Slackers

The day was warm and calm and everyone who knew it was a holiday, had taken the opportunity to just relax.

Dru being Dru had wondered around Erebor aimlessly, looking for little jobs where there was none. No one was really finishing repairs and any farming or gardening that needed to be done, she wasn't allowed near. Apparently, word had got out about her burying apple seeds in almost every crevice of dirt in Erebor, even on patches that were meant to be repaired.

So she found herself nearer the stables than she realised and whilst she didn't feel like riding, she thought she may at least keep the animals' company and even catch a little bit of sleep whilst she was there. After all, if she wasn't needed, then she could at least treat herself to a quick snooze.

But, of course, when she arrived, she hadn't expected one of the stalls to already be occupied. It was warm and calming and she thought the sound of the flute was from outside. But no, it was much closer.

As she drifted around the corner, she found that the stall that usually occupied her brother's ponies was currently being occupied by a very familiar dwarf.

"Bofur...are you skiving?" She couldn't help but chastise him, though she was very amused at the sight of him.

His coat was wide open, his hat was off to the side and his boots were kicked off. His eyes were heavy as he seemed to be fighting sleep, but that still didn't stop him finishing his tune. In fact, whilst he'd seen her and acknowledged her, he waited until the last few notes left his flute before pulling it away from his lips.

"Me? No, lass. Just a little rest...there's only so much farming to be done," he shuffled around and placed his arm around his back, demonstrating his discomfort, "I may have pulled something in my back earlier. Might have given myself a serious injury if I continued."

Dru merely folded her arms at him and smirked.

"Mmm Hmm. Did you leave Bifur in charge again?"

"Oh yes," he winked at her, but she could only roll her eyes.

"Great. More potatoes. At least we'll have plenty of chips for the Autumn."

Bofur shrugged as if not bothered by this information. He then got a mischievous glint in his eye.

"And what are you doing, may I ask? Our fine Princess, wondering around unescorted? Surely," he gasped in mock horror and gave her a pointed look, "YOU'RE not skiving from your duties?"

Dru snorted at him and shook her head.

"Merely taking a break...I am apparently not needed farming or any other repairs," she glanced around to make sure they were truly alone, "so...shove over."

Bofur smirked at her and happily scooched over a little, chuckling when she practically threw herself next to him on the comfy pile of freshly laid straw.

Easy and idle chatter gave way to companionable silence and Bofur began to play some tunes that Dru recognised. She was just nodding off when she turned sleepily to him, her arm looping around his waist and she yawned,

"Bofur...can you play the parting glass again? Like when we were on the journey?"

Bofur smirked and looked down at the top of her head. She'd obviously forgotten all the numerous times she'd asked him to play it whilst they were in the Mountain. But he couldn't deny her when she was tucked up against him.

"For you lass. Anything."

As the tune began to drift over Dru, she felt herself fully relax and give into sleep. She was happy to spend time with one of her closest friends and trusted him completely.

When Bofur had finished the tune and slowly pulled the flute away from his mouth, he looked down at her.

'In the stables with a Princess fast asleep against you? What an image that will make!'

Bofur decided not to spoil the moment with his own jovialty. In other circumstances, he probably would have awakened her and teased her, but now...he was happy she was safe.

He'd watched his friends and King go through a lot and for the briefest moment when Dwalin had carried Dru's bloodied and battered body back from Ravenhill, everyone had let out a cry and thought the worst.

The battle was won and Thorin and his nephews lived...but at the cost of losing Dru. Most had not slept that night, tending to the injured and the dying in the great halls of Erebor.

Bofur had been one who had not sat still until word came down: Dru was alive. This stubborn, funny and courageous person whom he'd called friend, was alive.

He'd not told anyone how he'd gone to bed and cried himself to sleep, but then he had a feeling even Bifur shed a tear or two.

Tucking his flute back into his belt with one hand, he moved his other arm around her shoulders and pulled her in closer. Dru seemed to happily accept this gesture and nuzzled into him.

Bofur did not fully sleep, but he did shut his eyes and enjoy a light snooze, content to listen to the sound of Dru's light snoring.

He wasn't sure how long they'd been there for, but the light had dimmed and when he opened his eyes again, he was suddenly confronted by a very long nose.

He gently shoved away the inquisitive cow, trying not to jolt Dru too much, but he needn't have bothered. The curious beast let out a loud cry at being pushed away from its spying and Dru stirred sleepily.

She disentangled herself from Bofur and sat up, scratching at her face with her eyes still shut.

"Mam, can I have five more minutes?" Dru felt something tickling her face and began to pull away the straw lingering there, allowing her lids to slowly open as she woke up properly, "and I think I want ham. Ham and eggs...why am I in a barn?"

"Stables, lass," Bofur watched as she slowly turned and smirked at her sleepy face focusing on him.

She blinked a couple of times.

"Bofur?" She looked about her and finally back to him, "did I fall asleep?"

Bofur nodded in confirmation and sat himself up as well, looking out towards one of the open windows.

"Looks like it's time for supper," he reached behind him and picked up his discarded hat, though chose not to put it on right away due to his warmth, "come on, best get you back upstairs before they send out a search party. A Princess late for supper? Ya' mother would faint."

Bofur stood up first and turned to pull her to her feet, catching her when she leant against him and held on.

"Oh...Bofur, the sun is setting. We've been asleep for nearly half the day," whilst her eyes were open, Bofur had a strange feeling she was still talking as if she thought she was dreaming.

He held her back to see if she could stand on her own but offered his arm to arm as he shuffled her out and along. She yawned rather inelegantly and looked up at him.

"Still tired, lass?"

She nodded at him.

"I take ages to wake up. That's why I hate napping during the day, I won't sleep for ages and usually have to go train to get myself worn out again."

He allowed her to lean against him again, her arm tucked around him as they wandered back up from the stables and through the great halls of Erebor.

They chatted as normally as they would, though Dru caught occasional glances and whispers from people as they passed. She supposed they did paint an interesting picture, but then, she'd been on the arm of her other friends so why was being with Bofur garnering so much attention?

They were halfway to their destination when they were met in one of the many large archways connecting stairs, by her brothers.

"Oi, where have you two been?" Fili frowned deeply at the two, but Dru didn't pull away from Bofur. She was still tired and her brother's glares didn't scare her.

She didn't think about Bofur though.

"Stables," she yawned again and shifted against Bofur, looking up at him when he let out a small grunt of pain. His other hand came down to rest against his back and he arched it out slightly, trying to stretch his muscles.

"Oh...definitely pulled something in my back."

"Sorry, Bofur probably didn't help to lay on you." Dru yawned again and looked back to ask Kili and Fili if she was late for supper, but stopped short at the murderous expressions on their faces, "What?"

Bofur, sensing the tension and realising that the glares were mostly directed at him, carefully shifted away from Dru and politely dropped her arm, chuckling good-naturedly at the two.

"Oh...lads, it's not what you think," he turned hesitantly to look at Dru and as he took a step back from her, noticed she had acquired a new fashion, "Oh...oh, that explains the funny looks. Lass, you've got straw...everywhere."

Dru and Bofur had not bothered to dust and pat themselves down after their naps and whilst their fronts looked fine, each one had a delicate sprinkling of straw up one side of their backs and in their hair.

Dru shook her hair out and watched as a small fall of straw sprinkled out and down onto the ground in front of her.

She looked at it curiously and suddenly had an epiphany.

"OH. THAT'S WHY PEOPLE WERE STARING!" She shouted louder than she intended and turned to look at Bofur's worried expression. He'd paled considerably and his jovial smile faltered as he backed away, like a frightened creature suddenly sighting a large predator.

She wasn't sure why he suddenly gave a quick wave and said, "Well, I'm off. Goodbye," before turning around bolting back in the direction he'd come from.

She pulled a long face as she watched him retreat and slowly turned back to her brothers.

Kili had been silent the entire time and if looks could kill, then the one he was wearing now could take down an army of looks. Fili was no better, but instead of looking past her and after Bofur, he was looking at her. He almost looked...hurt.

"What are you two Dunderheads looking at?!"

That seemed to snap Kili out of his angry stupor. He took a deep, heavy breath before marching past by and said without turning, "I'm just going to have a word with Bofur. BOFUR!"

Dru watched him suddenly break into a quick run up the stairs, obviously adamant that he'd catch up with Bofur.

When she turned back around to look at Fili for an explanation, he was still staring at her with that curiously strange expression.

"Oh, for-What?!" Despite her frustration, she began to feel around in her hair for the strands of straw that were stuck there.

Fili's jaw tightened as he watched her, but he took a deep breath in and out before asking, "...what were you doing all day? We couldn't find you."

Dru raised an eyebrow at him.

"I finished my work, so I went to the stables. As I said," she let out another yawn but shook her head to try to wake herself up more. She wanted to pay attention to what he had to say.

"With Bofur?" His eyes hardened again.

"What? No, he was already there. Slacking off."

"And you? What were-"

"I told you. I finished my work so," she suddenly smiled mischievously at him, "Slacking off, but as a Princess."

Whilst his expression softened, she could still tell her was pouting about something.

"Oh, what's wrong grumpy?"

"Nothing." He bit back and Dru felt a small amount of anger flare up inside of her. She HATED it when people did that to her, specifically her brothers.

She broke the distance between them and stood in front of him.

With one hand, she brought it up to his face and before he could stop her, flicked him in the middle of his forehead.

Whilst it wasn't necessarily painful, it seemed to have gotten the message across. He scowled at her.

"DON'T. Do that."

She mimicked his long face before giving him a gentle shove.

"Then don't be such a grump," switching tactics, she turned her back to him and signalled to her dress, "Since you obviously have an issue with it, Clean off my back will ye'?"

Fili hesitated for a few moments, but begrudgingly obliged her. It didn't stop him muttering to himself though.

"What?" She looked over her shoulder at him, but he moved to the other side before she could see his face.

"You must know how that would look to everyone," he sighed as he finally managed to pluck off the larger pieces of straw and tapped her on the shoulder to let her know she was done.

She shrugged but did not turn back to him, still a little frustrated at his behaviour.

"We just fell asleep and had a cuddle. That's what I did on our journey. I fell asleep on Dwalin, remember?"

The morning after had been memorable, as Dwalin suddenly turned and practically squished her in his sleep. Fili fought down a smile at the memory and looked back at her, uncertain.

"So...you were just sleeping?"

Dru DID turn around then and glared at him.

"Wait...do you think I had a fumble in the stables with Bofur?!" Her hands were on her hips and Fili knew he was in trouble. Her face was tight and she glared daggers at him.

His silence verified the answer she wanted, but instead of being angry, she broke character and suddenly burst into laughter.

He arched his brow and watched her shake her head, before declaring, "Me and him? Not a chance."

Fili blinked at her a couple of times. It didn't make sense.

"But-but I thought you two-"

"You thought wrong. Bofur's lovely and all, but we're just mates. I'd say he was," she thought about this for a bit and counted on her fingers, "third best friend."

His curiosity got the better of him.

"After?"

"Thorin and Kili," she answered automatically, not even batting an eyelid at her confession.

He actually blanched and looked hurriedly away, trying not to appear too put out.

"I see," he looked back at her in time to see her roll her eyes at him.

"Oh, you don't count. You're more than my best friend."

Despite how he'd been feeling only a few minutes ago, he couldn't help but smile.

"I am?"

She nodded at him and began to count off his titles on her fingers.

"Big brother, protector, guardian, hair brusher, apple picker, noble steed-"

Fili sighed but kept his smile.

"I get the picture."

Dru just stepped closer to him and pulled him into a warm hug, which he returned eagerly.

"You're like...my bestest, best friend. So you're not on the list with the others." She leant the side of her head against his and began to idly play with his hair.

Fili was glad she couldn't see the smug smile on his face.

"So...all that flirting with Bofur when we were on our way here?"

Dru let out a snort and was pleased he couldn't see her cheeky grin.

"I just love winding you and Kili up."

He was quiet for a moment before-

"You little troll!"

Dru screeched as her weight was suddenly shifted and she found herself over his shoulder. She grabbed ahold of his coat at the back and pushed herself up so she wasn't staring at his legs and boots.

"Fili!" She squealed in protest, especially when he jostled her slightly as he began to walk. She couldn't stop the delighted laugh from escaping her though.

"We're going to dinner," he found he was able to hold her up with on arm and asked, "You're not struggling as much as usual?"

Dru's laugh rung around his ears and despite her answer, he felt extremely happy carrying her.

"Nah. Free ride to the dining room. Plus, you're proving what a noble steed you are."