Updated January 15th, 2022

Original Authors Note: As promised, here's another chapter!

Chapter Four

It took the remainder of the day to get the Ukdam settled and then the music once again began. Tauriel could hear the bells and drums all the way from the entrance hall, despite the Ukdam being deep in the mountain. These halls echoed and carried the vibrant and joyful sound and Tauriel could feel her feet picking up the pace as she tugged Kili forward.

"Alright, alright amralime. I am coming. Spare your poor dwarven husband and his little legs." Kili was laughing just behind her, finding her excitement rather amusing.

"Kili!" Tauriel chastised. "Your legs are hardly little. You are not even that much shorter than I am. Stop dragging your feet, we are going to be late and Thorin is waiting."

Fili and Viltarra had come up just a half hour ago, all but ordering them to go and be introduced to the Ukdam. At first, Kili was hesitant, but Naurfaer also agreed to stay behind to guard little Finli which helped ease Kili's anxiety with leaving him. Thorin also already had Aeodhen assign extra guard to the royal wing with not only the two regularly stationed at the bottom of the stairs, but also two at the main entrance door and one inside the sitting room at all times. They were not taking any risks with the youngest member of the family, his expecting mother, or either of the two dams still healing from their trauma barely just two months ago.

Shaking his head, Kili picked up his feet and matched his wife's swift steps. He did shudder when they reached the stairwell Kaulithah shoved him over though. That was more embarrassing to recall then painful. Kili felt he should have seen that coming, both in her plans and her pushing him over. His awareness needs just as much work as his physical training, it would seem.

His point was proven valid as he rammed into Tauriel's back, having been lost in thought and not noticing her cease her steps suddenly. She looked back at Kili in concern but he just gave her a sheepish smile and stepped around her to come face to face with his uncle.

"Kili, Tauriel. There you two are, I was about to have Dwalin come for you. Are you ready?"

"We are." Both answered at the same time causing Thorin to smile at the pair. He was about to turn around but stopped and looked back up at Tauriel. He took the hand not in Kili's and looked her in the eyes.

"I want you to tell me if they treat you poorly and I am not there. I am unsure how they will react to you. The Ukdam are well traveled, and will do business among many of the races in middle earth, pretty much anyone with coin they will not turn away." Thorin thought for a moment and sighed. "Despite it, they are more closed off and weary of outsiders then any dwarven clan as well."

Tauriel squeezed Thorin's hand. "I am no stranger to opposition. I chose this path with my eyes wide open. But, I will endeavor to communicate my sorrows should they arise." Thorin nodded and released her hand and turned back towards the entranceway into the large room. Tauriel had not been into this particular hall in Erebor yet, as it had only been recently cleared. She held tightly to Kili's hand and entered behind Thorin.

At first, she wondered if she was still in Erebor. The tall, cavernous, hall was not only brightly lit, but filled with vibrantly colored canvas tents and structures, each with small lanterns on woven ropes winding between every structure and around the columns in the room. There was a heavy stream of music, but Tauriel could not pinpoint where it was coming from, rather, it seemed as if it was originating everywhere and yet, nowhere all at the same time. Dwarrow of all sizes, short and tall, were running between the tents and makeshift canvas stalls laughing merrily as they went.

What Tauriel was able to do, was pick out her Ereborian dwarves from those of the Ukdam company. The dwarves of Erebor dressed pretty standard for a dwarven city. Layers of leathers, furs, and cottons in earthy tones in addition to vests, coats, and heavy boots sometimes with metals and furs sewn in. The Ukdam dwarves were quite the contrary. They sported the same kind of layering, but their tones were bright and vibrant. Furs were replaced with silken wraps and for warmth, they draped themselves in thick wools which were dyed and woven together in all kinds of different patterns and rich colors. They also walked differently, almost like they were walking to a beat only they could hear.

Thorin guided them to the largest of the structures, which was a deep lavender color trimmed with gold, and quickly entered without hesitation; Tauriel and Kili following suit. A hatted dwarf with a wonderous black and silver beard came rushing forward. "My Lord! How wonderful for you to make it. Come, come. Sit."

Thorin nodded but did not take the offered seat, instead he turned towards Kili and Tauriel, gesturing to them with his hand. "As promised, I come to introduce my nephew, Prince Kili and his wife and my daughter, Tauriel."

Tauriel smiled at the dwarf. It was not lost on her that Thorin had referred to her as his daughter. He and Dis did that more often than not recently and likely it was done purposely for her protection. Very few would risk offending or harassing the daughter of the king, even one so obviously not related. Although, with her height, she wonders if she does have dwarven blood in her somewhere. Then again, Silvan elves did tend to be on the shorter side in comparison to the Sindar so maybe likely not. Even Naurfaer, though much taller than her and the dwarrow in Erebor, was not as tall as Thranduil or Elrond.

The dwarf turned to Kili and Tauriel, first looking and acknowledging Kili with a short bow, then turning to Tauriel and…staring. Tauriel could always tell, without even looking, when a newcomer in the mountain took notice of her and her elven features. "Oh, sweet mahal's great beard…your daughter you say?"

"Adopted." Thorin added with a grin, "But just as cherished. I expect the same respect given to me passed to her." Thorin turned to the pair just behind him. "Tauriel, Kili, may I introduce the azbudi of the Ukdam, Sudri."

"It is an honor." Tauriel began but Sudri was looking at her with shock and not a little disgust. She sighed, and bumped Kili's shoulder when he stiffened and began glaring at the brightly cloaked clan leader. Her husband's volatile, Durin, temper was not going to help the situation.

Thorin, however, stepped in immediately, narrowing his eyes at Sudri and rising to his full height which equaled Kili's. Albeit a few inches under hers, was still rather intimidating. "Will there be an issue Sudri? Because, I can assure you, any ill will to any of my family, including Tauriel, will be taken as the upmost offence, and any harm done will be met with Erebor's full force in reconciliation."

It was a dark promise and one Tauriel knew Thorin could and would uphold. She had earned her place in the family and in their mountain. Any one of the inhabitants within Erebor's halls would vouch for her, protect her, and stand beside her in battle as she would stand by them. Although, Thorin may not even need to call the army, he just needed to bring Leotti in. Her dearest friend would set him right in seconds...or…her husband will knock some sense into him. Which by the looks of him, he did not seem too far from doing at this very moment. Tauriel tugged on Kili's hand, trying to get his attention. He glanced up at her, his features softening into a small smile when their eyes met.

For his part, Sudri seemed at a loss of what to do. "My Lord, I cannot…she's…well…."

"An elf. I am and will always be thus. I was born without the choice to be anything else, nor would I wish to be any other than myself." Tauriel answered him with confidence as Kili hummed his approval.

Sudri nodded, his large, droopy hat, flopping about at the ends. He rubbed his beard and sighed, looking Thorin right in the eyes before shifting his multicolored eyes to the ground and shaking his head. "Mebelkhags ik'Erebor? Mashag…ala' bira'mashag." It was uttered under his breath, but they heard it all the same. Tauriel stiffened and Kili growled low, his entire body going rigid instantly. There were a lot of names for elves among other races, and even several within the Khuzdul language. Mebelkhags is a slur for the term, an impolite, vile, and harsh word for elf.

Thorin's eyes darkened menacingly, and he stepped up to Sudri just as Kili stepped forward, placing himself in front of Tauriel. Thorin leaned in, his deep voice rumbling low as he spoke slowly and clearly, so that his words were both heard and understood. "I will give you one warning and one alone. If I ever hear that word uttered even quietly inside my mountain, by anyone in your company, the Ukdam will cease to be allowed even within Erebor's borders ever again. Do not make the mistake of thinking she does not know what that means either, Tauriel is as fluent in our tongue as she is in common."

The leader of the Ukdam tried to hide his surprise and distaste that flashed briefly before he attempted to smother the fire. "Aye, yes, of course my Lord forgive me." Sudri stuttered, clearly not wishing to cause any more insult to the already furious sons of Durin in his tent.

Kili snapped, not one to be able to contain his temper in any way recently. "It is NOT HIM you should be apologizing to. I suggest you turn your regrets to my wife." It came out more of a snarl then anything.

Sudri stood marble still before looking at Thorin who gestured to Tauriel. The eleth, for her part, just stood watching the scene unfold. She did not fault this dwarf in his prejudices, they seemed to be inherently part of every dwarf, but it was very few who would refer to her with such a, hateful, term. With one final look towards Thorin and not even a glance at Kili, Sudri gave Tauriel a short nod. "Please, forgive me."

It was about the least amount of respect he could give and would have had Thranduil tossing him out of his kingdom instantly, and a glance at Thorin showed he was not far from doing that exact thing. But Tauriel did not want trouble, she wanted to partake in the riveting sounds and enchanting spirit that the Ukdam brought so she gave Sudri a smile. "All is forgiven."

Kili was not impressed and growled, "You should be so lucky my wife is more forgiving than I." He stepped up to Sudri, ignoring Tauriel's hand trying to pull him back. "Know this, I will be watching and listening. Do not think there is a place in this mountain you cannot be seen or heard. One word, one threat, to my wife from any in your company, and it will be your head."

The silence and lack of interference from the king under the mountain meant he wholeheartedly agreed but Tauriel tutted even as Sudri gulped audibly, trying to lean away from the young prince who looked as if he would kill this dwarf with his eyes alone. "I, yes. I will personally make sure the message is known and that no harm befalls your el…wife."

Tauriel grabbed once again for Kili's hand and pulled him back. He looked up at her narrowed eyes and the hard-set line in her lips. Ohhh, she was not happy with him. He sent her his most pleading look, and her face softened but the grip on his hand did not. He was only trying to protect her, and he will never be sorry for that. She can yell at him IF he has to kill someone, later.

Seeing as nobody was saying anything, Tauriel decided to try and ease the tension. "I cannot help but be entranced by all the sounds and colors you have brought to our mountain, it is as if your company is living art."

This did the trick. It was evident Sudri was as proud of his people as any dwarven leader and finally, a smile beamed across his face as he nodded. "It is our way, we hope, I hope I have not done us injustice by placing a shadow over our light in my words just now. We are not a warring clan, our battles are in song and dance, not with axes and swords."

Thorin and Tauriel both nodded in agreement but Kili remained still, just watching with his dark eyes. His favor would apparently need to be earned. Sudri had some cleaning up to do. "Might I interest you three in a personal tour? Our merchants will not be yet ready to sell their wares until tomorrow, but I can show you where they will be and who to speak to for some rather, unique items I happen to know are available. You should also know there will be quite the presentation in just an hour's time of song and dance. Our travels have taken us quite far and we have many a story to share in the greatest of fashions. Perhaps you can summon Prince Fili and his wife? They will not wish to miss this."

"That would not be possible, my nephew and his wife have retired for the evening. They will be down tomorrow. We will be happy to join in on a tour, however. Please, lead the way." Sudri bowed once again to Thorin and turned to guide them out of the tent.

Before they ran into anyone further, Sudri paused and turned to the royal family. "I must apologize in advance, I have not yet had a chance to prepare my people, they may be rather, surprised, that an elf lives in Erebor. Please, do not fault them until I have had a chance to speak to them this evening."

"Two." Kili said.

"Two?" Sudri asked looking between Thorin and Tauriel for clarification.

Tauriel nodded. "There are two living in Erebor, myself, and my grandfather. I am certain he will be making his way down sooner rather than later. He has been among your company before and was eager to do so again. He speaks quite highly of your company." Sudri nodded, having nothing to say. They had dealt with elves in their travels, doing business with them in different cities of man. The Ukdam will never enter an elven city, but they never refuse coin from anyone should they visit their stalls wherever they chose to settle for a time. However, never in his wildest visions would he have expected an elf to dwell in Erebor's halls, let alone one married to an heir to the throne. How times have changed.

"I will endeavor to please you and will await his visit." Sudri bowed again and then spent the greater part of an hour showing them around and introducing them to many of the venders they approached. For the most part, most just stared at Tauriel. A few muttered under their breath about her, but nothing so rude or different than what she was accustomed to. The eleth simply ignored it with practiced ease and took in the ambience of the atmosphere the Ukdam brought with them as she listened to Sudri tell them of where they have brought wares from. "I cannot wait for you to be able to partake of our market. We have many, rare and exotic items I am quite certain you have never laid your eyes upon."

Thorin lifted a brow but said nothing as he spotted his sister walking out of a tent with a frown. "Excuse me, Sudri." He stepped around the Lord who looked more than uncomfortable to be left alone with the aloof Kili and quiet elf.

Dis caught Thorin's eye and nodded her head to the side for him to follow her, though neither went far enough to lose sight of Kili and Tauriel, their elf ever the patient one was trying to get Sudri to continue his stories.

"Everything alright Dis?" Thorin placed a hand on her shoulder as a look of pain crossed her features.

"Something was bothering Viltarra today. She said she felt as if, as if something was off. I dismissed it, with how we have been the last few months, as maybe paranoia or just her anxieties but I cannot deny I feel it too. So, to ease our minds, I thought I would simply, check things out."

Thorin sighed. "On your own? Dis, you are healing as well. I thought I made it clear I did not want anyone in the family alone." He knew he had spoken to Tauriel, but he would have to clarify that in no way did he want anyone in the family without another along with them or at least a guard…preferably two.

Dis gave her brother a look, then leaned forward and whispered, "Thorin, every child that has been born in the last six months has died within hours of birth. Many of the dams have survived, but a few have succumbed to some, illness, perishing with their young not days later." Dis turned to look at Tauriel who had her hand in Kili's as they spoke with Sudri who must have given in to them, as he spoke animatedly gesturing to the structures around them.

This news did not please Thorin, who followed Dis's eyes towards Tauriel, his expecting niece. He lifted his hand off Dis's shoulder to rub it down his face. His greatest hope would be that this is a contained situation, just a fluke. How many births happen among a dwarven company of under 500 anyway? Not many. In their two years in Erebor, there have only been maybe 7 births, Finli and six others. To say every babe birthed in the Ukdam in a six-month period has died would not be a great number. Even so, it still is devastating for their people, and now that they are in his mountain, it seems will soon become his problem as well. Mahal loves testing him.

"Thorin, they will not allow outside healers to come." She hushed out. "Not even of our own people. I tried to speak with one of their healers, and he flat refused to consider having Oin assess one of the dams."

Thorin's thick brows lowered. "Is there sick among them right now!?"

"He won't say, but Fili and I ran across some younglings who said their mother was ill after birthing a babe not two weeks ago. He did not survive. Whether her illness is related to the birth, or of the heart, I cannot say without seeing her myself."

Sighing, Thorin moved his eyes back to his own children of his heart. If there was a pregnancy related illness that could cause a babe to die in birth or in the womb, it would be best to keep Tauriel away. Then again, she is an elf, her physiology different from their own. He would have to speak to her, she is after all a healer in her own right.

That was not his only issue, however. All dams in his protection could be at risk and there are two or three that he knows of right now that are with child apart from Tauriel. He cannot risk waiting for them to happen upon the ill. He would need to bring this up to Sudri, immediately.

"Dis, go take Tauriel to see Oin. Have him check her over then I want the three of you to come up with possibilities of what this could be. I will speak to Sudri with Kili. I want to know if we need to worry. They have already exposed our people should this be passable." He turned his eyes back to Dis. "We have lost enough in our fight for Erebor, I will not lose another innocent life." Nodding, Dis stepped away, Thorin looking up to send a silent prayer to Mahal before following closely behind.

Original Authors Note: Well crap. What did the Ukdam bring to Erebor? The corona virus? Better mask up and prepare yourself for more to come! PS: No it is not COVID, and no, masks will not be a part of this story. OH! And, I may have another chapter ready for you tonight! Unless I get distracted. If not, it will definitely be tomorrow. :) Get ready for some domestics. Cause they commin'. Ginger, out.