«The child is coming!»
Many things happened at that moment. Firstly the door burst open and Kíli came rushing in. «Tauriel,» he exclaimed as he saw his uncle at her side, holding her hand. He looked at Thorin with frightened, yet accusing eyes. Thorin let go of her hand and moved away from her bedside. Kíli said nothing as he stepped around his uncle, to sit by Tauriel's side, taking her hand in his. Uncle and nephew didn't exchange words, yet it was clear what they told each other by their looks.
Secondly the midwife got up from her chair in the corner, as she prepared for the birth, bringing with her a basin of clean water, and several linen towels to the foot of the bed. She sat down at her stool, and began to wash her hands in the basin.
Thirdly Dís entered the room, with Fíli not far behind. She looked from Tauriel to Kíli, and then her eyes caught Thorin's. She walked to stand right in front of him, her eyes were lightning with fury.
For a moment she hesitated, looking over at Tauriel before she then spoke. «Get out!» She hissed, and Thorin had a feeling she had wanted to say something quite different. But he did not argue, as he had no wish of witnessing what was about to happen.
«I did nothing,» he growled, yet walked towards the door of the now crowded room.
«Fíli! Come with me, nephew,» Thorin called over the noises in the room; Tauriel's cries, Kíli trying to soothe her, as the midwife grumpily complained about all the fuss. Thorin eyed Kíli and Tauriel for a moment as they were; him by the side of her, holding and kissing her hand; she crying and moaning with pain while grasping his hand.
Fíli was bewildered in the middle of all, looking back and forth between his brother and uncle, then nodded in agreement, and followed Thorin out of the room. It was not his scene, and there was little he could do for Kíli and Tauriel at this point.
Kíli looked after his brother, but Dís laid a hand on his shoulder, shaking her head.
«You are needed here now. Tauriel will need all the strength she can get, also from you.»
«What about Thorin? He has yet to decide my fate,» Kíli looked worried, and cringed as Tauriel shrieked high-pitched. Her grasp on his hand might have crushed it, had he not been a dwarf, built sturdy.
With his other hand he dried sweat off her forehead, removing the hair that covered her forehead and face, before he turned back to his mother with a look of fright in his eyes. «Mother. I do not know what is needed from me here.»
Dís laid her hand on his cheek, and with proud, yet concerned eyes, she spoke: «Your company and stability is needed. Sooth her, comfort her, and when she needs it be strong. I will speak with your uncle.»
The midwife watched them both with a grumpy expression. Dís read it well, and with kissing Tauriel on the forehead, she took her leave. The midwife seemed more at peace now, yet her look was stern as she weighed Kíli. It was not customary for the husband to oversee the birth, yet she let it slide. She did not know this elf, and she had a feeling the young prince could be of assistance. She then removed the skins covering Tauriel's body, making her access easier, as she parted Tauriel's legs.
«You are ready,» she determined, after measuring. Kíli felt the blood drain from his face, as he saw the midwife's hand covered with Tauriel's blood, before she dried it off on a piece of linen. «Push now!» The midwife demanded.
Tauriel pressed her head further into the pillow, and with a cry that could shatter glass, she pushed.
.
«Will she be alright?» Fíli asked as they left the room and closed the door behind them. The memory of his brother's birth, of the terrible hours outside the chamber, of the wails and cries of his mother, played vividly in his mind.
Thorin breathed heavily and touched his beard. «I do not know, Fíli. Yet she seems strong, in both body and spirit. Still I dare not think of what condition their offspring will be in. We will have to wait and see.» He placed his hand on Fíli's shoulder for a moment, then sat down on the chair beside the door. Fíli stood beside him, fidgeting, as he was too agitated to sit down.
«Have you decided what you will do about him?» Fíli asked calmly after a moment of silence, eyeing the stone of the opposite wall. He wished not to meet his uncle's eyes. The anticipation of the answer unnerved him. Fíli knew in his heart he belonged with his brother, yet he was next in line and could not leave Erebor.
Thorin didn't answer at first. He too eyed the stone wall, while considering everything; everything that had happened, everything Tauriel had said.
«Uncle?» Fíli looked at him for a moment, before turning away again.
«I have realized we have more important issues at hand. My quarrel with Kíli will have to wait for the time being. I need us all united against a common enemy.» His expression was grave as he spoke, and Fíli became concerned. He knew his uncle, and it would take a great distraction to remove him of his stubbornness. What enemy could distract him enough to forget his torn pride?
«Tauriel has told me some things she should not have, yet I am glad she did. She is afraid of Thranduil, and by the sound of it with good reason. I understand his wrath is far stretched, and I wish no harm to come to either her nor the baby. I am not cruel. You must know that, Fíli.»
«I know you are not, uncle. You are righteous, and I will support your decision, whatever it may be. What then follows I will myself have to consider. But know I will never carry wrath or resentment for you.» Fíli met his gaze with serious, yet honest eyes. «You are my king, and I will always stand beside your decisions, as I know them to be for the best of our people.»
Thorin's expression eased, touched by his nephew's show of devotion. He rose from the chair and embraced Fíli. It comforted him to know that he was not yet despised by all in his family.
«And you will make a great king also, Fíli, my heir,» Thorin said, holding his shoulders as he took a step back to look at him. At that Fíli's eyes hardened for a moment, as he had a realization that shocked him.
Thorin seemed puzzled by his expression, and took another step back from him. «What is the matter, Fíli?»
«I just now realized… Kíli's child will be my heir. I had not thought of this at all. All I could think of was my brother. It never occurred to me that his child…,» Fíli was confused, not knowing if it were happy news or if it complicated the situation further. On the one side he was relieved, for he had himself never any interest in establishing a family, to produce an heir. Yet he was not sure how this could go. Could the heir to Erebor be half elf? He did not know what to think.
Thorin's brows creased as he too thought it over. It had not occurred to him either. Why had it not occurred to him? He had been otherwise occupied considering Kíli's betrayal and his fate, rather than look at the important factor of it all. The reason Tauriel had come here; the baby. It was indeed the heir to the realm, the one true heir of Erebor after Fíli.
Thorin gaped as he sat back down on the chair. He touched his hand to his beard in astonishment. It both complicated everything and made the case entirely clear. «It cannot be right…,» he mumbled, more for his own hearing, than Fíli's.
At that moment Dís came storming out of the chamber, closing the door behind her. She stood in front of Thorin with her arms crossed over her chest. «What happened in there? I know you must have upset her,» she demanded, tapping her foot angrily.
Thorin, too astonished by his nephews discoveries, barely noticed she had spoken. He sat still, his head filled with questions and ideas and problems to solve.
«Thorin, what did you do?» Dís sneered.
Just now Thorin recognized his sister and her anger for him. He was not quite sure what he was to say to her. There were many thoughts circulating his mind, and none of them were angry retorts. He stood from the chair, and looked at Dís with a puzzled expression.
«What?» Dís snapped annoyed, growing tired of her brother's act of dumb astonishment.
«Fíli just revealed to me the one obvious, overlooked detail of this whole situation.»
«And what might that be?» Dís was still angry, and now annoyed her brother would not finish his revelation.
«Kíli's child is the heir to Erebor,» Fíli interrupted his uncle, as he too was dazzled by this. «My heir.»
Dís stood looking back and forth between her brother and son for a moment, before she too realized the significance of this. She gaped and covered her mouth with her hand, as she considered this. She was still standing right in front of Thorin, and suddenly she threw out her arms and hugged her brother happily.
Thorin, still stiff from the shock, did not return his sister's embrace. He simply considered the situation. There was a whole lot to consider.
«It cannot be,» he mumbled, making Dís loosen her grip and take a step back, hearing out her brother. «An elf cannot be the heir to Erebor. Our rules clearly state…»
At this Dís burst into laughter, cutting off his speech.
Thorin was confused, watching his sister laugh, as he had hardly ever seen her. He was uncertain what part humored her. «Dís? This is no laughing matter.»
«I agree,» she said, suddenly serious again, still her laugh remained in her spirit and face. «Yet you are so ridiculous, it is quite humoring.»
«What are you talking about?» Thorin demanded, his anger finally catching up with him.
«I dare you quote the part of our laws that forbid one of Dúrin's direct descendants to be heir of Erebor. My sweet, silly brother. This child is indeed heir, and we've been stupid not to see it before. It does not matter that it is partly elf; it has the blood of Dúrin in its veins, and neither you nor any can deny it its claim. It is the law,» Dís finished, quite smug at that, knowing she had outwitted Thorin. Nothing he could say would turn this around.
Thorin was silent, for he knew she was right. He could not deny it. So he exhaled heavily, and sank back down into the chair by the door. «It matters not. That is not the issue I wish to discuss at this moment,» Thorin grunted, looking up at his sister with serious eyes. «We have another that demands our immediate attention. Tauriel spoke of Thranduil, and I fear we will have a war on our hands, if we do not find a way around it.»
«Thranduil,» Dís muttered, wondering what exactly Tauriel had spoken of, as well as why she had not mentioned him to her, rather than her brother.
«She feared for her child and herself, would Thranduil find out. And I believe she is right to do so. That is why she came here, seeking our help. She thought my love for Kíli would be greater than my wrath for the elves. I suppose she was right,» Thorin contemplated, while touching his beard, something which had turned into quite the habit. «I will not abandon her to pain and suffering at the hands of that mad King.»
Dís watched her brother, and saw a glimpse of the great King she knew he had the means to be. Yet she felt her heart weaken at the thought of Thranduil bringing his army of elves to their door, seeking to reclaim Tauriel and her child. It must not happen, she thought to herself. She would not allow them to take her. Tauriel was not simply an elf now; she was Dís' own daughter, and no elf, King or not, would come between Dís and her child.
.
While Thorin, Fíli and Dís were gathered in the hallway, Kíli was still holding the hand of his lover in the dimly lit chamber. Fear and concern had long past taken out all color from his face, yet he wavered not from her side. Tauriel despaired, cried and moaned in the bed next to him, without there being anything he could do to soothe her of her pain.
The midwife sat at a stool at the foot of the bed, with a concentrated look on her face, while instructing Tauriel: «I can see the child. You need to push again now!»
Tauriel breathed heavily, before she gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain once again. She cried out with desperation. She could not recall how long this had been going on. Sweat and tears streamed down her face as she grasped Kíli's hand harder and harder from the excruciating pain. Tauriel had her eyes locked on him, as he was the only thing that comforted her in this strange, terrifying situation. He had a look of concern on his face, as he continued to speak her name, stroking her hand and hair, showing her that he was there for her.
Tauriel let go once again, and sank back down into the bed. Her head was heavy and throbbing violently. Kíli smiled encouragingly, yet his eyes had a frightened look. She did not like to see him so helpless.
Tauriel took his hand to her lips and kissed it softly, feeding him her courage as well as taking comfort in him, feeling his warmth and his sweet scent. He was the only thing she knew for certain at this moment. She felt utterly weak and distant minded. Every push, every painful strain drained her for energy. She felt hopelessness color her thoughts darker by the minute. She knew in her heart she would not outlive the birth. Yet she wished not to cause Kíli any more pain.
«I love you,» Tauriel said weakly, between shallow breaths.
«I know, my love,» Kíli said, cupping her face in his hands. «And I love you, but right now you have to fight.»
A new tear rolled down Tauriel's cheek as she looked into his eyes. Her vision was blurred, yet she saw her lover in front of her. His beautiful dark eyes met her gaze, and she felt renewed by the love washing through her.
«I will try, for you and our child, my love,» she mumbled doubtfully, touching her hand to his face, and closed her eyes to the strain she felt keeping up her spirit. Yet she would not let him down. She knew she needed to be strong for him, though it was so hard.
Kíli felt the cold grip of fear close around his heart. He would not consider the possibilities, all that mattered was her, and she was going to be all right, one way or another.
«I know you can do it,» Kíli said determined. He realized he had to keep her fighting, even if she did not have any spirit left. «You are strong, and I know you will fight for our child. You cannot give up.» He dried one of the tears on her cheeks, and she met his gaze with a painful expression. «Promise me, Tauriel!» He demanded. He would not have her give up.
«I promise,» she whispered, her face contorted in pain and fear as another tear rolled down her cheek. «I… I am so sorry, Kíli, for everything…,»
«No, not now,» he broke her off with a serious expression, and a hand on either side of her face. «Right now our child needs you. That is what you have to concentrate on. Forget everything else.»
Kíli moved his lips to hers, kissing her gently, tasting the salt of her tears and sweat. He was terrified, yet felt strength grow within him for the woman he loved. He knew she would not let him down. He saw determination in her eyes as she nodded and swallowed her tears.
Kíli squeezed her hand firmly. «You can do this. There is not far to go now, my love. Push,» he whispered softly and kissed her hand encouragingly. Tauriel looked at him, and saw him clearly for a moment as she realized the importance behind his words.
«Not much further, Tauriel, push now!» The midwife exclaimed, as she brought up a towel to envelop the coming child. She gathered all the strength left in her body and mind, as she took a couple of deep breathes, and pushed harder than she had imagined she could. She gritted her teeth, and pressed her eyes shut as she continued to push, further and further.
The midwife kept encouraging her as she explained what she saw; the head was crowning, and soon the small shoulders and arms were free as well. The old lady started drying off the child, and started to help Tauriel by pulling softly on the babe.
Tauriel cried loudly as she felt the end of her strength closing in on her. Yet she kept pushing, pushing through the pain and the despair and the fear of all, and Kíli held her hand and encouraged her on. She could not see him, for pain enveloped her, yet she felt him.
«Keep pushing, almost there!» She barely heard the encouraging words.
Her senses were clouded, and she lost track of time. She knew not where she was, nor what was going on, she simply pushed on through. She fought the deafening yearn to let it all go, to be gone of this world, with all its pain and despair, with all the evil and hardship. Yet she kept on pushing, through the void and the painful blackness surrounding her.
She was completely alone in this emptiness, yet there was someone, someone out there in the darkness, calling to her. «Nana,» it said with a sweet, deep echo of a voice, unlike any she had ever heard.
Tauriel felt something release then. She did not need to push any further; she was free. She felt relieved, for there where no energy or spirit left in her to fight with. She was empty. Then, suddenly, the darkness was torn away, and she was left in a space of purity and warmth.
«Nana, can you hear me?» the voice spoke softly again.
«Who are you?» Tauriel whispered without power. She was empty, and cold, without feeling or purpose. Her voice made no sound in the space, yet she was not afraid, only numb.
«Who am I?» The echoing voice returned the question. It had a playful tone, yet deep and serious. At that moment a girl manifested in front of her. She was no normal girl. She was not as tall as an elf, yet not so short as a dwarf. Her hair was wild and red, but as she stood with her back to Tauriel, she could not see her face.
Tauriel's heart began to throb heavily, and tears formed in her eyes, yet she had no understanding of what was going on. Who was this girl who called her mother?
The girl, rounding the age of maturity, turned to face Tauriel. Her eyes were fierce and green, and yet she had a mischievous smile. There were evidence of facial hair, both on her cheeks and her soft chin. She had a sturdy design, yet she had long, soft limbs.
«Do you see me, nana?» The girl spoke again, her own eyes filled with tears now.
Tauriel felt her throat close, as she studied the girl, who could be no other than her own daughter. Her eyes and stature were so like her own, yet her hair and expression was that of dwarf, a dwarf Tauriel loved.
She stretched her arm and barely touched the girl's soft and warm cheek, as tears started rolling down Tauriel's.
«You do see me, mother.» The girl said. An expression of bliss formed on her face, like she had yearned for nothing else her entire life.
«Kíliel?» Tauriel breathed, as she yet had no power within her to raise her voice. There was no explanation as to how she knew the name, it was just so easy. It was right; it was her daughter's.
«Yes, nana. That is the name you will give me, and that you must. You must wake now and greet me, mother. Ada needs you with him; he is so terribly afraid, as am I. You must gather your strength to escape this place, mother. It is not your time.»
«But I do not think I can,» Tauriel said, her voice a little stronger than before. Fear grew cold within her, for what if she could not? She would not abandon her child to live without a mother like herself. She would not rob her of a mother's love, the very love she felt grow within her.
Suddenly the clean, white that surrounded them began to break, and a light, yellow and warm, streamed through the cracks.
«Nana, you are strong. Can't you feel it? You have so much love, from me and ada. Use it now!»
And Tauriel did. As she fought to be free of the void, she caught a glimpse of her daughter, nearly grown, smiling the smile that had made her love Kíli. A sadness washed through her, knowing she would leave this beautiful girl, yet she realized she would see her again in a few moments. Her hand slipped away from the girl's cheek, and she was gone.
The first that came were the pain, the red, hot, stabbing pain oozed back into her mind, and then the screams and wails of a newborn child. Also there was speech. «Tauriel, my love,» Kíli; she heard his voice, as he spoke her name over and over. The blur in her mind was slowly seeping away from her senses, and she became more and more aware of her surroundings.
Kíli was touching her as well, for she suddenly felt the warmth of his fingers as he caressed her face and hair. She knew his fear through his touch, yet she felt only bliss, for she were in his presence once again. She could feel his love, the love that had brought her back, and she felt tears began to stream from her eyes again. She was overwhelmed by all the love she felt in her body. She had unspeakable amounts of love for Kíli, and even more so for the child she had yet to see with her own eyes, yet she had seen her in her mind. Tauriel knew the beautiful girl the child would become, and she felt pride fill her with joy end energy.
Finally she found the strength to open her eyes. She saw Kíli; his beautiful eyes and face as he lit up from joy. She could hardly move, for her entire body ached, yet she cared not. She stretched her hand slowly to touch Kíli's face, as tears of relief streamed down his cheeks.
«Tauriel,» he said, his voice low, yet hopeful.
«My love,» she breathed, as she continued to caress his cheek. «Where is our child?» She then said, and looked past him, to the midwife, who was rocking a bundle of cloth in her arms. She stood and came around the other side of the bed.
Tauriel felt her eyes fill again, and her vision was blurred as she looked upon the tiny, sweet face of her child. Red hair curled about her pretty, little face, as she opened her small, clear, green eyes and looked at her mother. «It is a girl,» The midwife said, and laid the child carefully on Tauriel's chest. She slowly, and with great strain, embraced the child she had given birth to. All the pain and sorrow in the world disappeared from her mind instantly. There was nothing else in the universe than the little girl she held in her arms.
The child made small noises, and Tauriel laughed sweetly, for it all seemed so easy.
«My mother said you have a name for her,» Kíli whispered, as he sat leaned close to Tauriel, marveling in the little being they had created together. Tauriel turned her face to look at him, and smiled happily.
«I have. She will be named after her father, my love, if you'll allow it.»
Kíli looked as if he would grow tall by the pride that washed over his face. He kissed her lips softly, yet passionately, and touched her cheek as he nodded, unable to speak of the great gift she had bestowed upon him.
«Her name is Kíliel, meaning daughter of Kíli in elvish. I only wish she would have this name as a reminder of both her elvish and her dwarvish heritage. She is a child of two great people, and her name is a token of this.»
«It is perfect, my love,» Kíli breathed, his eyes filled with tears, as he beheld his little family. He felt a great love within him, as nothing could ruin this moment.
.
At the same moment, twenty-four hours after Tauriel's arrival, a second rider made his way up the mountain path, the same way Tauriel had taken. He too was clad in dark cloth atop a black horse, and hard to see against the mountain, as the moon was hidden behind a veil of clouds. He steered his horse carefully and soundless, following the tracks Tauriel had left in the soft, moss laid mountain ground.
The rider kept a sharp eye out for the watchers he expected patrolled the mountain sides. He had not visited the mountain since the battle of five armies was won by the dwarves, and had wished he wouldn't have to, yet he felt he owed her this much, after all they had been through. He owed her a warning.
His white hair could be seen as light flickering in the black night, as the horse made its way up the mountain, further and further, and his light skin like a beacon, as he scouted the mountain sides surrounding him. He wished not to be taken by surprise. Yet he knew about the raven top, and he expected the ravens had already warned their masters of his arrival.
As expected, a little way up the hill he was met by a couple of dwarven guards; two archers, and the rest wielding axes and broad swords. «Who of the big-folk dare venture this hidden path?» The commander, the one wielding the battle axe, demanded in a thick, powerful voice.
The rider halted his horse, threw back his hood, and spoke clearly, with a shrill voice; «I am Legolas, son of King Thranduil. I bring important news. Take me to the King under the mountain!»
I would like to start by saying that I am so terribly sorry I used this long on writing the next chapter. I have used 2 months, and I know that is unforgivable, yet I would just like to say that I had exams, and it was the first time in my life I actually worked to get as good results as possible. So I hope that excuses me a little. All through that period of time I was in hell, because I so DEARLY wanted to write, but I forced myself not to, so that I would focus all my energy at school, and I am happy I did.
And then, when I actually had time to write again I had lost my inspiration, and used about 2 weeks only to figure out what I wanted this chapter to be about. Yeah, it's been a rough time, yet I am so grateful for all of you who has not given up on me yet, and especially all those wonderful people helping me through this period of time, and brought me the motivation I needed to finish this.
Thank you all for sticking by me in this dificult time, and I have worked hard, and will continue, to not to let you down!
-Ingvild