Updated January 18th, 2022
Original Authors Note: Thank you guys, for all your wonderfully kind words. They make my day. Here is another chapter just for you guys. :) Fluff ahead.
Chapter Twelve
"Mama."
"Shh little star. Let mama sleep."
There was a pause, then some tugging and Tauriel smiled with her eyes still closed as she waited for her system to wake up. Another tug then an annoyed huff came from beside her before the pressure was removed and a low, still gravely chuckle filled the room and her heart with joy as it could only have been her Kili.
Tauriel lifted one eye to see two sets of brown watching her. "Sorry. I tried to get him to let you sleep but he seems to have other plans." He then gave her a look, "Naurfaer said you needed rest." Tauriel groaned and rolled onto her back, her arm covering her eyes as the late summer sun streamed into their room. "Amralime, you overworked yourself…again."
Kili freed a squirming Finli who crawled the small distance to Tauriel. "Mama." He rasped. The eleth smiled wide and lifted herself into sitting position, scooting back against the pillows enough to pull her baby into her arms. She looked Finli over who looked remarkably better. Even the welts on his arms were now a soft pink instead of an angry red, and he apparently has regained a bit of energy.
"How are you feeling my little love?" Tauriel nuzzled his nose and Finli smiled up at her, grabbing at her hair and tugging.
"I believe whatever that mud was you gave us worked." Kili hummed. "This little one woke me up this morning insisting on some food. Luckily mam brought breakfast in before I had to get out of bed."
Tauriel hummed softly in agreement closing her eyes as she buried her nose in Finli's thick, dark, hair. Then what Kili said registered, and her eyes snapped back open, and she looked over at her husband in surprise. "Morning. You said morning." Kili nodded, lowering his brows in concern. "Kili, I gave you your medicine in the late afternoon…" Kili nodded again. Looking over at the window, Tauriel noticed the sun was nowhere near the position to set. "Did I sleep through the night?"
Sighing, Kili folded his arms, the sleeves rising enough to show off the healing blisters above his wrists. "Did I not tell you, you overworked yourself?" Tauriel's cheeks blossomed pink, and she tugged Finli closer.
"Amralime, when I woke around dinner last evening, you were passed out in bed beside me. I tried to wake you, but you just rolled over and fell back to sleep. It was mam and Naurfaer who came in saying you had run yourself exhausted…again, and Naurfaer thought it best you be left to sleep. Which I wholeheartedly agreed despite wanting to wake you to eat." He lowered his brow and pointed at her. "I would have woken you if Naurfaer had not said you had eaten…at least once, yesterday."
At the thought of food, her stomach gave an embarrassing grumble and Kili looked at her knowingly before leaning over to his side of the bed and grabbing a tray. "It's just some buttered bread and boiled eggs, but mam brought them in for you as well."
Readjusting Finli in her lap, Tauriel placed the tray in front of them. "Has he eaten?" Tauriel asked, indicating to Finli.
"A fair bit." Kili supplied, laying flat on his stomach and turning his head into the pillow while Tauriel watched him with a worried expression.
"Kili? Are you alright?" She waited only a moment for Kili to turn his head to look at her, his eyes opening half lidded, but he gave her a small smile.
"Just a bit tired still." He responded with a yawn.
"He will be for some time, as will all who were administered to."
Tauriel whipped her head to the door where Ivethin walked in beside Dis. "Forgive the intrusion, I should have knocked but I wanted to check on you and your family. Lady Dis was kind enough to show me in."
Shaking her head, Tauriel gave her friend and mentor a smile. "Please do not think on it. You are welcome in here." Ivethin nodded and walked further in towards the bed and smiled down at Finli who turned his doe eyes up at the tall elf, leaning instinctively back into Tauriel.
Kaw croaked in greeting as well. Tauriel's poor, precious little raven…okay, not so little, but precious none the less. He had been constantly coming and going both inside the mountain and sending messages to Bard and Thranduil to keep everyone informed. Of course, there were other ravens who were also taking up the task, but Tauriel tended to use Kaw more often than not as did Thorin whom the raven was happy to comply with. He walked across Tauriel from where he was perched on the headboard, and nuzzled Ivethin's hand. He then turned and went over to Kili and jumped on his back, lifted his wing, and folded his head away from the light. He was asleep within moments.
"I fear I have over-worked him." Tauriel sighed. He will be given extra treats and be allowed to rest for the next several days.
Ivethin smiled warmly at the raven then turned her attention to the small being in Tauriel's arms.
"My, look how handsome you are. I do not believe I have seen him since, well, I believe it has been near a year at least." She laughed softly and ran a hand across his head. Finli, however, was not quite ready to be allowing strangers to touch him and quickly whimpered and turned his face into Tauriel's chest. "I see he does not remember me." Her words were more amused then upset.
Tauriel sighed. "He was taken from his bed just over a week ago and woke to a tent of dwarves he did not recognize, in a room which was not his own. A long story, but all a misunderstanding." She kissed Finli's head. "He is yet still too young to understand it though and I am afraid he has developed a fear of strangers."
"That is not a bad fear to have as a youngling." Ivethin smiled warmly. "Worry not, it will pass as he grows older. You may wish to enjoy it while it lasts. One day he will likely turn away from you than into you."
Tauriel's eyes widened, and she pulled Finli close, causing Ivethin to chuckle. "Fear not dear one, that day is many ages ahead. Dwarflings and elflings take much longer than manfolk to age so you have time to enjoy it yet." She looked to Tauriel's abdomen hidden behind Finli. "And, I am told you are to have another before summer comes again. A hearty congratulations to you and Kili."
Beaming, Tauriel looked over at her Kili, always happy to see the proud smile that bloomed on his face whenever anyone mentioned her pregnancy. However, her prince was fast asleep, snoring softly, which was a testament to his illness. Kili never snored.
"Let him sleep." Ivethin gently suggested, then looked Tauriel over with appraising eyes. "How are you feeling? I was told you slept for quite some time yourself. Are you alright?"
"I am well. Thank you." Tauriel nodded, with a smile.
"Stubborn as a dwarf and just as hard working. She, like Thorin, does not understand how to rest when they should." Dis gave Tauriel a pointed look and the eleth set her jaw stubbornly but said nothing.
"It is a family trait then?" Ivethin laughed out at Tauriel's sour look. The tall elf waived it all away and leveled Tauriel with a stern look of her own. "Now melon, one should be more mindful of their health, especially in such a condition. Pushing yourself as you did was not necessary, but I fear arguing with you would be as useful as yelling at stone, so I will not waste my energy. I will implore you to be more mindful in the future, however. I believe I have told you before, we are not impervious to death. Do not put yourself in a situation where you lose more than you gain."
Tauriel sighed and nodded wishing to change the subject off herself. "What of the ailing?"
Ivethin looked to Dis who gave her a nod to continue, then the healer turned back to Tauriel. "I am afraid we lost a few more Ukdam last evening, but they were already beyond this world when we administered to them. None have passed since then and all remaining have regained much of their strength and energy. There are only a small handful who are still in the shadows, yet to rise I am afraid."
"We are hopeful though." Dis added in, looking at Tauriel's paling face. "It is not in our hands now, only Mahal's. I want you to focus on you, daughter. Understood?"
"Viltarra and Fili? Thorin?" Tauriel eagerly asked.
"All doing well. Fili ate breakfast just an hour ago, and Viltarra still sleeps. She was up last night though, so I am sure she will be waking soon. As for Thorin, he was up and down with Balin this morning before even I woke. If he is well enough to be a stubborn orc, then I do not think he is quite at the gates of Mandos yet." Dis rolled her eyes, then looked down at the tray in Tauriel's lap. "Would you like me to make you something more?"
Tauriel shook her head. "No, thank you. This will be enough until lunch."
"Then perhaps you should allow me to take our little one so his mama can eat." Dis walked towards the bed. "Come on Finli dear, let's let your mama eat her breakfast hmm?" Finli peaked his head out, looked over at Ivethin who was standing a way off, and after a moment of hesitation, allowed Dis to remove him from Tauriel's grasp. Although he did not allow for himself to be carried too far off as he began to whimper and throw a panicking look to his mother when Dis walked a ways away from the bed. "Oh hush now, we are not leaving the room."
Dis pulled a chair over and sat down, inviting Ivethin to do the same to which she complied, choosing to spend the next hour visiting with Tauriel and Dis before rising to go and see to her charges deeper in the mountain.
Over the next few days, one by one, the dwarrow of Erebor and the dwarves in the company of the Ukdam were finding themselves slowly becoming well again. The elves had done it. They still had some time before they were all at perfect health and before the Ukdam were strong enough to travel once more, but with the worst being behind them, Ivethin found no more reason to delay her return to Mirkwood.
"I do not think we can thank you enough once more, Ivethin. Please give our gratitude to Thranduil as well. We will be sending a token of such soon." Thorin stood at the gate, the team of elves from Rivendell and Mirkwood all gathered for their journey home. "If there is any way we can ever repay your kindness, please know Erebor is at your service."
"The Ukdam as well, my Lady." Sudri flourished her with a low, sweeping bow; his beard grazing the stone ground as he did. "We have a gift if you will allow it. From my clan." Sudri gestured to one of his people who came forward with two bundles in his arms. He passed the smaller of the two to Sudri first, who presented it to Ivethin and waited for her to open it.
The eleth smiled wide and pulled the string, the heavy parchment wrapping falling away to reveal a beautiful, vibrantly colored, silk hooded cloak. It was made of the softest and finest silks she has ever felt in all her years, and the craftsmanship was of no equal. "This is beyond any words of beauty I know." Ivethin came forward, bending low to place a kiss on Sudri's head. The dwarf's cheeks glowed red with her approval. "I shall cherish it all my years. Thank you."
"Nay, thank you." He gave her a wide smile, then turned to the next bundle. "This is for your king. We do not like being in debt, but I fear what he has offered is more than we can ever repay. I hope this will be a token to at least show our gratitude for his hand in sending you." He passed the wrapped bundle along with a small keg, likely full of wine, to Ivethin who passed both to her team.
"He shall know. I thank you." She gave a bow to the Lord of the Ukdam then turned to Thorin. "Please send for me if things do not fully clear. I left more than enough to give to any who may become ill in the next several months, but I have more to send if it needs be. Oin also has the remedy copied and left some seeds for the dragon flower to be planted in your greenery, so in my absence be it now, or in the far future, your people have the means to protect yourselves."
"Aye. We will, and thank you again Ivethin, and all of you." Thorin gave a small bow of his own to the elves who returned the gesture before they turned and began their journey home.
"I am glad that is over." Sudri sighed, watching the white haired eleth make her way down the path. Thorin just gave him a raised brow look before turning and entering his mountain once more.
Things were indeed turning around. Erebor's own markets were opening tomorrow, the food halls were filling once again at each bell, and more and more of the mountain was coming alive with her dwarves leaving their chambers to fill her halls with laughter and life.
Ivethin did warn the cure would take time to fully work its wonder, and she was correct. The mountain did not reach its normal everyday energy until nearly a week after the elves had left. By which time most had returned to their normal duties.
"Do you think we can open our own market my Lord? We have not had one come to us ill for three days' time now."
Thorin sat at his desk, his arms folded as he leaned back in his chair and stared at the leader of the Ukdam. Honestly, Thorin was unsure whether he even wanted the Ukdam to sell wares here given what they all just went through. However, perhaps a little joy and celebration was in order to help chase the last remnants of shadows from the halls. Still, Thorin could not help being a bit apprehensive about the decision. He sighed and leaned forward, studying the dwarf before him.
The king under the mountain stared at Sudri for several minutes, then gave Dwalin, who was standing beside him, a look. He knew his friend and cousin did not particularly care for Sudri. Dwalin surprised him though, and just shrugged his large shoulders in indifference. Meaning he had no input on the matter and would support Thorin in whichever path he chose.
Coming to decision, Thorin nodded. "Alright." Sudri beamed with the prospect of being able to open for business and get some of that coveted Ereborian gold. Thorin lifted a hand though, stopping him and his smile turned nervous. "After you get the approval from Oin. If he thinks there is no more danger, then I do not see why your stands cannot be open for a time."
Sudri bowed low. "Of course, my Lord, thank you! I shall meet with Oin expediently." Sudri backed from the office, bowing continuously as he followed one of his own advisors and a guard of Erebor, out of the room.
"You know, he just wants teh fill their pockets before they leave." Dwalin lifted a brow and rumbled out.
Thorin chuckled low and nodded. "I didn't see you rejecting his proposal?" Thorin gave Dwalin a questioning look, but an amused smirk was set on the king's face.
"No, and you'll no' get a rejection from me for such a thing. The mountain could use some merry making and swindling to bring back some cheer."
"Aye, I completely agree. Go see that Aeodhen knows what is to come." Dwalin nodded and left the king alone. Thorin sat back with a small smile, deciding he will look forward to the next few days ahead.
It was the music that floated through the halls the next day that indicated the mountain was free. Louder and more heartfelt than before, did the Ukdam fill the corridors with their singing and playing. Dwarves of Erebor came in streams to browse the dozens of tents and stalls littering the once again vibrant Ukdam camp.
It would seem as if all was well. Yet, as Fili watched his wife get sick once more, he was wondering if the worst was not behind them. "Tauri, I thought Ivethin said this would work!"
Tauriel gave Fili a worried look. "I did and it has. There are several who are still suffering similar blights, however. They were among the more severe cases. It will pass Fili. Her fever has gone down, and she is getting sick less. Give her some time, but I will send Oin in."
"I am fine!" Viltarra argued, drinking down some water, only to sick it back up again moments later.
"That, does not look like fine to me." Fili argued with little bite, holding her hair for her and rubbing her back as she continued to get ill. Though the pair has gotten better, Viltarra's illness seems to be one which is lingering menacingly. The dam in question sighed and sat back on the floor, exhausted. After a few moments, and once she seemed as if she had nothing left to give, Viltarra tried to push herself from the ground, Fili immediately going to help her rise and get her to bed where Oin was already waiting.
Tarrah must have called for him, Tauriel could not have possibly gone to get him in such a short time. Tarrah stood beside the old healer, explaining how Viltarra does not seem to be getting any better. The dam turned to watch her daughter be helped into bed. "See Oin! I do not understand." Vin was down at the stand, having promised Thorin he would get some breads out to help balance the extra mouths to feed with the extended stay of the Ukdam. But Tarrah could not find it in her to leave her daughter in the state she was in and decided to remain behind until Oin could alleviate her concerns.
Oin nodded and looked at Tauriel who had not even needed to leave the chambers before he walked in with Tarrah. "I was jus' with yer husband and Finli. The little lad is cryin' somethin' awful. Ya better go, he was lookin' fer ya." With no illness to divert him, Finli once again was at the mercy of his sore gums. Neither Tauriel nor Kili was able to do much in the way of getting the small prince to sleep which meant more sleepless nights for the pair of them as well. Even Oin's tincture wasn't helping. The old healer said likely it was because his teeth were so close to breaking through, nothing will help until they do.
All the same, Tauriel looked to her new sister. Her mind warring against going to see her baby and seeing that Viltarra is alright. "Go, Tauriel. I am fine. As you can see, Oin is here. I think I will be alright. Go on." She repeated and Tauriel turned to Fili, wanting to be there for him as much as Viltarra but he nodded in agreement with his wife. "Go ahead Tauri. I will call if we need you."
"I'll stay and help as well." Tauriel glanced over at Naurfaer who stepped inside behind Tarrah and Oin. Clearly worried about one of the dams he had swiftly come to consider as another granddaughter. They were close enough, the pair of them. Hiril thumped her tail in greeting of Naurfaer but turned her furry head back to Viltarra and placed it on the bed beside her dam.
Dis too came into the room carrying some of the tea Tauriel had given them throughout their illness, hoping it will be something she can hold in. Keeping Viltarra hydrated was important. "Tauriel! I can hear Finli in the hall. Is he alright dear?"
"I was just going to check, but please come and get me if anything is needed and I will be right back in." She gave Viltarra one final lingering look and left the room.
"Alrigh' lets see what is goin' on lass." Oin smiled and went to work.
Dis was not jesting when she said she could hear Finli down the hall. Even before opening the door to leave Fili and Viltarra's chambers, Tauriel's ears picked up on her baby's fervent cries. Her poor Finli, in so much pain.
Rushing down the hall, Tauriel opened the chamber door and stepped into a room filled with the cries of a teething child.
Kili looked up from where he was pacing the floor, trying to sooth the screaming babe in his arms. "He is inconsolable, and I can understand completely why." Kili sighed, Finli had his face pressed against his father's chest, but not even that muffled the young prince's cries.
Tauriel moved forward and relieved Kili of his charge. Finli protested for only a second until he realized who now had him and he immediately burrowed into her top and continued to cry. Even Kaw had his head in his wing on his perch, trying to block out the sound though she doubted he was having any success. She was surprised he had not flown the coup and taken a break, but Kaw was rather protective over Finli, so it really should not be that big of a surprise to her. The eleth herself was feeling the lack of sleep and the constant noise surrounding her.
Tauriel sighed and pushed the discomfort away and looked over at Kili. Her dwarven prince was rubbing the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. "Kili?" He looked up at her, the dark circles deep and prominent under his eyes. He was still healing from, really everything. The plague was certainly not something his system needed when still taxed from all he had gone through the year before.
Although he was up and about, helping with Finli, Tauriel could see that he was in desperate need of sleep. "You need to rest. Let me handle Finli for the time being." Kili, however, shook his head, but did sit on the chaise and leaned back. He was tired, still a bit nauseous, his throat still sore and his jaw ached, likely from all the clenching and getting sick from the last two weeks. Add that to the headache pounding away from the none-stop crying and Kili was on a downward spiral to losing it. Still, he took a breath and tried to push past all the discomfort. Finli could not help it, he was in pain and dealing with it the only way he was capable, by crying through it.
Tauriel took up Kili's trek, holding Finli close and walking for what felt like hours. Eventually, his cries died down and a miracle happened. Finli had fallen asleep. Very, very carefully, Tauriel sat beside Kili who gave her a smile. Neither spoke in fear of waking Fin who needed as much sleep as he can get.
In complete relief, or maybe exhaustion, Kili lowered himself to place his head on Tauriel's lap. The red head smiled as she carefully removed a hand from cradling Finli to run her fingers through Kili's hair, being sure to massage his scalp. It was not long before he joined his son in dreams listening to Tauriel's very soft hums and Kaw's now equally soft cooing's and twilling's filling the silence.
Staying awake, Tauriel kept up her steady stream of hums, afraid if she stopped one or both of them would wake. They needed sleep so desperately. Honestly, she would love nothing more than to join them. But, too anxious to move, Tauriel thought it best to work on her elven fortitude to let her princes sleep on while she cradled them both.
Too bad her serenity was never meant to last as not fifteen minutes after Finli and Kili fell asleep, the door slammed open and Fili ran in yelling something she could not quite make out. The surprise caused Finli to startle and Kili to fall from the chaise to the floor, then jump up looking wildly around him. He then dropped his head in pure frustration as Finli's screams filled the room and the migraine banging away in his head flared with a roaring vengeance. Kaw too screeched in anger, being startled as he was, then uncharacteristically hissed at Fili.
Without even asking Fili to repeat, in her moment of exasperated anger, Tauriel flung her dagger at her brother not even caring what part of him she hit.
"OI!" Fili glared then stepped back at his sisters dark and dangerous look she leveled him with. He looked back at the dagger deeply embedded in the door just to his right then snickered. "You missed."
"Did I?" Tauriel lifted a brow. The darkness in her eyes still overshadowing her normally calm demeaner. Once again, Fili had come in at the WORST of times without even knocking!
Fili looked down to see a cut in his pant leg and just a bit of blood making its way out of a very shallow cut. "These are my favorite pants!" He began, then he stopped and shook his head. "You know…I am not even mad."
"Fili! I just got him to sleep!" Tauriel began to yell, but stopped and froze, paling when she remembered Viltarra's condition, and Oin looking her over. "Is Viltarra okay?! What did Oin say!? Do I need to send for Ivethin?!" Tauriel, with a still screaming Finli, looked over at Kaw ready to send him back to Mirkwood, but Fili stopped her.
"NO, yes. I mean." Fili was talking so fast, Tauriel was having difficulty trying to keep up with him. Kili too as it would seem.
"Fi? Take a breath." Kili, doing his best to be calm and supportive, tried to get his brother to slow down so they could figure out what they could do to help.
"I am going to be a father." Fili finally got out.
Tauriel stopped and Kili blinked then a wide grin broke out on her prince's face and Kili enveloped Fili in a laughing embrace. "HA! Well done brother! Do you know when?"
"Oin said with her symptoms, just as summer begins next year."
Kili nodded then stopped. "That's when Tauriel is due."
Fili looked at Tauriel who nodded and smiled wide. "We can go through this together then!" He stopped and leaned into Kili with a conspiratorial grin. "Bet you all my duties for a week, mine comes first." Kili narrowed his eyes and leaned into Fili. "Make it two weeks and you're on."
The brothers both turned towards Tauriel but cringed at the ire in her eyes, which she rolled at their preposterous bet and marched towards them. Kili shuffled foot to foot and was about to apologize when Tauriel placed the still crying Finli in Fili's arms.
"Here. Practice." She then shot Kili a glare, and walked out the door.
"Amralime? Where are you going?"
"To go see my sister." She yelled back and was gone.
Fili looked down at Fin who had a stream of snot and drool making its way down his chin onto his small tunic. He turned red rimmed eyes up at Fili, tears adding to the string of liquid. "Is mama angry?" Fili cooed, swaying back and forth, Finli's cries dying down as he looked up at his uncle. "Ha. Easy." Finli lay his head on Fili's shoulder. The crowned prince cringing slightly as he rubbed his nose against Fili's own top, leaving a wet trail in his wake.
Kili snickered. "You think drool and snot is bad, wait until you have to deal with the other end." Fili's eyes widened, then he sighed. "But really, congrats Fi. You are going to make an excellent father."
Fili smiled and readjusted Finli in his arms before looking at his baby brother. "If I am just a fraction as good as you are little brother, I will be a success."
Kili smiled and grazed a finger down Finli's cheek. "It's not really all bad Fi. Teething, is a nightmare, but the rest? It is…I don't know. It's hard to describe. It is something akin to a true wonder. You won't even understand where all the love you have for them comes from, but it is there and the strength, indescribable." Fili nodded.
"We should get a drink to toast." Kili murmured, thinking.
"Or, we can have a seat and call for drinks to come to us." Fili suggested. "Think you could get Kaw to go down to Bombur for a few pints of ale?"
"I think that can be arranged." Kili grinned and within moments, the black raven was flying down the hall and into the mountain.
Tauriel stepped into the chamber next door, her years buzzing with the sound of laughter coming from the bedchamber. She walked in to see Tarrah on one side of the bed, Dis on the other, and Naurfaer beaming from the end of the bed. Oin was gone and Vin obviously had not come home from the cart.
"Tauriel! I take it Fili spoke to you?" Tauriel nodded and smiled wide at Viltarra.
"My deepest congratulations dear sister. What's more, is it appears our new arrivals seem to be coming around the same time. I should warn you, our husbands have already begun a bet on who will arrive first." Viltarra groaned.
"Oh! I need to get in on that." Naurfaer turned to Viltarra who was shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "Is there anything further you need?"
The young dam shook her head no. "Thank you Naurfaer."
The tall elf gave a small bow and a smile, then turned to leave. He stopped at Tauriel on his way out. "Shall I assume the two princes are still together? Would you like me to keep them from doing something they would deeply regret?"
"Three princes, actually. I put Fili in charge of Finli as he was the one who woke him after I finally got him to sleep. But, yes please. I would be most grateful." Naurfaer nodded and left the room.
Tauriel turned back towards the dams, walking further in and taking Naurfaer's place at the end of the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Overwhelmed." Viltarra immediately answered. "I honestly thought we would have more time for just the two of us. I mean…we are not the most...viable species…when it comes to procreating. I have known of many on our travels who spend years trying to conceive. Some dams go their entire life without bringing a child into the world at all." She grasped at the blanket. "Oin thinks it happened not long after our wedding night."
"It only takes once." Tarrah chuckled, which grew to a laugh when Viltarra glared at her.
"Well at least you're not in this alone dear." Dis patted her leg and Viltarra sighed and looked at Tauriel.
"Any advice from someone who has just recently gone through this?"
"You mean who is currently going through it for a second time?" Dis snorted and lifted a brow.
Tauriel rolled her eyes but chuckled. "Well. Do not fight the cravings is one word of advice. Things go south both in mood and in ability to hold sustenance in when you do. If the baby wants it, you find a way to get it." Viltarra nodded as Tauriel thought on Finli's pregnancy, the part where she was not being poisoned that is. "It is also wise to listen to your body, if you want to sleep, sleep. Also, know you will be receiving more than one panicked look if you try and lift anything heavier than a raven." Tauriel folded her arms and huffed. Even with this pregnancy Fili, Thorin, and Kili were constantly berating her when she goes to pick anything up. Stupid males.
Viltarra sighed again. At the moment Fili is beyond excited. He had all but jumped her when Oin examined her, declaring her nausea to have nothing to do with the illness and everything to do with the child she was now carrying. Mahal, a child. She had a tiny being growing within her.
"Are you alright dear?" Dis's words were barely heard as Viltarra paled as her mind filled with what was to come.
"I think I am going to be sick!" Viltarra jumped from the bed, nearly tripping over Hiril as she raced to the washroom to be sick. They let her be for a moment, then Tarrah stood to go check on Viltarra, but Tauriel stopped her. "Do you mind if I speak to her?"
"Not at all. Call if you need us." Tarrah sat back down and Tauriel moved towards the washroom door, rapping lightly before opening and stepping inside when Viltarra gave a quiet, "Come in."
Opening the door and stepping inside, Tauriel slid down the wall to sit beside the dam who had her knees pulled up to her chest as she sat staring at the opposite wall. "I remember when I first realized I was with child." Tauriel started.
"I can only imagine." Viltarra snorted. "I am sure Kili was as ecstatic as Fili was, if not more so."
"Kili was not there. It was only Fili." Tauriel corrected. A look from Viltarra had her explaining. "Kili had been shot with a morgul arrow and I had just healed him the night before, so he was resting. We needed food though and I was not about to let Fili go alone, he was dead on his feet having not slept for Valar knows how long." Tauriel adjusted herself to sit more comfortably. "As an elf, I am much more connected to my body than any other being, so I knew the moment it happened something was different about me."
"What was it like?" Viltarra looked over at Tauriel, trying to imagine how it would feel but her mind just could not grasp it.
Tauriel thought back, she missed her current sons moment of conception, but she vividly remembers Finli's. "Unpleasant." She deadpanned. "But not painful. It is…difficult to describe. Almost like, your entire insides are stretching and there was pressure both here…" She pointed to her abdomen "and here…" she then moved her hand up to her head. "Then there was a bright flash and it was like something was tearing and pulling their way into my body, then it all was gone as if it was nothing more than a dream. It does leave one rather dizzy when it happens when you are conscious. But once everything calms, you are mostly back to yourself. Except, you are not just yourself. There is another's presence within you that you feel and love so deeply." She smiled at Viltarra. "I know it is much different for you and the other dams, but, that's what it is for me."
The eleth closed her eyes, accessing the part of her mind where her newest son resided. She was nearing three months pregnant and already he felt so much different than Finli ever had. He is bright and vibrant one moment, then calm and subdued the next. It was a bit maddening, truthfully, but she loved him all the same. He will be an interesting pregnancy, that is already apparent. At the moment though, he seemed to be just relaxing as he was projecting warmth and calm.
"That sounds…overwhelming." Viltarra scrunched up her nose, but then sighed. "Yet wonderful. I feel…well…nauseous, but that is all."
"It is overwhelming, that is very, very true. When we were in Lake Town, we had a dragon coming, a war to fight, Thorin and the majority of the company at the mountain and possibly dead, and Kili wounded. It was certainly not a good time to bring life into the world. I began to panic then and there, on a wet barrel, in an alley way of a city built on water. It was Fili who calmed me." She smiled.
Viltarra turned to Tauriel. "Fili? My Fili?"
Tauriel nodded. "I was apologizing and he took my hand and said we can get through it, and we did. I know it is…frightening. The idea that we are now the carrier of an innocent life we created. One who relies solely on us to protect it and one who has no understanding of what is to come. Yet, it is also so blessingly wonderful Viltarra." Tauriel allowed a tear to fall down her cheek. "I cannot describe the love that will come as you feel them move for the first time, and only you will feel it. It is like…bubbles, or fluttering butterfly wings in your belly. Then, the look of your husbands face when he too can finally feel what you do, when he presses his hand to where your child is pushing. You think that love could not possibly grow until you are holding this tiny being in your arms and you realized how very wrong you were, because you feel as if you will burst at the seam with all the love you feel."
The eleth smiled brightly. "You have nothing to fear though, Viltarra. You will make a wonderful mother. I know that without a doubt. Plus, you are not alone, in a few respects. Fili will not leave your side for one thing. He loves you so deeply. You also have family, yours and mine, who will be there if you need anything from butter cake, to someone to talk to. What is more, you and I will be going through this together, so in that respect, you are also not alone. I am quite sure we will run our princes ragged with cravings and worry. Good luck trying to lift a bag of flour with Fili around." Viltarra's eyes widened, then she groaned and slid over, her head landing on Tauriel's shoulder.
"Thank you Tauriel. I am trying to be excited, but, all I feel is overwhelmed. That, what you said, does help a lot though. I am going to be a mother." She finally sighed and smiled. Her hand going to her abdomen.
Tauriel chuckled. "Wait until Thorin finds out." Viltarra shot up and staired wide eyed at her.
"What if I am having a boy?! OH Tauriel! He would take Finli's place as heir to Fili! I am sorry Tauriel!"
Tauriel lowered her brows and cocked her head to the side. "Do not apologize for such things, muinthel. I am not upset, and I can guarantee you neither is Kili or Finli. For one thing…Finli is only 21 months old. He has no idea what his future holds. Besides, it is how things work. We would be filled with joy whatever you bare, boy or girl. Makes no matter to us as long as they are healthy. I for one cannot wait to be an aunt. I have never had nor been one before and it sounds most exciting."
The red head looked over at Viltarra then stood, holding her hand out for the dam to take. Tauriel then helped her to her feet. "Let us find happiness with what is now, and enjoy the gifts we are given."
Viltarra smiled and nodded. "I think I can do that. Thank you, Tauriel." Unable to help herself, Tauriel pulled Viltarra into a hug. "No need to thank me, I am here anytime you need me."
The pair parted and walked out into the bedchamber where Tarrah immediately came up and pulled her daughter into her arms. "Is everything okay my gem?" Dis too came and placed a hand on the young dam's shoulder. "It is a lot to get used to dear, and quite frightening. The boys can be excited, but they are not the ones who has to do the carrying. Fear and uncertainty are natural feelings to have, but they will pass with time and grow into love and excitement."
Viltarra nodded against her mother's shoulder before pulling away. "Now, question and answer time because I am sure you have them darling. Feel free to ask away and we can dispel any nonsensical fears you may have. You will get a lot of tips, pointers, and wisdom passed to you whether you ask for it or not as soon as the mountain is informed you are expecting, do not take them as fact until you check it over with Oin or us." Viltarra nodded, then they spent the afternoon answering any questions Viltarra had about what was to come.
Dis smiled brightly as her daughters both glowed with new life. What a time to live. Sometimes she feels like all of this is a dream. That her brother and sons died in the battle and she was driven to madness, her mind creating this world just for her as she slipped down the path of despair further and further each day. Yet, this all felt too real to be a dream or vision. So, every morning, and every night, she got on her knees and prayed to the maker, thanking him for each one of her family, her grandson, even for Naurfaer.
Looking around the room, Dis was filled with love. Their family was growing yet again, and this time, it was Fili who was gifted a new blessing. Dis could not wait to see the kind of father he will be. Their life was getting more interesting by the day and she, for one, could not wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
Original Authors Note: You know, I thought long and hard about deciding when or if I wanted Fili to have any children. I mean, of course I wanted him and Viltarra to have some wee ones, but I was torn between making it difficult for them, or easy. Honestly, as someone who struggles with that in my life, I decided I had ZERO desire to project so Kili and Fili can have as many littles ones as they can get. I also thought becoming a new mother could be just as frightening as it could be exciting, so I added a bit of that in here as well. Remember, this is my ideal world, so I get to have fun with building their lives together.
Eventually, I will skip to a few years into the future, but I have at least one more ACT before I want to do that. Oh, my, goodness, I have a problem XD hahaha.
Anyway, see you in the next chapter. OH! A shout out to all my amazing repeat reviewers, Imagine Coldplay, docnikki2013, Kmile M, and meee. I feel like at this point this fanfiction is dedicated to all of you. Thank you for your constant and regular support, I love you guys!
Thank you also to all you silent readers. Even if you don't review I still love and appreciate you taking the time to read my story. You are ALL amazing.