"Only from the Took family?" Fili asked, still looking a bit freaked out.

Hyacinth nodded, trying to smother another coughing fit.

"Tooks," she wheezed, "they-- it's known that Tooks have some fae blood in them, from generations back. It's believed to be what makes us a little strange."

"Right." Amaryllis nodded. "Tooks have fae blood from way, way back, and it effects some hobbits but not others. Fae blood is the commonly believed cause of the Tookish strangeness, and also the male carriers."

"Okay, tea first, explanation later," Kili said, pushing the tea back into her hands and watching her worriedly.

"I see," Fili said, clearly still a little skeptical. "And that is what allows... that?"

Hyacinth nodded and sipped from the cup some more. The coughing gradually subsided and she gave another raspy sigh.

"As far as we can tell." Amaryllis shrugged a bit. "I mean, it's only ever males from the Took line, and there's no other explanation."

Kili brought over a refill for her tea, watching her rather worriedly. Dwarves didn't get sick, not like this, so this was very different territory for him.

"Better?"

"That sounds a little... bizarre," Fili said. "I mean no offense."

"Yes," Hyacinth murmured, nodding a bit and settling back. She was tired out already. "I hate being sick."

Amaryllis grinned briefly at him. "None taken. It's a little odd among hobbits, too."

"Rest for a bit," Kili said, fussing with her blankets for a moment. "You'll feel better in a few days."

"I suppose it does explain things a little," Fili said, thinking. He grinned a bit. "So, a little cousin then. I'm sure Uncle Thorin is thrilled."

"I know," Hyacinth said. She pouted. "I still don't like it."

"I'm sure he is." Amaryllis grinned a bit. "You'll get to meet him or her soon enough."

Kili smiled sympathetically. "I bet," he murmured. "So, little cousin. Are you excited?"

"I'm sure," Fili agreed.

"Yes," Hyacinth said, nodding a bit. "I've already started on my gift." She gestured to the dragon scale blanket in her crochet basket, ball of yarn and hook neatly packed in with it.

"Uncle Bilbo will probably want to show off," Amaryllis said with a little grin. "Once it gets closer to time. It's normal hobbit custom to have a party before the babe is born, so that the family can give gifts to make it easier."

Kili grinned. "Yes, your magic crochet," he teased.

"Show off?" Fili asked, a little bewildered. It hadn't occurred to him that Bilbo would want to flaunt his condition.

"Yes, well, it's traditional for the nearest female relative to make a blanket for the new babe," Hyacinth said. "And as I cannot knit or quilt, I chose crochet." She grinned a bit. "And the dragon scales are appropriate in this case."

"With the Company at least," Amaryllis clarified. "Maybe not with the whole mountain. He can be quite vain."

Kili grinned. "Yes they are. And it's still magic until you can show me how you do it."

Fili snickered.

"So we've seen," he said.

"I will, I promise," Hyacinth said. "As soon as this illness passes and I can get a spare hook."

Amaryllis grinned. "I bet you have. It's rather entertaining."

Kili grinned. "I'll take care of getting the hook, I can do that."

Fili couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Are all hobbits like that?" he asked.

"Go ahead," Hyacinth said. She gestured to the basket. "Take that one with you, so you know what to look for."

"Not all of us," Amaryllis said, still grinning. "Uncle Bilbo is moreso than most. He cut quite the dashing figure in a nice fitted waistcoat, had plenty of admirers in the Shire."

"After the market reopens, once the worst of the sickness is gone," Kili said, making no move to go get the crochet hook.

"Be sure not to say that to Uncle Thorin," Fili said, grinning. "He seems to be the jealous type."

"Okay," Hyacinth said. She fought back another round of coughing and failed, laying back and trying to catch her breath once the fit passed.

Amaryllis chuckled, and then grimaced and reached for her tea again when she felt the tickle in her throat that heralded a cough.

Kili tucked the blankets around her again, going to fetch more tea. "Easy does it," he murmured, watching her. "Just try to relax."

Fili handed her the cup, making sure it was full.

"Don't like this," Hyacinth rasped, reaching for the tea. "Hurts to cough so hard."

Amaryllis drank slowly, and relaxed a bit and handed the cup back when the itch went away. Which, of course, was when she started coughing.

"I know," Kili murmured. "Just relax, take it easy. I should probably not be pestering you like this."

"Easy, easy," Fili said, taking the cup from her. "Do you need more tea?"

"No, it's okay," Hyacinth said, sipping her tea. "Really. I like the company."

Amaryllis shook her head. "No," she muttered after a moment, when the coughing had passed. "I need this cough to go away." She made a face.

Kili smiled at that. "Well, if you're sure," he agreed, settling in again. "Just try not to strain yourself, or Uncle Bilbo may kill me." He grinned.

"It will pass eventually," Fili said. He tucked a blanket around her. "Rest for a while."

"I'll be fine," Hyacinth murmured. She settled back into the pillows. "Just need to rest a bit."

Amaryllis huffed a bit but let him fuss, settling in. Hey, at least she liked the attention.

"Yes, you do," Kili agreed. "Rest and relax and drink lots of tea."

Fili made sure she was comfortable and that her tea was in easy reach. He wanted to do everything he could to make sure she got well.

"I can try to talk you through how to crochet if you want," Hyacinth offered after a moment. "You can borrow my hook for now, so long as you're able to find your own yarn."