Kili was leading the way through the halls, taking them deeper and deeper into Erebor. These passages lay to the eastern portion of the mountain, and Ila had never really ventured there. Everything else Thorin had shown her lay on the western wing or deep in the middle of the mountain, where the mines plunged ever downwards. Ila had of course heard of the great and seemingly endless hall of treasures beneath Erebor. It is what had drawn Smaug to the mountain in the first place. Thorin's grandfather, Thrain, had collected the vast wealth in his greed that had turned to a sickness that had drawn the fire drake down from the north. Everyone knew the story. Especially now that Thorin had retaken the mountain.
Perhaps Ila did know why Thorin never talked much of the gold or bothered to show it to her. Many had not wanted Thorin to retake the mountain for other reasons than the most obvious one- awakening the fire breather that guarded it. There was the fear that it would drive him mad, as it has driven Thrain mad. That he would become greedy and obsessed with the gold, not sharing it with those that had helped him retake the mountain as he had promised. Everyone, from men to elves and even other dwarves feared it so, but Thorin had proved them all wrong. He had given Thranduil, the Elven King of Mirkwood and an old enemy, the jewels of pure starlight he had asked for and made peace with him which there had not been any between their peoples for many years. He gave much to Bard and the citizens of Laketown, which was being used to rebuild Dale. A sum had also been given to the hobbit that had retrieved the arkenstone for Thorin, Biblo was his name. Thorin did speak fondly of him from time to time, and Ila forgot why exactly he had not made the trip for the wedding, except she knew that the Shire was not a short journey from Erebor and she figured that had much to do with it. He had not very long ago returned to his hobbit hole, and perhaps he wanted to remain there a while after all they said he had weathered with Thorin and company. She had heard that hobbits were particularly fond of their homes and adverse to any sort of adventures, but she herself had never known any hobbits to say for sure.
As so much of the contents of the treasure hall had been doled out, Ila thought perhaps there was not much left, or so much less that it was no longer as impressive as it was in legend. Also, Ila wondered that Thorin tried to keep his distance from that hall, for fear of ever being overcome by it as his grandfather had been. It was a sore subject for him still, and she knew Thorin still carried wounds from those days. Dis was a perfect example of what the horrors they had passed could do to oneself. Ila had seen her sister-in-law at the wedding and that was it, exchanging kind pleasantries with her but that was all. That is generally why Ila never bothered Thorin about such things. She was sure the hall of treasures was still magnificent and a sight to behold, but as Thorin mused to her once, she was more impressed by his private study than by all the mines filled with jewels.
Not to mention, Thorin had kept Ila plenty occupied since their marriage with her wifely duties, and she had little time to think on such things as exploring the palace further. But now that he was gone, she could use some distraction. She figured Dwala could too, and she was quietly bringing up the rear of their little three dwarf procession towards the treasure hall.
They must be close, Ila thought, because golden light was cascading in from the corridor up ahead. She was excited then and hurried to fall into step with Kili.
"Oh no, you have to close your eyes first." He said, speeding up and stopping in front of her.
"Close my eyes? I am not a little dwarf…" she said but Kiil insisted.
"It will be much more impressive," he said and Ila sighed but with a smile. He placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her towards the opening she had seen, making sure her eyes were closed. Dwala did not close her eyes, not that she had been instructed to but she wouldn't have anyway. She was no little dwarf either, and she wondered that Kili should have his hands on Ila, even to stir her from place to place. It was innocent enough, she supposed. She forgot that thought then when she looked over the balcony they had walked onto. Ila had not opened her eyes yet and Dwala could not hold in a quiet gasp of awe.
"Ready?" Kili asked. Ila hummed that she was and Kili told her to open her eyes then.
Ila's gasp was much louder than Dwala's had been.
"Oh! Oh, Mahal…." She said as she turned her head left to right, taking in the sprawling, gleaming, and seemingly unending sea of gold. It was dotted with sparkling jewels of every kind, chalices and chests, shields and statues, pearls and candlesticks and even weapons of gold lay throughout the room. The room itself was huge, its columns disappearing into the pools of gold, which were in piles so great they were like miniature mountains. Steps, stairs, and walkways wove throughout the room, which went on through archways and appeared to be as Ila had first thought, endless.
"It's not quite as impressive as it was before the men took what they were promised, or what those of the company were promised, but it is still the stuff of legend," Kili said proudly.
Not as impressive, right. Dwala thought.
"I cannot imagine it being more impressive, Kili. It is so much more than any of the stories I heard as dwarfling would have had be believe possible." Ila said, and for a moment was ill with Thorin that he had not shown her such a wonder when it lay right beneath her feet. But she only felt so for a second, for the reasons she had thought on during her way there.
"Come on, let's have a closer look," Kili said and held out his hand for Ila to take. Ila smiled widely and took his offered hand, letting him led her down the steps. There was a tiny path cleared through some of the gold so that the stone floor was visible, but one had to step out onto the mountain of gold and get down it's slope to reach the floor. Clearly no one had planned that very well, or perhaps it had once all been neatly put away but the dragon had fixed that.
"Ila—Your majesty—do you think this is wise?" Dwala asked?
"I'm sure it is Dwala, what could happen?" she called back to her.
Dwala made a face to say that she was unsure, then followed dutifully.
They reached the landing and were met with piles of gold. Ila looked to Kili questioningly, wondering if in fact this was a bad idea.
"It is sturdy, see?" he said, placing his boot firmly on the gold coins. Ila saw that it did not give way beneath him, and held tightly to his hand as she tentatively placed a foot onto the gold next to his. She waited to see that it was sturdy, then let her other foot follow from the safe stone landing. Kili took her other hand so now that he held both and helped her down the slope of gold that stood between them and the actual floor. Dwala stood on the edge of the landing, waiting to see if Ila made it safely.
"There you are," Kili said once they reached the floor. "Not so dangerous right?"
Ila smiled but knew that Thorin would be livid, no- absolutely mad with rage if he knew what she was doing, and so soon after his departure. That did make her feel guilty, but she was sure nothing terrible could befall her here, and with Kili to protect her.
Dwala timidly set a foot on top of the gold, but felt it shift a tiny bit. That was enough for her. She could see just fine from where she was. And, as clumsy as she was prone to be at times, she would be less help and more of a threat if she were to join them, she figured.
"Dwala aren't you coming?" Ila called up to her.
"I am fine where I am. Unless my lady needs me?" she replied.
Ila giggled. "No Dwala, stay there if you like," she said and began to follow Kili in the virtual valley of gold.
Ila stretched out her hands to let them gently pass over the smooth edges of the gold coins that lay on either side of her. She would pick up a gemstone or a piece of jewelry here or there, to examine and admire before tossing it back into the sea from which it came.
Kili did not share Ila's look of awe, but did seem proud. This was his heritage after all Ila thought, that he had never even seen until the reclaiming of the mountain. He and Fili had been born in exile, in Ered Luin. It was little wonder why he didn't want to go back there with Thorin, he had been there his entire life, having grown up hearing only tales of Erebor. Why would he ever want to leave now that he was finally here? And what could compare to the halls of Erebor, especially to this one?
He looked back at her then, smiling at the look still on her face.
"Uncle should have brought you here himself, but perhaps he thought you would never want to leave." Kili said.
"I will be able to leave, it is only I never imagined it could be like this. This is too much to be real," Ila said. The narrow path revealing the stone floor snaked around a corner, and as they turned it Ila lost sight of Dwala.
Dwala shifted nervously from where she stood, hoping Ila would be ok. Perhaps she should follow her anyway. It was her duty to follow after her, even if Ila told her not to. Dwala looked down at the gold and placed a foot on it and steeled herself, telling herself she was fine when it gave under her a bit. She placed her other foot on it and quickly made her way down to the floor, coins sliding as she went. She whimpered and was glad no one was in earshot to know. She picked up her skirts and quickly followed after them.
Ila was still overwhelmed. She wanted to climb one of the mountains of gold and roll in it like it was springtime grass. The she wanted to slide down them like a snow covered hill. But, not while she was pregnant. She wished for a moment that she wasn't, and thought on how much fun she would be having while Thorin was away if she was not carrying a Durin heir. Truly, she did not wish she wasn't pregnant. She felt horribly guilty for even thinking it for a second, and rubbed her bump lovingly. She only thought at what fun she would be having right now otherwise, because pregnant or not she couldn't imagine that Thorin would find it very amusing if she went rolling and tumbling through his treasure. She didn't think Kili would judge her though, but likely would join in.
"How far does this go?" she asked.
"Through most of the hall, but much of the treasure you practically have to climb on top of to reach." Kili said, looking about himself. "See anything you like?" he asked with a glint in his eye. "I can fetch it,"
"No! No, I desire nothing that I do not already have." Ila said, and she truly meant it.
What a most fortunate dwarf you are, Kili thought. And the only one of your kind that can say that.
Ila was a dwarf though, and the impulse to swim in so much gold did tug at her a bit. But only a bit. Her wedding jewels were the finest in all the dwarven realms, and if she wanted something else she need only mention it to Thorin. But she didn't. All she wanted were things that could not be bought or fashioned, such as her husband to return and their little one to be born. But she could hurry neither on their way.
"I don't think I can go much further," Ila said, holding her stomach. "I am afraid that I am rather tired these days, and I must have the strength to get back."
Kili mentally cursed himself. He was trying to make her do too much. He could not tire her so quickly and without even thinking.
"Of course, forgive me Ila." Kili said and turned around and took her hand so that she might lean on him a bit. She did only a little, not wanting to appear too fragile to him. She was fragile for a dwarf, most thought that, but she wanted to appear as sturdy and strong as possible, strong and worthy enough to carry the future king and heir of Durin.
Just then Dwala turned the corner and met them.
"It's alright, Dwala. We are turning back." Ila said, knowing she must have been worried when she lost sight of them.
Dwala gave her a slightly relieved nod and fell in behind them, picking up the end of Ila's dress so that it did not catch on anything, as there was much on either side of them that could snag it. They soon reached the slope of gold that stood between them and the landing. It looked much more difficult to navigate from here, the descending obviously being much easier than the ascending was going to be. Kili had not really thought about that, and now Ila was tired.
"Here, I will go first and help you up." He said.
"And I will stand here until you are safely up," Dwala said. Ila nodded and Kili walked up the gold, getting a solid footing once he was half way up and turning to extend a hand to lla. Ila began to step up onto the gold herself, holding her skirts up with one hand and reaching out for Kili's outstretched hand with her free one.
Their fingertips almost met, but Ila's foot came down in just the wrong place. A chalice, all but hidden under the gold, was underfoot. It shifted under her weight, as did the gold around it, and it gave way in a great clump along with her foot. It caused a great downward cascade of gold coins, taking Ila with it. She yelped and her hand just missed Kili's as she slid backward.
Dwala cried out Ila's name, and as she rushed forth to break her fall, was jerked backwards herself. Startled and with her heart racing, she looking down to see her dress had been caught on the edge of an open chest and it had stopped her when she went to lung for Ila. She reached down and quickly pulled at it, her dress tearing as she did but she was free. She was too late though, as she heard Kili yell Ila's name and looked up to see Ila lying on the stone floor.
Kili was half running, half sliding down the gold now to be at Ila's side. Dwala had managed to reach her then too.
Ila was breathing hard, lying on her side now, holding her stomach.
"Ila! Ila!" Kili said, gently turning her onto her back and touching her all over to see if she was hurt.
Ila's eyes were filled with pain and terror. She appeared to have hit her head on something, as there was a minor cut on her forehead, but she would not stop holding her stomach.
"Ila, Ila are you hurt? Tell us where it hurts," Dwala pleaded gently, trying to keep herself under control.
"The baby—is the baby ok?" Ila panted out.
"I'm sure he is," Dwala said, "but does it hurt?"
"Where do you hurt Ila, please?" Kili asked urgently, his control of his emotions not as strong as Dwala's.
"My leg, my side," she whimpered. Dwala looked up from whence Ila had fallen down the gold. There were all sorts of things, candlesticks, cups, weapons even sticking out and that had been uncovered in the mini-avalanche that she could have struck herself on, before finally hitting the floor. The hard, stone floor.
"You're alright, we're going to get you up and out of here," Kili said and went to pick her up but Ila winced and moaned. He stopped, letting her simply lay on her back.
Her fear was rising, Dwala could see it. Ila was terrified that she had hurt her baby in her fall. Dwala looked again at all the gold that stood between them and the landing. Turning to Kili, who looked more and more upset himself, she said firmly,
"You cannot carry her up that and she cannot do it herself, it is too dangerous, she could be hurt even worse. Go for help, I will stay with her."
Dwala had been quite bold just then, a simple handmaiden giving orders to a prince. But Fili was so distressed and with one more look to Ila, realized that she was right.
"I will stay with her," he said.
"No, you can move much faster than I can in this dress. You must go, now." Dwala urged him and he hesitated for a moment before nodding and dashing forward, scaling the gold as quickly as possible, with more of it giving way behind him. Dwala placed herself between it and Ila, but most of it fell in other directions thankfully, and little came towards them.
Kili was out of sight then, Dwala hearing his footfalls on the stone disappear quickly as he ran. She placed an arm under Ila's neck to cradle her head and held her hand with the other.
Ila looked up at Dwala, tears in her eyes.
"Dwala, what if my baby—"
"Stop that." Dwala said. "He is fine, you just have a few bruises," she assured her. Dwala was not sure she believed that, but she couldn't let Ila know. She had to be strong and assuring for her now, for her friend and queen.
Tears slipped from Ila's eyes but she said nothing, only tried to remain calm through the pain and fear. Thorin would be so angry with her, even if their baby was safe. If it was not, Ila would never be able to look Thorin in the eyes again.
A/N: Cliffhanger! You're welcome. J/k, please don't hate me.
Random, but my husband ordered me a Thorin plushie for my birthday (back in July) from a seller in Yorkshire, and it finally came TODAY. The guy said Royal Mail was bad, but who knew it was that slow? lol