Chapter 12
Three months had passed since the ceremony and everyone was looking forward to midwinter and the birth of Bilbo's children. Bilbo himself was often found in the garden tending to his plants, which were almost ready for harvest. Despite his stomach being huge, he enjoyed the feeling of soil on his hands and under his feet.
He smiled as he worked in the garden humming a little tune as he did so. The dwarves who helped him tend to the large garden had been asked to go for the day. He smiled as he worked, before frowning as he felt a sudden radiating pain from his stomach. He groaned and laid down in the soil, grabbing at the dirt, he wouldn't scream because then whoever was close by would come running. He took off his tunic and trousers, as his body was ripped open, so he could give birth. He moaned softly refusing to scream, as uncomfortable as he was he didn't want an audience unless it was necessary.
He moaned softly again, before pushing hard again and again. He caught the baby and held it to him for a moment, before pushing again and hearing a second cry. He hastily put on his pants, and then laughed at his stupidity, he was surrounded by a large city; no one would hear the cries of two infants. He buried the afterbirth and the small amount of blood that had been shed, before cuddling both babies close to him and changing them from a backpack he had ready. He didn't want the rest of Erebor to see his children, before Thorin had a chance to. He smiled down at the two little faces, as he cleaned the blood away from their bodies.
"Hello my boys, you will be a challenge to tell apart." Bilbo said and the babies cooed at him, they both had Bilbo's hair and Thorin's eyes. He smiled down at the babies; they both looked so much like him. He held them to his breast after changing them from the pack he had ready. Both were smaller than Ris when she had been born and looked more like Bilbo than their sibling. Tiny hands reached for him and Bilbo smiled. "Its okay my boy, Papa is here." He assured them as they fed, the smallest suits were enormous on them. Bilbo reached into his pocket and pulled out his ring, vanishing and going through the back door. He walked through Erebor and back to his rooms. He then took the ring off and grinned at the babies. "We should go see Papa and Uncle Oin now, you seem to be healthy little ones, if a bit small but I think you should still be looked over."
He smiled down at his two sleeping children, before taking out a bit of yarn in two different colors and tying a piece around each of their wrists. He took out his baby sling and smiled at the astonished guards when he reached the council hall. "I'd like to see my husband."
"You have had the child?"
"Yes, I've had them, two little boys." Bilbo said with a grin, as the guard's mouths dropped.
"There are two of them?" One of the guards managed to ask and Bilbo shrugged.
"Well its not very common, but I have two Uncles, I suppose multiples are even less common for dwarves."
"To have two babes share the womb is very rare." One of the guards agreed and Bilbo nodded.
"I'd like to see my husband now, the sooner I see him, the sooner I can rest."
"You walked up here without your guards?"
"I didn't want the whole city to know, before my friends and husband did." Bilbo replied. "They might be princes, but they are also my children and if I want those that I consider family to know of them first, it is my affair and not yours. Hobbits have ways of going unseen and so I was in no danger." Bilbo assured. "Now can I see my husband?" The guards let him through and then the eyes of the council stared at him as he grinned and went over to Thorin.
"So are there customs we need to follow?" Bilbo asked and smiled at Thorin, who was staring at him wide eyed.
"You are three weeks early, is the baby alright?"
"Our sons are fine, or at least I think they are. Twins always come a bit early, but they are perfectly formed." He said and got almost the same reaction, as outside, except Thorin stared down at the babies for a moment, before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fainted. "Thorin?" Bilbo demanded and shook his husband's shoulder.
"He'll be alright." Oin said sounding dazed. "Its just the shock, those born in the same womb are almost unheard of by our race. Can I see the babies?"
"Of course, do I have to wait to tell you their names?"
"No, though there will be a formal naming later." Fili said and grinned. "How are you feeling Bilbo?"
"Good the opening has closed and there's no bleeding, though I am tired."
"Of course you are tired, Gera was exhausted after she gave birth to our Gimli." Gloin said and grinned at Bilbo. "So don't leave us hanging Bilbo, what are their names?"
"I want to wait for Thorin to wake up." Bilbo said and frowned at his husband, before hesitantly passing the babies over to Oin, who stared down at them and smiled, before checking them over, which woke both babies. They stared up at Oin, before starting to cry. Oin finished looking them over, before handing them back to Bilbo.
"I think they want their Papa." Oin said and Bilbo smiled down at the two babies.
"Its alright little ones, Papa is here." Bilbo assured them and took one out of the sling. "Did Uncle Oin take off your suit?" He asked the baby, before changing him on the table. "Would you like to hold one boys?"
"I'm afraid I might drop him." Kili said
"You won't drop him, just be careful of his head." Bilbo assured the young dwarves, before handing the babies to both of them. "I want you to advise them, I won't be able to see them become king and I want to know that my boys will have some guidance."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll only live for another sixty or so years, which means if my boys grow as their sister does, I won't be there when they come of age." Bilbo said and everyone stared at him.
"You are that short lived?"
"Eighty is considered to be fairly old to a hobbit, my race only lives a little longer then men, and the oldest a hobbit ever lived was to a hundred and twenty."
"But Thorin will follow you when you go, does he know of this?" Fili asked and Bilbo nodded.
"We have discussed it, that's why we want you and Kili to advise our children and if they are too young to lead when we die, to lead in their stead until they are ready to assume the throne. I feel somewhat like they are stealing your birthright."
"Not at all, I am a sister son and I'm glad that I won't have to be king for long." Fili said and grinned. "Now I'm not the royal heir, I can be free of the responsibility of that and simply be a son of Durin as Kili is." Fili said and Thorin groaned.
"Bilbo?" Thorin asked groggily. "Did I fall asleep over my crafting table again, I had the strangest dream."
"No dear, you didn't and it wasn't a dream, we have twin boys."
"Twins?" Thorin demanded and Bilbo grinned.
"While rare even for hobbits, my family sometimes has multiples." Bilbo said and smiled, as Fili passed Thorin Frerin. "That's the first born, Frerin Thorn." Bilbo said and smiled at Thorin. "Kili is holding Fror Thistle."
"I like their names." Thorin said. "But how did you get them to be so alike?"
"I had a while to think about it, I suspected that there was more than one since the third month."
"Why didn't you tell us?" The company demanded and Bilbo laughed.
"You were unbearable enough as it was, it would have been worse if you had known." Bilbo said with a grin.
"They are very handsome young lads, but that was very dangerous Bilbo."
"There are seldom complications when hobbits give birth and if there were any problems, I would have called for my guards. I had no desire to have twenty dwarves staring at me as I gave birth Oin, it's supposed to be a private moment, between the barer, the baby and the Mother." Bilbo said and smiled, looking at both babies, as Fror began to fuss. "Give him to me Kili, I think he wants some milk." Bilbo said and Fili handed the baby to Bilbo. "Now there's a lad, what's wrong?" Bilbo asked the baby, before feeling his diaper, a moment later the child settled. "Oh you just wanted Papa, you're a demanding one aren't you."
"I think that in light of the birth of the princes, the council should be canceled for the day, so you can get some rest Bilbo." Balin said and Bilbo nodded.
"I'd appreciate that, but I don't want someone else raising the children, I understand why Ris needs to go to lessons, but I'll be taking care of the boys."
"But there are two of them Bilbo!" Thorin protested. "You should have help, otherwise you won't be able to do anything for years!"
"I don't think taking care of our children is doing nothing Thorin, I don't want a stranger to raise the boys. I am their barer I get at least some say in their upbringing."
"Of course you do, but they need to learn dwarven customs as well."
"And they will once they are ready to, I doubt they can learn much of anything at the moment, let me have them to myself and their family for five years at least, then they can be proper little princes." Bilbo said and Thorin frowned.
"Its not how it's done."
"Most likely not, but our boys aren't just dwarves, they get just as much from my race and I want them with me when they are babies." Bilbo replied.
"As is you're right to decide, but I can't wake up at all hours Bilbo, at least let someone watch them at night."
"Well I can always move out till they settle, it took a year last time for Ris to sleep through the night." Bilbo said and Thorin looked like he was about ready to tear his hair out.
"Bilbo I'm up at dawn every morning as it is, I can't be sleep deprived, when I'm sleep deprived I make mistakes."
"That's fair enough, but they are our children Thorin! I know that they are more than just our children too, but they are my babies, I ca..." Bilbo said and his eyes filled with tears at the thought of someone else caring for his children, someone else raising them.
"At least let me find someone to help with their care, Dis would be delighted to help, as would Gera and you care for both of them." Thorin said and Bilbo held Fror to his chest.
"I just want them to be ours, before they are a kingdom's."
"You know who I was when you agreed to marry me." Thorin said.
"That doesn't mean I agreed to this, I don't want some strange dwarrowdam caring for my babies."
"It wouldn't be a stranger, you would get to know them in time." Thorin said. "My mother was very close with my wet nurse and although I always wanted Mother first, I always knew that I could go to Aishia and she would help me."
"That's well and good, but I won't have another raise my children, I hardly see Ris anymore." Bilbo said. "You aren't taking my other babies away from me, not when I just had them." Bilbo then burst into tears and ran from the hall. He went back to his quarters and locked himself in with Fror. He looked down at the baby in his arms that had started crying. "Its alright Fror, Papa's here." Bilbo assured him and rocked him back and forth, until he settled. He then stared down at the infant in his arms. "I won't let them take you away from me so soon." Bilbo promised his son. "I am yours and you are mine, forever Fror." He stood and went to the nursery, changing Fror into some warm clothing and bundling him up in his blanket. "There now sweetheart, nice and warm." Bilbo said and sat in the rocking chair with his son, rocking back and forth slowly and gently as he sang," You are more precious any gold, my little one a treasure to behold. A gift from the Father that's what you are, your parent's bright and shining star. You are a wonder to behold, my beautiful little stone. I thank the Father for your life; I hope to protect you from all strife. You are more precious than any gold, my little one a treasure to behold. Sleep now little one, close your Fror stopped crying and his eyes closed, he was snoring loudly a moment later. Bilbo smiled softly his own eyes drifting closed, as he sank into sleep.
He dreamed that he was in a cavern filled with all kinds of gems and precious metals, Mahuel smiled at him and Bilbo stared at him. "Who are you, why am I here?" Bilbo demanded.
Mahuel laughed." Fierce hobbit, you know who I am, I have come to give your children names and you your name and a blessing if you so desire."
"Why now?"
"Because you have decided to live among my people, without reservation. Though you might be wroth at the ways of my children, you won't leave them and you may need some assistance to get through to their thick skulls. Your children can have this gift as well, if you wish it."
"I'd prefer it be if they wish it, I suppose you aren't going to tell me what you are offering me?" Now what fun would that be?." Mahuel offered and Bilbo nodded.
"Who am I to deny a blessing from the Valar." Bilbo said and Mahuel smiled.
"Very well your daughter's name is Blazing Fire Hearth Stone, your first born son is Smooth Cracked Opal and your second born is Shining Copper Crystal, your name is Deep Diamond Depths, as for my gift, you will see when you wake up. A loud pounding woke him and he frowned, cradling the baby who was crying loudly. He realized that he must not have fallen asleep so much as passed out. That had just been a dream right, he hadn't really spoken to a...He stared as he saw himself glowing with a bright silver light, it was nearly blinding to him and he cried out in dismay. His son was glowing as well, a beautifully deep green glow but it wasn't what he considered to be at all normal.
"Bilbo! Come out please, its been five hours and Fror is wailing, Frerin wants his barer" Thorin said from the other side of the door, where he could hear Frerin crying as well. He got up from the rocker and pressed his nipple to Fror's mouth, watching as the infant sucked greedily, his eyes were slowly adjusting to the glow, it was like a new sense, but he didn't want to open that door and be bombarded by more people. Yet at the same time he knew that his son needed him and he had to go outside at some point. He shut his eyes half way, before opening the door, as Thorin stared at him, half a dozen guards were thrown into the room. There were so many colors, so bright and varied, it hurt Bilbo's eyes, and he took Frerin from Thorin, cradling the baby, who had a bright and vibrant blue aura.
"Bilbo? What is it?" Thorin asked, as Bilbo stared at the babies in his arms.
"I want to talk to my husband alone." Bilbo said and the guards left going outside and closing the hacked door behind them. "I think I need some tea, do you want some?" Bilbo asked and filled a teakettle, before putting down two mugs and taking out a bit of the dwarven liquor, he wanted to drink desperately.
"What's wrong Bilbo?" Thorin asked and Bilbo rubbed his head.
"I want some tea first, then we can talk." He said trying not to panic.
"If this is about the babes..."
"My vision is strange, I think Mahuel did something to it, when he visited me in my dreams."
"Strange how? I have heard legends of Mahuel giving gifts to those he finds worthy, but I have never seen such things with my own eyes."
"I can see auras, or at least that's what I think they are, we're both golden, but the boys are green and blue, the guards were a lot of different colors, it was overwhelming."
"I see you can sense auras." Thorin said doubtfully.
"He also gave me and the children a name."
"He gave you their names, it worried me that our daughter didn't have a true name, what are they?"
"Our children's names are Blazing Fire Hearth Stone, Smooth Cracked Opal and Shining Copper Crystal, my name is Deep Diamond Depths." Bilbo frowned feeling the weight of the names, as Thorin stared at him.
" A true name is a deeply personal thing, I am honored that you chose to share our children's with me, but how do you have a name?" Thorin asked.
"Mahuel gave it to me." Bilbo said and smiled at Thorin.
"A true name shows a dwarf what your true soul is, yours is very beautiful. Dwarves over time have given certain meanings to the names Mahuel has chosen for us."
"Could you tell me what our children's names mean?"
"Of course, but their true name is who they are at the core of their being. Dwarves with Blazing are those that are passionate about what they love and hate, they can also be a bit headstrong."
"Sounds like our daughter." Bilbo said and laughed.
"Fire dwarves are quick to anger, but show deep and unconditional love towards those they care about. Hearth dwarves are nurturing by nature and get upset when others are. Stone dwarves are stubborn and believe that they are always right."
"It does sound like her." Bilbo said and got the kettle out pouring them both some tea and adding a bit of whiskey to his.
"So alcohol doesn't turn your stomach anymore?" Thorin asked and Bilbo nodded, before taking a large swallow and sighing. "Smooth dwarves are steady and calm by nature. Cracked dwarves have many sides to them and many different interests. Opal dwarves are thought to be wise and are often mentors. Shining dwarves draw people towards them and are happiest among others. Copper dwarves are warm and caring towards others. Crystal dwarves sometimes can see a situation from a perspective others would not and take a while to decide upon a course of action.
"What of my name?" Bilbo asked and Thorin grinned.
"Its actually quite similar to mine, my name is Deep Shining Depths. Deep dwarves are as you would think, they consider things like the nature of the universe and the races of middle earth. Depths dwarves care deeply about people and hide more than they show of themselves. Diamond dwarves often have special talents or abilities, they also tend to care deeply about others."
"Fascinating." Bilbo said and smiled at Thorin, before continuing to drink his tea. "Its nice to know something of who our sons may be one day." Bilbo said and Thorin nodded. Bilbo drained his tea and poured another cup, doctoring it.
"So you're planning on getting drunk?"
"Yes, before I go outside, being drunk sounds very good to me." Bilbo replied. "It might not be so bright then, or I won't care as much about it." Bilbo added and Thorin chuckled.
"Well at least give me some too." Thorin said and Bilbo nodded, handing him the bottle, as Thorin took a swig directly from it, Bilbo winced.
"You drink it strait?"
"Best way to drink it, if you don't drink it strait, then it doesn't give the same fire." Thorin said and sighed before taking another gulp from the bottle, before passing it to Bilbo who took a gulp and coughed hard.
"How can you drink that strait?" Bilbo demanded and Thorin laughed.
"Quite easily." He replied and took another gulp, this time Bilbo took a more cautious swallow, soon he felt pleasantly fuzzy and the world felt softer. He grinned at Thorin who smiled in return.
"Is it dinner time?"
"I think so, you want to go?" Thorin asked and Bilbo nodded, standing, as Thorin wrapped an arm around him and they walked unsteadily to the dining hall. Everyone eating at the hall stared at them and Bilbo felt his senses overwhelmed with color, he groaned shaking his head.
"Look at me." Thorin said and Bilbo turned his head and looked at Thorin. "Just at me, its alright Bilbo, you are alright." He said and Bilbo stared at a bright red aura he'd seen before, he turned around and saw the guards standing behind him, one of the dwarves had the same shade and Bilbo frowned. He then looked to the head table and stared at Gera and Gloin who had a deep golden aura to them. Dis' aura was a dull gold, flecked with the auras of her sons, which were different shades of blue. There were more colors in the hall, than Bilbo had any hope of naming. He took a deep breath and nodded, looking across the hall. He smiled as his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw another couple that might be a match and decided to test his hunch about what gift Mahuel had given him.
He stepped away from Thorin and smiled at the young woman serving the tables. "Would you humor the consort?"
"Of course, I am honored to be of service to you, but what do you want from me? I'm just a scullery wench."
"I want to try something, it will just take a moment of your time."
"What are you doing Bilbo?"
"Give me a moment Thorin, please."
Bilbo turned to the woman and took her by the hand leading her to the guard, placing her hand in his. The resulting flash blinded him, as their auras exploded and reformed into a pale gold color. "You are meant for each other, congratulations."
Bilbo said and shook his head. "Though I wish that Mahuel would be kinder in showing me." He added.
"Your words are disrespectful, you have no idea how great a gift you have been given." Thorin said his voice awed. "Is there anyone else in this hall that are soul stone?"
"Well you don't have to see this, I swear that nearly blinded me and yes, that dwarf and that dwarrowdam, please don't touch each other in my presence, it hurts." Bilbo said and sat at the table.
"What does my aura look like?" Fili asked.
"Yes tell me what my aura is!"
"Its hard to describe, I don't have the words." Bilbo said and started to serve himself some food. "It's going to take some getting used to, but soon I suppose it will feel normal, or at least I hope it will."
"I wish I could see auras and make people happy." Dis said and Bilbo smiled.
"Well maybe you will one day little one, Mahuel did offer to allow my children the gift if they wished for it once they were grown. It feels quite strange at the moment, but I suppose it will turn to another sense." he said and started eating, he noticed that Frerin's aura was getting slightly brighter and looked down to see that the baby was awake. He took Frerin out of the sling and felt his diaper. "Are you hungry my lad?" Bilbo asked and held a finger to Frerin's lips, the baby didn't latch on, but continued to stare at Bilbo. Bilbo smiled down at him and shifted him so he was more comfortable.
"My husband can stand the smell of ale now, bring out the casks, we need to celebrate the birth of my two strong sons." Thorin said and Bilbo smiled. "They will be presented within a fortnight and their given names shared with their people."
Bilbo drank as a flagon was set in front of before deciding that he had enough. He was quite impressed by the amount of ale Thorin drank, as he yelled out different toasts praising his sons. He guessed that the hall was required to drink to each one, because they drank each one. He laughed as Thorin praised every inch of both boys and several dwarves passed out. The toasts continued until only seven people were left awake in the hall except for Thorin's guards and the serving maids Ris who was looking a bit confused.
"Why is everyone drinking so much?" She asked.
"Because they are happy about the babies." Bilbo said as Bombur toppled forward onto the table snoring loudly, Thorin was nearly unintelligible at this point and Bilbo doubted that the remaining dwarves were even listening to what he was saying. Finally Thorin passed out and the three other dwarves quickly did as well. Bilbo shook his head and smiled at Thorin's silliness, he was glad that Thorin had decided to have a bit of fun, though he dreaded to think about how he'd be in the morning.
"Can you help me get him and the rest of the council to bed."
"Its part of our many duties, though could someone run a relief for Jialir, he won't be able to mind his post." The guard said as Jialir stared at the woman who smiled shyly at him.
"Of course, I didn't realize, I'm sorry Jialir."
"You have nothing to apologize for, I am glad to do my duty, although I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to escape our guard in future." He said and Bilbo chuckled.
"I guess I'm a bit like this one after all." He said and smiled at a sleepy Ris.
"Can you carry me Papa?"
"My stomach is still sore, I'm sorry baby." Bilbo said and Ris nodded.
"Its okay, can I see my brothers?"
"Of course." Bilbo said and smiled showing her the two babies.
"They are pretty, they look like you more than I do." Ris said. "They might be more like you too, will you love them more..."
"Never baby, I will love you all equally, if in different ways because all three of you are different people." Bilbo promised his daughter. "Though I hope one of the boys will like at least some of the things I enjoy, I will love all three of you no matter who you are, or who you become." Bilbo told her and kissed her forehead. "You love Daddy don't you?"
"Yes Papa." Ris said and Bilbo nodded.
"Do you love me any less, because you love Daddy?" Bilbo asked.
"No Papa, I don't." Ris said and Bilbo smiled.
"There you see, you don't love only one person throughout your life, you can love many different people." Bilbo said. "And you can love them for who they are. Will I try to teach the boys aspects of my culture, absolutely but I won't force them to learn, as I did with you." Bilbo promised and Ris nodded.
"Alright Papa, now can we go to bed? Are you going to sleep with me tonight?"
"I don't think you would want to sleep with me, young babies cry a lot Ris." Bilbo said. "They don't care if you are tired, if they are hungry or need something, they will cry regardless." Bilbo said and Ris frowned, before nodding. He smiled, before getting up from the table.
The two guards came back and the other guard ran to the woman, taking his hands in his own. She smiled at him and he grinned in return, before they left the hall. Bilbo shook a few of the company, trying to get them to rouse, he smiled when Fili and Kili groaned and opened their eyes. "Can you get yourselves to your rooms?" Bilbo asked.
"Why are there five of you, did we pass out?" Kili asked and Bilbo smiled.
"You lasted quite long, but if you can't walk by yourself, the guards will have to carry you. I'm trying to wake some people, but you are the only ones that have woken."
"Leave everyone, s'all ri."
"Fili Durinson is correct, usually on festival days if you pass out at the tables, you are left at the tables."
"That can't be very comfortable though." Bilbo said.
"Its not, but its impossible to move all these people." The guard said.
"At least move Thorin, he will be impossible in the morning if we don't." Bilbo said and the guards smiled.
"Very well, do you want help to your chambers Consort, Princes Fili and Kili?"
"I can manage fine on my own, what about you boys?"
"Sleep." Kili said and banged his head on the table, before it shot up again.
"Don' wanna walk." Fili said and Bilbo smiled.
"I know but it will be nicer to be in your own bed, won't it?" Bilbo asked and they both nodded. "Here you can lean against me, just don't upset the babies." Bilbo said and held out his arms, as he walked slowly with the swaying young men back to their quarters. He sat them on their beds and helped them take off their tunics, overcoats and shoes, before covering them with the blankets, they were asleep again within moments of getting into bed. Two dwarves then brought Thorin to their room. "Prop him up and I'll undress him." Bilbo said and the guards nodded leaving the room. Bilbo set the babies down in the wooden cradle he had gotten, insisting that he wanted a more portable one for the children. He pulled off Thorin's overcoat and shirt, before taking off his shoes and covering both of them. He fell asleep soon after.