Chapter 6

The infirmary had advanced beyond a line of beds against each wall and a few healers to care for the sick. After Kaleria's experience in the infirmary, she decided to expand the space to add more beds and more surgery stations, and also train more healers to care for the sick and injured. Oin appreciated having more help and better materials to care for his patients.

When she wasn't in council meetings or performing other queenly duties, Kaleria volunteered her time in the infirmary. She mainly visited patients, but the more time she had spent there, the more she had learned from the healers.

She was assisting one healer in stitching a cut on the arm of a little girl, who worked in a seamstress shop. Kaleria sat next to the girl holding her steady, and stroking her hair.

"You're doing so well, little one."

The girl flinched as the healer pulled the stitch tight. She buried her head into Kaleria's chest, squeezing her eyes shut to avoid seeing the needle go through her arm.

Kaleria pulled her closer. "It's alright. You're almost done."

The healer tied off the stitch and cut the excess thread to free the girl from the needle. Then she applied a cream to the cut and wrapped it in a long, thin piece of clean cloth. When the healer was finished, she offered the girl a piece of candy.

"You did so well, you deserve a treat." The healer told her.

The girl turned hesitantly and saw the candy in the healer's hand. She reached out slowly and took the offered candy and plopped it in her mouth.

"Well done. You are very brave," encouraged Kaleria.

The little girl smiled wide before crushing Kaleria in a strong hug. The queen under the mountain hugged her back. The girl released her first and jumped down from the bench they had been seated on. She waved goodbye, then took off running out of the infirmary doors and presumably home.

"You are very good with children," observed the healer to Kaleria.

Kaleria helped gather the supplies to put them away. "Children like her make it easy. She was very well mannered for a young girl."

"That is true," the healer started putting away supplies, "but not many dwarves would show such tenderness."

"Kindness should be free," surmised Kaleria.

The healer stopped and stared at her queen. "You will be a great mother."

Kaleria stopped short and looked up at her. "What makes you say that?"

The healer gestured to Kaleria's face. "You have that glow about you. Congratulations, my queen."

The healer turned and left Kaleria standing at the supply cabinet, dumbstruck. It had been months since she and Thorin had started trying for a baby. Every failed attempt made Kaleria believe there was a problem with her. She knew she was too old to be having a child, but she had hoped there would be a chance of success; however, now that this healer woman was insinuating she was with child, Kaleria could not believe it.

Suddenly, the room seemed to spin and Kaleria's knees went weak. She leaned on the table for support, trying to balance herself. As soon as the dizziness wore off, Kaleria began the walk back to her chambers. From the infirmary, it was a long walk down two straight hallways that luckily had few people in them. She tried to be as polite as she could, but her only focus was to reach her chambers without falling.

Once inside her room, Kaleria thought she was safe, but a strong feeling swept over her. Her stomach bubbled, her throat tightened, and she clasped a hand over her mouth. She ran for the empty water basin on her vanity and barely made it before the contents of her stomach made a second appearance. When she was finished heaving, she washed her mouth out and spit into the basin, then she stumbled to the door.

A guard was walking the hall outside and she called to him.

"Guard, please help me."

"What is it, your majesty?" The young guard looked instantly panicked.

"You know my lady's maid, Cardeena?"

He nodded vigorously.

"Please find her and send her to my chambers as quickly as you can." Kaleria took a deep breath as another wave of nausea swept over her.

"Yes, milady." The young guard sprinted to find Cardeena.

Kaleria applauded his speed and dedication to his task. She left the door cracked on her room and went over to her chair in the sitting area. She slumped down into the chair, keeping her movements minimal to avoid another wave.

Soon, a knock sounded on her door.

"My queen? Are you alright?" Cardeena entered the chamber.

"I'm not sure that I am," said Kaleria, weakly.

"Oh my!" Cardeena rushed over to her and took her hand ."What happened?"

"I've become very ill."

Cardeena lifted her from the chair. "Let's get you cleaned up and put to bed."

The two women made slow progress to the bed, but reached it with Kaleria still on her feet. Cardeena sat her on the edge of the bed, while she grabbed a nightgown from the wardrobe. She grabbed a washcloth and wet it in cool water to wipe down Kaleria's face. She began untying the dress Kaleria had on, and soon the queen was snuggled into the bed.

"Cardeena," said Kaleria. "I know I've asked so much of you, but will you find Thorin and tell him what happened? Please insist that I am alright and he should tend to his duties. We both know how he overreacts."

"Yes, of course. I will go find him now. Please get some rest." Cardeena left the room in search of the king.

She asked every guard she went past if they knew where the king had gone. With each vague answer, she grew closer and closer, until she found him talking to a group of merchants in the market.

"Your highness?"

Thorin paused in his sentence and turned to his addressee. "Cardeena, what can I help you with?"

"May I have a moment of your time? Alone?" She emphasized her last word, glancing at the merchants behind him.

Thorin turned back to the group. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Thorin led Cardeena to an empty space between two shops.

"What is it, Cardeena?"

She looked around to make sure they were alone. "Mistress Kaleria asked me to find you. She grew ill suddenly, and is currently in bed in your chambers."

"What? Is she alright?" He questioned, the color draining from his face.

"I believe so, sir. She told me to tell you to finish your duties, and not to rush to your chamber." Cardeena reported.

Thorin nodded. "And what would you suggest I do?"

Cardeena flinched, taken aback by him asking her opinion. "I trust Mistress Kaleria when she says she is alright, but I saw her and she looks miserable. If you have nothing important to tend to today, you should go be with your wife."

"Thank you for your honesty." Thorin mentally checked all the things he had to do, before he pulled out a piece of parchment with his lists. "Will you please take this to my sister, and inform her about Kaleria? Tell her to finish as many tasks as she can, and I'll check on her later."

"Yes, your highness." Cardeena took the parchment and began her new search for Dis.

Thorin went to the merchants who were still waiting for him. "My apologies, but I have urgent business to tend to. I will return in a few days to finish our discussion."

He didn't wait for them to confirm or deny his plan. Thorin nearly ran through the crowd that had gathered in the market. He needed to make sure Kaleria was okay. She was his entire word, and he couldn't afford to lose her.

He reached their chambers in record time and entered quietly. He saw Kaleria curled up in bed with her back to him. He kicked off his boots and discarded his coat before crawling into bed behind her. He pressed his body as close as he could to hers and wrapped his arm around her waist to draw her in close. As he settled into the pillow, she stirred.

"Thorin?" She asked, barely raising her head.

"Yes, Kaleria. It's me." He nuzzled the back of her head.

"I told Cardeena you didn't need to come." She pressed her back into his chest, soaking up his warmth.

"I know," he replied, the vibrations of his voice tickling her ear. "But I make my own decisions, and I decided I needed to be with my wife."

Kaleria hummed softly. "I'm happy you're here."

"Me too. Now, rest." He kissed the side of her head, then pulled her as close as he could. Kaleria snuggled into him and the soft bed, and drifted to sleep feeling better than ever.