Dáin woke with a groan, head screaming for him to stop using his Warhammer on it. Only he was lying in bed with Azie snuggled against his side and realized it was a kick from his unborn that jolted him wake, which was just as well since he had to use the relieving chamber. He struggled out of bed wondering the time. On his way back to bed, he slipped into the main chamber with a balcony and sure enough bright sunlight steamed into the room. Returning to his bed chamber he looked at the inviting bed, but grabbed his trousers instead.

The healer on call came to attention when Dáin's loud boots stomped a warning the Halls of Healing was being invaded.

"My head is exploding, one inch at ah time," Dáin snarled his greeting.

"Aye, I've been expecting wedding guests ta start stumbling in an have what ye need already brewing." He quickly poured a cup of tea and pressed it into the lord's hand.

Dáin took a long, noisy sip and kept his eyes closed. "Am I first ta come?"

"Nay, Lord Balin was here almost an hour ago. He said something about his snoring got him ousted from the marriage bed."

Dáin snorted and then laughed. "Once again Balin has shown that I made the right choice in Azie. Not once did she ever kick me out for snoring."

"I know for a fact, Azie, has kicked you out for drinking."

Dáin turned to the voice and inside the doorway. Dori was leaning against the sill, holding it up or it him.

"Just ye wait, Dori. Next wedding is yers an then we will be privy ta what it takes for ye ta lose favor with the missus an be expelled from the marital bed." Dáin watched Dori accept a cup of bitter brew and finished his own; his head starting to clear and feel normal.

"It's going to take some getting used to, what with both Thorin and Dwalin now wed," Dori stated after gulping half the cup.

"Ye an Nori should have ah double wedding also."

"Not a bad idea," Dori agreed. "I will bring it up with him."

"I understand he was Durin on call last night." Dáin was sure that's how he remembered it.

Dori nodded. "It was strange, but little brother wasn't drinking as heavily as the rest of us, but then couldn't an be in charge. You know he volunteered for the duty?"

Dáin raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "We usually have ah drawing ta pick the loser."

Dori shook his head. "I think Nori has taken an interest in…," he trailed off before disclosing sensitive information in front of the healer. Finishing his drink, he handed the cup to the healer and thanked him.

Dáin did likewise and they left just as Ori stumbled past them and straight to the healer without acknowledging either.

Dori chuckled. "He is becoming a real adult an drinkin like ah Durin. I have hope for him yet."

"I saw ye an Nori plying him with ale all night."

Dori laughed. "Ma threatened us with ah Warhammer for what we were doing to our baby brother."

Thorin lay on the softest bed ever, with a red silk sheet tangled around his legs and under Lióni's bare, silken body. She was lying on her side, head on his shoulder. He knew his arm was numb and figured they had been in that position for hours after drifting off from the last round of pleasure. He was still amazed that after release, he was on molten fire again within an hour. He was trying to figure out how to function with this new condition. Surely the married dwarrow had more control than he ever would and decided he could never leave his bedchamber. He smiled at the thought.

A finger traced his smile and he quickly kissed the tip as it traversed his lips.

"Going to share the reason for your smile?"

He rolled his head and captured her lips. "Good morning."

"Our first as an old married couple," she replied with her own smile.

"I cannot ever be seen in public if this is how I am going to react every hour upon the hour," he confessed and saw her smile widen. He moved over her to relieve the pressure on his arm and position himself for another round of lovemaking; his desire pressing into her stomach. "See what you do to me."

"I would love to take credit, but know for a fact, my mother and grandmother and all the elder Durin dams carefully brought the bottle of wine we consumed personally to this chamber. I overheard mother and grandmother laughing at the peyot root they spiked it with."

Thorin grinned down at her. "I must thank them and am relieved I'm not destined to spend the rest of my life wanting you on the hour every hour."

Her eyes widened and he realized how it sounded. "So without the drugs you don't want me at all?" Her secret fears he would never grow to love her resurfaced and she tried to push him off.

"That's not what I meant. I cannot get enough of you and was resigned to spending the rest of my life in bed with you. A most pleasurable life sentence if you ask me." He leaned over for another kiss. "I was in despair I was doomed to this new condition. I just wish someone had informed me and it is my first experience with peyot root."

"I guess you're forgiven then, but if you don't put out the fire in me soon, I'll go and see if Dwalin also has reservations about making love to his wife, due to the same bottle in his and Dis' chamber."

"I hereby order you to have a bottle of our best wine spiked accordingly on every anniversary." At her nod, he stopped thinking and lost himself in her starting with her lips and working downward.

A similar scene was being played out in the next chamber over where everything was the same except it didn't have the waterfall, but did have a carved fountain in the middle of the stream that spewed warm water from several spouts into a pool deep enough for swimming at one end and carved seats for intimacy in several different positions at the other.

They were recovering again when a bell rang loudly outside the honeymoon chamber. Thorin grabbed a robe and hustled out of sight. He promptly returned with a large covered tray. Setting it on the table, he shed his robe. When his bride reached for hers, he made a grab for it. "My rules; when alone with you in this chamber; no clothing." He laughed at the flush that found its way down her front and ran a finger along the line it ended. "We have so much to learn about each other." He pulled out a chair for her and sat close. Removing the tray, he was delighted to see it piled high with hotcakes and eggs with a side of ham.

Lióni was aware of her nudity while sitting beside an equally naked husband. It didn't seem wrong in the water or bed, but to casually sit at breakfast in this condition made her squirm. Thorin was scarfing down food at a pace she'd never seen before. "Are you starving?"

He nodded, his mouth full. He swallowed before answering. "Making babies is hard work."

They looked at each other and laughed. He slowed down and they had an enjoyable first meal as husband and wife. Afterwards they bathed in the warm swirling waters and he pulled her under the falls. Sitting on a carved bench, he decided now was the time to divulge his clandestine conversation with his father.

"Father drew me aside like he did Dis when she wed Dwili. He privately told her of his love for our mother, and yesterday he told me the same thing. He said it grew until the day she died and with each dwarfling, his devotion to her deepened. I remember them best, being eldest. I was only forty-two when Smaug came. When we realized we had lost our mother; Frerin, Dis and I held each other and cried over the unconscious body of our father. Nár had taken his Warhammer to him when he tried to rush back into the mountain after her. I was in charge for a short time as Grandfather was still suffering dragon sickness and in shock. Father came to and hugged each of us dwarflings and told us he loved us and would do the best he could, but don't expect much. That was our warning our life was over as we knew it. He was inconsolable with everyone else about losing his wife and shut down that part of his life, but took charge of the surviving dwarves. We were moving away from the mountain and it was blasted hot with all the pines on fire and smoke so thick we couldn't see more than a few feet in places. Dale was in the same condition and Lord Girion came and met with father. It became apparent Dale couldn't help us and we had to leave the area. That's when Father stated he needed to go and talk to Thranduil and for everyone to meet at the north end of Long Lake. It was at the lake that we were able to eat for the first time in two days. All dwarflings were fed first of fresh caught fish. That's where Grór and Náin, fresh from the Iron Hills, found us. Grandfather was doing better and clearer in the head away from the mountain and Father was still gone. I think he went off alone to grieve and meeting with Thranduil an excuse. He always tried to be strong in front of us kids, but I knew he was hurting in his bond. I never really understood bonding until now. Do you feel it?" He took her hand.

Lióni felt his presence as if inside her, but couldn't read his mind. I feel you," she pressed a hand to her breast, "in here."

He nodded. "And I feel you likewise. We will be joined for eternity."

"I never thought I would marry a future king and be a queen someday." She reminisced with wonder the last few months brought and he just had to steal a kiss before replying.

"I was king for fifty years. I hope by the time I'm crowned again, our dwarflings will be grown and us grandparents."

"I may be with dwarfling already," she uttered. "We haven't even looked at the linage book of forbidden tales of Durin's honeymoons."

Thorin chuckled and pulled her to her feet and didn't stop until she was pushed into the pool the falls made. He dove in and proceeded to make love in the water. Panting at the side of the pool, he grumbled, "I can't seem to go more than an hour unless asleep."

A hand found its way under the water and cupped his manhood. "I'm not complaining, but am getting sore, so maybe we can try for two hours."

He rose and escorted her from the water. "I need sleep. I'm too old to act like I'm under a hundred."

"I think it's the large meal you ate that is putting you to sleep….and maybe the five times you performed brilliantly since entering this chamber."

They dried off and soon were asleep on the large, soft bed. As she drifted off, Lióni wondered if the elves, Celeborn and Galadriel, slept on this bed when they had their anniversary in this chamber.

The king didn't have to make the long trek to the Halls of Healing. When he woke, Piket, was instantly by the bed holding a cup of tea. He grunted his thanks and sat up, allowing his servant to place pillows behind his back. Emptying the cup, he watched his servant bustle about laying out clothes and removing those he wore to the wedding to be cleaned and ironed. He finally broke the silence. "What time is it?"

"After nine, M'lord."

"Are the elves still camped outside?"

"Aye, Gandalf, implored them ta stay for another day."

"I was pretty drunk when they left last night, so wasn't sure I remembered right, but think I was invited for breakfast if they were still here." Thráin handed him the cup and threw back the cover. "That will be all."

He dressed and walked through the empty rooms. The door between his and Thorin's area was shut and he knew just as barren of dwarves as his own chamber. He carefully placed all his knives and buckled on the elven sword. He peaked outside his private balcony and it was a sunny, warm day. Leaving his chambers, he watched several guards straighten to attention. He moved down the hall and sighed when four fell in with him. He missed old Erebor, where the royal family didn't need constant protection within the mountain.

The main door was open and elves doing last minute shopping in the market. He spotted Nori still on watch and motioned him to his side. The guards moved away to give them privacy. Nori filled him in on the night watch and what was currently happening in the area.

Thráin's stomach growled and he bid Nori to get Dori to relieve him and get some sleep. He was craving fish all of the sudden and hoped the elves were reading his mind. He walked through the doors into sunlight and veered to water's edge. He figured with so many elven guards; he was very safe and told his own guards to go back inside.

After grumbling and threats of demotion, the guards saluted and marched away, hoping Lord Dáin never found out.

There was a dwarf with a line in the water and Thráin moved to join him.

A shadow cast over the dwarf and he turned to snap a curse at who might spook the fish. The rebuke died in his throat and he quickly stood and offered a proper bow.

Thráin waved him back down. "How's the fishing this fine morning?"

"Nary ah bite, M'lord. I think the elves fished these waters clean."

"That's too bad. I so wanted fresh trout for breaking the fast," Thráin replied conversationally. "What do ye do?"

"I work in the kitchens." The dwarf couldn't believe he was conversing with the king as if another commoner.

"To the elves I will go with ah complaint then," Thráin humorously replied. Bidding the dwarf good day, he veered across the repaired bridge and into the elven camp.

The two wizards felt the dark powers long before reaching the tunnel Radagast discovered the day before.

Radagast stopped several times, crossed his eyes and broke spells, while his companion pondered what could have cast them.

Finally they were at the opening of a tunnel not made naturally. Gandalf carefully looked at the hewn marks in the rock. "Orcs made this tunnel. If they made this one, there could be more. I don't like this at all."

"Gandalf, I can clear the mountain again, but I can't prevent them from returning."

"That is my job, my friend. We owe Thráin that much for all he has suffered at the hands of orcs and the necromancer. I am going to report to the king. Keep searching and if you find more open tunnels, mark them and report."

Radagast turned back to his task and went deeper into the mines, while Gandalf hurried topside; hoping to break the fast with Thráin, even if he had to wake him and personally escort him to the elves.

Saruman circled back once more to the mountain. He hoped his latest attempt to halt the wedding succeeded. Just inside a cave that hid his horse and him, he beckoned with a mental command for her to join him in thought.

Holla was just starting her day in the laundry; a task those without skills were assigned. The chatter all about her was of the wedding, the taste of the cake and how everyone loved their new home and the Durin's. She almost dropped her basket with clean clothes when the voice she hated invaded her mind.

'Dam Holla, did you perform the one small task I gave you?'

She quickly looked around and nobody was paying her any mind. She always felt when she heard the awful voice that everyone near could also. She focused like he taught her and replied with trained thought. 'I got close enough to the lass to poke her with the poison you provided. It didn't work because she is now wed.'

'It will work. It may take time for the poison to weaken a strong lass. What was her name again?'

'Lióni.' She paused and then dared ask her burning question; one that kept her awake at night. 'I've done all you have asked of me. You promised that my husband and the others would be at the mountain by now. Where are they?'

Saruman raised his bushy eyebrows in surprise. 'I don't know. They should have entered the mountain a few days ago. I parted with them not far from here.' He had a bad feeling that band failed to impress the leaders of Erebor and were either denied entrance, or worse, put to the sword or ensconced in the dungeon. 'Is there any way you can discretely ask about them?'

'And who would I ask?'

'How about that guard you bribed?'

She thought and remembered striking up a conversation with him and feeling him out as to if he could be bribed. When the answer became yes, she took him as an escort to the deep tunnel where the wizard's personal servant, a short orc, dressed like a dwarf and covered with a cowl to hide his identity, met her and gave her the enchanted ring. She took a deep breath. 'I'm not sure I will ever see that guard again and didn't exactly get his name. Maybe I can find another guard who might know something.'

'Do so. I will be in the vicinity and hope the elves leave soon now that the wedding is over. I can't think of why they are still loitering. Find that out also.' Done issuing his orders, he withdrew from her mind.

She quickly looked around. For when she spoke to the wizard, she lost track of her surroundings or if someone might be talking to her. She quickly moved with her basket to the clothes lines near vents of hot air created by molten lava under the surface of the rock. Done hanging the wash, she saw those who oversaw the laundry with backs turned and made a dash for the stairs and climbed swiftly until in a long hall in the lower levels of Erebor. She hurried ever upwards towards the entrance, looking for anyone she might strike a conversation and glean an answer she desperately sought; the location of her husband.

Elrond stepped from between tents and folded his arms as he glared down at the king and blocked his way. "What brings you to our camp?" he ordered sternly and in Sindarin, while his hand dropped to Hadhafang.

"It has come to my attention that elves have fished out this part of the river depriving me of fresh fish to break the fast." Thráin replied in the same language and tone; his own hand descending to rest on the hilt of his own elven sword.

"I may know where you can get fresh fish, that we caught from Long Lake," Elrond replied and didn't allow one slight smile to grace his features.

"Do you have lemon to squeeze on it?" Thráin asked gruffly.

"We do."

"With the fish, I also would like fluffy biscuits and jam. Can the elves also provide that?"

Elrond inclined his head. "That can also be arranged."

"And healing tea. After a night of drinking, I think a beverage like tea will help soothe my aching head."

Elrond dropped his play and moved to stand over Thráin. "Didn't the dwarves have herbs to cure a night of drinking?"

"Aye, but one cup wasn't nearly enough. In fact, I would trouble ye ta send someone ta our healing halls for an entire pot."

"I never travel without a wide variety of herbs and a pot will be waiting by the time we reach Círdan's tent." Mentally he shouted for Figwit to ready a pot of herbal tea for a hangover ASAP.

They fell in step and meandered through the tents towards the center of the elven compound. Thráin noticed the lords had many layers of protection between them and their boundaries.

"I'm glad ye are staying today," Thráin confided before they reached the others. "I got ah report on my way out of the mountain that young Bain was seen with our youth on ponies going up the mountain for ah last adventure early this morning. We didn't let our young Durin's drink into oblivion, like their sires."

Elrond smiled and then grinned down at his companion. "I'm glad my young are far away, or we would be facing three hung over elves this fine morning. I'm sure they would have tried to outdrink Legolas; just for sport. Of course it would have to be wine as ale doesn't have much effect on an elf."

Entering the tent, Thráin saw all the elves of note lounging in various chairs and visiting.

Círdan greeted the king and read his mind. "You did remember an invite for food when you wakened and recovered sufficiently enough to walk."

"I wasn't that drunk," Thráin protested to laughter. "However, my body is craving fresh fish."

Glorfindel broke off from his conversation with Taíban. "I feared I would die from starvation waiting for you to arrive. Elrond and Galadriel wouldn't allow us to eat without you."

Galadriel smiled and motioned with a hand and a servant quickly departed. "Please join us, King Thráin. I foresaw your desire for fish and had some prepared. I fear we did deplete your river, but these fish come from Long Lake and we caught many fry to restock this part of the river before we leave."

Thráin listened to her musical voice. "I may kidnap ye an force ye ta read lays ta me all day; just ta hear yer voice."

Her smile widened. "I know what you mean. I used to force Celeborn to read lays to me when we were courting just to hear his voice." She gazed lovingly at her husband, who was across the tent and they shared a moment between them with their eyes.

A pot of tea preceded Figwit through the entrance and he quickly placed it in front of Thráin. "My apologies it didn't arrive sooner."

"Considering I made the comment only a few minutes ago, I'm amazed ye are here this fast." Thráin watched Figwit pour. "I enjoyed our visits."

"As did I, King Thráin," Figwit replied. He quickly stepped to the side of the tent out of the way, waiting for another command, should one be issued from his Imladris family. Other servants of his stature were likewise waiting on their masters.

Thráin took a sip. "I must have ye teach our healers how ta make this. The stuff they brew is so vile, it is worse than the hangover."

"The secret is honey," Elrond stated and accepted a cup of regular black tea from Figwit. A large pot graced the table and the elves already had several cups while waiting for their guest.

Servants brought in covered platters and to Thráin's satisfaction, one placed before him was piled high with fried trout. He grabbed four and nodded thanks to the servant that also placed several biscuits on the plate.

Talking ceased while the elves and Thráin ate.

Holla stopped near the entrance with its massive doors gleaming in the sunlight with plated gold over graven images of the Company and King, debating her next move when the tall wizard rushed by her and up the steps where Lord Dori was overseeing the entrance.

She stayed back, but followed, hoping for word on the missing dwarves. A guard blocked her from taking the steps. She smiled, hoping he was lonely and she could also work him. "I am looking for my husband."

"He ain't up there," the guard growled in what he hoped was an intimidating tone.

"No, but a Durin is and might answer my question. As a lowly guard, I doubt you have the information I am seeking. It has to do with a group that is coming to the mountain and should have been here by now." She was certain nobody would figure she was the dam that talked with the Crown Prince's intended a couple days prior and poked her hand.

The guard looked her over. "Wait here."

He hurried up the steps and overheard Gandalf ask, "Dori, has Thráin passed this way?"

"Aye, Nori, informed me the king is with the elves."

"Excuse me, M'lords," the guard interrupted. When they both stopped talking and looked in his direction, he continued. "There is ah dam at the bottom of the steps looking for her husband. She says ah group is supposed to be here an ain't. I guess her missing husband is in that group."

Dori's eyes flew wide and he uttered softly, "It couldn't be this easy."

"If she didn't fulfill her mission, she may be looking for ways to get to Thorin and Lióni," Gandalf reasoned. It was he that addressed the guard. "We will take it from here and you are to be commended to Lord Dáin for not sending her away without checking with us."

Pleased with the complement, the guard led the way down the steps with Dori and Gandalf directly following.

Gandalf put on his old man helpless persona and smiled kindly at her. "I understand you are looking for someone?"

She cranked her head up. "My husband. He was coming with a group to seek work."

"When were they expected?" Gandalf inquired while Dori hand signaled the guard to get Dáin Ironfoot immediately.

The dam didn't notice when the guard smartly walked away until out of their sight and then ran swiftly to the Durin's Hall.

Holla decided to answer honestly. "They were supposed to be here a few days ago."

"I'm curious," Dori interjected, drawing her eyes and Gandalf's to him. "How are you in the mountain? Are you part of this group?"

She had been practicing her lie so it flowed easily off her tongue. "I came ahead with a group from Jötunheim. My husband was anxious for me to come and start work. He was gathering a group to follow. We weren't Longbeards so wasn't allowed to go with them, but I was able to slip in unnoticed."

"Did Lord Dóvad know this was happening?" Gandalf inquired brightly. He was beginning to doubt her story and suspected she was the one they sought. Dóvad would have informed the Durin's if more were expected from Jötunheim.

At a loss, Holla, took a step back. "I guess they are still on their way. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"No bother. In fact, Lord Dáin would like a word with you," Gandalf insisted.

"I don't want to talk to someone that high up." She started to panic. "I'll just be off."

A hand on her shoulder stopped her escape. "I think Lord Dáin will have a few questions for you."

She reached in her pocket and slipped the ring on. With a swift slap to the wizard's hand, she broke free and ran.

Dori motioned for the guard who manned an inside horn and it blew, announcing trouble at the gate. Guards mustered double time and Dori shouted, "Stop that dam."

Holla swiped at several guards, scratching a couple with the poison before a blow of a Warhammer stunned her into oblivion.

Dáin pushed through the growing throng until standing over her prone form.

Outside, the elves blew their own horn, sounding a problem near the gate.