A/N: Here's another chapter, this one with some shipping. :)
The laughter rang across the clearing. Fili and Kili had been regaling Elsa with tales of their adventures in Ered Luin all evening. Or at least, trying to regale her. Between the ale they'd guzzled like water and the lateness of the hour the brothers had gotten quite thoroughly confused- Fili was slurring something about a butcher chasing them through the great hall after some prized pig, while Kili kept interjecting comments about their last escapade into a human market. Though chaotic it was a humorous sight and she found her self laughing freely.
Her own mug of ale sat only half empty beside her; the first swallow of the potent brew nearly knocked her over, and by the third her fingers had begun to tingle curiously. That had been nearly three hours ago, and while the effect had lessened her body still hummed pleasantly.
Finding that the sources of her entertainment had begun whispering incoherently into each other's ears, she turned her eyes to the rest of the group. Balin and Dori were closest to the fire, their wistful smiles indicating they were reminiscing about their childhoods again. Gloin had challenged Dwalin to an arm wrestling match; nearby Bifur stared contemplatively into his drink. Oin sat down beside him and muttered something to which he replied in Khuzdul, and the two dwarves sat together in silence. Bombur was snoring peacefully, sprawled out on his bedroll while Ori sketched the slumbering dwarf. Bofur leaned against his brother, smoking his pipe quietly and watching Fili and Kili in amusement. The two brothers had fallen over at some point and were giggling obnoxiously at Nori. The dwarf in question was strolling into the trees, probably to relieve himself.
That left only Gandalf, Thorin, and Bilbo. Gandalf had disappeared earlier that evening, likely off on his mysterious "wizard business," whatever that was supposed to mean. Thorin too had left earlier. He'd stalked out of the clearing towards the ponies, seemingly in a huff. She snorted to herself at that thought; when wasn't the brooding dwarf annoyed over something? Even the half dozen mugs of ale he'd had before storming off hadn't lifted his mood. Ridiculous, that one was, and she had better things for her alcohol-addled brain to muddle through, like her brother's whereabouts.
Come to think of it, she hadn't seen the other hobbit since she'd first sat down, several hours back. A quick glance around the camp showed he was nowhere to be found, and after a few moments she began to worry.
"Oi, you two," she called, tossing an empty mug at Kili. He'd pushed his brother to the ground and was now sitting on the other's head, not that Fili seemed to mind. He didn't move at all, actually, until the cup she'd thrown bounced off his leg. Kili toppled off of him and the young dwarves stared blankly at her. "Have either of you seen Bilbo?" At this Kili began to giggle again.
"Oh, he's off with Thorin," purred Fili.
"I... see," she replied slowly. "Er, but why is that so funny?"
"You don't know," chuckled the blonde dwarf.
"Know what?"
"It would seem..." Kili began.
"That our esteemed burglar has caught Thorin's eye."
At this Kili fell over, clutching his sides with laughter. "Yes, uncle's eye, and his hands, and his mouth, and his-"
"Don't need to be picturing that, thanks lads," called Bofur quickly from his position a few feet away.
Elsa gaped at the brothers. "So you're saying that my brother and Thorin are... together," she squeaked.
"You'd have to be daft in the head not to notice the way they look at each other."
She sputtered. "I- Well, I knew that Bilbo had... feelings for him, but I didn't realize-"
"That Thorin wanted to get your darling baby brother up against a tree," Kili crowed. She winced and nodded, suddenly watching her ale as if it held all the answers to life.
"My brother and the king, huh? That'll take some getting used to." She smirked. "Good eye, little one," she murmured quietly to herself.
Then a thought hit her and she paled. "What of Thorin's heart? Does he care for Bilbo the way my brother does him? Or will I be needing to kill someone come morning?"
Fili and Kili laughed uproariously, so Bofur was the only one to notice the fire in her eyes. He had no doubt she'd hurt others over her brother before, and that she'd do it again in a heartbeat (even to a king nearly twice her size and three times her heft).
Their leader was saved from what would've almost certainly promised to be a painful wake up at dawn with an axe by Balin's voice floating across the glade. "I've known the young prince since he was but a stripling, and I can tell you truly that I have never seen him look at another the way he looks at our burglar. Master Baggins is safe."
At that the tension melted from her body and she slumped over, shooting Balin a grateful smile. "Oh thank the stars," she gasped quietly. "I'm pretty sure Thorin would have me roasting over a spit before I managed to knock him a good one anyway." She hadn't meant the comment to be heard, but a chuckle to her left showed someone had caught it.
Looking up she met Bofur's eyes. He smiled reassuringly and called, "Don' worry yer pretty little head. He'd have to fight 'is way through quite a few of us first before hurtin' yeh."
"Oh? And would you be one of the brave but foolish souls that dared protect me against your king," she asked sardonically, standing to wander over and join him.
"Lass, I'd be first in line."
They grinned at each other for a long moment, just enjoying the rare respite from weary travel. Tomorrow they'd be back on the road, but for tonight they'd take what happiness they could find.
Ugh. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to write Bofur's accent.