A/N: Hello, my darlings! I haven't forgotten about this drabble series, I've just been busy writing other things. There will still be updates to this when inspiration strikes and times allows. I've been on a bit of a Dwalin kick lately, so here's the big guy beating some sense into our boys. :)

Twenty-Two: Shield-Brothers

…

"Watch yer left flank, Fíli! Yer leaving yerself open!" Dwalin growls, smacking the blond dwarf with the flat of his blade. "I said watch yer flank!"

Fíli curses at the impact, knowing full well he'll have a bruise in the morning. "Sorry, Master Dwalin!" He shifts his stance to prevent another hit.

Kíli twirls in from the side with his practice sword, more flash than form. He grins, expecting to have the element of surprise, but Dwalin responds instinctively and lands a solid blow on the brunet's arm. "Yer dropping yer guard, lad!"

The boys circle around their weapons master, each trying to get inside his guard and land a hit. But Dwalin blocks and parries each blow with ease, sending the boys sprawling to the ground with increasing regularity.

"Stop! STOP!" Dwalin bellows, glaring at the young dwarves in frustration. "This isn't working. There's no way Thorin is going to let ya go on the quest when ya can't even hold yer own in a fight."

"But Mister Dwalin!" Kíli all-but whines. "We do just fine sparring again the others in our age group. Fighting you is different!"

"Do ya think all the goblins in the wild will fight like yer year-mates?" Dwalin scoffs. "They'll fight tough and dirty and ya'll be dead before ya know what hit ya."

"We have to go on the quest," Fíli says with a frown. "We're supposed to be Uncle Thorin's heirs. We can't expect people to see us as leaders if we didn't even help to reclaim our home."

Dwalin nods, pleased that one of the boys is thinking rationally. "Than we'll have to find a fighting style that works for ya." He regards the two princes for a moment, noting the way they have subtlety shifted closer together, as if protecting each other from his harsh words.

"Incoming!" The weapons master only gives a single word of warning before springing at the boys, bringing his practice blade down hard at Fíli's head.

"Fee!" Kíli lunges forward and blocks the blade, glaring at Dwalin with a fierce scowl. "That was a head shot! Even with a padded sword you could have really hurt him!"

Dwalin doesn't respond, simply shifts his form and swings quickly at Kíli's neck.

This time it's Fíli who reacts, using his hip to bodily push his younger brother our of the way. "Are you trying to hurt us!?"

"Baruk Khazâd!" Dwalin screams and charges at the boys with a feral speed.

Kíli and Fíli unconsciously shift until their backs are pressed together, each guarding the others flank. As Dwalin gets within range they lash out, Fíli ducking low to take out the weapons master's legs, while Kíli goes in high and catches his blade. Together they make short work of things and soon Dwalin is laying in the dirt at sword point.

"Shield-brothers." Dwalin grins up at them from his prone position. "I should have bloody well known ya'd fight best when yer together."

"You were testing us," Fíli says flatly.

"I thought you'd gone batty," Kíli adds.

Dwalin shrugs, obviously pleased with himself. "If ya knew what I was trying ya'd have over-thought it. Now we know where yer strengths lie."

Fíli grins. "We're strongest when we're together."

"Obviously!" Kíli laughs brightly. "I could have told you that without the heavy handed combat test!"

Shrugging, Dwalin gets to his feet and hefts his blade. "At the ready, lads. We've got training to do!"

Fíli and Kíli exchange a pleased smirk and raise their weapons. Shoulder-to-shoulder they turn to face the next challenge.

...

A/N: Earlier this week I posted a one-shot called "In Sorrow We Must Go, But Not in Despair". It could very easily be a part of this 'verse... So, check it out if you enjoy these cannon-based stories. :)