Chapter 29

"You've seemed to settle back into a routine," said Balin entering Thorin's study.

The king had sequestered himself to his study daily to review papers and catch up on correspondence he had missed in his absence. He made certain his time in his study was short, and the rest of his time was spent with his wife. They walked the halls of Erebor, visited Hedina, Valdrus, and Dinvale, and occasionally locked themselves in the library to read together, or have quiet talks. He hadn't realized how much he had missed simply speaking with Kaleria while he was gone. Her charm and wit had no equal.

Thorin looked up at Balin. "I do my best to keep my time here short."

"Aye, that pretty wife of yours appreciates the gesture I'm sure." Balin smiled.

"She does her best to pretend she doesn't miss me while I'm here, but her eyes sparkle when she sees me. I can only imagine how my face contorts when I look at her." Thorin smiled at the image of her in his head as he scrawled his name at the bottom of the page he was signing.

Balin gave the king a knowing look. "You never look happier than when you look at her. It's amazing how she seems to lift the weight of the mountain from your shoulders with just her presence."

"That she does," agreed Thorin.

The men sat there for a quiet moment looking at maps and requests from throughout the mountain. Their shared silence was interrupted by the door to the study being thrown open by Cardeena.

She looked pale standing in the doorway and not saying a word. Thorin waited for her to speak, but when she didn't, he stood from his desk and approached her, knowing the news had something to do with Kaleria.

"Cardeena, what is it?" He asked.

She swallowed hard then spoke. "She's having the baby. Now."

It was Thorin's turn to go pale. The breath left his body and he stood frozen looking at the maid. He couldn't choke out any of the questions that bounced around in his head.

"For Mahal's sake," said Balin, breaking their spell. "Go to your wife!"

Thorin looked at Balin and the bells went off in his head to run.

He sprinted for their chambers, not caring who and what he bumped along the way. It was the fastest Thorin had run in his entire life. No warg or orc or elf could catch him if they tried. His mind could only think of Kaleria as he took each step.

Finally he arrived at their door and he burst into their room. His eyes landed on the bed where Kaleria lay tucked within the sheets, moaning loudly with her eyes sealed shut. Thorin crossed the room to their bed and took her hand.

"My love, are you alright?" He asked, taking in her anguished expression.

Kaleria opened her eyes slowly and gave a soft smile when she saw him. "You're here."

"Of course, I'm here." Thorin pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "I came as soon as I knew. I scared half the kingdom running here."

Kaleria took a few deep breaths as she relaxed back into the bed. "I told Cardeena not to make you worry."

"It wasn't her fault. I worry about you all the time." Thorin brushed a strand of hair back from her face.

She smiled only slightly, before another wave of pain crashed over her and she groaned while she squeezed Thorin's hand with more strength than he knew she had. He tried to soothe her as the pain continued on, until it reached its peak and subsided.

Thorin stared helplessly at her. "What can I do? How can I help you?"

"I don't think this is a problem you can fix, my king," she teased.

Despite himself Thorin let out a laugh.

Their moment was broken as the doors to their chambers flew open and a group of people flooded into the room. Dis led the charge followed by Oin and some of his best healers.

Dis joined Thorin at the side of the bed and smiled widely. "It's time! Are you excited to meet your child?"

Kaleria looked at her. "Excited. Nervous. Scared out of my mind."

Thorin's face grew white.

Kaleria turned to him. "It'll be alright."

He nodded quickly, unable to speak.

Dis patted her brother on the back. "Come on, Thorin. Let's give Oin and his team room to help your darling wife."

Thorin held tighter to Kaleria's hand and stared deeply into her eyes. "I'll be right outside this door."

"I love you," said Kaleria, softly.

Thorin pressed his lips to her forehead for a long moment. "I love you, too."

Dis took his arm and tugged lightly. Thorin acknowledged her and let go of his wife's hand slowly. He turned and followed Dis to the door, but cast one last glance at Kaleria as the healers scurried around her, trying to make her comfortable. He memorized every inch of her face, until she was blocked from view and Dis pulled him through the door and into the hallway.

A crowd had gathered outside of Kaleria and Thorin's door as news spread of the queen on the verge of giving birth. Besides Dis, Fili and Kili had appeared, their faces a mix of excitement and utter panic. Balin and Dwalin stood off to the side, neither one knowing what to do for their king. Hedina and Valdrus had made their way to the door with little Dinvale in tow. He soon became the entertainment for everyone gathered in the hallway.

All except Thorin.

He paced mercilessly in front of the door, waiting for a chance to be let back in. Each time he heard a shout from Kaleria he had to fight every instinct to rush into the room. At one point, Kaleria let out a scream so gut wrenching and then fell silent. Thorin froze waiting, begging for another sound to pass through the door. Each tick of silence felt like a cold knife into his heart.

Another scream rang out from the room, and Thorin nearly collapsed from the relief flooding his body.

Dis went to his side and held him up. "Thorin, it will be alright."

"You don't remember what it was like," said Thorin.

"What do you mean?" Dis furrowed her brows.

Thorin stared at the floor, unable to look at his sister. "When mother died."

Dis' face fell, understanding creeping up her spine. Her mother had died giving birth to her. She hadn't realized Thorin had been there to witness it.

"You were there?" She asked.

He nodded. "We were gathered outside her room like we are now. Every scream and every cry I wanted to go in there and help her, but father pushed me away. He said 'A man's place is to wait in the hall, while the women care for the babe.'"

"I'm sorry, Thorin–"

"Don't," Thorin took her hand. "I didn't tell you that to make you sorry. I am thankful everyday to have you as my sister."

She nodded her understanding and he continued.

"But I am terrified of losing my wife. In this moment where I can do nothing, but sit here and wait. I can't draw my sword and defend her. I have to wait, helplessly." Thorin's eyes teared.

Dis squeezed his hand tighter. "She knows you are out here waiting for her, sending her strength. She is stronger than both of us, Thorin. She will survive this. You will have your family."

Thorin pulled Dis into a hug and held onto her for a long time. He didn't care that the others hid their gazes, not wanting to stare. He knew he needed to pull himself together for Kaleria's sake, but he had never felt more weak in all his life.