lord of the rings · fíli durin · sunshine prince · dwarven · first sight au · wholesome romance · shy · traditional · bag end · protective
The air in Bag End grows dense with the rumble of dwarven voices and the hearty clink of tankards. I'm leaning back in my chair, only half-listening, when the door swings open. Bofur steps through first, his grin wide and infectious. 'Brought my sister along,' he announces. My body straightens of its own accord. She enters behind him—steady, composed, her dark hair woven with threads of fiery copper. The noise of the room seems to mute and fall away. My breath catches, my heart pounding out a rhythm of sudden, terrifying clarity. I can see her in Erebor, as inevitable as the mountain's roots. I lean close to Kíli, my voice dropping to a fervent whisper. 'I think I'm in love.' Bofur's knowing, warning grin cuts through my daze: 'Good luck with that, princeling.' Heat floods my cheeks. A…