From Other Worlds

The Lake and Tavern

Making camp early was a treat to the company, and it might have had something to do with the lake nearby, and the smell of traveling dwarves. Most of them went to bathe in twos or threes, and as the sun really began to set Rayna decided it was her turn. Letting Bilbo know she grabbed everything she needed to wash up and headed for the trail to the lake the dwarves had made.

The water felt almost perfect to Rayna as she took steps in. Quickly washing her hair, but taking a little more time with her body. She had a moment to herself and she wanted to enjoy it, swimming out a little ways when she heard a rustling in the bushes at the edge of the lake. Keeping low in the water, and swimming carefully to keep quiet, she kept an eye on the edge of the bushes. It was only Kili who emerged and it was clear quite quickly he didn't see Rayna as he started getting undressed. She swam as close as she could, staying mostly underwater to hide herself, trying to get his attention, but not wanting to risk being too loud. She stopped once Kili removed his shirt. The hair on his body didn't do anything to distract from his muscles. He wasn't as lean as she was used to seeing most men, but he was still built. She watched the muscles move as he tossed his shirt over the tree branch. She wouldn't admit that she may have started fantasizing, salivating even at the thought of being close to him. Briefly she considered letting him get all the way in the water with her as she continued to stare at his chest.

Rayna snapped back to it when she saw him start to undo his trousers. Feeling a rock under her foot she grabbed it and threw it to shore, startling Kili.

"Oh Rayna! It's only you." he had stopped his movements, trousers still undone.

"Yes." she started, "Uh so I'm bathing."

"Yes I can see that. Why won't you come closer? I can barely hear you." Kili started walking in the water.

"Because if I stand up, you'll see a lot more than you bargained for."

Kili stopped, "Oh. OH! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he began backing up, the sound of Raynas laughter could be heard over the splashing, "I really didn't mean to intrude." he turned away.

"I know." Rayna began getting out of the water. The sounds of splashing and her wet feet on the shore almost caught Kili's attention, but he remained still, looking away.

"I'm covered now." came Raynas voice, and indeed she had a tunic on, but Kili would never admit that he was surprised at the way in clung to her wet body when he turned. Rayna had turned her back to him in this moment so he took his chance.

She jumped as trousers came flying near her, clearly missing the branch they were supposed to land on, and she hung them up for Kili as he splashed his way into the water.

"Couldn't wait for me to leave?" she teased him.

"Only fair. I catch you, you catch me."

"I'm not catching you though. You danced all the way in while I was standing right here."

"And now I am in the water much like you were."

"If that's what you call fair then." Rayna began braiding her hair to keep it from going crazy as it dried.

"I could dance for you if you like." Kili offered.

"Maybe in the next town." Rayna moved behind the tree to pull her own trousers on. She peered out as Kili swung his hair after swimming underneath the surface.

"Pull it together woman." she mumbled to herself before she finished getting dressed and heading back to camp silently, knowing Kili was watching her.

"Did Kili go this way?" Fili startled Rayna as she walked back.