.
OK, I need some help. Does anyone know how long pregnancies are for dwarves and hobbits? I am sure there is no place that Tolkien himself discussed such matters, but what do you think is believable? Send in your thoughts and I will choose what works best for the story plot. Thanks!
.
Now for more baby telling!
.
.
Chapter 62
~X~
Fili and Sier remained in Thorin's office for quite some time, kissing, talking, and then more kissing. But all too soon their privacy was interrupted by a knock on the door, then the familiar sound of Thorin clearing his throat outside…loudly.
"Enter," Fili called, knowing that his uncle was doing his best to be discreet. Yet when the king stuck his head in cautiously, looking unsure if he should dare to enter, they both waved him in.
"You have informed him, I assume?" he asked, looking at Sier for confirmation before saying any more.
"Yes, I know about the baby," Fili laughed, pulling Sier into a warm embrace, still overjoyed at the news.
"Excellent!" Thorin beamed, rubbing his hands together as if plotting something. "I have already spread the word to the company and a few others to meet in the smaller banquet hall tonight at six bells. I thought you and Sier would like to tell everyone the good news at once."
"I would like to tell Flinn first," Sier insisted, looking to Fili for confirmation. "He has been begging for a sibling for some time, and I think it only right that we tell him before the others."
"I agree," Fili nodded. "I will send word for Amad to bring him back to our chambers right away. That way, we can tell both him, and my mother, before the dinner."
"Then you best hurry," Thorin warned, taking note that the fifth bell was soon to chime. "I will send a guard to hunt down your mother and send her to you directly."
"You are getting very good at this, Uncle Thorin," Sier laughed, feeling comfortable enough in this setting to use the title he had often insisted of her.
"Yes, it is a sorry state of affairs when the king of Erebor has been reduced to a mere messenger," Thorin said, shaking his head in mock shame. "Now go, you will need to clean up as well…especially you, Fili. What have you been doing today to get yourself so filthy?"
"Helping to excavate a mine shaft," he answered plainly, seeing no shame in it.
"You are royalty, Fili…the next in line for the throne," Thorin pointed out, leaning in slightly as if his next question was of great importance. "Do you believe it wise to associate so closely with your subjects…blistering your hands right beside them?"
"I feel that it is more than wise, Uncle…it is necessary!" Fili said in his defense. "The people need to know that they can approach their leaders, that they knows their struggles, and concerns themselves with the trials that each and every one of them face. It is my privilege to work beside the dwarves of Erebor, for only together can we ever hope to return this mountain to its former glory."
Thorin looked over at Sier and gave a wide smile of pride. "And that is the reason that Fili is my heir." He walked over to the couple and placed his hand on Fili's shoulder. "Our people will look to you one day, and I have no doubt that I have chosen wisely. Now go, get changed, and tell your son the good news. Then come enjoy the party I have arranged in honor of the new little one. You two deserve all the happiness in the world…and so very much more."
"Thank you, Uncle," Fili nodded, feeling as if he might have missed something important in that conversation. Yet, not one to refuse a direct order, he assisted Sier to her feet, and with his arm securely around her waist, he led her into the hall and towards their chambers, unable to wipe the wide grin of satisfaction off his lips.
.
.
Meanwhile, a few levels down, Bergie sat on the sofa, curled up in a warm blanket, staring at the dancing flames.
A baby! Oh, what was she going to do? She knew nothing about caring for an infant! She was an only child, raised by parents who also began their married life later than most. So by the time she came along, there had been no hope for siblings. Thus Bergie grew up an only child, and in Frogmorton, where they had originally lived, there were precious few little ones for her to play with, or watch over, when their parents were otherwise occupied. Instead, Bergamot had gone to quilting bees, the market, preserving parties, and any other place her mother took her.
Bergie had been an inquisitive and studious child, enjoying a book more than playing with dolls. When she had found her passion for preserving food, she devoted herself to the task with all the gusto she had. Thus, hobbit lads, and the idea of building a family, had been the furthest thing from her mind…until now.
Dwalin would undoubtedly expect her to care for the little one…to feed, clean, and teach it all the things any babe should know. But could she? Did she have the skills, the aptitude and the strength to do so? What if she failed? What if their little one didn't like her? Bergie knew that babies often cried, she had heard many of them do so while living in the Shire…but why did they cry, and what did one do to put a stop to it? Bergie felt woefully inadequate, lacking all the skills she felt one needed to be a successful mother.
A mother! In her mind, that title was reserved for those like Prim - who appeared to have endless patience when dealing with Frodo. Or perhaps Esmerelda, the pretty little lass who was to marry Marigold's brother, Saradoc. Bergie could not even count how many times she had seen Esmerelda Took packing a random youngling around on her hip. Even her niece, Marigold, had spent more time with baby hobbits than Bergie ever had. Marigold would make a wonderful mother, of this she was certain. But her? Well, Bergamot was a nervous wreck.
Still…as she thought about how much she loved Dwalin and how happy this news would make him, her heart began to lighten somewhat. She was not in this alone…right? Even if most of the work of carrying the babe, as well as delivering it, would be solely on her, she knew she could count on her stalwart husband to get her through it. Right? Oh, she was just so worried that she would fail somehow, and disappoint Dwalin…and that was the last thing in the world she wanted to do.
.
.
Fili had just emerged from the bath and was drying off when he heard the sound of his rambunctious little Flinn enter their chambers. Dressing quickly, he headed out to find his mother standing there with a smile on her face while Sier listened to their son's energetic tale.
"And then we went down into the big diamond mine and it was like standing outside and looking up at the sky with all the pretty stars winking at you like this," Flinn then demonstrated, by blinking his eyes open and closed in quick succession. "Mister Bofur said I could take one home, but I didn't want to separate any of them from their families, so I left them all there. Oh, Ama, you should have seen how sparkly it was!"
"I am sure it was lovely," she nodded, reaching out her hand to smooth down his tousled hair. "Maybe one day we can go visit the mine together and you can show me."
"All right!" Flinn nodded with glee.
"I had planned on keeping him with me a bit longer today," Dis explained, once Flinn had stopped talking long enough to take a breath. "But I got a message from Thorin saying that he arranged a private dinner in the banquet room for all the company at six bells, and that you wanted Flinn back early enough to get him ready?"
"Yes, we did," Fili smiled, entering the room and scooping his son into his arms as he leaned in to kiss his mother's cheek. "Thanks for watching him today."
"Well, when Sier said she needed an afternoon to herself, who was I to pass up a chance to spend some time with my favorite grandchild?" Dis laughed.
"Your favorite grandchild, is he?" Fili laughed. "Perhaps that saying might not be applicable for much longer."
"What?" Dis asked, looking a bit perplexed by her son's words.
Ignoring her query, Fili instead took hold of his mother's hand and led her over to take a seat in the chair opposite the sofa. There, he and Sier sat down with Flinn between them, smiling widely at the confused looks on both his son and mother's face.
"Flinn," Fili began, looking down at the adorable child who had stolen his heart the moment he had first laid eyes on him. "Do you remember when you asked me why I had a brother but you did not? Or how Tae and Tam have Bram as their brother…but you don't have one?"
"Yes," Flinn answered, not understanding his father's line of reason.
"And you wished that you might have one of your own to play with?" Sier reminded him, jumping in on the conversation.
"Adad said that we would just have to wait and see," the lad recalled, still not exactly satisfied with his father's answer.
"Well…it look like you just might get your wish after all," Sier told him, her smile growing even wider as she heard Dis give a gasp of shock from where she sat.
"Really?" Flinn cried out, jumping to his feet and standing in front of his mother with his hands on her knees. "I get a real brother…one of my very own?"
"Or a sister," Fili was quick to point out, knowing that the odds were against it, but still a possibility. "We won't know until the baby arrives."
"But one is coming? When?" Flinn suddenly began to look around the room, as if he expected the little dwarfling to peek out from behind the furniture and say hello.
"Not for many more months," Sier informed him. "He, or she, will be here right about the time that the hobbits must head back to the Shire."
"You mean…when Frodo has to go home?" The idea of his sword-brother having to depart was not a subject he liked talking about…but if a new playmate would be arriving around the same time, well,that would certainly lessen the ache in his heart over losing Frodo.
"Yes," Fili nodded, knowing how difficult their parting would be when the time came. The two lads had grown very close in such a short time, assuring Fili that his son's childhood friendship would continue on, through the years and across the miles. "But just think of what fun you will have writing to Frodo and telling him about your new sibling, and all the things you two will get to do together."
This seemed to lighten Flinn's mood and he quickly grew excited once more.
"What will his name be? Will he have blue eyes and blond hair like me?" Flinn questioned, eager to know more.
"We don't know," Sier laughed. "For all we know…she could have red hair and green eyes. But until the baby comes, we can all have a lot of fun guessing…and dreaming up the perfect name for him or her."
By now, Dis, who had been doing her best not to interrupt, could no longer contain her joy.
"A baby!" she squealed, launching herself out of the chair as she took turns hugging Fili, Sier and then Flinn. "Oh, I am so happy for you three, I can't even begin to tell you how much! This is all a mother dreams of, to see her children having children…and now two of them!" She then got a sly look in her eyes as she gave Sier a wink. "Or three…you know, somewhere back in our family history, there have been a few sets of twins, you know."
"No…I didn't know!" Sier replied, her eyes growing wide in shock. "If I remember right, one infant to take care of is quite the handful…but two at once? I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
"Twins would be a blessing," Fili was quick to assure her, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "And if we have one…two, or even a dozen, I will be at your side the entire time, I swear."
"If I have to give birth to a dozen babies all at once, Fili, Prince of Erebor, you will be at my side all right…lying in the sick bed next to me with a black eye and two broken legs!" Sier informed Fili in no uncertain terms, making her thoughts on that idea quite clear. And while Fili just stared at his usually docile wife in confusion, and a touch of fear, Dis broke out in a merry fit of laughter. Her mirth quickly broke the ice and soon everyone had returned to their happy state.
"So, have you picked out any names yet, as Flinn asked?" Dis reiterated, wanting to know any and all of the details.
"I only learned about the baby an hour ago," Fili laughed. "We will need time to think about it and come up with suitable choices for a lad or a lass."
"Well, I am sure that there will be no end to all the suggestions you will be offered in the meantime," Dis assured them. "And allow me to be the very first. I believe Thrór has a nice ring to it, for a strapping young lad."
"We will take that under consideration," Fili chuckled. "But ultimately, it will be up to Sier and me to decide what our baby shall be called." He then looked over at Sier and placed his hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. "And though I could not have chosen a better name than Flinn for our first son…I am truly looking forward to taking part in the naming of our second, as well as every other privilege associated with its coming."
"And I for one will be grateful for the help," Sier laughed. "I don't think you understand just how much time and attention a little dwarfling requires, Fili."
"He will learn," Dis nodded with a grin. "The way most fathers do…the hard way."
"Well, hard or not, I am still looking forward to it," Fili assured them proudly. "However, if we don't get this little dwarfling ready to go, we will all be late for Thorin's party." He then turned and looked directly at Flinn. "Now, son, you need to not say a word about this to anyone, at least not until your mother and I have found a way to tell everyone else, all right?" When he received a nod of agreement from Flinn, he sat back and rubbed his hands together with glee. "I can't wait to see the look on Kili's face when he hears this piece of news!"
"Is that why my brother is gathering us all together tonight, so you can make your announcement?" Dis asked, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Fili. "Do you mean Thorin found out before me? Care to tell me how he rated above me in the chain of information?"
"Uhhhhh," Fili stammered, wilting a little under the heat of his mother's gaze. Quickly scooping Flinn off his feet, he began to back his way towards his son's room. "Perhaps Sier can explain that one…I have to get Flinn ready…can't keep everyone waiting, you know!" And with that he turned and ran, causing the little dwarfling in his arms to giggle with laughter.
.
.
"Bergie, I'm home," came a call from the front door as Dwalin strode inside, followed closely behind by his brother. "I've brought Balin with me, since apparently we are all summoned to some dinner being thrown by Thorin, and he is adamant that we all arrive on time." Dwalin began to unhook the armor he had been wearing on patrol all day, mumbling to himself about how inconsiderate Thorin was for making them rush.
"Perhaps our stubborn King has finally won the consent of your young niece, Miss Brandybuck?" Balin suggested, eagerly looking to Bergie for confirmation. When she just stared blankly at him, he became concerned. "Are you feeling all right, my dear?" the white bearded dwarf asked, stepping forward and taking her hand in his. "Brother, your bride appears to be unwell."
"What?" Dwalin asked, stopping what he was doing and hurrying to her side. "Bergie?"
"I am fine, really," she assured him, not wanting to get into that conversation while his brother was around. While this was all very new to her, she was keenly aware that news like this was best delivered in private…where no one could see her cry. Well, Dwalin would see, but for some strange reason he seemed to understand her, even when she could not make heads or tails of herself. He had the ability to calm her down, explain things in a way that did not frighten her so much, and hold her until all the worry was gone. But that could not be done with Balin in the room.
"Are you sure?" her husband asked, eyeing her skeptically. "Do you want to talk about it?" When Bergie hesitated, her eyes drifting up to where Balin stood, he quickly turned and barked out an order. "Balin…get out!"
"No!" Bergie protested, seeing the hurt look on the white haired dwarf's face. "Don't be rude, husband." And while she wanted nothing more than for them to be alone, so that Dwalin could make everything better, she waved him off. "We can speak later. I am completely fine…honest." And she was fine, for Oin had said so. Completely fine…and pregnant. So, pasting on a smile, she stood up. "A dinner party you say?" she asked, her stomach suddenly rumbling at the idea of food. Worried or not, it would appear that their little one took after his father, and he was demanding to be fed. "What time do we need to be there?"
"At six bells…which is less than a half an hour from now," Balin broke in, eyeing Dwalin with a raised brow. "A quick bath would be most advantageous, little brother. Riding around on a pony all day long has made you, well, forgive me for saying so…but you stink!"
"Not all of us can have an easy job like you, big brother," Dwalin laughed, leaning in to kiss Bergie on the cheek as he headed for the washroom, leaving a trail of pungent clothing as he went.
"You call dealing with Thorin all day easy?" Balin scoffed, yet the only response he got was a roar of laughter from the retreating Dwalin as he disappeared behind the wooden door. With an amused shake of his head, the elder dwarrow took a seat, waiting for his brother to return.
Bergie had been forced to turn away and cover her mouth so that Balin would not see her reaction to the small whiff of Dwalin's body odor. The scent of her husband had never affected her adversely before…in fact it usually had the opposite effect. Taking a few deep breaths of fresh air, Bergie was able to bring herself back under control, recalling that Oin had mentioned a few things that she might experience. Sensitivity to smells, a craving for certain foods, swollen ankles, and unexplained shifts in attitude – mad one moment, crying the next. Oh, this was all just lovely, she thought to herself. If this was normal for pregnancy, why on earth did anyone ever allow themselves to get in this condition?
And then Bergie remembered the days and nights spent in Dwalin's loving arms, the many hours they lay beneath the covers, lost in each other's love. If that was the price she had to pay for experiencing such bliss with the dwarf she loved - to grow fat and carry a baby to birth – Bergie knew without a doubt she would do it all over again…and again. Besides, she was pretty certain that Dwalin wanted children…right?
It suddenly occurred to her that they had never actually discussed the subject. Where they would live, yes. If they would…or could…ever have children, no! What if it turned out he was just as unsure about them as she was? Oh, that would be a pickle for sure, no doubt about it!
"Are you sure you are feeling all right, my dear?" Balin asked, apparently having been watching her for the last few moments.
"Yes, of course," she quickly assured him, not wanting to interfere with their plans. She would go to the party, eat her fill, and then ask Dwalin to take her home early so they could talk this through together.
That was her plan…and she was sticking to it.
Yep, she will tell him in the NEXT chapter...and I am sticking to that. ha ha. BUT...since I know you are all itching to hear how that goes, I will make a deal with you. I will post a bonus chapter this weekend if you are all very generous with your reviews and ask pretty please...OK?
So who do you think was more excited, Dis or Flinn?
Oh, boy, Fili you are in hot water with Dis now, telling Thorin before her...even if it was technically Sier who told him and he had guessed all by himself. What a bright King Erebor has. ha ha.
Now don't forget to tell me how long you think it takes for dwarves and hobbits to grow babies!
Guest Reviews:
Mjean: I am so glad you like the sweet stuff...did THIS one give you cavities too? The next one should prove...um...amusing. ha ha.
Emrfangirl: I am glad you feel better, can't have you disliking Marigold for taking Fili's birthright. ha ha. And that is OK, a lot has been going on, so how can you be expected to remember everything. I even wrote it and a lot of things I have forgot too. Kili is indeed living in fear of Thorin...but I just wrote the 'retribution' chapter and I can't wait for you all to read it. ha ha. OH man, a puppy for Frodo...that would make Flinn jealous. I just can't see dogs running all over Erebor though...can you imagine the mess with no one to take them outside the mountain regularly for walks. ha ha.
Guest: I love them too...they were after all the inspiration for this whole story...that keeps going on, and on and on and on... ha ha.
Aranel Mereneth: I had recieved a few requests for some Sier/Thorin bonding moments. I hope this satisfied those readers...and it was fun and adorable too. Thorin will love anything Sier has...a little girl, or boy...but probably not a puppy. ha ha. Thorin is at his best when playing Uncle. Unless you are in Kili's shoes right...then your name is just mud!
Guest: Yes, Thorin and Fili know...and Oin...and Bergie. AND NOW Dis and Flinn...but as for Dwalin, he will find out in the next chapter, I promise.