A/N: Hey guys! This chapter contains a lot of merriment, as it's finally the day of the festival. So, there are about three songs, none of which I wrote, ha! First one is 'Peasant's Promise' by Blackmore's Night; second is an Irish tune, 'I'm a Rover'; and thirdly is another Irish/Scottish tune, 'Mary Mack'. More importantly, however, is that I finally posted the first chapter to my new fic, 'Born of Lies'! You can find it here, on AO3, and on Tumblr, all under renovek~

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ori let out a quiet sigh as he rolled over in his sleep and unconsciously buried his face in the crook of Dwalin's neck. Dwalin smiled down at the younger dwarrow, his hand rising and brushing a stray lock of hair from his freckled face. With the dying candlelight flickering against his skin, Ori looked quite perfect to Dwalin. It made him almost not want to move.

Dwalin's bladder, however, wanted emptied.

Shifting uncomfortably, he tried to stay in bed as long as possible, but no matter what, his bladder sloshed about inside him. With a defeated sigh, he did his best to slide his arm out from beneath Ori without disturbing him. Ori, being so comfortable, let out a whine of protest and blearily opened his eyes just in time to see Dwalin hobbling out of the door while yanking his trousers up around his hips. His stride was all too familiar to Ori –it was that of someone who needed to run to the privy, but if they ran, they would wet themselves.

Ori quietly chuckled to himself and rolled over onto his stomach. Looking at the candles on his table, he knew that it was morning; they were the slow-burning candles that Dwalin used when . Scrunching his nose up, he closed his eyes and turned away from the light; he would properly wake up with Dwalin came back.

It wasn't long before he returned, one hand still tying his trousers closed. His brow rose as he saw his lover sprawled across the bed, taking up the entire mattress. He quietly chuckled and sat down on the edge of the bed, his hand once more brushing some hair from his face.

"Good morning," Ori mumbled, taking him by surprise.

"Didn't think yeh were awake," Dwalin replied, grinning.

"Well, when you ran off for the privy, I woke up." He sighed and pushed himself upright only to yawn and plop his chin on Dwalin's shoulder. "Should we get breakfast at the Tankard or is Dís cooking for us?"

Dwalin kissed his temple. "Tankard; Dís will be joining us, though."

He nodded in understanding. "And what about Balin?"

Shaking his head, Dwalin shifted and hooked his arm around Ori's waist and pulled him closer to him. "Balin won't be joining us, though he'll be in Dale later for the festival." He buried his face in Ori's neck, sighing in content. "I love yeh."

"Love you, too," Ori smiled, nuzzling him. "Will you be wearin' the eyepatch when we go to town?"

He shrugged. "Should I?"

Leaning over, Ori plucked up the eyepatch from Dwalin's bedside table. He looked over the worked leather as he flopped backwards. "It's quite lovely," he told him, "and it would keep you from sloshing ale into your eye socket when you've had too much to drink."

At that, Dwalin pouted. He reclined back, propping his head on his hand beside Ori. "Now why would I be wastin' good ale in such a horrid way?" he asked, starting to finger-comb Ori's hair. "Yer hair is such a mess, lad…"

Brow rising, Ori chuckled. "I wonder why…?" he playfully mused. "It's not like someone fancies running their hand through my hair while I'm trying to sleep."

Dwalin rolled his eye, but grinned. "Very funny, love." He flipped one of Ori's braids onto his face, earning a small, surprised curse. "Consider it revenge for all the times yeh mess up my hair durin'…other activities."

A cheeky grin came to Ori's reddening features. "Ah, but you love every minute of it," he smirked. He let out a small yelp as Dwalin suddenly rolled atop him, pinning him against the mattress.

"I think yeh like it more," he purred, leaving teasing kisses along Ori's shoulder. His hand slid down Ori's bare side, making its way towards his thigh. He was just about to kiss his lips when a loud knock rang out through the still air.

"Dwalin?" Dís' voice rang out. "Is Ori up yet? There is already a flood of dwarrows making their way into town and it is only just past sun-up! We will never get breakfast at this rate!"

A heavy sigh left Dwalin's mouth and he reluctantly pulled back from the smaller dwarrow. "We're gettin' dressed, my lady," he called out. "We'll be down in a minute." Cocking his head, he listened as Dís' steps faded down the hallway. Looking down at Ori, he gave him an apologetic smile. "Tonight –after we've drunk plenty at the festival."

Sitting up, Ori kissed his chin. "I'm going t' hold you to that."

Baylee felt odd, watching Wenna, Demelza, and Peter bringing food to people and refilling their drinks. She was not used to sitting idle instead of running around the inn, helping to serve people –especially when the common room was so full. It's not that she hadn't tried serving people; it was that as soon as Demelza and Galiene found her waiting tables, they took the tray from her hands and sat her down in the corner with Bofur and Bifur. Galiene wouldn't even let her help by peeling vegetables; instead, she had Gawen and Warren doing that job.

What helped, though, was Lovisa sitting across from her, also begrudgingly accepting the fact that no one would let them help.

'Am able to help,' she sighed with her free hand, the other holding a mug of tea to her mouth. 'Is small wound!'

"It's not small, Lovisa," Baylee lightly scolded. "I've seen it and by Mahal's beard, Lovisa –you were stabbed through the breast." She took a drink of her own tea. "It's a wonder ya didn't bleed out…"

"Tended wound," Bifur told her. "Know tend wound." He tapped the axe in his head. "Trust."

Bofur snorted into his eggs. "Bifur, you weren't the one who tended t' that wound –tha' was Gerdi!"

Bifur raised his brow as he munched on some toast. 'Have tended to plenty of wounds in life and know it!' he scolded in Iglishmêk. 'Remember after War? Saved life.'

A cheeky grin wrinkled Bofur's features. "An' I'm very glad for that. Hard t' believe it was five years t' the day…" As the memories flooded into his and Bifur's minds, their mirthful expressions slowly sank into mournful looks.

Lovisa and Baylee, too, began remembering that horrible day. Sighing, Lovisa leaned over and kissed Bifur's temple, her arm wrapping around his shoulders. Baylee, on the other hand, merely rested her head on Bofur's shoulder, her eyes closing.

"By my beard! Is it packed in here or what?"

The four of them jumped in surprise before turning and seeing Dwalin, Ori, and Dís entering the inn. Spotting them, Ori gave them a small wave before tugging on Dwalin and Dís' sleeves, leading them towards the table. Luckily, there were just enough stools left for their companions, but regardless, Bofur and Bifur stood up from their chairs and bowed low to Dís.

"My lady, it's good t' see ya again," Bofur told her, sweeping his hat across the floor. "I trust ya had a-ack!" As soon as he had stood upright, Dís pulled him against her in a tight hug. Chuckling, he returned the embrace, lightly patting her on the back.

"Bofur, I am so glad to see you again!" Dís smiled, pulling back. There was a fond smile on her features as she looked her friend over. He hadn't change much in the years since she last saw him, though the scars across his face were a new addition –and his mustache was nearly three inches longer. "Time is treating you well, old friend."

"An', you, my lady, are still as beautiful as a star-filled sky," he replied.

Dís chuckled, lightly patting him on the shoulder. "You always were a flatterer," she mused. She glanced past him to Baylee and Lovisa, giving them each a warm smile. "Good morning, Lady Baylee, Lady Lovisa. I trust you're doing well?" She sat down, lightly waving her hand at Bofur as he tried to offer his chair to her.

'Well enough,' Lovisa replied, watching as Baylee leaned back to catch Wenna's skirt. 'Not used to not helping around here. Feel useless!'

At that, Dís laughed. "I would imagine! And when the place is as busy as this…?" She looked around. "Despite it being so full, this inn has a rather cozy feeling to it," she added.

"Aye; that's one o' the reasons why we like it so much," Dwalin agreed. "Tha', and yer drinks are never left empty once yeh get 'em."

Baylee let out a small cough, drawing attention to her and Wenna. "So, what's everyone goin' t' have for breakfast?" She was more than a little thankful that the dwarves were keeping their orders short and small this morning; Wenna didn't have nearly as good of a memory as she and it also meant that Galiene and Gawen wouldn't have much more cooking do to. She did, however, make sure to pay attention to the orders, just in case Wenna forgot something later on.

"So, what sorts of activities are going on today? Do you know?" Ori asked after Wenna brought him, Dwalin, and Dís their drinks. "I mean, surely there's got to be some sort o' games taking place."

"There's archery an' horse racin' out in the fields," Baylee answered, "as well as joustin' an' some duels. In town, there are other things –mostly games for the wee ones. Bobbin' for apples, scavenger hunts, that sort o' thing." She took a sip from her tea, a small grin coming to her lips as Bofur hooked his arm around her waist.

'Do not forget eating, drinking,' Lovisa added, smirking. 'Much of those today!'

Bofur snorted into his drink. "Uh-oh. Bifur, we'd best warn the townsfolk before Bombur an' his brood show up. Once they get here, everything'll be gone before anyone else can get ahold o' a bite!"

A quiet chuckle came from Bifur, who lightly shook his head. "Blugzu yothûrablug."

"Oh, aye, I know," Bofur grinned, "but Bombur an' his brood are ten dwarrows! I can only eat a fraction o' what they can put away."

"Oh, don't be a liar!" Dwalin grinned. "I've seen yeh pack away twice as much food as Bombur before!"

Baylee giggled. "I've got to agree with him," she admitted, "especially after havin' lived with Bombur an' his family for the last few weeks."

Bofur pouted slightly. "Well, then, I guess it just runs in the family." He watched as a group of about ten humans got up from their table and left, a couple straggling behind to finish draining their tankards. Just a few seconds after they left, another group –this time, a mixture of elves and humans- left. "Seems like the place is startin' t' clear up."

"Well, a lot o' people have stalls t' set up," Ori told him. "It's not all about fun and games today, after all. It's a good day to make a profit with the crowds."

Dís nodded. "That is true. If I recall, Dori is going to have a stall open, selling tea and wine," she added. "I will have to pay him a visit later to see if he has any ice wine…"

"Mmm…He may not have such an expensive item out in the open," Ori told her, "but I'm sure you could discuss it with him." He took a long drink from his ale before sucking the foam out of his mustache. "I can say, however, that he will have some peach wines an' some lemon alcohol from the east."

Cocking her head, Baylee leaned forward. "They can make alcohol out o' lemons?"

"Don't you remember having some when we were in Dorwinion?" he asked, puzzled.

"No. Then again, I didn't get much alcohol after I lost me fingers. Vlasta said it wasn't good to drink after losing all that blood."

He nodded in understanding. "That is true. Despite her roughness, she was surprisingly thoughtful an' good with medicine…" Rubbing the back of his neck, he couldn't help but glance at Baylee's hands, the memories of that time coming back to him.

"Onto happier subjects!" Bofur suddenly interjected, trying to liven the mood. " I think I see our breakfasts comin'!"

Bofur was right: Wenna and Peter were coming towards them, each carrying two platters of food. Despite the dwarves having not order much, there was still quite a few plates crammed onto the one, small table. With the inn seemingly beginning to empty, Bifur got up and pulled over a second table and moved some of the food onto it so they wouldn't be as crowded.

They were in the midst of their meal when a small commotion broke out behind them. Turning, Baylee saw Will and Demelza standing near the hearth while Adela, nestled in the cushiest chair, lightly rocked Folki.

"C'mon, love –you've got a wonderful voice. One song couldn't hurt," Will was telling the redhead. "I'm sure no one will mind."

"I can't think o' a song that'll suit the festive mood, though!" Adela laughed, shaking her head.

Demelza shrugged, sipping from a large tankard. "I'm sure there's somethin' you could sing," she said, agreeing with her nephew. "It doesn't need to be a serious song."

At that, Will smirked. "It could be a bawdy shanty," he teased, earning a look from his aunt.

"Sing the one 'bout the peasant an' the noblewoman!" Baylee called with a cheeky grin.

Adela looked at her, startled. "Oh come now, don't be a fool –tha' song needs drums t' keep the beat and we haven't got any right now. Name somethin' else."

In perfect unison, the twins began to drum out the rhythm of the song, Baylee using the tabletop and Will using the wood of the mantle. Picking up the beat, Bifur and Ori joined in with the drumming, earning a few hoots from the patrons still dining. Both Will and Baylee wore matching grins as Adela let out a sigh of defeat and playfully rolled her eyes. She stood and turned the chair around before sitting again, though her posture was straighter, for she started to sing:

One warm summer's night

He rode into sight

On a wild mare that was so perfectly white

I'd dreamed he'd return

And I was right

Wishes can come true when you wish with all your might…

One look in his eyes

I had realized

His life was so simple he had no disguise

He lived day to day, no promise he would stay

But in these few words he stole my heart away

By that point in the song, Will had started dancing with Demelza, who was laughing as she cursed his mischievousness. Grinning, Bifur hopped to his feet and dragged Lovisa out of her chair to dance as well; unlike Demelza, Lovisa didn't have a qualm with being forced into a dance. They weren't the only ones, either –many of the patrons were beginning to dance around the tables. Not one to miss a dance, Baylee hopped to feet, tugging Bofur with her. Dís, Dwalin, and Ori stayed behind, picking up the slack of the missing drummers and laughing as they watched the others.

He said:

"My life's not lead

Through power or greed

I am but a poor man

When I'm cut I bleed

A more humble man you never will meet

And here is my heart for only you to keep…"

In the shade of the willow tree

My poor peasant promised to me

No scholarly thoughts, he couldn't pay high costs

And sometimes it feels like he's totally lost

But he said this true and he said it loud

"I promise you my heart with this solemn vow…"

One warm summer night,

He rode out of sight

On a wild mare that was so perfectly white

I'd dreamed he'd return and I was right

Wishes can come true when you wish with all your might…

In the shade of the willow tree

My poor peasant promised to me…

Three hours later found Baylee and Bofur wandering around town, which was still fairly crowded as the games in the fields had yet to start. Bofur lightly held onto Baylee's hand, feeling quite content to let her drag him around to various vendors and street games. For the most part, they merely looked things over, but she had managed to talk Bofur into letting her buy them some cheese and bread.

"There are a lot more elves than I would have expected t' see," he admitted as they sat down on one of the city's many fountains. "Not that it's a bad thing or anythin'…just surprising."

"Well, they also fought in the Battle," she reminded him. "I wonder if Tauriel is going t' be visitin' the inn tonight…? It's always fun t' have her around." She took a small bite out of her cheese, smiling as she watched a group of children racing around the area, balancing eggs on spoons held betwixt their teeth.

His brow rose. "Tauriel?" he questioned, taking a bite out of his bread.

"Aye; she's the captain o' Thranduil's guard. The soldiers under her say she's one o' the few people in Middle Earth who can make Prince Legolas lighten up a bit an' actually crack a smile."

"Tha' so? I thought all elves were all about merriment an' smilin'?"

She shrugged. "Some more than others, I guess. Thranduil an' Legolas hardly ever smile. I've never seen 'em smile."

"You've seen them both?"

"Only once or twice," she admitted. "Both times after the Battle…" She scrunched her nose up and looked down at her wedge of cheese; she had eaten half of it, but suddenly, she wasn't very hungry anymore. Offering it to Bofur, she glanced around to see what vendors were nearby.

Bofur looked at her, concerned as he took the cheese from her. "Are ya feelin' alright, âzying? Dancin' earlier didn't wear you out, did it?"

"I'm fine," she assured him, smiling. Kissing his nose, she lightly flicked his braid over his shoulder. "Just…I remembered I have t' visit the graveyard."

He cocked his head. "The graveyard?"

She nodded as she counted some pieces of silver. "I want t' see my mother's grave," she quietly explained. "Tell her tha' we're doin' alright. That sort o' thing. You can wander around for a bit; I'll find ya later."

Setting his hand atop hers, he gave it a small squeeze. "You sure you don't want me t' come with?"

Baylee shrugged, trying to act normal. "Ya don't have t' if you don't want. It's a graveyard –it's a downer o' a place. Not really somewhere ya should be on a day like today."

Bofur wore a knowing smile as he gave her hand a second squeeze. "I think that's why I should come with ya," he told her. Sitting up a bit higher, he gave her a soft kiss. "Anyway, I think it's only fair that I pay respects t' the woman who raised the love o' my life. Takes an amazin' person t' raise another amazin' person, after all." Giving her a second kiss, he cradled her hands in his.

Neither of them noticed the strange looks they garnered from some members of the crowd.

She quietly laughed and rested her forehead against his. "You're a damned sweetheart, ya know that?" she murmured.

He looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging. "Eh…I guess I can be," he joked. "But only because it's easier than bein' an arsehole. It takes so much work t' get people t' hate ya; far too much work for this lazy bum!" He brushed the crumbs off of himself before standing.

"Oh, aye. I mean, you're one o' the laziest people I know," she giggled, standing up as well. "Positively sluggish." She went towards a vender, where she bought a small bouquet of dried lilies. Bofur followed alongside her as she ducked into an alleyway.

It wasn't a very long walk to the graveyard, though it was surprisingly quiet. As they neared the western edge of the city, the music and laughter died away and the crowds thinned. Within ten minutes, it was just the two of them passing through a white-stone gate, the cobblestoned road transforming into soft grass parted by a simple gravel path. Ancient willow trees scattered the land around them, their leaves protecting the headstones and tombs of the dead.

Bofur rubbed his arm as he glanced around. He knew he would never be able to get over the sort of creepy feeling that came with being surrounded by graves, but he did his best to hide his discomfort. Peeking up at Baylee, he saw that she had plucked up a lock of her hair and had started to chew on the ends of it.

"Don't do that, âzying," he quietly told her, reaching up and tucking the hair behind her ear. "Ya just got your hair back; can't go eatin' it away again."

"Sorry," she told him, wearing an embarrassed smile. "It's just an unconscious thing when I'm nervous."

Nodding in understanding, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I know how ya feel, âzying," he sighed.

"Do you?"

"Aye, though…not quiet in the 'showin' my lover my mother's grave' way. More o' just knowin' what it's like t' visit the grave o' someone ya love."

She looked down at him. "Your parents?"

Bofur shook his head. "Nah. Well, I mean I've visited their graves, but it had been their time t' return t' the earth, ya know? It wasn't so sad t' see 'em leave. But…" He took his hat off and scratched the top of his head before putting his hat on once more. "Truth be told, Baylee, you're not the first love in my life."

To his surprise, Baylee nodded in understanding. "Aye, I know."

"You do?" he asked, startled. "How?"

"Some things the other lads have said, but I don't know any details."

He unconsciously reached for the older warg tooth dangling from his ear. "Well…As ya can guess, she's gone." With a heavy sky, he looked up towards the sky. "Had t' have been nearly thirty years ago now…Kaia an' I were travelin' back from the southern tip o' the Blue Mountains with some other dwarrows." Looking back down at the ground, he lightly kicked a stone out of the path. He hadn't noticed that they had come to stop before a fairly recent tomb.

"We were ambushed by a small pack o' wargs. Most o' us only got minor injuries -cuts an' bruises an' the like- but she…" Shaking his head, he swallowed hard, trying to fight the tears the memory brought. "She died in my arms. We were goin' t' be married the next week."

Bofur suddenly found himself wrapped up in Baylee's arms, his face buried in the crook of her neck. He let out no sobs, but a few stray tears had managed to trickle their way down his cheeks as she lightly stroked his hair. Sighing, he closed his eyes and held her as close as possible.

"S'why I was so scared when the wargs attacked us in the east," he mumbled. "When I saw ya an' Will…I thought it had been tha' day all over again. You have no idea how hard I prayed t' Mahal an' Estë t' keep the two o' you alive. I don't think I could have lived if ya had passed on…"

Continuing to stroke his hair, Baylee let out a quiet sight. "Don't say that," she murmured. "You're strong…an' you've got family an' friends ya had t' live for." Pulling back slightly, she gave him a gentle, lingering kiss. Using her sleeves, she wiped away his tears, not caring that her cheeks were damp from tears of her own. She smiled lovingly at him as she kissed his nose. "An' now you don't have t' know what it'd be like, because I'm right here an' Will's a happy, new daddy."

Raising his hand, he cupped her scarred cheek and said nothing, instead choosing to just stare into her eyes. "I won't ever let ya come t' harm like that again," he whispered after some minutes. "Not if I can help it. I swear on Mahal's sacred anvil, I'm goin' t' keep ya as safe as I can."

"I know you will," she assured him, her hand resting over his. She glanced away from him, her gaze falling on the statue before them. "An' I'm sure my mother approves o' that promise."

Looking at the stone figure, Bofur saw that it was carved in the likeness of a woman bearing a sword and shield. She stood guard atop a rectangular grave, her gaze fixed ever southwards. She was clad in a simple dress, but she also wore pieces of armor –vambraces, pauldrons, and a chainmail cowl protected her. Bofur couldn't help but notice that she and Baylee looked remarkably similar –they even shared the same too-big front teeth.

"She was the only human woman t' die durin' the Battle o' Five Armies," Baylee told him as she placed the dried flowers at the statue's feet. Stepping back, she looked up at the face of her mother. "But because o' her, a lot o' people were saved." For some reason, she felt relieved to be talking about Éolynna's death with Bofur; she didn't know why, but it felt as if an immense weight was being lifted from her shoulders.

Bofur gave her a small smile. "You helped, too. So did Demelza. All three o' ya fought that day."

She returned the look. "Aye, but it was mum who rallied us an' those able t' fight. I still swear tha' if she had been in charge o' our armies, we would have won tha' battle a lot faster." Turning back to the statue, she let out a small, content sigh. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she merely wiped it away. "You should have seen her, Bofur –I've seen how men fight an' she was nothin' like that. Men are harsh an' clumsy but mum…It was like she was dancin', she was so graceful. Funny, because she couldn't dance worth a lick."

"Well, clearly she was just off balance. Give her a sword an' a shield an' she would have been the best dancer in the city," Bofur joked. He was more than a little pleased to hear that it earned a laugh. Glancing back at the statue, he tilted his head. "You know, you look just like her."

A grin came to her features. "Aye. 'Cept she was a good foot taller than me an' was blonde." She held out a lock of her hair, looking at it. "She used t' say my hair got this way because Will rubbed ash in it when we were babies."

"Knowin' the two o' you, I'd believe it," he chuckled. "She sounds like she was a lovely woman. I wish I could have met her."

Giving him a small hug, she kissed his cheek. "Maybe in another life, you can," she told him. "But for now…I think it's best we return t' the festival."

Oh, though the night be as dark as dungeon, not a star can be seen above

I will be guided without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree

It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

He stepped up to her bedroom window, kneeling gently upon a stone

He whispers through her bedroom window, my darling dear do you lie alone

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree

It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company…

Zori let out a giggle as Nori 'danced' with him, the dwarf lightly waving his arms back and forth as he stood atop the bench. Whenever Nori came back to the chorus, he'd pluck Zori off of the table and give him a small toss into the air before catching him again. Zori had no idea that his father was currently quite tipsy from the vast quantities of ale and cider he had been sampling all day, but he wouldn't have cared even if he did know –he was just happy that Nori was singing to him and being so playful.

It's only me your own true lover, open the door and let me in

For I have come on a long nights journey and I'm near drenched to the skin

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree

It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she let him in

They both shook hands and embraced each other, until the morning they lay as one

"Figures he'd be singin' a song 'bout sneakin' into ladies' beds."

Nori looked up just in time to see Dwalin and Ori sitting down across from him. Zori clapped as he saw his uncles, his eyes almost disappearing behind his chubby cheeks. "Oh, there's no harm in it," he chuckled. "I'm just singin' to my son; clearly, he's quite a fan." Picking Zori up, he nuzzled his nose against Zori's nose.

Ori's brow rose. "Nori…how much have you had to drink today?" he asked, laughing.

"Not enough," came Nori's reply. He winced slightly as Zori grabbed the ends of his beard and tugged on them. "O-Ouch, lad –that's not how ya make daddy dance." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a sweet biscuit which he lightly waved in front of Zori's face.

It was the perfect distraction; Zori released Nori's beard and grabbed at the food. As soon as he had a firm grasp on the biscuit, he dragged it to his mouth and started to gnaw on it. All the while, he grunted happily, sounding very much like a hungry animal.

Dwalin's brow rose. "He's startin' t' sound more an' more like a wild animal. Have yeh fed him at all today?"

"O' course I've fed him!" Nori frowned. "Just two hours ago, he had himself a nice, big dinner o' mashed yams an' steamed carrots!" He broke the biscuit in half, making it more manageable for Zori to gnaw on.

"If anything," Ori piped up, "I think he sounds like Dwalin at meal time."

Dwalin looked at him, confused. "Oi! I don't make nearly as much racket."

"No, you make far more," Ori grinned. He then started to imitate his lover, pretending to grab some food and cramming it in his mouth. "Omnom –Gloin, pass 'eh drink! Bombur, hand me tha' leg o' lamb!" He shoved more 'food' into his mouth. "Where're the fish 'eads at?"

Nori burst out laughing –Zori, too, but only because his daddy was laughing- as Dwalin rolled his eye. "Tha's a good one, Ori! You'll have t' do that one for the lads when they get here!"

Ori cackled in glee only to abruptly shriek in surprise as Dwalin hooked an arm around his shoulders and proceeded to lightly grind his knuckles into his lover's skull. "Ah! Stop! I won't do it!" he laughed, trying to squirm away. "I won't do it, I promise!"

"Don't trust yeh, lad," Dwalin grinned. "Yeh sassy wee bastard."

"Uh-oh! Lovers' quarrel in progress!"

The three of them glanced up as Bofur, Dís, and Baylee approached them. Scooting over, Nori picked Zori up and was about to set him in his lap, but the child was reaching for Baylee. Handing her tankard to Bofur, she plucked Zori up and blew a rather loud raspberry on his stomach, earning a squeal. Dís laughed as she watched Zori begin babbling to Baylee in his incomprehensible baby speech.

"Telling you about his day, is he?" she asked, sitting beside Dwalin.

"Oh, always," Baylee grinned. "After all, he's got such a rough life!" She nuzzled Zori's cheek, earning a quiet giggle. "Look at you, tryin' t' stand all on your own! Soon enough, you'll be runnin' around, bein' a wee terror!"

Nori laughed. "As if he isn't already! You've seen how fast he can crawl –he's been chasin' Dori an' Ori all through the house the last few days."

Bofur snorted. "He was chasin' Dori o' all dwarrows?"

"Only because Dori had a pocketful o' biscuits," Ori chuckled. "The three o' you missed it earlier, though –Nori was singing and dancing with him."

His brows furrowing, Nori pouted when he saw grins come to the other's faces. "It's a festival! It's a time t' be happy, so I thought I'd amuse my son with a spot o' music."

"What were you singin' him?" Bofur inquired before taking a drink from his tankard. At least, he thought it was his tankard; it could have been Baylee's. He couldn't really remember what sort of drink he had gotten.

"I'm A Rover," Nori answered, pulling a second biscuit from his pocket. This one he popped into his mouth. "Jus' a simple song, really. Nothin' too long."

Dís' brow rose in mild amusement. "Fitting," she commented. While she still didn't entirely trust him, she had to admit that he was much better than when they were younger –even if he was drunk at the moment. The responsibility that came with parenthood was certainly doing him a wealth of good. "Though, I take it Zori enjoyed it?"

Dwalin nodded. "The wee lad was laughin' his head off. If Nori's voice wasn't so hideous t' listen to-"

"Oi! It's nicer 'n yours!" Nori argued. "You don't even sing, you just sort o'…shout the words!"

"I shout 'em melodically! Yeh can't carry a tune in a bucket, let alone sing a whole song-"

"Lads!" Ori laughed. "Lads, settle down. Both o' you have alright singin' voices, but out o' everyone present, I think we can all agree that it's Bofur who's got the best voice."

At that, Bofur sat up a bit straighter, smiling. "Why, thank-you, Ori," he chirped. "I'd like t' think I've meself a fine set o' pipes."

Dís rolled her eyes, but smiled. "What a humble bunch of males we have here," she joked.

"Aren't they? They're just the most modest group around," Baylee agreed, managing to hold Zori with one arm while she stole her tankard back with the other. She took a long drink from the mug only to realize, halfway through the chug, that it wasn't her mug –she had gotten ale. What she had just consumed was mead. "Uh-oh," she mumbled, staring into the tankard.

Dís glanced at her upon hearing the 'uh-oh'. "What is wrong?" she asked, brows furrowing. "Is your drink off?"

Baylee looked up, her cheeks already rosy from the mead. "No, it's…I just chugged half o' Bofur's mead, thinking it was my ale."

At her words, Dwalin, Ori, and Nori cringed –and yet, they laughed. "Ooh, that's not good," Dwalin grinned. "Especially for a wee lil' woman like yeh."

"I was wonderin' why my drink tasted funny," Bofur laughed. He patted her on the shoulder. "It's alright; I kind o' drank all of your ale. You can finish the mead if ya want, âzying."

Setting the tankard down, Baylee handed Zori back to his papa while shaking her head to Bofur's comment. "No, no…I'm goin' t' be drunk in a few minutes as is," she told him. "No need t' drink more."

"But that's hardly enough mead t' make anyone drunk," Bofur frowned.

"Bofur," Ori gently reminded him, "Baylee's a lightweight, remember? There's a reason a neat little lass like her only takes ale."

At that, Baylee pouted. "I'm not Mary Mack," she argued, "I like mead once in a while…just…not that much." Despite her worse, she unconsciously took another drink of the alcohol.

"Mary Mack?" Nori asked, his brow raising. He did his best to hide a grin; the mead was working fast on the human and it was amusing the dwarves. "Who's she?"

"Not so much a person as a song," Baylee explained, wobbling slightly. "Good song, though a bit lewd in some parts. Most o' it's clean, though."

"How's it go then?" Ori asked, stifling his laughter. He couldn't help but admit that it was funny seeing Baylee drunk.

Baylee thought for a moment and scooted closer to Bofur so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Then she took another drink of the mead before starting:

There's a neat lil' lass an' her name is Mary Mack

Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm goin' t' take

Lots o' other fellas try t' lay her on her back

But I'm thinkin' they'll have t' get up early

Mary Mack's father's makin' Mary Mack marry me

My father's makin' me marry Mary Mack

Well I'm goin' t' marry Mary for when Mary's takin' care o' me

We'll all be feelin' merry when I marry Mary Mack

Now Mary an' her mother are an awful lot together

In fact you hardly see the one without the other

An' people often wonder if it's Mary or her mother

Or both o' them together I am courtin'!

Mary Mack's father's makin' Mary Mack marry me

My father's makin' me marry Mary Mack

Well I'm goin' t' marry Mary for when Mary's takin' care o' me

We'll all be feelin' merry when I marry Mary Mack

Now this wee lass she has a lot o' brass

She has a lot o' gas an' her father thinks I'm class

So I'd be a silly ass t' let the matter pass

Her father thinks she suits me fairly

"An' then it just repeats, getting' faster an' faster an' faster," Baylee chirped, suddenly ending the song. "It's a good one t' dance to –lots o' spilling. But don't drink or eat before dancin' to it! The contents o' your stomach will end up all over the place. Just ask Will. Happened t' him last year. Biggest mess I've had t' clean up."

"Huh. When Baylee's drunk, she rambles like Bofur when he's sober," Dwalin commented.

"Hey now," Bofur frowned, pulling Baylee closer. "The lass can ramble if she wants."

"Nothin' wrong with it," Dwalin laughed. "Just proves the two o' yeh are a good match."

Nori snorted. "Kind o' like how Ori can imitate you almost perfectly? How did it go again, Ori?"

Ori cracked up. "I promised I wouldn't do it again! I'm goin' to stick by my word."

Baylee glanced up. "Aw, c'mon –Bofur, Dís, an' I missed it the first time!"

Shaking his head, Ori chuckled. "No, no…"

Dwalin gave him a small nudge and glanced away. "Eh, go ahead an' do it. She's drunk; she won't remember it in the morning anyway."

Doing as he was told, Ori started to imitate Dwalin's eating habits again. He was more than a little amused when everyone burst out in laughter for a second time. It was when Baylee giggled so hard, she started to fall backwards that made him lose it. Bofur when to catch her, but he was just a bit too late; they both ended up falling off of the bench, which only made succeeded in making Baylee laugh harder.

Dís shook her head, wearing a smile. Taking a sip from her warmed cider, she cracked up as Baylee bolted upright, proclaiming that her drink hadn't spilled, so everything was alright. Dwalin got up and hoisted the two of them back into the bench while laughing about how they needed to get some food in their stomachs before they were allowed anymore alcohol. Nori, meanwhile, was making faces at Zori, trying to distract him from grabbing at Ori's braids.

It may have been the anniversary of the day she lost her family, but she was quickly growing fond of the new one forming around her.