You get a longer chapter this time. I suppose that's what happens when I finally have time off from work. Hope you like :)
Thorin kept the rag pressed tightly to Eiranna's belly, and it was not long before it became saturated with her blood. He wished Dwalin would hurry. The amount of blood seeping from the cut worried him. He was certain the wound was not deep enough to have caused any harm to his child within, but it needed to be properly cleaned and stitched. He looked upwards to Eiranna from where he knelt, and he could tell she worried as well; not for herself, however, but for the child she carried. Her face was pinched tightly, and he could hear the deep breathes she took in an attempt to calm herself. Her eyes flitted from Thorin to the wound upon her belly. "Do not fret, my sweet. All will be well," he soothed as he offered her, what he hoped was, a comforting smile.
At the sound of approaching feet, the pair looked up and towards the entrance of the tent. Thorin regarded Dwalin impatiently as he re-entered the tent. He set the small bucket of water at Eiranna's feet and handed the clean rags to Thorin.
As Thorin became working to clean Eiranna's wound, Dwalin knelt down next to him. "I do not wish to alarm, Thorin, but the Orc was not alone," Dwalin whispered. "Other dwellings were raided as well." Thorin was unable to hide the alarm clearly upon his face. "Have they been dealt with?" His body tensed in preparation for an impending battle. Dwalin nodded. "You need not worry, Thorin. None were left living."
"Was anyone hurt?" Thorin asked. Dwalin cast a quick glance at Eiranna before nodding briefly. "There have been deaths." Thorin's head sagged and his shoulders slumped. "What were they doing here?! Does anyone know?" he demanded. "As far as can be deduced, Thorin, it was a random raiding party," Dwalin answered. Thorin shook his head in frustration. He could feel the anger within himself threatening to bubble to the surface. He pushed it hard back into its place. It would do not good to become overwhelmed by anger.
Eiranna cried out in pain as the needle Thorin held pierced her skin. He looked to her. "I am sorry to cause you pain, but the wound must be closed. It will continue to bleed, and we cannot risk infection." "I know," she answered softly. "Please continue." She could not help grimacing from the pain as Thorin continued sealing her wound. At the sound of each of her quiet whimpers, he felt a punch in the gut at causing her any sort of physical pain. "Take hold of my hand, lass." Thorin looked up at the sound of the words to find Dwalin, still beside him, extend a hand to Eiranna. "Grip it as fiercely as you must," he continued. She looked to Dwalin and smiled at him thankfully.
Thorin was finished stitching Eiranna's would and tying the stitch off when the sound of feet outside the tent startled him. He looked up to Balin entering the tent. Upon Balin's face was fear and panic. "Balin?" Thorin questioned. "There are reports of more Orcs moving swiftly from the East. They will be upon us soon. As we stand, with our numbers, we cannot outrun them. We are too vulnerable," he answered, his eyes clearly showing the direness of their situation.
Thorin's head bent, lost in his thoughts, before he spoke. "Gather the women and children, as well as the elders. Whoever is left. Balin, continue on with them. Take them to safety. Leave the tents. Take only what you can carry," Thorin ordered. "What are your plans?" Balin asked. "We will make a stand here and drive them off. Dwalin, we shall need our strongest warriors. Gather those you feel will serve that purpose. I leave it to you," Thorin ordered. Balin offered Thorin a quick nod before turning he and Dwalin left the tent to carry out their instructions.
Eiranna stood, unmoving, before Thorin, her arms wrapped around herself. "You must go ahead with Balin. You cannot stay here. It is not safe." Eiranna shook her head frantically. "I will not leave you." "You will. I will not, knowingly, put you in harm's way." He knelt, gathering what he felt she would need, and quickly placed them into one of their traveling pouches.
Thorin stepped close to Eiranna. "Take this," he instructed, pushing the pouch into her resistant hands. She shook her head. "I will not leave you," she repeated. "It is not up for debate," he said sternly. His demeanor softened as he put his hand upon her stomach. "The cargo carried within is far too precious," he whispered. Her hands flew to her mouth, covering it. It failed to mask the sobs that escaped her throat. Thorin pulled her hands from her mouth and locked her mouth to his, in a fierce hold. When the pair parted from one another, Thorin placed his forehead against hers and remained until Eiranna felt someone's hand take hold of hers. She reluctantly broke from Thorin's gaze to see Dis studying her sadly, her eyes full of pity. She tugged upon Eiranna's hand. "We must go," she said, softly. Eiranna dropped her eyes to the ground, as she nodded sadly. As she made her leave, she did not look to Thorin.
6 months later
It had been many weeks and months since Thorin, Dwalin, and their small group of warriors had parted from their Dwarven kin. They had been instructed to journey to the old Dwarven city of Belegost. It had taken much longer than Thorin had anticipated to ward off, and eventually destroy, the Orc pack that had threatened to overcome their temporary camp months before. As Thorin and his group neared the borders of Belegost, he could make out crudely fashioned shacks. As they approached, he could see that guards were posted about the perimeter of the makeshift city, and it eased the worry that had plagued him over the past weeks. One of the guards clearly recognized Thorin, nodded, and allowed their passage into the settlement. The group began to disperse, individuals anxious to locate their families, until only Thorin and Dwalin remained near where they entered.
"Where does Balin, Son of Fundin, reside?" Thorin asked of the guard. He motioned to a small shack thirty yards away to the left. "There you will find him, I believe," he answered. As Dwalin and Thorin neared the small shack, Dwalin called Balin's name loudly. It was not long before Balin's head was seen through the opening of the shack. A smile filled with both happiness and surprise overtook his face. "I see you have finally made it back to us. Both all in one piece as well." Dwalin slapped his elder brother quickly on the back as he walked past him and into Balin's dwelling. "Is there food?" he called behind him. "Help yourself to whatever you find," Balin replied with a shake of his head. He returned his attention to Thorin. He smiled fondly at the younger Dwarf. "It is good to see you, laddie," he confessed. "I am truly grateful you have returned unharmed." Thorin nodded his thanks. "Aye, as am I." "Where is Eiranna?" he asked. "Come. I will take you to her," Balin replied, smiling.
Thorin and Balin walked, side by side, in silence for a long moment. "How is she?" Thorin asked. Balin paused before answering. "She is well. However, she does not venture out much and spends much of her time at sleep. She has been waiting for you." Thorin's eyes narrowed. He stopped walking and studied Balin. "There is something else." Balin thought carefully on his words before he spoke. "Oin, as well as myself, are concerned," he began with a deep sigh. "As you are aware, the normal Dwarven gestation period is 24 months, but the child appears to be growing much faster than expected. It does not appear, at this point, to be detrimental to Eiranna, however. As far as Oin can deduce, it is due to her human heritage, but, Thorin, he is treading upon foreign soil. He does not know when to expect the child. All he can do is watch and monitor her closely," Thorin rubbed wearily at his temples. "I should have been here," he mumbled, so softly Balin could scarcely hear. Balin could see the months of worry and concern upon his face and he placed a hand upon Thorin's forearm, in an attempt to provide Thorin some comfort. "Do not fret," Balin said, offering Thorin a smile. "You are here now, which will ease her greatly." "Thank you for watching out for her in my absence." Thorin held Balin's eyes to his own as he spoke.
"Think nothing of it, laddie. It was far from a burden." Balin reached towards Thorin and patted his shoulder. "We will speak in the morning. Go see to your wife, and get some rest." He smiled before taking his leave. Thorin watched Balin's retreat for a moment, before turning to enter the shack where Eiranna was.
Eiranna sat upon the cot, not far from its head, with her back towards Thorin, her legs tucked underneath her. Her hair was free from braids or bindings, and it hung about her and draped down her back. One hand lay flat upon the bed to one side, supporting her. Her remaining hand remained vacant of purpose, except to turn the pages of the book that lay in front of her. As he stood, watching her, a smile began to spread upon Thorin's face.
She seemed to sense eyes upon her. She turned to see Thorin standing within the entryway and all colour drained from her face. She remained unmoving, staring, and utterly speechless. Thorin passed through the doorway, and turning briefly, shut the door behind him. He made his way, slowly, towards Eiranna.
"Come. Let us take a look at you," he spoke, as he, at last, came upon the bed. Thorin held his hands out to Eiranna. She gave her head a brief shake, before grasping his hands and stepping carefully from the cot. "You are home," she uttered softly, a dazed expression upon her face.
Thorin gazed upon his wife. Her face showed her fatigue, but her eyes held as much light as they ever had. She looked as he remembered, but had thickened in places. He noticed it in her breasts and on her hips. Eiranna held his hands in a tightly, fierce hold. She kept her head on a slight downward angle, but Thorin could see her eyes peering up at him through her eyelashes. He saw the tears begin to spill from her eyes. As he looked upon her, his mouth formed into a wide smile. Thorin dropped her hands, only to wrap his arms around her and press her tight to him. He felt her bury her face in the crook of his neck. But something was different. The way she fit to him was not as it normally was.
Thorin dropped his arms to rest upon her hips. He gently separated himself from Eiranna. His eyes studied the length of her frame carefully. The gown she wore gathered into multiple layers in her front, and it served its purpose to shield her changing frame well. Thorin began parting the fabric of her dress from her, until, finally, finding what he sought. His child, growing within her. It was as Balin had told him; Eiranna appeared much farther into her pregnancy than seemed possible. If it had not been for her gown, it would have been near impossible to deny she was with child. Thorin gazed upon her swollen belly, hoping his face did not betray his concern for her, before meeting Eiranna's eyes once more. Her face was flushed as she met his eyes, nervously. "I have changed a bit since last we met," she murmured.
Thorin crushed her to him once more. "If it was possible, you have become more enchanting," he whispered into her ear. He could feel her smile upon his face. "Oh, I have missed you," she whimpered, as she buried her face amid his hair until settling into the crook of his neck. Thorin could feel the wetness her tears left upon his skin. "I am sorry to have been gone so long. I could not risk the Orcs following in your wake, so we had to change course to lead them away."
Her grasped her, once more, by the hips, and lifted her onto the edge of the cot. Eiranna leaned back, positioning her arms behind her to support her weight. The fabric of her dress had fallen to cover her front. Thorin, tentatively, brought his hand to rest upon Eiranna's stomach. She shook her head. "You will not be able to feel him properly through the fabric." She took hold of his hand, and using her other, she lifted her dress upward and away from herself. Eiranna placed Thorin's hand on her naked, swollen belly. She brought her hand down to the base of her belly and rubbed it, slowly, back and forth. "Little one," she spoke, leaning slightly downward to position her head closer to her stomach. "Your father has come home. Let's say hello?" It was no sooner that Eiranna's words had left her mouth when Thorin felt a flutter of movement beneath his hand. His hand snapped back from its position upon her middle. He looked up to meet Eiranna's smiling gaze.
Thorin could not help the astonishment that was surely upon his face. "He moves?!" She nodded her head, excitedly. "A bit more as each day passes." Thorin dropped his hand to rest, once more, upon her stomach. Eiranna brought her hand upward, so it just touched Thorin's hand. "It is an experience to feel it happen within me. I still have not become accustomed to it," she admitted. "I did not expect your condition to be apparent so early on," he admitted, cringing inwardly at the worried tone that crept into his voice. Eiranna regarded him with an unreadable expression upon her face. "I worry, Thorin. Every day, I worry. It is happening so fast," she confessed. She gazed at her swollen belly as she spoke. "You need not worry. Balin assures me all is well. You are doing marvellously." Thorin cupped Eiranna's face in her hands. "My beautiful, strong girl. You will be a magnificent mother." Unshed tears glittered in her eyes at his words.
Thorin moved his hands to Eiranna's belly. Before long, he felt movement beneath his hands. He could not contain the exuberant laugh that erupted from his throat. He took Eiranna into his arms and pressed his mouth upon hers. "I have missed kissing you," he said, after parting from her. "You are brilliant," he murmured. "I am pleased to hear you think so highly of me, but you provide me with far too much credit," she said. "It is, after all, your child that grows within me."
Thorin sat upon the bed next to Eiranna. He reached for her hands and held them within his own. "How are you feeling?" he asked, tilting his head to the side to study her. She offered Thorin a little nod of her head. "Tired, mostly, but I am well." She looked to the floor, before turning towards Thorin. "I am so happy to have you home," she admitted, softly. Thorin leaned towards her, putting his hand upon the side of her head, drawing her near, as he kissed her temple. "As am I," he agreed.
Thorin leaned backwards into the head of the bed and watched Eiranna. She smiled at him, and it was a moment before she moved, somewhat awkwardly, onto the bed. Thorin held his hand to her and she took it gratefully. Eiranna faced him, each leg on either side of his, straddling him. "Relax," he urged, placing his hands upon her hips and guiding them to rest of his legs. The pair remained that way for some time, studying one another. A soft moan escaped her and she moved her hand to rest on the top of her belly. Thorin's brows furrowed in concern. "What is it?" he asked. "It is nothing to be concerned over," Eiranna insisted. "He seems more excitable than usual is all. I have not felt him move so much as I am now. He must sense my happiness."
"Lift your arms," Thorin instructed suddenly. She paused to regard him curiously before lifting her arms into the air. He gathered the fabric of her gown in his hands and lifted it up and over her head. Eiranna sat before him, naked, aside from her undergarments, and glowing. Thorin regarded her affectionately. He dropped his hands to come to rest on either of her legs. He ran them up and down, along her legs, feeling the softness of her skin. "You should know I am so happy," Thorin confessed. "I am honoured you carry my child, and it has nothing to do with heirs or obligations of any sort. You need to know that." Eiranna's eyes narrowed with concern. She extended a hand to his cup the side of Thorin's face. "You need not speak of that. I do not need to be told what I already know." She smiled, before casting her eyes downward to his mouth. She ran her thumb to caress the soft flesh of his bottom lip. Eiranna tilted her head to the side as Thorin brought himself upwards to meet her lips. Their mouths locked into a passionate embrace. He gently bit and held her lower lip between his teeth, when she began to pull from him. Eiranna offered a small gasp and a playful giggle sounded from her. He released her lip, as a coy smile spread upon his face.
His nose explored her hair, while his mouth tickled the skin of her neck. His hands ran, lightly, over her breasts, teasing her with his fingertips. "I would like nothing more than to take you here and now," he whispered, from in amongst her hair. The soft groan he heard told him she did as well. He brought his hands downwards, to caress her sides. He smiled when he felt shivers pass through her body. Eiranna brought her head to rest on Thorin's chest. Her eyes looked upwards to meet his. "Must we wait?" she asked. Thorin nodded. "As much as it pains me to say, 'til the little one arrives, it is best we do. It is customary." An expression of disappointment splashed across Eiranna's face. She reached her hands to his hair, which she pulled away from his face and positioned behind his head. Her fingers traced around the outside of his ears and continued to his face. Eiranna held Thorin's eyes are her fingers caressed the side of his face. She smiled sweetly as she did so.
Thorin felt Eiranna shift herself slightly against him, and he pulled her closer in response. She lay next to him, upon her side, her swollen belly pressed into his side. Her hand traced unknown images upon his chest and belly, before finally coming to rest on his upper chest. He could feel her body relax against him with each passing moment. Clearly fatigued, Eiranna attempted to stifle her yawns, much to Thorin's amusement, and he could not help but chuckle softly. She regarded him with sleepy eyes. He lowered his head to place a kiss upon her forehead. "Sleep, my sweet," he instructed. She nodded, wearily, and it was not long before Thorin heard the change of her breathing to know she had fallen asleep.