Thanks again to pat4pat, and Coreys Kitten, you guys are fabulous. Thank you to the others who reviewed, especially the guest who left the review about the mixture of humor and sensuality being well balanced and perfectly done, I couldn't reply to you so I'm doing it here: you made my cheeks hurt with smiling so much and made me squeal in excitement, so thank you so much, I truly appreciate your review and that you think that.
Just something I'd like to share, I seriously say thank you to each review I get, and to each new follower or favouriter (yes I say "thank you so much" to the screen, don't judge me)
So, the next installment begins now
"Cheers!" The dwarves bashed their flaggons of ale together spilling it everywhere.
"To Kili and Niya!" Fili yelled drunkenly. Kili slung his arm around my waist and pulled me into him, kissing the side of my head.
"Ay." Bofur seconded. "May their courtship be everlasting…" Aww Bofur "And full of long nights." The dwarves laughed and cheered. I rolled my eyes. Spoke too soon. They drew their mugs up and silence took the room as they chugged their ale. I only sipped mine. It was my second ale and my cheeks were already flushed.
After Kili announced to the dwarves that I had agreed to court him they called for a celebration. Any women agreeing to court Kili was something to celebrate, according to Bofur. We sat around in the usual place we lounged, if not at the training grounds and drank and ate food. Kili and Fili even played a little fiddle which I thought was just too cute. As the time went by, the dwarves got more drunk and Bombur got more hungry. Mostly everyone, including me was lulled into a relaxed state due to the ale. The loud talking didn't cease, but everyone was sitting around or laying on the floor, either talking, smoking, or singing.
Bofur and Bifur were at the fire trying to roast greens and sausage as Kili was lazily sitting back on the divan as I sat between his legs, leaning against his chest. He was smoking his pipe, his arm lazily holding me around my waist.
"I need to wash my braids." Fili fingered his braided beard as he talked to himself.
"Lass." Balin called to me. I looked to him slowly, so relaxed by the ale and Kili's pipe-weed that he shared with me. "You two haven't done your courtship braids."
Kili straightened up his back, causing my body to jerk forward. I grasped his legs with a start. "What is that." I asked.
"Thank you Balin!" Kili pat my side. "Come, turn around." He scooted backward, his back flush with the divan.
"What…" I wasn't sure what to ask as I stood and faced Kili as he set his pipe on the floor.
"A courtship braid lass." Balin said as if it would jog my memory. It didn't. Kili motioned for me to come closer then patted between his legs. I sat and pulled one leg up to my chest, letting the other hang over Kili's and off the divan. He pulled me close to him so that my foot and leg was in his groin area. "When dwarves court each other, they braid a courtship braid into each other's hair. Might as well do it now when we are all here as witnesses."
I nodded my head in understanding as Kili sectioned off a small portion of hair above my left ear and smoothed it out between his fingers. "Do I do one too? I am not a dwarf."
Kili nodded but said nothing as he parted my hair three ways. "Of course lass, you are courting a dwarf! And don't you want other lasses to know he is courting someone already?" Oh.
I sectioned off a small portion of Kili's hair above his left ear as he had done to mine. He was already braiding my hair along the side of my head and down behind my ear. He smiled at me as I combed my fingers through his tangles. I gave him a shy smile back. Is it supposed to feel this intimate when it had to have witnesses? I bit my lip in concentration as I started braiding a two-strand braid. It was my favourite style. I would catch Kili glancing at me now and then, laughing at my concentration face. I would just blush and smile, continuing to braid his hair along his head as it dipped down behind his ear. When I finished my braid, I did not know what to hold it off with.
"Are you finished?" Kili asked, still eyeing the braid he was doing on me. I nodded. He was almost done with mine, and my hair was about four times longer than his. "What took you so long?" He laughed, glancing at me.
"I did a two strand braid. It takes a bit longer but it is my favourite style." He nodded in understanding.
"I will do that to your hair after I am finished with your courting braid, to keep it clean and out of your face." He teased me. He knew I had been forgetting to braid it. Oin handed me two pieces of string for a temporary hold on the braids until we got clasps for them. I tied Kili's braid off and examined it proudly, smiling at it.
"Excuse me, Lady Niya." A voice called from the entrance behind me.
"Yes." I replied turning my head only part ways to not interfere with Kili's braiding. In my peripheral vision I could see an elf standing at the entrance.
"Master Thorin and Mithrandir request your presence." I held my breath and turned my head back to face Kili.
He had a grim look on his face. He was far off, for as his eyes met mine for a brief moment, I could see him deep in thought.
"Lady Niya?" The elf called me again.
"She will be a moment." Kili snapped.
"Kili." I whispered harshly giving him a look of disapproval.
"This is an important part of our courtship." Kili muttered.
"I will just be a moment." I called to the elf.
"Shall I wait for you?"
"You shall wait no longer." Kili replied gruffly. He tied the piece of string around my braid then dropped his hands to his lap. He wouldn't look at me, instead he stared off to the side, irritated. I felt like I ruined our moment. I waited to see if he would look at me but he didn't. I sighed quietly and went to stand but Kili swiftly gripped my arms and brought me back down, pulling me to him, placing his lips on mine. I thought the kiss was going to be hard and quick, but it was soft and gentle. I kissed him back, my heart fluttering. He released my arms and put them on the side of my head, petting my hair back.
He parted his lips from mine. "Go." He whispered. I swallowed and nodded. I stood and turned, and before I walked away, Kili tapped my bum. I shot him a playful glare as I met the elf at the entrance. The last thing I saw before exiting with the elf was Kili's loving smile.
"Mole." I heard Fili call out. I rolled my eyes as I heard him snicker at himself.
The elf led me to the scroll room where I found Gandalf and Thorin sitting where Fili and I sat the night before. Thorin's back was to me, however Gandlaf saw me approach.
"Ahh, young Niya." Gandlaf stood and smiled. Thorin stood and turned to face me. At that moment Gandalf sent me a wink. My heart skipped a beat. That had to be good.
"Niya. Please, sit." He motioned for me to sit next to Gandalf on the divan. When I sat, they followed suit. "First thing's first." Thorin started giving me a hard look. It softened but only a small amount. It was mostly in his eyes. "I understand you agreed to court my nephew Kili." I nodded slowly, not sure where this was going to lead. His gaze on me softened even more. "I want to commend you and your courtship with him." I smiled happily.
"Thank you Thorin." I bowed my head.
"But regarding your company on this quest." His normal stern voice returned. I averted my wide eyes to him. This is what I came here for. "Kili did not tell you of Dwarven customs." I began to wring my hands and bit my lip nervously. "The first stages of courtship comprise of the two living apart. Writing of poems, or songs, making gifts for the other is customary. Then the second stage is living together, traveling together is the popular pick." I could not believe my ears. We were to live apart. I thought Kili said I could come on the quest. I breathed deeply.
"However…" Had I any hope? "This courtship is hardly customary, you are not a dwarf." He had an amused look to his face. "You certainly have my nephew's favour. You reeled him in deep into your charm pool." I smiled meekly at him. "And under the circumstances of this quest, Gandalf deemed it unwise to part you two." I glanced sideways at Gandalf briefly. "You only started your courtship, and I see it cruel to part two that has just begun their journey. Mahal knows how long this quest will be or what it will make of us. I agree it is wiser to keep you together, should anything happen, at least you are with each other." Thorin had a soft side for his nephews.
"Thorin…I -" I didn't know what to say, but my expression was that of deep gratitude.
He cleared his throat. "And well…Kili practically begged me. I need him at his best. If parting you two shall only leave him moping I cannot have that." He covered as he wore his tough persona once again. "Also Gandalf and Kili vouch that you are a skilled warrior and somewhat of an assassin with stealth and healing abilities." My eyebrows rose to that comment. An assassin…Niya: the assassin.
Gandalf finally spoke. "Yes! I told Thorin you could be a second burglar! You are highly trained in stealth and the dragon will not smell you because you would probably smell like the earth to him, what with living with Radagast for so long, but it benefited with your knowledge of the earth and its healing properties." At the mention of my long-time friend I saddened and Gandalf took notice. "Are you sure you want to do this Niya…"
I sat for a second replaying the question in my head before responding. "Yes. I have lived stationary for far too long, but with a deep gratitude to Radagast. I will always find home with him, but I must find my own." I replied confidently.
"Spoken proud and true!" Thorin nodded at me, impressed.
Thorin stood, along with Gandalf. They looked down to me and motioned for me to rise. "Welcome Niya, Ranger of the south, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Thorin placed a hand on my shoulder.
Thorin advised I went to my room to rest because we were leaving at dawn in the morning. I wanted to go tell Kili immediately of the news but I had to wait for the morning. I walked to my room quietly and upon entering I discovered new items on the divan. The only recognizable items were the new arrows that sat in my quiver. I ran my fingers gently through the feathers. Sitting next to my weapons was a pack with a piece of parchment lying atop.
For your quest. I bid you and the company safe travels.
Lord Elrond
He knew of the quest, yet he did not try to stop us. I looked inside of the pack. Underneath an extra cloak the elves were gifting me, there was an empty water skin, then countless herbs, oils and healing supplies. I could not express the thanks I had for the elves. Thorin may dislike them, but this place will always give me nice thoughts, for more than one reason.
My door opened. "Niya. How long have you been in here?" I motioned Kili over to me.
"Not long. I just got in." I replied.
"I heard Thorin pass my room. I was waiting for you." He approached my side. "I didn't even hear you." He muttered to himself. I gave him a sideways glance and smirked. "That's because I 'm somewhat of an assassin." I teased, quoting him.
Kili rocked on his heels. "What did Thorin say…"
I tried to feign the deepest sadness I could muster before looking at Kili. His face fell. It must have worked. He took me in his arms in a tight embrace. I put his head in my hands and pulled it from my neck. The look in his eye killed me. I could not lie to him any longer. I kissed him softly then smiled against his lips, "He said yes Kili." I breathed.
Kili lifted me off the ground at once, his arms wrapping around my bum. He looked up at me with an unbelievably large grin. "Don't you ever do that to me! Oh, I cannot even be angered towards you!" He dropped me a little so that he could kiss me. He walked to the bed and fell onto it backwards. I broke the kiss and pushed myself up on my arms to look down at Kili. He pushed my hair back and then fisted it, his other hand laying on my cheek.
He gazed at my face in almost awe. "You are so beautiful." He murmured. I leaned into his cheek and closed my eyes. "I am so happy." I opened my eyes.
"I am happy I am going to be with you." I replied.
"I have something for you." He told me. I crawled off of him and allowed him to sit up. He fished in his pocket and his hand reappeared closed over something. "While you met with Thorin and Gandalf I asked an elf for assistance." I looked at him confused. "I did not know which you would want." He opened his fist revealing four hair clasps. "So I got two of each." There were two deep violet clasps and two blue ones. "I got the violet because it is your favourite."
"And the blue?"
"It is the colour of the like of Durin." I fingered them in his palm before taking one of each.
"Are our braids supposed to match?" I asked. I did not know much about dwarf customs.
"Customarily, yes but I like the braid you gave me. It represents who I am courting."
"Then I think…" I opened the purple clasp, untying the string on Kili's braid and clasping his hair. "We should match clasps." I finished then put the blue clasp underneath the violet one.
"That is a brilliant idea." He replied repeating my actions on my hair. He stroked the full length of my braid before pulling me down to lay with him. We lay side-by-side merely looking at each other. I fingered Kili's braid as he laid still looking at me in thought. I felt as though he was considering me.
"Is this your first braid?" I eyed it as I played with it.
"Mmhmm." Kili barely hummed before leaning in and kissing me. First it was soft and loving but it became fevered as I pressed my body into his. I was pushed onto my back as Kili rolled on top of me. His tongue meeting my lips caused my lips to part, his tongue darting into my mouth. We kissed hurriedly, Kili's hand running up my side, exploring my body. His hand cupped my breast and my breath hitched as our tongues danced. When he started to squeeze and massage my breast I broke our kiss throwing my head to the side with a moan. Immediately his lips latched onto my neck, sucking, nipping. I arched my back into him, receiving a groan from Kili. He suddenly stopped the movement of his hand, as he kissed up my neck and jaw and placed a final sweet kiss on my lips. My breathing was ragged. Kili lifted himself on his arms to look at me.
"You are a fiend." Kili laughed amused at me. I huffed.
"You make me a fiend." I lightly hit his chest. He rolled off of me and sat next to me on the bed.
"I shall come for you in the morning and I will braid your hair." I sat up next to him. He lifted my hand to his mouth. "I promise." He laughed against my hand before kissing it. I've wanted to braid my hair since we got to Rivendell and it had yet to be braided.
I nodded at his promise. He stood, holding my hand still and pulling me up with him. "Goodnight my Lady Niya." He kissed my lips chastely. "Sleep well." He made for my doors.
"Good night my Prince Kili."
Thanks for reading darlings, positive and negatives are both welcome, if you don't like something, I'd like to know what, I'm open to opinions.
The courtship braid I made to be on the left side because that's where the heart is. The braid starts out as a french braid, running above and along the ear, dipping down behind it then braiding all the way down.
