Hello again my faithful readers. I apologize about the delay. My computer decided to fry my thumb drive, and I lost all of my finished chapters. So I am having to rewrite most of them. This time I am saving the chapters to my cloud account so that I may never lose them again.
Warning: There will be some heated romance in this chapter but nothing M rated. Just high T.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or its characters.
Remember: Years are approximate and rounded. 30 years till LOTR events, and 8 more chapters to go till then!
Khuzdul. Sindarin.
Aliena- 33 years old.
Frerin & Durin- 27 years old, looks 18.
Kelda- 24 years old, looks 18.
Balder-23 years old, looks 17.
Toril- 22 years old, looks 17.
Freya- 21 years old, looks 17.
Rìka & Kilian- 20 years old, looks 16.
Karys & Fergys- 16 years old, looks 13.
Vân & Solen- 12 years old, looks 10.
Maiti & Yuri- 8 years old, looks 5.
Elleon- 7 ½ years old, looks 5.
Tanis- 6 ½ years old, looks 4.
Raina- 4 years old, looks 2.
It has been almost four years since Balin had begun making plans to march on Moria. He has sent out inquiries to many of the other dwarf kingdoms asking for soldiers, equipment, weapons, and supplies for the journey. Many of the kingdoms refused to give him any kind of aid. The only two kingdoms who are backing this journey is the Iron Hills and Erebor. With the backing of these two kingdoms, Balin has waited till mid-spring to lead the volunteer armies of both kingdoms.
Erebor, Bofur & Aliena's halls...
It is early morning, before the break of dawn, in the stillness of the main rooms of Bofur and Aliena's home. Yet, in one of the bedrooms, there is the soft sounds of sheets that blend in with a quick breaths of two lovers. The breathing of two occupants becomes even more pronounced as they finish their lovemaking.
"Must you leave?" Aliena whispers against her husbands' lips before leaning up to give him a deep kiss.
A growl vibrates through her husband's lips as they kiss, and her body feels the vibrations as well. The kiss becomes more heated, and Aliena giggles a bit as her husband grinds his lower body to hers. But all too soon their kissing comes to an end.
Bofur, with his hair loose, moves down his wife's body till he lays his head against her naked chest.
"I promised Bifur tha' I would go with him, my lass." Bofur says softly before placing a kiss in the valley between her breasts. He looks up to her face, and gives her a slight smirk. "Though ya could always tie me to the bed ta keep me from goin'."
Aliena chuckles as she sees a mischievous twinkle in Bofur's eyes. Moving her right hand, Aliena runs her fingers through his dark locks and gives her husband a smile.
"What am I going to do while you are away?"
"Raisin' our little ones is sure to keep ya busy for a while. Plus, Inara and Sigrid will be needin' help in the Healin' Halls with Oin and his apprentice, Ardith, leavin' with Balin." Bofur replies, allowing his smirk to become a full smile.
"They will be needing more help with watching their young ones as well." Aliena says as she continues running her hand through Bofur's hair. "I hear both Kili and Tauriel are going with you all."
"Aye, they are." Bofur says before lifting his body off of Aliena's, and moving to lay next to her instead. "I am surprised tha' Thorin is allowin' both the boys ta go. If anythin' were ta happen ta Fili or Kili on the battlefield, it would leave Frerin ta be Thorin's heir."
Aliena cuddles up to Bofur's side and allows Bofur to hold her close to him.
"I will pray to Mahal that you all return home alive." Aliena says as her eyes begin to water with unshed tears.
"My lass." Bofur says to her before placing a kiss on her forehead. "We will return. I cannot promise that we will not be injured, but we will come home."
Kili and Tauriel's bedroom...
Both elf and dwarf are wide awake as they watch their children sleep in their extra-large bed. Both parents are laying on their sides, facing each other over the heads of their sleeping offspring.
The oldest of the children, Kelda, is laying on her back in the middle of the mass of small bodies. Her auburn hair is pulled into a single, large braid that ends just above her hips. The sleep tunic is a green color, which has ridden up to just under the small swell of a growing bust line. Her brown sleep pants are rolled up to her knees.
To Kelda's left, her younger sister, Toril, is curled up against her older sister. Toril's auburn, wavy hair is mussed up in her sleep. A small strand is sticking to her check from the slight drool that has escaped from the corner of her open mouth. Toril is wearing a sleep tunic and pants similar to Kelda's. However, instead of green and brown, Toril's is made out of blue and black. Another difference between the two sisters is that Kelda is taller and lithe in body; whereas Toril is shorter and compact in her body.
On Kelda's right side, Kilian is laying with a foot on her belly and his body is angled away from her. Just like his father, Kilian moves around a lot in his sleep. So much that the lad doesn't wear a sleep shirt; just sleep pants. His body is now showing signs of growing muscles in his arms, and his shoulders are beginning to widen.
The youngest child, Elleon, is cuddled up against Tauriel's chest. Everyone can see that the small lad will be taking after his elven heritage. His dark reddish brown hair has a slight wave to it at the ends. What has surprised everyone is that Elleons' eyes have kept their bright blue color; whereas his siblings have brown or green eyes.
"Are you sure you want to come?" Kili whispers to Tauriel in their lightly lit bedroom. He is finding it hard to sleep before having to leave in the morning with Balin and the volunteer armies.
"Someone, other than Fili, needs to keep an eye on you, Meleth Nin." Tauriels whispers in reply to make sure that she doesn't disturb the sleeping children. "Besides, Balin is pleased to have another archer to help you with the archer units."
Kili lets out a sigh. He reaches out to brush away a strand of hair out of Kilian's sleeping face. Kili allows a smile to grace his lips as his son rolls onto his stomach out of Kili's reach. Looking back up to see Tauriel quietly giggling at their son's movement, Kili begins to speak again. "I do not know how long we will be away from our young ones, Amrâlimê. Are you ready to be apart from them for almost a year? Or even five if we have to clean out all the tunnels?"
"You will not persuade me, Kili. I will go with you. Your mother has offered to care for our children till we return." Tauriel gives Kili a look that shows that she will not be swayed from her decision.
"Very well. Let us hope that we will not be gone long." Kili says as he rolls onto his back in a vain attempt to sleep before dawn.
Fili and Sigrid's bedroom...
Fili is lying in bed, watching Sigrid as she sleeps. He is trying to memorize the way her golden brown hair lays on her pillow. The way her slow breathing causes her nightgown to shift. Her movements in her sleep, or the soft sounds that she makes in her sleep. However, the last few years and with the loss of Bard, Fili has begun to notice that Sigrid's aging is starting to show. The little crow's feet near the corners of her eyes. Some of the laugh lines are becoming noticeable more as well.
"Men lananubukhs menu." Fili whispers before leaning over to place a kiss against Sigrid's forehead.
Being as careful as he can, Fili slips out of their large bed. He pulls on a pair of pants so that he isn't just walking the hallways in just a sleep shirt. As Fili reaches the bedroom doorway, he looks back towards the bed before leaving. He walks through their lounge and leaves his rooms.
Walking down the hallway, Fili makes his way to the royal children's nursery. He enters the nursery quietly, and makes his way towards Solen's room. Opening the door, Fili slips inside of his son's room.
In the bed, by the wall, Solen is fast asleep under a pile of blankets. The only thing visible of the boy is his hair, which has begun to turn from a blonde color to a dark brown color. The young boy has already shown himself to be very smart, and has a knack for seeing things that others dismiss.
Fili walks over to the bed, and crouches down to be at eye level with his sleeping son. Taking a few minutes, Fili tries to memorize Solen's face to take with him on the road. As much as Fili wants to stay, something deep inside of him is calling for another adventure. Before standing up, Fili leans forwards to place a kiss in Solen's hair.
"Don't grow up too fast while I am away, miz askad." Fili whispers against his son's hair.
As Fili leaves his son's room and the nursery, he is surprised to see Sigrid out of bed. She is standing in the hallway with her cream colored robe wrapped around her.
"What are you doing, Fili?" Sigrid asks as she yawns.
"Checking on our children." Fili says as his cheeks get a faint blush to it.
"Fili." Sigrid says as she walks up to him. She takes both of his hands in hers and looks down at him. "Don't lie to me. You were saying goodbye, weren't you?"
Fili looks down to the ground in shame. He didn't want anyone to know what he was doing. "I can't guarantee that I will return Sigrid. Anything could happen to me, which would leave you and our children alone."
"Fili. You will come back to us." Sigrid says to Fili before pulling him close for a quick kiss to the lips. "We should go back to our room, love."
Sigrid pulls Fili so that he follows her back to their rooms.
Dis and Dwalin's rooms...
Dwalin is sitting in a chair, near the fireplace in his sleep cloths. He is smoking on his pipe and watching the fire flicker from a new log. There are many things that are running through his mind, but at the fore front of his mind is Balin's plans for going to Moria.
"How long are you going to sit there, Dwalin?" Dis asks as she comes to sit in a chair next to Dwalin's.
Dwalin looks at Dis and notices that she is still in her nightgown. Her hair is still mussed from sleep, but she is still as beautiful as he always knew she was. He gives her a look before his eyes look back at the fire. "I'm worried, lass."
"About Balin going to Moria without you?" Dis says softly as she watches Dwalin's face. "He knows that you are a father now, and that your family needs you."
"It is not that, Dis. I know tha' if I was to die Thorin would look after ya and the kids. It is your boys and their families' tha' I am worried about. Someone has to watch out for them." Dwalin grumbles out. Ever since Dis gave birth to his twins, Dwalin has begun to think about family more than he used to. "I saw ya have to raise the boys without Vrili. Yes, Thorin and Balin helped ya a lot; but tha' isn't how I want their young ones to grow up."
Dis is touched to hear the gruff warrior worry about Fili and Kili's families. It is one thing that has made Dis happy to be able to find love, again, with Dwalin.
"The boys have already discussed with Thorin and Inara what to do if they do not return. Sigrid and the children will stay in the royal halls; along with Kili and Tauriel's children. Thorin and I will share custody of Kili's children since the elf maid will be going to Moria as well." Dis says as she places a hand onto Dwalin's knee. "If the worst does happen, the children will need us. That includes us as well."
Dwalin looks away from the fire and the look that he gives Dis startles her. "Wha' do ya mean the elf lass is goin'? When did tha' happen?" Dwalin gets up out of his chair and begins to pace in front of the fireplace. "Wha' is she thinkin'? Leavin' her children behind."
Dis watches the warrior and gets up to stop his pacing. "She is worried that Kili will be reckless. So she wishes to help keep him out of trouble. Balin has already agreed to her going."
"Luakraditu!" Dwalin says as he runs a hand down his face. "How can my nadad agree to that?"
"He agreed because he knows that Tauriel would not allow Kili to face the enemy alone." Dis says to Dwalin as she places a hand on his arm. "Just like you would not allow Thorin to face an enemy alone."
Dwalin looks at Dis before letting out a sigh. "Ya know how to explain things, lass."
Dis smiles at Dwalin before placing a kiss onto his cheek. "We should start to get ready for the day."
Thorin and Inara's rooms...
A low moan echoes out from under a bedroom door. It is followed by a male groan and the sound of movement.
Inside of the bedroom, on the bed, is the King and Queen under the Mountain. Their bodies glisten in the firelight from the sweat that was created from their lover's embrace. The queen is laying on top of the king's body, panting heavily with her cheek resting over his heart.
"Are you alright, Amrâlimê?" Thorin whispers as he runs a hand through Inara's hair. He allowed Inara to be on top, so that she would be more in control. Ever since Vân's birth, Thorin has allowed Inara to decide which positions are more comfortable for her. Oin had advised Thorin that Inara had received some internal damage from the hard birth. So the two must be careful when coupling.
"I am alright." Inara whispers against Thorin's chest, which causes Thorin to chuckle thanks to the air tickling his chest hair.
"Hhhmmm. Something must be troubling you for you to wake me up like this." Thorin says as he allows himself to enjoy the feeling of Inara against him.
"I am worried, Thorin." Inara says as she moves to rest her chin on his chest so that she can look into Thorin's face.
"Moria?" Thorin asks as he continues running a hand through Inara's hair.
"That and more." Inara replies. "Even if Balin succeeds in clearing out Moria of Orcs, what if there is something else there?"
Inara remembers her friends, from her original world, talking about the Lord of the Rings series. She also remembers hearing about something called Durin's Bane living deep in Moria. However, she is afraid that bringing it up might change the fate of everyone going to Moria. Inara had spoken with Thorin and Gandalf after the loss of Théodor, and both agreed that Inara shouldn't give any of her knowledge of events to anyone.
"You know something. Don't you? Something that we had agreed that you shouldn't tell anyone." Thorin says as he stops his ministrations to her hair. He places the hand against her upper back as he sees Inara close her eyes in agreement to his statement.
"I am afraid, Thorin. If I say anything people could become cocky and die; or if I don't say anything people could die from not knowing what is there." Inara opens her eyes to see Thorin staring at her.
"If you were to say anything, do you think that it would change the fates of many? If so, would it be for the better or for worse?" Thorin says as he also thinks about what it could be that Inara knows.
"I don't know, Thorin. That is the issue. No matter what I would say, people would die." Inara says as she lets out a loud sigh.
"Then I would suggest you do as Gandalf suggested and lock that knowledge away." Thorin knows that Inara has a target on her back from the growing darkness. That is why Thorin, Gandalf, Radagast, and Balin had created a necklace for Inara to help suppress the knowledge.
A soft knock on their door causes the two to quickly separate from each other. Inara is quick to grab a short, mid-thigh robe which is always hanging next to their bed. While Thorin gets off the bed, and moves towards bench at the end of their bed to grab his discarded sleeping pants. As he pulls them on, Inara ties the robe closed and walks to their bedroom door.
Inara opens the door and sees Fili standing there.
"Fili?" Inara asks, and she doesn't realize that the robe had parted a bit when she opened the door.
Fili's face turns dark red and he quickly turns around so that his back is facing Inara.
"Fili?" Thorin asks as he ties his pants so that they stay up. He comes to where Inara is standing at the door and notices what has caused Fili to turn away. "You may want to get cleaned up and dressed." Thorin whispers to her before placing a kiss to Inara's cheek.
As Thorin closes the bedroom door behind himself, Fili is quick to face his uncle.
"I apologize for interrupting you, uncle. I also apologize for seeing... for seeing.." Fili stumbles over his words.
Thorin chuckles before placing a hand on Fili's shoulder. "You are married to a woman from the race of men. Breasts are breasts, Fili. However, I suggest you do not look at Inara's on purpose."
Fili nods his head before speaking again. "I wanted to speak with you about something."
Thorin gestures for Fili to take a seat in a chair by the fireplace before going to retrieve his pipe from the fireplace mantle. Once his pipe is filled and lit, Thorin moves to sit down on another chair.
"What is it you wish to talk about, Fili?"
"I wanted to make sure that Sigrid and the children will be alright if I don't return."
"Fili. We have already discussed this, and have a plan in place for that scenario. Why are you really here?" Thorin says quickly.
"Is it normal to be this scared?" Fili asks quietly as he looks at the rug on the floor.
Thorin lets out a puff of smoke before answering Fili. "You weren't scared before leaving for Erebor? Perhaps you are afraid, now that you have a family to care for."
Thorin watches as Fili puts his head in his hands in defeat. Feeling concerned for his nephew, Thorin reaches over to place a hand on Fili's head.
"It is alright to be afraid of the unknown, Fili. You have always been the one to think about all the possibilities and consequences of your actions. That is one thing that I wish Kili had inherited, but it is you who has. Your father was the same way, Fili, before going with us to Moria the first time. However, I made you the same promise that I made to your father. Inara and I will look after your family; no matter what happens. They will want for nothing, and they will live in my halls for as long as they wish."
Thorin and Fili stay that way for a time. Neither one speaking after Thorin's speech.
Main Entrance of Erebor...
It is mid-morning now, and all of Erebor is awake to say farewells and good wishes to the volunteers that are leaving today with Balin.
Balin is standing near Dwalin, Dis, Fergys, and Karys saying his goodbyes. He is wearing his traveling clothes with a large pack sitting on the ground next to him. His white hair moves gently in the breeze that is coming in through the open gates.
"I will let you know once we arrive to Moria, nadadith." Balin says as he and Dwalin press their foreheads together. "You take care of your family, and perhaps once Moria is free you all can come for a visit."
"Aye, nadad." Dwalin says in a gruff voice full of emotion. He is wearing a dark colored tunic with his fur covered vest. "Just promise that ya will keep the lads alive and yourself."
"I will." Balin says as he releases Dwalin from their embrace. He then looks towards Dis. "Lady Dis."
"Balin." Dis says before pulling the old adviser into a hug. Her dark blue gown rustles as she wraps her arms around Balin. "You better keep yourself and my boys alive."
Balin chuckles at Dis before backing out of the hug. "I will, lass. You keep a careful eye on Thorin and my nadadith for me. Don't let them run Erebor into nothing."
Both Dis and Balin chuckle before Balin moves on to his nephew and niece.
"Fergys. Karys. You two keep your adad on his toes for me. I look forward to reading about your progress in your studies." Balin says as he bends down to the twin's level.
Karys is crying and wipes her tears on the cuff of her crimson dress. While Fergys stands there with a strict look on his face, which matches the severe look of his dark clothes.
"Oh lassie. This isn't goodbye forever." Balin says before having the little dark haired lass jump into his arms.
"Don't go. I don't want ya to go." Karys cries into Balin's shoulder.
"Oh lass. You are so strong. So I need you to be strong for your adad. Alright?" Balin says as he places a kiss to Karys' cheek.
"Not fair." Fergys growls out. "I want to go fight with ya."
Balin chuckles as he pulls the lad to join in the hug. "I know you do, but you still need to learn more at fighting, laddie."
On the other side of the Entrance gate, another family is saying goodbye as well.
Tali and Ori are in a tight hug as Tali refuses to let go of Ori. It is comical since Ori is wearing the same traveling clothes that Tali fixed from the quest. Tali herself is dressed in a simple burgundy dress, and her hair is pulled back so that Ori's braid is prominent.
Little Yuri is standing next to her uncle Nori and holding his hand. She is dressed in the same style and color dress as her mother. However, she has on Ori's purple and brown knitted scarf.
Dori is standing next to not only Ori's pack but also his own pack as well. At the last minute, Dori has decided to join Balin's volunteers.
"You help keep an eye on Tali and Yuri, Nori. It is up to you to protect them while Ori and I are gone." Dori says as bends down to give Yuri a hug.
"I will do my best, nadad." Nori answers as he tries to keep himself from crying. Thorin had refused to allow Nori to leave, knowing that Tali and Yuri would need someone to keep watch over them.
Further away from the entrance the royal family is saying farewell as well.
Inara and Thorin are standing together with their children. All of them are wearing their best clothes, which allows all of Erebor to see the sacrifice the royal family members are doing.
They watch as Kili and Tauriel say goodbye to their children. Kelda, being the oldest, is the first to offer her parents farewell and a promise to keep watch over her siblings. Once giving her naneth and adad a farewell hug, she steps back to allow the others to say goodbye.
Next to Kili and Tauriel's family, Fili is saying goodbye to Sigrid and his three children. Sigrid is trying her hardest not to cry, but silent tears still fall from her eyes as Fili hugs their children.
Away from Fili's family is Bofur and all of his family. He and Bifur are leaving with the volunteers, but Bombur has decided that he is needed in Erebor more. As Bifur says goodbye to Bombur, Lifa, and their family, Bofur is saying farewell to his own family.
"I will be back. Just keep an eye on the horizon and you will see me returning in no time." Bofur says as he holds Tanis and Raina in a hug. "You two be good for your amad or else. Ya understand laddie?"
"Yes, adad." Tanis says with a sigh. Lately he has been acting out to the point where only Bofur or Thorin can set the lad straight.
"Yes. I be good, adad." Raina says with a grin that looks just like Bofur's.
"That you will, lass." Bofur says before giving each of his children a kiss on the forehead. After releasing the children from his embrace, Bofur stands up and pulls Aliena into his arms. "How will you survive without me, lass?"
Aliena giggles before pulling Bofur into a long, sensual kiss. Ending their kiss Aliena gives Bofur a cheeky smile. "How will you survive without me to keep you warm at night?"
Bofur lets out a laugh before slapping a hand onto Aliena's ass. "You could always come with me, lass."
"Then who would watch our children?" Aliena says with a laugh. "I will wait here with our children for you to return."
As the farewells start to end, Balin decides it is time to leave. He calls out to the volunteers and they all fall in line to follow Balin out of Erebor. The families of the volunteers follow the army out of the gates. However, the royal family make their way up to the top of the ramparts to watch the army leave.
As Aliena moves to stand next to Dis, the dwarrowdam whispers to her.
"I am surprised that Bofur is still leaving while you are with child."
Aliena keeps her eyes looking out towards the rows of the army as they march towards the horizon before answering.
"I didn't tell him, Dis." Aliena places a hand over where her and Bofur's third child is growing inside.
So there we are folks. The army is off to Moria for a second time. I apologize if this chapter seems a bit short, but I didn't want to get too heavy into all the farewells. Hope you all like this chapter.
Next chapter will be mostly dedicated to the armies and Moria. However, there will be a break in the battles for something special. Just wait and see. I have no idea when that chapter will be posted, but I will try to get it out as soon as I can.
Reviews are welcome, including negative ones.
Selene.