What's in a name?

The royal halls of Erebor were buzzing with excitement. Another festival. Another celebration. And as usual, all the surrounding neighboured kingdoms were invited. And that included the Elves of Mirkwood.

They were used to seeing the royal entourage now, but still, Thranduil always cut an imposing figure as he sauntered around in silver and brown robes that seemed to sweep out yards around him.

Thorin's politeness had improved over the years (mostly thanks to Rana's influence) and he was greeted as a welcomed acquaintance, rather than a forced invite to prove they could be allies.

It would be a stretch to say 'friends' though.

Each family member greeted him just as politely as the other, dipping into a low curtsy or small bow.

Fili watched when it came to Dru and Thora's turn, his daughter beginning to tire and demand she be up in her mother's arms, regardless of her growing belly.

She clutched onto her mother and Fili could make out 'the tall, pretty elf scares me' as Thora hid her face in her mother's hair.

Dru dropped into a small curtsy and as she came back up, she tilted her head up to say something and...she froze.

It wasn't enough for other's to really notice and Thranduil didn't even seem to notice, but Fili saw it. He knew his wife too well to see that whatever it was she had been about to say had fled her mind and he only hoped it hadn't been something important.

For a few seconds, she didn't seem to know what to do with herself, but she smiled brightly and greeted him loudly as 'Your Majesty' and then turned away to join her family.

When she stood next to her husband, she gently shifted Thora in her arms and scooted closer to Fili.

"I might be in a bit of a pickle," she lowered her voice and leant her head towards his, "my bloody brains have gone again!"

"What's wrong?" Fili asked, curious as to what it was she had forgotten.

She let out a long sigh and inclined her head towards the elven King as Thorin and he began to converse.

"What's his bloody name?! I've forgotten!" She groaned and shifted her daughter again as Thora began to slump against her.

She expected him to make fun of her.

She also expected amusement.

What she didn't expect was the sudden loud burst of laughter that made the majority of people in the hall around them turn and look at the Prince as he lost himself in his guffaws.

Even Thora jumped and looked over at her father, more annoyed than amused at being disturbed when she tried to nod off.

Dru could only blush a deep red and scowled at her husband.

"Fi'!" She hissed and used her free hand to smack him on the arm, "Shut up, it's not funny!"

"Muuuuum!" Thora whined and placed her head on her mother's shoulder, "daddy's being noisy!"

"I know, he's being a big pain in the backside as well!" She growled and almost stomped her foot at him, "Fili, will you pack it in!"

Fili, hearing his wife's legitimate anger straightened up and REALLY did try to stop himself from laughing, but he was having a hard time.

Mahal, the poor man was nearly in tears!

Finally, he managed to kill his loud laughter down to a few breathless chuckles and looked at his embarrassed wife.

"After your speeches on respect and friendly alliances with the elves," he began to feel himself laugh louder again before he could continue, "you can't remember his-"

Dru quickly covered his mouth with her hand and glared at him.

"Not so loud, you silly twit! Fi'," she whined and actually DID stomp her foot in frustration, "Tell me, I don't want to embarrass myself."

With her hand still over his mouth, she didn't have to see the smirk. She felt it.

"Fi'," she told him in a no-nonsense tone of voice, "Fili, you HAVE to tell me-"

"No, I don't," he managed to push her hand away and shook his head, "this is much more fun."

Oh, he knew he'd pay for it later. She'd have something suitable planned out for him and he'd potentially regret his decision, but truthfully? He loved it when she got flustered and squirmed. He hadn't played a prank on her for quite a few years and he would love every second of it.

"Oh, you are so insufferable!" She growled and turned away from him.

Fili watched her for the next fifteen minutes, going around various friends and families and asking for their help.

Each one gave her the same awful smirk as Fili and he was SO glad they were on the same thought path.

Even Thorin gave her a sly grin as he offered to take Thora from her, though Dru glowered up at him and he looked at Fili.

She stomped back over to him with her arms folded and a sour look on her face.

"Fili. I mean it now, this is NOT funny!" She drew closer and gave him a serious look, "I can't help it if I've forgotten his bloody name but it will look awful for the rest of us if the Princess of Durin doesn't bloody remember it!"

Fili shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"How can you forget his name after everything? That'd be like forgetting Tauriel's name."

"It's because I'm pregnant and eating so much ginger! Helga told me this would happen," she huffed and threw her hands up in exasperation, not realising her voice went up as she spoke, "and just because I can't remember the great and power King Thran-THRANDRUIL! THAT'S BLOODY IT!"

Dru was pointing triumphantly at her husband.

She had it!

'Aha!' She thought, 'That will bloody show you!'

She was SO satisfied that the name had come back to her, but then...Fili's small look of surprise disappeared to be replaced with a large, amused grin.

Oh, had she said that bit too loudly?

She hoped-

"Did you need something, my lady Druili?"

She froze.

Oh, Gods.

Oh no.

No, no, no, no!

He was right behind her.

That voice.

Thranduil had heard her.

Of course, she didn't know how MUCH he had heard of their conversation, but when she turned around, he only wore a polite expression of bemusement.

Despite her hysteria growing at not only him but a few others openly gawping at her, she managed a forced smile and waved her hand.

"No, no, I'm fine. I-I was just discussing something with my husband. Would you excuse me?" She stopped herself talking when she heard how high-pitched her voice was and gave him a polite curtsy.

Before turning and marching away with her back so straight, it appeared there was an iron rod straight up her spine.

Thranduil was silent when he watched her go, but when he turned his gaze to Fili for an answer, he only received a polite nod of the head.

"My wife is...a little exasperated due to the festivities. In her state, she's gone to rest herself and the babe," he quickly covered for her, saving her any more embarrassment.

Though he WAS tempted to tell the Elf King the full story, just to see the priceless reaction.

But Thranduil merely nodded his head in understanding and turned back around to converse with others.

Once Fili was certain no one else was about to pry, he turned and followed the route his wife had taken.

He knew Thora would be alright with Thorin and no one else would miss him.

And now that she HAD embarrassed herself in front of King (only slightly) Fili was more than happy to go in and 'comfort her'.

And by comfort, he meant tease relentlessly until she tossed a pillow at him.

He daren't dwell on what her future plans of revenge were...