Shadow: Welcome, welcome, and thrice welcome! Some of you may be here for the first time (If so, I would highly recommend you read the first part to my FanFiction called "Where the Lonely Ones Roam"), and some of you may have already read that story. If the latter is the case then I thank you for returning to read the next installment. Of course I do not own The Hobbit or any of its characters or plots. All of those rights belong to J.R.R Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien, NewLine Cinema, and Peter Jackson. I do, however, own Elva, Isil, and Aerin, and their story lines. Now, without further ado, on to the story.
Chapter 1: Mountain Sound
"There is no sense in dawdling here." Gandalf spoke up with a smile. "Let us make our way down."
There was unanimous consent between the entire company. The old Maiar led everyone down the safest path from the eerie. Elva waited to take up her preferred place in the rear. Though it was no longer strictly due to her antisocial dislike of the Dwarves. She was beginning to see them as those she needed to protect. Even, for a few, her friends. Though it was unlikely that would be something Elva would openly admit. Bofur took his self-designated place beside her in the rear as well. The only difference was that this time, Elva did not mind as she had before.
As the adrenaline from the battle began to wear off, Elva found herself beginning to limp from the pain in her shoulder. The White Warg's fangs has sank deep. She paused a moment to allow herself to change form. It allowed a better view of just how injured her shoulder was, and gave her relief from having to walk on it. Bofur glanced back at her before noticing her wound was worse than she had made it out to be.
"Thorin, we need to hold." The floppy-hatted Dwarf called to the front.
"No, Bofur." Elva began to argue. "I will be-"
"Nonsense." Bofur interrupted. "You are injured and we must tend to it."
"What is it?" Thorin demanded.
"It is nothing-"
"Elva is injured." Bofur cut across once more. "She needs to be tended to before we can continue on."
Thorin glanced over at Elva. She attempted to hide her shoulder from him, but he grabbed her wrist. The yanking of her arm caused her to wince, however. Thorin's gaze softened slightly as he examined it. He knew that it had come from her decision to shield him from Azog's Warg. Oin quickly made his way over and shooed everyone else away. He took his job as medic very seriously. Thorin gave a soft scowl. They still needed to be on their way.
"Fix her up as quickly as possible." He ordered. "We do not have time to dawdle. You have two minutes, and then we continue on."
"Let me see-" Gandalf began.
"I do not need your magick." Elva growled. "I am perfectly fine. It is a small bite."
"At least let Oin bandage it up." Bofur pleaded. "For my own peace of mind?"
The wolf woman sighed, but nodded. She glared at Bofur gently as Oin led her to a bolder she could sit on as he tended her shoulder. But he had a pleased smile that he had won out. Elva in pain was the very last thing he wanted. Oin's face was grim as he examined her shoulder. The bite had scraped against bone slightly, and punctured through the muscle as well. But it could have been much worse. He took a moment to slather ointment over the wound before he wrapped it in clean cloth and set the whole arm in a sling.
"I do hope you aren't left handed." He jested. "It may be a little while before you will be able to use your arm properly."
"Wonderful." Elva scowled. "It is not as though I need all four limbs. But thank you, Oin."
"Be grateful it was not worse." Gandalf sniped.
"We must continue on." Thorin spoke up anxiously.
Gandalf looked up to the sky and nodded. They carried on their way down from the eerie. With one less limb that than rest of the company, Elva was forced to rely on Bofur to help her down at certain points where it became hazardous on two feet. Had it been earlier in the journey, her pride would have been more wounded than it was at that point. The sun was several hours high by the time the company made it down to more stable ground. Everyone was in a more upbeat mood. The sun was shining, and; for the time being, the enemy had been left behind them. Even Elva had a soft smile on her face. Bofur tilted his head at her before venturing a question he had asked before.
"Would you reconsider my earlier proposal?" He glanced at her.
"What are you talking about?" Elva asked in return.
"If I figure out a tune on my flute," The Dwarf elaborated. "Would you come up with some lyrics?"
Elva frowned slightly as she thought about her answer. She did not have a luxury to fall back on her mute excuse. And it was part of her journey to step away from her cowardice and to learn to open up to others again. The last time she had sung was before her sister was murdered at her own hands. The Valar had returned her voice because they were pleased with her progress. Perhaps it was time to take a slightly bigger leap. To show the Valar they had not made a mistake. Slowly, the wolf woman nodded.
"Alright." She agreed. "I believe I can come up with something."
"Excellent!" Bofur cried. "It's time to liven things up lads. We're about to have a lovely serenade."
"Keep that up and I won't do it." Elva growled.
Bofur chuckled as he took his flute out of his pack. He tested it out a moment, making sure it was still in tune. Then he began to finger out some notes. After a moment a tune could be distinguished. Elva though a moment for what she wanted to sing. There was a song her brother enjoyed that had a similar tune to the one Bofur was playing. And it was rather reminiscent to what they had just been through as well. So Elva modeled her own song after it. With a deep breath, she began to sing.
"I heard them calling in the distance.
So I packed my things and ran,
Far away from all the trouble,
I had caused with my two hands.
Alone we traveled on with nothing but a shadow,
We fled, far away.
Hold your horses now.
Sleep until the sun goes down.
Through the woods we ran.
Deep into the mountain sound.
Hold your horses now.
Sleep until the sun goes down.
Through the woods we ran.
Some had scars and some had scratches.
It made me wonder about their past.
And as I looked around I began to notice,
That we were nothing like the rest.
Hold your horses now.
Sleep until the sun goes down.
Through the woods we ran.
Deep into the mountain sound.
Hold your horses now.
Sleep until the sun goes down.
Through the woods we ran.
Sleep until the sun goes down.
Sleep until the sun goes down."
Several of the Dwarves clapped when Elva finished her song. The wolf woman smiled softly at their praise. It was still painful to tear away the hardened layers, but having those who cared about her soothed the raw, tender newness underneath.
"That wasnae so bad." Bofur grinned as he put his flute away. "Now was it?"
"I do not suppose it was a terrible as it could have been." Elva admitted reluctantly. "But do not expect it often. I sing only for special occasions."
"I believe I can accept that." The floppy-hatted Dwarf chuckled.
The company halted as the sun began to set. They had seen nothing of the Pale Orc or any other of their enemies. They set up a small camp for the night, in case a quick getaway was necessary. Bombur began preparing a quick supper for everyone. It would be mainly a cold supper, for the danger was too great to light a fire. Elva clambered, rather ungracefully, up to a higher lookout point to keep first watch. The wolf woman looked out across the great expanse to gain her bearings. They were less than a days journey from Beorn's house. Though it would be unlikely he would be very welcoming of thirteen Dwarves, one Wizard, a Hobbit, and a Wolf. He disliked many guests all at once, and disliked Dwarves especially. But they would not need to visit him unless their situation turned desperate. After a short time Elva heard someone else clamber up to her perch. To her surprise, Ori came and stood next to her. She gave a nod in greeting.
"I never really had a proper chance before." The young Dwarf stated hesitantly. "But, I wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" Elva tilted her head.
"For putting yourself between me and the Goblin King." Ori clarified. "It was very brave."
"No, not brave." The wolf woman replied.
"Of course it was!" Ori interrupted before she could say anything else. "We were all terrified; certain that our journey had come to an end before it had barely started. I think I was most frightened out of everybody. I'm not very brave. I'm here to record the story of our quest so generations will remember it. I thought I would be killed right there when the Goblin pointed at me. And then there you were, willing to put your life on the line for me. Someone you barely knew. Then, after we had all escaped the Goblin tunnels we were attacked by the Orcs again. And again you set your safety aside, this time for Thorin. Even before that when we were on the Mountain during the Thunder Battle. If that isn't brave, I don't know what is."
"You are very kind to say so, Ori." Elva smiled.
Ori returned the smile before making his way back down. Elva remained where she was for a while longer. The Dwarves below her began settling to sleep as much as they could. After a few hours, footsteps sounded beside her once again. She turned to see Dwalin making his way over. The heavily muscled, tattooed Dwarf had always been suspicious and wary of her. Even so far as distrustful. But Elva noticed that he looked at her differently now. It wasn't trust, not yet. But it was the same look she had when she gazed at her companions. It was one of familiarity. That one day a close bond could be formed. But the relationship between them was no longer rocky.
"Get something to eat, and some sleep." Dwalin stated. "I've got watch now."
Elva nodded before making her way down to the others. Bofur was still awake when she walked over. He sat up with a plate from supper. Elva accepted it gratefully as she sat down beside him and ate. Bofur held out a spare cloak of his when she finished so she could keep warm.
"It's no fur coat," He joked. "But it's the best I can do for ya at the present."
"Thank you, Bofur." Elva smiled.
"How is your shoulder?" He asked.
"I've been better." The wolf woman replied. "But it should not hinder me for too long."
"Well, rest is key now." He insisted. "I believe ya ought to take as much as ya can."
Elva bit back a retort that she was just fine and could take care of herself. With a stiff nod she curled under the spare cloak and fell asleep. Bofur watched her for a while contentedly before falling into slumber himself. The howls jolted Elva from her rest. She glanced up at the ridge where she had stood watch. Nori was there, likely having replaced Dwalin not long before. Most of the other Dwarves were awake at this point as well. Elva leaped from her place and rushed up to the ridge. The Pale Orc was on their trail once again. Thorin sent Bilbo to try and gauge where the Orcs were, and which way would be safest for them. Elva knew the closest, reasonably, safe point was the house of Beorn. Not long later Bilbo returned from his scouting. The Wargs were all around, but there was also another, monstrous creature the Hobbit was trying to tell them of.
"What form did it take?" Gandalf asked warily. "Like a bear?"
"Ye-yes…" Bilbo was surprised Gandalf knew. "But bigger, much bigger."
"Beorn..." Elva whispered, glancing at the Wizard.
"Do you know this beast?" Bofur questioned anxiously. "I say we double back."
"We'll be run down by a pack of Orcs." Thorin growled.
"There is a house." Gandalf spoke up.
"Gandalf, no." Elva stepped over to him. "He is difficult enough when he is a man. And now that he is a bear, and there are both Orcs and Dwarves?"
"It is our best chance." Gandalf replied. "It is not far from here, where we might take refuge."
"Whose house?" Thorin demanded. "Are they friend or foe."
"Neither…" The Wizard admitted slowly. "He will help us, or he will kill us."
"What choice do we have?" Thorin nodded.
The group turned in fear as the snarl of the Bearman sounded close by.
"None." Gandalf frowned.
This one took a little longer to write than the first one. But I had some more to play with in this one, I think. Delving a little more into relationships and things. It's so nice to have it finished, and now I can post it. I hope you all have enjoyed :)