Chapter 6

Sentiment

A peaceful feeling filled the hot afternoon air as Beorn entered his house. He waited a moment as he fully expected Atalie to greet him with a smile as she usually did but she did not come. He looked around the house but was only greeted by the animals.

"Atalie?" he called out but she did not answer. "Atalie?" He walked through the house and back outside but she was, yet again no where to be found.

"Not again." Beorn commented once he realized Atalie had left the safety of the gate. Now where had she gone? Why did she leave this time?

It was then the black and white dog approached and whined at him. The dog was clearly displeased that he had been left alone. "Brutus." the tall man said as he knelt down next to his friend and scratched him behind the ears. "Do you know where Atalie went?" The dog barked but didn't provide any clues to where she had disappeared to.

Beorn let out a deep sigh, stood and made his way back inside. He sat in his great chair while his head rested between his thumb and pointer finger. What was he going to do with her? Was she no longer aware of the dangers lurked out in the world? Beorn continued to sit in silence as he thought about his daughter and her new found disregard of the rules.

...

Atalie stood there a moment. She didn't like the look on the King's face and she realized she was in over her head. Still the king remained in his thoughts as he planned the demise of her wild spirit.

"I have to go home." Atalie told the king, which brought him out of his thoughts. "My father will not be pleased if you force me to stay here without returning me to him."

"I said you would leave when I allowed you to." Thranduil informed her. "However, first we must establish the type of work you will be doing."

"Alright." she agreed.

"You will work in the stables, for now."

"The stables?"

"Do you not like animals?"

"I love animals but I thought you'd want me to do different kinds of hard labor."

"Do you want me to give you the hardest most physically challenging job I have?"

"No." she answered. 'But I could probably do it easier than you could.' she sassed in her mind.

"Then hold your tongue and do as your told." Thranduil hissed at her. Atalie bit her lip as she returned his scowl. If there weren't guards around she would chop him in two with her ax."You have to work your way up just like everyone else. Earn my trust and perhaps I will give you more responsibilities." Thranduil told her. "You'll begin tomorrow morning..."

"Afternoon. I still have to finish my chores at home." she interrupted him. Thranduil sent her a death glare for a moment. How dare she speak out of turn after his warning? Still he figured the great bear would side with her so he agreed.

"Very well. Tomorrow afternoon you will report to the stables. Now go." With that Thranduil waved his hand and dismissed her. There was something else, though she shouldn't place her finger on what it was, but she knew the king had something else in store for her. Atalie bowed to him begrudgingly before she turned and left the Woodland Realm.

…...

Once Atalie was back inside her father's gate she unsaddled the horse and let him join the others. She then made her way towards the small fountain outside. She trickled the water over her skin to get the scent of 'elf' off of her before her father came home.

The house was still, unusually still when Atalie finally went inside. She was tired but knew work needed to be done before her father's return. She didn't want him to find out about her deal with the ElvenKing for she knew it would anger him. She had begun to feed the animals when she heard something move to the left of her.

"Atalie." A deep voice said to the side of her. She turned and her eyes widened when she saw Beorn upon his great wooden chair.

"Father." she replied, surprised to see him there. If he was here he had to know she had left the safety of their home once again. A sinking feeling fell upon her she realized she had been caught.

"Where were you?" he questioned as he tried to keep his temper low. 'A good father is a patient father.' He told himself as he awaited her answer.

"With the elves." she hesitated. She watched as he slowly became angrier.

"You have to stop doing this." Beorn told her. "Atalie it is dangerous out there. You know that. You've seen how deadly the orcs and spiders are."

"I know but..."

"Atalie, I set these rules for a reason. I don't want to trap you here but..."

"Father please listen..."

"I can't just allow you to wander around out there."

"I understand but..."

"You are to stay within the gate. You will not leave this house until I say you can. Understand?" With that Beorn stood and turned to leave. He could feel his temper rise by the second and he needed to calm it before he went on.

"Father, please I need you to listen to me. I've done something really, really...stupid." Atatlie called after him. Beorn stopped and slowly turned back to her. Their eyes met but Atalie quickly looked away. "You're going to be angry with me."

"What do you mean?" Beorn asked. A serious and concerned look came to his eyes. This was so unlike the child he knew.

"Do you remember the necklace you said was suppose to be in the bag my parents told you to give me?" she asked. Her hand played with the tie around her waist in shame. He nodded. "Well I found it some time ago and put the necklace in my pocket. The elves found it when I dislocated my knee and the ElvenKing took it. He wouldn't just give back so Iofferedtoworkinexchangeforit." she said that last part quickly and quietly.

"What did you say?" he asked, unsure of what he had heard.

"I've offered to work in exchange for it." she repeated before she looked back up to him. Beorn looked away from her for a moment. The anger began to fill him. She knew better than to do something like this.

"Why would you do this? Atalie, I taught you to love the simple things of life, you don't need that necklace. Why?" His voice grew louder. How could she do this to herself after he had spent the last 16 years of his life trying to keep her safe and free?

"Because it belonged to my mother." Atalie shouted back. Beorn paused. "I don't know anything about her. I don't know what she looked like or what she acted like. I don't know what her voice sounded like, all I have is her screams from when the orcs killed her." A tear began to fall from her eyes. "I just...I just wanted something that was hers." Her left arm crossed her chest while her right hand moved up to her forehead.

Beorn could almost see her heart shatter and a sadness came across him. A few weeks had passed since she learned about her first family. She would ask him questions on occasion but she had pretty much left it alone, at least he thought she did.

"Is there nothing more you can tell me of her?" she asked. It was then Beorn walked over to his bed and motioned for her to join him. Tears still fell from her eyes but she sat next to him. He then proceeded to pull a leather pouch from underneath his pillow. He took a small whiff of it, his beloved's scent was still present on the pouch.

"What's this?" Atalie asked before Beorn handed it to her.

"It belonged to someone very special to me." he began as gently pulled Atalie to him. "Her name was Evelyn. She was a skin changer, like me. We were to be married but the orcs killed her before I escaped their captivity." Atalie took note of the great sorrow in his voice. He must have loved this woman dearly. "She was beautiful."

"You were in love once? Did she change into a bear like you?" she asked. It was rare for him to speak of the times before the orcs had imprisoned him and killed his people.

"Yes I was and yes, she did." Beorn smiled as his daughter's interest. "She was big brown bear filled with a great love for nature, like me and you. She had a beautiful singing voice and she made the most lovely tapestries. When we began to talk of marriage and the possibility of having children she told me if we ever had a daughter, she wanted to name her Atalie."

"That's why you named me Atalie." she questioned with a smile. He nodded, the fond smile remained present on his lips. "I never realized the tenderness behind it. Thank you for telling me." She gave him a hug which he gladly returned. "You've never mentioned her before. Do you think she would have accepted me?"

"Evelyn would have loved you. She brought me great joy, just like you do, my daughter. Atalie please understand, I've lost almost everyone I've ever loved. The rules I have put place are there to keep you safe. I don't want to lose my only daughter to the orcs or any other foul creature out there." Beorn tried to explain. Atalie just nodded and looked down. They lived a very solitary life, who would he have if she died? Now, she felt as if she had betrayed him by going back to the elves.

"It's hard for me to remember that you once had a family that didn't include me." Atalie acknowledged. "We have a similar history though yours is filled with more heartache, I think. I'm sorry I hadn't thought much of your side of our story before and I 'm sorry if I've been ungrateful." Beorn just shook his head. She was his child it wasn't her responsibility to worry for him. His mind then turned to Atalie's mother.

"Your mother had raven colored hair." Beorn thought back to that night. It had been so long ago but he remembered the sight quite clearly. "Her eyes were hazle. Her skin looked like a porcelain doll's, clear, smooth and fair. I think she would have been just an inch or two taller than you are. You look more like your father than her." Atalie soft smile formed on her lips as she listened to her father describe her mother. She looked back down at the leather pouch before she handed it back to him. Beorn looked at the pouch with great love before he glanced back to her.

"I understand the sentiment, Atalie." Beorn gently placed his hand on her cheek. "Believe me, I do but that necklace, it's not worth your freedom."

"I know but I need to and..." she began.

"... it's already done." Beorn finished her statement. He let out another sigh. A side of him wanted to go to the ElvenKing and demand he release her from this bondage. If he were to be truly honest he really wanted to slash King Thranduil in half. However Atalie clearly knew what she wanted to do and she was no longer a child, even if he did keep calling her one. "I will escort you through the woods to the elves. I can't just let you go without knowing you'll be safe. Just remember, Atalie, the wood elves are dangerous do not let down your guard."

Atalie's eyes widened, surprised at his offer.

"You don't have to..."

"I'm you're father." Beorn repeated. "I will help you any way I can." At this point he placed the pouch back underneath his pillow. He stood as he continued to think about this new predicament.

"Will you take me with you, when you patrol our land?" Atalie suddenly asked. Beorn shook his head and turned back to her.

"No." he said. "It is my job to protect you, not put you in harms way."

"I understand that but father the day will come where you will not be able to protect me. You have taught me well but I have to build my skill. Please, I need the experience."

"No." Beorn repeated. Though he knew she was right. She needed more experience and where else would she learn if not from him?

"Father..."

"Very well but you listen to me. You do as I say. If I tell you to run, you run. Understand?" Beorn firmly stated. Atalie smiled and nodded. "You still have to finish your chores."

"Yes, of course." Her arms wrapped around him in a hug. "Thank you father." Beorn slowly returned the hug. Things were changing too fast for this papa bear's liking. She was growing up and he didn't particularly like it. If he had his way he would turn back the clock and have her remain a child forever. However, he knew that would never happen.

The rest of the day was filled with Beorn helping Atalie with the chores. He told her stories of what life was like back when the skin changers lived in the mountains. The peaceful life he had had as a child, growing up and his courtship with Evelyn then eventually he spoke of escaping the orcs.

When the next day came Beorn did as he said and walked with her to the gates of the Woodland Realm.

"I will see you in a few hours." Atalie said before their foreheads touched. The giant bear huffed at her as he let her know he still didn't approve of this. However, at least he knew she was safe.

"I love you too." she smiled at his concern. She bid him farewell and made her way across the bridge where the Keeper was waiting.

"Atalie." Elros greeted the adeneth. She nodded to him before he looked back at the great bear behind her. "I don't think your father likes you being here." Elros commented as he noticed the angry look on the bear's face.

"No, he doesn't.." Atalie admitted as she turned back to the bear.

"Is he going to stay there all day?" the keeper asked as they watched Beorn as laid down on the ground.

"I doubt it." she answered. "He'll probably stay here until he knows nothing's wrong."

"Why would he think something's wrong?" Elros questioned.

'Remember, Atalie, the wood elves are dangerous.' Beorn's warning filled her mind.

"He doesn't like elves very much." she answered. She looked back to her father and nodded to him. He returned the nod but stayed in place. Atalie turned back to Elros and made some small talk for a moment before she entered the Woodland Realm. Elros led her back down to the stables. They spoke just a moment longer before he left to continue his duties at the gate.

Work in the stables was very similar to the work she already did at home. She had finished with the horses when she glanced back to see the King's great elk. Atalie looked around to see that she was currently alone in the stables. She smiled, grabbed a handful of food and clicked at the elk but he just turned away from her. She tried to encourage him to eat from her hand but instead of earning his trust, she spooked him and caused him to stand on his hind legs.

Atalie quickly backed away but the elk still managed to knock her over. This didn't make much sense to her, she had been around wild animals her whole life and she always managed to win them over quickly. What did this elk have against her?

"It seems he doesn't like you." she heard a voice say. She quickly turned to see Thranduil. Ugh, even down here she couldn't avoid the ElvenKing's taunts.

"Magnificent, isn't he?" Thranduil continued as he began to walk up to the elk.

"Yes, he is." Atalie agreed as she stood back up.

"You shouldn't have tried that." Thranduil commented. His blue eyes stared deep into hers before he looked away and walked towards the great elk. He held out his hand and the animal instantly leaned into the elf's touch.

"Don't waste your time." Thranduil told her in a stone cold voice. "You will never tame him as I have."

She turned at the King's arrogance, her arms crossed her body. Her face scrunched up in anger for a moment but then relaxed into a small grin. Atalie was going to prove the king wrong, even if it killed her.

~Author's Note~

Hi everyone! Wow we are at 103 follows, 59 favorite and 55 reviews! Thank you all for all the support you have given this story. I really appreciate it! Sorry this chapter is a little shorter. Life is busy. Thanks to everyone who is following and favoring my story! A special thanks to those who reviewed:

xxyangxx2006: Yes! You're right. I hope you liked Beorn's reaction to it. Because it clearly isn't worth it. Still, she's human and makes mistakes. I hope you liked this chapter and will continue to like the story. :)

DD: Thanks for the review and for the compliments. I hope you enjoyed Beorn's reaction to it. It was a fun part to write. :)

Crystal-Wolf-Gardain-967: Thanks for the review! I hope you'll keep loving my story. :)

Cookiecoolcat: Thanks for your reviews! I hope you will continue to enjoy the story. :)

LightsCDark: Thanks for the review! I promise we will start seeing more Thranduil in the next chapter and for the rest of the story. I agree writing for Thranduil is quite fun. I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story. :)

DeLacus: Thanks for the review! We get to see a little more of Thranduil's plans in the next chapter but I promise it is coming. I hope you will continue to enjoy my story. :)

Lady Minuialwen: Thanks for the review! I promise we get to see a little more of what's going on in Thranduil's head in the next chapter. I hope you'll continue to enjoy my story. :)

Guest: Thanks for the review! Here's the update! I hope you will enjoy it. :)

Seriously all of the support this story has received makes my week. I'm so glad so many people seem to enjoy it. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! We're going to start seeing a little less of Beorn and more of Thranduil from now on, so that should be fun as we get into the romance part of the story. Plus we're almost to the point of the story where "The Hobbit" takes place, two to three chapters away, I think. I hope you all are looking forward to it. Feel free to leave a review if you have a moment and are so inclined. Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Thanks again for being such great readers!-Lin