Now that Fili was back under the Mountain, Zahra felt like a new dwarf. She had been surprised at herself, how bold she had become at following Fili out to the stables that day. That was so unlike her! But then she had never felt this way either. As long as they didn't do anything crazy in full view of everyone, she didn't see what real harm there was. No dwarf had ever shown any real interest in her, but then she was young and her mother had always kept her close. But to think, a prince! That she could hold the affections of a prince of Durin….was more than she had ever dared to dream.
Not that it would have mattered who Fili was. He could have been a miner for all she cared, she would have felt the same about him.
Zahra was staring dreamily at Fili over her biscuit and eggs and he was staring back from where he sat with his brother and Gimli at another table. She hadn't even touched her breakfast nor did she notice Ila staring at her.
"Not hungry?" she asked and Zahra jumped a bit.
"Oh, yes my lady I just have a lot on my mind is all."
"I see," Ila said with a great smile.
Zahra turned bright red and turned to her lady with a look like a dwarfling with its hand caught in the cookie jar.
"Oh, Ila, I-"
Ila stopped her by putting her hand over hers. She lowered her voice.
"It's alright, there is nothing wrong with a bit of flirting. Especially if it is mutual." She said and looked towards Fili.
Zahra smiled in spite of herself and Fili averted his gaze as soon as he noticed Ila looking his way.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Ila promised and went back to eating, happy to see her plan was working. She looked to her husband who hadn't touched as much of his food as usual either.
"What's wrong my love? No appetite? Are you unwell?" She asked him with concern.
He shook his head and took a bite of sausage. "It's nothing dear. Only the daily stresses of ruling."
"But everything is so calm and well now, why should you be stressed?" Ila asked confused.
"Still dear, I have a lot to consider and care for. Better such things rest on my mind than yours." He added. When she didn't look convinced, Thorin squeezed her hand. Ila smiled and went back to eating, but slightly worried about her husband. She would make a note to be extra tender and loving tonight; he did love to have attention heaped on him, even if he wouldn't admit it.
On their way out of the great hall, Fili brushed by Zahra and handed her a small note, which she barely realized he was trying to pass to her before it was too late. Had she been carrying Thora, who was currently with her aunt, she might not have been able to take it so sneakily.
Thorin and Ila took a stroll together through the palace, greeting dwarves as they went, which gave her time to quickly unfold the note and read it behind them.
Scrawled across the small piece of paper was a time and a place. Zahra smiled down at it, knowing he wanted to see her tonight once she was done with her duties. She tucked it away and forced her smile to be gone, lest she look suspicious.
Naturally, the day was long and slow since Zahra had something to look forward to at the very end of it. The day was a normal one; Kili kept Ila company for most of it, playing with Thora and even reading to Ila. But nothing to report to Thorin, nothing to cause any suspicion. Zahra was about to burst with impatience when she was finally dismissed, though that meant she had to give her daily report to Thorin.
He met her outside the door, just as she was leaving.
He didn't even ask, he didn't have to at this point.
"Nothing your majesty." She said.
Thorin stared long and hard at her. She wondered if he thought her a lair, but what reason would she have to do that?
"Very well. Be on your way." He said and stepped past her into his chambers.
Zahra didn't have to be told twice. She was well on her way to her destination.
Zahra had never been to the armory, but in following Ila all over the palace the past several weeks she knew where most places were. She looked about, making certain no one saw her going into the corridor, lest she arouse suspicions.
Twisting through the halls until she came to the great threshold, which was surprisingly without guards. Shouldn't the armory be guarded? she wondered. Once through the door there were many other passages, but Zahra followed faint noises-which she hoped very much were Fili- until she came to what she surmised must be the main room, being it was covered in weapons from floor to ceiling.
She looked around but didn't see Fili, but then two arms closed around her waist from behind.
"There you are," said a triumphant voice.
Zahra amazed herself that she did not yelp aloud, but instead she giggled gleefully and tried to turn in his arms. He kept her there for a moment to kiss her neck and Zahra felt chills shoot down her spin. He let her turn around to face him then and she held his face for another kiss.
"Why here?" she asked when they broke apart, looking around at all the axes, swords, and spears.
"Because no one will ever find us here. I sent the guards away, so not even they could see us coming."
Dwalin had told him on the trip back from Ered Luin all the best places in the palace to meet with Zahra if he didn't want anyone spying on them. Dwalin had courted Dwala in secret himself for a time and thus had several helpful suggestions. The armory was certainly a good idea, and not somewhere he'd thought of before. He was a prince and no one could say anything to him about being here any time of day or night he wanted. It was also not something that was likely to pop up on Thorin's radar/
"I brought some wine, just a little to relax. I'm still a bit tired from the journey." Fili offered her the bottle after disengaging from her.
Zahra smiled and took it. "Just a little, I don't have a head for wine just yet."
"Truthfully I do not have a head for wine like I do ale." Fili admitted.
Zahra smiled at him and he pulled her into a chair near the fireplace, which was cold since it was summer. He sat opposite her, taking a drink of the wine directly from the bottle.
"I guess I forgot to grab some cups huh? I'm sorry," Fili said.
"Don't be, we can share." Zahra replied taking a drink. She gently took a drink from the bottle, thinking it didn't matter much that she drank after him considering how much they had kissed at this point.
"So, how were things while I was gone?" Fili asked conversationally.
Zahra almost slipped up and stopped drinking while the bottle was tilted in the air. She had all but decided not to tell Fili about his uncle's request. She felt like she probably should, but she would have to admit to spying on his brother, and that couldn't make him happy. She had just got him back; the last thing she wanted was to sour things, possibly for good. And she had had nothing to report, so she convinced herself that no harm had been done and there could be no real reason to tell.
"Uneventful, which I dare say is good thing."
"Yes, I am happy to see uneventful days myself."
"I'm sure," Zahra said having some more wine.
"So, my brother was well behaved?"
This Zahra could thankfully answer in truth.
"Yes, he was kept Ila company mostly."
"Yes, they are close. He has more free time than I do and as such is closer to her. But I am glad he has the time for that. Uncle can be very busy sometimes and she needs company."
"I am surprised Thorin allowed her to train with Kili so long," Zahra mused.
"Uncle has come a very long way with allowing Ila freedoms, but make no mistake, he is terribly protective as well."
"Yes, yes I know." Zahra said more to herself than to him.
They took turns with the wine for a while, just catching up and joking with one another, when Fili remembered what he had tucked away in his tunic.
"Oh! I almost forgot. I brought you something from Erud Luin." He said with a smile. Zahra felt her heart fluttering in her chest. He had brought her something? No one outside her parents had ever gifted her anything.
Fili reached into his tunic and pulled the pipe free to hold up in front of her.
"I don't know if you smoke, and if you don't I can teach you. Or, you can keep it as a token of my affection for you, since I think it is rather beautiful in and of itself." Fili explained, clearly eager for her reaction.
Zahra blushed furiously and her lips spread in a wide smile, leaving no doubt as to how she felt.
"Oh! It is lovely! I don't have one of my own. I mean I have smoked once or twice. I like it but I am not much good at it yet."
"Oh, well good then. I can show you how to become a pro." Fili answered, happy to see she liked it.
Zahra took it from him and turned it over in her hands, examining it. It was petite and feminine, carved from briarwood, dark and rich in color and smoothly polished under her hands. Delicate vines ran the length of the pipe and a couple of flowers bloomed on the bowl. It was certainly intended for a female, and Zahra had never seen one quite like it. Most dwarven pipes, if decorated at all, were done so in runes or geometric patterns.
"Where did you find it? I've never seen one like this before," she asked with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, I didn't find it. I have one of the craftsmen there make it, just for you." Fili replied.
Zahra looked up at him with wide eyes. She hadn't imagined that he had someone fashion it just for her. Now she didn't know what to say.
"Oh…..oh Fili, I—"
"You like it then? And will accept it?"
"Of course," she answered quickly. "I love it."
Fili moved to sit next to her, then took her face in his hand and brought her lips to his. The soft and gentle kiss quickly became a passionate one, his tongue pushing past her lips. She allowed it, as she had several times already, and Fili gently pulled her down to the floor with him. They both tasted like wine, and they'd had enough to make them light headed. Or perhaps they had done that to each other. Either way, they indulged in knowing that no one would find them there.
Fili rolled on top of her and Zahra had a moment of fear as her legs naturally fell outside of his. What was he expecting?
"Fili," she gasped, breaking away from his lips.
"What's the matter," he asked, short of breath.
"I—I don't want to-"
"I know." He stopped her. "I won't. I promise." He assured her, and the smile that followed told her he meant it.
Zahra smiled back, and they returned to their former state, hard though it was not to go any further.
Upstairs, the king and queen were indulging in one another without restraint. Thorin was sitting upright in bed, his back against the headboard with Ila sitting in his lap. He was gently helping her ride him, his hands holding her hips and her hands on his shoulders.
Ila was huffing and moaning, with a beautiful smile that lit her hazel eyes, her braids bouncing gently around her face. Thorin, while enjoying himself, couldn't help but drift away in thought for a moment.
Ila was very clearly enjoying herself, and it was difficult if not impossible to doubt the love that shown in her eyes. Perhaps he had been wrong about everything these past weeks. But he was so sure he had picked up on something.
But then he had also thought one of the company had stolen the arkenstone from him, and then he had momentarily turned on Bilbo when he'd only wanted to save them. Maybe he was still a bit mad, he thought mournfully. His expression must have shown his thoughts, because Ila called out to him.
"Darling. Darling! What's wrong?" she asked as she panted, having nearly reached her climax.
"Nothing my love. Come for me." He said lovingly, having snapped back to reality.
Ila increased her pace a bit and quickly did as commanded, slowing and settling in Thorin's embrace. A light sheen of sweat glistened on her chest as Thorin gripped her hips and came inside her.
Ila leaned against Thorin, her head on his chest. He moved her hair from her neck to kiss it sensually, then laid her on her back so he could fetch some water for the both of them. On his way back to the bed he peeked in Thora's crib to ensure she was sleeping soundly. His angel was in a deep and peaceful sleep, and he resisted the urge to bend and kiss her for fear of disturbing her.
Thorin took a gulp of water and handed the cup to Ila to do the same. She handed it back and settled comfortably in bed, reaching for him to join her. He did so, with a heart much less heavy than the night before and the one before that.
As he pulled the covers over them and Ila settled in his arms, Thorin let his hand rest on their unborn child. He promised himself that he wouldn't dwell on his previous thoughts any longer, not unless Zahra gave him cause to. And so far, she had reported nothing to convince him.