The Hobbit - Imagines & Short Fics

Bofur

Life here in Laketown has never been too kind to you. With your parents gone, you're the only one left in charge of four of your siblings, and the only job you can get was to sell clothes at the market, with a measly pay, just enough for one day's meal for you and your siblings at good times. It's more often that you had to go to sleep hungry when the pay is sufficient for your siblings only.

Today was the worst. You came home nearly unpaid, seeing as how this town's economical state has been getting deeper and deeper in the gutter.

Finishing your day with a huff as the last dress has been neatly folded and put on the table for the owner of the kiosk to bring back home, you went back home with a hazy and troubled mind. You're tired, very tired; your legs are weary and your stomach is growling. But you know this is yet another day you have to give up your dinner for your siblings. They are far younger than you are and need it more than you do, after all.

Busy with your own mind, you didn't notice where you were going at all and almost walked onto a man. With a yelp, you jumped back and saw... no, a dwarf? Is he a dwarf?

Seeing as how his height was nearly the same as yours (you were a bit short compared to the other people of Laketown), it seems he was a dwarf. And that pigtail... and that hat. He's clearly not a resident of this town.

"Oh, I'm sorry lass," he said, looking as surprised as you are. Another hint of expression was also visible on him... worry? He looks scared and nervous.

Flustered, you were just about to mumble an apology and walk away, but then you noticed the guards scurrying nearby. It's clear that they were searching for him, as you saw other dwarves looking somehow like him passing nearby. Of course, if there's any town with very strict rules about visitors it would be this town.

"Where are you going?" you asked to him in a hush. "Aye, that man's house over there," he pointed to someone behind you, and you turned to see who he is. Bard. Of course.
"Shit," you muttered as you see a guard passing nearby. "Here, hide here." A corner of your kiosk happened to be a perfect hiding spot from the guards, and you ordered him to stay there until the guards are all gone.

But it turned out worse than that. A brawl broke out, leaving a few guards knocked unconscious. All the townspeople continued on their life as if nothing happened, even helping to hide the knocked out body of the guards. All of them share the same hate of the authorities, living in poverty under the corrupt mayor.
You signalled the dwarf to go out now, and he got up with a grin.

"Thank you, miss...?" "Y/N, call me Y/N. And you--" You just turned around to ask him his name when you noticed that he's already gone. Oh well, it's better for both of you to mind each other's business anyway, you wanted to help him but getting in trouble for helping a stranger you barely knew seems too much, for today at least.

Walking away, in your mind you sent all the best wishes for the dwarf. No one would ever want to get in trouble with the authorities in Laketown, and perhaps you'll never cross paths with him again.