She had never seen a hobbit before. Oh, she had heard of the half-elf folk, but very little word could be trusted it seemed. Most of what she'd heard was myth, which Belladonna was happy to point out. As they walked, the woman chattered on about what hobbits really were like. A bit was interesting, but some was incredibly boring.

Just as she finished discussing the wonders of rosemary, a spider jumped out of a nearby tree. Damn, Tauriel had hoped that this area was clear. With a quick leap, she was forward, bow aimed.

She had seen the sword in the hobbit woman's hand. What she had not expected was her fighting style. It was like nothing she had ever seen, and it was effective.

"Amazing," Tauriel said.

"Is that truly all you have to say?" She chuckled and wiped spider blood off of her sword with her tunic.

"Would you show me? Please?"

Belladonna grinned. "Perhaps. You seem worthy of knowing it."

"If you worry of shelter, do not. You will always be warmly welcomed in the halls of Thranduil."

She chuckled. "Then I just might take you up on that offer."