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Ok...so here's the deal. I thought about calling this Appendices 1, or Snippet 1, or something else really pithy. BUT, none of those sounded right.
So, this is just now plain old chapter 147. Makes me feel really creative. *rolls eyes*
Anyway, no matter what it's called...here it is - all 10 pages of it. It is the first of...well, I have no idea how many there will be before I get to the epilogue. ha ha
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Chapter 147
(Four month later)
~X~
It had been months since the wedding, and Kili and Tauriel were still lost in marital bliss. Fili often complained that his brother had become rather useless since taking a wife, though everyone knew he was merely joking.
"If I recall, you were not much help to anyone either after you and Sier realized you were each other's ones," Kili reminded him. "And even now, you both slip away any chance you get."
"Ahhh, yes," Fili sighed happily. "And may that never change."
"Well, there will be no chance for either of us to disappear tonight," Kili groused, the two heading back from the practice ring, both sweaty and tired from a hard workout. "Amad has called an impromptu meeting in her chambers after dinner, and Adad has insisted that we don't be late."
"I wonder what brought this on," Fili mused, rubbing his shoulder where he had worked the muscles a little too hard. His brother and he had been finding more time to spar lately, now that the whole mountain was finally getting back to a normal routine, after the invasion and Kili and Tauriel's wedding. Lord Haken had arrived a week after the celebration to retrieve his soldiers, signing the peace treaty while he was there. From what Fili had observed, he felt they would be having no further trouble from the Blacklocks, for the elderly king had been both repentant and apologetic over the actions of his son. He swore that Hagen had acted solely of his own volition, not telling his father of his traitorous plans, and thus did not speak for the clan as a whole. Thorin, of course, having no solid proof to refute the claim, begrudgingly took Haken on his word, yet stressed the repercussions that would befall them should they ever try such a thing again.
Since then, Erebor had mostly been busy with the planting project for the summer, the two hobbits heading up the work like they always did. Each year the crops seemed to produce a bit more, and the orchards were now heavily laden with fruit. Bergie and Marigold had even begun to grow mushrooms down in the lower levels of the mountain, much to the delight of Bombur, who had been thrilled at how easily accessible they were whenever he needed a bunch for cooking.
As it stood, Fili was rather content with the way things had been going, and at the moment the only thing on his mind was a nice long soak in the tub when he got back to his chambers.
"Who knows what Amad's reason is for insisting we show up tonight, but like I said…Adad claims he will come looking for us if we're late," he warned. "So don't be."
"You're the one who is always tardy, not me!" Fili laughed, punching his brother in the shoulder affectionately. "And I bet I'll arrive there before you…even with three children to feed and get ready."
"Oh, please, Sier will take care of all that, and you know it. Still, I'll take that bet!" Kili agreed, holding out his hand to shake on it.
"What's this about a bet?" came a voice from behind them, causing the two princes to turn around to find Nori looking at them expectantly. "Anything I can get in on, perhaps?"
Fili and Kili broke out laughing, leaving the other dwarf to look on in confusion.
"Come on…there ain't been nothing worth betting on in a long time!" the resident spy and thief pouted.
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As it was, the two brothers arrived at their parents chambers almost simultaneously, both skidding to a halt at the door as they pushed and elbowed each other out of the way in hopes of getting to knock first. Sier and Tauriel looked at each other and simply rolled their eyes. The two females had become even closer during the past month, their bond strengthening over their love for the two brothers. Tauriel, stepped forward and reaching above their heads, knocked on the door herself, causing Fili and Kili to stop and look up at her crossly.
"If we had to wait for the two of you, we would be standing out here all evening," Tauriel laughed.
"And I for one, am curious as to why we have been summoned," Sier insisted.
"Do you think there'll be cake?" Flinn asked, looking hopeful.
"Next to Bombur, N'ama Dis makes the best cake!" Frerin agreed, licking his lips in anticipation.
"Cake! Cake!" Freya chanted from her mother's arms, clapping her hands with glee. Her vocabulary had steadily increased over the past few weeks, adding a new word almost daily. Cake had been her favorite since the wedding.
Just then the door opened and Dis welcomed them all inside, her exuberant smile both inviting…and curious. It appeared the entire company, as well as their families, had been invited, filling the large living space to near capacity.
Thorin looked as perplexed as Fili and Kili, the three exchanging a questioning glance…yet none could offer more than a shrug and a shake of their heads. It would appear that they would all find out the reason for being invited when their host and hostess deemed it appropriate. In the meantime, they each accepted a mug of ale that was being passed around, and much to the dwarfling's delight, there was a table laid out with plenty of treats for them…including cake.
After a little bit, Flinn and Dis moved to the head of the room, standing side by side as they addressed their guests.
"We're sure you're all wondering why we called you here tonight," Flinn spoke up. "And Dis and I see no reason to keep you in suspense any longer."
"Yes, why all the secrecy?" Thorin asked, eyeing his sister with a bit of concern. Dis was never one to play games, always preferring the firm and direct approach to most things.
"Well, we have some wonderful news…and we wanted to share it with everyone at once," Dis told the waiting crowd. "It appears that Mahal, in all his mercy, has not only seen fit to return to me my husband and my one - but also, after many years of being kept apart, he has more than made up for this by blessing Flinn and I…with the coming of another child." Here she paused and waited for the crowd's reaction.
Oin, of course, already knew, but as they watched, the rest of their family and friends' mouths dropped open in shock. It was a long time before anyone spoke.
"You…you and Flinn…you're going to have…another baby?" Thorin stammered, unsure if he should be happy, appalled, or worried sick over the news. A child was a blessing, no doubt about it, but Dis was not a young dam any more…though, in truth she was not old by any means either. She was, however, a grandmother, three times over, leaving him to wonder if it was even possible for her to still carry a child to birth?
However, he wasn't given a chance to voice any of his concerns, for the room suddenly erupted in a myriad of screams and shouts of excitement. Fili and Kili lunged forward, throwing their arms around their parents in utter joy.
"A baby?" Fili repeated, completely flabbergasted. "I can't believe it!"
"Imagine how we felt when Oin gave us the news," Flinn laughed, slapping Kili on the back as he continued to embrace his younger son.
"You mean I'm going to be a big brother at last?" Kili asked eagerly. "No more Naddith for me?"
"Well, no matter what, you will always be my nadadith," Fili pointed out. "But to this little lad you will be Nadad!"
"Or little lass," Dis stated, watching as this idea sunk in and her sons whooped and hollered even louder.
"I suppose this means I won't be able to count on you to take my new little one off my hands when I'm exhausted beyond belief," Ilin laughed, patting her own slightly protruding stomach.
"Oh, you know I can't get enough of babies!" Dis insisted, but then she turned a bit sheepish. "However…with my own needing feeding and nappy changes round the clock, I might not be as eager to help out as I was at first."
"And that is completely understandable," Ilin assured her, giving her friend a warm embrace. "I'm so excited that we will be raising our little ones together!"
Soon everyone was gathered around them, offering congratulations and asking a million questions. The most popular being…when?
"We should be expecting our little one in about nine months' time," Flinn beamed, proud as a peacock. "In late spring or early summer is our best guess."
"Nine months?" Kili asked, looking at his mother questioningly. "Won't that be just about the time when you and Bard are planning Tilda and Bain's weddings? Are you sure you still want to take on the task now that you are with child?"
"Kili, I have carried a child and given birth twice before, as you clearly know," she laughed. "I am perfectly aware of my limits, and I assure you that I can handle both. Besides, the weddings will be over and done with by the time this little one is scheduled to appear." She reached up and patted her son's cheek affectionately, knowing that he only worried because he loved her. "But I thank you for your concern."
"And I will be at her side every moment, making sure that she is not overdoing herself," Flinn insisted, placing his arm around his wife. "I will not let anything happen to her, or the babe. I promise."
"What about our trip to the Shire?" Thorin spoke up. "We postponed the journey last spring due to Marigold giving birth, must we do so again until your little one is old enough to travel?"
"No," Dis told him, appearing a bit disappointed. "Flinn and I talked it over, and while we would like nothing more than to visit the Shire with you and Marigold, we just do not see it happening." She turned to Fili and Sier, giving them an apologetic look. "I know I said I would go along to watch after Flinn and Frerin, but we simply don't see how we can, now with a babe coming."
"Amad," Fili told her with a sympathetic smile. "We would never dream of expecting you to go now. I'm sure Bilbo will understand as well, so don't give it a second thought."
"But…but Frerin and I can still go, right?" Flinn asked, his eyes wide with fear and desperation. "If N'ama Dis is not going, do we have to stay home too?"
"I wanna go to the Shire!" Frerin pouted. "I wanna meet Frodo!"
Sier and Fili looked at each other questioningly, apparently both of them worried about their children's safety on the trip. Yet before they could speak, Thorin cut in.
"Are you saying you don't trust me to watch over your lads?" he asked, looking a bit affronted by the idea. "I did help raise the two of you, remember."
"Yes, Uncle, we remember," Fili said, doing his best to placate his now offended king. "And you did a fine job."
"Well…" Kili mumbled, hedging just a bit. His remark earned a quick scowl from Fili. Now was not the time for jokes.
"Might I also remind you that I have two children of my own now, and I have never misplaced them…not once!" Thorin's voice was quickly rising, determined to make his point. "If I can rule a kingdom, I can certainly look after two dwarflings."
"I thought I could as well," Fili told his uncle in defense. "Until I found them stowed away in a wagon as I headed off on a dangerous mission. After that, my opinions have changed." He gave Thorin a pleading look. "All I'm saying, is that you have enough to worry about with your own two. Dwalin as well, for he and Bergie have the twins to care for. Sier and I would simply feel more comfortable if they were being looked after by someone who could concentrate only on them…who have no children of their own to divide their attention between."
"Then Tauriel and I will go and watch over the lads," Kili spoke up, taking a step forward. "We have no children of our own, and between the two of us, I'm sure we can keep them in line." He turned to look at his wife. "Right, my love?" Yet when he caught sight of Tauriel's face, he felt his stomach drop. She looked stricken, as if something he had just said hurt her deeply. Her expression only lasted a moment, before she managed to compose herself, and while no one else probably noticed…Kili did.
"I…" Tauriel began, obviously shocked by Kili's sudden offer. Yet after glancing down at the two desperate faces of the anxious dwarflings, she quickly gave in. "Of course we can take them. It would be our pleasure."
Sier broke out into a wide smile, obviously quite relieved by their offer. She stepped closer and laid her hand on the elleth's arm.
"Are you sure, Tauriel?" she questioned, hope shining in her eyes. "It's a lot to ask."
"It would be no trouble at all, my sister," Tauriel assured her with a warm smile. "Besides, I have never traveled west of the Misty Mountains, and I would very much love to see Imladris and the Shire."
"Then it's settled!" Kili grinned, slapping his brother on the back. "Amad and Adad will stay behind in Erebor, while Tauriel and I serve as Flinn and Frerin's guardians." He couldn't help but throw his wife a questioning glance, hoping to discern what it was that had upset her so much earlier. Yet she refused to look his way, and he wondered if it was due to anger…or something more.
"Yippeee!" Little Flinn cried, hugging his brother as the two jumped up and down. "We get to go to the Shire! We get to see Frodo!"
Everyone seemed pleased by the arrangement, especially Dis and Flinn, as they no longer had to feel guilty about ruining their grandson's plans to visit the home of the hobbits.
"Sorry to abandon the party this way," Flinn told Thorin. "Dis was really looking forward to the trip, and to be honest, so was I."
"You're fooling no one, old friend," Thorin chuckled. "Your wish to go was for the sole purpose of intimidating poor Bilbo. I told you before, his overture was immediately shot down by my sister, and he made no further attempts after that."
"And he is now married as well, for Mahal's sake," Dis groused, knowing that Flinn had been irritated with her friend over his short-lived affections for her. "So you will leave the poor hobbit alone, do you hear?"
"Yes, my diamond," Flinn told her, looking rather contrite.
Thorin stepped forward and placed a hand on Kili's shoulder.
"That was very kind of you to offer to go, Kili," he told the younger dwarrow with a look of pride. He then turned to the red haired elleth and gave her an approving nod. "It was very kind of you both." However, to Fili he gave a bit of a scowl. "I still say Dwalin and I could have watched after them just fine."
Fili opened his mouth, hoping to say something that would placate his irritated uncle, but Marigold stepped in, knowing it was time to change the subject, before anyone's feelings truly got hurt.
"Let's not forget the important part here," she told the group, capturing everyone's attention. "Dis and Flinn are going to have a baby! And we all can't be happier for you both," Marigold stated, grinning from ear to ear. "Looks like Raina here will have a new little cousin to play with very soon."
"And I at last have something to take bets on, since Bombur has strictly forbidden me to take wagers on his upcoming child!" Nori spoke up, pulling out the pencil and pad of paper he was never without. "So…what'cha say, fellas? I'm offering good odds on another lad!"
This of course caused the whole room to break out in laughter, and everyone raised a glass of ale – except for Dis – toasting the soon to be parents.
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Later that night, Dis said goodbye to each of their guests at the door, until only her, Sier, Marigold, Bergie, and Tauriel remained. The children were all asleep on the sofa, the little dogpile of cake filled youngens bringing smiles to the dam's faces. Marigold still held Raina in her arms, however, as the little babe was far too young to safely snuggle with the others.
Flinn, Thorin, Dwalin, Fili, and Kili, were in the parlor sitting by the fireplace, smoking and talking, each swapping stories and telling tall tales. Their wives hated to interrupt them, for any time they could find to share a quiet moment away from duties and responsibilities was a rare pleasure. Still, it was getting late and the next day would arrive with the dawn.
"Have you managed to save all of Arda by now, my brave warriors?" Dis teased, coming up behind Flinn and resting her hands upon his shoulders affectionately.
"Just about," Flinn assured her, pulling one of her hands forward and giving it a kiss. "But I think we all still have time to make sure our wives and children, are cared for as well."
"Good, because I have two sleeping lumps out there that need their adad to carry them home," Bergie informed Dwalin with a smile.
"Yes, my sugarplum," he laughed, standing up and stretching his muscles.
"Now, don't you sugarplum me," she warned, knowing exactly what that endearment meant to him. "It's bed time…as in sleep. For everyone!"
The others laughed, noting Dwalin's look of disappointment, yet they too rose from their chairs, each one kissing Dis on the cheek as they passed. They congratulated Flinn once more and headed out, packing their sleeping children down the corridors towards their chambers.
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When Kili and Tauriel arrived at their room, and were alone at last, the worried dwarf addressed the issue that had been plaguing him most of the evening.
"What's the matter, my love?" he asked, taking Tauriel by the hand and leading her to the sofa. "Did I say something to upset you? I realize I should have spoken to you first about going on the trip and watching over the lads, but I just couldn't see any other way that Fili and Sier would allow them to go. Do you truly not wish to travel to the Shire…if so, I will speak to Fili immediately and tell him we have changed our minds."
"No, that is not it," she assured him, forcing a smile. "I am happy to go and see more of Arda with you, truly I am."
"Then what is it?" he persisted. "I can tell that you're upset."
At first Tauriel was silent, not even looking up at her husband. But then, as if a dam broke, she began to cry, burying her face in his chest as she let the tears fall.
"Oh, my darling, what is it?" Kili begged, trying to keep his voice soothing as he rubbed her back. "Tell me."
"Why have we not been blessed with a child yet?" she managed to get out at last. "I keep waiting to feel our young one growing within me…but nothing, in all this time! What if we can't have children, Kili…what if we are not compatible in that way?"
"Hey, now, what brought all this on?" he asked, pushing her back just a bit so he could tip her chin up to look at him. Then he realized his mistake. He had told Fili they could watch over his children because they had none of their own. He felt like a heel for uttering those insensitive words, ones that apparently hurt his wife deeply. "Forgive me, my love. It was thoughtless of me to have said such a thing. How long have you been fretting about this?"
"I've been worried about it for a while now, but I think hearing that your mother is going now to have a baby just brought it all to a head." Tauriel sniffed and wiped her eyes, trying to regain her usual composure. "Why can't I get pregnant, Kili…why?"
"Tauriel, listen to me," he said gently. "Often, it takes dwarrowdams years to conceive…and whether that is due to something with the females, or the males, we don't know. I could very well be the one holding things up, not you. Do elf lasses tend to get pregnant right away?"
"Well…not usually, no," she had to confess. "But Fili and Sier did…and so did Bergie and Dwalin. And now your mother and father!"
"And anyone will tell you that is very unusual for dwarves," Kili informed her. "Normally it does not happen that fast." Which was true, and it was important that Tauriel realized that. "And I don't believe that Mahal would have put us together if we were not just as compatible as any other in that department. It just might take time, my little firebrand. We simply need to be patient."
"You…you really think so?" she asked, looking up at him with hope filled eyes.
"I know so," Kili assured her. "Besides, it has been only four months, which is hardly any time at all! And I don't think I'm quite ready to share you just yet. I don't mind waiting, just as long as I have you beside me to keep me company until it happens. And it will happen. I promise."
"I truly hope so," she sighed, leaning in once more as he wrapped his arms around her. "I can't wait to hold our child…to see your eyes on a miniature version of you."
"Or a miniature version of you," he countered with a laugh. "While males are more common amongst my people, lately, we Durins have begat quite a number of lasses, you know."
"I would cherish a lad or a lass," Tauriel stated. "I don't care what we have…I just desire one so badly."
"Well, if you are not too tired after tonight's gathering, we could certainly go into the bedroom and try our best to make one," he suggested.
"How did I get such a selfless husband as you? Willing to endure such trials, all for my sake?" she laughed, knowing the idea was never far from Kili's mind. Not that she was complaining, they both rather enjoyed the act.
"I'm just amazing that way," he told her, grinning from ear to ear. "Shall we?" He stood up and held out his hand invitingly.
"Always," was her happy reply, the two heading for their bedroom with smiles on their faces.
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Meanwhile, back in Dis and Flinn's room, the two snuggled in bed themselves, both laughing and talking about the evening.
"I can't wait to find out what it will be. I wish I could dream about it and know for sure, like I did with Fili," Flinn told her, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"If you do, I'll be excited to know…but if you don't, it will still be fun to be surprised," Dis agreed. Yet, in her heart, she already felt she knew, and though she would not reveal her suspicions to her husband, she couldn't wait to find out if she was right.
"Thorin is worried about you," Flinn announced, his tone turning serious. "I could tell the idea that you might come to harm during the birth was weighing on his mind all evening. And to tell you the truth…I fear the same thing myself."
"Flinn…what are you saying?" Dis argued, sitting up and looking down at her husband's troubled expression. "This is a time to rejoice, not to go borrowing trouble."
"I know…but I just got you back," he lamented, reaching up to caress her cheek. "I want this child more than anything, you know that, but I can't help fearing that I might lose you in the process. You have always been my reason for living, for fighting to stay alive. I would be lost without you."
"I understand your anxiety, my love, but there is nothing to worry about, I promise," she soothed, doing her best not to make light of his obvious concern. "I am strong, I am healthy, and I've birthed two strong sons before this. Yes, I'm a bit older now, but no less hale. And with you here to care for me and see to my every need and desire…how could anything go wrong?"
"How indeed!" Flinn agreed firmly, doing his best to give her a confident smile. "Yet, until we are both holding our little one in our arms, you will probably have to put up with me being a bit overprotective. Can you handle that?"
"I somehow managed the last two times," she laughed, recalling that this was very similar to the way he had been back then as well.
"I wasn't that bad…was I?" he asked, looking up at her skeptically.
"Not too bad, no," she agreed. "But as all dwarrow do with expectant wives, you did tend to smother me just a little bit."
"Well…get ready for me to do so again," he warned her, the twinkle in his eyes returning. He reaching up and pulled her back to his side, loving the feel of her against his side and chest. "We will need to start thinking of names."
"Who says I have not already picked them out?" she teased.
"Without me even getting a say?" he huffed, trying to sound upset.
"When you go through all the pain of pushing a babe out of you…then you can name it," she informed him. "I mean, your part is easy…and rather pleasurable, if the noises you make are to be believed. But I am the one who will be carrying it for ten months and then giving birth. So, I shall be the one naming this babe, thank you very much."
Flinn couldn't help but laugh over his wife's firm opinion on the subject.
"Fine, my precious diamond," he at last conceded. "You can name it anything you wish, and I will be completely content."
"Thank you," she said with a smug smile.
"No, my darling wife…thank you," he whispered, his tone turning serious once more. "You have gifted me with two fine sons already, and now you intend to give me another child, and this late in our lives. I thank Mahal every day for making me your one."
"As do I," she assured him. "More than you will ever know."
"Shhhh, it's time to get some sleep," he whispered, combing his fingers through her hair with gentle strokes. "We will both be parents again soon, and if I recall, babies can be rather exhausting."
"Yes they can," she agreed, snuggling down with a smile. "And I simply can't wait!"
And there you have your first glimpse in time. More to come.
So...were you surprised that Dis and Flinn are having another? Won't Fili and Kili be the most awesome big brothers?
Awwww, Tauriel is sad, she wants a baby too. I hope Kili is right and that it just takes times.
So, there is a double wedding planned for spring - Bard did indeed need the help it would seem, and Dis was the dam to go to.
And now Kili and Tauriel are taking the trip to the Shire too! Oh what fun.
Guest Reviews:
abc: Yep, Kili and Tauriel are truly and officialy married now. Glad you liked the wedding night. I did have fun with Fili waiting outside Kili's chambers, wanting to ask how things went...as IF Kili would tell him. ha ha. Here is snippet chapter number 1! Hope it was worth the wait. More to come. Thanks
gginsc: Yes, but if Fili and Kili were my brothers...I would love it! Well...maybe not since I kind of have a crush on Fili. But Kili I could so see as my brother. ha ha.