Chapter 9
Nora raised the ax ever so slightly as she and the bald dwarf engaged in a small staring match. Her fingers tightened around the handle while the dwarf let out a small grunt. He raised his own weapon, letting her know he was not going to be the one to back down. They continued to glare daggers at the other a moment longer before Nora's axed moved ever so slightly. It was then the dwarf plunged forward in attack. Nora quickly blocked his attack and his blade met the handle of her ax.
"If you do not wish to die," the dwarf warned, "I suggest you lower your weapon." Anger filled her eyes as the dwarf continued to push against her ax. How dare he come into her home and insult her.
"I do not give in to anyone." she growled at him. "Get out of my house!" Her ax pushed against the bald dwarf's. It was then the old man, gray in clothing and a tall pointed hat quickly made his way up the stairs. It took him only a moment before he realized what was going on.
"Stop!" he yelled. "Stop right there, Dwallin." The dwarf's gaze quickly shifted to his companion while the old man managed to separate the two. His focus quickly turned to the dwarf, while Nora closely held her ax to her chest.
"She's a threat to the company." the dwarf growled out as he glared at the woman on the other side of his wizard friend. "She presented herself with an ax."
"That does not matter. If you harm her, we lose the hope of gaining Beorn's help." the man went on before he turned back to Nora. The angry look on his face quickly evolved into a kind smile. "You are Nora, Beorn's wife, I believe." the old man greeted her. Nora simply glared at him.
"I am." she answered as her suspicion grew. Who were these people? Why where they here and how did that old man know who she was? She didn't like being known to someone who she didn't know. "And who are you that comes here and forces my husband out of his house?"
"Please forgive this intrusion Nora. I am Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey." The man bowed ever so slightly to her. Nora remained silent as she watched him. Her faced scrunched up and confused look formed.
"I've never heard your name nor do I understand why there are a bunch of dwarves here." Nora responded. She peered around the room. The group of dwarves were now, all in her kitchen. Some held their weapons, ready to attack if needed. Others simply watched her in curiosity.
"I am a wizard, a friend of Radagast, if you know him." Gandalf told her with a soft smile. Nora's ax slightly lowered at her friend's name. Gandalf continued, "We were being chased by a band of orcs and happened upon your house. I had hoped we could take refuge here for a short amount of time."
'Orcs?' Nora thought as her memory turned back to Beorn. That's why he hadn't pursued the dwarves much further. Though she was sure she could handle the dwarves, it wasn't often Beorn left her alone with anything he considered a threat. He had also told her more orcs were in the area.
"I do not think my husband would appreciate me housing a group of dwarves." Nora finally told Gandalf. The wizard went to speak but was stopped by one of the dwarves.
"You'd really allow that thing in your house before us?" a younger looking dwarves asked. The group of dwarves looked at her as if she were mad.
"If my husband wishes to be here in bear form, I will not stop him. His were the hands that built these walls. This was his house long before it was mine." Nora firmly stated. The dwarves continued to give her strange looks but that did not bother her. It was nothing more than what she had been used back in Esgaroth.
"Gandalf, if you value your life and theirs, you'll leave before my husband returns home." Nora advised. Her head began to ache and a wave of nausea began to fill her once again. She placed a hand on her forehead before she continued. "If what you say about the orcs is true, Beorn likely won't be home until late. If you wish to rest here a while you may."
"Thank you." the wizard graciously smiled and nodded. He went to continue when Nora interrupted.
"Excuse me." Nora said before she turned, quickly placed the ax by Beorn's large chair and made her way out the back door. She barely made it out the door before another round of vomit existed her stomach. She breathed heavily as she leaned against the side of the house. She wiped her mouth off and continued to rest a moment.
Once she cleaned herself up a bit she made her way back into the house and kitchen. She found the dwarves were scattered throughout the barn part of her house. Evening had approached and many of them were resting in the hay, while other were eating some food they had brought on their journey and talked. Nora simply, looked away from them and began to steep some tea. Her mind drifted towards her current condition. She knew what was likely causing her to be ill. It wasn't that hard to tell, still, she knew she would need to check herself to be sure. That would have to wait until she was alone.
Once her tea finished steeping, Nora held a small cup close to her chest and sat down in Beorn's large chair. She closed her eyes and rested her head in the hand that wasn't holding the tea. She remained like that for a few minutes before she heard someone clear his throat.
"Excuse me miss Nora, but are you feeling well?" a voice asked. Nora looked up to see a small figure in front of her. She was surprised he had approached her. Her first reaction was to glare at him but her stare quickly softened as she saw the sincere look of concern in his eyes.
"I'm fine." she answered as she breathed in the peppermint tea. It was then she realized he was not like his companions. "You're not a dwarf?" He shook his blondish hair.
"I'm a hobbit." he told her. "I'm Bilbo Baggins of the Shire."
"The Shire?" Nora questioned. "You're a long way from home and with a bunch of dwarves. Isn't that odd for your kind?"
"Very odd." Bilbo answered before he gestured down to the bench at the large table. "May I...?"
"Of course." she nodded and the hobbit took a seat. It was then she remembered the proper manners she had learned from her mother many years ago. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to playing hostess. I'm used to being around Beorn, the animals and occasionally Radagast but not many others. I'm afraid my manners are rather poor."
"Not at all." the hobbit said. "It is kind of you to let us stay here." Nora nodded but did not reply. The hobbit looked around the large house while Nora went back to her thoughts. An awkward silence filled the room. They were both curious about the other, though neither spoke.
Nora took a few more sips of her tea, glad it was calming her stomach. It was then Anders walked over to her and gently touched her hand with his snout. She rubbed behind his ears for a moment before he nuzzled his head affectionately against her.
"He must really like you." Bilbo nodded down towards Anders before the pig circled the spot next to Nora a few times and laid down to rest.
"I've been with him since he was born." Nora commented as she watched her friend relax. "He was born not long after I came to be in this house. At that time, I didn't realize I'd live as long as I have."
"How did you and Beorn meet?" the hobbit asked as he leaned in to hear to story. "How did you come to be here?" Nora glanced back at the hobbit. Her memories turned back to that first night when Beorn had injured her unintentionally. A soft smile formed on her lips as memories of their strange meeting, friendship and courtship came to play in her mind.
"He was in bear form when I first saw him." Nora began. She continued to tell him of hers and Beorn's story. Bilbo occasionally asked questions and Nora, for the most part was happy to answer them. She found speaking with the hobbit brought back many happy memories.
"Do you have any children?" Bilbo suddenly asked as he tried to keep their conversation going. "Have they all grown and moved away?" It did not take him long to realize he should not have asked her that.
"No." Nora said as her eyes lowered to the ground. "We have no children."
"I'm sorry that was an invasive question." Bilbo apologized as he realized her sadness. "It is not any of my business." Nora shook her head. It did not matter now, though her mind slightly wandered back to the signs she had be experiencing. She remained quiet a moment before she looked back at the hobbit.
"Tell me of life in the shire." Nora told him before she offered him a cup of tea. Bilbo returned her smile as he began to tell her of his home. The two continued to talk a while more before the hobbit joined his companions.
...
Nora drifted in and out of sleep as the early morning hours crept up on her. She continued to rest in her husband's giant chair, next to the fire. A couple of dogs and, of course, Anders slept at her feet. It was quite normal for her to wait up for him, though Beorn often told her not to. She found their bed quite lonely and cold when her husband wasn't present.
Her thoughts shifted to her previous state. All the signs were present, she couldn't deny that. She shook her head. If a child were to come, it would have happened long before now. She was getting older, not too old for child bearing, but it made no sense for her to conceive. Especially now, after all these years of not conceiving. Her hand slowly touched her lower abdomen and pressed. Her heart slightly leaped as she realized she very likely was with child. Still, confirming pregnancy did not always mean a baby would come. Her miscarriage and the years of training with the midwife had taught her that. Many things could go wrong.
She glanced back down at Anders who was in a deep sleep. He had been her baby all these years in many ways. He followed her like children followed their mothers. He was always near and she had always taken care of him. Her hand reached down and gently touched his back, glad for his friendship through all the years she had been here. Nora thought a moment more before she decided not to tell Beorn just yet. There was no need to put him through more pain. If their child was meant to be, her husband would know soon enough. There was no reason to get his hope up.
...
Beorn stepped inside the house, heavy in breath. He looked around the stables, first to the animals and then to the outlines of the dwarves and old man that were sleeping amongst the hay. He then glanced up to the dining hall towards the fire and saw Nora sleeping peacefully in his great chair. A smile formed on his lips. She was safe, his wife was safe from Azog and the orcs, at least for the moment.
Beorn grabbed a blanket and quietly made his way up the two steps and over to her. He gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand. He looked her over to make sure the dwarves hadn't harmed her in any way. Once he deemed her to be in the same condition he left her in he placed the blanket over her. While he preferred to sleep by her side, he knew she hadn't been sleeping well the last few nights. If she could sleep peacefully in that chair, he wasn't going to move her.
"I love you." he whispered to her. Beorn kissed her forehead and turned to make his way back down the stairs and to their bed. He would deal with the dwarves in the morning. He was almost to the steps when Nora's eyes fluttered open. It took her a second to focus on the room but she quickly saw her husband walking away.
"You're home." Nora quietly stated. Beorn paused and turned back to her. A loving look rested in his eyes as they met hers. "I was worried. You were out later than usual."
"We had a herd of orcs not far from the house. Among them was Azog the defiler. I wasn't going to return unless I knew you would be safe. I didn't mean to wake you." Beorn explained while Nora stood from the chair and walked up to him. Once she reached him his arms folded around her and they embraced in a small hug.
"I'm glad you did or I would have woken up more worried. Did you kill the orcs?" Nora questioned as she moved to look back up at him.
"No." Beorn looked down to the ground next to her. "They've fled." Anger then grew in his eyes. How he despised those irksome creatures! They had come far too close to his home for comfort. His thoughts then settled back on Nora and her sudden illness. "Are you well?" She looked tired and worn. It was dark but he could see she was still as pale as she had been this morning.
"I'm fine. What do you make of our guests?" Nora asked as their gaze turned towards those who slept in the bales of hay. Beorn's eyes followed her into the barn part of their home. Anger again filled him. How dare they enter his home and impose on his ill wife? "Are you going to kill them?" Her hand gently touched his.
"That I have not yet decided." Beorn's gaze moved back to her. His hand reached out and touched her gently. He leaned down and gently kissed her. His finger gently played with her tunic before they crawled underneath it and lightly touched her skin. It wasn't uncommon for them to make love after Beorn returned home from his patrols.
The rest of the night was peaceful though, neither husband nor wife slept well that night. Both their thoughts were turned to the Orcs that were hunting the dwarves. Azog was in these parts, she knew Beorn would hunt him. She knew her husband would make the pale orc pay for what he had done to the skin changers. Meanwhile, Beorn knew great threat the orc was to his wife and the life they had built together.
Both would find themselves in light slumber before something would awaken them. This pattern continued til dawn. All the while Nora's mind continued to think about Beorn and his history with the pale orc. An uneasy feeling came over her. What if Beorn was recaptured? It was unlikely but if Azog could imprison him once, who's to say it couldn't happen again? She shook herself out of these thoughts. She couldn't, wouldn't allow herself to think like that. Beorn was one of the strongest beasts out there. Azog was the one in trouble, not him.
At this point, small shards of sunlight began to trickle through the windows. Nora looked up to Beorn to see he was finally fast asleep. She rested there a moment more before she decided to dress and prepare for the day. She felt fine and hoped she could prepare breakfast for her husband and their guests. Once Nora deemed herself appropriately dressed and made her way out of the back bedroom.
Nora's eyes peered at the dwarves who slumbered amongst the hay. She turned, stepped up the stairs and into the dinning area. She looked around a moment before she took out some plates, bowls, and spoons. It wasn't long before she heard movement coming from their bedroom.
"Nora." she heard her husband call. She looked towards the stairs but he was not there. So she continued with her work until she felt a sickness begin to form in her stomach. Her hand moved to her lips as she tried to fight back the vomity feeling she gained by being around the food and different smells. She leaned against the table for a moment as she tried to regain herself.
This was an odd predicament. She was rarely ever sick. Why did she have to be so, now, of all times? Of course, there was still a chance Beorn would just kill them when they woke. So her efforts in hospitality may prove to be for nothing. Still, a side of her wanted to play hostess. It had been a long time since she was around people who weren't her husband and Radagast. A side of her felt her desire to host was foolish, still it was what she wanted to do.
She continued to lean against the table for a moment until she felt two strong arms wrap around her. Her eyes quickly opened and she looked up and turned her head to see Beorn. His eyes watched her closely as he turned her to him. It didn't take long for him to notice her face had grown paler.
"What's wrong?" his husky voice asked. "Are you alright?" Concern filled his eyes.
"I'm fine." she tried to reassure him with a smile. "I just feel a little nauseated again. It's nothing serious." Nora gave him a forced smile. Beorn, being unconvinced just held her to him. Even after all these years, she loved the feeling of being in his arms. She found comfort in his warmth of his bare chest.
"I should finish everyone's breakfast." She whispered and began to remove herself from his arms.
"Nora." Beorn gently placed a hand on her cheek. Her eyes lifted to meet his. "You are not feeling well. I would not have my wife in the service of others while she is ill. Especially when out 'guests' are intruders who do not belong here."
"I am the hostess. It's my responsibility to..."
"Listen to your husband." he interrupted her. Beorn's fingers gently traced her arms down to her hands. Their fingers laced together before he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. "There is no reason for you to do or worry about any of this." His hand cupped her cheek and she closed her eyes a moment. She relaxed into his touch before she opened her eyes again.
"I love you." she whispered to him.
"And I you." he replied. They held onto each other a moment longer before Nora attempted to free herself from her lover's arms.
"I really should finish breakfast for our guests." she softly said. She turned, only to feel Beorn stop her.
"No. I want you to come outside with me." Beorn told her. "There is some wood that needs to be chopped. I do not wish to leave you alone with these..."
"I was alone with them yesterday." Nora shrugged. "I was fine."
"I want you close by." Beorn insisted. There was much work that needed to be done outside and he wasn't going to wait until these intruders awoke. Their presence meant nothing to him but he would not risk Nora being used against him. He also wanted to keep an eye on her while she was sick. It seemed her being out side with him was the better option.
"I do not think I have anything to fear from them." Nora answered though her hand took his. Again her stomach began to stir and she leaned against him. "I will be fine."
"Just come rest outside until they've gone." Beorn suggested as he held her. How he wished he could help her feel better. His thoughts turned slightly to what he sensed the cause of all this sickness was. He slightly shook his head. He would not speak to her of it until she was ready to admit it to herself.
"What if they don't go?" Nora questioned.
"They will wish they had." Beorn said in a low growl.
"Don't kill the hobbit." Nora told him as they left the house. "He's very kind and gracious. I'm fond of him and I think you'd like him as well." Beorn remained quiet before he nodded. If it was her wish he would comply though if he deemed anyone to be a threat, he would not hesitate to end it.
...
A few weeks passed since the dwarves left the Wilderland. Gandalf and Thorin had told Beorn of their quest to reclaim Erebor. Nora hadn't heard any news of the dwarves or their quest in that time. All she knew was that they had entered Mirkwood and Beorn had retrieved the ponies he had allowed them to borrow. All was now quiet and Beorn had not sensed Azog since that night the dwarves came into their home. Things seemed fine but she noticed Beorn seemed uneasy with something. He didn't tell her what it was but she knew him well enough to know he suspected something was about to happen.
Beorn was working in the garden while Nora was hanging wet laundry up to dry. All seemed calm before she heard a strange flapping sound. It was quiet at first but it grew louder and closer. Her eyes then turned up to see a flock of eagles begin to land next to their home. She quickly dropped the laundry.
"Beorn." Nora called out. The tall man made his way towards his wife and put his arm protectively around her as the eagles began to land. Beorn, had sensed the flock nearby but had not expected them to land in his backyard. He was again surprised when Radagast emerged from one of their backs.
"Wait here." Beorn instructed Nora as he approached Radagast. Nora watched as the two men exchanged words. Her eyes shifted to the eagles that filled their backyard, many of the animals that lived in their home eyed the eagles. A sight such has this had never happened before. A few minutes passed before Nora began to walk towards the two men. Something had happened, she could see that by the worried look on Radagast's face. Slowly she made her way towards the two.
"Beorn?" Nora questioned before they turned towards her. "What has happened?" Beorn's arm reached out for her and she quickly joined the group. It was then she learned that the dragon, Smaug had been killed by a man of Esgaroth and that were was a great war coming.
"Gandalf has asked me to gather all our friends that are willing to fight against the orcs." Radagast finished telling her.
"Their leader is Azog." Beorn then said. "I will go with Radagast and fight. If the orcs and the evil they work for wins, our lives will never be peaceful again. Our home will be overrun with orcs if I don't." Nora nodded as she let this news sink in. "I will be back as soon as I'm able." With that Beorn leaned down, gave her a quick kiss and then, the two men turned and began to make their way towards the eagles.
Memories of her life in Laketown seemed to flash back to Nora. She remembered Bard, Heidi and Sigrid. Though she had stayed away all these years, she still had family there. If Heidi and Sigrid had survived the dragon's attack, they would need help. She and Beorn could offer them that help. Assuming Heidi hadn't remarried after Bard died. She decided she had to return to the home she had once wanted to leave so badly.
"I'm coming with you." Nora suddenly announced to the two men. Quickly Beorn turned to her. He shook his head while she walked up to them. There was no way she was about to be left behind.
"No Nora. You are to remain here." Beorn told her. He was not about to put her in the middle of a war. "Keep yourself and the animals safe. I will take care of Azog and we will be safe the rest of our days."
"What if the house if overrun? You have trained me well but I cannot fight off host of orcs alone." Nora told him.
"That will not happen." Beorn replied with a low growl. He felt the urgency of the flock. He knew they needed to leave.
"If I cannot go with you remain here with me." Nora told him. Beorn felt his patience wearing thin. Time was of the essence and Nora did not seem to understand what she was asking.
"I lost my family to them. I will not lose you." Beorn growled at her. "I will go, I will fight and I will win. Only then, will we be able to live our lives in peace." With that he turned to leave. Why couldn't she understand, he only wanted to protect her and their home? Nora watched him helpless as he began to walk away. Radagast gave her sympathetic look but agreed with the tall, grizzly man.
"I left a niece behind when I left Esgaroth." Nora suddenly stated. "What if she needs my help?"
"If it is your wish I will look for her once the battle is won." Beorn told her. "I love you but I need to go now." With that Beorn turned and again began to walk away. Now he and Radagast were amongst the army of eagles that seemed to patiently await them.
It was then another thought hit her. She had not yet told Beorn of the child that grew within her. The nausea she had felt had begun to fade away and she showed no signs of problems. Nora also didn't want Beorn to go off into war without knowing about their child.
"I am with child." Nora suddenly called out. Surely the news of the child growing within her womb would convince him to stay or at least take her with him. Beorn paused and slowly turned to her. He had sensed this but hadn't mentioned it to her. This particular subject had caused them both significant pain in the past. If he mentioned it to her and was wrong, it would only bring up more heartache.
"You are sure?" he questioned. His brown eyes met hers. Meanwhile Radagast's eyes widened in delight at the news, though he remained quiet. He had known of their struggles to conceive a child and knew it had been an cause of great pain for them in the past.
"I will speak to the leader of the eagles." he said before he turned and walked away from the couple. Once he was gone Nora spoke.
"Yes." She nodded, her hand lightly rested on her stomach. "It is still early in the pregnancy but I am sure. You will not be the last of your kind." She watched as he husband's eyes followed her hand and then went to the ground. Many emotions filled him. Excitement, fear and determination to kill Azog filled the great man. He knew his child would not have a chance at life, if he did not.
"All the more reason for me to go." Beorn told her after a short moment. "Our child needs our home to be free of orcs and the evil that is trying to resurface. I have to fight."
"Then let me come with you." Nora again pressed.
"No." Beorn quickly answered as his head shook, "I will not risk putting my wife and child in a war."
"How is leaving us here without your protection not risking us? What if there is a raid on the house while you're gone? You have said that more and more orcs have entered our land. It is best if we are with you." Nora argued. Beorn grew quiet as thoughts formed in his mind. She was right, if he left, that would leave the house, and her open for attack. At the same time, taking her with him and putting her in the middle of the battle that would soon take place was unwise. He continued to think through each option a moment before he nodded and reached his hand out for hers.
"Very well." he said, though it was against his better judgement. "You will stay with the eagle. You will not join me on the battle field, understand?"
"You sound like Bard." Nora said as his words reminded her of her brother's long ago. True she couldn't take on a hoard of orcs on her own but she could fight in some way.
"Like your brother I want you safe." Beorn said. "I want you and our child safe. Come but please stay on the eagle. I will find you once the battle is won and we can speak more about the child that will come." Gently, Beorn placed his hand on top of her hand, that rested on her stomach. Tenderness filled Beorn's eyes as they looked to the spot where their child grew. "I promise you, I will protect our home."
"I only want to help." Nora told him and his eyes moved back to her.
"I know." Beorn told her. "I love you." With that their lips met in a kiss. The leader of the eagles had finished speaking with Radagast and the wizard approached his friends.
"We must leave if we are to get there in time." Radagast said, urgency was in his voice. Nora and Beorn nodded. They shared one last kiss before Beorn approached another eagle and got on his back. Radagast also followed the action and soon they were flying in the air.
Nora inhaled a deep breath as she realized she would soon see the people of her childhood home. Soon, she would be reunited with the people of Esgaroth.
~Author's Note~
Hi everyone! I am so, so sorry for how long it took me to get this written out and up. My last computer died, took all my files with it and it's taken me this long to afford a new computer. So hopefully I'll be able to get updates out more frequently! Hopefully the next chapter will be longer too. Thank you for your patience. I know it's frustrating to wait on an author to update. It's also very frustrating when you want to update a story and aren't able to due to dumb computer problems. Thanks to everyone who is following/favoring my story. I can't believe this story has 181 followers and 124 favorites. Thank you so much for that! A special thanks to everyone who reviewed:
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I think that's everyone. Thanks again for all the support and all the patience! I really appreciate it. I hope to have the next chapter out in a week or two. If you have a moment and feel inclined please feel free to leave a review. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thanks again!- Lin