Rhavaniel knew the techniques of fencing very well. Kili watched her demonstrate her skills while they walked. She was delightful to behold, like a dancer with her fluid movements, but Kili quickly realized that she had never truly tried to fight anyone before. She was all theory and no application. He would have to teach her some harsh lessons.
"We don't have practice swords," Kili said, "so tie the sword in the sheath, so that we do not cut each other."
Rhavaniel complied. "Are Dwarf boys allowed to spar with Dwarf girls, at least? I mean, the girls who heed the call to fighting must practice, too."
"No, Dwarrowdams do not go to war. Well, there are a few legendary exceptions, but mostly they accept that they are too vital to the survival of our tribe to be risked in such a way. They train each other to better defend themselves and their children, of course, but they do not practice the art of making war. And they find us useless to spar with, since honor demands that we not hit them at all, not ever."
"Then I be the first female you have sparred with?"
"Yes," Kili replied, "First girl and first Elf." He was uncertain which fact would be more intimidating at this very moment.
Kili had to ignore ingrained beliefs of honor in order to teach Rhavaniel how to fight. That was merely the mental component of the problem. Kili realized how hard it would be for a Dwarf to instruct an Elf. Though they were essentially the same height, all similarities stopped there. In addition, the Elf Guard sword Rhavaniel wielded was too big for her.
'Make your weakness a strength.' his father would have said.
"You need to know that a real swordfight is not like sparring. A real fight is over in less than a minute, and is usually determined by who lands the first blow." Kili told her.
"You are smaller in weight than the smallest Orc we have seen, but also much faster. You must beat them with speed. You need to dart in, then jump away, run away if you must until you find your spot to turn and fight. If you have to block a blow, you are too close. Think about the distance between you and your opponent. If their sword is shorter than yours, they will try to get within your guard."
"Should I try to get within your guard?"
"Not yet! You are not ready, and you have the wrong sword. Just work on keeping away from me. Look for openings. Dart in for a quick blow and dart out. Do not overextend yourself."
They sparred and discussed strategy as they walked. The terrain continued to become rockier as they advanced toward Lonely Mountain. Kili was impressed by how well Rhavaniel kept her footing and never made the same mistake twice. She was able to tap him several times, more frequently as the practice progressed.
"Do you think I am ready to fight a girl Dwarf, at least?" Rhavaniel asked.
"Noooo, they are stronger and more vicious than any Orc." Kili replied slyly.
"What a shame." she smiled coyly, "I thought I might have to fight them all off for your attention once we reach the Iron Hills. But if I am doomed to lose..."
"What?" Kili's mind skipped a beat, briefly forgetting that Rhavaniel was unaware of his true final destination. He recovered quickly. "Why do you think would you have to fight Dwarrowdams?"
"You must be very popular with the lady Dwarves. You told me they adored you in school."
Kili laughed ruefully, "By the time I was old enough to want to kiss girls, they were only interested in boys with full beards!"
"Oh, that is terribly fickle!"
"I could not agree more."
"I must inform you that I am fickle, too. I want to switch from fighting lessons to hunting lessons." Rhavaniel pointed to a small herd of chamois on a distant slope.
"Good eyes." Kili grinned. "That will be worth the interruption."
Rhavaniel eagerly offered a plan. "I can circle around that outcropping, and startle them in your direction."
"As long as we are in sight of each other..." and she was gone before Kili could finish the sentence.
Kili quietly lowered his pack and drew his bow. He watched Rhavaniel running, low to the ground, also with her bow drawn. In a moment, she was a small speck, peeking up from the larger boulders. Sure enough, she had the herd moving in Kili's direction. They began to fan out. He carefully chose his target and shot. It was a clean kill.
Rhavaniel joined him on the craggy ground.
"There has to be water nearby for animals this size to thrive." she speculated, jumping up on to a rock, "I can smell it. I think it is close."
"You can smell water out here?" Kili looked at her quizzically. It should not have surprised him - she had already demonstrated that Elves had superior sight and hearing. She closed her eyes and nodded, inhaling deeply, her delicate ears eagerly twitching for the sound of running water. Kili thought he had never seen a creature as beautiful as her. He quickly thought of something else.
"Go look, then." Kili told her, "But stay close and stay sharp. I will do the butchering myself this time."
Rhavaniel took several long leaps onto rocks, to put the smell of butchered chamois behind her. She closed her eyes and breathed deep. She was right, water was nearby. She started running.
It was a little further away than she hoped, over half a league, but she found it. A trickle of water emerged from an underground spring and exited a crack between boulders. She drank - it was fresh and cold. She thanked Ilúvatar, and slowly filled her water skin.
(***********)
Kili looked up from the butchering. He thought he heard something approaching. He didn't think it Rhavaniel returning - he had taught her how to call a warning and listen for his in return. He admonished himself for letting her wander out of his sight - it was dangerous for both of them to do that. But he had suddenly felt...confused...and thought that time to himself would help the feeling pass.
He slowly reached for his bow, on the ground nearby. A black arrow intercepted his reach. He looked up, and found himself surrounded by Orcs.