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Sorry this one took a bit longer...I wrote, re-wrote, and then re-wrote again. I hope it came out like I planned it in my head.
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Chapter 167
~X~
The months seemed to fly by, with Durin's day being extra special that year, what with the promise of a new princeling on the horizon. Tauriel's stomach at last began to grow, just about the time the first snows fell on Erebor, causing Kili to strut around with a new sense of pride.
"It might be just my imagination, but my husband seems to become more attentive and amorous the larger I get," Tauriel revealed at the next meeting of the dams.
"Oh, I wouldn't doubt it," Ilin laughed. "Bombur's the same way. I think it has something to do with how the sight of their youngen growing inside us fills them with a sense of accomplishment. As if they are the most virile dwarrow in the world."
"More than likely, Kili has been slapped on the back and bought so many pints of ale over the news of his child that I'm shocked he doesn't stumble home every night drunk off his arse," Dis added, rolling her eyes.
"I'm not sure what I think about him getting so much attention and praise for his part in all this," Tauriel said with a hum of disapproval. "It feels as if our private life is on display somehow."
"There's no way to avoid it," Sier told her sympathetically. "You are a princess of Erebor, and as such, your life will always be scrutinized to some degree. I at least was afforded a modicum of privacy when Flinn was born, having been living in Himros at the time, but with Frerin and Freya…well, let's just say I was quite the spectacle."
"Try being a queen, as well as a hobbit, carrying the king's children," Marigold laughed.
"Or a princess giving birth after nearly a hundred years between bairns!" Dis added, causing everyone to snicker just a bit.
"The point is, even if you were not an elf…which you are, and you were not pregnant…which you are, you would still be the center of attention within the mountain due to the fact that you married royalty," Dena explained. "Thus you are in the public eye…and so is Kili. He just seems to be basking in the glory of it all more than most."
"Will it ever end?" Tauriel asked, running her hand over her slightly protruding stomach.
"Never," Dis said, patting her arm in understanding. "Yet if anyone can handle the pressure, I know that you can, my dear."
"I'm glad someone has confidence in me," Tauriel laughed, taking a calming sip of her tea.
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As spring approached, Fili and Thorin took note that the elleth's appetite was growing as quickly as her midsection, and they exchanged knowing looks as to what was soon to come. So it was, that when Kili first stumbled from his chambers in the middle of the night, half dressed and heading for the kitchens, the guard on duty did as instructed and knocked on Fili's door.
Thus, after gathering, Thorin, Dwalin, and his father, the four dwarrow followed the direction Kili had gone, eager to induct the expectant father into the little club the males had formed years ago. They had jokingly began calling themselves The Midnight Marauders, enjoying the comradery during their nightly raids of the kitchen, in an effort to curtail their wives' strange cravings. When they arrived, they found the lad rummaging through the cupboards, searching for all sorts of different food items and stacking them on a tray.
"Hello, Kili," Thorin said, causing the prince to jump at the sound of his uncle's voice.
"Making a food run?" Flinn questioned, trying not to laugh at his son's disheveled appearance.
"Yes…how'd you know?" he asked, reaching for a little jar of jelly.
"We've been waiting for this night to arrive for quite some time now," Fili laughed. "But I must say, that is a rather strange assortment of food you have there." He pointed to the jam, bread, pickles, cake, boiled eggs, and slices of ham, all laid out on the tray. "What kind of strange cravings is Tauriel having?"
"Oh, right!" Kili stated, looking as if he had suddenly remembered something. He reached into the basket of root vegetables on the counter, placing a plump, white turnip on the tray as well. "I would have been in real hot water if I had forgotten her one request. Thanks, Nadad."
"Wait…that's all Tauriel asked for?" Dwalin demanded, eying the rest of the food in confusion. "Then who's all that for?"
"Me…I'm famished!" Kili said with a smile, hefting the tray as he headed for the door. "Night all." And away he went, leaving the four dwarrow staring at each other in stunned silence.
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It was only a few months later that news from Dale arrived, heralding the birth of Bain's son, prince Brand. The happy little lad quickly became the apple of Bard's eye, prompting the king to throw a fine party to introduce everyone to his newest heir. Brenna had come through the birth splendidly, though rumor was that Bain had been a basket case.
And soon on the heels of this auspicious announcement, came an equally joyous one…Princess Tilda and Dunner would soon be parents as well. This news had Bard bursting with fatherly pride.
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Spring finally arrived, with summer hot on its heels, along with great anticipation for the upcoming babe. For again, no one was sure how early or late the new little prince would be arriving. And with only a month before a full year was up, an unexpected caravan arrived from Mirkwood, consisting of Thranduil and of all people, Elrond of Rivendell! They were accompanied by a rather large entourage, consisting of mostly guards, yet it appeared they had also brought their most skilled healers as well, all ready to aid in the birth of Tauriel's child.
"Do you think us so incapable of caring for the needs of the lass that you must bring your own healers to see that things are done correctly?" Thorin stated, somewhat offended by the apparent lack of confidence from his woodland neighbors.
"I did not say that," Thranduil assured him calmly…though in truth he didn't deny it either.
"Yet this is something new for everyone, King Thorin, for your race as well as ours," Elrond pointed out, his tone and manners more polite than that of the Mirkwood king. "Would it not be wise to utilize all the knowledge available to see that this child is brought safely into the world?"
Well, with this line of reasoning, Thorin found he couldn't argue, thus he begrudgingly invited the company of elves to stay. Thankfully, the weather was quite pleasant, and Thranduil insisted on setting up tents near the orchard, wishing to remain outside and among the trees, instead of within the mountain. This pleased Thorin even more, though he would have allowed the elves to reside within Erebor, if they had wished it. Still, he made sure to invite them to dinner quite often, not wishing to appear a bad host.
All in all, having the elves remain on sight was not too big of a burden, for they hunted for themselves, were not the kind to leave a mess, and did not make much noise at all. And if it made them happy to be close at hand for the moment of birth, then who was Thorin to argue?
As it was, Thranduil and Elrond appeared quite content to wait out the last month of Tauriel's pregnancy in the shadow of the mountain. Much to Elrond's amusement, Thranduil spent much of his time entertaining Flinn, Frerin and the rest of the young dwarflings. In fact, it was not unusual for the children to while most of the day away beneath the orchard trees, playing games and running wild under the watchful eye of the elf king. Thranduil always seemed ready with a story whenever the little ones begged for one, and often Marigold was forced to wander down there personally to fetch them back home. Elrond also took note that the elf king enjoyed the queen's visits greatly, since she more than not had little Raina with her, whom he was always excited to see.
"I see that Thorin is not the only one who has mellowed in his views these past years," the lord of Imladris commented one evening as the pair sat around, talking inside one of the magnificent tents that had been set up.
"I find I am more tolerant of the dwarflings," he mused, not showing any emotion as he lounged in a chair, sipping at a glass of wine. "They are quite endearing, and far less stubborn than the adults of their race."
"Perhaps," Elrond agreed, doing his best to hide his smile behind his goblet. "Still, to see you with them, well, it actually makes me believe in miracles."
"Elves are not known for their humor, old friend," Thranduil stated in a snide tone. "Do not attempt to start joking with me now. It is not appreciated."
"My apologies," Elrond staid with a bow of his head. "I see that it was an ill-conceived attempt."
"Indeed," the Mirkwood king agreed, purposefully ignoring Elrond, as well as his sly grin, for the rest of the evening.
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So, as the final weeks of Tauriel's pregnancy crept slowly by, everyone was in great expectation, but none so much as Kili. The young prince was completely distracted, speaking about nothing except Tauriel and their child. Thorin finally relieved him from his duties, purely out of self-preservation, for the king feared that if he had to listen to Kili prattle on one more time, he would go insane. Fili was more understanding of his brother's condition, but even he had to get away from time to time, for fear he would be forced to gag him.
Tauriel had long been forbidden to enter the training halls, by both Dwalin and Kili, for fear of her and the babe coming to harm by accident. This had not sat well with the elf warrior, yet even she had seen the sensibleness of taking such precautions. Her protective instincts for her son were foremost in her mind, and she was willing to endure whatever it took to see that he was kept safe…even if it meant sitting around feeling useless.
"You are not being useless," Dis had told her firmly, when she had confessed her woes to her mother-in-law one day. "You are performing the most important task there is, that of creating a child. Do you think this is something Kili could accomplish? Hardly!" Dis scoffed. "Thus it is up to us females to take on the job, for only we could put up with all the inconvenience and frustration involved with the process."
"Yet, there are many advantages as well," Tauriel was forced to admit. "For by carrying our son, I have already bonded with him in ways that Kili cannot. I think he is rather jealous of this fact, though I do try and share everything I am sensing from Ithil with him."
"That is kind of you, my dear," Dis nodded. "And yet, for all you are giving up while carrying this child, you deserve any extra benefits that come with it. Kili understands this, I'm sure. And if he doesn't, well I'd be more than happy to explain it to him personally!"
This left both dams laughing at the thought.
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Yet even though Tauriel could sense her son's moods, which seemed to be very placid and content most of the time, she was surprised to find that hers often fluctuated from happy to sad in a the span of a few seconds. Kili too found this to be a highly displeasing development, especially when his wife had always been the more stable and calm of the two. Yet when he returned to their chambers one evening to find Tauriel sitting on the sofa sobbing her heart out, it had completely unnerved him.
"Tauriel…what's wrong?" he begged, instantly at her side and cradling her in his arms. "Are you hurt…is Ithil all right?"
"Our son is fine, though I must confess he is as confused by all this as I am," she sniffled, doing her best to cease her tears. "But me…I have no idea why I am acting this way! I just feel…feel…like crying!" And away she went again, unable to stop herself.
Kili, having no idea how to process this information did the only thing he could think of, he held his wife, spoke soothing words to her and rocked her back and forth until she stopped.
"I am sorry, my love," she told him at last, her emotional episode apparently having come to an end. "I don't know what came over me."
"It's all right," he said, though the look in his eyes told her differently. "I'm sure it is just the pregnancy, I've been told it can really mess with a dwarrowdam's emotions."
"But I am an elf, not a dwarf," she argued, not seeing the correlation.
"Yet, you are carrying a child who is half dwarf," Kili reasoned.
"True," she mused, wiping at her cheeks in an effort to erase the evidence of her breakdown. "Yet if these feelings are emanating from him…why am I the one in tears while he seems to be completely calm?"
"Well, our son has always been part dwarf, he probably knows how to deal with such conflicting emotions," he suggested. "Dwarves tend to feel very deeply, and react to things in a very passionate manner, while elves are more…level headed." Kili was pleased that his words gained him a small smile from his distraught wife. "I believe that once you have given birth, you will go back to the same calm and composed elleth you have always been."
"I hope so," she agreed, taking a deep breath as she felt her self-control returning. "For if this keeps up, I fear no one will wish to be around me."
"I will always desire your company, no matter what," Kili promised, pulling her into his arms once more as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Though it pains me deeply to see you looking sad, I will take you any way I can."
"And I love you for that," she said with a contented smile. "Thank you, Kili. Your support means a lot."
"And your love means everything." The two sat there for a long time, enjoying this moment of peace…for they both knew it would not last.
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The following day, as Tauriel was taking a walk out in the meadow, she saw Elrond approaching. Her guards, which Thorin insisted each member of the royal family take with them wherever they went, looked to her for guidance, not knowing if they should allow him to speak with her or not. Sensing their trepidation, she held up her hand, signaling for them to hang back.
"Good afternoon, Princess Tauriel," he stated with a respectful bow. "Might I join you in your walk this morning?"
"Please do," she nodded, the two elves falling into step as they went. "Actually, I had been hoping to speak with you in private."
"Oh?" he questioned, turning a curious gaze upon her. "About what?"
"Your reason for being here," she revealed, her expression one of concern. "It is no secret that you are a master healer, perhaps the best in all of Arda, and the fact that you have come all this way to attend the birth of my child…well, that concerns me."
"Ahh, so you assume that I expect complications, and wish to be on hand for such an occurrence?" he surmised. "Yet that is not the case at all, dear lady."
"Really?" she asked in surprise. "Then what is it that has brought you this far?"
"Plain old curiosity," he chuckled, giving her a warm smile. "You cannot fault me for wishing to be on hand when the first elf and dwarf mix is born, can you? I have lived a great many years, you see, and have seen and done a lot, thus not much is new to me anymore. Yet this…well, I would count it a privilege to attend such an event."
"Oh," was all Tauriel could think to say, and the two continued on in companionable silence for a bit. "I never did get a chance to thank you for your wonderful advice back in Rivendell," she said at last, her cheeks turning a bit pink at her words. "I wanted to tell you our happy news on our return trip, but Kili insisted on his brother being the first to know…I hope you are not offended that we said nothing at the time."
"Not at all…though I must confess that it was quite clear to me that you were with child," Elrond told her, garnishing a look of shock from the elleth. "Come now, as you yourself said, I am a well-known healer, and the signs of your pregnancy were hard to miss. As were the obvious signs of a proud dwarf father. Let's just say that Kili needs to work on his skills at schooling his emotions."
"And here I thought we were being very discreet," Tauriel laughed. "But yes, my husband is not one for subterfuge. With Kili…what you see is what you get."
"And are you still pleased with what you got?" Elrond asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Very much so," she assured him, stroking her hand over her swollen belly. "Kili and I couldn't be happier, and we can't wait to greet our son, little Ithil."
"Your little moon?" Elrond nodded. "You know…if I recall, it was a full moon that night we spoke back in Rivendell. Might this have anything to do with the naming of your son?"
Tauriel refused to even look at the elf lord, for she was certain if she did, she would die of embarrassment. And still, she did manage a very slight nod in the affirmative.
"Ithil is a very fine name, and I will pry no more," he chuckled, noting her discomfort over the subject. "Still, if I might be so bold as to ask, would you welcome my assistance during the birth? Thranduil has brought along a fine elleth who is highly trained in the art of birth, yet if you would allow me to be on hand, it would please me to be of some help."
"I would very much appreciate your assistance, Lord Elrond," she told him, her gratefulness evident in her voice. "I admit that I am a bit afraid, and knowing such a skilled healer is on hand…well that will go a long way in calming my fears."
"Fears that are not necessary," he told her in a comforting tone. "You are strong and healthy, and I have no doubt whatsoever that you will do a fine job in birthing your child." He then leaned down and spoke quietly so that only she could hear. "Yet from what Thranduil tells me, the sons of Durin are not exactly steady on their feet when it comes to childbirth. Thus…it is Prince Kili that I worry about."
"Truth be told…so do I," Tauriel laughed, with Elrond quickly joining in.
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It was two weeks later, in the wee hours of the morning, before the sun had even peeked out over the mountain when Tauriel woke to a new sensation. It was a feeling of excitement and need, and it was coming from the mind of her son. She opened her eyes, blinking through the darkness of the room as she placed her hand over her stomach. Ithil wished to be born…today!
Tauriel felt no pain, no gripping fear, and only a bit of trepidation over the idea, but she knew she would need to break the news to Kili very gently. So, rolling over, she placed her hand on his shoulder, preparing to rouse him slowly. Yet at her touch, the dark haired prince sat straight up, his eyes fully open and his lips already forming the question he had apparently practiced quite a bit.
"IS IT TIME?" he nearly shouted, turning to look at his now amused wife. "Do I need to get Oin?"
"Please, calm yourself, Kili," she giggled, loving just how anxious he appeared. "We have plenty of time, but yes, I think it would be wise to fetch Oin. I would like him to escort me down to the tent the healers set up amid the orchard."
It had been decided that the birth would take place outdoors, among the trees, yet still on Erebor soil…much like their wedding had been. This had been another fine compromise Kili had negotiated when it appeared Thorin and Thranduil would be getting into another argument over their differing opinions.
"Don't move…just lay right there!" Kili stated, leaping out of bed and dressing in record time. "I'll be right back…and don't you dare give birth until I do!"
Tauriel nodded obediently as Kili ran out of the room, returning seconds later as he leaned in and kissed her lips.
"I love you," he told her with a wide smile, before racing off once more, the door slamming behind him.
"Well, little Ithil," she told her unborn son. "It would appear that your father is just as excited to meet you as you are to meet him. And I can't wait either."
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Within the hour, Tauriel was set up comfortably in the healing tent, with an elleth playing a relaxing tune on a small harp in the corner. Oin also had a pot of fresh smelling herbs steeping over a little fire, causing a pleasant aroma to fill the air. Everything anyone could think of to aid in the birthing process was being done, by both races, dwarf and elf. Labor had apparently begun, but so far Tauriel was not experiencing anywhere close to the amount of discomfort the dwarrowdams had warned her she would be feeling. Granted, she was a well-trained warrior, and dealing with the sensation of pain was nothing new to her, but this was something entirely different. Tauriel could sense her son, and marveled at his calm nature. Ithil did not seem to be in any sort of distress, nor in a big hurry to be born, instead all she was getting from him was a feeling of tranquility. How unusual.
"Do you wish for an elixir to ease your pain?" the lovely elleth healer named Minyä asked, holding out a cup of liquid.
"I am in no pain," Tauriel replied calmly, looking up at her with a smile.
"Truly?" This seemed to surprise Minyä as much as it did Tauriel.
"None at all?" Dis asked, she and Sier having been admitted inside the birthing tent. "Now don't feel you must be strong for our sake. We will certainly think no less of you if you feel the need to cry out or throw things."
"I thank you for the offer, but I assure you, I am in no discomfort at all," Tauriel stated.
"Is this normal?" Dis asked, turning to Lord Elrond with a look of concern.
"I have seen many give birth with a lot less pain than races," the tall elf replied. "But usually there is some felt. Still…this is a very unique birth, and thus even I am at a loss as to what would be considered the norm."
"Do you think this could mean there is something wrong with the baby?" Dis persisted.
"I do not believe so," Minyä stated reassuringly. "In fact, everything appears to be going very smoothly. The lad is currently moving into position, and I would predict that he will be born within the next few hours."
"I too feel only contentment from little Ithil," Tauriel revealed, rubbing her belly with a smile. "He is strong and healthy…and I have never felt better."
"Then I say we don't worry about it," Sier smiled, taking hold of Tauriel's hand. "I mean, why look a gift pony in the mouth, right?"
"Exactly," Dis agreed. "But I have to say, if this is how elves deal with childbirth…I am highly jealous!"
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Meanwhile, outside the tent, a handful of dwarves, and one elf, waited anxiously for news. Kili had approached the door of the tent many times, only to stop and turn around, pacing back and forth before doing it all over again. Though elves did not generally attend the birth of their children either, Tauriel had told Kili he was welcome to be present if he wished, or remain outside if he did not. The choice was left to him, and apparently he was having a very hard time making up his mind. After the dark haired prince turned away from the tent, for possibly the twentieth time, Thorin grew impatient with him.
"For Mahal's sake, Kili, just make up your bloody mind!" he growled. "Do you want to go in or not?"
"I…I don't know!" Kili moaned, marching back to where Fili sat on a bench, calmly sharpening one of his many blades.
"Thorin, stop berating my son!" Flinn chastised his brother-in-law. "You might be king, but I am his father and I will not see him put under any more stress than he already is." He then turned to look at the distraught lad. "You just do whatever feels right for you, Kili."
"I want to be there for her," he revealed. "But what if I…I…"
"Humiliate yourself?" Dwalin offered.
"Vomit?" Fili added.
"Faint?" Thranduil spoke up, shocking everyone. Though Fili couldn't help but chuckle just a bit when the elf lord looked directly at Thorin as he said this.
"All the above…and more!" Kili agreed. "I'm not sure I could handle seeing Tauriel in such a state. I fall to pieces if I even see a tear in her eye!"
"And why would Tauriel have reason to cry?" Thranduil asked, his eyes narrowing on Kili with suspicion.
Ignoring his accusatory question, Kili continued. "What should I do? Go in…stay out...?"
"No one can answer that but you, Kili," his brother told him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "But I for one was glad I was there for both Frerin and Freya's birth, and if I could go back in time, I would be there when Flinn was born as well. Yes, it was scary, and it ripped me up inside to see Sier in such pain…but being in there was far better than staying outside and not knowing what was going on."
"So…you think I should go in," Kili stated, standing up and staring at the tent flap with determination.
"Or…" came the low voice of Thorin. "You might go in, become overwhelmed, and pass out, opening you up for years of ridicule and teasing." At this he shot Thranduil a majestic scowl.
"Then…I should not go in," Kili surmised, sitting back down with a look of defeat.
"Oh for Durin's sake!" Dwalin growled, always having hated indecision.
"In the end, the choice is yours, young prince," Thranduil told him, reaching up and plucking a blossom from one of the fruit trees, casually examining it as if this conversation was now boring him. "Yet what you choose to do now must be something you are willing to live with for the rest of your life."
"King Thranduil is right," Flinn agreed, coming to sit beside Kili and putting his arm around his shoulders. "So now, the question is…will you ever forgive yourself should you pass up this opportunity to witness the birth of your son?"
At this, Kili stood once more, glaring at the tent as if it were his enemy. Then suddenly, he stormed over, threw back the flap and disappeared inside.
"Well, that answers that," Flinn grinned, proud of his son.
"Unless he comes right back out," Thorin chuckled.
"If he does, I swear I will kick his arse all the way to the Shire!" Dwalin huffed.
"Look at it this way," Fili spoke up, smiling from ear to ear. "At least it didn't take him sixteen years to make up his mind this time."
And thankfully, much to the relief of all, Kili did not emerge for quite a long time.
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"Kili!" Tauriel grinned, seeing her husband enter the tent, a look of utter fear in his eyes. "You came!"
"I…I didn't want to miss Ithil's birth," he said, stepping a bit closer. "At least…I don't think I do. How are you feeling, my love?"
"Fine," she answered, holding out her hand in a gesture for him to approach. "I am feeling quite well."
"It's rather amazing in fact," Dis told her son. "It would appear that elf births are not as difficult as it is for us dams."
"Really?" Kili asked, a smile of happiness gracing his lips. Perhaps he could do this after all. "I'm glad."
"Me too," Tauriel laughed.
"It helps that the mother and child are bonded, and that she can sense when the babe is in distress," Minyä explained, bringing over another pillow and helping Tauriel sit up a bit more. "This way she knows when to push, when to relax, as well as calm the little one if he should become frightened."
"And how does Ithil feel right now?" Kili asked anxiously.
Tauriel, having become very accustomed to her husband inquiring about his son's wellbeing, smiled and patted his hand reassuringly.
"He is doing amazingly well," she told him. "He appears to be taking this whole birth thing in stride, and is not troubled in the least."
"Wish I could say the same," Kili chuckled. He leaned down and placed his face near her stomach, speaking to the lump he knew hid his child from view. "Don't wait too long to show yourself, my son. We are all rather anxious to meet you."
Suddenly, as if on cue, Tauriel felt a stab of pain in her lower back, causing her to let out a gasp of surprise.
"I think he heard you," she told a wide eyed Kili. "And, it would seem that he is now very anxious to come out and meet his father." Her brows then furrowed, and she placed her hands on both sides of her stomach. "In fact…I believe he is more than anxious, I would say he is downright determined."
"Are you beginning to feel a bit of pressure, or the urge to push, lass?" Oin asked, having just finished washing his hands and approached the bedside.
"I…I think so," Tauriel nodded, looking somewhat concerned. "As well as an increasing sensation of discomfort. Does that mean it is time?"
"Let's take a look," Minyä said, having insisted on being the one to actually deliver the babe, relegating Oin to a stand-by position. After a few moments, she informed the mother that it was indeed time, and that the babe was now in place to birth.
"This is it, Kili," she told him, a twinge of fear in her voice.
"I'm right here, my love," he assured her. "I won't leave you."
"And you promise you won't faint, like your uncle or your father?" Dis asked, her teasing words at her son's expense all an attempt to lighten the mood.
"I will endeavor not to," Kili chuckled, though his statement sounded only half-hearted.
"Then take your wife's hand, young prince," Elrond instructed, coming to stand at the head of the bed. "You came to assist, and the comfort of your wife should be your top priority."
"And it shall be…just as always," Kili said, leaning in to kiss Tauriel on the forehead."
"That is good to hear," Minyä told him with a smile. "For it is time for her to push."
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Tauriel had mentally prepared herself for many things before the birth, the expected discomforts being foremost in her mind. Yet when the first real wave of pain gripped her, she realized she had woefully underestimated its severity. All her hopes of this being an easy birth quickly faded, and she found herself squeezing Kili's hand tighter and tighter with each contraction she felt. As the labor continued, it was also getting harder and harder to sense Ithil's thoughts, for in her efforts to shield her son from her own agony, she was essentially blocking his emotions as well. Still, every now and then she would stop and focus all her strength on sensing if her son was in any danger…and each time she was relieved to find he wasn't. As minutes, then hours, ticked by, Tauriel began to feel drained, her strength ebbing away with each instruction to bare down.
Kili was hanging in there, but he knew it was only for Tauriel's sake that he was still standing. How in the name of Mahal had his brother, uncle, and father done this? Yet, even though he was scared to death, he couldn't deny the intimate bond that had formed between him and Tauriel. Ever since he had known her, Kili had never felt the need to be her protector. Oh, he never ceased wanting to be, but his wife a fine warrior, and perfectly capable of defending herself. Still, now, as she fought this unique battle, she was completely vulnerable, and it was Kili she looked to for protection and strength. This knowledge caused his heart to swell with pride…Tauriel needed him! And the dwarf prince was determined to be there to comfort and aid her in any way she required…even if his only duty was to hold her hand and speak calming words in her ear. Kili would not fail in this important assignment.
"Will he come soon?" she asked, taking a deep breath as Kili wiped her brow with a damp cloth, her forehead beading up with perspiration from her efforts. "I do not think I can keep this up much longer." Which was difficult for Tauriel to admit, having always prided herself on her strength and endurance as a warrior. Yet she had trained for many years to hone her battle skills, while this…well, there had been no way to prepare for this form of combat.
"Very soon now," Oin assured her, smiling at Kili and Tauriel in a reassuring manner. "You are doing splendidly, lass. You bring credit to your race…and honor to ours."
"Thank you, Master Oin," she stated through gritted teeth, baring down once more as the urge took her. "Yet…truth be told…I would rather this all just be over with!"
"And soon it shall," Minya informed her, her face lighting up with delight. "Your son is coming! Just one or two more pushes and he will be here."
"You are strong, Tauriel," Elrond stated, reminding her of his words from weeks past. "You have the strength within you…now you need only utilize it and bring your child forth."
So, in a final effort, something she didn't even know she could muster, Tauriel did as she was told and brought her child into the world. Everyone held their breath as the babe instantly began to express his displeasure at being taken from his warm and cozy home. His eyes were scrunched tightly closed and his fists were going this way and that, yet it was his loud wails that told everyone he was a healthy lad.
"Congratulations, my lady," Minyä said, holding up the babe for all to see. "You indeed have a son…and he appears to be the picture of health."
Tauriel was so tired, that she could hardly focus her eyes on her squalling infant, but she managed a smile nonetheless. She could no longer sense his thoughts, for that treasured bond had been severed the moment he left her body. Yet it was not difficult to read his mood at the moment, and all the new mother wished to do was cuddle him and soothe his fears.
"May I hold him?" she begged, her heart aching to do so.
"In just a moment," Oin assured her. "We need to get him cleaned up and presentable. Can't have you meeting him for the first time looking a fright."
"Just as long as he's not purple," Tauriel smiled, shooting Kili a teasing look.
"And I recall you requesting that he not be born with a beard either." Kili laughed.
"I agree, a purple, bearded child, be it elf or dwarf, would be rather unusual," Elrond laughed. "Though, I have to say, Elrohir was rather intrigued by the beard he had for the one day…thanks to you, young prince."
Kili had the sense to look somewhat ashamed over his part in that, but it was short-lived, for his attention was quickly returned to his squalling son.
"Well I don't honestly care what he looks like," the proud father stated. "He will always be beautiful to me."
"Beautiful to both of us," Tauriel corrected, as her husband leaned in and kissed her lips.
"And a true beauty he is too," Minya informed them, as she bathed and wrapped the squirming child in a warm blanket. "A perfect blend of both worlds…and two loving parents." And when she placed little Ithil into his mother's arms, Kili and Tauriel could see what she meant.
"He has your hair and coloring," Tauriel stated, inspecting the dark tufts on his head, as well as Kili's darker complexion.
"And those are definitely dwarf ears I see peeking out," Kili laughed, running his fingers over the rounded tips. "But look at this," he continued as Tauriel unwound the blanket, exposing his long, slender limbs. "He will take after you in stature. I would even hazard a guess that he will be taller than both of us one day!"
"A tall dwarf!" Dis laughed, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill out. "Will wonders never cease?"
"He could just have easily turned out to be a short elf," Sier added, causing everyone to chuckle.
"Short or tall, he's all ours, and he's perfect," Tauriel stated, offering him over to his father to hold for the first time.
"Hello, my son," Kili whispered, his hands trembling slightly as he held him gently. "Welcome to Middle Earth, little Ithil."
And at the sound of his father's words, the tiny babe opened his eyes, gazing up at the voice he knew and loved so well. It was that moment, when eyes met eyes, and Kili's heart beat faster, that he knew his life had now been forever changed. For now, it was complete. He had a wife, a son, and more love in his heart than he ever thought possible.
And because of this…Kili burst into tears.
Well, as least he didn't faint! ha ha
And so THAT is how you do a pregnancy and a birth all in one chapter! ha ha.
I hope you enjoyed it, I tried to hit the highlights of happenings you might want to see, without dragging it out for months and months worth of chapters.
This was the fourth birth I had to write for this story, so I was running out of ideas for making it different. I hope I succeeded in a small way.
Guest Reviews:
abc: Yes, it was a bit of fun time, and they need that, with all the heck they will be put through during the LOTR. Yep, Glorfindel put a stop to Balin, Oin and Ori going and getting themselves killed! Good for him. I do not plan on writing a sequel, so I intend to tie up all the questions and loose ends in this one. As for your question...wait for it. Thanks.
dojoson41: Good to see you again. What do you mean, he will have a matching coat with is adad? I thought he already did? Granted, maybe by now he has grown out of it and Frerin is wearing his while Sier made Flinn a new one...and maybe Freya something to mach. ha ha. Thanks.
Emrfangirl: ha ha, I guess that GUEST reader last time was you? ha ha. I too hated to think of Balin and little Ori all dead like that...and Oin, though I don't think we 'saw' him in the pile of bodies like we did Ori. So sad. And no, it will not effect the LOTR one little bit. Gimli will simply not have a stone tomb to stand on when he faces the orcs. ha ha. From the way she likes to tug on their hair, I think Lili already HAS her brothers wound around her little finger. ha ha. Agreed, Frerin will never be king, so he needs something to make him feel useful and needed...NOT that Flinn will ever stop needing him at his side. Sorry...Kili didn't faint...but he did bawl his eyes out. What a softie. Thanks
Feu d'Argent: No it will not have much of an impact on LOTR - Like I said above, the only thing it will change is that Gimli won't have a tomb to jump up on and yell angry words at the orcs. ha ha. And I do plan on dealing with the whole LOTR story...but not in great detail. Did you mean to call Torin Toronto? or was that just a auto correct issue? ha ha. Fili and Kili will be awesome big brothers to Lili. The Dam's tea parties are a lot of fun. I am glad you believe everyone wants more and more chapters. However, I have spent over a year of my life on this story...I think I am ready to see it put to bed. ha ha. Thanks.