Thank you all for staying with me!

I want to say sorry for this short chapter, but it is better than nothing, right?

And thank you to all that sent reviews, they made me laugh, a lot.

Enjoy

Chapter 14: Nudûd

She didn't know how long she'd been asleep, but Ahvain woke to mysterious sounds coming from the other room-maybe the kitchen. Still caught in the haze of sleep, it took her a moment to focus her hearing on the other room. At first she just heard a muffled conversation, then clattering utensils.

They were voices, male voices. Young, male voices.

A series of rattling, the sound of dropped plates, cursing and a 'shh', got the she-elf to her feet; albeit, not without her stumbling with the first few steps. Verndari wasn't in the room anymore; he must have gone with Thorin and Dis. But her weapons lay against the bedside with care; that she did see. The disgusting state of her hair-still tucked behind her ear-didn't even cross her mind.

With solid footsteps Ahvain grabbed one of the dark blades, leaving the twin behind as she crept from the room out into a hall. Noise still came from the other room. She frowned at the thought of dwarves stealing from their king. Sure they were a poorer people now, after the fall of Erebor, but stealing from the king? Even that was low.

The she-elf rounded a corner, she could see into the kitchen now-well, enough to see two young dwarves ransacking the cupboards-and raised up her blade, readying herself. She made one more step when the now wood flooring gave off a loud creak. Ahvain froze.

"By Mahal! Some elf I am. I can't even focus on my surroundings!" Her internal scolding continued on.

The two dwarves stopped moving and turned to look at her. The older, a fair headed dwarf, looked at her with a form of curiosity, while the other masked a startled expression by bounding for something on an unseen (to Ahvain) table. The moan of a stretching cable was heard and the dwarf re-appeared with a short bow and a knocked arrow pointed at her.

"What are you doing here?" The brown haired one asked.

Ahvain cleared her throat, still sore, "Odd, I was just about to ask the same."

She moved towards the door frame, allowing more of the room to be seen. A huge boar lay near the door, tied to a thick wood pole as to be carried. An arrow wound in its chest, a clean kill. The younger one had skill with a bow, then a second look at the older revealed an empty quiver.

"Who shot it? Do they live here? "

The air around them grew tense, more so when the silence continued.

"Answer us elf!" the younger spat out.

"I will not answer to thieves! Especially those who steal from their own leader!" Ahvain held her blade in both hands and stood in a ready position, keeping her eyes on the one with a bow. She could apologize to them if they actually lived with Thorin, but she wouldn't be able to face him if she let them get away with taking anything from him.

"Stealing? We're not stealing," The blonde spoke this time. "We live here!"

The one with brown hair nodded, "And you have yet to answer our question, what are you doing here elf?"

Ahvain lowered her blade a fraction of an inch and took yet another look at the two dwarves. The younger one, with dark hair, had scruff for facial hair. His eye set in determination, aiming the arrow at her. His hair was long and loose, unbraided. The other had fair hair, blonde, and appeared to be analyzing everything about the situation. Two identical braids hung down at the corners of his top lip. His hair was brushed back like the main of a lion…main…like Thorin? Her gaze shot to the clasps on one of his few braids. It was similar to hers… to Thorin's. She dropped her sword to her side and held up her empty hand.

"Achrâchi gabilul! Agrîf efùhem barufaz ma!" Ahvain dipped her head in a bow.

The jaws of the two dwarves dropped. The younger lowered his bow.

"Wha-… You… Ho-…"

"Who taught you our language, elf?" Blondie asked.

Ahvain took a step forward and once again the bow and arrow were pointed at her. She dropped her blade and the floor and held her palms up.

"My Grandfather… He was a dwarf. He taught me a lot of khuzdul, but my grammar needs work."

"But you're an elf…"

"I am half elf."

"You're an el-"

"That's been established, Kili." The blond said, casting a warning gaze.

"Kili?" Ahvain looked to the brunette. "And…?"

"Fili, at your service, Milady"

"Ahvain, at yours, and your family's." She extended her arms at her sides and bent at the waist.

When she was upright again, Kili had lowered his weapon, she sent them both a smile.

The silence returned, the three of them stood there in the kitchen waiting for some-one to speak.

"Well, now that introductions are out of the way, I must return to bed. Óin will have my head if he finds out I'm not resting, that's was Dis said."

"Amad?"

"So you are Thorin's nephews? He spoke of you, said you are the reason behind his grey hair." The smirk that crept across her face couldn't be withheld. "That true?"

They joined with their own grins, but it was Fili that responded, "It's all Kili's fault."

"Hey!"

Ahvain laughed.

Thank you again for sticking with me ^.^