Chapter 8 - Skills
For the past four weeks, Kili spent his days collecting pine cones, sticks, branches and anything that could keep the flames burning inside of the cabin. When he wasn't busy collecting flammable material, he spent some time carving dwarf rune patterns along the table legs, window frames and even the door, all to keep his mind distracted from the fact that Tauriel was not being half as willing as past season. She, on the other hand, weaved throws, trousers, tunics, boots, and even blankets out of organic materials to keep them warm outdoors, when and if they had to go. Her weaving skills improved with each creation, to the point of almost looking like any textiles or fabrics that could be found in Arda. When she wasn't weaving, she would spend some time caressing her heavily pregnant belly, while deep in thoughts.
Her navel was completely stretched to the point of disappearing. At that moment, she was precisely caressing her belly, while sitting on bed. She sighed, turning her head to Kili, who was carving the door frame for the fifth time today.
"Melleth nin?" she said softly. Her sweet voice startled him, turning suddenly to her.
"Yes?" He said with a hopeful smile. He knew that tone all too well.
"Am I still beautiful?" The question was totally random and it took him by surprise.
"Of course you are. Why do you ask?" He stopped what he was doing to come closer and sit by her side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"My belly keeps growing and moving" she said with concern.
"I have noticed. It's as if something grows inside of you" he said.
"I was thinking the exact same thing." she responded.
Kili positioned himself before her, placing both his hands to each side of her belly and rubbing it gently in circles. She gave him a lazy smile. He leaned his face on top of her belly carefully afterwards, his brown eyes staring at hers with a kiddie glow to them. He curled his lips with that characteristic smile. His overall facial expression made him look innocent. She entertained her fingers, placing his hair behind his ear while gazing into those irresistible eyes.
"Tauriel, it has been long since last I felt your warmth. I miss you" he said with that deep voice of his, so gently he sounded cute.
"I'm sorry, melleth nin. I have not been feeling well" she responded, running her fingers through his hair.
"I know" he said, sighing with resignation and staring at nothing in particular.
His gloomy face spoke louder than words, making her feel bad. It was obvious he was needing it, but he would not force her. She placed her finger under his chin, pulling him closer for a kiss. Their tongues intertwined slowly. He laid flat on his back, embracing her close to him without breaking from the kiss. She slid one of her hands down his hips, until it reached his arousal, caressing it soothingly to help ease down his need...
"Thank you..." he exhaled after a while, relieved.
Aulë entered his workshop hurriedly to keep count of creation materials in his inventory, when he found his wife carefully brushing away some snow from her board. He had unpleasant news for her;
"Melkor is back" He said.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"Melkor, he returned yesterday. Do you remember what happened the last time he returned?" said Aulë with a straight face.
"This is not good. He must never know of my project, or he will try his hand at altering the natural order of events." Said Yavanna, scanning the workshop for a place to hide her project.
"I know, this is why I thought wise to tell you." Responded Aulë.
"Quickly, give me one of your solstice boxes. We never speak of it again until it is safe to do so!" Said Yavanna, hiding her project in the box, away from view.
"Agreed!" Responded Aulë, adopting an absolute silence and apparent calm. Yavanna did too.
To be continued...