#kheledis

Kheledis belongs to @elgaladwen and Rodling to @tugillion

Also here are some of Osdrid's favorite mug:

A Hangover

Kheledis awoke with a splitting headache. It was not something she was unused to, for after being liberated from Mordor, she'd been drunk more often than not for a while, but lately she'd been better about such. Though she wasn't trying to dull her pain and memories as she had in the past, there was still something alluring about that alcoholic haze where she wasn't as afraid to talk, or smile. She felt as if there were a certain level that made her a better fighter, too, for she was less careful, and gave it her all- She suddenly remembered tossing Rodling across the room, and she winced. How were hobbits so light and delicate? Perhaps it didn't really make her a better fighter. Rodling was fine, though, perhaps hobbits were sturdy after all? Thank goodness!

She hadn't really meant to drink so much, but the hobbits of Yondershire had so many homebrews and pubs, and even some brews she knew from elsewhere, so she had started quite early. That and being around Osdrid all day made her nervous. Not in a bad way, yet she was so afraid she'd say or do something stupid, that she found it easier to have a mug in hand, and to drink rather than speak. Yet she'd managed to drink so much that she'd made a fool of herself anyway! Would Osdrid and Rodling still think she was fit to protect their caravan at this point?

She groaned and rolled over, thankful for the bed in the inn room they'd rented, even if she generally preferred sleeping outside when traveling, with the wide sky above her, and the smell of grass and leaves around her, something she'd only gotten to experience since she started her new life.

"Awake now, sleepyhead?" Came a voice nearby, one that she recognized right away, causing her heart to flutter as she sat up in alarm, head pounding. Osdrid was seated in a chair beside her bed, with a book in his lap, looking fresh, cheerful, and quite handsome- The opposite of how she likely looked.

"H-how long have you been here?" She managed to rasp out, her mouth dry, and eyes wide.

"Well," Osdrid said, gently closing the book. "I made sure you were tucked in comfortably last night, and I came back this morning to see how you were, and bring you this." He gestured to a small, steaming pot of coffee and cup upon the nightstand, that smelled amazing, and Kheledis felt her heart melting, sure as a sugar cube would in her cup.

"You, uh, didn't have to… And after how I acted…" Her voice was so quiet that Osdrid had to lean forward a little to hear, as Kheledis added. "Thank you."

"How you acted? You mean tossing Rodling? He'll be ok, his ego needed it!" Osdrid answered jovially, though he added more quietly, "If you mean falling asleep on me, well, that wasn't so bad, and we got you to bed safe and sound." She could see his cheeks were a little pink as he added quickly, "What are friends for, after all?"

Kheledis noticed he hadn't mentioned letting their hands rest atop one another's as they had sat in the booth, but she secretly thought that that hadn't been so bad either.

Osdrid reached over and poured some of the coffee into the cup, commenting, "Now it might taste a little off, since there are some herbs in there to help you feel better. Rodling swears by them after a night of drinking! But it shouldn't be so much that you don't enjoy the coffee."

Kheledis felt tears pricking at her eyes. No one had ever taken care of her like this before! If she was braver, she'd jump up and hug Osdrid, yet it was probably good she wasn't brave in that way, for she was sure she smelled awful and needed a bath. "Thank you." She finally managed to murmur, a little huskily. "You are so kind."

"Oh pah." Uttered Osdrid, as Kheledis reached to take the cup. "Wouldn't want you to be out of commission all day!"

Kheledis carefully took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her, and she could not help but smile at her companion as she lowered the cup again. "I think this will make me feel like myself again." She said softly, appreciating the pink color that had yet to fade from Osdrid's cheeks.

"You have a nice smile." He whispered to her, and her own cheeks swam with heat.

"So do you!" She blurted awkwardly in return, before taking a large gulp of her coffee to hide her face. When she peeked back at Osdrid, he was indeed smiling upon her, and she felt as if her heart were melting further.

Embarrassed, she tried to change the subject quickly, gaze falling to the book that still sat in his lap. "What were you reading?"

He smiled more and held up the cover, and Kheledis started to panic, only recognizing a few of the letters in the title, until she saw there was a picture of some sort of cake on the front. A cookbook, it must be! "Oh a cookbook! Is there anything good within?"

Osdrid gave her a strange look, and replied, "Aye, there are some recipes mixed in. I might try to make one or two when we're back home."

Kheledis looked down shyly. "I bet they'll be wonderful."

Chuckling good-naturedly, Osdrid uttered, "You can be the first to try them!"

They sat in companionable silence after that, as Kheledis finished her coffee, feeling much improved by the time she was done. "Your coffee here would have saved me many wasted mornings in the past. It seems to be magic!"

Osdrid leaned toward her, patting her hand. "You know where to get more, should you ever need it."

They looked into one another's eyes, faces not far apart, and though Kheledis had thought it was something she'd never care for, she suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to close the distance between them, and kiss this dwarf who stirred her heart so.

Instead, she pulled back, speaking quickly, "I should bathe, I must be a right mess!"

She looked back up in time to see a look of fleeting disappointment cross Osdrid's features, and she added, "Would you… Like to do something after? If you're not busy I mean, I know you've spent all morning here-"

Osdrid cut her nervous rambling off gently. "I would love to. In fact, I'll go get us something to eat, and come back, then we can decide what to do."

Kheledis smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you, Osdrid."

He gave a bow, and left the room, his book and jacket still on the chair.

Kheledis bathed quickly in the room's small washtub, the water long gone cold, but it was clean, so she minded not. It felt good to wash off the sweat and grime of the previous day and fitful night, and she even combed clove scented oil into her hair and beard, hoping to look and smell good for Osdrid. She dressed quickly, selecting a long tunic over tight trousers, and before she began to braid her hair or beard, she wandered over to the chair, picking up Osdrid's jacket reverently. She loved how he dressed, even if she also wished to see him in his Hobnanigans uniform more often, sweaty and sleeveless. She brought the jacket to her nose, breathing in the smell of him. Baked goods and coffee, and something else she couldn't describe. It made her feel safe and warm…

Just then there was a knock at the door, and she let the jacket drop back to the chair, realizing how creepy she'd look if he saw her sniffing it. "Come in!" She called out, as she rushed to open the door, revealing Osdrid himself, carrying a tray with two cinnamon buns, and more coffee.

"These are from a local bakery, and I dare say they're as good as ours, and they've bought some bags of our own beans to brew!"

Kheledis was excited for them, for she knew they hoped to have their coffee more widely distributed. "That is wonderful!"

She watched Osdrid set the tray on the bed, then straighten to look at her, taking in her yet unbraided hair and beard, and suddenly she was nervous again.

"Do you.. Do you need help braiding your beard?" Osdrid asked in a whisper, his face turning that lovely shade of pink.

Kheledis stepped closer to him. "Can you do it the way you do your hair? I love your hair."

In response, Osdrid reached up and pulled off his cap, letting it fall to the floor. "Of course!"

Kheledis lifted her hand and let her fingers flutter over his thick braids, admiring them in the late morning light from the window, and she smiled to herself as Osdrid closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. Encouraged, she let her hand slide down his temple to his cheek, and finally to his jaw, fingers carefully running through his own beard now. "So soft…" she whispered, knowing her own cheeks were pink as his.

She felt giddy, never imagining she'd do something like this without being drunk, yet she was glad she wasn't, for she wanted to experience the moment fully.

Finally she lowered her hand, only to find Osdrid's now lifting to her beard, beginning to braid, his face aglow with a blush and a smile.

Osdrid was nearly done braiding by the time Kheledis worked up the courage to kiss his cheek as a thank you. Surely that wouldn't be too forward, friends sometimes kissed one another on the cheek after all! As he secured the last bead, she beamed at him, leaning closer-

A voice called out, "Hullo! There you both are! Oh, was I interrupting something?" Rodling wandered into the room, looking up at them appraisingly, before shrugging, and going to the bed, where he picked up one of the cinnamon buns. "You could have closed the door, you know." He added with a wink, before taking a bite.

Kheledis quickly took a step back from Osdrid, hoping she hadn't made them appear indecent. "Osdrid was just helping me with my braids! He's so good at it!"

"Uh huh." Answered Rodling with his mouth full, looking at them knowingly.

Coffee and Company

Kheledis rushed through Thorin's Gate, headed toward the neighborhood and shops, feeling overheated and sweaty even in the chill mountain air. Normally, she'd have stopped by her lodgings first to bathe quickly, for she hated the idea that she might seem gross or unkempt to her friends… Well, really Osdrid, but her shift had gone late today, and how would she see them… Osdrid, if she stopped to change and bathe?

She had taken to working in the nearby mines again, rather than going off with caravans, because she really didn't like being away from Osdrid for weeks at a time, especially since their trip to Yondershire. It had felt so very good to see and talk to him each day, and she did very much enjoy Rodling's company too, even if not for the same reasons. The work was hard, and paid less, but to her it was worth it, for she was able to visit the shop nearly every day, and in the evening, Osdrid always had a hot, soothing drink awaiting her when she'd stop by. She often would stay and help close up, so that she could have an excuse to talk to him more, and though Osdrid always tried to politely refuse her help, she could tell he enjoyed her company too.

Breathless, she reached the door of Firebreath Coffee, to see Osdrid poking his head out, surprise and a smile on his face as he spied her.

"Os..drid…hi." Kheledis wheezed, as he took her arm, guiding her inside.

"Khel," He chucked, taking in her harried appearance, "You can always come in, even if we're closed, you don't have to rush so!"

Bowing her head shyly, Kheledis mumbled, "Didn't want to be a bother."

Osdrid clapped her on the back, before moving toward the counter. "As if you would ever be a bother!"

The shop was dim, apparently having just been closed for the night, and the light from Lucy's fireplace cast a relaxing gold glow over everything. "I have your drink here." Osdrid went on. "Though let me warm it over a flame, so it's hot again. I'm glad you could make it!" He turned back to her as he got out a small burner, lit it, and set the heavy mug atop the grate. "Straight from work I see?"

Kheledis nodded, finally speaking. "Yes, I was deep in, and we had found a good spot, so I didn't leave at the shift bell. So I had to come straight here, uh, sorry." She looked down in embarrassment at her dusty clothes and hands, and she feared to take off her helmet, for how sweaty her hair would be beneath.

"Sorry for what? I've been in here many a time in a more sorry state after Hobnanigans games! You should see the mud I've tracked in even! Rodling refused mopping duty for a week. Feel free to use the basin though, if you want to wash your hands and face."

Kheledis found herself smiling at the image of a sweaty, muddy Osdrid roaring in victory after a match, and at the way he put her so at ease. "Thank you." She murmured, with a small smile herself, as she went to the basin.

Osdrid busied himself with her drink as she washed up, and she found she felt much better after she'd taken off the mining helmet, and splashed water through her braided hair. She soon was standing near him as he placed the warm drink into her now clean hands, and she felt truly at peace for the first time that day.

"Now Khel, it's not too dangerous in your part of the mine is it? I worry about you down there." He was close to her, and his concern for her well-being made her cheeks warm.

"The mines here are some of the safest, truly." She murmured, enjoying the warmth of both Osdrid and the drink. "They care about the workers more than the profit." Truly, having been a slave, she could hardly fathom this, and would be fine working in less safe conditions for pay,but it was nice nonetheless.

Osdrid nodded. "Good, as it should be. Though I still hope you are not working yourself too hard. Come, shall we sit?"

Kheledis followed Osdrid to the couch, where they both sat, though Osdrid soon pushed on Kheledis's shoulders, urging her so that her back faced him. "I can rub your shoulders as we talk." His words were soft, and his fingers already felt amazing pressing into her sore flesh.

"You don't have to-" Kheledis tried to refuse, but Osdrid stopped her.

"Shh, I want to, I can feel how tense you are." He worked her shoulders, and Kheledis wasn't sure she'd ever felt anything so good, though his closeness made her cheeks go pink.

"Th-thank you. That feels amazing." She stammered, resisting the urge to turn and look into Osdrid's kind face, but blushing all the more as she thought of it.

"Aye well, what are friends for?" He said shyly, his thumbs rubbing relaxing circles into her. "Though, uh, I'll have you know I don't rub just any friend this closely."

He was quite close to her, with his thigh snug against Kheledis's backside, and at his words, she found herself leaning back, gratified when she felt his chest against her back. The rubbing slowed, and she heard him whisper, "Khel…"

"Osdrid, I…" What. What was she trying to say? That she liked the feeling of being pressed against him? That he took better care of her than anyone had in her life? That she wanted to see him each and every day, and help take care of him, as he did her? “I.. Uh…Thank you.” She finished lamely, unable to articulate even a little of what she felt.

She heard Osdrid swallow as she sat forward again, his massaging continuing. “You know I am here for you.” He whispered close to her ear, sending pleasant shivers through her.

Kheledis felt tears welling at her eyes, an unfamiliar sensation that made her freeze. What was wrong with her? What were these feelings? Unable to handle it, she turned quickly to face Osdrid, clasping both of his hands in hers where they were still raised, his face bearing mild confusion.

“Osdrid, I.. reallycareaboutyou.” She mumbled, her cheeks going scarlet.

She saw his face relax into a happy smile, and he squeezed her hands. “I know Khel. I care about you too.”

She nodded, as if neither of them had said anything strange, and quickly turned away again, rubbing her eyes with the back of a hand as Osdrid began to rub her shoulders once more.

Kheledis cursed herself for saying something so dumb as she lay in bed that night, yet she also remembered how Osdrid had smiled at her mumbled words, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners, and that made her chest feel warm, even as her shoulders and back felt at ease from his massage. She made up her mind to ask Osdrid to spend some time with her, perhaps for drinks at the tavern, and then a nice walk in the snowy woods afterward. She could hold his hands in hers to keep him warm…

With that thought, she drifted into a peaceful slumber, dreaming of coffee, and the company of a certain dwarf.