Quick A/N: Time passes in this chapter, between the scenes. Not always the same day. By the time the chapter ends, they are half-way through with their camp session. Enjoy!

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"Assault!"

The youth surrounding the circling duo nodded, though one young American sucked in a shocked breath. "Will they get arrested?"

"Fool." Sneered someone with a thick European accent. "Assault just means it's a combat without points, unauthorized."

"Oh." Came the rather meek response.

Ori sighed, knowing that this wasn't a friendly assault as the fencing world might think. This was more in line with what the American youth had thought. "Cool off." He hissed toward Kili.

But Hollywood, as he was being called this summer, was in no condition to stop. His temper was riled and his grin was wide as he coaxed Fili's own temper higher. "You call that a lunge?" He deflected the attack with an ease that set the blond's teeth on edge.

The prince from Erebor had been angry, but holding back. This was a kid from Gondor. Younger than him. But he didn't fight like it.

The two foils danced back and forth in attack and defense, circling each other. Fili noted the youth was a bit reckless in his movements, but definitely skilled. He grimaced as he nearly fell for Hollywood's disengage, only managing to block the right attack at the last moment. The brunet pouted a bit in a mocking manner. "Ah. Almost had you."

Fili allowed himself to be pushed around a bit, getting a feeling for the style and finding it surprisingly similar to his own. Which was odd as he'd been instructed in sword work by Dwalin and Thorin, and only moving to fencing because of school. So why did Hollywood's style seem so damned familiar?

Suddenly Hollywood's foot positioned changed out of a traditional fencing placement and only years of practice with demanding instructors like his own Uncle kept Fili from being hit. Instinct took over and he moved his own feet in a natural counterbalance that was more of actual swordplay meant to be carried out with much heavier, and lethal blades.

Fili didn't even think. He reacted the same way he'd have done if it had been either Thorin or Dwalin coming at him with that motion. He swiveled, changed position, switched from his right to left hand in a move so swift that there were shocked gasps from those watching. He danced in and made as if to skewer ….Hollywood?

Realization dawned and he deflected his own move to block rather than attack, having the added benefit of knocking the kid's foil out of his hand. Fili blew out a frustrated breath. He'd almost HURT the poor kid all because he'd reacted rather than thought!

Hollywood stood there, shocked expression on both his and his friend Skeet's faces when suddenly the brunet's face darkened with rage. His brown eyes narrowed dangerously and Fili didn't have time to react before the younger boy was airborn in an unexpected tackle.

The prince from Erebor braced himself for the impact, which …didn't come.

Fili watched with a bemused expression as Eomer caught Hollywood in mid-leap and spun with him, taking the momentum in a different direction. Boromir showed up from out of nowhere, probably having come over after hearing all the noisy cheering and raucous calls from the gathered boys.

The tall Gondorian male grinned, clapping Fili on the shoulder. "Nice work! Illegal move to win, but his attack wasn't exactly allowed either. Never seen that stance before." He laughed happily.

Hollywood, hearing the compliment, growled from where Eomer was still holding him back.

Fili stilled. Suddenly nothing made sense anymore. No, they'd not been using legal fencing moves. His schoolmates on the fencing team would have been outraged. But …those WERE swordplay stances. From Erebor. How had Hollywood learned them? And used them so well? The kid was good. The blond eyed the still fuming younger teen, questions lurking in his gaze.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Bilbo sighed lazily as he watched the campers weeding his garden. If Gandalf kept insisting on sending him "help" he'd have to do something unpleasant to his old friend.

"Six of you." The small man said languidly, sipping an iced beverage from beneath the shade of his overlarge umbrella. "Who got in trouble?"

Beorn and Legolas turned and looked at Fili, who shrugged. While the two youngest campers looked at their dark-haired friend, who looked down at the ground and took his temper out on …. "wait, don't pull those up, those are carrots not weeds."

"Maybe I hate carrots." Mumbled the brunet, but he did leave off the innocent root vegetable after that.

"And you four volunteered to help out with your friends. How marvelous!" Bilbo beamed, ignoring Beorn's blank look and the roll of Legolas' blue eyes. He knew they'd not volunteered. Just as he knew why Gandalf had really sent them his way.

"Now, let's see. I've already met Durinson, Carrock and Greenleaf." Bilbo turned to the younger three campers. "And if I'm not very much mistaken, you sir have the look of Gondor about you. More to the point, the look of the Steward's son. But young. So? Faramir?"

The youngster in question flushed lightly with embarrassment, but smiled tentatively. "Yes sir."

Fili and his two cabin mates stopped weeding and looked up with some interest. Mr. Baggins had parsed out who they each were in but a matter of moments. Was he about to do the same to their two mystery campers only known by their nicknames.

Kili noted their interest and felt a shiver of alarm. He glanced uneasily over at Ori, who had Bilbo's attention. "Those braids are of Erebor, but I'm afraid I don't quite recognize the familial line."

Ori began breathing again, even as Fili closed his eyes in disappointment.

"But unless I'm mistaken, you and young Fili are cousins of sorts going by those sigils on that set of beads. Distant and all, but still." Bilbo took out a handkerchief and blotted at his chin in a fussy manner.

Fili's eyes popped open and he stared at the boy he only knew as Skeet. He peered at the beads in question and groaned. "How did I miss that?"

Bilbo snapped his fingers suddenly, his bright eyes innocent and clear as he smiled. "Rison. That's the family name, though I can't place the individual."

Kili's eyes were saucer wide, wondering what in the world he was going to do to keep his name from being revealed.

Fili grinned. "I know a Nori Rison. He's a distant cousin."

Now Ori turned and stared at the blond prince. "We don't talk about him." He said coldly, more out of habit and shock than anger.

"Oh." Fili's grin faded as he realized how he might have made a blunder. Nori was a dear friend of the family, and even distantly related. But he was rather notorious and had been jailed once or twice before. He'd received several pardons from the British government due to some 'things' he'd done during the war. Still, he wasn't exactly genteel and could be considered to be the black sheep of the family. In fact, Fili wasn't sure he'd ever heard if Nori had any family. "Sorry."

Skeet stared at the older blond for a moment before nodding shortly. He kept his mouth shut, when all he really wanted to do was beg for any information Fili had on his older brother. The one he'd only met twice before.

"Er, Mr. Boggins, I'd appreciate if you'd not …"

"Baggins. Excuse me dear lad, its Baggins."

Kili nodded nervously, giving and apologetic and charming smile. "But as for my name …"

"I'm afraid I have NO clue who you are young man." Bilbo sighed and neatly folded up his handkerchief. "Now. Who wants lemonade?"

The younger boys all headed over to join Mr. Baggins, who'd wanted them to call him Bilbo, immediately. Beorn joined them, sweating through his t-shirt.

Legolas walked up to Fili. "You know Skeet?"

"I know someone he's related to in some way." The Ereborean blond shrugged. "But I think Bilbo was lying when he said he didn't know who Hollywood is."

Legolas studied the open seeming, fastidious man. "Definitely lying."

"Hollywood attacked me."

"We started the pranks." Legolas reminded him with a grin. "And we'll win."

"That attack was of Erebor. I recognize the footwork and the attack style."

The Greenleaf heir sent a suspicious look at the youth in question. "Not Gondor then. Didn't think I recognized the style. Looked effective though. So. Hollywood isn't from Gondor."

"Nope." Fili agreed, his eyes narrowing with unanswered questions.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Faramir turned the corner, his mouth working on the ice cream cone in his hand. He pulled up short as he saw who was waiting for him. He eyed the two warily, but without actual fear.

Fili grinned and Legolas smiled winningly.

Faramir took a careful look around, but found himself quite alone. "What?" He asked cautiously.

"Hollywood and Skeet." Legolas said the names cheerfully. "Real names?"

"Yeah, they have them." Faramir bobbed his head and ignored the obvious question.

Fili sighed heavily, as if disappointed as he shook his head. "I want you to tell me who they are."

"And if they want you to know, they'd tell you themselves." Faramir countered. "Now. You're not about to beat me up. I'm younger and smaller. You're the Greenleaf heir and your father would be highly displeased. You're the heir to the Erebor throne, maybe. One day. Not the type of action that would reflect well on either of you."

"And you have an older brother to sic on us, is that it?" Legolas sneered.

Faramir glanced up nervously at them, but still showed no fear. "I could. But why should I?" He shrugged, trying not to let his own uncertainties bleed through his expression. "I can take care of myself."

Fili nearly laughed, but didn't. He kind of liked the kid's bravado. And he'd seen him out on the test today. "Nice batsman you were." He complimented. "Good control."

Faramir flushed, pleased.

"Your friends weren't there." Legolas mentioned.

"Cricket is not something they understand. American baseball. They were over on the other field." The kid from Gondor explained openly. If it wasn't about their names, he didn't mind talking. He didn't explain the dazed look both boys got when he tried to explain cricket rules to them.

"So. American Ereborean." Fili said casually.

Faramir's eyes sparked and he shrugged diffidently. "Skeet is." He said, admitting nothing else and not falling into the verbal trap.

Legolas looked down haughtily at the shorter boy from Gondor. "Hollywood is from ….come on … you can say it …"

"America?" Faramir straightened his shoulders and tossed the melting remains of his ice cream cone in the nearest waste bin. "Sure, I can pronounce that word." He started to leave.

Fili growled. "Don't say we didn't warn you."

Faramir stopped, turning to look back at the two disparate blonds. "You didn't warn me." He pointed out.

"Exactly." Legolas touched his forehead and then waved as he turned away with his friend, leaving Faramir looking a bit confused.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"Excellent sherry." Bilbo sniffed his glass with deep appreciation.

Gandalf beamed, looking almost sleepy as he puffed contentedly upon his beloved pipe. "You should know, you liberated it somewhere in France and brought it back to me."

"Ah." The smaller man tasted the fine liquid. "I thought you knew better than to age sherry. It doesn't have a long shelf life."

The gray-haired headmaster shrugged. "It does fine if treated properly and kept in a cool, dark place. How you liberated it and kept it in pristine condition, I will never care to guess."

Bilbo smiled and savored the taste of the sherry on his tongue. "It is quite pleasant." He said, understating the fine flavor. "If the wine has mellowed from its original, then how are we to know what we might have missed? No. It is just perfect now, and thus, all is well."

"Well?" Questioned Gandalf.

"Almost so." Bilbo allowed with the slightest of frowns. "If you would cease from sending campers my way."

"Any particular camper?" The tall headmaster queried innocently, drawing an irate look from his guest. "Oh yes, Beorn."

"The Carrock." Bilbo corrected, insisting on the more formal address.

"Beorn." Insisted Gandalf.

Bilbo frowned rather sharply. "You insist on the proper and familial name for you boys? Fine. Perhaps I shall then start calling both Durinson brothers by their names. Fili and Kili."

The gray-haired male sighed in a gentle manner and tutted his tongue chidingly.

"You play with dangerous games, and those boys could only turn up hurt." Bilbo scolded his long-time friend and confidant.

Gandalf blinked lazily, then nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Perhaps the world's map needs to change a bit."

Bilbo blinked rapidly, sitting up so quickly his sherry actually stirred within his glass. "Restore Erebor? Are you barking mad? A dragon holds that kingdom."

"A dragon?" Gandalf mused. "Amusing hyperbole my friend. Smaug is indeed a dragon in the sense that he rampaged in, took over, tossed everyone out and then just hordes his wealth there." He paused meaningfully. "That is, until he allowed Mordor to store troops in …his …kingdom."

Bilbo sighed heavily and shook his head. "That is not good news." He admitted roughly. "And I meant a dragon, in the sense that he is prepared to burn everyone and anyone alive if they even think of trying to restore Erebor to its true king."

"Ah." Gandalf puffed on his pipe again, blowing out a cheeky smoke ring in his friend's direction.

"It won't work." Grumped the now less than relaxed, and yet still retired, world traveler. Former world traveler. "I'm done."

Gandalf nodded peacefully.

"Don't think I didn't note the bruises on the Carrock heir." The shorter man pointed out sharply. "It changes nothing."

Another puff on his pipe was the headmaster's only response.

Bilbo shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I'm retired." He frowned, he was starting to sound petulant even to his own ears.

"Certainly. Retired." Gandalf nodded again.

Bilbo sighed.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"Found a dead fish, three of them actually, underneath the cabin." Ori sighed with exasperation. "You won't need three guesses at who's responsible."

Kili groaned and shook his head. "Bugs and critters and the SMELL."

Faramir walked into the cabin, stopping when he saw the serious expressions on his two friends. "It's a grand morning. We have swimming and water polo this afternoon, and our 'friends' have no clue as to your real names."

"Dead fish." Ori sighed.

"Under the cabin." Kili grimaced.

Faramir grinned. "I've always hated water polo. And I know where they keep the keys for the kitchen."

"Erestor is the cook and he's always there." Ori pointed out, though his curiosity was up.

Faramir's grin only widened. "Not during water polo matches. He's one of the main referees."

Both boys from Erebor looked up with keen interest.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"For someone who hasn't played water polo before, you make a good teammate." Legolas grinned.

Fili groaned as he got ready for bed. "We lost."

"Respectable showing." Beorn disagreed. "And the older teams who've been playing together longer won. They always do."

"Archery tomorrow." Legolas sighed happily, swinging up to the top bunk with ease and slipping into the sheets.

"You say that like it's a good thing." Fili groused. Archery was not something he excelled at. He too climbed into bed, then frowned. He moved his feet. "What in the world?"

"Okay, now I'm frosted!" Legolas sounded extremely angry and he jumped down onto the floor and then nearly lost his balance. He slipped and slid and then fell against the bed post with a loud sound.

Fili groaned with dismay and sympathy as Legolas began cursing as he lifted his foot where he'd just banged his toe rather hard. Then the blond started to slip again, and had to use his arms on the bunk bed to catch and find his balance. He sat down rather hard onto the lower bunk.

Fili pulled his own feet out from underneath his sheets. Something greasy was coating them. He ran a finger over the substance.

"Melted butter." Beorn sighed, he hadn't climbed into bed yet. But seeing their reactions he'd pulled back the covers on his own bunk. He stared at the melted, oily mess with disgust. "A lot of it."

Legolas sneered. "Oh yeah?"

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Laughter greeted Faramir, Hollywood and Skeet as they exited their cabin the next morning. Their faces fell as they realized there were soiled sheets hanging from the front railing.

Ori smiled wanly, his heart clearly not in it. For all the world the butter stains looked like someone had a bedwetting problem. "Perhaps we should have thought this one out more thoroughly."

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Fili shook out his aching arm where the bowstring had struck him stingingly. He glowered at the spot next to him where Hollywood was hitting the target with ease each and every time.

Kili was nearly crowing with sweet victory when two arrows went right past his nose and buried themselves in the center of the bull's-eye. He turned with shock to see Legolas standing there, sneering. Without thought he pulled out a new arrow and turned and shot it right between the blond's two shafts.

Legolas' eyebrows went up in what might actually have been reluctant approval.

"Butter." Murmured Fili.

Legolas smiled nastily and nodded, remembering he didn't like Hollywood. He pulled out two arrows and shot them at one time.

Kili scowled. How had the stupid blond done that?

"Beat that." Legolas sneered and turned to leave, Fili right at his side.

"That was fat city!" Fili crowed in a whisper so as not to be overheard. "Crazy."

Legolas sighed. "I had to learn how." He admitted with a rueful look toward his friend. "My sister did it first. In front of my father."

Fili and Legolas left laughing together, leaving a fuming Hollywood behind as he tried to fit two arrow shafts onto his bow.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"You're late. And we have an awards ceremony tonight." Faramir was waiting for them on the porch of their cabin. He looked just a dirty as they did. He caught their looks and shrugged. "Rock climbing."

"Canoeing." Ori gestured toward he and a dripping wet Kili.

"Looks more like swimming." Smirked Faramir, dodging a half-hearted jab from Ori as they entered their cabin.

"Halfway through the summer now." Kili sighed and grabbed his towel and soap, heading for his trunk. "What are the awards for?"

Faramir shrugged. "Some campers only come for one session, tonight's ceremonies are for those going home tomorrow."

Kili's dark eyes brightened. "What if Fili and Legolas leave tomorrow?"

"We couldn't get that lucky." Groused Ori. He was looking down into his trunk. "And I have no clothes."

"Laundry came back yesterday." Faramir pointed out, going to his own trunk and throwing it open. He frowned. "Huh?"

Kili ground his teeth together and marched over to look for something clean to wear for tonight. "Nothing. Zero."

Ori looked up, annoyed beyond reason. "Come on."

Faramir's eyes got big as he saw the determination on his friend's face. "Where?"

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

"You know, one of these days we could get reported." Beorn yawned as most of the campers milled around finding seats. They were inside the mess hall, ignoring the bad weather blowing into the area.

"Naw." Legolas countered breezily. "No pinks." He said, meaning ownership papers. In other words, there was no proof they'd done anything.

Fili glanced up at the roll of thunder. "Thought practitioner's took care of the weather."

"No." Legolas shook his head. "That's not really something we can do or change. Can't stop the rain."

"Too bad. Well, well." Fili intoned under his breath, making the other two look toward the entrance. He snickered. "Those clothes don't fit them well. Wonder where they found them. Lost and found?"

Beorn smiled gently, then shook his head. "That green shirt that Hollywood has on?"

Legolas sneered. "It's not the right size. He's stretching out the seams in through the chest."

"I meant, doesn't it look familiar?" The Carrock heir mentioned almost casually.

Fili looked again and then sucked in a harsh breath. "It's yours."

The blond practitioner shook his head in disbelief. "He wouldn't."

"Fili? Aren't those your pants and shirt on Faramir?"

The blond prince scowled darkly. "Let's blow."

"Oh, now boys. You can't leave before we start." They turned to stare up weakly at their headmaster as Gandalf beamed at them, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

The storm had passed the island before Fili and his cabin mates gained their porch. The ground was saturated, but at least the heavy rains had passed. As a storm it hadn't been too bad.

They'd been chomping at the bit to get away, but Gandalf had seemed to keep his eye on them throughout the entire evening and they'd been forced to sit through the whole thing.

The moment it was over they'd rushed over to their cabin. Breathing heavily, they looked around. Nothing looked out of place.

Legolas crossed the room in a hurry and threw open his trunk. He groaned and let out a few choice words. The other two boys joined him.

Beorn bent down and sniffed. "Honey."

"They coated our stuff!" Fili's fists clenched. "This is getting out of hand."

Legolas and Fili shared a lingering look full of dark promise and retribution. Beorn shook his head. "Guys? It's only honey."

The two blonds headed for the door while the bigger teen rolled his eyes and followed. They all stopped on the porch staring.

"Well met!" Gandalf sat on horseback, smiling benignly at them all. "Since the six of you have spent the most time with my friend, Mr. Baggins. I thought you'd like to accompany me on checking on his well-being."

"Uh." It was the most intelligent thing Fili could think of to say.

"Of course, sir." Legolas got more words out, but he looked just as shaky as his friend.

Gandalf frowned. "Problems lads?"

Fili glanced behind Gandalf, seeing Hollywood, Faramir and Skeet holding onto the reins of two mountain ponies each. He grinned darkly. "No problem."

Legolas fairly leapt into the saddle of one of the mounts, leaving Skeet to climb up much more methodically and without the blond's natural grace. "Those clothes don't fit you quite right." He said casually.

"You smell sweet though." Ori countered. "Sweet as honey."

It wasn't true, he'd not touched the sticky stuff. It was merely the suggestion that had Legolas' jaw clenching tightly.

"Gondor is baloney." Fili whispered as he grabbed the pony's reins. "Who are you?"

Kili ducked his head and mounted his own pony, not answering directly. "Going home tomorrow?"

"No. You?"

"No."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Ready? Good. Good." Gandalf turned and smiled easily at them all. "Let's move on then."