Just a little Dwalin/Ori interlude because someone lovely commented on this story today and sparked my creativity. Thank you.

/ / / Dwalin \ \ \

Ori tucked Fralin into his chest and began to sing a lullaby in Khazdul to his son. Sometimes, he looked down at the little dwarfling he had almost never had a chance to know and his breath could catch in his chest. He never believed he could love someone as dearly, as fiercely, as he loved Fralin and Dwalin. The idea of losing either of them was unthinkable. He knew it was worse for Dwalin but it didn't change the fact that Ori wanted another Fralin. Fralin who looked so much like Dwalin, a big boy with something fierce around his eyes even though Ori knew better both with his son and his husband. Ori wanted Fralin to have siblings as all good dwarves should, and to provide him with the support and family that Ori received from his brothers.

He was hesitant to even mention it to Dwalin. Dwalin was so fiercely protective of both Ori and their son that Dwalin refused to even take Ori in that special dwarfish way in case the same thing happened again.

Fralin's breathing finally calmed and Ori tucked his sick son into bed. He didn't leave the room, sitting beside the bed for several long minutes until he was sure that Fralin was comfortably settled in sleep.

Ori stood up to leave the room only to startle when he found Dwalin standing silently in the archway.

"Is he better?" Dwalin asked, in a harsh but quiet whisper.

Ori shook his head and walked over to Dwalin. The warrior lifted his arm and welcomed Ori into his side.

"The fever has broken but he is still so sick."

"I shall sit with him tonight," Dwalin said. "You need to sleep."

"I am well," Ori said, disagreed. "You had to work today."

Dwalin didn't say anything, simply stared at Ori for a moment.

"Dori brought some stew along this afternoon," Ori said with a smile, before he stood on his toes and kissed Dwalin. "Food and we can sit together on the couch."

"I need to bath," Dwalin said, kissing Ori on the head and then moving toward the bathroom.

Ori busied himself heating the stew and collecting other bits for their meal and putting them all on the table before the fire. He had only just finished when Dwalin came out of the bathroom wearing comfortable pants without a shirt. Even though Ori was exhausted he still enjoyed the view.

"Come and eat," Ori said.

Dwalin joined him and they sat close on the chair as they ate their meal. When they were done Ori pushed Dwalin back so that he could settle comfortably in between the larger dwarf's legs. He rested back on Dwalin and they sat together in silence.

"I should check on Fralin," Dwalin said, and Ori knew they should but he did not want to move.

In the end, they both checked on their son before going back to the chair.

"Dwalin," Ori said quietly, later.

"Yes?"

"I want another child."

"No!" Dwalin almost bellowed, pulling away from Ori roughly. "I refuse."

"Dwalin," Ori said, pulling away and twisting around.

"No, I will not lose you."

"I don't want you to lose me," Ori said.

"Then you will never again be pregnant."

Ori nodded and dropped his head.

"When the training season is over we shall try. No male in my family has ever managed to fall pregnant but we can try."

Ori looked up with surprise. "You...I thought. You made me believe. I..."

"I refuse to allow you to try and carry another dwarfling," Dwalin said.

Ori threw himself at Dwalin.

"I would love another dwarfling," Dwalin said, between kisses. "So long as you are not in danger."

Suddenly, Ori pulled back from Dwalin. He had thought Dwalin would say no, he knew that the warrior would say no. There was a tiny part of him that had hoped that Dwalin would offer to have a dwarfling but he had assumed they would simply end up with only one dwarfling. He had to tell Dwalin how he felt though because they were honest with one another. Now though, the reminder of how close he came to death made him realise that this could be just as dangerous for Dwalin and he never wanted to live his life without Dwalin.

"Ori?"

"I don't want to lose you," Ori said, reaching out to twist his fingers in the hair at the side of Dwalin's head.

Dwalin's eyes grew soft. "You shall not lose me. I promise. Because I refuse to leave you."

Ori allowed his body to be pulled into Dwalin's but he could not let the worry go.

"We can talk to the healers," Dwalin offered. "If the have any fear we won't try."

Ori nodded but he still worried.

/ / /