Alatariel stepped up beside Fin, and smiled alluringly for the cameras, as he placed his hands around her waist. She then stepped down to let Thoriel have her turn, and Alatariel chatted with Sophia, then Thoriel, as they exchanged places. When it was Sophia’s turn, Fin took her hand and led her in front of the flashing cameras. Sophia grinned and shook her head, feeling her hair brush her shoulders.
“You just can’t wait for the party to start, can you?” her escort whispered in her ear, holding her waist a little tighter.
Finally Fin called out, “enough, my friends, enough. There will be other guests.” He laughed, a rich hearty laugh and, taking his escorts, began to make his way up the path toward the huge steps and the doorway beyond. Sophia looked up at the immense building and imagined what it would be like inside. There would be plenty of well-dressed lords and ladies and merry hobbit-folk. But most importantly there would be the dance floor; Sophia bit her lip, giddy with excitement, and tired of waiting. She was excited yet terrified of what the dancing would be like.
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