Ila had been so engulfed in Thorin that she hadn't noticed the exchange between Dwalin and Dwala. She and Thorin were walking out of the great hall when she noticed them sitting very close together and she wanted desperately to interrogate Dwala. As soon as she got her alone….

Thorin led Ila from the room and they parted ways at the doors of his throne room.

"You will not be long?" Ila asked with puppy dog eyes.

"I will try, my love. But I have a lot to catch up on." He said, stroking her face gently.

Ila pouted a little. "Why don't you take Sam for a stroll outside? I'll send some guards to fetch you in a little while and take you out."

"I can escort her uncle," came a third voice.

Kili had been about to walk in the throne room but stopped as he had heard their conversation.

Thorin gave him a stern look. "And what of the rest of today's briefings?" he said.

Kili shifted a bit. "Uncle, I have listened to them all morning….it is more important that Fili be there anyway." He added, which was true since he would never inherit the throne anyway.

Thorin's face was grave but Kili could tell that he was considering it, so he added, "Besides, isn't the happiness of our queen more important? And wouldn't you trust her with me more than a bunch of guards?"

Ila blushed and cast her eyes towards the floor, then up to Thorin. Kili could tell that he had won with that one.

"You will still take a couple of guards," Thorin said and looked to Ila, squeezing her hand.

"I will see you tonight," he said quietly and she smiled prettily at him.

Thorin stepped away and into the throne room, leaving Ila and Kili alone. Ila smiled at him. "Aren't you tired of me yet?"

"Not hardly," Kili answered, pleased with himself that he had divined a way to get out of those briefings and to spend time with Ila.

"I only need to fetch my Sam….he must be in my personal chambers. Dwala would know, she is still in the great hall I think." Ila said turning to go back there. When she reached its great doors and walked in she saw that the table where Dwala and Dwalin had been was now empty.

Hmmmmm, Ila thought. Had she disappeared with him?

"I don't see her anywhere," Kili observed, having followed her there. "Shall I seek her out?"

Ila thought about that for a moment. If Dwala was with Dwalin, she didn't want to disrupt anything that might be making progress between the two.

"No, no she will turn up. Let's go fetch Sam and get some fresh air." Ila said happily and Kili smiled happily back at her.

Ila made her way through the palace as quickly as dignity would allow to her rooms. She bounded up the royal staircase and Kili waited at the top landing, as it would be distasteful for him to enter her private chambers. Ila opened the doors to her personal rooms and ran through the antechamber calling for Sam. He met her at the bedroom door, bounding into her arms and she going down on her knees to grasp him.

"Oh my little Sam! How I have missed you!" she said and let him lick her face, which he did urgently.

"You have grown so much!" Ila said but he just kept licking her, his forepaws on her chest. Ila scratched him and exclaimed how much she loved him and had missed him. She tried to scoop him up but he was too heavy for that now, so she fetched his leash instead. The two then emerged from her chambers, Sam bouncing along happily out in front of Ila.

Kili smiled and extended his arm for her to take once more, which she did. He prayed that she would not hear his heart pounding, for it was all that he could hear.

They retraced their steps and went outside again finally, Ila reveling in the sights and sounds. Thorin did have a balcony in his-their-chambers and it gave quite a spectacular view to the east, but it was not the same as actually stepping out into nature, with the grass underfoot and the sky overhead.

Four guards walked a little ways behind Ila and Kili They weren't arm in arm anymore and Kili was resting a hand on the hilt of his sword, not expecting anything to happen but on the alert just in case. Ila was happily regarding Sam as he stopped and sniffed practically everything in their path, his tail wagging happily. Ila giggled, thinking he was even happier than her.

"He seemed to have missed you very much," Kili said. "I can understand why."

Ila smiled, "He slept with me every night and then suddenly I disappeared. Perhaps he thought he would never see me again." Ila replied, thinking nothing of what he had said.

Kili smiled, figuring she wouldn't pick up on his compliment. She never seemed to, or she was ignoring him. But he thought it was the former. She was so innocent, and seemingly so in love with his uncle. But he was so much older than her…..his age. Perfect for him. He pretended as they walked side by side that they were lord and lady. That he was taking his new bride for a stroll with her puppy. He wanted so very much to reach down and take her hand gently in his. He looked at her slender fingers on her dainty hand…..and then the wedding band his uncle had put there.

"Your mother is very beautiful. I enjoyed seeing her at the wedding." Ila said, bringing Kili back to reality.

"Oh, thank you. Yes…mother is still very beautiful. But she is also very sad, which is why you have only seen her that once." Kili said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Yes, father told us stories of your family when we were young. Of how Thorin led the final assault at Moria when he was barely older than you."

"Oh yes, that tale is known far and wide. That battle is also the one where father and uncle Frerin fell."

Ila stopped walking. She had known that Thorin's younger brother had fallen before the doors of Moria, but not that Fili and Kili's father had been lost there too.

"I am so sorry," Ila said turning to face Kili. "I did not mean to bring up sad memories. Please forgive me." Ila said very solemnly.

"My lady, please. That was a long time ago. And so long ago that I do not even remember it. I barely recall my father at all." Kili assured her with a smile. Ila returned it and they began to walk again.

"Fili remembers him much better than I. And mother…..well mother has never recovered from all that was lost. From everyone that was lost more specifically." Kili said. "She prefers to be alone now."

"I cannot even begin to imagine her pain. She lost her father, grandfather, brother, and her husband. The father of her sons….I do not believe I could have survived such grief."

"Well…..that is I would be strong for my children of course….you and Fili must have been all that preserved her." Ila added.

"I think we were a large part of it. But uncle has always been close with and protective of her too. He gave her strength when nothing else did."

Ila blushed just thinking about her beloved. "Your uncle is an extraordinary dwarf, strong and wise, and….."

"Old?" Kili said.

"Kili!" Ila exclaimed. "Your uncle is not old. And I was going to say majestic." Ila finished.

Kili smirked. "I was only jesting, of course." he added.

"I'm sure…" Ila said, cutting her eyes at him but then smiled.

Kili mentally noted that she didn't seem to think Thorin was too old for her, or she just wouldn't admit it.

"Do you think that Thorin will be long in counsel today?" Ila asked hopefully.

Kili wished they could talk about something other than uncle.

"Yes, yes after a week away I am sure he will be rather busy today, and all week for that matter." Kili said and Ila looked disappointed but also like that was the answer she had been expecting.

"I can keep you company though," Kili added, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "At least until we locate your handmaiden."

Ila smiled knowingly. "I believe I know where she is…or at least what she is doing. We'd best leave her be for now." Ila said smiling widely and Kili made a confused face, but didn't ask any questions.

Elsewhere, Dwala was busy baking another batch of cookies, she and Dwalin having destroyed the first dozen. She was at the stove and he was sitting at a table in the great kitchen that served Erebor. He was finishing off the melted chocolate in the bowl that Dwala had just made cookies in.

Dwala stole a look over her shoulder at him and smiled to herself. She slipped the cookies into the oven and turned around, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Shouldn't be too long now." She said. Dwalin looked at her and rose from his seat. He slowly closed the difference between the two of them until he was but a breath away from her, looking down into her eyes. Dwala tilted her head up and looked into his eyes. He was so tall, so masculine, so….dangerous.

"Do you know what I want now lass?" Dwalin asked lowly.

Dwala blinked. "Milk?" she replied innocently.

Dwalin's face fell a little bit. He did want some milk, actually, but that had not been what he was referring to just then.

"Er, yes." He replied. She smiled and walked around him to fetch some. He was still standing there, wondering what he was doing with himself. Did she even like him? Like him like that? Perhaps she was just a sweet, innocent little dwarf maiden…..no. He had seen the way she looked at him. But perhaps she didn't even know what she was doing to him, with her sweet smiles and her delicious cookies.

"Here you are," she said, returning to him with a tall glass of cold milk. He took it and had a big gulp. Dwala sat down now, twisting her fingers absentmindedly and trying to seem normal. Dwalin took another big gulp and sat his glass on the table. He sat next to her and stared her squarely in the eyes.

"Why did you make me cookies?" he asked.

Dwala faltered. "Um….what do you mean? I told you why."

"But now you are making me more cookies. The first batch were "thank you" cookies. What are these cookies?" he asked.

"Um…I …um…well they went so quickly and I ate a couple and-"

"And there is no other reason?" Dwalin asked.

"I...I…I…" Dwala said as Dwalin closed the distance between their faces. Dwala's eyes began to flutter closed and she felt their lips would meet any second-

"Mister Dwalin!" came Fili's voice through the great kitchen and Dwala shot up from her seat like it was on fire. She put as much distance between them as she could, returning to the stove to monitor her cookies. Dwalin was sitting there, unmoved and with a dejected expression.

"What, lad? I'm here," he called back to Fili who came into view just then.

"Uncle wants you, the war counsel briefings are beginning." He said, briefly looking to Dwala and back to Dwalin. He raised an eyebrow and Dwalin frowned at him.

Fili made a goofy smile and turned without a word. Dwalin sighed and got up. He turned to Dwala who was trying not to look at him, busying herself with the cookies.

He started to say something, but could think of nothing appropriate, and so turned to walk from the room. Dwala was breathing hard and turned to see he had gone. She turned back to the cookies that were done now and laid them out to cool. Exhilarated and disappointed, she untied her apron and turned around to walk smack into Dwalin's chest.

She barely had time to gasp as his lips caught hers in a firm but chaste kiss. His hand cupped her chin to bring it up to him. Dwala's hands were flat on his chest supporting herself, which was good, since sparks were going off behind her eyes and her head was spinning and she wasn't sure if this was a dream or if she'd gone mad. All she knew what that it was wonderful.

After what seemed a good while, Dwalin released her and held her steady by the arms, as she was swaying a bit. He looked anxiously at her for some reaction, to see how she had taken his assault on her lips and senses.

Dwala's skin was flushed, her cheeks rosy and her lips red from their kiss. Her deep breaths made him fear he'd made a mistake. Her mind was racing, she didn't know what to say, all she could think of was—

"The cookies are done," she said and Dwalin broke into a wide smile. Dwala smiled back at him an he leaned his forehead against hers. He laughed lowly and she giggled up at him, and he gently pressed his lips against hers again in a much softer, briefer kiss.

"I…I had better get to the throne room… Dwalin said but with no conviction. Dwala nodded.

Dwalin reluctantly pulled away, walking slowly towards the door. He turned and looked back at her, "I'll see you at supper?" he asked.

Dwala smiled widely and nodded. Dwalin smiled a little smile and turned to walk from the room.

Dwala squealed and spun around in a circle once she was sure he had gone. She sighed, not believing what had just happened. She had so much to tell Ila!

Ila! Oh she must be wondering where she was indeed! She hoped that she would not be in trouble when she finally produced herself. What ever excuse would she use for not tending after the queen?! Hopefully Thorin had not noticed her being absent her duties…..

Dwala stayed there long enough to let the cookie cool and put them in a basket to bring to Dwalin at supper. Then she set out to find her lady.

Hours later, when the moon was high above the lonely mountain and almost all of its inhabitants were asleep, Ila lay in Thorin's arms, naked and sated after a long, sensual lovemaking session. The covers were around their hips and Thorin was lazily stroking Ila's skin from her thigh to her shoulder. Ila's head was nestled between Thorin's shoulder and neck, her eyes closed. Thorin was staring at the ceiling, letting his mind wander after a long day of listening to half the kingdom brief him on the ends and outs of the last seven days. Sleep was threatening both of them, but then Ila remembered she had something to tell him.

"Oh, darling, you will never guess who is smitten." She said resituating herself so she could look in his eyes. He turned his head and she stroked his beard slowly as she liked to do.

"Smitten? You mean my nephew being smitten with you?" Thorin replied.

"No! Kili is not smitten with me," Ila protested.

"Yet you immediately knew to which nephew I was referring."

"You would have to be referring to Kili because I hardly ever see Fili. And he is not smitten," Ila said.

"He thinks you're beautiful, as every dwarf in Erebor does, I can see it in the way he looked at you today," Thorin said.

"He wanted to get away from the throne room and I gave him an easy out. And all of Erebor does not think I'm beautiful…" Ila protested still.

"Yes, they do." Thorin corrected. "But they can't have you," he said as he rolled over to face her and bring her flush against his chest.

"I would never let another dwarf have me," Ila said as she kissed him.

"You had better not," Thorin said when they pulled apart.

"Thorin! Say you are only jesting!" Ila complained, growing discomforted by where the conversation was going.

"I am only jesting my love. But Kili is smitten with you, and it is amusing to watch. You make him so nervous." Thorin remarked. "Though I can hardly blame him."

"That doesn't make you angry?" Ila asked.

"Why should it make me angry? He is young and unsure of himself and has not been exposed to many females, certainly none as enchanting as yourself. He has a few years yet before he can expect to be betrothed though. I must find a bride for Fili first and I'm not worried about that at the moment either. Neither of them are ready for that." Thorin said.

"I am Kili's age, and younger than Fili, yet I am married." Ila pointed out.

Thorin crushed her against his chest with his powerful arms around her waist and back.

"You are a female," he said lowly. "And you are mine," taking her mouth in a bruising kiss.

After a few more passionate and deep kisses, Ila continued her original line of questioning.

"So, you obviously do not disapprove of a great difference in age when it comes to betrothals…"

"Obviously…" Thorin murmured as he kissed her neck while talking.

"So…guess who is smitten with who!" she said.

Thorin continued kissing her neck and down to her collarbone. "I can't begin to imagine" he mumbled, clearly disinterested.

Ila sighed. "Dwalin and Dwala, who else?"

Thorin abruptly stopped kissing his wife and rose up to look her square in the eyes.

"What?" he asked, as though he hadn't heard her.

"You heard me right my love." Ila said smiling.

Thorin looked very confused. He just didn't think that possible for some reason. Dwalin, his right hand, his most fierce warrior, his tough as nails, life-long companion smitten with anyone….but with the hand maiden what was always in the wrong place at the wrong time?

"What is that face you're making?" Ila asked.

Thorin faltered. "I…it's just very difficult for me to believe. Are you sure?"

"Why? She is the sweetest, strongest, and most loyal dwarf maiden I have ever known, why should he not be smitten with her? And she is much younger than he. And I know from her own lips that she is smitten with him."

"Really?" Thorin asked, sounding astonished.

"Why is that so hard to believe dear? They look adorable side by side. You should have seen them at supper tonight, they could barely eat for starting at each other! And she's made him two dozen cookies today alone."

Thorin had missed supper that night due to a desire to finish out the briefings that had threatened to spill into the next day. He would have liked to have seen that sight, but couldn't help but wonder that his wife was mistaken or exaggerating. He couldn't imagine Dwalin being smitten with anyone.

"I will ask him about it," Thorin said.

"No! Let him mention it to you first, if he does. Their attraction is very recent, let it take its course. You know how it was at first when we were forced together. Let things evolve between them." Ila counseled her husband.

Thorin smiled at her. "But we eventually got on very well, wouldn't you say?"

Ila gave him a big smile in return. "Well, considering I am lying naked in your arms my lord, I would have to concur."

He smiled and ran his hand over her breast and down her side to cup her sex.

Ila moaned ever so slightly and grinded into his hand.

"Are you sleepy my love?" he asked quietly.

"Not anymore," she answered and in one motion he pushed her on her back and was inside her, her legs splayed and her feet resting on his hard ass as he began to pound her. Ila giggled and moaned happily, her husband back where he belonged after a long day apart.

A/N: Sorry I'm slacking guys. It has been the worst week I can remember in a long, long time. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope it's a happy one, and if you don't, I wish you good food, good wine, and companionship all the same.