AN: Naughty Durin heirs and some steam ahead.

"How did you describe his eyes, again?" said Ori, scribbling in the little book he always kept concealed in his coat. The scratching noises, blending with the crackling of the fire, were the only noises in the quiet camp.

It was the second night after escaping the Goblins and Azog, the company having left the Carrock to follow Gandalf's lead through the dense woodlands to a sheltered, rocky grove that had a warm spring of water that the Dwarves called a hot spring. They had moved slow to respect the still injured Thorin and Flora, though both of them argued that they were just fine and that there was no need for it they went ignored but were more than pleased at discovering the hot spring. The company, while low on supplies, was in good spirits with the opportunity to rid themselves of the filth of the Goblins.
The comfort of the evening yielded rather interesting conversation that, for the most part, the Dwarves had avoided around Flora however all manners seemed to disappear with the steam that rose into the starry night sky.

Ori wasn't generally comfortable with the direction of the conversations that night, so he had occupied Flora's attention by asking her about Azog.

"They were blue – not a nice blue, though. Cold, and cruel, that made you feel like wherever he looked you felt as though your skin was burning with frostbite," she said, almost shivering at remembering the terrifying glare of the Pale Orc.

"What did he say when you tried to protect Thorin?"

"He didn't say anything," said Flora as the creature's fearsome voice echoed in her ears. "He just… laughed this horrible, deep laugh."

A burst of uproarious laughter from the group drew their attention to the conversation going on between the Dwarves and Bilbo. Gandalf, as quiet as ever, was sitting a ways away puffing smoke rings into the starry night sky.

"Hey, Kili, tell them about the girl back in the hills," said Fili.

"Which one?"

This earned another laugh from the group and Dwalin roughly patted the young Dwarf on the back. The force of the friendly blow was much stronger than he had anticipated, however, and Kili began to cough.

"Hey, Bilbo, did you leave behind a bonny lass in the Shire?"

To Flora's amusement, Bilbo began to splutter nervously.

"Three, actually" she said, grinning wickedly and taking Ori's hand for him to help her to her feet. They went and joined the group at the fire and she took a seat next to her very red cousin.
"Tansy Bracegirdle, Bella Hornblower, and Hilda Cotton."

"Flora!" cried Bilbo, burying his face in his hands as she joined in the Dwarves' teasing laughter.

"Though he's too shy to properly court any of them, they chase after him like dogs after a bone."

"To think I would ever hear such language from Gorbadoc's daughter," chuckled Gandalf at her blatant innuendo, many of the Dwarves stunned to hear her speak in such a way but they quickly joined in the mirth.

"And what of you, young Brandybuck?" said Bilbo as he playfully nudged her side. "Last I heard Bruno Gamgee asked for your hand in marriage, along with all five of his brothers."

"Is that so?" laughed Fili. "The princess has suitors!"

Flora blushed furiously.
"None of them were serious," she said. "It was all out of a want of connection."

"And the four others before them?"

This time she cuffed Bilbo upside the head. Hard.

"And we were beginning to think Flora was un-romanceable!" cried Kili.

"They tried to woo me, that doesn't mean they succeeded," snapped Flora.

"So has no young fellow has caught your eye, then?" asked Bofur. "Not one?"

"The thing about Shire lads," she explained, "Is that they are all incredibly boring, with no desire other than to sit about after marriage smoking their pipes and drinking at the tavern while their wives are stuck at home raising a litter all on their own."

"Then someone outside of the Shire?" asked Fili with a grin.

"Fili," said Flora with as serious of an expression as she could manage, "Are you trying to ask me if I fancy you?"

The company burst into laughter as the blonde Dwarf blushed furiously, spluttering his declaration that he wasn't but he was barely heard over his kin. When Flora glanced over to where Thorin was seated she couldn't help but grin at the smile on his face.
It was a pleasant evening. Kili was foolish enough to comment further on the joke she'd made at his brother's expense and soon the two were wrestling playfully as Oin and Dwalin took bets with Bifur on who would come out on top. Ori returned to his scribbling, questioning Nori on the different Goblins they saw, while Dori dozed near Balin who was staring into the fire lost in his thoughts as he played with his beard. Bombur was munching on some of the leftover meat from dinner, reclining against a tree stump on which Bofur sat whittling away at a chunk of wood with a small blade with Gandalf next to him puffing away on a long pipe. Gloin was sharpening his axe with a whetsone on the on the other side of Bilbo from Flora, whistling a contented tune. Thorin got up to leave and wander off, probably to being his watch as he had adamantly announced he wouldn't be shirking his duty no matter his injuries.
The Dwarves had all enjoyed the hot spring already and were clean (as clean as Dwarves allowed themselves to be) and were in a very relaxed mood. Eventually Fili won the wrestling match though not without a few scratches, and were ordered by Dwalin to go and fetch more firewood for their foolishness.

"Bilbo, why don't you share one of those wonderful Shire songs of yours," said Balin.

"What of Flora?" said Bofur. "I don't think we've ever heard her sing."

"Oh, do sing for us, Flora. Please?" said Ori.

Flora blushed.
"What sort of song would you like to hear?"

"A love song!" chorused Kili and Fili, re-appearing almost as soon as she'd asked the question, making her roll her eyes. To her as of late it seemed as though they thought of little else but she couldn't deny them when they looked so hopeful as the stared at her from across the fire.

"Very well," she sighed, trying to remember an easy love song. An old one that she heard when she was just a young tween was the only one that came to mind:

Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.
For a handsome beaming smile
To my hope has been granted,
And tomorrow I hope to hear
All my fond heart desires.

If he tells me of his love,
All his soul's adoration,
Then I think he will hear
that I will not say nay.
It is this that gives my soul
All its joyous elation,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.*

As soon as she was finished there was an enthusiastic applause, Bilbo patting Flora proudly on the back. She smiled shyly at the company.

They tried to coax more songs out of her but she declined, saying Bilbo had a much better voice and knew many more songs than she did so she could escape to enjoy the privacy of the spring. The stench of the Goblins was even worse than the trolls – something she didn't think possible – and she felt as though she'd waited long enough to have her turn in the warm water.
She tried not to run, though Flora was far too excited at the chance to feel warmth on her acheing body to practice proper self-restraint.

"Flora?"

She froze at hearing Thorin's voice, softly questioning her presence as she approached the spring and the sound of something moving in water. Firmly closing her eyes, she emerged from the bushes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were out here," she said. "I'll go –"

"Wait," he called, stopping her in her tracks. "Fili and Kili…"

"Is something wrong?" Flora asked as she frowned.

"They took my clothes."

A horrified blush scorched her face as what he said registered. Thorin was completely naked, in the hot springs she had very nearly just jumped into, with no clothes for him to dress in so he could make it back to the camp. Then, the heat began to spread through her body as, to her shame, she considered opening her eyes just to have a peek at the trapped prince.
If she ever found out that Fili and Kili had done this on purpose then a dragon would be the very least of their worries.

"You can take my cloak, and then you can make it back to the camp," she said as she tried to conceal the nervous giggle threatening to escape her, biting her lip.

"It will be wet, then," he said plainly.

"Yes, but you can at least get your clothes back then without strutting around the woods naked."

"I do not strut."

Her lids were shut, but Flora rolled her eyes.
"Do you want it or not?"

There was no sound but for the carrying laughter from the camp and the gentle rustle of a breeze rustling the boughs of the trees as Thorin seemed to think very long and hard about what to do. When she heard water and what could only be the Dwarf getting out she found herself clenching her fists at her sides, chest tight, as she struggled to keep her eyes shut.
Suddenly there was a very warm presence next to her and she knew immediately it was Thorin. Heat radiated off his body in waves, left over from the hot spring's steaming waters. Her whole body tensed as she too terrified to even move knowing he was standing much closer than she felt necessary as in that moment, right in front of her, he was completely nude.

"Take it off," he said.

A thrill shot up Flora's spine at the words, and for a moment she allowed herself to wonder if he'd chosen to be so vague with his words on purpose. However she wasn't able to dwell on it as she realized she couldn't move, still far too uneasy and, to her horror, very aroused.
He sighed and her breath hitched as she felt him gently touch her shoulders to gently undo the clasp for her cloak at her neck, his fingertips just barely touching the bare skin at her neck and chest. Then, slipping his hands under to slip beneath onto her shoulders, he ran his hands down her arms to slip the cloak free from her limbs before swiftly pulling it away.

"It's safe to open your eyes now," he said.

Releasing the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, Flora carefully opened her eyes only to blush and quickly look away at the sight of his bare torso, her cloak wrapped around his waist to preserve the tiniest bit of modesty though she knew full well he could have covered himself more.

"I said it was safe."

"I know," said Flora, visibly trembling. "But you are still beyond the limits of modesty, and I will keep my eyes averted until you are presentable."

"I am presentable," he said. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Looking again, she turned a vivid shade of pink as she was faced with the Dwarf's brawny chest that looked as though it was hewn from the stone of the mountains. It matched the solid muscles of his abdomen and his sinewy arms, most of his skin covered in rather attractive dark hair that trailed down his body to beneath Flora's cloak – though she stopped herself before her eyes wandered that low. There was an undeniable smirk on his face as he watched the nervous Hobbit who clearly hadn't seen a man in such a state for many years.

"Dwarves and Hobbits have a very different idea as to what is presentable," she observed, trying very hard not to allow her eyes to follow the fine trail of hair that led south. "I'm not afraid of you, Thorin Oakenshield, and I never have been."

Thorin just gave her another smirk before turning to march through the brush, bellowing his nephews' names.

Flora did not at all envy Fili and Kili for whatever punishment Thorin had in mind for them, knowing his wrath would be swift and furious. She was, however, surprised by their actions. Flora knew they loved their uncle and loved pranks, but never had she seen them mix the two in an extremely hazardous and bold manner before.
Though she would argue that the encounter she'd just had with the prince had been far more unnerving.
As she undressed and slipped with a muffled moan into the warm water, she wondered what was happening to her that Thorin's presence now so easily made her into a skittish youngling who could barely look at him. Then there was the way he had been acting – at first she thought it was just that he had finally decided he didn't hate the Hobbits, but the way he'd so carefully tended to her wounds and so boldly approached her just a few moments ago was not the same manner in which he treated Bilbo. It made her feel weak, giddy, and fearless all at the same time in the most terrifying and exhilarating way.

Flora chuckled at herself while she scrubbed the dirt from her arms, careful of her healing wounds. If she didn't know any better, she would say the way he was treating her was reminiscent of a man trying to court a woman. The very idea was almost enough to make her laugh out loud, especially considering Thorin seemed to think that in order to woo a woman he would simply have to sit back and beckon her to him.
This time she did allow herself a small laugh at the memory of the ridiculous argument in Rivendell, and began to sing happily to herself.

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
That washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!

O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain.
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.

O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.

O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!

The sound of rustling in the bushes alerted her to the presence of something – or someone – watching her. Her arms quickly covered herself.

"Hello?" she called. "Fili? Kili? I swear if that's you I will cut off your hair and use it to make a new cloak. Hello?"

She covered her mouth to muffle a cry as a gigantic black bear stumbled out of the bushes. It didn't appear to notice her, however, as it practically tripped over its own enormous paws to fall to the ground.
Flora didn't move for a moment, too frightened to do anything as she was completely vulnerable but she quickly realized there was something wrong with the beast. With strangely intelligent eyes it looked at her and moaned, moving its head as though it was trying to beckon her over.

"You – you want me to help you?" she asked and, to her surprise, the bear nodded. "How do I know I can trust you?"

The bear gave another desperate, frustrated moan.

"Alright, alright," said Flora. "Just a moment."

She scrambled out of the water and to her clothes, thinking a bear – no matter how intelligent – wouldn't care if she was nude or not but Flora decided she would rather not be discovered by one of the Dwarves. After she was done, she strapped her blade to her waist and carefully approached the giant animal that was watching her warily.
It allowed her to come close, scaring her only once as it gave an agonized sigh. With gently hands she moved aside it's hair to check for what could possibly be paining the bear so much until she found what appeared to be a piece of Goblin blade imbedded in its shoulder.

"Oh, you poor thing," she sighed. "This is going to hurt – don't, you know, eat me."

Wiping her hands in preparation, she bit her lip as she dug her hand into the wound to try and get a grip on the shard. The bear was surprisingly silent, giving only a sigh of relief as she pulled the chunk of steel free from its flesh. Quickly she went to fetch some Kingsfoil from a nearby patch and quickly chewed it up to place the mashed leaves in the wound in case the blade had been poisoned.
Nearly as soon as she was finished the bear stirred beneath her touch and stood, swaying for a moment, before lumbering off through the woods. Before it disappeared, however, it looked back at Flora and lowered its head as though to thank her.

"You're welcome," she said in wonder, staring as the black fur disappeared into the shadows.

XxX

Flora didn't tell anyone of the great black bear she encountered at the hot spring. If she did, she was sure they would have told her to not spend so much time in the water next time or check her for head wounds.
After stealing Thorin's clothes, Fili and Kili were put to doing any and all hard labour their uncle could find for them. While the company had been thoroughly amused at seeing their prince come marching through the brush with a cloak around his waist, many of them remarked on the fact it had been Flora's and their teasing eliminated any sympathy she might have had for the brothers.

Though they had no trouble finding food in the woods it was quickly acknowledged there was no way they would make it much further without getting supplies. Gandalf announced he knew just the place despite there being no towns for many miles and led them confidently onwards. As they walked, Flora could have sworn she saw a gigantic bumblebee go whizzing past out of the corner of her eye, but chalked it up to exhaustion from the hurried pace they were keeping.
She marvelled at the size of the trees. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before, thinking that someone could make a decent sized Hobbit home out of one of the massive trunks that soared high into the sky. There were plenty of animals but Gandalf quickly shouted at Kili to put away his bow when he drew it to fell a gigantic buck.

"Now, we are approaching the home of a skin changer. He doesn't like visitors, but I will speak to him before we approach."

"A skin changer?" said Bilbo. "You mean like a furrier?"

"No!" exclaimed the wizard. "Goodness no, and don't mention anything of the like – rugs, fur, skinning, or the like around him! He's a changeling, and transforms into a great bear. He keeps these woods, so be cautious."

He stopped them just as they reached the banks of a river. There was a small raft and Gandalf ferried the company across using his staff, stopping them before they walked into the trees ahead.

"Now, we must be careful. As I said, Beorn is not welcoming of unknown visitors. I will go first, then when I whistle two of you will come at a time. Thorin, Bilbo, you first. Bombur will go last."

"Why must I always be last?" mumbled Bombur. Flora patted him on the shoulder.

"I'll go with him," offered Flora, to which the wizard nodded before disappearing into the woods.

They all stood there silently, nervously listening for Gandalf's signal. A few moments later they heard a sharp whistle and the first pair went, Bilbo shooting Flora a nervous glance before being hauled away by Thorin. Then, slowly, more whistles came until just Bombur and Flora were left standing at the edge of the river.

"Are you alright, Bombur?" she asked, looking to the rotund Dwarf who appeared to be sweating.

He nodded.
"Just a wee bit shaken from the crossing. Not exactly a good swimmer."

"Just like Bilbo," she said as she placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Most Hobbits are terrified of water. Only Tooks and Brandybucks are brave enough to venture onto rafts and boats on the rivers in the Shire, we've lost far too many Hobbits to their murky waters though most of us are still scared."

"Were you scared?" he asked.

She paused before nodding her head.
"I lost a brother in the Brandywine when I was but a babe. I can face water if I need, but I don't like it," she said.

This seemed to cheer Bombur and he gave her a small, grateful smile just as they heard another whistle. Flora returned it when he offered her an arm and she linked her to his, carefully walking forward together into the shade of the trees. It wasn't as short of a walk as she had thought and they had to have been travelling for at least a few minutes before they saw the light of a clearing ahead.
As they breached the trees they saw the company all standing with a gigantic Man who had shaggy black hair and a beard and was dressed only in a pair of ragged brown breeches. He had dark, intelligent eyes that somehow seemed vaguely familiar to Flora.

"It's my water nymph!" cried the Man, rushing forward. Flora, not sure if she should try to move or not, stood rooted to the spot as he scooped her up in an embrace to hold her tight against his broad, bare chest.
"My little heroine."

"D-do I know you?" she asked , gasping for air at his tight grip before gently placing her back on the ground.

"Of course you do," said the Man, quite matter-of-factly. "I was the bear."

A flush spread across her face as she realized his eyes were the same of the gigantic animal she had helped in the woods who, apparently, was actually a Man that had now seen her naked.

"Oh," she said, looking at her feet.

"Care to explain, master Beorn?" said Thorin.

"Oh, of course. I was hunting the Goblins that had crossed into my territory when I was wounded. One of the creatures had landed a blow on my shoulder. As I was stumbling through the woods, unable to change back, I heard the enchanting voice of your lovely companion and found her bathing in the hot spring. She was kind and brave enough to help me. What is your name, little one?"

"F-Flora," she muttered, now seeing the pink scar from a wound shining on his tanned skin.

"Well, Flora and friends, as thanks for your kindness and for saving my life I would be more than happy to invite you into my hall for food and rest."

"Thank you, Great One," said Gandalf with a small bow, his eyes glittering in amusement when he glanced at Flora. "We are most grateful."

Hiding her blush by shrugging her shoulders to try and conceal her face in the fur of her cloak, she followed the others into the enormous wooden lodge that took up most of the clearing. She was astonished by the sheer size of it, never having seen such large structure that looked as though it had been made entirely of the trunks of the oak trees surrounding it.
Inside was even more grand, most of the structure being a long, tall hall that had a garden in the centre that gleamed in the sunlight beaming down from the opening in the roof. Just beyond was a courtyard, and then another building which Beorn led them to. It was just as large as the other, if not larger, and a fire pit roaring with small, hot flames gave it a cozy warm light. Next to it was a long table with long benches on either side though why the skin changer had it was beyond Flora when Gandalf had said he didn't like visitors.
There appeared to be roughly hewn steps that led up to a second loft floor but Flora couldn't see what was beyond the railings that guarded whatever was up there, and somewhere from outside she could have sworn she heard the sound of horses. Flora tried to look outside in order to see if there were stables, but instead saw a beautifully rustic veranda and another lush garden.

"Welcome to Beorn's Hall," said the great Man proudly.

AN: Thank you all again for your wonderful reviews. They are such an inspiration to keep writing this story!
The two songs Flora sings in this chapter are from different sources. The first song is called "As I Hear the Sweet Lark Sing" (a traditional Irish folk song) though I altered some of it to make it suit her, and the second is Tolkien's "Bath Song"