"Well, how do you find her?" Thorin asked Ila who was peering over Thora's crib to make sure she was asleep.
"I think she will do just fine." Ila replied and walked over to wrap her arms around her husband's neck.
"Good," he said and brought her flush against him with arms around her waist and kissed her deeply.
Ila hummed into his mouth and melted into his embrace, ready to surrender to him for the night. But then she remembered Fili.
When the kiss broke, she pulled back and inquired. "Did you say anything to Fili about Zahra?"
Thorin's eyes were full of lust and he had no desire to discuss his nephew at the moment.
"Who and who?" he asked.
Ila lightly smacked his chest.
"Yes…but I don't believe he has anything like that in mind at that moment." Thorin answered quickly to placate his wife, then covered her mouth with his before she could respond.
Ila protested a little, but as Thorin lifted her and tossed her onto the bed, she gave in to him and decided she would worry about the next step in her plan tomorrow morning.
It was the end of Zahra's first day under the Mountain, and she practically collapsed into bed. She was afraid she would never remember everything that Dwala had showed her, where everything was kept, how Ila preferred this and that. She was in a room very near Ila's, though very small but still much nicer than what she'd had at home. Stretching out on the bed, she tried to recall everyone she'd met that day in her last moments of consciousness.
Prince Fili had been very kind to her, she had bumped into him again at supper. She'd also met his younger brother, Prince Kili, who was sweet and charming as well though they met only in passing. As with Prince Fili she made a point not to be seen staring. She fancied for a moment that she might end up marrying one of them, just a little daydream, for what maiden did not want to marry a Durin, and then she was sound asleep.
The next morning Ila was up early like normal, making her way towards the arena for her practice with Kili. Zahra was in tow, paying attention and trying to learn the many hallways and corridors of the massive Mountain. Ila had Thora in her arms, singing to her and bouncing her gently as she went. The princess laughed loudly at her mother, happy as she could be. Zahra smiled at the princess from behind her mother. She hoped very much to have happy dwarflings herself one day.
Ila was having Zahra accompany her with Thora to practice that morning because she didn't think Zahra had been at the job long enough to be on her own. Plus it would allow her to get oriented a bit more to the Mountain. Kili was there and waiting already, just as he was every morning.
"There they are," Kili said, putting down the practice swords in his hand and striding over to take Thora from Ila. Thora gave her uncle Kili a big smile and grabbed at his scruffy face.
"Have you come to begin training too?" He asked her with big eyes and she giggled up at him.
"Ha! But how cute she would look with a little bow…perhaps when she is a bit bigger she can have some toy weapons…though Thorin might disapprove." Ila mused.
"Even of toys? She is getting bigger, she will need something to play with soon."
"A dolly perhaps, but no weapons. Not yet." Ila said and took Thora from Kili to hand over to Zahra.
"Good morning, how did you enjoy your first day under the Mountain?" Kili asked her politely.
"It was very well, thank you." She replied, still very aware of herself and how she responded to all the royals.
"Relax, we won't bite." Kili winked, then turned to Ila to begin outlining the day's tasks. Zahra took Thora and went to sit and watch. Thora was pleasantly intrigued with her new caretaker, but then Thora liked everyone she had ever met. She wound her little fingers in Zahra's light brown hair, not tugging though and Zahra couldn't believe what a well behaved a baby she was. Zahra's hair was not as long as Ila's but sported many more thin braids, some which hung loose and some that were pulled back and met in one large braid that went down her back. Also like Ila she kept her facial hair at bay but did have faint sideburns.
Zahra was so busy playing with Thora she only realized Kili and Ila had begun fighting when she heard the sound of wood on wood. She looked up and saw they were sparring with practice swords, and wondered that Ila's mother would have thought of that.
It was funny; Ila was so regal and feminine, yet she looked a natural with that sword. Ila had told her that she had been having these morning practice sessions for a while now, so she had had time to progress to this state but it didn't make it any less impressive to Zahra. A female dwarf wielding weapons was not something one saw very often. There were so few females in their race; they had to be treasured and protected. They were consequently not allowed on the battle field, though it would not be hard to disguise oneself and put on enough armor if a female wanted to sneak off to into battle.
But that would never happen for Ila. This was just a sport and a hobby for her, that Thorin allowed and indulged. Zahra had not missed how much he doted on his bride; he had watched her intently the night before while Zahra was helping her undress and put her jewels away. She couldn't believe it when Thorin was allowed in the room at all for that, but Ila assured her it was fine. Thorin simply took Thora to cuddle and love on while he waited. As Zahra was closing the door to their chambers behind her, she caught a glimpse of husband and wife, already embracing in a tender kiss, their dwarfling looking on from between them.
Currently, Ila was giving Kili a run for his money, but Zahra was sure he was taking it easy on her. He was dashing, young but still a few years older than her as Ila was, and very attractive if she was being honest with herself. He seemed very sure of himself and very care free, which as a prince who can never inherit made complete sense.
If Zahra was being even more honest with herself, she had to admit she'd hoped Prince Fili would be there too. Surely he had more duties than his younger brother, with little time for activities like this. He was groomed as heir for years and would have responsibilities. She knew all of this because her mother had made sure she was briefed on the Mountain and its key inhabitants as much as possible before she departed. She was glad for that now, she had enough to learn about serving Ila that she didn't need anything else to study.
Thora was sucking on her thumb and watching her mother contently, when suddenly she cooed and kicked her little feet in joy at the arrival of yet another Durin.
Zahra had missed Fili walking in as she had been watching the match in front of her. She blushed in spite of herself and nodded in greeting to him as he was headed her way.
"Good morning," he said with a kind smile, then turned his attention to Thora.
"And good morning to you your highness!" he said with a more animated smile and reached for her, Thora extending her little arms to him. Zahra handed her over and Thora reached up to grab Fili's mustache braids as she always did.
"Oh yes, your favorite pastime. At least where I am concerned." He said to Thora and allowed her to play with his face. At least she was being gentle today.
"I must say, I have never seen such a loved and indulged dwarfling." Zahra said as she looked on.
"Oh no, not since Ila herself was a dwarfling I'm sure." Fili responded.
"Oh yes, though she is a little older than me, but she has been much loved and adored since I can remember." Zahra agreed.
"Did you serve her in the Iron Hills?" Fili asked.
"Oh no, that was always Dwala's role. My mother has served Ila's mother for many years though."
Fili smiled and went back to teasing Thora, the silence between them only slightly awkward. Zahra wanted to speak with him more but could think of nothing to say.
Fili was glad to have Thora on his lap to make him look and feel less awkward as he mentally fumbled for something else to say. She wasn't talking….perhaps she wanted to be left alone? He couldn't tell. He knew so little about females.
"So, how do you like the Mountain so far?" Had he asked that at supper the night before? He couldn't remember…
"Oh, it is every bit as majestic and overwhelming as the stories say. I can hardly believe I am here." Zahra replied honestly.
"Well, you should have seen it a few months ago. It is much improved, though some restoration projects will continue for a while yet. I have been overseeing much of those with Uncle."
"Ah, well I am very happy to call it home, even if only for a little while."
"You don't think that you might want to stay?" Fili asked, then mentally kicked himself for asking that so quickly.
Zahra hadn't expected that question. "Oh…well if I were invited to I am sure I would love to." She replied, and it was a very smart and appropriate reply, that Fili simply nodded in response.
"Brother! Come to help? You can spar with Ila while I instruct." Kili called out to him, having just realized he was there.
"Absolutely not. I will not be a part of this training the queen with swords and hoping Uncle doesn't find out."
"Oh please, we haven't even graduated to real steel yet." Kili said casually.
"Steel?! Now I know you've gone mad. What are we going to do with your Uncle Kili?" Fili asked Thora.
Ila put her sword down and walked over to take her babe from Fili and kiss her on the nose. Thora giggled, loving being passed from dwarf to dwarf to bask in their attention.
"Are you proud of how much better mummy has gotten?" Ila asked her and showered her with more kisses, much to Thora's delight.
"Yes, but she was wondering when she could start training?" Fili joked.
"Haha! I asked the same earlier. Couldn't we get her a little toy bow or sword to cuddle with in her crib?"
"Really? Can you imagine the look on Thorin's face? And I would be the one that had to suffer his reaction." Ila protested the idea, funny sight though it would be and almost worth doing it to Thorin. Almost. She did not believe her husband wanted a warrior princess.
"Are you done for the day then? Or just taking a break?" Fili asked.
"Oh, I think just a break?" Ila directed the question to Kili who nodded.
"Well then, I have to things to get to. I just wanted to peak in and keep an eye on you kids." Fili said and gave Thora a kiss on the head and Ila a kiss on the cheek. He smiled to his brother and gave Zahra a polite nod as he took his leave.
"Are you bored yet?" Ila asked Zahra as she handed the princess back to her so she could get a drink of water.
"Oh no, of course not. I am rather enjoying the demonstration my lady," she replied.
"Ila will do, Zahra." She said kindly and Zahra nodded.
Ila watched Zahra and Kili as she quenched her thirst, trying to see if one thought to fancy the other or both. Kili was handsome, no doubting it, but she also found Fili to be just as handsome in his own way. The two brothers were very different but very attractive in their own right.
Presently, there didn't appear to be anything passing between Kili and Zahra. That was well. As for Fili she couldn't read him yet, but would ask him when she was alone with him next.
"Alright your majesty," Kili said with mock reverence. "Back to it."
Ila cut her eyes at him in mock offense, then grabbed her sword and advanced on him so fast it took him by surprise. Kili stepped back and nearly tripped, laughing as he defended himself. The two bantered back and forth as they fought, and Zahra repositioned Thora to so she could watch her mother. So far, life under the Mountain was more exciting than she had anticipated, and based off events so far she believed she could be very happy there.
It was late in the morning, so late that Dwala would have been up for hours under any other circumstances, but today she was still in bed. Her mind did wander once or twice to Ila and Thora and how things might be going, but for the most part her mind was there in the present with her two loves.
Dwala was laying on her side, facing Dwalin, his hand gently skimming her curves back and forth. Farin was between them, contentedly sucking on his mother's breast. Dwalin had convinced Dwala to sleep in the nude again, if for no other reason than it would make it easier to feed Farin when he woke them demanding nourishment. His main motive of course was just to have his wife naked, but whatever it took.
Dwala was holding her dwarfling gently to her while he had his breakfast, her eyes half open as she watched him lovingly. Dwalin had a faint smile on his lips, watching his wife nurse his son.
"Don't you think Ila had a good idea then? Is there anywhere else you would rather be in all the world?" he asked quietly.
"No," Dwala replied. "Though I am surprised that your stomach hasn't gotten you out of bed yet."
"How could I tear myself away from this? Besides, when he is done I'll take my turn."
Dwala cut her eyes up at him, and would have given him a very deserving smack had their little one not been between them.
"You'll not take your son's food, you ridiculous dwarf."
"You can make more. Besides those were mine before they were his. On top of which, that would be a marvelous arrangement. I wouldn't even have to leave bed to eat. I could eat, make love to you, sleep and repeat.
"You are getting more and more terrible by the day, do you know that."
"It's all this abstinence…it can't be good for me."
Dwala rolled her eyes, then wondered what he had done before he met her. She decided not to ask.
"Not too much longer dear, I'm sure."
"Don't you miss me?"
"Of course I do. How could you even ask."
"You seem to handle it much better than I."
"Well I'm a female for one…and you try birthing a giant dwarfling and see how your body feels afterwards."
"Fair enough."
"I suppose though that I can do other things for you in the meantime….perhaps once Farin falls asleep again?"
Dwalin smiled devilishly at her.
"Well….if you're up to it and all. Am I going to get to return the favor?"
"Oh….I dunno….I may collapse after I'm done with that." She nodded towards his groin.
Dwalin tickled her side at that moment and Dwala yelped, causing Farin to protest when her body made a small, involuntary jerk.
"Stop that!" Dwala said but with no real anger. Dwalin just laughed, happy to have his wife to himself for a while.