Hey guys! Chapter 4 up now! Some of you will notice that most of this chapter is brand new, but I hope you all enjoy it just the same.

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Katherine Sparrow – I'm glad you're looking forward to this. I hope you continue to enjoy xx

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Chapter 4

Days moved into weeks as we continue our trek. Riding throughout the day and resting at night. After watching The Lion King the first night, we have watched a movie almost every night. So far, they have seen Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Aiden had to get me to put Snow White on. I expect that Snow White was their favourite movie out of them all, as it had dwarves in it.

I also took up sketching again, using my notepad, pencils and coloured pencils to draw. Ori, being the scribe, seemed very interested in what I was doing, so we just sat together while he watched me and I let him use some of the pencils, which made his day, by the looks of it.

Into the second week, as we're trekking on, I notice Bifur as he's interacting with Bofur, neither of them are talking but yet I can see them making hand signals, sort of like sign language. I have tried to get to know the others in that time, but haven't been able to speak with Bifur without a translator due to him not speaking English, or Common as they call it. I think I may have found a way to do so.

As we stop for lunch, I ask Bofur if he would like some help with the dishes. He seems surprised, but accepts my help and after handing me some, we both leave the safety of the company and go down to the stream to wash them, both of us just talking about random things.

"Bofur, can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing, lass. What's on your mind?"

"Well, you know I've been trying to get to know you all, and I haven't been able to talk with Bifur without someone to translate for me. But, on the ride, I noticed you and Bifur making some movements with your hands."

He thinks for a moment before he suddenly has a panicked look on his face. "Oh, right. Well, is called Iglishmek. It's dwarven sign language, sacred and secret to us. I cannot teach it to you, if that is what you're wanting."

I now understand his look of panic and am quick to reassure him. "Oh! No! I don't want to learn it. I wouldn't dare ask. I only mention it because, where I am from, we have a similar way to communicate. I learnt BSL, or British Sign Language, because my father is hard of hearing and it was sometimes easier to communicate like this other than speaking. I was wondering if Bifur was maybe up for me to teach him."

He looks to me as he listens before a smile slowly comes onto his face as I continue to explain. "I think that's a great idea, lass. I don't think Bifur would be opposed if you were to ask. Can I just say, I think it's great you're wanting to take the time to do this for him. Since getting his injury. . .many would keep away from him."

I smile. "Well, can't judge a book by it's cover, right?"

He grins. "You're right there. If only many would remember that."

We soon finish up and get back to camp in time to see it being taken down. I hold a finger up to Fili as he holds a hand out to me, ready to get me on the pony, before I find Thorin and walk over.

"Thorin, can I speak to you for a moment?"

He looks surprised for a moment, not having expected me, but quickly recovers.

"Of course."

He leads us away from the others a little before turning to me.

"What can I do for you?"

"Erm, I was talking to Bofur, and I mentioned about how I saw him and Bifur communicating with their hands, and he explained about your sign language Ig-Igli-"

"Iglishmek." he answers, his body tensing slightly.

"Yeah, that. Well, I told him how I have a similar way of communication from home, and that I wanted to teach it to Bifur. I'm going to ask him if he would like to learn it, and if so, I'm going to teach him. I just wanted to let you know beforehand so that you didn't think they were doing something they shouldn't."

I see the tensed muscles soon relax as I explain. "I see. Well, thank you for explaining this to me. And I want to thank you for doing this. True, Bifur is a strange one, but he has a big heart, and to see you wanting to do this for him, I appreciate it. Not many would treat our kind as such."

I smile at him. "I don't judge anyone based on their looks. I wait to judge. Actions are what does it for me. If you're good to me, then you will get that in return. You have all been wonderful with Aiden and I. If I can do this one thing to repay you all for it, then I'm happy to do so."

He smiles warmly at this, a smile which takes my breath away. "It seems we have that in common, Miss Sophia."

"Please, just Sophia. I think we gave become accustomed to one another for you to be less formal with me."

He nods. "Then, you may just call me Thorin. I believe we will get along better as equals. Wouldn't you say?"

I smile and nod. "That I would, Thorin."

We return to the others and Fili helps me up on the pony before getting up himself, before we continue on.

"Everything alright?" Fili asks me.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure."

"Could you ride up to Bifur? There's something I want to ask him."

He looks intrigued for a moment before he rides on, Kili and Aiden following, and we're soon next to Bifur, where I then explain to him what I talked with Bofur about. Once I explained everything to him, he was happy to learn BSL and I smiled as I began to teach him straight away. Those nearby were also listening in and watching us, taking in everything I was doing.

By the time we had made camp that night, I had managed to teach Bifur a few basic signs such as, "hello" "goodbye" "please" "thank you" "yes" "no" "how are you?" and "can I help?". It also helps that Bifur is a quick study and picks it up really easily. Aiden is continuing to practice too, with me having begun to teach him not long ago. Some of the others who were listening and watching has also picked up on it too, which made me happy.

As we dismount, Oin takes me to one side to look at my leg and announced the stitches were finally ready to be removed. I was really happy to hear that as I laid there while he took the sutures out and wraps it up again.

"There. All done lass." he looks up to Thorin who had come over to inspect my progress. "She should be ready for training now, as long as she doesn't overdo it."

He nods before looking to me as I sit up. "You said you don't have weapons training, correct? But know some combat?"

I nod. "Yeah. Like I said before, I had started self defence lessons a few months ago. I'm no expert by any means, but I do know some things."

"Right. I'll find someone to begin teaching you some sparring techniques for tonight. We can begin with weapons training when you're fully healed."

Tbat's when Dwalin walks over. "I don't mind teaching her a few moves, Thorin."

Oin looks up. "I did say she can't overdo it."

He waves his hand dismissively to the healer. "Ah, I won't rough her up too much, not to worry. I'll go easy."

Thorin looks to me, seeming worried about giving me Dwalin as an instructor. "Would you be alright with that?"

I smile as I nod. "Sure. I like a challenge."

He chuckles. "Alright then. Don't say I didn't warn you."

He walks off and after Dwalin removes his knuckle dusters, axes and furs, while I take off my jumper and set it on my rucksack before following Dwalin away a little, though I know the others are watching.

Dwalin turns to me. "Okay, lass. What do you know?"

"I know how to stand, how to position my arms, where to hit and how to get out of sticky situations."

"Alright. Show me your stance."

I first focus on my legs, placing them shoulders-width apart, knees bent slightly with my left foot turned towards Dwalin. I then put my hands up with my elbows bent and away my body. Looking to him for guidance, he seems impressed.

"Good. Just, make sure your elbows aren't locked or too tense. There we go."

He reaches out to loosen my elbows a little.

"Show me a fist."

I close my hands into a fist, remembering to tuck my thumb into the ball.

"Very good. Why do you tuck the thumb?"

"So it doesn't break."

"Good. It seems as though I don't have to teach you much about the basics. Let's see you throw a punch. Right here."

He holds up his right hand, palm facing me. Looking to his hand, I throw my right fist into it, using my body to give it force.

"Good. Again. Put as much as you can into it."

He has me do this a few times until he is satisfied. "Well done. Your precious teacher taught you well. Now, let's see what you know. What would you do, if I were to do this?"

He reaches out and takes my right wrist. I put my left hand over his fingers, then swing my arm around to grip his wrist. His arm is now twisted around and behind him amd them I push down onto the arm, forcing to his knees. I disengage as he lets go and steps back as he stands to face me again.

"Very good. The worst thing you can do is try to pull away and pry his fingers from you, you won't get far. Good grip, by the way."

I smile at that compliment.

"Okay. Now, pardon me here, lass. If I were to grab you here."

He places his hands around my neck, his thumbs into my throat. I try not to panic at this one, remember David trying to choke me just a few weeks ago. I know Dwalin can see the panic in my eyes as his face turns to concern. Instead, I tighten my neck before bowing low and spinning out to the right, getting him off and away.

"Perfect. Sorry about that lass, I saw you were struggling."

I give him a reassuring smile. "Not to worry. Needs to be done."

He nods, placated by that before we continue on. I continue to show him moves I have learnt to get away safely and he shows me some more I may not know. He seems to be quite impressed with what I know and nothing really surprises him, until the last move. As dinner is ready, Dwalin decides on one last move. So, he goes in for another choke hold, but his hands going to my shoulders this time, which I'm glad about. I put my hands under his arms, pull up a little before I surprise him by quickly rolling back so I'm on the floor, press my foot into his stomach and then push my leg up and throwing him back over me, smiling as I hear him grunt and the thud as he hits the floor.

I hear gasps and cheers from the others as I get up and walk over to Dwalin and look down at his dazed look.

"Alright down there?"

He grins up at me. "I feel sorry for anyone to get on your bad side, lass. I wasn't expecting that one."

I smile as I hold my hand out to him, which he takes and help pull him up, although I almost get pulled down with him. He pats my shoulder before we make our way back to the others.

"That was great, Sophia!" Kili exclaims.

Baling chuckles. "Yes, it was. When I mentioned about you having more surprises, I was not expecting you to toss my brother around like a hay bale."

This causes us to laugh, including Dwalin.

"You got onto your back so quick I barely saw it." Bilbo pipes up.

I smile. "That's thanks to my gymnastics training."

Fili frowns. "Gymnastics? What's that?"

"It's a sport in my world where you use a combination of endurance, stamina and flexibility to perform different types of moves."

"Mummy can even do a backflip!" Aiden calls out proudly.

"Really? Can we see?" Ori asks.

"Sure."

Moving back a bit for space, I bend my legs and move my arms back before jumping and pushing myself backwards, landing on my feet.

I smile and bow as they cheer. Glancing over at Thorin, he's not cheering like the others, but I see him looking over at me, seeming impressed. I feel my heart flutter at this. I don't know why, but having his approval, and impressing him, means more to me.

After getting my meal, Aiden has us putting another movie on, which he chooses Brave. I do worry at first, what with the thick Scottish accents, but hopefully they'll be able to get through it. Which they do, thankfully. I see Kili getting upset when Merida's mother throws her bow into the fire, seeing him glancing over at his own bow. All in all, they enjoyed the movie, despite a few language barriers.

After dinner and the movie, Oin checks my leg to make sure I'd not done any damage to it from the training and the backflip, which it's luckily fine. We then relax for the reminder of the night, with me soon tucking Aiden into bed and he's soon out like a light. He's been so exhausted lately, he's not asked for his favourite bedtime song, which I hope he asks for soon. I miss singing to him.

Picking up my notepad and pencils, I look around for a good place to sit to sketch the forest behind us and it just has to be where Thorin is sitting on a boulder, smoking his pipe. Sighing to myself, I walk over, making him turn his gaze to me.

"May I join you? This is a good angle to sketch the forest."

He nods to the seat next to him, giving me permission, so I sit next to him and cross my legs before placing the pad on them and begin sketching out the trees. We're silent for a few moments, the only sounds being the fire, gentle talking of the others and the scratching of pencil to pen.

"That was quite a show you put on for us." Thorin says, pulling the tip of the pipe from his mouth to speak. "It seems I was wrong to be concerned by you pairing with Dwalin. You can certainly hold your own, with or without a weapon."

I smile. "Thanks. I haven't been doing the lessons long and that last move was only learnt recently, so I'm glad it worked."

He chuckles. "It was good. I don't think I've seen Dwalin fly like that before."

I grin. "He's really strong. I didn't think I was going to be able to flip him, I started feeling pain in my leg when I pushed, but it was only for a second." I added the last part as I see his look of concern.

"That may be. But, the next time, don't risk it. I don't want you to re-injure yourself."

"I will. I promise."

He nods, accepting this.

We fall silent once more, just enjoying each others company.

"Do many people in your world take defence lessons such as those?"

"A fair few. It's a dangerous world, not as dangerous as this where you need swords and such, but still just as dangerous. And that's not counting the wars going on. It can be dangerous for anyone just stepping out of the front door."

He frowns at me. "So close to home?"

I nod. "It wasn't always that way. My mum used to tell me that, when she was a kid, she'd be able to run around in the streets with her friends and play without supervision. These days, parents barely let their kids out of their sights. I was the same with Aiden."

"It doesn't sound like a good place to be."

"It has it's good points. But, lately, they seem to be so few and far between. I only took up self defence because. . .well. I think that would be best left for another day."

I see him looking curiously at me as I close my pad and put my pencils away.

"If you ever need to talk to someone, you can come to me. I'm a good listener."

I smile at him. "Thank you, Thorin. I appreciate that. But, that story is not one I am ready to tell as of yet."

He nods at that, watching as I stand and stretch my back.

"Okay, bedtime I think. That training's worn me out."

He grins. "Well, get ready for tomorrow. We're going to see about swords."

I smile as I bid him goodnight before putting my pad and pencils away and then curling up with Aiden, listening to Thorin giving Gloin and Bofur watch for the night.

Chapter 4 all done and dusted, hope you all enjoyed. Also, if there are some self defence instructors out there, let me know if I did anything wrong in this chapter so I can go back and change it is I need to. Thanks for reading xx