Fili wasn't looking forward to the Royal Family Dinner. He was fond of revels, but the Dinner was an occasion too small and too crowded at the same time. He remembered the ones they'd had in the Blue Mountains. It had never been a celebration on its own, it had always ended up being about politics. There was no dancing or singing, which Fili enjoyed during feasts. On the other hand, having his Uncle and his Mother in one room for more than a length of a meal was always a game of chance. Recently, they'd been given a repose, since Thorin seemed to prefer taking his meals in his study during the day, and in his private rooms in the evening. But tonight they'd all be stuck in the same hall for hours.
Thorin had been often away when they'd resided in Ered Lindon, but when he'd been in the Halls, he'd always used the Dinner for making clever political connections. This time Master Eorwyn was invited as the guest of honour. Fili liked the girl, she was a gentle, polite creature. There was a complication, though: their Mother seemed to have gotten in her head that Master Eorwyn would be a great match for Kili. Fili found the notion laughable! His brother's interests lay solely in shooting at the range, drinking with the small group of friends they'd acquired in Erebor, and besides, Kili was too young to even consider marriage!
As it was traditional, the four of them gathered in the Thror's dining chamber first. Fili could see that Thorin was in a dark mood, something must have happened during the day. The Dwarf stood by the fireplace, his back to the room, and just threw a short greeting when Fili came in with Kili in tow. Kili was still chatting away, as always unperturbed by Thorin's temper. Their Mother seemed especially high-strung, her eyes fixed on Thorin's back.
They were supposed to share drinks, but Thorin didn't even move from his spot. He just stood and drank one glass after another. Fili tried to engage his Mother in a conversation, but it also proved futile. At the end he just had to stand and listen to Kili's account of the morning match between two famous wrestlers that Fili had missed.
Finally, Balin, Dwalin, and Gloin came in. Gloin's wife was unwell, and Oin wasn't attending. Everyone took their seats and the conversation livened up, but Thorin's ire was too prominent to be ignored. At some point Balin leaned to Fili.
"What seems to be the matter, laddie?" he asked softly, and his eyes shot to Thorin.
Fili shrugged.
"And your Mother seems to be all pins and needles as well," the old Dwarf added.
"Pray to Mahal she doesn't try to involve Thorin into a conversation again," Fili whispered. "A few minutes before you came in, he almost bit her head off."
"Growlin' are we?" Dwalin joined their hushed conversation. He chuckled. "At the Games as well, he seemed to be as stormy as the clouds over the Mountain."
"And you'd think he'd be in high spirits," Balin muttered.
"Aye, hadn't he had a delightful night?" Dwalin gave his brother a nudge with his elbow and barked a coarse laugh. "Must be the lack of kip. He ain't a young man anymore."
Fili cringed at the impropriety of the jest. He had heard the rumours of course. Just this morning Billa had mentioned that supposedly Thorin's association with Mistress Algun had been rekindled - and then more discussion had happened during the Games, when Fili had left the Stand, and he and Kili had gone to spend some time with their mates. Some had claimed it had surely been Lady Turith, and whoever had seen her had simply mistaken her for Mistress Algun. Some had pointed out that the needlemaster wasn't a blonde so such a mistake wouldn't have been possible. Two of their companions had gotten into an argument because each had chosen one of the two women to proclaim more alluring, and the discussion had gotten heated. Meanwhile, Bersi, Oin's nephew, had made an even more inappropriate proposition, since as he'd put it with a wink, 'two heads are better than one' - and that had been when Fili had firmly put an end to this palaver.
Out of respect he wasn't going to remind the two older Dwarves that Thorin was the King; and he also was Thorin, who, as they all knew, would never act dishonourably - and then the door opened, and Master Eorwyn came in.
She looked… striking. When he'd seen her before, Fili seemed to recall, she was dressed in Dwarven fashion. She was slender, but the previous attires added curves where there were none. Tonight, her dress was almost black, narrow and tightly fitted on the sleeves and the bodice. Lithe and graceful, she looked like a black stoat, the precious sleek fur of which they traded in the East. Her white skin as if glowed in the low cut of the dress. A three-string collar of pearls hugged her throat. A single thin string, with a tear shaped black one on its end, went down between her breasts. The golden locks were arranged around her head, most of the flaming mane was loose on her back, with just a few braids keeping it off her face.
"Master Eorwyn, what a joy to see you! You look exquisite tonight!" Fili's Mother seemed to be the first to have found her voice.
Fili felt that the rest of the Dwarves in the room, him included, still needed a jiffy to gather their bearings. She still couldn't be called attractive in the eyes of a Dwarf, of course - but none of the Dwarves would be able to take said eyes off her.
And then they all remembered their manners and got up, noisily pushing chairs back on the stone floor.
"Good evening," the girl answered and gave a small bow seemingly to everyone at the same time. "And thank you for your compliment, lady Dis. I'll pass your praise to Mistress Algun. After all, I owe the effect to her skill."
Everyone shifted and started greeting her. After the first round of polite small talk, everyone took their seats again. A chair had been left for the girl between Balin, who sat to the King's left, and Dwalin. This way she ended up across from Fili who sat next to his Mother. Kili was to his right. Master Eorwyn met Fili's eyes and gave him a warm smile. She then turned to Balin. The old man had been doting on her since the day they'd encountered her in the Goblin caves.
Fili ate, half-listened to Kili's conversation with their Mother - and watched the girl. She'd grown a lot since she'd come to Erebor. He'd heard from his Mother that she was doing exceptionally well in her studies and in her vocation, that even Master Svuir was impressed by her talents, and that she had a bright future ahead of her. Even with slightly more confidence and allure that she showed now, Fili thought, she still was no match for Kili.
"And what do you think, Master Eorwyn?" lady Dis said loudly, making several faces to turn to her.
"Pardon?" the girl asked.
"What do you think of today's Games?" Fili's Mother then addressed Kili. "You have taken Master Eorwyn to the range, haven't you? I've heard you're an exceptional archer, Master Eorwyn." She gave the girl a coy smile.
"I had a lovely time," the bookkeeper answered. "Watching the Games that is. I hardly deserve the title of an archer altogether." She gave out a small shy laugh. "Especially not these days. My hands have been injured. But I truly enjoyed watching others practise and compete."
"We're intending to practise together though," Kili said merrily. "Remember, my lady, you've promised. No escape for you now." He shook his finger at the bookkeeper playfully.
She politely smiled and nodded.
"That reminds me," she said and turned to Dwalin. "I was told if I require a mentor in any sort of sparring, I should ask you for help in finding one."
Dwalin swallowed a giant chunk of roasted meat he was chewing and nodded. "Aye, that would be me. What sort of training d'ye have in mind?"
"I have no skill in defending myself," she answered. "And I know how beneficial regular training is for one's health. I thought perhaps I could start with the simplest sword training."
Fili opened his mouth to offer his counsel, when Thorin's low voice interrupted him.
"As young as you are, Master Eorwyn, it's perhaps too late to start. You're not a child anymore."
Fili saw the bookkeeper's cheeks flush red. She slowly turned to Thorin. Her eyes were widened, suddenly of bright green colour. A deep frown lay between Thorin's brows, and his lips were pressed tightly. Fili knew his Uncle's expressions well. He could only guess now what had irked Thorin so much. The Dwarf was twisting an empty glass in his hand. Fili then noticed the bookkeeper's chest rise in sharp short breaths. The corners of her red mouth were lowered anxiously.
"My brother is right," lady Dis cut in in a feigned jolly voice. "You're better off strengthening a skill you already possess now. Since you have previously trained with bow and arrow, you should renew your practice."
Fili could only admire his Mother's gift of turning any conversation into the direction she wanted! Kili, of course, immediately opened his mouth to continue pressuring the poor girl…
...when Thorin once again spoke up in the same raspy enraged voice, "Besides, what is the point of finding yourself a mentor in Erebor? Aren't you the new Auditor of the Court of Exchequer in the court of Lady Sigga, the Purveyor of the Line of Durin in Ered Lindon?"
