A/N: Mention of attempted assault (nothing graphic). Please read accordingly.
Chapter 3
Another dwarrowdam fell to Dwalin's superior skill. How many was this now? Six? Seven? Fili didn't feel like keeping count. It didn't help that Kili thought the entire situation was hilarious and took every moment he had reminding Fili of that. So, when Thorin asked for one of them to go to Dale to check on the progress for the midsummer festival the Men were holding, Fili volunteered with enthusiasm.
Anything to get him away from courtship trials and the doe eyes his brother kept casting at the ever-present she-elf. He had nothing against her, but the lovey-dovey gooey romantic nonsense was driving him insane.
Knowing Sigrid was involved in the planning, Fili entered Dale with the intention of going straight to her home. After stabling his pony and asking directions, he set off toward the center of town. As he walked, he heard snippets of gossip. He'd been around Nori too much, he thought even as he eavesdropped on the two women walking in front of him as unobtrusively as possible. Any information had potential, the spymaster always said, so Fili listened.
"I've seen them together almost every day since he arrived a fortnight ago," the younger said. "Her Ladyship is smitten with him."
"And who can blame the girl?" the older woman demanded with a huff. "The man is rather something to look at."
The first sighed. "Lady Sigrid is lucky to have caught his regard."
"She's rather pretty herself. It's surprising she hasn't married already."
"She is rather picky."
"Doesn't seem to matter this time though. I expect they'll announce a betrothal within the month."
The first sighed. "Wouldn't that be something? Our own Lady married and to such a handsome gentleman. Their children would be sure to be beautiful."
Sigrid was seeing a suitor? Often enough her people were expecting a betrothal? Why hadn't he heard about this in the mountain? Nori was slipping if it really was that serious. If Sigrid married her suitor, it could impact Erebor, or at least his people that sold wares in the market in Dale. She was the only member of her family that took the time to talk to the dwarrow, or so he'd heard. His people liked her and were more than willing to work with her. If she left, who would they go to? Who would he talk to when he came to the city? He'd be without his friend.
A scuffle pulled him from his thoughts a few blocks from where he was told Sigrid's house was. Curious, and admittedly wondering if he could join in a fight to work off some of his inexplicable but completely justified annoyance, he turned down the street toward the noise.
"Get away from me."
Fili paused. That sounded like Sigrid.
"I think you misunderstood me, My Lady." The voice was male. Fili frowned harder at the placating tone to it.
"I misunderstood nothing. Get. Away."
Something hit a wall and there was a grunt.
"You really shouldn't have done that," the male voice said.
Fili rounded the bend at the end of the street quickly. His earlier irritation roared into a hot storm in his chest. Sigrid strained against the man holding her wrists down by her waist and standing so close she couldn't land a kick of any force.
"What's going on here?" Fili barked.
"Get lost dwarf," the man said, glancing at him. "This doesn't concern you."
"Not from where I'm-"
Sigrid leaned back as far as she could against the wall and lunged forward, smashing her forehead into her captor's nose, a crunch interrupting Fili. He lurched away from her, his hands going to his broken nose.
"-standing." Fili finished. "I suggest you leave immediately," he added and extended a hand to Sigrid even as she started moving toward him.
"I told you to get lost," the man said, still holding his nose with one hand, ignoring the blood dripping down his chin. He reached out to grab Sigrid's arm and drag her back.
Fili darted forward. He lashed out with his cane, bringing it down hard on the man's arm with a solid thwack. The man yelped and Sigrid darted to stand near Fili. Still brandishing his cane as he would one of his swords, Fili stepped so he stood in front of the girl. He reached inside his coat and pulled out one of his many daggers, feeling more secure with an actual blade in hand, even if it was short. "And I told you to leave," Fili said coolly, ignoring the pain darting up his bad leg. He waited, watching the Man until he finally turned and stalked up the alley, blood still dripping from his nose.
"Next time you break someone's nose to get away," Fili said as he sheathed his knife and leaned on his cane again, "try actually running."
Sigrid glared at him, one hand clutching at her lower ribcage. "You try running while wearing a corset and a dress this heavy," she snapped. "I can barely breathe while I walk, let alone fight or run. Besides, you were here so I didn't need to."
Fili turned to face her fully. The tremor in her voice didn't reassure him even though she acted fine otherwise. It reminded him too much of when Bilbo got upset.
"Are you all right Lady Sigrid?" he asked.
"No, I'm not," she said and her voice cracked a bit. She rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her hands. "Thank you for coming when you did."
"You know me," he said and reached up to place a hand on her shoulder. "I'm the master of heroic rescues."
Sigrid laughed wetly and sniffed, wiping more tears from her eyes. "I seem to remember you tackling an orc for me once."
"Exactly what I mean," Fili said, smiling at her. When the tears didn't stop, he lifted his other arm out to his side, leaving himself open for a hug if she wanted it. Sigrid bent and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" Fili asked.
"No," Sigrid said, voice muffled by the fur on his jacket. "I don't know as he would have. I think he just wanted to steal some kisses."
"I'm glad you're not hurt," Fili said. He stood with her until she calmed down, rubbing her back gently until her shoulders stopped shaking and she finally pulled away, retrieving a handkerchief from a pocket and wiping at her eyes and nose.
"I'm so sorry," she said.
"You don't need to apologize," Fili said and offered his arm. "Why don't I escort you home?"
Sigrid nodded, wrapping her hand around his bicep and let him lead her away. "I think I'll get a dog," she murmured.
"As I understand it, you've been learning to use a sword for over a year now. Why don't you just carry one? They tend to make a bit less mess around the home than a furry, slobbery menace."
Sigrid made a very irritated face. "I would but ever since one of my suitors went running at the very sight of a blade on my person my father's council has forbidden me to carry one on outings such as this one."
"That's ridiculous," Fili said. "Why in Mahal's name would you carrying a sword scare anyone off?"
"I don't know how it is for dwarves, but among my people, males are often afraid of or offended by women wielding swords. Heaven forbid we should be able to defend ourselves. I think the people of Rohan are more sensible but I haven't heard of any others."
"Ridiculous," Fili repeated. They walked along in silence for a time and Fili watched the people around them out of habit. He watched as the eyes of a few people followed them, a few whispered conversations cropping up behind them. He wished for Bilbo's hearing, wanting to know the nature of those conversations and the furtive pointing and head nodding. To distract himself from the sight, he asked, "So, why a dog?"
"I trust a dog's judgment better than my own. If I train one well enough it can be my guard dog for when my chaperone gets drawn away by feeble excuses as happened today."
"The council wouldn't mind you having a large hound at your side on outings?"
Sigrid waved to someone, a fake smile plastered on her face. Fili scowled a little at the sight. Could he get her to laugh or at least smile for real instead of that mockery on her face? "Not if it was well-behaved. There wouldn't be a reason for me not to have it along with me."
They fell silent again as they walked the rest of the way to Sigrid's home. Once there, Sigrid turned to make her farewells only for Fili to tell her of his original errand for being in Dale.
"Oh! Well, then. Come inside. I'll gather my information on decisions made and we can go over it."
Fili took a seat in a sitting room where she indicated and sat back to wait for her return. A dog. She wanted a dog. He knew of a few hunters in the mountain that had hounds. Perhaps one of them would know where he could get a pup. It'd been a while since he'd been around dogs but perhaps he could help Sigrid in finding a way to defend herself and perhaps have an excuse to spend time with her. Sigrid's return pulled him from his musings and together they went over the current plans for the midsummer festival.
Someone knocked on the door first thing the morning of the midsummer festival.
Bard looked up from his breakfast. He rarely ate with his family in the mornings, usually gone to help with repairs and meetings and the minutia of running a city before any of his children woke, except maybe Tilda who had a tendency to wake early as well. "Whatever problem they're bringing, I don't want to know about it," he grumbled. "I'm taking today for my family."
Sigrid rolled her eyes as she rose from the table and went to the door. "Oh Da, it's probably just a quick question." She opened the door and looked down slightly at the dwarf standing on their doorstep.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"I've been sent to deliver a package to you My Lady," the dwarf said, bowing to her. He then bent and picked up a crate sitting at his feet. He held it out to her.
"Ah, thank you," she said.
"You're welcome My Lady," the dwarf said and bowed again. With a cheery whistle, he trotted down the path back to the road and headed towards the market.
"Well that was interesting," Sigrid said and turned back inside. There was an envelope attached to the top of the crate with her name on it. After closing the door behind her, she balanced the admittedly somewhat heavy crate in one arm and reached for the envelope. Something inside the crate scrabbled sideways, overbalancing it. She dropped it with a scream.
"Sigrid?" Bard asked, leaning back in his chair to get a better look at his daughter.
"Something moved in the crate," she said. She reached out and snatched up the envelope. She flipped it over and blinked in surprise. "Uh, Da? I think this should probably go to you."
"Why's that my girl?" he asked. He stood from the table and walked into the
"What's in the crate Sig?" Bain asked coming into the room with Tilda right behind him.
Sigrid handed the envelope to Bard. "It has the Durin's royal seal on it," she said. Bard examined the envelope for a moment before handing it back.
"Has your name on it," he said. "It's definitely for you."
Something scratched at the walls of the crate and Sigrid jumped back from it with a shout.
"Huh," Bain said and bent to look closer. "I'll open it, shall I?" He asked and went to find the right tools.
While he left, Sigrid opened the letter, carefully breaking the blue wax seal and pulling the parchment out to read.
To Sigrid, Lady of Dale, Daughter of Bard the Dragonslayer
We spoke of this the other day. I hope this will help put your mind at ease and soon offer the safety you require. I would be happy to help you in your endeavors with proper instruction and care. I'll meet you on the path to our meeting spot this morning.
-F
PS He's house trained.
"House trained?" Sigrid mouthed the last two words, wondering what on earth that meant.
"A puppy!"
Sigrid jumped at Tilda's joyous cry and looked at the now open crate. Inside, a fluffy greyish brown ball scrabbled its way around the cloth-lined box.
"The Dwarf King sent you a dog?" Bard asked. "Why?"
"Not the king," Sigrid said, a smile slowly spreading across her face as a black muzzle turned its way toward her and two brown eyes blinked up at her from the depths of the masses of fur. "His nephew."
"Which one?" Bard asked and reached a hand into the crate. The puppy reared up on its hind legs to reach for Bard's hand, pulling it closer and started nibbling on his fingers. He pulled his hand away sharply. "No biting," he ordered, giving its nose a little flick. The puppy sneezed and then grinned up at Bard, panting.
"The crown prince," Sigrid said. She reached down and patted the masses of fluff.
"Fili?" Bard asked. "Why would he send you a dog?"
"Remember when he escorted me home a couple weeks ago after pox-ridden skamelar attacked me?"
"Aye," Bard said, his ire rising again at the mention of the suitor that had seemed so nice but had hurt his little girl.
"I'd mentioned thinking about getting a dog to deter such things from happening again to Prince Fili. Apparently, he decided it was a good idea. Oh yes, yes. You're adorable." She laughed as the puppy licked at her arms. She lifted it out to examine it. "Little man," she said after a moment. "What should we call you?"
"He's yours, Sig," Bain said. "You name him." He reached over and patted the dog on the top of the head. It gave out a whiny growl and barked at him. "Hmm… Doesn't seem to like men," he muttered.
Sigrid and Tilda laughed, the younger girl petting the ball of fluff as Sigrid looked him over. "Look at the size of his paws. He's going to be massive," she said.
Bard sighed. "And he's a gift from the Crown Prince of Erabor so we can't get rid of him. Well, good luck my girl," he said and stood. He went back to the table to finish his breakfast. "We'd better hurry if we're to make it to the beginning of the festivities."
"Yes Da," the three children chorused.
Sigrid offered the puppy some ham from their breakfast before finding a long, sturdy scarf in her closet that she used to fashion a sling out of. Once she was otherwise ready to go, she slipped the puppy into the sling. It popped its head above the cloth and licked her chin before facing forward to watch their surroundings.
Once outside, Sigrid split away from her family and headed straight out of the city, heading towards the path she took up the mountainside. She didn't get far before someone whistled. She turned to find the source of the noise.
"Your Highness!" she called, waving to Fili as he approached her, leaning slightly on his cane.
"I see you got my gift," he said with a smile.
Sigrid laughed. "The look on my da's face was a sight to behold when he saw what was in the crate," she said.
Fili's smile stretched wider. "Do you like him then?" he asked, nodding at the dog that watched him from its position in the sling.
"Yes, very much," Sigrid said. "Although I'm a little worried about how large he will be."
"I thought you would appreciate a dog that would be easily large enough to make any man hesitate at the sight of him."
"Just how big will he get?" Sigrid asked, finally coming to a stop as they reached each other. Fili held up a hand that reached the bottom of his ribcage.
"His sire stands this tall at the shoulder on all fours," he said and Sigrid's eyes widened.
"Absolutely massive then," she said.
"I hope I haven't caused you an inconvenience," Fili said, concern flashing across his face.
"Oh, no, no you haven't at all," Sigrid said. "I just wasn't expecting such a large size. He's wonderful." She laughed as the puppy turned its head and licked her chin again.
"Have you named him then?" Fili asked.
Pulling the puppy from the sling and setting him on the ground where he could run around them, she said, "I think I'll call him Magnus."
Fili grinned. "A fierce and noble name for what I'm sure will be a fierce and noble companion." They watched as the puppy tripped over its front paws while it pursued a butterfly and rolled tail over snout before popping back up and looking back at them as if to say he'd meant to do that all along. "Someday," Fili added.
Sigrid laughed aloud and chased after the puppy. "Come here, Magnus."
"I'll show you how to train him if you'd like," Fili said once they'd caught the fur ball.
Sigrid buried her nose in Magnus' fur to hide her shy smile. "I'd like that."
"I'll show you the basics for today," he said. "Can we meet at our spot once a week?"
"Sounds perfect," she said. "It'll be something to look forward to when I'm being bored to tears by suitors."
Fili returned her smile. "Great, let's get started." He pulled out a bag full of small chunks of dried meat. "You'll want to carry something like this everywhere you go with Magnus."
Sigrid took the pouch and together, they started training the dog, teaching him to pay attention and sit that first day using both vocal commands and hand signals. Fili taught her some khuzdul so others wouldn't easily be able to give commands.
Sigrid frowned when Fili taught her the phrase for 'watch.' "I thought your language was secret. Won't people get angry?"
"Your pronunciation is so bad, dwarrow won't be able to understand you anyway. Don't worry about it."
"If you say so."
After an hour or so of instruction and when Magnus started just laying down at every opportunity, they called it a day for training and Sigrid picked the puppy up and loaded him back into the sling. He didn't even bother to lift his head out, instead just snuggled in and fell asleep.
"Good boy," Sigrid said, scratching his fuzzy ears. She looked up at Fili. "It's early. Would you like to come down to the midsummer festival?"
"I wouldn't want to impose on your people's celebration," he hedged.
Sigrid shook her head. "You wouldn't be imposing. Please come? It's been so long since there was a proper festival for my people. It's sure to be wonderful and I'm sure the vendors from Erebor would feel more secure in their acceptance there if one of their princes were to attend."
"I'm sure Uncle will appreciate my efforts in solidifying the alliance between our people," he admitted with a smirk. "All right, I'll come."
"Thank you," Sigrid said.
"Shall we?" Fili asked, indicating the way she'd originally come with his cane and offering his arm on his good side to her. She smiled and took it and together they returned to the main road and reentered Dale.
The festival was in full swing by the time they managed to make their way into the town center. Much of the repair efforts had started at the town center and radiated outward. Most of the buildings here were repaired or completely rebuilt and shone. Banners hung across the streets and fiery reds and bright, sunny yellows, pendants fluttered in the breezes atop buildings and walls, celebrating the summer and the city. Children raced through the crowds laughing and playing games. A few homemade kites flew from the walls, their strings held be eager children. Vendors made a rousing trade both from their stalls and from workers that wandered the crowds with their wares on trays. Fili noted several dwarrow among them and among those present to enjoy the festivities. Entertainers of both races weaved their ways through the crowds as well, juggling, breathing fire, telling stories, even a few Men on stilts wandered by, their faces painted comically.
"Oh look," Fili said, nodding toward a vendor. "Have you had these before?"
"No," Sigrid said, eyeing the pastries. "What are they?"
Fili fished a couple of coins out and paid the vendor for two. She curtsied to him, murmuring, "Your Highness honors me." He nodded his thanks.
"Struvor. Here, try one." He handed her one of the ones he'd bought.
"They're very pretty," Sigrid said looking over the geometric patterning to it carefully. "how are they made?"
"They're fried. Bakers either make special irons for the shapes or have them commissioned. Try it," he urged again.
Sigrid bit into the crispy, fried dough. Her eyebrows shot up and she smiled before covering her mouth with one hand while she chewed. When she finally swallowed, she grinned at Fili. "That's delicious," she said.
"As I said." Fili grinned at her and then popped the rest of his into his mouth before wiping his fingers on his trousers. Sigrid wiped hers on a handkerchief she kept tucked into a pocket of her dress.
"I'll have to bring some home to my family," she said with a grin. "Tilda and Da will love these."
"Not Bain?"
"He doesn't care for sweets," she said. "Pity for him but lucky for me. I always manage to get more of his share."
Fili chuckled. "Perhaps I'll bring some back to Kili and Mother," he said. "They love these just as much as I do."
"How is Princess Dis and Prince Kili?" Sigrid asked. "I haven't seen them in a while."
They continued on through the festival, both remembering where the vendor with the struvor pastries was so they could return later to buy more for their families. They sampled more of the food, examined the wares, and watched the entertainers as they spoke of their families and the goings on of their respective cities as they walked. A few games and competitions were scheduled throughout the day and they watched a few as they went. Magnus woke up at times and poked his head out of the sling, accepting offerings of food from the two as they strolled. Whispers followed them, but the two didn't notice them.
A swordsmanship competition caught Fili's eye in the later afternoon. He signed up and was surprised when Sigrid did as well.
"You'll hold Magnus for me while I compete, won't you?" she asked him without looking up from signing her name. Smytheson grinned at her when she set the pen back in the ink bottle.
"Of course," Fili said.
"Sigrid, you're going to compete?"
She turned and saw Tilda and Bain walking towards them, her little sister beaming up at her.
"Yes," Sigrid said. "Are you going to watch?"
"Bain wants to," Tilda said. "I don't see the point." She made a face.
"It's good to learn new techniques by watching others," Bain said, sounding as if he'd said this a few times already. His eye caught Fili and he bowed, greeting the prince and nudging Tilda to do the same.
"None of that now," Fili said, stepping forward to clasp Bain's hand. "I'm just here as any other dwarf today, enjoying the festival."
Bain nodded, returning the grip with a small smile.
"Prince Fili, why did you give Sigrid a puppy?"
"She mentioned she wanted one a few days ago. I know a dwarf that breeds dogs for the King's Guard. A litter was born a little bit ago and he said I could have the runt."
"This is the runt?" Bain asked, looking at Magnus. The dog woofed quietly at him and then went back to licking Sigrid's chin.
"Yes," Fili said.
"I'm afraid of how large the others are," Tilda said, wide-eyed.
Fili laughed and the group moved aside for others to sign up for the competition. They spent the next few hours wandering the market together until the designated time for the sword fights rolled around. Fili's first match came before Sigrid's and she joined her siblings in the stands as they watched Fili enter the ring.
A roar of approval sounded from every dwarf watching as well as from Sigrid and her siblings. The young prince swaggered into the arena, throwing his hands in the air and motioning for the cheers to get louder, a wide grin on his face. His opponent was a member of Dale's guard and well-liked in the city.
The crowds settled long enough for the judges to begin the fight. The guardsman advanced quickly, coming at Fili with the intent of using his superior height to his advantage.
"Well that was dumb," Sigrid thought as Fili ducked under the man's guard and came up with his own blunted weapon to slash across the man's ribs, scoring the first hit of five. The match didn't get any better with Fili dancing around the taller, burlier man. He won the match, evading any strike the other man attempted.
When Sigrid's first match arrived, she handed Magnus over to Fili. Sound deafened her momentarily when the people of Dale saw their Lady enter the ring. She waved one hand to the cheering and jeering crowds before turning to face off against her opponent.
"I'm going to enjoy this," the man said. "Not much more satisfying than teaching a girl her proper place."
Sigrid let one eyebrow rise but didn't reply. She knew her silence bothered her chattier opponents. She saluted him and the judge started the match. Sigrid darted in without hesitation. She lunged left in a feint before spinning right in a risky move, bringing the blunted weapon around to strike against the Chatterbox's ribs. She danced out of reach again before he could retaliate.
"Beginners luck," Blabbermouth grumbled. "You'll not make a strike like-"
Sigrid lunged straight at him, her arms extending in opposite directions. Her sword tip struck shoulder and she recoiled back into a defensive stance.
Windbag growled. "Enough!" he snarled and charged her with a roar, his sword raised high. Sigrid dove to the side at the last moment of the man's chopping swing. On her knees, she swung up and to the side with both hands on the hilt, hitting him across his rear with the flat of her blade. She lurched to her feet and away again.
Laughter erupted from the stands, drawing her attention briefly from Loudmouth. Immediately, her eyes found Tilda, Bain, and Fili where she'd left them in the stands. Her eyes met those of the grinning prince and she felt an answering smile tug at her lips before his expression shifted suddenly to one of alarm.
Sigrid sidestepped just in time to keep from being whacked on the collarbone, getting her sword between her and Talkative. She caught his blade on hers high enough to slow the blow but the sheer momentum knocked her block down and the sword smacked painfully into her shoulder. She kept moving back, getting out of range.
She circled, rotating her arm to shake off the pain and ignored the sneer on Chatty's face.
The traded blows for a while until Sigrid saw an opening. Quickly, she snaked her blade along his, tangled their hilts together, and yanked with all her might. Bigmouth's sword sailed across the ring, clattering onto the dirt floor as Sigrid swung her sword around, leveling it at his neck.
"Yield," she ordered with her sword tip just beneath his chin. He scowled but lifted his hands anyway.
The judge declared her the winner of the match.
"Yay Sigrid! You won!" Tilda cheered when the oldest sibling joined the others. She took Magnus back from Fili.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said, chest still heaving slightly with the exertion of the match.
"Don't mention it," he said. "That was quite the rookie mistake. What happened?" He indicated her shoulder where she'd been struck for Chatty McChit-chat's only point.
"I was distracted," she murmured, not meeting his eyes. He grinned and excused himself to prepare for his next fight.
The matches continued. Fili plowed through his opponents, Man and Dwarf alike. Sigrid fought through her next three, winning them all, some with more difficulty than others. She felt she'd been fairly lucky with her opponents. All had either been more inexperienced than she was or overconfident in their ability to beat her.
"How goes the sword competition?" Bard asked, coming up behind his children as they watched Fili put a member of Erebor's King's Guard to shame, laughing all the while ("Master Dwalin is going to have a field day with getting you fit for battle! My mum could beat you with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back!").
"I think His Highness will win the entire thing, the way he's competing," Sigrid said. She worried about his leg but also wondered if she should exploit it should they fight in the next round -a very likely scenario considering this was his last match before it and he only had to score one more hit to advance where his opponent hadn't so much as touched him.
"If he can beat you in the quarterfinals," Tilda said, holding the utmost faith in her sister's abilities.
Sigrid ruffled Tilda's hair, smiling at her optimism and cheered as Fili scored his final point, taking the match. He and the other dwarf left the ring so the first match of the quarterfinals could start. She knew her skill level and had gotten a good look at Prince Fili's. She'd been training -admittedly in almost every spare moment but still- for almost two years. Whereas the dwarf prince had probably trained for most of his much longer life.
"Can you hold Magnus Da?" Sigrid asked. "I better go get ready." She took off the sling after pulling the puppy out. She handed both over to her father before heading back over to prepare for her match against Fili.
After he finished his match, the dwarf prince joined her as she pulled on a padded jerkin to help protect her from the worst blows.
"I'll not go easy on you, Highness," she said, pulling her head free of the garment and reaching for the gloves set aside for her.
"Funny, I was going to say the same to you. I'll not hold back if you get distracted."
"I'll try not to hurt that pretty face of yours but I make no guarantees." She headed toward the ring as the other match wound down.
Fili gaped after her for a moment before jogging to catch up. "You think I'm pretty?" he asked, grinning.
Sigrid just smiled at him and entered the ring, taking up position on her side. When Fili faced her and saluted, she returned the salute and winked.
"Mind games is it?" he thought. "Let the games begin."
The judge signaled the start of the match.
Fili and Sigrid started circling each other, darting in for attacks, testing each other. Sigrid finally lunged, and Fili knocked her blade aside and followed her when she recoiled, swiping at her across her waist. She met his attack, bringing her arm in close. Fili forced her sword down, still advancing. He leaned into her, stepping into the guard, making eye contact, and smiling charmingly. Sigrid's eyes widened and her steps faltered. Fili whipped his blade up and struck her across the ribs before she could free her sword and get out of range.
Fili crowed with laughter. "What was that you said about my pretty face?"
Sigrid didn't answer, just advanced again, using her height to her advantage. Fili twisted aside and they traded blows, swords clashing loudly among the din made by the crowds. The dwarves cheered loudly as Fili hit Sigrid two more times. Sigrid fought back, pushing Fili to keep circling.
His hip, already hurting from the morning walking and the afternoon fighting, started to ache with a fierce, stabbing pain. He started limping harder. Sigrid pushed and pushed until he stumbled. She caught him across his shoulder when he faltered, throwing his arm out to catch his balance. The People of Dale roared their approval as the judge lifted the green flag, signaling her point.
Fili didn't step back but darted in when Sigrid stepped back. He caught her across her hip and stepped back.
They both darted in at the same time, swords coming around to clash together, retreat, and come in again. Fili came in high, Sigrid came in low. She struck his ribs but stopped moving then. Fili pressed his blunted blade into her throat.
"Yield," Fili ordered, a grin on his face.
Sigrid huffed a sigh and dropped her sword, raising her hands in surrender.
Dwarves cheered in the stands as Fili moved his sword to his left hand. "Well fought, My Lady."
She took his hand in a firm grip. "Should have known better than to taunt Erebor's crown prince before the match started." She grinned and they left the ring.
Once they were clear of the ring and the next combatants had entered, Fili turned to her but suddenly fell forward as a dark blur landed on top of him, shouting, "Fili!"
"Prince Kili!" Tilda raced over to them, grinning at the younger dwarf sitting on the elder's back.
"Lady Tilda! Did you see my brother almost lose to your amazing sister?"
"I did not almost lose," Fili groused, twisting out from under Kili and pinning him easily.
"Keep telling yourself that Brother," Kili said and wriggled his way free. He gave Tilda a hug when she reached for him. "How are you, littlest Bardling?"
Tilda giggled at the name. "I'm fine. How are you? Is Tauriel with you? There she is. Hi Tauriel! Did you know Prince Fili gave Sig a puppy?"
"A puppy?" Kili asked, glancing at his brother. "Where?"
"Da has him. Come on, I'll show you." She grabbed Kili's hand and led him off. Fili watched as Tauriel followed, smiling at the antics of the child and her dwarf.
"Will you be staying to watch the rest of the matches now you're out of them?" Fili asked as they followed the trio at a more sedate pace. Fili would soon enough have to return to the ring for the semi-finals but he felt he should keep an eye on Kili for a moment longer if he could.
Sigrid took the good-natured slap on the back from a nearby dwarf with a smile before answering. "Of course I will. I need to make sure that the one who beat me is indeed the best sword fighter here so I know what to work toward."
"I'll try not to disappoint," Fili said. They reached the others and Fili watched as Tilda took the sleeping puppy from Bard and showed it to Kili.
"Fee, you gave her a Mountain Hound?" he asked with a laugh.
"It's the runt of the litter," Fili said as if that made a difference.
Kili laughed. "I want a ride on it when it's full grown!"
"What?" Bard looked over at Kili.
"Joking, only joking," he said but sent a wink Tilda's way. The little girl giggled and continued to show off the puppy.
"I better head back," Fili said, nodding toward the ring but keeping an eye on Bard who was glaring at him and glancing at the dog in turn.
"Good luck, Your Highness," Sigrid said.
Fili did end up winning the competition, trouncing his remaining two opponents thoroughly. He accepted the gold offered him with a grin, waiving to the cheering crowds.
"And now Your Highness, who will you show your favor to this day?"
Fili grinned widely. "Why, to my brother Kili of course!"
A murmur broke out through the audience. People whispered and glanced at each other, eyes turning from the crown prince to his younger brother.
Fili continued after a moment. "For him to give to his One as I have not yet found mine and will show none other my favor." He motioned for Kili and Tauriel to approach as applause and cheering erupted again. Fili handed over the rest of the prize- a voucher for dinner at the finest inn as well as one for a young jeweler from Erebor. "Enjoy yourselves on me," he said, handing them to Kili.
"Many thanks, Brother," Kili said, his cheerful grin widening as he leaned up to kiss Tauriel. She leaned down to receive it and he shifted his stance, bending her back into an exaggerated, prolonged player's kiss. Hoots and hollers sounded from the dwarrows in the audience as well as good-natured jeering.
Fili returned to where Sigrid was with her family. She'd taken the sling back from her father and reloaded Magnus into it, petting his head absently as he licked at her face. Fili turned to Bard. "With your permission, My Lord Bard the Dragonslayer," he said and grinned at the glower he received for using the man's official title, "I'd be honored if you'd allow me to continue to escort Lady Sigrid for the remainder of the festival, if I may?"
Bard glanced at Sigrid who nodded.
"Very well, Prince Fili of Erebor, you may." He turned to his daughter. "Don't be out too late."
"I won't, Da," she said. "I'll come by the house after dinner to at least bring Magnus home and check in before I join in the dancing."
"That's my girl," Bard smiled at her.
She accepted Fili's arm when he offered it and they wove back into the crowds to enjoy the rest of the festival.
A/N: For those that are curious, Magnus is a Caucasian Shepherd (also called Caucasian Mountain hound or Caucasian Ovcharka or Baskhan (Karachay) pariy). Large males can weight around 200 pounds, as Mangus will when he's full grown. Google them. They're giant fluff balls of protectiveness. As always, please comment with questions, concerns, or, well comments. I always love hearing from my readers.
