Sorry for the wait. There was another death in the family, and then college started. I am grateful to everyone for reading this story, and pushing me to keep it going. Before you all go wanting to kill me for messing with the years (or ages of particular characters) please remember that I am trying to do things differently. I don't want to be accused of copyright infringement. So for my story, Frodo is going to be a bit older than in the books. My explanation is that, since Bilbo has the One Ring while raising Frodo that somehow the ring also messes with Frodo's aging as well. Sam, Merry, and Pippin will still be their original ages like in the books.
Warning: High T rating for this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or its characters.
Remember that years are approximate and rounded to the nearest quarters.
Count down: 52 ¾ years till LOTR events.
Aliena- 12 ¾ years old.
Frerin & Durin- 7 ½ years old, looks almost 5 ½ years old.
Kelda- 3 ½ years old, looks like a 3 year old.
Balder- 2 years old
Toril- 1 ½ years old, looks like a 1 year old.
Kili, Tauriel, and Toril spent nearly a year in Lothlorien under the care of Lady Galadriel. During their stay, Tauriel and Kili were told to refrain from having any more children. Tauriel had suffered not only from physical ailment but also a mental one. Elrond, who was also there for the first two months after Toril's birth, had mentioned that the difference between the twins' was too great. For Toril, she was more dwarf at birth. While her twin was more elf, and for those reasons Tauriel's elven body fought against the birth.
Now little Kelda had been left back in Erebor under the watchful eye of Dis. The little girl had no idea what had happened, and it took her older cousin Aliena to help her understand why her Naneth and Adad were gone.
Fall is now in full swing as the dwarves of Erebor begin preparations to celebrate the week-long celebration of Durin's Day.
Sitting at the head of the long rectangular table, Thorin sits in a deep navy blue outfit with a thick, black vest over top of his tunic. He is in the council chambers with Balin and a few of the other council members. As the meeting draws to a close, one dark haired dwarf named Castor, waits for a chance to speak with his king.
"My king. May I have a word with you?" Castor asks as he turns away from the bustling crowd of his fellow members. Out of all of the council members, Castor is the only one from an original family from Erebor. Castors' family has always had a seat on the council since the beginning of Thror's reign.
Balin gives Thorin a quick glance to see if he is willing to listen to yet another petitioner. The old dwarf is already aware that many of the council members wish to marry off the lady Aliena to one of the lords from the race of men. He also knows that his king and queen are not willing to allow such a thing to happen with their daughter.
"You may speak, Castor." Thorin replies with a straight face. He has an idea about what this dwarf will want to say. Inara and Thorin had agreed that their daughter was not yet old enough to marry. Let alone be used as a pawn by the council in a political match.
"Some of the other council members were talking about a possible marriage for the lady Aliena." Castor also heard some of the other members talking about how the king and queen were reluctant to let the lady be married. However, this particular dwarf had his own ideas on who should be matched to the girl.
"There will be no marriage till after lady Aliena has reached maturity in the race of men, and that will be when she reaches the age of 20. The queen and I have already made the council aware of this fact." Thorin allows a hint of anger to slip into his voice as he squares his shoulders. Thorin had never liked Castors' ancestors from before Smaug. Yes Castor was from the Longbeard clan, but his family's reputation was not one to be proud of.
"I see. Then I hope that you and the queen would allow fellow dwarrows a chance to win lady Aliena's affections." Castor replies with a cool tone. He knows that he can't push the topic any farther without revealing his intentions.
"Perhaps." Thorin says before leaving the council room with Balin in tow after giving his old friend a look.
Balin notices the look, and is quick to intervene. "Lord Castor, I suggest that you let the topic go for the time being. His majesty is quite busy with the preparations for Durin's Day."
"Very well. Perhaps another time then." Castor answers swiftly before walking down the hallway in the opposite direction from Thorin and Balin.
Balin watches as Castor walks away. Dwalin is quick to move close to his brother.
"Should I keep an eye on him?" Dwalin asks his brother.
"I would suggest asking Nori to watch him." Balin replies before walking down the hall to catch up to Thorin.
"Thorin." Balin says softly as he catches up to his king. "The council will not let this issue stay silent for long."
"They will have to get over the idea of using my daughter as a pawn in their schemes." Thorin growls out. "You and I both know that in the race of men, Aliena is still a child. Only a foolish ruler would force a female child into a marriage at a young age."
"Aye. I would not force the young lass into the marriage schemes of the council." Balin lets out a sigh, and that is the end of the talking between the two.
In a Certain Toy-maker's Shop...
"They can't be forcing her into something like that!" a male voice rings out from the back room of the store. A dark haired dwarf with a funny looking hat is pacing back and forth in agitation.
"Thorin and Inara would kill any who would try to harm their lass." Gloin says as he scraps a wet stone along the edge of an axe.
"Since lady Aliena has reached this milestone in her life, it has only encouraged those stuffy old males." Gloin's wife, Skuld, says as she pretends to even out a wrinkle in her burgundy skirt.
"Thorin has assured me that he will not be allowing the council to control his family's lives." Dis says from her spot up against the door frame. Her arms are crossed over her chest. She knows that something is up with Bofur for him to be acting in the manner that he is.
"I sure hope Thorin will keep his word." Bofur replies with a growl in his voice as he continues to pace. "The young lass doesn't deserve to be treated like some piece of meat that is for sale."
"If my brother doesn't keep his word, then he will be answering not only to Inara but to me as well." Dis allows her voice to get an edge to it.
Bifur, who has been watching the whole discussion, does a few gestures to represent his input.
"Aye. I would kill anyone who would try." Bofur says to Bifur.
"Well I should be heading back. Mahal knows that Sigrid has her hands full with watching all of the children." Dis says to the group as she moves away from the door frame. Using her hands, Dis tries to straighten out the bodice of her deep blue dress.
"And how is Lady Sigrid?" Skuld asks her friend.
"As well as can be expected at being almost five months pregnant." Dis gets a smile on her face before continuing. "Fili is hoping for a little girl this time. Sigrid thinks that it will be another boy."
"So when is the babe due?" Gloin asks as he looks up from his work.
"Possibly early or mid-spring." Dis answers in a happy tone. She thanks Mahal every day for blessing her with many grandchildren and nephews. "Well I best be off before I am late."
In the main living space to the Royal Family Halls...
Sigrid watches as her nieces, son, and nephews play in the living space. The group of children are playing some kind of game. Durin and Balder have built a fort using cushions from some of the settees in the room by where she is sitting near the fireplace. A small distance away from the two boys, Frerin and Kelda have also built a fort out of cushions. The two groups have been tossing the smaller cushions at each other in an attempt to win the game. By her feet, on the rug rolling about, is Toril.
The door to the main living area opens up.
"What do we have here?" comes a voice Sigrid knows all too well.
Looking away from the children, Sigrid spots Fili and Kili making their way towards her.
"Da play?" little Balder shouts from his place in the fort.
"No fair. If Fee joins you, then we get Kee." Frerin shouts towards his brother and cousin.
"I don't know if we should play." Kili says with a smirk on his face. He looks to his brother before asking. "What do you think?"
Fili gives his brother a serious look, and then proceeds to give Sigrid a kiss on the cheek. "Will my lady wait for me while I give my opponents a good whipping?"
Sigrid giggles as she watches Fili grab a cushion from the settee she is sitting on, and throw it at his brother.
For a time, the two brothers along with the children enjoy their game. It seems like nothing could end the happiness and fun, but all good things must come to an end. The slamming of the door has everyone stop to see what is going on.
Aliena rushes past them in a hurry, with the green skirts of her dress billowing out. She runs up the stairs at an alarming speed, and soon disappears from their sights. However, the slamming of a door lets them know that she is not in a talking mood.
"What was that about?" Fili asks before having a cushion hit him in the face. "Hey!" Fili growls out as he looks at Kili.
"You can't afford distractions on a battle field, Fili." Kili chuckles at his brother.
Before Fili can throw a cushion at Kili, yelling is heard from the other side of the main doors. The game comes to another halt as the doors fly open to reveal a red faced Inara stomping her way into the room. Close behind her is an equally red faced Thorin, who has yet to realize that perhaps he should stop following his angry wife.
Inara comes to a stop, and turns around to face her husband. The bottom of the skirt to her crimson dress come off of the ground at the force of the turn.
"Uh oh." Is all little Durin says before his Amad begins to yell at Adad.
"This is ridiculous, Thorin. What does the council not understand about no means no." Inara screams at Thorin.
"They will continue asking till a decision is made." Thorin shouts back at her. "I have already explained to the council that we will not allow them to treat her as a political pawn."
"Obviously the council doesn't seem to give a damn about what we say. Damn it Thorin, they pulled her out of her lessons, and then proceeded to badger her into agreeing with them. Since when did they have the right to do that?" While Inara was talking, her arms were moving about in a spectacular fashion.
"They don't have that right, Inara." Thorin has moved closer to Inara.
Neither one have noticed that they have an audience, but both are too caught up in their anger to care.
"Then why won't you stop them!" When Thorin doesn't answer immediately, Inara walks away, but not before saying. "That's what I thought. You don't have the balls to do so."
Thorin lets out a growl, before following after Inara as she stomps her way up the stairs.
"Don't you walk away from me, woman!" Thorin shouts as he follows her down the hallway that leads to their rooms.
Kili lets out a low whistle after hearing another door from upstairs slam shut. "That was intense."
"You don't even know the half of it." Fili groans out before feeling a soft tug on his shirt sleeve. Looking down he sees a wide eyed, frightened face looking up at him.
"Will Adad hurt Amad?" Durin asks softly. The exchange between his parents has left the boy shaken.
Fili kneels down, and pulls Durin into a hug before answering. "No one is going to hurt anyone, Durin. Sometimes adults yell at each other when they are upset."
"Are you sure?" Frerin asks as he comes over to Fili seeking comfort as well.
Fili isn't sure if he can honestly say that Thorin would not strike at Inara during a heated exchange. However, he is saved from having to answer when the main door opens.
Dis enters the room, and she is quick to notice that Fili has both Frerin and Durin in a hug. She also notices that Balder is sitting next to Sigrid, and Kili has Kelda tucked into his side. Letting out a sigh, Dis walks over to the group.
"What happened?" Dis sighs out in frustration.
"Inara and Thorin came in yelling at each other. The kids saw and heard most of it." Kili says softly. "I think they scared the kids."
Dis lets out a sigh, and pinches the bridge of her nose using her left hand. From there she drags her left hand down her face before talking a deep breath.
"I take it their heated discussion was about the council."
"Are they still trying to get Uncle to force Aliena into entering a marriage to create an alliance?" Fili asks his mother.
"Aye. The old windbags are still pushing for it." Dis replies before kneeling down to look at her nephews. "How about you boys stay with me tonight. Your Adad and Amad are under a lot of stress with the preparations for Durin's Day, and the council hasn't been helping. Would you like that?"
The two boys pull themselves away from Fili, and go to Dis. They toss themselves into her arms, and she gives them both a kiss on the top of the head.
"How about we all go down to the main dining halls for dinner tonight? I hear Bombur has made some of his famous meat pies for dinner." Dis says as she moves to stand up, but still has Durin and Frerin holding her hands.
"What about Inara and Thorin? Should someone check on them?" Sigrid asks as she gets up from her seat.
"I will check on them once we return." Dis replies before a tug on her skirt pulls her attention away from Sigrid.
"What about namad?" Frerin asks his aunt. "Can she come too?"
"I will go get her." Fili answers. "We will meet you down there." He gives Sigrid a quick kiss before heading off to go get Aliena.
Fili makes his way up the stairs and down the hallway till he reaches Aliena's room. He knocks softly on the door before entering.
"Aliena. Are you all right?" Fili asks softly as he closes the door behind him.
Some sniffles from the other room, lets Fili know that Aliena is crying. So he heads to her bedroom, and finds Aliena sprawled across her bed, on her stomach. He approaches the bed with caution before sitting down next to where her feet dangle over the side.
"You alright, lass?"
Aliena rolls onto her side to face Fili before answering. "I don't understand why, Fee."
"What don't you understand?"
"Why the council wants me to marry. Ever since my monthly bloods came, they have been pestering mom, papa, and I about a marriage. Why is it so important to them?" Aliena wipes at her eyes in an attempt to stem the flow of tears.
Fili takes a deep breath before answering. "Has your mom told you about why get that... thing each month?"
"Not really. I have heard the other ladies in the hallways and shops talking about it though." Aliena replies.
Fili's cheeks get a soft blush when he realizes that no one has explained this to Aliena. So, he gathers his dwarven courage, and decides to have the talk with Aliena.
"You see, a female's body bleeds once a month to prepare itself for being with child." Fili says carefully. He really wishes that someone else was having this talk with Aliena instead of him. "You see, being with child is a great achievement in a dwarven marriage. It is also a bit messy when it comes to the physical mating part that creates a child. Yet having a child signifies that your union has been blessed, and that your bloodline can continue into future generations."
"So the council wants me to marry just to become with child? But I am too young! I don't want to be with child!" Aliena's voice shakes with panic.
"Aliena, calm down. Your mom and Thorin will not allow it to happen. Both of them have been fighting with the council over this issue, and the council cannot force you to do something. Especially trying to force you to mate." Fili replies in haste, and he quickly wishes he could have used a better word than mate. Now he wishes that maybe Dis should be the one to talk with Aliena.
Front Gates of Erebor...
Tauriel watches as the sun starts to set to the west. She has sentry duty this evening, and only has another hour or two till she can join her family back at home.
As she gets ready to move to another spot on the ramparts, a movement on the road catches her eye. To her knowledge no one was expected to come till after the Durin's Day celebrations begin. Yet as she strains her eyes, she can make out a small pony and its rider.
As the pony and rider get closer, Tauriel comes down from the ramparts, and heads towards the gate.
"See something lass?" Dwalin asks as he notices the elf moving quickly to the gate. He follows after her to the gate, waiting to get a response.
"There is a rider coming. I thought that guests are not expected for another few days." Tauriel states as she pulls out a pair of forearm length daggers that Kili made for her.
"Aye. Best go out to see who it is." Dwalin replies as he pulls his twin axes out from their place on his back. He shouts to the guards to open the gates.
The gates are only opened enough so that Dwalin and Tauriel can fit through them. It is to their surprise to see Bilbo Baggins that is the rider on the pony.
"By my beard." Dwalin says before moving towards the pony. "What are you doing here laddie?"
Bilbo lets out a chuckle before answering Dwalin's question. "Thorin had told me that I would be welcome to come for a visit. So here I am. Hopefully you don't all mind."
Dwalin takes the reigns of Bilbo's pony before speaking again. "We don't mind at all laddie."
A small sneeze comes out from underneath Bilbo's traveling cloak. This causes both Dwalin and Tauriel to go into a fighting stance.
"What was that?" Tauriel asks Bilbo cautiously.
A little head, with curly brown hair, pokes out from the opening of the cloak. This causes Dwalin and Tauriel's eyes to widen. Bilbo looks down to where their eyes are looking, and then gets a light blush on his cheeks.
"That would be my cousin, Frodo. His parents passed on, and he was left all alone. So I decided to adopt him." Bilbo says with a smile on his face. "He is only a year old, so I am hoping that he will get along with Fili and Kili's children."
Tauriel gives the little boy a smile, only to see the small head move back into the safety of his Bilbo's cloak.
"I am sure they will be more than happy to have another little playmate." Tauriel says with a smile.
In Thorin and Inara's Bedroom...
A line of blue clothes mixed with the crimson remnants of a dress litter the floor from the bedroom doorway to the foot of a large, four poster bed. A pile of torn underclothes litter along the two sides of the bed as well. The two owners of the discarded clothes, are at the head of the bed in a passionate embrace.
When the two first arrived in their rooms, there had been yelling and hurtful words said between them. It wasn't until one of them made the first move that the beginning the most exquisite round of lovemaking started.
Now, the only sounds coming from the pair are heavy panting, and a few quick gasps at timed intervals.
Thorin places an open mouthed kiss against Inara's shoulder as he moves quickly above her. His right hand is holding Inara's hand in a tight grip; while his left hand pressing her right leg up towards her body to deepen the sensations. He knows that she is still angry with him, if the hard tugs on the hair at the back of his neck is anything to go by. Seeing Inara so angry was enough to cause him to be the one who initiated this time.
A few faster movements is all it takes for both of them to reach completion. Inara gives a high pitched groan that is joined by Thorin's own groan a few octaves lower. Neither one moves from their places, and they come down from their high.
Inara is the first to speak. "This still doesn't change the fact that I am still angry with you."
Thorin chuckles as he moves Inara's leg back down to the mattress. He lifts his head so that he can look down at the woman underneath him.
"If this is what happens every time we get angry at each other, than perhaps we should fight more often." He softly says to Inara before kissing her.
Neither one of them hears the knocking at the door as the kiss becomes more heated. It isn't until the sound of footsteps coming towards the bedroom that causes the two to break their kiss.
"It is a good thing that it was me who came in here instead of one of the boys."
Thorin pulls his body away from Inara's, and pulls the sheet that was laying off to the left side of Inara to cover himself and Inara.
"Dis. What are you doing in here?" Thorin growls out at his sister while giving her a hard look as he sits next to Inara.
"It is not like I haven't seen something like this before, Thorin. I came to check on you both. You both gave Durin and Frerin a scare with how angry you were towards each other." Dis says in a scolding tone while placing her hands on her hips. "Also I wanted to let you know that Bilbo has arrived, and brought with him a little boy. If I had known that he was coming, I would have greeted him on your behalf."
"Bilbo is here?" Inara says in a confused manner. None of the letters she has received from him mentioned that he was coming for a visit.
Seeing the confused look on Inara's face, Thorin spoke. "I invited him this time."
"Oh. Well has he been shown to his room yet?" Inara asks Dis.
"Aye. Dwalin was kind enough to escort Bilbo to the dining halls before myself and Tauriel showed Bilbo to his room." Dis answered. "Well, since the two of you seem to be a bit busy. I am going to check on Aliena, and then go to bed."
Dis makes her way out of her brothers' room quickly. As she closes the door to their rooms, she can hear a low, male growl followed by Inara's voice. Shaking her head, Dis is thankful that the main nursery is five door down, and that both Frerin and Durin had been moved to the nursery a few month ago.
She makes her way to Aliena's rooms, and knocks on the door. The door opens to reveal a tired looking Aliena.
"Are you alright, Hôfukel?"
"Yeah." Aliena answers as she backs away from the doorway so that Dis may enter.
Upon entering the room, Dis notices that Aliena's sitting room is barely decorated. Closer inspection also shows that there is few places to sit down as well.
"Did you have enough to eat at supper?" Dis asks the girl.
"Not really." Aliena replies softly, yet her stomach lets out a large growl.
"How about I take you down to the kitchens. Bombur is sure to whip you up something." Dis says as she gently places a hand onto Aliena's shoulder. Noticing Aliena's shy behavior, Dis knows something is amiss with the girl. "What is it?"
Aliena bites her lip before speaking. "I just want to know why the council wants me to marry."
Dis lets out a sigh before leading Aliena over to one of the few places to sit down.
"What do you know about marriage?" Dis asks Aliena as they sit down on a small settee.
"I know that it takes two people to create one." Aliena answers in a naive fashion.
"Do you know about why you bleed sometimes?" Dis asks openly.
"I know it has something to do with being able to have children."
"Well to us dwarves the bleeding is thought to be a sign that a lass is ready to be courted. However, to the race of men, it is something that signifies that a lass is now an adult. So the reason why the council wants to see you married is because they think that they are treating you like how your own race would." Dis places a hand over top of Aliena's hands which are sitting in the girl's lap.
"But Papa said that I am his daughter, and will not be treated in any other way." Aliena says with a slight panic in her voice.
"True. My brother loves you very much, and has always seen you as his own. Yet you carry no dwarf blood in you. It is for that reason that the council is pushing your parents into securing a political match for you."
"But I don't want to leave Papa or Mom." Aliena says with tears in her eyes.
"And you won't leave. There are many in this mountain who are willing to face the wrath of the council to ensure that you stay here." Dis says as she pulls the young girl into a hug. "Especially your mom, your papa, myself, Fili, Kili, and members of Thorin's company. Now how about we head down to the kitchen to get you some food."
Dis releases the girl from the hug, before helping Aliena to her feet.
"May I have some cake?" Aliena asks Dis, as they head out the door.
I had a difficult time getting this chapter to how I wanted it. Hopefully it meets your approval.
Reviews are welcomed. Even the negative ones.
Selene
I am looking for some input on who you would like to see Aliena end up with. Right now I have some ideas on who it could be, but I am curious to see what you all think.