I eyed the stranger called Gandalf as Beorn led me into the lodge. The dwarves were readying themselves to leave outside in the sunny yard. I was surprised to find myself wishing they could have stayed longer. Gandalf sat at the long table, his bright eyes studying the low burning fire at the center hearth contemplatively.
"Mr. Gandalf." Beorn boomed, coaxing me along with a hand at my back.
"Ah! Beorn," Gandalf broke from his meditation and smiled broadly, "Cub."
"Would you explain what we spoke of earlier to Cub?"
Beorn sat me down facing Gandalf then took his own place directly across from us. I shifted uncomfortably under the stranger's straightforward gaze.
"Cub, Beorn tells me that you have occasional moments where you recall your life before you fell into the river." Gandalf began gently, taking my hand in his, "Can you tell me of them?"
I looked over at Beorn who nodded, his expression grave. Closing my eyes, I struggled to put the images that occasionally danced through my head into words. However, my recollection was foggy as ever.
"Are there people in these visions?" Gandalf cajoled gently.
"A - a man," I stuttered, "He is big. I cannot see his face because he puts me on his shoulders. I am very little."
"Where are you?"
"There is bright light, a reflection like off of glass or metal… maybe water. Yes it is water, because the light ripples a little." I paused, "There are men and stocky figures of dwarves. There are also tall, slender folk, fair of face."
I opened my eyes, shrugging slightly. Gandalf was squinting, studying my face as though seeking some clue to the mystery.
"Cub, what if I told you that there is a chance you could reclaim your memories?" He asked gently.
"But-" I stammered, looking to Beorn, "How would that be possible?"
"Cub, it matters not how," Beorn spoke, "If you could remember your life before I found you, if you had the choice, would it be something you would want?"
I was dumbstruck. Such a possibility never seemed feasible to me. I had resigned myself years before to an existence much like the animals Beorn housed on the farm; happy, cared for and yet ignorant to the world and their place in it. The chance to know who I was before I became Beorn's Cub was never a dream I entertained. However, looking into the face of my foster father, I knew that if I did follow such a path, our life together would never be the same.
"Cub," Beorn came around the table and knelt by my chair, "Child, you will always be welcome here with me. But I could never have imagined a better chance for you. When I fished you out of that nasty river like a lost otter pup, I knew that whatever your life had been was lost. I thought it could never be recovered. If you desire it, take this chance with both hands." He laid his massive fingers on my forearm gently, "Take it with my full blessing."
I blinked, my chin beginning to tremble. I could feel my throat choking up. Rolling my eyes towards the ceiling to keep the tears at bay, I took a deep breath.
"I don't know when I shall be back this way, Cub." Gandalf said carefully, "This would be your one chance for quite some time."
I turned my eyes on the grey clad wanderer once more. Wetting my lips, I found I could not speak. I merely nodded.
"Once this happens, it cannot be undone. Do you understand, Cub?" Gandalf queried further.
"Yes," I replied, choking back a sob, "I understand."
Gandalf lifted his hands, pulling his long sleeves back. Beorn took one of my hands in his own massive palm, patting the back of it.
"I'm going to need you to close your eyes." Gandalf instructed, pressing his fingers to my forehead while cradling my cheek in his other hand, "Don't be afraid, child."
"She's never been afraid." Beorn murmured, his voice cracking slightly.
It was well past noon day, though the evening had still yet to fall. The ponies Beorn had lent to the company shifted impatiently, munching on the tall weeds through the cracks in the gate. Kili sat in the grass, filling the bowl of his pipe. He glanced up briefly at his brother. Fili was leaning against the rough fence post, his arms crossed over his chest. He had his gaze fixed on the lodge where Beorn and Cub had disappeared the moment they had returned from the wood.
"I should like to bid Cub farewell." Kili ventured, knowing his brother would never voice his thoughts on such a subject, "You should go make sure she hasn't spirited into the forest again."
Fili looked over at his brother. Kili winked at him. Shaking his head with a smirk, Fili righted himself.
"Perhaps I should, brother." Fili replied, striding across the yard.
Kili chuckled to himself, lighting his pipe. Though he was closer to his older brother than any other in Middle Earth, Fili was unpredictable. She was pretty in an odd sort of way, but Kili would never have felt attracted to such a wild thing as Cub. However, he could tell right off that Fili was struck by her. He really should have known better. Fili had never pursued any interest in the simple, ladylike girls of Ered Luin, no matter their race. He had always known it would take something very special to catch his older brother's attention.
Fili paused at the steps, listening to the mumbling voices of Gandalf and Beorn inside. He wondered if Cub was even about. Slightly disappointed as the prospect that she had left without saying good bye, he mounted the steps. He hitched in thumbs in his belt and peeked in through the massive doors that had been left ajar. He smiled absently at seeing that Cub sat with the wizard and her guardian.
He pushed the door open, the hinges creaking. However none of them looked over. He saw that Gandalf had placed his hands over Cub's forehead. The wizard seemed to be muttering something as he let his palm drop over her closed eyes. Fili's forehead creased as he watched in silence.
Gandalf removed his hands. Cub's eyes were still shut, her lips parted as she swayed in her chair. Beorn gripped her hand.
"What is your name?" Gandalf's voice was commanding as he spoke, "Tell me your name."
Cub wet her lips, her breath coming hard now. Her breast rose and fell sharply with each intake.
"What is your name?" He repeated again.
She breathed a word that Fili could not hear. Intrigued by what he now realized was Gandalf breaking the spell over her memory, Fili ventured further into the room. His arms fell at his sides as he studied her face.
"Rose." He clearly heard her speak.
Cub's eyelids fluttered open, her vision clear in a way he had not seen since meeting her.
"Briar Rose." She answered firmly, "That is my name."
Author's Note: Pardon the fairy tale nod by giving Cub's real name as Briar Rose, but I felt that Sleeping Beauty's alias would be appropriate for her. Thanks for the reviews! I stoked y'all like this one so much, its been a cool one to write!