The next morning Ila was up early, but not to practice. She and Kili were down at the main entrance to see Fili off and wish him a safe trip, and Dwalin too. Dwala was there of course with their Farin, and Ila had Thora in her arms, having woken early. Ila generally wanted to take Thora everywhere with her, and so she had come to wish Uncle Fili well too.

That meant of course that Zahra was there, standing dutifully behind Ila.

Fili had just come from sparing with Thorin in the practice arena and had bid him goodbye there. However, he was surprised to see his mother there to see him off.

"Goodbye my son, take care please." Dis urged him as she kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around him.

"Mother, after all I have been through, you worry about a trip Ered Luin?" Fili was perplexed at her.

"I always worry for you, you know that." She reminded him as he held his face. Fili smiled and took his mother's hand from his face to kiss.

"I will be careful mother, promise." He said and turned to Ila who was next to his mother with Thora in her arms.

"Goodbye princess," Fili kissed her forehead and she giggled back at him.

"My queen," Fili said affectionately to Ila and she kissed his cheek and he laid a gentle hand against her belly.

"Hurry back to us," Ila said and Fili smiled.

He nodded, then turned to his brother.

"Behave while I am gone," he said.

"Never," Kili said with a smile and the two briefly embraced. Dis rolled her eyes at her youngest son's remarks, then caught sight of Dwalin.

"You behave too, you old bear." She said to him.

He made a face at her. "Since when do I not behave?"

"Since ever I have known you."

"I don't know what your ladyship could possibly mean." He said and she squeezed his hand. He smiled at her, then went to embrace his waiting wife and son.

Farin looked up at his father, not knowing of course he was about to leave.

"Do you think he will forget about me while I am gone?"

"Of course not. Don't be silly." Dwala said.

He had his arms around her waist holding them both close.

"Take care while I am gone. Don't do anything too strenuous, get lots of rest—"

"We will be fine my love. You take care out on the road, you know I hate the thought of you traveling."

"I have taken that road a million times…and I am the baddest creature on it."

"Oh, Mahal! Stop it."

Dwalin chuckled and kissed his wife passionately, much to Farin's interest. When they parted he kissed Farin on the head and Dwala fought back tears.

"Don't do that to me lass."

"I'm sorry."

Dwalin smoothed her hair back and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back in no time. Now go back to bed with the wee one, it's still early."

Dwala nodded and held her dwarfling close as they both watched Dwalin walk away.

Fili was done with his goodbyes too, except for Zahra. Truly, he had said goodbye last night for a long time…but he wanted another kiss. Not with this mother there though. She was standing behind Ila with her hands clasped in front of her. She was blinking sweetly at him and they both knew they couldn't tell each other goodbye at all here without inviting questions, so they held each other's gaze as long as they could get away with. Fili turned and walked towards the door, Dwalin with him.

But Dis did not miss her son's gaze. She followed it to the point of interest, just in time to see Zahra drop her eyes and stare at the floor, her face etched with feelings she could barely hide.

Dis looked back to her retreating son. Just how smitten was he? Had he done anything about it?

"Zahra, will you take the princess upstairs for her bath? Then a nap perhaps if she feels like it?"

"Yes my lady," she said and stepped forward to take the princess. Thora went to her happily, liking her new caretaker very much. But then Thora liked everyone of course. A trait of her mother, not her father.

Zahra smiled at the princess and held her securely to her as she turned and went back towards the royal chambers. Dis watched her go with a new interest in the maid.

"Will you accompany me to breakfast?" Ila asked Dis, not expecting her to join but always asking in case she did.

"Yes, yes I believe I will." Dis replied. She had to know more about this maid that had apparently managed what no maiden had yet—catching the eye of her eldest.

If she had caught Kili's eye or vice versa, that would have been nothing unusual to her. The maids loved her youngest. But her eldest, he was different. Groomed for the throne for much of his life and the heir apparent until Thorin was betrothed, Fili had never had much time to even notice females. Much like Thorin had been growing up. Her Fili was also less confident with the lasses, and the lasses usually looked right by him and directly at his brother. But this maid….she seemed to be unaware that Kili existed and her eyes betrayed her feelings for Fili. Or at least her interest in him.

"Excellent!" Ila exclaimed. "Let's go."

Kili held out his arm for his mother and the other for Ila, walking through Erebor like a proud peacock with the both of them. Thorin just shook his head when he saw them enter the great hall.

"Where is my little love?" Thorin asked as Ila sat next to him.

"Getting her bath. But your other two loves are here." Ila said and Thorin gave her a chaste kiss on the lips while his hand rubbed her bump under the table.

"And?" Dis said from where she sat next to Ila.

"I did not miss you sister, how could I with your youngest parading in with you like that?"

Dis smiled at her brother as Kili poured her some milk before taking the seat next to his uncle. As soon as he and Thorin began a conversation, Dis turned to Ila.

"So, your handmaiden. How do you find her?"

"Oh, as good as I could ask for. She and I do not have the rapport I have with Dwala but how could we, plus she is a bit shy as you saw. But she is coming around."

"Our princess seems to like her."

"Oh yes, Thora loves her. She is a natural with her."

"Good. It would appear that my eldest approves of her as well."

Ila looked at Dis then, whereas before she had been focused on eating.

"I believe he likes her, yes." Ila said, not offering very much since she could not tell how Dis felt about Zahra yet.

"Did you not notice the way he looked at her earlier?"

"I did not, I mean he did not say anything to her…"

"No, he did not have to. I saw them both, and I know that look."

Ila chose her next words carefully.

"Are you sure? And if so….is that bad?"

Play dumb, Ila, play dumb. Imagine how your mother would react to her sons falling for a handmaiden, she told herself.

"No, not if she is worthy of his love. And not if she makes him happy. But as you will one day understand, I am very protective of my sons' hearts."

Ila smiled, she could understand that. Not fully yet perhaps, but she thought of her Thora and how she would never want some dwarf to hurt her heart.

"Well, I suppose I have suspected something…." Ila began to come clean now that it appeared to be safe.

Dis raised an eyebrow, rapt with attention.

"He stays later and later at practice in the mornings so that he might see her, he sits near her at meals so that he might have occasion to speak to her, little things like that. But Fili is so kind and polite it has been hard to determine if he likes her or if it is just his kind nature."

"Hmmm." Dis mumbled. "Well, I know my sons…I believe he at least fancies her. Time will tell."

"You would approve then?"

Dis thought for a moment. "As I said, if she is worthy of him, and if she made him happy."

Ila smiled. That answer would do for present. She didn't continue the conversation and was glad to see that Thorin and Kili hadn't heard a word.

Later, Ila was on her way to Thorin's library, to look for a new title to enjoy or even something to read to Thora, when she saw Dwala walking the stairs with Farin.

"What are you doing?" she called to her.

Dwala looked a little out of breath as she came over, Farin in a little sling that was secured around her shoulders and midsection.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, just getting some exercise." Dwala panted.

"But why?"

"Because this plump little dwarfling made me fat."

"Oh, for the love of Mahal. Even if that were true, if you lost it it would likely be in time just to get pregnant again."

"That may be so, but I am determined to be slimmer when Dwalin returns."

"I am sure he loves your body just the way it is."

"Thankfully, he seems to. But what are you doing, walking the halls all alone?"

"I am off to fetch some new books, maybe a new fairy tale to read to my princess."

"I'll join you I suppose, I need a break."

"Good, perhaps you can find something to read to Farin."

The two dwarves made their way to the library, taking their time going through the stacks.

"Maybe I can find something to entertain Zahra, especially while Fili is gone."

"So things are progressing between them then?"

"I think so, Dis even noticed something pass between them this morning as we were farewelling."

"Oh, really? And her reaction?"

"Hard to tell….she is naturally very protective of her boy's hearts, but didn't seem to disapprove of Zahra."

"Well, that's good to know."

"Yes, and I get the impression that she is even more protective of Fili than Kili."

"I can see that."

"Really, how come?" Ila asked as she put book after book aside.

"Well, I think everyone expects some mischief from Kili. But Fili is the good child, the reserved and dutiful one, the one used to not being the center of attention, especially where the maids are concerned. He seems more sensitive too, so I see why his mother would be most protective of his heart."

"All good points that I hadn't considered. But who better than Zahra for him then? She is timid and reserved and sensitive too, a good match for his temperament."

"I agree. Your mother sent the perfect maid for the job."

"I just hope absence makes the heart grow fonder these three weeks."

"As opposed to out of sight, out of mind?"

"Yes,"

"I feared that when Dwalin went to the Blue Mountains the first time….but not anymore." She said as she cuddled her tiny Dwalin look-a-like.

"Well I'd think not." Ila said smiling.

"Alright, I think these will do." Ila said, a stack of four large books on the table next to her.

"Ila, you can't carry all of those, not in your current condition, and probably not otherwise."

"No…I suppose you are right."

"If I didn't have Farin I could though."

"You are still on your leave of me, you know."

"Technically…."

"Hello there, what are you two—I mean three, oh I mean four doing?" Kili said, appearing in the doorway.

Right on time, Dwala thought to herself a bit darkly. She could almost swear he stalked Ila, if she didn't know better. But he had behaved for a long while now, and she tried not to think ill of him since Ila was convinced he felt nothing for her.

"Oh, what perfect timing you have. We are in need of a strong dwarf." Ila said gleefully.

"Oh, well look no further." Kili joked, but not really.

"Will you bring these books to my chambers? I fear I chose more than I can carry."

"It would be my pleasure your majesty," Kili said with a grand bow and flourish of his arms for comedic effect.

Ila laughed and Dwala forced a smile. Kili picked up the books and followed them from the room, Dwala departing them to continue her exercise of walking the stairs.

"So, back to the arena tomorrow? I know we missed this morning thanks to Fili taking his leave. I figured we should get in every one we can before uncle will not longer allow it."

"Yes, you are right. Thorin could decide at any time that I am too fragile for anything more than lying in bed."

Kili chuckled, knowing she was right. "Well, when he is not watching we can get in a little more practice with the sword before you are bedridden again. If you are up to it."

"Well, yes….but if Thorin were to pop in and see me…he would have both of us."

"He won't, I'll make sure I know he's busy first."

"Yes, but, I don't like to deceive him you know. It makes him less apt to trust me with other things in the future, and one should not deceive one's partner."

"You are right, I'm sorry." Kili said, feeling bad.

"Don't be sorry. I mean maybe a little practice while I am still early in my pregnancy. Though I feel like I am making up for lost time here."

Ila looked down at her belly. She had shown later than last time, but felt she was bigger sooner than with Thora.

"Must be a boy this time…I mean obviously it is a boy this time," Kili corrected himself. "I just mean that would account for your being bigger with this one."

Ila smiled, believing he was right.

They reached the royal chambers now and Ila entered to see Zahra rocking Thora to sleep.

Ila made a face that would have been accompanied by an adoring sound, had she actually spoken. But Ila kept herself silent for her baby's sake. She took her from Zahra's arms and laid her in her crib. Kili silently laid the books on a nearby table and motioned for Ila to come back into the antechamber.

Ila looked at him expectantly, and he pulled something from the inside pocket of his tunic.

"I made this…for Thora. It isn't much but I thought maybe it could go in her crib."

"Awww, Kili! It is adorable! She will love it!"

'It' was stuffed dolly, that looked much like Ila. Long brown hair and hazel colored sewn eyes. It wore a dark blue gown to boot.

"I had no idea that you were talented in such a way."

"Oh, I'm not that good at it. Some of our kin are toymakers and I may have picked up a thing or two here and there. I just thought perhaps she could cuddle it in her crib or it could keep her company, you know."

"I love it, so will she. Is it supposed to look like me?" Ila asked.

"You, or her when she grows up. Her eyes are blue though of course."

Ila beamed at him and then wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It is so sweet, thank you."

"Of course," Kili replied. "I'd better go now, I have some of Fili's duties in his absence. You know, gotta be responsible and all." He said, then turned to go. Ila turned and went back to Thora's crib, and laid the dolly next to her sleeping princess. Ila noted the likeness of the doll once more, and smiled down at the sight.

A/N: Here's another chapter, since I finally have some time off and can write as much as I want.

Celebrisilweth, I do love my Thorin! I may or may not have what my husband calls a "dwarf shrine" in my office, the main centerpiece of which may or may not be a curiocabinet filled with dwarf related memorabilia that the Thorin will go next to….

Madame Thea, that made me LOL! Someone once remarked that Dwala and Dwalin didn't even need a shipname, since Dwala's name already was one. :D

ladymoonscar, that's a great idea! I may steal it, since I have often thought of how to bring Bilbo into all of this but did not particulary like anything I thought of. But I believe I have an idea now that will serve more than one purpose to the story. J