Peapod Wine

"Feast your eyes upon these!"

Both Kili and Dru jumped in their seats and both their heads shot up as they stared at exactly what it was they were supposed to be 'feasting their eyes on!'

Fili had come in and placed two large greenish bottles on the table in front of them, the mixture inside an ominous dark green.

"It looks like sludge," Dru grimaced and gave both the bottles and her brother displeased looks.

"It looks like that old pond by the abandoned farm. Covered in moss," he turned towards his sister and waved his fingers at her, putting on a sinister tone, "creatures lurking in the deep."

"This, my two trolls," Fili caught their attention again and waved his hand at the bottles, "is Peapod Wine. Courtesy of Daisy's mother."

Dru scrunched her nose and rolled her eyes.

"Bloody Daisy. Did you tell her to remove the stick up her backside?"

"I'm sure he would gladly remove it for her-OW!" Kili's hand flew up to the back of his head and glared at his big brother, "what was that for?!"

"For being a git," he then turned to his sister and sternly told her, "and don't talk about Daisy like that. She's got her own family now and they've been kind to us over the years."

Dru just rolled her eyes again and lent her face in her hands, supporting herself on the table by her elbows.

"Who died and made you King?"

"No one, but Mam and Thorin let me in charge for the weekend and I intend to uphold my promise of making sure the house is clean and you two aren't dead by the time they return," he switched from stern to mischievous and winked at them both, "but that doesn't mean we can't have some good wine with our meals, aye'?"

Kili, finished with rubbing at his sore head, quickly plucked a bottle from off the table and began to inspect the contents, holding it up to the light. Emboldened that the bottle wasn't going to spring to life in her hands, Dru took the other one and uncorked it with her teeth. She leant forward, took a deep whiff and-

"OH MY-UGH!" She held the bottle at arm's length and took in deep breaths as she tried to stop herself from panicking too much, "Oh...that's got a kick to it. Oh, I think it made my eyes water!"

Kili took the opened one from her and gave it a tentative whiff also. He copied her expression and quickly took the cork from off of the table, sticking it back into the mouth.

"First Rhubarb and now this?! Honestly, what will that woman think of next?!"

"You can make wine from almost anything. Brussel sprout wine?" Fili took away the two bottles and enjoyed the shared look of disgust his two siblings gave him.

"If that ever gets to be made into wine, I'm revolting," Dru declared and quickly slipped the bookmark into the page she was on.

"You already are revolting-AH!" Kili pushed his chair violently back, scraping it as he went and began to rub at his kneecap, "you wait until mother gets home and hears about your bullying! Both of you!"

"Bullying? I like to see it as more," Fili deliberately took his time 'thinking' of the word, "big brother rights."

"And I like to see it as you being stupid, so I have every right," Dru added on smugly and hopped off her seat with her book to go and put it in her room.

"Yeah, whatever," Kili grumbled and followed suit, cleaning his own books and letters off of the table.

Fili was glad he had them well trained to clear the table so they could eat on it. That had been the first rule, 'clear table or no room for more plates' and surprisingly, it had gone down well.

He got out the cutlery and when they came back in and joined him in the kitchen, they affectionately began to squabble over what they all wanted that night and whether or not they wanted it doubled or tripled. Since Dis was not there and they all had their own specialities, they chose to work together and made fish and chips with chicken stuffed in bread on the side and Kili made his jam and custard pastry puffs. Each of them took it in turns to scold the other when they tried to 'taste test' everything before it even reached the table, but it was Fili who again put his foot down and made them wait.

A couple of hours later...

"Right, eat up," Fili said as soon as his backside was down on the chair and couldn't help but smirk at the way his brother and sister quickly began to snatch at the plates in the centre of the table, "and try not to scratch each other!"

He was able to get his own food without any injury and he was also glad he hid some in the pot in the pantry for later (though had a feeling the other two would sniff it out quickly, specifically Dru). He eagerly uncorked the first bottle of peapod and poured Dru a tall glass. She watched him with a suspicious eye and even after he filled Kili's and his own, she didn't touch her glass.

"It's not poison. It's Peapod. And it won't bite you," Fili, who had already tried a sample earlier that day, took a small sip and swirled the contents in his glass, "you two have to start being adventurous."

Kili and Dru shared a look before she tentatively picked up her own glass and held it close to her. She gazed at the contents for a few moments, sniffing it experimentally before she shut her eyes and pressed the glass to her mouth. She tipped the smallest amount into her mouth and swallowed hurriedly before her eyes shot open, the Fili and Kili did not know whether it was horror or surprise until she spoke.

"Oh! ...Actually," Dru took another little sip and pulled a thoughtful face, "you know...it's not that bad!"

"You're having me on!" Kili, who had picked up his own glass and had yet to take a drink, stared suspiciously at her, "I bet it tastes like grass."

"You would know what that tastes like, because?" Dru took another mouthful of her wine and waited for him to retort.

Kili could find nothing to send back to her, but seeing she was actually enjoying it, took a cautious sip himself. He had the same reaction as she did and looked at his brother in surprise.

"Well, I never. Bloody Peapod," a grin broke over his face before he took a hearty gulp from his glass.

"Careful you two, I've been told it packs a secret kick," Fili put down his own glass and remembered to pace himself. It would do no good to get sozzled when he had to watch these two, even if they were all technically adults.

"Pah! We're dwarves," Dru held her glass out to be toasted against Kili's, "Iron stomachs and the constitution of a...uh...Oliphaunt? Or is it a Mountain troll? Do Mountain trolls have strong constitutions?"

"Are you sure you're thinking of the right word?" Fili arched his brow as Dru thought and when she nodded at him, he felt it best not to push it and break the peaceful atmosphere.

He was only on his second cupful, Dru and Kili on their fourth and third when, only slightly tipsy, his little sister reminded him of something important.

"I thought you were supposed to go and check on Widow Goody today for Mam?" She prodded him in his shirt sleeve with her fork and he scowled at her.

"Oh...bollocks, you're right," he put his cutlery down and got up immediately, "I best go do that now so I don't forget. You two, try not to kill one another whilst I'm gone. Dru, where did Mam put that pot of stew?"

After being directed towards one of the cabinets, where the pot in question was neatly bundled up and ready for transportation, he observed the contents of the kitchen table. He had a feeling by the time he got back, the food would be long gone and even as he thought it, Dru and Kili were eyeing up the last torn chunks of his bread that he'd left on the side. He hoped they wouldn't break anything when they fought over it.

He was happy there was also enough Peapod wine left at the bottom of one bottle to fill another glass for them each AND they still hadn't uncorked the other one. Perhaps it would keep long enough for when their mother and Thorin returned?

"I'll be back soon," he turned from them and searched for his boots. As he found them by the door and slipped and laced them back on, Dru couldn't help but add, "are you sure you don't want to take the basket? And a cape, encase it gets cold?"

Fili shot her a dirty look and Kili was the one to finish the teasing.

"Nah, you know he doesn't have an adorable little cat to follow him today."

"Oh, it was ONE time!" Fili scowled at them both and stood up quickly, the pot tucked under his arm, "and it only followed me because of the fish cakes!"

Fili didn't turn around or rise when Kili and Dru both began making little 'meowing' noises as he departed. He did, however, look around him warily, seeing if there was going to be any cats following him today. At least the stew wasn't fish.

A short while later...

"Away!" Fili turned around and waved a frustrated arm out behind him, trying to shoo away the small creature, "I have nothing for you today! Away with ya'!"

The black cat did not seem to understand him. Instead, it followed happily and whenever he stopped, it eagerly ran between his legs and pushed itself up against him, though Fili felt it was trying to trip him up more than anything.

"Ugh...they'll bloody never let me hear the end of this," he turned away, choosing to ignore the cat now in the hopes it would leave him alone. He did not want to stop and turn around, even to check if it was still following and just hoped it wouldn't run past him and into the house. Again.

As he stopped and stood outside his front door, hand ready to grasp the handle and enter, he listened. He didn't hear the sound of squabbling or shouts or plates breaking. No, instead he heard singing and laughter and for one, he wasn't overly pleased about this. Kili and Dru NEVER laughed and sang after dinner unless-

He felt a pressure against his leg, followed by a tiny pain and he turned and looked down, just to see the cat running away.

"Ah, ya' little bugger!" He quickly rubbed at the sore area and shot a dirty look at the cat, "that's the second time! I'll have you one of these days, I promise!"

The cat stopped a short distance away and eyed Fili with a rather...dare he say it...amused look. He swore if cats could laugh or grin, that that is what the cat was doing right now.

The sounds from inside reached his ears again and satisfied in the knowledge that the cat WASN'T going to follow him inside, quickly opened the door, stepped inside and shut it again before the creature could change its mind.

"Fi! Fi's back, look Ki! It's our faaavooourite Fi!"

'Uh oh.'

Fili wasn't sure if he wanted to turn around and see what was behind him. They weren't dead and they weren't fighting, but they were distinctly more merry than when he had left. Which could only mean one thing...

He took a deep breath and bravely turned about. His eyes fell first to the two empty bottles on the table and then, to each of his siblings.

Kili was laughing loudly at something hilarious.

Dru was giggling slightly into her cup.

Both had very red cheeks and a watery, twinkle in their eyes.

They were sozzled.

"Oh...Oh, tell me you didn't?"

Both Kili and Dru looked at him and carried on giggling and laughing, drinking from their glasses.

"Oh, you did."

"I don't know what you were talking about before, this stuff doesn't have any kick at all!" Dru, whose intention had been to turn in her seat and hop off of it and onto the floor, turned in her seat and...promptly slid off of it and onto the floor.

She didn't even manage to spill the contents of her cup as she looked around her, confused as to what happened.

"Somebody moved the floor!"

Kili was too busy laughing himself silly, though now he appeared to actually be laughing AT Dru, rather than at nothing. And whilst she hadn't spilt a drop, he was sloshing most of his drink over the kitchen table and floor.

Fili could only groan in exasperation.

"Oh, Mahal...at least Mam isn't here to see this."

But despite that affirmation, he knew it was not going to be an easy night. Especially when he had to get them to bed AND not let them escape the house like last time. It had taken some significant explaining and apologising for the fights they had caused and the damage they had done to Merry Chester's fence.

Fili left them to their insane giggling and strange conversations as he went about the place. He quickly shut and locked what doors and windows he could, ensuring the keys were safe in his pocket before returning to the kitchen. Dru and Kili had moved from the table and were now singing and dancing together in the cramped space, though Kili seemed to fare well in picking up Dru and spinning her about the place.

Fili was only half listening to their songs, but when he settled in the kitchen and began to wash the dishes, he caught the end of it and realised what it was they were singing (if slightly out of tune and off key).

"Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle;

the dog began to roar,

The cow and the horses stood on their heads;

The guests all bounded from their beds

and danced upon the floor!"

Fili, who had been humming along with the tune, suddenly felt two sets of arms grab either of his and he was tugged away from the sink and had to scurry backwards as they pulled him into their 'dancing space'.

Before he could escape, they each slipped an arm into his and began to turn him about the place as they continued on.

"With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!

the cow jumped over the Moon,

And the little dog laughed to see such fun,

And the Saturday dish went off at a run

with the silver Sunday spoon."

Despite being pulled away from the dishes and still having a wet cup in his hand, he found himself singing along and dancing the best he could with his siblings as they turned and twisted about one another. It had been a while since they'd danced a merry jig with each other, but they remembered who went where and Kili picked up Dru and tossed her into Fili's arms easily, despite his slightly off-balanced throw.

"The round Moon rolled behind the hill

as the Sun raised up her head.

She hardly believed her fiery eyes;

For though it was day, to her surprise

they all went back to bed!"

"Wooohooo!" Dru span herself in a circle, holding her now empty cup above her head, "more, more!"

"No, no more, you know what THIS calls for?!" Kili lent into Dru and tapped the side of his nose as if to keep a secret, "Bootlaces!"

Fili rolled his eyes.

"I know bootlaces is code for 'let's go out and steal people's shoes whilst they sleep', we've done it before."

"Shhh, you don't know," Dru pressed her forefingers into Fili's chest and glared up at him, "you're not supposed to know. It's a secreeeet."

Fili really couldn't help but smile as he looked down at Dru. She was WAY past gone. She was almost as drunk as she had been on her twenty-first birthday, but she had yet to start eating butter with a spoon, which was a good sign.

But then, her arms came around his neck and she pressed her head against his chest and despite the glass being empty, Fili was still cautious as he grabbed it off of her and held it away so she couldn't drop it.

"Oh, Fili sing us a song!" She demanded and began to sway on her feet, though Fili hadn't even picked out a song yet.

"Yes, one of your songs, brother!" Kili suddenly pressed himself against his brothers back and threw his arms around him, "about fair beauties and the ocean breeze and-and slaying dragons!"

"Shhh, mustn't talk about dragons!" Dru grumbled and rubbed the side of her face against Fili's chest, "Thorin will have your bollocks!"

There was no point in telling Dru to watch her language. One, Dis was not there to scold her and Two, she was far too drunk to actually care if he had said anything. Fili was trapped between the two and deliberated whether it was worth manoeuvring them over to the kitchen sink to carry on cleaning.

Considering he had two glasses in either hand, he couldn't really defend himself, but then they were just hugging him. If they had been the ones drunk and Dru had been the hugger, they would have tickled her mercilessly by now.

"I have an idea," a bright thought entered his mind and knew it was a good distraction for the two of them, "what if we get the cards out, play some snapdragon?"

"Oooh Snapdragon!" Dru let him go and squealed happily, "I'll go get my coins and we can play for money!"

"And I'll go and get my cards," Kili stumbled back from Fili, though didn't get very far and grabbed hold of him again, "actually, Fi', we can go and get my cards. I think someone's filled my boots with sand!"

"No, brother," Fili slipped his arm around Kili and began to steer him about, "that's just the Peapod."

"Someone put the wine in my boots?! Bastards."

A few minutes later...

Getting Kili to bed had been surprisingly easy. Well, getting him in his bedroom had been easy and simply putting him on the edge of his bed had been easy. Fili couldn't really do anything about the fact that Kili's suddenly asleep figure had rolled and slipped off of his bed and onto the floor, one leg still rested on top of his sheets.

Still, at least he was still asleep and snoring when he hit the floor.

Now, he just had to find out how his baby sister was doing...

As he made his way back into the kitchen, he quickly dumped off the glasses and looked around. No sign of damage NOR any sign that Dru had come back with her money. Curiosity and worry got the better of him and he made his way towards her bedroom.

The door was slightly ajar and he could hear her shuffling about within, along with strange grunts and noises. He pushed the door the rest of the way open and found her with her shirt and trousers off and only dressed in her undergarments. Well, her shirt wasn't quite off, she seemed to be wrestling with it over her head.

"Sorry, I didn't-"

"Fi?!" Dru stopped struggling and listened intently, "Fi, my shirt is attacking me!" Dru began to struggle again and for some reason, decided that the best way to win the fight was to kneel on the floor, sit back on her heels and wiggle back and forth desperately.

Fili didn't laugh, but he did grin wickedly. He was half-tempted to wake Kili, JUST to come and watch her struggle, but after a few moments, decided that he'd keep this to himself.

"Fiiii, save me," Dru finally began to grow distressed and her voice whined for his help.

"What am I going to do with you, hey?" He broke the distance between them, squatted down and began to gently pull at the fabric and help her.

She wiggled about again and he realised that the majority of the problem was her hair, caught up in sleeves and the lacing.

Carefully and with great patience, he managed to wiggle one arm, then both free and slowly untangled her curls from the shirt. As soon as it came away, she shook her head about and looked up at Fili, a silly, surprised smile on her face.

"My hero!"

She flung her arms around his neck and he almost lost balance and fell on his backside, but held onto her and pushed her back. She still did not relinquish the distance though and lent against him, snuggling into his chest.

"Sorry, didn't know you were getting ready for bed," he apologised again, even though he knew she probably hadn't noticed, nor cared.

"Bed?! I'm not getting on that thing! Bah!" She swatted at him playfully and shook her head.

"So... snapdragon?"

Dru pulled away and despite her silly smile, he did see a familiar mischievousness in her eyes. Her hands went to the bottom of her undershirt and she declared, "I want to go swimming! Let's go swimming!"

When her hands began to pull the fabric up and he could see her intent on getting naked NOW and then try to rush outside without any clothes on to go swimming, he knew he had to get her into her own bed face.

"Tomorrow. Now, it's time for bed," he said to her as gently as he could and grabbed her hands and pushed them back down again, keeping her covered. But she pouted at him and shook her head.

"Noooooo, time for swimming!"

"We'll go tomorrow, I promise. It'll be brighter then, won't it? And if you want, we can catch some fish as well?"

Placated by this idea, Dru nodded and let go of her shirt. Fili sighed, relieved he wouldn't have to contend with having to wrestle Dru, half-naked and in her bedroom. He mentally scolded himself for conjuring up that image and quickly grabbed Dru's hands again and stood up, pulling her with him.

"You're so smart," she declared, but just as she stood, wobbled and clung onto him, giggling, "My legs are jellllly."

"That's the peapod."

"Peapod jelly?! Ew," Dru held tightly onto him as he walked her slowly towards her bed. He wasn't about to insist she get into her nightclothes, he would just be grateful if she laid down and went to sleep as easily as Kili.

Not a chance.

As soon as the back of her legs hit her bedframe, her grip on him shifted and Fili felt himself being pulled down with her as she flopped back onto her bed.

He managed to stop himself from crushing her by reaching out and turning himself onto his side, but he was still slightly winded when one of her knees accidentally caught him in the gut.

"Wee! That was fun!" Dru declared happily.

Well, at least she'd had a good landing.

Fili managed to prop himself up on one elbow to look down at her.

"Yes, I think-Piglet?!"

Fili looked shocked to see his sister's expression suddenly change to one of great sadness.

"Filliiii, why don't we have more fun like we used to?"

Fili wasn't exactly sure what she meant by that and spoke as softly to her as he could.

"Dru, I-"

"Oh, it's because you're so old!" Dru whined again and began to dry sob. Fili could only glare at her as she continued to insult him.

"We used to do lots together. Me, you, Kili, Mam and Thorin but you're so much older. No more picnics. We don't go swimming or fishing and you don't want me there. You're so old!"

"Thanks, Piglet," Fili continued to watch her as her sobs suddenly stopped just as they had started and her hands clung onto him.

"Fili, can we have more fun? Pleeeease? I promise not to be a pain and we can go slay dragons and ride down those hills! We can go sledging and I'll even let you hold the cats!"

Fili knew she was started to get games confused. She always did it when she got ratfaced. But it did dawn on him that he HAD been neglecting his time with his family. He'd been so busy trying to prove himself the 'Man of the house', that he couldn't recall the last time they'd just spent having fun together. 'Wasting a day' being in one another's company.

She had a point.

"Dru...of course we can," he smiled down at her and his heart fluttered slightly at the way she smiled so happily.

"Yaaaay!"

Obviously, he'd been expecting her to be grateful. What he hadn't expected was for her to grab the back of his head with both her hands, pull him down close and plant her lips against his.

They'd only kissed once before under the apple tree and Fili had been eagerly awaiting the day he'd have a chance to do it again. But now, as her lips pressed against his and all he could taste was the Peapod wine, he knew it wasn't exactly ideal.

Still, when he tried to pull back, her grip tightened on him and she made such a noise against his lips, he couldn't pull away from her if he wanted to. The little noise created such a strong stirring inside of him.

His arms slipped around her and hoisted her up as he sat back and without breaking the kiss, he shifted them around and began to kiss her back. He knew they'd both had too much to drink, but if worst came to worst, he could actually blame it on the wine. For now, he just enjoyed the way her tongue danced against his and the way she moved against him, just as eager as he was.

Far too soon for his liking, she pulled away slowly and he opened his eyes to look down at her. Her lips were still slightly puckered and her own eyes slowly flickered open to look at him. He didn't see any surprise or disgust at what they had done, just a strange emotion he couldn't quite fathom.

"Oh," she muttered out before her expression changed completely. Her eyes widened in horror and she pushed him violently to the side as she threw her body over him and over the side of her bed and...promptly began to vomit onto the floor. And his feet.

Fili didn't move. He held onto her tightly to stop her falling off her bed, but he wasn't really sure what to do about her right now. He couldn't really hold back her hair, especially when he was very focused on the sudden wet warmth he felt in his boots.

"Ew, gross," Dru managed to mutter as she spat out the last of the dinner she had brought up, before she grasped at Fili's legs, "Fi', don't tell Ki, please?"

Fili managed to hoist her back up, slowly and as gently as he could and made her lay down on her side.

"I won't tell him but first...I need to get rid of the evidence," he grimaced as he looked at the small but spattered puddle at (and on) his feet, "I'll be right back. Don't move."

Dru seemed incapable of moving. She was too busy groaning and holding onto her stomach, seemingly trying to stop herself throwing up whatever was left in her stomach.

Fili slipped off his boots, carefully hopped off her bed and quickly made his way through the house to the kitchen cupboard. He retrieved a mop, bucket and sponge and quickly got to work in filling the bucket with hot water, prepared on the stove.

By the time he was finished cleaning up his own feet and the slightly wet tracks he had trailed through the hallway when he got back to Dru's room, he found her fast asleep on her bed.

'Typical.'

He washed and cleaned the floor and even in the dark managed to scrub off what he could see of the spatter that she'd left. His boots were...well, ruined. He tossed them outside the front door and tidied up after himself. When he was satisfied, he pushed the bucket by the side of her bed, just underneath where her head was, just encase. He almost smiled knowing how hungover she was going to be in the morning, but his mind was too busy thinking of the repercussions of that kiss. Was she going to hate him tomorrow? Would she remember the way he held and kissed her back?

He sat down on the edge of her bed and turned himself around to look down at her. His hand came and tenderly pulled back the hair from her face, just watching her. Watching how peaceful she looked.

"What am I going to do with you?" He sighed as his thumb brushed against her scarred cheek, trailing along the smooth line she had been left with.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, he would take whatever she had to say and try to make right what he had allowed to happen. But for tonight, he just watched her sleep for a bit. Even when he crawled into his own bed, he just remembered how peaceful she looked when she was asleep and the way she had held and kissed him. As if she wanted him.

The next morning...

Tomorrow came to a lot slower for Fili it seemed and he got up, fresh as a daisy and no signs of a hangover. He bathed, dressed and began to prepare breakfast when the first of the 'undead' came walking into the kitchen as he placed heaps of sausages and eggs on the table in front of him.

"Mornin' brother," Fili greeted him with a smile, but Kili grimaced at his brother.

"Shh."

"What? All I said was-"

"SHHH," Kili winced as he hissed at the pain coursing through his head, "Not so loud."

Kili sat slowly down at his usual chair and pulled a disgusted face at the food before him.

"Oh...oh, I thought we could handle our drink," he turned his attention to his empty cup and began to fill it up from the pitcher his brother had set before him, "But...what WAS that stuff?!"

"Peapod. Nothing has quite a kick to it as Peapod, I tried to warn ya'."

"I feel like death. I woke up on my floor and It tasted like I ate the rug," Kili groaned and rubbed at his face with both hands, "did we go dancing last night?"

Fili snorted at the memory. He decided to have a little fun with his baby brother.

"You tried to. You and Dru did a merry jig. And then you fell on your backside over the chair and said how you wanted to drink sherry."

"Sherry?! Ugh, cough medicine more like. And the chair explains the bruises. Speaking of which, where is our precious little sister?"

"Still in her room as far as I know," Fili muttered the last part more to himself than anything, hoping she hadn't escaped, "unless she snuck out to go swimming."

Kili's only response was to lay his head on a section of the table that didn't have cutlery on it and groan.

"I feel like I've been hit by the great hammer. Mahal, give me some mercy."

"No Mercy for you. Serves you right for drinking the whole bottle when my back was turned instead of pacing yourself."

They sat together in comfortable silence, more so because Kili didn't WANT to make any conversation. Slowly, he began to nibble at the food his brother had prepared, though he stopped when Fili tried to get him to eat some runny egg. In fact, he paled considerably and hid his face back against the table.

Feeling like he'd teased his brother enough and feeling that if he didn't go and get his sister now, she'd just grumble about missing breakfast, he got up and went to fetch her.

He carefully opened her door, this time making sure to knock and wait a few moments before he did so. She didn't answer him, so at least she was still asleep and not in the middle of changing.

He found her in the same position he'd left her in last night, though she'd evidently woken up at some point because her blanket was now pulled up and covered everything except the very top of her head.

He made his way over and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"Dru," he said gently as he tugged the blanket slowly off of her, "Dru, breakfast is ready."

As soon as her face was uncovered from the blanket and the light touched her face, she grimaced and tried to tug the fabric back over her head. Fili couldn't help but smirk. He could make her suffer, just a little.

"Piglet," he reached forward with one hand and gently tapped her on the tip of her nose, "Pigleeeeet, it's morning!"

Slowly, her eyes flickered open and she gave him the harshest glare she could muster before shutting them again.

"Oh...gods," she grumbled, now awake and obviously in pain, "I feel like I've died and someone left me in an outhouse. What time is it?"

"Time for breakfast. It's your favourite," he leant in close and began to rattle off the foods he'd prepared, purposefully describing each one, "Crispy bacon, baked beans, chewy sausages, buttery toast, runny eggs-"

"STOP," She demanded and waved her hand out at him in a pathetic attempt to hit him, "just leave me to die."

He laughed at her and gently took her hands in his, tugging her slightly so she had to sit herself up.

"I take it you changed your mind about swimming today?"

She turned quickly to him, shocked and a little exasperated at being made to move.

"You-YOU want to go swimming?!"

"Aye'. You asked me last night, remember?"

Dru squinted at him but decided that was too painful and shut her eyes instead, trying to remember.

"No...I don't remember anything like that," he took a few sniffs and recoiled away from him, "ugh...what's that smell?!"

"Your bucket."

"My what?!"

Fili plucked the bucket by its rope handle right off of the floor and held it up for her to see.

"Looks like you didn't need it again last night."

"Oh...Did I?!" Dru suddenly remembered what she HAD done last night and paled, "ew."

Fili snorted and carefully put the bucket back down, though a little farther from her bed so she didn't have to smell it.

"It's alright. I've seen you worse."

"Oh...sorry you had to see me at all."

"It's my boots you should apologise to," Fili grumbled and remembered his boots were still outside, probably creating a 'lovely' fragrance in the heat of the morning sun.

"Oh...Oh," Dru suddenly wiggled free from him and threw herself back down against her pillow, "I feel awful."

"Because of the wine or the boots?"

"Booooth," she grumbled and complained as Fili pulled her back up again and this time, helped her stand up from her bed. Her hands came out as she steadied herself.

Seeing she wasn't making a fuss, nor was she angry at him, he decided to see what she DID remember from last night.

"So...you don't remember anything or...?"

"No...well, I remember drinking...I think the room spun...I think something attacked my head...did we go dancing?"

"No, you and Kili stayed in for that."

"Oh. Oh, that's good, because you know what my feet are like," Dru covered her face with her hands and groaned loudly, "I can taste death on my tongue. I'm going to brush my teeth."

She left him standing her room as she left to go bathe and rid herself of 'death' on her tongue.

Fili could only sigh with relief and followed her out but diverted back into the kitchen to wait for her with Kili.

It was the truth that she couldn't remember much from the night before, but she did remember the strange dreams. She liked the one were Fili held and kissed her as she went to sleep. That was nice.

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Present day...

"A gift from Dale," Thorin placed the green bottle on the table before them, turning it about for the others to see, "Sigrid is apparently experimenting with new wines and she sent us this one to try. Feeling adventurous?"

Fili wasn't the only one staring suspiciously at the contents of the bottle. It had a familiar consistency to it and he dared to ask, "what exactly is it?"

Thorin looked at the bottle, not worried but definitely curious.

"This one is apparently from her...eccentric experimenting," he chose his words carefully, not wanting to seem put out by what he had been told was in the bottle, "this one is Peapod wine."

Fili, Kili and Dru all paled considerably and slightly sank back in their seats. They had vowed to never again try Peapod wine and whilst they had drunk their fair share of strange and unusual drinks in their long forty years since that time, nothing had ever come close to the dreaded 'Peapod Poison.'

"You know...I think I'm good," Dru mustered as politely as she could and gripped onto the arms of her chair, recalling all too well the effects the drink had had on her brain the morning after.

Yeah, me too," Kili agreed quickly and covered his mouth, remembering the foul taste the drink had left in his mouth for days afterwards. It had tasted as though he'd chewed on leather.

Fili sat forward and whilst the drink had no ill effects on him, he remembered all too well the boots he had lost to that bloody drink. He turned to Thorin and shrugged as casually as he could.

"It's all for you Uncle. But...please, beware of the kick."

"Kick?"

"Just," Dru pulled a serious expression and warned him, "trust him. It's got a kick. Nothing's got a kick like-"

"Peapod Wine," all three told him at the same time and Thorin couldn't help the bemused expression he was given them. But then, he'd learn the next morning exactly how powerful a kick it did have.

Never underestimate the power of peapod wine.