Well folks...this is it. The End.
Almara Elf: Awwwww, I did not mean to spoil your day...but I AM glad you are enjoying the story, hee hee.
~X~
Aranel Mereneth: I hope there is enough Uncle Thorin/Dis/Kili family love going on in this last chapter for ya. And while I loved your idea for the kids names...I kind of went another direction. I hope you find them acceptable. PS. I am a sucker for happy endings!
~X~
~X~
Chapter 18
Epilogue
A frown creased Fili's brow as he walked down the hall towards the nursery, feeling badly that he had not been present to see his two precious little ones put to bed. Yet, Thorin's summons had taken precedent and he had been unavoidably detained. The news was troubling, if nothing else, but looking back over the past eight years…he had dealt with worse.
As he neared the twins' sleeping chambers he could hear them laughing and shouting, instantly bringing a smile to his face. His son, Vili, and daughter, Hanna, never failed to lighten his mood, no matter what weighted upon his mind. All he needed to do was look into the expressive blue eyes of his two beloved children and every care seemed to melt away. They were now nearing eight years old and every day Vili seemed to take more after the Durin side of his family, while Hanna reminded him more and more of her beautiful mother. Fili dreaded the day when some young dwarf singled her out as his one, and he could only hope that the lad was worthy of such a gem.
Pushing the door open just a bit, he leaned against the doorjamb and watched as Kili jumped from one child sized bed to the next, battling off the two rambunctious children as they came at him with small wooden swords. His brother had truly embraced his role as uncle seriously, always willing to take time out of his busy schedule to play with the twins, or even to tuck them in at night when Fili was otherwise engaged. However, it would appear that sleep was the last thing on his children's minds and apparently he had the wild and playful Kili to thank for that. Yet the golden prince knew he wouldn't change it for the world, and he began to laugh as Vili and Hanna expertly boxed his brother into a corner with their childish roars of victory.
"Surrender or die!" Vili yelled, pointing his toy sword at Kili's knees, his chest and throat being far above the small child's reach. For even at eight years old, in dwarf terms he appeared to only be the age of a human child of four, leaving much room for sprouting.
"No!" Hanna cried out, suddenly feeling empathy for her poor uncle and his plight. "Let him go free!" She then dropped her tiny weapon and raced forward, hugging him around his legs.
"Hanna! You will make a terrible warrior!" Vili pouted, crossing his arms and scowling at his sister in a way that made Fili immediately think of Thorin.
"Ahh, little nephew," Kili interjected as he picked Hanna up in his arms, hugging her tightly as she wrapped herself around him. "But you must remember, that the sign of a good warrior is to know when to strike and when to show mercy. And I for one, appreciate your sister's tender heart…for I would have been sorely pressed to have fended off the both of you."
This news made the little warf perk up, his tiny chest puffing up with pride at his uncle's complimentary words.
"Then we will let you live…this time!" he offered, before getting a wide mischievous grin on his face, one that the two Durin princes recognized immediately - having seen it on both their faces many times as they grew up. "But as payment for us sparing your life…you must tell us a story!"
"A story?" Kili gasped, acting as if they had just demanded all the gold in Erebor. "I must pay dearly for my liberty it would seem. And what if I do not know any stories, have you ever thought of that?"
"We know you do!" the children argued, not believing their sly uncle for a moment.
"Yes, Kili, tell them a story," Fili spoke up, causing the three to turn and look at him, the children's eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of their father. "Growing up, you never failed to entertain Mother or Uncle Thorin with your wild and fanciful tales. If I do recall, you had made up an extremely elaborate one concerning how all the ponies managed to escape the corral back at the Blue Mountains. To this very day I think they are still trying to round up the last of the strays."
"Papa!" Vili shouted, running to him and allowing the golden prince to swing him up in the air. "Now that you are here, you can tell us a story!"
"But I was not the one who was vanquished!" Fili argued, poking his finger into his son's ribs, causing him to let loose with peals of laughter. "And what story would you wish to hear?"
"Tell us about how you met mummy!" Hanna requested, that particular one always being her favorite. "About how she helped you defeat Smaug and regain Erebor!"
"That one…again?" he asked, acting as if it were a chore and a drudgery, when in truth it was his favorite as well.
"And who says that I cannot tell the tale just as well, if not better, than your father?" Kili asked, feigning hurt and disappointment at being thrown over for his brother…even if they were after all his children. "I was there too you know, so I think I should be the one to recount the story!"
"Oh, no you don't," came a stern, but amused voice from the corner of the room. "For when you tell it, I always come off looking bad!"
"Well, you were bad, dear sister!" Kili informed Daeloness with a wide grin. "You bit my thumb nearly clean off!" he accused, now looking down at the little girl in his arms for support. "You would never bite your uncle Kili like your mummy did, would you, Hanna?"
"Oh, no!" she said with wide eyes and a solemn shake of her head.
"See, Daeloness…you were very bad," he told her, sticking his tongue out at his sister-in-law.
Fili could not help but laugh at their antics and after setting Vili down, he walked over to where his beautiful wife sat, stitching up a new tear in one of the children's clothes. Leaning in, he kissed her gently on the lips, earning a moan of disgust from his young son, as well as Kili.
"Not in front of the children, brother!" Kili teased, making a face along with Hanna over the gesture.
"And how are you tonight, my dear?" he asked, ignoring his sibling and enjoying the wide smile that spread across Daeloness' face.
"Greatly maligned it would seem," she laughed. "And will you not defend my honor, husband?"
"Normally I would, to the death if needs be…yet even I have to admit that you were rather feisty back then, and biting is not a very ladylike thing to do," he admitted thoughtfully. "What kind of example are you setting for our daughter? For biting dwarves will not be tolerated in Erebor…upon King Thorin's express orders."
"Is that so?" Daeloness asked, cocking an eyebrow as she looked up at Fili. "I will endeavor and keep that in mind, my prince," here she lowered her voice, her next words meant for only his ears, "yet I fear that when we are alone later, I might regress back to my more wicked ways."
"Daeloness!" came the shocked voice of the pretty auburn haired elf who reclined nearby in her own chair. "I am sitting right here! And though my ears are better than most, I certainly did not need to hear that!"
"Hear what?" Kili was quick to ask, walking over to where the two ladies sat. "What did she say?"
"I do not think it is proper to repeat it…at least not in front of the children," Tauriel laughed, seeing Daeloness turn a bit red at being overheard.
"Yet, I am sure your pretty wife will recount every word when you two retire for the night," Fili laughed, not at all embarrassed by what his often brazen and playful one had said. And as he looked down at her rosy cheeks and shy smile, he fell in love with her all over again. This was nothing new, for it happened quite often, with Fili never able to get enough of his delectable wife. When he thought of how things might have gone, had she truly perished the day the twins were born, the golden prince found he held on to each and every precious moment they shared all the more tightly.
Fili credited both Tauriel and Oin for their quick thinking and immense knowledge of healing for saving her life that day, pulling her back from the brink of death and once more giving her over to his loving arms. Daeloness had spent the next week in the infirmary, the new sleep deprived father never leaving her side unless it was to tend to his little twins. Everyone pitched in, offering to sit with her, take care of the babies or anything else they might need. Yet more than not, they mostly wished to be left alone. Those times, when it was just the four of them, a little one in each parent's arm, were some of the most memorable of his life, for there they had become a full-fledged family. They had settled upon names for the children before they were born, but had not dreamed they would be using the ones they had picked for both a boy and a girl. Vili had been an obvious choice, taking up the dwarf tradition of giving a son a name that matched his father. Hanna had been Daeloness' mothers name and their daughter had been bestowed the honor of carrying on her memory. Dis had small medalions commissioned by the chief metal smith for each child, much as her late husband had done for her boys. And there was not a more proud grandmother to be found than she when it came time to present them to her son's children. Thorin was just as excited about the prospect of children once again running around Erebor, looking forward to the sound of little feet filling the mountain once again. With all the help the new parents were getting from everyone, by the end of the week, when Daeloness was able to return to their own quarters to continue her convalescing, they honestly felt they had this parenthood thing down to a science.
Oh, how wrong they were!
In the weeks to come, Daeloness was only too happy to remind Fili of his foolish words before the children were born, where he had asked 'how hard could it be'. He was quick to point out that when he had said such things, he had assumed they were only going to have one…not two children to care for. Yet the couple tackled the unsurmountable task with a measure of self-confidence and composure that left them the envy of all dwarf parents.
Theirs had been a happy life, one filled with much love and laughter, watching their children grow and sharing many good times with those they were closest to. As Thorin had hoped, the little ones were soon the apple of everyone's eye and no one seemed at all troubled by their unusual parentage. The fact that there had been two heirs of Durin born at the same time won over even the most hardened of opponents, everyone saying that such things must be a sign that Mahal had blessed the union himself.
And just like Kili had hoped, the accepting of their mixed marriage and children went a long way in helping everyone tolerate his announcement that he intended to wed Tauriel. Everyone had thought that Thorin would be dead set against it, due to his long standing grudge against the elves, but the beautiful elven guard had proven herself to him a thousand times over by saving the life of Daeloness that day, something that Fili would never forget either. So when Kili and Tauriel had come to him, asking for his blessing, he had given it…albeit a bit begrudgingly at first. Yet now, with their first dwelf child due any time, a happier uncle and king one would never find.
"And how are you feeling this evening, my sister?" Fili asked, noting how uncomfortable Tauriel appeared, already many months into her own pregnancy, as she sat next to Daeloness and sewed on a small garment of her own.
"Eager to give birth to this little one," she laughed, giving her brother-in-law a warm smile before looking up at Kili with all the love in her heart. Theirs had been a very stormy and tumultuous relationship, with both parties fighting their attraction for each other until the bitter end. For neither one felt that it would ever work, nor would their union be accepted, yet in the end, even they were forced to at last give in to their undeniable devotion. Fili knew it was to be, when Kili had come to him one evening, practically in tears as he begged his brother to explain to him just what finding your one felt like. And while he was hard pressed to relate the emotions and sentiments exactly, whatever Fili had said must have been enough to convince the young prince that his feelings were genuine. Prompting him to offer a very speedy and heartfelt proposal of marriage…to which Tauriel said yes.
Thranduil had not been pleased to see his captain of the guard leave his kingdom for that of the dwarves, but since relations between Mirkwood and Erebor had come a long way over the years, he could hardly speak out against it. In many ways, it strengthened the bonds between the two races, opening up a steady stream of free trade and good will between elves and dwarf alike.
"I should imagine so," Fili responded to Tauriel's wish to have the pregnancy over with soon. "Yet I know that you have had more than enough practice taking care of this big baby here," he paused and jerked his head towards his brother, "that your little one should be no trouble at all."
"Hey!" Kili huffed, offended by his brother's jest…yet once again, he had to nod and laugh as he realized his brother had mostly spoken true. Marriage had caused the impetuous dwarf to grow up some, but he still retained the youthful exuberance that had drawn his elven bride to him. Often she had had expressed her concerns that fatherhood might change all that, yet after seeing how he dealt with his little niece and nephew, her worries were mollified.
"Story, Papa!" Hanna begged, still cradled in Kili's arms.
"I am afraid that you will have to settle with getting one from Uncle Kili tonight, princess," Fili told his daughter, leaning in to tap her on her little button nose with his finger. "I just came to fetch your mummy, for your Uncle Thorin has asked that she join us in his council chambers right away." When he saw the looks of disappointment on his children's faces, he thought quickly about how to rectify things. "Perhaps your uncle will tell you about the time he stole a young dwarf maid's freshly baked blackberry pie and she chased him up a tree and kept him there most of the day until your grandmother came looking for him."
"Oh, yes," Tauriel laughed, giving Kili a sly grin. "I would very much like to hear that tale."
"Me too!" Vili cried, racing over to his bed, ignoring the messed up covers and climbing inside, eager for the bedtime story to begin.
"I will get you for this, brother," Kili threatened, his eyes narrowing as he carried Hanna over to her matching bed beside Vili's, and snuggled her down.
Fili only laughed, reaching out to help his wife rise and proceeded to lead her out of the room, catching only the first part of the tale he knew so well.
~X~
"Why has Thorin asked to see us in his council chambers?" Daeloness questioned, once the door was shut behind them. While she no longer feared Thorin, he was still the king and she was unable to imagine why he might require her presence.
"I think it is best if he explains things himself," he muttered, taking her by the hand as they both made their way down the halls to the large iron doors they had come to seek. With only a cursory knock, Fili pushed them open and entered. As they approached where Thorin sat at the head of a stone table, looking rather grim as he spoke with a handful of his advisors - Balin and Gloin among them - both Daeloness and Fili bowed low. When only family was around, they dispensed with such formalities, but in the presence of the court and others, they were obliged to show the proper respect to their king.
"You sent for us, My Lord?" Daeloness asked, still perplexed by the reason.
"Yes…" he nodded, finishing up his words with those around him and then waving for them to leave him. He signaled for Balin and Gloin to stay, and when the room was cleared, Thorin rose and walked down to meet his niece and nephew. "I asked Fili to bring you here…for something has transpired that affects you directly, my dearest."
"Oh?" Now Daeloness was truly curious. "Nothing bad I hope, Uncle."
"That all depends on how you view it," he answered, his face still grim, but with a slight twinkle in his blue eyes.
Thorin had turned out to be a wonderful king of Erebor, the mountain prospering and growing in strength even more so than in the days of his forefathers, before Smaug had attacked. Fili and Kili had done much to add to his rule, traveling far and wide on peace missions and gathering allies for their sovereign and his kingdom. Erebor had become the shining beacon for the dwarves of Middle Earth and all looked to Thorin when matters of concern arose amongst the clans. Fili often wondered, with how much his uncle's office afforded him the opportunity to meet and entertain visiting dwarves and dwarrowdams, if Thorin might in time meet his own one, prompting him to forgo his solitary life and take a mate himself. If that were to happen, there was a chance that the two young princes would be required to renounce their claim to the throne, the line of Durin's king then passing to Thorin's very own son. Yet neither Fili nor Kili would have minded, for not only were they satisfied to stand at their uncle's side, they both had found ultimate contentment in the arms of their respective wives…and for them, what else was there? Besides, as happy and in love as they were, they could only wish such joy on their uncle as well. When they made a point to assure Thorin of their full support should he eventually wed, their king had roared with laughter, saying that he was far too old and set in his ways to think about courting a bride. Yet, Kili and Fili had just looked at each other and grinned, for both knew that stranger things had happened…their own two mismatched marriages being a prime example.
"I…I still do not understand," Daeloness stammered, even more perplexed by her king's cryptic words.
"It would appear that we were visited this evening by a small envoy of three, wishing to petition the mountain kingdom for peace and assistance." Here Thorin stopped and took a breath, one that revealed that he was using a great deal of restraint to keep his temper in check. "The emissaries were from Tellmar, led by one of the princes…your brother."
"What?" Daeloness gasped, placing a hand to her throat and taking a step back. "I thought they were told never to return! Why would they risk such things now?" In truth, Daeloness had given little to no thought about her father, her brothers or her people in many years. For her heart and home were now with the dwarves, and she considered Fili, and his people, to be her true family.
"It would appear that some are more thick headed than others," Thorin huffed, still not happy with the prospect of dealing with anyone from the water kingdom a fourth time. Each meeting he had suffered through had left the dwarf king more and more unwilling to stay his sword arm, and if left to meet with this prince alone, he feared he might snap and take off his head before the libertine even spoke. "The prince dared to request an audience with you, little niece, and while I was prepared to refuse and toss them all into the dungeons, I felt it best to give you the chance to decide. After all, it was you who was the most offended by them and you might wish to impose a measure of retribution of your own." When Thorin saw Daeloness' eyes grow even wider in fear, he stepped forward and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Yet you need not worry or fear, for Fili and I will stand with you, and should you seek vengeance upon them for past wrongs, I will be more than happy to pass swift and immediate sentence."
"Or…if you, in your infinite kindness and generosity, wish for them to only be expelled from Erebor, we will see that your wish is carried out just the same," Fili added, knowing his tenderhearted wife a little better than Thorin did. "The choice is yours, my love."
Daeloness was at a loss for what to say, and yet she knew she would never be at peace until she heard why they had come. So lowering her head, she gave her response.
"I will speak with them…just this once," she agreed.
Thorin nodded solemnly and led the two of them up to the front of the massive table, seating himself in the high backed chair once more and gestured for them to take their places at his left. Then, turning to the two dwarves who sat at his right, he signaled for Gloin to see that the prisoner was brought in. The sturdy ginger-haired dwarf rose and went to the side door, opening it and allowing Dwalin, and several of his guards, to escort the water prince inside, the young lad looking more than a bit uncertain about his future life expectancy.
"Marshaun!" Daeloness gasped, rising to her feet as she saw which sibling it was.
"Daeloness!" he too greeted, a brief smile coming to his face. Yet a low growl from Dwalin caused him to quickly right himself and he sobered instantly. "You…you look very well, Your Highness, and it is a pleasure to see you again," Marshaun told her, speaking formally. He then turned to Thorin and bowed low in a sign of respect. "Hail, mighty Thorin, King Under the Mountain. I come seeking not only an audience with the wife of your crown prince, but to wish you peace and prosperity, and pray that past dealings with my father might be overlooked and that your attitude towards the people of Tellmar has softened over time."
"I never had a quarrel with the people of Tellmar," Thorin answered gruffly. "It was your king and the royal family I took offense with."
"I understand your hesitancy then to allow me this audience, and thus have even more reason to be obliged that you permitted it," Marshaun spoke, offering another bow to the sullen king. "Yet I am here to report that you will never have to suffer speaking with King Maldor of the Northern Kingdom again…for he has met his death and I am soon to take his place as king."
"What?" Daeloness could not help but cry out at his words, as Fili rose as well and stood beside his wife, offering her his support. He knew she held no love for her father, yet the death of anyone, friend or foe, had always affected her adversely. "How did it happen?"
"In battle, my lady," Marshaun answered, turning his eyes upon his sister. "He and Lord Palnish attempted to keep peace between them, but it had been tentative and strained at the best of times. Until one day in a fit of rage they both declared war and threw our kingdoms into a vicious conflict that we all knew would end badly. It was during a particularly bloody skirmish that our father turned tail and ran, leaving myself and our brothers to fend for ourselves at the head of the battle lines. The oldest, Eril, grew enraged at his selfish and cowardly act, and turning, fired an arrow into our father's back, killing him instantly. No one had the heart to condemn our brother, for support and sympathy for our father had been waning for some time, leaving no one to truly mourn his passing in this undignified manner. However, my brother's reign was short lived, for not only he, but the rest of my brethren, fell in battle in the days to come, leaving only me to stand as leader for our people…and a very sorry one I am, to be sure." He stopped there and took a shaky breath, lifting his head high as he now addressed Thorin. "Yet king I am, and as such I must look to the welfare of my people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of my father and his warmongering ways. Palnish also retained heavy losses and neither of our kingdoms came out victorious, leaving Tellmar open for conquering and ripe for the pickings should any other sovereign wish to attack. Thus I have come to you, King Thorin, asking…nay, begging for aid in our troubled times. I know that we do not deserve it, and I would be little surprised if you were to toss me in the deepest pit of Erebor. Yet for the sake of my starving and humbled people I present myself to you as your servant, should you deem me worthy of your mercy."
Thorin was silent for some time, and then he turned to Daeloness and Fili, his eyes searching their faces for a hint as to what they might be thinking.
"And what do you think of his petition, niece?" he asked, causing the little princess to take her eyes off her brother and turn them to him. "Should I consider it, or do as he expects and toss him into a mineshaft?"
"I…I do not know," Daeloness stammered, not sure how she should respond. "While I am loyal to Erebor above all else, I…I can't help but feel pity for those I have left behind to suffer at the hands of the king of Ekmus. Perhaps if I had fulfilled the contract made by my father, a stronger treaty would have been forged and war between the two kingdoms could have been avoided."
"NO!" came two strong voices in unison, one from Fili, but surprisingly enough the other from Marshaun. When all eyes turned to the water prince he cleared his throat and elaborated.
"Our father was wrong to offer you up in trade for peace, it was a cruel and heartless act and one I never supported!" he stated, his chin held up in pride. "Even if you had become wife to Palnish, he would have never kept peace between us, and you would have been used mercilessly as a prisoner of war. You were right to escape when you could…I only regret that I did not aid you further in your attempts. I will carry this shame for the rest of my days…" he then glanced over at Thorin and added, "…for however long you deem that might be, Mighty Thorin."
"Gracious and appealing are the words of the new king of Tellmar," Thorin admitted, tenting his fingers and bringing them up to his chin in thought. "I only hope that your intentions are just as palatable, and you are not playing false."
"I do not pretend to know my brother's intentions," Daeloness spoke up, looking from her sibling then back to Thorin with uncertainty. "Yet of all my family, he is the only one who ever showed me a measure of kindness. He attempted to visit me when we were children and then at least twice that I know of when I was a prisoner in the dungeons. He was also the one who stood between me and certain death at my father's hand when I spoke against his betrayal to you concerning the water stone. Of all my kin…Marshaun is the only one who ever called me sister, and for that small act of kindness, I am willing to beg for his life, my king. And even if you choose to not offer him aid, I do ask that you spare his life and not lock him up as a prisoner here in the mountain. The rest I leave to your wisdom, Thorin, King of Erebor."
Once more the room grew silent, all eyes on Thorin as he stewed and debated on the things he had just heard. While he had mellowed somewhat over the years, deep down he was still a warrior at heart, and often his vengeful and vindictive side would creep back into play. Would it now?
"I am inclined to listen to the words of my heir's wife," Thorin said at last, standing up from his chair and staring down at the somewhat diminished water prince before him. "Her kind heart and pleas for mercy have done much to assure that you will not perish right here on this stone floor. For as I am sure you know, I had originally decreed that any and all of your kin would die instantly should you ever return to Erebor. Yet I am not foolish enough to make a decision based upon your word alone. I will investigate your claims, weigh the options and then decide if we will offer the kingdom of Tellmar aid…or let you perish as I once thought you so richly deserved." He then turned his eyes to Dwalin. "Take the water prince…or perhaps I should now say king, to one of the guest rooms and post a guard at his door. He is to be treated as a guest…a well watched one, but a guest nonetheless. See that his sentries are treated kindly as well and I will speak with him again, once I have taken more counsel on the subject."
"I thank you for your generosity and hospitality," Marshaun said, placing his fisted hand over his heart and going down on one knee as he lowered his head. When he dared to look up, his eyes were now on Daeloness. "I am happy to see that you have at last found love and are being so well cared for, my sister, for I know you got no such compassion from your own people. Even if your king chooses to ignore our petition…I, King Marshaun of Tellmar, do hereby pledge my undying loyalty to you, Princess of Erebor, for all you have suffered and endured." He then stood, tugging on his tunic in an attempt to regain his composure and addressed Thorin. "I will await your decision, Great King."
With that, Dwalin took him by the arm and escorted him out of the room, being just a bit gentler with the lad this time. When they were alone, Thorin turned to his niece and nephew with a slight smirk.
"It would seem that the mantle of rulership has at least fallen upon the wisest of your brothers," he noted. "For it takes a humble king to lower himself and come begging on behalf of his people."
"As I said, he was the only one who ever stood up to my father for my sake, often risking punishment for the act," Daeloness informed him. "Yet I would not have you extend your mercy simply on my account, for I have long since denounced any and all affiliations with the water kingdoms and offered my loyalty to the dwarves of Erebor." She then looked up at Fili, her eyes full of love. "And there is one handsome dwarf in particular that I would gladly lay down my life for."
"And he would do the same for you, my princess," Fili assured her, leaning down to kiss her willing lips.
"Then it is settled, we shall gather the council and speak of this tomorrow," Thorin agreed, unwilling to further this discussion so late in the evening. "For now, I say we all retire and get a good night's sleep, heads are much clearer when well rested." He then stood and made his way around the table to leave, stopping briefly as he placed his hands on either of their arms in a sign of affection. "Sleep well, my sister-son," he told Fili, then turning to Daeloness, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "You as well, dearer than daughter, and do not let this matter trouble you tonight, for all will be made clear in the end and justice…or mercy…will be served. I give you my word." With that he left the room, followed by a grinning Balin and Gloin.
Fili placed his hand protectively around his wife's waist and escorted her out as well, the two of them remaining silent until they had reached their chambers. As they peeked through the door to the nursery, they could see that Kili's story had done the trick and their two little children were sleeping peacefully, with happy smiles on their adorable faces. Closing the door quietly they allowed them to slumber on, knowing that all too soon they would awaken and require all the attention that both parents so readily offered.
"Do you trust Marshaun?" Fili asked, as the two prepared for bed. He did not wish to distress his wife, yet he worried that she might harbor some doubts and he wished for her to share them with him.
"I don't distrust him," she replied diplomatically. "Yet neither am I willing to beg Thorin to go against any misgivings he might have solely on my recommendation. If my brother is sincere, your uncle will ascertain this and act accordingly. I put faith in him, for I have come to understand what a kind and fair king he is."
"He will be happy to hear that," Fili smiled, as they both slipped into bed, his wife automatically snuggling up to his side as she lay her head upon his chest. "He truly has come to adore you over the years, you know."
"And I him," she laughed, allowing her fingers to make their way up until she was able to tug on the braid she had placed in his hair on the day of their wedding. Fili had chosen to keep his beard short, even after they had reclaimed Erebor, knowing that his wife preferred him that way. Yet he never regretted it, just as long as he could display his marriage braid, her symbol of love to him, so prominently. Whenever he saw hers, no longer hidden beneath and now lying on the outside for all to see, his chest would swell with pride, knowing that she was his alone…his one. He had often wondered if his desire for her would fade or grow into a comfortable affection, yet to this day she could still set his loins on fire with only a glance and a wink, assuring him that his love would never fail. Even now, just having her near him was doing things to his body that he felt inclined to give a response to…and quickly. So taking hold of her hand, he flipped Daeloness over without warning, pinning her back to the bed with his own body as he hovered above her. She let out a squeak of shock at his unexpected move, yet she did nothing to protest the change in position.
"Fili…what has gotten into you?" she giggled, loving this wild side of him.
"Only my undying love for you, my little princess," he smiled, never tiring of using his pet name for her from so long ago. "Something I quite wish to demonstrate to you right now, unless you have any objections."
Daeloness pretended to give it serious thought, though in truth she did not have to work hard to fake it…for she did indeed need to give it consideration. You see, she was keeping a secret from her husband, one that if she told him about, would put an instant curtail on their ever so delicious nightly encounters…as well as a few during the day whenever they could successfully sneak away. She had been sure for some time now, but was choosing not to alert Fili, or anyone else for that matter, about the little baby girl that now grew within her. She would not begin showing for several more months, and planned on waiting as long as she could before revealing her delightful secret. While Fili was a reasonable dwarf and had given in on many concessions where her feelings and desires were concerned, as a prince and heir to the throne, he would feel obligated to uphold this particularly annoying tradition of his kind. So…Daeloness held her tongue, and simply nodded her agreement.
"I have no objections at all, my husband," she told him with a smile.
"I did not think you would," he smirked, leaning down to kiss her lips tenderly. "However…I am quite interested in seeing if you intend to follow through with your little threat, my wife."
"And what threat is that?" she questioned, cocking an eyebrow as she struggled to understand his meaning.
"I believe you mentioned something about regressing back to your wicked ways?" he reminded her, the lustful stare he was now giving her sending shivers down her spine. "Perhaps it might be wise for me to make a trip down to the armory before I take you tonight, to spare myself a few painful bite marks…yes?"
"If you feel it is necessary," she shrugged, once more letting her hand rise to capture his braid in her hand, fingering the little bead at the end with love. "Yet by the time you return, I might no longer be in the mood," she warned in a teasing voice. "Besides, I do not think sleeping in a coat of mail would be very comfortable for you, my prince…and I do so want you to be comfortable."
"Then I will bravely forgo the armor and risk it," he laughed, loving her all the more. "After all, I survived a battle with a dragon…and I am sure you could not truly be more fierce than he."
"Don't bet on it," she answered smugly, and before Fili knew it, he was suddenly the one lying flat on his back and looking up at her in shock. She had always been rather quick. "Now…it would appear that the tables have turned and it is you who are my prisoner for a change," she told him, her long blond hair falling forward and tickling the side of his face. "Do you have any requests before I devour you…my captive? A last meal perhaps, or a cup of wine?"
"I think you are keenly aware of all my wants and desires," he told her, leaning up to capture her lips with his own. "And I assure you, that what I am craving right now is a different kind of thirst altogether." With his final words said, Fili proceeded to demonstrate in great detail exactly what he meant.
The End.
And they all lived happily ever after!
There you have it folks. No more. All done. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I had fun writing it.
Go Fili!
My thanks to all who took the time to send in a review - I hope I entertained you.
Your Obedient Servant,
T.O.W.G.