CHAPTER 14

COMBAT LESSONS AND NEW ARRIVALS

AN: Finally, finally, I had some time to write this! Here's a nice filler chapter for you all, enjoy everyone. :)

Millie's POV

The clearing that we had gone to in the forest was large and ideal for practice. There was a large tree stump that we could sit on, as well as a large tree with several low-hanging, thick branches that could be sat on as well.

"Alright, listen up," Thorin began from a fork of the tree he was standing in, "Find a partner and practice combat and whatever else that you need. We will come together again in about an hour so we can demonstrate what we have learned." He said. "Alright, get going." He got off the tree and I watched as everyone scrambled and partnered up. I began to join the cluster that was the company when Thorin's gruff voice sounded form behind me, "You'll work with me Millie." He said.

I felt my face turn hot with bashfulness and I turned and glared at Sam, who'd paired with Bilbo. She returned it with a troll grin. I stuck my tongue out at her and turned back to Thorin.

"Come on then, hurry." The leader said. Thorin led me deeper into the forest to another clearing, smaller than the first, but still good for practice.

"Alright," Thorin began, "Start with one sword."

"Okay." I pulled one sword out of its scabbard and gave it a quick swing.

"Now, I want you to try and attack me."

I nodded and took a few steps back. Then, I drew back my sword as if it was a baseball bat and ran forward. When I was close enough, I swung, only to be met by Thorin's blade, the metal clanging together made a powerful ringing sound. The weight of Thorin's blade caused my sword to be ripped from my grasp and clang to the ground and I stumbled backward, at that moment, Thorin ran forward and grabbed my tunic collar and touched Orcrist to my neck, the cold metallic sending shivers through me.

"You would've been brought down right there." He said. He let go of me and stepped back, "That was one of the blocks; a beat. That block, when using enough power, can disarm your opponent."

Really Thorin? I didn't know that.

"Okay, I guess we should start at the beginning with the proper way to hold your sword; to do this, place your dominant hand on the hilt, and place your other hand lower on the hilt." Thorin explained.

I did what I was told and placed my right hand higher on the blade than my left one.

"Not bad," Thorin said, "Now, put your dominant arm close to your body and point your blade at your opponent's chest or head, whichever is more comfortable for you." He demonstrated for me and I tried my best to follow his directions, and I didn't do too badly. Then, still gripping his sword in the same position, Thorin placed his right foot in front, slightly bending his knee and his left leg behind, completely straight. "Do exactly as I'm doing." I nodded and copied his position.

"This is your ready position." Thorin said, "Now, since you seem to have this down, we're moving on to blocks. I've already shown you one; the beat. There's two other; a hard block, and a parry." Thorin took a few steps back, "Now, I'm going to try and attack you, you try to block me."

Before I could argue, Thorin took a step forward and tried to attack, my reflexes worked before my mind and I swung my sword, making contact with the middle of my blade to the middle of Thorin's. A ringing sound echoed through the trees and I smiled smugly at Thorin's expression, the dwarf seemed taken by surprise.

"Impressive." He said, taking his sword away and stepping back.

Really? He didn't say that lightly. That must've been good.

"Thanks." I replied.

"What you just did there is called a parry. Now let's see if you can do that again."

Samantha's POV

"Do you have any idea how to use a sword?" Bilbo asked.

I shook my head, "I usually use axes. I don't even have a sword."

"I could only teach you how to use an axe, only if you wanted."

Bilbo held out his hand and shook his head," "No, it's fine. I'm too small to wield a weapon like that."

"Hey, I'm small and I wield two, plus throwing axes." I replied, smiling.

Bilbo chuckled, "You are a pretty tough girl." He commented.

I smiled. "Thanks. And are you sure?"

"Yes. Positive."

"Okay." There was an awkward silence until I said, "Hey, wanna see what I've been practicing with my throwing axes?"

"Of course." replied Bilbo.

"Okay. Ready?"

"When you are."

"K, here I go. I'm going to hit the middle of that tall tree trunk." I stepped back a few paces and drew one of my throwing axes put my hand back, and swung it forward quickly, flicking my wrist and letting my axe go. It did 360's in the air and embedded itself perfectly into the tree, right where I had wanted it.

"That's fantastic!" Bilbo exclaimed. I felt my cheeks turn pink.

"That's not even the best of it. Watch this." I took out four axes and hurled them one after another into the trunk, and they landed in a perfect column.

"Excellent." Bilbo commented.

"And, finally-" I hurled two axes at the same time and they embedded in the tree side by side.

"You've got a good arm Lassie." Came a friendly voice from the tree stump. I turned my head to see Balin sitting there.

"Why thank you." I said.

He chuckled, "You and your friends always put a smile on my face, especially you. It sends a gentle feeling through these old bones."

"Really? Thank you. I'm glad I make you feel that way." I replied. Balin and I locked our gazes and for a moment smiled at one another, creating a block of silence, well, not really, because there were several dwarves practicing loudly in the clearing but anyway.

"Shall we go collect your axes?" asked Bilbo.

I turned my head towards him, "Oh, yes." We walked to the tree and I pulled each axe out rather quickly without much effort and packed them away in my belt until there was just one remaining; my favorite one, the one I had thrown into Azog's back that was stained with black orc blood. We both reached for it at the same time and our hands met. I turned my head towards him and our gazes locked, we were both blushing. Awwwwwkwaaaard….

"Umm….." Bilbo began.

I chuckled, "It's okay." I said, "I think I've got it."

"Well alright." Bilbo said.

I clasped the axe handle with both hands and started to pull; it was deeply embedded and was being a stubborn but. I yanked and strained but the freaking thing wouldn't budge.

"Oh, damn you!" I said, yanking harder. I pressed my feet against the tree trunk, pulling backward, trying to loosen the axe. "Oh, you bloody thing!" I exclaimed, yanking even harder. My knuckles were turning white and droplets of sweat were on my forehead and my hands began to ache, "WILL YOU JUST COME LOOSE ALREADY!" I shouted, losing all my patience. I gave it one last hard yank and unexpectedly, out of the tree it came, and I went flying backwards and hit the ground with the thump, "Oomph!" I said as I hit the ground rather painfully, landing on rough little pebbles. It hurt so bad that tears came into my eyes. I then heard a pesky, loud, obnoxious, too-perky laugh burst out and there came my annoying brother, laughing his ass off at me. I scrambled off the ground and through angry pain tears, standing on my tip-toes I got up in his face. I raised the axe, "If you don't shut up, I will shove this up your ass." By now, all the company had gathered around us and were watching.

"Ooooo, so scary." He said.

There was a block of silence, and for a moment I just stood there, red-faced, tears streaming down my cheeks. Then, I suddenly yelled loudly in his face; "YOU'RE A JERK!" and slugged him as hard as I could in the shoulder. By now I was really crying. I hurt, and I was more embarrassed than I think I had ever been, so I whipped my head around and stormed off, back toward the house, leaving the company staring after me with puzzled expressions.

Marley's POV

When Sam had disappeared from sight, everyone turned and looked at me with angry faces, and I just stood there awkwardly, realizing what I had just done.

"Now what was that?" Bilbo asked.

"Poor Sam." Kili said.

"She was in tears!" Fili added.

"Now laddie, that was quite uncalled for." Balin scolded.

I hung my head and shuffled my feet uncomfortably.

"What did she do to you to deserve that?" Gloin asked.

"That was totally uncool." Lizzie added.

"You should be ashamed of yourself." Gandalf said.

I felt my cheeks flush pink. Damn, I felt horrible. I had made my sister cry.

Samantha's POV

Tears blinded me as I ran back toward the house. I wanted to get as far away from Marley and the Company as possible. I was so embarrassed and angry. I wanted to lock myself in my quarters and never come out.

o0o

At last, the large house appeared before me and O through open the door and ran inside, running down the hall as fast as I could. I ran to my room, slammed my door shut and face-planted into my bed and cried into my pillow.

It was about twenty minutes later, after I had calmed down a bit and was now lying on my side, staring out the window sadly, sniffling, when I heard rapping at my door.

"May I come in?" asked a female voice.

"Go ahead," I answered, forcing myself to sit up. I heard the door open as Eleana came in.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I sighed, "Fine, I guess."

"Are you sure?" she asked, sitting herself down beside me, "You came in the house in tears."

"It's just…well…"

"Tell me what's wrong." Eleana said.

"I was practicing with throwing axes when I lodged my favorite one deep into the tree I was throwing them at. It was stuck and when I dislodged it, I fell backward and landed on a bunch of pebbles, which hurt really bad. Then, my brother, Marley, instead of helping me up, started laughing! Laughing at me! It made me so angry because I was already in pain and embarrassed enough, so I lashed out and yelled at him. Then I came back here. It was so embarrassing."

Eleana nodded. "I see. I can imagine."

I nodded, "But now I'm mad at myself."

"Why is that?"

"I made a scene…and I feel stupid for crying in front of everyone, the worst part is, I don't even know why this made me so upset. Things like this usually don't upset me this bad."

"Well, umm….are you….close?"

"Close to what…..oh." I calculated a moment.

"I guess I am." I answered finally, "Ah, PMSing is such beautiful thing." I said with sarcasm. Eleana and I laughed. Suddenly, the woman's laughter stopped and she doubled over, starting to breathe hard, clutching her stomach.

"Eleana? Are you okay?"

"The baby's coming!" she gasped.

"Oh God, okay, stay right there, I'll go find Ana." I jumped up and started to bolt throughout the house, looking for the shy Midwife.

o0o

Millie's POV

The sound of ringing metal echoed through the trees as I disarmed Thorin for about the fifth time. He was on the ground and my blade was pressed to his neck.

"Well, you learn fast." He said, panting, "You're getting better, I'll give you that."

I gave him a questioning a look, "I've beaten you five times and all you say is I'm "getting better"?"

"When I see you win in a real fight, then I'll call you a Good Swordsman."

"Oh…thanks." I said sarcastically. Thorin chuckled and grinned and I felt bubbly inside, I loved seeing this dwarf in a good mood. I put my weapon away and helped Thorin up off the ground.

"Shall we head back?" I asked.

Thorin nodded, "Yes." We made our way back to the clearing where everyone else was, only to find everyone bolting toward the house in a mob.

"What the hell?" I said.

"Millie!" Elizabeth and Kili ran toward us.

"What's going on?" Thorin demanded.

"It's Eleana." Lizzie said, stopping to catch her breath.

"She's about to have her baby." Kili said.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, following quickly after them.

o0o

Once inside, everyone was waiting nervously outside Elaina's door. Everyone was in a huddle and Bilbo looked a little scared. I then caught sight of a tall figure pacing back and forth in front of the door, he had shaggy, messy black hair and a black beard and his brown eyes looked nervous. This was Beorn. After hours upon hours it seemed, at last, Ana came out and spoke to Beorn, who followed her inside, after a few minutes, he came back out and invited everyone in to see the new arrival. New arrivals, I should say. Twins; one male and one female. They both had thick, dark hair and Elaina's grey-blue eyes. Beorn held his new son gently in his arms and kissed his wife tenderly.

"They're beautiful." Elizabeth said.

"Congratulations, my friend." Gandalf said, patting Beorn on the back.

"So, what are you going to call them?" Kili asked curiously.

"The little man here," Beorn said, "We decided we'll call him Beran, which mean "Bear"." That name was perfect, considering that Beorn could shape-shift into a bear.

"We haven't figured out the name for the girl yet," Eleana said.

I thought for a moment, thinking back to the time when I had looked up Middle Earth names on the internet back home, "What about Beranwyn?"

"I love that name." Elaina said.

"Bear-Joy," Beorn said, "Beran and Beranwyn…hmm, not bad. Beranwyn it is then." Beorn finished, "Now, who's ready for supper?"

A chorus of Aye's and yes's filled the air.