I'm sorry I haven't updated for a couple days!
I kinda got new ideas when writing this chapter, so the real gestures of love will be in the next chapter, which should be tomorrow so not long to wait!
There's a bit of Ori and Daisy friendship here, as I haven't really done much with it since previous chapters.
Thank you to mrsmiawallace88 for all the great support you've shown, and here's the dinner idea
And to all who have come up with ideas. I shall mention you when I write the ideas in a chapter
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If Daisy was certain of one thing, it was that the others knew something she didn't. She'd had her suspicions when they'd been out in the garden and Thorin had complimented her singing, but as the morning wore on she caught Bofur, Kili, Ori and even Bilbo sharing glances at each other which had made her sure. Thorin looked annoyed at them and Fili took no notice.
After the arrival of Thorin and his nephews, Bofur had entertained them all with his flute and Ori had finished several drawings.
'I don't understand how you do them so quickly,' Bilbo had said in awe, causing Ori to laugh.
On more than one occasion Thorin had looked like he was about to say something to her, but then he'd obviously thought better of it and remained silent. It was on these occasions that Daisy had noticed the glances being shared amongst the group.
When Thorin finally did speak, it was not to Daisy but to Fili and Kili.
'It is nearly luncheon; we should seek out the others and help them.' He'd said, even though he sounded a bit reluctant to leave the garden. Daisy had to say she couldn't blame him, even if the dwarves didn't like elves they had to admit they had a very peaceful dwelling. Fili and Kili groaned but managed to drag themselves off the grass.
'Must we?' Kili said wearily. 'We have a week before we leave-'
'Yes we must. We need all the training we can get.' Thorin silenced him.
'But what about Bofur and Ori? And even Bilbo! Why do they get to laze around-'
'They'll be training tomorrow. They're keeping Daisy company now, and we'll rotate it daily.' Bilbo grumbled at this. 'I suggest you make the most of it gents. We'll see you at the next meal.' Thorin said to them before the three dwarves left.
'What happened to a peaceful week?' Bilbo groaned. Bofur shrugged and went back to playing the flute. Daisy shuffled over to Ori; she had yet to see his drawings.
'Ori, can I have a look?' She asked, gesturing towards his notebook. He nodded eagerly and passed it to her.
Since she'd seen his journal last there were at least twenty more drawings-and that was excluding the ones he had drawn that morning. Pausing briefly at the one where she was sat on a rock talking to a troll she asked Ori:
'Ori, I thought you were on the stick over the fire when the troll incident happened?'
'I was.' Ori replied casually.
'Then how come you drew this?' She showed it to him.
'I can draw from memory Daisy,' He laughed.
'Yes, but it's so realistic!'
'Why thank you.' Ori lay down on the grass and Daisy continued looking through his book. She came to the ones he'd drawn most recently and smiled when she realised one of them was Bilbo trying to play the flute, and her and Bofur laughing at him. She flicked back a bit to try and compare it with the other ones when she landed on a page that had no drawings, just writing.
Well, not really writing, just words.
Dori: Yes, 3 days, Flowers.
Nori: Yes, 2 days, Romantic stroll.
Balin: Yes, 2 days, Harp music.
Kili: Yes, 1 day, awkward conversation declaring his/her undying love.
Oin: Yes, 4 days, stargazing.
Gloin: Yes, 1 day, gets her drunk.
Dwalin: Yes, 2 days, shows off his impressive muscles.
Bombur: Yes, 2 days, makes food.
Bifur: Yes, 3 days, kisses her.
Bofur: Yes, 2 days, Gandalf enchants him because he's fed up with seeing him awkwardly flirt.
Bilbo: Quoted: 'I refuse to take part in such ridiculous dwarvish games.'
Ori: Yes, 2 days, braids hair.
Fili: Yet to catch him, will do before the day is over.
Gandalf: Must ask the wizard if he wants to participate.
10 gold coins from each participant to whichever gent is correct, or the closest to the outcome.
Daisy looked at it, puzzled.
'Ori, what on earth is this?' She asked, causing him to sit up. He looked over her shoulder and his eyes widened.
'That?! Oh that's nothing.' He replied quickly, taking the book from her hands. Bofur and Bilbo seemed to notice the sudden panic of Ori as they'd stopped what they were doing.
'It didn't look like nothing; it looked like one of your betting things!' Daisy said. 'What were you betting on this time?' Ori looked a bit sheepish. Bofur shifted uncomfortably and Bilbo looked smug.
'Came back to bite you in the end, didn't it?!' Bilbo gleamed as if to say I told you so.
'Shut up Bilbo,' Bofur said through gritted teeth. Daisy looked around them.
'It's nothing Daisy,' Ori said uncertainly. 'This was from ages ago. Before we met you.' Bofur nodded with Ori.
'Really?' Daisy asked.
'Yes, most definitely.' They said at the same time.
'Why is Bilbo's name on here then?' She asked slyly, and their faces fell.
'Um, we met him before you.'
'No you didn't, you met us at the same time!' Bilbo butted in, and the dwarves sent him glares.
'It doesn't matter. I suspect you'll find out soon enough.' Ori smiled and looked up towards the sky. 'Looks like we should head back, and I'm getting hungry.' Daisy was still annoyed they wouldn't tell her, but she trusted Ori.
The four of them wandered back towards the buildings, Daisy's mind still on that piece of paper. However she was soon distracted as they came across Bombur, who had become stuck going up the stairs (how he had done that Daisy would never understand) and needed their assistance. After several pushes and shoves Ori, Bilbo and Bofur had managed to get him free. Daisy had offered to help but Bombur had assured her she would not want to. So she watched the other three, something that was quite entertaining, get Bombur out of his predicament.
As a result of Bombur's problem, the five of them were late to lunch. All of the company were already there but Gandalf and Elrond had either not arrived, or were not joining them. There seemed to be an unspoken seating plan as their places from the morning were not taken. Bombur left to go to his place, while Daisy and the others went and sat in theirs.
'What took you so long?' Fili asked Bofur as they sat down. Bofur chuckled.
'My dear brother had a bit of a dilemma involving some stairs and his size.'
'You've got to admire that fellow. Dares to question the elves' eating habits, demands more meat and gets it,' Kili said, pointing to the meat on his plate. 'He's got some balls that Bombur.' Bilbo kicked him.
'Lady present.' Bilbo scolded.
'It's not like the lass hasn't heard worse. Relax Mister Baggins.' Bofur said, lighting his pipe. Daisy never really got their obsession with smoking pipes. She supposed it was like smoking, though they seemed to do it a lot and showed no signs of illness. Daisy looked away from Bilbo's appalled face and realised Thorin had been staring at her. Though this time, instead of looking away, he kept staring and in the end Daisy had to look away for fear she was blushing.
'I have to say, this salted pork is particularly good.' Bofur told them as he grabbed another bit of the meat.
'Salted pork?' Gloin asked from a couple of dwarves away. 'Chuck us some Bofur!' The usual table manners of the company were present: loud burping, food being thrown, forgotten cutlery etc. Daisy sighed as she went to reach for what looked like an egg salad, only to realise she couldn't quite reach it. She was about to ask someone when Thorin promptly reached over Kili, (who promptly shouted 'Oi! Get off!'), and handed her the bowl.
'Here you go,' Thorin said.
'Thank you.'
There were several cries of: 'That does not count Bombur!' and Kili was shaking his head laughing. Thorin seemed as confused as Daisy, so when they once again made eye contact they both shrugged-at the same time. This did not go unnoticed by Ori and Bofur, who shared one of those looks again.
Daisy swore mealtimes seemed to take forever. She didn't mind, she was just always amazed at how much time could be spent eating.
'Would you like a drink Daisy?' Gloin asked, holding out a jug from across the table.
'Oh, yes please Gloin.' Daisy replied as he poured out what looked like Ribena into her cup. Daisy sat back in her chair and took sips of her drink as she listened to snippets of the conversations around her. Strange tasting Ribena She thought but shrugged it off. She caught Thorin's eye again and leant forwards to hear what he wanted to say, if he was going to say anything to her that is.
'Daisy,' He said softly. There was no need to be loud, the table was narrow and they were opposite each other. 'W-would you…' Daisy looked at him, puzzled.
'Would I what?' She asked, curious. Thorin ran a hand through his hair.
'W-would you like to perhaps accompany me on a….' Thorin looked around him.
'I hear the stars are meant to nice, in four days time.' Oin said casually, but very loudly. There were several grumbles from the other dwarves.
'Well if that's how he's going to play it,' She though she heard someone grumble but she couldn't be sure. Thorin shrugged and turned back to Daisy.
'There's meant to be a nice flower contest in three days time.' Dori said, even louder than Oin. Kili turned in Dori's direction.
'You completely made that up!' He shouted. 'Sometimes these things are meant to be TALKED about TOMORROW in which FEELINGS should be DECLARED.' Thorin looked at Kili as if he'd gone mad, and the others were now grumbling very loudly. Had Daisy not been feeling as if someone had punched her in the head, she would had made the connection between the dwarves extremely bad hints and Ori's book, and the fact her drink didn't seem to be Ribena.
'As I was saying Daisy,' Thorin sounded annoyed now, but Daisy didn't really notice. 'W-would you like to come on a walk with sometime?' Daisy heard the last bit and she was vaguely aware of her mouth opening and closing. Thorin had just asked her to go on a walk. She felt of wave of giddiness wash over her.
'Yes!' Cried Nori. 'Perhaps in two days time Thorin.'
'You can't tell him when!'
Then, of all the things that would have made Daisy mortified, she giggled. Not a genuine giggle, one of those little 'I'm a serious flirt and I laugh at anything' giggles.
'Daisy?' Thorin asked, noticing her change in behaviour.
'Of course I'd want toooo,' She chimed. 'It'll be soooo much fun.' Everyone stared at her.
'Daisy, are you alright?' Thorin asked again.
'Why wouldn't I be, I'm surrounded by my favourite peeeeeeeople!' Bofur took a drag of his pipe.
'Well in any case I won' Nori said.
'No! She hasn't said yes yet!' Kili argued.
'You took bets on-' Thorin roared until Daisy interrupted him.
'Awwwwww don't get angry.' She took a swig of her drink, which Bilbo suddenly recognised.
'HEY!' He cried jumping to his feet. 'This is the wine that made everyone feel bad. You're drunk!' He said, aghast, snatching the cup out of Daisy's hands. Thorin turned to everyone.
'Which one of you idiots gave her that wine?' He growled. Gloin slowly gulped.
'May have been me.' He said. Thorin narrowed his eyes.
'Gloin! You can't personally carry out your bet yourself!' Ori cried
'Alright! I admit it; ban me from this round of bets.'
'Ban you from ever playing these games again.' Bilbo grumbled as he got up.
'I do commend you Gloin, was a sneaky little move you made there,' Kili grinned as Thorin walloped him round the head. 'OW!'
'And don't think I didn't notice your pathetic attempts.' Thorin snarled. Fili was looking at Daisy.
'Don't want to alarm anyone, but Daisy's not looking her best.' He commented and they all turned to see Bilbo frantically shaking her as she was in a confused state.
'Go away Bilbo, stop shaking me!' She was saying. 'AND FILI! I'm looking fine thank you, that's not the thing you say to a lady.' Thorin grumbled and moved around to help Bilbo. He picked Daisy up in his arms.
'I'll take her for some air.' He told the hobbit who reluctantly nodded.
'Thorin, a bit bridal style isn't it?' Daisy giggled. Thorin shot Gloin a look that made the other dwarf cower.
Ignoring the several wolf whistles that followed himself and Daisy out, Thorin quickly made his way to Daisy's room.
'Where weeeeeeeee going?' Daisy asked, her voice sounding a bit delirious.
'To your room.' He replied, and then cursed himself.
'My room? That's a bit forward don't you think. You haven't even kissed me yet.' Thorin looked at her. He wanted so much to believe that she meant her words, but she was drunk and had literally no control over the words that spilt from her lips.
Why the others had felt the need to take bets again he did not understand. And then Gloin, giving her that wine! At lunch as well! Thorin knew he was going to have a few strong words with his men as soon as he got back.
Thorin kicked the door open and made his way over to her bed.
''What? It's not night yet,' Daisy tried to sit up once he'd placed her down. Thorin pushed her back.
'No, but you are drunk and need to recover.' He went to get a glass of water. Daisy sat up and tried to get out. 'Daisy! For goodness sake, lie down.' Thorin debated whether pouring water on her would help or not. He decided against it.
'I don't want to,' She said sleepily.
'Here, drink,' Thorin placed the glass of water to her lips. Once she'd finished she lay back down, staring at him. It made him nervous.
'Why d'you wear beards? And plait them?' Daisy asked wearily.
'We don't wear beards. We grow them.' Thorin explained, not sure if she'd remember anything once she woke up. 'And the braids mean different things. Like this one,' He pointed to a braid in his hair. 'Means I am part of a family.'
'Are you married then?' Daisy said, and Thorin did not miss the disappointment in her voice.
'N-no. I have Fili and Kili, and my sister Dis.' He explained. Daisy sat up again and Thorin rolled his eyes. 'Daisy, lie back down or you'll get dizzy.' As he made to push her down again she grabbed hold of him, but because of their positions he ended up falling on top of her. He made to move but she grabbed him again.
'No,' She whispered. 'Stay with me please.' Thorin's breath hitched. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up that Daisy liked him because she was drunk, but he couldn't help that maybe it was the beginning of something. Of course, he didn't want to make it look as though he was taking advantage of her, he'd never even dream of that.
'Alright, just let me move over a bit.' He moved so he was sitting on the edge of the bed but Daisy's hand was still tightly wrapped around his. 'Daisy-' He began but the sound of her deep breathing alerted him that she was asleep. He sighed heavily, carefully untangling his hand from hers. Maybe next time he would just ask her in private, instead of over lunch. Thorin placed a soft kiss to her hand and made his way to the door.
After casting one last look at the sleeping figure on the bed, he closed the door.
Right he thought as he marched off. Now to have a nice chat with my companions.
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Ohhhh they're gonna get it!
Hope you liked it, didn't quite get round to fitting romantic stuff in but next chapter!
Oh and Ribena is a drink from Britain, its blackcurrant squash and I don't know if you have it anywhere else in the world.