Natural || Dwalin x OC - A Hobbit Fanfiction

45 - The Wolf and the Oak

It was another simple day of Fall. A slight chill in the air and the fire crackling under the mantel. Balín had Soldís sitting on his lap with Thorín sitting close by. They were reviewing her letters and having her learn some bigger words that were hard to get her tongue to curl around. Orí and Dorí were rolling out the pastry on the table for the apples Rurín prepared. She had a fresh sheet of cinnamon and ginger biscuits in the oven.

The kitchen smelt of crispy autumn and all the doors had been opened to get the warm aroma wafting around them. Rurín was taking a small break, sitting on a chair with a cuppa in her hand, the other placed lovingly where her babies grew. The house was always filled with people, never was it empty and brimming with love, laughter, or the latest gossip around the mountain.

Because the weather was cooling, everyone was leaving it to use most of the last good days before winter. Fíli, Kíli, and Norí had gone on a mission as hired guards to a Bree in order to sell wares at the last minute. Norí only went probably to steal but he did promise to look after the boys.

"Your R is backward," Thorín said softly to Soldís. "No... Now, that is much better."

"How are you feeling?" Dís asked. Rurín looked away from the three huddled over a slate and looked over at her sister.

"The contractions are getting worse," She hissed when the knot got pulled tighter in her pelvis.

Rurín had been having false contractions for the last few days. It's why the house was always full. Any day now the little ones would be making their appearance.

Tovî and Bombur gave birth to their second little girl, Tarvî two months prior as well as three other dams. It was a prosperous year for them, to have four bairns and two more on the way. Most days, Tovî's and Bombur's wee ones were here being looked after by Dís, Orí, and Rurín. It was a never-ending slumber party as Soldís called it.

After the contractions started though, Dís thought it would be better for the children to go home where Bofur and Bifur stepped in to care for them while Tovî regained her health. Her birthing did not go as smoothly as her others did. It was with a strong opinion on Oín's even Rurín's part that they do not have any more children. Tovî's body was not taking it as well as it should have. Six children were a good stopping point and Tovî... Had agreed.

She almost bled out and had it not been for Rurín shoving elvish tonics down her throat and using her little prayers, Tovî might have been lost. Tarvî was a very big little girl, with bright red hair and a good batch of furry cheeks but she ripped her mother apart.

Rurín was terrified after that day. She was so scared she was going to lose her friend. She was terrified for Bombur and their children and for Himlâ, who was Tovî's cousin. It was a hard night and an even harder week following that birth. Not even a week later, Oín sent Rurín home and barred her from work.

She was like a giant bag of sweet rolls. The twins laid in such a way that she expanded a great deal, forced into Dwalín's tunics. Rurín couldn't even get far without being out of breath and puffing her heart out.

"It's almost there," Dís tried to say comfortingly. Rurín rolled her eyes not unkindly.

She sat her teacup on the cozy and groaned as she struggled to get up. Dorí was there immediately helping her which she puffed a small thank you and waddled.