My Prince, My King, My Love

Chapter Thirty-Four

Thorin had been holding me in his arms for quite a while now and I was finally free of my nausea and the chill of the cold that seemed to seep right through the cloth of what was left of my clothing and into my very bones. The company had all gathered to pull their money together in order to pay the bowman what was promised in return for smuggling us into the town. My head was tucked under Thorin's chin as his arms were wrapped around my waist and shoulders, one of my hands resting on my stomach and the other resting on Thorin's chest. Through the fog Bofur spotted a large pillar, assumedly being ruins from a part of Laketown that was destroyed upon the attack of the great firey drake from the North, Smaug.
"Watch out!" Bofur called to the bowman.
The bowman turned the lever that he already held a grip to that steered the barge away from the pillar in time to save us from having to return to the cold water of the half-frozen lake, then using that same lever to maneuver our way around the ruins.
"What are you trying to do, drown us?" Thorin asked gruffly with an angered tone, his grip around me tightening with a sense of having to protect me.
"I was born and bred on these waters, Master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here." the bowman responded with smartly.
It was when Dwalin began to speak that I took the opportunity to lean up to Thorin's ear and whisper to him that I was going to go and speak with the bowman. Thorin was not pleased to hear this, but I convinced him that I knew what I was doing and if needed, I would call him over for help. He placed a kiss to my temple before begrudgingly releasing his hold on me, and then walking off to speak with Dwalin.
I walked up to the bowman, using Elene to shift my height for that of a human, and took a seat on the edge of a barrel that was near him. He cast me a glance that seemed to be one of acknowledgment, but also a soft look mixed with sadness and fondness. I frowned upon reading such emotions in him. Why did he feel such things when he looked at me? I also noticed that he held such emotions in his gaze when looking at me back when we were at the dock.
"Why do you look at me with such emotions?" I asked him directly, observing his reactions.
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you are asking milady," he responded with, obviously lying.
My frown deepened.
"You should not lie, bowman. It is bad for your health." I muttered.
The bowman raised an eyebrow in question, though he had a small smile at the corner of his lips.
"My name, milady, happens to be Bard. How is lying meant to be bad for my health, ma'am?" he asked with confusion and interest.
"Well, Bard, my name happens to be Natali. And lying is bad for your health because I do not take kindly to those who lie to me."
Bard's expression saddened upon hearing my words. He must have decided to tell the truth, for some reason that I am not sure of. Probably the threat I made upon his health.
"You remind me of someone precious to me that I lost a long time ago," he said with a pang of sadness to his tone and expression.
I stared at him, trying to figure out who it was that I reminded him of. He cast me a glance and a small, sad smile appeared on his lips at my obvious struggle and curiosity.
"My wife," he answered my voluminously silent question.
I was shocked. How did I remind him of his wife? He seemed to, once again, be able to read my mind as he then once more answered my silent question.
"You bear a striking resemblance to her and seem to share her love of children."
I smiled at the mention of my children, subconsciously placing a hand to my firming stomach. I missed Bard's gaze flicker down to my hand placed upon my stomach.
"I see that you have been blessed with a new member of your family."
I was broken out of my daydreaming by Bard's words of observation and sent him a shocked look.
"How did you-?"
"Figure it out?" Bard finished my question, giving me a look with a raised brow, "I am the father of three children, I know a pregnant woman when I see one. Does the father know?"
I shook my head with a grim expression.
"None of them know." however, I planned to inform Balin and Dwalin shortly in order to have help in dealing with the pregnancy while on the road and to assign as my extra protection detail, "I don't want the others, especially the father, to know that I am with child. Our journey has been hard, tiring, and long. I know that they all worry for me enough as it is, as well, I do not need them to worry any more than they do. Once our journey is over, then I will tell them. Whenever that is."
However, I know that it will eventually become impossible to hide my pregnancy. I am already beginning to show a little. My being half-elf and half-dwarf mean that my pregnancy will advance faster than that of a human pregnancy, or slower. It can last as long as seven to twelve months, unlike a human pregnancy of only nine months. Within the second to the third month, I should be showing noticeably, which leaves hiding the pregnancy considerably harder.
"Well, I wish you the best of luck. And if things turn sour for you in the end, my door is always open to you and your family." Bard offered.
My eyes widened in shock at his words. The shock somewhat fading, I released a small smile akin to a smirk.
"By the Valar, do you offer your house up to every woman you meet?" I sassed playfully.
Luckily, Bard did not take offense, rather he seemed to find it humorous.
"No, only the ones who have piqued my interest and proven themselves to be more than a good digging wench," Bard replied with a playful smirk.
I raised a brow at his words.
"You seem to be speaking from experience of some form or another?" I said to be more of a question.
"I suppose one could say so, yes. But it, unfortunately, is not uncommon in these parts for it to be the case when a man or woman shows interest in the opposite sex."
I frowned at his words, "It is truly saddening to know you speak the truth. For more than just your own town."

A/N: I am sorry to have made you wait so long for this update. Please forgive me. I also want to say thank you to those who have been patient with me. Thank you and I love you all! Unfortunately, I fear that my updating may take a while now. Even as long as a few weeks. But I REFUSE to give up on this story. I WILL FINISH IT! It will probably just take longer than expected. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, the next one is currently in the making. I'll see you in the next update! Stay safe, and more importantly stay happy! You all have a fantastic rest of your day/night!