Chapter 2 The Gift
The day soon came to depart the Blue Mountains and begin the quest to reclaim Erebor. Ori was disappointed to learn that not all the dwarves were travelling together. The two nephews of the King had left a day earlier to travel part of the way with their uncle and would not meet the others again until they were in Hobbiton.
The young dwarf tried to hide his disappointment as he set out with his two older brothers but his displeasure wasn't missed by Dori's sharp eyes.
"Ori, what's the matter with you, lad?" The grey haired dwarf peered at his younger brother warily.
"He's homesick by the look of it," offered Nori as he took out his pipe.
"Homesick, already? We're barely out of the Blue Mountains, lad! You'd better get used to being far from home, this quest is going to be a long one," Dori clapped him on the back a little hard for Ori's liking. He wasn't nearly as strong and hearty as his brothers, a fact they often forgot while Ori felt constantly reminded.
"I'm not homesick, brother, just…thoughtful," he mumbled as he shifted in the saddle. It was true that this was the first time he had left his home, but that thought had barely crossed Ori's mind. He had been focused solely on the golden beauty that had left the day before.
Lately Ori's thoughts were of nothing but Fili. There was hardly a moment when he wasn't picturing the blonde prince, going over in his head the few words Fili spoke to him, or picturing Fili shirtless in the sparring yard. At night, as he tried to fall asleep, Ori would imagine Fili coming to him, taking Ori in his arms. He envisaged their first kiss, soft and sweet, their first coupling, passionate and romantic. The images would play over and over in the dwarf's mind until he would have to get up out of his bedroll and walk away from the campsite to relieve his aching arousal. He would return feeling sleepy but not quite sated, and would fall asleep with even more images of Fili in his head.
Halfway through the journey to Hobbiton, Ori still hadn't managed to think of a way to tell Fili how he felt. He thought the best time would be at the home of the burglar, before they set out on the road again. It was sure to be a relaxed atmosphere and hopefully with plenty of ale. But how to broach such a subject, with someone who made him more tongue-tied than normal? Ori stared down at his hands in frustration, and then, the idea came to him: make Fili a gift! Something to break the ice, give him an opportunity to share his feelings. Ori knew just what to make, a long warm scarf in the colors of Durin. The young dwarf was very practiced at knitting and sewing, a skill that was coveted considering the shortage of dwarf women. Ori was relieved he had brought his knitting needles and sewing kit with him, and in the next town they stopped at, he bought yarn dyed a deep royal blue.
Each night Ori would work on the scarf as he sat with his brothers by the campfire. The road to The Shire was long from the Blue Mountains, Ori was confident he would complete the gift in plenty of time. He was weaving a golden thread through the edges one evening when Dori sat down beside him.
"You've been working on that for days, brother. Who's it for?" Dori asked as he picked up the end of the scarf, examining it closely.
"No one, just keeping busy," Ori pulled the scarf out of his brother's hands and turned away slightly.
"That's a lovely blue, you've chosen," Nori smirked as he poked the fire. "What would you call that color? Durin Blue, perhaps?" Both brothers snickered as Ori scowled and turned further away.
"Oh come now, Ori, we're just having a bit of fun. Don't be so serious!" Dori ruffled his hair and chuckled. Ori gave up and put the scarf away.
A couple more days and we'll meet the others again, he told himself as he climbed into his bedroll. Maybe after I tell Fili how I feel he'll want to spend each evening together, just he and I. Dori and Nori won't have much to say then, will they? Ori smiled to himself as he closed his eyes. That night he dreamt of sharing his bedroll with the golden prince.
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The trio of dwarves arrived at the burglar's house two nights later, and Ori was excited to see that Fili and Kili were already there.
Try as he might, Ori had a difficult time getting Fili alone for most of the night. There were so many crammed into the hobbit's home it was difficult for anyone to get a moment alone! Ori had a little too much ale throughout the evening, trying to work up the courage to speak to his beloved. By the time Thorin arrived, Ori was rather tipsy, shouting down the table about where he'd like to stick his sword in Smaug.
The moment finally arose after Mr. Baggins had declined the offer. The dwarves had largely dispersed throughout the home, and Ori found Fili refilling two mugs of ale in the pantry. He began to tremble in anticipation as he approached the blond dwarf. Ori fingered the yarn nervously as he cleared his throat. Fili turned at the noise and smiled warmly.
"Oh, hey Ori, I thought you might be my brother, sneaking up on me. Care for another ale?" He held a mug out but Ori shook his head.
Finally finding his voice, Ori said softly "um…Fili…I made you…uh, here." He thrust the scarf toward the Fili, feeling heat rise in his face and hating himself for it. Fili took the scarf and turned it over in his hands, admiring the entwining blue and gold. He smiled politely but looked a little confused.
"Uh, thanks Ori, this is very…beautiful." To receive a gift like this, which clearly took time and skill was rare for Fili. And for some reason, this one made him nervous. Fili lifted his head and stared at Ori with those perfect blue eyes. "Are you sure this is for me? But why?"
"Because I…"Ori gulps, "Fili, I-I…"
"Hey Fee, whatcha got there?" Kili had come up behind Ori, gripping his shoulders as the dark haired prince looked around his head at his brother's gift.
"Ori made it for me," Fili replied, still looking a little uncertain.
"Did you make me one too, Ori?" Kili asked as he stepped past the smaller dwarf, accepting the mug of ale from his brother.
"Um, no Kili…sorry," Ori mumbled, dropping his head slightly. He'd had missed his chance. Why is Kili always by his brother's side? He pondered sullenly.
"No matter," Kili mused after a long drink of ale. "Fili won't mind sharing it, will you, brother?" The brunette dwarf tugged at one of Fili's golden braids and his brother responded by nudging him with his shoulder, sharing a knowing smile Ori that didn't quite understand.
Ori wanted to speak up, to tell Kili that the scarf had been made for Fili alone. He wanted to ask Kili to leave, take Fili by the hand and empty his heart. But all he could manage was a weak smile as he turned to leave the pantry.
Another time Ori, he told himself as he made his way to the sitting room. This will be a long quest and you'll have plenty of time to tell Fili how you feel. Ori smiled to himself as he thought of what Fili would say in response to his declaration. He took a seat between his brothers and Dwalin as Thorin began the lament for Erebor, the traces of that hopeful smile still lingering on his face.