CHAPTER 13
Waiting only long enough to hear Dwalin's roar of laughter, I quickly return to the nursery via 'jump' to escape the embarrassment my girl unintentionally caused. We arrive in the middle of the master bedroom and I am barely able to use his stunned stillness to dance out of my husband's arms before he attempts to tackle me to the bed.
"You heard Thoria, no seeds."
"I heard 'more' seeds." he states, stalking me "How can I deny my daughter another sibling?"
"Quite easily. You stay over there, I'll stay over here."
The king lunges forward so I take that as a 'no' and leap backward with a giggle. His eyes watch me closely before reaching forward again, growling as I stay just out of his grasp. Darting under his arms and hopping over the bed, I go to pick up the object of my desire before he can catch up. I accidentally knock over my original travel bag, knocking free my camera, headphones, and stuffed bear. I hadn't touched my bags since we arrived in the nursery the first time. It's just so much stuff. Two my-sized duffles and a backpack. It's better to over-pack than under-pack. Not able to replace the displaced items at the moment, I just grab the correct object quickly.
"I got you a gift." I say, lifting it by the hilt as a tribute to present to the approaching dwarf "I was ticked off when I first arrived and then I forgot about it and then it wasn't a good time but I want you to have it before I go."
"By sword, you truly meant…" he sounds almost disappointed
"A pointy piece of weaponry. Not your…um…" I gesture towards his person vaguely "Ahem... baby making baton."
"Heh, still so innocent." He winks at me as he grasps the sword "While children are a blessing, creating them is the fun part, would you not agree?"
"I wouldn't know. I haven't made any children the fun way."
"Yet."
He chuckles at my pout, prior to examining his present. It's a fine blade if I do say so myself, and I do say so myself. My father insisted on assisting me in having it commissioned and I'm glad he did. I know next to nothing about swords and Thorin probably would have ended up with a butter knife or something. The wide blade could slice me in two; the width spanning about half as thick as my torso. The dwarf lifts it with ease, testing the balance and weight and humming in appreciation. It was made with carbon steel; my father ensured me that he had it specifically forged with enough silicon to ensure its durability and overall toughness.
"I'm proud to say that it's the best sword in the world... this world at least. It's one of a kind since you can't make it here so... Yeah. Do you like it?" I ask when he says nothing after several silent moments. I wring my hands in nervousness "I know it's not what you're used to but-"
"Do not fret. It is perfect, Thia. Simply perfect." He looks pleasantly dazed, eyes never leaving the blade, meaning I did a good thing "I have never seen a blade such as this."
"It's a miniature claymore." I inform with a wave at the weapon "It's a medieval two-handed broadsword, also known as a 'greatsword.' They were used in Scotland, a country from my world, by high-ranking officials to show physical strength and prowess."
"It is perfect." he states again. A gift well received is a gift worth giving "Thank you."
"Not a problem. I'm just glad you like it." I bring a hand to my chest to absently rub the scar that has been quickly fading over the past two weeks. A familiar heat raises from behind it and I nearly curse at the slow glow. Now is not the time for this! There are people waiting and it's the middle of the day for goodness sake. I quickly swivel to face the door "We should be-"
"Hush."
His swift approach is not silent in its fluid execution so I am not surprised by his touch. What I don't expect is to be pressed flat against the door as well. His body covers mine like a heated blanket causing the light behind my chest to brighten even as we do nothing but stand. Turning my head, I see the sword laying on the bed, knowing it is probably the reason we aren't.
I hum in the back of my throat as Thorin breathes deeply against my hair before turning me to face him. The heat in his eyes reflects my own light and it is too much to ignore; the kiss starts soft, hesitant even, before turning much heavier. I don't know how but my legs end up wrapped around his hips. They lock us together as he grinds his pelvis into my own and I want to say to hell with everything, the Shire be damned, and just... stay. It isn't until his hands begin to work the laces of my corset that I force myself to stop him.
"We don't have time for that right now." I say shakily, once more turning my head to the side but this time to break the kiss. I reluctantly slide my legs free of his waist but keep my arms looped around his neck as he buries his face into mine "Stop trying to distract me."
"It almost worked, did it not?" he replies slyly and nips at my ear, earning himself a bite of his own "It still can."
"Yes well, thank goodness for a little thing called self-control." Pulling back, I examine his face for a moment, unnecessarily renewing its contours to my memory. Breaking away, I sit on the edge of the bed to catch my breath as he walks around the room to regain his composure "Have I ever told you how beautiful I think you are?"
"No. You are indeed lucky to have me." he says jokingly, slowly kneeling to put my fallen items back in my bag. He takes his time but I guess zippers are a new thing to him "I am lucky to have had you drop into my lap."
"I don't believe in luck, but I guess it's true that you were on the right pony at the right time." I think back to the very beginning of our misadventure "Even if you didn't really like me at first."
"I may not have liked you, but I loved you the moment I saw you," he speaks honestly while shrugging nonchalantly "I did not acknowledge it until you foresaw our future relationship and quite plainly told me that this-" the king gestures between the two of us "would be happening. I am most glad it did"
"Heh. It was more sass than seer." I match his shrug with one of my own, grinning as he rests a knee on the bed next to me. He seems to be in a kneeling mood "I'm amazing without even trying."
"That you are, my Queen." I wrap my arms fully around him, preparing us for the return "That you are."
"Aaaaaand welcome back." Nori the announcer calls with a scoff as we land, not sounding very welcoming at all "Did our esteemed leader give you his sword?"
"No, but I gave him mine." Watching the thief's face twist in confused disgust is worth the gasps from the rest of the audience "What can I say? I'm a woman with many talents. If one of them leads to me having a sword handy to give to my husband, who can complain?"
"By sword, my dear sweet wife means" Thorin's exasperated voice tickles me as he pulls forth the claymore "an actual sword."
"Thank goodness." Is the general consensus, all eyeing the sword, much to my pride, jealously
Our last week in the Erebor is hectic. The lessons, preparations, and sporadic duties make finding a quiet moment a rare thing. Nothing was simple. Ever. Laiko showed me 'Lunch' on my schedule once and I'd thought it was a free moment to myself. Wrong. It was a Luncheon with the wives of the Counsellors. I thanked God that I brought Thoria with me. The ladies gushed over her until she'd passed out for a nap. Then they set their sights on me. I tell you, they were so chatty and curious, I could barely keep up. But somehow, the week came to a close. Standing on the bridge with my family, we speak for what will be the last time for a little while. Fili and Dwalin have come to see us off, I purposely requested to keep the send-off small. A big deal would only upset the kids and disturb the mountain. Thorin has brought his new sword with him, showing it off just by hanging it from his hip. We banter back and forth like grandparents and I love it.
"And I packed a few extra for the kids, just in case they totally destroy the ones we have."
"Good. Good. And you have Theo's training blade?"
"Ugh, yes, Thorin. It's right here."
"Alright. Ensure he continues to practice. Missing a single day will only serve to hold him back."
"I know-"
"And Thory's flute?"
"Yes-"
"Don't forget, it doubles as a knife."
"Yeah, I remember that part."
"And-"
"Thorin." bringing my hands to his face, I kiss the dwarf gently to silence him. He's getting worked up and it's getting me worked up and that'll work up the kids. But I get it. I do. So I'm not angry. Pulling back slightly but still close enough to feel his breath, I smile "We will be fine."
"... I know."
"If we get in a pinch I'm the best person to get us out, right?"
"Right."
"And we won't be alone. We'll have Nori."
"Yeah." Fili adds with a grin, playing with his cousins a few steps away "If he ever shows up."
"Well... oh. Speak of the devil."
As if on cue Nori makes his appearance. He slinks out of the shadows, and joins the small group without so much of a 'hiya'. Dressed in all black from neck to boot (his copper-colored hair still sticks out like a sore thumb)and with a pack on his back, the dwarf looks more than ready to start the journey. Almost as if he was planning to come for much longer than the week heads up he had given. 'I wouldn't put it passed Thorin to have ordered him to follow in secret.' His cold eyes flicker from those on the balcony to the line of guards, the children, and finally landing again on Thorin and myself. I wiggle my fingers at him and I can almost hear his teeth grinding when he glares. I just smile wider and he frowns moodily.
"Alright, kids. Time to go."
"Aw."
"I know. I know. But we'll be back. So for now, say bye-bye to Daddy."
"Later, Papa." Thoria hums lightly because they make their own choices on naming. Kids.
She hugs Thorin's leg, giggling as he pulls her up into his arms. Theodore quietly stares between them and Fili before tentatively stepping forward, welcoming an embrace of his own. The silent watchfulness of Kiliel has me patting his back, as I know he will not allow himself to indulge in the moment, nor will Thorin offer him sanctuary in it. As hard as I try, neither King, Prince, nor abandoned youth appear to want a deeper relationship.
Aside from that, it would be a nearly peaceful scene. Peaceful if it wasn't for the watchful eye of the court members and their lackeys on the outer balcony. They want to disapprovingly stare- I mean see me off. I'm used to it, being kind of unmarried with twins gets some disapproving stares at the family reunions.
"You will be sure to take care of your mother." the children nod as he replaces them back on the ground before his gaze shifts to Kiliel and Nori "You will ensure their safety."
"Yes, your majesty." they reply with a bow, Kiliel's being much deeper than Nori's
"You." he addresses me slowly, stepping to my side "You will come back."
"I always come back."
"You will be careful."
"I'm always careful." I respond, rolling my eyes
"You will have 15 of my children."
"... Thorin, I'm just going to the Shire."
"You will have 15 of my children."
"That's just excessive-"
"You will have 15-."
"I will have two of your children and stop there."
"Thia..."
"Thorin..."
You are incorrigible."
"Heh, thanks. Remember. It's just the Shire. Nothing dangerous there." Except for those undead kings and whatnot but I'll be gone by the time they show up "What's the worst that could happen?"
"With you?" he places a peck on my lips as the kids 'ew' around us "Everything."
"... If it's any consolation to you, I plan to have you be the father of all of my children, though we are NOT having 15." I kick a rock in embarrassment as my little group begins walking away from the mountain "So... um... all your children better be mine too."
"I would not have it any other way, my love."
THORIN POV
I barely hear the whispers of the court as I watch my kin depart. I grip the hilt of my new blade tightly to keep myself from forcing my wife back to my side. I cannot fully comprehend her need for travel but I do understand that she will not be swayed on the subject. I have my own reasons for not fighting her as hard as I could. Dwalin steps up beside me, contemplatively eyeing the broadsword. He'd seen it briefly before but I had to depart before any could view it too closely. Here in the light, it shines.
"A beauty, if a bit excessive."
"A claymore, she called it." I give the weapon a light swing, nodding in approval. The weight is evenly distributed and the blade as a whole surpasses anything I have seen before. It is not a sword one would bring into battle though, not that I have been on a battlefield in many years. "It is nearly as half as tall as I but Thia explained that it is 'miniature'. It begs the question of how large a standard claymore would be."
"So..."
"Master Dwalin..." Fili groans, from beside us "Please don't."
"All I'm saying is she created a short, in her people's eyes, but thick sword..."
"..." I try to ignore his grin, knowing what he is suggesting, but it is quite infectious "I suppose so."
"Aye... I suppose she missed more than just yer face then?"
"Uncle... Uncle, I don't want to hear this..."
"... Alright Fili." patting him on the shoulder for a moment, I glance at Dwalin again "After all, she had not known my sword well enough before to miss it."
"Ugh!" My nephew's face dips into a childish frown. My cousin pulls the joke from me, just as he has been able to do since we were dwarflings "Wait. Before?"
"Oh aye, lad. Your King has a Queen and he has finally broken his vow of chastity. I hushed many a whisper that the little lass knows his sword well enough now."
"Oh. Oh, Mahal."
"Dwalin" I interject, rubbing the space between my eyes "Don't be vulgar."
"I said I hushed them. The opposite of vulgar! Guardsmen talk worse than ladies of the court."
"Hn..."
"Maybe not 15 dwarflings, but keep going as ye are and the lass'll be expecting soon enough." Clasping me on the shoulder and giving it a good shake causes the content in my other hand to rattle. I glare at him but he only flashes me a toothy grin before gesturing toward my hand "What is that?"
"Thia called them pills."
I lift the small container to shake the little pink crumb-like objects. I had found them on the floor beside the bag she brought from her world. She must have knocked them loose when she was retrieving the sword. I remembered her description of them and immediately knew what they were by the bright color. It is her favorite. I meant to ask her to confirm what they were before she left but thought better of it.
"What are they for?" Fili asks, looking at them curiously "Medicine?"
"In a way. They prevent her from becoming with child."
"I suppose 15 is far too many... And ye need them to...?"
"Get rid of them of course." The pair huff out a laugh and shake their heads at my reasoning as I shove them into my pocket. Crossing my arms with a frown, I glare at my kin "They are unnecessary."
"There are other methods she could use." Dwalin mimics my stance by crossing his own arms over his chest, rumbling lowly "The lass could simply refrain from yer bed."
"She would not-"
"That confident in yerself?"
"Dwalin..."
"Listen. Have ye met yer wife, Thorin?" he asks with a questioning grin, beginning to return to the mountain as the small group disappears over the horizon "She often handles situations in the most... excessively rash of ways."
"That's putting it lightly."
"...Hn." he is correct. She would most likely show her fiery nature upon realizing my actions. Nonetheless, I do enjoy her passion of all sorts; she is most beautiful then "Her mind will simply have to be swayed for I will not return them."
"Let us hear ye say that when she returns." he grumbles, face falling back into seriousness as we pass the guards "We have much work to do until then.
"Fili, has the messenger bartering rings returned?"
"No, but I doubt his master will take our rejection well."
"I have already increased the guard. We will not be caught unawares. There has also been more news on the disturbance to the south."
"The orcs are gathering more support." I direct my mind to the dark new task at hand; The only true reason I allowed Thia to depart my side. I do not wish for her to overhear what has occurred. With any hope, the problem can be dealt with before she is due back. She knows of some of the darknesses plaguing the mountain but not all of them "They are being led by a great darkness... and a white hand."
"Do ye think it's him?"
"Indeed. While I hope it is not so, I fear that" My mood darkens coldly "Azog has returned."
Finally! We are off! Took me long enough but yeah. No problemo! I'm also totally disregarding certain aspects of the timeline. AKA Bilbo jets in 3001 but Frodo doesn't move out until 3018. Nope. Screw that. Takes too long