Chapter 6

Beorn arched his eyebrows curiously. Bilbo felt that at that time he was already too interested in Gandalf's story that he wouldn't refuse to answer the questions of the wizard. The only thing he didn't like about him was that since they had arrived he hadn't stopped to throw Bilbo strange looks, which put him a little nervous. He felt that Beorn could see something in him that others couldn't see.

"And I guess those questions have to do with the skin-changer the little hobbit had met" Beorn said staring the hobbit.

Legolas raised his eyebrows in surprise, Gandalf was forward in his seat while Bilbo flushed. He had no idea how Beorn knew he had been in contact with a skin-changer but he did not like the direction the conversation was taking.

"How do you know that, Beorn?" Gandalf asked, watching curiously.

The man approached the chair where Bilbo sat and leaned closely; the hobbit gave him a look of fear and pulled back. One of the great Beorn hands touched his hair and the little hobbit shuddered, thinking that he would end crushed. However, the only thing he did after leaning was sniffing the hobbit. Bilbo did not know how to react to that, so he stayed completely still until Beorn pulled back again.

"We" he explained, "the skin-changers, have an essence that distinguishes us from the other races of Middle-earth, but only we can detect it. And only in certain circumstances we may be able to keep some of that essence into the skin of another."

Bilbo was observed his hands and felt strange, like he was marked.

"Why would he do that?" the hobbit could not help but ask, frightened "Could this kill me?"

To the surprise of Bilbo, the big man laughed so loud that he believed that the house would shake with that laugh. Beorn patted on the head to Bilbo.

"You're very funny, little hobbit," he said. "Listen, I do not think this skin-changer has been completely conscious when he left his essence on you. But don't worry, this will never hurt you. It is a warning, at least to other skin-changers; we are sensitive to detect this type of marks than the other races can't."

"A warning?" Bilbo asked, confused.

Beorn nodded.

"It's like a message written in you that I only can read, since I'm the only skin-changer throughout the area" he tried to explain. It's something that tells me to stay away from you because you belong to other skin-changer.

Bilbo felt increasingly uncomfortable, definitely did not like what Beorn said. He did not belong to anyone.

"But you said he did unconsciously, probably he made a mistake!" Bilbo said.

"Sorry, little hobbit, but this isn't a mistake," said Beorn, "our nature didn't makes mistakes. He may not have realized it at the time, but something happened when you met him, your body knew you were ... or you'll be his ... I think I need more information before knowing for sure if it can bring many problems or not."

Beorn leaned over him and took his hands. He revised as if looking for something on him, apparently, the alleged warning he had spoken not seem to be important for him.

"Tell me ... Did he touch you? Did you touch him?

Bilbo flushed, remembering the day he had met Smaug suddenly no longer felt like talking.

"I think you'd better say the whole story to Beorn, Bilbo," said Gandalf, "He need to know why it's so important to us all this. But don't tell him the short version you gave to me. No, do not look at me like that. I know perfectly well that you missed things and although I didn't want bother you that day, now I ask you not skip any details. Is important. And I warn you, I'll know if you hid something."

Judging from the deadly serious expression of Gandalf, Bilbo knew he could not refuse. So he took a breath and began with the story. In fact, it was the most humiliating moment of his life and Beorn was not exactly one of those listeners as in the Shire, they were so polite and they liked to hear stories but they rarely interrupted him. No Beorn, whenever he had a question about something or when considered necessary a clarification, causing only Bilbo more ashamed.

His first interruption was the first time the hobbit mentioned the name of Smaug.

"Smaug? But I always thought it was just a ..."

"We all thought so, Beorn" Gandalf interrupted him, "We could say that Bilbo was the one who discovered that Smaug was a skin-changer." He knew he was vulnerable in his human form, so never let anyone discover his true nature. And I think he disliked seen himself looking so fragile that stopped long ago, well, until he found our hobbit."

Bilbo felt like sinking into his seat, but he could not even move, as his injured leg made it much more awkward. He wanted to go, but it was impossible, so he had to stick with his story.

When Bilbo came to the part where he had (accidentally) touched the dragon and he, after a few minutes had taken human form, he thought he saw Beorn expression suddenly changed, but he didn't interrupted; Bilbo was happy because he was desperate to finish.

"Wait a minute ... He drank your blood?"

"No!" cried Bilbo, pretty hectic. "He just cleaned my wound."

"With his tongue ..."

Bilbo looked away.

"Yes. Why does it matter?"

Beorn did not answer his question but he waved his hand to encourage him to continue.

"I wish Thorin were here listening to all this, I can imagine how he would react but it is not the same as seeing ..."

"Legolas, please."

"Sorry, Gandalf!"

Bilbo glared at the elf, who winked at him and after a snort Bilbo continued his history making sure no one spoke until the end, once finished, he sat back and tried to go unnoticed.

"Well you have a problem, hobbit" said Beorn.

Bilbo frowned and crossed his arms.

"Actually," said Gandalf, "Beorn, we want to see it as an advantage. Because we want to destroy Smaug. However, I would like you to tell me how many chances we have to do. Do you think Bilbo could make him vulnerable long enough for one of us to approach him and kill him?"

Beorn looked at Bilbo for a long time, the hobbit had no idea what was going through his head at that moment but he didn't like the look he gave him, in fact, he thought that everything was completely absurd and ridiculous. Gandalf had too much confidence in him.

"Yes," he finally said. "But it will not be so simple."

Bilbo sighed deeply, nothing was never easy for him. He beginning to think that bad luck followed him.

"The reason that Smaug was transformed when you touched him because his essence you chose as your partner ..."

Bilbo was stirred in his chair and Legolas had to grab his shoulder gently to keep him from falling.

"Relax, everything will be fine," the elf smiled, stroking his hair.

"... And because the only way to be with you is becoming in a humanized form that change was unintentional. Also, since he had not done in a while, he'd probably forgotten many of our customs, I'm sure he almost completely forgot that he was one of us."

"Do you mean that Smaug is attracted to me?" Bilbo said, he was too overwhelmed by all this new information. And what was worse was that his cheeks were going to melt from the heat he felt on his face.

"Too much, I think."

The hobbit covered his face with his hands.

"However he still suspicious in nature, so you have to make him believe that you agree to join him and leave everything you ever loved."

Bilbo uncovered his face and looked up sharply, of course, he would have to pretend, but just think about leave everything made him feel hurt. Inevitably, of course, he thought of Thorin.

"It is also why Bilbo should go only when he will have to see Smaug. I know that the road to Erebor is dangerous and I'm agree you accompany him to keep him safe, but it is important that, once on the mountain, Bilbo have to go to Smaug alone or at least the dragon have to believe that.

"What if he realizes it's a trap and he kill me?" asked the hobbit, shuddering.

"There is one thing I am sure is that Smaug will never hurt you, little hobbit" Beorn said, he can't and I don't think he wants to, either. He has strengthened the link with you when he tested your blood. The only one who could be hurt is the one who going try to kill him.

However, Bilbo did not feel very comfortable with that answer, in fact he feel more concerned just because one of his friends would be in danger and he suspected that Gandalf would take matters into his own hands.

"Do you really want to do this, hobbit?" Beorn asked, suddenly "Do you want betray Smaug?"

"Yes, that is what I'm going to do because it's necessary," said Bilbo, "Why wouldn't I do it? I promised!"

"It's just that in most cases, that link is mutual, just want to let you know that every opportunity is lost if you regret."

"No problem" said Legolas, "our hobbit wants someone else. I do not think Smaug could convince him, at least not really."

Bilbo flushed and glanced at the elf.

Suddenly, Gandalf rose abruptly from his seat in his expression broke into a strange look.

"Thorin! I had completely forgotten! It's better let him in before his little patience is completely erase" he said then turning to Beorn, he added. "That is part of the second favor I have to ask to you. We accompany a group of thirteen dwarves and I would appreciate that you receive them in your home too, at least until our hobbit recovers.

Beorn frowned and looked at Bilbo after he finally surrendered.

"Okay, just because I like this little hobbit" he said, stroking the head of the hobbit.

Gandalf opened the door and received the dwarves with words rather curious.

'I'm surprised you've been waiting for so long, honestly ...

But Thorin ignored him, and so did the great figure of Beorn, he went straight to Bilbo and stroked his face.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Bilbo smiled, unable to avoid a sigh of happiness.

"I told you I'd take care of him quite well," said Legolas.

Thorin ignored him, but he frowned.

"Actually, he nearly knocking down the door," said Kili to Gandalf "but Balin managed to convince him that it would be more prudent to wait until we were called. Although I must say that it took some work to calm him."

Despite all the problems Bilbo had to deal with, the days he was in the house of Beorn seemed a real rest. At least there were not lacking food and had no cold at nights, even though there were no beds for them all and had to sleep on the floor. Legolas tried to cheer him up by telling stories or singing songs, however, this caused it to become more moody Thorin than usual. He kept seeing the elf suspiciously and he felt upset when the elf approached the hobbit. But most of the time he forgot about it and was dedicated to caring for Bilbo. Thanks to him Bilbo could lean on his leg again, and in three days he was ready to resume the march. Although, of course, it was what Bilbo least wanted, just think of reach Erebor to make him feel nervous. But he knew it was time to leave, because, although he not shown, he knew Thorin was desperate to go, but he was patient for him.

The last night at Beorn's house, Bilbo was thinking about Smaug and what he would expect after crossing the gate. The perspective it was made him quite nervous, so he suspect that he couldn't sleep all night, until a figure approached him in the dark. When the shadow lay down beside him, he knew it was Bilbo Thorin and could not help his heart beat under his chest pounding.

"Bilbo ..."

Thorin stroked his hair and moved closer to him, the hobbit blushed.

"What happen, Thorin?"

"This."

Thorin joined his lips to his and Bilbo did not hesitate to put his arms the dwarf's neck. Thorin's kiss was pretty sweet at first, but after a moment became more passionate.

Bilbo slid his hand under Thorin's clothes and his fingers came up to his chest. He could not even see clearly in the darkness, but for some reason, he was certain that his fingers were delineating the symbols on the chest of the prince with absolute accuracy. As if he knew by heart.

Thorin took his wrist and took away from him. Bilbo felt a little hurt.

"Stop it, halfling" the prince said. "Not yet."

"Why not?"

Thorin smiled and began stroking his earlobe, Bilbo flushed with pleasure.

"Because if you keep doing it, I will not be able to stop myself and probably I will do something that will make you scream and moan so often that everyone wake up."

Bilbo rested his head on Thorin's chest and he this put his arms around the hobbit.

"But I want to be with you."

"Me too, but this is not the time" he said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "But I promise that will be soon."