little gentleman

Bag End has invitations from the Strand, and both Bilbo and Frodo are invited to the Saturday night dance.

"There's us too! Great!" exclaimed Pippin happily when he saw his own and Merry's names on it.

"Even Mr. Rosso and I were invited?" Sam frowned strangely.

Bilbo looked at the invitation again. "Yes, we are all invited."

"I don't want to go." Meili was surprisingly not positive.

As soon as Merry finished speaking, Rosso Sackville Baggins pushed open the round green door of Bag End. He had just returned from a walk outside.What's more unfortunate is that Rosso saw the invitation letter in Bilbo's hand.

"Ah, it's going to be a wonderful evening," said Rosso. "I'd like to ask all four of my cousins ​​to dance with me, and I'd like to dance the first two with you, Cousin Merry."

Merry was very reluctant: "I'm afraid I won't go..."

"But you've been looking forward to this dance for a long time!" Pippin pointed out which pot was left unopened in a very timely manner.

"Oh, Pippin!" cried Merry vexedly.

"Huh?" Pippin was puzzled, not knowing what he said wrong.

"It couldn't be better!" Rosso thought he was very graceful and affectionate, "Dear cousin Merry, I will be honored to be your first dance partner!"

Merry was downcast, and Rosso was elated.

Before going to the ball, Bilbo dressed up carefully. He put on his best clothes, but found that his waist seemed to be a little tight. He didn't exercise enough recently, so he should pay attention to his figure.He takes care of his dark blonde curls, trying to keep the fine curls as natural as possible, finishing with a bit of styling oil—something he rarely uses except for important occasions, such as his tomatoes Championship award ceremony.Finally, he fastened two small, well-polished cufflinks around his wrists, turned around in front of the mirror, and was basically satisfied with his image.Bilbo wished to look like a perfect gentleman, well-bred and respectable, but he was short--he was tall for a hobbit, but not for an elf--and he wasn't strong enough, why? It doesn't look very personable either.Compared with the beautiful elf he was after, Bilbo looked like a silly little dwarf, which made him dissatisfied with his height for the first time.

"Are you ready, Bilbo?" Frodo came running in briskly, not prettified, but handsome enough.

"Almost there." Bilbo took one last look in the mirror, and straightened his collar.

"You look beautiful today, Bilbo!" said Frodo heartily.

"Thank you, Frodo," laughed Bilbo, "that's all I can do. I can't be as good-looking as you."

"How? I dare say you will win someone's heart!" Frodo winked mischievously.

Bilbo laughed and said, "Not everyone is as lucky as you, Frodo. We must go out, for Pippin and Merry are sure to be outside the door."

"They have been here a while, and Mr Rosso has been with them," said Frodo.

"Poor Merry!" said Bilbo gleefully.

"Oh, that's not kind of you, Bilbo!" said Frodo, puffing up his red cheeks.

Bilbo said with a smirk, "I thought Rosso would have his eye on you, not on Merry, but he shouldn't think it's easy to get Bag End and the Bagginses—even if it's a fake Baggins family!"

"I don't want to hear about your dark plans!" Frodo couldn't help laughing. "Let us go!"

It was the first time that the mansion in the Riverside Manor was so lively. The human dance was held indoors, which was elegant and joyful.The ball is an important social occasion for people in the upper class. Although the hobbits don't know the details, they mostly dress up in costumes according to human customs.

After wiping his feet clean at the gate, Bilbo went in first, with Frodo close behind him.

"Welcome, Mr. Baggins, Frodo!" Aragorn greeted him with a smile, and gave Frodo his arm in a gentlemanly manner.

Frodo smiled shyly. Because of his height, he could not hold Aragorn's arm, but he could only gently wrap his around his wrist.

Bilbo looked around for Legolas. There were several elves in the hall, but none of them was the one he was looking for.

"Mr. Baggins?" Aragorn's voice called back to Bilbo's thoughts, and Bilbo looked up to see that Aragorn had politely bent his other arm towards him.Bilbo smiled politely, and took Aragorn's arm.Aragorn kindly led the two hobbits into the interior of the hall, taking care to keep the two little ones out of the way of the others, so as not to collide.

Going inside, Bilbo was separated from Aragorn and Frodo, still looking for the Elf he loved.There was a lot of voices, and many hobbits gathered around the long table to eat fruit and small pastries.To cater for the Hobbit's taste, Aragorn prepared a great deal of food-much more food than is usual at a human ball.Bilbo bypassed these people, and went on further into the depths, taking careful glances at each of the elves, and was at last disappointed to be sure that Legolas was not in the room.

The music began, and Aragorn and Frodo walked merrily onto the dance floor.Rosso and Merry, who also walked into the dance floor together, were not so harmonious. Merry was listless. Rosso was a bad partner. By.Meili wanted to cry but had no tears, so she could only follow this stupid guy to make a fool of himself on the dance floor.When the two dances were over, Merry happily ran away from Rosso as far as she could.

Bilbo danced the first two dances with a hobbit girl, and then with an elf, and he took the opportunity to ask how Legolas was doing.The elf told him that Legolas had gone to another elf's land, and the elf hinted cryptically that Legolas' departure had something to do with some distinguished guest he didn't want to meet.Bilbo was very angry when he heard that, and the "honored guest" was obviously Thorin--this arrogant fellow was watching him from a distance!Bilbo and Thorin looked at each other disdainfully for a few seconds, so that he would not be frightened and flinched by Thorin's eyes, especially after learning that this arrogant king had forced away the elf whom Bilbo admired.

After saying good-bye to his partner, Bilbo said to Frodo impatiently: "I can't believe Thorin has hurt Legolas so badly that poor Legolas can't even show himself!"

Frodo reassured Bilbo in a low voice, "Perhaps Prince Legolas has other business to attend to, and you can't just blame Mr. Thorin for granted."

"Does Legolas hide from others?" cried Bilbo, raising his voice. "Thorin has so vilely hurt him, and now dares to drive his victim away!"

Frodo motioned Bilbo to be quieter: "You must think calmly, Bilbo: if Prince Legolas was as innocent and unfortunate as he said he should be, he should not be afraid to face Mr Thorin, but rather Mister Thorin should avoid him."

"Anyway, Legolas can't be a ghost, but Thorin..." Bilbo was interrupted by a gesture from Frodo, and he realized that Thorin had come to him.

Thorin saluted Frodo first, and then turned to Bilbo. "Mr. Baggins, may I ask you to dance with me for the next two dances? Have you already been invited?"

"No..." Bilbo couldn't tell a lie for a while, "...well."

Thorin bowed haughtily again, and walked away calmly.It's halftime, and the next dance is a few minutes away.

"I can't think of anything to say no to him!" Bilbo stamped his foot angrily.

Frodo reassured his uncle: "Bilbo, you shouldn't be like this. It is a great honor to be invited by Mr. Thorin!"

The dance music was played again, beautiful and calm, and people danced happily in the middle of the dance floor.Bilbo and Thorin danced quite well, their hands were clasped when they turned around again and again, and the moment their eyes met, they both felt the other's long breath, but neither of them had a smile on their faces, which had nothing to do with the beautiful melody. phase contrast.Thorin's movements were so graceful and noble, and so melancholy and deep to the melodious, classical tune, that Bilbo thought he saw a prince in a fairy tale.Too bad Thorin wasn't a prince, at least he wasn't anymore, he was the most hated king in the world to Bilbo.

After a few back and forth, Bilbo broke the silence first: "Shouldn't we say something, Your Majesty?"

"Call me Thorin," Thorin said, still stern. "Do you have to talk when you dance?"

"Isn't that the case, otherwise what's the point of pas de deux?" Bilbo tilted his head playfully to look at his noble partner, "Let's talk about dancing, and count the inconveniences that the difference in height brings to ballroom dancing." , how many more jokes are added." Out of the corner of his eye, Bilbo caught a glimpse of Frodo, who was jumping with difficulty, and there was too much difference in height between hobbits and humans.

Thorin said nothing, but looked at Bilbo intently, and the change of movement did not cause him to look away.When Bilbo tilted his head to one side, the fluffy curls of his hair fluctuated gently like the soft fur of a small animal, making him look childish.

Bilbo was going to try again: "The good thing about talking while dancing is that it makes our relationship less awkward or silly, both of which are quite torturous. Would you like me to pick another subject, or do you have something better , Mister Thorin?"

"Are you chattering for your own pleasure or to please me?" Thorin asked coldly.

"Both." Bilbo smiled slyly. "We are all quiet people, and we seldom speak unless it is to create a surprising effect."

"I don't think you are like that," Thorin said with another close movement, taking Bilbo's hand and lifting it slightly, allowing the petite hobbit to slide past him deftly, completing an elegant dance step, "How about talking about books?"

"Oh! No!" laughed Bilbo. "We sure don't read the same books. An uninformed countryman like me only reads exaggerated adventure stories, with dragons and wizards."

"I don't really like to read adventure stories," Thorin said, taking his little dancer into his arms as Bilbo approached, and his deep eyes looked straight into Bilbo's. "I prefer to write with actions." My own adventure story, with my closest companions."

Bilbo was stunned by those charming blue eyes, and stepped on Thorin's foot in a state of ecstasy, causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards.He screamed out in shock, and as soon as the scream came out, a strong arm firmly supported his waist.Bilbo's upper body was almost flattened, and he looked stupidly at Thorin's face above him, Thorin's expression was obviously worried.

The sound of the music could not silence Bilbo's exclamation. The others looked over curiously, and most of them politely averted their eyes when they saw the couple's embarrassment. Only Pippin and a few young people laughed.

Bilbo stood up quickly, and the two continued to dance in time: "I'm sorry, I stepped on your foot."

Thorin didn't care: "It's nothing, you don't weigh much, and you're barefoot."

"But these are feet that are good at running, and they are quite strong!" Bilbo's tone could not conceal his pride.

Thorin tried to say something: "Do you walk around town on those long running feet?"

"Of course," said Bilbo meaningfully, "and I happened to make a new friend when we met in town that day."

The two passed by again, their shoulders gently rubbed against each other, and after a small tiptoe step, the two changed into holding hands again.

"Prince Legolas is easy to win people's favor. He always makes friends with people when they first meet," Thorin said darkly, "but it's hard to say whether they can maintain friendship for a long time."

Thorin gracefully walked half a circle facing Bilbo, and Bilbo followed Thorin's steps briskly.

"He's very sad to lose your friendship," said Bilbo sarcastically, "and I'm afraid he will suffer for it all his life."

A complicated look flashed across Thorin's eyes, mixed with contempt and anger.

The song is over.

Merry's uncle came forward and complimented Thorin: "What a wonderful dance, Your Majesty! Your lovely partner must have played a very important role. When will I be able to feast my eyes again?" Of course his uncle remembered that he had recommended Bilbo as a partner to Thorin, and the good-natured gentleman said pointedly: "What a grand celebration there will be when something good comes true in the future? At that time, the two of you will definitely show off your dance moves again?" He said, looking at Aragorn and Frodo in the distance, and they no longer had any extra concealment, and they were clearly in love.

"Sir..." Bilbo felt it was inappropriate to talk about the subject at this time.

Merry's uncle didn't let him finish: "Well, I won't bother you two, you're having a good time talking! Have a nice evening."

Thorin glanced in Aragorn's direction with gloomy eyes.

The next dance begins.

They were alone again, and the atmosphere became even more discordant. Bilbo asked as he danced: "I remember you said that once you lose someone's affection, it is difficult to regain it. So you decide You must be very cautious when inflicting hatred on people, right?"

Thorin's movements were still graceful and calm, but the sound of his boots hitting the ground seemed to be a little heavier: "That's right."

The positions of the two of them changed when they walked around the circle, creating a distance invisibly.Bilbo asked again: "And you are never blinded by prejudice?"

"I hope not," said Thorin, taking Bilbo's hand and turning. "What is the purpose of these questions?"

"Just to get to know you better." Bilbo raised his chin stubbornly.

"So you understand?" Thorin stood opposite him.

"Not at all," said Bilbo scornfully, "I've been told so far from your own description that it puzzles me."

Thorin looked at Bilbo displeasedly, and said nothing more, his eyes filled with anger.

The two turned again to stand facing each other, as at the beginning of the dance, and bowed to each other.

Thorin took Bilbo's hand weakly, and sent his partner back to the rest area according to the etiquette.

"I hope you don't jump to conclusions about me," Thorin said politely, suppressing his anger. "Such rash judgments are not good for you or me."

"I'm afraid I can only get to know you now," Bilbo did not show weakness. "It is difficult for us to have more interaction."

The two finally bid farewell, both in bad moods.But Thorin had taken a liking to Bilbo, and soon took his anger out on another person--when some hapless wretch who didn't know anything came up to him.

Gilraine came over and said to Bilbo pretending to be sincere: "Mr. Baggins, I heard that you are very close to Prince Legolas now. I guess he must have forgotten to tell you that Mirkwood was once very decadent. , he himself was dishonorably taken to Lonely Mountain as a hostage in exchange for an alliance between the two countries."

Bilbo replied contemptuously, "If that's all you're going to tell me, it's useless to bother you. Legolas told me all about it!"

"Ha! I'm just out of good intentions!" Gillian walked away triumphantly.

On the other side, Rosso Sackville Baggins was walking towards Thorin.

"Stop him, Merry!" cried Bilbo.

"Oh my God, they haven't been introduced yet!" Mei Li wanted to stop him before it was too late.

Luo Suo took the initiative to find Thorin without knowing what to do, and said humbly: "Hello, Your Majesty, I just found out that you are the King of the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, whom King Thranduil often mentions!"

Sorin frowned in displeasure. It is very impolite to strike up a conversation without introduction: "Are you?"

"I'm Rosso Sackville Baggins, at your service!" Rosso bowed deeply with a smile.

Before he could straighten up, Thorin strode away.

Bilbo was angry: "Not only did he save face for us, he saved face for all the hobbits! No hobbit is as good at flattering as he is, never!" Rosso has set us a memorable precedent, and I couldn't find a dearer little hobbit in Bag End!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Pippin knocked over a pot of "hot soup", and the mixed drink stained his whole body.

"Well, there's another treasure here!" Bilbo slammed down a piece of cake, furiously.