Chapter 6

It was one of the best dinners in my life! I was in my favourite spot between Fili and Kili, had the best red wine in the Blue Mountains and enough food for a week. I felt relaxed and free, as I haven't in a long time, and so did the boys, with their mom sitting at the opposite end of the table they could just do and say what they wanted.

It was always fun with them, but that night was better than others. I wasn't even able to eat all that much, because I had to laugh every ten seconds. By the time dessert was served, I had cried from laughter three times and almost suffocated once. I felt great, until I looked over to Thorin to check if he was as good as I was, to see he was not. I mean how should he be, with his only company Thranduil, Fili was busy entertaining me and Dwalin was in a discussion with Dis, who giggled like a girl (Dwalin and Dis? Ohhh the boys would love that) and so it was Thorin and Thranduil, a miracle he didn't already fall asleep or run away. For a second I considered switching places with him but Kili pulled me out of my thoughts, he held a glass in front of my face. He refilled it, again, and smiled at me, I felt the urge to hug him right there and then, until an idea hit me. "Kili are you trying to get me drunk?" I eyed him suspecting and he barked a laugh, "trying? I think I'm succeeding." I thought about this for a moment, he was right. My face felt hot and I couldn't stop laughing and stupid ideas were building in my head, like dancing on the tables or mocking Thranduil a bit. "I didn't even realise I was drinking that much, but I think I should stop now." As long as I was still willing to do so and in the right mind. Fili held his glass up form me to toast and smiled mischievously "Actually the plan was for you not to realise" he winked at me. "And you're not stopping drinking, we only just started!" "Later and tomorrow I swear, I'll get black out drunk and you'll have to carry me to my room!" I said, I couldn't get drunk so soon, I'd have to dance, properly, and have some small talk with the elves, I should have done that before dinner already. Kili and Fili seemed disappointed but understood and put their glasses down, "you can drink as much as you want guys, now get drunk you two!" But they shook their heads in unison, as they did so often, which sometimes was a little scary, and Kili said "We're your guards, we have sworn an oath to protect your innocence my lady and therefore we have to be at our best and clear headed! I swear to keep my mind free and unclouded until I safely carried your drunk body back into your chambers, my princess!" he looked so serious saying that, like those elf warriors, that never did anything else in their life but protect their king, they were so sure of their jobs it was ridiculous. And Kili was just as sure, I didn't even know if he was serious or not, so I kept quiet, not to hurt his feelings if he was, but deep down I thought it was hilarious and had to really fight back a laugh. I was still looking at Kili, trying to find a hint if he was serious or not, as Fili burst into laughter behind me, I stared at him and then at Kili, who started to laugh as well. I punched each of them on the arm "Stop making a fool of me, that's not funny!" "Oh it was funny, you should have seen your face!" Kili had to hold his stomach and was almost falling of his chair. "You're just too easily fooled", Fili slowly caught his breath again and calmed down and so did Kili, this meant revenge! I was thinking of a way to pay them back, as I realised dessert had been placed in front of us and a smile light up my face, it was chocolate-raspberry cake, my favourite one and it hadn't been on the menu when I was told about it. I jumped up, Kili and Fili staring at me, totally confused, I ran over to Thorin's seat and hugged him from the side, "I hope you like it." Thorin smiled at me and I smiled at him, Thranduil watching us, with confusion. "I love you, you know."- "I know, honey. Who would not love me?" was Throin's response, as I kissed his cheek, my speculation was proven right. He drank a lot already, otherwise he wouldn't have said something like that, and he was really relaxed now, maybe he'd even dance tonight. I left him again, I couldn't wait for my cake any longer!

Dessert was finished, I even ate half of Fili's and Kili's, the music started to play again, this time more danceable songs, a few couples already covered the dancefloor. The three of us were watching the dancers happily, full with food and wine and in no need to talk right now, everything was perfect until someone held out a hand to me. I yelped in surprise and looked up at the owner of the hand, Thranduil. I wasn't happy to see him and knew this would cause a lot of trouble and anger, but I smiled nevertheless and took his offer. He said nothing and pulled me of my seat and off to the dancefloor. Behind me I heard the brothers curse and I giggled, Thranduil shooting me a confused look. It know I was mean but I loved it when Thorin was mad at them, they looked like little scared puppies then.

We reached the dancefloor and the music changed from fast to a slow song, so slow dancing with the elven king, awkward and annoying. I tried to get a look at Thorin to check his mood, but wasn't able to see him, as he wasn't in his seat and Thranduil already pulled me in and started to move with me. I was stunned, he twirled me around with grace, he was an amazing dancer and I really enjoyed it, until he started talking. "my love, I am amazed by your grace, dancing seems to come naturally to you. It always appeared to me you were not much of a typical dwarf. How come this?" I took a deep breath, so we had to talk, fine. "I never was what's considered normal for a dwarf", he looked at me like I looked at my dessert earlier, with hunger and want. So I tried to scare him off "I'm not much of typical girl either, I'm much more of a little brother to Fili and Kili, than the princess of Durin." It didn't seem to work and luckily the song ended. I exhaled deeply, after Thranduil kissed my hand and walked off with last words "Thank you so much for this dance, it was a pleasure, which I would like to repeat some time." I stabbed his back with my looks, and jumped a little as I suddenly felt a hand on each of my shoulders, my guards were at my sides again, looking pissed. "Is he very mad?" "No he wasn't even here, he was picking up a bottle of wine for Thranduil himself." That explained why the elven kings head was still on his shoulders, Thorin didn't even know about the dancing. We looked at each other and it was clear none of us would mention it to him.

A fast dancing song was played and before I was able to do anything Kili had his hands around my waist and we started spinning around with the people. The melody, the rhythm and Kili's arms around me cleaned my mind again and I only focused on the music and the dancing, very soon I smiled and I was happy again. I had always loved dancing with Kili, it felt natural with him and we worked as good together as we did on battlefield. We danced on and on, occasionally taking time off to regain our breaths and drink, sometime he would pass me on to Fili or Dwalin, once even to Thorin. We soon were the centre the party, which got smaller by the minute, I didn't realise the time passing, but it appeared to be late, as the elves were gone and only dwarfs were left, the old ones on their way home, as the needed energy for tomorrow.

That was all the motivation Kili and Fili needed. In an instant I had a full glass of wine in my hand and they were on the table singing drinking song. People placed chairs in front of the table, but left space for dancers. I sat down on the floor, in front of Thorin's chair and leaned back against his legs, soon the alcohol began to work again and I felt content and warm, watching Fili and Kili goofing off and being the centre of the party.