Dwalin and Fili had been gone for almost a week, and Ila could tell that Zahra was a little sad. While shy, she was always in good spirits, but they had been a bit dampened since the eldest prince left Erebor. But Ila kept busy, so Zahra at least had things to distract her. Thorin was still allowing her to practice with Kili in the mornings, much to her delight. Zahra sat nearby with Thora to watch as she did every morning, but it was much less interesting without Fili there.

Thora had her dolly with her, though Zahra was holding it at the moment since Thora was fixated on trying to chew it that morning. Ila was handling a wooden sword with extra care, looking it over as she got a feel for it. She was not practicing with it, afraid that Thorin might appear. She did enjoy the feel of it in her hand though, it was becoming more and more familiar to her, but it did not feel as natural to her as the bow did. She was watching Kili too, how he handled his sword and trying to emulate it.

Kili made some impressive swings and movements with his sword, which then Ila tried to copy, only to just graze her face.

Kili laughed, but only when he realized she was fine.

"Perhaps that is enough for today." Ila said with a small chuckle, then returned her practice sword to its place on the rack.

"Let's go down for a late breakfast, we are starving." Ila said rubbing her growing bump.

Kili agreed and they all went downstairs, Zahra with Thora right behind them. They had to walk by the main entrance in order to reach the great hall from the arena, and Ila immediately noticed someone she had most certainly never seen before.

"Kili, who is that?" Ila said, slowing almost to a stop.

Kili looked towards the great doors and saw that it was none other than Bard, now King of Dale. He was standing with one other man, obviously waiting to be escorted to Thorin. The guards were keeping a watch on them, but Ila thought they looked harmless enough.

Kili didn't immediately answer Ila, but said more to himself, "By Mahal, men never announce their coming. They just show up whenever they feel like."

"Is that a problem?" Ila asked.

"When Thorin is King under the Mountain, yes it is." Kili replied and Ila considered that it had been a dumb question.

"Prince Kili," The man called to him having only then seen him.

"Your majesty," Kili replied and Ila looked at the man with new interest.

"Bard? King of Dale?" she asked as she looked from the man to Kili and back again.

"I am," he said, tall even for a man. He had what Ila thought was a kind face, even if he did have rather short hair and not much facial hair. He was not dressed much like a king either. He had no crown nor did he wear any jewels and there was no robe hung from his shoulders. He looked rather normal, but then this was the first king of men Ila had ever seen. Perhaps they all looked like that.

Bard looked Ila over and quickly knew who she must be. She was young, beautiful, finely dressed and in the early stages of pregnancy. Even more telling just behind her stood a lady in waiting, and in her arms the princess, wearing a gown of dark blue. Thorin's color.

"And I believe I should address you as her majesty?" Bard said, bowing to Ila. She smiled brightly and returned his gesture with a curtsy, very happy to finally meet a human, and a king no less.

"Let me congratulate you on being with child again, the happy news has already spread throughout Dale."

Ila was basking in the attention, but Kili was looking about nervously. Where was uncle? He would not approve of Ila talking to a man, not even Bard.

"Really?" Ila giggled, "Well, thank you very much. We are overjoyed to be sure." She said, her hand going to her belly.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet Thorin's queen. I am at your service, should you ever need it." Bard said, and leaned forward to take Ila's hand and place a kiss on her knuckles.

Ila nearly jumped out of her skin then, as Thorin's voice rang out in Khuzdul, a barking command aimed at her and Zahra.

Zahra wasted no time, not even waiting for his mistress. She quickly turned on her heels with the princess and headed straight for the royal chambers.

Ila only stood there looking at her husband with big eyes, Bard still holding onto her hand, but slowly letting her go.

Kili winced and took Ila by her upper arms from behind to steer her away.

"All hail the King under the Mountain," Bard said inclining his head to Thorin.

"You're early this month," Thorin grumbled, but Bard seemed to be used to this response from Thorin.

"Am I?" he asked. "My apologies. But it afforded me the chance to finally meet your queen." He said as he looked to Ila who could only smile in goodbye. Kili was practically dragging her away, and Thorin didn't even look at her.

Thorin had barked in their tongue for her to go to their room immediately. Ila saw that Zahra wasted no time following that order. She had not appreciated his tone, or the fact that he didn't want her to meet King Bard. He had been perfectly polite and kind, and Ila really didn't see what harm that brief exchange could have caused.

"Why was he so angry just then? I don't understand."

"Yes you do, you know uncle doesn't trust outsiders."

"But he was a king! And I am a queen! Am I not allowed to speak with another monarch?"

"I….I suppose but uncle is just very protective….that's all."

"I know, but sometimes I get tired of being kept tucked away like another one of his jewels."

Kili said nothing. It was an uneasy silence, but he agreed with her. He just didn't think he should say so aloud. He knew Ila loved Thorin, and that she would soon-as she always did-reconcile herself with him and forget about this incident entirely.

"I shouldn't have said that. Please don't repeat that."

"Of course I won't."

Once Kili saw Ila to her room, he called for breakfast to be delivered to the room and they all dined together. No way Thorin would let Ila downstairs with men about. But that was alright. It could be rather comfy dining in the royal chambers. It also allowed Kili to let his guard down a bit, not having to worry about anyone thinking he was too friendly with the queen.

Zahra laid a blanket on the floor so Thora could crawl about, which she had recently discovered she could do and was getting better and better at. Kili would move around, bidding her to crawl to him which she happily did, giggling and tiring herself out in short order.

"She will sleep well soon," Ila observed as she enjoyed some tea.

"She is getting so big! I remember when she was just a babe you could hold in one arm."

"Yes," Ila sighed. "She is growing too fast. I am glad I have another on the way." Ila said rubbing her belly.

"How many dwarflings do you expect to have?" Kili asked.

"Oh, a few more I hope." Ila said with a smile. "At this rate you will never leave Erebor Zahra."

Zahra smiled at her mistress as she sat the remnants of breakfast aside in the antechamber.

"That would be fine with me, I am very much at home here." She replied.

"Well, if you want to stay there is certainly plenty of room under the Mountain. And Thorin would never deny any of our kin that wanted to live here, not after how hard won it was." Ila assured her.

"Yes, there is no reason why you ever have to go back to the Iron Hills. And who knows, perhaps you will marry a dwarf here and then you'll have to stay." Kili said and winked at Ila. She smiled at him and they saw Zahra trying to hide her face from them and pretend she was suddenly very busy.

"Oh, I don't know. Perhaps." She said quietly.

"Oh come now, Erebor is full of eligible dwarves. There must be someone here to your liking." Kili went on.

Zahra shook her head. "I haven't noticed."

Kili silently laughed but Ila shook her head at him, not wanting to embarrass her. Kili stopped and lay on his back on the blanket, grabbing Thora and sitting her on his chest.

"You have plenty of time to find a husband Zahra, if you want one that is. In any instance let him come to you, that's how it should be." Ila said.

"What about you? Who do you want to marry?" Kili asked Thora.

Ila giggled. "If I were to wager, I bet she will marry Farin. She is already infatuated with him, has been the moment she saw him." Ila mused.

"Ha! That would be perfect, wouldn't it." Kili agreed. "Where is Dwala by the way?"

"Resting and tending to her babe I would imagine. I insisted she have some time to herself, for once in her life. She more than deserves it."

"Quite right I suppose." Kili said and lifted Thora over his head to her delight. Ila watched them happily, having forgotten how upset she was with Thorin for a while. But as soon as his tasks were done for the day she would get a mouthful from him, she was sure.

Hours later but just as she had suspected, the door to their bedroom opened and Thorin came in slowly, pulling his robe off and letting it fall onto a chair.

"Zahra, leave us." He said curtly and Zahra laid the princess in her crib and quickly left the room. Ila turned to look at him from her vanity, waiting for whatever eruption was sure to follow.

He looked at her, then looked away, his mouth set in a fine line, obviously too angry to say anything at the moment.

His fists clenched, he finally spoke. "Why did you allow that man to touch to you?"

Ila sighed. "Thorin—"

"You know I don't want you associating with men,"

Thorin nearly choked on the word 'men'; he was obviously disgusted by the scene he witnessed earlier that was now replaying in his head.

"I wasn't associating! We were going to breakfast, and he called out to Kili so we stopped. And then he introduced himself and congratulated me on being with child again and-"

"And grabbed your hand to kiss?! I hope you've bathed since then, and Thora right there in his presence as well-"

"Thorin he meant me no harm! He means you no harm as you well know, you deal with him regularly." Ila was trying to make him see reason, and that her meeting Bard had not been the worst thing to happen since Smaug taking the Mountain.

"He had no right to touch you, and you simply let him at that. I told you, I would let you be formally and properly introduced to him one day, but not without my being there. And there was never to be any touching." Thorin went on, becoming no less angry.

Ila got up from her vanity and went to face him. "You are being ridiculous. You are making something out of absolutely nothing. I am not another jewel to be kept in your hall of treasures."

Thorin eyed her harshly; fighting back words he knew would only incite further argument.

"You are a jewel to me….you are mine." He began, trying to soften his voice. "You cannot understand how precious you are to me...and Thora, and our unborn." He went on, his voice growing sweeter. He reached out and rubbed her bump, and Ila despite herself softened towards him.

"I don't want you catching any germs or anything…and you'll have to forgive me, but I cannot stand the thought of another's lips on your skin. Even that of your hand." Thorin finished.

Ila closed the distance between them and melted into his embrace. She knew she forgave him too easily, but he could be so tender and convincing. He drew her to him, kissing her forehead gently.

"My love," he whispered and kissed her lips, his hands going to rub her back through her dress.

"Thorin," Ila replied and rubbed his chest.

He pulled her gently towards the bed, but sat on the edge and tugged at her to sit in his lap. Ila lifted her skirts and complied, deftly opening his breaches at the same time. He cupped her bottom and helped her properly seat herself on his member, then let her set the pace. He simply sat there and enjoyed her making love to him. His wife, his jewel, his love. His.

Night was about to fall, and Fili and Dwalin were taking the slightest of detours on their way to Ered Luin. Well past the Misty Mountains, they were almost there. But now they turned just a tad southwest, towards the Shire.

In the village of Hobbiton, the two travelers brought their ponies to a halt in front of Bag End, the last hobbit hole on Bagshot row.

Dwalin knocked on the door, and could see candlelight coming from the inside, so someone was still awake.

Fili and Dwalin could hear the shuffling of feet on the other side of the door, which finally opened to reveal its inhabitant, already in his robe for the night.

Bilbo Baggins looked irritated when the door swung back to reveal his face, but as soon as he saw who stood on his stoop his expression changed completely.

"Oh! What?! Where..Why?! Oh come in then!" He said excitedly and Dwalin stepped in to wrap his arms around Bilbo and pick him up off his feet.

Bilbo sputtered nervously from being held in the air but then laughed and embraced the heartfelt reunion. Dwalin put him down then and it was Fili's turn to pull Bilbo into a rib bruising hug.

"What are you two doing here? Are there others to follow?" Bilbo asked.

Dwalin laughed. "No, no. Not like last time. It is just the two of us."

"Ah, well. Are you hungry then?"

That was a stupid question, and Bilbo had no idea why he asked it, but pushed them both towards the table while he pulled out meats and cheeses and bread and a little something of everything for them.

Dwalin and Fili had just taken all of their furs and weapons off when the food was all laid out, and they sat down to enjoy the best meal they'd had since they left Erebor almost a week ago.

Bilbo was eager for news of what had happening since he had last saw them, and quickly began questioning them.

"So, why are you so far from home? I didn't expect to see any of you along this way for some time." Bilbo said, but honestly had never expected them to make this journey again.

"We are on our way to the Blue Mountains. We have to make periodic visits, since Thorin is still their ruler. Uncle usually makes the journey himself but now that he has a wife and child he doesn't like to stray too far from the Mountain."

Bilbo's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "Thorin is a husband and a father? Already?!"

"Oh aye," Dwalin said with a full mouth. "A wife, baby daughter and another baby on the way, hence his not wanting to leave the Mountain."

Bilbo smiled, truly happy for his friend. He had been sad to see that Thorin was not with Fili and Dwalin, but it made complete sense why he had not come. Bilbo could only imagine how protective and even possessive Thorin would be over a wife and a baby.

"So he is very happy then?"

"Oh, extremely. The marriage was an arranged one of course, Dain's only daughter-you remember him I'm sure-but they are undeniably in love. And the princess owns Uncle."

Bilbo smiled, glad to know that Thorin had found happiness.

"What about you two? And Balin and Kili and Bofur and everyone else?"

"Well, Dwalin is married and a father now too." Fili said.

Bilbo could hardly believe his ears. How long did it take to make a dwarf anyway? Didn't they just grow out of the ground, or out of stone itself?

"What? Well congratulations! And please give my heartfelt congratulations to Thorin as well, of course."

"Aye, of course." Dwalin said, smiling and obviously proud to be a father and husband, setting there like a puffed up peacock when Fili mentioned it.

Fili continued. "Dwalin had a son, who already has more hair than he does."

Bilbo chuckled and Dwalin shot him a look, but not in seriousness.

"Well my goodness, are you married too then?" Bilbo asked Fili.

Fili blushed at the thought of Zahra. "Oh, no of course not." He said shaking his head too fervently.

"But…there is somebody? One of those elusive female dwarves eh?"

Dwalin looked at Fili expectantly, thinking he had protested too much.

"Ah, well I don't know. I am not courting anyone if that is what you mean."

It clicked together in Dwalin's head then, and he chuckled. "Aye, not yet he isn't," and went back to eating.

Bilbo saw Fili was looking a bit sheepish now. There must be some maiden that had caught his eye. He smiled but mentioned it no more.

"But how are you? Have you had any adventures since we saw you last?" Fili asked.

"Me? Oh no…no no no. That was enough for ten lifetimes. No I am very happy, here at home." Bilbo insisted, adding some honey to his tea.

"But don't you want to see Erebor one day? In all its glory I mean? It looks rather different than when you saw it last."

"That would be nice…I won't say never of course, but it's a long journey to make by oneself."

"You could come back with us one time. We make trips to Ered Luin regularly. You we could pick you up on our way back and bring you back when next we came." Fili said.

Dwalin nodded. "Aye. It won't be as exciting as last time of course but you said you'd had enough of that."

"Oh. Well, I don't see why not then. I would like to see Erebor, and Thorin of course."

"He would love to see you too, and see Erebor as he remembered it. Perhaps when the heir is born? It will be a grand affair and celebration. But that's another four or five months…I think." Fili said, thinking.

"She's got another four to go." Dwalin said knowledgably.

"Dwalin wants another one," Fili interjected.

"I want a few more." Dwalin said casually, as though it wasn't a big deal, and Bilbo wondered if his astonishment shown on his face. He could barely believe Dwalin was a father and wanted to be several times over again.

But Thorin he could easily see as a father. He was a king after all. He could only imagine how proud he must be of a child, and the continuation of his direct line. He admitted he would very much like to see a 'baby Thorin.'

The three of them sat and talked well into the night and well after they were finished eating. They caught up and relived the lighter moments from the journey they had shared, until they could fight sleep no more. Dwalin and Fili made pallets by the dying fire and were soon asleep. Bilbo went to his bed, his heart full knowing that all his dwarf friends were well.

The next morning Bilbo sent Fili and Dwalin off with plenty to eat until they reached Ered Luin. There was much embracing and promises to see each other again soon, and then they were off. As their ponies trotted through the shire and towards the Blue Mountains at last, Dwalin looked over at his young companion. Fili had a biscuit in one hand, the reigns in another.

"I didn't miss your response to Bilbo's question about a wife last night. Have you been seeing Ila's new lady after she is relieved for the day?"

Fili took his time chewing his mouthful of bread.

"I have done nothing dishonorable, nor has she." Fili finally said. "I have noticed her…"

"Aye. You think you are ready for marriage then?"

"I barely know her! I mean, I like her very much and believe I will only like her more, but it's a bit soon to think of marriage..." Fili defended himself and would not admit he had thought about it.

"I am only saying to make sure you are ready. I have had many years to myself, years to get anything and everything out of my system that I cared to."

"I know, I know I am still young, but-"

"However," Dwalin interrupted him. "I am also a bit old to be just starting a family. And if I could, I would wish for many more years with Dwala. My life has never been so complete as it is with her in it. But she is much younger than me. Unlike…what is her name?"

"Zahra. Her name is Zahra."

"Right, Zahra. She is close to your age yes?"

"She is a few years younger than me, a little younger than Kili I think."

"Close enough. Close enough that you both could have a long life together, if you chose."

"You think I am ready then?"

"Only you know that. You are more ready than your brother though, I'll say that." Dwalin said.

Fili chuckled in agreement.

"You will say nothing of this, will you? I think uncle might suspect something but I have not made my feelings known to anyone, other than Zahra."

"Course not. It's not my business. And she seems nice. Shy, a bit nervous, even worse than Dwala when she first came to the Mountain."

"She is beyond sweet, and she is shy. But I believe she is going to come around." Fili said, and the two went on in silence.

But then Fili wanted to ask Dwalin questions about love. He supposed he could ask his uncle, but then he would know for sure that he had eyes for Zahra. On top of which, Thorin and Ila had an arranged marriage. But Dwalin and Dwala had fallen in love entirely on their own. They had chosen each other, instead of being forced onto each other.

"Um, Dwalin?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you some questions? You know, about females, and love and such."

"Ah. Go ahead then." Dwalin said smiling to himself.

"Well…..how did you know that Dwala was the one?"

Dwalin sighed and looked off into the distance that stretched before them.

"It is hard to say. I mean, it is hard to put into words. You just know when you have found your one. Your destined. Everything is better, just because they are in the world. When something good happens, your first thought is of telling them. Their happiness increases your happiness. Being away from them is terrible. The thought of creating life with them is….well that isn't something you can understand until you do it."

"Alright…so how did you win Dwala?"

"How did I win her?" Dwalin asked, not seeming to understand the question.

"Yes. You know, how did you win her affections and her heart?"

"Well…I am not sure. I was just myself I guess. I mean, I wanted her at first but told myself I was too old for her. But then she went and made cookies for me….stuck around me and showed me that she fancied me too….and then I didn't see any good reason to resist her. I mean I didn't think I deserved her but I also didn't think anyone else did either so I might as well have her for myself, you see."

Fili pondered that. It seemed so easy when the feelings on both sides were open and mutual.

"So you didn't shower her with gifts or anything like that?"

"No. Well, I gave her a ring when I asked her to marry me of course. But no. I just spent time with her, made sure she knew much she meant to me, that sort of thing. Thorin showered Ila with gifts but they are king and queen, it is expected. And he had to win her, no matter what the cost. If he wanted a happy marriage that is."

"So….you recommend spending time with Zahra to win her over?"

"Yes, essentially." Dwalin said with confidence. "Just be careful if you don't want a dwarfling straight away."

"I wasn't going to do anything unless we got married of course."

"Well, things can get away from you, especially when you are young."

"I will not dishonor her." Fili said firmly.

"Fine, don't. It's better for her."

"But if I do marry her…"

"Aye,"

"How…um. Wow. Um, how will I know….you know."

"No, I don't know."

Fili sighed, Dwalin was making this hard.

"You know…..how to please her."

"Oh! Well, it's not magic or anything, pretty obvious actually."

"But I want her to like it."

Dwalin was getting flustered now. "Look now, you said you weren't ready to marry her and that you aren't going to lay with her till you do, then you say you want to know how to please her?"

Fili hung his head a bit. "I know, I'm not making any sense."

"Well, that's your sign."

"Sign of what?"

"That it's real."

Fili didn't have a response to that, so they continued on in silence again. All he was certain of was that the next two weeks were going to feel like the longest two weeks of his life.

A/N: Bilbo returns!

SilverNightmares, Yes. I did smell Manu Bennett, and he smells delightful. And is delightful in general. I've met him, Graham McTavish, Patrick Stewart, Karl Urban and Jed Brophy. Manu and Jed were by far the nicest and friendliest, but Manu was so easy going and you could tell he just loved talking to all the fans. Now if I could just meet a Durin…. J