Loyalty, Honor, and a Willing Heart

Chapter 25 - Shopping

In the meanwhile Ellen, Bifur and Glóin were helping Bombur in the kitchen, as cooking for the whole Company could be toilsome and the elf wanted not only to help, as she had never been one who could stand still, but also to see Bombur in action with all assorted foods and seasonings he had at hand. The round bellied dwarf was so cunning in cooking even with the least stuff that she wondered what he would be able to do with all that abundance of options.

The woman was mincing bacon to garnish a lamb when Thorin and the others came back from searching meds for Bilbo and went straight to the kitchen with what they gathered and what people gave them also. A somewhat sweet, somewhat acid smell reached her nose and startled the elf instantly. She washed her hands hurriedly to help them put down the stuff they brought, only to find a wicker basket full of assorted fruits in Kili’s hands. Ellen had no clue it was one of the gifts Lake-Town people gave them and the dwarves did not know how to decline with no offense.

“You brought fruit to me?” The smile in her face and widening eyes was priceless. “Do you know how much I missed fresh fruit since Elrond’s house? Even in the elven-king halls I had fruit only seldom…”

Kili was disconcerted, as it was not his doing at all, but he was getting used to the idea that, when feeling safe but still malnourished, Ellen’s craving for the foods her elven body needed made her skip reason and see only what she wanted to. He lifted the basket a little towards her, a crooked smile I his face, not knowing what to do. She took the basket in her hands and put it on the counter with an almost adoring look in her eyes.

“Did I ever tell you that I love you?”

Now he got really embarrassed.

“Hmm, well, yes, but, actually, never in front of anybody...”

Ellen took a black plum in her hand, looking straight at Kili, ignoring the three cooking dwarves in the kitchen and Lily brewing tea.

“I hope there is no forbiddance in the dwarven traditions about expressing feelings in public.”

She bit the plum very slowly, closing her eyes in delight; some juice dripped from the corner of her mouth and she wiped it with the tip of a finger, then licked the juice gazing at Kili so intently one could almost see the electricity running between them.

“Not quite, lass, but it is considered private matter and so, ungraceful to be mentioned in public.”

It was Glóin who explained, while peeling some potatoes.

“Uh, sorry, I didn’t know.” Glóin’s remark brought her back to her feet. “Thank you for explaining, master Glóin, I still have so much to learn to behave properly.”

She sighed and finished the plum and, even disconcerted, the unbroken gaze exchange between her and Kili spoke more than any words would have. It had been weeks of loneliness in the elven realm, and although they kept as close as they could since getting out of the barrels the day before, they had had little or almost no private time at all.

“No problem at all, elf, I know how it is to be in love, sometimes you lose all sense of what is proper or not.” Replied Glóin, chuckling. Being the only married dwarf in the Company made him more comprehensive of the young couple drives, and also made him feel a bit responsible for giving them advice.

“Hey, Kili, Uncle is calling.” Fili irrupted in the kitchen and took his brother by one arm, breaking their magic gaze apart; the blond looked at what Ellen went back to work on and smiled broadly. “Hmm, stuffed lamb? It is my favorite!”

“Food is your favorite!” Kili replied while they got out of the kitchen, casting a last longing look to the woman that braided his hair.