Thorin declared it was more comfortable for us to stay outside for the night rather within the walls of our 'enemies'. As a fire was started we all started to settle in, some smoking from pipes. Gandalf disappeared into the walls, leaving Bilbo looking somewhat uncomfortable with us. Laurel had still yet to return from when she left us earlier. It had been hours, and I began to worry.
Fili and I found a spot near the trees away from the fire to place our things and make an area to sleep. We did not want to tear up the grass or weeds in the clearing, because it would surely upset the elves. Instead we used some of our spare clothing as pillows.
"Oh Ori, that is a great drawing!"
Laurel's voice perked my interested, she had returned. The elves had given her a smaller thinner green tunic and smaller thinner brown pants. All of which that fit quite nicely, shaping against her curves. Across her chest she adorned a brown leather vest lined with pockets that trailed down her abdomen; and made her chest more prominent. One arm was covered with a silver cuff to protect her wrist up to her elbow, while her other hand was covered partially with an archer's glove. Across her back was a brown worked bow and on her hip was a leather quiver of arrows. Slung to one side was a bag just barely hiding a long sword scabbard.
She was dressed as if she were prepared for this adventure, and she looked marvelous.
As I approached I could see that Ori had shown her the drawing that he made while she was sleeping the first day. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good drawing none the less.
"There you are," I stated, "I was starting to think that they had taken you and refused to return."
"Kili! Look at all the things they gave me," she smiled radiantly. Everyone started to gather around to see.
"They gave me a bow and arrows, dagger, sword, something to store water, clothing, a bag, and herbs for healing. One gave me a book to look from to study so that I can help while we are journeying," she showed each thing as she said it. "That is why I took so long. It's all in elvish so I had to have it read to me and write in English so that I can read it later." It was truly amazing that they had willingly given her all these things without anything in return. Then again maybe they were trying to make her feel comfortable in a world she is not familiar with.
"Well, I say we celebrate," Nori exclaimed.
"Celebrate what," Fili asked.
"For escaping enemies and death twice since we started this quest! One thanks to the lass, and another to Radagast and all our great fighters!"
At once everyone yelled together. In moments flutes and lutes were taken out, some playing while others started to smoke from pipes. Bofur produced a barrel of wine that was given to us, passing out goblets. I grabbed two myself and filled each up, handing one to Laurel and taking a deep drink myself.
"Here," I took her weapons and bag, handing her the wine, "take a sip. I will put your things down and then we will dance!"
After putting her items down next to Fili and I's things, I returned finishing off my goblet and lightly tossing the cup to the ground. Laurel was still sipping from hers. "Let me finish this and take off my shoes," she smirked. Tossing the cup up, she downed the rest, setting it upon the ground. The brown leather boots she was given where tossed aside, and I snatched her quickly.
Each of the dwarves that were up and dancing were flinging Laurel back and forth between the lot of us. Even Bilbo cut in and started to dance merrily as well. It was a splendid time of fun and laughs. Laurel snuck away for a moment, gasping and smiling alike.
"It's too hot," she laughed. I watched as her rustic hair cascaded down her back to tickle her buttocks. It was sheen with sweat.
"Would you like me to braid your hair for you," I murmured taking a step forward. "It looks awfully bothersome."
"You want to braid my hair," she asked in a light laugh.
With a step forward I grabbed her hand, pulling her with me to where our things were. "Go ahead, sit," I urged. Again she laughed, making my heart light with warmth. I sat behind her and dug through my sack for the comb I kept and some extra braid clasps for on the occasion I would braid my own hair.
"Sorry its sweaty," she offered.
"It is alright," I replied running the comb through her hair, "what would you like? Something simple? Down the back or off to the side? Loose or tight?"
"Something loose and off to the side I can sleep with. Too tight and I'll get headaches."
From where we were setting we could make out the fire in the distance, but we were still enough alone that no one would see us unless they came to look. I took the opportunity to be close to her, almost as close as we were while riding the pony. The feeling of her hair between my fingers was one I would never tire of.
"I love it when you play with my hair," she giggled softly, "it is soothing."
"Trust me when I say I love to do it," I murmured as she leaned back into my touch.
"The sky here is so beautiful, nothing like mine."
"Do you not have stars?"
"In my world, they capture electricity in glass bulb to produce light. It is so common that most of the world uses it excessively to the point where it is so bright that the stars dim in comparison. We have stars, but where I lived you could not see them properly. So all of this is what I've always wanted to see, everywhere here is so beautiful."
With each leg on either side of her I finished off her braid, clasping it and giving it a small tug. Since it rested against one of her shoulders, the other was bare to me with the column of her neck. It was hard to resist the urge, but I fell into it anyway, lulled with elvish wine. My hands held on to either side of her waist as I pressed my lips against the skin of her shoulder blade.
A soft gasp left her lips, her hands finding mine and resting on top of them.
I continued my assault on her neck, pulling her fully against me. She tasted of sweet apples almost, breathing just a little harder. "You are the most beautiful thing I have seen in this world in a long time," I whispered into her ear just before I pressed my lips behind it. My hands started to wonder north of her waist.
"Kili," she moaned out softly.
Yes, that was a new favorite. I liked that even more than her laugh I do have to say.
"Yes," I asked in a hoarse voice of my own. It had been a long time since I have lain with anyone, and since it was Laurel my need was a little stronger.
"Please, stop," she urged. It was then I finally noticed that she was trying to push away my hands near her breasts. "We can't. Stop."
Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable I pulled away begrudgingly. "Why," I asked honestly. "I thought—"
"No," she muttered getting up and away from me, "We can't. Thorin would not allow for it, I am not on the top list of his most favorite people. I don't want to be in this position."
"Well we can try another," I laughed, "you can lay atop of me. It is a pleasurable position for both."
All the color raced to her face.
"I do not care what my uncle thinks of us or you. I do say you saved our lives just this morning, his included," I rose to grasp her hands. "Do not worry of him. I wish not to waste time with you, I wasted so much in the past five years."
Her hands slipped from my own as she took another step back. Beauty was truly what she was. The braid I placed in her hair framed her face and trailed nicely, but I did not like the heartbroken look she was giving me.
"I just can't," she whispered.
"Is there someone else," I asked quietly.
"No," she whispered, "there is no one else."
Fili stumbled into the area, looking a little off balance and cheerful. "Lady Laurel," he stumbled to her, "you must share another dance with me!"
Her lips twitched into a smile. Jealousy pitted my stomach. Of course my brother would win her affection.
"I can't Fili," she urged, "I am too tired. I was just about to find somewhere to sleep."
"Nonsense," he laughed, "Kili has already made a spot beside us!"
I gestured to the spot we were just sitting in. "Come," I waved her over, "I have bedding for you to use. I promise I will not attempt to touch you."
"Kili," she groaned out, slumping and approaching me once more. "It isn't like that, I promise."
"Go to sleep," I muttered, laying in the spot between hers and Fili's, "I will wake you when it is time to rise in the morn."
With that I threw an arm over my eyes and attempted to sleep. Through her movements on the ground she laid next to me. Sleep found me soon after.