Sorry about the wait. I have been sick for the past couple of days, and I have had no energy. Matzo ball soup with a marathon of the Hobbit and LOTR movies helps. I also want to let everyone know that I will be posting a chapter between these chapters and the beginning of the LOTR chapters. One of my friends mentioned to me that I should do one that way if there are those who wish to skip the extra fluff they could. So that is what I shall be doing.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or its characters.
Remember that years are approximate.
Count down: 38 years till LOTR events. Roughly 10 more chapters to go till then.
Aliena- 25 years old.
Frerin & Durin- 18 ¾ years old, look 15 years old.
Kelda- 16 years old, looks like a 13 year old.
Balder- 14 ½ years old, looks like a 12year old.
Toril- 14 years old, looks like a 12 year old.
Freya- 13 years old, looks like an 11 year old.
Rìka (pronounced Reeka) & Kilian- 11 ¼ years old, looks like 9 year olds.
Karys & Fergys- 9 years old, look like 7 year olds.
Vân- 4 years old, looks like a 2 ½ year old.
Solen- 4 years old, looks like a 2 ½ year old.
Mid-Morning in Erebor...
Winter has just begun, and outside of the mountain there is a blanket of snow on the ground. There is a strong north wind that blows the snow across the valley between the mountain and Dale. Yet inside of the mountain, the large furnaces help keep the inhabitants relatively warm.
In one of the hallways of the dwarf kingdom of Erebor, a certain dwarf is pacing back and forth with nervous energy. He has the day off from working in the mines, and so he has made plans to speak with a certain king about something. As he paces, the hat that is in his hands is being wrung and twisted.
A door opens to the dwarf's left, and a white haired dwarf is standing in the doorway.
"Bofur. Thorin will see you now." The older dwarf says with a small smile on his face.
"Thank you Balin." Bofur says as he walks up to Balin. "Is he in a good mood today?"
"He is laddie." Balin claps Bofur of the shoulder and gives him an encouraging smile. "Good luck."
"Thanks." Bofur squeaks out before giving the old dwarf a half smile.
Balin moves aside to allow Bofur to enter the room, and closes the door behind him.
As Balin begins to walk away he chuckles to himself, "He will be lucky to make it out alive."
The room Bofur has just entered is none other than Thorin's Official Office for official Erebor business. There is a very large desk at the back of the large room, and on the left wall is a fireplace. It is by this fireplace that Bofur sees Thorin standing and smoking from his pipe.
The dwarf king is dressed in many layers of blue and some black clothes. However, he has an over coat made out of black fur. His hair is done like it always is, but there is a feather that has been added to the end of his marriage braid. Thorin's eyes remain focused on the fireplace as Bofur slowly walks further into the room.
"Bofur." Thorin says with a stern voice. He has an idea about why Bofur is here, and Thorin isn't sure if he really wants to know.
"My king." Bofur says with a shaky voice as he begins to wring the hat in his hands. Bofur knows that he should not be this nervous, but then again he has never done this before.
When Thorin looks at Bofur, he tries hard not to chuckle at the nervous dwarf.
"I..." Bofur starts to say but the words stop in his throat. He clears the lump that has formed in his throat and tries again to speak. "I wish to speak to ya about Aliena."
Thorin pops an eyebrow at Bofur, and removes his pipe from his mouth. He dumps the ashes from the leaves into the fire place before turning to face Bofur.
"Let us sit then." Thorin says as he gestures towards the chairs by his desk. 'I want to make him squirm a bit.' Thorin thinks to himself as he walks over to his large chair that sits on the opposite side of the desk.
As the two dwarves sit down, Thorin watches Bofur and can see that he is uncomfortable. Thorin waits patiently for Bofur to speak. A small smirk appears on Thorin face as he watches Bofur open his mouth to speak then shut it, and tries again only to look like a fish out of water.
"Bofur I do not have all day. What is it that you wish to speak to me about?"
Bofur's cheeks turn a slight pink and then he gathers up his courage to speak to Thorin.
"I would like your permission for Aliena's hand in marriage." Bofur says quickly as he looks at Thorin. He is hoping beyond hope that Thorin will allow it.
Thorin looks a Bofur with a serious look on his face. He has been dreading this since Aliena came of age. Someone has come to take her away. Yet Thorin can feel some satisfaction in knowing that Aliena will be well cared for, and will still be living in the mountain.
"Well?" Bofur asks cautiously.
Thorin lets out a sigh before answering Bofur's request.
"Have you asked her yet?"
"No. I was goin' to wait for your answer before I ask the lass."
"How long would your engagement be for?" Thorin asks. He is afraid to hear the answer but asks anyways.
"However long she wishes. If ya are afraid I might rush her to a marriage bed, don't be. I want her to be the one to tell me when she is ready." Bofur says in a defensive tone. He already has heard some of the rumors that the dwarves and dams have spread about him and Aliena. Hearing the rumors makes his stomach turn; especially the trashy ones.
Thorin nods his head in understanding of what Bofur has just said. He lets out a sigh before standing up from his chair.
"You have my permission. If she accepts you it will be of her own free will. Do not pressure her into answering yes."
"I would never pressure her, Thorin." Bofur says as he gets up from his chair.
Thorin gives Bofur a smile at seeing the dwarf already showing signs of wanting to protect Aliena.
"I had to have my say, Bofur. I do not doubt the love that you and my daughter have. If she will have you, then you will be welcomed into our family." Thorin says with happiness seeping into his words.
"Thank ya, Thorin." Bofur says as he gives Thorin a smile and a quick bow. "I should be off then."
"Of course. I do have one more thing to ask."
"Yes?"
"May I see the engagement beads before you propose?"
Bofur smiles before reaching into an inner coat pocket. He pulls out a small leather bag and opens the bag to dump the beads into his hand. He holds his hand out so that Thorin can look at the beads.
The beads are made of mithril and have brown diamonds set in designs that Thorin recognizes as a combination of Erebor and Moria. It is seeing the combined symbols that Thorin realizes that with Aliena and Bofur's engagement would be seen as an alliance between the two dwarf kingdoms.
"They look excellent, Bofur." Thorin says with pride.
"Bifur helped me with the etching, but the brown diamonds remind me of her eyes and hair." Bofur says with a dreamy look on his face.
"That they do, Bofur. That they do." Thorin agrees with Bofur's statement.
Mid-day several miles North of Erebor...
A small group of dwarves are traveling south from the Grey Mountains. Their ponies are moving slow through the snow and blowing winds. A few of the carts are carrying supplies to Erebor from the recent trade between the two dwarf kingdoms.
Leading the group back home is Gimli, Gloin, Kili, and Dwalin. All four had been chosen by Thorin to see to the completion of the task.
"How much farther must we travel till we are home?" Gimli grumbles out from the seat of a cart. He has several heavy, fur-lined cloaks wrapped around himself.
"Not much farther, cousin." Kili says from atop of his chestnut pony. When he was first assigned to this trip, Kili has asked Thorin to allow Tauriel to come with him. However, Thorin refused to send Tauriel with him due to her being with child. So for all of the journey Kili has been in a hurry to get home.
"You just want to get home to your lass and younglings." Gimli chuckles. "I honestly don't know which one of you royals are worse. You and your lass or Thorin and his when it comes to making your families grow."
Kili blushes at hearing what Gimli is insinuating. Fili and Sigrid have three young ones, and Thorin and Inara have five. Well four if you remove Aliena due to not being of Thorin's blood. Then he and Tauriel have three with a fourth on the way.
"Gimli." Gloin says as he brings his pony to the other side of the cart. "You should not tease your cousin. You forget that he lost a bairn just as our king has. Having bairns is a dirty and hard business for our females. Every bairn born to the royal family line is another blessing from Mahal."
"Aye." Dwalin says from his pony which is a few feet in front of the ponies pulling the cart. "They are a blessing till they get older and start talkin' back."
The other dwarves in their group laugh at Dwalin's statement. Most of the dwarves traveling have families back in Erebor that they too are eager to return to. The group of dwarves talk among themselves for a time as the north winds begin to gust even harder than before. This causes the temperature to drop rapidly.
"We still have quarter of a day left till we reach the mountain." Dwalin calls out to Kili.
"Keep moving and let's try to pick up the pace a bit." Kili shouts back.
The dwarves and their ponies pick up their pace in an attempt to reach the mountain faster. As they reach the top of a ridge, they all come to a stop. In the short valley below, there is a group of men on horses moving slow due to the wind. However, their eyes are riveted to what the group of men have with them. In the center of the horses there is an almost naked dwarf in chains, and is barely able to keep up with the horses.
"Slavers." Dwalin growls out in anger. His hands tighten as he grips the reigns to his pony.
"Should we not rescue him?" Gloin says as he looks towards Kili for an answer.
Kili is horrified by what he is seeing. As a dwarfling, there were stories told about things like this, but he never once thought that he would ever see it with his own eyes.
As one of the men strikes the dwarf in chains with a whip, Kili makes his decision.
"Let him go!" Kili cries out as he spurs his pony into a gallop. He can hear Dwalin and Gloin's ponies following his own. Letting go of his pony's reigns, Kili brings pulls an arrow out of the quiver on his saddle. He pulls his bow up and over from his back, and notches the arrow.
By now the men on horses start to pull out their swords, except for the one who is holding the other end of the chain line that is connected to the prisoner.
Kili lets his arrow fly and it hits the man who was had hold of the chain line. He pulls another arrow, and sends it flying towards yet another man. This arrow hit a man in the throat, and the body goes limp as it falls off its horse.
Dwalin and Gloin have already taken down a few of the men by the time Kili has reached the chained dwarf. He quickly dismounts from his pony, and rushes towards the dwarf. However, the chained up dwarf stumbles to the ground in an attempt to flee.
"Easy. I am a friend. We won't hurt you." Kili says carefully to the chained dwarf.
He notices that the dwarf's grey clothes are tattered and torn to the point where it looks it is about to fall off. The pale red hair that is on the dwarf is very thin, and there are patches missing from the head. There are also no shoes on the feet.
Kili approaches the dwarf, slowly this time, with a hand stretched out.
"No one will hurt you now. We are on our way back to Erebor. You will be welcomed there."
The dwarf in chains backs up slowly, but stumbles to the ground after tripping over a snow covered rock. The sound that comes from the dwarf takes Kili by surprise.
Rushing to help the chained dwarf up from the ground, Kili then comes to the realization that the dwarf is actually a dam. A heavily pregnant dam.
"Dwalin. I need help over hear." Kili shouts as he notices that the dam is shivering in her chains. He gently kneels beside her and begins to take off his warm, fur-lined coat. "You will be alright, lass. You and your bairn."
Gloin rushes over to Kili since Dwalin is making sure that every dead body is actually going to stay dead.
"What is it laddie?" Gloin asks as he approaches where Kili and the chained dwarf are.
"She needs help." Kili says as he watches the dam start to convulse in the snow. "She is with child."
"Poor lass. Let us get her into a cart, and then hurry ourselves home." Gloin says as he moves to pick up the dam.
It takes both Kili and Gloin to pick the dam up and carry her towards the cart that Gimli has seen down into the short valley. The others of the group are shocked to see a dwarrowdam is such a state. Gloin is quick on breaking one of the links to the chain, and starts to take them off of her. Once the chains are removed, several members of their traveling group volunteer their spare cloaks to the dam who is now groaning in pain.
"Gimli. I suggest you get this wagon to Erebor quickly." Gloin says as he climbs into the seat next to his son.
"Let's move!" Dwalin shouts.
The group spur their ponies' forwards in an attempt to get to Erebor faster.
Early afternoon in the Ri Family's Living Quarters...
A feminine scream echoes through the shared family living chambers that Dori, Nori, Ori, and Tali have been sharing since Ori wedding. The living room is a nice size with many rugs, chairs, tables with fancy decorative objects. There is a large fireplace that sits between the living room and a dining/kitchenette space. There are four bedrooms to their home each with their own small bathing room.
Another scream comes from behind the bedroom door that leads to Ori and Tali's bedroom.
"Breathe, Tali. You are doing so good." Inara says to the laboring dam. She has been helping Tali with the labors since the middle of last night.
Tali, is laying on her bed with her back pressed up against Ori's chest. Sweat is rolling down her face and dripping from her chin and jawline. She is wearing a short nightdress and nothing else. Her sand blonde hair is pulled back in multiple braids, which Dori had done earlier in the morning.
Another scream comes out of Tali as she deals with another contraction.
"I'm sorry. So sorry." Ori whispers into Tali's ear. Ever since he had been told that Tali was with child, he has been afraid of how the birthing processes would hurt her.
"It is normal, Ori." Dori says as he brings a kettle filled with warm water. He pours the water from the kettle into a bowl that is sitting on a small end table that Inara had him place near the edge of the bed.
"You have smelling salts with you in case poor Ori faints?" Nori asks from his spot by the bedroom door.
Both Nori and Dori are dressed rather plain, and are staying home to be with their nadadith and his yâsith Ever since Tali and Ori's wedding, Tali's family have not had contact with them. So Dori and Nori made a pact that they would always be there for Ori and Tali, and now the newest member of their family.
"Ori will not faint, Nori." Inara says as she hands Ori a dry cloth for him to wipe the sweat from Tali's face. "If anyone was to faint, I would bet on either you or Dori."
Both Dori and Nori chuckle at Inara's remark. Out of all the midwives in Erebor, Dori and Nori had asked Inara if she would see Tali through the carrying and delivery of the bairn. They trusted her fully with the care of this precious life that they would lay down their lives to protect.
"How much longer?" Dori asks softly as he watches Ori and Tali on the bed.
"Her body is already to begin pushing, but the babe is being stubborn. It is refusing to enter the birthing canal." Inara replies as she starts to pull out some spare cloths from her bag.
"Anything we can do?" Nori asks as he walks over to Dori and Inara.
"I would suggest that we get Tali standing up. Perhaps the pull of being up may help get the babe where he or she needs to be for the birthing." Inara says as she looks at the two dwarves.
"What do you need us to do?" Nori asks Inara.
"We need to get Tali up on her feet. But we have to do it gently. Too much movement is not good for her at this point." Inara says.
All three turn to look at Ori who is holding Tali close to his body.
"Ori. We need to get Tali to stand up. It might be the only way for the bairn to go where he needs to be." Inara says calmly to Ori as she moves to stand beside the edge of the bed. "Nori will help you keep Tali upright, while I catch the babe."
Ori nods his head, and Tali does so as well. Neither one will argue with Inara's plan.
Ori and Inara help gently move Tali towards the edge of the bed. They stop every so often as Tali groans, moans, and screams through several contractions. Once Tali is at the edge of the bed, Nori moves to grab underneath Tali's arm, and Ori moves from his spot behind her to the other side to do the same. Both dwarves help Tali into a standing position, and her legs give out. This causes both males to hold up all of her body weight between the two of them.
"Anything I can do?" Dori says as he watches Inara kneel in front of Tali's legs.
"Bring me some towels that have been hanging by the fireplace." Inara says as she checks on the progress. There is some blood running down Tali's legs since she has been lifted up, and Inara wants to make sure that everything is fine.
After a few contractions, Inara hears a difference in Tali's breathing and knows that it is time.
"Alright Tali, I want you to push like you have never pushed before." Inara says as she looks up to Tali's face.
Tali nods her head and begins to push.
This goes on for almost an hour, until the cries of a babe are heard.
"You have a daughter, Ori and Tali." Inara says happily as she holds the newborn in her hands.
Dori, who is standing next to Inara, is quick to take his niece from Inara so that she may cut the life cord. He is mesmerized by this little, bloody body that is now a part of his family. Once the cord is cut, he brings the bairn over to the end table that has the bowl of warm water. He begins to clean the crying bairn, and notices that her soft, downy hair is the same color as Ori's. Little tears of happiness begin to fill his eyes. Never in his long life did he ever think that his family would be blessed with a dwarfling, let alone a female.
"She looks just like Ori." Nori says as he comes over to where Dori is. He helped get Tali onto the bed, and then came over to see the new addition.
"Aye. The lass does." Dori says with a smile on his face.
The males are so enraptured by the lass, that they didn't hear the loud pounding coming from the main door of their living chambers. It isn't till they hear the door open that pulls them out of their happy place.
"Inara!" Fili shouts as he enters the Ri brothers' home. Oin had sent him to fetch Inara after Kili and his group had come into Erebor.
"In here Fili." Inara says as she finishes cleaning up Tali.
By this time, Dori has quickly wrapped his precious cargo carefully and was making his way over towards the bed where Ori and Tali are waiting.
"Inara. Oin needs you in the healing halls." Fili says as Nori allows him to enter the bedroom. Seeing Tali holding a bundle, Fili gets a smile on his face. "Congratulations Ori and Tali."
"Thank you." Ori says to Fili before looking back down at the bundle in Tali's arms. "I have a nathith."
Fili's smile gets bigger. "Well then, a double congratulations is in order. I am sure that she will be well protected during her life."
"That she will." Nori says with a grin on his face.
"What's her name?" Fili asks quickly.
"Yuri." Tali says through her tears of joy.
"Fili. Let us leave them be." Inara says as she gathers up her bag, and places it over her shoulder. "You said Oin needs me."
"Yes. Kili and his group saved a dwarrowdam from slavers." Fili says as he follows Inara out of the Ri family home. "That isn't the worst part though."
"What is?" Inara asks as she starts to walk quickly down the hall.
"The dam is with child, and has started to bleed. Oin isn't sure what to do since that is not the only problem. The dam's body is cold thanks to barely being clothed. She has suffered through the elements, and the chill hasn't left her body." Fili says as Inara starts to pick up the pace.
"Damn." Inara says before breaking into a full speed run. She is hoping beyond hope that the dam is still alive.
Late afternoon in a hidden place near deep inside of Erebor...
"Bofur, where are you taking me?" Aliena asks with a giggle.
"Keep your eyes closed lass. No peekin'." Bofur says with a smile as he pulls gently pulls Aliena along by her hand.
He had found the perfect spot, and wants the place to be a surprise for Aliena. He only found out about this place thanks to Bifur. Bofur has been searching for the right place, and Bifur had helped find this one.
"Are we there yet?" Aliena laughs. She is finding this all entertaining.
The brown wool skirt to her outfit stops just a few inches above her toes, so she doesn't have to worry about tripping. Her beige blouse and over corset are close fitting to help keep her warm. Yet, as Bofur keeps leading her to where ever he is wanting to go, she is starting to feel a bit overheated.
"Almost." Bofur chuckles in reply.
Only a few more steps and Bofur brings them to a stop. He opens a door, and a wave of hot air hits the two of them. Then he leads her into the place, and gives Aliena's hand a squeeze.
"Open your eyes, lass." Bofur says to her.
Aliena opens her eyes and gasps in surprise. Bofur has led her to hot spring. In the middle of the medium sized room is a pool that has vapor rising from it. The vapor smells of salt water. There is a bench off to the left, and a three paneled changing screen. On the right side of the room, there is a bunch of flowers, in full bloom, in pots.
"Do ya like it?" Bofur asks shyly.
"It is amazing, Bofur. I didn't know Erebor had this." Aliena says as she walks further into the room.
"Bifur is the one who found it. This place sits close to the furnaces for the forges, and well not many know of this place. So I thought this could be our little secret." Bofur says with a smile.
Aliena chuckles and kneels down to pick up a small flower pot that has deep purple violet like flowers in it. She smells the flowers and lets large smile appear on her face.
"This place is wonderful, Bofur. Thank you for bringing me here." Aliena says as he places the pot back to the ground.
"Aliena. There is somethin' I must ask ya." Bofur says in a shaky voice as he removes his hat from his head. His hands are shaking thanks to how nervous he is, which causes him to drop his hat.
"What is it?" Aliena says as she stands up. Bofur takes her hand and leads her towards the bench and has her sit on it.
"We have been courtin' for a while now." Bofur says as he moves to sit next to her. "I wish to braid your hair, and place my beads into them."
Aliena is a little confused by what Bofur is saying. Sure she has lived with dwarves for nearly all of her life, but there are some customs that she has no idea about.
Seeing the confusion on his love's face, Bofur tries again. "The braids would mean that we're belonging to each other, and that ya are no longer available to court."
"So you are asking me to marry you." Aliena says softly as she looks at Bofur's face.
"Yeah, tha' would be it." Bofur says before looking to the ground.
"I would be honored, Bofur." Aliena whispers into his ear before placing a kiss onto the dwarf's cheek. Then she places both of her hands so that she is holding Bofur's face before giving him a kiss on the lips.
As the kiss deepens and becomes more heated, Aliena's hands moves down from his face to his neck. Then she shifts her body closer to Bofur's and wraps her arms around his neck. They stay like this for a short time till Aliena shifts so that her legs so that she is straddling Bofur's lap. This causes Bofur to break the kiss.
He can see that Aliena's eyes have darkened with desire. Her face is flushed and rosy from their kissing. Bofur can feel her heat in his lap, which is causing his trousers to become very uncomfortable.
"Lass. We can't." He whispers as he rests his forehead against hers. Then he feels one of her hands move from his shoulder, down his arm, and grasps hold of his hand. Aliena moves his hand so that it comes to rest on her chest, above where the front stays are tied between her breasts.
Aliena gives Bofur a smile and looks him right in the eyes. "I want to, Bofur. Doesn't matter if it is here or on our wedding night. I choose this. I choose you."
Hearing her consent, Bofur lets out a soft growl in the back of his throat as he lifts Aliena's body off of the bench. He lays her body onto the floor with his body hovering over hers before breaking their kissing.
Hearing those words Bofur loses the inner battle that he was having. Letting out a low growl, Bofur leans down so that his body is hovering over Aliena's. He starts a very passionate session of kissing before carefully pulling the front stays of Aliena's corset loose. As he opens the corset, he feels Aliena's body stiffen. He breaks the kiss and gently runs a knuckle from his hand down the side of her face.
"I will be gentle Amrâlimê. Trust me?" Bofur watches as Aliena nods her head in understanding. He starts to feel her body relax under him. "Are ya sure ya want this, lass?"
"I do, Bofur. I want this." Aliena says as runs a hand into his hair before pulling him down into a kiss.
'I'm dead. Thorin is going to kill me.' Bofur thinks to himself as one of his hands starts to unbutton her blouse, and he is kissing the newly showing skin as it is revealed.
Standing outside in the hallway, across from the door, Bifur can hear the sounds of pleasure coming from within the room. He knows that his cousin is in there alone with Aliena, but the sounds keep him from entering to stop his cousin. Letting his forehead fall onto the he lets out a sign.
'I failed. Thorin is going to kill me after he kills Bofur.'
In the Healing Halls of Erebor...
Oin stands in the doorway, and watches as the dam tosses back and forth on a cot. He lets out a sigh of frustration. There is nothing he can do to help her. The dam's body is not holding in heat, and the bleeding has gotten worse. It also doesn't help that her body is shutting down from being in the cold for so long.
Next to the dam's cot, Inara is trying to palpitate the rounded belly. She needs to know how big the bairn is so that she can determine if the bairn would be able to survive a possible early birth. However, she is finding it difficult to tell with all the tossing and turning of the dam, which means that she will have to guess at how far along the pregnancy is.
"Oin." Thorin says as he comes to stand next to the old healer. "Do we know her name or where she is from?"
"She doesn't speak, or won't. I don't like this Thorin." Oin says as he crosses his arms. "Her body is too weak from being out in the cold with barely anything to cover her."
"And the bairn?" Thorin asks as he looks into the room to watch Inara.
"That is what I am waiting on." Oin replies. "Since when have dwarves allowed our females to be taken by slavers?"
"Never. I will find out where she comes from. Not just for her, but for her family. And for the bairn so that it can be returned to its family." Thorin says before standing up straight as Inara approaches the two of them.
"Well?" Oin asks Inara, allowing his anxiety to be present in his voice.
"Her body is trying to rid itself of the pregnancy. I can't tell how far along she is, but no matter what we do, she is going to die." Inara replies in a sad voice.
"And the bairn?" Thorin asks quietly.
"If we hurry, we might be able to save it by cutting it out." Inara says as she looks from Thorin to Oin. "I will need your steady hands to do it though."
"Aye. You have been up for well over a day with no rest. I never thought that I would have to do that cutting again." Oin says in agreement and moves quickly into the room to prepare what he needs.
"Thorin." Inara says softly as Thorin pulls her into his arms. "If the bairn survives, who will take care of it?"
Thorin hugs Inara close to him, and buries his nose into her hair. He knows that the dwarfling will most likely be an orphan by tonight. This causes his heart to skip a beat as he wonders just how he is going to find a home for it if its family isn't found.
"I don't know. If I have to, I will send out notices to the Grey Mountains and Iron Hills. Hopefully they will know who she is." Thorin says softly into her hair before releasing Inara from his embrace. "Will it be alright if I assist you and Oin with this procedure?"
Inara nods her head before stepping away from Thorin.
"Just make sure to wash your hands. Then I will need you to grab a few towels and cloths to help clean the babe when it is born." Inara says in a tired voice.
Thorin does just as Inara asked of him, and by the time he is done Oin and Inara are ready to begin. Thorin helps hold the dam up so that Oin is able to get some tea down her throat. The tea is a heavy sedative tea so that the dam is asleep during the procedure. It only takes a few minutes for the tea to start working.
Oin and Inara are quick to clean the rounded belly; and as Oin begins to cut, Thorin holds the dam down to keep her from moving. It doesn't take long for Oin to retrieve the bairn from its mother. As he cuts the life cord, the babe begins to cry in earnest.
"It's a little lassie." Oin says in a sad voice as he passes the bairn to Inara.
She carries the dwarfling over to the small bowl sitting on a table, and begins cleaning the blood and other stuff off of the babe. Inara notices that the babe has strawberry blonde hair. When the babe opens her eyes, Inara sucks in a deep breath. The eyes are hazel in color, and very inquisitive.
"Is she healthy?" Thorin asks as he moves to stand next to Inara. He had walked away from the cot when Oin shook his head to Thorin while stitching the incision he made to remove the bairn.
"I believe so." Inara responds as she begins to wrap the babe in a big towel. She cuddles the babe to her chest and the babe tries to root into Inara's chest for food. Not finding anything, the babe begins to cry again.
"She is gone." Oin says from his place at the side of the now dead dam's cot. The stitching is completed and he is now trying to clean up the blood that is on the dam's body.
Both Inara and Thorin look back at Oin and can see that he is upset by the dam's death.
"The babe is healthy, Oin. Seems to be near the correct birthing time. Though she is a bit small." Inara says as she looks down at the wailing babe in her arms.
"Aye. The bairn needs to be fed." Oin says as he comes over to inspect the dwarfling. "You best see to getting a wet nurse for the little lass."
"We will." Thorin says with a small smile as he reaches out to let his finger touch the newborns' small hand. As the little hand closes around his finger, Thorin can't help but let out a small laugh. The newborn starts to calm slightly at Thorin's touch.
"Looks like she has a strong grip." Oin says as he looks from the newborn to Thorin then to Inara with a raised eyebrow. "I take it this means that the two of you will be raising the bairn for the time being?"
"Aye." Thorin says before looking over at Inara for her consent.
"Looks like we will back to not getting any sleep again." Inara says in a cheeky tone of voice. "Are you sure that you want to do this, Thorin?"
"For the time being, yes. Hopefully someone will claim to be her family." Thorin says as he smiles down at the bairn.
"Well. At least she will be raised in a happy home for now." Oin says as he goes back to the cot to start preparations for the dead body. "I will prepare her body for burial."
"She will be buried in a tomb. I will cover the costs of having it done for her." Thorin says as he gently takes the newborn from Inara's arms.
"The lass will need a name, Thorin." Oin says to his king.
"Should we name her? Shouldn't her family be the ones to gift her with a name?" Inara asks both dwarves.
"We can name her for the time being." Thorin says to Inara before walking out of the healing room.
"Do you have any suggestions for names?" Inara asks Thorin as she catches up to him. She notices that some of the apprentices, healers, and even some of the ill are watching them. 'This will spread like wildfire through the mountain.'
As they leave the Healing Halls, Thorin and Inara chuckle as dwarves bow to them with shock in their eyes. Some even give them questioning looks on why Thorin is carrying a bairn when their queen wasn't with child.
"So, did you have a name in mind?" Inara asks Thorin again.
"Maiti. That will be her name." Thorin says as he looks over to Inara for her opinion.
"Sounds wonderful, Thorin." Inara replies and gets a grin on her face. "You know her name rhymes with Fili and Kili's names."
Thorin chuckles softly at what Inara is insinuating. It was one of the names that Dis and Vrili had chosen while waiting for Fili to arrive. Vrili was certain that Fili was going to be a female.
"We should try to find a wet nurse for little Maiti." Inara says as the bairn begins to cry hard in Thorins' arms.
"Perhaps the she elf can help." Thorin says as he starts to gently bounce the newborn in his arms.
Both Thorin and Inara start to walk faster to get to their home with this newest member of their family. It doesn't take long for them to arrive back at their home, and they find that most of their family is home.
Sigrid is sitting near the fire with a book in hand, reading to the young ones who are sitting close to her. Fili is standing behind the chair that Sigrid is sitting in. Tauriel and Kili are sitting on a settee together, with their hands resting over her small bump. Dis, Frerin, and Durin are clearing off the dirty dishes leftover from dinner.
"Wow, Amad. I didn't know you were going to give us another sibling." Frerin says as he moves towards his parents to see the new bairn. He didn't know that his Amad was with child, and he didn't mind having a new sibling.
Vân, seeing his Adad holding a small bundle, gets up from where he was sitting near Sigrid; and runs up to his Amad. He tugs on her skirts to get her attention, and when he looks up at Inara his black, wavy hair just reaches past his shoulders.
"Uppie." Vân says to Inara with tear filled eyes. The little boy isn't happy about seeing this bundle being held by his Adad.
Inara, seeing that her young son is upset, picks him up, and holds him close. She allows him to cuddle into her body, and tries hard not to laugh. 'Typical dwarf jealousy.' She thinks to herself. She gently places a kiss into his hair, and tightens her hold on him.
"Looks like someone is a little jealous." Dis says to Inara as Thorin leaves Inara's side. She is curious to find out about this new little one that her brother has brought home.
"I think so too." Inara whispers before placing another kiss into her young sons' hair. She watches as Tauriel willingly takes Maiti from Thorin's arms. The pregnant elf leaves the room with Maiti in her arms.
"Tauriel has agreed to nurse Maiti for now." Thorin says to Inara as he comes back to her side. Looking at Inara's arms, he notices that his young son has a thumb in his little mouth. Thorin gives Vân a smile and places a hand on his sons' back.
"What about the mother?" Kili asks from where he is sitting on a settee. He had heard Thorin quickly explain to Tauriel about the child needing a wet nurse. He gets up from his seat and makes his way towards Inara, Thorin and Dis.
"Little Maiti's mother was the dwarrowdam you brought in. She was too far gone to birth the babe on her own, and we had to make a choice. So Oin removed the babe from the dam before she died. It was the only way to guarantee that the babe would live." Inara says as she begins to sway from side to side while holding Vân.
"Maiti will be staying with us till we can discover who her family really is. In the morning I will be sending out inquiries to the Grey Mountains and Iron Hills to see if there is a missing dam from either realm." Thorin says to Dis and Kili.
"Will you send one to the Blue Mountains as well?" Dis asks her brother. She too wishes to know how a dwarrowdam came to be a slave to a group of men.
"I will if I don't get anywhere with the other two realms." Thorin replies. "Hopefully someone is missing her, and will claim the bairn."
While the two siblings talk, Inara's swaying starts to become more pronounced, and Kili gives her a questioning look. He places a hand on Inara's mid-back as a precaution.
"Inara? Are you alright?" Kili asks Inara. Before receiving an answer, Kili wraps both of his arms around Inara, and Vân, as Inara's legs give out.
"Amad?" Durin asks as he rushes from where he is standing against the wall by the fireplace. He takes his nadadith from Inara's arms, and watches Kili help Inara to sit on the floor.
"Amad. I want Amad, no Durin." Vân shouts as he tries to push himself out of Durin's arms.
Dis and Thorin stop their discussion at Vân's shouting, and Thorin runs to Inara's side as he finally notices that she has collapsed to the floor. Both Dis and Thorin kneel down so that they can look Inara over.
"Inara?" Thorin asks as he feels her forehead to see if she has caught an illness. "What is it? Are you ill? When was the last time you ate?"
"Just tired." Inara slurs out as her eyes get a glazed look in them.
"Take her to bed, Thorin. I will bring up some food, and then you are to let her rest." Dis says to her nadad.
Thorin takes Inara into his arms, and he carefully carries her bridal style towards the stairs. He carefully goes up the stairs, making sure that he doesn't trip.
"I think it is time for bed." Sigrid says as she marks her place in the book, and closes it.
"I agree." Fili states as he moves around Sigrid's chair. "Come on, Solen. It is bath time for you." Fili leans down to pick up his youngest son from the floor and holds him in his arms.
"But Adad. I not tired." Solen says as he lets out a yawn before laying his head onto Fili's shoulder.
Fili and Sigrid chuckle at their golden blonde haired son. Fili gives Sigrid a quick kiss before heading off to give Solen his bath; and Sigrid begins to shoo their other children towards the stairs as well.
"Come on, Azaghâlithûh. It is time for your bath too. Then maybe we can go visit Amad after." Durin says to his nadadith.
"Right." Vân says before turning to look at Dis. "Night."
"Goodnight." Dis says as she gives Vân a kiss on the cheek. "Durin can you give Karys and Fergys a bath as well. Dwalin isn't going to be home till later on, and I want to make sure that Inara gets some kind of food into her."
"I can do that. Frerin! Come help me out with the kids." Durin shouts to his older nadad.
"Fine." Frerin growls in response to Durin. "Come on you lot. Bath time and bed time."
Durin and Frerin escort Vân, Fergys, Karys, and Rìka upstairs to where the bathing rooms are.
"You three might as well go get ready for bed as well." Kili says to his dwarflings.
"Yes, Adad." Kelda and Toril reply, while Kilian gives Kili a look.
"You heard me, Kilian." Kili says as he points towards the stairs. "Up you three go, and don't give your Amad any trouble."
All three get up from their spots on the floor, and also make their way up the stairs.
While Dis heads to the kitchen to gather some food for Inara, Kili begins to pick up the cushions from where the kids had placed them on the floor. What pulls Kili from his tasks is the sound of the door opening. He looks up and sees his cousin enter the main living area.
"Aliena. You are getting home rather late." Kili says as he finishes placing a cushion back onto a settee. "You missed dinner and your parents."
When Aliena doesn't reply at first, Kili knows something is up with her. So he walks over to her, and that is when he notices a braid in her medium brown hair that has never been there before. The braid also has a few beads to it, and that is when Kili realizes just what the braid is saying.
"Bofur proposed did he?" Kili asks Aliena, and that is when he sees Aliena's face turn bright red. As he moves closer to her, he notices something on the side of Aliena's neck. "Aliena? Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just fine, Kee." Aliena says hoping that Kili will leave her alone.
As Aliena walks past Kili, something definitely catches his attention, and this makes his blood boil. He quickly takes hold of Aliena's arm to stop her from walking away.
"What did Bofur do to you?" Kili growls at Aliena.
"What do you mean, Kee? Bofur hasn't done anything." Aliena answers Kili as she tries to pull her arm free from his grip.
"You have a love bite on your neck, your blouse is untucked in the back, and your skirt is on backwards. This leaves me to believe that Bofur was less than honorable towards you." Kili practically shouts at her.
"Bofur did not do anything to me that I did not wish him to do." Aliena shouts back. "And you are one to talk. You and Tauriel did the same. So who is calling the kettle black."
Kili takes a quick breath before releasing Aliena's arm. "Sorry. I just don't want to see my cousin hurt."
"Kee. I know what I am doing. Bofur would never hurt me intentionally. Besides, I kind of had to talk him into it." Aliena says with a blush on her cheeks as she holds the arm that Kili had released close to her body.
"Well hopefully, you are being careful. I don't think your parents are ready to become grandparents just yet." Kili says with a smirk as he thinks about how Thorin would react.
"I have been taking herbs to prevent that from happening." Aliena replies as she looks towards the ground.
"As long as you are safe about it, then I have no problem." Kili says with a smile on his face. Then he pulls Aliena into a hug as he laughs. "I needed to raze you a bit. However, Bofur will still need to be given his punishment for going along with you. Even with your permission, he still dishonored you."
"Who has dishonored Aliena?" a voice says from near the main halls entrance.
Both Kili and Aliena turn to see Dwalin standing there with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
"How long have you been standing there?" Aliena asks cautiously.
"Long enough to know what Bofur and ya have done, lass." Dwalin replies before turning around and head towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Kili and Aliena ask.
"To see Bofur." Dwalin says opening the entrance door. "You will want me to see to his punishment, lass. If Thorin found out, ya wouldn't have a groom on your weddin' day."
When the door to the main hall entrance closes, there is another set of footsteps that come into the room.
"Now where is Dwalin going?" Dis asks as she comes out from the kitchen with a plate of food in her hands. Then she gives Aliena a wink before heading towards the staircase to take food up to Inara.
I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It has been sitting in my computer for the past month, and I have been working on it off and on.
Be on the lookout for two new chapters next week. Since it will be Thanksgiving that week, and I will have more time to give to this story.
Reviews are welcome. Even the negative ones.
Selene