Hello my faithful readers. So here it is the chapter before the beginning of the LOTR events. I am truly thrilled to have made it this far, with all of your support for the story. So, I truly hope you all enjoy this chapter. You will also note that I changed the format of how the children are listed. Nearly all of the children will be left out of most of the events of LOTR till certain chapters.
Also, everyone give firefoxxe a big round of applause for helping me build some of the scenes that are in this chapter, and for keeping me on track for posting my chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Remember: Years are approximate and rounded. After this chapter there will be no more waiting for LOTR chapters. Nine months till LOTR events begin in my story line.
Khuzdul. Sindarin.
Thorin and Inara's children:
Aliena- 64 years old Frerin & Durin- 59 years old, look 25. Rìka- 51 years old, looks 24.
Vân- 43 years old, looks 23. Maiti- 39 years old, looks 22.
Kili and Tauriel's children:
Kelda- 55 years old, looks 25. Toril- 53 years old, looks 24. Kilian- 51 years old, looks 24.
Elleon-38, looks 22.
Fili and Sigrid's children:
Balder- 54 years old, looks 25. Freya- 52 years old, looks 24. Solen- 43 years old, looks 23.
Bofur and Aliena's children:
Tanis- 37 years old, looks 22. Raina- 34 years old, looks 21. Bofur II (Bo)- 30 years old, looks 20.
Dis and Dwalin's children:
Fergys & Karys- 45 years old, looks 23 Runila (Guardianship)- 54 years old, looks 25.
The spring sun is setting upon the land on this cool evening. In the city of Dale, the torches are being lit along the perimeter wall of the now flourishing city. However, one of the gates to Dale has a steady stream of caravans leaving. Most of these caravans are dwarf merchants heading back towards Erebor via the road between the two kingdoms. Along with the merchants are a number of sentries to see that the journey is safe from the ever growing darkness that is beginning to plague Middle Earth.
While most of the sentries are dwarves, there is one among them who is not.
"My lady." A young, brown haired sentry calls out.
Turning towards the sentry, the cool breeze sends a few long, red strands of hair across her pale face. Yet her keen, green eyes focus in on the approaching sentry.
"How many times must I ask that you refrain from calling me that?" Tauriel replies. Her bow is in her hands with an arrow knocked just in case of attack.
"My apologies." The young dwarf gives a short bow before speaking again. "Master Dwalin asked that I let you know that he is being held up in Dale, and will not be able to make the journey with us. He also stated that he will be arriving later tonight, and to let the guards at the gates know about his late arrival."
Tauriel gives a small smile and a quick nod of her head. "Thank you for relaying the message to me. I want you to tell the others to stay alert on our short journey. We don't want to be caught unawares by an enemy."
"Yes, my lady. I mean, Tauriel." The young dwarf quickly corrected his error once he saw Tauriel give him a hard, serious look.
"Thank you, Arvin."
Tauriel watches the young sentry make his way through a gap between the merchant carts to reach another sentry. She lets out a sigh before looking back towards Dale. 'May Dwalin get through to him when Kili and Fili failed to.' Letting out another sigh, Tauriel begins to walk alongside one of the carts on her way back to Erebor, her children, and to Kili.
The caravans keep a steady pace as they move along the road. The few numbers of rams and ponies that Erebor had over the years has become smaller. Mostly due to illness or fertility issues that have plagued the rams more so than the ponies. So, the merchants pay a rental fee to use the rams and ponies to move their goods. This money, is then used to fund the refuge homes for dwarves who have been hit by hard times. This idea was put forth by Inara and implemented by Fili within the first two years of his reign as King.
A smile graces Tauriel's face as she thinks about how successful the refuge homes have become. Kili had told her that most of the council was skeptical on if the idea would even work or last. This also brought Tauriel's mind back to a rather current issue that has been growing in the royal family. The tension between Runila and Balder. She has witnessed Balder become more distant with everyone in the family, including Fili. Then to make matters worse, rumors were running rampant in Erebor that Balder had done something unforgivable to Runila, and that was the reason why Dwalin still has Guardianship over the lass. No one, not even members of the royal family, are sure on if part of the rumor is false or not. Neither one will say, but Tauriel has a feeling that it will be Dwalin to pull that information out of Balder.
Tauriel is brought out of her musings as the caravans approach the main gates of Erebor. Looking towards the doors, she is surprised to see Kili waiting for her with their son Kilian at his side.
"The prince and your son could almost pass as twins." Brea says as she moves to walk next to Tauriel. "Tis a shame that both are taken. Many a fine lasses would kill to have a good looking dwarrow as their one true mate."
Tauriel lets out a laugh at the younger dams words. "And you, Brea, should be careful with your words. They might get you into trouble."
"If they do, they do. But until then, I shall speak my mind freely." Brea chuckles out.
"Just because you saved Durin's life in a mock battle, and were given reward for it, doesn't mean you can behave anyway you wish." Tauriel jokingly scolds the black haired shieldmaiden.
"If giving me my choice of assignment in the army is reward for saving Prince Durin, then I must be given some concessions as to how I behave." Brea tells Tauriel just as they reach the gates.
Kili moves quickly to pull Tauriel into an embrace, which causes both Kilian to blush with embarrassment and Brea to bust out in laughter.
"Glad to have you back home, Amrâlimê. I was worried you might have been ambushed while on the road." Kili whispers against Tauriel's cheek before placing a kiss upon it.
"Ambushed?" Brea asks with a low voice so that the other sentries of merchants don't hear.
Kilian steps towards Brea and answers the question. "A black rider upon a black horse approached the gates this afternoon asking if we knew a Baggins."
Tauriel looks at her son before looking down at Kili. "A black rider asking after Bilbo? Did the rider say why?"
"No, but it has put Thorin and Fili on edge." Kili replies as he releases Tauriel from their embrace, but keeps one arm around her waist. "Bilbo wasn't the only thing talked about."
"What else?" Brea asks with her face contorting between curiosity and anger.
"The rider also mentioned that Erebor should join with Mordor." Kilian growls out as his hands turn into fists.
"Fili told the rider that we will not join Mordor. This caused the rider to threaten Erebor. But there was something else. The rider kept turning its shroud covered head as if looking for something." Kili tells Tauriel.
"Or someone." Tauriel states thoughtfully. "Were Thorin or Inara present during this time?"
"Inara was still in the healing halls, but Thorin was at the gate. Yet he kept in the shadows so the rider wouldn't have seen him." Kili answers. "Why?"
"No reason." Tauriel says with a straight face so that she doesn't alarm Brea of Kilian. But her eyes betray her thoughts to Kili. "I am famished. Is supper almost ready?"
Dale...
Back in the city of Dale, a young dwarf is sitting at a table in one of the more upbeat pubs. His wavy, honey blonde hair easily gives away who he is to everyone in the pub. The working women steer clear of him, and even the drunkards keep their distance. Not out of fear, but out of respect of whose grandchild he is.
Balder picks up his full tankard of ale and begins to down the drink. The burn of the alcohol helps numb the mental pain that is plaguing the young dwarf. A plate of half eaten food sits just to his left on the table, but within reaching distance if he wishes to finish his meal.
Heavy footsteps approach him and soon the chair next to him moves.
"I thought I might find ya here." A gruff sounding voice says from the chair next to Balder.
"Did my adad send you here?" Balder asks harshly before taking another mouthful of ale from his tankard.
"No." Dwalin answers as he pulls the tankard of ale out of Balder's hands. "I am here, laddie, cause I am worried about ya."
Balder snorts at the remark before turning to look at the older dwarf. "You wouldn't be here unless someone sent you. She put you up to this, didn't she?"
"Runila didn't send me here. So you can stop blaming her and start blaming yourself. You've changed, lad, and not for the better. So I am only going to ask this once, what has happened to you? You aren't the dwarfling I once knew. One who wanted nothing more than to be just like his adad."
"That dwarfling grew up." Balder growls out as he gives Dwalin a scowl that would rival Thorin's.
"Aye. That ya did. But this is not like you at all. Going to a pub and drinking yourself under-the-table. Dis wouldn't have let you get away with this. Nor would your amad."
"Well neither one of them is here, now are they?"
With that one sentence, Dwalin is able to pinpoint what is causing this young dwarf to go into ruin. "There is it. It is them being gone that is causing this change in ya."
"What's it to you?" Balder says trying to make it come out harshly, but it comes out more like a whine instead.
"It matters to all of us, Balder. You lost your amad and your sigin'amad, but that doesn't give you the right to behave like an arse. Or to treat people so cruelly." Dwalin says allowing some of his pent up anger at the lad to flow into his words. "It isn't just you who lost two people dear to them. Your adad lost both his amad and his yâsith. Your siblings lost just as much as you have. It isn't just you that is still hurting, lad."
Balder listens to the anger in Dwalin's voice, and starts to come to the realization that perhaps the old warrior has a point.
"Thorin lost the last of his siblings and another child." Dwalin reveals during his rush of heated words.
"Another?" Balder gives Dwalin a confused look. He knows about the death of Théodor, but for another to happen, this was unexpected.
"Yes, though Thorin doesn't know about it. So no repeating it." Dwalin says as he tries to cover for his letting slip the secret. "
"When? When did it happen?" Balder asks as his slightly red cheeks turn even darker, and without the use of alcohol.
"The same day Thorin had his heart issue. Fili found Inara in the healing halls. She suffered a miscarriage. Fili said that Inara told him that she wasn't that far along so there wasn't enough of a body to bury. So she burned the soiled linens and the tiny mass in the fireplace." Dwalin says as his eyes shin a bit.
"I didn't know." Balder says as the weight of knowing that someone else has a heart pain just as bad as his.
"Of course ya didn't. No one but Fili, Inara, myself, and now you know." Dwalin says as he picks up an untouched chicken leg from Balders' plate. "However, I would like to know what it is that has caused ya to hurt my ward?"
Balder swallows a hard lump that somehow formed in this throat. "It is a long story."
"We have time, lad. Plenty of time."
Balder lets out a sigh as he begins to tell Dwalin about it. "I take it you heard the rumors."
"I have, but I don't believe them."
"Good." Balder replies before running one of his hands down his face. "Because they aren't true. At least part of it isn't."
"Which part, laddie?"
"The part where I forced myself on her then force her to abort a child. Runila and I have never even kissed, let alone do something like that." Balder tells Dwalin fiercely.
"That I know, laddie. Runila told me that you two weren't like that." Dwalin says as he gestures for Balder to continue on.
"However, one of the dams that has been following Frerin and Durin around started badgering Runila about the rumor. Mind you Runila was running an errand for one of the other weapon smiths at the time. Runila was ignoring the dam and I happened to come out from a shop. I heard everything and went to confront the dam about spreading lies like she spreads her thighs."
Dwalin chuckles at this point. He knows of which dam Balder is speaking about, and her reputation wasn't the best. Yet, Dwalin has an idea of where Balder is going with the story. "So you tried to stand up for Runila."
"Yes, and what did I get for it? Even more fuel for the gossip fire. The dam shouted for nearly all of Erebor to hear, that the only reason why I was protecting Runila was because I had already laid with her." Balder growls out. "I walked right into a damn trap."
"That you did, laddie. Jealous dams are clever creatures. Worse if they are angered."
"So Runila left the markets in a hurry and I went after her. When I caught up to her, she told me to leave her alone. But I couldn't just let her go by herself. Especially since a few dwarrows were already looking at her in a way that made my blood sing."
Dwalin lets out a low, menacing growl. He knows that the lass is good looking, and that it has caught the attention of a few already. But hearing that some were looking at her like a piece of meat, that made Dwalin want to wring their necks using their own end trails.
"So I took hold of her arm, and she took it the wrong way. She tried to strike out at me, and my reflexes kicked in."
"So that is why she had a bruise on her cheek." Dwalin says as he now comes to find out how his ward became injured.
"Yes. I wanted to apologize, but she told me to just leave her alone. Several more times, I tried to apologize to her, and each time she refused to hear me out. Then I got a note from her." Balder reaches into his vest pocket and pulls out a folded piece of parchment. "Basically she told me that she never wants to see me again. So I have done what she has asked."
Dwalin takes the parchment note from Balder and reads it carefully. Now with this information, Dwalin reaches a conclusion of what is causing Balder's change. "You feel abandoned."
"It seems like every female that I ever cared about has left me." Balder says as he wipes a stray tear that was making its way down his cheek.
Erebor...
Thorin is lounging in a warm bath while Inara, Freya, and Aliena work on making supper. The warmth of the bath soothes Thorin's muscles and joints from their stiffness. After years of fighting, training, and ruling Erebor, Thorin's body is now screaming out that enough is enough. The in-ground bath pool makes it easier for Thorin to bath versus using just a normal bathtub.
Sitting to his left, on the floor, is an open letter on small tray. Thorin had gotten the letter only hours after the mysterious black rider came. Upon reading the letter earlier in his bath, he realizes that his old friend just might be in danger.
"You seem very relaxed." A familiar female voice says from the doorway.
Thorin lets a smile grace his face as he knows who it is that has just interrupted his thoughts. "And you seem to be sneaking a peak at my goods."
Inara chuckles at Thorin's attempt at banter as she slowly makes her way towards the bathing pool. Her dark forest green dress flows gently across the stone floor as she walks. Dark brown hair is left loose except for her braids that show that she is Thorin's wife and queen of Erebor.
"I see you have a letter." Inara says as she kneels down near the edge of the pool. Carefully she removes her soft leather boots from her feet before placing them into the warm water. The skirt of her dress pooled at mid-thighs so that she can move her lower legs in the bath water.
"It's from Bilbo." Thorin says as he moves off of the bench hidden in the water and slowly moves in the water towards Inara. "He has invited us to his 111th Birthday Party there in the Shire."
"Wow. He really has turned into an old man." Inara playfully says as she gently kicks her lower legs back and forth in the water. "Just like another person I know."
Thorin hears the teasing tone in Inara's voice and lets out a low chuckle as he forces himself between Inara's legs in the water.
"And just who is this old man you speak of?" Thorin says as he presses against the side of the pool.
"Do you really want to know?" Inara teases back as she leans down towards Thorin. However, what she wasn't expecting was for Thorin, with lightning fast moves, pulling her into the pool to join him. She gasps as the temperature of the water before having the gasped silenced by a deep kiss.
Thorin allows Inara to break the kiss but tightens his grip around her body so that she can't escape.
"You could have asked me to join you instead of ruining my dress." Inara whispers against Thorin's lips.
"That is your punishment for sneaking a peak." Thorin tells her before swooping in for a long, heated kiss. Thorin ends the kiss when the need to breath becomes too great.
"So. Bilbo's party. Are we going?" Inara asks as she wraps her arms around Thorin's neck. Her fingers start to play with the dark silver locks of his hair.
"We leave in the morning. I already have a few of the servants packing a few things for us. It will take us a while to reach the Shire. Especially since Kili has asked that we spend some time in Rivendell to see Kelda's progress." Thorin states as he keeps his deep blue eyes locked with Inara's brown ones.
"And who all is going?"
"You, me, the children. Aliena wishes to go, so Bofur and their young ones will come as well. Kili and his family. Fili plans on staying here in Erebor in case of attack."
"Anyone else? What about Fili's children? Will they not come with us?"
"Aye. They will." Thorin says before backing Inara against the side of the pool. He keeps her pinned there as they both enjoy some alone time together.
Out in the main dining area of the royal halls, Fili is watching as Freya and Durin continue to make supper without Inara. He had arrived when they first started making supper, and was astonished with how far the children had come.
"Adad?" Solen asks as he comes to stand beside Fili. "You look worried about something."
"It's nothing. Just can't believe that you all are grown up is all." Fili says as he places a hand on Solen's arm. Out of his three children, Solen is almost as tall as what Bard was and is sometimes mistaken for Bard. Solen's once blonde hair has darkened to a dark brown color now that he has gotten older. He is also the tallest of the three.
"Don't tell me you are going soft, Adad." Freya says as she comes out of the kitchen with a large bowl of stew in her hands.
"Aye. Maybe I am, Freya." Fili retorts with a chuckle.
"Well if you are going soft, then my parents are a pile of mush." Durin says as he carries a large tray filled with pieces of ham. "Where is my amad anyways? She was supposed to be the one to cut the ham. Poor Freya mutilated the meat when she cut it."
"I did not. Durin, quit telling tales." Freya says jokingly to her cousin.
"Who is telling tales?" Inara asks as she finishes braiding all of her damp hair into a single braid.
"Went for a swim before supper?" Fili chuckles as he notices that Inara is now dressed in one of Thorin's dark blue tunics and a pair of her own black pants.
"More like Thorin tried to drown me." Inara replies with a cheeky grin.
"I didn't hear you complaining." Thorin says as he lightly smacks Inara's bum before continuing on towards the table.
"Will you two stop doin that? It is embarrassing." Frerin says as he comes into the dining area. "I swear it is like you are adolescent dwarflings again."
"Leave your parents be, Frerin." Fili says as he makes his way to sit at the table. "When you get to be there age, your mind starts going as well."
Solen, Durin, Freya, Karys, Fergys, Aliena, and Bofur all laugh at the smart-ass remark. Most of the royal family and friends were in the dining area, waiting for supper to be served. The only ones missing were, Rìka, Balder, and Dwalin.
"You do realize Fili that you are also talking about your own future as well." Thorin states as he begins to fill his plate full of food.
"Aye, but that is still a long time away. You, however, are how old again?" Fili jokes as he too fills his plate.
"Now now children. Play nice." Aliena says in a serious voice that matches her serious face.
Everyone at the table busts out in laughter, which is followed by more jokes and discussions about the trip to the Shire. Supper passes fairly quickly, and nearly everyone heads off to bed once the dishes are cleaned. The only one left awake still is Thorin.
Sitting in a chair that is in front of the fireplace to the main living room area of the royal halls, Thorin is puffing away on his pipe. His mind is going through everything that has happened throughout the day. From the black rider to receiving Bilbo's letter. He is deep in thought till the creak of the main door causes him to end his musings.
Runila was just starting to walk towards the staircase when Thorin calls out to her.
"Runila. Come sit with me for a moment."
The young dam stops her walk to the stairs and carefully looks towards where Thorin is seated.
"I apologize if I disturbed you, Uzbad." Runila says. "I am tired and wish to rest now."
"Come here and speak with me for a moment. Then you may rest." Thorin uses his regal voice knowing that she will not argue.
"As you wish." Runila replies before making her way over towards the fireplace. Finding a small stool near to Thorin's chair, she sits down but keeps her eyes down.
"I have heard the rumors about you and Balder."
"None of them are true, Uzbad." Runila says quickly. She really doesn't want to talk about Balder or about what has happened between them.
"This I know. Nori has been keeping a close eye on you both." Thorin says before taking another puff from his pipe. "Whatever is going on between you and Balder needs to be addressed. The council has already been pestering Fili to push Balder into a political marriage. One that would bring about an alliance."
Thorin watches out of the corner of his eyes to see the dam's reaction to this news, and is surprised to see her face fight to keep from crying.
"There is nothing stopping him from doing as the King commands." Runila allows sadness to creep into her voice. She knows that Balder is tied into doing whatever the King commands, just like she is.
"That is true. However, Fili will not force Balder into it without knowing what is going on between the two of you. I know that you remain untouched, and that Balder has treated you with the utmost respect that all dams deserve. But something has changed that would cause Balder to close himself off. Do you know about what it is that I am asking of you?"
Runila knowing that she is trapped tells Thorin what all had happened about the dam and of Balder hitting her.
"It was an accident on his part for I was the one who moved to strike out at him first." Runila says with tears pouring down her face. "I was so ashamed of what happened that I refuse to see him again. But the dam was right, I am a no good, orphaned dam that cannot bring anything useful to the line of Durin."
Thorin removes his pipe from his mouth and sets it onto a small end table next to his chair. Leaning towards Runila, he places a hand on either side of her face.
"You are a strong dwarrowdam and worthy to become a part of the royal line of Durin." Thorin replies in a fatherly tone.
"But I have no family or connections that would be useful. My parents are dead, as is my younger brother. My father's line is broken and my mother's line refuses to acknowledge that I exist." Runila is crying in earnest now.
"I too lost my parents, Runila. As well as a younger brother. However, I don't use that as an excuse to lower my self-worth. Even Inara doesn't allow her past to taint her self-worth. You are a hard worker, loyal, and trustworthy. Those are qualities that are to be admired." Thorin tells Runila. "I suggest you think about what I have said. Perhaps tomorrow you will come to see Balder off. We leave in the morning to visit a friend in the Shire."
Runila nods her head and tries to produce a smile on her face. As Thorin releases her face, Runila leans into the old king to give him a quick hug before heading off to bed.
Just before Dawn at the Gates of Erebor...
All of the royal family, friends, and former members of the company are standing just inside of the main gates. Every dwarf going to the Shire has a pony to ride one, and there is three extra ponies that will carry supplies on the journey.
Kili and his family are saying their goodbyes to those who are staying behind. Tauriel is standing with the ponies, checking to make sure that the saddles are properly attached to the ponies. Then she checks to make sure that the saddle bags are firmly tied to the saddles.
"Tauriel." Fili says as he comes to stand next to her. "Promise me that you will look after Kili for me since I cannot."
"I will keep him from becoming too reckless and keep him from harm, Fili." Tauriel vows.
"Thank you. I know that you are able to keep Kili in check. It is just that I won't be there to keep him out of trouble and I do fear of what could happen on the road." Fili tells her with worry in his voice.
"That black rider from yesterday has you worried." Tauriel states in a firm voice.
"Yes. I can't explain it, but my insides are telling me that something isn't right." Fili replies. "You will keep an eye out for danger while traveling."
"Of course. If it means sacrificing my own life, I will make sure that they all return home." Tauriel says to Fili and leans down to place a kiss to his cheek. "We will see you again, gwanûr."
A few ponies away from where Tauriel and Fili are talking, Bofur is saying goodbye to Bombur.
"Don't worry. I will make sure to let Bilbo know your regards." Bofur says as he pulls Bombur into a hug.
"You two stay safe." Lifa says as she hands a picnic basket full of travel friendly foods. "You aren't as young as you used to be, Aliena."
"Thank you, Lifa." Aliena says to the dwarrowdam. "We will be sure to send word once we have arrived. And thank you for the food. I am sure that Bofur will eat it all before I get any."
The two females chuckle at this before pulling each other into a hug.
Standing by his pony, Thorin is having a deep conversation with Dwalin and Nori. Next to Thorin, Inara is already on her pony as is all of their children. Freya and Solen are also on their ponies and telling jokes to their fellow cousins. Balder, however, has yet to get on his pony since he is checking over his bags one last time.
"Balder." A soft feminine voice says from behind him.
Looking over his shoulder, Balder sees Runila standing there and it becomes harder for him to breathe. She is wearing a golden colored dress that hugs all of her curves, and its neckline dips enough to show a healthy amount of cleavage. Her light reddish brown hair is braided with many ribbons running within the braids.
"Runila." Balder finally says as his lungs start to allow him to breathe again.
"Thorin said that I should see you off for your journey to the Shire." She says while looking down at the ground. Her hands are folded in front of her, but her fingers are twitching with nervous energy.
"I see." Balder says before approaching Runila.
"If I may, I would like to apologize for my behavior. It hasn't been very lady like, and..."
"If anyone should apologize," Balder says as he reaches out to cup the side of Runila's face. "it should be me. I shouldn't have manhandled you like I did. Nor should I have struck you. I am sorry, Runila."
Runila places a hand against Balder's and nuzzles it gently. "I forgive you. Will you forgive me?"
"Always." Balder says before placing a kiss against Runila's forehead. He lets his lips linger till a cough tells him that he has tarried too long. Balder steps away from Runila to see both all of his family looking at them with amused looks upon their faces. He gives Runila a smile before heading back over to his pony.
Runila watches as Balder climbs into his saddle and begins to follow the others out the gates of Erebor. Unknown to her, two certain dwarrows begin speaking with each other about the future.
So there we are folks. Off to the Shire they go, and we enter into the LOTR events.
Reviews are welcomed. Even the negative ones, which are taken as constructive criticism.
Selene.