I made the mistake of using the word 'adultery' in the previous chapter when Dain was speaking with Balin. Rest your hearts, Thorin is not married. That phrase has been edited for its originally intended meaning. Élarinya's reaction can't be summed up in one chapter alone, either. There's your hint for the week. Enjoy!

None were certain if Éla did carry as a few weeks were not enough time to provide evidence of a child. There was only blood. A lot of blood. There were also too many questions unanswered.

While lost in thought, Dain remained focused on attaching a small note to a raven's leg. He would stay true to his word and not mention specific events as the raven took flight to its destination. Lady Dis would be notified in due time about her kin in Ered Luin. If his messenger doesn't reach her first, he had no doubt she would assemble a company to begin marching towards the mountain in coming weeks. Dain then approached another black raven awaiting instruction.

A hand hesitated on the bird's outstretched leg, pondering what might happen if he had his way and unintentionally compromised his cousin's position. As the oldest of the seven houses of Durin, Dain would not dishonor Thorin's reputation over a petty matter that he barely understood. The Lord of the Iron Hills was still in disbelief, and exhaustion had slowly clouded his decree over the female. The truth will surface eventually and when it does, he was most keen on hearing it.

"Send word to Falo and the others. Mahal knows we'll need aid in securing the mountain." He verbalized to the raven, grumbling away from the perch of birds coming and going.

Looking back on the Front Gate, dwarves were already filing through the great halls that had been freed. The moon was at its peak and the valley continued to bustle with life as various healers and warriors made way for the wounded and volunteers. How so many had survived, would forever remain a mystery.

There were plenty of close calls, even among his own kin. Now Dain silently watched conveying dwarves leading each other into Erebor. Tonight was going to be a long night with very little sleep.

Élarinya rolled onto her side, hugging the thin fabric of the covers close to her chest. She did not know if she had been carrying an unborn child or not. It was too soon to tell, but if the healers…no. Oin had mumbled something about the Elvenking and wizard using magic on her. Perhaps either one would be able to shed some light on her condition before her mind exploded from excess thought.

She had turned over when movement within the small space alarmed her of another presence. As difficult as the past hour had been, she refused to allow emotion to trigger a response from the young princes. Yes, she knew Fili was placed in with her. Where there was one young prince, the other was bound to be present as well. Fili's golden hair was a dead giveaway when he moved shortly after the others had exited.

Éla's eyes glassed over again, consistently ready to burst into tears. Her body ached when she tensed to control her quiet sobs, and it hurt to lay still. Even her clutch on the blanket weakened with exhaustion as tired eyes reluctantly shut out the world.

Éla woke up warm and soft. Eyelids fluttered open, taking time to adjust to the warm glow of the fire which illuminated a golden light within the chamber. She never recalled seeing a hearth in front of her earlier. The view was warm and comforting. Once her mind caught up, she flung herself upright in a panic. A burning twinge seared over her abdomen and she paused, biting her tongue to prevent verbal agony.

"Curse this-" Éla gritted her teeth as a hand rested on her shoulder, the other firmly clasping her trembling wrist in a preventative fashion so she could not hold herself.

A small voice squeaked in haste, and then another pair of hands soon grabbed her other side to lay her back down. The pain antagonized her into another deep restless period of quiet contentment.

Time lapsed once more before dark eyes opened themselves back to the golden glow. This time, Éla was able to see with clarity as a tiny, shadowy form jumped to her side and lightly held her wrist again.

"Please don't move."

With a slight turn of her head, Éla was finally able to see the one residing with her. "Bilbo."

"Yes, it's me."

She closed her eyes, an empty smirk forming on her mouth. "You don't have to take care of me."

"It was either this or be put to work somewhere dark." Bilbo said, loathing the idea of being thrust into one of the deeper caverns, afraid of getting lost. Respite soothed him as the female didn't make any sudden moves like before. "I don't mind. Really, I don't."

His reassurance spread happily over tired features and so he pulled a chair closer to her bedside.

"Who would make you do such a thing?" Éla asked, reopening her eyes unimpressed. "You've already done more than enough for us."

"Dain. Fili is able to move around more, so he's taken charge with Balin, mainly to keep Dain in check from running amok."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. The topic of Dain forced her to face the hobbit for reasons unknown. It was only then that she took in her new surroundings, remembering there was no fire other than candlelight before.

"It was Fili's idea that I stay with you actually." Bilbo said happily, continuing small-talk. "To be honest, I was quite glad that he made the offer. Dain is very intimidating."

"That he is." Éla grumbled, examining the chamber she now currently resided as Bilbo went on chatting.

"Balin coaxed Dain into allowing Fili to take charge under a temporary rule."

She had been placed in stone room, a detailed but faded, chamber. The bed itself was wider than the cot she had occupied earlier.

"You've also been out for thirty-six hours. There's a tray of rations for you if you're able to eat."

Thirty-six hours? Her mind raced in an attempt to absorb as much as she could before falling to fatigue. There was a window overlooking the dark vastness of the valley. The stars shined brightly in the dead of night.

"Where are we?" She asked, gaze fixed on the cold window.

"In the mountain." Bilbo replied blankly. "Balin mentioned it to be the West-wing."

"The mountain…"

"That's right."

Bilbo watched her nervously as she quietly scanned every object visible in the room. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, it's just-" Éla paused. "How are we in the mountain?"

"The dwarves moved everyone a day ago." He replied. "You were still unconscious, nothing woke you."

"Do you," Éla looked at him curiously as he formed his question, "do you remember what happened?"

Why was he so hesitant? He was certainly a kindly little creature, yet here they were sitting facing each other in a growing awkward silence. A few shifts of shy eyes and then she recalled the devastating news.

"Yes, I do." Éla slunk back under the covers as her back began to ache from the physical stress on her wounds. The pain seemed to have subsided for the time being only to be replaced by a lump forming in the back of her throat, preventing her from speaking any further.

Fertility had become rare among female dwarves over the years. To find out that she was able to bear such a gift only to lose it, was simply heart-breaking. Such a burden would be carried for the rest of her days. Nothing could ever change that. There had been nothing else in her life, now she wasn't so sure.

Short and sweet now, longer chapter coming next. Time seems to never be on my side. I'll do my best to get longer updates again that are more detailed. Yup, this a filler for the next update.