Ila's sleep was dreamless and not as deep as she would have liked, her heart still being very heavy from the night before. When she opened her eyes it took her a moment to realize where she was, since she had not fallen asleep in her old chambers in some time.
She found that she had not moved in her sleep, but was still on her side and facing away from Thorin. His hand was still clasped in hers, telling her that he had not moved either. She felt his warm breath on her neck and forgot for a second how upset she had been with him and reveled in the closeness and comfort of his embrace that she had not had the pleasure of waking in for three weeks.
But that second passed and she remembered how she had felt last night. How he had called her a liar and strode away from her in the great hall, and worst of all how he had doubted the health of their baby. Ila looked down at her belly and wished she could prove to him that their baby was alright, though there was no way to do so entirely and beyond any doubt, but her burgeoning mother's intuition told her that her little one was safe and sound. She just knew in her heart that it was. But she decided she wouldn't mention that to Thorin, he would dismiss it, even if just to himself and not outwardly to her, and believe what he wanted.
She had been very surprised that he joined her in bed last night. She wondered how he knew she would be here, but then figured when she didn't show that it was not hard to figure out. Where else could she go? Nowhere really. But it surprised her that he came and tried to make amends at all. Dis must have gone to him as she said she would and managed to talk sense into him. She likely had decades of practice at that. Ila clearly needed to ask for her advice on more than just baby dwarves.
Ila let go of Thorin's hand gently so as not to startle him awake and let it gently lay on her belly. That little movement was enough to rouse Thorin however, and his hand followed hers to slowly rub up and down her abdomen. Next she felt his lips on her neck, pressing slow and languid kisses there.
It's going to take more than that, Thorin Oakenshield, Ila thought to herself.
She shifted her hips to press her bum into his crotch, which earned her a groan from him, then drew away from him entirely. That got her a very frustrated groan from Thorin as he scooted closer to her to close the gap she had created.
He brought his muscular arm up under her breasts and pressed her firmly to him from behind, making a protesting sound that she had separated them.
When Ila didn't respond in touch or with words his hand began to fondle her breast. Ila responded by giving him a hard smack on the knuckles.
It wasn't that hard in truth, but Thorin whimpered and drew his hand away like she had scalded him with hot water.
"Wife!" he protested and pulled at her shoulder to roll her on her back so he could hover over her and peer into her face.
She looked up at him with a severe expression and he met it pouting like a little dwarfling.
"Do you think I have so easily forgotten last night, Thorin?" she asked without malice but firmly enough. "Do you think I wish to be intimate when you have wounded my heart so?"
Thorin looked guilty and averted his eyes from hers for a moment. "I said I was sorry, wife. But you have not apologized yet." He said meeting her gaze again on the last sentence.
Ila narrowed her eyes. She knew she should but felt the greater apology to be made was his. Not wanting to say the words just yet, it was her turn to look away.
"I did not lie as you accused me. I was only so happy to see you when you arrived, I did not want to mar our first reunion with anxiety, which would have been for no reason at all since I am fine. Yet you would have worried terribly and been angry with everyone" Ila said stubbornly. "Some homecoming that would be."
Thorin let his hand return to her belly.
"Am I not allowed to worry over my wife and heir?" he asked trying to keep his temper in check.
Ila turned her head towards him quickly. "Of course you are, but there was no need to react as you did, embarrassing me in the great hall and challenging the health of our baby." She said sternly and trying to hold back the tears that were beginning to sting her eyes.
Thorin surprised her when he held her gaze and answered, "I know, I should not have done that. It was wrong."
Ila felt her eyes widen a little at that omission but felt she should continue defending herself while she was on the subject.
"And furthermore, I was going to tell you about my slip when Dis came to our rooms. I called for you but you didn't hear me. And I didn't believe she would come to supper and so I was going to tell you beforehand. But as you know I did not get the chance." Ila finished.
She watched Thorin's face take all of that in. His face was like stone for a moment, yielding nothing, but slowly she saw it soften. He leaned over her and let his hand slide up to hold her neck and the base of her skull, bringing their faces close.
"I am sorry my love, I should not have treated you so. But you also know not to keep things from me, especially regarding your wellbeing and that of the baby." His voice was soft but serious, and Ila knew it was her turn now to apologize.
"I know my darling, I am sorry I did not tell you sooner. I desire to keep nothing from you." She returned quietly and laid her forehead against his, as they were so close now.
Thorin brushed her lips with his and then gave her a chaste kiss as though to say all was forgiven between them. Ila returned it with a press of her own lips to his, and marveled at how much easier that had been than she'd anticipated. But then she knew what he wanted. She had denied him last night and just this morning. He was angry, but he wanted to make up even more, Ila thought.
Thorin seemed satisfied with her apology and moved to lay perpendicular to her, so that his head was on her thighs and his face laid gently against her swell. He stared up at her so innocently. It was the most rare expression of all that her husband had, and she loved to see it. He looked like a young dwarf then, and her heart melted a bit as she couldn't help but smile back at him.
Ila reached down to stroke his hair, and he closed his eyes with a content smile.
"My love," Ila whispered. Thorin looked like he might drift back off to sleep for a moment, but then turned to kiss her belly and sit up again. Placing one hand on either side of her head, he looked down at her expectantly.
"So, all is forgiven?" Thorin asked.
"Yes…..if…" Ila replied slowly, running a finger along his bearded cheek.
"If you are also no longer angry with Fili, Kili, or Dwala…"
"I did not say I was,"
"But you are. Especially with Dwala, she is terrified you will send her back to father in the morning. You always lay blame at her feet, even when she has done nothing wrong."
Thorin chuckled. "No, no I had not thought of that. Besides, if I did I fear Dwalin would follow her."
"He would! Which reminds me, he has asked for her hand!" Ila exclaimed excitedly.
"Already? I expected him too soon." Thorin said casually.
"Oh, so you knew?"
"Yes, he talked about it a good deal on the journey."
"Oh! That is sooo sweet! Yet it is so hard for me to imagine. Your fearless and unmovable right hand gushing about his beloved" Ila said giddy with happiness.
"I wouldn't say that he gushes…but enough about everyone else," Thorin said tugging at Ila's gown.
"IF—you say you have forgiven everyone…."
"Yes, yes, yes…." Thorin murmured as he had begun to kiss her right leg from ankle to thigh.
"Good," Ila said and began to pull at Thorin, trying to bring him up even with her.
He stretched out to lay next to her then and took her mouth in a deep and passionate kiss, letting her know that truly all was forgotten now. She surrendered to him, sinking her hands into his mane and holding him close. He broke their kiss but barely pulled away from her lips.
"I have never taken you in this bed," Thorin said lowly.
"No, though I dreamt of it many nights before we were married." Ila whispered back to him.
Thorin smiled lasciviously. "Really?" He was clearly intrigued by her admission. "And what did you dream of, particularly?" he asked as he moved her hair aside to kiss her neck.
Ila drew in a deep breath. "Well, you would start out like you are now," she answered.
"Um hmm," he replied with his lips pressed firmly against her skin.
"And then you would grow impatient and tear my clothes from my body," Ila continued.
Thorin's only answer was a growl as he bit her shoulder and tugged the neckline of her gown downward. His hands then went to swiftly push her gown up to her hips and settle between her legs, but taking care to stay off her abdomen. Ila smiled widely and pushed up her husband's night shirt and positioned his member at her opening. He gently moved forward and was enveloped by his wife's welcoming heat, her head going back into the pillows and eyes closing in pleasure.
They remained intertwined for much of the morning, stopping only long enough to order that lunch be brought to them, and after lunch repeated the exercises from that morning. Thorin did not make it downstairs until late in the day, but Erebor was not surprised, nor did it make any great demands of its king that day, knowing his greatest duty was that of tending to its queen.
A/N: Apologies for I am behind! I will post again this weekend to make up for it. Everyone in the States please continue to stay safe and warm in the craziest winter I or anyone I talk to can remember!