the tiny babe in her arms and Dru revelled in the shocked expression.
"Come on, time to have your cuddle," slowly she lifted the child up and to Kili and he carefully took her.
Like Bofur, he seemed a little reluctant and unsure, but as soon as he held his niece in his hands...he suddenly beamed.
"Mahal, I'm an Uncle."
"Aye'," she lowered her voice so only he heard her, "best Uncle."
She stood up and stepped away as he did the same, holding his niece closer to his chest.
"Hello, little one," he chuckled when the babe wiggled in his arms, "that's right, you know me. I'm your Uncle Kili."
Everyone watched, amused as Kili began to happily chatter and converse with the baby in his arms, as though she understood everything he said.
"So, may we know the name of the Princess?" Balin smiled serenely at the tiny figure, but Dru just shook her head.
"Not yet. There's one more person we need to see."
"I think you might need him to sit down when you let him see her," Balin let out a small huff of laughter as Kili began to walk away from the group, "and I think you might need to keep an eye on this one and make sure he doesn't steal your daughter."
"Kili, where are you going?" Fili piped up, but his brother didn't even bother turning around to address him.
"We're going for a walk, aren't we?" He continued to gabble to the babe in a slightly gooey, cute voice, "yes, we are."
For a moment, no one really said anything, amused that he was 'stealing' the princess away.
That was until Dru noticed just WHERE he was heading.
"I know I shouldn't complain about the bonding, but is he taking our daughter in the direction of the forges?"
Fili was silent for a moment before he gave his wife a 'look' and they both quickly turned and began to run after Kili.
"KILI!" They both yelled and the other members of the company had to laugh at the sight of the two royals chasing after Kili, Dru going slightly slower than normal.
"So, how do you think our King is going to react?" Dwalin let out a deep chuckle near his brother, more happy than amused at having a new 'niece' to bond with.
"I think," Balin nodded his head slowly as he thought about it, "we can't even begin to imagine how happy he is going to be. And if I'm right...then he's in for a surprise when they tell him the little one's name."
An hour later...
When Thorin knocked on the chamber door, Fili took a deep breath and tried not to smirk.
"Come in," he called out and maintained his serious composure when the door opened and his Uncle Thorin walked in.
He had disposed of his large crown and furs for the evening and smiled at Fili.
"I'm sorry about earlier, there was a crisis in Mirkwood," he paused and looked around, suddenly a little worried about the lack of noise around him, "Is everything alright? Where's Dru?"
Fili stood up and slowly approached Uncle, sticking to the plan that he and Dru had though up.
"Sit down, Uncle," he said in his most serious voice and Thorin's worry suddenly went up again, though he did back up towards the seats by the fireplace.
"Fili?"
As he finally sat down, Fili came to stand in front of him and it was only his nephew's serious composure that was distracting him from the quiet figure approaching behind.
"There is someone you should meet," Fili smirked widely at Thorin and out of the corner of his eye he finally saw her.
Dru stepped around and smiled contently. In her arms was her daughter, swaddled in a light blanket.
Thorin felt like he could barely breathe.
Dru's eyes sparkled with delight as she knelt down in front of Thorin.
"Someone would like to say hello to the King," guiding her daughter towards Thorin, she knew he'd be a little nervous before taking her.
He licked his dry lips and with eyes wide, full of amazement, he gingerly took the child as though she were made of glass.
"You're fine," Dru reassured him as she slipped her hands carefully out so it was just him holding her babe, "she's made from me and Fi', so she's tough."
As Thorin stared down at the tiny Dwarf in his hands, he couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh.
"Mahal. I haven't held a babe in-"
"Seventy or so years?" Fili stepped closer to look down at the small group, his mind trying to capture the image forever.
"I was going to say eighty," Dru giggled when she saw Thorin settle the babe on his knees so he had support, "there's no way he would have held Kili, he's too wriggly."
Thorin suddenly remembered something important.
"Rana will be returning soon. She was finishing up her work in Dale when I sent her a letter," he smirked and let out a gentle laugh as the babe wiggled, "she replied 'she looks forward to a cuddle with the new princess.' I never thought I'd hear her say 'cuddle.'"
"I never thought I'd hear you say it," Dru laughed with him and leant in closer, "would you like me to properly introduce you two?"
Thorin eventually tore his eyes from the babe as Dru smoothed her hand over her daughter's fine hair.
"Thorin Oakenshield. From the great line of Durin. Son of Thrain, son of Thror. Brother to Dis and Uncle to Fili, Kili and Dru," she smiled contently and looked back at him, "I would like you to meet Thora."
He actually gasped in shock and began to shake his head.
"You cannot. You-you don't have to-"
"I want to," she reached up and took her husband's hand, "WE wanted to."
Fili squatted down next to his wife and nodded in agreement.
"You've always been there for us, even if you don't believe that. And we are grateful for everything so...let us give you this. Allow us to name our child in honour of you, Uncle."
Thorin was utterly speechless. But Dru was not finished.
"There's another thing. I know you're the 'Great-Uncle' technically but I feel like you're more than that," her hand moved from her daughter's head and lightly touched his knee, "I want her to call you papa. Like...Grandpapa. If that's alright with you?"
Thorin couldn't handle it.
Looking away and back at the babe, he took deep breaths to try to calm himself, but it was too late.
Kind under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, began to sob uncontrollably.
He nodded his head when words fled him, but he was accepting the gift they were giving him.
'Honour of you,' Fili had said but...he was the one that was honoured and humbled.
Dru leant her forehead on his knee, allowing herself to cry freely with her Uncle.
Fili, whilst emotional, managed to hold back his tears as he looked down at his wiggling little girl.
Fully awake now, she seemed to be aware of everyone around her, as well as the strange, crying noises they were making.
Sniffing back his tears, Thorin controlled his emotions long enough to talk to her.
"Well, Thora...it's wonderful to meet you."
He marvelled at her, vowing to always be there and protect her.
This little girl they had created.
A daughter of fire and gold.
A new princess in Erebor.
Thora.
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Muhudel = Blessing of all blessings.