Italicized words will mostly be thoughts. But of course some are for emphasizing.

I do not own any of the characters except for Jaida. Everything else belongs to Tolkien!

This story was roleplayed by me and my dear friend. She has an A03 account, AshynnaStarlight

Nori traced over the door's intricate carvings with his fingers. Symbols, runes, patterns; each one dictating what or who lay beyond.

He scoffed at the soft jingle from a bell that sounded when he entered.

The shop was decorated delicately, with calming colors and simple furniture. There were numerous plants, and soft lighting. The tranquil atmosphere made him highly uncomfortable. Every inch of him itching, preparing for anything unexpected.

Normally, Nori wouldn't be caught dead in such a place. But he felt guilty since it was Dori's tea shop, and he hadn't visited to see the finished product; not even before it opened. Actually, the poor dwarf didn't see much of the company since they reclaimed Erebor less than a year ago. There were so many people coming and going; Elves, men, and dwarves returning home. So much moving and rebuilding, and he had to be everywhere at once.

Keep the peace, and protect. Know these halls like you know yourself. Any potential threats, take them out, and keep me informed. These were the duties assigned to him by the King, Thorin Oakenshield.

He smirked when he saw his brother at the counter, crossing his arms behind his head as he approached.

"Oi! Dori!"

The oldest Ri brother lifted his head and a look of worry crossed his face. "What happened?"

Nori shrugged. "Twas bored."

"Then why did you come here?" Dori grumbled irritably.

"What, I can't come see the shop?" He asked innocently.

"You? No. No you can't. You're just looking for trouble so you best go and find it somewhere else. We are far too busy for this today." He pushed past his sibling before an idea hit him. "Though you know, you did come at an opportune moment. We are out of a few supplies. You can escort Jaida to the markets."

"Wait, what? Escort? Who the bloody hell is Jaida?" Nori snorted.

Dori waved his hand. "My dear little helper. I certainly can't send her by herself! Jaida!" He bellowed.

Nori's heart skipped a beat as the sweetest voice in all of Arda called back. Then he swallowed a gasp when she stepped out of the kitchen.

She was stunning. Her hair almost black and it reached her waist. It was pulled up in a few simple braids, just to keep it out of her face. So soft and silky looking, he wanted to run his fingers through it. Her smoky gray eyes made him feel as though he could get lost in them forever. She wasn't the plumpest dwarrowdam he'd seen. But she had curves for days, and it drove him crazy.

"Jaida this is my brother, Nori. He's going to see you safely to the market and back. If he doesn't mind of course." He faked a smile as he turned to his brother.

Nori stared at her, his heart beating so fast. His mouth dry and his fingers twitched. Where in Mahal's name had this lovely creature been hiding? "My lady, it will be my utmost honor to be your escort today." He gave her a flamboyant bow, took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Smiling oh so charmingly at her. "Jaida, a lovely name for a lovelier dwarrowdam."

Dori's face dropped so much. Into the most disgusted look. Opening his mouth but shaking his head. If Nori wanted to play with that fire, fine. He was too old for this. He stepped back and handed Jaida a list. "Escort." He hissed. Making a disapproving sound and walking away.

Jaida nodded to Dori, looking a bit confused between the two. But blushing at Nori's actions. Wow his hair.

"What! I am an escort! I'm the best escort in the mountain! Sheesh. Get that broom out of your arse brother." Nori smirked cheeky and placed the lady's hand on his arm. "You're ready, ma'am?" He spoke smoothly.

She blushed a bit more, but gripped onto his arm. Stepping a bit closer to him as well as she smiled up at him. "Yes I am ready. Master Nori."

"Oooh. Hear that brother? She calls me Master. At least someone has respect for me here." He drawled with another smirk, quickly guiding her out of the shop before his brother could strangle him. "So, how do you do, m'lady?" He asked her friendly.

She giggled furiously, pushing her hair behind her ear. Starting to look around as they walked. "I am well today. Happy it is almost the weekend. And how about you?'

"More than perfect now that I'm in the company of such a lovely young lady." He smiled at her. "I hope my brother treats you well. Or I'll smack him for you."

She shook her head amused. "That is bold master Nori. Do you talk to all the dwarrowdams this way?"

"No. Only to the truly lovely one that is you." He winked at her. "Have you worked long in my brother's shop?"

She bit her lip a bit. Trying to remind herself that he was just being a sweet talker. He didn't mean it. "I have worked here since it opened yes. Or shortly after."

"By Mahal. If I had known you worked there, I would have visited sooner." He watched her curiously, his eyes falling on her lip. Oh so soft and plum. He'd love to nibble on it. "What does my brother wish for us to get?"

"You should visit because it is your brother's shop. Not because there is another dwarf in which you wish to flirt with." She said softly. Keeping her eyes from him. "We need a few types of tea that we have run out of."

"You heard my brother. I'm not really welcome there." Nori shrugged casually, his face neutral. "Mmm. Well. I'm not as strong as Dori but I can do some heavy lifting with ease."

"I heard him say you were there to cause nothing but trouble. I'm sure he'd love to have his brother visit more. Ori always comes around after his shift in the library." She hummed as she turned them. Moving towards the necessary shop.

"Because I'm trouble! I cannot help myself. I cause trouble in the hope that grumpy old man smiles more. And Ori is the sweet one." Nori's face was blank as he followed her.

"Mm. I'm sure he secretly loves some trouble. But I'm sure he worries what would happen if he wasn't here. You would be the one to have to look out for Ori. And you can't very well do that if you get into too much trouble." She said softly. Glancing at him for a moment. Big mistake. Goodness his hair. She shook herself from it and moved to start gathering the tea they needed.

Nori became so quiet, staring at her with bit of wide eyes. A lazy smile appeared on his face. A girl with brains, who says more than others. He loved that. "I'll always watch over Ori." Like he has always watched over his brothers.

"I am sure you will. And he knows that too. Which is another reason why he gets grumpy. I'm sure some of the trouble you cause has been for the sake of your family. And thus he knows it is just. And it goes against his standard morals." She started pulling a few boxes off of the shelves and stacking them.

"You're a sharp little thing. Me likey." Nori purred softly as he took the boxes from her, carrying them with ease. "Any relaxing tea here. Mahal knows Dori needs it." He snickered.

She felt goosebumps appear on her skin. That purr should be illegal. He was nothing but trouble. Said it himself. You're smarter than this Jaida. "I am sure the relaxing tea goes straight home." She drawled amused as she walked past him.

"Heck yeah. Is there also something like 'happy tea'? He needs a heavy dose of that too. I know that there is pipe weed that makes a person...giddy." He gave her a smirk as he watched her. Oh that ass.

She rolled her eyes with a soft sigh. Moving the stack of boxes towards the register to pay. She needed to get away from that one and fast. Who did he take her for?

He picked up the boxes again. "So, m'lady, tell me more about yourself." He asked her curiously. He was the spymaster and he didn't know her. He needed to remedy that.

She grumbled a bit as she moved to the door after bowing to the shopkeeper. Holding the door open for Nori as he stepped out. "Why?"

"Thank you." He smiled a real smile at her. "Because I wish to get to know you."

"Well sir. I prefer to stay out of trouble thank you." She said calmly. Walking next to him as she looked ahead.

"There are all kinds of trouble, many of them aren't bad. But if you don't wish to, I'll make sure trouble never comes your way." He chuckled softly as he watched her. Feisty little thing.

"By the way that Mister Dori acted, I would assume you don't know trouble that isn't bad." Persistent little thing. She didn't go so long by herself to fall for a playboy.

"You know Dori. Always exaggerating and makes things seem worse than they are." Nori shrugged lightly, whistling a happy tune.

She just hummed her response, holding her hands behind her as she just focused on watching the path. Ugh why was Doris shop suddenly so far away?

"What are your favorite gems?" He asked her suddenly, tilting his head.

I knew dwarves were stubborn but can you not find someone else to entertain your trouble fantasies?" She said quietly, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Jaida. I'm not here to cause you trouble. I'm just helping you out, making conversation and maybe...I don't know...become friends." He whispered to her as he frowned.

"And how many have you said that to? Or am I fun because I'm a challenge and I don't just fall at your feet from your sweet talking? I'm not a toy." She whispered harshly.

"Wow wow. My apologies lady that I make you think like that. No. You're not a toy at all. And ask my brother. I never ask someone to be my friend." Nori spoke honestly as he watched her.

"So I am supposed to be ok with all the toys you've had before? The way you've acted before just because you asked to be my friend?"

His face fell. "I am who I am. I haven't had toys." He spoke calmly, his back straightening. "Yes I like causing mischief and fun. Sue me." A hard tone appeared in his voice. He had gone through hell and back. He countered the darkness by being a fool and cause trouble. It made people smile.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. She'd never felt so rude and defensive against someone before. She held herself tighter at the changing tone in his voice. "Ok. Then why am I so special?"

"Because you've fire and spunk. And wit. I like that." He shrugged softly. "You call me out on my bollocks."

"So the fact that I've done nothing but be rude to you since the moment we met, is the reason why you are 'attracted' to me?" She drawled out, quirking an eyebrow at him.

He tilted his head. "Yeah. I guess. Don't ask for logical things. You've the wrong brother for that." He smiled at her.

She giggled softly. "Obviously. Then we've come to an arrangement. You won't like me long because typically I'm softer than Ori."

"Softer than Ori? Are you made of feathers, silk and kittens? That's the only way you can be softer than my little brother."

She shrugged. "I might be. But I'll still win if I fight you."

"Oh I don't doubt that for a second. dwarrowdams are fierce!" He shuddered as he remembered his Ma.

"I guess you'll just have to figure out a way to get me to let you find out what it is I'm made out of." She purred softly. Giggling to herself as she stepped up to the tea shop.

Nori blinked rapidly as his step faltered, almost dropping the boxes and swearing a blue streak as he stumbled into the tea shop. That little minx.

"Problem, Master Nori?" She looked so innocent at him. Pushing her braid over her shoulder as she walked past him.

He grumbled as he wanted to pull her close, pull her head back by her braid and kiss that cheeky mouth. "Oh. I'm perfect." He purred roughly.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head amused. "Oh. Excuse me." She murmured as she acted like she needed to move past him again. Squeezing between him and a table and brushing her chest over his arm. Moving for a stray cup left out.

"Trouble. Trouble with a pretty smile." He smirked wolfish as he stared at her. Heart beating faster. "Where do you want me to put this?"

"Oh sir, if you cannot find the hole yourself then we are in more trouble than I thought." She murmured with a soft smirk of her own.

"Oh my lady, I'm sure I can find the hole just fine when it matters." He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Carrying the boxes to the back.

She shook her head amused. The faintest of smiles on her face. She waited for him to come back out and gave him a curtsy. "Goodbye Master Nori." She said softly. Turning and moving for the kitchen.

"Good day, Mistress Jaida." He bowed deeply to her, a cheeky smile on his face as he watched her. He waited for her to get into the kitchen and started to look for his brother.

Dori watched the scene unfold, all but hiding in the corner as he cleaned some dishes. Practically scowling at his younger brother. He was too old for this kind of stress.

"Oh don't look at me like that. I've behaved. As much as I can." He shook his head amused as he crossed his arms. "I'll be coming over every few days to escort the lady to get new supplies."

Doris eyes widened a bit and he puffed up. Huffing softly. "You're a damn fool Nori. And I want no part of this. You do what you want." He waved his hands in surrender.

"Damn fool? Why? Sheesh. I'm just trying to help here." Nori grumbled confused and a bit agitated.

"You're messing with fire and you're going to get burned. But fine. At least I get an escort out of it. Thanks for getting the tea." He said reluctantly.

Messing with fire?...weird. "You're welcome, brother. It's nice to help out at times." Nori shrugged. "Anything else you need?"

"No. Actually. The shops dying down now and we'll be cleaning up. Go on home and bathe so Ori and I can this evening as well." He said calmly, drying his hands off.

"Sure thing, brother. You want me to get some stuff for dinner or do we have everything?" Nori asked softy. Decided to be not such a pain today.

Dori grumbled a bit as he quirked an eyebrow. Something was so not right with his brother. "Get some bread if you don't mind."

"Sure thing! See you later brother. Be safe." He nodded to him and walked away, whistling a tune. He didn't give a rat's ass about Dori's tea. Ok, that isn't entirely true. But he'd never admit it. He'd sooner admit to how much he wanted to see that dwarrowdam again. Which he'd rather grab a pair of scissors and cut his hair.

For now.