Chapter 3
Eirian managed to leave the room, excusing herself for some fresh air. As she exited the house, her eyes scanned round for Fili. She spotted a figure standing by the stream running by the side of the house and she began making her way over to him, steps quiet. Reaching him, she stopped by his side, leaving enough room should he want to walk away. When he didn't move, Eirian allowed herself to shift a little closer, the both of them looking out over the water in the stream. Silence stretched between them until Fili broke it, keeping his eyes fixed on the water.

"You seem very friendly with the skin-changer."

There was no hiding the spite in his voice and Eirian looked at him, shock momentarily freezing her voice. She cleared her throat and managed to speak, the words slightly strangled.

"His name is Beorn and we have been friends for a long while. However, I have never looked at him romantically, nor he looked at me. We are simply two outcasts finding solace in one another; nothing more, nothing less."

Eirian let herself be completely honest with Fili. She had hidden enough from him and he was already pulling away; she didn't need to give him an extra push. Fili looked at her then, and she saw his eyes soften a little, obviously reassured by her statement. Eirian smiled at him and he began to return it when he suddenly stopped and abruptly shifted away from her, eyes returning to the waters once more. Confused, Eirian reached out to touch his shoulder but he jerked away. Hurt flooded through her and she felt her jaw tighten.

"What is it? Tell me, Fili. What's bothering you?"

Stony silence met her answer and she waited for him to speak. When it was clear he wouldn't say anything, she let out a sigh and turned away. She had only taken a few steps when his voice stopped her, making her heart pound in her chest.

"I heard the song last night. I don't know whether they were calling for you or not, but…but it made my heart ache, Eirian. And then I heard you talking. You said that your Melody belongs to me. What is that? What is a Melody? And why do I still not know nearly enough about you? I feel like you're this…this…mirage and any moment now, the wind will blow you away and take my heart with it. It has been weeks but I have managed to fall in love with you! And by Aule, it hurts. It hurts so much because you have to leave! You have to leave me and go home! Why? Please, just give me an answer that doesn't involve any riddles!"

His outburst was unexpected and Eirian turned, locking eyes with him. They stared at each other for several long minutes and then they were running, crashing together. Fili pulled her tight against him, and Eirian wrapped her arms round his neck, trying to press herself even closer. They didn't speak; they just allowed themselves to feel the other, the physical comfort soothing the heartache they were both feeling.

Eirian pulled away first, resting her hands on his chest. She breathed deeply before looking up at Fili, wincing as she saw the emotion swirling in his eyes.

"A Melody is…an aura, if you like. It contains all our feelings, thoughts, abilities. It surrounds us at all times, but it cannot be seen. Melodies are used when two elementals are bonded together. It is a sign of love, Fili – if your Melody chooses someone, then they are meant to be yours. On a more practical level, it can also be used to protect against attack but only in extreme circumstances, and only then for a short period of time."

Fili cocked an eyebrow, a tiny smirk playing on his lips.

"So that white light that surrounded me in Goblin Town? That was you?"

Eirian couldn't help but smile back at him and she rested her head on his chest once again.

"Unconsciously, yes, that was me. I was protecting what is mine."

The last part came out as no more as a whisper and silence surrounded the couple once more. The sound of running water melted in to the background, no more than gentle reminder of where they were. Eirian felt a fierce longing in her breast: a longing for a life where she didn't have to leave Fili; where she could give him everything he asked from her and more; where she didn't have to run and fight and lose everything she loved. She wanted that more than anything but she knew it wasn't possible.

Fili squeezed her tightly and then released her, gently pushing her away so he could meet her eyes.

"Do you have to leave? Is there no way you can stay?"

The pleading in his tone, the desperation in his eyes – they sliced through Eirian like a knife through butter and she turned away, eyes turning to the early morning sky. The blonde Dwarf didn't try and reach for her again; he knew she wanted space and he was breaking a little with her being so close.

"I cannot ignore the Calling when it happens; it is physically impossible for me. I must return to my lands and to my peoples. To fight the Calling is to forsake my kin and that is a betrayal I cannot commit…no matter the love I feel for you."

Her words seemed to hang in the air, blunt and heavy, twisting round them both in a cocoon of sorrow. Fili didn't reply but stared at the back of her head, grief mixed with anger marring his normally handsome features.

"I was not asking you to betray your peoples. I just want you to fight for us! You always seem to accept what happens with no complaint and it destroys you - I can see it in your eyes. Why do you not battle against it!?"

Eirian whirled around, eyes flashing and mouth curled in to a sneer. Yet, Fili did not flinch and met her furious gaze. He was not intimidated by her fury and set his jaw, silently demanding answers from the infuriating woman he had fallen in love with.

"I am fighting for us! Every moment I spend with you is a strike against the Council of my peoples. I should have returned home after Frerin died and yet I still wandered Middle Earth. You think I want to leave you and this Company? You think I have accepted the path that seems to have been chosen for me? I don't want this! I want to just spend every moment I have by your side and not have to look over my shoulder for my past. I just want it to be easy to love you, Fili!"

Her words burst in to the still air, colouring the atmosphere with an almost tangible force and Fili swallowed hard against the ball of emotion in his chest. She was laying everything bare before him and all he wanted was to hold her close and never let her go, but something was niggling at him: if she just wanted to love him, why did she not just do that?

"So then why do you not just love me? Stop worrying about everything all the time and take every day as it comes. I love you, Eirian, but your refusal to let all your walls down is pushing us apart. I can help you but you won't let me! How am I supposed to let you return home without complaint when I have no idea if you'll ever come back to me?"

Eirian flinched as if she'd been slapped, hands curling in to fists by her side. A flash of regret passed across Fili's face but it was gone so quickly, the elemental was unsure that it had even been there. The two stared at each for several long moments, the air so thick with tension it was difficult to breathe.

"I will come back to you, Fili, you have my oath…but you have to understand that I cannot turn my back on my kin. Would you turn away from Kili? From Thorin? I think not. They will Call me home and I must answer when they do – they See an evil and I must protect my home. Please…I don't want to leave with this argument hanging over us."

Her voice had taken on a softer tone and her eyes pleaded with him, issuing a silent apology. He was tempted to take it, to pull her in to his arms and kiss her grief away. Yet, he could not shake off his anger so quickly and he shook his head, blue eyes dropping to the floor to escape her gaze.

"I understand it more than you think. However, what I don't understand is why you want to return to a home that holds only grief and sorrow when what you have here is full of love and light."

Eirian could only think of one response and it poured off her tongue before she could stop it.

"Why are you opposing this so vehemently – is it just because I have a home to return to and you do not?"

The minute the words were out of her mouth, she felt like cutting out her tongue. Fili merely stared at her with wide eyes and then turned on his heel, stalking back in to the house. Eirian made no move to follow him and turned to face the river once more, eyes blank and heart beginning to break.

(*)

Eirian was still by the river when the Company emerged from Beorn's home and it was only when Beorn himself called for her that she moved from her spot. She remained silent, only thanking Bilbo quietly when he handed her pack and weapons, eyes downcast as they readied themselves to leave. She hoisted herself on to one of the ponies Beorn had allowed them ride and waited for Thorin's orders. They came instead from Beorn, who was scanning the trees by his house.

"Go now, while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind."

Thorin wasted no time and spurred his horse in to a gallop, the others following suit. Eirian paused a little longer, looking back to Beorn.

"Goodbye, old friend, and thank you."

The skin-changer inclined his head, knowing that the goodbye was more than the simple one she was portraying it as. Eirian kicked her pony on and it leapt in to a flat gallop, catching up with its fellows.

The Company rode rapidly across the lands, the only sound the pounding of their ponies' hooves on the soil. Eirian remained at the back of the group, constantly scanning for any sign of the Orcs that had been relentlessly pursuing them. She drew comfort from the way the wind whipped past her face and she felt a flash of pain as she remembered Cade; the pony she was riding looked a little like him. She wondered idly if Cade had made it back to his home and felt a smile grow on her face as she remembered her spirited mountain pony who had borne her through all sorts of mischief's and troubles.

All too soon for Eirian's liking, the Company was slowing down and Eirian could see they were approaching a gloomy-looking forest that loomed large before them. They came to a stop and Gandalf dismounted from his horse, walking cautiously towards an opening in the trees.

"The Elven-Gate. Here lies our path through Mirkwood."

Gandalf spoke to the Company, peering through the gate. Something caught his eye and he moved forward, seemingly searching. Eirian dismounted and a movement in the distance caught her eye. Shading her eyes from the sun, she saw the silhouette of a huge bear on a distant ridge. Lifting her voice so the others could hear, she spoke, turning to her pony as she did.

"Set the ponies loose – let them return to their master."

She untacked her pony and the others complied, talking amongst themselves. Eirian did not join in, instead choosing to stroke her pony's nose in farewell, smiling slightly as she snorted in her face before trotting off a way to wait for her kin.

The elemental felt awful – something was making her feel sick and no matter how hard she tried, she could not push it away. Her eyes turned to the forest and she gagged, quickly turning her back on it. How could she walk through there when even just standing outside made her want to vomit? She was about so seek comfort with Fili when she remembered their fight and she remained where she was, eyes on the floor as she fought against the waves of nausea racking her body.

"Eirian? Are you quite well? You look…ill."

Balin's voice interrupted her swirling thoughts and she snapped her head up to see a few of the Dwarves watching her, including Thorin. She nodded her head and offered a weak smile, steadfastly ignoring Fili's presence next to his Uncle. Before anyone could have a chance to question her further, Bilbo spoke up, sounding uneasy.

"This forest feels…sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?"

Eirian eyed the Hobbit carefully – so it was not only her that had reservations about Mirkwood. Gandalf answered the Hobbit suddenly, striding back through the trees. Something was troubling him, if his creased brow and hard line for a mouth were anything to go by.

"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south. And do not untack my horse, Nori, if you please – I need him."

All eyes turned to the wizard as he spoke, stopping by his horse and tightening the girth up.

"You're not leaving us?"

Bilbo's voice was coated in shocked bewilderment and the Dwarves mirrored his feelings in their expressions. Eirian just watched from the sidelines, fighting back her own misgivings at the wizard suddenly leaving their ranks.

"I would not do this unless I had to. You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire."

Gandalf fixed Bilbo with an intense gaze and Eirian felt her interest pique as she watched the two. What had Gandalf seen that had him studying Bilbo so intently? It was true – Bilbo had changed. He was far more confident in himself; quicker to draw his sword and defend his fellows in the Company; more extrovert. Did Gandalf perceive something else that the others had missed?

"I was going to tell you…I found something in the Goblin tunnels."

Gandalf leant forward towards the Hobbit and Eirian took a step forward, eyes fixed on the exchange. She did not miss the way Bilbo was fumbling for something in his pocket and she narrowed her eyes, desperately trying to figure out what it was. The other Dwarves were merely listening, obviously still trying to figure out why Gandalf was leaving.

"Found what? What did you find?"

The wizard was suspicious, that much was clear, and for a few more seconds, Bilbo fiddled with whatever was in his pocket. Then, quite suddenly, he withdrew his hand from his pocket and smiled up at his wizard friend.

"My courage."

Gandalf straightened, and nodded absent-mindedly, returning the smile Bilbo offered him. He turned and mounted his horse, gathering up the reins before addressing Thorin.

"I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me."

Thorin nodded and Gandalf turned his head and fixed Eirian with a penetrating gaze, and the elemental stiffened under the look.

"This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray…you will be more susceptible, Eirian. You must stay on the path; do not leave it! If you do, you will never find it again. And if I do not see you again…goodbye, Miss Sayer."

Eirian breathed in sharply and nodded, eyes darting to the trees beside them, which suddenly seemed impossibly foreboding. Gandalf nodded and with one last sweeping look over the Company, he wheeled his horse round and thundered away. They watched him go before Thorin turned to Eirian, one eyebrow raised.

"And what did Gandalf mean?"

For a moment, Eirian did not answer him and turned to look at the trees. The blackness seemed to suck at her, wanting to pull her in and suffocate her. She wrenched her gaze away and stumbled back a few steps, dry-heaving. Ori was closest and supported her as her body convulsed against the evil it had sensed. Once she had regained control, she straightened again, panting a little.

"We elementals are susceptible to evil. There is a choking blanket of it in this forest. I knew it as a prosperous and fertile forest – but now it is coated in darkness. It is likely what just happened will happen again to me but on a worse scale. You must stick to the path – I have travelled through here a few times but I must concentrate on not losing my mind in there. Just stay to the path and you will be fine – but keep on your guard. Beorn was correct: Mirkwood Elves are wilder than their kin at Imladris."

Thorin nodded and walked forward to lay a hand on her shoulder. She started a little at the gesture of comfort and turned surprised eyes on their leader.

"We will not let you fall, Eirian. Stay close to Fili and Kili – they will keep an eye on you."

Eirian forced a grateful smile on her face and joined the brothers. As soon as Thorin turned away, she shrank away from Fili and stuck to Kili's side, eyes darting everywhere but at the blonde Dwarf. Fili just kept his eyes resolutely on his Uncle, not deigning to acknowledge Eirian's presence. Kili looked between the two, utterly confused, but knowing that now was not the time to comment on it.

The Company approached the Elven-Gate and paused before entering, Thorin speaking in to the quiet that had befallen them.

"Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day – this our chance to find the hidden door. Courage, brothers."

Eirian smiled briefly at Thorin as he glanced at her and then they were walking in to the forest, a wall of yawning dark opening before them.

(*)

Forgive me. Oh my gosh. Life has been…stressful to say the least, hence the delay. I really am sorry! I hope you enjoy this chapter! And I have been receiving a bunch of follows, reviews and favourites on all three of my stories – so thanks a bunch, you guys! You really are the best!