One of the best things about their new home was its vicinity to the forge. It allowed Fili to come home for lunch without having to put out the fire. It also meant he could stay longer in the house in the morning and he could get home more quickly in the evenings.
Mailis' first birthday was a week away. It was a bitter-sweet day for Fili. He loved Mailis with all his heart and yet, it was her birth that had brought his daughter's death. He did not begrudge Mailis at all and he never blamed Mailis for Milly's death. It was tragic, though, that she shared her birthday with her parent's and uncle's death day. Poor Mailis. A day that should be just for her and completely special would always have a dark cloud hanging over it.
Well, Fili would never let the tragedy overbear the joy of the day. Mailis would turn one and it would be a wonderful day of celebration. Fili planned on taking the day off, and if Hana was up for it, they would go to the river for a picnic.
Today was bright and sunny, but it also had the first hint of coolness that September brought. Fili looked forward to the passing of summer. The forge was unbearably hot in the heat of summer. He was going home for lunch, but he hoped Hana had not prepared anything big. He worried for her.
The baby could come anytime and Hana had already told him her body was preparing itself. He just wanted Hana to be safe and healthy. Coming home mid-day for lunch was also a good excuse for him to check on how she was doing.
Hana was relaxing on the bench just outside their front door. Her hands rested on her very round stomach. She saw Fili coming up the road and waved. Mailis crawled about at Hana's feet. A round rubber ball rolled from where Mailis had pushed it. She crawled to it and found it next to a flower pot. With a squeal, she threw the ball and watch as it bounced past Hana, rolling to a stop near the front door. Mailis followed the ball and threw it again. This time it went down the path towards the gate. Fili and the ball reached the gate at the same time.
"Hello Mailis," Fili laughed. He picked up the ball and the squealing baby and gave Mailis a hug and a kiss. "Enjoying some sunshine?" he asked his wife.
"Just waiting for you," Hana answered.
Fili held out a hand for her and helped her off the bench. He kissed her before placing a hand on her stomach. The muscle beneath was hard and smooth. "How's my Gem today?" he asked.
Hana chuckled, she never grew tired of the attention Fili gave her stomach. She was delighted with his love for their unborn child. "He's causing me quite a bit of difficulty today. I can hardly move, he's so big now."
The family went in together and Fili helped Mailis to get her hands and face washed off from her play in the garden.
"Just some soup today," Hana said ladling the soup into two bowls. "I'm afraid I didn't feel much like cooking today."
"No worries. You shouldn't be cooking at all," Fili took the bowls from her and placed them on the table.
Hana spooned some of the soup into Mailis's eager mouth. "How's your day been?" she asked.
"Fine, fine. The usual. How about you?"
"About the same. Prissy Boffins was over earlier. She played with Mailis so I could have a nice soak in the bath. My back is so achy. It was nice to relax."
"That was good of her," Fili said.
After they finished eating, Fili washed the dishes while Hana relaxed in the sitting room. Mailis was getting fussy, so Hana bent over as best she could and scooped Mailis into her arms. Mailis didn't stop fussing. She kept rubbing at her face and her ear and her hair, her cries growing louder.
"Is she alright?" Fili asked, walking in.
Hana stuck a finger into Mailis's mouth and rubbed along the baby's gum line. She felt a spot that felt a little swollen and the moment her finger hit that spot, Mailis chomped down on her finger.
"She's teething, poor thing," Hana said, letting Mailis bite at her finger.
"It's moments like this that I miss Erebor," Fili said. "When Hrafn was teething, I built Sigrid a cold box. She would put our cold mountain water into the box and kept carrots in the water. She Hrafn was fussy with teething pain, she would give him a cold carrot to chew on."
"It's a clever idea," Hana smiled.
"I'll make you a cold box. It will be winter soon enough and you'll be able to get cold water from the sink." Fili's mind was already thinking of the box. He had metal enough at the forge.
Hana shifted about in her chair, doing her best to get comfortable with her stomach and Mailis taking up all the room in her lap. Fili remembered Sigrid at the end of her pregnancy and how very uncomfortable she had been. He looked at Hana now, with her swollen stomach. She was beautiful. He went to her and removed Mailis from her arms, then he leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"What was that for?" she smiled.
"You're beautiful. How can I not kiss you when you are so beautiful?"
Hana laughed. "You silly, wonderful dwarf. I love you."
Fili was getting ready to head back. Hana held Mailis on her hip and watched as Fili collected his things. He leaned in to give Hana a quick kiss, but she grasped his wrist in her hand. Her eyes were wide.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Fili," she spoke slowly, "I do believe I've been feeling birthing pains all day."
"What?" Fili stared at Hana's stomach like it was a dam about to burst open.
"I've been having pains all day, but I've only just realized they are growing in intensity. That last one actually hurt." She was smiling, much to Fili's surprise.
He escorted her back into the house. "Listen now, will you be alright here for a little while without me?" he asked.
"Yes, "I think so," she sounded quite jovial.
"Alright. I need to go back to the forge and put out the fire and lock up."
Hana nodded. "That's fine. I'll get a bag packed for Mailis. She's going to stay with Prissy during this."
"Do you want me to stop by Prissy's on the way back?"
"Yes, I think so," Hana rubbed her hand over her stomach.
"Do you want me to fetch the midwife as well?" he asked, watching her closely.
"Not yet," Hana smiled at his concern. "I've still got a long ways to go, so I don't need her just yet. When I'm ready, I'll send you to fetch her."
"Are you sure? It's no trouble for me to get her," Fili said.
"That's alright. Just Prissy for now," Hana kissed the tip of his nose.
He nodded. "I'll be home very soon, alright?" Fili was grinning now. Their baby was coming. He would be holding his child very soon. He ran as fast as he could to the forge.
Prissy had come and taken Mailis away for the night. Hana wept at letting her Mailis go. It would be the first night since Mailis had been born that she would be apart from her. Fili assured Hana that Mailis would be well cared for. Hana knew this, but the impending birth of their child was playing havoc with her emotions.
For the rest of the afternoon, it was just Fili and Hana. They talked quietly in between the birthing pains and Fili rubbed her back during the contractions until Hana slapped his hand away from her during a particularly painful contraction. She no longer wanted him touching her back.
As the sun set, Hana sent Fili for the midwife. He returned to Hana and held her hand through several pains until the midwife and three other hobbit women arrived. Fili was kicked out of the bedroom where Hana now sat, panting on the bed. She gave him a pleading look before the midwife shut the door on him. Fili stood, staring at the door shocked that those hobbits had dared to close a door on his face. He was Fili, King Under the Mountain! His wife was in labor on the other side of that door and the hobbit lasses would not let him back in.
Whoever said dwarves were stubborn had never dealt with a she-hobbit before, much less four of them. He kept trying to get in to see Hana, but every time he was thrown out, literally, and finally they threatened to lock him out of the house entirely if he couldn't stay away.
It was agony for him every time he heard a painful groan or cry from Hana. He paced the floor, not having the patience to do much else. Finally he took his swords, went out into the front garden and went through his drills. The movement helped ease the tension he felt. He was still close enough to hear Hana, but keeping his body busy helped him bear the long, difficult night.
Finally, just as the sky was turning from indigo to grey, he heard the sound he longed to hear - a baby's cry.
Kili, Tauriel, Torsten, Agli, Iomhar, Keil and Klin,
It is with great pride and much joy that I announce the birth of Prince Thorin IV, son of King Fili and Queen Hana.
He was born in the early hours of September 5th - strong and healthy.
Hana is fine and doing very well. Mailis has yet to meet her brother/uncle. Thorin is only just a few hours old now, but I had to write you with the news. He seems to be a good size and has Hana's brown hair. The midwife says he's as strong and healthy a lad as she has ever seen.
I'll write you again soon. For now, I'm going to try and get some sleep. We've all been up all night long. I wish I could show off Thorin to you. He's absolutely perfect. My love to you all. Mahal bless you, for he has blessed me.
-Fili