Compression
By CBlue @corancoranthemagicalman
On Archive of Our Own
Status: Complete; Oneshot; 35,808 words
Summary: “Well, of course!” Master Baggins spoke his observations in such a factual manner. “Handsome beards on the line of Durin indeed. Surely, I’d only look all the more foolish sitting next to you.” Thorin blinked and felt heat rush up beneath his cheeks. Prayed to Mahal that his humble beard might survive the sudden praise. For again, he had always wished that Master Baggins might find him attractive in spite of his less than suitable beard, but here was Master Baggins ever the Unexpected. And here he was dolling out such lovely compliments. “Not his beard,” Dwalin let out with a mirthful scoff. “It’s not any better than Kíli’s.” “Oh, nonsense!” Master Baggins furrowed his brow. “You mean to tell me that you dwarves consider it unattractive to groom one’s beard so short?”
My thoughts: Love how different standards of beauty come into play here. I love cultural disconnects/differences.
