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Double trouble
Thorin's long fingers secured Eilin's hips and his voice rumbled through the sensitive skin of her neck. "Heaven above you are going to kill me." He was out of breath and his voice was hoarse and subdued.
Eilin cupped his other hand that was almost rigid around her full breast as he was coming down from the ecstasy that she had offered him. Her fingers clawed his buttocks as he gifted her with a few precious fading thrusts of passion and her stomach quivered from the breathtaking orgasm that had erupted in her a few moments before he unravelled for her. "I don't know who is going to kill who..." she whispered and leaned her head back to the pillow giving him ample view of her neck. As he rocked inside her his mouth opened up and gnawed the side of her throat ravenously. Her skin exploded with shivers of pleasure and the taut peak of her breast got chafed by his palm. He hummed and her lower body convulsed discreetly at his tune. "Sweet Eru...Thorin..." she smiled and tried to catch her breath.
"Your thirst for pleasure is absolutely unquenchable. I'll probably die before I manage to satiate you." He whispered upon her skin.
Her fingers pressed his buttocks firmly and she hissed. "You are my spark of ignition. You are driving me crazy!"
His lips curled up in a smile and his tongue came out to lap her generously before he whispered. "So we will either kill each other, or drive each other crazy. That's not good news for our child."
She snorted and reached behind to grasp his head. In this position, with him spooning behind her, she not only enjoyed this intimate session immensely, it also didn't bother her ever growing bump at all. "I loved this position, let us not just keep it reserved for my pregnancy days, alright my love?" She whispered and her fingers caressed his nape playfully.
"As you command my lady." He reciprocated the playful touch around her hips.
She giggled.
"I am not sure that acting this intensely upon our urges is good for your pregnancy to be quite honest. Each and every time we finish I hold my breath, expecting to see you get into labour. Your orgasms are way too intense for your poor overworked body." He said softly and nipped her ear. He didn't withdraw his fading arousal from her and she found a good opportunity to snuggle back to him in order to enjoy his strong body, filling her up and enfolding her at the same time.
"I do believe that one of these days, one of my releases is going to bring out our child too. In fact I am quite sure of that, but I don't see it as a problem. We are actually helping my body get prepared for labour. You are doing me a favour! Doesn't it feel magnificent to know that you are helping out your wife and at the same time we are both enjoying our intimate moments?" She smiled and her nails drew soft paths of reassurance on his muscular forearm.
"You will search and find any excuses that will allow us to become filthy, aren't you?" He smiled.
She giggled. "You can be sure of that!"
His hot breath send shivers down Eilin's spine. "I both love and hate this. I don't want to keep my hands away from you and also I don't want you to come to premature labour." He admitted.
"Yet you are claiming me fervently every single day... sometimes even more that once!" she raised her brows and tried to give him a playful look above her shoulder.
His lips captivated hers and she shuddered when his tongue rolled into her wet cavity and engaged hers for a few leisurely moments. Her throaty moan of appreciation seeped into his mouth and he closed his eyes in delight. When he pulled back a soft smile was on his lips. "You asked me to do it, and I said I'd try." He whispered.
Her fingers left his forearm and came back to caress his cheek gently. "That's not trying...that's an overkill."
He chuckled and she felt her heart swelling at the depth of his beloved rich voice. "So you'd like me to try less now?" he teased.
Her fingers squeezed his cheek and she nibbled her bottom lip. "Don't you dare!"
This time it was not a chuckle, but a full blow laugh that exploded dozens of colours behind her closed eyelids. She laughed with him. "So I will keep on pursuing you till one of these tries ends up either with you in labour or with me dead." He raised his brows.
She snickered. "I was so worried when at first you sounded so reserved in your promise to try to make love to me during my pregnancy, remember?"
He nodded and kissed her earlobe gently. "I know, so how about now?"
"Now I am worried I am not going to be able to keep up with you soon." She whispered with a smile of utter bliss on her well kissed lips.
His finger brushed her cheekbone and ended up tracing her eyebrow gently. "I won't let you rest until it is time for you to give birth."
A small cloud of uncertainty stained her perfect features. "So therefore let us enjoy these precious moments between us, because I won't lie to you Thorin...that is what scares me the most."
He frowned and gave her cheek a soft kiss. "I know it does, but you won't be alone."
She closed her eyes. "I know I made you promise this so many times, but can you do it one more?"
He smiled. "I promise that I will be there for you when the time comes."
"Even if Erebor is in ruins?" She whispered.
"Even if Moria marches all it's armies upon my doors!" He chuckled.
She snorted. "You are going to go out and tell them to take a break while I give birth?"
He nodded. "I will ring the trumpets and command them to camp outside and wait for you to deliver my children. Then I will gird myself with Orcrist and I will slay them down to the last one."
She laughed then and he delighted in the honesty of that laugh. "My strong warrior King, always there to protect me."
"Always there to protect our family, with my life...that is a promise." He said solemnly.
She bit her lower lip and felt her eyes burning. "I love you." She said in a hushed tone.
"And I adore you." He reciprocated and they held each other tightly for a few silent moments.
She exhaled and snuggle back on him again. "I don't want to think of you in a battle, nor me in labour. Let's think of other things...more pleasant."
His mouth curled up. "Like?"
She began munching her bottom lip as the playful mood returned to her and she pushed her hips back to him. Even though he was placid, she was still feeling his beloved virility resting inside her and that was causing her lower body to remain vaguely tense, as if preparing for another session. "I was thinking about the ring I told the head jeweller to make for you."
"Are you in a rush to put a ring on my finger?" he smiled.
She felt her lips curling up. "Of course I am! Especially after I realised that our engagement, my pregnancy and our impending wedding are not enough to stop women from drooling all over you!"
His deep laugh resonated through her body, waking up the small hair on the back of her nape. "The ring won't stop them either." He rejoined.
She humphed trying to sound annoyed, but she truly wasn't. There wasn't anything that could destroy this precious feeling of wholesomeness she shared with him at that moment. "Then how about locking you up in a dungeon so I can be the only one admiring your gorgeous looks?" She teased.
He tilted his head. "That could work. You'd have to pledge your loyalty to the next King in line though. Are you up for that?"
She giggled. "Nope...no...I will accept no other King for Erebor...well until our child comes out that is."
He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Therefore I will forget the dungeon and settle down with the ring and then with shaving any woman who dares to look at you the wrong way."
He laughed warmly. "I agree, but we have to keep this relationship balanced my beloved."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You will wear my ring and I will also shave anyone whose look is even a little bit indecent towards you." His voice held a tone of playfulness she enjoyed thoroughly.
She flicked her shoulder and he bit down on it...hard. "Ouch!" She tunnelled her fingers through his thick mane. "Alright! I find that just and fair."
He nodded and drew his teeth away from her skin to offer it a soft kiss that send shivers down that side of her body. "Good, that means that my Kingdom will not have anymore bearded men in it. Only bearded women."
She snorted. "Why?"
"Because I will have to shave all of them!" His slow rumble vibrated through her stomach, making it tense.
She laughed and her fingers caressed his hair, enjoying it's silky softness. "What's my ring like?" She whispered.
"A surprise of course...mine?" he spoke on her temple and she delighted at the warmth of his breath.
"A surprise...but will you wear it indeed?" her brows clouded slightly.
His head nodded softly on hers. "Was there ever any doubt? I have already passed a decree for this."
She smiled. "You went in this full force, didn't you? That means that everybody will be obliged to exchange rings?"
"Beads, flower crowns and jewellery are just the beginning. The rings will be the final public declaration that the couple belongs to each other." He said quietly.
"Why do I have the feeling that your men will curse me to the afterlife?" she said feeling a sudden wave of mirth.
"Because they probably will and I cannot blame them." He rejoined.
She looked above her shoulder with a frown. "You are confusing me. On one hand you pass a decree on this idea of mine and on the other you sound terribly regretful that you have to wear a proof that you are a taken man!"
"As if my kingdom needed a proof that I am taken. Everybody knows that already." He chuckled.
"Nevertheless..." she said seriously.
"...Nevertheless I will be proud to wear your ring my dove. I am just uncertain how the other men are going to feel about this. I find it extremely fair and just, but we have all lived with these set rules since Durin first walked these sacred lands. Let us give people the opportunity to warm up to the idea alright?" He settled down on his pillow and she felt him pulling out of her.
She frowned and pushed back again. "I have a feeling that the dwarrowdams will warm up to this decree faster than your men."
He smiled. "I have a feeling you are right. Now lay back with me."
She did so and exhaled. "You need to sleep?"
He smiled and his forearm came under her breasts to pull her on him. "I wouldn't say no to some rest, you?"
She closed her eyes and caressed her belly gently. "My eyes are closing down already."
He took her long hair and placed them out of his way. Then he blew on her nape to cool her down and she shuddered in pleasure. Soon enough deep sleep drew both her and him in it's dark embrace.
When he woke up again she was still asleep and he didn't wish to alert her. He covered her up and got dressed without any hurry. He hoped this day would be quiet enough to allow him to concentrate on the preparations of his coronation. A day he intended to surprise Eilin with their wedding, something that she was not prepared for since he never gave her a set date for it.
With a bright mood and feeling rather sated and well rested he walked to his office in order to start his plans for the day. It wasn't long after he entered and asked Balin for a warm brew, that the door knocked and Dwalin came in looking more preoccupied than Thorin appreciated at that moment. Today he didn't want to be bothered about anything else than his coronation or his wife's needs.
He looked up from his scrolls. "Tell me you just woke up moody and there is no real reason behind that stare."
Dwalin crossed his arms. "There is a reason behind it."
"I don't want to know." -He rebuked and looked down at his scrolls again- "Relate it to Fili."
"This needs your attention. Not Fili's." Dwalin rejoined thoughtfully.
"Is Erebor on fire?" Thorin said indifferently.
"No."
"Are we attacked by hordes of orcs?" Thorin raised his brows, but didn't draw his attention away from his scrolls.
"No."
"Are we under a dragon attack?"
"No."
"One of the seven kingdoms under siege?" Thorin continued unconcerned.
"No."
Thorin looked up. "Is Eilin in labour?"
Dwalin exhaled. "No...listen..."
Thorin shook his head. "Then I don't care. You take care of everything else between you. You have six high Lords to relate our problems to, use them! I don't want to know." He sounded dismissive.
Dwalin remained silently patient and leaned on Balin's desk.
Thorin concentrated on his work again, but after a while the heavy lingering gaze of his best friend, managed to annoy him. He looked up and threw his quill down. "Fine, say it!" he grumbled.
Dwalin raised his brows. "Nyrthrasir attempted suicide again."
"Is that a serious reason to bother me with?" Thorin's brows creased angrily.
"He served your purpose. What's the point of keeping him locked up?" Dwalin rejoined.
"Because no matter how benevolent people think I am, I sometimes need to act vengefully against those who hurt me and my family." Thorin sounded stern.
"You've had your satisfaction. You used one criminal to get rid of the other. He cannot do anything more for you. It's his wife I pity and I know you pity her also." Dwalin said quietly.
Thorin exhaled and leaned back. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"So when are you going to release him?" Dwalin crossed his arms.
"Who told you I am?" Thorin looked at him stealthily between his fingers.
"You didn't kill him on the spot, therefore you intend to release him at some point. When...?" Dwalin flicked his shoulders.
Thorin sighed. "I intended to let him boil in oil for a long time."
"Myrna won't last...think about her for Mahal's sake." Dwalin cringed.
Thorin's fingers drummed on his desk impatiently. "What did he try to do now?"
"Cut his veins with some rocks. We chained him up again." Dwalin's lips turned down and he looked at his boots.
Thorin nodded and took several moments to deliberate on this. When he finally spoke he was calm and decisive. "I'll go down to see him."
Dwalin's lips lingered inexpressibly for a few moments before offering his friend a wide smile of approval. "That's the friend I know...a heart of gold."
Thorin shook his head. "It's his wife that I care for, like you."
"I believe it's more than that. You have seen yourself in him, haven't you?" Dwalin raised his brow.
Thorin frowned deeply.
"He sacrificed everything for his family...as did you. Even his life, as would you." Dwalin rejoined.
"As would everybody. Don't compare me to him. I'd never become an infidel to Eilin." His pitch dropped in a low warning.
"That's the only thing that separates you from him, but can you say you've never made mistakes?" Dwalin said quietly.
Thorin observed him for several moments before turning his eyes to the fire.
"I can't..." Dwalin continued.
"I cannot either..." Thorin whispered and his eyes got lost into the orange flames.
Dwalin remained with him for several moments where they both looked at the blazing fire under the hearth without talking. Finally Dwalin stood up and rubbed his forehead. "I have to go train Lis."
A small smile cracked on Thorin's lips. "How is she doing?"
Dwalin's lips turned down. "She has more potential than I would have ever thought possible for a woman...I mean a girl..." He crossed his arms and grumbled a curse of Khuzdul under his breath.
Thorin smiled. "This makes you so uncomfortable, doesn't it?"
Dwalin gave him a murderous look. "Training a woman? Really? She can barely lift a real sword. We are using wooden ones. I feel like I am playing around, not truly training someone who will partake in a battle someday! This is a joke...I mean do you truly expect her to become a warrior?"
Thorin leaned back and crossed his hands under his chin. "Many things I have never expected happened after you people brought me down from Ravenhill. I don't know if Lis will manage to hold her own in a battle one day, but I am willing to give her a chance to try. How about you?"
Dwalin huffed and averted his eyes. "I am doing my best with her, but it will take a long time for her to even lift a proper sword."
A knowing smile formed on Thorin's lips. "Choose one from the armoury more suitable to her size. Bilbo managed to hold his own with a smaller sword. Now give her a chance to learn from the best. I am sure that Loa will appreciate your efforts deeply..." he allowed that thought to trail.
Dwalin looked up sharply, unable to hide his emotions.
Thorin's smile grew a little bit wider. "Give Lis the best of your knowledge and who knows...maybe this young girl will end up to be someday one of your fiercest warriors. I have seen the fire that burns inside her and it is way too bright to be contained in the dress of a maiden or a midwife. She was born to do more than that and she knows it. I trust in her, but above all I trust in you."
Dwalin humphed and pointed at Thorin. "I am doing this partly for you...but most of all for her mother. Just so you'd know!"
Thorin nodded calmly. "I know that."
Dwalin held the gaze of his best friend for a few tense moments before closing the door behind him with another inaudible curse in Khuzdul.
When Thorin was left alone he decided to pass his time down at the library researching everything he could about Eilin's ancestry. It was a good opportunity to keep himself locked away from everyone who demanded his attention, as almost no one ever went down to the library of the Elders. Here in his office he was an easy target as it was proven by Dwalin who found him almost the moment he went in.
Even though Eilin had declared that she didn't want to learn anything about her father, he still wanted to give this a try. Maybe after giving birth and focusing on her own family, she'd feel the need to learn more about her parents and he wanted to have a head start on her, if she ever had a change of heart. It was the way he always worked around problems...planning several moves ahead just to be on the safe side. If Eilin never asked him he wouldn't reveal anything. If she ever did he would have all the answers ready for her, hoping that they would be able to heal that very much bruised part in her heart, that still ached her so deeply.
When he made it to the library, he buried himself amidst his beloved books for a long time. Nevertheless for some reason he was unable to put his famous concentration at work today. Maybe his inability to study was because he was too tired, maybe because he needed to check on Eilin or maybe ...he winced and closed one of the heavy leather bound volumes with a sound that echoed in the vast cavern that was lit with hundreds of shining lamps.
...maybe it was Dwalin's words that made him unable to focus on the runes of these ancient texts. He sat at the edge of the desk and deliberated long and hard before bolting the doors behind him and heading down to the dungeons. It seemed that today no part of Erebor could contain him and he was unable to start a job and finish it. Maybe if he took care of this one, the weigh he felt in his heart would finally be lifted up and he'd feel relief. He walked the long archways and endlessly winding stony staircases without hurrying. Enjoying the quietness of the place until a couple of voices interrupted his silent internal debate. He stopped and looked up at one of the overpasses.
"What do you mean that's an order?" the man said surprised.
"The King has already passed a decree on it!" the woman rebuked sounding pissed off.
"What an absurd idea!" the man rejoined.
"Why is it absurd then!? Am I not wearing your token of love? Am I not wearing your ring? Why shouldn't you be wearing mine!?" the woman's voice elevated.
"Because I am the man of the house! I don't need to wear a female token in order to declare I am taken! You should trust me to deliver such a thing through my conduct!" He rebuked angrily.
"Oh really now? Then maybe I should get rid of your ring and declare that my conduct is enough proof of my loyalty to you. How about that?" the woman spat.
"We are Dwarves! We bond for life and dedicate ourselves to our One till death! Why do we need such tokens to prove this to each other?" the man grumbled.
"Okay then! Don't wear my token and I will throw yours away!" She spat.
"Throw away my ring! That's an offence!"
"Then I won't. I will cherish it, as you will cherish mine. Why are you so annoyed for having to wear my ring?"
"I am not annoyed!" the man yelled.
"You certainly seem so!" the woman cried back.
Thorin snorted.
"Well, make me a ring then and I shall wear it if the King orders us!" the man spat.
"Only because the King orders us?!" the woman rebuked.
"For heaven's sake...woman...what do you want from me this morning?! You are driving me mad!" the man sounded truly spent.
Thorin shook his head and continued on his way, muting this rather spirited exchange between the couple. He wished that Eilin would have been with him to see what her idea was causing to some couples in his kingdom. As he walked down the spiral staircases that dangled above the deep chasms in the heart of the mountain, he lost that vague mirth he gained from overhearing these people and his lips turned down in dark broodiness. When he finally reached Nyrthrasir's cell, he remained with his hands crossed behind his back and his eyes thoughtfully observing his boots. After several silent moments he nodded to the guards and they opened the door.
He entered quietly and walked up to Nyrthrasir's bed. He stood like an angel of darkness, mute above the sleeping man with expressionless eyes for what felt like forever. When the Lieutenant finally opened his eyes and turned to face Thorin the tension was so thick both men could feel it seeping through their bones.
Nyrthrasir licked his dry lips. "You are here...This isn't a dream is it?"
Thorin raised his brow and shook his head slightly.
"When you asked me the question, I answered to you..." Nyrthrasir's voice was almost to an end.
Thorin's lips twitched slightly.
"You told me you demanded an answer and I gave it to you with all my heart. I dealt justice for my dead baby, but also for you and your beloved."
Thorin remained coldly impassive.
"I lifted that sword and pierced through her heart not only because I wanted to avenge my wife and dead child, but also because I wanted to atone myself in your eyes." Nyrthrasir's voice was barely heard.
No reaction from Thorin.
"I never did though...you buried me in this dungeon again even though you knew this was going to kill my poor wife."
"I won't be held responsible for the well being of your wife. Especially when you didn't have any remorse in belittling mine and almost killing her." Thorin raised his brow.
Nyrthrasir closed his eyes heavily. "Haven't I paid enough for my crimes? Didn't I answer the question you asked? Didn't I act honourably towards my wife and the royal family?"
Thorin's jawline flexed.
"Why are you still punishing me? I don't expect you to set me free. Just please allow me to kill myself. That's all I want." Nyrthrasir whispered and upon those words he was unable to keep up the strong facade he was putting up for the King. He averted his head and closed his eyes as burning tears escaped and cascaded down his cheek, staining his already dirty pillow.
Thorin allowed him a few moments of mourning, before he spoke again. "These stones weren't sharp enough to slice through your wrists..."
Nyrthrasir's chest released a sob. "You don't need you to be so harsh with me anymore..."
Thorin looked around the cell and noticed the pool of blood near a prominence on the rocky wall. " ...thankfully..." he added.
Nyrthrasir's eyes flew open and burrowed into the King's. "Wh-at?" he stuttered.
Thorin tilted his head slightly. "It would have been a real tragedy for your wife to hear about your untimely death and a real burden on me to deliver the news to her."
Nyrthrasir frowned and his dry tongue came out to touch the wounds on his lips. "Don't jest my Lord, please I beg you..."
Thorin raised his hand in command. "What you did to me that night shall never be forgotten. The words you spoke about my One shall never be erased from my memory no matter what you tried to do in order to atone yourself. In my mind there is no redemption for you." Thorin continued disdainfully.
A strong sob rattled Nyrthrasir's chest and his hands twisted against his chains.
"Nevertheless, my heart is a different matter altogether." Thorin said quietly after a long time.
Nyrthrasir stopped twisting in his bed and looked sharply at the King once more.
"The pleads of your wife outside the main archways of the dungeons each and every day have managed to touch my heart. Something that no plead from you would have ever been able to do." Thorin continued and his brows clouded in deep thought.
"Myrna..." Nyrthrasir's exhalation contained part of his soul in it.
"I know that everything you did was for her sake..." Thorin frowned.
Nyrthrasir tensed against the chains. "Only for her!"
"I could judge your infidelity and the chain of hellish events it created for me personally...but I won't. It's pointless at this moment." Thorin's demeanour took a plunge.
Nyrthrasir closed his eyes and bit his lower lip painfully.
"Judging you, punishing you...what will that offer me apart from partial satisfaction which will be erased the moment I look at the face of your wife again?" Thorin spoke heavily.
"If she doesn't yet know of my ultimate betrayal, spare her the knowledge my Lord, please." Nyrthrasir's eyes looked at him in near desperation.
Thorin's expression was remote. "Myrna doesn't know."
Nyrthrasir's eyes filled with uncertain hope. "She doesn't know about the lies I told you?"
Thorin raised his brow stiffly.
"She doesn't know I cheated on her with Karunn?" Nyrthrasir's voice fell.
No response from the King.
"Does she know I am accused of treason?" Nyrthrasir pulled on his chains in despair needing to approach the King as he saw a small glimmer of hope at the end of his dark tunnel.
"She knows you held precious information about a treason against the Royal family, not that you were part of it."
"You kept all this a secret?" Nyrthrasir frowned and felt his tears burning hot on his skin.
Thorin seemed unruffled by Nyrthrasir's emotional breakdown. He raised his brow slowly.
"Why did you do it?" Nyrthrasir stuttered.
Thorin inhaled deeply and crossed his hands behind his back. "I've lived through many ordeals in my long years of life. I've seen hell multiple times and I know what true evil looks like. When you spoke about my wife in this manner you tried to protect yours, not hurt me. There was no true evil behind your actions."
Nyrthrasir's eyes erupted with new tears. "That is what I did!" he cried.
Thorin tilted his head. "You were just a tool of revenge and I am not here to judge what made Karunn able to have such a strong hold on you. That is your own personal hell. You have to live with it and explain it to your wife. Truth is you did the best you could for your pregnant wife, much like I did. I don't want to admit that we are more alike than I would ever appreciate. I don't know if that resemblance speaks higher of you, or lesser of me..." he let that thought trail.
Nyrthrasir didn't even breathe as he didn't want to interrupt the King from unravelling his thoughts.
"I care for the fate of Myrna, I am not going to lie. Being an expectant father, I can empathise with her loss and I feel there is no greater punishment a parent can go through. You don't need to be chained in any dungeons anymore to regret your infidelity, your lies and your manipulation. The loss of your child was punishment enough." Thorin continued unemotionally.
Nyrthrasir was unable to stop the hard sobs that shook his body.
"You may have lost your child, but the great Mahal has blessed your wife with life." Thorin frowned.
Nyrthrasir wailed. "Myrna! I can die for her!"
"You almost did...several times over. That is something I can respect and relate to. You still have an opportunity to atone yourself to her, not me anymore." Thorin rejoined.
Nyrthrasir's sobs stopped abruptly, but his body was heavily trembling when he looked at Thorin through blurry eyes. "How...?"
"I learned that it Myrna's dream was to live here in Erebor. Is that true?" Thorin frowned down at the Lieutenant.
"Y-es..." he stammered.
"Sparing your life was a hard decision I had to take and you have to thank Myrna for that. Thinking about sending you over to Ered Luin to give you a chance to rebuild your life, was an even harder one." Thorin raised his brow.
Nyrthrasir's chest undulated anxiously. "You'd let me go, you'd let us go free?"
"Allowing you to stay here might be deemed almost crazy on my part. Nevertheless you shall remain here. You will join Durar's army as a water boy and work your way up. You will show honourable conduct and loyalty to the Seven or you shall be send in exile with the slightest of causes. " Thorin continued too stonily for someone who was offering another chance to his tormentor.
"You'd let us remain here to serve you? Why?" Nyrthrasir's voice was totally broken. His eyes were burning through Thorin's cold countenance.
"Because of your wife...never doubt that." Thorin raised his brow.
Nyrthrasir closed his eyes and tears of pain rolled down his cheeks. "Th-ank you..." he voice was barely heard.
"You'll have to prove yourself repeatedly to me, to your comrades and above all to your wife." Thorin added.
Nyrthrasir's mouth opened up to release a moan of desperation that penetrated through the walls. He wanted to get up and fall on his knees in front of the King in order to declare a gratitude that couldn't be spoken ever with words. He wanted to cry to the heavens that he would do the best he could to prove to Myrna that he loved her. He wanted to cut his wrists and use his blood to write upon the stony walls of his cell that he'd do everything to prove to Thorin his value as a soldier, but above all the blind loyalty he'd have from now on towards his King, the Queen and the King's children. He wanted to convince the King that he'd place himself as a shield between death and the King's family in a heartbeat. That he'd die not only for his wife now, but also for them. He wanted to say so much, but nothing was able to come out, except from broken sentences, sharp vowels and anguished crying.
Thorin observed Nyrthrasir's deteriorating state for a few moments before tilting his head haughtily. "Most people don't get a second chance. You got a third one...make sure you don't blow it..."
Nyrthrasir tried to touch the King in despair, but his effort was to no avail. He tried to speak, but it was futile as nothing was able to come out of his shaking chest.
Thorin gave another scrutinising look at Nyrthrasir before turning to the guards. "He's free. Unchain him and take him to Oin. Don't allow his wife to see him unless he's in a more appropriate attire."
The guards presented arms and the echo of their weapons thundered through the chasms that were adjoining the dungeons.
He didn't know for how long he walked around the dangling bridges of the lowest levels of Erebor, but when he made it up to the King's Halls it was the shrieking voice of Lis that drew him out of his heavy contemplations.
"Sir, Sir, SIR!" she screamed and ran up to him.
He grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her from falling on him. "Calm down! What did Dwalin do to you?" he asked, deducting that his best friend probably went too hard on Lis after their conversation this morning.
Lis looked confused as hell. "Lord Dwalin...nothing...we trained and then I went to my mom...and Sir we have a problem! I was sent to find you!"
"What?" he shook his head confused.
Lis pointed back out of breath. "Lady Ei-lin...pa-in, mom is with h-er and La-day Dis. Ba-by is coming!" she stammered.
Thorin was at first confused by her attempts to relate what had made her so upset, but when she finished her broken sentences he pushed her out of the way and she fell on the floor with a groan of pain. Thorin advanced furiously for a couple of steps before coming to a halt. He looked back at her for a moment. Then he rushed back, grabbed her hand, pulled her up and began running up to the Royal chambers dragging Lis behind him.
When he reached their rooms the guards pulled out of his way a mere moment before he opened up the doors. They crashed to the wall, bringing down a small cloud of debris. He released Lis' hand and the poor girl ran up to her mother who was kneeling in front of Eilin's open legs and was about to go to his wife, when his sister got in the way and stopped him. Eilin turned to him and instead of a mask of pain he saw her giving him the brightest smile she could master. When babies wanted to come out they didn't cause their mothers to smile, they caused them to growl in pain. The face of Eilin didn't go hand in hand with Lis' words.
"What happened?!" he cried and made to go to Eilin, but Dis pushed him back.
"Calm down!" she said.
Eilin reached out to him. "Silence my love please. Just give Loa a moment and we shall explain!" -then she turned to the midwife with an eager face- "Do you feel them?" Loa nodded and gave Eilin a smile.
"I am almost certain, patience my Lady." Loa frowned and concentrated in touching and poking Eilin's belly. She had her hand buried deep into Eilin's insides also, something that Thorin couldn't see from the angle he was at, thankfully.
"What the hell is going on?" Thorin frowned, but after Eilin's reassurance he didn't make any real attempts to push his sister out of the way.
"Is this how you are going to act when she goes into labour?" Dis smiled and kept her long fingers on his heaving chest.
"Isn't she in labour?" -he frowned- "Lis said she was!"
Dis exhaled through her nose. "No, fortunately she isn't, but something happened this morning that caused her belly to tense. It took Loa a long time to calm Eilin's stomach down. That caused her pains that resembled those of labour and we all got confused as to what was truly happening. Loa has been checking on Eilin for a rather long time. Thankfully the convulsions stopped and her channel isn't dilated at all."
"Her what hasn't done what?" he frowned.
"She's not ready to give birth yet." -Dis smiled patiently- "Which is a good thing because she needs a good two months to come to term."
Loa shook her head. "I don't think she'll make it to full term my lady."
Eilin frowned. "The twins?"
"The what?" Thorin intervened.
Dis looked at him warningly. "Can you please stop interrupting?"
"She said twins!" he pointed at Loa.
"That's what she's trying to figure out. If your wife is carrying twins!" -Dis placed her hands on her waist and then turned to Eilin- "Look at him. Lost and confused like a scared puppy. That's why men should stay away from their women during labour. They are not supportive at all. They just cause us more anxiety!"
Thorin pursed his lips and pushed Dis out of the way. "Oh, don't act all high and mighty with me!" he grumbled and reached Eilin in two steps.
Eilin grasped his forearm and pulled him down. "Hi handsome." She smiled affectionately at him.
He sat on the bed next to her and reciprocated the smile. "What happened my love?" he whispered and tried to calm down the hurricane that Lis' words had kick started in his heart.
"When you left I tried to sleep again, but I was restless. I think I drifted off for a little while, but when I woke up again I needed to use the bathroom. I got out of bed with no real problems, went to the bathroom, but after I finished and stood up I felt the pain cramps I get when I have my blood. Only this time they were way too vicious and they echoed so bad in my back that I doubled over. I cried for help and one of the guards busted through the doors. He was the one who brought Lady Dis to me. Rest is history." she caressed his fingers reassuringly.
"Why didn't you call me?" he frowned.
"What would you have done brother?! Bring down the doors and come storming in, bewildered out of your mind? She needed someone who has knowledge to check on her belly, not you at that moment." Dis raised her eyebrows at him.
"Your condescending manner is truly pissing me off!" he grumbled at her.
Eilin pulled him down in order to snuggle against his chest. "Leave Lady Dis alone, she has done the best for me."
Thorin gave one final warning glance at his sister before turning his full attention to his wife. "Are you feeling better now?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "Yes, the pain thankfully stopped, but it was so bad at some point that I couldn't breathe. If that is what labour feels like then I am too scared to go through it."
Loa smirked up from her work. "You don't have a choice my lady. Your labour will hurt a lot more. What you got now was nothing more than some rather serious convulsions around the place were you are housing the babies."
"Why did that happen?" Thorin frowned confused and gazed at Loa.
She raised her brows. "I was hoping you'd shed some light on that regard my Lord," she said with a rather sly smile.
His brow creased. "How can I shed light into something I don't know?"
"Did something happen this morning to cause these convulsions to your wife?" Loa asked and then pushed her hand up Eilin's body making her tense.
He felt it and pulled her onto his chest. "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "It's just a little painful."
"What are you doing down there anyway?" he frowned at Loa.
"Checking to make sure she's not open and also I think I got the bottom of the second baby." Loa smiled.
"Second baby?" Thorin's jawline dropped open.
Loa pulled her hand out and closed Eilin's legs. "I think it's safe to say you are not in labour my Lady and that you are carrying twins in there."
Eilin yelped with happiness and grasped Thorin's hands who smiled down to her. "Twins my love did you hear?"
He closed his eyes and kissed her forehead lovingly. "I heard alright, but I wouldn't mind hearing it again..."
Loa pointed at the King. "First thing first your Majesty. I need to make sure there was a reason behind the Lady's convulsions or else we might need to be more vigilant from now on. Did something happen in the morning to cause this to your wife?"
Thorin felt his cheeks mounting colour and his heart began drumming in his ears. He hated to admit it, but this was the first time after ages that he was feeling deeply embarrassed. "Uhm, like what...I don't recall anything..."
Loa cleared her hands with warm water and soap with Dis' help.
The princess didn't have the same reservations with Loa when it came to her brother. "Where you intimate with Eilin this morning, wolf?" she asked nonchalantly.
Eilin giggled and hid her face onto his shoulder.
"There is a child present!" He scolded his sister.
"A child who came to this world by the same process...now answer!" Dis glared at him.
He bit his bottom lip and felt his mouth tilting sideways. "I might have been..."
"Might? You either made love to her or you didn't..." Dis scrounged her lips and looked at him sideways.
Thorin felt his face on fire and buried it in Eilin's mane. She was giggling hard. "Shut up..." he whispered.
That triggered more laughter from his wife.
"Considering how she cannot keep a straight face and yours is more crimson than the curtains I'd say you two overdid it this morning...right Loa?" she turned at the midwife, making Thorin and Eilin even more embarrassed if possible.
Loa seemed totally unbothered discussing the King's personal business. She actually sounded very professional when she spoke next. "I'd advise you to be a little more careful unless you want the Lady to go into early labour, my Lord."
Thorin nodded and kissed Eilin's head tenderly. "As you order."
She pressed her small fingers around his wide wrist.
"Which might happen anyway, because the Lady is indeed carrying twins and these pregnancies rarely come to term. " Loa crossed her hands patiently in front of her apron.
Dis smiled brightly. "Took you awhile, but you got two birds with one stone brother."
He rubbed his forehead on Eilin's thick curls. Then he peeked from them at his sister with a glare that was supposed to scare her, but instead made her chuckle. "You can try to look all scary and angry, but right now I know you'd kill to be out of here and away from Loa's scrutiny for what you did to your poor wife this morning!" she teased him.
"I owe you for this one..." he grumbled.
Eilin squeezed his hand. "We'll try to be more careful from now on, alright?"
Dis pressed her lips and shook her head, but it was apparent she was having a blast by teasing her large intimidating brother to near submission.
Loa sighed patiently and looked at her daughter. When their eyes met it was as if Lis got a silent approval to speak and she expressed her own worries immediately. "That means I have to protect two children?"
Her light hearted comment was enough to diffuse the tension the Royal couple felt about placing their intimate affairs under public scrutiny. Loa caressed her daughter's hair gently. "Indeed you must. Are you sure you are up for it my love?"
Lis' smile was bright and confident. "Of course I am!" -then her original fire seemed to extinguish under the King's calm stare who was looking from the safety of Eilin's embrace- "But I need to train harder Sir! I mean Lord Dwalin has been training me real hard, but I need your assistance too!"
Thorin smirked. "Was that a gentle way of telling me that you missed me?"
It was Lis' turn to feel her cheeks burning up. She cupped them and smirked. "Yes Sir..."
Thorin's smile brightened up the whole room. "I'll train you after I finish with my wife alright?"
Lis' eyes grew wide. "Today?"
Thorin gave her a gentle nod. "Yes."
Lis clapped her hands and grabbed Loa's waist. Her mother embraced her and caressed her hair. She then turned to the King and the Queen. "Now, who wants to feel the babies?" she asked.
Eilin was way too slow for Thorin who disentangled from her and jumped up. "Me!" he cried.
Dis cupped her mouth and laughed.
Eilin felt her eyes overflowing with tears at seeing the eagerness of her husband to feel their children. She wanted nothing more from life at that moment.
He looked around at all the people staring at him. He felt a wave of uncertain embarrassment rushing through him. "If that's okay I mean." He added quietly, something that made Eilin want to kiss him to kingdom come.
Loa came around and lifted Eilin's dress to reveal the big bump. They could see with their own eyes the small hills and valleys the babies created with their movement. Thorin felt irresolute. He didn't know what to do, but thankfully Loa came to his assistance. She took firm hold of his hand and led it to Eilin's bump. "Feel this?" she said.
He touched it and the sweetest smile Eilin had ever seen came over his lips. "Yes!" he said ardently.
"That's a rather large bottom." -she moved his hand around- "This baby's head is down, it has taken position for delivery, so that up here is their bum."
Thorin nodded impatiently. "So where is the other one?"
Loa allowed Thorin to enjoy the movement of his first child as she tried to find the second. "This one is harder to trace. It is occupying the back of the Queen's belly and it is most of the time hiding, but I had the opportunity to touch it a while ago. Wait..."
Thorin caressed the little bottom and the baby moved away quickly making him lose it. Just when his lips began turning down in disappointment a rather strong foot kicked his hand off Eilin's belly. He drew it with a sharp inhalation and his laughter was so carefree and honest that Dis turned her head the other way and wiped some tears that had sprung from her eyes. Seeing her brother so enthused with his children had been a long life dream for her. It wasn't only Thorin that wished so ardently to have a family all these years, but Dis wanted him to fulfil this desperate need of his equally bad. Seeing him this happy made her deeply emotional.
Eilin laughed with him. "Did they kick you away!?"
Thorin looked at her and nodded. "I don't think my child likes me too much."
Eilin's eyes filled with love. "One mighty warrior is challenging the other one."
He offered her a dazzling smile, but Loa drew his attention. She drew his hand down. "Here, put your hand here!" Loa said.
He placed his palm at the side of Eilin's belly under her ribs and felt another similar lump that felt distinctly smaller. "A bum?" he looked at Loa with wide eyes.
She smiled. "Yes, that's the second one. You can tell by the difference of their size."
A small wave of worry passed from Thorin's brow. "Is it too small? Should that worry us?"
Loa shook her head. "Usually in twins one is a bit larger than the other. I see nothing worrying."
"Do we have a way of knowing if they are boys or girls?" Eilin asked feeling on top of the world. Nothing could contain her happiness this day.
"No my Lady, unfortunately." Loa cringed and allowed the King to enjoy his second child. He sat on the bed again and took Eilin's hand and led it to where his was. He pulled away and allowed her to feel what he had been feeling.
"Isn't it simply beautiful?" He asked entranced.
She looked at his pretty eyes and at the love they emitted for his children and felt hers burning with her love for him. "It is...absolutely mesmerising." She agreed, but they were not speaking of the same thing. He remained above her belly searching with his hand to find the lumps and Eilin took pleasure in the entranced shifts of his handsome face whenever one of the babies made an appearance.
After a few moments, he looked up from the trance the babies had placed him in. "This doesn't feel like reality. It feels like a dream."
Eilin's arms opened up to beckon him and he came over quickly to enclose her to his heart. He placed dozens of loving kisses on her head. "Two Thorin...can you believe it...? Two...Maybe they are both girls."
"Maybe one is a boy and one a girl." He squeezed her onto his chest.
"How are we ever going to be able to do this? I thought one child was daunting, but two?" Eilin whispered feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Dis was looking at the Royal couple wistfully. "You don't have to be afraid Eilin. You are going to be just fine with the help of your family. Your husband is here, I am here and Fili is too...maybe who knows...even Valdis also..."
Thorin looked at his sister above his shoulder and his stare was deep.
"Whatever is in the family, remains in the family, right wolf?" Dis said to him gently.
He nodded and kissed his wife's temple. "That's right gerbil."
"Up till now it was only you proving those words to me. Now it's my turn to support your woman as she gives birth to your children. I am honoured to be given the chance to help you raise them, like you have helped me raise mine. I am soothed by the knowledge that even though one beloved soul has passed away, two more are about to arrive. Mahal didn't only bless you and your wife with these twins, but also my poor torn soul who has been unable to heal ever since I lost my boy." Dis continued with a voice that cracked with emotion.
"Gerbil..." he whispered, but didn't know what else to say. His eyes were burning and he pressed his arms around Eilin tightly.
She reciprocated his fierce touch by wrapping her thin arms around his waist.
"I am going to be here to help too!" Lis said with a decisive frown.
Eilin looked up from Thorin's warm embrace. "Who can keep away the bodyguard of our children?" She smiled.
Loa wiped her tears and smiled at her daughter proudly. Lis looked up at her mom and grinned. "You see mom! I told you I was going to make it!"
Loa nodded. "I wish your father was here to see you. He'd be so proud of you."
Lis' lips turned down and she wrapped her small arms around Loa's waist. "He can see us mom, from the sky."
Dis pressed her lips and looked at her hands. "All those who have perished can see us and I am sure they feel at peace. Maybe we can all find solace in that thought..." she whispered and her eyes fell on Kili's flower pot. The three stems had grown much stronger.
Thorin closed his eyes and kissed Eilin's temple gently.
Loa embraced her daughter tightly. It was only Dis who was not embraced by anyone, but she knew that was the fate of every parent. She lost one son to war and the other was now old enough to embrace his future wife. It was her fate not to have anyone to embrace. She remained looking at Thorin and Eilin for several moments before Thorin lifted his head from Eilin's shoulder and gave his sister an eloquent look.
Dis smiled at him sweetly.
He lifted his arm towards her and frowned. "What are you doing so far away gerbil?" He asked.
Dis ran up to them and instantly she was enfolded into their embrace. "Thank you wolf," she muttered.
He kissed her cheek and leaned his forehead on hers. "I love you little sis."
"Me too." Dis pressed her face on his shoulder needing to relate to him her love and devotion.
Thorin turned to Eilin who was crying too. "As for you Queen of my heart..."
Eilin beamed up to him.
"I simply adore you..." he smiled widely and leaned down to kiss her lips without allowing his sister to leave his embrace.
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