To Ruffle The World's Feathers

"Every bird of prey looks over its shoulder before it goes in for the kill, even a hawk. Even they know to watch their backs – every single one but an eagle. It's fearless."

― Michelle Horst, Wake Me Up

"This way, quickly!" Gandalf's worn boots flew across the ground as he led the company in their haste. "To the house! Run! Keep going!" Behind them, a pack of orc hunters rode for them. Thankfully, he knew that the dweller of the house they were running to was in between them and Azog's orcs. He wasn't too happy that said owner of these lands was chasing after them in his…feral state.

As they passed through the outer walls of the large stone house's garden, a ferocious roar sounded far to close for comfort. "Common, hurry inside!" The grey wizard cried, "Open the door!" panic was setting in as he saw the dwarves throw themselves at the giant wooden door. Thankfully, Thorin was calmer than the rest, and pushed his way to the front of the crowd to push open the latch.

Like scurrying rats from the fire, the company rushed inside as the heavy gallops of the huge bear reached them. Its black muzzle trapped itself in between the frame and the door as Dwalin and Kili threw their weight back against it. The great beast howled, but eventually decided that this meal was not worth the splinters it was getting. It squeezed its jaws out so that the door swung shut as the dwarves fell against it. With heavy breaths, they secured it with relived sighs, listening to it lumber away.

Ori's wide eyes swung up to Gandalf in bewilderment, but his gaze fixed on something else behind him. In confusion, Gandalf turned just as the others also noticed the figure.

Up the steps, a tall girl brandished a large sword with two hands at them, the blade the length of a hobbit's own body (Bilbo realised in wariness) and with a large handle that over shadowed her pale hands. Her wide eyes were filled with anticipation, though fear was present as well, and she wore a light grey summer dress that had been ripped to only cover the knees and above. The sleeves were pushed up to the elbows. A man's leather belt was tucked on top of her lower waist, the extra tail tucked down the length of her garment and several other braid strings of thread, beads and leather cords decorated her wrists and ankles. Her hair was wild and dark, with stark white stripes spirally in all directions despite her obvious youth. A nest of feathers had been braided into it, and her feet were bare and severely rough with use.

Ori grasped onto Balin's cloak slowly and said, "Who is this…"

However Gandalf replied again, giving a small bow to the girl with a weary smile. "This is one of our hosts."

The sword was not lowered; though her eyes did narrow and her back straighten. "Beorn never mentioned expecting guests…"

He grimaced in reply, "We would not have bothered you if not for the Orc pack hunting us. Though it seems that Beorn is busy with them at the moment."

The girl cocked her head to the side, listening to the distant howls of bear and warg. Several moments passed as she thought heavily, before the weapon was lowered and she walked further into the house. "He can decide what to do with you in the morning. For tonight, you may rest."

A collective sigh and several words of thanks filled the air, Thorin urging them to set themselves down in the soft hay. Bilbo nervously followed Gandalf in the direction of the girl where he watched him bow deeply and take off his hat towards her. "I am known as Gandalf the Grey and these dwarves and hobbit are my friends. We are very grateful for your generosity."

She nodded with a hesitant smile, looking very confused as to why he had bent at the waist and gestured his hat towards her. "Yes I can see that." Her gaze travelled back down to the dwarves and they started to brightly chatter, Fili and Kili engaged in a rather serious hay fighting game. "My name is Pamola. You have good timing."

Gandalf raised an eyebrow in question. "Oh?"

"Yes," Pamola made her way to the open kitchen. "Tea is almost reading."

Bilbo felt like crying with relief, but instead proclaimed "Finally! Someone else understands the value of meals between main meals!" What were the chances of finding a kindred spirit so far from home?

Hello readers, thank you for clicking on this story on making it to the end of chapter 1! Did anyone else see the last Hobbit? Truly epic.

Please review and tell me what you think!

Love,

Renzin xo