Art created by @usuallysublimepenguin for @thorinsspringforge
Warnings: Major Character Death/Canon Compliant
Summary: What if Thorin and Legolas had been friends before the fall of Erebor? How did that friendship color their interactions on the quest? Perhaps no matter how strained they may be, some friendships just remain...unbroken.
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Thorin tossed the bow aside before falling down on the ground, a pout lingering on his face.
“Archery is hard.” He complained.
“I never said it was going to be easy.” Legolas laughed.
His laugh was light and airy and it irritated Thorin to hear it. Thorin picked up the closest object to him, which was his bow, and proceeded to poke the elf in the leg with it until he stopped.
“Perhaps we have time for a break.” Legolas offered, plopping himself down beside Thorin, gracefully crossing his legs, as he pulled out their waterskins and some lembas bread from their bags.
Thorin sat up and accepted the water but declined the bread. He always thought, based on how it looked, it would taste like his grandma’s shortbread biscuits. It didn’t. It was floury with no other taste. He didn’t understand why anyone would eat that stuff willingly. Stupid elves. Can’t even make a decent bread. Thorin turned his attention back to the bow he was struggling to master, his brows furrowing together. His instructors thought he was a natural at swordsmanship and he was getting really good with an axe too. Why was the bow so hard?
“I just want to hunt orcs already.” He complained aloud.
“Is that why you accepted my offer to train you? Because you wish to hunt orcs?” Legolas questioned, quirking a brow.
“No.” Thorin denied thoughtfully. “It was to beat you at your own weapon, but killing orcs would be a nice bonus.”
Legolas’ lips twitched upwards for a small moment before he returned back to his somber state. Great. Thorin was going to get a lecture now. He plopped himself back down on his back again.
For more of this fic, please click the AO3 link above!