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There are brightly coloured tents as far as the eye can see, some carry the insignia of well known lords and knights others, far less impressive, are dull and faded, worn down by time but patched up with love. The pavilions are bustling; servants run to and fro at the bidding of there masters, panicked squires attempt to do three tasks at once, and women of all kinds walk from tent to tent. There are pained groans coming from some of the tents, men who have already fought, and from these tents a stream of medics and healers come and go. There are knights here too. They strut confidently where ever they go, making sure to show off and greeting friends and enemies alike. Here and there fights break out amongst rivals and these a egg on by their rowdy audiences before the guards quickly pull the men apart.

coded by nahara46 of gs, adox and swa

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As what Fíli had initially thought to be unnecessarily wide corridors progressively became more and more crowded, Fíli was glad that the Dwarves of Erebor had arrived at the venue for King Thengel's tourney a great deal earlier than the masses. Watching the many attempts of others setting up their own grand and vibrantly coloured pavilions was surprisingly difficult. Nervous horses knocked down half-built structures and streams of people made it near-impossible to move around belongings, small squires and serving-boys tried to weave their way through the current of people but were very rarely successful in crossing the corridor.

Even more so than for the others, the Dwarves could rarely afford to arrive late at a tourney for a short stature came with it's own problems and being awkwardly pressed up against the stomachs of strangers when stuck in crowds of Men and Elves was one such problem. As well as that, braids and hair was easily caught on the clothing and items of passers-by and if a Dwarf was not careful, it could leave his scalp burning by the end of the day.

Though ignoring the challenges of displacement, the place was actually rather nice. The flat, open fields were certainly a change from the underground chambers he was so used to in Erebor. At times it felt strange being so exposed on all fronts without the presence of the Mountain to offer him safety should things all go wrong. But at the very same time, it was also refreshing to have a change in scenery. And whilst the company had not crossed Rohan on their journey East, travelling down with the thirty or so Dwarves that had volunteered to come along and Kíli at his side had reminded him of the fond moments he and his brother had shared when they left Bag-end.

And to see such a mix of culture in one place was certainly a wonderfully unique experience. From the entrance to the pavilion, Fíli took in all the colours, the smells and objects he had never before seen in his life. Not all the craftsmanship that was on display compared to the methods and techniques that one would find in Erebor, but it was fascinating to see what the Men of the West did with the materials available to them.

And feeling the desire to head off soon and explore all that the tourney had to offer, Fíli slipped back into the pavilion shared by all the Dwarves of Erebor and went to see how the others were doing.

Thiri stood a good ways to the back of the Dwarves' pavilion, braiding a lock of her hair and adding it to the slight up-do she had created without paying much attention. Her mind was on the noises surrounding the colorful tent, and she was presently considering what she might find if she ducked out the back under the gold trim that brushed against the trampled grass.
The re-entrance of the prince broke her train of thought, and she glanced up, catching a glimpse of the bright outdoors before the cloth flaps fell back together behind him.
The sight of so many people made her tense up, and she had to fight the urge to take another step back into the pavilion.
"I never should have let you talk me into this," she muttered, speaking to no-one but herself.
"Come on, you know we need to get away and relax. Enjoy yourself!"
"This place is neither relaxing, nor enjoyable. Even you didn't think there would be this much of a crowd!"
"Just get out there and find something to watch! No-one could possibly notice us anyway. And there's plenty to see!"
"Yes but what if I don't want to see it?"
"Well we certainly can't stay here, they'll begin to stare."
Thiri tried to ignore her last remark, fingering a seam in the wall beside her, but she knew that sooner or later she would have to do something.

The pavilion had been slowly emptying and only a few of Dwarves were now left in the large tents who could easily be split into two groups: One group consisted of those who were still happily munching on their late breakfast and veritable little mountains of food they had purchased at the Marketplace earlier on, and the other group consisted of those who were going on about strategies and techniques to win the various events and taking the entire tourney a little too seriously in Fíli's opinion.

Fíli spoke briefly to a few of the Dwarves as he made his way towards the end of the pavilion to fetch his things. He and Kíli meant to go and see how tall the longbows were for the archery competition and see if there was anyway that Kíli would be able to show up some of those Elves in the archery events taking place later on. Though just as he was getting his coat on, he noticed a lonesome figure towards the end of the tent and he recognised the dwarf to be Thiri- it wasn't hard to recognise her as Fíli only knew two Dwarves without beards.

She appeared to be talking to herself and Fíli could not help but feel a little sorry for her. Having travelled all the way here with them, it felt a little rude for Fíli to ignore her and leave her by herself in the pavilion. So he walked over to where she was and smiled brightly at her.

"You look as though you could do with some company?" Fíli said merrily, "I would be happy to have you join my brother and I to the archery arena if you wanted to come along" He offered her.

Thiri stopped talking when she sensed the prince approaching, forcing her own conversation into her head.
She focused back on reality, which was slightly difficult, but she managed to catch the prince's words.
She was very surprised by Fili's proposal, and found herself smiling almost as brightly as him, before she realized he was only doing this because he felt bad for her. Why else was anyone ever nice to her?
'I can't,' she thought.
'Oh go on, we'll not get a better offer. He IS a prince after all.'
'Stop with that, we'll only hinder them.'
'Well we won't if you could only PRETEND to have fun, for once.'
Thiri thought in silence for a little longer before looking at Fíli, a smile again gracing her lips.
"Yes, thank you, I would like that."

Tahlaia was irritated to say the least.

Fili didn't have to push hard to convince her to go to the tourney at Rohan with him, not at all, she was dying for some fresh air having still not completely adjusted to staying in one place for so long. Rohan was a place she had ventured to before in her years wandering, if she remembered correctly it hadn't been too many years ago since she had been here, selling her wares and such. This was proven when one or two of the markets men recognised and greeted her upon arriving. Plus, the wide open fields and hills that encompassed Rohan made her feel much less claustrophobic than Erebor had when she first arrived there. She liked Rohan, however would have never considered staying permanently, the city rarely had other species visit, therefore she was very easy to spot in a crowd, something she'd prefer not to be.

But even then, that was not what irritated her. What did grate on the female's nerves was the undead puppy guard that had been following her around the entire time. Going to Rohan? Not a problem. Going dressed as a male? Never in a million years. She refused point blank, to the disgruntlement of the other Dwarrows. So instead of making due with their losses, they decided to assign a Dwarf to her at all times, following her around with dead eyes and not replying to anything that was said to them.

Fili was going to get an earful. A loud one.

After making her way back to the pavilion where the Dwarrow's had been assigned. She sought out the blonde haired Dwarrow with a scowl across his face, she found him speaking to another female, her name skipped Tahlaia's mind, however she was sure she had seen her before at some point. From her expression, Fili had probably already guessed she wasn't best pleased,
"Is this some sort of joke you and your brother are playing on me?" She pointed roughly in the other dwarrow's direction.

"The pleasure's all mine. It's only a small trip to the archery fields, nothing all that exciting if that doesn't bother you too much." Fíli beamed as he offered the dame his hand to help her up. Aside from the stories with Thiri being the only known half-blood amongst the Dwarves in existence, Fíli was surprised and slightly ashamed he did not know more on the dame. She was older than him, but not by all that much- about 15 years or so. It must have been hard after all, growing up being so different from everyone else. If Fíli had thought the teasing that Kíli had received as a lad was shameful, then he could not imagine the type of unwanted attention that she had received. But she seemed a friendly and kind-hearted character, so Fíli saw this as a nice opportunity to get to know the dame a little better.

"Unless you're particularly fond of bows that is-" Fíli addedd, she was a little slimmer than many of the dwarrow, something that might make it easier for her to wield lighter weapons instead of the incredibly heavy and bulky warhammers and battleaxes that most of the dwarves preferred to swing around. Fíli himself was not all that bad with a bow- he knew how to pull back a string and land an arrow fairly close to the target (luck would occasionally land him a bullseye, but Fíli was not foolish enough to think that was due to any skill of his own). But obviously when compared to his brother, he hardly compared. He could perhaps match Thorin- but that was pushing it. No, Fíli was much happier with the weight of a sword, axe or warhammer in his hand.

"How are you finding Ro-" Fíli started before the noise of someone (seemingly angry) marching up behind him, cut him off.

He turned, slightly wide-eyed to see a very angry Tahlaia, pointing an angry finger at the poor soul behind her. He assumed this was the guard and Fíli gave him a reassuring smile and a slight wave. Hopefully Tahlaia would lighten up later on.

"Actually he's not a joke, he's a person and I think you ought to apologise to him for that, he's only doing his job after all." Fíli replied calmly, and offered Tahlaia a gentle smile. He was not particularly in the mood for an argument or being shouted at, especially for something that he did not decide. Hopefully if he dealt with this in a calm manner, Tahlaia would also calm herself and stop acting up.

"And I don't know why you're dragging me and Kíli into this, you're lucky that the council agreed to let you come along. And I suppose this is their alternative to a beard and large coat." Fíli continued, he had actually had to do quite a lot of persuading to convince several councillors that allowing some of the dwarrowdams to come along on the journey to Rohan was a good idea- he supposed it might have been too much to expect a thank you. Then again, few people concerned themselves with what went on within the council.

"But moving off that, Tahlaia I don't believe you've met Thiri before?" He said gesturing to the other dwarrowdam sat down. "I must say if anything, I've heard she makes a fine smith!" He said happily as he introduced the two to one another.

Grinning, this time genuinely, Thiri took the hand offered to her, and stood up, noting that Fíli was wonderfully strong, and also that his hand was nice and warm, as opposed to her chilled fingers. She hardly ever made contact with dwarves of the male variety, so she soaked up every second of attention paid to her, even in formality.
"I'm afraid I really don't know much about archery. I've never shot a bow in my life, though I can say it is a certain novelty to see them practiced."
Thiri had watched young dwarves shoot at targets during her own youthful melee training, though she had never dared to touch one of the weapons herself. Her father had feared she would be startled by something and let an arrow fly by mistake, and this was a fear to which she held. Even in adulthood, when she had taken to hunting in the mountains, she never made use of the ranged weapon.
Thiri almost jumped when Tahlaia spoke, so distracted had she been by the prince that she did not even notice the dwarrowdam's approach. She listened with slightly widened eyes to the words that passed between the girl and the prince, slightly shocked by the use of the guard, and quite terrified by the idea that perhaps one should be sent after her, watching her every move with uninterested eyes. The thought quite disturbed her, but she was thankfully relieved of her imaginings by the mention of her name.
She smiled at the other dwarf lady as they were introduced, blushing under Fíli's praise, and reached out her hand to shake. "Pleased to meet you!"

The other female seemed as though she where going to fall over with glee at the idea of Fili giving her any form of attention. Tahlaia wanted to snort and thought back to the time in the market when he had been swarmed by dwarrowdams who would have done the same thing. Something was wrong with them. All of them. She was the only sane bloody woman in the entire of Erebor. She kept these thoughts at the back of her head. Enough people. Dwarrows. Didn't like her as it was she didn't need even more to add to that list.besides she didn't really know this woman yet. Hopefully she had some more admirable traits.

The Dwelf crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hips to one side. Clearly showing her distasteful for whatever he had said. She snorted toward him before speaking again,
"He doesn't need an apology he doesn't even react!" She snaps, turning to wave at his eyes only for him not to react and for her to turn back to Fili "He just follows me around like a brainless puppy with dead uninterested eyes! The only time he does react is when somebody is closer to me than he is and he starts growling like a madman!"[/b] She's clearly very pissed off by the guard following her around like a lapdog. She hates it. She feels violated of a fashion, it's not in her nature to be watched like this. She doesn't take to it well and with the look on the fellow females face she would be doing the exact same thing,
"Look! Even she's horrified by the idea of it!" she uses it to her advantage as much as she possibly can because hell she's trying to make a point if Dwarrows hadn't already noticed.

"Tell him to stop Fili or I swear to my ancestors ill do what everybody does with dogs and chain him up somewhere! He's freaking the men of Rohan out nevermind me!" It was true and several of the women and children had even stopped in their tracks. Turned around and headed in the opposite direction "Dwarrows are already strange enough to men nevermind when word gets out that the males follow the females around like they're prize possessions!"

She still angry as a bull but she manages to calm herself to speak to the female who is somewhat the third participant in her current raving and rantings, she isn't too sure on shaking the woman's hand, seems too form for her, too odd. But she does it. For as short a period as she can "Tahlaia. As you've been told." She shoots another angry glare at the Prince.

Before the Prince could answer Thiri, Tahlaia had launched into an attack on the dwarf stood behind her. Fíli listened to what Tahlaia had to say- or rather complain, about the guardsman. He ignored the snort, the tone, the glares she sent him and the harsh words she spoke against the poor soul, for the last thing Fíli wanted currently was to further an argument. But as he kept his head down and stayed quiet whilst Tahlaia continued, he felt the stares of the other dwarrow who turned to see what was happening currently. Fíli felt his cheeks flush a little, the whole scene was slowly becoming humiliating for the Prince- though that did not seem to stop Tahlaia.  He felt the energy drain from him slightly as what had seemed to be a beautifully promising day ahead of him seemed to be darkening.

As Tahlaia stopped and the two dames shook hands, Fíli stood up right and gathered what cheer and merriment he had left and offered both of them a warm smile. Perhaps only a little less heartfelt than the one he had given Thiri before. But he took their willingness to greet each other as a good sign. 

Though he had still to deal with Tahlaia's complaints-

"Tahlaia, please stop this. The dwarf stood behind you is one of our own people and this is becoming embarrassing for you and me the longer you shout abuse at him. You've already been told what the alternative is to a guardsman and if you're still unwilling to don a beard then I'm afraid I cannot do any more. Now please apologise, I think you owe it to him." Fíli addressed Tahlaia first, hoping to clear all of this as soon as he could. He simply wanted to get to the archery range-

Speaking of which he looked to Thiri. "I must admit as far as archery goes, I might disappoint as aside from showing you how to hold a bow and aim in the general direction of the target, I'm afraid I'd be a rather appalling teacher- Kíli would definitely be able to show you a thing or two regarding bows. I much prefer to swing around the more satisfyingly heavy weapons." He said with a smile, it often confused others as to which as the Princes was older when they watched Kíli correcting Fíli's every move as he tried to get the hang of using a bow.

"Oh Tahlaia, Thiri and I are headed to the archery range to meet with Kíli. You're welcome to come along if you wish." He smiled in her direction as he offered her the opportunity to perhaps forget about that which was bothering her.

Thiri was uncomfortable with the thought of actually handling a bow, even with the princes to guide her. She much preferred to watch.
"Yes, I have to agree with you on that point. Axes have always been more comfortable than anything else, though I rarely use them any more. It seems that hunting is quite unnecessary now that we are back in trade with Dale and Laketown."
It was very true. She had not hunted in nearly three years, having been so busy with Erebor's rebuilding, and work in the forges ever since then.
"Yes, you should come along," agreed Thiri with a smile, cursing herself mentally for the awkwardness with which she addressed the Dwelf.
'See? That's what happens when you try too hard,' she scolded herself in her head. 'Now they both think we're an idiot.'
'But I just thought that maybe, since she's a half-breed-'
'She's not like us! Can't you see the way she looks at us?'
'I didn't think-'
'You never do! That's why we're in this mess in the first place. If you had just-'
'Oh stop it. You're ruining the only chance we had at a nice day. Just stay in the background and they'll forget all about us.'
'I didn't want... I mean... I thought this time...'
Thiri shut out the noise inside her own head, forcing herself to smile, but she couldn't meet the eyes of the other half-breed, and looked instead at the dwarf who followed her.

Cora wandered through the brightly coloured tents, trying to avoid being jostled or hit over the head by a passing servant or stepping in something nasty or getting splashed with something nasty or...

She was beginning to regret her decision to leave the stall.

It had only been on a whim that Cora had decided to leave Cór in charge and take half her siblings off on a walk to explore the tourney grounds, partly to stretch her legs and partly as a treat for her brother and sisters. It had seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now she was making her way through a crowd which didn’t seem notice she was there at all, holding on to Cendwyn with one hand and Bael in the other so that they wouldn’t be separated. If she’d had a third arm she’d have held on to Meera as well, to keep her close and keep her safe but, as it was, she’d have to trust that Meera would stay close to and not go wandering off. She wasn’t sure the gesture would have been appreciated anyway.

The group was walking slowly, partly out of necessity and partly so the two youngsters could gawp at the knights and servants and the brightly coloured tents. They’d never seen anything like it before and Cora couldn’t blame them for being so interested in everything they saw. Cora herself had no interest in waving banners or the knights they belonged to; she’d come for the trade and not for the tourney itself. After all, the high born folk had little interest in what she did so why should she be interested in what they did? No, it was better that they ignored each other and got on with their business. She’d have to trust that they’d do whatever it was they did during peace time without her interference and they’d have to trust that she’d keep farming and making medicine and taking in washing.

Tahl knew she was being a little out of hand, a little childish and immature but she was angry, she tended to lose all sort of sane thought when she was angry, however Fili clearly understood her anger, despite claiming he could do nothing about it. Some good that being heir to Erebor was when he couldn't even tell a simpleminded guard what to do, she nearly commented on it, but held herself back. It might have been a step too far to bring his birth right into things, even if she wanted to just to prove a point. She let out a partial growl of annoyance and turned to pacing in order to rid herself of her anger fuelled energy, or at least a part of it rather than blow up in Fili's face for the second time,
"If he can bring himself to look anything but bored for more than three seconds I might even consider an apology!" She replies harshly, although by now Fili probably already realises that isn't happening anytime soon.

She was pacing for a number of minutes while Fili was trying to distract her with events that they where going to be attending, she had put her name down for the archery competition as had Kili she knew, the female figured it would be a good idea to join them and it might make her feel like less of a piece of expensive meat being watched every hour of the day by a hungry hound,
"Yes, I'll come with you as long as I don't have to bring the dog." she may be more calm than she was previous, and have stopped her insistent pacing, but she was still all up for the name calling, she wasn't all that mature sometimes. She took another look at the other woman in the same space as her, she looked as though she where thinking a little too hard, it was a little odd but, perhaps, she was just concentrating on something she was yet to be made aware of. But still, it was harder to act more strange than herself in a tent full of Erebor Dwarrows, she was managing it somehow.

“Good. Shall we be on our way then? I would hate to Kíli waiting too long.” Fíli smiled, deciding to ignore Tahlaia’s comment about the guardsman. Fíli would likely have to pay him more for his troubles later seeing as it would seem unlikely that none of his commanders would hear of this. And the last thing Fíli wished to do was to incur the anger of the guardsmen of Erebor. He could only wish that Tahlaia would show a little more respect to those that were his own people- people he would be expected to rule someday.

Though as he passed her, he mouthed a simple please. Of all days that he would have liked to have been excused from settling arguments, it would be this one.

“That seems a shame, I would be most pleased to invite you along the next time I go hunting in the woods at Erebor’s doorstep.” He turned to Thiri as they made their way out of the pavilion. “Though I have never hunted out of necessity, but if I am not mistaken it is something both you and Tahlaia have in common, is it not?” He asked Tahlaia as the three of them left the tent.

Trailing at quite a distance were two guardsmen assigned to Tahlaia and Thiri respectively, but for the moment they could keep their distance. As long as Fili was nearby, they did not need to be on full alert and stood at a safe distance where they hoped they could avoid Tahlaia’s wrath. Fili himself had been assigned Loni to keep him from getting into trouble, but as his tutor was fast asleep having been exhausted by the long ride down to Rohan, Fili had been excused from his supervision and instead was now in Pod’s care. Though seeing how easily the young dwarrow complied to Kili’s demands, Fili expected that they would be able to do whatever they wanted.