I must apologize for my terrible updating my muse and I don't always work on the same schedule
The ale had been flowing much to the genteel hobbits dismay and Dwalin found himself in high spirits. For better or worse they were going to try to reclaim Erebor and the company were determined to fully enjoy what could be their last night in such comfortable surroundings for a very long time.
"Ere Balin tell us a tale" shouted Fili always eager to hear of the great deeds of their people.
"Yes go on Balin please" his brother joined in until all the gathered dwarf's were shouting their agreement.
Balin sighed dramatically but the twinkle in his eyes showed that he was more than happy to comply.
"Well their is the tale of Glandir cousin of your great grandfather he fancied himself an adventurer of sorts and once took up a quest to explore the realms of the great king of the east. Well as you can imagine this was not easy considering he had only one leg and one arm..."
Dwalin leaned back in his chair enjoying the atmosphere he had heard this tale many times before and was well accustomed to the look of wonder on the younger dwarfs faces, it did not seem any different to him than when they were dwarflings sat at his brothers knee.
He knew something's had changed since then of course, he noted now how much both boy's had grown. Fili was no longer an awkward adolescent but a confident and capable young dwarf who he was sure would be a fine heir to the throne of Erebor. He stood tall and gave of an easy confidence that compelled others to do his bidding trusting in his authority, the thought made him smile knowing the lad would be a invaluable to his uncle in the coming weeks.
Kili would also be a great asset he was sure. His skill with a bow was well known in the blue mountains and grumbles of it being an elvish weapon unfit for one of the line of Durin were soon silenced when the lad proved himself countless times on scouting missions and skirmishes.
There were other features though that Dwalin had noted which made him much less comfortable. Kili had always appeared more delicate than was usual for a dwarf even a dwarven woman and it stirred thoughts within Dwalin he was not entirely comfortable with.
Since greeting the brothers earlier in the evening he'd found his gaze continually drawn to the younger and couldn't help noticing the highness of his cheekbones and slenderness of his form. He tried to think of Kili when he was younger all big puppy dog eyes and chubby childish limbs scrambling after his brother but that thought was erased as the lad leaned forward to grab some ale allowing Dwalin a good view of the his shapely behind. This trip was throwing obstacles at him before it had even began.
A small grunt by his shoulder drew his attention and Dwalin noted that he was not the only dwarf finding the lad to be an unwitting distraction. Nori sat ale half raised to his mouth staring wide eyed at the young heir of Durin with an expression Dwalin was uncomfortably sure matched his own.
"By Aule he's fairer than Dis was at his age" he heard the other dwarf mumble.
"Aye" He grunted in agreement Dis had been the fairest Dwarf in all of Erebor before loss and two young sons had greyed her hair and lined her face.
"It was hard enough staying away from our fine lady but on this long mission with no company but this Aule help us this will be an exercise in endurance."
Dwalin again grunted in agreement he knew neither he nor Nori would ever go near the young dwarf out of respect for Thorin but by the gods if he wasn't tempting.
Both dwarves felt a sudden spike in arousal as they watched Kili lick a smudge of icing from his fingers looking far to enticing for their comfort.
"Don't suppose you remember how exactly we stayed away from Dis do you Dwalin I have a feeling it's a trick we may have to be replicating all to often on this journey"
The stouter dwarf again grunted wracking his brain for the answer , how exactly had he and the other dwarf lads avoided chasing after Dis at every opportunity back in Erebor. They had all been a lot younger then and much more inclined to think with there breaches before there heads.
He scanned the room from behind his ale to check if any other members of the company were suffering from similar discomfort before the answer to Nori's question hit him smack in the face, Thorin.
Thorin was the reason they'd all avoided Dis like the plague for as foolhardy as they had been in their younger days no dwarf lad had been brave enough to face Thorin's wrath by attempting to "defile" his little sister. The more Dwalin thought on it the more he was shocked Dis had even managed to find a husband what with her terrifying older brother threatening any and all prospective suitors real or imagined.
It was the look on Thorin's face now that brought back with stunning clarity exactly how ferocious Thorin could be when faced with what he saw as an attempt on a member of his family's virtue. Although, judging by the death glare he was receiving, this time instead of a little sister it was his youngest nephew and Dwalin had been caught with his hand in the honey jar so to speak.
"Dwalin old friend its such a beautiful night and I doubt we'll be in such peaceful surroundings again for sometime come let us venture outside to smoke just you and me"
There was an underlying threat in Thorin's voice that filled him with dread as he rose to join his friend and leader outside the little hobbit hole, A pitying look on Nori's face told him that it was not an imagined one either.
Trudging slowly through the quaint hallway as if meeting his executioner he was struck with the thought that at least after what he was about to endure perhaps Smaug would no longer seem such a threat.