.

So little Ithil is here at last. Now let's see what the others think of him. ha ha.

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Chapter 168

~X~

Time had seemed to drag by for those waiting outside the tent, with many of the company and their wives joining them before too long. Soon Bombur and Ilin showed up as well, lugging a large pot of stew with them, along with many loaves of bread.

"Thought you all might be getting hungry," he stated, setting the pot down on a nearby table that the elves had apparently set up. Ilin began to slice the bread while Bram and Tam helped pass out the steaming bowls of stew. Little Tae went around and made sure everyone had a spoon and napkin.

"What on earth is taking so blasted long?" Dwalin huffed, dunking his bread in the stew and shoveling it in his mouth. He received a swat on the arm from Bergie for his thoughtless comment. "What?" he barked, nearly spilling his bowl. "I'm just saying, it's been a rather long time. Perhaps one of you dams should go in and see what's going on."

"They don't need a crowd tromping in and out while Tauriel is concentrating on giving birth," Marigold informed him, giving him a stern glair. "Someone will come out and tell us what is going on when they are good and ready."

"But Dwalin's right," Fili murmured, standing up and taking a few worried steps closer to the tent. "It has been quite a long time."

"Now, Son," Flinn began, rising and coming to stand beside Fili, placing his hand on his shoulder. "No birth is the same, and this is Tauriel's first. We can't judge one dam against the next, everyone is different. I'm sure everything is going well in there, and we just need to be patient."

"Your sire is correct, Prince Fili," Thranduil nodded, having accepted a bowl of the stew as well, and was now sitting between a grinning Flinn and Frerin. "Minyä is a fine healer, and Lord Elrond's skills are renown throughout Middle Earth. Tauriel is under the best care possible, and as long as your brother has not fainted and struck his head, I assume he is in good health as well."

The idea of Kili passed out on the floor made Fili chuckle just a bit, but he never did lose his look of concern, nor did he consent to sitting back down, instead tromping down the grass as he began to pace. Yet only minutes into his fretful pattern, there came the sound of a child's wail, loud and strong.

"He's here!" Fili cried, spinning around and facing everyone, a smile nearly splitting his face. "Ithil is here!"

"So it would seem," Thranduil nodded, though he didn't even try to hide the slight grin on his face.

"I'm an uncle!" Fili continued, striding over to his father and giving him a big hug. "And you're a grandfather…for the fourth time!"

Nori pulled out a piece of parchment and checked the time, matching it with the one who had picked closest to the time of birth.

"Well, I'll be dammed," he chuckled.

"Oh, I've no doubt about that," Thorin stated, giving the thief a humorous look. "But what makes you say so this time?"

"You'll never believe who won the bet!" the thief said, ignoring Thorin's jab and glancing around at all the curious face. "Dis! She guessed right on the nose!"

"That's my precious diamond for ya," Flinn laughed, apparently not surprised a bit. "I swear we could have made a fortune off her intuition and hunches over the years. So how much did she win?"

"I'd say just a little more than what it will take to cover your losses," Nori informed him, doing some quick figuring in his head. "Next time, don't make any side bets against your wife…you will always lose."

"Don't I know it," Flinn said with a shake of his head.

Just then, the flap on the tent opened and out stepped Elrond, though he turned back and held the cloth up once more, allowing Kili to exit right behind him. His eyes were a bit red, revealing to all that he had recently been crying, but the wide grin on his, as well as the tiny wrapped bundle in his arms, face allayed all their fears.

"Let's have a look at him, Kili," Thorin insisted, standing up along with most everyone else present. "Does he take after you…or Tauriel?"

"He is a mix of both," Kili was happy to report, pulling back the blanket just a bit and turning his son so that all could see the sleeping babe. "He has dwarf features, yet the long limbs of an elf. And I love every inch of him!"

"Of course you do, brother," Fili laughed, stepping closer as he stared down at the button nose and dark curly locks on his nephew's head. "And so will we. Is Tauriel all right?"

"The princess came through the ordeal splendidly," Elrond answered for Kili. "She is being tended to at the moment, getting her comfortable after her arduous task. But I am happy to report that both parents did well, and there was no need for me to step in."

"Aye, that's good," Dwalin nodded, pleased to hear such things. "But did the lad pass out? That's the burning question now."

At this Elrond chuckled, as Kili gave his older cousin a dark scowl.

"No, our brave prince did not lose consciousness, nor did he vomit," the elf lord informed them.

"Well, there's a bag of coins I'll never see again," Dwalin huffed, apparently having bet that Kili would have hit the ground. At this news several bags of coins were tossed back and forth between the company, some happy, while others grumbling like Dwalin.

"You all took bets on whether I would faint?" the dark haired prince gasped, looking rather offended by the idea.

"Well, you took away the chance to bet on whether it would be a lad or a lass…so we had to bet on something, didn't we?" Nori said in defense.

"And you, brother…what did you think?" Kili asked, looking up at Fili expectantly.

"My dear brother," Fili grinned, reaching up as he caught a rather hefty bag of coins in his hand. "I never doubted you for a second." He then pocketed his winnings and held out his arms. "May I hold my nephew?"

"Of course," Kili said with a look of pride, handing the little bundle over ever so gently. "Careful now, support his head…and don't hold him too tight."

"Kili, I know how to hold an infant," Fili said with a roll of his eyes.

"Perhaps…but Ithil is special," Kili insisted, still fretting over how his brother should position his hands. "He's mine."

"Tauriel might take umbrage to such a claim," Flinn laughed, coming over to embrace his youngest son. "I believe you meant to say that he is both of yours."

"Of course," Kili blushed a bit, still keeping his eyes firmly on his son.

"And I get to be next to hold my grandson," Flinn told Fili.

"Then me," Dwalin demanded.

"Oh…I don't know," Kili said in a serious tone. "I've noticed that you've been dropping your ax just a bit too often in practice lately." He rubbed his chin and gave a concerned clicking sound with his tongue. "I don't think I would feel right about letting you hold my son until you prove yourself more reliable in that matter."

"I…I WHAT?" Dwalin barked, his face turning red from anger or embarrassment. "I've never dropped an ax in my life! You're just saying that to get even with me for not letting you hold Tor and Tal when they were first born!"

"Oh…I don't know, cousin," Thorin spoke up, coming over to look Dwalin in the eye. "I do recall you slipping just a bit and cutting me during our practice session a few years back. Might be that you're losing your touch, and I would hate to see you get nervous and drop the lad."

"Now don't you go piling on as well!" Dwalin growled. "That was just so Marigold would take pity on you and fuss like a mother hen. I sliced you that time on purpose and you know it!"

"So, you are willingly admitting to damaging your king?" Thranduil asked in a shocked voice. "In my kingdom, that would be considered an act of treason."

"You know…I think you're right," Thorin agreed, nodding to the elf in gratitude. "Perhaps a few more days in the dungeons might be in order…don't you think."

"Oh, for Mahal's sake, stop fooling around!" Dwalin bellowed. "If you try and throw me into the dungeons again, I swear by Durin's ax you will regret it, Thorin Oakenshield!"

"Such threats against your own sovereign?" Elrond gasped, placing his hand over his heart in mock surprise. "I must say, King Thorin, you do appear to have a dilemma on your hands. Whatever will you do?"

"The same thing I do every time he levels them at me," Thorin replied, finally breaking out into a wide smile. "Just ignore them."

"Bloody right you will," Dwalin huffed. "Though if you all keep this up, you never know when I might actually go through with my threats."

"Still, after Fili and Flinn get their chance…I claim the right to be next in line to hold my newest nephew," Thorin laughed. He then looked over at Kili. "With the father's permission, that is."

"Of course, Uncle," Kili grinned. "You I trust."

"Oh, Mahal's balls!" Dwalin seethed, turning and stomping over to sit on a nearby log. "You make one joke six years ago and it haunts you for the rest of your bloody life!"

This of course made just about everyone laugh, but they were quickly distracted the new babe, everyone crowding around as they fought to get a look at the new little prince.

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Later that evening, when Tauriel and Ithil were safely back inside the mountain, the little family were left alone for the first time. Kili was sitting beside his wife on the bed, the two of them propped up against the headboard, gazing at their new son.

"He's simply perfect," Tauriel cooed, unable to stop touching his soft little skin with her finger. "I can't believe he is finally here."

"I know, I thought this day would never arrive," Kili agreed. "But now that he's here…I feel a bit nervous. Will we know how to take care of him?"

"Tell you what…I will see to his feeding, if you take care of the nappy changes," Tauriel suggested with a sly grin.

"Hey, wait a minute, that's hardly fair," he grumbled.

"And if we were to switch, would you be able to nourish our child?" Tauriel questioned.

"Well…no," he sputtered. "But it's still not nice to assign me the dirty job."

"Very well, we will share that one," she giggled. "But if I must be the one to feed Ithil, then you must take on the duty of feeding me."

"Are you hungry, my love?" Kili asked, sitting up, eager to fulfill her every need. "Would you like me to make a raid on the kitchen?"

"Not right now," she grinned. "I would rather you stay here and we just stare at our perfect little son a bit longer."

"I'm all for that," Kili sighed, leaning back against the pillows once more. "He is sure quiet. I don't think he's made a peep since his birth."

"Oh, just wait," Tauriel laughed. "Any minute he will awaken and demand something, be it food, or changing, and then you will see just how quiet he is not."

And as if on cue, the tiny babe scrunched up his face and began to fuss, causing Kili to twitch around nervously, unsure what to do in order to calm his son.

"Are you hungry, little one?" Tauriel asked in a soft voice, apparently not at all fazed by this. Her question was quickly answered when she placed him to her breast and he latched on, eagerly taking in the nourishment his mother provided. "There…see? Crisis averted."

"Only because you knew what to do," Kili said with a sigh of relief. "But what if he cries when I'm holding him? What do I do then?"

"You will do what you've always done in the face of great danger," Tauriel told him. "You will rise to the occasion, and be the best husband and father I've ever known or wanted. I love you, Kili."

"Not as much as I love you," he stated, leaning in to kiss her lips. He then bent over and kissed the top of his son's head. "And I love you too, Ithil. Very, very much."

And snuggling against his wife, Kili sat there for a long time, just watching his son nurse, all the time a goofy grin never leaving his face.

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So as the years came and went, little Ithil grew up strong and fast. Elf children, much like dwarves, sprouted quickly, yet unlike his sire's race, the lad kept growing, racing towards the golden season of elven maturity. Thus, when Ithil was three years of age, his height was already beginning to catch up with Frerin's…and quickly on the way to rivaling Flinn. His vocabulary and instincts were also advanced, allowing the child to run and play with his older cousins, without feeling left behind.

Everyone in the family doted over the lad, his features keeping with the more round and robust shape of a dwarf, while his height and reflexes revealed his mother's heritage as well. He was indeed a perfect blend of both races, taking from them all the best qualities, as well as developing a few of his very own. He was smart, funny, a quick learner, and compassionate to a fault. And while he was friendly with just about everyone, it was no surprise that his favorite family member – besides his parents – was Thorin. More than not you could find the lad trailing behind his uncle, or sitting quietly in the corner of the king's council chambers, soaking up every word.

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"Are you sure you don't mind watching him for us today?" Kili asked, handing over Ithil to Thorin's waiting arms. "If you're busy, we could ask someone else. Or cancel our plans all together."

"Nonsense," Thorin huffed, bouncing the little lad on his hip as he smiled at the laughing child. "You and Tauriel need to get out once in a while, and Princess Tilda and Dunner have been asking you both to stop in for a while now. Ithil is no bother, in fact, even when I have work to do, he happily entertains himself in the corner. Always quiet as a mouse." He then turned to Tauriel and gave her a teasing grin. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I would think Thranduil arranged your entire marriage just to get a little spy into my inner circle. Are you sure that was not your king's plans all along? Is Ithil reporting back to him and revealing all my secrets?"

"Well," Tauriel said, acting as if she were truly considering the idea. "That is always a possibility, yet I was never privy to any underhanded schemes involving my son. You could always ask Ithil personally…though if he is a spy, he would probably not tell you."

"True," Thorin laughed, tickling the child's stomach. "Yet if I must harbor an infiltrator, at least he is an adorable one. Hmmm, I wonder if I could get him to spy on Thranduil for me. Would you do that for your king, Ithil?"

"Huh?" the little lad questioned, looking up at his uncle in confusion. Even advanced for his age, talk of spying and espionage was still a bit above his comprehension.

"Never mind," Thorin told him with a wide grin. "How about you and I take a walk down to the training room and watch Uncle Dwalin trounce a few first year cadets?"

"Yayyy!" he cried, clapping his hands in glee.

"Well, you appear to have everything under control," Kili stated confidently. "So we will be off. Tilda will not be happy if we are late for tea, and Dunner has been itching to show off his new son. Can you believe it, first a lass and then a lad, all in three years' time. Well, see you in a few hours."

"Wave bye-bye to your ama and adad, Ithil," Thorin said, grinning as the child flopped his hand up and down at his retreating parents. Being half dwarf and half elf, Ithil would never be in line for the throne, but Thorin knew he would make a fine diplomat one day, much to the pride of all "So…shall we head down?" When the lad nodded his head eagerly, the dwarf king set him down, taking his hand in his as they made their way to the fighting ring.

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It was nearing dark by the time the couple arrived back at Erebor, having spent a lovely day with the princess of Dale. Dunner and Bain had kept Kili busy, showing off their sons, while Tilda and Tauriel talked and swapped stories about raising children.

"If I had known how those two were going to brag on their kids so much, I would have brought Ithil with us and had him show them both up," Kili said, not at all serious.

"And that is why I suggested leaving him behind," his wife revealed. "Tilda and Dunner have every right to be proud of their newest child and wish to show him off. And I knew if you brought Ithil, it would turn into some kind of contest between you males to see who thought their son was best."

"And I would have won hands down!" Kili stated firmly, never one to pass up an opportunity to sing his son's praises.

"Exactly," Tauriel said with a roll of her eyes. "They are your friends, not opponents you must always try and best."

"Yes, my love, you're right as always" he said, though he truly didn't sound very repentant.

"Oh, you're back," Marigold called, just rounding a corner and heading straight for the couple. "How was Dale today?"

"Lovely," Tauriel told her. "The sun was shining, the birds were singing…and Princess Tilda was a delight as always."

"A delight?" Kili said with a humorous snort. "Obviously you've never seen her mad as a wet hen."

"No, I have not, since I do my best not to irritate her," Tauriel huffed. "Unlike some I could mention."

"Who me?" Kili asked, feigning innocence.

"Yes, you…and your brother," Marigold laughed, knowing all too well the way Fili and Kili enjoyed teasing Tilda, as if she were one of their siblings. "You both still act like children at times."

"Speaking of children," Kili mused. "How has little Ithil been all day? Has he run Thorin ragged yet?"

"I wouldn't know," Marigold stated. "I have been helping Dis and Flinn with the plans for this year's Durin's Day celebration. I have not seen my husband all day. However, from what I understand, Thorin was also roped into watching over Lili…as well as our Rose and Raina." She got a bit of a worried look on her face. "Perhaps we should go rescue him, before the rest of his hair turns grey."

"Might be the wisest course," Kili laughed. "I would hate to wear him out too quickly, we might need him to sit for us again sometime."

And so the three headed for the royal chambers, eager to see if the king was still standing. However, when Marigold pushed the door open, she was met with a sight that melted her heart.

"Shhhh, Ama," Rose said, rising from the floor where she and Raina had been quietly playing with their dolls. "Adad is sleeping."

"I can see that," Marigold whispered back.

And sure enough, there was Thorin, sitting in an oversized chair, with Lili in one arm, and Ithil in the other, the two young ones sound asleep, resting their heads against his broad chest. And snoring loudest of all was the king of Erebor, appearing rather worn out and frazzled after a full day of minding four children. It was a sight for sure, but one that Marigold had become used to over the years, for she had learned long ago that her husband was quite enamored with little ones…something else he had in common with King Thranduil.

"Well…should we wake him and take Ithil home?" Tauriel asked, also keeping her voice low.

"No, let's allow him a bit more time with the children," Marigold suggested. "Come into the kitchen and I will get us something to munch on until they wake."

"Sounds good to me," Kili grinned, always up for a snack. "What'cha got?"

.

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As time marched on, it appeared out of all Ithil's childhood companions, he was closest to Lili, the two of them being nearly the same age - even if he was now a full head taller than her. They were polar opposites, which made their bond even more amusing, for where Lili was fair of skin, with golden locks, Ithil, was darker with black hair that already fell past his shoulders in an unruly manner. Kili had tried to braid and clip it in the style of a dwarf on numerous occasions, but just like his own, nothing seemed to stay in for long.

Ithil was also taking to the bow and arrow like a duck to water, his skill with the weapon already causing many grown dwarrow who were under his mother's tutelage to cringe with fear. If he was this good at the age of three…then Mahal help everyone when he reached his majority. This was a constant source of pride to Kili, who took his son out shooting every chance they could get.

His Uncle Fili did his best to interest Ithil in swords, but the lad never quite become comfortable with the heavy wooden practice weapons. Thus, the lad was overjoyed when King Thranduil presented him with a pair of elvish fighting blades, very much like the ones his mother used. Ithil was ecstatic, and practiced very hard in hopes of soon earning the right to use them one day. Kili realized this might be sooner than expected, for his son was growing stronger and wiser every day, much to the delight of his parents.

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"Adad, Ama, look!" Ithil cried racing over to where his parents sat in the grass, watching as their son and the other children ran and played. "Look what I found!"

"Oh, how pretty," Tauriel said proudly, accepting the small green rock from him. "What a lovely stone…is it jasper?"

"No, Ama," the slender child laughed, rolling his eyes slightly as if he thought his mother was teasing him. "It's an agate."

"He's right," Kili stated, eying the rock. "The lad definitely knows his stones. He has the heart of a dwarf, that one."

"But the body of an elf," she reminded him.

"Yes he does," Kili admitted with a laugh. "Now go play, son, and show us how fast you can run with those elf legs of yours."

"All right, Adad!" Ithil grinned, racing off with lightning speed.

"Well…I knew it," Kili stated with a heavy sigh. "I always suspected our son would one day surpass me in height, and I can see that he is well on his way to doing so."

"Does this upset you, my husband?" Tauriel asked, looking down at him with a worried expression.

"No…not really," he grinned. "I mean, you're taller and doesn't bother me…so why should he? Just as long as he still minds me when I tell him something."

"As if Ithil would ever disobey his father," Tauriel laughed. She knew full well that their son worshiped Kili, and would never do anything to displease him. The two were practically inseparable, a close bond having been formed even before he left the womb, and each year it only seemed to grow stronger. And as much as she loved this, it worried her a little…for Tauriel had something to tell Kili, and she wasn't sure how it would affect their family dynamic. "And just like I predicted as well, you are a wonderful father to our little lad. You have taught him so much, and he simply hangs on your every word."

"Yes, but some things I have wisely left to you to instruct him in," Kili pointed out, not wanting Tauriel to overlook her contributions to his education.

"Oh, and what might that be?" she questioned, unsure as to what he was hinting at. They both shared in his weapons training, as well as his education and language skills…in Western, as well as Khuzdul and Sindarin.

"Climbing trees of course," he joked, watching her face light up in humor. "As my last tree climbing experience showed me…I really stink at it."

"Well, that must be your only fault then, my love," Tauriel grinned. "For in all our years of marriage, I have found no other."

"Of course you haven't," Kili said with a look of superiority. "I'm perfect in every other way but that."

"Oh, you!" Tauriel laughed, pushing him back as she began to thoroughly tickle him, all the while Kili gasped for air, pleading for mercy.

His lovely wife gave him none.

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"Kili," Tauriel said quietly, wondering if he was still awake. She had tried all day to find the perfect time to tell him her news, but it never seemed to present itself. Yet now, as she lay there in the dark, she knew she could delay no longer. He had a right to know, and she couldn't keep such news from him. "Kili…are you awake?"

"Mmmmhmmm," he murmured, appearing to be on the edge of sleep, yet not quite there yet.

"I have something to tell you," she whispered, sitting up and leaning on her elbow as she stared at his sleeping form. Kili truly was handsome, and he always looked so peaceful when he slept…their son favoring him so much in appearance.

"Can't it wait till morning?" he asked, rolling over on his side as he cuddled his pillow closer to him.

"No…it can't," she insisted, placing her hand on his shoulder and rolling him back so that he was facing the ceiling. "I need to tell you now."

"Then say it quick and let's get back to sleep," he suggested, still not opening his eyes.

"Kili…I'm with child again," she stated, figuring that if she did not spill her news immediately, he might fall back asleep.

There was a short pause…and then his eyes opened, staring up at her for a long moment.

"Wait…am I still asleep?" he asked, sitting up and slapping his cheeks a few times with the palms of his hands. Once he deduced that he was indeed awake, he turned and stared at her once more. "Now…say that again."

"I'm with child," she repeated. "We are going to have another baby."

In the space of a heartbeat, Kili was up out of bed and leaping around the room, whooping and hollering with joy.

"A BABY! ANOTHER BABY!" he cried, rushing over and throwing himself on the bed beside her as he hugged her gently.

"Hush, Kili!" she hissed. "You will wake Ithil!"

"I don't care if I wake the whole mountain!" he told her, a wide grin on his face. "We're going to have another baby, and I want everyone to know! Do you know when…and if it will be a lad or a lass yet?"

"No, not yet," she told him. "I only sensed its presence this morning."

"This morning?" Kili pulled back in shock. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"

"I…I don't know," she admitted. "You were having such a good time with Ithil today, that I didn't want to disrupt your father/son time. This will be a big change for our family, and I don't want our son to become jealous."

"Jealous?" Kili scoffed. "Did Fili become jealous of me when I was born? Did Flinn become jealous of Frerin? Tauriel, our son will love having a brother…or a sister. Family is the most important thing to dwarves. There will be no jealousy, only love."

"If you're sure," she nodded, though she still worried a bit about the idea. Sier had told her how Freya had become a bit hurt over the idea that Fili had been spending a lot of time with Lili when she was first born. Yet looking at the two now, the little princesses were nearly as inseparable as Flinn and Frerin. Perhaps Kili was right and there was nothing to worry about at all.

"Of course I'm sure," he stated firmly. "Have I ever been wrong before?"

"Well…" she began, getting a thoughtful look.

"Don't answer that!" he huffed, knowing what her reply would most likely be. "But answer me this…are you happy about our new little one?"

"Oh, yes, Kili, very much," she grinned, placing her hand on her stomach. "I couldn't be more pleased."

"Me too," he told her, leaning in for a long drawn out kiss. He then pulled back with a wide grin. "I can't wait to tell my brother!" And up he hopped, grabbing his trousers and racing for the door.

"Where are you going?" she called.

"To wake Fili and give him the good news!" came his shout of joy, just before she heard their chamber door open and close.

Tauriel laid her head back on the pillow and chuckled to herself. Kili hadn't changed one bit. And in truth…she prayed he never would.

And there you go...Ithil is adorable! And everyone loves him.

Tilda and Dunner now have two children, a girl first and now a little lad.

Thorin is a great uncle, and loves to watch the children whenever his duties will allow. But they do wear him out a bit, ha ha.

Tauriel is pregnant again! And it appears that Kili can't be happier. Wake up, Fili...your brother has news! ha ha.

So continue to expect time jumps. Lots of time to cover and so very few chapters left to do it in. Thanks for your continued support and reviews!

Guest Reviews:

Emrfangirl: Oh, you bet Kili will hold that over Thorin's head for years and years to come. But he did get rather emotional over the birth of his son. As any good dad would. I am sure that Ithil will indeed be a favorite of King Thranduil, and be the perfect ambassador between the mountains and the woods. Yes, all Tauriel wanted was a turnip. And how I thought of that was the other day I ate a turnip for the first time in like FOREVER! I forgot how much I liked them and hadn't thought of buying one in a long time. So it was on my mind. And if I was craving one...why not Tauriel. ha ha. Thanks.

Feu d'Argent: Auto correct has been my downfall many a time. ha ha. Yep, Babies everywhere...and more to come since Sigrid needs to have a daughter soon so she can grow up, marry Eomund and have Eomer and Eowyn. ha ha. Oh yes, I think my story would rival that of Tolkien himself in length! I got my own Trilogy! Exactly...I mean have you ever heard of an ugly fictional baby? I bet Thranduil sobbed like a little girl when Legolas was born, the big marshmallow. Nope, never even heard of the movies. All I do is write apparently. ha ha. Thanks

arrondissement: Glad you are enjoying the story, and sorry I made you tear up...well, not really, I love it. ha ha. And yep, Ithil will sprout quickly and be taller than his adad in no time. But he will ALWAYS look up to him. OH yes, that is why I gave Ithil dwarf features, but not size...easier on Tauriel for her first time. haha. Now the next one...who knows. Just hope its head isn't as big as Gimli's was, ha ha. As for pregnancies, there really isn't much about dwarf ones written, but elf pregnancies are a full year. Men are 9 months, obviously. So I went with 8 months for a hobbit and 10 months for a dwarf. So there was a chance that Tauriel could have given birth from 10 - 12 months...and she did just a few weeks short of a full year. Now this is all MY personal theory, mind you, so don't go quoting me on any of it. ha ha. As for Marigold and Raina's birth...um...looks like you did FAR more research on the matter than me, but I am really glad it coincided with what you found out. Makes me look all smart and stuff...and I didn't even TRY. ha ha. As for my published stories on Amazon, they are all based around Phantom of the Opera - though some are more AU than canon. They are titled "Siren of the Sea", where Erik is a pirate. "Mystery Behind the Mask" where Erik is an English lord. And "Seeing is Believing" where Erik lives under the opera house. However, you can also find them, as well as two others I wrote, on Fan Fiction, listed under my other screen name, Fantomphan33. If you are a Phantom of the Opera fan, I do hope you take a look...if not, no worries. Read what interests you. I also have one other Hobbit story posted here under this screen name as well, "A Different Kind of Thirst" if you haven't seen it already. Thanks for your kind review and questions.

abc: Yep, little Ithil is here at last. And growing quickly too! And I knew you all expected Kili to faint...that's why I went a different rout. ha ha. Yes, I thought it only fitting that Elrond came to see the birth, but being the best Dr. in town, it was wise. Especially with such a unique baby. I wanted Glorfindel and the twins to come too, but thought that would require a lot more writing with them around. ha ha. So I kept the guest list small. They can come gawk at the child later. ha ha. Thanks!