"We could take him out for a walk and see who he likes... and then, ahem!" Thranduil leaned in and whispered.
"Ew~ So this is what the Elf King is really like!" everyone said in unison, their faces full of disdain.
"???" Thranduil stared at them in utter confusion, as if they were all seriously ill!
"I think that's a good method! Let's do it!" For the first time, Thorin found Thranduil pleasing to the eye. Too lazy to think any further, he rushed into the kitchen, grabbed Bilbo Baggins by the arm, and started dragging him outside.
"Oh! Heavens! Thorin! What are you doing? I'm preparing lunch! Dwalin's fish is going to burn!" Bilbo Baggins cried out miserably.
"Fish? Where's the fish?" Dwalin slipped past the two of them, picked up a plate from the kitchen, and charged toward the long table.
"Oh! Wait! What are you doing, Thorin!" Bilbo Baggins looked utterly bewildered as Thorin dragged him toward the door.
"Uh? Come look at the scenery with me!" Thorin blurted out casually.
"??? Who goes sightseeing at noon instead of eating lunch?" Bilbo Baggins cried to everyone for help.
"By the Dragon God! Let him go, Thorin! Everyone's eating right now!" Roland winked at Thorin, meaning that everyone was eating, and there was no one outside for him to choose!
"My friend! You must take me to see the customs and sights of Hobbiton at afternoon tea!" Thorin patted his hand and said earnestly.
"Hm? Am I seeing things? Why does he look like he's doing this for my own good?" Bilbo Baggins turned to Bard suspiciously.
"Of... course! You're too sensitive! Thorin just misses you too much!" Bard held his shoulders with both hands and said with a solemn expression, while behind him, Roland's hand was twisting