It was mid-morning when Ila woke the next day, and she was surprised to see her husband was still in bed with her. She smiled and reached over to twirl a lock of his hair between her fingers. She shouldn't be too surprised to see him beside her, since he did have a good deal to drink at the wedding feast last night, but not enough to make him snore as horribly as he did when he was drunk.

He did seem to be dead asleep however as he didn't move an inch. She moved closer to lie on his arm and continue to absently play with his hair while she wondered how Dwala was faring. She had not appeared yet but that wasn't necessarily a good thing. She knew Dwala had a very strong sense of duty and now that she was a wife would feel a great duty to Dwalin. Ila hoped that at the very least he had worshipped her as he should last night. Ila's first time had been awkward and painful but Thorin had worshipped her body and cared sweetly for her, which had made all the difference. Hopefully Dwalin had done the same. But Dwalin had something primal about him, at least to Ila that Thorin did not have. She would think the best until Dwala told her differently, and she would know instantly if she were lying. That was something Dwala just couldn't do, at least not to her.

"Oh!" Ila said and gasped, shifting to hold her stomach. The sudden noise and movement jolted Thorin awake, who was immediately alarmed.

Looking rather flustered and ruffled from sleep, Thorin rolled over to hover over his wife.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked with concern.

"HE KICKED!" Ila proclaimed full of joy, her hands lying on her belly.

"Oh," Thorin exhaled with relief, but the quickly placed his hands on her belly as well.

"Here," Ila instructed as she moved his hands to where she had felt the tiny foot move. Thorin was leaning his head on hers and they were looking down expectantly at her bump.

"Come on little one, kick for your father-"Ila said encouragingly to her belly and before she could finish Thorin felt a swift kick land in the middle of his right hand.

He broke into a deep and joyful laugh and Ila giggled just as happily.

"My baby," he said lovingly and kissed Ila's temple as he rubbed her stomach. Ila turned her face to him so their noses touched and she closed her eyes as he rubbed his nose against hers, their hands clasped on top of her belly.

In another bed elsewhere in the palace, two thoroughly exhausted dwarves were just waking up too. Dwala peeked her eyes open to look at her husband sleeping next to her, his great tattooed arm draped over her waist. There was no window or balcony in these chambers as Ila had, so Dwala was not sure what time of day it was, though she was certain the time for rising was well past. But this didn't concern her, Ila had told her not to come to her that morning or for the next few days if she didn't want to.

Dwala could not have gotten up early enough to go about her duties as normal, since she and Dwalin had coupled twice more during the night, and she was spent. Dwalin took his time with her, and their love making sessions were not brief in any regard. He had taken her on her back and then from behind, which Dwala thought very strange indeed at first but by the end found that she had liked it very much. As she stretched under the covers she found that her body was very sore, as to be expected. She moaned a little and that was enough to wake her new husband.

He pulled her hard against him and pressed his hand under her breasts. She stroked his arm and turned over her shoulder to meet his lips. He kissed her sloppily as he was obviously very tired himself and then snuggled into her hard, she thinking he was just resituated himself and going back to sleep. Dwala was feeling more awake by the moment however. She was not disappointed though when a short time later his hand began to move down her body. Dwala sighed and pressed her bottom into him and he groaned in return, glad to see that she was awake and willing. Dwalin's hand moved over the soft flesh of her belly and to the juncture of her hips. There, his fingers pried her apart to tentatively explore, knowing she must be sore from the previous night.

Dwala was a bit sore but was also very eager to join with her husband again, and ignored the dull ache. She grew slick quickly and moved her hips in an inviting manner. Dwalin delved further into her depths and began to gently chew on her bare shoulder. Dwala giggled and sighed, urging him on. Dwalin soon had enough of that and withdrew his hand suddenly to roll Dwala onto her back. Tearing the sheet away from her and exposing her nakedness for him to briefly survey, Dwalin laid out on top of her. Dwala now expertly raised her legs to wrap around him and hold him firmly there. She reached down and grabbed hold of his member and brought it to her entrance, he wasting no time in sheathing it in her.

Dwala replied with a lustful moan and pulled him to her, already practically a proficient in lovemaking. Dwalin had not expected his beloved to be so confident and full of longing so quickly, but it pleased him behind words. He could not be happier to see his every desire mirrored in and met by his wife. Her initial shyness had been shed post haste it seemed as she was currently meeting his every thrust with a harder one of her own.

He wasn't entirely sure why, perhaps it was the rougher and more animalistic side of him, but he very much enjoyed pinning her down while he took her, which he moved to do as she became wilder beneath him. It was silly perhaps, as she could not be more willing, but the sight set his blood on fire all the same.

Dwala began to push on him, trying to free herself. Her face was not distressed however, and he ignored it at first and continued to thrust deeper and deeper. She did not relent however and pushed against him with all her might, until concerned he let lose her wrists.

Dwala took that opportunity as he was drawing back to get a good look at her and ensure she was alright to push him over onto his back. He fell over, not having expected that, and Dwala hopped on top of him. Smiling as she was pleased with herself, she placed both palms on his chest to hold him down. Dwalin laughed out loud. She thought she and her tiny body could hold him down, huh? Well, he would let her think she could for the moment. Dwala was giggling too but then wasted no time rejoining their bodies. She had not been on top yet, and wanted to ask last night when he surprised her with taking her from behind, so she hadn't asked. But now she straddled him and took hold of his member to bring it to her opening, hoping this would be as easy as she thought.

"There lass," Dwalin warned breathing hard. "It may hurt at first," he said and she took that under advisement but continued to lower herself onto him. As she did she realized what he said was true, this new angle was very penetrating and by the time he was fully inside her she felt a bit like she was being impaled on his sizeable manhood.

Her face must have betrayed her discomfort, for Dwalin reached out his hands to rub up and down her sides, soothing her with his voice at the same time. He remained still while she felt her way out, leaning over to steady her hands on his chest as she rose and fell slowly and gently on his member. The pace was maddeningly slow to Dwalin but he remained still. Dwala rocked back and forth on his hips, easing into this new position. Dwalin held her hips and began to gently guide her movements and she felt more and more sure of herself and the pain began to subside. She increased her pace and Dwalin decided that he liked this position very much, as it provided him with the perfect view of her bouncing breasts, and left his hands free to roam as they pleased.

Dwala liked this position very much too, as the big smile on her face communicated. She looked positively happy as she rode her husband, her hair and breasts bouncing alike. Dwalin felt himself getting closer and wanted to give her a bit more pleasure before he came, and inserted his thumb into the top of her opening to rub her clit.

Dwala arched her back and gasped, the double stimulation being overwhelming. She stopped moving on top of him because she couldn't focus and almost fell on his chest, steadying herself with her hands on his pecks as she rode out the pleasure he was causing her. Feeling her go a bit limp, Dwalin rose up and turned her over on her back again, seizing control once more. He began to pound away at her again so powerfully the two of them rolled off the bed.

They landed on the floor with a great thud, and thankfully with Dwalin on the bottom. Dwala had squealed, but now she could only laugh. Dwalin laughed too, only when he saw she was unharmed, and rolled her over to take up where he'd left off. Neither of them would be leaving their rooms that day, it seemed.

In the royal chambers, Ila had managed to get dressed for the day with a little help from Thorin. He had suggested that he summon another maid, even his sister's handmaiden, to assist in Dwalin's absence but Ila wouldn't have it.

"I can manage my love, if you will only tie my laces," she said and he obliged. He hadn't been long at it when he stopped, seeming unsure.

"Darling?" she asked.

"What if I pull them too tight? Won't that hurt the baby?" he asked from around her.

Ila laughed, though his concern was adorable. "No my love, but I will let you know if you are too tight with them." she said as he continued.

With that small feat accomplished, Thorin offered his hand to his love and escorted her down to what was now lunch, they having missed breakfast.

As they were seated, Ila asked the nearest servant if there had been any sight of the newly wedded couple.

"No your highness," he responded and Ila ordered that food be brought to their room.

Thorin smirked at his wife. "Feel better now?" he asked.

"Yes, hopefully their not having emerged is a good sign."

"Why would it be a bad one?"

"Oh, well, you know that I love Dwalin but he seems such a beast at times. I just worry for my shy and timid Dwala."

"She is fine," Thorin said dismissively. Ila cut her eyes at him.

"You know what I say about your friend is true, you just don't like Dwala, still after all this time." Ila accused but rather casually so, having come to terms with it more or less. Though she still encouraged him to be friendly to her and show her favor.

"I like her fine," Thorin said breaking bread and placing a piece on her plate before eating the other half.

Ila knew he was just saying that to placate her but let it go. Looking down at her round belly as she ate, she was reminded that she had really being meaning to speak with Dis.

"Darling, do you think that I could speak with your sister soon? I mean, could you mention to her that I would like to do so? I had spoken to Fili about mentioning it to her but I don't know if he has, or rather if he has I don't know if she was receptive-"

"Dearest, you are rambling." Thorin interrupted, placing a hand over hers. "Of course I will mention it to her. I am due a visit to her anyway."

"I do wish she would come out more, dine with us if nothing else."

"No one wishes more than I, my love." Thorin said with a hint of sadness in his voice. Ila squeezed his hand but said nothing. Perhaps when there was a little royal running through the halls of Erebor again, Dis would be drawn from her chambers again.

A/N: My kingdom for a spare moment! A lot going on at the moment, including trying to get a house ready to sell, which let me tell you is enough to make me want to live in an apartment till I die.

MidnightTales357, I will give it a read as soon as I have a chance!

And to everyone else thanks for following and as always for your kind reviews! You are truly wonderful!