17

John finally found his partner in the hall of Diren, talking vividly with the leader over a vast table of food. John was pleased to note that there was not a single plate with meat on it, Farthen Dûr had obviously had elven visitors before.

'Ah, John. Please sit and join us, I know you must be hungry. After all, the dwarves have gossiped more in the past few hours than I've heard in the entire time I've lived here. I will warn you now that they'll be wanting… erm, tips.' Diren said, looking slightly sheepish. John gave a confused look.

'Tips? Why would they want… Oh. Oh. Sherlock, I am going to kill you.' The doctor growled. The detective yelped and leapt out of the chair.

'And why, I never. I haven't done anything wrong.' He squeaked. His partner scowled at him. The fact that Sherlock's behaviour had changed drastically was enough for his partner to know he was lying. Badly.

'You knew. You git, you knew that the dwarves would hear. You knew. And what's worse, you knew I hadn't any idea.' He hissed. Sherlock shrugged.

'I'm an elf of my word, I never steered you wrong, just took you down the more interesting path.' He replied. John stopped suddenly and smiled wildly. The elf gave a confused look.

'What? What are you thinking? Tell me!' Sherlock demanded, his partner had somehow blocked him out mentally.

'If you're going to string me along then I think I'll spend tonight with my brothers and sisters since you seem to know them better than I do.' The doctor said evilly. The elf looked at him in utter horror.

'You wouldn't.' He stuttered. This only spurred the blonds grin to grow.

'In fact, now I think about it, I'm ever so tired. I don't think I'll be able to get up those steps at all. For the whole time I'm here.' John said, staring contently at the look on Sherlock's face. The elf was thoroughly gob-smacked.

'Uh, should I leave you two to sort this out?' Diren asked, blush faintly evident on his face as he related with the elf. His wife had, on many an occasion, withheld sex as a punishment.

'No, no. It's all sorted now.' John said, waving away his concerns and picking up a slice of bread. 'Now we have to introduce ourselves properly to the dwarf king, it was rather rude of us not to yesterday.' He said, smiling at his partner and leaving the room. Sherlock watched him go with a sense of foreboding.

'You sure know how to pick 'em, Sherlock.' Diren said. 'I don't think I've ever seen such a fine specimen of a fighter and yet he as rather taken to the ficklety of the elven race. You're lucky to have him. Though I don't envy you at all right now.' He continued with a chuckle. The elf glared at him then sighed.

'I am so screwed.' He groaned. The leader smothered another laugh as his friend exited the hall with his usual, if slightly annoyed, grace.

The two men stood outside the doors that lead to the dwarf kings hall. Sherlock gave his best sorry expression and begged for a whole five minutes for the doctor to reconsider but the blond refused to budge.

'I'll beg properly.' Sherlock said as a lash ditch effort. 'On my knee's. I will, if it would make you forgive me.' John raised an eyebrow.

Go on then. He projected. The elf's eyes lit up as his knees hit the floor. His hands clasped in front of him and he stared straight into his partners eyes.

'I am so sorry, John.' He said, his voice providing just enough sound for the low tones to carry. 'I will never mislead you again. I promise. Please stay with me.' The doctor stared at him in silence for many moments before sighing in defeat.

'Ok.' He said. 'Ok, I forgive you. You can get up now.' The elf was on his feet with his lips firmly attached to the blonds'. From around them, small hands began clapping. John broke apart and looked at the small men who surrounded them. He felt the blush burning his face.

'Well now that you once again whole, the dwarf king will see you.' The guard at the door said. Sherlock smiled and nuzzled his partner. John could never stay mad at him for long and he had done far more humiliating acts for fun than getting on his knees in front of an audience.

I can hear you. John reminded him.

I know. He replied, stepping into the hall.