The Master insisted on throwing a celebration dinner for their guests, Ali couldn't help but roll her eyes. He was indeed generous, laying out a fine dinner, one that the dwarves devoured happily. The room was filled to the brim with people, music, and dancing. Not to mention the Master had given each of the dwarves their own room for the night, with a real bed and everything. Pretty damn swanky.
Thorin shifted in his chair next to her, his hand permanently placed on her arm rest. Try as she might she couldn't figure out why he seemed so uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" Ali asked finally, pushing her plate away, for the first time in what felt like ages, she had been allowed to eat as much as she wanted. Even when she was with the elves and there was plenty of food, she had found it impossible to ask for seconds…much less thirds. Thorin had simply laughed at her feast, saying she had lost too much weight and needed it back.
"What do you mean?" Thorin smiled and looked around the room.
"You've been acting like you're sitting on a hedgehog this entire time, now what's up?" Ali rubbed the top of his hand reassuringly while grabbing her goblet. The wine was definitely the same as the stuff she had in the cellars of Thranduil's palace, and it was just as good now as it was when she beat elven butt at flip cup.
Thorin rolled his shoulders but continued to stare off into the crowd, taking his time before finally turning to her. "Who is Alfrid?" His voice had cold, not that Ali could blame him.
"Alfrid?" Ali looked over the room, she had seen him wandering about earlier…and there. She pointed to the creepy little bugger who was skulking around in one of the corners. "That's him, why?"
"No reason," Thorin mumbled, his eyes fixed on Alfrid while he raised his goblet for a drink.
"Bullshit," Ali leveled him with a stare.
Finally he blinked and shook his head, looking to her with one eyebrow raised. "Pardon? What suddenly brought up excrement?" Thorin asked, setting down his goblet. Hurriedly a maid scurried over and filled his goblet, even topping Ali's off. She smiled her thank you before returning to Thorin.
"Where I'm from, it means, 'I really don't think you're telling me the truth so perhaps you should rephrase your answer quickly'." Ali politely waved off Bofur who was trying to get her to join his dancing.
"This 'Alfrid' has been staring at you all night, why?" Thorin leaned back in his chair, his face darkening like his mood, he practically spat out Alfrid's name. Ali looked over to Alfrid who appeared quite interested in the drapes all of a sudden.
"What do you mean? I haven't seen him looking at all," Ali felt her chair jerk an inch closer to Thorin. "What's gotten into you?" Ali looked to Thorin wide-eyed, surprised at his sudden mood change. Ali was about to open her mouth to make a snarky comment about it being his time of the month, when she stopped. It couldn't be that Thorin was…no…could he?
"Thorin? Why are you worried about Alfrid?"
"He was staring at you all night and I thought. Well you left when he called for you at Bard's home and you're human and he's human after all-"
"Stop! You're going to make me gag," Ali shivered at the thought, "human or not, that guy is creepy." Ali shuttered at the thought, "are you really jealous because of Alfrid?"
Thorin looked at Ali, and for a second she expected him to deny it, "yes." He simply stated, returning to watch the crowd. "Do you not wish for a more suitable partner in age and race?"
"More suitable? Alfrid? Come on now. Look at him, he looks like a sewer rat and some seaweed got it on one night." Ali shook her head, "no thank you, I'll take an age difference any day, I mean you're what? 35? 40?"
"195," Thorin said without hesitation. Ali choked on her wine.
"195?! That means you're like…" Ali stared off and tried to subtract in her mind.
"175 years older," Thorin took a drink and continued looking around, basically anywhere but towards her.
"I…I can work with that," Ali stared at him. Sure he had some grey hair, and there were a few lines on his face, but he certainly didn't look 195. "Did you bathe in the fountain of youth or something? Cause for nearly 200, you look fantastic."
Thorin chuckled finally, a bit of warmth returning to his eyes. "I'd say I look fairly regular for a dwarf my age."
"No, you look hot," Ali laughed.
Un-expectantly, Thorin touched his face, concern creasing his brow. "I don't feel hot, is my skin red?"
"No, where I'm from that means you're sexy, or physically desired by those who look upon you, as you might say." Ali finished her wine and leaned an elbow on the table to prop her chin up while she watched him.
When she was close to him she felt as if she was herself again. None of those nasty thoughts filled her head, and for once her mind was at ease. There was even the passing idea that it might be nice to go apologize to the Master. Thankfully, it passed quickly.
"The Master has started staring this way as well. If I'm not mistaken he probably wishes to speak to you."
Ali glanced over, and sure enough the Master caught her eye and waved to her. Turning back she groaned, "Do I have to?" It was as if this man could read her mind.
"You cannot shirk your duties counselor, I shall await your return," Thorin smiled and ran his fingers down her cheek. It wasn't fair. She didn't want to leave now, not when they were finally having a moment.
Grumbling, Ali drained the rest of her goblet for good measure and pushed her seat back. "I'll try to make this quick, I wouldn't want you to turn into a pumpkin before I get back." Ali left Thorin with a furrowed brow and strode off across the room.
"Well now, counselor, I'm glad you could join me." The Master motioned to a seat next to him and Ali sat, dropping the whole regal elvish façade. "I have to say, I was expecting your company to be more…" Ali could fill in the word he was searching for, elvish perhaps, "composed." He finally finished.
"Yes, I can see how you might have thought that." Ali nodded and watched the dwarves singing and dancing with the women of Laketown, it really did look like fun. Even Bilbo was clapping right along with Bofur's merry little tune, though every once in a while he threw a strange look her way. Ali smiled and leaned back in her chair, looking over to the Master. "Why don't we let bygones be bygones and start fresh?"
The Master looked over to her as if he didn't know what to believe anymore. Alfrid startled her by appearing on her other side.
"Are you enjoying the party ma'am?" When Alfrid's breath hit her it felt like wet spaghetti noodles on her skin.
"Back up," Ali couldn't help but shudder away from him. She was finding it increasingly difficult to be nice to him, even when she was trying. "The party is grand, and everything is wonderful, these men deserve to relax for once."
"I guess I'm just wondering-" the Master began, rubbing his chin and looking at the dwarves. Oh hell no, she was finally happy, this man wasn't going to spoil it now.
"Nothing." Ali cut in. She would warn him one time, that was it. "I understand these were not the men you were expecting but they were the ones you got. Now unless you were wondering about the validity of Thorin's claim on the mountain, which I assure you are all true, then you best keep your wondering to yourself." Ali leveled the Master with a stern look. "Don't make me mad, you wouldn't like me mad." Sorry hulk, but it was her line now.
The Master put up his hands in a show of defeat. Ali didn't know if he meant it or not but she truly didn't care anymore. She wouldn't let him get to her.
"Now if you'll excuse me, this counselor has a table to dance on." That line had sounded much better in her head. Ali strutted away, hoping against all hope that they didn't have strippers here.
"Lass! Sing us ah song!" Bofur cheered, his voice joined by the rest of the company. Even Thorin raised his glass from his seat, his smile letting her know that she should have just made a beeline back to him.
"Oh, I don't really sing," Ali tried to change direction but Bofur caught her around the waist and hoisted her up onto the table with him.
"Ah song! Ah song!" Bofur began chanting, followed shortly by the rest.
"I wouldn't even know what to sing!" Ali tried one last time to protest. They would hear none of it, continuing to chant. "Fine, but I warn you, I'm a terrible singer."
"Go on then! Let's hear a tune!" Bofur cheered.
In Ali's seemingly infinite database of songs there was only one that she could remember all the words to.
"Risin' up, back on the streets,
Did my time, took my chances,
Went the distance
Now I'm back on my feet,
Just a man with the will to survive!"
Yep, the only song she could pull together was 'Eye of the Tiger', which was by all accounts a great song, she just didn't know if they even knew what a tiger was.
"So many times, it happens too fast,
You trade your passion for glory,
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past,
You must fight just to keep them alive."
By now the dwarves were starting to get into the song. Their makeshift drum beat with the two goblets of wine was helping with her nerves. Next was the chorus, which Ali had never been able to not just belt out, in fact she was pretty sure no person alive could solemnly sing the chorus to this song.
"It's the eye of the tiger,
It's the thrill of the fight,
Risin' up to the challenge, of our rival,
And the last known survivor,
Stalks his prey in the night,
And he's watching us all with the,
Eye of the tiger."
Nori and Ori whooped at her song, driving Ali to have a bit more courage.
"Face to face, out in the heat,
Hangin' tough, staying' hungry,
They stack the odds,
Still we take to the street,
For the kill with the skill to survive."
Ali pointed at Bofur, showing him that he had to join her this time.
"It's the eye of the tiger,
It's the thrill of the fight,
Risin' up to the challenge, of our rival,
And the last known survivor,
Stalks his prey in the night,
And he's watching us all with the,
Eye of the tiger."
Ali was surprised that Bofur and several others joined in flawlessly, but definitely pleased. These men knew exactly what they were doing, all of them joining in for the finale. Ali couldn't help but laugh and clap her hands. This was a battle song she could definitely get behind. Or a fifty year olds workout playlist, but really, was there much of a difference?
"Tha' was fantastic! Another!" Bofur shouted, the others cheered. Even the people of Laketown entered the chant.
"Oh heavens no, Bofur I'm passing the mic back to you." Bofur looked at her confused for a second then shrugged. Finally, Ali hopped down off the table, bowing out as gracefully as possible. She still had a little bit of pride left that she didn't want to bruise by falling off a table.
Ali turned to where Thorin had been sitting and froze. He wasn't there anymore. Bilbo bounced in front of her and Ali leaned to peer around him. As if Thorin might appear out of thin air.
"He claimed he was tired and went to his room for the night." Bilbo followed her eyes to his empty chair before tugging her arm. "Come, we have to talk. Bofur!"
Ali let Bilbo pull her towards a small balcony that had been propped open to let in a breeze. Bofur stopped his song mid-chorus and bounced off the table, holding his hat in one hand and balancing himself on Dwalin's head with the other. He called out apologies when the crowd booed but didn't turn back.
What could possibly be so important that they had to talk about it this second? Ali wanted to march up to Thorin's room and demand to know why he left during her song.
"He left shortly after your song," Bilbo voiced the answer to her thoughts.
"That was private," Ali huffed, the cold breeze cutting right through the dress.
"Then don't say it out loud," Bilbo huffed back, and then smiled. Nothing seemed to lessen his mood right now.
"What's up small fry?" Ali cast Bilbo a sideways glance, Bofur quickly threw his arm around her shoulders, a smile spread across his face. They were beginning to worry her.
"I saw what you did in the study, with the glass." Bilbo leaned in to whisper. Bofur nodded excitedly.
"How?" Ali asked as Bofur darted back off for a goblet of wine.
"I think you should grab Ali a drink." Bilbo nodded to Bofur, who sighed but darted off to find one. Bilbo watched Bofur disappear then leaned in to whisper, "invisibility, remember." Right, a human that could stop time, and a hobbit that could turn invisible, this was turning into a regular day at Hogwarts.
"I do remember now," Ali nodded, "but why are you whispering about it? Doesn't everyone already know?"
Bilbo shook his head vigorously as Bofur returned holding what looked more like a punch bowl full of wine.
"Ali was just about to tell us what she did in the study, I already told Bofur what I saw."
Wait, so Bilbo got secret superpowers but Ali had to tell people…not fair. "I just paused time a little, and moved the glass, sorta cool."
Bilbo nodded, then stopped, "sorta cool? You can stop time? I think you mean that this could be the key to defeating Azog without sacrificing yourself." Bilbo shimmied closer, his eyes bright with excitement.
Ali just took a long drink, and she did something that she wanted to do the very first time she met him. She ruffled his curly dark blonde hair, and it was as soft as she thought it would be.
"You remember when we first met?" Ali asked.
"Yes, you were sleeping on my bench. It was a right scare when you screamed in my face." Bilbo nodded, looking distantly at the table as he remembered. "You were a real weird character, I remember wondering if you were insane. You know, the way you talked and all."
Ali didn't know, she didn't think she had spoken strangely, but she laughed, "you know, I had been thinking the same thing about you. But that wasn't what I was getting at. Remember when we talked about how we spoke to our flowers?"
Bilbo nodded again, his eyes narrowing, probably wondering where she was actually going with this.
"I had decided there that we were besties," Ali gave her drink a resolute nod, as if it were agreeing whole heartedly with her. The quick motion made her eyesight fuzzy for a second, reminding her to slow down her liquor consumption. "And I wasn't wrong. And you, Bofur, frankly I'm not sure how you are so nice all the time. I'm ashamed I haven't asked you about yourself and Nori. I feel like I'm the only one out of the loop on that one."
"How's about, we talk all about it when we figure out a plan fer gettin' ya through whatevers ta come with Azog." Bofur cheerfully pat her on the back, nearly causing her to spill her bowl of wine.
"Jeez guys," Ali put her bowl down and opened her arms, "bring it on in."
Ali didn't actually wait for them to move forward, instead she pulled them over and smushed them into an awkward hug. It took a moment but they returned the hug, apparently they were thrown off by her sudden affectionate display.
Bilbo pulled away and straitened his clothes, looking almost offended. Perhaps respectable hobbits didn't hug.
"I was right, you are insane." Bilbo huffed, but a little smile played on his lips.
"That's why you love me," Ali smiled back and winked while raising her bowl for a drink.
Bilbo rolled his eyes. "You're trying to change the subject, don't think I don't know what you're plan actually is."
"Uuug, yes, yes, I'll use my abilities for the greater good, with great power comes great responsibility. I understand mom, I'll try not to die." Ali grumbled, downing another gulp. "Do you think I was just going to run up and impale myself on his arm hooky thing and hope he died of shock? 'Blimey, the lass has just skewered herself upon my arm, whatever shall I do?'" Ali mocked Azog with an unfortunate British accent since she didn't speak whatever language she had heard him with before.
"Well no, we jus' wan' ta make sure that ur gonna avoid the pointy end of the swords," Bofur rolled his eyes at her.
"I like that plan, I'll write it down, avoid pointy end, pointy end very bad," Ali mimed writing in a notebook and laughed. "Oh well, I should probably call it a night before I drink all their wine." Ali gave him another wink, "plus there's a giant bed all to myself that I can practically hear calling my name. AALLLIIII, sleeeep wiiiith meeeee!" Ali whispered the last part.
"Ya jus' wanna git ta Thorin, don' lie." Bofur snorted.
"I'm sure you're thinking the same for Nori. Bet you can hear it now…Boooofur, I'mmmm allll yoursssssss." Ali continued as she slid behind the door, Bofur rolled his eyes and smiled, Bilbo just rolled his eyes.
Ali waved to the dwarves who were still partying hard, and dismissed herself. As she followed the hallway Ali ran her fingers along the walls, from an outside perspective she must have seemed lost in thought, and in all honesty she was just trying to stay upright. Her room was right next to Thorin's, slowly Ali halted in front of his door, would he really be sleeping, she wondered. Ali looked down the hallway both ways, then back to the door. It wouldn't hurt to just take a quick peek and see if he was still up.
I want to thank everyone who has read this far and welcome everyone who has just started and gotten this far :)
Reviews are welcome and I hope everyone is enjoying their beautiful spring
Muah!