Out of curiosity

By Anki Shai

The music filled the mighty halls of Erebor.

The reconstruction of the Kingdom of the Dwarves would have to wait until the celebrations were over. Which means it would take a while. However, while the joy was still fresh and the relief of victory could be felt in the air the party would continue. And, whenever there was a huge party like this one the Elven-King, Thranduil of Mirkwood, would be there.

He sat in one of the main tables overlooking the huge room, his head cocked to the side and his eyes fixated on the single person who called his attention the moment this whole business started.

King Thranduil had never seen a creature such as this one. Smaller than a Dwarf, exuberant and quiet polite, the Hobbit had in him a fire Thranduil had only seen on the First Born at the beginning of the ages. There was something innocent, but not foolish, daring, but not arrogant, and quiet content, but not yet completely happy in this small creature. Curious but so filled with life, there was something about the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, that drag him, enchanted him. Oh, If Thranduil could only speak with the Hobbit alone, if he could take those dirty hands of that Dwarf from Bilbo maybe just maybe…

But, how could he make sure no one notice him trying to get close to the mortal? It would be that difficult, he was in a hall full of drunk Dwarves, drunk Men and half-drunk Elves, if he was carefull...But, by the Valar, why was he so work up by this? It was a simple mortal! A Halfling! It shouldn't matter that much! And yet...yet, Thranduil could never forget the first time he met Bilbo Baggins and he couldn't deny this pull he felt in his chest, this need to get closer and know more about the Hobbit.

The Elven-king was suddenly aware of more than a couple of eyes on him. Thranduil blinked only to notice the eyes of the Hobbit staring right inside his, the Elven-king was startled and this only made him choke on the wine he had been drinking and avert his eyes from the object of his curiosity. He closed his eyes, cursing his luck for he knew there was more than one person in the Halls who had noticed his interest in Bilbo Baggins.

With a sigh, and as much dignity as he could muster, Thranduil lifted his stare to see Bilbo going back to singing and dancing with the young Dwarves, Fili and Kili. The king cleared his throat, straightened on his seat and then noticed the cunning, amused and oh, so insufferable smug expressions on Gandalf and Elrond's faces. Thranduil saw a napkin being handled to him and notice Legolas showing the same stare as Elrond and Gandalf, the King narrowed his eyes at his son who soon after decided to pretend nothing happened.

Thranduil was about to take another sip from his cup when Elrond finally spoke, "Are you enjoying the view…I mean, festivities Thranduil?"

"Yes, yes I am." Replied Thranduil curtly, Lindir covered his sudden snigger with his close fist pretending to stop a cough. Elrond smiled widely leaning in nodding towards Bilbo who was now singing out loud with Thorin and his company laughing at the Hobbit's antics.

"He is quite the character, isn't he?" Gandalf snorted, Lindir rolled his eyes and Elrond continued talking. "Bilbo Baggins certainly is someone we're not used to deal with. He is special, the life of the Valar gleams in his eyes and yet…there is no magic, nothing extraordinary…"

"Oh, but there is…Hobbits may not have magic, Lord Elrond, but they have something we, sometimes, forget." Replied Gandalf both of them still paying close attention to Thranduil who was trying very hard not to look at the Hobbit and to pay attention to Gandalf's and Elrond's conversation.

"They know how to enjoy the little things. They understand the world is more than power, heroic quests and the chase of treasures or honor." Lindir narrowed his eyes while trying to look at the Hobbit then at the occupants of his table. There and then, Lindir decided someone should take away the wine for he had never seen Lord Elrond as ready as he seemed to be to bring about some mischief along with Mithrandir.

Lindir inclined his cup and observed the red beverage with suspicion.

"Yes, I may have to agree with you, Mithrandir." Commented Elrond. "Once you met Bilbo you understand why the little things matter, why even the smallest things can be capable of changing the greatest ones."

Thranduil stood up ready to leave before either of his companions could say anything else. Not such a luck, however, for Mithrandir spoke loud enough to stop him.

"Try to not get into any trouble with Thorin, King Thranduil. This is a party…"

"It wouldn't do any good if, because of your curiosity, this ends up like a quarrel of the old days…" Finished Elrond, Thranduil winced but didn't say anything.

"Too bad Lady Galadriel wasn't here." Elrond laughed shaking his head at Gandalf's comment.

"Oh, don't even start, I think she would have made Thranduil suffer even more."

"Tell me about it, I still don't get what those elk jokes were about." Commented Lindir to which Elrond and Gandalf started laughing out loud.


Thranduil moved subtly around the room, his eyes ever so slightly wandering to where Bilbo was sitting, Fili and Kili were around him and the Elven-king was trying to see a way around the young Dwarves. Suddenly, Thranduil's blue eyes found themselves looking into a pair of dark ones. There was a silent contest between himself and Thorin who had been following his every move since he left the table.

The sound of music, laugh and conversation filled the room while the kings of two different races had a staring contest. There was fire and animosity on those eyes and Thranduil lifted an eyebrow daringly, his lips twitching upwards in a mocking smile. But Thorin, well Thorin smirked openly, he sneaked around and wrapped his arm around Bilbo's shoulders and then, with a lift eyebrow of his own went to speak with the Hobbit.

Thranduil watched, narrowing his eyes while grabbing the cup with more force than necessary. Did Thorin think, for one second, he would best Thranduil? Did that…that Dwarf really thought that Thranduil couldn't have the Hobbit by his side the way the prince have him at the moment?

"Ah, your majesty," Thranduil lowered his sight startled by the sudden interruption, he saw Dain smiling widely at him. "Do not be reluctant to approach the table. I know Thorin can be quite stubborn, he doesn't let go that easily of a quarrel…but, he is also wise, kind of…perhaps, this is the right time to try and patch things up."

The Elven King thought about this for a moment, his mind already working on the possibilities. He smiled nodding his head walking alongside Dain to Thorin's table. Suddenly, the whole company went silent and all eyes were on the elf, Bilbo observed the scene with curiosity oblivious to Thorin's sudden tightening of his hold or the heated glares between king and prince.

Thranduil raised his eyebrow, lips twitching upwards as he leant in grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring some on one cup then on his own. He grabbed the filled cup and extended it to Thorin. The Dwarf looked suspiciously at the cup then at Thranduil, but the Elven-King was already distracted with the sight of Bilbo who was midly interested in what was happening.

"For peace, right Master Baggins?" Asked Thranduil inclining his head to Bilbo, the Hobbit smiled at the Elf nodding his head.

"Right, peace and a good night of drinking and eating!" The whole table erupted in exclamations of agreement and Bilbo, confused and rather puzzled as what was really happening was the only witness to the whispered words between Thorin and Thranduil.

"May the best king win."

"So be it."


AN: I know, I know...I promise this is the last one...