Ah, hey guys. I'm sorry. I didn't update yesterday (in my time) because was acting up and I couldn't log in.
So I'm doing it now when I just woke up. I'll post the next chapter later this afternoon. Hopefully the site won't act up again.
Leona2016: Heh, I'm glad you have the same idea as me. Life would be boring without random changes.
Here's the next chapter! Hope you guys like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit. I'm just taking it out for a spin.
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I.
Assander was curious about the dwarves they had caught in the forest. Being one of the youngest elves in the squad, and since the fall of Erebor, he hadn't seen many dwarves, much less talked to them up close. Even before Smaug, he was never allowed to leave the forest by his parents and by the time Smaug came, he was barely past his maturity.
Even though most of the elves talked badly of the gold-loving race, Assander wanted his own opinion before judging them. After all, not everything is bad about them, right? There has to be some good points to them.
Still, the dwarf he caught kept quiet, glaring and growling at him in his weird rough language (not anything like smooth light Sindarin), especially after he took their knives. Eru, they had many of them; were they afraid of losing some? Did they raid a smithy before entering the Greenwood? And come to think of it, was the dwarf a male or female?
He proceeded to ask. (Something he would semi-regret.)
"I am male, you damn weed-eater!" the dwarf exploded, most likely cursing Assander in his native language. He looked like he would stab Assander in the leg if it didn't mean that he would get an arrow in the head. The male dwarf's companions shot him glares while his own companions gave him amused looks.
Assander didn't ask the dwarf again.
(That was too embarrassing to try ever again. He rather keep his dignity, thank you very much.)
II.
Assander wondered idly of the blond dwarf. There weren't many blond dwarves, if what the books said were true. Did he manage to change his hair color or was he born with it? Was there some plant that can change it or was it a dwarven thing? The elf twirled his brown hair thoughtfully. Maybe the dwarf can tell him how to change it, if he did change his original hair color.
It was worth the try. Besides, Assander might left some knives in the dwarf's coat (Yes, he knew it was a very bad thing to do, considering he was a Royal Guard, but what can a prisoner do with a few knives?). He could get his name also. It was rather tiring to call him 'the blond dwarf' every time he thought of him.
He was just doing his job anyhow, making sure they were still in their cells and not killing either themselves or the other elves patrolling the dungeons.
And, if anyone － elf or dwarf － asked, well, he could just say that he needed to inspect the cells in case of missed weapons. After all, it wouldn't do if one had a weapon they can kill with.
III.
Fíli glared at the elf who just keeps coming back. What was so interesting to the weed-eater? Was the stones important or what? Or was he - Mahal no - interested in him?
The leaf-eater － Assander, was it? (The guards didn't seem to kno how to whisper or they didn't care if the Company knew their names) － had to be a spy and was trying to befriend him in order to get details about their quest. There was no other explanation.
But if he was trying to get details, why in Mahal's clothes was he so touchy?! Sure, he had more knives, but this was the umpteenth time the elf visited and frisked the blond. Frankly, Fíli was getting tired by this molester and if he could just get out of his binds －
"Gaah!" the blond prince yelped, jerking away from Assander's wandering hands while pushing away said elf. "Stop that, for fuck's sake!"
Assander gave him a smirk and a raised eyebrow as he lifted another of Fíli's knives － that was his favorite! － and remarked calmly (was there excitement in his tone? No, it was something resembling glee that as a prankster, he would recognize it), "And why, pray tell, was this in your pants?"
Fíli sneered, "And why, pray tell, was your hand doing in my pants exactly?" It somewhat unnerved him that it was so close to him in, ahem, that area.
The brunet laughed, a tinny tinkling laugh (so unlike his own guffaws) as he stood up. "Just doing my job, dwarf."
"Well, I appreciate it if you leave me alone, elf." Fíli sneered as the brunet left his cell.
IV.
Kíli wondered what exactly was happening in the next cell as his brother's and an elf's voices echoed loudly in the hall. He shared a look with his own visitor, (the lovely, passionate redhead elleth he was interested in but he would never admit that tidbit) Tauriel.
"Umm, what exactly is happening to Fíli?" the second heir to Erebor asked the elleth hesitatingly. He didn't like the fact he was in a different cell from his brother.
Tauriel gave him a small, amused smile. "Assander is rather taken with your brother, it seems."
"Assander?" Who was this Assander? Did he pose a threat to Fíli? If he did, he didn't care what would happen to him, he would break out of this cell and kill him.
"My squad member. Smart ellon but younger than most. I assume he is the youngest of us elves, actually." Tauriel frowned as she tried to remember more details. "In fact, I think he's barely older than Legolas and he is the youngest among us elves."
Kíli frowned, worried. "My nadad has an admirer and he's alone with him? What are you thinking?" That wouldn't do. He knew Fíli. He didn't like elves like that. Not to mention, if one was to court a dwarf, they needed the family's permission and a chaperone.
"Your brother will be fine. Assander is merely curious and immature for an elf. He will not harm your brother, Kíli," Tauriel smirked at his distress. "I think Assander is more likely to get stories from your brother than blood."
"OK," the archer relented. "I will hold you to your word." Still, he would need to assess this Assander. After all, he might be a threat to Fíli's virtue. "Dammit! Stop touching me, elf!" Fíli suddenly shouted, making Kíli jolt. I don't want your hands anywhere!"
Kíli could hear the amused voice of this Assander. "I had no idea you are so ticklish, Master Dwarf."
"Get your hands off my feet, damn it!"
"He's also ticklish in the armpits!" Kíli called out, grinning at the outraged yells. As long as he wasn't harming his brother, he would gladly give them ammunition. It was too long since he planned a prank against Fíli, albeit indirectly.
"KÍLI, YOU TRAITOR!"
"Thanks, master Kíli!"
"No problem!" The two archers shared a grin as more laughs and yells echoed in the hall.
V.
The brunet was walking with Tauriel (a rather good friend despite their age differences and her position as Captain) to the dungeons before attending the Feast of Starlight. It was their turn to inspect their prisoners.
He was interested in Fíli's travels (he finally got the blond's name after several minutes of nagging and threats to tickle torture) and the fact that the dwarf always had a blade on him every time Assander came by.
Come to think of it, it's probably best if he search Fíli again, just to be sure. And maybe learn more of the world outside.
It was always amusing to hear about their adventures outside the forest. Perhaps, when he will be older, he could venture out and roam the world. That would be a nice thought.
(And if, for some reason, the dwarves got out of King Thranduil's dungeons, perhaps he could visit Fíli, whether in the Blue Mountains or in Erebor. That was a really appealing thought.)
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Fíli: HOW COULD YOU?Shadow: Why are you so upset? You made a new friend!
Fíli: Unwillingly! He kept coming back to annoy me.
Shadow: Eh, suck it up. You'll probably not see him after this.
Fíli: Where did you even get the idea in the first place anyway?
Shadow: From this post in a site about the idea of the elf aka Assander coming back to you mainly because he's curious about you and somewhat because of your many knives hidden. I'm so glad this is out, it's been stuck in my files for a while.
Fíli: *glowers* Soo glad you're having fun at my expense.
Shadow: Well, gotta go. I have to get ready for the day. Bye and have fun with Assander, Fíli~
Fíli: Don't leave me with him! *runs after Shadow*