Ila woke the next day wishing that she had only dreamt what Thorin told her the night before. He had already gone when she woke, and she pouted as she looked at his empty side of the bed. She rolled onto her back and tried to gauge whether she was going to be sick this morning or not. She felt a little uneasy, not as bad as it had been some mornings but bad enough that she wanted to stay in bed for a little longer until it passed. Ila sighed and rubbed her belly slowly. She had dreamt that she went into labor when Thorin was away, where she knew not. She had been calling his name through the pain but knew he could not hear her, nor could he come. The baby had finally been born, but before they could lift it up for her to behold she'd woken. Or forgotten. She couldn't remember. She would not let Thorin leave when the time grew near, she would do anything to stop him. But she also knew she would not have to. He wouldn't dare miss the birth of his first born. Their first born. Their little dwarfling. Ila smiled despite feeling poorly.

She will have grown by the time Thorin returned in three weeks time. She felt like she visibly grew more each day, though she was still small. How big would she be in three weeks?

Three weeks. She was not amused that Thorin had sprung that on her, practically on the eve of his departure. If he had not wanted to trouble her, and in turn the baby, he should have given her much more warning. But she knew he figured he would have had to endure so much more protestations from her over a much longer period of time, and that it would be easier on him to just wait and tell her, and she be cross with him while he was gone and didn't have to endure her censure.

She couldn't blame him too much, because he was right. She would have pouted and pleaded to go with him for however long ago he had told her to the moment he left. And truly, she did not wish to make a journey of any length feeling this way. But, she would have dealt with it if that meant not having to be parted from Thorin. However, and as she had expected, she was not being given the option. She would miss him so terribly much. They had not been parted since they were married, and had seen each other almost every day before that since she'd come to the lonely mountain. Ila felt that she could cry if she let herself but did not. Instead she turned her thoughts to how she was going to entertain herself for three weeks without running mad.

Thorin had mentioned he would bring Kili with him, which she had saddened even more to hear. He was so very attentive to her and had spent quite a lot of time with her in the last month, making good on Thorin's command to "entertain her" in his free time, which she supposed he must have a lot of, but that made sense. He was royalty, royalty that would never assume a throne, and he was young still. He had few obligations and could do as he liked for much of the day, and he had spent much of that time with her lately.

There was such a lightness about him, his eyes practically sparkled. Thorin said her eyes sparkled and so perhaps what she saw in Kili's was what he meant about her. He was always so happy and carefree, and of course funny. Ila figured a lot of that stemmed from the fact that he was still young, and he had not seen the dark and terrible things that Thorin had. The suffering and pain that Thorin had. But there were no eyes more beautiful than his, his stunning blue eyes that she prayed their little dwarfling would look out of and back at her with. Ila rubbed her belly, wondering if her little one could feel it.

Ila felt well enough then to rise and did so, pulling on a robe to tie around her waist. She moved towards her vanity and sat down to comb her tresses that were rather tousled from last night's love making. She smiled thinking about that. She wished Thorin had been next to her when she woke. She desired him and thinking about last night was only frustrating her. She shifted at her vanity, trying to make the faint aching between her legs go away. She jumped a little then as the door opened.

She'd hoped it was Thorin, come just in time to tend to her desires, but it was Dwala.

"Oh, good morning Dwala." Ila said smiling and turned back to her reflection.

"Good morning my Queen," Dwala responded, but Ila could tell something was wrong.

"Dwala, you know I don't want you to call me that when we are alone. What's wrong? You look so sad."

"I am fine, Ila." Dwala said as she began to make the royal bed.

Ila had been looking at her in the mirror but now turned around to face her.

"Dwalin never showed up last night, did he?"

Dwala stopped what she was doing, but said nothing. She didn't need to, Ila could read her like a book anyway. They'd been together long enough that they both could do that with each other.

"I'm sure he was just busy, he has never missed a night with you has he? The trip from Dale was late returning I think. I'm sure he'll be at breakfast." Ila tried to reassure her.

"I'm sure you're right," Dwala said still seeming sad.

"I mean, I can't believe he would willingly be parted from you when he is about to be for three weeks." Ila said, having turned back to her reflection.

She saw Dwala drop the blanket she was holding in the mirror and turn towards her with a look of surprise and distress.

Ila realized her mistake and turned back towards her.

"Oh, Dwala. I am sorry. Thorin told me in bed only last night. He is going to the Blue Mountains tomorrow and taking Dwalin with him. He says they will be away for three weeks."

Dwala's chest rose and fell heavily one time and she turned wordlessly back to the bed to continue making it.

"Dwala," Ila began soothingly, "I am sure he was going to tell you as soon as he could. Thorin probably forbid him to because then you would tell me and he purposely kept me in the dark so I wouldn't be complaining all this time."

Dwala felt very sad indeed. He had disappeared the night before and now he was leaving on a three week trip tomorrow that he had mentioned nothing about. Why keep so much from her? She understood Thorin not wanting Ila to know, but Dwalin should know that she would keep anything he told her between the two of them if he wanted it to stay that way. She began to make the bed angrily, aggressively fluffing the pillows.

"Dwala?" Ila called.

Dwala turned to her, "Yes?"

"Are you….are you angry?" Ila asked. She had honestly never seen Dwala angry, and it was a very new and interesting sight to her.

"I—I—well why shouldn't I be? He disappears and then I find he doesn't think I would even want to know that he will be taking a journey tomorrow? I suppose he thinks I don't care at all…or perhaps he does not care at all."

"Dwala, I am sure that is not the case. And just ask him when you see him today. Make the dwarf explain himself. He should be made to answer for standing you up last night, even if he had a good reason which I am sure he does, he should still explain himself."

Dwala frowned still but nodded. "I'm sure you're right, I'm just being silly."

"It's not silly. I am none too enthused myself." Ila said. "And believe me I did make the case for us to go as well, but Thorin will have none of that."

"No, no you knew he wouldn't with your being pregnant." Dwala said.

"Yes, I know." Ila sighed. "The question is now what are we supposed to do for three weeks without our dwarves?!" Ila said getting up and shedding her robe so Dwala could help her dress. She'd chosen a fiery red number today to match her attitude (being still a tiny bit cross with her husband).

"I think," Ila began, "that we should do whatever we want. It will serve them right" And then looked to Dwala who was finishing her laces.

"Yes, yes it would." Dwala said lowly.

Ila turned to face her. "Come on, let's to breakfast. Your dwarf has some explaining to do."

"He's not my dwarf," Dwala corrected.

Ila huffed. "Yes he is. And he knows it."

Dwala turned red but said nothing, only followed her lady down to the great hall. As they approached the great doors, they noticed Dwalin standing at the entrance, looking as though he were expecting someone.

"Good morning my queen," Dwalin said bowing his head.

"Good morning, Mister Dwalin," Ila said inclining her own. Dwalin then looked to Dwala but the two said nothing to each other.

"Ila, I wonder that I might have a word with your handmaiden for a moment. It won't take long." Dwalin said.

"Of course," she said. "Take your time Dwala," Ila replied and made her way into the great hall. She didn't even look at them but made her way into the hall quickly so as not to make what already felt like an awkward situation worse. She spotted Fili and Kili already eating but not her husband, so made her way towards them. They greeted her happily as always and Ila sat next to Kili.

"So, I hear you are accompanying Thorin to the Blue Mountains tomorrow? A journey no one mentioned to me until just last night…" Ila said to Kili.

He smiled. "Yes, uncle says I am to go, but I would rather stay here. I have seen the Blue Mountains many times, and it will be a cold journey."

Ila nodded. "But did you keep it a secret from me too?" she asked. Kili felt caught. He was afraid that she was cross with him, but still he answered her.

"He wanted to tell you himself of course. But I thought he would have told you by now." Kili said sheepishly.

"Yes, he waited to the last minute on purpose, so as to listen to my displeasure for as short a time as possible." Ila said and smiled sweetly at him so he knew she was not cross with him. Kili was inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.

"I practically pleaded to go with you, but I am not allowed apparently." Ila continued.

"Well I would think not, not in your condition." Kili observed.

"I know, I know. It would not be a good idea. But how am I to do without you and Thorin for three whole weeks?!" Ila asked.

Kili was surprised by her words. Him and uncle? Did she enjoy his company that much that she was sad to see him go? She mentioned him along with Thorin, which made his heart flutter. Though he knew that she loved Thorin and only mentioned him because of how much time he had been spending keeping her company, it still gave him hope.

And then it occurred to him. Perhaps he would not have to leave her.

"Well, I am sure that uncle will leave orders for someone to entertain you, and more importantly watch over you." Kili said. "You know how he worries."

"Yes, your uncle does plenty of that." Ila said, then began to wonder herself if Thorin would leave special instructions with someone regarding her care. She knew he would, but to whom? Fili? Lord Balin? She could not decide. She would have to ask him, of course. But perhaps she could make a request? She did not want someone watching her every move, like she was a prisoner or something. And of everyone that could be left in charge of her, Kili would be best she thought. He was young, and funny, and she knew he would watch over her with his life but yet not smother her or rob her any fun she thought to have. Fili would be too busy seeing to the kingdom to keep her company, but too afraid of upsetting uncle and so might keep too close an eye on her and any activities she desired to engage in. Kili would definitely be her choice, and she so enjoyed his company, it would help pass the time until Thorin returned to her

"I do wish that you did not have to go too," Ila said to Kili.

"As I said, I would prefer not to go either." He replied.

"Perhaps, perhaps together we can convince Thorin that you should stay? That is, if you want to be in charge of watching over the queen and future king of Erebor for three weeks?" Ila asked patting her stomach gently.

Kili smiled that brilliant, sparkling smile that only he had, and she knew the answer was yes. They spent the rest of breakfast deciding how to put it to Thorin when they saw him next.

Meanwhile, outside the great hall, Dwala and Dwalin were awkwardly regarding each other as Ila had walked away. Dwala said nothing, as she hadn't asked to be relieved of her duties for the moment and was waiting for Dwalin to say whatever it was he felt was so important.

"Will you take a short walk with me? Just about the palace?" he asked.

"As you wish," Dwala said and they walked side by side, slowly through Erebor with no destination in mind.

"I, I wanted to apologize for last night. It was late indeed when I finally showed and you'd gone to bed by then, as I'd expected." He said.

So he had shown up, albeit so late there was no way she would still be waiting, but he had shown up. Hmm.

"I waited a little while. But I supposed the trip from Dale took longer than expected." Dwala said, trying not to be too disagreeable.

"No, no we were back by the time the moon showed itself. I was elsewhere." He said.

Dwala felt her face grow warm. And where else should he be? She was trying to be reasonable.

"Oh," she said but did not look at him. She waited to see if he would offer to tell her, but he didn't. She felt herself growing angrier and more hurt than before.

"Well, I'm sure it was something very important." She said.

"It was," was all he replied. She looked up at him and his face suggested he would give her no more of an answer than that. She looked forward once more and said nothing.

"Well, is that all you wanted to talk about?" she asked.

"You're angry aren't you?" he asked

"A wee bit, yes." She said and knew her face must be red.

"I apologized didn't I?" he asked. "I never miss a night with you, and believe me going to sleep without your goodnight kisses does not make a decent night's sleep for me anymore—"

"Dwalin! We are in public," she whispered now.

"So why are you cross with me then?" Dwalin asked, growing agitated himself now.

Dwala stopped and turned to him.

"Why? You leave me waiting half the night and won't tell me why, and then I find out this morning that you are leaving tomorrow for three weeks and haven't bothered to breathe a word to me about it." she said staring him straight in the eyes.

Dwalin sighed. So she'd heard. Dammit, he thought.

"I was going to tell you today. I wanted to before but Thorin wouldn't let me. He didn't want to tell Ila until he had to—"

"I wouldn't have mentioned a thing to Ila. You need only ask me that what we say to one another stay as such if you don't want her or any other dwarf in Erebor to know. Do you not trust me?" she asked.

"Of course I trust you how could you say that?" Dwalin asked angrily.

"Because you will not tell me where you were last night. You will only say that it is important. And because of what you just said about not telling of your journey because I would tell Ila." She said heatedly.

"Dwala, I can't tell you now. But I will soon. You have to trust me."

"When you won't trust me?"

Dwalin's face was red now too. Part of him wanted so scream, and part of him wanted to push her against the nearest wall and start ravaging her mouth with his own. There were too many dwarves around for that though, and she looked in no mood anyway.

"Don't say that. And I assure you, I regret leaving you tomorrow more than you regret me going." He said.

"You're just saying that. You don't know how I feel." She said.

"I know how I feel, and I know I love you." Dwalin said, his blue eyes fierce with emotion.

Dwala was speechless. She had expected anything but that. She wasn't even sure she had heard that correctly. Her mind was spinning too fast for her to comprehend anything at that moment.

Dwalin was just standing there, holding his breath, waiting for her reaction. He wished she would hurry, her stunned silence was killing him. What if his fears were true and that's why she couldn't answer? He was shifting on his feet and trying not to let on how terrified he was, but she wasn't making it easy.

"I—I—you do?" was all Dwala could say.

"That's what I said lass," Dwalin answered a little more sweetly this time. "And you?"

Dwala was overcome. This is not the turn of events she had expected. She had almost made her mind up to turn on her heels and march back to the great hall. But his words had hit her like a brick wall.

"I love you, Dwala." He said again. "Is it just me then?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "No—no I mean that, that I—" he had slipped his hand into her hair and was bringing their faces closer together, despite that they stood in plain view of anyone who would care to see them. His movements made it even harder to speak.

"I love you!" she almost yelled as he brought their lips together. His hand was holding the base of her skull and keeping her head right where he wanted it. Their tongues mated and Dwala felt so lightheaded that she feared fainting away. Her knees were weak and she clutched the furs on his shoulders so as not to fall, and he pressed his hand into her back and held her tight against him, feeling her little body tremble against his.

When they parted Dwala was breathless and he steadied her by placing his hands on her shoulders. He leaned his forehead on hers and she peered up at him from her warm and happy brown eyes.

"You cannot possibly go now," she whispered.

"I know lass, but I must. But I will have a surprise for you when I return." He said and she smiled a little smile, but it was mostly a sad smile, because if she had not wanted him to go before, she could not bear the thought of it now.