365

feb.26.22

All the dwarfs sat around Bilbo Baggins' table, laughing and eating and drinking. The night was in good spirits, even though Bilbo was still stressing out about all of the unsolicited dwarfs in his dining room.

Lullaby sat between Kili and Fili; from the end of the table, Dwalin threw a roll of bread across the table to Bombur, who caught the bun in his mouth. The table exploded in cheers.

Glasses of ale and wine were being passed about through the happy conversation. Kili reached forth and snagged two mugs – one with ale and the other wine. Kili had his arm around Lullaby – since showing up and discovering Lullaby was human, he kept her close to him. Lullaby didn't mind; Kili was kind enough, and she asked him questions about the dwarfs that he answered promptly.

He held the mugs to Lullaby, and she kindly accepted the wine. Leaning to his ear, she asked Kili, "Are dwarfs like this all the time? Happy-go-lucky, inviting, comical?"

Kili smiled, leaning down to her. "Always. Even more so, sometimes. Don't humans do this?"

Lullaby shook her head. "No, they aren't as hospitable."

Kili smiled at her. "Do you like us? Do you like our hospitality?"

Lullaby smiled back. "Of course. I love it. It's entertaining, and I feel included." Her grey eyes met his brown ones. "I feel like I belong."

Kili's arms tightened around Lullaby. "You'll always belong amongst us, Lullaby."

She smiled; she did feel like she belonged here, at a dinner table with dwarfs. If only Bilbo wasn't so stressed; she thought he'd enjoy the company, too, if he wasn't so worried about the state of his house.

Lullaby sipped her wine; it was fruity, and she liked how it burned her throat. She felt Kili lean down, resting his head on her shoulder, his arms around her midsection. She'd just met Kili, not even an hour ago, and he felt so comfortable around her. She felt the same; she felt like all of these dwarfs were family. She smiled, listening to the shenanigans of the dwarfs in Bilbo Baggins' dining room.