Hey there,

I only updated yesterday but it has been so icy here my car doors wouldn't open, so I used that as an excuse to spend the day in bed writing. I hope that you enjoy this chapter! Let me know how it goes,

Cheers!

I do not own anything except my little Todd.

Chapter 7 – Of Hilts and Hearts

She awoke the next day with a fire building in her chest. She had the whole night to think over what was going to happen. She was going to show her King her skill, and whether or not she impressed him was the key to letting her come on his quest with his Company. In her head things were simple, or she wanted them to be simple. If she did well, if her King was impressed with her skill and her abilities, then she would be allowed on the quest, upon which she would then make it her mission to not only befriend each dwarf but to also prove to them that she could protect them and help. If she didn't prove herself and her King deemed her place among them unavailable she would follow them anyway.

She had dreamt that night, of her Fathers shinning halls of stone, with the bustling of life and laughter within them. She saw him there, at his station smithing beautiful necklaces of starlight and gems. It had hardened a resolve in her. She realized also that her Mother would also be proud, she never wanted her daughter to be alone, and therefore the prospect of friends would probably make her smile down on her.

She launched herself out of bed, and used the replenished washbowl to clean herself before changing into her tight dark hunting trousers, her white undershirt and this time she donned her black tunic dress. After tying the corset bows, her twin blades were also secured to her by way of a thick brown leather belt that sat on her hips over her tunic. The hilts sat at each hip, just under the fitted corset part of the tunic, ready for easy grabbing in tight situations. She figured that being in her most comfortable gear would mean for a more easier way of moving. She tucked her necklace inside her white undershirt and pulled out her red ribbon from the bottom of her bag. She had meant to put it in the last few days, but something always got in the way. She plopped herself down in front of the mirror. She picked two strands from the side of her head above her ears, and took them to the back of her head where the muddled them into a bun, then she used the ribbon to tie a tight bow about it securing it in place.

Looking in the mirror then made her self deflate a little. She still had the splatter of freckles over her cheeks and her nose. They were a testament to how pale she way. He skin was like snow, no matter how much sun she had labored under. Also as if she had been living in Erebor already for the whole of her life. Yet one quick affectionate tug to her braid and clasp made her shake her insecurities aside and take a deep breath.

Her hair was looking just as wild as the day before, with it being fresh from a wash it was snaking around her head in waves, then dropping down to the small of her back. It was unnecessarily long, but she wasn't going to cut it. No way, that wasn't what her Father would have wanted. He had told her and made her grow up with the knowledge that hair is an extremely important thing to the Dwarrows of Middle Earth. The longer and more full the hair the more attention and respect you gain. She imaged that some of those in the Company had a lot of respect with their donut shaped braids and star shaped hairstyles.

She moved to the door then, not sure whether she would be eating with Rhianine at all, seen as the day was shaping to be quite a busy one. She had just left and turned her back to close her door when a voice cleared behind her. Turning she spotted Bofur, at his side another of the company, his cousin if she remembered correctly. They both looked her up and down, taking in her belt and twin daggers, with hesitant eyes. She decided it was now or never, she needed to make good impressions to try and win them over, even if they sneered and huffed at her, she would give them no reason to hate her. She hoped only then would their judgment of her change from that of her fallen ancestors.

"Good Morning" She bowed her head a little.

"Good Morning Lass" Bofur nodded back, his cousin was nodding his head too, a little franticly but nodding all the same. "We came to fetch you, you're eating with us this morning!"

"Ahh, are you sure?" Todd asked, feeling nervous, the last time she ate with the company it hadn't ended well.

"It's what Thorin wants, plus Ori is excited to see you again." He said with a small smile.

Todd blushed and started towards them. Bofur lead the way towards the Company, with Todd and Bifur walking side by side behind him. He chatted away about how Ori, after they had both been pulled to one side and told off by Thorin, had stood up for her and blurted to Thorin and Balin that her Father was indeed Balgiar of Erebor. Todd shook her head, not really knowing whether she was pleased they knew or even more worried. Bifur had positioned himself right next to her, and kept looking at her from the corners of his eyes. The whole thing making Todd a little uncomfortable, yet she didn't sense a threat from him. She had been wary, for the dwarf had an axe blade stuck in his head and she thought it would maybe make him a little temperamental, but he seemed easy enough to get along with. Just very quiet, he hadn't spoken a word to her the whole time.

The journey to where the dwaves where eating their breakfast was a short one, the time it took for them to reach the company let Todd steel herself. She readied herself for the looks and mumbles. Yet when she arrived she had heard none of the disdain that she normally did, yet no one had bothered to greet her or look at her at the same time. She had frozen at the doorway, much like the first time with Gandalf. She flinched at every loud noise, ready to protect herself, even though she kind of knew they wouldn't hurt her, too badly.

Bofur hesitated with her before taking a deep breath, the semi-serious look in his brown eyes left and he plastered a bright smile upon his face. Booming he laughed and lead Todd towards them all by her elbow. He laughed and announced their arrival whilst throwing a joke about a group of lads being scared of a woman, which caused a few to bristle and others to chuckle. Todd let him lead her through and round to a table, the laughing and joking of Bofur taking her mind from the general situation, she couldn't help but let a small smile grace her features as she watched how he navigated the Company, bringing smiles to their faces.

"Here!" He said finally, showing her to a seat. She plopped herself down and shuffled the chair further into the table. The others all jumped into their own seats then and took to discussing the days activities. She sat and listened, a few times the older dwarves would look to her, and if they caught eyes with her they would glare a little, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Bofur had sat down next to her with Bilbo on her other side and Ori in front. The three kept her in the conversation by asking her the odd question here and there. She was very thankful for them in the end.

"Thank you!" Todd smiled and nudged both Bilbo and Bofur with her shoulders and then kicked Ori gently from under the table. All three snapped their attention to her. "Thank you very much for letting me join you for breakfast"

"That's quite alright Lady Todd, can't have you hungry for our day of sparring!" Bilbo said halfheartedly. "Although, I wont be joining in!"

"How come?" Todd asked, she didn't feel shocked though, she knew that Hobbits were creatures of comfort and that fighting really wasn't something they were very skilled at. She regarded him whilst she filled her plate with a few sweet breads and sweet jams and tucked in.

"I'm no warrior, I couldn't hit a cows backside with a banjo!" He joked; Bofur chuckled along with them as Todd let out a giggle that to him sounded like crystals and weightless gems.

"Master Bilbo, I highly doubt that!" Todd joked with him. "I'm sure that with a bit of practice and a few lessons you could be just as lethal as the rest of your Company!" She smiled sweetly and tucked a stray red curl behind her ear. Bofur noticed that she had tied some of it behind with a long red ribbon, but the nature of her hair meant that it couldn't very well be tamed, much like her, he thought in a way.

"What makes you think were lethal?" Ori asked innocently, for he didn't really understand it himself, having grown up around such warriors his whole life he was used to their gruff attitudes and burly appearances.

"Well, I noticed when I first came across you all that a good few of you have personalized weaponry" She explained, for instance Dwalin, the burly baldheaded dwarf had twin axes with runes she had yet to look closely upon. "Therefore prompting me to think you are skilled with the weapons?"

"Aye Lassie, you don't miss much do ye?" Dwalin himself interjected from a little further up the table. "We can be real dangerous when we need to be!"

Although it was said as an obvious warning and taunt, Todd decided to rise above it. Shocking the company when she tried to ask him questions then. Her eyes sparkled slightly which took a few of the older dwarves aback a little, she looked like an innocent child asking a teacher for answers, for she really was interested. Her Father had mentioned battles before, yet never in detail.

"So you've fought in battles Master Dwalin?" She asked, stealing her nerves and plunging in headfirst, as so to speak. She was hoping that he would play ball.

"Aye, I've seen my fair share." He huffed back. The whole table was watching the interaction with wide eyes. "Don't see why you need to concern yourself with it though!"

"My Father spoke of battles you see, said that those who survive are strong and brave indeed!" She countered nodding her head. Ori shuffled in his chair. "I've never been in one myself though."

"Her Father was a Dwarf of Erebor you see!" He stated, making the heads of some spin to him at such a speed, Todd almost wandered how their heads hadn't fallen off. "He was a jeweler wasn't he, Lady Todd!"

"That he was" She smiled to Ori, who blushed a little under all the attention he was receiving.

"Half-breed?" The one with the ear trumpet asked from the end of the table, confusion tainting his tone.

"Half Rebhane, half Dwarf?" Dori, Ori's eldest brother asked from next to him.

The conversations of the other end of the table started up between the older dwarves then, each discussing her. Some of them were looking wide-eyed down to her, whilst others were shaking their heads disapprovingly. Her heart did a little skip beat, she never really ever got far enough into conversation with people to tell them about her Father, so that was different. Maybe knowing about her Father would soften their opinions, yet maybe it would only make them harsher. She was nervous again, as if she was on trail. Todd turned back to the other end of the table, which held Kili, Fili, Bombur and Bifur.

The two young lads were extremely interested with her Father, for like her, grew up on tales of the Lonely Mountain. They asked her many questions about him, about what he taught her, both fascinated. Something in them clicked with her, a shared admiration, something they all looked up to. They were a lot like her in a sense, and they saw that now in the way her eyes had sparkled when talking about him and how he loved Erebor.

"Has no one taught you then, how to fight?" She asked Bilbo, trying to head away from any unwanted awkward silences when they had asked about where her Father was now.

"I would be useless at it, some of these here Dwarves think I'm more of a grocer than a… than I uhm yes well, they don't believe I'm up to the job!" Bilbo stuttered, making Todds brows knit together at the blunder as he tried to cover over something.

She was about to push further when Thorin strutted into the room with Gandalf, Lord Elrond and the young brothers, Elrohir and Elladan. The two brothers searched the Company for Todd and upon spotting her wandered over, completely ignoring the looks they were getting from the dwarves, who had all fallen very eerily silent, once again. Todd realized they had a knack for making situation ten times more awkward just be keeping their mouths shut and letting there judging eyes do the talking.

"There you are!" Elrohir smirked. Todd noticed that he had his sword and two long blades fastened to his belt. The same with his bother, figures that they would also have the exact same weapons, as well as their looks and personalities, she thought.

"Did you miss me at breakfast?" Todd joked with them, making them both chuckle.

"We were quite shocked to find that this Company had stolen you away from us, although we're sure there will still be time for us to beat you?" Elladan spoke up.

"Yeah as if!" Todd chuckled, pushing her now empty plate away from her and moving to stand with them.

Thorin had barked at them then, telling them to suit up and follow Lord Elrond. They did as was told and Todd stood with the Elf Brothers, as they rushed around grabbing their weapons and readying themselves. Todd had noticed that Bilbo and Bofur had shot her a few looks whilst they were going about their business, especially Bofur. She didn't fully notice though how he was eyeing the brothers very carefully. He wasn't keen on how close they were standing to her, or how they made her chuckle more then himself and Ori had.

Yet it was all left behind when they trundled down to an open area. A field if you will, nestled between many arches and walkways. A stream was bumbling around them creating a soft relaxing sound. The Company split up into groups with Bilbo and Ori sat off to one side under a few trees for shade. Todd smiled a little when she noticed Ori showing Bilbo a page that they had worked on previously. Lord Elrond had taken his sons to one side and was giving them an earful about something; by the looks on their faces they weren't happy to be hearing what ever he was saying. Gandalf was stood beside her then, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I do believe it is now or never little one!" He stated, watching the company begin to practice their steps.

"Not really, I have a plan Master Gandalf." Todd grinned.

"I'm sure you do!"

At that moment Thorin wandered over and pointed to her twins blades sheathed on her hips. "I would like to see your stances, steps and counter steps" He stated, very much the regal King asking for what ever he wanted.

"Of course" She replied, straightening herself up, showing respect to her ill-mannered King. She pulled her twin daggers from the sheaths on each hip. Their brilliant silver rune etched blades glinting in the morning sun. The red tassels on each hilt swinging and knocking against her knuckles. She reveled in their light and easy weight. She moved to stand before her King and took a deep breath before slipping into her first stance.

She continued this as she showed her King each stance she knew. Once they were done and he seemed to be pleased with them, she moved onto her steps. Firstly she stood, her feet set at shoulder width apart, the daggers held blade facing down, as if they were an extra joint to her arm. Bringing her back foot in a sweeping motion to the front, she lowered herself and swung her blade around her. Then she was lost, lost in the moves that her Father and Mother had taught her.

It was always made imperative that she should defend herself. Her parents understood the dangers of the world and sought to make sure their daughter was prepared for anything. She had learnt swift fluid movements from her Mother, who taught her how to move like the wind through the autumn leaves. Where as her Father had taught her how to strike with deadly precision and force. The combination left her movements very swift yet strong, a manner that was visually different compared to that of the harsh and brutish nature the Dwarves usually used.

When she had finished, she stood and spun both blades around her hands and then she held the hilts to her chest, to her heart, before sheathing them and facing her King.

Thorin had to admit that he was not expecting much from the fox at all. She seemed way to thin and sickly to be of any use in a fight. He thought her skill would be extremely basic, on par with their burglar. Yet he was proven wrong on all counts, when he was observing her steps and counter steps.

He had watched, with a hidden curiosity and interest, as she swiftly span and almost danced her way through her steps. Yet her fluid swift movements held the hint of a harsh slicing and fierce thrusting of that of the rest of the company. He supposed her Father had taught her the theory behind the strength. It was quite humbling to watch. Yet at the same time, this was all just show. The real test would come when she was to spar with himself and then the pointy eared brothers.

Once she had finished, he watched as she span her daggers and then held the hilts to her chest. He saw the flicker of sadness pass through her eyes, before she sheathed them and looked up to him for his opinion or approval. He nodded first before he began, slightly wary of a few of his Company watching for his words as much as she was.

"You show some skill, you will take a break and then I shall spar with you." He stated, before nodding to her and walking away back to Dwalin and his brother. He met them, Balin eyeing him carefully, yet Dwalin's fierce gaze was set on the fox.

"She seemed very well versed" Balin began. "She looked very comfortable with her movements, strong too!"

"What are you suggesting?" Thorin cut.

"That you should give the lass a little more slack." Baling sighed, making both Thorin and his Brother tense and look a little affronted.

"You approve of the half breed?" Dwalin stuttered.

"I'm merely trying to say that she aided our escape from those Wargs, there is no need to be so confrontational."

"Yes, but she was in immediate danger, she is free to leave now, she is not in our debt any more" Thorin argued. "I understood her acts of bravery back then, we were the ones to free her from the Troll hoard"

"She didn't have to even help us then Thorin" Balin countered, making Thorin's anger bubble up inside him. This quest meant too much for him to put in the hands of some female. Yet not only had Gandalf vouched for her Lord Elrond had also. They had spoken of her Mothers bloodline, and how it had been around during the darkness, and that her kin were among the race that stood strong against the darkness, and not fall to it. Yet that meant naught to him, he didn't want anyone else on this quest that could get in his way, The Hobbit was already trying his patience. If it weren't the little save he did back with the Trolls, he would have been sent packing back to the Shire by now. What happened if because of her, his company got hurt, his nephews got hurt? He would never forgive himself, or her.

"She is a woman, she will only ruin our chances by getting in the way!" He countered.

"Not to mention she is a lying, spiteful creature." Dwalin added.

"You will do well to remember that not everyone is out to spite you Master Dwalin" Came a deep rumble of a voice from behind them. Turning Thorin meet the steely grey eyes of the Wizard, pipe in hand, a stern look in his old eyes.

"What does that mean?" Dwalin bit back.

"That having a new member does not automatically mean the demise of your quest. Every one has their own path" He started, gaining the trio's attention full heartedly by glaring a little at them in turn as he spoke. "Little Todd's path has crossed ours and I don't see it separating again for the foreseeable future"

"Is this some kind of foresight?" Balin asked.

"You could say that"

"I will not be pressured into letting it join, at least not until I have sparred with it" Thorin spat, his anger taking over. Yet the Wizard's face turned thunderous and it took some steel to stop himself from stepping back a little.

"It has a name Thorin Oakenshield." He boomed, gaining the attention of a few other members of the company. His anger flared making the immediate vicinity seem gloomier and darker all of a sudden, much like the last time he was questioned about Bilbo. "You will do well to remember her name, because I can assure you there will be a time when you will need to call it."

Thorin nodded then, his glare a little less threatening; he did not want to antagonize the wizard any further. Gandalf obviously knew what he was talking about, otherwise why would he be so adamant, and certain. It made Thorin question himself slightly. The fox had helped them escape form the Warg's and their riders, when she could have just run away to her own safety. Not only that she had protected his company, Ori and Bilbo namely, when he couldn't. He was slightly thankful in that respect. Yet her heritage left much to be required. Rebhanes were known to lie and cheat their way into the pockets of men, even leading them astray and killing them to do so.

"You do not feel her to be cut from the same evil like her forefathers?" Thorin asked, eyeing the wizard very carefully. Gandalf sighed, leaning heavier on his staff.

"It is true that Rebhanes were used by a darkness…" He began, looking around towards the rest of the company. It would not do for some of them to hear his words. "Those fell beasts were darker, their fur reflecting the darkness that clouded their hearts. That was more than an age ago Thorin, do not judge her for the acts of those long since dead to this world."

"I do not trust her, and nothing you can say could sway me" Thorin ended, Dwalin nodding his head with a gruff noise beside him. Even if this fox was to end up proving her worth and skill, and did end up being a part of his company, he would watch her like a Hawke. One wrong move, one single breath out of line and he would run her through with his blade.

"Fox!" He shouted, catching the half-breeds attention as she was sat with Ori and the Hobbit, chattering away and giggling with each other. Her eyes had darted to him straight away, her brow creasing from the curt way he had called over to her. "We spar now!"

She nodded and smiled back to Ori and Bilbo before standing and moving to a large unoccupied space, Thorin moved to join her. His strides to her were powerful, reflecting his mood. He wasn't going to go lightly on her. If he had to he would deal her some hard blows. She may have been a woman, but if this creature was pushed maybe it would show its true nature, maybe it would snap and it would give him a reason to leave her behind.

He came to stop in front of her and rooted his feet ready. His unsheathed his sword as she unsheathed her twin daggers. He smirked, there was no way she could keep a decent spar going with him with those, he thought. They stood and regarded each other for a while; he took in the way her emerald eyes followed his every move, every twitch of muscle and every hot breath. Her fiery curls were billowing out behind her like a curtain of fire behind her, his eyes lingering on the braid again. A strange feeling washed over him slightly before he noticed her left foot start to slide slowly forwards, her right arms arching down towards her back and out behind her. He watched as she spun the daggers in her hands so that she held the blade facing down towards the floor in her palms, the blade shining out from her tight fists. Then she shot forward.

He reacted quick enough, when she arched to take a hit to his left shoulder, trying to use her speed against her and topple her, he pushed his whole body wait towards her, only to take in a sharp inhale of breath as she dipped and span round on her fist to swipe at his feet. Darting up they engaged in a quick concession of clashing baled before, at the last second he jumped and stepped away from her backwards to ready himself again.

She did the same, an immense sense on concentration could be seen in her eyes and Thorin realized that maybe she could be a decent opponent. He cursed the thoughts within his head and raised his sword in both hands up to point straight at her head. He moved first and swiftly with his right foot, aiming straight for her head. His move would have got her too if it weren't for her quick sidestep, followed by her move of ducking and sweeping her daggers around her in a sharp motion, yet he was too quick, he read the move and jabbed his sward back towards her movement and sliced at her right arm. The fox girl winced and jumped back away from him, sneering slightly.

"Thorin!" He heard Gandalf warn behind him. He took the chance then to glance back wards, Gandalf was stood with a disapproving look on his face, Lord Elrond was impassive whilst the two pointy-eared brothers were bristling slightly. His own Company was all grouped together watching. All of them with varying look of shook and amusement.

Turning back around his watched as his red haired opponent stood straight and moved her feet together. Her eyes never once left Thorins. He felt his muscles tense ready and then rushed her once again, this time his sword was held out to his side. As he was about to make his hit, she span around against him, so that his speed stopped him from shifting once she had her back to his back. Grabbing his arm she bent it back and twisted him around. His balance was lost and he felt his rage surge from within and he swept his sword round to intercept her. Yet she had already darted to the ground and slid under his parted legs, hitting the inside of his thigh with the side of her blade showing him she could have easily of sliced him open there. Then she jumped up behind him and placed her arms around his neck and placed the blade of her dagger against his neck.

"Yield?" she asked, her breath rushing across his ear, a clump of wild red waves blowing about his face.

He stood there with the girl practically hanging of his back with her blade pressed to his throat for a good minute before nodding gruffly. She had actually stumped him with about five moves. He couldn't believe it, and by the looks of the rest of his company, neither could they.

As she started to release him he shook her off and stepped away. Turning he looked her up and down, failing to stop the shocked and annoyed look from his face.

She bowed to him then, lowering her head and pressing the hilts of her blades to her chest, like she had earlier and then sheathed them. The whole process made Thorin huff out his anger at himself. He nodded briefly to her before stalking off. Gandalf and Balin following close behind him.

How could he have been so easily bested? The outcome was driving him and would continue to drive him to distraction for as long as he breathed. He needed time to think. This woman obviously had a great deal of skill when it came to fighting. If they could have her next to them the next time they faced the Orc pack, it could mean her saving the lives of the weaker Company members. Yet why in the world would he ever want that creature in his Company? Even though Gandalf said she was strong and that she would never fall to darker ways, how could he be sure? How could he know that she wouldn't betray them all and kill them? He couldn't, but that was what Gandalf was asking him, trust. He wanted Thorin to trust her, to let her in and help them.

"Thorin!" Balin shouted behind him, so he finally came to a halt.

"Thorin, why did you do that?" Balin asked sternly, like he was berating him for bad childish behavior.

"Why did I do what?" He countered. "Why did I walk away?"

"No, you cut her Thorin!" Balin sighed, his anger flaring a little, yet keeping his voice in check in front of his King. King first, friend second as per always.

"It was a spar Balin, it was bound to happen!" Thorin was getting angry now, he didn't need this; he needed time to think, especially before his meeting with Elrond to read his map later. He still hadn't decided whether he was going to go through with it or not.

"You have sparred with me, Dwalin… your nephews Thorin, and never harmed a hair on our heads!"

"Yes, well she isn't one of us!"

"Is she not?" Balin's eyes were searching his now. "Did you not hear Ori mention the name of her Father?"

"I did." Thorin said lowly, seeing a flash of a face and a booming laugh he had nearly forgotten rush through his mind.

"Balgiar, Thorin!" Balin whispered, as Gandalf caught them up pulling along a rather flustered Todd. Thorin froze, his mind whirring at a million times faster than any steed could travel. "Her Father was Balgiar."

"Thorin Oakenshield, you stubborn Dwarf!" Gandalf boomed as he came to stop before them, completely unaware of the pointed looks and mental breakdown of sorts Thorin was sharing silently with Balin. "What were you thinking actually harming little Todd like that?"

There was a long labored silence in which Gandalf waited for a reply, his grey eyes unwavering against the clouded, confused and utterly emotionally void steel eyes of Thorin. Thorin glanced from the confused Todd back to Balin at least five times until Gandalf caught on, and watched as emotions flitted through the Kings features. He hummed as she watched familiarization, hurt, confusion and resolve wash over him. A quick look to Balin confirmed that he also was just as shocked to see his King so lost for words.

"She can join us!" Thorin all but muttered under his breath.

So I wanted desperately for Thorin, Balin and Dwalin to know of Todd's father, but I had racked my minds for a link. I think I have one now, so here's hoping its believable and good enough for when the time comes.

It was nice to write Todd with the Company, I cant wait to get started on stuff outside of Rivendell, its been too long I think, but its nearing an end now.

Hope you all enjoyed this,

Cheers x