Hey guys! I am sorry that it has been a month since I've updated. I went to my mom's in Florida who doesn't have internet, then went back to Georgia to move everything I own to the other side of Louisiana (that's more than 600 miles…). After living on the floor for a few days and finally getting things in order, I am returning to finish this fic once and for all (hopefully assuming that anyone is still reading out there…..).
Dwala sighed heavily at her reflection in the mirror, being full term as far as she and Oin could guess, or very near at least. Her great protruding stomach, so big and round it barely looked real to her now, was beginning to drop lower on her body, just as Ila and Dis had said it would. Their dwarfling was getting ready to make his grand arrival, finally, and not a moment too soon as far as she was concerned. She had barely been able to dress herself that morning, and did so so slowly she hardly deemed it worth it anymore. If she didn't have to go downstairs she would have just laid in bed naked all day.
Dwalin walked up behind her and brought his hands around her belly to hold it from the bottom. He sat his chin on her shoulder and gazed upon her reflection with her.
"Not much longer, perhaps even today." He spoke into her ear, wanting to relieve some of the pain and discomfort she felt, but unable to hoped to lift her spirits.
"No, I think not. He is quite still today, perhaps he is sleeping." She answered, rubbing her stomach gently so as not to wake him if he were.
"He may be conserving his energy for the big day," Dwalin speculated, and Dwala noticed his expression change to one of more concern.
"I will ask Thorin if I can stay behind today….have someone else accompany the merchants to Dale. I am afraid to leave you when the time is so near." Dwlain said, gently touching a lock of her blonde hair and moving it behind her ear.
"Oh, darling. I don't think he'll come today." Dwala turned to face and assure him, looking down at the great bulge between them. It was noticeably lower on her body, but she felt fine.
"How can you be sure?" Dwalin asked, not being as assured as his wife.
"Well, there is no being sure, but what are the odds that it will be today? As I said he hasn't moved since I woke."
Dwalin laid a large hand over hers. "Well, alright then. If you insist you will be fine." He relented and picked up his axes one by one to secure on his back, but didn't look entirely convinced.
Dwala was busy combing her hair and gave Dwalin a kiss on the lips to say goodbye. He returned it, then dropped down to his knees to kiss the tip of her belly where her belly button protruded.
"Now be good today, and don't come till I get back." He instructed her belly and she just shook her head with a smile. He rose and winked at her before he went through the door, Sam trotting after him, happy to be venturing out of the mountain too.
Dwala went back to combing her hair, and sat on the bedside to finish since even such a small activity could wind her these days. She didn't worry about their dwarfling coming that day though; he had been very calm so far and during the night before as well. Perhaps he really was saving up all his energy for her labor. Either way, she made as quick work of her hair as she could, ready to set about at that day's tasks.
Downstairs, Ila and Kili had just walked into the training arena, ready for that day's lesson. Ila had left Thora with Dis that morning, not bothering Dwala with such tasks now that she was so close to giving birth. She had wanted to dismiss Dwala from service entirely at this point, but she had refused. Dwala insisted she would run mad with no occupation, and so Ila agreed but made little if any demands of her. She was so big she could barely fit through some doorways now. Well, perhaps not. She had expanded from the front, not from the sides. But still.
Ila didn't know what was on the agenda that morning, Kili hadn't told her the day before as he usually did. Fili was also there, which was unusual. He generally finished his practice in the early morning, before Ila was down from bed, and off to counsel with Thorin or some other official duties by the time she arrived in the arena.
"What are you doing here? Not that I am displeased to see you." Ila asked brightly, giving him a quick hug as he came up to place an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, I came to see your skill with a bow for myself of course." Fili replied with a smile. "It's all he talks about," indicating his brother.
"It's not all I talk about, but you deserve the praise." Kili said, trying not to be embarrassed by his brother's words.
"I'm glad you're here today though brother, I wanted to try something different and you can help." Kili changed the subject.
"Something different? We're not practicing with the bow?" Ila asked.
"No, you're doing so well on that I thought I would throw in something else. Even a poor warrior knows more than one weapon."
Fili raised an eyebrow, he didn't know if this was a good idea.
"And what would we be learning next then?" Fili asked, in a disapproving tone.
Kili shot his brother a sideways look and opened a long leather bundle that was on the ground nearby. Ila saw him draw two wooden practice swords out of it and held them up for her and Fili to see.
"Really Kili? You think uncle is going to stand for his queen sword fighting?"
"Is it in principle really that different from a bow? And they are just wood. Not metal, no blade, just toys really…" Kili insisted and shoved one in Ila's direction.
Ila couldn't see herself of course, but her eyes lit up like a little dwarfling's might when given a brand new toy out of nowhere, and she quickly walked forward to take it. She had spent countless hours as a young princess watching Nain and Fain practice sword fighting, but just like with a bow or any other weapon had never been allowed to join in.
"It can't really be that dangerous, can it Fili? After all they are just wood…" Ila stated more than asked.
"Well…..with wood I suppose not….but did you ask Thorin first Kili?"
Kili looked up at his brother from under his furrowed eyebrows with a look that said 'you are being a big fuddy-duddy and need to chill out,' but without having to actually say it. Fili set his mouth in a hard line at his brother but said nothing, seeing how excited Ila was at the prospect of all this.
"Well, if uncle is cross it will be at you, not me." Fili couldn't help but make some comment.
"Fine, but we still need your assistance."
"Doing?"
"Sparing with Ila."
"Kili—"
"Enough, here." Kili said and shoved the other wooden sword into his brother's hand. Fili reluctantly took it and Kili went to stand behind Ila.
"Alright, so just as with a bow you need the proper stance. Footwork and the placement of your feet are very important," Kili began his instruction, gently moving Ila's limbs to the proper places and angles.
Fili kept having visions of Thorin appearing out of nowhere and being livid with all three of them, but mostly with him for knowing better. But then maybe he was wrong about that. Thorin had given Ila more and more freedom, even to go outside the mountain with Kili from time to time, so perhaps he was coming to his senses about it all finally. Not that he couldn't see why Thorin protected her so, he may do the same with a wife like her, if he ever married.
He pushed that troubling thought from his mind and focused on the task at hand. He moved with the utmost care and intent, barely holding his sword against Ila's.
"Oh come on brother you aren't even trying!" Kili yelled from behind Ila who laughed.
"I will not break Fili, you can apply a little more force than that with your sword hand."
"Perhaps I should teach and Kili should spar with you then, let it be his head uncle has when you get a bruise or a scratch. But not me."
Ila was not as natural with a sword as she was with a bow, but she wasn't terrible. It was much like dancing she thought, which she had never been great at either. Fili seemed a bit unnatural too, but she knew that was because he was being so careful. And because he preferred to fight with two swords, but was using the one to spar with her. Finally, after a bit of stumbling on Ila's part, Kili called it quits for the morning.
Ila was a bit out of breath as she returned her practice sword to Kili.
"That takes a great deal more effort than archery." She mused.
"They both take effort, you are just used to the bow now. You will get used to this too, and then be a double threat." Kili said with a mischievous smile, and Ila laughed in response.
"Come on, it's time for lunch. I've had enough of conspiring with the two of you." Fili said playfully enough but was rather serious about the matter.
The three of them made their way towards the great hall, talking and joking like siblings. Ila felt as she did with Nain and Fain, walking between the two older dwarves who teased her and laughed with her. She didn't even see Dwala appearing from a corridor just to the right of them, she was moving so slowly.
Fili noticed however, and stopped to inquire after her.
"Dwala, are you really sure you should be navigating Erebor in such a condition? And by yourself no less?"
Ila and Kili turned upon hearing Fili's voice, and Ila answered him before Dwala could.
"No you should not! Really Dwala I would have the world delivered to your room if you would but stay there!" Ila exclaimed and ran towards her.
Dwala was moving slowly, a hand on her belly as always as if to steady it. She was so tired from her journey she didn't have the strength to argue.
Ila looped her arm in Dwala's and urged her to lean on her for support. Fili and Kili walked slowly now too so they might offer support if needed. Dwala looked as if she might collapse at any moment, and if she did she would likely just roll on into the great hall.
"Where is your husband anyway? I can't believe he is letting you out of your chambers like this." Ila demanded.
"He accompanied the merchants to Dale, as he always does."
"Well I can't believe that!" Ila stared at her indignantly.
"I insisted." Dwala stopped her. "I assured him the babe would not come today."
"How can you know? Thora certainly caught me by surprise. If you recall I got up to use the privy and she was on her way before I could get back to bed."
"Yes, of course I remember. But you were past due, I am only full term if that, and he has been still all morning and night." Dwala assured her.
"Well, be that as it all may, I bet he comes early, as I've been saying all this time." Ila reminded her. Ila referred to the baby as 'he' because Dwala was so certain that it was a boy. She had seen it in a dream, and Ila saw no reason why it shouldn't be true. It was most likely anyway.
They finally reached the great hall and Ila had Dwala sit next to her, Fili kindly pulling out her seat for her and Kili doing so for Ila, not to be outdone by his older brother.
Thorin came in shortly after, smiling the moment he laid eyes on his love, glad to see her already there. He crossed the room quickly to take his seat beside her, noting how very large her handmaiden had grown.
"Darling," he said sweetly to Ila and leaned to place a quick kiss on her lips.
"Where is our princess?" he asked, looking around for Thora.
"With your sister. I am going to retrieve her as soon as I'm done here. As you can see Dwala is too close to having her own dwarfling to be burdened with anything else, though she won't listen to me about that." Ila said looking at Dwala.
Dwala made a face back at her, then spoke to Thorin.
"I am fine your majesty, I assure you, and yet able to serve."
Thorin looked her over once more and gave her a doubtful look.
"I am not so certain. I have not seen you in a few days, and if I had would not have let your husband venture to Dale today."
"I made him go, no reason he should neglect his duties just because it takes me an hour to walk the shortest of distances."
Thorin didn't argue with her, but nodded and turned to his meal and ravenously began tearing into a loaf of bread.
Ila eyed him with interest. "Dearest, are you alright?" she asked.
Thorin mumbled through a full mouth that he was, and continued eating.
Ila giggled. "Then why do you eat as though you haven't in days?"
He narrowed his eyes at her as he was still chewing, then swallowed hard and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"I've lost quite a bit of strength the past few nights….thanks to a certain insatiable wench that sleeps in my bed."
Ila smacked his leg hard under the table. Even though she was sure no one had heard him she still grew a bit pink. She would have died had she believed anyone actually heard it.
It was true though, they had been wild even for each other the past few nights. Ila's new athleticism had given her plenty of new found energy and she practically thirsted for her husband's body. They had made love every night, and sometimes they woke in the middle of the night to make love again. Depending on Thora's sleeping schedule and how often she woke, they might even make love again first thing before Thorin left for the day.
They had made love so much in fact, and so heatedly at times, that Thorin had failed to pull out. Just once, which was impressive given how many times they had coupled in the last week.
Thorin had swore, having come too soon to stop himself, overcome with pleasure. Ila had been on top of him and unable to unseat herself in time. They had shrugged it off ultimately, thinking it a good track record to have only happened once, and one time surely not being enough to impregnate her again. They had made love so many times during the week of their honeymoon, it was impossible to know when Thora had been conceived, but in doing the math it didn't seem as though it had been the first night, perhaps not even the first week. Thorin told her they had nothing to worry about, and Ila had shown no signs of being with child again, though it was still very early. Ila told herself it was very unlikely, and forgot it happened at all after a few days.
"Well, I suppose I will have to have a talk with this "wench," ask her to restrain herself a bit so that my husband has enough energy to go about his other many duties." Ila whispered back.
"Now now wait a minute. Let's not do that." Thorin replied and Ila couldn't help but smile back at him. He smiled that heart melting smile of his back at her, his blue eyes twinkling, and they laced their hands together under the table.
"Oh!"
The sudden sound of alarm broke their gaze and Ila turned towards the noise.
"Dwala, what is it?" she asked and immediately saw Dwala's hand on her lower belly.
Dwala said nothing, but looked at her distended belly. She had stopped eating, her cup still clasped in her hand on the table. Dwala looked as if she didn't know where she was any longer.
"Dwala, are you alright?" Ila repeated and with more urgency. Thorin was looking on as well.
"I…I um.. oh!" Was all Dwala could manage as she leaned over a bit and looked as though she were trying to hold her belly tighter to her.
"Oh no. The baby's coming isn't he?!" Ila cried.
Dwala looked at her friend with big, frightened brown eyes.
"I wouldn't have thought it…but I believe he is…."
Thorin called out for a guard, summoning the one nearest to him.
"Fetch Oin to Dwalin's chambers, and fetch Dwalin from Dale, waste not a moment." He spoke in his most commanding of voices that Ila tended to forget he had. It didn't even sound like him to her, she was so used to hearing his softer and sweeter tones now.
The guard turned on his heels and jogged from the hall. Ila had risen to pull Dwala's seat from the table and begin helping her up. Fili and Kili were on their feet too and Balin came up to the table as well. He had been rather absent lately, his age and the great journey and following war had finally caught up with him. He kept to his chambers now except for council meetings and dining, but otherwise he chose not to traverse Erebor's many steps and hallways. He was currently eyeing his sister-in-law with great concern.
"You should have been lying in Dwala, we tried to convince you." He said worriedly.
"I told you to stay in your chambers, now you have to walk through the pains." Ila said but without any sternness. She was full of empathy for Dwala at the moment.
"I know, I know, you're both right. But that isn't the worst part!" Dwala exclaimed.
"What then? Oh, you mean Dwalin of course…" Ila quickly realized.
"YES! He is gone to Dale and I promised him the baby wouldn't come today." Dwala bemoaned.
"He'll forgive you I'm sure. He may even make it back in time. You could have hours ahead of you yet."
"Oh, don't say that. The pain is already—"
Dwala didn't finish as said pain took her voice from her. Ila held her hand, knowing what she was feeling and waiting for it to pass before urging her forward again. Kili and Fili were hovering, waiting for Ila to instruct them as how to assist. Thorin looked on with concern, but also seemed uncomfortable. Actually every dwarf in the room that wasn't a female looked uncomfortable, but then the business of having dwarflings made all males uncomfortable. Ila was only focused on Dwala though, and Fili took her arm on the side Ila wasn't supporting and helped escort her from the room.
Luckily, Dwalin and Dwala's chambers were not up the great staircase as were the royal rooms. That meant less steps to climb and less ground to cover, as every step seemed to take an eternity to Dwala. She was panting and taking her time, and Ila wondered that all this exertion wouldn't make the baby come faster.
"I think eating did it, he was so calm and then when I began to eat I felt it coming on…"
"Well, he is coming because he is ready. I'm surprised he waiting this long." Ila replied and looked ahead of them to judge the remaining distance.
"Not much further dear, then you can relax."
"No….the baby can't come before Dwalin gets back-"
"Dwala you can't hold him back! For Mahal's sake…" Ila could barely believe her friend. Fili said nothing but exchanged uneasy glances with Kili who was followed along. Finally the four of them reached the room where Oin was already waiting for them.
Ila silently thanked Mahal. She hadn't forgotten how long it took him to come to her aid when she was in Dwala's state.
Ila got Dwala through the antechamber and helped her to the bed, making her lay down and propping her up with plenty of pillows. Fili and Kili remained at the door and Ila assured them they could be of no more help and they took their leave, saying they would wait downstairs to keep Dwalin company when he arrived.
Ila shut the door and returned to Dwala's side. Oin had pushed her skirts up already and laid a sheet over her legs, under which he currently peered.
"Things seem to be progressing quickly, this will not be a long labor I believe." The old dwarf spoke his thoughts aloud.
Dwala's eyes were big as they looked to Ila. Ila took her friend's hand and squeezed it, pushing her hair back from her forehead with the other.
"Don't be afraid, it's better this way. Less pain and your babe will be here even sooner," she tried to soothe her. Dwala shook her head to agree with her, but was obviously very afraid. Ila knew she wanted Dwalin by her side, and hoped they fetched him quickly. But as another pain overtook Dwala, she feared he was not going to make it in time.
It was a warm and pleasant day outside the mountain. Dwalin was people watching while the merchants did business. People watching was his job, making sure no one tried to steal or cheat and just pull security in general. It was not exactly exciting, but getting out of the mountain every now and then was nice. Sam in particular was enjoying himself, with all the new sights and smells. Dwalin would usually be enjoying the fresh air and change of scenery, but today he couldn't keep his thoughts from Dwala. He really shouldn't have left her, not when she was so close. Even though she had insisted, he shouldn't have listened. He felt guilty and looked toward the sky. The sun was high, it was just after lunch. He still had a few hours out here, and then he could get back to his love.
The sound of feet moving quickly caught his attention and he turned towards the source. It was a dwarf, one of the palace guards, hurrying towards him. He moved towards the young dwarf, a thousand scenarios running through his mind. The sky had been clear all morning, so no possibility of dragons….
"Mister Dwalin!" the guard called out to him.
"What is it? What has happened?" Dwalin demanded.
The dwarf stopped to catch his breath, then answered. "Your wife, she is having your baby—"
Dwalin pushed past him, not waiting for anything else he might have to say, and began running back towards Erebor. Not a moment's thought was spent on his duties there, nor did he notice Sam running after him.
Back in Dwalin's chambers, things were indeed progressing quickly. Dwala was already having hard and fast contractions, nothing like what Ila had experienced. The baby was visibly moving in her belly, or perhaps it was the strong contraction or both. Ila could see the movement under her gown and hurt for Dwala. She was lying back with her head in the pillows and eyes shut tight. Ila could tell she was trying not to scream, but didn't understand why.
"Dwala, why do you restrain yourself?" Ila asked as she pushed the hair from her sweaty brow.
Dwala opened her eyes and forced herself to speak, which was difficult between pants and contractions.
"Dwalin...may be...out.. side...he will...be worried."
"You are in labor! Dwarves scream in labor, everyone knows that. Do not silence yourself on his account." Ila insisted, flabbergasted at her friend.
Dwala continued trying to swallow her screams. "I...want...him...to...think...I'm.. strong..."
Ila couldn't believe that was an actual concern of hers at the moment.
"Who cares what he thinks! You are in the middle of delivering his baby! Let's see him try."
Dwala barely heard that as she whimpered in pain. Oin pulled her gown up over her belly and Ila watched the next, powerful contraction take hold of her. Oin laid his hands on her to feel around for the baby.
"The baby is moving into position. Your little one is anxious to be out!" The old dwarf smiled and pulled her gown back down.
Obviously, Ila thought. And Dwala had only been in labor for little more than an hour.
Dwala had a moment of peace between contractions and looked at Ila. She was sweating profusely and pain etched her face all over.
Ila dabbed her forehead with a damp cloth. "You're fine and doing great," Ila said smiling. Dwala gave her a weak smile in return. She was breathing hard and Oin reminded her yet again to take deep breaths.
Oin came over and raised the sheet once more to gauge progress.
"Ahh, time to sit up and start pushing," he said cheerfully.
"Already?!" Dwala squeaked.
Ila smiled broadly and helped Dwala sit up and brace herself. Oin laid back the blankets and gently pushed her legs open, instructing her to hold them as wide as she could manage.
"You can do it, you won't even remember the pain when –"
Ila's sentence was cut off by a scream. Dwala couldn't help herself anymore, and Ila was surprisingly relieved by the sound. She feared Dwala would explode if she held in all her cries of pain.
Dwala's heart was about to beat out of her chest. She somehow thought she had more time, and now her dwarfling was about to be in her arms.
"Push!" Oin said and Dwala wanted to scream at him. lla held her hand as she pushed with all her might. She sighed and relaxed, feeling she accomplished nothing with that one, meager little push.
"Again," Oin urged.
Dwala whimpered but braced herself for another try. Pushing only brought more pain though, and Dwala already felt like she was going to split open.
Her breathing was ragged and she felt tears run down her face. Ila wiped them away and tried to encourage her.
"You're closer than you think, come on Dwala." She urged.
Dwala screamed as she pushed again, feeling herself parting and the burning sensation that accompanied it.
Dwalin had run the entire way from Dale to Erebor, with Sam hot on his heels. Bursting through the main entrance, he didn't stop once inside the mountain and dwarves were jumping out of his way left and right. Thorin had instructed the guards to inform him when Dwalin returned so that he might join him, which one quickly went to do. Fili and Kili called out to Dwalin, seeing him charging through the palace, but he didn't hear them. Dwalin didn't stop running till he reached the door to his chamber where his brother was waiting for him. Sam practically crashed into his boots from behind.
Balin raised his hands to stop his younger brother from going any further.
Dwalin hadn't realized just how very tired he was until he came to a halt. His adrenaline had carried him the whole way, and now he gasped for air and leaned over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. He took Balin's presence outside the door to mean he hadn't missed the baby, and surely enough time had not passed yet for anything to go wrong. Still, he summoned the strength to speak.
"How is she?" he demanded through ragged breaths.
"Fine I'm sure, it's barely been an hour. No baby yet." Balin assured him.
Before Dwalin could respond, he heard Dwala's cries of pain coming from the other side of the door.
"Dwala," he said and went to push the door open. Sam was scratching at it wanting in as well.
"Don't," Balin stopped him. "In there is no place for anyone besides females and healers."
Dwalin heard his words but still looked to the door. He wanted very much to be by her side, but was also very uncomfortable by the thought of what exactly might be taking place in there. He pondered it for a moment but then shook his head, agreeing with his brother.
"Your brother is right you know,"
Dwalin turned to see Thorin approaching.
"I was useless at Ila's side. Your wife's pain will only make you feel helpless." Thorin continued as he laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Aye," Dwalin nodded and gave the door another pained look as Dwala's cries grew louder.
Dwala's screams were intensifying and Ila wondered if she had sounded like that. She squinted her eyes closed a bit at the noise but remained steadfast for her friend, holding her hand and quietly urging her on.
Searing pain was all Dwala she felt now, the burning sensation unreal.
"The head is out! You're almost there!" Ila said excitedly. But Dwala was in so much pain all she could do was shake her head back and forth.
Ila brought her hand down to place on the baby's head.
"Can you feel him? That's your baby! He's almost here Dwala, just a few more moments of strength."
Dwala felt a hairy little head under her hand and began to cry. She didn't know if she could bear any more pain, but brought her hands to press into the bed on either side of her and tried to push again.
Dwala cried out as she pushed once more and felt the babe coming out.
"Here come his shoulders!" Oin announced but Dwala didn't need him to, she felt it all.
"One final push and you're done!" Oin instructed and Dwala screamed once more as she did.
Dwala felt the baby come free and fell back into the pillows, her breath short and all her muscles finally relaxing. Her eyes almost shut but she remembered herself and looked to the end of the bed.
The baby gave a great wail and Oin held up a big baby boy for her to see. He was kicking and his eyes were shut, and he had a head full of Dwalin's dark hair.
Dwala sputtered a cry and raised her weak arms to reach for him. Ila covered her mouth in excitement and awe of what a large baby boy Dwala had so quickly birthed.
"Oh Dwala! He is beautiful! Look at your perfect son!" Ila exclaimed as Oin stood and placed the little dwarf in her outstretched arms. He was crying loudly and fervently now and Dwala was shaking as she took him.
Dwala could barely believe it even though she was holding him. The naked, slightly bloody, warm and pink creature that looked so very much like her husband. He still wouldn't open his eyes and Dwala was trying not to clutch him too tight. She never wanted to let him go, her not so little, precious dwarfling. She was so transfixed by him that she didn't even notice Oin cutting his chord. Ila was sitting next to her, admiring the baby when they all nearly jumped out of their skin from the door all but coming off its hinges.
"Out of my way!" Dwalin was yelling to whoever had attempted to stop him from entering the room. He had obviously heard the baby's cries and refused to wait any longer.
He stopped when he saw the bed, though Ila was blocking his view. She gave him a wide smile and then moved away so he could see his wife.
He stared in quiet awe for a moment as he beheld his wife lying with their child in her arms. Dwala looked up from their baby and gave him a euphoric smile. Dwalin slowly walked to the bed and sat next to Dwala, drawing her close with one arm and helping her hold their baby with the other.
He looked down at their dwarfling and saw that he had a son. His heart nearly exploded with joy.
"It's a boy..." he almost whispered, awe still marking his features. He looked in disbelief of it all, but then suddenly yelled "We have a boy!" The joy evident in his voice.
Dwala couldn't speak still, but smiled beautifully at her husband and laid her head on his shoulder, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
Ila stood and beamed happily at the new family for a moment, then quietly took her leave. Neither Dwalin nor Dwala noticed, as they could not take their eyes away from their babe.
Said dwarfling was still kicking but with less fervor, getting used to the feel of his mother's embrace. Dwalin cupped the fuzzy dark head with his large hand and the babe's eyes popped open to look up at his father.
Dwalin stared back into his own blue eyes, the babe blinking at him, crying less and less now. Dwala sighed adoringly, bringing him somehow closer to her breast.
"He is your little copy my love," Dwala said quietly, hoping he would continue to calm himself.
"Aye, Mahal help him," Dwalin said smiling. Dwala lightly smacked his arm, then stroked her baby's cheek gently.
"Shhhh….my little love." She soothed him, her terrible pain forgotten already.
"Well," Dwalin began, leaning his head on hers. "What is his name then?"
Dwala gave him a quizzical look. "What do you mean? Haven't we already decided?"
"Well, I suppose. But now that you see him do you think it fits? Besides, you did all the work, he should be named as you please." Dwalin replied and Dwala gave him too an adoring smile.
"I like your grandfather's name very much, and think it suits him well. He is certainly of your line….just look at him!"
"Very well, Farin it is." Dwalin agreed and kissed her forehead.
"Farin," Dwala softly called his name and the baby wiggled in her arms.
Dwalin tugged the top of her gown down, exposing her larger than normal breast.
Dwala smiled and brought Farin closer, cradling his head to bring his lips to her nipple. He fussed a bit before taking her in his mouth, but as soon as he did wasted no time with his first meal.
"There you go," Dwalin said, still helping Dwala hold him. Farin was suddenly still and content, relaxing in his parent's embrace and enjoying his lunch. The new parents were watching their newborn so intently they had completely forgotten Oin was still there.
Oin had been cleaning things up, tending to the afterbirth that Dwala had felt but ignored, and so forth. He came over to the other side of the bed from where Dwalin sat to inspect the new dwarfling.
"Looks plenty healthy to me, and already displaying a healthy appetite. He's a good weight, not small but not too terribly big, and quite a fast delivery. Perhaps the quickest I've ever seen."
"He comes from hearty stock, and those known for having healthy appetites." Dwalin replied and the two dwarves shared a laugh at that.
"Well, I'll be letting the new mother and babe rest. I'll be back later to check on things. Best to just take it easy for now."
Dwalin nodded and took that to mean everything had gone perfectly well, much to his relief. Dwala was a strong female dwarf, but childbirth was no easy matter even for a race as resilient as their own.
Dwalin didn't watch Oin leave, but kept his eyes on his nursing son as he finished his first meal at his mother's breast. He helped Dwala cover herself again and continued to hold them both in his arms. He barely noticed Thorin walk in he was so quiet.
Thorin was accompanied by Ila, her arm linked in her husband's. Thorin gave a great warm smile to his old friend and laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. Ila beamed down at the Erebor's newest dwarfling and her tired but overjoyed friend.
Dwala gave Ila a weak smile but neither of them said anything, they didn't need to. Thorin however offered his congratulations.
"He is magnificent, well done Dwala. You both should be very proud." Thorin said sincerely.
Dwala was rather taken aback by the compliment. She was certain she had never received a compliment from his majesty and it rendered her momentarily speechless. She then smiled and bowed her head, obviously humbled and pleased with his words, and thanked him.
"Thank you your majesty."
"Thorin," he corrected her gently.
Dwala only gave him an even greater smile, as did Ila who was rather surprised too. She squeezed Thorin's arm and batted her eyelashes up at him, ecstatic and appreciative at the kindness he was showing Dwala. Thorin gave her a quick nudge with his nose and then pulled his arm free from hers to embrace Dwalin who had gotten to his feet. They grasped each other so harshly Ila thought it must hurt, but they both exuded only joy. Ila took the opportunity to set next to her friend.
"Are you well? You certainly look it." She inquired.
"Yes, I can't imagine being better." Dwala replied breathing deeply and turning her gaze once more back to her babe.
"Do you need or desire anything?"
"Oh no, just some rest and time with my little one."
"You can have all the time in the world. Thora and I will manage." Ila assured her and rose to let her get some rest and bond with her baby. Ila squeezed Dwalin's arm as she passed him, reaching up to give him a kiss on the cheek that made him turn a little pink.
Ila then replaced her arm in Thorin's and they left the new parents to enjoy their baby. Balin passed them going in, ready to see his new nephew finally.
Ila laid her head on Thorin's shoulder as they walked, wrapping another arm around his.
"No." Thorin said out of nowhere.
"What?" Ila asked indignantly.
"You want another one, and you know it's too soon."
Ila was angry that he could read her so easily. But she couldn't help herself. How could one look upon a new born dwarfling and not be smitten? Especially when she wanted a prince so badly to go with her perfect little princess.
"I said nothing about wanting another."
"You don't have to. It's written all over you."
"We've already discussed it and I agreed with you." Ila reminded him. "But I am pinning for my little love something terrible now. Let's fetch her."
"That's where I was headed my dear." Thorin replied and kissed her cheek, pulling her in the direction of the royal chambers.