So, this was the Hobbit. As Thrain dragged curious, crystal blue eyes over the worryingly small female that stood before him, her too-clear, dim turquoise eyes staring blankly ahead, he felt a twinge of fear for her.

She looked exactly as Dis had after Fiach's untimely demise.

She'd been so still, so pain-struck, so very cold, his beautiful girl. She had done her best to be strong for Fili, and it was her eldest son and the news of her second that had brought her a reason to keep living. The woman who he was now looking at seemed completely shattered.

She was worse off than Dis had been, Thrain realised, with a sinking feeling. They would have to do something to help her.


He was nice enough, though he had a somewhat intimidating air around him. His thick beard, silvery beads glinting like stars threaded through the hairs, his blue eyes that shone with a quiet fire helped Belladonna wish to not look too long at the King. She would have been asking questions, looking intently at him years earlier, she knew, but for now, she wished simply to be alone, to not talk or see anyone.

His Queen was beautiful, long golden hair interwoven with silver flowing over her shoulders, beads of many gems of bright colours adorning her locks. She had silvery eyes that seemed knowing and were gentle, but looking at them too long made Belladonna look away, a feeling of pain jolt through her every time she saw those eyes.

Sanmuhud reminded her of Adamanta.

So, she kept her gaze to the marbled ground and followed closely behind Balin, murmuring a reply whenever someone asked her a question. Years ago, she would have been mortified at how she acted with them, but now all she wanted was to be somewhere dark, somewhere quiet, somewhere lonely.

"Miss Bella?"

Young Hamfast, his brown eyes large and sweet looked up at her, gazing wonder-struck at her stomach. "Is it true you'll be having a baby?"

Belladonna laughed softly. "Indeed, it is."

A wide grin lit up the young Fauntling's face. "Can I play with it when it's born?"

"You'll have to wait," she told him. "But I'm certain he'll like to be your friend.

"Belladonna?"

At their youngest heir's soft whisper, the melekinh had gone very still, very tense. Now, she was staring at nothing, her eyes sorrowful and drained, as though recalling a painful memory. Now she swayed lightly at their attention, looking up slowly.

"Are you alright?"

Belladonna nodded. She wasn't completely sure what they were saying, but decided she could do quite well without all the fuss.


Thrain was talking to her. Belladonna was quite aware of this and kept nodding silently, praying his chattering would end soon. Sanmuhud gave her husband a nudge, raising her eyebrow, a gesture Belladonna recognised quite well as the 'shut up, you fool' gesture used by her mother to her father. She forced herself to avoid thinking of her parents and instead focused on her copper plate.

It had a thick slice of meat on it, and as she poked the steak with her fork, she noticed a dribble of red ooze out.

He was dead. Her darling husband, her soul-mate had passed on, leaving her with dark, warm liquid staining her hands. She could see his eyes, staring and lifeless.

His blood was on her hands.

His blood was still on her hands. She stared at them, briefly seeing them how they had been. Even though they were pale and clean, the memory flashed in her eyes. She pushed her plate away. She wasn't hungry anyway.

"What are you going to name the little one?" Thrain asked.

Belladonna shrugged and mumbled, hoping it would placate the Dwarrow. It didn't. Thrain was starting to look as concerned as he'd felt.

"You don't look well."

"I'm fine."

Both the Queen and her daughter exchanged a look that went unnoticed by the others. Dis pushed her chair back and rose. "Come, let's get you some air."

"I don't need-"

"Come on." Dis said firmly. "You look like you need air."


It must have been cold out, for Dis gave a shudder, but Belladonna couldn't feel the chill.

"Have you ever heard of Fading?"

"No," answered Belladonna, her pale turquoise eyes meeting the fierce blue of Dis'.

"What happens after Halflings lose their loves?"

"Nothing. We grieve and move on."

Dis stared at Belladonna, her anxiety still brewing inside her mind.

"Although... My aunts and uncle perished after their husbands died. They couldn't look after themselves anymore. Like they were..."

"Fading?" Dis asked, the worry flaring.

Belladonna nodded. "Yes. Fading."

"That's what happens to Dwarves." Dis explained gently. "Even the strongest among us can barely withstand the pain of losing our One."

"Are you saying there's something wrong with me?"

"You're not eating, you're pale and quiet, and you look exhausted. Like you're about to keel over." Dis told her. "So, yes. That is what I'm saying."

"You probably had it, too." Belladonna retorted. "And you're still alive."

"Aye, I did. But it's not an easy thing to become healed from."

"It'll be alright." Belladonna said, though she didn't sound as though she herself was convinced.

"Bella, you won't be able to get through it without help. Let us help you."

"I don't need help. I am fine." Belladonna took a couple of steps back from the dark-haired woman. "I don't have this Fading. I'm pregnant, I'm going to get tired and I'm going to lose my appetite. There's nothing wrong."

There was, and she knew it, but she strongly hoped that it was indeed to do with her pregnancy and not anything to do with this horrible-sounding illness that the Dwarf had just told her of. Dis looked neutral, though her dark eyes betrayed a somber, knowing look.

"If you do have this illness, without aid it will kill you."

Opening her mouth to reply that she was certain that she did not have it, thank you very much, Belladonna was interrupted with a soft nudge from her baby's foot. Hazily, she wondered that if she were to die, who would look after her son? But it was all ridiculous! She would know if she was so seriously ill.

"I do not need aid, because I am perfectly healthy, thank you. All I am is tired, which I was told is normal for the child-bearing period."

Dis stared at her for a long moment, before nodding, the look in her eyes now downcast. "Let's get you back inside then, melekinh."


"So, she is more stubborn than you?" Thorin asked.

Dis placed her hands on her hips and glared at her elder brother warningly. "I was not stubborn, I was convinced I was fine, you great idiot."

"Hmm. What are you and Mother thinking?"

"I was thinking we drag her to Oin, but she might not like that."

"I don't think Mother would approve of such a manner." Thorin agreed.

Dis softened her gaze on her eldest sibling. "What was I like during it? I have little memory."

Thorin's eyes were sorrowful. "You were broken, my sister. Pale, unresponsive and cold, like stone. I am glad you do not remember much."

"You were afraid?"

"Afraid? I was terrified. We all were."

"Was I like her?"

Thorin's hand moved to grasp hers, briefly looking down before glancing towards his younger sister again. "I believe your sons helped you get through it. You had something to fight for with Fili's being. She hasn't met her child yet. I think she is worse off than you were."

"I didn't just have Fili, though." Dis squeezed his hand that still held onto hers so tightly. "I had family to help me."

Thorin nodded, the once-haunted look in his eyes gone. "As will she."


They know! They're also completely determined to help Belladonna through this, but can they? Will she pull through as Dis did?

Please, do continue to let me know if you liked it and why you liked it, or vice versa, if you didn't like it and why you didn't like it. For Mahal's sake, no flames, because constructive criticism is the best criticism.

Thanks for the reviews, they were an awesome surprise!