DISCLAIMER: I do not earn and sort of legal payment for this story
I just wanted to thank you all for getting this story over 500 views! And a special thanks to Lydwina Marie, Zekeriah C.L., and Guests for giving me such uplifting reviews. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
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The next morning Lucy woke to bright sunshine streaming through the windows of the cottage. The fire had completely burned out, and Malin was nowhere to be seen.
Lucy stood and brushed away the stray hay that had clung onto her skirt and stockings then ran her fingers through her hair as she walked to the door.
She swung it open and was immediately met by a man not quite as massive as Beorn but still quite bigger than Lucy. He had dark brown hair, a scruffy beard, and bushy eyebrows.
He saw her and casually walked over, "You must be the Lady Lucy." he said in a gruff voice, "I am Alfbern." He smiled and swept a deep bow.
Lucy curtsied and smiled in return, "It's nice to meet you."
"It is my pleasure to meet such a human as beautiful as you, my lady." he bowed again.
Another man walked up just about then he had dark brown hair and bushy eye brows as well, but his beard was more thick and long, he was carrying a large load of logs on his shoulder, "Alfbern, save your flattery for later. Come and help me with the chores will you?"
Alfbern rolled his eyes, "Oh Orson, why do you complain all of the time? This is my youngest brother, Orson." He said to Lucy.
Orson turned to Lucy, "Actually my name is Berard. Although, my brothers have taken to calling me Orson since I was born. And I would not mind if they would stop doing so."
"Why? It sounds like a perfectly good name to me." Lucy smiled.
Berard sighed, "You would not think so if you knew the meaning."
Lucy walked down the stairs, "Well what would you prefer me to call you?"
Berard smiled, "Berard please, my lady."
"Ok, from now on I will call you Mr. Berard." she smiled.
Both Alfbern and Berard threw back their heads and laughed. Berard looked at Lucy once more, "There is no need for 'Sir's and 'Mr's here. Berard is just fine. Now I must return to my chores." He shifted the load on his shoulder, "Are you coming, Alfbern? Or are you getting too old to lift a twig?"
Alfbern laughed again, "I would help you but father has me to escort the lady to the north side."
"Ah." Berard said, "Well then I bid you good travels." He then walked away bearing his load as if it were naught but a feather.
"Good bye." Lucy said cheerfully. 'What wonderful people live here!' she thought.
"Now, my lady, I am to take you to the north side to breakfast." Alfbern said cheerily as he gestured her to follow him.
"How many brothers do you have?" Lucy asked while walking beside him.
"Two. Orson and Armel. Armel is the eldest." he said informally. "He is away in the far north on an errand for my father, Beorn."
"Oh. Well from what I've seen in you and Berard he must be a very good person." she smiled.
Alfbern laughed again, he was very fond of laughing, "Yes, he is once you get to know him. Most people see him and shrink away in fear because of his looks, but you'll never meet another being that is quite as protective of those he loves other than Armel."
"There you are, Miss Lucy!" Malin said from a fence post. "Did you seep well?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you." she smiled.
"Well you had better come and eat something already! We've got a long way to go today." He hopped off of his perch and ran around the bend where a stone table had been erected next to the garden. Beorn was sitting at the far end of the table still chiseling away at his statue.
Alfbern pulled out a chair from beneath the table, "My lady, would you care to sit?"
"Of course she would care to sit, silly boy!" Malin said from his place on the table.
Lucy laughed and excepted the chair.
"Who are you calling boy? I was alive many years before you were born." Alfbern joked as he took a seat opposite to Lucy; took out his own block of wood and began to whittle.
"Well you certainly don't act like it. Always joking about. Why I wouldn't be surprised if your lady had to watch you like one of her children!" Malin humphed as he fixed Lucy a plate.
Alfbern laughed, "You would be correct except for the fact that all of my children are grown and no longer behave as such."
"At least you are an honorable child if anything else." Malin put the last finish on Lucy's plate, "There Miss., I hope you enjoy your meal."
Lucy thanked him and ate her meal which consisted mostly the same thing from the night before. After a while Beorn and Alfbern excused themselves. Well, Beorn didn't say anything, but the elaborated show of words from Alfbern made up for it ten times over.
Once she had finished eating Lucy followed Malin back into the house where he gave her some riding clothes to wear.
"You're going to need something comfortable on the trip." he said, "I'll be waiting outside when your done in here."
Lucy looked at the assortment of clothing she was to wear: a knee length, riding habit, leggings, a pair of black boots, and a leather belt. The dark green of the habit looked rather well with her brown hair, she thought.
Outside she was met by Beorn, "This is our parting moment. Maybe we will meet in the future, but for now it is good bye." He put his hand over his heart and bowed.
Lucy curtsied, "Thank you for your kindness."
He ignored the gratitude, "My son Alfbern will join you on this journey. Malin and my most faithful horse Amnon will also travel with you. I have sent out my birds to Lord Elrond, a great leader in the west, to tell of your arrival. He will know if your siblings are there. May your travel be safe, and may our paths cross again." He then walked away leaving Lucy with Alfbern, Malin, and Amnon.
"Well, we had better get going!" Malin said.
"Yes, you are right, little mouse." Amnon said as he turned to Lucy, "My lady. It would be an honor if you would let me bear you to your destination." he stated with a bow of the head.
Lucy smiled, "Thank you, Amnon." She mounted him and they set off at once. After a few minutes of talking Alfbern set off into the distance. Malin who took up his seat on the horn of the saddle, informed her that he was keeping watch for undesirable company.
The days went by quickly and it wasn't long before they had reached the "Old Forest Road" as Alfbern informed.
"Well, I suppose this is goodbye for now." Lucy regrettably said.
"Yes, but never fear! We shall meet again!" Malin proclaimed.
"I would follow you into darkness itself, my lady." Amnon bowed his head, "But my master bids me back as soon as possible."
"I understand, Amnon. Alfbern, will you tell Berard 'Hi' for me when you get back?"
He deeply bowed at the waist, "I most certainly will."
Lucy shouldered the pack she had been given and began to walk down the path. She turned once more to wave good bye to her newfound friends, then faced the impending gloom of Mirkwood.
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Don't worry our other Kings and Queen will be getting some "word time" soon.
A disclaimer to all of the readers from the UK: I have no idea what you guys act and talk like, so if you could give me some pointers I would really appreciate it.
Thank you all for reading!
