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Kiliana's growth mirrored an elf more than a dwarf. By the time she was 1 she was already walking and talking. By the time she was 5, Tauriel decided that it was time for her to start her training. The mother-daughter pair travelled often, never staying in one place for too long. If Kiliana continued to grow like an elf, Tauriel knew that it would be several decades at least before she was fully-grown. The sooner Kiliana started to learn how to defend herself, the better.

So one morning Tauriel woke up with the sun and started making breakfast. She looked over at her little girl as she started to squirm awake. "Good morning little one. You woke up just in time for breakfast."

Kiliana sleepily fisted her eyes as she sat up and yawned. "Good morning." She sniffed the air appreciatively. "Yum!"

Tauriel's laugh echoed through the trees that surrounded them protectively. "After breakfast would you like to begin your training?"

Kiliana looked up at her mother in shock. "Really? I can start my training now?"

Tauriel nodded, smiling at her daughter's enthusiasm. "I believe you are old enough to start, but only if you think you are ready. It will not be easy," she warned.

"I'm ready, I'm ready!" Kiliana exclaimed jumping to her feet.

"Very well. Finish eating your breakfast first."

Kiliana hurried through her breakfast, only slowing when Tauriel forced her to. Kiliana was nearly bouncing on her toes waiting for Tauriel to finish as well. When she finally did, Kiliana stood patiently waiting for her first instruction.

As he daughter waited, Tauriel rifled through her travel bag. She pulled out a small pair of twin swords that were similar to hers that she bought at a market. They were lighter than normal swords but would work well for Kiliana's training until she was old enough and strong enough to handle real swords.

Tauriel brought them over for Kiliana to see. The little girl's eyes widened in amazement as she gingerly took them in her small hands. "The first weapons you will be learning are the twin swords. These are lighter than normal ones but they will serve you well. You use them differently than when you fight with a single sword, but I will teach you that later. First, we will work on footwork."

Kiliana was an eager student but Tauriel could already tell that she wasn't a natural like most elves. She had some of the grace but every so often she would have a moment of clumsiness that elves typically didn't show. Still, Kiliana was a fast learner and coupled with her eagerness, she progressed far by the end of the day.

The sun was just starting to set when Tauriel put her hand up to stop Kiliana in the middle of a side step. "Good, very good. That's enough for today. You did very well for your first day. Now, wash up so we can eat supper."

Tauriel put the swords away as Kiliana cleaned up and then started supper. As they ate Kiliana looked down at her food in thought. Tauriel waited patiently until her daughter looked up. "Mama, what weapons do you use?" she asked. She had never seen her mother fight before, although she knew that Tauriel was once a very important warrior.

Tauriel smiled softly. "I use the twin swords and a bow."

"Will I get to learn how to use a bow and arrow too?"

Tauriel laughed. "Yes, we will start that tomorrow."

Kiliana hesitated before asking her next question. "And my father? What weapon did he use?" Even though Tauriel always encouraged Kiliana to ask about her father, Kiliana was old enough to tell that it was a sad subject.

As Kiliana expected, Tauriel's eyes grew sad. "He used a single sword and a bow as well. He was an amazing warrior." Tauriel frowned when her daughter looked back down at her food in silence. "Lia, how would you like a bedtime story tonight?"

Kiliana frowned in confusion but nodded. The two finished their meal and Tauriel got Kiliana ready for bed. She lay next to her on a blanket and propped herself up on her elbow. "Let's see. Did I ever tell you a story that your father told me?" Kiliana shook her head with wide eyes. "Well, your father was in prison when he told me a story about a time when he saw a beautiful fire moon. It was huge, he said, a marvelous red and gold that filled the sky."

"Red like your hair?" Kiliana asked.

Tauriel smiled. "Yes, and red like yours. So, he and his friends were escorting merchants from Ered Luin when…"

Tauriel continued the story and finished as Kiliana's breathing began to even out. She thought the girl was asleep so she stood to pack everything away when Kiliana asked quietly, "But why was he in prison?"

Tauriel smiled softly at the memory. "That is a story for another time. Now go to sleep." When she was sure that Kiliana was actually asleep this time, she added in a soft whisper, "Goodnight my little starlight."