Dis had wanted an excuse to leave supper a bit early, having gone really only to please Thorin and Ila, but she would have preferred a much happier reason than the one she was currently presented with.

Dis's heart ached for Ila. She remembered very well what it was like to be pregnant with her Fili. Her first baby, afraid and unsure, wanting to do everything right. And her husband had been nothing like Thorin. He was sweet and caring tender, not that Thorin wasn't, but he lacked Thorin's temper or propensity to worry so much. He had been much more carefree, much like her Kili.

Poor Ila, being married to Thorin was not easy, Dis knew that. Add carrying his child to that and she felt even more so for Ila. She knew better than anyone how possessive and protective Thorin could be, and wondered if Ila had fully realized those qualities in her husband yet. She certainly would if she hadn't and Dis hoped that Ila learned to handle that about him properly. But they had not been married long, and Dis felt that Thorin had some adjusting to do as well, if he would allow himself to. Dis walked purposefully towards Thorin's chambers, hoping he would be there and feeling rather sure he would be. She also hoped that since he had taken her advice before when he was courting lla that he would take it now as well.

Dis didn't bother knocking at her brother's door and simply entered his antechamber, calling for him softly. She said his name three times before she received any sort of answer, and it was coming from the direction of his other rooms, not the royal bedchamber. Dis moved towards the set of doors on the opposite side of the room and entered slowly. This was Thorin's private study, basically a much smaller version than the large one that passed from king to king downstairs, with a few books, weapons, a desk and a large, comfortable chair by the fire in which Thorin sat. His back was to her and he did not look up when she entered, though he heard her there.

"Brother," Dis said advancing slowly to stand behind him.

He did not answer, but stared at the fire, or at least he seemed to. But really he was looking off into space, his face with a severe scowl etched into it and his hand sitting on the armrest balled into a fist.

Dis thought she could practically see the steam rising off of him he was so angry. She sighed and folded her hands in front of her before she spoke.

"That was a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

Thorin didn't answer. She studied his face, and from where she was standing she could only see his profile. He was unmoving like a statue, but she knew he heard her.

"I am surprised you're so mad at Ila, and not Kili," she mused.

Thorin's head turned an inch towards her then, his eyes not following far enough to look at her though, as he finally answered.

"I am mad at Kili. And Fili, and Dwala, and everyone who knew and did not tell me!" He said looking at her now with gritted teeth.

"Thorin-"

"And by the look on your face at supper I take it you knew too?"

"I did."

Thorin's lips were set in a firm line as he looked away from her and back into the fire.

"Don't look at me like that," she snapped. "I had no reason to suppose when I came to see you that you didn't know. Nor is it my place to tell you." Dis said firmly, tiring of her brother's attitude.

Thorin shifted in his chair, clearly angry at her but mostly because he knew she was right, at least about that part.

"And I will guess that you didn't really give her a chance to tell you, but quickly joined your lips and other parts when you had her securely behind doors?"

Thorin cut his eyes at her but did not correct her. Anyone else would have faltered under his glare but she had seen it so many times. And she was probably least afraid of him of all the creatures in Middle-Earth. Not to say though that wasn't ever afraid.

But not now. Not when he needed some sense beaten into that thick dwarven skull.

"So why are you so upset then? You can see that she is fine. She stayed in bed a full week after it happened, with Kili her constant companion to ensure she didn't run mad from it."

Thorin's face was still set with hard lines as he stared unblinking into the fire.

"Thorin," Dis began to say something she feared he would be furious at but felt that she needed to say. "She is a dwarf, not a possession. I know you worry for her but you cannot keep her locked away like the gold beneath our feet,"

Thorin rounded on his sister then, his eyes glowing in anger now as they reflected the fire before him.

"She is my possession, if you like, if you want to call it that. She is my wife, my queen, and she is carrying my child. A royal child, the first true heir of Durin to be born in almost two centuries. She does not belong to herself and her own whims anymore! She has a duty, to me and to our race. And I will lock her away completely if she cannot obey me!"

Thorin had risen from his seat to stand at his full, intimidating height before Dis as he spoke those words. She had stepped back a pace or two, and her lips were parted in surprise and shock. Thorin's chest was heaving as he waited for her to speak.

"You don't mean that," Dis said just above a whisper.

Thorin closed his eyes and turned from her. He barely registered what he had said, and was instantly ashamed he had, mostly because they were true. He hadn't really thought about it that way, and had certainly not articulated his feelings out loud. Doing so made him feel rather ashamed of himself, but he could not help that they were the truth. Though, he did not want his sister to think him a monster. And he loved Ila more than he could ever hope to articulate, which perhaps was part of the problem.

Turning back to his sister, he looked helpless against his own inner turmoil. His expression pained, he uttered quietly, "No, of course not. I didn't mean it… I would not make her a prisoner but…" Thorin's voice was shaking now and Dis softened her surprised and slightly horrified expression.

"It's just that, I have lost so much and—" Thorin stopped as he felt his voice about to crack. Dis hurried to close the distance between them then and put her arms around his neck.

"Thorin," she tried to soothe him and bring him closer, which he allowed after standing still for a moment, and put his arms around her too. He laid his head on her shoulder as she stroked his back slowly.

"Thorin," she said again, "You have lost nothing that I have not. I know what you feel, you know that I know." She soothed him and gently smoothed his hair. "But you have Ila now, and nothing is going to take her or the baby from you." She reassured him.

Thorin felt even more ashamed of himself then. Dis had lost her husband, her mate, the father of her children, and while that had been a very long time ago, he knew the pain was still fresh at times for her. Mainly because it was compounded with the loss of so many others that had been dear to them. But he had his Ila and their baby on the way, and Dis had only the memory of her love, and she had to be reminded of him every day by looking in her lads' faces. That must have been both a blessing and a curse, Thorin had thought many times.

He gently rubbed his sister's back. "Forgive me, sister."

She smiled into his mane of hair. "I'm not the one to whom you should be asking forgiveness Thorin."

He sighed heavily. He had been much too harsh with Ila. Hateful really. He felt that he was justified in some of his hard feelings at not being told the entire truth the first time he asked. But she had not deserved to be embarrassed in the great hall, or walked out upon, with tears welling in her eyes, while he doubted the health of their baby to her face.

"I know," he finally murmured.

Dis drew back and took his face in her hands to make him look her squarely in the eyes.

"You must not be so harsh with her, I have told you this before. She is so young Thorin, younger than when I had Fili and I remember how frightened and unsure I was. And I wasn't a queen, carrying the heir of Durin, as you say. And on that matter…" Dis said losing her gentleness and replacing it with a stern and commanding tone that eerily matched his, she took his chin between her thumb and index finger. "My sons are true heirs of Durin. And Fili would have made a marvelous king, had he ever the chance."

Thorin stared into her matching blue eyes and offered no rebuttal. He knew better than to tempt her. She was slow to anger but when she did he wanted none of her.

Dis took his silence for agreement. She returned to herself but offered him a light smack on the chest.

"You must go apologize to your wife! You grumpy old goat."

Thorin finally smiled and brought his sister to his chest in a big hug. She hugged him back and he agreed that he would apologize as soon as she came to bed. He did not want to risk embarrassing her again nor did he want to see anyone else that night. He would wait by the fire to hear her come in, then go to her and apologize. Then they would make love and fall asleep in each other's arms. So he hoped.

Dis gave him a kiss on his bearded cheek, then moved from the room so quietly that she could have been a spirit, for he heard it not. He sat back down, with some wine to settle his nerves, and waited, hoping his love would come soon.

A/N: A short one, but wanted to get it in while I had the chance tonight. Have a wonderful week all! It's 70 degrees here in Georiga and is supposed to be all week, which is rather crazy since we had an ice storm Tuesday-Thursday!