Day Three: Hunting/Target Practice
NOTE: A fun prompt to work with and I wanted to be creative with it. And without realizing it, I ended up making some references to the book.
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"It's a common mistake," Kili declared matter-of-factly, "to think that gold is the most effective bait for a dwarf. I'd say the best way to lure a dwarf who is trapped in a dark forest would be to leave some food out for him. A starving dwarf cares not for gold or treasure. Roasted meat would be a higher priority for him. And, my lady elf, that is how to hunt a dwarf."
Tauriel smiled and applauded her friend.
"A male one, at any rate," Kili added with a grin, "Lady dwarves, I must admit, are not so easily fooled. So consider yourself warned."
"That I shall," Tauriel replied congenially, "I am very much looking forward to meeting your female kin."
The dwarf beamed at her, glad to have elicited a smile at last. He had been trying to achieve this feat for several days but it had proven to be quite a challenge. It was hardly the moment to exchange pleasantries. They both knew that a great battle was about to take place and they would have to prepare for it. But part of that preparation required lifting their spirits, which had been weighed down by many worries as of late. A lighthearted discussion was called for and Kili was determined to improve their mood. He was relieved to see that his efforts were finally paying off.
He couldn't remember how they had started to discuss hunting but it had come so naturally because it was one of their shared interests. And Tauriel was eager to use her new dagger to be able to track down and slay some goblins, orcs or even a giant spider or two. And then, Kili had decided to humorously teach her how to hunt dwarves properly.
"As for my own people," Tauriel offered, "you need only leave a barrel or two of wine out in the open to lure a common wood-elf. Members of nobility and royalty are, of course, more difficult to entrap. But I think that despite everything, some of them would not be able to resist a fine vintage."
"None of us would have every thought of that," Kili conceded, "we know so little of the culture of your people except the things we hear in stories. And that makes for such limited knowledge."
"Then, it is your duty to update these stories," Tauriel told him, "to better instruct the next generation of dwarves in the culture of the elves."
"I shall remember your suggestions, Tauriel," the dwarf said with a small bow of acknowledgment.
"And I shall remember your excellent suggestions too, master dwarf," she told him cheerfully, "for the next time some mischievous dwarves wander through our land."
"But perhaps there will not be a next time," the dwarf said in a more serious tone, "because it is my hope that when all this is over, there will be a better understanding between our races and there will no longer be any hostilities between elves and dwarves."
"It is a hope that I share," Tauriel reassured him, gently placing her hand on his. He took her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. Harmony between former enemies was a difficult thing to achieve. But at least between the two of them, there was a promising start.