From Other Worlds

The Valley Secrets

The company had followed Gandalf right to what looked like a front entrance and waited patiently as they were greeted.

"Don't suppose we will be staying here too long." Kili spoke to particularly no one.

"Why not?" Rayna brought his attention to her, "Last time I slept in a bed was in the tavern."

"I'm surprised you slept at all with how he snores." Fili joked.

"I've had worse." Rayna responded, giving a quick wink to Kili and immediately cursing herself for it. Not a moment passed before Thorin called to close ranks. Kili raised his sword, keeping one hand on Rayna. She didn't bother to pull hers out and gave a look to Bilbo that he mirrored. They were in agreement that being that defensive around the elves was a little too much.

Elrond had his attention to the company now, and he spoke in elvish.

The dwarves started out agitated, but turned confused almost immediately as Rayna replied back in the common tongue.

"Oh that is lovely of you. Thank you." she smiled.

"What did he say?" Gloin grabbed her as she tried to step forward.

Rayna took a moment, looking from Gloin to the rest of the expectant company behind him and back to Gloin, "He's going to feed us." she responded, and watched as they murmured amongst themselves.

"In that case lead on." Gloin smiled brightly.

Before being led to dinner they were shown where they could stay for the night. Rayna was guided by another elf to continue on.

"Where are you going?" Kili stopped her.

"They're giving me a separate room."

"Is that... Is that safe? You know being away from the company?"

"Kili, I'm going to be fine." Rayna watched him nod to her and as she left made eye contact with Bilbo who had his eyebrows raised and his lips pursed. She shook her head at him.

"Careful brother." Fili walked up to Kili.

"Don't know what you are talking about." Kili feigned ignorance, but Fili knew his brother better than Kili would like to admit. Fili could only shake his head as they made their way to dinner.

"I'm not overly fond of elves, they're all high cheek bones and creamy skin." Kili looked around, "That one there's not so bad."

Dwalin didn't even need to look at the elf in question, "That is no elf maid." he said pointedly, causing the company to burst out in laughter. Kili looked in surprise at first, but Rayna saw how his shoulders shrunk.

"And?" she asked Dwalin, taking a bite of her food.

"Pointing out it's no maid for the boy." Dwalin pointed to Kili.

"The mistake is funny to be sure, but I don't see the problem besides that."

"You're saying you would lay with a maiden?" Dwalin crossed his arms, leaning on the table.

"I have." Rayna kept herself expressionless. Eyes had turned to her.

"Oh well... uh."

"We have a word back home for people who prefer no one can tell, and that's Androgynous. It's not Kilis fault he can't tell the difference when none of them have beards." Rayna pointed out.

"He doesn't either." Fili leaned forward in a whisper, to more laughs from the dwarves. Rayna watched Thorin stand up and walk by.

"Excuse me." she stood up, giving Kili a gentle reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as she walked by. Not wanting to get in the middle of a food fight.