Author's Note:

For those of you who are wondering when we're leaving Rivendell and heading back on the road, it'll be another 4 chapters.

It was another lazy morning for the company of Thorin Oakenshield.

While most of the group was currently doing whatever it was they did while in the peaceful home of the elves, I was with Kili. Fili and Thorin had left us to our own devices some time after breakfast and somehow, we just ended up on some ledge overlooking one of the many courtyards Rivendell had to offer. The view was gorgeous but I wasn't looking at it with as much gusto as I was the hand that was held above me. We weren't doing anything particularly enticing or suspicious but we were just sitting and being close to one another.

Though, technically, I was not really sitting and neither was he. We were technically lying on the stone edge of a balcony, Kili with his arm keeping us from falling over into the flower bed below and I balancing on his front. His entire front. We must have made a strange sight, a hobbit just lounging on a dwarf, knees bent and desperately trying not to fall over.

It was so amusing that I didn't want to move. I was also enjoying just talking with Kili -just the two of us- about anything since it became apparent that the younger brother was never without the elder for long. It was always strange when I ran into Kili by himself. Always a lingering thought in my mind about about why the two of us never seemed to spend much single time alone.

The time I was spending with him right now felt nice, and due to its rarity, was something that I knew to cherish.

"Are you sure?"

A reference to the conversation we had been discussing quite adamantly for the last hour, a nagging urge that once I thought was not so easily dismissed. Over and over again without fail, my mind would return to the idea and I would blush whenever I thought of what I ultimately wanted from it.

Kili's hand was firm in my own, relaxed in my grip and just allowing me to touch and prod whenever I wanted; I followed along his fingers, tracing the edges of leather clad fingers before moving on to a leather covered palm.

"Yea, I'm sure."

I pressed my thumbs into the palm of his hand, fanning out fingers to stroke the knuckle, noting when Kili's breath quickened with the added sensation of skin on skin.

"Super sure?"

Kili's voice pinched playfully and I responded by curling my toes into the fabric covering his thighs; in retaliation for his playful way of asking if I indeed knew what I was asking for, I ribbed him softly with my elbow. Given our precarious position, it was not the smartest thing I could have done, Kili laughing as he tried to get away only to have to grip harder on the wall to prevent us from falling.

"Alright, alright! I have no qualms about it."

"No qualms about what?"

Fili's voice came from the hallway and when I looked over, I saw that he looked more happy than I had seen in the past few days. His eyes glowed when looking at us, amusement making his mouth twist up into a near laughing smile. He saw the very delicate nature of our position and was doing all he could not to comment on it or just up and push us both over.

Kili lowered his hand to rest on my stomach, adjusting a little so that the two of us were again stable on the edge of the wall. The rise and fall of my entire being controlled by the younger dwarf brother below me.

"Ah, brother!" Kili's voice playfully poked at my rear, "Do us a favor?"

Fili looked at us suspiciously for even I could admit that the tone with which Kili asked was not devoid of mischief. Fili now looked us with eyebrow raised, arms crossed, and looking as if the two of us were now something that he would always need to be wary of. I wanted to scoff just because I was not nearly the trouble maker that they were. I was once a proper hobbit lass before this whole dual adventure thing happened.

"Tonight, we want you to wash everything."

The other eyebrow joined its twin, surprise and curiosity now outweighing the need to be wary of what Kili and I might be planning.

" Everything ?"

His voice might have been smooth, his tone deceptively calm but the sensation was all I needed to know his true feelings about the request; it squeezed the plump flesh of my backside in equal parts shaky and possessive, belying a rush of anticipation over the request and what it could possibly mean. His eyes that had been staring at his brother now shifted to look at me, flashing with a hint of lust when he saw how I smirked at him.

He saw it, how I did not look confused over Kili's request. Understood instantly how it were actually me who requested it in the first place.

It was something that I wanted enough to ask for.

It made Fili's breath hitch even as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet, pants probably a little too tight suddenly.

"Yep, everything. You know the drill."

As restful and relaxing as my morning had been, by noon I regretted having stepped anywhere outside of the library.

It started as a distraction from my book, a murmuring band of elves who rushed past the library looking as if they stumbled onto something. I ignored it as a strange sight and nothing more. I went back to my book and began reading again only to then again be interrupted by another rush of elves, giggling about something.

Something was happening.

Even the library attendant looked curious over what had made the elves out in the corridor rush by so eagerly for never were elves such things as eager. From my time being in Rivendell, the elves were always poised and proper, always intent to look so unphased by the uncouth ways of the dwarves. When another group flitted by the archway, the attendant finally gave up trying to deny his urge to investigate and got up to follow the group.

By then I was rather intrigued as well and followed after the group, quick on their heels and completely hidden by their tall looming figures. I could not understand the elves as they spoke in their own language about whatever was happening but the attendant looked surprised and even started to laugh at whatever was said. I myself was barely holding onto my control, trying in vain to not let their voices get the better of me and send me into a euphoric daze.

When our group came upon the turn of the hallway, it opened out into one of the main courtyards and the sight was truly one to behold. The courtyard was in an uproar, a crowd of elves surrounding the perimeter either laughing or pointing at what they saw happening beyond them. It was hard but I wedged my way through them, startling a few who had not seen me so far below before politely moving aside.

The sight was mortifying -or rather if I were Thorin- I would have considered the sight mortifying. As a hobbit, I was utterly embarrassed to see just what the dwarves were doing as guests of the Lord of Rivendell.

A few of the dwarves were running amuck in the courtyard, Dwalin tossing what looked to be a vase high into the air away from the grasping hands of Lindir. His great guffaws of laughter echoed in the courtyard as Nori caught the vase and tossed it to a dark haired elf who called for him to pass it over just before Lindir reached the dwarf.

"Elladan, pass it here!"

I watched as Elladan sidestepped away from Lindir and tossed the vase over to another elf, who I was surprised to see looked exactly like him. Elladan's twin brother caught the vase, a joyous laugh erupting from his throat from the venomous look that Lindir shot him.

"Put that down this instance, Elrohir! I promise you two that your Father will hear of this!"

The elves around the courtyard could not do anything but look at the sight and chuckle while a few others shook their heads. Elladan and Elrohir looked to be at home in causing trouble for the poor handsome Lindir, their laughter only coming louder as they brushed off his threat.

"He won't mind! We're building relations!"

Elrohir tossed the vase up again and I saw it being caught by Kili before he tossed it over to Bofur.

While it was disturbing to see the dwarves look so at home in torturing an elf, it did actually surprise me that Thorin's dislike of elves did not really extend out to his company members. The ones who actively played in the game were smiling and laughing loudly, cheering in delight when the vase was tossed and caught by another. As a Hobbit though, I was still a little embarrassed over the fact that members of the company were actively participating in such a game...

But as the dwarves had already shown me how they behaved as guests in my home, I could hardly be surprised.

"Ah, excuse me!"

It was a small push, a small little accident caused by the elves behind me being careless about where they were stepping and moving to get a better look. It was small but it was enough to accidentally push me forward away from the safety of spectators and into the game.

Bofur, who now saw me at the edge of the playing field turned to me and grinned, "BILBO! Catch!"

I saw him toss up the vase and I froze at the sight of it in the air.

Everything slowed down. I started to sweat bullets.

My eyes couldn't be parted from the sight of the vase slowly coming towards me. Slowly falling down towards me.

I was going to die.

My body tensed.

My palms were sweaty.

I was going to throw up.

I was too much of a proper hobbit lass for this!

I screamed and held out my hands, closing my eyes and hoping for the best, releasing the breath I had been holding when the vase plopped down into my arms and I registered the cold feel of its glazed perfection just sitting there. It was waiting for me to continue the game.

I looked up, seeing in horror how Lindir rushed towards me for a chance to easily take back the vase from me.

"Let me have it, Miss Baggins!"

Lindir shouted at me, forceful and urgent, and with such strength that I was unable to deny it any longer. The euphoria overtook me and I went loose, staring at Lindir as he came at me in slow motion.

His hair flowed in the wind as he ran, his cheeks pink with exertion, his eyes locked onto me. His body moved so gracefully and- Oh! Did he shake his head so that I could see how the sun glistened in such dark locks...? Was he looking at me with desire in his eyes? Was that beauty really looking at me like that?! Oh, no, don't lick your lips like that for me, you sexy beast, you... I'm not even sure if it would work out. Aren't I too young for you? Don't reach out to scoop me into your arms. Well, maybe a quick hug would be alright? Though I don't even know you that way! Would your Mother like me? No, don't bend over for me! Is your Mother even still alive? We can't embrace until we at least know each other properly.

Oh, Hobbit instincts don't fail me now!

"I CAN'T MARRY YOU!"

I screamed and went to toss the vase, only to be scooped up into the strong arms of an elf before I could do so and hoisted up so that the ground appeared so very far away.

"Gotcha!"

The euphoria washed over me again as I looked up at Elladan (or was it Elrohir?) and saw how beautiful his skin was and how gorgeous his hair looked that was colored like the night sky. He looked down at me and flashed those perfect teeth at me, "Toss it, Miss Periannath."

Oh, how perfect he was. I would do anything for him.

I tossed the vase up, watching as Dwalin came and caught it with a hoot and a roar of applause by the spectators who now agreed wholeheartedly with the game. I was hoisted up again once my arms were free, moved so that I could sit on the taller elf's shoulder and hold onto Elladan's head for dear life.

"Having fun up there?"

He asked me and my eyes rolled back from how overwhelming he was, how I couldn't resist the urge to bury my face into those ebony locks. Yavanna save me, it smelled like pine! Like everything that was glorious in this world. Elladan moved swiftly around the courtyard, laughing when he caught the vase again and waited until Lindir was very close before tossing it over to Kili.

"What in Durin's name is going on!?"

Thorin's voice cracked in the air like a slap, the sensation like he were raking his nails into my shoulder painfully. Oh, he was furious.

The crashing of the vase on the ground silenced the courtyard, breaking me from my daze and forcing all the players of the game to stop completely.

Everything was still.

Thorin was staring at the very image of what would be sacrilege in his world, his company of dwarves fraternizing with the enemy and me sitting on a shoulder of one, clutching at his hair in desperation.

His face was red with the fury of it all, so close to bursting out in curses for all to see. It was hard to breathe. I was terrified by what he would say to us and I was embarrassed because he would most likely say it in front of everyone. To be scolded in front of a crowd of elves was not something that I was looking forward to.

"By all that is-?"

Everyone in the courtyard looked over to the other side, horrified now by the sight of the Lord Elrond taking in the sight of the game, its participants, and, of course, the newly broken vase. He looked angry as well, though not nearly as much as Thorin was. His eyes went straight to Lindir, who looked sheepish and bothered before they locked upon the sight of me with one of the twins.

"Elrohir, put her down now."

So my initial guess at the elf being Elladan was wrong... I wasn't surprised. I was surprised by how Elrond could tell though.

Carefully Elrohir adjusted me and gently helped me down so that I could stand upon the grass on my own two feet; he straightened up afterwards, stance tall but his face looking so utterly like a child about to be scolded.

"You and your brother get to your rooms right now! I will not tolerate such behavior."
"Father, we were just promoting good relations!"
"Room!"

If their tones weren't hard and pleading and I too stunned by the entire turn of events, I was sure that the daze would come over me again. Lucky enough for me though that their tone of voice left me in too much of a panic to feel any sense of euphoria wash over me.

"Lindir, clean up this mess."

By now the spectators were starting to slowly -and with as much stealth as they could muster- try to slip away unnoticed. They succeeded only because Elrond was willing to allow them to do so and all remained silent while the dwarves went over to Thorin for what would inevitably a yelling at. Lindir started to pick up the broken pieces of the vase, looking as small and innocent as he could.

Thorin and Elrond stared at each other from across the courtyard. The elven twins slunk off to the follow the spectators.

I could tell from Thorin's features that he wanted to yell at the elf Lord but with the stance that the Lord carried, one of the authority given to a parent about to scold one's mischievous child (or twin boys, in this case), Thorin was wise not to pick a fight.

They stared in silence for a second longer before Thorin nodded, a concession to forget this event ever happened. A gesture returned by Elrond, an agreement that this embarrassing tale never be spoken about again.

The tension was still palpable between the company when we all ate lunch, eating in relative silence while none tried to do anything that would set off Thorin, who was still so close to the boiling point.

Unfortunately for me as well, I was sitting right next to our dear leader, hoping that I could look even smaller than I normally did. I moved some of my food about my plate, trying to look as if I were terribly interested in whatever I was doing and nibbling on bread. The others who had been more actively participating in the game had their heads down, food crammed into their mouths so that they would look busy and inconspicuous. They too were wary of Thorin.

As a hobbit who literally was scooped up into the game and not really an active participant, I wasn't exactly frightened of Thorin yelling at me but just the thought of his fury... what a face like his must look like distorted in ugly rage...

I looked over out of the corner of my eye, fork in my mouth and trying to look nonchalant; Thorin's face was closed off, annoyed and irritated but far from the original red faced indignation from before in the courtyard.

"The vase," Everyone held their breath when Thorin began to speak, "It looked expensive."

Nori looked at the the older dwarf, eyes shifting from Dwalin and his own brother before nodding, "Aye, it did."

My nose tickled before Dwalin's smooth voice lingered on my cheek, "Next time we'll get something more expensive."

Thorin nodded, "See that you do."

I snorted, unable to contain my laughter at the idea that Thorin was actually happy that the dwarves had accidentally broken a vase that belonged to the elves. I laughed with how far his dislike of them extended to actually be proud of what happened.

My laughter was what cut the tension in the room, everyone instantly going at ease and laughing about the game. Even Thorin was one for the chit chat that started up, a small smile on his face that made me look content and young. Happy to be the leader of those who have caused such trouble.

Soon enough everyone was back to normal, eating with a gusto while they each begin a conversation with one another.

Thorin's hand was surprising, a weight coming to rest on my lower back, pressed to the curve of my vest. Though I did not startle at the touch, my fork stopped before I could take a bite of my food. Fork hanging in the air, I glanced up at him, wanting to see if he was looking at me and intrigued by the sight of him not paying me any attention at all.

I stared at him out of the corner of my eye, watching as he chewed a bite of his food, looking for all intent and purposes like he was just eating and nothing more. I went back to eating when Thorin did not acknowledge me and did not pause again even when I felt his thumb stroke along my back.

His hand inched lower.

I found myself smirking at the suggestion, adjusting so that I sat on the front of my legs, and scooted over to get a little closer. It would never be enough to make the others suspicious but enough so that Thorin could reach whatever he wanted. I continued to act as if nothing at all were amiss even when Thorin's hand trailed down further until it rested at the curve of my rounded backside, squeezing firmly.

I continued eating as if I were content not to be bothered. As if I were not interested in the conversations that were happening all around me.

Thorin's hand slipped lower, reaching back to gather my skirt in his fingers and bundle up the fabrics, ducking his hand underneath when his task was finished. Unfortunately for him and definitely not in my favor either, we both realized that my bloomers were a barrier that he could not overcome without coming to my front to untie the damn thing. Such a thing could hardly be done though without showcasing to the company that Thorin was allowed to have a hand up my skirts.

With a slight adjustment on my part – looking as if I were getting comfortable again – Thorin pushed his hand lower and I clenched my fist on the wood of the table. His fingertips slid forward, curving up as they pressed against fabric covered heat, kneading the flesh and fabric until I was hard pressed to continue eating.

I looked back up at him for any sign of what he was doing to me but found that his face looked undisturbed, chewing a bite of his bread with his other hand.

I did not want to make due anymore.

There must have been something about the way I shifted but when I saw Thorin quickly eye me, I directed a quick nod over to the door. A silent question.

'You want to take this somewhere else?'

He smirked, followed by a barely perceived nod.