We had descended from the rocky peak in mid afternoon. It was decided that we would take a day of rest to tend the wounded while the orcs were still far away. As those of us who were more or less unharmed set up camp, Thorin approached Oin and muttered something that I'm sure he intended no one else to hear. Unfortunately my hearing was quite exceptional so I caught every word. "Check on the girl, would you? I'm certain her arms must be horribly damaged, and I don't need her slowing us down."
Oin nodded and headed in my direction, ignoring the scowl on my face. He had crouched down beside me to begin examining my injuries when I burst in frustration. "I'm fine!" I grabbed at my shoulders, pointedly dismissing the pain this caused and trying to focus it away into some small corner of my mind. I grinned at my imagined mental fortitude when the pain immediately diminished, almost missing the look of shock on Oin's face. I was suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on me. "What? I said I was fine, what are you all staring at?"
"Your hands..." Oin managed to choke out. I glanced to the side and was surprised to see a bright glowing light emanating from my fingers.
"What elf sorcery is this?" Thorin growled angrily.
"Healing magic?" I breathed in awe. I noticed a small cut on Bilbo's hand and approached him hesitantly. I looked to him for approval, holding my hand out to ask if I could experiment with this new gift. He nodded trustingly. I placed my hand gently over his and thought of the cut going away. In seconds it had vanished, leaving only a small mark to show it had ever been there. I was delighted, and quickly moved towards the others to heal any other injuries I could spy. They were wary at first, but once Bilbo had reassured them it did no harm they relented to having their wounds treated this new way.
Only Thorin refused to allow my ministrations, claiming it was too like elf magic. I heard Gandalf muttering about the stubbornness of dwarves and hid a smile. I had just finished tending to the others when I noticed a sick feeling in my stomach. "Excuse me," I groaned to the grateful dwarves surrounding me. I shoved past them ignoring their questioning glances, and sprinted for the nearest bush. Apparently missing several meals did nothing to prevent the heaving that now wracked my body. I dimly felt someone holding my hair back, and wished I could melt into the ground in my humiliation.
I heard the worried questions from the others, but my stomach was much too busy rejecting what little food it contained to leave time for a response. Finally the nausea ended as abruptly as it came. I stood up and turned to reassure the others of my return to good health, only to collapse into a pair of strong arms as darkness swamped my vision.
I opened my eyes to a beautiful sunset and a clear head. "How long was I out?" I groaned.
"Only a couple of hours," Kili replied, stroking my hair. "Are you feeling better now?" I nodded and sat up, pleased to find no residual bad feelings.
"I wonder what brought that on?" I mused quietly.
"I expect it was caused by your newfound magic," Gandalf spoke up from the other side of the camp. "You may need to get used to it slowly. The same is true for anyone who wields such power." I thought this over and nodded again. It made perfect sense in light of this information. After all it would be similar to using a new muscle that one has never used before, overwork and it will be extremely taxing. I was slightly disgruntled to realize I would have to take it easy, but seeing as how I wasn't planning on getting injured every day perhaps it would be alright. I relaxed and settled down to enjoy the supper that had been prepared before retiring for the night.
In the morning we hastened to break camp and move out now that we were no longer slowed by healing injuries. The rest of us packed up our gear while Bilbo was off scouting for possible enemies. Bilbo came back from scouting looking very nervous. "Well? Were there any orcs in sight?" we all asked.
"Well no, but..." he started to reply.
"Great let's go!" some of the dwarves chorused, not letting him finish. We began to head down the trail when Bilbo forcefully tried to stop us all.
"Wait, wait!" he cautioned.
"Oh whats the matter?" we grumbled, wanting to get moving.
"There's something else. A great beast." We all looked a little worried at this announcement. What else would we have to deal with?
"What manner of beast?" Gandalf questioned him. "Was it in the shape of a bear?"
"Yes, how did you know that?" Bilbo replied, looking dumbfounded. At that moment we heard a furious snarl that sounded entirely too close for comfort.
"Never mind how I know, the only safety is this way. Run for the building!" Gandalf yelled. We took off after him, bolting through the trees and fields towards a large wooden hall nearby. I was behind everyone else, and cried out when I managed to trip on a large rock and go sprawling. I quickly rolled onto my back and came face to face with the bear. The others were too far away to help me, they looked on in fear. I knew I should run, but a small part of me was fascinated being so close to the magnificent beast. I lay still as it raised a huge paw over my head, and tried not to flinch or break eye contact. I could see a well of intelligence in its eyes, almost as if it were more than an animal.
"Please, we mean no harm," I said softly, as he considered me. "We're trying to get away from the orcs in the woods. Can you help us?" It bowed its head towards my face and simply nodded, backing off slightly to allow me room to get up. The bear snorted in surprise when I gave it a hug, grateful for its assistance. It lumbered off in the direction of the forest, and I quickly jogged over to my companions. I was surrounded by relieved hugs for the next few moments before Gandalf interrupted.
"You are the first stranger to have encountered him thus and lived," he said, giving me a peculiar look.
"He's not bad," I replied shakily. "Who is he?"
"He will be our host. He is a skinchanger. Sometimes a great bear, and other times a giant of a man. His name is Beorn and he does not take kindly to guests, so be on your best behavior and stay in the house. His reaction to you was exceptional, he usually just eats those he catches on his land." We headed inside the building, marveling at the many fine horses in the nearby meadow. I leaned precariously out the window, calling to them. A few of the smallest ones came up, whether out of simple curiosity or to see if I had food I wasn't sure. I noticed some apples in a bowl and passed them each one, admiring their gleaming coats. I hummed a little tune as I walked around examining the house where we would stay for the next few days.
Beorn did not reappear until supper time. The sun was halfway down the sky when he emerged through the doorway, nearly blocking the light as he entered. He was indeed a giant man. He did not seem overly friendly, and out of all of us he gave a smile only to me. I was puzzled at this as I had figured that I offended him earlier with the hugging. Gandalf later said that it was because his horses had taken a liking to me. There was nothing more important to him than his animals. Along with the horses he also had cows, sheep, and an orchard full of fruit trees, with hives of the largest bees I had ever seen. We enjoyed an excellent supper, an exchanged stories with him before the large fire in the hearth. Everything was warm and cozy. We spoke with him about our journey and he offered what advice he could. As most of us headed off to bed I could hear Gandalf still talking to him about the path we would need to take through Mirkwood. I heard his worry at this news, for according to many the path was no longer safe. There were spells in the trees, and enemies lurking just out of sight. I drifted off to sleep to the low hum of conversation.
I couldn't wake myself from the dream. Orcs jumped out at us from between the twisted trees in a forest as black as night. We had been stumbling, lost. I could see my companions getting cut down and dragged away. It was when Kili disappeared that I woke with a gasp. I was startled to feel tears streaming down my face. I sat there for a few minutes shaking, trying to pull myself together. It was just a dream. When I felt large arms circle my waist from behind I jumped about a foot, barely containing a scream. "Woah, easy, it's just me," Kili whispered as he came around to the front of me. "What's wrong?" he asked, noticing my tears. "It was just a dream," I repeated, out loud this time, and buried my head in his shoulder. He lay down beside me and stroked my hair, holding me close. I felt myself relax at his touch and fell back to sleep, his presence keeping the dreams at bay.
The next morning I opened my eyes to the curious stares of almost all the dwarves, and a disapproving look on Thorin's face. I remembered the events of last night and turned to see that Kili was still at my side, he hadn't left. I nudged him gently and he opened his eyes. "Morning," he said with a smile. Looking past me he suddenly grabbed up his pillow and threw it over my shoulder with a curse. "Oi, don't you lot have anything better to do?" he growled. The dwarves sniggered, Fili giving his brother a knowing look. I jumped up, cheeks flaming to go wash in the pond outside.
As I came back in I heard Fili ruthlessly teasing his brother about sharing a bed with me. "Nothing happened!" Kili said, annoyed.
"Of course not, brother," Fili replied with a grin. After a pause he added, "I bet she's a right firecracker. Maybe I should see how she feels about me!" Kili gave him a look that would melt stone and Fili backed off with his hands up, still grinning mischievously. I walked through the door then, effectively ending their conversation, but not before seeing a thoughtful look on Kili's face. I could only imagine what he must be thinking about right now, so I opted to visit the horses again, rather than dealing with the teasing that followed me out the door.
When I awoke the next day it was just past dawn. I smiled to see Kili sleeping beside me once more, the dreams hadn't returned last night. I slipped quietly out of bed, trying not to jostle him as I didn't know when he had gone to sleep. I thought I was the only one awake as I headed out the door for the pond. Just as I passed the threshold I was yanked to the side and pushed up against the wall.
"I don't know what game you're playing at, but you need to stay away from Kili," Thorin said threateningly. I shrank back at his anger, trying to think of anything to say.
"I'm sorry! I care about him a lot, maybe more than you know. But this was his choice, not mine. I don't even know how he feels about me, it's probably just pity." A sad note crept into my voice as I continued. "Besides, he's a prince. I'm a nobody. I know I'll never be good enough for him." I ducked past him and ran for the pond then to hide my tears of humiliation.
Kili awoke to see Lithuen headed out the door, so he got up to follow her. He couldn't understand this sudden need to be at her side, but he was worried about her being outside all alone. Just as he was about to step out the door he heard her speaking to someone. He stayed just inside, listening to Thorin interrogate her. Her response shocked him. He had had no idea she felt that way, and he was angry Thorin thought his choices were anyone's business but his own.
He stepped outside just in time to see Lithuen running for the pond and confronted his uncle. "You had no right to say those things," he said flatly. "It is up to me who I care about and no one else. I can't believe you would be so hurtful."
"You are of the line of Durin," growled Thorin sternly. "One day you may rule in Erebor. That is your future, your life, and I'll not see that girl toying with you."
"It is my choice, and if that means I cannot rule then so be it. You know I respect you, but this time you have gone too far." Leaving Thorin standing stunned, he stalked off to the pond to find Lithuen.
I didn't know what to do. I felt a deep attachment to Kili already, did Thorin really expect me to just forget that? I knew I would have to though it pained me greatly, for without his uncle's approval I could never be with him. I was devastated. "Lithuen?" Kili called from behind me. I turned to face him with a smile for a split second, and then burst into tears as Thorin's words echoed through my head. "I'm so sorry, he had no right to say that to you," Kili said, taking my hands and trying to comfort me.
So he had heard everything. I blushed thinking of what else he would have heard then. "I don't care what he says," Kili stated forcefully. "I care for you too." I should have been happy at his words, but I could see Thorin watching us and shook my head sadly.
"We can't. Not like this." Kili followed my glance and saw Thorin. He scowled and then looked thoughtful for a moment.
"It doesn't matter what he thinks about this," he said softly. I frowned into his chest as he drew me into a hesitant embrace, pulling away quickly.
"I don't want to get between you and your family, you should listen to Thorin." Turning away before I could change my mind, I hurried inside. I didn't notice Thorin still watching, didn't see his expression change from anger to uncertainty. He had not been expecting Kili to feel that way any more than I had.
We spent a few more quiet days with Beorn, more than we had planned to, exchanging such news as he might find interesting and preparing for our journey into Mirkwood. I spent as much time as possible avoiding Thorin, cringing whenever I felt his sharp gaze fall on me. I tended to head outside into the trees whenever this happened, not noticing Kili's eyes follow me out the door even as he stayed to talk to the others. I didn't see the merciless ribbing he endured from Fili, who had definitely noticed his increasing affection. Or the knowing glances from Balin as he properly interpreted Kili's wistful expression and Thorin's angry one. A few times I thought he meant to talk to me, but he always seemed to think better of it at the last minute. Perhaps he realized it was futile to go against Thorin in one of his moods. My nights were spent alone once more, and the dreams became increasingly hard to bear. I was terrified that they foreshadowed something to come. When the time came to move out, it was with dread that I packed my bags, wishing I could face the dark forest with a friendly hand to hold.
Note: Their feelings are now open to each other, but that is more or less as far as it will go for awhile. They have more important things to be worrying about for now. Some further conflict between Thorin and Lithuen, but not as bad as it could have been.
