The days passed quickly in Rivendell, and for the most part, they were pleasant ones, despite the marked tension that still resided between most of the dwarves and their hosts. Thorin had informed the company that they would be remaining in Rivendell at least until the Midsummer Feast for Gandalf insisted that they seek Lord Elrond's help with the map of Erebor on that night. Sara never did get a chance to speak alone with Fili and Kili about their offer, for the morning after her run-in with Thorin in Elrond's kitchens, the three of them were called the Thorin's quarters. He and Balin had been looking for ways to get Sara out of the agreement, and this had angered Fili, but he needn't have worried. Balin said he could not see a way to anole the offer as it had been properly given, property accepted, and witnessed by Kili. He had then tried to find a law that forbade Sara or any other human from being made a heart sister, but it had never occurred to those who wrote the laws surrounding these offers that they would be made to any but dwarf, so there had never been any stipulations set against such an unforeseen occurrence. There was nothing to be done, quite literally, for until they had either the approval (unlikely) or rejection (which was almost assured) of Lady Dis, no one could make a move.

This however was not to remain the case, for Balin had brought up a point that was often forgotten as it hardly ever came into effect as most offers were sorted in short order. There was a deadline of six months for those who would challenge the offer and if no challenger could present themselves by this time, then the offer was considered to be approved by all, and unfortunately, no one could challenge before Lady Dis as she was the closest living relative. This had unnerved Thorin. Even if they were to inform Lady Dis of her son's hasty offer and she rejected Sara, she would then have to disprove Fili's determination and that would require her presence which would prove difficult as she was some several hundreds of miles away seeing to things in the Blue Mountains in Thorin's absence. Should she approve however, then Thorin would be the one to stand against his nephew. With this new stipulation in mind it was determined that Thorin and Fili would each wright a letter to Lady Dis and argued for her to accept Sara as a daughter. Fili had agreed to this idea readily as if they were successful it would remove one of his opponents and had even included a sketch of Sara that Ori had drawn. Thorin, for his part, was confident in his ability to put his nephew in his place should his sister approve, and knew all too well that he could do nothing against a deadline. He too argued for Sara's acceptance as it was his only chance to prevent her from becoming part of the family and subsequently a princess of Erebor. Fili and Kili still persisted in calling her sister, much to the annoyance of Thorin. Unfortunately, his hands were tied, for even before the proof of determination it was expected that the one who made the offer assumed the responsibilities offered as if it had been proven. This particular law was in place so that a child was not left without care while the official process commenced. It was galling to Thorin how literally his nephews took this all, but it amused Dwalin to no end to see the princes fawn over Sara witch in turn only fed Thorin's frustration.

Quickly the letters were written and Thorin had approached Lord Elrond for his help in seeing that the letters reach the Blue Mountains in the fastest possible manner. The elf lord had provided one of his fastest falcons to Thorin who had been a bit uneasy trusting the bird in this matter but Gandalf had assured him that Lord Elrond's falcons were no ordinary birds but wise as had been the ravens of Erebor. Thorin would have indeed prefurred a raven but relented, allowing the falcon to carry the messages. Once the letters were secured to the falcon Elrond had spoken to the bird in a strange tongue before sending it winging away. He had informed Thorin that the falcon would be able to find him in future to bring a reply.

As Sara was now whole once again, her training with Dwalin began and she was pleased to learn that Thorin had given his blessing. Indeed, he had insisted that the whole company train daily while in Rivendell and he make sure special attention was paid to Ori. Sara was surprised when Thorin also suggested to Bilbo that he join the training, and reluctantly their hobbit agreed; though after a few days Dwalin despaired that the hobbit would ever show any improvement beyond a beginner's skill. Under the instruction of Dwalin and Nori, Sara was making some progress. They had helped her to adjust her grip and strengthen her stance but then help had come from an altogether surprising, and to Dwalin, an unwelcome source. The company had been training for four days now in the large grassy area they had found on the outskirts of Elrond's gardens right before it gave way to the wild woods. Sometimes they trained as a group and others one-on-one or in Sara's case one on two. She had been training with Dwalin and Nori everyday and though not harsh they pushed her to her limits giving her sets of exercises to do and Sara's body was sore as at adjusted to the new routines. Today Dwalin sat under a tree tending to his axes and keeping watch out to the corner of his eye as Nori led Sara through some of the movements. Thorin was working with Fili, Kili, and Ori some distance off and Balin was instructing Bilbo as Dwalin and had become too impatient for the hobbit. Nori had stilled next to Sara and she paused watching him scrutinize the shrubbery nearby.

"What is it?" she asked. Nori did not respond but disappeared into the forest silently. Dwalin came to stand by her and she looked to the others of the company all watching the woods for Nori's return. It was quiet for a few minutes and then they heard a yelp and shortly Nori return through the trees hauling a person behind him by the arm.

"Estel!" exclaimed Sara as she saw him came into view.

"Sara!" cried the boy struggling and trying to kick Nori who held him at a distance. "Let me go!" he yelled at the thief.

"You know this boy?" asked Nori rather irritably. "I caught him spying on us."

"Hardly spying," said Sara skeptically. "Let him go Nori."

"How do you know this boy?" Dwalin asked from beside her studying the struggling boy. He addressed the boy. "Who are ya lad?"

"Nori," came Thorin's deep voice. "Release the boy."

"I caught him spying on us from the woods," said the thief.

"Release him," warned Thorin. Reluctantly the Nori released his grip. Estel yanked his arm away and came to stand by Sara sticking his tongue out at his would be captor.

"He is the adopted son of our host," replied Thorin looking sharply at the thief who stood arms folded eyeing the boy unhappily.

"What are you doing here Estel?" asked Sara. He looked up at her fingering a small bow that was slung over his shoulder.

"I was out hunting with Elladan and Elrohir."

"Who?" she asked.

Elladan and Elrohir, the twin sons of Lord Elrond," replied Estel simply. "We were hunting nearby and I saw you." He pointed to the warrior beside her. "Is he Dwalin?"

"How do you know my name?" asked Dwalin gruffly suspicion clear on his face.

"Ms. Sara told me about you," said Estel brightly stepping around her to get a better view of him. "She says you and Mr. Thorin are the most fearsome warriors." Dwalin looked a bit taken aback and he glanced quickly at Thorin and Sara before returning his attention to the boy.

"Did she now?" he asked, a note of pride in his tone. "What else did she say?" At this moment a voice called for Estel from the woods.

"I'm over here," yelled estel cupping his hands around his mouth. Two figures appeared between the trees and entered the clearing warily. Fili and Kili came to stand on either side hands on their weapons, in fact all the dwarves seemed a bit tense as the two new arrivals were both tall slim elves. They both possessed dark hair and gray eyes, and their faces were so similar that there was no doubt in Sara's mind that these must be the twins Estel had spoken of as they also had some resemblance to Lord Elrond.

"Are these your brothers?" Sara asked the boy. Estel nodded and ran over to greet them, being sure to step wide around Nori.

"This is Elladan," he said gesturing to one. "And this is Elrohir." He pointed to the other. The elf who he had named Elladan was dressed in fitted dark green tunic and soft brown trousers, a long sword strapped to his back. Elladan's long hair was pulled back into a high tail behind his head, several small braids in the mix. Elrohir stood beside him a bow in one hand and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder wearing a loose shirt of deep blue, his pants black. Elrohir wore his hair in loose layers about his ears and neck, for his hair was cut much shorter than his brothers. While the two brothers faces were identical, they definitely has two different styles and the only thing that they seemed to share was a single gold hoop in each of their right earlobes.

"Estel," questioned Elladan. "Why are you here with these dwarves?"

"I wanted to see Mr. Thorns band of fearsome fighters," said the boy looking excitedly around at the dwarves who had gathered closer together. Elrohir wrinkled his nose at the boys response.

"How did you know about the dwarves?" asked Elrohir placing a protective hand on the boy's shoulder. "You've never met or been introduced?"

"Well he sort of has actually," said Sara stepping toward the elf brothers.

"Ms. Sara and I caught young Estel in the pantry late at night several days ago," said Thorin addressing the elves. They look down at the boy who grinned up at them.

"Ms. Sara makes the most delicious cookies," said Estel placatingly.

"It seems we'll have to keep a much closer watch on you little brother," said Elrohir.

"So it seems," agreed Elladan quietly. He turned to Thorin. "What brings you and yours to this clearing," he asked.

"They are training," piped up Estel eagerly.

"Then we shall leave them to it. Come Estel," called Elladan turning to leave.

"But I wanted to watch the dwarves train," whined the boy. "Please?"

"Why would you want to watch a bunch of dwarves train," asked Elrohir raising his eyebrows at his young brother.

"Ms. Sara says that they are mighty warriors and Mr. Thorin says dwarves are strong. Very strong, stronger even than elves," said the boys sounding impressed as he moved to stand in front of Thorin who stood looking rather proudly down at the boy. It was plain to see that Estel was quite enamored with the dwarf king.

Elrohir snoted. "Is that what they told you," he asked sardonically eyeing the dwarves in question. "I doubt it."

"That there would be the truth lad," said Dwalin cooly.

"Would you care to put that to the test master dwarf?"asked Elrohir fingering his bow.

"Brother," chidded Elladan. "Father would not approve."

"Father would not approve of Estel still being told falsehoods either," replied Elrohir cooly. "Besides, father need not know. What do you say master dwarf care to test the validity of your claim?"

"Aye!," said Dwalin smirking his eyes flashing as he hefted his axe. "Ya have no idea how much I would enjoy that lad."

Elladan sighed. "At least take your spar to the training arena."

Estel whooped excitedly. "What about you Mr. Thorin," he asked tugging on his arm. "Aren't you going to fight as well?"

Thorin grinned down at the boy. "Is that something you wish to see?" asked the dwarf king.

"Very much," said the boy eagerly still tugging at the dwarfs arm.

"Whom would you like to see me spar with then?" asked Thorin.

"I could fill that role," offered Elladan.

Balin stepped forward and addressed the elf. "My brother can be hot headed when it comes to elves. Perhaps it would behove us to have you switch partners. It would be better not to let him fight your brother. Dwalin may get a bit carried away though it's only supposed to be a spar." Elladan glanced to his brother calculating.

"Perhaps you are right Master Dwarf," agreed Elladan. "My brother also is prone to excessiveness in the arena."

It was finally agreed that Thorin would spar Elrohir and Dwalin would spar Elladan. They had not been very happy to switch at first but Balin had insisted and with Elladan to support him it was the others finally consented. The Elves had led the company to a small arena which was well hidden inside the towering stone walls surrounding Elrond's Villa. There was no ceiling, for in a truth, the arena was set in a great basin in the rocks. The natural light bounced off the tall white stone walls as the company gathered around to watch and cheer. Sara noticed a crowd elves on the other side of the small courtyard as well. Most of the dwarves pressed close but Sara and Balin hung back. Estel was with them, excited energy rolling off the boy in waves. He reached for Sara's hand tugging at her. "Who do you think will win?" he asked. Sara looked to the four figures preparing and had to admit she was unsure.

"I don't know," she said. "I've never seen an elf fight but I have a hard time seeing Thorin losing. What do you think Balin?" She turned to the white bearded dwarf beside her.

"Thorin and Elladan will be the victors lass," said Balin simply.

"Why would you think that?"asked Estel. "Dwalin looks like he might be even stronger than Thorin."

Balin looked down at the boys smiling knowingly. "Strength is not everything young one."

"Well then what is?" questioned the boy scrutinizing him.

"Ya watch the match and ya see if you can tell me at the end." challenged Balin. Estel groaned, reminding Sara of a boy with homework, but he turned his attention forward. The combatants squared up. Elrohir faced Thorin but in his hands was now a staff of wood or so sara thought, for when he twisted the shaft blades popped out of either. Throin had removes some of his personal effects and stood at the ready rolling his shoulders, Orcrist held loosely in his hand. Dwalin held his twin axes facing Elladan who drew his blade from over his shoulder. Sara was surprised when what had appeared to be one blade was now two, one held in each hand. Dwalin and Elrohir were the first to make a move taking savage swings at their opponents but Thorin and Elladan were cool and collected as they blocked parried or dodged their blows. The fights lasted about fifteen minutes and ended exactly as Balin had predicted. Elrohir was the first to go down, for as fast and light with his staff as he was, he could still not overcome Thorin who was surprisingly agile for a dwarf. Sara had watched riveted as Thorin fought, holding her breath for long stretches at a time. And then it was over, Thorin stood over the elf, Orchrist pressed against Elrohir's chest. His staff lay several yards away where it had landed when Thorin had knocked it from his hands.

"Yield," ordered Thorin.

Elrohir dropped his head, his hair falling to obscure his features. "I yield" he said. There was a cheer from the dwarves. All eyes turned to Dwalin and Elladan's fight. Elladan like his brother was fleet and agile but much more controlled and reserved in his movement as he fended off or avoided Dwalin's powerful attacks. It all came to a head when Elladan flicked the blade in his right hand just so, disarming and angry-looking Dwalin. The elf held his blades cross to the dwarfs neck and all was silent for a moment.

"Will you yield master Dwalin?"

Dwalin fists opened and closed reflexively, his jaw tightening. Beside Sara, Balin held his breath. Finally the warriors frame relaxed. "Aye, I yield." A cheer now came from the gathered elves and the dwarves broke into mutters. Sara watched as coins were grudgingly exchanged.

"How did you know?" asked Estel tuning to Balin who looked rather pleased.

"Because," said the old dwarf. "Elrohir and my brother went into a fight in hot blood against cool minds. It takes much more than strength to be victorious young one. It takes patience, intellect, and skill as well."

The boy studied Balin carefully. "Father says that too," he said finally.

"Your father is strong and wise," said Balin.

"Stronger than a dwarf?" asked Estel.

Balin smiled. "There are many ways one can be strong young Estel. Dwarves are naturally stranger in body, but elves endure the centuries and are endowed with greater magic." The boy nodded contemplating the dwarfs words.

"Still," said Estel finally. "It is good to be strong, like a dwarf."

Balin laughed aloud. "That it is young one." The boy grinned and ran off to the others.

"You know," said Sara a bit surprised as the elves and dwarves began to mingle in the arena below them. "You are a sly old dwarf."

"And why is that Ms. Sara?" asked Balin smiling faintly as he watched the tentative interactions taking place.

"You knew that Thorin and Elladan would both win, giving both the elves and dwarves a champion. That's why you insisted they switch partners, not because you feared Dwalin or Elrohir would take it to far."

He grinned openly at her now. "Aye lass I did. I told ya, I am a diplomat, and a diplomats job is best done when no one notices it."

The fight did indeed have a positive effect on the elf dwarf relations. The company for the most part had come to have a grudging respect for the elves, even Dwalin, as did the elves for the dwarves. The elf twins had invited the dwarves to train in the arena thereafter and so the company did. Fili and Elladan could often be seen together, sparring and training or comparing and admiring each other's blades. Elrohir for his part took an interest in Kili and his dwarven bow which Kili was rather proud of. They had even swapped weapons several times testing the. Several of the others also found inteset in the elves, especially Ori who was often seen with the elves taking many notes in his book and Thorin had to drag him away several times to continue his training. Balan and Bilbo continued to work together and every now and again Elladan would even take the hobbit aside for some instruction.

Throughout the fray Estel could often be seen flitting from one group to the next taking it all in, wide-eyed and made friends with many of the dwarves, although he never truly warmed to Nori. The boys favorites remained Thorin and Sara with Dwalin being a close second. Thorin for his part seemed rather fond of the young boy and Sara took great pleasure in watching them together when they were not paying attention, though sometimes she thought Thorin caught her watching eyes. Dwalin and Nori continued to work with Sara and she was showing some small improvement, but would really boosted her skills was when the twins took an interest in her. They had heard from the others of her strange martial arts training and had asked her to demonstrate some of her Aikido for them. They had grown excited, for they had seen similar styles when they had traveled far to the East and North. With the permission of Dwalin, Elrohir had helped Sara more fluidly translate some of her Aikido and Judo skills to the use of the staff and after a few lessons Sara was showing great improvement.

Upon learning that Sara had no weapon of her own, Elrohir had gifted her a staff very similar to the one he had used against Thorin. It was a beautiful staff of dark grained wood set with metal tips and either end.