Erebor's Guardian

Chapter 7

Soon nightfall had taken over the sky and the moonlight lacked the brightness to allow us to continue training. Bombur had dinner ready for each of us as we made it back to camp feeling the new bruises that lingered from our previous mistakes. My thigh burned from the nick Thorin's sword gave me. I checked it a few times when no one looked to make sure it was not very serious. I took my bowl from Bombur with a quick thank you before settling near the fire with Jenna and Kylie on either side of me.

"So," Jenna bumped my shoulder. "What was it like to fight Thorin?" She whispered over her bowl hoping no one heard us.

I risked a quick glance over to Thorin. The firelight accented his features of his dark mane and braids as the light danced in his eyes. His beard was well groomed, lining his strong chin perfectly in a way that made me smile. I knew that he had to be extremely robust under his armor from the skill he displayed today. Thorin's eye caught mine and I swiftly looked away pretending that I didn't just get caught staring at him. "Fighting him was like nothing I have ever experienced." I explained to them in German. Jenna, Kylie and I had each taken the same German class in high school and used it like a secret language.

"What do you mean?" Kylie asked, setting down her empty bowl.

"It's hard to explain." I handed my bowl to Kylie without feeling very hungry. "At the beginning I was doubting myself thinking that I was some girl playing dress up and he was the real warrior. Then something just snapped realizing that here I've finally got my wish and I wasn't going to miss that chance. As our swords collided it was like I was full of fire and lightning. Each blow I delivered I could feel that power growing and growing until..."

"Until what?"

"I don't know if it just stopped for some reason like I was not ready." I shook my head. "It's stupid."

"No," Jenna placed a hand on my shoulder. "That's how I feel about the magic I have. I feel like I'm going to explode if I don't do anything with it."

"Have you been using it?" I asked.

"Kind of," Jenna explained. "Gandalf has been teaching me small things in order to keep my magic in check."

I nodded. "Do you think that is what this is? Magic?"

"What are you ladies talking about?" Kili asked, leaning around the fire.

I stood taking Kylie's empty bowl over to Bombur. "We were just talking about which dwarf we like the best." I said in a mocking tone walking away from Kili.

"Really?" Kili yelled after me, but I kept walking, laughing back at the oblivious dwarf.

Humming while I scrubbed some of the dishes I felt someone standing beside me. I glanced from under my lashes to see Thorin beginning to dry the dishes I just washed. I tried my best to keep calm, but down inside my whole body wanted to jump.

Thorin cleared his throat. "You know that comment is going to go to his head."

I gave Thorin a cheeky grin. "Serves him right for butting in like that."

Thorin gave me a stern look and my smile faded. "You realize Kili will now be playing his pranks on you now?"

I shrugged. "Bring it. I've been a trickster since I was a kid."

Thorin chuckled lightly. "Remember he is my heir."

I handed Thorin a bowl. "I promise to leave his beard intact."