¹⁷⁾ a chest pressed warmly against a back
Touch prompt from Idunn
“Lass” came a soft yet spine tingling familiar voice from behind-
it had been a month or so since the wedding celebration, surrounded by family and friends, well wishes and support that took so long to finally see, but now it was just them, always alone, in their quarters. And after the family gatherings had dwindled, the constant longing for one of their own began to creep into their conversations, they their dreams, in passing when they came home from their respective tasks in the mountains ‘i saw the thickest baby in the market today’ and ‘i bought new boots and they had the smallest pair on display I’ve ever seen, i couldn’t leave without them’ and similar happenings but they always stepped around it as they just only been married for not long enough in their opinion, but they were adults now.. right?
“Aye my husband” Idunn offered, the feeling of tender’s lips against her temple, a broad warm chest at her back, and large hands encompassing her hips continued as the room was quiet save for the dimming fire in the room. They had just winded down for the night, ate dinner, bathed and were ready to relax and enjoy their evening but fili had plans apparently for his little wife.
“I ‘wanted t’ ask ye something” he stated lowly a slight riled tone in his voice yet the focus was forwardly leaning in the conversation “speak then?” she continued feeling the heat rise to her neck and cheeks steadily as the giddy feeling she found to love never faded as many said it would, at least it wasn’t possible when the dwarf constantly engaged in actions such as these. Her finger fingers overlayed his as he nuzzled into the make of her neck tenderly offering gently kisses between pauses
“I think it’s time we start trying for a wee one” he said calmly as he smiled against the shell of her ear “its been enough talks of them, me have the knowledge of the process.. and we should start trying, an’ not jus’ fer fun”. He stated and paused as he rocked her in his arms before turning her around to look into her eyes his arms firmly holding her there so she couldn’t escape the conversation as he usually let her escape but now he was sure and wanted to see her emotions and get a read
“I know we ‘ave interest, but. Are ye ready lass?” He asked her before planting tender lingering kisses to her lips and another and another as she thought further “lass” he pressed again and she smiled “i was enjoying the kisses i don’t ‘ave t’ think love” she said with a beaming smile as she watched him light up like the sun
“Oh you’ve made me the happiest dwarf in Arda lass!” He exclaimed happily picking her up and swinging her around with joy, but when he placed her back down he scooped her up and marched her over to the bed with determined steps kissing her with firm and playful pecks showing his gratitude before he tossed her into the bed “oh no no no i change me mind!” She teased as he climbed up over her with a playful smirk “oh no ye can’t take it back, ye can’t go back on a deal with a dwarf!” He said as he then tickled her a bit nuzzling his nose in her neck before he stopped and relaxed the sensation with lingering kisses and sultry laughs knowing he had her right where they longed to be but now they were ready to go further and make it count that night and nights following in hopes of a child.. or two.
•
“Ye feel any different lass?” Fili asked gently as they were walking through the markets in erebor. New merchants came in to the free square and they were making a day of perusing, though he was curious if his wife felt any different. It had been weeks since they started trying for a child, and if he was honest he didn’t have the slightest clue of what to look for. Since said the lady would glow, but she always did to him, she was his light and she was always beautiful, and now that they are married he admitted to seeing her with a healthy weight gain now as well but was it a child or happy weight??
@idunnthedwarrowdam
"I don't rightly know... if it took, this would be my first, i hope you are aware." Idunn reminded him with a mirthful smile even as understanding lit her eyes. She took a breath to refocus before she began to try to decipher if she felt any difference.
She wasn't completely sure, though she thought there might be some signs. She had been more tired lately, and she had been more tender on her chest, but she didn't want to believe it until she had confirmation. These things could easily just be her mind tricking her, and she would hate for them both to be disappointed. She bit her lip before she turned to Fili, "we can always check woth Oin or Bodil?" She offered even though neither would guarantee the possible secret from reaching their families.
@uzbadyand
He palmed his forehead with an eye roll “oh aye of course, i don’t even know why I’m askin’ all this” he said with a light laugh then leaned in and said under his breath “i mean we can keep trying until it’s sure-then again that could be why yer tired and are sensitive in the chest” he said with a wink laughing as he watched her turn bright red and push him as he was embarrassing her but she laughed as he draped his arm round her shoulder and then sighed happily
“Yes i do think we should check with either of them, either way we know all leaks came out of yer family” he stated half joking but honest as they were all her family “im sure we can have peace for a little while at least. If anythin’ they will just start buyin’ us things or lingerin’ so we’ll know then.” Fili smiled and saw a food cart roasting some mushrooms and chicken meat with a savory sauce and he navigated them to the cart as they looked over the menu, and being a bit surprised seeing a dwarf from the white mountains here but worried if he’d be seen as rude to point out they were different.
@idunnthedwarrowdam
Idunn smiled at him, both amused and understanding again. "We both are hopeful, and at least you asked me something i will be more able to answer later. I think it might be too early for me to recognize and connect any oddities, " Idunn told him gently before blushing at his next words. She pushed him before laughing, and it was only her good humor that kept her from even mock threatening to share the tenderness with him.
Idunn covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter. He wasn't wrong. Her family tended to share news with each other without thought of what might have been meant to stay secret between one of two people. "At least it usually never goes beyond the company and family," she pointed out with a smile.
She smiled and giggled a bit as he wasn't wrong. If they had for some reason not wanted to know, their family would not be subtle enough to hide it from them. Idunn looked over the menu, trying to decide what she wanted to eat. She would admit to not being a big fan of mushrooms, and she was uncertain about the sauce. Idunn looked at the other dwarf before speaking, "Pardon me, might i ask about the savory sauce? I am uncertain how yours might differ since you might have access to different ingredients than the ones we have here."
@uzbadyand
At that same smiled and clasped her hands as she’s looked around her cart “oh would you like a sample? I can put the sauces on some chicken and you can see what you like? Some are sweet some are savory, others a mix and then any can become spicy “ she said excitedly “though so far i haven’t sold much spicy, no tolerance here but I’m hoping to change that” she said a bit dejectedly and then a twinkle of determination flashed in her eye “one second ill get you some samples”
She said and quickly grilled some more chicken quickly and then placed many pieces on a piece of steamed leaf and with little knotted wood picks she individually dipped each in a different sauce and placed it back on it before handing off the food to fili and he smiled “oh that looks delicious” he said as he pointed a bit “which one is the spicy one?” He asked and she smiled with a little mischief “the reddish one with the red flakes” she said watching intently and he looked back as he grabbed it and took a big bite but left enough for idunn to try it too and he waited for it to kick in “oh that ain’t to bhaa-hoo, oh wait” he said as it felt the heat grow at the back of his tongue much to the hilarity of the dwarf in the cart
“Yeah it’s a grower” she said laughing at him sucking in air with hope “i wasn’t prepared! “ he said laughing back “how do i cool it???” He asked as gods eyes started to water a bit and she grabbed a cup and poured a sweet fruity and creamy drink for him to drink for the heat ,she also poured one for idunn as well “ here it’s pretty good, and the sauces aren’t all spicy, that’s just one i like but i don’t have them all set up correctly but the rest of the sauces arnt spicy, he just started with that one haha” she said with a bright smile her nose ring hitting her lip as she smiled
“That one in the very middle us savory with a hint if sweet to it. The one next to it has a very very mild heat, just like black pepper and is savory as well. Honestly they all are with variations in flavor because of the herbs i use.” She said as she waited for her to try it while fili recovered enjoying the sweet drink “ oh thas good”
@idunnthedwarrowdam
Idunn listened with keen interest while not a great cook herself, Idunn loved food and loved to watch those passionate about cooking work. "Oh, yes, please." Idunn replied in regards to samples. She was excited to try them and already hoping she favored multiple of the sauces as it all did smell delicious.
Idunn covered her mouth with her hand, already having an inkling of what was going to happen. She did her best to stiffle her laughter as she instead reached for one of the ones that she'd been told wasn't as spicy. She hoped that she would like the spicy one when she tried it, but she didn't want to burn her tongue immediately.
Idunn took her time trying and chewing each piece so she would get the full effect. She found that she didn't dislike any of them, though she had some that she favored more. She was down to the spicy one left, and her eye twinkled a bit in mischief. If she was able to eat it without making a fool of herself, she would definitely be bringing it up with the company and letting them tease Fili, after they tried it themselves at least.
Idunn picked up the spicy piece and took a smaller bite, not from fear but because she had a theory on how she could best eat it. She felt the burn not long into chewing, and her eyes started to sweat a bit, but she put the rest of the piece in her mouth, and it soothed her throat at least temporarily.
She hummed happily, reaching for the cup to soothe it the rest of the way. It was in her top three favorites. The bite of it definitely made her sweat, but the flavor was so good she wanted to keep eating it. The repeated burn and soothe of the spices made her want to laugh a bit. "This one is definitely in the top 3 of my favorite sauces you have," Idunn told her, sending Fili a teasing smile.
@uzbadyand
Fili had started to eat the others watching her choices and anticipating the time when she finally ate the spicy one “oh these are absolutely delicious” he said as he continued to eat his halves that she left behind for him while he was fighting for his life but when she ate it with little hasstle he gave a face of disbelief
“I’m startin’ t’ belive those stories of shapeshiftin dragons ‘re true!” He said with-a bit of a laugh earning a laugh from the merchant too “oh, back home, the ones with red hair have higher tolerances for spice, possibly she is superior to you sir” she joked and he laughed looking to idunn with a loving look “aye i believe so, i feel i will ‘ave t’ get used t’ spicy meals” he said with a smile as he then looked “i suppose if’n ye c’n give us a variety of each meal suited fer each sauce we’ll be grateful if it isn’t too much trouble fer ye?” He asked and she lit up and turned into the tent connected to the front in a different dialect than them as she turned back and smiled “it will be done soon! I’ll even do one with full spice and one with a quarter spice for you” she said happily and fili smiled and nodded “ aye yess that sounds fantastic!” He said and smiled grabbing his coin purse “how much do i owe ye?”
She camouflaged how much it would be and it came up to about 3 gold and he smiled and gave her double that and she frowned “ no no it’s just 3” “ no your food is delicious please take it” he said as he handed out back to her and she sighed and took it “ it will take a bit of time, about 20 minutes of you could come back?” And he smiled and said “ oh of course yes ill come back” he said as he then looked at idunn with a smile as he then offered his arm back to idunn “ here lets keep shopping and then come back” he said finishing his drink happily before he placed the cup back on the counter for her to take back and then started on their way
@idunnthedwarrowdam
Idunn laughed before she cheekily responded, "If it was true, what does it say about you that you married one?" She nudged his side and all but snuck around him before continuing, "another dragon claiming Erebor for its own." She whimsically held her hands up as if preparing to paint a landscape.
Idunn laughed again, "Well, if our attempts have bore fruit, you may be out numbered if you don't," she teased, not outright saying they were trying for children, but Fili would likely understand it either way. While it wasn't all they talked of, it had become a bit more common between them, and they had just been talking of it. She set her empty cup down gently.
She couldn't wait to eat more, even thinking of making a bet to entice the company members to try some. She was also simply happy to eat such delicious food, and she wondered if she could try to barter for recipes. She could try to get Runa or Bombur to make more if this stall ever disappeared. Idunn unconsciously clenched her fists with excitement that were just level with the section of her body that was between her chest and stomach.
Hearing the dam try to reaffirm the 3 gold coins, Idunn also added, "he did the same before we wed, left a whole sack of coins instead of the amount i told him. I think i still owe him more daggers for all that gold." She rolled her eyes before glancing at him with another teasing smile. She wanted to tease something, but she knew it was more a mannish concept rather than a dwarrow one and didn't want to offend the Dam nor possibly upset Fili with bad humor.
Idunn took his arm, but one of her hands moved until their fingers met. Her fingers closed around his hand, and the warmth of them had her relaxing again. She found most comfort from his hands on her. They both had blood on their hands, but she trusted his hands more than any non-relative. She would trust them with a blade and at her throat.
Idunn smiled and waved at the dwarrowdam before the left. Her eyes wandered about the various stalls until they landed on a stall with various stuffed animals. She found herself curious but also longing in a way. She hadn't enjoyed her hand-me-down dolls all that much as they hadn't felt relatable to her, she had always wanted to play in the mud or climb a tree or help her 'adad in the forges instead. Eventually, they had been put away so she wouldn't ruin them in boredom.
She had then began sneaking out, which is when she found her way to the stables. Her love of ponies had been quick to grow from there. She didn't know if she was pregnant yet, but if she was or when she was, she wanted her pebble to have something they could love even if they couldn't see the exact perspective. She wanted them to find something that they could love as she had the ponies.
"Fili, look." She prompted only loud enough for him to hear while pointing for a moment. She wasn't worried if others heard, but she just couldn't seem to speak louder in the moment.
@uzbadyand
At the thought of his precious ones their favorite meals overtaking diner time made him sweat preemptively “mahal just my luck i’ll really ‘ave t’train me mouth” he said with a laugh and after they settle the matter of the coins he heard how idunn mentioned his habit of overpaying “hey i do so when the price should- I’m my opinion- could be higher, so i’m advancin’ so i can assure ye still there” he said with a smile as he then finished his goodbyes before they made their way to the rest of the market.
Quickly they found themselves stopping at a shop as she pointed gently to the stuffed animals bringing a smile to hoods lips “ oh what do ye think they would gravitate too??” He asked as his hand moved to wrap about her waist as he hugged her gently as he looked about the toys “ what kind did ye have as a wee one?” He asked as he smiled thinking of his own, he didn’t have stuffed animals “ i ‘ad like a little doll i suspect was me uncle frerin and ‘amad made little accessories with it. Uncle even made wee swords and armor fer it but one day i got beat up and they took it. I came home covered in mud and didn’t tell them what happened to it, when they asked me i just told them i out them away and it was time he learned how to fight since i was beginning a older brother soon and i needed to help me mother. But in reality i wanted to get revenge. Eventually i did but the kid said he ripped it up and burned it. So i never got it back, but i became that doll i lost essentially “ he said not thinking exactly how deep that was concerning being puppeted until he was tried by fire.
“But hopefully our future wee pebbles let us know things no matter the circumstances.” He said and a “ but i wonder just what they’d like” he said fondly as he picked up a bear with movable legs and a jaw openable by a little button. “These are all really cute, but what to choose??” He said with a smile “maybe somethin’ soft”
@idunnthedwarrowdam
Idunn leaned into his embrace as she hummed in thought. Her first thought, which was perhaps more of a projection, was a pony, but that didn't seem completely right to her. She found her hands, thankfully free, wanted to reach for two different ones. Idunn was silent at first, especially after hearing Fili's own story. Idunn took a moment to turn in his embrace and place her hands on his cheeks as she met his eyes. She gave him a small peck before quietly speaking, "I am sorry that happened to you, though i love the person you became."
Perhaps the words were unnecessary, but Idunn always felt the need to speak the unnecessary things because they felt needed to her. Once finished, she turned back around as she wasn't sure she wanted to see his expression to her own story. "Mine was a hand-me-down doll. I couldn't seem to connect with it as young dwarflings were meant to. My family was quick to put it in storage to ensure it didn't get broken or given away." She admitted with a shrug as if not slightly embarrassed.
"I was always more interested in climbing trees, finding frogs, and making mudpies. Once they took the doll, i first found my way to the stables. I did make myself some practice weapons from tree branches." She told him with a small laugh, remembering how she had made makeshift spears, bows and arrows, swords, and axes. She had been so pleased despite them being just wood and not having many people to play with.
Idunn hummed in agreement. She would not care what their pebbles liked as long as they knew they could be honest about it. She moved closer to the stall to get a better look and found her hands reaching out.
First, she found a black bear toy that almost reminded her of Beorn. She remembers she had once asked if she could touch his bear fur and he had made her laugh when he had joked with her about it being forward but he had allowed her the honor of it. The fur was just about what she remembers Beorn's feeling like. It had coarse hair, but there was also softer hair underneath that made Idunn like it even though she wasn't sure if her potential Pebble would like it.
Second, her hand found its way to something she had only seen in laketown. It looked like a descendant of a warg; when she had asked Bard on the quest about them, he had told her they were dogs, which were related to wolves, which were apparently different than wargs. She remembers Tilda guiding her hand until she felt the fur of the dog she had seen. It was again similar to the bear toy she had found, but it was still just different enough. The fur was again coarse on top and softer underneath.
Both toys could be warm, she could tell. They would keep a Pebble nice and comfortable when it was colder, though she wasn't sure how they would react to warmer temperatures. She paused in thought. Perhaps a sheep toy would be better as it could handle both temperatures, but she wasn't as drawn to them.
She found herself unable to keep from fretting as she held the bear and the dog toys while also glancing broodily at the sheep toys. She only liked sheep for their wool, really, and she didn't particularly like the traits people associated with them. She knew she was probably putting for too much thought into this, but she just wanted everything to be the best she could make it, especially if she was with child.
@uzbadyand