Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. Save for characters that are not in his works.

So I'm going to follow Nuil's childhood for a little bit, just to get her past all in the story. Feel free to review or PM if you see anything that doesn't fit or seem to work, I can fix it. Plus her childhood ties into how much Erebor means to her. On with the story!

"A true friend freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently,

defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably."

~William Penn

CHAPTER THREE

T.A. 2766

Dwarves took all fights seriously. Perhaps it was because they used real weapons, or the fact that they seemed bred to fight. Nuil could not find the will to distinguish the two. Whether it was practice or the real thing, she knew they viewed all fights the same way. Very. Real.

Her first match with Frerin, had gone well. Nuil had the suspicion that he was holding back, especially when he challenged her the next day and she ended on her back within a few minutes. Or, it was her sore muscles from the day before.

A dwarf's strength lay in their arms. Part of it was also in their body, but mostly the arms. She had seen the others in the arena, their bulging biceps and hard muscles that made her swallow nervously. Her arms were twigs compared to them, even Frerin's. Nuil's strength lay in her legs. After months of travel, they had become strong and sturdy, taking most of the weight from Frerin's blows. But she was pitifully smaller than he was, and that did not matter in the end. She was still losing to him, a month later.

Dis thought it was absolutely hilarious. She had even sided with her brother to watch him beat her. It was all in good fun, but Nuil hated it. She wished Noledhe was there to teach her more, so that she could win a match for once.

Nuil swung her sword again, lunging forward with the movement and glaring at the wall. She had decided to stay, after being beaten by Frerin, and work off steam. She knew she was incredibly young, a girl, and not expected to be great at wielding a sword, but she wanted to be. She wanted to be like her brothers.

After several minutes she sighed, staring at her shadow in the dirt. Surely her father and Noledhe were over the Misty Mountains now, maybe even past Bree? Three months seemed like ages to her. But with the coming winter, she knew her father wouldn't take to the road with her mother. He wouldn't subject Meldamar to such harsh weather. It's was past Durin's day already.

"You are not with my sister," said a low voice from behind her. Nuil turned quickly, looking up slightly at Frerin and Dis's eldest sibling, Thorin. He was looking down at her with a stern blue gaze. Much like how Dis had looked at her when she refused to be fitted for another dress.

"I did not know I was supposed to be," she muttered, her voice sounding more bitter than she had intended. The corners of Thorin's lips twitched with amusement.

"She has angered you already."

"Dis has done nothing, Frerin has," she said. Nuil had the feeling that she was pouting. She glared down at her feet. "He keeps beating me."

Thorin swore in Khuzdul, making Nuil's eyes go wide. He didn't notice however, looking down at her apologetically. "Frerin does not seem to understand that he will not get better if he doesn't fight someone better suited to him."

"But I want to be better than him!" she blurted. "I want to beat him."

Thorin's brows rose. He found her passion amusing, and ruffled her hair. "Run along, Nuilweyil, my sister is looking for you."

Nuil clenched her jaw. Without waiting she turned and ran from the arena, angry. She decided then, that she did not like Dis's brother Thorin all that much.

oOo

Nuil was determined, despite Thorin's backhanded way of telling her that she should just give up. So determined, that Nuil found out that Nan was married to a dwarven guard. Girg. It so happened that he seemed to have a soft spot for young children. Within no time, she had Girg teaching her with the sword.

It was grueling work. He took his teaching seriously, and so did Nuil. But her duels with Frerin did not seem to improve. Not yet at least. But Girg encouraged her, and Nuil secretly thought he was fond of her too, like Nan. She even joined Nan and Girg for meals sometimes. It was almost like she had a little family.

When she wasn't studying with Dis in the library, or playing with Dis, she was training with Girg. One day, five months into her stay at Erebor, she was training with Girg when a tall dwarf entered the arena. His hair shaven on the sides of his head, leaving only a strip of hair running from his forehead to the back of his skull. His forearms, which rested on the head of an ax, were tattooed with dwarven symbols and scarred.

"Girg!" he called in a deep rough voice. Girg, in mid-sentence while lecturing her, turned.

"Dwalin!" he greeted. "What brings you here at this time?"

"I hear you're teaching a wee young one. A girl at that. I came to see if it was true," Dwalin replied, eying Nuil with calculating eyes.

"Aye, it's true," Girg replied. He turned back to Nuil. "Now. The best way to hold the sword while attacking an opponent that is larger than you, is to hold it with both hands, angled upwards. When you attack be prepared to be forced backwards. Always be prepared to find a different route of attack. With your size you will have agility, but not strength."

Nuil nodded, her eyes trained on Girg. She did what he explained, spreading her feet and lowering herself by bending her knees.

"Good."

Girg swung his sword at her, which she blocked with her own. The force jarred her arms, sending unpleasant vibrations to her shoulders. Her feet slid backwards on the dirt ground. Remembering what he said, Nuil ducked to the right suddenly, jumping away. She swung at his flank, her sword meeting Girg's in another clash.

"Very good." Girg backed up, raising his gloved hand. "That is all today. If I keep you from your studies any longer Nan will have my head." A grin was on his bearded face.

Nuil beamed at him, sheathing her smaller sword. She was glad he was letting her go now, her arms hurt. She was much too small to take full attacks from the dwarf. Part of her looked forward to the day when she could take the blows.

"Thank you, Master Girg." She ran to the edge passing the tall dwarf. "Good day, Master Dwalin!"

As she disappeared down the corridor, Dwalin went over to Girg. Girg sheathed his sword, turning to him. They clasped hands in friendly greeting.

"Well?"

"She shows potential," Dwalin murmured. "Despite not being a dwarf."

"Nuil has determination. Which is more than some dwarves I've seen," Girg replied, thinking of his brother.

"I told the king."

Both were silent.

"How did he take it?" Girg asked, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"He seemed intrigued." Dwalin shifted from one foot to the other. "King Thror has already let her learn Khuzdul. Her father must have impressed the king."

"Have you seen the way she lights up?"

Dwalin cast Girg a frown.

"When she learns something new, or helps someone?"

"I did not think to look, Girg," Dwalin said. "One would think you care about this young one."

It was meant in jest but Girg nodded. "Nan and I have not been gifted with a child. Nuil is the closest thing to that . . . until her family returns." Girg sighed.

Dwalin patted the dwarf on the back. Nuilweyil was slowly weeding her way into their lives it seemed.

oOo

Nuil sat on Dis's right while Frerin was on her left. They were staring down the hoard of gold and jewels beneath the ledge they were on. Below them several dwarves were moving to and fro arranging the hoard. Dis and Frerin's eyes were alight with awe as they stared at the gold. Nuil was equally awed.

"So this is all yours?" she whispered to Dis.

"All of it," Frerin replied. "We each get a share, because we're family."

"Incredible!"

"Shh!" Dis hissed. "We're not supposed to be here."

"Hush, Dis!" Frerin whispered. "She wasn't supposed to know!"

"Why wasn't I supposed to know?" Nuil whispered. Frerin groaned, rolling his eyes. His hand rubbed his face, down his small black beard with annoyance.

"Well done, little sister."

"Me? This was your idea!"

"What wasn't I supposed to know?" Nuil insisted. Dis sighed.

"Technically, Frerin and I aren't allowed to be in here," Dis said.

"Why? It's yours too."

"Well- yes," Dis went on, slightly uncomfortable. "But it's really our grandfathers. He doesn't like us in here."

"Especially after last time," Frerin cut in smirking. Dis scowled at him. Nuil looked from them both to the gold.

"Last time?"

"It was legendary!" Frerin said in a hushed voice. His eyes gleaming as he began his tale. "Thorin and I decided one day to have a battle down there. We took up golden arms, fighting each other to the death! When father came, he was followed by our livid grandfather. After scolding us, we were banned from the hoard."

"Which isn't fair," Dis muttered. "Because I was only a baby! I wasn't even there and I am still barred."

Frerin ruffle her hair, snickering. They fell silent for awhile.

"So when do you think your parents will arrive?" Dis asked quietly. Both siblings knew that Nuil missed her family, more than she was letting on. Nuil shifted uncomfortably, picking at the hem of her sleeve on her dress.

"Late spring, maybe," she said quietly. "Father wouldn't take mother through the wilds through winter. My brothers are probably going to travel with them."

"Cheer up, mimel 'urs," Frerin told her. "Spring is only three months away."

Nuil looked over at him with an eye roll. Three months. It seemed like an eternity to Nuil. Even then, there was no guarantee that they would arrive then.

"I think we should take something," she suddenly said feeling brave. The two looked at her with wide eyes. "Let's see if they notice if anythings gone missing."

"Are you mad?" Frerin gasped. "Grandfather will have your head!"

Nuil shrugged. "It was only a suggestion," she replied with a grin. The brother and sister exchanged a shake of the head and smile.

"I hear you're taking lessons with Girg," Frerin said. "Tired of losing?" He teased.

Nuil scowled at him. "Just you wait Frerin. One day I will best you."

Frerin scoffed, smiling. "I doubt that."

"Well, I will."

Frerin was about to counter her when Dis punched his arm in defense of her friend. He jerked back with a hiss, "Dis! Mahal that hurts!" before rolling off the side of the ledge with a surprised yelp. Both girls scrambled to look over the edge, wincing as Frerin crashed into the pile of gold below.

The dwarves arranging the hoard, descended on him, pulling him upright as he growled. When his head turned up, Dis and Nuil hid. They waited as Frerin was led out of the great hall, followed by shouting before the two girls rushed to the opening in the wall and crawled back out into the corridor.

Dis brushed off her skirt as they stood.

"You don't think he'll tell?" Nuil asked.

"Well, the ledge will be walled up for sure," Dis grumbled. "That little crybaby."

"You do realize that your punches hurt?"

Dis beamed at her. "Of course! But I'm a dwarf, and so is Frerin. He should be used to it. Do you want me to punch you?"

"What!" Nuil exclaimed, backing away. "No!"

"You sure?"

"Yes!"

Dis smirked. "Crybaby."

Nuil glared at Dis, turning she stomped down the hall. Hitting Dis would only begin a fight, that she most certainly wouldn't win. Dis ran to catch up with her.

"I didn't mean it Nuil," she laughed. "You are too serious."

"Can I punch you?" Nuil asked, taking back her earlier thought.

"Sure."

Nuil punched Dis, sending the girl to the floor. Nuil clutched her hand, gasping. "Ow!"

Dis whipped her nose on her sleeve, laughing and lunged at Nuil, taking her to the ground. There the guards found them, Thorin leading them, in the middle of a fight. Both were throwing punches and rolling around on the floor.

Thorin, momentarily surprised, quickly separated the kicking and punching girls with a shout.

"Enough!"

Nuil rolled away from Dis, her nose bleeding and her right eye swelling up. Dis whipped her bloody nose again, a bruise on her temple. Both stared up at him out of breath but smiling.

"What has gotten into you both?" he demanded.

Dis grinned at her brother and replied innocently, "Just fighting, Thorin. It's only a game." Nuil smiled as well, a laugh escaping her lips. Thorin looked far from amused. He ignored Nuil and addressed his sister.

"Grandfather wants to see you. Both of you."

oOo

Nuil followed Dis all the way up to the throne, where King Thror waited. He looked down at them with dark eyes, making Nuil swallow nervously. He knew. Frerin was standing at his feet looking shamefaced, and not meeting their eyes. Yes, King Thror knew. That little crybaby.

"What do you have to say for yourselves?" King Thror demanded. He noted their beaten state, and his frown deepened.

"We were only looking, grandfather," Dis said. Her own eyes were cast to the floor. Nuil didn't dare lower hers however. King Thror's face seemed to freeze her. "Frerin fell off when I punched him."

Thrain's eyebrows rose at this, his look almost prideful as he looked at Dis. Frerin's shoulders slumped slightly. Obviously, he had left that detail out.

"You were there as well, Nuil?" Thror asked Nuil. She nodded. "Is it true you wanted to take something?"

"It was only a . . . suggestion," she said lamely and terribly frightened. She was going to kill Frerin. Thror did not look amused by this. Nuil let her eyes land on her feet. It certainly wasn't what she had wanted the king to know. Now that she thought about it, the suggestion seemed like a stupid one. It made her ashamed.

"And you, all were fighting?"

Thorin stepped forward at this point. "I found them brawling in the hall."

"I told Nuil she could punch me," Dis said. Thrain sighed.

"Did she know that it was a challenge to a fight?"

" . . . no."

"I didn't mind," Nuil added quickly. "It was fun." She smiled at Dis, who smiled back.

Thror frowned, looking from them both. "Frerin told me of the ledge that you watch from. I will have it walled up." Dis and Frerin looked up sharply. "But I will not punish you all for being curious." Nuil looked up. "Dis, Frerin, you may go."

Brother and sister looked at each other with shock before turning and leaving through a side door. Before they left, Dis gave a good solid punch at Frerin, and he stumbled forward. Nuil looked up at Thror, somewhat terrified that she had not been let go. Was she in trouble for hitting Dis? Or what she said?

"I hear Girg is teaching you swordsmanship," Thror said.

"Yes."

"Do you enjoy it?"

Nuil's face lit up, a smile spreading across it. "Yes! I love doing it. Girg is an excellent teacher, and I'm learning so much."

Thror nodded. He then looked at Thrain. "If you are willing, Nuil, you will be taught in other areas of weaponry. If not, I understand." He looked at Nuil. "Are you enjoying Erebor?"

"Yes, your majesty," she told him beaming. Thror nodded.

"Good. You may go."

Yeah. Lots of sibling abuse here, it's all meant in good fun though. :) Frerin understands, Dis is just a little meanie. But she's also cute. I also added the gold hoard because Thror had his gold sickness and I think that it would have started to affect him at least a few years before Smaug attacks.

I also imagine that having a dwarf for a friend would mean that fights would be a common occurrence. They would be for fun, obviously, whether or not the dwarf was male or female. Just my thoughts, what do you readers think?

Next chapter, Nuil's family arrives. Yay! :)

A HUGE thank you to my reviewers, you made my day!:

KingofTruands

Ballistic Babydoll

And also to my followers, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Translation: (only one Khuzdul word this time :P )

mimel 'urs - little fire

Read, Enjoy, Review!

~filimeala