The next day, Ila woke early as she usually did, as she and Kili always had practice first thing. She had not spoken with Thorin about it yet, which gave her a little hope, but if she was being honest with herself she knew that more likely meant Thorin thought it understood that she would cease all unnecessary activity.

He was already awake, sitting in a chair with Thora in his arms. She was awake too, gently playing with Thorin's face. Her little hands were gently grabbing at his long nose, touching his beard and winding around his braids. Thorin hadn't noticed Ila was awake, he was staring down at his daughter. A gentle smile was on his lips, and Ila melted at the sight of them.

He must have felt her eyes on him, because he looked up at her then. He smiled at his wife, then turned Thora so she might see her mother.

"Look who is awake my love," he said and Thora happily bounced in her father's grasp. Ila got out of bed and padded over to her loves, taking her daughter and replacing her on Thorin's lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting a hand on her little bump.

"He is still small yet, so there could be no trouble in my going to practice this morning, right?"

"You're wasting no time I see. Not even a 'good morning my love,'" Thorin replied in an unreadable tone.

Ila frowned at him. "Dearest," she began but he stopped her.

"Why must you fight me on this? I have given you so many freedoms in your normal life….but when you are with child everything is a very different matter."

"Thorin, what trouble could some archery cause, especially now that I know what I am doing? I'm not asking to go traipsing around outside the Mountain or anything like that,"

"Good because that's not happening."

Ila frowned at him, her lips set in a firm line. "Thorin, this is ridiculous. It's just Kili and I. He is very careful these days, he learned his lesson last time, and that was just a mistake."

Thorin didn't answer her, but tickled Thora under her chin. She cackled at him and grabbed the offending finger.

"Thorin…just for a month or so. It's not that big of a deal."

"How far long are you? Two months? And you are smaller than you were last time."

"I weigh much less…I have more muscle because I've been active. I will be plenty big enough when the time comes I promise you. I was a cow when I had her," indicating Thora.

Thora blinked at her mother with a strange face, seeming to suggest she didn't appreciate that remark.

Thorin remained unconvinced. He looked at the protrusion under his hand, knowing it would have to be a boy this time, and worrying for his heir already. Ila just didn't understand. Why couldn't she be like so many females, of any race, that he had observed to be happy to do nothing all day if they could get away with it?

He looked at her then, her face sad and aggravated with him. He knew the answer to his previous question was because she was not like any other female, and that is why he loved her so. He didn't want her to by like anyone else, no of course he didn't, but he also wished she would listen to him. He knew what was best for her. She wanted what she wanted because she was a female. He needed to make her see he was right.

"Stop pouting at me," he said. "I am not so terrible. I could chain you to the bed you know."

"I'm not sure if you are joking when you say that or not." Ila retorted.

He smirked at her. He had certainly wanted to do that to her a couple of times. But he would not start a war by admitting it at the moment.

"Thorin, please. Just for a week or so, your sister even said some activity could be good for me this early on in the pregnancy. She did birth two perfectly healthy Durin princes you know."

Thorin made a face, he did not need his sister offering advice that conflicted with his own. He weighed the chances that something could go wrong with her shooting a few arrows. He also weighed how her being so put out with him this early in the pregnancy would make things harder and harder.

"Perhaps I could observe today and ensure you do nothing too strenuous, and if I am satisfied you may continue…but only for a little while."

Ila beamed at him, happy to have won a small battle for today. She knew she must be careful though to ensure he allowed for it. Ila kissed his lips and he held her face to keep her there for a while, deepening the kiss. Thorin promptly gave Thora a kiss on the head as he pulled away, and took her again from Ila's arms so that she might call for Zahra and get dressed for the day.

Downstairs in the arena, Fili and Kili were just finishing up with one another, Kili not having expected to see Ila again until after the dwarfling was born. Their uncle was with her, as was Zahra carrying the princess. Fili noticed immediately, and wanted very much to show off for her, but they were done for the most part.

"Uncle, Ila." Kili greeted them, then dropped his sword to go to Zahra and take Thora. He gave her a quick nod and gathered the princess in his arms.

"Have you come to learn how to fight today too? Are you sure you're big enough?" he asked and she smiled at her uncle.

"That's funny." Thorin said, clearly with a mind to never allow his daughter to pick up a weapon. "But I have made a deal with the queen that if she does not over exert herself too much, she may continue her lessons for a time."

Kili's eyes lit up and Ila smiled at him from behind Thorin.

"But—I will observe today and decide what I can allow in that regard."

"I will go easy on her uncle, I promise." Kili said, and was extremely surprised that Thorin was open to this. He looked at Ila and could see the small bulge under her gown, and wondered that Thorin was not already fretting over its safety.

"Let's begin while I have some time to spare yet." Thorin said and went to seat himself, taking Thora from Kili. Zahra sat behind Thorin, hoping that Fili might stay for a while. He was still holding both his swords which he absently swung and twirled. Rather he tried to make it appear absent minded, he hoped he was at least slightly impressive to Zahra.

"Are you here to make sure that Kili behaves for the next three weeks while we are gone Uncle?" Fili asked jokingly.

"About that, I've been meaning to tell you. I thought it over after the council meeting yesterday, and I think I will remain here. You are plenty capable of handling such by yourself now. I will send Dwalin with you of course, but I believe it is best I remain under the Mountain."

"By myself?" Fili asked, his arms still at his sides now.

"Yes, it will be good for you. And I have no desire to leave Ila now that she is with child again. I did that before and as you remember it is inviting something to happen. That's not a comment at your brother mind you, I would just rather remain with her and Thora."

Thorin said most of this without taking his eyes off of Thora. She was gazing up at him lovingly with the great interest her father always produced in her. He truly had no desire to be parted from his tiny dwarfling and pregnant wife. He had to be near them, to watch over them, and make sure they were safe.

"Well, I am honored that you think I can take care of it all by myself Uncle. I will not disappoint you."

"I know you won't, you never have." Thorin replied, then smiled at him before looking past him to watch Ila and Kili. They were stringing bows, Kili knowing well enough not to do anything with swords while Thorin was there. He would not be allowing that. Kili would sneak it in though when Thorin wasn't there, he told himself.

Thorin looked satisfied so far. Fili sat next to him, watching as well, and trying to look at Zahra over his shoulder when he thought that Thorin wouldn't notice. He wanted to make conversation with her but not with his uncle there.

"She shouldn't be bending over so much…that can't be good for the baby." Thorin commented, more to himself than anyone else.

Fili looked to Ila, who had simply bent down to retrieve some arrows.

"I dunno, as long as she bends at the knees maybe?" He offered a bit awkwardly. He was just trying to help. He knew Ila liked to be out and about as much as she could.

"Ila," Thorin called to her. "Try to bend at your knees darling, not at your waist."

She smiled and nodded then quickly went back to what she doing, rolling her eyes so that only Kili could see. He only barely suppressed a smile.

She pulled back the string of her bow next and Thorin called to her again.

"Not so fast darling, move slower. There is no competition here."

Fili knew Ila must be irritated. If he was going to be like this the whole time….

Ila said nothing but tried to comply, and loosed an arrow as slowly as she could.

It wasn't her best shot, but he was making her nervous. He gave it a critiquing look but said nothing.

She looked back at him with frustration but said nothing, only drew another arrow. She wasn't doing as well as she normally did, but then she wasn't comfortable or doing it in a natural manner.

"Hmmm, I suppose this is alright…..for now." Thorin mused.

Fili let a sigh of relief go. The look on his uncle's face had shown nothing but disapproval.

"Make sure she continues in such a manner. I have to be on my way." Thorin said to Fili, then rose to hand Thora to Zahra, but Fili intercepted her.

"Come to uncle Fili, it's my turn to love on you." He said and Thora was happily passed from dwarf to dwarf to dote on her.

Thorin took his leave and everyone seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Zahra waited till he was out of sight, then moved down to sit next to Fili, but left enough room for propriety. He smiled at her, then looked towards Ila and Kili.

"Would you like to learn too?"

"Oh, I dunno." Zahra seemed to be protesting too much. "I can't imagine having the time for that." Though she looked on with interest.

"Well, perhaps not right now, but when Dwala returns to her duties…"

Zahra's face fell, she looked to her feet and shuffled them a bit.

"I am sure when Dwala returns to her duties I won't be needed…I mean maybe for a while longer since there is a baby on the way…but I always meant to be temporary, as you know."

Fili looked a bit more serious, but not defeated. "Erebor is huge….there is plenty of room for another Iron Hill's maiden. Besides, two little Durins and with Dwala having her own dwarfling, there will be plenty of need for you, I'm sure."

"Well, I hope so. I am growing very fond of the Mountain." Zahra admitted and hoped Fili got her meaning.

"Well…the Mountain has grown very fond of you…..I mean we have grown very fond of you." He replied and Zahra giggled.

"I am glad."

Fili scooched a little closer to her and turned Thora around so she sat in his lap with a good view of her mother.

"So….you will be leaving for three weeks?"

Fili sighed. "Yes, we make regular trips to Ered Luin, to visit the dwarves that chose to stay there. Not everyone wanted to come back to Erebor, and some, like my brother and I, either had no memory of it or had never seen it at all. There is a council there that answers to uncle. He usually goes, but as you heard him say does not want to be away from his wife and child. Thorin went when Ila was newly pregnant with Thora and there was a little mishap."

"A mishap?"

"Kili took her down to the treasure hall. She slipped and fell. Everyone was so worried about Thora…and he was most displeased when he came home."

"But the princess looks fine to me." Zahra said, inclining her head to Thora who was the perfect baby. Zahra didn't need to be her mother to see that.

"Yes, our little princess turned out just fine." Fili said taking her little hand between his thumb and forefinger. She was trying to grab the braids of his mustache and he gently intercepted her.

"But uncle wishes to take no chances this time, as you just saw, especially when it is certain this Durin will be a boy."

"Yes. I expect not. And three weeks does seem like a long time." She said with a little sadness in her voice.

"It is…when there is someone at home to be missed."

Zahra blushed and looked at the ground, clearly torn about something. She shook her head from side to side. "My lord, I, I just don't know….I shouldn't be so familiar with you…I can't imagine what you must think..I barely know you—"

"Zahra please. I can't bear you calling me 'my lord' any longer. But you are probably right, I doubt you can imagine what I think of you."

Zahra stole a look at Kili and Ila, making sure they were occupied and not listening.

"You don't even know me," Zahra countered.

"I know enough. And I can't help how I feel."

"But..but you don't know anything about me! Maybe you only think you like me but if you got to know me would realize otherwise."

"Zahra, if you find my feelings offensive then you need only say so. I won't continue to bother you," he said, feeling a little embarrassed then at the thought that she was just too kind and inexperienced to know how to refuse a dwarf's attentions.

"I didn't say that!" Zahra said far too loudly. Ila and Kili turned to look over their shoulders at them, but seeing them looking fine, went back to shooting. Ila and Kili exchanged smirks, and hoped their suspicions were accurate, but pretended not to be listening.

"I mean…I certainly do not find it offensive….I can only not believe it."

"Why ever not?" Fili genuinely didn't understand why. Even Thora was looking back and forth between them confusedly.

"Because! You are a prince and I am a commoner, a handmaiden to your queen, a temporary one that will be sent home as soon as she is no longer needed, and…and not a spectacular dwarf at that. I'm just….well I'm just normal."

Fili looked back at her with a thoughtful expression.

"First, there is nothing wrong with being normal. But I wouldn't call you normal."

Zahra wasn't sure if that was good or bad, so she waited for him to clarify for her.

"You are sweet…meek and mild and gentle….a perfect lady, and beautiful of course."

Zahra looked away, she had never thought of herself as that.

"I-I don't think I am, but I am humbled by your words." She said lowly.

"Well I do. And perhaps you are right….perhaps I don't know you. So why don't you let me get to know you, and know for sure?"

Zahra locked eyes with him. Blue eyes. Not cold and frightening the way Thorin's could be, but a crystal blue that shown like a jewel. They were stunning; you didn't want to look away. They were also sincere, and Zahra could find only one argument to what he presently proposed.

"But your uncle….what will he think?"

"Let me worry about my uncle."

Zahra hesitated for a moment, but then caved. It didn't take much, she had very little fight in her to resist Fili. She only hoped that in getting to know her, he would like her more, not less.

"Alright," she whispered. Fili smiled.

"Alright then," he whispered back, smiling anew.

Even though Dwalin wasn't leaving until the next week, Dwala had already begun to pull Dwalin's traveling clothes out to wash, mend anything that needed mending, and begin to pack for him. He would usually pack for himself, but since she had so much time to herself and Farin, saw no reason why she shouldn't do it for her love.

Farin was in his crib, staring up at little animals Balin had made for him. Fluffy sheep, hairy cattle, and fuzzy ponies hung over his head and he tried to grab and swat at them, but they were currently out of reach.

Sam was lying next to the crib, as he did most of the time now, intent on guarding the new member of their little family unit. Dwala sometimes wondered why Thorin had given Ila a puppy at all if he never intended to let her keep it with her once she moved into his quarters. But then she knew the only reason he gave her a puppy was to regain her favor after being an absolute troll. He hadn't thought the rest through and didn't care what happened to Sam. Well, that was her opinion at least. Sam seemed plenty happy with his life with her and Dwalin though, so all was well that ended well.

Dwala caught sight of herself in the mirror and frowned. She was determined to lose the last bit of baby weight while Dwalin was in the Blue Mountains. He insisted she looked wonderful but she was far more critical of her form. She had consulted Oin the day before and he'd told her it was most likely fine to start having martial relations again, as long as she felt up to it.

She wanted very much to couple with Dwalin before he left, but still felt so conscious about her body. But then if they didn't couple before he left they would have to wait three weeks, and they had both waited long enough.

Perhaps if they did it in the dark it would be ok…that way he couldn't see her. Hmmm.

Sam looked to the door then and his tail began to hit the crib as it wagged. Dwalin came through the door a few seconds later and Sam hopped up to greet him excitedly.

"Oh, hello there. Are you ready for guard dog duty next week?" he asked as he reached down to scratch the fluffy head.

Dwala smiled at them and continued to sort clothes.

"You've got something very precious to protect you know." He continued as he bent over Farin's crib, the latter kicking happily as he beheld the former.

"There's my lad," he said quietly.

"Is that the only precious thing Sam will be watching over in your absence?" Dwala called over her shoulder.

Dwalin walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I was getting to you, you inpatient wench," he murmured into her neck before he kissed it.

Dwala turned her head to find his lips and they shared a passionate kiss.

"Why are you at this already? I'm not leaving till next week, that's not for another four days."

"I know, but I may as well do it while I have nothing else to do."

"You could be resting, while you don't have to tend to the wee one."

"I could, but I would rather be tending to my not so wee one."

"Oh, well. If you want to tend to me, I can think of other ways I would appreciate much more." He said huskily.

"Speaking of that, Oin believes we should be fine to resume such."

"Well about bloody time!" Dwalin said with a raised voice. "I am about to run mad you know."

"I had no idea," she replied sarcastically which he ignored.

"Well, what are we waiting for then?"

"Dwalin, Farin is awake."

"He can't see us!

"And I would rather we wait till nightfall, and do it in the dark, if it's all the same to you."

"What in the name of Mahal?! How could that matter?"

Dwala dropped the trousers she was inspecting and turned to face him.

"Because." She said firmly and stared him down. He was clearly not following.

"Because I am still not myself, you know how I feel—"

"Oh, please lass! I just can't with that anymore. I'm only a dwarf, I can't wait any longer." He cried and pushed her back on the bed. Dwala yelped from the surprise of it, then giggled as Dwalin jumped on top and deftly pushed her skirts up in one fluid motion.

"What are you laughing about? You're about to get it, you tease."

"I am not a tease!" she protested but with no real fervor. She pulled him close as he quickly undid his trousers and just as quickly joined their bodies.

Dwala sighed and melted back into the bed, the familiar and pleasurable feeling of her husband inside her reminding her just how much she had missed him. Dwalin groaned like an animal, experiencing the same. She knew neither of them would last long and so did he, his pace already frantic. They would have time for slower, sweeter and intentional love making later that night. For the moment, they simply enjoyed their passionate and need filled reunion.

A/N: Here is another chapter, just in time for Christmas as a couple of you asked!

I'm surprised a little by all the Fili/Zahra love! I hadn't originally intended to give him a love interest till much later if at all, and threw her in on a whim. I am growing to love her, so I'm glad I did. J

Thank you for all the wonderful and kind reviews! They mean the world to me!