I Need To Know

Summary: AU. Bilbo Baggins hoped no one would know of his predicament, especially Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain. Bilbo/Thorin; mpreg.

-x-

A/N: I can only offer a thousand apologies and a new chapter for everyone who has been waiting. Work has been hellish and I have had a severe case of writer's block that has made me almost sob into my keyboard on more than half a dozen occasions, so I am so sorry to people who have been waiting. A little head's up about this chapter. Thranduil has arrived in this chapter and he's a bit of a first-class ass. But going with the end of BoFA movie, then it is kinda understandable. It's all explained in the chapter. I'm not quite 100% on how to write Thranduil at the moment but I gave it a shot. Please don't shoot me. Anyway, without further ado, read on. x

#11.

Thorin Oakenshield's peaceful slumber was interrupted by an annoying scratching noise, making him open his eyes to see Bilbo's side of the bed empty and his husband sitting over at the desk, penning something with a quill. Running a large hand over his face, he propped himself up on his elbow and simply watched Bilbo. He sat quite content in his chair, wearing only a crimson robe. He was surprised Bilbo was awake after their eventful wedding night. He himself could have slept for a month with no disruptions after their wonderful night together. They had slept contentedly after their first union as a married dwarf and hobbit, but Thorin knew once wouldn't sate their desire for each other. They had woken up within moments of each other and spent most of the night into the early hours exploring each other thoroughly until they were a sated mess in each other's arms. It was wonderful.

"Bilbo?" he whispered, his voice thick with sleep. The hobbit turned his head to his husband, smiling gently.

"Did I wake you?" he asked, an apology in his eyes.

"No, dear one," Thorin said, even though it wasn't quite true. "What are you doing?" Bilbo looked down to the parchment he was writing on before looking back at Thorin.

"I am writing a letter home, to let them know I am now a prince consort. Me!" Bilbo chuckled. He paused for a few moments. "I was always the lonely bachelor hobbit of Bag End, according to everyone. 'Mad Baggins' they called me. Now here I am, married to royalty, happily I might add." He took a deep breath. "I am only writing to those who matter. The Gamgee's, really. Just to let them know that Frodo and Thyra are well and we are all happy."

"And you are?"

"Hmm?" Bilbo's brow creased gently.

"Happy?" Thorin laid his head down on the pillow again, watching the hobbit. Bilbo put down his quill and rose from his chair and moved over to the bed. He quickly shed his robe and slid under the sheets next to Thorin, who took him in his arms immediately.

"Immensely! I have never been happier," he whispered gently, running his fingers through Thorin's messy bed hair. "I love you, and the children, and all the dwarves I have learned to call family. I thought I would miss the Shire more, but here I am and I am here to stay, firmly by your side." Thorin felt his heart was fit to burst with happiness as he pulled Bilbo closer to him, rubbing his bearded chin against Bilbo's cheek, making the hobbit snuggle into him gently. Bilbo's lips found his king's and he kissed him slowly, savouring the taste of Thorin on his lips. Thorin pulled him closer, Bilbo feeling the king's arousal against him. Heated kissing turned into panting breaths and loving touches until Thorin was once again one with his hobbit. Bilbo could only hold Thorin tightly to him as the king moved within his body. Their union was slow yet passionate this time, not like earlier in the night. Thorin buried his head in Bilbo's shoulder, kissing the soft skin there gently.

"Hmm, Bilbo," he moaned gently against the hobbit's skin. Bilbo savoured the feel of his king against him and inside him until both of them shuddered in each other's arms in a silent climax, their bodies sticky with sweat.

"If you keep this up, I will not want to get out of bed," Bilbo said, when their breathing had returned to normal. Thorin chuckled, pressing a kiss to his consort's forehead.

"We can't have that now, can we?" Thorin said smiling. "We do need to leave the bed, I'm afraid. We have to be present in the throne room. Thranduil and Bard are both coming to 'bestow their blessings upon the new princess'. Those are Dis' words, not mine." He sighed gently. "I could be doing without that confounded elf. I do not need his blessing upon my daughter." Bilbo kissed him gently.

"Just be pleasant and then we can spend the rest of the day with the children, yes?" he said. "I will be right there with you in the throne room." He leaned in to kiss Thorin once more when a knock came on the door. Thorin sighed and touched his forehead to his consort's before climbing out of bed and pulling on his midnight blue robe. He went to the door and cracked it open, only to see Fili standing there with a red-faced Thyra in his arms. Thorin's heart broke at her teary eyes and red cheeks.

"She was crying out for her 'da'," Fili said with a smile. Thorin took her into his arms, her little body melting into his embrace as he held her close. "I'm going back to bed for a while." Thorin nodded to his nephew.

"Thank you, Fili," he said and closed the door. He turned to the bed where Bilbo sat, pulling on his sleep shirt and trousers. Thyra's face lit up when she saw Bilbo, who beckoned for Thorin to come closer.

"Are you alright my darling?" Bilbo asked softly, his finger tracing her round cheek. Thyra sniffed gently and stuck her thumb in her mouth, eyes watching Bilbo intently. She was the most beautiful little thing he had ever seen in his life. He took her from Thorin's arms and pulled her close to his chest.

"We still have time before Bard and Thranduil come, yes?" Bilbo asked Thorin. The king nodded, cupping Bilbo's face gently. "Good." He shimmied back onto the bed and lay down, gesturing for Thorin to get back into bed with him and Thyra. Thorin did as he was told and climbed in, moving close to embrace his consort and his daughter. He would always have time for them.

-x-

The tension in the throne room was high. Bilbo had stood with Thorin in their chambers while they dressed listening to the dwarf rant about 'blasted elves' and how he was unhappy that Thranduil was coming to the mountain. Bilbo had all but yelled at him, telling him to deal with it and get it over with. Thorin sat on the throne, Bilbo standing by his side, his hand clasped in the kings as he held Thyra on his hip on the other side, the little princess sucking on her thumb as her tired eyes watched their visitors. Bard and his guardsmen entered the throne room first, moving up in front of the king and his consort, as well as Dis, Fili, Kili, Thyra, Frodo, Dwalin and Balin. He bent his knee before Thorin, his guards followed suit, bowing their heads low to him before standing once again.

"Your Majesty," Bard said. Thorin stood from his throne and held his hand out to Bard, who looked a little shocked before he took it, shaking hands in camaraderie. Both dwarf and man smiled gently at each other before they dropped hands, Thorin sitting down once again. "I hope this day sees you well, Thorin."

"Very well, Bard," he said. "Welcome to Erebor. I am just glad this time it is under better circumstances."

"That it is, for sure," he said before turning his gaze to Bilbo. He bowed once more to the hobbit. "My prince. How good to see you again." Bilbo smiled brightly and moved forward to embrace Bard in a one armed hug the best he could with Thyra on his hip. After the battle, before he had realised he was carrying Thyra, Bilbo had spent time with Bard in Dale from time to time and they had become firm friends. "And the beautiful little princess." Bard bowed his head to Thyra, who smiled gently around her thumb and buried her face in Bilbo's dwarven robes. Bilbo could only smile. "We hope you will accept the gifts I bring for the princess. Our women have put together some fine dresses and outfits for her, dwarven in style I assure you. We'd be honoured if you would take them." Thorin nodded and Bard stepped aside so that one of his guards could come forward with a chest, opening it and finding the clothing inside, beautiful colours and fine fabrics. Ever since they had taken back the mountain, riches had travelled back to the city and returned Dale to its glory, trade flowing freely once again.

"Fine gifts for a fine little princess," Thorin said, reaching over to touch Thyra's little hand. She reached over to Thorin, who took her in his arms and sat her down on his knee, her head rested against the soft furs of his coat. "I thank you for your generosity, Bard. You will stay and have supper with us this evening, yes?"

"I shall be glad to, your majesty," he said, bowing once more.

"Thank you for your gifts, Bard. We are very grateful," Bilbo said, from Thorin's side, taking the king's free hand once again.

"You are very welcome, my prince. I shall leave you now and let you see to your ... other guest," he said with a slight smile. Thorin growled lightly in his throat, Bilbo squeezing his hand gently as they watched Bard and his guardsmen depart. Thorin took a deep breath, closing his eyes before he exhaled again.

"Just breathe Thorin. Don't start any fights with him and it'll be over before you know it," Bilbo said. Thorin sat up straight in his throne when the announcement of Thranduil came, the elf and his guards walking into the vast halls. It almost seemed like Thranduil walked in slow motion, the elf almost gliding up to the dwarves. He was a bright light in the dark halls. His eyes were fixed on Thorin's, the dwarf king staring him down. He held Thyra on his lap, holding her close to him. The elvenking's eyes moved to the little princess when he stopped in front of the royal family. He bowed only his head to Thorin, who did the same back out of courtesy.

"Thranduil," Thorin said, darkly. That made the elf smirk.

"Thorin," the elf replied."How ... wonderful it is to see you and your mountain and your people prosper once more." Thorin scoffed, making Bilbo dig his nails into Thorin's hand in warning. The king winced gently before adjusting himself in his throne and Thyra on his lap, sitting up straight to face off the elf in front of him.

"And how wonderful it is to have you here, my lord Thranduil," Bilbo said, on Thorin's behalf. The dwarf was scowling so much that Bilbo was sure his face would stay that way. "Isn't it, Thorin?" Thorin looked at Bilbo, whose eyes were furious. Thorin turned back to Thranduil and smirked in a sarcastic manner.

"Aye, indeed it is," he said, looking down suddenly at Thyra as she pulled on one of his braids and exclaimed 'da' at him.

"Since it is a great honour to be here in front of you, oh noble King under the Mountain, I am here to bestow a gift to the little princess. You must be proud, Thorin Oakenshield," Thranduil said, his voice filled with sarcasm. "You sit there with no male heir of your own, the next in line one of your sister-son's and your people rejoice over a half-breed child ..."

"Excuse me!" Bilbo exclaimed from next to Thorin before Thorin could even think of moving from his throne. "My daughter may be from two different races but you have no right to come to our kingdom and use derogatory terms against her. She is merely a babe. What right do you have?"

"You cannot speak to me ..."

"I can speak to you how I damn well please. We are not in Mirkwood now, my lord, and you have no right to judge anyone. Anyone can fall in love and have children. That is what Thorin and I did and she is loved by everyone. If you have anything else to say, you can take yourself back to Mirkwood and stay there," Bilbo yelled. In the whole time he had been yelling, he had moved closer to Thranduil, who had stepped back from the angry consort, eyes widened and mouth slacked in surprise. Everyone in the room stood in tense silence before Bilbo spoke again, gently this time. "Please, I do not want to fight with anyone. My daughter does not need this. She will grow up in a big family who will all love her dearly for what she is. She may not be on the throne but we will bring her up properly. Can you not see this?" Thranduil finally dropped his eyes from Bilbo to the floor. Then he turned to his guard and took the chest that the guard held and walked to Bilbo.

"I ... will present this to you, my prince," Thranduil said. "I did not mean my words to be harsh. You, Bilbo Baggins, will always be an elf-friend." Thranduil put the chest down at Bilbo's feet and bowed his head gently to him, not looking at anyone else before he turned on his heel, his robes flowing easily around his feet, and moved to leave throne room. Bilbo watched him go, everyone behind him still silent watching the elf walk away. Bilbo looked down at the chest at his feet before kneeling down before it, opening it. There was a beautiful diadem inside, resting on a bed of velvet. Bilbo looked up at Thranduil who was just about to leave the room.

"Wait!" Bilbo called, moving down the steps in front of the throne. Thranduil stilled and turned to the hobbit. "Why would you give us such a gift?"

"I may seem cold-hearted, my prince, but only because my life has no warmth in it anymore. I had always thought to give it to the elf maiden that my son would pledge himself to. But alas, my son has departed. I know not when I will see him again. It only serves as a reminder. I would be honoured, Bilbo Baggins, if you would take it for your daughter," Thranduil said. Bilbo bowed to the elf and the elf to him.

"I thank you ... and I am sorry I yelled," Bilbo said, his cheeks tinted red in embarrassment.

"I deserved it. I shall depart now," he said and he left the throne room. Bilbo stood gazing at where Thranduil had stood for a while before Fili and Kili were at his side, hugging him.

"You were amazing, uncle," Kili said. Bilbo turned to his nephews and he smiled gently.

"He's not a bad elf, really," Bilbo said, looking up at Thorin, who sat watching him with such pride in his eyes. "I just dislike my daughter being called such things." Thorin got up from the throne, moving over to Bilbo with Thyra balanced on his hip and pulled his husband in for a kiss, their lips meeting passionately before Thorin deepened the kiss a little, pulling the air from Bilbo's lungs before they parted, panting heavily. Thorin rested his forehead against Bilbo's before Thyra giggled suddenly between them, pressing her own forehead to Thorin's cheek as she reached for Bilbo's small braid tucked behind his pointed ear.

"You did well, my husband. You are ... amazing," the king said, causing Bilbo to blush gently.

"I have never seen anything like. Thranduil looked ready to run," Kili laughed.

"I thought uncle was going to rip into him," Fili said.

"I think we all did, lad," Dwalin said, lifting little Frodo from the ground where he was standing. Bilbo could only blush.

"I do feel bad about yelling at him. He was only like that towards us because his son has left him. He has no family left," Bilbo said. Thorin was going to say something but Bilbo stopped him. "No, Thorin, listen. If you didn't have any of us here with you and you were alone, you'd feel just as bad as he did. He's cold but he's not heartless. He's just ... heartbroken and it hurt him to see us all here together when he has no one." Thorin sighed gently and nodded.

"I know you are right, little one ... but that doesn't stop me from disliking him. I have my reasons, as well you know," he said. Bilbo nodded.

"I know, love. Anyway, it's done now," he said. "Let us go have lunch. The little ones will be hungry." Thyra giggled and started gumming at Thorin's bead at the end of his braid. "Come on. Let's go and see what delicious things Bombur has got cooking."

-x-

"Come on, Thyra. Come to da," Thorin said to his daughter as Bilbo helped her stand, holding her upright on her hobbit feet as Thorin held his arms out for her as she watched him, beaming proudly. Bilbo gently urged her forward and she began to move her little feet, walking towards Thorin. Bilbo slowly let go of one hand, her balance wavering a little but she stayed upright with the help of Bilbo's other hand until she was close enough to Thorin and he let her go completely, staying behind her just in case she fell back. But her slightly larger hobbit feet kept her balance and she toddled the few extra steps to Thorin by herself and almost threw herself into his embrace. He lifted her up in his large hands above his head and brought her down enough to blow raspberries on her tummy, which had her squealing and giggling, making Bilbo laugh too.

"You're so good with her, Thorin," Bilbo said, sitting down on the floor beside his husband as Thorin brought Thyra down into his lap, where she snuggled against his front. Thorin smiled at Bilbo before he pulled him into his side from where they were on the floor of their bedroom.

"I love you both so much, Frodo too," Thorin said, promptly pressing a kiss to Bilbo's lips. He felt Thyra wriggle in his lap and shimmy out of it onto the floor. He pulled away from Bilbo and watched Thyra as she crawled around the room in her sleep shirt, pulling herself up on various pieces of furniture.

"I think we need to keep as many pairs of eyes on her now if she's trying to walk, little terror," Bilbo chuckled. Thorin nodded.

"Agreed."

You know what to do. :) x