your mother always warned you to stay away from elves and dwarves.

you didn’t keep that promise, because some time later, you met him:

he was Kili, and he was a dwarf.

he wasn't like the dwarves your mother told you about. you thought that if you invited him to dinner at your place, your mother would like him and change her mind.

but things turned out the way they did, while Kili waited for you outside, listening only to your mother's muffled voice through the door.

"are you upset?" he asked as soon as you came out to him.

"not at all. my mother just kicked you out of the house and told you never to come back."

"well, we are wanderers now."

you chuckled. "she was talking about you, not me. she told me to forget about it and not to associate with an ill-mannered dwarf."

"that was rude. I behaved quite decently—more decently than usual." there was a hint of feigned hurt in his voice.

“those are her words, not mine, but... maybe she's right."

Kili immediately tensed up. "what are you talking about? all dwarves act like this!"

"then don't be like everyone else."

"that's not funny at all." he took your hand, searching for your eyes with his. "I tried, but it's just in my blood."

you didn't answer, simply looking down at where his hand was holding yours.

"If your mother doesn't like me, that's not a problem. I don't need her permission to love you." there was utter confidence in his voice. "we can just run away from here. just say the word."