Breath of Life

Chapter 10

Fili's POV

"We should..." She leaned in to whisper in my ear. I closed my eyes to listen to her sweet voice. I could feel her warm breath on my skin. Suddenly the warmness was replaced by the crisp air of the night. I opened my eyes only to look disappointed in the direction where Merenwen stood on the shore... in clothes... how the hell...? I don't ask anymore. There she stood in a emerald dress, that showed her cleavage and grey trousers. I gritted my teeth. "Well... what did you expect from that?" She winks at me and I blush. Indeed I hoped for more, but my dwarf-pride didn't allow it to admit it. "You started it. What did you expect?" I hope that was convincing. I grinned at her. Very convincing now! That should be enough.

She just shrugged her shoulder and turned her back around. "Your manhood says something else. Besides we should return to Bard's house. It isn't safe to linger here and it's dark outside." I smirked and tried to hold my composure. "You're afraid?" Yes, Fili, fuck it up! That's what you can best! I internally screamed to myself. "No, I can't take the blame on me in front of Thorin, when something happens to his little innocent nephew. I want to preserve the little respect he has for me, honestly." Right... all the women want Thorin... great! I rolled my eyes and somehow it made me sad and jealous.

I stepped out of the water and sighed while I put my clean undergarments, I fortunately found in my baggage, then the rest of the clothes. "You can turn around if you want now." I stated simply and began to pack my things. She turned around and smiled at me. Such a sweet smile, I thought. Too bad, it wasn't meant for me. 

Merenwen's POV

We walked beside each other without changing a word. I was happy about it because if I'm honest, I didn't know, what had me rode to flirt with him... naked... in a pond at night. For a mere second I could also feel his manhood pushing against my thigh. My luck, that he couldn't see my blush on my face. Then Fili turned around catching my attention. "Merenwen..." - "No please, it never happened okay?" I interrupted him and put a finger on his lips. He looked up at me with those blue orbs, they seemed to be two sapphires, who pierce directly through your soul. Fili don't make it worse as it already is! I thought to myself. "you don't have to justify yourself! After all you're a male and I... I think you haven't seen a woman for a few months... so... never mind, okay?" 

He just nodded and I removed my finger from his soft lips. "Alright..." I paused, slightly nervous. "Well, I think we should go now, they are surely asking for us!" He said bluntly and then he gave me a little smile and walked forward, leaving me behind. How on earth, could a dwarf making me feel this way? I waited to not arouse suspicion in the house and stayed behind a little longer. After twenty minutes or so, I finally decided to reenter Bard's house.

"Hey Merenwen." A soft voice called from behind me. It was Bilbo. "I saved you this." He grinned at me and gave me a glass of wine. "Thank you, dear Bilbo! Always the Gentleman." I bend a bit down to hug him. At least I had the trust of Bilbo. He blushed again. "You... you're welcome, Miss Merenwen" he said and hugged me back. We let go of each other and watched the dwarves, many of them already drunk, sing ancient songs of their kin and throw food at each other. For a moment they were happy, forgotten about their unknown fate the mountain brought with. I just shook my head. I sat on a free stool and lifted Bilbo on my knee. 

"Poor Bard." I saw Bard trying to silence them down. But without success. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Fili stare at me from time to time. Bilbo seemed to register that too. "Fili is staring at you. What happened before? He reentered with wet hair and a blush on his face. What did you do to that poor dwarf, Merenwen?" I looked down at the hobbit on my lap. He had a smug smile plastered on his face. "Not only a burglar, but also a very good observer." I grinned at him. "Well, for a dwarf, it isn't clear, but nothing escapes from a hobbit-eye. Now, do you want to explain?" I blushed a bit. Very bluntly our hobbit. "Bilbo... nothing happened..." - "Bullshit... and why is Fili staring at you like a bear craving for the honey, he can't have? He surely don't stares at me... except he likes men but I have reasons to doubt that..." 

I shrugged my shoulders. "It was only a harmless encounter at the pond, nothing more." I partially lied. "I was bathing in it and he casually was there and saw me half-naked. He then left and I came later in, because I had to dress me, before I go after Fili." Bilbo stared at me for a second. He seemed to studying my features, maybe he hoped he could discover a hidden truth. If I can one thing, then I can lie like my life would depend on it. "Hmm... he's very young, I can imagine, he never has seen a woman naked before. And I know exactly, how a woman can make a man nervous with her curves." I looked shocked to Bilbo. "What?" He chuckled. "Believe it or not, I once was young too." - "I have never doubted Bilbo, your soul is truly beautiful and so young. I envy your way of life, a constant home, beautiful and safe like the shire."

"Bilbo, do you think, Thorin can trust my one day?" I looked in the direction of Thorin and sighed. "Don't worry, he had a very long time to accept me in the group as their burglar. He is careful and always doubtful. It's his nature, but you will see, like me, Balin, Bard and Kili and Fili, he will close you in his heart soon. He seems rude at times, but he has a good heart." - "Thank you Bilbo." I smiled at him and he nodded. "You're welcome." Then he climbed down from my lap, bid me a good night because he needed some sleep. Tomorrow is Durin's day. Tomorrow we have to leave early for the mountain, before Durin's day passes.