'Ello poppet! Sorry, I've been re-watching Pirates of the Caribbean with my dad and I'm in a mood. Either way, I haven't had time (or energy) to write with school going on and such. Last week I had 2 tests and 2 quizzes and this week didn't even start yet and I already have 3 tests and a quiz! Why advanced program, why! Also, while writing this I'm drinking a mug of green tea and I feel like a real author! Okay now that, that is out of my system I can calmly get on with the story.

I sincerely wondered if telling the Durins my story was my greatest idea, with Bifur it was easier because I don't know him very well and he doesn't know me very well. But while telling the story to them I felt like I was on one hand, getting rid of a heavy weight on my shoulders, but on the other, extremely guilty for putting that weight on them.

It's been a few moons since the fiasco with the orcs and we got caught in what I affectionately call "The Rain of Death". To elaborate, the average cat doesn't like getting even a little wet, but when a 'cat' has been caught in thunderous and unrelenting downpour for the past week! I huff trying to blow a strand of wet hair out of my eyes when I hear Dori call out.

"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?"

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."

"I want that wizard more at the moment!" I call out, thoroughly frustrated with being wet. Somewhere to my right Kili laughs at my grumpiness.

The ever polite Bilbo ignores my comment to add his own piece of wisdom, "are there any?"

"What?"

"Other wizards?"

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names."

"Shows how good of friends they are," Kili whispers into my ear. I feel my face flush at the hot air on my sensitive ears. Was he trying to torture me?

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown."

"Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?" I snort at the hobbits innocent(ish) comment, maybe he isn't as respectful as I originally thought.

"I think he's a very great wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world."

_ : _

"We make camp here. Fili, Kili watch the ponies, don't leave them. Lina, help Ori collect firewood."

With a large smile (that may or not be there at the lack of wet clothes on my body with the Death Rain finally ending) I frogmarch the poor, shy and properly adorable dwarf Ori to the tree line.

"So Ori, how's the book coming along?"

"W- well thanks."

"That's great, need any help?" Ori seems to be juggling two armfuls in his hands, and failing at the task.

"Oh, no! T- thank you!... Miss. Lina?"

"Hmm?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Why not?"

"Wh- what r- race are you? No offense just- your too short for a Man and don't have enough hair for a dwarf. And you don't have large feet or pointy ears either."

I would be a liar if I said the question didn't catch me off guard, I was expecting a question about helping him not my genealogy. But I would be an even bigger liar if I said that I wasn't waiting for this moment, I just wasn't expecting Ori to be the brave one who asks.

"Mister Ori, I have a question for you. Do you know who skinchangers are?"

"I think I read that they are creatures who can turn from man to animal at will."

"Spot on there Ori. Would you believe me if I said I am a skinchanger?"

"But, the books say they're even taller than elves! That they are large and fierce protectors!"

"Well I may not be a large skinchanger, but I can be a fierce one. You know what, I'll show you!"

"Wh-what?" Poor Ori looked shocked and terrified at the prospect.

"I promise I won't hurt you I just want you to believe me!"

"Okay..."

With that I let the change wash over me like water hitting the shore. When I open my eyes instead of looking Ori in the face I am at his waist level now. I look up to see Ori looking at me with shock and awe. Suddenly I hear footsteps heading our way, and before I can change back Gloin comes barging into the small clearing that Ori and I are in.

"Are you two growing those tre- Ori step away lad!" Gloin begins to pull his axe out. With more rational thought left within my human body I step into a more battle ready pose, with my fur on edge and my teeth bared. Thankfully, before either of us can hurt each other Ori jumps in between us.

"Gloin stop that's Lina! Lina, change back and show him!"

"Lina? Lad now is not the time to play like a dwarfling, that is a mountain lion and he won't hesitate in ripping our throats out!"

I drop my centre of gravity even lower, building power in my legs preparing to leap.

"NO! Lina, change back! NOW!" whether from the surprise of Ori yelling, or some other reason entirely, but I calm down and let the change take hold again.

"By Mahal! What is this witchcraft?!" It seems changing back only made Gloin more paranoid, the axe up in the air the last of the sun glinting on it's blade.

"Not witchcraft Master Gloin, I am of the skinchanger race."

"What in the world is that!"

"The proper term would be 'are those'. We are a race blessed by the Valar, we have two forms a human form and the form of any beast. In my case it is that of a mountain lion."

"Does Thorin know of this?"

"Of course."

"And he let you come?" With those words his axe finally lowers.

"Why shouldn't he? Do you not trust me know that you know that I am not a man or dwarf?"

"Not saying that lassie."

Ori being a peacemaker pipes out, "shouldn't we get the firewood back to camp?"

"Aye, we should."

_ : _

I was almost done enjoying my stew when Fili and Kili crash through the clearing.

"Trolls! Trolls in the clearing! They've taken the ponies!"

"Where's the halfling?" Thorin demands. The rest of us begin to prepare, pulling out our weapons and tying laces.

"Trying to free the ponies."

"We cannot leave him alone. Du Bekar!" With those words we tear through the forest, Kili and I leading the group, being the fastest runners.

When we approach the clearing I am horrified to see Bilbo being dangled over the fire by three huge trolls. I pull out my daggers, for close combat and Kili and I share a nod before racing into the clearing. He goes to cut the ankles of the troll nearest to us while I stab my daggers into the same trolls knee.

"Drop him!" orders Kili, why must he look so attractive when commanding someone. Stop it Lina focus!

"You what?"

"He said, drop him!" The troll holding Bilbo throws him towards Kili and I and with quick instincts I jump out of the and leap towards the nearest troll, faintly hearing the others finally joining the fray. Years of training kicked in and I barely think when going from attack to attack. One of the greatest parts of being a skinchanger is that some of the skills from our alter ego transfer to our human form, in my case the mountain lions powerful hind legs and extremely high jumps. I manage to jump onto the troll's shoulders stabbing one dagger into his eye, another into the thick hide of his neck. I pull my daggers out when he swings and swats me off. When I say I troll 'swats' it means that it sent me flying into the nearest tree my left side smashing painfully onto the trunk. After impact with the tree I slide down it's bark and land on the forest floor, my head finding it's home on a rock.

Before I pass out I can hear a faint call of "Lina!" before my eyes slide shut.

_ : _

"May the dawn take you all!" Is the first thing I hear when I finally begin to regain consciousness and may I add, it is not the most pleasant thing to wake too. I groan and roll onto my back the sun piercing my eyes. I try to sit up but my side flares with pain.

"Ughh..."

"Lina? Lina, are you okay?" I open my eyes to see Kili kneeling before me. Groaning and moaning to cover the urge to howl in pain, I sit up with his help. Leaning back onto the same tree that caused my injuries I notice the whole company standing around me.

"I'm fine."

"Don't try to look strong lass. You've been thrown 15 feet into an oak tree by a full grown mountain troll," well no need to sugarcoat it, huh Oin?

"I swear I'm f- ahh! What in Mahals saggy trousers was that for?!" It appears our medic decided a sharp poke to my left side is the best way to test my pain levels. And to say he was successful is to put it mildly, my whole side flares up and continues to throb unpleasantly.

"Still feeling fine lass?"

"Let Oin do his job Lina," I look up to see Thorin staring down at me with a mix of worry and a no nonsense frown on his lips.

"Fine.." I grumble out.

"Don't you lads have something better to do?" Oin calls out and suddenly the whole company, Kili, Oin and I excluded head out.

"What about you lad?"

"I am leave if Lina wants me too."

"May he please stay Master Oin?"

"Darn lovebirds..." he grumble under his breath too quiet for dwarf but loud enough for me, "if you help her sit up while I bandage her ribs and check her head, then yes lad, you can stay."

"Much appreciated Master Oin," Kili gives him a cheeky smile.