I am so sorry for my absence. It was not intentional, but during it I discovered my own boredom with this work of fiction. I have no idea where it's headed, though I told myself more than once it's only destination was the recycle bin on my laptop. However, I also started A Dwori (or Dwalin/Ori) story which I will update only when I complete it so I no longer have the hassle of keeping any fans of my story waiting. I really do feel terrible.
I hope to rediscover my previous love for this story, and to continue writing it. I cannot, no matter how much I want to, guarantee any quick future updates.
Dragging his feet back to the camp the dwarves had set up regardless of the elves' offer of bedrooms, Bofur tried to ignore the images of Bilbo and Thorin embracing that were running through his mind. He didn't want to think about it, and he knew he wasn't doing it because of some perverse reason. Instead, he was simply wishing he could find the person who could make him so happy, so willing to wrap their arms around him with all the love they could gather. Bofur wanted to return that love, and be the one to cause a smile settle across someone's face. He wanted to protect someone, but also have their protection in return.
Ah, but I'm hardly a worthy dwarf. I don't have the same stout figure of other dwarves, and I'm not all that smart. I have nothing to offer. I'm a craftsman who works with toys, not jewels or precious metals. No adult would find a toy a good enough courting gift. It didn't take long for Bofur to get completely lost in his miserable thoughts, breaking himself down bit by bit until, quite unusually for him, his mouth had been stretched into a frown. His chin was nearly touching his chest as he walked, hands in pockets and eyes watching his own slow footsteps. Soon enough he was so lost in thought that he was deaf to the rest of the world, not hearing the loud footsteps of booted feet turning the same corner he was about to. Inevitably the two beings crashed into one another, both hitting the floor with dull thuds.
This seemed to knock Bofur out of his increasingly terrible thoughts, as he scrambled to his feet muttering apologies to whomever it was he had successfully knocked onto their bottom. Looking to glance at the other person, all the while thinking I just hope it's not an elf, he saw Nori sitting there in his underclothes and thick leather boots.
"So, so sorry Master Nori," he said rather quickly, offering a hand to the other dwarf. Nori took it with a smile, and it took two tries to tug him up from his spot on the floor.
"I was just looking for you, Bofur, though I was hoping for a nicer greeting than that." Both dwarves laughed, though Bofur's was filled with nervousness. "The rest of us were getting to bed but you, Thorin, and Bilbo hadn't shown up. No one was about to question Thorin and his hobbit, but you're a different story. Bifur mentioned something about you probably getting lost, and I didn't think so, but I decided not to risk it and look for you anyway." A blush rose up to Bofur's neck, and he wondered if this meant Nori had been worrying about him. Maybe this meant the end to the awkward shift in their friendship.
"I was just walking around," he said. "You'll never guess what I just saw, though," and as the dwarves took their time walking back to camp, he retold the story of Bilbo and Thorin's shared kisses, all with a smile on his face. Really, he didn't mean to tell anyone what he had seen earlier on in the evening, but as Nori was the one dwarf he felt particularly close to on this journey, and they had barely been on speaking terms since the trolls he was glad to have something to talk to the dwarf about. He was even more glad to see his friend smiling as widely as he was, eyes lightening considerably in his happiness. Soon, however, Bofur's story was done, and he was instantly scared that they would go back to being on less than friendly terms. His smile had nearly gone before Nori spoke.
"Well, it seems as though everyone is finding love on this journey then, or they already had it. Either way, it's nice to be surrounded by such feelings, isn't it?" Bofur nodded, wondering if Nori was referring to his own love, which Bofur had only learned of while eavesdropping one time. Bofur also knew this would be a touchy subject and not to ask, as he did also overhear that Nori's love for whoever was not returned.
"Aye, though I wish I had someone to be the Bilbo to my Thorin, or the Ori to my Dwalin, even," he joked, trying to keep the thoughts of Nori and his love out of his head. Nori joined him in his laughter, just as they walked under a covered bridge crossing over a rather pretty garden. Moonlight blanketed them in a soft white glow, and though it was known to create a romantic mood in old literature, the dwarves' own mood remained light and friendly.
"Why are you the strong warrior of the relationship? You're not a Dwalin or a Thorin, Bofur, though you're not an Ori, either, and certainly not a Bilbo." Nori trailed off, but Bofur tried to determine whether he should be insulted or flattered by the comparisons. It wouldn't be a bad thing, really, to be any of those dwarves (or the hobbit), as they all had very good qualities.
"No, I suppose not," Bofur said, still in thought. "I think I'd much rather just be a Bofur."
"Yes, you make a wonderful Bofur," whispered Nori, whose eyes were now peering at the moon as they walked, hand in hand, across the bridge. Bofur flushed bright red, sure that this was a compliment. And I receive so few of- Wait. He took another look at his and Nori's interlocking hands, confusion spreading through his entire being. When did that happen?
Suddenly, Bofur was sweating, worried that he'd ruined things again. He quickly yanked his hand free, and stepped away from the other dwarf, who now had their turn to look confused, to face him. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. I just- I was just distracted. The moonlight is s pretty over the flowers and- Wait, no, it's not like I was trying to be romantic or anything. No. No, I'm sorry." Before he gave Nori a chance to respond, he turned on his heels and walked as quickly towards the others as possible.
Nori was left looking down at his hand in shock, wishing it were still grasping Bofur's. After all, it was Nori wh had intertwined their fingers anyway, when he knew the other dwarf was paying less attention.