Here's another installment. I had fun with this, I really did. Though, of course, I had no idea what I'm doing. I don't like tea, not when I was forced to drink it when I was sick at a young age. Even if it was just once, it still put me off. Sorry, tea lovers.
Warning: I hope you all like puns =). I can see Nori, the princes, and Bilbo (with a slight nudge) doing this.
Leona2016: I'm sure Bombur had little trouble cooking for the Company, not when they help him, even when it turns out horribly. Except Bilbo. Bilbo is excellent at cooking.
The next chapter might not actually come out till the end of this week because I just learned that the place I'm boarding in during weekdays doesn't have Wi-Fi and it will stay like that for a few days even if we pay for it right at this moment. Sorry about that guys. Hopefully the chapter will be uploaded by Friday night.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit. If I did, Dori would force me to drink tea so that I would learn to 'like' it.
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I.
"Come again!" Dori called when the last of his customers left. He had built the shop after the quest and when Erebor was back on her feet. It took some time but his shop, 'Quali-Tea,' was finally working. (He hated to admit it but Nori had chosen the name and it fitted quite well.)
Sure, he had plenty of money and he didn't need to work at all, but it was his dream. It didn't matter if most Dwarrows thought it was an Elvish drink (Dori knew they jusjust didn't want to admit they liked the stuff). He just wanted Quali-Tea to be known as one of the only tea shops in Erebor.
"Brew-tea-ful night, ain't it?" the slick voice of his first younger brother came from behind him, causing the silver-haired dwarf to yelp and spin around. "Not that anyone can see it in this mountain."
"Nori! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" the tea shop owner scolded. He raised an eyebrow when his brother just took a sip from the cup he was holding in response. "Are you drinking tea? My tea?"
"As much as ah hate tha prissy green-eaters, ah have ta say, this is quali-tea," the redhead winked, putting down his cup.
Dori just rolled his eyes, slightly shivering. "Should I expect you to do this every evening, brother?"
"Dun' get yer hopes up, Nadad. But, I'll leaf you now," the spy shot a look at the jar of herb leaves as he disappeared into the shadows.
II.
"Thank you for coming, Bali. It's been so long since I've seen the Company members in this level, much less you or Thorin."
The old advisor – now Minister of War (not that he ever stopped advising the King) – chuckled into his cup. "We've been busy with the delegates of Gondor and Rohan."
"And how are the meetings working? If I understand correctly, neither kingdoms were friendly at the time before Smaug."
Bali sighed, "Stressful. The Prince of Rohan is polite enough but the steward of Gondor is another matter entirely."
Dori just grinned. "And that is why I avoid politics entirely. I am quite satisfied with my current job."
"Is it alright to do this? As you said, you have a job. Is it alright to just drop it?" Bali gave a very pointed look around the shop.
"Bah," Dori waved it off flippantly. "I have other staff. If I can't have time for friends, I certainly shouldn't have invited you here in the first place."
"Hmmm," the white-haired dwarf hummed as he stretched his shoulders. "What is this tea? It seems to help with the knots in my back."
"Chamomile tea does that."
"Indeed, it seems it does."
The two fell silent, content enough to just sip their drinks and bask in the relative silence.
III.
"Dori, we missed brew!" Kíli cried out, nearly dislodging the part-time weaver with his hug. Fíli just looked amused (and slightly apprehensive) when the brewing pot of tea sloshed around.
"Kíli, lad, let go," Dori sighed as he gingerly put down the pot. "I would hate for either of us to get burned."
The blind laughed as the brunet reluctantly let go. "Yeah, I imagine that won't be Kíli's or my cup of tea."
The old dwarf narrowed his eyes, suspicion clear in his brown eyes. "Nori put you two up to pester me with his Mahal-forsaken puns, didn't he?"
"Now, now, Master Dori," Kíli started rather pompously. "Let's not be the pot calling the kettle black. If I remember Ori's words correctly, you used to make jokes on the Spy Master's expense."
"Yes, Master Dori," the first heir to the throne joined in, smirk plain on his face. "You're rather steeped in irony, don'tcha think?"
The tea lover just groaned as the duo laughed.
IV.
"Welcome to Quali-Tea, Master Elf," Dori greeted with politeness. Yes, just as every other dwarf, he didn't have a good relationship with elves but it was his policy to be polite to every customer.
"This is surprising, Master Dwarf," the blond Mirkwood Elf nodded back, sipping his tea. "It is not often you see a dwarf with a tea shop."
Dori raised his eyebrows, affronted. "And why is that so surprising?"
"I meant no offense. It is mainly Men and Elves that drinks tea. I was under the impression that Dwarves dislike tea."
Dori sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, that is true. But I'm making some progress."
"I wish you luck, Master Dori," the blond smiled benignly. "For a dwarf, your tea is delicious."
"Thank you!" the Ri beamed and stayed that way even after the elf left.
V.
"Bilbo! It's been so long!" Dori grabbed the hobbit and gave him (perhaps literally) a bone-crushing hug. The blond gave a rather painful squeak. "How's the Shire?
Bilbo gave a sigh of relief when he was put down. "It's nice to see you too. The Shire has been wonderful for the last two years. Lobelia's been putting a strain on my nerves, though."
"Hmm. How about some tea? That should help," Dori offered, already pouring him a cup despite the lack of answers.
"Sure," the hobbit accepted, late. "I am afraid I am in hot water. The Shire doesn't approve of traveling, you know. Some of my relationships with several Hobbits I don't care to name fame to a bitter end," He sipped his tea before continuing. "I'm not crying over spilt milk, though."
"What's with the puns, Bilbo?" Dori finally snapped, eye twitching.
He sheepishly laughed. "Fíli and Kíli made a bet with me on how many puns I can make before you noticed."
"Who's winning?"
"Kíli."
Dori groaned as he laid his head on the table. "I never expected this from you, Bilbo. The princes, yes. My brother, absolutely. But you? No. Why must my life be plagued with horrid puns by the likes of you and my brother?"
"You can chai it, you know. You might actually like it," the blond laughed, lifting the cup of chai tea he was given. The tea lover just groaned even harder.
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Dori: Why am I being tortured in here?Shadow: You aren't, drama queen.
Dori: Those puns were horrible!
Shadow: Come on, it's not like you're buckling under the strain, are you?
Dori: Gah! That's it, I had enough! I'm leaving! *stomps off*
Shadow: Cool down, Dori! No need to get heated up.
Dori: *far away* Ugh!
Shadow: Hehe.