"That was a long time ago, wow."

"By most counts."

"How old are you? And what sort of being?"

"I'm a hobbit! And I'm twenty-eight!"

"You'd be young for a dwarf, though not for a Man..."

"I was supposed to live at home and listen to my mother for five more years before I was really an adult, but I decided that was stupid and I didn't need it."

"So, on the cusp of youth and adulthood."

"That's pretty much it."

"A fine place to be."

"Thanks." Small blush.

"And how did you come to be so far under the mountain?"

"I'm on an adventure! We saw a cave from the river and decided to explore it, then found a crack that led to another cave which came down to the lake. And now we're here."

"Delving like that can be very dangerous..."

"Maybe. But that makes it fun. And! The River Gold is with me!"

She looks at him and raises an eyebrow. 

"I'm one of Vana's. I'm keeping her safe."

She nods. 

Wiggle.

Smile. 

And she pushes herself up. 

- She's tall. Everyone is tall next to Alaudala, of course, but she's taller than many Men and broader besides, shoulders wide and muscles tightly corded. And she has a presence, a weight in the room, which makes her seem somehow even taller. 

.......Hhhhhhhhhot.

"Is something the matter?"

Her mouth works soundlessly for a few seconds.

"Ijusthinkyou'reveryattractiveandtallandstronglooking."

(Muffled giggle!)

And a flattered, somewhat bemused smile! 

"Thank you."

"You're, um, welcome. Um. What's your name?"

"Durin, at your service." She bows.