Fic : Of Dwarves and Braids, in Rivendell.
Title : Of Dwarves and Braids, in Rivendell.
Fandom : The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey.
Rating : Gen, all the way, no kissing even.
Pairing : Hint at eventual Bilbo/Bofur
Summary : They take a well-earned respite in Rivendell, and once it really sinks in that they are safe, well there is a few casual problems to take care of - and Bilbo ends up learning how to do basic braids.
Was for a Hobbit-Kink meme prompt fill, about Bofur unbraiding his hair and Bilbo enjoying the loose hair.
It's not QUITE what the OP asked for, but it's close enough ? Since it was a kink-meme fill, Anonymous Comments are Allowed.
I accidentally deleted the previous entry while cleaning up my journal! (So I'd like to thank the anons who had commented on it).
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They had all settled down in companionable silence, full from eating the delicious feast the elves had made, despite all the ‘’green food’’ that Ori had (repeatedly) complained about yet seemed to make Bifur happy - well, Bilbo amended in his private thoughts, as happy as Bifur could look.
The moon was rising steadily, but they were all still winded up from their adventure - it was hard to calm down after so much ''excitement''. Bilbo couldn’t say he was complaining to be able to spend a few days with no dangers, no wet mud, a soft bed with pillows, and Lord Elrond’s gracious permission to consult his libraries.
Nori, Dori, Bifur and Bofur had opted to smoke their pipes. Orì, for his part, was scribbling down furiously in his book, close to the fire so he could see what he was writing. Dwalin, Oìn, and Gloìn were sharpening their weapons, and Bilbo wondered if Dwalin would ever look something other than grim. Bombur was snoring already, slumped down on his back next to Bofur. Not exactly surprising, as the dwarf had seemingly eaten his own weight in food...
Balin was talking quietly to Thorin, just a little out of reach - Thorin who looked to be brooding over something as usual. He felt bad for Thorin, seemingly unable to enjoy comfort because it was provided by elves. For his part, he thought they were a fairly decent folk - if a little haughty (must come with age, he thought).
Kilì was busy redoing his brother’s braids, who himself was busy inspecting... something. He couldn’t exactly make out what, since he was turned away from the fire, but he could bet it had been pilfered from the elves, and the brothers would soon enough start tittering and giggling among themselves about it. They were so light-hearted, like mischievous children (Kili was the youngest dwarf among them, from what he had understood), seeing them tended to make him feel better, like he wasn’t so far away from the Shire, after all.
Bilbo himself was sitting back in one of the elves’ chairs, smoking his Longbottom leaf to calm himself down. Gandalf had wandered off somewhere - he seemed to know the elves here, he was probably catching up.
In front of the fire, Bifur said something quietly in Khudzul to Bofur, and whacked his cousin’s head gently, (intentionally?) making his hat tip forward.
''Aye, a right mess they are.'' Bofur replied, bringing up a hand to fix his hat, in a matter-of-fact way.
Bilbo himself though, missing half the conversation, wondered what that was about; ''What's a right mess, that is, if you don't mind my asking? You don’t have to say, if you don’t wish to, Master Bofur.'' He fiddled with his pipe a bit, nervous, coming to sit next to Bifur (as Bombur was snoozing next to Bofur).
Bofur gave him a smile; ''Just my braids, Master Baggins. See? Worse than a bird's nest. I'll have to fix them before we leave.'' And he was right - after the latest dangers they had to face, Bofur’s braids had started to come undone, with hair sticking out at random intervals, twining with itself, etc.
And before Bilbo could reply anything to that, Bifur gave him a slap on the shoulder that made him stumble forward, mumbling something in Khudzul again that had Bofur's cheek redden - or maybe it was just that he was sitting too close to that fire. Bilbo had, of course, no idea what Bifur had just said or why the older dwarf had given him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
Bilbo supposed the state of Bofur’s braids were because his were larger than most of the other members’ of the Company. Or maybe because he didn’t have metal clasps, unlike the others. He seemed to have really thick hair - Bilbo started to wonder how it would feel between his fingers, if it would be coarse or soft... and stopped that thought right there.
While he had been thinking about Bofur’s hair, said dwarf had started bickering with Bifur, until he finally conceded something (this was getting increasingly frustrating, not understanding dwarvish) and first removed his hat, then set about undoing his braids - cursing, because they were now full of knots.
‘’I... hum. That is. I could... help? I mean, it’d be easier since you can’t really see... I must have a comb somewhere, I’m sure, if you want I mean.’’ he mumbled, foraging in his bag, then stopping abruptly because he felt foolish - as if Bofur needed help with his hair, like a little girl, of course he wouldn’t want help ! That, and a great many dwarves were now looking at him as if he’d grown a second head. Thorin had a little frown, and turned away back to Balin, who himself had a little secret smile - it seemed Balin always knew something nobody else did.
Then Bofur answered, giving a kind smile that was quickly becoming something that warmed him up from the inside; ‘’Sure Master Bilbo, I could use the help.’’
Bifur gave a little snort and shoved both of them away, and whatever was that for? He was about to ask when Bofur reminded him of his comb, and went to sit in front of the chair Bilbo had been previously occupying - it was little further from the fire, but not so far as there wouldn’t be enough light for Bilbo to, oh god, braid his hair. He couldn’t believe he’d actually suggested this.
Kìli had either stopped or was done with his brother’s hair, because the pair was now watching them with thinly veiled curiosity, although when he met their gazes, they pretended to be looking at whatever had been in Fili’s hand previously; He suspected it was a decoration of sorts - the elves seemed prone to decorate their houses with elaborated and very beautiful knick-knacks. Thorin most likely hadn’t noticed or there would have been some serious scolding.
He didn’t really understand why, because after all, Kili did his brother’s hair a lot. Actually he’d seen, at one moment or another, all the dwarves helping each other with their hair when it came undone. Maybe it was because he wasn’t a dwarf, or because he wasn’t family - but Bombur was out for the count and Bifur didn’t seem too keen on helping, having stopped smoking his pipe to... Was he roasting a cabbage again? Bilbo was starting to consider trying it out.
Now, now, he had been lost in thought and Bofur was looking at him quizzically, and he brandished the comb to show he had found it, and he hurried to sit in his chair, and set about untangling this ‘’bird’s nest’’ as Bofur had called it. This was rather ... strange (he thought this might be as good a word as any for it) : seeing Bofur’s loose hair, the one who was never without his hat firmly set on the top of his, which was now sitting in his lap.
The Company eventually lost interest, and he didn’t understand why it had been interesting in the first place, and he just silently and carefully untangled the knots, occasionally apologizing under his breath when he thought he pulled too hard or anything. Bofur’s hair was a little brittle, all these days on the road with little care he supposed (and always braided to boot), but he found he rather liked it anyway (then promptly wanted to smack his palm in his face).
He was pretty sure he was blushing now. As he was passing his fingers through the hair, checking for any leftover knots of course, Bofur made a murmur of contentment and tilted his head forward. Bilbo realised this probably felt a bit like a head massage, and well, he supposed it couldn’t hurt to continue a for a bit; pleased to be able to do something for Bofur.
The other dwarf had been always kind to him, even if his attempt to be helpful had more often than not gone awry. He shuddered to think of a furnace with wings - that was an image that was branded in his mind. Bofur had also been the one to grab him when the elves had arrived, pushing the hobbit so he would be safely behind him.
So he continued for a bit, and then he realized he had no idea how to make braids.
But saying so would have been rather embarrassing and well, Bofur was pretty much sitting there humming contentedly under his breath - what a cheery fellow, he thought fondly. The hobbit just didn’t have the heart (or the will, treacherous will) to tell him he had no idea what he was doing, meaning Bofur would have to open his eyes and move. So he tried anyway.
He separated Bofur’s hair in two, then was about to divide again one part in two when he figured that this probably wasn’t it. Then a thought occurred to him - it was probably just like making rope, he didn’t exactly remember how (it didn’t seem important at the time) but it was better than nothing.
Well, let’s just say that the result didn’t quite look like Bofur’s original braid. He thought it was probably best to redo it then, and so intent was he on his braiding, that he never noticed Bofur’s light chuckle, or the Company’s occasionally furtive assessing looks.
You see, what Bilbo didn’t know, was that his initial assumption about braiding being a family thing was correct. For someone who was not a member of the family to suggest doing the braids, well, it was a signification of romantic interest.
Bofur, who was wiser than his tendency to run his mouth off might imply, had a feeling that it probably wasn’t like that for the hobbits - for one, they didn’t have braids. He figured Bilbo’s hairstyle was probably the norm (and in that, though he couldn’t verify it, he was not wrong).
But still, he quite enjoyed it, for the gesture had been a friendly one and he had taken it in the spirit it had been offered, scolding himself in his mind when he began to forget it wasn’t a tentative offer of romance.
He knew the hobbit didn’t have a clue what he was doing - his fingers were clumsy while trying to braid, but he never pulled (the lad probably hadn’t figured how tight to make the braid yet) and it was rather soothing to have someone braid his hair now that it was free of tangles - it rather reminded him of how his mother used to do this. He even found himself drifting off, head tilting to the side.
A sharp pull brought him back his awareness, and he had probably jolted - Bilbo apologized profusely, but quietly. Good - his braid would be solid, at least, that’s what he hoped. Because indeed, Bilbo had observed how tightly twined the dwarves’ braids were, and was set on imitating them, after a good lot of miserable attempts.
Fili and Kili were stifling their giggles once more, only to be interrupted by Thorin’s elbow in their ribs (for the Prince had settled down in front of the fire next to them) and apparently some time had passed, for some dwarves, chiefly Balin, Oin and Dori, seemed to be off to bed.
Bilbo waved them back good night, and stiffened when Bifur came next to him - inspecting his handiwork. He grunted, then took his cousin’s hair, and very slowly, deliberately, showed Bilbo how it was done, before undoing the few demonstration twines again. The older dwarf once again gave a hearty slap to Bilbo’s shoulder before going off, presumably to bed as well.
To be honest, that had surprised Bofur. His old-fashioned, slightly ‘’eccentric ‘’ cousin (having an axe stuck in the head could make one ‘’eccentric’’) apparently approved of a hobbit as a potential romantic suitor, enough to show him how it was done instead of shoving him away.
Eventually, one braid was done to Bilbo’s satisfaction, and he lightly nudged Bofur’s head to tilt on the other side. At this point, Bofur’s eyes were once again closing on their own, and he settled his head lightly on the hobbit’s thigh - waiting for a reaction.
To say Bilbo hadn’t expected that was an understatement, but he only lightly twitched in his seat. It was getting rather late after all, he couldn’t blame Bofur for being sleepy and laying his head down, because his pitiful attempt to braid had taken very much longer than if anybody else had done it. Why Bifur hadn’t just done it instead of showing him how it was done was beyond him, but he was thankful to the dwarf for it. The second braid took considerably less time.
He nudged Bofur when he was done, and they were almost the last ones remaining, all having gone to bed except Thorin, Fili and Kili (still watching them with thinly veiled interest), and Bombur was still snoring on the floor.
‘’I am so, so sorry it took so long. You must be exhausted. And the end result is well... I dare say I can’t understand why Bifur allowed me to do them - he should have done them in my stead, I’m sure they would have... been much better. And taken but a minute of his time.’’ Bilbo said, apologetically. ‘’It would probably best to ask Bombur to redo them tomorrow, but I hope they’ll at least be suitable for tonight.’’ He babbled a bit, suddenly nervous.
Well that... had sounded rather differently in his head. ‘Suitable for tonight’?
Oh, Kili and Fili could laugh at him alright, he was feeling right embarrassed.
Bofur had gotten up, fingers tugging at his braids to test them, running along the length to check. ‘’Well, they look just fine, Master Bilbo. Do not worry so much about it. I do believe you don’t have as much practice as dwarves, do you ?’’ And with that he turned to Fili and Kili; ‘’I do believe somebody told me you made right awful braids into your brother’s hair at first, Kili.’’
Even Thorin had a ghost of a smile at that, and Kili promptly stopped snickering. Fili, though, was now snickering at his brother instead. ‘’I think we’d be best off to bed now, Kili. Good night Uncle. Master Bofur. Master Bilbo.’’ And with a tilt of the head, they both rose as one, heading off to their room (they had requested one bedroom with two beds).
‘’I do believe my nephews have a good idea for once. Good night, Bofur. Master Hobbit.’’ And the Prince headed off, behind his nephews.
Which now left Bilbo and Bofur standing alone, and well, Bombur - Speaking of which, Bofur was now taking the time to tuck his brother in, covering him with his own coat, before dousing the fire. ‘’It’s not like it is cold here - he’ll be fine. We’ve slept in worst places, haven’t we.’’
Bilbo could only nod to that. But then he decided to ask, well he technically already had, but still; ‘’Why did Master Bifur show me how to braid your hair? I mean, why not shove me away and doing it himself. That, I would have expected.’’
Bofur had a sad little smile for a moment, which confused Bilbo, before he added with his usual cheer; ‘’Because, you see lad, he’s the one who suggested it - no really. ‘If the halfling is concerned about your hair, he should give you a hand with it’ he said. Must’a been quite a shock to him that you actually did it.’’
Bilbo chucked weakly; ‘’I may have surprised myself with that one too. I also don’t understand why it was so... fascinating, I suppose, for the others ? I swear they all looked at me as if I had grown a second head. Was it too forward? Or maybe I have come off as... unsociable? I hope not, for I am very sociable, I’ll have you know.’’
Bilbo clapped his hand around his shoulders, as he directed them toward the corridor that would lead them to their respective bedrooms. ‘’Worry not about it, Master Bilbo. You probably surprised them, is all. Or it’s because I removed my hat, who knows. Again, do not worry, it wasn’t too forward, and I appreciated the offer in the spirit of friendship it was given. So thank you for doing my braids, might have been harder on my own.’’ He answered, with a little enigmatic smile at ‘’friendship’’.
They were at Bilbo’s door, and as he was about to go in, he lightly thumbed the tip of Bofur’s braids; ‘’It looked hum... different. With your hair loose I mean. ‘’ Well that was a little embarrassing to blurt out - what was going on with himself ? ‘’And, yes, I do believe that is the first time I have seen the top of your head. From a pretty close vantage point to boot.’’ He replied jokingly.
‘’Well, Master Bilbo-‘’
‘’Just Bilbo. If I can call you just Bofur.’’ The hobbit cut him off nervously.
Bofur was quiet for a beat, the hobbit always was so polite, and now was asking for a first name basis. If Bofur hadn’t known better, because this was a hobbit and not a dwarf, he might have thought Bilbo really was starting to court him. And well, if he was honest with himself, it wouldn’t have been unwelcomed. No, not unwelcomed at all.
‘’Then, Bilbo, I’d like to say I think you did good work for a first timer at braiding. But it is getting late, so I will bid you good night, and see you in the morn.’’ The dwarf said quietly, with a little smile.
‘’Good night then, Bofur.’’ He had a feeling, that with his heart warmed like that, he would sleep well, even if he hadn’t been in comfortable Rivendell.