Chapter 10 - Aftermath
Kili sliced some fruits for easier access, placed them on a rustic bowl, and brought them to bed, where Tauriel was breastfeeding their son. She smiled, contemplating that little bundle of love. The baby had his mothers large green eyes and his father's chin. His ears were pointy like mama's and big like daddy's. His head was mostly bald, with strawberry blonde sideburns. He was a very robust baby. Tauriel entertained herself counting his fingers and toes, while the baby fed from her. She smiled, fascinated. Kili sat by her side, watching their son with wonder. The little one fell asleep with his mouth pressed against Tauriel's breast, snoozing peacefully. His rounded cheeks became rosey.
"I still can't believe we have a baby!" Said Kili, still dumbfounded.
"And a very healthy one. Isn't he adorable?" Said Tauriel deeply moved.
"That he is. He has your skin." Responded Kili.
"And your fingers" she said, chuckling softly.
Kili shared his fruit slices with Tauriel. The sweet taste felt rewarding to her, after hours of being in labor. He placed the bowl aside for a moment to wrap his arms around her waist, as they both contemplated their baby.
"I really had no idea what was happening to you, love. You had me all scared. Truth is, I was afraid to lose you." He said, resting his chin over her shoulder.
"Oh melleth nin, I'm sorry for having been unfair to you, after you were at risk for me many times. I would not have survived on my own." She admitted.
"I have my own family now to look after. I love you both!" He said.
"Yes. Although.. I must say, the house has never looked so lovely as it does now. You carve beautiful ornaments." She said, teasing.
He narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, with so many things in mind to respond, all of them naughty. But he refrained, laughing heartily instead, "Don't you dare!" He said. They shared a sweet kiss.
"Well, that turned out nicely. And you said it would be a mutant!" said Yavanna to Aulë.
"How was I supposed to know? Go figure, a child of mine and a child of Ilúvatar. Although I never doubted mine would provide the better genes..." Aulë bragged.
"You think so?" said Yavanna, chuckling. "Then I guess you will not oppose me borrowing another of yours and Ilúvatar's children. We need to give the new race a spouse."
Aulë opened his eyes wide, "I really must trace the line here. Those two were stressful enough for me as it is. Why not making the boy an Ishtari?"
"You cannot be serious. All this bother to nothing? Come on, Aulë, I am sure you can spare another dwarf. And I know Ilúvatar will not even notice me taking another elf. He has too many. Besides, weren't you saying your children provide the best genes?" said Yavanna with sarcasm.
"The answer is no. And that's final!" Said Aulë.
"Please..." said Yavanna, batting her eyelashes at Aulë. He sighed.
"Oh, that's foul play! Anything but that stare! You know I can't deny you anything when you do that... Oh well, alright. But no more. The spare ones will have to suffice!" Said Aulë, trying to keep a straight face.
Yavanna smiled at him, "Thank you!"
Two weeks passed, bringing back the song of birds and the sound of water. Most of the snow melted away, revealing patches of new grass here and there. Kili and Tauriel ventured out together, all bundled in the textiles she made. Tauriel carried her baby in a chest bag she improvised to keep him warm, her breasts exposed so he could feed at will. The old oaks had a few new leaves growing. To their surprise, the sound of water was exactly what they thought it would be... the waterfalls were functional again. They stared at each other mischievously, no words were needed.
Soon enough they stripped of all those clothes and splashed into the waters, giggling like children. Tauriel played with her baby, sinking him into the water and pulling him out again quickly. The cool waters against his tender skin was a new sensation that made him ticklish. The baby laughed each time Tauriel pulled him out of the water. Meanwhile, Kili climbed the rocks and boulders on the side of the cascade carefully. Once on top, he grabbed a few strands of vines, balancing with them and dropping himself close to where Tauriel and the baby were, splashing them upon falling. They were happy, and this paradise was theirs to enjoy.
Six months later, when no one was looking, Ilúvatar sneaked into Aulë's workshop to keep an eye on Arda. He made sure no one followed him in.
Ilúvatar remembered the figurines from Yavanna's project and decided to have his own fun. He picked a figurine of an immortal daughter of Rivendell and a figurine of a Numenor son of the line of Isildur, and put them together. He thought maybe if he messed with his own children this time, Aulë would have no reason to make a scandal out of it.
"This will be my secret. I wonder what the mix of these two races will be like" He thought, sneaking out of the workshop the same way he came...
The End