A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed my story so far! And to those that I've talked with through PM, thank you for your kind words! You guys are just the best, and I really do appreciate the support!

I do plan to have Rhu explain more about herself, I am just waiting for the right time. So don't worry, I haven't forgotten.

As always, I hope you enjoy! Please review, feel free to PM me, and let me know what you think, sweeties. :)

Chapter Ten: Practice Makes Perfect

Beorn's home was the coziest thing they'd seen since setting out from Rivendell, even if it was quite dark inside. The dwarves kept close to one another, while Rhu stood back with Bilbo and Gandalf. They were all startled at the sound of clapping hands. It was only their large host, who had signaled for his help.

In trotted several gorgeous ponies, and few large dogs behind them. At Beorn's command, they brought in torches and got a fire going. Rhu watched as the dogs walked on their hind legs and carried things about. It amazed her, and Bilbo as well.

Not long after, a couple of beautifully white sheep appeared through the door, followed by a ram. And on their backs, they carried an assortment of bowls, trays, knives and spoons. Everything was set up quick enough, and soon they were all seated at the large table. Rhunia made herself comfortable beside Balin, smiling at the white bearded dwarf as Kili took the seat beside her … much to Fili's disappointment. Kili grinned at his brother, he only wanted the chance to tease and prod Rhu.

"Do I know you, lass?" Rhu was startled to look up and see Beorn staring intently at her. "I could swear I have seen you before."

She offered a smile to the large man and shook her head. "No, I do not believe so," was her answer, quiet and polite as she could be.

Beorn only shrugged and laughed, stroking his long black beard. "No matter! Let us eat now!"

And eat they did. A fine supper, something they hadn't had in what felt like ages. The dwarves talked amongst each other as did Gandalf and Beorn, and Kili took the chance to fling a bit of food towards Rhu with his spoon. She would've gladly sent something back his way, if it hadn't been for the scornful looks Thorin was sending his young nephew.

Everyone grew quiet after they had filled their stomachs, and listened as Beorn told stories of the land he'd traveled. And of Mirkwood, where they would soon venture. Rhu couldn't decide which place she might hate worse. Mirkwood, or the goblin cave.

The dwarves, in return, shared stories of their own. But their tales did nothing for Beorn, who looked to be nearly asleep as they went on and on about treasure, and gold, and the weapons they could craft. The big man did manage a loud chuckle at hearing little Bilbo, who had mentioned the dwarves and their particular interest in his silverware upon their first meeting. "You just wait until they blunt your knives!" he went on, but all with a smile on his face.

More logs were thrown onto the fire as everyone sat around it, drinking from their mugs. It grew darker and darker outside as the night progressed. Beorn spoke to Gandalf for a long while before disappeared out into the darkness, the door slamming behind him. The sound made Rhu jump, not realizing she had nodded off. "You're alright, Miss Rhunia." Blue eyes looked over to see Fili, who had an arm around her shoulders to keep her from falling over.

A light pink blush crept over cheeks. If she hadn't been so tired, she would have apologized. But the dwarves grew tired as well. "I think it is time we get some sleep," said Gandalf. "And we would be wise to heed Beorn's words. It would not be wise to venture outside until morning, as he said."

Most of the dwarves had already passed out. Bilbo couldn't manage to hold his sleepy eyes open another second, and curled up on the small straw bed that was made for him. Thorin and Gandalf put away their pipes and found a place amongst the scattered dwarves to sleep.

Their fire had died down significantly. The embers still crackled and sparked, and gave off a glow. Rhu lay on her straw mat, looking through the smoke hole in the roof, out at the stars. It was proving difficult to find sleep. The snores of the dwarves had no effect on her anymore, she'd grown used to it.

"What plagues your mind, my lady?" asked a low voice.

Rhu turned her head slightly, seeing Fili on his side facing her. Had he been awake all this time as well? She felt hot under his gaze. Rhu turned on her side as well to face him. "It is nothing. I only thought I heard something outside." It wasn't a complete lie. The rustling sounds caught her attention, but even she didn't know what might be causing her to lose sleep.

"Do not worry. You are safe with … us." With me. Fili leaned over Bofur, who snored loudly, and brushed the hair away from Rhu's face. "Get some sleep."

Rhu smiled sleepily, and let her eyes slowly shut. She was sound asleep not long after. Though now it was Fili who could not find sleep. He lay there, as the night crept by, his eyes never leaving Rhu. He watched the way her body lightly rose as she breathed, how she would sometimes jerk and mumble. He wondered if she might be dreaming, or what it was she was thinking about.

There had been no sight of Gandalf, or their host for that matter, since the dwarves had awoken. Rhu was roused from her sleep, as well as Bilbo, to eat before every last bit of breakfast was gone. After the two of them had eaten what remained, they all headed outside.

"Are you ready, Rhunia?" asked Kili.

She looked slightly puzzled at the dwarf, afraid to ask what it was he wanted. "Ready for what?" Rhu's curiosity had gotten the better of her anyway.

"To practice, of course," Fili chimed in, walking across the grass to hand Rhu a sword. "We did warn you before that we would be testing your skills." The blonde dwarf couldn't hide the grin that found his lips, watching the look of annoyance on Rhu's face.

"And I already told you, I know how to use this!"

"I saw how you handled yourself against the goblins," Fili started, "and to be honest, you could use a little work." His grin widened, and Rhu scowled, shaking her head from side to side as she looked at the two brothers.

She tossed the sword to the ground and placed her hands firmly on her hips. Kili was having none of it, smirking as he slid his own weapon back into its sheath on his belt. "Oh yes, you will practice with us, or I shall tickle you!" The dwarf giggled mischievously, remembering how Rhu squirmed about when he and Fili had poked her sides many times before.

Rhu squealed as she was forced to run from Kili, swatting away his hand when he got close enough. She ran until she was nearly out of breath, and threw her hands up to fend off the young prince. "Fine, fine! I shall practice!"

"Take care, Lady Rhunia!" said Balin, who had been so kind to wrap Rhu's wounds nicely after breakfast that morning with supplies found in Beorn's home.

"Do not fear, Master Balin. We shall be gentle with the little squirt," Kili called out, snickering as Rhu picked up her sword from the ground and prepared herself the best way she knew. Kili was first. He charged towards the woman, nodding as she jumped to the side to avoid him.

The dwarves, apart from Thorin, seemed to be enjoying themselves. He did chuckle occasionally at his youngest nephews failed attempts to catch Rhu, listening to the clinging of their swords. "Straighten your back! Keep your sword up!" shouted a few of the dwarves from time to time. Even Dwalin gave Rhu a few tips, and nodded approvingly when the woman finally managed to disarm Kili.

"Very good, squirt," the dark haired dwarf said, ruffling up Rhu's hair. "Now let's see how you do against Fili."

"Do that again, my lady, and I shall let you wear my hat for a day!" said Bofur, a silly but warm smile on his face.

There was no time for rest as Fili was already advancing on her. Rhu brought her sword up quickly to catch his as it came down. He was fast, slightly faster than his brother, and Rhu had a harder time moving away from him.

Fili was enjoying himself, keeping her on the move and on her toes. But the more he watched her, the less he thought about keeping his own stance up. It wasn't until he was face to face with the blue eyed beauty that he could fully watch her breasts bounce as she hopped from side to side to avoid him. "Come on, Fili!" Kili called out, momentarily catching his brothers attention.

Rhu took advantage when Fili looked away for a slight second, and clipped her foot behind his leg as quick as she could. With a jerk, she'd caught him off guard. Though Fili was quick as well to reach a hand out and grab Rhu by the collar of her shirt.

Both fell to the ground with a thud. Rhu felt her face redden and her breathing slow as she straddled the young dwarf, her face mere inches from his. She stared into Fili's eyes, unable to move though everything inside of her was screaming.

"That's enough for one day," Thorin's voice finally brought Rhu out of her trance.

"I win," she stated simply, lifting herself off of Fili. The blonde dwarf pushed himself up as well and stood, hoping no one would notice the slight rising below his waist.

"Good show, very good!" Bilbo called out as he clapped his hands.

Bofur hopped down from his place on the bench and waved Rhu over. "As I promised, little lass!" The dwarf pulled off his floppy hat and placed it on Rhu's head, causing all of the dwarves and Bilbo to howl with laughter. Even Thorin smiled, for she looked absolutely silly.

The sun was just beginning to set when Gandalf arrived back at the house. Bilbo was the first to jump from his seat. "Where have you been! Where's Beorn?" the Halfling cried out, causing the dwarves to join in. Gandalf held up a hand to silence them, refusing to answer anything until he had eaten. And even after that, he wouldn't say a word until he'd gotten to blow a few smoke rings.

The smoke rings were quite beautiful. Gandalf blew some that were bigger, some were smaller, and then different colors. Though the dwarves eventually grew impatient and nearly began to question the wizard once more. He finally set his pipe down and looked at them.

"If you must know, I have been following tracks." Gandalf began, taking a seat. "They led all the way to the Carrock, and then disappeared into the river."

Many wondered if that was the direction Beorn had gone, they hadn't seen him since their first night, and he hadn't returned since. Bilbo began to panic, and questioned, "What if he leads the wargs and the orcs to us? We shall be eaten!"

Gandalf hushed the hobbit before anyone else could get stirred up at the idea. "Do not be foolish with such ideas! He will return soon enough, but you had better get to bed."

And so they all settled down for the night and were off to sleep. They were woken the next morning by none other than Beorn himself. "You're all still here!" he said aloud with a hearty laugh. "And not eaten by the wargs, huh!"

Everyone gathered at the table to have breakfast, and listened to Beorn as he spoke of where he'd been, and what he'd seen. "Forgive me, but I had to see for myself." The large man took a gulp of mead from his mug before continuing. "I came back as quick as I could to see that you were safe, and to offer any help I can."

Beorn promised them food to last for weeks, ponies for the dwarves, and horses for Gandalf and Rhunia to carry them toward Mirkwood. "You will find that the way through Mirkwood is dark, and dangerous." He finished his mead and set the mug on the table, looking to the faces of Thorin and his companions.

"I will provide you with skins for carrying water, and I shall give you some bow and arrows. Though I doubt you will find anything in Mirkwood wholesome to eat or drink."

His words did nothing to encourage the dwarves. Or Bilbo and Rhu for that matter. The two of them exchanged worried glances, and Rhu found herself wishing there was another way to go. "There is a stream, you should never drink from or bathe in. I have heard it carries enchantment, as well as a great drowsiness and forgetfulness. And you must not stray from the path."

Beorn repeated it several times, looking at each member of the group as he said it. For if they strayed, they would most certainly be lost, and might never find their way out. That task would prove to be hard enough on its on.

"I must ask you to send back my horses and ponies once you reach the forest gate." Beorn offered as much advice as he could for their journey, and welcomed his home to them should they ever find themselves there again.

Gandalf rose from the table. "We shall set out in the morning, I think." Thorin nodded in agreement, the anticipation was eating away at him with every second. "Gandalf is right, get some sleep. We have a treacherous road ahead."