365

mar.25.22

Thorin was off somewhere, and Bilbo was nowhere to be found. The dwarfs cheered and joked, told stories, and passed around wine and ale as they ate the sweets Fili and Kili had found in the elf pantries. They were in Rivendale, stopped for the night along their journey.

Dwalin suddenly stood up, the dwarfs soon silencing. "I believe this occasion is to be remembered with ink."

More cheering erupted. Fili held Lullaby against him; he grabbed her hand and raised it, causing more cheers from the dwarfs.

"We have a taker, Dwalin!" Fili called.

"What, what do you mean?" She turned, meeting Fili's mischievous blue eyes. "Fili, what do you mean?"

Dwalin was over to Lullaby in a moment; in his hands was a bottle of ink and a silver needle. "Let me see your skin, darlin'."

"You want to tattoo me?" Lullaby asked.

Dwalin showed her the ink on the back of his hands. "I'm somewhat of an expert."

Lullaby exhaled; when else could she say she got tattooed by dwarfs? She took the bottle of wine from Fili, took a swig of it, then kissed Fili's cheek. "As long as he gets ink after me."

Fili nodded. "Aye."

The dwarfs cheered again. Kili had found a wooden box. They used it as a table, as they sat on the ground. Lullaby held her arm out, on the table. Dwalin ran his needle through the fire, before dipping it in the ink. He held Lullaby's arm down as he started tattooing.

Lullaby couldn't help but jump at the first few pokes; she took a long swig of the wine, and leaned against Fili. After a little bit, the pain from the needle subsided.

"Gutsy as a Durin," Dwalin commented with a chuckle as he tattooed.

"Thank you." Lullaby exhaled slowly; her head was starting to feel dizzy. "So, Dwalin, what are you tattooing on me?"

"Just a little something to remember us by. So when we're home in Erebor, you'll look at it, and remember the journey." Dwalin poked quickly. "Perhaps it'll take you to this moment."

"So, a surprise?"

Dwalin nodded once. "Aye."

Lullaby leaned against Fili. She closed her eyes, as the dwarfs began to sing. Their voices were low and melodic, relaxing and soothing. It felt like time had stopped all together, and the moment would last forever.

Before long, Dwalin lifted his needle. "It is done."

Lullaby opened her eyes, bringing her arm so she could see. Tattooed neatly on her forearm was the view as they emerged from the cave, when they first saw Rivendale; the details were immaculate. Written underneath were dwarf runes.

"What does it read?" she asked, gently touching them. Fili held her arm up so he could see it.

"Through elven lands with dwarfish hearts," Fili read. Then he smiled. "Then he wrote our names, side by side."

Lullaby smiled. "Thank you, Dwalin. I love it." She leaned across the box table, hugging him.

Dwalin hugged her back. "You're welcome, darlin'." He looked at Fili. "Your turn, Lionheart?"

Fili laughed at the dwarf's nickname for him. "Of course."

Lullaby made room for Fili to take her place. As Dwalin cleaned and burned the needle, and poked Fili's arm, he watched Lullaby's eyes, never leaving them.

She smiled at him. "My Lionheart." She leaned against him, holding him against her.

He held her back with his free arm. "My Lullaby."