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All right. The baby reveals have been taken care of. Now...on to Thorin and Marigold's issues.

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Some had asked why I have allowed this to continue so long...well, it wasn't just to prove that Thorin was a dolt when it came to love (which he kind of is), or to torture you all (which I kind of did), but I HAD to kill time while the winter in Erebor dragged on. I mean there was not much else to do while everyone was stuck inside, ha ha. And I needed time to pass BEFORE they got together, for plot reasons. Thankfully, the appropriate amount of time has finally gone by. It is time to stop dinking around, Thorin, and get the job done...with a little bit of help, of course. So I think by the end of the week, you will all be much, much happier. ha ha.

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Chapter 64

~X~

And so time marched on, with Dwalin and Fili practically bursting with pride, while Sier and Bergie, both growing larger with each passing week, simply shook their heads in amusement at their preening husbands.

"With the way they go around boasting, one would think that they had created these babes all on their own," Sier laughed, adding a few spoonfuls of sugar to her cup during their next monthly gathering of the females, as Dis liked to refer to their tea parties.

"Our husbands would take credit for birthing them as well, if they could get away with it," Ilin agreed. "But, if you ask me, they couldn't handle the childbirth. They might be big strong warriors, but even the strongest male would cave under that kind of pressure."

"Shhh, Ilin," Dena hissed. "Don't go scaring Bergie now. This is all new to her."

"Oh, I am not so foolish as to imagine that this is not going to hurt like the dickens when our lad or lassie comes out," Bergie chuckled, though her eyes reflected a healthy amount of fear. "Pain I can handle…it is the worry that I will not know how to take care of it once it arrives that plagues me."

"Oh, Bergie," Marigold soothed. "I have never known anyone as strong, brave, and capable as you are. You have nothing to worry about, I'm certain."

"None of us knew what we were doing when our firstborn was laid in our arms," Dis assured the fretting hobbit. "And yet, somehow we muddled through and our sons turned out just fine."

"But what if I have a daughter?" Bergie asked.

"Lasses are no different than lads," Ilin assured her, being the only one present who currently had any. "They cry just as much, eat just as much…and yet at the end of the day, you love them just as much as well."

"No…I mean, what if I have a daughter and Dwalin is disappointed?" the hobbit explained. "He said he would be pleased either way, but don't most males wish for a son to take after them?"

Oddly enough, it was Prim who spoke up, answering Bergie's question.

"Now my knowledge of dwarves is rather limited," she began, laying her hand on her distant cousin's arm reassuringly. "I do know, that while Drogo loves Frodo with all his heart, he has made no secret of the fact that he would also love to have a daughter as well." Here she paused, looking a bit forlorn. "We have been trying for a while now, but as more time passes, I am beginning to worry that his dream might never be realized."

"Oh, Prim," Sier said in a comforting tone, placing her arm around the diminutive hobbit lass consolingly. "Babies come when they feel it is time…there is nothing we can do to hurry them along. Don't give up hope."

"I won't," she nodded bravely, doing her best to collect herself. "And I didn't mean to dampen the mood by mentioning this, but instead to reassure you, Bergie, that husbands do not always desire only sons. Daughters too can bring just as much joy to them."

"And since our race has so few dams, a daughter is even more of a blessing than a son," Dis pointed out. "Dwalin might not know exactly what to do with a daughter, but there is no question that he would be proud as punch to have one."

"I agree," Ilin nodded. "Bombur simply dotes on Tae and Tam, often to the point of making Bram feel a bit jealous." She then turned and looked over at Sier, a sympathetic smile gracing her rosy lips. "And that is something you will soon deal with as well, now that you are having another child. Flinn is bound to have bouts of jealousy over this new one, not to mention a healthy dose of sibling rivalry as they get older. Prepare yourself now."

"I don't know about that," Sier replied, her brows furrowing in contemplation. "Flinn is very excited about having a brother or sister. I can't imagine him being jealous over the new baby."

"That is what I thought as well, but two weeks after Tam arrived, Bram was begging me and Bombur to send her back where she came from," Ilin laughed. "Tam was a bit more accepting of Tae, but even she would get grumpy if she felt we were paying more attention to the baby than her. Like I said, prepare yourself."

"Now, I wouldn't say that is a forgone conclusion," Dis broke in. "When Kili was born, you have never seen a more pleased big brother than Fili. And not once in all their years have they ever acted jealous of one another. Each child, and each situation, is different, Sier…as I am sure you will find out in due time."

"I wouldn't know anything about that, since Gimli is an only child," Dena mused thoughtfully. "Not that I am complaining…for after I spent sixteen grueling hours pushing that huge head of his out into this world, I am rather glad Gloin and I were blessed with only one!" Her eyes suddenly grew wide and her gaze darted around to all those present. "But please don't ever tell Gimli I said that…he is already rather self-conscious about the size of his nose, I would hate for him to develop a stigma about his head as well!"

This had everyone in the group laughing once again…even Bergie.

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"Now…just follow my lead and in no time at all, you will have Marigold falling at your feet," Dwalin insisted, stepping into the practice ring and taking off his shirt, displaying his impressive physique.

"I don't want her falling at my feet," Thorin huffed. "I am the one who should be on his knees before her…as she accepts my proposal!"

"Well, if she sees you battling, shirtless, that just might do the trick," the bald warrior explained with a roll of his eyes. "Skin on skin worked in waking you up…now let the lass get a better look at the goods, so to speak, and see what awakens in her."

"How do you even know Marigold will come by today to watch us spar?" Thorin asked, joining Dwalin in the ring and removing his coat and tunic as directed. His cousin's suggestion of having the lass observe them engaged in battle at first sounded rather foolish. Yet when Dwalin told him how Bergie had confided in him that she enjoyed observing this activity very much, getting rather excited by it in fact, he changed his mind. And while Thorin knew that Marigold and Bergie were quite different, they were still both hobbit lasses, and what one found intriguing, perhaps the other might as well. Besides, he was growing more and more desperate to win her heart, so he was willing to try just about anything. Each night before going to bed, Thorin was forced to immerse himself in a cold bath, or stay up reading dull status reports, simply to keep his mind off of her enchanting eyes and tempting lips. Lips he still had yet to taste a second time. How long was he meant to suffer like this?

"I sent Balin to make sure that Marigold comes to the arena," Dwalin told him with a wink. "She and Bergie made plans to spend the day together after Dis' tea party, and he will ask the two of them to stop in and deliver something that I need desperately."

"And what is it that you need so desperately?" Thorin asked, looking confused.

"For them to come watch us fight, you numbskull!" Dwalin huffed, itching to beat his king over the head until he caught on to the plan. "I have no idea what Balin will tell them I require, the idea is just to get them here."

"Fine, fine," Thorin agreed with a heavy sigh. "So what do we do now?"

"We fight!" Dwalin informed him, moments before he hefted his ax and took a swing at Thorin's head. Thankfully, the king's lightning quick reflexes allowed him to raise Orcrist just in time to deflect the punishing blow, causing the practice room to sing out with the sound of steel on steel.

"Ease up!" Thorin roared, eyeing his kinsman as if he were Azog himself. "I'm your king, not a bloody orc, and our lasses aren't even here yet!"

"We can't look fresh as daisies when they arrive," Dwalin explained, pulling his second ax off his back and into his hand as he took another step towards Thorin. "You need to work up a sweat if you aim to impress Marigold. So come on, old man…show me what you've got."

"Old man?" Thorin's eyes narrowed at his cousin's insult. "I will show you just how old I am!" And with a cry of rage, the battle was on.

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"Why do you think Dwalin needs these now?" Marigold asked, carrying one of the bundles of bandages and ointment that Balin had dropped off at Bergie's apartment, claiming that his brother required them right away.

"Perhaps the infirmary in the practice arena is running low on supplies?" Bergie replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "Yet there are enough bandages here to wrap an army in."

"Well, after we drop these off, do you think we could take a little walk outside in the sun?" Marigold asked hopefully. "I think it would do you good, and heaven knows I would enjoy it as well. Don't worry, we won't stay out long, but now that the snow is starting to melt, I just can't remain inside any longer."

"I understand," Bergie nodded. "A breath of fresh air sounds wonderful… and a bit of sun on our pasty white faces might help put some color back in our cheeks."

"Then let's hurry and get this job done, so we can go out and play," Marigold suggested, sounding more like an anxious child than a grown lass.

"Agreed!" Bergie laughed.

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Dwalin had truly been getting into the battle, forgetting that is was only meant to be an exhibition for the dams. However, Thorin was one of the few dwarves in all of Erebor who could give the bald warrior a run for his money, and Dwalin intended to make the most of it. He could tell that his kinsman was enjoying the sparring match just as much as he, and so he almost missed the moment that Bergie and Marigold stepped inside the room…almost.

Hooking his ax blade around Orcrist, he pulled Thorin to him, the two dwarves locked in a fierce battle of tug of war.

"She is here," Dwalin hissed, their faces only inches apart. "Now, stop fooling around and make it look good."

Stop fooling around? Thorin thought to himself. What did Dwalin think he had been doing until then, taking it easy on him? Still, the idea that his lady love was now watching his every move, caused the king's eyes to narrow and his jaw to set in determination. He would show Dwalin just what he was made of.

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Bergie's eyes had grown wide and her smile just about split her face in half when she saw what was going on before her. This had easily become one of her favorite pastimes, watching her muscular husband battling in the practice ring. She especially enjoyed it when he chose to go shirtless, his chest and biceps glistening with the sweat of his exertion. Oh, yes…Bergie loved this.

And when she turned to look at Marigold, she could tell that her shy little niece was not immune to the effects a certain king was having on her either. Maybe a walk in the fresh air was not the only thing that would bring a bit of color back to their cheeks.

"Shall we just leave the bandages here and go?" Bergie teased, knowing the exact answer she would receive.

"Ummmm," Marigold responded, staring at the two dwarrow in the ring. "Perhaps we should stay…at least until they are done…just in case Dwalin wishes to speak with you."

"Oh, right," Bergie nodded, doing her best to hide her smirk. "That is a good idea…wouldn't be wise to rush off too quickly, now would it?"

Marigold found herself mesmerized by what she saw before her. If an entire army of orcs had marched past her at that moment, she was certain she would not have noticed at all. Thorin was in the ring, his long, dark, silver-streaked hair tied loosely in back, conveniently out of the way as he battled with Dwalin. He had removed his shirt, offering the stunned hobbit lass a clear view of his amazingly toned arms, chest, and back. Her mouth had gone dry as she followed his every move, watching as his muscles flexed and tightened with each motion of his sword. The beads of sweat clinging to him took her breath away, and Marigold was barely aware of the fact that Bergie had directed her to a chair and eased her down into it. Thorin was simply…amazing.

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"How long do we need to keep this up?" Thorin asked in a low voice the next time the two of them clashed together.

"Not long," Dwalin informed him, having stolen a glance over at their little audience. He could tell that Marigold was enthralled by what she was seeing, and he couldn't help but grin, thinking his idea was falling into place. Though when he looked at Bergie, sitting beside her, he suddenly saw a flaw in his plan. Who was supposed to win? The idea was for Thorin to look good in front of his one, but at the same time, Dwalin did not wish to lose in front of his wife either. He may have already won her heart, but he wanted to keep it as well. He dared to take his eyes off his opponent for a second to glance over at Marigold, the little lass still sitting there with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. She appeared both excited, and a bit scared at the same time, causing a new thought to spring to the warrior's mind. "Follow my lead," he whispered as he pulled back and took a wide arcing swing at Thorin with Grasper, while making a lower sweep with Keeper.

Thorin easily deflected the first blow, yet he had not been prepared for Dwalin' cheap shot with the second. Still he was able to pull Orcrist around just in time to keep the ax from severing his right arm, though not quick enough to avoid the tip grazing his skin. Thorin gave an audible hiss of displeasure, as a trail of blood began to seep down his arm.

"Hold!" Dwalin called, stepping back and displaying his hands in surrender. "My apologies, my king," he said with a low bow. "I was too caught up in the battle and forgot myself."

"It would appear so," Thorin grumbled, looking down at his wound in displeasure. It was not his first battle scar, and most assuredly wouldn't be his last, but he was not keen on the idea of gaining another one…especially from his own cousin! Perhaps Dwalin needed a taste of his own medicine, for Thorin too could play dirty when required. Yet all thoughts of retaliation were quickly forgotten when he heard a cry of panic off to his left, turning just in time to see Marigold racing forward into the ring.

"Thorin!" she gasped, skidding to a halt beside him, her eyes full of terror. "Oh, Thorin, are you all right? Come here and let me take a look at that." Then, grasping him by his uninjured arm, she quickly led him to a nearby chair. She gently maneuvered him into a sitting position, as she kneeled in front of him so that her eyes were level with his wound. "It does not look too deep, I think if we bandage it quickly it should heal well, perhaps not even leaving a scar."

Thorin was speechless, and could only gape at the little lass before him, her tender compassion and concern for his wellbeing touching his heart. He glanced up at Dwalin, only to see his cousin giving him a sly wink, nodding to Marigold as he mouthed the words, "See, I told you this would have her falling at your feet."

"Stay right there, and don't move a muscle," the little hobbit lass continued on, completely unaware of the silent exchange that had transpired between Thorin and Dwalin. "Don't worry, I will fix you up in no time, and stay with you for the rest of the day just to make sure you are all right." She quickly rose and rushed over to where Bergie still sat, the bundles of bandages and medicine at her feet. "It would appear that these were greatly needed after all," Mari told her aunt, scooping them up and heading back over to where Thorin sat.

"Your concern is greatly appreciated, my dear," the king told her as she began to clean the wound. "Yet, I assure you, I'm not in any mortal danger." However, when he saw Dwalin's hand come up to cover his eyes in exasperation, Thorin quickly caught on, changing his tune. "Although…it is rather painful," he mumbled, torn between acting weak and gaining more of her attention.

"You poor thing," Marigold crooned, her eyes full of sympathy. "Is there anything I can get you for the pain?"

"Your kind and gentle care is more than sufficient to ease my suffering," Thorin assured her, doing his best to appear in some distress. "Yet, this is nothing compared to a few others I have received over the years."

"You have been wounded before?" This news seemed to upset her even more, her anxious eyes roving over his exposed skin in search of other scars. Now that she was much closer, she could indeed see thin white lines and raised flesh, indicating previous injuries. "When…how?"

As Thorin began to recount the details of several past battles, Dwalin hefted his axes and headed over to where Bergie sat, waiting patiently for her husband to join her.

"That was quite a show you two put on there," she snickered, keeping her voice low. "Was it all for Marigold's benefit, or was I meant to enjoy it as well?"

"That all depends," Dwalin replied, his eyebrows furrowing together as he stared down at her. "Which one of us held your attention…me or Thorin?"

"You of course, you big lug," Bergie laughed, playfully reaching out to slap his arm. "You know I can't resist seeing you all heated up like that. It makes me start imagining other ways I might get you out of breath and sweaty."

"Oh, does it now?" Dwalin asked, a wicked twinkle now filling his eyes. "Then what say you and I go back to our quarters and see what we can do about that?"

"Sounds good to me," Bergie nodded, standing up and reaching towards his axes. "Need me to carry one of those, so's you won't exhaust yourself on our trip back?"

"Nay, my love," he said with a shake of his head, easily hefting both weapons across one shoulder. "You already carry my most cherished treasure in this world." And as if she needed further explanation, he let his palm slip down to caress her midsection affectionately.

"As you wish," she nodded, touched by his tender words.

Oh, yes, Bergie loved her dwarf…no doubt about it.

Dwalin, you sly one, making Marigold show up and get all hot and bothered over Thorin. I don't know if I should be scandelized...or proud of you!

Oh but then you CUT YOUR KING? If you were not family, I would bet that would be concidered treason! ha ha.

Did you like more girl talk at the tea party?

And what on earth could Dwalin and Bergie be thinking of doing back in their room? I just have no clue...

Guest Reviews:

It would be very helpful if you Guest reviewers would identify yourself with a letter or a number. Guest F or Guest 100 would be make it easier to tell you all apart. ha ha

Guest: Yes, poor Balin, he might have a lump on his head for a while, but the idea of being an uncle will make it all better I am sure.

Guest: You are welcome for the bonus chapter...you all earned it. Flinn didn't mean to spoil things, and in a way he didn't...maybe Fili will get to announce the NEXT one. (doubt it) ha ha. I am glad you liked Balin's fainting spell. And Dwalin was the perfect husband, calm and reassuring, easing all of Bergie's fears. Men should never say things like that...they always come back to bite them in the rear. ha ha.

Aranel Mereneth: Yep, Kili can sure put his foot in his mouth when he tries. And I am glad you like good old Uncle Thorin. ha ha. But watch out...Uncle Balin is up to bat now and he might hit a home run! ha ha.