This is the sequel to Hidden Treasure. Please read that story before this one! Thank you!

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Prologue

"Thorin! Because of the political climate, the Blue Mountains aren't the best place to raise my son!" Bella Baggins, Lady of Thorin's Halls, set her hands on her hips. "Don't ignore me, Thorin! You know that I'm telling you the truth! Dwarves will not want their lands to be ruled by a half-cast!"

Thorin whirled around, glaring at her. "Never speak about my son that way ever again! The Dwarves of this land will do as I say, I am their lord! Balin has reported that the traditionalists are being regularly ignored by the up and coming generations of Dwarves. By the time Borin grown old enough to take the throne, they will welcome him without reproach!"

Bella sighed. "Borin will not be his name! It is not when he's older that I'm concerned about, Thorin." She grabbed her husband's hands. "He is not even close to being born yet, but I fear for his life when he is an infant."

"I will double the guards." He turned away from her after kissing both her hands. "You worry too much, Bella. It is not good for our son." Picking up a parchment, he studied it a moment before putting his signature on it.

Bella watched him for a minute before storming out. She was near tears, knowing that it was completely hormonal but still understandable. Wiping them away furtively, she waved to her younger nephews. They were each in their thirties. She sighed. She was quite willing to treat them as adults, but the Dwarves constantly treated them like adolescents. They didn't know any better.

Passing them by before they could waylay her, she hurried to Dis' room. "Dis! Please, convince your brother that I should return to the Shire. The Blue Mountains are no place for a half-cast prince!"

Looking around quickly, Dis shushed her sister-in-law quietly and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Peace, Bella. Peace. All will be well. Listen, the Dwarves do not yet know that you are with child. They have accepted you, haven't they? Do not worry yourself over this, Bella. All will be well."

Bella groaned. "They have accepted me, because your eldest, Fíli, will take the throne. No one knew that Hobbits are able to bear Dwarven children. Until now." She turned away from Dis and looked at her hands.

Sighing, Dis tugged gently on her shoulders. "And what will you do if these Dwarves follow the Lady of the Halls to the Shire? What will you do without Thorin to protect you?"

Bella snorted. "I can protect myself well enough!"

"Yes, but not against a posse of trained Dwarves." Dis spoke quietly. She was used to being the arbitrator between Thorin and Bella when they had their fights. Fights were few and far between, but when they occurred they were blowouts. "Brother only wishes to protect you."

Turning around violently, Bella's blue eyes flashed. "And I only want to protect my son! Why does no one see that he is in danger here?!"

"He is in the palace, Bella." Dis smiled and shook her head. "Here, take this tonic and rest. You shouldn't be so agitated. I will speak to Thorin about letting me take you farther south in the mountain chain. We have a beautiful home that's isolated from the cities, and I think it would be perfect for you. No one shall know where you are until you return after birthing your son."

Staring at her, Bella realized that Durin family felt so secure in their palace that they honest to the Valar didn't think her son was in danger after birth.

Bella walked out slowly, carrying Dis' tonic. She swept into her room and dismissed her guards outside. Well! If no one shall help me protect my son, then I will do it alone!

Bella quickly packed her things but froze when she heard Thorin enter their adjoining bedroom. Shoving her case under her bed, she hurried to meet him instead.

"Bella…who gave this to you?" He was fingering a small hair pin that Bella had worn yesterday.

She chuckled. "Bilboni. He's the head cook at my tea shop. I gave him a bonus this year, because he's worked for me faithfully for so long. He carved that himself to show his thanks."

Thorin nodded slowly and then set it down carefully. "I do not want you to wear it."

"What?" Her posture straightened, going on the defensive.

Turing to face her fully, he looked her in the eyes. "Whatever jewelry and accessories you wear in your hair and on your person will be made from my hands and mine alone. No other Dwarf will ever provide for you."

Bella tried not to gape. "He's married, Thorin. With three children!"

Her husband didn't seem to care all that much. "You will obey me, Bella. You are my wife, and I am your husband." He nodded and then smiled softly. "It is considered bad taste for a wife to wear something made from another Dwarf male. Very bad taste. I would hate to have to remind that Dwarf of his culture by punishing him."

Bella pulled her hands firmly out of Thorin's grip. "Thorin…are you…serious? He's nearing the age of 210! He is far too old for even another female Dwarf! I don't see why wearing something he made as a gift could be bad…"

Thorin smiled, but there was an edge to it. Bella knew that he would get angry the longer she fought him on this. "It is a matter of culture, Bella. Hobbits are very relaxed about this, but Dwarves…" He shook his head. "What our women wear is important to us. Do not…" He frowned. "On second thought, I should actually go through your jewelry and make sure that you don't have anything that isn't appropriate to your status and marriage." He nodded. "Hand me your box, Bella love."

She stepped away from him. "You will not remove my jewelry, Thorin! You will not touch it."

He frowned. "You feel strongly about this, why?"

She gaped at him. "It's my jewelry!"

Still frowning, Thorin sighed. "Very well, but please, do not wear that hair piece again." He fingered the wooden carving. "It is excellent craft, but it does not fit you, nor should it." He smiled as he placed it on top of the mantle, purposefully out of Bella's reach. "Now, let me bath you, my love, and care for you. You must be tired." His eyes twinkled. "I have no meetings or papers for tonight. I will give you a foot massage and then we'll spend some time together, eh?"

Bella glanced at the hair piece, but like everything else he objected to, she let him have his way. "I'd love that, Thorin." He slipped a loving arm around her widening waist and nuzzled her neck.

"I love you, Bella. With all my being, I love you."

"I love you too, Thorin." She thought about the case under her bed, and her heart broke. She would have to leave her husband to save her son…

Thank you all so much for your support!

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