Kili and Rhavaniel climbed high into the trees at dawn. Rhavaniel showed him what she had seen last night. Lonely Mountain was Northwest, across a plane of rocky grassland. The tree-lined stream they were following cut a switchback line far East, toward the rising sun, before snaking back to the Mountain.
"Following the stream will put us weeks behind the others." Kili determined.
Rhavaniel nodded. The choice was obvious, but she was nervous. She knew King Thranduil had forbidden his people from leaving the forest - her family and teachers reminded her of it frequently. It was supposed to be dangerous - even more dangerous than the dark and dying parts of Mirkwood. She had never seen grassland , had never lived away from the shelter of trees. Only rocks, brush, and some scrubby pines lay between them and Lonely Mountain.
"What about water?" she asked.
"We will take as much as we can carry. We will ration it, and find more, I am sure. Agreed?" Kili asked.
"Agreed. I will catch fish one last time for breakfast." Rhavaniel's worries abated. They had a plan and a purpose, and Kili was not concerned. She allowed herself to be curious about this next part of the journey.
After a pleasant breakfast, they broke camp and set out across the open ground. Rhavaniel was amazed at the endless grass growing taller than her knees. She took a few wistful glances back at the tree-line, and then kept her eyes on Kili for the rest of their march.
My mid-morning, a light rain began to fall.
Rhavaniel tilted her head back and opened her mouth to taste the rain.
Kili looked at her quizzically, "We still have water, you know."
"Yes," she replied, "but I love rain. I imagine I can taste where the clouds have been. Have they come down from the cold, Northern wastelands? Can I taste the Sea? Have they been dusted by spices from the East? The possibilities are endless."
Kili chuckled, "Do all Elves think in such fanciful ways? Because I can assure you, when a Dwarf sees rain, all he thinks about is that he is going to get wet."
Rhavaniel laughed, "We are not practical, as you Dwarves are. I have been told I am overly fanciful, even for an Elf. Here, Practical One, take my rain cloak. I do not want it."
She pulled an old Elf Guard rain cloak out of her pack. It was it dark blue and hooded. The Elvin material was far lighter in weight and more supple than anything a Dwarf would have owned, not that Kili had a rain cloak with him. She put it over him and Kili kissed her wet cheek.
"You are right." he said, "I can taste it. This rain has been playing with Elves."