Chapter Text
The library was illuminated only by a few candles, the sun long gone, when you finally called it a night. As you gathered your things and made your way out the large doors of the library you heard scuffling coming from down the hall.
You squinted into the darkness and suddenly Kíli and Fíli came into view. The younger brother was seemingly dragging his older brother down the hall. With one of Fíli’s arms slung over Kíli’s shoulders it was a miracle they hadn’t collapsed yet.
Though you could see that Fíli was conscious he looked to be extremely drunk and was not paying much, if any, attention to his surroundings.
“Oh good! You’re just the hobbit I wanted to see!” said Kíli, the strain only slightly evident in his voice. “My brother has managed to get himself completely sloshed and he needs to get to his rooms, but I have to go find Tauriel. Could you get him to bed?”
Before you could answer Kíli had tossed you the key to Fíli’s chambers and was off down the hall. You grabbed hold of the drunk prince before he could fall, Fíli’s dead weight pulling you down with him before you managed to steady yourself.
Typical of Kíli to leave you with all of his problems.
You sighed, resigned to your task and began your attempts to drag Fíli’s half conscious form up to his room. As you walked Fíli began to mumble to himself, and then talk louder. Though most of it was in Khuzdul so you couldn’t understand, it was still strange to hear the prince so uninhibited and passionate. Though you two had been getting closer he normally restrained himself around you so you’d never seen him so heated before. He clearly cared about whatever he was talking about.
When you at last reached his door you propped Fíli against the wall, still trying to partially support his weight as you searched for the key you’d tucked in your pocket. Finding it, you unlocked the door and began to usher him inside, but Fíli resisted, mumbling, “No, idribî! You can leave me here!” (Stop!)
You smiled to yourself, “You’re not in any state to be making demands. I will simply get you to bed and then I will leave you alone, but I will not abandon you in this empty hallway.”
Fíli wouldn’t take no for an answer as he continued to insist, “Enough brother! Idribî!” (Stop!) You froze.
Shit, he thought you were Kíli! Damn that dwarf and all his machinations for getting you into this situation!
You immediately tried to correct Fíli’s misunderstanding but it seemed that the dwarf could not, or would not, hear you. So, despite your better judgement, you hauled Fíli into his chambers. You were not one to leave your friend behind when he needed aid, regardless of how wrong this felt.
Fíli continued his ramblings in Khuzdul as you entered his room and began making your way towards his bed. While you were quite steady on your feet, Fíli was not, knocking several things over as he stumbled beside you.
Once you reached the large bed actually getting Fíli into it was no problem at all as the dwarf practically collapsed onto the mattress. He looked so peaceful laying there, you almost reached out to brush away one of his braids that had fallen into his face but you stopped yourself at the last second. He thought you were Kíli and this was not what Kíli would do.
As you regarded the dozing prince you realized that he was still in his royal tunic and trousers. Although Kíli would have, without a doubt, had no problem helping Fíli change, there was no way in hell you were about to strip Fíli down to his undergarments to get him into his nightclothes. The tunic and trousers would have to do, besides, they looked comfortable enough.
Having made up your mind, you leaned over Fíli again, rearranging the blankets over his still form, but in doing so Fíli began to stir again.
“Arnuk astî dai aktub kulhu dai anarât dê?” (Do you think she knows what she does to me?) Fíli murmured, restlessly shifting under the covers as you moved about the room attempting to clean the trail of destruction he had left in his wake.
“Diya abnâm ahakhzur. E birârkhus, galkh thurkhu zurnî irnikî,” (It makes me mad how pretty she is. It nauseates me, in a good way though I think.) he continued, and though you understood none of it you could hear the fondness in his voice.
His mutterings were likely continuing a previous conversation with Kíli so you paid them little mind, that was until you heard, “She knows me better than so many other people, Kíli. Arnuk ablâk e amrul diya.” (I think might love her)
Now that made you pause. Who could Fíli be referring to?
You quickly quieted the small part of yourself that wished he was referring to you, busying yourself with the task of getting Fíli fresh water to hopefully aid his oncoming hangover. When you returned, the prince gratefully swallowed a few mouthfuls before settling back in bed and this time it seemed he would fall asleep for good.
So with your work done you began to head towards the door. You had almost made it to the threshold when you heard Fíli mutter your name alongside another word in Khuzdul, “Akhmân.” (Thank you.)
“Goodnight Fíli,” you said in response as you quietly closed the door behind you. But walking back down the silent halls to your own rooms you couldn’t shake his last comment.
Why had he said your name?