Sally and the Line of Durin

Chapter 2

Before they continued on their quest, the dwarfs of Erebor decided that they needed a day of rest. Many of the dwarfs went off to find a bathing spot, while some stayed behind and engaged in feats of strength and skill.

Fili had challenged his brother to a test of skill with the bow and arrow. Fili knew that Kili was probably a better bowman, but his oversized "big brother" ego would not let him relent. Kili finally agreed to the challenge and set up a series of tests.

The first challenge, a simple arrow to a target, was completed successfully by both brothers. The next skill testing event was a series of round wooden holes which were hung by a string from an oddly shaped branch which grew out of the trunk and then kinked and veered off into a straight line.

As the eldest, Fili went first. Sally was sitting beside Bifur, who was muttering to himself in Khuzdul. Fili took aim and managed to get his arrow through 3 of the 5 holes. The watching crowd cheered madly, while Bifur continued to mumble, "Ka sar nuf zirup ek." (He could not complete it.)

To which Sally replied, "Nuf, bar or sar gronit ek." (No, but I could do it.)

Bifur looked incredulously at Sally, but said, "Dal akrak!" (Good luck!)

Sally did not seem to notice that she had conversed with Bifur, the one dwarf who could not speak in the Common Tongue.

She stood just as Kili took his shot. The arrow passed through all 5 holes, however he nicked the last one, which swung in the breeze.

"Alright, you young whipper snapper, let me have a go."

Kili bowed low to the woman, and bade her, "Oh, you think you can do better?"

Sally smirked at him, and readied herself. She set her sight on the target and the sounds around her melted away. She took a deep breath and let loose her arrow. It sailed through all 5 holes and embedded itself in a trunk a further 20 feet away.

The dwarfs crowded around her, cheering and patting her on the back. Kili approached her, looking sore; but as he stopped in front of her he could not help but laugh and throw his arms around her.

Thorin stood nearby leaning on a tree and smiled.

****

She tossed and turned that night, and many nights after. This night was spent under a roof. 'A heavenly roof,' Sally sighed. She found a particularly soft pile of hay and set her bedroll out.

The party had run hard from the giant bear. Despite the fear deep in her stomach she was amused to find Bombur sprinting past all of them. Gandalf informed them that that bear was their host...a skinchanger.

That night was the most relaxed the party had been in a long time. It felt very good to be in out of the wilderness; to be in amongst the warmth of the animals. They sat for a long time swapping stories and being generally light-hearted. Sally sat further from the group and observed them.

All of the dwarfs of Erebor were strong and honourable, but Sally had become particularly interested in their leader. Ever since he had told off the young dwarfs for their bothersome teasing she saw something else; something simmering below the surface in him. She had almost been caught staring at him a few times; most recently when they had sat down to eat this evening. He had been speaking in low tones with his cousins Balin and Dwalin, most likely planning the party's next move. She could not tear her eyes away from him. The way he stood stock still as he listened to the older white haired dwarfs opinions. She could see the respect he held for his cousin in the way he concentrated. He behaved differently with these men than when he was planning with his nephews. These were, like him, hardened warriors.