Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ Chapter 23 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Bilbo woke much later that same day and it was now early evening. There was a fire going in the fireplace and Dis was sitting quietly in the corner with one of the children in her lap rocking them back to sleep. Bilbo looked over to Thorin to see him still asleep, but it was a different sleep to his coma, so Bilbo was happy with that. Bilbo slowly sat up and winced in pain that went through his lower body before slowly moving to the side of the bed. He looked up at movement in the corner of his eye to find Dis making her way over to him. She quickly put Thrlin down and put her arm around him to help him to his feet.

"Thankyou Dis."

"I remember what it was like when both my sons were born. They created a bit of pain for after they were born. You will be in a bit of pain for little while. "

"I think I can deal with it since it's not like when I was in labour."

"Yes, that is true." Dis said with a laugh.

"I'll be back in a minute."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Thankyou."

Bilbo went into the bathroom and freshened up before making his way back to the bedroom and over to the couch. Dis walked over with Thrlin and handed him to Bilbo to hold. Bilbo cradled Thrlin in his arms looking at the sleeping baby, smiling as he took him in.

Dis sat back down in her seat and looked at Bilbo. She could see he was still exhausted but was likely to not sleep later if he continued.

"How are you feeling?"

"Still a little sore."

"That will pass."

"Has Thorin woken at all?"

"No, sleeping peacefully. Thankfully."

"Did Oin ever say how long till he can move around?"

"No, I don't believe he did. I think it is a wait and see situation."

"He is going to hate that."

"He will. My brother is not one to stay still for long."

"I know." Bilbo chuckled, remembering the fuss he created in Rivendell. "We had to stop at Rivendell on the way here to rest and resupply. Thorin could not sit still. Could also be because he was in the company in elves."

"I can see that."

"Probably didn't help that I was so fascinated by the city and elves in general."

"Most definitely not." Dis laughed.

"Well and the fact that he hated having me there."

"Are you sure it was hate?"

"Oh yes, at the time I am most definitely positive it was hate. There was so much contempt."

"I am sure it wasn't hate, Bilbo. If I was to look at you and not know you like I do now I would be the same. It's not hate. It's likely anger that he was putting some innocent being in danger. From all the stories I have heard, you had no experience in travel or fighting."

"Ok yes, no fight experience and very minimal travel experience. Best I knew of travel was going to different places within the Shire or to Bree. So yeah little travel experience."

"I remember going through Bree when we were first driven from our home. It was not a nice place. Seemed very unfriendly."

"They are to most outsiders, but with Hobbits living close by we are regulars there. Some live in Bree."

"Thorin did not let me leave his side when we were at Bree. He didn't trust men much back then."

"You are his baby sister. I think you were pretty lucky to be able to do anything while you were all wondering?"

"Very true."

Bilbo and Dis continued talking for a while longer before there was a soft knock on the door and Fili peaked his head around the entrance. He smiled seeing Bilbo awake and pushed the door open more and came in with a couple of dwarrows carrying food, which were placed on the table.

"How are you feeling Bilbo?"

"I'm ok Fili."

"Well, I had food brought up as I am sure you are hungry and Thorin might be up for something when he wakes. Frodo is enjoying his dinner with the company."

"Who says I am still asleep?" A voice from the bed spoke.

Everyone turned at once at the voice from the bed to see Thorin trying to look at them all. Dis helped Bilbo to his feet and they walked over to Thorin. Fili carefully slipped a pillow underneath Thorin's head to lift it a little more, so he was able to look at them better.

"How are you feeling uncle?"

"I'm fine Fili. Do me a favour after dinner send Oin up will you?"

"Of course uncle."

"Thankyou. Why don't you head down to dinner yourself."

"Goodnight Uncle, Bilbo."

"Goodnight Fili. Thankyou for dinner." Bilbo said.

"I will see you soon Fili."

"Yes mother."

Fili left and Dis looked over as one of the babies woke and started letting out a soft cry. Dis put her hand on Bilbo's shoulder, stopping him from standing and walked over herself and gathered up the two babies as the other woke with her sister's cry. Dis brought them back over and laid Dila down at Thorin's side since she was not crying and just staring around at everything. Dis carried Belladonna around to Bilbo and handed her over at Bilbo's insistence and took Thrlin from him.

"I will go get Ranna since they are likely going to be hungry."

"Thankyou Dis."

Dis walked out carrying a still sleeping Thrlin while Bilbo slid in beside Thorin more as he quietened Belladonna down to sniffles. Bilbo looked Thorin over once she calmed and could see he was still tired and seemed to be very tense.

"Are you ok, Thorin?"

"I'm ok, Bilbo. Do not worry."

"Kind of hard not to. Are you in pain?" Bilbo asked making Thorin sigh. "You are, aren't you? Why didn't you tell Fili to get Oin straight away?"

"Because it's not that bad and what he will give me will make me tired and sleep."

"Thorin, I want you better. If that means you sleep more to get better than do it. The sooner you start to get better the sooner you can hold you children. Till you can sit up and move the most you can do is what Dila is doing now laying beside you." Bilbo said.

"Very well. I will tell you when I am in pain and will rest."

"Good. I hate seeing you like this." Bilbo said with a smile. "So how long were you awake?"

"Not long a few minutes before Fili arrived."

Dis walked back inside with Ranna behind her who walked over to Bilbo and took a fussing Belladonna from his arms. Ranna walked behind the screen again to start nursing the babies. Bilbo looked up at Dis who sat in a chair beside the bed with Thrlin still asleep.

"Dis why don't you go down for dinner. We are ok here." Bilbo said and saw her about to object. "Besides we need Oin up here as soon as possible, after he has eaten mind you. Your stubborn brother is in pain."

Dis sighed and shook her head as she looked at Thorin who refused to look at his sister.

"Very well. I will go. But I will be back to help you with these three. I will also get young Frodo ready for bed as well."

"Dis, I really appreciate you helping out with all of this." Bilbo said.

"Of course, Bilbo. You are family. We will always be there to help each other." Dis said as she stood and bowed slightly to rest her forehead against Bilbo's. "You need something, just let us know."

Bilbo smiled softly as she pulled away and looked to her brother who bowed his head slightly in thanks. Dis put Thrlin and Dila into their crib and left the room but not before bringing the tray over with food on it so Bilbo didn't have to get up to retrieve it. Bilbo looked at the tray and saw there was some soup there for the both of them along with some bread and water.

Bilbo set the tray to one side and moved closer to Thorin and help manoeuvre the pillow a little more so he was able to sit up a little more. Bilbo handed Thorin the spoon since he received a glare for even trying to help him with eating his dinner. Thorin shakily spooned some of the soup into his mouth but managed to spill most of it down his front. Bilbo smiled sadly and quickly cleaned it up with a napkin and took the spoon from Thorin.

"Let me help you please." Bilbo said softly so they weren't overheard by Ranna.

"I can do it. I have been feeding myself since I was 5." Thorin grumbled.

"I know that Thorin and I don't think any less of you. Let me help, please."

Thorin grunted in annoyance and allowed Bilbo to help him eat. Thorin was grumpy through the whole meal and just as Thorin had finished there was a knock on the door and Bilbo handed Thorin back his spoon and picked up his own.

"Come in." Thorin called out.

The door opened and Oin came walking in with some other dwarves carrying some other items. Oin walked straight over to the bed. Bilbo started eating his own dinner and relaxed against the head board of the bed. He watched as Ranna came out from behind the screen with Belladonna and laid the sleeping baby back into her cot and took her sister over to the screen to feed.

"What is going on Thorin?" Oin asked as he approached the bed making Thorin sigh, he hated admitting a weakness.

"I am in pain, Oin."

"Alright. I'll make up something for you and leave it here. It will be weaker than what I will give you now but at least it will help keep it manageable till I get here."

"Thankyou Oin."

"Bilbo, how are you feeling?"

"I'm a little sore still but nothing that I can't handle."

"I'll make up something for you as well. Make sure you don't mix them up. Thorin's will be much stronger than yours."

"I'll be careful with them Oin. How often?"

"If I haven't given you both anything within 4hrs of you wanting to take it than a cup every 2-3hrs is fine. Make sure to let me know when I check up on you when you had the last cup, so we don't overdose you."

"Thankyou Oin. He really didn't want to hurry you at dinner even though he was in pain."

"Please, I have been the royal healer for longer than you have been alive Bilbo. I know exactly what Thorin is like and when he is in pain even though he won't say anything."

Bilbo smiled and looked at Thorin who was glaring at Oin as he was handed a cup from one of the other healers as Oin was checking his bandages. Bilbo finished his soup and placed it on tray that was sitting on the bedside table. Bilbo looked up at a dwarf that came around with a cup for him and took it and downed the foul-tasting medicine and handed back the cup. Thorin had been given one at the same time and he even had a slight look of disgust on his face from the medicine.

"Alright, everything looks ok still. I want you both to rest and I will come back in the morning to check on you."

"Thankyou Oin." Thorin said.

Oin and his healers left, and Bilbo got out of bed and moved the tray over to the door for collection just as Ranna came out with Dila and laid her in the cot with her sister and picked up a dozing Thrlin for feeding. Bilbo went into the bathroom and changed into his sleeping clothes and got back into bed with Thorin. Bilbo helped him lay back down again, both moving slowly so as not to agitate any of his injuries. Bilbo lay down beside Thorin and in close beside him. Thorin's face was tight with pain as even a little bit of movement hurt him. Bilbo reached out and ran his hand over Thorin's forehead and threw his hair gently. Thorin looked over to Bilbo at the touch and smiled at him gently and moved his hand and brushed his fingers against Bilbo's cheek.

"Are you ok?"

"Me? I'm fine. I'm more concerned abut you Thorin."

"I'll be ok Bilbo. Granted I may get frustrated at being cooped up."

"May?" Bilbo said with a raised eyebrow.

"Funny." Thorin said with a smirk. "Fine I will get frustrated and I am sorry."

"It's ok Thorin. I understand why you will. You are always doing something, always moving and this will be hard, plus we have three new lives on our hands."

"And I will do as much as I physically can to help in the meantime while I heal."

"I know you will." Bilbo said with a smile.

Bilbo leaned over and kissed Thorin gently before pulling back and laying beside him. Bilbo heard movement a few minutes later and sat up slightly to see Ranna coming back over to the cots with Thrlin sleeping again.

"Thankyou Ranna."

"Of course, my lords. Send for me if they wake through the night and need fed."

"I will thankyou. Goodnight."

"Goodnight my lords."

Ranna left with a bow and soon Bilbo and Thorin were left alone with their sleeping children. Bilbo wasn't going to sleep just yet. He knew Dis would be back soon with a sleepy Frodo since Frodo wanted to stay with them tonight.

It wasn't much longer before there was a knock on the door and Dis walked in with Frodo. He was dressed in his sleeping clothes and freshly bathed, much to Frodo's disappointment. He had really not wanted to have a bath after dinner but Dis having raised Fili and Kili knew how to get him to have a bath. Frodo ran over to the bed and climbed onto the bed on Bilbo's side and huddled down to his side.

"Hey Frodo what's the matter?"

"He didn't want to have a bath and may not like me all that much right now as I made him have a bath." Dis said with a chuckle as she walked over.

"Oh Dis I'm sorry he's been having some issues with bathing at the moment."

"It's fine Bilbo. I did raise Fili and Kili and Frodo's short time frame of not wanting to bath is nothing compared to those two." She said with a chuckle making Thorin laugh as well.

"She right about that."

'"Still, I will have a talk with him later about this."

"It's all good Bilbo, don't worry about it. Well I will leave you all to rest. If you need anything at all send for me. I am happy to help."

"Thankyou Dis, have a nice night." Bilbo said with a smile.

"Thankyou Dis." Thorin said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Thorin, Bilbo." Dis said with a smile and looked closer to Bilbo to see Frodo. "Goodnight Frodo."

Frodo didn't say anything and huddled in closer to Bilbo making Bilbo nudge Frodo.

"Frodo what do you say, Dis?"

"Gwoodnwight."

Dis smiled at the quiet reply and nodded to the two on the bed and left the room quietly, blowing out any excess candles till only the fireplace remained burning. Bilbo moved slightly and wrapped his arm around Frodo who had his thumb in his mouth and pushed in as close as he could to Bilbo's side.

"What's wrong Frodo?"

Frodo shook his head and huddled down under the blanket while still sucking his thumb. Bilbo sighed and laid down in bed beside Thorin and Frodo and looked at Frodo to see he had his eyes closed and was slowly drifting off to sleep. Bilbo turned to Thorin to see him watching them with a smile.

"Goodnight Bilbo."

"Goodnight Thorin."

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 23 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

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