Hello again my lovelies. I do apologize for the lateness of the chapter. My world was turned upside down for a bit, and then my muse decided to run off for a short time. Hopefully you all will enjoy this chapter.
Khuzdul. Sindarin.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Edoras...
It was getting close to midnight when Frerin and Durin decided to turn in for the night. Though most of their family was still wide awake, celebrating, the two princes were done drinking for the night. They left the hall together and made their way towards one of the three rooms that Théoden had designated for them. Both dwarfs were a bit drunk, yet sober enough to make their way to bed.
Trying the first door they saw, Frerin opens it gently before pulling the door back so the light from the hallway didn't spill into the room too much to wake the occupants. Laying in the middle of the bed, with just a ruby colored blanket covering the naked backside of the male, is their parents. The former King of Erebor and his queen had disappeared earlier in the night, and the two princes had to give excuses for them.
Frerin gives a little drunken giggle at finding his parents in the nude, while Durin tries to shush his nadad to keep quiet.
"Let's not wake them." Durin whispers a bit loudly in his slightly drunken state.
"Yeah. Wouldn't want adad to see just how drunk we are." Frerin giggles back to his brother before closing the door completely.
In the middle of the room is a large bed with several blankets having been pushed off the mattress. Lying in the middle of the bed, Inara is on her stomach, with her face half-sunk into the very plush pillow. At her waist, just above her hip bones, is Thorin's head. The side of his face pressing into her skin, while his silver hair fans out and off of her side. One of his arm lays sideways next to his bedmate's hips and thighs, as the rest of his body rests between her legs. Thorin's other arm is pressed against Inara's right side with his hand resting underneath one of her breasts.
What Frerin and Durin didn't notice is that Thorin had been woken up by their voices echoing down the hallway before they opened the door. He stayed as still as he could, but listened closely to hear what the boys were saying. Once they closed the doors, Thorin let a soft grin appear on his lips before turning gently to press a kiss to Inara's lower spine. He hears her let out a soft, sleepy groan as she wakes.
"Wuzz tha?" Inara sleepily whispers to her bed mate.
"Just our boys." Thorin whispers against the skin on Inara's back before gently moving his body up over hers. He places a kiss on her exposed cheek then moves to lay next to her on the bed. "They are a bit drunk."
Inara lets out another groan before turning her head to the left so that she can see Thorin. "I'll kill them in the morning."
Thorin chuckles as he settles himself onto the mattress and pulls another, thicker, blanket up from the floor to cover him and Inara. Shifting his left arm, Thorin allows Inara to settle herself closer to his body before continuing with their nighttime cuddling.
"Get some sleep, Amrâlimê." Thorin whispers to Inara as he kisses her forehead.
Slowly, Inara falls back into slumber as Thorin watches her. Thorin brushes a few loose strands of Inara's dark brown hair away from her face, with a soft smile on his face. During their time apart, Thorin had been worried about Inara's safety, and with good cause. After hearing about her injuries, and later abduction, from Kili's letters had left a wound in Thorin's heart. On their wedding day, Thorin had promised Inara, and Mahal, that he would always be there to protect her. But lately, Thorin has felt as though he had broken those promises.
Moving his eyes, to look past Inara's face, Thorin can see Orcrist resting up against the small table next to their bed. Seeing that the sword is still there, Thorin allows himself to fall back asleep knowing that Inara is safely tucked against him.
The night wears on with the others soon following suit with heading to bed. No one else checks on the former King and current Queen of Erebor. Nor do they check on the other room, next door to Inara and Thorin's, where Kili and his family sleep. The rest of the group, however, find themselves sleeping in the third room down the hall.
A few hours before dawn...
Aragorn finds himself in and out of a restless sleep as he lays on his sleeping mat. Knowing that sleep will no longer come, he decides to head out and let the others sleep. Slowly he leaves the room, unaware that another in the room is also having a hard time staying asleep.
Making his way through the hallways, Aragorn finds himself back in the main audience hall. Tables are still covered with dishes and cups from the celebration. Yet all the revelers are no longer there, except one.
Slowly walking towards the lounge bench, near the fire pit, Aragorn notices a familiar blonde-haired woman sleeping. Her pale blue blanket lies over her sleeping form. Trying hard not to be distracted, Aragorn makes his way to the fire pit, with the hope that he can find some left over embers to light his pipe with. Being as gentle as he can, Aragorn takes hold of one of the lesser burnt firewood, and begins to poke and prod at the almost dead fire. But alas, he finds no burning embers for his pipe.
Taking a slow breath, Aragorn resolves himself into having to wait till later for his smoke. He looks back over toward the sleeping woman, and slowly rises up from by the dead fire. Aragorn walks towards the sleeping woman and takes hold of the blanket to cover her back up.
"What time is it?" Éowyn asks without even opening up her eyes.
"Not yet dawn." Aragorn whispers in reply.
As Aragorn turns to leave, Éowyn takes hold of his hand. Then she begins to speak about a dream. As Aragorn listens to Éowyn recount her dream to him, neither of them take notice of the door opening. Nor do they notice the two who were about to enter, but decide not to.
"That is unexpected." Kelda says softly to Legolas as she gently closes the door. She really doesn't want to intrude on Aragorn.
With the door closed, Kelda turns to look back at Legolas. She is quick to notice that instead of feeling embarrassed, like her, Legolas looks a bit frustrated. Unsure as to what has caused his discomfort, Kelda becomes a little anxious as to the reason.
Before wanting to head inside, the two of them had talked about Haldir and Kelda's future. Since Haldir's death at Helm's Deep, Kelda has been unsure as to what to do with the dagger he had gifted to her. Seeing that Kelda doesn't know about elven courting rituals, Legolas had explained to her that she is free to do what she wished. Since she wasn't sure of her feelings towards Haldir, Kelda doesn't risk fading from grief. However, Kelda made it known that she wants to see the world before becoming anyone's bride.
"Hey. You okay?" Kelda asks, placing a hand on Legolas's arm. After the conversation they had previously tonight, Kelda isn't sure if he will welcome the comforting gesture.
"He shouldn't encourage her." Legolas replies, turning away from the door and stalking back towards the corner where they were earlier.
Not one to miss when someone is avoiding conversation, Kelda follows after Legolas. Something has bothered Legolas, and Kelda isn't about to just ignore it. She follows after Legolas and comes to stand by his right side.
"Tell me, Legolas, what it is that troubles you." Kelda says as she takes hold of his hand, linking their fingers together.
When Legolas doesn't answer, Kelda starts to worry. "Does it concern us? Our friendship?"
"No." Legolas answers while keeping his eyes staring out towards the plains. "It is not us that troubles me." He gently squeezes Kelda's hand.
"Then it concerns Aragorn then?" Kelda asks, pushing for more information.
"Yes." It is then that Legolas looks away from the plains, and he turns his head so that he can look at Kelda's face. "He was given a precious gift by one who loves him dearly."
Kelda takes a quick breath, now realizing what it is that Legolas has left unsaid. She remembers what kind of significance a gift given out of love means to an elf. Before she can speak, the sound of a door opening comes from behind them. She watches Legolas turn to look away from her, but he still holds her hand in his. Then Kelda turns her upper body slightly towards Legolas and looks over her left shoulder.
Aragorn has just noticed the two of them, and gives Kelda a small nod of his head in acknowledgement. Seeing that both of them are still wearing their clothes from earlier, plus a short cloak, Aragorn can tell that nothing wayward has happened between the two. When Kelda returns the gesture, Aragorn walks towards the two until he is standing next to Legolas's left side.
Knowing that Legolas will want to speak with Aragorn alone, Kelda rises up on her tip toes and gently places a soft kiss onto Legolas's cheek quickly. Taking a small step back, knowing that there is a small drop off behind her, Kelda bids them both a goodnight before taking her leave.
Both Aragorn and Legolas stand in silence for a short time until one of them decides to speak.
"The stars are veiled." Legolas says as he keeps looking out into the plains. "Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the Enemy is moving."
Inside...
Still unable to find sleep, Pippin can't seem to keep his curiosity about the strange orb at bay. Finally caving in, Pippin whips back his dark blue blanket and rises up from his sleeping mat. Glancing around the room, he notices that Gimli is lying two feet away from him, and Merry is about three feet away from the end of his may.
Trying to be as quiet as possible, Pippin starts to make his way towards where Gandalf is resting. Which happens to be at the other end of the room.
"What you doing?" Merry's voice says softly just as Pippin passes by.
Pippin is startled and quickly turns to see Merry slowly sitting up. Taking a step backwards, Pippin turns away from Merry and continues heading towards Gandalf. He is taken aback when he notices that the white wizard is sleeping with his eyes open.
"Pippin!" Merry whispers out.
Not sure if Gandalf is awake or fully asleep, Pippin waves a hand in front of Gandalf's eyes just to be sure.
"Pippin?" Merry asks as he watches Pippin take an interest towards the wool covered orb.
Meanwhile in Thorin and Inara's room, Inara suddenly sits up, wide awake and on alert. She isn't sure as to what it is that has woken her up so abruptly, but her pendant is softly glowing from where is sits on the small table next to the bed. Inara looks over to see that Thorin is still asleep despite her quick movement moments before. Knowing that Thorin is still asleep, Inara looks over to her pendant and reaches for it. Just as she is about to pick it up, a heavy wave of nausea and dizziness hit her; as well as a burning feeling deep in the pit of her stomach.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Inara takes hold of the pendant and quickly puts the necklace on. As quick as it came the nausea and dizziness subside as the quartz touches her skin. Opening her brown eyes, Inara slowly removes herself from the bed so she doesn't wake Thorin. Once she is on her feet, Inara glances around the room till she finds her shift and Thorin's vest. Dressing with a sense of urgency, Inara checks to make sure that Thorin's vest will keep any private bits covered more than her this shift would.
Leaving the safety of their room, Inara starts to walk down the hallway but comes across Kelda trying to sneak into her family's room.
"Kelda?" Inara asks while pulling the top part of Thorin's vest tighter to cover her softly glowing pendant.
"Inara." Kelda gasps out in surprise, but before she can say another word a commotion is heard coming from the other room down the hall.
Both females rush towards the room as they hear Merry calling out for help. Upon entering the room, Inara rushes to help Pippin. She takes hold of the orb and tries to wrench it free from the hobbit's hands. Inara can hear the black speech in her mind as images flood in before her eyes. Images of such horror that Inara lets out a blood curdling scream and her body jerks backwards causing her spine to curve unnaturally.
As the orb releases Pippin's hands from it, now with a new target in its hold, Aragorn and Legolas enter the room. Aragorn sees what is causing the scream and rushes towards Inara. Taking hold of the orb, Aragorn tries to free it from Inara's hands while he too experiences images in his mind's eye.
"Inara!" Thorin's bellow is heard coming from the hallway as well as heavy pounding of feet.
Finally freeing Inara's hold of the orb, Aragorn stumbles away from the woman with Legolas right behind him. Unknown to him, Inara's legs could no longer hold her up once the orb was removed from her hands. Thankfully, Kelda caught Inara before she would have hit the ground. Gritting his teeth, Aragorn manages to get his own hands to release the orb, and drops it to the ground.
Moving quickly into the room, Thorin rushes over to Inara's side as Gandalf covers the rolling orb with a blanket. He takes stock of Inara's body to see if there are any visible injuries. Thorin takes note that her eyes are shut and she is panting very heavily. Sweat beads are all over her face and her hands are dark red. However what captures his attention is the soft glowing light coming from underneath her clothes.
"Let me see her." Gandalf says after he has seen to Pippin. "Foolish woman, touching the one thing that Sauron can use to enter her mind unimpeded."
Thorin watches as the wizard pulls at the mithril chain that holds the quartz pendant, so that it comes out from under her clothes. Which Thorin finally realizes is her shift and his vest. Once the pendant is free from its cover, Thorin lets out a surprised gasp.
"She is lucky." Gandalf says as he eyes the once clear quartz stone that has now turned black. "The quartz took the brunt of the attack and pulled the energy into it like it is supposed to do. However, Inara will need another one to replace it."
Thorin looks up at Gandalf and the two nod at each other, knowing exactly what must be done.
"Take Inara back to your room, Thorin. She needs rest." Gandalf says to the dwarf before rising up.
Thorin allows Kelda to gently place Inara into his arms, while she tells him of her account of what happened. Giving Kelda a gentle smile, Thorin carefully carries Inara out of the room and down the hallway to their room.
Tauriel, Toril, and Kili follow Thorin down the hallway. They too had woken to the sound of Inara's scream, but unlike Thorin, stayed outside of the room so that it didn't become crowded.
Once Thorin has seen to it that Inara is lying safely in their bed, he turns to see Kili and Tauriel waiting for him by the door. Leaving Inara's side, Thorin walks towards Kili as Tauriel moves to do her own check for possible injuries to Inara's body.
"What the hell happened?" Kili asks with a slight growl.
"That's what I want to know." Thorin replies just as gruffly. "Come. I want answers and only the wizard has them."
Thorin storms out of his room, searching for Gandalf, with Kili following right on his heels. It didn't take them long at all to find Gandalf, who was in the main audience hall. He was speaking in harsh whispers with Aragorn about something. The hobbit, Pippin, was seated on a bench with a fussing Merry trying to get his cousin to eat something.
"Gandalf." Thorin calls out as he approaches the wizard.
"Thorin." Gandalf replies in an even tone. Turning away from Aragorn, Gandalf looks down at the old dwarf. "I thought you were going to stay with Inara."
Thorin gives Gandalf a hard look as he speaks. "I want to know what happened in that room. Everything. Nothing is to be left out."
Kili, who is standing slightly behind his uncle, notices that Aragorn seems to be a bit on edge about something. However, Kili decides that he will ask Aragorn about it later. Especially since he too is curious as to what all happened in the room a few minutes ago.
Gandalf recounts everything to Thorin and Kili, and tries to answer the former king's questions. Yet he is reluctant to discuss if Inara or Aragorn saw anything from the orb. By the time he is finished with the small interrogation from Thorin, Gandalf notices that the sun has begun to rise. Looking past Thorin, and to the right, Gandalf notices Théoden had entered the hall.
"Théoden King." Gandalf says loudly so that everyone in the hall would take notice of the newcomer.
Everyone looks towards the King of Rohan and bows their heads in a show of respect. The king, however, has a hard look upon his face while his eyes scan the room slowly.
"Tell me what has happened." Théoden demands, and begins listening intently as Gandalf retells what all happened earlier.
As Gandalf is just about to finish retelling the accounts to Théoden, a fully dressed Inara quietly enters the hall with Tauriel, Kelda, Gimli, Legolas, Frerin, Durin, and Toril following close behind. Her copper colored, plain looking dress is a size too small in the bodice and waist, and the skirt drags a bit at the bottom. To correct the problem, Inara is holding a small fist full of the skirt in her right hand as she walks towards Thorin and Kili. Inara's hair has been brushed and pulled back into a full, single braid at the lower back of her head.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Gandalf states to Théoden from the opposite side of the fire pit in the middle of the hall. "A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palatir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike Minas Tirith."
As everyone listened to Gandalf, they all had moved closer towards the fire pit save for Merry, Pippin, and Toril, who was dressed in male dwarven attire. Upon entering the room, Toril had made her way over to Pippin, and Merry wasn't about to be left out. While Toril had gone to the hobbits, Kelda had followed Legolas who went to Aragorn's side. Unknown to her, Gimli followed his tall auburn-haired cousin. Tauriel, dressed in a green outfit of similar design to her old Woodland Realm guard but with dwarven runes stitched at the hems, had made her way over to Kili.
"His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy two things." Gandalf states with a small hint of satisfaction in his voice. "He know the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he thought. And that the different people of Middle Earth are willing to rally to the heir's side. There is courage still, and enough strength to challenge him. Sauron fears this."
Aragorn shifts his body slightly as everyone looks towards him. He is a bit uneasy about everyone now knowing the secret that Elrond had told him to keep. Yet, he is saved from having to endure the stares when Inara speaks up.
"That isn't the only thing he fears."
Everyone turns to look at Inara, each with a quizzical look on their face. The Queen of Erebor doesn't meet anyone's stares, and keeps her brown eyes locked on the fire pit. Feeling Thorin's hand taking hold of hers gives her strength to continue speaking.
"He fears a merging of bloodlines. Not just within elves, dwarves, hobbits, or men. But a merging of all the different races. A child, not only with the royal blood of men and elves, but of dwarves and hobbits as well." Inara looks up, and allows her eyes to drift over to look at Aragorn before continuing. "You saw as well as I what future Sauron fears."
"What do you mean? Inara?" Thorin asks while looking between his yâsith and the man Gandalf called the heir of Elendil.
It is Gandalf who speaks when he notices that neither Inara nor Aragorn is willing to tell the others what they saw from the palatir.
"Inara speaks of what she and Aragorn witnessed when they both were holding the palatir, Thorin." Gandalf replies as he looks at the former king.
"And what was it that they saw?" Kili asks, now intrigued as to what could cause Inara to become so quiet.
"A child that holds the blood of not only men and elves, but also of dwarves." Gandalf huffs out as if he is annoyed with having to say it. "They only saw what Sauron fears. There is no future truth in what they saw."
Kili, however, isn't about to just let this new information to be swept away so easily. "It could become a truth though. History has shown that the race of Men can produce with both elf and dwarf. What if one of their blended offspring produces a child with a race it isn't a part of? Surely it can happen."
"Kili." Tauriel says softly as she places a hand gently on her mate's shoulder. "Even if it was possible, who is to say that the child would live past its birth?" To this day, Tauriel is still haunted by the loss of Toril's twin brother.
"Let us leave this discussion for a different time." Théoden growls out in agitation that the conversation has gone a bit off topic.
"So if Sauron is planning on attacking Minas Tirith," Kelda says while looking at Gandalf. "What do we do to stop him from burning it to the ground?"
"If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan and fellow allies must be ready for war." Gandalf replies to the young female's question.
Théoden doesn't seem too excited about hearing Gandalf's answer to the Kelda's question. "Tell me. Why should we ride to the aid of those who didn't come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
Everyone is now looking at Théoden as if he has just spouted blasphemy against the Valar.
"Erebor will." Thorin answers in a growl, his hand resting on the hilt of Orcrist hanging at his waist.
"I will." Aragorn says at the same time as Thorin makes his declaration.
"No!" Gandalf states harshly at both Aragorn and Thorin.
"They must be warned." Aragorn calls back at Gandalf.
"And they will." Gandalf says calmly in return. He walks over to Aragorn and begins to whisper to Aragorn quickly before turning back to face the others. "Understand this: Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride to Minas Tirith, and I won't be going alone."
Gandalf turns towards where Toril, Pippin, and Merry are huddled together. His eyes focus on Pippin, who squirms under their gaze. But Toril steps between the wizard and the hobbit to give the wizard a very stern look of her own. A smile appears on Gandalf's face as he knows that the lass will no doubt follow Pippin to Minas Tirith.
"You have one hour to prepare." Is all Gandalf says before leaving the audience hall.
The Stables of Edoras...
Toril is quietly waiting for Gandalf and Pippin to arrive. Sitting on her back is a travel pack that her naneth and adad prepared for her as she changed into her riding clothes. Neither one of her parents were going to argue with her about going with the wizard and Pippin to Minas Tirith. For that small relief, Toril is grateful to her parents. As for Kelda, all she did was wish Toril good luck and gave her a hug.
Becoming bored with waiting, Toril pulls out one of her many hidden throwing knives and begins twirling it with her fingers. The current set she has on her was a gift from Fili for her birthday a year ago. Unknown to her parents, Toril had pestered Fili to teach her how to throw knives since she was twenty and had come upon Fili in the practice ring with his set of knives. And just like Fili, Toril had begun to hide small weapons upon her person since that day.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulls Toril out of her musings, and she tucks her blade away. Seeing Gandalf enter the stables at fast walking speed, Toril moves to join the wizard.
"I'm coming too, and don't you think about leaving me behind." Toril growls as she glares at the wizard.
"Your parents have already warned me about this, young Toril. However, we must move with haste and your ram will not be able to keep up with Shadowfax." Gandalf replies.
"I will be riding Renika, wizard. Adad told me that I could use her for the journey."
"Of course he did." Gandalf rolls his eyes and lets out a huff at hearing Kili's presumption to allow Toril to use Renika.
Toril hurries over to where Shadowfax and Renika are both waiting in a shared stall. Being as quick as he can, Toril whispers to Renika before attempting to climb up onto the horses' back. With a little help from Shadowfax, who had bit into the neck of her clothes to help lift, Toril finally situates herself on the back of Renika as Gandalf helps Pippin up onto Shadowfax.
"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asks Gandalf as the wizard climbs up onto the white horse.
"Three day's ride, as the Nazgul flies. And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."
Merry hands Pippin a pouch, but Toril isn't sure what all is in it. Yet she keeps her mouth shut and waits for Gandalf to lead the way.
"Run Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste." Gandalf says just as the two hobbits are finishing their goodbyes.
As Shadowfax rushes out of the stall, Renika follows closely behind without Toril having to tell the horse anything. Refusing to turn her head to look back, Toril keeps her eyes forward and tries to suppress the tears that have begun to form in her eyes. She isn't sure if she will survive this trip, but she makes a promise to herself that if she survives, she will make the most of her life.
Sunset in Edoras...
Inara is sitting on the edge of the stone landing between the two flights of stairs that lead to the Théoden's Halls. Her legs and skirt dangle over the edge as she keeps her eyes focused on the mountain chain that is a few miles away. Since this morning, Inara's mind has yet to calm and this has caused her to become restless. Thorin and she had received a raven from Erebor with dangerous news in the late afternoon hours. Dale and Esgaroth had been lost, and Erebor was in a siege by a large army of Easterlings.
'Chess pieces are in being moved by hidden means.' Inara thinks to herself as she watches the sun sink deeper into the horizon. 'Will it end in a stalemate, or will it be a checkmate that we will not survive?'
"Inara."
With her thoughts still whirling about in her mind, Inara looks over her shoulder to see Tauriel standing almost behind her.
"If I were an enemy, you would be dead." Tauriel states before moving to sit next to Inara.
"Not every day you are able to sneak up on me, now is it?" Inara half-heartedly jokes.
"No, but something must be bothering you to cause you to be lax in your alertness. Tell me."
Inara's lips go into a quick, but fleeting smile before thinning into a straight line. She looks back out towards the mountains before speaking again. "There isn't much to tell. You all heard about it this morning."
"I see. You are thinking about the images you and Aragorn saw in the palatir. I must say, hearing about a child that could tie four races together took me by surprise." Tauriel says as she watches Inara's face closely. "Our children are already products of such unions. Elf and Dwarf. Man and Dwarf. Adding Aragorn to the mix shows Man and Elf. It doesn't trouble me that the races can mix together and produce children. Though I would love to see the outcome of adding Hobbit to the mix would create."
Both females chuckle together, knowing that Tauriel is hinting at her own daughter choosing a hobbit for a mate.
"That would be a sight to behold. But I wonder which one would cause the most trouble in that relationship." Inara jokes, which causes both of them to laugh heartily for a bit. "Ohhh. I would love to see Kili's face at accepting that not only his daughter, but his hobbit son-in-law are causing mayhem to Middle Earth."
As Tauriel chuckles, she still keeps a close watch on Inara's facial expressions. She has a hunch, but doesn't want to say anything just yet.
"It would be hilarious, but then again, some say Kili and I were foolish as well."
"It must run in the genetics then. Because both Thorin and I have done some foolish things as well." Inara replies back with a sigh.
Tauriel and Inara sit there quiet for a good while, and by the time the sun has disappeared under the horizon they continue talking.
"It isn't the child that bothers me, Tauriel." Inara finally says softly.
"Then what?"
"Who are that childs' parents is what has me bothered. Well shaken actually." Inara confesses.
Tauriel gets a questioning look on her face but stays quiet so that Inara can continue to speak. This new information has her intrigued.
"When we were in Lothlorien, Galadriel had me look into her mirror." Inara says, and seeing that Tauriel isn't going to butt in with a question, she continues. "In one of the visions, I saw Fili playing with two young ones. I swear, one of them looked like I did as a toddler. She was so beautiful."
"And the other toddler?" Tauriel asks carefully.
"I did not recognize him at first, but now I think I know who he belongs to." Inara answers, but her eyes become hard and her cheeks turn a little red as she tells the rest. "It is their child that Sauron fears, if they were to become adults."
Tauriel takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly before speaking. "I see. You think that the female toddler is your granddaughter then?"
Inara nods her head once and lets out a sigh. "It would have to be. Since Saruman or Sauron have done something to cause my body into becoming fertile again, I have taken every precaution that I can."
"Yet that hasn't stopped you and Thorin from..."
"True. But I have made sure that we haven't done it during the most fertile part of my cycles. I can't afford to become pregnant while all this is going on. God if that were to happen, Thorin would do everything he could to keep me from the battlefield. That would include sequestering me away in some mountain hidey-hole." Inara chuckles out.
"Well I would place my bet on it being Frerin who will give you and Thorin your first grandchild. Nearly all of Erebor knows he can't keep his pants on." Tauriel jokingly says to Inara.
Inara, hearing about her first born, begins to make fake retching sounds before busting out into laughter. "Please don't remind me. It was hell the first time he was caught. Especially for a month afterwards. I swear if Frerin had gotten the lass pregnant, Thorin would have killed him."
As if by magic Kili, Frerin, Durin, and Thorin had just come out from the hall to hear Inara's last sentence. Frerin's face turned dark red at the mention of this mistake, while Kili and Durin chuckled. It was Thorin however, who spoke up.
"Indeed."
Tauriel and Inara turn to see the four males walking down the stone steps, but the two of them bust out into laughter again after only a second.
"Females. I don't get why we put up with them." Durin whispers out loud.
Hearing his cousin's words, Kili places a hand on Durin's shoulder and smiles at him. "It's because we would be lost without them."
"Adad yes, but at least you have a better sense of direction, Kili." Durin retorts, which causes nearly everyone, but Thorin, to burst into laughter.
Thorin can only close his eyes, let out a deep sigh, and shake his head in exasperation of his family. "So that is how I shall be remembered. The King with no sense of direction."
So there is part two. A slightly smaller chapter, but I wanted to add a little more character growth for a few of them Especially Toril, who I have been neglecting since the Shire.
On another note, the next chapter will be posted sometime before the end of the September; possibly October if I get too sidetracked with life. I am halfway done with adding extra bits and doing some small changes to it. So please be patient.
Selene