Natalie was getting along quite well with the Dwarves, especially Fili and Kili, both of whom had taken to training her in sword fighting when the company stopped for a break. They'd often train for at least an hour after dinner and all the chores were done, sometimes even going for two or three hours until Thorin would tell them all to stop so the company could get some sleep.

On the road Kili was telling Natalie how he would get her a wonderful dwarven sword to fight with instead of a borrowed dagger. "When we get to Erebor Nat, I'll make you a sword myself. It'll be perfectly balanced, and beautiful, with runes engraved into the handle."

Kili leaned over from the other side of Natalie and whispered loudly enough for Kili to hear, "It'll be a daft piece of poetry he thinks is clever."

Natalie giggled and Fili faked offence at his brothers words. They were cut short however by Thorin stating "She is only riding with us until we can find a place to leave her safely."

"That doesn't mean I can't make her a sword and send it to her," Fili argued slightly, "She's getting quite good uncle, and if she had a Dwarf sword..."

"She will not need a dwarf sword," Thorin interrupted his nephew. "Drop it." He rode ahead and the three were silent. 

When he was out of earshot, Natalie murmured silently, "Who shoved a stick up his ass?" Both princes bit their lips to keep from cackling aloud. Natalie smiled slightly at their concealed laughter.

***

The watch shifts always were taken by two people, and now that Natalie had some skill with a blade, she was pulled into the watch rotation, although always with a good fighter, Kili, Fili, Dwalin, or, tonight, Thorin. It was her first time keeping watch with the king, and it made her uneasy. She could easily talk to Fili and Kili, as she was close with them, and after learning a bit more about Dwalin, she was able to talk a bit with him, as she had also earned his respect, and although he wasn't much of a talker, it was better than this.

Silence. Tense silence at that. The company had fallen asleep little over an hour ago, and neither Natalie nor Thorin had spoken a word. Natalie looked down at her borrowed blade. It was Fili's longest dagger, that he always let her borrow when she was on watch. She ran her finger over the engravings on the dagger, in Dwarvish runes. 

"Fili made that dagger himself," Thorin said quietly, not looking at the woman. "It's the first weapon he ever made."

She smiled "Not that I'm an expert or anything, but it seems to be very well made for a first attempt."

"It is..." Thorin said, outstretching his hand, Natalie placing the dagger gently in his palm. He looks at the blade, a small, fond smile making its way to his face. "He was begging me for weeks to help him..."

Natalie smiled brightly as Thorin handed the dagger back to her, looking at her for a moment as he did so. She returned to looking at the runes. "What do they say...?" She asked quietly.

Thorin smiled, saying something in Khuzdul, before translating to English. "The house of Durin is sharp and strong, like this dagger. Many will come to fear it's danger."

Nat let out a soft giggle and Thorin chuckled lightly. "Fili always had a passion for poetry and writing of short, profound statements... He's gotten better, though don't tell him I said so."

Natalie giggled again "Don't worry, I'll take it to my grave."

"I hope you won't have to any time soon," He said, voice becoming serious once again. "This quest will be dangerous. I hope you won't have to face any before we find you somewhere safe to stay."

"I'm not afraid... At least not much..." Natalie said. "I would be proud to fight my best alongside you and your company."

Thorin let out a single breath of a laugh. "For a Human girl you are fascinating. And brave." And a bit naive, he thought, though didn't dare breathe aloud.