Kili and Rhavaniel had spent an uneventful night camped by the river. There had been no sign of pursuing Orcs or Wargs. Their second day following the river unfolded much the same as the first. They were traversing a long, low valley and still had no opportunity to take their bearing.
"Before nightfall, we should reach that higher ground. We may be able to see Lonely Mountain from the treetops." Kili said once Rhavaniel climbed down from a tree.
"I saw a herd of stags up on that hill. It is a good sign that there are no Wargs or Orcs up there." she reported.
Kili was pleased with the news. "Good, we might have a chance to hunt before the day is through. We are downwind of them."
They marched throughout the day. Their lunch consisted of some apples found along the way and a jar of honey that Rhavaniel had collected near the Watchtower before the fire. They did not stop for catching and cooking fish, for they wanted to reach higher ground before dark.
They were halfway up the hill when the sound of breaking underbrush told them the stags were on the move toward them.
Kili and Rhavaniel stood together, bows drawn.
"Just like we talked about." Kili told her, "Aim for where it will be, not where it is, and follow my lead. Are you ready?"
He looked at her, and she nodded. A stag galloped into view and they fired at the same time, bringing it down.
They set to butchering the animal, planning to take only what they could easily carry. Rhavaniel's initial squeamishness passed quickly, and she was able to watch and learn as Kili explained how to dress a fresh kill.
"Here," he told her, "Throw the rest down that little gully. We don't want the Orcs sniffing it out easily."
As Rhavaniel started to drag the carcass away, she spotted something as black as a shadow moving in the woods and froze. It was a Warg, staring back at her. His white chest and the bandage still visible on his rear leg allowed her to recognize him as the one they spared two days ago.
Rhavaniel alerted Kili, "He caught up to us. We are not making such good time following the water, are we?"
Kili pulled his bow and whispered, "Off to the side."
Rhavaniel instead moved closer to the Warg."He is not well enough to hunt yet."
"Good!" Kili stated what he thought should be obvious, "If he gets any better, he will be hunting us."
Rhavaniel dragged the carcass closer to the Warg, dropped it and backed away, "No, we did not spare him to kill him later. He is no harm to us."
The Warg eyed her cautiously before limping forward and diving in to the remains.
"We should go." Kili told her, shaking his head. This Elf girl had dangerous notions. They gathered their packs and kept climbing the hill at a brisk pace.
When they reached the top, Kili made a fire while Rhavaniel climbed through the treetops.
"I see it!" She called down. The sun was setting, so she climbed down to explain to Kili. "You can view it for yourself in the morning. I am afraid following the stream has taken us East, and if we continue to follow it, it will add many more days to our journey."
"We need to cut northwest, then. Here, the venison is ready."
Rhavaniel took a bite. "Ugh, it tastes as if I bit my tongue!"
Kili laughed at her, "Here's the tongue, it's the best part, after the brains. I hope you know you gave your pet the best part."
With her mouth still full, she asked, "How long must I chew this before it is safe to swallow?"
"I will trade an apple for your portion of venison." Kili said in jest.
Rhavaniel nodded, "Yes, please."
Kili sighed, "Tomorrow, I am going to have to teach you how to barter properly."
"Why exactly do you eat the brains of an animal?" Rhavaniel inquired, "Is it ceremonial?"
Kili laughed, "No, it is culinary! Put a slice of brain with pickles and onions between two thin slices of bread. Dip it in batter, and fry the entire assembly. It is served with mustard - a traditional Dwarf holiday breakfast."
"That sounds atrocious." Rhavaniel wrinkled her nose, "Traditional Elf holiday breakfast is a baked apple stuffed with nuts, dried berries, and honey."
"Dwarves eat the same thing for dessert! Except after it is baked, we dip it batter and fry it."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"Frying holds everything together."