eachdraidh | second » video (memory)

[ The video starts to the image of a clearing in the midst of trees, in the distance a mountain range with snowy peaks frames the picture. At the centre of the shot, two men call to attention, or rather, two dwarves. One easily recognizable, with his dark hair and short beard, even without the white streaks or as many wrinkles counted on his face - it is Thorin. The other, perhaps an inch taller than him, hair lighter but by only a little, and a smile wide and easy on his face, looking younger though not by much.

The taller one aims, with a bow and arrow in hand, at a marking on a tree nearby. A second of silence, and he releases the arrow, sending it flying right past the tree. Thorin's mouth twitches into a smile, and he sounds most amused when he says. ]

You do understand you are meant to hit the centre of that mark.

[ The other dwarf, puffing his cheeks in a manner most childish, shrugs at Thorin as if this had been his plan all along. ] I know. This is just practice. I will be a master bowman in no time, you will see.

[ With that, he retrieves another arrow, stretches the bow once again. This time the arrow does land on the tree, though as far from the mark as one could possibly get. A soft chuckle is heard, and though on the video it is not seen, it is a clear sound from Thorin. ] You are terrible at this.

[ The last taunt to be exchanged, the taller dwarf all but shoves the bow onto Thorin's hands, then gestures dramatically at their impromptu target. ] Really? Well, let us see you do better if you can!

[ At first, Thorin does nothing but stare between his companion and the weapon in his hand. But then, with a resigned sigh of someone who is clearly used to this kind of thing from before, he takes the bow, pulls an arrow from the other's quiver and gets into position. A second, a deep breath, and when he releases, the arrow pierces right at the center of the mark.

A moment of silence passes, then finally the taller turns to the other, mouth still hanging open before he simply lifts his hands up in a shrug. ] ... you are the most infuriating brother I could ever have.

[ At that, Thorin's expression opens into a wide grin, and of all things, he laughs genuinely as he hands the bow back to his brother, resting a hand on his shoulder. ]

I will tell you this, little brother: all things worth having in life will come difficult to you. Were this easy, anyone could do it.

[ A smile soft still remains on his features as he squeezes both his brother's shoulders reassuringly, and finally that pout from earlier disappears, bright expression returning to the taller one. Then Thorin lets go and takes another step back, gesturing at the tree once more. ] As you said, this is practice.

[ With that, the tallest turns back to his practice, while Thorin looks on in silence for now - or until he misses the mark again, perhaps. ]

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[He smiles warmly.]

You have yet to kill those sprouts we planted! In fact they're very healthy considering their caretaker is a first-time gardener.

Although I do admit I am curious to see how your cooking skills fare.

Only because you tend to them just as much.

[ He sincerely doubts they would last this long had he been taking care of them on his own. ]

I can cook meat. [ Yes, that's it. ]

Oh, I help here and there but not with much! It is your share of the garden after all.

[He snorts quietly, not at all surprised.]

Nothing else? Well that won't do at all.

[ A pause follows that last remark, though despite his words, he does not sound overly offended. ]

I beg your pardon.

Mhm! [He huffs audibly.] You cannot survive on meat and potatoes alone, Thorin. There is so much to learn about the art of cooking, you can't just limit yourself to knowing how to cook meat decently! Or even semi-decently in your case.

I suppose I can teach you how to cook as well. Perhaps you'll find it even more rewarding than gardening. [Although he can't imagine how.]

Whatever do you mean by 'semi-decently'.

[ Said with the proper amount of offense, and yet a hint of amusement, extending itself to his next few words. ]

I was under the impression that hobbits enjoyed cooking for other people.

[ See, why does he need to learn. ]

Exactly that. It certainly isn't the best cooking I've had. [And he would know.]

Oh we do! But it's also important to know how to cook for yourself as well, seeing that I won't always be around to make you a meal whenever I feel up to it.

Learning how to cook is just as important as learning how to swing a sword or... shoot an arrow - a necessary life lesson!

Excuse your Lordship that I could not gather the best conditions to prepare meat in the wild, during the few times we managed to find shelter and rest during our long journey.

[ Spoken with the proper amount of sarcasm, clearly not a heartfelt apology in the least. ]

I see. And can you... swing a sword or shoot an arrow, Master Baggins? Because if you think it so important to teach me how to cook, then perhaps I ought to teach you how to wield that small blade of yours in return. [ A pause. ] A necessary life lesson.

I can hardly fault you for the conditions we were forced to work in. You are excused. [He fights back a teasing smile, knowing full well Thorin isn't the least bit apologetic.]

... Oh. Um- [Well this backfired.] Actually, I have asked for Kili to teach me archery, but if that offer is sincere I don't see a need in wasting it... [Because he knows he should learn how to swing a blade just as much as he should learn how to shoot an arrow. The burns on his wrists start to itch faintly.]

So then it is settled. I teach you how to cook and in return you may teach me how to use a blade, yes?

[ He says no more to the teasing, though it is clear it has reached him just the same with the soft yet audible sigh he lets out. ]

Then my offer is sincere. I will teach you to wield your sword, at the very least. It will do you better if you know how to use it.

[A better sign than none at all.]

Well... Thank you, Thorin. [He smiles down at the locket.] I do appreciate this.

I think it ought to have been better to teach you while we were traveling. But it its better now than never.

[ Not that Bilbo had not managed regardless of lack of practice, but still. ]

second » video (memory) » seelie & unseelie

visual forever on his end then!

u got it

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