A couple of days had passed since Ila met with Dis to discuss birthing dwarflings, yet Dwala and Dwalin had yet to emerge from their chambers, aside from Dwalin going to get food a few times. But the couple knew they had to come out finally. Dwala had her duties to the queen and Dwalin had things to tend to as well. But for the moment, they lay entwined in one another's arms, wishing the night would draw on forever. Dwalin was drawing languid circles on Dwala's back and bum, which almost tickled but was far more pleasurable than not.

She seemed to be asleep, her eyes closed and lips parted just barely, as she breathed slowly in and out. Dwalin took the opportunity to gaze freely upon his love. She was so perfect to him, she simply had no idea. He could spend all day everyday telling her so but knew she would never agree. Perhaps it was best she didn't know how wonderful she was, lest she might realize she could do much better than him. Well, in the looks department that was. She somehow seemed as pleased as could be with him, and he could only thank Mahal for smiling on him so.

Dwalin moved to draw her closer to him, gently so as not to wake her, but her eyes fluttered open. She smiled sweetly and with heavy lidded eyes.

"Did I wake you?" he asked quietly.

"No," she whispered back.

He drew her flush against him and she nestled into his chest. He stroked her arm and then the curve of her hip, laying his head on hers. She settled into him, ready to fall asleep for the night, but didn't want to, knowing they must return to their old lives in the morning. This saddened her, as she only wanted to devote the rest of her life to days like this, laying around in bed with her husband and rising only to eat. But she reminded herself that she could still devote her early mornings and her late nights to Dwalin as she was doing now. That would be enough, she thought, and smiled widely in her near sleep state.

"What are you smiling about?" Dwalin asked.

"Ohhh, nothing really." She drawled sleepily.

"Nothing eh?" he repeated and rolled her onto her back and hovered over her. He leaned down to press kisses into her neck and Dwala sighed and melted into the pillows, wrapping her arms around his shoulders to hold him close.

"Do you promise to make love to me before you go in the morning?" Dwala asked.

Dwalin chuckled against her skin and it sent shivers down her spine.

"I intend to have you many times before dawn." He said huskily and moved to kiss her collarbone.

"Promise?" Dwala asked breathlessly.

Dwalin smiled against her and without warning, moved to quickly insert himself into her holds, having grown hard from simply kissing her, and sheathed himself to the hilt. Dwala gasped and dug her nails into his back from the shock of it.

"Promise," he said in a deep voice full of lust and without restraint.

Elsewhere in the palace, out on the balcony situated over the entrance to the mountain, Kili sat on one of the turrets staring out over Dale and beyond. The moon was full and lit up the world below in a soft white glow, and the late winter air was not as cold in his lungs as it had been last week. He had spent many nights like this lately.

Three more moons, Kili thought as he started at the one that hung in the sky this night. That is how long before the heir was born. Until Fili was no longer first in line for the throne. Kili had felt the heir kick in Ila's womb a couple of days ago at the insistence of his mother. He hadn't wanted to touch her, had felt wrong in doing so. Not that he didn't want to touch her, he always wanted to touch her, but lately he couldn't bear to be in her company. He felt as though he couldn't function properly when in her presence anymore, especially since he had caused so much trouble when Thorin had been gone. Fili had nearly figured him out, and he feared Dwala had as well. She cast suspicious looks at him; she thought he didn't notice but he did. He had tried to divert his attention elsewhere, to distract himself with other girls, like Asta, but that had not been a good idea. She followed him around like a puppy and clung to him like a bad cold. He spent a fair amount of his time these days trying to avoid her, but he had to eat and she seemed to always be in the great hall when he was there. He was sure she arrived there early and waited for him to appear every day. He would have to do something about that.

Presently he had a headache and should be asleep, but his mind would not be quiet tonight. Ila clearly knew something was wrong, likely she thought he was very cross with her. Fili had mentioned as much. He had told his brother he was simply trying to keep his distance, be appropriate and such. But he had taken it too far. He had locked eyes with Ila at Dwalin's wedding. She had sensed something was amiss, that he had wanted to say something to her but knew it was the worst time possible. He had turned his eyes from her and the start of the wedding had saved him. He knew he would have to account for that strange exchange however, and the even colder one in his mother's chambers.

What would he say? He could not tell her the truth, no matter how much he wanted to. He wanted to be free of this burden on his heart and soul. He felt like if he could speak the words aloud, if he could just tell her, then it would set him free. He ached to tell her. But he also rationally knew that nothing good would come from it.

Unless she ever fell out of love with uncle, which he thought unlikely. And even if she did he doubted she would stray, but she might. Uncle had his darker moments, perhaps when the honeymoon phase wore off Ila would see them. Not that he particularly wished that on her. He had been on the receiving end of Thorin's wrath before and didn't want that for Ila. And he couldn't imagine she would ever do anything to truly deserve it.

Kili furthered wondered if his mother had sensed anything that day in her chambers. She knew him so well. He almost wanted to tell her too, but knew what she would say. That he needed to forget about it, that it was just a phase that would ware off soon. But he knew better. This was a sickness that had seeped into his very bones, and the only way to be cured of it was to either win her love or take his unrequited feelings to the grave. The former was impossible and the latter highly undesirable.

Kili wondered if this feeling really never would go away. How could he spend another hundred and seventy years, give or take, feeling this way? Were the songs and poems true? Was it possible to die of a broken heart? He had always thought that just a saying, hyperbole, but now he wasn't so sure.

It was late, and he knew he needed to retire, but he was not sleepy at all. And the moon was so beautiful tonight, if not cold, distant and lonely. Like him. Perhaps that was why he was so mesmerized by it tonight. He looked to the stars, wanting to be one of them, to be far away from this place. Far away from Erebor, the place he had grown up wanting to see, that he had been raised on stories of. Strange how things change.

The next morning Ila woke to find Thorin gone already. She sighed in disappointment and rolled onto her back to spread out her limbs and take up as much of the bed as possible. She hoped Dwala would return today, she missed her friend and was bursting to know how things had been between her and her new husband. She was very sure that since she hadn't seen or heard anything from her friend in days that it meant things were going extremely well. So much so that Dwala didn't want to resume her old life.

Ila could understand that. She hadn't wanted to go back to reality after her honeymoon with Thorin, and they'd had an entire week together. Ila dozed then, not wanting to get up and attempt to dress herself or call for another maid. She drifted in and out of sleep until she heard the door to the bedroom swing open.

"Ila? Are you awake?" the familiar voice called quietly.

"DWALA!" Ila cried, eyes flinging open and sitting upright in bed.

"Oh!" Dwala said, her hands out trying to motion for Ila to be calm, thinking that she should not make such sudden movements in her condition.

Ila paid her no mind and got off the bed as quickly as she could, standing up to fling her arms around her friend. Dwala returned the warm hug, happy to see her again too.

"Oh Dwala, how have you been?!" Ila asked. "Very well by the look of you! You are practically glowing you appear so happy!" she observed after pulling back to look her over.

"Very happy indeed," Dwala blushed. "And you?"

"Oh, we are fine," Ila replied patting her stomach, then taking Dwala by the hands and bringing her to sit in one of the chairs near the fireplace. She sat opposite her and waited expectantly.

"Well," Ila said.

Dwala cocked her head a little. "Well?"

"Well tell me all about it of course!" Ila exclaimed.

Dwala blushed, but she knew this was coming. Ila spoke more freely than she did about love and lovemaking, the loss of her maidenhood had rid her of some of her shyness. Dwala however still felt her usual shy self, and felt like her face must be crimson by now.

"Oh Ila, I…..well you were right about everything. I can tell you that." Dwala managed.

"Good! That means you've been enjoying yourself. But has he been kind and tender with you?"

"Oh of course! He could not be more attentive really. I didn't want the past few days to end." She said dreamily.

"Oh I know, I never wanted our honeymoon to be over. I could lay in Thorin's arms forever."

"I feel the same. I thought about tying him up this morning so he couldn't leave."

"Dwala!" Ila yelled. "Oh I am so happy that you are so happy!" she said bringing her hands to her lips she was so ecstatic for her friend. All Dwala could do was smile brightly in reply. Truly, Dwala had never expected to be so happy in love, and certainly not that coming to Erebor would make her and Ila so. She remembered how sad she had been when she learned they must leave their families, their home. Ila had been so afraid and depressed before they departed for the Lonely Mountain, but now they were the happiest they had ever been.

"Well, I am glad to see you again. Being parted from you was the one bad thing about the honeymoon."

"Oh, I have managed. You should have seen Thorin lacing up my dresses though, ha!"

"Thorin laced your dresses? Why ever did you not call for another maid servant?!"

"Because I prefer the way you do things, and it was far too entertaining not to have Thorin do it."

"Well, say what they will about the king under the mountain, he certainly dotes on you."

It was Ila's turn to smile brightly. Thorin was devoted to her and she enjoyed every moment of his attention and affection. However, she for some reason in that moment thought of one who did not share those feelings.

Dwala saw the bright smile on Ila's face fade prematurely and knew she was thinking of something very unpleasant. What had happened in her absence?

"What is it? Why do you make that face?"

"Oh, I don't know." Ila said looking at the fire. She wondered if she should say anything to anyone about Kili's strange behavior. Perhaps she was making more of it than it truly was, perhaps she was just being overly sensitive as she had a tendency to be at times.

"You can't lie to me, so don't even try." Dwala persisted.

Ila looked back to her and slumped her shoulders. Dwala was right. She had been with her all her life and could read her with ease, just as she could her.

"Oh, perhaps I am overthinking things, but-there is something amiss between Kili and I. I have no idea what. I have been nothing but kind and friendly as I have always been, but he is increasingly distant. Lately he doesn't speak to me at all, and seems to be cross with me. But about what I truly have no idea!" Ila exclaimed, clearly very troubled and perplexed.

Of course, Dwala thought. She thought back to that day Ila fell in the hall of treasures. While Oin had been examining Ila, she had heard Fili and Kili talking on the other side of the door. Kili had sworn to his brother that he was wrong about his having feelings for Ila. And then Kili had suddenly and out of nowhere turned his attentions to the young dwarf Asta, very public attentions so that none could doubt they were a couple, albeit an unofficial couple without royal approval. And even more, Dwala saw the way Kili sometimes looked at Ila, and she did not believe for a second what he had tried so hard (too hard) to convince his brother of that day.

"I hate it, we were such good friends. He would read to me and keep me company. We would laugh together like children, I don't understand what I could have done." Ila went on, looking as though she might cry.

"At your wedding, right before you came down the aisle, he looked across the room at me. He clearly wanted to say something and held my gaze, but then the wedding started and he turned from me. And then in his mother's chambers two days ago, he only spoke to me when she commanded him to, telling him he had been very rude."

Dwala decided she should say something. She had originally decided against it, hoping Fili nearly catching on would scare him straight, but apparently that had not worked.

"Ila," Dwala began slowly, trying to find the right words, "have you considered that perhaps he is not cross with you, but much the opposite?"

Ila stared back at Dwala like she was speaking another language, clearly not understanding what she was trying to say.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that maybe Kili's problem for lack of a better word, is not that he is cross with you but because he has…you know…."

Ila did not know, as she looked more and more confused.

Dwala sighed heavily. "Feelings for you."

Ila stared for another moment in confusion, then drew back as though repulsed.

"Oh, Dwala. Of course he does not. I am the queen and his aunt! I am Thorin's wife! He has never let on that he felt such-"

"What does it matter who you are if he is in love with you? Did I choose to fall in love with Dwalin and he with me? It just happened. You and Thorin thankfully fell in love with each other but you did not have to, you simply had to marry. And you and Kili are the same age, it matters not that you just happen to be his aunt." Dwala explained.

"You have clearly thought this was the case before now. Why have you said nothing?" Ila asked.

"Because I thought, or hoped rather that I was mistaken. But now that he is acting in such a way I am not so sure."

"But why would he avoid me and be cold if he has feelings for me? Why would he not be doing the opposite?" Ila questioned her, unwilling to believe her theory.

"I do not know, I have never claimed to know the minds of males. But I have seen the way he looks at you sometimes."

"Oh, well…..perhaps he simply thinks I am pretty." Ila offered.

"Without a doubt he thinks you are beautiful. All of Erebor does. But the kingdom does not look at you the way he does."

"I just cannot believe that Dwala, he and Fili are like brothers to me." Ila shook her head.

"That is how you feel! Not necessarily how they feel."

"Fili feels that way, I am sure of it."

"And Kili?"

"I—I—I don't-." Was all Ila could say, expelling a great breath and looking down at her folded hands. Could such a thing be true? Surely not. He had told her he loved someone, someone who belonged to someone else, a match that would not be looked favorably upon…..

But didn't that describe her? She belonged to Thorin, and for her to be with anyone else would constitute adultery. What could be less favorably looked upon than that?! But then there was Asta, the young and rather silly maid that followed Kili like his own shadow.

"But the maid, Asta, she and Kili are together. You've seen them yourself."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. He may just be trying to take his mind off of you, and or convince anyone who suspects anything that they were mistaken." Dwala said.

Ila got up from her seat and began to pace. "You have to be wrong Dwala, you just have to be." she said with worry evident in her voice.

"I very much hope that I am," Dwala responded.

Turning quickly to her, Ila said "You must mention nothing to Thorin of your theory."

"When do I ever speak to him? And I would never." Dwala assured her.

Ila continued to pace. "If this is true, I must not tell Thorin. I was going to tell him that Kili had been acting very strange, but now I think I had better not."

"Love or not, he has no right to be unkind to you. Perhaps you should tell Thorin." Dwala suggested.

"No….no I think not. Not unless I have to."

"What are you going to do then?"

Ila turned to look at Dwala, it apparent that she had no ideas in particular.

"I, I am going to focus on my baby," she said holding her belly. "And whatever is the matter with Kili will just have to work itself out." Ila said resolutely.

"Well….alright I suppose. But if he does something strange, or does the unthinkable-"

"Unthinkable?"

"Professes his love—"

"OH DWALA!' Ila said dramatically and came to stand in front of the fireplace.

"IF he does that…..then you must tell Thorin. Lest things quickly get out of hand."

Ila said nothing, but stared into the flames, contemplating how likely she really thought Dwala's revelation to be. Honestly, she just didn't know. She wanted to believe it wasn't true, but she couldn't rule out the possibility that is was. She remembered the first time she saw him, standing next to Thorin's throne. She had thought him attractive and adorable then. They were the same age; she had thought once or twice that had she been given to him instead of Thorin she was sure she could have grown to love him….

..but she felt the same would be true for Fili as well. And she and he had become good friends, but she had no feelings for him. Or Kili. She loved Thorin and always would. She was Thorin's wife, and she had his dwarfling in her belly.

"I will. I will tell Thorin if I ever feel I need to." Ila assured her.

Dwala studied her, not sure if she believed or not. "Good."

Ila tried to seem settled and calm, but she wasn't. She couldn't get the idea of Kili being in love with her out of her head, unlikely as she originally thought it. As they went down to breakfast, Ila fidgeted the whole way, nervous about when she would see him next.

Fili and Kili had just finished their daily routine in the practice arena, neither having said much to the other. Though it was better to focus on technique than talk to be sure. Still, Fili noticed his brother was particularly quiet this morning.

"You alright?" he asked the younger dwarf.

"Course," Kili answered but not convincingly.

Fili gave him a disbelieving look and Kili wondered why he even tried. He sat his sword down and turned to his brother. He had to tell him something, and this wasn't an untruth.

"I have to find some way to get Asta to leave me alone. She has…..become too attached."

Fili suppressed a laugh. "I thought you liked it that way."

"No," Kili answered defensively. "I mean, for a time it was alright, but it can't go on. It was never the sort of thing that lasts."

"Well, that is good to hear. I mean, you are too young and uncle would never have approved of her." Fili said stating the facts.

"Yes, I know. But she doesn't know that and won't understand."

"So you haven't tried telling her?"

"No, though I have been meaning to for more than a week now."

"Well, the anticipation is worse than the actual thing I am sure. She will be fine." Fili assured him and as they gathered their things to walk from the arena, Kili thought he was in the clear.

But such was not to be. Fili continued with his questions.

"So, does this mean you will have time for Ila again? She is still worried that you are upset with her and I believe her feelings are rather hurt. Which is shameful Kili."

Fili took on the fatherly tone with him now that happened rarely, and he was thankful for that because he found it infuriating. He wasn't that much older than him after all, and he had mother and uncle to scold him if he ever needed it, and felt that he got more of it than he truly deserved.

"I'm not mad at her, why ever would I be?" he defended himself once more.

"No one knows, but you have certainly cast her friendship aside. You should go to her straight away. Take her on a walk perhaps, you know how much she enjoys being outside and spring is approaching. Uncle won't let her go out without one of us in the state she is in."

"Or without half of the palace guards," Kili said dryly, and he was right.

"Just go to her, let her know that things are right between the two of you. And apologize of course." Fili commanded of this brother rather than asked.

Kili did and didn't want to see Ila, and gave Fili a sullen look. But he knew he must apologize and he hated the thought of hurting her feelings very much. As they left the arena, he knew what his first stop that day must be.

Ila and Dwala had not been at breakfast long when their lords and masters walked in, and Dwala could barely keep her seat. She wanted to erupt out of it and run to her husband as soon as he had come through the great doors, wrapping both her arms and legs around him. She resisted that urge however. Ila watched her smiling.

"Go on, don't keep him waiting," she said and Dwala giggled and left her seat, forcing herself not to run. It had only been a couple of hours anyway, though it felt like much longer.

Dwalin couldn't repress a wide smile as his new bride strode towards him, and seeing him smile so much was definitely a new development for anyone that knew him. It warmed Ila's heart however, and she watched the happy newlyweds sit next to each other, he taking her hand to kiss and then hold under the table. Ila had been regarding them so intently that she didn't notice her own husband was being seated next to her.

"I'm here you know," Thorin said, desiring his wife's attention.

Ila quickly turned her full attention to him and offered her hand. He took it and placed a reverent kiss on her knuckles.

"My life's love, I saw you come in." She replied sweetly.

He smiled lovingly in return and began to load his plate with food. Ila was so intently watching him that she did not notice Kili walk in the room.

"I woke to an empty bed this morning you know…" Ila mentioned.

"Mmm," was Thorin's only reply through his mouthful of food.

"Ahem,"

Thorin looked at his wife and swallowed before he was ready.

"You need your rest! And the closer you get to the birth the less we should…er…enjoy each other, for the baby's sake." He finally found the right words in case anyone was to overhear.

"Did Oin tell you that?" Ila said skeptically.

"No, but it is common sense." Thorin insisted. "And for that matter you will do nothing but lie in bed the last month before."

Ila rolled her eyes. That seemed rather ridiculous to her. It simply had to be overkill. But she knew better than to argue here and now. She would save it for when they were alone. Thorin was sweet to be so careful and attentive, but she would run mad if confined to a bed for that long.

"Good morning your majesties," came a familiar voice that caused Thorin and Ila to look up from their food.

It was Kili, appearing fresh from a bath with damp hair and cleanly dressed his normal blue tunic. He wore a gentle smile and seemed in better spirits than Ila had seen him in a while. She was very surprised to see him, and a bit nervous all of a sudden too.

Thorin raised an eyebrow. "Nephew," he greeted him.

"I was wondering if I might have the privilege of taking the queen and heir on a walk this morning. Spring is upon us and I am sure the queen would like some fresh air." Kili explained, smiling genuinely at Ila.

What was he up to?! This was very strange indeed. Perhaps he meant to apologize, or finally explain himself, and was trying to get on her good side first. He knew she loved to be out of doors, so he was making a good start at it. However, if he meant to proclaim his love as Dwala thought likely, she would have to put him in his place. She now felt dread rising from the pit of her stomach.

Thorin's expression darkened immediately at the word outside, and he furrowed his brow as he took a drink. Ila however looked to him hopefully.

"The queen is too far with child for that sort of thing—"

"Oh Thorin I am but half way! And the baby needs some fresh air!" Ila interjected.

Thorin cast a skeptical gaze at his wife, not appreciating being interrupted but too weak in the face of her excited smile to be angry.

"Which it may receive on the balcony in our chambers…"

"Oh Thorin it is not the same. Please let me enjoy a walk in the turning weather, before I am bed ridden as you say I will be forced to be." Ila pleaded so sweetly it made Thorin's heart warm. He looked at Kili, and thought about what happened the last time he left him in charge of watching over his wife. He did not want to embarrass him presently though, he intended to take him aside and discuss the matter of a certain maid later that day anyway. And he could send plenty of guards as well…plus he hated to see the forlorn and disappointed face his wife would give him when he said no.

"Fine," Thorin relented. "But you will take ten guards, and make sure that you exercise your very best judgment this time." He finished with a stern look to emphasize the full meaning of the latter part of that sentence. Kili nodded with his most serious face to communicate that that had not been lost on him.

Ten guards, her love was all about overdoing things this morning it seemed. But Ila said nothing, being pleased and a little surprised that he had consented. She only squeezed his hand under the table to show him her pleasure. He squeezed it back and gave her a side smile before returning to his food. Kili took a seat on the other side of Thorin to eat as well.

As Ila continued with her breakfast, she was quiet as she was consumed with thought about what Kili was playing at. He had better be about to apologize, she thought. If he were going to act as though nothing had happened she was going to be angry as a balrog. She would show him Durin's bane…..

Dwala had not even noticed the exchange or that Kili had walked in for that matter, all her attention was on her husband. When breakfast was over and everyone was going their separate ways, she was most surprised to see Kili extending his hand for Ila to take and lead her down the two steps that set the head table highest in the room.

Ila took the hand slowly as though she didn't trust it anymore, which Kili registered and felt heartsick for. He had to convince Ila that all was well between them. He just needed to be alone with her, as much as that was possible.

Dwala dutifully fell in behind Ila and followed her outside, again much to her surprise, but then saw ten guards fall in behind her. She said nothing, and kept a respectable pace behind Ila but tried to remain close enough at the same time to hear what was being said. She was dying to know what sort of explanation Kili would have for himself this time.

It was still a little cool as the sun was making its climb into the sky, so Kili had thrown his cloak over Ila's shoulders. She held it together with one hand and let her other arm rest in Kili's, though she had tried to draw it away as soon as they were outside. Kili however had brought his arm closer to his body, keeping her arm there and saying that he must make sure he could catch or steady her least she stumble or faint. Ila had nodded and allowed it but she felt rather stiff and extremely nervous not knowing what was coming.

At first, they strolled along saying nothing, Ila feeling that she shouldn't have to be the one to break the ice and Kili not knowing where to begin now that he was arm in arm with her. He had rehearsed a few things, but they all seemed so inadequate now. He had to come off as believable if nothing else. Taking a deep breath, he began.

"Ila," he began tentatively. She looked at him but without a smile.

"I do believe I owe you an apology." Kili said sincerely.

Ila looked forward but made no expression. "For what exactly?" she asked, not wanting to make this too easy for him.

"For being so distant recently, without any explanation as to why."

"Oh I wouldn't say there is no explanation. I believe we all know what has been consuming all of your time lately." Ila responded.

Kili blushed furiously, not something he was used to, and hung his head for a moment before replying.

"Asta and I were never serious, and now we are not anything."

Ila looked at him almost shocked. Was she not the one he had professed his love about?

"What do you mean? She no longer shares your feelings?"

"No, no it's not that. She is just….well she is young and not serious, and I think it was just a passing fancy." Kili stuttered a bit, trying to seem sad about it though in truth he was relieved that it was over. Well, it would be over today. He would see to it, despite what the fallout might be.

"Oh…." Was all Ila could answer. It seemed rather abrupt to her.

"Yes, but I was very wrapped up in it, as you know, and I should not have neglected you and our friendship as I did. I have…..well I have never had—"

"A significant other before?" Ila finished his sentence.

Well, he wasn't sure he would call it that. That sounded very serious indeed. But for the sake of this conversation, he went with it.

"Err, yes." He answered awkwardly. "Also, after all the trouble I caused when you were first with child, I have thought it best to keep a safe distance. I am rather surprised that uncle granted my request to escort you outside today."

That part was true at least, and he saw Ila's face register that she believed that he meant what he said.

"Oh, Kili, you know I was never upset at you about that." Ila assured him.

"Still, I was to blame. Everyone knows so."

Ila patted his arm and squeezed him a little tighter, wanting him to believe she harbored no feelings about that episode. Kili stopped abruptly then, Ila stopping and turning to face him as he stood before her now.

"Ila, please say that you forgive me for my behavior as of late. I was carried away by my feelings and the newness of Asta…..I should not have neglected you so. Please say that we are still friends."

Ila thought he looked just like a very sad puppy dog just then, the way Sam looked at her when he wanted something he wasn't getting and the way Thorin looked from time to time. She certainly saw similarities between them. With Thorin and Kili it was similarities in appearance, with Thorin and Fili it was their actions and manners. But Kili had an innocence about him, a purity that Thorin did not have, likely because he had lived much longer and weathered many more trials. Ila felt her heart soften towards Kili, where she had shortly ago been angry and hurt. He seemed sincere, and he was very young after all. It seemed as though he had gotten his feelings hurt in all of this as well, and she felt sorry for him. Most importantly, he had not expressed any feelings for her, which she silently gave thanks for.

"Oh Kili, of course we are still friends. We always have been." Ila assured him warmly.

"So I am forgiven then?" he asked again to be sure.

"Yes, of course you are." Ila replied.

Kili exhaled deeply. "Thank Mahal, I cannot have the queen of Erebor as an enemy." He said with his usual humor returning to him. Ila giggled and took his arm again and they resumed their walk. They began to talk of other things, of happier and inconsequential matters as they usually did. Dwala had heard most of that, though she had stopped in her tracks when they had stopped to look very serious with one another for that brief moment. She knew he had not confessed to anything, and that Ila would fill her in later. She was still suspicious of him, but glad to see that he had come around. She hated to see Ila unhappy, and she had enough to contend with by being married to that cantankerous old king under the mountain, in her opinion anyway.

As for Kili, he was relieved that Ila had forgiven him so quickly. Once again, he had not had the courage to tell her the truth, but he also had her handmaiden and ten palace guards easedropping on him as well. As they walked in the mid-morning sun, laughing and talking as though nothing had happened at all, the sunlight reflecting on her dark hair making it appear as black silk, her hazel eyes sparkling like precious gems, Kili knew in his heart he would never know peace until he told her.

One day.

A/N: Hello all! I have not given up on this story! I am going to move it along a little faster now, we need the baby to get here already. Also, I found out Friday that I get to graduate with my Masters next month (FINALLY!)! The preparation for which you can blame my three week absence on.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it! I'm off to make a cake and home-made frosting!