Lasses

Fili - 46 Kili - 41

"See you tomorrow, Uncle," Fili said picking up his bag.

"Night," Thorin replied.

Fili left the forge and walked to the bakery to wait. Kili was always later to their meeting spot than Fili was. Fili was doing his blacksmithing apprenticeship with Thorin and Kili was training with the goldsmith. Kili had started training with Thorin and knew some blacksmithing, but he had found he was talented with the more intricate work the goldsmith did, and so he had moved there to do an apprenticeship.

Two lasses approached the bakery. One of them smiled when she saw Fili.

"Evening, Fili," the pretty red-head said.

"Hello Thora, Leys, how are you this evening?" Fili asked.

"We're well, thank you. Just buying some bread for our mother," Thora smiled. "What brings you to this corner?"

"I'm waiting for Kili. He's apprenticing with Master Brerin."

"Is he? I thought he was with you and Prince Thorin," Thora said.

"Yes, he was, but he found he liked working with gold more than iron," Fili said. "Well, speak of the orc, here he is."

Kili walked up to them, all smiles. "Hi Thora. He Leys."

"Hi Kili," Leys said. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink.

"Fili was just saying you're working with Master Brerin now," Thora said.

"That's right. What about you? You still weaving?" Kili asked.

"Yes, and Leys will be joining us soon. She is to learn spinning," Thora explained.

Fili nodded. "Very good. I wish you well, Leys in your new trade. Well, we won't keep you from your purchases." He opened the door to the bakery and held it for the lasses to go in. "See you later," he smiled with a slight bow.

Leys giggled, but Thora thanked Fili and went in.

"I hadn't seen them in a while," Kili said.

"Oh really? I run into Thora here and there," Fili said casually.

Kili smirked and glanced over at his brother. Fili was walking with a slight strut in his step.

The scene was the same the following evening. Thora and Fili chatted while they waited for Kili to arrive. Leys turned pink again when Kili walked up. They chatted for a few more minutes before saying their goodbyes.

"You know," Fili gave a side glance to his brother, "I think Leys likes you."

"Really?" Kili asked. She was pretty, Kili thought. He liked her dark, auburn hair and her round nose. And she was very nice to talk to. And she smiled at him every time they met. "Well, she seems rather nice." Fili laughed, making Kili blush.

The following night, Kili arrived at the bakery first. He was nervous. Why was he nervous? His stomach did an odd fluttery thing when he saw the two lasses approach.

"You're here first Kili?" Thora smiled when she and her sister reached the bakery.

"I guess so. Master Brerin finished earlier today than usual."

Just then, Fili came jogging around the corner. "Sorry," he said. "Uncle and I got working on a project and didn't realize how late it had gotten."

Thora was smiling and she leaned close to Fili. "Fili," she mock whispered, "we've got to stop meeting like this."

Fili laughed. "Well, after you've purchased your bread, may Kili and I walk you home?"

Thora smiled sweetly. "That would be lovely, thank you."

He opened the door for them and the lasses went in.

"Fili," Kili said after the door was shut. "We have to get home. Amad and Adad will send out a search party if we don't."

"No they won't. I've cleared this with Adad. He knows we will be late." Fili grinned. They didn't have to wait long until the sisters were done in the bakery. Thora carried a small basket with a loaf of dark brown bread peeking out from under a cloth.

"May I carry that for you?" Fili asked.

Thora smiled and handed Fili her basket. Then he held out his elbow to her and they walked together in the direction of the girl's home.

Kili and Leys looked shyly at each other. Kili plucked up his courage, held out his elbow and doing his best Fili impression, he said, "May I walk you home Miss Leys?"

She giggled. "Why thank you, Master Kili. I would be most delighted."

They laughed as she took his elbow and they walked several paces behind their elder siblings.

"How's your family?" Kili could think of nothing else to say.

"They are well. Adad is traveling right now to the Gray Havens to do some trade. Amad keeps busy. She cares for dwarflings whose parents must work during the day. I've been helping, but I start my new work at the weaver's next week, so it will just be Amad at home with four youngsters."

"Wow. My brother and I wore out our mother, just the two of us. I can't imagine what four must be like," Kili laughed.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the girl's home.

"You live very close to my father's workshop," Kili said, noticing they were just down the path a bit from Joli's carpentry shop.

"Yes. I often see him when he is going to and from his business," Leys nodded.

They said their good nights and the lads went home. Fili told Kili about some of the things Thora had told him. Apparently, the weaver's shop was great for local gossip, which for the most part, Fili found quite dull, but she had mentioned one thing that was of some interest to him. It seemed some merchants from the Gray Havens would be coming to Ered Luin soon. He would let Thorin know. There were good commissions to be gotten from Gray Haven merchants.

That night, Fili sat on his bed, reading. Balin had found him an interesting book. It was a work of fiction about a dwarf who had been enchanted by a mischievous gnome and could only speak in rhyme. Some of it was quite amusing. Fili wondered why fiction wasn't more popular among dwarrow. He saw them as works of creation, same as a perfectly made sword. A knock at the door pulled him from his story.

Kili poked his head in. "What'cha reading, Fee?" He came in a and sat at the food of Fili's bed.

"Just a story Balin found. It's good," Fili said.

Kili enjoyed a good story, but he was more for the oral stories, told by a great storyteller than the written word. He was quite the storyteller himself when the mood struck him.

"What's on your mind, Kee?" Fili put the book down.

"What makes you think there's something on my mind?"

Fili laughed. "We've been brothers for forty years. I know you, Kili. You've got something on your mind, so tell me."

"It's well," Kili twisted the hem of his night tunic. "When we've seen Leys and Thora, you and Thora talk easily and I feel like my mouth is stuffed with Amad's rock cakes."

Fili grinned. "Better not let Amad hear you say that."

Kili frowned. "Come on Fili, I'm serious. What do you talk to Thora about?"

"Well," Fili thought for a moment, "there's the usual safe stuff - how's the family, nice weather and things like that."

"Yeah, I know that and I've already covered those topics. What next?"

"Compliments are nice. Pretty dress, your hair looks nice. Or talk about her craft. Ask her about her plans for the fall. What are her favorite weapons? You can ask her about her dreams."

Kili was frowning.

"But, if we see them again tomorrow," Fili continued, "go for something simple. Tell her something interesting that happened at the shop or just ask her how her day was and let her do the talking."

Kili nodded his head and got up off the bed. "Thanks Fee. See you in the morning."

The lasses did not go to the bakery the next day, much to Kili's disappointment. The following day the boys didn't work. It was their day at home to help Dis with chores around the house. Wood was chopped, a broken lock was fixed and oiled. The hearths were cleaned out and the front garden was dug up, except for the mint patch. They were just finishing the garden in the mid-afternoon when Thora and Leys came up the path to their house.

"Hello, boys," Thora said, smiling sweetly. She carried a small basket.

"Thora! Leys! This is a pleasant surprise," Fili stood up, brushing the dirt from his hands and knees.

"Hi Kili," Leys waved.

Kili waved back, but he was holding a weed in his hand and accidentally set a lot of dirt flying her way. She jumped back so as not to be hit by the largest clump of flying dirt.

"Sorry," Kili blushed and dropped the weed.

Leys laughed. "It's alright."

"What are you two lasses doing on this fine afternoon?" Fili asked.

Kili was jealous of Fili's ease in conversation with the girls.

"Well, we did some baking today and thought you might like to join us at the river for a picnic," Thora said.

"Sounds wonderful," Fili said. "We are about finished. This was the last chore on Amad's list for today. We'll need to wash up first."

Thora laughed, "Yes, I think so."

"Come on in," Fili invited the girls. Kili ran to the door and opened it. The girls walked in, followed by Fili and Kili.

"Boots off!" Dis called out from the kitchen. Fili and Kili rolled their eyes and began taking off their boots. The girls giggled.

Dis came out of the kitchen. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize we had company."

"Hello, Lady Dis," Thora curtsied. Leys followed her sister's actions.

"How good to see you. What brings you this way?" Dis asked.

"We were hoping your sons might join us on a picnic, if that's alright?" Thora said with a blush.

Dis looked at her boys. They were pleading with her with their eyes. She smiled. "Yes, of course, although the lasses might appreciate it if you two have clean shirts on."

"On our way, Amad!" Fili dashed off, followed closely by Kili.

Joli arrived home to hear sounds of several females talking in the kitchen. He went in and saw the three ladies. "Ah, it's a wonderful day to come home and find the kitchen so full of beauty. You rival the gems of the mountain."

All three dwarrowdams giggled and Joli kissed Dis on the cheek.

"It's nice to see you both. How's your father?" Joli asked.

"He's away, traveling to the Gray Havens," Leys answered. "We expect him home soon, though."

Joli nodded.

"We're waiting for the boys," Thora said.

Moments later the brothers arrived in the kitchen. Their hands and faces were pink from the scrub down, the ends of their hair was wet and they worse fresh clothes.

"My, my. I've never know the two of you to clean up so quickly," Dis smiled.

"Well, when the motivation is right," Fili grinned.

Dis handed Fili a heavy jug. "The first of the fall cider. Not to strong and wonderfully sweet."

"Thanks, Amad," Kili said. "Ready?"

Leys grabbed the basket. "Ready."

They went out together. Kili took the basket from Leys. He held out his elbow. "My lady?"

Leys grinned and threaded her hand into the crook of his elbow. "My Lord." They started walking. They didn't see Thora and Fili holding hands behind them.

"So, the fun has begun," Joli smiled as he watched the four youth walking from the house.

"The fun?" Dis asked.

"Oh yes, the fun of the next forty years as they learned to behave around lasses. They'll go out with them now, and eventually court someone and marry, with any luck," Joli said.

"I think it's the first time Kili's taken any notice of a girl before. Not that there's many here in Ered Luin," Dis said. She had often wondered if her sons would be among the lucky dwarrow that found a loving mate. It wasn't many who found someone to love and marry. Thorin never had. He told her he figured his love must have died when Erebor was razed. She hoped better for her sons.

Joli looked to his beautiful wife. They had been married for just over fifty years now and she was as beautiful as the day he married her. More so. Her black hair had a few streaks of silver in it. No doubt caused by their sons. There were laugh lines around her eyes. Her body had more curves than it did when they had married, thanks to carrying and baring their sons. She was strong, smart, talented, and always bore an air of royalty, even in the most mundane of tasks. She was a wonderful mother, a beautiful lover and he thanked Mahal everyday for her. He went to her and laid his hands on her hips. He pulled her close and kissed her.

"My goodness," Dis smiled. "You never kiss me like that before dark."

"Maybe if we sent the boys off on evening picnics more often, you'd find me kissing you like that before dark more often." He leaned in and pressed his lips to her neck.

Dis leaned into his touch. "I'll see what I can arrange."

The afternoon was sunny and warm. Kili and Leys had kicked off their shoes and stood ankle deep in the river. They tossed stones and talked. Kili found that when he asked the right questions, Leys was a talker and he loved it. She was animated when she talked, impersonated voices when the story called for it and had a lovely deep laugh. He liked the way the afternoon autumn sun shone on her dark auburn hair.

Fili and Thora sat in the sun. They sat close enough they could hold hands with each other and then they put the picnic basket in front of their hands so Kili and Leys couldn't see. Fili and Thora had been friends for most of their lives, but over the last three years, they had spent more time together. They both liked each other and were comfortable in each other's company. They had kissed once, but that had been back during the spring festival. It had been at the end of a dance and everyone had kissed their partners during that dance. It was just part of the dance, so Fili wondered if it had really counted as a kiss.

Fili looked to his brother. Kili and Leys were having a rock skipping contest. He leaned in closer to Thora. "May I kiss you?" he asked. The butterflies in his stomach were threatening to burst out.

Thora smiled and glanced at the two younger siblings. "I'd like that," she whispered.

Fili leaned in and awkwardly pressed his lips to hers. They stayed like that for a full two seconds before breaking apart. They both immediately looked to their siblings, who were laughing over Kili's last rock he had thrown. They hadn't been seen. They both looked back to each other, smiled shyly and felt the flush rising up in their cheeks.

"That was very nice," Thora smiled and gave a happy sigh.

"I hope it's not long before we can do that again," Fili said.

The sun was starting to set, so they gathered their things and headed back to the village. The situations seemed to be reversed now. Kili and Leys laughed and talked easily as they boys escorted the girls home. Fili and Thora stayed a few paces behind, their fingers intertwined and they gave each other shy smiles and side glances. Just before they reached the girls home, Fili pulled Thora to the side and stood in the shadows of a house. He kissed her again, more confidently, for several moments. They smiled and rejoined the others before they were missed. They said goodnight and headed home. Kili did most of the talking and they almost made it home before Kili realized Fili had not said a word.

"What's wrong, Fili? Didn't you have any fun?"

"What? Oh yes, I had fun. It was," he paused for a moment, "very nice."

Kili grinned. "You like Thora."

"Of course I do. We've been friends for years." Fili could see a tease coming on. "Here we are, home again." He rushed to the door. "We're home!"

Fili took the jug of cider back to the kitchen. "Thanks for the cider, Amad."

Dis smiled. "Did you walk the girls home or did you leave them to get home on their own?"

"We walked them home, of course," Fili said. "We are gentledwarrow, after all. Princes-to-be."

"Good. Thank you for listening to your mother on how to treat a lady," Dis smiled.

Fili blushed slightly and left to go to his room.

Fili couldn't get those kisses with Thora out of his mind. Her lips had been soft and warm. He liked that. He hoped he could find a way to kiss her again. Soon. He jumped in startle when there was a knock at his door.

"Come in," he called out.

The door opened and his father walked in. "Evening, Fili. Did you have a nice afternoon?" Joli asked.

"Yes, thank you," Fili spoke quickly. Why did everyone keep asking if he had a nice afternoon?

"Good. Is there, um, anything you wish to talk about?" Joli looked at his son's face.

"No, nothing I can think of," Fili felt his cheeks get hot again.

"Alright. That's fine, because you know you can come to me. Anytime."

"I know, Adad, thanks," Fili tried hard not to look as embarrassed as he felt.

Joli stood up. "Well, goodnight then."

"Night."

"Well?" Kili whispered to his father. "Did he say anything?"

"No, he didn't, but he blushed once," Joli whispered back.

Kili held his hand to his mouth to stifle his laugh. "I was sure I saw him kiss Thora."

"Well, whether he did or didn't, it's not really your business," Joli said. "Besides, when you have your first kiss, do you want Fili to tease you?"

Kili sighed. "No, I don't. But he probably will anyway."

"Well, until then, not a word to Fili. Understood?"

"Yes sir," Kili sighed in defeat. "Night Adad." Kili went and laid down on his bed. He thought about Leys and wondered what it would be like to kiss her. He smiled. One day, he would find out.