Snippets of a domesticated King.

Dedicated to Calenthion, who inspired me to complete my story "Donnabelle" and helped to translate the Khuzdul I used in that work with the help of Nikolai. She also gave me the verses I used in that to help me overcome my writer's block.

Welcome to the World

Irís, daughter of Thorin Oakenshield and Donnabelle Baggins, ran through the halls of Erebor barefooted and out of breath. Her long, golden locks were braided and landed halfway down her back. Her bright blue eyes that usually sparkled with mischief were filled with worry.

Her older sister, Florís, was the opposite. Her almost midnight black hair flowed to sit just below her shoulder blades. Her blue-green eyes, usually filled with a hard edge, had a sudden sparkle to them. She wore shoes specially designed for her to look feminine, yet were still sturdy enough for her to run around in.

The pair of them were headed to the throne room where they were sure to find their father. Both knew they were not supposed to disturb their father while he was busy doing 'king' stuff. They also knew that he accepted their interruption if it was an emergency.

And today, they knew he would want to be interrupted.

Irís wasn't really watching where she was going and around the last bend, just before the doors to the throne room, she ran into Balin. She fell backwards onto her backside. Florís skidded to a halt just as Balin reached down to offer her namadith a hand up.

"Where are you two off to in such a hurry?" the old advisor asked.

"We're looking for Adad," Irís responded. "Do you know where he is?"

"He's in an important meeting right now. Perhaps I could help?"

"Unless you're our Adad," Florís responded with a cheeky grin that reminded Balin so much of her mother, "no, you can't. Mama sent us for him."

"It wasn't Mama."

"No, you're right. It was the healer that told us to find Adad. Mama sent us for the healer." Balin raised an eyebrow. Florís was nearly bouncing on her feet as she added, "Mama said we'll meet the baby today."

The advisor swallowed and nodded. "Worthy reason for interrupting your father. Come with me." He led the two girls to Thorin's conference room. He was in the middle of a heated discussion with one of the dwarrow guilds. Fíli, Dís and Orí were also in the conference room with Thorin.

The king looked up as he spotted his daughters enter the room behind Balin. He frowned at the two of them and sent Balin a questioning glance. The advisor approached Thorin and leant down to whisper in his ear.

Thorin sat up straighter and turned sharply to look at his long-time friend. The frown he wore turned to confusion and hope. Most of the dwarrow sitting at the conference table noticed Thorin's inattention and the three newcomers. Thorin beaconed his two daughters to him and he looked at them expectantly. Florís grinned widely and moved to whisper in the King's ear. Thorin found himself grinning right back at his first born and then took his younger daughter's worry in.

He reached out and quickly ran his fingers over each of his daughters' cheeks. "She'll be fine, and so will our mizimith," he told them softly. Raising his gaze, he caught Balin's eyes.

"Go," Balin said with a slight indication with his head. "We'll watch them." The snowy-haired advisor had a smile on his face that matched Thorin's. Thorin moved so quickly out of the chamber that the other dwarrow were surprised the old dwarf could move so fast. Dís looked over at the two girls and gave them a wide grin. She figured out why the two of them had interrupted the meeting and why her brother was so quick to leave without a 'by your leave'.

Balin smiled after the retreating king and turned to the guild members. "Meeting adjourned. We will need to reschedule."

"What is so important that takes precedence over this meeting?"

Dís turned on the guild member that asked that and narrowed her eyes. "Do you expect Thorin to ignore his wife when she needs him?"

"She should know better than to interrupt an important meeting."

"Imad," Irís said, moving to her aunt's side. Dís turned to the seven-year-old. "Don't these stone heads know that Mama wouldn't interrupt Adad's meetings unless it was real important?"

Fíli's lips jerked upward slightly and schooled his features back into a blank expression.

"What could be so important that she'd send the two brats?"

Florís growled and felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Balin's expression darkened, as did Dís', Fíli's and Ori's.

"We will expect an announcement on the new prince or princess at the end of the week," Balin responded shortly. "Now, if you will excuse us, Queen Donnabelle needs our support."

S.O.A.D.K.

Thorin had one of his arms around Donnabelle. He planted a kiss on her damp forehead. In her arms, she held their new daughter against her breast.

"She's beautiful, Marlelê."

"Yeah?" Donnabelle asked as she softly ran her finger along their daughter's cheek. "So's he." Nodding her head, she indicated to the babe nestled in the crook of his other arm. The tiny boy moved his fists and turned his head toward his father's chest. His little heart-shaped mouth opened and closed. He began mewling and again shifted his head toward Thorin's broad chest.

Moving his arm from around his wife, Thorin offed his small son his smallest finger to suck. The boy latched onto the very tip and began sucking. Donnabelle smiled slightly and returned her attention to the baby nursing at her breast. The little girl seemed to have had her fill so Donnabelle detached their daughter and held her up to Thorin.

"Swap?"

Thorin smiled slightly, removed his finger from their son's greedy mouth, and allowed Donnabelle to settle their daughter in his now free arm. He then looked awkwardly between the two new-borns, trying to work out how to hand their son over.

The little boy began mewling again, searching for food. Donnabelle bit her lip and shifted so she could reach out and gather their boy in her arms. Soon both children were settled in their new places and the boy was hungrily devouring his meal. Thorin had gratified half-smile on his face as he watched his wife feed their son.

She looked up at him and shook her head, yet she too had a contented look on her face. Her gaze shifted back down to the boy in her arms. Gently, she stroked the babe's face. "I was thinking Frérin, son of Thorin, has a nice ring to it." She looked up and saw Thorin swallow around a sudden lump in his throat. He nodded.

"Frérin," he agreed. Looking down at the little girl in his own arms, Thorin traced the small figures of one perfectly crafted hand. He brought the tiny hand to his lips and kissed it. "Drís."

"That's perfect for her."

Thorin leaned over and planted another kiss on Donnabelle's forehead. "I think there a few people who want to meet these two precious treasures," he whispered. He saw her smile just as Frérin finished feeding. She lifted the boy up to her shoulder and readjusted her clothing. "I'll be back with our daughters." The king left their suite with Drís firmly held against his chest. The small girl had fallen asleep against him. He saw his family gathered outside in the living area and he smiled.

"Do we have a new brother or sister, Adad?"

The man knelt down so that Florís and Irís could see the sleeping child in his arms. "This is Drís. She's very tired right now."

"A new sister?" Florís asked. Thorin nodded. "May we hold her?"

"When she's awake. Now, there is something that I need you both to do for your mama and me."

Irís frowned. "What, Adad?"

"We're going to need your help. You see, Mama is very tired and it will be a very big help to us if you help us look after Drís… and her brother."

Florís and Irís both looked up at their father to see if he was teasing them. He gave them a reassuring smile to let them know he wasn't.

"Nadad?"

Thorin looked up at the rest of his gathered family and he nodded. "Would you like to meet Frérin?"

Dís covered her mouth as she breathed, "Twins?"

"Yes. Donnabelle wanted to keep it a secret until we could introduce them to you."

"You have a son?" Fíli asked.

Thorin stood and moved to his oldest nephew's side. He reached out and gently laid his forehead on the young dwarf's forehead. "You are still my heir, Fíli. Nothing will change that unless you want me to."

Fíli nodded and sniffed. "But your son…"

"Could be your heir, if you want it to be. I will not take the throne from you."

Those gathered around the pair smiled, and soon Thorin pulled back from his heir. He smiled at his family and asked, "Shall we meet the youngest member of the family?"

AN: Khuzdul used in story:

"namadith" is 'little sister'

'mizimith' is 'little gem'

'nadad' is 'brother'