When Thorin's ghost returned to the armory through a more hospitable entrance, he was surprised to see that Bilbo had found Rhavaniel as well. The burglar was full of surprises.
"Miss Rhavaniel!" Bilbo called out. "It is so good to see you."
Rhavaniel had not yet re-equipped herself with the bulky blacksmith gear after Bard's visit. Bilbo was able to notice her immediately. He remembered Rhavaniel as a pretty girl, and she was now a beautiful young woman. She had the high cheekbones and graceful pointed ears of an Elf, but her features were full rather than sharp and narrow. Her eyes were wide and green, and fringed with thick black lashes. Her lips reminded one of a blooming, dark pink rose. Her skin was a golden brown that made her seem somehow warmer than other Elves.
"Mister Boggins?" she said with surprise. "I was not expecting you."
Bilbo smiled at the mangling of his name. He knew that Rhavaniel had learned his name from Kili, and it was Kili who had originally mispronounced it. Bilbo did not care to correct her, since "Boggins" was now an endearing reminder of Thorin's youngest nephew. Besides, a good burglar should cultivate an alias or two.
Rhavaniel shook Bilbo's hand."Please come sit down. May I offer you a mug of cider?"
"That sounds lovely." Bilbo smiled up at her.
Rhavaniel led Bilbo to an area near the forge where benches were arranged and a score of boys were fletching arrows.
"Mister Boggins, I should like you to meet the archers of Esgaroth. First class."
None of the boys had met a real, live Hobbit. They were eager to make acquaintance, while Rhavaniel prepared mugs of hot cider for all, to enjoy on this autumn day.
After answering a dozen questions about Hobbits, mostly related to his feet, Rhavaniel bid the boys to leave her alone with her guest.
"Go with Bennen and practice for a while." she told them, "Mister Boggins and I have some catching up to do."
Unbeknownst to them, Thorin sat down beside them. He wanted to be close enough to read the girl's eyes.
"How long have you been working here?" Bilbo asked.
"Over a year." she explained. "Once the armory was properly built up, Lord Bard thought that he should select some boys to train early as elite archers. Bard has tried to place all the children that have lost one or more parents with a good apprenticeship. This is just one of many programs that he has. I teach them archery, and how to make their own weapons. I make supplies for the adult archers, and help the other smiths with design and construction of larger weapons, such as the new windlass. I enjoy the work."
"I heard you were hunting Orcs and goblins before then?" Bilbo asked quizzically.
"Oh, yes I did. Beywynd - that is Bard's Master at Arms - teases that I was so good at it, I put us both out of work." she laughed. "But I would not have wanted to hunt Orcs any longer. It was unpleasant under the best of circumstances. The roads are safe now, all the way south to Mirkwood and west to this side of Misty Mountains, so it was worth it."
"Have you had any other visitors?"
"You are the first, and a pleasant surprise at that." Rhavaniel told him."I see none that knew me before. I like it that way. I don't think you understand, Mister Boggins, my people were not happy to see me back."
"I know." Bilbo told her as gently as he could, "Gandalf and I ran into your young friend, Herion, on the way here."
Rhavaniel froze.
"He was sure you were dead," Bilbo rushed to say, "and it pained him greatly. He wanted to tell you, if you were still alive, how very sorry he was."
"Did you tell him you thought I was alive?" she asked, casually sipping her cider.
"Well, yes, of course I did. He was happy to hear it."
Rhavaniel nodded, "If you see him again, you may tell him his apology was accepted."
"She is lying." Thorin said to Bilbo. "I do not blame her."
"Do you...have any Dwarf visitors?" Bilbo asked.
Thorin sighed, "Kili was not here, Bilbo." even though he knew Bilbo could not hear him.
Thorin could sense things. He had discovered that he could see his own trail behind himself, even months after he had passed by. Gandalf had seen it too, once Thorin had shown him what to look for. He would surely have seen Kili's pale footprints, had he ever set foot in this armory.
Rhavaniel grimaced. "My relationship with the Company of Thorin Oakenshield has certainly not improved over the last two years. I know they are your dear companions, and brothers in arms, Mister Boggins, but they hold no friendship for me, nor I for them."
"I am sorry to hear that." Bilbo said.
"I have not seen a Dwarf in nearly a year. Bard has restricted certain quarters of the City, mostly to keep Thranduil's Elves and Dain's Dwarves apart. Neither tribe are allowed in this quarter with the armory, so I am undisturbed. If I need something in the market the Dwarves frequent, I send a boy."
"I don't suppose you would be willing to meet with me and Balin tomorrow for tea?"
Rhavaniel shook her head. "No! I will not break the truce that Bard negotiated between us."
"Bard negotiated...? How badly were you getting along with the Dwarves that you have a formal truce?"
At that moment, a rosy cheeked woman arrived pushing a cart. "Hello, Raven." she called.
"If you will excuse me, Mister Boggins. The boys get meals delivered from a nearby tavern, as part of Bard's care for them. This is their dinner time. You are welcome to join us."
"Thank you, but I should take my leave now, and let you tend to your charges. Might I come back in the morning to see you? There is someone I want to introduce to you." Bilbo asked.
"Certainly." she told him. "But not until mid-morning, please. I will have to see the boys fed and set to tasks before I can speak with you and your companion."
"She is lying to you, Bilbo. Do not let her get away with that." Thorin warned.
"That sounds perfect. Have a good evening." and Bilbo trustingly departed.
