The company were awoken by the rays of the sun the following morning and to the smell of cooking mutton and rabbit. One by one they roused themselves from sleep, packing their things before filtering towards the crackling fire for food. They ate quickly at Thorin's insistence as he was not convinced the orcs would not be following them. He was twitchy and looked up at every sound, his foot tapping the floor impatiently as he waited for the others to finish their food.

Gandalf had found a pool of fresh water to wash in and they were sent down in threes to cleanse their selves of the accumulated dirt and sweat from the past few days. Despite Thorin's insistence that they be on their way immediately, the trail of clean dwarves would be harder to follow than that of filthy dwarves.

Thorin, Kili and Fili headed down first and Aire wondered briefly if Thorin would drown his two nephews in the pool for their antics yesterday. But all three returned unharmed and Aire, Bilbo and Gandalf were sent down to the water. Aire spent most of her time leant over the edge of the pool, running her thin fingers lightly over her braids. A thick one ran across the front of her hair line, holding the hair off her face. It then split into smaller ones which framed her face. The back of her hair was left loose save for a thick plait running down the middle. It was a strange feeling to have her hair out of her face. "Who did them for you?" Aire glanced up at Bilbo before remembering that he hadn't seen Thorin's ministrations last night.

"Thorin." She replied with a small smile, standing up and brushing the loose soil and grass from her knees.

Bilbo was even more confused. "Thorin? Why would he braid your hair?" His confusion was matched only by Aire's, who knew what braiding meant to dwarves but was unsure as to why her hair had been braided.

"Hair braiding among dwarves is an important thing." Gandalf informed the two Halflings from his seat on the rock. "It requires a great amount of trust from both people. The braids are quite a nightmare to get out once they're in. I imagine they'll stay fixed in place for a good few months unless you pull them out. Even washing shan't remove them. Many dwarves never remove their braids."

Aire smiled, overlooking her confusion, and took one last look at her braided hair in the rippling pool. The trio headed back to camp where the others were ready to move. Now that the sun was shining the others were able to see Aire's hair and the compliments started flowing. Many of the company did not take long to guess who was responsible. The only ones which didn't need to guess were the two princes. They grinned at each other and at their uncle and no sour looks could stop their cheer.

The morning was cool and the valleys were filled with mist. It seemed to reach out at the company like fingers, gently touching and twirling. Their progress was quick, but not as fast as the previous day's. It was clear that the warg's attack on Thorin had caused more damage than he cared to admit. He was walking with a limp, his left hand holding his belt tightly. "I shall see to him tonight." Gandalf assured Aire when she questioned him on it. "Infection may set in, but there's little chance of him letting me tend to him before we can go no farther."

They walked until noon when they stopped and rested in a pebbled cave. Aire had barely said three words to Thorin all day, keeping herself busy conversing with Bofur and trying to make him feel better about yesterday's events. However after watching Thorin limp that day, it became clear that his actions may have cost his strength dearly. She wasn't heavy, but she wasn't light either. If Thorin was suffering as much as she and Gandalf suspected, then her weight yesterday would have done far too much damage. She made a mental note to kill him later.

"I always meant to see you all safe, if possible, over the mountains." Gandalf's words echoed through the shallow cave and stopped the conversations. "Now, by good management and a good deal of luck, I have done it. Indeed we are now a good deal further east than I ever meant to come with you, for after all this is not my adventure."

"Mister Gandalf, do you mean to leave us?" Dori voiced the concerns of the other company members, all of whom were feeling a little hurt at the idea. They were glancing uneasily amongst each other, not sure what to make of the wizard's words.

"I may look in on it again before it is all over, but in the meanwhile I have some other pressing business to attend to." Groans meant his words and a good deal of distress filled their hearts. Poor Bilbo looked absolutely heartbroken. Even Aire, who had been with Gandalf for less time than the others, had assumed he would stay until the very end. "I am not going to disappear this very instant," called Gandalf over the voiced opinions on the matter, his voice echoing slightly in the cave. "I can give you a few more days yet. Probably I can help you out of your present plight, and I need a little help myself. We have no food and no baggage and no ponies to ride, plus none of you know where you are."

"Do you know where we are?" the hobbit demanded of the wizard, a frown pulling at his brow.

"We are still some miles north of the pat which we should have been following, if we had not left the mountain pass in a hurry. Very few people live in these parts, unless they have come here since I was last down this way, which was some years ago. But there is somebody that I know of who may help us. That somebody made the steps on the great rock – the Carrock I believe he calls it."

"He made it?" Nori cut in. "He must be a giant to have made such deep steps!"

"Indeed." Gandalf nodded. "He is tall, yet not a giant. He does not come here often, certainly not in the daytime and it is no good waiting for him. In fact it would be very dangerous. We were fools to camp where we did last night but I confess there were more pressing matters than where we should sleep, and we shall have to take another chance tonight. No, we must go and find him; and if all goes well at our meeting, I think I shall be off." The pleas for him not to leave fell on deaf ears and they soon had to accept they were going to lose one of the members which had kept them out of a lot of trouble.

Aire remembered that Radagast had once mentioned a large man living in this part of Middle Earth, but she had never travelled this far North before. It pulled at her heart to know that her home was south of where she was now. It may be a fortnight's walk, but her home was still close. She pushed the thoughts from her mind as Thorin called for them to leave.

The sun was stronger and warmer when they re-emerged from the cave. Gandalf told them of a small glade two hours away which would see them safe for the night. "We need to make as much progress as possible!" Thorin argued, glaring at the wizard.

"Pushing farther today will cause us more delay than if we stay where I say." The wizard huffed. "You're all tired and hurt in one way or another. To push through Mirkwood you will need your full strength."

Thorin huffed but nodded, stalking ahead with Dwalin. When they did come across the glade Thorin found it hard to disagree with Gandalf's previous statement. Once he'd confirmed that they would travel no farther the company dropped to the ground with relief. Several sprawled on their front in the grass, giving no thought to danger or manners (not that they had much to start with). Others leant against trees and crawled into the shade. Bilbo and Aire found themselves leaning against a tree, panting under the summer sun. Aire rested only for a few minutes before Gandalf beckoned her and Oin over. "We must find some athelas if we are to treat Thorin's wounds. It will be somewhere among the trees. Take someone and look for as much as you can. Don't stray too far though."

Aire had come across the plant several times before. She had always made sure to keep some in a pot in her kitchen to tend to minor injuries. It burned when applied but was highly effective. Although she was accustomed to it Dwalin, who had volunteered to go with her, was not. "What does it look like again?" he questioned for the eleventh time as he and Aire waded through the thick underbrush.

"It had small, white flowers which have five petals each. The middle is a shocking yellow, like a drop of sunlight. It smells like a mix of mint and parsley." Aire quoted from the book of herbs Radagast had given her on her fortieth birthday. "You can't miss it."

The continued to search in silence until Aire found what they were looking for. Together they gathered as much as possible and brought it back to Gandalf. He ground it into a paste before summoning Thorin. "It's either risk dying from infection or allow us to apply this past!" Gandalf's patience was waning as Thorin refused the help. "I shan't have pity on you when you slip into unconsciousness!"

Eventually Thorin relented and Aire and Oin helped him to remove the clothes from his torso. Aire had been a little cautious at first, having never seen any man without a full layer of clothing. Aire was aware that Thorin had spent most of his life in a forge, so his torso shouldn't have been such a surprise to her. Nevertheless the hard contours of his back and chest took her by surprise. She worked hard to keep her eyes from straying past the dusting on hair on his breast, refusing to allow herself to glance at the harsh 'V' that was just visible above his trousers. Injured or not Thorin was still stronger than she was and wouldn't take kindly to her stares.

She and Oin dabbed the athelas paste onto the punctures before wrapping Thorin's sides and leaving him to re-dress. Bombur had once again taking charge of preparing dinner, roasting two rabbits Fili and Kili had found. They were a nuisance most of the time, causing more havoc than needed, but they were expert hunters. "Come here!" Fili called to Aire with a wide grin, holding out his hand. Aire took it and seated herself between him and his brother. "How is our dear uncle?"

"Grumpy, as usual." Aire responded with a smile, taking the bowl Bombur was offering her. "Thank you."

"He won't get an infection?" Kili asked hopefully.

Aire shook her head. "Not if he lets us apply the athelas, but there's no guarantee. At the moment he looks alright." Aire smiled as both brother's smiled in relief. There were very few moments when it was clear that the two princes were Thorin's nephews, but when they let their guard down it became clear just how much they worried about him.

They slept under the stars that night, the crickets lulling them asleep. Neither Bofur, Thorin, Bilbo nor Aire were allowed to take watch so Dwalin and Gloin took charge over the protective duty. The watch was probably unnecessary. The goblins and orcs were at least a week away by foot and the overhanging moon illuminated the woods on all sides, coating everything in a silver blanket. When the silver dissolved into gold Thorin woke them all, insisting that they make a move. Gandalf estimated that they would be with Beorn by late afternoon.

An hour after they had started to walk again they came across a wide river. The water was deep enough to make them pause, but not strong enough to make they divert their route. "Fili, Bifur, Gloin, check the far side." Thorin ordered. The three dwarves nodded, wading through the stream to the far side. The water came to Fili's knees but soaked up the length of his trousers.

Once the trio had indicated the far side was safe the rest began to cross. Gandalf passed through the water easily, his height giving him an advantage. Bilbo, who had an apparent phobia of water like all hobbits, had to be carried across the stream by Dwalin. Likewise Bombur had to carry Bofur who wasn't allowed to wet his bandages. Aire stuck close to Nori and Thorin as she followed them into the water. She wasn't afraid of drowning in it, but she knew how slippery the loose pebbles underfoot could be. "Follow in my footsteps." Nori urged, offering he his hand. Aire clung tightly to it, wrinkling her nose at the feeling of water lapping against her thighs.

They made it to the other side in safety, other than a few glares in Nori and Aire's direction from Thorin. He had been unwilling to offer her aid through the water, but seemed more than a little annoyed that Nori had stepped up in his place. However he said nothing of it as he ushered the others along.

They dried out quickly under the sun, their path leading them from the small woods and through miles of long, green grass. This was familiar scenery to Aire, whose cottage had been set in a similar location to the fields they were walking through. The grass was longer and more untamed here, but there was still a vague sense of familiarity. The same birds sang in the trees here, lifting her heart and pushing away her worries. Looking over the group Aire thought of them as one large, mismatched family.

Gandalf took the role of the mother, constantly counting them all to make sure they were altogether. Aire and Bilbo were the doting aunts, making their best to love all of the dwarves no matter how difficult certain members made it. Dwalin and Gloin were the fearless uncles who took no crap from anyone. Thorin fulfilled the role of father to them all, although he was more the strict kind than the one to welcome them with open arms at the end of each day. Oin, Dori and Balin were certainly the grandfathers of the group and Ori, Fili and Kili the nephews. The others filled the family roles as brothers to them all.

Though many of them would argue about their position in Aire's little family, no one could deny that Fili and Kili were the annoying nephews. As Kili sidled up to Aire and Bofur, the only word to describe the glint in his eye was 'mischievous'. "How are the two of you this afternoon?" he asked as he draped his arms over their shoulders.

"More than well." Aire laughed, thinking nothing of the friendly gesture and missing the glint in his eye. "We were enjoying a nice conversation until you rudely interrupted!" She wasn't entirely sure how it happened, but Bofur gave a yell and Kili was off into the long grass with his hat.

"Bring it back!" Bofur yelled after the youngest company member but of course there was no response, except for a loud cackle.

"There is no time for these games!" Thorin growled from the front, scanning the grass for his nephew.

"Oh, let them play." Gandalf chuckled. "What's a little fun after so much of a nightmare?" Fili had sidled off to join his brother, Bofur still calling angrily to them. He looked strange without his hat, Aire decided.

"I'll get it back!" Bombur called cheerily before waddling into the grass.

"I'll help!" Ori followed and Aire smiled.

"Shall I upstage them all and get it back first?" she asked Bofur and Nori who smiled and nodded. Aire put a finger to her lips and broke silently from the group, heading into the long grass. It wasn't hard to follow the direction the others had gone, especially giving the racket they were making.

Aire had often spent her time following Radagast through the forest and knew how to move silently and unseen. Though her boots were a nuisance she still went unheard by the rowdy dwarves. Moving between the itchy green blades of grass was calming to Aire and she moved without bending or breaking them. She was able to pass within two feet of Bombur without the dwarf noticing. Fili, Kili, Bombur and Ori were all standing to their full height and could thus see each other over the blades. Aire was moving hunched over and invisible to them. None of the four had any idea she was missing from the group until Fili brought it to their attention.

"Aire?" he called. "Come out, come out wherever you are!"

"You can't sneak up on us!" Kili called, waving the hat over his head. If either he or his brother had turned around at that moment then they would've found Aire crouched in the grass like a cat ready to pounce. She waited until Kili lowered the hat into her range before springing forwards and pulling it from his grip. She then dropped back into the grass and disappeared from view with their offended cries following her. Aire ducked and weaved at a fairly slow pace in order to jostle fewer blades. She stayed bent over and soon reached the edge of the grass whilst the others were still in the middle searching for her. She waved at them as she handed Bofur's hat back to him.

"Some people are so childish." She sighed with a smile. Once the others were back with the group they were able to continue along their path.

"Who is this somebody you spoke of?" Bofur called to Gandalf a little while later. "This Beorn who carves the steps out of the rock?"

"A very great person. You must all be very polite when I introduce you. I shall introduce you in pairs and you must be careful not to annoy him or heaven know what will happen! He can be horrid when he is angry, though kind enough when humoured."

"But who is he?"

"He's a skin-changer, isn't he?" Aire glanced up at Gandalf, ensuring she was thinking correctly.

"The very same." Gandalf smiled fondly.

"What!" Bilbo did not seem so fond. "A furrier, a man that calls rabbits conies, when he doesn't turn their skins into squirrels?"

"Good gracious heavens no!" Gandalf was appalled. "Don't be a fool Master Baggins if you can help it; and in the name of all wonder don't mention the word furrier again as long as you are with a hundred miles of his house, nor rug, cape, tippet, muff nor any other such unfortunate word!"

"He changes his skin." Aire addressed the hobbit more gently, attempting to calm the flustered Halfling. "Sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard."

"You know of him?" Thorin demanded.

Aire turned a smile in his direction. "Of course! I lived in the Mirkwood just south of here. A man such as Beorn cannot keep his existence unknown from everyone."

Thorin huffed, motioning for them to keep moving. He was unwilling to let them rest for long as they still had a long way to walk. The weather grew hotter as they plodded over hills, slowly closing their conversations until they walked in silence. They needed their energy for walking, not talking about trivial things.

As the afternoon was drawing to a close a loud buzzing filled the air and the company saw bees flying through the air. They were as large as hornets and although they didn't come to close to the company, the dwarves picked up the pace. "We are getting close." Gandalf announced. "We are at the edge of his bee pastures."

After a while they came to a belt of tall and ancient oaks. None among them could see beyond the bark, the wide trunks casting long, black shadows beyond the path. "You had better wait here," said the wizard; "and when I call or whistle, begin to come in pairs after me. But no more than pairs and leave five minutes between. Bombur, you had best go last."

Whilst Bombur complained Gandalf paired up the others before heading down the path with Bilbo. The others settled on the path and nearby rocks, waiting for the first whistle. When it came Thorin and Dori followed the wizards trail. Aire was left to send the others off, knowing they would need to be closer when the wizard next whistled. Nori and Ori were next to leave, followed closely by Balin and Dwalin. "Bofur, you best go next." Aire said with a gentle smile. "Beorn may be able to help with your injuries."

Bofur nodded and left with Bifur. Fili and Kili left only seconds later, grinning over their shoulders at an exasperated Aire. "Don't worry about them." Oin assured her as he and Gloin prepared to leave. "They're more intelligent than we like to give them credit for."

"More intelligent, but certainly not clever." Gloin chuckled, trotting down the path with his brother.

"I do not agree at being left until last!" Bombur muttered, scowling at the treeline.

"I don't like it either, but it can't be helped." Aire replied. "Come on, we should get going or we'll be late and miss the food!"

Bombur and Aire joined the company as Gandalf finished telling Beorn of their journey. "Oh, and here are the final two!" the company was gathered in front of the wooden gates leading to Beorn's house.

"Bombur." The dwarf bowed towards Beorn.

"Airelotwen Sandhelm." Aire curtseyed. Beorn was far taller and broader than Gandalf, dressed in ragged black trousers but no shirt. His hair was pulled back off his face, his arms folded across his chest.

"A very good tale!" Beorn's voice boomed around the surrounding trees. ""The best I have heard yet, though it may not be the truth! However I am much obliged to meet the maid of Radagast the Brown, a good friend of mine." He offered Aire a wide smile, who returned one of her own. "No matter what your tale is, you deserve supper. Let us have something to eat!"


I will get the next chapter up by the end of tomorrow I promise!