The next two months passed uneventfully, for which everyone under the mountain was thankful. There had been enough excitement in the last year to do everyone for the rest of their lives, and life had begun to settle into a normal routine, even as repairs and restorations continued to the mountain. Those would for the foreseeable future.
The only real source of excitement and anticipation of course was that Ila had grown increasingly pregnant, and was now in her final month. She felt like she grew by the minute, and her seamstresses had been as busy as they could be letting out her dresses and making new ones. But now that it was time for her lying in- as it was called- though Ila thought of it as imprisonment, she decided she may as well be comfortable and not even bother getting dressed if she couldn't even get up. Rather she would stay in her sleeping gown and throw on a robe for modesty sake if she received visitors. Kili had promised to keep her company as much as he could, and even Dis had sent word by her handmaid that she would visit if it would please her. She hoped that they kept their word, it had only been a week and she was already bored enough to eat her hair.
As for Thorin, he promised to devote every free moment he had to her, but then he always tried to do that. His time was a valuable commodity as king, and Ila knew she was not always the most important or pressing concern in his life. She vowed to content herself with what attention she could get from her husband. At least they had their nights together. But Thorin refused to make love to her anymore. It was too dangerous he had said, no position was safe anymore and if Ila was honest with herself no position was comfortable anymore either. Her distended belly made even the easiest tasks quite difficult, especially getting in and out of the bath. She had to use the large brass tub in their chambers that she and Thorin had shared on their wedding night and some many nights since. While Ila wanted very much to visit the royal baths deep within the mountain that required her to traverse far too many stairs and steps. Thorin was afraid that Ila'a labor would overtake her somewhere other than their chambers, making it difficult to get her to their bed. And he was right about that. Erebor was a vast network of stairs, steps, and corridors. She didn't want to think about how hard all of those would be to navigate while having labor pains.
As such, all of Ila's meals were delivered to her room. Dwala was around for most of the day, but tasks like laundry and seeing to Sam would take her away during the day as well. Ila hoped someone would visit soon, and that perhaps Fili might visit too. She had grown close with him as well as Kili, though their relationships were different.
Ila reclined on the many pillows that propped up her swollen body, trying to will herself to take a nap, but it was far too early in the day and she had slept too long the night before for that. She supposed she could knit something, but she just didn't have the patience or the interest in that while being an invalid.
Ila sighed and wondered if it was a nice day outside. How she longed for a breath of fresh air, to fill up her lungs with the smells of spring that now filled the world outside the mountain. She sometimes wondered that perhaps Thorin would take her on a trip to Ered Luin, so that she could spend time out of doors for a long while. Get her fill of it and then maybe life under a mountain would be easier to bear for a bit. But then perhaps the taste of freedom would make it even harder.
Ila rubbed her round belly and silently prayed to Mahal for her little one, their heir, to be born already. Not much longer, but she feared this month would be the slowest of all.
Ila laid back and tried to get comfortable, her eyes shut but not feeling the slightest bit sleepy. Her hands were clasped on top of her belly and she felt her unborn child shift inside of her, obviously a bit restless himself. That made two of them.
Ila laid there, still but not sleepy for a little while, when she heard the outer door open and heavy boots coming towards her. Ila's eyes flickered open and raised a bit, looking towards the door.
Was her love paying her a visit already today? She could always hope.
A knock came at the bedroom door. Ila saddened a tiny bit. Her lord did not knock at his own chamber.
"Come in," Ila called.
The door opened slowly and in stepped Kili. What was at first a shy smile on his boyish face quickly turned to a wide and bright smile from ear to ear.
"It's the invalid!" he said cheerily and Ila giggled in return.
"You and your uncle seem to think so at least." She returned.
Kili chuckled too and shut the door, something in his hand.
"I didn't wake you did I?" he asked, his voice a bit serious now as he pulled a chair close to the bed.
"Oh no, I have been but trying to pass the time, pretending to be sleepy to make the time pass."
"Good then." He replied as he sat next to her now. "I brought you something,"
"Oh? What would that be?" Ila asked cheerfully.
Kili handed her the bundle he had walked in with. Ila unwrapped it and discovered that it held chocolates, which she loved very much.
"Sweets! You've clearly noticed that your uncle has curtailed my intake of these."
"Yes….but a few will not hurt, surely. And surely you deserve them." Kili responded.
Thorin had in the latter months of Ila's pregnancy exercised more control over every aspect of her life, including what she ate. He saw to it that she ate a healthier diet as her last month grew closer. In truth, Ila had indulged a bit after becoming pregnant. She had figured since she was eating for two that it couldn't hurt and she did love sweets very much. But Thorin had insisted she have more vegetables as the time grew closer, which she protested against as he himself did not like vegetables very much. He returned that he wasn't carrying the next king of Erebor, and that it didn't matter what he ate. Ila pouted and tried to sneak sweets when Thorin wasn't looking, but he was almost always looking as he was ever vigilant these days. And now that all her meals were delivered she had no say in what she ate but could only have what was deemed suitable her. That is when Dwala didn't sneak her some of her cookies, that is if she could get them away from Dwalin before he ate them all.
Ila smiled brightly at Kili and thanked him. "I don't know that I deserve them…but I certainly miss them." She continued as she popped one of the round chocolates into her mouth, slowly turning it over and savoring the taste, trying to make it last as long as possible.
"Well, I am glad that they please you," Kili answered, very pleased with himself.
"You could be have pleased me easily enough just by visiting."Ila said.
Kili smiled like a fool, but he knew she meant because she was lonely and wanted visitors, not that she wanted him. But still.
"Well, then thought you are the most easily pleased of monarchs that I have ever heard tell of. Uncle has no idea how lucky he is." Kili replied, believing very much that statement was true.
Ila offered a chocolate to Kili but he waved them away. Ila felt guilty as she popped another in her mouth, but not guilty enough to stop.
"So…..have I missed anything this past week? Any new palace drama?" Ila inquired.
"Oh no, not really. Life is quieter here than it has been since I came, though that will all change with the arrival of the baby I'm sure."
Ila rubbed her belly and stared at it as she replied, "Yes, things will be noisier that is for certain."
Kili could hardly believe how large her belly was, yet Ila looked the same in all other regards. It must be a boy, he thought. And with him would change the line of succession and, well, everything else.
"How are you then?" Ila asked, after debating on whether or not to. She wondered if he was still reeling from Asta, but he seemed to be recovering well enough to broach the subject.
"Oh, I'm fine. Perfectly fine. Just trying to keep myself entertained, but that's nothing new." Kili said and showed no sign of heartache. Either it had just been puppy love or he was a master at hiding his true feelings. But Ila found Kili to be so genuine of character that she couldn't believe that. He must have simply thought he loved her. A young dwarf's first love….she had heard older dames talk about that sort of thing. But she was an exception. She and Thorin were different.
"Well I am glad to hear that. You have been in my thoughts." Ila said and then determined for that to be all on the subject. Kili was a bit slow to catch on, and pondered for a moment what that might mean.
And then it dawned on him. Asta. He had practically completely forgotten about that little tryst. Not to be heartless, but he was not in love with her, and she had become obsessed with him in no time flat.
Perhaps he was acting much too happy and carefree. He did not want to appear heartless to her, despite how he felt towards the discarded maid.
"I mean…I have been in better spirits of course….but I will live." Kili added a little more somberly.
Ila smiled kindly at him then, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. She hoped that he and Fili both found a love like hers. She reached out and placed her hand over his.
"You will live and you will be much happier than you are now. The best is yet to come, for all of us." Ila said sincerely and with a sparkle in her eyes. She really believed that, and why shouldn't she? She was about to be a mother, the queen mother. And she had Thorin's undying devotion, as well as the love of the entire kingdom. She had won that effortlessly.
He on the other hand did not share her optimism. He was the second son of the king's sister and while that made him royalty it also made him of next to no importance. He was in love with his aunt, whom he could never have, and nothing he once enjoyed brought him much joy. How this was all to get better, he could not see.
He smiled weakly at Ila anyway. "I hope you are right."
"Of course I am right." Ila replied confidently and squeezed his hand, Kili feeling sparks from her touch.
They shared a moment of content silence, and Kili found that he could not keep his eyes off of her belly. Her navel had turned out in the last weeks and it poked through her gown. He had not seen many pregnant dames, and he had never noticed that before. He found it strangely fascinating, and tried not to stare. But Ila made that hard by constantly rubbing her belly and smoothing the material of her gown over it. She must be warm he thought, as it was springtime now and she was deep in the mountain and in bed all day. She had the covers down to her hips so that they pooled around her swollen abdomen. He suppressed an urge to begin fanning her. She looked rather uncomfortable but was in such good spirits he hadn't immediately noticed.
"So, how should I help you pass the time today? I have already done my training so I am yours until uncle retires for the evening." Kili asked.
"Oh, well aren't we fortunate." Ila laughed and gently patted her belly. She thought for a moment.
"Shall I read to you again?" Kili offered.
Ila broke into a grin and shook her head. "Not today. Why don't you tell me stories from when you and Fili were young? You have to have plenty of adventures in your past." Ila suggested.
"Oh, boy do I. Thorin has many more though." Kili replied.
"Yes, but he does not talk to me of such things. There is too much sadness in his past I think." Ila said, then thought of how much sadness there was in Kili's past and felt sorry for asking him to tell stories of it. She had meant stories of him and Fili growing up, the spats and trouble they doubtlessly got into daily, and maybe some funny stories about Thorin. She hoped she hadn't touched on anything too dark and depressing.
"I hope I am not asking you to recall bad memories with my request…..we can always talk of other things—"
"Non-sense, there are plenty of stories worth telling. But you most promise not to repeat them in front of our mother, she is only aware of roughly half of them. And would likely skin us alive if she knew the other half."
Ila laughed and agreed, as those terms seemed fair. And so they sat like that for most of the day, Ila listening, laughing, and asking questions here and there, and Kili the obliging storyteller. He remembered things he had long forgot in that afternoon, as there were so many stories and so many details to recite. By supper time, both their faces were sore from all the laughter.
Dwala came in with supper and that signaled that it was time for Kili to depart. He needed to dine as well and Thorin would be up any moment to dine with her as he did most nights. He was king and had to be seen at supper in the great hall some nights as well, but he tried to cut even those short to be with Ila. Kili rose from his seat, pushed it back to its place, then went to Ila's bedside to take her hand to kiss goodnight. He hesitated for second, nearly laying a gentle hand on her belly to say goodnight to the heir, but remembered how awkward he had been about it last time and thought better of it.
Ila squeezed his hand and bid him goodnight, thanking him for sacrificing an entire day to keep her entertained. He insisted that it was nothing, then gave Dwala a nod and left the room.
Dwala had returned the nod shortly, still being ever suspicious of the younger prince, and shut the door behind him. Ila looked after him, thinking of how Dwala must have been wrong. Kili gave no sign of anything beyond friendly interest in her, and she sighed contently with that being the truth.
"So I see you were not bored while I was busy today at least." Dwala commented.
"Oh, no not at all. Kili told me so many stories of their childhood, my face is hurting still from all the laughing. I will have to tell you some of the better ones sometime." Ila said brightly.
"Oh I'm sure I can imagine." She replied good naturedly but with no genuine interest.
"Dwala, how can you not trust him?" she asked, knowing what her friend still thought.
"I didn't say I didn't trust him, I just think he has feelings for you that's all. Though he has thankfully seen reason and chose not to act on them." She said matter of factly as she sat the tray of food down on the bed next to Ila.
Ila just shook her head and reached for the bread. As soon as she had a mouth full she remembered, "Oh!" she mumbled through her chewing. "Hide this!"
Ila shoved something towards Dwala that she did not recognize. She took the bundle and inspected it.
"Chocolates? Where did you get these?" she asked confusedly but as soon as the words left her mouth she knew.
Dwala just shook her head, knowing he had brought them, and being ever more suspicious and disapproving of him.
"Thorin will not be pleased." Dwala replied sternly.
Ila swallowed hard. "Which is why he must not see. Now hide them!" Ila insisted, thinking that Dwala, like everyone else around her, was becoming more and more a parent than a companion.
Dwala did as she was commanded, and just in time too, as they both heard heavy boots approaching on the other side of the door.
Ila looked towards the threshold and watched her stunningly handsome husband walk through the door. She never got over just how beautiful he was to her. And the way he entered a room, even his own bed chamber, left no doubt that he was a king.
Thorin noted Dwala's presence and then turned his attention to his bride. He looked a bit tired but happy to see her, as he always was.
"My love," he greeted her sweetly and bent to place a kiss on her lips, she returning it.
He placed a hand on her swell, rubbing it lovingly and smiling at it.
"All is well I trust?" he asked.
"Yes my love, I am as you left me this morning." Ila replied.
"Good," he responded and grabbed a piece of cheese to eat as he strode towards his wardrobe, pulling his dark blue overcoat off as he went.
"Call for your lady's bath, then you may retire," he said to Dwala without looking at her. She had been busying herself with hanging Ila's laundry instead of watching them exchange affections.
"Yes my lord," she replied and went to do as she was told.
Thorin sat down to pull his heavy iron capped boots off and set them aside. As he methodically undressed himself, he inquired after Ila's day.
"Oh, Kili was my companion for most of the day. He told me lots of juicy stories from their childhood, some including yourself." Ila giggled as she answered.
"Oh? Mahal knows they got into plenty as dwarflings, and long after." Thorin agreed.
"I particularly liked the one about trimming your braids while you slept…."
Thorin snorted. "Did you? Did he mention I tanned their hides so good they couldn't sit comfortably for two days after?"
"Something like that." Ila recalled.
"Who was the bigger trouble maker?" Ila asked.
"Ha! As though you need to ask. Kili of course. The younger always is."
"Mmmmm, one of my brothers is about as bad as the other." Ila observed after thinking about it.
Thorin rose, now in only his tunic and coming to sit by her side.
"And I suppose you were a little angel of a dwarfling weren't you?" he asked wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
Ila blushed a bit. "Well naturally my dear." She said and kissed his cheek. "Weren't you?"
"Yes, actually. I didn't have time for trouble. My preparations to one day assume the throne began very early. Frerin on the other hand….was an entirely different story. And he always had Dis in tow after she came along." Thorin recalled, smiling slightly at the memory.
Ila leaned her head against his. "Well, if my ability to conceive remains as easy as this, we shall have lots of little trouble making dwarflings running around beneath our feet." She beamed at him.
Thorin squeezed her gently and kissed her neck. "I hope you are right my darling love."
Two servants entered the room then with steaming hot water to fill the great brass tub. Dwala brought up the rear with fresh towels.
"That will be all then," Thorin dismissed her, still rather automatically even after all this time, and Ila frowned at him.
Thorin made a face but then called after her, "Thank you Dwala," as it was truly a little thing to make his wife happy. Ila smiled at him and Dwala bowed and then bid her lady goodnight. Ila wished her friend sweet dreams and to give her best to Dwalin, as she didn't expect to see him again until she was finally free of her birthing bed.
The servants finished their task and left the room, shutting the door behind them and leaving their monarchs in peace. Ila leaned back into her husband's arms, having finished eating and happy to finally be alone.
"Darling," Thorin purred into her ear. "I miss you so," he almost whispered. She knew what he meant. She missed him too. But she could barely move as it was, and couldn't even please him it was so tiring. He had not asked her too though, and he would not allow her to expend any unnecessary effort, which despite how forlorn he was at the moment he did not deem such an act necessary. He had survived for years with little to no female attentions; he could survive another month or so.
"I miss you too my love. Not too much longer, I hope." She whispered back.
"No, no I dare say not much longer." He said rubbing her belly. "He needs to stay in there until he is ready though. I'll not rush him for my own sake."
"How much more time can he need?! I grow larger by the moment. Or so it feels."
Thorin smiled into her hair. She was rather large now, and it was strange to see his little wife so, but it also filled him with pride and pleasure. To see her so heavy with child and know that he was the cause. That is was his baby growing inside. She would be her old self soon enough and then they could practice making another. And no matter how large she grew she was still beautiful. Her abdomen may have expanded but the rest of her was much the same.
"Shall I help you over to the tub then? The sooner that the sooner you can sleep." Thorin offered.
Ila sighed at the thought of having to get up and attempt to manage getting in that tub. "Yes, the sooner the better. But this is becoming a nearly impossible task."
Thorin smiled. "I know my love. But I don't mind helping you."
Ila got up, which was a task, having to scoot to the edge of the bed and swing her legs over the side to touch the floor. It took longer to do than she felt it should. Thorin placed his hand on the small of her back and Ila held her stomach with one arm, having become heavy and Ila felt she needed to support it, whether she really did or not.
As she reached the tub she turned to face Thorin and lift her arms, he grabbing her hem and pulling the gown over her head. Ila sighed at the sight of her naked body, wondering if she would ever return to her former self. For the love of her husband she hoped so.
Thorin held her hand to steady her as she slowly lifted her leg to step into the bath, followed slowly by the other leg and even slower she sank into the water. As much trouble as it was to get into the tub, the sensation was certainly worth it. It was one of the few comforts she had now in her state.
Thorin pulled off the rest of his clothes and stepped carefully into the other side of the tub, leaning back to face Ila. He soaked for a moment and relaxed before he grabbed a sponge and began to tend to his wife's limbs.
Ila's belly poked up out of the water and Thorin let his hand that was not busy bathing her rest there. His thumb slowly glided back and forth over her navel, finding the phenomenon rather cute and playing with it frequently. Ila allowed it, only glad he had not lost interest in her as she grew to a size that would soon rival that of the mountain. That thought made her snort.
"What?" Thorin asked.
"Oh nothing, expect that I am soon to rival Erebor itself in size."
Thorin said nothing but rolled his eyes and shook his head. He had been very careful with his words as Ila began to grow large, knowing she would be very sensitive to that as all females were. He thought he had done a good job too.
Ila leaned back and closed her eyes, enjoying the attention from her husband. She missed being able to give him a bath, and they often bathed each other when they were not tired or rushed for time. She nearly fell asleep like that, but Thorin kept her awake so as not to make getting her out even harder than it need be. When they were done, he helped her out and gently dried her off, insisting that she sleep naked in his arms, as he missed that very much. Ila protested passionately however.
"Like this?! It will be like hugging a cow! Do let me slip into a gown dearest."
"Stop that. I wish to feel your skin on mine, it has been too long." He insisted and gave her a passionate kiss on the mouth, prying her lips open to plunder her.
Curse him, Ila thought. Getting her excited when he knew very well that nothing could come of it.
"Please my love…" he pleaded quietly. "You are as beautiful to me as ever… if not more."
Ila's resolve melted and she caved to his request. And once she was nestled under the covers and in Thorin's arms, their bare skin warming each other, the scent of his clean hair and skin, and his hand resting protectively on her belly, she had to agree it was not such a bad idea.
Dwala had been happy to be relieved so soon after coming to Ila that evening, though she always missed time with her friend, she missed her husband very much too. And she had been so busy that day she didn't even get to eat with him once. Ila had so many dresses to launder it took days to do it all.
Dwala hurried towards the chamber she and Dwalin shared, hoping he was back from supper already. She had eaten quickly before taking Ila her supper and wasn't hungry anyway. She had felt a little off the past few days and food in general was not very appealing to her. Likely she was just tired from all the preparations for the royal baby, and having to wait on Ila hand and foot until it came.
Dwala entered her chamber and was immediately met by Sam, standing up on his hind legs to give her a proper welcome.
"Oh, I have missed you today too. I am sorry I didn't have time to take you for your walk. I promise I will make it up to you tomorrow," she assured Sam.
"Apologizing to the dog?" came a deep voice.
Dwala looked up to see her husband, standing in the doorway to their bed chamber, fully nude.
"What on earth?" Dwala asked, taken aback.
"I've been waiting for you, lass." His brogue even deeper this time.
"Like that?" she asked.
"Aye, I'm in no patient mood this night."
But when are you ever, Dwala thought. Which was truly fine by her. Though, she knew it was worse now as he saw even less of her than usual what with her duties to Ila being heightened. She hadn't seen him since that morning when they had a quickie before he went to the practice arena.
"Come Sam, why don't you stay in here for a bit," Dwala said, leaving the fluffy dog in the antechamber while she closed the doors to their bedchamber. As she turned around from doing so Dwalin surprised her by pressing her against the door with his massive body, grabbing both her wrists in one great hand to hold over her head.
Breathing hard, Dwala managed to ask, "And just what do you think you're doing?"
She heard him growl deep in his throat. "Whatever I please," he answered.
Dwala gasped again as his free hand pushed her skirts up and he moved even closer so that his hips parted her legs.
"Surely….this would be better….in bed," she panted out.
Dwalin was busy biting at her neck and collarbone. He mumbled against her skin in answer.
"Too far,"
Ah, yes. The bed, which was but five feet away, was too far at this particular moment. So be it.
Dwala felt her husband's now rock hard erection pressing against her opening and she wrapped her legs around his waist to give him better access. He brought his tip to her entrance and plunged forward, all lust and no gentleness. Dwala's head went back to rest on the door, her mouth open in shock and then pleasure. Dwalin wasted no time, plunging deep only to withdraw and repeat, withdraw and repeat, and Dwala knew this would not take long for either of them. Three, maybe four more thrusts and she came undone, wailing into the night as Dwalin came at precisely the same moment.
It was amazing when it happened like that. It didn't always, which was fine, but when it did…..
Dwalin's chest heaved as he recovered, still inside her and pinning her against the door. Dwala's legs were tiring fast and she began to whine at him. He wrapped his arms around her bottom and stepped away, carrying her like that to the bed where he deposited her. She lazily sat up and began to rid herself of her garments, so tired she simply tossed them to a pile in the floor. She would deal with them in the morning. Dwalin went back to the door to let Sam in, who had been scratching and whining at all the commotion on the other side. He bounded into the room, looked from one of them to the other to ensure they were alright, and being satisfied hopped onto the foot of the bed and curled into a ball, ready for sleep himself.
Dwala laid down, finally being naked and pulled the covers to her chest. Dwalin climbed in behind her, wrapping his arm around her to spoon her and immediately fall asleep after placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder.
Dwala began to drift off quickly too, but not before recalling her dream. She and Dwalin had lain like this, but there had been a little dwarfling in her arms and another in her belly.
It struck her then. And she felt so silly for not having thought of it before. Was she with child? It had certainly been long enough, and they 'practiced' every day and night. Could that be why she had not been hungry lately, and had felt rather odd?
But then that didn't make sense. Shouldn't she be more hungry than usual if she were with child? And Ila had fainted in the beginning. But she had not felt faint at all.
Dwala pondered it a moment longer, then resolved to say nothing to Dwalin until she was sure. They had not really even discussed dwarflings, and she wasn't sure how he would feel. Surely he wanted a son to carry on his name….what dwarf didn't? Still, it was best not to excite or upset him until she was certain.
With that decided, Dwala closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.