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‖~~ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴏꜰ 13 ᴅᴡᴀʀᴠᴇꜱ? part 2~~‖

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𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 2...

I watched him scarf down his plate, hungrily biting off the garlic bread whole after I took my chair and ate two garlic slices to hold onto my hunger from the anxiety I felt about being judged for my cooking skills: 

"This is very good! Anymore?" Dwalin's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

I nodded, "Hm? Oh yeah, I'll get it." In an instant, I got up to fetch the large glass pitcher filled with cold root beer while carefully pouring it onto Dwalin's mug before placing another serving of food for him to eat and try. Who stared at it in confusion:

"What's this?"

I grinned mischievously, knowing that Dwalin had never tasted root beer before. "This is a non-alcoholic drink, and this one is a baked potato with chopped bacon and melted cheese. I promise that you'll love it," I assured him.

As he took a cautious sip, his expression changed from confusion to pure delight. "This is surprisingly good," he admitted, quickly gulping down the rest of the mug. I chuckled and poured him another glass before someone knocked on the door. Dwalin's deep, growly voice said, "That'll be the door." 

Despite my strong desire to respond, I refrained from doing so to avoid a verbal confrontation, as my Mom would not appreciate her furniture being damaged. With a defeated sigh, I approached the entrance while Dwalin returned to his meal. I walked over, silently wincing at the pain of my sprained ankle, but managed to conceal it until I was approached by an elderly dwarf named Balin at the door.

"Balin, at your service." He cheerfully smiled and bowed.

And to see if I wasn't dreaming again, I had to find proof by politely saying, "Good evening." Balin looked at the window behind my shoulder and nodded: "Yes, yes, it is." He continued, "Thought I think it might rain later. Am I late?" Balin asked, "Late for what...?" I pretended to be confused by his question to have fun, but it soon ended when Dwalin walked over to see his brother: "I'm messing with you, Balin. You're not late. Come on in!" I cheerfully welcomed him.

While Balin sighed in relief and laughed joyfully, "Haha, you got me there, Lass." He pats my shoulder and turns to glance up to see Dwalin behind me, "OH! Evening, brother!" Shouted in glee, it caused me to excuse myself to serve a plate for him, who smirked, walking towards his brother. 

He deeply chuckles, "By my beard, you were shorter and wider than last time we met." Balin smirked, giving a wink: "Wider, not shorter." Both laugh heartily, and Dwalin grips Balin by the shoulders. Both chuckle and rise back before forcefully butting their heads together with a thud that I hold back a giggle to which I fail, and both turn to me:

"Oh, I forgot," I curtsied at Balin, "Amy, at your service. Your food is served." Taking my left hand, he offers a deep bow and the same gleaming smile: "Why! Thank you, Lass." Nodding, I smiled back before I told him, "Did you see my note on the gate?" "Hm? Oh yes, yes, I did. I will do it shortly after talking to my brother." Balin answered. I nodded while Dwalin showed him where the bathroom was, who later came back to sit down, and both began eating.

I felt anxious and eager, tempted to join the conversation. However, I refrained, expecting more guests soon and needing to be ready. I had given Balin root beer, reminding him to save some for others. Thankfully, he agreed and kept chatting with his brother about their history.

The doorbell rang, and I already went straight for the door to open, ignoring the pain as usual, and was welcomed by twins standing next to each other. It made me remember my sister: 

"Fili," 

"Kili," 

"At your service!" Both of them bowed in sync. I stared at them, and it was the first time I ever felt myself heat up at how good-looking these twins were: 

'They look hotter than the trash outside; I hope I don't have Thorin coming in like in the movie because I couldn't handle the hotness coming from these dwarves... it's no wonder they're related to him.' I thought. 

Kili exploded into an almost goofy smile. "You must be Ms. Lightwood!" Once again, with my fangirl mind wanting to play, I pretended to snap at them: "Sorry! You can't come in; you've got the wrong house." I hurriedly 'tried' closing the door. Immediately, he pushed against it, stepping inside. "Has it been canceled?" "No one told us," Fili says, eyeing me suspiciously. 

It was time to crack the ice, and I chuckled, "Nothing's been canceled. You both are on time. I didn't mean to mess with you both like that. I couldn't resist making a joke." 

He smiles in relief, "That's a relief." 

"For a minute, we thought you were being serious." Fili laughs as we join in the laughter, and it ends shortly after they both look around and nod in approval: "Nice place you got. Did you do it yourself?" Kili asked.

"No, I didn't." I fidget a bit on my fingers out of habit: "The only thing I did was bring the furniture with my mom and sister." I nervously explained as I glanced at every piece of furniture around the living room, where Balin and Dwalin were drinking their root beer without hearing our conversation. "So...this place isn't yours?" Fili asked in a surprised tone.

Noticing their confusion about what I meant, I sighed: "It is, but not exactly... just for the time being, the owner of the entire building owns it. Basically, my mom, my sister, and I are living here because we are homeless." I frowned at the last part and looked down at the ground, worried that they both would, to which they seemed to pick up on this and interpreted it differently: 

"O-oh, no, we didn't mean to ask!" Kili stammers. 

Fili slaps the back of his dark-haired brother and mutters, "By Durin's beard, you're a fool. Now she'll be offended." The brothers both shift uneasily under my sorrowful gaze, but I can't help but feel somewhat relieved that they didn't intend to make me feel bad about my living situation. I took both their gloved hands, ushered them inside, and said: 

I'm not offended in any way," I continued with a sad smile. "Just so you both know, I am all right with it, which is why you can ask me any questions you like... And swear in your beards. You won't mention anything about me being homeless to anyone, understood?"

The Durin twins stare at me with wide eyes in fear at the mention of swearing on their beards part, and they instantly nod in agreement: "Good, now!" I said, "I believe you wanted to hand me your weapons to me, Fili?" Fili hands me his pile of swords in my arms in a matter of seconds, "Careful with these. Just had them sharpened." He said and passed me by, giving me a side wink; I turned pink. 

Before positioning them behind the pink armchair, I paused to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of each weapon in front of me. As I started organizing them attentively, I accidentally cut my left palm. "Ouch," I muttered softly. Kili quickly approached me and asked, "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. I just need to wash my hands carefully before adding some alcohol to disinfect the cut. Nothing serious." 

I smiled before he helped me and led me to the bathroom to wash and disinfect my hands. After this, Kili and Fili smiled when I finished dealing with the cut in my hand. They then turned their attention to the other dwarves: "Come on now, lads. Give us a hand?" Balin asks. "If we don't move it around, we won't be able to fit everyone." 

Watching the dwarves putting every food I cooked (and some takeout food I ordered online), I decided to lend a hand, "Let me give you all a hand; I'm pretty sure more hands will do the trick, no?" "Right you are, Lass!" Balin says; then I lift a box of pizza, to which everyone asked what it was, and I reassured them that it was delicious, and as soon as they all tried it, they enjoyed it and began eating more.

'Good thing I bought four pizza boxes or none of the others will enjoy it.' Honestly, I felt nervous being the only human girl among dwarf-men as we all placed items on the table until the doorbell rang repeatedly.

Upon opening his front door, a stack of Dwarves tumbles out, with the largest at the bottom. They grumble, bicker, and struggle to stand up while tall, recognizable figure peers in from behind. His eyes then looked up at me. Relief washed over me, but I immediately laughed: "Gandalf, you came just in time for supper!"

Everyone was gathered in the cozy living room, trying to grab extra mugs and plates of food from the dining table. While serving some root beer and offering glass cups as alternatives. I was grateful that nobody seemed to mind, as they did not grumble about using glassware instead. I noticed them eyeing the glass cups and wine glasses I had set out for the root beer, showing a hint of curiosity and approval.

"Watch out with the food, everyone," I exclaimed. "Don't spill anything on the floor! Uh, Gloin! Do you need a cheese knife for that?" Bofur joined me. "Cheese knife?" He scoffed. "He eats it by the block!" It was clear to me that everything was genuine and that there was no reason to stop keeping an eye on them. 

On the other hand, Gandalf seemed to be neatly arranging all the seats, and plates of food were perfectly placed on the table. Dori, another one of the dwarves, approached the wizard carrying a tray: "Excuse me, Gandalf, may I tempt you with a cup of chamomile tea?" "Oh, no, thank you, Dori." He politely bowed and declined, "A little red wine for me, I think." 

Before the dwarf leaves the room, he smiles a little. "Uh, perhaps you would like some?" he asks, extending the tray to me. I smile and take one of the small cups. "Yes, thank you." When I took a sip, it tasted terrible, so I instantly went to tell him what was wrong. Knowing how scared I was of how Dori would react to the tea he made, I instantly had to because you don't tell the truth, then you would lie to yourself... which has nothing to do with me being homeless. 

To my surprise, he nodded, and I immediately suggested something to make Dori feel better by telling him about some tea leaves I had in the kitchen that he could try. His spirits lifted, and we both began making tea. Once that was done, I called Nori to taste-test the tea leaves, and he instantly loved it. Time flies, and Dori has just given Gandalf a red wine... How did he bring that drink here? I have no idea, and I don't even want to know. 

I shook my head from thinking about it and sat down with the rest of the company while I began serving myself something to eat. I sat quietly while everyone was loud. Meanwhile, Gandalf counted the dwarves as they passed us by. My eyes followed them back and forth while Gandalf listed them off. "Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Balin and Dwalin...We appear to be one dwarf short."

"A dwarf short? Let me guess, and it's—" I ask, but Dwalin cuts me off and speaks from his lounging place in a nearby corner, "He is late, is all. He traveled North to a meeting of our kin. He will come." Before proceeding with more questions, I announced, "Please feel free to enjoy yourselves and inform me if you require assistance. Please raise your hand." All eyes were fixed on me following my statement, and feeling shy, I glanced downwards. 

Turning my gaze, I noticed Kili's hand raised and acknowledged, "Yes, Kili?"

Kili inquired, "Is that a piano?"

Glancing it from behind me, I return to face the other dwarves' eyes staring right at me: "Yes, it is." I responded, earning him a smile, and told him, "I don't play it anymore, sadly." Bifur then tilted his head, "Why ever not?" 

I shrugged my shoulders in response to his question, "Well, I just... got a bit rusty that I could only play dark-themed ones." Everyone nodded understanding when another hand was raised, and I nodded for the dwarf to speak to my shock. It was Oin, and he began to surprise me with a question: "C-Can I play it?" Oin asked shyly, seemingly speechless about his request to use the piano. 

It was unexpected for him to ask for something so simple, given that he could play it. I was concerned that it might deepen his shyness, but I smiled softly and said, "Go ahead and show me what you can play." Oin's eyes sparkled, and he rushed to the piano to play a piece of beautiful music; while he played, I couldn't help but admire his talent and feel jealous. After that, we all applauded him and got back to eating. 

Bofur, with a mouth full of food, called out to his brother down the table, "Bombur, catch!"

The round red-haired dwarf quickly catches the sliced mushroom meat in his mouth and lifts his fist in triumph. The dwarves got in an uproar of cheers, pounding the tables and laughing; I also scolded them a bit that my wooden table was covered in glass, to which they all apologized as they continued to pound their fists on it but a bit gently. Everyone was having a great time, myself included.

"Bottoms up, boys!" Fili exclaims, and they all tilt up their mugs, practically inhaling the root beer as I do the same by joining in the fun. Slamming our mugs on the table, the dwarves release their belches individually. Chuckling and pointing at who can belch the loudest. Ori, however, takes the cake, giving the loudest and longest burp.

Then, it was my turn to do it. After I burped the longest one, the others widened their eyes before we cheered again. This is so much fun! After eating and laughing with the dwarves, it was time to clean the dishes, where things got interesting. Taking my plate into the kitchen, Fili offered assistance with the dishes as we walked past Bifur, who was leaning against the fridge. 

Beginning to clean my plate, I inquired, "May I ask, have you ever visited Erebor?" Fili briefly stopped scrubbing his plate, his smile fading into a frown: "Unfortunately, no." He added, "Kili and I grew up listening to tales from our uncle and mother, recounting Erebor's past splendor. That's why we've come here, to witness Erebor reclaim its former glory once we defeat the dragon."

I nodded in interest, "Do you know any dark stories about what Smaug did?" I wanted to murder myself for asking two personal questions in a row, as the thought of him having the chance to end me for my stupid straightforwardness possibly caused my mind to race. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ask something that dark!" And as if reading my mind, Fili tells me, "It's alright." He gave me a sad smile. "You're curious like we were at your home earlier, and we must call it even if I do...It's best to hear it from our uncle or Balin." As we continued scrubbing our plates, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt rising in my throat. Just then, Kili poked his head into the kitchen. "Hey, guys! What's going on?" He asked.

"Just chatting about why we wanted to join the journey," he said, winking at me. Kili looks up at me, smiling: "Oh? Then it's okay if I asked you something about you?" 

"What about me? On what?" I raise an eyebrow by handing Fili the soap dishes and cups to rinse. 

"What is a cute human doing amongst dwarves and Wizard?" The sour mood has disappeared, brightening the kitchen as I flash a bright smile, "Well, in truth, I always wanted to travel. Ever since I was little, my mom said she'd take us (my sister and me) to Ireland, where we can explore anywhere we want together..." I continued cleaning the dishes, and both the twins' eyes looked back at me as if they wanted me to continue the conversation. 

I met their gazes, and both turned around, which caused me to smile at how adorable they acted together. Kili asked in confusion: "What's Ireland?" "And where is that?" Bofur chips in. This is where I began telling them that I chuckled, "It's a beautiful place where the mountains and fields are green, and the people are warm and friendly." Kili and Bofur listened intently, their eyes widening with curiosity as I painted pictures with my words. 

I could see the sparkle ignite in their eyes as Ireland mesmerized them. I told them some stories that I knew of, including the rolling hills, ancient castles, and the homemade ale that tasted sweet, but then I frowned: "But sadly, my mom's promise became old, and I never got the chance to travel there, so we were stuck in one place. Until Gandalf came to invite me to join. I'm happy he did, or I wouldn't get to meet you guys."

This made them smile warmly at my words before silently patting me over the back. I returned to cleaning the dishes only to find out that the twins began tugging on a string of sausages back and forth like children: " Kili—Fili—Please don't do that. If not, you both will get hurt!" I had just finished cleaning half the dishes and was already worried about them, so I entered my mother-mode state.

If not for Gandalf, who entered the kitchen just now, I would be reaching for the scissors to cut the string immediately so the twins don't argue over a small thing of sausages: "My dear, Amelia. What is the matter?" "Not much." I lowered my voice for him to hear me and whispered, "I just feel like I'm about to have a heart attack if the twins don't stop fighting over something so small that I might slap the back of their heads." 

Gandalf seems amused at my reaction while he watches them; he smiles, looking back down at me, "They're quite a merry gathering once you get used to them." "True. I just wished my sister and mom could meet them..." I stare down in sadness, only for Gandalf to lead me somewhere quiet in the small hallways between my shared room and my mom's room: "I know, but they aren't chosen like you are, Amelia." 

He informs me, "You are exceptional in mind and heart; Nothing else is as crucial as avoiding stagnation. You should heed your instincts and pursue the route that aligns with your ambitions. Disregard the opinions of others, no matter what." Just as I was about to respond to his profound advice, Ori cut in and came to me, lightly tapping my shoulder:

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?" Fili asks, taking the plate: "Here you go, Ori, pass it to me." Suddenly, he tossed the plate near my ear in slow motion; I almost panicked but soon realized the dwarves' skill in not dropping dishes. As it neared me, I caught it and threw the plate to Kili at the kitchen door. 

Kili hurled the dish into the room, and in shock at what I did, he cheerfully said: "Nice catch!" "Thanks! But be careful NOT throwing it in my direction, or I will be hit unconscious!" I playfully scolded him, "Will do!" He continues hurling the dishes to where Bifur is suddenly standing at the sink, skillfully catching and placing the dishes neatly. I stared in awe before I quickly asked Ori if he could use the piano to play some music; he took the hint and dashed toward it by playing it.

Which gave me time to ask Gandalf if he could tell Bifur in sign language that he wanted me to help wash the dishes, who nods and we both began cleaning them to the beat of the music: 'In the name of Vahalla, let this moment never end!' I thought, wishing myself not to cry right now before the rest continued throwing all the plates from the living room to the kitchen. 

The beating and scraping erupt from the dining room, and I peek in to see Bofur and Gloin sit at the table with the silverware, pounding it on the glass, placing it on the hardwood surfaces, and then scraping it together: "Can you guys, try not to blunt them?" "Do you hear that, lads? She says we can't blunt the knives." Now, THIS is where it begins!

" '𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴' " Sang Kili before throwing the plates, only for Fili to catch them with his elbows. Who also joined in, as I did with the rest of the dwarves, start singing the best part of the song:

" '𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴,' " " '𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘢𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴—that's what Amelia hates!' " I laughed and pretended to be offended when they ignored me and were led away from the sink, "Excuse me, but I don't hate it! Just be careful!" Kili then took me by the hand and asked, "No worries. Do we know how to be careful and care for a dance?" 

I responded, "Why, of course, laddie!" Witnessing his blush as we danced joyfully with laughter was endearing. I asked Bifur if he could take over, receiving a brisk nod. As I started squealing with excitement, my inner fangirl emerged, and I eagerly joined the song for pure enjoyment: 

" '𝘊𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩, 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘵! 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘵! 𝘗𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘰𝘳! 𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳! 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘭, 𝘗𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘦! 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭!' "

As everyone was having a great time dancing and singing, I was lifted and leaping onto the table to join the dance. Unfortunately, I tripped (brought to you by my injured ankle) and fell onto Kili. I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I quickly apologized for accidentally falling on him due to my weight. To my relief, he blushed as well and kindly forgave me, assuring me that everything was okay. 

After that minor mishap, I was gently placed back on the floor and continued dancing with the group. Bofur then took out his flute, enhanced the melody, and danced on the table as dishes flew around: " 'That's what Amelia HATES!' "

I stopped dancing and rushed to the kitchen to check if nothing had shattered. That's when I noticed the stacked sparkling dried dishes neatly back inside the kitchen cupboards without anything broken, and garbage was filled with ripped pizza boxes and plastic containers. Gandalf and the dwarves laughed, examining my expression, knowing how much the "throwing the dishes" part had made me shake my head and chuckle at how good they had gotten me. 

The laughter and banter quickly faded as loud knocks resonated through the apartment. Tension became palpable, and all eyes were fixed on me as the sound came from the door. I may have felt nervous if I had been frightened, but it was HIM. I was prepared to confront whatever lay ahead. 

'Listen up, Amelia! Show no fear. I've watched the Hobbit movies so many times that I can count and read every fanfic that could relate to the READER in the Hobbit fanfic. So, I won't let anyone intimidate me... but why am I nervous?!?'

"He's here..." Gandalf whispered while nervously smoking his pipe and motioning me to answer it. I snapped out of my thoughts, slowly complying and fixed myself before I walked over to the door, and as soon as I did...

I was met with the most beautiful icy blue eyes, and HE was on my doorstep.