A/N: I apologize for the sheer amount of fanservice in the following chapters. Well... not really. Have fun with that! And blame my lion muses, they are... a breed of their own.
5
Fili sat up and yawned widely, stretching his arms above his head until he heard a few satisfying pops.
"What are you doing?" Kili whispered.
"Gonna have a word with him," Fili motioned to Celegorm.
The Elf sat on a boulder at the edge of camp, shaking his hair and combing through it with his fingers, trying to dry the wet locks.
Like the rest of the company, Celegorm had washed two weeks of Mirkwood stuffiness in the Running river, not far from the fording place. On the eve of August the fourteenth – by Ori's diligent timekeeping – they set camp close to the river, relieved to breathe the fresh air under the stars.
Even Thorin had smiled in his beard when several bottles and caskets of wine and ale had magically appeared in celebration of their safe passage through Mirkwood. For the first time in a long while, they could have a drink and make merry, although watchfulness needed to be maintained and they could not let themselves be lulled into a false sense of security.
Merry-making, however, and relief and security appeared to be the last things the three Elves with them had in mind. Over the past couple of days, Fili had noticed them growing more and more restless, barely able to conceal their worry under carefully constructed smiles. While most of Fili's companions took no notice and contented themselves with the Elves' careful watch over them, Fili knew the brothers better. After some internal debate that had the young Dwarf chuckling at himself, he'd finally admitted that he thought of at least one of those Elves as his friend. And why not? He wasn't betraying his people or Thorin's absurd principles. Not when Thorin had cast his own rules aside and befriended an Elf first.
Fili was concerned for his Elven friend. He could tell that Celegorm's attempts to smile and joke and be his annoying, slippery self were becoming increasingly strained. His father and his brothers and the distressing lack of news from them made Celegorm impatient and closed-off. He often stared through the impenetrable woods and then the endless grasslands, to catch some glimpse of whatever happened with his kinsmen. Celegorm frowned darkly and sighed when he could see nothing and the horse beneath him fretted, sensing the rider's unease.
Ambarussa had each other to lean on and a deeper understanding of one another's needs that Fili guessed only twins possessed. They talked to Celegorm and whispered their worries in their own tongue, but more often than not, Celegorm brooded alone.
For once, Fili told himself he would not let the Elf turn over unhappy thoughts on his own. If Celegorm allowed it, he would try to distract him from his worries and hopefully make him smile. Fili said as much to Kili and shrugged when his brother waved him off with a scoff. It truly was endearing, how much Kili bristled at the thought of his brother possibly befriending someone and caring for that person. As though Fili would ever favor anyone over his precious little brother… But it was amusing to see Kili huff and puff whenever he thought the Elf got too close.
With a small smile tugging his lips, Fili approached Celegorm, patting his shoulder gently when Celegorm didn't seem to notice he was not alone anymore. The Elf started and tossed his wet hair back, glaring at the intruder. But, before Fili could open his mouth to apologize, Celegorm's expression softened.
"Oh, it's you," he said.
"Only me, yes," Fili smiled. "I was wondering if I can give you a hand… perhaps. With your hair, I mean," he said in answer to Celegorm's puzzled look. He brought out a small silver comb from a pocket of his jerkin and showed it to the Elf.
"You… want to comb my hair?" Celegorm blinked.
"Um… I thought maybe you would let me. You took such good care of me when I was in too much pain to even think of keeping clean and... well…," Fili shrugged one shoulder.
"Heh, I thought that extreme physical pain was the only thing preventing you from batting me away from your lion mane," Celegorm smirked.
"Well… no. Not entirely. You see," Fili leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Each of us Dwarves has one of these on him," he held up the comb. "Except Dwalin, but he's the odd exception. We, Dwarves, are rather vain about our hair and our beards when time and circumstances allow us to groom them properly. But don't mention it to the others. We don't like to have our vanity pointed out to us, especially by people who have better hair than we do."
"So… you think I have better hair than you, Lionsmane?" Celegorm's smirk broadened.
"I'm not sure. I thought that perhaps you would let me find out," Fili gave the Elf a hopeful look.
His approach worked and Celegorm's dark mood vanished. He shrugged and gave up his seat on the boulder. The Elf folded his bedroll and set it on the rock, motioning Fili to sit there, while he made himself comfortable on the grass, his back to the young Dwarf.
"You mean to brush my hair in front of all your kinsmen and friends?" Celegorm said over his shoulder. "That's a very personal thing and quite a statement you're making."
"You could have been killed because you tended to me when I was injured. The least I can do is make a bold statement about how I like you and you are my friend," Fili gave the Elf's shoulder a gentle squeeze. He felt Celegorm wanting to sit up, but the Elf contented himself with smiling warmly and patting Fili's hand.
"Thank you," Celegorm said softly.
"Thank you," Fili replied in like manner. "Now, I don't suppose you'll let me braid your hair as well?"
"After your own fashion?"
"Perhaps. It would be interesting to see how Dwarvish braids look on an Elf."
"And a great honor for me, I imagine."
"Something like that," Fili smiled.
"Then please, go right ahead," Celegorm settled into the most comfortable position he could find and sighed softly when Fili began to comb his long hair.
As gently as he could, Fili worked out all the snags and moved his fingers through the damp tresses, trying to dry them before beginning to braid Celegorm's hair. He was very careful not to glance toward camp or pay any attention to the whispering and the chatter going on there. Rather, Fili became aware of the low rumble Celegorm emitted. For all intents and purposes, the Elf sounded like a large, satisfied cat.
"Tyelkormo... are you purring?"
Celegorm chuckled throatily and rubbed his head against Fili's hand. Somehow, coming from him, the catty behavior was not at all surprising.
"Maybe I am," the Elf said and resumed his purring.
Grinning to himself, Fili scratched Celegorm behind the ear and dragged the comb through his hair a bit more firmly. If the purring hadn't gotten louder, Fili would have to declare himself deaf.
Laughing softly, he lowered his head to listen better. Celegorm leaned back against him, happily playing the part of the biggest cat Fili had ever seen. Intrigued by how the Elf could make those sounds, Fili pressed a palm against Celegorm's chest and felt it vibrating.
"How do you do it?" the young Dwarf whispered.
"Imitation," Celegorm said. "I don't have the same throat and vocal chords that cats do, but I can narrow mine enough to purr when I am happy, just like a cat would."
Fili saw the Elf's cheeky grin and returned it.
"Kili was right, there's nothing normal about you," he chuckled, pressing his cheek against the side of Celegorm's head to show he was just teasing.
"Mmm," Celegorm purred again. "No, I am most extraordinary."
"What are you doing?" Kili bristled out of nowhere, as though conjured by Fili's mention of his name. "What in Mahal's name is this?" he glared at the two of them.
Fili suddenly realized what his position must have looked like and just how close to the Elf he was. It meant nothing, of course, he'd hung onto Celegorm much harder and for much longer, but then, he'd had the excuse of a broken leg. He drew back slowly, resisting the urge to snatch his hand back under Kili's withering glare.
"Sorry to interrupt your cuddling, but the whole camp is staring at you two lovebirds and Dwalin is about to burst a vein," Kili muttered.
"Oh, shut up! What are you even talking about? You're crazy," Fili glared right back. "Now, be a good meddlesome little brother and find me some small clips. There should be some in one of the secret pockets of my coat."
Kili sputtered and frowned fiercely, but stomped off when his brother's forbidding look gave him little room for complaint.
"What do you mean to put in my hair? Jewels and whatnot?" Celegorm inquired idly.
"I would if I had any. You Elves are supposedly fond of jewels and pretty things."
"As are you Dwarves, I believe." Celegorm said. "That is another thing we have in common, exceedingly good hair aside."
Fili grinned and nodded, although Celegorm could not see it. He resumed combing the Elf's hair, enjoying the silky smoothness of it and then giving himself a mental smack when he became aware of the thought.
"Lovebirds, eh?" the Elf chuckled.
"Right, right," Fili groaned, rolling his eyes. His silly little brother should have known better than that, but Fili took no insult and it appeared that Celegorm did not either.
"Here you go, your Majesty!" Kili returned. "Here are your shinies," he held out his hand and Fili picked up a few silver clips from him. "Now, what style will you choose for this vain Elf?"
Fili chewed his lower lip thoughtfully, combing his fingers through Celegorm's hair slowly.
"I know! I know!" Kili suddenly perked up. "I have just the perfect thing."
He leaned closer to his brother and whispered something in his ear. Fili's eyes widened and his first reaction was to shake his head in denial.
"What are you two plotting?" Celegorm asked them.
"Nothing. It's a surprise," Kili drew back.
"That can't mean anything good for me."
"It's not like that. I promise. Fili will give you some braids that will make you look pretty. Very, very pretty. That should be good for someone as in love with himself as you are."
"Oh, you evil little mouse! Now I'm convinced you have something devious in mind…"
"Actually…," Fili bit his lip, still debating with himself. He wondered for a moment longer, and then shrugged. "It's an intricate but very lovely pattern that Kili is talking about. It will take me a while to get it done, but your hair is just perfect for it. And if you don't like it, I'll take the braids out immediately."
"Hmm…," Celegorm sighed. "Alright. It's him I don't trust," he nodded toward Kili. "You… You're welcome to show me some Dwarvish art, if you please," the Elf smiled at Fili over his shoulder. He stretched his long legs before him and relaxed, closing his eyes and waiting for Fili to do whatever he pleased.
With Kili's occasional help, Fili set to work, parting Celegorm's hair and putting fine braids into it. The Elf said nothing and seemed to be nodding off, but would move his head when Fili guided him gently.
The young Dwarves kept quiet, but Kili seemed entirely too pleased with himself. His grin gave Fili a twinge of guilt, although a part of Fili shared his brother's amusement. Gradually, the braiding began to come together in a beautiful style and Fili hoped that Celegorm would appreciate the beauty after he learned that the joke was on him.
"Tyelkormo...," he shook the Elf's shoulder after binding the final braid. "Tyelkormo, wake up. I'm finished."
"Hmm? I wasn't sleeping," Celegorm yawned, belying his words. "All done?" he stretched and touched the side of his head. "Oh… interesting," he felt along the small braids, all the way to the bigger one at the back of his head.
"Yes, I'm done," Fili smiled, flexing his fingers. "I hope you like it."
"Too bad we don't have a mirror to show you," Kili said. "This is the prettiest hair I have ever seen on an Elf and that includes the maids in Rivendell."
Celegorm eyed Kili dubiously but said nothing. He sat up, shaking himself awake and pulled out his hunting knife. He turned his back to the fire and held the weapon in front of his face as a makeshift mirror.
"Very nice," he murmured, turning his head left and right and running his free hand over the braids.
Fili had collected Celegorm's hair in a series of fine braids that pulled it away from the Elf's face and the sides of his head. All of them were gathered in a larger braid that began at the top of the Elf's head and ran down the length of it. Under that net of braids, the rest of Celegorm's hair fell freely, brushed straight.
"This could be practical too. It keeps the hair out of my face," Celegorm smiled, pleased with what he saw.
"Do you like it?"
"I do, my friend. Thank you," Celegorm bowed before Fili, making the young Dwarf squirm guiltily.
But Kili nudged him into smiling as before and Fili complimented the Elf again. Celegorm gave him a warm smile and then walked off proudly, in search of his brothers.
"When he finds out what you did to him and wants to skin you, I won't defend you at all," Fili muttered to his smirking brother.
"Me?! You're the one who put those braids in his hair!" Kili elbowed him. "Come on, we've got to see how the others react. I want to see them cracking up," Kili started toward the fire, leaving his brother to sigh after him.
After a few moments of anxious brooding, Fili followed his brother back to the others. He took a mug of ale from a sniggering Nori and sat down, waiting for the Elves to join them, his gut telling him that what he'd done to Celegorm had been a very bad idea.