My Soul Is Yours

-2946-

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

A few weeks passed and the kingdoms of Erebor and Dale calmed back down to their normal habits of everyday life. The days were becoming longer and colder even with the few weeks passing in such a short period of time. On this cold, autumn morning Coruwen and Dís watched as Fili and Kili spar with the other while Thorin spoke with Dwalin, both of whom were outside. Kili, who was rather light on his feet, was trying to get into one of Fili's blind spots but the older brother would whirl around with a wolfish grin on his face, knocking the younger one backward. The scraping of steel made Coruwen get shivers down her spine and her shoulders tensed up. Her slender hands played with the fur on Dís' cloak while her sister in law watched her with mild intrigue.

"Stop dancing!" Fili scolded crossing his blades and pushing against Kili, who fell onto his back like a dead bug. Kili scowled up at Fili, who smirked. "Can you blame me? I couldn't hit you because you were bouncing, stupid squirrel."

Kili rolled onto his knees, passing a hand through his dark hair. His blade tip dug into the ground helping him to heft himself up onto his feet for he was wobbly from his brother's use of force. "Not a squirrel…" Kili groaned, rolling his wrist feeling the ligaments crack and pop. "See what you did?" Fili walked up to him, grabbed his wrist and pulled making the wrist crack. "Again?"

"Not if you're going to bounce," Fili teased sheathing his blades into the sheaths that rested on his hips. Kili's gold eyes darkened at the little tease, to which made Fili smirk. "Of course, I'll spar with you again, Kili."

Fili heard the scuff of a boot sliding across the rock, and his hand gripped the hilt of his sword as his brother's past his left shoulder. He raised his unsheathed blade, crashing into Kili's, who was in shock of the swiftness.

Coruwen smiled at the sight of the boys being relieved of their past pressures that typically fell upon them as heirs. Fili was the one she mostly worried for since he had been clearly edgy when it came to certain matters, while Kili was more light-hearted on certain issues. The look of command and stern nature was no longer in the blue eyes of her eldest nephew when he fought; he was free, she heard it in his laugh and it was clear in his gait. Upon her low back, she felt a hand come to rest that made her gaze rise to Thorin's, who was watching the boys. For all of the freedom that was happening as of late, Thorin still seemed tense. Her fingers rested upon his knuckles, and he sat beside her.

"Why do you not spar with them?" Coruwen asked sweetly, moving aside strands of black hair to reveal his dark blue eyes affixed upon Kili.

Slowly, his gaze shifted to hers with a quizzical look in his eyes. She had guessed that he did not hear her correctly. She made a motion towards the boys and he looked to them, and then back at her. "I suppose I could," Thorin murmured, his voice barely audible to her own sharp senses. Her hand rested upon his wrist, for she wanted to see her beloved happy again.

"What is holding you back?" She said in the same low whisper that he had used. He shut his eyes, turning away from her. "Thorin, what is the matter?" He shook his head and stood, walking over to Dwalin, who was watching the boys spar from a distance with his hands leaning upon his war hammer. She wondered if he sensed her uneasiness, or if was a diplomatic matter that was bothering him. Dís leaned back, looking at her brother with slightly narrowed eyes. Coruwen sighed, internally defeated, "What have I done?"

"You have done nothing, it is Thorin," Dís whispered. "He has never done this…" The princess looked up at Coruwen, "How strongly does he trust your bond with him?"

Coruwen hummed, "Quite a bit, actually. More than I would normally assume from one of your kind."

Dís pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders with the fur slightly covering her cheeks as her gaze became darker when she looked upon her older brother. Tension was rising again, and Coruwen placed a hand on Dís' own, halting her from speaking out. She could see the desire to do so blooming in the topaz eyes of her sister in law. "Can I just yell at him, just this once?"

"No, it will be fine…" She whispered. "By the end of the night, he will be back to his old self." Dís glanced up at her, shrugged, and then returned to watching her sons. Yes, she hoped he would return to his old self. She so dearly wanted to see him smile again; a smile of true happiness, not one of forced nature.

She heard the crack of stone being crushed beneath metal. Her attention snapped over to Dwalin and Thorin, who were both sparring with the other. A soft smile came to her lips when she saw the boys freeze and watch. The glimmer of Orcrist catching sunlight made the elf queen wince as a clang rang out into the autumn winds. Orcrist paused just before Dwalin's wrist, which held his hammer hilt steady. In one smooth motion, Thorin pulled Orcrist back away from Dwalin, who had froze up when the blade had stopped mere centimeters away from his unguarded wrist. She understood his shock, for Coruwen had seen that same elven blade pointed to her neck. Her hand rubbed her neck as if she could still feel the cold steel pressing against her skin.

Fili sauntered up to Coruwen, sitting beside her with one hand coming to rest upon her shoulder. Kili fell in beside Dís, and began playing with his blade's pommel. There, they all watched the two warriors spar against the other. It eventually came down to a tie between the two, which was not surprising to Coruwen. She knew the skill of both Dwalin and Thorin, and for the two come out upon equal ground was not shocking. Dwalin let out a low chuckle and hefted his hammer up a bit so he could swing it onto his back. Orcrist flashed its bright steel once more before disappearing into the sheath at Thorin's hip. The latter returned to the four onlookers, and motioned for Kili to follow him.

"He's got that old light back," Fili commented with a faint smile. Coruwen peered over at Fili to see him looking at her through his gold hair that had become free of its braids. She reached up, taking certain strands and untying them. "What are you doing?"

"Keep talking," Coruwen replied, weaving small braids. Her gaze fell on Thorin as he dodged a blow from Kili. It made her happy to see him free of the bonds that typically held him in place.

"You see it?" Fili asked as she pulled on a small braid. She found it funny that Fili's hair was practically the same color as hers; it was the color of molten gold and stark against dark clothes. As she laid one braid to rest, she saw the stark contrast between the black tunic and dark brown leather he wore. "He has been rather uptight as of late, do you know why?"

"I believe a raven came from Thranduil the other day saying something," Coruwen replied, her voice becoming slightly distant as she braided Fili's hair. She shook her head a bit, "I believe it said that the wraiths were searching in the south now, but one has been ordered to watch our kingdom closely."

"Why us?" Dís interrupted. "What have we done to receive his suspicions?"

Coruwen shrugged, truly not knowing why Sauron would keep tabs on her kingdom, unless it was the command she had over Freya. She did not control Freya, for the dragoness did as she pleased, but to outsiders it would seem as if she was controlling the great dragon. "Freya…" Coruwen whispered. "It is Freya that he fears… She is the only child of Ancalagon, and the Dark Lord more than likely feared her sire."

Dís nodded in agreement, "Makes sense to me…"

"Is she still here?" Fili inquired as Coruwen finished braiding his hair. Coruwen shook her head, for Freya had left in the wee hours of the morning one day without notice. Fili's face became downcast with sadness, and Coruwen patted his shoulder. He gave her a short lived smile before knitting his fingers together tightly. "I really do love that dragon; she is kind of like having a big dog… with wings."

Coruwen let out a small laugh at the remark to which Fili chuckled. Once again, he rarely ever heard her laugh. Though something about the laugh sounded off to him; maybe it was the wind playing tricks on him but she sounded like she was straining her lungs to laugh. He internally started taking small notes that would prove his logic to be sound. As her laughter died down to a mere smile, he heard her clear her throat.

"Coruwen, is something the-," Fili was cut off by Kili cursing loudly as he came skidding by his feet. Kili's gold eyes were wide with shock, blinking up at the cloudless sky. The blade in his brother's hand had a rather large crack in the tarnished steel, yet Orcrist was unscathed. Once more, the blade of the king was sheathed but Thorin had a playful glint in his eyes. "Good job, Kili."

"Thank you, I try," Kili muttered to the ground in a sarcastic tone. Kili's dark hair had a good portion hanging in his eyes, which stared up at Thorin in mild agitation. "One day, Uncle…."

Thorin patted Kili's head as he walked past him. Fili shook his head at his brother's aversion of people touching his hair, and he watched as Kili work sections back into less of a mess. He watched as Coruwen stood with the help of Thorin, and his mother followed them. Fili reached over to Kili, ruffling his hair to which he yelped in surprise and darted after Dís. Even when they would be old and grey, Kili would still have that aversion. He stood, following his family back inside.

Freya heaved a great sigh as she played with a goat that she had captured earlier. The little Billy goat was terrified, shaking from curled horns to wiggling tail. She wasn't hungry, she was simply bored. Her halls were dreary and the only music was from the rain that poured outside, thus killing her idea to go fly. She wished her little raven lord to be here, or even the spirit of her father. Her beloved father, who was a kind soul to his own kindred. It was upon this day, many ages ago, that her father was found dead by her mother in the plains in Aman. She dearly wished she had not heard the roar of her mother rattling the sky…

"Little goat, why is life cruel?" Freya asked calmly, batting the goat around as it darted from side to side. The goat bleated and darted away from her once more and she raised two talons, causing it to freeze. Playfully, she wiggled her talons at the critter. "I suppose you would not know, for as I play with you, life plays with me in the same twisted manner. I dearly wish that I could find more of my kindred here in these mountains."

She raised her head inhaling the clean scent of rain and pine. She picked up the goat, setting him free upon a walkway. She knew of only one dragon besides herself that had survived the battles of the First Age. Though insane, he was some sort of company. However, Freya was presented with a problem; the insane dragon lived in the Withered Heath instead of Ered Mithrin. She thought of the old lord dragon, hanging her head when a crack of thunder rolled across the plain, crashing upon the side of her mountain. In a sad tone, Freya hummed a song her father used to sing when she was a little dragon.

In the darkness of her mountain, her alto voice climbed the vaulted ceilings, filling every space in the abandoned settlement. She laid her head down feeling her voice shake the ground. Her great heart let out a shudder as she shut her amber eyes; though it did not matter whether or not she shut her eyes for the darkness was great, but welcoming. Her mind began to think about pieces of the past in slow moving reels as her memory unraveled.

~.~

In her mind's eye, Freya saw her father, Ancalagon, standing tall and proud with his black scales shining like the great star of the North with veins of ebony green flickering as he moved. He was a king amongst his kind, and his fire red eyes proclaimed so when they fell upon her as a young dragon with paws too big for her long body and her eyes inquisitive about every living thing. She swished her little tail, giving her father a small chirp. Ancalagon let out chuckle that was a sonorous baritone voice that was inviting and warm. He laid down upon the sun bleached stone, allowing his little dragon to climb all over his mighty, wedge shaped head with long scimitar like horns.

"My little ruby," Ancalagon cooed as he held Freya by her scruff. The amber eyes of his daughter blinked and she let out a sneeze that set embers flying from her jaws. "Little firestone now." Ancalagon laughed.

"What are you doing?" A sweet voice asked from behind him. Ancalagon craned his head backward to a small, petite dragoness that was colored vermillion red with sun gold eyes. She was a smaller version practically, with the swan like elegance of her neck to her angular horse head with high cheekbones. This was her mother, the fairest of all fire drakes. "Our little war goddess is no toy, Ancalagon."

Ancalagon gave his mate a sympathetic look. "I was merely playing with her, my bright-scales." The black dragon said innocently. The little dragon in his grip wiggled into the crook of his forearms and curled up into a ball with her amber eyes staring up at her father. "See? She wants to tell her a story."

The vermillion dragoness sighed letting out a puff of smoke, and she came to lie beside her sat upon a high peak overlooking a vast mountain range. Beside Ancalagon, the vermillion dragoness only came to his shoulder. The little dragon cradled in the arms of Ancalagon listened intently to his story of his sire. The king's voice swelled in pride at mention of Glaurung, as he watched the horizon fading away to night's embrace.

"My little princess, so small and fair," Ancalagon whispered sweetly, passing his nose over his daughter's tiny body. The little dragon princess was asleep cradled in the arms of her father. The queen of Ancalagon nudged her mate's shoulder, and he returned the nudge with his nose and a deep rumble that sounded like rolling thunder, "And my Bright-Scales, whose scales are brighter than the Star-Kindler herself."

~.~

Freya pulled out of the dream, feeling her heartstrings being played by sorrow's gentle hand. She felt her face with the back of her paw, feeling the remains of hot tears. She had cried; the daughter of Ancalagon was crying… She unfurled her wings, rising to the entrance of her Hold and stepping out into the pouring rain. The world was shadowed by a grey cloud and wept its tears upon the land, and Freya felt the cold seep into her scales. She needed to wash away her father's memory, even if she missed him. She shut her eyes, inhaling the scent of pine trees and earth once more.

"Father…" Freya whispered. "Why did Yavanna take you away from me?" Her eyes opened, with her head lowering. A fire had begun to ignite in her veins in a matter of seconds, and she cracked her tail to the beat of the rolling thunder. "Why, why were you taken? Why was I left with a mad lord?!" Her voice rose and she inhaled deeply before roaring into the air with her dragon fire sending a column of orange fire into the air. She shut her maw with tongues of flame licking her lips. "Damn the Valar!"

"I am sorry for your loss," An eagle stated sympathetically. Freya turned to the eagle, which was perched beside its mate. It bowed its white head to her, "We are sorry, Queen Freya."

Slowly, other creatures great and small bowed their heads to her. Many of the small creatures shook in physical terror at the sight of her, and then she understood why they did this. They did not pity her, but instead bowed to her because they did not desire her wrath. The only creatures that truly bowed to her were raptors and mountain lions; animals of predator nature. She stared at the quivering creatures, and she in turn bowed to them.

"You need not apologize to me, great creatures, I am but an outsider. I do not desire your respect, nor do I seek it." Freya told them. The deer lifted their heads with the stags hefting up their wide mantle of antlers along with the elk. "Leave me to my grief…"

A mountain lion let out a roar, a roar of pride. The eagles let out a screech, and the predators raised their voices in song; a song telling her to not give into darkness. She felt the shadow of her father lift off of her shoulders. The dragoness lifted her head, letting out a furious roar that rattled the cracks of ice in the North. Freya let out a rumble, knowing there were people, not of own kindred, that cared for her. She hoped that this trust would last until she became dust in the wind.

"We are but tiny gears in the clock of the world," Freya thought as she felt the cold finally seep into her bones. "The world will change when the clock of time strikes its end."

Thorin held Cairn on one shoulder while the lord's sister sat on his other. The little female was smaller than Cairn, but spoke in his stead. The two began bickering at the other on either side of him and he swore he was going to kill both birds. Cairn, who had far more noble air about him, quickly took a turn for the worst when his sister started calling him names. Thorin glanced up at the female raven, giving her a stern look.

The female had long feathers that appeared like braids falling down to her puffed out chest. Her eyes were a dark brown and she had a wide collar of white that encircled her neck and tops of her shoulders. However, unlike Cairn, her black feathers were dull in the light, making her appear shadowy.

When his dark gaze fell on the female she shrunk back, bowed her head to her king before flying off. Cairn let out a sigh of defeat, shaking his head. "I apologize for my sister's behavior. I will fly to Belegost and warn the lady of Amren about his current state." Cairn stated as he rose into the air. Thorin gave the raven a short nod before turning back inside.

The king looked to Coruwen, who was standing before a tapestry of Smaug. She seemed bothered as of the past few weeks. Why she was this way, he knew not. He slightly tilted his head, watching her from a distance. Her thin fingers were knit together tightly to where they turned white. It made him inquisitive to why she was bothered, and he started towards her. There was a point in his life where he would have simply asked her what was wrong and it is only made her worry fester into anger. His mind began piecing together why she was in her current state of mind; he had been busy as of late and given little time to her, or maybe it was because Freya had left. The possibilities were truly endless. When he reached her side, he slipped one hand over her conjoined ones.

"I know you can sense my worry, love," Coruwen said softly. Her voice was slightly grim and sad, making him tighten his hand around hers to keep her still. Her blue eyes were dark with concern and they stared down at him. "Thorin-,"

His inner guilt was silently building, and he could not contain it. With a short, irritated breath, he spoke, "I am sorry." Coruwen inhaled a sharp breath, slightly shocked. He then began mentally berating himself for interrupting her. Her hands turned in his, gripping his own. She sat in a chair, with her gaze locked upon their hands. The way she shrunk back as if in fear made him kneel before her, but could not see her face for it covered by the shadow of her hair. Delicately, he brushed a few waves aside causing her gaze to meet his. "I am sorry for not paying attention to you as of late, but with Bard and his family disputes… It has left Dale in a bit of a panicked state. I should be more perceptive to you…"

"No," Coruwen whispered placing her hand on the side of his face. Her fingertips brushed against his cheekbone, tracing the side of his jaw, a gesture he often did to her when calming her. He found it strange that her fingertips were slightly roughened from the use of her bow, and it differed greatly from her normally soft skin. When her palm cupped his cheek, he turned his head placing a kiss on her palm. "You have done neither of those things. Why do you assume such ideas?"

"I can see in the worry in your eyes, Coruwen. Something is bothering you," He replied. The elleth's hand slid from his face onto his shoulder and her face became passive as if in thought. She shut her eyes for a brief moment, taking his hand. "What is wrong?"

"I do not know why you assume that you have been neglecting me…" She stated gently. Her hands clutched his tightly, and her voice cracked slightly under emotion. "For you are a wonderful husband, and I could have asked for no other. You are a king, one that is venerable in every way." She smiled down at him, a smile that made his heart give away. The love she had for him was gleaming in her eyes. He kissed the back of her hand, bowing his head to where he kissed her hand. "And in my heart, I know you will be a loving," He heard her let out a little laugh. "Father…"

His mind stopped dead in its tracks, and the same went for his heart. Had he heard her correctly? Did she say 'Father'? In his mind, it was saying it was impossible; there was no recorded history of such occurrences between the races. His heart said that it was very possible, and that his mind didn't know what it was talking about. He narrowed his eyes at her in slight confusion and suspicion. Thorin though she was playing with him, but her expression told him different. His queen's expression was one of fondness and great love. He stood from hi kneel standing slightly over her.

"Pardon?" He asked once his lungs allowed his words to be voiced.

Coruwen chuckled lightly. "I said, you would a make a loving father, Thorin."

He gripped her shoulders; he still didn't believe her one bit. "Are you feeling all right? Are you sure you have not hit your head on anything?"

Coruwen laughed merrily, shaking her head. "Nay, I have not." His expression lifted and his mind came to the full realization of the matter. In his realization, he blinked in shock and removed his hands from her shoulders, coming to rest back at his sides. He looked to Coruwen, who nodded to him.

"You said it was impossible…" He muttered breathlessly. "There cannot be a life within you." Coruwen gave him a look of: I have proof that says otherwise. Gingerly, she took his wrist guiding along her stomach slightly above her hipline. He narrowed his eyes at his hand when he felt nothing for a few moments.

"Look within me, and you shall find the child."

"Coruwen-,"

"Do it," Her voice becoming firm instantly. He shut his eyes, searching his wife's spirit. Their spirits were not entwined; meaning his connection with her was strained. However, he did not need to be entwined with her to see the spark of a life dancing like sheer cloth in the wind around her spiritual form. He snapped open his eyes, feeling the life beneath his hand.

"You carry life," He breathed, and he took her face with both hands pressing a firm kiss on her lips. Joy filled his heart as he kissed her, and steadily his sudden burst of happiness dwindled down to soft kisses he pressed against her lips making her smile and laugh. He touched foreheads with her allowing him to look into her eyes that were looking down at the floor. "How long have you known about this?"

"A few weeks, Freya told me upon the day Iris' children were born… Apparently, I have been with child for about three months now." She replied. A smile came to her lips when he pressed his hands against her stomach once more. "I would have told you sooner, but with the way our lives run; it would have been simply lost in the sea of speech."

"I suppose so," He smiled faintly, letting out a chuckle. "How long do elves carry children typically?"

"A year…"

The tone of her voice seemed to be in regret, and he silently agreed with her. A common trait amongst Men and Dwarves was the amount of time they carried children. It was one of the few traits Aulë had given to their race, and was a secret blessing. He kissed her forehead softly, trying to consol her on the matter. He did not care if he had to wait a year or two; he was going to be a father.

"It will be fine, my dear." Thorin tipped her face up to his, searching her face that was slightly brightened by happiness. "What do you think it will be?"

"By Manwë, men are impatient creatures." She shook her head, "I do not know… Are you not tired of the boys? They drive us insane, would you not want a daughter?"

He chuckled, walking away from her a bit. "In all honesty, I do not care." Coruwen stared at him in confusion, as if he wasn't himself. "Our child will the first for both races and a first for the history of our races as well. No doubt the child will be blessed with immorality, no?"

Coruwen shrugged, "The line of Peredhil is when Elves and Men mate, and their fates become separate as times goes on. They typically are given a choice to either follow their elven kindred, or follow their mortal kindred. Dwarves are blessed with a far longer lifespan than Men, meaning the child could be either immortal like me, or have double or triple the normal lifespan of your people."

"That is troubling…" The king muttered to himself. "Are you saying that either could happen?"

"Easily, over time we will learn what will come." She stood and walked over to him with her hands resting upon his shoulders, sliding down to rest directly upon his beating heart. He leaned back into her, enjoying her presence. He heard her soft laugh and the feeling of her breath pass over his neck as she placed one kiss onto it. It made sparks dance across his skin. "I am relieved to see you happy, love." She said in a gentle voice.

"Why would I not?" Thorin replied giving her a faint smile. He tilted his head back, taking in her fair beauty. "It is a dream that I have sought after for years. Having you as my wife once but one dream fulfilled by Mahal, and he has granted me the second." He turned in her grip, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. "Through our love, life has been created."

"That it has," Thorin felt her fingers knit at the base of his neck, the cold of her ring sending cold shocks down his spine. The way he was holding her was reminiscent of the old years before they had ever thought about marrying, much less creating a family with the other. The days when they were struck down to the level of fools for love, and held great regret for doing so. Times had changed… "You're thinking about the days before this kingdom even standing tall…"

He blinked in shock, "How did you know?" He inquired, assessing his words carefully. She gave him a knowing smile, and he growled low. "Elves…"

Coruwen laughed, kissing his cheek. "Oh come now, you do not harbor hatred for all elves. You do not hate me..."

"Yes, but you are different." He saw a look of feigned hurt in her eyes, and he sighed. "You are far different, my queen. You are the love of my life; therefore I will never hate you." Thorin's eyes fell upon the necklace of her mother that hung from her neck like a sapphire star. "It is the people like Thranduil that I still despise."

Coruwen passed a hand across his dark hair, and her fingers trailed down to the braids that rested upon his shoulders. Her nails dug into the silver clasp, making it start to slowly click open like the gears within a clock starting to turn. "I do not believe that," Coruwen said firmly. "You trusted Thranduil enough to allow him to stay a week longer in our kingdom-,"

"For your sake…" He interjected watching the clasp come free of his hair. He caught her hand that held the clasp. With one shift of his weight, he pushed her back to sit upon the chaise sofa where she sent him a small glare. He sighed in defeat when her fingers wound themselves into the braid she had freed the clasp from.

"Let me finish," She said in a slightly edgy voice, though it was quiet. "What I was saying is that you are beginning to trust him. For what series of reasons, I know not. Most likely because he is one of the few that still treats me as an elf rather than some blood traitor."

"Your people are ungodly confusing."

"I will say this," She halted her fingers, meeting his eyes. "For a long while I did not understand your people either. With any luck, we will be able to patch the races back together."

"Through the use of our child?" She nodded, "That could be potentially dangerous." Coruwen laughed at his sarcasm, and he saw she was truly happy now as she had stated. It made his heart lighten to see her happy once more, just as she was pleased to see him happy. He would not deny that he had not been himself as of late because of matters outside of his jurisdiction. It took this sort of news to drag him out of that strange cloud of depression and constant irritation. "Do you think we should tell the boys and Dís now?"

"If not, we will get chewed out," Coruwen freed the second braid free of its clasp, and he settled beside her before she started running her fingers through his hair. Her fingers graced the back of his neck, drawing the small section of hair forward. "Do you want to fetch them, or shall I?"

Thorin stood, answering her question. He departed the room quietly and reappeared with only Fili and Dís. Coruwen narrowed her eyes at the sight of Kili not being present. Thorin sat beside her with one arm encircling the curve in between her hip and waist. Fili stood beside Dís, who sat in a chair observing the two curiously. Coruwen looked to Thorin before speaking.

"Where is the little wolf?" Coruwen asked, her voice rising in curiosity. Fili looked at his aunt, who was surprisingly happy and bright. Her sky blue eyes were bright with a strange love that made him internally curious.

"Sleeping," Dís replied, Fili placed a hand on his mother's shoulder. "Why have you called us in here? Is something the matter?" The concern of the issue was clear upon Dís' face, and her topaz eyes were dark with concern.

Fili watched as his uncle's grip around Coruwen tightened protectively. "It has recently been brought to our attention of a matter that is of the utmost importance. As you know all ready, dwarves and elves despise the other and it has caused our histories to become clouded. As of late, a conclusion has arisen." Coruwen stated. Fili's mind knew of the conclusion by the way her voice became slightly lighter in tone and a faint smile creased her fair face.

"No, you're kidding," Dís whispered, shaking her head. His mother had a smile on her face, and she rose from her chair walking up to Thorin and Coruwen. Fili lingered behind watching as his mother took Coruwen's shoulders. "That is most wonderful, sister…" Dís glanced back at him and he stiffened beneath his mother's gaze. She gave him a smile, motioning for him to wander over. Fili walked over to Thorin's side, placing a hand upon his uncle's shoulder.

"Uncle," Fili said quietly, causing Thorin's dark blue eyes to flick up from his sister. Pride was evident in his uncle's eyes, a pride that was greater than any creature that walked this earth, and there was love… A strong love that Fili had never seen before. Thorin abandoned Coruwen's side and Fili followed him out onto the balcony. His uncle leaned upon the stone rail, looking out to the dwindling sun and rising moon.

"Fili, you seem unsettled," Thorin stated. "Is something bothering you?"

Fili mentally chastised himself for being so easy to read, or maybe it was because Thorin had known him all of his life. He was a tad bothered about the statement made by his aunt. He leaned against the rail, looking at Thorin through the wisps of hair that fell in his eyes.

"Uncle, I am beyond happy for you and auntie, but what will it mean for Kili and I?" Fili inquired with a tone of forced happiness. Thorin gave him a firm look, startling him. He felt small as his uncle's gaze grew darker like a storm cloud. "I am in no way jealous, just curious. Kili would be the one to turn jealous."

Thorin took a mental step back, and he spoke, "Nothing will happen, unless your brother does not desire to take up the throne after you and I pass. My child will not surpass you."

"Interesting," Fili smiled. "That'll please Kili."

"You are happy then?"

Fili chuckled, "Of course, I am going to be getting a cousin in a short while." Fili returned inside to sit beside Coruwen. He truly was not the jealous one between him and Kili, but Kili was indeed jealous and suspected Coruwen's odd behavior attributed to this very situation. Deep within himself, he was truly happy for he was gaining a cousin soon, and it was slowly surfacing as he listened to Coruwen tell him about how Freya had been the one to bring it to her attention.

"Is there anything to feel, or is it just a pulse?" Fili asked looking up at his aunt. Coruwen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she gestured for him to take her hand. Hesitantly, he gave her his hand, which she turned over onto her stomach. He shook his head for he felt nothing move. He remembered being little and being interested in the life growing inside of his mother, but Coruwen's child was still too young. He was excited for it would be further along, because the memories of life before Kili were very blurry.

"It most likely will not show itself until seven or eight months…" Coruwen muttered as he withdrew his hand. Fili didn't understand, seven or eight months were quite far along. He gave her a puzzled look. Coruwen giggled stroking his hairline in the formation of a c, moving aside his hair. "Elves hold their child for a year."

"Oh…" Fili murmured. "Will it-?"

"Drive me insane? Most likely, since it is quite a short trip for someone like myself." Coruwen jested knitting her fingers together. Her voice dropped low for only him to hear. "Go, find you brother. I know he is hiding."

Fili gave her a nervous smile before darting off to find Kili. He found it unbelievable that Coruwen knew what was wrong with Kili, or at least where he was. He opened the door to his brother's room to find it dark in all corners excluding the fireplace that had flickering embers in it. He heard a groan, then a shift of covers.

"Fili?" Kili's groggy voice asked through the darkness. Fili maneuvered himself through the darkness, feeling from his brother's bed. His eyes weren't adjusting well at all. He felt like a blind man who had all of the furniture moved around in his home. His fingers found the fur blanket, and they pulled him over to the edge of the bed "So is she with child like I thought?"

"Yes, you green eyed monster," Fili snapped. He heard a scoff, and then a pillow sucker punched him. Fili rolled his eyes, throwing the pillow back. "Look, Kili, Uncle told me himself that the child won't surpass us. The child will be after we have long since passed on."

"Do not mother me," Kili replied in a half-tired, half-angry tone. "That child will change everything…"

"Kili, you're jealous because you won't be the baby of the family anymore," Fili said, trying to keep his tone level for his brother's idiotic nature was getting to him. He gripped the blanket so tight his knuckles began to shake. "Kili, please, do not do this. This is supposed to be a good thing, and you're acting like a child."

"So what if I am?" Kili snorted. "Don't you have a problem with this?"

Fili growled. "No, I am happy for our family, and moreover, happy for our aunt and uncle, who have desired children of their own for a long time!"

He felt Kili's hand on his shoulder. "How do you know that? They never said anything openly."

Fili rung his hands once, trying to limber up his hands. He slowly came off of the anger filled rush that had surfaced in his blood. He let out a sigh, "When I would walk with Coruwen, she would look at small children with a certain sense of longing, and Thorin would become quiet."

He heard the thump and shake of the bed as Kili flopped back over, silently seething with anger. Fili prayed to Mahal that his brother would stop this stupid jealous behavior. He stood and left the room.

A/N: I want you guys to know this, this chapter made laugh, cry, and made me all warm and fuzzy inside.. It know it sounds silly, but I did. I want to thank all of you who reviewed, and I hope to see you again! :)

3insteinComplex: Concerning Thorin and Freya, yes they have and I feel like we've made huge steps with their trust; and I am also glad to hear that you love Freya. Plus, if they hated each other, it would be a bit hard for the other to communicate with the other.. Half-Elf and Half-Dwarf child will be interesting, and I will say that much because the rest is a surprise!

Teres: Birth Defects are quite disturbing.. I agree. Thank you, once again, for reviewing and I am super happy to hear that you liked that part of the plot! :)

Until next time, and Please review!

Side Note: Concerning Elves- yes, their gestation period is a year, so states the notes made by Tolkien himself. And another little trivia piece, elflings mature faster than Men and Dwarves do; they are able to sing, dance, speak, walk, run, and do a whole list of things by the time they are a year old.