Nori settled into the chair carefully, repressing a groan. It had been far too long since he had been able to actually sit; the last time had been at the Hobbit's home, and that was several weeks ago already. This would be the last stop they could make, and even a city of Elves had beds and food.
Of a sort, anyway, he thought, looking at the table. Vegetables. Nothing but green food and a few fruits lay on the table. He could see Ori already protesting further down; he hated green food. The others were having similar reactions, except Bifur, who seemed to be eating the decorative flowers in the vase.
The Burglar seemed to be fine with the fare as well, but he was watching them, frowning. Nori glanced back down at the food he'd been offered, before shrugging and beginning to eat. It wasn't particularly appetizing, but it was food, and he was hungry.
Some of the elves walking by were murmuring to themselves, but in Sindarin, and while Nori was talented at many things, Elvish was not on that list. Balin had some skill at it, but from a glance at his face, he hadn't caught what was said.
The Hobbit had, though, if he was reading his face correctly. He looked stricken, almost, and looked back at his food before slowly setting it back down. He didn't take another bite through the meal, instead speaking to Balin and looking at the head table where Thorin, Gandalf, and Lord Elrond sat speaking in low tones.
The meal ended, and they were led to a hall with several bedrooms off of it. Balin, Thorin, the Burglar and Gandalf went off with Lord Elrond. The rest of them, still hungry and annoyed, ended up breaking the chairs and tables to start a fire. The sausages were enough to settle his stomach.
From the edge of the room, he could see their guard, a rather sour-faced Elf that Gandalf had called Lindir, giving them what likely passed for a dirty look from the doorway. Nori shrugged it off; Elves wouldn't know how to have a good time if it bit them on the arse anyway.
Much later, the others had retired to the rooms their hosts had provided. Nori, however, waited in the common area for the rest of their Company, who arrived shortly. Except the Wizard, Nori noted as he sat up to greet them. Thorin and Balin were in deep, quiet conversation, and only spared him a glance and a nod. Bilbo, however, walked over and sat down, pulling out a pipe to smoke.
"So, did our host have anything useful to say, or more useless drivel?" Nori asked, lighting his own pipe.
"There were Moon Runes on the map, which spell out some riddle with a thrush. I'd say whoever created that map did not want anyone to ever find the entrance, even his own kin," Bilbo said quietly, glancing at Thorin and Balin across the room, still talking.
"Older Dwarrows were very fond of their mysteries. Try getting into Moria sometime, you'll see what I mean." He leaned back on his hands, looking out the open wall onto the clear night sky. Bilbo chuckled.
"I think this may be my last adventure, thank you very much. All together too much rain and sleeping on the ground for my tastes." He looked like he was about to say more, when a loud grumble broke the quiet. Nori looked over in surprise; Bilbo appeared embarrassed, rubbing at his stomach sheepishly.
"Not enough leaves to keep you happy? Here, there're a few sausages left from earlier," Nori handed over the few he had saved for himself. Bilbo looked extremely grateful as he accepted the offering, and ate them quickly enough to keep Nori from regretting giving up his snack.
"Thank you. And no, I'm sure the food would have been satisfying enough, but I didn't want to eat at the Elves table after… well, they were saying very far from flattering things about some fellows I've grown rather fond of." Nori stared, puzzled.
"You skipped half of your supper because you were offended for us?" What kind of bizarre person did that? On a quest, where the next bite of food was questionable at best?
"It may not apply to you, or to Elves, but for a Hobbit host to have people leave the table hungry would be the height of insulting. I realize this isn't the Shire, but I didn't care to join your drinking and singing, and that is what I know to do." He sniffed, clearly miffed that Nori didn't understand. Nori pursed his lips, trying not to think about ow he likely looked like Dori at the moment.
"Mister Baggins, I was only expressing my surprise that you were so offended that you skipped supper. You seemed fascinated by the Elves before this." Bilbo shrugged, chewing on the end of his pipe.
"You didn't hear what they said. I'll survive a day or so. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll try to get some sleep. Thorin wants to leave as early as possible; apparently he thinks they may try to stop us. Goodnight Nori." He shuffled off, tapping the ashes out of his pipe onto a railing as he passed. Nori continued smoking peacefully for a few minutes, before Balin stopped next to him.
"What did Master Baggins say?" He asked, looming slightly over Nori. They'd never exactly gotten along, but Nori did respect him.
Which is why he didn't kick him in the kneecap. The only reason, to be honest.
"Just letting me know an interesting bit about Hobbits. Apparently having someone leave the table hungry is a most grievous insult to them, and Bilbo heard something so rude that he decided to not finish his meal before we left the hall." Balin's eyebrows lifted, and Nori grinned. Always fun to get a reaction out of Balin. Nori tapped out his own pipe, rolled to the side and stood. He was still shorter than Balin, but it made him feel on more equal footing.
"He speaks Sindarin?"
"Apparently. And is fond enough of us to forego a meal, from what he said. Well, I'm off. Want to get some sleep in a bed before we head out again." Nori waved at Thorin, who stood far on the side of the room, watching either their conversation or the sky.
Later, curled between the soft bedding and listening to the quiet sounds of bugs and frogs, Nori wondered if any Elves had known that tidbit of information about Hobbits. It would be rather amusing to see their expressions, knowing they had offended the only member of the Company they seemed to like.
