Thank you all for each and every review, they really keep me writing!

.

.

Chapter 87

~X~

Marigold was briskly marched down the corridor towards the healing halls, sandwiched between an excited Bergie and Menegilda. It had been two months since the royal wedding, and while everyone had been immensely busy and distracted…one thing had not gone unnoticed.

"Do you really think it's possible?" Marigold asked, looking between her mother and aunt. "This soon?"

"Oh, honey," Bergie laughed, pausing only long enough to pat her extremely round belly. "If you are going by how long it took Dwalin and I to conceive…you are late!"

"I gave birth to Saradoc exactly eight and a half months after I married your father," Menegilda informed her. "I am surprised it took you this long."

"Well…Thorin says that dwarf children are few and far between," she mused. "I just thought we would have more time alone as a couple is all."

"It is not as if the babe is going to be born today," her mother laughed. "You and Thorin will still have the next six to eight months alone…that is if you are truly pregnant."

"And there is only one way to find out," Bergie insisted, gesturing to the door they had just stopped in front of. "Shall we?"

Marigold stared at the wooden barrier in front of her, eyes wide with both fear and excitement.

"Yes…let's go see if I am carrying Thorin's child!" she grinned, pushing the door open as all three went inside.

.

.

Meanwhile, Thorin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili were holding conference with Bilbo and Gandalf, all discussing the hobbits' journey home. Bard and Bain had joined in on the conversation, since the king of Dale had decided a trip to Rohan was quite overdue.

"Tilda and I have long wished to visit Sigrid and my grandson," Bard announced. "Bain is willing to remain behind and rule in my absence. I think it is high time he got his feet wet in that regard." He turned and gripped his son's shoulder in an act of pride and confidence. For the lad who had so bravely aided his father in the destruction of Smaug, had indeed grown into a fine young man. "Thus, we would be more than pleased to journey with Master Baggins and his company as far as Edoras."

"And we will be happy to have you," Bilbo grinned. "Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir offered to escort us safely through Mirkwood by means of the elven path, but we did promise to stop at Beorn's house as well."

"And there I envy you, Bilbo," Fili stated with a wide smile. "I have rather fond memories of the time we spent in the skin changer's abode. Those honey cakes were the best I have ever tasted."

"But I will warn you, master hobbit," Kili cut in. "I would keep my eyes on Elladan and Elrohir if I were you. Without us to play their tricks upon, they might decide to turn on you."

This had many in the room laughing, though Bilbo now had a look of trepidation.

"From Beorn's we plan to follow the Anduin down to Rohan, keeping the river between us and the mountains," Gandalf informed them. "I would suggest we go by boat, for it would be faster, yet I know how little hobbits appreciate water, so we will stick with ponies."

"And I thank you for that kindness," Bilbo nodded to the wizard.

"Come on, Bilbo," Dwalin laughed, elbowing the halfling in the arm. "It's not as if you would be making the journey in a barrel this time."

"Oh, please, do not even mention the barrel incident," Fili groaned, his stomach instantly recalling the sickening feeling he had experienced due to the apple soaked ride.

"Once we reach Edoras," Gandalf continued, ignoring all talk of the ingenious way the dwarves had escaped Thranduil's prisons. "I will be forced to take my leave, for I must visit the head of my order, Saruman the White at Isengard. A meeting I have long delayed. Yet, from there it will only be a short journey to Rivendell, and I have complete confidence in Glorfindel's ability to conduct you safely to the house of Elrond."

"Simek has offered to send along two of is strongest ravens to serve as scouts, and to relay messages on your journey," the dwarf king informed them, knowing that having the corvids on hand would be a great asset. "And exactly when do you wish to set out, Master Baggins?" Thorin asked, hating the idea of his friends departing. Having the entire company under Erebor's roof once more had brought back a lot of fond memories, and he was sad to see it end.

"Very soon I should think, yet I have not spoken to the rest of my party," Bilbo admitted. "It still feels as if there is so much left to do, but we dare not tarry much longer and risk traveling in foul weather. We will likely depart within the month, I would guess."

"Very well, we shall prepare to travel on your word," Bard nodded in satisfaction.

They all sat down to pore over maps, wanting to plan out the journey in great detail, but they were halted by the sound of a knock at the door.

"Enter," Thorin called, looking up in time to see one of the guards step inside, a concerned look on his face.

"My Lord," he said with a quick bow. "I bring news…about the queen."

"Marigold?" Thorin asked, standing up in alarm. "What has happened?"

.

.

Marigold had just exited the examining room, followed closely behind by Oin, Bergie and Menegilda, only to come face to face with a distraught Thorin. He was quickly flanked by Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Bilbo…all of them slightly out of breath.

"What is the matter?" the dwarf king quickly demanded, his eyes roving over his wife in search of injury. "What has brought you to the healing halls?"

"How…how did you even know I was here?" she sputtered, looking from her aunt to her mother questioningly. They both gave her a shrug of confusion, silently telling her that they had not alerted Thorin to the situation.

"Marigold," Thorin said with a sigh. "Even if you do not see them, as queen of Erebor, you must understand that you are under constant guard at all times. You can't expect them not to notify me if you do something out of the ordinary…like seek medical attention from Oin. Now, tell me…what is wrong?"

Marigold was not quite sure if she should be flattered by his overprotective attitude or a bit peeved. And yet, after the news she just received, she could not find it in herself to be upset. Besides, she had been heading to search out her husband anyway, his being here now was quite a happy coincidence.

"There is nothing wrong," she quickly assured her worried king, stepping forward and placing her palm on his slightly flushed cheek. "In fact, I would say that everything is very right." At this she took hold of his hand and laid it over her stomach, giving him a wide grin as she watched his eyes grow wide in understanding.

"You…you are with child?" Thorin was finally able to get out. "So soon?"

"Yes, I am," she nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "We are going to have a baby, Thorin!"

Marigold was instantly engulfed in an exuberant, yet careful, embrace, as he lifted her off her feet and spun her around with joy. Everyone joined in with cheers and words of congratulations.

"Welcome to the joys of fatherhood, Uncle," Fili said, slapping Thorin on the back.

"As well as everything else that comes with it," Dwalin laughed, receiving an elbow in the side from his wife, who had come to stand beside him.

"How would you know, Dwalin?" Fili asked with a raised eyebrow. "You have yet to experience any of it yet. Bergie has thus far been doing all the work."

"You're one to talk," Dwalin retorted. "Sier raised Flinn during his early years, with you pitching in only after he was already running around and out of nappies."

"Well, I will not be shirking my responsibilities with this one," Fili stated firmly, looking as if he couldn't wait.

"And neither shall I," Thorin announced, looking down at Marigold with conviction in his eyes. "I will be the most attentive husband, making sure you have all you need and then some. I will also do my share of caring for the child whenever possible. I will not be the kind of father who spends little time with his children, seeing them only for a few minutes at the end of the day before they are put down for the night. Nor will I see our little Rose cared for by others, she will remain under our watchful eye, or that of family, at all times."

"Our little Rose?" Marigold asked, having loved everything she had heard him say, yet that last part had confused her.

"I…I guess that is how I have been thinking of her ever since I dreamed of our child," Thorin confessed, looking a bit sheepish at his inadvertent slip. He reached up and let his fingertips touch the silver rose pendant that hung around Marigold's neck. "She will be a blend of dwarf and hobbit, your race and mine, just as this silver rose has come to symbolize. She will be our little Rose as well, making us a true family."

"Oh, Thorin," Marigold gushed, her eyes now brimming with tears of joy. "I love it. Not only is it fitting, but naming lasses after flowers is a very hobbit thing to do."

"And you are that sure your child will be female?" Menegilda asked, having heard the story about Thorin's dream, yet was still a bit skeptical.

"As sure as anything," Thorin nodded with a proud smile. "And yet, should I be proven wrong, I will find no displeasure in it. Any child we create shall be loved and adored, no matter if it be a lad or a lass."

"That it will," Marigold said firmly, leaning in for another hug from her elated husband. "More than it shall ever know."

.

.

Later that evening, another gathering was called, so that friends and family could be told about the new upcoming babe. A public announcement would be made the following day in front of all Erebor, yet tonight was a private party. Dis was beside herself with joy, both laughing and crying as she hugged Thorin and Marigold over and over.

"A little lass!" she gushed, wiping her eyes several times with a handkerchief generously provided by Bilbo. "There will finally be a new daughter of Durin in the mountain."

"It has been quite a while since we had one of those," Balin laughed, looking at Dis.

"Not that long," she huffed, acting offended by her cousin's rather thoughtless remark. "I am far from old, you know."

"I…I didn't mean…" he stammered, his face turning red in embarrassment.

Yet Dis' scowl quickly turned to laughter and everyone joined in, having a bit of sport at Balin's expense.

Rory, Saradoc and Esme were overjoyed at the news, Menegilda having held her tongue until Thorin and Marigold could make their announcement. Rory was in tears, hugging his little girl and blubbering in a very undignified manner…not that anyone blamed him.

"My baby is going to be a mother," he muttered, wiping his eyes on the back of his sleeve.

"Now Rory, you speak as if she were still a toddler," Menegilda laughed, patting her husband's hand sympathetically. "Mari is a grown lass now, and a wife. And I for one am anxious to have me some grandchildren!" She turned and looked at Saradoc with a raised eyebrow. "And as soon as we get back to the Shire, I expect you and Esme to get right on that as well."

"Mother!" Saradoc laughed, hugging his now blushing bride to his side. "It will happen when it happens," he told her. "You can't rush these things."

"You might as well just give in, Saradoc," Fili laughed, eyeing his own mother with a wide grin. "I have found that when it comes to grandchildren, it is best to just do as they wish. There will be no peace until they get what they want anyway."

"Oh, really?" Dis questioned, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms over her chest in irritation.

"Now, now, Dis," Menegilda said in a conspiratorial tone. "If it means we get babies, let them think what they wish."

"Aye," Dis nodded, seeing the wisdom of her hobbit friend's words. "You are right." She then threw open her arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Bring on the grandchildren!"

.

.

Not long after this, Prim, Drogo and Frodo approached the happy couple, giving Marigold a warm hug and Thorin a hearty handshake.

"Congratulations to you both," Drogo said, an unusually bright smile on his face. "Prim and I were so excited to hear the news."

"We only wish that we could stay long enough to see your new babe born," Prim told them. "Yet it would seem that the threat of winter is not the only reason we are anxious to be on the road and back in the Shire as soon as possible."

"Oh?" Thorin asked, looking from one grinning hobbit to the next. "And what other reason might there be?"

"Well, apparently, it must be something about the clean mountain air," Prim said, her voice full of excitement. "For I just learned that I am going to have another child as well!"

"Oh, Prim!" Marigold squealed, throwing herself into her friend's arms and hugging her tightly. "I am so happy for you, I truly am! We shall both have children together!"

"A few miles apart, perhaps," she agreed with a laugh. "But yes, we shall. And just like you, I have a secret feeling that this one will be a little lass as well."

"Just like you and Drogo hoped!" Marigold clapped her hands together in excitement. "This is simply wonderful, Prim!"

"So, Frodo," Thorin said, leaning down and looking at the grinning lad. "You are going to be a big brother as well?"

"Yes!" he answered emphatically, but then the little hobbit slapped his hand over his mouth and looked up at Drogo questioningly. "I'm allowed to tell people now, aren't I?"

"Yes, Frodo," Drogo laughed, ruffling his hair with his hand. "The cat is officially out of the bag. So run off and tell Flinn, like I am sure you are dying to."

"Yippeee," the lad yelled, taking off and running straight over to where his friend was standing with his own parents, eager to share his news.

"You will have to tell us how you were able to get Frodo to keep such a secret," Thorin laughed, recalling how Flinn had stolen Fili and Sier's thunder during their own announcement party.

"Easy…just threaten to take away his dessert for a week," Drogo said. "Works every time for hungry hobbits."

.

.

Hours later, after the excitement and congratulations had died down, Fili and Kili sat alone, toasting both Thorin and Marigold, as well as Drogo and Prim.

"It would seem that the soil is not the only thing that is fertile in Erebor these days," Kili laughed, taking a big swig of his ale. "Four bairns, all in one year."

"That we are aware of," Fili pointed out. "Who knows who else in the mountain has found themselves in the family way."

"Well, we can be certain that there are not any more hobbits," Kili stated. "Every female who came last fall is now carrying."

"True…though one should not count Esmerelda and Saradoc out too quickly," Fili suggested. "They are, after all, still newlyweds. Who knows…maybe it is something in the water?"

"Good thing we are drinking ale then!" Kili laughed, causing his brother to snort and almost spit out his own mouthful. "The last thing I want to do is find myself with child!"

"And what a scandal it would be too," Fili chuckled. "Especially since no dwarrowdam has even caught your eye." He stopped there, his expression turning serious. "Or has one?"

"What? No!" Kili balked, yet looked away far too quickly.

"Kili," his brother urged, leaning in just a bit as he gave him a stern look. "I know when you are lying to me, brother. I've always been able to tell."

"I am not lying!" Kili stated firmly. "Well…not exactly."

"It's that red haired elf lass, isn't it?" Fili deduced, knowing he had hit the mark when Kili's eyes grew wide with shock. "So a lass has caught your eye…just not a dwarrowdam."

"Am I that obvious?" Kili moaned, slumping back in his chair.

"Only to me, Nadadith," Fili assured him sympathetically. "I saw how you looked at her back in Mirkwood when she saved you from the spiders, and heard how you two talked in Thranduil's prison. But when you asked Glorfindel and the twins about her, and then spouted off about how you thought elf lasses were beautiful…well, I am neither blind nor stupid, little brother."

"Please don't say anything, Fili," Kili begged, looking both stricken and embarrassed. "I am not sure Uncle would understand…or mother."

Fili was silent for a long while, simply staring at his despondent brother, then he gave a heavy sigh and spoke.

"Kili…do you truly like her that much?" he asked. "I mean, you have not seen her in what…ten years?"

"Eleven, but who's counting," Kili whispered under his breath.

"Do you think she even remembers you?" he could tell the question hurt, causing Kili to flinch at his bluntness.

"I don't know," he admitted with a shrug. "And it's not like I plan on pursuing her or anything. But can I help it if whenever I see a dam with red hair, it's her face that springs to my mind? That when I look at the stars at night, it's her piercing eyes I see? Or when someone laughs, with just that right mixture of music and bells…all I hear is Tauriel?"

"Tauriel…yes, that was her name, wasn't it?" Fili nodded, as if trying to recall everything he could about her in hopes of seeing what had fascinated his brother so much.

"She even haunts my dreams, Nadad," Kili whined. "What am I supposed to do?"

"You've dreamed of her?" Fili sat up straight, a fearful look on his face. "Have you dreamed of…of marrying her…or children?"

"No…nothing like that," Kili said with a shake of his head, fully aware of what those particular signs meant for a dwarrow. "Just…well, dreams of us fighting side by side, or sitting together and looking at the stars. I don't think we even talk in my dreams, but when I wake up, I can't stop thinking about her. I have tried to forget her and concentrate on other dams, really I have! But again, none of them are her."

"She's an elf, Kili," Fili pointed out, rather stating the obvious.

"You don't think I know that?" once again the younger prince slouched in his chair, letting his head fall back. "Uncle will kill me for sure if he ever finds out."

"Not necessarily," Fili mused, reaching up to stroke his beard in thought. "I mean, look at how far Thorin has come lately. First of all, he fell in love…so he should be more sympathetic to your plight."

"But I'm not even sure if I am in love," Kili argued. "And if I am…how would I even know?"

"Trust me, Kili…you would know," Fili assured him. "And now that Thorin is friends with Glorfindel, well, he might not be as opposed as he once was. He even invited Thranduil to his wedding! That has to count for something."

"So…what do you think I should do?" Kili asked, looking both frightened and hopeful.

"Nothing! I mean, it would probably not be wise to go looking for her or anything," he was quick to elaborate. "Just think on it some more, really have your mind made up before you decide on how to act. This could simply be a form of infatuation, nothing more."

"You're right," Kili nodded. "And I really don't think I am ready for a relationship right now anyway…with anyone."

"You are now the same age I was when I first met Sier," Fili pointed out with a grin. "I wasn't sure I was ready to find love either, but now I can't imagine living without her and Flinn." He leaned over and stretched out his hand, placing it comfortingly on his brother's shoulder. "I am not telling you to ride off to Mirkwood and confront the lass…but neither am I telling you to forget her. Obviously she had made an impression if you are still thinking about her after all this time. Just be patient and see what happens. All right?"

"All right," Kili agreed, giving his brother a warm smile. "I knew you would understand."

"Oh, I never said I understood," Fili laughed. "Give me a voluptuous dwarrowdam over a scrawny elf maid any day."

"Don't let Sier hear you say that," Kili warned, causing Fili to give him an evil stare.

"The point is…what you find attractive, might not exactly appeal to me, but that does not mean I'm right and you're wrong." He then got a wicked grin on his face. "Although, in most other cases it would."

"Ha ha, very funny," Kili drolled.

"I will keep your secret, Kili," Fili promised. "And who knows, either you will simply get over her…or…" Here his words faded off.

"Or what?" Kili persisted.

"I don't know," the blond prince shrugged. "Anything can happen. I mean, did you ever imagine that Thorin would fall in love with a hobbit?"

"Not in a million years," Kili laughed. "And now he is going to have a baby too! Nothing will ever be the same again."

"I know!" Fili's tone was one of wonder.

"At least with Uncle Thorin having a child, that should take some of the pressure off of me with mother," Kili reasoned. "Between your new bairn, as well as Dwalin and Thorin's, maybe she won't be pressuring me so much to find my one and give her more grandchildren."

"Don't count on that," Fili laughed. "From the way she talks, she wants a whole lapful. And you know how Amad gets when she has made up her mind."

"Do I ever!" Kili said with a roll of his eyes.

"But in the meantime, cheer up, Nadadith," Fili admonished. "You are a good looking dwarf prince, with an even better looking older brother. Life can't get much better than that!"

"Oh, Mahal, Fili," Kili laughed. "How can Sier stand to live with that enormous ego of yours?"

"With a smile on her face, little brother," Fili proudly assured him. "And a very happy smile at that."

Well, two more babies! Though these won't be born for a while and one will have to be in the Shire. But still...BABIES!

Do you like the name Thorin picked out for their daughter?

How about the plans for the hobbit's journey?

Fili was such a good brother to Kili and his elf situation, wasn't he?

Guest Reviews:

Feu d'Argent: Well there ARE things called internet viruses...I just didn't think they could effect people. ha ha. Hmmm, that starlight line, might come in handy later. I am sure Dis has a ton of good stories of her Flinn saved up in her heart and memory. ha ha, you are right, Kili was a big flirt in the jail cell..."i could have anything down my trousers" ha ha. Love him. I thought Bilbo was front and center most of the time, but with sooooo many characters to write for, it is hard to give everyone screen time. No, Drogo and Prim are going home and so is Frodo. It will be a sad parting, but it has to be.

abc: Girls do talk...and then they tell their husbands, so Dwalin and Fili know the score. ha ha. He can threaten all he wants, but with Nori having a key to the dungeons, well, why even bother? Kili did luck out this time, didn't he? Yep, hobbits leave, babies come. They are both small, so really, no one will notice the difference. ha ha. Yes, Dwalin's reputation took a hit there when he got tossed in the dungeons by his own guards...so fainting during labor would really seal is fate. ha ha.

Anamika: Thanks for the review and the guess. I can't tell you what he will have, but I do so love hearing what the readers are thinking!

Aranel Mereneth: I do try not to let a chapter go by without at least a MENTION of my sweet Fili...but when things were more about Thorin, I am sure it did happen. But fear not, he will be front and center for here on out. ha ha. Dumb Durin strikes again. ha ha.