II.
Fili and Thorin were fast asleep before the campfire. On the other hand, Kili was wide awake; sitting a little apart from them, wrapped in his cloak, he was still sulking over his uncle's offhand comment during supper.
"Your braiding skills continue to leave something to be desired."
It was not his fault that his hair remained uncommonly short and made for difficultly in braiding it the way as custom called for. And, yes, he also knew he looked much younger than his 61 years thanks to his hair, which presently cooperated only to be pulled back away from his face. Despite all these things his braiding skills were just fine, thank you very much.
I'd show Uncle I can braid just as well as any dwarf, Kili thought with a pout, glancing over at the dwarf snoring quietly, noting how the flames of the fire added a hint of gold to his black, silver-streaked hair. Slowly the pout vanished, replaced by a calculating expression. I could show him…will show him. Hints of a mischievous smile played over his lips; the young dwarf carefully, quietly put aside his cloak, moved to Thorin's side, and reached for his hair.
Of course, in the morning Kili's smile gave him away, as it often did. He bounced on the balls of his feet excitedly, pride in his dark eyes as he took in his handiwork. Fili's own eyes were wide with wonder, his hand hiding his growing smile. And Thorin appeared at a total loss, doing a fine impression of a fish pulled out of water, staring at his reflection in the stream. His shocked eyes darted between the (well done) courtship braids on either side of his head.
"Kili!" he bellowed, blushing furiously with embarrassment.
That was his cue… The young dwarf ran off, his laugher filling the air.