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Hello again!
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Chapter 157
~X~
Later that night, when the ladies returned to Bag End, everyone was treated to a fine tale, as well as hearty meal.
"I can't believe I missed it!" Bilbo huffed. "You gave Lobelia a stern dressing down, and I wasn't even there to witness the fun!"
"Oh, trust me, Cousin," Marigold laughed. "It was a sight to see. And if I am any judge of character, you won't be seeing Lobelia around for quite some time."
"Still, I claim dibs on that bony finger of hers," Bergie insisted. "Just you wait till she points it in our direction again and see if I don't lob it off and wear it around my neck as a trophy!"
"Bergie!" Dwalin said in both shock and awe. "Such fire, such spirit…I could almost swear I married a dwarrowdam after all." He reached out and pulled her closer, planting a kiss on her cheek for all to see.
"That's enough, you two," Kili laughed. "Can't you keep your mitts off each other…at least in front of the children?"
"If our affections offend you, then shut your eyes, lad," Dwalin countered, giving the young prince a wily grin. "On second thought, don't. You never know, you might actually learn a thing or two that could prove pleasing to your own wife." His jab had the desired effect, causing Kili to grow hot with embarrassment, while the others chuckled in amusement.
"Do not listen to him, Kili," Tauriel whispered after the conversation had returned to Lobelia and their encounter with her in the marketplace. "He is only trying to rile you, do not rise to the bait." She then took him by the hand and led him towards the front door, the two of them escaping the crowded dwelling and walking out beneath the stars. They had just climbed up the little hill above Bilbo's house when Tauriel noticed that her husband was limping slightly. "What is wrong, my love? Are you injured?"
"Oh…just a sore ankle," he admitted, waving off her concern.
"How did you get that?" Tauriel pressed, hating to think of her Kili hurt.
"I…I was playing with the children today, and they wanted me to show them how we all climbed up into the pine trees to get away from Azog and the orcs," he explained, rather sheepishly. "However, apparently when I'm not highly motivated by the deadly jaws of a warg…climbing a tree is not as easy as I remember. I kind of slipped and fell."
"Would you like me to look at it?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder and halting their walk.
"No, Rory had me soak it in the pond for a while and then wrapped it up for me. It isn't that bad, really," he assured her.
"All right, but you need to be more careful, my heart," Tauriel told him, cupping his cheek with her slender fingers. "You are soon to be a father, remember? And while I love the fact that you are eager to run around and play with the children, must I remind you to remain healthy and hale in order to teach and train our own little one?"
"Just not to climb trees it would seem," he said with a heavy sigh.
"Leave the tree climbing lessons to me then," she agreed, giving him a sympathetic smile. "Kili…what else is bothering you? It seems as if it is more than simply a sprained ankle. Dwalin's teasing didn't get under your skin did it? If so, I can assure you, I am in no way disappointed by your displays of affection. In fact, I am quite pleased by them."
"Really?" he asked, looking up at her with a quirky little grin.
"Kili…I would think by now you would know how much I love you, and also the extent to which I desire your touch. You are an excellent husband and lover, never doubt that. Besides, did our joinings not create ample proof of that?" She then took hold of Kili's hand, tenderly placing it over her stomach. "And never doubt that your son will require a great deal of instruction that only you, his father, can provide."
"Like what?" he asked, giving a disgruntled huff. "You already shoot better than me, you can track like…well, like an elf…and today I proved that I know nothing about climbing trees. What's left for me to teach our…" Kili stopped there, all the breath leaving his body as her words hit him at last. "Wait…did you say…son?" His eyes centered on where his hand still lay, the place he knew housed his unborn child. He then stared up at Tauriel, seeing the excited grin on her face. "Do…do you mean to say that you know? You know for sure we're having a lad?"
"I do," she nodded, her smile growing wider. "He revealed himself to me this afternoon. I saw a group of hobbit children playing, and as I watched them, I found myself drawn to the little lads…and suddenly I just knew. I could feel that it was a son I was carrying, as sure as anything."
"A son…we're having a son!" Kili cried, lifting his wife up and twirling her around, which was no small accomplishment, but made easier by the fact that Tauriel bent her legs at the knees and held them up as she spun. When he set her down at last, and their happy laughter died down, the two simply stared at each other in wonder.
"I thought you said it would take longer than this for you to know what we were having," he questioned, though hardly upset by the early news.
"So I did," Tauriel nodded. "It is rather unheard of for one to make itself known this early…yet, never before has there been an elf child that is half dwarf either."
"Well, whatever the reason…I don't care," he laughed, taking her by the hand and leading her over to a nearby tree. Here he sat down, leaning against the trunk and allowing her to occupy the space in front of him, encouraging her to lean back against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. "I love holding you like this," he whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her, placing his hands over her still flat stomach. "I can embrace both you and our son this way." They sat there in silence for a bit, looking out over the Shire, the rolling hills dotted with warm lights from the many hobbit holes. It was a very peaceful scene, and Kili could see why Bilbo loved his home so much. "I can't say that I have ever been more happy or content than I am at this moment. To be here, with you, and knowing we are going to have a little lad…I'm beyond pleased."
"Ah…yes," Tauriel giggled, wiggling just a bit. "I can see…or should I say feel, that."
"Now stop," Kili laughed, turning his head to place a kiss on her neck. "I'm being serious. Besides, there is plenty of time for that…later."
"Oh?" she questioned. "And what, pray tell, has captured your thoughts so much that you are not in the mood for that?"
"Choosing a name for our son, of course," he revealed, taking her hand in his and bringing it up to his lips to bestow a kiss upon. "We can't go on calling him a he, or the lad, all the time. He needs a name."
"And what do you suggest?" Tauriel asked, turning a bit in his arms so that she could look him in the eye. "Will you choose one from your list of ancestors perhaps? Like Thráin…or Thrór?"
"No…I don't think so," Kili mused. "At one time I had thought of naming a son of mine Frerin, but Fili took that one. However, I get the impression that Uncle Thorin is still a bit sensitive about the death of his father, as well as Thrór. So I think I will steer clear of those names." He then looked down into his wife's eyes. "How about you…do you have any relatives you would like to name our child after?"
"No…that is not the elf way," she explained. "We do not honor our past progenitors by renaming our children after them. We choose names that are unique to our young. A name that holds meaning."
"I see," Kili nodded. "Then, if you were to name him…what would you choose?"
"You would allow him to have an elf name?" Tauriel questioned.
"Why not…he's part of you, just as much as part of me," he assured her. "And if Thorin can name his daughter Raina…I don't see why we can't choose an elf name as well."
"Well, then…what do you think of the name Ithil?" she queried, her eyes drifting towards the dark sky.
"Ithil?" Kili repeated, not at all displeased with the sound of it. "Why Ithil…what does it mean?"
"It is the elven word for moon," she told him, pointing up at the bright luminary. "Remember, he was created under the night sky, during a full moon."
"Ahhh, I see," he smiled, recalling the event with great pleasure. "I like it. He will be our little moon child."
"Then Ithil he shall be," she agreed happily.
"What does Ithil think of the name we just chose?" Kili asked, looking down at his wife's stomach curiously.
"Kili, I cannot exactly ask him questions and have him respond," she laughed. "I only get feeling and sensations of his wellbeing, nothing specific." Tauriel then reached down and placed her hands over where her child rested. "Yet, if I were to hazard a guess at his opinion…I think Ithil is very pleased."
"As am I," Kili assured her, wrapping his arms around her once more and pulling her close. "How about we sit here just a bit longer, and let our son enjoy the view of his namesake…and then we go back inside and celebrate properly."
"That sounds lovely to me," Tauriel whispered, snuggling back against her husband, feeling completely wrapped up in his love.
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Days passed, then weeks, and everyone continued to enjoy their stay immensely. Since Bilbo and Frodo's shared birthday was in early fall, and far too late for their visitors to attend - they having to leave at a reasonable time in order to make it back to Erebor by Durin's day – it was decided that they would throw a midsummer celebration for no other reason than to have a wonderful time. This pleased the local hobbits greatly, for Bilbo was well known for his parties, pulling out all the stops and sparing no expense. So it was that Bilbo, Daisy, and their Took and Brandybuck cousins, set out to show the dwarves what a Shire party was all about. This kept many of them very busy, while still leaving plenty of time for lazy days and enjoyable evenings.
The children were especially happy to spend all day running around the Shire, laughing and playing as if they hadn't a care in the world. Frodo and Flinn were near inseparable, while Frerin had taken a real shine to little Merry, even if there was an age difference of a couple years. When asked about it, he told Marigold that the little hobbit reminded him of his sister, Freya, and that when he spent time with Merry, he didn't miss her as much.
Rose and Talin were getting along famously with Paladin's three daughters, the little lasses often found down in the daisy patch, making flower crowns and necklaces as they talked and giggled. Torin spent most of his time with either Flinn or Frerin, though often he would wander down to visit with Mister Gamgee, eager to learn all he could about gardening.
The only problem was, little Holly seemed to find Torin's company far more interesting than playing with the other lasses. She constantly followed him around like a puppy, asking him questions, and in general, making a nuisance of herself in his eyes. He put up with it for as long as he could, but eventually, his father's blustery nature came to the fore, and he lost his patience, telling her to leave him alone…in no uncertain terms.
Torin was very sorry the moment the words left his mouth, and when Holly turned around and walked away, he wished he could have taken them back. Still, it got the results he wanted, so he did his best to put it out of his mind, and continue on with his day.
Holly, on the other hand, could not, and later when Marigold, Bergie and Daisy walked up the path to Bag End, they came across the teary eyed lass, sitting alone and looking quite forlorn.
"Holly, my dear, whatever is the matter?" Daisy asked, coming over to take a seat on the grass beside the curly haired tyke.
"I'm sad," she told them, not bothering to look up at the three adults.
"We can see that," Marigold responded, kneeling down in front of her. "But can you tell us why?"
"Torin…he…he doesn't like me!" she sniffled, her tears starting anew.
"What nonsense is this?" Bergie stated, laying down her basket of goods and joining her two friends on the grass beside Holly. "Of course he likes you, how could he not. You are a darling child."
"Nope, he doesn't like me. He even told me to go away," she insisted firmly. "I don't know what I did to make him all mad at me…but he is, and now I'm sad."
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong," Daisy consoled the child, giving her a warm hug. "He's just probably being a typical boy and doesn't even realize what he said hurt your feelings. Males do that from time to time, even if they don't mean to."
"Why don't you come up to Bag End and help us make a few pies?" Marigold suggested with a warm smile. "Will that make you feel better, Holly?"
"Oh yes!" she cried, always up for baking, or anything dealing with the cooking of food – she was after all a full blooded hobbit.
"Then let's go, and don't you give Torin another thought," Bergie stated, taking the little lass by the hand. "I bet in no time at all, he will apologize and all will be right again…you'll see." And as they all headed up to Bilbo and Daisy's home, Bergie was already planning out the firm talk she would be having with her thoughtless son. And all this time she thought it was Talin that took after her husband's temperament.
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Later that night, just before it was the children's bed time, Bergie took her son into the parlor to speak to him in private.
"Torin…did you and Holly have some kind of disagreement today?" she asked, wanting to hear his side of the tale first.
"No…not really," he told her, though his expression said differently.
"Then why do you think we found her crying in the meadow today, and saying that you didn't like her anymore?" she pressed.
"Holly was crying?" Torin asked, his face becoming very grieved at the news.
"Yes, she was," Bergie nodded, pleased that this news appeared to affect her son. "Can you tell me why?"
"Well…she was following me around…again!" he whined, laying his head against the back of the sofa and throwing up his arms in frustration. "She does it all the time. Everywhere I go, I look behind me, and there she is. I don't know why she won't go play with Talin and the others, but all she does is follow me around, talking…always talking."
"And is that so bad?" Bergie pressed. "Don't you like her?"
"She's all right, most of the time, but when it is just her and me…oh, I don't know." Here he stopped there and shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "I wouldn't mind so much if she wanted to run around and do fun things, but she keeps asking me to have tea parties with her, or play dolls…you know…dam stuff."
"I see," Bergie nodded, trying her best not to smile or laugh. "And would it kill you to do a few of these things with her, just to be nice?"
"Well…no, but I don't wanna!" he huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, much like his father, as he stuck his lip out in a pout.
"Torin, often times we do things we don't want to do, just because it makes the people we love happy," she explained. "Your father is not a big fan of mushroom picking, but he often goes with me because he knows I enjoy his company. Have you ever thought of asking Holly to join you in some of the things you like? How about the next time she follows you around, invite her to work in Hamfast's garden with you? Or go down to the market and look at all the new tools they have for weeding and digging? Then, if she is willing to do those things, don't you think you should be agreeable to doing a few of the things she likes?"
"All right," Torin said with a heavy sigh. "I don't want her to be mad at me or cry…but why can't hobbit lasses be more fun? Talin and Rose can at least fight and stuff, and don't act all sissy-like all the time."
"Someday you might come to appreciate a lass acting that way, Tor," Bergie informed him, reaching out and pulling him to her for a kiss on the cheek. "Because one day, you will grow up and be looking for something more from a lass than simply her ability to play games and fight. Then you just might come to appreciate Holly's more girlish side."
"If you say so, Ama," Torin stated, rolling his eyes and wiping at his cheek where his mother had just kissed him. "But I doubt it."
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Just as he had planned, Thorin did indeed visit the blacksmith's shop often, tinkering around with this and that. What had at one time been a means for supporting his family while in exile, was now a form of relaxation for the often overburdened king. It calmed him, made him feel useful, and brought a smile to his face whenever he finished some trinket or blade.
Marigold had been very understanding of his need to work in the smithy, yet even she had her limits of how much time she was willing to spend away from Thorin. Thus it was, after a long day of minding Rose and Raina alone, the frazzled hobbit handed them over to Bergie's care and marched herself down the lane to retrieve her errant husband…again.
When she arrived, she found Thorin there alone, the others apparently having long ago called it a day, and gone home. Marigold had rehearsed her scolding words all the way down there, but the moment she caught sight of her husband…all angry thoughts faded from her mind. For there was Thorin, dressed in only his boots and trousers, his hair tied loosely back and his muscular back bared to her hungry eyes. The smithy was roasting, due to the heat of the forge, causing beads of sweat to slowly trickle down his spine. His arms and shoulders glistening as he pounded a piece of molten metal, completely unaware that he now had an audience.
Marigold stood there for a few minutes, drinking in the sight of her formidable husband, completely forgetting the reason she had stormed down there in the first place. Now all she wanted to do was throw him to the ground and make him sweat for a completely different reason, yet the smithy hardly seemed the place for such intimate activities. However, now that the idea was in her head, Marigold was reluctant to let it go. Looking around the workspace, her eyes fell upon a stack of large, soft looking cloth sacks, and a wicked smile graced her rosy lips.
Turning around she quietly bolted the door, the sound of her husband's work on the anvil drowning out all else. She then approached him from the side, aware that sneaking up on a dwarf holding a glowing rod of iron was not the wisest thing to do. Thorin caught sight of her almost immediately, halting in mid-swing as he straightened up from his work.
"Marigold, what are you doing here?" he asked in confusion. It was then that he took note of the night sky through the window, suddenly realizing he was long overdue for dinner. "Oh, forgive me, my dear, I didn't realize it had become so late." Thorin quickly dunked the piece he had been working on into the bucket of cooling water, the steam that rose up only adding to the slickness of his taunt muscles. "Give me just a moment, and I'll be ready."
I'm ready right now, Marigold thought to herself, licking her lips as she stared at his rock hard chest, aching to touch it. Thus, the instant his hands were free of anything dangerous, the little hobbit made her move, approaching him without a word and guiding him backwards towards the cloth sacks, never once taking her eyes off of his. And while Thorin did not protest, the curious look on his face told her that he was not quite sure what she had in mind. Yet when Marigold pushed him onto the pile, and began to slowly undo the lacings of her dress, Thorin caught on quickly enough.
"Mari…what are you thinking?" he asked, his voice now deep and husky with desire. "Here? In the smithy?"
"Where else do I have the opportunity to have you all to myself?" she chuckled, casting off her outer garment and joining him among the soft sacks. "You spend so much time down here, and we are constantly surrounded by friends and family at Bilbo's. Not to mention the fact that seeing you working, with your skin all hot and sweaty like this…I just can't resist."
"Well then, far be it from me to deny you your pleasures, my wife," he grinned, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her on top of him. "And I too have missed it just being the two of us."
"And when, in all our married life, has that ever been the case?" she asked, pulling back just a bit to stare him in the eye. "You are the king of Erebor, your people look to you for everything, and your time is eagerly sought after by everyone…including me. It has not been just the two of us since our honeymoon."
"Have I truly neglected you, Marigold?" Thorin questioned, looking deeply pained by the idea. "My love for you is absolute, you have to know that, and I never want you to think that you come second to anything, or anyone. Never!"
"I know," she assured him, leaning down to give him a kiss. "However, you are far away from your duties as king, and yet here I must come down to fetch you once again, the time having completely slipped away from you."
"How can I make it up to you?" he asked, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "Say the word and it's yours."
"You," she answered immediately. "All I want is you. Right here, right now."
"What if someone comes in?" he asked, looking towards the door, the idea of such danger giving him an odd thrill.
"I locked it," she informed him with a devious grin. "We are all alone, with no one to bother us, and no one needing your attention…except me."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Thorin asked, his deep and sultry voice causing shivers to run up Marigold's spine. Not even waiting for an answer, he rolled over, taking his wife with him, until he was staring down at her. She reached up and removed the leather tie from his hair, allowing it to fall down around her, encasing them in a curtain of ebony and silver-grey. And there, while the forge fires still burned, the king and queen of Erebor created a furnace of their own…one that lasted long into the evening.
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Hours later, once the couple had returned to Bag End, far too late for dinner, yet not regretting their delay in the least, they sat outside on the bench, nibbling at some cold ham and biscuits.
"It was nice of Daisy to save us something to eat," Marigold laughed, the two having been the recipient of more than a few knowing looks when they returned, appearing somewhat disheveled.
"Yes, it was," Thorin nodded. "I think Bilbo found himself a fine mate in her. I am pleased that they appear so content."
"Me too," she said with a sigh of happiness, leaning her head against Thorin's shoulder as they stared up at the stars. "Do you know that Daisy had to practically force Bilbo to finally confess his interest in her? She said she had been making eyes at him for nearly two weeks before he would do more than simply stop at her stall and talk about lace. Daisy told us, that if it had not been for Otho and his little tirade, she feared she might never have come up with a good reason to invite him to dinner."
"Oh, really?" Thorin laughed. "And all the while Bilbo seemed to believe that he was making fine progress all on his own."
"You males always think everything is your idea," she huffed, slapping his arm playfully. "When, if it were not for us ladies, you would all be lost."
"I would indeed be lost without you, my love," Thorin assured her, leaning over and kissing her on the top of her head.
They were quiet for a bit, simply enjoying the evening in silence, when Marigold spoke again.
"Do you miss it?" she asked.
"Miss what?" Thorin questioned.
"Erebor…being king…everything?" Marigold probed.
"Yes….and no," he answered thoughtfully. "Yes, I miss our home, as well as our friends and family who are still there. But no, I do not miss every part of Erebor life. I am the king, and I love being so, but there are times when I feel…suffocated. Like all I want to do is get out and be free." He stared out over the quiet little Shire and gave a heavy sigh. "All my life, I knew what I would one day become. King of Erebor. I understood my role, I trained for every aspect of the title, and never dreamed of ever being anything else. And yet…as I sit here, surrounded by peace and quiet, with no one vying for my attention except those I love, I find myself longing for a simpler life." When Marigold turned to him with a questioning look, he elaborated. "I'm not saying I want to abdicate the throne to Fili just yet…but some day, when he is ready, I can see you and me coming back here to live out the remainder of our lives. You deserve this kind of tranquility… especially after you were so willing to put up with everything that being a queen has heaped upon you."
"I think I've taken on the part quite well," she told him with a satisfied look. "I'm not complaining, and I haven't heard you do so either, but I do like the sound of that; of you and I returning to the Shire one day. Building our own little hobbit hole and spending our final days here…together."
"I doubt I would be much of a farmer," he warned her. "I'm more suited to the sword than the plow."
"Then you can work in the blacksmith shop, since I can't seem to keep you out of there anyway," she laughed.
"Oh, you need not worry about that any longer," he assured her, a wicked grin gracing his lips. "For now, every time I see that corner of the smithy, I will think of you, and that will always bring me home on time."
"Well, I'm glad to hear our experience there was memorable," she giggled.
"It is an experience I will never forget," Thorin promised, placing his arm around Marigold and pulling her close. "Yet, for now, I am content with my role as king…as long as you are willing to be my queen."
"Always," she swore. "So…what do you think Fili and Sier are up to? Or Dis and Flinn? I bet that little Lili has grown a lot since we saw her last."
"I'm sure we will hardly recognize her when we return," Thorin nodded. "Yet the last message I received from Fili stated that all was well. The mountain is still standing…as are the gates," he added with a teasing note.
"Well, that's good to hear," Marigold laughed.
"Still, I do hope that he's had some problems or issues to deal with," Thorin mused. "Nothing major, like an invasion or anything, but something that requires him to demonstrate his skills as a king and negotiator. This is his opportunity to test the waters, to see where he might be lacking. I may have studied for years to one day take my place as ruler of Erebor, but I found that nothing prepares you better than experience. I just hope he gets a bit of it himself before we get back."
"Knowing Fili…I'm sure some problem will present itself," she told Thorin. "Just look at how much trouble Kili has gotten into since leaving the mountain. And you know that his brother is only slightly less reckless than him."
"Don't I know it," Thorin stated with a weary sigh. "Don't I know it."
Well...what do you think of Tauriel's news? A boy! And I hope you all like the name Ithil. I chose it for a reason...and more than just the fact that he was conceived under a full moon. ha ha.
Soooo, Holly is following Torin around like a puppy, is she? Wonder why. ha ha.
Marigold...you brazen hussy! OH well, Thorin is not complaining one little bit.
So, they have their retirement all figured out. Good. They deserve some peace..)
Hmmmm, what IS Fili up to back in Erebor? Oh...why don't we spend the next chapter or two finding out, shall we? (just like you asked for, Mentathial)
Guest Reviews:
abc: Like I said, I just wasn't sure, so I erred on the side of caution. ha ha. Glad you enjoyed it, I do love hobbit life. And Bilbo is NOT a ladies man, he wouldn't know a pick-up line if it bit him on his fury feet. ha ha. Nope, no more purple prince...the kids would have loved that though. Oh yes, Lobelia was in need of a good scolding for her bad attitude. And Bergie and Daisy really gave it to her. Thanks.
Lithiuwen2016: Daisy did well...didn't she? Yep, Lobelia is in her place for sure...the dog house. ha ha. Thanks.
Emrfangirl: Glad that Daisy has lived up to your standards. Bilbo is a bit awkward when courting...come to think about it, that twitchy little fellow is awkward when doing anything. ha ha. Don't you go marrying off Thorin's lasses too fast, he is NOT ready for that! A dinosaur huh? And did you have to walk to school in the snow, up hill...both ways too? ha ha. Well, from one Vegiesaurous to another, I can relate. ha ha.