𝔉𝔦𝔯𝔢

Chapter Three ➳ 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖆𝖓𝖞 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝕶𝖊𝖊𝖕

"𝔐aster Stadle - mind if we join you?"

Gandalf's warm voice cut through the pensive air, making the Dwarf's crystal-blue eyes snap up at them, pausing in particularly at the sight of Anarí standing there. The way his eyes lingered on her made Anarí nearly want to visibly swallow the nervous lump in her throat, only to keep her composure and remain expressionless yet not hostile.

However, he broke out of his staring trance and merely flitted his eyes back down, silently permitting them to sit at his table. Gandalf's idea seemed to work, for the moment Anarí and Gandalf were seated alongside the Dwarf, the two impending mercenaries quickly changed direction and headed towards both the booths they were perched in.

Another tavern maid stops by their table, only for Gandalf to dismiss her with the same order of food that was on Thorin's dish. As she moves on from their table, Gandalf turns his attention fully back towards the Dwarf and leans forward a bit in his seat.

"I should introduce myself, my name is Gandalf -- Gandalf the Grey."

"I know who you are," the Dwarven prince scoffed in dismissal, making Anarí's brows glower at his audacity to be curt to someone who just saved him from being assaulted by mercenaries twice his size. Gandalf, however, took the curt dismissal in stride, from how pleasant his tone was while replying.

His brows even rise up momentarily as he speaks, "well now, this is a fine chance." He chirps.

Tho Dwarf then nods over towards Anarí, his eyes seeming to be sizing her up from what's visible over the table. "This treehugger looks familiar, and yet, I can't quite place memory to your face. Why would you bring this around? You know I have no love for the Elves." As Thorin insulted her towards Gandalf for her to witness, he kept his stoic gaze locked on her while casually rubbing his cuticles together.

This? I'm a this?! How dare he acts like I'm an inanimate object! Especially when I'm sure I could crush him in a second.

Anarí's violet eyes flashed a piercing golden as she returned his glare, nearly causing Thorin to be intimidated. "I beg your pardon, but you find yourself in the presence of Anarí Undomiel, the Crown Princess of Rivendell - who not only had to break off a long-awaited engagement with someone dear to her recently but also has the potential to burn you alive where you sit. Or even extend a plant's vine if I so desired." She then leaned in a little toward him, her gaze darkening. "So I would be very careful about what you say to me next."

The Dwarf only chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a challenge. "You think you scare me, leaf-eater? You don't intimidate me in the slightest, even with this abnormal power that you claim of."

Anarí only quirked a brow dauntingly while slipping a hand around the dagger in her belt, her eyes catching the same fire that his held. "Oh really? Well, maybe we should head outside to test that theory then, shall we?" She challenges, her tone sharpening with warning.

Thorin only smiled with mischief back at her, "Gladly."

"I think not!" Gandalf's voice boomed over them, right as they began to simultaneously rise from the table. his shadow stretching out behind him and slowly shadowing the wall behind him.

"Sit down right now - both of you - or so help me, I will cause a much bigger scene for the entire inn to witness." From the warning glare in his eyes, both this Dwarven Royal and Anarí knew that he meant what he threatened, so they both reluctantly slunk back down into their chairs beside Gandalf like two scorned children. It was then as if Gandalf's demeanor shifted, for it went from being ominous and pensive to being warm-hearted once more.