To say that Ovila was not a good patient was like saying that a Warg pack was only a little vicious. She whined, she complained, she tried to get out of bed when her injuries refused to allow it, and she'd caused Oin to storm away countless times. He always vowed to never return to treat the girl, but he always did and they always ended sniping at one another because of their opposing opinions. She did like the attention she was receiving, though, and all the visits people were bestowing on her. All of those who'd saved her had visited her, even Kili, but he had been awkward and had barely spoken to her. Ori had brought her some books to keep her occupied, Dwalin had come by to promise her some training, and Bombur had brought some food over to cheer her up. When she had her visitors, she wasn't desperate to be out of bed to do something because she was distracted. It was when they'd gone and her mother and brothers were busy either with Baltil or taking care of the shop or the house and she'd finished her books, she was bored and lonely.

It took three months before Oin agreed to let Ovila out of the house and she practically flew through the door. Her arm was out of its sling, though it was still a bit tender with too much use, and she still limped a little. Her leg and chest were steadily healing, but there would be scars left as a reminder of her close call. There were those on her leg, the long one that'd tore open her torso, and then a few down her arms where the claws had skimmed the skin. They'd made Thondi cry, but Ovila was just glad she'd survived and was still able to feel the warmth of the sun on her skin, despite its disfigurations. She savoured that feeling now as she walked slowly through Belegost and took note of the looks and nods that were sent her way.

Children, in particular, were fascinated with Ovila, with the tales of how she'd fought three Wargs in defence of her father, and it'd been greatly exaggerated in rumours. There was a tale that she'd battled an army of Wargs and Orcs single-handedly and had been kept in isolation while Thorin investigated. It was utterly ridiculous, but it made her laugh and she just waved at the few gawping Dwarf children she passed. They squeaked and hid behind their amused mothers, who offered nods of solidarity that Ovila appreciated more than she could say. She was no longer an outsider, because Thorin himself had given her praise on her stepping up to protect her father, and she couldn't wait until Oin deemed her fully healed so that she could get better and retrain herself. The only problem was, Dwalin wasn't letting her near a training ground until Oin gave his permission.

Oin, Ovila believed, was being unnecessarily stubborn in giving that permission.

Slow footsteps stopped as the feet neared the training grounds and Ovila watched in envy as the boys threw axes and missed the centre of the target completely. She rolled her eyes with a huff, dropping her hands to her hips, and she rolled her shoulder experimentally. It didn't even ache at the movement, not even a little, and it's not like Oin could really do anything if she did just throw one little axe. She longed to do something, anything really, and she bit her bottom lip. Yes, the cuts down her front and on her leg still throbbed sometimes, but Oin had said they were well on their way to decent recovery and he'd promised that she should have full use of her leg back. He said she just had to retrain her leg muscles after the damage they'd received and sooner was better than later, right? Thondi always said so when she was trying to get Ovila to do her chores faster and, if Thondi said it, it had be true. It also meant that she could throw her mother's words back at her if this ever got to Thondi's ears, which was likely. Ovila was sure the woman had spies…

"Good afternoon, Mister Dwalin," Ovila called cheerfully and all eyes swung to her as she strode into the training grounds. "Oin said I was allowed," she said before Dwalin could open his mouth and the battle hardened Dwarf bellowed with laughter.

"He said you were allowed out and about, not that you were allowed to be training," he retorted and Ovila scowled deeply, suddenly looking just like the child she'd once been. "You can watch them fail miserably and laugh, if you like."

"Come on, Mister Dwalin, just one axe; you have no idea how bored I've been," Ovila wheedled and Dwalin just rose his eyebrows at her.

"Bored or not, if you start lifting and throwing them axes before Oin says you're body's ready, you'll be sat in bed healing for a lot longer," Dwalin scolded and Ovila groaned. "Go sit down and scare the younglings with tales of Wargs and Orcs; half of them fancy themselves in love with you, you know."

"They don't even know me!" Ovila protested and looked at the boys with renewed wariness. "And they're no more than babes out of swaddling," she stated and ignored how old and grown up she'd felt at fifteen.

"Neither are you compared to me, Ovila," Dwalin replied and Ovila just rolled her eyes. "I think Ori's practicing with his slingshot in the archery area with Kili and Fili," he offered and she shrugged.

"If you hear screaming, it's Kili," she sighed and made her way towards the archery area.

A steady ache was starting to form in Ovila's leg and she was grateful when she caught sight of the boys. Fili and Kili were sat on upturned barrels to shout advice at the concentrating Ori and Kili had his bow held in his lap. Fili offered a grin and a wave, though she noticed his eyes sweep over her for a sign of her injuries. Ori called a cheery welcome and grinned and waved enthusiastically, which had to return. Kili, however, mumbled a quick 'good afternoon' and practically fled to set up a target for himself. She just raised her eyebrows and slid herself onto his vacated barrel. It was a welcome respite for her aching leg and she actually quite liked talking to Fili. He was the smart brother, she'd discovered many years ago, and he made her laugh easily.

"Can you two shut up? Ori can't concentrate," Kili suddenly snapped and Fili and Ovila looked at Ori, who just looked confused. "Some of us have serious training to do."

"Some of us have been restricted until Mister Oin declares otherwise, but Mister Dwalin said some of us were welcome to observe and if some of us want to talk, then some of us will," Ovila retorted and Kili glared at her. "What's wrong with you? You've been acting weird, well, weirder for ages."

"You're acting weird!" Kili shot back childishly and Fili just shook his head at Ovila's confused expression. "Haven't you got other things to be doing?" Kili demanded and Ovila frowned.

"No, considering I'm only allowed to walk, eat, use the bathroom, and sleep at the moment," she replied. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Kili scowled and swung back to his archery. "There is nothing wrong with me, nothing at all, you're imagining things."

"Right, of course, sorry," Ovila answered carefully and looked at Fili with raised eyebrows. "Well, I'll just be going, good luck, boys."

"I'll walk you home," Fili offered and stood before she could. "I noticed you limping a little," he added quietly so Kili and Ori wouldn't hear and he held a hand out to her. "It's not weak to accept some help when you need it."

"I know that," Ovila replied, cheeks turning pink, and she took his hand. "Thank you," she said quietly and slid her arm through his.

"Fili, what are you doing?" Kili demanded.

"Just taking Ovila home so you don't have any distractions, little brother," Fili answered airily and led Ovila away. "I won't be long," he winked over his shoulder and Kili glared.

It didn't take long for Fili to get Ovila home to the overbearing care of her mother and the two friends exchanged grins as she was shoved inside to sit down. She was fussed over and scolded for overexerting herself, even though her leg only ached slightly, and hadn't even done anything fun at all. Baltil was in the same position, all wrapped up in an armchair with his leg elevated on a footstool. He offered his daughter a comradely grin that she returned and she gratefully took a bowl of soup from Thondi. Her mind did drift to Kili's strangeness in the training grounds, but Kili was always strange and she soon dismissed the thought to concentrate on telling Baltil about what she'd read in the books Ori had lent her.

Short and sweet…hopefully. Kili's in denial and Ovila's oblivious, wonderful.

As always, thanks to everyone that read, reviewed, and put this story on alert and favourite!