The Undecided Title Of Sara Miller *Hobbit Fanfiction* (Thorin/OC)

Chapter 11: Assessment

"Don't worry Ms. Sara, I won't put ya through yer paces today. I know yer still a bit sore, though ya hide it well. Also Oin would have my beard if I impeded your recovery," He said tossing her one of the staffs which she caught easily enough. "I just want to gauge your skills. Ya say ya have some training did ya not? Tell me about it as I test your skills," he said taking his staff in hand and beginning to circle her slowly.

"Why do both at the same time?" she asked watching him. "Why not do one and then the other?" She had the staff clenched in both her hands in a defensive position and was beginning to feel a bit cornered.

"That's part of the test lass, how well can ya think on yer feet. Battles requires you to be aware of multiple things at once. Go on tell me of yer training such as it is. How long have you been training?" He swung slowly for her legs and she blocked him easily enough.

"About two years now," she said blocking another swing. "I have had classes twice a week."

"And what have ya been learning?" he asked.

"I have studied both Judo and some Aikido." She jumped as his staff swept beneath her feet. "Judo is a martial art that comes from a place called Japan, the name means Gentle Way."

"Gentle Way," snorted Dwalin. "What use is that?"

"You tell me," she said taking a swing at him and dodging another. He was still moving slowly allowing her to react. "Judo is what I used to throw both you and Thorin."

"Was it now?" he asked a bit surprised. She nodded. "Judo does not involve striking or weapons but instead focus on being able to manipulate your opponent into submission, though it can require some strength to use to its greatest effect. Neither you nor Thorin were expecting me to throw you," she explained.

"Aye, that would be true enough. But what use is this technique if ya don't strike your opponent?" he asked. She felt a gentle tap on her elbow. "Don't let yer guard down lass," he instructed. "What about this Akio?"

"Aikido," she corrected. "It somewhat like Judo, in fact they are both from Japan. Aikido uses throwing, joint locks, striking and pinning techniques, as well as some weapons like sword, staff, and knives. It requires less strength and instead teaches you how to use your opponent's force against them."

"So ya have had some weapons training," he said satisfied.

"Not like you're thinking," she said taking another swing at him which he blocked with a snort. "I had only recently started using the weapons in Aikido, and they were mock weapons. The only real weapons I've ever used are guns, and that was for fun, not combat. Just target practice." She jumped out of the way of a swing.

"What is a gun?" asked Dwalin dodging her return swing, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.

"It's a distance weapon like a bow, but it's much more powerful and has better range and accuracy."

"Kili might not agree with you on that," he said as their staffs connected. His movements were speeding up now. "Kili rather likes his bow, he crafted it himself."

"I bet he would like using a rifle." she replied. "But I'd probably give you a bazooka." she said grinning widely at him.

"What's a bazooka?" he asked. His staff tapped her hip and she swung at him in return.

"A really big gun," she said. "But it doesn't matter, there are no guns in Middle-earth. Anyway the martial arts I have learned are primarily for self-defense not combat."

"Why all the self-defense lass?"

"I had a bad experience with a guy on a date once." she said. Dwalin let his staff drop.